#a lot of of dramatic moments in the book like i don't know the green and black councils didn't particularly affecting imo

[giudittas]

I was thinking about how in hotd the writers changed entire characters arcs and dynamic just to add emotional depth to the conflict (and not all this changes were successful in my opinion) when the easiest way to do that was to add depth to the relationship between Rhaenyra and her siblings, especially Aegon. I mean obviously aging down Alicent messed up a lot of storylines and among other issues it further expand on the Rhaenyra/Aegon age gap so whatever could have been explored in that dynamic simply gets lost cause it just doesn't fit the narrative with this changes. In the book there are hints of a (strained) relationship between the half-siblings, rhaenyra even calls helaena "my sweet sister" and aegon sarcastically "my dear brother"...i don't know I just think there is a lot of wasted potential here especially if we think about how the story is ending.

[the-princess-of-loki]

Waves of Desire

Pairing: Loki x fem!Reader

Warnings: smut, graphic description of smut (don't like it, don't read it), a little of voyeurism, smut just for the sake of it, strong language for some people.

The weather was nice. The sun was up in the sky, providing its heat while the sea brought with it a nice, calming breeze. I was sitting on a plastic lounger which Loki had kindly left for me while he was lying face-down on a towel in the sand, right next to me. We have both brought our books to spend the day here on the beach. There weren’t a lot of people around us which was nice to concentrate on our books. Supposedly. I wasn’t able to focus on anything at the moment.

I have brought with me a very interesting essay on creative writing by Stephen King that I’ve been wanting to read for a while. I had thought this was an excellent opportunity to get my hands on it. How naive on my part. It was impossible to focus on something with the display I had next to me. Loki was actually focusing on his astronomy book, so he wasn’t purposefully doing something to distract me. But for all that’s sacred, Loki wearing only a pair of black swimming shorts should be a crime. They hang from his hips deliciously, embracing his butt in a magnetising way.

It was the main reason I’ve been reading the same sentence for the last fifteen minutes. I was sure that Loki was enjoying having my eyes on his ass every minute even if he wasn’t doing anything about it or reacting in any way. He always knew when he was the centre of attention somehow and he absolutely adored it. It was a known fact that Loki belongs to the spotlight, after all. I left my book on one side with a sigh. At least, that sigh let me release my lower lip from my teeth: I had been biting it so hard that I could almost taste the coppery flavour of blood on my tongue. Loki looked up from his book to me. His green eyes shone with that mischief that was always present. 

“Is there something wrong, darling?” Loki asked me almost in an innocent way. Too innocent for the God of Mischief. “Is your book not what you expected it to be?” His smile gave him away. He definitely knew what was happening to me. I could even bet that he knew my exact thoughts.

“I wouldn’t know, actually,” I answered with a bit of a dry tone. Loki closed his book and rested his body weight on his elbow, giving me a small peak of his happy trail and his wonderful abs. He looked at me with an arched eyebrow.

“Why is that, my love?” I had to give it to him: he looked genuinely concerned. After all these years together, though, I knew how to differentiate the truth from the mask. I also knew how to play most of his games, luckily. I sighed dramatically, standing up from my lounger and stretching a little bit. I felt his eyes travelling down my body in my swimming suit.

“I believe the heat is affecting me,” I answered with a pouty face. Loki was now sitting on his towel looking up at me with that same innocent-like face. “I should probably go into the sea and take a swim…” Loki’s eyes widened with that possibility. I had to refrain myself from smirking.

“Well, dear, if heat is your problem, may I suggest you lay down here with me?” He moved a little, making some space for me in his towel.

“Oh? How would that help me, love?” I asked him with the same innocent smile he had given me a few minutes ago.

“I can lower my body temperature and embrace you to help you.”

“You’d do that for me?” 

Loki just laid on his towel again, opening his arms to me. I kneeled on the towel and then crawled until I was face-to-face with him. Loki passed his arms around my body, glueing our bodies. I smiled at him and caressed one of his sharp cheeks, feeling comfortable in his arms, as I always do. He did lower his body temperature for me, even when we both knew that was just an excuse for us to get close like this. Loki smiled lovingly at me as he got his face closer to mine, resting his forehead on mine. If someone was able to resist that, it wasn’t me.

I moved my hand to his perfect jaw and lifted my lips until they met with his. Loki kissed me back without hesitation, his warm breath on my face as our lips moved in complete sync. I moved my hand from his jaw to his wavy, black, soft hair and I grabbed a bunch of it. He grunted as his hands pressed me more against his body. I passed one of my legs on top of him, locking the inside of my knee on his hipbone. His tongue joined mine in a beautiful dance, deepening our kiss, as one of his hands travelled down my back until he grabbed my thigh on top of him. A pleasurable shiver and a soft moan escaped me at his movements. A little shift on his hips allowed me to feel his aroused state and I could feel myself getting wetter just because of it.

We kept kissing until we were both out of breath. We both panted as we looked into each other’s eyes. His green eyes were clouded with lust and his pale cheeks were a little rosy. While his face was always attractive, he was even sexier when he was all aroused and wild. I kept caressing his scalp with my fingers and he kept grabbing my thigh. Our eyes were locked together as we kept trying to normalise our breaths.

“Are you feeling better, my love?” Loki asked with a little smirk. I matched it before answering.

“Actually, I’m feeling hotter…and wetter…” Loki looked around us at the almost isolated beach.

“Are you sure? Here?” Loki asked, concerned. Even though his worry for me was all over his sexy face, I could see the excitement in his green eyes. He’d never forced me to do something I wasn’t comfortable with, no matter how appealing the idea was for him. I moved my hand to caress his cheek, still smiling as I nodded.

“Completely sure. Here and now,” I whispered the last word against his lips.

Loki moved immediately on top of me, excited for my consent. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his eagerness, even when he silenced my laughter with his lips on mine. He caressed my whole body with one of his hands since the other was still grabbing my right thigh. I caressed his bare chest with both of my hands, going down his body through his abs, his happy trail until I reached his black swimming shorts. I was excited just by doing this on a beach, so I was quite eager to do it. I untied the white cotton bow and pulled them down just enough to free his already hard member. At the same time, Loki moved my swimsuit to the side so he could tease my entrance with his long and skilful fingers.

He broke our kiss when he slid himself inside with ease, making me moan. Immediately, Loki moved his hand from my thigh to my mouth, making my moan somehow hushed.

“Shhh, my love. You wouldn’t want us to get caught in this intimate time, would you?” He asked with a smirk on his thin lips. I just looked at him since his mouth was still silencing me. “I’m going to move my hand now because I want to see those addicting lips of yours. But you have to promise me that you’ll keep as hushed as possible, yes?” I nodded, still looking straight into those gorgeous green eyes of his.

Loki removed his hand slowly from my mouth at the same time he moved his hips back. He rested his forehead on mine as he thrust inside me again. We both let out a breathy, soundless moan, while our lips found their way to each other again. While Loki started a slow rhythm, I moved my hands from his waist to the tempting devil that had started all of this in the first place: his ass. I grabbed it and squeezed it and he let out a surprised gasp. After all this time, I knew how much he liked it when I played with his rear, and God, did I love having fun with it too. I squeezed it again, making him close his eyes and move his hips forward. Loki opened his eyes again, telling me with his face: “Game on”.

While I kept playing with his ass in all the ways I knew he liked, Loki thrust further inside me, rolling his hips in such an exquisite way that I had trouble keeping my moans in check. Our lips kept together, even when we both had our mouths open. His warm breath hit me all the time while his green eyes got more and more clouded with lust as time passed by and we kept making love. He moved his hand from my waist to my clit, starting to rub it with his thumb. I bit my lower lip hard, feeling my pleasure rise with each of his thrusts and his hand on me.

“Cum for me, beautiful,” Loki whispered in my ear, not ceasing his movements at all. “I want to see your face contorting with the pleasure only I can give you.”

His words alone were erotic enough. His sultry voice, his powerful thrusts and his thumb rubbing me. All of that combined made me explode in an intense orgasm. Loki silences my moan with his lips on mine, and his movements didn’t stop until I felt him cum inside me too. He stayed still inside me for some minutes more. Then, he kneeled in front of me, keeping one of his hands on my swimsuit so he could see his semen dripping out of me. He loved that sight, so he did something like this every time he was allowed to. After that, he put my swimsuit and his back into place, while I sat on his towel.

“I believe we both could use a dip in the sea, don’t you think?” I said with a smile.

Loki just laughed and offered me his hand to help me get up. Then, we both walked holding hands towards the sea.

[naquey]

Sickness is Green

Kaveh x male-reader one shot

Kaveh is fucking special to me and I love him. Inspired from his voiceline When It Rains. Once again he had forgotten to grab an umbrella before setting off the meet a client. Of course, he didn't check the weather before he left so in the middle of the meeting it started to rain. Obviously, without an umbrella he got sick.

After a while of living with Alhaitham, Kaveh decided he had enough with his keys getting stolen, enough with getting locked out. Enough with being belittled and talked down to. It was the umpteenth time he got locked out and decided then and there he would settle his debts and manage to at least try and buy a house.

Then he moved in with Y/n.

Being a student at the Akademiya, his boyfriend often left the house early in the morning to attend classes. Kaveh had accidentally slept through his alarm clock and was panicking as he tried to get dressed and out the door before he completely missed the meeting he was having today. Some wealthy merchant from Mondstat wanted to set up a store or something and asked him to build it. He'd been recommended for the task because he had done such a beautiful job with the Palace of Alcazarzaray. It made sense that he would make this shop stand out from the stalls in town.

He had to be down in Port Ormos in thirty minutes, which wasn't even possible. Not only did he rush out the door without his keys, but without an umbrella as well. Kaveh forgot a lot of things because he was almost always late to important stuff. Meetings, classes he was opted to teach, etc.

To him, rain came out of nowhere and ruined the meeting pretty quickly. The tavern inside was already filled with patrons and staying out there for longer wasn't ordeal, even with those umbrellas over the tables. He and the client settled on a date to reschedule to talk about the technicalities. Sitting there and watching people rush inside as the rain got heavier Kaveh couldn't help but frown. His only hope was to wait it out but the last thing he wanted to do was stand around inside with strangers, he would prefer sitting at home with a book more than that.

Then Kaveh realized he left his keys in the house.

So through the rain, he trudged on back to his house. It was no doubt he was going to get sick, but getting home was far more important than that. He had blue prints that would get destroyed if he'd gotten them wet.

Kaveh came down with a cold.

He was absolutely dramatic. Lying in bed and coughing was to be expected, but any moment Y/n left the room or wasn't around when he woke up was a moment spent whining and crying for him to come back. Kaveh wasn't doing it to be annoying, but he genuinely felt that he was getting better just by seeing the person he liked so much.

So Y/n would spend most of his time cuddling Kaveh who tried his absolute hardest not to get him sick. Making soup and asking Tighnari for some medicine because he just knew Tighnari would make the best medicine.

Kaveh had a red blanket wrapped around him, his hair messed up and his face all flushed. Sniffling and blinking he shuffled through the room and sat down on the couch in the living room. He sighed as soon as he sat down, then looked over at the kitchen.

"When's the soup going to be ready?"

"In a minute."

"I don't think I can wait that long!" Kaveh whined.

"Well, you don't exactly have a choice."

Kaveh was quiet as soon as he ate his soup and took the medicine his roommate had gotten from Tighnari. Once the bowl was finished he leaned his cheek in his palm, staring at Y/n with eyes full of adoration. He couldn't help himself, he just felt his heart warm up so much knowing that Y/n was taking care of him. It would have taken him less time to just go about his day and not care, but Y/n decided to take care of him.

"I love you." Kaveh blurted out just before he could stop himself.

"What?"

"Nothing!"

Kaveh got up quickly and rushed into his room.

Hesitantly, Y/n got up and followed him to his room. The door was open a jar but he still knocked anyway. The blonde didn't say anything, he just laid with his back to the door. Wrapped up in that red blanket.

"Hey, Kaveh?"

He hummed in response.

"Did you actually mean it, or are you delirious?"

"Mean what?"

"That you loved me."

"Oh." Kaveh shifted and sat up. Looking at the floor.

"Cause, I mean, I love you too."

"Huh?"

"Move over."

Y/n chuckled and climbed into bed with him.

"The doctor prescribes you a healthy dose of cuddles."

Y/n totally got sick after.

[gravehags]

traduzione

Pairing: Cardinal Copia x f!Reader (Curator!Reader)

Rating: Teen

Tags: dinner "date", a little bit of comedy turns into a whole lot of angst, girl these bitches don't know how to process OR express their feelings, secondo is a real one, terzo's subtle matchmaking hard at work as always

Words: 2,862

Summary: You finally decide to cash in your favor.

a/n: inspired by my quest to find a book for my capstone and only being able to locate a copy in italian. copia, my heroic translator.

divider by @gothdaddyissues!

“Hey Copia, I–oh!”

You realize a moment too late that you’ve barged into Cardinal Copia’s office without knocking in your eagerness to get to the man in question. Papa Secondo is standing with his arms crossed in his green and black robes (no mitre in sight) looking at you with his brows pulled together in a frown. Copia, looking like a startled version of one of his own rats, stands up hastily.

“I’m so sorry,” you squeak, backing out of the room but Secondo is already moving towards you. Every time you see him in full regalia with his paints you have a hard time equating it to the man who casually made you the best bolognese of your life. When he descends upon you, you feel so small. Out of all the papas, he is easily the most intimidating. You look up into the signature Emeritus gaze and after a beat, his withering expression fades and he gives you a slow, very deliberate wink.

“Cardinale, I will discuss our matter with you later. Piccolina…” he intones ominously before snagging your hand and raising to his lips in a brief kiss, “arrivederci.”

And with that Secondo Emeritus dramatically sweeps from the room, shutting the door behind him. Copia is standing stock-still behind his desk, looking vaguely horrified.

“Copia I am so sorry I forgot to knock, I’ve just been in my head all day and was so anxious to tell you–”

“Tell me what, cara?” He resumes his seat and gestures for you to take the one opposite him.

“Well…I suppose not really tell you. I…er…I would like to cash in my favor.”

The cardinal’s interest is immediately grabbed and he scoots forward in his seat to lean his elbows on the desk and intertwine his fingers. There’s color high on his freckled cheeks and he seems breathless when he finally speaks.

“What–” Copia clears his throat when the word comes out embarrassingly high pitched, “what do you have in mind?”

You take a deep breath. “Okay so. Imperator gave me permission to use Ministry funds to purchase a very rare, very important book for collections research, right?”

Copia nods, unsure of where this is going.

“The thing is…it’s entirely in Italian. And there are quite literally no available translations anywhere so I was wondering if you…could assist.”

The cardinal deflates a little and you’re slightly perplexed.

“Are you…are you sure that’s what you want to use your favor on?”

Oh, you know exactly what you’d really like to use your favor on. Something involving those plump painted lips and gloved hands spreading you open and—

Anyway.

“Yeah well I figured it’s going to be quite an undertaking having you read me this book while I transcribe notes. Not something I’d bother you with under any other circumstances. And if you don’t want to do it that’s fine, I can always ask one of the Italian speaking siblings or–”

“Naturalmente, I’ll do it,” he says quickly, completely banishing the idea of seeking outside help from your mind, “eh…when would you like to begin?”

“Oh the book won’t be here for a couple of weeks still but maybe we could use our Friday game night? You can just read to me until you’re tired of it or we’re both tired of it.”

Copia nods slowly, and you still sense a level of disappointment from him. Odd.

“I’ll um,” you say, fidgeting with a pen on his desk, “I’ll cook for you.”

Your attempt to sweeten the deal earns a snort of laughter from Copia, which causes you to pout.

“What? I can cook!”

“You burned the bruschetta for the dinner we had with the Papas.”

Your cheeks light up as you frown deeply at him.

“Okay, now that you’re such a doubting Thomas about it,” you smirk, leaning back in your chair, “I’ll make you anything you say. Name it.”

Copia looks almost impressed as he considers your offer.

“Eh…alright. Cacio e pepe.”

You smack your palms flat against the worktop of his desk. “Done. Just you wait, you’ll show up and I’ll have dinner, maybe a little chianti…”

“Sounds awfully romantic, cara. Do you perhaps have other intentions?”

His eyes are glittering mischievously, clearly teasing you, but your cheeks heat up all the same. Okay, so maybe you did have other intentions. Yes, you need him to translate this book for you but also…it sounds nice. Just the two of you, sitting on your couch eating pasta and reading about the creation of infernal art in Baroque Rome. When you realize his mismatched gaze has been staring at you for several moments, you laugh nervously.

“Copia, I promise I don’t have any designs on your…uh…virtue.”

He chuckles at this, leaning back and folding his hands over his stomach.

“Cara, I would be a poor Satanic cardinal indeed if I had any virtue left.”

“I don’t know, you’ve been awfully patient with me during this conversation. And you’re so diligent about your work. And incredibly kind. I think you’re still redeemable.”

When he scoffs and waves his hand, cheeks red, you stand up and make for the door.

“I’ll keep you posted about when the book arrives okay?”

“Sì, sì,” he says, straightening in his chair and shuffling paperwork.

“Looking forward to our date,” you say with a smirk, making sure to catch a glimpse of his eyes going wide and face going red as you flounce out the door.

–

Eleven days pass when you delicately unwrap the book from its secure packaging in your office. Holding it in hand, you use your dark red fingernail to trace the embossed title. After a moment, you set it down and pick up your phone to text Copia.

Book’s here. Tomorrow night? 6:00?

Looking forward to it, mia cara.

C

The endearment still makes you warm and fuzzy inside and you take a moment to revel in the feeling before the weight of reality comes crashing down on you.

You have no fucking clue how to make cacio e pepe.

–

Catching Secondo away from his brothers or outside of Ministry duties is a difficult beast. You have one chance to time it right and snag him in his office before his confession duties start and he is waylaid by siblings wishing to share their sins and desires with him. Lurking around the corner, you watch as another cardinal you are unfamiliar with leaves Secondo’s office and once he is out of sight, you bolt for the door. It hasn’t even fully closed yet when you’re knocking rapidly on it, waiting in the threshold. Secondo whirls around behind his desk and when his eyes land on you, he smirks.

“You’ve learned to knock before entering rooms now, I see,” he says, placing his hands on his desk and leaning forward.

“Uh…yeah. Sorry about that. Great to see you and all but I have a big favor to ask of you. Huge.”

Secondo leans back and his face relaxes into a neutral expression.

“Don’t you usually ask il tuo cardinale for favors?”

Your Italian is shit but you pick that up loud and clear. Your cardinal.

“Haha yeah see the favor is sort of about him, you know?” 

When he gestures for you to continue your tale of woe the words spill out of your mouth at an alarming rate, “I promised him I would make him dinner and I can’t cook for shit and he requested cacio e pepe and I was wondering if you could teach me?”

He looks both stunned and impressed by the speed at which you relay your request, but after a moment his face schools into a soft smile.

“Piccolina,” he begins, walking over to you, “I’ll do you one better, I’ll make it for you. Our little secret, no? When is this engagement with the cardinal?”

