#characters actually have to react to things and you know

[princesevsnape]

Slytherin Boys React - Sharing a bed for the first time

Characters: Theodore Nott, Mattheo Riddle, Draco Malfoy, Lorenzo Berkshire, Tom Riddle, Blaise Zabini

Mattheo Riddle:

He can’t keep his hands off of you.

Trailing his hands up and down your body.

Kissing you passionately

Grabbing your ass

Leaving hickeys all over your neck

The two of you probably don’t get a ton of sleep

Draco Malfoy:

He’d try and keep his distance at first finding it a bit awkward.

He’ll scold you if you take too much of the blanket

When he thinks you’re asleep he’ll move closer to you.

In his sleep he will grab you and pull you close to him.

When you wake up in the morning he tries and acts like he wasn’t holding you close all night.

He would be too embarrassed to admit that he actually enjoyed it

Theodore Nott:

He would hold you close all night.

Immediately wrapping his arms around you

Soft gentle kisses

Falling asleep with him stroking your hair

Waking up to find him already staring at you a huge smile on his face

Lorenzo Berkshire:

He’d constantly make sure you’re comfortable

You’d find yourself resting your head on his chest

He’d smile and wrap an arm around you pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head

You’d catch him staring at you a couple of times and he’d definitely try and play it off acting like he doesn’t know what you’re talking about whilst slightly being embarrassed that he was caught

He’d genuinely be happy sharing a bed with you and suggests you do it more often

Blaise Zabini:

He’d respect your own space and prefer his own too so he’d keep to his side of the bed

He’d probably flirt with you a little trying to ease the situation

He’d be a little reluctant to move closer to you when you ask him due to being cold . But when you literally beg him he’s happy to oblige. He still would try not to invade your personal space too much

When he wakes up in the morning he’d be surprised to see you’d move even closer to him and that you might be resting your head on his shoulder. But he’d have a small smile on his face and he’d watch you until you wake up too

Tom Riddle:

He would absolutely hate it. Telling you to make sure you keep your distance from him and he will keep his from you

He’d glare at you hating that you made him share with you

If you accidentally brush your hand against his whilst trying to get comfy he’d glare at you even more

He’d let his guard slip slightly when he catches you staring at him

When you wake up in the morning he’s already watching you. He admits that maybe it wasn’t the worst thing to happen, but if you ever tell anyone that he said that he’d kill you

[merqki]

boyfriend’s brother (derogatory)

cw: boyfriendsbrother!rin x f!reader, badboyfriend!sae x f!reader — CHARACTERS ARE AGED UP! cheating but make it hot, emotional neglect (and ofc it's sae), rin itoshi is a menace to society, reader has questionable morals and zero self-respect (we love her tho), sibling rivalry deluxe edition™, rage baiting as a love language, phone sex??? kinda, voyeurism if you squint, subtle exhibitionism, dry humping, getting caught, fingernail marks and bruises, non-violent strangling, swearing, really horny people, suggestive content but not full-on NSFW, intentional lowercase

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ 🌀 ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

boyfriendsbrother!rin has always been quiet.

quietly annoying.

you and sae have been together for a few months now. he is a good boyfriend.

well, sort of.

good enough to hold the door open for you, but not enough to actually acknowledge your presence. he always had something in his mind, and god forbid his girlfriend wanted to spend some quality time with him.

what could be worse than that? being invisible to your own boyfriend?

his brother making fun of you.

rin itoshi was a pain in the ass.

at the dinner table, when sae brought you home to meet his family, rin smirked, that evil grin appeared every time sae — purposely or not — straight up ignored your comments like they didn’t matter. like they didn’t even happen. like you weren’t even there.

his mom noticed, she gave you an understanding look, like she was silently saying “i’m sorry, he’s like this. get used to it.”

and you intended to. hell, you had to.

you’ve had your eyes on sae for the longest time, his teal eyes and stoic demeanor, his otherworldly talent, the ambition that you admired so much. you finally managed to get him, and now what? were you supposed to leave him just because he wasn’t showering you with affection like you’d hoped?

that's childish.

your friends told you, ”get over it. you’ve been wanting for that man for how long?”.

and they were right.

getting over it? somewhat doable. but those looks rin kept giving you? hell, straight up hell.

he was the worst part of the day. never said a word — his eyes did all the talking. laughing at you when sae wasn’t looking. shaking his head in disbelief whenever his brother ignored your flirting as he passed by.

on a random friday at the itoshi household, the rage and embarrassment you had been bottling up for months hit you like a tidal wave. you had to do something.

and of course – you did.

it started as pure rage-bait.

you began purposely leaving sae’s bedroom door open just enough for rin to see you two making out. you'd never been that touchy with sae, but now? now you were overdoing it. hands in his hair. love marks.

it shouldn’t have been abnormal for a couple, but with sae it was.

still — he was a man, so of course he didn’t complain.

the thing is, your back was always facing the door. you couldn’t really tell if your plan was working. the only way to know was to keep doing it until rin gave you a sign.

so you kept going, week after week, until it became a routine.

still, rin gave you nothing but those same judgmental looks whenever you were in the same room.

sae did loosen up a little. he let you hold his hand at the table. but still nothing from rin.

he let you kiss him in front of his family.

rin didn’t flinch.

it pissed you off. the way he’d only acknowledge you when sae did you wrong — ugh.

it had become a challenge, but you weren't winning, not at all.

you kept looking for rin’s gaze, you felt disappointed when he wasn’t at dinner or when his door stayed shut and you couldn’t put on your little act.

it was exhausting.

one night, sae actually tried to be affectionate — kissing you, touching you, his mouth on your jaw, neck, collarbone. but you were still, distracted, frowning. wondering why rin wasn’t reacting like you wanted him to.

you turned your head to face sae, whose mouth was still on your skin.

you just had the best idea ever.

you straddled him. his hands gripped your hips, and you moved slowly, grinding against him. you tugged at his hair and kissed him, tongue desperate, angry. you kept moving on his crotch, waiting for him to do exactly what you were hoping.

he did.

whimpers slipped from his lips, and a grin spread across your face. there was no way you were letting rin miss this. you pulled your phone from your back pocket, turned slightly, and typed in three letters:

r-i-n.

you called his number, the ringtone echoed from the other room for a few seconds. then it stopped. he either picked up or hung up, you were so hoping for the first but you couldn't know yet.

so you kept going, louder and louder.

when you and sae stopped, the room was silent. his hair was messy, your neck bruised, breaths ragged, and the sheets a disaster. you reached for your phone — the call was still on.

he didn’t hang up.

sae got up and left, probably for the bathroom. you didn’t care about his sudden burst of touchiness. all you cared was about rin.

rin, listening.

rin, hearing you and his brother like that for twenty minutes straight.

he didn't say a word, he waited 30 seconds and then hung up. it was a win, right?

but once again, not a single word from him.

so. fucking. infuriating.

the plan didn't work out like you wanted it to, and for the next couple of weeks you started avoiding your boyfriend, making lame excuses every time. he barely reacted, just replied with an ’ok’ when you canceled your plans. three weeks passed like that.

when the fourth rolled around, you finally decided to face him. you went to his place again. the thought of seeing rin made your face heat up instantly. you weren’t ready for his fucking little smirks.

the house was empty. the itoshi parents weren’t home. as usual, sae led you to his room.

you weren’t in the mood, so you put on a movie and chatted a bit. eventually, sae dozed off. the movie ended. the silence was deafening. you were scrolling through your socials when you heard it.

a bed creaking like crazy from across the hallway.

oh.

oh.

that son of a bitch.

you were fuming. forced to listen to rin fuck someone senseless while your boyfriend snored.

but what hit you hardest wasn’t the rage — it was the jealousy.

you were jealous.

god. you wished it was you.

so desperate to get something — anything — out of him, you stormed out of sae’s room and banged on rin’s door. didn’t even care if there was a girl inside.

he opened it with a smug grin on his face.

«took you long enough,» he said.

huh?

your face must’ve said it all, because he kept going.

