#lots of blue and henry in this one :p

[jordeclans]

trc smau part 16/?

part 15, part 17

[smolvenger]

The Battle of Agincourt (Henry V/fem! Reader Oneshot)

Word Count: 7K

Summary: As his wife and queen, you follow your husband, Henry the Fifth to France for his battles. It is the morning of the battle of Agincourt, and you don't know if he will make it out alive. You spend one last moment of passion together.

Warnings: NSFW 18+ SMUT! SMUT! (We get TWO smut scenes in one onshot! P in V sex, missionary, doggy style, edging, medieval dirty talk, praise, slight degradation and edging breast play, degradation, bits of power play, doing the deed standing up-legit one of the filthiest things I've written in a long time!). Mentions of war and brief mention of sexual assault and death. Lots of angst, but also some fluff.

A/N: Based off of a dream I had. Enjoy!

Taglist: @evelyn-kingsley@jennyggggrrr@five-miles-over@fictive-sl0th@ladycamillewrites @villainousshakespeare @holdmytesseract (you can just skip the wedding night and barn scene and you will be good, bestie) @eleniblue @twhxhck @lokisgoodgirl @lovelysizzlingbluebird @raqnarokr @holymultiplefandomsbatman @michelleleewise @wolfsmom1 @infinitystoner@littlespaceyelf@superficialdomina @evelyn-kingsley @muddyorbsblr

You never forgot the day you were introduced to the man you loved.

You were sent there to the castle. An alliance between your father and the new king of England was being considered. Nothing confirmed, you were told by your father. Only consideration.

“He is a single man. And young. He needs more for his army, his lands…and that is secured with a marriage,” he told you.

 The one key to sealing it.

You.

A marriage between you and this king. Many men in his army sealed with one woman being brought to his bed. And it might be you.

 You had heard he was a wild boy, Harry Monmouth, Prince Hal. But everyone assured you that he had somehow matured. No sooner than his father died but he had been far calmer, more responsible. He spent his hours studying rather than drinking.

But you were still nervous. When the day arrived for this alliance to be discussed, your father asked you to dress in your best. Looking in the mirror as you squeezed your mother’s hand, you wondered; am I good enough for a king’s glance? Perhaps if you had more jewels and walked in with the richest silks like a shining diamond, then he would take note. Still, bedecked in your finery, you headed off and were greeted at the castle. You were stopped, awaiting the signal.

“If the king decides he would like to meet you…then be ready,” he warned.

It might not happen at all, you wondered.

You did hear voices outside the thick door. Seeping through. No doubt there would be advisors and other lords to talk to the king. But there was one voice-he sounded young, indeed. He had a resonant, powerful voice- rich and commanding. But smooth too. The sort to command a legion but could also whisper gentle words to his lover.

 As you stood, wondering how long you both could wait, the door opened, and you jumped.

“His Majesty, King Henry the Fifth, would like to meet you,” the servant announced.

Just for consideration. Nothing permanent. Not yet, you thought. You were grateful your dresses were long. They would hide your shaking legs. You nodded, remembering basic etiquette as you gripped your father’s arm.  

The door opened and you both walked inside, your steps echoing throughout the stone castle. You took in your surroundings despite the air in your lungs almost stopping. The high windows with the orange sunlight. The long candles for light. The weaving of Saint George on the back wall. A wooden throne with tall, stone steps. There, you saw your father. A few lords in the back-old men with scarves for hats and long cloaks.

And in the center of it, turning towards you, was a young man. A young man with a crown- Henry the Fifth. The young king.

Extremely handsome. A head full of his auburn curls, his small, neat beard. His blue eyes were soft when he looked at you and a red leather doublet framed his lean body well. There were chairs about and you were led to sit in a chair some distance away.

Your father and the king began to talk. Keeping an appropriate distance. But you couldn’t help but admire the handsome, young king. If he were just an ordinary man going down the street, you would have indulged in ogling him. But you could not, you felt yourself get warm as you kept your eyes demurely on the floor when he caught you watching. Their voices became murmurs. Then the king turned to you.  

“You are the Lady Y/N…” he began.

He gestured to you to rise from your chair, you gave him a curtsy.

“I am, your grace,” you replied.

He walked up closer. You could hear his footsteps. You made your own breath slower. You could feel yourself sweat like it was July in Italy. You forced your eyes down, feeling your shaking going to your hands.

“You need not be shy, my lady,” he said.

You then looked up. Eyes onto him.

“Could you take two steps closer, my lady?” he asked.

You did. He walked around you in a circle, seeing all of you. You let him, though your heart was roaring in your ears. Feeling his eyes all over his potential bride- you. Once he stepped out, completing his circle, your eyes met his. Perhaps that was bold, considering his position- your lord and sovereign of your country. But nothing in him deterred.

“Are you well?” he asked.

“Very well, your grace.” You replied.

Henry turned to your father, looking at him, but only taking a step back.

“Sir…you have not offered me some mortal woman…” he began.

You folded your hands and did your best to mask your dread. Oh no, was he about to Call you something bad? How would you endure the humiliation of being not only rejected but insulted by the king of England mere minutes of meeting him!? You would have to spend your life under a rock in the woods to save your dignity. You looked up to him with big eyes and felt your body brace itself. To hold in the tears and anger of such a moment with as much false calm as you could. Awaiting the blow of the king's insult.

But no blow arrived.

Henry then smiled, eyes turning between you and your father.

“Here before me is an angel from heaven! A woman too lovely for us mere men!” King Henry the Fifth announced.  

One did not recover from such a statement quickly. "Shock" was not quite the word fitting for how you felt. No, it was this. Utter and pure delighted surprise. Your breath quickened. You felt a smile grow on you. Your heart picked up again as he walked closer to you.

“Thank you, your grace…do you fear blasphemy from such words?” you asked.

“Not if it is the truth, just as scripture is,” he added with a wink.

Your mind went blank at his wink, his smile. Hot and your mind spinning. Your mouth kept running from the excitement. But still polite.

“You are generous, your grace.”

He went up to you.

“Could you…call me Henry? Or Harry? Hal, even?”

“I could…Henry,” you replied.

 You watched Henry turn to your father and shake his hand. The alliance went through. With a flourish, he signed the treaty and the agreement to marry you.

“Ah, my lucky little girl…now about to be queen of England!” your father would say later, kissing your cheek.

Henry (for now he was more than just the king, but your intended!) would often invite you to visit. Giving you tours of every room and corner of the castle.

“After all, it’s going to be your home!” he would claim.

Or, to the most shock of anyone, he would visit your home himself to see you. Fine dinners would be served, and he would sit by you as you sewed, smiling like a schoolboy just to be beside you.  

A chaperone was always present, but quiet in the back. A smiling shadow upon you two. Henry wrote you numerous letters and you wrote back to him when he was away. It was easier to like him the more he spent time with you. If not, be infatuated with him. Maybe even love him as the months to the wedding passed. He showered you with gifts and lovers’ tokens. Little ribbons and pieces of jewelry and belts and scraps of paper with love poetry.

The first time he held your hand, you thought you saw him tremble a little. His thumb went over the skin of yours. He was very soft- not pressing or squeezing your own. You felt as if you could float.

The first time he kissed you was the day before the wedding. You were both walking in the gardens. With the sun gentle and the flowers in bloom, it was just like a dream. Your chaperone was in the back, her arms folded before her. Then Henry stopped his steps and turned to you.

“Could I kiss you…on the lips, Y/N?” he asked, his eyes hopeful like a puppy.

You didn’t have the heart to say no. How fortunate that you wanted to. You felt yourself swallow hard and then nod your head.

“Yes,” you answered.

 He tipped your chin to meet him and kissed you. It was gentle.  Chaste, even. You felt his soft lips and nothing else.  But it was…loving. Your knees wobbled again. You felt the breath from his nose. He was so close. So, so close. He felt…good. He let go, the lips clicking as they retracted. Both of your eyes were still closed. When you opened, he relaxed and let out a smile. You opened your mouth a little but had no words.

“Your kiss has a power to it, Y/N,” he whispered.

“I will use them with caution, then,” you replied teasingly.

You then returned to wrapping an arm around his and continuing walking. Both you and your chaperone shared a look, giving an appreciative nod. Something was growing inside you for him. Something…more.  

 You couldn’t deny that Henry was the most handsome man you had ever lain eyes on. His broad back and his slender waist. His winning smile, large, gentle hands, cheekbones, tall height, soft blue eyes- all beautiful.

And desirable.

He was lean and strong-what did he look like beneath his leather and velvet? If you were honest with yourself, you couldn’t wait for your wedding…and your wedding night. You often indulged in secret glances at his codpiece and his behind whenever he turned around-his pants flattered him. And both sides were something to see. The beautiful curls- a mix of red and blonde that he combed back. You wondered what it would be like to touch. Even pull! That was from what you learned from others of what happened between a husband and wife before the big day. Henry’s beard made him look mature and dignified. Not some pranking, whooping boy- a man. A man who knew how to take care of a woman in bed.

Even among your tours of the castle, he never took you to your private chambers. But whenever you passed by the hall with those large, wooden doors right at the end of a small passageway, you couldn’t help but grin.

Already tingly and titillated at the thought of the night, you kept your smile when they dressed you on your wedding day. It was joyous. Your gown was made with the finest while silk with little pearl embellishments and a jeweled belt. No one would doubt you were Queen of England already. Your father led you out. When you were placed on Henry’s left at the door of the chapel, you could see his smile on you- already bedecked in red with his crown. The ceremony felt far too long. But you held yourself together like a giddy child on a festival. The mass and prayers came and went. Henry made his vows before an altar as did you. Then the priest made the sign of the cross over you two.

It was done. You were married to him now. The second the priest let his hand down, bells all over the city- no, not just the city, England itself it-chimed out. Flower petals were tossed your way as you both walked out through the city, presented to the people as a couple.

There were enough guests that it seemed like half the world’s population was there at the feast. Your friends and family, those you loved dearly, were invited.  A thankful distraction from your growing physical desire for your husband (to think! Henry was now your husband!!). They embraced you and wished “Y/N, oh much congrats!” to you. You never felt such beaming love from everyone you cared for as that day. You hugged and chatted and celebrated with the people you loved. Henry smiled at you and kissed your hand with such tenderness your heart could burst. The feast tasted sweet, and the music played even sweeter.

 The room became darker, and servants lit more candles. Guests were leaving. It was announced that there would be a bedding ceremony. It was finally time, you thought with trepidation. Musicians played songs as the party led you to Henry’s chambers through those stone halls. Henry was adorably nervous. You saw his hands twitch and when you brushed close to him. Oh, no doubt you were nervous too. Any rational person in your situation would be nervous. You considered yourself such. But you were also…excited. Ready.

