#quickcatton

[super-nova5045]

for my freaky saltburn girlies

[bisexualgoth]

oliver quick is such a FANTASTIC unreliable narrator, he presents himself as this. most logical person to ever exist, that he's realizing this great calculated plan, but. he started everything by lying because he got a crush, and later when the lie falls on his head and he's rejected he kills so that everything that belongs to Felix can now belong to him and could never be taken away, even if it means killing the man he loved and his whole family. he's trying so hard to convince you, the viewer, that he did that out of some logical greed, while the truth stares at you from the very first seconds of the film: he loved Felix. that's his only reason

[bebisexual]

"i wanted him dead, i wanted him all to myself"

oliver would say that about felix

[burntsaltsblog]

shiny new toy

(felix catton\reader)

chapter two

details: a saltburn inspired short story.

content warning: profanity, explicit sexual content, and mentions of abuse (physical and mental)

MNI 18+

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Do you ever think about death?"

The smoke from our cigarettes produced a haziness that blended effortlessly with the sunlight pouring in from the windows. 

"Sometimes. I used to wonder what my funeral would be like. Who would show up, and who would give speeches? I just assumed it was due to my constant need for attention," I laughed breathlessly, and more smoke pooled from my mouth and out into the open air.

"What about you?" I asked, turning Felix's question back on himself. "Do you ever think about what your eventual demise will be like?"

"No, not that I can recall anyway. But that's how my life has always been. There have always been too many distractions like parties and girls. I've never had the chance to sit down and think about important things like life and death." 

"Until now," I delicately whispered as I peered at him.

We both did our best to squeeze onto Felix's modest twin-sized bed. It didn't prove easy at first, but after maneuvering a bit, we figured out that if I lay on his chest and he wrapped an arm around me, we could fit. Felix's feet still hung off the end, but he said that was unavoidable due to his impressive height. 

The only downside to this otherwise blissful moment was the sweltering heat and Oxford's lack of air conditioning. People always said academics was the most grueling thing about attending this prestigious school. But in reality, it was the fight against the climate and the lack of amenities to combat it.

"Should I be worried that I've only thought about it since meeting you?" Felix joked lightly.

"Well, I have a talent for bringing out the best in people," I chuckled. 

We settled in the silence that followed, which was comfortable and tranquil. Felix's bare chest bore a thin layer of sweat, but it wasn't off-putting. It had the opposite effect. It gave him a glow that intensified his ethereal appearance. 

In the seven days since meeting, Felix and I had become inseparable. One of us rarely went somewhere without the other coming along. After each class, I could count on Felix waiting outside the classroom to walk me to my next one or a meal in the dining hall with the rest of his friends.

Felix utterly enthralled me. But I was sure he had that effect on everyone he encountered. His charm and charisma drew you to him, and his kind and gentle aura convinced you to stay.

So, in precisely one week, Felix Catton had become the object of all my desires and the epidemy of everything I would never be able to have. 

I want to blame my lack of a chance with Felix on my boyfriend, Eric. But the truth was that Felix and I came from two different worlds. He had a title and mansion he would inherit one day, and the only thing I had to look forward to in my future was the burden of paying taxes and my student loans. 

I propped my chin on Felix's chest to observe him properly. His rolly hung loosely between his smooth lips, and I longed to reach my hand up and trace their shape. 

"Enjoying the view?" he teased before taking a long drag and blowing the smoke out in a thick stream. His cigarette looked so minuscule between his long, full fingers. 

I nodded as I fixed my hands under my chin, making myself more comfortable, and a mischievous smile played at the edges of my mouth. 

"They say you should take a picture if you want something to last longer." Felix quipped, amused at my open admiration.

"That's a splendid idea, thank you, Felix."

I couldn't contain the laughter that poured from my mouth as I reached over to grab his blue Polaroid camera from his nightstand. I lined my eye up with the viewfinder and quickly snapped a candid shot.  

After the picture popped out, I waved it chaotically in front of myself to encourage the development of the photograph.

A small chuckle pulled my attention away from the materializing photo and to the man whose face was now inches from mine.

He regarded me in a way that had the butterflies in my stomach reeling. I saw adoration, a hint of playfulness, and an emotion that looked like longing. But I was sure my eyes were playing tricks on me. 

