#lydia: can we get parental controls on this thing

[blaithnne]

i actually feel so bad for johanna because can you imagine if your parents could watch you whenever they wanted?? johanna is on a roll flirting with this cute librarian and is about to get her number when she looks over and sees two shadowy figures watching and her and is like "GUYS CAN I HAVE FIVE MINUTES OF PEACE-"

[the-broken-truth]

Platonic Yandere Miguel O'Hara w/ Twin Brother Who's Had Enough With Him

Summary: You and Miguel O'Hara are twin brothers & The Leaders of the Spider-Society - more Miguel leading than you - but you also have a personal life that Miguel doesn't like. He constantly interferes with your life and you have had enough of him but will your elder brother let you cut him off?

"That's it! I've had enough of you, Miguel!" A very irate voice yelled out from the portal that formed in the Headquarters of the Spider-Society as Lyla watched from her projected body glowing gold - she watched as a towering figure, dressed in a Spider-Man Suit that was predominantly red with a black spider on the chest but no mask, revealing at face with brown skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair that was neatly brushed and gelled back. He marched away from the portal with his fists balled and a glare on his face - he was rather pissed off and it looked like he was going to burst a gasket.

Soon after he arrived, another figure walked through the portal in a full suit with a mask that dematerialized in a technology like gleam - revealing a face just like the pervious male but with red eyes and rather messy dark brown hair. The second male - Miguel - walked over to the first male - [Name] - with his hands out in a defensive manner.

"[Name], please, I understand that you are upset at me but I did it for your own good." Miguel said as he placed a hand on [Name's] shoulder, causing the younger male to turn around and push Miguel away from him, causing the Elder Brother to stumble back but he didn't fall, just looked at his younger brother's pissed off face.

"You had the nerve to come to my house and disrespect my fiancée while I was away - for what reason, I don't know - but you had her leave the house and return to her parents' house and she hasn't come home since! You have been following me while we haven't been on duty and even during my missions, you come out of nowhere and steal my mission away from me when I'm supposed to be one of the leaders of the Spider-Society! You have been trying to control me ever since you lost your family but that doesn't mean that you have right to try to control me!" [Name] pointed at Miguel, whose red eyes were widened and sadness filled them but there was another emotion in his eyes that [Name] didn't see.

"I...I was trying to protect you; you don't need her, you have me, Little Brother." Miguel said as he walked over to [Name], who growled and him and turned away and walked out of the Spider-Society before shooting a web out and and taking the long route home, leaving Miguel alone with Lyla.

What's the situation that caused [Name] to get pissed off at his older brother? Well, let's take a walk down memory lane.

[About A Week Ago]

[Name] O'Hara was at the grocery store to get some things to make dinner - lasagna was one the menu per his fiancée's request - when he got call from the woman he loved more than anything in the world. He answered the phone and told her that he was going to be home in a few minutes but she told him that she was going to go home for a few weeks before hanging up the phone. [Name] was shocked at what she had before he turned the counter just in time to see his fiancée loading her luggage in the car and Miguel standing at the top of the stairs with his arms folded and a smirk of his face.

'What had Miguel done to Lydia?' [Name] thought as he pulled up behind Lydia's car, got out of his own and jogged over to her, asking her what was wrong but Lydia's words made his heart grow cold.

"I love you but until you deal with your brother, I don't think that I can be with you." Lydia said as she took off her engagement ring and placed in his hand before getting in her car and driving away, leaving a shocked and heartbroken [Name] standing there on the sidewalk while Miguel stood there, watching Lydia drive away. Once the woman was out of sight, Miguel walked down to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder before asking what was for dinner.

The Nerve.

[Earlier that day]

[Name] was on Earth-159A dealing with an Anomaly when the Spiderverse Portal - as Miles called it - opened and Miguel ran out of the if and captured the creature before turning to his little brother, who was shocked and angry that Miguel got in his way once again. This was supposed to be his solo mission and he was more than capable to deal with it - Unlike Miguel, [Name] had Spider Powers from a Radioactive Spider Bite and he was stronger than Miguel in all aspects - by right and opinion of the other Spider-Men & Spider-Women, he should have been the Head Leader of the Spider-Society but since Miguel came up with the idea, [Name] thought it was only fear that he lead it. [Name] snarled at Miguel before walking to the portal and trying to calm his thoughts but Miguel's words were getting to him.

"You should be faster with dealing with these creatures."

"You're taking way too long with your missions."

"As Leader of the Spider-Society, I think it would be best if you stopped doing missions and remained at headquarters while I did the missions while you helped Lyla."

That's when you had enough of him.

"You?! Leader of the Spider-Society?! Have you forgotten that we started the Spider-Society together and I am the one with actual Spider-Powers while you have to inject yourself with Spider-DNA jus to keep yours?! How can you even call yourself a Spider-Man when you don't even have Spider-Sense?!" You roared at your brother, causing him to take a step back before the portal opened gain and you marched into the Spider-Society Headquarters with a growl in your throat and glare on your face.

[Now]

You were trying to call Lydia as you walked home in your casual clothes but she appeared to have blocked you and wasn't answering your hails. You exhaled and dropped your arm as you walked into your house, only to see Miguel sitting there in the dark with his eyes glowing, you glared at him.

"I have no tie to deal with you or your shit, Miguel, get the hell out of my house and leave me the hell alone." You demanded but he just stood up and slowly walked over to you.

"I am your older brother, you're supposed to listen to me without question, just like that whore of yours did when I told her to leave you alone and break off the engagement. I have been talking your disrespect for the longest of time and I shall not deal with it a second more; you are going to stop doing missions and work in the headquarters with Lyla, that's an order from your leader and elder brother." Miguel said with his eyes narrowed.

"You told Lydia to break off the Engagement with me?! That's why she left?! What the hell is wrong with you, Miguel?! Why are you trying to stop me from being happy?!" You demanded to know.

"YOU SHOULDN'T NEED HER TO BE HAPPY WHEN YOU HAVE ME! ALL YOU NEED IS ME, [NAME], AND I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO MAKE YOU SEE YOU DONT NEED ANYONE ELSE BUT ME! NOW, WE ARE GOING TO THE SPIDER-SOCIETY AND YOU ARE GOING TO...NGH!" You socked Miguel in the face before turning on your heel, running out the door, and hooting your webs to escape. Miguel wiped the blood from his lip and smirked, "A Game of Tag, Little Brother? Alright, I'm It."

[sarawritestories]

I Wanna Be Yours Chapter 1

Xaden Riorson X Lydia Aetos

Summary: Lydia Aetos Longs to be a Ballerina, her father has other plans, and has conscripted her to the rider's quadrant with her childhood friend Violet. Reuniting with her brother he only gives her two orders. Do not bring up wanting to dance and stay far away from Xaden Riorson. Both of his orders go ignored.

Content Warning: Violence.

A/N: Here is the first chapter I hope you all Enjoy! 🩰

Word Count: 4.9K

If you want to Read on AO3 click Here

I Wanna Be Yours Masterlist

Ashes. I’m watching my pointe shoes turn into ashes. I can’t help the tears that roll down my face. “Maybe now you will understand that no child of mine will be a performer in a traveling freakshow. My children are riders; they will serve their country with pride.” My Father’s voice grates against my skin as I watch the one thing I treasure most burn my dreams with it. “Come, Lydia, it’s almost time to go.” My legs refuse to move, as the pop of the wood makes me jump.

Hearing Colonel Aetos sigh grates my skin, he’s sending me to my death, with a first-born son like Dain, he didn’t need a second child. Correction he didn’t want one. Yet here I sit to his dismay. His feet move quickly as he places his hand in a vice-like grip around my arm; yanking me from the hearth, I writhe in his grasp as he pulls me away as I see what is left of the pink silk turn black. “That’s enough, Lydia.” He pins me against the wall, not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to send a message, “You are going to cross that parapet, and join your brother, you are going to become a rider. Do you understand me?”

I school my face into something soft as if my life isn’t being turned upside down, swallowing the tears. “Yes, Colonel,” My voice doesn’t sound like my own, but my mother’s and my father realizes it too as his complexion pales slightly.

Regaining his composure, “Get dressed, back your rucksack and let’s go we are supposed to be in General Sorrengail’s office in 10 minutes.” I jerk out of his grasp and head to my room, trying to even out my breathing. As miserable as it sounds, I’m glad I will have Violet. The two of us have been inseparable for our entire lives. We are both being forced into the Rider’s quadrant today, at the hands of our parents. I tuck my hand under my mattress and pull out a piece of paper. I sit on the edge of my bed and re-read words I have memorized at this point.

My Dearest Lydia,

My little twinkle toes. I’m so sorry, I had to leave. The life your father leads can feel like a cage. I’m suffocating, little one. I cannot be controlled or maintained like a rabid beast. I’m sorry, I know what this means for you, what your father will make you do when you turn twenty. Just know that not a day goes by when I won’t feel guilty for putting you in that cage to take my place. Just know that I love you and if you get anything from this letter. Don’t stop dancing. Whatever you do, continue dancing through this life. Let dance be your escape from the cruelty Basgiath has to offer. I hope one day we will be reunited, and you will have found a way to break out of the chains that hold you in Navarre.

I love you more than you know,

Mom

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. Every time I read the letter of my heartaches; she knew that the father would force me into the Rider’s quadrant. Why couldn’t she take me with her? Couldn’t we both be free? Why couldn’t she have stayed just long enough for me to find a way for me to pursue my dream?  Anger bubbles up in my core, why was she so selfish to fucking leave me here, knowing that I would be sharing the same feelings she had.

Not wanting to keep The Colonel waiting I put on a black, long-sleeved shirt and tightly fitted leather pants from an old riders uniform my father found. I fold the note into a small square and tuck it into my boot, not wanting to risk him finding it. Grabbing my bag, I step out of my room that has been my home for seventeen years of my life and meet my father. As we begin to walk, I shut my eyes and I allow myself one more moment to mourn over the dream I will never be able to fulfill.

Violet and I stare up at the tower familiar with the trek we will have to make to reach the parapet, the first trial we will receive before ever becoming a cadet. Violet takes my hand, “At least we have each other.” 

I give her hand a comforting squeeze as we move up the line. “Name,” The lady calls out not bothering to look up from the parchment. Violet moves to talk to the older gentleman as I heave a sigh.

“Lydia Aetos.”

The woman blinks after scribbling down my name and looks up to meet my eyes and I notice the flinch she gives when she notices that they are two different colors. “Are you related to Colonel Aetos?”

I nod my head, “He is my father.” I see Violet is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, “I turn and look at her. “Have a nice day,” I give her the best smile I can, which in turn might be a grimace as I move to meet my friend.

She is conversing with a taller girl, with dark skin and her hair had been pulled back in small rows of braids. Her brown eyes glimmered with excitement as I came closer. The woman paused and tilted her head at me. “Hello,” I give a small wave, shifting under the weight of her gaze.

“Your eyes.” She begins and my mind starts filling in the gaps with words my father has used in the past.

Ugly.

Disgusting.

Defective.

“Beautiful.” The word shakes me out of my spiral of negativity.

“I’m sorry?” I blinked.

“You’re eyes, they’re beautiful. I have read that some are born with two different colored eyes, but to see the beauty of it in person.” She holds out her hand, “Rhiannon Matthias.”

“Lydia Aetos.” Taking her hand and shaking it a genuine smile creeping up on my face.

“Yeah, yeah, and I’m General Melgren, now move. We don’t have all day.” A man’s voice quips behind us. I turn to find piercing blue eyes and a full head of blond hair; he is wearing a scowl that contorts his face into something heinous.  He gives me a playful wink, that makes my stomach churn, “Let’s go, Princess.”

Not bothering to give him a response, I turned back to my friend and new acquaintance. The three of us begin our ascent up the stairs. The smaller man in front of us- Dylan- keeps babbling about how excited he is to be in the Rider’s quadrant. As he and Rhinannon discuss their dreams and goals, I let my mind wander.

Twirling across the stage, each pirouette clean and precise just as Seraphina has taught me. My tulle skirts billowing around me like a shield. I don’t need to remember the next move, the music seeps into my bones and as if in response my body knows what to do next. I grin as the warmth of all the mage lights, illuminating the stage, kisses my skin. Twirling into a solid form, Large tan hands grip my waist as my partner steps in time with the beat.

We move as one as he spins hoisting me up in the air. I am certain my toes are pointed, and my arms are sharp in an elegant pose. I feel myself being lowered and looked at my partners face, familiar hazel eyes and a toothy grin in plain view, twirling me once more to the crescendo of the music and when my twirls end, He dips me low, my one leg stretched out in between his, the other bent my foot tucked behind my knee cap. His forehead presses mind as my arms move around his neck in time with the end notes of the music.  My eyes close as the smell of Cinnamon, Vanilla waft my nose, as the thunderous applause ruptures through the theater. Lips press against mine and I can’t help the giggle that erupts from my throat.

“Lydia.” His warm voice calls for me.

“Lydia. Lydia.”

“Lydia!” Violet shouts giving me a shove, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look to see that Rhiannon and Dylan are giving me looks of concern. I pressed my hand to my cheek to find them wet with tears. Shit. Violet’s eyes held worry and an undertone of understanding. “You were thinking about him again, weren’t you?” She whispers low enough only I can hear, as our hike up the concrete steps was nearing a close as the daylight was beginning to peak through.

“Yeah. I guess I’m missing everyone a little more today.” It’s a severe understatement that I’m making but Violet has her own things to worry about, no need to add more to her plate.

Violet, Dain, and I grew up together, she is basically my sister in all forms of the word. We have been inseparable, even more so when Brennan died and Dain left last year for the Rider’s quadrant, me, and her against the world we always teased. I never felt that more now, she gripped my hand in hers and gives me a squeeze as if she is thinking the same thing. “Thank you for always being there when I need, you Vi.”

Violet snorted, causing Rhinannon to turn and smirk, I look down at her feet briefly and notice the woman has one of Violet’s shoes and Violet in turn has one of her slippers on her feet. When did they do that? Violet’s voice causes me to face her, “You sound like you’re going to die today.”

“I am pretty sure that was the plan.” I murmur as Dylan and Rhiannon reach the top of the stairs. “He wants me dead, Vi.”

“Too bad. You and I. We are not going to die today, Lydia.” Violet was the first to reach the open expanse of the turret. The breath of fresh air is welcome to the stench of sweat and body odor. The warmth of the sun kisses my skin, a large gust of wind whipping my hair across my face. Violet seeing this her eyes widen. “I almost forgot. In my bag there is a little gift from Mira.” I quickly open her bag and pull out a package with my name on it and a little note.

Hey Kid,

A little gift from your favorite sibling. Don’t roll your eyes, you know it’s true!

Just something that can keep that crazy mane of yours up and to remind everyone not to mess with you.

Mira

Unwrapping package to reveal two long gold hair pins, little gold dragons at one end the pointed end sharp as knives. “I love your sister; did you know that?”

Violet laughs as I shut her bag and quickly put my hair in a tight bun. “You and me both.” There is a pause as we make our way closer to beginning. “I’m looking forward to seeing Dain.”

I roll my eyes, about to retort when a man’s voice, “You ready for the next one, Riorson.”

I pause my movements, my hands still in my hair, looking at the broad chest in front of me my eyes trail up and I am met with a set jaw and alluring onyx eyes, and in the light little gold flecks shine through. I roll my shoulders and drop my hands from my hair. His eyes graze my body and back up to my eyes and shiver down my spine. “Aetos, Sorrengail, you two, okay?” Pulling away from the man’s magnetic gaze, I meet Rhiannon’s stare. I dip my chin in silent confirmation.

“Sorrengail and Aetos?” The low rumble of Xaden Riorson voice pulls my attention back to him. This man is the definition of beauty, his sharp jawline, high cheekbones, even with the scar cutting across his brow that drags down to the top of his cheek bone. His tan skin gleams with perspiration from the midday sun no doubt, and I catch a glimpse a tattoo on the side of his neck that disappears with the neckline of his shirt. The clearing of his throat makes me meet his eyes once more. There is a knowing smirk on his face, and he quirks an eyebrow, “Like what you see, Sweetheart?”

I remain silent and avert his stare. “You’re Fen Riorson’s son.” Violet’s voice sounds from behind me.

“You’re General Sorrengail’s Daughter.” He retorts, “Your mother had my father executed.”

I can feel Violet’s anger bubbling behind me. “Your father killed my brother I think that makes us even.”

Xaden snorts, “Hardly.” That perks my head up, to find his eyes were already on me. He tilts his head his eyes assessing me, like I’m a prize mare, “And you. I wasn’t aware that Dain Aetos had a little sister. He never talks about you.”

I bite my lip the only indication I give that his words bother me, “I can’t say. I’m surprised.”

Xaden takes a step forward and try to focus on the floor once more, “Why’s that, Kitten?” A finger hooks under my chin forcing me to meet his gaze and my heart rate quickens, out of fear or sheer arousal, I’m not sure.

