#there's a serious point to be made here and yes I'm framing it as a half-joke. deal with it.

[falderaletcetera]

the casual background representation in elementary is one thing (very good thing) (I'm especially appreciating the fat ppl and ppl with visible disabilities as I catch up on season six) but the REAL joy here is the representation of weirdos. sex weirdos. platonic weirdos. sherlock's Entire Unrelenting Deal. one of his recurring consultants? a guy who prefers to be naked when he has to focus on maths. so many people are a bit of a freak in this and it's GREAT.

[pia-nor481]

She…what? Chapter One

Lando norris x reader (hints at Daniel ricciardo x reader

1.7k words | Series Masterlist

"Pardon?" Lando exasperated, looking towards his friend. They were sat in his hotel room, even now, no longer teammates, they made a point to go out together, or at least see each other every week. "I'm serious." Daniel replied, unsure as to why his friend reacted in such a way. "I'm not doubting you, I'm having issue comprehending what you've said." Lando spoke quietly, taking a sip of his drink. "She gives the best blow jobs." Daniel stated simply, looking at Lando's raised eyebrow. "Good for you man, but why are you telling me this?" He stood up quickly, to retrieve another drink, and hide his slightly red face. "Come on, I know you've not been laid for a while, plus I think you'd quite like her." Lando was at a loss for words, he walked back towards the bed as slow as possible, it wasn't strange for them to talk about their most recent hook up, but it was never like this. "I'm sorry, you're asking me to fuck some girl you're seeing?" Daniel's immediate response was to roll his eyes, not understanding Lando's struggle. "No, well I'm not seeing her per say. It's a little agreement of sorts."

"So she's a hooker?" Lando said, sounding slightly disappointed, not that he wouldn't be up for it, he was just expecting something different. "No, god no. She's a girl I've been sleeping with? yes. Do I pay for it? No. But it's not a relationship either. It's kind of hard to explain." Lando was sipping his drink throughout Daniel's small speech, he gained a small amount of clarity.

So here Lando was, currently hungover, after a night in a club post race, it was four in the afternoon and he was panicking slightly. Daniel had given him a room number and said that he'd understand everything when he was through the door, but it took a while for him to knock. Realistically, what was he supposed to say? His whole body was filled with a mix of emotions that made it hard to function, he was nervous, shy, and slightly embarrassed. He'd never spoken to anyone with in this context before, so to say he was struggling would be an understatement. The shuffling behind the door got louder and louder until he was met with a beautiful woman. "Hello?" Lando was stunned, she was truly enticing, especially when she spoke. "And who are you?" She said with a warm and sweet tone, a light smile adorning her face. "Lando." He struggled to get his words out, he could see why Daniel would not stop speaking about her. "You're Daniel's friend?" She turned away from him, walking further into the hotel room. It was only now Lando was able to see her fully; She adorned a silk robe, one that framed her so well. She poured him a glass of wine that he took, but chose not to drink. "Yes, I am."

"So, Lando, What did he tell you?" She emphasised his name, making eye contact with him, sipping her drink slowly. "To be honest not much." He looked almost bashful as the words left his mouth. "What would you like to know?" she practically whispered, moving closer, then placing her hand on his knee. She pursed her lips slightly as she began to run her hand further up his leg, making it harder for Lando to think. "What this really is, or what it will be." In all honesty, he didn't know how to act, or what to say. "Whatever you want, well, with in reason....Just not tonight." She jumped up rather quickly, swaying her hips as she walked to the other side of the room, pouring another drink. "Why?" Desperation laced his voice, eyes wide. "There is a lot of things we must sort first, and that will take quite some time." While her back was turned, Lando took this as an opportunity to look around the room. Claiming it was vast would be an understatement. Filled with the hotel's finest furniture with the lights set to a dim, sensual level would be the best way to describe it. But, this coupled with just the sight on her, was slowly turning Lando on. "What do we need to sort out?" His patience was wearing thin, but he was yearning for her already. She paused for a moment, but Lando was too focused on the mirror on the ceiling. "I have to learn about what you like, and you about my limits... You will also have to sign an NDA, no matter your decision." He was surprised with her proposition. 

"NDA?" Lando needed her to elucidate, why would she need him to sign such a thing, and not just the other way around. "You are not the only one with things to lose." She stopped speaking again, and walked into another room, leaving Lando to his thoughts; He had no right to ask about her personal life at this moment in time, however, that didn't stop his curiosity. What did she have to lose? How did she get into this situation? All those questions would go unanswered for a long while. He began to hear her footsteps once again, this time there was a paper in her grasp. "I'll give you a while to read through it." Lando had never read something so fast in all of his life, and so, was quick to reach for a pen. He was feeling warm, but not as dizzy as before, he was certain in is sobriety.  "So....Where do we start?" the driver had never asked so many questions in one day, but he just couldn't help it. He tried not to asked closed questions as he wanted o hear her seraphic voice. "Tell me about what you like, Lando, I promise I wont judge." She winked as she sat beside him again, keeping her body closer than before. He knew what she was asking but he just could not form a coherent response. His brain became foggy, but she waited for a while, trying to coerce him into relaxing slightly. "Let's start simple, do you have any kinks that you have? Or would like to try? It can only be a few for now." She tried not to overwhelm him, knowing this can be quite the stressful situation. With how personal this is, she knew that no matter how confident or extroverted the person was, it would still be very hard. His nerves were overt, so she began to run her hand over his arm and shoulder, waiting for a response. "Um...I like blindfolds...and...mirrors." He was hesitant, but as soon as he saw the smile on her face, his shoulders lowered slightly. "Well, isn't that convenient." 

Lando pulled her closer, practically forcing her into his lap, not that she wasn't pleased with the gesture; happy with his confidence back, she let him speak. "Anything I need to know about you?" His hands slowly danced up her back, trailing along her vertebrae. "A few things, I don't have many hard NOs. But you'll get to find out about that at a later date. I will say, I use the traffic light system. I'm guessing you're familiar with it?" His hands travel back down, groping her ass. "Yeah...Woah, you are responsive." He could feel her shifting in his lap more frequently now. "So, hows this supposed to work?" Lando began to move his hips slightly meeting hers. "I call you, or you call me, and if I'm not busy, you will have my room number, and we go from there." Lando smiled ear to ear, squeezing her thighs slightly rough, testing the waters. "If you're not busy?" He said in jest. "Yes Lando, I'm in very high demand." She laughed lightly, grinding harder. "Oh, so I'm one of the lucky few?" Lando's lips met her neck rather quickly, he began kissing and sucking lightly. "Exactly....Knew I'd like you." He laughed into her skin, waiting for another statement, but it never came. 

She pulled away from him, and he was once again dumbfounded. Lando licked his lips as his eyes raked over her body, he was so excited. But doesn't like to be teased. "Oh come on Sweetheart. Don't do this to me." He stood up, walking towards her, but she just backed away, walking towards the actual bedroom. "Oh Lando, I can't give you everything now, then nothing will be bring you back." She giggled, eyeing him up, she was excited to play with him. But it would be better if she made him wait. "Such a tease, I'll be punishing you for that." He threatened her with an opposing tone. Lando reached for his phone resting on the table as she spoke. "I look forward to it." She said in a sultry tone, backing away from his view. Lando walked towards the hotel door, feeling his phone buzz in his hand. 

"Considering how long you've been, I'd say you liked her" -Daniel 

Lando chuckled, choosing to leave his friend on read, the walk to his hotel room was short, it was only now that he noticed how close her and Daniel's rooms were. Lando continued to ponder until he was met with the number 303. He knocked lightly, knowing his friend was waiting. "So... What happened?" Daniel said, ushering him into the hotel room. Lando was hesitant to say, he was unaware of what happened with them, and didn't want to either say something he's not supposed to, or upset Daniel in anyway. It was a sensitive topic, and although he signed the non-disclosure agreement stating that he could discuss this with Daniel, it all felt a little strange. "We discussed a few things, and she had me sign an NDA. But other than that, not much." Daniel smirked, looking back towards Lando, offering him another drink. "That's good, you were gone for quite some time, so I'm guessing you liked her." Lando nodded, looking away for a brief moment, "Yeah, we uh...made out a little bit." He didn't know how to feel, so many emotions were running through his body, it was making it hard to focus, his hands were shaking slightly, and his eyes unfocused. Lando felt almost intoxicated with her. "Just wait until you're in her mouth." 

Chapter Two

[sturnlovaa]

°•. IMAGINE — Matthew Sturniolo in desperate need of your touch.

cw.. protected p n v, period sex (mentions of blood — im on my period atm so you all have to suffer with me 😊), oral (f receiving), mutual masturbation, edging, y/n.

💌: 600 speciallllll !! gaining fast and i appreciate all the support recently — it’s insane. also, happy day one of autumn !

the cold night air nipped at your skin as you lay in bed, the soft glow of your bedside lamp casting long shadows across the room. suddenly, a gentle tapping sound on your window broke the silence. you froze, listening intently.

the tapping came again, this time accompanied by a hushed whisper, "y/n, it's me," his voice was barely audible, yet it sent a jolt of anticipation through you. you slipped out of bed, padding softly across the hardwood floor to your window.

with a creak, you pushed the window open, the cool night breeze washing over you. "hello, stranger," you whispered, a hint of mischief in your voice. he moved closer, his features emerging from the shadows.

his gaze raked over you, hungry and intense. "i've been trying to catch up with you," he said, his voice low as he leaned against the windowsill. "you've been MIA,"

"busy," you replied curtly, not wanting to elaborate. you crossed your arms over your chest, trying to appear nonchalant despite the flutter in your stomach. his eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in a way that made you wonder if he was going to push the issue.

"look, it's late," you said, uncrossing your arms and leaning against the wall beside the window. "is there something you need?" your tone was neutral, Matt's face darkened, and he pushed off from the windowsill. "yeah, there is,"

"i need you," he said bluntly, his eyes locked onto yours. the air grew heavy between you, charged with unspoken words and pent-up desire. "you've been ghosting me, and i'm quite.. overdue,"

your eyebrows furrowed as you processed his words. "overdue?" you asked, a hint of confusion in your voice. his expression remained serious as he began to climb through your window — his presence filling the space. "you know what I mean,"

he finally managed to squeeze himself inside, his tall frame looming over you. "i've been.. needing a release," he admitted, his voice strained. "and you owe me," his eyes bored into yours, unblinking as he gets himself fully through. "you disappeared on me without a word,"

he took a step closer, his broad shoulders blocking out the moonlight. "and now, I'm standing here, blue balls and all, because you couldn't even send a text," he ran a hand through his dark hair, frustration etched on his face.

you bit your lower lip, torn between guilt and amusement. "well, you are standing here now," you pointed out, tilting your head to meet his gaze. his expression softened, and he reached out, gently tugging you closer by the hem of your shirt. "yes, i am,"

"and I'm not leaving until I've collected," he murmured, pulling you against his chest. his body heat seeped into you, banishing the chill of the night air. you could feel the hardness of him pressed against you, a clear indication of just how overdue he was.

you stiffened against him, a wave of regret washing over you as you remembered why you’d been avoiding him. "Matt, wait," you said, pushing weakly against his chest. "i can't, i'm on my period,"

he stilled, his body tensing. "since when does that stop us?" he asked gruffly, not pulling away. "you know i don't care about that," his hands roamed down to cup your backside, giving it a gentle squeeze. "remember our rules?"

you let out a soft, reluctant hum, remembering the unspoken agreement between you two. "no holds barred," he whispered, his lips brushing against your ear. "to an extent, of course," his hands slipped under the hem of your shirt, caressing your skin.

"but it's been days, and I'm desperate, sweetheart," he rasped, his calloused hands gliding up your sides. "i need your mouth, your hands.. anything," his large hands slid down to your exposed waist, lifting you up.

carrying you over to the bed, he sat down with you in his lap, straddling him. his breath was hot against your neck as he nuzzled into the curve of your shoulder. "please, just do something, anything," his voice was low, almost pleading.

you let out a soft sigh, your resolve crumbling under his touch. "fine," you whispered, "go get a towel," his face lit up with a mischievous grin, and he quickly deposited you on the bed before rushing to your bathroom.

while he was gone, you curled up on the bed, trying to calm your racing heart. you could hear him rummaging around in the bathroom, the sound of the cabinet door opening and closing. after a moment, he returned with a pink towel in hand.

kneeling on the floor in front of you, he gently pulled your sweats down, along with your panties before pushing your thighs apart. "lift your hips," he commanded, his voice thick with desire. you did as you were told, and he slid the towel underneath you, positioning it to catch any leakage from your period.

satisfied with the makeshift protection, his focus shifted back to you. his touch was gentle yet firm as he pushed your legs wider, making room for himself between them. he leaned down, pressing his face against your inner thigh and inhaling deeply. "god, I've missed your scent,"

you let out a shaky breath, leaning back on your elbows as he buried his face between your thighs. his warm breath and soft lips sent shivers down your spine. his fingers gently spread your lips apart, granting him access to your most intimate area. he inhaled deeply, his nose pressing against your sensitive flesh.

with a contented sigh, he began to kiss and nuzzle your pussy, his tongue occasionally flicking out to taste your delicate folds. you couldn't help but arch your back, pressing your cunt against his face. he obliged, increasing the pressure of his kisses and sucking gently on your clit.

"Matt.." you whimpered, your head falling back as pleasure washed over you. his hands gripped your thighs tightly, pulling you even closer as he devoured you with desperate passion. you could feel the warmth of your blood mingling with the wetness of his saliva, soaking the towel beneath you.

you gripped his hair tightly, your hips bucking against his face as he brought you to the brink of ecstasy. just when you thought you would finally find release, he would slow down or change the pattern, keeping you suspended in a state of unfulfilled desire. "please.."

he looked down at you, his eyes dark with lust. "not yet," he whispered, his breath hot against your area. his tongue flickered out, circling your clit slowly before plunging into your tight channel. you gasped, your body convulsing with the effort to hold back your orgasm.

with a final, agonizingly slow lap of his tongue, he finally pulled away from your aching pussy. he placed a gentle kiss on your inner thigh before standing up and unbuckling his belt. you watched, breathless, as he freed his thick, hard cock from his pants.

"touch yourself," he demanded, wrapping his hand around his shaft and beginning to stroke it. you hesitated for a moment before sliding your hand between your thighs, your fingers finding your swollen clit. as you started to rub yourself, his grip tightened around his cock, his strokes becoming faster and more desperate.

