#he can convince andrew to come with him for the drive

[ninyard]

🌻🌻🤍

one time andrew is having some problem with his car and mentions it to neil in front of matt and matt knows literally anything and everything to do with cars so he offers to take a look. he ends up knowing exactly what the problem is and how to fix it, so him and andrew spend a couple days over the course of a week doing different things for the car; going to a mechanic to order in parts, matt checks the whole thing over in case anything else needs a service, and then matt talks andrew through what exactly he’s doing to fix the problem. andrew’s loves cars but is less knowledgeable about the mechanics side of things, but he hangs on to every word that leaves matt’s mouth, in case it’s information he’ll need to use again. matt shows him how to do something and then gets him to try it. they fix it pretty quickly, and andrew thanks him by throwing him the keys for a couple hours afterwards and tells him it’ll never happen again. (he’s not entirely serious, but he does spend those few hours anxiously waiting for matt to come back)

[householdcryptid]

NFWMB

based on the ask i got about protective pope when on-call!reader gets decked by a patient! title is a hozier song that is so pope coded it makes me ill <3 cw:canon typical violence, religious themes sort of(done poorly, I haven't been to church in years), original male character, original female character, stalking(?), idk what else yall tell me if I missed something lol. 2.K

It happens in a flash, so quickly you hardly have time to react. The patient's fist collides with your face with a sickening crunch, and you’re on the ground before you can yelp in pain. Warmth drips from your nostril, painting your upper lip crimson, an ache blooming across the bridge of your nose. 

A broken nose, the radiology tech tells you. Hairline fracture that will heal by itself, a nasty shiner to brag about for a week or so. The only thing you can think is that Andrew is going to be pissed. You’re stuffing bits of paper towel up your nostril when Claire, a fellow nurse, pipes up. 

“Should we call your boyfriend?” A denial clings to the tip of your tongue. He isn’t my boyfriend. Goes unsaid, because to be quite honest, you don’t know what you and Andrew are. You wave her off and come up with some lame excuse about him being busy with work. It isn’t technically a lie, at least. He’s always busy with something or other, and you never ask for details. The only problem is that the girls won’t let you drive yourself home. So, instead of calling Andrew, you resort to drastic measures. Your stomach twists anxiously, at the receiver's  pick up sound, and the, saccharine-sweet tone of Smurf’s voice meets your ears. “Hi there, Sunshine.” She greets, faux warm, the crooning sound of her voice making your face ache worse somehow. 

“Hey Smurf,” You greet in turn, index finger and thumb cradling the bridge of your nose tenderly. “I hate to bother you, but I have a favor to ask you if you’d be so kind?” You cringe at your own voice, pitched up and nasally. “Of course, baby,” Smurf hums in what you think is supposed to be a soothing manner. It only sets your teeth on edge. “What happened, hm?” 

“I need a ride.” Smurf had assured you, of course, that Andrew wouldn’t be bothered by your unfortunate injuries. An assurance in which you take with a grain of salt. Smurf doesn’t know Andrew as well as she thinks she does, after all. Or maybe this is her manipulative way to make you think he doesn’t give a shit. 

It takes some convincing, to get her to take you back to your apartment, and not the Cody house. You aren’t sure you’re ready to face Pope yet, buzzing with anxiety still, the adrenaline from earlier finally waning, leaving your fingers trembling and your knees weak. It’s late that night when a heavy fist hits your door. You’re groggy, stumbling to the door with a grumble. “Who s’it?” A moment of silence, and then:

“Open the door.” 

Shit. You duck your chin as you pull the door open for him, turning your head some in a feeble attempt to hide the bruise that marrs the skin beneath your eye in a bloom of reds and purples. “Hello, Andrew.” You greet, knowing you can’t escape him now. He doesn’t respond. Simply shoulders his way inside, movements a bit jerky, like he’s barely containing his rage. “Lemme see it.” He demands in place of a proper greeting, voice low, quiet like the calm before the storm. It makes you sigh, shoulders sagging, resigned to your swift coming scolding. You tip your chin back up, eyes averted from his own, shame-faced. His disappointment is obvious in the downturn at the corners of his lips, his anger is palpable. You’ve rarely seen Andrew truly angry, but it feels the same every time. Like something in the air has shifted, leaving it colder, the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention. “It’s not so bad-” You go to downplay it, but one heavy sigh from his nose silences you. It’s quiet for a moment, the air seeming to go still, neither of you breathing for a split second. “Who?” He breaks the silence first, and it sets your nerves to fizzing all over again. “Andrew, there really isn’t a need for that-” You try to soothe, shaking your head gently, wincing when it revives the pain in your face. “Who?” He repeats, colder this time, demanding. His tone brooks no room for argument. It’s obvious he has no interest in half-assed excuses. You fumble for a second, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, before you nod. “A patient at the clinic this morning,” You mumble, reluctant to share the information. “McRoy. James, I think was his name.” His jaw clenches, a rough breath leaving his nose, nostrils flared like a bull ready to charge. You can’t meet his eyes, but you can see his fingers tense, wiggle gently, before curling into fists. “He was coked out, Andrew, wasn’t thinkin’ straight. Thought I was comin’ at him with a knife or somethin’.” You try to explain, but it comes out too weak, not convincing in the slightest. He just stares, shark-eyed, can’t look away from the bruise that mottles your pretty face. He can’t think, guilt and anger twining together in his chest, settling like an old friend. Someone hurt you. Some piece of shit put his hands on you and he wasn’t there to put the man in the ground. 

He’s stock still for a long while, a handful of minutes that feel like an hour. Then he’s moving, stalking back out your front door, slamming it behind him so hard the blinds rattle loudly, breaking the tense silence. Shit, you think for a second time that night.  

  Andrew has a long-running relationship with anger. It clings to his soul, claws dug in long before he met you, the only constant in his life. This feeling? Whatever it is is ten times worse. Like his blood boils, making his skin itch, his ears hot. A white hot rage fills him each time he pictures the bruise on your face, imagines that bastard’s fist hitting your nose. Finding James McRoy isn’t difficult. A piece of shit, twice your age, covered in shitty tattoos and smelling of grime and the acrid scent of whatever he’s smoking out of that pipe. 

Pope is efficient, a well-oiled machine meant to demolish. James goes down easy. Pope’s fist cracks against his jaw, once, twice, a third time. James crumples to the floor, shouting and kicking at Pope’s shins. Pope wonders if you fought back the same way, the idea of it makes something cruel well in his chest. His boot catches James in the stomach, hard enough to knock the wind from him, and then Pope descends.

It’s well into the wee hours of the morning when you wake again. You’d stayed up an hour after Andrew left, and then another, before realizing this wasn’t some awful dream. There’s someone in your bedroom. You wake with a grumble, the ache in your nose blooming across the middle of your face. You fumble at your bedside table, searching for the bottle of Tylenol you’d left there, when a warm hand presses two pills into your palm. You jump, startled fully awake, gasping sharply. 

“The fuck-” You pause, blinking blearily as you yank on the chain of your lamp. 

“Sorry.” Andrew mumbles, retreating to the chair he’d set up by your bedside, leaned back against the wall, but he isn’t relaxed. Then again, is he ever? When your vision finally clears, you glare weakly at him. Not upset, really, just a little annoyed at being spooked so early in the morning. You get a proper look at him, and something cold settles in your belly. 

There’s blood splattered up his arms, on his shirt, his cheek. His eyes are a little wide, breathing heavy, a wild look you’ve never seen before. “Andrew..” You breathe out, a little pained, sitting up in bed, leaning towards him. “What-..?” You go to question him, but think better of it. You don’t need to ask whose blood it is, you don’t need to know details. You swallow down the questions, reaching out to take his hands in your own. He flinches minutely, fingers twitching, his eyes cutting to your own, unreadable. Your hands slow, but you don’t falter. You’d told him months ago you weren’t scared of him. He needs to know you still aren’t. “Let me see?” You ask, quiet, just above a whisper. You wait for his tiny nod, more a jerk of his chin downwards, before you take his hands in your own. His knuckles are split, an angry red that’ll scab over by morning, turn a pretty shade of purple in some places, but no fingers are broken. He tenses while you look over his hands, staring down at you, silent as the grave. You don’t know what to say, for once. With Andrew, it’s always been easy. Some inexplicable understanding between the two of you, no words needed most of the time. Now it feels different. You feel like you need to say something, show some form of gratitude maybe, even if it’s fucked up. But the words don’t come, and you end up thumbing over the back of his hand absentmindedly. “You should take the pills.” He mutters, gruff and low, his voice hoarse like he’d been shouting. His eyes are glued to where you’re cradling his hands. Transfixed, as if he simply can’t look away. It makes you smile for some reason, his worry. “Probably.” His eyes flicker up to your own, the set of his jaw slackening some. Your smile soothes him. You aren’t angry with him, you aren’t scared. “Had to do it.” He mumbles, lips twisted up, biting at the inside of them. “He hurt you.” 

