#elias gets to be a mentor

[jayktoralldaylong]

Four ways to become an Avatar:

1. Being chosen by an already existing Avatar: This is how majority of Avatars become Avatars, even Jon went down this path (that's right Mr. Sims, you're not special 😂 - I'm sure he's relieved about that).

2. Becoming an Avatar without connections - This one is harder an often involves a Leitner book. Often involves a search for power. Eventually these Avatars will get connections or meet another Avatar to help them along or they'll die fast.

3. Getting chosen by the Entity - Very very rare. Almost never happens. Entities are worse at communication than your toxic Ex.

4. Getting born FOR an Entity - The rarest one. You would think getting born the personified version of an Entity would come with lots of benefits (and it often does because these people are often more powerful than any other Avatar - Agnes and Peter), yet for some reason I think these guys are worst Avatars in general. 😭💀 It's not like they're bad at their job, they are very good at burning and making people lonely, but that's also the only thing they know how to do. 😭😭 Outside of their field they are lost (Agnes even had an identity crisis when she couldn't burn things anymore). I don't know how to explain it but they're really pathetic at manipulation as well. 😭🤣💔 They also seem to have an identity crisis when they get into complicated situationships.

TMA spoilers in the tags.

[nerice]

(maleniaposting again) saw someone say there's a good chance that bc she's blind she never realized that miquella was stolen & that's why she attacks you. bc she thinks she is still safeguarding his transformation........... and i've been so??????!!!!!!!!!!! circling this like a fucking shark bc i always assumed the 'as i awaited his return' to be about him returning from wherever mohg kidnapped him to but it never really made sense!! that malenia doesn't go beat his ass and take her brother back (rationalized it as that after the caelid disaster she cannot risk going scarlet bloom again and losing herself which fighting mohg wld most likely cause) HOWEVER. HOWEVER!!!!! esp w the sote angle Miquella Traveling To The Realm Of Shadow *that* is what it is, right?? miquella built the haligtree sanctuary for her and all the other dispossessed, but her rot is already infecting it. corrupting it. it's in the treetops where you enter and down at the very roots where she rests. so miquella enters cocoon stasis bc he has to be better, different. different from marika and her golden order. which is why he travels to the lands of shadow, to learn of marika and her origins while in the meantime malenia is out fighting, conquering (the less she is at the haligtree the better) but then the caelid disaster happens & puts her in godslumber & finlay carries her back to the haligtree into the sanctum where she continues to sleep literally until you enter. the rot has taken her eyes. and mohg has taken miquella's cocoon while she was away, but there is no way for her to know that; she is defending this location on instinct. she doesn't know her brother is gone, and miquella doesn't know you killed his sister (yet !) :))

[momokarp]

I adore this Micheal au so much, and the way you draw is absolutely amazing! I love seeing Micheal giving literally everyone trouble, does Micheal ever get to meet Jon and his assistants?

Thank you!! Yeah! I feel like Michael will have to work with Jon and the team. He’s the only other person who was working with Gertrude before she “disappeared” so it makes sense that he’ll be around as a sort of mentor. But for Jon, it feels like Michael doesn’t think he’s suited for the role and that he’s a threat to his position. And for Michael, he’s suspicious in why Elias picked him to take over instead of Sasha.

[sinofwriting]

All Relaxed - Jenson Button/Reader/Logan Sargeant

Words: 1,698 Summary: Jenson sees how stressed Logan and his girlfriend are and just wants to get rid of it for them. Note(s): Slightly NSFW, Dom/Sub Relationship/Dynamics. Dom!Jenson, Sub!Logan, Sub!Reader. Don’t be like them and approach a brand new dom/sub relationship like this, I beg of you. Also, no one ask how this ship popped into my head, I can’t be held accountable for my thoughts.

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Jenson watches as both Logan and Y/N practically stumble into where the fan stage would be happening. You’d think they had just woken up, but he can tell that still sleep is invading them. The circles under their eyes have worsened and his worry grows when he notices them both shake their head at food being offered. The same thing they did yesterday as well.

He more than knew how rough Formula 1 could be and that was before they made the calendar twenty-four races long. But he never had been that exhausted. Some of it was without a doubt the treatment of Williams affecting him and Jenson had tried alleviating that, trying to somewhat step into the mentor role, but it was obvious that he wasn’t doing enough.

And poor Y/N had broken down in his arms the last time they saw each other about everything going on with her family and school.

He wants to fix it. To see them without any worries, to see them relaxed. All loose limbs, no tension, eye bags and circles gone. He’d like to see them not look so gaunt as well. He’s sure Elias is fine, but it’s obvious he doesn’t know Logan. Benny would have straightened Logan’s current less than stellar eating habits in a few days and Jenson knows it’s been at least a month of Logan barely eating anything unless it’s one of his premade meals.

It’s the thought of wanting to see them all relaxed that has him begin to plot. It would be far too easy to invite them to his house in California. Undisturbed, no close enough neighbors to really bother them, not that he planned on really having them leave the house. If anyone spotted them it would be the end of a peaceful trip. And he knows that they are both free for the next two weeks. He had heard Logan mention it just the day before.

He starts making a list of groceries that need to be ordered, then he makes an email to a friend who owns a private jet and owes him a favor. He texts his housekeeper, asking if she wouldn’t mind going to his house today if she has time and straightening up the place.

As he starts to order the groceries, his attention is drawn away by the sound of a breathless sort of sigh. His eyebrows quirk up when he notices that it was her and he follows her eyes and fully understands, his throat going a little dry.

Logan had been put into a tight-fitting team shirt, something either tailored to him or knowing Williams and their budget they had just given him a smaller size and it looked good on him. The thin fabric clinging to every muscle and inch of his upper half. Jenson hadn’t realized that Logan had gained that much muscle since last year, even despite not eating it seemed he was keeping it well.

He watches as Logan smiles at him before looking at his girlfriend, sending her a small wink and Jenson can’t help but look at her, see how she reacts, and he shifts in his seat seeing the grin on her face, the way her shoulders have slightly relaxed.

What he wouldn’t give to see them both all relaxed for him, laying flat on their backs in his bed, letting him take care of them. He nearly drops his phone as the thought strikes him. Fuck.

—

Jenson watches amused as they walk around his house. Perhaps it was stupid to still invite them to his house after realizing he wanted them both in his bed. But he couldn’t continue to let them go about running on fumes.

“You guys go get settled, take a nap, rest, and I’ll cook dinner.”

“Let me help, Jenson.”

He shakes his head at her offer, “I’ve got it, sweetheart. I’ll come and get you both when it’s all ready.”

She looks ready to protest again, Logan as well, but he gives them both a stern look, and a simmer of arousal hits him as they both immediately start walking to the guest bedroom with quiet thank you’s. This might end up being a bit harder than he thought.

It does end up being harder than he thought, a lot harder in fact. It seems him realizing he didn’t just find them both attractive but also just plain and simple liked them had opened the floodgates. And their responses to him taking care of them was certainly not helping either.

It was only the third day of them being here but Jenson was sure he was going to cause a bit of an issue with the water with how many cold showers he might end up taking. His satisfaction of them letting him take care of them instantly turned to arousal.

That same day however after dinner as they laze about in the living room while he cleans up the dishes he realizes that they might feel the same way. They can’t stop looking at him. At first, he thought maybe they wanted something but were too shy to say something but when he looked over, they both looked away, clearly flustered at being caught and when he went back to cleaning up, their eyes were on him again, lingering.

It’s confirmation, but he doesn’t plan on doing anything about it, not until hours later as he does his rounds in the house, making sure everything is locked up and he passes their room and he hears them both.

The light sound of skin coming together, small whines and breaths that are more like gasps. His hand palms himself before he can stop it and then he hears it. His name. He freezes, thinking he must have misheard, but then he hears it again, the both of them moaning his name.

He barely makes it to his bedroom, back against the door as he presses his hand into his bottoms and jerks himself off, finishing quickly and making a mess of his sweatpants.

Jenson of course brings it up the next morning. The two are so flustered that even if he hadn’t heard he could guess that something happened.

“Good sleep?” He starts off with, hiding his smirk by taking a drink of coffee.

They both nod, shoulders tensing a little and that has him frowning, setting his mug down. He just started making progress on their tension. “You both sounded lovely.”

Logan’s head snaps up, eyes wide as he looks at him while she gasps, hands coming up to cover her face.

His eyes flicker between the both of them. “I wouldn’t mind hearing you both say my name like that again. Maybe with the visuals as well.”

She makes a squeaky noise at his words and Logan’s cheeks have managed to turn more pink.

