#THERE ARE REASONS HELENA HAS NEVER MADE YOU A PROMISE...

[noirsdoll]

-> in your arms

pairing: re6!leon x re6!sherry

words: 3.3k

tags: pseudo-incest, dubcon, mentions of blood, suicidal ideation (from leon), referenced drug use (from leon), short cameos from claire, helena, and jake, set after the events of re6

notes: been thinking about leon and sherry's relationship and their interactions in re6. i feel like leon is such a self sabotager when it comes to good things or people in his life. like he has an intrusive need to fuck things up for himself. also sherry.... poor sherry she deserves the world.

read it on ao3

She was practically ripped from his hands.

Ever since they escaped the confines of Raccoon City, Sherry, Leon, and Claire stayed joined at the hip, navigating the chaos. Claire eventually left, on the search for her brother. For a while, it was just Leon and Sherry, drifting from motel to motel, surviving on loose change and ice cream sandwiches. They were heading to Leon’s place, where they’d finally be allowed a rest.

But they never got it.

Intercepted by the US government, they were singled out as the sole survivors of Raccoon City. Leon was fit to join the government ranks, but not Sherry. No, Sherry harboured dormant remnants of the G-Virus, a last gift from dear old dad. That made her valuable.

Leon could only watch as they dragged her away, kicking and screaming. They were going to pull her apart with needles and scalpels, just to learn an inkling about her parents’ virus, no doubt to equip it for military use. Sherry will be transformed into a mangled piece of flesh no different from the zombies Leon’s had to kill.

Leon called out for her until his throat went hoarse. He couldn’t lose another person, he couldn’t lose her. Knowingly or not, Sherry had become his reason to live. The interrogators around him gleaned just as much. With shady grins and shifty fingers, they had him sign away his life in exchange for Sherry’s safety.

What a joke. Leon had known they wouldn’t uphold their promise, but it was the only chance he had to ensure her wellbeing. That would be the last time they see each other for a long while.

The years drag on. He can’t afford to keep a connection with her now, not after the things he’s done. The blood in his ledger, the people he’s been tasked to kill— because zombies don’t lose any of their human past.

Leon and Helena crash land in China to find Simmons and clear both their names. It’s then, out of the wreckage, that this behemoth comes forth and along with it, a man— coupled with a woman who looks oddly familiar.

The four of them try their best to put it down, and when it seems the dust has settled, Leon reaches out for this woman. He can’t believe his eyes, but he wants to.

“Sherry?”

She turns to look at him, her mouth dropping open. “Leon?”

“Why are you here?” She’s armed.

“Simmons told me to come here, I had to—,”

Leon’s mission returns to the forefront of his mind. “Simmons? Where is he?”

The man, more lapdog than person, gets in between them. “Hey, watch how you talk to her.”

“Jake, it’s okay. It’s Leon, he saved my life back in Raccoon City.” Sherry’s gaze calms him right back down. Something bubbles up in Leon’s chest. Just who is this guy?

Simmons is dead, Helena and Leon’s names have been cleared, yet Leon can’t rest– not till he talks to Sherry. Leon pulls Sherry under his arm, away from Jake. He doesn’t trust Jake, nor does he trust the way Sherry looks at him. Leon’s been away from her for too long.

“Leon! What’s up?” Sherry’s eyes glimmer just how they used to when Leon would take a knee and wipe her tears from her eyes. Back then she was so much smaller, everything was so much simpler. She was his driving force to keep going during the events of Raccoon, when a bullet to the head seemed like a better idea. Now she’s all grown up, now she’s someone else.

“Who’s that Jake guy?” He whispers.

“Oh, him?” Sherry glances over at Jake, who’s leaning against the wall pretending to look busy. Shifty. He looks shifty. Leon doesn’t like him. “He’s just a friend. His blood has the antibodies for the C-Virus.”

“You don’t look at him like a friend.” There’s something abruptly paternal in his tone. He ignores it.

She blushes then, looking away from both him and Jake. “That’s the first thing you want to ask? I haven’t seen you in forever, Leon. How’s Claire?”

“Me and her aren’t… talking anymore.” Leon was trying to protect her, as he failed to do for Sherry. “Did Simmons— did his men hurt you?”

Sherry frowns. “No, he took care of me. That was a long time ago, Leon. The facility is my home.”Her frown deepens, she wraps her arms around herself. “They took some samples, it's all blurry now— I don’t think anything happened.”

“If they did something, you’d tell me, right?” He eyes her warily.

“Of course, Leon.” She shoves him by the shoulder, teasing. “You don’t have to look after me— I’m not a kid anymore,” Sherry smiles.

“Yes, I do.” Leon says it without hesitation. “You’re still…” You’re still my little girl.

She perks up at that. “Still what?”

“Still too trusting. Jake’s dangerous.”

“You don’t think I know that?” Sherry huffs. “He’s a mercenary— I knew that when I was sent on the mission.”

Leon glances at her, deciding to drop it. “So, do you have anywhere to stay now that the facility’s been shut down?”

“Jake offered, but I’m not… sure he actually has a place,” she laughs, like there’s something funny about a man being unable to provide.

Leon thinks for a moment. “While we wait for this all to blow over, stay at my place. We can catch up.”

Things are quiet. Why wouldn’t they be? Sherry’s become a stranger to him. Leon slides a mug of coffee her way, she offers a polite smile. “I, uh, I’m more of a tea person.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Leon roots in the back of his pantry. He finds some green tea from when he actually attended his AA meetings— when he thought things could get better.

Sherry takes her mug of tea, wrapping her hands around it. She’s in her pyjamas— they’re baby blue and white. Cute. She takes a sip and stares distantly at Leon’s kitchen table. “I wonder how Jake’s doing.”

That makes Leon frown— he hides it behind his mug. What’s even so great about that ginger? He didn’t pull Sherry out of the depths of hell the way Leon did, he didn’t sacrifice everything for her like Leon did, the way he would again— without hesitation.

Leon shrugs. “He’s a tough nut, he’ll be fine. How’d you sleep?”

Sherry yawns and stretches. “It was okay. It was just hard to sleep— kept thinking about Ustanak.”

“What?”

“The monster that was chasing us. Do you not read the mission reports?”

“All I know is that it was big and ugly. They all tend to blend together after a while.”

“Right,” she frowns, “I can’t stop thinking about it. They can just make something like that with the sole instinct of killing a single person.” Sherry looks up at him, her eyes are glassy. “What if they send one of those things after you? Or Claire?”

“Hey, hey,” he sits down beside her at the table, “that’s not gonna happen. Don’t think about that.” Leon cups her face and wipes away her brewing tears. This feels more natural between them, the nostalgia of it all tugs at his heartstrings.

It’s his job to protect Sherry, always has been. She should never, even for a moment, ever feel unsafe around him. Leon looks down at Sherry, her face in his hands. She looks so small, helpless.

He kisses her forehead. He’ll keep her safe.

“Sherry’s still staying with you, Leon?” Helena sits across from him in the office cafeteria. She’s leaned against the wall, expressionless– meaning her usual resting glare.

“China took a toll on her,” Leon says, “I’m just helping her through it.”

“She doesn’t need to be coddled.” Helena scoffs. “What she needs is a therapist and a spa day.”

“I know what she needs. I was there for her during it all.”

Helena flicks an empty coffee cup on the table. It tips over. “She’s an adult. Sherry’s older than me, Leon.”

“Simmons kept her in a facility her whole childhood. She didn’t have the chance to experience life the way you did.”

“Keeping her cooped up in your apartment won’t fix that.”

“You don’t get it. She needs me.” I’m important to her. I’m finally important to someone.

“You need her, is more like it,” Helena says. “What about Ada?”

Ada was born from one of those C-Virus cocoons. She’s a monster, a freak of nature– one of the things Leon’s meant to kill. There’s no certainty to her, there is nothing pliable about her the way Sherry is.

Sure, she’s different now, but if they spend enough time together Leon can find the old her, wipe the dust off, polish the cracks and pretend. And Leon is so good at pretending.

“That’s not important.”

Helena opens her mouth to say more, but she sees something behind Leon and adeptly closes it. Then he hears that giggle, that tinkling of choir bells, and a warmth so alien to him blooms in his chest and he is sure that he has made the right decision. “Surprise!”

Any acknowledgement of Helena’s criticisms melt away when Sherry latches onto his arm, leaning into his side. Leon turns to Sherry, unable to hide the small smile tugging at his lips. “Hey, thought you were staying home today?”

“I know, but I wanted to visit,” she slips into the spot beside Leon like it’s second nature. Helena rolls her eyes and gets up from the seat, walking off. Sherry glances over at Leon. “Did I do something?”

He shakes his head. “No, she was just leaving.”

Sherry hasn’t left. Leon doesn’t ever want her to. It’s late evening in his apartment, they’re watching something forgettable on the couch. Leon’s got an arm curled behind his head on the armrest, Sherry’s crowded up against his chest.

Leon can’t focus on what’s playing on the TV, not when Sherry looks so adorable, eyelids drooping, half-asleep. He moves one of her short strands of hair out of her eyes. Sherry lifts her head to look at him, a grin of exhaustion on her lips.

And then his dick kicks against her thigh.

Leon goes still underneath her. He doesn’t know what to do, but something about this is making the puzzle pieces Leon had scattered around his brain slowly click together. This is the birth of something that has been festering for so long, an inclination he has tried to ignore.

“Leon…?” Sherry asks sleepily, like she doesn’t want to believe it. Leon is something idealistic to her, he is the hero who saved her in Raccoon City, not an adult man with a dick.

That was one of things Leon cherished about Sherry, how she stays a reminder of a time when he was better. But the truth had to come out eventually. Leon’s biggest weakness is a soft body against his dick— Sherry is no exception.

And Sherry is pliable and her eyes blink up at Leon in something he has never deserved and Leon wonders if maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.

“Keep still for me, sweetheart,” he whispers, he doesn’t want to disturb the quiet.

Sherry’s confusion only grows, she shifts out of her haze. “Leon?” she repeats, and another name catches in her throat, one Leon has never been sure he wants to hear— because of the responsibility and the dependence it would afford him.

And that rotten swell blooming in his gut would only grow further, a cesspool of every bad action and self-sabotage he has lobbied at himself.

She goes to sit up and Leon tugs her back against him. Her warmth against his body is a stark reminder of just how lonely he has been, loneliness that has only been made more apparent by Sherry’s time with him.

And so he ruins it. He corrupts her, he snuffs the light out in her eyes because that is the only thing he is good at.

Then Sherry says she’s going out, clutching her clothes to her chest like her dignity is somehow woven into the fabric. Her big doe eyes are wide like dinner plates, glassy like them too.

He watches her walk away, a stagger to her knocked knees like she really is just a baby deer. She is a tapestry of Leon’s decisions then and now, the wine stain on white carpet, the blood on her underwear.

Their next conversations are held through locked doors, through choked sobs and croaked-out words. Sherry doesn’t look at him now, she averts her eyes from him and everything that he is.

Now Leon is no different from her real father, who impregnated her with that viral embryo when she should’ve been learning timetables. He is a monster. But Leon was never a hero and it’s his fault that Sherry learned that the hard way.

“Sherry, honey, please,” he speaks through the door.

She sniffles. “Go away, Leon.”

Sherry cries on impulse now. Every time Leon talks to her, she erupts in snot and tears that Leon would happily wipe away— but she’s learned not to let him that close again.

So Leon sticks with his original theory. That there’s no way he can make it worse than it already is— therefore he can do as he pleases.

She can’t leave. She has nowhere to go. Jake has fucked off to wherever homicidal orphans end up and Simmons, the stand-in dad, has already bitten the bullet. It is just him and her. And there are only so many rooms in his apartment.

Leon crowds her into a corner of the bathroom, pressed up against the shower walls, water running down their skin. Sherry yelps and covers herself, she is afraid when she never has to be. Leon is the one who keeps her safe— always has been.

“Look at me, Sherry,” he says, carding her wet hair out of her face and kissing her forehead.

She looks at the tile walls, curled in on herself. “What do you want, Leon?”

“I rushed things when you weren’t ready” The shower water drums against his back, a steady noise drowining out the silence.

“There was nothing to rush.” The bite in her voice is long gone. She is closer to a puppy than an opposing force now. “You were never…. like that to me.”

He nods regretfully. “I know that.” Sherry was never like that to him either, but Leon didn’t know what else she was. There was no other place to put her, the cylinder block in the square hole.

“I’m sorry…” Leon’s not sure what to apologize for, he didn’t do anything wrong. He just misread everything, that’s not entirely his fault. “I’m sorry, Sherry.”

“Could you just leave me alone?” There is more exasperation than finality to her tone.

Leon tips her chin up to look at him. “I’m not leaving if you’re still upset with me.”

“Then I’m not upset,” Sherry says, clearly upset. “Better?”

He frowns, “you know that’s not what I mean.”

“Leon I don’t want to talk.”

And he knows why. Puffing out a breath of air, he says, “you can stay with Claire if I really bother you so much.”

Claire slaps him. Once. Twice. She’s always angry with him. Snippy. There’s a reason they hardly talk, Claire only visits his apartment to kick his drugged-out body and make sure he’s still breathing.

“You’re a fucking weirdo, Leon,” she says. “You know what? Weirdo doesn’t even begin to cover it. How could you?” She nails that tone of a distressed mother— she should go into acting. Her performance would move Leon if the only thing he felt wasn’t the urge to kill himself.

Sherry buries her face in Claire’s shoulder. They have always looked so right together, better than he and Sherry ever did. There is a solidarity between them now, the co-founders of the We Hate Leon club that would encompass about half of the DSO.

Sherry looks like a child picking sides. She doesn’t understand what’s going on. Claire doesn’t care. This is all about one-upping him. Obviously. Claire’s constant visits to Sherry while she was a lab rat was mere preparation for this moment, when she can steal Sherry away and blow raspberries in his face, kick a man while he’s down.

And Leon is down. Down and out. Nothing but his apartment and its four walls to his name. He’s popped every prescription opioid he had, there’s no remedy left for that eternal numbness. Matilda’s been making eyes at him from his bedside drawer, one pull of the trigger might rectify everything. Have everyone running back with bouquets of flowers and pity, secretly glad he finally did what everyone’s been begging him to do.

But that’s too easy and Leon hates anything that’s easy. He’d rather sit with the consequences of his actions— a much better form of self-harm, ignoring the bloodstains on the couch cushions and the lingering of Sherry on each and every thing in his house.

She forgot to take the extra toothbrush she had propped up next to his. Leon should throw it away.

Sherry rubs herself raw every night.

It’s compulsive, she needs to, otherwise she can’t function. Every memory of Leon’s touch has heat coiling low in her stomach— even when she wishes it didn’t.

She clasps her hand over her mouth, muffling every keening moan as she cums for the nth time. All she can think about is the way he felt. The rough slide of his hands, the way he talked to her, filled her up.

Sherry has no fucking clue what Leon is to her anymore. The cylinder block in the square hole, he’s fallen somewhere between Simmons and her real dad, rather than being his separate variable entirely.

Claire wants Sherry out of her apartment by the end of the week. Sherry understands, she gets it completely. She needs to find her own place at this point. But she can’t help but dwell on the fact that Leon would’ve let her stay indefinitely, holding her close and never letting go.

She didn’t want to be let go— it was all so confusing, but it was wrong to remain, Sherry knows that to be fact. Sherry couldn’t have stayed, because what he did was wrong regardless.

But then why does she feel like this? So much different than she’s ever felt about Jake. Sherry doesn’t know how to process it, how to deal with the words Leon said to her while he was buried in her, as close as he could possibly get, his cock nudging her heartstrings.

Sherry feels as broken as she does fixed. She dials his number every night, staring at his contact in the darkness of Claire’s spare bedroom, wondering if it’d be a betrayal of Claire’s trust to call him.

The only reason Claire let her stay here is because Sherry said it was unsafe at Leon’s place. It was unsafe because Sherry didn’t know what she’d do if she stayed there any longer. If, in some alternate universe, her and Leon had a conversation and it all worked out. Him and her walking down the aisle, Leon’s ring on her finger, his kids in her belly.

Sherry’s stomach turns over at the thought, with what emotion, she’s not sure. Her breath feels lodged in her throat as she stares at his number.

By compulsion, she deletes it. She knows it’s the right thing to do, that’s what Claire told her, but she still bursts into tears, crying in the darkness.

Knowing that if Leon was here, he would’ve kissed it all away.

[fightinggamegirlfriend]

me rambling about some character interactions (honestly its really just Hayate/Ridley/Ryu, and some additional Ayane characterisation??) that occur right after the events of DOA5. uh. DOA5 and slight Ninja Gaiden 3 spoilers, but also a VERY LONG post!

thinking about a moment that’s set immediately after the events of DOA5, where Hayate makes a quick detour to Ridley’s apartment only to find Ridley in an emotional wreck because she’s been listening/watching the news reporting of a DOATEC facility (that Hayate, Ayane, Ryu, Kasumi and others were on) that had blown up not too long ago - and that Ridley has been dreading the absolute worse case scenario that none of the Shinobi made it out alive. She was informed before hand by Helena of what was planned, and that she'd promise to ensure the Shinobi would be fine, although after that platform collapsed, she has to do DOATEC's PR/Damage control and hide/lie to the public what actually occurred on that platform facility.

(What occurred on that DOATEC facility out in the ocean is that it doubled as a facility that harbored MULTIPLE Kasumi clones, and the Mugen Tenshin Siblings + Ryu got a little more than they bargained for, as the Kasumi Clones have reached their 'final' phase as being walking shapeshifting weapons of mass destruction that can also mimic abilities off the fly. and one of the clones copied Ryu's form and tried to do a dangerous technique of his, and the real Ryu had to respond quickly by doing the same thing and uh. it leads to facility going kaboom and everything collapsing. If you don’t believe me you can just watch this video. Obligatory DOA5 spoilers.)

There would be a moment where Hayate and Ridley are just standing in the middle of her apartment, embracing each other and Hayate profusely apologising to Ridley for causing any distress. "I’m sorry for making you worried, it was never my intention to do so. It was going all according to our plan but it went south so quickly, and I was powerless to stop it."

Ayane would eventually enter the apartment herself, because she would get really antsy about getting back home after the events of the day. However the moment she lands on the apartment’s balcony and enters, she immediately regrets her actions as she almost interrupts her sibling and Ridley’s intimate moment (even though it’s literally just two people hugging). Just as she’s about to turn tail and head back outside, she’s halted in her tracks when Ridley just barely croaks out a "thank you," to her for “having Hayate’s back,” and even adding on a “I’m glad you’re okay too...”

And Ayane is in complete shock and disbelief to hear this from Ridley, a person she has resented for so long for ‘taking her sibling away from her'. Only recently she has started to soften that stance over time after witnessing first hand Hayate’s and Ridley’s affection for one another. So hearing those words do disarm arm her slightly, like just enough to leave a tiny crack in the cold exterior she has but not enough to break it entirely. That said, in this moment Ayane would be caught off guard to just see Ridley in such an emotional state, and for a brief moment she feels her heart sink a little, and she doesn't know why (it's a ‘I don’t want to see my sibling’s precious person be in such distress’, but Ayane doesn't know it yet.) To get her bearings she sits on one of the couches, and does her very best to not tear up at Ridley’s sincere words.

Lastly Ryu enters the apartment, and I think a little before hand, Ryu would recognise that what has occurred in the last few hours have been exhausting, so he's open to Hayate's suggestion of a detour to Ridley's apartment for a brief rest stop. He would also acknowledge that there's no way that Helena Douglas and DOATEC in general can just hand wave away what's happened, and that there's absolutely a high chance the news would cover this incident, albeit they news would never know the true story. Ryu would reason that just telling Ridley in person that he's okay is a genuinely overall, good idea.

Winding down would also allow the Shinobi to fully process and comprehend the events of what happened at the facility, and relay more accurate (and critical) personal accounts of what occurred at the facility to their respective clans.

When Ridley finally pulls herself together, she does her best to make the Shinobi trio at home.

Uh during this down time, Ridley actually sees Ryu’s face for the first time and the interaction itself is highlighted in this post! There would be a lot more exchanges between these characters, although I'm not super sure how they would unfold right now, but there is a follow up exchange between Ryu and Ridley again, where he takes her aside and privately thanks her for being there for Hayate, when Ryu himself couldn’t (be it preoccupied with clan duties, the occasional demon fiend troubles or artificial gods etc.). Additionally I think in this moment Ryu, in a semi-tired state does confess to Ridley his feelings for her (albeit in vague terms) + mentions that since she's Hayate's special person, that by proxy, she's also special to him. He’s had these feelings lingering around for a while (since DOA4/Ninja Gaiden II) but he never really fully accepted them until the events of Ninja Gaiden 3, where Ridley makes a surprise appearance and punches the daylight out of a mutated Cliff.

Again, as previously mentioned, these feelings for the pro-wrestler is partly due to how genuinely supportive she's been to Hayate and Ryu holds those in high regard who are willing to lend a shoulder for others to lean on. I am aware its not exactly a sound justification for what will eventually turn into a polyship, but within the lore of DOA and Ninja Gaiden there's only so much I can work with, so cut me a little bit of slack. (also the connected timeline is kind of a mess... i have no clue when NG3 takes place tbh.)

I guess I should stress that Ryu does not envy Hayate and Ridley's relationship or closeness, I feel like Ryu is more rational in his emotions and doesn't let petty things bother him. like you'd have to try VERY hard to get him to be jealous.

ANYWAYS, back to the confession, I’m not sure if Hayate should walk in on the conversation or happen to overhear or, or have Ayane snitch on Ryu (would be an insanely funny idea, but it would be OOC as she deeply respects and holds Ryu in high regard). Whatever choice I go with, Hayate would be hurt to know that her relationship with Ryu wasn’t 'strong enough' for her life partner to feel comfortable in telling her that he had romantic feelings for her girlfriend. Ryu would justify the decision to not divulge these feelings to them as: “I wanted to prioritise your well-being first,” and that “I wanted to ensure that I could provide cover for you if any Mugen Tenshin Clan Elder asked me where you’ve gone. I don’t want you to be exiled or hunted down all your life like your sister, all because you’re seeing a person who isn’t from a Ninja Clan.” Hayate would feel very tired and defeated by that last justification, and even as Clan Leader, she knows she’ll have to answer a lot of questions if she dared tried to change that policy/rule (traditional can suck sometimes).

A few hours before the Shinobi trio leave Ridley’s apartment, Hayate would present the question to Ridley if it was alright to open up the relationship to include Ryu. Ridley doesn’t mind this, although she’s very confused on how Ryu has gained feelings for her. She literally says: “I’m not that special.” It would take a bit for her come around to develop her own feelings for Ryu, she IS attracted to him after seeing what’s under that mask, it’s just the development of romance between the two will take some time, but she’s open to trying :3

uuhhhhhh god this post is so long so I'll end it off here. there's nothing more to add atm other than Ayane being the obligatory fourth wheel to all of this unfolding before her eyes (much to her annoyance).

[eternalmayfly]

The Future is An Illusion

A promised drabble for @solitaireships Since I only watched RWBY up to season 3, this is written before the events that followed it. Which means it gets to stay nice and wholesome.

CW: None! DNI: If you also self ship with James! This is written for Sophia and her ship only! This piece is OK to rb!

"Is there any particular reason you look nervous?" The sound of James' voice startled her out of deep thought. She expelled her rising anxiety through a long breath, offering him a smile that seemed particularly forced. She moved to rise to her feet, but he motioned for her to remain in her spot. He took a seat next to her, both of their legs dangling off the edge of the grassy cliff that gave a breathtaking view of the forest.

"How did you know I was out here?" Helena asked, a puzzled expression plastered over her face.

"I didn't. Rather, I thought it was strange that I didn't find you in your usual spot. I happened to take a lucky guess."

They laughed together at the absurdity of the situation and conversation. It certainly did a number for Helena, allowing her to momentarily forget the thoughts that had been plaguing her mind. She glanced down as James' palm rested on top of her hand. The touch was gentle in nature, but the caring motion made her cheeks heat up.

"So, are you going to tell me what has you so nervous?" There was a brief pause in his words as he turned to look her in the eyes. "Don't assume you can lie to me. I know something is troubling you."

Her free hand was raised to cover her mouth, muffling the soft giggle that came out. "I should've known. Leave it to a man like you to read a person like a book." She removed her hand, letting her deep sigh hang in the air. "I'm worried."

"About what?" He prodded her deeper.

"The state of the world. Things have been peaceful for too long. I have this feeling in my gut that it's going to end soon...that something is going to happen, and life as we know it will never be the same." She avoids his gaze as she speaks, as she is one to rarely speak so openly like this. "I know you can feel it too. The tension between small groups that keep popping up all over. It's only a matter of time until the water boils over."

James was quiet. The concerns she presented were allowed to settle over the both of them as he took a moment to digest it all and find an answer to reassure her. He knew she was right; Ozpin had told him as well, but she didn't need to know that. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Perhaps. We never know what the future will hold for us. The future doesn't matter yet. Right now, we focus on protecting ourselves and living in the moment. We think ahead only to the next second. Nothing has gotten done by people who think too far in advance." He reaches over, hand cupping under her chin to lift her head. He looked her in the eyes, his lips tugging into a reassuring smile.

"So don't worry about that, okay? Right here, right now, the world is at peace, and things are going to be okay. No matter what happens, I'll be right by your side. More than protecting our nation, I want to protect you."

Helena felt warm tears puddling in the corners of her eyes. It was a delight to hear him speak in ways she rarely got to hear. It was a reminder that he was more than just a general; he was the love of her life.

"Thank you..." She leaned forward, their lips meeting in a feathery, soft kiss that lasted for only a moment. It was sweet and warm. Yet when she tried to pull away, he held her head and deepened the kiss.

They were alone, after all. It was a moment to indulge in their love.

[snowbryneich]

8 and 18 for the fic asks?

8. if you had to write a sequel to a fic, you’d write one for…

I already have an outline for the sequel to Future Promised in Glass, so that.

18. if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic

Some deleted scenes from Dark Hair which were different approaches to getting the Aemond backstory into the tale (from the first I've dropped entirely the notion Aemond was badgered into writing and the second is a flashback - which is pretty similar to how it went but Jacaera just describes it rather than it being a flashback.

The change in her routine meant Baelon was there when she got her latest missive from Oldtown. 

"Put it on the fire," she told the maid, who would immediately report the burning to the Queen. Jacaera assumed all her maids were spies - but this one was she was certain of . "I have no wish to read anything my uncle has to say." Which was not true, but the fact she would not so much as read the apologies Prince Aemond sent irregularly drove the Queen and hand mad. Baelon looked up from his breakfast.

"Aemond writes to you?" he asked. 

"The Queen believes my forgiveness is key to my grandfather undoing his banishment," Jacaera said. "It drives her crazy that all I do is burn the apologies. I can't imagine how long it takes her to badger him into writing them."

"Why does he?" Baelon said he'd probably never apologised for anything in his life, Jacaera thought. Certainly not if he didn’t want to. 

"I assume Ser Otto wants him back at court,” Jacaera said. "By all accounts other than hsi exile he’d be a much better candidate for pushing their claim than Aegon - thought that’s a double-edged sword - they can’t make Aegon not the eldest, and having him shown up by his younger brother doesn’t seem ideal. But for Aemond himself?” 

That one was obvious. She had known it since her father’s death, when she had been weeping in the Dragonpit clinging to Vermax with Seasmoke wrapped around them both. Aemond had not expected her to be there, and her distress at the reason why he was there had ruined Aemond’s attempt. Seasmoke had reacted badly and never allowed Aemond an approach, not that day or later when Grandsire had sanctioned him to make an attempt after a respectable morning period. He’d been very nearly burned and blamed her entirely. 

“He wants a dragon,” she said, “more than anything, returning to King's Landing would give him access to the Dragonpit. Or if he can convince my mother, then the Dragonmont.” The King might be in charge of dragons officially, but Dragonstone was her mother’s domain. 

"The only eggs laid in recent years belong to Syrax?” Baelon said. "Surely your mother would not give one to him - not given your history?" Jacaera shrugged. It would be base foolishness to offer him a chance of a dragon - the risk would be to her mother’s claim, not hers, the more dragons the Greens had. But then her mother had made foolish choices before.

Flashback

It had been almost a year later - Jacaera had been at the Dragonpit again. To bid farewell to Vermax, as Mother had forbidden them to fly to Driftmark for Aunt Laena’s funeral. They would sail, as Velaryons. Jacaera had been angry and relieved because two days before she'd run from a drunken Aegon -  he'd been angry since Helena's pregnancy had been announced. She would never have to marry him but he could still ruin her - he'd forced Helaena's maids - more than once.  Jacaera did not expect him to treat her any better.

Jacaera had slipped on the hem of her gown while fleeing and fallen on the stairs. She was one big bruise, it made the idea of dragon-riding agony, but nor did she want to be in close proximity to her mother or anyone who might discover her bruising.

She had been in no mood to deal with Aemond or the reasons he might be lurking in the Dragonpit - she would have thought he had not been here since his failed attempt at Seasmoke. He had hated the pit since the business with the pig, which had been all Aegon’s idea - she had forbidden Luke to join in even though he had thought it might be funny. 

"Prince Aemond," Jacaera said. "We don't normally see you here." Between his failures,  the prank and the fact that Seasmoke still hated him and would hiss at the sight of him. Aemond had glowered.

"I hear you aren't taking your dragon," he said." You'll look even more like a bastard when you meet your betrothed." Another reason to regret sailing - they would all be cooped up together on the ship.

"Baelon knows Vermax hatched for me in the cradle," she said. Jacaera tried hard to pretend his words didn’t sting, that it was not a concern. "He looks forward to introducing me to his own cradle dragon. And to Vhagar - she's been claimed by his sister. So we will all be riders together,"

Aemond's face had turned white at that. 

"She has not," he said, panicked. "It's not customary to make a claim before the funeral." Aemond would know. He’d been told so many times, given his behaviour.

"I had a letter from my betrothed saying so," Jacaera lied with a shrug. “Sometimes dragons make their own claims,” she said. “And of course, I told Uncle Daemon all about how much you respect custom."

She had not expected Aemord to hit her. She was surprised by how much it hurt. No one had ever hit Jacara before. She was a princess and well-behaved. There had never even been a suggestion of a whipping girl for her. It hurt to hit the ground thanks to her bruising, and the side of her face throbbed - she could not see out of that eye. 

“Coward,” she spat. “Craven. Zaldrīzes ānē issa se iḍan.” It had been a mistake to provoke him further because he kicked her in the stomach so hard she vomited from the force of it, the acrid scent taking over the smell of Dragons and pain radiating as she curled in on herself, flush with terror. He could kill her, she thought, and would from the look on his face. He’d probably try and claim Vermax right after, too. 

[batheir]

open to.. mutuals and non mutuals.

setting.. to be determined.

plot.. from this post underneath 'lion king'.

"― [ muse a ] and [ muse b ] are childhood best friends. they used to spend almost every day together until [ muse a ] had to leave town and has never come back since. one day, [ muse b ] comes looking for [ muse a ] because of some trouble at home. although it took some time, [ muse b ] finally finds [ muse a ], but [ muse a ] doesn't want to come back. [ muse a ] explains to [ muse b ] what happened all those years ago that made them leave their home; and that this is the reason why they can never come back. [ muse b ] is surprised by that, but still determined to get [ muse a ] to come with them because now that they finally have them back in their life, they don't want them to be gone again."

connections.. childhood friends.

"you are the one who left. remember?" they made vows and pinky promises to always stick together. pinky promises meant everything to helena way back when, as a tiny girl, frolicking around in her purple dresses and tutus. & they STILL did. those morals were yet instilled inside her like the color purple incorporated in her outfits, the jacket she was wearing today out in the city's cold weather. she hadn't changed really in the slightest while she couldn't say the same for the person she once knew. & perplexed by, that stand before her now. after so long mourning their presence, given up on ever seeing them again, it was bewildering they were here again. and for how long? her trust was thin. "you up and left without a word. imagine how you would have felt if i had done the same? so many years wondering what happened to someone you spent almost everyday with. it was impossible to understand.. it was–– heartbreaking."

[xcharmedxheirsx]

@xhelenaxleblancx​

She knows the word she WANTS to use...

                                                                                                BETRAYED...

But she knows that’s the WRONG WORD. And it’s damn sure not fair to hold Helena up to an agreement she NEVER EVEN MADE. In fact, she’s sure that Helena would NEVER have made such an agreement. She CARED TOO MUCH to lie to her like that. That beng said... It still hurt ALL THE SAME... Even if she SHOULD have expected it... Their chemistry OUTDATED Seraphina’s and Helena. And in certain IRONIC ways it had actually been the chemistry BETWEEN Helena and Delilah that night in the fields behind her family’s estate that had first bonded Helena and Seraphina. “I-I-I...” Tears are in her eyes and she’s shaking her head and her lip is all TWISTED UP like when you don’t know the answer to a life or death question. “I-I don’t know...” she finally choked out. “I really don’t fucking know...” EXHALE. Short. Curt. Sharp. PAINFUL. “I won’t lie... It would hurt me...” She spoke, wringing at her wrist. FIGHTING the urge to down some champagne. She’d been silently going sober ALONGSIDE Helena. But fuck was such a dependency DIFFICULT to break... “I wouldn’t be okay...”

                                                  UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE FUCKING CENTURY...

[nerdsbianhokie]

everyone deserves the flames but it's such a shame, such a shame

Last week or so I made a post about what fic I should work on since I had finished one, and @magicmumu2 said something for Bering and Wells appreciation week, and I had this one in the line up already, so I moved it up.

Inspired but a prompt from @dailyau : We had a really bad break up three hundred years ago, but neither of us realized the other was immortal until we meet today while shopping for groceries

You stare at the name on the screen.

It isn't possible.

It just isn't.

They wouldn't do this to you.

The Warehouse wouldn't do this to you.

"We should go see if Leena can find anything about this," Pete said.

You nod. You follow him back, barely responding to his confused comments about the turn of events.

He doesn't seem to notice your distraction.

Or, maybe he does. You can feel Leena's concern at your state when you enter the office, but Pete cuts in.

"She's processing. Not every day you learn your hero has been bronzed."

But H.G. Wells isn't your hero.

H.G. Wells is so much more.

:readmore:

You should tell them, tell them everything you know.

It's important information.

It could be vital to finding MacPherson.

You can’t even put the words together in your head.

Instead, you retreat to the library, to the first editions of the stories you know so well.

They have been your closest comfort the past century.

Your only comfort, really.

The library settles you.

It is your place.

The way the Warehouse itself is Irene.

The way the B&B is Leena.

This library is you.

The words swirl around you and the smell of centuries settle into your nerves. 

You have a plan.

When you return to the office, carrying a pile of books as a vaguely weak, but very Myka reason to have been away, Pete finds the news of the break in at the H.G. Wells house.

You should tell them.

You don't.

You have a plan.

You sleep over the Atlantic and dream of dark eyes and soft touches and stolen moments.

The H.G. Wells house is almost exactly as you remember.

The London street around it has changed with the times, but the house itself is the same.

You almost expect to hear small feet running upstairs, almost expect to smell that specific blend of tea, almost expect to turn a corner and see…

“Myka?”

You grab her hand - for the first time in one hundred and eleven years your hand feels right - and pull her through another room and into one blocked off by a rope.

The sitting room.

You flash back to you and her and Charles and Christina and so many others.

“Myka?” she says again.

“Hi, Helena,” you say.

It is a bit anticlimactic, after how long it had been, after how angry your last words to her were, that all you can say is ‘hi’.

“How are you…” She raises one hand to touch your cheek, but curls her fingers into a fist and pulls away. “You’re alive.”

You nod. “I can explain later, I promise, but I need you to come with us.”

She stares at you, inspecting your face. “You’re still with the Warehouse.”

Of course you are. You can never leave the Warehouse. You are a part of it.

She doesn’t know that.

You never had a chance to tell her.

Her face goes blank in the way that you know means she is furious. She steps towards you.

“You’re still with the Warehouse and you never bothered to…”

You have always been able to know what she’s thinking, just as she has always known the same for you.

You never bothered to unbronze her.

But you didn’t know she was there.

“They told me you died,” you say.

She softens.

“Myka! What’re you doing?”

Pete.

Goddamnit.

“Pete,” you say. “Meet Helena George Wells.”

“Helena George… as in H.G.? H.G. Wells? I may not have read his books, but I'm pretty sure H.G. Wells is a man.”

You ignore him.

“Come with us,” you say to Helena. “Please. We can figure it out, but MacPherson is not a good person.”

“Yeah,” Pete jumps in. “He’s already tried to kill me and Myka.”

Anger flashes across Helena’s face and you know she’ll come with you. You know she won’t work with anybody who put you in danger.

You’ll have to explain to Pete and Claudia how you know her.

You’ll have to explain to her how you’re alive.

You’ll have to come to terms that she didn’t die. She didn’t die and has been in the Warehouse for the past century.

And you didn’t know.

[buckysthunderbolts]

look after you (1)

TFATWS Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader

Summary: Sam asks you to join him and Bucky on a mission in Madripoor. When you get injured, Bucky feels the need to remind you more than once that he’s supposed to look after you now that Steve’s gone.

Warnings: tfatws spoilers, language, violence, blood, grief, angst, major pining

Word Count: 6k+ 

Author’s Note: Here she is!! I’m really excited to see what you guys think! This is my first Bucky fic in AGES! I decided to make this into a mini series since this fic is so long haha. Please let me know what you think. Comments, reblogs, and asks are highly encouraged and appreciated! Enjoy!

You hadn’t seen Sam or Bucky in several weeks. You were still adjusting to life post-blip. It had been a long five years for you and just seconds for them. You were no longer the bright-eyed and bushy tailed recruit. You’d grown into your position amongst the established and experienced Avengers. Now, it meant nothing. 

Tony’s gone. Steve’s dead, Natasha too. The Avengers had officially disbanded. You felt lost and confused, still blinded by your grief over losing them. You had nowhere to go, so you just floated from place to place as needed. 

You were laying low and a shell of the person you once were. You had no one to look towards anymore. Bucky went his separate ways and got some sort of footing in New York City with the pardon he was given by the government since his return to the states. You checked in every now and then with him, but you didn’t want to slow down his progress so you distanced yourself from him. 

You know he feels some sort of responsibility towards you. Steve did too, and you suppose now that he’s gone, Bucky feels the need to take his place. It doesn’t matter that you’re no longer the naive 23 year old he met in Berlin all those years ago. It doesn’t matter that there was something lingering between the two of you before he turned to ash. You’re a grown woman now and war and politics has hardened your soul. 

He needs to move on from you. The version he has of you in his head is gone, dead. He wants a fresh start, and you can’t give it to him. 

Sam checks in with you once in a while. He asks you how you’re doing and you respond the same each time. “Same shit, different day,” you laughed lightly. 

He knows better than to ask you to join him on his missions with the military. You’re not in the right headspace to return to the field, least of all if it meant that you were representing the US government wherever the fight was. 

Now that John Walker has the shield and has been branded the new Captain America, it gives you all the more reason to stay away. If he had so much as just breathed in your direction, you’d kill him and rip the shield from his grasp and return it to Sam. 

You ignored all emails and phone calls that had to do with John Walker. He wanted your blessing on live television, as if that meant anything. Yes, you were close with Steve, but you’re not an original Avenger. You just caught his eye during training one day and he took you under his wing. John Walker just wanted to create a bridge between the two of you since Sam and Bucky were obviously out of the question. 

You were the first person Sam called when he told you he was giving up the shield. You didn’t ask why. You knew he had his reasons and you respected him to accept that whatever the reasons were, they were good enough. 

So, when Sam called in the middle of the night, you picked up the phone without a second thought. Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you sit up and fumble for the light on the nightstand beside you. 

“Sam? You do realize it’s three in the morning, right?” you asked, yawning into your phone. 

Sam curses in your ear and apologizes quietly. “Sorry. You would think with all this traveling, I’d remember time zones are a thing,” he laughed softly. 

“What is it, Sam?” 

“We’re in a bit of a tight spot. We could use your help.”

Your brows pinch together. “Who’s we, Sam?”

“Me and Barnes.”

Your heart jumps inside your throat. How the hell did Sam manage to rope Bucky into whatever he’s doing? The last you heard, Bucky wasn’t allowed to go on government missions until his therapist thought he made enough progress to do so. You know he’s nowhere near the progress he wants to be, so how is he with Sam? 

“Jesus, Sam. You know he’s not in the right headspace to go on missions!” There’s a heavy pause between the two of you before you relent. “Where am I meeting you?”

“Latvia. I’ll fill you in when you get here.”

You hang up quickly and hurry out of bed. After so many years of getting up at odd hours for emergency missions and the like, you’re not surprised that Sam asked you to meet him in the middle of the night. You grab your duffle bag and stuff all your belongings back inside. You travel lightly, and now it definitely seemed to work out in your favor. 

You’ve spent the last couple of weeks in a small town just outside of Helena, Montana. It’s nice and quiet and you’ve really taken the time to reflect on your life since things started going back to normal post-blip. The locals are nice and hospitable, and no one asks you about Steve, Tony, or what you thought of John Walker. You hope it had something to do with the fact that they didn’t know who you were. You certainly hoped that was the case. You’ve kept your head down and tried your best to blend in. 

You go hiking quite frequently and take drives through the mountains. It’s nice and relaxing, a far cry from what you’re used to. You’ll definitely miss it, and you have second thoughts about meeting up with Sam, but you push them away. Steve abandoned you both, and you wouldn’t do that to him. 

It takes you several hours to get to the closest international airport and by the time you arrive, the sun begins to rise in the distance. You hurry through the airport security and send Sam a quick update that you’re about to board your flight before you settle in your seat and fall back asleep.

....

You sleep through the entire flight. You blame it on your ability to sleep anywhere due to the number of missions you have under your belt. You’re wide awake when the plane lands and you’re quick to pull out your phone and send a message to Sam that you’ve made it safe and sound to Latvia. 

Your legs are stiff and sore when you stand up for the first time when it’s time to leave. You pull your duffle bag from the overhead compartment and slowly make your way to the front. It takes you nearly an hour to get through customs and now you’re just anxiously waiting to see Sam. 

When you see him waiting for you at the baggage claim area, you grin as your eyes meet. You hurry over to him and drop your duffle bag to the floor as he pulls you in for a hug. It’s warm and tight and it’s exactly what you need. Sam pulls away first and reaches for your bag, throwing an arm over your shoulder as you walk out of the airport to his car. 

You stop walking when you notice two figures near a very fancy yellow car as you and Sam near them. Sam keeps walking and you take slow, tentative steps. You know one of the figures has to be Bucky, but Sam never mentioned a third person. 

“Sam, I thought you said that it was just you and Bucky,” you said cautiously. 

Sam stops in his tracks and lets out a nervous chuckle and scratches the back of his head. It makes your heart race and you swallow the lump in your throat as they begin to come into focus as they near the two of you. “Y/n, before you get angry, I just need you to know that this wasn’t my idea. Believe me when I tell you that he is the last person we would ask for help,” Sam replied as his eyes went from you to the two people approaching.

“Who is he?” you asked through gritted teeth. 

“Ah! Y/n, good to know that your flight went rather smoothly. It is good to see you again.”

No. There’s no way. You must be dreaming. Hemlut Zemo is not standing right in front of you. He is in prison. He is behind bars for the crimes he committed. The two men that you're closest to wouldn’t jailbreak someone as atrocious as Zemo. There has to be an explanation. It doesn’t make sense. 

“What the fuck is Zemo doing out of prison?!” you hissed, looking between Bucky and Sam, demanding an explanation. 

“Y/n, honey, I can explain, just please get in the car,” Bucky pleaded, reaching out to touch your hand. 

You glare at him and take a step back. “Are you out of your mind, Bucky? You break him out of jail because you need him, is that it? Do you remember what he did to you, because I certainly do!”

Bucky frowns and lets out a deep and heavy sigh. He looks over at Sam. “Did you fill her in at all?”

“No!” you shouted. “I can speak for myself, James! Someone better start talking and tell me what the hell is going on!”

“We don’t really have time for this right now,” Zemo interrupts, “we really must be going. I’m sure Sam and James can fill you in in the car.”

You glare at the Sokovian terrorist and snap at him. “Shut your mouth, Zemo.”

He raises his hands up in surrender and takes a step back. Bucky towers over you and this time you let him take your hand. He squeezes it gently and pulls you into his chest, hugging you tightly. You’re tense and fuming as he holds you. 

His mouth finds the shell of your ear and despite the wave of anger flowing through your body, it sends a shiver down your spine. Bucky whispers, “I hate to say it, but Zemo’s right. We have to go. I’ll explain on the way, I promise.”

You huff childishly and turn your head away from him as he kisses your temple. “Fine. If he steps out of line, I’ll kill him.”

Bucky laughs and takes your hand and walks you to the car. “Get in line, honey. Sam and I have first dibs.”

You resist the urge to smile and Bucky opens the door for you as Sam tosses your bag in the trunk and climbs into the front seat. Bucky slides in beside you and he tells you everything.

He tells you about their first encounter with the Flag Smashers. He tells you about how the leader and a few of her followers have taken a newer version of the serum that runs through his veins. He tells you that she plans on giving the serum to more people to build an army and that you have to stop her. 

It makes your heart stop. You hadn’t really been keeping tabs on the Flag Smashers. Now, looking back, you probably should have. There’s still a lot of unknown variables to account for and it looks like the boys are taking it one step at a time, and apparently it starts with a trip to Madripoor. Zemo chimes in every now and then as he drives and it makes your blood boil that you’re forced to listen to what he has to say. You hate that he has the upper hand and is keeping valuable information hostage. You want to strangle him. 

After a while, Zemo pulls into a private airport. Bucky helps you out of the car and grabs your bag from the trunk as the four of you walk towards the jet just off the runway. You had no idea just how rich Zemo was. Now that he’s out of prison, for now at least, his arrogance returned back in full force in addition to his pompous attitude. 

You board the plane in silence, ignoring every word coming out of the Baron’s mouth. You settle in the back of the plane and ignore Bucky’s stares as you look out the window. You’re too angry to engage in conversation. You don’t care that Zemo insults Steve’s legacy. He’s gone, dead, what do you care? Yes, you wanted Steve to be happy, but he abandoned you. He abandoned Sam and Bucky. 

Zemo rambles on and on. “People like Steve become symbols, icons. Then we start to forget about their flaws. From there, cities fly, innocent people die. Movements are formed, wars are fought,” he turns to address Bucky directly. “You remember that, right? As a young soldier sent to Germany to stop a mad icon. Do we want to live in a world full of people like the Red Skull?”

Silence fills the space and for a moment, you feel a reprieve. That was until Zemo mentioned the Winter Soldier. 

 “We can’t go into Madripoor as ourselves. James, you will have to become someone you claim is gone.”

You immediately stand up and protest, storming to the front of the plane. “No. Absolutely not. I won’t let you use Bucky, not again. There has to be another way.”

Zemo clicks his tongue at you and shakes his head. A smug graces his features and you lung at him, wrapping your hands around his throat. “I’ll fucking kill you!”

Bucky leaps to his feet and tears you off of Zemo, dragging you to the back of the plane behind the curtains to give the two of you an illusion of privacy. Your shoulders shake with rage and Bucky’s hands caress your face. 

“You can’t be him. He’s not you anymore. You don’t have to do this, Bucky. Please,” you begged, clinging to his hands. “I can’t let Zemo control you again.”

Bucky’s touched with how protective you are over him. He pulls you closer and hugs you tightly against him. Your fingers grip the back of his shirt and he presses a gentle kiss to the top of your head. 

“Honey,” he whispered. “I have to. I have to do this so we can stop the Flag Smashers from getting the serum. It’s for the mission.”

You huffed against his chest. Now you’re really regretting your decision to help Sam. You would’ve said no if you had known that it meant watching Bucky turn into the Winter Soldier again, even if it wasn’t real. 

You don’t know what to say. He won’t change his mind. Bucky’s just as stubborn as you are and he’ll do anything for the success of the mission, just like Steve did. 

You pull away and return back to your seat, crossing your arms over your chest as you stare into the back of Zemo’s plush leather seat. Bucky trails behind you and squeezes your shoulder. You shrug off his touch as he takes the empty seat next to yours. 

“And, I’m afraid that where we’re going doesn’t take too kindly to women who are…. how do I put this…. strong willed,” Zemo said. 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Bucky barked, jumping to your defense just moments after you did the same for him.

“Selby will see Y/n as competition. We can’t have that happen. She’ll have to stay behind.”

“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m just going to just sit here and do nothing,” you snapped. “I’m coming with. I don’t care if I have to pretend to be meek.”

Zemo turns to look at you. He’s challenging you. You both know it. He’s pushing your buttons and it’s working. He smirks and leans against the armchair. His eyebrows raise and he asks, “Even if it means pretending to be a prostitute?”

Your gaze doesn’t falter and you ignore both Sam’s and Bucky’s protests. It falls on deaf ears. You don’t care, as long as you’re with Sam and Bucky and they’re safe. “Yes,” you answered without a second thought. You’ve done worse things than pretend to be a sex worker. It would be a piece of cake. 

Zemo grins, letting out a soft laugh. “It looks like you’ll be joining us after all then, Y/n.”

You scoff at him and look out the window. Bucky drags you from your seat once more and pulls you behind the curtain. You look away from him and he reaches to squeeze your hand. 

“You don’t have to do this. You have nothing to prove,” he whispered, brushing the top of your palm with his warm and calloused fingers. 

“You don’t either,” you mumbled back. 

He smiles softly at your retort and pulls you into his arms. He holds you gently and cards his fingers through your hair. You hum quietly as he holds you. 

“Touché, honey.”

There’s a beat of silence between the two of you before you lean back to meet his gaze. His blue eyes pierce through yours and it makes your heart race. You pull away and rub your palms against your thighs. 

You disappear behind the curtain once more, leaving Bucky behind. 

…

When you arrive in Madripoor, you’re dressed in an outfit that leaves little to the imagination. The dress has a plunging neckline that settles just below your naval. Your chest is barely covered and your boobs threaten to slip over the fabric. You’re dressed for the part, that’s for sure. 

Zemo is the first one to look at you when you return from behind the curtain. He whistles at you and it makes your skin crawl. 

Bucky shoves Zemo harshly and grips his chest tightly, snarling in his face. “Watch your mouth,” Bucky hissed, shoving him into one of the chairs. 

He turns to look at you and you reach to squeeze his hand. You pull him away from Zemo and whisper softly, “It’s alright, Buck. Take a deep breath.”

He grits his teeth and shakes his head, and does what you ask. “I’ll kill him. If he does that again, I’ll kill him.”

You laugh softly and press a gentle kiss to his cheek. “I don’t doubt you will, Buck.”

The two of you trail behind Sam and Zemo as you leave the plane. A sleek black car is waiting just off the runway and you follow behind to the vehicle. When you settle into your spot in between Buck and Sam in the back, Zemo turns to look at the three of you. 

“It’s imperative that we don’t break character, no matter what. If you do, we’re good as dead, understand?” 

You scoff and roll your eyes as he looks towards you. “Crystal,” you snapped, crossing your arms over your chest. 

He turns to face the front of the vehicle and silence fills the car. 

Suddenly, a number of motorcycles surround the car as you drive into Low Town. you make sure to keep your eyes forward and Bucky reaches for the hand on your knee. He squeezes it tightly and you do the same. 

Reality is now just setting in for you. This is the first mission that you’ve been on since Steve went back to the 40s, and since Tony died. It had been three long months since Tony saved the world and brought everyone back that was taken five years earlier. You know that three months isn’t long, but it still makes you nervous. You haven’t been training to keep things from going rusty. You had no desire to. 

Bucky leans into you, his mouth near the shell of your ear. “You okay?” 

You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. “Yeah, just a bit nervous. I’m a little out of practice. This is my first mission since Steve left,” you mumbled back, squeezing his hand again to keep you grounded. He does the same in return. 

“It’s alright. I have your back. I’ll protect you, promise.”

A small smile finds its way onto your face and you shake your head at him. “You know better than anyone else than to promise something like that before a mission, Buck. It’s bad luck,” you teased. 

He laughs too and the car stops in what you guess is the downtown area of Low Town. You take a deep breath and Bucky does the same. You squeeze his hand one last time before his hand falls from your grasp. He opens the door and climbs out. You follow close behind and find your spot next to Sam. He gingerly wraps his arm around your waist as you walk into the Princess Bar. 

Electronic music blasts through the speakers and the bass vibrates through your chest. You press against Sam as you push through people to get to the bar. The smell of drugs and alcohol is suffocating as you walk and ignore the stares sent your way. They’re not staring at you, but Bucky, who walks just a step behind you like a looming shadow. 

“Ready to comply, Winter Soldier?” Zemo asked Bucky in Russian. 

It makes your blood boil and Sam squeezes your waist tightly, a reminder that you must not break character. You hate it. You hate that Bucky has to pretend to be the person he’s worked so hard to distance himself from. Bucky is not him. The Winter Soldier doesn’t exist anymore. That part of him is gone, dead. You only hope that Bucky reminds himself that the Winter Soldier isn’t him anymore as he pretends just feet behind you.

You stand in front of the bar counter as the bartender approaches. You keep your mouth shut as Zemo exchanges words with the man, briefly bringing Sam, the Smiling Tiger, into the conversation. Your eyes find Bucky’s and your heart jumps inside your throat. His eyes are cold and void of any emotion. He’s stoic and brooding. He’s fallen into character perfectly and it scares you to think that all the progress he’s made over the years has been destroyed in this moment. For his sake, you hope not.

You tear your eyes away from Bucky at the feeling of Sam’s hand on the curve of your ass. You watch him carefully as he takes a shot. The bartender moves on and you let out a careful breath. 

A man grasps at Zemo’s shoulder and sneers at him. He looks over at Bucky as Zemo asks to see Selby before he walks away. Another man approaches Zemo from behind and he speaks in Russian once more. “Winter Soldier, attack.” 

You hold your breath in anticipation as the unsuspecting man rests his hand on Zemo’s shoulder. You want to reach out and touch Bucky, tell him that he doesn’t have to, that the two of you still have time to make a run for it, but you don’t. You can’t. Zemo would probably try and kill you if you interfere and it’s the last thing you need. 

Bucky stalks over to him with two long strides, and rips the man’s hand from Zemo’s shoulder. He twists his wrist back and throws him to the ground. Another man swings at Bucky and he stops it with ease. He punches his back and kicks him against another crowny. As another man attempts to punch and kick at Bucky. He uses his metal arm and momentum to take each of them out.

“It doesn’t take much for him to fall back into form,” Zemo smirked, leaning over to look at you and Sam. 

“Shut your mouth,” you hissed between your teeth as you watched Bucky. 

Bucky grabs one of the men by the throat and slams him into the counter. Guns cock all around you as you look around the room. Your heart is inside your throat and there’s ringing in your ears. You reach to grab Bucky’s arm, but Sam beats you to it.

“Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us,” Zemo whispered. “Well done, soldier.”

Sam lets go of his arm and takes a step back, pulling you with him. He squeezes your hip tightly as you watch Bucky’s grip fall from the man’s throat.

“Selby will see you now,” the bartender said.

Zemo moves to follow him and you resist the urge to reach out and touch Bucky. Sam pulls you along and you walk in silence down a number of hallways. The music fades into the background and you’re squeezing Sam’s hand like your life depends on it. 

A number of men on Selby’s security detail whistle as you walk by. You bite your tongue and resist the urge to snap their necks. The four of you wait at the door at the end of the hall for several seconds before it opens. You walk inside and Zemo takes you from Sam’s side. Your jaw ticks as he guides you to the empty sofa. His hand settles on your thigh and you tense under his touch.

Zemo and Selby negotiate for information. All you need to know is who created the serum and where they are. That’s it. Zemo needs to stick to the plan. 

Zemo stands up from his spot next to you. “Tell us what you know about the super soldier serum, and I give you him…. along with the code words to control him,” Zemo stands behind Bucky, his hand resting on his shoulder. He’s silent and obedient, the perfect encapsulation of who he had been for the last 80 years. 

There wasn’t a discussion over what the offer would be when you were on the plane from Latvia. You just assumed Zemo would figure a way out of it, he was clever enough to do it before. You hadn’t thought that he would actually use the Winter Soldier to his benefit outside of protection. How naive of you. 

Bucky’s eyes are dark and he stares straight ahead as Zemo caresses his chin. He doesn’t flinch or react. He’s playing the Winter Soldier perfectly and you hate every second. You bite the inside of your cheek so hard that you start to taste blood. 

“He will do anything you want.”

Selby grins, leaning back in her spot on the couch opposite of you. She tells him what you need to know. She nears Sam and then the worst happens, his phone begins to ring. 

She tells him to answer it and your fingers squeeze into the leather couch. Your heart races and for the first time since you walked into the bar, Bucky’s eyes find yours. You know he can see your panic. 

Things are fine momentarily. Sam’s trying his best to stay in character and you know it’s not working as well as he’d like. You hold your breath and your panic settles in at the mention of Sam’s name coming from Sarah. 

“Kill them—” 

Your eyes widen in horror as a bullet pierces through the glass window in front of you and lodges into Selby’s throat, killing her instantly. The act is over. 

You leap to your feet and pull the tactical knife that you hid in your dress out from underneath you. You slice the knife across your attacker’s arm. Bucky kicks him into the wall and grabs you by the arm. 

You run as fast as you can out the bar and through the streets of Madripoor. You dodge bullets and fight off others that attack you with knives. 

You do well, all things considered with what you’re dressed in. You dig your heel into the boot of your attacker, throwing them off balance. You kick their leg out from underneath them and Sam knocks them unconscious. 

Bucky, of course, is doing just fine on his own. You run over to help. You disarm the man closer to you and use the butt of the gun to knock him out. 

You barely have time to register the man creeping up behind Bucky. His arm is outstretched with a gun in his hand. Bucky has no clue. 

“Bucky!” you screamed at the top of your lungs, running as fast as you can towards him. 

He turns to look at you as you use your whole body to shove him aside as the gun goes off. 

Time stands still. 

You fall to the ground in a daze as the bullet rips through your shoulder. Your eyes stare up into the night sky as it takes you a moment to realize that you’d just been shot. 

You try to sit up and get back on your feet. You don’t have time to worry about your wound. You need to get the hell out of Low Town. 

Bucky nearly drags you off the ground and you run. You run as fast as you can despite the bullet in your shoulder. 

“We need to get out of here!” Bucky shouted, inspecting your wound. 

A shadowy figure approaches and Bucky blocks you from view. The hood drops and you peer over Bucky’s shoulder. You don’t have time to be surprised that Sharon is the one standing in front of you. 

“Sharon? What are you doing here?” Sam asked. 

“We don’t have time for that!” Bucky snapped. “Sharon, please. You gotta help us. Y/n’s been shot.”

She nods and motions for you to follow her. She stops in front of a beautiful blue car and Bucky guides you into the car, pressing his metal hand against your shoulder to stop the bleeding. You ignore Sam and Bucky’s bickering as they yell at you for getting shot. You don’t have the energy to respond. 

Sharon races across town and pulls up to a very fancy building. Sharon jumps out and opens the door for Bucky. His arm holds your torso and your uninjured arm is thrown over his shoulder as you walk inside. You gather into the elevator as it takes you to the top floor. 

Your entire body goes numb and Bucky guides you to the kitchen counter. Sharon briefly disappears before returning with a heavy duty first aid kit. 

“Do you have tequila?” you asked her as Bucky rummaged through the bag for the correct supplies. Sharon laughs softly before grabbing a bottle of tequila from her liquor cabinet. You take a generous sip and the liquid burns your throat. 

Bucky inspects the bullet wound carefully. Thankfully it was a through and through. He doesn’t have to fish the bullet out. He works quickly and you grit your teeth as he stitches the wound close on both sides of your shoulder. 

The pain lessened to a dull throb now that he’s finished. He cleans the excess blood off your skin before gently placing your arm in a sling. 

“Why did you do that, Y/n?” Bucky chastised you, shaking his head in disappointment. “I could’ve taken care of him.”

You scoff and roll your eyes at him. “I don’t even get a thank you for saving your ass? You were vulnerable, I did the right thing.”

He sighs and you look away. Your eyes find Sharon’s. “Can I borrow some clothes?”

She nods and disappears down the hall to her bedroom. Silence fills the room and Sam takes his turn to reprimand you. You ignore him entirely and take another large swig of tequila. 

Sharon returns moments later with a pair of clean clothes. You thank her quietly and she points you in the direction of one of the guest bedrooms. You hop off the counter and ignore Bucky’s protests and calls of your name. 

You huffed in frustration as you limped towards one of Sharon’s guest bedrooms. You had enough of Sam and Bucky yelling at you for your recklessness, especially Bucky. You’re exhausted and all you want to do is sleep. 

You did what you thought was right. You did what Steve would’ve done. You had Bucky’s back. Isn’t that what mattered? Sure, you got shot in the shoulder, but it isn’t something you haven’t done before. You have the scars to prove it. 

“Stop running away from me! We’re not done talking about this!” Bucky yelled after you, hot on your heels into the bedroom. “What were you thinking?”

You’re sick of Bucky questioning you. You’re not a child and you’re not the bright eyed recruit he thinks you still are. You did what was right in the heat of the moment. You don’t regret it. You’d do it all over again if it meant that he was safe. 

“Stop treating me like a child, James! I’m not Steve’s recruit anymore! I’m a grown woman,” you shouted back at him. Your shoulders shake and you glare at him. “I know you still think I’m that naive 25 year old, but that’s not me anymore. The last five years may have been five seconds to you, but they weren’t to me. Accept the fact that I did what I thought was right.”

“It was reckless!”

“Steve would’ve done it!” you bit back. 

“This isn’t about Steve!” he argued. 

You laugh bitterly and shake your head. He doesn’t see it. He doesn’t see what you see. You know he sees you as his responsibility now that Steve’s gone. He feels an obligation to look after you because Steve did. You have a part of Steve with you. Bucky’s clinging to any last remains of Steve, and that includes you. 

“Isn’t it though? You feel like you have a responsibility to protect me, to look after me. Why? It’s because Steve did and now that he’s gone, you feel like you have to replace him!”

The silence that fills the room suffocates you. Your heart races with anger. You want Bucky to leave you alone. You didn’t ask for this. Sam needed your help, and when you provided it, you got yelled at for it. Now you just want to go home. 

You turn your back to Bucky and pull the pants that Sharon gave you up your legs before discarding the dress in the corner of the room. You don’t care if Bucky sees all the scars that litter your backside. Maybe then he would understand that you’ve always done what’s best for the mission, even if that meant getting hurt. You throw the sweatshirt over your head and turn to look at Bucky again. 

“Do you have anything else to say to me? Are you going to try and deny it?”

Bucky sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You’re one of the only people I have left that have a connection to Steve.”

Another bitter laugh escapes your mouth. He doesn’t understand. “He abandoned me, James! He abandoned us. Steve’s gone. You can’t hold on to him anymore. You don’t have to do anything Steve did. You have nothing to prove to me, I promise. I don’t need you to replace Steve. I need you, Buck. You’re the one that’s here with me, not Steve.”

Tears threaten to spill over your cheeks and you look away from him. The silence is deafening and Bucky moves to take you in his arms. He holds you against his chest and cards his fingers through your hair. You cry against his chest and cling to his henley. He gently guides you to the bed and sits down with you in his lap.

“I’m sorry, honey,” he whispered, rubbing your back. “You’re right. It just scared me. I don’t think I can handle losing you too. I’m sorry.”

You pull away to look at him with your tear stained cheeks and he carefully wipes away your tears with the pad of his thumb. You blink away the remaining tears and lean into his touch. “It’s okay, Buck. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” 

You rest your forehead against his and breathe him in. His metal hand rubs circles against your back and it sends shivers down your spine. He holds you carefully and no words are exchanged. Your eyes flicker to his lips and your heart thunders against your chest. 

There’s a soft knock at the door and you pull your body off of Bucky’s. You sit beside him as Sam pokes his head inside the room. “Is everything okay?” he asked, looking between the two of you. 

You look over at Bucky and then back to Sam. You smile and nod slowly. “Everything’s perfect, Sam.”

[apollo-gate]

Which of the ROs will be okay with having kids with MC who wants them? Will Vanessa and Daniella be okay with more kids, if their romanced MC wanted them?

Of course, Daniella's kid will always be my MC's own child and nobody can change that, but my MC would love for him to have a little sibling, if that's okay. As for Vanessa, I'm not sure if any of her kids would see MC in that light lmao so MC would want their own here

This one is interesting.

Yeah, your right about Vanessa's kids they wouldn't plus the Mc is close in age to two of them so no. And the younger ones are already one foot out the door kids. They don't live with Vanessa and only visit.

And Leon would love a sibling.

Alice does not want kids for many reasons but mainly to deal with her Mother and how she was treated. So it's a flat no.

Helena would want to get fixed first as if she had a kid she would like to feel her child and not just feel like metal.

Lisa has mixed feelings. She would love to have a child. But the world is very dangerous, especially the enemies she's gotten over the years.

Becca will have a discussion with you first before telling you if she wants to yes or no. (Will be brought up in her route.) But she would like to have a child adopted or otherwise.

Daniella would love to have another child but she was put through a process that made it so that she could only have her son. But would love to adopt.

Vanessa is more of no but will change her mind after her secret is out in the open with the Mc. Vanessa would like to be the one to carry the child to term as she didn't get that chance before. (She knows all the things she would go through and still do it.) She would want two more kids.

Azalea does not want or feel the need to ever have a child. But if the Mc does they will. They have no feelings about this for a few reasons as Thrallens have children for the reason to be sold or to be used as a training tool for another older child that is a part of the upper class.

Kent does not want kids. He was trained and pushed to the point he almost died as a child. He swore to never bring a child into this world.

Naamah (Loves Kids) has two daughters but never got a chance to raise them and that has left a void in her. She would be ok if the Mc doesn't as she helps her servants take care of their children. But she would love to be a mother again and try her best to be there for them

Blaze wouldn't mind but he would only want kids at a certain point and I can't say more as it would be a little bitty spoiler.

Zero does not and it deals with where he is from and a certain promise.

Im going to add the secret ROS now.

A: cant as she made a contract with a God a long time ago.

Y: Would like to but will be very nervous at the prospect of having one.

H: Will want one. Will approach the topic first. If the mc doesn't She will explain why she needs one child and would rather have it with someone she loves.

A/H/Y: Will need to figure out who would carry the child first but ultimately all will want one. (H needs a child and A can't physically bear a child at all but if someone else does it's fine.)

Secret Ro: doesn't and can't as the body is unable to.

Red flag Ro: Already has one. But would like a few more.

[fallouttboy]

okay. thoughts on my first mcr show (08-23-22)

tw: suicidal past mentions, implied homo-and transphobia

setlist:

The Foundations of Decay

Boy Division

Our Lady of Sorrows

Give 'Em Hell, Kid

House of Wolves (oh my god)

Summertime

Teenagers

Thank You for the Venom

I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

DESTROYA

Na Na Na

The World Is Ugly (first time. since 2008.)

This Is the Best Day Ever

Welcome to the Black Parade

Mama

Sleep

Famous Last Words

Helena

Encore:

Vampire Money

Hang 'Em High

The Kids From Yesterday

the setlist blew my mind. never in my life could i have ever imagined seeing the world is ugly, not even because it’s rare, but because i have never (even now) been able to wrap my head around the fact that mcr is real.

i got into mcr in middle school. i was 12. they went on hiatus the year after. i made a bucket list of things i had to do before i could kill myself, listing two impossibilities so i could never actually do it. being floor for mcr was an impossibility. but i just did it.

the line outside smelled of cigarettes and was pouring with neurodivergent, non-cis, non-heterosexual people. of course there were those who fit in the opposition, but it was such a group of outcasts, of those who the world hates, of those who have been shunned our whole lives for simply being who we are. so we have hidden it.

standing in line with the people like that, stim-bouncing and fiddling right along with them (because, for some reason, it felt safe to do so in public.)-i felt right. i’ve always wondered what it felt like to belong, to fit into a crowd. past concerts are the only closest thing ive ever gotten, but nothing stood up to tonight.

(i have lived here my whole life. i know the atmosphere.) tennessee is not known for liberality, certainly not being queer accepting. the bigger cities, such as nashville and memphis, have slowly become more and more accepting, but there are still people who parade down Broadway and surrounding areas promoting conservative and outdated views on queerness. this is a big deal, especially as a non binary and homosexual person. needless to say, gender has been very difficult for me growing up, and gerard way was singlehandedly the biggest hero for me in that realm.

gerard way coming on to stage in tennessee, homophobic and transphobic tennessee (again-i live here, i am aware of the atmosphere), wearing a short cheerleader’s uniform and shaved legs, long shaggy hair cradled on their shoulders-i could never have imagined. seeing my personal gender affirming hero coming out dressed so blatantly feminine was such a defining and important moment for me. they have always embraced femininity. they have always embraced queer-genderism. but to see them, to see gerard way of iconic band my chemical romance, in a skirt. such a simple act. such a simple message. but for me, a non binary person who has always seen gerard’s gender as the base, i have never in my life felt more seen. more accepted. ever.

hearing the songs that mean the world to me really hits me as i write this. summertime has always been my favorite from danger days and possibly ever, seconded by kids from yesterday (dd only lol, but she is way up on my list). the melodic romance of it all, the simplistic painting of running away, or removing headphones to hear the world again and ask the person to help quiet things. being a kid from yesterday, from the past, only living in the lights You make. realizing that you are growing, you are aging, you are always a child from the past and will forever hold them inside of you, no matter the future or what comes. living. being alive. out of spite or for yourself. hearing those songs live….hearing the guitar, hearing gerard’s vocals crooning, truly experiencing the lyrics as they were written. it’s amazing.

nashville’s show is the third. it is genuinely unbelievable that so much happened. never have i ever felt so alive. so correct. so affirmed and seen and loved and cared for. hearing the crowd sing of being alive, or staying alive, or refusing to succumb to the pressures and hatred that the outside world spews upon us was so healing. it was amazing to see thousands of people who have all had some sort of communal struggle-be it gender or sexuality or mental illness-come together and celebrate being alive…i will never forget this feeling.

i will never forget gerard way coming onto stage with a skirt. i will never forget the flashlights turning the arena bright during the world is ugly. i will never forget how it felt to yell at the top of my lungs that i should have been a better son, directed to gerard way themself. they should have been, we could all have been, better sons. i will never, ever forget this night.

to wrap up, tonight was the best night of my life and i’m not saying that in post concert bliss, or starstruck stupidity. genuinely, experiencing thousands of likeminded people come together after so long…i had never been to an mcr show before, yet i felt like i came home, that all those strangers were welcoming me back. most importantly, that mcr themselves were welcoming all of us back, like a mother opening the front door for her children on holidays, despite only seeing them once or twice a year. mcr to me is what a mother should be, what i imagine a mother is like. home, welcoming, loving. accepting. caring. and they always want you back, no matter how far you’ve strayed or how deeply you’ve fallen. they are there to pick you up and kiss your bleeding limbs and heal them with a band aid so you feel alright again, not great, maybe not even good, but good enough to be able to walk and live one more day. then one more. and again. until there are no more days to live, far, far down your lifeline. i hesitate to say anyone saved my life, because ultimately, i am the only one in charge of whether i live or die. but my chemical romance has preserved my life, helped me so much that it is not able to be put to words. the band has been there in the absolute darkest of darks for me, when i genuinely thought that i would not wake the next day. but i did, and they were there. thank you, mcr, for everything.

[euterpessi]

Romance Manhwa/Manga Recommendations:

Historical Manhwa/Manga:

Death Is The Only Ending For The Villainess

I’ve reincarnated as the reverse harem game’s villainess, the one and only adopted daughter of the ducal Eckart family.

But the difficulty just has to be the worst!

Everything I do will only lead me to death.

I must be paired with one of the main male characters from the heroine’s harem before the ‘real daughter’ of the duke family appears!

Two older brothers who always pick a fight with me on every little thing.

The insane crown prince whose route will always lead to my death.

‘I only see the heroine and no one else’s wizard, and also her loyal slave knight, too!

‘First, let’s take some of them which I see no hope in, out of the list!’

“I didn’t know my place up until now. From now on, I’ll live as quiet as a mouse so you wouldn’t care the slightest bit!

But why do their interests in me keep on rising every time I draw the line?!

The Villainess is a Marionette

Cayena, the Imperial Princess, was known as the most beautiful woman in the Empire. She was a woman who knew nothing but evil and luxury.

However, she was destined for ruin: she would be used as a chess piece by her younger brother to secure his throne and killed by her crazy husband.

“I’ll make you the Emperor.”

“… Sister, are you referring to me?”

“In exchange, give me freedom.”

She had to change things before she became that Cayena.

The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke’S Mansion

Poisoned to death by her own betrothed?! Eunha didn’t wake up in a novel’s story just to get killed off again as an unfortunate extra! To change her story she needs a cover… 6 months pretending to be the fake fiancée of the novel’s male protagonist, Duke Noah Wynknight. But will this cold-hearted, angel-faced demon of a man really help her avoid another ill-fated ending?!

Your Throne / I Want to Be You, Just For A Day

The story follows main characters Medea Solon and Psyche Callista, who become archenemies after competing for the position of crown princess of the Vasilios Empire. On the day of the Yearly Prayer, Medea and Psyche accidentally switch bodies.

The Remarried Empress

Navier was the perfect empress, however, the Emperor wanted a wife, not a colleague. And so, the Emperor abandoned Empress Navier and placed an enslaved girl beside him. That was fine until Navier heard the Emperor promise the slave the Empress’ position. After many ups and downs, Navier decided she would accept being the Queen of the neighbouring country and remarry.

Kill The Villainess

Eris Mizerian was the villainess of a novel. The only daughter of a marquis, she got executed after scheming against the pure and lovely protagonist, Helena. My only goal, after possessing her, is simply to leave this world and go home. I am prepared to face even death, but the laws of this world keep stopping me.

A changed Eris begins to draw the attention of three men who once loathed her; the Crown Prince, the High Priest, and the Knight.

"It doesn't matter. I will never be able to love this world."

Even if the only way out is death,

even if the only way out is make a deal with a witch...

I will absolutely leave this world!

This is the story of the villainess who defies fate, Eris, and her escape from this world!

The Way To Protect The Female Lead's Older Brother

I accidentally took possession of someone in a 19+ reverse harem novel.

The problem is that I became Roxana Agriche, the older sister of the sub-villain. My damn father kidnapped the heroine’s brother. Now, is the only thing left to meet a terrible end from the vengeance of the heroine?

But what if I can avoid that horrible development?

“I’m also interested in this toy.”

“I’ll protect you until you can get out of here safely.”

The heroine’s brother, Cassis Pedalian, will definitely be able to pay me back later.

Shadow Queen

“Can you be my daughter for me?”

By his offer, Elena became Duke of Franceschi’s fake daughter.

She became the queen and gave birth to Crown Prince’s son.

Then suddenly, Princess Veronica who was assumed dead came back.

She was only just a toy.

But eventually, Elena gets her son taken and is murdered.

However, she went back to the past.

“I’ll destroy all of you.”

I’ll never live as a toy again.

Elena decides to seeks revenge.

Under the Oak Tree

The daughter of a duke, the stuttering Maximilian, married a knight of lowly status at her father’s coercion.

After their first night, her husband departed for an expedition without another word.

He comes back three years later, this time as a famous knight in the whole continent.

How would Maximilian face him on his return?

"The more I think of you, the more lonely and lonely I become. I don't know why I can't quit even though it's so painful."

I'm Stanning The Prince

Angela’s fanfic became such a sensation that it even reached the Imperial Family, leading her to get arrested on charges of treason. Nevertheless, her fanfic improved the First Prince’s image, and his sister, the Princess, decides to take political advantage of this and keep Angela by their side. 

The heroine who can now fangirl to her heart’s content, and the Prince who doesn’t know how to act around her. As they bicker back and forth, they start growing closer…

Miss Not-So Sidekick

Hyejung loved to read to escape her daily stress. But that’s before she woke up inside the bizarre world of her favorite novel! Instead of the main heroine who courts three eligible men, she is now Latte Ectrie – a minor villain that everyone hates?! One way or another, it’s a chance to live out her most beloved storyline, with popcorn in hand to watch all the drama! Taking charge of the narrative takes on a whole new meaning!

Even Though I’M The Villainess, I’ll Become The Heroine!

I wasn’t able to overcome the harassment and took my life, but I was reincarnated with the perpetrator? The perpetrator is the heroine, Florre, and I am the villainess, Dahlia, who’s going to die horribly.

“They said you are a villain with neither blood nor tears, but unlike the rumors, you often shed tears.”

“Your Highness must believe all the nonsense the idiots are talking about, huh?”

Grand Duke of Cervian, the half brother of the Male lead and who will be punished for treason afterwards. He approached me. I can’t lose the man who will be my greatest ally.

“Your Highness, would you marry me?”

“Now…… what did you say?”

“And take revenge together.”

A similar situation, a fixed ending. The heroine is not the only one who knows the ending of the novel. I took a long and arduous path of revenge.

Who Made Me A Princess

The beautiful Athanasia was killed at the hands of her own biological father, Claude de Alger Obelia, the cold-blooded emperor! It’s just a silly bedtime story… until one woman wakes up to suddenly find she’s become that unfortunate princess! She needs a plan to survive her doomed fate, and time is running out. Will she go with Plan A, live as quietly as possible without being noticed by the infamous emperor? Plan B, collect enough money to escape the palace? Or will she be stuck with Plan C, sweet-talking her way into her father’s good graces?!

The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

With the marriage of her prostitute mother to the Count, Aria’s status in society skyrocketed immediately. After leading a life of luxury, Aria unfairly meets death because of her sister Mielle’s schemes. And right before she dies, she sees an hourglass fall as if it were a fantasy. And just like that, she was miraculously brought back to the past.

“I want to become a very elegant person, just like my sister, Mielle.”

In order to face the villainess, she must become an even more wicked villainess. This was the new path Aria chose to take revenge on Mielle who murdered both her and her mother.

The Evil Lady's Hero

Junipe Magnolia, a villainess friend of the heroine in this novel called Rael Cania.

The Junipe inside the novel has always loved the male lead, Iseed. To the point where she harassed Rael out of jealousy because she's loved by Iseed.

And thus, Junipe is destinied to die in the hands of the male lead of this novel.

But one day.

"Why did I become Junipe?!"

But let's think about it, it's still one year away from the time Junipe is going to get killed by Iseed. So, I have to meet Iseed and Rael first, I'll be able to find a way out of my death if I do so.

Yeah, let's meet them first!

But, this man is just so tender-hearted and kind. Would Junipe be able to escape from this man?!

I Tamed a Tyrant and Ran Away

God gave me a chance to relive my life. Before the rebirth, I had been used for the past 400 years as the empire's sword. And so, I swore to destroy the empire. I found the young prince of the country and became his teacher. I taught him how to become a tyrant and asked for the country.

"I will do the lady's will."

He conquered the whole empire for me, and I ran away.

"I came to take you, Charlize Ronan." Dylan became a perfect tyrant and searched the entire empire for me.

"You tamed me, so why did you run away?"

Untouchable Lady

“Please, Hilise. Please die in place of Gabrielle.” My always dignified brother begged me for the first time. He wants me to die for our stepsister, whom we don't even share a drop of blood with. “For the first and last time, I ask you this.” I've always been miserable, and there is no exception this time. The seventh time that I was betrayed and killed, I was completely free of lingering feelings. “I'm glad that you're a scumbag until the end.” I won't be swayed by love anymore. It's my turn to abandon them first.

I’ll Live On As A Villainess

I reincarnated as the villainess in a book!

The one who dared to commit attempted murder on the heroine is the owner of this body?

Let's just live in a quiet place where we have fun and eat! That's what I thought for a while.

It was so, so, so cold here in the north, where I was kicked out as a punishment.

Before I froze to death, I called the Great Demon of Fire and set fire to the fireplace but...

Why isn't he going back? If you've done the job, shouldn't you go back?!

I was flustered to find out that I had signed a life contract with a demon just to start a fire but to think that I'd be responsible for relieving his desires!

The bickering romance between a big puppy demon and a small villainess lady!

It Looks Like I’Ve Fallen Into The World Of A Reverse Harem Game

When I opened my eyes, I was in a different world. I had become the game’s villainous princess who was feared by all. Not to mention… Completely naked men I didn’t even know were approaching me left and right! “Are you cold? Shall I warm you up with a hug?” “Oh? Have you not had enough yet?” Seriously, what’s up with this situation? And just how the hell am I going to get out of this freaking game?!

Father, I Don't Want to Get Married!

I’m Jubelian? The daughter of the duke and the villainess of this novel?

I managed to avoid my death with some previous knowledge about my life, as this was my second time at it. Now, I should be able to live a peaceful life!

“I’m not going to marry a man unless he has everything. I want the most wealthy, famous, and competent man there is.”

I dreamt of a glamorous life as the daughter of the duke, but my father tells me the Crown Prince who is known to be a lunatic is to be my husband! As an extraordinary measure, I couldn’t help but start a contract relationship. That is, with a handsome side character that looks better than the main one.

“Why are you trying to avoid being engaged to the prince?”

“He’s scary. I heard that he even kills his own entourage if he doesn’t like them.”

A few days later, the prince sent a terrible letter to me.

“I will not kill you.”

Oh no, did I set up another death trap for myself?

Like A Wind On A Dry Branch

"Hi, You."

Count Casarius fell victim to a plague and died suddenly, leaving behind a will stating that Rietta, his beautiful young widow of the manor, whom he tried to use as a concubine, be buried alive alongside him. Just before Rietta is buried, Archduke Axias, rumored to be a cruel tyrant, arrives at the funeral to collect the enormous debt Count Casarius still owes him.

“Everyone here seems to feel sorry for her, and I still have a debt to collect from Casarius… If I take her instead of debt, I think all of you here should be happy," he smiled.

"Hello, Temptress."

Everything was a Mistake

Roa Valrose reincarnated as villainess in the book. In order to avoid the fate of being burned at the stake, she approaches the hero, Nocton Edgar.

It hurts every time she gets closer to him. Nevertheless, for her survival, she does everything he wants her to do.

“Come again, Valrose.”

The mysterious Nocton unexpectedly sought her out every day.

Then one day, her friend for 10 years says something unknown to her.

“Actually, I have a dream. The Duke of Edgar is a terrible villain!”

He is not the hero, but the villain?

As soon as she realized that she had misinterpreted the role, she decided to get away from Nocton.

“Let’s not meet anymore.”

But the villain’s reaction was strange.

“Don’t go. You’ve always been special to me.”

She was suspicious of his sudden change of attitude.

Will she able to get rid of Nocton safely?

I Became the Tyrant's Secretary

I became the secretary of a tyrant in place of my clumsy brother to survive.

But I have so much potential for it. I’m so darn good at my job. Because I served the tyrant so well, ‘Everyone has a happy ending’.

Well then, shall I quit being a secretary and live a leisurely life now?

“Rosaline, tell me what you want.” He asked as he stepped down from his chair.

“I want to quit.”

His eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Do you want to die?”

Your highness, you never hold on to people who want to leave, so why’re you being like this to me?

Seduce the Villainess Father

After being in a bus crash, I woke up to the world of my favourite web novel.

Not only that, It was before the protagonists were born, to their parents’ world!

To stop the incoming multiple bad events.

I tried to prevent the kidnapping of the sister who is pregnant with the female lead!

But I got kidnapped instead?!

It's depressing to be kidnapped, but my body couldn't handle the mana and became a sunfish-like state

But... if I am next to the emperor who kidnapped me, my body becomes normal!

Right! The way to save that man from marrying a witch and getting killed by his son, and for someone who is vulnerable to mana such as myself to live, is for us to get married!

The Villains Savior

Set on a path to tragedy and misfortune from a young age, Aseph Randell is doomed to die a villain. That is, until the mysterious Elzay Tiathe appears in his life with a promise: "I can save you." After having vivid visions of him for so long, can Elzay untangle the twisted fate tied to Aseph... or will they both be dragged down together?

Contemporary Manhwa/Manga:

Night Crying Crow

This woman; who is she?

If something was action, it'd be action. If something was romance, it’d be romance. The A-list actor Cheon Woo Kang, who's great at every (genre), had his heart stolen away by an unknown woman who’d broken into his house!

“We'll meet again.~"

Woo Kang contracted an over imaginative illness as he drew the woman, whose name he didn't even know. In front of Woo Kang, she reappeared as the police officer Park Tae... Could the shadow of the crisis that appeared in front of them be a coincidence?

Raise wa Tanin ga Ii

Yoshino Somei would have been a normal high-schooler if not for the fact that she is the granddaughter of the leader of the Osaka-based Somei Group, the Kansai region's largest yakuza organization. One day, Yoshino hurries home after hearing of the news about the unification of Kansai and Kanto's biggest syndicates, the Somei and the Miyama groups. This, according to the article, will result in a marriage of the leaders' grandchildren—one of whom is Yoshino herself! Despite her best efforts to annul the arrangement, Yoshino has to go to Tokyo to visit her fiancé, Kirishima Miyama, who is unexpectedly nice and charming.

During their first meeting, Yoshino is swept up in various events and becomes unable to refuse moving to Tokyo, which is why, half a year later, she now lives with the Miyama group. At school, she soon realizes that Kirishima is very popular, so her relationship with him garners the hate of his fangirls and subsequently results in bullying. To make matters worse, Kirishima could not be further away from her prince charming since he, after all, was born to be a yakuza member.

Raise wa Tanin ga Ii follows Yoshino and her new life in Tokyo that is filled with nothing but troubles connected to the underworld. However, though she wishes to be as far from it as possible, this isn't Yoshino's first time dealing with the world of the Yakuza...

Positively Yours

To Hee-won’s dismay, the BFF she crushed on and her other BFF are now dating! Seriously bummed, Hee-won decides to go wild just one time, and find solace with a handsome stranger. A very satisfying one night affair has now turned into more — she’s pregnant! Fate brings them together again, and now the regimented Doo-joon is determined to do the right thing and marry her. But they’re basically strangers! Except... their bodies have been very intimately acquainted. What’s this mother-to-be to do?

True Beauty

After binge-watching beauty videos online, a shy comic book fan masters the art of makeup and sees her social standing skyrocket as she becomes her school’s prettiest pretty girl overnight. But will her elite status be short-lived? How long can she keep her real self a secret? And what about that cute boy who knows her secret?

Cheese In the Trap

Hong Sul is a ordinary college student. Yoo Jung is the school's most popular upperclass man. He's good looking, rich, smart, and even nice. However, Hong Sul thinks there's more to Yoo Jung than what meets the eye…

SPY x FAMILY

The master spy codenamed has spent his days on undercover missions, all for the dream of a better world. But one day, he receives a particularly difficult new order from command. For his mission, he must form a temporary family and start a new life?! A Spy/Action/Comedy about a one-of-a-kind family!

Doppio Senso (18+)

“What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about a guy.”

KyungHyun stopped in the middle of a deep kiss and sighed. His lips began to form a smile, but his fierce glare said otherwise. Possessiveness and jealousy spread across his sculpted face.

“Will you tell me his name?”

His easygoing and languid voice reached her ears.

“Why?”

“So that I can shoot him down.”

[theorganasolo]

javier peña is a softie deep down and here is why

so I finished watching narcos a few weeks ago and have obviously fallen in love with javier peña and felt compelled to make a post about how much of a good man he is and HOW HE IS A GOOD PERSON AND A SOFTY DEEP DOWN I SWEAR -

Idk people like to write him off as an asshole but there’s so much more to him than that - he’s a very complex character

Ok so first things first: this man really does want to do the right thing no matter the cost, which unfortunately has some bad outcomes because the system is so corrupt. Like working with los pepes wasn’t the best move BUT he did it to help take down escobar - i am still so pissed he got sent home after all the work he put in - BUT ANYWAY

He always has steve’s back even if it’s trying to bring justice for his cat THIS IS A GRINGO CAT OF THE DEA FVFDHIVFDJ -

and when steve was getting reprimanded by messina in s2, javi had his back and was saying how steve was trying to go after connie and olivia. Like when steve told him that connie was at the airport ready to leave, javi did not hesitate in telling him to go after them.

Another time with steve that i like is in s2 when javi knows he is about to get in trouble with the dea due to his involvement with los pepes and he’s having a convo with him and he says “if they come after you about what I’ve been doing, protect yourself first. You didn’t know anything.” another example of how he’s always looking out for everyone.

He made sure jorge was protected in s3 and got him and his family to the us and when jorge was being questioned javi stood up for him

Javi also tries to do right with his informants and this leads me to my next point

JAVI RESPECTS SEX WORKERS

He always treats them with respect and doesn’t look down on them for their profession and even went out of his way to go help Helena after she was being raped and abused.

Also later on when javi and carillo are pursuing gacha, carillo tells javi it’s his call to take gacha in alive or not and javi says to take him out, after talking about it with a twitter mutual we think he has him killed as a way of getting revenge after what he did to helena.

He will also go get his informants visas to get to the US as a way of protecting them - this has happened several times on the show, and i bet it happened more often than what we saw.

All of this points to javi forming attachments to his informants and why is this? Well, for one thing I think it’s because it’s one of the only things that is in his control down in Colombia. Escobar doesn’t play by the rules, so you never know what he’s going to do or who will pay the price. Javi knows this, so if he can assure himself that his informants are protected (by getting them a visa or letting them hide in his apartment) i think it makes him feel a bit better. Another reason why I think he forms attachments is because he doesn’t really have anyone else, Steve has Connie and Javi is just alone.  I think he would be afraid to get in a serious relationship down in colombia because they might end up killed or have a target on their backs for being associated with him. So all he can do is have sex with them as a way to cope with the shit he’s scene and try to forget about it.

Side note: the scene where he and steve go to the brothel and javi is like “yo i have never seen this place in my life” and then 2 min later he’s like “oh, hi vanessa”  - PEAK COMEDY

Kudos to javi to contributing to the economy in colombia

ALSO

Javi is a person that women trust in general. Like connie went to javi when she couldn’t get to her husband to protect an informant because she knew she would be safe with javi.

And then when steve went missing she immediately went to javi knowing he would drop everything and help her, which he did

Then in s2 one of his informants brought another informant to his house because she knew he would help her!! Which later turned out to be a set up :/ but he still was trying to help

And in s3 after he rescues christina from the jungle he immediately puts his arms around her to comfort her OOF i just

Idk everyone calls javi this unfeeling asshole but then that scene after carillo dies? THE GUILT HE FEELS because it was a set up but he didn’t know he was trying to take down escobar and he thought this would be it djfkbvdfkvbdvnskvbdfjvf i just wanted to hug him in that scene

HE IS SOFT DEEP DOWN OK I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL

I just head canon that this man is a big softy at heart and s3 really confirms this

When he’s at that wedding back home and sees lorraine again...now hear me out yeah it was bad he left her at the altar BUT he acknowledges that and apologizes to her, and she had already forgiven him.

When he tells steve that story in s1 it really broke my heart because javi was like “trust me she’s better off” like no sweetie you deserve happiness and comfort too.

Back to s3 when they’re talking about how he left her she was like “can you imagine if we got married” and obviously meant it as an insult AND HIS FACE LOOKS SO SAD AFTER dbfvfdbvhdf pls lorraine javi is a different person now

And then after their convo he looks at her when she picks up one of her kids and his face I SWEAR his face has a look of longing on it I KNOW DEEP DOWN THIS MAN WANTS A QUIET LIFE WITH A FAMILY I KNOW IT - he just seemed so lonely in  this wedding scene

this is further emphasized in s3 when javi is doing the jungle rescue for franklin’s wife and he’s talking to berna and this conversation happens:

PLS LOOK AT HIS FACE dfbhjvbdflvdf kvjdfbh no no he does not like living out of a suitcase, that’s just how his life is unfortunately BUT HE DESERVES TO HAVE A HOME, SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT HIM, A FAMILY javi you deserve all of the good things i promise you.

I like to think that after the show takes place he would find a nice girl and settle down with her and have a family because he’s such a different person from when he left lorraine, to after everything he went through in Colombia.  After being through that intensity he deserves to have a rest, and I know he’s wanted to be out of Laredo so I feel like maybe he would go to a bigger city in Texas, maybe Dallas? or maybe live in a suburb outside a big city?

A lot of fics I’ve read have had him as a professor after the events of Narcos and I really like that idea!

TO CONCLUDE

Javi is not some dick without feelings, he’s using sex as a coping mechanism cause he doesn’t have anybody :(

It just makes me so sad how little he thinks of himself, from his comments about lorraine being better off without him to saying “i’m not a hero.”  you can tell people haven’t told him that he is a good person, so why would he believe that he is?

Anyways javier peña deserves better and needs a hug which I can and will provide you with sir

[aguecheek]

Can you tell us about that gender bent midsummer night's dream production you did lights for?

Oh boy oh baby oh boy ive been waiting for this one

So in 2019, I ran lights for a Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Midsummer that took the characters of Lysander and Helena and genderswapped them. Lysander became Lysandra, and Helena became Helenus. And dude???????? It changed...SO MUCH??? It literally lives in my head rent free, i still think about this production every goddamn day. More under the cut.

When Hermia’s father insists that she marry Demitrius or face death, it becomes much less a matter of a man exerting control over his daughter as if he owns her, although it still definitely is that, but now takes on a new dimension. Egeus has delivered an ultimatum: be straight or be killed. Absolutely fucking terrifying, and for modern audiences especially, the stakes suddenly become much more personal and much more real. (We also kept a running tally of every family who left in the middle of the show when they realized it was gay LMFAO our highest record number was 18 families in one night. Gotta love PA!) So in the scene immediately following that, you get this really gorgeous tenderness in the “how now my love, why is your cheek so pale” scene, you know the one. The agreement to elope, the overwhelming joy that comes from the notion of leaving your homophobic father and going to live with your girlfriend’s accepting aunt...it’s good, it gave me the warm and fuzzies.

The Helenus comes on, and oh boy oh boy oh fucking boy. Because in the first scene, you have this line from Lysandra about Demitrius promising himself to Helenus, and Egeus looking absolutely horrified at it, and Demitrius denying it fervently. And Helenus is lost, confused, and desperate, and he’s seeking comfort in two other openly gay people, his childhood best friend and her girlfriend—and the’re both leaving athens. Together. When he gives that fucking goddamn how happy some o’er other some can be speech (which ive had memorized since i was eight because its so unbelievably fuckign good) it’s absolutely HEARTRENDING. Demitrius was his, and they were in love, and then demitrius got cold feet and backed out, and now hermia and lysandra are leaving too, and helenus is going to be alone in athens.

Then you get helenus and demitrius’s first scene together, the “you draw me you hardhearted adamant” scene, the “spurn me like a dog” scene. And this scene was hard for me to watch every single night. Because, now forgive me for getting a little personal, I struggled with a lot of internalized homophobia for a pretty significant portion of my life. And there was this awful heartwrenching moment the actors did where demitrius grabbed helenus by his shirt and their mouths were inches apart and demetrius like tore himself away and stumbled away shouting and it just...i’ll say, okay, i named my sword demitrius(That’s not a euphamism, I have a sword hanging on the wall of my apartment named demitrius, I intend to name all my swords after shakespeare cahracters)because of this character. I don’t like demitrius within the text, i think he’s an asshole LMAO. But this version of demitrius really just grabbed my heart ripped it out of my chest and stomped on it, because he wasn’t a misogynist freak, he was a real dude struggling with some serious significant internalized homophobia. It gave him a reason to reject helenus, it gave him a reason to pursue hermia, and it gave him an actual in-depth character reason to be a dick other than just...hey, this is demitrius, he’s a dick to women.

One of the worst and best scenes every night was the fight scene. Now the fight scene fucking gets me, no matter what, but with the sexuality dynamics, god, it’s just so fucked up. Because when demitrius first starts acting all lovely-dovey towards helenus, there’s this awful heartbreaking look of longing on helenus’s face, and then when “oh, spite, oh, hell” comes bursting out, ur heart breaks ight the fuck along with him. Not to mention now here’s hermia, who ran away from her father to be with her girlfriend, to escape the confines of heterosexuality, so they could be together, and now lysandra is turning away from her and trying to get all cozy with helenus. Helenus’s heart is breaking because he thinks that he’s being betrayed by his own community, being mocked for something that they above all else should support him for. Hermia’s heart is breaking because she’s losing the one person she sacrificed everything to be with. Lysandra and demitrius are fine lmao they’re asleep, they don’t know whats going on.

But like okay. Okay. god. Okay. listen to me. When theyre all running exhaustedly through the woods and they eventually collapse on the ground, sound asleep, and puck comes out with the cure for the spell...he cures them both. HE CURES BOTH LYSANDRA AND DEMITRIUS. Because unlike in the original text, demitrius doesn’t need to be under a spell to love helenus. He loved him all along, he never stopped loving him, he just...wouldn’t let himself. So wheras in the heterosexual midsummer, puck usually cures lysander but not demetrius, in this version, you have them both being cured, both being brought back to themselves. 

And when they wake up, and the lights went all purple and blue and soft and the music started playing (it was fucking moon river. The music was fucking moon river please im going to cry) and they’re all just standing there, holding the person they love, swaying softly, whispering in amazement at their fantastic dream…”are you sure that we are awake?” oh my fucking god. Oh my fucking god. Oh my god.

Then everybody comes storming on, theseus and hippolyta and egeus and such, and demitrius has that line...that fucking line… “The object and the pleasure of mine eye Is only Helenus. To him, my lord, Was I betrothed ere I saw Hermia. But like in sickness did I loathe this food, But as in health come to my natural taste, Now I do wish it, love it, long for it, And will for evermore be true to it.” DUDE ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME THAT’S SO GOOD. Because unlike with the magic flower route, he actually is returning to his natural tastes. This is the story, this is his story, this is him giving up on his attempts to hide that part of himself. This is him accepting who he is and wishing for Helenus, loving him, longing for him, will forevermore be true to him….god. It got me every single fucking night. Every goddamn single night that line made me tear up.

And then they all got married and it was lovely and beautiful blah blah its a comedy everybody gets married you know the drill <3 but yeah, i still think about that production every single fucking day of my life. I dont think ill ever stop thinking about it.

[sundarika]

Hello! Can I have some hc with a protective mama Reader with Naib, Helena and Bane. They are my precious baby. I haven't play this game since season 13 and I miss them so much ahhhhhhh 😭😭. Thank you, have a nice day ❤❤🌷 (sr, my English is not good)

✨ Your English is wonderful dear ✨

[Naib Subedar, Helena Adams, Gamekeeper] S/O Is Overprotective

✨ As a reminder, my works will always include gn!reader unless specified by the requester! ✨

———————————————————————

[Naib Subedar]:

* You had been at the manor for quite awhile now, and were a rather nice person, getting along with most other survivors, and even some of the hunters to boot.

* It was quite surprising actually. You’d walked in the first day with a tough-guy attitude and gruff personality, and you didn’t seem like a very approachable person.

* Then, some survivors such as Victor and Emily started worming their way into your heart. Liam [Lucky Guy] and Norton were some of the first people to offer you a seat at the dinner table, and from then on you were one of them.

* You had scars, though most could tell they were more physical than emotional, from some sidejobs you used to complete for a gang on White Sand Street—robbing people and competing in fights with rivals.

* You quickly learned that most people fought back. Rival gangs always intruded on your own territory, and you were always left on guard, defending the last remnants of your livelihood and your sanity.

* Maybe that’s why you’re so protective over your things. Never letting anyone enter your room, never letting anyone see the pain you hide. Opening up to people enough to make allies, but never enough to show secrets.

* Now Naib…. Naib helped you out a lot. It seemed he understood you, far more than others. For some reason, he was always there for you, watching your back when needed, acting like a shield at times—sometimes literally.

* You never really understood at first, how he seemed to know you so well. From what you knew, he came from halfway cross the world, from Nepal, in India—a child, a soldier, a weapon.

* You guessed his life was rather similar, and assumed he’d come to the manor for quite the same reasons but, it was hard to see through the scowl on his face.

* At some point, you began to recognize the signs, the irritation, the avoidance. You recognized the silence, and the stiffness that came from Naib when he ate and smiled and nodded at their questions. You saw the signs of a brother, somebody just as lost and broken as you were.

* Children in the bodies of adults, forced to live life too fast and too furiously. Damaged and done in, waiting for someone to save them, but too scared to cry for help.

* Unwilling to hurt others again, unwilling to change.

* You grew wary—observant—of him eventually. You joined in more matches with him as teammate, and sat next to him often at dinner. When you noticed he didn’t eat as much, you grunted in concern. When he fell asleep in odd places, you’d bring him a blanket.

* It got to the point where he found out about your help, and tried to dissuade you from wasting your time.

* You never really listened. In fact, your worries only increased. Others might not have recognized, but you saw the signs of fatigue and death written in the lines of his face. You’d seen it every day back on White Sand.

* He gave up on making you give up, tired of attempted persuasions. Eventually began returning the favours—Naib is the type to have a ‘you watch my back, I’ll watch yours’ mentality.

* Everything you’d do for him is returned in kind. It annoyed the rest of the manor to no end because the giving and receiving eventually reached limits unheard of.

* You’d throw yourself on a rocket chair to save him, and next game you’d have your own personal bodyguard tracking your every move.

* He’d never admit it, but he appreciates all you do for him, and hopes you appreciate his efforts in making your life a little better too.

* Though your protective tendencies know no bounds, he hopes you’re a little more cautious with throwing your life on the line for him like that. This is a death game after all, be more careful…. please?

* At some point, the whole manor hopes you two could just get together and kiss it out in some storage closet. If you’re dating, what’s the need to be so consistent in you’re protective tendencies? Then you’ll always be together, which means nothing can ever happen to either of you!

* To be fair, that’s what most of them thought until an incident after the confession, where Naib wouldn’t let you out of the medical ward for a week due to a few hairline fractures.

* Please Naib! Emily begs you to let her use the examination table! You’ve hogged it for 5 days and she needs it to identify the infection spreading on Aesop’s leg! Vera broke her nose! William sprinted into the gymnasium wall and shattered his kneecaps! Please leave!

* You once set fire to a couch because Naib stubbed his toe on it.

* Please stop it you two, Freddy can’t budget for anymore furniture, and we’re fresh out of chairs.

———————————————————————

[Helena Adams]:

* Oops! Oh no her glasses! Aww shucks, Norton knocked them right off her face and onto the hardwood floor. She can’t find them because she can’t see, whatever shall she do?

* [S/o]! Please, she needs your help!

* You come in running with a pair of pliers, five bottles of anti-grease spray, and a box of extra lenses and a screwdriver.

* Oh how wonderful! You fixed her glasses—again—and saved her from the task of shuffling herself on all fours looking for them! Her hero!

* Helena…. praises you to say the least. You’re her best friend, her confidante, her…. big and strong, sometimes dumb partner!

* She adores everything you do for her, and tries equally as hard to do things for you that make your life necessarily easier, though it’s harder with her condition.

* She met you around the same time as everybody else, during your first days in the manor. Really, she didn’t actually know you were there until she bumped into a voice she didn’t recognize and became surprised.

* You quickly learned about her blindness, and made it your goal to form a friendship with her based on your willingness to help her around and get closer to her—she was very kind after all.

* Your protectiveness stemmed from the inherent feeling of a need to help guide and provide for Helena, much like a spouse would… jk, unless 👀….

* At some points, you were berated by her for your incessant protections, most of which made her feel highly dependent, which she didn’t like.

* She liked the feeling of being independent of others and being recognized as an autonomous, capable being. Especially considering what she came there for, it was a blow to her pride to be led around and pushed aside all the time.

* When she revealed these feelings to you, you had surprisingly promised her to cease in most areas of monitoring—however you still consistently check up on her—and settled into the realm of a relationship with her.

* Helena meets somebody who respects her opinions + acknowledges her intellect + isn’t a dingy asshole? Sign her up and slap on a ring, she’s marrying this person (eventually).

* She knows that your tendencies stem from a place of need and want, and tolerates most of them. Deep down, she likes being taken care of by someone who knows she can take care of herself. She really does love you.

* When you’re actually in a relationship with each other, you make sure to watch each others backs, more so you than Helena (because she can’t ‘watch’ per say), but you get the point.

* There was once an incident in a duo’s match where Helena became stranded on the Lakeside Fishing map. The terrain is rough, with piles of fish everywhere, randomly placed boxes and walls, and the barrels are bad enough when they don’t form a blockade.

* Her navigational skills, as good as they are with all her previous experience and staff, couldn’t for the life of her figure out how to move her way around a mess of box paths, pallets, and fishing stands.

* Most other survivors were occupied or dead—it had been a hard match against Jack the Ripper and Guard 26—and she was barred from reaching any form of help.

* So she screamed your name as loud as she possibly could across the map, and ended up attracting the attention of BonBon instead. During those moments where she could hear his clanks and heavy metalloid footsteps stalking towards her, the tick of a time bomb in hand, she heard a screech in the distance.

* A fierce battlecry—you came raging from around a windmill, propelled by William’s football and packing heat with a flare gun. BonBon, now stunned twice, stood there in astonishment, before chasing after you, who had grabbed Helena in your arms, running off at full speed.

* Your stamina bar, indicated by a small tab on your character, was running low, and you wouldn’t be able to run at full speed for another minute or two, having used your ability to buy time. Stopping near a closet, you lean down to place Helena on her feet, telling her to hide.

* Her blood trail was invisible from not actually having run anywhere, and she did as you said, making you promise to come get her when it was safe.

* You gave her a smirk and a small nod, assuring her that you would, before leaning in for a peck on the forehead as you shoved her into the locker.

* If only you could see her flushed in embarrassment.

* Leaving her to fangirl in the locker, you form a decoy in your arms—result of your max rescuer ability—and ran off once more, taking off around a corner just as Guard 26 reached your previous location, chasing after you and ‘Helena’ in hopes of landing two more kills.

———————————————————————

[Bane the Gamekeeper]:

* How does it feel to love a deerman? Good? Okay!

* Bane as you know is a little…. rough around the edges so-to-speak, and he has a lot of edges.

* Once you get around all the hooks, chains, and bear traps, and beneath that creepy-looking deer head of his, he really is such a sweet guy!

* At least you think so. In reality, he still acts like a complete dick to everybody else, and only shows his soft side around you, but that’s because he knows he can trust you with his lands, animals, and secrets! All those others out there only wish to hurt what he—you—have, and he’ll make them pay for it.

* Honestly, in order for him to have fallen for you so hard to have let his guard down around you, you probably would have had to be at your most vulnerable point in life, or a hunter yourself. Like a scared prey animal, uncertain of its future, waiting for something to happen, and somebody to help, or a huge predator, ready to strike out at any moment.

* Once you worm your way into his cold dead heart, there’s no way out for you. He’ll keep you close, as he doesn’t want you to be poached away like his precious animal friends from the past. He knows how cruel humanity can be sometimes.

* When you come to find out about his less-than-kind history, it’s all you can do to pity him. Your sympathy knows no bounds, and you become clingier, though he quite honestly likes it.

* You don’t want what happened to him to occur again, and with all these other traitors and murderers in the manor, you’re afraid of what the others could do.

* You keep to his side a lot more, take walks with him in the garden, and enjoy tranquil picnics from time-to-time on Lakeside. Anything to keep him close to you and away from all the pain.

* Bane can obviously see what your doing, and noticing that your protectiveness doesn’t yet border on the insane, he allows you to continue in your devotions.

* It’s honestly sweet sometimes how you both adore each other so much, even if you know that one day one or both of you will have to leave. Whether it be through death, disappearance, or another means such as escape is a question of time, and one that neither of you know the answer to.

* If you’re also a hunter, than both of you know that while you two are happier now than either of you were in life, that your individual deaths and worths will eventually determine your fates—whether that be a happy afterlife, or an eternity of endless wandering.

* It’s well known that you’ll both disappear the day the game ends, your souls being put to rest as they should’ve been however long ago. Until then however, you’ll continue to hold on to and vehemently protect the relationship the two of you have, and you’ll fight until your soul vanishes from the earth for what you have to remain that way.

* Now, if you’re a survivor, this is where the relationship can be a bit difficult.

* Avidly defending the actions of your boyfriend during and after a match to the rest of your survivor buddies isn’t a very good look for you, or your reputation. It’s been many times where you’ve almost been chased out of the dining room because somebody was pissed at you for costing them the match, or being the only one spared instead of convincing Bane for a win or tie.

* As they say, if you can’t beat em’, join em’. Some survivors, such as William, Kreacher, and Freddy, have more than once suggested that if you loved a hunter so much, you should become one to be with him. Dating the undead almost crosses the line of what is humane. Aesop thinks you’re kind of cool.

* The hunters over on Bane’s side hate you more. Are convinced that you’re the sole reason that Bane goes friendly sometimes (even in matches without you in them), and that your relationship takes away from his brutal and violent persona and nature.

* Violetta and Michiko are the most tolerant of you, mainly because you gifted them silk and a hand fan for Christmas once when they wished for them in their letters.

* All-in-all, basically everyone blames you, but you keep going forward because who cares about all the nasty bi*ches in the world, am I right?

* Once, to prove the integrity and devotion of your relationship, you set Freddy’s room on fire and locked Kreacher in a closet. You looked Bane directly in the eyes and kneeling before him stated, “I have committed arson for you m’lord.”

* You couldn’t see it because of his deerish head and all, but Bane really went “Heart eyes motherf*cker.” on you in that moment.

* You love animals and set things on fire to prove your loyalty to him? Ticket for one please, he’s riding the simp train all the way to the station.

* Just, please don’t accidentally burn down the manor, he wants to spend as much time with you as possible before he disappears.

* Also don’t joke around with your life, it’s too precious, even when you tackle your own teammate or risk getting hit by Ganji’s cricket ball to save him from being stunned.

* He doesn’t want you dying before he does—has already he supposes—or disappearing without a trace.

* You promise you’ll stick with him until the day you finally leave this wretched place.

———————————————————————

✨ Hope you enjoyed ✨

[writey-unicorn]

(Possibly unnecessary) Spoiler warning for most of the first season of Arrow.

So I'm rewatching Arrow after only semi-watching it the first time and I realized something.

Oliver is a sympathetic anti-hero who kills too many people and is far too self-destructive and angsty to be a hero but does too much good to be a villain.

Everyone else is a villain. Let me explain.

So Oliver has spent the last 5 years going through hell on an island with the singular goal of getting off the island and fulfilling his father's last wish of curing his city. He starts exacting his plan and gets caught by Diggle who, after a bit of back and forth and a premature breakup, joins Oliver in his quest. After Diggle joins him his quest changes to deal with some of the symptoms as well as the problem and he focuses even more on the symptoms when Felicity joins. This is all while trying to protect his friends and family and maintaining his public image which is for everyone except the people who know who he is which is (I think) at four and of course dealing with his own issues on the side.

And no one in the show gives Oliver the time or the patience he needs to deal with any of this.

His mother and sister are happy to see him for exactly 30 seconds and then are like, "Why aren't you exactly the way you used to be? Why are you always gone? Why aren't you perfect?" As far as they knew, he had been the sole survivor of an accident and alone for 5 years. He would need more than 30 seconds to get used to society again. Sure, he didn't help them realize this, but you could use your brain and realize that he's going to need more than 30 seconds to get used to people caring about him again.

Laural is also bad but has far more reason to be. That doesn't really excuse her or her unrealistic expectations for him but at least she waited for Oliver to come to her before telling him how disappointed she was in him.

Then you have the people who know.

Felicity probably comes off the lightest mostly from not knowing him very much. She mostly just adds on to other people's disappointment in Oliver. Tommy also isn't that bad but he knows that Oliver has been missing for 5 years, came back completely changed, and is a vigilante. He knows something horrific happened to him and is nowhere near as patient with Oliver as Oliver needs even after Oliver saved his life twice and his father's life once. And yes, Oliver had a hand in the friendship breakup but the man has a laundry list of issues, and, canonically, I doubt he's been home for more than 8 months yet. If he's been gone for 5 years then he deserves at least a year to recover before everyone starts yelling at him for not being good enough.

And then you have Diggle.

Oliver's and Diggle's relationship has always been rocky from the beginning. They've been in the same chapter, but never quite the same page. and yet, Oliver, Oliver "bullheaded, can't apologize to save his life" Queen, more often than not, is the one who changes what he's doing and how he's doing it for Diggle. Also, of the two, Oliver has apologized and reached out to make things right more. For one of the recent episodes, Oliver helped Diggle track down this guy he wanted to kill which Argus was already helping with. Oliver, probably expecting the highly trained Argus agents to not pick the least-defensible meeting spot possible (which they did and yes I'm angry about it) and to be able to deal with one person on their own, had gone after a man who was going to kill a child instead of helping there and Diggle threw a fit for that. And instead of Diggle realizing that he had overreacted and that Oliver had made the choice that he thought was right at the time Oliver apologized and promised to do better. Yeah, I'm mad about that too.

No one in the show holds anyone but Oliver responsible for any relationship he's in. No wonder Oliver ran into the arms of the first person who saw him for everything he was and didn't immediately berate him for not being exactly what she wanted and yes I'm talking about crazy ex-girlfriend, Helena.

[sugas-sweetheart]

Hi! Can I request headcannons for a soulmate AU for Bakugo and Sero with a fem reader? An AU where everyone has a timer on their wrist counting down to the second they meet their soulmate? Thank you!

A/N: ahh yes! I love a soulmate au 🥰 and I’m always up for Sero content - I’m sorry that it’s been a few months since this was requested but I’m working through requests before I go back to irl school! proof reading is for cowards apparently bc i felt like just posting these lmao

Countdowns

Bakugou Katsuki

I feel like people would expect Bakugou to not care much about the timer on his wrist but really it plagues his mind. In a good way, and sometimes a bad way.

He checks it constantly when he’s alone in his room studying or about to go to sleep, and on sleepless nights

He sneaks a look at it during class most days

When he was young he figured out what day the timer would run out and now that it’s reached a few weeks away he’s scared

But he’s also very excited.

Having strong attachments sometimes gave heroes strength, but it would also be a weakness and his biggest fear was hurting his soulmate due to his occupation of choice. 

What if they were taken as a hostage? they would take the one person that he’s been excited to meet for years and use that attachment against him. 

It would give him motivation to work, he would want to be able to protect you, if you ever needed it

Ahe timer was ticking and his anxieties and worries were still growing. He was still a teenager, he was still in the hero course. 

Would his soulmate like heroes? Is he going to live an unconventional life and have to betray his soulmate because they’re a villain? Maybe they were a hero as well? Were you older? Younger? 

His morning started out okay, a little more annoying than usual. 

His friends procrastination and antics led to him yelling at them to not be late 

And in a slightly annoyed mood he left before them to get to class early. 

He had almost forgotten that today would be the day he meets his soulmate in his rush but the thought still lingered in the back of his mind. 

Adjusting his school uniform to see his timer, his eyes widened at the mere seconds that were left and ticking down quickly 

He swore that he hadn’t seen anyone else in the corridor with him before he looked down so who was he meant to be meeting? 

Unknown to the boy with the explosion quirk, you had just come out of one of the rooms along the corridor after being given directions to your new classroom, 2B, where one of your new classmates, Kendo, would show you to your dorm and around the school’s facilities. 

Your first reaction was to think that Kendo might be your soulmate, depending on how long the directions would take for you to follow. 

But in your clouded mind of watching the timer tick down whilst trying to memorise the directions given to you, you didn’t notice the blonde that was also walking towards you. 

A fairly harsh force knocked you back and made you stop in the corridor, scared and excited to look up because your timer had just glowed slightly as it faded back to black with only zeros left. 

Bakugou hesitated to look up for a few awkward seconds before clearing his throat and directing his eyes back up from his wrist to see who his soulmate really was. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here before? I’m Bakugou Katsuki, from class 2A” 

You looked up to meet his eyes and give the blonde in front of you a look over, he was cute and seemed slightly flustered. 

“I’m new, transferring into 2B today, I guess I’ll see you around, Bakugou”

“Do I even get to know the name of my soulmate?”

“Meet me at lunch and maybe you can find out, soulmate”

Sero Hanta 

Sero would be very excited from when he was young 

He would constantly check his timer as if it would magically run out quicker the more he watched it, because time definitely worked like that

He had dreamt about it since he was a kid, finally having the one, someone who would love him forever because he’s him and no one else. 

He never thought about if you were to be a villain, he’d find a way to work around it either way, to make you two work, you were meant for each other after all. 

Many of his friends had found their soulmates during high school, but he was set to meet his during his first couple years as a professional hero. 

Being a young hero, aged 20, and only being out of UA’s hero course for just over a year, he had to work hard to work his way up until he made a large enough name for himself to set up his own agency, or to open one with his group of friends.

Knowing that he was destined to meet  his soulmate during his hero work meant that he had a few worries along with it. 

Was he meant to save you? Were you a villain? and while he promised himself he would make it work even if his soulmate was a villain.There were strict hero rules surrounding the situation in which your soulmate was a villain. 

Hoping that it was the former and that he was to save you, it was a drive for him. 

You gave him a reason to work hard, without even knowing each other. 

He knew you were out there somewhere and he wanted to be able to protect you as best he could and he put his all into training. 

What he didn’t expect when he went the entirety of his high school years not meeting you, was for you to also be a hero. 

It was a big mission that they had been planning for days and collecting surveillance and data on the targets, and his agency would be teaming up with two others to take down one of the largest powerhouse groups of villains. 

Upon meeting the other agency that were helping them surround the stronghold, he was taken to meet up with the others that heavily involved in the case. 

Being in his hero suit it was difficult for him to remember how many minutes and seconds were left before he put it on, because all day he had been scared of you being a citizen caught in the crossfire or on the villains side. 

Upon being taken to a group near the back where there stood Fatgum, Tamaki, Kirishima and an unknown hero he stopped in his tracks after locking eyes with you, the unknown hero. 

Kirishima, about to greet his friend quickly realised why you were simply staring at each other because he had calmed the both of you separately at some point in the last 24 hours before this mission when worrying about who your soulmate was going to be. 

He laughed lightly at his two friends and pulled the others away gently to let you two talk. 

“So, you felt the timer run out too?”  He was still slightly stunned. 

“Yeah.” 

“Would you want to get dinner and get to know each other after this missions finished?”

“I think I’d love that, cellophane.”

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