You entered the bedroom. It was large. Fitting for the king. Once it was your father-in-law’s room- the late Henry the Fourth. Now it was your husband’s. It was full of lit candles with tall stained-glass windows, and a white stone floor with black squares. A large bed with a dark canopy full of gold-colored fleur-de-lys patterns, cream pillows, and thick, dark blankets.

Servants undressed you from that beautiful wedding dress. They undressed Henry too until both of you were in your shifts. You couldn’t help but notice how the collar peeked at a beautiful, broad chest-just open enough to see a peek. It seemed as beautiful as you imagined. It made more shivers of desire run through you. You were given a cup of spiced wine that you both sipped from. It felt as sacred as a Eucharist- he looked at you as you drank and as he drank. An offering of something shared-how now you would be joined as one. The bed was now an altar and lovemaking a rite.

 After the bishop blessed the bed, Henry dismissed every courtier. He thanked them for celebrating with him but insisted on privacy. They bowed and left. For the first time, you both were truly alone. He then turned to you.

“How are you, your Highness?” he asked, noting your new title, he took your hands, running a thumb over them.

“It was a long day…but a happy one. I’m a little tired…. but I’m well…,” you answered.

“I’m glad you are, Y/N…” he replied.

Smiling at him, You cupped his cheek and moved his arms to embrace you. He blinked in slight surprise.

“You can hold me…husband,” you said, relishing the taste of the word.

The most you did throughout your betrothal was hold hands. But he obliged and put his long arms around you. He smelled of wine and a bit of incense from the ceremony at the church. With his thumb, he gently traced your face.

“If Satan himself would look at you, he would weep and confess for forgiveness at once…Y/N, Can I kiss you?” he asked.

“Yes- please kiss me,” you replied.

Then he kissed you. But you kept him there. Pressed against you. God’s blood, that beautiful man right near you, against you, on you- feeling his warmth, his body on yours. You wanted more. You then grabbed him and kept kissing him again and again. He felt so warm and soft…except for one part of him you could feel against you. And no codpiece to cover for it. You bit back a giggle at the new feeling, knowing that he really felt the same despite his wide eyes and blushing cheeks. And your body replied in turn. It was as if lightning was coursing through you.  It made you wetter than the sea. Preparing yourself for him.

Oh, and you were more than ready. And this was a perfect time for it. You grabbed onto him. Then began to lead him to the bed with a smile, walking up two little elevated steps that led to the bed strewn with flowers and ribbons for this night. For this moment. For this act. Then right before the bed, your fingers went to the strings of your shift on the collar that held it together-the only layer over you.

Henry’s jaw dropped a little, looking down and then back up to your face. Even if you saw an outline of his desire through his shift, his eyes grew wide.

“Y/N …are you…sure?” he asked.

You undid the tie, showing the valley of your cleavage. You felt his eyes flutter down then forced back up at yours.

“Henry…I want you to take me. Make love to me- make love to your wife tonight!” you insisted quietly.

“I did not wish to…to push you to…to…uh, consummate the marriage before you...you wanted to…” he replied meekly.

The most powerful man in the world and here he was at a loss of words. To think this was once the tavern boy caught with prostitutes!

“I’ve never been more sure of anything, Henry…I want you…take me on your bed…you are my king….rule me and have me here then….” You whispered.

You led his hands to push the rest of your shift off. Leaving you bare before him. His eyes finally drank all of you in.

That was enough to persuade him.

He pushed you down and was on top of you.  Like an animal released from his cage, his kisses had a little more fire to them. His hands began to roam greedily over your body. Down your chest, feeling one of your breasts as he kissed you. Then down your stomach, over your hip bones- feeling each bit of you. He began to pant heavily, his eyes full of eager joy and a playful lust in his smile.

Then you helped to take off his shift. You nearly forgot to breathe at the sight of Henry’s naked body. His strong abdominals and arms. His large chest with a few black hairs. Of course, his own cock was so hard and large you bit back the urge to gasp at the sight of it.  You laid down on the bed, smiling at him.

“Please, Henry…I ache for you…” you urged. Splaying your body before him on his bed. Feeling like a siren. Only he was no hesitant prey.

He pulled himself over you, taking one hand of his to position your legs to open, shifting his weight on top of you.

“I always wondered what this night would be like…what it would be like the moment I saw you…” he whispered.

He looked at you, cupping your cheek. Seeking permission as he settled himself, his tip just at your entrance’s beginning.

“Henry…I’m ready…” you urged him.

Not wanting to keep you waiting any longer. Not able for himself to wait any longer. He then positioned himself. Slowly, he entered you. Inch by agonizing inch. You writhed beneath him, moaning as he got inside.

“Oh! Oh-oh God!” you cried. He was big. You could feel him creeping in deep, almost like your stomach could be penetrated from his largeness. You clung onto the sheets tight, and his own hand went over yours.

He himself let out a grunt when he finally shifted all his cock inside you. There was a little pain, but it fizzled out. You were full-and it was heavenly You held onto him. He pulled his hips back and began to slowly enter you again and again. You groaned with each delicious thrust of his.

“Yes…nrgh-my wife-you-gods-my wife-my sweet wife-“he whispered with each snap.

You opened your arms as well as your legs, holding onto him. He repeated your name again. Kissing you tenderly on the side of your head when he could. A mess of groans and kisses and praise was all the king could say. His arms stretching around to keep you in his embrace.

Then he used one hand and lifted your legs up to a new position- a little deeper. Your knees went up. You let out little cries with each slow, sloppy movement. Each welcome intrusion of him to your insides. You had never known pleasure as much as this.

“Yes…oh gods…Henry…Henry I…oh!” you breathed out.

Your head lay on those cream pillows. Soft as clouds. With the dark bed canopy and the roaring fire, the rain outside pattering the windows, there was never a lovelier, more peaceful night. His curls fell before his face. He kept at it- thrust, thrust, thrust. His shallow breathing above you, and the moans that escaped you that were far from maiden modesty.

 He held you. He gave you an open kiss as he thrust forward for one. He began to mutter more.

“Yes…nrgh- yes, -my little queen…doing so well…”

More little noises came out of you. And you heard his voice get only a little higher in pitch. And yet he continued, only barely picking up the pace. You wrapped your hands to him and ran one through the curls on his head- how soft they felt, like little auburn feathers.  How soft the bed was-a feathered mattress against your bare skin as it slide back and forth slowly against it with each snap of his kingly hips. Henry slowed one thrust but would give you a little kiss- your cheek, the side of your face.

“God’s blood-my wife-nrg-sweet wife-oh-yes-taking-taking me…”

He kept at it. Then he reached down. He found your entrance, the very beginning where your lips and walls. He talked softly in between thrusts.

“I’m…I’m close, and I think….I think you are too, my little wife- I…yes…come undone, come undone with me…”

 He reached inside and you gasped from the feeling. He found your bud, his finger curling with it, stroking it with each thrust. You let out another gasp. He smiled.

“Let go wife-nrgh-let it…let it-“

 He began to strum it. Then everything overwhelmed you. You were spinning higher and higher. His kisses and hands already felt your bud and with his playing. You felt yourself winding up, curling up inside. You shook so hard. You wondered if you were going to die from the overwhelm, from the rising feeling, the intensity. His thrusts picked up the pace, you felt it growing, growing, growing.

Then finally, something hit you so suddenly, so hard-your body clenching and releasing all at once you let out a loud cry as the sensation hit you like cold air.

“Ah!”

A last thrust, the king of England came undone and let out his own small shout of pleasure. Then he stopped his thrusts. He stayed inside you, letting his seed rope itself. Then he held you, held you tight as he came inside you. It seemed as if the world itself stopped.

 Once it was done, he pulled out but kept close to you. Caressing your cheek. Panting hard, his broad, strong chest rising with his breaths.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I feel…I’ve never felt so good, husband,” you replied with a giggle as you pulled him forward to wrap your arms and kiss him until both fell asleep.

He did turn out to be a good husband. Always listening, gentle, and enthusiastic about his role. He listened to your own advice and always took you seriously. He was aggressively faithful, shutting down even the idea of a mistress if any lord was foolish enough to suggest it. He spent time with you. There were so many times you would hold him to your chest and hum, playing with his curls. You learned from each other and challenged each other to do better each day. Be it in a game of chess or in court. He made you feel…safe. Wanted. Loved, even. Not to mention he was a passionate lover in bed. If your one duty was to bed the king, then being queen was quite a simple task indeed. And a duty you loved to fulfill again. And again. And again. And again.

You managed your own life as queen well. adapting and figuring it out. Attending parliament by his side.

You were sitting by him when the fateful day came. It was found out he had a claim to France. And the French ambassador mocked him by giving him the gift of a box full of tennis balls. Furious at the insult, Henry declared there and then he would begin an invasion of France.

 He’s going to leave. He’s going to be gone to war. And who knows how long, you thought sadly. You went to your chambers and began to sob. Then the next day, all were discussing logistics. You sat on your own throne, contemplating it all as they talked.

“Yes, my brother- John shall stay. He will lead…” Henry announced. “And by this day, we will gather the army and set sail for France.”

You couldn’t take it. You sat up at once.

“And I will go with you!” you insisted.

The men’s heads turned to you.

“What?!” cried one lord, stepping forward.

The advisors went around you.

“Your Highness…it is not safe!” advised another.

You walked forward, looking down at the table with the map on it. Then you looked at them and addressed them.

“My husband is a warrior. And when we were married, we were made one. This means I am a warrior too, in my own way. And where he goes, there I must go too- his battles are mine as well. Then I say- I will go with him!” you declared, slamming a firm hand on the table.

There was a second of silence. Then your husband took your hands.

“If we can make it safe for her, she will go with me,” he said.

You went off to France with him. You braved the rollicking ships. You both shared a little cot bed as the ship heaved back and forth at night. One night was a storm and the thunder surprised you so much in your bed, you clung to him. He only laughed a little, rubbing your back in comfort.

“It’s only the voice of God, my dove, He is on our side…and protecting you,” he assured, kissing your forehead.

It was not long before it arrived and the army began to set forth. You traveled through forests, riding your horse by your husband’s side through villages and countryside for entire days.  You were a little nervous being the only woman surrounded by men. But they knew how precious a queen you were to their Harry of England, their sovereign. If any of them dared to lay a hand on you, they knew they would face a quick and bloody end on their king’s sword. So, they kept respectful, always greeting you with bows and soft voices.  You would set up camp and then live in a tent rather than a palace.  Some hours you would give your own counsel as you stood by him for planning the army’s next move. When there was an attack, you were put in a safe place with many guards so none would dare hurt the king’s beloved. Other times, you would volunteer with the food or help with medical needs- helping with injuries, cooling warm foreheads with cloths. You saw this fiercer side already of him. He shouted bold, encouraging speeches as they went and attacked towns.