“And just to be clear, I wouldn’t want it to be a one time thing, or just sex.”

“But, you want the both of us? I mean more with the both of us?”

Jenson smiles gently at Logan’s nervousness. “Yes, the both of you. I want to take care of you two. And sex doesn’t have to be on the table, I’ll still happily do it without anything sexual, but I figured I’d put it on the table.”

Logan looks a little confused but before Jenson can say anything else, she’s giving a slight tug to Logan’s shirt.

“He’s offering to be our dom.” Her voice is quiet, the words clearly meant for Logan, but her eyes flicker over to him as well.

The American’s eyes widened. “Oh. I, we’ve never,”

“Done this before?”

They both shake their heads.

“I sort of figured. It’s not something I’ve done lots of either to be clear and never on this level. The last time I dommed was years ago and it was just sex. What I would like with us would be more than sex if we even agree to have sex be a part of it at all or to do this.”

“Why do you want to?”

Jenson smiles at her question. “I like you both and want to take care of you. You’re both stressed, spiraling. Barely sleeping or eating. Your shoulders are practically touching your ears with how much tension you both are carrying. I want to ease that, take everything off your shoulders, make it better or rather easier to deal with.”

“And you like taking care of people.”

“Not everyone.” He corrects. “I’m a bit too selfish for that, but certain people,” and his eyes flicker between them. “Absolutely.”

It’s not a very long talk, not as detailed as it should be. But he promises himself that he will sit down with them tomorrow to talk everything out, but they’ve got the basics down. They all are interested in the sexual and in private, like Jenson’s home, are happy to be submissive but don’t want it to bleed into their work/student life as much as they can. He makes sure they know to tell him no. He doesn’t foresee himself pressing too hard about taking breaks and such that it would make their work and student life suffer, but it’s always a possibility and he is far from perfect.

And now not even two hours after waking up he’s got them both in his bed and he can’t help the slight amusement he feels seeing them both wearing Logan’s boxer briefs, he’ll have to see about getting them in his next time. His amusement doesn’t last long however as he takes them in, both laying flat on their backs, upper halves completely bare, both stunning.

“Gorgeous.” He murmurs, sitting at the end of the bed and pressing a kiss to Logan’s calf and then hers. “Both of you look gorgeous for me.”

Her breath audibly stutters, while Logan lets out a keen, fingers twisting in the sheets.

He tuts at the tight grip, running his fingers over the younger man’s until he loosens it. “That’s better. Let’s get you both all relaxed for me, yeah?”

“Yes, Jenson.” They say together and his cock twitches. Fuck is he lucky.

[jouxlskaard]

Hi so I may or may not have forgotten to actually post these on here. Ofc the original concept goes to the brilliant @wolfythewitch, I've just leeched off of it because I wanted to see Elias in the Hermes suit. Also I wanted to see Jon and Martin doing a little dance. And the way I drew Tim as Orpheus is just.... so similar to how regular Orpheus looks. I am sorry. He has a boob window so it's more accurate to his character.

As I talked about in my ask to Wolfy (which I believe to be what drew quite a few people here? idk at this point), I have quite a few reasons for why I think Elias would fit the role of Hermes. Obviously he's a much more sinister Hermes, but it's a neat little concept to play around with. I think the little things Hermes says (like the line above) can be interestingly recontextualised when you view Hermes as an antagonistic force, rather than a guide/mentor. I thought it'd be interesting to see Elias as someone who helps Tim/Orpheus because he knows that it'll end in tragedy every time, and finds enjoyment in the helplessness that the audience faces knowing how it ends and being completely unable to change it. Get Beholdinged, babey!

Maybe I'll draw some Gertrude!Hermes....? Who knows - I'm currently in the middle of doing a shit ton of work at the moment, both for school and for personal reasons. I've got Mechanisms fanart happening, some concepts for myself as a Corruption avatar (nature!), ideas for animatics (which I admittedly don't have much experience in, but I will try to do it), and some other random ideas. Only time shall tell.

[agent-jaselin]

Text in picture one "Why don't you love me grandma"

Green text in picture two "every little thing"

should have put those on black bubbles and didn't but they are finished. Also uh. probably going to change how he looks for obvious reasons of same face-ness but anyway.

First image is pretty much just straight up fan art of a fan fiction I found, with the Eye making Jon the archive early but also mentoring him and very much pushing him to prey on people, which I haven't seen before and I adore?? Like the idea of Jon being raised to be a proper avatar that has no qualms with hunting people is very fun. (it's right here if you'd like to read.)

The second is just my imagination running away with how he might end up. I'm picturing him not running into Elias, the eye helping him terrorize foster parents until he gets a family that gives him an allowance and doesn't hurt him but is just neglectful enough that they can hunt down people with statements on weekends. Him ending up with truly no friends at all but the eye cause he just, stopped really caring about people at some point, but he's good at faking enough to ask his questions. He's kind of like an eye themed Simon Fairchild. Happy with himself but not truly friendly, just a smiling shark. (I like to think he does have some positive interactions with a couple other fear avatars. Fears that get worse if you feel seen but not helped leaving him with the occasional witness to feed on.)

[klm-zoflorr]

@seamanequin throw it down yuri style?? get each other violets? Do a play act hommage to sappho? Eat spaghetti together?

...you know, i hadn't actually considered it, but now i sure am. I also am trying to. Arg. Maybe Anna a bit less naive and innocent perhaps and a bit more like her tma self. Ever so slightly manipulative, i listened to her s5 episodes again recently and... I just got to thinkin' you know

Oh boy

So I was drawing Sasha as Archivist and thinking about my role reversal Melanie king is head of the institute/annabelle and jon switch/Elias is the Stranger AU... And I got a whole bunch of ideas regarding Annabelle and. Dare i say an outline of how I could write the actual story instead of random one shots showing off off-camera scenes ??

So, picture this.

S1 Happens™ relatively as normal except Sasha is the Archivist and Jon is... Not there. Sasha picked Tim and Martin as her assistants. No Annabelle yet just hold on that thought for a minute. Everybody else is happy. Sasha had previous knowledge of... Well pretty much everything tbh. She's a cautious one, Melanie picked her as the Archivist pretty much just because there was a vacancy and she thought she'd do the job fine.

Prentiss business is dealt with pretty much as in canon.

On the 29th of July, 2016, a certain Annabelle Cane comes to give a statement about a childhood encounter with a strange weaver. It certainly... Left a mark on her, but she's moved on by now and she just wants to put that behind her. Why has she moved on? Bigger problems in her life. Like, her parents dying unexpectedly in a fire when she was just 16 years old, and having to fend for herself since then. She's barely 20 years old now. No support, no family, nothing.

So, she does give the statement. And then... Everything pretty much goes to hell. Worms everywhere. Prentiss. Oh god oh fuck. Martin gets eaten by the not them although they won't realise that for quite a while. Anna and Sasha get wormed pretty badly.

A week later. Annabelle can't stop thinking about the institute. About... How exhilirating it was to feel in real danger. The possibilities of learning more about everything that ever went wrong in her life. A true encounter with the supernatural.

She wants to know more. And that's how she joins the Institute. Let the nightmare begin girl you're not leaving until you're scarred half to death.

[wolfythewitch]

Thoughts? (and prayers)

would like to preface this by saying the poll results are very subject to null and there is Every likelihood that i'll wake up at midnight in cold sweat and completely switch sides but. well.

So. For those unaware: In hadestown, hermes is the narrator, often breaking the fourth wall while also interacting with characters within the canon. In the original cast album he is played as more serious. There is an edge to him, like a seedy man you buy drinks for at a bar and then get a lore dump (He's also still very fun. He ribs at Hades constantly and sings and dances with Persephone). In the broadway he's a bit more whimsical in voice but performs the same roles throughout the musical. In this one, there's the added layer that he took Orpheus under his wing, while deny caring for the boy. At the end of the musical, he calls Orpheus a friend. So! His character is pretty flexible, but he's generally seen as a helping hand and sounds very remorseful every time the story ends in tragedy. (Because he is the narrator, it starts all over again)

So! notes.

Gertrude as Hermes:

Pros: Generally less sadistic and easier to see as a mentor figure. Has a connection to the Eye and was the former archivist, so it would make sense to have her be the narrator. Has at least interacted with Sasha once, and had also thought that Sasha would have been her successor, so there is a connection somewhere. Also. Gertrude in the silver suit.

