#la grosse fragile

[chifourmi]

Je me rends compte que j'ai grandi avec une mère "pleaser" et qu'elle m'a clairement donné ce trait là. D'autant plus que j'ai un père qui ne complimente jamais et qui s'énerve beaucoup trop facilement donc tu m'étonnes qu'après je devienne la bonne poire qui se fait marcher dessus et qui n'ose pas s'affirmer. Ça dégoûte. Je suis tellement fatiguée que ça me donne envie de pleurer. Quoique peut-être que j'aurais pu pleurer pour ça sans être fatiguée.

Le pire c'est de savoir qu'on a raison mais de culpabiliser quand-même. Bref je vais aller dodo.

(09/10/2023)

[interludebloom]

les mecs juste ils supportent pas qu'une meuf les remette à leur place ou leur disent qu'ils ont tort??????

[lerefugedeluza]

J’aide ma mère à faire les récoltes dans son potager. Résultats ? Des énormes courgettes, des tomates, des haricots, moi qui me coupe un bout de doigt au sécateur en le confondant avec une branche puis qui fait un malaise.

L’histoire de ma maladresse. Du coup je suis dans mon lit des sifflements étranges plein les oreilles et la main qui tremble.

C’est même pas une grosse coupure, je suis vraiment une fragile.

[inafieldofdaisies]

Character Edit | Mercedes “Mercy” Sibley | Part 3 of her EG photoshoot + a snippet | vol. 1 / vol. 2

“She smelled like white roses and felt as fragile and satiny as her dress.”

"I was thinking we can go down to the river after service… sneak away for a bit?", Mercedes' voice trailed off as Abbigail pulled her away from the little spot the appointed Eden's Gate member had chosen to take her portraits at. Joseph had described it as standard procedure, but she was starting to doubt if any of the other people gathered in the distance in wait for the sermon had actually sat through what she had. The younger woman continued walking without saying anything about her suggestion, the silence from her friend who was usually chatty certainly gave her pause. It was only when they made it past the church and reached the far end of the Compound that Abbigail finally came to a stop and turned to face her. There was a twinkle in her gaze while her voice lowered as if she was worried someone might overhear her, "He stormed off. You didn't see it, did you, Mercy?" Mercedes pursed her lips, wondering if she somehow had managed to upset Joseph and would need to promptly do damage control, "Who? I'm a bit lost, friend." "Jacob.", Abbigail's excitement morphed into a frown, "Don't look at me like that, I swear he did." "Abby." "I'm serious." "When?" "Halfway through your photoshoot. He passed by, took a long look and then just fled… I haven't seen him in such a rush before." Mercedes couldn't help a smile from emerging, fueled not only by how taken aback Abby seemed at what she had witnessed, but also by the idea of the oldest Seed being on edge thanks to her. Messing with Jacob anytime he would visit was becoming sort of addicting, a way for her to break out of the routine the Father had thrusted her into. Almost makes Joseph having all of my pictures to himself worth it, and this time I didn't even have to do anything but sit there and… look pretty?

@strangefable @dumbassdep @strafethesesinners @florbelles @corvosattano @adelaidedrubman @socially-awkward-skeleton @unholymilf @voidika @cassietrn @finding-comfort-in-rain @onehornedbeast @aceghosts @nightbloodbix @la-grosse-patate @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @gearvmac @trench-rot @theelderhazelnut @carlosoliveiraa @thesingularityseries @shellibisshe @captastra @kyber-infinitygems @purplehairsecretlair @wrathfulrook

[socially-awkward-skeleton]

All Along the Watchtower (Chapter 11)

[Can also be read on AO3]

Pairing: Captain John Price x Fem!OC (3rd person POV)

Word count: 5.2 K

Warnings: Minors DNI - No major warnings this chapter. smoking, swearing, British slang, relationship drama and personal angst. Also, some emotional manipulation from Price because he's like that

Summary:

They've kissed, what the hell do they do now?

Rory and Price deal with the giant elephant in the room and it does not go smoothly

A/N: Rory Sinclair is a dual citizen (both Canada and the UK) who's been living in the UK since she was 14. She is 28 at the time of this fic, Price is 32. This series is set in 2017 before the events of the first MW game. Rory's thoughts are bold and italicized, other italics are used for emphasis

(starting the tag list late with this fic sorry)

taglist: @carlosoliveiraa @cassietrn @finding-comfort-in-rain @justasmolbard @cloudofbutterflies92 @amalkavian @inafieldofdaisies @aceghosts @marivenah @v01dthefae @clicheantagonist @statichvm @josephseedismyfather @la-grosse-patate @peachiicherries @strangefable @nightbloodbix @theelderhazelnut

The steam curled out from around the door, misty vapor pouring across the floor and floating up through the opened window into the frosty night. Stepping out of the bathroom, the cool air hit her and goosebumps speckled her still damp skin. Her hair dripped, trails of water rolling down her chest and past the edge of the towel wrapped around her, the bruises on her face and neck steadily growing more visible with all the blood removed. Price’s gaze fell on her, lifting from the tablet he’d been trying to focus his attention on. His eyes lingered just a little too long, only to quickly rush back down to the screen in his lap as her stare – marred by sore, red rings under her eyes – fell upon him. 

Rory held the towel around her and moved to the foot of her bed to take a seat, sinking into the mattress as heavy as a rock. Beads of water trailed down her shoulders and back as she slipped her panties up her legs and under the terry cloth wrapped around her. Looking back at him from over her heavily bruised shoulder, she shook her head as she lifted her hips. “You know, you don’t have to look at me like I’m entirely fragile.”

“I’m not.” His voice was deep, made heavier by the nearly oppressive weight that hung in the room.

“Is that so?” 

Sighing, she moved to the side of the bed and pulled back the covers, climbing in under them and tossing the damp towel to the foot of her bed. Rolling over so her back was turned to him, the sheets clung to her still damp skin as she looked out the window at the hint of the city skyline and the twinkling lights that cut through the darkness. She tried to shut her eyes, to keep her breathing slow and steady, even as her throat continued to sting and scratch, but it did little good. The adrenaline might have drained from her system, but that sense of fear still remained. What had happened, even with the shower washing away the last reminders of it, wouldn’t leave her. The taste of blood, the metallic tang, remained in her mouth no matter how many times she brushed her teeth – though that may have been her own bleeding gums at this point. The feeling of hands around her throat, the sensation of choking, fighting for her last gasps haunted each and every rasping breath she still took. The vision of dark eyes staring into hers with no remorse, belonging to a man who had taken lives before and had never let it hinder his mind, if he even had a conscience to begin with. She had never felt so weak, so powerless in all her life. She had always overcome everything that crossed her path. Every loss, every obstacle she managed to power through. A determined woman who stopped at nothing in her career, doing the things others wouldn’t to get the job done. Yet tonight she almost died. Too confident in her own abilities. 

The neon light from the sign outside the window flashed through the thin skin of her eyelids and it made her stomach twist. Squeezing her eyes shut tighter, the phosphenes danced in a bath of red. Her fingers gripping at the cool material of the pillowcase her head rested upon. Somewhere, right now, Zorokov was in a hospital bed getting treatment. Patched up, left with a physical scar as a reminder of what happened when he tried to kill a special forces soldier with his bare hands. She, on the other hand, would have to live with the near-death experience in silence. The bruises would fade, her throat would stop aching, but the memories would live on forever. Trapped inside to swirl within the walls of her skull until the moment of her last breath. God, she wished she went with a better choice of words.  

Her breath shook as she swallowed back the wave of anger that simmered through her. It was as if she was going through the stages of grief all within the confines of her safehouse bed. The turmoil of having to deal with people’s reactions to what she had been through crawled into the back of her head, knowing there would be yet more therapy for her after the Captain’s mission report was complete. Pity. Remorse . A look people gave that she hadn’t been able to escape since she was fourteen years old at her mother’s funeral. Told over and over again how she had everyone’s condolences. Forced to recall how everyone would look at her as two stereotypes in one: the sad, little rich girl and the broken soldier. Add on top of all that the swell of embarrassment that infected her, dreading the coming conversation the next morning, having to face the fact she had made a move on Price like nothing at all had happened that night. Hell, maybe it was just the stress. She certainly hadn’t been acting like herself since the start of this mission. What was it about him that made her stop thinking clearly and act so impulsively? 

A bundle of raw nerves, exposed, stinging with the slightest touches of air. Pulling the covers up tighter over her shoulder, keeping the night air off her, she tried to bury herself under the blankets, staving off the darkness that wanted to settle upon her – what little good it did. The shivering didn’t seem to want to stop, a trembling that had moved past just her hand and arm and now shook her entire body. Suffering in self-imposed isolation. No one wanted to know the things that hurt her inside, not when she could carry on, slap a smile on her face and pretend she was alright while burying herself in work. That was the Rory Sinclair way and it had gotten her this far. Why fix what wasn’t broken? Or maybe she was just too broken to fix. 

Price couldn’t help but watch her. Laying across from him, only feet away. That protective instinct kicking in like she was his to look after. He had fallen for the ‘Lamb’ and was suddenly treating himself like the sheepdog who needed to keep her safe from the wolves – despite how she belonged right along with them. Every part of him begged to wrap around her, to shield her, and remind her she wasn’t alone. But his mind, the logical and sound part of him, the part that controlled every muscle in his body, restricted him to his own bed, refusing to allow his emotions to override its authority. He was a captain, goddammit, he couldn’t just give in to his desire like that. Didn’t change the fact that it was a special kind of torture having to stand by and watch her shoulders lift and fall with each breath, every little shift of her head against the pillow as she tried to settle squeezing at his gut. Trying to sleep off what had happened like it was a bad hangover, closing off from what had actually happened to her. She didn’t have to act like it was nothing, that she was perfectly fine. He would understand if she needed the release. He had seen soldiers go through horrible things, left changed by it, waking up in cold sweats either reminded of a friend they lost in a battle or one of the many things they had been forced to do in the line of duty – innocent lives they couldn’t protect, those they had to let fall by the wayside to save others. It was never an easy thing to move past and he was aware she had already carried a burden on her shoulders and in her head. 

He needed her to trust him, to rely on him, to know that he would never let any harm befall her like this again. It was only right. This was his mission to lead, it would be a failing to let her fall prey to the viciousness of the world. Someone soft like her needed to be guarded, lest she be broken entirely. 

Placing the tablet on the table beside him, he slowly pulled away from his bed. His brain rapidly fired at him every reason why he should stop, turn around and just go to sleep. How the mission was more important. How she would pull through. Redirecting his thoughts to the moral dilemma of it all as her superior officer. How getting close to her was wrong, how it was dangerous, how it could be the downfall of his entire career – but none of that much mattered to him now, not as he drew nearer to her bed. There was a small portion of the double she was resting in left available, the cold shoulder of the mattress, an empty spot begging to be filled by his warm body. Biting his lip, he ran through a list of pros and cons of his next move and then made the snap judgement to lay on the bed beside her. 

She tensed as he got close, going as rigid as she had when he had first found her. Rory was as stiff as a board as his arm wrapped over her, pulling her into him as his broad body curled around her. Finally, allowing herself to settle against the curve of him, a quiet sigh was breathed out into the room. “Thought you said we’d leave this for the morning?”

He knew he was sending her every mixed signal, confusing the poor woman when she was still coming to terms with what had happened, but he couldn’t help himself. The sound of her strained breathing in his ear, the gasps and groans over the comms, they replayed over and over again in his head like a haunting song. He hadn’t realized just how much it had affected him all the same. He had dealt with fear and stress, listened to the wails of people in pain, those last gasps of someone’s dying breaths, but hearing her fighting for life cut through deeper than any of those sounds ever could. 

“Maybe I’m not quite ready to do that.”

Tugging her arm free of the blankets, her hand trailed down the length of his forearm until she met his hand, lacing his fingers with hers. Her touch was so light it was barely there at all as her fingertips grazed over him. He had forgotten just how smooth and slender she was, how soft her skin felt. Looking down at their entwined hands, he noticed how his seemed to swallow the entirety of hers as he held it tight, fitting together perfectly. Rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand, feeling all the little tendons that she used to precisely control her weapons, he lowered his head and pressed his nose into her hair, nuzzling against her, choking back a soft groan. Being beside her was no longer enough for him, he needed more. He craved her. 

Turning over in bed to face him, her eyes rolled slowly up to stare at him, deep and dark in the night, doe-like as she looked up at him through her lashes. Her hand trailing back up his arm, then over his shoulder, and cradling his face in her palm. So gentle, maybe more than a man like him deserved, certainly more than he expected from a woman who clawed herself to safety. He couldn’t help but lean into her touch, his forehead pressed to hers. “I know we shouldn’t,” he spoke in a quiet husky whisper. “We could both lose everythin’, but –”

Rory’s fingertips drifted through the whiskers on his jaw, until her thumb rested over his lips. Silencing him. She pressed her head to his chest, under his chin, and she didn’t move, simply resting there. “That's just the guilt talking.” Her voice was still hoarse, raspy and low.

Brow furrowing, the lines in his face grew as deep as the pit in his stomach. It wasn't that, he was sure of it. Positive. It was her . He wanted her. His hand came to the back of her neck, giving it a tender squeeze. Protective . “I wish I'd been there to make that bastard pay. Hearin’ that fear in your voice…I wanted to tear him limb from limb,'' he growled.

She sighed. “Didn't think I could defend myself, huh?”

Price exhaled slow and deep, his breath fanning through her chestnut hair. He would never admit that. She didn’t deserve to be questioned like that; her skills disregarded. She was a soldier; a veteran like him. But there was still that nagging part of him that just wanted to keep her safe at all costs. “You’re under my command. ’S my job to keep you alive.”

Shaking her head, she huffed out a laugh. “Do you also cuddle up to everyone under your command?”

He lifted his brow and looked down at her, a small smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. “That one seems to be reserved solely for you, love.”

Her eyes widened. Dark, puffy circles gave her raccoon eyes as she looked up at him. “ Love ? That’s not exactly professional.”

“No, ’s not.”

With an exasperated sigh, she ran a hand down her face and muttered under her breath, “This is such a fucking mess.”

She was right. It was. They had gotten attached. Rules were bending. He had already broken protocol by taking command of an SRR operator and letting her march herself into the middle of a lion’s den. He had made this all personal after promising he wouldn’t let their past compromise the work. It should have been easy to just cut himself off, to not get tied up in whatever he was feeling – he did it with everything else – but he couldn’t justify doing it with her. 

“I know this isn’t perfect. ’S hardly some fuckin’ Hollywood romance, but the thought of losin’ you …couldn’t live with it.”

Rory went quiet for too long, silence cast over the room like being in the eye of a storm and he had no shelter to hide in. Left out in the open, vulnerable to attack. His heartbeat started to pick up.

“If I hadn’t already dealt with him, you would have killed Zorokov.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement, as if she already knew the answer.

His jaw clenched, flexing all the little tendons in his neck, his nose scrunching as he pursed his lips slightly. Christ, this was the last thing he needed . A low growl emanated from deep in his chest and up to his throat. “I would’ve done it ‘cause he fuckin’ deserved it.”

“Because he hurt me?”

He sighed again, brushing his fingers through the soft, slowly drying hair that had begun to form tousled waves. “Yeah, Rory, ‘cause he hurt you.”

A gentle smile pulled at the corners of her lips, the first time he’d properly seen her smile in hours and his whole heart seemed to melt at the sight. She was goddamn beautiful . 

“You know that goes beyond what a CO is supposed to feel for one of his soldiers, yeah?” She looked up at him, pulling the blanket tighter to her chest. “That if the brass heard that they’d strip you of everything?”

“Yeah,” he sighed, his eyes lifting to look at the ceiling. “I know.”

“I’m not worth it, John. I can promise you that.”

He curled his fingers under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his. “Why don’t you leave that up to the Captain to decide, eh?” He pulled her in closer to him, letting her head rest against his chest once more as he leaned down and pressed his chin to the top of her head.

This was better. This was how it was supposed to be. Nothing could hurt her now, not with him around…

… This was all moving faster than he could control … 

He was making a decision for himself that could have long lasting and dire effects. And yet, it was the mere thought of her pain earlier that night that made him feel entirely justified in doing this. She could have died. It was a very probable outcome that might have been a reality if she hadn’t fought for her life. Hearing that rasp in her voice only made the sounds of her choked noises replay in his head once more. She needed him. He needed her . Damn the consequences. 

Sometime in the middle of the night, after resting up against the almost too calmly beating heart of Price, listening to his god-awful loud snoring, her eyes had finally shut. Falling asleep, giving into what her body needed desperately. Rest. 

Peace. 

Wrapped in his arms – the arms of her Captain, her superior – she had somehow found a safe haven after all she had been through. The nightmares still came, she still kicked out in her sleep, tossing and turning under the covers, the cold sweat dampening her skin and the sheets, but then strong arms would circle around her, pulling her towards him again while half asleep. Body heat reminded her that it was all over, that she wasn’t alone, and in this state, she gave in, stopped fighting – submitted.

It was hauntingly quiet, in the room and outside. like waking up in a fog, the noise was blanketed. Even the thoughts in her head had paused their neurotic rotations. Outside the window, the dark of night had passed and the lights of the windows had all gone out. It was just dim and gray, lifeless. Her hopelessness from the night before seemingly permeated the very world around her, seeping out into the sky and the ground, turning the coming dawn barren. 

Each little movement of hers caused Price’s mustache to twitch and she found herself simply watching him as she lay pressed against his rigid form of muscle. Waking up in the same bed as the man who gave her orders, who was responsible for the success of the mission she had been selected for, who had left her alone in that bathroom stall after they had agreed to a one-time thing and parted ways was an odd sensation. Yet here she was, spooned up against him as if they had been lovers for years. Strangely intimate, yet wildly awkward. A walk of shame would likely have been easier on her heart and on her head. This was radically out of her comfort zone. 

She pulled away as he continued to sleep, trying her best to free herself of the big bear hug of Captain John Price, and the near sweltering heat she felt as guilt and nerves all started to twist at her for what she had done. There wasn’t even sex involved this time. It was more innocent than that and yet the weight of her actions was more vividly clear. This was more dangerous. This was vulnerability. This was feelings and emotions and trust, and it was something she wasn’t so sure she was ready to give or even offer someone. Least of all, someone whose entire life might be upheaved along with hers if they gave into whatever it was that was happening between them.

Slipping out from the blankets, she crossed the room to where her black duffel still sat waiting for her, checking for her pack of cigarettes. Tossing clothes aside, rummaging in as deep as the bottom, but she couldn’t find them. “Goddammit,” she rasped under her breath, combing her fingers through her hair as she tried to retrace her steps. Hardly a simple task when she’d been borderline catatonic as she was brought into the room last night. Sitting on the foot of her bed, pressing the butts of her palms to her eyes. She could barely remember much of anything at all, time slipping from her in that blank space between the attack and winding up with her mouth on Price’s. “Fuck,” she whispered.

Price’s snoring came to a stuttering stop and his eyes slowly opened, smacking his lips after having his mouth hanging open for half the night. “Rory?” Her hands were quick to slip from her face and she turned to find him staring at her groggy, his fingers running through his bedhead. “Somethin’ wrong?”

“Can’t find my fags.”

“They're on the nightstand. Brought ‘em in and put ‘em down for you.”

She sighed. “Thank you.”

His hand patted at the nightstand and grabbed her pack of cigarettes and lighter, tossing them towards her at the end of the bed. “Sleep alright, sweetheart?”

“Eventually.” She swiped up the cigarettes and the lighter and placed one between her lips, lighting its tip as she inhaled sharply. The cold air brushed against her flesh, a shiver coursed down her back, and she realized that the only thing covering her were her panties as she sat on the towel she had tossed there last night. Swallowing thickly, she turned once more to catch Price’s eyes on her figure, but he no longer seemed embarrassed being caught by her. “I suppose I should put some clothes on, eh?”

“You don’t have to on my account.”

Rory laughed and the smoke sputtered out of her mouth, coughing a few times to clear her lungs.

“What? I’m serious.” His grin grew and every line on his face came to life with the same warmth his eyes had. 

“Of course you are,” she said, giving him a sideways glance and a smirk. 

“It's not like I haven’t seen you –”

“I’m aware.” Her tone was short, cutting him off before he could dig the grave any deeper for himself.

The silence reappeared in the room, and Price’s heavy swallow seemed to fill the entire space. She was sure he was trying to find the next thing to say that wouldn’t be some bullshit sympathetic platitudes he already knew she wouldn’t want to hear, the same way he wouldn’t. 

“Still sore?” he asked, head tipping to the side. 

“Yeah…” She took a long drag of her cigarette as she hunched her shoulders, elbows resting on her knees. Surprised by the shock of warm, rough hands rubbing at the bare skin of her back. She stiffened and stood up like a shot, staring back at the Captain, her arm covering her topless chest. “Dammit, John!”

Stepping away from him, her feet dragging through the carpet, he looked back at her with a little smirk, his hands lifted in surrender. “I didn’t mean to scare ya.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her eyes flared with anger, not from the actual move itself but from being caught off guard.

“I just wanted to help, Rory.”

Bringing the cigarette to her lips again, she let it rest there as she rubbed at her brow once more. “We – we can’t be doing this.”

“Need I remind you, you’re the one who kissed me.” His head tipped forward, steely eyes peering out from under his brow at her.

She pulled the cigarette from her lips and wisps of smoke trailed over her full lower pout. “Yes, I bloody know I did that.”

“Do you regret it?”

“No.” She answered instantly, the frustration disappearing from her tone as she looked down at the floor.

“So then what’s the problem?”

“You’re my superior, John! The morals and ethics are –” She looked up at him and his brow was lifted. Okay, fair. Breaking the standards of morals and ethics seemed to hardly be a problem for either of them, and yet this one was a rule she couldn’t seem to break. Not because it was wrong, but because it was him. The idea of giving him a reason to regret all this was a giant obstacle her mind refused to leap over. She had dealt with more than enough people up and leaving her in life, she couldn’t get close just for it to happen once more. 

“Are what?”

“I am your subordinate, John. We promised each other we could be professional. We have to keep that promise. We have a mission to complete, the mission comes first.”

“Sure. But what about after?” He sat forward, resting his forearm on his thigh.

“I go back to desk duty with the SRR and you fight the threats.”

“No.”

“No?” Her eyes widened, surprised by his overly brusque denial of the situation. “Care to clarify that, Captain?”

“It doesn’t just end like that, darlin’. Not after what happened.” 

“John…” Her voice was quiet, almost pleading for him to see sense. 

He grabbed one of his cigars from the bedside table, clipped it, and flicked back the lid of his lighter. The chime of metal filling the quiet he left lingering as he lit the end. That burning orange glow at the tip as bright and clear as his intentions towards her now. He placed the lighter back on the table, his palm resting on it for a moment before turning to face her once more, barely restrained anger held in his clenched jaw. Anger she knew wasn’t really directed at her. “I let you march your pretty arse into danger and for what? Used you like bait, like a bloody tool, and it nearly cost you your life. You deserve better than that. The dress, the makeup, shouldn’t have wasted that on a bastard like Zorokov. Could’ve been you and me… still could.”

Rory huffed out a laugh. “The dress. Andrew…” She had been right about the way he was looking at her, the way he had been acting. “You were jealous, weren't you?”

Smoke drifted from his mouth in a thick cloud. “Of course I was bloody jealous, Rory. Look at you, can you really blame me? I've been with my fair share of women, but Jesus, none of them can hold a match to you, my girl.”

“ Your girl?” Her other arm crossed over her chest; the cigarette held between her fingers burning away.

“Listen, I've been trying my damnedest to keep my composure here. You think I went into this expecting to have this happen with my subordinate? 'S rule number one and I'm here breaking it for you.” He sighed. “I had to listen to you in my fuckin’ ear, Rory. It was a goddamn nightmare.”

He stepped closer to her, his height towering over her and she felt miniscule in that moment. She had always stood her ground, remained confident, nothing and no one seemed to intimidate her. His body heat radiated off of him like a furnace and she wanted that safety of being in his arms, but she couldn’t bear the feeling of being weak. She wasn’t gentle, she wasn’t needy, she wasn’t the lamb… she wasn’t .

“And so what, you want to have that be the foundation for a relationship? The fact that I nearly died and you had to pull me out of there? That’s the foot you want to start on? It’s like I said last night, John. This is a dangerous game to be playing and I am not worth the trouble. I’m not worth your career.”

“And why’s that, eh?” He leaned forward, his brows lifting causing his forehead to crease. 

“I’m a fucking mess, that’s why. I’ve got nightmares, anxiety attacks, tremors, flashbacks. I’m in no place to start anything with anyone. And certainly not with someone who’s life could be upended because of me.”

“I don’t care.” He shrugged and gave a slight thrust of his pelvis as he crossed his arms over his chest. Obstinate, pigheaded right to the bitter end, refusing to back down from anything. This was Captain John Price type behavior through and through. 

“What do you mean ‘you don’t care’?”

“You think all that’s gonna keep me away from you?”

“Well it should.”

“Why?” He lowered his head, looking up at her through his brow. Constantly challenging her. 

“Trust me, after several nights of no sleep from me waking up with nightmares, you’ll understand.”

His eyes narrowed for a brief moment, the crow's feet by his eyes creasing. “Someone else left you ‘cause o’that?”

Rory grimaced and bit down on her molars. Her eyes fell to the floor as she turned her head away from him. She didn’t have to say anything, her body language gave it all away.

Price’s face darkened at her reaction, the look of a man planning on hunting down and teaching whoever it was that did that to her a lesson. “Christ, don’t tell me someone actually did that?”

“Of course someone fucking did that, John. Most people who see that side of me either think of me like I’m holding on by a goddamn thread and if it's not that, it's the whole horde of other shit in my head.” She rubbed at her brow and slipped the cigarette back between her lips. “People don’t want to fall in love with someone like me. It’s too hard to do,” she mumbled.

“Well, lucky for you I’m a bit of a stubborn bastard. I’m willin’ to put in the hard work. I can be goddamn relentless when need be.”

Rory scoffed, “I’d expect nothing less from you.”

He gave her a little crooked grin and stepped forward cutting all the space between them, cupping her face in his large hands, his thumbs stroking her cheeks softly. “I’m only gonna tell you this once, darlin’.” Leaning down, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I don’t care about how much trouble you might be, you hear me? I have to have you, Rory. I need you to be mine, yeah? Simple as.”

It was her turn to ask the question. “Why?”

“Because if there’s anyone who’s going to understand what’s going on in that pretty head of yours, 's me. I wanna protect you. I wanna make sure somethin’ like this never happens again. I can’t even take the thought of you bein’ with someone else ‘sides me.”

“I’m not willing to take the risk.”

He nodded his head slightly. “Well, I’m patient. Persistent. I can wait as long as I have to.”

“Fucking hell,” she said with a quiet chuckle, “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not after what I saw last night.”

She pulled away, the ash from her cigarette falling to the floor as it hung from her hand. Flexing her shoulders, Rory stood up taller, trying to regain some semblance of the strength she knew she had. “I’m not someone that needs to be guarded. I’m not some bloody damsel in distress. I don’t need you chaining yourself to me because you feel guilty or like this is your fault. That’s not what I want.”

“Well what do you want?”

There was a list she could give him, one that was a million miles long. But all she really wanted right now was to be looked at like a soldier, to be trusted. She didn’t need to rely on him, didn’t need to lean on him like some bending tree in a tempest. 

“I just want to work.” 

Taking a last drag from her cigarette, she moved towards the window and tossed the smoking butt out of it before grabbing the sweater from her bag and heading into the bathroom to start her morning routine, shutting the door behind her. 

[noodlecupcakes]

Last Line Tag

I was tagged by @cassietrn, and @simplegenius042 thank you so much <3

My last line was from Salvation (Far Cry 5 fic) but it may be deleted or reworked. Not feeling the current direction of the chapter but I'll get there.

Joseph's voice had begun to waver with emotion, tears filling his eyes. In the almost two years we had been together; I had never seen Joseph cry. Not even on our wedding day. The sight tugged at my heartstrings. His usual stoic exterior had completely shattered, revealing this soft, fragile interior.

I tag: @josephseedismyfather, @g0dspeeed, @3llisarts, and @la-grosse-patate

[ilikekidsshows]

Feligami for otp ask

Rate Your OTP Game

Crème de la crème | Excellent Taste | A Worthy Sailing Vessal | A fine ship it is | The Finest Crack in the Den | Unorthodox yet not Unwelcome | It is a good | Overrated | It is acceptable | Forgive me but I am not familiar with the source material | I would not consider myself a fan | Just because you are contrarian doesnt make it good | What dump did you find this? | In the lowest pits of the Abyss is where your taste was forged.

Considering I'm 75% sure you sent this pairing in just to have me tear it to shreds, I feel comfortable being nasty about it.

Feligami as a ship emphasizes and underlines the artificiality of these characters both in universe and out of universe. It's the token ship where a couple is brought together by the writers specifically because they fill out the same niche. The ethnicity couple, the nerd couple, the artificial slave species couple.

Look, Miraculous has a really, really, REALLY bad track record with making its Sentimonsters seem like actual people worthy of sympathy and human rights. The creation and controlling of these creatures is totally okay most of the time, no one considers how horrifying it is that their lives are so fleeting, fragile and easily controlled by others and they're called Sentimonsters. The only character who cared about Sentibug dying was Adrien, apparently another Sentimonster so, with Félix's season 5 characterization of him caring about Kagami and Adrien because they're Sentis, we have a 3/3 track record of only another Sentimonster choosing to care about someone they know for a fact is a Sentimonster from the get-go.

Félix only started caring about Kagami because she was part of the same slave species he is. Kagami's previous love interest was also a part of this slave species and Kagami was explicitly attracted to him because they were "so alike". With Kagami exclusively falling for guys who are part of the same species as her, who also easily fall for her right back, the show is implying Sentimonsters can subconsciously recognize each other, and this instict presents itself as them being drawn to each other.

Outside of all this Sentimonster nonsense, the pairing also emphasizes how artificial these characters are from a narrative perspective. Kagami is headstrong, and wants to pave her own way. Her previous love interest and first friend were both people who were kind to a fault. Now she falls for an asshole who's also a perfect clone of her previous boyfriend, a breakup she had such a difficult time getting over that she couldn't even see him for a time. It's obvious Kagami likes Félix only because the writers want her to like him. She also shields the writers' pet Félix from the consequences of his own actions, something I've pointed out the writers loooooove to do with Félix. All of this makes it obvious that she's not a real person but a made up character who will do and feel what the writers want regardless of her previous characterization, which just takes a more savvy viewer completely out of the story.

Félix's personality also keeps changing with his every appearance, and him falling for Kagami is just more of the same. The Félix in season three might as well have been another identical Sentimonster and the only connection he still has to his season 4 behavior is him still having the Peacock Miraculous. I actually saw a screenshot of him doing an Adrien expression sincerely because he just wubs Kagami so much, and I gagged. It's just gross when he does the doe-eyed look.

[sara-saragej]

Ti mostri tanto forte e sei dannatamente fragile. Hai una sensibilità disarmante. Non tenendo conto che sei dannatamente bella e perfetta così. Con le tue insicurezze, con la tua paura con la tua sensibilità, con la tua fragilità. E ti dirò di più, a me piaci esattamente così. Quando mostri la bambina che c’è in te, quando mi dai modo di vedere la tua anima, il tuo cuore.

E tu hai un bellissimo cuore,

Mi piace la tua parte romantica che non mostri a nessuno.

Non sei una persona di grosse pretese, ti bastano poche cose per far spuntare un bellissimo sorriso sul tuo volto.

Ma è anche vero che ti basta pochissimo per buttarti giù. Per la poca fiducia che hai in te stessa, con questo non sto dicendo che non ti ami. Ma come ogni persona su questa terra, anche tu hai i tuoi complessi interiori. E i tuoi complessi interiori a me fanno impazzire. Perché sei pura, non fingi, non menti, sei semplicemente te stessa.

E io non chiedo di meglio

A me, piaci così!

-dal web

✓ Buongiorno e buon inizio febbraio

[josephseedismyfather]

What does your OC's soul look like?

Thank you @inafieldofdaisies for tagging me in this uquiz! 🥰

Harley Jane ❤️

A pile of bubbles, an iridescent mess

Well aren't you just all over? You're appealing but you're fragile, one wrong move and you lose all that you are. You were meant to be stepped on, broken, but the joy you bring to onlookers is unmatched. Do with that as you will and take very good care of yourself, have a snack.

Evangeline Rose 💛

A bird in a covered cage

They left without you. Put you out of sight and therefore out of mind. You sing every morning like nothing's changed, talk to the walls to keep yourself company. Just you, the darkness and your own denial that you are completely alone. Nurse your wounds, get yourself some water.

Deputy Austin Randal 💙

Dog teeth

You're vicious, but you're afraid. You have to make the first punch, and make sure your opponent can't land one. But you need to stop seeing everyone as an enemy. The only one being violent is you, your anger and your defensiveness is killing you. Take a nap, rest your head and clear your mind. Come back in the morning.

Tagging, with apologies for doubles and no pressure as always: @wrathfulrook, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @trench-rot, @ladyoriza, @cassietrn, @redreart, @hotmessteaparty, @g0dspeeed, @v0idbuggy, @insanityofvaas, @simplegenius042, @malefiquinn, @strangefable, @noodlecupcakes, @chazz-anova, @aristomal, @ocdemon-747, @evilvvithin, @carlosoliveiraa, @la-grosse-patate, and anybody else who wants to play. Tag me! 😘

[ultramarine-spirit]

Of all the parts of the novel that never appeared in the manhwa, which one would you have liked to see?

Well, the lucathy kiss scene is a given. Not only it is super romantic and cute, but we get to see Athy reach 18 years old and achieve her original goal of surviving until then.

Other than that, in no particular order:

- Lucas and Athy walking on air à la Howl's Moving Castle at their market date. One of the vendors calling Athy Lucas' girlfriend, Lucas wanting to deny it but Athy shutting him up so they got free food.

- Athy asking Lily if she wanted to get married and have a child, but Lily answering she loved Athy as a daughter and that she just wanted to stay by her side forever. Athy then replying Lily was like her mom to her.

- Lucas gifting Athy Nox. It's cute, but it also addresses how Athy felt incredibly lonely without Lucas and after Blackie's death (she didn't get over it as easily as in the manhwa), and having something truly of her own, not of the "character Athanasia". She also called Nox "the child you gave me" in front of Lucas which is so funny.

- Felix freaking out about getting old and offending Claude in the process because he is older than Felix. Claude forcing Felix to drink gross soup to "stay healthy" (torturing him) but Felix not catching on and being moved because Claude "worried so much for him".

- Athy inviting Lucas to see the stars while laying in bed.

- Every Single Cabel Scene. His duel with Lucas was especially hilarious. Him gifting Athy flowers from her own garden and Athy being offended parallels manhwa! Athy being charmed when Lucas did the same. Double standards much, Athy?

- Lucathy's second market date when Lucas doesn't deny being Athy's boyfriend.

- Lucathy's tea party over the lake. It wasn't anything special from a narrative point of view, but it was super sweet and fun.

- Athy insulting the men that harassed her and Jennette when they visited the market (using very colorful slang) and kicking them in the nuts with a candy powered by her mana.

- All of LP!Lucas' scenes. This was always impossible because Spoon wouldn't (and didn't) include the LP extras in the manhwa (I understand, it would make the fandom hate like 75% of the characters), but LP!Lucas was so great OTL.

- Athy defending Lucas in front of Claude and Claude saying he must have cursed/bewitched Athy lmfao.

- Athy shutting Roger and the foreign nobles up (who called her a weak and fragile princess and tried to choose a husband for her) by bending a silver spoon in two.

- Ijekiel rejecting Jennette. It was much more compelling in the novel, expanding on their relationship in a way the manhwa didn't at all, making it a lot less interesting. I wish the manhwa would have kept it as it was, I think both of their characters changed for the worse without that added depth.

- Jennette actually getting upset over literally everyone lying to her. Her reaction in the manhwa is just so unrealistic. Jennette showing her ugly emotions in general, Spoon really didn't let her and it made her character flatter.

- Duchess Alpheus making a small appearance. Ijekiel, are you an orphan in the manhwa?

- Aety being his own character separated from Ana. He was way funnier like that and his motives made more sense, even if he was a clown. Everyone recognizing he was just a fucked up dude.

- CHIEF GRANDPA ASKING FOR ATHY'S HAIR AND BLOOD. Claude exploding half of the tower in retaliation, and then Lucas exploding the other half when he found out.

- Lucas' whole relationship with the royal wizards (who were all ikemen, including Chief Grandpa, by the way). Lucas torturing them, the wizards hating his guts, them not believing Lucas could be in love, Chief Grandpa trying to sell Lucas as a groom to Athy.

-Lucas stabbing Claude AND Athy with the World Tree's branch. Yeah, I know it would have clashed with the more dramatic tone of the manhwa, but it was so good. Athy calling him a murderer was hilarious.

- Athy hiding Claude's identity with magic when they visited the city making him look super ugly and the local men making fun of him. Claude then teaching Athy how to gamble and crushing said men at their own game. Poor Athy thought he was trying to teach her a moral lesson lmao.

- Athy's 18th birthday party, her dance with Lucas and Helena's POV of the whole thing. Yes, it was as hysterical as it sounds.

[monologhidiunamarea]

Sapete una volta l8 di dicembre era pranzo dai nonni , ricordo quel tavolo da 12 persone di legno con le gambe incise grosse , ricordo che mi sedevo sempre vicino a nonno. Ricordo che venivano prima gli zii e poi nanna e mamma e papà..poi c'era da fare l'albero e un piccolo presepe in sala . Ricordo la passeggiata nel budello le illuminare appese tra i palazzi , il volo sul mare. Ed ora sono qui a pensare che questo sarà il secondo anno che non ci sei. Che non ho più nessuno. Che nonostante fossi sempre assente sapevo che eri lì. Papà continuo a non capirti ne da figlia ne da genitore. Immagino molti in famiglia , in case calde , ben arredate ,alberi perfetti. Sorrisi, profumi.

Sono sul divano con il quadro di Parigi di fronte , la nostra meta di ogni viaggio . E guardo un documentario su Saviano e la sua vita sotto scorta. La piccola e andata dagli zii oggi lavoro. Mi manca prendere il telefono e chiamare mamma per dirle :"ma mandami la lista dei regali" mi manca avere un suo parere anche il più duro . So che mi guardate da lontano che avete un vostro pensiero e vi vorrei solo dire che mi mancate tutti . Che ricordo ogni giorno tutto per paura di dimenticare . Che spesso crollo nella notte in silenzio senza disturbare. Che sono fiera della donna forte e fragile che sono . Nel bene o nel male.

[chifourmi]

Ces jours-ci je dors plus tôt et j'ai trop d'énergie!! Genre là je viens de faire la synthèse de mon cours d'économie sociale et j'ai presque fini, il me reste 2 pages?? Par contre j'ai de l'énergie mais j'ai aussi la tête qui tourne tout le temps et je me demande si c'est pas dès qu'on allume le chauffage. C'est fou comme je suis une grosse fragile, mon corps réagit à tout. C'est comme une fois le Dieu Grec m'a sorti "oh mais t'as un bleu" et j'étais même pas étonnée parce que j'ai tout le temps des bleus, je ne me demande même plus d'où ils viennent. Actuellement j'en ai genre 3.

Bref à chaque fois que je suis hyperfocus sur mes cours je trouve ça addictif alors POURQUOI j'arrive jamais à me lancer?? Mon cerveau n'arrive pas à assimiler que j'aime bien ça ou quoi? Non en vrai je crois que c'est parce que ça me pompe toute mon énergie.

(26/11/2023)

[ypsilonzeta1]

Il mio amore è un vecchio

e d’estate

esce in bicicletta al mattino presto,

con il fresco che c’è

nell’ultima speranza,

e una ancora e

poi un’altra,

prima che bruci.

E ha il fazzoletto di stoffa nel polsino,

per quando lo fai piangere;

ha le vene grosse,

la pelle fragile,

trasparente, di lividi neri

che hanno la forma,

la forza

delle tue dita, quando

accarezzano poco,

o accarezzano male.

Osserva dalla panchina dei giorni,

nel deserto di un parco, vuoto

degli amori degli altri,

i nostri giorni,

te che torni,

e i suoi graffi,

sugli avambracci, per avere

toccato le rose.

Ha il passo lento adesso,

dall’avere corso troppo,

il dolore alle anche,

per il peso di averti

scritto mille poesie

e una.

Il mio amore sta morendo,

di malattia

di vecchiaia

di dolore.

Prendilo adesso,

se lo vuoi,

perché questa potrebbe essere

l’ultima estate.

Beatrice Zerbini

[hijinxthinks]

having the most off the wall 1am thoughts about blending cultures with changbin. it absolutely canon that he's going to help you take your braids out while songs like "if you wanna" by june marieezy play in the background because you've now put him on to neosoul music and the like. the afternoon sunlight pours in through the window while he takes a rat toothed comb and works through it. in fact, changbin is one of the best people to take out your hair. he loves it so much that he takes his time unraveling your aged twists that you find gross, expired, and in need of a deep wash day. he likes to see as little shed as possible, no matter how many times you tell him a normal amount of shed happens when taking down a style like braids.

"be patient." he'll tell you, taking more of the nearby oil and squeezing it on to help him gently comb out a small knot. "wow," he'll say at the end of it all, looking at the way your natural unbraided afro sits around your face, "its sooo big." he'll add, while gently touching the sides of it as if its a fragile cloud.

changbin hopes you two have children together, and despite how much you complain about your hair, he hopes they have something similar to yours. he feels like you can do so much more with a hair texture like yours than with one like his. he likes his mane, but he loves yours. changbin enjoys going through your records and finding new gems. you introduced him to erykah badu. he's welcome, by the way. and he'll turn it into a routine for you on sunday nights. you'll hear the brief static, the touch of the needle on vinyl and then erykah's voice while you're cooking up a sunday dinner just because the weather is getting cooler and you're in the mood to do it. he will always out-knowledge you in old-school hiphop in ways you will never understand. its his passion. he doesn't just rap, he's completely engrossed in the culture surrounding it, and pays a hefty amount of respect and appreciation to your culture for cultivating it to begin with. its cute, how he pays attention to what you like. he even lights your favorite incense.

changbin isn't a stranger to good food, with his cultural background, but when he gets a taste of your collard greens and hammocks, cornbread, baked turkey legs with homemade gravy, fall off the bone ribs, potato salad, linguini and devilled eggs? he's gotten himself in the mix now and won't be able to find his way out, going into the kitchen for seconds, a compliment to the chef--you.

can't say you've ever had a partner who has dropped a plop of kimchi on collards and stuffed it in his face with a pair of chopsticks until you dated changbin. and after he showers, a towel around his waist, the mirror foggy in the bathroom, he'll notice you've gotten a new hair product, and he'll pick it up, sit down on the closed toilet seat, and read it, before he'll open the door and yell, "babe?"

“yeah?" "can i use your rosemary oil spray in my hair?" you'll laugh, "yeah its really good for growth, but not too much." changbin's hair is incredibly thick, and naturally wavy, but if he puts too much of your product in, it'll weigh his locks down, so he always has to ask if its okay first. the first time you allowed him to use your honey leave-in conditioner, he was so greasy, it stained his favorite shirt!

speaking of showers, once changbin learned what you were getting up to in the bathroom for so long afterwards; completely lotioning your body with high quality butters, he's fake offended by the intel. how dare you struggle to rub lotion onto your back when your very willing partner is there at your disposal?

and of course changbin gets carried away when he's rubbing you down with your smellgoods. when he works it under the cuff of your cheeks, his thumbs graze your cunt, and he can feel the heat emanating from it. he's definitely going to slide either his fingers or his tongue up next, giving you a reason to have to shower all over again.

your family at the labor day cookouts love him. you'll try to coax your teenage nephews to stop horseplaying when things are getting too rough in the pool, bouncing from foot to foot in the chest height water, changbin's arms around your waist. "yo, come on stop it!" you'll splash, but they're teenage boys, they act like they don't hear you. oh but they'll hear changbin.

"yah!" he starts off, brow furrowed, rattling off in korean for the first four words until he stumbles and stutters over his speech, switching back to english, "you don't hear your aunt?"

"sorry unc."

now you have their attention. "i'm not tryna be a wet blanket but if yall are gonna do that, don't do it in the deep, someone can drown."

and later in the night when you're with your cousins, drinking wine, changbin is outside, under the string lights and next to the tiki torch, seated in those cookout white plastic chairs, brawny arms crossed over his chest as he smiles, laughing at the parts of the story he catches between your uncles that rope him in on the jokes every so often.

they liked changbin the moment he joined them for a game of pool.

[noodlecupcakes]

5 Songs, 3 Outfits

I was tagged by @g0dspeeed and @la-grosse-patate, thank you both so much <3 <3 I also got my head out my ass and attempted to make banners for the girls...art is not my strong suit but I tried my best

RULES: Post 5 songs associated with your OC(s), followed by 3 outfits they would wear.

Deity by Valeree

Honey, you look lost And I ain’t never really been religious But I heard finding a God Just might help when someone’s starting to feel helplessI don’t know much ‘bout buddhists, Jews, or Christians But I got something I think you could worship

Holy by Zolita

I'd rather drown in your ocean Than wither on the shore Undying devotion, I feel you in my core Veneration, this faith's got me high Nothing without you, live for you 'til I die

the fruits by Paris Paloma

"Angel, " he calls me Does he know that I'm falling From a precipice that I tripped off long ago? "You're so pure, " he says Does he know, I'm forsaken?

Family Tree by Ethel Cain

So take me down to the river And bathe me clean Put me on the back of your white horse to ride All the way to the chapel, let you wash all over me

Salvation by Christabelle Marbun

Let my hands be your chapel Treat my screams like your Bible

(Regarding the third dress ignore the necklace. But I own that dress specifically for Tabitha cosplay)

Apex Predator by Otep

Nobody move, nobody gets hurt But where's the fun in that? You get what you deserve Nobody move, nobody gets hurt But where's the fun in that? Survival of the worst!

Bombshell by Halestorm

She's not fragile like a flower She is fragile like a bomb

Chokehold Cherry Python by Ashnikko

I'm a tickin', tickin', tickin' time bomb Live a villain, die a icon You should sleep with the light on Chokehold cherry python

Little Girl Gone by CHINCHILLA

'You keep on trying but I like your blood on my teeth just a little too much' & 'Cause I pack a punch backed into a corner Come at me, don't tell me I didn't warn ya'

Animals by Ice Nine Kills

Yeah, you can start over, you can run free You can find other fish in the sea You can pretend it's meant to be But you can't stay away from me I can still hear you making that sound Taking me down, rolling on the ground You can pretend that it was me, but no

(I also have that exact leather jacket specifically for Alex cosplay)

I tag: @3llisarts, @cassietrn and @josephseedismyfather

[flashbic]

J'ai perdu le contrôle et j'ai répondu à toutes les questions de ce ask meme shippy reblogué il y a une semaine ou deux. Avec le Lorrain et Falconi. y'a 2 questions que j'avais déjà faites et donc elles sont en anglais, mais zut

C'est sous le cut parce que c'est Interminable.

Après, bon, disclaimer, ça reprend un peu le setting de la grosse fanfic, parce qu'autrement, forcément, y'a pas grand-chose.

I. PRE-RELATIONSHIP

How did they first meet?

Un peu plus d’une dizaine d’années avant le début de la série. Le Lorrain était déjà élève du comte de Mansur depuis un moment, et tirait une grande fierté de son statut d'élève favori. Lorsque Falconi se voit offrir une place auprès du comte lui aussi, le Lorrain voit cette arrivée comme un affront. Le comte de Mansur choisit de faire s’affronter son nouvel élève prometteur et son élève le plus doué dès leur première rencontre, et le Lorrain se montre trop arrogant et sûr de lui. Falconi le désarme lors de leur tout premier combat, et le Lorrain prend cette défaite comme une cuisante insulte.

What was their first impression of each other?