Because there was no way that Felix Catton would ever long for me.

Even though I longed for him. 

A slight blush crept up my cheeks under his stare, so I evaded his gaze and looked down just in time to see the picture fully developed. 

"Is it ready?" He questioned curiously.

I nodded in reply, biting my lip. Gazing at the small picture, I knew I would cherish it forever. 

"Let's see it then, shall we?" Felix sat up, disrupting our close contact, and held out his hand. "How do I look?"

"You look positively ghastly," I jested.

"You little brat," He playfully scolded, swiping the photograph out of my hand to inspect it himself.

"I think I look proper sexy if ya ask me," Felix declared proudly.

"You're just stating the obvious," I retorted, extending my hand toward Felix to take the Polaroid picture back.

He eyed me impishly, holding the photo above his head so it was totally out of my reach. "Why do you want it back? Are you looking to expand your wank bank?"

My face turned beet red, and it wasn't because of heat.

"No! I want to add it to my photography portfolio," I fibbed as I tried my mightiest to retrieve the picture from Felix.

"You have no photography portfolio!" He laughed loudly, raising the photo higher into the air.

"Well, I could."  I retorted.

I continued to fight Felix for the photograph, both of us giggling profusely. 

"Give it back."

"Not unless you admit it."

"There's nothing to admit! I don't have a wank bank. I don't even use the word wank because where I'm from, we say masturbate like normal people." 

"Wow, I forgot how you Americans speak like such heathens."

The faux-offended expression I wore only made Felix giggle louder. That motivated me to reclaim the photo once and for all. 

But, unbeknownst to either of us, I had ended up on Felix's lap during our play fight.

A leg was on either side of his middle as I straddled him. My thighs tensed around his muscular body, and my left hand braced against his damp chest.

We fell silent as each of us evaluated the situation. Feeling Felix's hard body beneath mine in such an intimate way was something I had only fantasized about up until now.

Our breaths turned shallow, and I audibly swallowed. I struggled to refrain from rocking my hips to calm the ache that had developed between my legs. 

Felix dropped the picture as he extended his hand toward me. His calloused digits traced the length of my collarbone before they rose to touch the pulse in my neck that was beating out of control. 

I honed in on his dilated pupils as he slowly wrapped his large hand around my throat, squeezing gently, causing the ache in my core to turn into a steady throbbing.

A moan escaped my throat as I reveled in the possessive hold he had on me. Goosebumps littered my skin, and my nipples hardened, rubbing against the fabric of my shirt and fueling my arousal even further. 

"Fuck, good girl," He whispered, strained, as he adjusted his fingers on my skin, increasing the pressure ever so slightly. 

"Please," I begged quietly, even though I didn't exactly know what I was begging for. More of this, I suppose—more of Felix.

"Please, what, sweetheart? I -"

Felix's sentence was interrupted by my phone ringing.

We broke out of whatever spell we were under, and Felix quickly rose from the bed, sending me tumbling against the pillows.

I hastily shot up and began haphazardly searching for my phone. After rummaging through my purse, I located the device, accepted the call, and brought it to my ear without bothering to check the caller ID.

"Hello?" I said, wholly frazzled and disconcerted because of the moment I had just shared with Felix. 

"Iris? Where are you?" Eric angrily spoke from the other end of the phone.

Panic surged through my veins as I apprehensively checked the time on the clock resting on Felix's desk. I wasn't supposed to meet him anywhere, so why was he so infuriated?

"What are you talking about, Eric?" I couldn't help the nerves that stained my voice. 

"You're not in your room," he spoke accusatorily. 

"No, I'm not," I conceded. 

"Well, Where are you?" 

"I'm at a friend's," I replied quietly, finally glancing at Felix, standing on the other side of his room, staring at me intently as if he was analyzing my reaction to this phone call in great detail. 

"What friend? You don't have any friends."

I cringed at his words and felt ashamed because I knew they were true. Eric frequently forbade me from ever going out or meeting anyone new. So, my social circle was pretty much nonexistent. He said it was in my best interests that I stayed in my room and studied, but it was blatantly apparent that he wanted an utterly co-dependent girlfriend. 

"Tell me your location," my boyfriend demanded. 

"Look, Eric," I said, turning away from Felix so he wouldn't see the panic rising on my face. "I'm just hanging out with a friend. It's not a big deal."

"Does this friend happen to be Felix Catton? Rumor has it that you've joined his little click."

"Yeah, we've hung out a couple of times. But, like I said, it's not a big deal. I'll be available later if you desperately need to see me today." 

"A couple of times? I trust you remember how much I don't particularly appreciate lying, Iris. Don't you recall what happened the last time you tried to lie to me?"

My stomach dropped as my eyes jumped to the white scar that ran from my middle finger and past my wrist.

"Yes, I remember," I whispered. 

"Good. You know what to do."

With that, the line dropped, signaling that Eric had hung up. 

I stayed motionless as my boyfriend's words painfully dug into my skin.

"You know what to do."

Eric expected me to cut things off with Felix. But the sheer idea of never seeing Felix again was exquisitely excruciating.

"You ok?"

Felix's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I spun around to see him slowly padding across the room and toward me. 

"Yeah, I'm fine," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. 

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I leave Felix, it'll destroy me. But if I stay, I'll face Eric's repercussions. 

"Hey, look at me," Felix said, gently raising my chin with his hand, "Did he say something to upset you?"

"Who?" I asked, prolonging the inevitable. 

"Eric. Did he say something?"

"I- It's nothing, I promise." 

Felix's face hardened, "Iris, what did he say to you?"

My eyes jumped from his face to the floor as I mentally searched for an answer to satisfy him and keep my conversation with Eric private. 

"Look, it's complicated, ok? Eric gets upset sometimes, and I must carefully navigate things with him."

Felix dropped his hand from my chin before running both hands through his hair. 

"Look, I don't want to tell you what to do, but I worry about you being in the company of someone like Eric. He's not a good person. The things I've heard about him are downright vile."

"I know," I mumbled. "I want to break up with him. It's just-"

My voice broke before I could complete my sentence.

"What? What is it, love?" Felix stepped so close that our chests were nearly touching. He brushed a stray hair out of my face and carefully tucked it behind my ear. "You can tell me anything, I promise," he whispered.

I tilted my head back to look up at Felix; his brows creased in concern at the tears threatening to spill from my wide eyes. 

"I'm scared of him, Felix. I don't know what he'll do to me if I try to leave him."

"I need you to be honest with me. Can you do that for me, darling?" 

I nodded my head earnestly. 

"Has Eric ever hurt you?"

After a beat, I nodded again, but this time, it was slower and filled with ignominy.

Felix took a deep breath, and the fury embedded in his body was evident. 

"Listen to me very carefully," Felix spoke, low and rough. "Eric will never hurt you again because I will not allow it. If he even looks in your direction, I swear I'll-"

"No, Felix, I don't want you to go to any trouble for me," I interrupted, shaking my head fervently. 

"Iris-"

"No, I don't want to be a burden-"

"You're not a burden. You could never be a burden, Christ, love," Felix breathed heavily.

He placed both hands firmly on my shoulders before speaking again.

"Iris, you are incredibly special to me. Ever since I saw you that day on the quad, I've had this overwhelming urge to protect and take care of you. You're my friend. And I won't allow someone to harm what is mine." 

Felix's voice bore so much honesty and passion that I succumbed to silence. All I could focus on was his declaration.

"I'm going to help you get out of this, ok?" he said softly.

I wordlessly nodded before Felix pulled me into his chest and tightly enveloped me in his arms as if trying to protect me from all the world's cruelty. 

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chapter index

chapter one

chapter two

chapter three

chapter four

chapter five

[sassy-sofia]

Stalking, of the Digital Sort, is a Gateway Drug

Pairing: Oliver Quick / Felix Catton

Description: Internet stalking is much easier done when you know the person's full name.

Word count: 1,880

Ch: 1/1 (complete)

Rating: General audiences

Tags: obsessive, internet stalking, social media

Additional tags on AO3

[lottiesam]

do u think felix got oliver contacts to help him be more attractive to fit in better

[mcnicecream]

🚬✈️

pls go read, its so good i might cry

[baltsurn]

cattonquick fic recs

personal tracker turned rec list! will be continuously updating as there are many others i haven’t looked into yet.

these authors have other saltburn fics too (do check them out), however listed are only the ones i’ve read/i’m reading (i intend to exhaust their other stuff after, of course). teen/mature/explicit.

★ short and filthy:

quick bump to get your day started iykwim. they’re delicious. i loved them all.

- bring your hunger by sandpapersnowman

- why don’t you figure my heart out by quickcatton

- come into my bedroom by hellotte

- the way you use your body by enaidmora

- you get me so high by queerxqueen

★ masterful multi-chapters/also my current reads*:

- any fic from mordancy (rated T, M) + consider the hairpin turn* by rodentsofdisbelief

sly, artsy, disquieting. A24-coded stuff. movie-accurate characterization by these two authors, in my opinion.

- none tell us not by follieaune

if this isn’t one of the greatest GOT!verse fics then idk what is.

- you’re almost home/you’re home* by leiflitter

the go-to. my feel-good fic. this is required reading for bachelor of arts in cattonquick.

- enter night* by rhaegang

incubus oliver? INCUBUS OLIVER. tags made me jump in right away.

- what is past is prologue by justalilguyoops

horrific in the best way (positive). this is everything i initially looked for. gives me palpitations.

★ collections:

- oxford days by theythinktheyknow (rated M, E)

quaint and charming. underrated.

★ to-read (pls. reco to include):

- topographia oxonia by orestes

- mutuality, a series by rhaegang

- dead doesn’t mean gone by island_in_the_shadows

- miserable by bonechocolate

- maneater by nythak

- carpe diem by counnt

- lovedumb by moonieangel

[quick-catton]

Hi quick-catton!! First of all I love your page and I love your personality💕💕💕 I also LOVE Saturn and Felix and Oliver just-😫😫😫 I love it every time you post, it makes my day!! Right now I just really need your help. Today I had to go on another account just to send something to my ask box because since I started my account last year, I’ve gotten nothing and it really hurts.

I love how open and freaky you are in your posts and I’m honestly the same way with Saltburn and an anime fandom that I’ve shaped my blog around. I used to be a little calm and collected but you’re inspiring to just let go and let my freak flag fly but the problem is, with my fandom, I don’t think people are going to be very inviting. Like literally the only thing I wanna do right now is babygirl code my favorite anime character sooo badly but I’m afraid I’ll lose all my followers and when I try to I get no engagement.

Like I wrote three freaking paragraphs about how good he’d look with a navel piercing! That was this morning and I got nothing all day but four likes. No reblogs, no comments, I literally had to make another account and send myself some praise for that post just so I could post it to show people that at least someone else agrees with me.

And I know I should give it time but that’s the problem. Some of my other posts like that don’t grow. They just get five likes and that’s it and it sucks because all I wanna do is engage with people that want to see this boy in lingerie or a skirt or goddamn pregnant (told you I was a freak)

I just don’t know what to do. How do you deal that? I’m honestly this close to deleting my account coz it seems like I’m posting to a blank wall and it’s so embarrassing coz everyone can see it. Sorry this is so long! Thank you for quickcatton 💕💕

WAH ANON ur so sweet omg, thank you?? <33 honestly i feel like i don't have good advice because i only made a tumblr for the first time EVER at the beginning of january!!! i am 23 and had never set foot on this app, but i saw that most of the saltburn fandom was here, so i gave it a shot and i've just been learning as i go.

i think that's half of my 'luck' with having a good experience on this app, is that because this fandom is so fresh, it's super active, but it's also a very small fandom (relative to some others) so we're all kinda like a hivemind here LOL, and because of the source material of the movie itself being weird/freaky/psychosexual, we all know that anything goes and the more freaky the brainrot, the better! i'm in other fandoms where if i said half of the shit i say here, i'd be ostracized, so it's really a case by case basis unfortunately </3

ik i yap a lot here but i also hold back sooo much because even tho ik we're all weirdos here, i still get nervous about putting out my writing or not having people vibe with an idea– you're not alone in that, i promise. it helps forming friendships in your fandoms so you know that there'll always be people who you can get hype over ideas with, but i know that's easier said than done sometimes <3

i don't have advice on engagement because i honestly don't look at that stuff (which i know is so annoying to say lol but it's true); i made this account purely to have a place to dump brainrot/art etc and view other people's saltburn content and i didn't care about engagement, i just got lucky to meet some cool people and make close friends through it.

i think if people can tell you're having fun through your posts, they'll vibe with you! it does take time with the good ol' algorithm, i'm sure, but as long as your page brings YOU joy, that's what matters most. people don't have to agree with your takes, life is too short to be vanilla and water urself down for others :^) making fandom friends and gaining interactions will come along with being yourself, but if posting here and running the account feels more stressful to you than it is fun, it's okay to step away too!

if you're on ao3 and sites like that, leaving comments on your fave works can be a great way to get conversations going as well. i met my closest friend on here bc she stumbled across my fic on ao3 and then sent me a message; it was purely up to chance, but branching out and being brave starting conversations with your fave accounts can be a great way to feel more included in the fandoms you're in and maybe you'll meet cool people along the way!! <33

[bisexualgoth]

oh also. btw. while Oliver did lie to Felix in order to get closer to him i do believe he genuinely also loved him. and also im of the opinion that Felix 100% loved him back until he found out it was all build on a lie. Oliver quite literally set himself up to fail and i think he knows that, even if he won't admit it. so, if he can't have Felix, nobody can. not any girl, not his family, not even Felix himself. im so unwell

[mayfriend]

SPIRACLE - Saltburn (2023)

and i want your parties, the shark in your water the scrapes on your knees and the blood that spills over

[burntsaltsblog]

just posted chapter two!!🫶

Shiny New Toy

(felix catton\reader)

chapter one

details: a saltburn inspired short story.

content warning: profanity, explicit sexual content, and mentions of abuse (physical and mental)

MNI 18+

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"I'm sorry," I said with an evident crack in my voice. I sank my teeth into my lower lip to keep my emotions bottled up. The last thing I needed was to break down in the middle of the quad.

"Save it," Eric, my boyfriend, snapped. "Your apologies don't mean shit."

He glared at me before walking briskly toward the dining hall for lunch.

I hurried behind him, attempting to catch up, but I halted my movements when he whipped his head around, regarding me sternly.

"Don't follow me. You're not allowed to eat lunch with me today."

"But-"

"No. You can eat by yourself. That way, you'll finally learn your lesson."

"Please, Eric, I-"

Eric raised his hand above his head, and I instantly cowered back, trying to avoid the impending blow.

"Don't make me do it," He whispered darkly, referencing his hand in the air that could strike me at any moment.

Before I could form a coherent response, my boyfriend spun back around and continued on his way.

I hastily wiped the few stray tears tumbling down my cheeks and glanced around the quad to ensure no one had seen what had happened.

Students were lying down on the lush, green grass as they attempted to soak up the few rays of sunshine England rarely offered. 

Luckily, they all seemed completely unaware of my presence.

All except for one.

I almost hadn't noticed him. I was about to turn toward the library when we locked eyes.

Deep brown. Warm like the sun and soft like the grass beneath our feet.

He was beautiful.

But I couldn't miss the look of pity on his face. 

My face warmed, and my cheeks took on a pink hue. He had seen the altercation between Eric and me.

I was sure he considered me to be as pathetic as Eric did. Because I was...right?

My shoulders drooped in shame as I looked away from the beautiful stranger. But the sound of footsteps caused my eyes to shoot right back up.

I stared wide-eyed as the man gracefully swept over the emerald landscape in my direction. 

I ceased to move. I was utterly shocked that someone like him would approach someone like me willingly. 

"You alright?"

His melodic voice washed over me, and a calmness accompanied it.

"What?" I asked, dazed and confused.

"I was just wondering if you were all right. I saw that bloke giving you a hard time and wanted to ensure I didn't need to straighten him out."

A surprised laugh bubbled up from my throat. The idea of anyone being able to straighten Eric out seemed preposterous. 

I regained my composure before replying, "Uh, no, everything is quite alright. My boyfriend is just having a bad day. School seems to be stressing him out at the moment."

I mentally applauded myself for how smoothly my lie rolled off my tongue.

The stranger regarded me curiously. 

"You're American," he said, referring to my lack of an English accent.

"Yup," I answered, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

"Well, does the American have a name?" he asked, teasing me gently. I couldn't miss the twinkle in his eyes as he waited for my reply. 

"Iris."

"Like the song?" he stepped forward, closing the distance between us. 

"Yeah, my parents were massive Goo Goo Dolls fans," I laughed softly.

"Well, Iris, would you like to have lunch with us?"

He threw his thumb over his shoulder, directing my attention to one of the groups of students sprawled out on the lawn.

"Oh, that's ok. I couldn't possibly intrude."

"Rubbish. You wouldn't be intruding at all," He said, slinging an arm over my shoulders. "Besides, someone's got to welcome you to this country properly. Because by the looks of it, your boyfriend has not done a very good job."

I let him guide me towards his friends as I asked, "So, what's your name? It's only fair that you return the favor."

I lifted my chin, and our gazes clashed, causing my heart to beat erratically. 

"Felix."

The name tumbled from his full lips, and I relished the sound of it.

His name was perfect. Just like him.

We arrived at a tangled group of limbs on the grass. Felix's friends prattled on together as they lay in a small heap on the ground.

"Ignore them if they start bothering you," Felix whispered, leaning in close, "They can have a habit of coming on too strong. Especially Farleigh."

"Which one is Farleigh?"

"You're about to find out."

His breath tickled my neck as he drew his lips away from my ear. Tiny tingles danced down my spine, and goosebumps littered my skin most deliciously.

"And who do we have here?"

The question came from one of the two boys on the lawn. His skin glowed a golden brown, and his eyes swam with many questions.  

"This is Iris, and she will be having lunch with us today," replied Felix merrily. 

The one, who I assumed to be Farleigh, did little to hide his assessment of me. His dark eyes ran the length of my physique before a sly grin stretched across his face.

"Nice job, Lex. She's even prettier than the last one."

I didn't miss Felix's sharp glare at Farleigh but was quickly distracted by the other brunette boy as he attempted to pass his snicker off as a mere cough. He sat beside Farleigh but made no move to interject himself into the conversation. 

I bit my lip nervously. They didn't even know me, yet I could feel their judgment wafting off them potently. 

"Play nice, Farleigh," Felix chastised.

"My apologies," Farleigh replied as he rose to his full height. He stepped forward and courteously extended his hand.

"I'm Farleigh, as I'm sure you've already figured out. And that's Oliver over there," he said, nodding his head towards the previously snickering boy who hadn't bothered to stand up.

"Just Ollie," he muttered from his place on the ground.

"Iris," I mumbled quietly.

Farleigh continued to hold my hand for several beats too long before Felix cleared his throat loudly. My hand was promptly dropped. 

Felix made himself comfortable on the thick grass before reaching up with his hand and gently tugging me down with him. 

"Where's V?" He asked as I gingerly sat beside him.

"Blowing her TA," Farleigh casually replied as he picked up today's paper and pretended to examine its various articles. 

"I knew you transferring here was a terrible idea. She's learning all your bad habits," Felix retorted.

Farleigh merely snorted before changing the subject to gossip about the World History Teacher. A student had found Mr. West's Grindr account, and now the student was threatening to tell Mr. West's wife unless Mr. West gave him an A for the rest of the year. 

I resorted to picking the fraying cuff of my jeans out of sheer awkwardness and boredom. My eyes wandered the quad full of laughing, elated students before finally resting on the meager boy still seated beside Farleigh. 

His gaze flew back and forth between Felix and Farleigh as if he were watching a riveting tennis match. It was impossible not to miss the adoration and longing painted on his features. I felt his obvious emotions had nothing to do with Mr. West and everything to do with the two people in front of him. 

His silent reverence would convince one that he was in the presence of gods and not men.  

But maybe that's what they were to Oliver: gods, not mortals. 

"Sorry, I'm late!"

I whipped around to locate the voice that rang through the air and saw a majestic sight. 

Blonde hair flew behind a brightly smiling, pale girl as she hurtled towards our huddle on the ground. 

"It's about time, V," Farleigh said, "We were beginning to think Jason had kidnapped you."

It's Mr. Fellcraft," she corrected as she flounced down on the other side of Felix and made herself busy spreading her long, floral skirt around her on the earth.

"Yes, but it's Jason to you. And that's what matters," Farleigh countered. 

The girl known as "V" only responded with a scowl before returning her attention back to her skirt."

"V, we wouldn't tease you about it if it wasn't so glaringly obvious that you're shagging the guy. And as your brother, I need to know if he's forcing you into anything because I will happily chat with the fellow if need be."

"Calm down, little brother. All is well. It's just a bit of fun, is all." 

I wasn't sure I would regard hooking up with a teaching assistant as a "bit of fun."

"Besides," She said, "I don't particularly want to discuss my time with Mr. Fellcraft. I'd much rather talk about the girl sitting next to you, Felix, who looks like she'd rather be elsewhere."

Felix gave a small roll of his eyes before swiftly introducing me to his sister. 

"V, this is Iris. She's going to be joining us for lunch this afternoon. Iris, this is-"

"Venetia. Venetia Catton," she cut in before her brother could continue with the introduction. "The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure."

Venetia Catton extended her hand, palm down, as if she expected me to kiss it. Unsure of what to do, I grasped the ends of her slender fingers in what appeared to be an uncoordinated handshake.

Her only response was to giggle at me as if I was a small, confused child. Too stupid for my own good. 

I adverted my eyes as a quiet fell over the group. A breeze came by, sweeping my long, honey-colored hair off of my shoulders. 

"Let's head inside, yeah?" Felix asked, breaking the silence, "Since everyone is here."

"Everyone and a guest," Farleigh muttered under his breath as we all stood in unison.

I stuck close to Felix's side so as not to hear what other snarky things I was sure Farleigh and Venetia were saying about me. They walked several feet ahead with their heads bowed together, whispering back and forth. 

No wonder this group was so small. They obviously didn't like newcomers. 

Except for Felix. 

I looked up at him and found his eyes already settled on me. He offered a soft smile. 

"Don't mind them. We're all rather protective of each other, so new additions can be met with some skepticism."

"I don't know if I would call it skepticism. It seems more like downright disdain to me," I chuckled faintly.

"No," Felix replied, shaking his head adamantly, "Once they see how I've accepted you, they'll follow suit."

"Are you their leader or something?" I asked, suspicion and curiosity lacing my voice.

"Or something," He murmured, shifting his gaze straight ahead as we entered Oxford's primitive dining hall.

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chapter index

chapter one

chapter two

[mpixx]

absolutely fucking obsessed with the fact that oliver's "i loved him" monologue is actually him (or emerald) partly quoting the ending of lana del rey's "national anthem" video??

with the monologue, there's that whole issue of oliver not really fully admitting to the extent of his love on the textual level (distinguishing "love" from "in love", "everybody loved him", "i hated him" etc).

this is already being deconstructed on a visual level, with the juxtaposition of the flashback images during his speech - other people have posted smart things about this.

and just like that visual juxtaposition, this "quoting" aspect also changes the text, or tells us something about how to read that monologue

it shows the extent to which this monologue, the narrative is fabricated. he uses someone else's words to narrate his life. does that make him more of an unreliable narrator? or is it just a human thing to do? (also, he's an english major, so he will use pre-existing texts to make sense of his life)

comparing it to lana's original, oliver strays from it in two ways. first, his delivery is restrained, almost a bit unnatural, while lana's is full of devotion; emotion swelling with each repetition. second, where he goes into the delulu "but was i in love with him?" climax, the denial, she just pauses, and after that long pause ends with "i still love him. i love him". in a way, reading oliver's monologue in tandem with lana's does the same thing that the visuals do: juxtaposing oliver's words/text with conflicting information/emotion. and yes i think that he meant the whole thing the way she said it

i also looove the bonkers theatrics and implications of him standing by himself over elspeths murdered body and his big monologue is basically reciting lana del rey pretending to be jackie kennedy

by quoting her, he is fashioning himself as jackie kennedy?? his desire and violence are already so female coded. and now he's saying he is jackie o, the epitome of a grieving widow, guarding a big empty house?? olliieeeee