The words leave him like a confession, like he’s begging for forgiveness. “I know.” You reply quietly. “It’s okay.”The tension bleeds from his shoulders, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment. It’s absolution, your assurance. His breath rushes from him, trembling slightly, his chin dropping to his chest. He brings your hands up, presses the backs of them to his face, and burrows into your touch. You think your heart might be breaking. “Andrew,” You whisper, sliding from the bed, kneeling in front of him, your hands turning to cup his cheeks. You duck your head, catching his gaze. “Thank you.” His eyes flit across your face, swallowing hard. He looks younger, frightened. You wonder how he was as a kid, sometimes. If he’d always been so intense, if there was ever a moment in his life when he felt good. He leans forward, sagging into your hands, presses his forehead to your own, breathing hard. His eyes close, and he just..breathes you in. This is all he needs, all he wants. To have you close, safe, where he can smell your shampoo, and that coconut body lotion you use. “Let’s lie down,” You suggest softly, thumbs brushing along his cheeks. “Yeah?” His eyebrows furrow some, warring with himself mentally, before he nods, sighing through his nose. Gentling him into your bed is easier than it should be, you think. You’d always imagined he might put up a fight, get closed off and stiff. But when you climb in next to him? He melts. Curls himself around you, presses his face to your chest, forehead at the hollow of your throat, head bowed, arms wrapped around your middle, pulling you in. You have no option but to wrap yourself around him in return. He sucks in a breath like he hasn’t been able to for the whole night, the exhale shaking a bit.  It’s too easy to fall asleep like this when he’s so warm and nuzzling at the skin just below your collarbone absently. Your fingers find his hair, and he sighs against your sternum. Sleep finds you quickly, then, falling fast and deep. You don’t know what the two of you are to each other, still, but whatever it is? You hope it never ends. 

[rafeandonlyrafe]

christmas stocking

words: 1.3k

warnings: established relationship, reader has really good relationship with parents, implied bad family situation for rafe, christmas celebrations

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @thelomlisrafecameron @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @winterrrnight @drudyslut @drewsbaby @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @jjmaybankisbae @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog

“hey momma.” you say with a smile as you answer the phone, clicking it to speaker so you continue to work. 

“hi baby girl!” your moms voice rings out through the speaker. “did you figure out what time you're leaving?”

“looks like tomorrow at 10 am, then we should be to yours by dinner.” you hum, glancing at the clock while continuing to pack up. “oh, change of plans by the way. rafe is coming with me.” 

“oh yay!” your mom squeals. she only met rafe once when she came to visit you in the outer banks at your new house, but it was so early on in your relationship that she didn't really get to know him well, and things are a lot more serious now. “i can't wait to have my babies home for christmas.”

“does that mean andrew will be able to make it?” you ask, inquiring about your brother.

“they'll be here, but leaving the day after christmas for his wife's family.” 

“okay, that sounds good. itll be nice to have the four of us back together, plus rafe and diana.” you hum. ever since your brother went away for college when he turned 18, and you left two short years after to move to the outer banks, it was hard to get the whole family together, even for the holidays. you spent the last two christmases in the outer banks, one spent alone in your new house, the other with the camerons.

you were shocked by how different their christmas was than what you were used to. it was cold and devoid of any traditions besides what was seemingly forced on the kids of the family. you ultimately had a good time with rafe, but you missed the familiarity and fun that you had with your family. 

rafe was originally going to stay in the outer banks, not wanting to intrude on your family, but you finally convinced him last night that everyone would be happy to have him.

“okay so tell me about what i can get for rafe.” your mom says, and you just know she's bent over the counter with a notepad and pen in hand, not wanting rafe to be left out of opening presents.

--

“ready to go rafey?” you ask, looking at the back of the car, trunk filled with your suitcases, while the back seat has already wrapped presents, both for your family and ones for rafe, as well as his for you.

“i am. last chance to say if you forgot something.”

“nope.” you shake your head, “ive gone over my checklist three different times.”

“alright, off to your parents then.” rafe says, leaning over and pressing a kiss to your lips before taking off down the road.

--

“can we stop? i gotta pee.” you say, looking at the sign for an upcoming rest stop.

“again?” rafe sighs, but there's a small smile gracing his features as he turns the indicator on, pulling off to the road stop.

you hop out of the car, but rafe follows right behind you, not letting you go in by yourself, always extra cautious when you're out in public, especially away from the outer banks. 

“gonna get us snacks.” rafe says, keeping his eye on you as you head into the bathroom, only turning to the vending machines when you disappear behind the tile wall. 

--

“hey baby.” rafe says softly, stroking over your thigh to wake you up. “we're almost there.”

you stretch with a yawn, rubbing at your tired eyes. you blink them open, realizing the roads are now familiar, about to pull off the highway at your home town exit.

“thanks for driving, rafey.” you say, leaning over the center console to give him a kiss on the cheek. you clean up the car a bit while he finishes the drive, gathering up the wrappers of the chips and snacks and shoving them into a bag to throw away later.

“im so excited.” you say as rafe turns down your road, and your parents house comes into view.

“i can’t wait to get to know them.” rafe says, pulling into the driveway. you can’t help the squeal you let out in excitement as you rush out as soon as the car is in park, briefly turning your head to make sure rafe is following you as you step onto the porch, not bothering to know before flinging open the door, knowing that your parents are no doubt waiting right inside for you.

“mom! dad!” you shout, jumping into their arms as they swallow you into a comforting hug. you press a kiss to both of their cheeks before turning to rafe.

“i brought these for you.” rafe sticks forward his hand, in it a bouquet of flowers, presenting them to your mother.

“oh, rafe, darling you shouldn’t have.” your mom coos, pulling rafe into a hug before rushing into the kitchen to place the flowers into a vase. rafe gives your dad a firm handshake before offering to help carry in your bags.

you smile and look out the door as they chat casually, happy that rafe seems to be fitting in instantly.

--

“its just so different.” rafe says softly, stroking his hand absentmindedly over your back as you’re curled up next to him on the couch.

“what do you mean?” you hum, pressing your lips against his shoulder, even though you can guess what he’s talking about.

“your family is just so… easy going. and you all get along so well.” rafe says, looking around the living room at your parents sharing a couch, and your brother and his wife sitting in matching armchairs, all chatting happily amongst themselves.

“im lucky to have such an amazing family.” you say, looking to rafe. “and that you’re a part of it.” “i dont want to intrude though, baby. so if you have any traditions you want to be just amongst your-” “shh.” you cut rafe off, a smile on your face. “we all want you here. my mom was so excited when i told her you were coming. you love me right?” you ask, which rafe of course nods. “and we are planning to be together forever right? so of course my family is going to want you around, to include you in our traditions.” “sorry, dears, i couldn't help but overhear.” your mom says with a slightly blush to her cheeks. “forgive me for eavesdropping, but i actually have a gift for you rafe.”

rafe begins to say that he doesn’t need any gifts, but your mom cuts him off with a quick stern look, one he’s seen in you many times.

your mom returns to the room with a small wrapped box in her hands.

“thank you.” rafe says sincerely, setting the box on his lap. you smile, already knowing what is inside, seeing it before when andrew first brought diana to christmas celebrations.

rafe opens the box carefully, attempting not to rip the paper and make a mess, aware of the eyes on him.

“a christmas stocking.” rafe says with a smile as he pulls it out. you wait for him to notice, and you can tell from his body language the second his eyes read over his own name, hand stitched by your mother, signifying rafes place in the family. he tenses for a second before melting completely, body slumping against yours.

you wrap your arms around rafe, knowing this is an emotional moment for him, his moment where he realizes how loved and accepted he is.

“we are so happy you’re a part of our family, rafe.” your mom says, accepting his hug when he stands to embrace her and thank her for the gift, looking to the mantelpiece with all of the family stockings hanging, where his will soon join.

your dad strikes up a conversation with andrew, and you know its to take some of the pressure and attention off rafe as he ducks his head into your neck, pressing soft kisses to the skin there.

“i told you you wouldn’t be intruding.” you whisper, running your fingers through his hair.

“yeah, yeah.” rafe says sarcastically. “you’re right.” you give him a look, before he concedes with a nod. “as always.”

[stabbyfoxandrew]

vampdrew pls!!!! the bats out of the bag ;D (see what I did there)

WIP Wednesday (3/12) | Vampire Andrew AU (Part 226)

ANDREW

Kevin's heart rate skyrockets deliciously and Andrew's fangs ache more than ever to sink into that hot, soft skin at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. They'd only done it that way once, but it was quite an experience. At the memory, Andrew has to resist the urge to dive over the couch and take Kevin down to the floor. If it wouldn't mean letting Neil escape, he might try it.

"Tell him, Kevin. He doesn't believe me. But he'll believe you," Andrew says. But Kevin doesn't say anything at all. He just stands there silent both in mouth and mind, gaping at Andrew with huge eyes. "Well, it seems Kevin is having an aneurysm. We're going to have to give him a moment."

"I'm, I'm not having— I, you—" Kevin cuts off and leans back against the wall for support, once again going quiet. Andrew severely hopes he hasn't broken his human. Perhaps he should have discussed his plan before springing it on Neil. Oh, speaking of Neil...

"Hi, Neil." Andrew says, sitting down on the arm of the couch. Neil is on the other end, coiled tight as a spring. Despite the tension in his small, breakable frame, Neil's head is empty as always. It's enough to drive Andrew insane. "Tell me, what are thinking right now?"

Neil exhales sharply. "That I'd like to kick your teeth in."

"Ha! Well, you can certainly try but I won't be tucking you in once you tire yourself out." Andrew says, happy to hear Neil's thoughts for once, even if they're a threat to his well being. It's not like Neil has a snowball's chance of doing him any harm. Andrew would have no problem humbling him if he tried.