Though you scolded him for the speech he made to the Governor of a city called Harfleur. When they arrived, to your immense shock, Henry coldly threatened his army would pillage the town, set their infants on spikes, and ravish the village women. That was enough to persuade the governor to open the gates and peacefully let them go through without one shred of violence. But his words still rang and made you see red with anger.

You met him in your tent later, and he jumped at your frown. You crossed your arms.

“Henry- you dare to have your men do these unspeakable things to women! You know better! Have you considered I am a woman as well?! And that is our worst fear!”

“I only wished to scare him. I knew it would move him, my dear. And it does happen during wars…”

“You will not let that happen! You will not let the soldiers force themselves on civilian women-or I shall never speak to you, and you won’t be allowed in my chambers either! I’ll sleep in another tent and not allow you to lay a hand on me!” You chided.

It was a threat which, like his to the governor, worked well. He never made a spoke like that again. And you forgave him.

The many ups and downs.  The army was too depleted to move onto Paris so all of you went to Calais. You stopped and fled further realizing the French army was chasing everyone down. You arrived at the small town of Agincourt. The French army had now surrounded you. The Dauphin arrived one cold night. And it was decided-there would be a formal battle tomorrow.

Now here it was- a decisive battle. Only a small handful of soldiers could get a full night’s sleep and Henry himself stayed awake to talk to them. But in your tent, you tossed and turned in your makeshift bed under many blankets. You awoke and then fell again. Your worries had haunted you.

They were going to fight the Dauphin’s army. And the Dauphin’s men outnumbered Henry’s. Five French soldiers for every English.

You awoke shivering and dressed. You gathered your cloak for it was a cold day. Opening the flap of one tent, you saw him. Henry. A small distance away, kneeling in the grass. It was so early that the sky was still grey, the sun barely peeking. You could hear his prayer.

“Lord…strengthen my soldier’s hearts…I’ve made my repentance to Richard and his grave…. please strengthen them…and me…”

Five to one, your mind kept repeating to yourself. Five to one. Five to one.

You wondered at the white horse he brought with him. It was with the others chewing on grass in ignorance of what was about to happen. Why would your husband need it? It would be as if he was a target for their practice! A surefire way to signal this was the man to kill.

How fragile he seemed as he kept praying. He was human. Your husband’s mortality dawned on you. His racing heart could stop. His warm skin grow cold. And his shallow breaths of his anxious prayer would end and there would be none anymore. He dressed in a red doublet- red as the blood threatening to spill from him.

You approached him, noticing him making the sign of the cross to end the prayer. He turned his head to see you.

“How are you?” you asked.

“Only as well as I can be…” he asked.

He easily got up from the grass. Then he went over to a of his lords and guards already armored. He whispered something to them. Nodding, they turned back to camp. He then returned, his gloved hands taking yours.

“I’d…I’d like to spend some time with you…. before…before it starts,” he said.

“Of course, dear husband,” you answered with a smile.

Both of you walked into the woods. It was peaceful- you heard the leaves beneath your shoes and the birdsong. The rustling of trees and the mist as gentle as his kisses at your wedding.  Disguised in your cloaks, you could have been any ordinary pair of lovers wandering in the forest. Not a king and queen of a whole nation.

“Y/N…do you see that? In the valley?” he asked, pointing at a hand.

It was a barn and An old house. The house was abandoned and burned to where the walls were only halfway stood beside it. The barn was intact. He led you inside- the wood creaking and the wind whistling through it. There wasn’t one living life around. No horses. No pigs. Not even an ant.

“We’re a distance off…are we still safe?” you asked.

“It’s alright- you know the path- find the oak tree with mushrooms and keep walking north…Y/N, I asked the guards to leave us alone for a little. I wanted to…to be with you.”

There were no animals around, much less people.  Only you two. Even the sky itself seemed unreal. It was nothing but the grey light of dawn over a cloudy sky. So early, it felt cold. And it was misty and grey.

It was dark and musty in the barn. You saw a wooden bench and stables and troughs. But it was mostly hay- so much hay that there were still tall stalks around the barn.

He then turned to you and kissed you. He took you in his arms. He touched your face, and you realized a tear was rolling down your cheek.

“Y/N…I want this…if this is our last moment together…I….” he began.

He held you closer.

“Yes, Henry….”

He took a deep breath. Then kissed you again, only leaving a trail down your neck. Your heart picked up and you warmed up quickly. He then returned, cupping your face again and looking directly into your eyes, so close. So, there was only him.

“The camp is far off. They won’t disturb us. They won’t hear us. Y/N I… I…I love you….”

“I love you too,” you replied. You kissed him again. You shivered from feeling the cold. And the growing desperation on his face.

“I know this is not the most romantic place. This is not the most beautiful speech I can think of. But…I say it again because it is simple. It is true- I love you, Y/N. And should I die, I want you to know that…”

He paused. Then blinking back a couple tears, he continued.

“If…If this is the day, I’m killed…it is a prayer for you that will be my last word…I’m glad I met you. I’m glad I married you. I have so much shame, so much regret…but you- you were the best choice I made as king. To choose to marry you, love you…”

You cupped him and kissed him again. You felt him press against you. His hands went from your back to your sides. His gloves went up and began to bunch your skirt. Already, you felt yourself grow wet for him. Feeling the bit of cold air on your skin.

“The guards are away…the army is away…they’re far…my wife…please…. here…. love me one last time, lie with me here-so I can feel you-know it is like inside you, to feel your pleasure one more time…”

You grabbed onto him. Feeling his skin, his breathing in his body-his life. His fire.

“Yes…take me. Henry- use me now. I know you feel so much. Take it out. Take out everything on me…just love me…make love to me, husband. Strongly. Strongly as you feel,” you pleaded.

He gave a small smile, giving a last kiss with tongue. Tasting him. He pressed you close.

“You will?” he asked.

“I will,” you answered.

 Then he pushed you roughly and you and you landed with a small laugh against a haystack. One so high it was taller than yourself.   He then backed you to the haystalk in a second. His kisses on your neck had added teeth. He was leaving marks against the skin of your exposed neck.

“Do you like this, little wife?” he asked.

“I do!”

He chuckled lightly.

“Gods, you torment me. Each time you are there in my tent, every meeting you look at me and smile, I imagine you without your gown on. If could, I’d have you over that very table the second they left every meeting…”

Then, his hand turned to a grip. He grabbed onto you. You began to grind naturally against him. He gasped at the feeling but kept talking.

“Perhaps I could grab you and have you on the grass. And have every soldier who leered at you to watch. To have them watch as I take you like a beast. So, they know none of them can make you cum like I can.  Until your name is all you can say on your lips. So, they all know you are mine.”

He found the blouse of your dress. Desperately, he pulled down the overdress’s shoulders. With one tug, he undid the strap of the shift beneath and pulled it down. Your breasts exposed. He cupped and kissed it. He kept a hand, pinching your nipple as he went to your ear. Then he began to make more biting kisses on your neck You embraced him- touching what you could, kissing what you could.

“Henry…I love you, I love you…” you repeated.

“I love you, and be ready, little wife. You’ve wanted fire-now you have it.”

He lowered his mouth to kiss your breasts. Then he used teeth and tongue. He bit your breasts, licked your nipples, and then used his teeth. You began to moan. It was so loud, that you were grateful not even animals could hear you now.

Then he lightly tossed you around. Then he turned you around, pushing you so that you leaned over a wooden bench that was kept there. Your hands braced onto the wood. He then lifted your skirt up to your hips, your bum exposed to him. He gave you a small smack on your behind. You let out a cry.

“I remember your chiding at Harfleur. That’s what you get, little wife, when you disobey your king. You get punishment.”

He began to undo his pants with a quick click of his belt. He began to thrust into you there- hitting this new angle. It was so obscene; you couldn’t help but give into it. Your own filthy moans and his grunts right behind you.

“There-nrgh-yes-I-I-I-take you, like-like a whore-“

You were moving along, feeling your own body shake with each fast, deep thrust. You let out shouts as he got over. The spinning feeling, coiling in your belly, rising from the delicious degradation.

“Oh…oh gods-Henry-I’m-I’m going to-to cum, I’mgoingtocumI’m-“

Then he stopped. You heard his voice behind you.

“Not yet…. you won’t release yet. I’m not done,” he announced.

He turned you around. His large hands almost ripped off your cloak, and then your dress so it pulled down. If he could rip your dress to shreds, he would. But he only roughly put it all aside. You were fully naked, and he was still clothed. He smiled and licked his lips, his curls freed from his head.

“This- seeing this again- I would fight a hundred battles to see your bare breasts and feel your sweet warmth around my cock again.”

He picked you up. You held onto him. With one hand, he pulled down his pants as you held tighter. Released, his leaking tip is already teasing your entrance. Then he backed you up against the hay. He hooked your leg up to be around him. The hay was so high and sturdy that it held you up.

“My queen among people, but my whore in this barn.”

You gasped a little as he entered you. He was fast, desperate. His thrusts wild. He even freed one hand and slapped your breasts, and you let out a cry.

“How can I not touch these breasts? You make me too hard to even think in this army. Riding my horse when I want to use you like a mare beneath me.”

“Hen-Henry-I-I-“ the words left you.

Your breasts began to bounce with his movement obscenely. He grunted more like an animal. You wrapped your arms around his still-clothed shoulders, trying to keep up.

“I love-love-nrgh-you so much-gods-yes, I love you-nrgh-you’re all I could think about-yes-do you understand-ah!- how hard -yes- it is to speak diplomacy-nrgh- with the French when your cock is raging hard seeing your wife?”

He thrust into you again and your own voice was getting a little higher. Hard, rough, desperate.  The spinning, the rising was happening. You held onto him. Then one glove began to reach down and circle your clitoris, you gasped- letting it out. The hard leather on your wet folds, on your bud was going to break you. You heard his words. You bit on, to fight the rise, to not release yet. Hearing each thing he said.

“If I live- I Want you in my tent. On my bed, over the blankets. I want you naked -and I want your legs spread wide for me-so I can ravish you like this again when it’s done. Do that-do that for your king,”

“Yes, yes-I will!”

“I-I-am-nrgh-your king, am I?” he asked as he thrust.

“Y-yes! Yes, you are!”

“Who is your king?”

“Henry! Henry’s my king!”

He then continued at another violent, rougher pace. You wondered how much of this you could even take.

“I want to take you-nrgh- scream-nrgh-so all of France know who belongs to you-you-yes-NRGH- are mine-as-as as France as mine.”

He began to thrust harder. You gasped, as he kept at it.