"put a finger inside," he grunted, his eyes flicking down to watch as you obeyed. you slipped a digit into your warmth, your body clenching around it. he let out a low groan, his hand pumping furiously as he watched you pleasure yourself. "add another,"

you complied, slipping a second finger inside your slick opening. your arm trembled with the effort to keep up the pace while your other hand gripped the sheets beneath you. his breathing grew heavier, his face contorted with concentration as he neared his own release.

"fuck, just like that," he panted, his hand moving in a blur as he jerked himself off. just as you were about to reach your own climax one more, he suddenly stopped stroking his cock, his hand freezing in place. "no, not yet," he commanded, his voice tight with restraint as he reached out to pause your moments.

you whimpered in frustration, your body aching for release. he gently removed your fingers from your pussy, bringing them to his mouth and sucking them clean — he truly didn’t give a fuck what the circumstance was. "soon," he promised, his voice low and dangerous.

he reached into his pocket and pulled out a condom, quickly sheathing his throbbing cock. he finally settled between your thighs, the tip his dick pressing against your opening.

"look at me," he demanded, his voice hoarse. your eyes met his as he slowly pushed inside, inch by agonizing inch. you gasped at the sensation, your fingernails digging into his biceps. once fully seated, he paused, allowing you to adjust to his size. "you okay?"

you nodded, wrapping your legs around his waist to pull him even closer. he began to move, slowly at first, his hips rolling in a hypnotizing rhythm. each thrust sent waves of pleasure through your body, and you found yourself matching his rhythm, lifting your hips to meet his.

his pace quickened, his breathing growing ragged as he buried his face in your neck. you could feel his hot breath against your skin, his stubble prickling your flesh. the room filled with the sounds of your combined moans and the slick slap of flesh against flesh.

"Matthew.." you whimpered in his ear, your body tensing as your release finally neared. he must have felt it too, because he reached between your bodies, his thumb finding your engorged bud and applying just the right amount of pressure. "that's it, baby,"

your nails now rested on his sides, raked down them as you clung to him, the intensity of your emotions mirroring the power of your impending release. "i.. i can't.. please.." you panted, your voice barely a whisper.

"come for me," he growled, his voice low and commanding. with a final, hard thrust, he pushed you over the edge. your body convulsed around him, your cries of passion filling the room. he continued to move inside you, drawing out your climax until you were boneless and spent.

as you floated back down to earth, he covered your trembling form with his own. he held you close, his heart pounding against your chest, both of you struggling to catch your breath. after a moment, he lifted his head, his eyes searching yours. "mine,"

©sturnlovaa

— tags

@shadowthesim , @ifwdominicfike , @sturniolo04 , @mattsdolll , @sturncakez , @jetaimevous , @biiatrizzz , @blahblogs-stuff , @chlotapcs , @poolover123 , @55sturn , @franticroads , @brvtall , @gwennybenny , @starlace111 , @luvs4matt , @lov3bug .

[storiesfromafan]

Leavin' On Your Mind - Benny x Reader

A/N: double feature tonight haha, but different one-shots. And I'm back with Benny x Spitfire.

Also, I promise to work on my Mattheo stories haha.

Part 1, Part 2

Tag list: @strayrockette

Wedded bliss had been beautiful. And lasted for three weeks before your first small fight with your husband. It was over something trivial that you’d forgotten about. But with that first fight there were gradually more, and they grew in intensity. A fight here and then heated makeup sex in your shared bedroom – sometimes the lounge room – a little while later. You’d always bounce back quickly.

Until it got to the point were Benny would start saying he’d leave, take off and it would be best for you. How he was trouble and you deserved more than that. You jumped at this, telling him you needed him, now and always. And not to leave you. It would talk him down, and back to you. Leaving you cuddled up together, holding the other. Something told you he did it for reassurance that you loved him, and needed him. Just as much as he loved and needed you.

It was at the sixth month mark of your marriage when the next major fight hit. It was bigger then any fight you’d both had. There was raised voices, some curse words, and slamming doors. And what was it over? Benny not getting home till four in the morning, after you’d gotten home from a long day on your feet, and made a sixth month wedding anniversary dinner for you both. You’d been tired but still put in the time and effort for your husband. Only for him to not show up.

You slammed the front door in Benny’s face, crossing your lounge room with fury. The door opened, Benny moving inside, before slamming the door himself. Though not as hard as you had. The look on his face was a mix of confusion and annoyance.

“What’s ya problem!?” Benny asked with a huff, standing by the front door.

You had gone into the kitchen, only to reappear in the door frame, fire in your eyes. “Are you serious!?” You asked shaking your head. “Alright, if you can’t work it out. My problem is you rockin' up at four in the mornin'. Stayin’ out, without a word from ya”.

He sighed. “Really!? That’s it!”

You straightened up, crossing your arms over your chest. “That’s it” you said, dangerously calm. “That’s not just it Benny!”

He sighed in frustration. “Tell me what I’ve done, and we can move on”.

You stared at your husband, if looks could kill, Benny wouldn’t be lucky. “You wanna know Benny?! It was our sixth month wedding anniversary last night, and I came home – after a long, bad day – to cook us dinner! Only for you to not come home till four in the morning!”

Slightly flinching, Benny got the picture. But recovered quickly. “You never told me!”

Now you sighed. “Yes I did! I mentioned it earlier in the week, but I guess ya weren’t listenin’ to me. Like most of the time”.

That hit a nerve in Benny. He listened to you. He always did as you asked. Yet he didn’t remember you mentioning your anniversary. If he had, Benny would have been home asap, flowers in hand for you. But now you were fighting, you telling him he didn’t listen.

“Look baby” Benny began, trying to keep his voice calm. “I don’t remember you mentioning an anniversary dinner, can we both agree to disagree, and move on?”

His voice had cooled you off, but his words fanned the flame and ignited your anger yet again. “No! We can not! I am tired of speakin’ and you not always listenin' Benny!”

Running his hand over his face, Benny felt like you both were going around in circles. He understood your anger, but its like you weren’t listening to him. All consumed by anger. You watched your husband for a few minutes, and when he didn’t speak, you let out a loud, annoyed noise. Before storming off up stairs. You wanted him to talk, wanted him to put you first more. He had in the beginning, but now you were an after thought.

Guess the honey moons over, you thought heading for your shared room.

Benny sighed with frustration, clenching and then unclenching his hands. Once that urge to punch something passed, Benny took off upstairs after you. Coming to your bedroom door, Benny lent against the frame, head resting against the cool wood. His baby blues watching you fold some clean laundry.

“I’m sorry...” he said softly, admitting defeat.

You continued to fold the clothes, back to him. You were glad he apologised but it wasn’t entirely enough. For all you do for him, for you both, he couldn’t be home at a reasonable hour. You don’t want him to do it every day, but a few nights a week would be nice. Especially when you’ve had a long day of catty women over their hair, falling into his arms is the best way to relax. In fact, it’s been almost a week since the last time you had cuddled up with your husband.

There is love in what you do for each other, but there’s been a lack in physical love between you both. Almost a week since you cuddled up to him, his arm holding you tightly like a comforting blanket wrapped around you, his head resting on yours or in the crook of his neck. Nor has there been much sex, maybe three times this week. When you would have sex at least twice a day.

Benny stood up from his leaning position. “I said I’m sorry baby”.

“I heard ya” you said, calm but sharp.

“So, do ya forgive me?” He asked in a voice that pulled at your heart, the need thick in it.

“I don’t know Benny...” that hurt to say, but it had to be said. You needed to be heard. “You’ve been coming home at all times of the mornin’. Or goin’ to the bar, which I don’t want you to stop doin’. But I need you too. I need my husband”.

His guard went up, but he heard you. “You sure you need me? Because it feels like ya don’t. Feels like I’m the problem...”

You shot around, clothes forgotten, as you stared at him. “You’re not the problem! I’m sayin' ya being out all hours is, when I’m here waitin' for ya!”

Benny’s eyes darkened, a fair off look in them. “Maybe I should go, just leave. It would be better for ya...”

When things got tough or real, this was Benny’s way of dealing with it: running away. Or saying it. Every damn time. It hurt you more then the initial reason for your fight. Which would make you cave, telling him not to leave, to not leave you. But this time it sparked anger in you, not washing you in worry and desperation to have him stay. No, it stoked the anger embers that resided in you, giving them life yet again.

You snapped. “Fine! Then leave Benny! Ya always talkin’ about it, and being the loving wife I am, I talk ya out of it. But not this time” you stared him in the eyes. “If ya got leavin’ on your mind, then go!”

Benny was shocked. Shocked you didn’t protest, nor fight for him to not leave. And maybe part of him knew one of these days you’d finally have enough of his threats. But he hadn’t expected it to be today. Then he felt anger and sadness. Anger because of your lack of fight, sadness because you were telling him to go. Yet it’s what he proposed in the first place.

“Fine!” He growled, slamming his hand on the door frame. “Alright, I’m leavin’!”

With that Benny turned around, stomped down the stairs and grabbed his jacket with colours before leaving out the front door. Door slamming loudly behind him. You stood there, looking to the open bedroom door way, not daring to move a muscle. You heard the roar of Benny’s bike, before it took off down the street. And possibly out of your life.

That was when it all washed over you. The fight, your words, his words, his threat to leave and you sealing his fate to go. How did it get so heat and this far? You slowly sat on the end of your shared bed, tears rising in your eyes while your chest ached and rose, and fell from your fast breathing. What had you done? What if Benny didn’t come back? What if he has an accident on his bike because he was angry? You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if something bad happened to him.

For the next few hours you floated around the house, physically there doing things on autopilot, but mentally you were constantly playing everything over and over. Trying to work out what had happened. And then when it got too much, you would begin to cry. It would hit at random times. You would cry, your heart aching while you are full of worry.

At nine o’clock – when you were put together for the moment – you called the bar. You just wanted to know if Benny was there and alright physically. You know he would be mad or upset, or both. On the fourth ring someone picked up the phone, it was Brucie. You asked him if Benny was there, he told you to wait a moment while he checked. When the phone was put down you could hear how lively the bar was.

There was movement, the phone was picked up again. “Hi (Y/N)” came the voice of Johnny, he sounded concerned.

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “Hi Johnny...i-is Benny there?” Your voice cracking.

He sighed. “Nuh, he’s not. But he came in earlier. Wasn’t too good, he went on about leavin’ and I couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was on about”.

You lent against the wall, slowly sliding down to sit on the floor. A sigh left your lips. You told Johnny what happened, how you had been angry over Benny not being home for dinner. How you wanted him to be here with you more, just a couple of nights. You weren’t trying to stop him from being with Johnny and the guys. And then you told him how Benny always threatened to leave, just up and go.

“I said fine! Then leave! I was angry Johnny” you had started to cry, voice straining to remain clear. “I didn’t mean it, really. But I just lost it...I didn’t want him to go...”

Johnny was quiet for a few minutes, just the noise of the bar being heard. “I know ya didn’t mean it. I know what it’s like to have a wife, and how fights can go” he started, being sympathetic. “It might not have been the right thing to say, nor does it not mean your anger didn’t mean anything. Couples fight, it’s about workin’ it out. Give him some time to cool off and sort himself out, yeah?”

Having vented to Johnny, and hearing his words, helped pull a bit of you back together. You were glad he listened to you and didn’t take Benny’s side right away. Maybe he had a point. Giving Benny time to cool off and think might be the best thing. When he comes home you would have a talk and sort it all out. You knew it.

“Yeah, I will give him time” you agreed. “If he comes back to the bar first, will ya let me know, please?”

“Of course. I’ll keep ya informed if I hear anything on him too” replied Johnny.

With that you said thank you before hanging up. Once again left alone in the house. It felt empty without Benny’s presence. Like half of it was missing. And it was. You were feeling it. You didn’t liked how this all went. You wish you could go back and do it differently. But what’s done is done.

The first few days without Benny or hearing about him were hard. You were on autopilot, going about your day without much thought. Only when someone mentioned him, or something reminded you of him, did you find yourself crying. At work you would slip out the back of the shop, taking a moment to let your tears flow. If you were at home you would just let it flow. You would end up in bed, head resting on Benny’s pillow, allowing the small remaining smell of him invade you. Those tears falling heavier and faster.

By mid week your tears had dried up a bit. Maybe you were all out of liquid to shed. And at work you more present, able to function better. At home you still found yourself – when you didn’t have chorus to do – you would sit around or lay in bed, staring off into space. Your mind thinking of your husband, hoping and praying he was fine. And that he would come home soon, as soon as possible.

By the end of the week, Saturday, your anger had started to rise. For Benny had still not come home, nor has Johnny updated you. If this was Benny's plan to teach you a lesson, that wouldn’t fly. If this was to be cruel, then he was cruel. And so you pushed him to the back of your mind. If he didn’t care, nor did you. You went out during the day and went shopping. You decided to go and buy the dress you had been eyeing. And buy it you did.

It was on your walk home did you run into Pam. She had been out shopping for a gift for a family member. It was nice to run into her, and she was just as happy to see you. Somehow your chat ended with you being invited out for drinks that night. At first you were going to decline her offer, but after a thought, you accepted her invitation. Your husband be damned. He wasn't here, so why should you stay in and wait for him?

So, that evening you got ready – choosing to wear your new dress. Done your make up like you use to, before Benny left, as you had been too depressed to do much during the week. Your hair was done in a half up, half down do. You admired yourself in the mirror, talking yourself up. Reminding yourself that before Benny you were strong and confident in your appearance.

Thankfully the bar you were meeting Pam at was on the opposite side of town. Less likely to run into a Vandal. Entering the trendy bar, you scanned the room before spotting your friend. She waved, seeing you looking for her. You hugged each other when you made it to her table.

“Wasn't sure if you were goin’ to come" Pam said, sitting back in her seat. “Thought you'd probably go to the Vandals bar".

You flinched at her words, but did your best to cover it up. “Nuh, not tonight".

She smiled. “I take it Benny is there”.

This time you stiffened in your seat, Pam noticing it this time and giving you a soft concerned look. “Is everythin’ alright?”

“I’m gonna need a drink – or two, first” you replied with a sad smile.

