#okay i return to listening DUNGEONS AND DADDIES I LOVE YOU

[acaciapines]

not done w the dndads finale yet but "'and my dad' and i look at terry" TOOK ME OUTTTTTTTTTTTT oh my god thats her. thats her dad........father-daughter relationship of all time DUNGEONS AND DADDIES PODCAST OF ALL TIME......

god just. 'and my dad.' oh my god. we've really come so far

[withthingsunreal]

hey guys

did y’all know there’s a limit to how many links you can have in a post

adventure time masterpost part one

♥=my favourites Ω=significant plot (though sometimes this is not immediately obvious) ♪=a song happens ♫=a personal fave song happens ¿=just don’t try to think about it too hard okay

SEASON SIX

Ω 6x01/6x02 - Wake Up/Escape from the Citadel [WATCH] - Finn and Jake need to get to the Citadel, and Prismo agrees to help. But the Lich beats them to it, and it seems he's got some plans of his own.

♥ 6x03- James II [WATCH] - An excess of James.

6x04- The Tower [WATCH] [alt]- Finn's missing his arm, so he decides to build a tower into space so he can punch his dad and steal HIS arm instead. Solid plan, right?

¿ 6x05 - Sad Face [WATCH] - A circus, and a clown.

♪ 6x06 - Breezy [WATCH] - Finn's flower isn't doing so well, and Finn himself isn't feeling anything, but his new bee friend Breezy wants to help. Stay tuned for spook (me, that's me) starting a petition to retitle this show 'what the hell did I just watch.'

¿ 6x07 - Food Chain [WATCH] - Finn and Jake learn about the food chain by, um, living it.

6x08- Furniture & Meat [WATCH] - Mo' treasure, mo' problems.

6x09 - The Prince Who Wanted Everything [WATCH] - LSPrincess has a story to share with the Ice King, and LSPrince has a lesson to learn from Fionna the Human.

6x10 - Something Big [WATCH] - Something something Maja something Ancient Psychic Tandem War Elephant something something feelings?? Listen I don't know what I'm watching anymore ok

♪ 6x11 - Little Brother [WATCH] - Shelby has an accident, ends up with a little brother, and turns to Jake for brotherly advice. Well, giving Finn a sword worked out pretty well...

6x12 - Ocarina [WATCH] - Kim Kil Whan buys the treehouse and tries to teach Jake a lesson about responsibility. It goes suuuper well.

6x13 - Thanks for the Crabapples, Giuseppe [WATCH] - Ice King and his fellow offbeats go on a wizard road trip to form their own secret society.

6x14- Princess Day [WATCH] - Breakfast Princess gets rude with LSP. Mistake! Time for her and Marceline to mess up the Breakfast Kingdom way bad.

6x15 - Nemesis [WATCH] - There's a great evil in the Candy Kingdom which must be stopped.

6x16 - Joshua and Margaret Investigations [WATCH] - Finn and Jake's parents fought monsters, too! Even when their mom was way super about-to-pop pregnant, apparently.

6x17 - Ghost Fly [WATCH] - Jake kills a fly, because flies are disgusting. But ghost flies seem to be worse. Oops?

6x18 - Everything's Jake [WATCH] - Bender searches inside himself and finds that Fry has been with him all along Jake goes on an inner journey, but like, literally. not really spiritually so much.

♥ 6x19 - Is That You? [WATCH] - Jake and Finn mourn Prismo, and then things get super bananas up in their dreamspace.

6x20 - Jake the Brick [WATCH] - Jake observes nature as he spends some time as just another brick in the wall.

6x21 - Dentist [WATCH] - Finn's tooth is in real bad shape, and he has to face facts: it is time for him to Go Dentist.

6x22 - The Cooler [WATCH] - There's a crisis in the Flame Kingdom, and FP makes the (objectively terrible??) decision to turn to PB for help.

6x23 - Pajama Wars [WATCH] - Sleepover in the Candy Kingdom! Nothing terrible is happening.

Ω 6x24 - Evergreen [WATCH] - Master Evergreen and his lizardy minion Gunther attempt to save the world.

¿Ω 6x25 - Astral Plane [WATCH] - Finn goes on an astral adventure, and sees some junk that may be relevant soon.

6x26 - Gold Stars [WATCH] - Sweet P starts school, and makes some new (terrible) friends.

6x27 - The Visitor [WATCH] - Finn follows his dream from Astral Plane and finds his least favourite massive disappointment at the end of the trail.

6x28 - The Mountain [WATCH] - It’s a Lemongrab episode. I don’t know anymore.

6x29 - Dark Purple [WATCH] - Susan Strong and some brave hyoomans on a rescue mission.

6x30 - The Diary [WATCH] - Fandom can be a consuming thing. TV finds an old diary and gets a little too into it.

6x31 - Walnuts & Rain [WATCH] - Finn and Jake get separated and go on different (weird) journeys.

6x32 - Friends Forever [WATCH] - Ice King tries to make himself some new friends. It goes terribly.

6x33 - Jermaine [WATCH] - After Jake has a shared dream with Jermaine, the boys go to visit their brother, who’s still living in their childhood home.

6x34 - Chips and Ice Cream [WATCH] - Chips, chips chips chips. Ice cream ice cream. (A travelling performer passes his curse on to Jake. It doesn’t go well.)

6x35 - Graybles 1000+ [WATCH] - Graybles, again, some more. Apparently the Candy Kingdom is still around however much further in the future, and someone’s still putting up string lights at Marceline’s. So there’s that.

6x36 - Hoots [WATCH] - The Cosmic Owl gets distracted by a mystery lady’s pretty set of tailfeathers.

6x37 - Water Park Prank [WATCH] - Finn and Jake (and the Ice King) spend the day at the water park.

6x38 - You Forgot Your Floaties [WATCH] - Magic Man, up to his usual biz, but this time he’s getting a helping hand from Betty. No way this will go horribly wrong??

6x39 - Be Sweet [WATCH] - For some inexplicable reason, Tree Trunks thinks LSP is a good choice for a babysitter. Yikes.

6x40 - Orgalorg [WATCH] - Gunther and the Gunts throw a houseparty.

6x41 - On the Lam [WATCH] - Martin finds another group of adorable creatures to try to exploit. yay.

6x42/6x43 - Hot Diggity Doom/The Comet [WATCH] - An election in the Candy Kingdom, and an impending catastrophe.

SEASON SEVEN

7x01 - Bonnie & Neddy [WATCH] - The King of Ooo continues his efforts to be the worst. PB has to help someone important to her get back to where he belongs.

7x02 - Varmints [WATCH] - Bubblegum tries to protect her pumpkin patch; Marceline lends a hand.

7x03 - Cherry Cream Soda [WATCH] - A candy citizen comes back from the dead, causing some complications for those he’d left behind.

7x04 - Mama Said [WATCH] - While out on a mission for the King of Ooo, Finn and Jake run into Billy’s ex-gf Canyon and decide to help her out instead.

7x05 - Football [WATCH] - BMO tries to do something nice for a friend. It does not go well.

7x06/7x07 - Stakes: Marceline the Vampire Queen/Everything Stays [WATCH] - Marceline has a favour to ask of PB, which results in her reflecting on the last thousand years of her life.

7x08 - Stakes: Vamps About [WATCH] - Marceline’s old nemeses are back, and she’s absolutely down to take ‘em all on again.

7x09 - Stakes: The Empress Eyes [WATCH] - Targeting the Ice King? Possibly not the greatest plan a vampire could have.

7x10 - Stakes: May I Come In [WATCH] - Jake finds his courage.

7x11 - Stakes: Take Her Back [WATCH] - Marceline’s out of commission, so it’s up to Finn and Jake to take on The Moon.

7x12 - Stakes: Checkmate [WATCH] - Four down, one to go.

♫ 7x13 - Stakes: The Dark Cloud [WATCH] - Marceline has to decide what she’s fighting for.

7x14/7x15 - The More You Moe/The Moe You Know [WATCH (watermarked)] - It's BMO's birthday, and a special guest is coming with a special mission for our lil robot buddy. yay?

7x16 - Summer Showers [WATCH] - Viola helps LSP put on a play, and Jake is super proud.

7x17 - Angel Eyes [WATCH] - BMO bribes Finn and Jake into playing cowboys and bandits.

7x18 - President Porpoise Is Missing! [WATCH] - An undersea authority figure appears to have vanished.

7x19 - Blank-Eyed Girl [WATCH] - Urban legends may or may not be baloney, and may or may not be out to get you.

7x20 - Bad Jubies [WATCH] - One heck of a storm brewing up some real nasty vibes.

7x21 - King's Ransom [WATCH] - Ice King isn't going to let anything stop him from rescuing his best bud, and Finn and Jake have got his back.

7x22 - Scamps [WATCH] - Finn rehabilitates some bad seeds.

7x23 - Crossover [WATCH] - Prismo needs Finn and Jake’s help with a junked-up timeline.

7x24 - The Hall of Egress [WATCH] - A dungeon keeps hitting the reset button every time Finn tries to exit.

7x25 - Flute Spell [WATCH] - Does Finn have a new girl in his life, or is he working on a different sort of magic?

7x26 - The Thin Yellow Line [WATCH] - It Is Okay To Be You, ft. The Banana Guards

7x27 - Broke His Crown [WATCH] - Bonnie and Marcie try to have a dinner date with the IK, but his crown is up to some weird biz.

7x28 - Don’t Look [WATCH] - Finn fails to follow the literal only instruction given.

7x29 - Beyond the Grotto [WATCH] - Sea lard rescue 911

7x30 - Lady Rainicorn of the Crystal Dimension [WATCH] - TV finds a weird box.

7x31 - I Am A Sword [WATCH] - FinnSword gets straight up hijacked.

7x32 - Bun Bun [WATCH] - Remember how Cinnamon Bun used to be... just, like, generally bad? at doing things? okay that but smaller.

7x33 - Normal Man [WATCH] - Normal Man needs some hero help to return Glob to Mars.

7x34 - Elemental [WATCH] - An... ice... princess? kinda??

7x35 - Five Short Tables [WATCH] - Fionna and Cake try to make some artsy-ass flapjacks.

7x36 - The Music Hole [WATCH] - Music happens, some of it on a stage.

7x37 - Daddy-Daughter Card Wars [WATCH] - Charlie helps her Papa work through some card-related stuff.

Ω 7x38/7x39 - Preboot/Reboot [WATCH] - Finn, Jake, and Susan visit a very scientific establishment.

SEASON EIGHT

8x01 - Two Swords [WATCH] - So when a FinnSword and a Grass Sword meet... sometimes some stuff can go the hell down.

8x02 - Do No Harm [WATCH] - Finn and Grass Finn try stuff out.

8x03 - Wheels [WATCH] - Jake tries to connect with his granddaughter by proving he’s cool.

8x04 - High Strangeness [WATCH] - Tree Trunks loves... revolution (｡•`_´•｡)

8x05 - Horse and Ball [WATCH] - James Baxter rides again.

8x06 - Jelly Beans Have Power [WATCH] - PB tries to get a handle on the elemental powers thing.

Ω 8x07 - Islands: The Invitation [WATCH] - Susan sent out a distress signal, and a response has arrived.

8x08 - Islands: Whipple the Happy Dragon [WATCH] - Hazardous seas, or Here There Be Dragons.

Ω 8x09 - Islands: Mysterious Island [WATCH] - Finn gets separated from his friends, but makes a new one.

Ω 8x10 - Islands: Imaginary Resources [WATCH] - BMO helps Finn and Jake get acquainted with the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of virtual reality gaming.

Ω♪ 8x11 - Islands: Hide and Seek [WATCH] - Memories of island life.

Ω 8x12 - Islands: Min & Marty [WATCH] - Minerva Campbell and Martin Mertens get to know each other.

Ω 8x13 - Islands: Helpers [WATCH] - Finn meets his mom.

Ω 8x14 - Islands: The Light Cloud [WATCH] - The conflicting desires to protect your child while also allowing them to grow and thrive.

SEASON NINE

9x01 - Orb [WATCH] - Some very normal dreamscapes on the return journey to Ooo.

9x02 - Elements: Skyhooks [WATCH] - The boys make it home but things are looking... different.

9x03 - Elements: Bespoken For [WATCH] - The Ice King has a story to tell about a hot date he had, and also tangentially the current state of things.

9x04 - Elements: Winter Light [WATCH] - A visit to the Ice Kingdom.

9x05 - Elements: Cloudy [WATCH] - Finn needs to calm down, and Jake needs to potty.

9x06 - Elements: Slime Central [WATCH] - It's Slime Time baybee

9x07 - Elements: Happy Warrior [WATCH] - A normal one in the Flame Kingdom.

9x08 - Elements: Hero Heart [WATCH] - LSP tries to help Finn listen to his hero heart, while PB just wants everyone to be a little bit sweeter.

9x09 - Elements: Skyhooks II [WATCH] - Let's Get Lumpy.

9x10 - Abstract [WATCH] - Jake is wary of some changes in Jermaine.

9x11 - Ketchup [WATCH] - Marceline and BMO catch up on recent events.

9x12 - Fionna and Cake and Fionna [WATCH] - Ice King gets to hang with the REAL Fionna.

9x13 - Whispers [WATCH] - Finn and Fern help Sweet Pea with some nightmares.

9x14 - Three Buckets [WATCH] - Finn and Fern spend some uhhh quality time together

SEASON TEN

10x01 - The Wild Hunt [WATCH] - Huntress Wizard needs some assistance, and Finn has some junk to work through.

10x02 - Always BMO Closing [WATCH] - BMO and Ice King team up to become a door-to-door salesman.

10x03 - Son of Rap Bear [WATCH] - FP needs to work on her rap game.

10x04 - Bonnibel Bubblegum [WATCH] - Family junk is complicated.

10x05 - Seventeen [WATCH] - It’s Finn’s birthday! Let’s get Arthurian up in here.

10x06 - Ring of Fire [WATCH] - The marvelous misadventures of Tree Trunks.

10x07 - Marcy + Hunson [WATCH] - Marceline’s dad is in town and totally embarrassing her again.

10x08 - The First Investigation [WATCH] - Finn and Jake look into some haunted happenings at Joshua and Margaret Investigations

10x09 - Blenanas [WATCH] - Finn wants the highest possible authority to weigh in on whether or not he is funny.

10x10 - Jake the Starchild [WATCH] - Jake’s gotta save the world. No, a different one.

10x11 - Temple of Mars [WATCH] - Jermaine and Finn gotta rescue Jake, and in the process maybe help Betty work through some things.

10x12 - Gumbaldia [WATCH] - Peace talks.

♥Ω♫ 10x13 - Come Along With Me [WATCH] - Everything stays, but it still changes.

[jawabear]

Maxwell Lord NSFW Alphabet

Not my GIF

A/N: Hi, here is my NSFW Alphabet for the shitbag Maxwell Lord. As with my other NSFW Alphabets, these are just what I put to the character so they may differ to what you think so please be respectful of other views of characters. Also, I was debating with myself whether or not to post this in light of what is happening in the world, but I thought maybe people would want to maybe want a little bit of light. By no way by me posting this am I trying to be disrespectful. So I hope you enjoy. Sorry for any mistakes :) Stay safe

Genre: Smut

Warnings: fem!reader, mentions of sex, just usual Maxwell filth, Pedro Pascal comes with his own warning

Summary: An A-Z of Maxwell Lord’s bedroom antics

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

Max defiantly isn’t the best at aftercare. He kind of just lets you deal with yourself. But bless him he tries. Awkwardly asking if you are okay or if you need anything. But you know he’s only going it because he doesn’t know what else to do, so you have to help him by snuggling into his side for him to hold you whilst you fall asleep. And this is at night.

During the day, after the much loved office sex, he’s even more awkward. Clearing his throat and sorting himself out while you’re still there panting and shaking. But you’ve gotten used to it. Knowing that he’s not great at it so you have to do it yourself, but he’s trying to get better. But he’s not really the person for it.

B = Body part (Their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

He loves your legs. Goddess like legs as he calls them. He makes love to your legs, he worships them. When he has you tied to his bed he literally worships them. His hands running over your skin in a feather light touch, placing kisses all over them. Making them shake in desperation for his touch somewhere else. And he loves to watch as you press your thighs together into order to suppress the wetness between your legs. And he loves your ass. He loves to grab at it and slap it when he takes you from behind.

On him, he’s fond of his hands. They are big and are able to grab large handfuls of your ass.

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… I’m a disgusting person)

Maxwell will come anywhere. In you, on you, wherever. He especially loves to come on your chest or your ass. He loves to see you covered in him, showing your submissive nature to him but allowing himself to paint your precious body with his come.

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self-explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

I don’t really think Max has any dirty secrets. He’s very open about sexual fantasies etc. If he wants to do something he’ll tell you. But one may be that he did once get off while smelling a pair of your panties...

You were away and he was desperate, and they were just there...he couldn’t help himself.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

This is Maxwell Lord we’re talking about. He is very much experienced when it comes to pleasuring women. He knows his way around the body. Touching you in places that you didn’t even know excited you.

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual)

Taking you from behind. Not necessarily in the ass, but just having you bent over his desk, seeing you ready for him just does stuff to him. He loves your ass, he loves to grab it while he fucks and he loves to see it go red from it. But this is mainly only during the day.

In the mornings, Max is a little more soft. A side of him he shows no one other than you. Slow missionary sex. Because he loves to kiss you and he loves when your fingers entangle into his hair when he rolls his hips into you.

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

Max doesn’t fuck around when it comes to sex. Oh okay, maybe that wasn’t the best way to phrase that.

What I mean is, he takes it very seriously. Max doesn’t like to play around at all. He’s a business man, probably never had actual fun in his life. So when it comes to sex, he is the same. It’s serious business to Max.

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

Like everything else in his life, his hair down there has to be perfect. Prim and proper to put it better

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

Unless it’s early in the morning, he’s not all that intimate. It’s kind of just like, sex and then parting ways until you both return home. Even then it’s more sex.

But early in the morning, he will be a little more loving towards you, caressing your sweet skin while he fucks you slowly. He will refuse to remove his lips from your while he takes you, he just need that little bit of softness in the morning, also that a reassurance that you still love him.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

Max doesn’t necessarily need to get himself off when he has you. You’re usually more then willing to allow him to use you.

But on the rare occasion you aren’t there for him, he’ll do it himself. He’ll probably get himself off more time then what he would have sex with you. The frustration of not having you to fuck just makes him get off so much during those lonely days and lonely nights.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

(I have to be honest, I’m not well educated in the world of kinks so I did a bit of research and my god there are some...things out there..)

Maxwell Lord is a kinky piece of shit. Probably has every kink in the book to be honest. Obviously, the daddy kink. Man is the daddies daddy...

Definitely has a voyeurism/exhibitionist kink. Fucking loved to watch you get off in his office, and he loves to take you over his desk, keeping the door unlocked so anyone could walk in and see how much of a mess you get for him (but he knows no one will, anyone who ever came to his door was scheduled down to the second). Definitely sadist, he loves to spank you. Like he is just a filthy man.

Definitely bondage of some kind. Having you ties up and blindfolded is just his heaven. So submissive and ready for him to use you in any way his wants (with in your stated limits of course)

There’s just a long list of kinks that Max has...I don’t even think he could name them all.

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do)

He loved to do it in his office. The thrill of getting caught just makes him crazy and he loves the face he can just bend you over his desk, having your naked body pressed up against the place he sits at every single day, looking at it, remembering the sweet noises that fall from you mouth as he fucks your into oblivion.

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

Just everything. Just seeing you makes him hard, the thought of you makes him hard. Seeing you in a short skirt that showcases those goddess like legs of yours, or when he gets home, having you sat on his bed dresses in his favourite set of lingerie.

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs)

As twisted and kinky as Max is, he does have limits, believe it or not. Maxwell Lord does not share for starters, he earned you fair and square, so that means no threesomes. Plus he doesn’t really find the idea of another guy or girl touching you attractive. You are for him only.

And of course, you are a precious goddess to him. So he would never hurt you. He would never do anything to make you uncomfortable. And humiliation, he wouldn’t do anything to outwardly put you in the spotlight sexually. For one he knows of your self conscious nature and two, you are for his eyes only.

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

Max is a sucker for you going down on him. He loves it. Can’t get enough of it. He especially when he has to hide you under his desk when someone walks in. It amazes you how he can stay so composed while you’re sucking him off.

You knew that if you were in his position, you would be a stuttering mess. Max’s has a talented and twisted tongue and he likes to use it where he can.

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

I think Max would be hard and fast. This man fucks. Only making love to you in the mornings, which is why they are so special to you. He is definitely one who goes hard, go big or go home I guess.

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

All. The damn. Time.

Max thrives on these. A quick fuck in his office or dragging you into the bathroom. Or even better, pulling you aside at a gala or something and fucking you there, preferably against a wall.

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

Yes. Maxwell is happy to do almost anything. And he is also very open with things he doesn’t like. Which is good, because we should all be open about things like that.

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

This man can go forever to be honest. He never seems to get tiered, you could fuck at midnight and he’ll still be raring to go.

Obviously he’ll stop when you tell him to, but to be fair, he could fuck you until the end of time.

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

Max isn’t all that adventurous when it comes to toys. Most people would think he has some sort of sex dungeon in his house, but they would be wrong. If blindfolds and ropes count then he’s got plenty, silk of course, even his sex life has to be expensive.

As far as any other toys go, he’s pretty empty. He’s overly fond of watching you use your trusty vibration on yourself. He’s half tempted to use it on himself, he sees how good it makes you feel so he wonders what it would feel like on him, buts he’s a little embarrassed to ask.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Mr Lord is the definition of tease. He’ll call your desk so you can listen to his moans as he gets off, knowing it’s turning you on but also knowing you’re surrounded by others so you can’t do anything other then listen to the sweet and low grunts that leave his lips.

And if you’re both in a meeting, you bet your ass his hand is going to be at you under the table, teasing you through your panties before slipping inside them. He loves to get you all riled up because he likes when your sexually frustrated. You go crazy and he loves it.

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

Maxwell has a big mouth, he likes to use it. He never fucking shuts up when he’s fucking you. He’s so loud.

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

As mentioned, Max would love to use your vibrator on himself. In fact, he would love for you to just ruin him as he has you so many times. He wants to know how it feels to be ruined by someone, and he wants that someone to be you. But he has to much ducking pride and won’t allow himself to tell you this. But he has dreamed night after night if you edging him until he is literally in his knees begging for you to let him come or for you to at least touch him, only for you to shake your head no.

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

He’s thick, I’ll give you that. Average in length but he’s thicker than most. Excellent for stretching you out, and he’s very proud of that.

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

It’s pretty damn high. The frustration of his work just makes him need to get it out. So his sex drive is definitely up there.

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

Max isn’t one to fall asleep all that quickly after sex. His mind is constantly going, thinking over the day after, all the business meetings he’ll have to go to and all the boring talk he’ll have to endure. And he likes to watch you sleep, especially after sex, your face twisted with pleasure, no doubt dreaming of him. 

Masterlist

01/06/20

[tackletofset]

list of best tom/harry fanfic

Uuummmm…. Okay

*is actually excited*

Tomarry Fic Rec List

Disclaimer: Mind that this is my version of favorite Tomarry fanfics and I might have missed some others doesn’t mean that they’re less phenomenal.Also, the list is by random order.

Click on the titles for links :3

Don’t Fuck With Florists (They’ll Fuck You Up) by MayMarlow

Teen And Up | 13944 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | One-Shot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Mr Borgin

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: Unsatisfied with his post-war life, Harry decides to get to the root of all of his problems when that root was still working at Borgin and Burkes shop in the late 40s. He’s the Master of Death, damn it, he can do what he wants for once in his life.Tom Riddle isn’t particularly happy about working at a small, dingy shop for magical artifacts, no matter how interesting those artifacts are. He’s even less happy when an insufferable stranger sets up the most obnoxious flower shop right across the street.What follows would be a romantic comedy, if it weren’t for politics.

My notes: I love this fic because of the political undertone, and not-so-subtle reference for Trump. I love how Harry could sway Tom’s from being a Dark Lord into Minister for Magic. If you like dark humor you’d enjoy this fic ;)

Rumpelstiltskin by Gallons_of_the_Stuff

General | 8884 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Chapter 2/4 | Ongoing

Characters: Merope Gaunt, Tom Riddle Sr., Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Fem!Harry Character

Relationships : Merope Gaunt/Tom Riddle Sr., Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: He was all she ever wanted, and she knew exactly how she could have him - even if it would not be real. Then a stranger made her an offer she could not refuse, for a price that seemed like a joke at the time. Was it really just a teasing remark though? Or would her deal cost her more than she ever wanted to give up?

My notes: This is how Merope/Tom Sr relationship goes without a love potion. Merope is aided by Fem!Harry who ‘only’ asks for her firstborn in return.

The Dark Serpent and The Dark Horse by Kaede Ravensdale

Mature | 104187 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Chapter 40/? | Ongoing

Characters: Tom Riddle Sr., Tom Riddle, Harry Potter

Relationships : Tom Riddle Sr. & Tom Riddle Jr, Tom Riddle/Harry Potter, Tom Riddle Sr./Severus Snape

Summary: In which Tom Riddle Senior never could fully put Merope’s claims of being pregnant out of his mind and set out to bring his child home, unwittingly changing the fate of both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds and laying waste to the machinations of a certain scheming old man.

My notes: THIS IS LIKE BY FAR, MY MOST FAVORITE TOM RIDDLE FIC EVER!!! LIKE, EVER!!! THIS IS SO PHENOMENAL! I mean Tomarry + TomSr/Jr bonding is perf Spoiler! Tom is related to the Targaryens in this fic.  Baby Tom gets the Father’s love that he deserves. Also openlymanipulative!Dumbledore and Slytherin!Harry. Best ever. I hope the author will update soon before my head starts flooding with imagines of this fic, such as Tom Sr. stands in between the little Tom (and Harry, so he’s protecting them both) and the killing curse (a curse probably by Grindelwald or Dumbledore). Also, now I like to listen to Targaryen theme music while musing about Tom Sr :3 I also imagine him trying to ride a dragon for the first time, awkwardly in muggle clothes while his son watches in awe. Him riding a dragon to a war against Grindelwald, also arriving in Hogsmeade alongside his son bringing dragons :3 ahh the Tomgaryens.