«to stop acting like a child.»

«like a child? are you out of your mind? you're the one who–»

«called you while making out with my brother? yeah, no. that was you.»

«no point in denying it, huh?»

you shrugged. he stared straight through you, his teal eyes were darker than usual and you felt so small under his gaze.

«sae’s not good for you.»

now, that took you off guard.

«excuse me?»

you pushed him inside and slammed the door behind you.

«you,» you said, poking his chest, «have. no. say. in. my. relationship.»

each word was a push. he didn’t break eye contact. you pushed until his back hit the closet. he grabbed your finger.

you were dangerously close. your body, your mind — spiraling. you heart thundered in your chest. his gaze made your knees weak. he grabbed your wrist, pulling you in.

«you're so incredibly unhappy,» he whispered, «you made him moan just so i could hear.»

his breath fanned your lips. you tried to pull back, but his grip was too tight. too intoxicating. you leaned in without meaning to, eyes flicking from his to his lips.

he smirked. he noticed.

«you piss me off. so fucking much. i want to strangle you.» you whispered.

«i’d enjoy that.»

that – that was your last straw.

you freed yourself from his hold and grabbed the back of his neck, crashing your lips onto his. he grabbed your thighs and you jumped, legs wrapping around his waist. he kissed you like he was starving, tongue deep, humming into your mouth.

he carried you to his bed, laid you down and caged you underneath him. he paused and took a good look at you.

swollen lips. eyes glassy with desire. perfect. and to think his lukewarm of a brother had denied you affection so long that you started craving his.

him, — so fucking pathetic that he faked having a girl over just to get your attention. so pathetic that he kept baiting you, just to see you chase his gaze instead of sae’s. so pathetic that he stayed on that call, imagining it was him pulling those moans from your pretty mouth.

the sole thought of his brother being responsible of those lewd sounds drove him insane. he let that anger loose on your skin. his hands explored your body like they needed to memorize it. his nails sank into your thighs, and when you whimpered he lost it.

you were so goddamn gorgeous beneath him. loud. desperate. all for him.

his mouth moved to your neck — the same place sae had left his marks. he felt disgusted, he had to fix that.

rin kissed, sucked, bit — determined to erase it all. to show you what it meant to be wanted. to leave proof that it was him making you feel this way.

and you didn’t stop him.

god, did you even care if sae caught you?

«rin…» his name sounded like a sin on your tongue. your moans were music. fucking music.

you grabbed him by the neck and pulled him into another kiss.

«feisty.»

he breathed against your lips.

«you were made for me, not him.»

«shut up.» you tightened your grip on his neck, he moaned into your mouth. fuck, was he driving you insane.

more, more, more. you needed more.

and rin wanted to give it to you.

he stood up and unbuckled his belt, eyes locked with yours until the lights flicked on.

you didn’t even flinch, too far gone. he threw his belt at the door, but when it fell it didn't make a sound.

instead, it... coughed?

«i’ll leave you to it.»

sae, holding rin’s belt and leaning on the doorframe. he closed the door behind him. calm. cold.

you and rin froze, staring at each other in disbelief.

whoops?

© chiara — 2025

[rustychainsnorter]

Platonic only. This better be a protective/possessive Rick episode.

I'm looking at these clips of sketchy Ricks' kidnapping Mortys' as an opportunity for severe character growth and platonic Rick and Morty bonding. Episodes where Rick proves that he cares about Morty are among some of my favorite episodes. There have been plenty of scenarios where Rick has proved that he would willingly sacrifice his life for Morty, yet Morty still believes that Rick would gladly replace him in a blink of an eye.

Morty has been kidnapped by Ricks before, specifically the ones from the Citadel, and Rick was there to save him. But the kidnappings were to do with politics, murder, interrogation, or to draw in Rick C-137 himself. We never actually get to see a particular Rick kidnap Morty for a purpose other than to do with bait, murder or interrogation. I myself have written stories of oc Ricks befriending Morty thus causing Rick C-137 to get jealous (platonically).

What I would love to see happen.

Idea one: The sketchy Ricks' kidnap the Mortys for typical uses such as the Morty who was tending a bar. Perhaps they're trying to build a foundation similar to the Citadel but want Mortys to be a part of it? If they kidnap our Morty, it might just be for something simple like washing cars, cooking food or even being a sidekick.

Idea two: (This can be taken as an extension of idea one). Morty actually becomes friends with one of the sketchy Ricks. Or maybe he gets brainwashed by the Ricks. It would make for an extremely fun game of tug-of-war. As soon as Rick C-137 finds out that Morty has made friends with another Rick, God knows how he would react. Just look at what he did to the Vindicators! I can't even imagine the chaos. Please let this happen one day.

Idea three: Our Morty doesn't get kidnapped but instead goes with Rick to try and save the other kidnapped Mortys. A more boring possibility, but I'll take it, especially if Morty's life gets put at risk and Rick saves him.

These ideas probably will not happen, but I cannot explain how much I want them to. Like, I need it so bad that I'm itching to write a fanfic, and I probably will because my patience is string-cheese thin right now. PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN.

Edit: Oh, and you know what would really be a twist? Morty replacing Rick. Rick has said countless times that Morty is replaceable, but has never replaced him, so what if things got turned around and Morty replaced Rick? Food for thought!

[fraddit]

Those of you who know me know that I'm kind of terrified of posting my thoughts publicly like this but well... here goes. Apparently, I feel strongly enough about this to step outside my comfort zone.

It actually was bad writing to skip Buck and Eddie's reunion in the funeral ep. And it actually was bad writing for Eddie's Texas arc to resolve with Chimney's speech the way it did.

Under the cut, so people can avoid as desired.

When Eddie decides to move, Buck is again, heavily involved. He's an integral part of this section of plot. Multiple episodes devoted to how Eddie moving will affect both of them and their relationship.

Preface that obviously this is all just my opinion. If the episodes worked for you, that's great. I'm not the boss how anyone reacts to things they watch.

The Chris moves to Texas and Eddie follows him plot has, from the beginning, been anchored around Eddie and Chris and Buck. Buck is the reason Eddie ended things with Kim. Then everything exploded and Chris was gonna leave. Buck's involved there too. He can't convince him to stay. Buck and Eddie were both shown suffering over Chris's absence.

Here's the first error. This much narrative weight on Eddie leaving, necessarily sets up narrative weight for his return. We see the goodbye. We need to see the hello.

I saw a bunch of excuses about things like the impossibility of renting an airport etc for a minor scene. First, it's not minor. Second, the reunion didn't need to be at the airport. Eddie can show up at the house. He caught an earlier flight and didn't want to interrupt anyone's funeral preparations, so he called an uber. Done. Fixed it. This isn't the only way to do the scene either. But it's one possibility using the sets they already have. That's what writing and especially TV writing is. Getting the narrative beats you need within the time and budget you have available. It's all made up! If it's not possible to film Buck picking him up from the airport, Buck doesn't need to pick him up from the airport!

Then, 8.17 continues with the Eddie and Buck and Christopher of it all. Again, this character grouping has existed for literally this entire arc's run. Which again, started all the way back in last season.

Eddie brings Chris back to LA for Buck. We're so close to resolution here. Everyone's where they should be, but Eddie's still planning to go back to Texas. He just needs a final push, a moment of decision.

Somehow doing all that rescue work with the team doesn't change his mind? And so Chimney just yells at him that he's not leaving again, and that's that, apparently. Chimney has not been involved in this plot ever, at all. But for some reason he's the one who ends it.

The only reason Eddie was staying in Texas is because he believed that's where Chris wanted to be. But now that's not important? Did Eddie ask him? Why has he suddenly changed his tune about Chris getting to have a say about living in Texas vs LA. Or did Chris really want to live in LA the whole time and Eddie just needed to ask him about it? None of this is important apparently.

It was important enough for Eddie to buy a house in a different state, when apparently he was only renting in LA the whole time. But it's not important enough to have even one scene about it to resolve this, again, season long arc.