So, with your first drink you told Pam about your whirlwind romance and marriage. With your second drink, you got into the small fights before getting to this big one. And how Benny had taken off. She was surprised and concerned for you. Asking you how you feeling and going. You were honest with her. That you were hurt and sad, missing him. But now you were angry. Angry he hadn’t come back or called, as you don’t know if he was alive or not.

“I just...I just wish he would at least let me know he’s alright, ya know?”

Pam nodded her head. “Unfortunately not all men think about anyone but themselves”.

You nodded. “I know, but Benny wasn’t like that. Not till now, I guess” you said in thought. “He always thinks of me, like makin’ sure I had what I needed. Pickin' me up from work if I needed it. If I asked him to do somethin', he’d get right to it. But then it changed...”

“The honey moon faze is over” she commented, almost the same words previously mentioned to you. And you had said no chance.

“I had hoped it wouldn’t...but I guess it did” you sighed.

After that chat, you and Pam tried to lift your spirits. You both drank and changed the topic. Choosing to talk about her and how her life was going. She was happy with her man, and her job. And you were truly happy for her. After a few more drinks you both got to dancing, laughing and having fun. When the night wrapped up, you parted ways happy. Thankfully, Pam’s partner had picked her up, and was kind enough to drop you home.

Waving to them at the stairs of your porch as they drove off. Smiling to yourself, partially from the good company and alcohol, you turned to your door to unlock it. If only your good mood was to last. Just as you crossed the threshold, you caught the roar of a bike engine. You froze, heart stopping. It got closer, and you turned around to watch as the person who’d been missing for a week came into view.

Benny pulled up to the curb, killing the bike before putting down it kickstand. He then swung his leg over, coming to stand by his bike. That was when he looked up to see you standing in the open door way. He had hopped you would have been in bed, considering the late hour. But he wasn’t so lucky. He noted that you were dressed up, probably coming back from a night out. Which surprised him, for Johnny had told him – when he dropped into the bar not that long ago – how upset you had been on the phone with him. Saying it killed him to hear your voice like that. And in turn, it was killing Benny to know how he hurt you.

It was when Benny slowly began to walk from his bike up the path to the porch stairs did you finally come back to your senses. You relaxed your face, putting on a blank look. Yet you felt your anger rising. Benny stopped at the foot of the stairs, seeing your blank expression. He realised your defences were up, and he understood that.

“Hi” he said softly, voice raw and vulnerable.

You released a shaky breath. “Hi...”

Silence filled the space, neither of you not knowing what to say. Nor did you want too, afraid of what the other would say. But it had to be done, Benny knew that.

“You look good, baby” he said, looking you up and down.

You stiffened at his words and roaming eyes. But then that flame of anger flickered, slowly coming to life. Of all the things he could have said, he said that. No sorry for leaving or making you worry. No explanation.

You narrowed your eyes at him. “That’s what you have to say to me?” You questioned, tone sharp.

Benny took a step back. “Huh?”

You took a deep breath, keeping calm. “You show back up after a week, and all you can do is admire me? I thought I would have gotta a bit more then that!”

“What do you want me to say” he questioned, drawing his brow together in uncertainty.

“Gee, maybe sorry I left baby. Would be a good start Benny” you sighed. “But you know what really got under my skin? You never let me or anyone know you were alright. I was worried sick you’d have had an accident. But I got nothin’ from you”.

Benny moved up the stairs, stopping once on the porch and before you. “I’m sorry, baby. I know I should have, I was just upset and in my head. Ya know?”

“Oh I know what that’s like, I’ve been livin’ it every moment after ya left!” You pointed your finger at him.

He went to hug you, but you held up your hand to stop him. “Come on. I’m sorry, baby. Let’s go inside and talk”.

You shook your head. “No Benny. It’s my turn now to choose to have space. So go to the bar, stay there or with one of the guys”.

With those final words you softly slammed the door in Benny’s face, locking it to make a point. And Benny got it. You needed time. And he would give you all the time you needed. Because while away he realised a few things. One, you loved him. Two, you wouldn’t leave him, like he did. Three, he missed you, to the point it hurt. Four, you were his person. And five, he had disrespected you by leaving like he did. You showed him how much you loved and wanted him, but he just left. What did that show you? That if it got hard enough he would run away. But he was going to prove he wouldn’t leave again.

[bluginkgo]

Ep 8 Thoughts and Details Part 2

Some thoughts and details I had while watching ep8, and some parallels I found. And yes, I had to split this into 2 parts because Tumblr said "fack you, you can only upload 30 images :P"

Spoilers, duh

Didn't see part 1? Here it is, cause Tumblr doesn't like more than 30 images per post TwT

OMG YOU SILLY GOOBERS, AND THE WAY UZI INCLUDED V DESPITE V NOT EVEN WANTING TO BE PART OF IT TwT

As much as this entire scene was tense about Uzi eating the AS and becoming fused with it- this frame, this facking frame killed me XD Just the D: WHAT ARE YOU DOING- WHY DID YOU DO THAT- I could hear it clearly XD

Could probably be me looking too far into it, but another call back from Liam's first teaser of Murder Drones.

As many people as I have seen being upset with how this reunion turned out to be, I found it adorable and funny. Khan has no idea what that thing even is. And the fact that Nori isn't as cool and serious as she was made out to be in all of the flashback scenes and ep7 is that much more endearing. The angsty side of her is still there, much like Uzi's personality of not really liking close heart to heart moments.

KHAN IS NARUTO RUNNING???? XD

Originally pointed out by @/observer on twitter and absolute scoliosis lives on XD As well as the T-rex stance <:3

God forbid I love this trio. They've been through so much and still came out victorious after fighting a whole ass eldritch being capable of eating planets. V still V but softer and kinder, N still N but more willing to stand up for himself, and Uzi still Uzi and angsty rebellious teen that has an awesome new eye style and friends and family.

"Forget about all of this instantly, get tunnel visioned on spooky corpse robot reveal. Work backwards from there."

You know, I had a silly thought. I wouldn't even be mad that this is how Murder Drones came to be. That Liam's idea of Murder Drones started with the reveal of Cynessa entity and then worked backwards from there- creating the characters to surround the event instead of starting with say Uzi's personality, etc.

VIZZY MY BELOVED WHAT-

You know what... you know WHAT I SAW THIS SOMEWHERE-

Proceeds to connect the dots that aren't even there (Murder Drones Intermission by @/ghoulinfuschia)

But hey, that's what my brain loves to do. But funny how it turned out to be somewhat similar XD Perhaps the context was different but the fact that my brain said "hm, yes, you connect this here and that there." and I just rolled with it TwT

Overall, I genuinely loved the entire episode and, of course, the series. I'm eternally grateful for Liam creating this masterpiece and for every person that took part in creating Murder Drones. This show was the hyperfixation I needed, the thing that I've craved since being in the fandom that I had been for the longest time prior. I'm sad to see this show end so soon, but all great things must come to an end. And I'm glad I was here to see it, even if I was here since ep6 only TwT Either way, I will be haunting this fandom with my presence for a little longer while. Many projects I want to see happen, comics I wish to share, and friends I wish to meet. Until then, see you later >:P

Have a cookie for making it this far XD 🍪

[solaris-amethyst]

🪻Stay Back, I Bite!🪻

✨Pairing: non idol!Wooyoung x gn!reader ✨Prompt: There was this trend going around where couples would test how their partner would react if being hit on by someone. I feel like Wooyoung or Hongjoong would be a lot of fun to see try this! ✨Requested by @beabatiny🫶🏻 ✨Word Count: 0.9k ✨Genre: fluff, humor, partners au ☀️Authors Note: Thank you so much for the request! This was so much fun to write, hope you enjoy it even tho it’s a bit short❣️ Currently writing a Hongjoong version of this as well because I was inspired for both of them🫶🏻

"Wooyoung! Come here!!" You call for your partner while walking around the apartment trying to find him.

"Where are you??? I got something I want to try with you!" You say loudly and that does the trick, he comes in to the living room from his own bedroom and bounds towards you for a hug.

His arms wraps around you pressing you into him and you can smell the cologne he's wearing whilst he pepper your face with small kisses.

"I'm here love! What do you want to try out? Is it something fun?" He asks happily, he always enjoy doing things with you and as always he's curious as to what you might have cooked up this time.

"I saw this trend on TikTok where people test how their partner would react if they were being hit on by someone and I want to try it with you!" You explain holding up your phone wanting to film it, not necessarily to post it online, just to have something fun to look back on in the future.

"Sure! That sounds fun! Will you be hitting on me then?" He asks raising his eyebrows at you with a small smirk.

"Well yes." You roll your eyes at him "But you have to act how you would act in real life okay?"

"Yes sergeant!" He says while playfully saluting you before stepping away from you, looking at you curiously as you put up the camera and start filming.

"So we have something to look back on." You say before going out of frame and getting ready to go and flirt with him. Wooyoung stands there looking around pretending as if he's somewhere else, he picks up his phone and starts playing around on it just so he looks busy.

"Hey I'm sorry, but which one would you say is better out of these two?" You ask as you hold up to bars of chocolate towards Wooyoung, leaning close so you enter his own personal space. He glances at you, looking you up and down before suddenly turning towards you and going:

"BARK BARK BARK!" You're caught by surprise before bursting out into laughter at the fact that your boyfriend is standing there barking at you, moving closer as he lets out a bark.

"Woo what the fuck?!" You stare at him as you laugh "You'd seriously bark at someone??"

"If it made them back off then yes and it worked!" He points towards you as if it proved his point before laughing as well. He had tried so hard to not burst out laughing at the split second you had looked at him with wide eyes in shock when he had let out his first bark to get you to back off.

"Okay okay." You say trying to stop giggling as you step out of frame to go and hit on him as a stranger again.

"Hey there pretty boy, think you can help me carry this big package to my car?" You say giving him a wink.

Wooyoung looks at you once before giving you a glare stating loudly.

"Stay back! I bite!!"

"What?" You're completely taken aback at what he said and he turns to you and bites the air.

"I'm serious!!" He bites twice before letting out a huff of air turning around causing you to break character and laugh again. You can hear him giggle most likely finding himself funny as he playfully takes your arm and bites it causing you to gasp and give him a light slap on his arm.

"You do know you could just say you got a partner babe."

You tell him in-between laughs and he turns around with that playful glint in his eyes.

"Now where is the fun in that??" He says while giving you a big grin.

"Go again! This is fun!!" He says cheekily

"Okay, okay one more time!"

You take a moment to regain yourself wondering what he might say or do this time. So far this had been pure comedy for you and the fact that you will be able to look back on it makes it even better.

"You're really cute! Can I get your number??" You tell him trying to stop the laughter from building up before he's even done anything.

"No you can not get my number. You know, I have a partner and they're absolutely amazing. You should see them they're perfect in my eyes especially when they smile a me. They bring me so much joy and I would never ever ever want to leave them, I'd rather walk on legos than let them go. They're beautiful and kind and loving and handsome and wow they're the love of my life." Wooyoung rambles on so quickly you can barely catch what he's saying and he just goes on and on and on until you slowly but surely back away from him with a snort.

"Yeah I think you pass this one with flying colors babe." You admit, now trying to fight the heat building on your cheeks as Wooyoungs words actually starts to sink in.

"Yayyyy!!!!" He runs up and hugs you, spinning you around happily.

The two of you end up looking back at what you had just filmed and the laughter and snorts echoes loudly throughout the apartment when Wooyoung suddenly barks at you.

"I still can't believe you'd bark at someone like that." You say to him

"Why not? I'd totally do it." He says with an innocent smile before continuing:

"Now we should totally do the other way around! I wanna hit on you and see what you would do!" He grins and you can't help but laugh and give his nose a little kiss before agreeing to do it the other way around so he gets to see how you would react in this scenario.

[watchingblsnowandforever]

Hello!!

The crack post saga continues... =D

Warning: long, long post 😊😅

To be very honest though, for today's ep I will be getting serious more than usual, because it was quite significant in the flow of the plot, and also had moments of communication (this emotional constipation is what makes me yearn for Cherry Magic ah) that need to be studied a little closely.

HOWEVER, there will most definitely be crack because this group of friends is (unapologetically) batshit crazy and my brain refuses to not make comments at the most inappropriate times.

Peem: NO ONE SAW ME CUDDLING MY CRUSH TO SLEEP RIGHT?!

The sheer panic in his movements, oh my gods. It should not be as hilarious as it is 😭😂

To be very honest though, I would've panicked a bit in his place too, with friends like those, they'd never let him live it down

Peem is so cute 😭

Nothing to see here, just a guy getting shy over how his prince charming hom-ed him, and they kissed through his hand and cuddled all night hehe

Phum: here he comes again :) *eye twitch*

Peem's expression, how he's still holding his hands as if he has the cup, Kluen's disbelief, and Phum's smug af face-

I'm wheezing 😭🤣

Kluen, I'm kinda starting to like you, but no.

You don't stand half a chance against them and their situationship.

Hope you find another boyfriend to fall in love at first sight with (and leave my boys alone please, they don't need any more complications) <3

Oh, Fang knows too. Of course he does, that's his little brother right there

We all know how protective of his brother he is, there's no way he'd let anybody else take care of him... unless, he knew Phum liked that person

les voila

Poor Tan, his theerak just ignoring him T-T

*looks between them* yeah, pretty much the same pic 👀

And here it is. The root of all his fears.

See, in this camp, almost all of them are paired up in the sense that they usually stick to that person. Even Beer has MIck. But then comes wild card Kluen, who's hogging all of Peem's attention as much as he can and that leaves Phum. Alone.

I will be getting back to this running motif of Phum being alone and how it changes through the ep in later scenes as well

Also, after they went back, both Mick and Beer asked if he really was okay, which made me smile, because maybe, Phum isn't as alone as he thinks himself to be. There are people who care for him, who are concerned, who'll support him, and of course, he always has Fang, his beloved phi

My poor babie Tan 🥺🥺

Also, notice how the shot is taken in such a way that they're the only ones in the frame, and are also standing within one specific part of the wall? (Ignore Kluen's head and hands please). It reflects how they're in their own world with each other, especially Tan

The nosy peeps gang strikes again!

Jokes aside, the synchronised strides, the background music together set the perfect levels of suspense and comedy

Peem, smug: yes! that emotionally constipated dumbass is finally getting out of De Nile

Pun: wait... is my plan actually working? Ah, of course it is

Toey: head empty, no thoughts, but... DOES P'Q ACTUALLY LIKE ME OMG I'LL DIE

Oh gods, FINALLY. I wish them a happily ever after. Sadhu 😌🙏🏼

Pun forgetting all about being quiet when Toey finally confesses is so on character 😭👍🏼

Also... what's even the point of being quiet? Q and Chain have been friends with these idiots since high school, of course they know they're peeking

Toey: *shooketh*

Gays in thai bl and staring off into the distance 😭

This scene was so, so beautiful and also quite important for both Q and Toey

Q knew what was up, more or less, but his confusion stemmed from his knowledge of Toey

Would Toey really go to these lengths? For him?

"Why? Are you the only one who can tease me?" <- Q says this to tell Toey that he might have been angry, but now he understands that Toey didn't really have any bad intentions

Hugs always get bonus points from me, and this was pretty up there

Pun hiding behind Chain is so on point

His friends: you're an idiot so we had no choice but to intervene 😭😭

Matt's (JJ) comedic timing is >>>>>>

Toey and Matt's friendship is also given weight in the series, and I'm happier for it.

Also revenge is sweet ehehe *coughs*

Moving on.

If there's no live singing dedicated to your One True Love, is it even Thai BL??

We Are making generous use of MSP songs 😭👍🏼

This scene.

The apology. It is at this point that they're leaving all the past pain, grief and anger in the past

Q makes sure to tell Toey that yes, he may have loved Milk Frappe Boy, but now, in the present, all his love was for Toey, his lovable annoying mentee

This apology is not only to Toey, or Milk Frappe Boy, but to himself as well, because by causing pain to a person he loves twice, he'd caused himself pain too

The perfect sweet and romantic moment, but also with a teeny bit of teasing, because that's who they are

No joke, I gasped and nearly stopped breathing when he said this

Peem's reply, his soft but kind of hurt voice were just so painful to hear

But it's also this moment that Peem gives Phum a reality check – if he really didn't want to, he wouldn't be doing any of this, and Phum had no business trying to control his life

The conversation outside with Q was significant, but also a diluted reflection of Peem's earlier (in ep. 7) talk with Q

Even a few episodes earlier, Q would have gone ballistic on Phum for treating his bestie like this, but now, he asks Peem how he feels for Phum, tries to understand exactly what their relationship is

It was at this point that he knew, he fucked up

Beer is a godsent. I love him <3

I think Toey says "I asked hia Tan to blow it up for me."

Also, Tiw and his rubber duck floater from MSP anyone? 👀

And, we are back to square one where Phum is left alone again

As I'd said before, this a repeating motif throughout the series, but especially the last two episodes

This is how it has always been in Phum's life: he has been left behind. He does have Fang, but now even Fang has a boyfriend. And while this does not affect his brother's affection towards him in anyway, it does introduce a new strand of lonliness for Phum because 1. no matter what, he loves his brother a lot, and knows how much he loves Tan, so he definitely will try to stay out of their way at least sometimes and 2. he wants a boyfriend too. Further, he wants Peem, but there's a push and pull there, and after what he said, in his mind he had pretty much ruined his chances with his crush

This is the moment Phum starts to hope that maybe, just maybe, his feelings aren't as unrequited as he'd thought.

On the other hand, Peem is the one afraid here. What if the deal is all that's holding them together? What if without it, Phum will have no reason to be as close to him?

Peem, baby, for one, your groups are already merged, and secondly, this guy is head over heels for you, no way he'd stop following you like a lost puppy

(Apparently, it's not Peem's turn with the communal braincell this week 😭)

Here, Phum is technically alone, but he's surrounded with friends, and he's smiling

He isn't left behind here, for once, he's sitting there by choice (to shamelessly ogle his crush, but shh we don't talk about that) with the comforting knowledge that when/if he jumps in, he won't be left out, Kluen be damned

Once the floodgates of affection have been opened to Q, there's no going back <3

(Also, notice how Tan is already asleep on Fang's shoulder? 👀)

FINALLY

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT SINCE PEEM KICKED PHUM'S BALLS

Jokes apart, this moment is so, so beautiful. The kiss, the soft question "are you ready for my answer now?" (maybe Peem isn't, but hell if he denies this man his kissies).

Everything leading up to this point is also so very delightful

Phum helping them out in the cafe, despite probably having never worked a day in his life, discovering how Peem still kept the roses and finally, finally, the completed painting. This sight, above all, is what convinces Phum that Peem might have feelings for him after all; because which fool would lie about not having completed something that would free them from being a slave to someone? A fool in love, that's who

ALSO,

if they don't get together and have the fluffiest moments in the next ep, I swear to god, hands will be thrown *grumbles* they're already making me wait a whole damn week

Anyways, that's all for this week, see you next ep! (I cannot promise I won't be jumping around and screaming, but then again, this is supposed to be a crack post so-)

And if you made it this far, thank you so much for reading! 😊

Here, have a bubble tea and a sandwich 🧋🥪

[If you'd like, here are my previous posts: Ep 8 and Ep 9.]

[runa-falls]

scratches and bites - 4

pairing: miguel o'hara x spider-girl!reader

cw: suggestive scenes, insecurities, a bit of cussing

wc: ~2.1k

a/n: god i am SO sorry how long this chapter has taken. i'm not the type of writer to have multiple chapters in a series done before posting them every week, i literally post chapters right when i finish them lol. thanks for sticking with me and being patient!

series masterlist | main masterlist

----

Miguel is still a grumpy man, sneering at anyone who dares to get in his way, still stressed out about keeping the multiverse on track and recruiting capable Spiders to assist him, but at least you’re no longer the main culprit of his frustrations.

Well, you’ll take that back, you’re no longer the one being yelled at.

Your transgressions are dealt with in another way…

Miguel is…insatiable to say the least. Since the day he reprimanded you through very unconventional means, seven suits have fallen victim to his desperation, shredded until they slipped into a pile below you.

Before he could destroy another one, you demanded a nanotech one of your own, tired of having to wait days in between for another one to be tailored, but he refused to give you one because he’s concerned about the unstable WIFI.

Eager fingers tug at the neckline of your suit. He groans, listening to the delicious sound of his claw tearing at the fabric. Red eyes darken as he watches each thread give out to the sharp point of his claws, slowly revealing the supple skin of your throat. He only gets down to your collarbone when you suddenly move away with a huff.

“Mig! Stop.” He frowns when you pull away from his touch, confused as to why you’d reject his advances.

“Sweetheart?”

“You’re always tearing up my suits.”

He’s still confused. You’ve never complained about it before. Actually, you seem to enjoy it, flushing with desire when he uses his claws on you.

“Look, I’m done wearing the extra shirts you keep in your office, Miguel. It’s…awkward having to navigate through HQ to get home without real clothes.”

Miguel’s frown grows deeper. He loves seeing you in his shirts, watching how your smaller frame practically drowns in the fabric and brushes against the softness of your thighs. There’s a hint of domesticity in a sight like that, one that he’s longed for since losing his family. It brings out a whole new side to him and he’s stubborn to let it go.

“Plus, all the Spiders wear their suits 24/7 so it’s even weirder that I’m only in a shirt!” You don’t seem to notice how lost in thought he is, how much your words are impacting him. “...so how about getting me one of those nano-suits? That way I don’t have to worry about bothering the seamstress for the fifth time this week…”

Miguel’s hands pull you closer, cradling the back of your neck as his thumb fiddles with the small tear against your throat. “Mm…no, nanotech isn’t super reliable…” His hand drifts down and cups over one of your tits, “and I’m not letting anyone see what’s mine under here.” He squeezes gently, watching avidly as your lips part with pleasure.

“Yes, but–”

“No ‘buts,’ honey. This isn’t up for discussion. You know exactly what I’m talking about…”

It’s true, you’ve seen the risk of technologically powered nano-suits first-hand when Miguel gave the Spiders a glimpse of his impressive *cough* stature *cough* during a debriefing meeting.

Needless to say, he was the talk of the city for reasons other than being the grumpy boss…

“Okay, fine. But still…I’m serious about the suits.

That’s when you established the first ground rule of the relationship: no ripping suits unless there’s another one ready to go.

Sure, Miguel sulked about it for a week, making sure you saw his pout when he’d peel your suit off you, but he still made an effort to follow it, carefully evading the sharp tip of his claws when he’d get too eager to see what’s underneath.

You weren’t surprised when you returned to your apartment a few days later to boxes full of suits. Miguel stood there with a proud grin, fangs and claws ready, eyes glowing like rubies. You barely got in the door with your suit still intact.

You also made another rule: no touching during work hours.

You were surprised that you had to make the rule as Miguel is universally known as a strict boss, but similarly with your shredded suits, sometimes he just can’t help himself.

There were enough instances of almost being caught and having to scramble for one of his shirts (or tug on the biggest piece of suit left on the floor) because Miguel forgot to lock the door, that you had to put your foot down.

You grumble as Miguel attempts to pull you onto his lap.

“You know the rules, baby.”

His arms loop around you as you stand between his legs, “But it’s five o’clock!”

“Mm…check again.” He looks up at the holographic clock, you were right, it isn’t five. “It’s four fifty-five.” He raises a brow, unamused.

“Hm…” He yanks you against him causing you to fall over his seated figure, “Fuck it.”

“Miguel!”

—

Sure, being with him is hot and fun, but Miguel isn’t exactly ‘boyfriend’ material.

But it’s not like you’re any better.

Back in your dimension, you were never interested in relationships. You preferred to coast through flings and crushes rather than get emotionally involved with someone.

So this, whatever it is, is all new to you.

That being said, you had zero expectations when it came to this thing between the two of you. You’re like an eager puppy, enthusiastically taking everything he gives you and returning it tenfold. This could mean everything…or nothing.

You assume it’s been a while since Miguel has been with anyone. He’s…hesitant with you, sometimes, like he’s holding a part of himself back. Like it would be too much if he were to fully commit to you and show you what he wants deep down. There’s a constant push and pull with Miguel and it’s either very intense or barely there at all.

It’s a dynamic you’ll never get used to.

Sometimes you spend hours curled up on his lap, content with enjoying his company without a word exchanged between the two of you as he works on his computer, matching anomalies to dimensions and answering messages from different Spiders.

It’s peaceful and oddly domestic. You can almost forget about the collapsing multiverse, the worries that loom over all Spiders, and pretend it’s just you and him.

But then, there are the other times.

Moments that you’d like to forget.

Sometimes he needs space. He needs time to methodically plan out missions and brood in his office until it gets late enough that you know he isn’t coming to your apartment.

Sometimes he disappears for days, or even weeks at a time, never giving you a hint of where he’ll be, just an, “I’ll be back,” thrown over his shoulder. And then you’re left at the entrance as he shuts the door behind him, desperately waiting for him to return so you can be happy again.

You don’t know why he turns cold, and you’ll probably never find out because he doesn’t talk about his past.

It could be your fault.

You never ask.

You never push him to tell you about that little girl whose photo floats on his desktop, or the ring that sits in a drawer right beside his side of the bed.

Sometimes you wonder if you should. If that’s what you’re supposed to do in a ‘relationship’ like this. If you deserve even a crumb of vulnerability from him. But you’re too afraid to lose the fragile thing you have.

You left everything for Miguel. Without him, you’d just be a girl floating in a sea of spiders.

For some reason, you’d rather constantly be on the edge of your seat than lost without him. Because that’s how it would end. You convince yourself that the good times outweigh the bad.

Your infatuation blurs the blue waves and disperses the confusion and hurt until it barely feels like a pinch. He buries your seeds of worry with delicate kisses and numbs the creeping feeling of defeat with the heat of his touch.

With every cold shoulder comes a warm embrace, and you’ll wait weeks in the chill if it means you’ll be in his arms again.

—

Hobie is back, again, despite claiming to quit a couple of weeks ago. Always expect the unexpected with Hobie because consistency is not in his (very British and barely decipherable) vocabulary.

“Oi, Black-Widow, long time no see, eh?” His eye must’ve caught on to your new outfit, a custom dark-gray suit with nano-tech details. Miguel finally reimbursed you after carelessly shredding through your one and only suit.

It’s really nice, and you’re finally more recognizable with this one than the old red and blue traditional you sported before. You turn, spotting his iconic hair and piercings.

“Hobie! You’re back!” You practically jump into his arms, and he catches you easily. “Where’ve you been?”

“Ah, you know, here and there.” A cleared throat echoes through the room and he sets you down on your feet before slightly stepping away from you. Right, you’re still in his office. Whoops.

“Brown.” Miguel acknowledges Hobie, barely, despite talking directly to him. Hobie looks between the two of you, picking up on the change almost immediately. Whatever he’s thinking, he doesn’t show it.

“O’Hara.” He replies with an amused expression.

“Ready to get back to work?”

He shrugs, clearly not shaken in the slightest. “S’why I’m here, innit?”

“Good. Go report to Drew, you’ll be leaving in 20.”

“Right…” Eyes back on you. “I’ll see you later, then?”

“Yeah, we can catch up later! Be safe.”

“Will do, Spider-Woman.” You catch Hobie sending Miguel a teasing smirk as he draws away from the two of you and leaves the room. 

Freaking bugger, he’s trying to rile him up!

“I don’t like that guy.” He says it after a few seconds of silence.

You sigh, “I know.”

You turn to face him, meeting his signature scowl as he continues to glare at the door.

“With you.”

“I know.”

—

You’re still trying to do things your way, which, in your opinion, is the right way. And Miguel is still webbing you to any convenient surface and telling Parker to watch over you so he can get back to work.

“Not today, sweetheart.” You tug against the wisps of glowing red webs, nearly growling in your struggle. He’s clearly upgraded their strength after you’ve been able to escape and secretly tag along behind him.

“Wait, but, Miguel–!”

“This operation is especially sensitive. I can’t have you window shopping in a crumbling mall again.”

“That was one time! And we weren’t even on a mission.”

He raises an accusing brow, “Exactly.” He starts to walk away, ignoring your groaning and moaning. “Don’t forget you’re still on thin ice after you disobeyed orders last time.

“Ugh! C’mon, that was eons ago. I think I’ve proven myself.” He walks away, clicking a few buttons on his watch before a portal appears.

“Yeah, on unauthorized trips.”

“Still!”

“Brown, you ready?”

Hobie pushes off the wall he is leaning on and gives Miguel a teasing salute, “Aye-aye, sir.”

“What?! I’m stuck over here, but he gets to go?” The Brit sends you a teasing wink.

“He’s dispensable, cariño.”

“Ouch.”

You look over to the other side of the room where Peter sits.

“Okay, and what about him?”

“He's on babysitting duty.”

“Really? We’re still on this?” You raise an annoyed brow.

Peter holds his hands up in surrender, “Don’t look at me, look at your boyfriend. You’re not the only one suffering from this arrangement.”

“Boyfriend? More like father…” You mumble grumpily.

Hobie’s mouth quirks up, “Father? More like d-”

“Don’t fucking finish that sentence, Brown.” Of course, this doesn’t discourage him, if anything, the low growl only makes him smile wider. Miguel sighs, releasing the sudden tension from his body with a quick roll of his shoulders. “Alright, we should be back in a handful of hours.” He begrudgingly looks over at his mission partner, “Let’s go.”

“Okay, call me if you need help!” You yell as Hobie disappears into a flash of neon lights and pulsing sounds.

Before Miguel follows and slips through the portal, he stops and looks back, not at you, but at your babysitter, “And Parker,” He pulls his mask on, always ready for battle, “Make sure she behaves.”

“Oh, come on–”

Peter grins and sends Miguel a half-hearted thumbs up, “You got it.”

[madameaug]

One of Your Girls: KTH x Black Reader

Pairing: Actor Taehyung x Friend zoned Black Reader

Reader is delusional (like most of us), kinda feel bad, down horrendous, love sick for sure. Kinda mopey tone

I never could have imagined myself being a The Weekend girl. A girl who was so desperate for male attention that she convinced herself that being a side-chick was okay. Uttering that stupid phrase "he knows where home is." I actively laughed and made fun of those girls. Side chicks who believed that they would one day become the wife. That the man who was dragging her along would come to his senses. That she had something special and would motivate him to change his dirty dog ways. Ha! What fools.

Yet there was a voice that didn't belong to me , reciprocating that belly-aching laugh.

Look at you in madly in love with a man who sees you as nothing more than a friend.

Even though no one was pointing that finger at me the embarrassment was swallowing me up whole. Yet again here I laid in the California King bed, alone, hoping he would still be here with me. That after he tucked me into bed, that he would be curled up beside me. I wouldn't dare allow myself to hope that maybe in our mutual intoxication, we shared this bed in a more intimate sense. That I finally escaped the isolating box of friendship. Removing the burn of being called his friend, but rather yet just his.

"Ms. Yn? Are you awake?" Judah Tae's assistant spoke on the other side of the door. Huh, I guess he knew about me staying the night. I wasn't a total fool to know that Judah coming to wake me up, was a clear sign from Tae that my window of being a guest was rapidly closing. He was too much of a coward to address me head-on and politely kick me out. So he tasked that to either his softspoken Judah or his rough-around-edges security guard Binky. At this point I would have preferred Binky to wake me up.

"I'm up, Judah." I picked up my belongings that were scattered across the ground. Nothing too serious but a bright red corset top and a slinky black maxi skirt.

"Your phone and purse are on the dining table, and your Uber is outside. No need to rush out, take your time."

Judah added that last sentence to cushion the blow that I was again getting the discreet dismissal from his boss. I was the pitiful girl who couldn't get the hint. Or perhaps refused to get the hint.

I sat in front of the vanity mirror, getting myself together. Yes, I was a bit prideful. Even though I was on the edge of another anti-climatic emotional breakdown, I'll be damned if I showed it. If fake it til I make it was a person, it would be me.

Drunk me in all her right mind, was smart enough to remove the layers of makeup on my face. They weren't smeared across Taehyung's satin pillow sheets. Sheets I like to think he got for me, to protect my natural hair. I just like to think that he's thinking of me.

Catching my eye were two photo frames. The larger one contained Taehyung and his castmates of Hwarang. He was the youngest and his older castmates had bunny ears behind his head. Even though it was hard to see as Taehyung was dressed in a traditional hanbok. His perfect smile on display, his big ears poking out lateral to the black head strap. He looked like a kid in the candy store. Smiling cheek to cheek, that he actually looked like his six year old self.

Should I truly feel shame for allowing myself to fall in love with a man like him. A man who was kind, interested in the things I liked, was single, intelligent, and had a passion within his career. I wouldn't be exaggerating for saying that Kim Taehyung was one of a kind. It would be hard to find another like him. No. There is no one like him. I was already lucky to be in his space as a friend. Someone who he didn't have to worry about betraying him to the gossip-hungry tabloids, airing out his dirty laundry for the world to sift through and mock. I was honored to be his number one confidant, his best friend. But I won't lie to my heart and say I wish we were something more.

I wish I met his grandmother, the most important woman of his life under the guise of lover. That he posted my face on social media holidays like National Girlfriend Day. I wish that I had an initial in his bio, showing that he was taken.

But instead, I was reminded of the reason why none of my wishes would come true. His true love was currently occupying that space. The female co-star that he was currently the lead with. She was a beautiful ray of sunshine inside and out. Everything about her was pretty. Her skin was clear and smooth, not an imperfection is sight. She had a youthful look to her, easily being mistaken as Taehyung's junior despite her being older than him. Even her name translated to 'pretty' in both her native language and Korean. I didn't need intense calculations to understand why Taehyung was in love with her. If I was a male, hell I'd probably be in love with her too.

Which is why it hurt the most seeing the two lovebirds hug each other so lovingly. Her smile was turning into rambunctious teasing. Bragging that she won this little onsided game between us. That she was the victor in this drawn-out battle for Taehyung's attention and affection.

That I YN YLN was a loser. That I earned second place. Nah. That wouldn't stand for much longer. Kim Taehyung was in love with me. A seedling somewhere in that big heart of his was reserved for me. His girlfriend was the overcast, preventing my little seed from growing. Two can play this game. And rest assured, that this time I would be victorious.

Muah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!

(just jokes- i don't support homewrecking <3)

[spop-romanticizes-abuse]

so among the million other things that was wrong with catra's redemption, i want to highlight the main thing that stuck out to me.

i don't know about y'all but i've had people "apologize" to me like this. saying sorry or admitting their mistakes and then immediately following it up with “i'm worthless” or “everyone hates me” or something in that vein. i get it, people are insecure and they have a lot of self-doubt. but when apologizing to someone about a serious mistake that you made, for hurting them or worse, you do not do this. it's guilt tripping.

apologies are difficult. even if you feel really guilty about what you did, it might be hard to face facts and admit that you did something terrible. even if you absolutely despise yourself, your ego can work up when it comes to apologizing.

catra does admit her faults in the first frame (albeit while still being very vague. “hurt people” is an understatement for everything that she did). but immediately following it up with “no one cares about me :((” just defeats the whole point. like yeah, i wonder why. it's probably not because she abused, verbally harassed and killed people, right?

it doesn't look like she's guilty of what she did, it comes off as her regretting it after she started to face the consequences. she's not upset because she hurt people, she's upset because they left her and now she's alone.

not to mention, this scene where she lashes out at adora for saving her life.

the way she says “you all hate me” just sounds accusatory. not only is she snapping at the person who saved her life and is willing to give her a second chance, but she's also getting angry at adora and the others for hating her. friendly reminder that catra was a war criminal who killed people, abused adora for years, caused the death of glimmer's mother and almost ended space and time out of spite. and here she is, acting as if she doesn't deserve to be hated for all this. (also, adora's response to this is absolute bullshit. “i never hated you” yes, you did. you almost killed catra with no hesitation in s4.)

let's not forget the iconic “i'm working on it” that everyone was swooning over. omg catra says she's working on her anger issues, we love character development! oop— but then she immediately shifts the blame to adora by saying that adora was the one giving her a hard time. mhm. like you didn't give adora a hard time her whole life, catra.

this is almost uncomfortably realistic when compared to real life abusers. if they ever do apologize, this is how they do it. they either make it all about themselves so that you feel guilty for “making them apologize” or they snidely shift the blame to you. if you get mad about it, they could simply say “i said i'm sorry, what more do you want from me?”

regular viewers may see this and think “well, she apologized. that's a good thing”. but if you've ever been acquainted with a person like catra irl, you know that this apology is not sincere. it's just a way to shut their victims up and indirectly manipulate them. you think they're being genuine but you also feel like it's your fault partially, because of how they shift the blame to you or pity themselves until you feel bad for them.

[cr0cutacr0cuta]

Loving Darius Deamonne: A LONG tumblr essay about my favorite character from The Owl House, and why I think his potential was missed but hinted at.

Hey heres an edit: forgot that Gus existed, my bad. :sob: I love him too just not as much.

Darius Deamonne is a great character and you should love him too and here's why.

It goes beyond me just loving him for being black and pretty obviously gay (at least some sort of mlm) in my eyes. Which is good! He's black and somewhat feminine and it's never played for laughs. He's still treated like a threat and like a very powerful and influential person. Which I wholeheartedly appreciate it.

Which is the first thing I wanna touch on I guess?

I also want to say that some of this is based off of interviews that Dana Terrace has done for the show, as well as piecing theories together based on the information we DO know about Darius.

And no I won't proofread this because I have anxiety about re-reading anything I write, so sorry for the typos in advanced. :,)

I was going to do this in parts but everything is bleeding together so much that I can't. I'll sum up all the most important things in bullet points at the end!

This will probably be my shortest section here. Darius is very reminiscent of effeminate Disney Villains such as Scar or Gaston. He's very into fashion and self pampering. He even has a menacing sounding French/Greek roots last name that DOES invoke demons. Even if that's not the true meaning behind the name, but we'll get back to that later in this section.

Darius is first hinted at in Season 1 Episode 13, "The First Day". His simplified visage appearing on the Abomination Coven banner.

Man, look at how sinister and mysterious they made him look. He also appears to MAYBE be wearing a different outfit than he does in the rest of the series proper. There's not a lot to say or analyze here, I just think his banner is super neat.

The second time we see Darius is in the flashback segment of "Young Blood, Old Souls". We see his younger design first before we even get a glimpse of his present one. I just really like that detail and the implication that Darius was a character that was very heavily on the writer's mind from the jump.

Now his real, first proper appearance is very wild. Very important. I don't know too much about cinematography and framing, but I do know a little bit of the basics.

Let's look at his first true appearance in Season 2 Episode 6, "Hunting Pailsmen".

We do see his shadow in the shot before this, but I just want to point out that Darius is straight up the first coven head we see in the introduction to all of them. (We do see Mason in an earlier episode but it was in a more comedic role and he doesn't speak.)

This framing putting Darius front and center doesn't stop here.

In the first proper serious group shot of the coven heads, Darius is in the middle. Firstly, the perspective frames Darius as the biggest person in the shot. Maybe besides Hettie, but she's also pretty tall and scaled down because of the perspective. He's also the one in the center of the shot, in the center of some of the most powerful people and most influental people in the isles.

This does imply importance.

It even goes further in the next shot.

Darius is at the side here, sure. But he's put next to Mason who probably has the plainest design out of all the coven heads. (I'm sure he's fine.) But it almost feels like he was put next to Darius to make Darius' framing look more important. With the rest of the more uniquely designed coven heads smaller, at the back, and rendered in less color because of the light from the cauldron (?) in the shot.

Even in the storyboard, Darius seems ot have a bit more detail than everyone else. And if not that, his expression is more clear and intense than the other's.

This makes me wonder how important Darius was to the narrative before the show got canceled. Like yes, Raine ended up being the most important person here in the end. Rightfully so. I still just wondered what was there intention with the compositions of these scenes. Was Darius meant to be more important, or was this a misdirect?

He's in such a unique spot in the story, that I doubt it was unintentional. Darius was supposed to be explored much more according to Dana.

Snippet of the interview from TV Tropes.

So we know Darius was supposed to be explored more as a character in a hypothetical, fully realized season 3. I really would have done anything to see that, honestly.

That's all I have to really say for this section. I'm just bummed that all this foreshadowing and planning was destroyed because of Disney's mismanagement of the show. It also sucks that the main black character we see in the show is one of the biggest causalities from it. Moving on.

So back to Darius being like renaissance era Disney villains...He's vain, he's powerful, and quite possibly...He's manipulative. Mainly, it seems, towards the other coven heads.

Remember what Hunter says in "Any Sport in a Storm" about the coven heads...

This is very much speculation on my part. But I think Darius has been in the rebellion game for a while. I can't say he's a direct leader and I can't say he has an entire group behind him until Raine comes along. But I wouldn't put it above him to use mind games to help slow Belos' progress. I think Darius may have been purposely sowing discourse between the other coven heads.

Mind you, a lot of them are already conniving on their own. But I don't put it past him to stoke the flames to cause chaos for Belos' plans.

This does beg the question, how long has Darius been at this? How long has he been TRYING to dismantle the Emperor's hold on the Isles?

Again, speculation warning, but I do think Darius may have been at least skeptical of Belos and looking into what he was doing since his mentor died.

Imagine, your mentor is the leader of the Emperor's Coven. The Emperor's personal right hand man. Then he just...dies one day. And since Belos says that all the previous guards had in fact, betrayed him, what's to say that the previous Golden Guard didn't tell Darius he was going to betray Belos?

Like yes, he could have not told Darius in an attempt to protect him. Darius obviously meant a lot to him and he obviously meant a lot to Darius. Though I also think that he would want to save Darius and everyone else. And if he couldn't, he would want Darius to save himself and everyone else. I can't prove that Darius was told anything, but I wouldn't be surprised.

So Darius may have just...Straight up been in the trenches for years at this point. He does say that he rebelled because he found "The Day of Unity suspicious"...But Darius has exaggerated on screen before. He's also been straight up lying to a lot of peers for possibly years. He can be an unreliable narrator here.

This also means he is a stereotypical renaissance villain turned on it's head. He looks very evil, but my mans is just semi goth, loves fashion, and is an anarchist. He's not a villain, just an anti-hero.

With that said, let's talk about his relationship with Hunter, which seems to be pretty complicated.

Darius starts out seemingly looking at Hunter with distain. I think about what Dana says about Darius' main motivations not only being to help people, but to care about the ones that he loves. The implications that Darius' main driving force is love, not only for people personally in his life, but for his community, the people of the isles, seems pretty significant.

I think love maybe Darius' main, true character trait.

