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cant-get-no-worse · 2 years ago

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HI CIENE !!!!

i love love love your blog. seriously as a post wc footy fan (disculpe, por favor 💀🙏🏼) im trying to catch up on footy history & politics blah blah. you explain everything so beautifully, like you could rival tifo football on youtube. dead serious.

anyway, i wanted to ask if you could explain the whole neymar tryna sue barça episode bc im clueless there and coolers on twitter dot com are usless. ( not reshad tho !!! he’s so 😍 )

Hello love!! It's so sweet, thank you. I'm delighted to read my years of being shoved down this club's inability to keep finances and politics straight are proving themselves useful. 💀 And never apologize for becoming a footy fan recently; WCs are always wonderful in bringing new interest to the sport, they keep it fresh! Also, Reshad's one of the few Barça sources that usually doesn't get on my nerves, so. Kudos!

Anyways. I don't claim to have all the facts straights because I really don't, I'm just putting out there the very general ideas of what went down and my understanding of them. In today's episode: FC Barcelona, Neymar, Neymar's father, PSG, contracts clauses, and a lotta money. It is, after all, a rich man's world. Buckle up.

2013 : Neymar moves from Santos (Brazilian league) to FC Barcelona (Spanish league). Start of the problems.

See, it wasn’t a regular transfer. Initially, Neymar was set to go to Real Madrid; he’d even already passed medical tests. But Sandro Rosell (Barcelona then-President) bribed Neymar’s agent (his father. Very bright idea.) with some heavy fat checks. Neymar then signed to Barcelona. There were also some other movements which I’ll not get into.

What is important to retain from this is that Barcelona declared, in 2013, that Neymar's transfer from Santos costed FCB €50M (or something akin). But oh, color me surprised, they obviously didn’t declare the various amount of bribes and other money movements that had gone in to deter Neymar’s agent from Madrid and to bring the player to Barcelona.

Cause, ya know. That’s some sketchy stuff. You could also quite boldly say it’s illegal.

That’s where DIS Esporte, a company who “owned” Neymar (meaning : they were entitled to 40% of Neymar’s transfer rights) comes into play. DIS Esporte filed a lawsuit in late 2013/2014, claiming that they indeed had been paid 40% of the €50M declared transfer, but they believed the transfer didn’t cost only €50M (due to the bribes and such), and thus they were entitled to 40% of what the transfer actually costed.

A case was opened – this wasn’t small matter, Sandro Rosell (Barça Presi) resigned in 2014 due to the scandal - and it was finally settled before a judge that the €50M declaration was false, and the real transfer fee was more around the 70M/80M. Oops. Barcelona was eventually charged to pay some millions of compensation to close the case altogether.

Little did they know this was just the first taste of the Neymar financial issues and lawsuits ™.

October 2016 : Neymar signs a renewal contract binding him until 2021 with FC Barcelona. Everything’s happy and shiny, he’s Messi's successor, he's hot and successful, set to help his club win more UCLs, probably snatch a Ballon d’Or or two on the way, and continue to play in a swashbuckling style with his best buddies from Argentine and Uruguay.

The renewal contract includes several clauses, as do all such things, and most notably loyalty bonuses (money the player collects at the end of his contract). The loyalty bonuses of Neymar’s contract are around €43M, and since his release clause is an astronomical €222M, no way he’ll get out of the club lmfao.

July 2017 : Neymar gets out of the club.

In an unprecedented move in the football transfer world which leaves the market value of players forever changed for the worse, it is announced that PSG (French league) paid the €222M release clause with some good ol' Qatari money. The move in itself is subject to sketchy stuff, having been paid to FCB itself and not La Liga, but we're not gonna go into that cause na. Neymar himself announces, via a tearful Instagram video, that he is indeed leaving Barcelona.

Now, by the time rumors of his departure came around in May/June/July 2017, FC Barcelona had already paid €14M (out of the total €43M loyalty bonuses) to Neymar. Upon learning Neymar was actually entertaining the idea to leave, and then upon the actual €222M buying from PSG, the club stops the payment, thus not completing the initially agreed €43M sum, since they consider that, by leaving, Neymar hasn’t fulfilled his loyalty clause and thus isn’t entitled to receive any money from them.

An infamous se queda, some splendid social media trolling, a farewell dinner, the launch of a cold war from the FCB players against the board that was to last several years, some pretty creative insults and a life-time resentment being forged later, it’s August 2017.

August 2017 : Cicadas are singing, Despacito (feat Justin Bieber) is assaulting the eardrums of every unwilling car driver, and Neymar (or Neymar’s side, we don’t know from who the initiative came from) tries to sue Barcelona and ask them for the remaining €29M they claim he is owed from the loyalty bonuses.

FCB immediately respond by suing him back for breach of contract. Though they don’t only ask for him to drop the suing for the remaining €29M, naa. They also ask for him to return the €14M of the loyalty clause that had already been paid to him + 10% for delayed payment of said €14M + €8.5M in damages.

2019 summer transfer window : Amidst everything, Neymar and FC Barcelona reties links.

Funny how quick business relationship can change when it’s in everyone’s benefits.

Neymar wants out of PSG, is even willing to pay himself out from his own pocket, FCB is all the more willing to try and get him back after their spectacular UCL fumble. However, the deal fails, PSG don’t want to let him go, FC Barcelona fall short of a few millions to buy him out, and Neymar stays.

February 2020 : Lo and behold! A wild, shiny new lawsuit has appeared! And guess what? It’s all linked to the messy 2013 transfer from Santos! Just when ya think the skeletons are buried, a closet is kicked open.

Neymar’s side, this time, sues FC Barcelona for contingency payments who helped him move from Santos to FCB: essentially, they want some €7M more. So, you got two cases launched against FCB by Neymar’s side.

June/July 2020 : The cases are presented before a judge in the High Court of Justice of Catalonia. A place Neymar starts to get familiar with. A place Leo Messi also got to know! Ah, football players’ agents and the wonderful, luring world of tax evasion.

Anyways, back to the loyalty bonuses. It’s finally ruled that Neymar has indeed breached his contract, and is therefore ordered by court to pay €6.7M to FC Barcelona.

Oh, wow. Thank God this whole circus is finished.

July 2020 : Neymar’s side appeals.

November 2020 : Now, if you sum up everything that Neymar’s side ask from Barcelona, you get the charming sum of almost €60M.

July 2021 : After many trials and tribulations, it is finally made public by the club that all cases and suing have been resolved amicably between the club and the player outside of court.

Read: huge amount of cash and verbal accords because, presumably, everyone got tired and saw they wouldn’t benefit neither financially nor image wise from the current situation.

And so, they lived happily ever after.

Or till the next summer transfer window.

#anon ask #<3 #neymar

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that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main · 3 years ago

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Liyue Voice lines about you pt 2

Reader: female

Genshin Master List | part one | Inazuma | Mondstat 1 & 2

Xiangling

What she says about you

"Y/n tries all my food! I remember her favorite to the T too! Rautollie and on the side a small cup of osmanthus wine. Even though it's her favorite she'll always compliment my food! Especially the new stuff I wish to try!"

What you say about her

"Xiangling, yes she's a great chef. She makes my favorite more than on occasion, and in return, I eat whatever she makes and tell her my opinion. She comes up with some crazy ideas but they'll be well-executed as well as planned."

Xiao

What he says about you

"No comment."

What you say about him

"Xiao. Yes. I know him. My brother in arms and by creation. We are not on good terms. Why? That is a tale for another time. Just know for those reasons in which I don't believe Im welcomed in Liyue more. And spend my time in Mondstadt hoping I will not be dragged back."

Xingqiu

What he says about you

"We fight. A lot. Oh well. It's one of the perks of being part of such a family. Besides the fighting and arguing. I believe my sister will be able to make her way as she wishes. I just hope she will stay safe"

What you say about him

"My younger brother. Im, sure he told you we fight quite a bit already. He has too much of our father in him. Thinking I'll get so easily."

Xinyan

What she says about you

"Haha! Yes! She's my bandmate! She's like a sister to me! We rock out all the time! You should see her drummin skills."

What you say about her

"Xinyan's amazing! Her guitar skills are amazing! I'm on the drum only, despite her being a Pryo user and my a Hydro user we get along well."

Yanfei

What she says about you

"I helped Y/n before, in legal matters. She was married off to a man she didn't love. then she left Liyue with a short goodbye and promised she'd come back. Fast forward she- well, he, comes back happy and married to a Cryo user. Happy as a bee. She- Ah- he, came to me immediately to catch up. Either he or she, that's the true Y/n that came to take me two years later and we've been good friends ever since."

What you say about her

"I was very fortunate to meet Yanfei when I did. She helped me with all my legal dilemmas easy peasy, I ended up leaving and returning two years and a few days after I left with my husband. I think my change in appearance shocked her just a bit, but she ran up to me happy and we talked over what's been happening. She's one of my best friends and Im so glad to have her by my side as my best friend again."

Yun Jin

What she says about you

"I do not know anyone by the name. Could you describe them? Hmm... a woman with red hair...tall and always carrying a satchel- I know her! Yes! I've never met her! But always see her at my performances! She always has a smile on her face! I suppose my music must bring a smile to her face!"

What you say about her

"Yun Jin yes. Would you like to see my sketches of her? I enjoy music while I draw. She not only is a perfect subject for quick dynamic poses, but her clothes are intricate and well made, for finer refined drawings. She has a beautiful voice and is well talented in dancing. I know Baizhu usually gives Qiqi to me on her off days and she enjoys the performance."

Zhongli

What he says about you

"Seraphs? Where did you hear that name? On the streets, I suppose that makes sense. Who is she? She was an old friend...an important piece in the archon war. I had to choose between myself, and the people of Liyue, she made that choice for me. In the midst, I and Liyue along with her people were spared. Yet Y/n was not, the people of Liyue see her as a curse rather than a blessing. It is truly a shame."

What you say about him

"Hah! You figured me out huh? But this Zhongli hasn't yet? What an interesting predicament indeed. Oh yes, I know about Zhongli, odd calling him Zhongli instead of Rexy. The teasing aside...I miss him. but there's no need to stir up old feelings now are there?"

#genshin xiangling #genshin xiao #genshin xingqiu #genshin xinyan #genshin yanfei #genshin yunjin #genshin Zhongli #genshin x female reader #x female reader #genshin impact headcannons #genshin impact x reader #x reader headcannons

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hurricaneonanesthesia · 4 years ago

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May I request Golden Deer x fem!reader headcanons where her upbringing didn't lend itself to her learning feminine hygiene like shaving or knowing how to braid her hair which makes her insecure and the house notices she never wears short clothes even in sweltering heat? Maybe with Claude x reader undertones?

Of course anon! I’d be more than happy to try my best. I certainly hope that I did them justice! Hopefully they aren’t out of character lol. to be completely honest, i feel like i rushed this towards the end lmao

~Admin Hurricane

Claude von Deer

He didn’t understand it, but you intrigued him

You weren’t like Marianne or Hilda, in fact you were far from it

It surprised him nonetheless when you were wearing long sleeves in sweltering weather

He’d asked you countless times why you weren’t wearing something lighter, but you would always shake your head and continue on with training.

It certainly worried him, when you suddenly fainted one day

He insisted that he be the one to carry you back to the infirmary.

Byleth had to force him to go back to class cause all his pacing outside of the infirmary was giving Manuela a headache.

When you finally woke up, he immediately booked it from the GD classroom and was the first one in

That was when you broke down and told him everything

He listened to every word you had to say, not breaking eye contact once please i love him he’s hubby material why isn’t he real sOB

When you finished he was silent before consoling you and pulling into a hug

He told you that it didn’t matter what your body looks like and that all that mattered was your personality and you as person

That caused you to break down more which made him PANIC lmao

Offered to teach you how to braid hair

Whenever you guys are training or are in battle, he keeps an eye on you to ensure that you don’t faint again cause of heatstroke

Advises you to drink plenty of water, STAY HYDRATED!

Ohoho Byleth the matchmaker caught on, and immediately paired the two of you together

Whenever you’re feeling down cause you don’t seem “feminine enough” or are “too masculine” Claude immediately waves off those bad thoughts

Also to add onto you feeling down, if you were really out of it, he would drag you onto his wyvern and take you out for a ride :))))

Hilda

Hilda squealed when she first saw you, immediately dragging you into her room.

She tried sprucing you up, but you didn’t really get it as she eagerly showed you different outfits and makeup

She got kinda upset when you stared out the window instead bored out of your mind

Tried to get your attention by waving her hands dramatically in front of you

She was pretty surprised when you opened up to her about why you weren’t interested

From then on Hilda decided to give you some tips on how to do your hair and such

She also gave you advice on clothes to wear, if you were still insecure. Something that won’t cause you to overheat, but is light and long enough to cover up your arms and legs.

Overall she was pretty open as soon as she learned about your circumstances and very willing to help.

Lorenz

Off topic but Lorenz please change your goddamn pre time skip hairstyle

To be frank, the two of you didn’t get along that well

Why do I say that? Well you didn’t like his womanizing attitude towards other girls and felt that he was too stuck up for his own good

He thought you were too masculine and brutish for your own good and tried educating you which annoyed you to no ends.

Finally one day, when you couldn’t take his pestering anymore you just snapped

He stood there in shock, completely unsure of what to say

From then on he was more aware of what he said to you cause he was worried that what he would say would wound your pride again

Keeps an eye on you because he’s “such a gentleman” hey, his words not mine.

Raphael

Sorry bby, I love you Raph, but he’s a little bit dense

Doesn’t notice your discomfort at first

Takes you awhile to open up but once you get to know him, he’s more than willing to listen

Being a big bro, he does his best to comfort you and encourage you saying that it doesn’t matter how you act he’s still rooting for you 🥺 BAHA PLEASE I LOVE THIS BIG TEDDY BEAR

Encourages you to wear whatever you like and be proud of yourself

10/10 wholesome relationship

Bonus: if you still don’t know how to braid your hair, he’ll help do it for you cause he’s had plenty of practice with his younger sis

Ignatz

I’d like to think that he’s pretty sensitive and noticed right away

He asked you about why you were constantly wearing long sleeves

At first you weren’t that willing to open up, opting to change the subject and move on

However, as you came to know him more and discovered that his intentions were indeed genuine, you decided to tell him

He was rather surprised at first because he saw nothing wrong with you

He told you to just continue being yourself and that everyone has flaws

You broke down crying and poor iggy panicked

You eventually stopped crying and thanked him

Since you shared your insecurities with him, he shared his secret hobby and love for painting and you encouraged him to pursue his artistic dreams rather than becoming a knight

Lysithea

She has many secrets herself but she isn’t very sensitive to how others are if you’ve seen her support with Marianne I think you know at first

Once you spend more time with her she notices how you avoid talking much about yourself and your upbringing

Not wanting to pry, she left you alone

Once you got to know her better, you slowly opened up about how you felt and your insecurities

And to your surprise, she listened

She kinda just sat off on the side patting your side unsure of what to say

Since you opened up to her, once you got to know her better, she found that she could trust you and told you abt her secret obviously i'm not gonna say it cause spoilers :)

Marianne

You’re insecure? She’s insecure? HOORAY YOU’RE NOW FRIENDS

Whenever the two of you hang out it’s literally just:

“....”

“.....”

“Um…”

Yeah...it's a little hard to strike up a conversation with Marianne at first

She was fairly curious about why you constantly wore long sleeves tho

"Um...y/n not to be rude, but why do you wear long sleeves? Aren't you hot, i-im sorry if I've overstepped, don't mind me…"

But the two of you had grown close so naturally also being insecure you told her about your worries

Marianne didn't rlly know what to tell you at first and went all "oH iM soRRy you sHoULdNt bE taLkiNg tO mE bEcaUsE i bRiNg bAd LuCk"

Leonie

In a sense Leonie could relate to you

She told you to mmmm block out the haters and just be yourself

You gained a confidence boost from her cause she was encouraging and told you to just stay true to yourself.

She truly helped you get your walls down and let you know that its okay

Want more of my writing? Be sure to check out my masterlist :)

If you wanna request something, don’t be afraid to send something my way! Thanks for reading and have a lovely day!

#fe3h #fe3h x reader #fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem x reader #fire emblem three houses x reader #claude #claude fire emblem #claude fe3h #claude von riegan x reader #claude von riegan #hilda fe3h #lorenz fe3h #raphael fe3h #ignatz fe3h #lysithea fe3h #marianne fe3h #leonie fe3h #sorry this was rushed forgive me :(

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taylorsage22 · 4 years ago

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Right Now. (Killer Frost × Fem!Reader

Request-Hi, can you write Killer Frost x fem!reader smut, where she use her powers? Thank you, have a nice day💕

Warning-Smuttt. A/N-This probably isnt exactly what you wanted and im sorry.

“Jesus Y/n, you weren’t lying when you said you were tight!"

“Shut up Frosty!”

Y/n can barely get her words out while her mind is so focused on Killer Frost between her legs. Her long fingers have been prodding at her slit for quite some time. All it took was her cool breath to get Y/n’s pussy to gush for her.

While Y/n was covering of her face with her hands, Frost was loving every second of this. If her hands weren’t so preoccupied, she’d move the hands obscuring Y/n’s face so she could see the flushed out look on her face. She’d call it embarrassing, but Frost would call it beautiful. The little whimpers Y/n lets out just do it for her. Frost feels lightheaded from the arousal that snowballed in her head and rolled down straight to her pussy. This simple act of heavy petting was turning her on more than anything she’s had in years. Of course the chilling breaths and touches were definitely Killer frost powers. Her cold fingers adding to the pleasure y/n was feeling.

It took a lot to get Y/n right here in this position. She’s became timid once she got to know Killer Frost; not because she’s scared of her, but because she admires her. Frost’s the antithesis of her and that’s what drew her so close to her and vice versa until they got tangled in each other’s web.

The conversation about Y/n’s sex life came up a few times, but she always changed the subject or quickly brushed her off. Frost panicked a little bit at the thought of Y/n being a virgin,because she was afraid of going to rough on her anyway, but when she finally admitted to her that she has indeed had sex before she felt relief wash over her. Then she felt a little envy; Killer frost can’t help that she can get possessive. However, the big shock came to her when Y/n also said that she has never came before. In all honestly, she shouldn’t be THAT shocked since Y/n can be a little modest and shy. What was the most shocking part for Frost was that no one has ever attempted to make Y/n cum. When they made out in Caitlyn’s car after their third date together it took everything in her not to take her in the backseat her car and just eat Y/n out until she got frost bite.

Killer Frost’s pulling from that same place of strength now because she really, really, really wants to bury her face in Y/n’s pussy and make her cum until tears are in her eyes. But, surprise surprise, she’s never had anyone go down on her either.

“Mmm…” Y/n’s tiny moan pulls Frost out of her thoughts and she pushes away her fantasy for now knowing that one day she’s going to be able to devour Y/n’s tight cunt like she wants to.

“You like that baby? You’re dripping for me now. I think I can slip a finger in now,” Killer Frost pauses and pushes her index finger deep inside of Y/n. She gasps loudly feeling the intrusion of a cold finger against her walls.

“Well would you look at that? Your pussy is so inviting and wet for me,” hse teases. Her pussy was indeed warm around her finger. “Let me slide in another,” she says mostly to himself. With ease, her middle finger slides right inside of Y/n. She feels filled simply from Frost’s two fingers. Y/n feels something deep in the pit of her stomach that feels like butterflies bumping around inside of her.

“How’s that feel baby?”

“So good.” y/n moans out.

“I can tell by how much you’re soaking my fingers.”

Y/n can’t believe how wet she is. She’s dripping down Killer frosts finger and down the curve of her ass. She’s going to be embarrassed later by the wet spot on the bed, but right now all Y/n cares about is the fingers inside of her.

Killer Frost lets Y/n stretch around her fingers before she starts to move them, quickening her pace as each moan that falls from Y/n’s mouth encourages her. She arches her back off of the bed. The swelling in her stomach is sending vibrations throughout her whole entire body. Y/n feels the muscles all the way from her calves to her inner thighs tightening and releasing in contraction.

“Oh my god Mm…oh my god it feels so good!”

“Yea baby? Love my fingers in you?”

“Yes!”

She rakes her fingers through Frost’s light hair. The tugs cause her to groan in arousal.

Killer Frost can’t help but bend down and get a taste of Y/n’s sweet pussy. All it takes is one lick to her clit and Frost is satisfied and Y/n is in heaven She didn’t expect Y/n’s body to react in the way it did when she did that, but her hips jut up into the air, her pussy clenches around her fingers, and her hands tug at her hair even harder.

“Don’t stop! Don’t stop!”

“That’s it baby. Cum for me right now. God I love you so much, I love this pussy,” Frost spews her thoughts of lust in between her long licks to Y/n’s clit.

Y/n lets out a strangled cry as her first orgasm explodes insides of her and shimmers into dust that covers her entire body. She shivers as if she’s out in the freezing cold, which she probably is alittle cold.

“mmm…Frost…”

Her voice is so faint that it barely reaches Killer frost’s ears. She watches the pleasure overcome Y/n with a sense of awe.

“That’s it baby, cum for me. Show me how good I make you feel.”

Y/n cums hard around her fingers for what feels like forever until she can’t take it any longer and her body becomes overwhelmingly tired. She can feel herself sinking into the bed as her body becomes heavy again.

Killer Frost peppers kisses on Y/n’s inner thigh, occasionally licking the sensitive skin which makes Y/n flinch from sensitivity. Frost has a smug look all over her face as she continues to lick Y/n’s inner thighs and her folds despite her weak attempts to push frost away. She avoids Y/n’s clit, not wanting her to get too overstimulated.

Y/n grabs the collar of Frost’s shirt and tugs on it.

“ Babe please just hold me.”

She can’t say no to Y/n, especially not when her voice is as soft and delicate as it is in the moment. She spares Y/n any teasing and get up from between her legs. Her arms instantly open, waiting to feel Frost against her bare skin. Frost pulls Y/n into her body and she’s engulfed by her warmth.

Silence falls between the two as Frost lets Y/n catch her breath and come back to her cognizant brain.

“You said you love me. Did you mean it?”

Killer Frost’s body goes flush and her face starts to turn red despite her natural cold body-temperature . She didn’t realize that she said that; she must’ve said that in a fit of passion, but she really did mean it.

“Y/n, I’m sorr-”

“Frosty it’s okay,” she reassures her with a giggle. “I love you too. I love how kind you are to me and everyone around you. You’re so good to me and you’re patient with me. You’re so perfect. You also know how to make me feel good,” she continues after taking a pause that sort of scares Killer Frost.

Frost smiles, even though Y/n can’t see it, she’s smiling wide right at her. She’s smiling more-so out of being happy that Y/n is happy. Frost doesn’t need to say anything more or anything less.

#Killer frost x reader

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elderbwrry · 4 years ago

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Even if he doesn't say so

A little darkgingerpilot Witcher AU I discussed months ago with @cleversturmhond I have no concept of how time passes anymore

Summary: The Witcher meets a bard, the bard meets a mage, and they travel the continent. Kylo knows what he feels, but he can't seem to act. Hux acts without talking about things. And Poe... well, what does Poe feel?

Tags: Witcher AU, Inspired by The Witcher, Slow Burn, if you count 13k as slow burn i guess, within the story its slow burn, fantasy medieval setting, Self-Indulgent, Mage Hux, witcher kylo, Bard Poe, scenic, They're oblivious, sex references, Yearning, i guess, im slapping a mature on it for sex references and some minor violence but honestly ehhh idk, darkgingerpilot

Chapter 1/2/3/?, wordcount 5012

also on Ao3

Whenever someone asked Kylo, he always said he preferred to keep to himself and the company of Silence, his horse and his best companion for the very fact of her name; she didn't talk, she didn't disturb the meditative quiet of his lonely rides, and, most importantly, he wasn't unsure how to curry her favour. An apple would do it. His current companions, on the other hand...

For some gods-forsaken reason, Poe and Hux were quarrelling about a composer who had been dead for over a century. When the three of them had first started travelling together years ago, and in the short time since they'd reunited, such discussion had been endearing; both of them were opinionated about certain things, and their conversations often turned into little debates over whatever topic arose while they were travelling. This was one of those occasions, Kylo enjoying listening to their thoughts and voices filling up the worn country roads. A throwaway comment had become interesting; Kylo didn't actually know much about this particular composer, whereas Hux and Poe both did, and, though Kylo didn't often contribute to these discussions in any great detail since the other two were both so much better with words, he did like to learn something new occasionally. But now, several hours into their journey and still on the same subject, it was just getting fucking annoying.

“I literally studied her work. You can't just turn around and say she wasn't revolutionary,” Poe objected, trotting along between Silence and Hux's own horse on the wide bridleway, looking up at Hux indignantly.

Poe's lowered position made it seem slightly laughable when Hux looked down at him and countered, “Since I actually met the woman, I think you'll find I can,” before prompting his horse to walk on ahead of them.

Poe picked up his pace a little and continued the argument, making some musical point Kylo didn't understand either. He tried to tune them out a bit as he let Silence drop back a short distance behind the them.

Considering how much time the three of them spent around each other in recent years, Kylo supposed he should be glad disagreements as lengthy as these were relatively few. And, certainly, they were fewer even than when it had only been Kylo and Poe on the path together.

[break]

Kylo had met Poe many years ago – at least a decade, if he thought about it – when he'd been compelled by his work to go through the city he'd been born in. Not only was the place particularly unfriendly to Witchers, but also had relations of his – distant now, yet he wanted to avoid them nonetheless – in positions of authority. Kylo had used a fake name, a low hood to hide his eyes, his scar, and stuck to the dingiest taverns, but a curly-haired, high-born young man had recognised him anyway, sitting himself down confidently at Kylo's corner table, offering his name, and saying, “I know you. You're that famous Witcher.”

Kylo had eyed his unwelcome acquaintance – Poewas what he introduced himself as – guessing that he couldn't yet be twenty summers old. Of course, Kylo was no good with ages – his own longevity had corroded his sense for them until everyone seemed either old or young in confusing measures – but Poe's next request had practically confirmed his suspicion.

“Would you let me come with you?” Poe had asked the second the bar-wench had placed down Kylo's ale.

“Come with me where?” Kylo grunted. He wasn't in the mood to bodyguard some noble, out for the first time in a world without castle walls.

“Well, where are you going?” Poe's eyes had glinted as he offered Kylo a charming smile.

Kylo had appraised him again, taking in his youth, his rich clothes, his courage, and summarily said, “No.”

Poe's smile didn't drop, even though Kylo could see his only half-amused chuckle for the frustration it was. “Come on, I just wanna see a bit of the world. Get away from my guardian's expectations.”

“The Queen?” Kylo had asked, an imprudently displayed gold ring on the youth's finger catching the light.

Poe had shrugged a yes.

