#the honour and devotion and loyalty...

[orangexmachina]

I want what they have

[l3v5ha]

sooo funny to think of cobel + milchick starting off as devoted kier-heads but having this loyalty challenged again and again by helena eagan until they finally break. imagine you spend your whole life revering this family & worshipping their likenesses at lumon madame tussauds & when youre finally afforded the honour of supervising a live one at work all she does is think of new and innovative ways to kill herself. and youre forced to be like ok something isnt adding up.

[hotvintagepoll]

Diahann Carroll + Sidney Poitier (Paris Blues)—they only made one movie but please please please please please PLEASE include them, they are so so iconic and beautiful and this tournament would not be complete without them they're so iconic pleeeeaseaeseeeeee [editor's note: ok sure]

Paul Newman + Robert Redford (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting)—My god, their chemistry. It's iconic. And very very sexy. They're kind of canonically in a throuple in the first one, so that's kind of like playing an actual romance. But also, they're the central relationships of both films and their inexplicable devotion to each other is a key driving force in them. Those blue eyed bastards. I love them.

These are the finals of the hot couples tournament. Each poll lasts for a week. Please reblog with propaganda for your favorite hot couple. There are no other polls since this is the final, but if you want to see the history of the tournament, click here.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut]

Carroll + Poitier:

"they're just so incredibly sexy together"

Newman + Redford:

The following propaganda was submitted by the anon who lives in my vents:

[drags self out of the vents reeking of stale gasoline] SO ABOUT THAT NEW MINI POLL.......may i suggest: ROBERT REDFORD and PAUL NEWMAN in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. MY REASONING:

thagt was some of tha gayest shit i've ever seen in my entire life and i'm only 23

but for realsies, that movie was literally a love story between butch n sundance. every single thing they did, they did together

THEY'RE EVEN PERFECT OPPOSITES IN PERSONALITY—butch is the optimistic guy who never shuts up and is less intimidating than he looks; sundance is the pessimistic brooder who looks harmless because he's pretty, but is the most dangerous guy you'll ever meet

AND THEN,,,,,, EVEN WHEN THEY (SPOILERS) HAD THAT THROUPLEY THING GOING ON WITH ETTA IN BOLIVIA, AND ETTA EVENTUALLY WANTED TO LEAVE, SUNDANCE STILL CHOSE TO STAY WITH BUTCH AND DIE RATHER THAN LIVE A SEMI-SAFE LIFE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!! LIKE!!!!!! GIRL WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THE FINAL SCENE I—i need to stare at a WALL—

plus the fact that paul newman and robert redford were actually besties irl meant that their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS. even when i was A VERY STUPID LITTLE KID and i watched that movie for the first time, i was like ".......so um... are they, like, in love with each other and that lady?"

PLUS THE FACT THAT THE MOVIE WAS DIRECTED BY THE SAME GUY WHO WOULD LATER DIRECT THE STING AND THAT MOVIE WAS JUST AS, IF NOT MORE GAY, I—

O-|-< (← me lying dead on the ground)

THE TRUST, THE INTIMACY, THE BANTER, THE LOYALTY, THE INHERENT HOMOEROTICISM OF DYING SIDE BY SIDE—

they're gay, your honour.

ergo, dear mod, i humbly ask that you consider two of my blorbos for the mini poll bracket <3 if you need more information, literally just dm me or tag me, i'll be hangin' out in the vents 😎🤙🏼 as usual (unless my house explodes into bats)

[multific]

A Token of Love

Emperor Geta x Reader

Summary: During your usual walks, you meet a woman. The conversation you had with her made you think. 

The grand halls were quiet as night approached.

With supper over, Caracalla retired to his room, you knew Geta would be joining you soon. 

Only servants' movements could be heard.

You prepared something special for Geta, your husband and one of the Emperors of Rome.

Your heart fluttered with anticipation as you carefully wrapped the gift in a piece of linen.

It was a simple yet meaningful gift you prepared.

A maiden's token, a small embroidered piece you had sewn yourself. The thread was gold, symbolizing loyalty, and the fabric was crimson, representing the deep love you felt for him.

You thought long and hard about what to gift him.

You weren't usually one for grand gestures.

Your relationship with Geta had always thrived on quiet moments and unspoken understanding.

But lately, something changed in you, you felt a need to remind him of what he meant to you, to show him the depth of your love in a way that words alone could not.

And so, you came up with the idea of giving him a gift.

He found you in your shared chambers, seated by the window, lost in thought.

"Wife?" but you didn't reply.

His brow furrowed slightly in curiosity as he approached you. You turned to him, offering him a warm smile.

"You look troubled, My Love. What weighs the mind of My Beautiful Empress?"

"I'm not troubled, Geta. Simply... I'm thinking."

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. You stood and walked toward him, holding out the carefully wrapped box.

"I have something for you," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Geta took the gift, his eyes never leaving yours. Slowly, he unwrapped it, revealing the small item. His expression softened as he traced the golden thread with his fingers.

"A beautiful token from My Beloved. It is lovely." he smiled.

You watched him closely, noting the way his eyes shined with something unspoken.

"I made it for you," you said, stepping closer. "To remind you that my heart is yours, now and forever."

He reached out, cupping your cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing your skin.

"I am honoured, My Love. But please tell me, where did this sudden declaration of love come from?" he worried for a moment he forgot a date, event or perhaps anniversary. 

You hesitated for a moment before answering, your eyes dropping to the floor. "Last time I went to the marker, I met a woman. You know the weekly walks I take to ensure the people's comfort?" he nodded and allowed you to continue. "The woman had lost her husband in the wars. She spoke of him with such love, such longing... It gripped my heart and made me think. I wanted to give you something, a token of my love and devotion, so you would always know how much you mean to me."

Geta's expression turned serious, and he pulled you into a tight hug.

His arms were strong around you, offering both comfort and protection with a quiet promise.

"You will not lose me. I will not allow it. Not even the Gods themselves can take me away from you."

Tears welled in your eyes, but they did not fall.

Instead, you held him tighter, feeling the steady beat of his heart, it calmed you. "Promise me, Geta. Promise me that you will not leave me."

He pulled back just enough to meet your gaze.

"I promise," he said solemnly. "As long as there is breath in my body, I will fight to stay by your side."

"That is all I need." you smiled at him.

He leaned down, pressing his forehead against yours. "You give me strength, My Love. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, you are my anchor. This gift is more than a symbol. It is a reminder of the bond we share, unbreakable and immortal."

You leaned up and placed a kiss on his lips. Sealing his promise and yours of eternity.

That night, as you lay beside him in bed, your hand resting over his heart, you felt at ease.

Even if the world was filled with dangers, as you listened to his breathing and beating heart, you felt at ease at last.

In a world where nothing was promised, love was the only anchor you could hold on to.

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

Wattpad

/DO NOT TRANSLATE, STEAL OR REPOST ANY OF MY WORKS TO THIS OR OTHER PLATFORMS/

[cookiekissers]

can we please get a buring spice x fragile reader, like they want to help and fight/hunt but physical can't because they are that fragile, simply bumbing into another cookie could cause them to crack!

Do Not Go Gently

[Burning Spice Cookie x Fragile Reader]

I was inspired and tried something a little different with this so I hope you like it! and Burning Spice redemption anyone? B)

The life of a Wild Spice was fraught with constant struggle and danger. If you were weak, you would be ground into dust, either by one of the other tribes or by the Great Destroyer himself. And you happened to be one of the weaker spices.

Delicate and fragile by nature, your main ingredient was parsley. The harsh desert winds of your homeland often left your leaves and dough brittle. The stronger Wild Spices almost always belittled you and your small tribe as you barely etched out an existence. You weren't tough and built with natural armour, like the Pepper Pangolins, or strong like the Saffron Buffaloes. But if there was one thing you were, it was tenacious.

When the Great Destroyer returned, you feared that your inherent frailness only spelled ruin for you and your tribe, soon to join the scattered remains of your ancestors. Despite the risks, you boldly joined the other Wild Spice leaders and offered your loyalty and service to Burning Spice Cookie.