I'm sorry. I love Chimney Han and I love his friendship with Eddie. But this wasn't properly connected to any of the beats that lead up to this episode. He's not properly connected to this arc in a way that makes him telling Eddie to stay and Eddie saying okay an appropriate resolution.

They could even keep all the Chimney stuff in and it still be effective and fine IF there were another Eddie scene after the fact about HIM deciding and HIM talking to Chris about it and THEM deciding together. Because that's what's this has all been about right? Eddie and his son working out their issues together. And if it doesn't happen on screen, it doesn't count as an actual narrative beat with emotional weight.

The way it actually happened on screen, Chim told Eddie to stay and so Eddie stayed, because without an actual scene about, Chim's speech is officially the last beat of on screen, causative, forward motion in that arc.

I'm not doing the writer's work for them. We can all imagine how Eddie actually decided for himself because he was already 95% of the way there and just needed a push and he talked to Chris or didn't or whatever else happened off screen. But it isn't actually canon. It didn't happen on screen and it doesn't count as proper emotional or narrative resolution to the Texas arc.

Any proper resolution to this arc, which has, from the very beginning, been centered exclusively around Eddie, Chris, and Buck, necessarily should have involved Eddie, Chris, and Buck, and it should have happened on screen.

And 8.17 already set everything up for it! It was the world's easiest pitch to hit. It was tee-ball, and they missed it.

[mangonom]

this doesn't have to be connected to your fics but mango bb, how do you think sammy would react to you calling him daddy/dad ... cause shawn hatosy is sooo dad i feel like it bleeds through (just like his staring problem)

OKAY i looove pulling the daddy card with shawn's characters. it's just so delicious on him.

MY characterization of sammy?? he'd eat that shit up and lick his fingers after. absolutely loves it. he is such a sucker for being needed by people, especially after his divorce. he immediately realized being with someone as free-spirited as his ex-wife was awful for him, mentally. pivoted to go after softer, meeker girls, which are the exact type who'd let a "daddy" slip out after a painstakingly long time getting to know him. he's a cop for a reason, and making a pretty thing feel safe would set his ego on uppers.

i think he'd act a little smug, doing his cute little crooked smirk, but not kick up a bunch of theatrics. THEN, when all is said and done and it's nearly slipped your mind that you called him that, he'd refer to himself as daddy in the third person and just. make your head combust. "here, let daddy clean you up," after he boned you into oblivion and the space between your legs was wrecked type-shit. it'd bleed into the domestic moments around your shared flat and suddenly it's sunday morning and he's coming up behind you as you make pancakes, grabbing at your ass and muttering in your ear about how daddy's so lucky to have a sweet thing like you taking care of him, and how he's gonna take care of you too. counter sex!

ACTUAL southland sammy would be on the fence about it i think. his wife was a hyper-independent manic pixie girl, so the whole daddy thing isn't a dynamic he's very used to, and he's in the middle of losing a custody battle over his son. i think he'd... tread lightly, at first. if his tammi rebound called him daddy in bed i think he'd get minor whiplash at first, and then it'd unearth a protective, possessive instinct (?? why do i sound like i'm talking about wolves) that tammi was always too chaotic to let him bring out and not seeing his son had put on the backburner. a side of him that has been FESTERING. i'm having flashbacks to the bit of the show where he's talking to ben about settling down with a normal girl and getting the vibe that, at the end of the day, all he'd wanted was a housewife. would he be a little more tame with the daddy thing, keep it on a shorter leash than fawngirl sammy? probably. would you still end up in prone bone, his biceps holding you in a headlock, huffing "say that shit again, baby. you want daddy to make you feel good?" in your ear? yes yes yes i think yes

[antianakin]

Oooh hang on I think I can fix two issues at once here.

So I wasn't a huge fan of bringing in the "Rebellions are built on hope" line in part because it doesn't FEEL like a quote when Cassian says it in Rogue One and it made more sense for it to be something Cassian came up with in the moment, but also because there's a reason and a purpose behind that line in Rogue One that they didn't really put into Andor that frustrates me.

In Rogue One, Cassian says that to Jyn when she is QUESTIONING his plan because it hinges on hoping that Saw will react a certain way, and Jyn is a little incredulous that they've gone to so much trouble over something they can't even be certain will work. And that's why Cassian then responds with "Yeah, rebellions are built on hope" to remind her that NOTHING about this is certain, they can't guarantee that they will be able to take out the Empire at all, their chances of success are so intensely low, but they HAVE to hope that it will ultimately mean something or it will all be for nothing. That's the whole point of all of this.

And so when Jyn repeats it later for the Council, when they point out that her plan of going to Scarif for the Death Star plans hinges on nothing but hope, it shows that Jyn has changed her own outlook and that Cassian's words did stick with her and helped make that change happen. It's not the ONLY thing that caused that, but it has a ripple effect when she talks to Saw again and he asks her about the cause and his final words are to save the dream, and it has a ripple effect when she sees her father's message where he talks so much about how he hopes she's alive and safe and that this message will make it to her somehow and how hard he's worked for the barest hope that his efforts with the Death Star will be able to bring about its destruction, and then Galen dies and all of Saw and Galen's hopes now lie with Jyn. So the repetition of Cassian's line about rebellions being built on hope shows how she's continued to think about it and see the truth in those words across the last few adventures and it indicates a CHANGE in her. THAT'S where the impact and weight of those words comes from, it's relevant to the narrative of the main character.

And obviously, of course, it's also a reference to the fact that Rogue One is leading directly into Star Wars: A New Hope, so there's that. They're all fighting for that hope that is ultimately represented by the characters from A New Hope: Leia, and Luke, and even Han.

But in Andor, when the bellhop says it to Cassian, it's kind-of awkwardly thrown in there. Cassian isn't questioning anything, he's OFFERING hope to the people of Ghorman in a dire situation, and the bellhop then just says "Rebellions are built on hope." But Cassian never repeats it until Rogue One where it isn't actually all that major of a moment for him. The line ONLY has emotional weight and meaning because it's a callback to Rogue One. It's a moment where, if you haven't seen Rogue One, you can probably tell that you're supposed to be reacting to this line but you haven't really been given any reason to within this story. And I honestly hate moments like that because now the entire emotional core of a scene or a relationship relies on the viewer doing homework.

It would've been better if Cassian had seemed a little bit more like he was questioning the bellhop's decision to stay or questioning why the people of Ghorman were fighting back when it seemed destined to doom them. Maybe it should've even come from LUTHEN, during that scene where he says that Ghorman will burn. Cassian says he doesn't even get why these people are fighting back because they're so inept at it that they're definitely all going to die and Luthen tells him that rebellions are built on hope and then it leads into the conversation about how it's going to burn, letting us know that although Luthen does believe in hope as a motivator, he's USING these people's hope for his own ends and is relying more on fear and intimidation as a motivator than hope.

But then it you get to Bix deciding to leave Cassian and this time she chooses to have an actual conversation with him about it. Instead of Cassian wanting to leave, it's Bix who wants to leave because things have gotten really dangerous and this isn't what she wants anymore and she wants Cassian to come with her and he refuses because he's given too much to this cause to give up now. And Bix asks him what's the point of fighting when there's so little hope of success, and Cassian says "Because that's what a rebellion is. They're built on hope." And it's not enough for Bix, but it lets us know that this IS coming from Cassian, that maybe he's taken Luthen's words and decided to change it to mean something else for himself, and this is now HIS motivator for why he stays, this is why the cause is more important to him than anything else in his life. Luthen's words changed Cassian into the man he needs to be by Rogue One, just like Cassian's words changed Jyn into the person she needed to be.

And that way there's added weight to the line because now the emotion comes from seeing how these words change CASSIAN and the added bonus for the Rogue One viewers is knowing how these words continue to change Jyn, but you no longer NEED Rogue One in order for the line to have an emotional impact because it's already built into the story within Andor. And that line is the core of why Cassian doesn't leave with Bix, it's the center of his entire character arc, that he's willing to sacrifice everything for the barest of hopes.