It only made Kylo refuse all the more. The Queen was one of the people Kylo was known to by unfortunate fact of his heritage, someone he never wanted to anger, in case of her having some cause to meet with him personally. Poe, while not her blood family, would surely be missed, as her ward, were he to make off with a Witcher, especially with the one so primarily known for the massacre at Crait.

Poe's gaze went steely at Kylo's final dismissal, and he'd left the tavern quickly after that. It couldn't have been two years later when Kylo encountered the young man again, fine doublet swapped for something a little more incognito in orange and brown tones, a lute slung over his back and all the more determination to see everything.

Kylo hadn't refused him a second time, and he wouldn't have been able to, since Poe no longer had any qualms about following him uninvited. Thus, he had a new travelling companion.

Just as he suspected, Poe was a liability in some aspects of the job where monsters were concerned, but Poe had also dragged him, limping, back to camp before, bandaged his wounds, fetched his potions. His life had undeniably turned for the better with the bard around; Poe was a talented musician, it turned out, and the extra income and incentive to stay at inns meant Kylo was now more acquainted with feather pillows than he'd ever hoped to be. The positive company had made Kylo better as well, at talking to people, at putting up with them, at giving life nuance. His path was lighter with Poe on it.

They became comfortable around each other. They began to argue, about the silly things people who know each other well and cared for each other deeply argue about, about which direction to head in, which inn to stop at, about the jacket Kylo had left to get trampled by the last monster he'd fought. Barely a day went by without some kind of silly quibble to that effect, but it never truly changed the form of their relationship.

Then, they'd met Hux.

[break]

Kylo had been around long enough that he'd thought he'd heard of most of the other powerful, non-mortal beings on the continent, so randomly running into an evidently strong mage like Hux, who he'd never heard of, was a bit surprising. Kylo had been employed to go and rid a keep up on the hill of whatever it was that was plaguing it. He was expecting to take a while to figure it out, but when he arrived, the malevolent spirits were revealed easily by the mage already locked in battle with them.

The fight the man was putting up was impressive, given the sheer number of foes. He was spewing fire everywhere, manipulating the elements to his will, his bright hair and swan-white robe whipped around by the wind he was creating, but eventually Kylo could see he was losing, and so joined him in the fight. It was fortuitous that they were both there, as Kylo certainly couldn't have defeated them all on his own either. When the last spirit was destroyed, however, Hux had spun round, announced that he had decidedly notrequired the help of some filthy Witcher, and flounced off. He'd gotten about ten paces when he collapsed from the sheer exertion of having used his magic in such a manner.

So Kylo had carried the mage back to camp and laid him down on his bedroll to recuperate.

Poe was travelling with Kylo at that time, and, though he was surprised to see Hux, he seemed very glad to see Kylo back from the fight, juiced up on potions but otherwise unharmed. His smile had made Kylo's heart do something he didn't really understand, the same thing it did when Poe met his gaze during a performance at whatever tavern they were staying at, the same when Kylo said something complimentary to him. Indeed, it was becoming more and more of a common feeling, and Kylo was finding that he rather liked it.

When Kylo suggested he should probably go find a rabbit or something for dinner, Poe seemed happy enough to watch over the mage until he returned, and Kylo had picked his way into the forest they were camping on the edge of with his head full of thoughts of Poe. His distraction had meant he took longer than usual to catch something, and when he got back, it was to find Poe backed against a tree, Hux threatening him using a dagger Kylo hadn't realised he'd had on him.

“Kylo!” Poe had shouted when he saw him – and again, the weird thing Kylo's heart did around Poe – equal parts relieved and pissed off.

Hux relaxed only slightly at knowing whose camp it was he had been brought to, and, once Kylo had convinced him to lower the weapon, he protested strongly that he didn't want anyone's help or charity, and that he was offended to have been carried around like some damsel. Poe told him he was very welcome to fuck off, but it soon became clear that Hux wasn't in any shape to be going off on his own, so he stayed with them that night.

Kylo was settling in to sleep on the opposite side of the fire to Hux when Poe dumped his bedroll down next to him, closer than usual – cue the weird heart thing again – and lay down. All Kylo had managed to ask was, “What are you doing?”

Huffing, Poe leaned up to peer over Kylo's arm at where Hux was lying, turned away from them on the far side of their little camp. “He tried to kill me today. I don't wanna wake up with my throat cut for some magey shit.”

Kylo considered pointing out that Poe wouldn't wake up at all if his throat had been slit, but he was more struck by the implication that Poe was trusting him to protect him. Usually, people were more likely to fear that Kylo would be the one killing them after whatever monster he'd been hired to dispatch, but Poe was different, and always had been, really. He insisted that Kylo had good in him, that he wasn't all the darkness that Witchers were supposed to be. He wasn't entirely right, of course, but it was nice to have someone hope in him.

So instead of making the bard move away, all Kylo had said was, “You'll get cold, so far from the fire,” and offered Poe an extra side of his own blanket.

One night of Hux staying with them turned into two, into three, into a week's travel to the neighbouring city. In fact, Kylo was almost sad to see the severe mage leave, as it meant he and Poe went back to their usual sleeping arrangements, instead of curling up together with Kylo as his shield.

[break]

Months later, to Kylo's surprise, Hux sought him out. He was after a gem of something something and he needed hired muscle that he could trust would actually get the job done. Hux had found them by the coast, and the first thing he said as he took Poe in was, “You're still travelling with him, are you?” Kylo wasn't sure whether the question was meant for him or Poe, but they'd both answered definitively.

The month and a half of travel it took to reach the mountain cave system in which the gem was kept saw Poe and Hux grow accustomed to each other, if not strictly friendly. Poe didn't resume his habit of sleeping next to Kylo, Hux didn't try to kill Poe again, and eventually they stopped speaking to each other in jibes and barbs.

Hux and Kylo also ended up bonding; they would sit together in taverns while Poe was performing and talk, about things that they remembered from when they were young, things Poe had learned only from his history professors. It was nice to have someone who related, who had experienced similar things to him, who understood what it was to be not-quite human and tied to a duty they didn't quite want. Hux had been raised in magic, it turned out, and, as they talked, Kylo realised it wasn't so different to being raised into killing as he had been. The small, commiserating smiles Hux offered struck Kylo deeply, and one day he realised that Hux, bathed in the yellow, glowing tavern light, was beautiful.

When they reached the cave systems that were their destination, Poe had to stay in the local town while Hux and Kylo went in search of the gem, since the place was too unknown and dangerous to risk him coming. And it did turn out to be dangerous; Hux and Kylo each saved each others' life a few times, had several close calls, and, once all the stress and danger of the adventure had turned into the satisfaction of success, they translated that pent-up tension into a vigorous fuck on the way out.

“I don't know why you keep him around,” Hux commented as they trudged back to the town to meet Poe, gem firmly in his grasp. “He can't help you with your work like I could.”

Kylo supposed that was true. “He helps me be better,” Kylo replied, which was also true.

Hux made a derisive sound. “Does he, now.”

Kylo shook his head at Hux's tone. “Why don't you like him? You have plenty in common.”

“It's not that I don't like him,” Hux said, tossing his head to get a strand of hair which had slipped in front of his eyes out of the way. Considering Kylo was grimy and dishevelled from the fighting, Hux's deep crimson tunic still looked remarkably put together, and it gave him a haughty air as he said, “I know his type. I've served them in courts all over the continent for centuries. They think they're entitled to everything without working for it and without thanking the people who actually make it possible. He's just another ungrateful, mortal noble.”

Kylo thought about what he said for a good minute. “You're wrong,” he said.

[break]

Back at the inn, Poe had the entire town in the palm of his hand thanks to his songs. He looked charming as ever, flashing smiles to all the ladies who were fawning over him, but Kylo was happy to see that, when Poe spotted them enter, his smile softened and a new light entered his eyes. This time, the flip in Kylo's heart felt more natural than ever.

When Kylo emerged from the bathhouse, Poe was already waiting in his room for a full account of the adventure so he could turn it into his latest ballad. Kylo related what happened as he usually did, keeping to the bare facts and trusting Poe to make them into pretty wordplay later, until he got to the end, at which point he decided that Poe didn't strictly need to know that Hux had pushed him up against the wall of the cave and kissed him with a ferocity he wasn't likely to forget any time soon.

But Poe noticed the brief hesitation and looked up from his little book where he'd been scribbling notes. “What?” he asked.

Kylo shrugged. “Nothing. We left to come back here,” he said, pulling the shirt he was wearing off and reaching for a different one.

“Did something bite you?”

Kylo could hear the frown in Poe's voice, and he turned back to see Poe's eyes locked on a slightly bruised, reddish ring low on his neck. A vague recollection surfaced in Kylo's mind of Hux tugging down his collar, once his outer layer of armour was off, and digging his teeth hard into the flesh over that spot. He hummed, reaching up to rub at it and thus hide it from Poe's sight. “Must have.”

Poe stood up and approached, batting Kylo's hand out of the way, which he couldn't find the motivation to resist. When Poe ran his thumb over the bruise, he was so warm Kylo pushed into the touch. If Poe noticed, he didn't comment, his brow was deeply furrowed. “What kind of monster even has teeth like that?”

A knock came on the door. “Kylo,” Hux called from outside, “we need to talk about payment.”

“I'm...” Kylo hesitated, feeling strangely and suddenly like he'd betrayed Poe. “I'm coming.”

Kylo wasn't sure what about him looked guilty, but Poe seemed to realise at that moment where the mark came from. “Oh,” he said, stepping away and back to his book.

Not long after that, Poe announced his intention to head back to his home kingdom. Kylo's mouth went dry. It was Hux who had to ask the platitudes – did he have some business to attend to? How long did he think he would stay? - which Poe replied to blandly, something about responsibility to his mentors. Kylo wanted to ask him to stop, to stay, but all he managed to get out was, “I'll miss you.”

[break]

Time passed.

Poe left for home, taking his light and song with him.

Kylo spent one winter with Hux, back in the keep where they'd first met, which Hux had appropriated for himself, but it was all wrong; there was a grounding influence missing, without which the two of them spent more time treating each other angrily than well. The sex was amazing, but eventually, it felt hollow. The day it became clear that the harshest weather had blown over, Kylo was back on Silence, looking for the next contract out on a monster, something he could hack into pieces without thinking.

The seasons changed, fled and returned until it had been another year. Kylo was firmly back in the blank swing of contract, monster, payment, move along, but the campfire felt lonely after dark, when he had nothing to occupy his mind. He started talking to Silence; she never replied.

Sometimes, Kylo found himself wondering how long it would be until he ran into Hux again, and if he would even want to see him. Maybe he could make the way they left things up to him. They'd had something, after all, and, though it hadn't been perfect, he missed that feeling of love and understanding and protection which Hux provided. Kylo didn't hold out much hope of seeing Poe; he never went near his home city, and why would Poe venture out again? He'd seen his share of the world. He was back in his real life, now.

But eventually, those nights of wondering wore Kylo down, and, quite without intending to, he found himself directing Silence down the path to the kingdoms neighbouring Poe's.

There, Kylo found himself invited to the royal tourney of Queen Phasma, as a guest of honour. She was a renowned warrior, and Kylo reasoned that it would be rude to decline the request of such an esteemed ruler. He reasoned that perhaps she would even have some work for him. He reasoned a lot of things, in his attempt to deny to himself that the real reason was hope that a tourney would be more than enough cause for a neighbouring noble to be in the area, or even just a bard...

The festivities were festivities. It was strange, to watch others fight instead of having to do it himself, and for performance rather than necessity. Though sometimes the rush of people grated on him, Phasma was a gracious host and Kylo enjoyed the good food well enough, always keeping an eye out for some shock of red hair, or those cheerful, dark curls he so hoped for.

His vigilance yielded one of those prizes.

A tall, beautiful, severe looking man entered the great hall one evening for the feast, walking directly up to the main table at which Phasma and Kylo were seated, and didn't even falter when he recognised Kylo's distinctive scar, yellow eyes, dark garb.

“Hux!” Phasma exclaimed standing and marching around the table to pull the man into a hug, which he returned with surprising readiness, “My dear friend, it has been too long!”

Hux gave a half-bow. “I'm sorry I'm late, I was caught up with business.”

“Ah, yes, business,” Phasma said knowingly, “and where is Lord Dameron?”

Hux's eyes flitted over to Kylo's for the briefest of seconds. “Altogether too caught up with his teaching to bother with a tournament, I'm afraid.”

“Well you must tell him I want him at the next one.” With that, she made to retake her seat again, gesturing at Kylo. “Kylo, this is Hux, currently an advisor to court in the neighbouring kingdom and the most talented mage in all the continent. Hux, Kylo, the Witcher.”

“Yes, we've met,” Hux understated, settling his gaze on Kylo fully, now, and extending his hand to Kylo over the table. Not sure what he was expected to do, Kylo gave Hux his hand, and Hux took it, raising it to his lips and kissing Kylo's knuckles.

Kylo wasn't entirely certain if he could blush any more, since the mutations which had turned him into a Witcher, but if he could, he was sure he was, what with so many people around to witness a display of affection which Kylo was unused to at the best of times. Along with that, relief, because it made him feel suddenly like all was forgiven without him having to wrangle the words around an apology.

“Hux, stop that and sit down!” Phasma reprimanded, “The players will begin soon.”

It was only as Hux sat down that Kylo realised the empty chair on his right had likely always been for Hux. No sooner had he settled than the players flooded the floor, dancing into their performance of an old, famous play, something about two supernatural kings vying for the affection of a mortal with all sorts of fanciful gifts.