He had looked over you and laughed, calling you weak and pathetic. As you knelt there, showing your sincere devotion, you thought it was all over for you. Still, Burning Spice miraculously passed over you and left you be. The Great Destroyer was not known to spare those he thought weak, so you could only imagine that he saw something in you that you hadn't. Since that moment, you were inspired by the Great Destroyer, not out of fear but admiration. You knew he didn't care for you. With a sweep of his hand, he could wipe your existence from this earth in seconds. But still, you fought hard and trained harder until your dough was cracked and crumbling to show that you had a right to continue living. Burning Spice Cookie had spared you. Your life had to mean something to him.

The little thing kneeling at his feet was pathetic. A Cookie so fragile that their dough cracked at the mildest of strikes was not worthy to be in his presence. And yet, instead of hiding from his inevitable fury, here you were. Burning Spice had to admit, you had guts. He didn't want to waste his time crumbling you himself when he knew you wouldn't put up a good fight. It would be far more entertaining to watch you struggle, only for you to fall to your unavoidable fate.

And yet...

That moment never came. Regardless of how grievous your wounds or the crumbling of your dough, you threw yourself back into battle again and again. Unafraid of the death that awaited you. Burning Spice Cookie found himself almost... fascinated by you.

You were so fragile, doomed to fail. And yet... you fought to cling a little longer to your short, pathetic life.

It reminded him of a time long past.

One day, after Burning Spice had enough of the annoying thoughts of you buzzing around his head, he decided to pay your tribe a visit. All the inhabitants of your tribe weren't as tough as you, which was somewhat of a disappointment. They scurried into their homes, terrified of him, or fell to their knees, grovelling at his feet for mercy. But you... you remained standing, like a resolute warrior, poised as if death were coming to claim you. You were unafraid. You had accepted it, but that did not mean you would go without a grand fight.

He approached you, ignoring the rest of your tribe, and you bowed your head in respect to the Great Destroyer. You didn't bow as deeply as you used to, but Burning Spice let it slide.

You had changed. Your eyes held a solemn understanding, and your dough was now riddled with scars, honourable rewards of fighting to see another day.

Burning Spice Cookie watched you, realizing he had no words. Why had curiosity brought him here to see you? He couldn't come up with an answer. His previous excuse of being amused by your antics had faded into something... else.

You broke the silence and invited Burning Spice Cookie into your humble home, and he accepted. Your tribe was astonished at their leader, who stood fearlessly in front of the Great Destroyer, and he had not razed their village to the ground in retaliation.

"Well, this is a surprise." Burning Spice Cookie mused. It was still surprising to him. Destruction was the end of all things, whether by his hand or not. But you stood in the face of it and fought it. Refusing to meet it on its terms.

"That I'm still here?" You replied bluntly, an amused smile on your face. Burning Spice Cookie would usually have felt excitement upon discovering a Cookie like you - someone who could ignite his passion and provide a worthy challenge now that you had grown stronger against all odds. However, that’s not how he felt at this moment. It wasn't even boredom. Instead, he felt the same solemness reflected in your eyes.

Burning Spice Cookie asked you to be his right hand. The request came so suddenly that it left you momentarily stunned. All the strife and gruelling work you had endured had finally paid off in a way you never could have imagined.

"Yes, I would be honored, my lord. Thank you." You said, quickly bowing your head deeply in gratitude.

Burning Spice Cookie knew that your luck was going to eventually run out and your fragile dough would crumble, slipping through his fingers like the sands of time. Like with all things, it was inevitable, regardless of how hard you fought to cling to your pitiful life.

But he would be there when it happened, he would watch you. He would burn your rage into his mind as you descended into the endless night, fighting and spitting for just one more day.

Once you joined your ancestors, he would remember you. Always.

[shizuturnspages]

Hiii in honour of his birthday i wanted to ask how do you think Diluc shows his devotion for his partner? like I have always saw him as very protective because of how the other important relationships in his life went but how would he show them he loved them before and during the relationship? get to this when you can much love! (˶ˆᗜˆ˵)

Hi hi! What a lovely ask in honour of his birthday (ik I'm late)🥺🎂 I absolutely agree with your read on Diluc. His love is steeped in quiet, steadfast devotion, sharpened by a life of loss. Here's how I think he shows it — both before and during the relationship — with that signature broody warmth he does so well:

How He Shows Devotion

“You are the only part of my life I’ve never considered a duty.”

✦ Before the Relationship: Watching From the Shadows

Before love becomes tangible, Diluc protects from afar. He doesn’t believe he deserves love easily — not after failing to protect his father, or losing Kaeya to secrets and distance. So his devotion begins in secret.

❥ He notices the small things. Your favourite tea blend, how you always wear gloves even in summer, the way you hum when you’re nervous. These details become part of his routine without you realising — a spare glove placed beside your seat at the tavern, a delivery of your favourite blend “accidentally misdelivered” to you.

❥ He shows up without asking. You’re walking home late at night? He happens to be patrolling that exact route. Trouble on a commission? A shadow crosses your path and the fight ends before you can even raise your blade. He never asks for thanks. He doesn't want praise — just to make sure you’re okay.

❥ He pushes you away when his feelings get too real. He’s terrified that loving you might put you in danger. So he grows colder. Distant. You might even think he dislikes you for a time. But it’s not hate. It’s fear. Fear of ruining the one good thing he hasn’t already lost.

✦ During the Relationship: Steadfast and Protective

Once you’re together — once you choose him — that’s when the floodgates open.

❥ You become his priority. Every decision he makes — in business, in battle, even in his private time — is filtered through the thought: “Will this keep them safe? Will this help them smile?” You never have to ask for protection. He’s already planning ten steps ahead to ensure you never have to lift a finger.

❥ He shows love through action, not words. Breakfast on the table before you wake. A cloak draped over your shoulders the second the temperature drops. Freshly oiled weapons, repaired gear. He may not say “I love you” often, but every gesture says it in a hundred different ways.

❥ He worries. Constantly. He’s lost too much. So when you’re gone too long, or injured, or emotionally distant, he spirals a bit. He won’t say it, but you’ll find him staring at the fire with white knuckles, or cleaning his claymore long past midnight to keep his hands busy.

❥ He softens only for you. With others, he’s all quiet command and sharpened edges. But you? You get the real Diluc. The one who listens intently to your dreams. Who holds your hand in silence after a long day. Who closes his eyes and rests his forehead against yours like it’s the only place in Teyvat that feels like home.

❥ He lets you in. Slowly. Carefully. But eventually, you’re the only one he shares everything with — the truth about his father, his bitterness toward the Knights, the weight he’s carried all these years. You become his anchor. His equal. His safe place.

Diluc doesn’t love recklessly. He loves with intention — with the kind of loyalty that doesn't falter even when you fight, when things get hard, when he feels unworthy.

Because when Diluc chooses to love you, it means forever.

[madamspellmans-met-tet]

How Eve Best’s acting broke my heart—again.

We need to talk.

This entire scene already had me tearing up simply because of Rhaenys’ expressions.

First, Rhaenys walks up to the docks, tense, a stern look on her face. She corrects Alyn about her title, taking back control. She’s known for a long time about Corlys’ indiscretion, but this is the first time she’s confronted with it, face to face. She needs to see for herself.

Alyn struggles to meet her eye whereas Rhaenys keeps studying him as if it could help her understand. She’s had time to process her husband’s betrayal, but the scar still itches when irritated. She still doesn’t understand why, because he is so devoted to her. Their love is and always has been strong, so how could he have done it?

Then the hand to the cheek, a tender gesture. Assessing, yes, but we’ve only seen her do this with Baela and Rhaena before—which is why this was so incredibly meaningful to me.

It’s almost as if she accepts him as her own. He’s Corlys’ child, she sees him in Alyn, and she knows he’s innocent. And if Rhaenys is anything, then protective of her children/grandchildren.

“Your mother must’ve been very beautiful.”

Her husband’s betrayal made her question her own appearance; if she wasn’t comely enough anymore. If she was too old, too worn. Considering the love they shared, the only explanation for his affair was that the other woman was more beautiful than her, so much that he couldn’t resist, that he stopped thinking about her if only for a moment.

The little gulp, the sadness in her eyes. But there’s no blame, no resentment towards Alyn. And that’s what I so deeply admire about Rhaenys. She has so much self control in the face of the greatest pain that she can still see sense, can tell right from wrong. She could’ve lashed out at Alyn, could’ve asked Corlys to banish him from her sight, but instead she stands up for him.