Cons: She has no connections to Tim (who plays Orpheus in this)

Elias/Jonah as Hermes:

Pros: Unsure if this is a pro or con, but this would be a sort of play on hermes being a helping hand if he's more manipulative in this one? Less Hermes helping Orpheus by telling him the way down and more Hermes tricking Orpheus into going down into Hadestown. He is also under the Eye, so a narrator role would also work for him. Has a stronger connection to Tim and Sasha (though he's not really shown much interest in them in canon)

Con: Same with aforementioned, he would be different from how Hermes is normally portrayed. Gertrude would be a Hermes who wants the story to end well. Elias would be a Hermes who wants it to end in tragedy. Also no mentor figure.

[magnuspanoptes]

Came across your blog and fell in love with your takes on arguably the most important dynamic in tma (like it made me miss them and actually start a relisten after like never finding the energy to after the finale years back). Do you happen to write any fics or have any fic recs?

RAHHH thank you!! this is exactly what i'm hoping to achieve every time i post yet another one of my delusional comparatives 🙂‍↕️

and i don't write fics but i do have recs!

I'd suffer all if you'd tell me, by RavenXavier is definitive S4 silence of the lambs / red dragon prison visit fic. to me.

Death Be Not Proud, by Startless - is another prison visit fic, but it's an AU where jon chose to die in his coma and woke up as an avatar of the end.

Pinned in vain desire, by statuscrows is about jon slowly developing compulsion which causes problems for elias :) they probably write the most in-character elias. he's not nice, but he's fond of jon. i recommend, like, every single one of their je fics. nobody writes beholding powers quite like them, almost every fic is based around an aspect of the beholding. Skeptic is an AU where jon finds gertrude's tape on the first day of the job. statuscrows always writes jon with his early seasons abrasiveness and mean streak intact, which is really all i want from jon's characterisation. i don't want nice jon, take that awayyy; Ritual misery is set immediately after 160 and is doing more interesting things with the web than all of S5 put together; From his prospect high - jonathan sims learns to See; Quenched in darkness you shall see - this is noncon and dead dove. read the tags! reccing this because ritual voyeurism to please the beholding is a real and true concept.

Perchance to Dream, by parva_dae and once upon a dream, by indelibleangel - are dream fics, inspired by MAG 120. first one is a snippet of elias poking around in jon's head and worsening his fear and paranoia. he would do that ^_^ and in the second one they talk. and kiss.

and lilies, by kototyph - i read two chapters while it was still ongoing but it's finished now and i haven't gotten around to it yet, but from what i remember this had, like, revolutionary elias characterisation. he's a disaster. a very well put together, beautiful disaster.

also these two one shots they wrote for jonelias week which i liked very much :3

something different crosses the threshold, by aguntoaknifefight - amnesia. classic.

a heavenly madness, by roundthedecay - this is one of the very few, proper gothic fics with these two. there's a cursed oil painting. jon's having his life ruined by said cursed painting. and jonah/elias gets a proper gothic villain treatment.

Worn to Shadows, by Ash_Rabbit, which somewhat satisfies my bluebeard itch, but it's an AU with no institute.

everything Candentia has ever written, basically. they write entity horror really well, and i think almost every one of their je fics are squarely in the horror genre, which i appreciate very much. i'm here for the horror. and you have to check out Beholding's Own if only for the jonah chapters. it doesn't have that older mentor shaping the younger in their own image dynamic because this an AU in which they're childhood friends. but it's so good. it's so good!! the georgian jonah chapters are exquisite. the tone, voice, word choice, atmosphere, general everything. also, some serious wuthering heights stuff happening between these two. like, they get it. they get it! they've also written a bluebeard (and cupid & psyche) adjacent fic - darkly, which is a fairy tale au. and Where Hope and Reason Part is tagged dead dove for the detailed descriptions of eye gore. which is my thing. we need more of that.

Professional Distance - takes place during the birthday tape, has an excellent elias voice. he's evil. and enamoured by jon. and evil.

a glass essay, by fairbanks is jonpeter and only tangentially lonelyeyes and jonelias, but it's one of the most gorgeously written fics i've had the pleasure of reading. excellent isolation narrative and has symbolism which pays off in an unexpectedly perfect way. and as a guy who does not care about peter lukas or any ships involving him in the slightest. well. this got to me.

Scenes from an Epicenter, by NeverwinterThistle which is set during S3 and the first je fic i recall reading. the bit where elias takes jon home after distortion helen drops him in his office is canon to me <3

Dark Square Bishop, by Blissymbolics, exactly what it says on the tin. homoerotic chess match at the end of the world.

[yanderefarm]

sad announcement

corporate has been on my ass for months and well unfortunately we're going to have to swap our content. inflation and stuff you get it.

from now on this blog only posts bottom female readers. so sorry for the inconvenience and pain this causes. im so sorry that it came to this but the focus groups are in and the numbers say that pathetic masochist bottoms are out and sadistic tops are in. i dont know yet how this is going to change the landscape of my content. i don't know how this will impact the characters you've grown to love.

some implements I've been pushed to make so far:

ares is no longer a wife he's now your husband. women don't want to call their strong masculine spouses wife its not sexy.

emil is mostly unchanged but now he doesn't love dick anymore he loves pussy. unforseen how this will change him.

nephite has had to go through some of the biggest changes. he's now an incredibly alpha chad farm boy who actually chases and captures his wife and keeps her tied in the shed. i know some of you will appreciate this change to his entire character.

silvan remains your pet however now you have no control over him and he does what he wants and takes whatever he wants from you. his helpless vampire mistress.

ajax has been cancelled for problematic behavior we discovered upon changing him to topping women only.

achilles is now a cool bad ass mob boss who buys you off the streets. all traces of masochism has been scrubbed from his personality.

noemie has been completely role swapped and you are now his pathetic simpering victim and he is an incredibly buff serial killer. women have no interest in trans men so that aspect of his character has been completely scrubbed. and for those of you saying "wait noemie was trans?" no. no he isn't.

seven has been cancelled for problematic behavior regarding women.

kao's darling has had the biggest shift and is now a soft waifish little healer who is delicate and needs to be protected at all costs. kao is a domineering abusive aggressor. as are most of the characters here.

amias has been kept much the same however now he just kidnaps you and forces you to live with him. there is no noncon if we don't think about it.

elias has been changed into an extremely muscular man who constantly breaks out of containment to have his way with you the daughter of one of the expert scientists.

phillip is much the same as well however he is younger to be more acceptable to a general audience and the darling has been turned into a pathetic helpless damsel who needs constant supervision from her older mentor like figure.

[gunnrblze]

Keep thinking about unhinged Walker boys. Not even after Rorke took Logan, just in general.

Like, their late teen years were very tumultuous because of ODIN/joining the army, they are 26 and 28 during the game, they’re still YOUNG.

Mid-late 20s and they’re fighting an intense war for their country, fighting on their father’s behalf, fighting a grudge from HIS past, etc. I absolutely believe, aside from their training keeping them in line (and the other Ghosts), that they’d understandably be a little manic at times.

I think you can mostly see it in the way Hesh acts sometimes in the game. Not to say he didn’t have every reason to lol, but he did act bratty and defiant at multiple points, and I think that’d be multiplied in a way we didn’t even see.

Before Elias died, he knew exactly how to keep them in line, being their father and all, but after he was gone, I see the rest of the Ghosts (especially new Captain Merrick) having to reign them in more than anticipated. With Elias being dead and Rorke still being a flaming cunt, they would struggle even more.

Keegan, Kick, hell even Neptune would have to participate in Operation: Keep The Boys Sanity Intact, because they certainly don’t have the mental bandwidth to do it themselves all the time (their brains are very FRESHLY fully developed…)

And I love that in game, Hesh has a specific monologue after Elias dies where he’s all calmly and solemnly stating that they’ll take over for their dad, finish the mission, etc. And yes they are grown ass men, been through a fuck ton of training…but let’s be so for real lmfao, that’s a lot to have on your plate for two dudes that are hardly cresting 30 years old.

I just think, aside from the few moments we see in game where they (Hesh lol) are loosing their shit a little, it’d be much more chaotic on a personal level than was shown.

I wrote something about the mentor/mentee dynamic I think Merrick would have with Hesh AFTER Logan’s taken, but I like to think he’d literally have double on his plate before Rorke snatched the baby off the beach.

I just like looking at both sides of the same coin. They grew up too fast, they’re no doubt traumatized, have been through extensive military training, and all the personal experience we see them gain….that definitely sobered them up real quick and knocked their maturity levels up several pegs.

But at the same time, I just don’t believe they’d always be that put together in the ways that we see, especially not compared to the more experienced elder Ghosts. Perhaps a sort of “we’re mature but you guys are seasoned” type of vibe.