"Fuck you."

"No thanks," Andrew snaps his fingers in Kevin's direction. He's still lost in the middle of a category nine meltdown, but his brain comes back online and Andrew is greeted by a whirlwind of panicked thoughts. He winces against it and tries to tune it out, but he can't. Andrew spends so much time in Kevin's head he's got joint custody. Besides, Kevin's thoughts are directed at him. There's no avoiding his worrisome ramble.

'Have you lost your fucking mind?! Don't answer that. Oh my god. I can't believe you told him. What are we going to do? Do you think we could knock him out and convince him this was all a dream? That's a solid plan, right?'

"We're not going to hurt Neil. I already promised him we wouldn't." Andrew answers, looking meaningfully at the twitchy boy across from him. He makes a face, but it's not a reassured one.

'But we can't fucking tell him! Andrew, it's not safe!'

"It is."

"What is?" Neil asks. Andrew waves him off to focus on Kevin. Kevin cuts a glare between the two of them, settling on Andrew.

"We don't know that! You can't read him.'

"You wanted him on your line. He's on it. He's going to stay. But if he's going to be under my wing, he's got to know." Andrew tells him firmly.

'He might tell Coach. He might tell everyone.' Kevin thinks, a panic attack working itself through his veins. Andrew lets out a sigh and crosses the floor to stand in front of him. He pulls Kevin down by the back of his neck and stares into his eyes.

"I know you're hardwired to panic but you should be jumping for joy right now. Neil and I spoke at Coach's. He gave me a long sad story that I can't share. But I am satisfied with what he told me. He is here because he's as obsessed with exy as you are."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure. And Neil will keep my secrets if I keep his. Isn't that right, Neil?" Andrew asks, over his shoulder. He gets no response, except a choked sound from Kevin. Andrew whips around to see Neil trying to sneak for the door. 

In a blink, Andrew is in front of him. "Did you really think I was going to let you leave in the middle of our conversation?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't get a say in the matter." Neil counters, looking pissed. "Let me leave, Dracula."

[codename-adler]

[Day 01]

@allforthegamebingo ; Angst Edition

slipping on ice - breaking bones - unable to move || “you should have never come here.”

Jean x Aaron // T

———

“You should have never come here.”

“Then you shouldn’t have let Jeremy call me.”

Aaron knew this one decision would be met with fight after fight from everyone involved, and not. First Andrew, because of course. And Aaron wasn’t even asking for the Maserati, Matt’s truck would be just fine. Matt didn’t need to know the distance he’d make with it, at least not yet. It’s not as if he was driving all the way to California. He would never do that. Of course not. Nobody’s worth that much gas…

Luckily the Trojans were playing their eponymous rivals, USC Columbia, where Aaron and Andrew would probably have gone to were it not for Exy and Coach Wymack. Aaron personally disliked thinking about it. This other version of him wandering around, who was probably free of murder and all the other dogshit that went down in just the one year.

And it looked like this season was about to be eventful as well, to say the least. Though nothing could rival the clearly toxic hatred between the two South Carolina teams, and though the Foxes had had nothing to show for a while before thoroughly humiliating the USC Gamecocks (which, why), Jean Moreau’s transfer seemed to have heightened the hate-stakes for everyone. The face-off had been brutal, and dirty. Not many players would be on Saint Nicholas’s Nice List this holiday season.

Especially not the guy who broke three of Jean’s fingers.

There was no way his move had been anything other than intentional. You don’t move your racquet backwards like that once the ball has left your opponent’s net. Yet that #26, Valdekis, has snapped the end of his stick in a wide arch behind his back, while he’d already shoved Jean against the plexiglass. His larger, heavier stick caught Jean’s fingers against the wall, continuing its arch unbothered while the fingers bent backwards far past what the human body allowed. Pop, they went.

Aaron had watched the slow-motion recap one time too many. Trying to convince the med student part of himself, as well as the backliner part, that the fingers could be fine, surely. He wasn’t even close to being convinced when Jeremy called. That’s when he knew it was no longer a matter of if, but how bad?

“He won’t let any of the nurses approach him,” Jeremy had shakily uttered through the phone instead of his usual cheery greeting.

“Not even Davis?” Aaron had responded immediately, taking it in stride. He mentally pushed away the thought of how incriminating it was that he knew the Trojans’ staff by heart, as well as how Jean felt about them, and they about him. He needed that space to go into panic over the fact that this injury was apparently not like the others Jean had suffered since his transfer.

“No one,” Jeremy repeated. His voice was so much quieter than normal. It deafened Aaron like a drum beat on his very heart nonetheless.

“You want me to come?” Aaron asked, because he would, he was already moving, he needed Jeremy to call him stupid and tell him to sit his ass down.

“Yes please,” Jeremy replied, breath shuttering, delivering Aaron’s fast pass to GO! Collect 200$!

And so Andrew fought him without a word, then Neil because, Neil, then Kevin, and the USC Columbia staff, and the Trojans’ staff, and finally Jeremy took over for him. The captain let him in the locker room, which was empty except for a giant backliner trying to make himself infinitely small. Jeremy nodded at Aaron as Dermott and Alvarez waited for him in the doorway, arms open and ready to catch the shaken striker.

Aaron approached the corner of the room, tightening his grip on the “first aid” duffel he’d put together before he left Fox Tower. His steps echoed and Jean felt them.

“I told everyone, and I’m saying it again: my hand is fine, it’s nothing, I can still play. I don’t need anything. I don’t need anything,” Jean bit out without turning around.

“If your hand’s fine after that foul play then I’m shitting rainbows right now,” Aaron spoke.

Jean whirled around, his face contorted in picture perfect affront.

“How the fuck are you here,” Jean said with venom.

“Drove here,” Aaron answered blandly, taking none of the crap Jean was trying to scare him away with.

“You are not needed here. You are not wanted. Turn back around and go away,” Jean weakly barked.

“If you’ll let Davis do his job, sure.”

Aaron thought Jean’s cold front was thing of the past between them, but apparently he could still bite at him, and it could still hurt. Aaron tried not to let it sting.

Jean remained silent. The impasse was foiled with the hum of the harsh neon lights and the pulsating pain shooting up his fingers. He could hear Aaron’s breaths too, calm but a little shallow. All of this was bad. Very bad. Aaron being here reflected how ill-adjusted Jean really was, and that would not do, not for the Trojans, not for the press, and certainly not for Lord Moriyama.

“You should never have come here,” Jean bit out.

“Then you shouldn’t have let Jeremy call me,” Aaron talked back.

Jean lifted his head at that.

“Yeah, Jean. You’re scaring the crap out of him. It’s bad. I know it’s bad. But you and I both know you’ve been worse when you landed in Palmetto. And you and I both know I’ve seen the worst when I had to take over from Abby during the nights. So why don’t you let me look at your hand, see how ‘fine’ it is, and I can help you fix it and put you back on the track. Then I’ll be on my merry way.”

Jean looked at him for a long time. Aaron stood still, letting him search for what he was looking for, hoping he’d find it. No matter the world outside, Jeremy and the Trojans, the Foxes, the fans, the press, Ichirou… Time felt frozen here. The urgency had passed and gone away. He was with Jean, now. He got to him in time. He was here, now, ready to fix him, and nothing else mattered. Aaron could wait. It was Jean’s call, now.

When Jean’s stormy eyes settled back into Aaron’s ember ones, he nodded. “Okay. You can look.”

Aaron put down his duffel on the bench.

“Can I let your team know that we’re gonna start treatment? I don’t want them busting in thinking we killed each other because it’s taking us some time,” Aaron asked Jean.

Jean nodded again, something strange in his gaze.

Aaron moved quickly to the door and slipped outside. The whole team turned to face him in sync, eyes wide and expectant. Aaron was too impressed to address this nervous crowd, so he turned to Jeremy and spoke to him only. “Jean agreed to let me treat him. It might take a while. Do whatever you have to do to be ready to leave as soon as he’s patched up, and to minimize rumours. Don’t- Don’t come in. He’ll meet you when we’re done. Jeremy? He’ll be okay, alright? I’ll do my best. But he’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

Aaron saw Jeremy’s shoulders lose some of the enormous stress weighing down on them. That was enough. He didn’t wait for an answer and moved back inside. He was met with Jean’s eyes immediately. He’d been waiting anxiously, but patiently.

He moved swiftly, taking out all the stuff he brought from home and displaying them methodically on the bench beside Jean’s. He then straddled that bench and sat down facing Jean. He extended his own hand, open to the sky. Then he waited.

Jean slowly revealed his left hand, bringing it towards Aaron from where he’d cradled it against his side. His glove had already been removed. Aaron saw all of the damage in an instant.

It was bad. But it was okay.

Before taking Jean’s hand, Aaron spoke. Speaking was the easy part here. “You know what’s what already, this is only for me, so you can tune me out,” Aaron explained quietly. “Alright. It’s a beautiful night to save some bones. Skin’s not broken, that’s good. Members are heavily bruised and swollen, but no blood or loss of circulation. Phalanges of three middle fingers are bent out of shape, but remain connected to the palm. Also good. No need to pop ‘em back in place. A simple three-finger brace should be good to avoid further damage until proper scans in Cali.”

Jean listened. He remembered how it had been in that dark little room in Palmetto. In the beginning. He remembered how Abby trained Aaron, made him say everything he was doing and why, so she could be sure he was doing the right thing. Even when Abby stopped showing up and let Aaron do the night rounds, he would still voice what he was seeing and doing, step by step. It was those whispers that saved Jean. At first they might have been a distraction, something to focus on instead of the pain and the anxiety and the devil voice in his head, but the more he actively listened, the more Jean understood the words. He was never left in the dark about what Aaron was doing to him. Everything was always as he said, nothing more, nothing less. Every shot, pill, liquid, cream, they all came with Aaron’s quiet voice explaining the what and when and how, and why. For the first time in his life, Jean was in full possession of his medical history, minute by minute.

Aaron didn’t have a local anesthetic, but it didn’t matter. It wasn’t the pain that scared Jean. When his fingers snapped on the court, the sudden explosion of pain had been terrifying, yes, but it was the few seconds after, when he’d blacked out, that did him in. Because, for a moment, he was back under there, in the Nest. When Grayson broke his fingers. When Riko broke them too. When he was forced to break them himself.

Smalls would set them straight quickly, quietly, exasperatedly, every time, and tape the fingers together, until next time.

Davis was okay. He warned Jean every time something uncomfortable had to be done, apologizing once, then urging Jean to take care. It was unfair of Jean to compare him to either Smalls or Aaron. But he couldn’t help it. Sometimes he wished Aaron had never happened. He set the bar too high.

Often, Jean would message Aaron about one thing or another that he felt was wrong, but loathed going to the Trojans Med Center to ask for help. Aaron always answered. Unless it was something unusually serious, Aaron always placed the solution in Jean’s hands.

Go to the pharmacy and look for Claritin in the flu section, box is blue with clouds on it. Look for the non drowsy one. Take one pill every 24h. Unfortunately Cali is the kingdom of year-round allergies. Don’t worry.

Take a bowl large enough for both your feet and fill it with ice cold water. After 15 minutes of soaking, your blood should have stopped flowing to your head only and travelled back down. If that doesn’t stop the migraine, try caffeine supplements. If that doesn’t work either, you should ask Davis for a prescription. Migraines are no joke, Jean.

No, you won’t die if you accidentally took your antidepressant twice today. Just let someone else know, Davis or Jeremy or Cat, so they can be there if you start feeling unusual, but I doubt it. Just don’t take your dose tomorrow and drink a lot of water, be sure to properly feed yourself. Happens a lot, it’ll be okay.

And here he was, in the flesh. His flowing words like a lullaby for Jean.

“We’re gonna have to put that brace on, now. Do you have anything to hold for your other hand? It’s gonna feel like a bitch,” Aaron finally said to Jean.

Jean looked around, briefly held up his jersey, then shook his head. Aaron took it in stride and searched around in his duffel. He pulled out a small orange thing and placed it in Jean’s right hand. Jean looked down at it and pressed lightly with his fingers. He looked back up at Aaron, unimpressed.

“Fox stress ball,” Aaron winked at him, knowing Jean was hating it.

Then the hard part started. The taping was painful, but Jean handled it, knowing what was coming would be infinitely worse. Aaron’s calloused hands were ever so careful. When Jean focused on them, he could almost forget the ugly one they were treating.

When Aaron started to put the metal bands in place, Jean wished he’d kept his mouth guard. He feared his jaw would shatter, yet he couldn’t stop biting down. It hurt. He didn’t want to close his eyes, scared to wind up back in the past, but he didn’t want the tears to escape either. He started trembling.

“I know, I’m sorry. I know, I know,” Aaron whispered, trying to work faster.

Jean had no strength left. The stress ball was shit, and he wanted to let go, and he wanted to cry, and he wanted comfort, damn it.

All at once Jean’s control snapped. He slumped down and bit his lips. His bowed head landed on Aaron’s shoulder.

“Jean? Jean, talk to me. Jean?” Aaron said, starting to panic.

Jean only burrowed his head deeper into Aaron’s shoulder. He tried to breathe in, but a sob escaped his throat and made him choke on it as it echoed into the empty locker room.

Aaron freed one of his occupied hands to cradle Jean’s head against him. Jean’s hair was still wet from the grueling match and the following hardships. Aaron turned his face so he could talk into Jean’s ear. “I’m sorry. We’re almost done. Stay there, okay? Bite down on my shirt, you’re gonna break your teeth like that. Okay, Jean? Okay?”

Jean barely nodded against Aaron’s neck. He mouthed at Aaron’s sweater until he had enough cloth to bite down on. His nose brushed along the skin under there and suddenly Jean could smell an entire new world. He took a deep breath, filling his throat with it.

Aaron’s sweatshirt was getting wetter and wetter, and his neck felt humid too, and he could also feel Jean’s mouth, but he pushed on, working to get Jean out of this mess as soon as possible. He was sure none of his clinicals would ever be this hard.

And suddenly it was over. The brace was in place.

Aaron released the breath he was holding, his shoulders slumping, Jean’s head going down with them. He carefully held Jean’s injured hand in one of his own, freeing his other to return to Jean’s hair.

“Hey, we’re done. Hard part’s over. You made it. You’re good, Jean,” Aaron whispered into his ear, emotional somehow.

Jean released Aaron’s shirt from his mouth, but didn’t move otherwise. Aaron carded his fingers through the dark curls, letting Jean have his moment, and indulging a bit, too.

When Jean finally lifted his head away from Aaron, his eyes were dark. Aaron tried to remove his hand, but couldn’t quite manage to let go. His finger rested on the side of Jean’s face, rubbing small circles into his skin and scalp. Any minute, now, he would let go. Any minute.

Aaron squeezed one last time, preparing to untangle his hand. But before he could, Jean took a hold of his chin. His fingers, though unharmed, trembled. Jean leaned down. And down, and down, until his lips landed home, right on Aaron’s.

Aaron tightened his hold.

So did Jean.

No balm had ever soothed either of them this good. There was no medicine like this kiss.

They were tired, hungry, scared. Their lips on one another fixed all of that.

Jean sighed into the kiss, and it almost brought Aaron to tears. He couldn’t get enough. There was a hint of blood on his tongue, from Jean’s mouth, and he savoured it like it was the last drop of water on earth. Jean pushed into Aaron, wanting more, wanting it all. They separated for a second, inhaling each other, before Jean dived back in deeper. He no longer felt his broken hand. He only tasted Aaron, felt him, smelled him, consumed him.

Aaron would have let him swallow him whole. When they finally had to stop, lest they passed out, they stayed in orbit of each other, so close another collision was inevitably imminent. Jean’s thumb traced Aaron’s mouth, their foreheads resting against one another. Aaron mouthed at Jean’s finger with butterfly kisses and small flicks of his tongue. Within their bubble, Aaron quietly spoke.

“Should I go tell the good news to your team?”

Jean looked down at his bandaged hand, then up at Aaron’s lips. “Which one?” he replied, eyes glimmering.

Aaron kissed him again, unable to stop himself. He pulled away with a trembling smile.

“Any one. Any one you want.”

[cosmmicdancer]

The people want to know- please share Jean Andrew thoughts 👀👀👀

hello anon, thank u for coming into my inbox and giving me the excuse to share more about my jeandrew au that's been living in my head rent free for the past few weeks

you can read the jeandrew fic i posted for kinkuary here

it got real long so im gonna put it under the cut, hope u enjoy <333

- in this au kevneil get together in college, andrew is their best friend. Jean still leaves the nest and goes to the trojans

- jean and andrew get drafted to the same pro team, neither of them interact much, maybe a nod or half smile after a good play. stays that way until they play kevin amd neils team, who invite them out after the game. kevneil are being argumentative and flirty so jean keeps making sarcastic comments under his breath and andrew doesnt laugh but he does buy jean drinks for the rest of the night

- they start bonding at an away match when neither of them can sleep they don't talk much but there's an understanding

- they're fwb whilst they play for the same team & the mutual understanding of their similar trauma allows them to experiment sexually in a safe environment

- andrew gets drafted away after a couple of seasons, cue both of them pining because turns out they def want to be more than friends

- jean flies out to whichever state andrew ends up at, legit romcom moment, standing in the rain, jean has a bunch of flowers because he is a romantic goddamit

- andrew is fucking obsessed with thia giant stood on his doorstep like a bedraggled cat & hates that he absolutely loves the fact that jean wants to romance him

- cue years of long distance, whilst they play on different teams. when they both retire they move in together, in the same city kevneil are still play. renee and jeremy are also close by. family finally together yayayyaya.

- their favourite date night is going to their local pretentious arthouse cinema then going for ice cream afterwards and shit talking whatever they saw

- jean write andrew poems, which andrew never mentions but keeps in a box in his bedside table

- they both love watching cooking shows, and andrew recreates whatever jean seems most interesting in

- kev and neil get cats and neil is convinced that cats are the source of pure happiness so when jeandrew are still long distance neil shows up on andrews doorstep with a cat hands it over without a word

- he does the same thing to jean

- kevneil love to argue about who clocked jeandrew first but what they don't know is that renee placed a bet on them with jeremy the second andrew started on jeans team

- jean is the only person andrew would ever submit to in the bedroom and jean takes this v seriously

- Andrew drives most of their d/s dynamic, jean only feels comfortable trying things that andrew wants

- jean will eventually ask for things but not until a few years into their retirement

- once they retire they get a dog, and then another one, and then another cat

- all of their pets come from Neil showing up, knowing exactly who can look after a small animal that needs a gentle home

- jeans favourite part of retirement is taking the dogs out on a hike, andrew refuses to go but saves all the photos jean sends him from his walks to a special folder in his phone

[incorrect-gravescest]

Role reversal AU, Andrew giving Ashley attention after the pizza party where he raised his grade up to a D. Romantic and sexual tension very heavy

Ashley Graves pretended not to care, nibbling on the same slice of cheese pizza she'd been circling for the last twenty minutes, her cool exterior belying the storm brewing inside.