It’s one of Rhaenys’ defining traits: compassion.

All throughout this scene, her eyes carry so much hurt. Like she’s dying inside. Eve said, “her heart [was] bleeding.” And it’s so visible.

Corlys comes into the picture. He dances around it, not wishing to bring further pain upon his wife, who he is already desperately trying to win back after his absence, even going to war just to prove his loyalty and devotion to her.

But Rhaenys is clear. She knows. Her eyes glaze with tears and Corlys can’t stand seeing it, averts his gaze, gets defensive when Rhaenys demands Alyn should be honoured for his deeds despite his origins, despite her pride.

It would bring shame on her, but she is willing to take it.

She stands by her husband.

But Corlys loathes himself for what he has done and changes the topic, almost attacking her with, “Is that why you came? To subject me to an inquisition?”

Rhaenys is shattered when she leaves, not necessarily because of Alyn and the confrontation, but because she feels like everything she’s held on to so tightly, through all the pain and loss, is slipping through her fingers. She’s coming undone, falling apart. She’s lost so much, and she’s feeling like she’s losing her husband, her marriage, too, despite the love they share.

Corlys looks after her with his lost puppy eyes, feeling helpless. How can I fix this?

that was my rambling for today. still processing. rest in peace, my queen.

[gay-dorito-dust]

i need some happy viktor fluff after ep 6 :( how about set during s1 and reader helps him walk a bit without his cane or something

When Viktor pulled you aside one evening and said that he had something to show you, you naturally thought it was something to do with the hexcore project he had been working on nonstop, however you weren’t expecting to be outside on some dock as a shade of midnight blue and purples bled across the sky above you both.

It was a beautiful evening you had to admit but you were still confused as to why it was that you were there. ‘Viktor,’ the man mad a soft noise to let you know that he was listening as he looked across the dock with furrowed brows, his mind was at work and you could see it on his face that this was all premeditated, but you being here to witness this? Was that premeditated too? Were you the one he wanted to witness this discovery with him or was it last minute that he asked for your company? ‘What did you want me to see?’ You asked.

‘A Miracle.’ Viktor says as he looks at you, his amber eyes shining so beautifully that you couldn’t help but get lost in the softness of them and the brilliance they withheld that you often saw in the man standing before you. ‘And I wanted you to be the first person to see it happen.’ He adds with a small, almost awkward smile but that only made him all the more endearing in your eyes, as well as how his soft, tender voice always managed to make you feel safe and that everything was okay as long as he was here with you.

One things for sure and that’s the fact that you’d follow Viktor and worship him like an advent follwer does their god without question, just unwavering devotion, loyalty and faith. Another thing you were certain of was just how far you’d go for him just to see him happy, to see him smile as it was the most ethereal thing you would ever see from a man as unrealistically beautiful as him, it was almost frightening.

‘Did you have doubts that I wouldn’t seek you out?’ He then asks teasingly when he noticed how silent you were being, gently reaching out to touch your elbow and squeezing it.

You blinked before realising what he was asking you. ‘No! I’m just surprised you asked me to be here with you, I’m not complaining I just-‘ your sentence was cut off when you heard Viktor laugh and god did you feel the air leave your lungs upon hearing a sound so heavenly as his laugh.

‘There’s no one I’d rather have to witness this miracle with me than you my dear.’ Viktor said as he squeezed your elbow once more before pulling his hand away to handing you his cane instead. ‘Would you mind holding this for me?’ He requests and you look between him and his cane then back to him confused, but you did what was asked of you and held his cane as though it was a relic of times long past, holding it to your chest as you watched what Viktor claimed to be a miracle.

‘Please keep your eyes on me.’ Viktor said as he slowly but surely began to walk away from you, his steps was uncertain and almost hesitant, almost as though with each step he was expecting something bad to go wrong or would go wrong if he wasn’t overtly cautious of his every step but he was walking none the less. You were quick to notice that his right foot was faintly glowing purple with golden accents to go along with it, you were worried that something had happened to him, but decided to keep all your worries and concerns to yourself the moment you saw Viktor break out into a sprint.

Your breath budget in your throat when you saw him trip a little bit, feeling yourself lurch forward but let out a sigh of relief when you saw him catch himself, picking up where he left off and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. This was the miracle Viktor was talking about and you were blessed, so honoured that he had chosen you to best witness to this special moment for him, so much of that you couldn’t help but feel overly emotional and start tearing up upon hearing him yell like a man who had finally won it all after constant trial and tribulations that he had faced throughout his life.

‘This is a miracle! Viktor you are the miracle!’ You shouted as loud as you could, hoping that he could hear you as you watched him stop at the end of the dock, looking a little out of breath. Something deep within you urged you to go after him and you followed it blindly as you ran towards Viktor, cane clutched against your chest, as you moved yourself as fast as you could to be by his side once more. ‘Did you see me my dear?’ Viktor asked as he looked at you with his amber eyes full of light and life that you couldn’t hold back and brought him into your arms.

‘I watched you the entire time.’ You admitted to him, burying your head into his neck, breathing him in. ‘Did you hear me?’ You asked and Viktor smiled against your head as he whispered against your ear. ‘It was impossible not to when you’re calling me a miracle, do you’d mean it?’

You tightened your hold on him as everything you’ve ever thought of him from the moment you met him came rushing to the forefront of your mind. ‘Of course I do and so much more but I fear the words I speak won’t do any justice to how constantly amazed and in awe I am of you.’ You admitted, feeling your cheeks heat up as you felt Viktor stiffen in your arms.

‘And what do you think of me.’ Viktor says softly, almost weakly as though he was scared to find out your innermost thoughts, despite the fact that they intrigued him more so than he’d ever admit.

‘I think everything of you Viktor.’ You told him. ‘I think so much of you that you’ve consumed my every thought, so much to the point I can’t conceive a thought without your soul being tethered to it in some way.’ You finished and pulling away to look him in the eye and see the most beautiful thing you will ever see in your life.

Viktor was smiling and had a flustered look upon his face and god did he look ethereal beneath the midnight blue sky, an angel if you will and you knew you could die happily being in here with him, witnessing the miracle become even more then that.

[quirekey]

MATCHUP FOR @walter-sock [ Transformers x Cybertronian Reader ]

You have got D16 TFONE!

INTRODUCTION

When you met D16 because you guys kept finding each other in the same mines, you two slowly adjusted with each other. With D16’s loyalty and determination, you started to immediately like him. D16 was so willing to help Sentinel and Iacon that it struck something in your spark. D16’s devotion was honourable and you admired him for that!

D16 enjoyed your playful and aloof personality, how you were so social and out for others. Your cockiness and optimistic behaviour definitely caught him quickly too. At first, D16 thought you were just like Orion. You both were cocky, kind hearted and loud, but it’s when you two started to talk and hang out is when he realised you are much better than what he intended.

He thought you would’ve been jumping in joy when one of the racers went up to you, but you went silent and treated them like they were a superior. Though the racer was flustered and told you that it’s okay, D16’s spark glowed inside at that moment, it felt like it stopped inside and burnt a hole in his chest, but in a good way. After that, D16 studied you more silently. He learnt that you are able to relate to almost every bot you meet, relating with your common hobbies like your love for literally any music. I say almost because the bots that pissed you off were definitely the ones who were either narcissistic or used others for their advantage. Other than that, you enjoyed everybody else. D16 respected you so much for this.

You both became very close during the job as miners.

HEADCANONS:

You can see these as platonic: - D16 sometimes would rant to you about his idols, how Megatronous was the toughest and the baddest or how Sentinel is such a selfless guy and was out in the field for all of Iacon. You with your kind-heart would silently listen while chuckling. (When D16 goes far and starts fangirling, you burst out laughing. It’s hard to keep it in sometimes) - Sometimes the both of you would silently listen to music while admiring the scenery Iacon gives during the dark times. The way the bright lights bounced off each other or how the buildings hung from above, it was definitely an admirable sight. You’d admire the little lights above that looked like stars. D16 would find this out by trying to get your attention, but you were way too distracted. He just chuckles and boops your face to wake you up. - Sometimes D16 gets on the verge of anger when he’s forced to do more mining or is dragged into crime by Orion Pax. You are able to calm D16 down with your lively demeanor, just the type of voice he needed. Somebody who was optimistic and knew what to say. - D16 definitely never lies to you, like at all. In general, he doesn’t lie too often at all, he’s able to reach goals and complete his promises. With you, he is way more competitive and determined to keep his promises that he has with you. He knew you’d be upset if you just gave him an empty promise, so he either avoids promises or is just extremely determined.

Definitely some romance: - When anything crazy happens, you and D16 just watch from afar. You two would just silently whisper to each other like the silly bystanders you both were. You two were the type of cybertronians to be the popular shipped background characters. - You both may like each other but you guys never slacked off. You guys were a hard-working pair who always got the job done. Though you two would give each other little nuzzles when you both are close, you both were so determined that it almost always worked out in the end. Both of you honestly gained quite a bit of respect for that. - Orion as the third wheeler dude. He would tease the both of you when you or D16 were alone with him. He’d be like “So, how’s that relationship going with D16? What, did he get you addicted to Megatronus too?” And Orion would just smirk. You’d just smile it off and playfully push him. D16 would complain about this exact problem too. - When you both start dating, that's when D16 spills it. He starts ranting about how the miners have to do so much work so often. He knew it was for ‘good’ but it would tire him everyday. You were definitely surprised but you also understood, you guys never got a break after the Iacon 5000. You with your optimistic mindset would say the positives like how you and him get to hang out almost every second and that you two are stronger than everybody else! It was a stretch but D16 was glad that he could trust you. - When you guys can, both of you would get up when everyone is recharging and cuddle together. You both didn’t mind cuddles but definitely kept kisses for more important times. Kissing was like a moment for when you two had hit a milestone. Examples are like during Iacon 5000 or 1-cycle anniversary! ( one year anniversary. )

ngl, you seem alot like orion he had some sense knocked into him, i respect that - to Walter Sock

[sp4ceboo]

OMFG CHAPTER 2 IS EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR AND MORE!!!!! Can we get a wedding chapter 3 👉👈 or are you not a fan of that

A/N: ANON IM SO GLAD U LIKED IT - tysm for this request, it may be a little short bc im terrible at writing happy things and im also working on another feyd fic, but ask and u shall recieve 😌

A/N pt. 2: well this is awkward. draggng this out a year later bc i forgot all about this. there was meant to be more but idr what it was oops 😅

tw: smutty near the end, marriage (lol), i overuse the four letter 'l' word, both are lovesick which kinda makes them ooc, no beta we die like feyd, complete and utter lack of dialogue or detail bc im a moron, honourable rabban mention but idk how honourable

wc: 1.1k

Yours is a tale that the people of Giedi Prime love.

Their revered na-Baron met his match in the arena, and in a rare moment of mercy, spared her. He found her fiery nature as alluring as her prowess upon the sands, and later, during a reunion shrouded in mystery, he professed his desire to marry her, right then and there. They are mesmerised by the two of you; by the way you alone can withstand the heat of his firey soul, by the way he alone can bear the touch of your once frosty heart.

That is not the whole story, though. They do not know of the night within the storms of Giedi Prime, fraught with tempered emotions. They do not know of the morning after, when you awoke cradled in Feyd's arms, his lips in your hair, speaking of a future that you had never considered as anything more than a fantasy invented for the weak of mind.

When it comes to the matters of the heart, you find you are often wrong - that is why you find yourself standing somewhere you would have never guessed: opposite Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, clothed in a wedding dress.

The satin like fabric accentuates your waist, the leanness of your muscles. It is uncommon for a Harkonnen to marry such a woman. Brides are picked for their purity and ability to produce heirs, not the sweetness of love or strength in a duel, and yet the masses respect you nevertheless - there is something in you that they recognise in themselves; the hardened lines of a warrior, the look in the eyes of one who has been in battle.

The people of Giedi Prime do not search for passion of fondness, but allegiance and loyalty. They find both of those within your relationship with Feyd, and the rest, the love, they allow to remain a mystery to them. Naturally, they find this marriage birthed not by strategic positioning but by emotion strange - uncanny, some mentioned - they do not object; they have seen you fight, nobly so, and that is what matters to them.

Rather bizarrely, the Baron did not object. Maybe because when his nephew informed him of the wedding, he saw in his eyes that there would be no yielding, or perhaps because this is what fate desired. What the Bene Gesserit desired.

It does not bother you that you may be playing into their hands. You chose to say yes when Feyd asked for your hand, his words whispered against your skin on the morning after the storm, and you will be the one sealed to him forever, bound not only by soul but by vows too. This is a choice you claim as your own. They had no hand in the deep, aching love washing over you when you look at the man across from you.

He is clad in sleek, black fabric embroidered with symbols that match your dress. It is not his clothing that enraptures you, though, but the look in his eyes, as if he would burn the world for you - the universe. There is an unbreakable, utter devotion that he regards you with that you know you return.

He is yours, and you are his.

Feyd never takes his eyes off you as he says the vows. When you repeat them to him, you feel them branded into your bones; you know they are true. You will love him until you dying breath. You will love him longer than that.

When he leans in to kiss you, you don't hear the wedding guests cheers or applause. You just feel him against you, his hands gripping your hips and tucking you close to him as he pledges his soul to you with the touch of his mouth on yours. As you pull away, he nips lightly at your lower lip, fire in his eyes.

Fucking hell, you can't wait for the wedding night.

That's the main thought occupying your mind during the banquet. You converse politely with the guests, amused by the wide eyes they give you at some of your replies - you find it entertaining, the way they listen to your tales of opponents you've encountered; these are a civilisation that revel not only in the electrifying bloodlust of a duel, but the art of the fight too. These, daresay, are your people.

Feyd keeps his hand on your thigh the whole night. Occasionally, he'll lean in to kiss your cheek or cover your fingers with his, and it sends a warm jolt through you each time - this man is your husband, this man is yours.

Rabban is quite entertaining, too. At first, he was perturbed by the casual way Feyd's hands glided over your figure, unused to seeing his brother as affected by a person as he was by a fight, but you find him sweet, if a little dim. He is the granite to Feyd's fire: solid, blundering, somewhat boorish, saying what comes to mind without considering the consequence. In this way, he manages to offend a few guests that come to greet you, but you smooth their egos with some well placed words, hiding your smile.

You sense the moment Feyd begins to truly get impatient, exactly halfway through the third dessert course. His jaw clenches, his fingers tightening wonderfully on your thigh, his words to the guests a little blunter. He lasts until the end of the fourth course before abruptly standing up - the guests turn their heads, shocked by his interruption, but he offers them no explanation, just drags you out of the banquet hall as you stifle your laughter.

The two of you make it halfway down the corridor before you realise you're never going to reach the bedroom. Digging your heels into the stone floor, you lead him down one of the more secluded hallways, stopping halfway and pouncing on him, your fingers already working on the buttons of his shirt as he presses you against the wall, his hands skimming up your back before tangling in your hair.

"You are rather impatient, husband," you laugh.

"Why need another course of dessert when my wife is right there, ready to be eaten?"

"Fair - ah - fair point."

Feyd does not bother to remove your dress, instead simply hitching it up around your hips as he lifts you in his strong arms, mouth finding your slick cunt immediately. His strong nose brushes against your clit, and you sigh contentedly, moaning as his fingers curl inside you.

"Louder, my love," he croons. "Let them all hear you scream your husband's name."

[laswells-ashtray]

The threat of Vladimir Makarov planting a bullet between his eyes isn't upsetting because Andrei fears death. It isn't distressing because he's spent time under the man, getting to know every little mark or scar that paints his skin.

The threat devastates him because it's impersonal. Any man could plant a bullet between his eyes; it's a fitting death for a stranger.

He craves the wild look in Makarov's eye as he plunges a blade deep in his chest. He yearns for the warmth that weeps from his chest as his blood spills across the other man's hands.

His chest tightens at the very thought of the man he'd spent many a night under, leaning over his body, thighs bracketing his hips as he maims the hollowed shell of a man below him.

He desires fingers that thrust into his chest wound, curling into flesh and tearing a scream from his throat only to be silenced as he watches the cannibalistic frenzy of Vladimir Makarov sucking his blood clean off of his fingers.

The thought awakens a hunger in him, a lust he never knew himself to be capable of. To smile up at the man who had taken his life without remorse and feel his loyalty pool on the floor around him, coloured crimson. His devotion crusted rust coloured in the texture of his skin that would rot away as his carcass is thrown to the wild.

Awarded the honour of being the man that Vladimir Makarov had bled dry.

[autumnwhistles]

On c!Martyn and Caring

Martyn and loyalty are two words that, in discussions, tend to go hand-in-hand. Whether it's praising his devotion to Ren or analysing his betrayals, he can never escape that contradiction. Is he loyal, or not?

I think it goes deeper than that. While c!Martyn is full of contradictions, it isn't only loyalty that's at the core. Rather, it's the wider subject of how he interacts with players at all, how close he gets to them, and how he reacts to caring.

It's both a question of how much, and how deeply, and contradictions are found in both aspects. On one hand, Martyn is a very solitary player. CC!Martyn says as much – that he tends to play a solo game, despite having a "person of interest" each time he'll check in on (whose back he has "until [he doesn't], until [his] sword goes in it"). On the other, he's extremely sociable – though he rarely gets close to others, he spends almost all of his time talking to others, joking with them, heading from group to group. On one hand, he's completely focused on self-preservation, willing to backstab and betray at a moment's notice if it suits his game. On the other, he has a capacity for honour and loyalty, and – crucially – losses do affect him deeply. Again, CC!Martyn describes this contradiction very well.

There are always these two conflicting wishes within him – for self-protection (whether from physical or emotional harm), but also despite himself, for care. And two quotes represent the contradiction. One in-universe:

I learned there was nothing in this world for me – nothing but walls, corners, edges. And you know what, you showed me life. As much as I’ve taken it from you, you gave it back to me in buckets’ fulls. - Shortly after Ren's beheading, 3rd LIfe

And one from CC!Martyn:

[Ren's final death in 3rd Life] was the moment that kind of broke character!Martyn and made him more selfish moving forward. - Martyn's post-Limited Life lore stream

A wish, and the consequences of indulging in it. It's a balance he'll have to walk for as long as the games continue.

So, let's explore it.

Pre-Win

It's pretty clear that walls, corners and edges are the only thing Martyn has seen for a long time now. After so many games, so much bloodshed without ever an end in sight – even after winning, nothing changes – it's hard to search for anything else. But back, back before the Red King's rise, seeing the world that way wasn't enough.

3rd Life

Martyn starts, as he always does, as a wanderer. He's a bit of an outsider from the beginning – he's not a Hermit, he was never a member of X-Life or any of Scott's other series, and though he has been in one MCC team with Scott and another with Joel, the people he's truly familiar with (the EVO crew) are by far in the minority. It's only really BigB and Skizz in the same boat.

It's no surprise, then, that he takes the first chance to form an alliance he gets (with members he's all familiar with) – the Blue Sword boys. But though he does think about the alliance far longer than the others do, it's not so much of an emotional commitment. We're still at the stage where he thinks there's "nothing in this world for [him]", after all.

There's another similarity between early game Martyn and the Martyn we're more familiar with: he's focused on survival from the start. He's always worried about Ren being too kind, about Ren spilling secrets. He hides his own resources (eg the Ender chest), he spends most of his time away from Dogwarts, he's ready to leave if Ren doesn't toughen up. In many ways, pre-Red Winter Martyn isn't all too different from post-3rd Life Martyn. He's always been worried about the impacts of others on his game.

What he's not worried about yet is the emotional impact on himself of others dying.

So he indulges in that life Ren has shown him gladly. He gladly takes up the mantle of Hand, of protector, taking no effort to hide his loyalties or to emotionally distance himself, and leaving no contingencies in case things go wrong.

Then, Ren dies.

Only a few metres away from Martyn, but out of his line of sight.

C!Martyn breaks. He'll live with the knowledge of the consequences of caring forever.

And we see this in...

Last Life

Is it better to have loved and lost, or to never have loved at all? For C!Martyn, it's cleary the latter. And there's one clear change in his alliances this time round that shows this: contingency plans.

Especially at the start, Martyn doesn't tie himself closely to the Southlands. He has options to escape them – Ren especially is an option if things go wrong, and later down the line he forms a whole secret alliance (the Shadow Alliance) as well. Of course, this means he'd have the option to use the Southlands to escape the Shadow Alliance as well, though since the Southlands does considerably worse in every metric, this never really becomes necessary.

He isn't tied as closely to Ren this time, either. Though they are allied, he's completely fine with attacking him in the Battle Royale at the end. Of course they planned to fight if they were the final two in 3rd Life, but there are still two pairs of alliances left – Scott and Pearl, and technically Martyn and Ren – and sticking with his doesn't cross Martyn's mind. Maybe accepting Ren's going to die, helping participate in that himself, is easier than trying to protect him and failing again.

So, Martyn makes efforts. But, despite this, he does end up getting close with his allies, especially with the Southlanders (excluding Grian) he had so many plans to escape from. He makes a habit of imitating Mumbo's intro at the start of each session; he votes to keep Jimmy in the alliance even after Jimmy had betrayed them by running away with a life they were passing around as a test of loyalty (Martyn's own life, no less). Viewing the world as only walls and corners wasn't enough for him back in 3rd Life, and no matter how reluctantly he tries to always give himself an out if things go wrong, it clearly isn't enough for him here, either – he does start to genuinely involve himself with them, genuinely care for them.

This care works, yet again, to Martyn's own detriment. Though it doesn't cause his death this time, he mourns them enough to hallucinate their presence – and, importantly the 'promise' of bringing them back to life is what the Voice (a mysterious entity that's been talking to him and telling him what to do for most of the season) uses to keep him obedient.

Martyn: And what if I don't like it your way? Voice: Do as we say. Martyn: W-Why should I? Voice: We can bring them back. Martyn: I don't believe you... Voice: We tell no lies Martyn: Fi-Fine! - LL Ep 8 intro, right after the hallucinations (seriously if you haven't watched any of his POV watch these moments). They're not brought back, of course.

He cares! No matter how much he tries to stop, or pretend he doesn't, c!Martyn is someone who cares deeply. That's something often missed in him.

And that's exactly why he takes so many measures against it.

Double Life

Devotion didn't work, and contingencies didn't, either. So, what does Martyn immediately do in Double Life after finding his soulmate? Cut Pearl off, even after both have been similarly abandoned. He can't take that chance again – he's learned twice now that having close bonds with others, whether you intend to turn on them or not, only ever leads to tragedy. He's learned that the hard way.

But... there is still someone Martyn tries to get close to. Cleo. It's the only time we ever see him actively trying to make a connection with someone, and whether tactics played a role in it or not, I think this is for one main reason: as they're soulbound, their lives are linked. For once, there's no risk of your closest friend dying before your eyes. For once, you don't have to plan to betray and escape, because it's not just one person winning the games – it's both of you, together.

And, for once, this works out for him! They don't win, of course – but when it comes down to it, him and Cleo do work together in their final moments. She doesn't turn on Martyn when he attacks Scott, and she fights Pearl with him. For once, he and his ally die together. In fact, this is the only time he arguably lost because he was too distant from others – it was his rejected ally who killed him, and it was him instantly turning on Scott after they were the final four which lead to the fight starting so soon. I do think Pearl and Scott were more likely to win even if Martyn had done things differently – both of them are very good in fights, and though Martyn is too, it's not Cleo's strong suit – but it's an interesting thing to note...

...Not that it changes anything about Martyn's mindset heading into the next game.

Limited Life

Why would Martyn's mindset change? After all, he successfully avoided what hurt the most, and so he instead doubles down. Yes, he's teamed with Scott – and even then, he's alone for the entire first episode, and only goes to Scott in the second after it's clear others have already formed their groups (numbers are a tactical advantage, after all) – but it's never meant to last. He'll protect him while others are standing, but the intention was always to betray him, to kill him eventually, thinking about it at least as early as Episode 4. To Martyn, their alliance is "fleeting and fragile" (linked in the previous clip), and there's even an excitement that comes from thinking about the betrayal. So, when the time comes to do this, he doesn't hesitate – though the Watchers' amplification of emotions did play a role (also in the lore stream), he's quick to turn on him and cut him down, expressing no apparent regret or remorse. Yet again, a success for Martyn!

...The thing is, all this comes at a cost. Those buckets' fulls of life he saw with Ren have emptied long ago, the corners and edges taking up his entire vision. Everyone is a number, a tactic, a liability, and the one who gave him those bucketfulls is fone. And in the end, being successful in his betrayal doesn't even change anything. Though part of his soul is protected from fragmenting (more info on what that means here), he can't know that. He's just thrust into another game with the same players, still missing Ren, to kill once again. He wanted so much for things to be over, to be the last one standing – "none of these niceties, this is a death match for a reason".

But... nothing changes. If surviving doesn't get you anything, and that was your only aim, that was what you gave everything for (alongside avoiding pain)... what, exactly, do you have to live for?

Post-Win

Secret Life

Now, I admit Secret Life came out at a time my interest in the Life Series was at a low, so I haven't actually watched anyone's perspective though (I did watch most of Martyn's, but the closest I got was watching nearly all of Etho's, since this was around the time of Decked Out 2. And I loved watching Etho play Decked Out 2). But there are two things to note with Martyn here. One, he's being a lot more reckless, partly because he's used to relying on hearts returning, but I think it's also because of the win being so inconsequential. Is there a point in spending all that effort surviving till the end?

Two, he's allied with... Jimmy?

If Martyn ends up hurt when his allies die before him, why ally with the player known for dying first?

Again, part of it may be tactics. Martyn nearly always spends the first episode wandering instead of immediately forming alliances, so he tends to team up with whoever's in a similar boat. But still – why pick the person known for permadying first? The person who Martyn had already been hurt by the death of once, in Last Life?

Maybe he's confident after Double Life and Limited Life. Maybe he thinks he's successfully managed to tread the line between 'useful ally' and 'friend you actually care about', and will be successful again. Maybe because Jimmy is so consistently first out, him dying early is more of an inevitability than a possibility (in Martyn's mind) – it won't come as a shock, and Martyn can be prepared. Maybe the fact that Jimmy did die that way in Last Life makes his inevitable death less impactful this time round.

Maybe it's also because he now knows winning gets you nothing, and he'd like to see those bucketfulls again.

Though it often doesn't show in the Life series itself, Jimmy is probably the closest person to him after Ren. For Martyn, the Life series is a direct continuation of EVO – a very long-running series in which his closest bond was with Jimmy, going through it all as a duo. He does express a wish to get close to him in 3rd Life because of this, but after Jimmy rejects him for Scott, Martyn stops bringing it up.

But they're close to each other, and met each other in a context other than the death games. Maybe this alliance is a way of trying to find that life again. I wish I'd followed the series closely enough at the time to see if it was successful, and I'll find out soon enough.

...Whatever the motivation, though, Martyn is there again when he dies (even after he's not the first out). And no matter how careful he might've been being, no matter how successfully he treaded the line the two times before – once again, it hurts.

"These idiots are just laughing. They have absolutely no idea … what they just unleashed. The hound of hell is coming. There will no bark. Only BITE." - Martyn internally, at the end of Episode 6.

So you'd think that after this, Martyn reverts to keeping his distance, right? He tried something and it didn't work, so he dials it all the way back?

In another world, maybe that would've happened. The thing is, there's one difference.

Ren.

Wild Life

This is the first season since Double Life where he spent the first session with someone else, and the first season ever where he goes with that person immediately and then sticks in an alliance with them until the very end. For once, it's a conscious and immediate choice to stick with one person (one not lifebound to him) – Ren's been gone too long, so die first or not, it doesn't matter.

Maybe that isn't the whole story, though. Because the recklessness, worse than ever, continues.

...Let's take a break, and remind ourselves of 3rd Life. Martyn was one of the last Greens, only dying in session seven, and was the second-last player on Green if we exclude BigB, who wasn't physically there in session 7 and so couldn't die (only Impulse outlived him). Let's remind ourselves of Last Life, which is even more impressive – he died for the first time in session 8, after half the server had been eliminated, and was the last Yellow standing. Even then, he successfully managed to hide for a long time, only dying because he got sick of knowing he was always being hunted and decided to mark his location to the Reds with lava to go out in a final stand, coming third overall. In Double Life, we have the same pattern – though he and Cleo went to Yellow after Martyn miscalculated when pushing her on a cliff, the pair were once again the last Yellows, and Martyn once again came third. He's actually the only player in Double Life who didn't die himself once (...though that's on a technicality, since he was directly behind his and Cleo's first deaths). In Limited Life, though he had a rough start, he won.

If pre-win Martyn is good at one thing, it's survival.

But after?

We've already talked about Secret Life, but Wild Life takes this newfound recklessness to the extreme. This isn't about placement – it certainly impacts it, but his last two deaths especially were caused by something else (...sort of) – but about the way his life is treated as an afterthought, completely secondary to the antics he wants to do in that moment. He comes across a wheat farm people are saying is trapped, and the first thing he does is pick a piece of wheat, stand on it and break it, to see if that's the one that explodes (none do, but he does this multiple times!). He starts a game of chicken under a ledge people are actively throwing TNT minecarts off of, involving himself in every round. He drops down to Yellow due to flicking a suspicious trapdoor in the middle of someone's base (because he was "bored")... and his immediate reaction to this is "okay, good"??? Though that may be because he can use the death to guilt trip others for resources, or to distract people so Skizz could try to get some kills (as he was trying to before), it still shows that he values his life very little. He's killed by Pearl because he turns his back to a player with a grudge against him (Martyn just blew up her entire team barring her), who'd already placed down an End Crystal (which was then destroyed by Martyn's bow) in the same interaction. He volunteers himself for a plan (by Grian) which involves him definitely dying and turning Red – Grian's pitch is "is anyone up for a massive sacrifice mission?" – due to being the distraction keeping everyone in place while Grian shoots an End Crystal at the place Martyn has gathered them. He does ask Ren if it's okay with him (clipped there tooo) before agreeing, but that's the only consideration he takes. With his first death to Scar, there wasn't much indication Martyn would be suddenly pushed off, so I'll let it slide (Scar was still Red, though). Scar attacking him the final time was similar... but it should be noted that Martyn died to his own creeper, saying "I at least thought we would both go out together" as a response (though he did die this way back in Last Life too, with an End Crystal instead). This is not someone who's okay. And Ren does pick up on this – not that it does anything in the end.

As a result, Martyn goes out before Ren – only his second time dying before an ally (BigB outplaced him in 3rd Life by one), and his first ever time dying before his closest.

And I can't help but think – was this the reason he was being so reckless? I'm sure being restless played a role as well, but if you don't care about getting to the end anymore since nothing awaits you there... the only way to escape the pain of losing an ally is being the one to die first. This way he gets to both genuinely enjoy the time he spends with someone, unafraid of what caring might cause, and to not feel the pain of losing them.

If this were the case, it would be a selfish move. But as we established at the very beginning – Martyn has always been one to protect himself.

Conclusion

What happens when you're trapped in a death game? When you know how everything will end, that those close to you will die; when you know yourself well enough to know you'll be affected? When you try not to care, but something inside you still aches for that little bit more – but also when, ultimately, you're your fist priority?

...In discussions of c!Martyn and loyalty, a thought that's often brought up is that Martyn never really cared about his allies in the first place. He was always planning to betray them to win, after all. Of course, the latter is true – at least before his win. But I think the reason behind it is a little muddled.

Martyn doesn't betray others because he doesn't care.

He betrays them because he knows he will.

[jayden-killer]

DEVOTED LOYALTY TO YOU.

Knight!Eddie Munson × Princess!Reader.

A/N: I tried. Very much. I made sure this one shot was readable and did my researches + English is not my native language, so I apology in advance if there are mistakes. Bonus: I'm a sucker for the knight × princess trope.🥺🥺

The distant land of Hawkins was a kingdom whose exact geographical location was unknown, but whose grasslands, stretching for miles and miles, were surely so well known that villagers traveled specially to capture the beauty of those landscapes. In this land was the reign of a queen and king, whose names had been erased from any written historical source and whose reason remains unknown. The couple had a wonderful daughter, radiant as the sun, fresh as the sea breeze, of an unnatural kindness, cultured as a poet, which for many was considered a true blessing from the Gods.

A princess of such importance could only have at her side a worthy protector. Many came to the land of Hawkins for this honour; the castle was full of high-class knights, houses which the princess herself had never heard of, but among them there was one that no one would have expected.

Edward C. Munson showed up with all the confidence he could and could love, trying to suppress in his heart that sense of inadequacy he had felt since he was a child. Totally unacceptable!, the other knights thought when they saw Edward kneel before the princess, kiss her hand without her consent and present himself with great simplicity.

"I come from a poor family, princess, and I have learned by myself in the suburbs everything there is to know to become a knight. I am not ashamed: I am of lower rank than anyone in this room, but I know that they are here for another reason." He curled his lips in disgust; his eyes fell on the faces of the contenders. Edward Munson couldn’t help but think about how these animals would do anything for power. Power they already had.

"They’re not here to protect you. They will stand by you only to be able to boast of your beauty". Without waiting for an answer, he got up from the floor and spread his arms towards the crowd.

"Maybe to have sex so that they can boast even more!"

From the throne room a chorus of indignant voices arose. Edward Munson was not afraid of them. Fear begets more fear, and he had had enough. He wanted to prove that he was worth it. The young knight, now in the center of attention, turned to the princess and crossed her eyes. He swore that his heart leaped under his heavy, scarred armor.

"Their loyalty will never be as genuine as mine".

Those words were enough for one knight in particular: Sir Jason of the house Craver. He quickly pulled the sword from its sheath and fast walked to the knight Edward, pointing the sharp blade at his face. Even Edward did not hesitate, unsheathing his sword and crossing that of Craver, revealing a beautiful shining blade.

"How dare you, damned sorcerer?" roared the blondie. Edward smiled maliciously. "Come on… the same, old story. I have already told you that I am nothing you people of Hawkins say I am." The latter’s eyes rested on the princess, placing his sword in his pillowcase. "I'll get out of the way and leave you all to it, my dear. May you consider my words". Very quickly, with a slight bow, he headed for the great gates, passing in front of Sir Jason Craver who snorted presumptuously. "Pathetic" he whispered.

The princess was so impressed by his speech and actions that that very evening she claimed to want to see that knight again in the throne room… alone.

"But are you absolutely sure, majesty? You never know what you can expect from a...a.."

The princess squinted her eyes with contempt at her tutor. "I defy you, Imelda. Just because he doesn’t come from a noble family doesn’t mean he’s evil".

"But majesty, he is-"

"I don’t want to hear any more. Please leave me alone with him. In fact, let him go inside and then order the doors to be closed".

The old woman said nothing more, heading for the great gates. She casts a watchful glance at Edward, leaving the guards guarding the entrance to the hall to close the huge doors. Once alone, the princess let slip a sigh, relaxing her shoulders. "I never catched your name" Edward smiled timidly.

"Edward. Edward Cornelius Munson. But for friends and… perhaps enemies I call myself Eddie".

Eddie.

The princess liked how his name sounded. "Eddie" she repeated, "I am…" The boy shook his head, smiling more. "I know who you are. I don’t need introductions." At that point the princess could not help but observe him carefully, curiously.

Unkempt hair on the corvine, a part of which was arranged in a crock. Some small but visible scars on the jaw. The armor, far from new, indicated that the boy had fought many battles and trained hard to get where he was now. "Then we’d better start using the you, and…" The girl smiled softly "To get to know each other. You have a lot of courage, Eddie."

Eddie smirked, letting his eyes fall on her long purple dress for just a moment.

Perfect, that’s all he thought.

"Then it will be better to speak in front of a good fresh wine, do not you think? There is much to know about me". The princess raised her eyebrows in surprise, smirking in turn. "You don't say! Likewise." She chuckled.

"Although I think we will have enough time. You are officially my knight".

There's only one more thing Eddie thought before following the pricess like he was her shadow: Take this, you fucking Craver!

[hotvintagepoll]

Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant (Holiday, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story)—They're both unspeakably hot and putting them together only makes them that much hotter. Because physically attractive people are WAY hotter when they're also incredibly funny, and both of them are. They play off each other to perfection, and I could eat them both ❤️

Paul Newman & Robert Redford (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting)—My god, their chemistry. It's iconic. And very very sexy. They're kind of canonically in a throuple in the first one, so that's kind of like playing an actual romance. But also, they're the central relationships of both films and their inexplicable devotion to each other is a key driving force in them. Those blue eyed bastards. I love them.

These are the semifinals of a mini tournament. Each poll lasts for a week. Please reblog with propaganda for your favorite hot couple. To vote in all the polls, click here.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut]

Hepburn and Grant:

Truly two of the hottest people ever to grace our screens and when you put them together, it's volcanic. They are totally magnetic on screen together, with the perfect love/hate chemistry. The ultimate 'you drive me crazy' couple, no one is doing it like them.

They are delight and joy and ALSO insanely hot together. Friendships have ended over the ship war of The Philadelphia Story, and you know what? Valid.

They are the hottest couple because they are clever, witty and beautiful. They spark off each other magnificently.

I feel like they’re almost too obvious to bother submitting but I’ve made that mistake before so Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. I present Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story as evidence, your honor

Perfect onscreen match in some of the greatest romcoms ever. My, they were yar!

Cary Grant & Katherine Hepburn! They're my favorites! Dapper & ridiculous both!

I'm sorry, that's not a very romantic pic, but I had to include the serenading the leopard

and the fluffy bathrobe!

Redford and Newman:

The following propanda was submitted by the anon who lives in my vents:

[drags self out of the vents reeking of stale gasoline] SO ABOUT THAT NEW MINI POLL.......may i suggest: ROBERT REDFORD and PAUL NEWMAN in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. MY REASONING:

thagt was some of tha gayest shit i've ever seen in my entire life and i'm only 23

but for realsies, that movie was literally a love story between butch n sundance. every single thing they did, they did together

THEY'RE EVEN PERFECT OPPOSITES IN PERSONALITY—butch is the optimistic guy who never shuts up and is less intimidating than he looks; sundance is the pessimistic brooder who looks harmless because he's pretty, but is the most dangerous guy you'll ever meet

AND THEN,,,,,, EVEN WHEN THEY (SPOILERS) HAD THAT THROUPLEY THING GOING ON WITH ETTA IN BOLIVIA, AND ETTA EVENTUALLY WANTED TO LEAVE, SUNDANCE STILL CHOSE TO STAY WITH BUTCH AND DIE RATHER THAN LIVE A SEMI-SAFE LIFE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!! LIKE!!!!!! GIRL WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THE FINAL SCENE I—i need to stare at a WALL—

plus the fact that paul newman and robert redford were actually besties irl meant that their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS. even when i was A VERY STUPID LITTLE KID and i watched that movie for the first time, i was like ".......so um... are they, like, in love with each other and that lady?"

PLUS THE FACT THAT THE MOVIE WAS DIRECTED BY THE SAME GUY WHO WOULD LATER DIRECT THE STING AND THAT MOVIE WAS JUST AS, IF NOT MORE GAY, I—

O-|-< (← me lying dead on the ground)

THE TRUST, THE INTIMACY, THE BANTER, THE LOYALTY, THE INHERENT HOMOEROTICISM OF DYING SIDE BY SIDE—

they're gay, your honour.

ergo, dear mod, i humbly ask that you consider two of my blorbos for the mini poll bracket <3 if you need more information, literally just dm me or tag me, i'll be hangin' out in the vents 😎🤙🏼 as usual (unless my house explodes into bats)

[duohensheng]

yes he is turning on the full power of his manipulation abilities here but hear me out: the feeling of betrayal is (obviously imo) real

if i were jgy i would be devastated. not just devastated. enraged. zewu-jun barged in here with everyone because he believed jgy had da-ge’s head on a shelf? I’m sorry, ZEWU JUN? BELIEVED?? the depth of the betrayal of that is nauseating to me. what the fuck has jgy ever done for lxc to believe that?? *checks notes* ah yes.. the lifesaving watchtowers.. making sure lwj’s reputation survived wwx.. helped everyone he could at every turn… definitely the marks of a guy that has their sworn brother’s head in his closet. dude. that is HEARTBREAKING.

(I mean, he did. he very much so did have his head in his closet. but for lxc to be willing to believe that????? devastating.)

this is the guy that lxc watched/helped REBUILD THE ENTIRE JIANGHU FROM DAMN NEAR SCRATCH. how many late nights?? how many months of quiet, gentle company at the Cloud Recesses (that he helped rebuild and paid for)??? like, this went on for TWO DECADES. TWO DECADES of night hunts and unwavering loyalty and reading each others’ minds and being each other’s closest person. it’s canon that they tell each other everything. jgy gives no one else earnest, unguarded access like he does lxc* (at the very least, earnest). I understand that lxc is reeling (and that this game only works if played fast, and was organised to give no one time to reflect or think anything through) but HOW is his first reaction not more defensive in a situation as extreme as this?

(I think the answer is that if this is his A-Yao that he knows so well, A-Yao will understand that lxc needs to give everything fair consideration and will honour that/not take it personally. which, in fairness (as proven by the Jade token cloud recesses scene where jgy is saying he’ll make sure lwj’s reputation is safe and gives lxc a chance to see da-ge before burial) he seems to do. soooo lxc gets second chances! good to know)

(cut to jgy asking why he doesn’t get another chance to get things right. why lxc won’t give it to him)

that feeling is… exhausting. even if jgy has been devoted to this man (and highkey the jianghu) body and soul for two decades, his first reaction is still mistrust in a situation like this.

(yeah yeah i know he defends him with wangxian and that he’s mild-mannered and introspective but SIR. this is JGY. WHERE is the outrage)

anyhow. this isn’t me trying to decide whether it’s “fair” for lxc to react the way he did. my thesis statement stands: i think in that moment, after the violent despair of Qin su dying, jgy’s feeling of betrayal at realising the extent of what’s going on finally bleeds through. it’s not just him and his clever words. it’s genuine (justified imo) betrayal

(cut to the fucking 3zun ceremony where they say we will not betray each other)

*not sure if i stand by this (su she??? what about our boy) but that merits a whole post in and of itself

[idkyetxoxo]

Criston Cole || Masterlist

This masterlist is solely focused on Criston Cole, all written as xreader pieces without any specific physical descriptions.

All works have warnings stated before but please read at your own risk!

— ALL ONESHOTS BELOW ->

Fan favourites: 🌟 My favourites: 💓

Cruel Fates 🌟💓

• Sexual content (smut!)

In a world of forbidden desires and shifting loyalties, a passionate yet doomed love story unravels, leading to betrayal, fiery vengeance, and the haunting realization that some emotions can destroy everything they touch.

The Realm's Delight 🌟💓

• None

Sworn protector of the heir, but he finds it impossible to resist looking out for her younger sister, a spirited tease who delights in tormenting him at every turn. Her playful antics and sharp wit challenge his resolve, leaving him both exasperated and inexplicably drawn to her.

Touch Starved Hearts 🌟💓

• Sexual content (oral f!receiving), violence (brief domestic), strong language

In a tense confrontation, she lashes out at her unfaithful husband, Aegon, for his constant disrespect. Amidst the heated argument, she finds comfort and unexpected tenderness in the arms of Ser Criston, who offers her the affection and desire she has long been denied.

Leave It All Behind 🌟

• Sexual content (smut!), unexpected pregnancy

A princess and her knight are entangled in a dangerous affair. As they grapple with the consequences of a mistake, they must make a daring decision to flee their lives of prestige for a chance at love and freedom, risking everything to protect their future.

Guarded Obsession 🌟💓

• Strong language

Navigating court gossip and unwanted advances, a confrontation erupts where her obsessive protector, Ser Criston, steps in with fervent determination. His unwavering devotion to her becomes evident, revealing his willingness to defy all norms and protect her at any cost.

Midnight Rain

• Sexual content (smut!)

A passionate love affair between people with opposing desires unravels as one yearns for stability while the other craves turmoil. Their romance is a bittersweet routine until a revelation unveils leaving both to confront the haunting echoes of what could have been.

Bound by Duty 🌟

• Sexual content (smut!)

During a celebration, she finds herself thrust into chaos as a brawl erupts. Rescued by her sworn protector, their bond deepens leading to an intimate encounter that defies the constraints of duty and status, leaving them both aching for a love that could unravel the realm.

A Dragon Ride 🌟

• Sexual content (smut!!)

Born to ride dragons, she is determined to share her passion with Criston. Despite his initial hesitation, he becomes captivated. As they descend into a secluded valley, she draws him into a dance of wonder and intimacy, revealing the true magic of dragon riding.

The Princess and the Protector

• Violence (injury?)

Embarking on a daring flight, only to suffer a painful injury with her dragon, she grapples with her wound and the threat of her father's wrath, her loyal knight, Ser Criston, steps in to help, igniting a simmering tension between responsibility and yearning.

Love Beyond the Oath

• None

She longs for someone who is sworn to a life without love. During a royal ball, she faces an unwelcome suitor, but her knight intervenes, revealing a protective side that sparks deeper feelings. Now, they must confront whether love can thrive amidst loyalty and tradition.

Protect and Serve 🌟

• None

Even the sternest sworn protectors can reveal their hidden feelings when faced with the playful schemes of a mischievous princess and her equally spirited friend.

Damned

• Mild language

A love between a Kingsguard and the late king's sister defies expectations. When loyalty, family, and a child on the way are thrown into the chaos, they must navigate the line between love and honour, with heartbreaking consequences that could shatter them both.

Seduced

• Sexual content (smut!)

She schemes to claim her sister's sworn protector, Ser Criston Cole. As passion ignites, she risks everything for a night of reckless abandon, challenging the bonds of loyalty and family. Will she succeed in her pursuit, or will the consequences unravel them all?

Crimson Shadows

 • Parental abuse

She navigates her father's oppressive rule and her growing bond with a steward's son, who is determined to protect her at all costs. As their friendship deepens, the stakes rise, and the shadows of their past threaten to unravel everything.

The Price of Temptations

• Sexual content (smut!), strong language

A silver-haired brothel worker with Targaryen blood captivates Ser Criston Cole, who struggles to despise her but fails at every touch. Torn between duty and desire, he battles the dangerous, forbidden obsession that defies his oaths—and consumes them both.

A Halo of Ruin

• Sexual content (smut!)

Sworn to oaths, he finds his unshakable honour shattered the moment he lays eyes on her. She unravels him, making him forget his vows, duty and the very essence of who he is. What follows is a dangerous obsession, where honour takes a backseat to forbidden desire.

In Shadows and Chains

• Mild language

In a kingdom fraught with power struggles, a woman trapped in a marriage to Daemon grapples with humiliation and betrayal. Yearning for freedom, she finds solace in her secret affair, forcing her to confront her dark reality and the secrets that bind her to Daemon.

Where Honour Lies

• Violence (one slap)

Her frantic rush to avoid punishment turns into a confrontation when she collides with a knight, whose cruel words push her to act out. As tensions rise, someone steps in to protect her. An unexpected bond forms—one that hints at something deeper, yet still uncertain.

Fascination

• None

She channels her mother's defiance, catching the dark, dangerous interest of Ser Criston Cole. She finds herself both trapped and intrigued by Criston's magnetic presence. Their volatile interactions spark a dangerous undercurrent of power, pride, and unspoken attraction.

I Love You, I'm Sorry

• None

A love torn apart by duty and regret, where time becomes a tormentor. As he returns to seek redemption, his apologies fall on broken hearts, unable to undo the past. In the shadows of what once was, two souls are left to grapple with the irreparable damage of their love.

Of Sand and Snow

• None

In a land where duty binds hearts and souls, a forbidden romance blossoms, their stolen moments charged with longing and guilt. As their bond deepens, they are torn between honour and desire, knowing their love can never be.

Lost in Desire

• Sexual content (hand stuff?)

She defies danger to find the man she loves on the battlefield, where passion and duty collide. Their bond is tested as war rages around them.

Saved

• Suicidal Ideation

A knight teeters on the edge of despair, his sword poised for the ultimate end. But when a quiet voice pulls him back from the brink, a fragile connection begins to form. They navigate the silence between them, and both find that healing, like love, takes time.

In the Dead of Night

• None

A princess seeks to learn the art of swordsmanship in secret from her reluctant instructor, Criston. As they train under the moonlight, their proximity sparks a connection. The clandestine sessions set the stage for a deeper bond and uncharted possibilities.

For works involving other characters from House of the Dragon, please check out my House of the Dragon General Masterlist.