#the show properly clicked in season 2

[hamletshoeratio]

The difference in how Hen and Eddie's cheating is treated/being treated by the fandom v how Buck's is... I wonder why...

[yaut-jaknowit]

The Monarch

Pairing: We'ar-ow (Female Yautja) x GN!Reader (Platonic)

Word Count: 3543

Summary: You’re staying on the mothership with who you thought was your lover. It was the mating season. Before your hunter goes off, he tells you that. You’re left heart broken and in shock. When he doesn’t return in a reasonable time, you leave the quarters and wander the ship. You find yourself at a private area. Out comes her.

Author Note: I told myself I would never make a pink Yautja (just my own preferences) but here I am, making another mommy Yautja to love on.

Masterlist

Ao3

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 |

“You’re nothing but a burden.” World shattering words. Gut wrenching words. Words that leave you devastated. No ground to stand on. Nothing to stable yourself.

Your mate, your everything, the person you dropped everything for to be with. He… he, god. No. He couldn’t do this. This wasn’t real! You had to be dreaming. Why would he say that to you? What led to this moment to be dropped nothing more than a pack of potatoes? You were too overwhelmed to think properly. To show any emotion besides a dropped jaw and just to stare into harden eyes. Eyes that used to soften when they found your form.

There was nothing soft or gentle about your giant. No. All of it was gone. Gone from existence.

“Why?”

It’s all that you could muster in the fog clouding your thoughts. Your hands shook at your side, trembling with uncontrollable anxiety. Blood rushed in your ears, the only sound you hear clearly. You just stared into his eyes, not a clear thought between your eyes.

He scoffed, mandibles pulled tight to show his disgust. “You are ooman. You not understand Yautja way. Breeding season, you are of no use to me.”

When you thought it couldn’t get worse, the universe willingly showed how wrong you are. How could a shattered heart break even more? You stumbled a couple steps away from him to hold onto the back of a couch behind me. Even that barely gave you any stability in this moment.

“But-but we, you, how….” All you wanted to do was break down and sob and do everything in your power to keep him. What did he except from you now? What were the next steps to proceed?

The now unfamiliar Yautja kept his head high with pride and arms firmly crossed  over a chest you were laying on last night. Last night. Everything was fine last night. Just any normal night. Nothing to show the next morning your mate would abandon you.

He grunted before turning around, putting his back to you and walking away. His claws lightly clicking against the metal floors. Your vision went blurry as he left, unfocused. Mind blank as you tried to make sense of the situation. Then, you fell to your knees with a hearty sob. One that shook you to your very core. You released everything.

For hours, you leaned all your weight against the back of the couch and cried your eyes out. Even after your voice grew hoarse and hurt, you didn’t stop. Now, what were you going to do? Here you were, stuck on an alien ship, with no way back to earth. Your mate abandoned you for… for others. It’s not like you ask or buy a ticket home. With no Yautja to protect you now, you were fresh meat to the younglings or freshly blooded to screw with you. You weren’t going to last a week before someone went too far.

Your pride didn’t allow you to even think about asking your… your ex mate about helping you home. He already just abandoned you without a second thought. Why the change? Why had it changed? You roughly wiped at the tears rolling down you sticky, salty cheeks. More came to wet the skin there. It was pointless until your emotions finally run dry.

A hopeful, hopeless thought kept you there for an unknown amount of time. Maybe he would come to his senses and come back. Anything to give you an ounce of hope this was all a dream, a nightmare. But he didn’t come back in a reasonable amount of time. That made your chest ache somehow more.

That’s when you pulled yourself up by your pants, took a deep breath, and ventured out. Since, your mate decided to up and leave you out of nowhere, there was an unpredictable aura to what he might do to you if he returned and found you. There was nothing in the honor code from truly stopping him from killing you. You were prey. A small part of you didn’t want to believe it but now, you were thrust upon the world of predators as meek prey. Now, you had to survive all by yourself. Out in a world that was fully against you. Just that thought made you want to break down crying again.

The predators that you scuttled past could smell your sorrow, a nasty smell. Many of them already had a distain for the fact you were on the ship. None of this new to you. It was a small uproar at first. But your mate, oh your mate, he defended you and did what had to be done for your sake. Which was claim you as a pet so no one could touch or cause any sort of harm to you.

That’s why this whole change in behavior didn’t make sense.

Your feet carried you as your mind just wandered to all spectrums of the situation. All you were trying to do was reel in some sort of survival plan for the new future. All you had to was survive. Could you do that? Was it possible? You took a shuttering breath and dipped down an empty hall. As you did this, you felt the piercing eyes of predators slowly leaving your trembling frame. The weight finally being lifted off of your shoulders.

From there, you just lumbered along. Not in any rush or hurry. Not paying much attention to the surrounding area. Not caring about what could happen.

One of the wall’s of the hall turned to glass, revealing the vast void of empty space. Stars in distant galaxies sparkled, shining bright like diamonds. There were no nearby planets that you could make out. The sight made you shiver harshly. Here you were, nothing more than a bundle of atoms in a galaxy that didn’t give a shit about you. You were going to die.

So be it. You sat down, back to the wall and gazed out to the galaxy. Despite being dangerous and unforgiving, it was stunning. The stars and colors that the galaxy held took your breath away. Part of the reason you said yes to joining your mate and leaving your planet behind. Look where that got you know. At lease before you die, you can say you’re the only human to go this deep into space. Let alone see this far into the universe. You couldn’t help the shy smile on your lips at the thought.

As you sat there, you smacked your lips together and realized how thirsty you were. All the crying has made you dehydrated. Could you even make it out of the mess hall alive without him? Would you accidentally run into him? If you did, what would h-

A shadow casted over your tiny frame. Fear entered your body like freezing water. Your breath got caught as you didn’t know what to do. Should you dare to look, risk the wrath of a stranger, see the person possible for murdering you? Or just let them have their way and go?

Massive, dark green and mixes of browns, feet could be seen at the edge of your vision. Double shit. You were dead. The feet shifted then you felt a heavy weight settle down next to you. A deep, gruttle groan vibrating the air. All you did was pin your eyes on the ground and refused to move. Or wish death upon yourself.

The new form leaned back against the wall, same as you. Their shadow still blocked out some of the light on you, even sitting next to you.

Finally, you peeked look and felt like you were to shit yourself. Her eyes were already on you, as if she was waiting for you to sneak a glance. Her head wasn’t fully facing you, just looking out the corner of her eyes. You swore you saw an upper mandible quirk up once the two of you eyes met. A massive female was sat comfortably next to you, as if it was completely normal. She was adorn us beautifully created and wrapped clothing and jewelry. You immediately recognized her.

How could you not? A figure that was incredibly posing for just her title. But it wasn’t just that had you trembling in terror. We’ar-ow. Monarch of this mothership. Monarch. Who was sitting next to you without batting an eye about your presence. At this point, you swore there was beads of sweat rolling down your face.

We’ar-ow peacefully rested, eyes now gazing out into the vast universe her kind explores and hunts through. Though, she showed no interest either in a good or bad way, you scrambled to your feet. A swift, unsteady pace started to put as much di- “Wait.” The voice of battle worn yet gentle leader commanded. Despite not being one of her kind, all of your muscles froze. Nothing would listen to the instinct to dash away to somewhere safer.

There was soft tink sound of her metal jewelry behind you. Nothing major nor did a creeping feeling of dread grow. Which told you she hadn’t gotten up to chase you. Maybe she turned her head? Oh, you felt the stare of a predator now.

Claws tapped against metal. “Sit,” We’ar-ow commanded with a voice that held no room for arguing. It sounded like she didn’t even need to try. Like the tone was built in, intergraded since she was a child. Everything atom in your body shuttered; and gave in. You timidly turned back around and found her patting the spot you were just in with a massive hand. Hands that could easily tear your head from your shoulders without much hassle.

Your lungs wheezed quietly as you timidly stepped back over to her, giving yourself an extra foot. Then, you slowly lowered yourself onto the ground.

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed how much she towered over you. Not reaching her midriff in this state, probably worse when standing next to each other. Why does she want you here? Your mind was running a thousand miles per minute trying to come up with a reason on why. But nothing logical came to mind, just thoughts of her luring you in to kill you. Even that doesn’t make much sense, yet here you are.

The massive female drew her hand back into her lap and stilled. From what you could feel – not daring to look, she was focused on what was outside the window. You could hear your heart pounding wildly in your ear. The only sound you could hear as you sat tense and rigid. A terrified animal resting next to a predator.

Through the overwhelming sound of blood pumping, you heard that tale tell sign of extra air. “You are that pet I’ve heard much about.” A flare of anger surged through you before a cold dose of water splashed it out. Calm, it’s okay.

Despite her speaking directly at you, you didn’t dare to respond, let alone look at her. “You know it is dangerous to be without your master, correct?” Shit, a question. Nervous of doing something wrong, I just dipped my head. Your mate had warned about going anywhere without him on the first day here. Being a pet gave you protection but some Yautjas don’t believe that humans deserve to be in the presence of them.

She hummed, voice deep and grumbly. “You reek of sorrow.” More of a statement than a question. Right, their kind have a great sense of smell. That meant she could smell everything. Once more, you didn’t say or do anything, afraid of angering her.

Chuckling, guttural in sound. We’ar-ow presence grew incredibly close, suddenly. Her warmth radiating off of her to soak into your skin. You couldn’t help but flinch. An arm raising to cover your head as if that would do a thing against her. “You are pet. I cannot harm you,” she reminded you like that would help your situation.

Almost, you scoffed and were close to opening your mouth to a make remark. One that would cost you your life. Instead, you held your tongue and waited for her to lose interest in you.

“Oomans are strange creatures. So diverse in personality and culture. Why do you k-ri? Why do you sorrow?” Those are questions that required words. Words you didn’t want to speak. Why was she so interested in you? We’ar-ow is an old monarch. She’s had to seen hundreds of humans before. So this whole interaction confused you.

A lump in your throat prevented any sounds from being voiced. Probably for the better.

There was a heavy huff next to you. “I asked you a question. Answer.” Oh, you were so screwed, incredibly fucked. She didn’t even have to pull the title card to have you even more petrified.

You finally were able to swallow the major part of the lump down and nervously cleared your throat. “N-no reason,” is all you can get out. Not daring to spill your trouble to the monarch of this mothership and clan.

She growled at your lie but didn’t move. “I hear your lie,” like a mother scolding their child. Nothing more needed to be said to know that was the wrong route. You flinched by curling into a ball and protecting your head with a terrified yelp. Words that could sound like ‘sorry’ could barely be made out behind your arms and legs. “Speak the truth. I’m curious what had upset a pet to run idiotically through my ship without their master.”

Nothing could move you from your ball. You swallowed once more. “I-I,” you started, immediately stumbling over your words. We’ar-or growled lowly. If it wasn’t for the earlier command earlier, you would’ve been up and out quicker than she could blink. You squeaked and curled up tighter.

“Speak clearly and firm. You make yourself prey by acting like one,” she said, eyes boring into your skull. You didn’t need to see to know this.

You gave a timid nod and breathed in. Gaining a few drops of courage from her words, I straightened back but couldn’t find it in myself to look at her. “My-my master, he abandoned-“ your heart ached at the reminder of what he told you earlier- “me. Told me I was a burden then left.”

Her response was a deep hum before the silence engulfed us again. You didn’t know if that was better than hearing her talk. All you could hear was your heart pounding and the air circulating through the vents. You had to stop yourself from curling up again. Don’t act like prey. Was it better to act argonaut or to be prey surrounded by predators?

“Abandoned you say? Disgusting. He took you into his care, you are his responsibility. I warned him, to ensure this is what he wanted. Dishonorable to abandon you,” she spoke, voice hardened with disgust. Like, she cared about the situation. Did she? Why would she? You found it in yourself to turn your head and looked at her. Her eyes finding yours immediately. “Now, you’re a pet without a master…” Now, you flinched and bowed your head

Rough, textured fingers pinched your chin and lifted your head. We’ar-ow turned your head this and that way. Her piercing eyes studying you. She bummed while in thought before dipping her head for a second. “So be it. You will be my new pet. I’ll challenge that pathetic male just to ensure he cannot say I stole you. Even if he dared to accuse that to me, I would best in a match.” Your heart felt like it exploded in your chest. The monarch… Oh my god. She just-no-I huh?!

You find your voice. “Why?” Immediately, you tried to bow your head again. That was incredibly rude. But her hand simply kept it raised. “Sorry.”

We’ar-ow chuckled. She wasn’t angered or offended. Relief flooded your veins. Almost, you almost relaxed but kept vigilant. After your mate had broken your heart, you weren’t going to be so naïve anymore. The female Yautja leaned in, long tresses slipping over her shoulder. Her hot, moist breath fanning over your face. “Because, I’m the Monarch.” You shuttered. And she was right. She needed no reason to give for taking what she wants. Even if it lands her in a battle.

Her hand was still on your chin and keeping your face towards her. You desperately wanted to pull away, shy away, but she didn’t let you. It seemed like she wanted to make you squirm and sweat under her gaze. “And I take what I want.” That sounded everything besides arrogant. It was truth. Both of you knew it without a doubt.

Your throat bobbed with a nervous swallow. “Okay,” you whispered, barely above silence. One of her upper mandibles quirked up. Her eyes scanned up and down your body before a look of disgust falling over her features. Her free hand pinched at the fabric hanging off of your shoulders that made up your shirt. Clothing that your ex-mate had created for you.

“This will have to change. You reek of that male. No more,” she stated firmly. For once, you agreed with her. It would be a good change, possibly for the better. Though, the pet thing will never sit right with you, you’ll have to work with it.

“And some jewelry. I will not have my pet look so meek or low status. You are pet of Tourk’on Clan’s Monarch. Keep your chin level and be proud of who owns you,” We’ar-ow offered for advice. You timidly looked into her eyes and held the longest eye contact before. It earned you a chuff and a smirk. “Good pet.” Praise that sent your heart fluttering. This time, in a good way.

With the hand not holding onto your chin, she ran a deadly claw down your temple, over the crest of your cheek bone, and down to your jawline before falling over. “You are mine now. I won’t abandon you like that scum male.” Fuck, that caused something deep inside of you to ignite. Yet, you kept your guard up. Your trust had been broken, harshly and without care less than two hours ago. You still ached. You still hurt. But, a small part of you desperately wanted to have what you had with your ex-mate again. It would be difficult to move on after everything that has happened. You could do it though. You have made it this far in a universe destined to kill you.

Then, a yawn broke the scene. You ensured your teeth were kept covered, something you were taught. We’ar-ow slightly pulled back before laughing and shaking her massive head. Today has worn you down to the bone. “Tired, my pet? Already?” You believed yourself to be crazy to think you heard a teasing tone in her voice.

Before you had a chance to do or say anything, two sturdy, thickly corded arms slipped underneath your form. You were simply lifted to be curled against a chest. By god’s grace. You felt like you were dead or dreaming because she didn’t just pick you. God, did she? You looked down. It was her arms holding you to her body. The Monarch was carrying you. Carrying you. She was holding you in her grasp. Her powerful, lethal legs started a path to the designation in her mind. Wherever that might be.

Through the halls of a ship We’ar-ow ruled, the Monarch carried you like a sack of potatoes. All the Yautjas that crowded the halls either stared or did a double take. Many mandibles dropped. Almost an uproar of whispering between everyone sounded the moment the two of past. We’ar-ow didn’t even twitch a muscle in response. As if she was expecting this to happen.

After an elevator ride to the highest floor on the ship, one you’ve never could even dream to be on, she stepped into her room. Or what you believed as hers. We’ar-ow dismissed everything and head straight to a room off to the side. It was around twice the size of your ex-mate’s bedroom.

Off in one corner was an hugely oversized dog bed, more considered a normal bed in your eyes. A large bowl was set close by to said bed, filled with clear liquid. Toys and such, like cat or dog toys sat neatly on the mattress covered bed. Blankets and furs as well.

We’ar-ow didn’t let you have much time to take in the room from her arms and brought you over to the bed. You were placed down. It was heaven. Your body sunk into the fabric as it swaddled you. She stood above you at her full height, apposing and known as fatal. Her piercing eyes pinned on your form and nothing more. “I will let you sleep before retrieving you at a later time. I will change your old master to a duel and win you over.” If this was anyone else, it would be arrogant and boastful. This wasn’t just anyone. We’ar-ow has set out a plan of action she will proceed with.

No if, and, or but’s about it.

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 |

[generalllimaginesss]

Can you do a part 2 of the finsta one with Nico where the reader lets someone scroll through it as part of their Christmas gift?

Like the whole team knows it’s a thing and no one has been able to find it because she blocked them and everyone is dying to see it. Maybe it’s her contribution to a white elephant gift exchange and everyone fights over it. But it’s not Nico who ends up with it and he’s like “but I’m the love of your life” and she’s like “yes and?”

I’m just imagining this finsta has an insane amount of followers and no one knows it’s Mrs. Cap running it. Like all the followers just think it’s run by a diehard fan who understands the sport. And whoever on the team wins the scrolling privileges from her phone dies dead when he sees the amount of followers

I feel like this went so much better in my head, but I couldn’t quite do it justice when I actually wrote it. I’m slowing down writing some just because the holiday season is chaotic and I don’t have as much time. I’m sorry if it’s not quite what you thought of, but I hope you like it!! Thank you for requesting!! Also, Merry Christmas❤️

••

It was a last minute get together, a few of the members of the team lingered in Jersey, some not making it home at all this year. Nico, being the lovely captain that he is, decided to have the few stragglers over for some games and drinks, enjoying the time together without the pressure of hockey lingering over them.

The group currently consisted of Hughes squared, Dougie, Timo, Toffoli, Bratt, Nico, and you, all gathered around the living room. The smell of cookies had infiltrated the room, wafting from the kitchen as a result of your afternoon baking session. Nico was responsible for the decorations and drinks, leaving the sweets and games in the hands of you.

Earlier you had made a group chat with everybody that was planning on coming, explaining the concept of a white elephant gift (gag gifts only edition) and preparing everybody that there would be a game of Cards Against Humanity.

So far Jack had opened a puck from Dougie that was signed, Dougie claiming that it was "priceless." Luke opened the gift that Nico had found at the thrift store, a sequin pillow with Danny DeVito's face on it. Timo opened Bratt's gift, a $25 gift card to Victoria's Secret, a gift that you were going to fight for. Luke's gift was unable to be wrapped properly, a sheet thrown over it instead. Nico picked his and discovered that it was a young palm tree. Dougie opened Jack's gift, a gift card that was specifically for OnlyFans. Bratt opened Toffoli's gift which consisted of an assortment of chocolate in a ziplock bag, the kicker that they were all unwrapped and mixed together. You had opened Timo's gift, a small box that contained Band-Aids and alcohol wipes.

The last box wrapped was small, but wrapped with care, a small bow decorating the top of it. It was Toffoli's turn to open a gift, expecting something good since the last gift was obviously one from you. He pull the bow off and tore into the box, confusion coming across his face as he discovered an envelope labeled TOP SECRET. He cut his eyes at you, you urging him to open the envelope.

"You can't show anybody, Tyler. I mean it," You warned as he opened the envelope and read what was inside. His brows furrowed at first, not sure why the word "finsta" was on the inside, that is until it clicked with him.

"NO WAY," He yelled, the other boys looking at him as if he had grown a second head.

"I can't show you until everybody has had an opportunity to steal gifts," You explained, the other guys becoming increasingly impatient as they tried to figure out what it could be.

"What the hell did she put together?" Luke asked, trying to peer over Toffoli's shoulder to see what he had.

"Whoever ends up with my gift gets to spend 5 minutes on my finsta," Revealing what the top secret was caused a brief moment of chaos. Luke tried to jump on top of Tyler, but he overshot the distance and ended up face planting on the couch.

"Hey! You have to win it fair and square," You scolded the youngest Hughes.

"Oh, I will. You can bet your ass on that," He gave a warning look to Tyler as he regained his composure and returned to his seat beside Jesper.

"Ok, remember, there's only 2 steals. After the second steal the gift is dead and whoever has it wins it," As you explained the rules, eyeing the Victoria's Secret gift card, the stealing began.

You started it off by handing Timo back his gift, stealing the gift card you wanted.

"Ooh, Cap, you might get lucky with a new nighttime outfit with that gift card," Dougie teased, a pillow chucked at him shortly after caused a wave of laughter from everybody.

Jack was up next, stealing the finsta envelope immediately. He knew he wouldn't end up keeping it, but he had to get his hands on it somehow, even if it wasn't the actual account.

The gift immediately died the next turn, Luke snatching the paper from his brother.

"Give me that," He threw the Danny DeVito pillow at Jack.

The game continued until everybody had either kept their gift, or stolen something. The entire time everybody complained that they didn't end up with your finsta. Nico pouting the most.

"Babe, come on...I'm your boyfriend...the love of your life...your future husband. I think I deserve to see the account," He was trying to pull at your heart strings, but nothing would work. Not his puppy eyes, his pleads, or his hand that was dangerously high on your thigh, covered by a blanket, of course.

"Mhm...and?" Your eyes were filled with a playful banter, but your face was emotionless.

He rolled his eyes, tickling your sides to erupt laughter from you.

"Alright, I've waited long enough. Let me see it," Luke pointed to your phone, his hand motioning for you to hand it over.

You did as he said, but not before starting the timer.

He immediately took note of the username: @/hotforhischier causing his eyes to go wide and his laugh to rock his whole body. The shock didn't stop there, though.

"Holy shit, you have over 25,000 followers? What the hell? You've posted over 3,000 times, like do you even have a life?" He commented on everything he saw while all of the guys were inching closer and closer to him, trying to get a glance of the infamous account. Luke feigned a faint when he realized that you had a viral hockey account.

Nico stared at you the whole time, darkness clouding his eyes as he thought about ways he would get you to show him the account later.

Luke's laugh caught his attention, interrupting his eye contact with you.

"This post says 'The Devil's need to get their head out of their butt and realize that showing off doesn't win games. Somebody relay that message to Jack Hughes." Jack narrowed his eyes at you, not mad, but ready to get his revenge on you.

"There's a ton of thirst trap edits of Nico...a happy birthday post for Coach...SHE MADE A THIRST TRAP VIDEO OF ARBER XHEKAJ," He squealed as he flashed a smirk at Nico, "Damn, that is one good looking man."

Your cheeks were bloodshot. You didn't think he would take the time to watch the videos, but focus on the trash talk that you had posted.

“She calls Mercer ‘Raw Dawg,’” he chuckled.

“Luke, did you just say she made a thirst trap for Arber Xhekaj?” Nico asked, jealousy beginning to boil under his skin.

“Wanna see it?”

“NO! Your 5 minutes is up,” You tried to snatch your phone from him, but he stood up, holding it over his head as if playing a game of keep away.

“Luke Hughes, give me my phone,” You sent warning signs through your gaze, but he didn’t listen, tossing the device across the coffee table to Nico.

It was as if a magnet connected you to the phone, your body flinging itself wherever it went. You tried to climb onto Nico’s back, but he just shook you off.

“Hmm, ‘I’m no doctor, but I have this feeling that Nico feels good enough to come back. Should he really be missing this many games?’” You looked away as his eyebrows created wrinkles in his forehead as they raised.

“Thank God you’re not a doctor because I wasn’t good to go back sooner,” he pinched your side as he continued to scroll through.

“Jack she shits on you, Vanacek, and Schmid a lot,” he chuckled, still pushing you away, keeping you at an arms distance.

“Geez, what did I ever do to you?” A smile rose from Jack, one that was ready to tease you to no end.

“You keep up with the comments too….do these people have any idea who you are? Like you have a few fan accounts that you talk to almost every day!” Nico laughed.

“That’s enough,” You force yourself close enough to snatch it back.

“So what we all can gather from the finsta is that Y/N is the biggest supporter of the Devils and the biggest hater of Jack. I like her,” Luke leaned back on the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee table and tilting his head back to sip the beer in the bottle that he was holding.

“I’m not a hater,” Trying to defend yourself was useless, all of the guys looking at you as if to point that out.

“She’s like Jekyll and Hyde,” Bratt pointed out, “To Mrs. Cap, also known as Jekyll and Hyde,” he raised his Old Fashioned to you, the others following with their drink.

“I hate you all,” You blushed, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to expose your lie.

The night was long, most of the guys deciding to stay the night because of the amount of alcohol that coursed through their systems. You didn’t mind though, covering each of the sleeping bodies that littered the living room with a blanket before joining Nico in bed.

“You’re nicer than me…I was going to let them freeze,” he said as he snaked his arm around your waist. He pulled you back to lay down, getting in position to spoon you.

“They’re family, Neeks,” you hummed as he placed a kiss right under your ear.

“Mm, so what are you going to buy with that Victoria’s Secret gift card?”

*

*

*

*

[sapphicscholar]

Hacks Episode 3x09 Thoughts

Okay, so back during S2, I wrote up my thoughts about each pair of Hacks episodes as they dropped – partially for sharing but largely as an archive for myself of my own thoughts/feelings to revisit when I watched the episodes later to see how they held up, how it compared to watch them serially vs. as a whole season, etc. Anyway, I was incredibly stressed out and busy for much of this season (after over a year of that being the key set of words to describe my life), but I wanted to throw out my thoughts about the finale before they grow too stale! And maybe I’ll come back and revisit the prior episodes in posts later when I have the time (hopefully in just a couple short weeks!) to enjoy them properly

As always, disjointed bulleted lists are the name of the game, going from the big picture to the detailed:

Overall, this felt like a very solid episode in the vein of season 1 in many ways! It brought us back to the interpersonal as the primary ground of conflict after many episodes (here and in S2) of the new hour, the special, and the Late Night host gig quest being our main plot drivers (which, at many times, made for weaker storytelling for reasons that exceed the scope of this post!). In particular, I felt like this episode hit its stride around the halfway point, and never really faltered after that in impressive ways!

That being said, I had two somewhat significant critiques of the finale (both of which reflect larger trends about strands of the show that continue to leave me a little disappointed)

We should have seen Marcus' conversation with Deborah about the new job. Period. I'll get into what could have been cut in my second critique, but even if there weren't weak spots in the episode, I still would have been deeply disappointed in the show for this oversight, especially since they apparently filmed it. Although Hacks is clearly a show with a leading duo, it once had a core ensemble, but S2 saw them moved more and more to B-plots and bit roles, and now S3 has seen many of the characters we know and love eliminated almost entirely--a point that's particularly galling given that it's almost entirely characters of color (many of them canonically queer) who have been cut in favor of new white characters. Moreover, this scene would have been SO IMPORTANT - I could have seen it going 2 ways: a) Marcus quits after the convo where Deborah tells Ava she's willing to lose her, and Deborah has a reaction that is so utterly outsized because it's the terror of losing the person she's had with her the longest now compounded with the reality setting in that she's also driven away the woman who gave her new life when she most needed it; or b) Marcus shows up to quit, and Deborah immediately launches into a rant about Ava's leaving, which puts Marcus in the awkward spot of adding to that at a pivotal moment in the career of the woman he's spent much of his adult life with or giving up something he needs to do for himself; it could have been a lovely callback to S1 when he shows up with his whole speech prepared but then accepts the promotion without ever telling Deborah how he feels - only this time Marcus would have changed so much, and he'd have the opportunity to showcase that growth by insisting that he needs to do this for him. So many lost opportunities...

re what could have been cut because imo it did NOT work: Kathy Vance's return. Now, I love Hacks in large part because it insists on the complexity of its characters. No one is purely the victim or the hero of the story, and Deborah's "click" moment showcased that better than anything. AND YET the writing here did not work. Back in the Christmas ep, I messaged a friend saying I was glad that they brought Kathy back but seemed not to ask us to side with her - after all, she comes crashing back into Deborah's life, doesn't take ownership over her actions and in fact insists she was in the right because it only happened a few times, because Deborah wasn't sleeping with him (very "you weren't playing with it, so it's mine now" little sister energy that is deeply unappealing in a grown ass adult), and because they were the "better couple" which is, I'm sorry, NEVER the fucking thing to tell someone whose marriage and life you destroyed. I joked then that I'd take back my compliments if her role in the finale suggested that actually we should be on Kathy's side here. And lo and behold... What's a real bummer is that there were ways to do this better! Because you can have sympathy for an imperfect character--this show is a testament to that fact!--but not like this. We as an audience have no reason to side with Kathy when she insists that Deborah will be worse than ever and berates her for cutting their weekend short. Instead, we see a woman with a large sense of entitlement she's done nothing to earn and directorial choices that don't make it a smooth transition. But what could have been lovely is, for instance, treating the Christmas and finale reunions as these deflationary moments of anticipation and disappointment because they are, after this many decades, essentially strangers to one another. Had we seen two women who longed for the deep affective ties of their childhood relationship only to be confronted with the cold hard fact of their estrangement from one anther, it would have been so much more powerful. And here you could ACTUALLY garner sympathy (some) for Kathy by having it be this moment of "I lost my sister" partially through her own actions "to Late Night once, and now, right when I have a chance to try to build something with her again, I feel like I'm going to lose her again before I can even really try to do right by her this go around." THAT could have worked. This was just too much time on something that did almost nothing in the grand scheme of the plot (because we didn't have the emotional connection to feel it as another compounding loss for Deborah in an episode where Ava's "and you're going to die alone" could have landed with even more force)

Okay so it turns out this is getting hella fucking long, so some shorter praise and giddy feelings things:

I LOVE how often Ava got to say the things we've all been squeeing about for years during this episode - especially that the material is good because of their relationship, not the other way around; their dynamic is not incidental to the work, and that's so important to me personally.

I had guessed that Ava would be offered head writer and quit her current job, only to have it taken away because Deborah was too scared to rock the boat, but I did NOT see the end coming! In fact, I kind of thought Ava might end up suing Deborah for intellectual property theft (using material Ava wrote outside of her contractual appointment for the new show because, surprise surprise, the writers who sucked when she was a guest still suck now compared to Ava!) In fact, I sort of thought that end scene might end up being a return to the car scene, and was relishing the thought of Ava's mimicking Deb's "It'll be fun, honey." But the blackmail as a form of love/devotion was soooo much better. Truly chef's kiss.

Also the way this rewrote the S2 finale even as the underlying message remained the same is so special to me - I'll stay with you even when it's bad for me (sacrificing my career -> sacrificing my morals) because it's good for you and more importantly it's good for us and the work. JPL know how to write a finale, and I'd give up a kidney to have that same energy be there throughout a whole season again (not that the eps are bad, but they lack some of the sharpness in writing and emotional depth that JPL do so well with finales and also often with the first couple eps of a season too)

Lastly JPL going on the record that Deborah was turned on by that final scene + Ava's "I would, wouldn't you?" and "Let's begin" - truly some of the hottest TV. We're so back babyyy. No more half naked superheroes with all the eroticism of a desk chair. Give me messy women determined to fling themselves into the air because they know the thrill is worth everything good and safe they're leaving behind, even if they hit the ground with no parachute!

I have many, many thoughts about S3 and what's to come, but I'll save them for another post because phewww this got long as fuck

[libraford]

The good news is that he found a different job and next week is his last week and I only have to work with him 2 more times and only one of those times will I be alone.

Tech talk and rant below.

But in my opinion, we should have fired him earlier on because two weeks into the season he was unclear of what any of the equipment apart from the camera actually did.

The camera takes the picture.

The lights light the subject.

The computer matches the subject to the picture.

The transmitter connects the camera to the lights wirelessly, so that when you take the picture the lights flash automatically.

The sync cord connects the camera to the computer so that the image is displayed on the screen.

The skyport connects the lights to the computer so that they automatically adjust.

Its just all the electronics going through a circular systems check to make sure they are firing properly and matching it up against our white balance test. I know it sounds complicated, but its literally just a circle.

I understand that this can be complicated for someone who is used to 'click button, get picture.' But having the same problems over and over again because he doesn't understand the proper procedure and doesn't look at the checklist that he swears he never received even though I gave him my laminated copy and having to fix all of the problems that are literally because he didn't respect me enough to listen when I explained it to him cuts into the time that could be spent getting ready.

