#he just refuses to acknowledge it cause reputation

[wolvesandshine]

James: Did you just give me a sunflower

Regulus: Yes it’s your favourite

James: You remembered?

Regulus: Your voice is so annoying I couldn’t forget it if I tried

James *smiling widely*: I love it when you’re nice to me

[a-stars-art-blog]

No, cause, what do you mean he was innocent?? Wdym for most of his life he was a happy and kind person? Full of hope and optimism for the future. Surrounded by people he loved and trusted and did the same to him back.

What do you mean those most important to him were ripped away all at once???

Hi my name is Maria and I’m gonna scream about Barok real quick

SPOILERS FOR DGS 2-4/5

I wish some people didn’t boil him down to “racist”

Like, i totally understand why people don’t like him and if the damage is done, it’s done. But it just doesn’t sit right when people refuse to acknowledge his character growth!! Especially if they make people feel bad for liking him.

I don’t think a majority of people do this, but I have seen it happen and it’s :((

AND ALSO!! I wish I depicted it, but the lyrics aren’t just Current vs Past Barok either.

I’ve been wanting to scream this for a while but-

HE KNOWS??? HE UNDERSTANDS HES BEING IRRATIONAL HE KNOWS HIS FEELINGS ARE WRONG

AND IT HURTS HIM

He’s keeping up this facade because it was helping the crime rate. Even though it was such a monumental burden on himself.

But it was too much for him.

And that kills me.

The way he had a limit. The way he tried to be strong and selfless. The way he probably felt that burden again upon his return. The way he convinces himself that he’s willing, able, even HONORED, to uphold this awful reputation. Even though he plays no part in it truthfully

The way he never wanted to be cold, rude, and ruthless. He really is a kind-hearted soul forced to change and sink himself further and further in rage and resentment.

You can really see younger Barok still in him.

He’s such a goddamn tragedy, he makes me sob, and I’m so glad by the end of the game, he’s finally getting a brighter future 🥹

[makingfanfictionstosleep]

the cure to his curse

sylus x non mc || angst & hurt || happy ending || mc is kinda pick me || drabble out of boredom that spiraled into a series while listening to linkin park's song - heavy || could be triggering for others so read at your own risk || this is not smut || story masterlist : love and deepspace

previous next

TWO

The flickering neon sign outside cast long shadows across your shared quarters with Sylus. You stared at your reflection in the darkened window, a ghost of the woman you once were staring back.

The weight in your chest hadn't lessened. If anything, it had grown heavier with each passing day, each missed dinner, each whispered concern for her.

It felt like a lifetime ago, the chaos of that first encounter. A narrow alleyway in one of the dangerous corner of N109 zone, laser fire ripping through the air, the metallic tang of blood thick in the humid night.

You were pinned down, returning fire with lethal precision, your evol blazing with controlled fury. Across the fray, a figure moved with brutal efficiency, dispatching enemies with calculated strikes. Sylus.

Even amidst the chaos, his presence was a storm, undeniable and terrifyingly effective. You were on opposing sides then, your organization locked in a bitter conflict with Onychinus over territory rights, while ironically, both were battling the encroaching influence of the very syndicate that would later betray you.

Your paths kept crossing after that initial clash. Ceasefire negotiations in sterile, high-rise boardrooms where his gaze, sharp and assessing, would occasionally flick towards you. Shady auctions where you both vied for rare artifacts, a silent acknowledgment passing between you across the crowded hall.

And then, the skirmishes – unexpected eruptions of violence where you found yourselves fighting the same enemy, a grudging respect forming in the heat of battle.

He was ruthless, yes, his reputation preceding him like a dark omen.

You’d witnessed his cold fury firsthand, the almost clinical way he dismantled threats. Yet, in those fleeting moments of shared conflict, you’d also seen a flicker of something else – a strategic mind, unwavering resolve, and an unexpected protectiveness towards his own.

Yet, you managed to tear everything down – every last one who wanted to use you for their own selfish agenda – bloodied, lifeless and limp, littered all over the base.

Then came the betrayal. The insidious whispers within your organization, the chilling realization that the very people you trusted were aligning with those who had butchered your comrades.

You fought like a cornered lion, your evol pushed to its limits, but the numbers were overwhelming. They wanted your skills, your unique abilities honed through years of brutal training. They planned to weaponize you, to erase everything you stood for.

Sylus found you in the aftermath, amidst the smoldering ruins of your organization’s headquarters. Not out of pity, you knew, but out of a keen recognition of your value, your principles that mirrored his own in their unwavering commitment to a cause, even if your methods differed.

He saw the fire in your eyes, the unyielding spirit that refused to be extinguished. He offered you a place within Onychinus, an offer you accepted with a mix of gratitude and grim determination.

Life within Onychinus was a stark contrast to your previous existence. Structured, disciplined, and undeniably powerful. You rose through the ranks quickly, your skills making you a formidable asset.

And somewhere amidst the training simulations, the strategic debriefings, the shared victories, a different kind of connection began to bloom between you and Sylus.

I know I'm not the center of the universe But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

He surprised you.

The man behind the icy exterior had a hidden warmth, a fierce loyalty he bestowed upon those he deemed worthy. He sought you out after difficult missions, his hand finding yours, his touch surprisingly gentle.

He’d plan quiet dinners in secluded corners of the city, his gaze intent on you as you spoke of your past, your losses, your unwavering resolve.

He’d dote on you in small, meaningful ways – a rare artifact he knew you’d appreciate, a perfectly brewed cup of your favorite tea waiting on your desk.

He was affectionate, almost possessive in private, his lips claiming yours with a tenderness that belied his brutal reputation. You fell in love with the complexities of him, the sharp mind and the unexpected softness he reserved only for you.

You had. For a while, you truly had. He made you feel seen, valued, loved. You built a life together within the walls of Onychinus, a fragile sanctuary amidst the constant threats within the N109 zone.

Then MC arrived.

A whirlwind of unique abilities and captivating charm. You watched, a slow chill creeping into your heart, as his attention subtly shifted.

The shared dinners became less frequent, replaced by urgent calls regarding MC’s latest discovery or perilous situation.

The affectionate touches grew sparse, overshadowed by his focused concern for her well-being during joint missions.

The dates he once meticulously planned were now forgotten, or hastily canceled with a mechanical apology about needing to assist MC.

You remembered the last date he’d canceled.

You’d bought a new dress, spent hours getting ready, a nervous excitement bubbling within you. The text had come just as you were about to leave:

"Urgent situation with MC. Anomaly readings are off the charts. Need to assist immediately. So sorry."

You’d stared at your reflection, the vibrant color of the dress suddenly feeling dull, the anticipation replaced by a hollow ache. You’d ended up eating alone, the silence of the dining room amplifying the growing emptiness inside you.

Now, standing by your window, the neon glow reflecting in your sad eyes, you knew the answer to that unspoken question.

Whatever he was getting now, whatever captivated his attention so completely, it was costing you everything.

And you weren't sure how much longer you could bear the weight of it all.

[wyniepooh]

Red

red belonged to coriolanus snow. you, belonged to coriolanus snow.

capitoluniversitystudent!coriolanusnow x capitoluniversitystudent!reader. university rivals w immense tension. reader puts on a facade of deeply despising corio, but rlly its just unaddressed attraction. I would say corio is pretty character accurate, so expect manipulation, light sociopathic tendencies, possessiveness, etc. corio has an unexpected interest in reader and catches u bad-talking him, decides to claim his power... and u???

coriolanus had made it. he was attending the capitol university, had the ideal mentor, and possessed a reputation that regularly caused classmates to crowd around him and sing their praises. all of this was evidence to the bright future he would undoubtedly grasp, very soon.

he just hoped that you wouldn't ruin everything for him.

you, the new student who had transferred in the middle of the year. you, who absolutely refused to make eye contact with him, and always squirmed by him in the hallways. you, who never, ever, acknowledged any of the distinguished prizes coriolanus had won, and all the prizes he would soon own.

coriolanus had thought that after the 10th games, he would never have the issue of not having someone always at his feet. sure, they may have all just been after his money or influence, but at least he knew they were all on his side. all except you, apparently.

as he stared at you from across the room, sat straight and proper with a finger wrapped in your hair, he couldn't make himself focus on anything other than the tip of your pencil poking at your lips. and you, seemed to be focused on anything, and anyone, except coriolanus snow.

he barely registered the sound of his other classmates packing up their things and skidding back their chairs. it was only when he saw you grabbing your bag did he follow suit, heading quickly through the door and down the stairs, hypnotized by the swing of your ponytail.

he kept a generous distance behind you, making sure he blended in with the rest of the students heading to the cafeteria, but also ensuring he always had eyes on the nape of your neck.

he stopped when you stopped, squinting his eyes with suspicion as you headed into an empty classroom.

the door made an unpleasant creak when swiftly opened and closed. coriolanus stood still for a minute with his hand paused in the air. After a minute of contemplation, he gently twisted the doorknob to reveal a sliver of your familiar figure, sitting on a desk with your legs crossed.

"ah, you're here," a voice said from further inside the classroom.

you chuckled as you pulled your food out. "so I am. sorry it took me so long to get here. I was trying to get rid of red. I swear, he's trailing me."

The previously faceless voice finally appeared in frame. her hands came up to her face, and a mixture of a gasp and a giggled escaped her.

"seriously? god, what is his deal? whenever we have class together, he’s always staring at you," she snarked as she made herself comfortable on the desk across from you.

“and I mean, it's not even in a charming way. it just seems like he's... trying to figure out what's going on in your mind at all times. kind of creepy"

you hummed between chews. "be careful. remember who you're talking about. if dr. gaul or mr. plinth catches you talking even remotely bad about him, say goodbye to the desk you're sitting on and the stability of your future."

the other girl sighed. "you're right. he always has someone asking for his approval or begging for a reference. he's on another level from us.” She sighed.

“but you have to admit," she continued, "he has quite the face. I don’t even think I would mind him following me around all day. you’re too oblivious.”

"you’re horrible!” you joked, “but I’m not oblivious, I'm choosing to ignore him. I’m not into whatever game he thinks he’s playing.”

you chewed throughly before speaking again. “and I especially hate those who act as if they're above everyone. I mean, why is he always the one everyone asks for approval? why is he the ultimate reference? How special can he be? I’ll admit, he has more prizes and money than any of us, but how many of those prizes did he truly earn? He’s living proof that you can do anything, and be anyone, if you have the right people on your side."

she laughed at your words. "alright, alright. I won't force you to like him. but just know… your feelings are in the minority here."

"trust me, coriolanus snow will live just fine without my desire to get to know hi-"

the loud slam of the doorknob against the wall incited a gasp from the girl sitting across from you. you repressed the urge to roll your eyes when you saw the tall form at the doorframe. "speak of the devil," you mumbled under your breath.

"say that again."

"snow-" your friend began to say, but was promptly interrupted by the man.

"leave."

you scoffed, "don't tell her to leave-"

"leave. now."

your friend flashed you an exasperated stare, but not before she allowed a small smile to escape as she scrambled to gather her things, half-running out the door.

"great," you sighed as you brought another spoonful of food up to your mouth. but before it could touch your lips, coriolanus paced over and wrapped his hand around your upright wrist.

"continue what you were saying before,” he ordered. his grasp wasn't rough by any means, but it was firm, exactly how you imagined his grip would feel, which reflected the seriousness in his voice.

"what, I don't get to finish my lunch first?"

he flung his arm over to the side at your question, shocking you enough to drop the spoon. in all your bewilderment, you barely reacted when he grabbed the entirety of your food and threw it over your shoulder.

you heard the splat of sauce hitting the desk below you before you felt its coldness on your shoulder. you couldn't close your mouth, nor could you close the lid on your bubbling anger. you hurled away his arm and hopped off the desk, walking as far forward as the classroom would go.

"I told you to-"

"oh, I'll continue."

you swiveled around to face him, crossing your arms as he stood still by the desk, with his perfectly ironed pants and stupidly flawless, blonde, hair.

"I'll tell you exactly what I think about you, snow,” you huffed.

“I think that you're a scam. winner of the 10th hunger games, through cheating," you said as you counted a finger on your hand. you smiled at his shocked expression. "yes, I know you and gaul erased all the footage but, some people have surprisingly strong memories."

you slowly began walking towards him. "rich, through your conveniently dead friend." another finger. "honoured student of prestige, through corrupted power."

you raised the three fingers, staring stiffly into his eyes. "you're a scam, snow."

you stopped once you reached the desk. looking up at him through your eyelashes, you whispered with a pout, "and yet you still wonder why people don't like you."

you bent over to pick up your bag, but when you straightened back up, his hand was back on your arm. this time, his grasp was fierce, and he used tremendous force to pull you towards him.

you were so close that you could make out all the individual blue fibres in his eyes, and count each strand of his full eyelashes. you furrowed your brows, lips curling with an expression of disgust and disturbance. a pink flush occupied your cheeks, but you weren’t exactly sure if it was from telling him off so honestly or from the lack of space between the two of you.

"you're right," he scoffed lightly.

"what?"

"you're right, I said. I will live without your acceptance. I will live beautifully, in fact."

you sneered mockingly. "good for you, snow, good for you. not everyone has the privilege that you have,” you spat.

you tried to pull your arm away from his sturdy hold, but he only tightened the pressure, grabbing the small of your back to further press you against him. you couldn't help the gasp that came from you. you looked at him with the upmost confusion, lips parting slightly at the surprisingly tender caress of his hand on your hip.

he leaned down to you ear. "but... I don't want to. I don’t want to live without your acceptance. like you said before, it never hurts to have someone behind you. to catch you when you fall."

he drew back towards your face, staring unwaveringly into your eyes as he maneuvered your hand onto his shoulder, holding it in place with his own. "I can give you anything you want. I will, give you anything you want. money, power, glory. if only you wouldn't repress your feelings like this..."

with each breath of his that you felt grazing across your face, your eyelashes fluttered. for a split second, your eyes flickered to his reddened lips. your body seemed to relax against his, your head instinctively leaning towards. you hadn’t even noticed that his hand was no longer keeping your hand in place, but instead, you were the one desperately squeezing his shoulder.

his nose came down to touch yours, and your hands slowly brushed the back of his head. your fingers tangled themselves in his gelled hair, and your eyes automatically closed the moment you felt a brush of something against your lips.

then, coldness. the previously warm figure in front of you was gone.

your arms had been carelessly thrown off, causing you to stumble backwards. snow had backed up a couple steps, hands in his pockets as he smiled for the first time today. "and that is why everyone asks for my approval. this is why I am able to get anyone, anywhere they want, with a couple of sweet, simple words."

he stepped a little closer, extending a hand to grab your chin. his thumb moved up till it reached your lips, giving them a gentle nudge. "that's power, doll. corrupted or not, it has the same effect. not even you could deny that."

he turned around, and began walking towards the door. right before he stepped over the frame, he paused. slipping out his arms, he removed his red coat and twirled to face you again. "sorry about the stain. here, it's cold today." he tossed you the garment, giving you one last smirk. with a tilt of his head, he was gone.

you weren't sure you were ever going to be able to speak again. your own shaky hand came up to touch your lower lip, cold shivers spreading down your entire body at the newly formed memory. seeing your reflection through one of the windows, you knew you couldn't walk out with that stain on your shirt. so you put his jacket on, feeling that familiar warmth on your skin once more.

as you walked out the door, you gradually began to realize what this meant. red. he always wore red. he was the only student in the entire university who wore it, and wore it well. perhaps this was his intention all along. the subtle stalking, the staring, the provocation.

pacing down the busy hallway where everyone was rushing to get to their next class, you felt the glares of practically everyone in the building. first, focused on the blonde a couple paces in front of you, looking rather different than he had this morning, then on you, wearing the red coat that matched oh-so-perfectly with his red vest.

they all knew what it meant. you knew what it meant.

you now belonged to coriolanus snow.

-

a/n: so once again I have not read any of the books, so pls pls pls excuse any inaccuracies w how the university works and the exact details of what happened post lucy gray lol. anyways this is for all the ppl who don't want to fix him n actually will take him as he is, psychopath and all (me).

[raziiyah]

tbh when i first watched monsters at work season 2 i was sad when johnny ended up being evil, bc i liked to think johnny put his rivalry with mike behind him and became a better person. like, i don't mind him being an antagonist, that was a given, but even though johnny was mean, idk he had standards? (other than the fact he was going to donate the funds from selling merch of OK's humiliation to charity like at least its for a good cause LOL) for instance, you can tell that ror values genuine skill, hard work and education, like when they reconsider sulley's placement in ror because of his dismissive attitude about his low grades, despite him being the image of a top scarer and being the son of a famous scarer

from this you can assume johnny also spent a lot of time studying and working fair and square to get good grades instead of trying to sail by, and that he wouldn't resort to cheating and got to his level through hard work and not solely his family name, unlike mu sulley initially

my point is that even though johnny did some bad things, he never did anything necessarily unfair to achieve his goals or win. even though johnny being an antagonist in maw wasn't a big surprise, i never saw him being randall boggs level of villainy. i will say he did a good job at being charismatic because even though he was an obvious antagonist and i knew it, i was still hoping he was a good person and became disappointed when his big plan was revealed

also this is really minor but i figured to just mention that there's a scene in s2 ep 10 where he gets carter's name wrong and calls him kenny, and when carter corrects him, johnny acts dissmissive and calls him carl, saying it wrong again and hardly acknowledging him. like he's shown to be charismatic and actually knowledgeable on knowing and caring about everyone's names beforehand, like he knows every employee he talks to at fear co, but now he's randomly being indifferent because, it was revealed he was a bad guy to just the audience and tylor? it's small but idk i thought i'd bring it up

what i found interesting about johnny sabotaging monsters inc and resorting to stealing laugh energy and claming it as fear co's is that to me, it didn't seem like something johnny (at least mu johnny) would do. however, it does seem like something mi randall would do

we already know that ror was a primary force into shaping randall's mindset and behavior in monsters university. and with johnny being the leader of ror and like the most popular guy on campus, i think it's fair to say johnny had a huge influence on randall during his uni years, which would cultivate into the personality he's known for in monsters inc

bringing it back to maw, perhaps johnny would first try to think of ideas to rival laugh power through improving scream, but randall would come up with ideas that would involve playing dirty and flat out sabotaging mi. this would've been great for johnny, to damage the reputation of laugh energy and improve the views on fear co., and would've doubled as giving randall an opportunity to get back at mike and sulley. i mean of course he would go the vengeful route

with randall constructing the scream extractor in mi, we know he's not shy to the idea of getting what he wants by unsavory means and at the detriment of others, and he could've pushed this mindset on johnny. maybe johnny's morals would've made him refuse at first; i like to think that he truly didn't want to go through with it wanting to do what he's ways done at the company and get things the honest way, but randall would've taunted him and pushed him to follow through with it, tempting him by saying that by doing this, he'd be protecting scaring, scream energy, and his family's legacy. despite what his conscience was saying, he had to for the sake of the company, a mindset similar to waternoose. with randall influencing his judgment to get what he wants, i think johnny would've been pressured to make the decision to follow through with this plan in order to save face

my point being: johnny influenced randall, and in return, randall influenced johnny

and they both suffered the consequences

[streets-in-paradise]

Eternal Courtship - Achilles x (fem)Captive!Reader

Troy (2004) Oneshot

Requested by Anon

" hi dearr! Please a story of achilles, in which he falls in love with a woman in the middle of the war and shows his most sensitive side (in the achilles way)"

Abso-fucking-lutely!

I love this so much and hope I did your request justice. Like i told you in the answer of your ask, I got the idea of making her a captive because it's an easy way for them to meet in the middle of the war, but their dynamic is the opposite of the one he has with Briseis in the movie's canon.

Warnings: warrior x war captive romance with grumpy x sunshine vibes. It's implied that the war lasts a bit longer than in the movie, with a time gap happening between the arrival of the greeks/argument of Achilles and Agamemnon and the pacted combat of Paris and Menelaus. This fic is meant to take place in the course of that time gap.

Summary: The wrath of Achilles is a matter of grief for the greeks, but it comes like a ray of hope in your days as their captive. His absense on the battlefield is good news for your people at the other side of the wall, and a calming sign for you. Despite his countrymen are too focused on his pride as the major cause, you believe a warlord willing to risk so much for a simple slave girl is someone capable of performing noble acts.

Intrigued by the glimpses of that kindness he refuses to acknowledge, you approach him without fear and your guesses get confirmed. In your determination to prove that he has a heart, you fail to realize of your slow conquest of it, untill the proof you are looking for comes in the form of his passionate love.

Note: Inspired by a prompt by @creativepromptsforwriting

Prompt 9 - " Why do you always manage to persuade me with your charm? "

Tags: @thorsslxve

The greek army was marching, but the myrmidons had stayed. Their leader refused to take them to combat in protest for the humillation he suffered through the mistreatement of his stolen slave. Briseis, your companion in captivity, was dragged away to the tent of Agamemnon, and the things you have heard about that man were so vile that you feared for her fate more than yours. Her first master had given you to his cousin, a lad younger than you, and you would have never imagined he himself would bother that much for her. Still, he went as far as abstaining from fighting when she got taken away from him.

What happened on the tent of the mycenaean king was commented all over the camp. It was said that the angry myrmidon was about to kill the guards, fellow greeks on his side of the war, for that trojan girl he had just meet. In the language of men, Briseis wasn't different from a pile of gold. They spoke of insults on the honor of the invincible warrior being deprived of his reward as the cause of such mercieless reaction coming from his pride. Ríght after leaving the tent with evident frustration, Patroclus claimed his cousin was heartless for abandoning their countrymen over a distribution dispute. If captives were the issue, he was willing to give you back to him. After all, he didnt want a slave in the first place. You were the compensation he received for not being allowed to fight, a distraction Achilles wanted him to have so he won't insist on the matter.

Since he remained on his tent for the rest of the day, you were sent there as an unwanted present returned to its source. It was the first time you were going to be completely alone with Achilles, and you had a peculiar opinion on him.

To you, his recent actions couldn't be framed as a mere temper tantrum. For as much desperate as the greeks could be to get back his intervention on the war, all their defeats without him would be blamed on him. It was a huge risk for his reputation, that he took after nearly assasinating some fellow soldiers trying to protect a slave.

What the camp perceived as brutal selfishness were acts of great kindness in your perspective. The man you despised barely a few hours ago had won your respectfull admiration. Curiosity overcame any fears as you peeked inside his self reclusion shelter. Common sense would have suggested to approach with caution. Instead, you were standing there with a polite smile and a bowl of food.

He barely looked at you, too lost in hoarding anger.

" I'm not hungry. "

The dry treatment didn't stop you.

" A bit lonely, perhaps? " You sweetly inquirred. " Patroclus is worried for you, so he has decided to give you his present hoping to cheer you up over loosing Briseis. "

The explanation got him more interested in starting a conversation.

" Is that what he believes i'm all about? The reason of my rage? A toy the big bad king took from me and i can simply replace? " He mocked the presented assumption. " I promised that girl that I would keep her safe. I gave her my word, but Agamemnon spat on it. "

The response was fascinating, even better than what you imagined.

" I value your commitement to that promise, no other would have defended her as fiercely as you did. "

Achilles received the compliment with skepticism.

" You should have seen how repulsed she was by that. "

The warrior was pretending to be careless because he wanted to know your opinion. Used as he was to stumble with the hate of Briseis, your more docile attitude was hard to understand because you didn't seem scared enough to be pretending submission.

" I'm impressed, and quite confused. " You admitted as you took your first steps inside. " The destroyer of the temple didn't hesitate in spilling the blood of sacred servants, yet barely a few hours later he turned against his own kind to protect the last one standing. "

You paced arround the place seeking for a spot to leave your load, then passively invited him to check it by choosing one on his reach.

" Your countrymen think you are being recklessly selfish, but i believe otherwise. A man who risks so much for a war prisoner he just meet proves that he is more than the destruction he caused. "

The trusting bright in your eyes got him out of his absortion.

" I will have to break your childish illusions, girl : all i care about is glory. Agamemnon is denying me the recognition i deserve, breaking my pacts for me, and I can't allow it."

To that seriously delivered statement, all you did was releasing some light chuckles and proceed to deliver some sweet mockery.

" Sure, sir … Whatever you say. "

Never before a stranger had reacted to him in such a relaxed way. Hate would have been easier to deal with than your sweetness.

He had no weapons to fight it, only his sarcasm.

" Mind to explain what you find so amusing?"

You didn't mind to share your theory, impatient to see how he would react to it.

" Turns out you have a heart after all, and you are upset because i discovered it. "

Achilles gave you the cold look he would show for an enemy in a singular combat.

" I'm a ruthless killer, I would slaughter your entire family and feel nothing about it. "

The warning was completely effectiveless.

" You couldn't even handle my best friend to your king knowing he would be capable of raping her. " You reminded him. " And you gave me to your cousin already aware that he would respect me. "

Facts had spoken better than his words and he realized that your nice positivity wasn't foolishness.

" That doesn't change what i am, only tells you that I wouldn't hurt helpless women."

" And you think that's not important? In this war, particularly?" You recalled inmediately. " I heard other greeks cheering themselves up saying they would all sleep with the wife of a trojan to avenge Menelaus. If the spartan king lost control of his wife, then marriage as an institution is threatened. They need to kill Helen and rape as many trojan women as they can so the horror will keep their women at bay. "

Intrigued by the practical wisedown of your words, he tapped with his hands a spot for you to sit beside him. As you followed the command, you remembered the food served near him.

" Eat, I made it specially for you. "

Achilles looked at what appeared to be an exotic version of a lamb stew.

" Are you trying to win me over with trojan food? It's humanly impossible for you to be this kind after what I have done to you." He concluded his suspicious inspection. " What's the trick? Is it poisoned? Did you spat inside as you were making it? "

You were still looking at him so sweetly and he became even more disconcerted.

If he needed proof, you were more than willing of eating the food for him given all you had previously was the terrible dishes served for slaves.

" It lacks some of the proper spicing, but I worked hard on it, so i'm not going to let it go to waste. "

Your shocked master couldnt take his eyes off you, observing you eating as if you were back in your home.

" Is it good? "

" Could have been worse, at least I was given to a good man. " You commented on your situation instead of the dish. " One that would be willing to threaten his own countrymen and inmovilize his army if something wrong happens to me. "

The praise made him smirk.

" Lovely … Where do you find such niceness?"

You drank some of his own wine before replying.

" King Priam's philosophy is deeply based on the power of kindness. "

He stiffled a chuckle, fearing you may find his amusement insulting.

" He should reconsider the strategy, wars aren't won with kindness."

" No, but small gestures can make big differences. " You corrected him. " Look arround you : if Agamemnon wouldn't have proceeded with cruelty, he wouldn't have lost your support. It can also be said that the kind promise you did to Briseis has the potentiality to shift the course of the war. "

The myrmidon was speechless, understanding some logical reasoning behind the naive optimism.

" I'm still an enemy of Troy. "

To the dark reminder, you had yet another sweet comeback.

" We can still respect each other. "

Achilles didn't waited much to correct you.

" I believe respect is earned, not owed. "

For the first time in the talk he had trully managed to annoy you.

" Then you can accept that your infamous wrath has earned you my respects and eat your food. "

You got him under his same reasoning and he conceeded you the victory.

" Is there more of that for me to try? "

Achilles developed a clear verdict out of that first encounter. He did enjoy the food, but he liked you way more. Even when your mindsets and attitudes were completely opposite, the way you have choosen to work on that difference made him feel oddly good arround you. No accusations from a stance of moral superiority came from you. Instead, you were proving your higher morals with your everyday acts of mundane kindness. Sometimes he got the feeling that you weren't even really Interested in being the better person, since respect and reciprocity were more important to you than being ríght.

To be yelled at was way easier than adapting to your attentive behavior. Softness like yours was confusing, specially knowing it wasn't performative. You weren't a scared girl trying to appeal a master, those actions simply reflected who you were.

The mystery of how you kept clinging to you kindness in such an adverse context occupied his mind out of boredoom. His thought process constantly battled with the evidence of his everyday getting to know you, trying desperately to ignore he was at the edge of an infatuation.

Making him company wasn't a problem to you, since it was way more of a pleasant activity than doing slave chores on the camp. On good days, you would even manage to get him out of his tent for a walk on the beach at the hours that the ausence of all the other armies made the place more quiet.

Visiting Briseis was complicated even when Agamemnon wasn't near, but you managed to get news proving the protest had some effect. Her new master didn't lay hands on her and she confessed you she believed the man had no idea of what to do with her because he only took her to punish his political rival.

It would be a matter of time before you would reunite again and, once that would happen, you were planning to beg the myrmidon leader for your liberation. Your friend thought that keeping your hopes in that man so up was a mistake, but you were convinced that he could be willing to do the ríght thing. He was hard to deal with, but never cruel to any of you.

In your particular experience, you had no complains of his treatment. If you wouldn't be dressed in misserable clothes everytime you had to wash your only decent dress, you would be feeling as if you were getting to know a suitor that your parents had you promised to. It was a thought you often toyed with, a sort of secret fantasy making the shackles feel lighter.

With the only exception of his self naturalization of nudity, Achilles had behaved like a true gentleman and you were happy to reciprocate the good treatment. However, if he would protectively hold your hand during your incursions outside his tent, you would forget for an instant of the war going on and feel as if you were all alone in a process of eternal courtship.

For as much as he kept denying to have a caring heart, you were seeing it from a mile away. You understood he needed to keep the facade despite that was all it was. Appearances, his rougeness of warrior hidding his sweeter emotions. At the time most greeks were calling him heartless, blind to their suffering, he stopped making himself blind to the pain of the only ones in the camp they won't care about.

He turned his back against them, but showed you his heart.

Every night since you left the tent of Patroclus, the new routine with Achilles was having dinner together and sharing the límits of his tent to sleep. In the beggining, he allowed you to have your space and pick a corner to be away from him. That changed one rainy night, when the sound of thunder from outside made you seek shelter on him.

Achilles noticed inmediately how you approached in silence to snuggle against him like a scared child.

" Did your parents never told you that's just Zeus bringing his cheers to mortals? "

You looked up to face him, as if you were trying to justify yourself but couldn't come up with anything.

" They did, but that didn't change much … Thunder still frightens me. "

Darkness didn't hide from him the peculiar beauty of your pleading face and he simply couldn't resist it. Patience lead him to a good end and you were approaching him willingly. He felt you clinging to his firm body, using him for comfort in a sleepless night and begging with your eyes that he would let you in.

It was perfect, perhaps too perfect.

" Mind if we stay like this tonight?" In your cluelessness about his feelings, you finally asked. " The weather gets on my nerves. "

He dreamed of being so close to you, but would have cutted one of his hands before admitting such vulnerability.

" Why do you always manage to persuade me with your charm ? "

He got to hear more of your light chuckling thinking that, if he wouldn't be cautious about scaring you, he would have kissed you.

You started to relax arround him and that allowed you to explain yourself better.

" My uncle died in the sea, a bad storm wrecked the ship and very few survived to tell the story. Briseis' father was with him, loosing someone when we were so little brought us close and that's how we became friends … What I never told her is that I blamed myself for years because my father was meant to go in that travel too, but he had other business to attend in the city. "

The usually cheerfull tone of your voice turned sadly serious as you tried not to cry remembering that.

" Why did I got to have mine and she lost hers? Her uncle told us it was the will of the gods, … but it's all happening again. She is stucked with Agamemnon while i'm safe with you. "

He understood the reason of your guilt, but wasn't going to let you keep thinking on that.

" Lucky girl. " He purred in a raspy voice. " Do you like being with me? "

The crashing sounds outside made you grip him tighter and he rounded your waist with one arm. The poor garments you were wearing made it odd to the touch and he wished he would be feeling your skin instead. Following his sleeping habit, he was naked at least from the waist up, and he did noticed you developing a subtle curiosity for his body.

" You are nice. " Was your vague reply. " Patroclus was very dissapointed when we meet. "

It wasn't exactly what he was looking for, but he kept trying.

" Trust me, it wasn't your fault. You were a wonderfull gift, but my little cousin is the opposite of the mycenaean king. He wants to do all the work and doesn't care for the pay. I didn't let him fight that time, so being presented with a reward for doing nothing got him upset. "

You got his point, but cassually threw in another idea.

" Maybe i was too old for his taste. "

The moment stimulated him to share some of his own load in reciprocity for your previous confession.

" My father died in the battlefield and i'm doomed to share his fate, but I don't want that for him. "

You awkwardly moved your head so it would rest on his chest and he started playing with your hair. No word from you flowed within the action, fearing any interruption would have make him aware of his fallen mask.

" Had you ever felt so sure about what you want for your life, completely convinced of how you want it to be like, then one day everything changes and shakes every certainty you had? "

It was most likely he didn't think his words carefully, because that was literally your story.

" Well, while my friend became a priestess, I knew I wanted to be a wife. I told her I was not going to let our different paths separate us, so i have been asisting as a bystander in every religious ceremony she has been in. As a noblewoman, i was allowed to, so I did. "

He had a close idea of were the tale was going, but didn't dare to sarcastically interrupt it.

" Polydamas was heartbroken when he found out Briseis had choosen priesthood, so i reached to comfort him. I must have been very good in that, because he started seeking my company. Since them we had been flirting for a while and i told myself that was my call. He is a fine trojan warrior and a seer, a man of excellent reputation and a personal friend of Prince Hector … So, i believed my life was taking its course I was following his game untill courtship would lead to marriage. That was the life I had planned, untill one day your men invaded my friend's temple. "

You stopped for an instant, before the callout would get too obvious.

" Tell me about yours. What kind of perspective changer event is ruining your plans? "

Achilles felt relieved of not sensing the enthusiasm of an enamored girl in your description of that trojan noble you were mentioning. If he would have found out you were in love with someone else waiting for you at the other side of the wall, he would have felt a heartbreak for the first time on his life and he had no idea of how he would have reacted to that. He couldn't care less about the trojan possibly wanting you for a wife, as long as he felt you weren't convinced of wanting him.

" I found some light for my obscure existence. " He vaguely admitted you. " I stopped fighting and realized there is so much I gave away for it, so much i will never have, and maybe what I got from a lifetime of warrior isn't worthy … I wasted my life following the orders of that fool of a king. "

Your fingers were tracing the patterns of his muscles as if you seeked to relax him out of those troubled thoughts.

" I believe it's never too late to start over, if that's what you want. " You adviced. " Take me as example: i came to terms with the fact that I will never be the wife of some honorable warrior. I will never make my family proud, to them I will be a memory too painfull or to shamefull to keep alive ... And if by chance I return to them, i will become a load for my father's home, because no trojan will want to marry me knowing I have been the slave of a greek. "

Hearing you express disenchantment was very unusual, and it was killing him. He couldn't stand your sadness, feeling sure that he would have done anything to end it.

" You would have been the best wife a warrior could aspire to get. "

That kind praise meant a lot to you, so you moved up just a bit in order to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Achilles smirked, ready to tease you despite he felt the gesture was very proper of you.

" You call that a kiss? Had Polydamas never give you a real one ? "

His provocation surprised you, but you weren't alarmed about it.

" Most trojan noblemen flirt keeping some decorum. " You attempted to explain. " Despite what the Insidious imagery of the war suggests, Paris is an exception to the courtship conduct of a trojan man. "

The myrmidon glanced at your lips, then deep into your eyes.

" If you let me, I can show you a glimpse of what you have been missing. " He seductively offered. " I will gift you a nice memory you can use to fight the fears. Instead of thinking of your dead uncle, or the guilt you felt, you will think of me everytime you will hear the sky cracking."

Your most inmediate response was a nervous smile.

" Would you do that for me? "

His mouth was dangerously close to yours and you parted your lips to let him in without a thought. The taste was wonderfull and with every instant of your pleased reception, his passion increased. You were at his mercy, almost completely lost to the new sensations and he knew he could have done with you whatever he wanted, but he didn't.

The trail of kisses had reached your neck when Achilles rolled on top of you. He was trying to stretch the fabric of your clothes, fighting for access to more skin without having to undress you ríght away. At that moment he got to hate your replacement wearing given in captivity as much as you did. There were no decent women clothes in the camp, so you got what his men could find for a slave. He despised it, that thing didn't make your beauty justice like your dress did. You deserved better, you weren't just a slave. Not anymore, and he haven't feel like that with you in a good while.

He was in love with you, and he haven't dare to say the words. In your quest to find his heart, you had taken ownership of it without realizing how deep you were reaching. The emotional intimacy and your adictive sweetness had won him over.

For him, that was as new as the physical contact was for you. He was paying close attention to your every reaction, surprised that you let him get as far when he sneaked his hands underneath your clothes. His caresses followed the sides of your curves and your closed eyes got open wide out of surprise, but you were still smiling under him.

It was the loveliest vision and he got enraptured by it.

" You are so beautifull … " He whispered softly. " Such lovely girl. "

You easily melted to his praise.

" Really? "

The sound of your voice calmed some of his overtaking passion. He remembered of how trusting you were of his softer side, how firmly you believed he was a good man despite of his war crimes.

For as much strenght as it would take from him, he needed to control himself for you. It was too early to claim you completely.

" You are the light shinning before my darkness. "

Achilles gave you a peck on the forehead and retired his hands from your body to caress both of your cheeks. With one more deep kiss, he prepared to cradle you in his arms for the rest of the night.

It was the most thoughtfull proof of love he could have given to you, but he didn't stop there.

Days later some traders from Lemnos had arrived to ressuply the greek army of various articles, but they were loaded of other items they meant to sell somewhere else on the way back home. From them Achilles got you a beautifull dress worthy of a lady, that he made you wear on the first dinner he shared with his men since his wrath was unleashed. You considered that telling stories and singing songs was little price to pay for such magnificent gift, but the experience showed you something else.

He kept you by his side the whole time, as an honorable warrior would while showing off his beloved wife.

[brucewaynehater101]

"It's A Wonderful Life" AU with Tim and Jason

I only know the very basic premise of this movie, so we're going off of that.

Tw: death, suicide, violence

This could be a Titan's Tower AU, but I do think this could be a bit more fun after the BruceQuest.

Tim, who's had his support systems (even the JL ripped from him) and is seething in paranoia, gets cornered by Red Hood. The last time he saw Jason alone, he got a batarang to the chest (Battle of the Cowl). Tim has no reason to suspect this interaction will be friendly.

Red Robin is geared up for a fight. Red Hood has his hands up in surrender and far away from his hip holsters. It's not exactly reassuring (Jason can probably whip out his pistols in the same amount of time it takes Tim to grab a birdarang), but it does communicate that Jason isn't looking for a fight. Tim, who's one mental breakdown away from taking over Lex Corp for the hell of it, doesn't see this as a good sign. Why would Jason, the original Cain instinct, want to talk "peacefully" with his Placeholder? What's the aim?

Jason kind of just wants to apologize and is low-key concerned with how he's so isolated from everyone. He doesn't truly care about Tim, and he doesn't think it's his place/right/ability to be the support for the kid, but he can at least say sorry. Tim doesn't need to accept it, but he deserves the acknowledgement that it was indeed fucked up and not Tim's fault in the slightest. It's not much, especially with the scar on Tim's throat and the trauma, but it's a start. He still holds some resentment for the kid, but he's starting to learn that's more Jason and Bruce's fault than Tim's.

The conversation doesn't go great. Maybe Tim is being defensive and an asshole (which is fair since Jason's attacked him twice at least). Jason gets a little upset over this and snaps back (which is not what he's trying to do and counterproductive).

They get interrupted by this magician that sighs. They explain how fucking exhausting it is hearing them continue to misunderstand each other so they will show them what the world was like if Tim was never born.

Cue something similar to the movie I described. I haven't seen it, so here's what I think happens in that movie combined with this AU.

Tim and Jason stumble around Gotham at the current date in this alternative universe.

It's hell. They constantly run into crime on every corner, and there's no order.

They find out that Bruce had died within a year of Jason dying. Gotham fell to shambles due to Batman's declining reputation at that point. They had no hope and were hostile to any heroes that tried to help (due to the last hero they had turning on them). Gotham was eventually abandoned by the US government.

With his death, people found out Bruce Wayne was Batman. This causes Alfred to be sent to jail, and Dick could never return to Gotham. Dick only survived due to the Titan's refusing to let him destroy himself. He's still not okay.

Damian never came to Gotham cause Bruce had died. He's still set to become Ra's vessel, and no one (like Dick, the JL, Jason, etc) knows about this plot.

Jim Gordon was killed, and Barbara had to move out of Gotham.

Steph joined Helena for a bit. They made a kickass team, but they didn't survive to the current day.

Duke and his family moved out of Gotham before the gates closed, but he lost his parents in the escape.

Cass was never taught language.

Jason killed the Joker and then himself.

Anyways, Gotham goes to shit and Bruce kills himself on patrol (let's himself be hit and doesn't give himself needed rest). That's the basics of what they learned in this alternative universe.

This causes Tim to feel a bit better about all the sacrifices he made. He was vital and important to the Bats. He did good. He was necessary. It doesn't erase all the pain and hurt, but it boosts his self-esteem just a small bit.

Jason didn't realize the extent of what Tim did for them. He didn't realize the impact of Tim's decision and how he saved everyone. The two of them part, and Jason starts to uncover all the sacrifices the teen made.

Tw: suicide

If you want extra angst, maybe the magician reveals that Tim was planning to kill himself before he saw that Bruce needed him (thus the world is what happened if Tim went through with his OG plan). Tim has severely unhealthy coping mechanisms now, but his tendency to help people allows himself to feel needed. Lots to unpack there.

[stellaferous]

random things i dislike about how fans (mis)characterize lillie and gladion

this is a messy post so sorry about that and i made like 2 other posts similar to this on my profile if you scroll down

1. Lillie hating her mother. bruh i have no idea why people think this and they go ahead and draw art of her following this belief (like when people drew her in the cover of the book "Im Glad My Mom Died") LIKE LILLIE LITERALLY WANTS TO HELP LUSAMINE RECOVER AT THE END OF THE STORY???? SHE LITERALLY FORGIVES HER AND FOLLOWS HER THERE???? AND DID PEOPLE JUST FORGET THE EXEGGUTOR ISLAND SCENE??? god this mischaracterization is so bad because Lillie obviously does not hate her, i have my issues with Lillie following Lusamine to Kanto but i do think that she does genuinely love her mother because she sympathizes with the bad things that happened to her and she wants her to be given a chance to work to become a better person, but so many people just. make things up about Lillie which just doesn't fit in with her actual character, having headcanons is one thing but when the headcanon fundamentally mischaracterizes an important and obvious trait, expect people to say something about it

2. Gladion hating his mother. this happens more often and it pisses me off even more because Gladion's my favourite character and people are just diluting him to his "angsty aggressive" traits and generalizing his hatred of the harshness of this world to his mother. certainly he doesn't have a good relationship with her, to the point that he actively calls Lusamine "the president" instead of accepting her title as his mother, yet in every single universe he is shown to be a kind-hearted boy who is just frustrated at his circumstances, like he literally defends her reputation by acknowledging that the UBs made her fall from grace (especially in the manga, where he doesn't want ppl to think she's evil). he consistently puts his family over himself first, even if it comes at the cost of his own well-being, because he understands why Lusamine is the way she is and he's hurt by her and he wished this never happened and just like Lillie he wants to be a family with her again which is why he wrote that letter to her at the end of SM.

Gladion is not cruel and filled with grudges and heartless, he is kind and forgiving and this is consistently shown again and again but people refuse to see past his rather angsty and reserved demeanour and focus on his most surface level traits (which are also mischaracterized so he can fit into the neat box of some "edgelord angsty teenage boy" trope). he does not hate his mother. i repeat he does not hate his mother. he's saddened at the circumstances that caused her to turn into how she is now, and he is hesitant to fully trust her, yet it is with his acknowledgement of how this happened that he can't help but sympathize with Lusamine because he knows she didn't want this to happen either. my opinion on the aether family and their writing has slightly shifted over time, but i still belief that generally this family has nuance and doesn't have a clean neatly-tied ending where the big bad evil person is defeated and everyone who suffered is happy again

^^i think people mischaracterize the siblings this way because they too have abusive parents and find comfort in seeing fictional characters have a similar parent, and while their feelings are valid, the way they respond to the actions of their parents is certainly not the same as how the aether siblings responded to it, the canon source material is there and the fact they responded differently doesn't make the story automatically bad, or should be twisted in a way that disregards the actual context that takes place in the story. (to an extent i feel like the SM writers should've been more careful with the implications they signalled when the abused daughter who was supposed to be free from her abuser ended up following the abuser to help her recover, since this is a kid's story after all, but again i don't want people to think that there's only one correct way to react to abuse [aka their way] and every other way is deemed invalid)

3. Gladion being angsty. well he is angsty but not in a show-off over the top kind of way that many people portray, he's the quieter kind of angst who keeps these feelings to himself because he doesn't like attention and he's just trying to juggle his feelings in a world that he's frustrated and angry with because of how it treated him. he's a hurt boy who had to take matters to his own hands (even though he shouldn't need to, as he's a child) and despite how the world has consistently treated him he still shows the strength to be kind and forgiving and he apologizes when he directs his anger wrongfully and he's just trying to navigate the world while holding out hope in regards to his mother, even when everything else brings him down (cue the "lets bury our sorrow in the crowd" line). again his most obvious act of kindness is saving silvally from the aether foundation (which was what motivated him to leave in the first place), then wanting to protect his sister after the guilt of leaving her behind, and then wanting to sympathise with his mother for the unfortunate things that happened to her which resulted in her becoming the way she was. i just feel like gladion is more complex than people give him credit for

i really need to yap more on the aether family ESPECIALLY gladion, i feel like some of my older yap posts are a little bit outdated since my opinions changed slightly, but i still like to talk about the aether family because exploring their dynamics and their story of abuse and family is just really interesting imo

[jedischooldropout]

Rhaenyra’s Sexuality Adds More Context!🏳️‍🌈

Hello again, back with more opinions. I was thinking about Episode 2.06 and the reveal that Rhaenyra is also attracted to women. Some people are saying “this is out of nowhere.” It really isn’t.

In the first season, Rhaenyra brings Alicent to the dragon pit while she flies Syrax, even offers to take her for a spin, which Alicent refuses. Dragon riding is a very intimate thing. It’s a status of power for Targaryens and very exclusive. For Rhaenyra to offer that to Alicent, someone who is not a Targaryen, speaks volumes. She even mentions wanting to fly around the world with Alicent, enjoying life away from the throne.

Now, when Viserys reveals he will marry Alicent, Rhaenyra’s reaction seems more intense than expected. Yes, she feels lied to and it’s VERY gross to think of your father marrying your best friend. However, she harbors such animosity towards Alicent and towards baby Aegon, this to me screams jealously. She’s furious that the woman she loves is married to her father and is having his children. I also believe that Rhaenyra’s coldness towards Aegon also has to do with the succession, but I think the heart of it is that every time she looked at Aegon reminded her of Alicent fucking someone else. I think Rhaenyra would feel this way towards anyone who married Alicent.

This also raises the question why Alicent had no suitors before Viserys. Yes, Otto was grooming his daughter for the throne. However, in medieval times, if you were a lady-in-waiting for a Princess, it was part of the Princess’s job to find you a suitable match. How come Rhaenyra didn’t do this for Alicent?

Rhaenyra’s search for a suitor also highlights the fact that she loved Alicent. On her tour, she only travels for a couple months and in the end insults the men who put their names forward and returns home immediately. After she returns home, she reconciled with Alicent! She acknowledges that Alicent didn’t have much of a choice in what happened. It’s like she had a realization after experiencing being a pawn in the suitors own motivations that she realizes what Alicent went through.

Now, the catalyst of this whole thing: the accusation. I truly believe this is what causes the Dance because when Alicent hears of Rhaenyra’s dalliance with Daemon, she is furious. She is not coming to Rhaenyra as a friend, concerned for her reputation and offering to help her; she is coming to her as a woman scorned and demanding if the accusations are true. It reminded me of seeing couples accusing each other of cheating. I know Alicent’s whole thing is about duty and honor, but her reaction is way more intense than just approaching a friend about a one night stand. It becomes Alicent’s mission to prove Rhaenyra’s promiscuity, like a suspicious partner checking their partner’s phone. It’s after this that Alicent splits the family apart and makes it her mission to take the throne from Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra also did everything in her power to avoid a war. She offers a marriage between Jace and Helaena. Her reckless plan to talk to Alicent in King’s Landing shows just how much she still loves Alicent and wants to reconcile. The fact Alicent didn’t turn her in also shows how much she still loves her.

I think Rhaenyra was bi-sexual this whole time and her love for Alicent motivated her to spurn her half-siblings. Meanwhile Alicent’s closeted feelings for Rhaenyra caused her to harbor anger towards her. If these two women had just kissed, they would be one happy family right now 🤷‍♀️

GIF from @gameofthrones

[anshares]

Once upon a time, there was a prince most beloved by all.

He was highly doted on by everyone but especially so by two men: his older brother, His Majesty the Emperor, and by his secret suitor, a childhood friend by the name of He Xuan.

By all accounts, Prince Qingxuan should have a blessed life. Unfortunately it was nothing but a wretched beginning,with a wretched end.

His brother, wary of him vying forthe crown, kept him on a tight leash, while the other man in his life perished on the battlefield. To live your life in a guilded birdcage, that is the tale of this prince.

Click more for full plot!

ROYALTY AU (M/M Flavor Beefleaf)

Shi Qingxuan is a royal prince, brother of Shi Wudu the emperor who is known to be a tyrant

He Xuan comes from a military family but he refuses to practice the sword and prefers to read instead.

They first met in the palace as kids when HX was accompanying his father to a meeting and he explored the palace grounds while he waited for his father.

He is reading by the garden and meets SQX there who is playing hooky from royal lessons and from that moment on they become friends. (SQX the talker and HX the listener). Emperor Shi Wudu, seeing that his brother favors this kid, assigns him as his playmate.

Then one day SQX got kidnapped by rebels, HX tried to rescue SQX and found him after a day. They managed to escape from the kidnappers but were found by one of the rebels,

they tried to run as fast they could and managed to lose the guy chasing them but SQX sprained his ankle so HX had to piggyback SQX

luckily they were found by the royal guards and the rebels who dared kidnapped the Tyrant Emperor’s only brother were executed and put on display in the plaza.

Emperor Shi Wudu awards the He family for what their youngest son did and officially appointed HX as SQX future retainer and personal guard, SWD acknowledges how smart He Xuan is and was impressed by his bravery,

he saw potential in him and to HX dismay he has to learn the way of the sword which SQX teased him over because he kept whining about it during their breaks or sparring sessions.

As they grow up they become inseparable and people talk about how incompatible they are, like how the young prince who is beloved by everyone is with this gloomy person but it works. They are closer as ever CLOSER than anyone thinks.

They sometimes have a rendezvous in the library where they “study” or at the garden where SQX likes picking his favorite berries. SQX feeds HX one and he sucks the leftover juice in SQX finger which leaves him flustered.

The truth is they have been in a relationship for years now but they just hide to protect SQX reputation, as their genders and status won't let them be accepted by society and it will cause quite a scandal.

Hx and sqx also have talks on having life outside the palace and he sees that sqx is not really fond of palace life, and sqx admits that there are times where he just wants to run away from it all but he can't

Contrary to popular belief, emperor swd is known as a tyrant and his brother is no exception to the treatment. As his brother constantly watches sqx every move and punishes him even for the slightest mistake,

making sqx doubt himself and belittling him to the point where sqx life is controlled by swd.

This makes sqx be easily influenced that he himself even forgets he has choices on the matter.

All he knows is that his brother controls his fate, his marriage and as a prince he has a duty to his country, he can't entertain selfish thoughts which is why these few moments of reprieve where he could spend his time with his lover dreaming about life outside the palace is all he could do,

there's nothing bad with just dreaming inside his gilded cage with his lover by his side, he feels like he can soar free.

Even with HX gloomy countenance he is quite popular among the ladies that there were also rumors how HX is gonna be engaged to a woman he is usually seen with and visits his house

but in truth he just treats the girl as a younger sister and is actually from the family where his own sister is getting engaged to.

During a marriage interview where SQX meets with his possible marriage candidates he meets the rumored girl as she was part of the selection. She asked about HX to SQX and disclosed her true feelings about HX.

SQX assumes that something is going on between them and with how the rumors are, SQX gets worried about this so he asks about it to He Xuan, HX assures him that nothing is going on between him and the lady.

SQX is a little bit jealous so HX smirks and “do you want me to show you how much I love his highness” and they proceed to have a passionate night where they assure each other that they are the only ones they will love and be loyal too.

They actually talk about running away from the capital and just settle down in a rural village without their statuses getting in the way they'll just be Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan, just 2 normal people but skirmish/war with the rebel army happens so they have to draft up every son in each family.

It is also perfect opportunity for Shi wudu to get rid of a pest that might ruin his brother’s reputation because he learned of his brother's growing affection for HX since a palace maid witnessed one of their “study” sessions

so he dispatches him to the front lines at the border where he is the appointed strategist. SQX is not aware that SWD knows about their secret tryst.

Before HX leaves, SQX makes him promise to come back alive because he has something to tell him, HX asks why wouldn't he just tell him now SQX says it isn't the right time and at least he will have motivation to come back as soon as he can to the capital.

He was actually going to tell him “I love you” since they hadn’t said it to each other yet, SQX also requests that he write often, HX does but it gets intercepted by SWD and alters the contents so it'll look like HX is gradually changing his mind about their relationship.

Unfortunately HX dies in war with a lot of arrows in his back (like the visual in bloody festival) he tries to get back to camp but with his heavy injuries he won't survive,

he knows this but still tries because he promised SQX he will come back, he hasn't heard what SQX wants to say yet and it seems important.

SQX won't hear news of his death, Shi wudu will keep it under wraps and make up a story on why HX is getting transferred. He tried to ask around and find out why HX hasn't come back yet even though the war is over.

All SWD said was for their service to the country the He family was granted a piece of land to a far away place. HX decided to settle there and get married which was impossible since HX promised SQX,

did he change his mind after being away from each other for years, is this why his letter gradually stopped and the contents were not as sweet as they were during the first year.

SQX can't go out and check it out himself with no good reason, so he look at records and stuff everything checks out, he is hurt but he is glad that at least HX is alive and well somewhere even tho far away from him,

SQX doesn't want to get in the way of HX happiness even if they grew far apart from each other so he decides to let him go but SQX doesnt know that the reward also doubles as compensation for the grieving family and that the family decided to leave the capital because of painful memories.

At the end SQX monologues if it was a sin of falling in love with HX since they are both men and how he wishes in the next life he can love him freely without their status getting in the way and being condemned by society.

Epilogue:

SQX finally gets to go out for inspection and it's in the city where He Xuan's whole family relocated he was all cheerful like even tho HX is probably married now at least he can still visit as his friend as long as he is happy and healthy even if it wasn't with him that's all that matters

so when he asks the parents where he xuan is…. it got sus cuz why the home is so gloomy then he sees the family shrine…..with He Xuan's tablet in it.

SQX is shocked and can't believe what he is seeing because how could that be?? Were all the things his brother said to him are lies all these years….

Sqx didn't even know he had already lost hx years ago, did he die swift and painless, did they find the body in the battle field and give him a proper burial. He wasn't even able to give his lover respects and he couldn't even see him one last time because of her brother's intervention.

What about those letters then? Were they really from he xuan??

and then realizes it's indirectly his fault. He connects the dots and realizes that it's swd's fault but the blame doesn't just falls on his brother but also him for he wasn't strong enough to defy his brother,

didn't fight harder to ensure his lover's safety, he shouldn't have been ignorant, he should've have been more observant, he should've been more…..Then hx mom interrupted his spiraling thoughts as she noticed how pale and shocked the prince looked.

Hx mother knows how close she is with her son so finding out hx this way is shocking.

" Your highness, I wanted to let you know that he died honorably in battle protecting the city and its people.

They were able to find his body and give him a proper burial.

I can't thank the emperor enough for bringing my son home. Also I wanted to give you this, it was one of A-xuan's belongings, a journal. I think it may be best if his highness hold on to it."

After he paid his respects and did his exception he left the city with a heavy heart he didn't expect this outcome. As he journeys back to the capital, he opens HX journal. Its full of entries of hx listing everything that reminded him of sqx,

like how he saw the wildflowers that he used to collect for him to make into a crown as kids, how a nervous soldier reminded him of sqx's inability to lie, how he noticed sqx's influence in choosing the meals sent to the soldiers, etc.

Growing up as royalty he was thought to have a good handle on his emotions but he couldn't after reading the journal and so he broke down,

he sobbed and called out to he xuan even though he knows no one will answer anymore when he calls out the name. He just lets out all his grief, anguish and love lost.

When he calmed down he made a promise that he will devote himself to serving the people better so that they're not left at his brother's mercy and tucks the journal safely back to his sleeves as he sees the capital over the horizon.

-THE END-

[luminacerin]

!!WARNING: SPOILERS FOR MDZS!!

AITIA for marrying my wife knowing she was my half sister to appease my father then proceeding to kill our only child?

I (M??), married my half sister (F??). For a little backstory, I am the bastard son of my father (M??). My mother was a well established prostitute who had a short lived fling with my father. After their communion, he left her a Pearl as a token.

After my mothers death I came to visit my father to request his acceptance. Unknowingly, it was my half brother (M??) birthday as well, my father refused to acknowledge my existence.

Fast forward a few years in the midst Sunshot Campaign I became an important figure in the destruction of the Wen Clan due to my usefulness as an informant. As I was the one who landed the finishing blow towards Wen Chao, winning me part of my fathers approval.

I also met a Girl who I saved during this time, who I would later learn was my half sister. We consummated our marriage before the ceremony was held, which I deeply regret.

This is the part where I may be the asshole.

My fiancé’s mother came to me revealing that my fiancé was not actually her husbands daughter, but instead my fathers daughter and a result of rape.

Making her my half sister.

Afraid of causing a falling out with my father who had only just approved me as his son, I continued with our marriage with the knowledge of knowing she was my half sister. I did not engage in any intimacy following this revelation.

I would soon learn my now half-sister/wife was pregnant. Fearing what may happen, I murdered said infant before he could show signs of being the product of incest. This ruined my wife.

My wife recently received a letter revealing that she is my half-sister and is currently freaking out. I have tried to soothe her by explaining my side of the story as well as the fact I’ve treated her well and that this was the best for both of our reputation.

AITA?

UPDATE: Thank you for your feed back. She just killed herself.

[kfaem]

Love and Deepspace; when their S/O is a kpop idol

notes: brrr new fandom lets go. also yes i went MIA but hey im not like dead

the boys when MC is an idol :) this is self indulgent. im a zayne girlie but i got carried away with raf lol. im tired so this is unedited, poorly written, no structure, and kinda just rambling

Rafayel:

here me out

he was a fan for the longest time, creating multiple pieces based off of you and your likeness

you and your members go to one of his exhibitions and when you make eye contact he's immediately in love more than he was before

kinda in a weird way

but when you approach him first he's in shock and doesnt know what to do

after the initial talking period and when the relationship starts he acts like his normal self

attends every concert and fan meeting

spends hundreds of dollars on your albums, collecting your photocards and solo posters

brags about being your boyfriend on sns and your manager tries to get him to stop

thomas is so embarrassed everytime your manager reaches out and begs him to calm down cause its a bad image

doesnt care about the reporters, is willing to fight with elites over you and your reputation

he's a simp but is also kinda mean sometimes lol

is jealous when you go live and refuse to respond to him to at least an hour and makes his presence known in your chat

i find the image of the matching outfits, couples goals posts on sns, and articles where he names you his muse to just be so <3333

Xavier

You guys bumped into each other at a convenience store, both reaching for the same bag of chips

both flustered with red cheeks, you let him have it and apologized

awkward

so, so very awkward

both of you are stuck in a awkward, silent encounter and neither of you want to say anything

one of your members comes over to see whats taking you so long and realizes that you're in a standoff with a cute blond and decides to play cupid

it worked

you two end up becoming good friends, and then eventually some sort of situationship

he doesnt want to damage your career and acknowledges that you both dont have time to spend with each other

but still acts as a loving boyfriend, buying your albums, concert tickets, merch, birthday specials etc.

then when you guys go on a snack run, a reporter recognizes you and within the week you're caught up in dating rumours

deciding that you guys couldnt avoid the truth, the situationship turned into a real relationship

doesnt really make a big deal out of your relationship or your popularity. would rather spend your guys' spare time reading together, watching movies, eating good food and relaxing

the media eventually forgets but the fans dont

they love every piece of media that ever gets showed, glimpses of xavier in mirrors, reflections on water, glasses, windows. mentions of a lover in interviews when asked what inspired you

just a loving boyfriend who tries to give you a sense of normalcy outside of the flashing lights

Zayne

Childhood friends

he hates your career and how much soul it has taken from you, but also acknowledges that you love what you do and are willing to risk your health and privacy

zayne is the king of situationship lmao

dates all the time, dinners at small restaurants hiding in booths in the far corners since you both like to be alone, together

your members genuinely dont understand how hes "not your boyfriend"

has lingered on music video shoots, using his title as your personal doctor to not raise any eyebrows

doesnt go out of his way to buy your albums but... if hes at a corner store and sees it, he'll buy it. or two. or three.

keeps one of your photocards and a normal picture of you in his wallet, grayson found it on the floor in his office once after it fell out of his wallet and he could never live it down

the entire hospital staff knows but wouldnt say anything for fear of their life

always sending messages no matter what side of the world youre on. Please remember to eat, drink water, and rest as much as you can. Too much strain on your body can cause long-term side effects.

buys tickets to your concerts, trying to hold back his smile as you glow on the stage while performing in front of your many fans

yeah he gets jealous

wont say it

and you can barely tell

but the chill that fills the room when another idol hugs you and is being overly touchy is so very much obvious and has people rushing to do something else

a reporter approaches him and tries to ask about your dating life. he shuts them up with a glare. the reporter doesnt even dare publishing that article.

your fans have a basic idea of what zayne is to you, but they respect you enough to not make a scene of it.

then one of your members gets drunk on a live and asks about your boyfriend and it comes unravelled

you post a picture with him, captioned with a heart, and its never brought up again

has brought your fans food and drinks whenever they set up cafe events for support

he appreciates everything that your fans do for you and has asked them to take care of you when hes not around

your relationship is never actually made official but yall live together when you arent required to be at the dorms and own like two cats so idk

still the caregiver that we love

[kaithesillygoose]

KARASUNO THIRD YEAR ANGST HEADCANONS

TW: abuse, neglect, suicide attempt, self harm, depression, illness, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, alcoholism, drug abuse, death of loved ones, panic attacks

DAICHI: - his father is frankly an alcoholic and likely on types of drug more often than not. - he’s made it his job to keep the man away from his younger siblings, though that means that he takes far more punishments so they don’t have to - his father is lowkey abusive towards him, especially since he found out Daichi was queer (bisexual transmale) - mental health isn’t the best but he ignores that - has considered self harm multiple times and scares himself with how dark the thoughts get some nights - emotionally unavailable often, not at all connected with his feelings and emotions - was taught from a really young age that showing emotions (esp negative ones) showed weakness - his mother died when he was a kid, and his stepmother is either oblivious or ignores how his father treats him - he resents her for this although she’s never actually done anything directly to him - probably has undiagnosed AuDHD - doesn’t have many medical resources available for things like his asthma and his joint issues - doesn’t entirely understand Asahi’s anxiety as he was raised in a way that didn’t allow him to show any form of fear so he just pushes his own away - this has caused many arguments between the two because he just can’t understand Asahi’s point of view - ^^^ absolutely hates this - insomniac - doesn’t sleep well/at all for days on end and it really affects his mental health and mood, it’s more obvious to others than he realises - refuses to ask others for help or open up to them, even when he desperately needs it. suga had to force daichi to open up about sometimes the smallest things - skips meals often - doesn’t think he ‘needs’ them - ^^ his weight is one of his biggest insecurities - he had an eating disorder throughout part of junior hight - yui and hayato monitored what he ate for weeks after they found out

KOUSHI: - has two present parents but isn’t that close with them - his father cares more for his work than his family. his mother tries her hardest to be fair to them both but she fails often in koushi’s eyes - loves his younger brother but hates how he partially resents him for always being his parents favourite - his brother has a lot of medical issues so his mother always doted over him and left koushi in the care of his elderly grandmother - when his grandmother passed his parents hardly acknowledged it and he found that infuriating - used to overwork himself to be the top of his class in school to get his parents to notice him more (they never did) - continues to overwork himself throughout high school for any form of validation - always exerted himself in social situations and built a large social life for himself to avoid being at home and to not feel ignored - daichi and asahi were the first friends he made where he actually felt seen - his father is lowkey homophobic but only shows it behind closed doors in off-handed comments - ^^ his father cares about his reputation more than his family - his main worries and impacts on his mental health started during first year when he realised how bad Asahi and Daichi’s were - he was so scared over them hurting themselves or worse - genuinely didn’t know what to do and ended up having his first panic attack over it and several more

ASAHI: - his father passed in an accident before he was born, his mother passed away from an illness a few years later - was raised by his much older (by 11 years) sister - his sister doesn’t have any mental/mental health issues/disabilities. if their parents were still alive she would have been a glass child - often wanders what it would be like if he actually did have parents - absolutely hates mothers’/fathers’ day, and days at school where people bring in their parents. (always does something with his sister on mothers’ day without fail) - feels really guilty over how his sister had to raise him instead of living her years as a young adult - his sister works abroad most of the year, so he spends most of his time alone - was very lonely as a child - struggled to make friends his whole life, and was pretty severely bullied most of his life too - this bullying only stopped in highschool after Daichi and Suga ‘adopted’ him - ^^ this quickly turned into rumours rather than bullying - the rumours really get under his skin and affect how he sees himself (doesn’t like how he looks anymore, already low self worth plummeted) - used to self harm throughout the end of his junior high years and the beginning of high school. quitting was much harder than he had expected. - attempted in his first year at some point, everything just got too much for him and he needed it to stop. he overdosed on sleeping pills. It didn’t work, he woke up disoriented and sore hours later. He didn’t plan on telling anyone until Daichi and Suga forced him to open up. - the time he took off from volleyball he also took off from school in general. it was a longer depressive episode. - the comments he got after returning, even if they were just jokes, really got to him - to the point where he questioned coming back the next day or ever - he hates how daichi can’t understand his anxiety even though he knows it’s not daichi’s fault. he hates even more how there are some days he resents him for it

[shiorihyugawrites]

The Legendary Black Cat

Selena de la Rosa, known across Marley as the Legendary Black Cat, is the world's deadliest assassin—a master of agility, precision, and deception. When Marley turns against her, she is shipped to Paradis as a living weapon, chained and drugged, with her survival all but assured to be short-lived. But Selena is no ordinary prisoner.

Bound by no one, loyal to none, Selena plots her next move, determined to seize her freedom by any means necessary. Yet, her plans are complicated by the Scouts who captured her, particularly Captain Levi Ackerman—the so-called Humanity's Strongest Soldier. Selena is intrigued by his strength and reputation, but her pride refuses to acknowledge him as her equal.

Caught between Levi’s unrelenting gaze, Selena plays a dangerous game of manipulation. She’s biding her time, but when the moment comes, will her calculated escape bring her freedom—or will her path collide violently with Levi’s unwavering resolve?

The Black Cat has always landed on her feet, but for the first time, she might meet her match. (Levi x OC)

Chapter Seven

The camp was a mess, a patchwork of injured soldiers and hastily repaired equipment, the aftermath of Selena’s earlier rampage still evident in the tense atmosphere. The remaining members of the Survey Corps were doing their best to recover, but the unease in the air was unmistakable. When Levi, Erwin, Hange, and the rest of the squad finally emerged from the forest, dragging their prize in tow, the sight of Selena bound and gagged was both a relief and a source of fresh apprehension.

Survey Corps members paused their tasks to stare as the infamous Black Cat was carried into camp, slung over Levi’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Even in her restrained state, her presence was intimidating. Bound with thick cuffs, her arms and legs restrained, and a gag tied tightly around her mouth, Selena was still struggling. Her eyes burned with a feral determination, and the way she twisted and squirmed against Levi’s iron grip made it clear she hadn’t given up.

“She’s… terrifying,” one scout whispered, stepping back nervously as Levi walked past.

“She’s just one person,” another muttered, though his voice wavered. “How did she cause so much damage?”

Levi ignored the murmurs, his focus entirely on getting Selena secured. He could feel her tense muscles as she twisted and writhed, trying to loosen his grip. But she was exhausted, and Levi’s strength was unyielding. She was going nowhere.

Selena’s mind, however, was anything but still. She was already calculating, analyzing, searching for the slightest crack in their defenses. She had escaped before, and she would do it again. This wasn’t over.

Inside one of the larger tents, Levi placed Selena down none too gently on the dirt floor, her body landing with a dull thud. Her poison-green eyes shot daggers at him, her muffled growl of frustration earning only a raised brow from the Captain.

“We’re not doing this again,” Levi muttered, pulling out heavy chains. “Hange, help me secure her.”

Hange grinned as she stepped forward, still rubbing her bandaged hand where Selena had bitten her. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

The two of them worked quickly, ensuring Selena couldn’t move an inch. This time, they weren’t taking any chances. Thick chains wrapped around her torso, pinning her arms to her sides, while additional restraints locked her ankles together. Levi forced her into a kneeling position, the weight of the chains keeping her firmly in place. Even gagged, Selena’s glare was pure venom, her defiance radiating from her like heat.

“She looks mad,” Hange observed cheerfully. “You think she’s plotting something?”

“She’s always plotting something,” Levi replied, tightening the final chain with a harsh tug. He crouched in front of Selena, meeting her gaze with an unflinching glare of his own. “Go ahead. Try to move. I dare you.”

Selena didn’t take the bait, but her narrowed eyes and the faint twitch of her fingers told him she was testing the chains already. Levi stood, brushing the dirt off his hands as he turned to Erwin.

“We need to take her back to HQ,” he said firmly. “A real cell. Underground. Somewhere she can’t pull any of her tricks.”

Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I’ll arrange for a carriage. But first…” He stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Selena’s. “I want to speak with her.”

Levi crossed his arms. “She’s not going to listen.”

“She doesn’t have to listen,” Erwin said, his tone calm but resolute. “But I’m not giving up on her.”

Erwin crouched down to Selena’s level, his expression softening slightly as he regarded her. “Selena,” he began, his voice steady but not unkind. “You’ve made it clear you don’t trust us, and I understand why. But you’ve seen what Marley is capable of. You’ve been their weapon for over two decades. You know the kind of destruction they bring.”

Selena’s eyes remained cold, her body tense as she glared at him through the gag. Erwin continued, undeterred.

“We’re not your enemy. We don’t want to control you. We want to give you the freedom to fight for something bigger than yourself. You’re skilled, intelligent, and resourceful. You could help us change the world.”

At that, Selena let out a sharp, muffled laugh through the gag. Her shoulders shook with amusement, her eyes flashing with mockery. Erwin glanced at Levi, who sighed heavily and reached down to remove the gag. The moment it was off, Selena’s laughter filled the tent, sharp and derisive.

“Change the world?” she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Do you hear yourself, Commander? You sound just like the generals in Marley. They promised change too, remember? All they did was destroy lives—mine included.”

Erwin frowned but didn’t interrupt. Selena’s voice grew sharper, her anger spilling over. “You’re no different from them. You think you’re righteous because you’re on the other side of the battlefield, but you’re the same. Power-hungry men, playing games with people’s lives.”

She leaned forward as much as the chains would allow, her poison-green eyes boring into his. “I don’t care about your war. I don’t care about your cause. All I care about is the freedom that was stolen from me. And I’ll die before I let anyone take it from me again.”

The tent fell silent, her words hanging heavy in the air. Erwin didn’t respond immediately, his expression thoughtful as he regarded her. Levi, however, was less patient.

“Enough,” he said, stepping between them. “She’s not interested, Erwin. Let’s just get her out of here before she tries to burn the place down.”

Selena smirked up at him, her defiance undimmed. “Smart choice, Capitán. You might actually survive this if you keep your head on straight.”

Levi ignored her as he turned to Hange. “Get the carriage ready. We’re leaving as soon as possible.”

As Hange nodded, she and Erwin  hurried out of the tent, Selena leaned back against the chains, her mind already working. 

Levi didn’t move from his position near the entrance, his sharp gray eyes never leaving Selena. The last time he underestimated her, she had slipped free, left half his squad in shambles, and humiliated him in the process. He wasn’t about to let that happen again.

Selena’s eyes flicked briefly to Levi, then back down to the dirt beneath her knees. She should have killed him. She should have killed all of them when she had the chance. She despised the thought of killing, but it was the one thing she was good at—the one thing that had kept her alive all these years. If she’d been less sentimental, less empathetic, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

Her jaw clenched as she recalled her hesitation. Most of the scouts were young—too young, in her eyes. Children. And despite everything she had endured, she had a soft spot for kids. Even when Marley demanded she do the unthinkable, she had drawn the line at harming children. No one had protected her when she was young, but she had always vowed to protect others from the horrors she’d faced.

But now that sentimentality had landed her in chains.

Levi leaned against the wooden support beam of the tent, his posture deceptively relaxed, though his hand rested on the hilt of one of his blades. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a cold intensity. He wasn’t going to look away for even a second. He could see the wheels turning in Selena’s head, the subtle tension in her body as she plotted. Whatever she was planning, Levi was determined to be ready for it.

“Plotting something?” Levi asked, his voice low but cutting through the silence like a knife.

Selena’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. “Always,” she replied, her voice hoarse but tinged with defiance. “You should know that by now, Capitán.”

Levi’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Doesn’t matter. Whatever you’re thinking of trying, it won’t work.”

Selena laughed softly, though the sound was strained. “We’ll see about that.”

Her mind shifted to their fights, replaying every clash of blades, every dodge, every strike. Levi was unlike anyone she’d faced before—quick, precise, and maddeningly adaptable. She’d caught him off guard during their first fight, her 100 Cuts of Pain overwhelming him and leaving him barely standing. But the second time… he had adapted. She could still see his movements in her mind’s eye, the way he had blocked the majority of her strikes, neutralizing the technique she had spent years perfecting.

He learns too fast, she thought, her frustration mounting. But that doesn’t make him invincible.

Selena had spent her entire life perfecting her techniques which were created on the spot in moments of extreme stress and desperation. Her mind was a forge, sharpening ideas under the heat of survival. If she studied Levi long enough, analyzed their fights in every detail, she was confident she could develop a counter. It was only a matter of time.

Levi, meanwhile, could see the subtle shifts in her expression, the flicker of determination in her eyes as she stared at the ground. “Whatever you’re working on in that head of yours,” he said, his tone dry, “it’s not going to save you.”

Selena glanced up at him, her smile returning. “That’s what you think.”

“You’ve already lost,” Levi shot back, his voice cold. “You’re not getting out of those chains.”

Selena raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with mockery. “Lost? Is that what you think? I escaped, didn’t I? Twice. If that’s losing, then what do you call your record, Capitán?”

Levi didn’t rise to the bait, though his jaw tightened slightly. “You’re in chains now. And I’m not making the same mistake again.”

Selena’s smirk widened slightly, though her muscles burned under the weight of her restraints. Her body was screaming for rest, but her mind refused to yield. She wasn’t done—not by a long shot.

“You’re good,” Selena admitted, her tone softening slightly. “One of the best I’ve faced. But even the best have limits.”

“So do you,” Levi replied, his eyes narrowing.

Selena chuckled softly. “We’ll see whose limits break first.”

Levi didn’t respond, but he remained rooted in place, his gaze fixed on her like a hawk watching its prey. No matter what trick she thought she had up her sleeve, no matter how clever or resourceful she was, Levi was determined to stop her. He’d underestimated her before, and it had cost him. But not this time.

Selena’s smile faded slightly as she shifted against the chains, the cold metal biting into her skin. She was tired, but she wasn’t beaten. She never would be. Keep watching me, Capitán, she thought. One of us will slip, and it won’t be me.

The silence between them stretched on, heavy with unspoken tension. Levi didn’t look away, and neither did Selena. The room felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. 

But she knew her time was running out. The scouts would transport her to a more secure prison soon, and once she was deep underground, surrounded by stone and guards, her chances of escape would plummet. She needed to act now.

Her mind, as sharp as any blade she wielded, began to race. Selena was no stranger to impossible situations. She had survived Marley’s brutal assassination program, faced down Titan shifters, and taken on the Survey Corps with nothing but her wits and stolen blades. She had always found a way out, and this time would be no different. But as her thoughts churned, her green eyes flicked to the man standing guard over her—Levi.

The Capitán.

His eyes hadn’t left her since the others had gone to prepare for her transport. His gray eyes stayed locked on her, cold and calculating, his hand resting on the hilt of one of his blades. Selena could see the tension in his shoulders, the rigid line of his jaw. 

If she was going to escape, she would have to get through him first.

Selena tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. She shifted her weight as much as the chains would allow, leaning forward just enough to draw his attention.

“You’re really going to stand there all night, Capitán?” she asked, her voice low and sultry. “You don’t trust your comrades to watch me this time?”

Levi didn’t blink, his expression impassive. “Not a chance.”

Selena’s smirk widened. “Smart man. I like that about you.” She let her voice soften, her tone taking on a teasing edge. “I’ve been thinking about our kiss, you know.”

Levi’s brow twitched slightly, but his face remained unreadable. “Is that so?”

“Mm,” Selena hummed, her green eyes glinting with mischief. “It was... intriguing. Don’t you think? I mean, I could feel the anger behind it, but there was something else, too. Passion, maybe?”

Levi’s lips tightened into a thin line. “If you’re trying to get a rise out of me, it’s not going to work.”

“Oh, come now, Capitán,” Selena purred, leaning as far forward as the chains would allow. “I think you enjoyed it. Just a little. Enough to make you wonder what it might be like without all this... hostility between us.”

Levi didn’t even flinch. “You done?”

Selena frowned slightly, her seductive smile faltering for a moment before she composed herself. “Fine. You’re not the type to be swayed by charm. I respect that. But there’s more than one way to get what I want.”

Her tone shifted, her voice growing colder, sharper. “You know,” she said, her green eyes narrowing, “I’ve faced men like you before. Soldiers. Warriors. They all think they’re invincible. Unbreakable. But they’re not. Everyone has a weakness.”

Levi raised an eyebrow, his tone dry. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

Selena tilted her head, studying him like a predator sizing up its prey. “Not scare you, Capitán. But maybe make you think. You’ve seen what I can do. You’ve fought me twice and barely walked away both times. And I wasn’t even at my best.”

Levi’s eyes hardened, but he didn’t respond, his silence only fueling Selena’s intensity.

“You think these chains are going to hold me?” she continued, her voice low and venomous. “You think you’ve won? I could escape right now if I wanted to. I could take down half your squad before you even realized what was happening. I’m the Black Cat, Capitán. You don’t tame someone like me. You can only hope to survive.”

Levi let the silence stretch between them before finally speaking. “You’re getting desperate.”

Selena’s expression faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, her glare sharpening. “Desperate? Hardly.”

“You are,” Levi said, his tone calm but firm. “The seduction didn’t work. The intimidation isn’t working. What’s next? Begging?”

Selena’s jaw tightened, her pride stung by his words. “I don’t beg.”

“No,” Levi said, his gray eyes locking onto hers. “You just run. That’s what this is about, isn’t it? Escaping so you can keep running. But let me ask you something, Selena—then what?”

Selena’s smirk returned, though it was weaker this time. “Then I’m free.”

“Free to do what?” Levi pressed. “Live on the run forever? Kill a few of us on your way out, maybe, but then what? You can’t go back to Marley—they’ll kill you the moment you set foot on their soil. You think you can just disappear into another country? That’s a big maybe, isn’t it?”

Selena’s confidence wavered, her smirk fading as she stared at him.

Levi stepped closer, his voice soft but cutting. “What’s your plan, really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re out of options.”

Selena didn’t answer. For the first time since their fight began, she was at a loss for words. Her mind raced, searching for a retort, a way to turn the conversation back in her favor. But Levi’s words had struck a nerve. He wasn’t wrong. She had no plan beyond escape. No clear path forward.

Levi watched her carefully, his sharp eyes catching every flicker of doubt on her face. “You’re good, Selena. I’ll give you that. But you’re not invincible. And right now, you’re not free either.”

Selena’s green eyes burned with defiance, but the spark of uncertainty in her gaze was undeniable. She hated that he’d seen it, hated that he’d gotten under her skin.

Levi stepped back, his expression unreadable once more. “Think about it,” he said, his voice cold. “Maybe you’ll come up with a better answer by the time we get to HQ.”

Selena’s jaw clenched, her mind racing once more. She refused to let this be the end. One way or another, she would escape. She had to.

She sat silently in the tent, the weight of the chains around her body pressing against her already aching muscles. Her green eyes stared at the ground, her usual defiance dimmed, though she still wore a faint scowl. Levi’s words echoed in her mind, biting and relentless.

“Then what? You can’t go back to Marley—they’ll kill you. You think you can just disappear into another country? That’s a big maybe, isn’t it?”

For the first time in a long while, Selena felt truly cornered. The reality of his question gnawed at her: what was her plan? Was running really freedom? She had no country, no family, no home. Marley had stolen everything from her, and even if she escaped these scouts, she would still be running. Alone. Always alone.

The thought made her chest ache, a deep, hollow pain that struck at her core. Her mind drifted unbidden to her childhood, to a memory she had buried long ago. She was barely five years old, clutching her mother’s hand as they walked toward a grand, glittering theater. The air had been filled with the sounds of laughter and music, the faint scent of flowers lingering as elegantly dressed couples passed them by. Her mother, though worn and tired-looking, had smiled down at her, a rare moment of tenderness.

The ballet. It was the first and last beautiful thing Selena had ever experienced. She remembered sitting wide-eyed in the plush velvet seat, watching the dancers move across the stage like weightless spirits. Their grace, their precision—it had captivated her young heart. She had never seen anything so pure, so free. She didn’t know it then, but that night had planted the seeds for two of her most cherished techniques: The Waltz of the Flowers and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

But the memory soured as it always did. After the ballet, her mother had taken her to a dimly lit alley where a man waited with cold eyes and a handful of crumpled bills. Selena had clung to her mother’s hand, confused and frightened, until her mother gently pried her fingers away.

“Be good,” her mother had whispered, her voice trembling as tears streaked her face. Selena hadn’t understood why her mother was crying until later, when the man had taken her away. The $45 he handed over was more valuable than she was.

The sorrowful look her mother gave her that day had haunted Selena ever since. It was the last time anyone had looked at her with even a shred of care, and even then, it was tinged with regret and guilt. She had been abandoned, sold to strangers, and eventually funneled into Marley’s assassination program. Alone. Always alone.

Selena’s hands, bound as they were, clenched into fists. The bitterness of that memory mixed with the sting of Levi’s words, forming a storm of frustration and despair inside her. She hated this. She hated that he had made her think about it, that he had forced her to confront the truth she had been running from for so long.

Levi watched her from his position near the entrance of the tent. He noticed the subtle shifts in her expression, the way her jaw tightened and her eyes clouded with something other than anger. She was clearly lost in thought, and for the first time, the flickers of vulnerability on her face were unguarded.

Levi’s gray eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t say anything, but the sight of her in this moment—so different from the cocky, relentless assassin he had fought twice—made something stir in him. He knew better than anyone that no one became as skilled as Selena without a tragic story behind it. Pain and loss shaped people, sharpened them into weapons. He had seen it in himself and in others, and now he saw it in her.

Whatever had made Selena de la Rosa into the Black Cat hadn’t been easy.

He opened his mouth to say something—what, he wasn’t sure—but the tent flap opened before he could speak. Hange stepped inside, her face lit with the same mischievous energy she always carried.

“The carriage is ready!” she announced, her tone far too cheerful given the circumstances. She looked at Levi, then at Selena, who had snapped out of her thoughts and was now glaring daggers at her. “Wow, you two seem cozy.”

Levi rolled his eyes. “We’re done here, then?”

Hange nodded, grinning. “Yup. Time to move her to her new accommodations.”

Selena’s glare deepened, her green eyes flashing with defiance as she shifted against her chains. Whatever vulnerability Levi had glimpsed was now buried beneath a layer of anger. Her body tensed as though preparing to fight again, but the weight of the chains kept her in place.

Levi stepped forward, grabbing her arm firmly to haul her to her feet. “Let’s go,” he said, his tone cold. “And don’t try anything. You’re not slipping out of this one.”

Selena didn’t respond, but as Levi and Hange escorted her out of the tent, her mind was already racing again. The sting of Levi’s words still lingered, but she wasn’t about to let them win. Not ever.

…

The carriage rattled over the uneven dirt road, the sound of wheels crunching against the gravel filling the tense silence. Selena sat between Levi and the wall of the carriage, his iron grip clamped firmly on her arm. Across from her sat Commander Erwin and Hange, their gazes steady, though each carried a different energy. Erwin was calm and calculating, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Selena as though he were still trying to unravel her. Hange, on the other hand, was their usual eccentric self, an almost childlike curiosity in their gaze as they watched Selena closely.

The windows had been blocked off with thick cloth, leaving the interior dim. The swift pace of the horses ensured the journey would be over quickly; Levi had insisted they couldn’t afford to move slowly and give Selena any opportunity to escape. The air was thick with tension, a quiet game of wills playing out as Selena’s green eyes darted between the three of them.

Erwin broke the silence first. “Selena, you know our position. We’ve already seen what you’re capable of. Your skills are unmatched—both in combat and strategy. We can offer you something Marley never did. A choice.”

Selena’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “A choice? Is that what you call chaining me up and hauling me to your prison? You’ve got a funny definition of freedom, Commander.”

Erwin’s expression remained steady, undeterred. “I’m not talking about freedom, not yet. I’m talking about purpose. You’ve spent your life being used by Marley, following orders from men who saw you as nothing more than a weapon. We don’t have to be like them. You don’t have to be like them.”

Selena scoffed, leaning back slightly despite the chains restricting her movement. “You sound just like them, you know. Marley said the same thing when they stole me from my home. ‘We’ll give you purpose,’ they said. And look how that turned out.”

Levi’s grip on her arm tightened slightly, his cold gaze flicking to her face. “He’s giving you a way out. Not many people get that. You should listen.”

Selena glanced up at him, her green eyes flashing with defiance. “Oh, Capitán, you’re always so serious. Let me guess—you were recruited the same way? A stray dog picked up off the street and turned into a weapon for their cause?”

Levi’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t rise to the bait.

Hange, however, jumped in, leaning forward with an almost giddy expression. “Selena, I’ve got to say, your fighting style is incredible! It’s like watching a performance. The way you move—those techniques—it’s like you’re dancing. Beautiful and deadly all at once.”

Selena turned her attention to Hange, her brows raising slightly at the unexpected praise. “Dancing?” she repeated, her tone tinged with amusement.

“Exactly!” Hange exclaimed, gesturing animatedly. “They aren’t just fighting techniques—they’re art. I mean, I hate to admit it, but it’s really... cool.”

Selena’s brows raised slightly, surprised by the unexpected compliment, but before she could respond, a sharp crack split the air outside. It sounded like fireworks, loud and sudden. The carriage jolted violently, the horses neighing in alarm as the driver yelled something unintelligible.

“What the hell—?” Levi hissed, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his blade.

The carriage screeched to an abrupt halt, throwing its occupants forward. Levi braced himself, holding Selena firmly in place, while Erwin and Hange steadied themselves. The horses’ panicked neighs filled the air, followed by the shouting of the scouts driving the carriage.

“What’s going on out there?” Erwin barked, his calm demeanor cracking just slightly.

Levi’s sharp gaze turned to Selena, his grip tightening. “What did you do?”

Selena scowled at him, her voice dripping with irritation. “This isn’t me.”

Before anyone could respond, something small and round flew through the carriage window. It rolled to a stop near Selena’s feet, revealing a crudely drawn smiley face and the words “BOOM!” scrawled across its surface.

“Move!” Levi shouted, yanking Selena with him as he dove out of the carriage. Hange and Erwin followed suit, the four of them hitting the ground just as the object detonated. A loud explosion rocked the area, sending a plume of smoke and sparks into the air. They had just barely escaped the deadly blast j and it left their ears ringing and vision blurred.

Coughing through the smoke, Levi tightened his grip on Selena and scanned the area, blades drawn. “What the hell was that?”

Selena’s body tensed as recognition dawned on her. Her green eyes darted upward, scanning the trees and rooftops. “Showtime,” she muttered, her voice low and filled with disdain.

Levi and Erwin exchanged a confused glance. “Who?” Erwin asked, his tone sharp.

“Pierre Toussaint,” Selena spat, venom dripping from the name. “Codename: Showtime. One of Marley’s assassins. Second-rate.”

A figure emerged through the haze of smoke, perched flamboyantly atop the remains of the carriage. His brightly colored hair and theatrical makeup clashed with the surrounding wilderness, making him look almost like a jester in the middle of a battlefield. He grinned widely, his painted face giving the expression an eerie edge.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Black Cat herself,” Showtime called, his tone exaggerated and mocking. “Selena, darling, it’s been far too long.”

Levi’s eyes narrowed as he raised his blades. “Who the hell is this clown?”

Selena sneered, her confidence flaring despite the chains binding her. “A pathetic amateur,” she said coldly. “Always hiding behind his toys.”

Showtime let out a loud, theatrical laugh, spreading his arms wide. “Oh, Selena, you wound me! I’m here on business, you know. Nothing personal. The higher-ups want you dead. Orders are orders.”

“Then get on with it, Pierre,” Selena retorted, her voice sharp and cutting. “You’ve never been able to handle me before. What makes you think today will be different?”

Showtime’s grin faltered slightly, though he recovered quickly, twirling a small, glittering object in his fingers. “Confidence is always your strong suit, isn’t it? But you’re not exactly in top form, are you, honey? Chained up like an animal. How the mighty have fallen.”

Selena’s green eyes flashed with anger as she straightened as much as the chains allowed. Her voice rang out, strong and defiant, her thick accent only adding to the weight of her words.

“I am the Legendary Black Cat, the Greatest Assassin in the world! Don’t you ever forget it, you fool!”

Showtime’s grin tightened, his flamboyant demeanor faltering for just a moment. Levi, Erwin, and Hange exchanged wary glances, the tension thick in the air. Whoever this man was, he clearly had a history with Selena, and judging by his theatrics, he wasn’t going to back down without a fight.

Levi’s grip on his blades tightened. Whatever was about to happen, he would be ready for it.

~

Masterlist | Patreon

Join my Taglist

Note: I am three chapters ahead on patreon :)

Tags: @Thirstyb-ches

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Round 3

Propaganda why Alexander Hamilton is insufferable:

"Literally sick of hearing about this guy and his musical. I do not care about Lin Manuel Miranda's masturbatory self insert-ification of an actual slave owner but. He is everywhere. Rapping stupidly. Also just a shitty person even in the play. "Show me how to say no to this" easy, N. And then an O. I wish I never had to hear about Hamilton. And I hate his voice. That's annoying too."

"Only cares about himself. When he fears he's going to get outed for cheating on his wife, he is not concerned for Eliza's wellbeing whatsoever, he's just concerned with his reputation.

Dumb as fuck. When his son wants to duel, he tells him to *attend the duel bc the other guy will be nice and miss on purpose*.

Written to be The Most Desirable Man Ever™️. Self-insert (derogatory). The way he treats other people and the way he refuses to learn lessons make listening to the musical impossible."

"He's so annoying?? And full of himself?? Gotta say I quit watching after the intermission because I could not deal with him. No redeeming qualities."

Propaganda why Jimmy is insufferable:

"The most chillingly real depiction of one of those men that think the world owes them everything. He's a rapist, a misogynist, abelist, self-centered, abusive, terrible friend and person that gets everyone killed because he was big mad about being laid off. It shocks me that there are apparently people out there that play the game and like him. He's so evil, but never in a way that makes him cartoonish, and that makes him all the more terrible. The game lays it out itself: he won't take responsibility for anything. He is never the villain in his own eyes. Scumbag."

"Tbh he's not just insufferable. He's disgusting. I can't even list all the horrible things he did because they would need multiple trigger warnings. He thinks that he's so high and mighty to the point where he betrays his own captain so that he can take his place, and then blames his actions and the ship crashing on said captain, who was actually trying to save them. So all of the crew died in one way or another (because of Jimmy's actions) thinking that their captain betrayed them when really if was him. And a quick Google search can tell you all the really nasty shit that he did. So not only is he insufferable, he's also just a horrible human being."

"Listen, I'm not even in the fandom and I know what his ass did. Screw this guy"

"Bro never takes responsibility for anything he did. Assuming he even acknowledges it *vaguely motions at what he did to Anya*"

"SA, causing a ship to crash, murder and elongating his friend's suffering in a cryopod for 20 years"

"He's literally the worst. He's a rapist, he framed his friend for attempted murder-suicide after getting him mutilated, and he either directly or indirectly killed everyone else. He's such an unreliable narrator that it's difficult to tell how the others of the Tulpar crew actually are because he sees everyone as beneath him."

"rape, murder, just generally being an asshole"

"LITERALLY A RAPIST"

[jamereadsmanga]

New update to BYLM. Just wanted to talk about this specific quote for the man himself

When crafting my Donovan, i wanted him to be as similar as Loid as I could make him but also different in a way that creates good conflict. What i came up with is contrasting complexes.

One of Twilight's less address traits is his ego. He believes that he is the greatest spy in all of Ostania and that only he has the skills to bring down Donovan. He has a hero complex of sort. Everything that he does is morally justified because he is doing for the greater good. Although he isn't interested in gaining publicity or notoriety, he does internally thrive on the idea that what he is doing is written and for the benefit of everyone. He is the bringer of peace between the two nations, the key to the future he has always dreamed of.

Because the story is told from Twilight's perspective (and it's also just not that kind of story lmao) you don't get to see the negative impact of his actions. He is convinced that everyone loves him, and only those who go against his beliefs will hate him (because of his beliefs and not his actions).

Sxf becomes an interesting story if you just decide Twilight is not a reliable narrator honestly but that's pushing it.

Now to Donovan. For Donovan, i gave him the contrapositive mentality of Twilight. He believes that he is the villain. He believes that everyone either hates him or will hate him. His belief is inherently controversial, and his actions will always be deemed immoral. Rather than trying to be the good guy and risking everything he worked for, he embraces that reputation and uses it to create change. He believes that wars are inevitable, and therefore, the only way to truly safeguard Ostania is to maintain the most power at all times. His military strategy was ruthless, causing the deaths of thousands. Everyone turned against him, but that was ok because in the end, they stood their ground and maintained their dominance which is all he was concerned about.

Donovan, much like Twilight, refuses to acknowledge the harm their actions have or may have on others. They believe that their goal is more important than the well-being of those around them. They're selfish, neglectful, and downright selfish, but to them, it's fine because it is what needs to be done.

They're power-hungry and drunk off fame. Lost touch with reality and focused on their own fictional story. Committed to their role without realizing that life isn't a movie and actions have impacts. They're different but the same