You want to cry, you're so relieved and thankful and without thinking, you throw your arms around him, squeezing tight. He stumbles backwards a little from the force with which you have flung yourself at him, but he pats you on the back all the same.

“Secondo, I could kiss you right now,” you sigh into his vestments before pulling back. He’s looking at you with a peculiar little knowing half smile.

“Normally I would take you up on that offer but,” he pauses, bringing his hands together, “I am not who you are destined for, sì?”

You start to ask what exactly he means by that little cryptic comment when he’s ushering you out the door and into the hall.

“It’s at six, tomorrow night. Secondo thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re a reputation saver.” 

He steps out too and begins to walk into the direction of the chapel while you blow an abundance of air kisses at him, which he catches with the most stoic of faces.

—

As promised, Secondo delivers the still-hot pasta at 5:45, just in time for you to put the pot on the stove to make it look legitimate. You texted Copia earlier, telling him to dress casual. You’ve put on one of your nicer pairs of black leggings and a cut up shirt from the Ghost project, which you’ve recently acquired from Terzo. The book is resting on your hastily tidied coffee table, along with your laptop. You’ve got the chianti, as promised - a good bottle too - another gift from Terzo. Nervously you uncork the bottle and set it on the counter to let it breathe while you wait for his arrival. When his knocks sound on your door you nearly jump out of your skin before padding over to open it. You fling it open and there he is, il tuo cardinale, and you can’t help but smile at his outfit. You’ve never in all your months at the abbey seen him dress casual, and his version is perfectly delightful. He’s wearing a matching loose red tracksuit with a black t-shirt on underneath, gloves still on his hands and his pristine black dress shoes on his feet. You’re so incredibly charmed by his appearance you forget to move aside to let him in until he makes a nervous noise and gestures into your quarters.

“Hi! Sorry! Please come in!”

You pull away to go “check” on the pasta as he shuffles into your space and closes the door behind him.

“Smells good,” he comments as he moves towards your small kitchen space.

“Doesn’t it?” you preen, pouring a generous amount of wine into his glass before handing it off to him. He swirls it around and leans his perfect pointed nose into the glass to inhale, before pulling back looking impressed.

“Terzo gave it to me,” you comment, pouring yourself a glass, “You like it?”

“Very good,” he says, looking at the bottle, “how kind of Papa Terzo to give you one of my favorites.”

You halt your pouring and look over to him. Once again you are struck by Terzo’s preternatural ability to steer you in Copia’s direction in one way or another. Honestly, it’s getting to the point where you should write him a thank you note every time it happens.

“Please, go take a seat, I’ll dish you up some pasta,” you say, ushering him over to the small living room while he takes both glasses in his hands. Taking two plates from a cabinet you make sure to scoop the pasta and twirl it artfully on the white porcelain. A little sprinkle of pecorino romano, as per Secondo’s instruction, et voila. Perfection. You dish out your portion and grab a couple forks and walk over to the couch, presenting his plate with a flourish.

“Cacio e pepe, as promised,” you murmur, taking a seat on the other end of the sofa and sitting criss-cross. You don’t take a bite until Copia has, watching him slowly chew and contemplate the meal.

“Bellissima,” he finally says as he gathers another forkful, “I take back my unkind words about your cooking skills. Although, I do have to say there is something…familiar about this dish.”

You stop mid chew and look up at him silently with wide eyes before swallowing and laughing nervously.

“Old family recipe,” you comment, before hastily adding, “not my family recipe I mean, but…someone’s certainly. Right?”

You’re not lying to him, technically but you make sure to dodge eye contact with him throughout the rest of the meal. Some time later when the two of you finish and you gather your plates to put them in the sink, you miss Copia smiling to himself knowingly as he sips his wine. You return with the bottle, refilling both your glasses before situating yourself comfortably and pulling your laptop over.

“Ready?” you say, firing up your word processor.

He nods, and picks up the old book, handling it with great care before opening it and settling on the first page. Listening to him is…wonderful. He intersperses his English translation with bits of the original Italian, and the way his tongue wraps around the words and the extra flourish with which he rolls his r’s makes you sigh dreamily. At times, you get so caught up in simply listening to him speak that you forget to type out your notes and have to ask him to pause so you can recalibrate your brain to the task. The bottle of wine goes quickly, and the contents go straight to your head. You can feel your cheeks and chest flush and you know your filter is gone when you interrupt him to speak.

“I love listening to you talk,” you smile, leaning your head onto the back cushion of the couch.

Copia looks flabbergasted, face heating up to match yours and it takes all your willpower to not move your computer aside and climb into his lap. You can think of no one else who deserves to be kissed more than he. Always so patient with you, so kind. You know you’re looking at him funny because he nervously looks away as if he’s afraid of what could happen next.

“Eh…I think I should go,” he says, closing the book and rising from the couch as your smile slips. Now look at what you’ve done, you think bitterly, you’re scaring him off. The liquor is making your head spin and you want to cry at how stupid you’ve been. This is how it always is with the two of you, you always talk a big flirtatious game but when he comes down to it, neither of you will pull the trigger. Imagine how you would have looked trying to kiss him, the voice in your head laughs, your wine-stained lips clumsily searching for his. He’s a satanic Cardinal, get real. You have to dig your fingernails into the meat of your palm to keep yourself from crying as you stand up and follow him to the door.

“Thank you, cara,” he murmurs after you open it for him. “I am…I am very tired all of a sudden. The wine, you see. Very powerful stuff.”

You nod in agreement with a stiff smile, looking past him. He seems to pick up on your shift in mood, and gently takes your hands into his gloved ones.

“Dolcezza,” he begins, gazing at you earnestly, “ragazza meravigliosa. I…”

He falters, unsure of what to say or perhaps, how to say what he wants to tell you. Be brave, you think, be fucking brave and do something for once. Before he can stutter out anything more you place your hand softly on his cheek and hold it there for a moment, content to feel the warmth of his skin. He exhales deeply and shakily as you run your thumb over his freckled cheekbone. Before any other voices inside you can tell you to do otherwise, you lean in and press a sweet, lingering kiss to his cheek, right at the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t exactly what you wanted, you have after all done this exact thing before in a drunken state, but this time feels…different. When you finally pull away, your breath ghosts over his lips and he lets out a miniscule noise. 

“For being you, Copia,” you say, “thank you. For everything, always.”

He looks as if he could burst into tears at any moment and you look away, allowing him time to gather himself. When he clears his throat and claps his hands together, you look back at him with a bright smile. The moment is gone and you both return to playing pretend about your true emotions.

“We can…uh…finish this later, sì? I hope what we’ve done so far helps.”

“It does, thank you Cardinal. I’ll see you later, okay?”

He nods, still wearing the mask he so carefully puts on in moments like this.

“Bene. Goodnight, cara. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Copia,” you say, heart sinking as you watch him walk down the corridor and you shut your door. Sighing, you lower yourself to the floor with your back against it, looking around the small apartment. 

Bravery does not come easily to either of you, it seems. 

But that doesn’t mean you’ll stop trying.

[themidnightcrimson]

Philosykos. | e. olsen

summary: in which you dearly miss lizzie to an extent that can only be quelled by her scent.

warnings: top!lizzie, bottom!reader, fingering, lots of snarky dialogue, reader being a tried and true brat, lizzie being a brat-tamer, this is for all us whores who bought lizzie’s perfume a while ago, straight outta my maladaptive daydreams

this post is for 18+ only. minors: do not interact.

masterlist.

Lizzie had been in New York for days now to promote Hattie Harmony. Usually, you went with her everywhere, even to promotion tours and events, especially ones like these where you were actually involved in the project itself. Lizzie always insisted on having you on her arm everywhere she went, which you didn't mind and, in fact, thoroughly loved that clingy trait of hers. This time around, you were sick.

The both of you had gotten sick shortly after coming back home from your Tuscan vacation which was incredibly ill-timed because Hattie Harmony was set to come out soon. Lizzie recovered more quickly than you did, just in time to jet off to New York for the first live reading and a few talk shows and live streams. You, on the other hand, were still recovering.

"Lizzie, I'm going," you commanded, watching her pack her carry-on bag for the plane. You were sat on the bed in front of her while she was fully focused on her bag, silently mouthing her checklist of items she always took with her on the plane. You felt as if you could cry.

"Baby, you're still sick," Lizzie finally answered you, right when you thought she was flat out ignoring you. She finally looked up from her bag and brought the back of her hand to your admittedly feverish forehead. "You're still burning up. You don't want to get all those kids sick at the reading, do you?" She picked up her bag and walked away from the bed, and you nearly fell off leaning after her.

"Oh, come on, you know it's gonna be full of 20-year olds," you scoffed, "Their immune systems are at their peak. I don't even have to go to the reading! I can stay in the hotel while you—“

"Y/n," Lizzie sighed, setting her bag down on the dresser and turning to you with that gently reprimanding look. Dimples formed in her cheeks as her face turned into a small smile. You looked so cute kneeling up on the bed, pouting with your big, watery eyes. If she could have it her way, she would simply stay home and take care of you. But the both of you had been working on this book for a long time, and even if you were sick, Lizzie needed to go out and champion the book around. She knew it was important to you even if you were feeling emotional in the moment.

"You can just stick me in your checked suitcase. That way all my germs will be contained," you said sadly, feeling as if there was a water balloon swelling inside your chest and threatening to pop and push tears through your eye sockets. Your lip was even quivering, and Lizzie had to fight back a laugh at the comicality of it.

"It's not just about you spreading your germs. It's about you getting better," she spoke softly as she came closer to you, taking your clammy face in her hands. You stared up at her with puppy eyes, but the dark circles around them proved that you were truly in no condition to take a trip. "Just stay here for a few days and get to feeling better so that when I come home, we can go to the L.A. reading together. I wish I could be here to take care of you, but please take care of yourself while I'm gone, okay?"

You carefully studied Lizzie's face—her glossy green eyes, smooth olive skin still kissed by the Italian sun, her smiling pink lips, her dirty blonde hair waved to her shoulders—as if it were going to be the last time. For God's sake, she was only going to be gone for a few days.

"Don't be dramatic," she playfully patronized, giving you a kiss on the forehead before leaning down to press her lips against yours. You leaned up to wrap your arms around her and pull her down on the bed with you, but she knew your tricks.

"Nuh uh," she said, pulling away from the kiss almost as soon as she gave it to you. She unwrapped your arms around her. "No spider-monkeying me into staying. And I don't want to get sick again." She gave you an apologetic look when you huffed and visibly deflated, falling backwards onto the bed and letting your arms spread out and flop on the mattress as you plopped onto it, lulling your head to the side as if she had killed you. Lizzie shook her head with a smile. "What did I say about no dramatics?"

"You're going to see your East coast mistress, aren't you?" You sighed loudly and stared up at the ceiling with melancholic contempt. "Lana Del Rey was right. The other woman will always cry herself to sleep."

Lizzie, standing against the bed, leaned over you and placed her fists on either side of your waist, staring down at you. "That's why I told you to stop listening to Lana Del Rey."

"What would you rather me listen to? My internal screams of agony and despair?" With that, you flopped on your side like a fish so that she couldn't see your face anymore. Of course, it only took one hand to your arm to pull you back over onto your back.

"I'd rather you listen to me," Lizzie said in a quieter, more serious but still light tone. "Make sure you drink lots of water, and take your medicine every 6 hours. And whatever you do, do not leave this house, okay?"

"What are you gonna do next, lock me in your basement, pervert?" you chirped.

Lizzie tilted her head and nodded. "It would make my life a lot easier."

You couldn't help but smile, giving her a light slap on the arm so that she apologized through her laughter. "I've got to catch my flight," she whispered.

"That's too bad. I slashed your tires," you whispered back, clicking your tongue.

"When? While you were asleep until noon today, or when you were taking a bath for an hour and a half?"

"Careful, I'll sneeze on you," you threatened, but Lizzie only scrunched her nose at you and started tickling you, causing you to break out in giggles as you squirmed under her, trying to push her hands away from your exposed midriff.

All the laughter caused you to start coughing, turning to the side so you wouldn't cough on Lizzie and hacking like someone who definitely shouldn't be on a plane. Lizzie gently patted your upper back and rubbed it in slow circles, but she had that know-it-all look on her face when you turned back to look at her, your face flushed. "Still think I'm wrong about making you stay home?"

"Yes," you blurted, to which Lizzie just rolled her eyes.

"Old dogs never change, I guess," Lizzie said before leaning in and giving you a big kiss on the cheek, blowing a few raspberries there just to make you giggle with delight. She pulled away with a gleaming smile, reaching down to caress your face and rub her thumb over the spot she'd just kissed. "I really have to go, okay? I'll call you when I land, and I'll see you in a few days, okay?"

"Okay," you quietly answered her, finally deciding to be compliant and not a snarky brat for once. You stayed laying on the bed with your arms spread out as Lizzie leaned up and slung her carry-on over her shoulder, pulling out the handles from her suitcase.

"Water. Medicine every 6 hours. Sleep. Put a cold rag on your forehead. Check your temperature every few hours," she reminded you as she started hauling herself through the bedroom door.

"You're not my doctor," you lilted, although you were appreciative of her care, and Lizzie knew that. You were just feeling bratty, which she also knew.

"Well, I'm a college-educated woman telling you basic fundamentals on how not to have your brain burned up by a fever," she said with a cheeky smile.

"The college education that only took you five and a haaaaalf years," you mocked her, to which she only gave you a playfully threatening look.

"I love you," she told you as she was halfway through the door.

"I love you," you earnestly responded before she disappeared, and you listened to her walk through the house and leave through the front door before sighing to yourself, already drowning in the loneliness and silence in the house.

It was going to be a long few days.

+

It was, in fact, a long few days.

It was worse enough missing Lizzie while getting over your fever, but seeing all the pictures of her online made it feel like a living hell. She looked so cute and adorable at the reading and at the GMA show that you nearly had a temper tantrum at how mad and upset you were that you couldn't be there. Not to mention, you were getting incredibly lonely.

The night before Lizzie was set to come back, she was going to be on the Tonight Show. Watching that nearly ended you. She was so lively and effortlessly funny, and as you lay in bed giggling at your phone screen whose blue hue lit across your face, you felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. She hadn't texted you much over the past few days because of how busy she was, but as you were watching the clip on YouTube, your video was interrupted by a call from Lizzie. Excited like a schoolgirl, you immediately answered it and brought the phone to your ear.

"Hi," you answered in a rush of breath.

"Hey, babe," Lizzie's voice came through on the other line. It wasn't as good as hearing her voice in person, but it was enough to bring you some relief. "How you feeling?" She yawned after her question, and you could hear the sound of sheets moving, signaling to you that she had probably just got in bed and was about to go to sleep. After all, it was 10 P.M. where you were which meant it was going on 1 A.M. in New York.

"Completely better," you told her truthfully. In fact, your fever magically went away the day after Lizzie left, as if the universe was simply being homophobic. "I could have flown there today."

"Would've been too much trouble," Lizzie said with another yawn. "My flight is at 5, so I'll be home around noon tomorrow."

"5?!" you repeated, realizing that Lizzie was probably only going to get a few hours of sleep.

"We ‘ave the reading tomorr’ even…" she told you, and her words were starting to slur together, her voice getting deeper and softer. You could tell she was utterly exhausted after doing Zooms and the Tonight Show all evening. She was supposed to fly home tonight, actually, but her flight got cancelled and the earliest one was at 5 in the morning, which gave her just enough time to get home and get ready for the reading which you would be able to go to.

"You should get some sleep," you told her. As much as you wanted to stay up and talk to her, you knew she was going to crash if she didn't get at least a few hours of shut-eye.

"Mmmm," she hummed, and you smiled, knowing she was already halfway there. She shifted in her sheets again, taking in a big, deep breath before exhaling. "Mmmm—miss you," she mumbled, her voice cracking.

You could have just shattered right there in bed at the sound of her sleepy voice. She had only been gone for a few days, but you and Lizzie never spent that much time apart because you were always able to go with her to everything. You missed her so, so terribly bad.

"I miss you more," you whispered, closing your eyes and pretending she was there. She murmured something incoherent, and you decided you needed to end the call so she could sleep. "Goodnight, Lizzie. I love you."

"G'night...love you," she mumbled, and you waited for a few moments before you took the phone away from your face and hung up. Tossing your phone aside, you felt as if you were sinking. You just needed her in your arms, holding you, kissing you, touching you.

Quickly, you rolled over to her side of the bed and smushed your face into her pillow, inhaling deeply. You could faintly smell the scent of her shampoo, and it brought you slight comfort. You imagined burying your nose in her hair instead of the pillow, but the lack thereof made you even sadder. Huffing, you jumped up from the bed and went into the bathroom, looking through Lizzie's products in the tall cabinet beside the sink. She had taken a lot of her daily stuff with her, including what you were looking for: her perfume. Luckily, you knew she had a couple copies of her solid perfume because it came in a refillable case, meaning you just needed to dig through all the shit in the cabinet and find the fillers.

Finally, you did. You grabbed onto the case of Lizzie's perfume that she had been wearing ever since you met her—Diptyque's Philosykos. You opened the package and took out one of the bars of perfume and immediately brought it to your nose.

The warmth that washed over you was incredible. You could feel your several days' worth of anxiety seemingly melt away and all your muscles slowly relax as the familiar scent of Lizzie flooded your nose. The perfume was inherently masculine, which was something you had found dripping hot since your very first date when she had leaned in to kiss your neck, and you caught a whiff of her perfume. Yet, it had a light, natural tone to it, one of fig and wood. Your nose was accustomed to this scent, and all you could really smell or think was Lizzie.

After rolling some of her perfume onto your neck and wrists, you had a brilliant idea. Quickly, you rushed into your shared walk-in closet and started rummaging through her clothes, looking for a very specific piece of clothing of Lizzie's that you loved so much. When you thought she must have donated it or lost it, you finally found it.

It was her navy blue NYU sweatshirt. Already big on Lizzie, it was even bigger on you. Gleefully, you went into the bedroom and tossed the sweatshirt onto the bed and starting stripping out of your pajamas, leaving nothing but your panties and socks on. Pulling Lizzie's sweatshirt over your body felt like a warm hug in itself. Falling onto the bed, you hugged yourself in her sweatshirt and rolled around on the mattress, imbued with happiness and comfort. The shirt also smelled like Lizzie in a different way, in that way that peoples' clothes do.

Grabbing your phone and standing up, you decided that you wanted Lizzie to have something to wake up to tomorrow before her flight so that she'd be even more excited to come home. You dropped to your knees in front of the full-length mirror. The soft glow of the lamp provided a dim light in the room, but you were still clearly visible in the mirror. You kneeled, sitting on your ankles, angled the phone towards yourself in the mirror. Taking the end of her sweatshirt, you carefully pulled it up to expose your stomach and the pair of sexy panties that Lizzie always loved. Once you snapped the picture, you sent it to her and then plopped yourself right into bed, deciding to sleep on Lizzie's side of the bed with your face buried in her pillow.