[dollypopup]

controversial take?

Penelope did not always love Colin.

Penelope always found Colin attractive. Penelope idealized Colin. Penelope dreamed of being together romantically with Colin. But she was not in love with Colin because the Colin she knew wasn't real. The Colin she made up in her mind was a sanitized, perfectly polished version of him that has never existed save in a society that required him to be as such. Penelope ONLY came to actually love Colin when he revealed to her his actual self: the self that hurt, the self that cried, the self that yelled, the self with insecurities. The self that can sharpen on her like a knife. The self that curls in fetal. Until she cracked his chest open to see the gaping wound of him, she did not love him.

The Colin Penelope thought she loved was a man who was always kind, always sure of himself in society, always sweet and understanding. A Colin who wrote her letters from across the sea to include her in his adventures and always made time for her and was always there with a joke or a question about how she was feeling.

And the thing is: Colin IS kind and he IS sweet and understanding, but there is no always about that. There is no always about anyone. Colin sulks. Colin sobs. Colin feels deeply and loves deeply and hurts deeply. Colin is curious. Colin is lonely. Colin is needy and hungry and conflicted. Colin is tender and emotional. Colin is sarcastic and sharp. Colin is quiet and withdrawn and holds his hurts so tightly, can't ask for help. Colin wants to be useful. Most people do. But when he isn't, he feels aimless. Colin succumbs to the pressures of his society. Colin is rejected and abandoned and blames himself. Colin is warm and empathetic and studious and selfless but he is also angry and jealous and avoidant and human.

The Colin Penelope claimed she always loved was not a person. He was a prince on a horse. And let's be very clear here: in many ways, the real Colin absolutely still is a princely character. That's why very minor things like him saying he wouldn't court her got blown up SO big in the fandom. Compared to 'wed bed and bred' from Season 2? Hell, even compared to some of what Penelope herself has said? Colin absolutely is a sweetheart through and through.

But honestly, the moment where I did feel like Penelope loved and accepted him? Was after the entrapment line. Yes yes, I know. Booooo tomatoes tomatoes tomatoes from the majority of the fandom who INSISTS on demonizing him for it, but. . .truly? That was exactly how someone who actually accepts him would react.

He lashed out, he was hurt, he was upset at her (and let's be clear here: for very, VERY good reason. Most if not ALL people would be upset to find out their fiance was hiding a double life from them), and she absorbed it. She took that blow and assured him, because she knew what he meant was Do you even love me? and her response to it was Yes, I do. I do love you. That was the right way to go about it. That scene, for me, was a moment in which she really saw him. And she really cared for him. No bells, no whistles, no galloping in on a horse with an open hand for her to take. Colin showed her the side of him that could be ugly and mean and she said Yes, this too. All of it. All of you.

That was the only way she should have reacted. Because if she didn't absorb that blow? If she DIDN'T accept him for who he was? That's the death of their love story. If Colin said 'Yes, but you're my mess' and Penelope said 'Too much mess, chuck it out'? What kind of romance would that be? Not a romance at all, really, but a breakup. When Colin said something previously that hurt her, she threw their whole relationship away. Her hearing him say something that hurt her but still choosing him is important character growth.

There truly were not enough moments like that for me in the show. Bridgerton, and Polin more specifically, tends to lean on the whole 'Oh, she's always had feelings for him' thing to justify us getting less genuine affection and acceptance from her in the season, but the truth is that those feelings weren't based on anything real. Their push back, their back and forth, their fights- that's real. It's easy saying you love someone through the good times. Far less so to truly love them through the tough ones. It is only love, actually love, if you love them through the tough ones. Otherwise, it's artifice. Otherwise, it's a bubble waiting to pop with nothing of substance beneath the shiny, iridescent skin.

So, no, Penelope did not always love Colin Bridgerton. There is no always have.

There is, however, an always will.

[cryptidbear]

Preview of a one-shot fic I'm writing where Jason learns just how not okay Tim is, and learns how to be a better brother and overcome their communication issues. Why? Self-indulgent reasons.

TW: Hinting towards Suicidal ideation but no outright mention of it. Mentions of death and funerals, the after life, emotional vulnerability.

Also, beware, this might be very ooc, still learning how to write these characters. And write in general!!!

Sneak peak!!!

🦇🦇🦇🦇

🦇🦇🦇🦇

“Would you come to my funeral?” 

The words, spoken so abruptly in the silence of their stakeout on a random rooftop near the docks, catches Jason completely and utterly off guard, damn near dropping his food in surprise.

He blinks slowly behind his domino mask, red helmet resting lazily in his lap as he eats a greasy batburger, a tradition for really any stakeout that always elicits a look of disapproval from Alfred.

He chews the food that suddenly tastes like ash on his tongue as he looks over at the teen sitting right beside him. His throat clenches with old guilt and new worries, his fingers digging into the burger and squishing it slightly.

He eyes Tim silently for another few moments, eyes dragging over the weary form of his younger brother. Surely, he had simply misheard him, right? Surely the brat wasn’t asking what he thinks he’s asking.

“Why?” He croaks out finally, his hands lowering towards his lap, a lone pickle falling unseen to the cold concrete of the rooftop, a sure treat for whatever bird found it come morning.

Tim shrugs lightly, not meeting Jason's gaze. He faces the docks instead, eyes hidden behind the white out lense of his domino mask sweeping over the area. “I don't know. Just… been thinking lately, I guess.” His voice is quiet in a way it often is, quiet in a way that has Jason’s skin itching beneath his armor. 

“ ‘bout yer funeral?” Jason feels at a loss about what to do in this situation, more than lost really, if he was being honest with himself. “Uh, why… why are ya thinkin’ ‘bout such a gruesome thin’?”

He was never any good at emotional stuff. Clearly, with his whole murder spree and hunting down the boy who took over the Robin mantle and slitting his throat.

Heck, he couldn't even deal with his own emotions half the time!!

He really, truly just wasn’t fit for this conversation, not in the slightest.

Plus… he and Tim… they weren't close. Not like that, at least. Not close enough to be talking about their own funerals and shit, or whatever was happening right now.

Sure, he loved Tim, much as anyone could love the chaotic bastard of a brother Tim was, but…

Jason always kept his distance. He always made sure to with the guilt that weighed him down from the Titan's Tower attack.

He was trying to be better, but it was hard some days. And he didn't want Tim caught in the crossfire of his real bad days when the anger wound tight around his chest and wouldn't let go.

Or really, any of his family. It’s one of the reasons he rarely comes around the manor or the cave.

Better to be distant and achingly lonely than risk another incident, especially when his relationship with Bruce was still so rocky.

Jason clears his throat when Tim doesn't answer, concern growing at the teen’s silence.

It really was never a good sign when he fell so silent like that. Always thinking far too much. .

“No, I wouldn't.” He answers honestly, and he sees the way his brother's shoulders slump, his heart, once still and buried six feet under, squeezes tightly at the sight. Sometimes it’s so telling of how Tim held himself in his mind, how little he thought of himself with the way he reacted to things sometimes, no matter how much he tried to hide it. He takes a small breath before continuing in what he hoped was a softer voice.

🦇🦇🦇🦇

End of sneak peak!! I'm actually very excited for this one since I haven't actually written Tim before, well not properly at least.

(Also, to note, Tim knows he's a good Robin, knows he's smart and skilled. But I have to imagine with some of the things that happen in canon... that kids gonna have issues. He's going to doubt his place sometimes. He's going to question things. I like to imagine this is set maybe a few months after the whole time stream situation. Also I don't know 100% of what happens in canon so 😓)

And don't worry, Jason doesn't just say no. He has a reason. He'll comfort Tim as best he can.

[0viraptoraskblog]

How do you think btd/tpof characters would react to a chubby MC being insecure about her weight?? I think I saw Lawrence likes chubby people or something, I don't remember it quite well but I'm curious about how'd he take mc being insecure about it, I love your account, thanks you so much for bringing all this btd/tpod content!! 💗💗💗 (english is no my first language so I'm sorry if I didn't choose the correct words 😞)

I hope you don’t mind I combined these two.

I did talk about that a little in This ask, so if I don’t answer their initial reaction for a character it’s because I’ve already explained it there— just so I don’t have to write it out twice :)

Strade- Strade likes all body types pretty equally, he only tends to avoid those stronger than him. He’d treat you more or less the same if you’re chubby. If you’re shy or insecure, he actually would give you good advice, believe it or not. He’ll explain how you’re great the way you are, and there’s no reason to be insecure. He’s not skinny himself, either.

Ren- (see post) Ren might think it’s kind of cute that you’re insecure, but he’ll give you his speech about being yourself and tell you you’re perfect how you are. Even if you don’t believe him at first, you won’t be able to deny it forever, it’s clear that he does like you and thinks you’re attractive.

Lawrence- (see post) if you were insecure about it, Lawrence would honestly focus more on his opinion of you than yours. He knows you’re beautiful, and he just won’t listen to you talk bad about yourself.

Sano- Sano would see no problem with it, so long as you’re healthy in general. If you’re really insecure.. he could always offer to make alterations, of course.

Akira- Akira is fond of all body types. I think he’d find someone chubby cute, similarly to Ren. If you’re insecure, he may laugh because you look cute when you’re unsure, but he’ll also give you a compliment here or there.

Vincent- Vincent, as I’ve mentioned before, likes people that are smaller than him. Skinny or chubby, as long as you’re a small person, he won’t discriminate. Yeah, he likes different aspects of your appearance than someone like Farz, but he still likes it.

Cain- I think Cain is pretty indifferent, like Rire. He cares more about being entertained than visually pleased.

Rire- nothing really will change. He’s more focused on what you do, not what you look like. If you’re interesting, what does body type matter? Human bodies are so limiting anyway, he barely bothers to make a preference on them.

Derek- (see post) He’ll likely put you down for it constantly. It’s not even personal at this point, he just likes body shaming. If you’re insecure? Oh, insults double time. Especially if you’re in front of others— he’ll never miss an opportunity to make you feel ashamed. At night though when you two are alone, you may notice he likes touching your thighs or belly. So he might be a hypocrite.

Celia- (see post) if you were insecure about it, she’d just laugh softly and tell you just how cute you are. It won’t reassure you or put you down, just leave you wondering what to make of that.

Mason- Mason might try to avoid anyone he sees as too overweight, just because he wants someone athletic. But being chubby doesn’t mean you can’t be! If he saw enough spark in you to purchase you, regardless of body type, he likes you all the same. If you were insecure, he’d probably give you practical reasons why you’re fine the way you are. Having more body fat means you store more energy and are warmer for the winter months (that sort of thing.. he still views you a little bit like his prey). It’s meant as a compliment, though.

Also, I just realized I forgot Fox on that original post. But he’s the same with young Ren!

[unkillable-gays]

9-1-1 8.18 "Seismic Shifts" final thoughts

Disappointing, if not entirely surprising, lack of gay shit.

I'm very satisfied with (implied?) Captain Chim, though!! (Also I called that last week!) And it was so sweet and fitting that Athena helped give him the confidence to get there! 🥰 Though it's perhaps a little concerning that he's starting his rule with, "I'm locking the doors; nobody leaves." 😅 how's that work-life balance going, 118?

(Though I do feel like they made Hen seem kind of meek in order to provide a space for him to step into? Which doesn't seem necessary to me. But also I haven't watched the whole show, so I may not have the best understanding of the characters, and Icould be misinterpreting.)

It's always funny to me when they're like, "we're the 118, we're a team, we're a family!!" or whatever, and two thirds of the ensemble are nameless extras 😅😅 like, I understand why the structure of the story necessitates that, but it's still funny.

Sooo is season 9 gonna start with Buck living on the Diaz's couch?? Making things awkward even though they don't really need to be awkward? Them trying to play the part of Platonic Best Friends, and only partially succeeding?

I AM kinda disappointed we didn't get to see Buck be relieved that Eddie wasn't leaving!!! Like, I know that, textually, he wanted to transfer bc he missed Bobby, but we all know he would never have felt that lost if Eddie hadn't intended to go back to Texas. Buck was definitely a little bit about to blow up his whole life and support network bc his bestie was moving. So it would've been nice to see him react to the news, especially bc the way we jumped straight to him apartment hunting really made him seem perpetually adrift. He's literally over here saying tragic and metaphorical shit to his real estate agent.

Popular Kid Christopher foreverrrrrrr 🥰🥰🥰 he's literally got plans, Dad. (Maybe the fanfic wasn't exaggerating the number of sleepovers?)

Do you guys think Donny and Graham got a new apartment together? 👀

Does anyone else feel like it might be weird to name a baby after someone you're close to, who has recently passed? Like, just potentially confusing. Especially if it's the name the child is actually going to be called. But I say this was someone who has never lost someone close to me, or, like, named a baby. So maybe idk what I'm talking about lol. 🤷🏻‍♀️

(I'm also literally named after my own dead abuelita, but that's not the name anyone in my family has ever called me, so I don't think it counts!) (Also it's not like my mom called her by HER name when she was alive.)

Context aside though, I do think Bobby is a cute name for baby Han. Like, Chim and Maddie do seem like they'd be parents to a Bobby! 🥰

It is seeming increasingly likely that og Bobby is actually dead, though. 😬

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Hi, do you think that Harry's personality was altered to fit with Ginny's in HBP? I can put my money on the fact that the Harry Potter from OotP would not put up with any of Ginny's bullshit. He wouldn't even talk to her if he could help it let alone date her.

If jkr wasn't on her trojan horse to make hinny endgame, Harry probably would not date anybody in sixth year. Not with Sirius's death, voldemort's horcruxes, his disastrous relationship (really, it's a stretch) with Cho the previous year and his new found obsession with Malfoy. His brain could only hold so much.

Hi, like, Harry's personality definitely changed in HBP, but I don't think Ginny was the only reason (Ginny's personality also changed from OotP, for the worse if you ask me). Harry's personality change between OotP and HBP isn't all that bad. Last time I read the book, a lot of it can be explained by his trauma response (his sass and even less self-preservation than before).

What is a little odd about HBP Harry is that he is way calmer than OotP Harry and tries harder not to annoy Ginny, even early in the book, before he supposedly realises his crush. Which is in stark contrast to Harry with anybody else and in any other book. Harry isn't scared of calling out people for bad behaviour, even people he likes (Lupin, Ron, Hermione, etc.), and who is outright rude to Ginny late in OotP. Basically, the transitions in Harry's opinions and behaviour towards Ginny didn't change naturally and go against how he usually reacts to people. Because you're right that OotP Harry would not try to appease Ginny when she gets all worked up over Fluer, he wouldn't care what she thought, and we don't see the summer between OotP and HBP when he supposedly changed his whole treatment of Ginny — which is a problem.

As for whether he'd date at all after Sirius' death... it can go both ways. I actually think it's very possible Harry throws himself into a relationship with Ginny — who he sees as a normal and safe dating option, she represents normal teenage life, and not being the Boy Who Lived — because of his trauma and Sirius' death and everything going on with Voldemort.

I mean, we are told pretty explicitly he sees his time with Ginny as a break of normalcy from his eventful life. It's a distraction and a coping mechanism:

“It’s been like . . . like something out of someone else’s life, these last few weeks with you,” said Harry. “But I can’t . . . we can’t . . . I’ve got things to do alone now.”

(HBP, Ch30)

So, I don't think that's inherently out of character, actually. What is, is Harry thinking he loves Ginny as much as he does, without knowing her and being chill with a lot of her behaviour he would have called her out for before:

“She’s a damn sight nicer than Phlegm,’’ said Ginny “And she’s more intelligent, she’s an Auror!” said Hermione from the corner. “Fleur’s not stupid, she was good enough to enter the Triwizard Tournament,” said Harry. “Not you as well!” said Hermione bitterly. “I suppose you like the way Phlegm says ‘ ’Arry,’ do you?” asked Ginny scornfully. “No,” said Harry, wishing he hadn’t spoken, “I was just saying, Phlegm — I mean, Fleur —” [...] “I wouldn’t go in the kitchen just now,” she warned him. “There’s a lot of Phlegm around.” “I’ll be careful not to slip in it.” Harry smiled

(HBP, Ch5)

First, Hermione and Ginny should lay off Fleur. Second, how come Harry finds Ginny's comments about Fleur funny after he just spoke in Fleur's defence? Why is he regretting having talked? He doesn't regret it when he speaks up to defend people he cares about or to say what people need to hear when it's the truth, even in HBP and DH. Ginny is the only exception, and we don't see what made her that exception in the books. Especially when Harry repeatedly shows he cares for Ron and Hermione more than her.

“And Ginny, don’t call Ron a prat, you’re not the Captain of this team —” “Well, you seemed too busy to call him a prat and I thought someone should —” Harry forced himself not to laugh.

(HBP, Ch14)

You're telling me Harry would find this behaviour funny, JKR? He would if he didn't like Ron, sure, but Ron is one of his most important people, more important to him than Ginny (as proven time and time again in DH), and he knows Ron's insecure enough as is. Harry would not stand for the Ron slander, even if it's from his sister.

Harry looked over at Ron, who was hunched in a corner, staring at his knees, a bottle of butterbeer clutched in his hand. “Angelina still won’t let him resign,” Ginny said, as though reading Harry’s mind. “She says she knows he’s got it in him.” Harry liked Angelina for the faith she was showing in Ron, but at the same time thought it would really be kinder to let him leave the team.

(OotP, Ch26) - Harry likes when people show faith in Ron's abilities! Wild that he's a good friend!

For context, Harry to Ginny in OotP when he's stressed over Sirius and annoyed with her:

“Hi,” said Ginny uncertainly. “We recognized Harry’s voice — what are you yelling about?” “Never you mind,” said Harry roughly. Ginny raised her eyebrows. “There’s no need to take that tone with me,” she said coolly. “I was only wondering whether I could help.” “Well, you can’t,” said Harry shortly.

(OotP, Ch32)

But I wouldn't say Harry won't talk to her if he could help it. He likes Ginny in OotP but not more than Fred and George. He finds some of her comments amusing and thinks she's alright. He doesn't hate her, far from it — but he doesn't see her as a romantic interest, he sees her as Ron's little sister. He's actively surprised she has any interest or talent in Quidditch and finds it unlikely. OotP Harry doesn't think very highly of Ginny, nor is he super interested in her as a person:

“You and Fred and George,” she said impatiently. “We’ve got an- other Seeker!” “Who?” said Harry quickly. “Ginny Weasley,” said Katie. Harry gaped at her. “Yeah, I know,” said Angelina, pulling out her wand and flexing her arm. “But she’s pretty good, actually. Nothing on you, of course,” she said, throwing him a very dirty look

(OotP, Ch21)

“Well, that was a bit stupid of you,” said Ginny angrily, “seeing as you don’t know anyone but me who’s been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.” Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he turned on the spot to face her. “I forgot,” he said. “Lucky you,” said Ginny coolly. “I’m sorry,” Harry said, and he meant it. “So . . . so do you think I’m being possessed, then?”

(OotP, Ch23)

And even the "best" hinny scene in OotP in the library (in quotations because that scene is really weird), Harry isn't really telling Ginny what's bothering him. He tells her he wants to talk to Sirius, but not why (Which is his doubts about James and what he saw in Snape's worst memory. He doesn't tell Ron and Hermione about it either, but it is an example of him not being more open with her than with Ron and Hermione. He isn't).

It's not all out of character in HBP, and Harry could get to a point where he treats Ginny and her comments the way he does, there's just nothing that happens in the books that justifies it — hence why it's so jarring. We didn't see Harry's emotions evolve to this point; they just sorta appear, and are really weird when they are there (god, I hate the chest monster).

[jackattack20writes]

This is probably my hottest gquuuuuux take but I don’t actually think Machu’s as rich as people are thinking like she’s not poor but she’s not what people would consider rich either. Now until five minutes ago I was thinking that she’d at least be upper middle class if not just upper class, but I just had the realisation that her phone is still broken in ep 6 and I just double checked to be sure and yeah Machu’s still using the phone with the broken screen. And this is a big thing because it adds another layer to Machu’s layers of insecurity while also bringing her closer socially to Shuji and Nyaan and explains some of the more anachronistic aspects of her character when you consider her as a “rich girl” which I actually talked about in another post where I went into what impact her schooling may’ve had.

I think this is actually a massive thing because it does explain a lot of the stuff around Machu, her mum and what little we got about her absent dad in this weeks ep. So firstly I can’t talk for certain about what sort of culture Japan has around private schools because I’m not Japanese but I do know that round where I live it’s not uncommon for families to prioritise the fees of a private school over almost everything else with it being one of the largest costs they’ll have in a year and sacrificing in a lot of areas to afford the luxury. The possibility of this being Machu’s situation is one which I think can both explain the absence of Machu’s dad and at least in part the emphasis her mother has on school. To begin with we know that Machu’s mother is a public servant with some level of responsibility, she seems to be in charge of part of the audit division but she’s not high up enough to not have the responsibility of checking over her subordinates work. So she’d be decent pay but nothing extravagant, especially not the sort of money that would afford a high school that’s prestigious enough Xavier knows about it. So that implies that Machu’s father is gone working wherever he is, and working somewhere that communication seems to not be easy so I’d assume outside of the colony, as well as not something overly prestigious that would put him in a position to communicate frequently. (Also I must highlight that a lot of this is inferred and guesses based basically off only Xavier’s comments about Machu’s school the fact Machu still has a broken screen on her phone weeks if not months later and the absence of Machu’s father.)

Now this is all relevant to the broken screen because it shows that both outside of the clanbat reward money she’s putting toward the earth trip/shuttle Machu doesn’t have access to a lot of money, not even enough to repair her phone screen and she’s unwilling to talk to her mother about getting it fixed. Showing that she has an awareness about their financial situation. This is important because it adds to Machu’s clear feelings of inadequacy as if she’s aware of the financial strain her schooling puts her family under with how she reacts to everything else it’s clear that that would be another stress point for her and making her feel useless. This sort of thing also explains why unlike her classmates Machu isn’t shown to be friends with the other girls at the school, we see them admiring her and trying to be friendly with her multiple times but she just brushes them off, something that makes sense if she knows that she’s in a different world to them, if they don’t have their family making sacrifices to get them schooled there. Also it’s shown at least a little with how her classmates got so excited about the gambling site in ep 4 while Machu’s just boggling at the idea of that much money (which is almost enough for one of the ships Shuji was looking at), but for them it’s just spending money for an afternoon with friends but for Machu it’s mindboggling large that she doesn’t even know what to spend it on, at least until Shuji’s

This is also another reason why her parents would be so on her ass about school, if they’re sacrificing to make sure Machu can attend with her mother constantly working long hours and her dad possibly leaving them to work outside the colony it makes sense from their pov why Machu’s seeming disregard for school is such a massive issue. It also explains why Machu’s almost sad when she talks about stuff like the careers goals, almost like she wishes she could put something else but she’s unwilling to lie about what she wants.

Like it’s been staring me in the face and I only just realised it, like it gives more detail to why Machu’s clashing with her mum as it’s a common belief with parents that send their kids to private schools that it’s the best thing they could possibly do and the kids just don’t understand that. So of course it’s entirely unreasonable for Machu to try and fluff around instead of keeping her head down and studying properly like she should be, and of course the absent father would have even more issues because he’s sacrificing time with his family so they can afford it. And of course this feeds even more into Machu’s struggles with her identity and value as a person because her parents not only have an ideal she’s not reaching, they’re spending beyond their means to try and get her to reach it and she just can’t because it’s not who she is. Giving her a very concrete example of her relationship with people worsening because she isn’t performing her role, something that is reflected in her ep 5 freakout about the Kira Kira. Except that time it’s not her personal failings as the issue, it’s her friend “taking” her role away from her and with it her arguably strongest connections at the moment.

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

Ifan is my beloved, and I do enjoy a lot about how he's written, but I would definitely like to see him struggle more with his past and more of it being brought to light. Whether we would find out about it ourselves or he would confess it himself. I would like him to face it with us. As it is, we have to collect bits and pieces all over the place to know anything about his past ourselves. It really does feel like they want him to be this unhinged, violent man, but also won't show it much unless it's a highly emotional situation with a character that pretty much deserves it, where a lot of our companions might react the same way. Yet there are hints to some really interesting stuff, unexplored.

Like the Lone Wolves are mercenaries of the worst kind. They'd do anything for gold. They hunted elves so they could sell them as slaves. After all, they did it to Sebille. And they didn't treat her kindly while holding her captive, either. I know the companions pretty much ignore each other, but Ifan and Sebille should've clashed about this. Roost and his Lone Wolves hurt her in completely unforgivable ways, but Ifan was Roost's friend and a member of the Lone Wolves, but there's no conflict when you have them both in the party whatsoever. It's even more ridiculous when you bring them both to see Roost, because then Sebille takes over and attacks Roost, while Ifan has nothing to say about it.

When you use spirit vision in the Lone Wolf base, there are spirits of murdered children that Roost and his goons tortured to death. That can't possibly be a new thing. Shit like that must have been happening while Ifan was still with them. He and Roost were friends. He had to know about at least some of it. He had to participate in some of the things the Lone Wolves did. In the comic, he's shown to be tracking an elf (to turn over to the magisters iirc). At the very least, Ifan had to be complacent with some of the atrocities the Lone Wolves committed. After all, he's supposed to be one of the most dangerous men in Rivellon. But we can't talk about it much. Sure, we know he's a killer for hire. We can compare body counts, which doesn't necessarily mean anything in a game like this. We can talk about him nuking the elven homeland, which he was tricked into while trying to save the elves, so that is a horrific thing, but something nobody can actually hold against him.

I played an elven Godwoken, who I romanced him with, and the fact that there's a solid chance that he used to help Roost and the Lone Wolves hunt elves, if he didn't do it himself, to sell into slavery is something we can't discuss, and that's kind of insane. I'm all for redemption and drawing a big fat line behind that life in order to do better, but we should get into it first.

It can be a bit hard to believe Ifan is supposed to be the man that the game insists that he is at times, because he's immediately friendly, kind, cares about doing the right thing. He blushes and gets flustered like a schoolgirl when you flirt with him for the first time. (Which is cute, of course.) He only shows his fangs a little when you do something he really doesn't like, otherwise he shows you his whole belly almost each conversation when you're nice to him. This is so funny for romance, because he catches a glimpse of the Godwoken, immediately develops a crush, and is forever a good boy. Yes, his mannerism is still rough and brutish to some extent, and I like that, but it's not intimidating. Yet he's supposed to be somebody who used to murder and sell people out for gold, but you wouldn't know almost anything about it from talking to him.

Ifan ben-Mezd, the Silver Claw, is often actually more of a puppy when the Godwoken is around, while he's supposed to be a wolf, and part of me loves it, and part of me really wishes they also got into the darkness in him that they tease us with. The whole "the hands gently cradling your face are drenched in unspeakable amounts of blood" thing just before sleeping with him is kinda hot, not gonna lie, I'm very much into the feral Ifan narrative, but the thing is that I've been scratching this guy behind the ears the whole game, so it also doesn't perhaps have the intended impact (?), because we have absolutely no reason to feel unsafe around him. His violence is always turned in the right direction. That is, away from us, towards some villain.

For the record, I do like his personality exactly the way it is. I love the moments we get with him in the game. But I also think that his bloody past shouldn't be glossed over like that. There's so much left unexplored there. Walking into the Lone Wolf camp and discovering what they are like and not being able to talk to him about his involvement in all that is crazy. Especially considering that he's clearly trying to be a better man, trying to put some incredibly dark and bloody chapters of his life behind him. He's obviously heartbroken over the deathfog incident, which he was tricked into while having the best of intentions, but we don't see him struggle much with the fact that he was a ruthless killer for hire pretty much five minutes ago, which was his own choice. A choice made after the deathfog incident completely broke him and nothing mattered to him any more, sure, but still his own choice. It would be so interesting to get into it and talk to him about it, perhaps even confront him if you play a character that cares about doing good.

Im throwing rocks at my own roof here, but unfortunately I'd wish that Ifan's characterization was more consistent in-game. Like yeah I'll play and pretend he's a bad boy for ship reasons but 99% of in-game interactions are him being good-hearted and a kind person.

AND DON'T GET ME WRONG there is nothing I love more than a kind rough man, but that leaves scenes in which the narrator has to verbally remind you that that man is a mercenary, or him casually dropping that he kills people. Sure we see OTHER Lone Wolfs do bad shit; but any in-game violence is either something that the party started; or that they are okay with. So when you get into a romance scene and the narrator reminds you that he is a "dangerous man", it falls a bit flat imo

[rottmnt-residuum]

Part 6 of Arc II (Part 32)

the elevator music is kokomo btw sksksk

⇇ | ⇽ | index | ⇾ (censored) | ⇾ (gore)

[saph-yells-into-the-void]

man...

[lovesickeros]

☆ decadence divine [ act I ]

{☆} characters arlecchino, neuvillette, furina {☆} notes yandere, drabble, gender neutral reader {☆} warnings yandere content, stalking (implied), kidnapping (implied) {☆} word count 2.3k

ARLECCHINO

Arlecchino was wont to leave social gatherings to her subordinates– the private meetings were where she thrived. It was so much easier to lure your prey into a trap when you didn't have prying eyes and ears waiting for the barest hint of blackmail.

She clicked her tongue in distaste, her eyes narrowing beneath the mask of the fox as she set down her cup sharply. It was difficult as it was to draw them from the safety of their bubble– at the slightest hint of danger, her quarry would run. A chase would be fun, but she couldn't risk getting caught here. The political nightmare it would cause..it already gave her a headache. She had to be discreet.

They weren't making it easy, however.

Which is why she never liked crowds. But this chance didn't come by every day. She wasn't going to simply let it pass by because of a little danger. She'd have them eventually, it was just a matter of how. There were already numerous of her own lingering in the crowds, hidden beneath the masks that every patron bore. It was difficult to stand out amongst the flurry of masked patrons constantly shifting around the room, moving from one conversation to another, gliding from one dance partner to another.

Her heeled boots clicked sharply against the tile as she stalked through the crowds, keeping a wide berth yet always lingering nearby– she was sure they could feel the vague sense of being watched, but with the huge crowds..her lips quirked into a grin with the barest flash of teeth. There were a great many ways to break them in– she'd spent a great amount of time and mora to get anything she could for blackmail, if she so wished. She had the backing of the Fatui as well if she played her cards right– it wouldn't be difficult to convince them that they were a valuable target, and none of them would dare to question just what she did with them afterwards.

Perhaps a bit of play, first. Test the waters. She was familiar with playing the polite gentleman, despite her status as a Fatui Harbinger. Stage something for her to intervene, perhaps, to look the hero. The look of shock when she revealed the wolf beneath the wool..she could see it already. That wide, doe-eyed look as they realized the monster they've followed blindly like a lost lamb..she was beginning to see the appeal.

All it took was a few hushed words and subtle signals before the tiles started to fall in place, her hand gliding along their lower back as she leaned over their shoulder with a thin, predatory smile. She'd have to organize for the agent to be released later, her eyes following as the Gardes dragged him out of the room in a flurry of curses, but for now..she tilted her head to peer down at them, polite and almost apologetic.

"You aren't too startled, are you? Now now, there's no need to look so..scared, poor thing. I won't let another lay a hand on you," She cooed in a sickly sweet tone, the husky rasp of her voice whispered in their ear like dripping honey. "You have my word. Now, why don't we get you some fresh air? Come. Allow me to escort you."

Her lips pulled into a jagged grin at the relief in their eyes– the blind lamb following the shepherd as it led them into it's maw. Just a little longer, and she could finally have her own caged bird– a pretty thing to admire, to protect, to possess.

Something no one else would ever touch again. Something hers.

NEUVILLETTE

Neuvillette was not one for parties. The intricacies and delicate handling of public relations he oft left in the capable hands of Furina, rather then himself. It was only at her behest he even attended at all, but he still felt rather..out of place amongst the bodies constantly shifting through the ballroom like a constant rush of water from one end to the other, no rhyme nor reason to the flow. The only thing that kept him afloat among the tides was the mask of the deer obscuring his face– even if it was exceedingly difficult to truly hide himself among the crowds, most passed over him without second thought.

Though he had to be honest with himself, even if he couldn't bring himself to admit it to Furina despite her insistence that his attendance was mandatory. He had his own reasons for coming– selfishness that left a sour taste in his mouth. It was purely by chance he'd seen the briefest glimpse of them prior, and he..was intrigued, that was all.

He refused to let his thoughts linger on the sleepless nights he spent prying every piece of information he could from loose tongues and obscure documents, every moment he managed to squeeze in between trials spent lingering in their most favored locations– cafes, stores, restaurants, the like.

Now a masquerade.

He tried not to let the guilt gnaw at his conscious, but it lingered like an age old scar that still ached.

So he relegated himself to simply residing in the further corner, nursing a goblet of water like a fine wine, trying not to let his eyes stray to the brief glimpses of them through the ever moving bodies filling the center of the room, dancing like puppets in music boxes.

Still, his hand twitched in an instinctual desire– a need to clasp his hand in their own, to touch his lips upon their knuckles, to indulge in a moment of reprieve and unshackle himself from the mantle that bears heavy upon his shoulders. He seeks reverence, worship, but not of himself– but towards the one who had drawn the eye of the dragon amongst the waves of humans he'd seen come and go for a great many years.

No one could compare, he is certain. None have left him as breathless, as hopelessly infatuated, as the one who made him wish only to kneel at their feet in senseless reverence until he could no longer speak. A hopeless man, indeed, if he has never even truly met them.

Instead he's spent his time prying into their life from the shadows. Caution, or simple cowardice?

He dares not ponder.

Yet in his ceaseless pondering he'd blocked out the world without, failing to notice the figure stepping up beside him until their hand brushed against his elbow– just the briefest touch, but it had his pupils narrowing and his entire body tensing like a coiled spring. That touch..bliss. It left him breathless and lightheaded as he tilted his head to regard them, his lips parting in a shaky sigh. They are as beautiful as he remembers– even with their face obscured beneath the mask, he would never forget them.

"Greetings, Monsieur– I hope I didn't frighten you too much." Their laugh made him feel rather faint, just the sound of their voice making his hand tighten around his cane. "..Not at all. I was simply lost in thought." He admitted apologetically, trying to reign in the urge to cup their face between his palms. A dangerous thought. He didn't want to scare them off when they'd provided him a priceless opportunity.

"My apologies, you must have needed something. It was rude of me to have been so absorbed in my thoughts to have ignored you." He continued, gently turning to set his goblet down– offer them his full attention, be a gentleman. The words rang in his skull like a ceaseless alarm, blaring and rattling his thoughts as he gently took their hand in his own. It was a split second decision– an indulgence, but he could simply not help himself. Even with his gloves between them, he felt like he was going to lose his composure just from such a brief touch..

He truly was a hopeless man before an altar, praying for a salvation he intends to bury deep beneath the waves– to keep it hidden in the darkness of the depths that only he can reach. A selfish man, he must be, to even think of it, but it is an itch that he cannot scratch. A need that must be satisfied. He cannot allow any hands but his own to tend to them, to know what it feels to touch them, to hear their voice and see their eyes as he prays– prays like a man starved, devotion born of desperation.

"I hope I did not make you wait too long." He smiles, soft and affectionate, like the bloom of spring beneath the winters chill– yet just as deadly, only masked by the sweet fragrance of flowers.

He had waited too long.

No longer.

FURINA

Furina was right at home amongst the crowds– where the masks obscured the identities of most, it was impossible to not recognize the charming banter of the Hydro Archon beneath the mask of the lamb as she graced the masquerade with her presence, speaking with a silver tongue to any who would listen. A truly enthralled audience fitting for the grandest of performers in Fontaine.

But her eyes lingered not on the people who's praise dripped from their lips like honey– yet so very bitter upon her tongue. Even the mask obscuring her expression did little to hide the longing that had her visibly deflating like a popped balloon. She hated all the eyes on her, really– it was suffocating. She was only putting on a show in the foolish hope that they'd finally pay attention to her. Just her luck, she supposes, that instead she's had to throw herself straight into the role of Archon without a pay off..

They hadn't even spared her a glance! It would be infuriating if not for the fact she couldn't even keep her composure just seeing them across the room. They didn't even have to look at her and she could feel the heat rush to her ears as she forced another smile at the crowd gathered around her. It was unfair how easily they could fluster her without even knowing it– her heart was thumping so hard against her ribcage she felt like it might burst.

Her only solace was the fact none of the patrons seemed to realize she'd clocked out of the conversation, her thoughts and eyes lingering on the distant figure– what a lovestruck fool she makes..it was a chance encounter she'd seen them during one of her outings. That was all it took to enthrall her, evidentially, try as she might to have ignore it for months.

They never left her mind for longer then a day, in the end, and she had to face the fact they had managed to enrapture her so deeply she felt like a newborn lamb learning to walk whenever she so much as thought of them. What an embarrassment! She..she was the Archon, she had a reputation to maintain, she couldn't be seen fawning over a human.

But oh, she still longed for it, beneath the veneer of a God. She'd watched them more times then she'd admit even to herself, wishing to find herself in place of those who'd hands were cradled so casually in their own– to hear their voice, their laughter, as often as she pleased..like a fine delicacy she so badly wished to taste, yet so far from her reach.

Would they think her pathetic for her infatuation? She pursed her lips at the thought, trying to bury the sour mood beneath her faux image of the Archon. Yet it lingered, and with only the quietest of excuses, she slipped into the crowd like a ghost– she needed to leave before she did something..stupid. Neuvillette would surely have a few choice words with her if she did, and she was inclined to avoid such a fate.

She..she just needed a moment to collect herself was all. That was it. She could go back to playing Archon for a little longer, she just needed a moment to herself. At the very least, the balcony had been regarded as off limits so late into the party– which gave her an opportunity to slip out of the public view for the briefest of moments. A welcome reprieve– she was starting to feel suffocated amongst the crowds.

Perhaps on instinct, she reached for the mask, lifting ever so slightly away..only to let out a startled yelp at the touch of a hand on her shoulder, the mask slipping back into place far too easily. It made her lightheaded, even now, but she dared not to dwell on it.

But when she turned sharply on her heel to chew out the person who'd followed her and had the gall to scare her..oh, she was done for, her ears flush with heat. The brief glimpse of their eyes beneath the mask, the curl of their lips as they smiled– her heart stuttered in her chest, and she was certain it had stopped all together when they clasped her hand.

"Y–you.." She wanted to be angry, to brush them off and leave with her rationality in tact, but the warmth of their hands on her skin rendered her speechless. She was no better then a fish on land, struggling to fill her lungs with air as she drew in a shaky breath. "Ahem, you caught me off guard. That's all. Surely you do not make it a habit to sneak up on people?" She huffed in indignation, trying to mask the fluster that threatened to break through her carefully crafted facade.

Ah, what a cruel twist of fate..she'd slipped away to escape their allure, but here they were, dragging her back into their orbit without even knowing how deep her infatuation ran. They were alone, too..it was a chance she wasn't sure she'd ever get again.

Maybe, just this once, she could do something for herself rather then everyone else.

She buried her guilt, the fear– buried it beneath the need to be seen.

"But if you want to make it up to me.."