#and it's not their fault that they aren't telling the whole truth!! they can only remember so much!

[starheirxero]

Sooo, I thought about Lunar going He only hit me once about Eclipse, and stumbled across this really cool tumblr Blog talking about it

https://www.tumblr.com/annakenziesworld/750845019184922624/eclipse-only-ever-really-hit-me-once?source=share

I wanted to show you the angst, like a puppy shows it's owner a cool stick it found

Me to Lunar: Why the fuck you lying, WHY YOU ALWAYS LYING🎶

YEYSYESYYES I SAW THAT !!!! I've been thinking abt it sm since I saw it actually bc, while it was likely just a case of "it happened so long ago we forgor what happened", it can 100% be interpreted as Lunar repressing most of the memories from that time and only remembering the most "major" event and it's so fascinating to me! Bc like, I've thought it was weird they said he only hit them once too, bc I've always distinctly remembered Lunar telling Moon that Eclipse hit him twice!!

But as the clips show, honestly, it's a good bit over twice!! It's just probably likely that Lunar didn't clock it as anything notable or important because Eclipse just... kinda always treated them like that. They remembered the two hardest hits because those were particularly upsetting, but everything else just blended into the mix of "shitty ways Eclipse treats me." yk??? And then over time, more shit got repressed or forgotten, and they can only remember the day in the cafe.

Like again I know it's very likely entirely accidental, but it ended up being a pretty solid way to show memory issues via trauma! And that's not even accounting for the fact that depression (and their retconned ADHD 😔) can also cause memory problems!! So this little blunder can be attributed to their fucked up mental health in-universe which is both cool rep!! but also breaks my heart over Lunar so much BSJABSJS

[scribblesofagoonerr]

Family, not by blood but by choice instead | awfc x teen!reader

I previously posted on another account, however, I didn't realise a second blog wouldn't allow me to follow people, so I am reposting again on my new one.

Let me know what you all think!

You should have known, there was tell-tail signs all throughout the last several years and yet you were so blind about it all.

Your mother was a narcissist, she was manipulative and gaslighted you your whole life, you were always made out to the bad guy and she was the victim.

It was clear as day to anyone on the outside, but your nieve self just chose to always believe different about things.

Looking back on the several years of your childhood, you had always thought you upbringing wasn't completely terrible. It was just the 2 of you, only your mum and you ever since you could remember. Your parents ended up splitting up when you were really little but ever since that day, you had always been made out to be the reason for their seperation.

You had always wonderd how it could be your fault. You was only 3 when he walked out, so how could it really be like that?

"You were always too much to handle. He couldn't cope," Your mum would say, all of them long nights when you would wrap your tiny arms around her and sob your little heart out to her.

"I'm here, you've got me. You've only ever got me," Her words were embedded in your head from the day that you'd decided to try and have an open conversation about the possibility of finding your dad. "Why go and find him? Haven't I been good enough. I'm the one that's looked after you all of these years and this is the thanks that I get in return?" It was always something that like, always a guiltrip and it was something that she knew would work well.

The harsh statement of the most recent conversation with the older woman left a bitter taste in your mouth and make you question every single thing in life.

"Aren't you happy for me? I made it, mum!" You exclaimed, you were happy enough to want to share the news with your mum but you found so dumbfound by her response which left you feeling shame and judgement for even wanting to tell her.

"Yes you have made it Y/N but you know, you only have me to thank for that now, don't you?" Your mum once again found a way to make it about herself, regardless of the situation;  It was always and only ever about her. "I'm sure that you can find some way to thank me though. All of those years and the amount I have spent on football boots for you. You'd be nowhere if it wasn't for me and I think you owe me now, don't you?" she told you.

You remember feeling stunned by her words, there was a lot of emotions that you had felt building up inside as you were ultimately confused how she'd somehow managed to twist this to make it all about herself but of course she was quick enough to make an excuse to end the call when she grew bored of talking to you.

You should have knew better, every phone call always ended up being the same way and it always left you with a feeling of guilt for making a life for yourself and that phone call that night wasn't any different. You had just been so excited to spill the news, however that excitment soon faded and was replaced by confused feelings of upset and anger once you'd told her, you fought to hold in your tears during the initial phone call but you were on the verge of breaking by the time she had hung up.

That phone call was the one you told her about making it into the national team, you had only been a part of Arsenal womens' first team for under a year and it felt like a massive achievement to be selected to represent your country and immediately you couldn't wait to share the news with your mum - You thought that she'd be pleased for you but you couldn't be further away from the truth.

Ever since that phone call, you had tried your hardest to distance yourself from your mum but it hurt to do that. The women was the only blood related family member that you had, it had only ever been the 2 of you, together through thick and thin.

Flash forward to now, the current time where you are sitting on the sofa, you had returned home after a long training session and you couldn't help but think about it that conversation on a constant loop in your head. 

"You were quiet tonight kidda," Leah perched on the arm of sofa as looked at you in concern. "I'm about to start cookin' tea. How's chicken dippers and smiley faces sound, eh?" she suggested.

"Mhm. Sure that sounds good to me," You mumbled as you kept your eyes focused on nothing but the telly.

The truth was that the conversation was constantly replaying in your head; The conversation, the bitterness and manipulation, every time you thought about it it then made you think of every other time that something like this happened.

Maybe your childhood wasn't as great as you really thought?

"Okay then... Is there anything that you want to talk about?" The blonde questioned, hoping for a bit more of an insight on your mood; Returning from her own rehab session, the entire car ride had been quiet compared to normal and the older woman couldn't help but feel something wasn't right.

"Nope," You stood firm in your reply, shaking your head as you kept your eyes glued on the TV screen; You couldn't really say that you payed much attention to whatever it was, the noise was pretty much a blur that was playing in the background.

"Are you sure?" Leah questioned, frowning worriedly as she took note of the tears welling up in your eyes. "Kidda, what's the matter? You look like you're gonna cry." she stated.

"I... I'm fine," You mumbled, fighting hard to keep the tears at bay until you could escape to your bedroom and allow yourself to be vulnerable and alone. You'd always felt complete shame to show any sort of vunterability in front of anyone, let alone the blonde footballer who'd virtually taken you under her wing ever since you joined during the transfer break of 2022.

You'd always been told that crying showed weakness and you refused to be seen as weak.

"Okay," Leah was quick to drop the subject when she realised you weren't going to open and talk about things. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it but just remember that I'm always here to listen. Anytime that you want too, alright?" she told you.

Unfortunately you were stubborn to not give in and blurt everything out in the open. You were just trying to wrap your head around the idea of things and see things for how they really were.

"Uh huh," You mumbled a response as you got up from the sofa and trudged in the direction of your bedroom.

Leah exhaled a sigh as she shook her head, herself heading into the kitchen to make a start on dinner. The woman knew better than to try and get you to talk if you didn't want too.

She'd always been around to witness the moments like this and the backlash of it. Of course the blonde knew this was all stemmed down to one person causing you to be like this and she hated that you were left upset every single time.

Every single time you and your mum fought, you'd always ended up quiet and in a bad mood, often resulting in lashing out at people around you as a coping mechanism.

None of the girls ever took it to heart, they were old enough to realise that none of your anger was directly aimed at them and there was bigger issues to be dealt with.

The Arsenal women all had their own opinions on the teens' mother but they would never voice them out loud to you. It wouldn't be fair on the youngest in the squad even after the countless times they had seen the girl upset by her own mums actions.

Ever since the teen had moved in, there had been several nights where Leah would be the one to comfort the girl and pick up the peices, waking up in the middle of the night to hear the teen's heartbroken sobs and feeling her own heart shatter every single time, wanting nothing more than take away any sort of pain the girl was experiencing.

It was heartbreaking for all of the team to witness and always sought out to comfort the teen no matter the situation. They knew that no matter they say, they couldn't stop her contacting her and she would be able to make her own decision soon enough when she turned 18 and until then they'd be the ones' to pick up the broken pieces when the mum let her daughter down.

They were your family, not by blood but by choice. You'd probably be lost without them sometimes.

"I... I should have realised sooner," You thought to yourself as you lay crumpled up on your bed that following night, it was almost near 4 in the morning and you were still wide awake with things racing through your head.

You couldn't help but think about things, how you should have noticed the tell-tail signs of her gaslighting you were old enough to properly realise, that was your first mistake.

Your second being that you believed her manipulation, she would always twist things to make her seem like the victim in all different situations - back when you were a child and even now as an adult.

How long it had taken you finally realise it after all of these years. Why hadn't you realised it sooner?

Without realising, you were sobbing aloud as you clutched on to your pillow tightly - the pent up anger was replaced by complete sadness and loss. You only ever wanted the approval of your mum about things and you fought so hard for it.

The phone call, the hopeful seal of approval...  Every time it always seemed to be the same type of emotions when you spoke to your mum - It was a vicious cycle of emotional abuse, or so you'd been told from other people and you never wanted to believe it.

Only problem was that you'd not been able to see it yourself, even if it was clear as day. Even if regardless of a psychological therapist telling you this, you refused to believe them words. Nor your team mates, who had realised it the first time they had the chance to meet her and even then you wouldn't listen or hear them out.

It was your mum, your flesh and blood so how could she be like that? You had never been able to wrap your head around it.

The sound of sobs were what woke Leah up, she was quick to pad out of her bedroom and down the hall to where your bedroom was. "Kidda?" The women pushed the door open and her heart cracked to see you looking so distraught and vulnerable.

The blonde was quick to move to be right beside you, she was always the one to comfort you and she wouldn't ever stop doing that as long as you needed her.

"Hey, kidda. Come here," The blonde scooped you up in her arms and rocked you all while she ran her slender fingers through your messy bedhead. "You're okay. I'm here," she reassured you.

Leah was always patient enough to wait for you to calm down before she gave you the chance to speak, she wouldn't ever push you to talk if you didn't want too.

"L... Le," You cried aloud as you clutched onto her. You breath became shaky as sobs wracked your body.

"I'm here, it's okay," Leah spoke calmly, continuing to try and comfort you the best way she knew but she already knew it was going to be a long night ahead of them - An emotional night that would leave you drained tomorrow.

A vicious cycle of on a loop.

"Ready to tell me what's going on inside that head of yours, huh?" The blonde tried to carefully ask.

There was another brief pause of silence, nothing but the quiet sobs coming from you as the blonde continued to comfort you and reassure you that she was here and not leaving you.

To Leah's surprise, you did open up this time around, even if you didn't mean too.

"I should have realised. I should have... I should have realised," You made the mistake to speak aloud rather than think it like you thought you had.

"You should have realised what, kidda?" Leah questioned, confused about what you meant.

You snap your head in the blondes' direction as you bit your bottom lip, debating whether to be open with your thoughts that you tried so hard to keep buried inside.

"About my mum... I should have realised," You repeated your words as you fought the tears from spilling. "She's so... She's so-- Why does everything I tell her, why does it always get turned back around so it's about her?" That was it. You blurted out your own feelings - There was no hiding how you felt anymore.

Leah smiled sympathetically and moved onto the sofa to sit closer to you, wrapping her free arm around your shoulder to comfort you, "I... I don't know kidda," she spoke honestly.

"So many people, so many people have told me-- They've warned me about her but I have... I never wanted to listen," You confessed, the tears openly rolled down your cheeks and you probably looked a right blubbering mess but you couldn't stop your emotions pouring out. "And now... Now I finally realise how it's always been. Why is she like that, Le?" You asked.

"I can't say I know the answer to that one kidda, I wish I knew," Leah replied, exhaling a sigh as she couldn't fathem herself how a mother could be like that with her own child, she felt so much for the girl and always wished she could make the situation better for her. "Listen, I know it's hard but you've got us. All of us girls here at Arsenal and you're so loved by all of us." she told you.

"I... I just want her to love me, and she just... she doesn't even care about my feelings!" You stated, roughly wiping at your tear stained cheeks angrily to the point that you made them red. "Why does she always throw everything back in my face? Everything that I have ever done, she's always made it about her... Always!" you cried.

"I know, I know it hurts... I know it does," You kept your head buried in the blondes' chest as you hiccuped from the sudden breakdown in the middle of the night. "And I am sorry that you have to go through this. It's not fair on you kidda." Leah added, biting her bottom lip.

All of emotion had led you feeling exhausted in the end, you fought it hard to keep your eyes open as you lay slumped against the blonde woman.

"Come on let's get you back into bed, yeah? I mean you're almost falling asleep on me here, kidda," Leah joked with you, hoping for you to even crack a small smile as she gently moved you back to your bed and tucked you in under the duvet. "I'm so sorry you have had to deal with the kidda but you know you have a family here with us. We may not be blood but we really love you kidda." You heard the faint words spoken to you as you felt your eye lids close, completely warn out.

Sure, the Arsenal women weren't family by blood but instead they were family by choice and that was more important. They were there for you whenever you needed them and you knew you felt safe with them around. You truly felt happy with your chosen family.

[slackerlifewhere]

In defense of Ron Molan

Since I already wrote a post about Deruth, I'm going to make one for Ron as well because I'm absolutely confused why some readers hate him too.

Fair warning once again, if you haven't read or finished the first volume of TCF, please be prepared for SPOILERS. Thanks!

So...this is going to be a long post too. Be prepared lmao

Isekai and Abandonment

Like with Deruth, the most common thing some readers hate about Ron, is how he abandoned OG Cale and didn't seem to notice a difference when Cale and Kim Rok Soo got swapped.

Like I mentioned in my post about Deruth, please put yourself in their shoes before criticizing or hating them. Imagine this.

You noticed that a friend or family of yours, someone who you know for how many years, suddenly changed. The changes aren't obvious. There are some parts of their personality that are still them and some that have changed. What would you first think?

Transmigration? Long lost twin? Clone? Possession? No. The first thing you'll probably think is they have a problem that they can't tell you or maybe they just want to change. You'll be confused but you won't think too much about it. It happened but what are you gonna do about it? Ask them? And if they don't tell you why, would you push for it? Maybe you'll continue to watch and see if you'll find something incriminating but it won't ever answer your questions unless the other person talks.

So is Ron at fault for not noticing this after serving OG Cale since he was a baby (and changed his diapers lmao)?

Yes and no.

He should've asked Cale, former KRS, more about the topic. He should've pushed because he's an assassin. It's his job to know more. But he didn't push because there is some truth to Cale's first impression of Ron.

He cares for OG Cale but it's not enough for him to leave behind his thirst for revenge and completing his goals. And in all honesty, I find it logical for him to leave OG Cale to join Choi Han in TBoaH.

He lost his whole family to Arm, with only Beacrox as his reminder of what he lost. He was accepted as a butler for the Henituse family but that doesn't mean he forgot his past as an assassin. He'll always be an assassin and he'll leave behind whatever attachments he has depending on how useful that attachment is.

He only stayed in TCF because OG Cale was replaced with Kim Rok Soo. He was intrigued but not enough to completely leave his mission. It only changed when Cale got angry when he lost his arm and helped him gain a new one. He now owes Cale a debt.

Before, he owes the Henituse family a debt because they gave him a place where he and his son can hide in. He repaid that by being their butler and possible protector from other assassins or danger (tbh I dunno if they know he's an assassin). Still, his mind is focused on any opportunity to find and kill the organization that ruined his life. So it was easy for him to leave when he first noticed the connection Choi Han has with Arm.

Saying he abandoned Cale because he doesn't care is not completely wrong but it's also not completely right. He has layers. (Like Shrek and his onion lmao)

Lemon tea and Scary butlers

Another reason why some readers don't like Ron is, funnily enough, because of the lemon tea that he keeps giving Cale. And because he scares Cale.

Lemon tea? Seriously?

Some say Cale hates it and Ron keeps giving the drink. They say it shows that he doesn't care about his master and that he disrespects him. And yet, here I am just finding this absolutely hilarious.

Personally, I don't like tea so I understand why Cale doesn't like lemon tea. But I just see this interaction with Ron as a comedic relief and them bonding in their weird way. Sure, it gets repetitive, but after looking up what benefits a person gets from drinking lemon tea and knowing all the mess Cale gets into 24/7, it's pretty tame that lemon tea is the only thing he gives to Cale. These two are so emotionally stunted but that doesn't mean Cale will stay quiet if he truly doesn't like the tea Ron keeps giving him.

He's the master and Ron is the butler. Ron and Beacrox are both loyal to him. He can order Ron to stop giving him lemon tea anytime he wants. He talked down stupid nobles and priests for worse things they did and didn't do (because of Mary). I don't believe he can't tell Ron that he's being disrespectful to Cale as his butler.

If your reason is Cale is too scared of Ron to tell him to stop, then I think you don't understand their dynamic.

Cale finds everyone, not just Ron, scary. He finds the kids scary. He finds Choi Han scary. He finds the Whale Tribe scary. They're OP and can kill him before he can blink. And yet he's very close to all of them.

Ron scares him because Ron is an assassin and is very good at his job. And honestly? A normal person would be scared of Ron. But the difference is, Cale is not normal and he can also kill anyone if he wants to (are his ancient powers and skills he gained as KRS decoration to you guys?). Him being "scared" is him being respectful of Ron's abilities. He acknowledges Ron's strength but also finds the way he smiles when he can kill someone, "scary" (understandable).

So no, the whole lemon tea thing and him being scared of Ron that he can't tell him to stop giving the stupid tea doesn't make sense as a reason for hating or disliking Ron.

Oh, and last thing.

Ron actually gave Cale a sweet tea once early in the novel. I think it was before the war and Cale was stressed with a lot of things, including maintaining the shield around the territory. So...yeah, he shows concern for Cale in his own twisted way.

Again, layers.

___

That's my opinion about the matter. In short, Ron is a human being who can be selfish and dangerous. He's a person who has emotions despite being an assassin. He has his own goals. It's not that hard to understand him.

[crownmemes]

Sad Sentences, Vol. 6

(Sad sentences from various sources. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"How can I tell what's real and what's not?"

"Do you remember how many times you said you loved me?"

"It was my fault he got shot!"

"You said I could be whole, but how can that happen now?"

"Love is something I can never feel again."

"I'm so sorry for what I've become."

"I'll get better. I always get better."

"I had to do what I thought was right."

"We're all alone in the world. I have you, you have me. Only for a little while, I mean."

"It's not really letting go of the past that sticks with you. It's coming to terms with letting go of the future that'll never be."

"You get distracted by pain. It leaves less room for the things you don't want to think about."

"The world is divided into two parts - those who have friends, and those who are lonely."

"A man lost his life, and I took it. You don't want to know how that feels. You don't ever want to know how that feels."

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me, and that should count for something, but it doesn't. It just doesn't."

"For me to be loved for the first time ever... You can't imagine what it's like."

"They say I'm the smartest man in the world, but the truth is I've often felt stupid at being unable to relate to anyone."

"The only difference between me and you is that I made some bad decisions, and you made some good ones."

"Relax. You can't see everything coming."

"I don't exactly know where I fit in."

"I have to tell you some news that's pretty bad..."

"Why are you doing this?"

"My life is just one big joke."

"I'm packing to leave, and I won't be coming back."

"You're the only human being in my entire life who ever gave me hope."

"You wouldn't want to spend your future on a man like me."

"I'm glad that you came into my life, even if it was only for a little while."

"If you put your faith in people, eventually they're going to break your heart."

"I'm tired of being afraid."

"Do you regret marrying me?"

"You can either have a life with me, or you can have a life with him. It can't be both."

"I thought we were going to grow old together..."

"What did I do that filled you with so much hate?"

"You're my only remaining link to the world."

"What value is money, or even life, without love?"

"You know, you don't have to keep humouring me like this."

"Hope can be a horrible thing."

"Some relationships aren't meant to happen."

"I was in love once."

"At some point, you'll need something more. You'll need someone who can give you something I can't."

"I hate feeling like a victim! I don't like it!"

[scribblesofagooner]

Family, not by blood but by choice instead | awfc x reader

I messed up on this blog so I made a new one which is @scribblesofagoonerr so I’m gonna be posting over on there instead now.

You should have known, there was tell-tail signs all throughout the last several years and yet you were so blind about it all.

Your mother was a narcissist, she was manipulative and gaslighted you your whole life, you were always made out to the bad guy and she was the victim.

It was clear as day to anyone on the outside, but your niave self just chose to always believe different about things.

Looking back on the several years of your childhood, you had always thought you upbringing wasn't completely terrible. It was just the 2 of you, only your mum and you ever since you could remember. Your parents ended up splitting up when you were really little but ever since that day, you had always been made out to be the reason for their seperation.

You had always wonderd how it could be your fault. You was only 3 when he walked out, so how could it really be like that?

"You were always too much to handle. He couldn't cope," Your mum would say, all of them long nights when you would wrap your tiny arms around her and sob your little heart out to her.

"I'm here, you've got me. You've only ever got me," Her words were embedded in your head from the day that you'd decided to try and have an open conversation about the possibility of finding your dad. "Why go and find him? Haven't I been good enough. I'm the one that's looked after you all of these years and this is the thanks that I get in return?" It was always something that like, always a guiltrip and it was something that she knew would work well.

The harsh statement of the most recent conversation with the older woman left a bitter taste in your mouth and make you question every single thing in life.

"Aren't you happy for me? I made it, mum!" You exclaimed, you were happy enough to want to share the news with your mum but you found so dumbfound by her response which left you feeling shame and judgement for even wanting to tell her.

"Yes you have made it Y/N but you know, you only have me to thank for that now, don't you?" Your mum once again found a way to make it about herself, regardless of the situation;  It was always and only ever about her. "I'm sure that you can find some way to thank me though. All of those years and the amount I have spent on football boots for you. You'd be nowhere if it wasn't for me and I think you owe me now, don't you?" she told you.

You remember feeling stunned by her words, there was a lot of emotions that you had felt building up inside as you were ultimately confused how she'd somehow managed to twist this to make it all about herself but of course she was quick enough to make an excuse to end the call when she grew bored of talking to you.

You should have knew better, every phone call always ended up being the same way and it always left you with a feeling of guilt for making a life for yourself and that phone call that night wasn't any different. You had just been so excited to spill the news, however that excitment soon faded and was replaced by confused feelings of upset and anger once you'd told her, you fought to hold in your tears during the initial phone call but you were on the verge of breaking by the time she had hung up.

That phone call was the one you told her about making it into the national team, you had only been a part of Arsenal womens' first team for under a year and it felt like a massive achievement to be selected to represent your country and immediately you couldn't wait to share the news with your mum - You thought that she'd be pleased for you but you couldn't be further away from the truth.

Ever since that phone call, you had tried your hardest to distance yourself from your mum but it hurt to do that. The women was the only blood related family member that you had, it had only ever been the 2 of you, together through thick and thin.

Flash forward to now, the current time where you are sitting on the sofa, you had returned home after a long training session and you couldn't help but think about it that conversation on a constant loop in your head. 

"You were quiet tonight kidda," Leah perched on the arm of sofa as looked at you in concern. "I'm about to start cookin' tea. How's chicken dippers and smiley faces sound, eh?" she suggested.

"Mhm. Sure that sounds good to me," You mumbled as you kept your eyes focused on nothing but the telly.

The truth was that the conversation was constantly replaying in your head; The conversation, the bitterness and manipulation, every time you thought about it it then made you think of every other time that something like this happened.

Maybe your childhood wasn't as great as you really thought?

"Okay then... Is there anything that you want to talk about?" The blonde questioned, hoping for a bit more of an insight on your mood; Returning from her own rehab session, the entire car ride had been quiet compared to normal and the older woman couldn't help but feel something wasn't right.

"Nope," You stood firm in your reply, shaking your head as you kept your eyes glued on the TV screen; You couldn't really say that you payed much attention to whatever it was, the noise was pretty much a blur that was playing in the background.

"Are you sure?" Leah questioned, frowning worriedly as she took note of the tears welling up in your eyes. "Kidda, what's the matter? You look like you're gonna cry." she stated.

"I... I'm fine," You mumbled, fighting hard to keep the tears at bay until you could escape to your bedroom and allow yourself to be vulnerable and alone. You'd always felt complete shame to show any sort of vunterability in front of anyone, let alone the blonde footballer who'd virtually taken you under her wing ever since you joined during the transfer break of 2022.

You'd always been told that crying showed weakness and you refused to be seen as weak.

"Okay," Leah was quick to drop the subject when she realised you weren't going to open and talk about things. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it but just remember that I'm always here to listen. Anytime that you want too, alright?" she told you.

Unfortunately you were stubborn to not give in and blurt everything out in the open. You were just trying to wrap your head around the idea of things and see things for how they really were.

"Uh huh," You mumbled a response as you got up from the sofa and trudged in the direction of your bedroom.

Leah exhaled a sigh as she shook her head, herself heading into the kitchen to make a start on dinner. The woman knew better than to try and get you to talk if you didn't want too.

She'd always been around to witness the moments like this and the backlash of it. Of course the blonde knew this was all stemmed down to one person causing you to be like this and she hated that you were left upset every single time.

Every single time you and your mum fought, you'd always ended up quiet and in a bad mood, often resulting in lashing out at people around you as a coping mechanism.

None of the girls ever took it to heart, they were old enough to realise that none of your anger was directly aimed at them and there was bigger issues to be dealt with.

The Arsenal women all had their own opinions on the teens' mother but they would never voice them out loud to you. It wouldn't be fair on the youngest in the squad even after the countless times they had seen the girl upset by her own mums actions.

Ever since the teen had moved in, there had been several nights where Leah would be the one to comfort the girl and pick up the peices, waking up in the middle of the night to hear the teen's heartbroken sobs and feeling her own heart shatter every single time, wanting nothing more than take away any sort of pain the girl was experiencing.

It was heartbreaking for all of the team to witness and always sought out to comfort the teen no matter the situation. They knew that no matter they say, they couldn't stop her contacting her and she would be able to make her own decision soon enough when she turned 18 and until then they'd be the ones' to pick up the broken pieces when the mum let her daughter down.

They were your family, not by blood but by choice. You'd probably be lost without them sometimes.

"I... I should have realised sooner," You thought to yourself as you lay crumpled up on your bed that following night, it was almost near 4 in the morning and you were still wide awake with things racing through your head.

You couldn't help but think about things, how you should have noticed the tell-tail signs of her gaslighting you were old enough to properly realise, that was your first mistake.

Your second being that you believed her manipulation, she would always twist things to make her seem like the victim in all different situations - back when you were a child and even now as an adult.

How long it had taken you finally realise it after all of these years. Why hadn't you realised it sooner?

Without realising, you were sobbing aloud as you clutched on to your pillow tightly - the pent up anger was replaced by complete sadness and loss. You only ever wanted the approval of your mum about things and you fought so hard for it.

The phone call, the hopeful seal of approval...  Every time it always seemed to be the same type of emotions when you spoke to your mum - It was a vicious cycle of emotional abuse, or so you'd been told from other people and you never wanted to believe it.

Only problem was that you'd not been able to see it yourself, even if it was clear as day. Even if regardless of a psychological therapist telling you this, you refused to believe them words. Nor your team mates, who had realised it the first time they had the chance to meet her and even then you wouldn't listen or hear them out.

It was your mum, your flesh and blood so how could she be like that? You had never been able to wrap your head around it.

The sound of sobs were what woke Leah up, she was quick to pad out of her bedroom and down the hall to where your bedroom was. "Kidda?" The women pushed the door open and her heart cracked to see you looking so distraught and vulnerable.

The blonde was quick to move to be right beside you, she was always the one to comfort you and she wouldn't ever stop doing that as long as you needed her.

"Hey, kidda. Come here," The blonde scooped you up in her arms and rocked you all while she ran her slender fingers through your messy bedhead. "You're okay. I'm here," she reassured you.

Leah was always patient enough to wait for you to calm down before she gave you the chance to speak, she wouldn't ever push you to talk if you didn't want too.

"L... Le," You cried aloud as you clutched onto her. You breath became shaky as sobs wracked your body.

"I'm here, it's okay," Leah spoke calmly, continuing to try and comfort you the best way she knew but she already knew it was going to be a long night ahead of them - An emotional night that would leave you drained tomorrow.

A vicious cycle of on a loop.

"Ready to tell me what's going on inside that head of yours, huh?" The blonde tried to carefully ask.

There was another brief pause of silence, nothing but the quiet sobs coming from you as the blonde continued to comfort you and reassure you that she was here and not leaving you.

To Leah's surprise, you did open up this time around, even if you didn't mean too.

"I should have realised. I should have... I should have realised," You made the mistake to speak aloud rather than think it like you thought you had.

"You should have realised what, kidda?" Leah questioned, confused about what you meant.

You snap your head in the blondes' direction as you bit your bottom lip, debating whether to be open with your thoughts that you tried so hard to keep buried inside.

"About my mum... I should have realised," You repeated your words as you fought the tears from spilling. "She's so... She's so-- Why does everything I tell her, why does it always get turned back around so it's about her?" That was it. You blurted out your own feelings - There was no hiding how you felt anymore.

Leah smiled sympathetically and moved onto the sofa to sit closer to you, wrapping her free arm around your shoulder to comfort you, "I... I don't know kidda," she spoke honestly.

"So many people, so many people have told me-- They've warned me about her but I have... I never wanted to listen," You confessed, the tears openly rolled down your cheeks and you probably looked a right blubbering mess but you couldn't stop your emotions pouring out. "And now... Now I finally realise how it's always been. Why is she like that, Le?" You asked.

"I can't say I know the answer to that one kidda, I wish I knew," Leah replied, exhaling a sigh as she couldn't fathem herself how a mother could be like that with her own child, she felt so much for the girl and always wished she could make the situation better for her. "Listen, I know it's hard but you've got us. All of us girls here at Arsenal and you're so loved by all of us." she told you.

"I... I just want her to love me, and she just... she doesn't even care about my feelings!" You stated, roughly wiping at your tear stained cheeks angrily to the point that you made them red. "Why does she always throw everything back in my face? Everything that I have ever done, she's always made it about her... Always!" you cried.

"I know, I know it hurts... I know it does," You kept your head buried in the blondes' chest as you hiccuped from the sudden breakdown in the middle of the night. "And I am sorry that you have to go through this. It's not fair on you kidda." Leah added, biting her bottom lip.

All of emotion had led you feeling exhausted in the end, you fought it hard to keep your eyes open as you lay slumped against the blonde woman.

"Come on let's get you back into bed, yeah? I mean you're almost falling asleep on me here, kidda," Leah joked with you, hoping for you to even crack a small smile as she gently moved you back to your bed and tucked you in under the duvet. "I'm so sorry you have had to deal with the kidda but you know you have a family here with us. We may not be blood but we really love you kidda." You heard the faint words spoken to you as you felt your eye lids close, completely warn out.

Sure, the Arsenal women weren't family by blood but instead they were family by choice and that was more important. They were there for you whenever you needed them and you knew you felt safe with them around. You truly felt happy with your chosen family.

[mactavishenjoyer]

Continuation of this but after Ghost convinces Soap he's telling the truth. Idk I'm just bored at this point

Ghost had expected a different reaction when Soap finally believed him. He doesn't know what he expected but it definitely wasn't Soap drunk out his mind crying into his chest. "My ghost is fucking gone." He said through sobs and gasps of air. Ghost hadn't really thought that deeply about it but it was likely the ghost who's body he was in was in his and that wasn't very lucky for him. Ghost wasn't good at comforting. He wasn't really good at the whole feelings thing. Maybe hugging was the proper response?

"You feel like him but I know you aren't. You sound like him too but you don't act like him. I wanted to marry him and now I just have to throw everything I wanted out cuz he's probably dead. Yet I have to look at someone puppeteering his corps every fucking day. I don't even get to have a fucking funeral for him!"

"I'm sorry, soap."

"it's not your fault. I know it's not. You didn't ask for this." Maybe it was desperation. Maybe it was some fucked up way of grieving. Or maybe it was just the alcohol. "kiss me." Ghost's confusion was visible even with his face covered. "Please...I want to feel him. I just want to get a goodbye." It was unlike Soap to throw himself at people. Especially people he barely knew but did this even count as a stranger? Soap knew every inch of this body. He spent countless nights cuddled into it. The kisses felt the same physically but not emotionally. Soap was only able to get to feeling under Ghost's shirt before he broke down crying. This wasn't him. Soap knew that. His Ghost was gone.

Soap awoke the next morning in Ghost's bed, a place he had woken up in before. Unlike with his Ghost he didn't wake up with his arms around anybody. He looked over the edge of the bed to see Ghost sleeping on the floor. It was really over. He'd never get to hold his Ghost again. Just like how Ghost will never get to hold his Roach again. He can pretend Gary is him for as long as he wants but it's not him. Roach was dead. The difference between Soap and Ghost was that Soap accepted this. Ghost could play pretend but one day reality will catch up. Simon abandoned Gary for a reason. Ghost can only hope that reason doesn't catch up.

[tempestmothstorm]

I’m thinking about the whole "you are not your feelings" theme the side stories have and how that contrasts with the main game

Like the two talks in reflection where Sayori and Monika tell the others about how their emotions don’t have to define who they are and don’t make them bad people. This theme of singular traits not defining who you are/not controlling who you want to be is backed up by the rest of the side stories, which exist to show how the characters are multifaceted and human. They aren’t tropes or defined solely by their thoughts or actions. They aren’t perfect nor pure evil, only people trying their best. They’re real, complex people, and the ‘you are not your feelings’ phrase is proof of that.

The side stories’ goal of presenting these characters as human go directly against a ~certain someone’s~ goal of flattening and dehumanizing them in the main game. Its clear Monika here doesn’t really learn the ‘you are not your feelings’ thing in this world, something that happens with a lot of the lessons learned in the side stories (i.e. the ones in each title). Due to the whole disillusionment with reality thing, her attitude to the rest of the club is pretty dismissive, seeing them as one-dimensional characters tropes, making whatever flaws they have as their defining trait.

I'm going to focus on the CANYOUHEREME.txt though cause it pretty easily sums up her feelings so I'm just gonna put it here

Beneath their manufactured perception - their artificial reality - is a writhing, twisted mess of dread. Loathing. Judgment. Elitism. Self-doubt. All thrashing to escape the feeble hold of their host, seeping through every little crevice they can find. Into their willpower, starving them of all motivation and desire. Into their stomach, forcing them to drown their guilt in comfort food. Or into a newly-opened gash in their skin, hidden only by the sleeves of a cute new shirt. Such a deplorable, tangled mass is already present in every single one of them. That's why I choose not to blame myself for their actions.

All I did was untie the knot.

This poem is interesting because it does make them out to be more human compared to the anime tropes Monika says they are in the act 3 talks, but replaces the empathy found in the side stories with disgust, painting the club as gross, immoral, and everything the girls fear themselves to be. Monika sees the stuff they hide, all the complex feelings and less savory traits, and sees it as their truth, their whole being. Their feelings define them, what they think is their worst is all they've ever been, and that these things make them awful people. When Monika forcibly brings these things to the forefront, it's their fault alone when act out, because their darkest thoughts are all they'll ever be.

She knows they’re more than that, but she’s actively in denial about how much she actually cares, and the epiphany absolutely destroyed her ability to see her friends as actually complex people beyond their programing.

I think that's part of why comparing her to side stories Monika messes me up so much because she's like!! So nice!!! Mature!!!! And understanding!!!!! And she sees her friends faults and all!!!!!! And she loves them anyways and understands their goodness!!!!!!!!!! But main game strips that away from her and makes her cynical!!!!!!!!!!!! And she can't see the goodness in her friends anymore because they aren't real and they're scripts made to appeal to a dumb dating sim and she!!!!!!!!!!! Can't see them as people anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So their flaws turn into THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

. . . And that concludes today's Monika analysis.

[ldouble]

summary: after the wrong side of Bucky comes out, you and him fight about what to do next

The helicopter whirs above, sirens in the distance.

It's not even 11 am, you think to yourself, the day having gone by so quickly.

It's normal to get shot at but it's not normal to come from Bucky

At the thought of him you hear him groan.

Sam calls for Steve and you make your way closer.

Bucky's whisper is raspy, like he hasn't had water in a week. You want to touch his face to comfort him but Steve voices a proper concern. Exactly which Bucky is he talking to.

I glare at Sam when he questions Bucky.

"The winter soldier doesn't know mothers." You explain, lifting the column off his armored hand to free him.

Bucky looks up at you and the amount of concern in your eyes must be enough to tell him. He reaches for your hand before looking away, no longer able to maintain eye contact.

"What did I do?"

"Enough."

You repeat Steve's words, chastising him. It's not our fault, I want to say. We can't control it.

But it wasn't me this time.

You suck in a breath, terrified at the thought.

Bucky and you were both captured at the same time, given identical doses and treated as the soldiers you were bred to be. He got named Winter and you were nameless. You used to joke its because you were better at hiding your tracks. In reality, less people looked at a woman back then, even if she was a killer.

"All he had to do was say the goddamn words."

Bucky voicing the truth causes you to suck in a breath.

The book. It's out there.

"What did he want to know?" You whisper but Steve voices it louder.

"Where I was kept. he wanted to know exactly where."

"Oh no." You exhale.

"Why would he need to know that?" Steve glances between the two of us.

Bucky's head is angled downward and he can't seem to get any words out. So you answer for him.

"Because we aren't the only Winter Soldiers."

The room goes quiet, the whirring of the choppers fading as the rest of the world tunes into a light buzz.

Bucky's hand is still holding yours but it's gone numb. Your whole body has gone numb.

Bucky did damage. But they can do worse. You can do worse.

With words not that far away from the ones spoken earlier.

You only feel his hands on you as he gets up to hug you. It's not till your head finds the creek of his neck that you really you're crying.

It's more than it being you two against the world. It's about to be them against you.

[rain2bow2]

If the Convo On the Stairs went a different way

"Charles... stop." Edwin tugged at his jacket, panic floating around the two. The bland walls crept around them, eyes seemingly staring at them from behind the iron panels. "I have to tell you now, please-"

"Mate, if you want to tell me anything, tell me when we are out of this fucking hellscape." The boy smiled at him, and pulled him up from his slumped like position on the floor.

The hands grabbed Charles' coat, and pulled him down to the steps, making him sit in puzzlement. "Edwin, please. That baby doll monster is coming, its not going to stop, why-"

"Just- Hear me out." Edwin looked at Charles and into his eyes, the way that the brown shifts with each new emotion that the boy was feeling. "I love you. So much." He shut his eyes there, awaiting the backlash that was going to come for him, the name calling of 'Mary Ann, Pansy.' The school bullies always know the person and their weaknesses before the person themselves know, after all.

"Great, I love you too. Can we get away from this fucking horror operatic freakshow now? I feel like you aren't taking this as seriously."

"I love you so. And-"

"I love you back. Now, can we leave? Please? Edwin?" A rumble was heard in the distance, a herd of giggling was heard. Tiny scratches from tiny baby hands appeared in the plush carpet of limbo.

"Don't you understand? I love you. As more than a friend, I'm afraid."

Charles was staring at Edwin with an open mouth, his eyes crinkling. "I know, mate. It's kind of obvious. I mean, thank you for telling me-"

"I have been trying to keep it under wraps for so long, keeping it behind closed doors but... It was Monty, you see. And-"

"The Cat King, yes. Yes. Edwin, the door is rught there. Can we continue this there, please? Pl-"

"Don't you get it? I am destined to be here. Be free in the world with the burden of my love, love." The sound of the scrabbling of the arms had grown unbeknownst to Charles and his ears, shell shocked from the bombshell dropped.

"What do you mean? Edw-"

Giggles and laughter from the hellscapes of below encompassed the boys, but Charles couldn't move, not even in the face of danger. He felt the shackles of time and anxiety stop his love from showing his head, and self-imposed helplessness reared its ugly head. Edwin's final smile sewn into the back of his eyeballs as the ghost was dragged away, torso and legs already separated.

His love's screams were the most amount of torture that Charles had to ever endure.

"Come on, boys!" The Night Nurse called from the safe plane, the normal world. How could Charles ever go back there now, now that he knows the truth of the matter? The fact that Edwin loves him and willingly sacrificed himself so that Charles could go free?

"I'm going back!" He shouts, hoping that she would be able to hear him. If not, it hardly matters. They would stay in Hell together, while she is sorting out Edwin's position on Earth. And if it never got resolved - then the two boys would be together on the nightmare pane for the rest of eternity for no fault of theirs.

Charles looked at Edwin's gift to him - the gift of freedom on the Earth's astral pane without the messiness of the older ghost, and Charles cast it away.

He ran down the stairs, and heard the sound of the door getting shut out of existence above him.

----

The television screen which was projecting the image of Charles, with his face put on with determination as he descended the stairs flickered and died, leaving only black and white lines shimmering on the screen and the static noise giving out.

A guttural noise was extracted from Edwin's bound chest, his arms and legs tied with rope to the iron chair. "You didn't." He wept, sobs pulled out of him.

"Bastards! The whole lot of you!" He cried, his heart feeling like tatters in his chest. He should have thought ahead. He should have thought better.

Edwin was now nothing, as he had caused the downfall of his friend.

"Now now, sourpuss. Is that any way to greet me?"

[firewolf111]

Hello!! If you’re still doing these-

Could I maybe have like a Prinxiety one please?

Maybe angst and then a happy-ish ending, like the others are being jerks to Roman in just the canon-ish fashion, and he like gets upset (I headcanon, for example, that sometimes this happens and he goes nonverbal), and Virgil notices and kinda quietly goes to help him calm down? Idk just the first thing that popped into my head, if you do this, do what’s comfortable/what you want‼️

Thank you for reading this!! Have a good day/afternoon/night😁

Thank you for the request! <3

Took me a bit and turned out much longer than planned. But I hope you enjoy!

Also, I based Roman's troubles speaking off of my own experiences, so it may not be perfect.

Roman stands with his hands clasped in front of him. It's a basic meeting to discuss video ideas, yet his hands fidget with each other and he fights the urge to pace. Each flip of the page has him closer to giving in to that urge. The silence is loud, only interrupted by the occasional hum of thought and the flipping of notebook pages. He is on the verge of giving in to the need to break the silence when finally someone speaks.

Logan: None of this is usable.

Roman: *freezing as his blood runs cold* Pardon?

Logan: I said, none of this is usable. Were you too distracted by your frivolous daydreams to listen? That would explain the lack of quality in this work.

Patton: I'm sure it's not that bad.

Silence once again returns as Logan hands the notebook to Patton. Patton flips through it. His expression is one of hesitant disappointment. The truth is in his eyes, though it is clear he is reluctant to admit it. He hands the notebook to Janus, who until then was watching the whole thing with an unamused expression, opting to check his gloves instead of even bothering to look in Roman's direction.

Patton: Hey, Jan? What's your opinion?

A small anger flickers in Roman's chest briefly before sputtering out. He shouldn't be surprised that Patton is asking for Janus's opinion instead of offering his own. It means he can simply agree without having to be the one to break the bad news. It's a familiar dance, though it didn't use to be Janus he would ask, he had become the most common side he'd ask recently. He wishes Patton would just outright tell him he is a disappointment instead of playing the good cop, bad cop game he does.

Janus: Hmmmm. Logan is right. None of these are useful. Best to toss them and start again.

Roman: But-

Janus: There isn't much argument to make. It'd be quicker to just start over than to try and fix these. The viewers do expect a video soon. I doubt you'd want to disappoint them.

Roman: Well, no-

Patton: Well, there we go. Problem solved!

Roman: Hold on-

Logan: I expect the new ideas by the end of the week.

Janus: Well, this was eventful.

Virgil: *glancing between Roman and the others who have began packing their stuff up and preparing to end the meeting* Hold up guys-

Roman: You're not listening to me!

Everyone freezes and looks at him. Surprise quickly gives way to frustration, disappointment, and annoyance.

Logan: Now you don't need to throw a tantrum.

Roman: I'm not throwing a tantrum!

Janus: Mhmmm. Clearly not.

Roman: Well, it's not my fault you guys are out here talking about my ideas when you don't know what it takes to make them. You wouldn't know a good idea if it knocked on your door and introduced itself.

Patton: Now, Roman, let's play nice.

Logan: *scoffing* Clearly, you're the one who doesn't know what a good idea looks like if you think this *Gestures to the notebook* counts.

Roman: Do you know how long I worked on those?

Janus: Hm. Clearly not long enough.

Roman: You stay out of this, snake!

Patton: Roman!

Janus: Well I may be a snake, but you're the one throwing a hissy fit.

Roman: I am not throwing a hissy fit!

Patton: I mean...you kinda are. But that's okay! You're upset that your ideas aren't as good as you expected them to be. Of course, you're upset. But how about we channel that energy into something more productive.

Roman rubs his palms against his pants. Leave it to Patton to treat him like a child. He wants to scream. He wants to cry. He wants to run and hide. He wants to show them what a tantrum really looks like. His eyes remain on Patton's. He doesn't move or speak. He remains quiet, like a good little child.

Virgil: Guys. Don't you think you're being too hard on him? Surely, they weren't that bad.

Roman: Thank you, my violent violet.

Virgil: No problem. Though, don't let your ego get too big. Your singing is still annoying.

Roman: *rolling his eyes* At least I can sing. You sound like a dying cat.

Virgil: *opening his mouth to retort* Oh yeah. Well-

Patton: Roman! Now that was rude. Apologize.

Roman: What?

Patton: You heard me. Apologize.

Logan: And perhaps apologize to the rest of us for the time waste. Especially since you can't seem to be bothered to stay on topic.

Roman: But Virgil-

Patton: No excuses, mister.

Virgil: Guys. It's fine. I'm not at all offended. Besides, I was the one who pulled him off topic.

Logan: That's kind of you, Virgil, but Roman needs to take responsibility for his own actions.

Roman: *sighing* Fine. Virgil. I'm sorry for insulting your singing. I do actually quite like it. And I'm sorry for getting off topic and wasting your time.

Logan: Good. Now, back to the discussion. You are going to have new ideas by the end of the week. Correct?

Roman: But-

Logan: And these ideas will actually be usable and decent?

Roman: *swallowing* Of course, but-

Janus: *scoffing* You might be asking too much of him there, Logan.

Roman: *glancing at Patton, who says nothing*

Logan: Maybe. But does this sound agreeable to you, Roman?

Roman takes a breath before he becomes aware of the fact that his tongue feels like lead. He goes to speak, but only air comes out. He begs, not again, not now.

Logan: Well?

He tries. All he has to do is force the words out. He's done it before. Just force the words out. No matter how hard or uncomfortable. He manages to get his throat to move and his mouth to form the words, yet his vocal cords refuse to work. He can talk. He knows he can talk. He has forced himself through this before. It's all in his head.

Janus: I think you hurt the Prince's feelings and now he's giving us the silent treatment.

Logan: *sighing* Real mature, Roman.

It takes a few times, but he manages to get a few words out

Roman: sor- *he swallows and takes a deep breath* sorry. Was lost in thought.... *he takes another breath* I'll have it done by the end of the week.

Each word feels like it was dragged through his teeth and forced from his mouth, but he got it out. He can speak. He was just being over-dramatic. It doesn't matter if he had to force every word and overthink each syllable. He can speak. He just has to stop faking.

Logan: Good. Glad we figured that out. If that's all, I believe we can finally call this meeting to an end. An actual end this time.*He gives a pointed glare at Roman*

Roman just simply nods. He doesn't think he could argue again even if he wanted to. As everyone leaves, he heads to his room. Too wrapped up in his thoughts and the weight on his tongue, he doesn't notice Virgil's concerned looks as he walks away.

The door gets looked behind him as soon as he is in the safety of his room. He flops onto his bed and curls up into a ball under the blankets. He should start on coming up with new ideas, but he doubts he could focus at that moment. He'll start tomorrow.

The silence sits heavy in his mouth. It weighs down his tongue. He swears he can feel it slipping down his throat and curling up uncomfortablely in his chest. The silence converges on him. It squeezes his head and drills into his ears. It weighs heavy on his shoulders. Silence runs through his blood and veins and he hates it. Hates the way it feels tangible on his skin. He wants to claw the quiet away, to force out the words if only to get rid of this feeling.

He remains in his misery for 5 minutes, though it felt like an eternity, before there is a knock on the door.

Roman opens his mouth to respond, he isn't sure whether "come in" or "go away" would have been what came out, but it doesn't matter as nothing comes out. He exhales and opens his mouth to try again before deciding it isn't worth the energy. He reluctantly stands and opens the door, mentally preparing himself for a lecture from Logan or a "I know you can do better" speech from Patton, or even just some simple mockery from Janus. Yet, what greets him at the door is none of those things. It's Virgil.

Virgil: Do you mind if I come in?

Roman is tempted to turn him away, but he longs for the company to drive away the silence. Especially if it's Virgil. So, instead, he steps back and gestures Virgil in.

Virgil: *entering and watching Roman close the door* Are you okay?

Roman opens his mouth to speak, wanting to assure Virgil he is fine. He just has to force the words out. He can speak. There is nothing keeping him from speaking. He has forced himself out of moments like these before. He just has to speak. Just speak. Force it out. Suffer through it. Just. Speak.

And he almost manages to force out the words before Virgil stops him, realization clear in his face.

Virgil: You're nonverbal right now, aren't you?

Roman shakes his head. Because he isn't. He can talk. He's just being over-dramatic. There are people who are actually nonverbal or semi verbal. He was just being over-dramatic. He can talk, which means it isn't actually him going nonverbal or having a verbal shutdown. He can talk. He can. He just has to force it out. But he can talk.

He opens his mouth to tell Virgil that much when Virgil beats him to it.

Virgil: *opens his mouth, ready to argue before shaking his head* Okay. Do you want to talk right now?

Roman pauses. Was not speaking actually an option? Forcing words out seems like so much energy and it wasn’t the most comfortable. He wouldn't necessarily mind not talking. But would Virgil be okay with that?

Roman: *shrugs*

Virgil: That's okay. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Do you want me to stay?

Roman: *nodding without hesitation*

Virgil: Okay. Do you want *he holds up one finger* silent company,*he holds up a second* comfort, *he holds up a third one* or a distraction?

Roman: *flips between two fingers and three, torn between the two options*

Virgil: Both comfort and a distraction?

Roman: *nods*

Virgil: Okay. How about we cuddle and watch a movie?

Roman: *considering it for a moment before nodding*

Virgil: Disney?

Roman: *giving him his best "do you even have to ask" look*

Virgil: *understanding the expression and chuckling* Fair enough

It doesn't take long for them to get the movie on and to curl up under the blankets. Roman ends up curled up against Virgil's chest, one of Virgil's hands carding through his hair as the other holds him close. As the intro plays, Roman can feel the heavy weight of silence slip off his skin and he no longer feels the need to force himself to speak. The room is filled with music from the movie. He breathes a deep breath and feels at peace, even if his tongue still remains lead in his mouth. He simply whispers airy whispers beneath his breath as the first song plays. He doesn't bother forcing himself to hum or sing or even bother making the words into something more than a simple breath. He just let's the quiet rest gently on his tongue, and he is at peace.

He doesn't need to speak. Virgil understands.

[to-be-a-dreamer]

Okay so this post has gained a lot of traction and I've seen some questions in the tags and also a few other posts talking about the same thing so I just want to clarify what I mean when I say "Please don't reduce Lizzie's character and death to an extension of a man's" and similar things. (Just for some clarification before we start: I don't think this is some huge issue that we need to have a big fight about, but I have seen some people talking about it and I wanted to put in my two cents)

I know no one is doing this because they're misogynistic. I know there would be similar reactions if any of the men had the same arc over the season. I know people are telling the truth when they say the connections they're making between Lizzie and the male characters aren't because she's a woman. I know no one is thinking about her gender when they're saying these things and that is what bugs me, I think.

Fandom in general, but especially the MCYT fandom, has always had issues with the way we treat women. We have a tendency to reduce them to one or two characterizations (kind, mothering, vengeful, etc.) or to their relationships with men, things that aren't inherently bad things for a character to be. The issue comes from when that's the ONLY thing they ever get to be. They're not allowed to be as complex as the men. Again, I'm not at all saying that anyone is doing this on purpose, it's just a pattern that fandom culture as a whole seems to struggle with.

And when you have an issue like, that the answer isn't to ignore the gender aspect and treat all characters the same. You have to intentionally combat it. You have to take the time to deliberately give the female characters complex characterizations and interesting storylines outside of the men. It's equality vs. equity, you know?

If you've ever done research about writing POC characters, you've probably heard people say something like "Don't just write them like you would a white character because you might accidentally enforce stereotypes and biases you didn't even know existed. You have to be aware of those things so you can intentionally go against them." It's kinda similar to that in my head. You can't just say "I would do the same thing for a man" and be done with it because men and women have been treated very differently in fandom spaces and if we want to change that, we have to be intentional about how we write them.

I don't think there's anything inherently misogynistic about connecting Lizzie's death to the Canary Curse or Joel's revenge arc, but I would like her to also have her own character lore and a connection to the Watchers that isn't about a man. In a fandom space where women are constantly defined by their relationships with men and with a character who had as tragic a story as Lizzie, I would love for some of her lore to be about her and her alone. Connections to Jimmy and Joel are awesome! I love reading them! But I don't want that to be the only thing about her, even if that's what you would talk about if she were a man. She's not a man, she's a woman in a space where women are often mistreated or only seen as extensions of men. So even if you genuinely would say the same things about a man I just want you to challenge yourself to dig a little deeper with her character and find ways to give her something that is wholly and truly her own.

She had her own plans for revenge that went horribly wrong and ultimately led to her death! Even in her vengeful anger, she held a soft spot for Pearl because she remembered how she saved her in Session 1! She was forgotten and ignored by almost everyone! She tried to cheer herself up by doing something harmless and fun and that led to her being punched and then murdered for no reason! She wasn't even angry at Jimmy when he accidentally murdered her because she felt like it was her own fault! She tried so hard at everything she did and it still wasn't enough! She knew no one would come to save her from the caves! The only thing she asked of anyone was for them to come to her slumber party and still only one person showed up for her! She was forced to turn on her own husband to complete her task! She tried to make it up to him and it led to her being out of the game! No one even gave her a funeral when she was gone! She was forgotten and ignored in both life and death! There is so much more to her than being motivation for a man or breaking a man's curse, even if those are big things that happened.

Again, I'd like to make it very clear that I'm not angry about the way Lizzie has been treated, I'm mostly joking whenever I say things like in the original post. It's mostly just a feeling of "Come on I know we can do better than that!" And in the past few days I've seen a lot of people do some really amazing things with her character! So much amazing art and fanon lore! This isn't even a huge issue anymore because a lot of people have begun to explore her individual character now that the excitement about the Canary Curse has died down. This post is just an explanation for people who were asking questions or weren't sure what people meant in some posts from earlier in the week.

[the-badger-mole]

Reaching for Hope

These last few months have been filled with the most horrifying stories and images coming out of Palestine, DRC, Sudan, Yemen, and too many other places around the world. We, in the US, have seen our president- our political leaders- roll over and not only allow the atrocities to continue, but to actually financially support and arm the perpetrators, despite the majority of us screaming for them to stop. To me, there is little difference between the Democrats and the Republicans at this point. Both parties are bought and paid for by the same people. As a new presidential election is coming up, I can't in good conscious vote Democrat. Not after what I've seen. Not as long as they refuse to hear us when we tell them we don't want Genocide Joe Biden or any of his cabinet to run.

But what is the solution?

I hate the feeling of helplessness I feel. I hate watching the horrors being carried out with my tax dollars. I hate that our "leaders" are more concerned with keeping the money from groups like AIPAC than actually representing the people who voted for them. They have put my finger on the trigger and they won't let me let go.

I'm trying to figure out how to make my voice heard. I've reached out to my representatives. I've done what I can to amplify voices that need to be heard more than mine. I can't claim any special effort in following BDS boycotts because the truth is, these aren't brands I have a whole lot of intentional contact with in the first place. As for Starbucks and McDonald's, I don't like either place so, cutting them off took very little for my part. I do encourage you to avoid all of these businesses, though. I don't know what else to do.

I will not vote for Joe Biden if he runs again. I will do my best to find down ballot candidates who's values are more in line with mine, but I will not give my support to a man who sees the atrocities being committed in Palestine and gives billions and weapons to the people committing these crimes against humanity. If the DNC is smart, they will be actively looking for candidates who don't openly support genocide, but let's face it, we ALL know how smart the DNC is. So, barring some drastic change, barring the DNC running a candidate who isn't on the take from AIPAC, who will actually pull support from Israel as they try to wipe out an entire culture for the sake of oil, I will be voting third party. I'm considering voting for Claudia De la Cruz of the PSL party, but there's nearly a year left, so I'm open to shopping around.

I know there are those that will say that pulling votes away from Biden is essentially voting for Trump. I know that there are those that will say that if the Republicans take the office again, they'll gut our rights. To that, I say, a vote for Trump is a vote for Trump and a vote for Biden is a vote for Biden. If the DNC can't come up with a better candidate and a better reason to vote for them than the same fear mongering tactics they've been using for years, then Trump is the DNC's fault. What has the Democratic party done to ensure our rights? What protections for voting rights have they passed at a federal level? What protections for education? For bodily autonomy? How do we have FOURTEEN BILLION to spare for freakin ISRAEL, but nothing for public schools? Nothing for student loan relief? Nothing for public health? Police reform? What good is the Democratic party if their only real platform is "Vote Democrat because we're not that guy"? If your conscious tells you to vote for Biden in November, so be it. As for me, I can't look at the man without seeing the blood of innocent men, women and children dripping off of him.

[gamergirlbonestaskforce141riot]

We are all humanbeings and we all make mistakes. I want a little story about a time, when Riot crossed a line. Maybe she hurt someone with her actions, maybe it was some words. It doesn't have to be a big drama, a major failure - can be something small. I want that story to have a scene, where Riot apologizes to someone, she hurt.

Important detail - this person must be able to answer to her. You decide if they accept apology or not, but they must talk back.

Gibraltar, 2019

Thud

The gym was empty that early in the morning, with nobody around to listen to the methodic, repetitive sounds of someone beating the shit out of one of the punching bags.

Thud

Her knuckles hurt by then, still cracked from four days before, but she didn't stop.

Thud

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Thud

"Vega?"

Riot hit the bag, hard, and kept her fist there when she heard the voice coming from behind her. She said nothing, because there was nothing to say.

"I just had to give my statement... You're not going to believe the amount of women there waiting to say how that asshole tried the same with them"

Just a month and a half ago, the lovely voice of Corporal Nellie Butler brought a smile to her lips, but now the only thing it brought was the taste of ashes.

Nellie stopped just short of some steps, staring at Sergeant Vega's back, seeing the muscles beneath the black tank top move while she breathed.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

Just a month ago, those doe eyes would have made her smile, but in that moment the last thing Christine Vega wanted was to look at her.

"There's nothing to say"

It was irrational. Unkind. It wasn't Nellie's fault nor anyone's but that sodding idiot of Coulton. And hers, for having such a short fuse.

She fucked up her own career. But the irrational rage inside her filled her head with other thoughts and her throat with bile.

Thud

"When do you have to go in?" Nellie moved slightly, trying to have a better look at who had been her... what? Girlfriend? Lover? They had merely 'dated' for three weeks until she fucked it up.

Thud

"Noon" Christine grunted, looking away, brushing back some sweaty strands of hair from her forehead.

"I didn't tell them about... us" Nellie assured, thinking that was what had Riot so angry, but the other woman huffed.

"Wouldn't change a thing. I did beat that wanker"

"But if I had told them we were together until a week ago, it could have been the nail in your coffin!"

Thud

Riot shook her head and stepped back from the punching bag, looking for her gym bag.

"I put the nails myself" She found her water bottle and opened it to take a brief sip. "I hit someone with a higher graduation, and did a good job of it. My doing. You were just unlucky to be the victim"

"But you did it for me!" Nellie shouted, with the passion that would have made Riot smile only three weeks ago.

And there it was. The ugly truth that Riot didn't want to face, that didn't want her to know.

That it had been because of her, and not for her.

That deep inside, the thought that Nellie was the ultimate culprit of Riot's wrongdoing had rooted deep in her core, and it was eating her.

That deep inside, she blamed Nellie, not for being a victim, but for putting her in the position of destroying what she had fought for.

"We could leave! Both of us, and move somewhere pretty. We don't need their rules" Nellie kept babbling

We?

"No" Riot rolled her eyes, with a low, dismissive huff that made Nellie shut up. They had flirted for a couple of weeks before having a brief relationship. That lasted a whole three weeks before Nellie started talking about meeting families, sharing holidays and spending lives together.

Riot's interest all but dried out overnight, and called it quits when she found the younger woman had tried to check her phone and asked, jealous and making a scene, who Johnny was.

"I didn't do it for you. I didn't even know it was you when I heard you scream in the showers" She explained, curtly, still not looking at her. "I would have done the same for any other person. You're not special"

Right as she said it she knew she had crossed a line, and the gasp behind her confirmed it. But it was done.

The last thing she needed was having an infatuated fool thinking she had destroyed her career for her.

"I'm sorry, kitten"

"Don't call me that" Nellie's teary voice sounded further, but Riot didn't turn to look. "You're an asshole. I thought..."

"What, that I knowingly fucked my career up because of you?" Riot looked over her shoulder briefly, her blue-gray eyes cold as steel. "You have no fucking idea of what this shit is going to cost me. I have sweat blood to be what I am"

"You were defending me!" Nellie insisted, her lovely chestnut hair as well kept as always, and Riot thought absently how she used to like it.

Now she felt nothing but dread.

"And would you hate them too!?" The younger Corporal cried, and Riot resisted the urge to roll her eyes again, recognizing it wouldn't be wise.

"You happened to be there" She repeated, a bit softer. "I am sorry it's not what you want to hear. But had it been anyone else being abused in that room, I would have done exactly the same"

"I don't hate you. I'm angry with myself"

The gym was empty that early in the morning, with the only sound being the angry sniffles coming from Corporal Nellie Butler.

Sighing, Riot turned around to face her, with her gym bag hanging from her shoulder.

"I am sorry, Nellie. I've been unkind and you didn't deserve that"

"But you meant every word" The younger woman spat angrily, looking up at her, with her arms crossed.

But I meant every word

"I'm sorry" Riot repeated, awkwardly, just wishing for it to end already. "I was too harsh"

"Harsh? You only care about two things it seems. Your precious career and that Johnny you text all the time" Nellie waved her arms around angrily, and Riot's mouth curved downwards.

God, how she hated theatrics.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, kitten. It wasn't what I wanted"

"I don't want to see you ever again!" Nellie screamed, turning in her heels and hurrying to the door. "I don't want to talk to you ever again!"

Feeling is mutual

Sergeant Christine Vega, callsign Riot, sighed deeply, listening until Nellie's steps died in the distance. Then, she headed to her room, to get ready for her hearing and learn of her fate.

[like-sands-of-time]

Do you think the writers realized that the way Gaius was flipping back and forth between "Merlin you're overreacting/seeing things that aren't there/trying to change the future" and "Merlin the situation is dire/this is definitely what's happening/you alone must do this ~dangerous~ thing"

Combined with the way he is a known sorcerer, not only to the court but to the king, kept like the other magical artifacts for times of injury to the royal family that his magic might be useful

Combined with the way this man picks and chooses when to help magic users escape Camelot unharmed or when to stand by and see them captured/killed

Combined with the way he gaslights the shit out of morgana even after he knows Merlin and Morgana know of her powers

That it All equates to a massively manipulative person????? He's doing everything he can to survive, damn the very real shit going on around him. Oh what's the best course of action for another child of magic born to the same lady Vivienne who's first child you snuck out of camelot? Keep her in the dark, keep her fearful and unaware of her dreams and her powers, but yeah she's Evil now because she chooses to see the good in magic and the evil in the king for killing it (which is just another plot issue but whatever nows not the time).

We can only imagine what Camelot looked like in the days of the dragons and all other magic kind, probably a lot healthier, more vibrant, more prosperous. Nevermind that Gaius got to spend his whole youth with that prosperity, Morgana (and Merlin) surely can't miss something she never had!!!!!!!!!!!

And Merlin! Sure he takes Hunith and Balinor's boy in, because he needs an apprentice, because the circumstances line up, because destiny, whatever the reason. And he cares about Merlin's life enough to sacrifice himself multiple times (only because Merlin is Emrys the god among men, immortal, sworn to serve Arthur the once and future king for all of time) But he does not really help Merlin in the following ten years. The boy who came to Camelot, the opinions he held, the care he had for others, that boy is lost or warped more like through years of Gaius' (and Kilgharrah before they just like changed his personality) careful commentary undermining Merlins beliefs and changing his actions. Then when said actions obviously work out poorly(think, self fulfilling prophecy episodes, episodes where Merlin is convinced to outright lie to Arthur's face, etc) then it's Merlins fault and Gaius is there to comfort him and then they share a funny little moment and everything's fine !!!

Like, did the writers mean to write it like this because ho-ly shit! That's how it reads every single episode. Merlin the young warlock would not have done these things. The boy he was in season one? When confronted with admitting his magic(the thing he was so self conscious of, but so proud of at the same time) or lying to Arthur to his face he would have spoken the truth. Gaius (and Kilgharrah) turned him into a man deceitful manipulative tool, bent on controlling Arthur without ever telling him the truth and letting him make his own mind.

Because that Arthur, the Arthur of season one, would have taken in the knowledge of both Merlin his friend, and morgana his sister, and stood up for them, helped keep them safe, accepted them and their magic. That Arthur clearly loved morgana and Merlin above all else, even though he struggled with saying it, he proved it in his actions. Merlin (through his mentors) TURNs Arthur from magic, when he was willing to save Mordred, willing to sympathize with magic users, to see their worth, to spare them if they did not commit crimes, willing to accept the help of a foreign mage in the caves, and willing to question his father To!! His !! Face!! About the knights code.

You're telling me Merlin would forget about these things, would lie to Arthur that Morgause lied, when he could have just said, hey she showed you your mum, but killing your dad isn't the answer. How FUCKING hard would that have been? This show made Merlin a bad guy, a man against his own kind. that's the real tragedy. Merlin, emrys, would never do these things in season one. He had to be convinced by his mum not to tell Arthur after will died. He was willing to share. The show themselves didn't want it, because it provided comedy(how does Arthur not see!!1!) And angst (how does Arthur not see !?!)

[hannahhook7744]

For the prompts post, here's a few options, you can choose which one.

23: "This was a spectacularly bad plan." (For the Hannah Hook Universe

1: "Do what you have to do." (For A Twist in Their Tales)

17: "A little help would be nice." (For the Invisible Truth.)

Drabble/story 1:

Trigger Warnings: Mention of Death, curses, and threatens of murder. Could also be seen as child abuse.

"This was a spectacularly bad plan" Luke said pained, leaning against part of the Galley after they returned from a witch's cave.

Paler than usual.

Hannah just sighed from the barrel she was sitting on. More exhausted than she had thought was possible due to the chain of events.

Wondering how she was supposed to explain this to the others without getting one of her best friends killed.

Because while yes, it was technically Luke's fault that she'd been cursed to die in five years if she didn't do something 'unselfish' (by the witch's standard) since he did decide to wander into a random cave and pick up a random golden comb she didn't want him to die over what she thought was an overreaction on some crazy old witch's part.

Because honestly?

Who cursed a sixteen year old over a brush?

"Well, it's not like I could just stand there and let you get cursed to die over a brush when you have a girlfriend."

"And taking the blame for the whole incident yourself was better?" The Red head asked in disbelief. "You know Skia and the others are gonna kill me for this, right?"

The pirate captain rolled her eyes.

"No they aren't."

"Ordering them not to isn't gonna stop them this time, Bam Bam."

"No but me lying about the situation is."

"You what—ing about the what now?!"

"I don't like how surprised you look right now—"

"Are you nuts—"

"It's insulting that you've known me this long and still have to ask that—"

"Oh is it really—"

"Wait. Since you, River, and Skia were literally stuck sharing the same mind as me for eleven years does that mean that if I was crazy, you three would be crazy too?" Hannah asked, suddenly cutting him off with a crazed wide eyed look.

"..."

"..."

"Fuck. Now I need an answer to that shit!"

------------------------------------------------------------

Drabble/story 2:

Trigger Warnings: Attempted murder, curses, child in danger, past character death/murder implied, survivor's guilt, etc.

"Do what you have to do." 

That was the last thing Evie remembered telling Henry before they split up the night before to brainstorm a way to break the curse.

She knew they must have talked about other things before that. She did. 

They had to have. After all, she had just revealed to him that she remembered who she really was now. That she remembered life before the curse their mother cast and that she wasn’t the only one in town who did.

But she just couldn’t remember what they had talked about anymore.

Because she knew none of it mattered now—because her brother was dying now and it was her and her mother’s fault.

Her’s for telling him that. 

And their mother’s for trying to poison Emma when she knew Henry had a habit of running off to see her and doing the opposite of what he was told. 

He was dying. 

Because of whatever was in that apple turnover. 

He was dying and god, he hadn’t even turned eleven yet. 

And it was all her fault. 

Just like it was her fault that Harry was gone and that all her friends were cursed. 

What had she done?

What had she been thinking?

------------------------------------------------------------

Drabble/story 3:

Alma stared. 

And stared.

And the rest of the family stared with her. 

None of them quite sure whether or not what they were seeing was real.

"A little help would be nice." Bruno said awkwardly, a toddler in one arm and a baby in the other. 

A little red toddler covered in rats clinging to one of his legs anxiously and a grumpy boy with black hair who couldn’t been any older than four or five on thr other.

A teenager and two boys not much younger behind him—arms full of pugs and bags and one boy even had a frog in his pocket. 

It was quite the sight. 

“BRUNO PEDRO MADRIGAL BOTERO, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”

Bruno winced. 

‘Maybe disappearing for a second time without a note less than a decade after I returned wasn’t the brightest idea….’

------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed!

Consider this part of your birthday gift.

Also I may or may not build on these later.

In case you didn't know:

'The Marvelous Misadventures of Hannah Hook and Co' is a descendants oc story verse featuring Captain Hook's adoptive daughter, Captain Hannah Artemis Hook and (her crew) the Stormbringer Crew.

It delves into the chaotic story of their lives and their adventures.

'A Twist in their tales' is a Once Upon A Time and Descendants fandom fusion-crossover of mine where the descendants kids are born in the world of once upon a time instead and their stories are different than we know.

Evie is Regina Mills (aka the Once Upon A Time version of the Evil Queen) and Henry Mills is her younger adoptive brother.

'The Invisible Truth' is an Encanto and Disney Descendants fandom fusion-crossover where Bruno Madrigal adopts the children of Judge Frollo and Governor Ratcliffe.

Featuring Claudine Frollo, Rick Ratcliffe, their oc siblings, and the oc next gen of the Madrigals.

All of which can be found on my AO3 which has the same name as my account on here.

[karmas-chameleon]

A quick lil writing

Damon Gant gives Manfred relationship advice

(or, how Damon signs his death warrant)

“Hello, Damon,” Manfred von Karma called as he entered the chief’s office.

“Manny!” Damon Gant clapped his hands together with a cheerful grin, looking up at the prosecutor from his seat in front of a large pipe organ. “Close the door behind you, take a seat. Make yourself at home.”

Manfred narrowed his eyes. “You told me you had information vital to my current case. I'm not here to chat.”

“Ah, well, you may have misunderstood me, Manny. When I mentioned your ‘current case’, I wasn't talking about anything criminal. I simply meant the little…situation you're in with your assistant.”

“I'm leaving.”

“Now hold on!” Damon cried, making Manfred halt halfway to the exit. “I’ve prepared a speech and everything. If I don't give it to you, I might just have to pour my heart out to someone else, you know? All relevant background information included.”

Manfred turned back with a scowl. “You’re blackmailing me?”

“I'm trying to give you some advice. It's hardly my fault you make that so very difficult, is it?” Damon smiled innocently, and patted a seat next to him. “Now, please, make yourself comfortable.”

Grumbling under his breath, Manfred closed the door and sat down, glaring at his would-be tutor. 

“Manny, I realize it's been quite a while since you've dated anyone,” Damon began, waiting a moment for a response and only receiving an icy expression in return. “...Or, a while since you've ‘courted’ someone, to put it in your language. I just wanted to help you out, make sure you're up-to-date with the sort of dating that kids do nowadays.”

“She's not a ‘kid’. The prosecutor’s office doesn't hire children.”

“Yes, yes, I know that. I wasn't speaking literally - I simply meant that she's not of our generation. Girls- women like her, they would've grown up with the internet, and come of age in a time where the way to meet someone new was through their phone.”

Manfred paused his glaring for a brief moment, as his expression turned to one of disbelief. “You're not saying people really meet for the first time like that, are you? Without seeing each other?”

“A few pictures, and a little paragraph that sums up their life, that's it. I'm telling you, Manny, it's a whole new world out there.”

“I suppose it is,” Manfred muttered.

“And that's why you've got to start learning. Once you two get close, she'll start doing all sorts of things you don't understand. Has she ever texted you before?”

“I haven't given her my number yet. But I do know how a phone works, Damon. I believe I can handle a text.”

“Oh, you think you can. But tell me, do you know what an emoji is? Would you know what it meant if your assistant sent you a picture of an eggplant?”

“I don't-” Manfred squinted at the chief, “an eggplant? What are you talking about?”

“See, I thought you wouldn't know,” Damon said, smiling and nodding knowingly. “You've got to learn these things.”

“You're messing with me, aren't you?” Manfred returned to his scowling.

“I give you my word as District Chief of Police that I've said nothing but the truth, Manny.”

“Hmph.”

“Now, there's just one last thing I have for you: a gift. I'm sure you can acquire flowers and chocolates on your own, and those will certainly still work these days, but-” Damon reached behind him to grab a paper that sat on his organ. “What I can help you with is finding just the right words to appeal to a modern audience. I've got a poem here that's sure to have her head over heels for you.”

“Poetry, hmm?” Manfred took the paper, and scanned over it. “...Never going to give you up?”

“Ah, it's never gonna give you up, actually,” Damon poked at the paper. “You have to say it just like that, or she'll think you're out of touch.”

“I see. Well…thank you, I suppose.”

“Oh, it was no trouble at all!” Damon beamed. “Just let me know how she likes it.”

“I will.” Manfred stood from his seat and headed to the door, glancing behind him one last time. “You know, for all the grief I give you, Damon…you're not so bad.”

“Right back at you, Manny.”