“This version is better than the original,” Hux remarked a short while in, and Kylo hummed out an assent, though he had never seen it when it first was performed. He was probably too busy wading through drowner guts, or something similarly uncouth.

“So, you're in Poe's court, now?” Kylo asked instead. “Is he king?”

“No,” Hux remarked, picking up his goblet of wine and keeping his gaze on the players. “Nor does he want to be. The Queen has plenty of other worthy successors, and Poe would much rather go back to spending his days as a bard.” He tutted. “Even if he doesn't say so.”

“Why are you there?”

He sighed. “I wanted to see what you meant about him not being like the others, so I offered my services to the Queen.” Kylo hummed again, and this time, Hux turned to look at him. “You were quite right. He's different. I find myself rather taken with him.”

Kylo reached for his own wine now, his mouth suddenly dry. “Oh. Have you..?”

“No. Kylo...” Hux placed his cup down and leaned to the side so his shoulder was brushing Kylo's, even as Kylo was resolutely not looking at him. “He misses you. And I know you miss him.”

As if by design, the lutist started to play, and both their eyes went to the young woman performing in the corner. Kylo found himself thinking, perhaps uncharitably, that she wasn't as talented as Poe, her song wasn't as sweet.

Hux didn't fail to notice this. “I think we should travel together again,” he said.

“We?”

“You and I and Poe,” Hux said, as though it were obvious. “Like we did those few months travelling in from the coast. I've found myself thinking about them a lot.”

Kylo shrugged. “It was only a few months. Things have changed since then.”

“Which is why we should give it another try.” Kylo jolted in slight surprise when he felt Hux's cool hand lay over his own on the arm of the chair. He turned to find Hux looking directly into his eyes. “Stay here for a week after the tourney is over, and I'll have convinced him to come. Kylo.” A tacit command from Hux, as usual, instead of a request.

Kylo nodded.

[break]

So Kylo waited by the city gates, where Hux had sent a messenger bird that he should meet them. He was nervous, when he first spotted the black dot on the distant path that he was sure was them, shuffling from one foot to the other and gripping Silence's reins tight, like that would do anything. He was wondering how he should greet Poe; hello, certainly, and he didn't think he'd be able to stop himself from smiling, but he found that he also wanted to give him a hug, press their lips together, feel that he was really thereagain, after the nearly two years they'd spent apart.

It turned out he needn't have worried, since Poe sprang forward and clasped him into a hug without prompting, talking immediately about where they would be going and how good it would be to be back on the road.

Hux had merely given him a look that said I told you so, and followed after the excitable bard.

That had been nearly two weeks ago.

It turned out that Hux was entirely right; things were different than before, and they were better. The things that had changed were these:

Hux had brought a horse with him, this time, and several other magical items, such as a tent which was far larger inside than it appeared. Poe hadn't bothered with a horse, since he hadn't needed one before, and had thus left the money with which to pay for its upkeep back at home, planning instead to sing for his money like he used to. Kylo rather liked this; it reminded him of old times, when he steadfastly refused to let Poe ride Silence, in case it tired her out too much. The tent, on the other hand, felt annoyingly like Hux was living in style while the two of them were stuck outside, since Hux had never invited them in and Kylo, for one, wasn't about to invite himself.

It seemed Hux and Poe had also developed a much closer friendship, in the time Hux had spent at court. It made Kylo feel a little like he had missed out, like he had time to catch up on, like there was something impenetrable he couldn't access. Kylo supposed it must be similar for Hux, since he and Poe had known each other for so long before he met them, and again for Poe, given that winter when it was only him and Hux, but times like these – Poe and Hux discussing something so academic that Kylo knew so little about – could be daunting as much as interesting.

Mostly, Kylo felt like he still had to make something up to Poe, and he wasn't sure how to do it. He should probably just have a conversation with him about it, but the words never came, and bringing it up when nobody was thinking about it would, he was sure, just sour the mood. And if he just left it, the tension would have to break eventually.

[break]

Ahead of him on the road, Hux and Poe's little argument seemed to have reached a peak point. Kylo had been too lost in his thoughts to pay attention to what they were saying, but now Poe had stopped walking, raising open arms in that way of his that was almost defeated, but actually said he still thought he was right. It was very cute, like he was a turtle with a lute for a shell, and Kylo couldn't help but think his annoyed expression was charming as well.

When Silence reached the spot where Poe was standing, watching Hux ride on with his usual haughty confidence, Kylo hummed. “Did he win?”

Poe huffed, moving again to keep up with Silence's ambling pace. “No, but he's acting like he did. He always thinks he's right.”

Kylo thought about it for a beat; Hux did indeed always think that he was right. It was one of the things that had caused friction in their attempt at a relationship that one winter. It wasn't that all three of them couldn't be stubborn, more that Kylo and Poe had much more ability to hold out against each other's pestering than either of them seemed to have against Hux. One narrowing twitch of those steely-grey eyes, and anyone with even half a sense of self-preservation would surrender. So Kylo could sympathise with Poe's little pout.

They came to the edge of the forest, the village where they planned to stop a short way before them across a few fields. Kylo drew Silence to a halt and put out a hand to Poe, who looked at it first with surprise and then joy. He quickly allowed Kylo to help him up, settling just behind the Witcher, his chest pressed to his back, their thighs brushing against each other with every movement. Kylo could feel it all, and he tried not to let his stomach flip too much when Poe's arms snaked around his sides, hands locking at his front. He cursed inwardly that today he'd chosen to forgo some layers in favour of his cooler shirt.

But then Poe was saying to him over his shoulder – though it felt more like murmuring in his ear - “Come on, I wanna see Hux's face.”

Kylo prodded Silence to walk on, closing the distance on Hux. As they passed, Kylo felt Poe remove one hand to wave at the mage. Looking around, it was in almost slow motion that Hux's expression went from one of mild astonishment to annoyance to jealousy.

“See you there, Hugs!” Poe said, and Kylo smiled to himself.

#darkgingerpilot #armitage hux #poe dameron #kylo ren #kylo/hux/poe #kylux #darkpilot #gingerpilot #my writing #fanfiction #witcher au #fantasy medieval au #even if he doesn't say so

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takerfoxx · 4 years ago

Text

happyandstupidotter submitted:

Oh man, this took me long. Long story short, I had a lot of work and I wanted to have time to read the chapter again and review. So here we are 2 weeks later.

Before I start I want to talk about that dream Oktavia was having. Even though it was quite simple and straight forward it reminded me of Stuff TM.

I don’t know if you know about this one fun fact, but one of the interpretations of Kyoko’s witch version was that she was named Ophelia as a reference to the character with the same name from Hamlet. In Hamlet, Ophelia fell in the water and embraced death by letting herself drown.

Hamlet!Ophelia’s death has some similarities with Kyoko’s first witch out in the PSP game. In that route, after Sayaka witches out and Oktavia is killed, Kyoko survives, but witches out after realizing that Sayaka is indeed dead and that she wouldn’t be able to escape having an horrible death. So, we have Hamlet!Ophelia letting herself drown to stop being a tool being used by Hamlet to meet his own selfish ends and we have Kyoko letting herself fall to despair after Sayaka/Oktavia’s death to be free of the circle of suffering she found herself in after she made the contract. I quite like this interpretation of Witch!Ophelia’s name.

And the other thing it reminded me of was of the special ending after episode 8 in which Kyoko reaches out for a drowning Sayaka. Ahhh, love that ending.

Anyways. Plot.

I’ll be serious with you, I read Kazumi many years ago and I barely remember it. I had zero memories of a dead girl and clones of said dead girl for instance. Even though that’s the case, I am enjoying the clones very much. They are weirdos full stop, but that is what makes them charming. In their own way. That and the fact that their simple existence makes Kyoko think hard about what it means to like two girls who share one body and how she should approach it to not fuck up things with the girl that is currently driving the meat sack. Soul vapor sack. You get it.

Seriously, this is the most complex and angsty love triangle EVER. I love it. My heart was full and content with all the KyoTavi content from this chapter, thank you so much.

Since we are in the love subject… April has a girlfriend, huh? Kyoko and I shared the same shark reaction to that information. I was so not expecting it. Man, I already love April. The entire Kyoko-April conversation was GOLD from start to end. April has trouble expressing facial emotions that are deemed socially acceptable, but she’s clearly great. I’m excited to learn more about other calendar sisters.

I’m also excited for Mami to get proper professional help at some point in this arc. Or at least her meds back. Fingers crossed for the people in the city to have something for her.

And get Kyoko her cowboy hat. The poor girl will start dreaming of cowboy hats soon if that doesn’t happen.

Thanks for the chapter! It was great reading it twice.

I was wondering when I would hear from you, lol.

Y’know something funny? I of course know who the original Ophelia is (English major, son of an English teacher, grandson of a theater set producer) and even made a reference to it in Ophelia’s introduction in WN, but until you explicitly pointed it out just now, I don’t think I ever consciously made the connection between Ophelia’s death and the frequent motif of Kyoko drowning that keeps popping up in my stories. I mean, you’d think it be obvious, seeing how the WN Ophelia is terrified of water, Kyoko and Sayaka’s special ED literally shows them drowning together (which is what Oktavia’s dream was referencing), Kyoko canonically can’t swim, and I later want to also have the RD have an aversion to water as well, but that was mainly to have her be a foil to the water-loving Oktavia. I mean, I might have noted the connection somewhere in WN and referenced it, but if I did then I forgot immediately. So chalk it up to another unintentional but very appropriate connection.

Kazumi Magica had its ups and downs, but the (SPOILERS!) big twist was interesting. Basically, Kazumi found out that she was actually a clone of Michiru, who had turned into a witch and was killed by her friends, so her friends tried using witch flesh (which I guess they could get somehow) and magic to try to clone her. Kazumi herself came out all right, but at one point she discovers where they were keeping the failed clones, and a fight ensues in which she’s forced to kill the clones. And I always felt that the clones got a raw deal, so I stuck them in RD, had them discover the original Michiru, and form a family with her.

The love triangle was one of those happy accidents. The original plan was for Oktavia to simply turn back into Sayaka at some point, kind of like how Candeloro became Mami in IM. But I realized that I had spent so much time building up Oktavia as her own character and made her identity issues such an integral part of the story that doing that would be kind of a slap in the face. Then, when I was writing Restless and had everyone turn into their opposite selves at the end of their respective dreams, I realized that this would be a great way to introduce the original Sayaka as a character separate from Oktavia and see where that takes us. And as it turns out, where it takes us is ANGST!

April was honestly so much fun to write. I’ve talked a lot about how I like to beings that are usually treated as disposable (clones, the undead, aliens, AI’s, and so on) and humanize them as much as possible. Like, okay, to me, introducing unsettling, uncanny valley clones with strong Stepford Wife vibes to creep the characters out is one thing, but I feel that once you actually got to know them and realized that they’re also people with their own lives, it kind of changes how you view them. Having April have a girlfriend was a big part of that.

And Mami getting some seriously much-needed help was a long time coming. Hell, they all need it.

Also, obligatory:

You ever get the feeling that the people who made the Madoka Magica Online character cards never actually watched the show?

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aerospace-agenda · 5 years ago

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Ok, so, just... since the “ao3 is bad for asking for donations” bs is going around again, theres a bit of new stuff mixed in, but it seems to largely be the same “why dont they pay the authors” type stuff, with the usual insinuations of the people running the site just pocketing the money and doing nothing.

they made a bit over $700k in donations last year, but let’s bump that up to $750k for estimation purposes.

As of several years ago, they were running with about 750 volunteers, on ao3 alone.

there’s also 18 committees that they run, which are headed by a total of about 30 people, and let’s say there are 3 or 4 other people on each committee on average.

on top of that, they’re one of the most visited and active sites in the world, with almost 6 million fics stored there, and they regularly hit in the region of 250,000,000 distinct visitors a month. these numbers are very significant, because to operate smoothly servers need to be able to quickly access the data for a page, and then pass that data to you.

lets say there are... hm. about 60kb of data that they need to pass to you in order to generate a page. at 250 million visitors, if each person loads a single page and does nothing else, that’s 15TB a month, easily, since i’m taking that estimate from directly loading a single short chapter, no searching or browsing or visiting different author pages or looking through bookmarks. which most people will probably do to some degree each time they visit, each of which is another system that needs to be queried, and is reliable and fast about it.

for reference, i can’t get an estimate on how much this must cost, because i havent been able to find any hosts to compare against that even have hosting schemes that allow numbers as high as ao3 delivers reliably and efficiently.

i work with databases for my job, and i frankly have no idea how the fuck ao3 manages to be what it is on the budget that it gets, im half-convinced there are fucking wizards back there or something.

purchasing the kinds of servers that they need to be using must be costing them well into the tens of thousands on the up-front price, server maintanence costs can run well into the thousands per month, and their reliability must mean they have sufficient redudancy to take them out of commission on the regular.

anyway. let’s say that the hosting, maintanence, and replacement costs for all this only cost them $150k a year. based on everything i know, this is an absolutely absurd underestimate to the extent that it’s frankly laughable.

anyway, that then leaves $600k.

no matter where you assume that goes into the pockets of people behind the scenes, this would require complete complicity of everyone behind the scenes to keep under cover, as well as passing their false financial statements through audits and such. by and large, conspiracies like this don’t work very well!

so, that $600k should go to the people who “actually” bring value to ao3, the writers, then?

does everyone just get an even share of it? in that case, as there are about 2.6 million accounts- everybody gets about 23 cents a year. sound worth it?

no? ok then, what about for each fic someone writes, they get an even share of it? after all, there were “only” about a million fics published in 2019. that’s about 60, maybe 70 cents per fic, doesn’t that sound good to you?

im guessing you think that’s still a bit low. in that case, should it be based on "quality” of fics? how should that quality be determined? kudos, hits, reader interaction? should that be an ongoing thing, or assessed at a particular time since publication? what about very long-running fics, how should that be assessed? should people just get paid a flat amount per chapter?

if the metrics to determine how much a fic is “worth” are transparent, then they’ll be abused- how should that be be determined? poor language quality? short chapter length? if they’re not transparent, how do you justify to authors why they aren’t paid more?

what about disputes regarding fanfics being “stolen”? right now, i dont think many people care much about if someone else writes a very similar fic to theirs. but would they feel the same way if someone else writes something inspired by, or with the same premise, or generally similar, to one of yours? what about if someone writes a story and incorporates someone elses OC? should the person who created that OC get a cut?

if you want to increase funds to pay authors, how should you approach that? ask for donations? if payment metrics are transparent, then that means that anybody who performs well on them are likely to actively drive away donors. make it a subscription site? would you pay a monthly subscription fee just to access the site?

and so on, and so on. and that’s before any issues with backlog and such should be resolved. tbh, there are so many precedents that’d need to be set and potential issues that this would raise that even if ao3 responded with “fuck you” to every person who currently aren’t happy with the system, it would still probably be less unpopular than literally any change to allow them to pay authors.

honestly, at the end of the day, most people who are actually interested in financial support and who write fanfic? generally have a blog with a donation button. or a patreon. or something similar, along those lines. and there’s nothing stopping you from just going and doing that directly if you’re actually interested in supporting them.

it’s worth noting that there’s also a legal aspect to this, which im not particularly familiar with, but, for starters- a commercial aspect to works can make a big difference in whether or not something is considered “fair use”. whether or not something is, indeed, fair use, can also be pretty subjective. do you want to toss that litigational coin? and do you have the money and lawyers to press the issue?