“Oh-Oh my god-oh god- it’s-it’s happening-Henry I’m-I’m I’mI’mI’m-“

“Yes-Yes-you’re there, little whore-cum-cum for your king-cum for your king-cum for your king!”

Finally, you did too with a last scream. It echoed across to where the sound pattered through the woods. With a breathy, struggled shout he released as well. He kept thrusting, but slower. His hot speed shot forth and went inside you. Both of you panting wildly- you could see your chests heaving. He then held you, shaking a little as he caught his breath.

“Y/N….darling…thank you…I love you…so much…”

He kissed the side of your head as you nestled together. He kissed your cheek and his grip softened.

“Are you hurt?”

“No…I’m not…I have never felt better…” you said.

He helped you back up. Though you felt a little dizzy from the intensity. You could feel his seed inside you-dripping a little down your thighs. You wanted it to stay. Perhaps you would have a child from this and you would have to one day tell them they were conceived on the morn of a battle. Your legs shook. He picked up your discarded clothes and quickly helped you dress back into them. You combed you both wiped the hay off of both of you.

“That was…that was incredible…” you sighed as he clasped the cloak around you.

“And I must agree with you…” he replied.

You walked out soon. Still holding hands. He blushed bright red and there was a prance to his step. Confidence. Even if he was defeated, he would not go down easily. Not without a fight. The sun was now rising higher. The time was approaching. You watched as he was fitted back to his armor by his servants as you stood and watched. Exchanging small looks between you. But before he faced his men, he went back and gave you a passionate kiss. The deepest, and most loving kiss you ever felt him give you.

“Should anything happen to me- the Dauphin out of mercy he shall make sure you are safely brought home to England as an act of diplomacy. I made him promise. And the remaining soldiers will guard you, as well as my uncle.”

“But if…nothing happens to you…” you asked hopefully.

“Then…you remember your promise…” he said with a grin.

“I will see you in our tent…”

He smiled, then he went down and kissed your hand. Tears in his eyes.

“I never knew one soul like yours. Your courage, your kind heart, your wisdom…the greatest of all queens in all nations, and if I had my choice of every woman, it would still be you…”

You embraced him a last time.

“I love you, Y/N. And you will always be loved by me. Thank you…thank you for everything…”

“I love you too, Henry…”

Sharing a brief last kiss on your forehead, he went on his white horse. You felt tears streaming down your face. Then off he went with his men to battle. You never felt prouder of him. Though you felt yourself crying, you were smiling as well. Proud of your king. Your lover. Your husband.

[slightlyhopefulromantic]

a return to the monsters and mommies au designs, this time properly lined and in color! :D posted in the middle of the night just like last time though because i have problems <3 there are some small changes to these designs, but for the most part i was pretty happy with them so this was mostly just to give myself a color reference for them all lol

gonna ramble about small decisions i made below the cut, but its not necessary at all to understanding the designs! just wanna dump my thoughts somewhere :P

for the most part, the kids' designs are the same as i do them for normal canon, but there are some small differences. i've never really done a proper reference for their kid designs either though, so i guess no one would even notice LOL

freeman family: well, firstly - nick's last name is freeman in this au LOL but its easier to refer to him as nick close so people know who i mean as opposed to nicholas foster. usually, i draw nick close with blue hair (i think he goes through a range of colors, but blue is my default), but i do this because he does it to honor morgan. since she is alive here, instead, his default is pink because thats his favorite color to dye it! morgan and nick both have various bead jewelry because i like to have the headcanon that morgan is really into pony bead jewelry; this is also why all of my nick and nicholas designs have the same trans pride necklace, morgan made it for him :] both nick and morgan wear glenn's old clothes, both of them are wearing his shirts in this piece. aaand morgan has subtle heterochromia as a reference to the split timeline! she always has it, it doesnt just magically happen or anything, but its just a small nod to that.

wilson family: its real important to me that grant got his dad's exact coloration except for his gray eyes, which are all carol. why is this important? i dunno! its just interesting to me. also, carol doesnt usually leave her top buttons undone, but upon entering the forgotten realms, she unbuttons it because otherwise her shirt will pop open while she's doing things (to be honest, as a person with a larger chest myself, her shirt probably still pops open but it does help-!). usually i draw grant with a gay pride necklace, but since he doesnt come out pre-forgotten realms in this au, i tragically had to drop it. i miss my rainbow grant. please come home, baby.

oak-garcia family: i always forget to do mercedes's tattoos in my sketches because tbh i never know exactly what to give her. but! but. this time i just went for it. these tattoos arent necessarily set in stone, but i think theyre cute. the tattoo hidden by her skirt is an oak leaf for henry :] her gem necklace is also the same color as his eyes! her skirt is supposed to be, like, tie-dye or maybe more bleach washed, but i dunno how to draw that so whatever. the twins are, like, 100% the same as usual, i just gave sparrow a pink bead necklace instead of the multi-colored necklace i use for my default canon design lol. also, i think i drew the twins slightly too tall here, which is funny because theyre the only ones who are notably shorter than their mom HDFJKGHK

stampler family: i struggled a lot with what colors to give samantha, because i wanted her to have a bright color palette but not anything garish or patterned. originally she was gonna have a white shirt, but then i realized that would make it so all the moms had white shirts and i just couldn't have that LOL so i ended up landing on red for her! it matches with terry junior, so i thought that'd be cute :] terry's design is probably the most different from my default for him? which still isn't a lot but i swapped his dark blue flannel for a black undershirt instead. i cannot explain why i did this. it just felt right in the moment. i gave him a sweet revenge shirt instead of the usual black parade shirt i give him because... well. if you know, you know. and finally, terry gets a little concert admission bracelet!! i always do that, but i just wanted to point it out because i think continuing to wear an admission bracelet for ages after a concert is a very teen thing to do. i always felt so cool doing that in high school hehe

[404-mind-not-found]

FNAF animatic ideas currently circulating in my head

The Other Side - The Greatest Showman Henry wants William to join in on his business idea. William wants to play hard to get. Good For You - Dear Evan Hansen Jen deals with the loss of Henry, not knowing who to blame. The video then goes into the last few years of his life to answer that question. You'll Be Gone - YonKaGor This one's more silly, but I imagine it as William having beef with Charlie lol Fallacy - YonKaGor Michael Afton begins to understand that a lot of the things he did were because of his father. Little Astronaut - Aku P Mike and Abby Schmidt think about each other and their bond. What's The Use Of Feeling (Blue?) - Steven Universe William "helps" Henry move on from Charlotte's death. Superstitious Foundation - CG5 Specifically the part that calls out all the characters, where I would replace them with FNAF characters (e.g. "draws you in the book" would be Michael Brooks, Abby Schmidt and Gregory together). I was thinking of doing this one for FNAF's 10th anniversary!

[cottagecore-raccoon]

Okay so I just finished watching the Red, White, and Royal Blue movie...

For starters, this book is one of my ultimate comfort books. I love all the characters, Alex and Henry's dynamic, and the way both of their arcs mirror learning to accept help/happiness. The sex scenes are not really my cup of tea (just because I am ace and somewhat sex repulsed), but I really appreciate how each one progresses their relationship and increases their comfort level around each other. So while I tend to skim them, I truly respect the way they (along with the rest of the novel) are written.

I went into the movie with very little expectations. I had seen teaser pictures on tumblr, and heard that it was attempting to capture the magic of 90s/Y2k romcoms, but that was about it. And I will say, tonally, it hit the nail on the head for classic romcoms. The Alex and Henry clearly care a lot about one another, but the romance progresses quickly.

All side characters are trimmed down as much as possible to give the leads as much screen time as possible (ala P&P 2005), and while the leads experience hardship they are never fully overwhelmed. I think this is best exemplified by Alex's reaction to the news that he and Henry have been outed. In the book, Alex has a panic attack and is inconsolable until he is able to make sure Henry is okay. He is terrified for Henry's health and wellbeing, and everything comes to a screeching halt when he sees his family and has a panic attack. Only once he and Henry can come together and decide to officially "go public" about their relationship does he respond to the leak. In the film, Alex is able to deliver a beautiful speech discussing the importance for queer people to be able to come out in their own time, in their own way, and how their choice was removed. He is finally put in touch with Henry because he is annoying Zahra while waxing poetic about Henry (rather than a bundle of anxiety). And, most importantly, this leak is less clearly an extremely calculated act of stalking (which was so chilling in the book and really exemplified why it was important to the leads to keep the relationship secret).

Alex's family is also modeled to be more "working class and supportive" vs. Henry's "controlling wealthy family", rather than the two of them bonding over somewhat broken/complicated families in the book. Having made this change, I did appreciate Henry being made to stand up to the King rather than his mother coming in to fight on his behalf. While I found her finally supporting her son again to be touching, this gives Henry the opportunity to truly say that he is doing this on his own terms. This fits the tone that them coming out wasn't as hard/earth shattering as it was in the novel, but that does fit the tone of this film. In other words, the stakes of the movie simply didn't feel as high. It feels more like a "will they/won't they go public" and once they are forced to, all conflicts are easily resolved.

[positivelybeastly]

♤ -  Look-At-Me-I’m-Hella-Attractive Outfit ♣ -   Lingerie / Underwear / Smallclothes ♧ -   An outfit they wear related to one of their hobbies

♤ -  Look-At-Me-I’m-Hella-Attractive Outfit

Is it cheating to just say whenever he's wearing nothing but his trunks like the funky little blue strumpet he is? :P

Honestly, I'm a sucker for when he's wearing a jacket but no shirt. Hank works on the same rule that a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog characters do, which is weird to think about but true - you get so used to him wearing nothing that seeing him wearing a little more than usual, but not a full outfit, feels scandalous.

Like, just look at that plunging neckline! What a goddamn slut!

This jacket is super nice, and also, you are barely hiding your tits, Henry.

There's also this little number, which I fucking adore.

Shirt, tie, pinstripe vest - AND THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, BAYBEEEEEEEE.

♣ -   Lingerie / Underwear / Smallclothes

So, canonically, Hank does dress down a fair bit for bed, when he sleeps (which is not often) and it tends to vary, anywhere from the revealing . . .

To the more modest . . .

To the more fully covered.

Would Hank wear lingerie if you asked him to?

. . . Maybe. I'm not saying he'd look great in some white or yellow lace, or some garters to go with his stars, but he would.

♧ -   An outfit they wear related to one of their hobbies

Hank is a massive Star Trek nerd. As such?

Art done by an old friend who's no longer part of the RPC, of Hank in full Star Trek: Wrath of Khan uniform regalia. He absolutely has a TOS/Strange New Worlds medical uniform shirt and a Star Trek: First Contact jumpsuit, too.

[fantasticalleigh]

LEIGH'S RIDICULOUSLY BIG TBR/TBW LISTS

like i mentioned before i am too busy/hesitant to actually consume a lot of new media (or at least be able to focus on it) so i'm critically behind on so much stuff. don't judge me pls :S lmao

anything in bold is something that i've begun but not finished :P tagging @snow-in-the-desert bc you expressed interest in seeing the lists!

TO READ:

The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood

The Hurricane Wars - Thea Guanzon

Winter's Promise - Christelle Dabos

The Stand - Stephen King

North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell

The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

Work - Louisa May Alcott

Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes

Dr. Sleep - Stephen King

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

The Last Duel - Erik Jager

Portrait of a Lady - Henry James

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton

The Great Mortality - John Kelly

Dead by Sunset - Ann Rule

Dracula - Bram Stoker

It's Lonely at the Center of the Earth - Zoe Thorogood

The Great Influenza - John M. Barry

The Monster of Florence - Douglas Preston

The Lottery and other stories - Shirley Jackson

Helter Skelter - Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry

White Noise - Don DeLilo

Icebreaker - Hannah Grace

She Is a Haunting - Trang Thanh Tran

This Thing Between Us: A Novel - Gus Moreno

Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler

^^ This is an incomplete list--I know there are others but these are the books I've bought over the past couple years and have not yet finished/ready. They are stacked on my desk and around my room, silently accusing me of neglect. I wither in shame. The rest of the list escapes me currently. This also doesn't include the tbrs currently on my e-reader since I can't remember where it is to see what's on there.

MOVIES/MEDIA TO WATCH:

Any Adam Driver movie that isn't on Netflix (House of Gucci, Annette, Paterson etc.) I have seen the Last Duel, Blackkklansman, This is where I leave you, Marriage Story, White Noise, Frances Ha and a few others). I know Ferarri is in theaters right now but I've kind of developed a phobia of theaters since 2020 :S

a ridiculous number of documentaries/video essays on youtube that I do not have the energy to go look for right now

Fall of the House of Usher (I love Mike Flanagan's work but I'm still hooked on Midnight Mass and Daddy Father Prewitt)

The Haunting of Bly Manor (I know everyone was obsessed with this and I meant to watch it but I was reading the Turn of the Screw when it came out and didn't want to get spoiled for it so I avoided it like the plague and finished the book but never got to watching the show)

Blue Eye Samurai

The Beguiled

Ugly Betty (I'm actually on season 2 and it's charming and funny but holy shit the amount of body shaming/slut shaming/ homophobia in this show. definitely a product of its time.)

Anne with an E

Fleabag (never finished it but thought it was amazing)

What we do in the shadows (have seen all but the most current season)

Reservation dogs

The Batman (2023)

Black Swan

The Crown

Band of Brothers

Demon Slayer

Whiplash

Wolf of Wall Street

Birds of Prey

Downton Abbey

Peaky Blinders

Nimona

Drag me to Hell

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Queen Charlotte (halfway through but haven't finished. i hate things that make me cry when i watch them so i have to be in a very specific mood to watch emotional heavy things)

Lady Bird

The Banshees of Inisherin

BARBIE (*ducks thrown rocks* I'll get to it, i SWEAR) (but i'm amazing at avoiding spoilers at this point i still know very little about the movie)

Men

Pearl

The Invisible Man

The Turning

Succession

Suspiria

Promising Young Woman

Shiva Baby

Luca

The Green Knight

Licorice Pizza

Bullet Train

The Menu

Women Talking

Knives Out + Glass Onion (*ducks more thrown rocks*)

Paddington 2!!!!

SHadow and Bone (honestly I lost almost all interest in reading/watching this once I heard the hot villain dies. BOOOO)

Carol

That one newish show with Adam Scott that looks super liminal and sci fi i can't remember the name

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Oppenheimer

Killers of the Flower Moon

Guardians of the Galaxy 3

M3gan

Turning Red

Everything Everywhere All At once

Nope

Barbarian

Just like the book list, I'm sure there's many other titles I'm forgetting to put here. I actually have branched out and watched a fair amount of new movies this year so i'm going to keep it going! and here's one more list just because this is fun

Stuff I watched or read in 2023 that I loved/recommend (with the caveat that not all of this came out in 2023): (and i'm not including obvious stuff like Spider man across the spiderverse)

White Noise

Don't Look Up

Living in the Time of Dying (documentary on Youtube. It is HEAVY on existentialism and the science/data on the current state of climate change. This WILL ruin your day so I'm warning you now. Definitely don't watch it today. This really affected me and I cried for a long time after watching this but it is incredibly important to keep in mind.)

Blackkklansman (i had to watch this with the volume on the lowest setting bc of all the n words being dropped so frequently lmao but goddamn this was so good and funnier than i expected.)

DIMENSION 20: Burrow's End!!!!! As well as The Unsleeping City season 1. Neverafter and A Crown of Candy are probably at the lower end of the list but I still love them. (thank you to @rogueimperator for cluing me onto how amazing D20 and Dropout are. <3 this is a whole new world lol)

Midnight Sun :)

7. Christine and the Queens - Redcar les adorables étoiles Full show on Youtube. I was supposed to see him live in October but he got injured and had to cancel the rest of his tour :( but this album and the video are incredible! Slight warning for semi nudity.

8. Game Changer on Dropout. he's been here the whole time!

9. The 1975 live at Madison Square Garden. I was lucky enough to see them twice this tour with my twin sister and we had an absolutely amazing time. They always put on amazing shows and this particular tour/their latest album meant so much to us. Even our younger brother has come with us for some of these shows so it's something we all share. (Last time they came to Chicago in 2022 the venue was too small so they didn't have the House set with them so we didn't get to see it in action until this year) Sex and The Sound will always be the perfect closers for their shows and I get so emotional every time I hear them. Core memories for sure.

10. Puss in Boots: the last wish. this seems like another obvious answer that i probably could have left off but this gets an honorary mention because our family cat was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer in August, and we had to put him down very soon after that diagnosis. We spent an agonizing week tending to him and cherishing every last second we could get with him. I've been fortunate enough to never experience the death of a pet until this year, and i almost wish we didn't have any pets at all because I've never felt such excruciating grief. He was a fat, grumpy orange boy with beautiful yellow stripes and a little yellow mustache. I was trying to distract myself and found this movie on Netflix and watched it, then recommended it to my sister (who is actually Thomas's owner but we all shared him) though I warned her the movie did deal with themes on mortality. We all watched it together the night before his final vet visit and Tommy was there with us on a comfy pillow. I hope he approved of the movie, because now any time I think of Puss in Boots i think of him. <3

I could add more to this but my eyes are tired and I'm wired up from coffee. I know this is long as hell so sorry but I had fun making it! I'll probably keep coming back to this post in the future to cross out what I've watched.

[plantcrazy]

Lost Children Progress Update 17/4/24

It's been a little while since I did one of these. I've been giving small updates here and there, but a big one once in a while is nice, and I enjoy sharing my progress. It's sort of motivating. You know? To look and see, 'Oh wow, I did a lot' or 'wow, I didn't accomplish a lot, but I'm proud of what I did do!' (Some chapters take their time to come together, other the ideas just flow on to the paper).

ANYWAY! You don't care about this. You want to know how long till the next chapter comes out, right????

So, will start with the elephant in the room: Ch.19. It's only 8 pages, which is why, despite the first 3 technically done (anything at 90% is just to digitalise & add text), I haven't uploaded anything.

It's about done. I'm just stuck on page 5 (and two panels of page 4). They're a flashback. A god-damned nightmare of a flashback to draw and... I don't want to do it TT , but for effect and impact, the story needs it >>

Otherwise:

(That should be 20/22 chapters done :P )

Part 1 is coming together swimmingly! With the recent addition of 2 new chapters and, I think, this is as big as part 1 will be getting. I'm finishing off tidying up how I want Part 1 to end at the minute, and then we'll have a small time skip to part 2.

(And maaaaaaybe I'll go back to the start and add an intro chapter to give more info on what the heck happened in the Triple Threat Ending to make Henry think screwing up the timelines and making a new one was a great idea. IDK. Still on the hedge about where to put this info)

Also! The poll I'm running looks like everything in one fic will win, for how it gets uploaded on A03. In two days time once the poll is finished I'll work on implementing those changes (, unless the poll swings back the other way again :P ).

Part 2:

The order of the first 9 chapters, take with a grain of salt. I'm still finalizing the order.

For the most part it's just detailed ideas of what I want to happen in each part + 4 chapters finished, 2 being edited.

'Standing on the Ledge' came out FANTASTIC. I cannot wait to upload that one. Personal favourite of the part so far. 2nd place going to 'Stuck With You'.

And what is that at the bottom? A familiar chapter name! Yes! We're getting back to the Wall. Slowly but surly our characters will be reunited with their frozen prisons, well-

Those who I haven't/ don't kill off~

*eViL lAuGhInG! >:D*

jk.

Or am I?

Anyway,

Part 3:

Part 3 is mostly a butt-ton of editing. It looks like most of the new chapters will land in part 2 (asides from 4), so part 3 will be similar to the original version, but not, given all the minor changes you're about to witness snowball into avalanche sized consequences!

^^;

Anyway, I've edited 4 so far dated them since it's going to be a while till we get to Part 3. That being said, given it's 85%ish editing, it should hopefully just be rapid fire chapter uploading when we do get there :)

I think that's about all I've got to say?

Er... you guys should be aware by now of the 'I'm in uni, chapters are as I have time/wrist able' disclaimer. So...

OH! Also, this is all going up on A03 (once the poll is done), so I can keep the readers over there who don't follow this Tumblr up-to-date with what's going on. So when you see a new chapter update in your inbox, don't get too excited ^^;

And finally, for you.

My dear read.

Who has read through my long waffle and sporadic episodes of evil laughter and fun!

I have an... 'opportunity'

*Snots* I sound like a Mafia boss with Liam Neelson's voice reading this allowed.

I left my colour coding in Part 2 (as I couldn't be bothered to remove it ^^; ), so... will have some fun with this.

Whoever can figure out who's POV are colours blue or green will get a free half or full body drawing of one character (SFW), of their choice (mine, oc, stickmin or another fandom (at my discretion)).

And we'll say... 2 guesses a person (either two on one colour, or one guess for each colour) to make it fair. (It shouldn't be too hard, there's only 12 POV's, and you've met them all but one coming in at Part 3.

OH!

And there will be three winners in total.

Good luck :)

(btw, I'm going to bed now, so first people with the right answers are the winners in case you all rush in here with your answers over the next... 10 ish hours...