Love, especially when it ties into grief, can really make people lash out. Not everyone reacts this way, but we've already established that Darius can be pretty full of wrath when he wants to be.

To me it's very clear that Darius is projecting the anger he feels from his grief onto Hunter. Which yes, is messed up. There's no excuse for it. He eventually seems to grow and change at least, and that's good.

I can definitely see WHY he would feel the way he does towards Hunter at first though. Your mentor is murdered one day and you get little explanation, he also may have hinted at something deeper and darker happening within the leadership of your community before he does. Then he's replaced by some kid that, probably to you, came out of nowhere. He's the emperor's nephew. Didn't his family die a long time ago? Did his mentor have a child that he didn't even mention?

Which does beg the question...Does Darius know that Hunter is a grimwalker? I don't know? I don't think so. I think he's very suspicious of the whole situation at the very least. You're also frustrated with the kid about being a follower, about not looking at the bigger picture, about just being a soldier and not his own person. Because you're sure that being a follower, being subservient, is what lost your mentor his life.

Darius definitely could have handled this better. He could have not projected his grief onto Hunter. He could have been more open about what he wanted him to do. He could have told him to go be a kid and make friends. But he let his grief get in the way of it all. He's flawed, and that's relatable.

Seeing Hunter make friends and show some sort of autonomy seemingly broke him from seeing Hunter as just a replacement. He started seeing Hunter as his own person as Hunter did. I think that's a very important step in their growth together. I find that super interesting and very poetic.

There's also the fact that Darius probably couldn't tell Hunter about the scope of everything because he wanted to protect him from it all. I don't think Darius ever wanted Hunter to get hurt. Even if he was cruel to him initially. He was so upset in "Hollow Mind" that he shoves Raine out of the way when hears about Hunter being stuck in Belos' mind.

He also may have been scared of what Hunter would see if he had known that the Emperor had something to do with his mentor's death.

Also I guess I should mention it here because of it all tying into Darius being part of the rebellion but...There's a scene in "Eda's Requiem" where Darius is more angry about his clothes getting messed up than the fact that Raine has committed treason...Which is great foreshadowing, actually. I love the fact that Eberwolf has to remind him of the treason part so their cover doesn't get blown, probably.

Let's keep the ball rolling on the most important relationships in Darius' life.

We've covered Hunter and his mentor, so let's move onto Eberwolf.

Eberwolf is pretty heavily implied to be like a sibling to Darius. There's a lot of unexplored territory here and it makes me really sad. So this'll probably be the most sparsely talked about relationship here despite the fact that Darius and Eberwolf spend almost all of their screen time together.

I think the thing I want to point out was that Darius was not willing to let Eberwolf harmed or possibly killed during their fight with other coven heads on the day of unity. I feel like this may elude to a few things.

Darius cannot bare to lose someone in his life again. Or can't bare to see it, possibly again. He backs off immediately and the fear in his eyes is real.

Which shout out the animators for making that very apparent.

It's also very apparent in Eberwolf's expression as well. The expressions just say so much and tell so much of the story between the two that we don't get to see. We get shown and not told...Even if we weren't shown in a more direct way.

Saw this in another post but the scenes following where Eberwolf and Darius appear, also imply pretty heavily that when the spell started working, Eberwolf wanted to run to Darius. But he was in too much pain himself to make it over to him.

Darius knew they were all going to die if he didn't do anything but he chose not to anyway because the pain of losing Eberwolf right in front of him in such a terrible way stopped him. Darius let his fear of loss of someone he really cared about potential damn everyone on the isles. Another flaw, but another important note to tack onto his character.

Like yes, he would have saved everyone else but he probably would have caused him more heartache that he couldn't handle. He'd already been through a lot losing his mentor (and his best friend/possible love interest, but oh we will get to you, Alador Blight.), and this kind of implies that he probably couldn't do it again.

Though Darius acts smart and kind of logical, he's very driven by his emotions, his love and grief in particular, seemingly.

That being said, let's move on from Eberwolf. We're going to skip the obvious for now, and go onto why Darius is probably the best coven head or at least in the running next to Raine.

I'd like to let you all know that the abomination coven is pretty consistently stacked. Not only do they have Principal Bump, who has been shown to be a powerful which in his own right from his debut episode, but Alador, who's Darius' rival yes...But it's pretty lightly implied that Darius and Alador had shared their innovations and interests in abominations when they were younger. Alador probably knows some of what he knows from Darius. Though you could probably say the same the other way around, Alador didn't end up becoming the coven head. Darius is obviously the more skilled abomination user of the two.

Then you have up and coming prospects like Amity who's consistently been shown to be pretty powerful.

Willow even says in "I Was A Teenager Abomination":

"There are better opportunities on this track." when referring to the abomination tract at school.

Now don't get me wrong, coven system = bad. But I don't think the sense of community the coven system provides for witches is ALL bad.

I think the implication here, though subtle, is that Darius is fostering probably the most powerful coven in the entire system.

He's investing and nurturing new prospects. He's providing opportunities for witches in his coven that other covens are not. Darius truly cares about his community. He truly cares about his craft and furthering it through communal growth. He even wrote a book to show his knowledge with the people of the isles.

Darius has been shown to be on of the few characters who can change his form. He does this at will (seemingly) without the help of a curse of any kind. Darius is just powerful enough to change into an abomination monster and he's the only character who can do it. Which is impressive considering how stacked the rest of the abomination users in the show are.

Even Alador has made pretty rad innovations to the craft, even if Darius doesn't completely agree with them.

I also want to say that this points to Darius maybe being a engineer like Alador...but to contrast Alador being a mechanical one he's a genetic engineer, and that might be what's going on with his form. But that's again, pure speculation just from his seemingly opposite theming to Alador.

So it seems like Darius is also a good leader. One with a sense of duty and nurturing towards his community.

Now last but not least...

Let's fucking talk about.

AlaDarius.

Man I have so much to fucking say about these two HOLY SHIT.

They are literally only on screen together like 4 times and it's in the epilogue but just the implications we get from the little breadcrumbs we do have...Oh man.

So Darius and Alador were friends. We can prove that. They seemed to be on good teams in "Thems the Breaks, Kid." Alador talking to Darius and laughing once he flicks some abomination goo onto his face. With Odalia observing, unfortunately.

There's a lot that can be inferred by this. I don't think Odalia was always like she is now. But power, and maybe the prospect of it, corrupts. There's a lot that could have happened between these three.

Some theories:

It's possible that Odalia didn't have as many prospects as Darius or Alador coming up. Which might be why she pursued Alador in the first place. Alador's family has money, Odalia has a manipulative business sense, Alador is socially awkward and probably can't conduct business as well so that maybe got her in good with his family.

Maybe she even manipulated Alador into loving her over Darius by whispering lies in his ears and fueling the rivalry between them. Maybe she got Alador to push Darius away.

There's also the prospect that Alador's marriage to Odalia was arranged for whatever reason. Maybe his parents also told him to push Darius away because of that because they knew Alador and Darius were catching feelings for each other. Alador could have thought that this was normal and had a sense of duty to his family that he put over his love for Darius.

This could also be why he was okay with Odalia telling Amity to cut ties with Willow. Alador may have been forced to do the exact same thing.

And we've already established that when Darius cares about someone, he cares about them very hard. He loves and he loves deep. He already lashed out at Hunter because he loved his mentor so deeply, so why wouldn't he lash out at Alador for essentially abandoning him?

I think it's very clear that Darius loved Alador. Maybe he still does after all these years considering how he acted in the epilogue.

I mean look at him.

He shakes Alador in excitement and pride and pulls away all embarrassed. Pretending he still doesn't have feelings. He even like, touches his chest it's insane and insanely cute. Alador not knowing how to feel is also funny because he probably thinks Darius had either let go of his feelings or he's just surprised that he'd show him any kind of affection after everything.

I also have a theory that Darius possibly been wanting to reconnect with Alador for years. I think the rebellion and wanting to protect Alador from possibly getting threatened if he himself got caught might be a reason. It also might be anxiety. Maybe he's scared Alador might find a reason to abandon him again. Maybe he's actually actively traumatized by that prospect and he has work through it (god I wish this show had more time). Maybe it's all habit at this point too. He's just used to pushing Alador away at this point. Hell, maybe he even thinks that Alador should just be focusing on his children considering their mother is no longer in the picture and they're all healing as a family and he feels like that has nothing to do with him.

There's a lot of speculation.

I'm willing to bet SOME of this is right.

I also don't think this should be downplayed considering that Darius never mentions Odalia when seeing the abomaton in "Eda's Requiem." He didn't have to say anything at all but he's so hurt and so petty about being hurt by Alador SPECIFICALLY that he tells Kikimora to tell him that he's a hack.

There's something going on and I want to know what it is and I'm 80% sure that it's romantic.

I also want to also point out that we see Alador and Darius standing together in the very last shot of the show.

Like they do genuinely look like a family unite here and I truly appreciate it. It might take some time but but that's alright. I think they can figure it out. I think they genuinely can mend their relationship with each other since Darius was able to mend his with Hunter and Alador with his children.

They're both so flawed and had to grow in similar aspects. They're both so different but have these little bridges that truly connect them. Their love for abominations. How they both weren't the best father figures at first but learned to be better for their kids.

There's a lot of undertones with this relationship I truly enjoy.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT HIS DESIGN.

I've been writing this essay for over 3 hours so I'm going to try to make this fast.

I won't go into how Darius is very effeminate Disney villain again, so I'll jump straight into his color palette.

Darius has 5 basic colors/shades in his design.

Black: Black invokes a few things. They all kind of pertain to Darius. Black can mean mystery. His past is very mysterious. He's basically a spy, which are mysterious. Black can also mean elegance and power. He loves fancy clothes and is very powerful.

Purple: Darius has a few shades of purple on him. This can be a nod to his craft as the abomination coven head. Purple also invokes regality which might be a nod to his influence in the witch community at large. Though not a ruler, he does have a presence that does seem almost like royalty. It's also the color of imagination. The abominations are somewhat like living sculptures, like art, eluding to imagination. He also sews, probably making his own outfits, which is a very creative endeavor. Purple also invokes compassion, enlightenment, and encouragement. It's also attached to those who are emotional and sensitive and sometimes immature.

Green: Green is a fantastic contrast to purple. I'm guessing this is why Darius' eyes were changed from purple to green. It made more sense with his design and gave it a bit more pop. While green is the color of envy (possibly eluding to his possibly jealousy of Odalia and Alador's relationship), it's also the color of judgement (again, looking at Alador) and materialism (my man loves his clothes). The positive side to this is green representing healing and growth as well. They represent things that Darius needs to let go and things that he actually needs.

Gold: Gold represents luxury, success, triumph, and loyalty. I feel like that's all pretty self explanatory considering all I've discussed so far. Darius studied hard under the olden guard to be successful, he triumphant and became the coven head, he's loyal to everyone he loves and his community. And he does enjoy a bit of luxury, too. :)

White: White actually means a lot of things. The ones I think pertain to Darius most are actually cleanliness, coldness, and purity believe it or not. Obviously he likes to be clean. Coldness because of how distant he starts towards Hunter, and how he maybe pushing away certain people because he doesn't want them getting hurt if he gets found out in the rebellion. This cold also be why his gloves are white. They're a symbol of his coldness over his hands. His coldness keeps him from touching other's, literally. It keeps him distant. Now purity maybe the surprising one here, but it's most so about his intentions, and his sense of duty, and his need to protect. Those things all come from a pure place, a pure good. Even if he himself isn't pure good. It's still in him. Also shout out to perfection as a meaning too but it's not confirmed but he seems like the type who would be a perfectionist.

Overall, his palette actually tells you everything you need to know about him. His silhouette is also pretty memorable. You can look at just that and know, yeah THAT'S Darius Deamonne. You can also tell little things about him from his silhouette through his posture and shapes of his clothes.

I'll also briefly mention his name.

Darius is a name of Persian/Greek/Latin Origin. It means "possessing goodness". And man that feels like a dead giveaway for him not being a bad guy once I type it now. The name can also mean "rich/king like" which...TRUE. And also it can mean "he who holds firm to good". Which is also true. It's also a very popular name among Black folks in the US.

Deamonne is... A little more complicated. It's both French and Greek oddly enough. There's not a lot about this name out there, honestly. Usually when you look it up on google most of the results pertain to well...Darius himself.

Deamonne might be a reference to the word daemon, itself a previous form of the word "demon"...But Daemons themselves are pretty different. The Greek meaning of the word seems to be "A divinity who or supernatural being of a nature between gods and humans." I wonder if MAYBE it's a nod to his status of being able to transform into abomination matter, making him maybe a hybrid or somewhere between being a witch or abomination? Who knows? Hard to say with this one.

I guess that's it! Maybe I'll reblog with an update if I can think of more. But this is my genuine exploration of why Darius means so much to me and why he deserved way better than he got.

These are all breadcrumbs really, and that's what makes his story so, so alluring. Because if they could tell this much with this little, I wonder what the could have showed us if he had even just a full episode to himself.

Here's the tl;dr with all the important points:

Darius probably had a bigger part to play in the Owl House's plot that got cut because of it's cancelation.

Darius' main driving emotion and motivation seems to be love.

Darius may have been planning to betray Belos for longer than we thought.

Darius is probably very scared of losing someone he loves again.

Darius come off as a little cold and distant because of those fears.

He'd lay down his life for people he loves.

He might be the best coven head in terms in leadership.

His color scheme and name lay out his character pretty bare.

I'm sure there's more here but thanks for reading. Sorry this ran long. I actually probably forgot some things in the summery above because I've been writing this for hours.

Have a good day and remember:

I'd give my soul and all my money for a Darius Deamonne spin off.

[jupiterpp]

CHAPTER THREE: CHARISMA | 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞. -𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

important note; This is the first time I'm posting my stories on Tumblr. My mother tongue is not English so expect grammatical errors ahead.

word count: 2.8k words

MASTERLIST | CHAPTERS

"Slug club?" I remarked, my interest piqued at the peculiar name. I turned my gaze towards Slughorn, who calmly set down his mug on the polished desk, and then settled into his chair with an air of satisfaction. "You named the club after yourself? Quite classy."

"Don't even start, my dear," He sighed, shaking his head. "Your Father was a part of my club not so long ago.  And might I add, he was quite the charming fellow, if memory serves me right."

I couldn't help but smirk playfully at Slughorn's remark. "Oh, so if I join your club, you'll finally have a charming member again?"

Slughorn chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, yes," he admitted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose you could say that," Slughorn replied with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But of course, it's not-"

"No thanks," I cut in, rising from my seat and snatching the new schedule from the table. I pointed it playfully at Slughorn, a smirk tugging at my lips. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get to my..." I glanced down at the schedule in my hand, then back up at him. "Defense Against the Dark Arts class." With a casual wave, I turned on my heel and headed for the door, leaving Slughorn chuckling behind me.

As I strolled down the bustling corridors, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbled inside me. It was only the second day of classes, but it already felt like I had been here for ages. I turned a corner and found myself in front of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The door was already open, and a few students were trickling in.

Scanning the room, I spotted a familiar face—Elara Hartwell, my newfound friend. She was already seated, her curly auburn hair framing her face as she scribbled diligently in her notebook. I made my way over and slid into the chair next to her.

"Merlin, where have you been?" she exclaimed in a hushed voice, glancing up from her notes to shoot me a playful yet concerned look. "Class is about to start in a few minutes!"

I flashed her a quick grin. "Got held up by Slughorn," I replied, my voice trailing off as I noticed the figure seated beside me.

Riddle.

Tom Riddle sat there, his dark, piercing eyes meeting mine with a cold, calculating look. His presence was unsettling, sending a shiver down my spine. I narrowed my eyes at him before averting my gaze when the professor walked in. Reinhard Lestrange was sitting right beside him and stayed silent once the professor walked in.

Professor Galatea Merrythought entered the room with her usual commanding presence, her eyes scanning the class as she set her things on the desk. The room fell silent.

"Good morning, everyone," she said in a voice that was cool but not unkind. "Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Merrythought, and my goal is to prepare you to face any dark force you might encounter, both inside and outside these walls."

She flicked her wand, and the blackboard behind her filled with intricate diagrams of defensive spells and counter-curses. "We'll start with the basics today, but don't get too comfortable. Things will get challenging quickly."

Merlin. Already?

I propped my right arm on the desk, leaning in with a small smile on my face as the class continued, Professor Merrythought moved on to a particularly serious topic: the three Unforgivable Curses. She paced the room, her eyes scanning each of us with a piercing intensity.

"Now, students," she began, her voice taking on a grave tone, "I trust you're all aware of the three Unforgivable Curses. Can anyone tell me what they are?"

I glanced around the class, observing their raised hands, and hesitantly raised mine as well. Beside me, Tom Riddle's hand shot up with swift confidence. Professor Merrythought's gaze swept over the sea of students, pausing momentarily on Tom before settling on me.

"Ah, you there," she said, pointing directly at me. "You're the new student, aren't you? What's your name?"

"Yes, Professor," I responded promptly, pushing my chair back and standing up. I straightened my posture, clasping my hands behind my back as I looked at her with a calm smile. "I'm [Name] Delacroix, Professor."

"Very well, Miss Delacroix," Professor Merrythought acknowledged before continuing. "Name one of the Unforgivable Curses."

"The Imperius Curse," I replied confidently, maintaining eye contact with her. She nodded slightly, urging me to elaborate. I cleared my throat softly, my voice steady as I continued. "The Imperius Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. It allows the caster to control the actions of the victim, essentially enslaving them to their will," I explained, feeling the eyes of my classmates on me.

"Well done, Miss Delacroix. Five points to Slytherin," Professor Merrythought nodded approvingly, a serious expression on her face. "Next!"

A sense of pride swelled within me as I sank back into my seat with a small sigh, looking at Elara who gave me a smile and patted my shoulders for gaining a point at our house. 

"Mister Riddle," Professor pointed at Riddle who immediately stood up.

Tom's expression remained neutral as he elaborated. "The Cruciatus Curse is used to inflict excruciating pain on the victim. It is a form of torture and leaves no physical marks, making it a particularly cruel form of punishment."

"Excellent, Riddle. Ten points to Slytherin," Professor Merrythought announced, sounding all pleased. I couldn't help but raise a brow, nudging Elara beside me.

"How come he gets ten points and I got five?" I whispered low.

Professor Merrythought seemed satisfied with his answer and turned her attention to the rest of the class. "And the last one? Mister Avery?"

"Favoritism," Elara replied, leaning closer to me. I nodded in agreement, my gaze shifting to Riddle, who appeared focused on the class. "Almost all the professors have a soft spot for him. I don't know why, maybe because he's charming."

"Five points to Slytherin," Professor Merrythought announced before circling around her desk, her eyes scanning the class.

"See what I mean?" Elara nudged me again, her elbow gently poking my sides.

I glanced at her, rolling my eyes slightly. "Charming or not, it's still not fair," I murmured back, feeling a flicker of irritation. 

When the class finally ended, Elara and I made our way to the Great Hall for lunch. The grandeur of the hall never failed to awe me, with its enchanted ceiling reflecting the sky outside and the long tables adorned with delicious dishes.

I couldn't help but notice Riddle sitting with a group of friends, engaged in conversation. Among them were Lestrange and Avery, a name I had heard mentioned earlier in class. They seemed deep in discussion together.

We found an empty spot at the Slytherin table and sat down, filling our plates with a variety of food. Despite my earlier frustration, the lively chatter and delicious aroma of the food lifted my spirits.

"So, what do you think of Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Elara asked between bites of her meal.

"It's definitely interesting," I replied, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "Though I could do without the blatant favoritism."

Elara chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yes, it does seem rather obvious, doesn't it?"

I glanced at Elara, who followed my gaze with a curious expression. "That's Lestrange, right?" she whispered, leaning in closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.

"Mhm," She hummed as Silvius Tiberius, another Slytherin that I had met yesterday came to sit with us across the table followed by Augustus Montague and Marcellus Langley. "Wait, you know Lestrange?" Elara paused eating, her fork hovering in mid-air as she looked at me with raised brows, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes," I replied. "He was my partner at potions class yesterday."

"Seriously?" Elara's eyes widened in disbelief. She glanced at Silvius, who seemed to tense up under her scrutinizing gaze. She then turned back to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Haven't I told you about... Riddle's friends?"

Now it was my turn to raise a brow at her, my curiosity matching hers. "No? Why? Have they done something wrong?"

Elara sighed softly, her expression grave. "They're not exactly known for their good behavior," she explained quietly. "Riddle and his friends—Lestrange included—have a reputation for causing trouble and doing nasty things around Hogwarts. Rumors say they've got a knack for getting away with it, too."

"It's not just harmless pranks. Some of the stuff they do is really nasty. At least that's what the rumors said. Not sure about Riddle though. He seems to be more focused on class than doing stupid things." Said Marcellus, glancing at me with a smirk.

Marcellus leaned in, lowering his voice. "Another saying I heard is they have a way of making people's lives miserable if they want to. They've been known to... manipulate situations to their advantage."

"It's best to keep your head down and avoid crossing paths with them," Silvius said with a shrug. "They're always up to something." 

'✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ೃ⁀➷-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-˚. ೃ⁀➷'✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹

Sitting in the library, I engrossed myself with a book related to Charms. The quiet atmosphere and the scent of aged parchment provided a welcome refuge from the complexities and intrigues of Slytherin House. Flipping through the pages, I found myself absorbed in a section on advanced wand movements, trying to commit each precise flick and swish to memory.

I paused when I heard heavy breathing not far from me. I side-glance to my left and caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner of my eye. Eventually, They ended up behind the bookshelf in front of me, causing me to narrow my eyes at the heavy breathing this person was making.

This person thinks I haven't noticed him watching me since I arrived at Hogwarts. This person, I see him everywhere. He's following me. With a flick of my fingers, the books covering the person's face shifted aside, revealing a young boy who gasped and trembled when our eyes met.

Realization hit me when I met his familiar gaze. "What the hell—Dennis—"

He stammered a few words before he ran out of the library, causing a few glares to follow his hasty exit.

"Bishop! Get back here!" the librarian yelled after him, her face reddening with irritation. I sank back into my chair, trying to ignore the curious looks from the other students. Great, now I was on the librarian's radar as well.

My eyes instinctively followed the doors of the library, tracking Dennis's hurried departure. What on earth was that about? Dennis at Hogwarts? The thought seemed inconceivable. He was from a world completely unaware of magic.

Elara, who had been quietly absorbed in her studies nearby, approached with a quizzical expression. She slid into the seat next to me, her curiosity evident. "What was all that commotion about?"

I sighed, shaking my head in bewilderment. "I wish I knew," I admitted, furrowing my brows.

Elara looked thoughtful for a moment, her gaze flicking towards the library entrance where Dennis had run away. "Why did he seem so startled?"

"I don't know," I replied with a hint of frustration, shrugging my shoulders. "You tell me. That guy's been acting strange since the moment I arrived."

Silvius and Augustus had now joined us, their curiosity piqued. Silvius, leaning casually against the table, raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"

I glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "He's been following me everywhere. Watching me. It seems like he's got something to say but can't find the nerve."

"Bishop's always been a bit of an odd duck," Mulciber joined the conversation, placing a stack of books on the table. Elara shot Mulciber a warning look, but he continued unabated. "What? It's true. No denying it. The bloke's a shadow, always lurking about. Gives me the creeps."

Elara frowned at Mulciber. "That's not helping, Mulciber."

He shrugged dismissively. "Just stating the obvious."

I shook my head and sighed, feeling a mixture of concern and confusion. My fingers idly traced the gilt lettering on the book's spine before I closed it, meeting my friends' eyes earnestly. "Let's change the subject," I suggested.

Elara and Silvius exchanged a knowing glance, silently agreeing to drop the matter for now. Augustus, ever perceptive, nodded in understanding. "Right," he said, picking up on my subtle cue. "Any plans for the weekend?"

'✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ೃ⁀➷-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-˚. ೃ⁀➷'✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹

It has been over two weeks since I arrived at Hogwarts.

Day by day, I've noticed the closeness between Professor Slughorn and Riddle. Their familiarity makes me wonder how long they've known each other. I've seen them together in the corridors, engaged in what seems like deep conversation. Sometimes, when I pass by Slughorn's office, I hear Riddle's voice, always calm and measured.

 Riddle was not fond of communicating with me. If I ask a question related to potions, he would give me a short answer clearly showing me that he does not want to interact.

I felt like I was being replaced.

Slughorn was occupied with Riddle and his club, leaving little time to spare for me. As a result, I found solace in spending my days in Dumbledore's office, immersed in books and studying. Dumbledore was fond of me from the very beginning, openly expressing that I was his favorite student—a fact that filled me with pride and a sense of belonging.

Slughorn took notice of how little we've been spending time together so he brought me to the Black Lake with Mr. Tibbers.

I walked alongside Slughorn at the Black Lake with Mr. Tibbers following us behind. "Professor," I called, peering over my shoulder, motioning for my cat to follow me. "I wanted to discuss something with you."

Slughorn turned his attention towards me, his brow slightly raised in curiosity. "What is it, my dear?"

"Well, I've noticed that you and Riddle seem quite close," I ventured, clasping my hands behind my back. "I actually knew him briefly when we were eleven. We met at an orphanage where my mother used to work."

"Oh, yes, I'm aware," He replied in a calm tone, a smile etching his face. That caught me off guard. He knows? how? No one knows about this even Dumbledore.

I blinked, surprised. "You know?"

"If my memory suits me right, Tom told me like five days ago." Slughorn nodded, his smile still present. "He brought it up in one of our conversations." Slughorn's gaze turned thoughtful, his brows knitting together slightly. "I've noticed you haven't interacted much with Tom since you've been here. Is there a reason for that?"

Caught off guard, I struggled to articulate my thoughts. "I... Well, I mean, why would you expect me to interact with him?"

"Well," Slughorn shrugged casually, his demeanor relaxed as we approached the heavy oak door leading back into the castle hallway. The bustle of students passing by provided a comforting backdrop to our conversation. "He is your friend, isn't he?"

I let out a frustrated huff, feeling the weight of my words as I spoke. "I highly doubt he considers me as one of his friends," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of bitterness, before resuming my stride alongside Slughorn. "He doesn't even want to talk to me."

Slughorn merely shrugged, his expression placid. "Maybe you should be the one initiating the conversation."

That's literally what I meant.

"Speaking of talking to people," I began, my tone serious, "have you noticed anything peculiar about a student named Dennis Bishop? He's been acting rather oddly since I arrived."

Slughorn furrowed his brow, pausing for a moment as he considered my question. "Dennis Bishop? Can't say I've noticed anything out of the ordinary. But then again, I don't always catch everything. Why, what's going on?"

I paused, glancing around before leaning in closer to him with a serious tone. "He's been following me around."

Slughorn's expression shifted, his brow furrowing further as he processed my words. "Following you around, you say? Like-"

"Stalking," I nodded, feeling a sense of unease settling over me. "Exactly like that. It's starting to unsettle me, to be honest."

Before Slughorn could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps drew my attention. I turned slightly and saw Riddle and his companions nearing us. A chill swept through me as Riddle's intense gaze fixed momentarily on me before smoothly shifting to Slughorn.

"Professor," Riddle greeted with a polite nod, his voice smooth as silk. "Good evening."

"Oh right," Slughorn, seemingly distracted, shook his head lightly before turning to me and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. His touch pulled my gaze away from Riddle's piercing stare. "I've invited them for dinner. Care to join us?"

Caught off guard by the invitation, I hesitated briefly. The idea of dining with Riddle and his companions didn't sit well with me. Despite Slughorn's friendly demeanor, I knew that this gathering was likely another one of his Slug Clubs or whatever they were talking about inside Slughorn's office.

"Thank you, Professor, but I think I'll pass," I replied, forcing a polite smile. "I have some studying to catch up on."

Slughorn's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes before he swiftly recovered. "Of course, my dear. Another time, then," he said warmly. "Don't overexert yourself with your studies."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll see you later," I said, nodding in farewell.

With Mr. Tibbers in my arms, I made my way out of there, determined to put as much distance between myself and the awkward situation as possible. As I glanced back, I caught Riddle's gaze, his expression inscrutable as Slughorn ushered them into his office. Ignoring him, I turned my back and continued on my way, my mind buzzing with thoughts and questions.

[lafaiette]

WIP Thursday

Tagged by @emmg ! I'm actually finishing the last chapter of a fic unrelated to DA, but I wrote this short snippet after watching all the review videos and getting inspired. I missed writing my Scarlet 😭

I don't know who to tag, to be honest - please feel free to participate if you see this on your dash!

Varric walked into the room with a weary sigh. There were times when the years weighed more than usual on his short frame, as if heavy boulders filled with regrets were pressing on his shoulders.

He forced a smile back on his face when he saw the Inquisitor standing next to a table, studying what looked like a map of northern Thedas - just like he had left her a few hours prior, when he had gone to rest his dusty old bones for a while.

"Ah, Shy, you work too hard."

She smiled at him, but her eyes quickly went back to the map, as if she couldn't look away from it even for a second. The fingers of her real hand were dirty with ink, meaning she had been taking notes, or perhaps writing letters.

She looked tired, pale, and Varric felt a pang of fatherly concern, mixed with pride.

"At least use another candle." he said, lighting one up for her and placing it on the table. Better, but the room was still a bit dark, and her golden eyes looked as bloodshot as ever.

"It's alright, Varric. I'll go to sleep as soon as I'm done checking some things here."

She nodded at the map, and Varric noticed the small symbols she had written on it with a pencil - arrows, some sort of trail leading from Antiva to Tevinter, question marks...

"I doubt Solas' hideout will appear on there, no matter how much you keep glaring at it, Shy."

He regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, but she laughed, the sound very similar to the one she would make in the past, back when she was still Inquisitor.

"You're right, but I can't help it."

She pushed back her red hair from her face, trying to put some rebellious locks behind her long ears. He noticed her prosthetic arm moved stiffly, and made a mental note to ask Dagna to check it later.

"We'll find him, Scarlet." he swore, locking eyes with her. Her face, free from vallaslin ever since that night at Crestwood, suddenly looked younger as she stared at him, eyes wide.

Then a melancholy smile curled her lips, timid like his nickname for her, but also filled with hope.

"If this 'Rook' you found is as good as you claim..."

"Oh, they are! They're basically my right hand, at this point."

"... Then I'm not worried."

"Last time I heard them, they said they had a good feeling about a new trail." He sighed, staring at the strong flame of the new candle he had lit up. "I think this is it, Inquisitor."

She swallowed and glanced back at the map, just for a moment, the fingers of her left, fake hand twitching at her side.

"I just hope you and your friend will have better luck at talking with him than I did."

"You know me, Inquisitor." Varric gave her his famous lopsided grin, puffing out his chest. "I can be very convincing when I want to."

"Yes." She smiled again, another small victory. But she got serious and worried again, making Varric tense up. "But please - promise me you and Rook will be careful."

"I promise." He even crossed his heart, hoping to make her smile or laugh again. But Scarlet kept staring at him, pale and gaunt, anxious and worried, her love for Solas still burning strong in her heart after all those years.

Varric knew he still visited her dreams. He had - without meaning to - heard her talk about it with Dorian.

"But first..." He glared at her. "Promise me something in return."

Scarlet's eyebrows rose in surprise, and she nodded.

"Please, please, take care of yourself while me and Harding are away." Varric snorted, crossing his arms. "Solas would weep if he saw how exhausted you are. And I don't want him to skin me alive when we'll manage to drag him back to you."

Scarlet giggled - a third victory! Varric cheered - and nodded, the jawbone hanging from her neck swinging back and forth.

"Good! Now go eat something and rest. I'll tidy things up here."

"Thank you, Varric."

She left the room, her fake arm stiff, almost still. Varric turned to the table, instictively stared at Minrathous' icon on the map for a few seconds, then sighed and started putting away all the notes and letters scattered here and there, hoping he would have good news to share with her soon.

[sspextkr]

💫stardust - coriolanus/sejanus

the boy was rotten, a recipe for trouble. he knew that. he stained everything he touched, darkened it, corrupted it beyond repair. he stained everything he touched with sin. and yet, sejanus never let go.

💫 trigger warnings/tags: no tw's, just some intimacy :] this is my snowjanus president husband's au where the jabberjay that would've condemned sej died on its way back to the capitol so the two were able to return home and be happy together lolol,,

💫a/n: i don't know what this is. found it in my ao3 drafts, polished it, and here we are!!

Pylades: I’ll take care of you. Orestes: It’s rotten work. Pylades: Not to me. Not if it’s you. -Anne Carson, Euripides

coriolanus snow may have looked like an angel, golden curls framing his face similar to that of a halo, pale plush lips mimicking the heavens clouds, and eyes so deep it's impossible not to get lost in them, but he certainly wasn't one by any means. at least, that's what he thought himself. lucifer was the fairest of them all before he fell.

the boy was rotten, a recipe for trouble. he knew that. he stained everything he touched, darkened it, corrupted it beyond repair. he stained everything he touched with sin.

and yet, sejanus never let go.

it baffled him. why would sejanus want to touch him? after all he had done? after all he planned to do? coriolanus had stolen, lied, killed, and so much more. all for the sake of himself and himself only. he knew he was a bad person, never pitying himself for it though.

yet, sejanus still married him. still kissed him and made love to him. even after having been on the forefront of it all. he would be dead if it weren't for the damn bird dying on it's way back to the capitol. he probably wouldn't have if he knew about that.

sometimes he'd let himself forget. he'd let go each worry in his mind with each kiss that landed against his sternum, blond locks splayed across the pillow beneath him.

"you're so pretty.. i can't believe you're all mine.." coriolanus' breath hitched when sejanus moved back up over him, kissing him again deeply. the way he licked his way into his mouth so effortlessly was enough to make his heart stop right then and there. 

"i don't deserve it." coriolanus said when they parted for breath, running his hands down his lovers tanned back. "i–"

"don't be silly.. of course you do. you deserve every damn thing you get, coryo." sejanus wouldn't let him finish, already pressing another kiss to his lips. it's not like he could complain.

maybe he didn't deserve it, but he sure needed it. in bed with this man, he got his purity back.. how ironic is that?

sejanus was everything good in the world, everything he wanted to be. it took him some time to wake up, but eventually, he was able to open his eyes and see how much control he did have. how much good he could do. and being married to the president of panem definitely helped with that. the games were abolished, economy stabilized, and famine wasn't as big of an issue as it used to be. panem was finally as great as it used to boast about being.

and sejanus was to thank for all of that.

".. what would i do without you?" the president asked, moving his hands down to sejanus' hips.

".. you don't need me as much as you say you do."

"yes.. i do. i do, sejanus. you're the only thing keeping me from going insane–" he kissed him again, sitting up. "you're the only thing good about this broken world."

"this world isn't broken anymore, coryo.. i wish you'd see that." sejanus kissed the tip of his nose. "we fixed it. you fixed it. we made it a better place.."

"you're the only reason it's not a mess, though.. without you, i don't know what would've happened.."

".. i think we can say that about a lot of things." sejanus took his hand and kissed his fingertips one by one.

"i'm serious, sej. you–" he swallowed thickly. "you saved me."

sejanus tilted his head to the side. ".. what do you mean by that?"

"i mean.. oh, what's the point? i can't put it into words.." the guilt was creeping up his throat like nausea. a happy accident had saved his country from so much heartache.

"well.. i won't force you to say anything you don't want to. or can't, for that matter." sejanus kissed his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. "but for now.. why don't you lay back down for me? i'm not done with you quite yet."

i don't deserve it, coriolanus wanted to say. he let himself fall back anyways. ".. i love you."

".. i love you too. always and forever."

[sarahsmi13s]

|| The Promotion ||

the one where everyone gets a new title

Jake opened and closed his mouth, trying to find the words he had practiced in the mirror for weeks. He chuckled, tears lining his own eyes, “Damn it, I had this whole speech planned- and it’s all just-” He whistled, “Gone.” She giggled a little bit, shuffling a little closer. “Don’t think, just do, Uncle Jake,” Leia said from her position in her mother’s lap, making them all laugh. “Thanks V.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know where to start, so I’m just gonna talk until something sticks-” “You’re good at that,” Sarah quipped, giggling as she used her shirt to dab at her eyes. He chuckled, and pointed at her, “That, that right there, God I love that. You- God, Sarah you just- you put up with me. There I said it. I know that I’m hard to deal with, sometimes I bring Hangman home with me and it can be a lot. But you take it in stride and you put me in my place when I need it. I love walking in and smelling fresh baked goods, or hearing you yell at the game on the TV. I want to come home to that and so much more for as long as you’ll have me. Will you marry me?” Within seconds of the words leaving his lips, they were met by hers. Mumbling ‘yes’s as tears mixed together and peppermint chapstick was smeared. His hand blindly pulled the ring out of the box and found her hand, sliding the ring on her finger.

Jake sat and crossed his legs, making grabby hands at the box. “You talked this up, so it better be good.” Sarah laughed and leaned on her arm, “Just open it.” She glanced over and made eye contact with Alyssa, sending her a wink and watching her eyes widened. “What do we have here?” Jake drawled, bringing their attention back to him. He pulled out a picture frame. “Looks like an award.” “Read it, Bagman,” Bradley said, eager to know what it said and what that wink was about. Jake laughed as his eyes scanned the words. “Congratulations! You, Jake Thomas Seresin, have been granted a promotion?” He looked up at Sarah, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Keep going Sweetheart.” He licked his lips and kept reading, “You are being promoted from Lieutenant to…” His voice trailed off as his eyes widened, a hand coming up to cover his mouth. “Are you serious?” Sarah nodded and smiled, eyes watering a little. Jake didn’t waste a second dropping the frame onto the carpet and pulling Sarah into his lap and letting happy tears fall onto her shoulder. “Thank you…” “What does it say?” Rooster asked in a whisper, slightly confused by the reaction. Alyssa leaned forward and gently picked up the frame, holding it as Bradley read it. He mumbled the beginning, nodding along as he read. “You’re being promoted from Lieutenant to… Dad.”

For those of you that read J and S, it as been a year since I posted The Promotion

A year since Jake proposed and found out he was going to be a father (and i am well aware that the finn twins are overbaked, i'm getting there i promise 😂)

and i know The Promotion isn't the first part of that series, but it is the part that really kicked things off and it's one of my favorites

j and s tags <333: @milesdickpic @roosterscockpit @luckyladycreator2 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @sebsxphia @mamachasesmayhem @nobody7102 @djs8891 @kmc1989 @marbledaesthetics @fangirlbang @penguin876 @hisredheadedgoddess28 @bellaireland1981 @memeorydotcom @matisse556 @harryigprompt @sky2nd @scarlettwidow19 @showthemwhoyouare-6 @coffeewithcal @whatislovevavy @ficbyfic

[crowleyholmes]

Flaming Sword Foreshadowing

Last night I was peacefully editing my video just vibing having a good time when I skipped over a scene that had confused me for a while and it struck me like lightning that it HAS to be foreshadowing because WHY ELSE would they have shot it that way????

And I have to add I'm relatively new to the fandom so I'm sure this has come up many many MANY times but to be fair I've spent the last few weeks basically living in the tags and the meta and I while I've seen the theory once in a piece of fanart, I haven't seen connections to this scene so I figured I might as well share my thoughts in case there are any other new fans like me out there who will appreciate (aka absolutely hate) it!

So one of my absolutely favorite theories is that Crowley used to be Lucifer, yes? I have many reasons why I believe this, maybe I'll make another post all about that, but for now let's just roll with it.

Okay so Aziraphale has a flaming sword. Which (I think, don't quote me on this, I'm not religious and don't know much about it at all, most of what I know comes from art and/or just general knowledge) in the Bible, is used by Michael (who is the supreme Archangel), who stabs Lucifer with it as they throw him from Heaven down to Hell, right?

And at first I wasn't too worried about that because like. Aziraphale isn't Michael. Michael, in Good Omens, neither has a flaming sword nor is the supreme archangel.

BUT NOW. At the end of season 2, who is about to become supreme archangel, taking the position that Michael has in the Bible, and owns the weapon that Michael has in the Bible?? Yeah.

So even upon this realization I was like nahhh idk it's. A fun theory but there's SO many other ways things could happen I'm overthinking this for sure.

But then I noticed this scene again with this theory in mind and WHY DID THEY SHOOT IT LIKE THIS here look I made some gifs to illustrate:

Aziraphale is standing over Crowley, sword raised as if he's going to attack him, and Crowley looks up at him TERRIFIED.

Now, I realize there are explanations for all of this, but let me elaborate on my thoughts one by one.

WHY did they make Aziraphale pick up the sword in the first place? There is NO reason for him to hold it, I mean I GUESS he's afraid of Satan, who is about to pop up for a visit, but - what's Aziraphale going to do about it, right? He's just one small low/ish-ranking angel, and the way Satan is portrayed in this show, I doubt the sword would make much of a dent in him. So, okay, perhaps Aziraphale picked it up simply to have Something, Some kind of weapon ready to feel a Little bit safer, but STILL - why pick it up one second before he turns to Crowley, why not sooner, then? And why raise it AT CROWLEY in the way that he does, when what he says to him has nothing to do with the sword at all? He would NEVER want to actually hurt Crowley. And the way this shot is framed, the way the sword is so prominent and threatening, I just don't think they did this only for comedic value (in juxtaposing the threat of the sword with "I'll never speak to you again"). He also briefly looks at the sword right after "I'll -", almost as if he's actually considering it. (OR as if he's thinking "why the hell am I holding this and why am I holding it like this, Crowley's going to think I'm going to stab him?!" which was what I WAS THINKING.) But, again, Aziraphale would NEVER point a weapon at Crowley or threaten him in any serious way - centuries ago/millenia ago, maybe, but not for a long time now, under no circumstances, not the way they are now.

Another question I have is WHY did they make Crowley fall to his knees? Sure, the earth is shaking, everybody is quite wobbly, but Crowley is so sure-footed usually, I find it hard to believe that he would fall when even Newt manages to stay on his feet (no offense Newt, I love you). But okay, I guess, maybe they wanted to show how desperate Crowley was? Visualize him giving up? I can't really argue with that one, but in combination with Everything Else, it just seems like they put them in these exact positions WAY too intentionally.

I just know that this scene is going to come back to haunt us, it will happen again but with a very different, very serious threat from (a possibly/probably memory-wiped) Aziraphale, an actually FLAMING flaming sword, and an even more desperate and terrified Crowley.

Bonus: