#he has charisma but at what cost | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lovelykhaleesiii · 1 year

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Merhaba!

If you feel uncomfortable, you can delete this request!

Warning: non-con, toxic behavior, baby trapping?

Request here! for a modern dark!aegon, where the reader has been his friend for a long time and aegon has a horrible dependency on her, as well as an obsession and mostly never lets anyone near her, since he sees her as his, anyway, the reader one day tells him she is accepted for a scholarship in another country but he gets mad because she is going to leave him so he forces her to have sex with him and also hopes to get her pregnant so she will never leave him.

you’re so cute nonnie!!!!! this is totally fine, I don’t normally write for non-con, but I’ll let this slide cause it’s kinda hot 🥵 I’m combining it with this ask, and leaning more towards a dub-con, manipulation tactic of dark!Aegon!!! hope you enjoy xx

quote in the link above is - "gentle, slow manipulation - "just a kiss" to "I'll only grind against you" to "only the tip, promise" to "just a little more" to "I won't cum inside" until you're a cum-filled wreck underneath them."

Dilemmas & Dreams.

PAIRING: Dark!Modern!Aegon ii Targaryen x fem!Reader

WORDS: 4,179.

WARNINGS: swearing, angst, co-dependency, somnophilia, dub-con, slight mentions of non-con, mentions of pregnancy, time jumps.

A/N - so this took me forever cause it was a hard concept to plot. tried to make it more dub-con/non-con but still slightly consensual, just because I do not condone using violence for sex. but dark!Aeg is just my intrusive thots. I also did not include my taglists, just cause I did not want to trigger or force anyone to feel the need to read this, if it isn't your thing <3 no pressure. this is for a specific audience.

It was an universal understanding that relationships could get complicated from time to time, to say at the very least... This did not cease with your unique relationship with Aegon.

With every fibre in your heart, you love him dearly, and that [if you were being honest], would never change. He generally was not the ideal type of man you'd pursue [as you had initially assumed] nor did you think it was even a realistic possibility to fall for his type. Likewise, you did no think of yourself as his particular type, although Aegon was less picky than you when it came to finding a mate. Yet he had this almost omnipotent-like power over you. Luring you farther and deep enough, he kept you eagerly lingering for more: for more of his touch, his scent, his love and affections. An urge you attempted countless of times to keep silenced and at bay, and yet you felt the constant, probing need to keep the man sated.

With many of your short, previous relationships, you'd never granted a man the opportunity to bear such a profound effect on you, nor did any of them truly possess the charisma Aegon had naturally wielded. It was all very consuming and perplexing, yet a part of you quite enjoyed the crisp attention Aegon showered you with in return for your loyalty and commitment to him. Your long-time warfare of constantly seeking approval and praise did not help the situation either, only exploiting your vulnerability more, as you vowed to refuse disappointing the man at all costs.

And from what you had learnt and could decipher about Aegon's history, he had never grown this infatuated with another before, let alone actually granted himself the opportunity to have a significant other. His previous flings had been fleeting and meaningless, only to glutton himself off of sex, inflating his subtle ego. However, you, you had caught him off-guard. A fellow colleague and long-time friend of Aemond's, you had met mutually. You knew of each other, though had never truly met, for Aemond was desperate to keep some distance between yourself and his elder brother. He had mentioned many things about Aegon, not all good, yet you knew better than to judge or presume. In theory, you were both quite the opposites, yet something about you, your innocence, warm demeanour drew him to you, like a moth to a flame. From the many family quarrels Aemond had disclosed to you, it seemed Aegon was problematic with some sort of self-conflict from within. He struggled with certain tendencies such as drinking, partying, avoiding responsibilities, yet nonetheless, he was still pretty decent and respectful towards you. Helplessly though, you felt an immense pity for him, even if Aemond argued against it, perhaps it was your nativity: regardless, the more Aegon latched himself closer towards you, the better he became. More present at home, the less he drank and spent his days hungover and pissed, the less hostile he was towards his family.

Although, he remained a pest towards his younger brothers, Aemond and Daeron, occasionally taunting them. Not to mention, he did go against Aemond's urges to leave you alone.

"Aeg, Y/N's off limits. I have never asked of anything from you, nor have I ever really expected anything from you, if I'm being honest. But, I digress, she is off limits. Understood?"

"Why, have you finally grown the balls to actually ask her out? Or you scared she'll actually say yes to the likes of me?"

"OFF LIMITS Aeg! I fucking mean it!"

"No, no- How about I date Y/N instead, and in return I leave you alone? See now that sounds like an even better deal to me, brother."

Not to mention, you were undeniably a sight for sore eyes, beautiful nonetheless, he was determined to have you. The thought that someone else could pluck you from him at any given second, not excluding his younger brother, began to stir something rageful inside of him. The more time he spent around you, the more possessive he could feel himself becoming. A side he did not fathom existed in him, yet you had so ignorantly ignited. Although, he relished in it. Eventually, and much to Aemond's reluctance he inserted himself into your conversations, making his presence known whenever you were around, or forcing his younger brother to exploit your whereabouts with threats only each brother knew about one another. Regardless, his tactics worked and eventually, you became his. His.

Since then all had been bliss, yet, now, you were struck with a dilemma...

****

"What do you mean you could be moving, Y/N? Is this a few weeks kinda thing or you're gone... For good?" Aegon raised, his voice growing audibly louder with such a ferocity, you'd never heard the likes of it before.

"W-Well it's a scholarship, Aeg. One that I honestly never even thought possible to get, I-I just applied off a whim. B-But now that they're offering it, maybe, just maybe, I was hoping you could support me."

The words fell shaky from your quivering lips; Aegon's face was struck with a blatant concoction of confusion, hurt and fury, like a wounded predator that had unforeseen a counter attack.

"Just answer me this, Y/N, how long exactly will you be gone for? How long are you planning to leave me?"

He took a great stride towards you, his hands reaching over, tightly gripping your forearms by the sides, as if in fear you might run at any minute. His voice although stern and unnerving, his lilac eyes glistened tearily.

"It-It's a funded Masters course, Aeg, just for two years I'll be studying abroad. B-But I'll plan to come back to see you whenever I can. Every holiday, every semester's break, you bet I'm coming back to you. A-And you could even come and see me, baby. You know, I-I would never leave you like that, Aeg, you know this, p-please-"

An eerie silence was all that you were met with, as Aegon's grip on you had loosened slowly. His face remained stoic, yet his teary eyes flickered, before he began to dauntingly nod his head, walking away from you towards the closed window of your apartment. You could hear sniffles, before he released a long, exhausted sigh as he looked onwards to the scenery outside.

"So this is how you disregard me, huh, Y/N? Is this how you see me, see us? Just something you can toss to the fucking side, once you find something a little more interesting to chase after?"

His harsh words stung like the venom of a viper. Now turned back towards you, his hardened gaze was chilling, almost even threatening. You felt somewhat fearful of Aegon at this very exact moment, although he would never hurt you, that you were certain of. He was often stubborn and hot-tempered though knew to control himself swiftly. Reassured by this, you simultaneously also felt the desperate urge to coddle and soothe his fears, vouching that you could nor would ever dispose of him like some piece of garbage.

"A-Aeg, never! That's not me, please! You are overthinking this, Aegon, you'-re-you're not thinking straight, my love. I-I know this can be overwhelming but t-try to understand me. Please-"

Taking a small step towards him, you came to a sudden halt, as he took a step back maintaining the distance between. His hand lifting mid way as if to signal you to stop, swatting you away.

"So now my feelings aren't valid? Fuck, Y/N... You really are starting to sound like a real, spoilt little bitch now. Just like the rest of them fucking sluts!"

Seating himself promptly down onto the bed, he ran his fingers through his platinum blonde hair, his head facing towards the ground, as another defeated sigh escaped his lips once more. It was only when he resumed his sole attention back unto your frozen frame, did he stupidly realise that now he had really crossed the line.

"Get out," Your voice although quiet just above a whisper, was crisp.

"Y/N-Baby-I-I didn't mean that-"

"Out, Aegon!"

A tightness in your chest began to intensify, a hand falling over your left, clothed breast, as your breathing began to hasten into loud, hitched sobs. Your eyes darted mindlessly around the room, feeling as though the walls began to close in, a sense of claustrophobia that you'd never feared nor experienced before brewing. Your cheeks turning scarlet by the seconds, as your eyes began to fill with hot tears, streaking down your tender face. Cowering down your other free hand, was poorly attempting to grab at anything solid enough to keep you upright, although Aegon bounding over towards you, reached over, lending you a spare chair, guiding your shaking body over to sit, as he cowered down in front of you.

"Y/N, Y/N, my angel, baby please- I-I didn't mean that, I-I could never mean that. I'm just so-just so upset that you-you didn't tell me about this. You-You always tell me everything. What would I do without you, huh, my sweet girl?-"

Brushing a strand of your hair aside, his other free hand cupping your hot, blushed cheek, his thumb stroking away a freshly fallen tear.

"H-How could I live without you for two years, if I can't even bear an evening without you?"

And yet no response other than earning heart-aching sobs from your behalf. Seeing you in such a distraught, unconsolable state only in turn tormented Aegon, as the tears that he had once so proudly held back, now began to streak across his soft, handsome face.

"B-Baby, please. Please, say something. I-I'm so sorry, don't-don't hate me. I couldn't bear it-"

"Ugh- Just fuck off, Aegon!-" Wailing his arms off you, you shove him off, as you stand hastily, storming aside, creating that deliberate distance in between once again. Aegon slowly rises himself up, that familiar hurt look tinged across his disheartened face, he roughly wipes the tears off his eyes, leaving them puffy and red.

"Sorry? Sorry about what exactly, Aeg? Sorry, that you can't just be an adult for one second, and accept the fact that some of us have priorities in our lives other than being in a fucking relationship? To think that you could be mature about this, how foolish of me..."

"Y/N, I-"

"Don't, Aeg! Don't even bother explaining yourself... I think it's best that you just leave me to decide."

Brazenly interrupting him before he could utter another word, your hand meekly gestures towards the door to your apartment. You couldn't even find the stamina to look Aegon dead in the eyes, fearful that any tender look from his part, you'd crumble once more in a second.

Seeing how riled up and tense you were, Aegon reluctantly began to pace himself towards the door, taking his time before a firm hand reached, gripping the metal knob of the door. The door opening as he unlocked the entry, he came to a sudden stop, turning back momentarily staring at you, tempted to say something. However, just as his attention panned across to you, your focus from him shifted elsewhere, fleeting from a window to the floor, desperate not to look directly at him. Sensing your message, he remained quiet as he left the premises, firmly shutting the door behind.

As the pain-staking silence fell once more, the intensity of the situation felt magnitude that very second Aegon had left. Feeling weak in your knees, your walked back over towards your bed, laying yourself down, burying your tearful face into a pillow, as the sobs returned, only now muffled. Your mind was racing rapidly. Regardless of what had unfolded, you cared deeply for Aegon and knew that it wounded him immensely that you hadn't involved him in your decision, prior to making such a life-changing commitment. It was his life too, that you toyed with, and a deep, integral part of you felt somewhat guilty.

Although, the ugly side of Aegon had showed, and it scarred you bitterly. Would he act and lash out like this at every chance something major would come? Was it a flaw of his, that you were willing to accept and embrace? You had no certainty. The fleeting minutes became hours into the night, as you laid still in bed, empty of tears, eyes stinging, your pillow soaked and face flustered, before you'd gradually began to fall into a deep sleep. Exhausted by the day's mishaps, you were hopeful the new day would offer some consolation...

****

Whether you had been dreaming vividly enough to be stirred awake, you could not say. Although, Aegon was on your mind as you drifted off to sleep, remaining in your dreams and as you slightly woke, too tiresome to remember the details of the events in the long hours prior. You felt something heavy, yet awfully familiar, the musky scent, pressing against your body.

Followed by a soft "shush-ing", you instantly recognised the deep, low tone that belonged to your boyfriend's manly voice.

"It's just me, baby. Go back to sleep. I couldn't leave you all alone like this."

"Hmm, Aeg-" Was all that you could pathetically muster, before returning readjusting your head on the pillow. It wasn't uncommon for Aegon to find himself in your apartment after hours or even whilst you were still out during the day, for you did offer him keys, and came home to find him lounging around as if it was his own home. You trusted him enough to share a copy, and up until now, he had been loyal not to abuse his right, thus, this reoccurrence had never startled you.

"That's right, my sweet girl. It's just me... I'm going to fix everything, okay?"

Unlike how sinister and brooding his tone with you was just hours ago, you now felt comforted and safe, hearing that familiar, saintly tone of his. Like a lullaby it ushered you back to sleep, as you felt a small, wet kiss planted on your forehead, as he brushed the astray strands off your face, taking a few moments to gaze upon you lustfully, before stirring himself up.

Feeling the mattress beneath move, you sensed that he was now positioned on his knees, hovering above you, as each leg pinned to either sides of your upper thighs, faintly hearing a metal clanging, as he unbuckled his belt and zipper. You remained laying comfortably on your stomach, your back facing him, your face turned to the side against the plush pillow, he could see you just faintly nodding against his words in agreement. It earned a soft smile from Aegon, as he pulled his pants down enough, laying over you, as his bare, hard cock began to grind against the thin fabric of your dress, just between your ass cheeks. Just from the sheer action, you could feel some wetness stirring beneath, a visceral reaction Aegon found so easily he could induce from you.

"Only the tip, baby... I promise. I'm going to make it up to you, my sweet, sweet angel."

Sensually lifting your dress up, he lightly lifted you, turning you slightly to the side with one arm, just enough for him to pull your panties down: planting you back gently, as to not startle you completely awake.

"My good, good girl. Always doing so well for me, not like anyone else...I was such a dick to you, wasn't I, baby?"

Earning another simple nod, he resumed with grazing his cock over your sensitive skin, feeling its pulsating throbs against your cheeks.

"But my princess, did do something very naughty... Trying to leave me, without asking. Leaving me all alone, you know how upset that would make me, right baby?"

"Hmm-Aeg-"

"But look at you begging for me...Now what makes you think you could leave me so easily, then? Precious girl, didn't think this through, did she?"

Gradually, his firm, thick cock slowly began to push itself deeper and deeper between your thighs, as one, strong arm stretched over your side to keep him steady, the other manoeuvred your legs, spreading them wide enough for him to position himself right between your centre.

"Don't worry, Princess. I'm here now, I'm going to help you make this decision, like a good boyfriend. Wouldn't want you to overthink anything, now let me take care of you... I promise I won't go in deeper, I won't cum inside."

Feeling your eyes naturally flutter from reality and dream, as you felt a lightening pain course through your body from the sensitive spot below. Aegon had forced himself in, your walls stretching as wide as possible to accomodate for his dense, throbbing mass, you could feel yourself tightly clenching over him, rewarded by deep, growling grunts and moans from him.

"Fuck, baby. Always know how fucking good to make me feel...Now why would you ruin it, and do something so stupid? Have I been so cruel, you wish to leave me?"

"N-No Aeg-" You'd managed to softly whimper, stirring even more awake, although eyes remained firmly shut, as you arched yourself in response to Aegon's slowly paced thrusts.

"Are you bored with Aeg, that you want to leave me?"

"No."

"Have I frightened you so, you wish to run away far from me?"

Within that split second he'd uttered those words, that familiar, daunting tone returned to him, and you felt your heart begin to beat feverishly.

"I-I love you Aeg."

Now his thrusts began to hasten in response to your words, his grunts primal and louder.

"Say it again, I'm struggling to believe you. You tried to deceive me today, angel. That was cruel of you...Say it again."

"I love you, Aegon."

This time more awake and conscious of what was going on, you were too deeply saturated in being sated by Aegon in the moment. You couldn't muster a single ounce of dignity nor sanity at this very moment to stop him in his tracks, knowing what he was capable of, he had all the power in his court.

"P-Pull out, Aeg-"

Your wetness now greatly coating his deep, hefty cock, feeling the mess beginning to ooze and seep from the edges of your entrance down your thighs. As he pulled out slightly and with his help, he turned you over, now both of you facing one another, although this time, managing to maintain complete and utter focus. Resuming to his sloppy, rough thrusts, you could feel the intensity of his cock, determined to push and shove himself as deep as possible, the tip of his cock just striking that sweet, sensitive spot of your cervix.

Aegon's face lowered down towards yours, as his ample, moist lips lingered over yours. Momentarily, just grazing above one another, before plummeting down on yours, as he noticed your lips beginning to stir to speak, desperate to shut you before you could ask once more. His tongue forced it way into yours, swirling and occupying your own: this unexplainable control that he had over you, now once more overtaking you. In the moments that Aegon had left, although maddened by his words, you had missed him. Could his brutal words bear truth, that two years without seeing him, would be impossible?

"Now, why would I do that? I promised you I would help, that's what I'm going to do. I'm doing this all for us."

His lips now trailing along your jawline down to the crook of your neck, where he knew you had a weak, sensitive spot that made you close to thoughtless. You could feel a upturn smirk strewed across his face, against your skin. Regardless, you could not surmise his intention, far too deep in devious, lustful thoughts, you needed Aegon to sate you completely.

"A-Aeg-"

Within a few more long, taunting minutes as Aegon edged you on, he could no longer contain himself. Feeling his warm, dense seed filling you up, it was a feeling unlike the many, intimate times before. You both were often proactive in protection, and yet tonight, although different, it was somewhat sublime.

"That's my good, perfect girl, that's it. Did so fucking well. I need you to stay put like this for me, okay?"

Regardless, that his fill had drenched you inside, Aegon remained buried deeply inside. Somehow, managing to turn you once more to the side, as he laid himself cosily behind you, thick, muscular arms holding you tenderly from behind, as his cock remained sorely stretching yet pleasantly coaxing you inside.

"Hush now baby, my good, sweet princess. How could I ever let you go so easily, huh? What kind of a man would I be to let his girl leave like that?-"

His hot, breathless words felt soothing as he whispered against your ears, his free hand atop, once more fixing the sweat-infused tangled strands away from your heated face. Leaving a few pecks of kisses against your dewy skin.

"Now promise to get some rest for me, angel. I need you strong for my little surprise."

****

Had you known what was to follow in the early months to come, the significance of Aegon's cryptic gesture following the sex that night. How his large, rough hand found it's way over to your lower abdomen, lightly caressing it in a circular motion, something he'd never normally done before, although not unquestionable at the time... Upon awaking early that morning, Aegon explained his surprise visit during the night, grieving over the sheer thought of losing you was enough to make the man cry once more, profusely apologising for the poisonous words he'd spat upon you. He refused to leave your side, and you knew you could not stop him. Nonetheless, he was well-intentioned, and you forgave him, allowing him to spend many more nights and days to come. Too preoccupied with the decision to be made, as Aegon kept pestering you for advice and discussion, you'd forgotten the whole notion of birth control, and only remembered a few days after. Regardless, the love making did not cease, as Aegon persuaded you that he wished to spend as many hours with you, "in case you decide to leave, I need to cherish every moment with you." Poetic of him, although, his agenda was far more conniving.

****

"Aeg- I'm, I'm pregnant."

The words were as sweet as honey to his sly ears: he did not lash out nor did he act upset nor surprised. In fact, unlike the momentous news you'd dropped before regarding the scholarship, this did not seem to phase him, not in the slightest.

You both rarely spoke of the thought of having children together, being both still quite young in age, and knowing that Aegon's youth was not one he favoured, regardless, he remained pleasantly optimistic upon hearing the news.

"Baby, this is good- This is wonderful."

"B-But what about the scholarship, what do I do?"

Cupping your tender, shocked face in his hands, his reassuring smile offered you some ease, though not enough. A child, an actual child. You hadn't really comprehended the notion of motherhood, nor did you completely go against it.

"Y/N, this-" One hand now stroking the same spot on your lower stomach, now a slight swell present, as he did those many nights ago. It all clicked now.

"This happened for a reason, you can't deny us this. Our own little baby, Y/N, we can have our own little family, sweetie. I promise I'll take care of us, all of us. You can't be stressing about some scholarship now..."

"But Aeg, I really did want it."

"So you-you want the scholarship, more than a family? More than making me happy or yourself? I thought you would be okay with this."

"I-Of course Aeg, I would love to have a family with you, only you now that I'm being honest. But I just always thought in due time, I-"

"Now's the time baby... This happened to us for a reason. Maybe the scholarship wasn't meant to be. Maybe something else will come along, they're always giving out scholarships, babe. If they offered it to you before, they'll offer it again. How could they deny you?"

His words sweet, and reaffirming. It was true, there were endless opportunities to apply for degrees and scholarships throughout the years. And it seemed Aegon, was extremely on board with the idea of becoming a father. Knowing how far he'd come from the rebellious boy he'd once been, stammering into the house late at night as Aemond and you remained studying endlessly, to the confident man he was now, was astounding. His dear mother, Alicent, even knew it, and thanked you deeply, for years she had been aimlessly trying to better her eldest.

"You are making all this possible for me, Y/N. Things I never dreamt to be or the person I'd become, you are the sole reason for my happiness. And now with this baby, I feel I could conquer the world."

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adobe-outdesign · 1 year

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Nigel: The Muppets' Most Interesting Uninteresting Character

(This was supposed to be a fun little post about an obscure Muppet character but now I fell down a hole doing too much research and sunk cost fallacy won't let me live it down unless I include all of the useless information I've learned so enjoy knowing more about this character than you ever have or ever will want to know)

Nigel was created to be the host of the Muppet Show's Sex and Violence pilot instead of Kermit (who only appears in the pilot for like 30 seconds)

He was originally puppeteered by Jim Henson himself, giving him a vaguely Kermit-esq voice initially

Nigel Voice Count: 1

Nigel is a yellow... something. You’d assume he’s just a stylized human Muppet but in S4E18 Sam refers to him as a “thing”

He actually looks near-identical to a Fraggle minus the tail. I don’t know what to do with this information

Nigel was diagnosed with terminal Boring Personality disease due to the following attributes:

He’s very meek. Unlike Kermit, who will freak out and tell people they suck to their faces, Nigel raises his voice one (1) time and mostly relies on Sam the Eagle and Crazy Harry to deal with the assorted chaos

His face is flexible like Kermit’s, but he has permanently partially-lidded eyes that leave him looking exhausted in every scene he’s in

He’s generally unenthusiastic and seems like he wants to go home constantly

Jim Henson: The Works describes him as "lacking in spunk and charisma," which is hilariously cruel yet 100% accurate

What’s surprising at this point is that instead of scrapping him, he instead took on the role of orchestra conductor on the show proper, where he proceeds to do almost nothing for five seasons

The Muppets Character Encyclopedia actually provides a canon reason for this: Nigel lost the job of host due to his “shy manner”, and Kermit, feeling bad for replacing him, gave him his new job

He can technically be seen in basically every episode during the theme song, but aside from that, he often pops up in the chorus during songs

Which is funny when you consider he should be in the pit Doing His Job during those sequences

A quick list of his more important (if you can even call them that) appearances:

S1E2: He has Zoot play a song called “Sax and Violence” b/c pilot references

It’s actually implied the Mayhem falls under his jurisdiction as he threatens to fire Zoot, but this never comes up again

S1E24: Playing the part of a library patron noisily chewing gum (despite not having teeth. idk you figure it out). This one’s only notable because he’s wearing the same outfit from the pilot

S3E16: Nigel’s eyelids are not connected to the rest of his body and he’s facing backwards through the entire backstage segment so you’re uncomfortably aware of this

S1E23 has Floyd complaining that the theme song is cringe(TM), at which point it’s casually revealed that Nigel wrote it?? how is this character so important and unimportant at the exact same time

If you’ve seen this episode and aren’t deaf you might have noticed he has a completely different voice here. This is because John Lovelady has taken over as his puppeteer, presumably because Jim was busy Running The Entire Show

Nigel Voice Count: 2

Nigel has a talent for whistling, which is shown off in S2E18 during a performance with Floyd (this is the only time he comes on stage to perform that isn’t with a crowd)

He shows this off again in S4E18 to participate in the age-old sport of Annoying Sam the Eagle backstage

As of the 2011 movie Walter takes over as the show’s resident whistler because Nigel isn’t allowed to have character traits

He briefly shows up during the credits of The Muppet Movie (now puppeteered by Dave Goelz). Because of this, in the UK version of the end credits, he has another completely different voice

Nigel Voice Count: 3

After a brief background appearance in The Jim Henson Hour (S1E12), Nigel proceeded to completely disappear for 20 years

I’m guessing the reason was that his puppet was becoming unusable. The foam used for the muppets disintegrates over time, and his puppet was ~15 years old at this point

Things were particularly bleak for him in the 90s because Muppets Tonight came out with a new unrelated TV director character named... Nigel. Because Jim had passed away at this point and I think everyone working on the show literally Forgot they already had a character named that

Not that it would be that big of a problem, seeing as the chances of yellow Nigel returning were bleak. who was gonna spend time and money rebuilding an incredibly minor background character like him

TRICK QUESTION because he was rebuilt for The Muppets (2011), which is pretty amazing when you consider that he does Nothing during this movie

The new puppet looks pretty similar to the old one. I think the face is a bit rounder/more structured but I could also be losing my mind

(Side note: shoutout to whoever decided to give him a scarf in this scene. that’s such an unnecessary detail)

What’s great is that now that the puppet’s been rebuilt he’s shown up in a lot of stuff because they have no reason not to include him. Some of the more notable examples include:

The music video for OK Go’s cover of the theme song (which I certainly hope he would show up in I mean. it’s his song)

In the live shows (The Muppets Take the Bowl and The Muppets Take the O2) there’s a parade of overlooked characters, which includes Nigel. I just find it funny that:

A) The writers fully acknowledge that he’s King of the Background Characters

B) The in-universe implication that Kermit was like “no one knows who you are, wanna be in a parade celebrating that fact” and Nigel was like “okay”

His most recent appearance was in Muppets Haunted Mansion, where he’s dead (don’t worry about it). More importantly, he gets an entire shot to himself conducting some skulls, which I think is the first time the camera’s been focused solely on him in literally 40 years. Good job, buddy!

Here’s some other misc appearances that I couldn’t fit elsewhere:

He appears alongside Jim and a few other Muppets in a 1977 commercial for American Express (once again wearing his pilot outfit), which is particularly strange considering he’s the only character there that used to be puppeteered by Jim

In 2010 he got a somewhat important role in the first issue of Muppet Sherlock Holmes, playing the part of a butler suspected of poisoning the head of the house

He gets one whole page in The Muppets Character Encyclopedia from 2014 (right next to other Nigel). In addition to the aforementioned info bridging the gap between the pilot and the show proper, it also states that he’s susceptible to hypnosis and he trained at the Tommy Newsom Academy for Music and Charisma

In terms of future projects: there is both a Jim Henson biopic and documentary coming in the future (side note: why???), so it’s possible he might be discussed briefly in one of those

I have no thesis statement or reason for writing this, but I guess I’ll close out by saying that I find it fascinating that a failed main character from a pilot episode is still appearing in recent Muppet productions but solely as a background character. I hope that in 2073 I can put on some Muppet media and Nigel will still be there still doing absolutely nothing

thanks for coming to my TED talk

#muppets #the muppets #the muppet show #the muppets 2011 #nigel #outdesign posts things #long post #nigel is like The character to throw in a scene if you want to show you know your stuff #because all the hardcore fans will be like 'omg nigel' without fail every time while regular fans literally won't even notice him #tumblr stop removing my sub bullets you're making my rambly incoherent posts look even more incoherent #greatest hits

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favcharacterpoll · 9 months

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ROUND 3 MATCH 50: I WANT DIE VS. SCAR

I Want Die from RTGame faces Goodtimeswithscar from Third Life. Who do you like more?

I want die Propaganda:

"despite his name, he has no intention to die. also he’s gay for obama."

"✨You can't put I Want Die in here and expect him to NOT win" [yes i can try and stop me]

"OKAY FUCK IT. SEND ME PROOF YOU VOTED FOR I WANT DIE AND I'LL DO A SILLY LITTLE DOODLE OF YOUR CHOICE." (@pieofdeath)

"eats homophobes for breakfast, lunch, dessert, and dinner."

Scar Propaganda:

"Swindling everyone is always great"

"The best time ever. Scitties. Jellie the cat. Mr Rizz himself. Ect."

"PLEASE THIRD LIFE SCAR IS JUST A LITTLE GUY JUST A LITTLE GUY WHO WANTS TO KEEP HIS SHIRT OFF AND CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION WITH HIS UNHINGED BESTIE AND HE LOVES WITH ALL HIS HEART HIS LLAMA NAMED PIZZA"

“scar is the server con man. he’s absolutely delightful. he’s got max charisma so he WILL sell you anything and everything. it will be useless but you will buy it anyway, sometime later this week he will also murder you. he tries to run a monopoly on sand whilst living in a giant desert. he sells “reputation points” to people under the promise that he won’t murder them if their scores are high enough (he’s lying), he will burn your precious tree down. he will turn and look to you with the sweetest voice and the most precious smile and declare that he’s going to murder everyone. and he will, you will too. and then he will let you beat him to death at the end of this brutal game. you won but at what cost? then you will jump to your death, because you cannot handle being the lone survivor.”

"VOTE SCAR OR ILL KILL YOU NOW in a chill and fun way tho"

#polls #iwd #i want die #rtgame #mr goodtimes #goodtimeswithscar #third life smp #third life gtws #third life #3rd life smp #3rd life #life series #goodtimewithscar

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mlmshipbracket · 6 months

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ROUND 2: POLL #1

ROUND 2 ALL POLLS [HERE]

PROPAGANDA BELOW

Jack Harkness/Ianto Jones:

NO PROPAGANDA SUBMITTED

Astarion Ancunín/Wyll Ravengard:

Wyll and Astarion play out as a story of parallels and contrasts.

Wyll is a monster hunter, and Astarion is a vampire. However, Wyll can be surprisingly reasonable when he learns of Astarion's true nature, to the point that he makes a "pact" with a player character Astarion to not hunt him if Astarion promises not to drink from innocents.

Both Astarion and Wyll are trapped in a relationship with an abuser--Astarion with his vampire sire, Cazador, and Wyll with the devil he contracted with to receive his powers as a warlock, Mizora. (Spoiler: Both Cazador and Mizora cause monsters transformations in Astarion and Wyll.) The way the two react to their bondage contrasts in interesting ways: Astarion latches onto behaving selfishly, his centuries of slavery without any aid convincing him that he needs to focus on gaining power to protect himself, no matter the cost. Wyll responds to his own abuse by clinging to his folk hero persona, the Blade of Frontiers, leading to him being selfless to the point of great personal cost--at one point in the story, Wyll can choose to (spoilers: be bound into his contract with Mizora for an eternity to save his father--the father that banished him from Baldur's Gate at the age of 17 because of his contract.) There's a good chance for them to push each other away from the extremes of selfishness and selflessness to end up more toward the middle, particularly if you choose one of them as the player character. (Spoilers: Astarion can be talked out of sacrificing 700 souls in a demonic ritual to become the Vampire Ascendant with a charisma check, and Wyll's highest stat is charisma. If you're playing as Astarion, you can offer to use your past as a magistrate to try to help Wyll get out of his contract, and it's pretty in character for him to argue against giving up on ever breaking free from it to save Wyll's father.)

The way their romance paths play out also have an interesting mix of contrast and parallels. Astarion is an incorrigible flirt and very quickly pursues a sexual relationship with the player character as long as he reaches a relatively low approval score threshold, while Wyll refuses sex in his romance until the end, because he wants to have a slow, romantic courtship as portrayed in the bardic tales he loves so much. However, (spoilers: Astarion eventually comes to the realization that being forced to prostitute himself to lure victims for Cazador has damaged his self image and relationship with sex, and admits he was initially seducing a romanced player to try to secure protection for himself. Once he hits that point he asks the player to halt sex in their relationship until he can figure out what he himself actually wants. Between this and dev notes found in the game's script that details that Astarion actually DOES want to have non-sexual intimacy, there's a good argument to be made that Wyll's style of romance is actually much closer to what Astarion truly wants in a relationship.)

Both Astarion and Wyll are attracted to all genders, and make comments indicating attraction to each other. Wyll frequently mentions that he finds Astarion charming and beautiful (particularly commenting on his "well-coiffed" hair), and Astarion immediately responds "Wyll" when asked which party member he wants to drink from the most, and eventually admits (if somewhat derisively) that "Wyll's the sort of prince-type I would have once dreamed of marrying. When I was about thirteen."

And the cherry on top of all of this? You can choose to play the game as either Astarion or Wyll, and romance the other. So you can, in a sense, choose to make this pairing canon, at least in your playthrough.

#jack harkness #ianto jones #jack harkness/ianto jones #janto #torchwood #astarion ancunin #wyll ravengard #astarion ancurin/wyll ravengard #wyllstarion #baldur's gate 3 #tumblr poll #tumblr bracket #mlm ship #mlm ship poll #mlm ship bracket #mlm ship bracket tournament #mlm ship bracket 2023 #mlm ship bracket tournament 2023 #thirdr2

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livingformintyoongi · 8 days

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Sons of Silence has been one of the biggest gangs in South Korea for years, and none of the group's seven head members are willing to surrender that title to anyone, including the new gang trying to steal their territory at any cost.

Shameless

Seokjin (GD's right-hand man) x fem!reader (Chaebol/Jimin's sister)

Jin had always been a quiet person for the most part. He didn't pick fights, he only responded to the actions of others, he always kept to himself, and if he could help it, he wouldn't get his hands dirty.

Or at least that's what he thought of himself before you arrived completely disheveled and injured at the door of his house, with an umbrella in hand and completely willing to hit him as many times as necessary as long as he revealed the location of your brother.

Don't Blame Me

Yoongi (Hitman) x fem!reader ("The girl of a thousand faces")

You and Yoongi have been a couple for years, even before you joined the gang. The trust between you was on another level. Yoongi knew he could let you do your job in peace because you were incredible at it, and you knew not to worry about Yoongi because there was no person more skilled and cautious than him.

Things had worked out well for both of you for a long time, you were overconfident, you put yourself in danger for no reason, those were some of the things Yoongi thought when a box with your ring and a picture of you in some sort of abandoned house arrived on his doorstep.

He wasn't sure how it happened, but there was no doubt that he would not let it go, and, even if he had to burn the whole city, he would find you and bring you back home.

She's Craxy But She's Mine

Hoseok (Police officer) x fem!reader (Seokjin's sister)

Hoseok was very attached to his principles. The laws were there to be enforced, and he was there to make sure to punish those who wished to or directly violated any of those laws.

He was always proud of how right he was and how well he did his job. All it took was for him to get a promotion and realize that not everything would be so easy, especially when you seemed so willing to do whatever it took to get Hoseok, and, to his surprise, he also seemed intent on surrendering to his principles in order to keep you safe.

Partners In Crime

Namjoon (GD/Gang leader) x fem!reader (Police chief)

In your entire career as a cop, you've never missed a case. Never. You were the best in your unit and everyone respected and admired you. But not everything can be flawless, right?

For a few years you had been stuck chasing a pretty powerful gang. You knew they were based in Seoul, you knew the names of some of the people involved, you even managed to put some of their members in jail, but there was one thing you could never seem to catch.

Kim Namjoon, better known in the gang as GD, someone everyone thought you considered your biggest enemy.

They couldn't have been more wrong.

You Right

Jimin (New gang member/Chaebol) x fem!reader (Bloods leader's girlfriend)

Not more than six months ago you had met Woojeong, a boy who had quite a lot of charisma and, what you liked the most, he belonged to a gang that was slowly making a big name for itself in that world.

He always took you with him, no matter how dangerous the situation. You were there when he signed a deal with another gang, and you were there when he shot some messengers.

Oh, and of course, you were there when Jimin came on behalf of GD to sign a deal, and, shit, you couldn't have been more hooked on him.

You wanted him for yourself. You wanted his body, you wanted his smile, you wanted his voice, you wanted absolutely every part of him, and neither your boyfriend nor his gang would stop you.

Indecent Proposal

Taehyung (Gang lawyer) x fem!reader (Detective's daughter)

Your friend was missing. She didn't answer calls, she didn't answer messages, no one knew anything about her.

You tried to tell your father to help you look for her, but no matter how much you begged him, you didn't get a yes from him. Probably in another situation you would have given up, in fact, you wouldn't even have begun to question what was going on, but she was your friend, almost your sister.

That's why, one night, you decided to take your backpack, steal your father's gun and escape through the window of your room, determined to find any clue that would bring you closer to her.

Guilty As Sin?

Jungkook (Hitman) x fem!reader (Nurse)

After years of living in the United States, you had finally returned to Korea. Many things in the relationship seemed to have remained intact. The convenience store on the corner still had a burned out light, the park bench in front of your parents' house was still full of scratches and chewing gum.

Yes, many things were still the same, but Jungkook? He definitely didn't fit into that group.

The first time you saw him he hid behind his mother because he was too intimidated by visitors. Now, on your first reunion, he was sitting in front of a policeman trying to explain why he had hit your boyfriend's car with his motorcycle.

And you were too upset and surprised to keep your opinion to yourself.

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captainofthetidesbreath · 10 months

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So, there's a possibility that Fjord will be at least warlock 13 for the live show. Which means: 7th level Mystic Arcanum! There is not an abundance of options to choose from, but I'm curious what people would choose for him. Here's a poll about it. Tell me why your choice in the tags if you're so inclined? Brief summaries of what each spell's effects are at the end if you're not familiar with them.

I personally think he should take Crown of Stars because it's really pretty, thematically vibes with the Star Razor, and also because I like the spell a lot. Forcecage is my next favorite choice because that sort of spatial control seems like the right vibe and the concept of the time out box is so funny. I also like Etherealness and Plane Shift. The clerics do have Plane Shift, but I think it'd be funny if he used it exclusively like Banishment+.

Crown of Stars - Seven motes of light orbit the caster's head for one hour. The caster can use a bonus action to expend a mote and make a ranged spell attack against a creature or object within 120 feet. A successful hit does 4d12 radiant damage. The spell ends early when all motes are expended. Four or more motes sheds bright light to 30 feet and dim light to an additional 30; three or fewer sheds dim light to 30 feet. Action to cast, no concentration.

Dream of the Blue Veil - The caster and up to eight willing creatures fall asleep for six hours and experience visions of another world on the Material Plane. This world is of a magic item that originated from the world that is in the caster's possession or the origin of one of the affected creatures. The caster must be aware of the world's existence. If the spell reaches the full six hours, the caster and creatures still under the spell are transported to that world. The spell ends early on a creature if the creature takes any damage. If the caster takes damage, the spell ends for all creatures. Ten minutes to cast, no concentration.

Etherealness - The caster enters the Border Ethereal. While in the Border Ethereal, they may move in any direction, though moving vertically costs an extra foot of movement. The caster sees and hears the plane they originated from, though everything is gray and vision is limited to 60 feet. They cannot affect anything on the original plane, nor can anything there see or affect them without special means to do so. The spell lasts for 8 hours or until the caster uses an action to dismiss the spell. When the spell ends, the caster appears in the plane they left in the spot they currently occupy. Action to cast, no concentration.

Finger of Death - A creature within 60 feet takes 7d8 + 30 necrotic damage on a failed Constitution save and half that on a success. A humanoid is killed by this spell is raised at the start of the caster's next turn as a zombie permanently under their command. Action to cast, no concentration.

Forcecage - The caster created an immobile, invisible, cube-shaped prison of magical force around an area within 100 feet. It lasts for one hour. The prison can be a cage with bars up to 20 feet on a side or a box with solid walls preventing everything (including spells) from pass through up to 10 feet on a side. Imprisoned creatures cannot leave by nonmagical means and must succeed on a Charisma save to teleport out. The cage extends into the Ethereal Plane. Action to cast, no concentration.

Plane Shift - The caster and eight willing creatures are teleported to a different plane of existence. The caster may also make a melee spell attack against one unwilling creature in their reach; upon a hit, the creature makes a Charisma save and upon a failure is teleported to plane of existence of the caster's choosing. Action to cast, no concentration.

Power Word Pain - The caster chooses a target within 60 feet. If the target has 100 of fewer, it is subject to intense pain. The target's speed cannot be higher than 10 feet, has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saves that are not Constitution saves, and must first succeed on a Constitution save to cast a spell or the casting fails and the spell is wasted. Action to cast, no concentration.

#Critical Role #Critical Role things #Fjord #Fjord CR #Fjord Stone

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a-not-so-clean-blog · 12 days

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Eiden x top FTM reader ♠️

The foxes toys. 1800 words

Reader keeps shirt on. Magic dildo.

Being with Eiden has been an absolute rollercoaster. You had met only a few months ago when he just came to this world, lost and almost out of his element. Despite being in a whole new world his charm and charisma was electric.

You were well aware of his growing clan, and how he stabilizes their essence. While physically you have an open relationship there is no doubt that you are the only one who has his heart. The clan members are also fully aware of you. Some are definitely more welcoming than others, but all in all you get along with them fairly well.

“Hey Eiden, I'd like to try something different tonight.” You ask as you sit next to him on the bed. He instantly perked up hearing that chime in your voice that he knows is going to lead to a fun night.

“I'm always down to try something new!” The spark of interest and excitement in his eyes shone like stars. The look only got brighter as you opened a bag filled to the brim with different shaped sex toys. “Where did you get all of these?!” He was surprised but his voice quivered in excitement as he picked up one of the toys and it started vibrating in his palm.

“I may have asked the fox to let me borrow them…” You blush a little when his eyes snap to meet yours, instantly suspicious.

He let out a low hum. “He never does anything without it benefitting him as well. What exactly did borrowing these cost you?” He asked slowly and rightfully cautious. Thankfully one look down at his pants and anyone could see he hadn't lost any of his excitement, maybe he even got a little more turned on.

You shrug. “He just wants to know which one gets the ‘best reactions’ from you.” Eiden gives a slight laugh at the air quotes. Any stress you had melted away at the sweet sound.

“That sounds pretty cheap for him, but I won't complain!” Eiden gives a toothy grin. “I don't want to waste any more time.” He takes your hand and guides it to his thigh. You chuckle softly at his eagerness. Cute and earnest, if a little demanding.

You gently push him back on the bed and take your time unbuttoning his pants. His breath hitched when you pulled his pants and boxers down around his knees. His cock sprung up and slapped himself in the stomach, letting out the sweetest whimper when you pulled away.

“What are you doing?” Eiden shut his mouth when you started to strip off your pants. His heart raced when he saw how erect your little dick was too. No matter how many times he gets to see your body he always thinks it was something glorious. He would easily worship you if you'd let him.

Taking out a blue dildo you turned it over a few times in your hand before looking at Eiden. It had a few straps attached to it and Eiden knew exactly what it was for.

“Kuya said I have to wait to use this, but said I should wear it for a while first.” You gasped softly when you put the base of the dildo to your tip and the soft material seemed to mold around your shape. You secured the straps around your waist and hips. It felt similar to wearing a jockstrap.

Eidens mouth was already watering at the sight of your new big blue dick but he only got more restless as you pulled out a few more toys, two small vibrators and a long tapered plug. He almost looked like a puppy trying to sit still while you dangle treats in front of him. You pushed him back down on the bed and took his pants all the way off discarding them in a heap on the floor, his shirt soon joining the mass of fabric.

There he laid completely bare for you, even spreading his legs to give better access to his cock and ass.

“Trying to make yourself more enticing for me?” You asked in a clearly teasing tone. Eidens smile just grew as he responded.

“Is it working?” You both already knew the answer but you also knew he got off on banter. He wanted to be a brat but was far too eager to commit.

“Yes.” You picked up one of the vibrators and settled yourself between his open legs. After turning it on to a low setting you gently pressed it against his tip. He flinched and moaned softly as you slowly slid it down his shaft and let it rest at the base for a moment before playing with his balls. Once you were satisfied with the sounds he was making you dropped the vibrator lower and pressed it against his tight sphincter. The vibrations slowly loosen the muscle until you could press the toy into his ass.

Eiden started squirming as it slipped in completely and started massaging his insides. It wasn't until after he stopped squirming did you put the plug into his ass. Slowly driving the vibrator deeper into him as well.

“Mmmnhh~” He moaned loudly as the plug popped into place securing itself and the other toy deep inside of him. You kissed up his neck and groped his chest as the toys worked their magic. He was already singing like a canary but you wanted more. Grabbing the last vibrator you turned it on and started pumping his cock with the vibrator snugly pressed between your palm and his twitching member.

His moans became louder as he struggled not to cum. He looked so hot that you couldn't help grinding your crotch into the bed. It felt so good that you wanted to melt but then again Eidens voice always made you feel euphoric.

Eiden reached up and grabbed your shirt by the collar pulling you towards him. He looked so needy, so desperate for you. It was exhilarating. You gave him exactly what he wanted in the form of a sloppy kiss that would make an incubus blush. When you pulled away Eiden had coated himself in a thin layer of his own cum.

“Awww, couldn't wait for me first~” He blushed as you teased him. He could barely think right now but still knew what he wanted, what he needed.

“I can't help that you know all my weak spots. Now hurry up and fuck me before I cum again.” He whined, shaking his hips up and down waiting for you to pull out the still humming vibrator and plug. The plug slipped out easily and the vibrator followed with a satisfying pop. Before he had a chance to complain about the emptiness you lined up your new cock to his ass.

Your knees almost gave out as you pushed the tip of the strap through his clenching ring of muscle. It felt like pleasure was injected straight into your nervous system making your whole body light up at once. The dildo was clearly enhanced because as you pressed the tip against Eidens hole you could feel the heat as if it was against your own skin.

“F-fuck, is this what your dick feels like? Gods I'm jealous.” You bit your lip to hold back your moans and you slid all the way in. Eidens face contorted into a starstruck pleasure. You had to stop though as small tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

“Eiden? I'm sorry, did I hurt you?” You gently cupped his face as you started to pull out. Immediately his legs wrapped around your waist holding you in place. He shook his head softly as he nuzzled into your touch.

“I'm just happy that I get to be fucked by my boyfriend. I'm so happy-” You cut him off with another deep kiss. Your heart felt light as your tongues danced in each other's mouths. His mouth was sweet but his moans and whimpers were even sweeter.

When you started moving again his sounds only tasted better on your lips. As Eidens legs locked tighter around your hips it became troublesome to do long strokes, so instead your thrusts became harder and shallower. Eiden was loving every moment of it. One of his hands tangled itself into your hair while his other hand clenched around your shirt. Your arms caging Eiden beneath you as you pounded harder into his ass.

It felt amazing, feeling all his sweet spots from the inside. Every time you hit a spot he liked you could feel him clench around you. You could feel how hot his insides were and how smooth it felt on your cock. Your cock, YOUR cock. Yes, your cock finally piercing your wonderful boyfriend, truly it was a dream come true.

You kept going even after you could feel yourself coming to the edge. Your head felt fuzzy and your skin sweaty, but that just added to your pleasure. Eiden was getting close too, his hard cock bouncing against his stomach every time you thrust deep inside him.

You could feel your own orgasm beginning to overflow. You wanted to cum, you wanted nothing more than to cum and fill Eidens ass with your cum. You are so close, just a little more and-

“Nnnnh~” You let out a low moan as you cum hard, like something snapped inside your gut. A lewd warmth spread between your legs as you enjoyed the feeling. For a moment you felt Eiden clench around your dick as he came as well.

Eidens eyes went wide as he stared at you in shock and amazement. “What?”

“Did you just cum inside me?”

“.... WHAT?!” You both looked down and sure enough a thick liquid was dripping from Eidens spent hole. A thick blue liquid. When you came you didn't realize that the dildo also reacted and melted inside of Eiden, acting as artificial cum. “Well that explains why Kuya gave me like seven of these.” You started to finger Eidens ass and more of the blue goo leaked onto the bed. Eiden let out a tired moan as you fingered him and you let out a small laugh.

Pulling him close you kissed him on his temple and whispered in his ear. “Let's get you cleaned up. Knowing the fox I have a feeling this ooze has some extra properties, so unless you want to find out what he has planned…”

“I'll take a bath.” Eiden smiled tiredly. “I think I've cum enough for today.”

“I'll get it ready for you.” With another chase kiss you left to go draw him a warm bath. This turned out much better than you could have ever hoped. Unfortunately now you feel like you owe that old fox. That was probably why he didn't ask for much in the first place now that you think about it.

#nu carnival #nu carnival x reader #eiden x reader #ftm reader #trans reader #♠️#a degenerate writes #i am so sorry this took me so long anon! i didn't realize it had been literal months please forgive me!

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redgoldsparks · 4 months

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January 2024 reading and Reviews by Maia Kobabe

I post my reviews throughout the month on Storygraph and Goodreads, and do roundups here and on patreon. Reviews below the cut.

Electric Bones volume 1 by Hazel and Bell

Lucian is the son of a minor nobleman and the CEO of the galaxy's biggest AI company, but he's not so rich that he can't get in trouble. After being fired as a programmer from Echo Station he joined a startup with a couple friends and is now fishing for funding at an elite tech expo on board an expensive and exclusive space vessel. There he sees someone he thinks he recognizes- Ezra, a grey robot, an fully sentient AI who worked on Echo Station as a researcher and partially cost Lucian his job. So why is Ezra now working on the space vessel as an escort? Unless it's not Ezra, but just a look-alike robot model? These questions drag Lucian into the beginnings of tangled web of intrigue which include kidnapping, AI-hacking, and murder. I've been reading this story online as a webcomic for years; you can still read all of volume one here: https://electricbonescomic.com/index.... But last year I also backed the kickstarter, and just sat down to re-read the whole story in print form, including a sexy little bonus comic. I love these characters, I love the rich colors, the lovely sense of flow and design of the pages. I can't wait for volume two!

The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha

Action packed and exciting, this family drama is full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved the focus on female characters: passionate Kai, whose love of martial arts and sense of justice cannot be contained by the normal rules of Joseon society; her mother, Meorhu, a fragile woman with a surprising past; Sura, a thief turned mercenary; and the Gumiho herself, the deadly but alluring fox spirit who impacts the lives of all the others with her magic and charisma. The art is rich with historical details, beautiful nature scenes, and fast paced fight scenes. Lovers of ghost stories, kdramas, and queer re-tellings of fairy tales will find much to enjoy here. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book! Pre-order it now, or look for it in bookstores in mid-February 2024.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles read by Martyn Swain

What a delightful return to Romney marsh! This book picks up 13 years after the dramatic conclusion of the previous installment. Luke Doomsday is now a secretary, looking for a new position in a large house were he can keep books and solve his master's problems. Rufus, the recently minted Earl of Oxney, formerly a major in the army and son of a draper, has problems. For one, he never expected to inherit and his uncle is doing everything he can to prove Rufus illegitimate in court. For another, the previous Earl of Oxney was a selfish old bastard who let the estates fall into terrible disrepair, while Rufus' timid cousin kept poor account of the estate's money in a chicken scratch handwriting. Rufus struggles to read at the best of times, and he can barely make sense of his newly inherited account books. When Luke shows up on his door, it feels like a godsend. The men are immediately attracted to each other, though both have reason to be wary. And Luke, in seems, may have come to Stone Manor looking for more than a job. This series is such a fun mix of spicy romance, action, mystery, and danger. I'm really enjoying the setting and time period, which is just after the end of the Napoleonic wars. I really hope there will be more books to come!

Translation State by Ann Leckie

No one is doing it like Ann Leckie! This sci-fi novel uses six different pronoun sets (actually kind of seven, except one is the same set just used culturally very differently by different groups of people). It’s fantastic. We’ve got they/them, e/em/eir, sie/hir, it/its, he/him, she/her, and she/her again except used as a universal pronoun regardless of gender (which works great inside the Radch Empire and badly outside of it). I'm on the fence about whether this book can be read as a stand alone, or if it would only really make sense after having read at the Imperial Radch trilogy and Providence. I suppose it depends on what level of baffling alien customs and politics you are willing to tolerate. This book opens with Enae attending hir grandmaman's funeral, only to learn that the seemingly wealthy old woman had sold her entire estate to a stranger before her death. For the first time in her life, Enae leaves home with a Foreign Affairs job: to see out a fugitive who left Presger space some 200 years prior. Enae isn't expecting to succeed, but sie gives it hir best shot- and in doing so completely upends the lives of a widening circle of bystanders including Reet, a man of unknown parentage, and Qven, a juvenile Presger. This book finally begins to explain this inhuman and terrifying species, and the reason why the Presger-Radachii Treaty defines the rules of so much of this universe. I deeply enjoyed this installment; it makes me want to go back and re-read the original trilogy.

Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall

Set in an alternate 1930s, Mississippi, this story follows a group of friends and found family who have to hide their magic from the restrictive and racist government. They survive at the margins, but they don't let the fear of prosecution stop them from doing what they love: racing together as a team. Deep in the woods seers and witches host carnival like events where racers on brooms compete for prize money and glory. Each of them has reasons why they need to win; lives and futures depend on it. This book is deeply queer with a diverse and magical cast. If you're looking for historical fiction where the trans and lesbian brown witches win, this one's for you.

Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky

Sammie is a recently out nonbinary transfemm but their college friend group has not picked up on that fact yet. When Sammie is invited to be the "best man" at their friend Adam's wedding and attend a bachelor weekend at a high-tech, no-laws resort built on top of the Pacific Garbage Patch they decide to go in stealth mode. The resort is a pyramid scheme mutated with a strip club, business conference, all you can drink brunch bar, pro-gamer, most-dangerous-game corporate nightmare. Also, the waters around it are infested with terrifying flesh-eating monsters and someone is trying to raise an eldritch god. It takes every bit of queer resistance Sammie possesses to survive this bleak, hilarious, and surprisingly moving tale. In both their fiction and nonfiction comics, Lubchansky continues to hold up the black mirror to our own dystopian times.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa

A very queer high school rom-com comic with a satisfying message about growing into yourself and seeing others truly for who they are. It opens with a love triangle, but subverts that form into a more complicated shape by the end of the tale. Strong character designs and very effective limited color palette.

The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill

In a desert village, a group of folks choose to live a nocturnal life to keep the moon company, and to care for a small group of magical moths, the only creatures who can pollinate a magical tree which helps sustain the whole ecosystem. One youngster, Anya, volunteers for the important but lonely job of Moth Keeper. She yearns to be of service to others, and feels she must earn her place in the village. In reality, help and friendship are only an ask away, and in this space everyone is cared for. This is a very beautifully illustrated and brief tale of responsibility, community, and resilience.

Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls

What an accomplishment! I savored every page of Feeding Ghosts, absolutely floored by the labor and courage that went into the writing of this book. The inking is gorgeous, the history is clear, digestible, and devastating. This book threads the line between honesty and compassion in a way that I appreciate so much in any memoir, but especially one dealing with family. Hulls lays out the story of three generations of women starting with her grandmother, Sun Yi, a Shanghai journalist who faced intense persecution during the rise of Communism in China, who penned a popular and scandalous memoir and then suffered a mental breakdown. This left her only daughter, Rose, a student at an elite boarding school with no parental figures and no other family to lean on. Eventually Rose earned a scholarship to an American university and in the end moved her mother into her California home. Sun Yi haunted that home during the author's own childhood. The unexamined trauma and codependency of Sun Yi and Rose drove the author to the extreme edges of the Earth, seeking freedom from their ghosts. But in the end, she stopped running from her family history and turned, instead, to face it. Shelve this book with Maus, Fun Home, Persepolis and The Best We Could Do.

I Keep My Exoskeletons To Myself by Marisa Crane read by Bailey Carr

I really struggled with this book. I almost DNFed at 25%. Ultimately, I did finish it, and I am glad I did because I think the final act was my favorite part of the story. However, I think the title and cover set me up with expectations of what this book would be which were very different than what the book actually delivered. This is not science fiction- despite the fact it was nominated in the science fiction category in the Goodreads Choice Awards. It is only barely speculative. This is a book about grief, depression, and parenting a baby and then a young child as a single mom struggling with loss and borderline alcoholism. There were passages of the book which struck hard, individual observations and lines which rang like bells. There is also nearly no plot and I was frustrated by the lack of world building. I wanted to know more about the laws governing extra shadows- were Shadesters allowed to vote, hold passports, travel across state lines? Had anyone experimented with the removal of Shadows? When and how did cameras get installed in apparently every home in American, and how did the government hire and pay for a workforce of seemingly 1:1 surveillance agents to citizens? Also, how on earth did Kris manage to pay for a whole apartment on a single salary working a call center job, especially when as a Shadester she had to pay extra taxes? I understand that this is literary fiction, and these questions are obviously not the ones the book was interested in answering. But it felt strange to me that a book so focused on parenting would not include a single passage about struggling to pay for or arrange childcare. The "pop quizzes" that break up the text did not work well in audio, and did not add anything to my experience of this book. Ultimately, I would only recommend this novel to a vary narrow audience of readers who enjoy lit fic, and are willing to spend a lot of time in the POV of a character teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown through much of the story.

Atana and The Firebird by Vivian Zhou

Atana is a mermaid, but she was banished from her home to live alone on island for a reason she doesn't understand. One night a curious young firebird leaves her flock in space to come down and visit Earth, and she convinces Atana to go an adventure. They are soon pursed by magic hunters, but they also make friends, and end up as invited guests in the Witch Queen's palace. She makes them welcome in her massive library and gardens, but she also has ulterior motives. This is a fast paced story of magic, friendship, and young people slowly learning about the forces larger than themselves that shape their world and their lives. I really enjoyed the art, it has a very active, energetic line which serves the action scenes particularly well. I can tell the author came from an animation background! I am glad that the ending set up potential future installments in this world.

Portrait of a Body by Julie Delporte

I really loved the colored pencil illustrations of this book, especially the botanical drawings, and the kind of abstract relation of the text and images. I thought the drawings paired extremely well with the hand lettering even if at times I struggled with some of the cursive capitals. This is a candid memoir of recovering from sexual assault and a dysfunctional relationship to ones body and sexuality, of stepping into queerness and self-acceptance. I couldn't really relate to the author's journey, but I appreciated the honestly and thoughtfulness with which the more challenging themes were handled.

Fool’s Fate by Robin Hobb read by Nick Taylor

This book, and this series, has earned Robin Hobb a permanent place in my list of favorite authors. This story goes so hard, weaving together threads that are 9 volumes and 30 plus years of in-story history in the making. The final confrontations, reunions, and farewells at the end of this story were hard earned and so well written. This very much felt like it could have been a final volume of the Realm of Elderlings series, but I know that there are 7 more books to come and I can't wait to see what else this series has in store for me!

System Collapse by Martha Wells read by Kevin R Free

This book picks up right after the end of the previous volume and I had, unfortunately, completely forgotten most of the previous plot. Once I got myself oriented I still had a great time with it. Wow, I just love watching Murderbot learn and grow and solve problems in unique and interesting ways! I kind of want to go back and re-listen to the whole series.

The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A.

This comic blew me away. One of the most beautiful, strange, artistically ambitious and deeply trans books I've read in a while. Aesthetically, its as rich as a stained glass window or illuminated manuscript. Its narrative is psychedelic but emotionally it rings so tender and true. The story opens with Jules, a transman trapped in a nunnery who accepts a deal with a devil who promises to help him live as a man. Possessed and impervious to physical harm, Jules turns to a life of debauchery and crime. Then he meets another trans criminal, the poetic thief and thespian Casper, and they begin to fall for each other. They see each other as no one else ever has, they validate and treasure one another, but Jules' devil is a jealous master. The devil would rather see Jules burn than thrive. This is one of those books that made me want to draw, made me want to write, made me want to be bolder, weirder, freer, wilder in my story telling. An instant favorite, I expect I'll return to this over and over.

Mall Goth by Kate Leth

Liv's parents are on the verge of divorce; they've just moved to a new town and Liv will be starting at a new high school. At her last school, Liv was bullied for being openly queer and an unapologetic mall goth, and she is understandably hesitant to accept friendship overtures at the new school. However, a supportive male English teacher and a fellow goth gamer boy start to make Liv feel welcome. The goth introduces her to an MMORPG and the English teacher praises her essays and gives her Lolita. Both of them start regularly DMing Liv late into the night, more than is appropriate for the relationships they have. This book is in large part about a teen navigating confusing advances and how and when to disclose things that make her uncomfortable but feel hard to speak about or define. I thought that aspect of the story was handled very well. Some of the pacing in the friendship plot lines surrounding it felt a bit rushed, a few sections underdeveloped, but ultimately I think this book tackled an important issue not often seen in YA comics. It is also steeped in early 2000s Hot Topic/emo music/pop culture references- if you were there, you'll know.

What’s Wrong? Personal Histories of Chronic Pain and Bad Medicine by Erin Williams

Williams illuminates, through memoir, interviews, and mixed media illustrations the extreme failures of the US healthcare system to address chronic pain. These failures are especially common for patients of color, patients who struggle with addictions, patients who are queer or survivors of assault and trauma. If you had any illusions that the systems of medical care are working in this country, shed them now. This book is half cathartic, half infuriating to read. I really appreciated the honesty and vulnerability of the interviewees and the trans and nonbinary inclusiveness of the language surrounding pain tied to the reproductive system.

#maia kobabe #reading #books #book reviews #comic book reviews

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bluesfortheredj · 2 years

Text

Plan: boyfriend.

A/N: implied attempted sexual assault and mentions of stalking ahead.

Eddie knew something was up.

It was the way you were avoiding eye contact at all costs, the fact you were twirling your ring around your finger nervously, and how you kept opening your mouth as if to speak yet never quite finding the words you wanted to say.

He gives you a reassuring smile when you briefly glance over at him, and you take a deep breath.

This question had been a long time coming.

It had almost rolled off your tongue once before, but you’d managed to swallow the words before they could escape.

In all fairness, Eddie had offered his services a couple of times already but you’d brushed them off dismissively until a certain someone started to take things further. It was time to get help, and Eddie had the exact plan you needed.

“Eddie Munson,” you pause to get up off of the bench you’re both sat at and walk around to his side where you get down on one knee, “will you be my fake boyfriend?”

He clutches his chest dramatically and pretends to wipe a tear from his eye, “I’d be honoured!”

You laugh and get up to sit next to him, “thank you, that’s a real relief to hear.”

“I take it Matthew has ramped things up again then?” he questions with a furrowed brow.

He’d been worrying about you ever since you’d first said about the new guy at school who had taken a particular liking to you; it had started off quite innocently but soon turned to waiting for you in the parking lot, following you around town, and even coming in to your workplace at the weekends. Eddie had suggested acting as if you were in a relationship with one another a couple of times before in the four months since Matthew had begun focusing his affections on you, but finally something had pushed you to ask for his help, and he worried that this meant it was getting increasingly serious.

“He, uh… he got a bit… grabby,” you admit, looking down at your hands in your lap and feeling slightly ashamed that you’d let it happen.

“Grabby?!” Eddie places his hand on yours, “(Y/N), what did he do?”

You walk your fingers along the back of Eddie’s hand before holding it tightly, “he was waiting outside the shop last night and when I walked away he got a hold of my arm and pulled me towards him kinda aggressively.”

“Jeez,” he sighs, “and the police still can’t do anything?”

You shake your head from side to side, “no cameras where he did it, and they said they can only do something if he does something to me.”

“Fuck,” Eddie whispers, “okay, don’t worry, I won’t let him anywhere near you. You’re my girl, okay?”

Those words felt strange to hear after so many years of friendship but were also extremely comforting at the same time, and you nod with a smile while he lifts your hand to his lips and kisses your knuckles, “come on then, let’s show him he can’t mess around with you any more.”

The two of you walk back into the school hand in hand, striding proudly through the corridors towards the canteen until Eddie’s hand slips from yours so he can drape his arm around your shoulders. You walk towards the Hellfire club table while people turn to stare at the newly formed couple, and Eddie whispers a joke in your ear to make you smile when he notices your slightly apprehensive expression.

“I’ve always loved that smile,” he says quietly so that only you can hear.

This may be a sudden make believe relationship but those words certainly made your stomach flip with excitement quite realistically; then again Eddie always managed to have that effect on you thanks to his enchanting charisma. He’d always been the type of friend who was more tactile than others, he often sat that little bit closer than he needed to and had to touch you while he was talking, whether it be your hand or leg, so he knew he had your full attention. It was endearing and one of the many reasons you’d grown so close with one another since starting high school together.

“Dustin!” Eddie grins, sitting down at the head of the table and pulling the chair out next to him for you.

He leans over the table and gestures for Dustin to get nearer, “play along, okay? Matt’s turned psycho so we’re implementing plan boyfriend.”

“Got it,” he nods.

As if on cue, the person they were talking about walks dangerously close to the table, and Eddie’s quick to turn his attention to you, taking your hand in his and slipping his fingers through the gaps between yours, “so I was thinking that tonight you could come to mine and we’ll watch that film you were talking about the other day.”

“Sounds good to me,” you agree, “we’ll pick up some dinner from that pizza place you like on the way over.”

Eddie tilts his head back with an almighty groan, “ugh, this is why I love you so much,” he announces loudly.

Matt stops in his tracks to look over at you both for a moment before carrying on to the next table so he could keep an eye on the two of you. He knew you were close but he didn’t see this coming; mostly because he had convinced himself it was him that you were interested in despite your countless rejections of his unwanted advances.

Eddie leans over to you, positioning his lips right next to your ear, “we’re being watched,” he whispers.

“I thought we would be.”

“Do you want us to leave?”

“No, no, it’s fine, you stay and I’ll go, I need to get a book from the library anyway.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

He sits back up again with a wide grin, each beautiful laughter line on his face on full show as he does, and he presses a tender kiss to the back of your hand again, “okay sweetheart, I’ll see you after school. Meet you out front.”

“See you then!”

“You two need to get a room,” Dustin scoffs, noticing Matthew rise from his seat as you walk out of the hall.

Both him and Eddie watch him carefully as he follows you out of the doors, but Dustin stops his friend from following, not wanting to blow your cover straight away. Matt soon catches up to you just as you’re about to walk into the library and you roll your eyes as you see him approach with that alarming smile that made your stomach churn.

“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” he states through gritted teeth.

“You never asked.”

“I’ve never seen him pick you up from work or anything…”

“That’s because I’ve never asked him to,” you reply, forcing a smile, “his band, Corroded Coffin, usually have gigs on the weekend anyway.”

“Right… right...”

You take your opportunity to slip through the doors of the library as he stands there contemplating your entire relationship with Eddie, and you duck around the end of an aisle to take a deep breath after your all too close encounter with the creep. You have no idea how it had escalated so quickly, or even why it had; you’d certainly given no encouragement to him in any way, shape, or form, and had only ever responded to his propositions with a stern yet polite ‘no thank you’ each time. In his four short months at Hawkins High, he’d successfully managed to frighten you into hiding, but now you could feel some hope creeping in that made you feel as though there could be an end to it all.

For some reason you didn’t quite expect Eddie to follow through with meeting you after school, but sure enough he was at the doors waiting for you as promised at lunch and you give him a slightly bemused smile as you approach him. He doesn’t say a word, simply extends his arm towards you with his hand waiting for yours to connect, and then he leads you to his van and opens up the passenger door for you to get in.

“He’s been watching us this whole time,” Eddie sighs as he shuts his door after jumping in, “is this what he’s like all the time? Have you had to suffer with it so intensely all this time?”

“It wasn’t this bad at first,” you admit with a shrug, “but the last few weeks have been pretty bad, yeah.”

“(Y/N),” he exhales sadly, “why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I didn’t wanna get you involved… people like this can turn in an instant, and I didn’t want you to be in the middle of it all.”

“So you were willing to be a victim of stalking because you wanted to protect me?! Jeez! He’s a psycho, you’re the one who needs protecting!” he guffaws, hitting his hands against the steering wheel angrily.

You look away, all of a sudden ashamed at the mess you found yourself in, but you soon feel Eddie’s arms wrapping around your body and pulling you into a tight and comforting cuddle that allows you to finally breathe a sigh of relief. Your arms slide around to his back and grip onto his jacket as if he were a life buoy saving you from drowning, and you know that if you had Eddie on your side you’d be safe. You just hope you hadn’t realised this too late.

“I’m sorry I snapped… I just… You know how much I care about you, and I can’t stand to think of you living in fear everyday because of this creep.”

“It’s okay, I guess I didn’t realise just how bad it was until now… having someone point it out all the time is pretty eye opening, especially after just one day.”

“I’m with you, so you don’t have to worry. You’re my girl, remember? Come on, let’s get some pizza and watch some shitty tv,” he grins as he pulls away slowly.

Eating pizza and watching shitty tv was just what you needed, and you’d been doing the same thing every evening after school for the last two weeks now, although you laid off the pizzas for the majority of the time. The habit had certainly garnered some attention from Matthew but he’d backed off at school at least, now only being a pain in the ass at weekends which you could handle for the most part. Eddie was your safe space, wherever he was simply felt like home, and your confidence was already building back up again.

“Do you fancy going for a walk?” you ask out of the blue as you sit next to Eddie on the floor of the trailer, watching some awful horror movie and throwing popcorn into your mouth.

He turns to you with slight surprise, “a walk? How daring! I’d love to…” he pauses as you smile at his words, “I like seeing you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Free… happy… more peaceful. It suits you, you look… beautiful. Not that you didn’t before, obviously, it’s just-”

“Thank you Eddie,” you chuckle nervously, “it’s all down to you.”

“Ha,” he scoffs timidly, waving his hand as if to dismiss the thought, “let’s go for that walk.”

The two of you link hands out of habit as you leave the trailer and head through the park to the main road, then you make your way along the winding street in a comfortable silence, your hands swinging in the gap between your bodies happily. Eddie stops at a tree, noticing a love heart carved into the wood, then he tugs you over to inspect it with him as his free hand lifts to trace the lines delicately.

“Eddie…” you trail off, moving in between him and the tree carefully.

“Yeah baby?” he smiles, looking down at you.

“Kiss me,” you instruct softly, seeing Matthew walking towards you both along the path.

“Huh?” Eddie asks, not quite believing the words that had just come out of your mouth.

“Kiss me,” you repeat, looking up into his eyes with a warm smile, “he’s here.”

He licks his lips and swallows hard as he prepares himself for the moment he thought would never happen, then he lifts one hand and places it on the tree just beside your head before he leans in and presses his lips to yours while his other hand snakes around your waist to hold you flush to his body so he can step forward and pin you gently against the trunk. Your hands naturally move up from his hips to his chest, then meet at the base of his neck where your fingers weave into his hair, tugging on the long locks while his tongue slips past your open lips.

Your fingers tangle with his soft mane as you hold him against your mouth and he deepens this already passion fuelled kiss by pressing his hips into yours with even more enthusiasm, and you involuntarily moan as your tongues undulate around one another. Eventually you both need to come up for air, and the two of you reluctantly part, moving as if in slow motion as your lips try to hang on to one another for as long as possible. You can feel his warm breath on your mouth as his lips stay parted and you inhale it as the cloud of air wafts across your face.

All you can see is him when your eyes flutter open, and not just because he’s stood directly in front of you within inches of your face; with one kiss he’s completely changed your life and he has no idea about the impact it’s had on you. What you didn’t know though, was that Eddie had felt everything you had as well, and the whole imaginary relationship had been completely forgotten about as soon as your lips met.

“Right.”

“Well…” you mutter.

“Hmm.”

“I’d better…” you gesture down the road towards your place then quickly move from your snug position against Eddie and start speed walking home.

Eddie looks on, his hand still leaning on the tree as his body still wishes it were pressed against yours, and he sighs deeply as the courage he wanted to find to go after you can’t gather quick enough, “shit,” he exhales, kicking the trunk repeatedly in exasperation before turning to walk home.

He’d spent the last two weeks in a blissful world of make believe with you being his girl, and now this kiss has sealed his fate; he knew you were meant to be together. If only his body hadn’t let him down and rooted him to the spot like the stupid tree he’d been leaning against. Maybe now you’d be sitting on your porch completely wrapped up in one another… or maybe you sped off because the whole thing had repulsed you. He didn’t know, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to ever find out.

“How’s the fake romance going?” Dustin asks with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a knowing smile as he sits down next to the dungeon master himself at lunch on Monday.

Eddie drops his head in his hands and groans, “awfully,” he mutters with a shake of his head.

“Oh jeez, do you actually hate each other?”

“Quite the opposite…” he pauses to lift his head and looks Dustin in the eye, “my feelings have become pretty fucking real.”

“Shit,” Dustin exhales, “and how does she feel?”

“No idea,” he shrugs, throwing his hands in the air, “absolutely no clue.”

“Would you wanna know?”

“Not if it’s bad news.”

“I can ask…”

Eddie narrows his eyes at his friend as he thinks about the prospect of being able to find out if you felt the same for him, “no… it’d be too obvious. I’ve been avoiding her for the last two days because of this. Now we have this stupid party to go to that you talked us in to, and I don’t even know if she’s gonna turn up because she ran away and I didn’t have the fucking courage to run after her.”

“Hey, it’s okay, I can be discreet,” Dustin reassures him, “leave it to me, I’ll work my magic before tonight, don’t you worry.”

Dustin was, in fact, the least discreet person Eddie knew and if it weren’t for the fact that he was yearning to know how you felt, he certainly wouldn’t have sent his friend to do the talking for him. He watches as Dustin makes a hasty exit from the cafeteria before he could change his mind, then drums his hands on the table anxiously.

“(Y/N)! Hey, wait up!” Dustin calls across the corridor.

You look around for somewhere to hide but of course there is nowhere to run and you stay stuck to the spot like a deer in headlights. Eddie must have spoken to him… of course he has… he’s closer to Eddie than most people. Shit, it’s gonna be bad news. He probably doesn’t want to continue this charade now that he’s been completely put off by kissing you the other day, and there’s no point in turning up tonight. Fuck.

“You alright Dustin?” you ask, forcing a smile as he approaches.

“Yeah, good thanks, and you?”

“Not too bad,” you nod slowly, “not too bad…”

The two of you stand in a comically awkward silence for a few moments before Dustin plucks up the courage to ask outright as he’s unable to think of any subtle way to approach this and get the information he needs, “so… how’s the fake relationship going?”

You laugh a little at his bluntness, “it’s… uh… well, it’s going… I think…”

“Good, good…”

“Why? Has Eddie said something?” you panic.

“Sort of…”

“Shit, it’s bad isn’t it?”

“No! It’s not, honestly… well… it depends on how you look at it really…”

“Dustin, please just tell me what’s going on, because I have been freaking out the past two days and this isn’t helping!”

He lets out a sigh and looks away briefly, unsure whether to give his friend away or not, but also knowing that Eddie would struggle to tell you himself, “he… he doesn’t exactly have to fake any feelings for you any more…” he admits.

Your eyes grow wide before you have to look away from Dustin in embarrassment, “oh… I see…” you manage to squeak quietly.

“I said I’d find out how you felt because he’s scared you don’t feel the same and he doesn’t wanna ruin the friendship, but he still wants to help you out with this Matt thing, and he’s just gone into hiding be-”

“He doesn’t need to be scared,” you interrupt.

Dustin raises his eyebrows and nods with a smile, “I will let him know then…” he trails off, then turns and walks away slowly as you take a deep breath.

Eddie Munson liked you. He really liked you. Thank goodness. You fall back against the wall and clutch your books to your chest with a soppy smile while thinking about seeing him tonight.

Parties weren’t exactly your thing, or Eddie’s for that matter, but Dustin had convinced the both of you that turning up to one of the many parties held by whatever random student’s turn it was this week would be a good way of cementing you both as a couple in the eyes of everyone at school, and if you were going then Matthew would certainly be making an appearance as well. Fuelled by a couple of shots of vodka you enter the house that was practically vibrating from the bass of the music being played and hope that Eddie would be here too.

Initial observations don’t fill you with much hope but you do spot the fellow members of Hellfire and keep your eye out for the their long haired leader as you make your way through the packed entrance hall where everyone seemed to have a drink in hand. The stairs were filled with already intoxicated couples kissing sloppily through their drunken haze, while others were stepping around them hand in hand on their route to find an empty room for more privacy. You turn to the lounge where the music is coming from and find one of the jocks rooting through a case of vinyl trying to find an appropriate song to play next, then you spot the cheerleaders dancing provocatively in the middle of it all, surrounded by the basketball players as they grind against one another. The kitchen is your next port of call as your need for something to take the edge off being here intensifies, and just as you’re pouring yourself a drink an unwanted yet familiar figure approaches.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Matthew questions, sidling up to you and leaning on your arm.

“He’s here somewhere,” you reply without so much as looking at him, “we don’t have to be attached at the hip all the time.”

“If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.”

“Then it’s lucky I’m not then, isn’t it?”

“Not for me it’s not.”

You audibly sigh before moving away from him with your cup, gulping the contents quickly as your eyes scan the room for Eddie’s friendly face. Your body shivers as if it knows that Matthew is following close behind and you grimace as you reach for another bottle of alcohol to refill your cup with, then you down it in one and wipe your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Are things okay between you and Eddie? You seem a little stressed,” he places his hand on your shoulder and you flinch away.

“Things are fine between me and Eddie thanks.”

The house is packed with everyone from school and you feel as though you can’t breathe as Matthew continues to hound you, following you around so closely it’s positively claustrophobic. You push through the crowd to the back door and walk out into the cold yet comforting air, but your relief is short lived as Matthew’s arm snakes around your waist uninvited.

“Please stop touching me!” you exclaim with an exasperated sigh.

“We’re alone now though, no one will know… Eddie’s not even here…” he smirks, holding onto you tighter and moving in front of your body to trap you against the wall.

“Get off of me right now,” you warn, dropping your cup on the floor accidentally.

“I know you want this (Y/N), the way you’re all over Eddie when I’m around just proves that you wanted to make me jealous, and it definitely worked.”

He leans in to kiss you but you turn your face away quickly so that his lips land on your cheek, then you ball your fists and throw them into his chest, “get off!” you shout, failing to bring any attention to your situation over the loud music coming from inside.

All you get in return is a smirk as he tries to kiss you once again so this time you bring your knee up to his groin, and he immediately folds into himself with the contact, “don’t think it’s that easy to get away,” he laughs manically as he reaches out and grabs your wrist to stop you escaping his clutches, “you can’t fool me.”

“Leave me alone!” you growl angrily, attempting to snatch your arm away from his grip.

He straightens up and begins to pull you around to the side of the house, but you fight against him with each step he takes until you end up slipping from his grasp and falling onto the ground with a yelp. You go to stand but Matthew takes his opportunity to sit on your stomach and pin your arms down onto the damp grass; his face telling you all you needed to know when it came to his sadistic intentions.

“Finally,” he pants, “this isn’t how I imagined it, but it’ll do.”

You kick your legs but he’s too far forward for you to reach him, and just as you close your eyes to brace yourself for whatever was coming next, his weight is suddenly lifted from your body and you’re free from his grasp. There’s a few grunts and a scuffle, then you open your eyes just in time to see Eddie throw Matthew to the ground, “I swear if you even look in (Y/N)’s direction from now on, I will fucking end you,” he warns, spitting a little with how angry he was, “now get the fuck out of here you pervert.”

Matthew stumbles to his feet and retreats quickly, jumping over the fence and landing with a thud on the other side, then Eddie rushes to your side with a gasp, “are you okay? What did he do to you?” he asks, cupping your jaw gently as his eyes dart around your face for any sign of hurt, both physically and mentally.

“I’m fine,” you breathe a sigh of relief as your hands grip onto Eddie’s wrists for support, “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, his brow knitting together with concern.

“I’m…” you let out a shaky breath as the enormity of what has just happened hits you, and Eddie quickly pulls his arms out of your grasp and wraps you up in them instead.

“It’s okay,” he soothes, “you’re safe now.”

“I need to get out of here,” you mumble against his shoulder.

“Of course, I’ll drive you home.”

“No… no, I… I want to stay with you… please. Can we go to yours?”

He pulls away slowly and nods his head with a solemn smile gracing his lips, then he stands and holds his hands out for you, helping you rise from the ground and into his arms once more, “you’re my girl, (Y/N), and I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” he whispers, kissing your hair. You melt into his body, needing his strong frame to lean against as your legs almost give way from a mixture of hearing those words and the shock of the events mere moments ago, and he gladly holds you until he feels your body get some strength back in it. He leads you to the van through the side gate so that no one can see your grass stained dress, then drives you back to his Uncle’s trailer and the safety of his bedroom where you could both shut the world out.

“Can I have a t-shirt?” you wonder, looking in the mirror at the dirt covering the fabric of your clothes.

Eddie picks up a couple to sniff for freshness before settling on the third one which smelt clean enough for you to put on, and as he turns to throw it over you’re already wriggling your dress down your body and kicking it to one side.

“Thanks,” you smile, catching it with one hand and pulling it on to hide the removal of your bra, “that’s better,” you sigh, tossing the bra on top of the puddle of dress.

Eddie stands there nervously as you lift the covers and slip into his bed, sitting up against the wall and closing your eyes as you take a deep breath. This wasn’t an unusual sight these days, but things had changed drastically since the last time you’d done this and Eddie suddenly felt very timid as he gazes at you sat up in bed wearing one of his tops.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m, uh, I’m… fine. Just fine,” you nod, keeping your eyes closed so he couldn’t see the truth in them.

You feel his weight land on the other side of the bed as he too gets under the covers after changing into makeshift pyjamas that consisted of an oversized band tee and some shorts, and sits up next to you with his fingers fiddling with the duvet cover as he wonders what to say next. He knew you could handle yourself but it still must have been a shock what happened this evening, especially with how close Matthew was to hurting you, and there was still the fact that he’d avoided you the last couple of days after that passion igniting kiss you’d shared.

“Eddie,” you say softly, feeling him tug at the covers, “stop worrying.”

You open one eye to see where his hands are so you can cover them with one of yours, then you close it again once his fingers still under your comforting touch.

“I am worried though,” he whispers, his head turning to watch your peaceful face.

“About what? Tell me,” you encourage, squeezing his hand.

“I’m worried that you’re not okay after what happened this evening, and I’m worried that you might hate me for avoiding you the last two days because when I kissed you I didn’t want to stop…” he pauses to take a breath as he eyes your face for any change in expression, and he almost jumps a little as you open your eye lids suddenly.

You turn your head to face him with a smile and you blink slowly before taking a deep inhale, “I will admit I am slightly shaken after what happened earlier, but being with you makes me feel safe,” you wait a second before your ultimate confession, and he takes the opportunity to slip his hands from yours and wrap his arms around your body protectively, “I could never hate you though Eddie, not even if I tried, because if Dustin hasn’t already told you, you’re not the only one who felt something when we kissed.”

He presses his lips to the top of your head as you settle your cheek on his shoulder and inhale his smokey and musky scent that you’d grown to adore, “I’m glad you feel safe with me,” he says, tightening his grip around you, “and I’m also glad you don’t hate me.”

“What about the other thing I said?” you wonder.

“I… I don’t want to make you talk about something like that after what happened… it can wait until morning if you want,” he offers, “also, Dustin couldn’t even find me after he spoke to you.”

You slide your arms around his waist and give him a cuddle; he worried too much, but it was completely endearing and only made you care for him more, “poor Dustin… didn’t even get the chance to give you the news. I don’t mind talking about good things after… everything… tell me something good Eddie.”

“Hmm, something good… well, feeling your arms around me is pretty good, I can’t lie. Your turn.”

“Can I show you something good instead?” you question.

“Of course.”

You lean away just enough to see his face so he can meet your gaze, then you nudge your nose against his chin before tilting your head to the side and stretching your neck up towards his lips where he gladly presses them against yours in yet another loving kiss, and the two of you melt into one another, sliding down the bed and under the covers as you tangle together, mirroring the actions your tongues are making. Eddie swings a leg over yours allowing your thigh to take its place between his all while your hands explore one another’s bodies; his immediately travelling down to your backside where they squeeze and massage your cheeks roughly as yours split up with one hand weaving through his hair while the other goes for his own pert bottom. An involuntary moan reveals his true feelings and you hum into the kiss contentedly as your hips push against his just before you both need to come up for air.

“Good?” you pant lightly.

Eddie raises an eyebrow at you quizzically, “good? That was fuckin’ amazing.”

“Wanna do it again?”

“Yeah,” he nods with a heart melting grin.

#eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fic #eddie munson #eddie munson fluff #joseph quinn #stranger things x reader #stranger things fic #stranger things imagine

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regencyofhell-if · 2 years

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For Lucifer was the favorite son of Our Lord, who was given the task of guarding the Kingdom of the Dead. When he fell for a human woman, a great sin for one of the Angels, he was cast out of Heaven. His curse became to judge the souls of mortals like Hades in the mythologies, and to rule what became known as the Underworld or the Kingdom of Hell.

Everyone knows a version of this story.

But what many don't know is the tale of Lucifer's child, a Nephilim, deemed an abomination among the Angels.

~ The Book of Aquila

Being the offspring of the most famous of the fallen angels was never something you took pride in. Why would you? You were an outcast everywhere you went as half human and half angel. A Nephilim, a title spoken with indignation and suspicion.

Now, as Lucifer's only child and your father missing, they call you the Regent of Hell, fighting to keep your throne from usurpers who could end up destroying your world and the mortal world alike.

Create your own half-angel MC and rule over Hell

Customize everything about your Regent, including your wings if you have any

Rule as a good monarch or an evil tyrant

Meet key figures in the Old Tales and rewrite everything mythology has taught you

Find love and choose a consort, or rule alone

Stop a coup, or fall from grace like your father before you

Michael (LI) - The leader of the highest order of angels and one of the most beautiful of them all. The stories could not be more wrong about him; he is brash, reckless, and possesses a charisma that draws you in for reasons you can't describe.

Asha di Aquila (LI) - A poet you met one day on earth who seems to have taken an interest in you. You later find out that she too is the offspring of a fallen angel, but one raised among humans.

Liberta Lucia (LI) - A mortal woman who somehow ends up trapped in your world through magic gone awry. She is kind enough, you suppose, but you cannot discern her intentions and it makes you weary.

Daedalion (LI) - The adopted son of Lord Mastema is nothing like his parent, and some suggest he has a better claim to the Regency than you. Once upon an age, you were close, but something has changed in the way he looks at you since you became Regent...

Prince Ceyx (LI) - Your step-brother covets your throne and your new powers, but would never openly declare war against you. His mother Queen Lilith, on the other hand, would do anything to give her son what she believes he deserves.

Lucifer - Your absent father and the reigning King of Hell until recently when he left for the mortal realm. As his eldest child, though born to a human mother, he leaves the throne to you, but at what cost?

Lord Mastema - Your father's twin is known by many names. They are the embodiment of chaos who originally tempted Eve with the Apple. Humans call them the Devil and some say they are Lucifer's logical successor.

Dowager Queen Aurora - The mother of Lucifer and Mastema and the origin of the family name of Morningstar. Some say she is now nothing more than an old woman who lost her wings centuries ago, but she still holds great powers you will need in the days to come.

DEMO TBD

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#regency of hell if

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sepublic · 1 year

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S1 Luz in particular had this powerful, earnest energy and whimsy that sweeps you up, like an unthinking charisma so charmed by the world that you can’t help but feel the same way and like Luz, even Belos did. And in hindsight this is a contrast to Philip, who is very deliberate and observing in a prying manner, and insincere in trying to elicit specific reactions from people he can use, and being what they want for his own gain.

Meanwhile, Luz was someone who got so caught up in her own headspace that she sometimes forgot about other people, not caring about how they reacted if only because she had to, in order to not feel judged; But Luz was never malicious and felt immediate remorse when others got hurt. She was mostly concerned about herself so she could BE herself for once (and be understood, as she finally realizes), whereas Philip with his savior complex meddles in the business of other people by trying to dictate how the world itself should be run.

It’s ironic then, that even when Luz was being selfish and mostly thinking of herself, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing because loving herself didn’t have to come at the expense of others. Meanwhile Philip, who is very collective-focused, causes the most damage... Something something, disproving that Puritan/Catholic mindset of self-interest and personal enjoyment being sinful, meanwhile losing yourself in devotion to a greater cause bringing Belos and everyone else misery.

Philip sacrificed his own brother and the happiness he could’ve had with him and got nothing for it, meanwhile Luz asks for stuff and that’s okay!!! She’s not punished for it, contrary to what she feared! Wanting stuff for herself is good and does good things, brings good things to the isles in the form of how she helped others! Self-care becomes care for everyone else, whereas caring only for others at your own expense, comes at the cost of others, becoming paradoxically selfish in an attempt to avoid that.

How symbolic then that Belos the literal Puritan makes Luz feel guilt for wanting things, feel like she has to constantly redeem and make up for an inherently troubling existence and ‘earn’ a salvation of sorts; As if Luz’s default is sinful. HE provides and is the punishment Luz feared self-interest would bring. And this self-reprimand results in her worst despair, and Luz realizing and embracing what she wants leads to happiness. After she and Willow both over-corrected for past flaws this episode, only to realize there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with considering themselves either.

#the owl house #luz noceda #philip wittebane #emperor belos #meta #character analysis

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just-avocado · 3 months

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So I stayed up until like four last night writing down the lyrics for the Circe Saga because it’s incredible and Spotify didn’t have lyrics yet but since tumblr doesn’t want me to post pics rn for some reason I’ll just try again later and instead talk about the songs!!! :D

Puppeteer- The intro instrumental lives in my head to rent and so does Eurylochus’s rap part, I need to know what he was going to tell Odysseus he sounded so vulnerable- I swear this guy is climbing up my favorite characters list, I do find it interesting how he wanted to leave the crew behind with Circe when later in Mutiny he confronted Odysseus for “trading the lives of his crew” in order to get home so hopefully that means he had a change and heart and wasn’t just being a hypocrite, I also love how the Circe Saga as a whole but especially Puppeteer and There Are Other Ways really highlight how terrible Odysseus feels about everything he’s done, everyone he’s failed or killed since leaving home, I need to know how he goes from hating himself to embracing all he’s done

Uhh favorite lines!

“Look at all we’ve lost and all we’ve learned, Every single cost is so much more than what we’ve earned” SING IT Eurylochus

Wouldn’t You Like- HEHEHEH I absolutely adore the synthwave-y aspects of the song I’m a huge lover of synthwave vibes as of recent, I would genuinely vibe to the instrumental all day long, Mr. Jalapeño release the instrumental versions pLplzplz 🙏, I’m sure we all know by know that Troy is the real Hermes there’s no other way he can bring THAT much charisma to the role, I’ve seen charisma before but never like that oh my god, I also love his unhinged laugh so much idk how he does it but I want to learn, also when I was writing the lyrics I had to stop for a sec and be like “is this song just Hermes giving his great grandson drugs ooor-“ because that’s 100% something he would do

Favorite lines…

Just the entire “Here in the root of this flower, There lies such a power, To take her on” segment of the song it’s just 👌

Also the part where he’s going OOOhoOhohAhahdph while the ensemble sings his verses his voice is so BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL oh my GOD

“Don’t thank me friend! You very well may die” I chuckled so loud lmao

And his little “Good luck 😉” he’s so silly he knows shit is going to go down

Done For- okay was the lyric for this song always “I just ate a flower, one that claims your power” cuz I could have sworn it was drains your power but I might just be crazy, also chimera supremacy I love that Jorge was able to find a way to implement it, Jorge and Talya’s voices sound so great together I need more 😭, I also love that this song starts to hint at more depth behind Circe’s actions idk who out here thinks she’s a meh one-note/one-off villain but she’s not!! I’ll make a 50 page PowerPoint on this don’t test me!!

Fav lines…

“You’ve lost.” Okay Odysseus 🤡

“My nymphs are like my daughters, I protect them at all costs, The last time we let strangers live, We faced a heavy loss.” This!! This is what I’m saying she feels like she has no choice other than to hurt people so that the people she loves will stay safe, she’s literally Odysseus further down the line! it’s so fascinating to see a character like this facing off against the main protagonist bc at this point in the story we don’t know what kind of person he will become yet and yet Jorge shows us with Circe Ahdldhnsbdk

There Are Other Ways- Okay I’ll be honest, this song was the last one on my radar not bc I didn’t like it but because I was just looking forward to others so much more and it was also the one I intentionally heard less clips of because I wanted at least one song that I didn’t already know half of the lyrics to 💀 ANYWAY THIS ONE IS THE BEST SONG IN THE CIRCE SAGA CHANGE MY MIND (I’m so sorry Troy I love your voice but this song is simply better) Dude the lyrics go soso hard in this one, I’m such a sucker for one character having like a big emotional moment while another is like singing/backing them up in the background and there’s so much of that here, and the call backs? Both to earlier songs in the saga AND Just A Man, my favorite song Just A Man? Every call back to that song is just so RAW I LOVE IT, I don’t know a ton about Greek mythology outside of Epic so I dont know if Circe and Posideon have this past beef or something but I do find it interesting that it’s only after he is mentioned that Circe decides to help Odysseus but I also think it’s larger due to how he reminds her of herself with how he misses Penelope, UM THE BEAT DROP after the underworld is mentioned for the first time??? CHILLS SHIVERS EVERYTHING dude I love how the entire atmosphere changes so much because yes this could be Odysseus’ only change to make it home safely but it’s also so much more dangerous than the shitty situation they’re already in so there’s not even time for relief or a breath of air like he’s IN it now there’s no going back

Best lyrics omfg…

“There are other roads to the soul~” Talya, Tayla. This is why some of us can’t sing, the universe needs balance and you are the only explanation for that

“Want to save your men from the fire? Show me that you’re willing to burn” 😐 AAAAAH

“But there’s no puppet here” get it puppeteer? Puppet here? I thought it was clever lol

“Back at home, my wife awaits for me, She’s my everything, My Penelope” The yearning in his voice made me feel things

“So I beg you Circe, Grant us mercy, And let us puppets leeeeave~” We have literally never seen Odysseus use this sort of tactic before to get his way but I genuinely think he’s being genuine here, no play, he only wants to see his wife and son again, he’s so close to giving up hope, he’s losing his spirit, he’s searching for any sliver of help even from a women who wants him dead

“I know of a brilliant prophet… Problem is that prophets dead.” Again the cord or piano key I think it was was so AH SO GOOD AH I am foaming at the mouth for when we start getting teasers for the Underworld Saga

“Maybe showing one act of kindness, Leads to kinder souls down the road” someone make an au where Polities and Circe become besties she needs a friend like him but don’t we all, but seriously THIS is what I’m saying!! She is future Odysseus! Only difference being is that she’s so tired of hurting people at this point she decides to take a chance and give help rather than pain in the hopes that it will somehow contribute to a kinder world

“Maybe one day the world, Will need a puppeteer no more” this is her plea for help, she yearns for the day where she won’t need to be a monster in order to protect her nymphs, for Odysseus his plea was for him and his men to leave, they both showed such vulnerability in this song in different ways its ART ITS ART *gun shot*

“I have been in love once before” She even had her own Penelope guys, this is the true reason why she decided to help Odysseus methinks

Okay uhhh I think that’s it ^_^ Circe Saga rules, it might be my fav saga I’ll decide soon

#epic the musical #epic the circe saga #epic the troy saga #epic odysseus #epic polites #epic circe #epic eurylochus #disclaimer for BANGER SONGS #okay I should probably close my eyes or something I’m running in a solid two hours #Circe saga is more important than sleep lmao

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