Unless... you're the only person to read this far >> )

[other-peoples-coats]

Tagged by @frostbitebakery - thanks. I think. (lol)

Rules: pick a song for each letter of your URL and tag that many people

O - O Children, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

T - Through the Fire and Flames, Dragonforce

H - Heel Turn 2, The Mountain Goats

E - Effigy, Andrew Bird

R - Re: Your Brains, Jonathan Coulton

P - Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car, Iron & Wine

E - Elastic Heart, Sia

O - Oh Henry, The Civil Wars

P - Pride, Grace Petrie

L - Level Up, Vienna Teng

E - Eat Your Young, Hozier

S - Salvation, The Cranberries

C - Cirice, Ghost

O - One Song Glory, RENT (OBC)

A - Ambling Alp, Yeasayer

T - Tusk, Fleetwood Mac

S - Spirits, The Strumbellas

whooo that was a lot of songs, actually, and a smattering of my...eclectic music taste. no pressure tags: @lttrsfrmlnrrgby. @bytebun, @notquiteaghost, @elwenyere, @goddammitjim, @phoenixyfriend, @calltomuster, @blue-sunshine-mauve-morning, @geodax, @vetinarivimesy, @ahsoka-in-a-hood, and I'm running out of names I remember (and tumblr has eaten this post like three times now) so open tags for the rest!

[joannaromanoff]

My point of view on Red White and Royal Blue (movie, 2023) ❤️🤍💙

Red White and Royal Blue (movie) was out on Friday (11th August) and finally my our long and torturing wait was over. I read the book earlier this year and I couldn’t wait for the visual take of it.

The main reason why I love the book so much is because it never went down the road of stereotypes about same-sex relationships or LGBTQ community itself and badly-written clichés of the romantic art world (I’m somewhere in the aromantic spectrum, keep that in mind). I didn’t fear that the book would fail to keep those very important elements of the book intact even though I was sure that some parts wouldn’t make it because a 400+ page book can’t be squeezed in 2 hours.

I’m very glad that I was (mostly) right.

To be fair, I missed June, Leo and Rafael in the movie because I find their characters either pretty important to how the story was shaped or pretty fun (or both). But I get that they had to be cut so the movie wouldn’t last for 5 hours (which I wouldn’t personally mind either). What I really missed was Alex realizing he’s bisexual (and not already knowing so) and all that mental journey he has on that specific part of the book where he understands in such an in-depth way who he truly is. As a bisexual person myself, I find that part of the book so relatable and so inspiring. I had never realized it before. up until I wrote that chapter; I did miss representation so badly.

However I found the movie to be breathtakingly beautiful. Everything was as I imagined it to be. 

Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine were the perfect choices for Alex and Henry respectively. It was uncanny how invested they got me. The way they played their roles with so much respect to the true core of their characters and with so much respect to what Alex and Henry and their love story represent for us, the fans. So spectacular. The wittiness, the passion, the fun and the love Alex and Henry share were all there, we could touch it. It was heart-warming really. Uma Thurman was the PERFECT casting for Ellen, too. I love her (who doesn’t?).

I love how the movie was completely respectful to what the book stands for. A same-sex romance (true romance with problems and love and passion and all those things that make a true-life romance, as well) with two characters who have actual depth and they’re not tacky LGBTQ caricatures; they get to grow right before our eyes and right beside each other. It’s immensely appreciated that sexuality was discussed under a light of honesty with sprinkles of humor on top but not any intention of mockery. And what a refreshing moment was it when Ellen wanted to discuss with Alex about his sexuality and about safe sex. A mainstream movie, a platform movie and an Uma Thurman role talking protection and same-sex intercourse in a normal and casual manner because it is a normal and valid thing, you know… ❤️🤍💙

The 16+ scenes were all just what I wished for; two people who want to touch each other, who want to kiss, caress, hold, explore each other's body because their feelings dictate them to. As an aromantic person, I don’t usually connect sexual intercourse with love and feelings. But in a rom-com, you kinda look for a connection (or you just open p*rnhub) and it was definitely there.

The movie was fun. The movie was deep. The movie was romantic. The movie was hot. The movie was a romance with sharp points and even sharper intention to be the first one to have a same-sex couple in the center and not put any shame or doubt about how they felt for one another or for their sexuality. I truly loved that specific aspect.

This movie set the bar way too high for other LGBTQ rom-coms.

 

I’ve gone through a lot with accepting myself and it’s not always easy. It was amazingly stimulating to see Alex and Henry with flesh and bones right in front of me to be unapologetically themselves and embrace who they are and who they love.

 

Now I’m going to watch it for the fifth time 🫣

 

"You know the b in lgbt isn't a silent letter" - Ellen Clermont

Love is love,

Joanna 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️🤍💙

 

[weirdoinaband]

Gabriel Boseman x Singer Fem! Reader

_________________________________________

Not Edited

Trigger Warnings:

- Swearing

- Blood/Murder (slight gore)

- Death Mentions

- Angst

- Vomit

- Child Murder :'(

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The Fox and the Bear (part 1)

"Hello kids! A-A-And welcome to F-Freddy Fazbear's P-Pizzeria!" Freddy exclaimed, a creepy look spread across his once happy face. His blue eyes seemed different, and his hat an tie seemed stained or something. They were a dark green. The date was November 26th, 1984. I stared sourly at the table in front of me... and Cristy held a solemn expression. "What happened to that ball of sunshine..." She mumbled.

I didn't know... nobody seemed to know why the animatronics whole demeanor seemed to change. "Maybe he just misses the Boseman kids. Ya know." I said. "Girls! Can you help me move the main trio off the stage and into Pirate's Cove!?" Phillip yelled at us from across the room. "Sure Mr. Guy! One sec!" Cristy said. "I call dibs on Freddy!" I squeaked. "Of course you do." Cristane scoffed.

Phillip had already started to move Bonnie. Freddy was my favorite. Can you blame me? I really liked Foxy too... but he had been acting weird lately. Like all the crew had. It was really sad. I walked over to the stage, and my best friend followed behind me.

"What do you think happened?" She whispered. "To all the kids I mean." She whispered. I felt my heart fall into my stomach. "I think William did it... honestly. He's never liked kids... and he hated the Boseman kids." I whispered. "Why would my Uncle kill my friends?" She asked. "I don't know." I whispered. Christane Kile had been adopted by Vincent and Scott Afton after they got married. I already knew the two, and me and Cristy just seemed to click. We both had an interest in music, me being a good singer and she could totally rock out on a guitar.

But... what else could have happened to Gabriel? He wouldn't just run off would he? I mean... it was Gabriel Boseman we were talking about. He would never do such thing. There was a chance he was kidnapped... but... those words told me otherwise. "There's the most of Cassidy Boseman's blood... but there also seems to be a lot of Gabriel's." The voice said. I hid around the hall... where the "secret hideout" had been. I covered my mouth. "What do you think happened?" Another voice asked. "There's too much to say any of these kids are alive." I heard the first say, ignoring the second's question.

I felt tears clouding my eyes and I stared down. "Oi!" Cristy snapped, slapping me in the shoulder. I ran into the stage after being caught up in the flashback. I coughed in pain from running into the hard stage. "Ow. Fu-" "Please watch your mouth Miss (L/n)." Phillip said. Wow. Dad vibes (Ketchup). "Sorrry Daddd." I joked. He raised an eyebrow at me and Cristy laughed. I climbed onto the stage and stared up at the huge animatronic. "Arent these things supposed to be kid friendly? How come they're so tall? I'm sure you've asked Mr. Emily or Mr. Afton." I said. "Henry said it was because of all the programming and such. Mechanics... they work real well, they're just big." He said.

I shrugged and poked Freddy. "Come on my guy, to the other stage we go." I said. He didnt move. He just stared down at me. "Please?" I asked him. He still just stared, meaninglessly. "I'll boop your nose!" I snapped. He instantly started moving after I said that. "IT WORKED!!! HOLY SHI-" "MISS (L/N)!!! LANGUAGE!!!!" Phillip snapped. "Sorrrrey..." I said. Freddy climbed onto the stage and stood in his spot... Bonnie beside him. "Chica. Les go bish." Cristy said. She actually listened to Cristy and followed her.

.

《Hours Later...》 (lol last scene was pure crack)

.

"Everyone out please! Thank you!" I heard Phill yell. Me and Cristy were brainstorming in the girls bathroom. Which was pretty clean, being a bathroom. I sat on the counter and Cristy stood. "Come on. I have an idea." She said. We peeked out, and Phillip was stomping to Mr. Emily's office.

"Okay. Now." I said. We went over to Fredbear, who seemed to be panting. I climbed onto the stage and glanced at Freddy, who had an even creepier expression on than earlier. "Since when did Freddy have a unibrow?" I asked Cristy. She snorted. "Uh... maybe Gabriel drew it on him. With sharpie." She said. She tied her messy hair back.

"Alright. Test one." She mumbled. She knocked on Fredbear's normally hollow sounding stomach... which now it sounded full. "The hell?" I mumbled. "Language (Y/n)." Cristy teased. My cheeks tinted pink. "Aw shut up." I said. "Okay. Help me pull." She said. I nodded, and we both gripped the stomach plate of the yellow bear I noticed stains around it. We took one hard yank and we both fell back. "Ow my ass." I whined. I opened my eyes and cold, light blue eyes stared back. Cassidy's body was shoved into the bear.

A pure scream of horror escaped my lips and I fell back off the stage. As I took in the smell, vomit splattered against the ground. It burned the hell out of the back of my throat. Warm tears streamed down my face and I stared, shriveled back against the ground... at the girls body. Phillip came running, and William waltzed in right after.

"I-It's Cassidy." Cristy stammered. "I kinda like Cassidy... is that weird?" Cristy asked me one morning. "No of course not. Hey! You take after your dads I guess. Am I right?" I told her. She laughed a little. Now tears were streaming down her face as she pulled the girls body carefully from the bear. Multiple of her limbs appeared to be broken... and stab wounds littered her body. The taste of Dr. Pepper was on my tongue. Gross.

I hiccupped and William sighed. "I was afraid this would happen." He said. He made this whole speech on how Boseman broke his nose. "It was your own damn fault jackass! -hic-." I snapped. "Shut up you little brat." he snapped. "You might've killed them. That's why you don't care!" I snapped. "Come on Cristy. You need to get home." William said. "Call my dad. I want him to pick me up." Cristy sobbed, holding Cassidy's body close. My heart dropped to my stomach again.

I looked at Freddy, and his head was turned towards William. "Well then. I will." He said. He ran off to call Vincent. "Go look in Freddy (Y/n)..." Cristy mumbled. I walked over and the animateonics head snapped towards me. His jaw dropped down and his head tilted to the side. Green... they were green. The bowtie and top hat. I pulled on Freddy's stomach... and I couldn't see in properly. I reached in and my fingers touched ice cold skin. I gripped it, and it felt like an arm. I pulled and I saw who it belonged to. Gabriel's scared... pained face was staring at me. His once life filled eyes were almost white the blue was so light.