One thing I do know: This man is dangerous.  Yet I fall for his beautifully set trap and answer honestly, knowing I should not give him any of my weaknesses, “No one likes talking about the disappointment in the family.” For extra measure I take a step back, away from his touch and he lets me, dropping his hand.

“Hurry it up. Some of us are becoming riders today.” The ass hole from before speaks, his words grating my skin. A distant scream comes from the death trap in front of me. When looking over to the parapet I no longer see Dylan and my heart sinks. Rhiannon is still moving, and Violet begins to walk across dark storm clouds rolling in followed by a rumble of thunder. Fucking. Wonderful.

Xaden chuckles and I meet his stare, “Good luck, Kitten.” He gestures for me to the entry point of the parapet.

I glare at him, flaring my nostrils, “My name is Lydia.”

He smirks, “I think my name suits you better.”

I don’t know how the dagger got in my hand but the minute I throw it, the steel passing about 3 people before it hits its mark. The dagger sinks into the crack of the concrete a half an inch from the jack ass who has been making smart ass comments all morning’s shoes. Looking back at those gold flecked onyx eyes I give him a wink, “I think you’ll find, it doesn’t.”

The guy next Xaden laughed, “Looks like the kitten has claws. I hope you make it, Aetos,” He nods his head and I begin to walk. The drop of rain pelts my skin the moment I take my first step. When I take the next few steps, the sky opens as rain cascades down. I can hear Seraphina’s instructions in my ears.

Arms out, straighten that back. Get into second position.

I straighten my posture and extend my arms out, placing my feet outwardly giving myself the optimal balance and proceed to move. I focus on Violet’s pack in front of me as I keep moving. I imagine myself on stage, the music once again whisking me away. The low rumble of drums meets the contrasting sounds of the piccolo and various string instruments to create a melody that makes my movements lighter. I trust in my training, my balance, the music that for years kept me rooted. The music drowns out the sound of the rain colliding against the brick. My mind transforms the stage into a whimsical forest, and I am balancing on a fallen tree trunk to reach for my lover on the other side. His smile warm as the lights pressing against my skin. I’m not in old leather, I’m in a white gown with billowing layers that makes it easier to move in when I dance.

I twirl my feet finding purchase on the log once I complete the spin with flawless precision. A smile emerges on my face as I gear up for my flip the finishing move, I need to do before reaching the halfway point to him. I run and leap, my legs flipping over my head with the elegance of a gazelle. Landing with a pointed toe and my arms reaching for the sky my balance slips slightly but not enough to keep me from moving toward my goal. To keep me from returning to his arms. I allow myself a glance at his eyes and his face contorts into something unrecognizable, evil.

“I’m coming to get you, Twinkle Toes.” The voice is not his and I blink as the music abruptly stops and the reality, I am in comes crashing forward. The cool kiss of rain rakes a chill down my body. The voice came from behind me. I turn to find the blonde from earlier coming at me with full speed. The person that was behind me in line is blocking him from me and still is a good distance aways. That does not deter the Blonde-haired menace, as he grips the arm of the girl and throws her off. My eyes widen and my instincts overtake my body and I sprint. I focus ahead of me and try to think of music that would be appropriate for this. Something fast paced with horns and fast-paced drums, trying to keep my mind on anything besides the absolute menace behind me.

I can hear his footsteps thudding over the pattering of the rain and I quicken my base trusting in the traction of my boots. I can see the end and Violet reaching it. The is gaining on me and I have enough distance that I pause, briefly and take the risk I prep for my jump and slip. Regaining my balance and looking back to see he is still far enough for me to recover. I get in position once more and take a deep breath.

I will not die today.

I sprint into a run once more and when I have enough distance I take my leap, my feet pointed, my back arched in perfect form even Seraphina wouldn’t have anything to say. When I land the ground is slick and I lose my footing. Fortunately, Violet is there to hold me still. “Lydia! We made it!”

I nod and turn to the cadet with bright red hair, she smirks, “Name.”

“Lydia Aetos.”

“Welcome to the Rider’s Quadrant, Lydia. That was one hell of a performance.”

I walk further down the steps and notice that Violet winces, “Let’s get you taken care of.” I loop her arm in mine before we are both grip in a bone crushing hug.

“We did it!” Rhiannon beams and she looks at me, “You definitely made a name for yourself, what you did on the parapet was amazing.”

“What did I do?”

Violet blinks, “You’re kidding.” Before Violet could elaborate.

“Name.”

“Jack Barlow.” His eyes meet mine and there is a snarl on his face. The look promises one thing. Trouble. Thankfully he stalks in the other direction

“Lydia.” Only one man’s voice makes me groan knowing a lecture is brewing, I turn and see Dain standing there his mouth formed in a tight line, his eyes shift over to the silver haired woman next to me and his face shifts into shock, “Violet?”

Violet smiles, “Hi Dain,” Dain looked to his left then to his right before he grips both Violet’s and mine’s wrist and drags us away from Rhiannon.

“Dain,” I hiss, “She’s hurt take it easy.”

As if on cue Violet begins to dry heave. “Shit.” Dain mutters as he takes her to a bench hidden in an alcove where no one could see. “What the hell are you doing here, Violet?” As he tucks her head between her knees.

“General Sorrengail, refuses to have a scribe in her family. Like someone else we know.”

“Scribe is a respectable job. Dancing is not.” Dain deadpans and I clench my fist. A hand touches my shoulder causing me to jump.  “What the hell were you thinking, Lydia? Dancing on the parapet like that?”

I blink, and clear my throat, “I didn’t realize that is what I did. I was trying to put myself in my happy place. To keep me from over thinking about what I was doing. My instincts went into overdrive.”

“What you did was showboat and it’s going to cause me problems.” He scowls at me, and I get a good look at him at him, he’s grown a beard since I last saw him. But he still has our father’s brown eyes, and his hair cut short and his curls sitting atop his head. “What?”

“I can’t look at my older brother. I’m fine by the way, thanks for asking.” He rolls his eyes and presses me into a hug.

“Sorry.” He murmurs in my hair as he notices the new pins, “Let me guess.”

“Mira.” Violet, Dain and I say at the same time.

Dain smiles, “They suit you.” His small drops, “You must promise to never do what you did again. There are only two rules that I need you to follow, I expect you to follow them. No talking about dance, or dancing and stay away from Xaden Riorson.”

“Noted.” I rolled my eyes, “Glad to see somethings never change.” Dain sighs and moves back to Violet.

I felt a hand gripped my shoulder causing me to jump, “It’s just me.” Rhi’s voice calms me as she gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze, “I wanted to swap shoes back.”

Dain looks between Violet’s shoes and glares at Violet. “Make it snappy.” He glares at Rhiannon, “Who are you?”

Rhiannon looks between me and Violet, “I am their friend.” She slips off Violet’s boot and sighs in reprieve as Violet removes the slipper from her foot and grabs her boot, which Dain helped her put it on.

“I am a squad leader.” He looks over to me and Rhi. “You two go tell the red head recording names that you three are going to be in my squad. I’m going to help Violet and will be right back.” I nod my head and turn on my heal.

“Is that your brother?” Rhi asks.

“Yup.”

“He is something.”

“Tell me about it.” I sigh

We have been placed in our squads. I’m grateful that Violet and I ended up together and not in Xaden’s Wing. Not a fan of the fact that he is one of my superiors. His eyes meet mine and he smirks, those eyes look at me like a predator watching his prey. He whispers to our wingleader and then. “Second Wing Flame Section, you will be moving to Fourth Wing.” My stomach sinks, avoiding the stare of my new wingleader.

“Cadets, move.” Dain commands his jaw sets the only indication that he is upset. We move to where our new wing is standing as the one that is now apart of Second Wing move to where we were just standing.                 

Once everyone settles Xaden begins to speak. I try to zone him out as best as I can, exhaustion is beginning to take over my body. The adrenaline from crossing over the parapet but his voice rings out, “You all feel pretty bad ass don’t you,” Cheers erupt around me and Xaden nods, “Feeling invincible?” I do not feel that way. “You think you’re worthy of a dragon.” More cheers erupted and Xaden crossed his arms. The sound of thunder erupts.

No. Not thunder.

Wings.                                                                                                                                                

As if on Xaden’s cue a horde dragons’ approach, the noise begins to build as a regal blue dagger tail lands on the edge of the wall as if it’s a perch for them. Her claws dig into the brick, pieces crumbling down under her weight. I notice the cadets around me are frozen in fear. A few were shaking and their pants had dark spots that trailed down their legs. Terror racks through my body but I focus on my breathing.

Thump, Thump

The blood curdling scream of another cadet rattles me as a young man from the first wing runs heading back toward the parapet. The dragons all shift as a few more cadets scatter. I blink and feel hands around my waist tugging me down before the dragons unfurl their tongues and fire erupts from all different angles. The hands around me tug me close to the lean chest and I place my own hands around the mystery person’s, their fingers lacing theirs through mine I squeeze my eyes shut as anguish screams fill my ears and will certainly give me nightmares. The fire ceases and the smell of burnt flesh is left in its wake. The figure behind me moves and helps me up. I turn around hoping I would see Dain’s face behind me.

Thump, Thump

Instead, I am met with warm brown eyes and a goofy grin. A man with tan skin, a curly mop of brown hair and handsome face looks back at me, “You, okay?”

I nod my hand, “Thank you…” I lead of.

He holds out his hand, “Ridoc Gamlyn.”

I took his hand, “Lydia Aetos.”

Before Ridoc can comment on my name Dain turns, “Quiet both of you.” Ridoc Mimics him and causes me to giggle as Xaden continues his speech.

“Anyone still feel invincible now?” He questions his brow quirking as his eyes loom over the entire Quadrant, locking onto mine.

Thump, Thump.

My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. His eyes pin me to the floor incapable of moving. Out of the corner of my eye I see the blue dagger tail moving her head back and forth.  It’s the gasp of the crowd that pulls me from Xaden’s gaze.

Thump, Thump.

 The blues dragon takes a step down and my squad parts to make room for her. Her yellow eyes are looking directly at me as she takes another step forward. Dain’s face paled as he watches on, but its movement to my left that catches my attention. Xaden moves from where he is standing, his face is unreadable. It’s the quaking step of the dragon in front of me and my heart rate quickens as her yellow eyes take me in.

Thump, Thump, Thump

Despite the paralyzing fear, that I may very well die in the next few seconds I take in the creature before me. Her large horns curve on the top of her head. Her scales up close shimmer with various hues of blue and hints of black near the base of her scales, which makes her eyes stand out. Her nostrils flair, it feels like a challenge, as if she is begging for me to turn and run.

Thump, Thump, Thump.

I will not die today. I take a glance at where Dain is and spot Violet right beside him, terror on her face. She knows dragons better than I do, though I know enough, she knows my rate of survival is potentially slim here. I close my eyes and try to keep my breathing even. My heart erupting in my ears.

Thump, Thump, Thump.

I get down on my knees, my hands remaining at my sides. “What the fuck is she doing?” Jack Barlow’s voice carries over the silence that has fell amongst the court. No one else says a word as I bend forward lowering myself until my forehead touches the cool brick, the small grooves pressed against my skin. I close my eyes and I mentally recite different dance positions in my head trying to ease the fear.

Thump, Thump, Thump.

My breathing begins to even out when I feel the warm steam pressing against my neck. I take the risk and lift my head; the dragon nods her head. Is she giving me the okay to rise? Another dip of her head, and I slowly rise to my feet. As I do I meet her gaze once more, it’s just her and I, the world around us since forgotten. The dragon does something to my surprise, she cranes her neck where the tip of her snout touches the floor. She is bowing to me. The message is clear, a sign of mutual respect.

Thump, Thump.

She raises her head but keeps it low as she cranes her neck out for me. I cannot even see her eyes as she comes near and presses her snout to my chest. The chatter amongst the crowd is indistinguishable. I press my hand to her snout, her scales feel like leather under my touch, a smile forms on my cheeks, fear suddenly turning into elation. “Hello, Beautiful.” My voice was unable to reach above a whisper. She huffs in response and moves back to where she was perched before.

Adrenaline must be widdling from my body fast because I grip Ridoc’s shoulder tightly as my world tilts.

Thump, Thump.

I just survived my first encounter with a dragon.

To Be Continued..

Story Tags: @milswrites @eve175 @marvelsmylife @sherayuki @misslady246 @thelov3lybookworm @a-frog-with-a-laptop @randomperson1234sblog @garricks4thwingqueen

[fandomnsfw]

Easy On The Eyes - Derek Hale x Reader

Pairing: Derek Hale x Reader

Prompt: Because I need a break from other stuff.

Warning: (No Stiles’ were hurt during the making of this fan fiction I love you Stiles :’C) None really just cute shit and awkward and sweet Derek Hale.

Description: You got caught up in the fight between the McCall pack and the Dread Doctors a year ago and now you have something to tell the pack but soon after, everything started going according to your plan...well except the mate part.

ENJOY!!!!

**********

You sat next to Lydia, your hand in hers as Scott stared at the floor with a look of deep thought. Everyone else in the room was silent as they wrapped there head around everything you had just said. You knew it was a lot for someone to take in but they needed to know from you…not from Melissa once you couldn’t walk and she had to get you a carer.

“Why didn’t you tell us from the start…Y/N the things you’ve been doing and getting involved in…you could’ve died…” Scott looked up sadly and you let your eyes fall to the floor in shame.

“I found out last year…after the dread doctors…I thought it was because…Theo threw me into that pipe…but it wasn’t.” Stiles shot a furious glare at Theo who was staring at the floor with guilt.

“Stop it Stiles. If he hadn’t done that I wouldn’t of found out for years or until I couldn’t walk one day. I’m actually grateful for that injury but I don’t want to be on medication for the rest of my life…I want you to turn me while I’m strong enough to survive.” You asked with determination all over your face making sure he knew you had thought about it.

“I don-Are you sure?” Scott asked seriously but before you could say anything Derek let out a huff before speaking up.

“Why the hell are you hesitating? She’s ill Scott! With all due respect if she didn’t want it she wouldn’t of asked.” Derek snapped and your eyes shot up to his face in surprise. You and Derek only met shortly after the Anuk-ite attack due to joining Scott shortly after the dread doctors when they saved you from Theo and his band of merry chimera’s.

Derek was quiet but polite enough despite that Stiles calls him sourwolf, however you found him calming to be around. He didn’t speak to you much but he was always looking out for the pack since he’d been back even the members that were new. It helped that he wasn’t too bad to look at with his black stubble, piercing pale green eyes and god like body.

“Woah there sourwolf! Calm your shit. Scott is obviously going to do it if she wants the bite.” Stiles huffed sassily as he stood to get all up Derek’s face.

“Stiles sit your cute little ass down!” Lydia snorted as she grabbed Stiles’ top dragging him back down to his seat at the other side of her.

“Aww you think my ass is cute.” Stiles preened happily as she rolled her eyes affectionately at him.

“When would you like to do it?” Scott asked with a sad smile.

“It’s not like we need to arrange it Scott. You have fangs and I have my body wherever we are.” You snorted with a teary laugh earning a laugh from everyone including the parents of the pack which had been pretty quiet until now.

“Where would you feel most comfortable?” Scott asked with a little more humour this time.

“We can do it at the loft?” Derek suggested absently making you smile at him brightly.

“Why would she want to do it at your grubby loft Derek…seriously are you feeling okay today? She needs to be somewhere more sterile.” Stiles grumbled sarcastically and his dad let out a sigh before smacking Stiles round the back of his head.

“Hey that child abuse!” Stiles screeched and his dad raised his brows.

“You’re over 18…technically its just plain old abuse. Though I’m sure the Sheriff will let me off with a warning.” He informed him with a smirk as Stiles just gaped at him.

“I would actually like to do it at the loft it’s the most secluded place so if I lose control we’re far enough from people that one of your can stop me.” You commented reasonably.

“Good point. Since its winter break we have time to help you learn control before your back at Yale.” Scott replied causally and you suddenly went silent, frozen in place.

“I’m not going back to Yale I’m transferring to the same school as you Scott.” Suddenly Melissa’s voice was booming.

“Like hell you’re giving up Yale! Why would you want to transfer!? You got into a blue collar school on full scholarship honey…” Melissa looked like she was about to have a heart attack.

“Because I’m not happy there! I’m too far away…everyone at that school is either a genius or an asshole! I hate it I miss my pack…I was an orphan before this and now I have a whole family…I don’t want to be away from you guys.” You muttered sadly as you stared up at the closest person you had to a mother these days.

“Are you that miserable there?” She asked, guilt written all over her face.

“Yes…” You muttered slowly and she just nodded before walking over to you and dragging you up to wrap her arms around you.

“Okay honey.” Melissa whispered soothingly into your hair as you clung to her like a life line.

“I would like to do it tomorrow…my health isn’t too bad right now but that could change on any given day and I don’t wanna risk it.” You stated calmly as Melissa pulled away from you and everyone nodded quietly.

The rest of the night was perfect, you all had dinner while talking about classes and how relationships were going. Malia and Scott were still together, Lydia and Stiles were going strong, Mason and Corey are enjoying their first year at college together. Melissa was still seeing Chris surprisingly, Noah was still single but you’d told him about the new owner of the diner that found the Sheriff attractive earning a groan from Stiles and a laugh from everyone else.

********

You stared at the loft doors with serious determination, your heart racing a mile a minute as your fingers twitched against the cold hard metal handle. You nod to yourself as you yanked the door open to see Derek and Scott stood around the table in the lofts entrance.

You gave Scott a small smile before sending a nod to Derek in thanks for letting you use the loft. Scott gave you a sad smile in return like he was giving you some sort of death sentence but for you it was going to be a better life.

“Are you sure?” Scott asked on last time as you lifted your top so Scott could bite your abdomen.

“Yes I’m sure.” You huffed with a humoured smile as Derek let out a growl.

“Okay I got it Derek. Jeez you’re really demanding for a beta.” Scott snorted playfully before he bent down and bit your waist gently. You heard yourself let out a scream but after that everything went black.

*********

“-she’ll wake up soon just stop pacing.” You heard a voice say at the side of you but you couldn’t open your eyes.

“I know but it’s been 24 hours Scott this isn’t normal…They either get stronger or get weaker…I’ve never seen someon—her heart rate changed…Y/N?” It was Scott and Derek.

You sniffed the air and suddenly the scent of something hit your nose and you eyes shot open. You sat up and looked at Scott with a frown. You stood up cautiously and began sniffing Scott which made his eyes widen. You frown as you realised as much as you could tell he was your Alpha that wasn’t what smelt so good.

You head spun round instantly and you eyes locked with Derek. It was him…why did he smell so good? You thought absently as you turned around completely and walked over to him. His eyes flashed blue at you making your flash in return.

“You smell so good…” You whispered as you started circling him as you smelt his body.

“Derek what the hell is happening?” Scott muttered with wide eyes from across the room.

“I may have failed to mention I was 98% certain she’s my mate…but only when your wolves can you detect it from both sides…” Derek chuckled awkwardly as he blushed under your constant attentions but never moved away.

“Mate?” You perked up at the word and nuzzled against Derek’s neck as he allowed you to hang off his neck like a monkey as you practically climbed him like a tree.

“Okay this is because she’s a new wolf…she’ll learn to control it eventually…maybe I should go until she can control it?” Derek whispered and you instantly started growling.

“Mine.” You snapped as Scott tried to approach.

“I have zero intention of stealing Derek, Y/N you can keep him.” Scott muttered as he got closer but the second he took one step you launched, so before you could make contact, Scott let out an almighty roar than made even Derek’s knee’s wobble as you cowered low to the ground.

You blinked and suddenly felt a little more yourself thought you could still smell how good Derek smelt but now you knew better than to climb a man you barely knew like he was Mount Everest. You looked at Derek in horror and then at Scott with an exasperated look to why he let you climb Derek before doing his alpha roar.

“S-Sorry Derek I d-didn’t mean to do that…” You stuttered until you remembered what he’d said.

“It’s okay…I get the urges but I’m a born wolf so…I can control it. I’m sorry I should’ve told you before you took the bite but…your health…” Derek looked so guilty so when you started laughing he looked…shocked wasn’t a word that could do his face justice.

“You don’t have to apologise…you being my mate would’ve just been another reason for me to turn. What girl in the world doesn’t fantasies about having one man or in this case werewolf made to be her perfect match? It helps that you’re easy on the eyes and have a six pack.” You joked and Scott looked horrified by what you had said like you said the wrong thing but suddenly Derek started laughing and Scott looked even more worried and you suddenly remembered this was the first time you’d seen the older man laugh and it was the most beautiful thing you think you’d ever seen.

“You broke Derek.” Scott snorted as Derek finally stopped laughing.

“Shut up Scott.” Derek grumbled and suddenly he was back to his usual stoic self.

“Yeah Scott shut up.” You teased as Scott’s phone started ringing. The second he answered you heard Melissa’s voice over the phone asking his a million questions.

“She’s awake mom. Yes you can come over.” Scott huffed as his mother hung up so she could make her way over.

********

Within twenty minutes the whole pack was in the loft with smiles but all the new smells made you uneasy so you involuntarily moved closer to Derek and you almost thought you’d gotten away with it too but Lydia’s voice echoed through the loft and everyone was looking.

“What was that?” She sassed as she pointed between you and Derek.

“What was what?” You muttered innocently as you fought the urge to creep closer to Derek again.

“You know what. You moved closer to Derek. Scott’s your alpha and we’ve known you longer…yet you moved closer to the one wolf you know less than anyone in this pack.” Lydia stated like she had you pegged.

“No I did not.” You scoffed as your eyes flickered to Derek who looked strangely amused.

“You just gonna stand there and let this interrogation ensue? I will take you down with me.” You hissed softly and he just smirked, his arms crossing defiantly.

“I’m Derek’s mate. He hid it from us.” You threw him straight under the metaphorical bus and he looked terrified.

“I can’t believe you just did that.” Derek grumbled as everyone stared at them in shock.

“I can’t believe you weren’t gonna help me. Some mate you are.” You huffed with a childish glare and suddenly Derek let out a whine and your eyes shot open fully.

“Aww I didn’t mean that I’m sorry.” You sighed sadly and he nodded with a blush on his face.

“Sourwolf has been tamed…It’s a miracle.” Stiles cheered sarcastically and Lydia slapped his arm scoldingly.

“Why does everyone think its okay to slap me?” Stiles whined with an exasperated sigh.

“Because you never learn to keep your mouth closed.” Lydia sasses back making Stile shrink instantly.

“Congratulations if anyone deserves a mate in this world its you dear nephew.” Peter stated with a sad smile.

“I don’t know much about wolves but I’d say we should probably leave them to talk about it together…alone. Let’s go you supernatural young adults and fellow pack parents.” Melissa shouted sassily as she round everyone up but not before pulling you into a motherly hug.

“I’m happy this went better than anyone had expected. I like Hale, he’s loyal and in this world that all I can ask for you. I know I didn’t give birth to you but I have loved being a mother figure for the short year you were still a kid…” Melissa whispered softly, tears in her eyes as she wiped the already fallen ones from your face.

“I could be 30 and you’d still be the only person I’d ever consider a mother. Thank you for everything you have done for me.” You sobbed happily as she pulled you into another hug.

“I’m kind of glad you’re coming home. I’ve missed you…Scott wont let me paint his nails.” Melissa chuckled humorously before pulling away.

“Me too…I love you.” You muttered through a laugh.

“I love you too kiddo. Also Chris got back from France while you were sleeping. He brought you a present.” Melissa called over her shoulder as she turned to leave.

“Someone’s trying to earn brownie points?” You giggled and she shot you a wink before leaving out the loft door, Scott pulling it shut as he turned green with disgust as he tried to ignore what he’d just heard.

The second everyone had driven off you turned to Derek with shy smile. You had no idea how you supposed to act now everyone was gone. He was your mate but you barely knew one another and that was evident by how still Derek was.

“Was it hard not acting on your impulses?” You whispered as you resisted the urge to reach for him.

“Very…It doesn’t help that you’re so sweet to everyone…” Derek grumbled and you frowned softly as if asking what he meant but he shook his head.

“If we’re going to be mates…maybe should be more open with each other?” You suggested gently and Derek let out a sigh but nodded in agreement.

“When other wolves or supernaturals come near you…my wolf see’s them as competition…since we’re not completely mated.” He admitted awkwardly.

“S-So if I hugged Liam?” You asked nervously and Derek let out a growl in reply earning a smile from you.

“Okay…got it. How do we mate completely?” You asked curiously making Derek’s eyes widen.

“Exchanging bites…during a full moon…usually done during…ya know.” Derek flung his hands around like you knew what he meant and you caught on pretty quick but you didn’t let him know you just turned your head to the side looking at him innocently.

“I’m going to hell.” Derek groaned and you couldn’t hold back your laughter anymore.

His eyes shot up at the sound when he finally realised you knew what he meant. He shot you a glare, his arms crossing angrily as he stared you down. You gave a sweet smile in return, as you approached him slowly. He froze as you got closer as if he was trying to stop himself from touching you.

“I’m not that innocent Derek. You mean we need to bite one another whilst in the midst of some passionate full moon sex?” You snickered and Derek flushed but nodded in reply.

“Sounds kinky.” You giggled as you chest your chest against at Derek’s arms that were still folded.

“Once we mate…we’re together forever… you understand that right? If one of us dies then other will likely have to be put down…” Derek spoke seriously and your eyes widened at his words.

“W-Why?” You whispered fearfully.

“Because its documented that the few mates that have lost their other half go feral…but most mates die at the same time of old age usually.” Derek stated sadly as he reached for you only to pull back at the last second.

“Oh…well don’t die on me then.” You whispered with mild humour but mostly seriousness.

“C-Can I…never mind.” Derek huffed under his breath.

“Kiss me? Hug me?” You asked as he blushed.

“I’m so down for either.” You added and his eyes widened momentarily before softening.

Instead of words Derek’s arms circled your waist as his lips pushed against yours with a firm yet loving pressure that made your wolf howl. You gripped his t-shirt as his right hand cupped your cheek so gently you hardly believed it was the same, full shifting vicious black wolf that you’d seen in battle, yet it was. As he pulled away you let out a little whine before sending him a pout which made him smile happily.

“Yeah…nope…you’re gonna have to bring that right back on in here wolf man.” You stated as you pulled him down, Derek smiled into the kiss but happily obliged with you commanding request.

“Yep you’ve ruined me. Never letting you out my paws now.” You chuckled sweetly and Derek shook his head at your confidence before placing a kiss on your cheek.

“Come on its only 8 how about I take you out for dinner?” Derek asked, a smirk slipping onto his face as his eyebrow raised in a playful way.

“Are you asking me on a date Derek Hale?” You giggled equally as playful.

“If you call the local Italian place a date.” Derek muttered with a slight blush on his face.

“Let’s go DerBear.” You giggled as you skipped towards you door.

“Yeah that’s not gonna be a thing.” Derek grumbled as he grabbed his keys.

“Mhmm yeah it is my lovely mate.” You argued as you ran off ahead of him.

You knew this was just the beginning for you and Derek but you couldn’t help the amount of affection you could already feel for the older man. He was sweet with you which probably helped since you knew he wasn’t one to be over affectionate even with Scott who he loves like a brother but you couldn’t help but be happy it was only you who could have him like this.

You couldn’t wait to find out what your lives had in store for you and your mate.

[taeswolfie]

𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 : 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒊𝒙

☽︎𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓☾︎

Ch.05 - Ch.07

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Stiles Stilinski x fem!Reader

Word count: 5.5k

Y/n sits next to Stiles in class. He's been mad at Scott since parent/teacher conference day because, while people were running around in the school parking lot in a panic to get away from an actual mountain lion (which was gunned down by Allison's dad, Chris Argent), Noah had gotten hit by a car. He wasn't seriously injured but he was hurt nonetheless. Now, as Scott makes his way into class and behind Stiles, he ignores their werewolf friend.

"Still not talking to me?" Scott asks. He sighs when Stiles doesn't answer. "Can you at least tell me if your dad's okay? I mean, it's just a bruise, right? Some soft tissue damage. Nothing... That big."

"Not helping." Y/n spoke under her breath knowing Scott would hear her.

He hangs his head for a moment before trying again. "You know I feel really bad about it, right?" Still no answer from Stiles. "Okay." He sighs again. "What if I told you that I'm trying to figure this whole thing out, and... That I went to Derek for help?"

Stiles rolls his eyes in disbelief before looking at Y/n who was looking at her notebook. "Y/n, can you please-"

"No." She cut off, not even glancing away from her paper. "You're not gonna drag me into this. It's between you two."

Stiles sighs and faces forward again. "If I was talking to you, I'd say that you're an idiot for trusting him. But obviously I'm not talking to you." The bell rings for the start of class and Scott pulls his books from his bag.

Y/n can feel Stiles' growing intrest and his feeble attempts to stop his curiosity in favor of continuing to ignore Scott, but she knows it won't work. She smirks and whispers to herself. "3...2...1..."

Stiles whips around to face Scott. "What did he say?"

"Bingo." Y/n smiles in amusement.

"Wh- he wants you to tap into your animal side and get angry?" Stiles confirms as he, Scott and Y/n leave the classroom, Scott having told them what happened with the Hale.

"Yeah." Scott nods.

"All right, well, correct me if I'm wrong, but every time you do that, you try to kill someone, and that someone's usually us." He gestures between himself and Y/n.

"I know. That's what he means when he says he doesn't know if he can teach me. I have to be able to control it."

"It seems more like you need anger manegment than tapping into it." Y/n mused.

"How's he gonna teach you?" Stiles continued his questioning.

"I don't know. I don't think he does either."

"Okay. When are you seeing him again?"

"He told me not to talk about it. Just act normal and get through the day."

Stiles stops walking making Scott and Y/n stop too. "When?"

"He's picking me up at the Animal Clinic after work."

"After work. All right, well, that gives us to the end of the school day then."

"To do what?"

"To teach you ourselves." Stiles grabs Y/n's wrist as they continue to walk and she gives him a confused look.

"How are we gonna teach him?" She asked.

"I'm still thinking of that."

...

Y/n listens in to Allison and Lydia as she sits in the cafeteria with Stiles and Scott, the latter hiding behind a World History book. Allison is reading from an older book to Lydia about the Beast of Gévaudan. Y/n's heard of La Bête before. Her mother would tell her stories when she was younger, one of them being about the Maid of Gévaudan. A woman who killed the Beast with a deadly spear head, a witch's charm, and the help of a man of Silver. Most people would think that the Beast's death was a triumphant story, but the story her mother told was one laced with sadness.

Lydia left after a bit and Stiles looked at Scott. "I think the book's making it more obvious. Besides, she's reading anyway."

"So did you come up with a plan yet?" Scott peeked around the book at his friends.

"I think so."

"Does that mean you don't hate me now?"

"No. But your crap has infiltrated my life, so now I have to do something about it. Plus I'm definitely a better Yoda than Derek."

"Okay, yeah, you teach me."

"Yeah, I'll be your Yoda."

"Yeah, you... Be my Yoda."

"Your Yoda I will be." Stiles chuckles at his not-so-great Yoda impression and Y/n huffs a laugh while Scott had no reaction. "I said it backwards."

"Yeah, I-I know."

"Have you still not watched Star Wars?" Y/n asked. "I mean, I haven't seen them fully but even I know who Yoda is."

Scott gives her a helpless shrug. "All right, you know what? I definitely still hate you. Uh-huh. Oh, yeah." Stiles gets up with his things, grabs Scott's 'cover', and pulls Y/n along with him as he leaves the cafeteria. Scott scrambles after them as Allison notices him. She calls for him but he hides in the boys' bathroom to avoid her.

"Why do you keep dragging me with you away from Scott?" Y/n asked as Stiles pulled her along with him down the halls.

"Do you want to sit with Scott?" He seemed to accuse.

"It's not that I want to sit with Scott, it's just that it seems like you're trying to keep me away from him because you're mad at him." When he didn't respond she sighed and made them stop walking. "Stiles, I'm not gonna pick sides, okay? You're both my friend so I'm on both of your sides, always."

"Yeah, okay. I get it. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." She smiled at him. "Now, let's go Obi-wan this shit." She lightly tugged on the hand Stiles was still holding her with and they started walking again. His eyes fell from her profile down to their hands, a bit of surprise going through him when she didn't let go. His mind was too occupied with trying to help Scott, so he was unable to overthink her actions as he usually would. Instead he just found that he liked the way her hand felt in his, and so he held on a little tighter and smiled when she did the same.

Later Y/n and Stiles lead Scott to the lacrosse field. Stiles carried a lacrosse stick and a duffel bag. "Okay." Stiles sat himself, the stick, and the bag on the bench seat. "Now... Put this on." He rummaged through the bag and handed Scott a heart monitor strap.

"Isn't this one of the heart rate monitors for the track team?" Scott asked once he looked at it.

"Yeah. We borrowed it."

"Stole it." Y/n and Scott chorused.

"Temporarily misappropriated."

"Coach uses it to monitor his heart rate with his phone while he jogs, and you're gonna wear it for the rest of the day." Y/n explains.

"Isn't that Coach's phone?" Scott spots the named device in Y/n's hand.

"That, I stole." Stiles nodded.

"Why?"

"All right, well, your heart rate goes up when you go wolf, right?"

"When you're playing lacrosse," Y/n gives an example.

"When you're with Allison," Stiles adds.

"Whenever you get angry."

"Maybe learning to control it is tied to learning to control your heart rate."

"Like The Incredible Hulk." Scott realizes.

"Kind of like The Incredible Hulk, yeah."

"No, I'm like The Incredible Hulk." Scott seemed to really like that idea.

"Would you shut up and put the strap on?" Scott obeys.

They all stand in the middle of the field as Stiles tapes Scott's wrists together behind his back. "This isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my free period."

"Tell me about it." Y/n comments.

"All right. You ready?" Stiles asks as he and Y/n move a good distance away.

"No."

"Remember, don't get angry." Stiles sits the bag down and Y/n sits down behind it, taking Coach's phone and opening the heart rate app.

"I'm starting to think this was a really bad idea." A moment later Stiles takes up his lacrosse stick and hurls a ball at Scott who groans in pain from the impact. Y/n checks the phone. His heart rate is 115. He throws another ball and it hits Scott square in the chest. "Okay, that one... Kinda hurt."

"Quiet. Remember, you're supposed to be thinking about your heart rate, all right? About staying calm."

"Stay calm." He mutters to himself just as he gets hit again. "Staying calm. Staying totally calm. There's no balls flying at my- agh!" He's hit again. A few more are thrown. "Aah! Son of a bitch!" Scott groans.

"You know what? I think my aim is actually improving."

"Wonder why."

"Ah, buh, buh. Don't get angry."

"I'm not getting angry."

She looks again and it's 130 this time. "You seem to be enjoying this a little too much." Y/n looked up at Stiles.

He scrunched his face. "Nah." He continues to throw balls at Scott.

After another particularly hard one Scott tries to stop Stiles for a moment. "Stop. Just wait. Wait, just hold on."

"Stiles, wait-" Y/n tries to catch him, but it's too late as Stiles throws another and Scott drops down to his knees. "Stiles." She shows him the phone. Scott's heart rate has jumped to 160. Scott groans as he tries to calm down.

"Scott?" Stiles calls. Scott ends up tearing the tape and he hunches over on the ground, breathing heavily. He seems to calm down as the monitor also starts to drop.

Y/n gets up and goes over to Scott to check on him, Stiles following. "Scott, you started to shift."

"From anger." He pants. "But it was more than that. The angrier I got, the stronger I felt."

"So it is anger, then. Derek's right." Stiles says.

"I can't be around Allison."

"Just because she makes you happy?"

"No, because she makes me weak."

...

Y/n had left the boys as they went to the locker rooms. She could have followed them in as long as the other boys were decent, but she didn't want to. Scott was convinced at the moment that Allison made him weaker, yet Y/n wasn't quite so sure. There's something about the girl that Y/n thinks helps Scott. It's like it's on the tip of her tongue and she can't grasp it. For now she tables it for future thought and makes her way to her locker to retrieve her present for Allison. With Scott whisking her away Y/n hadn't been able to give it to her on her birthday, but now is just as good. A late gift is just as good as an on time one. Once she grabbed the gift bag she went on a search for her friend.

She found Allison sitting against some lockers with the book Y/n saw her with earlier in her lap, a few papers on the floor next to her. "Hey, you." Y/n greets as soon as she's close enough.

Allison looks up and smiles once she sees Y/n. "Hey."

Y/n plops down next to her. "I wasn't able to give you this because you ran away with Scott, like the cute couple you are, so I'm doing it now." She held the bag up for Allison to take. "Happy late birthday." She said the last part quietly.

"Oh, Y/n! You really didn't have to." She shyly took the bag.

"I didn't have to but I wanted to. It was no biggie, really. Just open it." She excitedly coaxed.

"Okay, okay." Allison chuckled. Once she did open it she gasped and pulled out the gift. A brown wooden arrow held a small dreamcatcher, and hanging around it were strings with white feathers and some beads. "It's beautiful! Did you make this?" She looked at Y/n.

"Yeah." She nodded with a proud smile. "It's just something I like to do sometimes."

"The arrow. How did you...?"

"Scott told me you liked archery." Allison nodded in understanding as she continued to admire her gift. She lightly touched the webbing with a smile. "My mom used to tell me that dreamcatchers help you when you sleep. The bad dreams get caught in the web while the good dreams slip through the hole in the middle. She taught me how to make them when I was younger." A sad smile came to Y/n's face and Allison noticed.

She put a comforting hand on hers. "Thank you. I love it."

"It's no problem." Y/n glanced up and saw Jackson coming their way and scowled. "I hate to ditch you but I'd rather not be around him."

"Yeah, that's fine. I get it. I'll see you later?"

Y/n nodded. "Definitely. I'm glad you liked your present." They shared one more smile and a quick hug before Y/n got up to walk away, unfortunately having to walk past Jackson. She stopped in her tracks just as he passed and she glanced back at him. A faint scent of decay clung to him and she's just now noticing how awful he looks. She frowns, almost wanting to ask if he was alright. After a moment she ultimately decides to leave it, he wouldn't appreciate any concern she would have anyway.

...

Y/n is already sitting in Coach's class when Scott and Stiles come in, the last few students taking their seats as the bell rings. "Let's go. Sit, sit, sit, sit. We got a lot to cover today. Let's go. Quicker." Coach coaxes the students.

Scott sits next to Y/n and Stiles goes to sit behind her until Scott stops him. "Hey, Stiles, sit behind me, dude." Stiles scrambles to take the seat yet Allison beats him to it making him bashfully retreat, giving Scott a helpless look. Stiles settles down behind Y/n and they are forced to listen to Scott's awkward conversation.

"Hey." Allison greets Scott.

"Hey."

"I haven't seen you all day."

"Uh, yeah. I've been, uh, super busy."

"When are you gonna get your phone fixed? I feel like I'm totally disconnected from you."

"Uh, soon. Real soon."

"I changed lab partners, by the way."

"Oh. To who?"

"To you, dummy."

"Me? I mean, are you sure?"

"Yeah. This way I have an excuse to bring you home and study."

"Oh."

"You don't mind, do you?"

"I just- I don't want to bring your grade down."

"Well, I mean, maybe I can bring your grade up. Come to my place tonight. 8:30?"

"Tonight?"

"8:30."

Coach slams a book down on his desk. "Let's settle down. Let's start with a quick summary of last night's reading." A few students put their hands up. "Greenberg, put your hand down. Everybody knows you did the reading. How about, uh..." He walks around his desk. "McCall."

"What?" Scott looks up at Coach.

"The reading."

"Last night's reading?"

"How about, uh, the reading of the Gettysburg Address?"

"What?" Scott asks, confused.

"That's sarcasm. You familiar with the term 'sarcasm,' McCall?"

He nods and glances at Y/n and Stiles. "Very." Stiles smiles and Y/n smirks, the two discretely high-fiving.

"Did you do the reading or not?"

"Um... l-I think I forgot."

"Nice work, McCall. It's not like you're not averaging a D in this class. Come on, buddy. You know I can't keep you on the team if you have a D." Scott glances down and nods. "How about you summarize, uh, the previous night's reading? No?" Stiles looks at Coach's phone to check Scott's heart rate. "How about the, uh, the night before that? How about you summarize anything you've ever read... In your entire life?" Coach's voice rises along with Scott's heart rate.

Y/n grits her teeth as Coach rants. She folds her arms, her fingers digging into the flesh. If she were a wolf she would be shifting right now. Coach was normally cool but today was obviously not a good day especially with Scott failing and his position in lacrosse becoming shaky. That didn't mean what Coach was doing was right though. Unfortunately there's nothing she could do to help. She slumps down as far as she can in her seat and closes her eyes.

"I- I, uh-" Scott tries to think.

"No? A blog? How about, uh, how about, uh, the back of a cereal box? No? How about the adults only warning from your favorite website you visit every night? Anything?" When Scott can't respond, Coach continues. "Thank you, McCall, thank you." He bangs on his desk. "Thank you, McCall! Thank you for extinguishing any last flicker of hope I have for your generation. You just blew it for everybody. Thanks. Next practice you can start with suicide runs. Unless that's too much reading." The phone was doing its rapid beeps until it suddenly started going down. Stiles looked over to see Allison holding Scott's hand under the desk, the gesture calming him down. "All right. Everybody else, settle down."

Stiles get's Y/n's attention and nods his head towards the couple. She sees their hands and smiles.

...

Scott goes through a door with his friends following as they walk down the halls.

"It's her." Stiles blurts.

"What do you mean?" Scott asks.

"It's Allison." Y/n clarifies.

"Remember what you told me about the night of the full moon? You were thinking about her, right? About protecting her." Stiles questions.

"Okay." Scott nods.

"Remember the night of the first lacrosse game? You said you could hear her voice out on the field." Y/n gives another example.

"Yeah, I did."

"So that's what brought you back so you could score." Stiles explains. "And then after the game in the locker room, you didn't kill her. At least not like how you were trying to kill us." Scott looks at Stiles. "She brings you back, is what we're saying."

"No, no, no, but it's not always true, because literally every time I'm kissing her or- or touching her."

"No, that's not the same. When you're doing that, you're just another hormonal teenager thinking about sex, you know?" Scott gets a smirk on his face. "You're thinking about sex right now, aren't you?"

Scott nods a bit. "Yeah. Sorry."

Y/n rolls her eyes with a head shake and a sigh. "Boys." She mutters as Stiles continues.

"That's fine. Look, back in the classroom when she was holding your hand, that was different, okay? I don't think she makes you weak. I- I think she actually gives you control. She's kind of like an anchor."

Y/n's eyes widen with a small gasp. "An anchor! Stiles, you genius!" She grabs his arms, giving him a slight shake and an excited smile before she seemed to catch herself and let him go. "I was trying to remember that word all day." She covered up. Before anyone could question it she turned to Scott. "She's your anchor."

"You mean because I love her." Scott says.

"Exactly." Stiles agrees, rubbing at his arm from Y/n's slightly too strong grip.

Scott pauses in his walking as he realizes what he had said. "Did I just say that?"

"Yes, you just said that." Y/n smirks.

Scott smiles. "I love her."

"That's great. Now, moving on-" Stiles is cut off.

"No, no, no, really. I think I'm totally in love with her."

"And that's beautiful. Now, before you go off and write a sonnet, can we figure this out, please? Because you obviously can't be around her all the time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Scott nods. "Sorry. So what do I do?"

Stiles sighs. "I don't know. Yet." Stiles spins in a slow circle as he thinks and once he faces them again he looks like he's got something.

"You're getting an idea, aren't you?" Y/n observed.

"Yeah."

"Is the idea gonna get me in trouble?" Scott asks.

"Maybe."

"Is this idea gonna cause me physical pain?"

"Yeah, definitely. Come on."

Stiles led them to the parking lot near a truck and four tougher looking guys. "What are we doing?" Scott asked.

"You'll see, hold on." Stiles stopped them near the truck. "Okay. Stand right there. Y/n stay with me." He directs.

"Okay." She said unsure, standing next to him in front of Scott.

"Do you have your keys?" He asked Scott who pulled his keys out. "Perfect. Hold 'em up like so." He positions Scott's hand to where he's holding up a key in plain view. "Just like that. Now, whatever happens, just think about Allison. Try to find her voice like you did at the game. Got it?" Scott nods. "Okay. Just... Keep holding it right there. Y/n, come with me." She follows as told and sees him casually pull out his own keys.

"What..." She whispers shocked as he keyed the truck. He moved to the sidewalk, pulling Y/n along, and casually stood there. For good measure he put his arm over her shoulders before he really put his plan in action.

"Hey, hey, hey, dude!" He yelled towards Scott. "What do you think you're doing to that truck, bro?" He glanced at the guys who were now looking at them because of the yelling.

"Oh, no." Y/n muttered.

"What the hell?" One of the guys yelled, spotting Scott holding up the key. Scott flounders and hastily puts the key away, but the damage is already done. Scott gets decked.

"Ow! My God. Wow." Stiles winces. Scott gets back up and rushes into the guy only to get kneed in the face and making him go down again. He gets dragged back to the guys and they all start wailing on him. Stiles checks the phone as Scott's heart rate rises again. "Ah, come on, stay calm. Stay calm."

"Oh, geez." Y/n groaned. "Was this really necessary?" She glanced at Stiles.

He clicks his tongue. "Uh, yeah, totally. Oh that's not okay." He comments again.

Y/n furrows her brows as she looks at Scott. "Find Allison, Scott. Find her voice." She whispers so he could hear her. He seems to listen as a moment later he starts to calm when Mr. Harris suddenly arrives to stop the beating.

"Stop! Hey, stop it right now." The guys run as Mr. Harris comes closer. "What do you idiots think you're doing?" He looks down at Scott. Scott props himself up and Stiles holds the phone up for him to see, a grin on his face as it shows a calm heart rate.

The trio now sit in Mr. Harris's classroom having got detention for the stunt outside. Y/n sits at the table in front of Scott and Stiles. She boredly has her elbow propped on the table with her chin on her hand. She's pretty sure she's supposed to be doing some type of homework while she waits to be released, but she just can't help not really listening to Mr. Harris sometimes, this being one of those times. There's just something about the teacher that really gets on her nerves. Probably because he's an asshat.

"Excuse me, sir?" Scott calls Mr. Harris politely and he looks up. "Uh, I know it's detention and all, but, uh, we're supposed to be at work," he gestures to himself and Y/n, "and I don't want to get fired." Mr. Harris just gives him a small smile and looks back down at his papers. Scott sighs then looks at Stiles. "You knew I would heal."

"Yep." Stiles nods.

"So you did that to help me learn?"

"Yep."

"But partially to punish me."

"Yeah. Well, that one's obvious."

"Dude, you're one of my best friends, and I can't have you being angry with me."

"I'm not angry anymore." He's quiet for a moment. "Look, you have something, Scott. Okay? Whether you want it or not, you can do things that nobody else can do. So that means you don't have a choice anymore. It means you have to do something."

They look at each other. "I know. And I will."

"All right, all three of you, out of here." Harris suddenly announced.

They all perk up. "Thank you."

"Wait." Y/n narrows her eyes. "Really? They fix their friendship and exactly now is when you decide to let us go?"

"You can always stay a few more hours if you so desperately want to, Ms. L/n."

Y/n holds up her hands in mock surrender. "No, thank you." She gathered her stuff and left with her friends.

...

Alan works in the back room of the clinic when he hears the front door. Thinking it's Y/n and Scott he starts talking to them. "Scott, I kind of expect something like this from Y/n, but you're late again. I hope this isn't getting to be a habit." He looks towards the door but instead of the teens he sees Derek Hale. "Can I help you?"

"Hope so." Derek responds. "I want to know about the animal you found with the spiral on its side?"

"Excuse me? What animal?"

"Three months ago. The deer. You remember this?" He unfolds a paper he had found on his car and shows it to the vet. It's a picture of a deer with a spiral carved into its side, exactly like he had just said.

"Oh, yes." He nods. "It's just a deer. And I didn't find it. They called me because they wanted to know if I'd ever seen anything like it."

"What'd you tell 'em?"

"I told them no."

Derek is quiet as he puts the paper away and takes a few steps closer. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Alan takes a few steps back and puts the metal table between them.

"The sound of your heartbeat rising." They now stand across from each other, the only thing separating them is the table.

"Excuse me?"

"It's the sound of you lying." The table does nothing to help as Derek reaches over and pulls Alan over.

Alan blinks his eyes open and finds himself in a chair. A cut is on his cheek and his hands are bound behind him. "Oh, God." He pulls on the tape around his wrists and looks around.

"Are you protecting someone?" Derek asks and Alan looks over his shoulder at him.

"All right. The key to the drug locker is in my pocket."

"I don't want drugs. I want to know why you're lying." He gets up close behind Alan to intimidate him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Derek spins him around in the chair and lifts him and the chair up in the air. "What are you doing to me? What do you want?"

"I want to know who you are or who you're protecting."

"What the hell are you doing?!" Y/n yells, her and Scott having finally arrived.

Alan looks over at them. "Y/n, Scott, get out of here!" Derek sets him down and then decks him, knocking him out.

"Stop! Stop!" Scott yells as they rush over.

Y/n kneels in front of Alan, lightly touching his cheek under the cut, then she glares at Derek. "What is wrong with you?"

"Look, when he's conscious, he can stop himself from healing, but unconscious, he can't." Derek explains to them.

"Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about?" Scott asks.

"You want to know what the spiral means, Scott? It's our sign for a vendetta, for revenge. It means he won't stop killing until he's satisfied."

"You think he's the Alpha?" Y/n asks bewildered. "He's not. I mean, I would know if I was living with a damn werewolf for several freaking years."

"We're about to find out." He goes to swipe at Alan with his claws but Scott stops him, now fully shifted. He growls at Derek and shoves his arm away.

Scott looks at his hand and breathes, calming down and shifting back while glaring at Derek. "Hit him again, and then you'll see me get angry."

"If he hits him again he won't see tomorrow's sunrise." Y/n threatens. Derek calms down and she gets a cotton ball to clean the cut on Alan's cheek. She gently dabs at the spot and frowns at her unconscious guardian.

"Do you have a plan?" Derek asks Scott.

"Just give me an hour."

"Then what?"

"Meet us at the school. In the parking lot." Derek doesn't say anything and just walks away. Y/n huffs angrily and throws the cotton ball away.

...

Stiles pulls into the dark parking lot of the highschool, a fuming Y/n in the backseat. They all get out and stand at the back of the Jeep. "This is a terrible idea." Stiles says.

"Yeah, I know." Scott agrees.

"But we're still gonna do it?"

"Can you think of something better?"

"Well, personally I'm a fan of ignoring a problem until eventually it just goes away."

"Just make sure we can get inside." Stiles opens the back of the Jeep to get the bolt cutters.

"I can always just shove wolfsbane down Derek's throat and we wouldn't have to do anything at all." Y/n suggests.

"No." Scott shoots her down and she rolls her eyes just as Derek pulls up. "He's here."

"Where is he?" Y/n asks as soon as Derek gets out of his car.

"He's in the back." Y/n looks through the windows and spots Alan still knocked out in Derek's backseat with tape over his mouth.

"Oh, well, he looks comfortable." Stiles says.

"If there is even one more scratch on him-" Y/n points a finger at Derek.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. No more sunrise." Derek rolls his eyes. Scott pulls Y/n away from Derek and Stiles follows as they head for the school. "Wait. Hey. What are you doing?"

"You said I was linked with the Alpha, I'm gonna see if you're right." Scott leads the way as they make their way into the school and towards the office.

"Okay, one question. What are you gonna do if the Alpha doesn't show up?" Stiles asks as he sets up the PA system.

"I don't know." Scott admits.

"And what are you gonna do if he does show up?"

"I don't know."

"Good plan." Stiles nods.

"All right. You said that a wolf howls to signal his position to the rest of the pack, right?" Scott looks at Y/n. She nods.

"But if you bring him here, does that make you part of his pack?" Stiles asks.

"I hope not."

"I doubt it will." Y/n says.

"I hope not, too." Stiles finishes setting up and nods to Scott. "All right. All you." He sits the microphone in front of Scott. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath, presses the button and... Howls?

"Was that okay?" Scott asks once he's done making ears bleed. "I mean, that was a howl, right?"

"l- yeah, technically." Stiles tries.

"It was awful." Y/n shakes her head.

"Well, what did it sound like to you?" Scott asks.

"Like a cat being choked to death, Scott."

"It sounded like a million nails scratching against a mile long black board." Y/n grimaces.

"What do I do? How am I supposed to do this?"

"Hey, hey." Stiles goes around to stand behind Scott and grip his shoulders encouragingly. "Listen to me. You're calling the Alpha. All right? Be a man. Be a werewolf, not a teen wolf. Be a werewolf." Scott nods and Stiles backs up. Scott takes a deep breath, a determined look on his face. His eyes glow, he presses the button and HOWLS.

"I'm gonna kill all three of you." Derek threatens the teens when they get back outside. "What the hell was that? What are you trying to do, attract the entire state to the school?"

"Sorry. I didn't know it would be that loud." Scott apologized.

"Yeah, it was loud. And it was awesome." Stiles said the last word in a sing-song voice. Y/n snorted a laugh at him.

"Shut up."

"Don't be such a sour wolf."

Y/n smiles at the joke and her eyes wander over to Derek's car. The smile fades when she notices the lack of a man in the backseat. "Where's Alan?"

"What?" Derek looks back and finds that Alan is indeed missing, the door left open. "I didn't do anything." He looks back at her. A sudden growl rips through the air and Derek coughs up blood. He gets lifted in the air by the Alpha with his claws in Derek's back.

"Shit! Go, go, go!" Y/n shoves the boys into gear and they sprint to the school. They burst through the doors and quickly close them, hiding under the windows.

Ch.07

[buckybarnesss]

I get not liking Allison. She did some shitty things, truly. But the way people hate her but then champion around Theo is truly wild.

Allison did bad things. She is susceptible to manipulation (something she shares with Derek, which is incredibly common in abuse survivors!!). But she never really gets gleeful about killing and torture the way Kate, Theo, Peter, and Deucalion get.

Theo, Duecalion and Peter are all outright villains. They are also victims. They have their origin stories.

Kate is also a victim of Gerard's abuse and manipulations but she is very much a villain. She revels in her violence, manipulative games and her abuse of others. It makes her feel powerful and in control which she likely never did with Gerard.

Jennifer is also a victim and one can definitely understand why she becomes consumed with revenge against the alpha pack but she is still a villain.

One can be sympathetic and empathize with these characters while still recognizing their villainy.

Even Jackson receives a lot of sympathy in the narrative and nothing Jackson does is on par with the main villains. He's a petty, insecure high school jock and bullies Stiles and Scott repeatedly. It's also heavily implied his family ignored the abuse Isaac was suffering just across the street. Point is, he was used against his will to murder people and the narrative makes it clear he is horrified at that. Despite being an asshole he willingly allows Derek (and Peter) to kill him than continue to be a puppet.

Fandom has written essays upon essays about why a particular character is justified actually but the amount of times I've seen very little grace and empathy given to Allison could fill a sock full of quarters for which I could beat sense into them with.

Allison suffered abuse from her family. Her interests were devalued and she felt the need to hide them (her artwork and photography). These things were clearly devalued over her archery and gymnastics by Chris and Victoria because unbeknownst to Allison she was being trained to eventually become a hunter.

She has been lied to her entire life about her family's true nature and all through season 1 her parents gaslight her.

Her father terrorizes and tries to kill her boyfriend solely because he's a werewolf. Scott did nothing wrong besides fall in love with her. Her father threatened Jackson and Stiles. Has threatened Derek. Threatened Lydia because she didn't turn when bit.

Chris had her fucking kidnapped as part of her "training". Allison was legitimately terrified.

Her mother commits suicide because the Code says so. Her mother rather die and leave Allison motherless at 17 than be a werewolf. By and large we see very little evidence werewolves cannot have normal and fulfilling lives. In fact the biggest threats to them are people like the Argents.

Kate wants to groom Allison into being like her. Her introduction to the supernatural is Kate torturing Derek. Allison had met Derek. He'd been nice to her. Kate tries to coerce Allison in joining into her depravity.

Allison learns that Kate killed an entire family. Not just the adults but children too. They burned alive. Kate was like a sister to her and her closest family member that she was excited to see and trusted. The betrayal of that. And than Kate is killed in front of her.

Despite good intentions Scott keeps the truth about her mother from her until after she's already falling victim to Gerard's manipulations and lies.

Allison's entire season 3 arc is knowing she fucked up. Her actions dominoes into Erica's death. It's no accident she discovers Erica's body and is there to see Derek's grief. She feels enormously guilty about it and spends all of s3 trying to atone. She's haunted repeatedly by her mother and Kate.

Allison was 17 years old and in the end she died trying to save her friends. She wasn't a bad person. She made bad choices based on lies, manipulations and not being told the full truth.

But there's a large segment of fandom that just writes her off and in the same breath defends Peter, Theo and Duecalion. Allison is a lot like Derek and Derek is one of the most popular characters but in the same turn Allison and Derek receive a lot of the same kind of criticism.

They aren't perfect abuse victims and make questionable decisions sometimes which makes people upsetti-spaghetti.

I think that dismissing Allison as some stupid little girl -- which is what so many of these arguments boil down to -- just devalues her character arc, what she meant to the other characters and the place she has in the story.

She's so much more than Scott's Lost Lenore or Chris's dead daughter. Allison Argent fought so hard to have agency in her own life.

[aethersea]

Trick or treat! 🩶👻💀

so if I were going to rewrite Teen Wolf (which I'm not, because tragically I have neither the time nor the energy), I’d start about halfway through season 2. Peter and Kate have both died, and the cycle of vengeance and cruelty has, in theory, died with them – but Gerard Argent has come to town, Derek is turning teenagers into werewolves, and everyone’s got, just, so much ptsd. Nothing has really been laid to rest. A man is not dead while his ghost still haunts your nightmares.

Also there’s a giant lizard running around killing people – hi, Jackson! – and Lydia’s hearing voices and, eventually, seeing things. In my rewrite that will not culminate in Peter Hale coming back to life, because fuck him, but she is going to be a banshee and it is going to suck for a while. Probably she finds a lot of dead bodies. But my rewrite will also actually feature the found family trope, because I have taste, so eventually someone will give her a hand with learning to control those powers at least a little bit. Maybe we can strong-arm Dr. Deaton into voicing a useful sentence from time to time. Maybe she can even join the pack a little bit, what a concept.

Which brings us to Derek! Personally I deeply enjoy him trying his damndest to be a good alpha and failing miserably, because he doesn’t have the temperament for it and he’s too full up on grief and trauma to make up for that, and having a lot of complicated awful emotions knotted around that because as the last living Hale, he’s the only one left to carry on his family’s legacy, and he’s failing at it. He’s failing terribly. He’s failing his sister, his parents, everyone who ever mattered to him, and he’s trying so hard but it’s just not enough, he’s not enough. Isn’t that awful? This poor guy.

Scott, however, is a natural leader. He’s not very good at it on account of how he’s 16 and doesn’t have any practice, but he does have the temperament, once he grows up a little, and he has the bullheaded optimism and stubborn insistence on caring for people that will allow him to slowly but surely become the steady rock on which all the rest of these traumatized teenagers can brace themselves. 

So Derek gets to watch as Scott, who’s not even an alpha, builds a makeshift pack of humans – Stiles, Allison, Lydia a little bit, Jackson in a complicated way – and starts to pull Derek’s actual betas out from underneath him just by virtue of being someone they can turn to when they’re scared. Derek wants to be that for them, and he can be someone who’ll destroy their enemies and teach them to defend themselves against violence, but he can’t comfort people. He can’t give them warmth. He can’t give them self-confidence, he can’t give them a place to belong, no matter how much he wishes he could. He’s doing his best, and it’s not enough, but if Scott would just accept him as alpha then maybe Scott could be his second-in-command and this wouldn’t really be Derek failing—

And then Scott manifests his ~true alpha~ powers. And Derek realizes that, sooner or later, he’s going to lose everything. He’ll fight – god, he’ll fight to the last, this is all he has left of his family – but the only way he could really win would be to kill Scott or run him out of town, and that…that would be an even worse betrayal of his family’s legacy. Scott hasn’t actually done anything wrong. Scott has saved the lives of Derek’s pack more often than Derek himself has been able to, at this point. He can’t honor his family’s memory by becoming someone who would kill a teenager for power.

Maybe, he thinks, this will all culminate in a big throwdown fight, and maybe their alpha instincts will get the best of them both and it’ll be to the death. Maybe then he’ll die, here on his family’s land, as he should have died years ago. Maybe that’s the closest he’s ever going to get to peace.

[gremlinbabe]

Things I personally felt I was Robbed of in teen wolf: Hale family edition

Who Eli’s other birth parent was

Eli’s first words (I like to think it’s jeep, no, or mine)

Derek getting a house

WOLF FORM DEREK

Coyote form Malia

Possibly wolf form Cora would’ve been interesting

Derek reading every parenting book EVER

Derek asking the sheriff grandpa and Melissa for help with his possibly at the time human baby

Peter, Cora, and Malia getting into a full blown fist flight over who gets to hold Eli first (it’s stiles, then the sheriff, then Melissa, then Lydia, deaton, then Cora)

When Eli first steals the jeep

Erica and Boyd being amazing god parents

Big brother moments for issac

Derek finding the jeep and confronting Scott & Lydia

Gruncle - Stockbroker!peter and art gallery owner!peter (I feel like he’d be good with money but needs the galleries for when he’s trying to lie low in the broker side of things)

Cool aunt - Brazilian ufc fighter! Cora ( love a way for her to Chanel her anger over the years but she’s also amazing at it)

More Mechanic!Derek

Vodka aunt - Pilot!malia

Signature glare/RBF for all the hales & honorary hales (issac, stiles, sheriff)

Issac and Derek making up after he gets back from France and issac ask to be apart of Derek’s pack again

Isaac finding out Derek has a kid ( maybe when Eli is 6-10ish) and we see so much of his happy and hurt and feels

Grandpa sheriff taking Derek & Eli to lunch

Derek making the sheriff grandpa lunch as thanks for help with his kid

Peter and the sheriff going to lunch to gossip like old ladies about beacon hills

Dilf! Derek getting every casserole made to man kind when all the women in his neighborhood find out he’s single w a kid in a new house

Malia taking Eli and Derek on their first plane trip (to my to see stiles)

Cora getting Eli his first super Spanish gold name bracelet

Peter begging to babysit

Eli spoiled rotten by everyone

Peter joining the pta just to watch Eli & flirt with milfs & dilfs

Issac hosting community bbqs & block parties

More family moments involving cora

Peter and Malia go to therapy and acknowledge each other and occasionally get lunch

Cora and kira start dating when she out the dessert and fully can control her powers

Sunday dinners with Derek, Eli, issac, issac’s French husband, stiles, sheriff, Cora, Peter, Malia, & kira

Malia gets 2 partners and travels with them regularly

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Pair of Foxes 🦊 | Kira Yukimura Headcanon

Teen Wolf masterlist

Requested 📨 yes/no (rules for requests)

Being a fox shapeshifter (were-fox) and Kira’s best friend would look like:

I guess you can say foxes are drawn to each other because when Kira first moved to Beacon Hills you immediately befriended her—literally walking straight up to her in the library with a beaming grin. “Hi! You’re Kira right? I’m Y/n, mind if I join you?” Not even waiting for her to say yes you dropped your things and began pulling out homework for you history class. She was a little taken aback but polite nonetheless, “U-uh sure. I don’t mind.”

You’d known Scott and Stiles since middle school but hadn’t become friends with them until the whole Alpha fiasco when Peter bit you in hopes of making you a member of his pack. However, the little trickster you naturally are, ended up shifting into a fox instead of wolf—eyes glowing more orange instead of yellow and canines smaller than Scott’s. When Peter discovered this—shortly before his untimely death—he bestowed you with the nickname ‘Little Vixen’. Eventually you managed to fully evolve into a fox like Malia could as a coyote.

When it was revealed Kira was a Kitsune, a Japanese Fox spirit, you couldn’t help but go, “Look at us, Ki, we’re a pair of foxes! Ain’t that neat!” Of course her fox was different from your fox—for example she brought forth her spirit when wielding her sword and you could shift into yours as you came and went. Even when Kira’s fox spirit was thrown out of balance due to the Dread Doctor’s, it was like the Kitsune recognized the fox within you and held some sort of respect.

Basically the Fox didn’t attempt to kill you like it did everyone else. “Maybe it thought we were relatives or something.” “Well whatever it thought from now on you are gonna have to step in whenever I lose control.” “You’re my best friend, of course I’m gonna help you.” From that moment on you and Kira became each other’s anchors. She was there to calm you down on a full moon and you were there to put the Fox in her at ease.

“We’re like platonic soulmates, Ki.” “Platonic soulmates who are a pair of foxes. The best combo if I’ve ever heard.”

Kira always had a pack of extra clothes that fit you in her bag. Shifting into your fox form or fighting to the point your outfits are tarnished enough times had your best friend come prepared to everything.

There are days where Kira will catch you and Malia in your fox & coyote forms chasing each other on the lacrosse field or play fighting. This will have Kira running after y’all because bystanders are calling animal control, “Get back here you two!”

Another time you were stuck in your fox form and unable to shift resulting in you having to stay at Kira’s house until the pack could come up with something to fix you. This also meant Kira had to come up with something to tell your family when you were a no show at home for nearly three days, “the drama club had a competition in Los Angeles—Y/n got the lead role in their production of ‘Wicked’ so she’s there right now.”

In return you always covered for her when she’d be with Scott. “I’ll be your scapegoat, Ki. Just tell them you’re going camping with my family this weekend. They’ll never know.” “You really underestimate how good my mom is at finding things out.” Sure enough, they got the truth pretty quick when Noshiko spotted your parents out to dinner the night ya’ll were ‘camping.’

You two will have girls nights with Malia and Lydia whenever y’all are in need of a break from the world. During the three month period between the shit with the beast and the Wild Hunt you four spent every penny you owned going to concerts, festivals, comic cons, and weekend trips to L.A or San Fran. As you can expect, the boys would get jealous.

When Kira decided to go with the skinwalkers you were devastated to say the least. It felt like a piece of you was missing with the absence of your best friend. But Kira made a promise to check in every once in a while and you’d be the first to know when she was coming back.

After all, there was nothing that could stop the pair of foxes when Beacon Hills was in need of saving.

[tw-episodereactions]

Teen Wolf 1x01

Starting with cops. Not auspicious. ACAB.

Pretty house.

Obligatory shirtless dude.

Gross, dude, clean your sink.

He got dressed really fast. Multiple layers and shoes and everything.

Cop’s kid is a douche. People who come to my house when it’s not an emergency just because I didn’t answer my phone can get fucked, number one. Number two, he’s so fucking perky about it being half a body. Like, she’s not even a person to him. Which, I guess tracks since he’s a cop’s kid.

Wow, cop’s kid is like a super douche. He’s put the other kid down like three times in less than a minute. Why is red hoodie kid (real subtle with the imagery on that one) even friends with this guy? More importantly, why is he going along with all of this? Teenage boys are weird.

Lol, red hoodie guy asking the pertinent questions while douchebag’s like, huh, didn’t think of that. Why am I getting the impression that red hoodie guy is the brains behind this whole thing?

Oh, man, okay, severe asthmatic trying out for lacrosse does seem to be a pie in the sky dream, but cop’s kid was still a dick about it.

Also, as someone with both a severe asthmatic friend in high school, and someone who hangs around a lot with physically disabled people as an adult, cop’s kid is still being a dick. Fucker didn’t even slow down when his friend started wheezing, the absolute shitstain. Like, dude, that shit’s deadly.

Fucking hell, and then he starts running?! Oh boy, this kid is selfish with a severe lack of impulse control. I may actually hate him. Some of the worst kind of people to be around, tbh.

Red hoodie kid is the enabler who’s about to kill himself from an asthma attack. Not smart, red hoodie kid. You are better off without him.

Oof, second not smart move by Scott. Clearly the Sheriff has no control over his kid the punishment is going to amount to a lecture and do absolutely nothing to change his kid’s behavior (typical). Scott would have been better off getting a lecture and escort back to the car.

Now he’s soaking wet in the woods, where he doesn’t want to be, fresh off of an asthma attack, with no guarantee that cop’s kid will even wait for him the selfish fuck.

And now he’s lost his inhaler. Oh boy. 

And now he’s found a body. This just keeps going from bad to worse. Man, I really feel for him, as I too was the kid who got dragged into things and often had harsher consequences than the people who dragged me into them.

Shit, did he lose his phone too?

And there would be the wolf. And the bite. And red hoodie guy is the teen wolf, lol.

Okay, so Scott bikes to school. Which means his asthma might be more managed than I thought. Probably the attack the night before was due to the cold and the fear.

And we have another douchebag. Oh goodie.

Okay, but, like, nothing about cop’s kid trying to go back and find him? Nothing like an apology? Just, like, implying he’s either lying or stupid about the wolf and then getting weirdly excited about the dead body again?

THIS KID IS TERRIBLE SCOTT, WHY DO YOU HANG OUT WITH HIM?

As an aside, that’s a pretty comprehensive bandage. Like, do most parents stock large gauze pads and medical tape? I mean, my mom did, but she’s a nurse. I know for certain my dad didn’t.

So, like, quick question: is cop’s kid just borderline gross about all women?

Because on its own, his sort of but not quite catcall of Lydia is mostly fine. But…uh, they fucking linked Lydia to the dead woman’s body through the dialogue and the kid got super giddy about half the body and now all I can think of is that cop’s kid is into necrophilia and is imagining Lydia in the place of the random women. Like, wtf is going on here? Why are we characterizing this kid like this? Is he going to be a future villain because he’s giving me all sorts of bad vibes.

Did kids still pass physical notes in the 2010s? I feel like it all would have been texting by then. 

Lol. Kafka Metamorphosis. Oh boy.

So, Scott is going to see himself as monstrous and is going to struggle with his change and his humanity. Understandable.

But, like, Metamorphosis can easily be used as an allegory for the breadwinner of the family going through a catastrophic illness - either mental or physical - and becoming a burden to their family and eventually being cast aside.

It can also easily be read as someone who is treated as monstrous begins to believe that they are monstrous and thus becomes a monster.

I wonder if the show is actually going to explore either of these themes or was this just used as MTV shorthand.

Allison is very pretty and very tall. Also, new girl feels. I moved twelve times by the times I was twelve and hated it.

Scott, bro, you are not smooth. But you are cute, so you’re forgiven.

“Beautiful people herd together,” says cop’s kid to a gorgeous girl implying that she is not gorgeous. Why is he like this?

Douchebag Captain is still a douche. And Lydia’s 100% Cordelia Chase. Like, that conversation was so close to the initial conversation between Buffy and Cordelia it’s ridiculous.

Cop’s kid still being selfish, I see.

Also, interesting that Scott said he’s tired of sitting on the sidelines when it’s only two scenes after the Kafka thing. Because Gregor’s whole deal was being passive: things kept happening to him instead of him making things happen. If Scott is being the opposite of Gregor here, I wonder if instead of the being treated as a burden and cast aside this is going to go more with the original Teen Wolf story and he’s going to be the town hero somehow? Though with probably more of a Buffy vibe.

I know they’re showing that he can’t control it with him listening in on all of these conversations, but, like, I’m just imagining the first sense being smell and it’s hilarious.

The music choice is killing me right now.

Also, is lacrosse like hockey in that the ball needs to go across the goal line to count? Because, like, he took it in the face but it didn’t look like it crossed the line. Hockey goalies get hit in the face all the time and it’s totally normal.

Okay, cop’s kid got points back for cheering for Scott, but then immediately lost them because he instantly tried to ride his coattails. Ugh. This kid is terrible.

Captain douchecanoe doesn’t look at his Coach, just looks straight to his girlfriend. Like, bro, is her dick-game that good?

Ha! There is a smell thing. You’d think that would have kicked in when he was in the locker room.

Once again cop’s kid is being a dick.

If that is the right spot, I’m seriously impressed with Scott being able to find it again. There was a lot of fumbling and turning around in the dark and then falling down and getting chased. Like, I got lost because a house got painted once so the whole intersection looked different.

Lol, the music cue there is hilarious.

What a weird freakin dude. All aggressive and shit but then tosses over the inhaler. Mixed signals much?

“Only like a few years older” Uh, that man is clearly in his twenties. How old are these kids supposed to be? Are they seniors? I was thinking younger.

Of course cop’s kid recognizes random guy on sight from a violent crime from ten years ago. Yikes.

Okay, vet clinic letting a teenager close is a little weird. Maybe the vet’s on an emergency call? Also, maybe this is where Scott got his bandages the first time around.

Uh, like, is this the first time that day that Scott went back there? Why are the cats freaking out now?

I wonder how Allison got the dog in the car in the first place if it’s so aggressive.

Oooh, we have eye change.

Splint and painkiller seems reasonable, but, uh, usually they have an on call vet, and I feel like that might be an option.

Lol. The dog is judging you hard.

Aww, Scott making her feel better for her reaction. That’s sweet. It’s also interesting that he did it by feminizing himself instead of trying to convince her that her response was totally normal or that there was nothing wrong with being a girly girl. Not the usual take for a teenage boy.

“I hear this breed is very litigious.” That’s right, Scott says, I’m throwing out them big words because I got brains and brawn and compassion, pretty lady.

Oh my god, eyelash on the cheek too! How many tropes can we fit in this scene?

Scott is not your passive protagonist! Boy is shooting his shot!

BUT THE FULL MOON IS ON FRIDAY. Just in case you, like, missed it.

I dig the practical effect there.

No, but these music cues are still killing me. Also, how much was Scott shirtless in this episode? Like a good 50%, right?

The CGI wolf is bad.

I didn’t know lycanthropy came with sleepwalking. Well that’s terrifying.

Also, like, it’s interesting that the change is coming on slowly. It wasn’t immediate that night nor is it only going to happen during the full moon. It’s a bunch of little things and some are harder to deal with than others.

Honestly, that makes lycanthropy feel much more like an illness. A chronic illness that has weird symptoms and no one believes you? That sounds exactly like women and/or people of color trying to navigate healthcare.

“My mom does all the grocery shopping.” Oh. My. God. Baby boy, that was hilarious. He looked truly baffled, which does fit his character, but also his bff is a cop’s kid so like, I feel like he knows some drug lingo.

Scott flailing around trying to tell people the truth and nobody believes him.

Oh, yeah, clearly that boundaries lecture worked on cop’s kid.

Cop’s kid has ADHD, huh? That explains the impulsiveness without thinking things through, I guess. Doesn’t explain why he’s a dick though.

Like, here’s the thing. Cop’s kid isn’t wrong that people just can’t do that kind of thing overnight (and obviously isn’t wrong in this story). But, like, Scott’s been telling multiple people things like this for three days and literally everyone’s blown his concerns off. And now you’re coming to him with oh actually there is a wolf in California so now it must be werewolves and you expect him to believe you? Make it make sense.

Is this the first time we’ve heard cop kid’s name?

It’s funny that Stiles is like, this is totally true and factual information about werewolves that I looked up in this random book in my town’s library. Like, buddy. What? How would you know if any of it is actually true?

Stiles “the change can be caused by anger or anything that raises your plus.” Lol. The first physical werewolf change that we saw was Scott trying to calm a hurt dog down to help her. I mean, obviously it was the hearing thing first, but the show has made it seem like the hearing and smelling thing is an all the time deal whereas the eye color seemed like something different.

The almost punch was scary because it came out of nowhere. Scott has really been pretty even keeled this whole time. Also Scott apologized twice for the shove and the almost hit even though Stiles never did apologize for abandoning him in the woods. Still a dick.

Shirtless again.

All of these kids live in really nice houses. Which, like, is weird. Like, are we rural? Are we affluent suburb? What is the deal here?

Okay, creepy Derek who is clearly also a werewolf. Are you the biter in this scenario or just part of the pack?

Okay, what the fuck is Lydia’s deal? Like, do you just have no loyalty whatsoever? Every man and woman for themselves?

Was Stiles actually at the party totally chill or was that a hallucination of Scott’s? I can’t imagine the guy flailing earlier about werewolves and almost being punched just casually asking, “Yo, Scott, you good?”

Creepy Derek being creepier. Allison, girl, you better run.

Oh man, I feel so bad for Scott. This looks painful and terrifying.

Okay, Stiles gets points back again for going to check on Scott. But that does mean it was him at the party and not a hallucination, and that interaction still strikes me as weird.

Scott’s first thought being to have Stiles check on Allison even though he’s going through this painful, terrifying experience makes me feel things. 

Protection mode activated.

“She’s safe from you.”

Uh…bud? At the first sign of something wrong he left her and the only reason he’s out here is because you lured him with her jacket? Needlessly convoluted way of ‘helping’ does not instill confidence.

And then he attacks Scott. Great. A replay of the first night.

What. The. Fuck.

Did you luring him out there into a trap, asshole?

Ahh, lure him into a trap so that you can ‘save’ him. So you’re not just an asshole, but a manipulative asshole.

Is it really so bad, Scott? To be attacked and changed without your consent? To have no one ever believe you? To have people hunting you? To know that you can never be just a kid again?

The bite is a gift? A gift? Oh. Wow. Derek Hale, creepy stalker likes forcing things on people without their consent and then tells them that they should be grateful for it. Absolutely terrible garbage fire of a person (derogatory).

Okay, nope, I seriously hate this guy. Kick him in the balls, Scott.

Oh, hey, Stiles actually came back for Scott this time. Fine. That scene was kind of cute. And Stiles is clearly loyal. I guess he can stay, but he’s on thin ice.

Ugh, Scott who doesn’t want to lie, but won’t tell the truth is strangely endearing. Allison, I get you, girl.

Lol. Allison’s dad is the hunter, of course. 

So like, let’s think this through. Allison said her family moved around a lot, clearly tracking werewolf activity. So why Beacon Hills? The severed body being found and the wolf attack on Scott was literally the night before Allison showed up. So like, it had to be something else that pulled them there. I wonder what it was.

[mariusperkins]

Hello, so I have 0 understanding of the Gilded Age apart from your blog and sometimes things that show up on TikTok. The things I have seen on there make Mrs Russell seem abhorrent (there’s a bit where the daughter is crying to her dad because her mom banished a suitor?) and another where the mom fires a governess for letting her adult daughter go out and about. Are we meant to be rooting for the mom or the daughter, or both, and is the mom really a bad person?

Hello! Sorry this reply is about to get long -

I think there are a lot of reasons that people enjoy the gilded age as a show, whether you're a fan of period costumes, christine baranski, or just love to listen to nathan lane's little colonel sanders accent, but I would say that if you don't enjoy the russells or at least find them entertaining, then you would not enjoy the show - not that there's not stuff going on outside of them, but bertha russell especially is such a huge force the I think if you couldn't at least find her entertaining to watch then they show would be unbearable. It would be comparable to watching breaking bad but hating/not enjoying walter white - you could watch the show, and there would be other stuff for you, but you probably wouldn't enjoy the show as much who someone who tuned in to see whatever messed up, horrible thing walter white was scheming about that week.

I kind of loved bertha right from the start because I am a simple creature and so when the switch is flipped on for 'I like this character' I tend to kind of be ride or die for them and on their side no matter what they're doing, and this kind of tends to be especially true for me with "abhorrent" female characters (see also: every bitchy teen girl in a slasher movie that you're Supposed To Hate, clementine kesh, mary lou from hello mary lou: prom night 2, scarlett o'hara, (arguably) season 1 of teen wolf lydia martin, (extremely arguably) late seasons skylar white, to name just a few), characters I absolutely would not want to ever meet in real life but love to see what plan they're attempting to pull off in fiction or what terrible thing they're going to say next. So, obviously, since this is coming straight from the Bertha Russell Defense Squad, you should take all of this with a huge grain of salt.

With bertha it's like... it's the 1880s. She's working within a very strict set of rules - she can chose not to follow them, and we see plenty of characters that don't, but if she wants to get to the top of the very specific social structure as set out by the gilded age's version of mrs astor's new york, then she has to work with what's there.

At that time, most young women of their social class would have been expected to not leave the house unless they were accompanied by someone (even marian, a character who is a few years older and is socially "out", brings peggy with her if she wants to go somewhere), especially if they were not "out" to society yet, which gladys (bertha's daughter) was not when her governess gets fired. I believe gladys in s1 is supposed to be 17 or 18 - really on the line of it being appropriate for her to still have a governess (instead of a lady's maid who would accompany her on shopping trips/walks/etc) - and you definitely get the idea that bertha has been holding off gladys' coming out for longer than would be considered "normal" due to a combination of over-protectiveness/being controlling and waiting to hold such an event on a grand scale as a social power play. I think the show itself is kind of in two minds about whether bertha as "right" to hold back, she's obviously waiting until she can time it right to swing things in her favour socially regardless of what gladys actually wants, but bertha is right in that unless certain social things were in place she couldn't have "filled the ballroom" - if you moved into a new suburb, you'd probably hold off on your child's party until you were sure the other parents would let their kids come over for it.

But back to your question - the governess situation is maybe the simpler one and the one where I'm more like, I don't know that bertha is doing anything here that is so out of the ordinary for an 1880s socialite - certainly the only time we ever hear agnes van reijn, the russell's old money neighbour, say anything nice about bertha is when they see that gladys is accompanied out of the house with her governess. The governess that's supposed to be watching over her teenage daughter has been helping said teen daughter secretly meet with a man at a hotel (which gladys arranged specifically to meet with him away from her parents - now, obviously that is only happening because bertha is so controlling, but, still, that's kind of exactly the sort of behaviour you have a governess to stop, or at least warn you about). Bertha is cold about it, and it's absolutely coming from a horrible, controlling place, but it's exactly what would have been expected of her in that situation.

As for archie baldwin, the suitor bertha had banished, that's a little more of a grey area (although, again, it's not totally out of line with what real 1800s socialites were doing). Archie seems nice enough and essentially perfect on paper (old money family, stable career, likes gladys), but bertha of course wants more than just 'good on paper', she wants something she can rub in people's faces. From our more modern perspective gladys is also very young (she wasn't even "out" at that stage), although from what george says and from the ages of george and bertha and their children, we can assume george and bertha weren't all that much older than gladys when they got married.

BUT, and it is a very big but, when george and bertha got married they weren't high society and so could marry for love and not strategy. Frankly, that george goes along with the plan to send archie away (and even does quite a bit of orchestrating the "banishment" himself) is enough to convince me that he didn't think much of the young man or gladys' feelings towards him despite having a more emotionally close relationship with his daughter (although, maybe george's thoughts were along the line of 'bertha gets one free veto before she has to make a real argument against one of gladys' suitors').

Who's "side" should we be on then? I mean, that's up to you, whether you watch the show or not. The russell family is absolutely going to contain more than a few social and internal explosions in s3 with the set ups we're given at the end of s2. Personally I hope, as I always do when I watch the show, that bertha gets everything she wants.

[raaorqtpbpdy]

Phantom Boy (4)

When the Doctors Fenton lose their son in a lab accident involving a ghost portal, the distraught parents will do anything to get him back. Even if it means breaking the immutable laws of life and death. But that thing? That’s not their boy.

First Chapter | Previous Chapter

Chapter 4: Entry of the Gladiators (Read it on AO3)

[Warnings for mind control minor violence]

Slowly, the ghosts started to come out of their hiding places. They collected their things and went back to their hobbies and projects and games. Normally, everyone left Ember's concerts with smiling faces, gushing about her new songs and still high on the excitement and exhilaration of the music she played. But now, they were somber, mournful.

"What are you all doing?" Phantom demanded. "We have to go get her back!"

"There's nothing we can do, child," Technus told him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder which Phantom shoved off with a scowl. "We could follow the train into the human world, but there's no way to break the enthrallment. We would only end up being controlled ourselves."

"Well, we can't just stand around and do nothing!"

"Weren't you listening, Whelp?" Skulker bellowed. "We can't save her! No ghost can." His deep voice quieted. "A human might be able to free her and all the other ghosts from Freakshow's spell. All they'd have to do would be to destroy his staff, but none of them will. We can't. Just... give it up. She can't be saved."

Phantom fixed them both with a defiant glare. "I'm going anyway!" he declared.

"Child, you'll only be captured and made into an act for that horrible man's circus," Technus said. "Don't do that to yourself, Phantom."

"I just got here, became friends with you, got to spend time with all of you," Phantom said. "When you all found me, I had just lost my whole family, and you let me into yours. I don't want to lose anyone else."

"None of us want to," Skulker sneered. "We don't have a choice! You think I don't want to save Ember? I love her! But she wouldn't want us pointlessly sacrificing ourselves trying to do the impossible."

"I'm going anyway," Phantom repeated. An ordinary ghost might not be able to resist Freakshow's control, but he was no ordinary ghost. "I have to try."

He took off into the sky and cut through the ectoplasmic air like a rocket toward the closing portal the train had left the Realms through.

"Foolish whelp!" Skulker shouted after him.

The portal was shrinking rapidly, and Phantom wasn't sure he'd make it through, but he kept going at full speed, squinting his eyes almost closed from the force. He just managed to eke through, the closing gate just barely clipping the end of his spectral tail. He slowed, sighing with relief.

Below him, train tracks stretched forward and back. Not far ahead of him was a train yard, where Freakshow's circus train was slowing to a stop. Turning invisible, Phantom flew toward the train. He tried to phase inside, but for some reason, he couldn't pass through the iron sides of the train-cars. Was it ghost-proofed? Something about the metal? Phantom was beginning to wish he'd paid more attention during his parents' ghost lectures.

The train finally pulled to a complete stop with a hydraulic hiss of the steam engine, which, Phantom noted, was very old fashioned and gothic. Freakshow was nothing if not dedicated to his aesthetic. The doors of several cars slid open, and Freakshow himself stepped out of one and immediately began barking orders to the ghosts that flew out of the others.

Dozens of ghosts started to set up the massive black and red striped tent and the smaller side-show tents. Ember was one of them. All Phantom wanted to do was grab her and shake her out of her stupor, but then he caught sight of the glowing orb atop Freakshow's staff, and he stilled. He watched as a ghost of a tattooed woman with a spiked Mohawk flew over to him and whispered something in his ear.

"Is that so, Lydia?" Freakshow asked. "Well, why don't I greet our unexpected guest? Where is he?"

To Phantom's horror, the tattooed ghost pointed directly at Phantom, and Freakshow turned his sickening grin on him.

"Reveal yourself," he said, and Phantom dropped his invisibility right away. "Where did you come from?"

"I came to try to save Ember," he answered. He couldn't stop himself. He couldn't move.

"How noble," Freakshow mocked, "and yet, how incredibly idiotic! No matter. It seems I've gotten myself two new acts for the price of one. I'm sure I can find a suitable place for you in my show."

Phantom nodded. Despite all the warnings he'd received, he hadn't expected the magic staff to be such a powerful influence on his mind. He felt as if his mind had been attached to a wireless game-controller, and someone else was pressing the buttons. He wondered if the other ghosts were aware like he was, even as they blindly followed Freakshow's commands, or if that was a side-effect of the fact that he wasn't a natural ghost, that he himself was a freak show, an experiment gone horribly wrong.

How stupid he'd been.

Phantom was on a tightrope, draped in black robes to look like the grim reaper, swinging a scythe as an audience of all flavors of goths looked on in amazement. Below him, Ember sat on a piano bench, playing suspenseful music on a calliope with blue flames billowing out of the pipes as she hit certain notes.

He'd thought... hoped... that maybe in just this one instance, being different from the other ghosts might turn out to be an advantage, but instead, he was just as helpless as the rest of them. He should have listened to Skulker and Technus. He should have stayed in the Zone, where it was safe. But he just couldn't imagine kind, free-spirited, anti-authoritarian Ember under the thumb of some sick ringmaster. She didn't deserve that. None of them did.

He had to resist.

Resist.

RESIST!

A broken ring of white light flickered around Phantom's waist, not transforming him back into his human form, but doing something. It gave him a jolt, a mental reset, and he was finally able to shake off the mind control. He swooped down off the tightrope and swung his scythe once more, directly at Freakshow. The ringmaster yelped in alarm and jumped out of the way, but the scythe distracted him long enough for Phantom to try something else.

He flew right at the ringmaster, phasing out of the black robe as a misdirect, so Freakshow didn't know where to look, and flying right into his stomach, knocking him to the ground and sending his staff skidding across the dusty floor.

"What is this?" Freakshow shouted in alarm. "How did you break free? No ghost can break free."

"You've never met a ghost like me before," Phantom said, and phased Freakshow halfway into the ground while he went to pick up the staff.

"No! Ghosts! Get him! Retrieve my staff and bring it to me! Lydia! Get me off this floor!"

Every ghost except the tattooed lady rushed Phantom at once, but the half-ghost was faster. He shot toward the staff and as soon as it was in his hand, he raised it and swung the top end toward the ground as hard as he could.

Scores of ghosts were already on top of him as the orb cracked and shattered on the circus floor. A wave of red mist shot outward, engulfing everything and everyone in the tent, and the ghosts all stopped in their tracks.

"Well... that's not good for me, is it?" was all Freakshow had time to say before they turned their wrath on him.

Phantom couldn't be sure what exactly happened to Freakshow. He got pushed out of the way when the rest of the ghosts swarmed the ringmaster, and lost sight of him. Then, when the ghosts dispersed, Freakshow was gone, not even his top hat or his earring were left of him. But whether they'd obliterated him, or he'd somehow escaped, it seemed like no one was entirely sure.

The crowds of humans ran out of the big top and away from the circus, screaming in terror, until, soon enough, it was just the ghosts, alone on the floor, a few drifting spotlights passing over them and through them.

"How did you do that?" asked a ghost Phantom couldn't recognize. "How did you break free of his control?"

"I don't know, I just... did," he answered lamely. "Maybe the magic wasn't as strong against me because I only recently became a ghost." Yeah, that sounded like a plausible explanation.

"I don't know why that would make a difference, but I suppose that could be it," another ghost said thoughtfully, and he tried not to actually sigh in relief that they'd bought his lie.

But Ember narrowed her eyes at him.

"What was that ring of light about?" she asked.

"What ring of light?" Surely that hadn't exposed him, had it? Did she know that light was part of his ability to switch between human and ghost forms? She couldn't... could she?

"Right before you broke free of his control, there was a ring of light around you," she pressed. "I thought I saw...." Had she figured him out after all? "Nevermind."

If she had, at least she wasn't about to expose him in front of all these ghosts. Whether he freed them or not, if they found out he was half human, human like the man who'd enslaved and exploited them all, like the crowds that came to watch their humiliation and suffering, they probably wouldn't be too happy about it.

"So... how do we get back to the Zone?" Danny asked. "I, uh... I wasn't really thinking about the return trip when I came here."

"The train," answered the strongman ghost. "It can travel through the Realms. We just have to get it going, and get off when the sky turns green."

Luckily, Freakshow used a ghost conductor who knew how to work the train―whom the train had belonged to in the first place before Freakshow co-opted and repainted it for his circus―and soon enough, they were all aboard and headed home to the Zone.

Next Chapter

[sunnyie-eve]

14 | Save him

Series: Indispensable | Teen Wolf

Paring:  (Stiles Stilinski x OFC Martin)

Word Count: 2.2k

A/N: Might be a few mistakes

| MASTERLIST |

~~~

For school Julia's mom drove her to school and when she dropped her off Stiles was with Scott so when Julia got out of the car she walks past them.

"She can't see me with Stiles." She says so Scott could hear her.

Stiles watches Julia's mom drive off then looks at Scott confused, "She's not allowed to be seen with you." Scott tells him.

"What? Just me? Not you too?" Stiles heads inside to their lockers hoping Julia will be there. "So you aren't allowed to be around me but not Scott?"

"Pretty much. She said it's your fault so that's why. She doesn't care for you." Julia says opening her locker.

"Well, I mean, yeah but still."

"Stiles, when she's not around don't worry." She laughs, "I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me." She smiles getting her stuff heading off.

Scott comes up behind smiling at his best friend, "The thought of her not being around you anymore bothers you."

Stiles turns around, "Well yeah, she's my friend."

"That's the only reason?"

"Scott, not this again." Stiles huffs walking off.

"Keep telling yourself that."

During the day, Allison asks Julia to join her in the library so the cameras don't think it's weird she's by herself talking alone while Scott is on the other side of the bookshelf.

"It's everything Lydia can translate. And trust me, she was very confused." Allison says as Julia opens a book looking through it.

"Yeah, what'd you tell her?" Scott asks.

"That we were part is an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures." Allison says making Scott and her slightly laugh.

"I am part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures." Stiles and Julia say together then look at each other reaching to fist bump.

"Okay, does it say how to find out who's controlling him?" Scott asks.

"Not really. But Stiles was right about the murderers. It calls the Kanima a weapon of vengeance. There's a story in there about this South America priest who uses the Kanima to excute murderers in his village."

"All right, see? So maybe it's not all that bad." Stiles says.

"Until the bond grew strong enough that it killed whoever he wanted it to." Allison adds.

"All bad, all very, very bad."

"Here's the thing though. The Kanima's actually supposed to be a werewolf. But it can't be..." Allison stops so Scott reads it.

"Until it resolves that in its past which manifested it."

"Okay, if that means that Jackson could use a few thousand hours of therapy. I could've told you that myself." Stiles speaks up.

"What if it has something to do with his parents? His real parents." Allison asks while Julia leaves the library.

"So you got into trouble with Jackson and have a stay a certain amount of feet from him? What the hell, Julia." Lydia finds her sister.

"I don't care to be honest. I'm 100% okay with staying far away from Jackson."

"Julia that's not the point." Lydia huffs.

"Then what is?"

"You pissed off Jackson and he got his father involved." She says like it was obvious.

"I always piss him off that's no different. And I Don care." Julia walks off making Lydia shout her name.

"What has gotten into her lately?" Lydia talks to herself out loud then sees Stiles go into class. "Hey, what have you done to my sister?" She walks in going over to him.

"What do you mean?" Stiles asks confused.

"She's all snappy lately since she started hanging around you. What did you do to her?"

"Nothing, she's being herself, Lydia. You would know how she is if you were still close to her and treated her like a sister but you don't do you?" Stiles stands up for Julia taking Lydia back so she takes her seat. "Oh, also do you know what happened to Jackson's real parents?"

"Why would I tell you? You don't tell me stuff about my sister." Lydia smiles as class starts.

After class Stiles tries to get Lydia to tell him about Jackson but she wouldn't do it, "Lydia, come on! Wait! Ah!" Erica poops up shoving him into the wall.

"Be careful with my friend, he's fragile." Julia joins them since she was walking with Erica.

"Why are you asking Lydia about Jackson's real parents?" She asks him.

"Why are you bringing out the claws on camera?" He asks her.

"He's right." Julia adds so Erica puts them away.

"If you're wondering about Jackson's real parents they're about a mile from here. In Beacon Hills Cemetery." Erica tells him before walking off.

"Is that true?" Stiles looks at Julia.

"Yeah, but I don't know how they died." She tells him so he grabs her ran running h after Erica to ask more questions.

"Wait, wait, wait. Do you know how they died?" He asks catching up to her.

"Maybe. If you tell me why you're so interested." Erica stops walking, "It's him. Isn't it?"

"What? Who? Him who?"

"The test didn't work, but it's still him. It's Jackson." She walks off.

"Erica, wait!" Julia rushes after her so Stiles follows. "Look, you can't tell Derek. There's a lot more to this that you guys don't know about." Julia catches up to her.

"And might I add, just because you got the Alpha bite makeover doesn't give you a license to go around destroying people." Stiles adds.

"Why not? That's all anybody ever used to do to me but Julia. I used to have the worst crush in the world on you. Yeah, you, Stiles. And you never once noticed me. Exactly how you're not noticing me right now." Erica notices him and Julia looking at water coming from the locker room then Scott is pushed out with Jackson going after him. The three jump in to separate them then Mr. Harris shows up saying everyone had detention at 3 o'clock.

After school you could tell all seven did not want to be there. "We can't be in detention together. I have a restraining order against theses tools." Jackson tells Mr. Harris.

"All these tools?"

"No, just us tools." Stiles motions to him, Scott and Julia.

"Fine. You three, over there."

The three get up going to a different table, "I'm gonna kill him."

"No, you're not." Julia tells him.

"What she said. You're going to find out who's controlling him and then you're gonna help save him." Stiles tells him.

"No. You two were right, let's kill him." Scott says making the two look at each other.

"Is your mom going to be mad about you being in detention with me?" Stiles asks Julia as she messes with her fingers.

"Yeah, she'll say it's your fault. You're a bad influence." Julia chuckles.

"No, I'm not."

"You kinda are." Scott butts in to their conversation.

"Shut up. What if it's Matt? I mean, this whole thing comes back to the video, right?" Stiles changes the topic.

"Danny said that Matt was the one who found the two hours of footage missing." Scott says.

"Exactly, he could have easily deleted it." Julia adds.

"He's trying to throw suspicion off himself."

"So he makes Jackson kill Isaac's dad, one of Argent's hunters, and the mechanic working on your jeep?" Scott list.

"Yes."

"Why?" Scott asks.

"Because... He's evil." Stiles looks over at him.

"You just don't like him." Scott tells him.

"The guy bugs me. I don't know what it is. Just look at his face."

"Any other theories?" Scott looks back at Stiles.

"I mean there could be more we don't know about. None of us knows Matt's past. I mean, years ago when we were kids he started acting different one day." Scott gives Julia a look, "I was a loner, I people watched." She adds.

Jackson ends up rushing out of the library and Mr. Harris goes telling everyone to stay in their seats so the three go back to Erica who tells them what happened to Jackson's real parents.

"Scott McCall, please report to the principal's office." Allison's mom comes through the PA.

Scott leaves while the three lol at the report then Mr. Harris tells everyone they aren't leaving till they finish re-shelving.

"I hate that man." Julia gets up getting a cart to put books away.

Stiles catches up Scott and Allison while Erica and Julia work on a cart. "Isaac says hi." Erica smiles at Julia.

"He does? Why hasn't he been to school?" Julia asks her confused since he could.

"I don't know to be honest. Doesn't seem to care that much. And yes, he does." Erica winks at Julia.

"Okay, well you can tell him I said hi back." Julia laughs as Jackson turns wreaking the library. He paralyzes Erica and tries doing the same to Julia so she fake falls to make him run off. "You're gonna be okay." Julia tells Erica before going to Stiles and Allison.

Scott joins them putting his arm out to keep Allison behind him and Stiles keeps Julia behind him as they watch Jackson write on the board.

Stay out of my way or I'll kill all of you.

"Erica!" Julia rushes over and so does Stiles.

"I think she's having a seizure." Stiles holds her.

Erica wants to be taken to Derek so the boys and Julia leave with her while Allison stays with Matt. When they get to Derek, he breaks her arm so it would trigger the healing process before squeezing her arm ti get the venom out.

When Julia got home she found Lydia spaced out sitting in her room, "Lydia, you okay?" Julia stands in the doorway but Lydia doesn't do anything. "Lydia?" Julia walks over to her.

Lydia looks over at her staying silent for a while, "I'm fine. Just not feeling well and I'm tired. I'm gonna get some rest."

"Okay." Julia leaves Lydia's room going to bed also.

~

"So why am I?" Julia asks Scott as he lets her into the clinic.

"Because you are good a listening and you know stuff. You're helpful to have around." Scott tells her so she just nods her head.

"Don't tell Stiles that or he'll get butt hurt."

"He really would." Scott agree waiting for Derek to show up.

When Derek does show up Issac was with him making Scott ask why he was with him, "Why is she here?" Derek points at Julia.

"She's helpful. And I trust her compared to him." Scott tells him.

"Yeah, well. He doesn't trust you either. Julia." Issac smiles.

"And Derek really doesn't care. Now where's the vet? Is he going to help us or not?"

"That depends. Your friend, Jackson. Are we planning to kill him or save him?" Deaton asks.

"Kill him,"

"Save him. Save him. Save him." Scott says.

"He's not really our friend so." Julia speaks up making everyone look at her, "What? He's not. We all dislike him. That's not a secret."

I'm the back Deaton goes through his stuff and Issac tries touching things making Derek annoyed. "So what are you? Some kind of witch?" Issac asks.

"No, I'm a veterinarian."

"Oh." Issac nods his head.

"Unfortunately, I'm not seeing anything here that's going to be an effective defense against a paralytic toxin."

"We're open to suggestions. Literally anything." Julia tells him.

"What about an effective offense?" Issac asks.

"No, we already tried. I nearly took its head off. And Argent emptied an entire clip into it. The thing just gets back up." Derek tells Deaton.

"Has it shown any weakness?"

"Well, one, it can't swim." Derek lets him know.

"Does that go for Jackson as well?"

"No. He's the captain of the swim team." Julia answers before Scott.

"Essentially, you're trying to catch two people. A puppet...and a puppeteer. One killed the husband and the other had to take care of the wife. Do we know why?"

"Jackson couldn't do it. His mother died pregnant too." Julia says.

"And she was maybe murdered. I think he couldn't let the same thing happen to someone else." Scott adds.

"How do you know it's not part of the rules? The Kanima kills murderers. If Jackson killed the wife then the baby dies too." Issac speaks up.

"Does that mean your father was a murderer?" Julia looks at Issac.

"Wouldn't surprise me if he was."

"Hold on. The book says they're bonded. Right? What if the fear of water isn't coming from Jackson but from the person controlling him? What if something that affects the Kanima also affects its master?" Deaton asks.

"Meaning what?" Issac asks.

"Meaning we can catch them. Both of them." Scott catches on.

"We'll we only know if we try it. So that means we need to get tickets to that show." Julia turns to Scott.

"Yeah. We'll figure it out."

"I'm gonna head home. I took Lydia's car without her knowing so I better go." Julia heads out.

"Julia," Issac follows her out.

"Huh?"

"Erica told you I said hi right?" Isaac crosses his arms.

"Yeah, and I told her to tell you hi back. She's doing better now right?"

"Yeah, she's great now." They just look at each other.

"You going to school tomorrow or did you drop out suddenly?" Julia opens the car door.

"You'll find out tomorrow won't you?"

[princeescaluswords]

If I may get your thoughts on something. The fandom likes to throw out that because Malia was in a coyote state for x years that's used to say she should still be a child mentally. Not to completely defend him but shouldn't that also be the case for Peter. According to Derek he himself was still in high school when the fire happened. And with Peter being Peter with the flashbacks we probably say he was about 21 22 when that went down. So his selfish ways, although not forgiven, make a lot more sense when you realize this dude is still barely out of educational years. He's smart and cunning but he has no idea how to be an adult about things.

To truly grapple with your question, there are some matters of lore established by the show that I think we all need to bear in mind.

Fully shifted werecreatures possess the cognitive abilities of humans, not animals. Talia understood the importance of the meeting in the distillery and timed her entrance for maximum impact as a high-status alpha. Derek recognized the tactical situation at La Iglesia and made decisions accordingly. Malia was able to analyze the crime scene with Alex's parents while a four-legged coyote.

Werecreatures' physical appearances do not match up with their chronological ages the same way humans do. Noshiko Yukimura looked in her twenties in 1943 when she was near 800 years old and in her forties in 2011 when she was near 900 years old. Satomi Ito looked pretty much the same age in 1943 and 2012. Cora Hale was seventeen "in how you measure in years."

Werecreatures (and humans with a motivation to do so) manipulate human institutions in order for the supernatural to remain hidden. They're quite proficient at it. The Argents had agents placed throughout the government and law enforcement and were able to get Gerard and Victoria installed in the local high school. Jennifer managed to create an entire identity for herself that passed muster. The Hales were pillars of the community without anyone suspecting they were werewolves. We can joke about a Nazi werelion teaching physics, but he was also facile enough to infiltrate the upper levels of the German military.

In other words, while an engaged viewer might question the quality of the presentation of Malia in terms of socialization and emotional development, there's no reason to insist she would have to act like a feral child. She wasn't a coyote, as Scott pointed out, she was a werecoyote. If we're going to accept the supernatural abilities that deny scientific reality -- and we have to in order to engage with the show -- we have to accept the story's rules as they are presented to us.

Which means, unfortunately, that I have to disagree with your second premise, mostly because we can't be sure about Peter's chronological age. His physical appearance is not admissible as evidence nor is the age given on his medical admission papers in Monstrous (4x10). This means that we have to rely on the position taken by the story itself, and that implied that Peter was fully an adult. Neither Young Derek nor Older Derek treated Peter as a peer; Peter always stood in the position of mentor and elder. After all, in Peter's own words when talking about Triskelion: "Talia used it to teach Laura; I tried to use it to teach Derek." Why would Talia put someone she considered a teenager in charge of something as important as her son learning self control, especially after the disaster with Paige? Cora treated Peter far differently than she treated Derek; in my opinion, she treated him like a member of the older generation.

All of the show's characters treated Peter as an adult who should have known better, including Cora, Lydia, Melissa, the Sheriff, Stiles, Malia: all of their words and actions clearly express this point of view. Even villains such as Kate, Jennifer, and Deucalion treated Peter as an adult and a peer. I think Derek's treatment of Peter is the key; I find it telling that Derek treated the twins differently than he treated Peter. Derek never acted as if Peter had diminished capacity or limited freedom to make decisions the way he did with Aiden and Ethan, and it certainly wasn't because he liked the twins better or because they hurt him less. The only person to express hope for Peter's rehabilitation was Scott, and that was seen as such an extreme position that Stiles used it against Scott during their argument in Parasomnia (5x02).

Some people choose to be selfish; some people choose to act ruthlessly and unethically. We're not supposed to believe that everything Peter's done is due to his inability to process the fire and the resulting coma. I've witnessed too many people expressing disbelief that Peter would work with the person who burned his family, and I want to shake them: that's the point! There's no trauma pushing him to work with Kate in Season 4; he chooses to do it because it's the most effective means to get what he wants. Peter is not a victim in Seasons 1-4; he's an opportunist. He uses Kate because she has the power and the history to distract everyone from what he's trying to achieve, just as he used Jennifer's threat in Season 3 to distract everyone from his plans and to remove Derek as a possible obstacle to those plans without killing him.

His selfish ways make sense because he's selfish. He manipulates people to gain power because he wants power. He's not one-dimensional by any measure, but the narrative makes it clear that until he realizes that people exist to be more than just means to his ends he will be an antagonist. Until he accepts that -- which he starts to do in Season 6 -- he will be exactly how Scott described him "always a monster."

[kitkatwinchester]

THIS PACK I SWEAR! XD <3

There were so many hilarious and adorable and wonderful small little moments in there, and because I'm me, I'm gonna overanalyze every single one. You're welcome. XD

Okay we're gonna do this in groupings instead of in order of events, and we're gonna break them up with gifs, because this is what happens when I let it play for too long without stopping (maybe I should still be watching this show on Hulu--the ad breaks ensure I do my reactions in a timely manner XD), but it was just SO GOOD, OKAY?!

Lydia and Malia:

Okay for starters, why does Malia have chemistry with LITERALLY EVERYONE?! Like...what? Is that the work of the actress? The director?? The whole cast and crew??? I don't even know, but bruh, I ship her with EVERYONE. Stiles, Kira, and now Lydia (Scalia will come I'm sure--we just haven't gotten a lot of moments with just the two of them yet lol)--I mean, DUDE. Literally when she was leaning over Lydia's shoulder, even though she was hovering, I was watching and I was like "can they kiss?" XD XD

I swear, Malia is secretly in love with everyone in the pack, and I seriously get the feeling that everyone in the pack is just a LITTLE bit in love with her.

Sorry not sorry, but I do not make the rules.

ANYWAYS.

I loved those little moments between her and Lydia. The care and affection, but also the clear sass between the two of them was so great, but I also feel so bad for Lydia. Like, I appreciate that, as pushy as Malia is being, she's still trying to be helpful and supportive as much as she can, and the way her face changes when Lydia gets upset about how hard it is for her to control her powers and turn it on and off...it was just really sweet and also kind of heartbreaking and I just appreciate that, given how busy everyone else is, Malia wasn't letting Lydia go through it alone, and was trying her best to be supportive and helpful even with her lack of social skills.

So yeah anyways I also ship Malydia now. XD <3

(I MEAN LOOK AT THEM! <3 <3 <3)

Scott and Derek and Liam:

OMG stop. All things considered, this scene was literally so sweet and wholesome.

Like, obviously the whole Derek making Liam mad thing was an oof, but it was planned, and everything that came out of it was so sweet.

The way that Scott literally so softly said "Liam" and Liam just, like, immediately calmed down, but never stopped glaring at Derek. And it's so funny, because his glare is so intense, but he's so smol, so it's literally like an angry puppy I can't. XD <3

The way that he said "Get to class, Liam" and Liam just shot that last little glare at Derek and then at Scott (because moody teen), but obliged. Scott is seriously such a parent/big brother to this kid in their Alpha-Beta relationship and I love it so much. <3

The way that Derek just smiled at Scott after Liam walked away with the "You're gonna be good at this" and Scott just looked at him flabbergasted, but couldn't help smiling.

The way that everything about Derek and Scott's interactions in this scene was just so soft, with Scott doubting himself and worrying about all of the problems they have to deal with while he's still trying to be a student, but Derek remaining supportive and helpful and loyal as ever I just...

Ahhhh that scene was so wholesome and adorable in so many ways. I loved it. <3 <3

Sciles and Everyone Else:

Oh come on now. You HAD to know that most of the post was gonna be dedicated to Sciles. When is it not? XD <3

Okay, just Sciles first, when Stiles figures out that the assassin is a lacrosse player.

First of all, we freaking love Stiles, and we love his relationship with Coach. "Stilinski, if I could grade you on how profoundly you disturb me, you'd be an A+ student." "...thanks Coach." XD XD

Second of all, the fact that my boy FIGURED IT OUT! Let's go!! I love you, bud! (Also the way he was just holding the stick and would not let go no matter how many times Coach tugged because he was putting the pieces together we love this man.)

Third of all, and here's the crux of the matter, the way that Scott is watching the whole interaction and IMMEDIATELY turns to Stiles expectantly, because he knows his best friend, and he knows that he's onto something, and they just immediately lock eyes as they process the gravity of what Stiles has discovered like...I just love them and their bond.

And then we move into the scene with Kira (also really random quick aside, the way it transitioned into the scene with Garrett and Violet after this with the "who knows what else they have" and then "wolfsbane" was just freaking awesome anyways).

I just love everything about the banter in this scene, with Scott's insistence that the game should go on so they can catch him in the act (bonus points for Scira with the "I'm not afraid." "Neither am I." and the little smiles they give each other <3) and Stiles's insistence that they should cancel the game and be f*cking terrified, because (I love my boy XD <3), "these are professional killers, it's their profession". XD XD

I just love the back and forth between the two of them, because even when they're disagreeing about the best way to approach something, they're still thinking together and planning together and having each other's backs and acknowledging each other's concerns, and it's what makes them such a good team.

And SPEAKING OF BEING SUCH A GOOD TEAM!

EVERYTHING WITH LIAM I CANNOT I LOVE THESE TWO AND THEIR CHILD! XD <3

The way that Scott is watching Liam so closely as he storms over to Brett.

The way that Scott whispers what, according to the subtitles, is an "oh shit" and then just grabs for Stiles and they both book it.

The way they go with their classic brains and brawn team-up with Scott pulling Liam away and Stiles being the distraction as the charismatic and hilarious little charmer that he is.

The way that Scott and Stiles just drag Liam to the locker room (Stiles's little "go" after they turn away from Brett and crew XD) and shove him against the shower together repeatedly until he finally calms down.

The way that Scott is the softer, chiller, concerned, supportive "you're not in trouble, just tell us what happened" parent while Stiles is the harder, harsher, annoyed, disciplining "I will ground you regardless" parent during this whole conversation, and their facial expressions match that perfectly.

The way that Stiles is still bantering with Scott and is unafraid to express his exasperation with this “I cannot believe what you got us into" at this whole situation while Scott is just metaphorically rolling his eyes with this "I'm working on it and you're not helping".

The way that Stiles backs off to let Scott make the final judgement call, but also nods his approval at said judgement call.

The way that Scott softens up even more at the "especially if you're there" and Stiles runs a hand down his face because he knows that means they're probably gonna let him play.

The way that Liam is already willing to out his friend, no preamble required, because he already trusts Sciles's judgement and analyses, and if his friend's a threat, he wants them to know.

The way that these three just have the best bonding and best dynamic I just...

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!

SO EXCITED THAT I GET SO MUCH OF THIS!!!

SCILES AND LIAM FOR THE WIN!!!

SCILES AS PARENTS IS LITERALLY THE BEST!!!

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

(This was the only gif I could find, but it works. XD <3 <3)

Anyways…

That post took forever. I really need to get better at that. XD

BUT I LOVE SCILES AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE THEM WITH LIAM AND I JUST LOVE ALL OF THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THIS SHOW AHHHHH!!!

ANYWAYS.

Shall we continue? XD <3

(I don't think I've used this gif yet and it's my little trio so...using it! XD <3)

Update: Okay so I officially love Mason. XD <3 "I think you can take him. And then give him to me." XD <3 Also not enough of a reaction to do a whole separate post but DEREK IS LOSING HIS POWER?! F*CK that. Someone go get Kate NOW please and thank you.

[calronhunt]

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

“I never stood a chance, did I?” Tracy said. Her hands fidgeted on her lap, only slightly because of the cool fall air. She couldn't stop thinking about the night before, the blood and the anger and the—

She'd snapped again, she knew she had. The guilt and shame hung heavy in her mind and her heart, she couldn't stand it. She'd told her mother that she'd been getting better, she was finally getting somewhere with her mental health, had found someone who was willing to work through it with her, had found someone who LIKED her.

That had been a lie though, it had all been a lie.

The anger was gone now, and all that was left was guilt. Hot as boiling water, daring to spill over into a meltdown at any minute.

Lydia sat on the bench next to her. She tilted her head at Tracy's words. It was another moment before she spoke again.

"I don't think so," Lydia said. "I think you cared about someone and felt betrayed. Anyone would react the way you did."

"No they wouldn't," Tracy replied. "Normal people would relax and walk away. Normal people wouldn't scream and yell and punch and kick and grab a pair of scissors and—"

Tracy stopped herself. Her voice had risen as she spoke and a couple of people around them at the park turned to her. Some parent with their daughter took her farther away. Shame burned on Tracy's neck. There she went again, not being able to control herself. If she couldn't even keep it together when she was upset how would she be expected to do anything else with her fucking life.

She bunched her hands up on her knees. She didn't want to recount it anymore. Tracy waited for Lydia to say something. She always took her time responding. Tracy has asked her about it before, and she simply told Tracy that she wanted to make sure Tracy was done before she responded. It made Tracy on edge though. The dead air felt like judgment enough.

"I think," Lydia said slowly. "Anger is an emotion like any other. People consider it the bad emotion, but think what you would be without it. His betrayal still would've hurt, but what would you have done about it? You wouldn't have screamed, you probably would've rolled over and gotten hurt again, and again, and again."

"I…guess," Tracy said. That made sense. "But I don't want to hurt people."

"People do it to you all the time," Lydia retorted. "Why shouldn't you be able to do it in return?"

Tracy flipped that around in her mind, and while it didn't sit right, the shame and guilt of the thought upset her enough, but…it made. Sense.

Lydia continued when Tracy didn't say any more. "Your moms, this guy, this world…they're allowed to do anything they want to you, but you aren't allowed to do anything back. How is that fair?"

"...I…don't know. It just is," Tracy said lamely. "Cause if I do I'll hurt someone. Like physically hurt someone. And that's against the law, and it'll cause more trouble for my mom and—"

"Defending yourself from people who hurt you is never wrong, Tracy," Lydia said. She smiled at Tracy and stood up from the bench, graceful as a cat. "It's getting late though, I need to head home. We can continue this talk later?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure yeah," Tracy said. Tracy followed suit, though she felt awkward and stiff in her body.

She walked Lydia to her car like she always did. But as she watched Lydia drive off the things she said stuck in Tracy's mind like a thorn.

She thought again about the other night. The blood on her hands, the black and red mixing into some strange painting. Was that defense? Maybe it was, maybe she did the right thing. Yuri had hurt her and she hurt him back. They were even now, she supposed.

----------------------

Something happened and i got possessed. Enjoy Tracy and Lydia moments