And despite the only real description of Logan’s personality being that he’s a quiet, cold blooded killer, and an excellent soldier…bro is quite literally 26 years old and in the damn trenches, you can’t tell me he wasn’t routinely being a brat when he was able to be lol (babies of the family lock in!).

Even more interesting on Logan’s part, who would really be keeping him in line primarily when he acts up, pre or post Elias death…? Davey poo I’m afraid. And I think Hesh would get to a point where the weight of it all, plus keeping Logan in line and on the general right life path would have him tweaking.

Imagine having all that on top of you, then your dad dies, and your only surviving family is your clingy little brother…lmfao. Of course Logan is more than capable on his own as we can see in the game, but, and it’s been said before and will continue to be said, Hesh was parentified to the max. And it only becomes more clear when you read between the lines.

I just think in similar, but also their own separate ways, they’d be a little off their rocker sometimes. I like to imagine Keegan having the common fanon agreed bond with Logan, and helping him keep his eye on the prize, and I feel like Hesh would attach himself to Merrick (even older male authority figure, he lives and breathes the slivers of validation he’d get…)

And then there’s Kick…lol. In an unforeseen way, I imagine him being like a sort of glue in this scenario honestly. We don’t get much info on him, he’s hardly even in the damn game very much, but I think of him as being oddly very wise (not too far off since he’s not younger like the Walkers, but he’s probably not a whole lot older than Keegan/Ajax either) despite his nervous system being just as shot from fighting a war. He’d be like the cousin with some randomly sage advice for Hesh and Logan.

TLDR; the Walker brothers are frazzled, they need an Ativan, therapy, and a long winters nap

[toasttt11]

mentors trip

February 20, 2024

Ophelia was on the ice warming up before the game against Colorado and she glanced up at the jumbotron seeing the camera on the suite with all the Vancouver Dads and Mentors and she smiled seeing Jim.

Jim had gotten in a few hours before the game so he didn’t get to see Quinn or Ophelia before the game.

Ophelia didn’t have anyone to invite but she was happy she would be getting to Jim for a couple days. She knew Brock was not inviting anyone and Elias was not able to have any anyone come out so if she was so uncomfortable with all the Dads she would just stay close to them.

Ophelia glanced back down at the ice getting ready for the game to start.

Quinn had the puck passing to the ice to Brock and Brock passed the puck right into the slot for Ophelia and she tapped the puck in getting the first goal of the game.

Ophelia laughed as Brock smushed her into the boards and Quinn gave her head pats. Unfortunately that was the only goal the Canucks got and they lost 1-3.

Ophelia walked out of the locker room with Quinn after the when seeing Jim standing with the other Dads and Mentors. Jim had a Quinn jersey but was wearing a hat with Ophelia’s number making her face soften and smiled.

Jim grinned seeing them and pulled them both into a hug at the same time making Ophelia made a surprise sound but melt into the hug.

“Hi Jimmy.” Ophelia smiled softly squeezing him back softly.

Jim set a hand on both of Ophelia and Quinn’s cheeks giving them a smile, “You both had a good game.” He told them honestly as they weren’t the reason the Canucks lost.

Jim kept an arm over Ophelia’s shoulder feeling her trying to head off knowing she is still getting use to knowing she is allowed to spend time with them and she is not interfering, Quinn and Jim both knew Ophelia didn’t want to overstep but she wasn’t at all.

February 21, 2024

Ophelia was sitting on the plane next to Elias this flight and Quinn was across the table in front of her with Jim next to him.

She wanted Quinn to sit with his Dad for the flight to Seattle.

Elias started setting up the card game and Quinn pulled out a small blue blanket from his bag handing it to Ophelia knowing how cold she gets even if she already had a oversized hoodie from Jack pulled over her business causal outfit and a pair of fuzzy socks on.

Ophelia tossed Quinn a bag of snacks she had in her bag knowing Quinn can be specific about his food and he doesn’t always find something on the plane.

Jim watched fondly at the little pieces of Ophelia and Quinn’s routine. He’s always been glad for Ophelia since he watched her get close with Quinn and was happy Quinn would have someone even closer with him but seeing the way Ophelia has become family to not only Quinn but their entire family made him even more grateful for her.

Elias and Quinn both have played a certain card game with Jim before but Ophelia never heard of it so Jim quickly taught her and she listened nodding along.

“Nice one.” Jim praised giving her a high five as she made a smart move in the game making her grin.

The four ended up playing cards the entire flight to Seattle.

Ophelia looked out the window as they started landing, she has been to this airport hundreds of times now and while Seattle will always be home to her, it wasn’t a warm feeling anymore with her Dad gone.

Everyone got off the plane and headed on to the bus.

Elias and Ophelia were looking at Ophelia’s phone at some clothing items she has in her cart from Ellen sending her the links for the times she thought Ophelia would like.

“Definitely that one.” Elias nodded at the jacket.

Brock was sitting behind them and leaned over the back of the seat being nosy, “I like that one.” Brock nodded in agreement with Elias.

“Thanks B.” Ophelia sounded amused not even flinching used to Brock just popping into conversations.

Everyone had some time before team dinner and Jim just came with Quinn and Ophelia to their room and they watched some hockey.

Ophelia took a small cat nap after curling up under all of her blankets. Quinn woke her up after Jim headed to his room to get ready.

Ophelia brushed her hair out and put a small coat of mascara after getting a new mascara sent to her from Ellen and she put a tinted lip balm on before putting her outfit on.

A pair of blue jeans with wide bottoms, black belt and a purple off the shoulder sweater with low black heels. She put in a pair of purple dangly earrings and headed out of the bathroom seeing Quinn who was ready and waiting for her.

“Very pretty Bee.” Quinn complimented her making her smile and he handed Ophelia her black trench coat and she picked up her purse and they headed out of the room meeting up with Jim and the rest of the team downstairs.

The restaurant was close by so they all walked to dinner. Ophelia has walked down these streets hundreds of times and she talked to Jim the entire walk telling him facts and fun things about the area.

Quinn, Brock, Elias, Ophelia and Jim all ended up at one table for dinner. They were at steakhouse which always is good with hockey players, it was a restaurant Ophelia has been to a couple times before.

It was a good night.

February 22, 2024

Ophelia grinned giving Jim a wave as she saw him sitting in the stand with a coffee watching practice.

Jim smiled softly waving back, A dad next to him asked, “One of yours?”

Jim’s face softened, “In every way that matters.” Ophelia stole all the Hughes hearts quickly and she had a permanent place with them.

Jim has always loved watching his kids practice but there is something about Ophelia and Quinn’s chemistry and connection on the ice that makes it very fun and interesting to watch. The two just seem to know what the other needs on the ice, something that is hard and usually takes time but the two have been like this immediately.

All of the Dad’s and Mentor’s headed to the locker room a bit after practice was done and they took a group photo.

Jim gestured for Ophelia to sit in front of him and he wrapped his arms around Quinn and Elias as they smiled at the photo.

The Dads and Mentors joined team breakfast that turned into a team meeting once breakfast was over.

The rest of the time before the game everyone was doing their pre game routines and eventually the team headed to the rinks and the Dads and Mentors were going to the rink closer to the game.

Unfortunately the Canucks lost both games during the Mentor trip.

Ophelia and Quinn walked out of the locker room after packing up their bags as the team was heading back to Vancouver tonight.

Most of the Dads and Mentors were heading home tonight, Jim was one of them.

Jim gave them a smile and pulled Quinn into a hug sharing a few words before he pulled Ophelia into a hug and they shared a few words.

Quinn and Ophelia walked Jim out to the team bus that was taking him to the airport and watched him head inside.

The Mentors trip was easier on Ophelia than she thought it was going to be, it of course hurt seeing all the happy Dad and Sons but it hurt less than she thought.

[keyboardsmashess]

The Siren, or The Heart of the Matter

Chapter Thirty One: The Soldier, or I Fucking Love You

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC

Warnings: language, fluff, angst, canon-typical violence, smut MINORS DNI. A/N: I've officially written the final chapters of this fic 😭 Chapter 33 will be the end, and it'll be posted by 3/20. Thank you all for commenting, hearting, reblogging, following, and just generally being amazing! You've made writing this story such an incredible experience ❤️

Summary: Things get dicey for Cleo and Bucky, but what do you expect from a HYDRA submarine?

Chapter Directory

I allow myself a few moments of weakness, tears rolling down my face in grief and anger and absolute confusion, before taking a deep breath, nudging my glasses up the bridge of my nose with my shoulder, and pulling my shit together.

I can do this.