Now we are a month and a half in and on Tuesday he asked me what the skyport does.

If your skyport fails, you have to adjust your lights manually.

Therefore... skyport makes the computer talk to your lights.

And every time something fails, he says 'this would be so much easier without computers' and I'm like. Fine. Okay? Try to match 900 student names to photos without a computerized indexing system. Try getting the light to be consistent without a startup exposure test.

No sense of troubleshooting, which isn't very difficult. If something isn't right, restart the computer and try again. If you get a repeat of the problem, call Freddie from IT. But usually, a reboot fixes most problems.

But then he started breaking the rules, and in a very intentional way. Like at first it was 'oh I didn't know I wasn't supposed to show them the photo' even though we went over this in training. Then it was 'well, I'm not supposed to show you the photo but if you come back here while I'm adjusting my lights I can't stop you.'

At first it was 'hey, Jay, remember what Freddie said about the no-touch policy during training? I know you want to make the kids like you, but its very unprofessional to ask them for a high five, especially since these schools are very strict about their own no-touch policies and also did we not just go through a wholeass pandemic?'

And now students are complaining about him physically adjusting their posture with his hands.

Like... I don't mind bending the rules a little. But before you can bend the rules, you have to understand why the rules are there, so that when they are bent there is a good reason. The rule about showing photos is there to make workflow consistent. The no touch rule is for the safety of ourselves and the students.

But breaking the rules constantly just out of disrespect means that I can't bend them myself. I have to be a hardass. I hate being a hardass. But if I'm not a hardass and someone tells me that he's violating our no-touch policy, the company gets in deep trouble.

Not that he'll ever... ever follow my advice on the subject because as previously mentioned- he respects no one here. He has 15 years experience as a photographer and is too good for this place. Why would he listen to someone under 40 with three years experience dealing with schools?

His pictures aren't even very good. They're average.

Just two more jobs with him and then he's off to do something else and gods I hope he's better at that than he is a school photographer.

[animebw]

*patiently waits for the list of titles you're giving a chance this Fail season*

WELL WAIT NO LONGER MY FINE FRIEND

Must-Watch

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really Really Love You

Listen, do you know how good a harem anime has to be for me to recommend it? This was one of the funniest manga I've read and the adaptation does it justice and more.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Yeah, it lived up to the hype. Let's see if it can match the strength of those incredible opening episodes for its whole run.

Spy x Family Season 2

THEY GOD MASAAKI GODDAMN YUASA TO DO THE NEW OP WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME

Runners-Up

Firefighter Daigo: Rescue in Orange

I guess Brain's Base has decided that making Kennjirou Tsuda narrate everything is a recipe for success, lol. But this is shaping up to be a really strong mix of character drama and disaster movie, with the courage to really take its time and let the weight of its sequences settle.

Migi and Dali

I don't think I can properly describe this one except to tell you to watch the first episode knowing nothing about what to expect.

Overtake

Good season for adult workplace drama between this and Daigo. More of an inspirational sports story for F4 racing, but done really well so far.

Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions

Honestly the detective side of this one is kinda weak so far. Thank god the characters are so entertaining and the production is so wonderfully energetic so you barely mind.

Shy

I was initially gonna recommend just reading the manga on this one, but then the second episode turned out lightyears better than the first, so hey. If you're looking for a superhero show to tide you over until MHA's next season, put this on your list.

Undead Unluck

Now this is a much better use of Fire Force's director than Fire Force was. Also, I have it on good authority that the gross groping gags vanish pretty quickly into the manga, so breathe easy on that front.

If You Have Time

Arknights: Perish in Frost

I'm still waiting to see if this can follow up on the first season's actually really good finale or if it'll settle into being just kinda boring again. Fingers crossed!

I'm in Love With the Villainness

I remember bouncing off the manga for this one, and the adaptation isn't exactly a stunner. But it's breezing through the most annoying parts of the opening chapters at a strong clip, so here's hoping it gets to the good stuff soon!

Stardust Telepath

Look, the main character's voice being really squeaky and annoying is usually a dealbreaker for me, but this has enough charm for me to stomach it for now. Love seeing CGDCT shows with this much energy in the production.

Uma Musume Season 3

I'll admit, that was probably the strongest opening episode we've had for an Uma Musume season. Will this be the moment the weird horse idol show finally clicks for me? Let's find out!

On Thin Ice

Ancient Magus Bride Season 2 Part 2

Ugh, this is really turning into a drag. I want to be on board with more Magus Bride, but the increasingly limp production and complete lack of focus on the main relationship are running my interest into the ground.

My Daughter Left the Nest and Returned an S-Rank Adventurer

I would very much like the main female character to gain a second personality trait beyond loving her daddy please and thank you.

Shield Hero Season 3

I... have no excuse for myself.

Already Dropped

16Bit Sensation Another Layer

Like I said:annoying squeaky moe voices are usually a dealbreaker for me. I made it seven minutes into the first episode before I couldn't stand listening to the protagonist for another second.

Bullbuster

I'll give you this, Bullbuster, it takes effort to take a premise like mecha vs monster battles filtered through realistic corporate and engineering bureaucracy and make it boring.

Faraway Paladin Season 2

God, did I really use to like this show? I'm sure I did, but this first episode really make me question what was ever interesting about it

Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess

It took all of five minutes for the show to get into an extended sequence of the main character almost peeing herself in her pajamas. Hard pass.

[queenvidal]

The Queen For A King

Negan x Reader (Rick's Daughter)

Chapter 2: Be My Guest

Chapter Summary: Carl will kill Negan for what he's done to you. Your brother is already at The Sanctuary, all he needs to do is pull the trigger.

Wordcount: 4336

Era: Season 7

- Part 4 of the The One And Only Series -

Chapter Index:

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3

Masterlist /Negan x Rick's Daughter Series

Negan's convoy has been driving for a long while now. It’s dead silent in the cargo hold aside from the occasional clicking of bottles when hitting a bump on the road. Carl is still clinging to the rifle in his hand, adrenaline still running through his system. It can’t take much longer for them to reach the Saviors base, the two men driving already talked about it.

What’s he going to do once there? Carl still has no idea. Shot Negan of course, but he didn’t think of much more. He won’t be able to go home, that much he knew when he decided to kill Negan. His big sister will be heart-broken, a thought he absolutely hates, but in his mind it’s still better than having her suffer through whatever Negan was and is still putting her through. 

Groaning can be heard outside and the truck is slowing down. Carl peeks up from one of the crates, trying to see what's going on. They are passing a gate that is surrounded by tied up walkers, they must have reached their destination. After a few more moments the convoy finally stops. Carl’s heart is about to jump out of his chest.

All of the saviors exit their vehicles, doors can be heard shut and more and more voices fill the area. Negan's voice catches the boys attention immediately. He's giving orders but before Carl can decide whether to stay put or jump and surprise them, one of the saviors climbs into the cargo hold. He reaches for a crate full of cans when his eyes meet Carls. “What the fuc-”

Carl opens fire immediately, killing the savior and running towards the edge of the hold. More saviors are standing around the truck, looking up at the young boy in surprise. Carl quickly scans the era but is unable to find the man he’s looking for.

“I only want Negan!” Carl yells at the gathering crowd. “He hurt my sister! No one else needs to die!”

Time seems to stop. Everyone is looking at Carl, no one moving a muscle. The whole place is quiet until a familiar tune makes Carl turn his head. Negan is strutting towards the truck with a big grin on his face, angering Carl even more. He is not scared? Carl takes aim at him, but that doesn’t seem to bother Negan in slightes, his smile only grows.

“Damn, kid.” the head of the Saviors says, walking in between his men, making it impossible for Carl to aim properly. “You are adorable. Did you pick that gun ‘cause it looks cool? You totally did, right?” The boss comes to stop right behind one of his men, using him as a meatshild. “Kid, I ain't gonna lie, you scare the shit outta me.”

While being distracted, one of the saviors takes the chance to tackle Carl down but the boy reacts quickly, shooting the man down. The others jump into action also. Dwight, who was ordered to unload the trucks, grabs Carl's feet, tearing him off the truck. Once on the ground, Dwight disarms him, landing a hard blow on Carl’ chest to immobilize him before taking the rifle and aiming at the boy’s heart. Carl looks up at him with wide open eyes, raising his hands to his head, surrendering. 

“Dwight, back off.” Negan orders, slowly walking up to the two of them. “Is that any way to treat our new guest?” Carl’s staring up at Negan, his chest heaving from rapid breaths. The boy is scared out of his mind. With a smile Negan’s reaching out his hand. “Come on, kid. I'll show you around.”

But Carl doesn’t move. While still fighting for his breath, he keeps staring at Negan. “You know, you do the same damn stink-eye as your dad.” Negan tells him, slowly getting annoyed. “Except yours is only half as good ‘cause, well, you’re missing an eye.”

Carl starts to glare at him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of eliciting a reaction from him.

Negan's smile is slowly fading. “Really, kid?” He asks, the teasing tone in his voice gone. “You really not gonna take my hand? ‘Cause you’re lucky to even still have a hand. A circumstance we can easily change, don’t you think?”

After one final glare, Carl eventually casts his eyes away to the ground, giving in. He reaches out to take Negan's hand, who helps him up onto his feet.

“Ah, smart kid.” Negan chuckles, before turning around to his men. “Dwighty-boy, why don’t you go to the kitchen and do a little prep?” Dwight only nods before disappearing behind the trucks. “New plan, boys”, Negan addresses the remaining men “Let’s burn the dead, unload the trucks after and then restock two of ‘em for later.”

The Saviors get moving and Negan turns back to Carl. “Damn, I got a feeling this is gonna be a long day, kid. I won’t have time to screw any of my wives today.” The comment paired with the shit-eating grin on Negan’s face makes Carl’s blood boil. And just like his father the boy is unable to keep his true emotions from reflecting on his face, amusing Negan to no end. He nods towards the entrance of the building behind them. “Come on.”

Negan takes the lead, but Carl doesn’t move, instead he asks. “What are you gonna do with me?”

The man stops in his tracks, taking a long breath before turning around to face the boy again. After an annoyed sigh, he considers Carl for a moment. Eventually Negan tells him, “Number one, do not shader my image of you. You're a badass, you’re not scared of shit. Don’t be scared of me, it’s a disappointment. Number two-” Negan takes a few steps closer, standing right in front of Carl's face. “You really want me to ruin the surprise?” Carl doesn’t answer, now really pissing Negan off. “Screw you kid.” Negan puts his hand on Carl's shoulder, pushing him forward to get him moving. "Seriously, screw you.”

The both of them go inside the building. Carl takes the chance to look around. The Saviors base seems to be an old factory. From the short glimpse he could get on the truck this place must be huge.

The both of them take a small flight of stairs before stopping in front of two big metal doors. Negan opens one of them and nods at Carl to move inside. He does so a bit hesitant, his eyes not leaving the man. Once the big metal doors close behind them, Negan whispers to Carl. “Check that out.” Before moving on to a balustrade. 

Carl follows carefully, looking down at the level below them. It indeed is a huge place. People are swarming around. They don’t look like the Saviors, none of them carry any weapons or are wearing protective gear. Are they off duty? If so, Negan’s army is even bigger than Rick and the others have ever assumed. 

When a woman spots Negan leaning against the metal, she quickly hushes the people around her and goes down on her knees. Immediately the whole room, busting with noise, goes silent and everyone follows suit, kneeling down. 

Carl can’t help but to frown at that. What are they doing?

Negan casts a quick smile at Carl before talking to his people. “The Saviors have gone out into the world, fought the dead and came back with some really good stuff. Some of that stuff can be yours, if you work hard and-” He pauses to give Carl a quick side eye, “Play by the rules. Today, everybody gets fresh vegetables at dinner, no points needed.” 

Smiles all over the place, some clapping and some thank yous here and there. Carl watches the scene in complete disbelief. Negan turns his back to the people. “You see that?” He asks, grinning slightly. “Respect. Cool, huh? They’re still on their knees.” Negan turns his head, yelling over his shoulder “As you were!”

And the people go on about their day. Carl is unable to look away. What the hell is this place?

Only when Negan calls him, does Carl react and get moving. 

“Alright, kid.” Negan sighs as he leads them through the factory. “I have some business to attend to before we get to your little surprise.” Carl doesn’t like the sound of that. If Negan wants to kill him, why won’t he just finally get it over with? “Since you’re my guest I figure I’ll just drag you along till we get to you.” 

After climbing five more flights of stairs, they’ve reached their destination. This floor looks different from the others, Carl takes a look around while still following Negan. There are plants in every corner, some nice decor here and there, chairs and tables. And a lot of guards. 

“Nice up here, huh?” Negan asks, not looking at Carl. “You might recognize some stuff, some was yours before we got it.” Carl ignores Negan’s teasing, which makes him turn his head. “Oh, come one, kid. Brighten up a little. The best thing about this floor is right around the corner.” 

Carl keeps following Negan and both enter a new room through big wooden doors. Carl is taken aback. The room is full of what must have been crazy expensive furniture back in the day. His eye lands on the five women huddled around each other.

“Ladies,” Negan announces his presents. All heads turn towards them and the women quickly move to different sections of the room. “Don’t mind the kid.” They must be Negan's wives. Carl doesn’t know how to feel about this. The atmosphere in the room is strange. None of them seems to be happy to see them. Their reaction is nothing like he knows from his parents or Y/N with her boyfriend.

“I know.” Negan smiles at the boy, “Hot, huh? They all look like they're doing the books at an auto shop. You wanna look at their titties?” Carl looks at Negan with wide open eyes. “Hey, I won’t mind, they won't mind. Knock yourself out, kid.”

Negan turns his attention to one of the women. “Can I talk to you for a minute, dear wife?”

A woman with auburn hair looks up at him, she pats the blonde next to her on the shoulder with a small smile before standing up. Negan leads her to the bar, leaving Carl standing in the middle of the room. 

To say he feels uncomfortable would be an understatement. While Negan talks to the woman, Carl looks at the other women. They all seem irritated, all but one. The blonde woman sitting alone on a sofa looks like she’s about to cry at any moment. She doesn’t look up from her hands, nervously fidgeting with the jewelry around her fingers. Carl feels sorry for her, something horrible must have happened to put her in such distress.

“Hold that for me, kid.” Negan says, approaching Carl and placing a beer bottle in his hands. “Help yourself, if you want to.” He turns his attention to the woman on the sofa, leaving Carl’s side again.

“Amber, baby,” Negan calls her when sitting down onto the coffee table right in front of her. The woman is shaking like a leaf, not meeting Negnas eyes. “You know I don’t wanna anybody in here who doesn’t wanna be in here, right?”

The woman nods slightly, still looking at her hands. A quiet “Mh-hm.” leaves her lips.

“Mh-hm,” Negan repeats in an almost mocking tone. “So, if you wanna go back to Mark and your mum you can.” He frowns at her. “But what can’t you do?”

The woman takes a deep breath. “Ch… cheat on you-”

“That is-” Negan is only inches away from her face, glaring at her. "Exactly right! You can’t cheat on me.” Amber’s eyes move from Negans back to her hands. Tears start to well in her eyes. Negan doesn’t seem to care. He leans back a little and tells her, “There’s plenty of other gals who would love to take your place and there’s a few job offerings I can think of.”

Negan lets that sink in for a moment, before leaning into her personal space again. “So, Amber, tell me. You wanna go back to Mark and your mum?” There is no response, visibly angering Negan. “Hell, I’ll even put y'all on the same job.”

“No!” Amber’s pleading with him. “No, please. I want to be here. I’ll stay, please. I- I am sorry.”

Negan carefully cups her chin with his hand. “You do know what that means, right?” Amber only starts shaking again, a silent tear falling on her cheek. “You do know what that means, right?”

“I do.” She sobs, “I am so sorry. I love you, Negan.”

“Oh, of course you do, darlin’.” Negan tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know why you’re crying. It’s all gonna work out easy for you.” After a short glance at Carl, Negan gives Amber a quick kiss on her forehead before standing up again. He can see the kid is troubled about all of this. Good. 

Carl watches Negan making his way back to the woman at the bar he talked to earlier. That’s what Darly and his father were talking about late at night, when they thought the others were sleeping. He’s overheard quite the view conversations. That Negan forces women to be with him, although he never could picture what they’ve meant. Now he does. Negan is using loved ones against them. Is he doing the same thing to his sister? Most likely, she’d do everything for them.

When Negan is kissing the woman at the bar, nausea is hitting Carl like a wave. Why does he have to do all of this? He has five wives, why can’t he leave Y/N alone?

Dwight appears next to him, stopping right at the door. 

When Negan’s done, he throws a dirty smile at Dwight before making his way over to them. “Dwighty, whatcha got for me?”

Dwight’s holding a tray full of bread and fresh fruits and vegetables. Negan takes a toothpick and picks up a piece of what seems to be a strawberry. “Carl,” he says, “You gonna take the tray for me?” The boy quickly places the beer he's been still holding onto a table to take the tray from Dwight. “D, fire up the furnace. We’ll be there in a few. Time for a little déjà vu, huh?” Negan nods at Carl, signaling him to get moving. “Ladies.” The boss takes a last glance at his wives before leaving again.

Negan takes the lead again with Carl following behind. The tray in Carl’s hands is shaking. He is so upset about what he's just seen. Negan frowns at him. “Man, calm down, kid. I can’t hit the olive with the way you’re sha-

“What is Y/N to you?” Carl bursts out loud. “Just another trophy?”

This makes Negan stop walking, his mimic changing grim. “Watch your tongue, small boy. Your sister is my queen and if I had it my way, she'd be sitting on a fucking throne right next to me but since she loves you fuckers so much and declines my offers to come to The Sanctuary, I have get my rocks off somewhere else.”

“You’re absolutely disgusting.” Carl glares at him, unable to hold himself back any longer. “These women don’t love you, no one ever will-”

“Do not make me put this toothpick through the only eye you have.” 

Negan’s towering over Carl and he is dead serious about his threat. Carl endures the glare for a moment longer, before casting his eye down again. 

“From now on you’ll only speak when spoken to. Are we clear?” Carl wonders if he's struck a nerve there. Negan seems to be beyond pissed. “Are we cl-”

“Yes.” Carl finally answers.

After one final warning glare, Negan turns around again. “Good. Come on, I wanna show you something.”

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

“If I find him, I’ll kill him,” you whisper angrily to yourself. You’ve been searching for Carl the whole morning , asking everyone in your path if they've seen him, only to always get the same answer: no.

When you see Olivia at the pantry, you yell over the street, “Liv, have you seen my brother?”

The other woman turns around, shaking her head. “No, I am sorry.” 

You can’t help but to groan in annoyance. “Fuck.” Where the hell can he be? This is not normal for Carl, he always informs somebody about his whereabouts.

“Oh, Y/N?” Oliva calls, “We still have to go through Michonne’s findings from yesterday. We’ve stored them in the severs for now. Are you free this afternoon?”

“Sure thing.” You tell her, already moving on to go back up the street, hoping to find the boy may be at the gardens, “Come see me later.” 

When you cross the street to reach the gardens, you hear your name being called. You turn around to find Spencer running towards you. Perfect, just what you needed right now. “Hey, Y/N!” You slow down, waiting for him to catch up on you. Once at your side, he smiles at you. “You look pretty today.”

"Thanks, Spencer.” You force yourself to smile at him. Compliments from him always have a weird taste to them.

His own smile grows a bit, “I mean, you do look pretty everyday, just-”

“Spencer.” You interrupt his rambling, already annoyed. “What do you want?”

Spencer's smile suddenly vanishes. His eyes wander around, making sure no one is eavesdropping. “I gotta talk with you. ‘Bout Rick.”

You frown at him, already not liking where this is going. “What about him?”

He lets out a sigh before quietly stating. “You know, he’s gonna get us all killed, right? If he already thought about attacking Negan again, there is nothing we can say or do to stop him from doing that. You know that.”

You do and you hate to agree with him on that one. “And what do you want from me?”

Spencer takes a step closer to you, whispering. “I want you to work with me. I think together we would be better leaders than your father.” What now? You just stare at him, lost for words. “You’re obviously willing to make sacrifices for our survival and I am good with people. I think-”

“You don’t think and that’s the problem.” You hiss, aggravated by his talk. 

“Hey, I know you don’t want to hear this, okay?” Spencer’s holding up his hands, trying to calm you down again. “But you, out of everyone, know best that his decisions are rarely the best ones. You’ve lost your previous home because of him and now we all could be losing Alexandria, if we don’t do something about it.”

You take a deep breath, trying to keep your anger in check. “You’ve never lived outside these walls since the dead started walking. What the hell makes you believe you could make better decisions than him? You don’t know shit-”

“That's why I need you.” He states, “I might be lacking the knowledge of the world outside, but you have plenty of experience. We’d complement each other.”

“Spencer, I am this close to expl-”

“Y/N. come on.” He sighs. “Be honest, do you think the way he’s handling the situation with the Saviors is how things are supposed to go?” You bite your cheeks. Spencer does have a point. “You know, my mum was a good leader and I as her son would be that, too.” You just shake your head in disbelief, this man is delusional. “I know, Rick teached you a lot of skills as well and you are smart and dedicated. I mean, your arrangement with Negan shows that you are willing to do what it takes to survive.” 

That's it! You storm towards him, stopping right in front of his face. “You don’t know shit about me and Negan, nor my father. Now listen carefully.” You stare him down, anger making your hands tremble. “My father got us through four fucking hard years outside of Alexandira. We wouldn’t be alive today if not for him. He made mistakes on our way and people died, yes, but never ever will I or you be able to replace him as a leader.” 

“Y/N, please. I’m just saying-”

“If I hear you plotting against him one more time, exile will be my least concern.” 

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

Negan opens up another door, waving Carl inside. The boy walks into what seems to be Negan's private quarters. Just like every other room on this floor, this one, too, is furnished with expensive stuff with decor and clutter everywhere. But Carl doesn't pay much attention to it, he is still trying to process what has just happened. Nausea is still making his stomach churn. Negan just melted someone's face with an iron. It was so awful to watch and he’s sure he won’t forget the smell anytime soon.

“Sit.” Negan points at one of the armchairs. Carl silently does as he’s been told to, while Negan sits down on the sofa across from him, folding his hands. “Well, let's get started."

“Started on what?”

“Hm, work it out.” Negan shrugs with his shoulders. “You’re smart, kid. In fact, I’m gonna tell you how smart you are in case you don’t already know. You see, I’d expect kids your age to be mopin’ around, not doing shit except crying about missing the prom. But you?” Negan points at Carl for a second. “You go out on a mission. You find me, you kill two of my men and you’re smart enough to know that I won’t let that slide.”

Carl starts to get nervous. What’s he going to do with him? Melt his face, too? Shot him, get Lucille?

Negan chuckles suddenly. “Oh, man. I can’t. It’s like talking to a birthday present. You gotta take that crap off your face. I wanna see what grandma got me.”

His bandages? Absolutely not. Carl shakes his head. “No-”

“Two men!” Negan yells. “Punishment. You really wanna piss me off?”

Afraid of Negan’s threats, Carl obeys eventually. He takes off his hat, before removing the bandages around his head. When he’s removed them all, he looks up at Negan again.

“Jesus Christ,” Negan chuckles. “That shit’s nasty! I can see your fucking socket.” He leans forward to take it all in. “Damn, kid. How did that happen?”

“Why do you care?”

“For shits and giggles.” Negan mocks. “Now tell me.” Carl’s fidgeting with the bandages in his hand, unwilling to tell what happened. “Speak up, kid.”

Carl's gaze wanders to the floor again. “Someone wanted to shoot my father but got distracted and hit me instead.”

Negan’s eyebrows rise up at that. “Really?” Carl nods in conformation. “Damn.” Negan leans back into the cushions of the sofa. “Your dad really has a knack for pissing people off. Really sucks that he’s dragging his kids into the mess all the time.”

“Can… Can I wrap it up again?” Carl asks carefully.

“Oh, you absolutely cannot.” Negan dismisses his question.

“Why the hell not?”

Negan has to smile at Carl’s anger. “Look at this badass. You can’t because I am not done with you. I like looking at your disgusting bad ass, rad ass eye, so it’s staying out.” Carl is visibly upset and holding himself back. “What? You got something to say?”

They boy thinks about saying something and eventually he asks. “Why haven't you killed me, or my Dad, Daryl, Y/N?”

“Hm,” Negan rests his feet on the coffee table, “Your dad, as annoying as he is, gets shit for me, so there is that. Daryl will make a good soldier for me, we were close to breaking him before we brought him back to Alexandria. Y/N, well, she is the only useful person in your damned community. She was quite disobedient in the beginning , true, but I think we’ve figured that out.”

Carl narrows his eye at that but keeps his mouth shut.

“You on the other hand? Well, we shall see.” Negan removes his feet from the table, moving to rest his arms on his knees. “It’s more productive to break you, more fun, too. You’re a smart kid, Carl. You know I can’t let you go, so…”

Carl keeps playing with the bandages, not meeting Negan's eyes.

“Should I kill you? Or iron your face? Maybe chop off an arm? Tell me, Carl. What do you think?”

Carl throws his bandages to the side, standing up and sneering at the man in front of him, “I think you should jump out of the window and save me the trouble of killing you.”

Negan lets out a whistle “Now there is the kid that impressed the shit out of me.”

With a narrowed eye, Carl tells him. “You won’t tell me what you’ll be doing to be because you won’t do anything to me.”

Negan huffs a laugh, “And why’s that?”

“Because Y/N would kill you.” That statement wipes the smile from Negan’s face. “She’d find you and she’d kill you if you’d kill any of us. That's why we're still alive. If you knew us, if you knew anything you would kill us but you can’t.”

“Wow.” Negan looks at Carl in awe. “Huh. Maybe your right. Maybe I can't." After a short moment, the boss stands up himself, moving past the boy to pick up Lucille from his desk. “Let’s go for a ride, kid."

Chapter Index:

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3

Masterlist /Negan x Rick's Daughter Series

Taglist: @starry-night-20 / @joceymoo / @srhxpci / @ladykxxx08 / @sunneeflower / @frombloodandflesh / @lanamiller / @fanfic-n-tabulous

[popcornforone]

The Winners Circle

A Dieter Bravo Fan Fic

This was in draft form a while, not completed. I’ve always wanted to write Dieter during award season & with Pedro being nominated so much this year it was fitting. Also a huge shout out to @salgal78 she said ahhh I have an idea for a fic for you to write or incorporate & part of it appears in this so thanks my love.

Synopsis: It’s the TV BAFTAS & both you & Dieter are up for awards. Everyone thinks you’re just friends, let’s see if you can convince everyone that’s still the case & not something more.

Word Count: 5800

Warnings: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! PIV (passionate & kinda getting near rough) sex, oral male receiving, established relationship, cream pie, swearing, alcohol, mentions of party & Dieters previous life style, previously friends to lovers, secret relationships, teasing. Public sex, bribery.

Thanks as always for the read peoples it’s really appreciated. All feedback is welcome. I hope you enjoy.

Your silver heels sit in the corner of the hotel bathroom ready to head to the BAFTA’s. Tonight you are certain will be your night. You are up technically for 5 awards.

Best comedy show

Tv moment of the year

Best comedy actor (twice for your co stars)

& best comedy actress for you

You & your long time writing parter & first love came from nothing & wrote a hit sketch comedy show which has now reached its natural conclusion. You are both finally getting recognition for this & tonight as you walk the red carpet at the Baftas you will be validated. You strap your heels on & make sure your purple dress shimmers & makes you look fantastic. You leave the bathroom of the suite & see your husband sorting out his purple tie in the mirror. His eyes catch you in the reflection, & the (for once) smart Dieter Bravo turns around. His lips part as he sees you.

“Bloody hell” he says looking you up & down. “What happened to my wife & the comfortable leggins & hoddies she wears?”

“Oooh she’s here baby, don’t worry” you walk up to him & sort out his cufflinks for him. His pocket square as well matches the material on your dress. He is also up for two BAFTAS . For best performance In an international tv show & also for tv moment of the year. His death in the crime drama he was in last year got rave reviews & became an instant meme. It’s almost as iconic as Hans Gruber falling from the nakatomi plaza. “You do need to remember though Dieter, that no one even knows we are dating & just assumes we are friends” after confessing your mutual feelings for each other a few weeks ago, you decided not to waste any time & got married 8 weeks later. Only your immediate families & 2 friends each in attendance for the most romantic evening of your lives. You are meant to actually right now be on your honeymoon, but when you both got your award nominations 3 day’s before your nuptials, you postponed it by a few days.

“I will baby, don’t worry, remember I’m good at keeping these kinda secrets” he says with a wink & gets his phone out to take a selfie of you both before you head off to the BAFTAS. separate cars are coming to get you, as you are travelling with the people from your show who are in the rest of the rooms on this floor.

“I know you are, I mean people have seen us on the red carpet together before as friends…” you look longingly into his big brown eyes & this scruffy hair which you insisted he kept for tonight. It means if you can sneak a few minutes with him & you run your hands through it, it won’t look like you have done that. You do also prefer him scruffy. “But your mine now baby”

“& so are you my wife” he kisses you.

“I’m never going to get tired of hearing that husband”

“& I’ll never stop saying it” he smiles back. Click goes his camera as you both hold each other & take a romantic selfie. For your eyes only.

*

“To the left”

“Looking fabulous”

“Smile”

“How does it feel to be the toast of the awards?”

This is the craziest red carpet you’ve ever been on. There have been some properly famous people walk this in front of you tonight. But you seem to be the person everyone wants to talk to, have a selfie with, be interviewed by. It’s suddenly dawned on you that tonight will change your life. You are being taken seriously & as you pose you get more comfortable & confident in yourself.

“Dieter” a member of the press shouts. Because you’ve been doing so much fan service, interviews & stuff with your colleagues on your show, Dieter has now caught you up on the red carpet. “Pose with her” is shouted & that’s all it takes. Dieter stops his solo geeky pose he’s famous for & because you’ve always posed at events together, it’s not weird to anyone when he pulls you in close around the waist.

“Smile baby” he says as he kisses your hand & smoulders to you & then turns to the world’s photographers.

“I always smile Dieter” you beam at the press. Your hand is squeezing his bum, the cheek nearest to you. He winks at you & leans into your ear.

“Keep doing that…” he whispers seductively “… & you’ll remember tonight for more than the accolades you receive”

“Dieter” you say loudly in shock & suddenly realise people heard you outloud. “Oooh you know how he gets” you play it off & Dieter rolls his eyes. The press know Dieter is know for his slightly risky comments, that’s why he’s celebrity gold for the tabloids. He plays up to his perceived image, but that was just for your ears.

You continue to work the red carpet & eventually make your way into the auditorium & are handed a complimentary glass of champagne & then someone comes to take Dieter to his seat. You knew you weren’t sitting together but right now you wish he was sitting next to you for today. He wasn’t given a plus one & you gave yours to another member of your cast so they could come to this as well.

“Good luck beautiful” he kisses your cheek & is walked into the theatre. It’s only when you walk in that you realise how near the front you & your show are. You also see Dieter sitting about 8 rows back talking to an usher. You sit down next to your Co writer & ex Ciaran.

“So what are you predicting?” He says.

“Two, comedy show & best actor for either you or Pete” you reply.

“Ha” his wife Jess says “you’re always so modest, we all know full well you’re gonna pick up best comedy actress. If you don’t we all boycott the BAFTAs going forward”

“Jess!” You exclaim “you can’t say that while we are actually at the BAFTAs” you tut & roll your eyes & then you & Ciaran say the exact same thing in unisons. “Wait til we’ve at least won one bloody thing” the whole group of you laugh. It’s one of the lines from the show when you talk to others about how inappropriate they are but to do it once that person has left of the thing is over. If you get no other wins tonight this has all made you have a collective laugh.

*

“To present our first award…” the host goes on, you haven’t checked the program to see what order things are in, you were going to do that during the first award, but then you stop & put the list down & applaud as the words”… Dieter Bravo” are said. The room cheers. Obviously to you & your colleagues & friends they knew he was going to be here, they know your a couple probably the only people in the room that do, but the rest of the room is really enthusiastic too. It’s always good when a big megastar turns up for uk award shows. Out he walks in his charcoal suit, pocket square & tie that highlights the outfit, & he’s got his glasses on. That’s your man right there. He’s yours & you wish he was now sitting next to you to keep you calm tonight.

“Comedy is all about timing, something that’s not my strongest attribute, just ask my friends & how I almost didn’t get to my limo in time.”

“Well we’re a shoe in…”Ciaran whispers to you.

“What?”

“The opening award is for comedy show, Dieters presenting, the world knows your friends, they are doing this for a nice little on stage reunion” Your eyes pop open.

“Ooooh fuck” your hand trembles & Ciaran grabs it like he used to when you were a couple but it doesn’t calm you as it shakes anymore. Proving you work better as writers & friends.

“Breathe, it will be okay” Jess whispers, she has known you both long enough to know that there’s nothing going on between you.

After the little highlight package Dieter announces your tv show the winner & you all cheer & slowly make your way up to the stage. You’ve already made the group decision that the two people who will do this acceptance speech will be Ciaran (because you & Ciarán both know Pete is winning comedy actor) & James the next person with the most input. They all are congratulated by Dieter as they go up to the stage & you are last, & you hug him in a friendly way. You then with the other 4 cast members step back & let James & Ciaran talk& accept the award. You slowly feel Dieters hand go around your waist. You’re still listening to what your friends have to say, but you are suddenly much calmer now that you’re next to your husband.

“Congrats baby” he whispers “my little bafta winner”

“Thanks Dieter, the night is still young.” You’re trying to be professional but the way he just poked his glasses back up his nose has got you desiring him. You then slowly leave Dieters side & quickly leap into the microphone to do one last thank you.

“I know it’s a long night so I’ll be quick but I just want to say James & Ciaran are the reason we are here winning this, because let’s be honest they make us all look funny & you were never going to thank yourselves we’re you.” The room erupts into chuckles & you all leave the stage to do a few small interviews with the press back stage, before returning to watch the awards.

*

As you predicted earlier Pete wins best comedy actor. His performance as Grumpy Grandpa is going to be remembered long after any of you are relevant anymore. It is harsh on Ciaran & his characters he created. He is the better performer but Grumpy Grandpa is marvellous, mainly because of the way you & Ciaran wrote it. You sit there as the nominees for comedy actress are read out. You hate being recognised, you’re bad at self praise, but this was always a definite nomination as you missed out on a supporting actress bafta for something else last year because it didn’t meet the bbfc guide lines for international work. This year that rules has now been changed due to people protesting towards Bafta.

“& the bafta goes to…” says Nathan who is a tv show judge & currently flavour of the month looks wise in the British press.

He says your name.

You freeze.

You thought this might happen. But that still doesn’t mean it’s a shock to the system to hear your name be read out loud. The room erupts in noise & cheers & you sit there as Ciaran hugs you.

“Oh my fucking god” the room is filled with noise & people congratulating you but it’s all silent as your head trys to process what has just happened. You have a solo bafta. The room is a blur as you make your way to the steps to go & accept the award. But as you reach the stage & Nathan comes to hug you, you just catch a sight out the corner of your eye. Dieter is wiping a tear away a few rows further back. He’s standing up & applauding like everyone else but his eyes are glazed. He’s proud. He’s proud of his wife.

You are brought to an even more surreal reality of winning by a hug from Nathan. He tall dark & handsome even more so in person, smells divine & he gives you a hug.

“Congratulations” he says his eyes dancing “finally” he says & he hands you the BAFTA. Your BAFTA. You don’t need to share this one. It’s just where you’re gonna put it. You almost drop it. It’s so heavy. It doesn’t look it but it really is a weight. You get to the podium & put it on the stand & take a deep breathe.

“Well ladies & gents,I can confirm that Nathan does smell as good as he looks” the room laughs. You’ve broken the ice at the start of your speech. You have a rough idea about who you need to thank but you’ve not written it down. You’re going to speak from the heart & then you properly begin.

“Thank you Bafta. This is incredible. As are my 4 other nominees in this category. It’s hard enough to be a woman in this world anyhow let alone showbiz, but comedy is the hardest job of all so I want to say thank you to my fellow nominees & the women who came before us for giving us this opportunity.” You point & look at the rest of the friends from the show.

“I need to thank my guys & gals from the show, mainly Ciaran for being an amazing writing partner for over a decade & to his amazing wife Jess who let him just after they got married to go spend 10 weeks in a room with his ex & trust us.”more people laugh. “I also want to thank my parents, my brother & his wife & all the friends from the beginning who let me tell them bad jokes for years you are always my inspiration & to my new friends that I have now I’m a big shot apparently” you do quotation marks as you say that. A member of the press who doesn’t write fairly about women when they are successful said that you’d soon be a big shot & it would be the end of your tv show. You’ve waited 3 years to own them back.

“I also want to thank the viewers for sharing our show over the years, you watching meant we could do wilder crazier things, so thanks for the support, but the person I really want to thank is whoever it is who’s listening me right now. Be it a girl a guy a they or an I. I never thought I’d be here, I have always been told nah not today or well try this or be this. I may have changed a little recently but I’m am most me in front of my lap top typing. I may now be a comedian & actress but I am a writer, & my dream was to be recognised for that. So whoever you are out there, keep striving for the dream, be it you want to be a doctor or you want to complete the ironing tonight you’ve got this & I believe in you.” The room applauds & you smile & then you raise your BAFTA in the air & finish your speech. “Thank you so much BAFTA & D I adore you” you make eye contact with Dieter as you say that. You always say to each other that you adore him in public instead of saying you love him & he does the same. It does mean I love you to each other though. The room gives you a standing ovation & you walk off back stage to speak to the press about your well deserved win.

*

That’s it for your shows win for the night & Dieter doesn’t win either but next comes the after party & dinner. You are nowhere near Dieter for dinner, but you can now text him & you make a point to walk past his table & he does the same to you. Dinner is finished & the party really gets going. A world famous dj is mcing & the music is banging. You’re stood there chatting to Nathan who presented your award earlier, your bafta has been taken to be engraved & will already be at your hotel room when you get there later. It’s been replaced with a glass of champagne.

“Sorry about the comment about how you smelt Nathan, but you always look phenomenal”

“I mean I do judge a beauty show, I have a reputation to live up to”

“As do I with my comedy & ad libs” you both laugh. “But you do smell good” you then smile. Nathan assumes it’s for him but it’s not. Dieter is walking your way behind Nathan with the other judge from Nathan’s Tv show.

“Ahhh Nathan I thought you should meet the rather Dashing Dieter Bravo, he’s interested in having a new suit” Violet says. Nathan turns & sees the look on Dieters face & looks him up & down every detail taken in. Nathan shakes his hand.

“I know me needing a suit? Ironic” Dieter giggles sipping his whiskey, trying to to keep smiling at you. Violet then interjects.

“& congratulations to you, lots of wins today, you created such a wonderful show… have you watched it Dieter?” He almost chokes on his whiskey. He came to set a few days before you were a couple to watch how your show is made. He knows all too well the effort you put into making it.

“Oooh yes I have, I love it, she’s very talented with her hands…” he lingers & then shouts”… at typing” he’s blushing & you just stand there smiling, knowing exactly what he meant.

“I’m sure she is” Nathan winks “Violet let’s go mingle & Dieter you can get my information & I’ll do you a suit fitting” Nathan then shakes his hand again & then hugs you goodbye “I’ll leave you & your other half alone” your face looks a bit shocked as you pull away & look at him. “His face, your eyes & the similar styles & colours on your outfit plus that new glistening ring, I’d say you want some alone time”

“Wow Nathan no one else has clocked”

“Well they are all idiots” & he leaves & Dieter smiles at you before putting his glass down & flinging his arms around you, lifting you up & spinning you around in the air. You do a small scream. People don’t take notice this is what Dieter does to all people, he’s friends with. When your back in your feet he whispers softly.

“Congratulations to my my little miss double bafta winner” he kisses your cheek & you wish you didn’t have to hide your relationship at the moment. You would love the world to know that you are Mrs Bravo.

“Thanks Dieter, sorry you didn’t win”

“Oh but I did, the world wants to speak & be with you but only I get to do that.”

*

After dancing & networking, you leave the party. Both you & Dieter are now a little bit tipsy & not drunk. A line of limos are waiting outside, so you hold his hand & March him into the back of one of them & ask the drive to go the long way to your hotel.

“Have you had an amazing night my love?” Dieter asks as he tucks your hair behind your ear that’s come down slightly & kisses your neck. Your hand goes straight to his thigh.

“Yes Dieter, one of the best nights of my life”

“Well you deserve it”

“So do youuuuhooooo oooh Dieter” his teeth graze down your neck making you shudder with excitement.”im sorry you didn’t win though”

“Oh no I won, the world wants you for 5minutes ,i have you all to myself” you plunge one of your hands into his whispy hair before he hold you in place & you make out in the back of the limo. You know from experience that these driver keep thing’s professional & don’t over step the mark. But as you stroke his length from above his trousers, you can feel his anticipation building. He’s getting hard with each touch stroke & kiss. He wants you & the way he is sighing means he might cum in his trousers soon, if you don’t help him out.

You grab the intercom & buzz it to the driver.

“Complete disgression which will come with a very generous tip?”

“Of course just let me know when your done, traffic is a nightmare tonight so it might take a…”

“Thank you” Dieter announces & slams the intercom off as he unbuckles his belt.

“Dieter?! That was rude!” You scoff at him he likes it when you a bit moody, it’s a turn on but what’s not a turn on for Dieter. “Sorry he’s drunk” you apologise & then really turn the intercom off.

“I’m not that drunk my love, I’m at the right level” he says “& I hope you give me more than the tip”. He winks & he unzips his toruses & from the inside of his boxers out flops his massive erect penis. You lick your lips in excitement. For years you had heard girls & guys talk about how good Dieters cock was for blow jobs & he’d always said they’d been alright but the first time you took his length inside your mouth he came in seconds. Maybe it was just the idea or desperation for him to claim your mouth but he always repays the favour.

“Oooh my mouth likes to go all in baby.” You kneel on the limo floor & push your hair from your face. You spit on his leaking head. It’s angry & waiting to be welcomed for relief. You look up at him & smile. “All the way?” He stares in disbelief you’ve only done that when you were both high on lsd but you enjoyed it.

“You… you…sss…. You’re sure” he man spreads fully.

“Totally ” you’ve been stroking him for the last few exchanges & know it’s time. Down you go. Not all the way starting with the tip you want to go further down with each bob. You want him to get even more lost in desire the further you go.

“Oooh yesss, oooh fuck baby yes” he loves how your small little mouth which always is so polite, accommodates him. Your tongue lapping around it, how the saliva costs him. He grips the seat in the limo looking down as you take him further inside you.

“Fuck, I have won, you’ve not sucked anyone else tonight off” one hand has moved to his thigh, stroking it. Adding extra tension to him. His hips can’t be constrained as they start to gyrate. You know this is your cue to go deeper.

When he fills your cunt with his penis you wonder how it fits. Therefore you’re always shocked that when it hits the back of your throat that you don’t run out of air. It’s always a mess when you’re finished with him, but damn he always feels so good when you give him oral.

“Oooh baby, more, more, can you go further?” You flutter your eyes at him & nod & his hands go into your hair to encourage your bobbing. “good girl, my fucking good fucking slutty wife” he moans & his hips move & his hands go into your head too. The teasing blow job is now a face fuck. & he is grinding his teeth & snarling in desire. He holds your hair keeping you in place so you don’t Bob & he fucks further down your throat. “Eye contact baby” you reconnect as you stare at your husband. “Fuck oooh fuck” each thrust harder. Your taste buds already tasting some of him. He grips your chin in place so it doesn’t budge. He’s going so hard you’re worried about the mess you will make soon.

You gagging around him. Your nose is in his pubic hair when you reach the base each time. There is no relenting. Dieter is getting everything out in this blow job & his shirt is starting to dampen from sweat from the excitement it’s building up inside him.

“Baby I’m gonna,… gonna cum… so…so…” he growls but due to the change in his rhythm you already knew this. You’d pulled back slightly. You didn’t want to choke when he came, that had happened before, it was not a nice feeling for either of you. So he’s not fully down your throat, as his hips shudder. “Fucking fuck oooh fuck” he screeches & Dieter spills into your mouth. Funky & salty, the ropes of his seed have your taste buds standing to attention. Swallowing every drop. His eyes are closed as his pleasure is complete. He leans back on the limo seat, as you slowly let his penis go & give it a few last licks before taking a napkin to wipe it clean.

“Still tastes like a winner to me baby” you eventually state, swiping your thumb to wipe up a small bit of cum on your lips before softly & seductively licking it clean. You wait til his eyes are open before you do this. He lets out a soft giggle & sigh.

“I’ve slept with countless people who have performed oral on me & yet there’s something about your reflex & the way you slurp that always turns me on more than anyone else.” He helps you back onto the seat of the limo & redresses him bottom half.

“Before or after….”

“Oooh the first time you sucked my cock I was like oooh this, this here is next level.” He smirks rubbing your hair in a hazy state. “Everyone before me must have been idiots…”

“Actually Diets…” you interrupt “you are the only man I’ve ever performed oral on”

“What!?” He’s shocked “this is a joke right” you shake your head.

“On mine & yours life…”

“Then why me… why no other guy before me”

“Because i knew you liked it, expected it & I wanted to return the favour, knowing how legendary the rumours were about your own mouth is at pleasuring cunts”

“Wow” Dieter leans in & deeply kisses you. “Well I appreciate it every time, & I will return the favour of making your clit quiver…” his hand goes under your dress & you feel his hand reach for your knickers, but the limo then stops.

“We’re here” the intercom voice announces.

“Probably best to do this in our hotel room actually, much more room” Dieter then leave a £250 in the back of the limo. “For your discression” he says & he then drag the two of you out of the limo.

*

You are woken the next morning by a knock at your door. You ignore it at first but then the phone in the room rings. You unhappily wriggle free of Dieters grip, those long muscular arms wrapped around you, not wanting to let go. Eventually you get the phone & gasp, grabbing Dieters Jacket from last night to put on & answer the door, you don’t want to answer it naked. Your face is full of joy as you sign the security forms & take the large black & gold box back into your room. Dieter has stirred at the commotion, your excitement & you slowly pulling yourself away from him.

“Babe?” He asks half asleep as you stand at the table & open the box. His eyes light up when he can see your bum cheeks popping out the bottom of his jacket. You turn your head & smile.

“Morning sexy”

“No your the sexy one in my jacket” Dieter replys with a big stretch before his hand goes under the bed sheet to try & calm his morning erection, but with the way you look that’s not going to happen, it’s just going to have to wait a few minutes.

You stand there & lift up your 2 Baftas which are now engraved with your name show & date.

“They are here,” you put one back in the box as they are both heavy & slide onto the end of the bed & do the thing you’ve always wanted to do if you ever got your hand on one, use it as a face mask. Both you & Dieter laugh at this. Dieter leans to his bedside table & takes a snap of you on his phone.

“For insta later baby”he says with a wink.

“But I’m all but naked Dieter?”

“You don’t need to hide your body beautiful” he’s taken the bafta from you to look at it but he’s clearly distracted. “What time is your tv show press shoot this afternoon?” He asks as he tussles his hair.

“4pm why?”

“Good” he kicks off the bed sheet showing he’s completely naked & aroused, & put the bafta on the bedside table. “We didn’t celebrate enough last night” he pulls you fully onto the bed so that you’re on top of him.

“Who ever said we did?” You smirk leaning your head to his for a sensual kiss. Your hands running through that crazy untamed fluffy hair.

“Oooh sweetheart” the words escape his lips as both your eyes close as the intense kiss continues. His hands go under the jacket caressing your body, making sure you’re in the right place for pleasure to begin. “My winner, my winner at everything” he slowly puts his hand on your behind & lowers you onto his meaty length, the stretch as always extraordinary. He’s so big & you gasp. He lightly pushes his hands into your bum so you start to rock down onto him, pleasure already spreading through your veins, pumping your blood. His hands after a few motions move to help you undo the few jacket buttons you have as he looks up at you as you both slide it from your body, tossing it off the bed.

“You’re so beautiful baby” he moans, his hips already at a good rhythm. He looks up at you as you ride him. Your pelvis rolling to meet his thrusts, as that special place is starting to be hit. His hands grip your hips. Finger marks will be there for a while after this is over. You trail your hand down your body, eventually stopping at your clit, stroking starts slowly but then gets more vigorous. Dieter would usually do this by he’s in a trace as you make oooh fuck noises, & your spare hand squeeze a nipple.

“Fuck Dieter oooh fuck”

“Yea baby like that, I like that, so fucking good” he pants back. “Why is your cunt so addictive?” He’s moving faster you know what he wants.

“Because your the one fucking it” you whine back your hands now on his chest, those hairs so fine but so nice to run your hands through. It gives you both goosebumps.

You then hoover over him & spread your legs a little more knowing full well what will happen when you kiss him next. He slows slightly his body knows it too.

“Fuck my pussy baby” you hold his face & lick it & he grabs your bum firmly. Your lips connect for a really exceptional kiss full of lust, tongues dancing together, faces almost melting into each other. But that’s all he needs. He thrusts, & pumps & is relentless. Hitting the spot every thrust, the motion of him pounding your cunt, has you screeching quickly.

“Oooohhhh fuck fuck fuck oooh yes yes yesssss fuck oooh fuck” are the only words you can say, as your body shakes as you approach your orgasm.

“Best cunt, my cunt” he crys as he bites your bottom lip not wanting your lips to be apart. “Fucking this tight little pussy til you can’t take me baby”

Your sweating & moaning & the blood inside you is boiling with this feverish sex you are having. You grip the pillow as he gently puts his hand around your throat.

“Dont cum yet baby” he asks but you can tell from the creaking bed & the sloppy sensation as he keeps sliding within you, that he knows you can’t hold it for too long. “Tell me baby, what are you”

“A winner”

“No”

“A slut”

“No”

“The best sex of your life”

“Erm… I was after something else”

“Your cum hungry wife” you whine & then open your eyes as his grip around your neck gets tighter.

“That’s it baby, now you can cum mrs Bravo”

“Dieter!!!!!! Ooooh fuck” you clamp the hardest you ever had, your release sends shives to all your never endings as you cum & your body stutters.

“Damn oooh fuck oooh shit ooooh fuckkkkk” Dieter follows suit, filling you up. Your walls coated in his seed a few thrusts later. Satisfying you both. Your sweat drips onto him as you lay on top of him as your softly take him out of you & you hold each other close. You can feel everything drip out of you onto him but neither of you care about the mess after that incredible spontaneous session.

“So” you eventually whisper when you can make a noise, & lift your head. “I’m the best sex of your life?” Dieter blushes.

“Well when you make me lose control, yes you are” he smirks & boops your nose.

“Hmmm it’s a shame you’re not mine…” you say with a pause waiting for a reaction, you both no that no man has got you off as many times as Dieter in the few months you’ve had sex. But he doesn’t for one instant believe you, his happy little face gives you some side eye. “Of course you’re the best sex of my life Diets & you know I am a very good wife”

“Do you think bafta would hand out an award for best sex?” he asks

“No they aren’t coming to watch us”

You say sternly, Dieters had several sex tapes leak.

“Of course not but we’d win hands down baby” he jokes & you rest your head on him again.

“Do you think that’s the only way you’d win a bafta?” You ask

“Nah I’ve got everything I could ever want to win, right here & turns out I didn’t need a prize to validate how much I’m in love with you” his kiss is soft & he rolls on top of you for a much more sensual round, before you have to come to the realisation that your world has changed so much in not just the last 24 hours but the last few weeks & months since you finally got your amazing husband.

[captain-lessship]

Bonded Over Dislike Pt. 2

It had been a few weeks now. Since Zelda agreed to come get you before the next winter, you decided to make more friends in the village. 

They welcomed you with open wings and you made the fair assumption that Rito are a very prideful group. You sat and observed them doing just about anything. 

Some invited you to make carriers for their chicks. It was a eye shaped basket with a metal plate inside, then a mix of fur and feathers to keep the chicks comfortable and warm.

“Am I doing this right?” You asked as you carefully measured the fur to what one Rito told you.

“Yes but always do more. You can always take away but you can’t add without sacrificing the integrity.”

Some taught you how to fish. Which sounded basic but it is a rather amazing thing to witness. One will fly ahead and the others will follow behind with a net. Once a signal was given, the net would drop and the Rito would fly until the net gave significant resistance. 

The fish they pulled up fed the village and you finally could teach the Rito some things. 

All knights had a intense cooking course. 

“Now, you take your rock salt and crush it up, this will season the fish. After the fish, add the greens. Some of the oils of the fish with flavor the greens. Then you add it to the rice and Ta da!” You turned and showed the bowl. 

Those were the good days. But of course there were the other days.

“You’re holding it wrong!” Revali said, for the thirty eighth time. It was late, the sun rang out in a orange hue. You had been doing this since it hung right above you. Hours were spent and yet: nothing was accomplished.

“I am holding it right, it is just a shitty bow.” 

“You’ll get a better bow when you do better with this one.”

“The children have better bows, Revali!” You huffed. You had a bent stick with a thick string that had broke several times. 

“And they learned with these first.” 

You threw down the bow, irritation reaching the peak, “It has been five weeks! It took you three to start ‘teaching’ me. Other than that, we have accomplished nothing. Zelda asked you to teach me so if you are not, I rather not waste time when I could easily teach myself.” 

Revali looked you up and down. A smile coming to him, “Finally. I was wondering how long it would take.” 

You were very confused and were getting angrier, through gritted teeth asked what he meant.

“I noticed that you seemed happy doing things outside of archery and I was testing to see if you would keep your eyes on the prize.” 

“So you were testing me?”

“Yup! I-“ a shoe hit Revali.

“You are so… mean!” You huffed.

This made him laugh, “I know, I know but now,” he tossed back your shoe, “You can use this.” 

From behind the tree he pulled a bow, a beautiful bow that was stained a deep caramel color and was wrapped with a beautiful deep blue fabric around the grip. You held it in your hands as if it was perfectly made to you. It was a art piece.

“It’s… Thank you!” You said, looking at your reflection in the shimmering varnish. 

“Those weeks were spent making it.”

You suddenly felt a sense of regret about your inpatient attitude after seeing the obvious care that was taken to make it. 

“It really means a lot!” You said, holding it properly. Revali handed you an arrow.

“Try it out. If it needs adjusting, I rather do it sooner than later.” 

It then clicked, he made it for you. A huge smile came to your face. 

You drew back the arrow and lined up with the target, with a breath out, the arrow flung from the bow and sharply launched into the target, slightly under the bullseye mark. 

You smiled and turned to Revali, “Whatcha think about that!” 

“It was great,” he noted, “for a first shot.” 

You laughed, “I’m never going to get a verbal compliment from you, am I?”

“Not likely, now I think we should go enjoy dinner.”

Off the two of you went, talking about the bow itself.

As the sun dripped into the room, you stirred awake. You had come to enjoy sleeping in the hammock that the Rito slept peacefully in. You found a odd comfort in being able to rock yourself to sleep. The morning sun and quiet was healing in a way, it was never this quiet at the castle, noise never ceased there but here: nothing but the gentle breathing of the wind and creaking wood. 

You sat up and began to get down when your eyes caught the sleeping form of Revali. His hammock was on the opposite side of the room and was slightly higher. 

He was a decent roommate compared what you had to deal with at the castle. The house was always clean and he took care of the majority of the things and what he couldn’t or didn’t have time to, he humbly asked you, almost as if he was embarrassed. 

It was much easier to sew with fingers. 

You enjoyed the lack of a wake up bell, a sleep bell, a free time bell. There were no bells. You could spend your time as you wished, which was rare. 

Looking around the house and thinking of the friends you had made, you wondered if you wanted to go back at all. True that you loved being a knight and would fight to your death for the royal family but did it make you whole? 

This made you whole. This was living. You had control of yourself fully, nothing was timed, nothing was forced and there was very little competition. 

[saelterlude]

Gushing About Zhu Hanbin and Jing Yanqiao in The City of Musicals S2

The City of Musicals (S2, at least) is kinda like The Voice. 24 musical actors, 3 troupes, covering musical numbers, elimination every episode. Season 2 focuses on young/fresh talents.

I was on a Zhu Hanbin(LG musical actor) binge and got really into this show once I found out his frequent CXS counterpart, Jing Yanqiao, is there as well. Now seems like the right time to make this post since JYQ's birthday is soon (April 13th!) and everyone barely knows him so, to begin here's a cute interaction they had on weibo after what I can only assume is a Link Click rehearsal.

You can access the full episodes here. But I'm going to discuss and link each performances under the cut.

Oh yeah, before I start. I have notes of the context of some performances (not including them bcs I only researched some and not all), so if you like any of them and would like to dive deeper or just wants the context in general just ask and I'll share what I have. (That said, the 10th is Ied so I might be busy and took a while to answer)

Scouting stage (Ep.1-2)

They are sorted into groups of three and perform together as the same character.

For Forever from Dear Evan Hansen

Performed by Sun Tiecheng, Zhu Hanbin, and Wang Haoran. I love ZHB's expression in this performance, it's very innocent and hopeful but also with a hint of hurt? It fits the vibe of the song. It's a really nice, soft and hopeful performance. ZHB's expression really paid off since he got scouted into 2 troupes. Funfact, ZHB and Wang Haoran are classmates lol, they didn't know the other auditioned on this show before they got sorted together. Their third teammate felt very awkward lol.

Dans Le Noir Je Vois Rouge from Le Rouge et Le Noir

Roughly translated to "In the dark, I see red" performed by Alladin, Jing Yangqiao and Tian Ye. It's very good, dark and angry vibes. It's from a French rock musical so yea I really like it. I know I wanted to highlight JYQ but the original rap that Tian Ye (right) arranged is definitely the best part of this performance. The three of them worked really well together. Also, Jing Yanqiao was asked if he felt pressured performing with his seniors (he's still in school) and he answered yes, but most importantly he was intimidated by their heights. so cute lmao. Don't worry JYQ, you're still taller than ZHB. This is also 1 of the only 2 groups where all three performers get scouted.

Sidenote: I found the original song and I've been translating it to practice my French lol. In fact, I found a recording of the whole original musical.

Round 1 (Ep.3-4)

Each troupe prepares 2 Duo performance and 1 solo performance.

No Longer Human from No Longer Human

Performed by Sun Sankai and Zhu Hanbin. Yes, as in the Osamu Dazai novel. ZHB played Yezang (Oba Yozo) the protagonist of the novel and Sun Sankai played Osamu Dazai the author. So this is an existential conversation between author and his character. That's probably why this set design is creepy, but in a good way! An amazing duet, very powerful vocals from both of them, a very nice listen. But damn those hands are wobbly and every time I watch them climb up it, I worry if its gonna fall. Also, camerawork feels like something out of a 2nd Gen K-pop music show lol. And ZHB is barefoot for some reason... If I caught it properly it's bcs he's scared of falling off the hand? I need to double check but understandable.

Therapy from Tick, Tick..., Boom!

Performed by Jing Yangqiao and Feng Difei I couldn't find the cut version of this performance so you would have to do with the timestamped link of the full episode. This is such an adorable and fun performance. I love the cutee original phoneline choreography they have and how their voices work together. Also, JYQ and Feng Difei playing couples and going on a date bcs the coach tells them it would help their chemistry. Why are they lowkey kinda cute though. The post-performance interview of this reads like a blind date interview istg. The interview keep asking questions like what JYQ got her for her BDay and if they have made each other mad like the characters in the musical, etc.

Round 2 (Ep.5-6)

There are 2 troupe duo performances, and 2 cross-troupe trio performances.

The Other Side from The Greatest Showman

Performed by Sun Sankai and Zhu Hanbin. This one is so good, soooo good. I already liked the song before but their voices fit this song really well. Then you get to see, ZHB can dance y'all. I like how energetic this performance is, they really ran around the stage and walk across the table. Special mention to Sun Sankai who practiced that hat kicking trick to perfection, he got to a streak of 100 successes during practice. And to the bartender too, I love his expressions.

In A Crowd of Thousands from Anastasia

Performed by Jing Yangqiao and Feng Difei Yes, it's these two again, playing a couple again lol. Yes, they also went on a date again to prepare for this performance. (In fact, they're paired in a new musical "Love Myth" airing next month) Truly giving off a romantic, magical, and almost fairy tale-like feels. I love how sweet it is. The mini-them also did a good job with their performance. Fun fact about this one, JYQ played in Anastasia musical before this show and is still currently playing in Anastasia, both as Dmitri, just like he did in this performance.

It's Not Me It's You from uhh pretty sure it's an original rap based on disney villains. So it's from Disney, I guess.

Performed by Jing Yanqiao, Zhao Qianlong, and Zhou Mohan. I can't take this performance seriously, not with those outfits LMAO. JYQ as Gaston looking like Winnie the Pooh instead, I can't. That said, the rap is really good, I like the flow, I like the beat, it's great. I jusst, those outfits lmao. Even JYQ posted on his weibo how the outfit simply wasn't it. I can add the photo he took in the rb but pls just watch the performance.

Round 3 (Ep.7-8)

Each troupe prepares 2 duo performances again.

Disappear from Dear Evan Hansen

Performed by Jing Yanqiao and Zhu Hanbin. Yes, they both performed together in this one! I couldn't find the cut version again, sorry. IDK why, maybe it's copyright? For now, timestamped link. I can't explain why, I really like this performance and I really like their dynamic. Their voices also goes nice together but I know that already from watching them together in the LC musical. So yea, this is good. Though, ZHB being projected as JYQ/Evan's hallucination of Connor is kinda goofy looking. Also, so far ZHB has been kind of type-casted as the innocent boy or bright-eyed young man in need of guidance type so to see him playing a more aggressive/leading character (though not by much) is nice.

(JYQ doesn't have that problem, literally he was scouted by the troupe bcs they feel 'he's young and thus can be molded into anything'. ZHB did have to help him perfect the anxious boy act for this performance.)

Quarterfinals (Ep.9)

A trio performance from each troupe, along with a single cross-troupe performance.

Believe in Miracles from Ultraman (yes, the superhero show)

Performed by Sun Sankai, Zhu Hanbin, and Jing Yangqiao. Original skit. Both JYQ and ZHB act as students to Sun Sankai's teacher. The song sounds vaguely familiar to me, maybe that's why I like it so much. It's very fun, rock vibes. JYQ intentional voice crack in the beginning cracks me up. It's a very energetic song too, makes me want to pick up a guitar and jam along. (No, IDK how to play the guitar beyond the basics lol). It honestly looks like they were an idol group or something. (LC Idol AU anyone?)

Goodbye Cassini from Cassini

Performed by Zhao Qianlong, Zhu Hanbin, and Tian. I'll be honest, not a big fan of the skit, it is better enjoyed as just a goodbye song to a beloved space probe, but I am a huge fan of the song (Original ver. here with subbed lyrics, it a got more opera? vibe to it. both ver. are very good though.). I've been randomly humming 'Goodbye, my Cassini~' for days. I am so tempted to make a fic based on this song. Tian (the girl) really carried this performance with her angelic vocals, it's so great and heartbreaking. Her heartbreak at having to leave her friends behind and knowing full well they're never going to meet again. If you're watching this one, I highly recommend you wear your headphones. Trust me, it will cleanse your ears. And if you want to skip straight to the song? 5 minute mark.

Semifinals and Finals (Ep.10)

The semifinals are duo performances of an original musical number. The finals are a solo performance from the top 2. They are available on spotify and youtube music.

The Greatest Show from The Greatest Showman

Performed by the top 4 contestants: Zhu Hanbin, Miao Mengqing, Jing Yanqiao, and Zhou Mohan. I don't have a lot to say about this one. Really nice performance, a bonus to a great episode. Yeaay, both of our LC boys got into the top 4!

Assassin

Performed by Jing Yanqiao and Miao Mengqing To be honest, not the biggest fan but maybe that's just me not being a fan of historical drama in any form. JYQ used a fake facial hair, so that's something too I guess. That said, it's pretty nice to listen to and the dance/sword fight choreography is really cool. (Though as someone who used to do choreographed fights, I feel kinda dissapointed it's more sworddance rather than swordfight.) Miao Mengqing's voice is really powerful, just listen to her. Unfortunately JYQ was eliminated here, but he reached the top 4! I'm proud of him. He also learned the choreo and to play the uhhh (it's 1am, lookup instrument nme later) in only a week. So that's cool.

Don't Believe him

Performed by Zhu Hanbin and Zhou Mohan. This one I highly recommend. This song is an emotional banger and I've been listening to this on loop for days. The choreo and staging is good too, although there's one part that I think is a bit goofy (thankfully it's not too distracting). The fight/struggle choreo they did here have more power than Assassin so I really like it. Really cool, makes you wanna punch a bully, I love it. ZHB played a bullied kid and Zhou Mohan plays ZHB's 'perfect' dream self who wants to keep him in this dream world and away from the hurtful reality. This song (as well as Assassin) is available on spotify and yt music, but the live version is 10x better because it captures the emotion better. You can hear ZHB's desperation and sadness as well as Zhou Mohan's anger and frustration, it's great.

Lonely Mountaintop from The Devotion of Suspect X

Performed by Zhu Hanbin. It's good, I enjoy it. Though as a final song I do kinda wish he picked a song with more power? IDK. It's still good though, it's emotional, I love the build up, the set design is pretty, and the song fit his voice really well. ZHB won 2nd place with this song. Congrats on your hard work!

Miao Mengqing won first place and honestly? She deserved it, she's so good. But this post is focusing on our LC actors ZHB and JYQ so uhh. Please watch her final performance singing "I Have Nothing" here, it's so great, she's great, I love her voice so much.

Fun fact, JYQ did not vote for ZHB in the finals lol, he did it right in front of ZHB too and I'm pretty sure at that point they were already announced as cast in the LC musical. (Sorry ZHB, but I too would vote for Miao Mengqing there)

Last bonus (which I'm not gonna link) before we end this post. In the 3rd episode, around 20minutes in Zhu Hanbin and Jing Yanqiao did an advertisement for their water sponsor together and they're very awkward, it's funny to me.

[mobumi]

Hello, can I ask from this ask game :

https://www.tumblr.com/threecheersforinking/677824836625694720/anime-ask-game?source=share

For anime/manga : Buddy Daddies, Link Click, Mob Psycho 100, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Thanks 🌻

Hello! Sure, let's do this! I'll answer this here instead of reblogging the post so i can answer you directly :)

Sorry for the late reply, I forgot this in my drafts 😅

Ask Game idea from @threecheersforinking

Buddy Daddies

Favorite Character: Rei :3

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: Episode 8 is my favorite and i love the scene from ep 6 where Kazuki says Miri has their genes, it's hilarious

Character I Think is Underrated: Miri i think, mostly because of the criticism about her character

Character I Think is Overrated: probably Rei, but nah is properly rated

Favorite Ship/Pairing: Kazurei (obviously!)

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: I love how real this anime was despite the whole assassin side story lmao

Link Click

Favorite Character: Cheng Xiaoshi but Lu Guang is really close

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: I really liked the earthquake arc even tho it was sad af and I liked the noodles episode, it was really cute

Character I Think is Underrated: maybe Xiao Ling

Character I Think is Overrated: no one

Favorite Ship/Pairing: Shiguang

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: The animation and the plot, season 2 was amazing in terms of plot development👌🏾

Mob Psycho 100

Favorite Character: Kageyama Shigeo aka Mob

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: the arc with the scar organization in S1 is my favorite and also the arc at the beginning of season 2 (can't remember the names of these arcs lol)

Character I Think is Underrated: hmm idk maybe Tome

Character I Think is Overrated: Rengen. Don't get me wrong he's great, I really like him, but I don't really get the fans going crazy over him tbh

Favorite Ship/Pairing: I don't really ship but Terumob would be cute

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: the development of the protagonist is top notch!

Jujutsu Kaisen

Favorite Character: Megumi

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: I like the arc in season 1 with Junpei and I really like the scene when Megumi fights Sukuna to bring Yuji back, but there are many scenes I liked in season 2, it was just too sad as a whole

Character I Think is Underrated: Inumaki I'd say idk (but I'm not a manga reader so it's just my perspective as an anime watcher)

Character I Think is Overrated: I love him but definitely Gojo

Favorite Ship/Pairing: Itafushi 🥺 and Nobamaki

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: I love the characters and their relationships, how it's not only action but there's a lot of humanity to it too!

[englishstrawbie]

I saw your tag and i'm happy too!!! People are whinning a lot and it seems like they dont know that pregnancies on tv (SPECIALLY shondaland) aren't like fanfic. We get 2 or 3 scenes and a time jump.

Life changes and they're just adopting a baby, not removing Carina's uterus 🫠🫠🫠🫠

I'm also noticing some weird takes about adoption and people forgetting this is an essembled show and we have limited marina screen time so I rather see them with a baby thant a 2 secs scene of Maya kissing a bump lol

Well, we don’t actually know that they’re adopting a baby - it’s all speculation based on one synopsis. 😂 But there’s certainly a strong feeling that they might go there.

And look… even as someone who isn’t massively interested in the baby storyline, I understand the frustration because it’s been 2 years of this storyline already (and season 5 really was a waste of time) and fans are invested in getting a happy ending- but also, what else are the writers supposed to do in 10 episodes? IVF isn’t a click of fingers and snap here’s a baby - at least not if they’re going to tell it properly.

Sure, in an ideal world we’d get to see it all - the IVF process, the pregnancy, the birth, and motherhood. But the reality is that the show has been cancelled and it’s looking likely that we only have these 10 episodes left to wrap up the storyline. The end of season 6 and the orphaned baby gives the writers the chance to give fans what they’ve been asking for - to see Maya and Carina as moms. I think that’s something to be happy about.

Yes, Carina has talked about how much she wants to give birth and I hope this is addressed, but adopting a baby doesn’t stop that from happening for her. Adoption also isn’t something to be demonised just because it doesn’t fit within fans’ preferred narrative. After all they’ve been through, maybe Maya and Carina see this as a chance to build their family and give this baby a happy life instead of one growing up in the social care system? (From what I’ve seen and heard from people who have actually been through the IVF process, changing your mind about how you grow your family isn’t uncommon.)

Ok, I’m getting off my soapbox now! 🙃 I’m staying in my bubble of being excited for the new season and interested in what sort of happy ending Maya and Carina are going to get. And, even though we might not get to see them on our screens any more, they’re going to live on in fanfic and headcanons and group chats because that is one of the joys of fandom. ❤️

[sweetcloverheart]

Clover Rants Miraculously: “Okay, but why?”

Warning for spoilers below for “Transmission (Pt.1)” and the script/bible leak for “Derision” and plotstuff, so read on with caution

I see a lot of talk about Chloe’s comment in “Transmission” about having forced Marinette to request to come to school and...wasn’t feeling any of the anger some of the rest of the fandom was feeling about it. Like, it’s still an awful thing to do to someone and to go through as a 14 year old, but the urge to revile Chloe for tormenting Marinette like that just didn’t bubble up.

At first I thought “Maybe it’s because I like both characters that how awful the thing she did is isn’t hitting me” - but I was able to hate Chloe in the beginning, and I do remember being genuinely angry when she locked Juleka in the bathroom in “Reflekta” so I knew it couldn’t be that. Then I considered that maybe I was finally reaching the point of being burnt out by the show, but despite my upset over various plot developments and reveals (*glares at Gabriel and the season finale*), I still have some love for the show and a handful of characters as well as the fandom, so it wasn’t that either. And then after scrolling through tumblr and letting my thoughts wander, I finally realized why it wasn’t clicking with me - because it has the same issue I had with Zoe and her backstory in that we’re told “Chloe did bad thing to Marinette” without really giving any setup or context for it.

“Chloe bullied Marinette so badly she needed her permission to go to school in the past.” sounds and is terrible on it’s own and naturally kicks off the gut reaction to be sad for Marinette for going through this and angry at Chloe for instigating it - but then I have to ask “Okay, but why?” Why did she do it? What actually happened? What led up to the incident? And most importantly - Why Marinette? What is it about her (aside from her being our plucky underdog protag) that made Chloe hone in on her and begin a years long bullying campaign from Kindergarten that apparently resulted in her forcing her out of school for how long until she had beg to come back?

And I feel like it should have been made a thing/explained since we’re speedrunning so many plot points right now and also because we’ve had five seasons and still have not been given any real explanation for the story behind Marinette and her struggle against her “Civilian Hawkmoth” Chloe Bourgeois. Since the conflict between them was already happening in the beginning, I didn’t think much of it because “average everyday kid MC has a bully they have to deal with” was staple for magical girls and the like. But then the show revealed the bullying has been happening since kindergarten (which has me asking how the mayor’s daughter and a baker’s kid managed to be the same circles enough to know each other well enough to become bully and victim? Unless this was before Andre took office, but even then I can’t imagine they had the opportunities to interact...), and I found myself intrigue at the story behind such long standing animosity and wanting to learn more about it and how exactly we got to Chloe constantly sabotaging and tormenting Marinette before getting Marinette being able to snap back with her head held up high

And I still do because I feel it would have gone a long way in properly setting her up as our heroine’s foil and future opponent more. Chloe just being an asshole to Marinette (alongside everyone and their mother) for kicks with no explanation was fine back in season 1 when she was just a minor antagonist who was just supposed to try and hinder Adrienette progress/cause the akuma of the day, but now that she’s being made Lila’s future flying monkey and the show’s trying to hype her up as “Worst than Gabriel#2″ alongside everything that’s been revealed about her, you’d think we’d finally get to the bottom of what started her one-woman crusade against Marinette (and imply maybe learning just what exactly happened between them that spited Chloe so much that she went as far as forcing Marinette to stay home until she had to literally get Chloe’s verbal permission to attend classes again). But so far, like with Adrien never learning his true origins, the show doesn’t see to want to actually give a proper story on what set the two against each other. (Also, how come we didn’t get this info sooner? Why wasn’t this relevant back when Tikki and the rest were pushing Marinette to let Chloe be a hero? Or after she took back the Bee Miraculous? How come we didn’t hear more about her previous Pre-Series bullying incidents against Marinette when they would have been useful in setting up Chloe’s betrayal in “Miracle Queen” instead of being (yet) an(other) unsubtle “See, Chloe’s terrible! Hate her!” tossaway line)

It also doesn’t help that Chloe has...basically been a huge non-entity for a majority of the season (and also prior). Like why should I care she forced Marinette to have to ask her to go to school who knows how long ago if she 1)Is not involved in the episode plot of the day, 2)Isn’t going to be a major player in the current storyline regarding Hawkmoth and the Rings, or 3)The information isn’t going to be relevant other than the show once again begging the audience to hate Chloe. I mean, it’s a messed up thing, yes - but Chloe has been doing bad/messed up stuff to everyone the entire series since episode one. This is less “Oh god Chloe’s just the worse! >:C” and more “Okay...thanks for telling me this?”. Just more of the usual. It’d be one thing if she had revealed it in a threat against Marinette (”Back off of Adrien, Baker girl - or do you need another few months off school again?”) or casually told Adrien and it helped facilitate his eventual dissolving of their friendship, but it’s basically being used to go “Oh, you thought Chloe was evil? Well this will show you that she’s not just evil - but super duper evil!” And instead of feeling the carnivorous urge to pray for Chloe to get slapped hard across the face with violent karma as I finally “accept” that she’s actually a evil horrid monster the show has been begging me to see her as, I just can’t help but go “You told me this last episode. I already know Chloe bullies Marinette and is super duper evil, you can stop selling me on it. Also Lila did this first (“Ladybug”) so this feels like a repeat. Don’t you guys have any new material? Actually, can we talk about Lila instead - you want her to be the next big bad right? I want to know what’s she’s doing to lead up to that.”

Also, as mentioned in a another post, the entire thing is...very small potatoes compared to what’s going on the plot right now, especially with Chloe’s role being so reduced since S4. I know a lot of people tend to get defensive when it comes to how people talk about Chloe’s bullying/behavior towards Marinette (especially when they themselves were bully victims in the past and the dismissiveness some people treat it with hits too close to home), but as a former bully victim myself also, I genuinely can’t really find it in me to force myself to focus on Chloe and her past cruelty to Marinette with everything else going on (yes, even with the ability to multitask and care about multiple things at once). Like, is it really that important Chloe’s bragging about forcing Marinette to stay home back in the past when our two leads just now had to give up their miraculouses and are uber depressed about that while Hawkmoth has tracked down the people they passed them on to and is planning another big plan to swipe them. Especially when, again - this information is not and will not be relevant to the plot at hand. It’d be one thing is it was meant to foreshadow/set up for “Derision” (and maybe it is) or was leading up to a flashback episode explaining what triggered Chloe into targeting Marinette in the first place, and maybe it will be relevant/explained next season or later in the future, but until then if it isn’t about something to either build off of for Chloe getting involved as a major villain by her own right, Marinette’s growth as a character, or the overarching plotline either involving Hawkmoth or the Lovesquare progress - I’m not sure what the show wants me to do with the info at this point (other than squirrel it away for future fanfic material)?

And before anyone goes “Well bad people don’t need reason to be bad”, and yes I know not every bully character gets this huge dramatic backstory for why they hate the lead or needs their evil justified - I’m not asking for that. I don’t need a reason for why Chloe is doing bad things to Marinette, I just want actual buildup/a proper background to when it started and what kicked it off so I can properly be angry/sympathetic like the show apparently wants when it drops lines like this.

TLDR: The show has basically dragged out the “Chloe bad/did evil bad thing once” thing too long and now every time they bring up one of her “crimes” I’m just bored instead of righteously angry like the show wants be to be, especially when they haven’t explained why Chloe started bullying Marinette in the first place.

[dailylucifernetflix]

I wrote a beginning of an ask, clicked at a notification, and got deleted. Never mind that. "I was premaetitevely saying sorry for complaining at fandom stuff in your ask box" pretty much covers what that was. Sorry for that. This. (Or not, if you do want to talk about this stuff.) You are just about the only active Lucifer (TV) blog I know about. I would love to talk about this. This is very out of nowhere.

As I watched the show I (in a I may yet get this sort of a way) wanted, very much, to have a different show than I got. I saw the setup, the characters, their experiences, the events. I enjoyed watching it, but I also wanted for it to be a little more critical and a little less of a comedy. I wanted things to not be played for the laughs as much. I wanted for things to get serious, for Lucifer to be agreed with that he has been hurt, for him to be said to have been done wrong to. And, above that, I wanted that followed through with. I wanted for God to be punished for what he did to him.

Preferably killed in a fun little magic war with magic superpowers, I never expected that to happen in the show. Just in fanfic. I do not think it has happened in fanfic. (this is me asking for fanfic recs, if you have any)

I saw Lucifer. I empathized with Lucifer. With his situation, with his reactions. I saw that he was hurt.

I wanted for him to hurt the person who has hurt him back.

I can think that punishing people is a shit thing that hurts them. I can think that, from a mortal standpoint, punishment is bullshit. God having a redemption arc would have left me satisfied... but, no, I didn't expect that. I did think it was more probable for it to happen than for war on God to happen. But I expected the show to disappoint me.

As I watched it I remember I thought it was not quite brave enough to say what it sometimes showed. That it was not brave enough to straight up say God is a bad guy here. (if it had it would have probably not ran as long as it did, so, fair of it to itself, but still dissatisfying to me as an audience)

I am probably rambling. (I am writing this in an ask box, on mobile. I have accidentally delated three paragraphs. This is the Tumblr experience.)

I saw God do terrible things to Lucifer. I saw that he put him in hell (a terrible place) that he set the world up in a way that allowed for hell to exist (humans can leave, the show says, it is just the guilt that holds them here, but the thing about building a world is that you decide how it works and defending God's actions on the basis of its just how it is is a lot like saying the female characters fight magic wars in bikini and shoot lasers from their boobs because that's just how magic wars work in superhero city) (the world works how the writer decides it does)

This is pretty much just me complaining. I probably dont have a point I am gatting at. (This was brought on by Good Omens Season 2, in a side effect short of way. Mostly I was just reminded that damn remember how you watched that other christianity fanfic, remember how you stared at a wall and imagined a version of it that was more suited to your personal tastes and opinions and also had more superpowers shit because those do always look so cool)

Actually, if there was a point to this, then that point is fanfic. Have you, by chance, ever found the sort of a fanfic that really gets into God Is Bad Let's Wage A War sort of thing? Or if not, then something that approaches it? Something that at least frames God as a villain? Not only Lucifer's-Imaginary-Abusive-Human-Parent (pre-reveal kind of stuff) but full of actual God. Altrough, well, I'd read that too.

I suppose the thing I specifically really want to read is: Ella losing faith, properly so. Linda not just... going wow that's God but going oh shit that's Lucifer's abuser. I suppose I want to read about angels falling from Heaven and being framed as the ones in the right by the narrative. I suppose I want there to be a war. I suppose I would like to read about Hell Economics.

I probably should just write something myself at this point, but I am never very attached to but that's canon and would go if I change this I can change so much many more things to create a world I, myself, would like reading about more, and at that point, this would get very far from what the actual show was doing and I would stare at it and go that is a little too ambitious for me.

Yeah, no, the point of this was: do you by chance have any fanfic recs that you think I would like. Really sorry for bothering you if this bothered you... If you don't want to post this ask (very understandable) but would be open to offering any fanfic recs could you, idk, do a hello to that anon, have some fanfic in a separate post? I would really appriciate that.

...I'll, uh, go ask you about any active Lucifer blogs you know in a separate ask. (the fandom seems dead. is it dead? is it just you here?)

hello dear anon!

ngl reading this was an experience but one that i actually really enjoyed. i loved reading all of your thoughts and some of them i actually understand quite good. i enjoyed what we saw with lucifer but yes, there are some things that were missing for me, too. it's totally okay that you kind of even expected something different from it. you're allowed to have your own opinion.

either way i'm sorry to tell you that i don't read any fanfics but PLEASE if someone who reads this has any fanfic recs specifically like asked above that would be appreciated.

also sorry your initial ask got deleted and also some paragraphs accidentally by yourself. been through that and it's annoying.

the fandom is indeed dead except an occasional gifset every now and then (also by me @mauraeyk lol) i think it's more active on twitter and you're definitely not bothering me. i'm just sorry i can't be more helpful. take care! <3

- kers

[bellakenobi]

Tutorial - Extracting the assets from Shining Nikki for conversion for Sims games (or anything, really)

Finally! In advance I'm sorry for any errors since english isn't my first language (and even writing in my actual language is difficult for me so)

And first, a shoutout to The VG Resource forums, where I found initially info about this topic 😊 I'm just compilating all the knowledge I found there + the stuff I figured out in a single text, because boy I really wanted to find a guide like that when I first thought about converting SN stuff lol (and because there's a lot of creators more seasoned than me that could do a really good job with these assets 👀)

What this tutorial will teach you:

How to find and extract meshes and textures (when there's any) for later use, and some tips about how stuff are mapped etc on Shining Nikki.

What this tutorial will not teach you:

How to fully convert these assets for something usable for any sims game (because honestly neither I know how to do that stuff properly lol). It is assumed that you already know how to do that. If you don't know but has interest in learning about CC making (specially for TS3), I'd suggest you take a look at the TS3 Tutorial Hub, the MTS tutorials and This Post by Plumdrops if you're interested in hair conversion. Also take a look on my TS3 tutorials tag, that's where I reblog tutorials that I think might be useful :)

What you'll need:

An Android emulator (I recomend Nox)

A HEX editor (I recomend HxD)

Python and This Script for mass editing

AssetStudio

A 3D Modeling Software for later use. I use Blender 2.93 for major editing, and (begrudingly) Milkshape for hair (mostly because of the extra data tool).

Download everything you don't have and install it before starting this tutorial.

Now, before we continue, a little advice:

I wrote this tutorial assuming that people who would benefit from it will not put the finished work derivative from these assets behind a paywall or in any sort of monetization. These assets belong to Paper Games. So please don't be an ass and put your Shining Nikki conversions/edits/whatever behind a paywall.

The tutorial starts after the cut (and it's a long one).

Step 1:

Launch Nox, then open Play Store and log in with a Google account (if you don't have one, create it). Now download Shining Nikki from there.

After downloading the game, launch it. It will download a part of the game files. After that, log in on the game, or create a new account in any server (the server is only important if you want to actually play the game. For extracting it doesn't really matter since the game already has the assets for the upcoming events and chapters. It also doesn't matter if you actually own an item in game, you can extract the meshes and textures even if you don't have it in game). If you're creating a new account, the game will lead you through the presentation of it etc (unfortunately there's no way to skip it).

After that, click on that little arrow button on the main screen. There, you can download the actual clothing assets. Wait for the download to finish (at the date I'm writing this tutorial, it is around 13GB). When finished, close the game (not the emulator).

Step 2:

Now we're going to copy the assets to our computer. Click on Tools, then on Amaze File Manager. Navigate to Android > data > com.papergames.nn4.en > files > DownloadedBundle > art > character. This is the folder where (I believe) most of the assets are stored.

Now, where the stuff is located respectively:

Meshes are on the meshes > splitmeshs folder

Textures are on the textures > cloth folder

Tip: Want to really data dump everything? Just select the folders you want and copy to your PC! 😉

Click on the three dots on the side of the wished folder, then in copy. Then click on the three lines on the left upper corner to open the menu, and then click on Download. Now just pull the header of the app to show the Paste option and click on it. It might take a while to copy completely (the cloth folder might take longer since it's bigger, so be patient).

If you're confused, just follow the guide below:

The copied folder will be located at C:\Users\{your username}\Nox_share\Download

Step 3:

Now that we got the files, we need to make them readable by AssetStudio.

For this, we need to open the desired .asset file on a hex editor, and then delete the first 8 bytes of the file, and then save.

You can see it is a pain to do that manually to a lot of files right? This is why I asked my boyfriend to create a script to mass edit them. (I only manually edit when I'm grabbing the textures I want, because afaik the script won't work with .tga and the .png files, more about that forward this tutorial)

How to use the script:

Make sure Python is already installed, grab the nikki-fix-headers.py file and place it on the folder where you copied the folder from the game (mine is still the Nox_Share Download folder).

It should look like this, the meshs folder and the script.

Let's open the Command Prompt. Hit Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, then type in cmd and hit Enter.

Now follow the instructions pictured below:

The folder with the edited files will be at the same location:

Now, we finally can open it all on AssetStudio and see whats inside 👀

Step 4:

Open AssetStudio. Now click on File > Load Folder and select the folder where your edited meshes are (mine is "splitmeshs-fixed"). Wait the program load everything. Click on Filter Type > Mesh, and the on the Asset List tab, click twice on the Name to sort everything by the right order, and now we can see the meshes!

To extract any asset, just select and right-click the desired groups, click in Export selected assets and select a folder where you wish to save it.

Stuff you need to know about the meshes:

Step 4-A: Everything is separated by groups.

Of course you'll have to export everything to have a complete piece. Only a few pieces has a single group. When exporting, you have to select every group with the same name (read below), and the result will be .obj files of each group that you have to put together in a 3D application.

Step 4-B: The names are weird.

They're a code that indicates the set, the piece, the group.

Items that doesn't belong to a set won't have the "S...something", instead they'll have another letter with numbers, but the part/piece type and group logic is the same.

As for the parts, here are the ones I figured out so far:

D = Dress

H = Hair

AEA = Earrings

ANE = Necklace

BS = Shoes

ABA = Handheld accessory

AHE and AHC = Headpieces/hats/hairpins

AFA = Face accessory (as glasses, eyepatches, masks)

(maybe I'll update here in the future with the ones I remember)

Step 4-C: The "missing pearls" issue.

Often you'll find a group that seems empty, and it has a weird name like this:

I figured out that it's referent to pearls that a piece might contain (as in a pearl necklace, or a little pearl in a earring, pearls decorating a dress, etc). The group seems empty, but when you import it to Blender, you can see that it actually has some vertices, and they're located where the aforementioned pearls would be. I think that Unity (SN engine) uses this to generate/place the pearls from a master mesh, but I honestly have no idea of how the game does that. So you'll probably have to model a sphere to place where the pearls were located, I don't know 🤷‍♀️ (And if you know how to turn the vertices into spheres (???) please let me know!)

Step 5:

Now that you already extracted a mesh, we're gonna extract the textures (when any). Copy the textures > cloth folder to your PC like you did with the splitmeshs folder.

Open it, and in the search box, type the name of the desired item like this. If the item has textures, it will show in the results.

Grab all the files and open them in HxD (I usually just open HxD and drag the files I want to edit there), and edit them like I teached above. Then you can open them (or load the cloth folder) on AssetStudio, and export them like you did with the meshes.

Stuff you need to know about the textures, UV map, etc:

Step 5-A: The UV mapping is a hot mess (at least for us used to how things works in sims games).

See this half edited hoodie and the UV map for a idea:

So for any Sims game, you'll have to remap everything 🙃 Also, stencil-like textures all have their own separated file.

As for hair, they all use the same texture and mapping! BUT sometimes they are arranged like this...

Here's the example of a very messed one (it even has some WTF poly). Most of them aren't that messy, but be prepared to find stuff like this.

Shining Nikki just repeat the texture so it end up covering everything, for Sims you'll need to remap, and the easiest way is by selecting "blocks" of hair strands, ticking the magnet button to make your seletion snap to what is already placed (if you have familiarity with blender, you know what I'm saying). Oh, some clothes are also mapped with the same logic.

Regarding the hair texture, I couldn't locate where they are, but here is a pack with all of them ripped and ready to use. You can also grab the textures from any SN hair I already converted :)

The only items with a fine UV map are the accessories, at least for TS3 that the accessory has a UV map independent from the body.

"But I typed the ID for the set and piece and couldn't find anything!"

A good thing to do is to search with only the set ID and edit all the files with it, because some items (especially accessories) share the same texture file. But if even then you can't find anything, it means that there's no texture for this particular item/group because Shining Nikki use material shaders* to render different materials like metal, crystal, some fancy fabrics, etc. So you'll have to bake or paint a texture for it.

*I believe that those shaders are located on the other cloth folder in the game files. This one is way bigger than the other one and once I copied it to see what it was, AssetStudio took ages to load everything, almost used all my 16GB of RAM, and then there was only code that the illiterate me didn't know what it was 🤷‍♀️

So that was it! I hope I explained everything, although it is a little confusing.

If you have any questions, you can comment on this post or send me a PM!

[yackers]

Opinion on the peddie break up?

okay yes yeah I have soo many thoughts on this so please click below because this will get long

in my opinion, it was literally inevitable. it could've been stalled maybe if they hadn't been in the same country over summer but the way they were headed in season 2 they were going to have to make changes to last long term that neither of them were capable of doing without first blowing up at each other. they have two main consistent problems throughout their relationship: lack of communication and trust issues.

from the beginning of their relationship, their differences in past relationship experiences is always made very clear through the way that each of them interprets each other's behaviour. sure, maybe in their very first interaction eddie is genuinely annoyed at her, but by the time they meet again later in that same day, he's already started flirting, he's teasing her but he also calls her 'cute'. the enemies/rivals dynamic that they then have from there is a lot of the time him flirting with her and her deflecting and taunting the way that she is often seen to do as a means of protecting herself. this isn't to say that she isn't starting to like him and that her own behaviour isn't also flirty but she it takes her far longer to admit that to herself and to joy.

she also definitely had a slightly different mindset before she found out about the bet at the ball, but I don't honestly think that they wouldn't have gone on to have the same problems further down the line. if anything, the fact that she allowed herself to properly let her guard down romantically only to feel played and be embarrassed specifically in front of all the people she's spent years building a tough persona against only consolidated and made her double down on her trust issues, which were one of her key character traits that we see her develop further across the show and on of the biggest things that affects the way she treats people.

eddie's rebellious 'idgaf' attitude is a front he puts up to seem cool and piss off his dad and so he assumes that's what hers is too, as opposed to a coping mechanism that she uses in attempt to avoid getting hurt. it takes soo many attempts at admitting that he likes her and trying to ask her out (including her flat out denying the fact that he heard her admit her feelings to his face) for her to actually reciprocate and be vulnerable back. she only eventually does it by kissing him when that was her only form of communication and when she was starting to actually lose him by not being able to flirt back and confirm to him that she had any feelings at all. even then directly after that she responds by hiding from him instead of actually telling him that the reason she was behaving like this was because of how new it all was to her. this is the beginning of their communication problems.

throughout their various first date attempts, they develop a pattern of lashing out to get a reaction in order to prove that the other cares and an inability to convey the way that they're feeling with words. this continues throughout their relationship in the entire show, but it's especially apparent in the later parts of s2. if eddie is mad and he wants attention from patricia, he uses mara to make her jealous. if patricia is mad at him, she just starts insulting him without actually communicating why she's mad. it happens over and over, this lack of communication only worsening the way they react to the various problems that come up because they never find out what the other's intention behind their actions were until they eventually blow up at each other. their instincts about how to deal with each other don't really change from how they acted when they first met, with their defaults always being to deceive and spy on each other to find thing out instead of actually asking or discussing anything.

this whole cycle isn't helped by sibuna taking up more and more of patricia's time, but this would've been less of a problem if it weren't for the fact that they never really have a moment where they confirm that they're in a relationship, and that patricia has no idea what a relationship really even consists of. a kiss and a date progresses them to boyfriend and girlfriend without any acknowledgement of what that means. mara says it best when she says to eddie "when are you going to tell patricia that she's actually in a relationship?" and that's almost at the end of the season. patricia, for the most part, continues about her life in the exact same way she did when she was single, never really communicating with him about making plans or where she is half the time. both times she makes a conscious effort to actually date him are prompted by amber or mara telling her that she has to make more of an effort (one of which was also for a tunnel task) and even then, after doing that she considers the job done and leaves him alone again. the first time we actually hear either of them actually acknowledge that they're in a relationship is when eddie says to her "shame you can't miss your boyfriend like that" when he hears her talking about alfie in class. it makes sense that with the amount that she disappears and her half-assed ridiculous lies about her whereabouts leads him to think that she's cheating, because she never really sincerely assures him otherwise (which as walfie shows in s3 it can be done). but once again instead of really communicating this fear he just follows her??

and then yeah he gets caught up in the sibuna stuff which means he knows she wasn't seeing someone else and so they're just fine again. but what we're left with at the end of the season is a couple that despite having been together months (??) have no idea how to be in a relationship with each other, what each other's expectations of each other are and insanely ridiculous unhealthy methods of getting what they want from each other. patricia, who has barely tackled her issues with trust and vulnerability, has managed to end up dating someone without really having to think about what this means for herself, because up until this point she has been so preoccupied and focused on Not Dying and solving mysteries that it all just managed to pass her by a little.

and so once you take this disaster waiting to happen away from what was previously distracting them from dealing with the problems in their relationship and all their friends with braincells that have been prompting them to do half the work and shove them on a trip to america where they have no escape from each other for weeks, I don't really see how with their ways of coping and explosive tempers and egos, they could do anything other than break up. they probably would've 'broken up' a bunch of times at their problems before that if they could do that without acknowledging their relationship out loud and not had to see each other at every meal time. we're told that blame for the break up was more on patricia's side, which makes sense with everything I've said above and her lack of previous relationship experience and yeah.

I definitely think that the only way they last beyond s3 is eventually having to grow past all this as they face a lot of the same issues in s3 but they're definitely capable of it and they start to make some progress especially considering their circumstances.

basically what I'm trying to say is that I get that their break up annoys people and affects the way they view s3 but in what world could they have lasted the summer at the stage they were at by the end of s2