To Be Continued...

Sorry it took longer than I said it should. I got caught up in homework. School and all. Sucks right?

- Izzy :)

[lauriemorganthal]

[billy crudup - 52 - he/him] Introducing LAURIE MORGANTHAL. Word on the street is they are an EDITOR & PUBLISHER & CEO, having been around for THIRTY-FOUR YEARS. Despite an otherwise clear record, sometimes they are known to engage with THE BROTHERHOOD's affairs. Though they are A WORKAHOLIC and RESERVED, they can also be CHARMING and ECCENTRIC. In the chaos of New York City, they're sure to fit right in.

[ sky - 23 - she/her - gmt - no triggers ]

tw: abuse, alcoholism ↴

✧･ﾟ— B A S I C S

— NAME: Florian Henry Morganthal

— NICKNAME/S: Laurie (preferred name)

— D.O.B.: 24th August 1971 (age 52)

— GENDER, PRONOUNS, SEXUALITY: Cis male, he/him, bicurious

— HOMETOWN: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

— AFFILIATION: Gang - The Brotherhood

— JOB POSITION: Editor & Publisher ; CEO of Empire State Books

— EDUCATION: Bachelors and Masters in English Literature from NYU

✧･ﾟ— P E R S O N A L I T Y

— MBTI: INTP – the logician

— POSITIVE TRAITS: Eccentric, charming, creative, patient, observant

— NEGATIVE TRAITS: Meticulous, reserved, calculated, ambitious, a workaholic

✧･ﾟ— F A M I L Y

— MOTHER: Nancy Alexandra Morganthal (née Harrison)

— FATHER: Mitchell Robert Morganthal

— EX-WIFE: Emily ‘Emmy’ Isabelle McGregor (formerly Morganthal)

✧･ﾟ— A P P E A R A N C E

— FACECLAIM: Billy Crudup

— EYE COLOUR: Brown

— HAIR COLOUR: Black with flecks of grey at the temples

— BUILD: Average

— HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

— SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: A 7cm vertical scar on his left forearm from a tree climbing accident he had as a child

— BODY MODIFICATIONS: N/A

— CLOTHING:

✧･ﾟ— F A V O U R I T E S

— FOOD: Apples (and apple related desserts)

— DRINK: Scotch whisky

— BOOK: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

— FILM: Schindler’s List (1993)

— TV SHOW: Justified (2010-2015)

— SEASON: Autumn

— COLOUR: Blue

✧･ﾟ— B I O G R A P H Y

— Laurie was born at 5:55pm on 24th August 1971 in Daytona Beach, FL, to Mitchell and Nancy Morganthal. He is their only child.

— As a young boy, Laurie spent many a day at the beach. He mainly went with his friends under the supervision of their parents and spent hours digging trenches in the sand and snorkelling in the sea. He always finds the beach relaxing and, as an adult, wishes he would go more often.

— Laurie grew up wanting to be a pilot like this father. For Halloween he would dress up as a captain and would get his father’s name tag to pin to the jacket. Despite idolising his father, Mitch was away for work for a lot of the time and Laurie’s mother grew paranoid. She began to think he was purposely staying away and having affairs. He always seemed to be making excuses and disappointed both Nancy and Laurie. He missed birthdays and anniversaries and didn’t seem to care very much. Laurie always felt conflicted: Mitch was his father but he was an absent father and figuring out how to feel about the situation was more confusing than anything else.

— Nancy would take out her anger and frustration about Mitch on Laurie. He endured shouting, screaming, and sobbing, and very rarely suffered physical abuse, but when he did he would hide under his bed sheets or in his wardrobe. He would often sneak around the house just so his mother didn’t see him and accidentally trigger a response in her. He never had any lasting physical scars, but the emotional ones were there for life.

— It was during this period of turmoil when Laurie found an escape in books. Thanks to his teacher at school, he was encouraged to read more and instead of spending time with other children he was tucked away in a corner somewhere with a book. He quickly went from falling behind in class to being the student with the highest grades in reading and writing.

— He was bullied for being a ‘nerd’ amongst other things and, against his nature, Laurie punched an older boy in the nose when he stole Laurie’s favourite book from him. Nobody physically messed with him again, but he was still called names and teased until he was 12.

— As he got older, Laurie’s relationship with his mother began to fail. She was drinking a lot, lost her job at a law firm, and was between shifts at local beachside restaurants and bars. At night, Laurie had to put himself to bed when his mother went out to work and had to cook his own meals (eventually being helped by a neighbour who took pity on both him and Nancy and volunteered to assist them).

— Nancy had every right to be paranoid, however, because Mitch was having affairs. She threw his stuff out for him to collect and changed the locks on the doors. He tried to apologise and make up for his so-called mistakes, but Nancy put her foot down. She stopped Mitch from seeing Laurie and kicked him out of their lives for good.

— When he was 9, Laurie’s parents divorced. Despite what she had said about Mitch in anger and hatred and in gratitude for getting rid of him, Nancy was always an emotional wreck. She often cried when she thought Laurie was asleep and would stay in bed most days. Laurie himself, when he wasn’t at school, took care of his mother in the best way he could as neither of them had any other family.

— Laurie didn’t see his father again until his 16th birthday. Mitch showed up to the house uninvited, but because Laurie wanted him there Nancy couldn’t object. Mitch’s gift to his son was the promise of a college education; he had set aside money to be used in another two years for Laurie to go to whatever university he wanted. They both knew by then that Laurie was no longer pursuing his childhood dream of being a pilot and Laurie told his father about his passion for literature. Mitch was supportive and was thrilled that Laurie wanted to go to NYU. Their relationship never fully healed from the strain it took when Laurie was a child, but the two were civil and Mitch never saw Nancy unless absolutely necessary.

— Laurie found popularity at NYU when he started his English Literature degree. He lived in halls of residence and gained many friends from across all different courses, but mainly in English courses. After promising himself not to drink after what happened with his mother, he was peer pressured into partying and consuming alcohol. He never became a heavy drinker, but sometimes found it difficult to stop drinking once he started, but this was usually only the case when he was particularly stressed or angry. He also went out with his first girlfriend during his first year.

— Following his graduation and after struggling to find a job for months (after taking shifts at a diner to earn money) Laurie landed an opportunity at a small publishing house in the city. He started from the bottom, essentially doing the mundane tasks before being being given a chance to do ‘real’ work. The senior members at this company trained him and taught him all the tricks of the trade and set him up for life. Today, that particular company no longer exists as it went bankrupt, but Laurie himself employs several of his old colleagues in his own successful company out of gratitude.

— Laurie lived with an old roommate at the time, which made it slightly easier to pay rent, and through that friend at a Christmas party he met his eventual wife, Emmy, who was starting out in her career as a cardiologist. They were mad for each other; they dated for two years and were engaged for a little over a year before getting married and taking their honeymoon in Italy.

— Emmy wanted a children and also to move closer to her parents in Austin, TX, but Laurie’s mind was fixated on his work. He was rarely out of the office and even when he was he was cooped up in his study at home. Their relationship broke quickly; Laurie and Emmy were always bickering and began to resent each other. Not two years into their marriage, they were divorced and Emmy returned to Texas. It wasn’t until months later that Laurie felt regret for what happened: he had a beautiful, talented, wonderful wife and he let that go without even realising how much of a mistake he made. But in true Laurie fashion, he distracted himself through his work and having flings with other women.

— Between the ages of 27 and 43, Laurie worked at several different publishers in the city and worked with many prestigious clients. He even did some work for a publishing company in London very briefly. He’d been considering setting up his own company for several years and now that he had made a name for himself he felt capable and confident enough to do. Thus began Empire State Publications: named after Laurie’s self-proclaimed home and set up in a Manhattan office building. It specialises in novels, but also publishes comics, magazines, and online works.

— He is the editor and publisher of Val Dupont’s @yarn-spinning hit books from the ‘Margot Sees Magic’ series. Laurie is trusted by Val to ensure their creative vision gets across in their books and that all mistakes made during the drafting process using Val’s speech-to-text technology are corrected. The two formed both a professional and personal relationship.

— Through Val, Laurie was roped into the dealings of the Brotherhood. He believed that his skills and personality would fit in and could be put to further use and found himself in communications, using his connections in various social circles and industries to pass along messages and intelligence.

— Laurie also never sees either of his parents anymore. He cut himself off from his mother after his divorce because of her continued toxicity and doesn’t know where his dad is. He’s glad that neither of them are around and that he can focus on his own life without having to worry about anyone else. It might seem selfish, but after years of putting up with pain and putting his mother first he can finally be free.

✧･ﾟ— W A N T E D C O N N E C T I O N S

— EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: This muse would work closely with Laurie, organising his meetings and doing other admin jobs as well as supporting other editors. The two of them would more than likely end up as friends outside of the office too, but that can be UTP!

— AUTHORS & EDITORS: If your muse is a new author or a bestselling author, then they might have their book published and edited by Empire State Publications, or maybe by Laurie himself! Or perhaps they’re an editor who has been around since the company’s founding or are just starting their new job at ESP. Either way your muse would know Laurie in a professional setting.

— FLINGS: Laurie likes to frequent bars, usually higher-end ones, on his quieter evenings and will flirt if he’s in the mood. He’s incredibly charming and skilful in the art of persuasion, which can lead to sharing drinks and perhaps even an invitation back to his apartment. If your muse chooses to stay, then they can expect an interesting night ahead.

— AN OLD FLAME: if you, like me, would like explore Laurie’s softer side and explore his younger years, then your muse could be his very first girlfriend! They met at NYU and were mad for each other and fate had a cruel hand in splitting them up- the rest is up to you!

[cpw-nyc]

Landmarks preservation commission

January 30, 2007

Horn & hardart automat - cafeteria building, 2710-2714 Broadway (aka 228-234

West 104th street), Manhattan.

Built 1930, f[rederick]. P[utnam]. Platt & brother [Charles carsten platt], architects;

Landmark site: borough of Manhattan tax map block 1875, lot 46

On June 27, 2006, the landmarks preservation commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a landmark of the horn & hardart automat-cafeteria building and the proposed designation of the related landmark site (item no. 1). A second public hearing was held on December 12, 2006 (item no. 3). The latter hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Thirty speakers testified in favor of designation, including representatives of state assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, Manhattan borough president scot m. Stringer, councilmember Melissa mark-viverito, councilmember tony Avella, Manhattan community board 7, municipal art society of new York, historic  districts council, landmark west!, art deco society of new York, friends of terracotta, west 102nd and 103rd  streets block association, west 104th street block association, and Marianne hardart (great-granddaughter of the company founder). The owner and three of the owner’s representatives testified against designation. In addition, the commission has received a number of communications supporting designation, including those of congressman Charles b. Rangel, new York landmarks conservancy, modern architecture working group, and Sarah m. Henry (deputy director/chief curator, museum of the city of new York).

Summary

The 3-story, limestone-clad horn & hardart automat-cafeteria building at 2710-2714 Broadway (at west 104th street), a distinctive small-scale commercial structure executed in the art deco style, is one of the best surviving examples of the popular chain restaurants that proliferated in the city during the first three decades of the 20th century. In 1927, the horn & hardart co. Became the leaseholder of this site. This building was constructed in 1930 to the design of Frederick. Putnam]. Platt & brother [Charles carsten platt], who executed numerous new York commissions for horn & hardart from about 1916 to 1932. By 1927, f.p. platt & bro. Had developed a modern and functional design prototype for purpose-built horn & hardart automat-cafeteria buildings, with large windows, that assisted the restaurant chain in achieving a consistent commercial image. The horn & hardart co., established in 1911, was the new York subsidiary of the horn & hardart baking co. Of Philadelphia, which had been incorporated in 1898 by Joseph v. Horn and frank a. Hardart, lunchroom proprietors since 1888. In 1902, horn & hardart opened its first waiter less Philadelphia restaurant, or “automat,” in which  customers could retrieve food directly  from windows after depositing nickels in European-made equipment. The first new York automat opened in 1912, with American machinery, at 1557 Broadway in times square. Known for uniformly  good food at low cost, automats became  wildly popular and one of the city’s cherished democratic institutions, appealing to a wide clientele.

This automat-cafeteria building is made notable by its glazed polychrome art deco style terra-cotta ornament on the third story. Executed in hues of green, blue, tan, and gold luster by the Atlantic terra cotta co., the terra cotta is located on sills, panels above the windows, stylized pilaster capitals, and the building’s terminating band. The highly sophisticated panels feature stylized floral motifs and  zigzag patterns; the modeler of these panels has not been identified, but the work is strikingly similar to that of preeminent architectural sculptor René p. Chambellan. Horn & hardart remained a tenant on the ground story and mezzanine here until 1953, and the mezzanine level was remodeled as a full story in 1955. There have been a wide variety of  commercial and organizational tenants over the years. While the current ground-floor storefront covers historic elements, visible above this are the upper portion of the original central segmental arched opening (with a fluted molded granite surround with a keystone) and the top of the bronze entrance portal and decorative bronze spandrel

Http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/2825horn&hard.final.pdf

[positivelybeastly]

💬

"Hey, Shellhead."

It's a little weird to hear the Mansion quiet again - it's been one of the single most hectic days it's ever seen, to hear Jarvis tell it, but in its way, it's also been nice. To be flooded with people who all want to help, or, well, who help in their own way, even if they don't always want to do it the Avenger way.

(Thanks, Moondragon.)

"So, I got all my stuff packed up, did my best to get all the blue fur I shed everywhere."

Everyone likes to make the joke, but Hank doesn't shed that much, really. Jarvis has never complained, anyway. It's just an easy thing to make fun of, and Hank's always so bubbly and bouncy and high energy that it feels okay to throw that at him because he can take it and it lightens the mood.

It's only now that Hank might actually be leaving that there feels like there might be a great, big, laughter shaped hole he's leaving behind.

"Hey, uh, I know this is probably gonna sound like it's coming right outta nowhere, but I kinda have to get this off my chest before I leave, or I'm never gonna feel right about it. Okay? So, for once in your life, I'm gonna need you to just sit right there and - listen. Please?"

"Do you . . . do you remember what you said? Back when you were picking this line-up of Avengers, and it was a choice between me and a good few other people? People with a lot more cred than me? People who hadn't - y'know. Taken a pop at you."

The Brand Corporation.

"You said, 'The Beast has proven himself! We'll take him!' In that high'n mighty, Golden Avenger-y kinda way that you do."

". . . I never woulda told you, because, honestly, I kinda saw myself doing this gig forever and you never woulda let me live it down if you knew, but it was real nice to hear you say that, in that way. All Invincible Iron Man commanding and all. I did you dirty, tried to hurt you, and - you didn't let that colour the way you looked at me, when I turned up again at tryouts. You just - let me try again."

"When I was 17, I saved this kid, from up on a building. Dumb kid, real dumb kid, but we're all dumb, some of us are just lucky enough to outgrow it, so, you know, I saved him. Threw off my shoes and clambered up like Mighty Joe Young, saved him, put him back down, and . . . a crowd of people tried to - kill me."

He swallowed.

"That's a, that's a hard thing. To deal with. You stick your neck out, and you nearly get killed for it, just because you're a mutie. And it's not like I never got stick for it before, I got plenty, but it was usually pretty easy to pass, you know? For people not to know. But then I showed myself, as I was, and their first instinct was to try'n beat me to death. Put me off the whole . . . superhero gig, for a while."

Hank shrugged.

"And then there's you, I.M. I actually did do something wrong, I actually did try and hurt someone, and you just. Let it slide. And I've never really given you the props you deserve for that. So here they are."

"Best damn chairman I ever served under. You ever need anything, you just call Henry P. McCoy, and he's got your back.

. . . Anyway.

Gotta go, Iron Man.

See you in the funny pages."

[kinetic-elaboration]

April 30: All the Old Knives

Tonight's movie was All the Old Knives. I... had sort of mixed feelings but I did like the ending a lot and since the ending was the last thing I saw, that's sort of coloring my impression of the movie as a whole.

My main thought through a lot of it was that it was very stylish, but I was having a hard time connecting with or caring about the characters. That made even the stakes, which were described pretty well and placed very high, seem lower and less interesting.

Even then, though, I wasn't bored and I didn't feel like the movie dragged. The only part where I wanted it to go faster was at the end, which was also my favorite part, and that was only because I was impatient to find out what was happening and what the final twist(s) were.

I figured pretty early, like even before I started watching, that Henry was the real mole because, honestly, duh. This is just, like, how you craft a story? It's a spy story so there must be a misdirect, and what you're led to believe is that it must be Celia. So it cannot be Celia. There are almost no other characters and most of the characters who do exist would be supremely unsatisfying twist-villains so--it's Henry. The only way it could be Celia is if there's a double-twist or double-misdirect and I was sort of expecting that at one point.

Ultimately, the actual twist was very satisfying, and I really did enjoy the last 20 minutes of the film. I know this genre at least some and I was really looking forward to the inevitable 'here is the whole story again with more information, revealing a completely different narrative' and that section did NOT disappoint. I especially liked the explanation of the recurring image of the blue ceiling.

Stylistically, the movie was very beautiful, and the puzzle-piece nature of the smooth cuts to the past and future and the recurring images and so on was extremely well done.

The spycraft stuff reminded me of my recent TTSS re-read/re-watch, so it was fun to get some more context into how some of this stuff works and also just... to get another example of it, even if this was a much simpler mole-story than TTSS. I did like that Henry's story was basically the opposite of Bill's: Bill betrayed his lover for some loose conception of his ideals, while Henry betrayed his ideals, and in fact directly caused harm to a lot of people, because he cared about his lover more than anyone else. And he did that in part because he'd already learned that caring too much about too many people would only cause himself harm, that he'd be asked even officially to treat human beings as something to be used. So he had to put all his loyalty in one person, and he did. You might think that being forced to betray Ilyas would turn him into a mole, out of anger or betrayal, but instead, that pivotal moment did create his motivation but in a completely different way.

I mean the EMOTION of all that, of those kind of trade offs and sacrifices, is really the heart of the spy narrative and I thought this was well done, when it got to that.

Before the last 20 minutes I was having a semi-hard time finding motivations or potential motivations though... That was another reason I figured it had to be Henry, because he had the only thing approaching a reason to betray the Circus Station: his history with Ilyas.

I liked the dream sequences with Celia imagining herself on the plane, because that could conceivably be read as her guilt, and in a sense it WAS (she didn't turn Henry in), but it's also her fear and her sorrow. It was also a good way to weave in how important it is that she has a family while most of the limited present-day events take place away from that family.

Hmmm, what else? The sets were very beautiful. I enjoyed CPine's 2012 long-hair-and-sweater look a lot. The sex was almost awkwardly hot.

I did not like the use of a cover of Love Song for the credits. Should have used the actual, superior, Love Song.

But other than that, the movie really did pick up a lot at the end, where the stakes suddenly seemed very high, and so was the uncertainty, and the characters became, at the last minute, people I cared about, at least some. I liked Celia as the spy pulled in for one last job. I liked the sadly quiet way it wound down. I liked the moral ambiguity. It left a good taste overall based largely on the ending, but the whole thing was stylish and slick, and its run time was not too long so I stayed invested through the whole thing.

Enjoyable Sunday night watching.

[ivashkovadrian]

💕 self-love time! talk about which ones of YOUR creations (edits, artworks, fanfics) you like the most then send to other creators to do the same 💕

OH MY MAUREEEN, thank you for thinking of me for this 💖🥺

You know when they say you're your own harshest critic? yeah that's me alright

very recently made: i guess i'll go with my current pinned gifset "everyone has a little bit of Geralt in them", which despite the pain of Henry's departure as Geralt, I had a lot of fun making! it was the first time i experienced with colored blending + b&w and it worked out! the "dj geralt" was actually a last minute stroke of genius, i initially had thought of "swingin' geralt". i am still cackling about that one. i spent a whole saturday afternoon on this, dropping all other plans i had in order to make this gifset 🤡

graphicking in the year of 2022: Arianne Martell + arrows graphic about one of my favorite quotes from this series "words are like arrows, once loosed you cannot call them back" (HAUNTS ME FOREVER). the typewriter text in the first part is meant to be "decipherable" not "plain readable", but it features only powerful quotes from that house <3

witching ladies: Triss + blue and pink gifset in which i tried out a bunch of effects I hadn't tried before! also, Triss, my beloved!! Yennefer + Venus Fly Trap lyrics featuring one of my fav color combos both for giffing and in real life, truly, the lyrics were written for her. And Yenskier s2 dynamic in pink (guess Jaskier is a witching lady too 😌) for the typography, the color and the hilarious "co-presidents of the 'fuck geralt' club" (interpret that one as you will ofc 😌)

still giffing my favorite movie of all times in 2022: i cannot decide which one of these color combos turned out the best, pride & prejudice + royal blue and gold or p&p + lavender and jasmine (low-key inspired by house dayne btw)

still me pushing the graphic renaissance agenda in this ask ("older" graphics, 2020-2021): this starklings + horror graphic, and mind you horror is NOT a genre i really know but this one i look back to with pride. and this Arianne Martell graphic about ruling which I know i have mentioned before in similar asks, but honestly, i am so proud of that throne!!!