#oc? on this blog? its more likely than you think!#long post #mostly me rambling about how the outcry against ao3 asking for donations is kinda silly.#How long IS this queue...?

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konako · 5 years ago

Note

About the post bop ask! For Dinah and Helena im sorry haha

Oh, sure!

Dinah and Helena are a deadly duo in battle.

They complemented each other in battle when they were fighting Sionis’ men, and they have been in sync ever since. It’s like they have a direct line to each other’s thoughts while they're fighting. They communicate better while grunting, punching and kicking than in any other scenario. They know when one is in trouble, when one is tired, when one can handle their opponent, when they can’t.

And it’s honestly strange -- scary, even -- how well they work together, how easily they can trust each other in the critical moments, how effortlessly their connection was build. And it was a weird surprise. They didn’t really speak the same language, outside of a fight: Dinah is outgoing when she’s comfortable, Helena is closed off most of the time, Dinah reads people so well, Helena can barely speak. They’re so different in so many ways, they weren’t exactly perfect matches on paper, but fighting, it’s like they share the same mind.

In the heat of it, they didn’t give much thought to how seamlessly they incorporated each other in battle, but as soon as they stopped to think about it, it dawned on them, the rarity of this type of trust. They fought alone up until then, they didn’t trust many people and, now, they suddenly had someone they could count on to have their backs and finish their opponents. It was an instinctive, truthful connection, that would later become something more.

Dinah likes going out and having fun, Helena has not learned how to relax

It’s not her fault. The poor assassin tries, she tries her best, but some things take a while. She trained her whole life to be disciplined, focused, serious, precise and clean -- it’s hard to turn it all of, now. And she wants to! Dinah talks about how fun life can be, how dancing is just as good as fighting, how singing along to a song you don’t know the lyrics to is supposed to be fun and loud and stupid; Dinah is showing Helena this side of life she never knew before, and it’s honestly enticing. Deep in her heart, she wishes she could have as much fun as Dinah seems to be having.

But she’s too stiff and hard to dance, and she doesn’t know enough about pop music to even attempt to mumble along. Good thing is, Dinah is not giving up on her! Even if Helena stands there in the corner of the club all dark and awkward talking to no one and sipping on her drink all night, Dinah still invites her every time, and doesn’t seem to mind that Helena doesn’t join her on the dance floor. Dinah is happy that she’s trying and Helena is happy that she’s getting to know there is more to life than murder and revenge. And while Helena can’t promise she will become just as extroverted and spontaneous as Dinah, she is doing her best to relax. They enjoy their wild nights out and their quiet evenings in, and Helena is just glad that she gets to spend some time with Dinah. That’s fun enough for her.

Suddenly rich, trying to understand how friendships work

Helena has had an interesting relationship with money. As a child, she never thought about it, the world was hers and her family had everything: money was never a problem. Then, the massacre, fueled by greed. She almost resented the very idea of money after that. Isolated in Sicily, she grew up humble, with little, but enough. She didn’t care for money. She didn’t care for much of anything, really. She just wanted revenge. (And a motorcycle). And now, after all was done, she had everything. (Well... “everything”), again. She had more money than one could ever spend in a lifetime and, as she looked around to her new friends... hum, it seemed money could solve a lot of their problems.

She just... she doesn’t know-- What is the money etiquette? Is it rude to give your friends money? If they complain about their rent, is she not supposed to pay it for them? If their crappy cars break down, is she not allowed to fix them, or buy new ones? Is she rude if she doesn’t give them money? What is the accepted limit for a tip? What’s the protocol, here?!

Dinah doesn’t like to discuss it. Money is a sensitive subject for her. She sounds proud about it, even. She worked hard for everything she has, and she doesn’t want to become a charity case. She’s not struggling, she’s not dirt poor, she’s not suffering; Gotham has a terrible class problem, and she’s on the bad side of it, that’s all. Helena doesn’t need to save her with her million dollars. End of conversation.

Still, Dinah knows Helena means well. Dinah can see Helena doesn’t know what to do with all that money. Hell, the woman didn’t have any plans for her life after finishing her murder list, she’s lost and this ridiculous fortune is adding to the confusion. So Dinah lower her defenses a bit. Helena is trying to do something nice, explore a friendship, help them with their fighting thing -- Dinah decides not to make this more difficult than they already are. Ah, fuck it. Her car was just stolen, and she can’t keep asking Helena for rides all the time. They buy her a new car. BUT! Dinah makes it clear that it’s not a gift. She will repay Helena in the future. Helena just shrugs, “It’s what friends do. I hope”

Helena becomes Dinah’s greatest fan

Helena heard Dinah sing once and it changed something in her. Ever since, whenever Dinah sings, Helena stops everything and listens. If she’s singing at a club, Helena drops everything to watch her. She helps with whatever she can, she supports her in any way Dinah will let her.

If Dinah’s feeling a little bit down and doubting her talent, Helena will bluntly state, “You’re the best singer I’ve ever met. Your voice is amazing. I’m speechless every time you sing. You shouldn’t doubt yourself” And she says so, with a blank face, while eating oatmeal in the morning, as if that’s a known fact of the universe, as if she’s pointing out that water is wet. And she continues walking down the hallway as if nothing happened. It catches Dinah by surprise, the weight and the sincerity of her words. She stands there for a moment, taken aback.

And now, Dinah pays special attention to the crowd when she sings, and she notices how Helena, indeed, is speechless, motionless, watching her with wide eyes and a quiet, almost shy smile. She’s never seen Helena more at peace.

#DH HC #Anonymous

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basicsofislam · 5 years ago

Text

ISLAM 101: Muslim Culture and Character: Morals And Manners: Care Of Kin

The Islamic term used for the care of kin is sila al-rahm which encompasses visiting one’s parents and relatives, asking after their welfare, and making them happy. Islamgives importance to relationships with people, particularly the mother and father and then other close relatives. Visiting them should become a principle in one’s life.

Khalid ibn Zayd (Abu Ayyub al-Ansari) narrated an event in which a man came and asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of God, can you tell me an act of worship that will help me enter Heaven?” God’s Messenger replied thus, “Worshipping God, not associating any partners with Him, performing the daily prayers, giving to charity, and visiting your relatives.”52

This hadith emphasizes the importance of sila al-rahm, stating that such actions can help Muslims go to Heaven. But sila al-rahm means more than just visiting relatives; it also includes taking care of their needs and always including them when doing something helpful (like giving charity). The fact that this is mentioned direct- ly after the prescribed acts of worship, such as daily prayers and charity, shows the great importance given to sila al-rahm in Islam. For this reason, some Islamic scholars hold that such behavior is wajib, or necessary, for believers, and they consider it to be a great sin to neglect or refuse these duties. Indeed, in the Qur’an God commands:

O humankind! In due reverence for your Lord, keep from dis- obedience to Him Who created you from a single human self, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them scat- tered abroad a multitude of men and women. In due reverence for God, keep from disobedience to Him in Whose name you make demands of one another, and (duly observe) the rights of the wombs (i.e. of kinship, thus observing piety in your relations with God and with human beings). God is ever watchful over you. (Nisa 4:1)

In the verse above, as well as the following verse, God’s Word charges us to maintain the bond of family ties, look after relatives and never allow these relationships to be severed:

And those who unite the bonds God has commanded to be joined (among kin as a requirement of blood relationship, and among people as required by human social interdepen- dence), and stand in awe of their Lord, and fearful of (fac- ing) the most evil reckoning… But those who break God’s covenant after its solemn binding, and sever the bonds God commanded to be joined, and cause disorder and corruption on the earth—such are those on whom there is a curse (exclu- sion from God’s mercy), and for them there is the most evil abode. (Ra’d 13:20, 25)

There are differences of opinion as to how far the designation of “relative” extends, or who, exactly, is meant by these verses and hadith. According to some, relatives are close relatives with whom marriage is forbidden; according to others, the word’s meaning is those relatives close enough to have rights to inheritance. Still oth- er scholars believe that the word rahm in the verse is inclusive of all relatives, even if they are distant relatives. In terms of social life the latter view is the most helpful.

Since it has been commanded by God and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to visit and care for relatives, it would be appropriate here to examine how this should be done. There are certain “degrees” of sila al-rahm:

The absolute minimum is to speak kindly to relatives and be amiable when talking to them, to greet them when we encounter them, to ask after their well-being, and to al- ways think positively about them and want the best for them.

The second level is to go and visit them and to come to their aid in various circumstances. Such actions are a more physical way of serving our relatives. This is especially im- portant as our relatives get older and need someone to as- sist them with things they can no longer do for them- selves.

The third and most important level of sila al-rahm is to give one’s relatives financial and material support.

There are exceptional circumstances, such as when someone is too poor to support their relatives materially. But the Muslim who is well-off cannot be said to have completed the duties of sila al- rahm simply by visiting and asking after their relatives. For such a person, these duties include financial support, as much as they can afford, for less well-off relatives. This support can be in the form of giving them a regular amount of money, or providing them with the things they need. This is what is meant by “looking after and caring for relatives” in Islam; a good Muslim should carry out all of the above three “degrees” of support to the best of their abil- ity. Otherwise, if they neglect to carry out those duties that are in their power, they will be held accountable. We must keep in mind the punishment for those who neglect these duties given in the above Qur’anic verse. Our Prophet also said, “Every Friday night each person’s deeds are presented to God; only those who neglect sila al-rahm will have their deeds denied.”53

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, spoke of this topic in another hadith, proclaiming that faith in God and in the Last Day requires looking after one’s relatives.54 The Prophet said that God’s mercy is on those whom God judges to be taking good care of their families and those who take care to maintain blood ties. Conversely, God curses anyone who makes no effort to maintain their relationships with their relatives.55

There are also other warnings that state that those who cut ties with their relatives will be punished. The Prophet declared that such people will not be admitted to Paradise.56 He also taught that only those who take good care of their relatives will be grant- ed longer life and more abundance,57 and that one who gives fi- nancial help to relatives will be rewarded twice, both for helping family and for giving to charity.58

The term relatives usually implies close relations such as imme- diate family, cousins, aunts or uncles. There are special benefits in treating these relatives well. The Messenger of God said, “An aunt is like another mother.”59 Likewise, an uncle is like another father. It is only natural that as part of good morality such close family members have certain rights on us. Among these rights, paying visits is of particular importance. As explained below, the general rule is that one should visit close relations first on holidays, and then occasionally at other times, if possible bringing gifts.

Visiting strengthens the bond of love between relatives, and puts an end to estrangement. It allows people to share their sor- rows and joys, and to help one another through difficult times. In particular, the elderly need to spend their final years in peace and happiness in the bosom of their family, knowing they are loved and cared for.

There is another consideration that should be taken into ac- count when examining the subject of sila al-rahm. One should not expect anything in return; in this context, this means that we must not only look after the relatives with whom we are already close, but we should also attend to our duties toward those who have severed ties with us. The Prophet said, “One who simply returns good with good is not living the full meaning of ‘caring for rela- tives.’ True care means to care for the relation who has not shown us any regard.”60 In fact this is a general principle—we should al- ways think carefully and choose the good action in every situation. It is not correct to look after the well-being of those in need when one is weak and powerless but to change one’s conduct when wealth and power increase. This situation is one among the thou- sands of layers of meaning in the following Qur’anic verse:

But is it to be expected of you (O hypocritical ones), that you will break your promise and turn away (from God’s command- ments), and cause disorder and corruption in the land, and sever the ties of kinship? Such are they whom God has cursed (excluded from His mercy), and so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes (to the truth). (Muhammad 47:22–3)

As a final point, I wish to point out a general principle found in a hadith of the Prophet. Being fallible humans, we may some- times let bad words slip, especially when we are agitated and an- gry. There is a striking hadith about this: Ibn Amr ibn al-As re- lates the following words of Prophet Muhammad, peace and bless- ings be upon him: “One of the greatest sins is to curse one’s par- ents.” Those with him asked, “Would any person curse their own parents?” The Messenger answered, “Yes! If anyone curses the par- ent of another person, as that person will then curse their parent in return, it is as if he has cursed his own parent!”61

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jsteneil · 6 years ago

Text

Neil Josten’s Birthday Bash

in which the foxes don’t get anything done, ever

Nicky added Dan, Kevin, Aaron and three others to “Neil Josten's Birthday Bash Organization Committee”.

Nicky: can't add Andrew because he still owns a FLIP PHONE but here we go

Dan: hell yeah B-)

Nicky: kevin can fill him in with the details anyway

Kevin: why me?

Allison: because you live with him?

Matt: you're practically attached at the hip

Dan: omg ur roomm8s

Matt: ^^^ what allison said

Dan: yeah

Nicky: OR aaron can do it on wednesdays so that there's no chance of neil finding out :D

Aaron: no.

Aaron left the chat.

Nicky: what

Nicky: the

Kevin: just add him back

Nicky: fuck

Kevin: ffs

Kevin: some ppl are in class

Nicky added Aaron to the chat.

Aaron: im muting you all

Allison: just embrace the fact that you've lived in SC for years and say y'all

Nicky: y'all!!!

Nicky: yeah

Matt: dude don't how are u gonna know when to buy your coordinated outfit and rehearse the choreography if you mute us

Dan: Aaron?

Renee: I do think he muted us

Allison: fuck a crybaby

Nicky: hey

Allison: what's he gonna do? Unmute us?

Dan: asdhskfjdl ALLI

Matt: lmfao

Nicky: moving ON

Nicky: the important thing here is my boy neil's birthday

Kevin: and you wonder why Aaron left

Nicky: what?

Kevin: maybe Neil doesn't want to celebrate his bday

Nicky: no that's too sad

Nicky: next person?

Allison: not to be that bitch

Matt: oh?

Allison: but do we even know when his birthday is?

Allison: fuck you matthew donovan boyd

Matt: sorry i love you

Dan: it was easy

Dan: matt ur easy

Matt: ily babe

Dan: <3

Kevin: jan 19th

Renee: March 31st?

Allison: wait

Dan: uhhhh

Matt: Neil Josten deserves 2 bdayz

Kevin: no jan 19th

Renee: oh i thought we were using the one he chose for himself

Matt: Renee add a smiley face

Renee: :)

Renee: ?

Dan: babe ur mind,,,, im crying

Matt: ikr

Allison: stop using mygf so

Kevin: is it me or does it sound really passive aggressive bitchy with a smiley face

Dan: ye that's the point

Renee: I really wasn't trying to be

Matt: oh no we know, sorry

Matt: i feel bad now

Matt: it was just funny

Matt: sorry

Dan: :(

Renee: It's okay, don’t worry

Renee: :)

Dan: renee STOP i feel like ur going 2 murder me in my sleep

Renee: I could, but I won't

Nicky: im shaking and im not even in your dorm

Allison: and we daily thank god for that

Nicky: hey im an excellent roommate

Nicky: i always leave so cap and matt can have sexy times

Dan: yeah but then u call it sexy time

Allison: ive seen the bathroom nicky

Nicky: that's aaron

Matt: l o l

Kevin: aaron's a neat freak

Allison: exposed

Nicky: erik come get me the people here are mean

Renee: So when's Neil's actual birthday?

Kevin: jan 19th

Nicky: who's gonna ask andrew?

Kevin: HE HAS REAL PAPERS NOW

Kevin: JUST GO CHECK AND LET ME BE IN CLASS IN PEACE

Allison: well okay drama queen

Dan: kevin: *is on the chat as much as us*

Dan: also kevin: guys why r u dragging me here

Matt: it's okay kevin we can talk about it during practice

Renee: Don't goad him, Matt

Dan: lmfao babe u thought

Matt: uh oh

Allison: lol

Dan: we need 2 trounce the ravens nxt wk

Nicky: do we have to

Dan: y'all r hauling ass @ practice or god help me

Nicky: id settle for a close victory

Matt: nicky if you don't help us close the goal next friday im telling neil about his surprise

Nicky: noooooo :'(

Allison: ye renee has enough to do without having to face stuff y'all should have blocked

Renee: Andrew is also a goalkeeper

Allison: yeah but he doesn't give a fuck

Renee: That's neither true nor fair

Dan: i want bragging rights over this vctry, end of the question

Matt: are we just gonna ignore the fact that the fbi chose neil's old bday

Matt: even tho they made him a new identity

Allison: wonder how this conversation went

Nicky: are we ignoring the fact that neil is a goddamn CAPRICORN

Allison: "in my left hand is your birthday date. In my right hand is your other birthday" *shuffles behind his back*

Matt: idk about astrology but I checked and he tried to pass for an aries so what does that tell us?

Dan: shut up adfhskdjs

Nicky: im dying

Kevin: [attached picture]

Matt: did u steal neil's ID

Allison: i thought you were in class

Kevin: he sent it to me

Nicky: his phone can take pics??

Dan: RLY crappy 1s but yeah

Nicky: so all those times andrew refused to send me pics of his Eden’s Twilight's outfits so i could coordinate neil's…

Matt: :/

Kevin: he just doesn't like you

Allison: i would have laughed but you two have been fighting the good fight since last year, dressing neil up

Nicky: hey

Renee: Kevin, that was mean

Nicky: but thanx allison, I think so too

Kevin: sorry

Kevin: he's just difficult?

Nicky: yeah :(

Dan: omg u guys rmr when neil was on k ferdinand's show n he looked like a bite-sized snack in that shirt

Kevin: not exactly what I remember from this interview

Dan: u were pretty 2 <3

Kevin: oh my god

Renee: Didn't Neil keep the clothes?

Nicky: i've never seen him wear them again

Nicky: maybe he STUFFED THEM DOWN THE TOILET

Matt: uh okay

Allison: weird emphasis

Kevin: are you still stuck on that

Dan: what

Kevin: it's what happened with the clothes he wore the first time we went to columbia

Nicky: do you know how expensive that plumber was?

Matt: just a thought but maybe that wouldn't have happened if you didn't force him to come with you and drugged him against his will

Allison: don't tell me someone actually peed on them and tried to flush

Nicky: take it up with andrew

Matt: you literally drove the car

Kevin: what happened in columbia stays in columbia

Allison: omg oh my god

Dan: IM SCREAMING

Nicky: what was i supposed to do, get knifed?

Nicky: also ^^^^ yeah.

Nicky: ANYWAY

Nicky: now that Kevin got us proof that the FBI officially made neil a capricorn again,,

Dan: the fbi be like "oh u thought u could escape ur traumatic past? That's nice buddy

Matt: yeah I don't think beating last year's party is gonna be hard

Dan: here's ur bday n trauma back"

Nicky: HAPPY THOUGHTS

Nicky: :(

Nicky: anyway it's the big 21st, so the first thing in order is BOOZE

Kevin: uh nicky

Renee: He's turning 20?

Matt: what???

Kevin: yeah he aged himself up on his fake papers

Matt: oh my god

Dan: lmfao only neil

Nicky: he is baby

Matt: does. Does he know though. Like did he check when they made him the papers.

Kevin: I'm guessing so

Matt: imagine filling a form or smth and you get the day right but not the year

Renee: Wait Kevin, how did you get neil to send you the pic without telling him about the surprise party?

Nicky: DON'T YOU DARE HAVE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE NJBB

Allison: njbb?

Dan: neil josten's bday bash, im guessing

Nicky: Neil Josten's

Nicky: BIRTHDAY BASH

Nicky: yes

Allison: it doesn’t sound right

Allison: like, something’s missing in the name

Matt: alli we play a sport named after what you get when you take the s from sexy

Dan: 10 bux kevin wishes he didn't have such a stick up his butt so he could reply with exy is sexy

Allison: im not taking that

Kevin: i actually don't know why she named it that

Kevin: she never told the press and she didn't write it anywhere so

Nicky: :(

Allison: oh

Dan: sorry :(

Renee: Maybe coach knows?

Matt: maybe each letter has a meaning

Kevin: how?

Allison: endangering xylophones yearly?

Matt: EXceptional daY

Matt: and then, boom, it's about your name

Renee: Matt, I like that idea!

Dan: allison, no

Kevin: I'll have to ask coach, renee

Kevin: anyway it was always going to be her name, she invented it

Nicky: someone bring neil in so he can say something super serious about how kevin is a legendary striker whose name is already associated with exy and make us choke with emotion

Kevin: nicky….

Nicky: look it's working and he's not even there

Allison: it's the josten effect

Dan: changing your entire life's beliefs one extremely tragic remark at a time

Matt:...

Matt: someone change the subject im sad

Nicky: BIRTHDAY BASH

Kevin: oh yeah nicky asked me how i got neil's ID

Allison: and?

Kevin: i told him i signed him up for his own exynews account so he could stop hogging mine for streaming

Kevin: so i needed his name and birthday

Kevin: and then we got into an argument about date formats

Nicky: dd/mm/yy 4ever

Allison: eww

Kevin: so he sent me a pic instead of writing the date

Dan: it's the european propaganda getting to him

Kevin: i guess i really have to get him an account now

Dan: kevin i know you're entirely serious but that's so funny

Nicky: THE REST OF THE WORLD USES IT

Matt: admit it, you can't wait to go back to Germany because you secretly like the metric system

Nicky: yeah dicks sound bigger if you use centimeters

Dan: didn't need 2 know that

Nicky: not that erik needs that :)

Dan: I DON'T WANNA KNOW

Renee: ….

Matt: honestly im glad i don't understand german or i would never live down all the skyping

Dan: renee's like "can't relate" lmfao

Renee: No indeed

Allison: hell yeah that's my girlfriend

Renee: <3

Allison: hey minyard if you're secretly lurking now is the time to leave

Allison: …

Renee: No, he truly muted us earlier

Dan: are we surprised?

Renee: we'll catch him up on what we decide to do later

Renee: Nicky?

Nicky: oh, yeah!!!

Nicky: BIRTHDAY BASH

Matt: here we go again

Dan: mamma mia

#aftg #tfc #all for the game #the foxhole court #this is crack #i'm aware of that #my writing #anyway i wrote this just after waking up don't hold me accountable for anything #dan's ridiculous spelling was fun to write #ALSO did tumblr get rid of line breakers on desktop because if so i'm about to fucking RIOT #you hear me tumblr??

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lucacangettathisass · 6 years ago

Text

how the light gets in (ch. 6)

SUMMARY: After your home is ransacked by a group of strange men, you and your cousin are taken in by a group of outlaws. And that’s when the trouble really starts.

PAIRINGS: John Marston x Fem!Reader, Arthur Morgan x Fem!Reader

CHAPTER ONE, CHAPTER TWO, CHAPTER THREE, CHAPTER FOUR, CHAPTER FIVE

TAGGING: @mountainhymn if you would like to be tagged in future tags lmk!

NOTES: oof got a long one here fellers! but also a pretty speedy update by my standards so im very happy! small warning for some suggestive language and micah being a creepy dick. as always feedback and REBLOGS are greatly appreciated! have a good one!

Over the following few days, you remained with the other women, only seeing the men who chose to bring in food. This was usually Mr Matthews, Mr Pearson, and Herr Strauss, although Mr Escuella would occasionally pop in. Herr Strauss in particular seemed to have grown fond of you, as he would linger and speak with you in German. You found him to be an erudite and rather friendly man, and you enjoyed his conversation, and the fact that you seemed to have made a friend.

Shortly after Mr Marston’s return, Mr Morgan and Mr Smith went hunting and returned with two deer, which lifted everyone’s spirits considerably. Even Sadie seemed impressed at the mens’ efforts, which you hoped meant she would actually grow to respect them, and possibly even like them.

About four days after Mr Marston’s rescue, you decided to go check on him, and make sure the stitches were holding up well and nothing had gotten infected.

Sadie, of course, insisted on going with you and wouldn’t take no for an answer, despite the fact that you wouldn’t be that far away.

“I don’t want you out of my sight.” She said as you both trudged through the snow, which had frustratingly gotten thicker following a heavy fall the night before. “I don’t trust any of these degenerates.”

“They’re not degenerates Sadie.” You said. “They’re trying to help us.”

She scoffed.

When you entered the building housing the men, you quickly spotted Herr Strauss in the corner. He had looked up when the door opened and you both exchanged a smile.

“Guten morgen Herr Strauss.” You said politely.

“Guten morgen fraulein.” He looked over your shoulder, where you knew Sadie stood. “Frau Adler. Do you speak German?”

“No.”

Herr Strauss seemed surprised at Sadie’s abrupt and sharp tone, and unsure as to how he should continue the conversation, or if he should continue it at all.

“I’m just here to check on Mr Marston.” You said in an attempt to ease the tension. “I won’t be too much of a bother.”

You approached Mr Marston and saw that Miss Roberts was already at his side, with Jack in her lap. This was hardly a surprise, as Miss Roberts scarcely left Mr Marston’s side since his return, keeping him company and making sure the stitches remained clean as best as she could. It warmed your heart to see such devotion and love.

At some point someone had placed a large bandage over Mr Marston’s right eye, obscuring almost half his face, and making him seem very grim indeed. You felt rather sorry for him.

“How are you today Mr Marston?” You asked, smiling kindly.

“I’m alive, so that’s something.” Mr Marston grunted, his eye looking up and behind you. “You must be Mrs Adler.”

“I am.”

“I’m real sorry about what happened to your husband.” Mr Marston sounded sincere, and you were touched on Sadie’s behalf. “I-Well, I guess it happened to you too.”

It took you a moment to realize that Mr Marston was talking to you. “I-Yes.” You swallowed in an attempt to keep your emotions in check. “But you’ve all been very kind.”

You knelt beside Mr Marston and re-examined his face. Just like last time you kept your touch light, just skimming his skin with the pads of your fingertips, only using force to tilt his head when you needed to, and even then you used as little as possible, so as to not hurt or startle. “So, Mr Marston, have you experienced any irritation? Or seen anything that would perhaps indicate an infection?”

Mr Marston was silent for a few moments, probably in thought. “No.” He said. His voice was a little shaky, which concerned you.

“Is something the matter Mr Marston? You sound odd.”

Mr Marston quickly shook his head. “No, nothin’. It’s uh, it’s just my voice.” He cleared his throat and turned his face away.

Feeling somewhat perplexed, you withdrew your hands from Mr Marston’s face. “Well, you seem to be healing well.” You placed a hand gently on his forearm. “There will be some scarring, but there doesn’t appear to be any other cause for concern.” You gave him an encouraging smile.

He said nothing.

You heard a deep chuckle. “There’s no need for you to be fussin’ over him like that miss.”

You looked over your shoulder and saw Mr Bell, smirking while he lit a cigarette. You offered a smile. “Good day Mr Bell, how have you been?”

Mr Bell snorted. “Cold as sin.” He took a drag of his cigarette and looked you over. He was looking at you the way you had seen collectors look at supposedly valuable items; appraising them from sight alone before deciding if they were worth a closer look. “Bet you could keep me warm though.”

You gave him an apologetic look. “I’m afraid I haven’t fared any better.” You said. “I doubt I would be able to help you.”

Mr Bell’s smirk grew wider, and he chuckled lowly. “I could show you a thing or two if you like.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” You said, genuinely confused as to what Mr Bell was talking about.

“Ignore him.” You saw Mr Escuella standing beside the small fireplace, smoking his own cigarette. He shot Mr Bell a dirty look. “Would it kill you to not be a total jackass to everyone?”

Your eyes moved from Mr Escuella to Mr Bell and back again. You were beginning to feel rather awkward. “How are you feeling Jack?” You asked the young boy, turning to him in an attempt to change the subject and avoid any further tension. “Not too cold?”

“No.” He smiled at you. Over the past few days he appeared to have warmed up to you, which pleased you immensely. You had always loved children, and despite everything, you still dreamed of having some of your own.

“Good.” You smiled. “You let me know if you need anything ok?”

“Ok.”

“You want to sit?” Miss Roberts brought Jack closer to her, and seemed to be rising out of the stool she was sitting on. “I can’t imagine the floor is very comfortable.”

“Oh no no no!” You said quickly. “Really Miss Roberts, there’s no need.” You smiled reassuringly. “It’s like I said to Miss Grimshaw yesterday, I’ve spent a lot of time on my knees.”

To your surprise, Miss Roberts gave you a shocked look. “I-You what?”

You furrowed your brow, standing up. “You know, in church?”

The look of shock on Miss Robert’s face was replaced by one of realization before turning to sheepishness. “Oh! I mean-yeah, ‘course.”

Another chuckle came from behind you, even deeper than the last, and sounding far more amused. “Oh, you really are somethin’ ain’t ya sugar pie.”

You turned, and saw that Mr Bell had moved closer, now only a few feet away. His cigarette was hanging out of his mouth, which was contorted into a smile that wasn’t exactly pleasant. His eyes shone, but not with any emotion or intention you could easily identify. It made the hair on your arms stand up.

It didn’t take long for Sadie to stand in front of you, obscuring your view of Mr Bell. “Back off.” She snarled. “Touch her and you’re fucking dead.”

“Sadie!” You grabbed her arm and tried to pull her back, panicking. While you had grown to know a few of the gang members, Mr Bell was still an unknown variable. None of the other members had said anything about him, so you were flying blind where he was concerned, and you didn’t wish to take any chances. “I’m very sorry about her Mr Bell.” You said hastily, eyes flicking back and forth between the two.

“Don’t apologise to him.” Sadie snapped. She wrenched her arm out of your grip and grabbed your hand. “Come on, we’re gettin’ out of here.”

Before you could react further, Sadie dragged you outside, keeping your hand in a vice like grip.

“Sadie you can’t say things like that to people!” You exclaimed once you were both out in the cold, door slamming shut behind you. “Especially people who help you!”

She snarled and stopped abruptly. “Well you can’t tell people you’re used to being on your knees!”

You frowned. “Why not? Surely they know what I mean?”

“They’ll think you mean-” Sadie stopped and sighed. “Look, just-just forget it.”

Now you were even more confused. “What? They’ll think I mean what?”

“I said forget it!” Sadie snapped.

You winced. “Sorry.” You said softly. You looked down at your feet, cheeks flushing from the cold and embarrassment.

Sadie sighed again, and you felt her wrap her arms around you. “You don’t need to be sorry.” She said softly. “But I am.” She pulled away, holding onto your shoulders, and you looked up at her. She looked tired, haggard, defeated. You had never seen her like that before, and you felt guilty. “You know I worry about you.” She said. “And all of this ain’t helpin’.” She squeezed your shoulders. “But I shouldn’t have gotten angry at you. I’m not angry at you.” The corners of her lips twitched upwards slightly into a smile. “Do you forgive me?”

“Oh Sadie.” You immediately wrapped your arms around her. “Of course I do. I’ll always forgive you.”

You felt her tremble slightly when she hugged you back. Probably the cold.

Later, while speaking with the women and re-braiding Sadie’s hair, you all received a visitor.

It was a man you had recalled seeing with the other men, in your peripheral vision. He was older, appearing to be close to Mr Matthew’s age, and dressed entirely in black with a rather large hat. Once he took the hat off, you noted his eye catching red hair, which you were sure was far more bright and vibrant in his youth. Now it seemed to have faded, and was accompanied by a considerable amount of grey, while his moustache was seemingly untouched by time.

“A-Afternoon ladies.” He said, looking around until his eyes landed on you.

You paused in your braiding of Sadie’s hair. You looked up at the man, and noted that he was clutching onto his hat, fingers drumming on the rim of it. He seemed nervous, so you smiled kindly. “Good afternoon sir.”

He seemed almost startled, like a child that had been caught doing something they shouldn’t be, but he quickly composed himself. He took a step closer to you. “I uh, I thought I should finally introduce myself.” He held out a hand. “Orville Swanson.”

You felt yourself perk up, and your smile grew wider. “You’re the Reverend right? Miss Grimshaw told me about you.” You took his hand and shook it. “It’s very nice to meet you Reverend Swanson.”

The Reverend seemed startled again, but he shook your hand as well and even smiled. “May I sit?”

“Of course!” You gestured to the empty floor beside you. You resumed braiding Sadie’s hair, but you watched the Reverend from your peripheral. “Is there something you needed Reverend?”

“I uh, I wished to speak to you. About what you said earlier.”

You felt Sadie tense, and you gently squeezed her shoulder to keep her calm. “Which part?”

“The part about church.”

That didn’t surprise you. “Which denomination are you Reverend, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Baptist.” He seemed to hesitate again. “At least, I was. Before…” He trailed off. You remembered how Miss Grimshaw mentioned that he was no longer a member of the clergy, that he had more or less abandoned his post, even before he met the gang. “Well, that was a long time ago. But, what about you? What was your church?”

“Eastern Orthodox.” Even now you could transport yourself to the old church; feel the polished wood, smell the heavy incense, hear the praise and worship of your fellow believers. It made you feel sad. You missed that old church, and all the people you had met because of it.

The Reverend furrowed his brow. “I’m afraid I’ve never heard of that one.” He said, sounding genuinely apologetic.

“Well, it’s more popular in Eastern Europe than here.” You said. “I’m sure it’s numbers pale in comparison to the Baptists.”

The corners of the Reverend’s lips twitched upwards. “So, how did you come to Eastern Orthodoxy?”

The locket around your neck grew heavy, and almost burned. “My mother worked for a wealthy Russian widow.” You explained. “She had immigrated to America years ago, and she kept her religion with her. When I was very young, she was kind enough to take me in, and she raised me with it. It might sound silly but, it almost feels like it’s a part of me now.” A sad smile formed on your face.

“Oh no! That’s not silly at all!”

You looked at the Reverend in surprise at how fervent he was with his words.

“Um, well, I mean-” Apparently embarrassed by his outburst, the Reverend cleared his throat. “It’s...good, to have a uh...rich, spiritual life.” He paused, seemingly trying to fully collect himself. “This kind of life...well, it doesn’t really tend to attract the most spiritual of folks. So, you know, it’s nice to see someone else who has kept their faith.”

You smiled kindly and nodded. “I understand.” You said assuringly. “It’s comforting, having something like that, you know?”

The Reverend seemed to consider this, before smiling. “Yes. It is.”

You smiled back, because for a moment, the Reverend seemed at ease. And looking at him, he didn’t seem like the kind of man who felt like that often. You knew you couldn’t do much, but if you could make someone that happy, then that would be more than enough for you.

i don't remember if it was ever explicitly stated that swanson is baptist, but considering the church he preaches at in the epilogue is apparently baptist (according to wikipedia) i decided to go with it. the only thing im really sure of about the reverend is that he isnt catholic which does grant me a lot of wiggle room.

German translations:

Guten morgen Herr Strauss: Good morning Mr Strauss

Guten morgen fraulein: Good morning miss

Frau: Mrs

#john marston x reader #arthur morgan x reader #red dead fanfic #rdr fic #red dead redemption 2 fic #fic: how the light gets in

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ancientbooshartifacts · 5 years ago

Text

Queerly Beloved

Author: SmilesAwakeYou

Year: 2009

Rating: PG-13

Characters: Garth Marenghi, Dean Learner, Todd Rivers, Dr. Rick Dagless, Lucien Sanchez, Liz Asher, Thornton Reed, Julian OC, Noel OC

Adjusting his tie and shifting the book in his hand, Garth regarded the camera aimed at his handsome face. He raised a brow and opened the pages of Blood Gush to read the genius that lied therein. Mustering all of his strength, he tried to think of what exactly it was he was trying to convey to the camera. What did newscasters call it again? Ah yes. Gravity. So, with all the gravity he could muster, he stared the camera down as inspired words tumbled from his lips. “’Ah,’ she yelled, clawing at the bloody stump that was once her beautiful pearly alabaster arm. ‘My arm, my bloody arm, what have you done with it you ruddy bastard?’ “’Eaten it, of course,’ replied the rabid magical badger who was still noshing on the bloody vestiges of her once beautiful appendage. With that, she kicked ‘im in the head so hard, his eyeballs popped out and exploded like two water balloons full of cream getting hit by a lorry.’” Turning his full attention back to the camera, Garth arched his eyebrow once more. “Hello. That was my terrifying and harrowing epic Blood Gush, a tale of a woman caught in a lie betwixt herself and a satanic cult of terrifying woodland animals.” He allowed a small smile to flit across his face. “Let’s see if you can muster up the courage to travel alone in the woods again after reading that bit of literature.” He killed the smile as a sudden burst of gravity hit him, causing him to scowl. “In my television program, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, I sought to venture into the deepest, darkest, most dankest vestibules of my twisted psyche. What were my fears? What were my terrors? What had made me most whiz the bed as a kid? “As I answered those and many other unanswerable questions, I came to realize that the horror I had to spill upon the unsuspecting world would leave her crippled, mangled, like a bird that’s run into a closed window because it’s so stupid it can’t see that it’s glass and then leaves a streak of blood there that I’ve then got to go and clean up because my wife’s too squeamish, even though Sheffield United is playing. Because of this, Darkplace was canceled. That and the Beeb found out it had more stock footage of baby animals than it had originally thought, leading to the premiere of Baby Animals Yawning Are Quite Cute, Yeah? now entering its 25th season. “Anyway, as I questioned and pondered and schemed and was generally brilliant, I came up with an episode so mind-shakingly and bowl-movingly earth-shattering that it was never allowed on air… much like the other six episodes. Of course, it dealt with very sensitive issues and, with the help of my producer Dean Learner” – a picture of Dean and Garth flashed across the screen, both of them looking dapper as Dean stroked his glorious moustache – “we wrote what proved to be the most harrowing episode yet. An episode that dealt with… the Gay Issue.” Garth paused, waiting for such a monumentous statement to really sink in and stick to his viewers’ sides. “So join me now and sift through the demented horrors from my brain as this episode, previously unaired on British television, is seen for the first time. Unless you’re from Finland. They got a hold of it there somehow. We may be suing.” ******* CUE OPENING CREDITS EPISODE #7: “QUEERLY BELOVED” DR RICK DAGLESS, MD walks down a hallway in slow motion. Various hospital goers look on in impressed wonderment. He is truly a great man, as is evident from his walking prowess. DAGLESS [voiceover] Darkplace. It’s a bit mad to work in a place this dark. All this mad darkness can get to a lesser man. Sometimes I think I might just have to blow this popsicle stand and go somewhere a bit less mad and dark. LIZ and SANCHEZ walk by, waving merrily. But, hey, they people here ain’t so bad. Plus, were I to leave everything would go to shit. Cut to THORNTON’s office. THORNTON is sitting at the desk, smoking a cigar and stroking his moustache. DAGLESS [voiceover] Thornton Reed. Now there’s a mangy old grizzly bear if I’ve ever seen one. Which I haven’t but I have seen specials on the Beeb and they are quite impressive. Anyway, Thornton had called me in to discuss some very important business which was business as usual, given the fact that I was his official important-business go-to guy. DAGLESS So, what’s the word, Thornton? THORNTON Puts down his phone Oh, Dag! I cannot believe how mad and dark this place is. So mad and dark! If you were to leave, everything would go to shit. DAGLESS [voiceover] See? DAGLESS Well what dark madness is afoot today? THORNTON Well, you see, there’s some mess happening with one of our morticians. Turns out he’s gone missing! DAGLESS Missing you say? THORNTON Yes. DAGLESS Well, that’s no good. Probably off fucking about with one of the cadavers. THORNTON Laughs heartily before looking deadly serious. Now Dag, dead bodies aren’t something to joke about. Especially since all the cadavers are male! Necrophilia is one thing but gay necrophilia is a horse of a different color. Specifically all the colors… meaning a rainbow-painted horse. A gay, rainbow-painted, dead horse. DAGLESS Gives a manly laugh. If that’s one thing I can’t abide by, it’s anal sex with dead bodies. SANCHEZ and LIZ enter SANCHEZ What’s Rick talking about? His normal Friday night? LIZ Now come on fellas, there’s a lady present. DAGLESS Hardly! Everyone laughs at the hilarious joke. LIZ Still laughing. Oh, I find it so attractive when men put me in my place! THORNTON Striking his desk with resolve. Now now. Let’s come to order. As I was telling Rick, there’s a small order of business concerning a missing mortician. DAGLESS Necrophiliac you mean. Everyone laughs. THORNTON Now Dag, while I too find the prospect of a man getting his jollies by do the genital jamboree with some dead sod downright hilarious, we still need to figure out just where in the Dickens he might have got to. LIZ Is it possible he might have gone home? THORNTON Trust a woman to come up with such a stupidly hair-brained idea. He shakes his head. No, Liz, he hasn’t gone home because he CAN’T go home. He sleeps here. Prefers to, actually. Plus he’s contractually obligated. All the morticians are. Can’t have them running about, giving away secrets of the dead to just anyone. SANCHEZ Well where could he have got to? DAGLESS I don’t know. But wherever he’s got, we’ll find him. I think we should start in the basement. THORNTON Right, you three go down there to the morgue and I will stay here and make sure he’s not skulking about in the proper hospital. DAGLESS Sounds like a plan. ********* INTERVIEW WITH DEAN LEARNER Dean, his mustache twitching thoughtfully, gave the camera a baleful look. “Now, when Garth came to me with this idea, I thought he was downright mad. A whole episode about the gays? Preposterous! But then he sat me down and actually talked out the plot with me and, well, I’ll be diddled with a fiddle stick if it wasn’t downright brilliant.” INTERVIEW WITH GARTH MARENGHI Arching an eyebrow, Garth regarded the camera. “Now, you might find it interesting to know that we actually created more of a stink with our talk about morticians than the homos. Surprising, that. Turns out morticians are very easily offended. It’s not our fault that their jobs almost invariably involve bumming the dead.” INTERVIEW WITH TODD RIVERS Todd, shifting in his chair, steepled his fingers as he contemplated the camera. “Well, yes, when Garth told me about the subject matter of this episode, I was duly alarmed but it is my duty as an actor to overcome all obstacles, no matter how gay. Actually, the thing I ended up taking issue with the most was all that bad-talking about morticians. I got an advanced copy of the script and told Garth, ‘Hey now! What have you got against morticians?’ You see, my grandfather worked in a morgue and I remember many a happy childhood day spent romping about, putting make-up on corpses and coming home smelling of grandma’s pie and formaldehyde. But Garth stuck to his guns and, yes, I think the episode benefited from it in the end.” ******* Cut to the basement. It is dreary and dripping noises sound from all around. DAGLESS [voiceover] Now this was certainly an odd case. Morticians are notorious for being boring and not having much of a life, so where could this one have disappeared to? It was quite a mystery indeed. SANCHEZ Oh, hey now, what was that? LIZ I didn’t hear anything. DAGLESS That means absolutely jack shit, Liz. It’s a well-known fact that men have a superior sense of hearing to women. What did it sound like, Sanch? SANCHEZ It sounded like a distant moaning. DAGLESS A distant moaning? SANCHEZ Yes. DAGLESS My, that is odd. LIZ Perhaps we should go down to the morgue? DAGLESS My God, Liz, no one likes a pushy woman. But perhaps you’re right. LIZ I’m sorry, Rick, that was out of line. DAGLESS It’s alright. There’s a wailing noise, like man mourning the loss of a child. Or that of a wounded monkey. SANCHEZ Hey now, what could that be? LIZ It sounds like it’s coming from the morgue. DAGLESS Only one thing to do then. Let’s go! They all begin to run in slow motion. Cut to MORGUE. DENNIS THE MORTICIAN pulls up his pants and whirls around. DENNIS Oh, Dr. Dagless. Other doctors. I didn’t hear you coming. SANCHEZ Well, you seem like you were too busy doing some “coming” yourself. DENNIS His small eyes dart about like a shrimp. I was just changing my pants. DAGLESS Right, well, we’re not here to discuss your disgusting habits. We came here to discuss a missing mortician. DENNIS Oh, you mean Maurice? Yes, he’s been missing since this morning. DAGLESS Any idea where he could’ve got to? DENNIS No. Not one. Though he did say that one of the bodies was behaving… strangely. Everyone exchanges a look. SANCHEZ Strangely, you say? DENNIS Yes. Strangely. Then he buggered off. Suddenly, the moaning noise is heard again. SANCHEZ Sweet holy moley, Dag, what was that? DAGLESS I dunno, but it’s sending chills right up the old spine chord. LIZ Perhaps we should go investigate? DAGLESS You and your bright ideas, Liz. The moaning continues. But perhaps this once you’re right…. Again. SANCHEZ Pulls out his pistol. C’mon lads! And lady. Let’s go find us a mortician! DAGLESS, LIZ, SANCHEZ and DENNIS all take off, running in glorious slow motion with intense music drumming in the background. They enter a small, dark room with candles and spiderwebs everywhere. DAGLESS [voiceover] As soon as we entered the room, I knew something was afoot. This was some bad joojoo. SANCHEZ I don’t feel good about this, Dag. DAGLESS I know. I know. DENNIS whips around and points to a corner. DENNIS Oh God! What is that? LIZ shrieks. LIZ Oh my, how horrible! A man with fantastic hair lurches forward, flinging out his arms and doing jazz hands in a sparkly red jumpsuit before grabbing SANCHEZ as his gun goes off. SANCHEZ and the man grapple and wrestle until DAGLESS jumps in to pull them apart. Throwing the man off of SANCHEZ, he pulls a cross out of his shirt. DAGLESS Be gone, foul creature! The man hisses and sashays away. DENNIS My God, that was Maurice! DAGLESS It’s too late now. You’re friend has become a vampire. A demon of the night. Nosferatu. LIZ Oh my! How could such a thing happen? DAGLESS Well, when you’re messing about with dead bodies all day, it’s no wonder that a vampire might sneak its way in. Turns to SANCHEZ. You alright? You’re holding your neck. SANCHEZ Holding his neck. Oh, I do believe I’ll be alright, old friend. He falls to his knees. But I think I also got bitten. He falls completely on the floor. DAGLESS drops to his knees and rips open his shirt. DAGLESS Nooooooo!! SANCHEZ picks his head up. SANCHEZ Well, I don’t think I’m dead yet, so you might still be able to save me. His head falls to the floor again. DAGLESS Oh. Alright. ******** INTERVIEW WITH DEAN LEARNER “People actually seemed surprised that Garth and I wrote this episode together. To be fair, it was Garth’s concept to begin with. But then I got in on the action which some people – i.e. my wife - found rather suspect. I mean, what’s so strange about two men researching an episode about gayness by going to pubs that cater almost exclusively to homosexuals? Sure, the experience was disgusting, but it was also educational.” He paused. “And hazy.” ****** Cut to a hospital bed where SANCHEZ is lying down, a bandage around his neck. SANCHEZ Thanks for dragging me out of that hell hole, friends. DAGLESS Not a problem, mate. I know you’d do the same for me. DAGLESS [voiceover] The problem was that we didn’t know when the vampirism would manifest itself. Or how. LIZ Don’t worry, Sanchez. You’ll be good as new soon. SANCHEZ Thanks, Liz. DAGLESS turns to DENNIS. DAGLESS Now you: go and try and find out where Maurice or whatever’s left of him could’ve disappeared to. I’ve got to go talk to Reed. Cut to THORNTON’S office. THORNTON Pounding his desk authoritatively. I don’t like it, Dag, I don’t like it one bit. A vampire? In this hospital? Now that is just a pain in my arse. And neck. DAGLESS I don’t like it much either, Reed. Not at all. And there was something a bit off with this vampire. He was a bit… fabulous. THORNTON Fabulous? What in God’s great glorious manteats do you mean by that? DAGLESS …I don’t know, Reed. I just don’t know. DAGLESS [voiceover] But I did know. Or at least, I had an inkling. I suspected that this vampire might be the rare kind… the campy kind. A gay vampire. ******* INTERVIEW WITH DEAN LEARNER “It was actually my idea to make it be vampires that would spread the gayness. Because, you know, gayness – just like vampirism – is spread through the blood.” He glanced over behind the camera to where the producer was shaking his head. “Oh, it isn’t? Well, anyway, that’s what we thought at the time. I originally wanted to call the vampires ‘campires’ – get it? Campy vampires? – but Garth didn’t get it and I thought… it Garth doesn’t get it, who in blue blazes will? So we chucked it. Best decision I’ve ever made.” INTERVIEW WITH GARTH MARENGHI Garth regarded the camera with an annoyed look. “We ended up running into a bit of a problem with the gay community given the fact that the gayness could be transmitted through the blood. Something about AIDS or some bollocks. So I just said, ‘look, I don’t get all uppity when one of you tries to play it straight, alright? So don’t get in my face when I try and give you people some airtime.’” He smirked and settled back in his chair. “And that ended that argument.” He paused. “Although we weren’t allowed to air the episode. But that’s neither here nor there.” ******* Cut to SANCHEZ’s bedside. He is unconscious and DAGLESS sits beside him, looking manly and concerned. DAGLESS [voiceover] I was worried about Sanchez. Would he be turned gay? Or would he just become a vampire? I wasn’t sure which was worst. Sure, getting my blood sucked out by my best friend was bad enough but getting chatted up by him as well? That was just bone-chilling. SANCHEZ stirs. DAGLESS Can you hear me buddy? It’s your friend, Dag. Just know that I won’t rest until you’re back to normal. Of course, I might also have to give you a stake through the heart but, well, that’s something I’d be willing to do to save you. SANCHEZ In a faint voice. …Dag? DAGLESS moves in closer. DAGLESS Yeah, mate? SANCHEZ I… I feel strange… like… like someone’s doing the electric boogaloo in my Johnson… I’ve got the strange urge to… to dance to ABBA… DAGLESS Shh, it’s ok old friend. SANCHEZ I… I think I might fancy… Boy George… DAGLESS Fight it, Sanch, fight it! SANCHEZ I… Dag? DAGLESS Yeah? SANCHEZ What am I wearing? With that he pulls down his sheets to reveal that he is wearing cut-off jean shorts and a bedazzled silver top as well as a kerchief. His eyes have also gone red and vampire fangs appear. DAGLESS raises an anguished fist. DAGLESS Nooooo! THORNTON and LIZ burst in as SANCHEZ prances up to try and bite DAGLESS. They struggle until DAGLESS gets out his cross again, throwing the transformed SANCHEZ off of him. SANCHEZ cowers in glorious slow motion. SANCHEZ Waaaaargh! ******** INTERVIEW WITH TODD RIVERS Todd crinkled his forehead, his fingers still steepled. “Uh, in that scene I was actually meant to kiss Dagless rather fervently on the mouth. But, as I’ve stated in previous interviews, there’s no limit to my acting… save when it comes to making whoopee with another man. Because while I may be a professional, I’m still straighter than two jockstraps filled with testosterone. And me trying to do the tongue tango with a bloke, well… it just wouldn’t be convincing. Even if I acted my ruddy pants off.” ********* The fighting continues until SANCHEZ is thrown off DAGLESS, causing him to lash out at both LIZ and THORNTON. DAGLESS Get away from them you animal! But it is for naught because both LIZ and THORNTON are bitten. THORNTON Oh, oh ow! That ruddy hurts, it does! LIZ Oh, I do believe I have been wounded! SANCHEZ pauses before running out and DAGLESS goes to the doorway. DAGLESS I will find you and get you! LIZ and THORNTON both fall to the floor. Oh no! Liz! Reed! He looks to the sky. Noooooooo! Sanchez! You gay bastard! Dennis bursts in. DENNIS Dagless! I believe I found out who the root of the problem is! He looks around. What happened here? DAGLESS They got bitten by Sanchez. I’ve got to go stop him before he bites anyone else. DENNIS But wait! You know that body that Maurice had said was behaving strangely? DAGLESS Yes? DENNIS Turns out he’s the head vampire! Only he, uh, bit me too. He continues to look unharmed. DAGLESS looks him up and down. DAGLESS Where? DENNIS shifts uncomfortably before gesturing to his bathing suit area. