ileaverosepetalsinmywake

[loveisanimaginarydagger3000]

The Babysitter (6)

Catching A Liar

Wanda Maximoff X Reader

Summary: In need of money and a way to escape the problems at home, you get a job babysitting two lovely boys named Billy and Tommy Maximoff. What happens when you start to feel things you shouldn't for their mother? Will it bloom into love or leave you heartbroken?

A/N- I would just like to say that there will be some sensitive issues in this story such as alcoholism, homophobia, anxiety as well as more mature content such as smut so, if you continue to read this, please consider this warning.

The Babysitter Master list | General Master List

Chapter 6- W/c 2.3k

Catching A Liar

Knocking on the door of the Maximoff residences, your eyes widened when the door revealed mesmerising green eyes instead of the impatient blue, Wanda smiling at you softly as you stood awkwardly on her doorstep. She motions you to follow her inside, following behind her until you're guided into the kitchen, her sitting back at her seat while her hands pick up her coffee mug, taking a small sip while you sit near her, eyes scanning around for the twins.

"I am supposed to be babysitting tonight, aren't I?" Confusion is evident in your voice making the older woman chuckle, her laugh making your heart flutter as she softly gazes at you.

"Yes dear," she places her drink down, crossing her legs over in her seat. "Vision just couldn't pick up the boys today so I did," she explains, nodding your head in understanding before she continues, "I'm also working from home today so I was wondering if you could maybe take the twins out for me? Just to the park?"

"Yeah, that's no problem," you sigh out, leaning back in the seat and letting your fingers play with the end of your jumper, "Can I ask Natasha to come?" Wanda's eyebrows raise at your question, "She can bring Fanny over as well for the boys to play with." Natasha had asked you earlier if you wanted to join her and Yelena walking Fanny at the park this evening, but you had to deny due to babysitting the twins.

"Yeah, I don't see why not," she says, an indecipherable expression on her face. "Vis mentioned that she dropped you off the other day," she murmurs before taking another sip of her drink innocently, you flushing at the sight of her peering over the rim of her mug at you, "Mentioned that you two seemed rather close." You grow nervous as she speaks, scared she'll judge you or not agree with the way you are.

"We're just friends," you say, a smile gracing her lips at the news before she catches onto your nervous state.

"There would be nothing wrong if you were more than friends," she states, the almost jealous tone to her voice oblivious to you, furrowing your brows as Vision had clearly stated otherwise.

"But Vision said..." you trail off, looking away from the captivating green and glancing down at your fingers, "He wouldn't be comfortable with anyone... like that."

"Vision is very traditional in his beliefs," she grits out, clenching her jaw a little, danger flashing behind her eyes. "Sometimes I don't even know why I married him," she mutters quietly, you unable to hear the comment as anger builds in her, knowing her husband was mean and homophobic to you made her see red. "But I am perfectly fine with you looking after the boys no matter what," you smile shyly at her, the angelic smile on her face and comforting look in her eyes helping you relax a little, still a bit hesitant though. "I promise you sweetheart, I won't judge you if you're gay," she assures before hesitating herself on her next words, "Are...are you gay? If you don't mind me asking."

You tense momentarily in your seat, not liking the question. You never understood why everything had to have labels, so what if you liked girls? Why should people be able to judge or discriminate against you because you liked a certain type of person, you were still you.

"I'm..." you trail off, rubbing your palms against your jeans to rid the nervous sweat that's built on your hands, "I'm just me." You don't look back up at Wanda, missing the way her features soften or the way she gently looks at you at your words. Her hand moves to yours, interlocking your fingers together to stop you fiddling with them.

"Thank you," she whispers. Wanda knew that, although you didn't say much, it clearly meant something deeper to you and the fact you felt comfortable enough to talk to her about it made her feel warm inside. "I'll have a little chat with Vision about what he said, ok? If he's ever rude to you again, just tell me sweetheart," you kept your gaze on your hands after nodding briefly, missing the venom in her words at her husband's name due the feeling of her fingers intertwined with yours, her thumb brushing over the back of your hand allowing you to completely calm down.

"I'm going to ask Nat if she wants to come," you murmur after a few minutes of comfortable silence, Wanda smiling at you as you walk away to call your best friend.

Around half an hour later, you're at the park with the twins, both of them wrapped up in warm coats as it was starting to get rather chilly outside. Your eyes flickered between the boys in front of you and your surroundings looking for either red hair, a grumpy blonde or a crazed fluffball.

"Fluffy!" The boys cheered when the dog came into sight, a chuckle leaving your lips at the look Yelena gave her sister when the boys called her dog a different name. Walking up to them as the twins busied themselves with Fanny, you were unable to hide the smile on your face when you heard Yelena grumbling in Russian at her sister.

"My dog is named Fluffy now?" she says, directed to you while her finger points at you.

"That wasn't me Belova, blame your sister," Natasha glares at you, Yelena's hand going to hit the back of her head, but the redhead swiftly moves behind your body, using you as a shield knowing Yelena secretly had a soft spot for you. You see the boys running over to you, Fanny close behind as the air fogs at their hot breath.

"Mini Maximoffs," you say, making the twins giggle, "This is Yelena, Natasha's sister." The twins greet Natasha again, already taking a liking to her after the last park visit before turning to Yelena with big grins.

"Hi Yelena," Billy says quietly, a little intimidated by the blonde and her stoic face. Tommy on the other hand doesn't seem bothered, wrapping an arm around Fanny and looking at Yelena with a toothy grin.

"Fluffy is so cute!" he exclaims, making Yelena's hard exposure crumble, you and Natasha sharing a look as you see the younger woman start to interact with the twins, showing them the cool tricks she can get Fanny to do.

"Fan-" the glare you and Natasha sent her way cut her off, the blonde mumbling cyka (bitch) under her breath before turning back to the boys, "Fluffy," she looks at you two with an annoyed look, contrasting the amused glint in yours, "Speak." The dog barks on command, the boys giving her the treat Yelena handed them before getting the fluffball to spin in a circle for another.

The five of you play with Fanny while you try to tire out the boys by getting them to try and race the dog while she fetches the tennis ball you kept throwing for them. About half an hour passes and you decide you want to get something to drink from the cafe nearby, so you ask around what everyone else wants. The boys politely ask for hot chocolates (with extra marshmallows and whipped cream because that's the only acceptable way to drink it according to them), and the two coffees for the other women.

"I'm trusting you to take care of them," you point your fingers at the sisters, Yelena giving you a sly smirk while Natasha gives you a reassuring smile.

"We've got this," her tone comforting while her glaze flickers to the blonde, "Well, I at least, have got this." You pray to the heavens that everything goes smoothly while you leave them on their own, starting your brisk walk to the cafe.

Walking down the streets of Westview, you pass by a few restaurants and shops, glancing inside at all the people living their lives. A familiar set of blonde hair in one of the restaurants makes you look back inside, your face paling at the sight.

Vision had his arm dangerously low around another woman's waist, his mouth muttering something in her ear as she moved her hand to settle on the arm wrapped around her. A sultry smile took over her lips at what he said, her peering up at him and biting her lip before they were interrupted by another couple trying to walk past them. You see Vision starting to look around and swiftly make your way past the restaurant, rushing into the cafe to get the drinks.

"Are you alright?" the barista asks, seeing your pale face as you wait nervously for the drinks to be made, your thoughts running a million miles an hour.

"Huh?" you say, blinking up at him lost. "Oh yeah I'm fine," you read his name tag while he hands you the drinks in a bag, "Thank you, Peter." You leave the cafe still in a daze, annoyed and confused at how he could do such a thing, especially when he had Wanda as his wife.

Once you return to the park, Natasha and Yelena instantly know something is up, the twins too oblivious to realise as they sit on the bench, talking amongst themselves. Yelena takes the bag from you, planning on keeping the twins distracted while Natasha speaks to you.

"What's happened?" her voice laced with worry as your nervous state. She guides you to a nearby bench, you letting out a sigh and putting your head in your hands.

"I just saw Vision," you mutter, moving to lean back against the metal bench, Natasha's brows furrowing as you told her earlier he was at a meeting and that's why Wanda was home and letting you take the boys out. "In a restaurant, with another woman."

"Oh fuck," she sighs out, your handles moving to fiddle with one another as you don't know what to do. "Were they just talking? Like friends would?" she asks, seemingly knowing the answer already. You shake your head, her looking over to the twins who were gushing over the amount of whipped cream they had on their drinks. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," you whisper. You could tell Wanda, but you didn't want to be the one to break her heart, tell her that her husband, the father of her children, is most likely cheating on her. No matter how much you liked the woman, you didn't want to hurt her. Part of you though knew you had to tell her, make sure she knew the prick her husband was and how she deserves more than him, how she deserves the world. "I have to tell her, but I don't know how," you follow Natasha's gaze, looking at the boys and how happy they were, "I don't want to ruin their family."

"Hey, you didn't ruin anything, he did," she tells you, wrapping her arm around your shoulder and pulling you close, "It's not your fault in the slightest so don't think that, ok?"

"Ok," you murmur, nodding and letting out a deep breath before standing to approach Yelena and the boys. You all finish your hot drinks quickly, the cold weather making them taste even better as they warm you up before you say goodbye to the sisters. Natasha hugs you, whispering comforting words to you before parting ways, a reassuring smile on her lips.

On the short walk to the Maximoff residence, you notice how tired the boys are, clearly playing with Fanny exhausting them, making you smile as they drag their feet along the sidewalk. They just about make it to their house, Wanda opening the door with a bright smile at the sight of two very tired boys. She does notice your apprehensive look though and invites you in for a drink.

Groans escape the twins as they flop on the sofa, burying their faces in the pillows and resting after their trip out. Wanda walks with you to the kitchen, grabbing you a glass of water while she makes herself a cup of tea.

"Is everything alright dear?" she softly asks, turning to lean on the countertop while the kettle boils.

"Uh I don't really know how to say this," you mutter, still anxious about how the whole ordeal could go down. "Where is Vision?" you ask, making Wanda's face switch to confusion at your question.

"He said he had a business event to attend to," she says, sceptical of where this conversation was going. "Why?"

"I saw him in a restaurant earlier," you look away from her, not being able to handle the emotions swirling in her eyes, "He was with another woman there." Her jaw clenches as an indecipherable look washes over her face, shoulder slumping.

"What were they doing?" Her tone contains hints of anger and annoyance.

"He had his arm around her hip and was talking in her ear," your voice is quiet as you speak, feeling small under her intense gaze, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to cause any problems, I just wanted you to know-"

"It's ok dear," she cuts you off, her words a little harsh but her face softening at the guilty and apologetic look on your face. "Thank you for telling me," she turns her back to you, making her drink while you finish your water off, fingers tracing the rim of the glass. "It's getting late now dear, why don't you head off home, I wouldn't want your parents worrying," her tone trying to stay light and caring but not succeeding as you can see the anger building behind her eyes. You just nod your head at her, taking your empty glass to the sink before starting to make your way out. You pause at the door frame of the kitchen, opening your mouth and closing it as you look at the saddened and irritated expression on her face.

"I'm sorry Wanda, I really am," you whisper before leaving, heart clenching at what you just had to do.

[flashfuture]

Also I'm not sure how familiar people are with this issue but

The Flash vol 1 #168 "One of Our Green Lanterns is Missing!"

It's a real good one. It gives a historical precedent for the Guardians trusting Barry.

For context 1967 and Barry and Iris have recently been married and moved in together.

(The Flash vol 1 #168)

"While you're at headquarters see if there's been any word from Hal Jordan! He might have reached town this evening and left a message there for you !"

"Thoughtful of Iris! She knows I've been worried about Hal ! We received a letter from him last week saying he was on his way to Central City to visit Iris and me in our new house..."

"But since then there's been no sign of him ! And that's not like Hal-- To act in such a manner !" But I suppose his duties as Green Lantern-- which Iris knows nothing about-- intervened! At least I hope that's the reason ! ... Either I'm having an hallucaination-- or I'm looking at one of the Guardians of the Universe Hal told me about !"

"I am one of the Guardians, Barry Allen-- seeking Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern of this sector of the cosmos!"

So Barry and Iris are incredibly worried about where Hal could be at since he said he was going to visit them and was a no show. Now one of the Guardians of the universe has popped down to see Barry and ask for his help.

"You mean-- something is wrong? Hal is missing!?"

"Yes ! And his power battery too! In our efforts to regain contact with him, we thought of you! We are aware of course that from time to time you have teamed up with him as The Flash ! My mission is to enlist your aid in finding Hal Jordan!"

So Barry agrees of course to help find Hal and even tells Iris he's too upset about receiving no word from Hal to work tonight.

The next morning Iris is just saying how she thinks it's "strange Barry, that there's still been no word at all from Hal--"

When on the tv they show off a fisherman with who could it be but Hal Jordan. And Iris in shocked starting at the tv says "Barry, get down to the dock-- on the double! What are you waiting for?" And Barry of course runs out faster than on the double to get Hal.

So the Flash hits the docks says Hal Jordan ! And realizes Hal lost his memory and the Fisherman who found Hal is like cool go with the Flash kid

Barry takes Hal back to the hotel he figures he's staying at and finds the Lantern Hal stashed away and tells him in the vaugest most suggestive way possible what they're gonna do.

"Hal, please do exactly as I say-- even though you do not understand! A great deal depends on what we're about to do-- believe me ! But we must do it right ! come-- this way--"

"Why are we kneeling down--?" Great question Hal I love that you do it anyways

"Hal, you must repeat after me exactly what I am about to say..."

In brightest day, in blackest night and well you get the rest. Barry says the Lantern's vow while holding Hal's half up to the lantern and it fixes his memory. Hal gets dressed Barry lounges on the back of a chair.

"Green Lantern, it may take the two of us to handle the super-crime! How about joining me?"

"If you didn't ask, Flash-- I'd insist!"

So they go beat up the bad guys Kabam

And then Hal takes Iris and Barry out onto the boat to show them how to fish. And The Guardians are pleased The Flash was successful and clearly know they can rely on him again in the future.

"Green Lantern, don't run out on me! Without you I'm helpless against these super-armed crooks!"

I'd also just like the point out this click bait dramatic ass break up style cover. Absolutely not what happened in the issue it's really good

[steddieas-shegoes]

for the 150 steddie prompts!!

132: “i didn’t think it was possible to love someone this much.”

(i used a number generator thats why its so random)

have fun!!

Oh, this is gonna be mushy. I'm feeling mushy. I'm gonna be in a wedding next week and am feeling so many mushy things about it, and I just finished writing the "speech" I'm giving (I am hoping I can just like privately do it tbh) and got REEEEALLY emotional so.

Rated T | tags: modern au, steddie wedding (a stedding if you will), fluff

🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻🤵🏻

Despite Eddie's insistence that everything would go perfectly, and Nancy's overbearing organization, and Robin's attempt at keeping Steve from knowing when something went wrong, things did not go perfectly.

The rain started five minutes before they were supposed to start the ceremony and Steve immediately started spiraling.

"Rain is bad luck! It wasn't even supposed to be cloudy today! Nance, what do we do?" Steve was pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair, ruining it's previously perfect style.

"First, we just wait a few minutes and see if it passes. You take a breath or five. Robin is gonna make sure the guests are staying dry inside the reception hall," Nancy answered, typing furiously on her cell phone.

"And then? If it doesn't stop? Do I just marry Eddie in the fucking rain?"

Nancy looked up at him, eyes squinting as she considered an answer.

"Your first kiss was in the rain, was it not?" she finally settled on.

"I don't see how that has anything to do with-"

"And the first date, that ended up with you stuck in rain after a concert?"

"So?"

"The first time he said he loved you was during a storm."

Steve felt some of the tension ease from his back and arms.

"And when he asked you to marry him, you were waiting for the rain to stop so you could walk the dog he didn't tell you he was rescuing."

"That was-"

"Yeah, so I think maybe we can just relax when it comes to rain. It's clearly not the sign of bad luck you seem to think it is," Nancy went back to typing furiously on her phone.

"Who are you texting?" Steve asked, sitting down on the arm of one of the chairs in the room.

"Dustin."

"Is he okay? Is Eddie?" Steve stood up, ready to go check on them himself, but was immediately stopped by Nancy's firm grip on his shoulder.

"Everyone is fine. Chill."

So, he chilled. Or tried to at least.

Nancy continued to text and the skies continued to pour down rain.

After ten minutes, he stood up.

"We can't keep people waiting. It doesn't look like it's gonna stop, so-"

A knock on the door interrupted him, causing both him and Nancy to turn towards it with wide eyes.

"Stevie?"

"Eds?"

Steve opened the door, even though he was supposed to wait until they were actually getting married to see him today.

His arms were full of Eddie before Nancy could slam the door shut.

"What's wrong, baby?" Steve asked, arms tightening around him and breathing in the smell of his "nice" cologne.

"'S raining," Eddie mumbled against his neck.

"Okay, that's it. Both of you are getting married now." Nancy tugged them apart and out of the room, her strength somehow still surprising to both of them.

"Nance-"

"Wheeler, it's pouring and-"

"Shut up."

One thing about Nancy Wheeler is she was a bit scary when she was determined, and right now, it seemed she was incredibly determined to get them married.

The rain was still coming down, but Nancy didn't let that stop her from dragging them to the arch surrounded by rows of seats.

She stood under the arch, eyebrows raised as water dripped off of her.

Steve and Eddie stared at her, then at each other.

They both started laughing.

"Might as well do it, then," Eddie shrugged.

"Dearly beloved, we are stuck out in the rain today to see these two idiots get married-"

"Hey! This is not what we agreed you'd say!" Steve argued, cutting himself off when Nancy snapped her fingers.

"We're gonna cut this short because this rain is cold, but they've both prepared some things to say," Nancy gestured for them to get started.

Steve had known what he was going to say for months now, memorized it and practiced it in the mirror almost every morning while he was doing his hair.

But it didn't feel right now.

"I didn't think it was possible to love someone this much," Steve said, squeezing Eddie's hands in his. "Standing in the rain to marry you makes sense, now that we're here. All I care about is you, all I ever care about is being with you, rain or shine or snow, bad times or good."

It was impossible to tell for sure if Eddie was crying or the raindrops were running down his cheeks, but when he spoke, Steve could hear just a slight rasp to his voice.

"You remember when I finally kissed you for the first time? The rain hadn't stopped all day and we both looked ridiculous, kinda like now, and you were just pouting up at the sky, and I couldn't hold back. I can never hold back with you. I'll kiss you in the rain for the next 100 years if I live long enough to do it, sweetheart," Eddie said softly.

"Alright, kiss each other!"

"Aren't the rings next?"

"Robin has them, we can do that part later."

Eddie pulled Steve against him, fronts flush against each other.

"Think we could find somewhere to mess around in the rain?" he whispered against Steve's lips.

Steve's eyes flashed over to Nancy, who was already walking away.

"Kiss me and we'll see."

[cookinguptales]

I was reading your latest meta and it got me thinking, mostly the part about how Guillermo's trigger is being undervalued and I agree but also I think he takes Nandor's shit because he knows Nandor actually values him. Like in seasons 1 and 2 there are times when he thinks about killing him, but all starts to change when Nandor saves him from Topher and then Guillermo's like now I know my master cares for me. I think Nandor was very loving by vampire standards from the start, he's just a little better at showing it now, but the big change is not his behaviour, it's that Guillermo is aware that Nandor cares. The bit in 5x01 about the cute montage or even his smile at the cinema proves it. Like we're supposed to think haha he's delusional how funny, but he's not actually, he knows Nandor loves him even when he laughs at him or is being rude. And while Guillermo has gotten more and more secure in the knowledge of how Nandor truly feels, Nandor doesn't have that... at all. If anything each season gives him more reasons to fear abandonmet, there was always the risk of Guillermo leaving and now there's this new fear of him staying and still not being there for him emotionally. The turning is just the icing on the cake. I think to fix things and to make it work between them eventually Guillermo will need to prove to Nandor that he lives him for him and that he doesn't want to leave him ever. I'm not saying marrying Guillermo will fix Nandor, but I'm not not saying it lol

*looks at her entire body of work on ao3* yes, these are subjects I also think about a lot. lmao

No, you're right, these are things I really love about the show. Like I was saying in that meta post, you really do have to look at Nandor's actions through the lens of vampiric norms. Nandor absolutely does not treat Guillermo well by human standards, but by vampire standards... he's downright eccentric, how into his familiar he is. That comes up a lot, actually. Other vampires are weirded out by how devoted Nandor is to Guillermo.

I mean, just look at how we've seen other vampires treat their familiars, including even other vampires in the same house. They're completely disposable. They have them fight like pokemon. They put them down when they get a hangnail. They keep them in dog cages. They've completely dehumanized familiars because they are glorified food.

Like... maybe even worse than food? Like maybe tainted food. Vampires regularly fall for (and turn) humans, but there's such a distaste for familiars. At least other humans are free, y'know? They don't debase themselves the way familiars do. I think that's what disgusts the vampires far more than familiars' intrinsic humanity. It's the servility. The willingness to sacrifice their own. (Vampire shall not kill vampire, etc.) The fact that they take orders, something that most vampires clearly chafe against.

(Side note: it's so interesting that Guillermo, who clearly wants to be a vampire so he is no longer constrained by social norms, has willingly taken on a role that's even more constrained and submissive for years. That's a whole meta post in and of itself, though.)

But despite the blatant disrespect that vampires have for familiars, the open manipulation they use to keep them in line, the total dehumanization they engage in... Nandor doesn't. He protects his familiar. He plays one-on-one games with his familiar. He confides in his familiar. He does what his familiar says, partially to make him happy and partially because he is willing to acknowledge that his familiar is often right. These are all totally foreign behaviors to most other vampires.

Guillermo does come off as delusional at the beginning of the series, but we quickly realize that he's not wrong. Nandor was willing to sacrifice his life (and the lives of the other vampires) to save Guillermo at the Council. He did apologize to Guillermo and try to make it up to him after letting him down at the club. He did save Guillermo from Topher, even if he wasn't emotionally capable of admitting why. Guillermo was right.

Guillermo, we come to realize, actually knows these vampires better than literally anyone. And that's part of why he's been rewarded with a very strange relationship, for a familiar. It's also why he can see through Nandor's surface shittiness to what lies beneath. (Which is occasionally more shittiness, but is often something much softer.) You're right, his smile at the movies really did speak volumes. He knew why he was there, even if Nandor was being a crab at him.

The only thing he doesn't seem to get about Nandor is how easily he can hurt him. I think he's finally, finally starting to understand how much power Nandor has given him. Like... I remember when Nandor went off to join the cult and Guillermo was like "I guess now I know how it feels." He genuinely had not considered up until that moment how badly it had hurt Nandor when he'd left him. He hadn't considered that he had that power over him.

But I think Guillermo gets it now more fully than he ever has in the past, and I think he'll only get it even more by the end of this season. He knows that Nandor has abandonment issues, but he's never seen the way those issues are attached to him specifically. Nandor always plays it off like he didn't miss Guillermo when he was gone, and Guillermo used to believe him. But he's finally seeing how fucking weird Nandor gets when he's worried about Guillermo leaving him. He started to see it in s4, with the wedding stuff, but he's really seeing it now.

Nandor is upset. He's upset purely and only because he thinks Guillermo doesn't want to be with him anymore. And Guillermo really can't ignore that anymore -- and isn't, for that matter. It's really killing him, I think, to finally realize just how much he means to Nandor right after doing something that will damage their relationship, perhaps irreparably. He's finally putting all the pieces together and realizing that even he didn't see how much he means to Nandor.

Nadja and Laszlo, however, know just how fucking weird Nandor's behavior towards Guillermo is and always has been. They know exactly what Guillermo means to him, though they're a little fuzzier on why. (Though thankfully, they are also starting to see the light.) So they understood immediately what the consequences of all this would be.

I do think that Nandor mostly just needs irrefutable proof that Guillermo wants to be with him. He has been damaged by all the times that people have left him in the past, and he's been even more damaged by all the times Guillermo has left him in the past. I do think a large part of why he won't turn Guillermo is because he's afraid that he'll leave once he no longer needs anything from him. I do think that's why he has such weird, unhinged, possessive behavior towards Guillermo's attention. I do think that's why he concocted an entire fucking wedding.

I don't know that marrying Guillermo would completely assuage his fears, especially considering the way that all of Nandor's past marriages have ended, but it sure wouldn't hurt. lmao. I think Nandor probably wants to be the wife this time, too.

I think he just needs something real and tangible that will make him believe fully that Guillermo will never, ever leave him. And hell, who knows? Maybe that'll be Guillermo being turned, knowing that Nandor might kill him for it, and still sticking around.

[elysiumarchieve]

Scaramouxhe x mute reader? Headcanins before and after he became a 'god'

NAUR i think that honestly would be so cute😭 protective lover scaramouche who always knows exactly what you want and need MY HEART hc that he knows sign language

and PLEASE tell me if there is anything wrong, i tried researching more on mute people for this because i actually have never met anyone who is mute, so i tried my best😭

scaramouche x mute! gn! reader

warnings: fluff?? scaramouche isn't as much of a little shit in this as he usually is, he has a soft nonexistent heart, sort of 3.2 archon quest spoilers

✧ this is the embodiment of "they asked for no pickles" meme if you actually ask me

✧ scaramouche, although far more attentive when it comes to your needs, is still the same little shit you'd expect him to be. just because you're mute doesn't mean you're dumb and you understand him very well

✧ however, the difference lies in how he really treats you compared to everyone else - you're his beloved s/o and anyone mishandling you earned themself a nice warm place in whatever hell teyvat possesses

✧ scaramouche learnt rather quickly what you like and dislike and what things make you comfortable and uncomfortable. there is no need for you to even try and tell him you're feeling unwell, because he'll already be on his guard and leave at the slightest discomfort you might experience - he reads the room too well for someone who usually doesn't give a damn about human emotions and their needs

✧ there are people bothering you? the next day you find them on their knees, beaten up and bruised, begging you to tell your lover off and how they didn't know you were with a fatui harbinger (you didn't even know scaramouche found out about this)

✧ when accompanying him, he always makes sure you're 'heard'. he'd often say things such as "we're going this way" and waits for you to agree to it before continuing any further - it's all about you and what you think. you still have a 'voice', even though you can't speak to him like anyone else, but that's exactly why he puts you above everyone else

✧ a king of non-verbal cues. he's attentive to a point that it feels like his eyes are always on you, taking in every movement of yours and reading you like a book - there is no need for words in the first place. one unsure glance to the side and he'll be there, asking you what's bothering you

✧ while i doubt he knew anything about sign language before meeting you, he put in a lot of effort to learn it rather quickly for you. one, it would make it easier for him to know what you're trying to say and second, he doesn't need anyone to translate it to him nor do you need a notebook or anything else to talk to him

✧ tell him about your day! it doesn't matter how you do it, but he simply wants to see the excitement in your eyes when you go about what you did. he's genuinely interested in what you do

✧ after having received the gnosis and becoming a 'god' in that sense, you clearly saw him less and you were actually under the supervision of the sages who didn't even dare to say anything to you (i mean, your lover was literally becoming their god, what were they supposed to do?)

✧ staying with the doctor of all people wasn't an option either for you. who'd willingly stay with this madman in one room? not you unless you have a few screws loose

✧ if you came to visit scaramouche during his deification, he'd tell you about all the things he knew now - the knowledge he had gained, the things he suddenly felt.. except that he was still your scaramouche, being a little shit about everything

✧ fuck haypasia, his true first follower was always you, the person who was by his side even way before all of this. he had however to commend the sages for keeping you a secret from the traveler thus far. if they found out about you he would've been sure to try and hide you away from them (they could use his only weakness against him, but that would be low, even for the traveler)

✧ he allows you to sit down on these giant mecha hands to bring you closer to him and unless you're afraid of heights, is actually amazing. you look so tiny and vulnerable in his hands but he knows exactly that he can protect you even better now if you needed it (i'm thinking rn, if his arms copy every movement, can the mecha fingers too?? sign language mecha confirmed)

✧ if you manage to establish the same connection to him the way haypasia did, he'd definitely tries visiting you throughout the day, watching you from the shadows and making sure you're okay - this was his gift for you now that he was a 'god', his everlasting protection over you that he promises you

✧ besides that, he can read your thoughts now too, so your conversations would also be a little different from before. sometimes he'd just hold you on his mechanical hands and listen to what you have to say in your thoughts as he answers you whatever it might be

✧ in his eyes, you're beautiful on the outside and on the inside. he can tell from your mind that you're genuine about him and also his goals and it secretly reassures him knowing he has someone to actually keep true to what they promised him - in the end, all he ever wanted was to have a purpose, whether that might be through you or the gnosis he desires so much, he atleast knows that there is one more thing int his world to give him a purpose

✧ unlike any of the false promises made to him a long time ago, he'd make sure to keep them. as for now, he had become a god and he could give you everything you wanted if you just would be a little more patient for him

✧ he has everything he wants now, he finally has the heart he was designed for, he was finally the god he was always supposed to be and he had you, the one person who stood through it all with him up until this point

✧ he'd probably watch over you in your sleep - standing there with crossed arms right next to you, an endearing look in his eyes you would've never thought scaramouche could ever possess and a proud, small smile (he didn't care if anyone saw him, but the naked human eye could not perceive his form unless they were a special case like the traveler)

✧ to say that his ego grew with that realisation would be an understatement, and yet he'd make sure you're okay and that you're safe - even when that pesky traveler, his annoying flying creature and that child archon came to fight him, he'd be sure to make sure no harm would ever befall you and that you were secure and far away

[incorrect-ikevamp-quotes]

Man. How did I forget that an entire subplot of Dazai's main story was just. Trying to trap him into having a single conversation with MC like a normal person I'm so akhdjgfkljshgskjd

I just love watching her, Arthur, and Isaac deadass plot with glee to get one over on Dazai it's killing me, this is some Hamlet level shit (no Charles do not stand behind the curtain to kill Dazai coming in the window!!! yamero!!!!!)

Also because I felt personally attacked (/j) when Isaac said this:

I love you Isaac but pls have mercy on creatives we only have one brain cell and we're trying s o hard oTL

Although, and I'll leave it under the cut since I'm back on my Comte-posting, but the way Comte talks about Dazai fascinates me. Also just as fair warning, I do broach a lot of the topics that come up in Dazai rt so trigger warnings for self-harm, suicide, CPTSD and PTSD, trauma, etc. I don't go too too in-depth, but they are there.

Comte: "Dazai is quite skilled at concealing what he's really feeling, even from himself, perhaps."

The way he instantly remarks on how Dazai is not only working to conceal what he feels from others, but also from himself. Tbh I think that's enormously perceptive, because at first glance most people tend to think Dazai is lazy, troublesome, flippant, or erratic (and sometimes, a combination of all of these).

I love that he sees to the core of who Dazai is and what he's feeling; fear. Dazai is afraid of hurting someone again, but I also think on some level he's made it an ontological problem; he's afraid of himself. He thinks his very existence is a negative entity, something that exists only to hurt and/or estrange other people, something wrong/different. I'd argue that's why he's so adamant about mood-making and keeping to himself. If you never express how you truly feel or live true to yourself, on some level you can't entirely reach others. Because fundamentally, being close to other people does require some level of lowered defenses and sharing. Ergo, never dwell too long or give too much of yourself away, never make a mark on anyone--good or bad.

As a side note, Theo calls him "a half-strewn dandelion puff" and I agree that's rather blunt, but on some level Theo operates on a level of utility. His entire operating precept is that life and work must serve a discrete purpose. And Dazai, in choosing to opt out of living with meaning/intent out of fear, makes this description entirely consistent with Theo's perspective of the world. Though his phrasing is harsh and perhaps one-dimensional, I do find it interesting that he comes to a similar conclusion as Comte as to what Dazai is doing.

Comte talks about it with such clarity and calm, he really does feel so parental in this moment. He's not necessarily minimizing the reality of how Dazai is experiencing the world, but he also clearly doesn't agree with Dazai's self-perception. Perhaps most striking to me is how Comte seems to understand that the only threat Dazai poses is to himself...Sometimes it feels like, in the case of conditions like mental illness/depression/etc. people are so eager to assume ill will of a person. This is only exponentially compounded if they prove to have striking intelligence and strategic capacity, the same way Dazai does. I guess I can't help but appreciate that Comte knows the difference between strong and scared, and even how the lines between the two can and often do blur (perhaps best exemplified in his relationships with Jeanne and Dazai).

(Side note: I forgot which event it was but, one time when Dazai was homesick for cherry blossom watching, Comte had the entire house filled with flowers to cheer him up [insert ugly sobbing]).

For someone so enigmatic, evasive, and distant, Comte still notices instantly that Dazai is much, much happier with MC. I suppose it makes me wonder if Comte knew all along that Dazai's real wish was to be accepted and loved as he was, but kept quiet out of respect for his privacy. I would offer too that sometimes people need to realize these things on their own for the information to have value.

But what really gets my ass is what Comte says right after:

This is my bread and butter (so is he but that's not the point of this particular TED talk). In the last few years I've done a lot of exploratory work on how trauma is mapped both internally but also visibly on the body. What I think is engaging here is that, while it could be read on a surface level as "body language gives people's true intentions away" I don't think that's quite what he's getting at. Or perhaps better phrased, it's an oversimplification. I don't think it's that body language can't communicate real and important information about people's lives. Rather, that people associate rigid and absolutist interpretations to singular mannerisms, which does a disservice to both parties. Nobody can know a person at a glance; to say that you do reduces the lived reality of the opposite party.

Comte gives simple examples and couches his words for the context of the moment, but I think that first line is incredibly telling. "But the body is remarkably truthful." It makes me think of how, in moments where Comte is overcome with anxiety as a result of traumatic recurrence, he has acute panic attacks (i.e. shortened breath, racing heart, trembling). How Leonardo's lethargy (i.e. napping on the floor everywhere like the hobo he is) belies the reality of his very real exhaustion, the emotional turmoil that comes with a fraught immortal life.

Dazai's endless struggle with dissociation and self-harm, the way he stood in the rain unmoving at the thought of MC returning home to the modern era. Whether to numb himself from the pain of that grief/loneliness, or perhaps more likely the self-immolation of subjecting himself to the re-enactment of the most harrowing moment of his life. To relive that anguish as a reminder; to abstain from making the same mistake ever again. Jeanne's endless bodily tension, struggles with basic self-care (appears to be interoception-based; reduced signalling of the need to eat/rest/etc.), and self-isolation to cope in a world where only the strong survive. Never safe, always alone, always defensive.

I think, for many people in general but especially people who have been through intense PTSD/CPTSD/etc., it can be hard to express these feelings directly. Whether they are forcibly silenced, ridiculed into self-derision/self-concealment, or are overwhelmed by emotions that are difficult to process--each manifests itself in unconventional ways. It means a lot to me when those phenomena are portrayed so sensitively in written works/media, that they're explored with real intention and narrative subtlety to communicate how hard it is for people who are wounded or simply different (or both, as often is the case).

Addendum:

Even more than that, and this is an observation at the end of Dazai's route, is Comte's open belief that life is something to be cherished. Of course, like any other person he has behaviors he won't abide and people he doesn't feel partial to, but by and large he doesn't take life lightly. Perhaps that's why he doesn't expect Dazai to resort to such measures again, in conjunction with the circumstances of his transition. From an outsider perspective, I could see how Comte might assume Dazai no longer wishes for that if he seemed to regret his initial course of action by seeking resurrection. There is also the implication that Dazai is always at war with himself, and therefore might give contradictory impressions; one moment he wants to live, the next he doesn't. This is precisely what led him to ask Charles for help to subdue his own 'cowardice.' (His terms, not mine. [bonks him]) There is a sizeable subset of s-word survivors who, after recovery, feel that their problems were actually solvable despite their despair in the moment.

Of course, that doesn't apply to everyone, but I think there's something to be said of Comte feeling such real affection for the mansion boys that he is stricken to find out what Dazai attempted. And perhaps unsurprisingly, very adamant to keep him from ever pursuing such a course of action again. He's incredibly vulnerable about his horror that he might have inflicted something on Dazai that he never wanted in bringing him back, though Dazai comfortably refutes any lack of agency in the situation.

I guess I feel very compelled by the duality inherent in Comte's glass heart, precisely because of how realistic it feels. His greatest strength is his sensitivity, but it's also his greatest weakness in tandem. His genuine care for Dazai--the unwavering belief that his life is valuable and worthy--ends up being the reason he doesn't anticipate Dazai's rather deeply entrenched self-loathing. And to be honest, I'm a bit inclined to agree; looking back on a third reading Dazai feels way too hard on himself. It feels like the young girl's death was more a catalyst for what Dazai was already feeling, than anything. Dazai wanted so badly to have a reason to despise himself (as he already disliked how different and out of place he naturally felt) and with this, his self-reproach could have a viable, rational explanation. A locus outside of his body by which to rationalize his self-hatred. Accident or not becomes irrelevant; he was involved, and thus he is guilty.

He reminds me a lot of that post that was circulating once about how cultish behavior inculcates intelligent people with more devastating pull than one might expect, because intelligent people can more easily and more insistently find ways to desperately rationalize their situation to function in that whirlpool of abuse. Dazai feels like he's in this same such Catch-22, so busy believing he deserves to be scorned (because of how well he hides his perceived abnormalities) that he takes steps to ensure and reinforce it. He wants and needs to see his reality make sense, and if it won't answer his designs he will find a way to make it so.

It fascinates me because Dazai is an incredibly complex example of someone who desires control, but instead of inflicting it with external rapacity, he targets his own internal state. I once heard a Buddhist explain: yes, it is a sign of disturbance to engage with others aggressively and without grace. However, it is also a sign of disturbance when the mind seeks to harm one's own body. Although Dazai's disturbance is not as apparent, it is there. And that's part of what makes him so excruciatingly compelling to me, in a lot of ways he is the manifestation of the Sisyphean suffering of being ill in a quiet way. In enduring and smiling and laughing because you don't want to burden others--or know you're not allowed to--all while you slowly bleed from the inside out.

[ofsmokenandgold]

Land of Women - Episode 4

And we're back to people being really annoying.

Let's start with Kate, since that is where the episode starts, with her mother in labor - and of course looking glamorous as always - I refer everyone to Sugar in season 3 of The Bear - that's what women look like when they are in labor.

Anyway, Kate is now running out of hormones and decides to head into town to fix that, meets up with the lovely mechanic (do we ever get a name for her) and gets talked into standing up for herself, which in this case means threatening the doctor into writing her a prescription. Not sure what the laws are on that in Spain - but in a lot of places that could lose him his license. Still, again she's 17 and in a pickle because her mother didn't think things through.

Julia also spends the episode causing havoc, in this case for Andreu - she steals his gun - and the priest; now that she thinks Andreu is infertile she tells the priest he's Gala's father and he gives up the priesthood. Then when the heavies show up, instead of signaling to Andreu that something is wrong (which she could have done during that handsy bear hug) she just steals his gun even though she clearly has no idea how to use it. Again she has dementia, so can be excused some of it - but JFC I thought we were supposed to like these people.

As for our main protagonist she has spent the night rearranging all of Amat's furniture, much to his annoyance and Montse's amusement. This is when we get the "friends with benefits" conversation. Apparently, Gala was up all night because Amat and Montse were fucking all night. All night! Okay, let's be real here, Amat's at least 40; if he and Montse have multiple rounds in one night (the implication is more than two) then they have some serious sexual energy going there. Is that really something he wants to give up? That suggests that they are VERY compatible.

The entire conversation is both amusing and frustrating, he claims they are just FWB; but then they both hedge that it's because they don' want any gossip in the village. At the same time Montse is clearly not threatened by Gala being possessive of the house - both her rearranging of the furniture and her continued (and really annoying) insistence that it is "our" house. Montse spends the entire time quietly drinking her coffee and smirking at Amat's discomfort. Either she really doesn't care if Gala appropriates him, or she's just sufficiently confident in herself and whatever she has going with Amat to be amused by the whole thing. As Julia says "Now we know why Montse's always smiling."

For the next half of the episode Amat and Gala bicker, she comes up with a plan to save the coop; he has to make it work because she continues to piss off all the ladies. Pisses them off even more by getting handsy with him when he hurts his back - and gets told very firmly to leave him alone because he is taken. (Although I did have to agree with the moment of 'female gaze' when she was looking at his arms in the tractor - very nice arms). So much for the ladies of the village not being aware of Amat and Montse. I do love how they immediately jump to her defense - both Gala AND Amat get warned about not trespassing on Montse's feelings. And then the two heavies show up and Gala gets called away. Of course, she tells no one what's going on so everyone at the Coop is even more pissed at her because she's leaving them to do all the work.

Let's talk a little about the ladies of the Coop - I thought when they were warning both Gala and Amat about Montse, that this would be the point we'd get a turn around in the direction of the show's romantic focus. That the show would go in an a new and interesting direction of NOT having the two leads end up with each other. Because, if Gala wants to be on good terms with these people, poaching Amat away from the local girl is not the way to do it. And then @nie-narzekam made an even better point in the notes to the last episode - AMAT shouldn't want to piss them off either. He's spent five years building up trust and a rapport with these people, but he's going to throw that all away by being shitty to one of their own. And again, he is being shitty, because he's not talking to her about it and he's blowing her off. There is a moment towards the end when he is looking for Gala and family and he comes to Montse to ask if she's seen them and she asks if they had a date, and he just brushes her off and reiterates that he's looking for Gala. As he walks away it's clear from her face that she's beginning to see that he's a little too invested in this newcomer.

So this episode just left me even more confused as to what the writers were going for. They have set Amat up as a good man - he's built trust with the community, he's clearly integrated himself with them, he helps people, he's kind, he appears to have integrity (is kind to dogs, always a good thing). He is also in a relationship, whatever its nature, with Montse. One that involves frequent, enthusiastic sex, setting up dates and is known to the entire village. But faced with a newcomer that has attracted his attention, he's just refusing to deal with talking to the woman he's actually sleeping with and is what? What the hell is he planning to do and why do the writers think that this is all okay?

I really do think that they are just treating Montse like an NPC, and they are expecting the audience to do the same thing.

[dhmis-autism]

i really wanna hear so many of your fluffybird headcanons please /nf

Hah well thank you? That's very sweet though I don't have too many? Most of them just rely on scenes in the actual show or my interpretations of the characters based on what I see? Like, I'll notice things?

Uh, I think Duck like, with both Yellow and Red just like. ASSUMES however he feels about either of them is immediately and unequivocally reciprocated. I think part of that is his ego and I think part of that is his either unwillingness or utter inability to read social cues ( see: "They're pretending they don't respect me."; 'I'M your best friend?' 'Yeah. We're close." ) This is, regardless of the way he treats both of them by the way, because he assumes they already are a family and expects the other two to just immediately agree and also because of how immediate he is to reassure Yellow of their friendship when questioned on it.

I think it's very likely that in his head Ducks like "Uh, yeah, the big guy LOVES me, I'm LITERALLY his favorite." and if he were to ever verbalize that to him, Red would shut that down so hard his head would spin lol. ( Think very similar to what happens in the family ep :])

Red guy tends to be a bit harsh when it comes to verbalizing/establishing clearly his connection with the other two members of the trio (see: "I mean I KNOW you, I know which one you ARE."; "We could have a friend meeting!" 'Well, thats a stretch.'; "We shouldn't even be talking to each other,should we? We don't even know each other,really." ) but in his actions he shows he definitely at least cares for them. Like Yellow, I think he's actually very unsure about his place with the other two (and seems a bit insecure in general? At least in regard to how he looks/comes across.) and his way of coping with this is what he uses a lot; avoidance. He doesn't really know where he stands with the other two or what they think of him, so he acts as though they have no connection at all. He WILL desperately try to call them while he's gone and make SURE they don't leave the car before he starts trying to escape and also he WILL know their favorite foods and make puppets of them when he's all alone. But yknow, they're practically strangers, he doesn't know a thing about them.

THAT is why I think a lot of his interactions with Duck in a romantic sense would be similar to the Electricity scene in that they will be quiet and bashful and give himself an easy out in case the feelings are not reciprocated. Here, I'm focusing more on how he never outright says he likes looking at Duck, he says he "wouldn't mind" then confirm sort of unsteadily "I suppose" when pressed on it. What he means is sort of inferred and unsteadily confirmed in a wishy-washy way that gives him an easy out if things go wrong.

So YAH!

[jazlynriddle]

Welcome to your life - Pt 1:

Everybody Wants To Rule THEIR World Ch 6:

Summary:

"You need only close your eyes to it and be happy and safe with us."

The Keeper (player) has already secured the repository and Sebastian's loyalty, emboldening his descent into darkness. Now, they just need to win over Ominis, cure Anne, and create a domain to call their own.

And not necessarily in that order.

The Keeper's tale, a post-game story of a morally-grey, pragmatic, Chaotic Neutral, non-binary, muggleborn, orphan player character, so burned by 1800s orphanages, that they became a power hoarder who demands more payment for quests, burns paintings but doesn't want to rule the world, just their own territory and the two boys who'd caught their eye.

Warnings: Sebastian x MC x Ominis! Spoilers! Dark content! Slow-burn canon-compilant corruption! Fucked up 1800s orphanages! MC has no love for Anne or Solomon! Dubious happy ending (it's happy for MC, Seb and Ominis at least)

You can also read on AO3! (chapter specific warnings below)

Notes:

Warnings: Mentions of past physical abuse! Mentions of past sexual abuse! Mentions of abuse in general! 1890s muggle Britain was very different from what we see of Wizarding Britain in Hogwarts Legacy!

I don't know if you can tell, but this chapter is gonna be dark. Though, honestly if you're reading this, you clearly don't mind. Don't worry, to make up for it, next chapter is gonna be slightly more fluffy sex, well, as fluffy as it can get with the Keeper, heh.

I considered combining this chapter with the next but decided to make it easier to skip the dark stuff if anyone's uncomfortable with it.

"So, what do we need to talk about?"

Ominis felt his stomach twist, he really hoped he was wrong but the fact that even Sebastian had noticed, meant that the likelihood of that was next to zero.

"You've done this before."

Ominis wanted to smack Sebastian, blunderbuss think before you speak!

The Keeper’s voice came after a moment, sounding relieved and a little bewildered. "Is that what this is about? I mean, yes, it's not my first time blowing a bloke, but if you're worried that I'm not a virgin, then well, I still am. Went through a lot of trouble to keep it that way. Admittedly, I am a bit surprised that the two of you would be concerned about that though."

Ominis kicked Sebastian under the table before he could open his mouth again.

"It's not that, we're just worried about how you learnt to do, well, all of that." Ominis shook his head as Sebastian shifted beside him, likely holding in his reaction.

There was a moment of silence, before the Keeper sighed. "The way I've learnt everything, I suppose, by learning it to survive."

Ominis frowned, searching for a means to convey his concern in a way they'd understand. He reached a hand across the table, wanting to feel their feelings. The expressions of the body. "Will you tell us? About what you had to learn to survive. We owe you so much and you are so dear to us, yet we know so little of your life before Hogwarts."

Ominis waited anxiously, hand hovering, uncertain if they would take it. Uncertain what to do if they refused to share.

After a moment, they sighed and Ominis felt their hand slip into his, with some relief.

"It's not exactly a pleasant story." Their tone was warning, and he felt his stomach twist further.

Ominis felt Sebastian leave the bench beside him as he shook his head. "We would like to hear it regardless. Ours weren't particularly pleasant tales either and you listened with kindness nonetheless. You said what I did wasn’t my fault. I may not agree but I appreciate your feelings. I should like the chance to do the same in return."

"And I for one, think that this conversation would be better held in more comfortable holdings." Sebastian's voice emerged from somewhere to the left of Ominis.

A chuckle came from the Keeper, who continued holding Ominis' hand as they stood, guiding Ominis to where, apparently, Sebastian had transfigured some of the crates into large cushions for them to sit on the floor upon.

There was that considerate brilliance that Sebastian occasionally showed, Ominis thought fondly, as the three of them settled into the cushions.

They shifted until the three of them were comfortable, ending up with Sebastian and the Keeper sitting beside each other at what felt like a slight angle so that they could face each other easily. With Ominis laying across their legs, his feet on Sebastian's lap and his head on the Keeper's.

Ominis was intent on holding the Keeper's hands, people rarely realised how much they expressed in the slight movements and twitches of their hands. Ominis knew Sebastian well enough to guess his reactions, so he'd rather hold both the Keeper's hands, so as not to miss anything.

He gently caressed the Keeper's hands, trying to help them relax. Though, he had a bad feeling that all the effort put into making a comfortable environment and atmosphere wouldn't help very much with this talk.

The Keeper hummed. "I suppose I should start with saying that muggle Britain is very different from Wizarding Britain. Transgender rights are non-existent, the idea of anyone's gender not matching the sex they're born with, simply doesn't exist. Homosexuality is a crime and polyamory is just cheating."

There were already so many problems with what the Keeper had just said that Ominis' jaw went slack. "But then-"

"Yes, everyone is simply allocated the gender they're born with, regardless of their personal wishes." Their hands were stiff and Ominis felt a surge of sorrow for all the poor souls forced to live like someone they weren't comfortable with.

The Keeper took a tired breath. "The next is that, as orphans in the Orphan Working Home, we are basically House Elves."

"What?" Sebastian's voice was incredulous and Ominis shot upright, all attempts at creating a comfortable setting forgotten, completely a loss as to how to respond. A human treated like a house elf!?

"We are raised in the orphanage until we reach fourteen, at which point they ship us off to the workhouses, where we serve the same way house elves do till we die. If we even make it to fourteen." They scoffed.

"If?" Sebastian echoed, his tone aghast, Ominis felt much the same way.

How could it be acceptable to treat humans, let alone children, like house elves in the muggle world? Perhaps his family’s teachings that muggles were uncivilised and barbaric animals… might not be as untrue has he had believed.

"Well, most of us don't make it past ten. The caretakers don't care what happens to the food after it's been distributed. So, the stronger kids would simply beat the weaker ones and take their food. We had to buy our rations back for… favours."

Ominis felt bile rise in his throat at the way the Keeper's hands clenched, their casual tone contrasting with the trembling of their fingers.

"I was considered lucky. The boys thought me pretty. Those they had no interest in simply died. I worked hard to convince them not to… take everything they wanted by force. I offered willing services instead. I'm no prodigy, I'm simply used to having to excel or die. Didn't change very much even after joining the Wizarding world honestly." The Keeper shrugged, their hands shifting with the gesture.

Ominis heard Sebastian shoot to his feet and start pacing angrily, no doubt planning to commit murder. Again.

"Don't make such a fuss. I was lucky. If Fig hadn't come to collect me, I might have been executed, but I didn't." They tried to brush off dismissively.

"What!?" Sebastian snapped in alarm.

"I killed a man, a few months before I came here, he tried to take what I wasn't willing to give, I'm accustomed to being used as a punching bag by the caretakers, but I wasn't going to let anyone humiliate me that way. Trouble was that he was the workhouse manager, I'd managed to evade discovery for about two weeks but I was under heavy suspicion. If Fig hadn't came for m-"

Ominis couldn't bear to hear it, interrupting them by pulling them into his arms. He'd thought his own childhood cruel, hated that his parents cared more about their bloodline than him, but he had never had to fear for his life or his chastity. To grow up physically and sexually assaulted, consistently and regularly as a child, even by the adults who were supposed to be caring for them, it was inconceivable.

The Keeper remained stiff and still for a few moments, allowing him to hold them, before leaning back, most likely to look at him. He felt their thumb gently catch the moisture from his eyes rubbing the liquid over his skin.

"Huh. Never had someone cry for me before." Their statement was so flat, it broke Ominis' heart.

"I'm glad you killed that man." Sebastian's cold and angry voice came from behind him and Ominis was ready to turn around and reprimand him. Surely that was an inappropriate commen-

"Ha! If I hadn't, I'd have already gone back to kill him. The workhouse was better after he died, the new guy wasn't exactly a dad of the year, but he wasn't a paedophile and he didn't care about torturing kids for fun, only about making the required quota of goods daily."

Ominis sat, stunned at the change in the Keeper, hearing their empty broken pieces being forcefully shoved back together like a botched reparo. Shards sharp and thin, digging into itself, yet somehow remaining functional.

"Sounds like you did the world a favour, those kids owe you a great deal. Your courage surely saved lives. Though, I would say there's a group of boys, probably young men by now, and several caretakers who also owe you a great deal. Say, perhaps their lives?"

Ominis’s first instinct said that surely Sebastian was saying the wrong things now.

"Well, I was planning to go back eventually and see if I can find the caretakers and the boys who taught me so much, I certainly wouldn't refuse company. Though, I wasn't entirely sure how to go about finding them, I don't remember all of their names…"

"Well, we do have a pensive here, I don't yearn to see the horrors you have experienced, but I'd rather you not have to see them again yourself. I can take a swim in your memories and get their names."

Ominis felt his jaw go slack and his stomach turn at the thought of watching but as he listened, he began to understand. This was just how they coped. Both of them. By finding something to hate and throw their pain at.

The Keeper seemed almost relieved when Sebastian gave them the chance to distance themselves from the tragedy that was their childhood, latching on to threads of anger and spite instead. Perhaps not the most healthy way of coping but nonetheless…

"No, there's too many memories to go through, I wouldn't even know where to start."

Certainly, there was a vindictiveness and viciousness in the Keeper's tone that scared Ominis, but at the same time, for the first time since Rookwood, he agreed.

The man they'd killed deserved death. The caretakers who'd hurt the children in their charge deserved death. The boys who had abused the Keeper deserved more than death.

"I can help you with that." Ominis' skin prickled under the stares that Sebastian and the Keeper levelled at him.

Ominis elaborated. "I'm an Occlumens, a bit unnecessary since I'm blind, but it's family tradition to teach the art of defending one's mind against attack from a Legilimens trying to steal secrets from your noggin."

"As part of training we learn how to train our subconscious to categorise memories, hiding important ones away while leaving the drivel on the front porch, so to speak. If I teach you, your subconscious should be able to help you find the memories that contain their names." Ominis nodded as he finished his explanation.

"You're an Occlumens!? And you never told me!?" And, Sebastian, right on cue, as usual.

"Sebastian." Ominis was pleasantly surprised to hear the Keeper speak up for him, their tone chiding.

"It's fin-" Ominis began, about to wave it off as usual.

"No, Ominis, they're right, I'm sorry. I told myself I’d stop taking you for granted and I failed again, would you forgive me?” Sebastian's voice came from beside him now, the back of his hand brushing against Ominis' cheek.

Ominis felt his face flush, still not wholly accustomed to the shift in their dynamics yet. He nodded in response, finding it difficult to speak in the face of unexpected maturity from Sebastian.

"Perhaps you wouldn't mind teaching me as well? It seems like a useful skill." Sebastian asked, sitting down beside him to his left.

"Of course, Sebastian." Ominis nodded with a smile.

"Thank you. For this. I know you wouldn't want to be a part of something like this normally." The Keeper's voice came from his right.

"Not normally, but…" Ominis' cheeks warmed again. "...for someone I love, then yes."

He held his breath. This was the first any of them had spoken of romantic feelings, and Ominis was deeply afraid that either of them might say that they had only been interested in a physical relationship.

"Wow. I thought I'd be the one to say it first." Sebastian's voice was tinged with disbelief.

The Keeper scoffed. "Nonsense, of course it would be Ominis, you wouldn't understand your own emotions unless they were a physical object you could accidentally walk into."

"Oh, how rude! I will have you know that if my feelings for you and Ominis were a physical object, you wouldn't be able to see the stars at night." Sebastian shot back in mock offence.

"Please, my feelings for the two of you are so strong, they wouldn't need to be a physical object to rival the stars in brilliance."

"Well, mine could rival the sun!"

"Only if the sun shines outta yer arse!"

"Hang on, how did we get on this topic again-"

"Ominis said he loves me."

"Wait, Ominis you love me too, right?"

"Of course, I do, Sebastian."

"Well. Good, because I love you too. And this other menace."

"How rude, I will have you know that this menace loves you and Ominis too."

"Good. Now, we were going to kill some people."

"After brutally torturing them."

"Of course."

"Wait hang on, I'll help you get their names but leave me out of the actual torture and murder."

"Oh right, I suppose we can discuss where we can shove their balls afterwards."

"We could just shove them in their eye sockets."

"Choking to death on their own dicks?"

"Too quick, perhaps up their ars-"

"Alright, no more talk of genital mangling until I have left the room!"

Notes:

Hopefully writing in Ominis' point of view felt alright, it was an enjoyable challenge to write from the perspective of a blind individual, so many descriptive vocabulary yeeted right out the window x'D

Also, I don't know if it's just my bad luck but I've often found writings about victims of abuse that are... let's just say, not very realistic?

I've been supporting a survivor of domestic child abuse through recovery (they can't see a head doctor so I'm the closest they've got) and they don't cry about it, in fact, they vehemently avoid thinking of it as abuse. They've gotten more able to face the experience over the years and they've said that "anyone who cries over it, would not likely survive it in the first place."

They handle it by saying it's normal, you don't cry on a normal day. Even when they face their abuse, they brush it off or get agitated and ask to change the subject to anything, even discussions related to their abuse as long as it's not about how much their experience must have hurt.

Either way, it's rarely like movies with a crying abuse victim cured by the power of love, it's years of telling them that they aren't stupid, they have dyslexia.

Now clearly, the survivor I'm supporting isn't the same type that I'm writing, but the basics aren't too far apart, the difference is the coping mechanism. The Keeper is closer to the type of abuse survivor that swings aggressively in the opposite direction. They don't exactly understand that their treatment was wrong, just that it made them feel bad and they won't let anything remotely similar happen again. Which means sometimes they may misunderstand normal people's behaviour and react in what appears to be an abnormal way.

I kinda want to elaborate but at this point this note will be longer than the chapter- Suffice it to say, I have done a lot more thinking about characterization in this fic than one might think x'D

[mephistopheleswasrobbed]

With The Rebound I believe they are all supposed to be grey characters to an extent. As for the Q/Ryu situation, we know the desperation/pressure that Q is facing but he is the adult and Ryu is a high school kid at the end of the day. Just because Q saved him doesn’t mean he owns him and he is not so subtly manipulating Ryu by threatening Zen.

Hey, first of all, thanks for your perspective.

With the team I'd agree with you here and I'm expecting that we'll get some sort of resolution to their bullying soon and similarly I'm also expecting some sort of reckoning with Atom because at this point his stalkerish behaviour has gotten too much to just be brushed off as cute by the show. (It remains to be seen how well those issues will be dealt with but I have no doubt they will be dealt with)

As for Zen I'm currently not seeing any indication that we're supposed to see him/his actions (or rather lack thereof) critically but I'd be happy to be proven wrong on that.

Actually I think the student who has been the most clearly portrayed as grey so far has been Lin. She's also so far the only one who has taken accountability for some of her actions. That's why I'm not as mad at her even though she has been somewhat repeating her previous mistake (trying to expose some truth without considering whom she might inadvertently hurt by doing so first). This seems to be a result of her inquisitive nature (she was in the journalism club for a reason) rather than any genuine lack of care for others and her becoming more cognisant her potential to hurt others with the way she goes about her investigations is probably a major part of her character development.

Regarding Ryu, I totally see where you're coming from and I would agree with you if it weren't for the fact that Ryu said he would come and then just didn't without telling Q. Yes Q is the adult (although I'm not sure how much older than Ryu he's supposed to be because I didn't interpret it as much) but Ryu is old enough to know that saying one thing and doing another is not a fair move and he's also old enough to understand that he's putting Q in a difficult and potentially very dangerous position. That's not to say he should just do what Q wants. Trying to get out of that life is definitely the right move and it's obviously not on him to try to bring Q with him or something. There's also a real possibility that he doesn't know the full extent of the danger Q is in because Q has been shielding him from the worst of it. My problem with Ryu is in how he doesn't seem to even spare a thought to Q whenever he does something that will make problems for Q. He doesn't seem to care at all that his "brother" will face the consequences for his defying the boss. And unless the show gives me a concrete reason why the care seems to be so one-sided between them (a reason that happened before Ryu bailed on him, so kidnapping Zen doesn't count), this makes Ryu come off as ignorant and callous. This feels a little like an AITA question. No, of course Ryu doesn't owe Q anything. But that doesn't change the fact that he's being an asshole to him. You can be "in the right" and still an asshole. I don't know if we'll get a resolution to that or if the show will just go the route of making Q more "evil" so we'll ignore any wrongs done against him by the protagonists. I'm obviously hoping for the former but I've been burned by BL enough at this point to not be surprised if they go with the latter.

All in all I'm so far enjoying this show a lot, I'm just finding myself emphasizing more with some of the side characters than the main ones and also not super liking the main ones. Which to be clear is fine, whether it's intentional or not.

[foxy--stoat]

Could u do a poly fic with all the roomates (young ones) pls

They were just going to see a film. Just a few guys, going out on the town. Nothing poofy whatsoever going on. (They were all, as a matter of fact, extremely poofy.)

Rick was wearing his most yellow overalls, and his boots that Neil said made him look like a woman. He stood by the door, posture proud and open, waiting for the rest of the roommates to come downstairs.

"You all had better hurry up, you know! The movie starts in fifteen minutes!"

"You can't rush magnificence." Called Mike from the bathroom. Neil sighed so loudly that it hurt even Vyvyan's head, who was pacing back and forth looking for his bracelet sharpener.

He stomped down the stairs, clearly in distress.

"Have you seen my bracelet sharpener?"

"I don't understand what you need it for, Vyvyan, are they not sharp enough?" Rick threw his hands in the air, a motion that went entirely unnoticed by Vyvyan, who was now ripping open and throwing the couch cushions across the room.

"I need them to be sharp, Rick. What if you're being a twat and I need to hit you? That wouldn't be much fun with a dull bracelet, now, would it?"

"Well, try asking SPG. He seemed a bit shifty earlier."

"Thanks Rick!" Vyv ran past Rick back up the stairs, punching him on the arm. This was Vyvyan's equivalent of a kiss on the cheek.

It had taken some getting used to, the whole dating thing. Rick had never dated anybody before, so he had expected flowers and chocolates and pampering. Instead, he got Vyvyan.

A few days after they announced their relationship to the house, Mike made a proposition and Neil agreed, and now look at them. A conglomerate of confused university students who also dated.

He was happy, as were the other boys. Their behavior hadn't changed much, save for leaning heads on shoulders, or holding hands. But he was happy this way, with his friends and his boyfriends.

He'd be happier, though, if they would hurry up!!! He was starting to get impatient.

Just as he was rolling his eyes, Neil moped down the stairs, barefoot.

"Where are your shoes, hippie?" Neil frowned.

"Can't find them. Just typical, of all the shoes in this house, of course mine go missing."

"I'll help you find them."

"Really? That's really sweet of you, Rick!"

"Not for you!" Rick blushed at the implication that he'd do something kind for Neil. "I just want to get out of here quicker."

"Oh."

Rick felt bad. "Well, don't look so sad! I don't hate you, you know."

"You don't?"

"Neil, we're dating. Would I date someone I don't like?" Rick shook his head in exasperation, as if this were supposed to be obvious to Neil.

"Oh. Thanks, Rick."

"You're welcome."

---

The streets smelled like roses and gasoline. Vyvyan picked a flower from a bush and handed it to Rick, who blushed, before looking inside it to see a gargantuan bee.

"Did you see it?"

"Yes, Vyvyan, I saw the bee. God forbid you do something kind for me for once, honestly."

"What do you think I was doing?" Vyvyan shook his head in disbelief that Rick could be so thick-skulled.

Behind the quarreling pair, Neil and Mike walked slowly. Mike noticed Neil admiring the rosebushes, and carefully snapped one off of its stem. Neil saw this, and moped. Mike was probably going to catch up to Vyv or Rick and give it to one of them. It wasn't his fault they all hated him, after all- His train of thought was interrupted by Mike tucking the flower behind his ear. He stopped walking in surprise.

"What's wrong, Neil?"

"I thought that was for Vyvyan. Or Rick."

"No, of course not! They hate flowers."

"Well, thanks, Mike. It's really pretty."

"Of course, babes. Anytime."

When they got home, Neil would press the flower under an untouched stack of dusty textbooks, and keep it on his bedside table, smiling every time he saw it.

---

They were 15 minutes late to the movie, but only Rick complained (without much heart). After all, it was hard to beat the time they'd been weeks late to University Challenge. They barged into the theater with their usual lack of regard for others. Vyvyan led the way down the aisle and clambered over a family of disgruntled filmgoers. They sat down, arms over the backs of the chairs, feet up on the chairs in front of them. Vyvyan pulled out a bag of popcorn, and they shared it, loudly chewing.

"What's going on?" Neil asked.

"Shh, pay attention." Mike said. Neil frowned.

The rest of the film was relatively calm, interrupted only occasionally by a bout of raucous laughter from Vyvyan, or a cry of "Fascist!" from Rick.

As they left the theater, they got many a glare, but they ignored it.

Neil and Vyvyan were used to being criticized, to the point where they'd stopped listening and done what they wanted. Obviously, they had gone to two very different extremes, but the sentiment behind it was the same.

Rick and Mike, however, were very conscious of how they were perceived, and Rick plastered a sneer on his face to disguise the discomfort.

---

The warm air hit them as they emerged from the theater, and Rick took his blazer off and tied it around his waist.

"I'm cold." Vyvyan complained.

"How are you cold? It's nearly 20 degrees!"

"I'm not as warm as you, Rick. Give me your jacket."

Rick spluttered. "I'm not letting you near my blazer, Vyvyan, it's for anarchists only." He turned his nose up, and Vyvyan hit Rick over the head. While he was distracted with the potential concussion, Vyvyan snatched the blazer, and shrugged it over his shoulders.

"Much better." He smiled triumphantly, and immediately his attention was taken by a squirrel across the street.

Rick stood in place, blushing, trying not to blush, and smiling. Mike and Neil kept walking, and Neil collided with Rick. He wasn't the best at watching where he was going. "I know that look, Rick. What's happened?" Mike grinned. Rick looked down, and saw that Mike and Neil were holding hands. A bold move, especially on such a public street. He supposed that Mike was used to bold moves.

"What makes you think anything's happened, fascist? Can a man not be happy? Well, certainly not under Thatcher, that's for sure." He crossed his arms.

"Mike, look, Vyvyan's wearing, like, Rick's jacket." Neil pointed out with his free hand.

Mike's eyes widened and he grinned. "Ah, I see. You should try on his vest sometime, I bet it'd suit you."

Rick gasped. "I would never. That man stinks like a fish. I, on the other hand, keep myself at my hygienic and physical peak at all times.

"Rick, you haven't showered since last month." Neil commented, to which Rick responded by shushing him frantically.

"Whatever. Hippie. When was the last time you showered, anyway?"

"That's beside the point, Rick. Anyway, I think he, like, looks cute with your jacket."

"Yes. Well. Me too, I suppose. I still want it back, though!" He shouted that last part in a very pointed manner, directed toward Vyvyan, who was now trying to climb a fence and reach the squirrel. It laughed down at him, and Vyvyan was getting more and more agitated by the second.

"Alright, that's it." He snarled, and picked up a chainsaw that was conveniently sitting on the curb a few feet away.

"Vyvyan, what are you doing? That's an innocent creature, and I'm not talking about Neil."

"Hey, I'm not innocent!"

"Whatever you say, babes."

"I'm hungry." Complained Rick.

"Oh, shut up." The other 3 chorused.

"Let's go home. Rick may be annoying, but he is correct. It's getting late. Neil, do we have lentils?"

"Yes, Mike. You guys have to help clean the dishes, though, because, like, it's getting pretty heavy, having to do all of them myself every day."

"But Neil, I have to feed the goldfish and water the plants!" Vyv nodded sagely, and Rick backed him up with a wide eyed smile.

"Vyv, you know I cooked those months ago."

"Oh. Well, fine. I'm watching the Bastard Squad after dinner though, none of that nature bollocks you like."

"Fine."

"Ugh, Vyvyan, you know I don't like Bastard Squad, it's just so reactionary!"

"Shut up, poof." Rick scowled.

They resumed the short walk home, continuing to chatter all the way.

***

my ao3 is @paper_chefs_hat :))) this is published in the series "the young ones ficlets"

[meme-streets]

having let it percolate a little, and having read some critiques/reviews of it, i have further expanded my complicated thoughts about dirty harry.

first of all, i definitely pick up a vibe of "harry callahan and scorpio have the same thing wrong with them, scorpio is just worse/has no morals whatsoever." mostly it's the reckless violence and the sadistic streak, but there's something else there too. they've both got the long hair, though scorpio's is longer. scorpio's outright bigotry and callahan's "i should throw a net over the whole lot of them" comment. i could even stretch this as far as some other parallels, like scorpio being a sniper and harry's voyeurism on multiple occasions, the fact there's multiple scenes of each of them getting beaten up/injured (at least once apiece at each other's hands, no less), the soft spoken demeanor (which granted scorpio doesn't show all the time, but the phone calls are the best example), the wild physicality of the chase scenes on both their parts–and, hell, cat and mouse plots always invite comparison, don't they. i definitely see at least a little similarity between the two.

second of all–and i think this is why i had the reaction of "this is so extreme that i really can't believe i'm supposed to think this guy is in the right"–harry callahan being a dirtbag is a pretty explicit part of the text. at the very least there's the voyeurism, which he pays for on both occasions; the accidental one where he's trying to find a suspect gets him mistaken for a regular peeping tom and (rightfully) beat up, and the intentional one where he then fucks up the entire stakeout. chico calls him on it, too, and he gets reprimanded in some form or another for most of his bullshit (hell, even his nickname is an acknowledgement). so there's at least a little acknowledgement.

then there's the whole deal with the arrest. first of all, the scene itself reads more slasher villain than hero–callahan looks fucking deranged, the music is creepy as hell, the camerawork makes him look super threatening. then we find out he didn't even save the girl, and because he broke damn near ever law in the book, scorpio walks. the kidnapped girl being dead definitely makes the violence feel hollow, but it's hard to say if the movie is blaming scorpio's release on harry's behavior breaking the law, or on the criminal justice laws themselves. i honestly think you could read it either way. the fact that the first stakeout going wrong is pretty clearly his fault makes me lean towards the film also portraying this as a callahan fuckup. then again–he seems really bewildered that what he did was illegal, and the "what about ann mary deacon, what about her rights? who speaks for her?" line carries such pathos i find it hard to believe we're not meant to be at least a little in his favor here. he also says "the law's crazy," which is an incredibly loaded statement, but once again i really can't tell if we're supposed to agree with him or not. i will note, however, that the film definitely isn't on the side of the mayor (who's insistent on paying scorpio off). there's definitely a "both approaches to this suck" reading in there, if maybe a shaky one.

for what it's worth, i have read that the director (and writers as well i think) were going for an angle of "blurring the line between cop and criminal," so i think both the parallels between callahan and scorpio + callahan being acknowledged at least a little as a shitty person are definitely intentional. i think the most generous interpretation you can give this is "they weren't outright trying to send a message that police should be above the law." the thing is that scorpio is such an abhorrent person, and that the narrative in the end is constructed in a way that it justifies harry's violent antics as necessary to take scorpio down, that i think in the end it sends that message anyway. and given how influential the film was on the detective fiction that came after it, much of which has carried that message wholeheartedly, i don't think it's really forgivable. or maybe forgivable isn't the right word, i don't know quite how to put it. it's still for the most part a very enjoyable movie if you go into it with the acknowledgement that it's deeply flawed, and with the intention of having a lot of fun watching two really fucked up guys chase each other around in glorious technicolor, but i don't think i'll ever be able to not cringe at the politics of it, however intentional they were or weren't.

[9worldstales]

When Sylvie asked Loki: "Why aren't we seeing this the same way?" There's nothing inherently "childish" about that question, and it doesn't imply that she is unwilling to compromise. Understanding why we see things differently is part of compromising. To automatically perceive that question as a signal of bigotry only proves your own social ineptitude and discourages people from asking for clarity; how are we supposed to discuss our different perspectives if I'm not allowed to ask why you see things the way you do?

I'd rather just blindly follow the other person's will than be misunderstood so harshly. Your misinterpretation has given me a whole new social anxiety: "What if just asking for clarification makes me look bad?" Now I need to discuss this specific phrase with anyone I intend to have any kind of relationship with. Thanks a lot.

Besides, nobody ever criticizes "heroes" who blatantly refuse entertain the "villain's" ideology; it's okay to be uncompromising when you already have enough information to know that your way is correct/their way is wrong.

Lastly, being a couple isn't "all about" finding compromises; that is just a circumstantial facet of most relationships. Being a couple is all about sharing all of life together, which shouldn't be conditional upon anything, not even the ability or willingness to compromise. If we couldn't agree or reconcile on anything else, our relationship is still complete and successful if we agree on that.

So dear anon who's not an anon because you didn't content yourself with sending me an an ask, no, you actually also messaged me the same thing so I do know actually who you are, we've a lot to unpack.

Let's start with the Marvel bit and not with the personal bit.

If you had read carefully what I wrote, you would have realized I didn't plan to say that asking people why they see something in a certain way is wrong, quite the contrary, what I implied is that I interpret Sylvie's question as rethorical, not a genuine effort to know why Loki is thinking differently, but a complain he's just not blindly agreeing with her.

The context of that sentence isn't one that say that Sylvie wants to understand Loki. She has just accused him of wanting the throne, she said she doesn't believe him and that she was wrong in trusting him. The context doesn't imply she wants clarification, it implies she doesn't like he thinks differently from her.

By the way, before she said so, he had already told her WHY he thought differently from her, so she knew his own reasons for thinking differently.

Honestly, it was such a long, detailed meta the one from which you're decontestualizing that quote, I'm surprised you managed to misinterpret so badly what I said but whatever.

English is not my mother language, maybe I used poor sentences.

Long story short, I interpret the scene this way, you're welcome to interpret the scene whatever way you want.

"Loki" is a series, it exists for us to enjoy, analyze and whatever and we're all free to have different opinions about it.

It's opinions, not absolute truth and I'm always open to discuss mine.

Now, the personal attack.

While I think asking for clarifications is a great thing, that's not what you're doing.

What you're doing and aren't welcome to do is to read a post in MY BLOG, where I'm goddamn free to write what I want, HUGELY MISINTERPRED what I said, decide you disagree on what you misinterpreted and then barge in MY MESSAGE BOARD and also in MY ASK to be rude with me and impose on me your worldview.

I find amusing how you try to imply I try to discourage asking people for clarification when you clearly aren't interested in asking me for clarifications, even though you don't know the single thing about me, about my life, about my psychological status.

You just decided from a sentence I wrote and that you misinterpreted that I must be socially inept and felt obliged to write me TWICE to let me know about it and accusing me of things that are merely the result of you failing to correctly understand what I said.

If this isn't a deliberate attempt aiming at trying to discourage people from voicing their thoughts on something ON THEIR OWN BLOG, I don't know what it is.

And now news flesh. You prefer to 'blindly follow the other person's will than be misunderstood so harshly'? That's you.

We don't have to be the same. We clearly aren't. If you think I will now follow your ideas so as not to be misunderstood by you, a complete stranger that thinks he can barge here and tell me what I am, think twice.

Also I find highly ironic you say "Lastly, being a couple isn't "all about" finding compromises;" and that, to prove your point you say "If we couldn't agree or reconcile on anything else, our relationship is still complete and successful if we agree on that."

Sweetheart, agreeing to disagree is a compromise.

In case you don't know a compromise is a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute.

Dictionary's words, not mine.

Agreeing to disagree means we give up on changing the other person's opinion in order to end the discussion. It's often judged not the best compromise, in some cases it's even judged a terrible compromise, but it's still a compromise.

So let's compromise and agree we'll never be on the same page.

And please, don't feel obliged trying answering, I automatically ban rude people who assume rude things on me, so this is the end of this discussion.

[ascalonianlightbringer]

In the quasi-conclusion to Gwen's "Order Neophyte" arc, I pointed out that the dialogue suggests it happens back to back with the next arc, but that one isn't actually unlocked for another ten levels. So I headcanon that the scene combines two different conversations that "actually" would happen a few days apart, given those ten levels.

And as a member of the Order of Whispers, Gwen would need to have some kind of cover for her activities and not just run missions 24/7. And she does have to sleep. I can see why the game doesn't go into that kind of minutia, but I imagine it's a thing.

So this post is not a personal story-with-amendments recap, but pure headcanon (ETA: that mostly slides into fic).

In my imagination, Halvora gruffly tells Gwen to get some rest, act normally in Divinity's Reach, and return to the Chantry in exactly three days at such and such an hour for their next mission. Gwen agrees, and she and Tybalt leave the Chantry.

She half-expects to be attacked on the spot again, but they're fine without Demmi's hunters on the loose. I imagine Tybalt stands a bit awkwardly and is like "well ... uh ... thanks. I'm sure it's been a bit rough."

Gwen feels she's handled herself with great aplomb, actually, given the multiple reasons she's had to be upset, and politely says, "Rough? I wouldn't say that, unless I missed something that went wrong." It's not hard to sound anxious as she thinks back. "Did it?"

Tybalt says something to the effect of "No! No! It was great, we did great."

She relaxes, but at that point, she's just going to wait him out to figure out what he's getting at.

"And I really appreciate you wanting to work with me again, especially with me being like this"—he glances at the left paw—"and, well, you know, who I am, and you being you. Can't be easy."

He's not looking at her, clearly uncomfortable about whatever it is he's trying to say, as if he'd like to avoid a difficult subject. Gwen doesn't really know anything about him that he hasn't told her, except the obvious basics, but he's got to know how little information she has on him. And she realizes: he doesn't mean "who I am" so much as "what I am."

A little flatly, she says, "You mean, because you're a Charr and I'm a human."

He gives an uneasy nod.

"An Ascalonian human," she goes on—not aggressively, but not backing down. "You knew that the whole time, didn't you?"

By silent assent, they start making a meandering way towards Lion's Arch, avoiding the most direct route.

"Yeah," he says. "Our mutual friends told me what I needed to know."

They fight off some random skale or something without needing to say much, and as Gwen is cleaning her sword, she says—less urgently than she feels— "I'm curious about what they thought you needed to know."

He hesitates.

She presses, "We're partners, aren't we? It helps to be upfront with each other, unless there's something you're not supposed to tell me. —Oh, I think this is the best place to cross."

They swim across the channel on the way to Lion's Arch, but continue their indirect route, keeping alert for threats or listeners. Gwen is starting to doubt he'll say anything more, until he abruptly says,

"Well, they said you're not a Separatist."

She actually laughs. "True. Separatists are fools and traitors."

She expected him to agree with her. He just seems more uncomfortable than ever.

"But," he goes on, "you don't like my kind."

She stops smiling.

"I didn't expect you to hide it so well, honestly. The Order's been watching you a long time. They said you grew up hungry and without shelter most of the time because your sire and your mother were fighting us in Ascalon. You had your—your sort of fahrar instead."

"My what?" she says politely, welcoming the tangent because she's actually unsettled by him just laying it out like that, even though she asked.

"It's a Charr thing," says Tybalt, and Gwen stiffens. "It's the people you grow up with, who become your warband if everything goes right. But sometimes it doesn't and—anyway. That's not the point. The point is, they said you had a sort of fahrar, growing up, but not enough of one to keep you safe. You hid a lot, but not that you hated the Charr and blamed us for your parents being gone."

"I don't blame you specifically," she says at last, and looks up at him. He seems as absurdly nonthreatening as ever, and it takes all her resolve to keep her hands from fidgeting, or clenching, or something. At last, she lifts her chin. "But they're right. I did blame your people."

She hesitates, not quite willing to risk 'And I still do' to his face. It would be foolish, jeopardizing their tentative partnership and the good will of a friendly superior. And she's torn between the stifled resentment she feels and a certain—well, it's hard to hate Tybalt. She can't, really. But she doesn't think he understands.

"I was surprised to meet someone else with my last name," she says carefully, "because half the family died in the Searing, and most of the rest were killed as they tried to escape the Charr. They'd just been merchants in Ashford before. They weren't soldiers, they weren't threats, and my family only became fighters because your people wouldn't stop hunting us."

She's astonished to hear her voice rise, to hear words freely tripping out of her mouth. With Tybalt, of all people!

"It was our home, too," Tybalt says quietly, "and that was a long time ago."

"It hadn't been your people's home for longer than that," she says, figuring that it doesn't make much difference, now. "And it wasn't such a long time ago that my mother died. She said she was going to bring us home—my sister and me. But we can't ever go back to Ashford, and Kryta will never truly welcome us. I only have a roof over my head in Divinity's Reach because my sister and I have been useful to the Seraph, but it's not home. Nowhere is. Deborah's noble enough not to resent it."

I'm not goes unspoken.

"Well, you could," he says. They can see the entrance to Lion's Arch, and slow down.

"I could what?" says Gwen, calming. She doesn't lose her temper much, and she doesn't like the feeling when she does. She takes a steadying breath, hoping she hasn't obliterated her entire future in the Order.

"Go to Ashford," Tybalt says. "There's a cease-fire now, after all. And we'll see that there's peace between our peoples—like it or not."

"I do want peace," she says earnestly. "It's just—" She straightens, deciding she's betrayed enough weakness for one day. "Anyway, a human mage alone in Ashford? That's just asking for trouble."

He hesitates, then says, "I have to go back to Lion's Arch. It's where I live these days. But I'm not exiled or anything. Technically. If you promise you won't—I don't know, murder anyone, I could take you to Ascalon. You've never actually been there, have you?"

Gwen stares at him. As lovable as he's been, she's still utterly shocked by this.

"No, I haven't," she says. "I always wanted to, but I needed the gate fee money for food, and..."

She's babbling again. Gwen snaps her mouth shut.

"I can pay it," he says. "Oh, you can murder Flame Legion, by the way. Magic 'em to death to your heart's content." He sounds nearly gleeful, in fact. "It'll just make them madder! But you'd better be sure you really want the peace treaty to go through—and that you don't mind fighting ghosts or Separatists."

The ghosts of her people, perhaps her own ancestors. The Separatists—her kin, however foolish and disloyal and vicious.

But seeing Ascalon, at last. It had grown back, people said: the kertch trees, the sunflowers. She could see them, touch them. She could set foot on the same land that her foremothers and forefathers had, back when they were prosperous tradesfolk instead of starving beggars on the streets or desperate soldiers in Ebonhawke.

"You don't have to go see it," he adds. "Maybe you'd rather pray or something."

Gwen actually laughs again.

"You can believe this," she says. "I don't hate you at all, Tybalt. I'd be glad to see Ashford with you."

He claps her on the shoulder with his good paw, and her knees nearly buckle.

"Good to hear," he says. "I don't hate you either, Gwen. Tomorrow it is. Meet you in the Trader's Forum?"

"I'll be there," says Gwen.

[darkmatter-nebula]

Colli's mind gets damaged and his parents and siblings take an adventure into his mind to fix it.

Good morning! Thanks for the request!

Interesting idea, my dear anon!

One-Shot: Beautiful Mind

It was a quiet afternoon on the Boiling Isles. Even though, it wasn't meant to stay quiet. Mattholomule was spending some time with his favorite celestial boy with otherworldly fluffy lavender hair and a kind heart. Unfortunately, Colli was the target of bounty hunters again!

They ambushed Colli and Mattholomule. The brown haired boy tried to be brave. "Hey! Leave Colli alone!" It was obvious that Mattholomule was just as scared as Colli was. Unfortunately, the bounty hunters attacked Colli all at once and hit his head with a very powerful spell!

The spell was supposed to brainwash him, but it had a different effect. Colli looked at Mattholomule. "Who are you?" The starboy asked innocently. "Oh, no... YOU JERKS HAVE ERASED HIS MEMORIES!" Even though he was scared, Mattholomule was more than livid!

He knew that he wouldn't stand a chance against the bounty hunters. Mattholomule picked the featherlight Colli up and ran as fast as he could to the Owl House. Hooty sensed that something was wrong. "What happend?" The house demon asked, clearly concerned about Colli.

"Some bounty hunters attacked Colli and accidentally erased his memories!" Mattholomule explained just as concerned. "What did you just say?!" Hunter overheard everything. Even though Colli couldn't remember his big brother, he smiled sweetly at the blonde boy.

Hunter cupped tenderly Colli's face and pressed with infinite gentleness their foreheads together. "I will not let you down!" The young Grimwalker said softly, determined to bring his little Sunshine's memories back. To Hunter's delight, Colli wrapped his arms around him for a soft hug.

"I think he is still in there!" Mattholomule chimed in. As soon as the rest of Colli's family heard what happend, they already planned to fix his mind. Eda, Raine, Camila and Darius were furious at the bounty hunters! Same for Hunter, King, Luz, Vee and Hooty! These jerks dared to hurt Colli!

Raine and Darius made a familiar potion, the same that was supposed to bring them into Belos' mind. "Don't worry, Little Star! We're going to save you!" Eda whispered as she gave Colli a sleep potion. Soon, Colli's parents and siblings found themselfs in the celestial boy's mind.

Mattholomule and Hooty stayed behind and decided to wait. It didn't take long for Camila to spot a portrait, that showed her sweet little Moonpie on the Draining Chair. Her precious baby was in terrible agony! "Little Star..." "Little Songbird..." "Stardust..." "Moonpie..." The adults whispered, clearly shocked.

Colli's siblings didn't fail to notice the portrait as well. Hunter was already plotting murder. Vee teared up. "I was already shocked as he told me about it, but that's horrible! As soon as we are back, I'm going to give him the biggest hug ever!" She said. Hunter, Luz and King agreed.

Suddenly, everyone could hear soft whimpering. It sounded like Colli! Apparently, it was his inner self. "Hey, it's ok." Hunter said softly and approached him. "Big brother." The inner Colli whispered. "You recognize me!" Hunter was beyond relieved! "Be careful... it's dangerous..." The inner Colli whispered, clearly scared.

"Little Star, what do mean?" As soon as Eda asked this, everyone was face to face with a shadowy creature, that resembled Belos! "My precious Little Battery!" As it turned out, Colli's strong emotions of fear manifested as the form of the one who had tortured him for fifty years, Belos!

"It's payback time!" Even though the shadow wasn't the real Belos, Hunter was ready to defend his beloved little brother. Shadow!Belos dodged Hunter's attack, but didn't see Camila's baseball bat coming. Same for Luz' glyphs, Eda's harpy form, Darius' Abomination form and Raine's violin.

"You can't defeat me! My grip on his mind is too strong to withstand! He is mine and he will always be mi-" Darius didn't let Shadow!Belos finish his sentence and punched him very hard. "Shut up! Stardust is not yours! He never was! He was your prisoner!" The Abomination Coven Head was furious!

The battle continued and it was so satisfying for the whole family to do the finishing blow. What no one suspected was, that a tiny piece of Shadow!Belos remained. It was still able to give Colli sometimes nightmares. Meanwhile, the family was back out of the starboy's mind.

Colli stirred awake and was immediately pulled into a group hug by his whole family, Hooty and Mattholomule. "Awww! I love you guys too!" Colli said with a bright smile on his adorable face. "Moonpie, do you recognize us?" Camila asked. "Of course I do, mami!" Colli smiled sweetly.

Hunter showered the lavender haired celestial boy's face with kisses. "I'm so glad that you're alright, Colli!" Hunter clinged to his little Sunshine like a lifeline. "Thank you all so much for fixing my mind!" Colli spoke up. "Anything for you, Stardust!" Darius chimed in.

The End

[smhalltheurlsaretaken]

dave filoni is amazing and brought us one of the most incredible pieces of star wars media. i love the jedi but holy fuck, some of you in this fandom are just so rabid and bitter. we are allowed to critique things the jedi did and doesn't mean we're anti jedi! things can have nuance.

the jedi are also portrayed very favorably in tcw. we see how much they care about the clones, we seem them acting like a family and being wise and brave. portraying them as flawed just makes them more interesting and layered, it doesn't take away from how good they are.

rabid pro-jedi blogs are making this fandom as hostile as those awful anti-jedi blogs. can you all please just start being normal???

Anon, are you aware that I made a pretty long post saying exactly that (minus the rabid and bitter part) a while back? Here, you can check:

That's me saying Filoni doesn't hate the Jedi and TCW portrays them very positively and he contributed to that.

Or how about this one, about allowing the Jedi to have more nuance:

That's me saying I find frustrating the lack of acknowledgment of how messy some aspects of the Order and that's me talking about adoptions.

Or this one.

Or THIS ONE:

And here's what I said about why their flaws aren't my focus though (and why it bothers me when those flaws become the focus of canon):

I’ll explore the Jedi’s flaws when I write, but I’ll always, always, always talk about how good they were a lot, lot, LOT more. And the reason why is quite simple: I feel like Jedi criticism is nitpicky and pointless, because talking about any flaws of theirs is not only beating a dead horse, but beating a horse that’s so dead it’s been decomposing for fifteen years.  Everything has been said on the subject of the Jedi’s faults - most of which I don’t agree with, but some that I’ll readily recognize (because again, they’re not meant to be perfect). But what is the point of talking about what the Jedi did wrong after a while? Even supposing they were half as flawed as the fandom makes them out to be (which they aren’t) so what? They all died. Their children died. Their history, art and philosophy were completely erased from the galaxy. Most of their legacy was forgotten.  Whatever punishment they might have deserved for not paying enough attention - or too much - to a prophecy, for failing to untangle Sidious’ web, for being blind to a lie or another when they were too busy dying on the front lines to see clearly, for failing to save all the clones, for failing to protect all the Padawans… Whatever punishment this all deserved, they received a hundred times over. 

I don't LIKE that the narrative that's being pushed more and more is that 'they were too beholden to the Senate' when it offers no other viable alternative for what they should have done and their indictment comes from a character pulling the strings of the Senate in the shadows so that the freaking 'coming darkness' he's """"warning"""" them about can become a galactic dictator.

I don't hate Filoni. I may poke fun at him and be annoyed at what he's doing, but I don't hate him. TCW wasn't just a Dave thing tho, GL was still around to supervise, and the more I see of Dave's work without GL around, and the greater creative freedom he gets, the more I'm disappointed that this is where Star Wars is going. That's all.

But point me to one of my rabid posts please. The majority of my TOTJ posts (if that's what this is about) have been either positive, nitpicky or neutral.

I'm not making the fandom "hostile" by disliking things sometimes, anon, I'm making MY blog SALTY. And I either tag that salt, or I don't tag much so that the salt doesn't show up in the general tags so that people in the fandom who don't agree won't have to see it.

If I'm not behaving 'normally' according to you - and you're perfectly entitled to think that, I AM pretty bitchy - you can stop seeing my stuff pretty easily. But please don't come at me anonymously to put a larger fandom issue onto me.