Little Red Riding Hood by BigJellyMonster (orphan_account)

Teen and Up | 1256 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Voldemort

Summary: Harry has to deliver a basket of treats to his neighbors on the other side of the forest. He was told never to talk to strangers. Too bad he doesn’t listen.

My notes: Very cute Harry. Manipulative Tom. Fluff. Definitely should read.

I Speak Parseltounge by BigJellyMonster (orphan_account)

General | 1602 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: Tom keeps hitting on Harry in parseltounge but he doesn’t know that Harry speaks it too.

My notes: Another light fic. Sneaky Harry. Reccommended!

Pass the salt, Daddy by DarkkBluee

Not Rated | 1569 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle | Voldemort, James Potter, Lily Evans Potter, Tom Riddle Sr., Thomas Riddle, Mary Riddle, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Summary :Tom and Harry have a family dinner.“Daddy, can you pass the salt?”Or not.Seven pairs of eyes swivel in his direction.

My notes: Harry has seven Daddies. Nuff said.

Meeting the Parents by temptresslove

Teen and Up | 4113 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Lily Evans Potter, Tom Riddle Sr., James Potter, Narcissa Black Malfoy

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Harry Potter & Tom Riddle, Harry Potter & Tom Riddle | Voldemort

Summary :“It’s nice to finally meet you, Tom,” Lily says with a big smile. “I’ve heard so much about you.”Beside her, Harry noticeably stiffens.“Oh?” Tom asks, one eyebrow raised elegantly, looking at Harry amusedly. “Only good things, I hope.”“Oh yes,” Lily gushes. “Very good things, indeed.”Harry grabs Lily by the arm that almost hurt and smiles at her tightly. “Mom, shouldn’t you be going to Headmaster Dippet’s office by now?” The way his grip threatened Lily made her grin even larger.

My note: Another oneshot I really, really like! This is an omegaverse, fluff, very cute Tomarry interactions. I like how they write the relationships to their parents as well. Love this one.

To Be Set Free by Merrinpippy

Teen and Up | 35831 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Chapter 14/14 | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Dudley Dursley, Petunia Evans Dursley, Vernon Dursley, Tom Riddle Sr., Albus Dumbledore, Gellert Grindelwald, Dobby, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Bartemius Crouch Jr., The Brazilian Boa Constrictor (Harry Potter), Lucius Malfoy, Dolores Umbridge

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : Harry Potter, raised and abused by the Dursleys ever since his parents died, lives in the cupboard under the stairs. He has no friends or family who love him and his life is dull until one day a letter arrives arrives for him, written in green ink, that promises freedom. Sounds familiar, right?King Thomas Riddle’s illness combined with his political paranoia pushes him to arrange three royal balls, after which his son, Prince Tom Riddle, must choose a guest to marry, thereby securing the kingdom’s future and solidifying their strength in the eyes of their allies/enemies. Tom is convinced that he will be able to defy his father and choose no-one, or at least he is until at the first ball he meets an attractive stranger with dark hair and glasses who won’t tell anyone his name…

My notes: A really sweet Cinderella AU! You’d love the chemistry between Tomarry here.

Ice Cream Stalker by Watermelonsmellinfellon

Teen and Up | 750 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : @vertibirdo on Tumblr Prompted: Yo, would you be up to doing some Tomarry non-magic Modern AU? Something cute?

My notes: A lighthearted, fluff AU. Love it, and how Hermione’s helping Tom to approach Harry.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker by Watermelonsmellinfellon

Teen and Up | 1948 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Nagini

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : Nagini acts as a messenger for Harry and Tom, carrying insulting messages between the Slytherin dungeon and Gryffindor Tower. Eventually, Nagini gets bored and starts making up stuff, and the messages just become confusing. Nagini becomes a matchmaker. Unwittingly.

My notes: Tomarry shippers are Nagini.

Diablerie by Oceanbreeze7

Teen and Up | 156584 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Chapter: 22/25 | Ongoing

Characters: Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix, Hogwarts Students, Hogwarts Staff, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Albus Dumbledore

Relationship: Harry Potter & Tom Riddle,

Summary : Moody reclined in his chair, his prosthetic scratched over the floor. “What year is it, Riddle.”It wasn’t phrased like a question, maybe that was why Tom finally answered.“September.” Tom clipped out coldly. “1942. You know this.”’Harry inhaled so sharply he choked on his spit. He hurriedly turned away, hacking and wheezing as he nearly asphyxiated on his own saliva.“Yeah,” Moody grimaced with a slight disgruntled noise hidden in his tone, “that’s a problem.”

Tom Riddle, 15 years old, in the middle of the London Blitz suddenly finds himself in a future with no allies, resources, information, and everyone he knows treats him with enough restraint to not murder him on the spot. It takes a lot to truly ruin a human being, to rot them so thoroughly even fruit flies avoid the stench. Tom doesn’t want this bullshit, Tom only wants to-‘Please God, let me live.

My notes: I haven’t finished reading this one, but it’s really good. This fic could capture the terrifying essence of devastation of war and death. It contains a graphic and detailed description about Tom trying to survive in the blitz, so it’s not for those who aren’t into those heavy materials.

[uris-stanley]

those words we dare not say

a/n: that’s right, i finally wrote a fucking byeler fic! v sorry that it didn’t come sooner, and v v v sorry that its gonna be shitty. but, anyway, angst ensues!

warnings: slurs, implied abuse

I

Mike Wheeler is just 6 years old when he first sees it. FAG, marked across his inner elbow in small, black font. He knows what it is thanks to 10 year old Nancy’s dreamy-eyed talk of soulmates and true love. He knows that anything particularly memorable to your soulmate for one reason or another, like a name or a date or a certain phrase, perhaps, becomes tattooed onto your skin. He knows that his Aunt Em allegedly has a paragraph from a Stephen King novel etched across her left foot.

He does not know what this first word means.

He wants to ask his mom, to proudly show how grown up he is to already have a special word. But something about the three letters puts a sick feeling in his stomach. Maybe it’s their stark contrast against his pale, freckled skin, or perhaps the harsh sound they make in his head, cold and grown up and frightening. Or maybe it is the sudden, taunting feeling of adulthood, how a piece of his innocence seemingly slipped away the moment he read it. Whatever the reason, it fills him with a sort of uneasiness that causes him to think telling her would be a bad idea. So instead, he does what any confused 1st grade boy would do. He goes to Nancy.

“Go away, Mike.” She groans as he knocks on her door, the sudden noise making her pink marker slip across the page she was writing on in surprise. Again, he knocks, this time entering the bedroom before she has another chance to yell at him. Quietly, he moves over to her bed and places her rainbow of felt tips on the floor handful by careful handful. Another time he might’ve swiped them messily aside, but not now. Mike sits cross-legged at the foot, and any snarky remark she might’ve had disappears. She can tell from his blank expression that he’s completely serious.

Without a word (though maybe the contrast of the fearful, embarrassed, confused look in his eyes to his otherwise expressionless face is enough), he pulls up the sleeve of his pyjama top, and in his six year old mind he hopes to whatever God is listening that it will have disappeared.

His prayer is ignored.

For a moment, Nancy’s face flickers in almost slow motion from shock, to awe, then back to shock, though perhaps a better word might be disgust, or pain, or something completely different. It’s a sort of emotion a girl like her wouldn’t have been able to define. Maybe it’s fear for him, a fear that she didn’t quite understand and yet is there, prominent and crippling. But whatever it is, two things are for certain; it hurts, and it sticks.

She slaps a hand over her mouth as she gasps, the other pulling Mike’s arm closer, rubbing her thumb gently over the letters to see if they’ll smudge. She looks up at him, and this time she feels somethings so simple; she feels her 10 year old heart breaking at the sight of her little brother, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes that she knows he doesn’t know why they’re there, a look of fear and utter lostness gracing his freckled features. “Whuh-wha-what does it m-mean, Nance?” He shakes out, lip trembling unsteadily. She wants to shrivel up and hide from that look, or maybe lock it up in a box somewhere no one, especially he, will ever find it.

“It…” Her voice cracks and she trails off, unsure. He’s 6. She knows he’ll hear it elsewhere eventually, of course she does. She isn’t stupid. And yet, she doesn’t want to be the one to put that maturity on him and strip away innocent parts of his childhood, the urge to hide it from him as long as possible right there. “It- Fag is a name some nasty people call people who’re gay.” The words spit quickly from her mouth, and she watches as his face dawns in realization. He’s seen the way his mother turn the TV off quickly if it mentions ‘the gays’ when his father is in the room, his tight-lipped expression any time she isn’t fast enough. He remembers the look of disgust on his face and how he’d practically shook in anger the time they’d seen two men - Tom Rogers and Nigel Parks, who’d disappeared just days after Mr Parks and his dad had a “man talk” - holding hands coming out of a restaurant. His eyebrows furrow as he’s silent for a moment, thoughtful. “Am I a f-fag?”

“No. No, you are not a fag. Okay, you might be gay, Mike.” Nancy’s voice lowers at the last word, and she tightly grabs his considerably smaller hands in her own. “But don’t ever let anyone call you a fag or a fairy or anything else, okay? There’s nothing wrong with liking boys. People might think it bad, or disgusting, or sinful, but it’s not. You’re still Mike.”

By now she’s hiccuping on her words, tears threatening to spill, though if he notices he neglects to mention. “Sh-should I tell m-mom?”

Nancy Wheeler, 10 years old and aged so many years in the past 5 minutes, sighs in almost relief. Finally, they’ve reached the simplest part of the conversation. “Yeah, I think you should. Come back when you’re done, okay? I’ll help you cover it up, if you want, yeah?”

Nodding, Mike slips down from the bed and goes towards the door. “And Mike?”

He turns to face her, and she flashes a weak smile. “Don’t tell dad, alright? Promise me.”

“I promise, Nance.” The smile he returns is too big and red for his face, too wrong. It’s no longer the smile of her nerdy baby brother, but the broken one of a scared little boy thrown all too soon into deep, murky waters.

Watching him walk away, Nancy’s suddenly terrified that he’ll never again be as he once was.

II

When Mike is 9 years old, Dustin Henderson moves to Hawkins. He joins their 4th grade class midway through November, and by Mike’s 10th birthday in late December, the two are best friends along with Lucas Sinclair and Will Byers. In the time passed since his ‘first’ word (which, after going to his mom, he discovered wasn’t after all; his back already was littered with dozens more, mostly repeated slurs of ‘faggot’ and ‘queer’, and had been for months), 20 or so more have appeared along his arm. He only shows a few, less revealing ones when in school, but they’re still all there, harsh and unforgiving.

The day of his birthday sleepover, the first sleepover between the 4 of them, he forgets.

It’s a Saturday, and way too hot to be wearing a sweater, despite it being winter, so he spends the morning down in the basement, wondering why 1pm won’t just hurry up. It arrives eventually, of course, and Lucas gets there first. They’ve not been best friends as long as Mike and Will, but their moms are, and through many evenings at the others house and a few sleepy late night conversations, he knows that Mike covers some of his words in school (he’s never thought to question what exactly they say, though). So when he notices the freckled boys arms are a bit more littered than usual, he doesn’t say a thing. Instead, he goes downstairs to see the Dungeons & Dragons game his older sister bought him. 5 minutes later, and Lonnie Byers pulls up with Will and Dustin, shouting a drunken goodbye before driving away at speeds dangerous for a sober man. Will is clearly uncomfortable, and Karen makes sure to take him home herself in the morning. Again, they don’t mention Mike’s sudden abundance of soul-words (truth be told, they don’t even notice), all 4 quickly enthralled in excited chatter over the new D&D board. In fact, it isn’t until nearly 12 hours later, when they finally start settling down into their sleeping bags (not to sleep, of course. They’re adamant that they’ll pull an all nighter), that Dustin cries out in astonishment.

“Oh my god! Mike! You’re arm!” He whisper shouts, pointing in surprise at Mike’s arm. All of a sudden, the world seems to draw to a halt, and said boy remembers that every single word on his skin is uncovered. He feels naked and exposed under Dustin’s gaze, his mind completely abandoning ship. Luckily, Lucas slaps Dustin’s hand away.

“He covers some of them in school, duh. Would you around with your arm looking like that? No offense, Mike.” The curly haired boy shrugs, before turning his attention back to Mike. “What do they say?”

This, unfortunately, seems to interest Lucas. He’s never once openly questioned what the boy was hiding (he’s wondered in his head, of course. He feels like he’d be a bad friend not to), but now that someone else feels the same way, he’s never wanted a question answered more.

“Yeah Mike,” he says, as Mike desperately tries to shrink into himself “what do they say?”

This time it’s Will, mostly silent through this whole ordeal, who jumps to Mike’s defence. “Guys. Cut it out.” He says, his quiet voice a warning. Go ahead, it seems to coo to them, ask him again. Go on. Push. Bet you wanna, sure you do. Push him. See who’s gonna stop ya. Not me, surely not, not little Will. The thought of Will saying it is absurd; never in a million years would he ever act that way. But the voice edges them on in their heads, daring them, completely unsettling, so they stay quiet. The silence that follows is more than half awkward, and everyone’s relieved when Dustin farts, setting them off into hysterics. Nobody mentions Mike’s marks again.

—

It’s 3am when Lucas and Dustin eventually pass out, the bigger boy flooped haphazardly across the sofa whilst the other snores softly, incoherent murmurs every now and again (“War stories.” His mom told him once. “You’re talking about your daddy’s war stories.” He never remembers). Mike himself is quite ready to sleep, his eyes heavy and head fuzzy. But he can see Will’s eyes open wide and alert, even in the pitch darkness. He tries to sleep, knowing - hoping - that Will’ll drop off any minute now. He speaks anyway, something inside of him insisting that he must.

“They’re slurs.” He whispers so as to not wake the other two boys. Part of him hopes he doesn’t hear.

Will turns himself to the side so he’s fully facing Mike and sits up slightly. Somehow he manages to lock eyes with him. “What?”

Mike stutters. “My muh-marks that I h-hide. They’re g-g-g-gay slurs.” He wonders why in the hell he thought this was a good idea at 3am, in total darkness, to the one person who didn’t even want to know, and yet it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from his chest as he says it. Like for the first time in 3 years, he can breathe again.

“That’s okay.” He thinks he hears a smile in Will’s voice, though it’s too dark to tell (it crosses his mind that it had also been to dark to see his eyes. He tries not to think about that).

“You know that means I’m a q-q-q-” the word trips and rolls about his mouth, and his face begins to go red with effort.

“Mike,” Will cuts him off, shuffling forward in their already close quarters, till he’s practically sitting in his lap (he doesn’t exactly hate it. Mike tries not to think about that either) “I know. It’s okay.”

Mike doesn’t think it’s completely okay, doesn’t think he ever will. But he looks into Will’s eyes (even this close, he probably shouldn’t be able to see the deep brown of them, and he definitely shouldn’t want to lose himself in them), and there’s something there that makes him believe that he’s right, that it is okay.

There’s something in them that makes him feel safe.

They sit there for awhile, Will’s head on Mike’s shoulder, Mike’s head racing with questions, the silence that blankets them comfortable.

“D’you got any?” He whispers. Will nods, but there’s hesitance in the movement. “You don’t gotta tell me, y’know, right?” He can practically feel the relief wash over the smaller boy, and he smiles.

“Thanks.” His voice is only a squeak, but Mike can sense the gratitude in his tone. They sit awhile longer (maybe it’s 10 minutes, maybe it’s an hour, neither can tell), until Will nestles down and falls asleep. Mike looks down, smiling softly, and lies down too.

His stomach is full of butterflies, and his skin is covered in goosebumps despite the hot blush that is spread across his face. He tries not to think about it.

IIV

He’s 12 when everything finally - finally - starts falling into place.

He may not be good at rationally expressing his emotions (he is, after all, a 7th grade nerd), but he knows that Will is probably, most likely, almost certainly his soulmate. He knows that Lonnie Byers was an absolute dick of a father, and that the harsh bruises Will’d been sporting more frequently in the few months before his dad’s first departure weren’t from falling down the stairs (for starters, the Byers lived in a bungalow), or brotherly wrestling matches with Jonathan, or any of the other bullshit excuses he’d made. He also knows that Joyce herself had taken a harsh beating the night she’d eventually kicked the drunken man out for the first (but not last) time; Lonnie, still drunk and even more disorderly, had almost kicked the Wheeler’s door in just before he drove out of town, yelling slurred words down to the basement where Mike and Will had their sleeping bags set up. “Tell your bitch of a mother that, that she deserved all of it, you f-f-fucking queer!” His shouts, drenched in alcohol, had been loud and terrifying. “Rot, rot in hell, the lot of y-you! See what the fuck I care!” Ted had eventually managed to make him leave with the threat of calling the cops, and moments later the sound of tyres spinning on tarmac echoed through the street. Downstairs, Mike had faintly heard his mom telling Nancy and Barb to go back to bed, but he’d been too busy hugging Will’s shaking body to notice her stood on the basement steps.

He knows all of this, and he’s so, so sure it’s Will (He’s never coming back is scrawled around his left ankle, for God sake).

But then Will disappears, and they find Eleven, and suddenly the puzzle pieces don’t fit.

He likes El - like likes her. She’s pretty, and a total badass, and he feels something towards her that he’s never felt towards another girl before. He’d been positive he was gay, the fact that he’d only ever feelings for Will. But he likes El, he’s sure of it. Still, doubts flow through his mind. Maybe he only thinks he likes her because she’s the key to getting Will back, or maybe it’s her buzzed scalp and boyish appearance (he doesn’t dwell on the latter for too long however, feeling as though it disrespects and mocks her past). When he kisses her, however, he’s sure of one thing; he does like her, and he thinks he could maybe one day love her. The gay slurs are still on his skin (El only has 011, though somehow he knows from the beginning that it’s a legitimate tattoo).

And then, of course, she disappears.

A strange wave of déjà vu washes over him, the screaming after El dissipates before their very eyes, the shaking as Lucas and Dustin drag him out with silent tears streaming down their cheeks, the sobbing when his mom hugs his fragile form and gently rocks him. In the hospital waiting room he mourns in silence, wondering what would’ve happened if he’d just grabbed her arm…

When he hugs Will, sparks shoot through his skin, his stomach turning to butterflies, and god fucking damn is he relieved that Will’s alive, he doesn’t know what he’d have done if he wasn’t. But now he’s too plagued with horrible thoughts to look at him any other way than a friend. He pushes away any vulnerability he feels when Will gives him a soft look, and he starts to reconsider everything; he begins to think he’s been piecing the puzzle together wrong all along.

IV

December 17th 1985 is the night of their 9th grade Winter Formal. They’re together, all 6 of them (Max included), clad in matching baby blue. El’s been back - back back, living with Hopper - for a year now. Will hasn’t had a flashback for a little over 5 months, hasn’t had a Doctor’s Appointment in 11. Billy hasn’t been around for God knows how long, and Max is the happiest she’s ever been. Nancy and Steve (and Jonathan, but that’s not something they talk about) are visiting from NYU. Everything is perfect as can be.

…and yet.

Mike doesn’t want to say he feels nothing when he kisses El, or holds her hand, or looks down at her smiling face as they dance together. He does feel something, he knows he does. But whatever spark they once had is duller now. Things changed from 1983, and though he still loves her, in a way, he knows they can’t work for much longer, and he’s okay with that.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, and one thing he’s not completely okay with, is Will.

Will, with his smooth skin and fluffy hair. Will, whose eyes he wants to get lost in and who’s smile is the most goddamn beautiful thing Mike Wheeler has ever seen. Will, whose smile he would really like to kiss…

No, he’s not okay with that.

He felt something with Eleven. It’s not there anymore, but once upon a time it was, and it was real. So obviously, he likes girls. Simple. And then, when he looks to Will, it’s not so simple. Because everything he once felt towards El, the butterflies, the happiness, the protectiveness, the almost-but-not-quite love, all of it (and so much more), it’s all there with Will.

He really hates feelings.

It’s December 17th, 1985, the night of their 9th grade Winter Formal. Mike dances with El close to his chest, trying to will the spark back. Every now and then, he looks over to where Lucas, Max, Dustin and Will are stood laughing, and his stomach does backflips seeing the younger boy looking so content. He hates himself for wishing it was him he was dancing with.

—

Sometime over that Christmas break, Mike walks in on Nancy and Steve.

It isn’t anything particularly R rated, just some making out, nothing he hasn’t done with El. He knew it’d happen eventually, anyway. There’s only so many places for them to be in a cramped house in the holidays. No, the surprising part is that Jonathan Byers is right there with them.

As soon as he drops his radio with a thud in shock, the three spring apart like a pair (trio) of deer caught in headlights, and when Nancy opens her mouth to speak, Mike just runs. He doesn’t exactly know why his eyes sting with tears, or why he heads straight for the backdoor, but before he can reach his bike he bends over and throws up right there on the grass. The smell is putrid, and he goes on retching long after his stomach is empty. In fact, he only stops when a hand starts to gently rub his back. “Hey bud, c’mon, you’re okay Mike, calm down, breathe.” It’s Steve. There’s a little panic in his tone, and Mike tries to tell him that he is calm, and he’s breathing quite fine, thank you very much, but when he goes to speak he notices the tears streaming down his face and the laboured wheezing of his lungs, and he thinks that maybe Steve’s panic is warranted. Eventually, he manages to get his breathing working normally, so he slides down against the house, exhausted. The older boy sits too. For awhile, they sit in silence, the only sound being their breathing and Last Christmas playing a few doors down.

“Well,” Steve begins, uncertain “we definitely never thought that would be your reaction. Props for originality, I guess.” Mike feels sick to the stomach, though this not in a literal sense. “Don’t take it the wrong way. I don’t disapprove or anything.” He keeps his eyes shut, cold December air nipping at his cheeks. Beside him, there’s a quiet chuckle. “Really. I think the spew on the floor says otherwise.” “That’s not-” his voice cracks, and he can feel the smile drop from Steve’s face. “That’s not w-why. I understand the three of you being in love.” He doesn’t second guess his word choice for a second. He’s seen the way Nancy looks at Steve, and he knows his sister well enough to know that she wouldn’t share that with someone she only liked. “But… it’s just, seeing you and Jonathan, two guys, together, and then with a girl… it, I dunno, it made me face some things I’ve been tryna ignore, and I got scared.” His eyes are open by now, so he can see the older boy nod his head. “Talk to me, then.” He all but whispers, voice gentle. “I’m no Nancy, but I think I’ve proven pretty good at these sorta things in the past. Plus, it wasn’t too long ago that I was just as confused and terrified as you are.” Mike sits silently, hesitant to speak in case he says too much or Steve calls him crazy. He’s so caught up in his thoughts, in fact, that he doesn’t notice when he begins to empty out the entirety of his soul. He tells about going to Nancy with that ‘first’ word. He tells about his confession to Will, how he’d felt so much better afterwards. He tells about how he’d been so sure Will was his soulmate until he met Eleven. Every thought and feeling that’s plagued him for the past 10 years, he tells about. And Steve sits, listening intently, his eyes brightening or his lips twitching upwards every now and again. When Mike finishes rambling (and when he’s eventually caught his breath), he nods. “Yup, you’re bi.” Mike stutters. “B-b-bi?” “Uhuh,” another nod from Steve “bisexual. I mean, I can’t tell you who you are and who you aren’t, obviously, but from what you’ve told me I’m pretty sure you’re bi.” Mike’s head spins. He barely manages to catch anything Steve says, the pounding of his heart deafening. “What does b-b-bi m-mean?” He questions. Something tells him he’s almost there, though where that is or how he knows is a mystery. “Bi is when you like girls and guys.” Steve says it so simply, as if it were perfectly natural, and despite everything he’s been told, despite the threatening looks his father gives gay people, despite the clear and obnoxious separation between ‘the sinners’ and everyone else. Despite all of this, Mike finds it makes perfect sense. He opens and closes his mouth, trying to speak, and ends up bursting into tears. Steve, visibly panicked, puts an arm round the younger boy, but he’s smiling so damn wide as he sobs. Because finally, after 9 years of pain and confusion, he’s finally found himself.

V Will Byers heads off to UCLA on September 1st, 1989. His acceptance to the college had been celebrated by everyone (Joyce had cried more than a little), and the day had been eagerly awaited.

Now, the day before, Mike Wheeler is lay in his bed, in the dark, not keen on moving.

He hasn’t been as close with Will over the past years, mainly due to pushing him away, and whilst of course he’d been thrilled for him getting into UCLA, he had been avoiding him for awhile now. For reasons he still tries to ignore.

*knock* “Go away, Nancy!” He yells, groaning and rolling towards the wall as light from the hallway floods the room.

“I’m not Nancy.” It’s Jonathan, and for a minute Mike panics; the two aren’t as close as he is with Steve, so if Jon was here to talk when Mike clearly didn’t want to then either Nancy or Will was in trouble and if they’re in trouble that meant they were probably in danger and danger could easily mean death and Nancy or Will could be dead. “-ike! Are you there?” Mike looks up, abandoning his rambling thoughts, and sees a worried Jonathan. “IsNancyorWilldead?” He shoots out quickly. The older boy shakes his head. “What? No, they’re not dead.” He smiles, and Mike instantly relaxes. “I’m asking why you’re not going to see Will?” Once again, panic, though this time the feeling is more repressed, and at the same time more nerve-wracking. “I-I…” he stutters pathetically. Jonathan’s hard stare isn’t helping. “I cuh-can’t s-se-see him. Because then the f-f-fact that I’m g-gonna be away f-f-from him f-for a year is ruh-real.” “So?” His sister’s boyfriend shrugs. “You’re not gonna see Dustin or Lucas or anyone else for a year. So what? What’s the difference?” And that throws Mike off, because he knows what’s different about Will, of course he does, Jonathan probably knows too. But the thought of actually saying it aloud, the prospect of setting those words free, is rather quite a terrifying one. “Will’s different. I luh-l-luh-” Nice to meet you, Mike! I’m Will Byers! “luh-luh-” Mike. I know. It’s okay. “luh-luh-” The roll. It was a seven. The demogorgon. It got me. “luh-luh-luh-” Yeah, crazy together. “luh-” I’m not leaving you, Mike. None of us are. You’re gonna be okay. “luh-luh-” This is Trevor. My boyfriend. “GODDAMMIT I LOVE HIM!” For a while the only sound is Mike’s ragged breathing as he tries desperately not to cry. I love him. At some point, Jonathan stands to leave. At the door, he stops. “They broke up, you know. Trevor and Will. So don’t you break my brother’s heart again.” The now shaking boy doesn’t, can’t look up, but he can still see the sadness on his face. Eventually, Jonathan goes. Mike is alone once again in the unforgiving darkness. — Hawkins at night is rather pretty. That’s what Michael Wheeler thinks as he drives along Mirkwood at 11pm. He’s been out at this time and later a bunch, of course, but he’s never been in a good enough frame of mind to notice.

Now, his mind is the last place he wants to be.

In there it’s a mess of fires and alarm bells and destruction as he goes over every possible scenario: Will will take him, he’ll tell him to fuck off, he won’t have broken up with Trevor after all, he won’t be alone, he won’t even be there. The last thought worries him the most, because it’s been almost 6 years since Will disappeared and none of them need to deal with any of that shit ever again. He knows, deep down, that it’s irrational. It’s been 6 years since Will disappeared, after all.

The place he’s heading to is one the 6 of them discovered sometime in the Summer of ‘86, a little clearing surrounded by trees and overlooking the lights of the town. It’d felt special, somehow, and was easy to get to by car, so it had become Theirs. Mike knows that, if Will was going to be anywhere, this was it.

Still, relief washes over him when he sees the battered ‘78 Fairmont peering down over Hawkins, and Will’s pale figure perched on the bonnet.

The small boy turns round in confusion at the sound of gravel crunching, ready to apologise to an office and speedily drive away, but he smiles lazily when he sees Mike. Not breaking the silence, the two sit together; not side by side, but close enough so that their feet knock every now and again and so, hands on the car and keeping them upright, their pinkies can just barely brush.

“It’s beautiful at this time,” Will sighs, still looking onwards “you can’t see the ugliness in the dark.” Mike knows what he means; the homophobia and the racism and the bullying, the constant pressure to do better, to be something other than yourself, something that conforms to society’s idea of perfect. But he also knows that there’s ugliness only Will and El and the many children, some alive and some dead but all forgotten, could ever fully understand, the ugliness that once upon a time ago tried to seep through; an ugliness that almost destroyed Will; and ugliness with enough power to kill them all. He isn’t sure which he’s talking about (he’s not sure it matters), and the quiet continues.

Eventually, Will turns to face him. He looks as though he’s been crying. “Why are you here, Mike?” He says, tired. Mike doesn’t know how to answer; he knows exactly why, but he’s scared he’ll frighten Will away for good. “For you.” They’re the only words he can say. He knows they can’t be enough. Will smiles a little - it doesn’t look right. Broken, almost. “And I’ve been here 8 years. 8 years of waiting, of getting my heart broken. Do you know,” his voice breaks, and a few tears spill down his cheeks “how much it hurt when I got back from that place and found you with your heart set on El?” Mike hates knowing the pain on his face is his fault. “Why now, Mike? Just when everything starts to look up, why do this now?” And he’s took scared to admit that he was scared and confused and young, because it doesn’t feel like a good excuse at all, more like a piss poor attempt of one. Maybe Will’s right, maybe he should just let it go, move on. Not all soulmates are destined to be lovers, after all.

But Mike remembers Jonathan telling him not to break Will’s heart again, and he knows: walking away will do exactly that. He won’t let Will suffer any more because of him.

“I’m here now because I’ve grown. I’ve changed. I’ve learned. I fucked up so bad, but I promise you I’ve grown. Truth is, Will, I kinda always knew I had feelings for you. I read the signs, hell I prayed to those signs like the holy bible and I was ready to admit it. That night you disappeared I was ready to confess. But then everything happened and I was sure I liked El, I know I did, and 12 year old me figured you could only like girls or guys.” A crude chuckle escapes Mike’s mouth. His tongue is sandpaper, his throat a long, dry tube of words waiting to be said. Words that terrify him. “It only clicked at 15 that I could like both. I’ve not got any excuse for these past 3 years, I know. I was just… scared. Of hurting El. Of losing you.” He looks up from his spot of dirt to Will’s face. Tears are running silently down his face, chapped lips parted in wonder, conflict brewing behind his chocolate brown eyes.

“I won’t fucking lose you, Will.”

And suddenly they’re kissing. It’s tender, and far from perfect, but it’s passionate. Their lips, slowly moving together in harmony, radiate nothing but longing and passion and love, so much love. Mike can barely breathe, for more reasons than one. Both boys feel galaxies a million years away spark to life. Their hearts beat frantically and yet in unison. Neither want it to end. Both know that eventually it must. Pulling away, Mike sees a fond sparkle in Will’s eyes; he sees small droplets of sweat on his forehead that for the first time in years aren’t the product of fear; he sees a blush of colour radiating from his skin that disappeared at 12 and never really came back. He sees bliss contentedness.

Not perfect, no, but simply knowing that he could make Will feel so utterly happy is good enough for Mike. — It’s 2am when the boys know it’s time to leave. And they both know that if they don’t speak now, they may never get another chance.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Mike’s voice is a surprise to the both of them. “It was my first day of kindergarten. I was so scared, so fucking alone, and there you were, on that swingset everyone loved so much, alone too. I asked you to be my friend. And you said yes.” “You’ve told me this before, I think.” Will intervenes. “Best thing you’ve ever done.” He laughs lightly, but Mikes face is so serious. “I meant it when I said it at 13 and I mean it when I say it now. That was the best. Thing. I. Have ever. Fucking. Done.” His voice is genuine, and Will melts a little. The silence resumes itself for some time longer.

“You must love making my life harder, Wheeler.” Will eventually prods in a teasing manner head lay on the taller boy’s shoulder. “I swear it’s not intentional.” Mike says. “You don’t exactly make mine any easier.” The two chuckle before falling comfortably into silence. After a while, a sigh escapes Will. “Y’know I can’t give up UCLA for you Mike. I don’t wanna throw any chance of their being an us but I’ve worked too hard for this and-” Mike grabs his hand in an effort to calm and reassure him. “Will. I’m not asking you to give up your dream. I’m not so selfish. And I’m not expecting you to even give me a chance, because I don’t deserve it. But no matter what,” he gently rubs his thumb over Will’s palm, looking him in the eyes, their faces but a kissing distance apart “I’m not gonna leave you, ever. I’d wait forever and a day for you. I will. I’ll wait here for you, because I love you so fucking much. Even when your off married and have forgotten all about me, I’m gonna live you, Will Byers.”

Will smiles. “I fucking love you too, nerd.”

And that’s when Mike’s heart explodes. He stops in silence, too joyful to speak, a smile slowly working itself across his face. “HEAR THAT, WORLD?” He screams, jumping up, his words full of happiness as they float down to the town below. “WILL BYERS LOVES ME! WILL FUCKING BYERS LOVES ME!” Will laughs beside him, tugging on his arm and telling him to shut up. Birds evacuate their trees at the sudden noise, hundreds of pairs of wings flapping overhead. Eventually, Mike does quiet down, but the huge, lovestruck grin is still plastered across his face. “You fucking love me.” He whispers almost carefully, like the very words could shatter at any moment. “Yeah,” Will leans his head on Mike’s shoulder, smiling. “I do”

Somewhere down in the twinkling lights of Hawkins, a song plays loud enough so that the notes travel up to them. It’s Cherish by The Association, and Will huns softly along. Mike traces the appearing set of words on the smaller boy’s arm, his heart lurching into his throat, and for the first time in such a long time everything feels okay. It feels like home.

Will fucking Byers loves me.

[kitten1618x]

GoT Afterthoughts 7x03 The Queen's Justice (Jonsa Edition) SPOILERS

I’m sorry for the delay, but ffs this is LONG! Well ...now we know that this week's episode title was def. referring to Cersei, let's get to it. 

We begin this week with foreboding music -Jon and Davos riding the crashing waves onto the shores of Dragonstone -which I still highly prefer the exterior to the interior -though, I suppose it fits the "mood". Little bit of banter between the boys, and after a friendly introduction and a smiling face, Missandei asks for their weapons. A skeptical and non-to-pleased looking Jon obeys, then turns to watch warily while the Dothraki take their rowboat as well. Okay Gendry, you can row up at any time now ...we may need you as the getaway boat. 

So they proceed up the long winding staircase (which has more steps than Dany does titles) and not even a full 3 minutes into the episode, Sansa is already brought up in conversation. I'm dead serious - 02:30 minute mark on the dot. I actually only know this, because at this particular moment, I paused the DVR to grab a snack -but I like how in what is supposed to be such a J/D-centric episode (er-meh-gerd they're finally meeting!!!), Sansa takes precedence. Good call D&D ...I see what you did there. 

Now about that conversation -is it odd that Tyrion would bring up Sansa in passing conversation with Jon? No, not at all -she is a connection that they both share, but ....

T: Sansa, I hear she's alive and well? 

J: She is. 

T: Does she miss me terribly? (clearly he's attempting a bit of a joke here). 

J: *silence as he stares down at Tyrion like he damn well better explain himself*

T: *looks over his shoulder, to see that Jon is not amused, quickly explains* A sham marriage, never consummated. 

J: I didn't ask. 

T: Well it was, it wasn't. Anyway, she's much smarter than she lets on.

J: She's starting to let on. 

T: Good. 

So, what exactly was the point of this conversation? If Tyrion just wanted to know if Sansa was well, and the narrative wanted to establish how clever Sansa is, they could have done that without all that "missing me and marriage sham and unconsummated" banter in between. We as an audience already know all of these things, so how does that little nugget of information help in furthering the narrative? To put it quite simply -it doesn't. Again ..I see you D&D, I see exactly what you did there. 

A bit more banter between the boys -Tyrion's ironic statement about Starks not faring well in the South, as to which Jon replies that he's not a Stark (shut up baby, yes you fucking are!) and BOOM! Cue: Drogon swooping down over the crowd, and Jon and Davos hitting the deck like a bunch of dropped wet rocks. You will NEVER convince me that was coincidence. Dany is in full control of her Dragons now, and that was a total (cheap) intimidation tactic. 

PS: Jon is wearing leggings! Show me tha booty! 

Cut to Varys and Melisandre perched high above on a cliff and watching the welcoming committee march up the guests. Varys prods her on why she won't greet them considering she spoke so highly of Jon Snow. She replies with how she's "brought fire and ice together and she's done her part" -I believe this is a deliberate misdirection from the writers. We already know that Jon is fire and ice on his own -the characters do not, and you know the dark ship is going wild over this line right now, but don't any of you pay it any mind. It's like a magicians trick -slight of hand ..look over there, while we do this over here. 

Varys still has a healthy skepticism of this religion and these priestesses -and I'm still 1100000% with him. Melisandre is going back to Volantis (spelled right??) it seems -but will return to die -just like Varys. Ohhhh prophetic. And damn but these red witches get under his skin! Why???? I must know!

Poor Jonny-boy walking into the throne room looks nervous AS HELL, with the Mad Kings daughter perched on that wiggy-ass throne, and half of Dany's face is bathed in shadows, and she's once again cloaked in all black -shadows, darkness = symbolism at its finest folks. Hiding ones face half in shadow is a popular trope to emphasize that someone has a "sinister side" , and wearing all black is also a trope - "evil wears black." 

Now, for arguments sake (and because I like to play devils advocate -the Nights Watch also wear all black, and Jon did too -however, Dany's wardrobe went from bright white (innocence and purity) to black upon coming to Westeros.  

So as Missandei rambles off all 101 of Dany's titles (like I swear they do this purposely to annoy us at this point), Davos shoots back with "This is Jon Snow and he's King of the North". (See this juxtaposition they just shoved RIGHT IN OUR FACES???). LMAO -by the way, I just fucking adore Davos! He is a damn precious dewdrop, and I will fight you if you say otherwise! 

D: You are here to bend the knee?

J: I am not. 

Who else screeched with glee here? Huh? Huh? 

Bend the knee. Bend the knee. BEND THE KNEE. 

I'm not going to rehash this entire exchange, but a few important things that stuck out to me: 

Jon's primary focus is "us", "we" -he's concerned about saving people.   

Dany's primary focus is "Me, me, me!!"  

 It is interesting how she asked that the father's sins not be passed onto the daughter -reminiscent of Jon's own words regarding the Karstark and Umber children. I wonder if this is a sort of foreshadowing that by not being more wary of Dany's Targ temper, it just may bite him in the ass later.   

 Also Dany is a hypocrite. "Don't blame me for my ancestors -blah blah blah, but bend the knee because of my ancestors." Sigh.   

I'm insanely curious why Jon didn't want Davos to tell them he'd been resurrected -or why Melisandre left that little tidbit out too??? 

 Jon is now essentially Dany's prisoner.  

Dany's narcissism is growing by the day. I can't believe people don't understand what GRRM (D&D) are deliberately doing with her character! This is an actual quote: "Do you know what kept me standing all those years in exile? Faith. Not in any god, not in myths, and legends. In myself. Daenerys Targaryen. The world hadn’t seen a dragon in centuries, until my children were born. The Dothraki hadn’t crossed the sea, any sea. They did for me. I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms. And I will."  

Varys delivers the news that Dany's  fleet is gone, and then Theon is fished from the sea by his people. And let me slip in here that if you're one of the people bashing Theon for jumping overboard because he so clearly suffers from PTSD -you're a shit, and you need to stop. That's not something that just suddenly disappears ...he will struggle with that for whatever is left of his life. He's gonna rescue Yara ...I just know it. 

Now we're in Kings Landing and Euron is parading Yara and the Sand Snakes through the city. Like, I'm so torn, because I hate this dude, but I also kinda love him? His teasing of Jamie is PRICELESS, if not highly inappropriate. It's also pretty clear to me that Cersei has no intent on marrying him. In typical Cersei fashion, she'll keep him at arms length while she uses him, and then dispose of him when he wears out his usefulness -clever girl that she is. 

And now we're in the dungeon where the Sand Snakes are chained -after a bit of tormenting them, she takes Tyene the same way they took her daughter -with a kiss of death. As a mother, I truly feel for Cersei here as she talks about Mrycella -for both of these mothers actually. Say what you will about Cersei, but Lena is a fucking GODDESS! She owns this role so well. Like, I can't stand Cersei, and yet, I literally cheer for her sometimes. One thing is for certain -people better stop underestimating her ruthlessness. And my God, the Sand Snakes -magnificent acting with no dialogue!

After a romantic romp with her dear brother (and damn, Jamie has a sweet ass), she boldly allows the servant to see them together -she's queen now, and apparently has no more fucks to give. It's time for the Lannister's to pay their debts, and she's off to meet with a rep. of the Iron Bank. Using the sharp negotiation skills she inherited from Tywin, and the same "foreign invader/mad Kings daughter" approach that she used to sway the Lords, it appears she gets what she wants and the Iron Bank will extend her the credit she needs - "gold wins wars." 

We jump back to Dragonstone, where our brooding prisoner/hero is staring forlornly at the sea. He's a Northern fool who didn't listen (to Sansa). Tyrion tries to appeal to Jon's good side, and talks up Dany a bit, while simultaneously trying to help him. He's looking to strike an alliance -"use each other to further your own needs approach", and after a somewhat comical conversation with Dany (thank God because we need a bit of levity surrounding her scenes) -he urges her to let Jon mine the dragon glass. I think Tyrion does truly believe Jon is telling the truth. The knife in the heart comment comes up again -and again, I wonder why Jon didn't want them to know about his resurrection -but clearly, it's important because it was brought up again. 

Now Jon approaches Dany who's gazing off towards the sea and watching her Dragons soaring in the distance. Sounds kinda romantic, right? Well not really, as during most of this conversation they stood facing opposite directions, barely making eye contact -save for a few moments. Shipping goggles are fully affixed here, but compare this to the way Jon and Sansa are always staring into each other's eyes (usually in softly lit rooms). Just sayin'. 

Jon comments on Dany's Dragons, and she tells them that she named them for her brothers -Viserys and Rhaegar. This made me smile. And what I find so amusing about this, is just a few nights ago, I had a Nonny send me an ask referring to the general audience possibly forgetting that Rhaegar (Jon's daddy dearest) was Dany's brother --well, there you have it, Nonny, the narrative just delivered your reminder. Heh heh heh. ;)   I don't think that Dany believes Jon about the WW/NK yet (and really, we can't fault her) but he is getting his dragon glass, and in the meantime, it keeps Jon hanging around -more time to woo him to their side. 

And we head North to Winterfell (finally) to see that the Sass QitN is pretty freaking good at this ruling stuff. Like really, did we ever have any doubts? She's preparing for the enemy coming from both sides, because she's clever as hell (and I'm so proud of her!!!). Can't-take-a-hint Lord Creepyfinger is at it again -whispering in her ear with his creepy-creep-ness, and our girl once again, deliciously puts him in his place. Look, this constant talk of Cersei with Sansa, and the fact that she's lived and learned from her -plus this emphasis on how well she's taken up the helm at "ruling" and caring for her people, all while Tyrion, Jon and LF are all saying how smart she is ...I'm really starting to get the feeling that Sansa is THAT queen. Ya know -the one from Cersei's prophecy ...  

"You'll be queen, for a time. Then comes another, younger, more beautiful, to cast you down and take all you hold dear." 

I usually try not to get tin foilish in my recaps, but this is the Jonsa edition after all, so bear with me. Sansa has literally learned from the master of ruthlessness, and I truly believe all this emphasis on that this season, is setting up the fact that Sansa will be the only one clever enough to see through Cersei's scheming, won't underestimate her, and in fact, be the one to bring her down. Sansa, if not indirectly, could be linked to all of Cersei's children's deaths (all she holds dear): 

She was betrothed to Joffrey, who after he cruelly tortured her for a time, discarded her for Margaery. Being the clever old bird that she was, Olenna got Sansa to open up about Joffrey's cruelty, which ultimately led to his death.  

Thrusting Sansa into a marriage with Tyrion who then were both accused by Cersei of murdering Joffrey. Sansa escapes due to LF's scheming, leading to Tyrion's trial by combat with Oberyn as his champion. When he is killed by the Mountain, Ellaria exacts revenge on the Lannisters by killing Mrycella.   

Due to Joffrey's death, Tommon becomes king, and takes his brothers widow for a wife -the same family responsible for Joffrey's death -who only murdered him because Sansa confirmed his cruelness. Tommon falls hopelessly in love with Margaery, and upon her death, commits suicide.   

It's also important to note, that Cersei is technically the one to blame for the deaths of all of her children, although she will never see it that way. While I was studying up on this prophecy, I also stumbled onto this from one of the book wiki sites:

When will I marry the prince?

Cersei is talking about Prince Rhaegar, whom Tywin Lannister intended to offer her to for marriage. Maggy tells Cersei that she will never marry the prince, but will marry the king. This foreshadows King Aerys refusing Tywin’s offer, Robert’s Rebellion, and Cersei eventually marrying Robert Baratheon after he is crowned king.

I just find highly coincidental that Cersei was almost wed to a Targaryen prince (and Jon Snow's father, to boot), and if we're all correct in our assumptions that Jonsa is in fact endgame (it is, by the way) then Sansa will take that from her, too. Which also strangely ties Sansa to -going from in the beginning of the story, wanting the prince who was actually a bastard, to getting the bastard who is actually a prince. Just sayin' ....

Okay, back to the show. 

Bran has arrived at Winterfell! I repeat BRAN HAS ARRIVED AT WINTERFELL!! And we are treated to yet another beautiful Stark reunion -minus "the nuzzle" -I repeat MINUS THE NUZZLE!! 

They are catching up in the Godswood, and the first thing out of Sansa's mouth (when she's in what she perceives is a safe space, and she's allowed to be vulnerable) is "I wish Jon were here". Ship them or not, there's a reason that they both mentioned each other in this episode -if only to remind us (the general audience) that they are, indeed, on each other's minds. 

Bran is quite emotionless, and I guess I get it. He needs to disconnect and emerge himself completely in this whole 3-eyed Raven deal, because the NK is coming, and he doesn't have much time to hone his powers. In light of their reunion, the writers chose to have him bring up the horrors Sansa suffered at the hands of Ramsey Bolton -to prove his power. I've seen some speculate that this was in fact Bran seeing a future Sansa wedding, and this very well may be, as he admitted himself that it all comes to him in bits. Part of me REALLY wants to believe that, but I think this had more to do with choosing something that would shake Sansa enough to know that what he says is true (cuz come on, he does seem a bit eccentric and cray, peeps). Or maybe it's both? Take it for what you will. 

Jorah has been successfully cured of his greyscale, and he is off to find his Dragon queen -and just ffs, I ship them so hard !!! They (Jorah/Sam) will meet again -although, I hope it's not on different sides of the battlefield. *cough* Targbowl. 

Sam doesn't get rewarded, but you can def. see that the Archmaester IS proud of him. Oh my heart! 

And we're back to Dany's war room. Two allies are down, her armada is gone. She wants to take her Dragons and go burn Euron's fleet -oh, I'm so shocked! But, her wise council talks her out of it, and Tyrion narrates the scene of Casterly rock being taken, while quoting his bro, Bron (like -I can't wait for these two to reunite). The siege is successful .....or is it? Well, NO -because Cersei is a BOSS! 

Euron has effectively taken out the rest of Dany's ships, and trapped GW and the remaining Unsullied at Casterly Rock (which by the way, is gorgeous, and it's about time we see it) -with limited supplies, and no one to come to their aid, they will likely die. 

So where is the rest of the Lannister army? Capturing High Garden, of course (and now Cersei will have their riches, as well). The battle scenes are skipped, and we see Jamie seek out Lady Olenna, who admits to being outsmarted. She warns Jamie that Cersei will be the death of him, and calls Joffrey a cunt (lmao, I love her), before swigging down the poison Jamie offers her. And right before the credits roll, she SAVAGELY admits to Jamie that she was behind Joffrey's murder, and she wants Cersei to know that. Daaaaaammmmmnnn!

And that concludes my Afterthoughts  ...see you next week. 

Oh, and Jonsa is endgame -spread the word. 

[meganlpie]

The Tale of Bucky Barnes pt. 4

Here is part 4!! I’m sorry it took so long! I do not own ANY of the Avengers. They belong to Marvel. Nor do I own any of the Galavant storyline. That belongs to the creators of the abc show. 

The Tale of Bucky Barnes Masterlist 

Warnings: Brief mentions of violence. Fluffy humor and it’s along part! 

Pairings: Eventual Bucky Barnes x fem!reader, Preserum!Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Sam Wilson, Clint Barton, Sarah Rogers.

Throughout the next day, Sam's mind kept wandering to the story he'd started. He knew if he didn't come up with some kind of answer for Natasha in the story, he'd never hear the end of it. So, he racked his brain over the course of the day, thankful they didn't have a mission. He was in no shape to focus on that. Yet, when Sam heard the tell-tale sound of the team and the children coming into the living room, Sam still hadn't thought of a thing.

               "Guess I'm gonna have to wing it," he whispered to himself as the others got in their places. "Wait for me!"your youngest daughter cried and she ran in and climbed onto Bucky's lap. Once she was settled, she smoothed her skirt with a look of pure determination on her face. Then she nodded. "Alright, Wilson. Hit us with it. What happens next?" Tony demanded, earning a glare from Sam and an elbow to the ribs from Pepper. "Be nice, Tony." Everyone else laughed as Sam cleared his throat and began.

               Back in the invaded kingdom, Tony sighed heavily. He was bored again. "Would you stop sighing? It's not helping anything," Natasha snapped at him before turning her attention back to the court jester, Sam, not that she knew his name. "Just find the jewel and...while you're at it find the girl that you let escape." Tony had to stop himself from sighing again. Natasha looked back at Tony and, with a smirk, she said, "Why don't you start acting like Bucky and do something?" With that, she rose from her seat and walked over to Sam.

               Tony watched from his stolen throne and frowned. "She really gets a kick out of that jester, doesn't she, Clint?" Clint stifled a laugh and replied, "Yeah." Tony shook his head and got his thoughts back in order. He couldn't wait to be rid of Bucky. That would prove to Natasha that he deserved her. Still, Tony wasn't one to linger on a thought for long. His boredom won over in the end as it always did. "You know what, Clint? We need a distraction until that annoying princess gets back with Barnes. I know! Let's throw a party! A ball!"

               "A ball, sire?" Tony grinned and nodded before standing and announcing to everyone in the room that he was going to throw a ball and everyone was required to attend. Well, everyone left in the conquered kingdom. Natasha smiled. "Wonderful! We'll go work on a new act," she said, taking Sam by the arm and leading him from the room. Clint frowned as he watched them go. He couldn't believe that Tony didn't see it.

               "See what, Sam?" your son asked. As the middle child, he wasn't quiet old enough to understand what Sam meant. Sam's eyes widened and he gazed at you. You bit back a giggle and shook your head. "You'll understand when you're older. Just listen to the story or it'll take Sam a year to get to the end of it." The boy seemed to be satisfied and turned his attention back to Sam. "What happened next?"

               The ball. Tony wasted no time in getting the castle ready for the party. After all, there was nothing he could do about the "missing" jewel and princess until you returned.  Once the castle was ready, he let all the prisoners out of the dungeon. A party wasn't a party without guests. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be having any fun. Tony couldn't fight the frown in his lips. Why weren't they celebrating?

               He got up and, in a loud voice that reverberated through the room, he stated, "This isn't very fun. Is it?" Everyone muttered something about it being a great time, but their attitudes said differently. "Now come on. Be honest. How would you describe this ball?" Your parents exchanged a glance. "In poor taste." Tony nodded. "Okay, What else?" It continued that way until it was something of a game. Soon, people were actually laughing, even at Tony's expense. Not that he minded. Until he did.

               "How about me? What can you say about me?" Your father immediately piped up. "Pompous." Tony nodded. "It's true." Another woman shouted, "The stupidest king in all the land." Tony wagged a finger playfully at her and laughed. The game ended the very next sentence. "He'd have to be blind not to know his wife his getting it on with the jester!"

               The noise suddenly died down. Tony's gaze shifted to the thrones. Natasha's was now empty. She and Sam were nowhere to be seen. The silence in the room was deafening as Tony cleared his throat. "Party's over. Take them back to the dungeon. Oh and Clint? Kill him," he ordered, pointing at the man who had dared to shatter Tony's fantasy of his marriage.

               "What does 'getting it on' mean'?" Sam groaned. He hadn't meant to phrase it that way. Your oldest daughter glanced at her brother and rolled her eyes. The youngest answered innocently, "It's like when we're playing a game and Mommy says 'It's on like Donkey Kong' to Daddy or the others." That seemed to pacify the kids and the adults all laughed. "Now what, Uncle Sam? What about Bucky and Princess Y/N?" Sam nodded and began again.

               Meanwhile, in Steve's village, Sarah had prepared an impromptu engagement party for you and Steve. While Steve was trying to convince his mother that it wasn't a good idea, you and Bucky were having a conversation of your own. "You can't seriously continue this charade. It's Steve!" You shrugged. "I'm helping a friend! That's what heroes do!" The door opened and a sheepish looking Steve stepped in. "I'm so sorry about this." You smiled at him and gave him a hug. "It's alright, Steve. It's only for tonight. Tomorrow we'll be back on our journey." You left the room pulling Steve behind you.

               Your words stuck with Bucky for the rest of the day, even as he was serving the party. His gaze kept wandering to you and Steve. You looked comfortable while Steve wore an expression of fear. He desperately wanted to get out of there and Bucky could tell. Feeling the need to rescue Steve, Bucky came over and whispered to him. "Might I see you for a moment...sir?" Steve practically tripped over himself trying to get out of his seat. "I'll be right back."  

               "I'm really sorry, Bucky." Bucky smiled. "It's alright. I understand. I know I'm not the easiest person to work for. I don't show you that I appreciate you or your skills. So, if that means I need to pretend to be your squire, then I will. But you know what I think?" Steve shook his head, his eyes traveling back to where you were sitting with his mother. "I think you're a great squire. Better than I could ever be. That's why I chose you as my squire. You were yourself. Sure you're really small and you get sick easily...I mean really easily, but you never complain."

               Steve glared half-heartedly, but let Bucky continue. "I think that being yourself is one of the bravest things a man could do. It's what makes a true hero." Steve smiled. "But that means being yourself with everyone." Steve's grin fell and he sighed deeply. "I know." Bucky clapped Steve gently on the back and urged him back toward his mother. A moment later, you got up and joined Bucky. You were both too far away to hear what was said, but Sarah wore a soft smile.

               Steve had approached his mother and asked you to excuse them. Once you were gone, Steve turned back to Sarah. "Mother...there's something I need to tell you." Sarah waited patiently for her son to continue, the smile never leaving her face. "I'm not a knight. I'm a squire. Bucky's squire. And I'm not engaged to Princess Y/N." He said it so quickly that Sarah almost missed it. Almost.

               "I know, Steve." Steve took a deep breath, prepared to defend himself but he stopped when he realized what she said. "Y-You do?" Sarah nodded and her smile widened. "I'm your mother. You think I can't tell when my son is lying to me? Besides, I saw the way the princess looks at Bucky and I see the way he looks at her. I don't even think they realize it." Steve glanced back at you and Bucky. The two of you were laughing together. Steve immediately understood what Sarah meant.

               "Oooooooh! Does Bucky love the princess now?" you eldest asked. Her excitement at the thought of romance was obvious. Sam chuckled. "I guess we'll have to wait and see." The girl groaned dramatically. There were times you'd swear she was more like Tony than she was you or Bucky. You glanced up at the clock. "Come on, guys. Dinner time. We can hear more another day." Sam looked so grateful that you hadn't said "tomorrow". It would give him more time to think about where the story would go. Now that he had started, Sam was just as eager to know what would happen as his captive audience was.

Tagging: @fairytalesexistxx @brewsthespirit-blog @jotink78 @hopelessgarbage @gameofwinters @a-girl-who-loves-disney @thors-magic-hammer

(a/n: I hope the length of this part makes up for the wait! More characters will be appearing in the next part!) 

[lenific]

OUAT - Belle & Emma

Follows First Meetings

MOTHER TO MOTHER (Ao3)

The only fitting description for the Gold's backyard was of a toddler's paradise. The sprawling jungle gym alone would have been the dream of any kindergarten class, along with the wooden fort peeking from the copse of a sturdy oak and the slide under its shade.

Gideon Gold was the luckiest boy in Storybrooke.

"You know you'll never get away from hosting a big birthday party every year, right?" Emma told Belle one afternoon at the beginning of spring, when it was finally warm enough to bring the boys outside.

At the moment it was only Gideon slipping in and out of the plastic tunnels, glancing with hope at the ladders and nets but obediently keeping himself at ground level. Meanwhile Henry slept on, happy to doze in his pram while his uncle did the exploring.

Emma thought of a time when Henry would be old enough to join the adventure. By then Gideon would have friends his age at pre-school, and it wasn't hard to imagine a couple dozen of four-year-olds running around.

After three weeks as the newest resident in Storybrooke, the sheer number of little kids had astounded her. Once they found this private playground, there would be no keeping them away.

"Oh yeah, you won't need to even promise them a show to keep them interested," Emma said, chuckling. "There will already be a line of children at the door every day after school, hoping to be invited."

Sitting at her side on one of the broad benches supplied for supervising adults, Belle gave a little wistful smile. "It's unlikely any kid will resist the lure of an invitation, isn't it?" Then added in a somber tone. "No matter what their parents say."

That hadn't been the first sign that the Golds weren't the most beloved citizens in town, but it was the first time it struck Emma that people's opinion might spread onto the children.

"They don't really hate Gold that much, do they?" Belle raised an eyebrow in silent reproach, but Emma shrugged. "I know. I'm family; I should call him by his first name. But I just can't do that with a straight face. He doesn't look like an 'Aaron' at all!"

Belle considered that, and Emma started to worry she might have given offense, but then Belle started giggling. "It's the suits," she confided. "He's always so formal while he's wearing them."

Emma refused to ask the man's wife whether his attitude shifted when he wasn't. "It doesn't help that no one else seems aware that he can be called in any other way," she said instead, thinking of the aghast reactions she had gathered in her first week in Storybrooke, when she'd explained where she was staying. The inn owner had even offered a hefty discount for when she realized her mistake and fled the Victorian house. No one had even considered that Emma might feel sincerely welcome for the first time in years, or that she had enough experience to know the difference. "Imagine if I used Gold's name in public. I'm afraid I'd break someone's brain!"

Belle's eyes widened with mute laughter. "I've never had that problem," she said, amused.

Emma shook her head. "You married the man. They already know you're unhinged." The expression on Belle's face made her wish she could backpedal. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean... Hit too close home, didn't I?"

"People can be cruel," Belle said, letting out a long sigh. "When it came out that Aaron and I were seeing each other, there were several suggestions that I should return to therapy. Because obviously I wasn't yet over the grief of my mother's death."

Emma gaped.

"They didn't care that he was desperate for news of his son, or that he blamed himself for Bae's disappearance," Belle continued. "He was still in a bad place when we met. In fact, he had just walked away with my father's van that morning. The first time we talked, I was yelling at him for not waiting until the shipment of roses had been unloaded off the van. My father runs the flower shop; it was Valentine's Day. Can you imagine?"

"Sounds romantic."

Belle gave a little laugh. "God, it was anything but. At one point I threatened to destroy his shop, item by item, see how he liked it when his livelihood circled down the drain. He yelled back that he would have me thrown into a dungeon and lose the key if I so much as touched anything."

Emma had seen enough of the two of them to know where the story was going. They made a cute couple, always sure to be caught kissing and holding hands in the privacy of their home. But when their tempers were riled...

"You totally touched something."

"An antique tea set he'd put out on the counter for cleaning." Belle buried her face in her hands for a moment. "I only meant to make a point, prove his word wasn't law and that he could be defied, but then he startled me and..."

"Let me guess. That's why there's a tea set with a chipped cup in the cabinet." Emma smiled. "I was right. This is a romantic story."

"I'm glad someone thinks so. Everyone else caught wind of the argument. Once they heard we were dating, people decided that either Aaron was taking advantage of me or I was too broken to make a good choice, or both."

Emma cringed at the thought.

Raised in several homes across suburban neighborhoods where she'd never even had the chance to meet the people in the block before she was moved away, Emma had always thought of town life as an idyllic place with plenty of caring neighbors to look out for each other. It had been one of the factors that led her to accept Gold's proposal to move to Storybrooke after her unforeseen early release.

Since her arrival, people had been nosy, but everyone seemed too busy falling in love with Neal's child to pay much attention to his mother except to warn her about the heartless Mr. Gold.

Emma decided she liked it that way.

What Belle had just described was the flipside of having people know too much of each other's private affairs.

It sounded like a nightmare, and Emma was doubly incensed in the knowledge that Belle couldn't have deserved it.

"Bastards," she said with feeling. "I'm glad you didn't listen to them. Whatever gave them the right to judge!"

"That would have been my father," Belle told her, lips pulled into a bitter smile. "I'm sure Dr. Hopper would never have gossiped about our sessions."

Emma grimaced. "I'm sorry, but your father sounds awful."

Belle shrugged. "He insists he only had my welfare in mind. We try not to bring that up anymore, and I think he's truly happy for me now."

"Doesn't make him any less of a dick," Emma muttered.

Belle didn't seem to take offense at Emma's opinion. "Often forgiveness is the easiest route to take," she told Emma, then looked at her searchingly. "Maybe one day you'll find that out as well."

Unsaid went the last report from the team of investigators Gold had hired to find his son. If they were truly on the right track, Baelfire - or Neal, as Emma had known him during the months they lived together - might be returning home in the near future.

Forgiveness was the last thing on Emma's mind when she considered coming face to face with her child's father again.

Pursing her lips at the unwelcome thought, she looked away from Belle's hopeful expression. "Doubtful," she said curtly.

Belle didn't press. "Anyway. I'm telling you because sooner or later someone will question you about bringing your son to live with the monster of Storybrooke and his deranged wife."

Emma glanced back. "Seriously? Wow. They do hate Gold."

"They have long memories." Belle seemed to deliberate on what to say next, then let out a little sigh and checked quickly on Gideon to make sure he was out of hearing range. "The truth is, even Aaron will tell you he deserves their hate. It's foolish, of course. Everything happened years ago, and it's not as if he did anything illegal or that he enforced any clause the other party hadn't signed on their own will."

Emma smiled knowingly. "He fucked over the lot of them, didn't he?"

"Without a single regret," Belle confirmed. "Well, for some years at least. As he tells the story, in the beginning he was just trying to prove he could succeed outside his father's shadow; but eventually he lost sight of everything but the power of his position. It got to the point where there was only one person who kept pushing him to change his ways."

"Neal."

Belle nodded. "Baelfire believed his father could afford some leniency, that it wasn't necessary to hold the whole town in terror in order to turn up a profit. Aaron refused to consider the idea."

"And the idiot ran away." Emma snorted. "What a surprise."

Belle eyed her, obviously regretting the turn of their conversation. "He must have thought there was a good reason for it."

"Sure there was," Emma agreed, her eyes narrowing. "His daddy was too mean; his girlfriend was too clingy. Better to vanish into thin air and hell with consequences."

"Emma..."

"Look, it's okay. You don't have to defend him. I've already got the whole town telling me what a terrific boy he was; how sweet and polite and nothing at all like his father." Emma rolled her eyes. "And you know what? That's fine. I'm sure Neal didn't mean for me to get thrown in jail. That was me being stupid. And sure as hell I can't blame him for abandoning Henry when I had no idea I was pregnant. But like I said, consequences happened. And Neal? Nowhere close to deal with them."

Belle sighed. "Can I ask you not to talk like this in front of Aaron?"

"Too late."

On their first phone call, Emma had made sure to inform him that Neal - or whatever his real name was - was an undependable shit, and why should she put herself and an unborn kid into the hands of the man who had raised him?

She remembered his answer word by word: Because I'm also the man who hasn't given up on finding my son so we can be a family again.

Emma had always prided herself of her instinct when it came to detecting lies. When Gold said he valued family above all else, he meant it. Once she was certain of that, her other choices had come more easily.

She had yet to regret accepting his offer.

"Gold is okay," she told Belle, and the older woman nodded in wholehearted agreement, "a little rough around the edges, but his heart is in the right place. That's what matters."

Belle was staring at her with a wide smile. "I'm glad you came to us, Emma."

Physical shows of affection had never been high in Emma's personal list of preferences, but the soft pat of her arm seemed innocuous enough.

"Yeah, well," she said, only a little uncomfortable and not enough to grab Henry and return to the house. "You're not too bad either."

The End 10/02/17

[dividedwerisetogetherwefall]

Chapter 4: Drink to Forget

As usual, The Jolly Dungeon was packed with people. To Thae’s dismay, a sizable line had formed, and he stood at the tail end of it. He could hear all the laughter and conversation, and he could smell all the wonderful food being cooked inside. It was a really medieval atmosphere, and it reminded him a lot of a tabletop game he enjoyed playing during his youth called Leviathans and Labyrinths. It was one of the few buildings in the city that wasn’t a towering skyscraper. Instead it was a simple cottage, with brick roof tiles, beautiful stained glass windows, and birch wood walls. The wonderful smells tortured Thae as he waited eagerly to get seated. He tried to distract himself so his hunger didn’t bother him as much, but alas to no avail. After what seemed like hours of waiting, Thae finally reached the front of the line and approached the waiter at the reception desk.

He said, “Hello! Welcome to The Jolly Dungeon. Unfortunately we do not have enough space in here to seat you all by yourself at your own table. You wouldn’t mind sitting next to strangers, right?” Thae quickly replied, “Yea, I don’t mind.” The waiter smiled nervously and said, “Alright, if you say so.” He began to lead Thae through the pub, weaving through small aisles in between the circular wooden tables and bar stools, which occupied the majority of the space in the tavern. The floorboards creak under their feet as they reach a small table in the corner, occupied only by a strange octopus creature with long hair. Her mouth was surrounded by frothy beer, and she drooled as she slept on the table strewn with empty beer mugs. Thae sat down, carefully pushed the empty beer mugs aside, and began to analyze the menu. He studied it closely, as if it were a holy scripture given to him by the gods. After many minutes of decision making, he finally thought to himself, “I think I’ll just get The Severed Poultry and a glass of Ruff Beer.” Thae looked up from his menu and raised his hand to call the waiter over. He swiftly traversed through the tavern and reached Thae’s table. He pulled out his notepad and pen and asked, “So, could I start you off with any drinks?” Thae replied, “Sure! I’ll get a glass of your-” “I’ll get 20 refills!” The octopus screamed as she awoke from her slumber. “Put it on my tab Justin!” She instantly fell back asleep. Justin quickly scribbled down some notes on his notepad. He was an interesting man. He had frizzy hair and he wore thickly-rimmed glasses. He turned back to Thae, “Sorry about that, please continue your order.” “I’ll get a glass of Ruff Beer please.” “Alright, got it. Now what would you like for you entree?” “I’ll get The Severed Poultry please.” “Alright got it. Your order will come out shortly.” “Okay.” Thae said as he sat in his bar stool, looking around the tavern. It was quite a beauty. Dark oak wood planks fit together perfectly to make a beautiful floor, mahogany support beams which seemed to placed perfectly, the rustic lanterns which illuminated warmly, and the beautiful oak wood tables and stools. It was a feast for the eyes. “Isn’t he wonderful?” the octopus said dreamily. Thae turned to face her. She wiped the beer froth off her face and continued with a drunken slur in her speech, “I just want him to hug me until I die from his strong arms crushing my ribs causing my heart to be punctured by his love. He’s so dreamy…” The octopus smiled and stared into space before laying her head against the table, yawning, and falling asleep once more. Thae sat waiting for his food, glancing at the drunken octopus who sat in front of him every once in awhile. He rubbed his head with his hooves, yawned and said, “Boy am I tired.” He would’ve fell asleep if Justin hadn’t come around. “Alright so I got the Duff Beer for you sir, and I got five refills of Yed Beer, I’ll be right back with more. Shortly after the beer was served, the octopus awoke from her slumber and reached for one of the mugs and began to chug its wonderful contents. Thae watched as the octopus downed the alcohol as if it were nothing. He himself took a small sip from his glass, and wiped the froth that surrounded his mouth. He asked the octopus, “So, what’s your name?” “Peppyk… Just call me Pep.” Thae reached out to shake hands and said, “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Thaecrasis.” They shook hands. “So, what do you do for a living?” “I draw, and I also write my own songs. Would you like to see my work?” “Sure.” Pep whipped out her phone and began to scroll through her images. She smiled dopily and chuckled lightly. “This one’s a good one.” Thae stared at the screen and saw a drawing of a spiky haired mouse spray painted blue. Thae laughed nervously, “Wow! That’s um… Really cool!” He returned to his beer, but took a much larger swig this time. He whispered to himself, “It’ll be okay Thae, drink to forget. Drink to forget.” “You wanna see more?” “Um… sure!” “Okay this is one of my favorites, it's called Midsummer Night’s Vore. It has some of the original characters that I made, and it really shows the emotions feel when you get vored by your sugar daddy on a warm summer ni-” Justin walked towards their table with half a chicken, stuffed with mashed potatoes and topped with fresh vegetables. “Alright, one Severed Poultry for you sir.” Thae replied, “Thank you.” Justin began to walk away but before he completely left the scene, Pep abruptly shouted out, “Justin marry me and take all my babies! Vore me until I decay in your stomach acid! Let me-” To Pep’s dismay Justin had already left and she realized no one was listening. She sighed. “One of these days he will realize his love for me.” Pep chugged another mug of beer and slammed it against the table after she finished it. Thae began to consume the chicken, ravenously tearing it apart into shreds and popping pieces into his mouth. He always ate with his hands, for it is quite hard to use a fork when you don’t have opposable thumbs. He quickly cleared his plate, consuming the meat like a wild animal. His mind shut out everything else as he devoured his dinner, dopamine rushing through his brain. Within 15 minutes, all that is left on the plate is the skeleton of a chicken. He wiped his hands off with a napkin, pushed the plate away from him, and picked up his beer. He savored every last drop of it, and when he was done he put his glass down and relaxed. After 15 minutes of focused eating, he finally looked up. As usual, Pep was drunk and asleep on the table, which was covered with empty beer mugs. Thae looked around and realized everyone was leaving. He could hear the floorboards creak under the unstable steps of drunkards as they exited the tavern. The conversation slowly died down into nothingness, and Thae and Pep were the only ones left inside. He looked down at his watch and had a mini panic attack as he cried out, “11:00 PM? I better get home fast!” He got up from his stool, and almost ran out the door forgetting the fact that Pep was still drunk, asleep and alone. He quickly ran back inside but before he could reach her Justin walked over to her and said to Thae, “No worries, I’ll handle this. This happens a lot, I’m used to it.” Pep mumbled loudly, “Justin…” Justin sighed and shook his head as he cleaned up the beer mugs. Thae dashed out the door, and entered the dark, polluted city once more. He could hear distant screams and the sound of metal clanging against metal as he rushed to catch a bus. He sat on the bench by the bus stop anxiously, terrified of the people who patrolled the streets at such an hour. Distant footsteps are barely audible to Thae, but they’re still enough to send shivers down his spine. He scanned the area around him for possible threats, but none were found. Thankfully a pair of familiar headlights appeared over the horizon and slowly approached the bus stop. The second the bus doors opened, Thae raced inside and stationed himself in the nearest empty seat. For once he actually had a bus seat all to himself, and he relaxed in his seat as the bus driver traversed through the dark streets of Azulair. He looked down at his watch once more. It was 11:10, and Thae calculated that at this rate he would probably get home at around 11:20. He stared out the window as they drove through the city. Bright neon signs lit up the night sky and blurred into beautiful collages of color as the bus raced through the quiet city streets. The occasional gunfire and scream erupted from the darkness, which shocked Thae at first, but he quickly adjusted to the commonality of such noises. “There’s only so much I can do to help others.” He thought to himself, “I can’t save em all. No one can.” He continued to stare blankly outside, mesmerized by the beautiful colors of the city skyline, ignoring all the screams of pain and shots fired outside. He yawned loudly and his eyelids grew heavy. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I took just a small nap.” He mumbled to himself drowsily. He leaned against the window and would have fallen asleep if bus driver was not there. The bus came to an abrupt stop and threw Thae into the back of the seat in front of him. The bus driver yelled, “Sector A! Residential district!” Slowly but surely Thae got up, paid the bus fee, and hopped off the bus. He swiftly walked down the streets, got to his apartment, pulled the keys from his work bag, unlocked the door, got in and quickly locked the door shut behind him. He swiftly dropped his work bag on the floor, brushed his teeth, showered, and slipped under the covers. He turned off the light switch located next to his bed, and entered into a deep sleep. Thae awoke from his sleep, refreshed and ready for the day to come, but the second he opened his eyes, he knew something was wrong. Instead of the familiar beige ceiling he was used to seeing in the mornings, he saw a cold, gray concrete. He quickly sat up in his bed, and scanned his surroundings. There was concrete and iron bars as far as he could see. Thoughts rushed to his head as he leaped out of bed, “Am I in prison? Why am I here? Am I just dreaming?” He tried to pinch himself, but remembered he didn’t have fingers so instead he smacked himself in the face. He didn’t wake up. The room was just like him, sad and lonely. There was a toilet, a sink, a mirror, a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, and a large iron door surrounded by thick iron bars. He dashed to the iron bars and began to look around. He could spot other people, each of them were still fast asleep in their prisons. He thought to himself, “I wonder if they were kidnapped too. They probably still think they’re at home.” Suddenly footsteps echoed through the hallway and Thae panicked. He hopped into bed and attempted to pretend to be asleep, but alas to no avail. A women in a police uniform reached the cell and unlocked the door. Thae refused to give up his act. The women called out, “No need to be afraid, we already know you’re awake. Come follow us, we’ll explain what’s going on.” Slowly, Thae rolled off his bed onto his feet and faced the woman, who was flanked by two bodyguards who wore dark sunglasses and heavy protective vests. She spoke confidently, “Hi, the name’s Chsn8r, but just call me Chsn. I’m the head of the defense department here in Azulair, nice to meet you.” Thae reached out his hoof to shake her hand. Her grip was incredibly firm. She nodded towards one of the bodyguards, who looked like a purple stuffed animal, “This is RE2PECT.” She nodded towards the other bodyguard. “This is Waldo.” A man in a red and white hat, and red and white shirt and pants waved. Before Thae could say anything, Chsn quickly said, “Come on, follow me. I’ll explain things to you as we walk.” Thae followed obediently, exiting his cell to enter the narrow corridor. He followed Chsn as they traversed the prison. Soon they reach an airlock, and as Chsn enters the passcode she says, “So as to why you’re here.” The airlock clicked and the door opened. It revealed a long flight of stairs, which seemed to spiral downwards for eternity. As they descended Chsn began her speech, “You’ve been chosen to participate in this year’s Red Warfare tournament. The council has been looking for candidates ever since the new year began. We’ve surveyed the public masses, in hopes of finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. After what we’ve gathered, it seems like you’re one of your best candidates.” Their footsteps echoed as they walked down the stairs. Thae stared at Chsn, confused by what she was saying. He thought to himself, “How am I the best candidate? I can’t fight! Is she insane?” Thae quickly blurts out before she can continue her speech, “What makes you think I’m such a good candidate? I’ve never touched a weapon in my life! Well unless you count Nref guns, but that was when I was 11 years old and I definitely did not mean to shoot my mom in the eye.” Chsn looked back at Thae behind her dark sunglasses. “Look here Thaecrasis, it’s not a matter of just brawns. We need brains too, and it looks like you got that in abundance.” Thae blushed. A few moments pass and they reach the bottom of the winding stairs. Another door lays ahead of them, and Chsn pulls out her keycard as she approaches it. She scans the keycard, and unlocks the door. “Alright Thaecrasis, let’s go. If you need anything during your training I’ll be here for you, no matter the circumstance. Come on now, no need to be shy.” Thae slowly approached the open door, anxious of what was to come. Chsn continued her speech of encouragement, “Say hello to your new teammates Thaecrasis, you’ll be stuck with them for a while. I wish you the best of luck, for the days to come will not be easy, but I believe in you. I wouldn’t have elected you to participate in the games if it wasn’t that way.” Thae stepped into the room and the door locked shut behind his back. The people already in the room were sitting in cheap plastic chairs, staring at Thae as he awkwardly stood at the front of the room. A strange man with an apple for a head got up from his chair and greeted him. “Nice to meet you Thaecrasis, my name is Lexperiment, but you can just call me Lex.” He said in a gravely voice. Lex smiled at him, and Thae smiled back. Lex led Thae to the rest of the group and said to him, “Welcome to the team.”