She had been the quintessential academic, her record nearly flawless, save for one contentious B+ in Geometry. But where was her celebration? Where were the accolades for her hard work? Meanwhile, her brother, the family's celebrated slacker, had just nudged his grade from an F+ to a D- in Math, and suddenly he was the family hero. It incensed her beyond measure.

With a heavy sigh, she discarded her pizza into the trash and ascended the stairs to her room, seeking refuge from the crowd. She hoped her escape went unnoticed, but it didn't… except by Andrew.

Ashley collapsed onto her bed, face down, exhaling her frustration into the pillow. Reading "A Clockwork Orange" was a distant thought; she lacked the drive to even sit up. A nap seemed like the solution, hoping to wake up to an empty house.

But before she could settle, there was a knock at her door frame. Andrew stood there, his expression tender yet probing.

“Hey, Leyley,” he said, using that nickname she despised. “I saw you storm off and thought I’d come see what's up.”

“You know exactly what's up,” she retorted, her voice muffled by the pillow. “I bust my ass my entire life, and no one bats an eye, but you barely pass and you're suddenly the hero of the Graves family.”

“If you've been working your ass off, that explains where it went,” he teased, flicking her bottom lightly over her jean shorts. Ashley rolled over, sitting up on her knees, her irritation palpable.

“That's exactly what I mean! I open up to you, and you make light of it like it's all a game!”

“Because life is a game, Leyley!” Andrew shot back, you live by these rigid rules, always so proper. Honor Roll, Student Honor Society, volunteering… it's all pointless because it's not the real you.”

“And just who am I?” she sneered, her voice edged with anger. Andrew's grin was sly as he leaned in, his pink eyes locking with her green ones.

“Oh, I think you know exactly who you are,” he murmured, his thumb tracing her lips with a slow, sensual drag.

“I…I don't know what you’re talking about…” she stammered, her face flushing a deep red. Andrew's smirk widened, his lips dangerously close to hers.

“You can run, little Leyley, but eventually, the heart will get what the heart wants. Someday. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but your heart will get what it wants.”

“It already does, I have Jules,” she said, her voice shaky, unsure if she was convincing him or herself. Andrew chuckled, his finger gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze unwavering.

“We both know that milquetoast dork isn't what you crave. But you'll never admit that to yourself. Someday, though, you'll embrace the truth. The hard, throbbing truth.”

Ashley's breath quickened, her forehead beading with sweat as Andrew's finger traced a path from her forehead, down her nose, to her lips, each touch sending shivers through her.

“But I won't force anything you're not ready for,” he said, standing upright. “But when the time comes, I’ll be waiting, Leyley. I’ll be waiting.”

He moved towards the door, pausing to look back, his eyes now glinting with both mischief and desire.

“Just remember to think of me the next time you’re alone. God knows how much I think of you.” With that, he left her alone with her tumultuous thoughts, returning to the party below.

Alone, kneeling on her bed, Ashley's heart pounded like a war drum, the heat and dampness between her legs intensifying. She fell back, covering her face with her pillow to muffle her scream of frustration. She thought she had control, that everything in her life could be neatly categorized. But what happens when the desire you suppress the most has the power to unravel everything you've built?

[orange-foxes]

Amnesia

💭 loving you is muscle memory by Talls (3,5k)

Neil has temporary amnesia, and Andrew is disconcertingly attractive. This is especially disconcerting because Neil was pretty sure he didn't swing. Nicky is endlessly pleased by the entire situation.

💭 Secondhand Lovers by alex_wh0 (22k)

“Mr. Minyard,” said the doctor, “Can you tell me who this is?” Andrew looked at Neil, his gaze clinical, “I don’t know.” Memory is a funny thing, Neil thought, even as he felt himself unravel uncontrollably as he looked into the eyes of the man he loved and saw only distrust.

💭 Back to the Start by fuzzballsheltiepants (29k)

Andrew has been on his pro team for 6 months when he takes a ball to the head. Neil flies to Boston to see him - only to find that Andrew doesn't remember him.

💭 Pause and Restart My Heart by knoxham (series)

Andrew Minyard often got 2am cravings for ice cream. He would often get up and drive to the store to pick some up if they were out. Neil Josten would often go with him on these night time outings. It was not often that they would be hit by a drunk driver. After a bad car accident that lands Neil in the hospital, Andrew deals with the aftermath and the fact that Neil might not wake up.

💭and in a flash, it's gone. by Idnis (series)

‘I wouldn’t associate with Andrew anymore, nor with any of the others. You can’t trust foxes after all.’ The man’s fist connected precisely where his head wound was, and then Neil Josten was gone. Neil loses his memory and has to somehow make sense of the pieces of his past and present. And Andrew.

💭 Muscle Memory by elesary (20k)

Andrew wakes in the hospital, years after the last thing he remembers, with nothing but a handful of out of date promises and a wrecked car. He is purposeless, adrift, unable to find solid ground. Except in the blue, blue eyes of the scarred stranger at his bed side.

💭 you're not next before forever by Andy_Day02 (29k)

Andrew could practically feel Neil’s smile from across the court yet that wasn’t what he was thinking about. Exy was considered a violent sport not just because of how people played during the game. Andrew was moving before anything happened and yelled at Neil to turn the fuck around from where he was talking with his sub. Or even run for fuck’s sake. If there was ever a time Andrew had wanted Neil to run, that would be it. - Neil gets badly hurt during an exy game. Andrew gets arrested. Almost everything goes to hell.

💭 Help me remember by ok555 (47k)

Neil woke up with a pounding headache and from the feel of it, probably a couple broken ribs. The memories of the previous night were fuzzy at best. He remembered paying some random guy at the club to knock him out which would explain the headache, but he couldn’t come up with an explanation for the ache around his chest. or Neil has amnesia and forgets everything that happened after his first night at Columbia.

💭Inked Petals by KweenDay (15k)

Andrew spent 3 years in a shithole small town in Florida trying to get through the loss of the only person who made him feel something. Then Aaron convinces him to move to New York to start living his life again. It all goes well until Andrew makes a tinder account and matches with his dead boyfriend.

💭 i only need the working of my hands by allyasavedtheday (21k)

Andrew gets injured during an Exy game and loses almost two years' worth of memories. It leaves him with a nasty pain in the head and far too many questions. Namely, who the fuck is Neil Josten?

[vxsellie]

hello all 🤗 ive been overthinking & listening to hozier (literally me in a nutshell) and so i'm gonna be doing a deep dive on the song talk because it's eating away at me

the thing is, all of hozier's songs can be interpreted differently & thats what people love about them. they can be morphed and personalized depending on who's listening. so i can't say that my thoughts are 100% correct, bc they aren't. it's my personal opinion, so pls bear that in mind

anyway!

the song opens with him explaining the greek myth of orpheus and eurydice — where a man goes into the underworld to bring back his dead wife, trekking all the way down & making a deal w hades, only to lose her a second time by breaking said deal

lots of people focus purely on this verse when they talk abt the song, but i don't think that this is what's important.

like, yes, the way her perceives the controversial myth is interesting blah blah blah, but let's dive into WHY he's talking about it maybe? why he literally retold the story when he usually just briefly mentions myths, expecting us to already know every single greek myth in existence (love him for that even tho it drives me insane when i have to do extensive research just to listen to his music)

see, he myth is only mentioned once throughout the entire song, and it doesn't center on what most people do when the story is brought up. hozier doesn't debate on why orpheus turned around, how eurydice died, what pact he made with hades, etc etc. he simply tells the story for context & focuses on what's most important / why the myth exists in the first place — their love.

not only does he focus on the real, rawness that comes with being in love, but he makes this the entire point of the song. and how he does this, well, that's the real kicker 🥳🥳

he. makes. love. the. narrator.

like WHAT??? he makes LOVE the narrator???

he fucking tells the myth in the perspective of love itself, calling himself (aka the narrator) the voice that brought orpheus to madness when finding his wife's corpse & the grief that drove him into the underworld & the all-consuming devotee that made him break the pact w hades & the reason eurydice forgave him in an instant even though he lost her only chance at life again. LOVE is telling this story and i cannot be convinced otherwise

following this verse of orpheus & eurydice's tale, he says "imagine being loved by me"

he's literally telling you to picture being loved by love itself.

the song goes on to list more examples of where love exists — mankind's obsession with death and sex, needing the "sweet feeling of release" in both of these things despite them seeming to be complete opposites to the naked eye.

and! this further pushes the ideals that love can be brutal and raw (death) whilst simultaneously being sweet and intimate (sex).

also "i'd be the last shred of truth in the lost myth of true love" is basically saying that genuine love is rarely found anymore, nigh impossible in its manmade divinity. he says that the thing keeping that one last thread from breaking — which would cause love to be completely lost to the world — is love itself. HIM.

and then he goes on to repeat that line after each example he gives. "imagine being loved by me", saying that despite the pain and grief and awful truth that comes with loving someone, everyone craves it in spite of the inevitable & will forever search for something as genuine as the love that orpheus and eurydice had. even though it's a tragedy, it's what we all want, right?

in conclusion, idk if i want to strangle or kiss andrew for creating this song

[karmacharmeleon18]

I don't understand the hatred for the Andreil extra content.

