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uberaalison · 2 years

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An Analysis of Alison’s Subtle Manipulations (Part 1?)

After putting together a dub of this scene, I just had to go back and make a post about it and the storyline that it kicks off, because it’s such a perfect example of how Alison was so brilliantly written in the flashbacks, and why the Liars loved and remained friends with her despite the way she treated them.

One of the subplots in the fabulous Halloween episode “The First Secret” is Spencer running for class president. The storyline really kicks off with Alison showing up at Spencer’s house to break the news to her that she checked in with “a friend” on the election committee, and it looks like the results could go either way as opposed to the guaranteed win that Spencer was expecting.

Spencer is immediately horrified by the possibility that she won’t win, and cries to Ali that her parents have already planned her victory party, complete with booking a location and sending out invitations. This kicks off the first two layers of Ali’s manipulation.

First, she insists that Melissa must have been behind the party planning, with the motivation of secretly hoping for Spencer to fail and propping herself up in their parents’ eyes. We see earlier in the episode that at this point, Spencer idolized Melissa and felt none of the resentment that we see as early as the Pilot. It’s in this episode that Alison begins planting the seed in Spencer’s mind that eventually leads to a lot of the competitiveness between the sisters.

And Ali’s response to Spencer’s horror is also very revealing. She slyly offers to rig the election in Spencer’s favor, which on the surface comes across as a great act of generosity, but really accomplishes two things. The first is subtly making sure Spencer knows that she wasn’t capable of winning the election on her own, and that she needed Ali’s help to do so. The second is making Spencer feel indebted to her for taking such a big risk on her behalf. As we’ll see if I end up making more parts to this post, Ali was very good at making her friends feel like they owed her.

This plot continues after Spencer does end up winning the election, when Ali presents her with a few stolen ballots at the Halloween party. Spencer immediately throws them into the fire, prompting Ali to mention that she should have taken a look at them first. The implication of this scene is obviously that the votes she’d taken belonged to some of the other Liars, and that they hadn’t voted for Spencer.

I’ve always loved the addition of this little moment, because it adds yet another layer to Ali’s manipulations. By suggesting that some or all of their friend group voted against Spencer, it sends the stronger message that they’re not really her friends - just one of many examples of Ali attempting to isolate the girls from each other. And what’s more, not only did Alison vote for Spencer, but she went so far as to make sure that she won. This gives Spencer the impression that Ali is a far better friend than the others, and that she’s the only one Spencer can really trust.

Now my hypothesis on all of this is that Spencer was always going to win the election, and Ali fabricated the story about the close votes to make Spencer feel like she needed to depend on Ali to win. I also imagine that the votes she showed to Spencer at the party were fake, or didn’t say what she claimed - note that she only gave details after Spencer had thrown them in the fire. Aria, Emily, and Hanna all probably did vote for Spencer - Alison just wanted Spencer to believe they hadn’t to further isolate her and convince her that Ali was her only true friend.

All in all, this super long post really goes to show how intricately written Alison’s manipulative games were, and I think is a great example of how she managed to keep her friends so closely in her orbit while feeding on their insecurities and giving them such bad complexes. This is the Alison that was one of the best characters of the show.

#pll #pretty little liars #alison dilaurentis #spencer hastings #pll analysis #the first secret #spalison #2x13

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soul-music-is-life · 4 years

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Imagine if like one of the girls probably spencer is still next door neighbour to em and Ali and Ali is alone when she goes into labor with Sam em is out with the twins or somethin and like she knxoxks on Spencer’s door and she’s like whats up and Ali is like baby coming now I need a drive lol, maybe even ending up having the baby in the car jajajaj

I’ve had a few requests for a Spalison prompt and one very sweet person who offered to even pay me for it. I’m not really great when it comes to exchanging fics for cash, so I’m actually doing this free of charge unless people feel like donating to my Ko-fi.

It’s an Emison within a Spalison within an Emison…AU future-ish prompt? It’s insanely long, so I am posting the full length prompt on Fanfiction instead, but the first snippet is here. Link will be at the end of the snippet.

The “Read More” tag is there for a reason (rating). Just a fair warning. Also, if you’re on mobile, I don’t think the “Read More” works, so if you’re a follower, but not a PLL fanfic reader just scroll past and ignore. :-)

*****

Alison couldn’t move. Her entire body was drenched in sweat. She was panting so hard that she thought she might pass out. She gripped the sheets and cried out, her back arching and her muscles tensing.

She tried to remember her Lamaze exercises as she worked to regain control of her lung functions. Another one hit her and she was right back where she started. She was seeing stars.

She finally got her bearings after a few minutes. Her body relaxed against the mattress.

Emily crawled up from under the covers, a huge smile on her face. She saw the serene look on Alison’s face. She moved up to kiss her, their lips gently meeting for a soft peck. Alison could feel the smugness radiating off of her wife.

“Don’t you fucking gloat.” Alison warned her.

“I told you I could make it a trifecta.” Emily winked at her. She threaded her fingers into Alison’s hair.

When Emily looked at her with such soft affection Alison felt like she was melting. Every time Alison looked into Emily’s eyes she could see her wife falling even more deeply in love with her, and it made Alison feel the same.

Emily had a way about her. She had the biggest heart that Alison had ever seen. She looked at the world in a bright and peculiar way, which is what Alison loved about her. She loved her sunny optimist. The brunette had her dark days, but at her core Emily wanted to believe in the good in the world. It’s one of the qualities that made her such an amazing mother and partner.

“How are you feeling?” Emily kissed the side of Alison’s jaw.

She moved her hand down to Alison’s swollen belly. The baby was a week overdue, and Alison had about had it with their son overstaying his welcome in her uterus. Emily had taken the week off of work because she knew he could come at any moment. And she wanted to make sure they had everything ready for him. She also wanted to make sure her wife’s every need was attended to.

“Normally I’d appreciate all this attention, but I’ve only got so much stamina.” Alison touched Emily’s bare waist.

“I know. But the doctor said that stimulation could help induce the labor.”

“She also said that I should eat spicy foods and walk around a lot, and that just gave me heartburn and made my feet swell.” She pushed her lips out in a pout. They felt bruised and swollen.

“Luckily this comes with minimal side effects.” Emily winked. “Ready to go again?”

“I never thought I’d say this, but my vagina needs a break. I need to recharge my battery. Just plug me in and let me power up.” Alison splayed her arms out and huffed out a sigh.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her head was still spinning. It was amazing that after over ten years of marriage Emily still knew how to take her breath away.

The bed shuffled. Something warm tickled her stomach. Emily’s lips were so tender against her skin that Alison could feel the love in her motions. Alison opened her eyes and smiled down at her.

Emily loved kissing her belly. She loved feeling connected to their son. Emily gently kissed her baby bump again and put an open palm against Alison’s stomach. She peered up at the blonde.

“I can’t wait to meet him.” She rubbed circles against Alison’s skin.

Alison loved how nurturing she was. She had such an unwavering amount of love in her heart, especially when it came to their children. She watched quietly as Emily spoke softly to their baby boy. He usually came to life when he heard his Mama. Alison loved feeling him dance around in excitement, because she felt the same way about her wife. She felt like dancing every time she was in Emily’s orbit.

“Do me a favor and tell your son he needs to vacate these premises immediately.” Alison laid her palm on the other side of her belly. It was hard and tight and still gleaming with sweat.

“You heard your mother.” Emily spoke softly to her unborn son. “It’s time to come out.”

They felt a flutter of movement as the baby moved around. After a few seconds, he was still.

“Now he’s just mocking me.” Alison sat up.

No matter what position she was in she was uncomfortable. The baby felt like he was taking up every inch of her body. She looked down at her stomach. She was retaining water. She frowned.

“I look like a balloon.” She pouted.

“A beautiful shiny balloon.” Emily rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow. “One I must say that I enjoy playing with.”

“Seriously, I’m hideous. How can you find me attractive right now?” Alison poked her belly.

The insecurity had gotten harder for her once the mood swings had started, but Emily never once faltered in her stride. She had watched Alison’s body change and grow, and she was in awe of it.

“Because you’re carrying our son. You’re giving him life.” Emily slowly sat up. She cupped Alison’s cheek. “You…” She pecked her lips, “…are the most beautiful mother…” Another kiss, “…and lover I could have ever asked for.”

Blood rushed to Alison’s cheeks. Her entire body flashed in heat. No matter how low her mood seemed to get, Emily always knew exactly what to say to make her feel better. It was the magic of her wife.

“You’re just saying that so I don’t get sad and eat my weight in pickles and ice cream.” She’d started craving weird things in her seventh month of pregnancy.

“If you want pickles and ice cream I will go out and buy every carton of Ben & Jerry’s and all the Gherkins in the store. You just say the word.”

Alison smiled at Emily’s determination. She knew how lucky she was to have the brunette. Emily had been the calming center in the middle of the chaos of pregnancy. But even before then, Emily had always been sensitive to her needs. She was the most nurturing person Alison had ever met. And she was lucky enough to have her every day for the rest of their lives.

Alison grasped Emily’s cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss. She gently held Emily’s face as their eyes met.

“You’re so sweet.” Alison’s nose brushed Emily’s.

“And you are…” Emily took her time eyeing Alison’s body, “…very aesthetically pleasing.”

“Oh my God, you dork.” Alison fell back against the headboard in laughter. “Who says that kind of thing?”

The teasing smile on Emily’s face slowly faded into a genuine look of adoration. Alison loved seeing the subtle changes in her eyes. Her eyes told the full story of what was going on in her head.

Emily splayed her hand against Alison’s stomach and slowly moved it up against her body. She took her time appreciating her curves. Her palm landed against the side of her neck. Her fingertips curled against the top of her spine. Alison felt sparks of pleasure shooting throughout her entire body.

When Emily touched her Alison could tell that it wasn’t just hormones or pheromones or that they constantly craved one another. It was that her pregnancy had opened Emily’s eyes further to her inner beauty, something Alison had trouble sharing, because it made her vulnerable. But over the years she’d learned to let Emily in. The vulnerabilities that had come with marriage, and especially pregnancy, had brought an additional layer of intimacy between them.

“I mean it, Alison.” Emily reached for Alison’s hand, threading their fingers together. “All I see when I look at you is your strength and your endurance and your sensual prowess. And it’s the sexiest thing in the world. You are always beautiful in my eyes. Always.”

When Emily told her she was beautiful, Alison believed it. She knew that once she was holding her son in her arms, Emily’s son…it would prove to be worth it.

“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Alison put her palm against Emily’s neck.

“I think I heard you shout it a few times in the middle of the first time…”

Alison playfully smacked her. Emily was being so cocky, which she loved. And truthfully, she’d earned the right to be cocky. Because she was amazing in all aspects.

“I’m serious.” Alison slid her hand up against Emily’s jaw, tracing her fingers against her strong jaw line. “You’re so wonderful. I really love you, Emily. I wasted so much time not telling you that. But I want you to know how much you mean to me. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without you…without your love. You…” She felt a knot in her throat, but she managed to swallow it, “You never gave up on me. After everything I did…you’re still here.”

She blinked back her tears. She’d spent years thinking she wasn’t worthy of love, least of all Emily’s love. But Emily was determined to love her, and because of that Alison was able to open herself up to her love...and she’d been able to return that love to her wife tenfold.

“We’re not kids anymore.” Emily reminded her. “You’re not that person anymore. I’m not who I used to be either.” She reached up and wiped away a trace of a tear underneath Alison’s right eye. “My dad taught me a long time ago that relationships require work, and that when two people are truly in love…” She cradled Alison’s cheek, “There is no such thing as giving up.” She smiled warmly at her wife. “I will always be there for you.”

“Me too.” Alison nodded in agreement. She sighed happily. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. You deserve the whole world.”

“I’ve got it.” Emily’s entire world was Alison.

They met for a kiss. It started out innocent. It was slowly becoming something more when an alarm pierced the air and startled them.

Emily rolled over and reached out to grab her phone. Her eyes widened when she saw the time.

“Crap.” She sat up, wrapping the sheet around her body. “I’ve got to pick the girls up from soccer practice.”

“We should make them walk. It builds character.” Alison reached for Emily, trying to pull her back into their embrace.

Emily sat up and leaned over, grabbing her pants off of the floor. She quickly threw her shirt on. She twisted back around and gave Alison a kiss on the forehead.

“To be continued.” She touched her cheek. She put her hands on Alison’s stomach and pressed her lips against her baby bump. “Don’t you dare make your big debut without me.” She ordered her unborn son, not knowing at the time just how foreshadowing those words would be. She looked at Alison. “I’ll be back in half an hour.”

Emily rushed out to go pick up their twins. Alison couldn’t get comfortable in bed. Her back was killing her. She hadn’t slept in days. Emily stayed up with her a lot, giving her massages and trying to help with her discomfort. Alison really felt her absence when she wasn’t around.

She got up and put on a nightgown. She stopped and peered at herself in the mirror. She held her stomach in her hands, observing her side profile. She really couldn’t see what Emily saw in her. She looked bloated, blotchy, and tired. She rubbed her back, quietly deciding that making herself some tea might help with the stiff muscles.

She made the mistake of leaving her phone on her nightstand.

....CON’T BELOW

FANFIC LINK

#Pretty Little Liars #Emison #PLL #Spalison

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