+

You hadn't gotten such good sleep the past few days as you did last night. Surrounded by the essence of Lizzie and completely cleared from your fever, you were able to sleep peacefully and hard—so hard, in fact, that you didn't even hear Lizzie coming home the next morning. Her flight had boarded early, and the airport was pretty clear, so she was able to get home earlier.

When Lizzie walked through the door, she had braced herself for you to come rushing and jumping into her arms, and probably knock her right over onto the floor. To her surprise, you were not waiting at the door for her, and the house was silent.

Lizzie was happy to find you asleep in the bed. When she woke up and saw that sexy picture you had sent her last night, she had to deal with being frustrated for all throughout her flight. Not to mention you were asleep, so you never even texted her back as she made her way across the country with plenty of vengeance in mind.

But now here you were, laying in a fetal position, cradling her pillow to your face. You were still wearing what you were in the picture—her NYU sweatshirt, a pair of practically see-through lace panties, and ankle-high white socks that gave you an adolescent look.

Lizzie couldn't decide if she wanted to ruin you or to take a picture of you. She decided to do both. Taking out her phone, she snapped a quick picture of you to complement the one you had sent her saved into her camera roll, then she carefully crawled onto the bed, trying not to wake you up. She was so tired from her flight, and she knew she needed to get a quick nap in before needing to get ready for tonight's reading, but you were just irresistible, and she had missed you so much.

Gently moving you onto your back, Lizzie spread your legs apart and sat between them, taking one of them and laying it over her lap. She let her hand run down your smooth leg, all the way to your inner thigh. Her eyes focused between your legs as her hands went there, too, taking the hem of your panties and slowly dragging them down your legs. Once she had them off you, she tossed them to the side and licked her lips at the sight of you.

"Missed me so much, didn't you, honey?" Lizzie whispered, moving her hand to your mound and rubbing it, letting her hand slip lower. "But I'm always having to come home to tame this brat of mine," she muttered to herself with a smile as she pressed her fingers into your clit.

You twitched in your sleep, your head lulling from side to side as you started to wake. Lizzie moved her hand down to your entrance, her gentle fingers collecting your wetness.

"So soft and wet for me, baby," she remarked, her free hand rubbing your shin as she played with your pussy. She let her fingers circle your hole and dip in only slightly before she moved them back to your clit and pushed rhythmically against it.

When she trailed her fingers through your wet folds and found your hole again only to sink two fingers inside of it, your eyes fluttered open. You were confused at first as your sleepy vision struggled to clear, but your lips were falling open as you felt something moving inside you. Opening your eyes fully, you nearly screamed when you saw Lizzie sitting between your legs, staring at you with predatorial eyes.

"Lizzie!" you gasped, going to sit up, but she jutted her fingers sharply inside you, causing you to fall back against the pillows. Your gasp of excitement turned into one of pleasure as Lizzie curled her fingers deeply inside you, causing your hips to buck. "Lizzie," you reiterated.

"Let Mommy play with you first," she husked, watching the way your wetness was glistening around her fingers whenever she pulled out. Your internal temperature was hot either from sleep or from your recovered fever, but the feeling was extremely pleasant around her fingers as your walls tensed around them. "I've missed you so much, baby."

"I've missed you too," you breathed, reaching down and grabbing hold of Lizzie's leg. She smiled and tilted her head, watching you as her fingers pumped inside you. She loved the way you watched her with pleasure-drunk eyes, and you loved the way she watched you with admiring ones. She fingered you slowly, letting herself explore and feel your pussy as you writhed in front of her. Her eyes watching you was almost as unbearable as how slowly she was touching you.

Lizzie pulled out for a moment only to slip a third finger in. Lizzie's fingers were already long, and adding width to that made you moan, hooking your legs around her as your back arched off the bed.

"Were you a good girl while I was gone?" she questioned with a lustrous voice. Your juices were coating her knuckles now, your pussy making a sloshing noise every time she pumped her fingers inside it.

"Yes, Mommy," you breathed.

"Did you take your medicine and drink water like I told you to?" she asked, in more of a caring way than a patronizing one. You were becoming too dizzy with pleasure to answer, so you only nodded, and she rubbed your calf soothingly. "Good baby."

You started to let out whines of pleasure as you came nearer the edge. Her fingers were curling hard inside you now, her thrusts faster and more forceful. Your hips were trying to meet her hand, but when her thumb pressed into your clit and rubbed it, you were too lost in pleasure to even try to meet her movements.

"M-Mommy," you whined as you came, mouth falling wide open. Your hand came down and latched around Lizzie's wrist, trying to get her to stop moving her hand, but she continued to finger you and rub your throbbing clit even after you came. Finally, when you were pushing her hand away with your feet, she pulled out of you.

She crawled up your body and laid over you, bringing her fingers to your lips and slipping all three inside. You sucked on them, tasting your own juices and being sure to lick every ounce off. Lizzie watched you with sparkling eyes, realizing just how much she'd really missed you and how happy she was to be home with you again.

When she pulled her fingers out of your mouth with a pop, you stared up at her and grinned widely before latching your arms around her shoulders. "I'm so happy you're home!" you squeaked, raising up and giving her a sloppy kiss on the mouth. Lizzie smiled into the kiss and held you close to her, tasting some of you on your own tongue.

When you finally pulled away to let the woman breath, she stared down at you with a smirk. "I guess I'm kind of glad I'm home," she joked.

"Don't act too cool," you dryly spoke with a roll of your eyes. "You literally shouted 'the squirters' on live national television last night."

"Just proof of where my mind was," she said with a giggle before leaning down and encompassing you into another passionate kiss.

[lemonhemlock]

Not the OP but I wanted to share that there is in fact a pretty good Aemond/Rhaena fic I have been following for sometime called See What Happend Was… by Daylander on AO3 [http://archiveofourown.org/works/43285845] which I think makes a pretty solid attempt at building an AU that covers all the points you alluded to wishing to see in the original ask. I personally found the prologue/first half which establishes the Aemond/Rhaena relationship a little too long, though it does have some very cute moments showcasing a childhood crush. It was recently updated and is starting to pick up again dealing with present day concerns. Most notably is Baela and Rhaena are actually not at all okay with the usurpation of Driftmark, or Luke, and they are making plans to undermine that. While not exactly Green Friendly, it is very solidly Anti-Targaryen with Daemon, Rhaenyra and Rhaenys getting absolutely taken to task, and the author through the mouth of Baela and Rhaena had some very compelling observations and criticism of the aforementioned characters and the rampant Targaryen Supremacy present in the fandom as a whole. The author

Of course it may not be to your taste, as it is definitely an AU but in my opinion it does a good job of staying broadly in character than other fics, particularly Aemond who has a lot more of his book counterparts violent sociopathy particularly as a child while maintain the love and commitment to his family and still being an awkward and overly dramatic wet cat as established in the show. Finally the most recent chapters introduced a bunch of Hightower uncles and a considerable portion was spent dunking on Garmund. It was very funny.

Maybe give it a go if you like. 👍💚

oh, hi there, what a thoughtful comment! thank you, anon! the fic does sound interesting and meticulous, maybe i will throw an eyeball over it later. posting also for anyone else who might be interested in this ship, maybe OP sees, too (if they don't know about the fic already, that is) 💌

[clay-cuttlefish]

Back on my bullshit after the break for Blue Beetle lockdown.

Invasion! #2

Skipped this the first time, it came out late 1988 - I think I'm gonna put it right before Election Day but I don't think it really matters.

I think this is what the wiki's counting as Vic's appearance? I'm not totally convinced that it's him and not, like, Phantom Stranger, but okay sure.

Only worth mentioning because the idea that he got invited to Captain Atom's Space Fight is ridiculous. He thinks he's helping.

Green Arrow Annual #3

His solo might have ended, but he's around pretty consistently for the next couple years, starting with this. I've read it once, but I haven't reread it like his solo, so it's a lot more fresh to me.

THIS HAIR... He looks like my mom's awful high school photos in the first few pages and it only goes down from there.

It's sweet/kind of sad that he went to go see Ollie. I like their dynamic, but they've only met three times. Vic really does not have a lot of connections.

Oh he's just invited himself to go meet this guy. And is promptly uninvited, because this is Ollie and Dinah's book and he's being sexist.

Couples that remind me I'm bisexual! Parenting moments!

I like that Vic getting sidelined in favor of Dinah and realizing he isn't the only person who's doing good is what actually gets him to take a breather. Ollie asks if he's running away, but after burning himself out for several years straight, he deserves to stop taking every burden he sees for a bit.

Unfortunately, this also kicks off the Weird About Indigenous People era that lasts for the next couple years.

The Question Quarterly #1

Drowning motif!

This is flawed in the same way most of the original run was, but even more so. The overly dramatic narration is cheesier, the reliance on stereotypes is more pronounced, the plot relies even more on contrivance...

Tirseus/Janice is transmisogynistic as hell, and everything in this issue outside of Vic's introspection is generally uninteresting. Him killing for the first time should be a big character moment, but it's so bogged down.

I have a lot of complicated thoughts about how the identities of Vic/Charlie/the Question all represent different relationships with gender, and most of the reason I haven't written that down is that I don't know how to start unpacking the parallels this issue presents.

#2

Marco is just Shiva but worse. He's an interesting idea, another of Shiva's students who's picked up more of her ideals, but it doesn't work for me.

In the letter column, Mary McCool talks about the problems with Jackie's portrayal, including the Noble Savage trope, and YEAH.

God I love Myra. I was going to say I missed Hub City but really I missed her.

The exchange about Vic being schizophrenic is Not Good. It is, however, a mood.

[kristinakyidyl]

HotD S1e8

Another week, another trailer for me to entertain myself with, yay! But first.... DRAGONS:

As per usual, this is going to contain BOOK SPOILERS. Proceed at your own risk. Also, this ep includes the last of the time jumps. I'm not sure exactly how many years, but we'll be getting adult actors for all the older kids, so at least a few years.

After a boat returning to the red keep (probably Rhaenyra and Daemon returning to the city from Dragonstone.), we get this shot of goddamned OTTO about to sit his trash ass on the throne. Now, in this ep Viserys called Alicent Aemma accidentally and I think that it meant two things. 1, he's getting some variety of dementia. 2, this is like the same kind of thing that happens to the elderly when they get close to dying. Like when they say that their predeceased spouse or other loved one is coming to guide them home or something. He's dying AND he's incapable of ruling, and so of course the Greens are taking advantage of it. Although admittedly, the Hand often sits the throne when the king is sick, so it's not weird, I just don't like them. :P

Next we have a shot of Rhaenyra in the throne room on a different day. Again, she and Daemon return to the city after a few years. Behind her to the left is Jace, and I *think* Baela to the right.

I think most people know this, but in case you don't: in the book, the Greens and the Blacks get their names because Alicent and Rhaenyra wear two dramatic dresses to a tourney celebrating Viserys and Alicent's 5th anniversary. In the show, they only had the 1 tourney, so Alicent's green dress happened Laenor and Rhaenyra's wedding welcome thing, but Rhaenyra hasn't had her dress moment yet. I think this is probably going to be her dress moment. This dress is very dramatic and intricate, it's targ colors, and it's implied by the voiceover of the trailer that she has returned unexpectedly.

Here's another shot from the series trailer of the same scene:

Team Usurper looking very medieval painting. From L --> R: Crispin, Aegon the Sulky, Random Kingsguard, Aemond One-Eye, Helaena the Cinnamon Roll Dreamer (actually I have this feeling that in the show she's gonna be less sweet. But she IS dressed much lighter here to make her stand out.), Alicent the Worst, and Otto the Garbage Hightower. Rhaenyra's voiceover says "tomorrow the hightowers land their first blow", and following this shot is one of Aegon smirk/smiling which means something happened that the Blacks won't like, so this is probably that, although I'm not sure what it is.

These next two should be taken together. The first is a window in the small council room with a symbol of the 7 in it, and then it pans down to Alicent sitting below it. She is now sitting at the head of the small council. She is covered in the symbols of the faith, which means she's really leaning hard into piety and purity. Also notice how Alicent's hair here is pinned up and her neckline is high, de-sexualizing her appearance and emphasizing her moral purity. It makes her look matronly, harmless, and stately, and severe. She's again using her clothing as a declaration, just as she did with the green dress. She's also using her clothing to make her look less feminine, because now she's taking an even larger role in ruling. I think that young Alicent had a lot in common with Anne Boleyn, but I think that adult Alicent is just straight up Lady Margaret Beaufort. She was very involved in the War of the Roses, and following Edward's death and the subsequent deaths of all of his heirs, the throne passed to Edward's brother, Richard III. She goes to war with him over the claim of her son, Henry Tudor. She wins, and he is crowned Henry VII. She also becomes more religious later in live and takes a vow of chastity. So this might be them discussing something when Rhaenyra arrives, or discussing her arrival. That kind of thing.

Ok this next one took me a hot second to figure out, partially because Miguel Sapochnik has never met a dark AF scene he didn't love, but there's two options here. This is Viserys laying in bed. When you zoom in you can see that the right side of his face is covered in bandages, and that's the same side of his face that we see him wearing the mask over. The woman who is walking towards the bed has long Targ hair, so it's not Alicent. The way I see it there are 2 options for this scene. First, this is Rhaenyra and what we're seeing is her last private moment with her father before he dies. That she comes back to KL to find Otto and Alicent ruling in his stead, and she goes to see for herself how he is. That's definitely possible. However! I have a more...interesting...option. This is happening during a thunderstorm, and obviously at night. If Rhaenyra came to visit, why wouldn't she take at least a candle to see her way with? Instead, I think instead he's hallucinating the ghost of Aemma. It's his final days, and she has come to either condemn him for her murder and for his poor leadership, or she has come to take him with her. Like I mentioned above, a lot of elderly people start seeing loved ones at the end of their lives, why not Viserys? He's become increasingly focused on her memory in the last two eps, so it could be foreshadowing. Hell, if this episode ends with his death, then this could be that scene. He's said to die peacefully in his sleep, and so this could be that. There's also something about the figure's hair that reminds me of how Aemma wore it in that scene where she's talking to Rhaenyra. (Also I tried to lighten it up a bit for you guys, but there's only so much photoshop can do.)

This next shot is of Corlys's brother, Vaemond, while Daemon's voiceover says "the Sea Snake has taken a grave wound in the battle in the Stepstones". So it looks like you're right @nobodysuspectsthebutterfly and this episode is primarily about who inherits Driftmark.

This is Crispin training Aemond. In the books it specifically says that Crispin trained Aemond harder in order to compensate for his missing eye, and Aemond becomes a good fighter because of it, so it looks like they're keeping true to this part. This is probably what they're up to when Rhaenyra & Co. shows up.

The Queen Who Never Was - one of my fav characters in ASOIAF - dressed up and sitting in the Driftwood Throne while talking to Vaemond about the inheritance of Driftmark. Vaemond is looking pretty pissed in this scene, so with Corlys down and out for the moment, I have a feeling she's pressing Baela's claim to Driftmark and Vaemond is less than pleased. Now, in the book Rhaenys dies with Meleys and Rhaenyra has the Sowing of the Seeds, and that's when Corlys brings two bastards to court: Addam and Alyn of Hull. He says they're Laenor's, but most think they're his because Laenor was gay. Addam then claims Seasmoke. In the show, Laenor's death was faked and he leaves to go to Essos, which means that Seasmoke is still bound to him. But at this point in the story on TV, Rhaenys blames Daemon for Laena's death and Rhaenyra for Laenor's. Why would a person who is that angry at Rhaenyra give her life in battle on the side of the blacks? I don't think she would. I mean, maybe, because she's related to them by marriage and given the choice of Hightowers vs Targs she'd choose Targs, but...Aegon II is also a Targ, and if she were THAT angry...IDK. What I suspect might happen instead is that Rhaenyra either tells her the truth about Laenor, or the events of this episode lead to a rift between Corlys and Rhaenys that's so bad he doesn't feel shame about bringing the two bastards to court early - while she is still alive. Perhaps Addam is actually Laenor with one of those fancy illusion jewels that Melisandre and book!Bloodraven use to disguise themselves, and he reveals himself to his mother. If Rhaenys knew that Rhaenyra gave Laenor his freedom out of love, she'd probably get real loyal real quick. Regardless, I think that this shot means that Rhaenys - the Queen Who Should Have Been - is going to be come out to play next episode.

I'm pretty sure this is the Blacks' surprise arrival in King's Landing. This is Jace and Luc, some of the small council (I can't remember who that guy on the right is), and some Kingsguard. Crispin skulking around in the background. Something gets their attention, so I have a feeling this is the Hightower boys entering the yard after the arrival of their sister and nephews. Probably to do some shit talking, because it looks like later in the trailer there's a meal with just the kids and a fight breaks out at the kid's table. This return to KL isn't described in the books, but there is a lot of talk about the parties of the Greens and Blacks at court, so it would make sense that she traveled back and forth. It wouldn't have been that hard given that she had Syrax. So this might fill in some of that and establish some of the sides of the other houses.

The next shot is going to include 3 pics after this one of Rhaenyra. First is Daemon picking up a really gooey egg. Second is someone climbing down a crevasse, and the last is Daemon holding a less gooey egg. The second shot is from the "weeks ahead" trailer so I think what happens is that Daemon goes climbing around on Dragonstone to get an egg for one of his kids. Daemon gets Rhaenyra pregnant 3 times, with two successful births, Aegon the Younger and Viserys. Visenya comes out twisted and dies. Now, there is this BTS photo of Rhaenyra and Daemon at the Red Keep (that's the same yard as in the scene where the boys fought in e6, and Daemon has mid-length hair here.):

Which seems to show Rhaenyra as being pregnant. In the books, when her father dies and the war breaks out is when she gives birth to Visenya, who ends up twisted and dying. She blames this on Alicent's trouble-making and delaying telling her about her father's death. Now, episodes 7-8 are the last time jump for the season, and her father dies this season, so realistically she's likely pregnant with Visenya here, which means that Aegon III and Viserys are probably on Dragonstone. Both boys get eggs, although only Aegon's hatches. So I think what Daemon is doing in the hiking and gooey egg scene is retrieving an egg for his next child's cradle. It also could be an egg for Rhaena, as she is given a few of Syrax's to try and hatch an egg from, but I don't think so bc a, why would he wait so long and b, Morning is pink so her egg should be pink and not bronze.

Given the coloring, it looks like it could be one of Syrax's. She's known to have produced several clutches.

Next up is Jace, standing after angrily smacking the table, with Aegon to his left. Both kids are color-coded, and Aegon seems to not have gotten any better about being an alcoholic. There are a few shots here within the trailer of this scene, and the basic gist is that there's another brawl, and it's likely that Aegon and Aemond goad Jace, Luc, Baela, and Rhana into it. Especially Jace bc he's an older teen now, so he's firmly in his "stupid hormonal teen boy needing to prove he's a man or someshit" phase and the bastardy is his soft spot. Actually, this is probably the "three strong boys" toast that Aemond gives at a feast, resulting in a brawl.

There's also this image from one of the earlies series trailers, and it's probably from whatever is going on at the adult table while this is happening at the kid's table. I lightened it - like I did with most of these images - and it seems like the space between them is an empty place setting. It's probably where Viserys should be, but he isn't well enough to attend or something.

Next interesting shot is this one of a woman who I think is Mysaria, and a person coming to see her. Probably Daemon in his Murder Cloak, so he's up to no good. I think we'll get an answer this week as to whether or not she's working for him or Otto. She also later becomes Rhaenyra's mistress of whispers, so it's possible that this is the beginning of that. It's kind of implied that she was in some way involved in Blood and Cheese, IIRC, so we might be getting some foreshadowing for that.

Next is a shot of Rhaenyra wearing a coat over that dress (I think, as the necklace is the same.), saying "this is a trap". It's a different coat than the one she arrives in, and tbh it looks a lot more Dragonstone-y in the background than Red Keep-y. But the hair is the same, so it kinda has to be the same trip/point in time. I *think* she's talking to Daemon, even though the hair seems a bit long, or possibly Rhaenys? Probably Daemon and the angle is just weird. It's probably paired with her saying "tomorrow the Hightowers land their first blow". Whatever happens while they're in KL is somewhat obscured by the trailers, and I can't really think of what it is as far as events go, so this might be some more of the interesting fleshing out of the book by the show. Either that, or Otto has Vaemond killed over the succession thing and that's what Rhaenyra is talking about. Vaemond isn't really their ally, but if they think Corlys is going to die, then they might think that Vaemond's loss is a blow. In the books *she's* the one that kills him and feeds him to Syrax, so that seems unlikely. That would suck, because the drama of someone being fed to Syrax would be fun. Perhaps they think Otto is going to rule against Luc and give Driftmark to Vaemond, and then Viserys surprises everyone by showing up to court in that scene where he's wearing a mask, and ruling in Rhaenyra's favor and allowing Luc to keep his claim to Driftmark.

Next is Aemond "Hapsburg chin" One-Eye brandishing a sword. This is likely the other side of the arrival/yard scene that I showed above with the Velaryon boys in it. I'm only adding this so I can make the Hapsburg chin joke and so you can see how much it makes him resemble Matt Smith. :P

Next is Vaemond rolling up to King's Landing. My guess is that he didn't get the answer he wanted from Rhaenys, so he decided to go over her head. I *think* the two men with him might be Daeron and Daemion Velaryon, Vaemond's sons. It's honestly hard to tell because they made Vaemond Corlys's brother rather than his cousin, so I don't know if that means they eliminated the other 5 cousins. Those 5 cousins go with him to press the claim, and have their tongues cut out by Viserys for repeating the thing about the boys being bastards. I can't imagine they'll kill of Daeron, at least, because he is the father of Daenaera Velaryon; Aegon III The Younger (Daemon's eldest son w/ Rhaenyra) marries her later on. If they're not Daemon and Daemion, then they're Malentine and Rhogar Velaryon. IDK tho because they're both white dudes. I guess if they were cousins they could be white.

And that's it, that's the trailer. There's more in this one than I thought there would be, and sadly no dragons, but I guess we can't have dragons every week, lol.

[divineslcyer]

PROMPTS FOR THEROMANCE OF HANDS& TOUCH

[ pinky ] sender hooks their pinky finger with receiver's @muraenide

Sitting at the lounge after hours was... interesting. It was quieter, the soft music ambiance still lingering in the air. Mishil sat in one of the empty, plush seats as her gaze lingered on the aquatic window that revealed oceanic life. The blue-green waters were clear, yet foggy from her view, but beautiful. Tendrils of seaweed swayed and wove around each other beautifully, swaying to whatever waves of water rolled against them. Was that currents? Where there currents here?

There was so much about the aquatic life that was foreign to her, and mysterious--but there was no denying the dangerous beauty before her gaze. She could see colorful arrays of different sea-life, fishes of various sizes. Some she recognized from her talks with the twins or Azul, but most she still didn't know of. A lot of them looked like those she'd seen in books growing up, but pages of ink failed to capture the splendor of colorful scales before her.

It reminded her of when she'd seen the twins in their other form too, the iridescent lighting that shimmered across their scales. They were eels, and the human bodies weren't they're true form but even as humans--they had a way about them that spoke to their oceanic roots. A seamless grace humans couldn't embody. A predatory shift to their gaze that felt inhuman. Beautiful and terrifying, which resonated well from what she'd learned about the ocean.

It was a space to be feared, admired, and respected.

❝ What's the human saying, penny for your thoughts? ❞

Mishil twitched, but felt a faint glimmer of pride in not actually jolting at Jade's sudden manifestation. For a tall young man, his presence often eluded her own senses. She was learning to sharpen her hearing more since working in Monstro Lounge. ❝ Just admiring the view. ❞ His smile carried its usual placid air of politeness, his sharp gaze drifting from her--she thought she saw a flicker of amusement--to the window. ❝ Oh? I thought you'd be used to it by now. ❞

She shrugged, leaning further back into the seat, rare were the times Mishil could just sit and relax. ❝ Maybe, but it always looks different when I look at it. Sometimes the corals look a different pigment, sometimes I see a fish I didn't recognize before... And its no less beautiful. ❞

Jade hummed thoughtfully, ❝ Did you live near the ocean? ❞ She shook her head gently, in habit, fixing a lock of her hair behind her ear. ❝ No, actually before all this, I'd never seen it. I didn't realize how much there was to it before either.❞ He studied her a moment, a look of brief curiosity flickering in his gaze. ❝ You swam well enough. ❞ That made her snort. ❝ Oh no, I've swam in creeks and pools-- but I'm sure I looked every bit like the shrimp Floyd teased me to look like. Awkward and scrambling. ❞ She was distracted by other things at the time but, she couldn't deny how overwhelming it felt initially.

Jade chuckled, raising his hand to his chin. ❝ Well if you ever desired swimming lessons~ ❞ Mishil eyed him, expression flat. ❝ You'd charge me. ❞ He feigned being hurt, brows furrowing and lips pursing into a dramatic pout matched by his slumping shoulders. ❝ You wound me, do you not trust me by now? ❞ She rolled her eyes. ❝ Sure sure, sempai, but I just want to be sure I don't drown--.❞ A shadow passed over them, and she turned to see a shark pass by. Large, its underbelly pale and its movements slow yet graceful, predatory. She stared as it circled the window. ❝ A great white, wow. ❞ She whispered, a hint of awe and wonder lingering in her voice.

She realized then his arm was against her own, and he was closer then before. His pinky, long and slender, as the rest of his fingers, slowly entwined with hers. He was cooler to touch in comparison to herself, only slightly but nothing she didn't mind. When Mishil turned her head to face him, he was much closer yet, his aqua-gold eyes fixed on her. Piercing and all seeing. It always left her feeling some kind of exposed. Drawing her as deep as the tide. Boundaries didn't seem to exist with Jade sometimes, and it flustered her a touch.

❝ Sempai...? ❞

The shadow of the shark passed over them again, overlapping theri shadows and faces. Jade smiled. ❝ Hm? ❞ She felt her ears warm and held his gaze, both captive yet curious--treading through the very waters that surrounded them. She thought to speak up, when someone called their name. Jade closed his eyes and she felt her own lashes flutter, the spell broken. ❝ What a shame. ❞ He murmured, and she felt his pinky drift away slowly from her hand and her blush returned along with her sense. Mishil rose up, clearing her throat as she was called again. ❝ Yeah! Coming! ❞ As she ran off, from the corner of her eye she saw him smile and wave.

[vatt-world]

Music Examples

1.In the Beginning, Amy picks up Molly, there is a song in the background -To Whom It May Concern (feat. CeeLo Green, Theophilus London & Alex Ebert)

2.The pool scene at Nick’s party is set against the backdrop of Perfume Genius’ song ‘Slip Away’. 

3.Leikeli47 Attitude’ plays full blast as the girls strut into the college library ,Molly and Amy look for clues in the library.

4.Molly walks home alone after a fight and the sober synths of LCD Soundsystem’s ‘oh baby’ play. 

5.Mid way through the party, Amy’s crush, Ryan, convinces her to do karaoke. You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morisette

Dialogue Five sets of dialogue I like Dialogue 1 Molly: We haven't done anything. We haven't broken any rules. Amy: Okay, we've broken a lot of rules. One: We have fake IDs. Molly: Fake college IDs, so we can get into their 24-hour library. Dialogue 2 Molly: You guys don't even care about school. Triple A: No, we just don't only care about school. Dialogue 3 Principal Brown: There's nothing more exciting and daunting than the blank page. Oh, that's good. Maybe I'll do a book of quotes. [He starts recording on his phone] Principal Brown: There's nothing more exciting or daunting than the blank page. Dialogue 4 Molly: Yeah, Amy's spending the summer in Botswana helping women make their own tampons. George: That's... gross. Amy: Well, blood attracts lions. I'm saving lives. Dialogue 5 Jared: So, Molly actually warned me she might be a little late and tapped me to start her speech. Principal Brown: Wait, wait, Molly Davidson's gonna be late to graduation? Jared: Yeah. Principal Brown: Okay, that doesn't sound like her.

Sounds effects 

1.when Molly and Amy come to Principals office on last day of high school,Princpal puts his hands on the table and when he slowly closes the door (foley sound)

2.When Molly flushes the toilet (foley sound), kids talk behind her back in the restroom.

3.When Molly walks her lunch tray past Nick and puts it on the table and sits down with Amy .. we hear a sound/foley

4.During hIgh school graduation .. we hear sounds of students clapping etc 

5.When Molly calls Jared to get to Nick's Party and while she gets into the Jared's car .. we can hear sounds of car door opening/closing etc 

Ambient sound 

1.when Molly walks outside towards Amy with lunch tray .. the audience hears background sounds of kids talking etc  2.When Princpal Brown gives a ride to Molly and Amy, we hear other cars driving etc  3.When Molly walks home alone after a fight .. we hear street noises/sounds etc  4.During hIgh school graduation , when Molly drives through the gate on the field, we hear surrounding ambient sounds etc 

5.During pool scene .. we hear ambient sounds of water/pool etc

Analysis

Booksmart follows two characters, Amy and Molly on the night before their high school graduation.

   Scenes are often punctuated by licensed songs that perfectly capture a character and their mindset. The songs from genres ranging from pop to hip-hop . we encounter pairings of scene and song that satisfyingly click, and result in some of the film’s best moments.

    The pool scene at Nick’s party, set against the backdrop of Perfume Genius’ song ‘Slip Away’. This scene marks an empowering moment for Amy as she lets herself plunge into the water; allowing herself to pursue romance and, as the song puts it, break free of her safe and careful ways. The first half of the song builds up to dramatic drumming. As the drumming in the song intensifies, Amy’s facial expressions begin to change; she looks confused.  As she comes up for breath, she sees Ryan and Nick (Molly’s crush) holding each other and kissing. The dramatic pianos in the song make the audience feel just as devastated as Amy is when she sees the two together. It's a beautiful marriage of shots and sound, elevated by soundtrack. 

   Leikeli47’s ‘Attitude’ plays full blast as the girls strut into the college library late at night to do some “homework”, one of the many subtle ways the film flips the script on nerd culture.  When we first see Amy lay eyes on her crush Ryan,  ‘Can You Discover?’ plays; its blaring bass and cries of desire creating a dreamlike vignette that parallels Ryan’s cool vibe. It’s a musical moment that puts us in the character’s shoes.

   Molly walks home alone after a fight and the sober synths of LCD Soundsystem’s ‘oh baby’ play. It’s a break-up song that sounds like a slow-dance in a nightclub; the perfect comedown from the emotional rollercoaster the characters ride in the scenes prior.

   Mid way through the party, Amy’s crush, Ryan, convinces her to do karaoke. I think this scene is such a turning point for Amy’s character. Throughout the rest of the film, audiences see Amy as kind of reserved and afraid to break out of her shell. But, this all changes when Alanis Morisette’s classic, “You Oughta Know” blasts through the speakers of the theater room. Audiences see another side of Amy. As the golden light from the projector shines on her face, you can see the intensity and spark in her eyes that she had been waiting to show to her peers all throughout high school.

[cherrycheridarling]

london boy | t.h.

tom holland x singer!reader

warnings: none just cuteness and concerts

summary: it's your album release and you booked the forum in los angeles for the special occasion. you've invited tom and all his friends to the show and refused to let him listen to the album all day. just in preparation for your performance of london boy.

wc: 1.3k

"You guys have been amazing tonight!" you looked out over the crowd of fans, heart filling with joy. "This next song is track number seven. I wrote this for anyone who, like me, has a very particular type. L.A., this is 'London Boy'!" you announced as the track began to play in your ear-piece.

Tom's attention perked at the name of the song. You'd strictly forbidden him from listening to it for the whole day. Keeping it hidden while recording and only showing him the other tunes you wrote. His curiousity had been eating away at him ever since he heard the title a few months ago.

"I love my hometown as much as Motown, I love SoCal. And you know I love Springsteen, faded blue jeans, Tennessee whiskey. But something happened, I heard him laughing. I saw the dimples first and then I heard the accent." you fanned yourself with a smile as you sang.

Tom watched from the balcony. Sam, Harry, Harrison, Jacob, Zendaya and Tuwaine beside him. He smirked when he heard the word 'accent' and Harrison nudged him with a smile.

"They say home is where the heart is, but that's not where mine lives. You know I love a London boy. I enjoy walking Camden Market in the afternoon." a memory flashed behind your eyes as the lyrics left your lips.

"It's beautiful." you observed all the arrays of colours as you strolled hand in hand with Tom down the streets of Camden Market.

While your eyes were set on the miscellaneous items around you, Tom's were set on you. "I'm glad you like it, darling. Look, there's some jewelry." he pointed to a small vendor with a variety of accessories on display.

You began to drag Tom towards them as he laughed at your reaction.

"Hello, kids! How are you today?" the kind elderly lady grinned at the new customers.

"Very well, thank you. How are you?" you smiled back.

"Splendid! What are you two doing here today? First date?" she asked.

Tom and you laughed lightly, "More like fiftieth." he answered as the old woman's smile grew.

"That's lovely! I love young love! So pure and innocent." she looked as if she were recalling memories from her youth.

"I love your jewelry. They're all gorgeous." you admired her work.

Gold and silver objects in front of you. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, earrings. The woman made them all. A particular ring caught your eye. It had a gold band and it was scattered with different brightly coloured gems. Red, blue, purple, green, yellow. It was jaw dropping.

"Oh, you're too kind, dear."

"I think she sees something she likes." Tom smirked as he watched you pick up the accessory and examine it.

Within minutes, the two of you were leaving the small vendor with a new ring wrapped around your right ring finger. You held up your hand and adored the way the ring glistened in the afternoon sunlight.

"You're doing it again." Tom spoke up making you turn your head to him.

You furrowed your eyebrows, "Doing what?"

"That little smile where you're trying to stop yourself from smiling, but it's there." he chuckled.

Feeling slightly embarrassed you turned your head away from him, "I am not."

He brought your face back to him with his hand on your chin and placed a kiss on your lips. Quick and simple, but it melted your heart.

"It's your American smile, darling. And I love it."

"He likes my American smile, like a child when our eyes meet," your eyes found their way to Tom's, "Darling, I fancy you."

If Tom could run down to that stage and smother you in his love, he would have at that exact moment.

"Took me back to Highgate, met all of his best mates." you moved your view to look at Harrison, Harry, Tuwaine and Sam who all had shit eating grins on their faces. "So I guess all the rumours are true. You know I love a London boy. Boy, I fancy you." that line brought you back to when Tom first confessed his feelings.

"And I win again! You really suck at this, Holland." you chuckled as you came in first place in Mario Kart while Tom placed fourth.

Tom watched you with a gleeful expression, "I like you. A lot."

Your head snapped towards him at the words. Unsure of what way he meant them in.

"As a friend? Or.." your voice trailed off as you sat against the couch cushions again.

"No, darling. Not as a friend." he chuckled.

Your nerves began to spike. A wave of chills running over you before a smile crept its way onto your face.

"I think the correct term is 'fancy'." you teased him making him laugh.

He nodded with a giggle, "Yes. I fancy you."

You bit your lip to try and contain your grin, but it was no use. The confession sparking butterflies in your stomach.

"Well, in that case. I fancy you, too, Holland."

Tom's mind brought him back to that moment as well before Sam pulled him back to reality.

"I'm going to pretend that she wrote this about me."

Tom snapped his head towards his younger brother, "Don't even think about it." your voice brought his attention towards you.

"And now I love high tea, stories from Uni, and the West End. You can find me in the pub, we are watching rugby with his school friends."

The amount of times that occasion has occurred would be too many to count. From trivia nights to days off of work. The pub was probably your most visited place besides Tom's home ever since you began to date.

"Show me a gray sky, a rainy cab ride. Babes, don't threaten me with a good time!"

Tom bursted out laughing at the lyric as he remembered the story behind it.

You were cooking in the kitchen when you heard a loud yawn behind you. Tom making his dramatic entrance before wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder.

"Whatcha making, babes?" his words caused you to freeze before laughter filled the kitchen.

You managed to compose yourself before replying with small laughs, "Did you just call me 'babes'?"

"You know what? I tried something new and it didn't work." he frowned like a toddler.

You cupped his face with your hands, "For the love of all that is good and great in this world, never call me that again." you planted a kiss on his pouty lips.

His hands made their way to your waist, "I should stick with 'darling' and 'love', huh?"

You nodded before kissing him again, "Now, if you don't mind. I am going to finish making breakfast for you and our friends." you turned back to the stove.

"I'll leave you to it, love. Thank you." he began to leave the kitchen.

"Not a problem, babes." you quietly snickered to yourself.

"Hey!"

"You're one lucky little shit." Zendaya teased him.

He nodded slowly, "I really am."

"They say home is where the heart is, but God, I love the English."

Your eyes remained stuck on Tom's as the lyrics left your lips. You could see his smile grow even wider, if that was even possible.

As you finished the track that was solely dedicated to the brunette Brit in the crowd, your eyes moved to his lips.

"I love you."

He mouthed the three words that have been hanging between the two of you ever since your relationship began. Your heart seemed to take a break before picking back up at record speed.

"I love you."

You mouthed back, hoping he could make it out.

His never ending grin was enough proof that he knew what you were saying.

[boldlyvoid]

Amoreena | chapter one

summary: Heaven is a real place and it's located exactly 14.6 miles away from the FBI, Quantico Headquarters. Off behind a small park, under a fantastical willow tree surrounded by wildflowers, in every colour young minds can imagine.

Don't forget, heaven also comes with angels.

Warnings: fluff, hurt/comfort, depressed spencer, reader has a daughter, falling in love, strangers to lovers

word count: 3,147

Read on Ao3

There’s this small, tiny part, of Spencer that wants to run away.

He’s always felt like he’s never truly been home, a never-ending and long yearning, a homesickness for a place he didn't even know, eating him alive day by day. It made him want to drop everything and buy a cottage in the woods, to fill it with books and coffee and never see another person again.

It got worse after prison and after his mom asked to go back into a care facility, it hurt the most when Penelope left the FBI and things with Max fizzled out. Then he was really, truly alone again. His apartment felt cold and uninviting, the BAU felt like a chore, using his brain for anything other than taking care of himself was extremely hard.

He needed a break.

So when he walked out of work and straight to his favourite park for an escape, he wasn’t surprised that he didn’t stop walking. Going further and further down the trail, following the dirt path towards a pond, covered by a beautiful willow tree and surrounded by pink, purple, yellow and white flowers. The contrast of the green grass with the colourful flowers, the blue sky and the light green willow tree reflection dancing on the surface of the pond. It was like he walked into Eden, taking a seat by the tree and picking a book from his satchel.

For the rest of the week, it’s his own little sanctuary, escaping desk work and home cases as fast as he could. Even then it wasn't enough and he started going every afternoon, he’d sneak out for an hour and just relax. Reading his book, feeling the breeze on his face, the sound of ducks and frogs competing with the crickets for loudest being in the area. Eventually bringing his bike on the subway to work so he could get there faster.

It was beautiful.

Almost as beautiful as what he walked in on when he arrived Saturday afternoon. Parking his bike by the tree, looking at them carefully as he took his satchel off his shoulders and placed it by the trunk. Craning his neck so he could look at who it was, seeing the purest display of human affection known to man.

A mother and her daughter were having a picnic, dressed up like Miss Honey and Matilda as they had lemonade and snacks, spread out on a blanket as the mother handed her a sandwich wrapped in checkered red wax paper.

Spencer was in awe, sitting on the other side of the pond by a second tree, pretending to read when really he was glancing at them. Their laugher filling the field, bouncing around the trees and filling his chest with warmth.

It reminded him of all the afternoons with his own mother. His head in her lap, the sound of her voice as she shared worlds wisdom with him. He missed childhood, freedom, hope. The will to continue…

When the little girl finally notices that they’re not alone in this little world she’s creating, he sees her tug on her moms shirt, asking her a question before cheering. She picks something out of the basket and comes running towards Spencer.

“Excuse me, sir?” Her sweet little voice asks. “Are you an archeologist or a palaeontologist?”

It makes him laugh slightly, a large smile erupting on his face as he pushes his glasses up and puts the book down. “No sorry, I’m not, what made you think I was?”

“You have a satchel and glasses like Milo from Atlantis, but you have a dinosaur on your tie, you look like you work at a museum,” she rambled all her thoughts out, much like he did as a child.

“I’m actually an FBI agent,” he whispered.

“Wow,” she whispered back in amazement, “are you like a knight? Do you save princesses?”

“I do," he nodded enthusiastically, "do you know any in need?”

“Her,” she pointed. “I’m Lady Amoreena, the Princess over there says I was a gift to the kingdom but that she’ll never need a prince or king to take care of us, but I think a knight would work!”

He laughed lightly, seeing her mom shake her head as she overheard it, covering her face with her hand, she looked embarrassed.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Amoreena,” he put his hand out to shake her’s as soft as possible, noticing the cookie in her hand. “My name is Dr. Spencer Reid,” he added softly.

“Would you like a cookie?”

He smiled as she placed it in his hand, “thank you.”

“Do you like Matilda?”

“It’s one of my favourite books,” he smiles.

“Do you want to have some lemonade and read with us?” Her face lit up, turning back to where her mother was watching from the pond.

“It’s okay, thank you for offering,” not wanting to intrude on their moment.

“We need a voice for Matilda’s father, please?” She begged, overly sweet and incredibly convincing.

“Alright, but I’m warning you if I upstage the princess with my awesome voices, it’s not my fault,” he smiled as he stood up, grabbing his things and starting to follow her over to the blanket.

She took his hand and tugged him along the edge of the pond, dragging him right to were her mother was sitting on the ground.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized softly as he sat down. “She’s very persistent about making new friends. We don’t see many people on this side of the park.”

“It’s fine, honestly, I’m Dr. Spencer Reid, by the way,” he introduced himself. “I work with the FBI, normally I’d advice women and their children to avoid strange men they don’t know when they’re alone in the woods like this.”

She laughed slightly, “Y/N Y/L/N, I’m the head librarian at the DC library, and you don’t seem that strange.”

“Neither did Bundy,” he tried to joke, knowing she got it and trusted him when she bit back a smile, eyes twinkling at him in the sunlight.

“My name is Amoreena, like the Elton John song,” her daughter cut in, noticing how they were staring at each other and trying to get the attention instead.

“It’s a beautiful song, no wonder you love it here,” Spencer smiled at her, “do you come here often?”

She nodded, a blush flowing through her freckled cheeks, “have you ever read Tuck Everlasting? The pond here can make you young forever,” her whisper was the cutest thing. She was so full of life, personality and joy.

“I have, you’re right this feels a lot like the field from the book, what other books do you like?”

“I love books,” she lays back against the blanket ever so dramatically. “Matilda, Anne of Green Gables, Beauty and the Beast, I love every story that ends with true love and happiness, and cats.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her explanation, knowing that feeling all too well. “I have read almost every book ever, more than the entire DC library probably."

“We dress up every week for what ever book we are reading, next week is Peter Pan if you’d like to join us? We’re here every Saturday at 11,” Y/N offered.

“You haven’t even heard me read Matilda from memory and you’re already asking me to come back?” Spencer smirked as their faces lit up.

“No way, prove it!” Amoreena shouted, shoving him lightly to encourage him to start.

“The Reader of Books,” he began, seeing the pages in his mind as he repeated the words. “It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.”

“Okay so you know the beginning,” Y/N teased, opening the book to a random page, “what's on page 32?”

"My name is Jennifer Honey," Miss Honey said. "How do you do, Mrs. Wormwood." Mrs. Wormwood glared at her and said, "What's the trouble then?" Nobody invited Miss Honey to sit down so she chose a chair and sat down anyway. "This", she said, "was your daughter's first day at school." "We know that," Mrs Wormwood said, ratty about missing her programme. "Is that all you came to tell us?" Miss Honey stared hard into the other woman's wet grey eyes, and she allowed the silence to hang in the air until Mrs. Wormwood became uncomfortable. "Do you wish me to explain why I came?" she said.

Amoreena thought it was the coolest thing ever, reading the page and jumping up and down when he was correct, “how did you do that?”

“I can remember every word I’ve ever read, I have a pretty interesting brain,” he explained it as overdramatic as he could, knowing she would find it magical.

“You’re so cool!” She swooned, dropping back against the blanket just as dramatically.

Y/N was all smiles, running her fingers through Amoreena’s hair and giggling slightly at the sight of her silly child. “Spencer, would you like to do the honours today?”

She handed him the book, knowing he didn’t need it. He gently opened it, starting on the first page and starting to read it the way his mother would. Bringing out voices, hand gestures, all the bells and whistles.

They were in the field together until the sun started to set, casting a purple and orange glow over the pond. Amoreena was resting in Y/N’s arms, legs extended over Spencer’s lap as they sat close. It was the most perfect Saturday he has had in a long time. Probably the best day of his life, actually.

“Matilda leapt into Miss Honey's arms and hugged her, and Miss Honey hugged her back, and then the mother and father and brother were inside the car and the car was pulling away with the tyres screaming. The brother gave a wave through the rear window, but the other two didn't even look back. Miss Honey was still hugging the tiny girl in her arms and neither of them said a word as they stood there watching the big black car tearing round the corner at the end of the road and disappearing for ever into the distance. The end.”

He closed the book softly, setting it down on the blanket and looking at them softly, “am I still invited next week?”

“Absolutely,” Y/N smiled, “I’m dressing as Tinker Bell, Amoreena will be Peter Pan, and you can be anyone else of your choosing.”

“I’ll keep it a surprise until next week,” Spencer smiled right back.

Amoreena crawled out of Y/N’s lap and leapt into Spencer’s arms, hugging him tightly in her small arms. “That was the best story ever, thank you!”

Everything in the world felt right then, hugging her back while he smiled at her mother. Y/N had a hand over her heart as she swooned, watching her daughter bond with the man who just happened to wander into their picnic.

“Can I get your number?” Y/N asked softly, “you know, so we can arrange outfits and stories as the week's pass.” She shrugged, licking her lips slightly as she blushed.

“Of course, I’m not on duty for the rest of the month, so if you wanted to go to a museum or anything, I’m free? Since I look so much like I should work there,” he teased Amoreena.

“I’m sure lovey would like that?” Y/N leaned over Amoreena’s shoulder, holding her around her waist and tickling her softly.

Lovey

It was a nickname that made perfect sense in his mind. Amoreena, the keyword being Amore, to love. She was very loveable, incredibly vibrant and full of innocence, a life that was full of possibilities, wonderful like her mother.

“We’re going to the Smithsonian tomorrow to see the Dino’s,” Amoreena’s face lit up. “Do you know anything about them?”

“Surprisingly enough, while I’m not a paleontologist, I know a lot about dinosaurs, and I might have some connections there to see the rare ones,” he exaggerated his voice again, watching her get so excited she started to run around with her arms in the air.

“You don’t have to if you’re busy,” she says softly when Amoreena is far enough away, picking flowers as she ran around.

“I’d love to, actually, thank you,” he whispers towards Y/N. “I haven’t been having the greatest week.”

“Is it okay for me to ask what you do?” She asked, just as softly as Amoreena kept running around the field.

“I’m a profiler, I consult on intense cases.”

“The strange man comment makes more sense now,” she smiled. “we’re looking for a literary historian at the library right now, I’m sure remembering every word in every book would get you hired, you know if you wanted to switch careers for something easier on your soul?”

“I have been thinking of leaving, in all honesty, I’ve actually been having more of a rough 15 years,” he tries to laugh but he just feels frustrated. “It’s been really hard.”

“For everything you see, you’re still a very sweet man, not many people would sit down and occupy his time with an autistic 7-year-old,” she complimented him with a smile, sharing something personal in a way that would fit right into the conversation and not make a big deal. “We really did enjoy your company today.”

He handed her a business card from his pocket, feeling a bit overwhelmed and emotional as he handed it to her, “I've had a wonderful time. I'm also autistic, I know what it's like to want to share the world while no one wants to listen, thank you for letting me join you. Let me know what time you’re going to the museum tomorrow and I will be there.”

Y/N’s face lit up once more, reading the card over before sliding it into her bag. “Do you want a PB&J or a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch tomorrow?”

“PB&J is a great museum lunch,” he bit his lip so he’d stop smiling, it was beginning to feel embarrassing with how much he liked her already. Not used to random kindness from smart and beautiful women.

Amoreena came running back then, handing Spencer a handful of flowers upon her arrival. “For you, Sir Knight,” she bowed as he took them.

“I bid you a good day, my fair ladies,” Spencer plaid along, standing to curtsy back.

“We’ll see you tomorrow then?” Y/N asked from the blanket as Amoreena dove into her arms.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Spencer smiled one last time.

“Bye Spencer!!” Amoreena cheered as he waved, walking back down the path towards the main park entrance.

With his satchel draped over his shoulder, he pushed his sleeves up as he walked towards his bike, overwhelmed by the feeling of joy still swirling in his blood. Peddling his way down the path with a smile on his face, excited to get home and plan for the Smithsonian tomorrow, he was an excellent tour guide.

And he did actually have some connections.

Calling the museum curator, an old friend from years ago who owed him a favour. Asking if there was any way he could show his friend and her kid around the un-displayed dinosaurs and fossils, of course she said yes. People seemed to do anything for Dr. Reid of the FBI.

He thought about her job offer then as he hung up, reaching the train station finally and making his way back to his sad apartment. It would be nice to change things up for a bit, it’s not like he couldn’t go back to the FBI in 20 years like Rossi did.

15 years in the field and a metric fuck ton of trauma later, he was officially fed up. Opening his computer the second he got home, writing his 2 weeks notice to be forwarded to Mateo Cruz.

—

He woke up with excitement, for the first time in years.

Well, at first he was happy, then he thought about it too long. Despair creeping in, it was truly sad to think that he’s been sad for so long, desperately needing the happiness Y/N and Amoreena brought to his life.

Like when he spent time around Henry or Hank, there was something so rewarding about witnessing a child see something for the first time. Explaining the world to them, seeing their eyes widen as they enjoyed the world around them.

It was the best thing someone could do, spending the day living with the happiness of a child.

Y/N had texted him right as he woke up, the chime of a new message actually making him smile instead of panic.

Y/N: hey smartie pants, we’re thinking 11 am today. Can we meet you out front?”

Spencer: sure! You should start preparing to hear me ramble all day long. Also my I suggest bringing proper shoes for lots of walking and a backpack for the things Amoreena will get to bring home!

Y/N: oh you weren’t kidding about those connections huh?

Spencer: nope!

Y/N: well, can’t wait to see what you have in store for us! (And to hear your voice all day ♥︎)

It made his heart swell, he could swear it grew three sizes as it pushed against his ribs. Trying to break free from him and run to her, he hadn’t felt this strongly about another person in a very long time.

It wasn’t lust, it wasn’t greed, it wasn’t desperation. He didn’t just want to sleep with her or use her to fill his time, she wasn’t just another friend to occupy his days and talk to when he had to, she was special. She was interesting, she was kind, she was beautiful, she reminded him of his own mother in a strange way that made him fear Fraud was right.

He found a comfort in her that felt a little like home, like all his running led him to her. She was the end of the finish line, the cold glass of water, the euphoric pride of a job well done. She was everything good wrapped up in a beautiful bow and he was gone.

Feeling like he did when he met Ethan, Derek, or Elle for the first time, even Maeve when they were just talking on the phone, that butterfly feeling that excited him to try something new.

Y/N made him believe in possibilities again.

It felt nice to look ahead, to dream and wish of the future and not see death and destruction. Instead, dreaming of them running through the fields, flowers dancing everywhere as they hear Amoreena’s laughter. It’s how life is supposed to be.

[amive2567]

Characters: Tamaki Amjiki x GNReader; Izuku Midoryia x FemReader; Shouto Todoroki x GNReader; Hitoshi Shinsou x GNReader; Katsuki Bakugou x GNReader

Warnings: mention of period, pranks, fluff, swearing, OOC characters (maybe?), suggestive themes in Bakugous part,

Summary: As a famous Herowatcher(Youtuber), you wanted to film a video about how your boyfriend's reaction to your prank.

Words: Tamaki:366 Izuku:532 Shouto:590 Hitoshi:416 Katsuki:528

In the last few weeks, you saw a lot of videos about partners pranking each other. There were different pranks they did, and you decided to pull the fainting prank on your boyfriend.

You both planned to train outside today. To record your prank, you set up a camera in a bush so that Tamaki wouldn't notice it. You felt a bit guilty about that what you were going to do. But still, you wanted to execute your plan. The sun was pretty warm, which gave you the perfect conditions to do this. You were doing jumping jacks but suddenly stopped.

Your prank is starting now. "Are you ok?" asked Tamaki, who noticed your behavior change. You nodded but stumbled to your water bottle. Before you could reach it, you "passed out". "Sunshine?" he froze in his tracks and was paralyzed as you tried not to react to his anxious cry for you. He kneeled beside you. His thumb caressed your cheek, and you felt that his hand was shaking. "Are you ok? Oh, I had to watch out better. If I only had reacted immediately, I am so sorry." his voice was breaking. He took your legs and held them high. He tried to stabilize your circulation. "Please wake up," mumbled Tamaki anxiously.

Now you decided to clear things off. "Darling, it's a prank," you said. "What? Why would you do that?" he asked, confused. "I saw it on the internet and wanted to try it, but I didn't want to scare you." You sat up and hugged him tightly.

After a couple of minutes, you broke away from him. "See, there is the camera." You pointed to the bush. Embarrassed, he hid his face in the crook of your neck.

After the two of you finished the actual training, you edited the video and posted it on Herowatch. In the next few days, the video had a couple of thousands of likes, views, and comments:

SuneaterfanNo.1: God, he was so worried about them. I wish I had such a boyfriend.

User219: I am feeling like a single pringle right now. :(

FanfictionAdict: Because of your videos, my expectations of getting a partner are way too high.

Precisely you tried to adjust the camera on a shelf between a bunch of All Might figures. You hoped he wouldn't notice the camera you put there. Izuku was still working, but he had to be home soon. That was the perfect moment to prepare your prank. You switched patiently between the different apps on your phone until a message popped up.

I am only changing and showering at the agency. After that, I will come home.

Alright, see you soon, love. Oh, could you please bring some chocolate on your way home?

Sure, see you, honey.

See you too.

You laid your phone on the nightstand, patiently waiting for your husband to come home. You feel bad pranking Izuku after his stressful day, saving the lives of probably many children and adults, but special situations needed special measures. It was probably totally worth it to see his reaction to your "horrible cramps". He was such a sweetheart. It would probably give him a heart attack. Well, now, with this thought, you felt a bit worse.

After some time passed, the door opened, and your boyfriend entered your decent flat. Now was your time to show the world that you didn't suck at acting. "I am home." shouted the green-haired pro hero through your flat. "In the living room." You tried to sound like you would be in pain.

Apparently, it was convincing in less than a second Izuku was next to you. "What happened? Where does it hurt?" Sometimes he was too observant for his own good. "My stomach hurts so much." "Oh, can you think of a reason? Did you eat something bad? I will get you a hot water bottle." He rushed to the open kitchen to prepare the hot-water bottle. "I am probably getting my period." You grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly. "Ahhh." you groaned extra dramatically. "Do you want to take some painkillers?" "Yes, please." He took the hot water bottle out of the microwave. With quick steps, he got back to your side. Gently, he took away the pillow and replaced it with the water bottle. "I get you the painkillers." With those words, he rushed to the bathroom.

"We don't have any painkillers." Shouted Izuku apologetically. "That's fine." "I can buy you some. You shouldn't have to be in pain, honey." He came back to you. "There is no need to." A mischievous smile spread across your face. "How can you smile when you're in pain?" "Because I am not." If you got asked who best embodied a question mark, it would be your husband. "What?" "It was a prank." you laughed. "See, there is the camera." You pointed toward the pile of All Might figures. His shoulders lost the tension, and he hugged you tightly. "I am glad you are alright."

On the same evening, you edited the video and uploaded it on Herowatch. Since you were the wife of the number one hero of Japan, the video went viral.

ASinglePerson: The poor man was so worried. He is such a cutie.

Deku'sgreatestfan: Ahhh, Deku is so great. I love him.

SomeoneYouWillNeverMeet: We need more Y/N x Deku videos. You guys are so cute.

Balancing on a ladder, you tried to mount the camera on the high bookshelf. You hoped Shouto wouldn't notice the camera you put on there. Since he was still working, you could prepare perfectly for your prank, or rather reaction video. The number of times you had already pranked him wasn't high, but every seldom time it was funny to see his reaction.

While waiting for Shouto to come home, you filmed your intro and arranged your new sleeping place on the couch. You waited patiently for him, and when the key in the door turned, you knew it was time to pull out your acting skills. Habitually you would greet him with a hug and a kiss, but today everything had to be like you planned it. "I am home." You needed to pull yourself together that you didn't answer. The silent treatment was the best thing you could think of at the moment. If you started to talk, you would probably tell him the truth. "Y/N?" asked the heterochromatic man again. You heard his tranquil steps coming closer to the living room.

As he entered the room, his eyes immediately locked with yours. His eyes were filled with confusion, seeing you on the couch covered in your blanket that you usually use to sleep. "Are you ok?" You nodded. Now it was getting serious. "Everything is fine. I merely want to sleep on the couch today." "Why?" "I think you can answer that yourself." The poor man had no clue what you were talking about. He knew he did the laundry, helped you with your documents at the agency, and made your food. What had he forgotten?

You pulled the blanket over your body to signal to him that this conversation is over. Without a word, he took out a book from the shelf, and you worried that he saw the camera. He sat down in the armchair next to the couch. The only sound you could hear was the flipping of the pages. At that moment, you loved him even more. He respected your privacy and decisions more than every other person in your life ever did. "I am going to sleep now, have a blessed night." He put a bookmark in the book and put it back on the shelf. You felt strange not to go with him to bed.

As he said, he went to bed, and the flat the two of you lived in was unusually quiet. It was strange laying alone in the dark. You were so used to his presence that you couldn't sleep. Now you regretted not clearing the prank. A ruffling sound in the darkness caught your attention. "Shouto?" you asked into the dark. "Y/N, I am so sorry. Whatever I did, I did it unintentionally. I never wanted to hurt your feelings. I can't sleep without you. Can I sleep next to you?" Quietly Shouto came closer to your unusual sleeping place. "Of course you can. I am so sorry. It was just a prank." You swung the covers aside and ran into his arms. Gladly, the moon lit up the living room so didn't walk into the furniture. "Let us go to bed," you suggested.

The next day, you edited the video and uploaded it. Since you were the lover of the number two hero in Japan, your video blew up.

randomperson: Where can you get a bf like this?

NoName: He is such a sweetheart. I wish I had such a boyfriend.

SingleLikeAPringle: I feel so single with your videos.

It was finally your day off of hero work, so you decided to drag Shinsou to a cat café. That was one of your two intentions. Your second intention was to prank him a bit. Your Foryoupage on TikTok particularly exploded with "What would you do if I go back to my ex." - Pranks. Since you developed a big community on Herowatch, you wanted to make a short video about it too.

Secretly you recorded the two of you entering the cat café. You know how much Hitoshi hated the attention, so you often recorded your videos alone. But not today. Today was the day the whole world can see that Y/N L/N has a boyfriend. Well, not today exactly, because you had to edit the video so that Hitoshi can't be seen properly. Besides, you didn't want him to make him feel uncomfortable. This was just a way to get rid of the creepy people of the internet.

You ordered your drinks, and Hitoshi was already occupied with stroking the first cat. You placed the camera inconspicuously on the floor, so only Hitoshi's legs could be seen. "You know if we broke up, I would go back to my ex." you suddenly said and waited for his reaction. He casually looked up from the cat and nodded. "That's fine. I would also like to go back to my ex." "What..?" you stuttered, trying not to choke on your saliva. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "You heard right. I would go back to my ex." "You're joking." "Maybe. Maybe not." Now he couldn't hold back small laughter.

"Alright, jokes aside. You're practically binge-watching all those "What would you do if I go back to my ex." - Pranks. I know what you were trying to do. We are both aware that we are the exes with whom we get back together." He said calmly. "You retrolled me," you exclaimed loudly. "That's what you get when you mess with me, kitty cat." he winked at you. "Yeah, whatever." you scoffed and petted the cat in your lap.

The next morning, you edited the video, and looking back on yesterday, it was a bit funny.

InternetAdict: He is a smart guy. You are a lucky person.

VoiceKink: His voice is so soothing. Can I get his voice somewhere?

LoveYou: Your videos are so great. We need more of your secret boyfriend. We don't even need to see his face. His voice is enough to make someone go weee.

It was a rare occasion that your boyfriend Katsuki was at home, but today was the day. Because of that, you had to take your chance. Since your boyfriend is the most observant person on this planet. There was no way to hid a camera, so you used your phone instead.

He was currently next to you in the kitchen and cooked dinner for both of you. You often volunteered to help him, but he said your cooking skills were worse than Todorokis, which was something you had never thought. The Bakusquad, and you still believe that he watched too many shows with Gordon Ramsay as a child. He definitely adopted his behavior in the kitchen. Only today, you tried to ignore him, only for the sake of seeing his reaction. You sat on the barstool in front of your kitchen counter and pretended to do something on your cell phone. Even if you were actually only filming. Let the fun begin.

"Oi, babe, pass me the curry." Usually, you would have corrected him about the way he demands things, but now you just ignored him. He turned around and watched you. "Alright, I am getting it myself." You looked so concentrated on your phone that he didn't want to distract you. It went on like this for what felt like hours until Katsuki was done with cooking your food. He put the steaming plate in front of you, then he sat down next to you. You were still on your phone, so Katsuki snatched it out of your hands. "Hey." You exclaimed and immediately covered your mouth with your hands. Great, now the prank was ruined. "Why are you covering your mouth like that. Are you finally gonna talk to me now?" Still, you wanted to last a bit longer, so you kept quiet. "Fine, then not."

The two of you ate in silence till Katsuki had enough. "Alright, dumbass, what's wrong? You usually never shut up, and now your all quiet and stuff. Did somebody hurt you? I'll beat their ass. They're gonna die." he growled. You had to suppress a chuckle. Sometimes he could be so caring. Well, at least in his own individual way. "Then don't talk to me. I didn't want to know it anyway." Now you couldn't stand it any longer. "Why are you laughing, dumbass?" he asked bewildered. "I was just kidding. Everything is fine. Never thought you'd care so much about me." "Yeah, I care about your stupid ass. Now I want an apology. A good one with physical effort, if you know what I mean." He winked, and you got it. The video you wanted to film was long forgotten as you dragged him closer to the bedroom.

In the evening, you found your phone on the counter. Immediately you started to edit this whole thing. You finished late at night and finally got to upload the video on Herowatch.

Tsunderefan123: He is such a tsundere, but a lovely one.

SingleMom: Every time I watch your videos where he is involved, I feel so single.

Adviceseeker: Tell me a secret, how can you get a guy like him?

[chuuulip]

Another Earth

Pairing: August Walker (werewolf) x Female Reader (red ridding hood)

Warning: 18+, PWP, Oral (M and F receiving), Unprotected Sex, Multiple Orgasm, Slightly ABO Universe, Rough Sex

Words: 7434

Summary: After a failed attempt to sign up for the Halloween haunted house to meet your Superman, the last minute ticket turned your night upside down as you were stuck in another earth.

A/N: Unbeta! Any grammar mistake will be on me. Divider by me 😆 This is for @jtargaryen18​ Halloween challenge, and I’m pretty late! Sorry for that life has been busy xD I still have another one in progress (the Andy barber one) and hopefully can post it soon! Thanks to @navybrat817​ and @venusdemonroe​ for giving me the idea for this story and help me discuss what a werewolf August Walker would do in this lol. Actually I wanted to mention a lot....of things but I guess it would be too much for a one shot lil but anyway Happy reading!!!

***

This year's Halloween event was mental. Several big haunted houses are hosted by celebrities. To name a few, there's an Avengers Tower haunted house, The Hall of Justice League, The X-Mansion, and even Walking Dead one. 

 You knew it wasn't easy. All of them have a huge fandom. The ticket was sold out immediately when it was open for sale, like 3 months before Halloween, and you were terribly upset. You were whining for a month straight to your boyfriend. Or more like your sugar daddy. He was patient and wealthy, but he knew he can't satisfy you enough, so he usually did everything he could for you. But that time, you just have none of it. The relationship, if you could ever say that, fell out immediately because you were unreasonable.

 You really wanted to go to The Hall of Justice League and maybe meet Clark Kent. The obsession started because he always visited your dream and mostly engaged in the steamiest dream ever. It's been your wildest dream, really, to have that body blanketed yours, in a really not innocent way.

 Just one day before Halloween, you finally secured one ticket for The Hall of Justice League haunted house. Of course, the first thing you did was scream. You had been on their waiting list since the ticket sold out, but you really lost hope since last week. But now, you celebrate it with a bit of a jump and constant scream.

 "What the fuck?" Your only housemate barged into your bedroom. Face annoyed.

 You stopped your silly jumps and looked at your housemate. With a broad smile, you hug your housemate and shake her body, "I got it! I got the ticket for The Hall of Justice League haunted house! Can you believe that?"

 The redhead hugged you, and both of you jumped in a circle. "Oh my gosh...I can't believe it! Congrats!!! I really hope you will meet your Kryptonite." she gave you her suggestive smirk.

 "I mean...a girl can only hope. But this is a charity event. I don't think he will be available. What if it's all a decoy and I only meet his wax figure?" you pouted at your friend.  

 "Well, at least you have the opportunity to see it yourself. But remember, behave, young lady, don't let him if he's there, I mean, witness your brattiness."

 "Aye...aye Captain!" you giggled but immediately gave your housemate a military saluted.

 That night you dreamed of those big blue eyes and his firm, fantastic arms on yours.

 ***

 Dress in your red riding hood costume, you patiently sat in the backseat of the Uber car. Well, maybe a little bit impatient, since it's already 11pm. 

 Everything just went down the hill since morning. You can't seem to find your Poison Ivy costume. Not to mention that you were late for work that morning. Your boss was a bitch since she seems annoyed at you every time the male employee or investor became too friendly with you. 

 Who can blame you? You were just good at acting all cute to them, and it's not your fault that they mostly thought you were a cute little employee. 

 You check your wrist. The expensive rose gold watch from your ex sugar daddy elegantly pointed at 11.30 pm. You sighed, "do you know how long I will arrive at my destination? It will close soon."

 "Hopefully, in 10 minutes. Dunno why it's jam-packed." Said the Uber driver.

 You huffed in exasperation, but there's nothing you can do. You arrived very last minute, like 15 minutes before the haunted house closed. Wearing black stiletto boots, you carefully made a small run into the stairs. The booth was stationed to the far left of the building. 

 "Good night, little red riding hood; you are lucky because we are almost closed. Can I see your ticket, please?" A man dressed as Edwar Scissorhands greeted you at the far left of the building. 

 You fished out your smartphone from your small basket bag and showed him your barcode. He scanned it and looked at the monitor in front of him. "Hmm, here for a kryptonite, aren't you." He eyed you up and down and smirked at you. "I hope you have a spooky night, little girl." 

 You smile at him and sashay your way to the entrance. Apparently, they makeover a warehouse into a vast real-life Justice League Hall. Like in the comic. A white half-circle exterior completed with two giant pillars at each side imitated the picture you only seen in comic books. It looks so magnificent. 

 You entered the door after you scanned your barcode at the scanner next to it. The whooshing noises startle you a bit, but you were too excited and step in immediately. 

 The inside was bright with a black marble flooring that shone bright; you even can see your reflection. There's a different section of the silvery door like in most sci-fi, alien invasion movies. So futuristic, so clinical. 

 You darted your eyes and found where you needed to go. A small rectangle monitor with a very digital clock font in it showed you 'Krypton' words. Without hesitation, you did a little run and waited in front of it. The small rectangle monitored turned to green, and it shone. It startled you, but you let out a sigh of relief when it just scanned your body from your head to toe. 

 "So much for a haunted house." You muttered. 

 When the door opened, you stepped in. It was a glass elevator. You circled your eyes and found everything was dark. When the elevator ran, bringing you down several floors, the surrounding changed. 

 Once, the darkness engulfed you like you were being shipped to the deep ocean, but it changed dramatically. Your eyes darted in awe as you drank on the scenery. The scenery of what you would call the imitation of Planet Krypton. So beautiful yet so harsh. 

 When the elevator stopped, the ding noise pulled you to the present. With excitement, you grabbed your smartphone and took several pictures of the scenery. It was just so surreal that a haunted house would make something like this. But you remember how expensive the ticket was.

 "This three grant haunted house better give me a chance to fuck a real-life Clark Kent." you cackled. 

 There's a weird tower with a green light on top of it. You assumed some futuristic objects were supposed to be 'kryptonite' as it floated sparsely in most parts of the supposed Krypton. A bit further, you could see a white crystal-like triangle building. Oddly enough, it reminded you of the Louvre Pyramid. This one just full of crystal-like pillars crisscrossed it. 

 Didn't want to waste your time, you decided what path you should choose. It wasn't easy. Your stiletto pierced to the weird substrate like mud but also crystal-like as if it's ice. Carefully, you mind your footing while again stayed alert. There's this odd feeling of being watched. But you reminded yourself that you were in a haunted house, so it's understandable.

 You let out a loud scream when suddenly a mummy appeared behind one of the floated crystals. "Holy shit, I didn't see that coming." you try to slow down your breath as you clutched the white ruffle shirt under your red corset.

 When you feel that you can walk again, you try to do it faster. Several times it looks like the Krypton had shifted in its light as if the sun rose and shone, but the next five minutes, it set. Made the scenery look like it was illuminated by the crystal alone, like a lamp.

 When many ghost-like mannequins showed up, it got scarier and scarier, and you immediately lowered your hood to shield you from some view. Your eyes perked up when you finally saw the path to the Fortress of Solitude. It was more like an icy bridge with a dark pond surrounding it. 

 As your right foot stepped onto the bridge, a loud noise of a clock surprised you. It struck once and counted until it stopped at the twelfth. It was so loud it's voice echoed. You can even feel it under the sole of your boots. 

 Stunned for a moment, your mind suddenly set on alert mode when the water from both ponds on each side of the bridge rippled. A dinosaur-like head appeared from both ponds. It has a single protruding horn. It opened its mouth and let out a loud growl. A blast of wind came out of it like a thunderstorm. It has sharp teeth like sharks that you assumed could quickly rip your body apart if it sank on yours. 

 "Holy shit. This is— this is a joke, right? It's not real?" Body trembled in fear; you ran your life out to the Fortress of Solitude. The monsters crawled up out of the water. Its slithered movement mimicked a snake, but it didn't have any problem crawling up without things to latch on. 

 You screamed as both of the monsters chased you. Run as fast as your legs allow you. This haunted house event might be too much for you. When you can see an oval object that looks like it can be a big mirror or a huge door, your gloved palms immediately bang on it. "Open the door!" You screamed. When the door finally opened, the two snake-like monsters that chased you suddenly disappeared.

 "Oh— oh my god. Oh my god…," you chanted as you let yourself drop down on the floor. 

 "I see you finally make it." 

 Your face turned to the left. In front of you, stood up tall and proud, Clark Kent with his superman costume. He's just so big. If you compared your tiny body to him, you definitely, nothing.

 You replied to Superman's bright smile with a scowl. Slowly you got up from the floor and cleaned your skirt. "Isn't that just too much? What if I fell to the pond? I can't swim, you know?"  

 He seems surprised, "apologized my lady. It was something the organizer will handle. I don't think they mean any harm."

 "Yeah...yeah… right." you walked closer to the hero and already fished out your mobile phone. "So… what did I need to do now I meet you, Superman?"

 "Hmm… most attendants ask for pictures. Some of them spent time just talking with me. Since you are the last one, you can take as many pictures as you like and of course. If you have any questions about my protection for the earth, I will gladly answer it." The tone in his voice was more soft than authoritative. 

 Think of not sabotaging your Halloween any longer; you tried to forgive the silliness of the whole new level of scary from this haunted house. It's hard not to show off your brattiness in this kind of situation. Still, you reminded yourself that he was someone you weren't familiar with—practically a stranger.

 Gave him a sweet smile, you took several pictures with him. At one time, you tried to bat your eyelashes at him and asked for a picture where you sat on his lap. You spent a solid 15 minutes talking to the handsome alien. Your fingers touched his biceps here and there. You knew that he knew what you were implying, but he didn't refuse you either. At least not blatantly.

 "I apologized, my dear, but I think it's already time." Superman gently put you back on your feet. You gave him an upset face, but you knew it's time to go home. You bid the handsome man goodbye and sneaked a kiss on his cheeks. There's a twinge of pink on his cheeks, and you jump triumphantly at that reaction. Of course, behind his back.

 Following the word of 'exit' behind the piles of the crystal-like shape props, you opened the door. The scenery in front of you caught you off guard. The harshed white tundra scenery was replaced by now dark, almost jungly like one. Unconsciously you stepped back and turned your body to come back to the exit door. How shocked you were when it vanished. Disappear without a trace.

 As far as your eyes could see, it's only darkness and mist. Only the full moon aided your visions. The exhalation of your breath came out like a plume of white steam. It's definitely colder here than the fake Krypton one. The cold air seeped into your skin quickly as if you were actually in the deep of a forest. 

 With a loud sigh, you walk straight. You tumbled and fell down on your knees as your boots got caught with something: either roots or a massive branch. 

 Tired and frightened, you screamed loudly. You weren't sure if this was the continuation of the haunted house or not, but what you want right now just to be back in your apartment and soaked in a warm, relaxing bath. 

 "Get me out of here!" you yelled again. There's a lot of sounds as if a lot of people stepping on branches. A screeching sound of an owl surprised you, but you tried to follow its direction with your ears. 

 There's no way you will wait here and do nothing. Oh...my phone! You fished out your smartphone, but it showed no signal. "Shit!." you muttered. 

 The sounds from a far away crept closed, and you knew it. "You can do it! There's nothing more frightening than that monster snake." tried to encourage yourself; you stood up and slowly navigated. You followed the noises that now closer, like an animalistic growl. It was so intense you can feel all the goosebumps rise up your skin. 

 You weren't sure how long you have been walking, but you stopped suddenly when there's not only a pair but like 7 pairs of reddish eyes glowed in the dark. 

 "Come here, little lamb. Don't follow that voice." a vaguely familiar voice distracted you from stepping forward. 

 "Who the fuck are you, and why you get in my way just now." your voice came out hoarse. There's a twinge of fear in it, and you knew it. You felt like backed down wasn't the best option you had right now.

 "I said, come here, or else I can't even save you when they get you." 

 You stilled as if you didn't hear him talking to you. "Wasn't this still one of the tricks from the haunted house? To let the people scramble in fear?" 

 "Are you out of your mind? Come here right now, or I left you to death. They will either rip you apart or play your body like a ragdoll before one of them eats you." 

 You screamed in horror as one pair of red eyes slowly came out. It's huge. Almost four feet of canine shook its fur. 

 You were hyperventilating right now. Body rooted to the ground as you were surrendered. Welcoming your fate. 

 "Fuck!" 

 You heard a curse from behind your back. Maybe the stranger gave up and left you alone to be eaten by the wolves. 

 The scrunched sound of leaves crushed was loud. Suddenly you felt strong arms hauled you upside down. 

 Your eyes faced the skin of someone's back. You craned your neck a little bit to get a better view of the wolf. Screamed escaped your lips when you saw not only one but all of them, in a pack, chased both of you. 

 "Stay still." The stranger yelled. 

 Did the best thing to not get thrown out by his weird, fast speed, you secured your thumbs in his belt loops. He ran, escaped the pack inside the deep of what looked like a pine forest. 

 You weren't sure how long you ran with him, but you felt that he's finally slowed down. 

 When the thud thud sound reached your ears, you opened your eyes and saw that the stranger walked up a stair.  

 You felt nauseated when he suddenly put you to sit on something that was apparently a countertop. The rushes of blood that circulated through your body made you regain your sense of surroundings. 

 "Where am I?" you didn't mean to add an ungrateful tone in your sentence, but it was too late.

 The stranger eyed you like you were some sort of ungrateful bitch, which maybe you are. "At my cabin," he said flatly.

 You haven't had time to look at him in the forest, but now, under the actual lighting inside his house, what you saw might instantly make you drooled, which you already did right now. Stand up in front of you, a shirtless beefy tall man that's definitely more than six feet tall. He has short dark brown hair with a somewhat thick mustache that's complemented by a stubble. The front strands of his hair were loose and slightly curled. Looks likely due to all the running.  

 The sudden chill of air made you shiver, and he didn't miss your reaction. He left you for a minute and came back with a rug. The sudden heat from it, when he draped the fabric on your shoulder made you let out a gasp of satisfaction. 

 But the next thing you know, he ripped your stocking. You were shocked, eyeing him in horror. "What the fuck are you doing?!" You threw whatever things that's on your reach. The loud sound of glass hit the wall, and the strong grip on your wrist instantly made your stop.

 "Be still!" His azure irises left no room for confrontation. When you felt a sting on your knees, that's when you realized that he just pressed some gauze on it. Likely soaked with alcohol first. There's quite a prominent stain of blood on your legs, and it almost made you nauseated. 

 "If you stop acting like a brat, you'll heal faster." He looked at you with that cocky smile of confidence. "Understood?" 

 You just nodded at him. He continued to clean the blood and inspect the wounds. The position where you were sitting right now made it easier to study him carefully. 

 Although you felt the temperature decreased significantly, the beefy stranger in front of you appeared very sweaty. 

 Immediately your gaze ran down to his neck and continued its way to his chest and his abs. The unmistakable bulge under his pants made you squirm unconsciously. You were in a haze of fear and lust; you definitely insane. 

 "Wha— what's your name, sir?" 

 His strong gazed felt as if his eyes alone can subdue you. Maybe he has these laser eyes like Cyclops, your inner thought buzzed with speculation.

 "August. My name is August Walker. What's your name, little lamb?" 

 How dare this man call you a little lamb? You cleared your throat and told him your name and where you were from.

 "New York? It's pretty far from here." He patched you up nicely. The water-resistant gauze looked really neat pressed on your knees and some on your shin. You were impressed.

 When your eyes returned to August, you gave him a smile that you hoped looked like a smile of gratitude. Not the kind of smile you always presented to any potential partner in bed, sultry, and flirtatious.  

 "I— I haven't said anything but— thanks. Thank you for saving my life." Your left fingers instinctively pat his right arms. The feeling of his skin startled you. It's warm; in fact, it felt like he had a very high fever.

 "Are— are you alright? Your temperature feels off." 

 "Don't mind me. Just take care of yourself." 

 You knew there's something off with him, but you weren't sure if you had a clear mind to think right now. Not with the wolf pack outside and his words on New York being far away from here. Where the fuck am I? 

 "I… I have a—,"

 "I suggest you stay here if you don't want to meet them."

 "But I…,"

 "You can use the bedroom there," his hand pointed to the door on the far end. "Feel free to use anything you want. Just don't come to the basement. I will meet you after a couple of days, and we figured things out." 

 His authoritative voice and dominant persona immediately made you want to counter his suggestion. The funny thing was, looked like he sensed it.

 He approached you, face just inches away from you. Your eyes immediately glanced away from the delicious plane of his sweaty chest. His fingers drew your chin up, so both of your eyes were at the same level. "Do what I said, understand?. Thrust me; you don't want to know the consequences if you violate my suggestion."

 Suggestion, my ass! Your inner mind ready to throw insults at him, but you quickly held it back. In the end, you nodded at him obediently.

 —

 That night you were restless. But in a weird sense, you felt comfortable staying in that cabin. The first night after August left you to your own devices, you had been pretty careful. Not touched a lot of things except food and items that help you with your long bath. 

 His cabin was quite spacious. The interior was a mix of something slicked and modern with an equal touch of classic. Tried to look homey. Not to mention his bathroom, it's super luxurious and made you feel at home instantly. Reminded you of your ex (sugar daddy's) bathroom. 

 Since you couldn't find another bedroom in that cabin and you don't feel like sleeping on the couch, you slept in his bed instead. After all, he said you can use the bedroom there. Still wearing your red riding hood costume, you slipped under the soft comforter. 

 After that, you woke up feeling a bit groggy. Aimlessly wandered around the kitchen, you weren't sure what to do first. Tried collecting your bearing, you tried to make a coffee. Or any equivalent things of it. Everything felt different; you just knew it. When the only thing you could find was several jars that you assumed were granules of tea, you brew it. You sat on the sofa that faced up a lake. The wall was made of glass, making everything well seen. 

 You walked closer and gazed at the vast pine forest in front of you. The trees were tall and big, so majestic. Somewhat it's different from the pine trees you usually see. The lake in front of you looked like it had two different colors, fusion together with weird looking fishes and plants that should grow on the land instead of water. Where the fuck am I? 

 The next day, you woke up feeling a little bit refreshed. You changed your slutty costume into one of the clothes you found in his closet. It was so soft and comfy. You knew when things were from high-quality material.  

 You continued your days by drinking your tea, ate whatever breakfast you can munch, and read a book that has these unusual fonts. You were sure it wasn't in the alphabet, but one day you absentmindedly swipe your fingers on some of the pages, and the font changed. Hell, it even translated into English in an instant. You were definitely impressed. 

 One thing you are sure of was, this place was strange. Wherever you were right now, it didn't look like it's on earth. Or the earth that you knew. Why were you so calm? Because you already freak out. After you freak out, you also wondered, did the haunted house event organizer realized that they were the culprit behind what the fuck happened to you right now? Did your housemate recognize that you weren't home for days? Or maybe she thought you fuck the Superman or perhaps found another sugar daddy? It was so absurd yet so real.

 The last two nights, you were struck in awe as your eyes were spoiled by two moons. Two fuckin moons. It was always quiet at night, but you heard all the howls that you suspected likely from the pack of those giant wolves.   

 It was pretty late, almost midnight. You finally found your small bag hindered under the sofa that evening. Now…, now you had some time to check it. The first thing you checked was if there's a signal. Definitely no signal at all. 

 You curled up on August bed while swiping the pictures on your phone. When you scrolled your pictures with Superman, you realized why August seems familiar. It was none other than August having quite the same face, the same build, even somewhat similar voices with Superman. 

 "Fuck...maybe I should ask August if he would like to be my Daddy while I'm here." Imagining him spoiled you with gifts and other physical attention made you chuckled at yourself. 

 Your fingers instinctively crawled under the gray long sleeve shirt you borrowed from his closet (again). Your brain projected an image as if it was August's hands that ran on your upper thigh. Find its way quickly to your wet core. Two fingers slipped under the black lace panty. The panty that you need to wash daily due to no other replacement available. Left you a couple hours with only his buttoned-up shirt without anything underneath. 

 The sound of a loud howl startled you. It was as if it circled you in close range. Moved as fast as you can, you snatched the oversize robe on you. Your eyes tried to creep behind the curtain in the bedroom. 

 You knew the owner of this cabin stated that you can't go to the basement. You wouldn't be so lucky if that giant wolf found you first and broke in. Although you haven't been really out of the cabin, you tried to inspect a little bit and found it odd that this cabin was apparently a treehouse-style cabin. How come there's a basement in the house.

 You exit the bedroom and go to the kitchen when you last saw August a couple nights ago. Next to the slick wooden cabinet was a particular thing that looked like a door. The surface of your palms works like a stethoscope, felt as if something with pressure from your hands. You tried not to get disturbed by the nonstop howl outside. When you hear something as if the door was shifted, you immediately step back. 

 "Oh my, finally…," you slipped inside the small door when it opened automatically. It was a small narrow corridor-like, and it was dark. Walk inside carefully, you follow the path that leads you to another door. The metal door let out a weird creaked as you pushed it open. 

 "Didn't I tell you not to come down here?" 

 Shocked was evident in your face when you heard his rather gruff tone. You step over, closer to where he sat, that looks more likely an even bigger size of the bed than the one he had upstairs.    

"Don't —,"

 He warned you, but you being you, could never obey orders. Although challenging, your eyes finally adapt to the only natural light from the glass wall. That said, you were totally confused as you can see the lake parallel to your eyes. 

 "What the… wait, how there's even a basement down here? Last time I checked, the cabin is a treehouse?"

 "It's camouflage. No one can't see it or enter from outside."

 "Holy… why there's a three moon?" you switched your gaze from the moon to August. Curiosity got the better of you when you saw his irises were now pale blue. You can still see the outer form that is August, but something was off. 

 A gasp escaped your lips as August rose up from the bed. The powerful moon shone his feature. He was taller, bulkier, and dangerous as he stalked towards you slowly. Your heart thumped erratically as you were cornered. Back supported by the glass wall as now you can see August in his other form. 

 "Holy shit. Wha—what are you?"

 "Told you not to go here, and you just can't listen, little lamb." his smirk turned maniacal as he looked at the fear on your face. His white fangs, longer than usual. His fingers also look unusual, claw-like. 

 "Are you— are you a werewolf?" 

 "Well...you can say that. I'm half human half wolf if you are curious." 

 "So why— why did you save me?"

 The tip of his nose inched closer to yours. You held your breath when his warm skin touched you. It moved to your left cheek and stopped near your ear. "I'm curious," he whispered.

 "I haven't really met a pure human in the same age range. So I have followed you since I saw you step out of that door. I follow you until you meet the other wolf pack, and I decide to help you instead of fulfilling my need." 

 "What need?" you asked him, dumbfounded.

 "This," he pulled away from you, his claw-like finger pointed out below his hip. Focusing on the long and hard appendage that was unmistakably, his cock.

 "Oh—I- I'm sorry?" you gave him your best apologetic face. Eyes seemed eager to stare longer, but you gazed away quickly. Wait, why did you apologize to him? You cleared your throat, "I— I actually not sure what I should do to help?" tilted your head to the right, you looked him in the eyes, almost challenged him.

 Despite almost getting eaten by wolves, August's menacing presence didn't really scare you. Maybe the fact that he was still human and less scary made it easy for you. Not to mention he's hot too, with all his glory. 

 His somewhat evil chuckled sent shivers down your spine. "If you really wanted to help, I think you know what to do, don't you?"

 "W-wait—is—does this mean we 'mate'?" you gave him a somewhat weird expression. "And—and you bite me, give me marks that I'm yours? And knot me, and I will have a litter of puppies, and I become your omega—,"

 His pale blue eyes stared at you as if you grew two heads. It softened immediately as he smiled. Broad one showed you a set of white teeth with extra long fangs. 

 "Oh, my little lamb...what have you read?"

 "Err— Omega verse? Fanfic?"

 He blinked. Gave you a quizzical expression.

 "It's— it's erotica. Where mostly the character you know—," you darted your eyes away from August. "—mate, err have sex. Mostly was written very explicitly."

 "Go on." He said.

 "They are wolves, scenting, imprinting. An alpha mates with omega, and it's been told in a variety of plots possible. Sometimes two alphas fight too." You were breathless. You didn't realize you explained it to him in a quick, incoherent way. 

 You staggered backward as he came closer, forgetting that you already cornered. His long fingers reached out to the white robe you put on you. Although his fingers had claws that looked alarming to you, his hand still skillfully unfastened the robe.

 "That's a bit of an exaggeration, I think. Pack and hierarchies usually form just for a mating season; they hunt together for food and shelter in the winter. We might be scenting people, I guess. After all, we have a very sensitive sense of smell. But no, we don't bite our mate." He took off the robe from your body, left you only with his grey buttoned-up shirt.

 "Well...I love that you are wearing my shirt as if you are mine already."

 You purse your lips at him. "Why aren't you in a pack? Isn't it a mating season?" 

 "I mostly can control myself during the full moon. That's the advantage of being half-human. I don't need to transform myself into a wolf and be in a pack. But I am an alpha if that's what you are curious about."

 "Can-can you turn back to your human form? Not like—you know, you aren't in your human form, bu—," your words were cut off by his thumb on your lips. 

 "You talk too much, aren't you, little lamb…," August leaned down and touched his lips to yours. Your first reaction was to freeze since you were afraid of his fangs. But his surprisingly soft lips coaxed you relentlessly, making you surrender as you closed your eyes. Opening your mouth, his tongue sneaked past your lips easily. His fangs poke at your lower lips, but it didn't hurt.

 The non so innocent kiss became more desperate. Your once shied tongue now dances together with August. Your once clasped palms that were situated on top of your chest now scraped at his shoulder. 

 Your eyes fluttered open as August nipped down from your jaw to your neck. Forgotten, you even close your eyes in the first place. His claw-like fingers unbuttoned his shirt on yours without difficulty, left you only in your black lace panty. 

 The feeling of temperature as if dropped significantly made you glued your body to August. Smooth skin of your chest pressed to his hot hairy one, seeking warmth. One hand secured behind your back while the other palm on your ass. Massage the globe there. 

 "Ohh…" you gasped as you felt his finger on your clothed core. 

 "Hmm… wet already, I see." he let the pad of his finger move up to your clit, while the movement of the claw added sensation to your already. Seeing your reaction, he repeated it a couple times. Made you a mess with only one of his fingers.  

 Arched your body a little bit, you were thrilled to see his expression. Traveled your hands down from his hairy chest; your eyes still focused on his face, while your palms found their way to his hard cock. 

 "Oh, so big…," slowly at first, you ran your hands at the tip of his cock. Even without looking at it, you knew it's definitely bigger than any cock you've ever seen. 

 Eyes widened as your hand slid down to the base. The other weighed his balls. "Holy…," your eyes looked down, stared in awe at his cock. 

 "Careful little lamb, you drooled on it."

 "Who's not?" You eyed him in disbelief.

 August let out a weird laugh, "I expect you to worship it, then." He looked at you with a bemused expression as you quickly worked on his length. Stroked it up and down repeatedly. 

 You go down on your knees, eyes crossed as you focused on his slit that oozed pre-cum. Unconsciously, you stuck out your tongue and brushed it on his slit. Wrapped your right hand at the base of his cock, your gaze rose up to meet his. Left handheld on his upper thigh for support as your lips covered the heat of his cock. You bobbed your head calculatedly as you accommodate him halfway. 

 "Such a good little lamb for your wolf, aren't you." August's right hand was at the back of your head as he nudged you none too gently. Made you choke at his cock, and pulled it out from your mouth. You gazed at the mix of your saliva and his precum in awe. But it didn't last long as August pulled you to your feet and picked you up. 

 He climbed up on the bed with you and laid on his back. He situated your hips and pulled it closer, so your opening was hovering on top of his face. On all four, for him. August was rewarded with a yelped and a moan as his tongue licked your clothed core. 

 The sound of fabric being ripped made you turn your head to the right. "That's my only pa— ohhh," your protest died right away as his tongue lapped your opening. The feel of his claws as he spread your ass cheeks added wonder to your pussy. 

 Trying to keep yourself busy, you swallowed the head of his cock for a starter. His cock was too big for you; your mouth can only allow half of it. Diligently, you tried to move your tongue while you suck on his cock, hands slid up and down. Feeling all the veins that encircled his length made you shuddered.

 August bucked his hips as you put one of your hands to massaging his balls. The action made you gagged as his cock entered further than before. But it didn't take a long time for you to stop due to his sudden attack on your pussy. 

 His tongue was not lapped at you anymore; it rammed inside your wet core like a starved man. You squealed as the end of his fangs scrapped at your now wet pussy. The pressure on your clit as the pad of his fingers made a circular motion left you breathless. It drove you to your high faster than you ever experienced. A surprised scream left off your lips as his tongue scraped your most sensitive part. Your body quivered as your inner walls spasm, hands held on his cock as you ride your high. 

 "Ohh— my god, ohh—my god—," you can still feel the kitten licked as August feasted on it. 

 "Ahh—that' s—that's good." You let your head rested on his left thigh. 

 "Now, for the main course." August's gruff tone pulled you back from your hazy state. His hard cock was evident on your right hand. 

 You felt your body shifted position, and now you were on your back. August spread your legs wide and shifted his position. The feeling of his heavy cock on top of your pussy made you nervous but also excited. Unconsciously you nibbled your forefingers while eyes traveled down to his long and hard cock. It made an up and down motion on your opening. You can feel your wet pussy clenched in frustration, ready to be filled. 

 "August please…," still nibbled at your fingers, you gaze at the wolf on top of you, one elbow supporting your upper body. He's so big, literally and figuratively. If you can't come back to your world, so be it. You didn't mind staying and being his plaything as long as he wanted you. 

 "Please, what my little lamb?" You pouted at that. You definitely weren't a little lamb. If anything, you should be the succubus. 

 "Please put that in me—," you writhed underneath him. 

 "Please put what?" His big body tower over you. His pupils dilated and only left a small ring of pale blue irises. His clawed fingers move up and down your thigh.

 "Ple—please, ohhhh, put that cock inside me! Fuck me, my wolf— nhhh—," your plead was answered when August suddenly pushed the head of his cock on your opening. 

 The back of your head fell to rest on the thick pillow as the intrusion of August's cock sent a surprising jolt on your body. You knew he's big. But when his cock finally spread your lips open and entered you, the overwhelming sensation was something you still didn't expect. 

 "Ohh— so big—," your pussy clenched immediately when August tried to push deeper but also slowly. The noticeable ridge of his vein scraped at your inner wall deliciously. With closed eyes, you gripped the edge of the pillow as you mumbled about how full you feel right now. 

 "Work your clit for me. Yes...make that tight pussy cream on my cock."

 "Oh—like this?" Your fore and middle fingers slowly pulled the hood and made a circular motion as August asked. 

 "Yes… Just like that…."

 It didn't take you long enough to feel the fast buildup on your lower belly. Something that never happened before. "Ohh—yes—I'm going to cum, my—ahhh," you work your clit faster as August cock made a shallow fuck inside you. 

 "Yes, cum on my cock, my little lamb. I want to see your pretty face when you cum for your wolf." His wolf tone deliciously affected your body. His growl sent an extra twitch on your clit. And you lose it when he thrust all the way inside your wet pussy. 

 You scream in ecstasy as your pussy quivered uncontrollably on his hard cock. You feel so full. The feeling of his cock all the way inside you made your brain feel as if it was submerged. Forgotten that you ever closed your eyes, you were rewarded by a sly smirk on August werewolf's face. His eyes were now all dark. His hair loosened, made the curls of it fall to his forehead. 

 "I see you enjoying yourself, my little lamb." His claws caressed your thigh gently.

 "Nnn—of course, I ahhh—I am." A little movement from August made you aware that his cock still inside you. Hard as a rock. 

 August lifted up both your knees and secured it with his hands. You lifted your upper body with your elbows as he retrieved his cock from your wet core. You gasped when you witnessed August pulled it out, inches by inches. Left only the head inside you.

 You moaned when he pushed again. Stretched you like no one else ever had. He did it slowly, knew that you still adapt to his girth. But the feeling when the tip of his cock scraped your most sensitive part every time he thrust inside you, you were tripped to your high even faster than before. 

 The moan of pleasure became incoherent as August sped up his pace. Repeated syllables of ahhh and ohhh accompanied your plead for him to fuck you like you were a female wolf. Released his pent up frustration to mate. 

 Both of you fuck like an animal who just needs to reproduce. Lust clouded the atmosphere in the room. Moaned and growled were sung like a prayer under the moonlight that shone its way to the basement. 

 His balls slapped against your ass every time he plugged in inside you. Sweats trickled down your body, and it looked even animalistic in August. His werewolf form was so majestic that you just wholly let him own you. 

 His feracious fucking looked like almost to its limit. The buzzed on your lower belly was ready to explode, but you held it.

"Fuck!" He growled.

 "Uhh—uhh—uhh—cum in me. Yes—cum in me, my wolf— filled me up with your thick hot cum!" You pleaded like a bitch in heat. 

 August slammed his cock deep inside you as he screamed and let out a long howl. The feel of his warm cum inside you triggered your orgasm. You wail as your inner walls contracted and squeezed his cock. Spurt and spurt of his cum filled your womb to the brim. Something that you never allowed any of your partners to do in the past. 

 You didn't realize that you lock both your ankles behind August ass. But also you sensed something changed. August was draped on top of your body, head sneaked at the crook of your neck. Still, in a haze caused by the release of oxytocin in your bloodstream, you missed the way August kissed turned into something more. He bit you. 

 The still clouded brain of yours pop-up an image of you becoming August omega. His only mate. Bear a litter of pups for him and live happily ever after in his house, in his world. Your pussy unconsciously clenched at his cock that was still inside you. You never really said this to anyone, but you imagine you live in another world since the first time you ever read a story about omega verse. 

 You mewled when the biting stopped. Maybe August bit you just for fun. When he craned his head up to look at you, something was different. His eyes turned back to his azure color. His fangs now short, back to its regular human teeth, and his body wasn't as hairy as he's before. He's practically not in his werewolf form anymore. 

 "You changed? Why?"

 He looked at you with his quizzical expression. "You wanted me to return to my werewolf form?" 

 You glanced away from him and kind of embarrassed to declare that his werewolf form was way hotter than his human form. Not that his human form wasn't hot either. Damn, you definitely bang him every time you can, but his werewolf form just made you curl your toes in an instant. 

 You cleared your throat and looked him in the eyes, "I like it very much."

 "Well...the full moon is still in the sky for quite some time. Are you ready for the next round, my little lamb?"

 "Yes, my wolf." You purred seductively at him and witnessed in delight his transformation before your eyes.

***

Comment, like and reblog are highly desirable! Spread the filthiness lol 💋

[inkandpen22]

Cuppa Tea, Cuppa Tea

Request: The first request is that the reader kinda is yawning a bit, but "oh, it's fine, I'm just studying a bit harder" but they're either lying and doing a bunch of work deep into the night (maybe translating old books or something) or it's insomnia, or actually studying til 4:00am or something (lots of "ors" I'm so sorry) and of course spike finds out and is like "I'm supposed to be the nocturnal one??" And I had a brief thought of somehow the reader being tricked to drink sleepy time tea or something that will make them sleep as much as they need, but idk if that would be weird 🤔 but anyway, I hope that made sense ^^;

Pairing: Spike x gender neutral reader 

Warnings: swearing 

Word Count: 1.3k 

Summary: Y/N is at Spike’s studying for a chemistry exam when Spike starts to worry for them. 

A/N: sorry for the delay!!! This was so easy to write because honestly it’s relatable. Enjoy X

Masterlist

The words on the page start to blend and nothing makes sense anymore. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to process the words I'm staring at here. I have to pass this chemistry exam. I'm not even a chem major, stupid general education classes. I hear Spike move about behind me while his Passions episode comes to an end. Being one of the token full-fledge humans in the Scooby Gang means I'm sometimes dropped off at Spike's for safekeeping. Lately, there's a water demon terrorizing Sunnydale, so I've been instructed to come straight here after classes. Yet, Spike insists on meeting me right after the lecture. He went about finding out my course schedule so he can be thereafter my last class. Since I finish when the sun is still out, he has to use the tunnels on campus. He's the definition of smothering.

"Y/N, you need to go to bed," he advises, appearing beside the crypt I'm set upon.

My notes and textbook are laid perfectly on the crypt to study.

"Five more minutes," I yawn.

The candlelight is starting to radiate enough heat to feel it. They've been going all afternoon and well into the evening. Its light is starting to burn my eyes.

"You said that twenty minutes ago," Spike sighs, kneeling next to me.

"Oh bet, I thought it was only ten," I check my watch for the time.

Spike huffs in annoyance and snatches my textbook away.

"Hey!" I reach for the pages, but he moves it away.

"I'm so supposed to be the nocturnal one! Not you!" He reminds me with a fuss.

"Ever heard of insomnia?" I sass.

"It's not healthy," he preaches, setting my textbook down.

"Nor is being undead. That's a little pot calling the kettle black," I shrug while I reopen my book to the proper page.

"The more tired you get the more annoying you are," he grumbles, tossing his head back dramatically with a sigh.

"Dope," I nod with narrowed eyes.

"I hate you," Spike growls.

"Love to hear it," I mutter subconsciously as I continue reading.

"Ugh, oh my g-"

Absentmindedly, I read the chapter on proper chemical mixing. I can't even read the periodic table, how am I supposed to remember all of this?  

I start to sing a familiar tune under my breath without much thought. "Oh say can you see by the dawn's-"

"Stop!" Suddenly, Spike's hand is covering my mouth. "Stop while you're ahead!"

"I was just getting started." My voice is muffled by his hand.

Spike slips his hand around and brings up the other to make me stare into his eyes.

"You're getting delusional!" He accuses.

"What's life without a little bad trip? Adds some spice," I dismiss carelessly.

"You're psychotic," he determines

"Says the serial killer," I shrug.

"You're! Losing! It!" He emphasizes.

"You! Eat! People!" I fire back mockingly.

"I need to so I can exist. You don't need to study to exist," he takes my textbook away again and strolls away.

"I need to so I can get a good job," I reason.

"Industrial America is overrated," he declares monotonously.

"You're also an old English man," I grumble.

"Yeah, so I know a few things," he smirks proudly.

"You never took school seriously?" I climb down from the crypt to fetch my book from him.

"Well... I went if that's what you mean. I had a rather expensive education," Spike describes vaguely.

I reach for my textbook and take it back civilly. "A White, upper-middle-class, during the Victorian Era, given a well-to-do private education? Well, color me shocked!"

"I can hardly stand you when you get in this mood. You need sleep," he rolls his eyes annoyedly.

"I hardly tolerate you every moment of every day. I need coffee," I correct.

"I will kill you," he threatens as per usual.

"Oh yes, bring me the sweet release," I grumble as I head back to my spot.

"You sicken me, you know that?" Spike questions sarcastically.

"Glad to hear it," I laugh humorlessly.

"Normally, people aren't so keen on being threatened," he reminds.

"Fair enough, granted I'm not 'normal,'" I form quotation marks with my fingers.

"Clearly," he mumbles.

"'Clearly,'" I mock his voice. "You even sound old!"

"I'm only one hundred and twenty-six!" He states, yet again, this week.

"Oh my goodness! You're right! My bad! You're practically a new spring chicken! Now get out there young one, and seize the day!" I tease.

"I'm going to make you a cup of tea," Spike declares, heading over to his make-shift kitchen. In reality, it's an electric kettle he plugs into an extension cord that's connected to somewhere outside.

"Coffee," I request, returning to my reading.

"Tea! You don't need any more coffee," he ridicules.

"You're depressing," I insult under my breath.

After a short time, Spike returns with a mug. I've managed to get through the last paragraph I've been struggling with.

"Here," he hands the white porcelain object to me.

The warmth of the mug contrasts the cold of my hands.

"What kind," I ask as I go to sip it.

"Green," he nods.

"Oo, so you are giving me caffeine," I wiggle my brows right as the liquid hits my lips.

"Only to shut you up," he sighs.

"Always the charmer," I wink.

After a moment of consideration and pondering, I can determine that this is good tea. Spike stands around waiting for my approval.

"This is nice, what brand is it?" I go in for another sip.

"An old one my mother used to use, been around for a while," he stammers.

"Lovely, thank you."

I compliment and he grumbles some response. ______________________ The sound of a distant lawnmower wakes me up in a jolt. I gasp for air, having been so deeply asleep that I hardly felt alive. I must've been more exhausted than I originally comprehended. My blurry vision adjusts to my surroundings and I'm tucked into a bed, but not my own. No, I know this bed. I've seen it before. The bright red sheets are hard to forget. Spike.

"What the-" I scream, "Spike!"

The bleach blonde vampy appears from behind a pillar across the room.

"Yes, Pet?" He says slyly, as though it's just any other morning.

"You asshole!" I curse at him as I hurry to get up.

"Feel refreshed?" He smirks.

"Did you drug me?" I come to the realization as I stand up that I don't remember falling asleep or getting into Spike's bed.

"Eh, somewhat," he explains vaguely. "I gave you camomile tea and maybe crushed up some melatonin in it."

My jaw drops, "you're insane!"

"Knocked you out like a bloody babe," he snickers, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"What time is it?!" I shake my wrist to my watch.

"Noon," Spike answers before I have the chance to check.

My eyes go wide as the harsh reality that I'm late to my class sinks in.

"Shit! Shit!" I rush to gather my things. "Fuck me! I have my test in thirty minutes!"

Spike strolls about casually around me, not giving two shits.

"You'll be fine," he assures calmly. "The sleep will help."

"It better!" I growl at the vamp.

"I'll pick you up after your class. We'll get coffee," he suggests with a smug expression.

"You don't drink coffee," I glare as I pack up my backpack.

"Damn straight, but you do. My treat," he offers.

"Oh, so kind!" I remark sarcastically as I struggle to slip my arms through my backpack and get my shoes on at the same time.

"Have fun!" He waves as I head to the door. "Good luck!"

"Fuck you!" I bid farewell as I slam the tomb door behind me.

"Coffee!" He shouts from inside as I stroll away. "Four o'clock! I'll pick you up!"

"Okay! Fine! Fine!" I yell in agreement, despite everything that just happened.

God, I hate to love him. 

__________________________

Masterlist

Tags: @mx-pibbles​

[clay-cuttlefish]

Back to this. I got sidetracked jumping around the spreadsheet and adding some random stuff, but hopefully I should hit the first Renee appearances tomorrow. I also have to track down a version of Death in the Family that has the foreword - it's by Tot and mentions Vic, and was mentioned in the letter column for 28, so it should fit somewhere in this chunk of issues on the spreadsheet.

Question #18

Here he is! I love Ollie and Vic's dynamic. They are so fascinating and so annoying.

You know you've fucked up when Ollie's calling you a dumbass.

I like how much breathing room this issue has. They get a lot of space to talk and highlight each other, which is a great foundation for the later GA crossovers.

Of the unsubtle 80s anti-gun GA stuff I've read (which isn't a lot but it's more than 0) this is one of the less interesting bits. At least it's short.

The panel composition on this issue is really well done. Making two guys talking in a truck into a pair of pages that make me pause to take them in is impressive.

#19

Vic choosing to get the doll fixed is a really strong moment.

Overall, the way Augie is treated is surprisingly good? It's definitely played for creepiness at first, but he's just a guy living a surprisingly decent life for Hub City, Vic tries to actually help him and doesn't judge him for being delusional, and he ends up totally fine.

The parallel between Vic's mask and Myra's makeup, and her choice to discard it, is just. Waugh. She's just as dedicated to trying to figure out the right thing as he is, but she's not hiding any of it!

Myra kissing Maurice is still a very weird moment.

Detective Comics - Fables part 1

Spectacularly terrible opening, 0/10.

It's so weird to see the Penguin after this long of a stretch without supervillains. Yeah Talia shows up first but she's way less gimmicky and the page is pretty calm. He's here in full force with the monocle and bird jokes.

Shiva <333

I don't believe for a fucking second that asking Vic is the best way Shiva can think of to find Batman. I really like it, don't get me wrong. Vic's hacker exposition about making a post on the internet is hilarious, calling Batman Pointy-Ears is hilarious, "Matins" is such a Catholicism Moment, it's good stuff. I just think this is way less likely to work than going to Gotham and punching cops until Batman shows up.

Oh my god this is such a stupid villain plot. What do you mean it doesn't affect people with high testosterone. What do you mean Bruce already knows what it is. Why does Ra's have that. Why would that be the effect you choose for this story.

I'm sure this Bruce and Talia plot is better when read in context but it's still some excellent drama. Love them.

...gender?

Green Arrow - Fables part 2

The overarching plot of Fables isn't good, the O-Sensei is a boring Orientalist stereotype, but all of the subplots are very strong examples of why I care about each series. Scrap the whole O-Sensei thing in the first two issues and just have it be Shiva picking fights and finding people to help someone she knows and it'd be better.

Dinahollie <3

I love getting to see Shiva doing her thing. She's so chill, it's fun to see her in her element :)

Dinahshiva <3

Shiva loves to put some weird little freak in a situation and see if it makes them better or worse, and it sucks she doesn't get to do that anymore.

Question - Fables part 3

All of these issues have great looks for Shiva. Style icon.

Hey, Vic's terrible secret identity came back to bite him!

"Van der Waal's equation" isn't complete technobabble - the Van der Waal's force is a decent explanation for a multi-use adhesive, at least by comic book standards, and would explain why the mask never seems "sticky" and why the chemistry on getting it to stay is so finicky.

It's interesting that Vic doesn't even try to get Shiva to not kill people. He might be self-sacrificing, but he's not that dumb.

Oh my god Bruce you are such a dramatic bitch.

I kinda see what they were going for with the O-Sensei here, at least. Still think it'd be better if he wasn't a ridiculous legendary fighter.

Drowning motif! Shiva's perspective is so interesting - she's able to do anything she puts the effort into, and she expects that to be true of everyone else.

#20

The cover layout is unique this issue, which is a neat touch.

I always like that characters get to say stuff that's sort of dumb. Vic no-selling Myra's joke about boomerang rocks is a nice reminder that they do really like and feel comfortable around each other, even when things are rough.

Honestly not a ton to say about this issue. It makes its point well, I like it.

In the letter pages: the return of Hair Discourse.

#21

This plotline's back!

He just like me fr (misreading signals on a date, resisting the urge to deck his high school classmates)

Seriously though, it's nice to get a look into Vic's very normal problems. Not everything wrong with him is related to being the Question.

This is one of my favourite single issues. I can't quite put words on why - everything about it just works, and there's nothing about it that I want to pick at.

#22

Election Day is the best arc in the run.

The opening spread is full of excellent expressions - Wesley's really lean into the more distorted and exaggerated end of Cowan's art, while Myra's are all subtle, exhausted frustration. I appreciate that she's consistently drawn with sunken cheeks and eye bags.

Maurice getting to be serious is a strong moment. He's been a good source of banter for Myra before this, so having him get invested and take the consequences seriously is a good way to ground the stakes, and to give Myra someone who's genuinely on her side without having to rely on Vic.

It's interesting that Shiva pays close enough attention to what Vic's up to on a regular basis that she'd know who to send. Even when she's not around, she still gets to drive the story.

#23

This issue got me the first time I read it. The history flashback is a weird choice, but it sets the tone perfectly, and the time constantly being shown is a throwback to the first issue that makes it feel super tense. So much of the series has long time skips, waiting to heal or get phone calls or for anything to happen, but now every minute counts. The news reports punctuating it work so well.

Vic dropping everything when he reads Tot's name is so...

Myra goes off, and she damn well deserves it. The difference in how her expressions feel between this and the opening of #22 is a testament to Cowan's work.

The quoting of a line from five pages ago is maybe a little unnecessary. These panels would stand perfectly well on their own.

#24

It's hard to make a deus ex machina feel "earned", but if anything does, it's this.

Kind of a dumb thing but who tells this story with a beaver? I'm not losing it, right, it's the Scorpion and the Frog?

The historical flashback turning out in Myra's favor is a fantastic bit of subversion. When I first read this, I was certain that Wesley was going to shoot Myra during the blackout, and Dinsmore dying and Myra talking about how bad winning felt made me lower my guard and think he might kill himself publicly instead. Funny how that works.

I didn't catch what he meant until the next issue on my first read (in my defence, I'm not American) but wow Wesley's not subtle about his assassination plans to anyone. I mean, I caught that much, but he's really not subtle.

Myra and Vic's relationship makes me want to explode. I just want them to be happy together! Aaaaa!

#25

Everything happens so much. The pace just does not let up.

Vic falls into bad habits, again, but he does a better job staying focused and not letting the anger take over - it's good development.

Wesley's death is everything the shitty racist cop issue fails to be. He's a sad, awful little man with a broken moral compass and a lot of enablers, and he dies refusing to recognize it.

The letters column: a woman wrote in a while back about how male comic fans are creeps and Vic still has some personal growth to do when it comes to being less sexist, and some men are being freaks about it. These fuckers haven't changed in thirty years.

#26

If I ignore the part of my brain that hates this as a Riddler story and pretend he's an OC, it's a fine breather issue. Unfortunately I am bad at doing that.

Some very caricature-y guest art this issue. It's a neat look in some panels, and sometimes it's more subtle, but a lot of it is scrungled enough that I can't take what's happening seriously.

this is Vic and Tot in the car, to me

Love that Tot takes stopping Vic from self-destructing into his own hands, and that Vic bitches but doesn't do anything stupid to try and stop him.

The idea of Vic chewing out the Riddler with more difficult questions is an interesting idea, but I don't love the effect of him monologuing about a bunch of pretty standard ~deep~ questions and well known koans, and the Riddler just going "yeah i'm afraid of those" is dumb.

I dunno - it feels like a bit of a waste for the one time Vic faces an established villain to be so meh. I like Sphinx, at least, and the reappearance of the drowning motif is cool.

#27

The weirdest issue, I think.

I really like all the Vic sections, and I'm not opposed to meta shit, but this is pretty jarring. Tot's weird cousin and his racist magic is not helping the tone of the Ditko callback.

I like that Tot has a weird cousin who was a bad comic artist. He has connections outside of Vic, they're just also weird as hell.

The Ditko callback is great. "You gotta pull me up." "Why?", and then the slow drop before Vic grabs him? Mwah. Perfect. I'm a sucker for this shit. Even when he's falling into bad habits, he's still a better person than he used to be!

#28

Shiva :)

Vic responding to Tot telling him not to lie to himself by suddenly gaining sunglasses kills the mood a bit, but it's also very good. What is wrong with him.

Myra wakes up from a coma, ditches the hospital, and immediately makes a very risky plan. Good for her.

Everyone's in top form this issue, it's great.