Them never saying ily makes perfect sense (they never heard those words growing up, they mean nothing, actions speak much louder, and their devotion to each other is unmistakable), and so does them never getting married (they've moved past needing "promises" and deals to stick around, I actually see Andrew not needing this as a big sign of healing). Nora also said that they know "this is it for the both of them", and that's enough. They'll never break up, they'll do all they can to see each other as much as possible for the brief time they're on different teams (during Neil's 5th year at PSU + his first year going pro), so much so that Andrew's coach feels compelled to offer Neil a spot on his team. And from then on they are a package deal, whatever team wants one of them must get the other as well.

They even go on freaking dates to restaurants, take long walks on the beach, go for night drives and road trips, they even go stargazing. They hold hands. They pretty quickly move from "yes or no?" to not having to ask at all. When it comes to sex, it only takes them a year before they "find their footing and are fine either way" (about who tops and who bottoms, they are both switches, which is HUGE for Andrew, and it only takes him a year post-canon to get there)

She said Andrew will never be "happy" in the way most people see happiness (like Jeremy or Matt or Nicky happy), but he'll grow to be content of his life and he'll eventually accept the fact that he does enjoy Exy and won't throw a fit anytime Neil points it out and he'll have several cats and a place to call home with Neil by his side for the rest of their lives and maybe even a dog once they retire (together, always and forever, together).

Maaaybe I'd disagree about them not having kids. I can totally see Neil as being 100% uninterested (+ obvious trauma from his parents), but Andrew is a Paladin™ at heart and in my HCs he'd collab with children's organizations and be interested in fostering a few teens here and there. Definitely not interested in having biological kids. But come on, the guy majored in Criminal Justice, he'd definitely be down to work with independent organizations offering help to abused and troubled children (he'd probably refuse to work with CPS because they failed him so much). I think in the EC it's also stated that Neil gives 80% of his income to the Moriyamas through donations to their charity organizations and that he specifically chooses charities that benefit children? So it's not completely out if the realm of possibility.

One thing is for sure, they would not have biological kids nor adopt for as long as the Moriyamas are in the picture. They'd never put a child in such danger. If or when the Moriyamas fall, then maybe they'd feel safe enough to legally tie a child to their lives.

Kevin does have a daughter, but his relationship with the Moriyamas has always been privileged, he's never been property like Neil and Jean, he's always either ignored Riko's antics or actively went along with them until his own physical safety was compromised. I'm convinced that despite all of his fear, he still does not 100% realize just how dangerous the Moriyamas are and that him being Kevin Day won't save him (+ Thea will always be a diehard Ravens fan and apologist - I'll never forgive Nora for this - which doesn't help).

There are things I don't like in the EC, but the post-canon Andreil is not one of them.

[omgthatdress]

Everything I know about the royals comes from Tumblr memes and one bonus episode of a totally unrelated podcast but now I'm morbidly curious, so: what's up with William? And the Middletons? Or if that's a longer story than you want to explain, do you have recommendations for where to read about this that is likely to be fairly accurate?

I don't have any facts I just have pure fucking speculation if that's okay. :)

Like I've been saying for a long-ass time the one thing I absolutely LOVED about The Crown was its portrayal of generational trauma. It very skillfully showed how being a shitty husband who cheats on his wife and treats his kids like garbage was passed down from Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark to Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh to King Charles and then to Prince William. Hell, it probably started long before that but holy shit THE CYCLE OF DYSFUNCTION AND ABUSE BE REPEATING ITSELF.

And if you really want to dig into it, well.... I think he and Harry followed a pattern that a LOT of siblings of bitter and messy divorce fall into, one kid sides with the mom, one with the dad. It's been said a LOT that Harry was Diana's favorite son, so it probably started with that. And OF COURSE William is gonna side with Charles because well... he's the heir. They have that shared trauma.

And then there's the way the whole "heir and spare" thing absolutely perverts any relationship they might have had as brothers. Charles managed to have a decent relationship with his siblings, I think, because first of all, Anne was a girl, and then Andrew and Edward were significantly younger than him and Anne, so there wasn't this unnaturally massive imbalance of power between them. One of the reasons I've come to believe the monarchy should be abolished is because of how badly it damages the structure of a family in a way that no one should have to deal with.

I think Diana might have been able to guide William into being a better person if she'd have lived, but idk. It may be wishful thinking. His relationship with her became kind of strained when he was a teenager and she was going on TV to tell the whole fucking world about her sex life. I think Diana did the right thing exposing the family like she did, but I can also understand how a 13 year old boy would be absolutely humiliated by that.

THEN there's the whole way he was a MASSIVE heartthrob as a teenager, and was intensely sexualized for it. Like it will absolutely mess with you when you have girls screaming and throwing themselves at you when you're still trying to figure your own sexuality out. It will also massively inflate your ego and convince you that the whole world loves you and there's nothing you can do wrong.

SOOOOOO

as for his relationship with Kate. She's much harder to pin down because she hasn't spent her entire fucking life in the spotlight, and the Middletons are sill granted a certain degree of privacy that the Windsors aren't. I don't think they're as absolutely fucked up as Diana's family was but I still definitely think her mom was a major driving force behind her staying with William.

I think there actually was some initial mutual attraction and that they may have even actually been in love. Buuuut then he waited ten years to propose to her, during which he cheated and they broke up and got back together. Honestly, I don't know what Kate's damage was with all of that, whether or not she was able to convince herself that William wouldn't be another shitty husband, or if she was willing to put up with his bullshit if it meant she would be queen.

Diana was more or less picked out as a bride for Charles because it was assumed that she would be a meek and beautiful wifey who never caused any problems. I mean, she was 19 and he was 32 for fuck's sake. She very much wanted to be queen. BUT what everyone wasn't counting on was that Diana would *gasp* have some serious emotional needs. She was deeply traumatized by her own parents' incredibly bitter divorce, overwhelmed and deeply lonely in her position as princess, and on top of that, suffering from bulimia and then post-natal depression. She needed love and support and Charles spent the whole marriage balls deep in Camilla.

Kate had a much more stable upbringing and had more than a few months to get to know both William and what her role as a princess would be. Ultimately, the vibe I get from her is that she's willing to be the perfect meek beautiful wifey who puts up with William's bullshit if it means she can be royal, which is exactly what Diana was supposed to be.

And I don't mean that to knock or belittle her. She's good at it. She looks incredibly happy when she's doing that. It's her career. It's an exchange I can actually really understand making, especially when your only other prospects involved working for your parents' party company.

But I could be extremely wrong about all of this Maybe she's absolutely miserable but she feels like she has no other options and worried about losing her kids and is terrified of what happened to Diana. It's hard to know, and I wish The Crown would have at least committed to *something* rather than just brushing all of this off.

[safficranger]

Fake Scenarios In My Head #18

(Can be read as sequel to FS#13)

Their case has hit a wall; a neighbor of the perpetrator provided a last-minute alibi for him. Alex is convinced the neighbor is lying, but she can't prove it or understand why he would lie for someone he barely knows. For hours, she sits in her office with Olivia, papers strewn across the little coffee table, couch, and desk, combing through every piece of evidence, searching for the key to cracking the case.

Alex's assistant knocks on the open office door to get her attention. He wears a huge smile and hands her a small package with Alex's name neatly written on it in delicate handwriting. "The delivery guy just dropped this off for you."

She gets up from her desk, thankful to stretch her legs for a bit, and curiously takes the package from him. "Thanks, Andrew."

"Any progress with the witness?"

"No, not yet," Alex sighs. "Any other calls for me?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

"What would I do without you?"

"Drown in paperwork, probably," Andrew chuckles. "Can I do anything else? Maybe get you a coffee?"

"That would be amazing. I could really use a break," Olivia interjects.

"Coming right up."

Olivia stands up, stretching her muscles and groaning in pain. "I'm too old for this," she jokes and Alex just laughs in response.

"So... what have you got there, Counselor? I assume it's not related to our case," Olivia asks, pointing to the package.

"I'm afraid this won't help," Alex replies, grinning as she obviously recognizes the handwriting.

"So, you don't want to open it?"

"Aren't you curious, Detective?" Alex laughs.

"To be honest, I am. Kind of comes with the job, you know," Olivia shrugs. "And I could really use some distraction here."

Alex nods in understanding. She unwraps the package, revealing an elegant black box with a brand name embossed in shiny silver. She runs her fingers over the smooth surface, tracing the letters with a barely hidden smile before carefully opening the lid. The inside is lined with black velvet, and a single beautiful flower blossom sits within, the brightly colored petals contrasting the velvet beautifully.

Olivia furrows her brows. "Flowers?"

"A Flower Detective. Singular," Alex quips. "A Strelitzia blossom to be exact."

"Stre... ok yeah... Still... a pretty unusual way to deliver a flower," Olivia remarks.

Alex shakes her head, smiling. "If it were only the flower, I would agree." With that, she lifts the flower, and Olivia spots a beautiful silver necklace nestled inside the velvet bed. The necklace is a cascade of silver spheres, gradually increasing and then decreasing in size, a delicate chain threaded through them to create a fluid cascading effect.

"Wow," she exclaims. "That's beautiful, Alex."

"It really is," Alex says quietly, her voice suddenly full of emotion as her eyes wander from the necklace back to the flower in her hand. Her fingers delicately trace the intricate design of the necklace, and she can’t help but smile at the thoughtfulness behind the gift.

"Who sent it, Alex? Is there a card? Does the flower mean anything to you?" Olivia's curiosity is piqued, and she leans in closer, eager for details.

"Yes, the flower means something to me." She smiles lovingly, slowly twirling the flower between her fingers. "No need for a card. I know who sent it."

"Oh... okay," Olivia says, drawing out the words to give Alex the opportunity to elaborate, but she stays silent.

"So... do you want me to help you put it on?"

"Not now. I'll save it for a special occasion."

"Got something particular in mind? A hot date, maybe?" Olivia teases.

Alex places the flower back in the box and closes the lid with a grin. "Maybe..."

Olivia leans forward, clearly not satisfied with the vague answer. "Alex, come on. Give me something to work with. Who's the mystery person? Is it someone I know?"

Alex chuckles, shaking her head. “Wouldn't you like to know.”

“Do they by any chance drive a Mercedes?”

"Nice try, Detective," Alex replies, her tone light but firm, a small smile on her lips. “Can we please drop the subject now?” She leans back, crossing her arms, clearly not planning to give anything away. There's a playful glint in her eyes, showing she’s more amused than annoyed by Olivia’s questioning.

Olivia sighs dramatically, throwing her hands up in mock defeat. "Fine, keep your secrets. But don't think for a second I'm done with this.”

Before Alex can respond, Andrew returns, balancing a tray with three steaming cups of coffee. "Here you go, ladies. Freshly brewed and just what you need."

"Thanks, Andrew," Alex says, gratefully accepting her cup.

"You're a lifesaver," Olivia adds, taking a sip and closing her eyes in appreciation. "Perfect timing, too. I was just about to resort to interrogation tactics."

Andrew gives Alex a questioning look, but she just waves it off.

“Anything else I can do for you?” he asks.

“No, we’re good for now, Andrew.”

As he leaves, Olivia gives Alex a knowing look. "This isn't over, Counselor. I'll be watching you."

Alex just laughs, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast. "To mysteries and the detectives who love them."

Olivia clinks her cup against Alex's, grinning. "I'll drink to that."

Thank you @hg-mills for inspiration

[dayurno]

how do you think kevin deals with the fact that andrew and neil reek of cigarettes. i feel like he would take away kissing privileges unless they quit honestly. and change your clothes before coming into bed with me thanks. and brush your teeth as soon as you are done smoking please. i feel like he would be very effective at getting them to quit.

i think well (thinks hard on it as someone whose most kissing experience comes from kissing smokers) i think he would be reluctantly acceptant... there is only so much he can do you know! but yes i agree he would draw the line at stinky smoke clothes in his bed. kevin is i think, if you can believe it, a lot more willing to tolerate this kind of thing for andreil than he is for anyone else, so along the years he'd eventually start mellowing out a little. i do believe he'd have an easier time convincing them to quit by mentioning 2nd hand smoke + the fact they might actually give him breathing issues if they keep it up. if that's not what gets andrew (and similarly, neil) then my only other guess is that when aaron and katelyn have their twins andrew immediately swears off cigarettes.

i think neil officially stops after he graduates because he wants to focus on his professional career, but andrew is a bad influence and neil would smoke with him on occasion, which would drive kevin up the wall :)

[tcoaal]

When it comes to Lord Unknown, I'd like to add my understanding of how I see him, and by connection, ???.

I see the story of Coffin as Andrew and Ashley confronting their personal demons, both literal and figurative.

??? represents Leyley, her fear of Andrew leaving her(which Decay shows is very much justified), as well as her frustration with her lack of power and control.

???, like her, is also a small and insignificant demon, and pretends like he has power over her, even though we see in his quarters, all souls he has, have come from his dealings with Ashley.

Ashley meets and speaks to ??? during her various low points with Andrew, and she assumes that working with it is a solution to her problems with Andrew, as the talisman makes her *needed*.

She again speaks to ??? after her arguement with Andrew in the car, and it's where she gets the idea to kill the parents, which goes poorly for her either way.

By episode 3, she doesn't even get visions from working with it anymore, it's an addiction that only drives a wedge between them, but Ashley keeps believing that working with ???/Leyley is the way to go.

In Shots and Such, she surrenders to ???completely, and it's shown in the story by her refusing to trust Andrew and it unravels them.

Cliffhanger, however, is Ashley realizing that Leyley's methods may not work after all, and she opens up to him, and re-endears herself to him(the tower scene).

You can see her conversation with ??? after working out their summoning as Ashley and Leyley's debate, where Leyley tries to convince Ashley that whatever progress they're making, doesn't count, and Andrew is jsut waiting for a chance to stab her in the back again.

More importantly, Leyley fails, and Ashley still chooses to trust Andrew, despite being unsure if their attempts to fix things are actually working.

If Andrew ghosting Ashley turned her into a tar soul, broke her heart, regressed her into Leyley, what would the permanent version be?

If Andrew does leave her for real, if he takes LU's offer, I can see it driving her to such despair she chooses to become a demon.

We see that souls lose their memory, so she may feel like that if she becomes one, she may at least forget her heartbreak, but it looks like it'll only make things worse.

As a demon, in her quarters, she kept the souls of Renee and Douglas, her parents, the source of her trauma, because now it's all she has.

It's decorated in mutilated versions of Andrew and Ashley because despite her attempts, now Andrew is all she remembers, the pain he left on her when he left.

We see that Demon Ashley has since collected many more souls and eclipses ??? in size, likely because now she's more of a revenant trying to fill the void of losing Andrew.

She's become an extreme version of Leyley, the end point of her despair, and now it all she has.

I think that another symbolic part is that Ashley actually owns ???, but doesn't realize it.

??? makes it clear he works on deals, and when he took Warden's soul, he hasn't actually done it in a deal.

She asked ??? for a name, and he gave her a trinket instead.

I think she actually has complete command over him, but he doesn't want to mention it because she'd realize she actually has power over him, so he's trying to worm his way out, find a way to make her agree to a deal where he's free from her grasp, and instead can own her in kind, something he succeeds at in Shots and Such.

I think it's why she was able to claim Andrew's soul in Burial, she commanded to ??? his soul belongs to her, so ??? hexes Andrew because he has to listen to direct commands from Ashley.

It may be also why he wants to get rid of Andrew, as he doesn't want Andrew to help her realize it.

??? was clearly a starving demon so he took the soul out of desperation and is now trying to entrap Ashley.

Metaphorically I think it is another paralel to Leyley, as Ashley isn't a prisoner to Leyley's acting out but she doesn't believe in herself.

I'll continue on Andrew and Lord Unknown/Andy in a separate post a bit later.

Hope you liked.

ok i'm finally reading this now that i'm done with my own post!!!

that's some really fascinating takes, i loved reading this! i don't fully believe that Ashley actually has control over the Entity though, and i think that's where our takes on all of this diverge. it was willing to eat Andrew's soul and only backed off because it was offered another, and is certainly willing to put it's metaphorical feet down on her. but that is a really interesting idea if the Entity is actually a weaker demon, and that's a great take on the Warden incident too. but my take on both of the demons is more that they're allegorical predators on both Andrew and Ashley and the chaos in their lives as the only ones offering a better "deal" through their powers. but that's just me personally

i'd love to hear the rest of your thoughts!!! :D

[y2ksnowglobe]

Deep appreciation for episode 30 (Van on the Run)

This is a long post where I just ramble on all the moments that make me love this episode.

The dethroning of fleshlight tag as the worst thing that anyone ever said.

The "Hey Andrew" story

Big old butt crack down the middle of the orb

Terry Jr. asking why Ron isn't wearing pants

"I'd better write that down as a note. Terry Jr., easy to lie to."

Lark literally taking a note about how unpaid interns die sometimes. (This turns into my firm belief that Mae Hailes is a paid intern)

Ron insisting Paeden is his half-brother. "My dad is my dad too!"

just gonna weep and tear my hair out real quick over that one.

Ron's insights on the patriarchy

"My stepson is here, and I am looking at him in the eye right now and it's not weird at all. It's not weird. We're just making eye contact right here." "It's a little weird. You have not blinked in several minutes." "Now it hurts to blink, so I'm not going to ever…" "That's not how it works. You have to blink." "No. It's like my eyes are getting…" "Dad, blink." Like what a way to start normalizing Terry Jr. calling Ron "Dad"

Sparrow's stealth hug

Just...starting to really see the dead inside Grant is both heartbreaking and really funny.

Nick's shaky fist bump makes me wanna cry.

I am always there for a good low perception roll joke.

Reveal that Ron just carries to lure that killed Willy around with him.

"Yeah! Your dad is George Washington!"

THEORY TIME: Like this episode is where we get most of our information about the kids' time in Ravenloft, and like...I don't buy it. Looking at how the kids phrase things, I've been solidly convinced that the O-Dads have Geas'ed the hell out of these kids so they can't give any specific details about what was done to them, but I feel like there's a loophole where they can talk about things that weren't done. So, for example: Nick specifies that Bill ignored him. I'll keep coming back to this as we keep going.

Weird detail: Darryl is with Glenn on the murder Henry's dad train at the start.

God I love to hate Barry Oak so much, he makes me skin crawl and he is in top form in this episode.

"I AM DRIVING WITH MY FRIENDS, FATHER! I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER!" It's such a teenager-y thing to say and I feel like it really gives a snapshot into what their relationship was like back in the day.

I really wanna get a snapshot into Nick's mind as he hears his dad completely lose his cool about Barry. Like, my boy did such a good job trying to act unbothered and brave, and then Glenn just is deeply and visibly upset about Barry almost killing him (which is valid, I just feel like it's a new experience for Nick)

Lark and Sparrow jumping in to drive when Henry lets go of the wheel. Like, not sure what happened with Sparrow, but Lark has been an epic driver from the get-go.

ANOTHER THEORY: Sparrow is really interesting in this episode. He willingly covers his ears when asked by Henry, and he's the one who hits the brakes when Henry tells them to stop the car. He's also just weirdly chill and forgiving, and like...I do not buy this as love wolf shit, he is clearly under some kind of magical influence to make him more compliant. You do not get the Sparrow that looks scared in the drone footage in episode 28 to this remarkably chill and forgiving kid without magical interference.

Freddie putting his foot down that Glenn would not mess with firearms while drunk

Barry's "Oh kakaw kakaw" when he's shot is probably in my top ten vocal stims from this show.

Lark enthusiastically supporting Glenn shooting Barry makes me so happy

Henry going from trying to be firm and calm as Glenn loses his shit, and immediately shifting to "ooooh, I hate you so much" as soon as Barry starts talking to him is so funny. Just all the ideals fly out the window.

Find it super interesting how Henry cites "respecting his choices" as a thing here considering what happens later on with the bracelets.

I both do and don't want to know if Anthony already had the idea for the Lark and Sparrow homunculi when Barry offers letting Henry take his kids and run and giving up all the other kids. Like regardless of whether or not it was planned, I do love the idea that Barry is giving this offer because he knows he's got the real ones tucked back in Oakvale.

I love the word abscond, okay?

Love Barry framing his failure as a father as disappointment in Henry's choices. I want to kick him in the face.

Mr. Mustache calling Ron "Honey"

"No. You just exasperatedly asked why a bunch of times. A.k.a. the Henry Oak special."

Geas theory follow up: Lark telling them they forgot to feed them fits into the loophole of being something the granddads didn't do, so they're allowed to mention it. Also this part of starting to hint at what exactly went down is so just *chefs kiss.*

Freddie's "WHY?" When Matt asks if Darryl can perceive that Ron peed his pants.

Freddie being told the charm needs to be in an enclosed space and immediately going "What if we had an umbrella?"

Freddie picking the first audio result for Fantasy Tavern for the sound.

"Bring us your hottest moms!"

This next bit always slays me and I don't even know why:

The jokes about the level one adventurer group is beautiful. I hope things turned out okay for that fighter and four rogues.

Henry making up Mr. X only for Mr. X to be real.

Ron thoroughly describing the fake voice he's going to do, only to reveal it's just his normal voice.

Ron's whole exchange with the other rogues.

Henry describing Glenn's fantasy voice as Italian

Anthony trying to keep up with what the crew are trying to do as they're attempting to get a room.

Also, everything is in shillings now for no adequately explained reason?

The random bar patrons who are gonna be so disappointed when they make it to the other side of town to find out that Hi I'm Ron is not playing.

The start of the NPCs realizing they could have asked for more money gag.

Glenn almost going to see what's up with Mr. X but then getting bored.

Anthony doing a C3P0 impression

Geas Theory update: Grant phrases it as "they weren't nice" and the most detail we get from Grant is that "Willy's really mean" only for him to then say, "It was fine, I guess." Terry tops out at saying that Willy "shouted at them a fair number of times" and that's as intense as any of their descriptions get. Like this is sus as heck. Especially since at minimum, we know that Lark and Sparrow got homunclui'd and that somehow, Barry got the twins to sit quietly. The boys are underselling this and the only one that would be in character for would be like...Nick (who we already saw was super shaky). Darryl even prompts Grant saying it's okay if it was rough and they were scared and we still get no further information.

Ron's scary story is so good for so many reasons. Like the way he tries to make it spookier by making Willy a man with a fishingpole for an arm, by calling fish "food that breathes underwater" like that mixed with the realization that he's telling the story of how Willy died is just...an excellent combo of scary and not scary and it's just a baffling bunch of weird that is pure Ron.

Terry being baffled by Ron asking if they want to sing Rock-a-bye Baby, only for it to turn out Ron doesn't know the words.

"You find more knives than not knife in his pants."

The fact that Lark was smuggling knives for a breakout attempt is just so lovely, go off my murderous little weirdo.

Also seeing Henry taking weapons from his kids knowing where this ends up is just (collapses into a ball of sad)

Henry deflecting from the werewolf questions by just switching to the topic of puberty, only for Sparrow to be too receptive to wanting to learn.

Darryl overhearing Paeden saying that Grant's dad is cool only for Grant to not say anything in response.

"Did Ron kill his dad?"

Seeing Darryl be actually upset about the fact that he's the only one who'd want to see his dad, but his dad's not there. And seeing Darryl actually grapple with the idea that he doesn't understand Glenn, Henry, and Ron's relationships with their dads, and like the weird feeling of not being able to relate being isolating, but still realizing it's an isolation you should be thankful for.

Ghost football ft. George Washington and one of his slaves

"Dude, that was the entire snarling id of the American masculine psyche in one image…It was like football, George Washington, your dad, and the Sword of Damocles that is slavery."

Glenn in the dream space

Bill Close calling Glenn tiger is just like such a small detail but it's like one of those moments that we really can actually see him being a dad, I think?

The gut punch of "Do you love me?" and "You wake up." like God DAMN!!!!!

Like this episode is such a buffet of character dynamics, and jokes, and lore, and room for theories, and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO REALIZE IT'S MY FAVORITE????????

[final-boy]

haissgisheishue sorry this is so random but I remember you made this fnaf au like a year ago in the summer I think?? And it was something along the lines of Michael going outside instead of Charlie and he gets killed by William and I think he possessed foxy I can’t find the actual art so I don’t know for sure BUT. Im curious to hear more about that au. Like give us the lore behind it WHAT HAPPENED (if that’s ok with you ofc)

Dead Mike AU!! Cuz i never gave it like an actual name lmfoaidnsakll ill be honest i never ended up developing it a BUNCH but basically what would have been like the first chapter or so if it were a fic wpuld be (with like the BIGGEST of help from @/peariandpine figuring half of it out with me lmfao :

- Party of 83 happens like canon, Mike is bullying his little brother and CCs head is crushed - this au would also be going off the idea of CC being the protag of fnaf4 so hed be in the hospital

- this causes a bigger rift between Michael and his dad ofc and i wanna say the fourth night is when the catalyst of it all happened

- Michael, after another fight with his dad refuses to go to the hospital alongside him after work , preferring to just go on his own later > Charlie gives him his jacket

- William leaves the hospital more annoyed and amgry than he was before because he had still expected Michael to come at some point anyway AND because thru his preexisting jealousy of Henry is angry at the man for trying to console him - he takes it as an insult esp since Henry has never lost a child and has two (sammys here btw lol) perfectly alive, healthy kids

- as hes going home, stewing in that anger and jealousy he sees who he thinks is Charlie walking alongside the road and begins to pull over already thinking of killing the girl only to be met with Michael

> he demands Michael get inside the car, Micheal refuses and William steps out to try and get him in - some nasty words are exchanged and William gets,,violent

- Michael panics and runs into the nearby woods , getring slowed down by the jacket snagging, eventually throwing it off to the side

- unfortunately, for him he hesitates upon coming across a river and that gives William more than enough time to catch up

- William, again just absolutely angry and hopped on adrenaline (and a lot of his own self hatred bubbling to the surface) starts taking his frustrations out on Michael - hes not thinking clearly at all and with Michael looking SO MUCH like him it really is not helping him out until...Michael goes silent after Williams dunked his head in the water

- Michaels not responding and now Williams starting to come back to reality and begins to panic, realizing exactly what hes just done - Charlies death, while it still would have been a very on the spot thing, would not have been as messily executed and , in Williams mind, would have had a purpose

- he then tries to convince himself that this is okay actually because michael killed his other son so really this was punishment.....only for CC to Live in this version

- Michael here would actually be taking a page from Andrews book and attach himself to Williams soul instead of any one specific animatronic - since Foxy has always been his favorite tho he does tend to mess eith it more when in Freddys and manifests himself throigh its image when messing with William

- this drives William ro try and get Michael back somehow, whichever way he possibly can to absolve himself of this, to put things back together again,,,

- this au would have also led to Charlie, Sammy, Liz, and to a smaller extent Evan, trying to find Michael after his "disappreance "

- this would also just be a huge more psychological horror on Williams end tbh 😭 i dont think ALL of the things happening and supernatural occurences would be because of Mike - Will is severely paranoid, hes not in the right state of mind at all, and i think hes kinda managed to create his own personal agony monster

For awhile i was considering having Mike possibly not have even possessed ANYTHING and would have left it as purely Williams own descent to madness