I look down at my shoulder from the corner of my eye. Sapros, the fuckwad, probably had no idea the mistake he was making in leaving the seemingly decorative shell pins on my shoulders. A grin creeps across my face beneath the duct tape, and I bring my shoulder up to my cheek, tapping on the pin with my face. 

Instantly, the sundress and cardigan I was wearing are dissolved into nothingness beneath the Sirensuit as it extends from each of my shoulders. In the process, the tape on my wrists and ankles disintegrates as well. With my now free hands, I rip the tape from my mouth, wincing as it smarts just a bit. I shake my head to dispel the feeling and tap the side of my glasses, my new helmet unfurling across my face.

The helmet is the same dark teal as my chainmail-like pants, with gold accents coming from just above the black eye coverings up and back into the hard, metal feathers. It comes to a point at either cheek, only exposing the bottom of my nose, my mouth, and chin. It incorporates the winged aspects of Greek sirens, but more importantly it serves the multi-faceted purpose of protecting my face and head, providing a Heads-Up Display, and ensuring I can see thanks to the built-in prescription lenses.

Moving quickly, I take the chair I’d been restrained on and wedge it under the door handle, hoping to buy myself a little time in case Sapros comes back. I need to get my bearings. I need to contact my team. 

“Is this thing on?” I say, feigning lightness as the HUD blinks to life. 

“Cleo!” Tony shouts, clearly wearing his own suit, and I hear the whooshing of air in the background. “Fuck, kid, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Come on, Stark, someone’s gotta keep you on your toes,” I reply with false confidence as I scan my surroundings. The HUD shows my location, and I bite back a gasp when I see my little blinking dot on the map - apparently in open ocean.

“We’re on our way to you now, kid, so just hang in there.”

“Who is ‘we?’”

“The usual suspects - me, Capsicle, the Hawk, and Nat.”

“Wh-what about Barnes?” I ask, unable to keep the tone of worry from my voice. I have no idea what he knows - if he’s still asleep back at Meg’s - and as much as I want to see him (need to see him), I can’t help but hope he’ll remain blissfully unaware of this fight. I don’t want him playing into Sapros’ hand by coming right back into HYDRA territory.

Tony sighs. “Well, we told him to wait for us, but…”

“But what, Stark?”

“His cell phone is still pinging in the exact same location in the English building at Culver, and even if he’d listened and was waiting…”

“He wouldn’t be staying perfectly still,” I finish. “Shit. Listen, Tony, The Philosopher is my fucking thesis advisor - Elias Sapros. He’s working with HYDRA. So I don’t know if you can reach Bucky, but he really shouldn’t be storming in here.”

Steve chimes in, likely from one of Stark's back-up jets. “We knew about the HYDRA connection, but The Philosopher being your teacher is news to us. I’m sorry, Cleo, that’s gotta be a real shock.”

“I’m less worried about the shock of my mentor being an evil villain and more concerned about Bucky running headfirst into the lion’s den, if I’m being perfectly honest,” I say, and Steve sighs in response. “But anyway,” I continue. “Does anyone know why I’m apparently in the middle of the ocean?”

“We think HYDRA has you in one of their submarines,” Nat says. “Also, when all this is over I need to hear every single detail about last night.”

“Jesus, a submari- wait, how the fuck do you know about last night?” My voice comes out squeaky.

“I know everything,” she says mysteriously. “And I may have found your best friend’s phone number and texted her.”

“Dammit, Meg,” I whisper, closing my eyes for a brief moment. “Okay, so I’m on a fucking submarine, that’s just fantastic. You got any other info for me?”

Clint sighs. “Not yet, but we’ll be there as soon as we can, okay? Just lay low and wait for us.”

Nat snorts before I can respond. “Sure, Clint, like that’s going to happen. She’s as bad as Barnes.”

I grin. “You really get me, Romanov.” Suddenly, I hear the click of footsteps approaching outside my door. “Shit, gotta go,” I whisper. “Haul ass and try to keep Barnes out of this, okay?”

I levitate myself to the ceiling and use my powers to tug the chair back into position in the middle of the floor, waiting just out of sight above the door. Sapros enters with that same, smug expression.

“Good news, Cleo, it seems our - NO!” he cries, cutting himself off.

Before he has a chance to look around the room, I drop from the ceiling onto his back, wrapping my thighs around his neck and squeezing with all my might. “You fucking prick, fall asleep quick. Your mind is blank, memory sank,” I sing, incapable of keeping the anger from my words. He falls to the floor instantaneously, and I hope my powers are strong enough to have wiped his memory as intended. I know once I leave this room, my focus will waver, so I’ve done my best to incapacitate him as permanently as possible. And if the memory loss is a little revenge for the man I… the man I love, then so be it.

Unable to stop myself, I kick his face with the heel of my boot for good measure, hearing the crunch before I see the rush of blood. “Should've kept the mask on, dumbass,” I bite, pulling him all the way into the room. I exit into the hallway and shut the door behind me, twitching a finger to lock the handle.

I move as silently as possible down the metal hallway, relying on the HUD to warn me of anyone coming my way. Pausing outside the first door I come to, the HUD scans the room through the wall, locating no heat signatures. It’s empty.

I crack the door and creep inside, finding a makeshift study. I freeze as I take the room in. The position of the desk, the mess of papers, the stacks of books - it is all achingly familiar to me. Easing the door shut behind me, I approach the desk with apprehension and pick up the first journal I see, opening to a random page. I’m greeted by painfully recognizable handwriting.

and this means, of course, that only a select few individuals will be capable of accepting the crystal. I am both worried and excited by the idea that based on these criteria, my Cleo seems to be the ideal candidate to become the Heart’s host. I can only hope, if chosen, she has the support she needs to cope with this in my absence.

I blink away a stray tear threatening to escape from the corner of my eye and flip to another random spot.

I fear what Sapros will do when he realizes the inevitable truth that he is not a suitable host for the crystal’s power. The Heart will only select an individual worthy of such responsibility, and his intentions are anything but pure. I know better than anyone, after all - I wasn’t chosen, either. All I can do is feed him just enough information to keep his anger at bay and continue my efforts to escape. I doubt Sophia will be waiting for me after all this time, but I know Cleo would never give up hope of…

I turn to the final page, dread building in my stomach.

Sapros has discovered my misdirections. He says his Weapon has disappeared, but he has other plans for me in the Soldier’s absence. I know my time is limited, but I will leave this world with peace knowing my Cleo is out there somewhere, undoubtedly continuing my fight for the truth.

I slam the journal shut, digging through the chaos to find one that looks much more worn - the oldest I can find on the desk. I open to the first page.

Just like the heroes of old, my hubris has proven to be my hamartia. The knowledge that my suspicions are correct, that HYDRA has been searching for the Heart of Atlantis all this time, is a meager consolation in light of my capture. I can only hope to find a means of escaping soon. After three months away from my family, perhaps they will be searching for me. Perhaps they will -

I flip a few pages ahead, puzzle pieces clicking together in my mind.

Though I am able to keep the most vital details from them, they threaten me with a weapon they call ‘Zimniy Soldat’ - the Winter Soldier. I have only seen glimpses of the man, but it is enough to strike fear through my heart. I will do my best to obfuscate their efforts, but I will not defy them outright.

Cleo must be nearing her eighth birthday now. I often wonder if Sophia is searching for me, or if she suspects I’ve run away like the coward I am. Regardless, I have faith that Cleo retains some amount of hope in her heart. She has always had the most resilient spirit. When I escape my captors, I -

I’ve read enough. I close the journal, bracing my palms against the desk to take a few calming breaths. 

“JARVIS, please save scans of what I just read.”

The AI sounds quiet, sympathetic when he responds. “Of course, Miss Blake.”

When I feel calm enough to continue, I exit the room, promising I’ll return to salvage whatever I can from my father’s years as HYDRA’s captive.

I slink down the hallway as silently as possible, freezing when I hear voices. I flatten myself against the wall, the HUD telling me that there are at least five people in the chamber around the curve of the hallway. Ears straining, I listen to the HYDRA operatives, hoping for a clue that will make their defeat easier.

A man is speaking in Russian, voice deep. “Dobrokatestvennyy, vozvrashcheniye na rodinu.” My blood runs cold when I hear a familiar scream interrupt the words I cannot understand.

“JARVIS, translate,” I whisper.

The final two words have an English echo, a beat behind the Russian. “Odin.” One. “Tovarnyy vagon.” Boxcar.

I have to say the translation does little to help me understand what’s happening, but my confusion is frozen when I hear the voice that was, mere hours ago, whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Now, though, it sounds cold and flat - a version I have never heard before, even in my worst moments with Bucky.

“Ready to comply.”

Clearly, my HUD is still broadcasting audio to the rest of the Avengers, because my helmet is filled with Steve’s sudden, anguished cry. “NO!”

“What the hell is going on, Rogers?” Tony asks, voice sharp, and Steve sighs defeatedly.

“JARVIS, mute the com,” I whisper as Steve begins explaining something. 

“Miss Blake, are you sure? The rest of the -”

“Just fucking mute it, JARVIS,” I bite, harsher than I’ve ever been to the AI.

“Of course, Miss Blake.”

The team’s arguing voices fall silent, leaving me with the unfamiliar, almost robotic voice that’s replaced my Bucky.

I stalk down the hallway, logic out the window, fueled by rage and protective instinct. I round the corner and wordlessly pounce on the first man I see, bringing him to the ground in a crumpled heap with one well-aimed strike to the back of his neck, just as Nat taught me. 

Bucky’s eyes meet mine, but there is no recognition in them, and somehow I just know. They’ve broken him, somehow - taken him back. It isn’t Bucky I’m looking at. It’s the Winter Soldier.

“Soldat, take her out,” one of the other men shouts, and Bucky nods almost imperceptibly, eyes never wavering from mine. Head down, he stalks toward me - a weapon on a mission.

“James, please - it’s me, it’s Cleo. You don’t have to do this, this isn’t who you are,” I plead with him as he nears, hoping that somewhere in there, the man I know can hear me. One of the men laughs at my desperation, and with a single wave of my fingers I’ve crushed his windpipe. Choking, he drops to his knees, clutching at his throat as he slowly suffocates. 

I don’t care. I suppose I, too, am a weapon on a mission, and I have no time for pacifism.

The briefest flicker of confusion passes behind Bucky’s eyes, but he shakes his head and continues stalking toward me. I levitate just before he reaches me, hovering above his reach, and wave my hands at a large, wooden table in the center of the chamber. With a jerk, it flies across the room, catching two of the final three HYDRA agents and crushing them against the wall. They do not move.

The final HYDRA operative looks at me with wide eyes before scrambling to run down the hall on the opposite side of the chamber. I laugh darkly at the idea that he could escape me right now, and with a few deliberately placed tugs on the frequencies surrounding his heart, I hear him collapse just out of sight. I know he won’t be getting up again.

That taken care of, I turn my attention to Bucky, only to find him climbing a shelf to my left. With one hand, he reaches to his back, and I know he’s going for the gun he keeps holstered there. Blanching in a panic, I drop to the floor just as he reaches the top of the shelf and comes level with me. Before he can react, I dart back down the hallway I’ve just come from, leaping over the man I took down when I first entered the chamber.

Bucky sounds close on my heels as I round the corner, and I risk a glance back to see him sprinting after me, just a few paces behind. Just as I’m about to turn my gaze back to the hallway ahead, I run smack into someone, thrown off my feet and into the hard wall of the submarine’s hall.

“Cleo,” Sapros growls, flying to his feet with electricity sparking at his fingers. His nose is crooked and there’s blood on his upper lip, but it doesn’t seem to phase him. “I see you’ve met my Weapon. I do hope he’s given you a warm welcome.”

I shake my head, gathering my bearings as I climb up from the floor and crouch, halfway between the two men. “Sapros, I thought I told you to give it a rest.”

He chuckles. “So you did. Unfortunately, your grasp on the crystal’s power is woefully lacking. You see, since our last meeting , I’ve been working on… fortifying myself, one might say. I think you’ll find your little tricks to be as effective against me as they are against the Soldat. You are outmatched, my dear.”

Gaze darting between Bucky and my former mentor, I see something dark flash through Bucky’s eyes at Sapros’ words. It doesn’t last, though, before the Soldier’s mask is firmly back in place.

I press my back against the wall, mind racing through any possible escape route, but I don’t get very far before Sapros casts out a current of his powers. I try to run, but he catches me quickly, and I’m soon screaming in agony as he holds me firmly in a cocoon of electricity.

The lights in the hallway flicker at my screams, bulbs bursting in rapid succession, but Bucky isn’t even phased. Sapros winces, but otherwise remains unaffected. 

“Now,” he says, flying closer to where he has me hovering in the air. “I believe you have something of mine, and I suspect it will be easier for me to get it back once you are incapacitated.” My eyes go wide, but all I can do is bite back further screams at the pain of electrocution. The HUD in my helmet stutters and cuts out completely at the current, and the entire thing folds back up into my glasses. 

Sapros hums. “How very peculiar. I suppose I’ll take a closer look once you’re taken care of. Soldat!” he cries, and Bucky stands to attention. “Finish her.”

Bucky reaches for his gun, a menacing expression on his face, and the pulse of the crystal thumps in my chest. Time seems to slow and my mind goes blank - a single thought the only thing present in this prolonged moment.

He has to know, I think. He has to know that I love him.

I push all of my remaining determination into the crystal, screaming with all the force I can muster. The sound breaks through the cocoon of red electricity, Sapros’ eyebrows flying up in shock.

“James Buchanan Barnes,” I scream, tears streaming down my face. His movements falter briefly, long enough for me to keep going. “I fucking love you!” With those final words, I somehow manage to make a gap in Sapros’ current - enough of a pause for the kinetic energy in my Sirensilk tunic to force the power of all the electrical jolts I’ve been receiving straight into the heart of my crystal. Without even thinking, I force it back out in a wave, blasting Sapros into the wall. He connects with the metal in a sickening thunk, and he falls to the ground, eyes unseeing and his head at an unnatural angle. An unremarkable death for a man so obsessed with gaining power.

I fall, no longer held by his power, and collapse to my knees the second my feet touch the ground. That’s enough, I think briefly - if the Soldier ends me now, it’s enough to know that he’s heard me say those words and the team will be here soon to help him recover once more.

I close my eyes against the inevitable, bracing myself for the hit of the bullet, but instead I’m leveled to the ground as a body hits mine with a ridiculous amount of force.

My eyes fly open, but instead of the face of a weapon, I see Bucky - my Bucky - tackling me to the ground in a crushing hug.

“Cleo,” he whispers, voice thick, and I feel his tears on my skin as he presses his face into the crook of my neck. 

Without really even realizing it, I’m sobbing, holding onto him for dear life with all of the strength I can muster. “James, you’re - you’re you.”

He nods against my neck and pulls back, eyes searching my own. His hands grip the sides of my face tenderly, his nose centimeters from mine. “I have no idea how you did it, Cleo, but you broke it - you broke their hold on me.”

I shake my head, really not caring about HYDRA or soldiers or anything but this man and this moment. “I love you,” I say, voice cracking. “James, I love you.”

Bucky’s eyes are full of emotion as his eyebrows knit together in amusement, and he presses his forehead against mine. “I think what you said was you fucking love me.”

I smile through my tears and lean into him. “Yeah, well, I’m nothing if not consistent.” He chuckles weakly, and I pull back to examine him. “Are - are you okay?” I ask.

“Better than okay,” he says, and then neither of us say anything more because one of us moves toward the other, who really knows who, and we’re kissing right there in the hallway of a HYDRA submarine, kneeling on the hard metal floor a few feet away from the body of The Philosopher. For all the awareness I have, though, we could be anywhere on earth - my only focus is the feel of Bucky’s lips on mine, his tongue tangling desperately with my own as we anchor each other.

Safe, safe, the kiss seems to say. We’re safe. His hands remain on my face, holding me with a firm gentleness that now feels deliciously familiar. I press my own hands to his knees, running them up his legs, from his stomach to his torso, over the planes of his chest, and squeezing his shoulders in a silent inventory, ensuring every inch I can reach is intact, before entwining them in his hair.

Bucky groans at the contact, pressing more fully against me, and I tighten my hold on his hair, heat pooling in my belly in spite of our current location. He moves his metal hand to my waist, gripping tightly enough to bruise, and I moan in pleasure at the force of his grasp.

Someone clears their throat uncomfortably.

We whip apart, my fingers spreading in preparation and Bucky grabbing his gun from where he’d dropped it on the ground.

“So I take it you don’t need any backup, then.”

My fingers fall and Bucky exhales a huff of air, putting the gun back in its holster.

Tony’s helmet recedes, showing his bemused expression. “I’m just saying, you could’ve let us know before we got all dressed up.”

“The situation was uncertain until quite recently,” I sniff, and Bucky huffs a laugh. We climb to our feet, surveying our friends.

Natasha stands by Tony with her arms crossed, an ‘I knew it’ smirk on her face. Clint is almost vibrating with barely-restrained glee. And Steve -

Before I know what’s happening, Steve rushes forward, grabbing Bucky and I both in a tight hug. “I was so worried,” he says, voice thick with emotion.

He pulls back and Bucky shoots him a grin. “Come on, punk, you know I always pull it out in the end.”

Steve claps him on the shoulder. “No you don’t, you jerk. Sometimes you end up missing for seventy years, so forgive me for being a little concerned.”

Bucky’s face softens and he hugs his best friend again. “Sorry, buddy. But really, I’m fine.” Steve nods as they pull apart, and Bucky grabs my hand and interlaces his fingers with mine. 

Tony rolls his eyes at us. “Oh god, if this is what we’re going to have to deal with now, we should’ve just left you down here.”

Clint punches him in the shoulder, wincing and shaking his hand out when his fist hits the solid metal of the Iron Man suit. “C’mon, Stark, it’s adorable.”

“So,” I say loudly, ignoring both men. “What are we going to do with this submarine?”

Tony waves his hand at me. “Already have it under control, Glowstick - I’ve got people coming to bring it back to one of the garages in the Tower.”

I nod. “Okay, good.” Avoiding eye contact with any of them, I look down and fiddle with Bucky’s fingers. “Because, um, there’s some stuff that… that belonged to my dad, and I’d like to be able to go through it.”

Bucky squeezes my hand, and when I look up at him, his eyes are wide. “Your dad was here?”

“Yeah, I guess all sorts of mysteries are being solved today.” I try to laugh, but there’s no humor in it, and Bucky releases my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulders with a questioning look on his face. I shake my head. “Later.”

He nods, and I allow him to hold me, pressing my face into his chest. “I’m so sorry,” he murmurs in my ear. 

“Gross,” Tony coughs, and I laugh in spite of myself, grateful to him for breaking the seriousness of the moment.

When I pull back from Bucky’s chest, his arm remaining firmly around my shoulders, Steve is watching us with a satisfied expression. He nods at Bucky, and Bucky just grins back at his friend. I warm at his unrestrained joy.

“Let’s go home,” I say.

Nat nods, speaking for the first time. “Yeah, let’s. I think we have some debriefing to do.”

Clint rolls his eyes. “Come on, Nat, I’m sure they’re exhausted. Can’t that wait until tomorrow?”

She looks at me with a feral glint in her eyes. “Not that kind of debrief, Clint.”

“Dammit, Meg,” I whisper, and Bucky laughs. 

“Hey, is anyone hungry? There’s this bao place I’ve been dying to try,” Tony says as we make our way to the exit.

I hum. “I could go for some bao.”

Clint nods. “Me, too!”

“I swear,” Steve shakes his head. “All you three do is eat.”

“Hey, I’ve had a busy twenty four hours,” I say, winking at Bucky. 

As we climb out of the submarine to meet the jet floating atop the water, I let my friends take the lead, chattering away. Just before we join them on the jet, I plant a quick kiss on Bucky’s lips. “I fucking love you.”

He grins widely. “I’m never going to get tired of hearing you say that.”

[neo--queen--serenity]

Hi....! If you don't mind, can I ask, who are your top 7 favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series/etc (can be canon or non-canon) and your top 10 favorite characters ever from any media? Why do you love them all? Thanks if you want to answer....

Yay, I love your asks so much!! They always inspire me to think deep on the things I love, and why. Love that shit.

I was able to answer your previous ask about my top 10 favorite characters a few months ago, so I'll keep this post about favorite ships, for simplicity's sake. :)

But before I begin my list, I should clarify that I love these ships for a variety of reasons. Some of them I enjoy because of the genuine romantic draw, others because of how compelling they are, regardless of how healthy they may be. So let's get into it. >:D

Suzaku Kururugi/Lelouch vi Britannia from Code Geass - this relationship is, quite possibly, my favorite ship of all time. If there is a dynamic to be had between them, they have it. Good, bad, ugly, the answer is yes, and they CANNOT keep themselves from loving each other. I quite literally cannot compare most ships to them, because there is no use in doing so. Nobody has what they have.

Claire Fraser/Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series - HETERO SHIPS HAVE GOOD SHIT WHEN THEY'RE WRITTEN WELL, and Outlander is just...one of the greatest book series I've ever read, full stop. The live-action tv series does them justice, which is a beautiful rarity, as well. But this relationship never stops being interesting, and that's saying something. I've followed their relationship from the early stages, to their years of development, and by God, these bitches have been married for decades, and I am still invested!!!!

Katsuki Bakugou/Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia - the childhood friends to lovers trope is, admittedly, a huge favorite of mine (Suzaku/Lelouch from Code Geass have this as well). That being said, we also have the added layers of one of them bullying the other during their middle school years. This complex, unhealthy dynamic transforms into a slow burn of becoming friends again through a painful and grueling process of shared trauma and joint character development. It is CATNIP to me, I tell you.

Obi Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars - I have a particular fondness for mentor/mentee relationships that skew to the sharp end of obsession, when they aren't careful. Obi-Wan was meant to be a guardian, a teacher to the orphaned Anakin. But Anakin grows up, and the age gap isn't big enough to keep their relationship looking strictly familial anymore. They live together, they lead armies together, they are seen as an unstoppable force that must not be separated. And even after Anakin gets old enough to where he no longer needs to do so, he never stops calling Obi-Wan "master," which is unnecessarily kinky of him, imo.

Maomao/Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries - a straight relationship that is written so well, and so compellingly, I never have any desire to read fanfiction about them. Natsu Hyuuga writes them so flawlessly that, fanfic, for me, is a pale shadow in comparison.

Jonathan Sims/Elias Bouchard from The Magnus Archives - this one's a toxic pairing that I just cannot resist. Their relationship started out as what was meant to be trust and mentorship. But their unhealthy, psychosexual fixation on one another not only forces our main character into a role of profound destruction and tragedy, but it also manages to make their interactions much hornier than is strictly necessary. Elias groomed Jon without his consent into becoming something horrific and monstrous, and in the end, Jon doesn't go out without dragging Elias down with him.

Atsushi Nakajima/Ryuunosuke Akutagawa from Bungou Stray Dogs - WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD OL' RIVALS TO LOVERS TROPE??? They both come from incredibly tragic backgrounds, and neither can really say the other has had it better. Only through fighting on opposite sides over and over do they realize valuable, life-changing, life-altering things about themselves. They hate each other, have actively tried killing each other many times, but have slowly come to realize how alike they are. They accidentally became the motivation for the other to live, and went on fighting both against each other and for each other like it was nothing. They consider themselves partners, but won't say it out loud.

Lestat de Lioncourt/Louis de Pointe du Lac from The Vampire Chronicles - These bitchy vampires make their centuries-old "on again off again" relationship everyone's problem. To be fair, they're probably soulmates. Okay, they're absolutely soulmates. But immortality doesn't always correlate with monogamy. It takes them a few hundred years to learn how to share, and they're...arguably still not the best at it. But after 13 books, they learn to make it work.

Satoru Gojou/Kento Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen - They went to high school together, then separated afterwards. Both of these characters had best friends who died horrific deaths--friends who may have also been their first loves. Losing these loved ones wrecked them, and they cope in drastically different ways. In their late 20's, though, they reconnect. They become friends again, they begin working together to guide the younger generation in the gruesome, terrible occupation they work in. They are a sort of new beginning to one another. They don't try to replace the ones they lost, but instead they build something new, something stronger and more beautiful together, to make their future worth living.

Vanitas/Noé Archiviste from The Case Study of Vanitas - and here we have the classic doomed yaoi trope. We are told at the beginning of the story that Vanitas dies in the end. We just don't know how he dies (we still don't know, as the story isn't finished). Their relationship is the classic, "grumpy introvert adopted by a peppy extrovert" speedrun, except the vicious vampire in this scenario is the peppy extrovert. Our grumpy introvert, Vanitas, though human, is a vampire doctor, and works to cure vampires who have been cursed. He, himself, hates vampires. Yet he unwittingly acquires a new vampire friend who has decided that they should be besties forever. It's comedy gold, but takes a sharp turn into tragic, heartbreaking revelations of character development that neither of them were remotely ready for.

God, it was hard to narrow it down to only 10 fave ships, but I managed it! Thank you so much for this phenomenal ask, I loved answering it! <3

[miyuskye]

Things Jon does in the last episodes of TMA S4:

1. Finds Elias, and he's distantly aware of having being pulled to him. He still asks him and Elias answers, because it's apparently their kink to do this Q&A session even if they're both all-knowledgeable beings.