À cette époque, le Lorrain méprise ceux qui sont inférieurs à son rang. Lorsque Falconi parvient à le vaincre à l’épée lors de leur tout premier affrontement, l’image que le Lorrain a de lui se fige: il prend le silence et la personnalité réservée de Falconi pour de l’arrogance. À ses yeux, Falconi ne mérite pas cette place qu’on lui a offerte, aussi doué à l’épée puisse-t-il être.

Pendant un bref instant lors de cette toute première rencontre, Falconi espère trouver en Louis du Châtelet un adversaire à sa mesure, mais peut-être aussi un ami. Peut-être que pendant un instant encore plus bref, il se surprend à trouver chez ce jeune homme expressif et sûr de lui quelque chose d’attirant... Quoi qu’il en soit, cette attirance confuse et ce désir de faire du Lorrain un ami disparaissent bien vite lorsque celui-ci se révèle froid et dédaigneux.

Who felt romantic feelings first?

Le Lorrain, qui commence à ressentir une affection confuse à peu près au même moment où il commence à souhaiter faire de Falconi son ami. Cette attirance se développe lentement, mais côté physique ça se cimente à peu près au moment où il voit Falconi vêtu de ces vêtements mal ajustés qui ne lui vont pas du tout mais qui sont tout ce que les Cartouchiens peuvent lui prêter pour le moment. Est-ce que Falconi a l’air ridicule? Tout à fait. Mais le Lorrain trouve ça absolument charmant.

Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

Les deux, dans des mesures tout à fait différentes! Le Lorrain, lorsqu’il se rend compte de son attirance, ne cherche pas exactement à la réprimer, mais choisit de garder ses sentiments pour lui parce que le moment lui semble tout simplement trop mal choisi. Falconi ne semble pas vouloir rester avec les Cartouchiens, et il se remet difficilement de cette attaque sur le Régent à laquelle il a bien failli ne pas survivre. Il est visiblement incertain au sujet de toute cette situation, ajouter une déclaration romantique sur tout ça ne semble pas être la meilleure des idées!

Falconi, de son côté, met longtemps à seulement comprendre ce qu’il ressent, et lorsqu’il commence à saisir, son réflexe est de violemment réprimer tout ça. Parce qu’il insiste pour se dire qu’il va retourner à sa vie au Palais-Royal. Parce que l’amitié qu’il a développée pour le Lorrain lui paraît trop fragile et parce qu’il est certain que jamais cette affection nouvelle ne pourrait être partagée. Il essaie d'étouffer ces sentiments, espérant que s'il les ignore assez longtemps ça finira bien par passer.

What would their lives be like if they had never met?

Le Lorrain serait une personne bien différente; c’est son duel avec Falconi qui le pousse à se remettre en question et à éventuellement devenir quelqu’un de meilleur. Sans ça, il aurait sans doute gardé sa petite vie de courtisan bien tranquille. Peut-être aurait-il été de ces gens qui traînent au Palais-Royal et tentent de s’attirer les faveurs de Philippe d’Orléans durant la Régence.

Falconi aurait poursuivi son entraînement aux côtés du comte de Mansur et aurait possiblement trouvé sa place quelque part. Peut-être parmi la garde royale? Son chemin n’aurait probablement jamais croisé celui de Philippe d’Orléans, du moins pas de façon significative.Pour ce qui est de son affection pour Anne de Montsirac, même celle-ci appréciait véritablement Falconi, jamais cette relation n’aurait vraiment pu aboutir à quoi que ce soit. Il n’avait tout simplement pas le nom, ni l’argent qui auraient rendu une éventuelle union acceptable aux yeux de la famille d’Anne. Peut-être aurait-il éventuellement rencontré quelqu’un d’autre… 

What was their "flirting stage" like?

Ça se produit un peu en même temps qu’ils apprennent à s’apprécier et à devenir amis, donc ça reste assez discret! Le Lorrain tente de garder ses sentiments pour lui, mais à vrai dire il ne peut pas s’empêcher d’agacer et  de complimenter Falconi pour attirer son attention. Falconi trouve ça exaspérant… mais il est loin d’être indifférent. Sinon, ce stage implique aussi beaucoup d’entraînement et de duels... Ils y prennent tous les deux peut-être un peu plus de plaisir que nécessaire.

How do their friends and family feel about them as a couple?

Honnêtement, les Cartouchiens sont juste soulagés que la phase “tentatives constantes de s’entre-tuer” soit passée…

II. GENERAL

Who initiated the relationship, and how did they go about it?

 J'aime bien l'idée que Falconi ait fait le premier pas. Pas que le Lorrain n'ait pas été tenté de le faire (il y pense Beaucoup), mais au final il choisit de laisser Falconi prendre les devants, même si ça signifie d'attendre qu'il trouve le courage de le faire. Après, pour le comment, j’imagine que ça se passe une fois que Falconi fait partie des Cartouchiens. Et pour plus de détails, il y a le one-shot… :p

Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?

Pas vraiment de premier rendez-vous à proprement parler! Au moment où ils s'avouent leurs sentiments, ils sont déjà proches et passent beaucoup de temps ensemble. On peut peut-être compter leur premier cambriolage ensemble, sans les autres Cartouchiens? Falconi ne considérerait pas ça comme étant particulièrement romantique ou important, mais le Lorrain adore.

What was their first kiss like?

Honnêtement, c'était une tentative désespérée de la part de Falconi qui était tout simplement incapable de trouver les bons mots pour exprimer ce qu'il ressentait. C'est intense, désespéré et impulsif, et le Lorrain trouve ça ridiculement, stupidement, incroyablement attirant. 

Were they each other's first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?

Première relation avec un autre homme dans les deux cas (quoique le Lorrain ait eu un flirt ou deux pas sérieux par le passé). Pour Falconi, c'est aussi un premier baiser avec un autre homme, et à vrai dire la première fois qu’il a une relation qui ne se termine pas en désastre.

What is their height difference? Age difference? Do either matter to them? 

La différence d'âge est minime, 2-3 ans peut-être. Falconi est plus grand d'environ une demi-tête, ce qui n'est pas /grand-chose/, mais quand même assez pour que le Lorrain trouve ça un peu attirant sans trop bien savoir pourquoi.

How do their personalities complement each other? How do they clash?

Même après avoir rejoint les Cartouchiens et s'en être fait des amis, Falconi reste quelqu'un de plutôt silencieux et taciturne. Le Lorrain, à l'inverse, est toujours très animé et aime être le centre de l'attention. Parfois ces personnalités si différentes rendent l'entente un peu difficile, mais la plupart du temps ils se complémentent plutôt bien. Le Lorrain fait toujours l'effort d'inclure Falconi lorsqu'ils sont en compagnie d'autres gens, et au final Falconi gagne à se joindre à la conversation. Quant au Lorrain, il apprécie beaucoup ces moments plus posés que Falconi lui apporte.

What is their relationship with each other's families like?

Ça ne s'applique pas pour la famille de Falconi qui n'est simplement plus là. Par contre, si Falconi se retrouve à nouveau face à face avec Gruthus du Châtelet, il y a définitivement un moment de confusion! Le père du Lorrain émet sans doute pas mal de réserves sur la présence de Falconi parmi les Cartouchiens, mais au final il fait confiance à son fils lorsque celui-ci affirme que Falconi est digne de confiance. Pour ce qui est de leur relation amoureuse, par contre, ce n'est pas quelque chose qui est discuté ouvertement. Gruthus est peut-être sourd, mais il n'est pas aveugle, il devine sans doute un peu ce qui se passe…

Who takes the lead in social situations? How are they around each other's friends?

Le Lorrain prend généralement plus de place, mais Falconi n'hésite pas à s'exprimer s'il le souhaite (si la situation implique de menacer ou d’intimider quelqu’un, il prend plaisir à le faire :p). Il est de nature plus discrète, mais il sait parfaitement prendre sa place parmi les Cartouchiens. Ils partagent le même cercle d'amis, donc la seconde question s'applique plus ou moins… quoique, après tout, les Cartouchiens ont d'abord été la famille du Lorrain, et Falconi s'y est greffé bien plus tard. Alors en rafale, les dynamiques de Falconi avec tout le monde:

Cartouche: Falconi lui fait entièrement confiance. À vrai dire, j'aime encore beaucoup l'idée qu'il rappelle un peu à Falconi ce frère aîné qu'il a perdu il y a bien longtemps. Cartouche, qui a tendance à être plutôt impulsif, trouve ce côté plus calculateur que Falconi ne perd jamais amusant. Tous les deux s'apprécient beaucoup, même si au premier abord ils ne semblent pas avoir grand-chose en commun.

Fleur d'Épine: elle est la première personne parmi les Cartouchiens pour qui Falconi développe une certaine appréciation, ce qui n'est quand même pas rien! Elle ne fait pas particulièrement d'effort pour s'entendre avec lui initialement, et ce fort caractère et ce côté très direct sont les bienvenus alors que Falconi peine tant à se faire à l'idée que les Cartouchiens ne lui veulent pas de mal. De son côté, Fleur d'Épine en vient éventuellement à le voir un peu comme un mentor lorsqu'il s'agit de combat à l'épée. Falconi se révèle un professeur plus habile et beaucoup plus exigeant que l'est le Lorrain, et c'est quelque chose que Fleur d'Épine apprécie beaucoup!

Galichon: Il faut du temps avant que ces deux-là se fassent confiance! Galichon est naturellement méfiant, et il voit l'arrivée de Falconi au Chariot d'or comme une menace pour les Cartouchiens. C'est lorsqu'il se rend compte que Fleur d'Épine l'apprécie qu'il se laisse convaincre de lui laisser une chance. Falconi ne lui prête pas tellement attention au début, mais lorsqu'ils ont la chance de discuter un peu sans personne d'autre autour, le caractère franc et un peu bourru de Galichon lui plait. 

Isaac: À son arrivée parmi les Cartouchiens, Falconi ne fait confiance à personne et passe beaucoup de temps à redouter quelles peuvent bien être les véritables intentions de Cartouche et sa bande. L'exception à tout ça, c'est Isaac. Falconi a horreur d'être touché, et donc pour lui les soins du jeune médecin sont une torture… mais il accepte que Isaac ne lui veut pas de mal. Plus tard, Falconi garde une certaine affection pour Isaac, et montre souvent un intérêt pour ses inventions. Isaac, de son côté, apprécie cet intérêt! Mais il faut avouer que le côté froid et sarcastique de Falconi lui échappent souvent; il n'est pas rare que Falconi tente de plaisanter et que ça soit reçu moins bien que prévu :p

Who gets jealous easier?

Le Lorrain serait plus du genre à se montrer un peu jaloux, mais à vrai dire Falconi lui donne bien peu d'occasions de l'être. Lorsque le Lorrain se met inévitablement à plaisanter ou à flirter avec d'autres gens pour attirer l'attention, Falconi se contente de lever les yeux au ciel. Ou de lancer un regard assassin ou deux.

What are their parallels, whether in their personalities or their histories?

Si on parle strictement canon, leurs personnalités et la trajectoire de leurs vies sont des reflets. Le Lorrain est né de famille noble, il avait tout et était pourtant quelqu'un d'arrogant et vaniteux qui prenait toute compétition (perçue ou bien réelle) comme un affront. Il choisit néanmoins éventuellement de laisser cette vie privilégiée derrière lui et de devenir quelqu'un de meilleur. À l'inverse, Falconi, au départ, n'était personne et n'avait pour ainsi dire pas grand-chose. Tout ce qu'il avait, c'était un talent pour le combat et un désir brûlant de prouver au monde ce dont il était capable. Falconi avait toujours été quelqu'un d'ambitieux, mais suite à son duel avec le Lorrain, il laisse cette ambition le consumer et devient cruel et impitoyable face à quiconque s'oppose à lui. 

Who whispers inappropriate things in the other's ear in public?

Le Lorrain, qui a le don de toujours faire ça au pire moment possible

Do they hide anything from each other, big or small?

Pas vraiment. Falconi ne partage pas tout ce qui lui passe par la tête, et il est généralement peu enclin à discuter les détails de ses années passées à travailler pour Philippe d'Orléans, mais si un détail lui semble pertinent, il n'hésite habituellement pas à en parler. Il ne parvient jamais tout à fait à se défaire de son attachement pour le Régent, et ça c'est en effet quelque chose dont il ne parle pas, mais que le Lorrain le devine sans grande difficulté. 

Which one thinks they aren't good enough for the other, if at all?

Il faut bien du temps à Falconi pour accepter qu'il a sa place parmi les Cartouchiens. Même une fois que la décision est prise et qu'il choisit de rester près d'eux, il doute beaucoup. Il reconnaît qu'il peut leur être /utile/, mais il est plus difficile pour lui de reconnaître que les Cartouchiens l'apprécient et le considèrent comme l'un de leurs, tout simplement. La douceur et la générosité dont le Lorrain fait preuve alors que Falconi a tant de mal à se remettre de ses blessures sont des choses pour lesquelles Falconi est reconnaissant… et il doute d'avoir jamais la chance de lui rendre la pareille. 

What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

Songs that apply to their relationship: i guess most of the ones i have apply more to the beginning of their relationship or riiight before? But finding stuff that matches the vibe has been a giant pain in general asdjgk

Pierre Lapointe’s 27-100 rue des partances is a Big Fave for le Lorrain in general, but the instrumental version specifically i listened to a lot while thinking about these two learning to get along and appreciate each other! i do like some soft piano, what can i say. The lyrics being tinted with regret is also a good vibe, even if it’s not a perfect fit!

Another Pierre Lapointe one: Plaisirs dénudés, which matches Falconi’s vibe a bit more! Where le Lorrain is at peace pretty quick with his feelings and decides to keep them to himself because he thinks the timing is Not Good (he’s right!), Falconi is a whole lot less confident about, well, everything.The Cartouchiens offered him friendship, and the happiness he gets from it feels extremely temporary and fragile. Those feelings he develops for le Lorrain a bit later, he develops in spite of himself… He can’t help but have the tiniest bit of hope here, but at the same time keeps trying to convince himself that none of the happiness he finds in his current situation is something that will last.

….ngl Moi, je t’aimerai has something desperately intense (and also intensely desperate?) about it that would match the first time they fuck yeah they’re all Pierre Lapointe songs what of it

What is their most common argument about?

Franchement ils se chamaillent pour un peu tout et n'importe quoi, au point où les autres Cartouchiens n'y prêtent même plus attention. Ce n'est jamais sérieux, ils sont juste comme ça :p

III. LOVE

Who said "I love you" first, and what was the situation?

Le Lorrain, pas bien longtemps après qu'ils aient couché ensemble pour la première fois. Ça sort un peu tout seul, sans qu’il y ait trop pensé! Falconi avait envie de le dire depuis un moment déjà, il a juste hésité trop longtemps… 

What are their primary love languages?

Le Lorrain expresses love with words and via gift-giving, two things he’s annoyingly talented at. He adores spending time figuring out the perfect gift that will make someone happy, and Falconi is a particularly fun target here because for awhile figuring out what he likes is a bit of a struggle? He likes a challenge! In the end, the perfect gift at the right moment is the very first thing that helps Falconi let his guard down, so le Lorrain is particularly proud of that one :p Compliments and little “I love yous” are also big faves with Falconi in particular because he somehow never seems to expect them and gets a bit flustered every. single. time. Even when he pretends to roll his eyes about it.

In return, he craves physical touch so, so much. He wants to feel warmth and closeness!! And wants gentle little touches!! The fact that Falconi in general doesn’t touch people a lot if he can avoid it makes those gestures even more significant, it makes him feel special and important in a way that makes him deeply happy. Sharing time just the two of them is also very much something that ends up helping them get closer at first; they get to, like, actually talk, and suddenly find they actually don’t hate everything about each other? It’s a habit they keep; a quiet evening together, spent just talking and reading and just finding comfort in each other’s company is something they both love. 

Falconi doesn’t like people touching him most of the time, but he will reach out to people he particularly trusts and loves. With le Lorrain, that means a whole lot of small touches; always standing close when they’re together, reaching out and touching his hand to get his attention, touching his face when they’re alone. He’ll take off his gloves just to feel le Lorrain’s skin against his hands, and while that probably doesn’t seem like much, le Lorrain knows perfectly how much love and trust that gesture implies. Falconi loves seeing these small touches reciprocated; it takes him awhile to get really comfortable with it, but it’s something he wants… Otherwise, he really tries to show affection through his actions; so often he feels like words fail him, so he figures he might as well try to show he cares in other ways. Sometimes it’s gifts, other times it’s arranging things so they can spend time alone. He’s thoughtful!

Who uses the cheesy pick-up lines, or does corny gestures?

Le Lorrain adore draguer, donc forcément les pick-up lines lui reviennent. Ça l'amuse beaucoup, et il adore s'en servir pour faire réagir Falconi. Les réactions typiques sont des soupirs agacés et des roulements d’yeux, mais dans ces cas-ci le Lorrain sait bien que c’est positif :p Pour ce qui est des gestes romantiques un peu culculs, ils sont tous les deux coupables, vraiment.

How often do they cuddle or engage in PDA?

En dehors du repaire des Cartouchiens? Jamais à moins d’être complètement seuls et certains qu’ils ne peuvent pas être vus. La seule façon de se douter qu’il y a quoi que ce soit entre eux, c’est la façon dont ils se tiennent peut-être juste un peu plus près l’un de l’autre que nécessaire, et le fait que Falconi ne laisse à peu près personne d'autre être si constamment dans son espace personnel :p Lorsqu'ils sont chez eux, ils se permettent d'être moins discrets… ce qui dans le cas de Falconi signifie chercher discrètement certains contacts physiques, et dans le cas du Lorrain signifie être limite insupportable quand il décide qu'il veut de l'attention.

Who initiates kisses? Where is their favorite spot to kiss each other?

Le Lorrain fait généralement le premier geste, et rien ne le fait plus sourire que la réaction de Falconi lorsqu'il lui enlève ses gants et lui embrasse les mains. Il rougit, c'est immanquable, et c'est une technique infaillible pour s'assurer que Falconi soit tout à fait incapable de prêter attention à quoi que ce soit d'autre, honnêtement. Il aime bien poser de légers baisers sur sa cicatrice aussi… Falconi, de son côté, adore l'embrasser sur la nuque lorsqu'ils sont couchés en cuillère. 

What are their favorite things to do together?

S'entraîner à l'épée, bien sûr! Le Lorrain aime beaucoup s'entraîner avec Fleur d'Épine, mais à vrai dire, retrouver en Falconi un partenaire de son niveau lui plait énormément. Ils n'y peuvent rien, ça se termine en compétition et avec la salle commune en bordel à chaque fois. Combat à part, ils adorent tous les deux simplement passer du temps en compagnie l'un de l'autre. Le Lorrain essaie tant bien que mal d'apprendre les bases du clavecin à Falconi éventuellement, et ces moments lui plaisent plus que tout, lui qui aime tant la musique. Quant à Falconi, il aime ces longues nuits qu'ils passent parfois à tout simplement discuter autour de quelques verres.

Who is better at comforting the other? How do they usually comfort each other?

Le Lorrain se débrouille beaucoup mieux lorsqu'il s'agit de réconforter Falconi; il sait généralement trouver les bons mots. Il a tout de même tendance à parler trop, alors que parfois Falconi se serait simplement satisfait de trouver du réconfort dans sa présence. Malgré bien des efforts, Falconi reste peu habile pour réconforter les gens lorsqu'ils ne vont pas bien. Il est mal à l'aise et a tendance à rester trop silencieux! Reste qu'avec le Lorrain, il peut toujours se rabattre sur des gestes plus physiques, et c'est quelque chose que le Lorrain apprécie.

Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?

Ils aiment tous les deux l’affection physique, même si pour Falconi il faut plus de temps pour accepter ce genre de contact. Le Lorrain adore tout de même montrer son affection par les mots. Et oui, il y a peut-être un petit carnet rempli de poèmes guimauveux quelque part dans sa chambre… 

What reminds them of each other?

L'escrime, forcément, dans les deux cas. Mais sinon…

Pour le Lorrain : ces romans à l'eau de rose qu'il aime plus que tout, le soleil qui filtre entre les feuilles des arbres, ces petites bouteilles de parfum qu'il collectionne, le clavecin 

Pour Falconi : les onyx, l'atmosphère électrique d'un début d'orage, les gants de cuir, le grattement d’une plume sur du papier tard le soir… et ces romans à l’eau de rose qu’il aime lui aussi

What do they like best about each other?

Le Lorrain adore ce sens de l’humour tranchant dont Falconi fait souvent preuve. L’intensité avec laquelle Falconi se dévoue à toute chose qu’il considère comme importante, et le fait que, malgré son apparence souvent détachée et froide, sous la surface il bouillonne d’émotion. Il trouve tout ça stupidement attirant.

De son côté, Falconi est toujours un peu surpris de ce côté doux que le Lorrain a maintenant et qui est si à l’opposé de ce qu’il était lorsqu’ils se sont connus. Il tient profondément à l’amitié que lui a offerte le Lorrain, et aime avoir trouvé en lui quelqu’un dont la présence lui donne la certitude qu’il est à sa place. À vrai dire, chacun d’eux a cette forte impression que la présence de l’autre fait de lui une meilleure personne…

What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

Les habitudes sont difficiles à briser! Pendant bien longtemps, le Lorrain reste le Lorrain, et Falconi reste Falconi. Très franchement personne n’a utilisé le prénom de Falconi depuis bien des années ; le Lorrain l’appelle Nero et il lui faut quelques secondes pour réaliser qu’on s’adressait à lui et réagir. De son côté, Falconi aime bien l'appeler "Louis" une fois qu'il l'a essayé à quelques reprises! Ça reste quelque chose qu'il préfère garder pour les moments plus intimes.

Who remembers the little things?

Tous les deux! Falconi est observateur à un point qui est parfois limite agaçant, rien ne lui échappe. Mais le Lorrain ne donne pas sa place non plus.

How do they make up after an argument? Who is the first one to apologize?

Le Lorrain est habituellement plus rapide à présenter des excuses, mais lorsqu’ils prennent trop les choses à coeur, c’est facile pour tous les deux de s’emporter. De façon générale, ça se règle en discutant, mais Falconi en particulier a parfois besoin d’un peu de temps pour réfléchir et se calmer.

Who is more protective? Who would get into a fight to defend the other? Who tends to the other's wounds?

Ils sont à 100% à égalité sur tout ça. Ils sont tous les deux très protecteurs l’un envers l’autre, la nuance étant que la plupart du temps ils ont tous les deux parfaitement confiance que chacun d’eux sait se défendre. Bien sûr, si les choses semblent mal tourner le Lorrain n’hésitera pas un instant à se battre pour défendre Falconi… mais il faut bien avouer que Falconi sait très bien prendre soin de lui-même la plupart du temps. Et vice-versa. 

Pour ce qui est de s’occuper des blessures, chacun d’eux n’hésite pas à le faire s’il le faut. La différence, c’est que le Lorrain est du genre à dorloter son patient et à plaisanter gentiment, alors que Falconi passe sans doute un peu trop de temps à grommeler que rien de tout ça ne serait arrivé si le Lorrain avait fait un peu attention…

What gifts do they typically give each other?

Les livres sont une valeur sûre! Tous les deux aiment particulièrement les romans. Falconi devient à la longue particulièrement doué pour dénicher des parfums qui plaisent au Lorrain. Et pour Falconi… des gants neufs pour remplacer ceux qu’il finit inévitablement par user.

IV. DOMESTIC LIFE

When they move in together, who gets the most say in decorations? What do they each have to have in the house?

Lorsque Falconi se retrouve avec sa propre petite chambre au Chariot d’Or, le Lorrain est horrifié de constater que l’endroit reste très, très vide. Falconi s’attarde peu à ça: il a un lit, une petite table de chevet et une commode, le reste ne lui importe pas tellement. Ses quartiers du Palais-Royal étaient à peu près dans le même état bien qu'il y ait vécu des années! La différence, c'est que cette fois-ci le Lorrain est là pour trouver que c'est absurde et insister pour rendre l'endroit un peu plus vivable :p Est-ce que c'est une excuse pour faire les boutiques et acheter de jolies choses? Peut-être. Mais plus que tout, il veut que Falconi ait une chambre où il se sente vraiment chez lui.

Falconi trouve toute cette insistance un peu ridicule… surtout qu'il se retrouve plus souvent qu'autrement à passer son temps dans la chambre du Lorrain lorsqu'il n'est pas dans la salle commune. N'empêche, une fois quelques petites décorations ajoutées, c'est vrai que la chambre lui plait bien, et il prend plaisir à y passer plus de temps.

If they get married, who proposes, and how do they do it? Would they change their surnames?

Rien de tout ça ne s'applique, mais!! Falconi ferait la demande, sans doute lors d'un moment doux où ils ne sont que tous les deux. Ça reste quelque chose de très simple et d'intime. Pour ce qui est des noms, rien ne changerait de ce côté.

What is the wedding like? Who attends?

La vibe n'est sans doute pas bien différente de toutes ces soirées que les Cartouchiens passent tous ensemble au Chariot d'or! Et d'ailleurs, ce sont eux qui sont invités.

How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like as parents? What are the kids like?

J'ai pas beaucoup d'opinions sur celle-là, à part le fait que Freluquet a pratiquement été adopté par les Cartouchiens, non? Tout le petit groupe se soucie de lui, tout en le laissant quand même faire à peu près tout ce qu’il veut! Falconi s'y attache aussi, un peu sans s'en rendre compte… Lorsqu'il réalise que Freluquet ne sait ni lire, ni écrire, il se met éventuellement en tête de lui apprendre, et s'il n'est pas le professeur le plus patient, c'est clair que tout ça lui tient à coeur.

Are either of them the "breadwinner"? Who cooks? Who cleans?

Rien de tout ça ne s'applique lol. Chacun s’occupe de sa chambre et de sa nourriture. Falconi est plus méticuleux et soigné lorsqu’il s’agit de garder sa chambre en ordre, contrairement au Lorrain qui a tendance à garder tout ce qu’il trouve joli et à tout entasser. Après, forcément, c’est beaucoup plus facile de tout garder en ordre quand on ne se donne même pas la peine de décorer…

Do they have any pets?

Ce chat qui traîne au Chariot d'Or dans quelques épisodes et qui, si on se fie aux notes de production, s'appelle Moustache! Mais c'est un peu le chat de tous les Cartouchiens, alors ça compte qu'à moitié. Falconi aime bien les animaux, en fait, mais ne se donne sans doute pas la peine d’en acquérir un pour lui seul. 

Who worries the most?

Falconi, définitivement. Il a l'habitude de tout penser et repenser mille fois… 

Who kills the bugs in the house?

Les petites bêtes ne les impressionnent pas, ni l'un ni l'autre.

How do they celebrate holidays?

Falconi n’a pas l’habitude de célébrer grand-chose, mais le Lorrain aime bien assister discrètement à certaines cérémonies et événements lorsqu’il sait à l’avance que l’on y entendra de la musique. Ça lui plait, et bien entendu, une fois que Falconi fait partie de sa vie, il prend plaisir à l’entraîner avec lui à l’occasion. Outre ça, ce genre de journée a tendance à être un peu une excuse pour les Cartouchiens pour juste se retrouver entre amis. Ce qui n’est pas si spécial, à vrai dire, mais ça leur plaît quand même!

Who is more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

Le Lorrain est beaucoup plus porté à vouloir faire la grasse matinée, mais c’est bien rare qu’il arrive à persuader Falconi de rester si celui-ci considère qu’il a autre chose à faire. À l’inverse, les rares fois où Falconi décide de rester au lit, il n’a absolument aucun mal à s’arranger pour que le Lorrain reste avec lui. À vrai dire, il n’a même pas à demander.

Who hogs the blankets or takes up more than their fair share of the bed? Who puts their cold feet on the other? Who are the big and little spoons?

Falconi a le sommeil agité, et ça veut dire qu’il se retrouve avec les couvertures et la plupart de l’espace en général. Le Lorrain ne lui en veut pas trop… Mais c’est pas pour rien qu’ils n’abandonnent pas leurs chambres séparés :p Le Lorrain préfère être la petite cuiller, et ça tombe bien : Falconi, qui se sent parfois un peu étouffé par trop de contact, est plus confortable dans l’autre rôle.

Who likes to dance with, or sing for, the other?

Le Lorrain est celui qui préfère la musique, et il adore jouer du clavecin pour Falconi. Falconi, de son côté, a un faible pour la valse…

Do they have any "couple traditions", or family traditions?

Rien de notable ici, à part peut-être que le Lorrain fait le voyage vers les terres de sa famille une ou deux fois par année. Il prend plaisir à traîner Falconi avec lui.

Who is the one who always says "I don't know" when the other asks where they want to eat?

Falconi, à quoi tout ça est franchement égal. 

Who would drive, and who would give directions?

Ça ne s’applique pas, mais dans l’éventualité où ils ont à partager la même monture pour une raison ou une autre? Falconi tient les rênes, et le Lorrain se permet d’avoir des opinions sur tout et n’importe quoi. Opinions que Falconi se fait un plaisir d’ignorer.