2. In this push-and-pull game, Jon tries to ask what the Panopticon is, and Elias doesn't answer, so Jon Knows the answer. The audience wonders why they can't get a room like everyone else. Elias asks if he likes it and Jon says yes. Everything's okay.

3. Jon remembers he has a friend in need of saving, that's the reason he's here. He tries to get Elias' approval for going to save Martin, which Elias doesn't give him immediately. They can't be normal for a moment, so Jon has to earn it.

4. Jon finally obtains Elias' approval which is something also Elias craves because in his pet project he needs the pet's agency to be his own. Again, normalcy doesn't suit the two freaks. Also they get off other people's fear but when there aren't other people they have to do with their own fears. Weirdos (lovingly)

5. Jon compels Peter to tell his story. That's good, he needs to eat after entering the Lonely domain. And where does he lose it? When Peter doesn't tell him why he's Elias' prize. Okay, so the man he's been kind of admiring for years (even when he finds out that he's a murderer) has been waging him as a prize. Cool, he manages to stay calm, I wouldn't have honestly.

6. He offs Peter because he won't tell him anything more about Elias. Fair game, he should know by now how his little kinky game with his boss-slash-Eldritch mentor goes.

7. I want to make clear that Jon finishes Peter because he's not answering Jon's question about him being Elias' prize, and if this post is very shipping-based this fact is undoubtedly canon. He doesn't end Peter because he said something bad about his friends, or Martin, he does it because he won't tell him why he's Elias' prize. Be it because he's thirsty for knowledge due to the Beholding or for any other reason, those are facts. He probably would have done it anyway, though seeing how he behaves in S5 I'm not so sure. Anyhow, he's sulking when he doesn't get his answers, fair, and suddenly remembers he's here to save someone.

This has a parallel to another person being trapped and dying in the Lonely domain.

Jonah also had a friend he cared for trapped in the Lonely and did not save him, because he had to Know. Jon saves Martin at the end, but the parallel between them, the indissoluble connection between them strengthening even more.

HOW DO I STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM EVERY WAKING MOMENT??? AAAAA

[clau1r9i]

The Complex Interaction Between Insecurity and Friendship: Alice Swayne and Chise Hatori

ok so this post has been sponsored by @thornswoggled who has asked me to write about this (hiiii)

This is a post about an analysis that I wrote years ago to which I have added the part about how Alice would react if she knew the relationship between Chise and Joseph (you can skip everything and go to the end and get to that paragraph but you will not find new information either, I recommend read all for more context)

Ok i have to apologize, this is very long, i can´t do short things i just can´t i tried so get comfy

let´s staaart!

Introduction

This essay explores the psychological scars left by Alice's childhood, the common characteristics she shares with Chise, and the potential for rivalry between them as their relationships and place in society evolve.

The Psychological Impact of Alice's Troubling Past

Alice Swayne's personality is deeply influenced by her traumatic childhood, which can be understood in terms of *post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)* and *attachment disorder*. Abandoned at a young age and forced to survive in a dangerous environment, Alice developed a strong sense of loyalty, particularly towards Mikhail Renfred, who rescued her. However, this loyalty is accompanied by deep insecurities and a persistent fear of abandonment, typical manifestations of *avoidant attachment disorder*. Her childhood experiences may have caused psychological issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and a strong need for approval, characteristics of *dependent personality disorder*. These insecurities drive her to constantly prove her worth, sometimes at the expense of her own well-being. The trauma of her early life leaves her vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy and fear of being replaced or forgotten, especially by those she values most.

It can also be noted that this combination of issues may result in difficulty forming healthy relationships, hypervigilance, and feelings of guilt and shame regarding past attitudes and reactions.

Similarities Between Alice and Chise

Despite their different backgrounds, Alice and Chise share several significant characteristics that form the basis of their friendship. Both have endured painful pasts marked by abandonment and a longing for acceptance, which can be related to the concept of *existential loneliness*. This shared history creates an implicit understanding between them, as both know the pain of loneliness and the desire to find a place where they truly belong.

Their loyalty and devotion to their respective mentors, Renfred and Elias, also connect them, and both characters are willing to make significant sacrifices for the people they care about. Furthermore, both Alice and Chise struggle with insecurity and low self-esteem, often questioning their own worth. This shared vulnerability allows them to empathize with each other's difficulties and provide support when one of them doubts, which is an example of *social and emotional support*.

The progression of their relationship can be schematically outlined as follows:

Stages of Their Friendship:

Initial Distrust:

Description: When Alice and Chise first meet, there is evident distrust and rivalry, especially from Alice. This is partly due to Alice's insecurity and fear that Chise might be a threat to Renfred or that she might not be worthy of his time.

Respect and Recognition:

Description: As they interact more, Alice begins to see Chise in a different light. She recognizes her strength and value. This changes her initial perception.

Mutual Support:

Description: As their friendship deepens, Alice and Chise begin to support each other in times of need. Both have difficult pasts and find comfort in their mutual understanding. This mutual support allows them to grow both emotionally and personally.

There came a point where Alice found something she thought she would never find, someone she believed was similar to her, with a very similar past and seemingly similar traumatic consequences, which is why Alice makes an effort to guide and care for Chise. Essentially, we can see in the way Alice treats Chise the same relationship that exists between Chise and Philomela, albeit on a much smaller scale. However, thinking of someone as being just like you is a notion that can easily shift from love to hatred, and thus it should be discarded immediately. Someone can be very similar to you, but never identical. 

The consequences of this way of thinking are evident in the following.

Potential for Rivalry: Alice's Perspective on Chise

Despite the strong foundation of their friendship, the relationship between Alice and Chise is not without its challenges.

Initially, Alice might have viewed Chise as a competitor, particularly because Chise possesses unique and powerful abilities like Sleigh Beggy, which distinguish and make her valuable in a way that Alice might envy. The fact that nearly all characters show such interest in Chise could exacerbate Alice's fears of inadequacy, leading her to see Chise as a rival seeking approval and recognition, a phenomenon that can be understood in terms of *performance anxiety* and *evaluation sensitivity*.

An additional factor that could intensify the perception of rivalry is the apparent ease with which Chise forms and maintains friendships. Unlike Alice, who has struggled to establish deep and lasting connections due to her traumatic past and insecurities, Chise seems to have greater success in forming meaningful bonds with others. This perception that Chise has an innate ability to connect with people might make Alice feel more insecure, as she could interpret it as a lack of social skills in herself, which may be associated with *difficulties in forming interpersonal relationships* and *social inadequacy*.

The potential rivalry might also be fueled by differences in the nature of their relationships with their respective mentors. While Chise has a more emotional and close relationship with Elias, Alice’s relationship with Renfred, from Alice's perspective, is more professional and based on proving her worth (which she dislikes), reflecting an *anxious attachment disorder*, whereas from Renfred's point of view, it is a paternalistic relationship. Alice might feel that Chise has an advantage in receiving emotional support and guidance, which could make Alice feel neglected or undervalued in comparison.

Additionally, Alice might perceive that Chise is achieving what she herself desires: a sense of belonging and unconditional acceptance, something Alice has longed for but has not always received from Renfred in the way she wishes. This perception could heighten her feelings of rivalry, as Alice might fear that, in the eyes of her mentors, Chise is occupying a place she herself wishes to have, a sentiment that could be interpreted as *fear of rejection* and *self-image insecurity*.

All these terms can be encompassed under social comparison and intrapersonal jealousy.

The person Alice initially sees as her equal begins to have a seemingly better life than hers, a life and environment that forgives all mistakes, while Alice feels stuck, with stagnant personal relationships, and her mistakes come at a high price (Alice couldn't defend Renfred and as a result lost his arm, an arm that will not grow back).

Given all this, and considering the recent trending discussion here about Joseph/Cartafilus,

What would happen if Alice discovered that Chise is protecting and hiding Joseph?

The discovery that Chise is protecting Joseph/Cartafilus, a figure who has caused Alice significant harm, adds a complex layer to Alice's internal conflict. Joseph/Cartafilus represents pain and betrayal for Alice, and his presence in Chise's life might be seen as a personal betrayal by Alice. She could be overwhelmed by anger and frustration upon seeing Chise defend someone who has hurt her, intensifying her feelings of mistrust and insecurity. This act could make Alice feel excluded and dismissed, perceiving that Chise does not fully recognize the negative impact Joseph has had on her life. Additionally, Alice might face a profound internal conflict between maintaining her friendship with Chise and protecting herself from those who have caused her harm, which could trigger an identity crisis and doubts about Chise's loyalty. This would be a significant shock, potentially exacerbated by Chise's response or even if she chooses to remain silent.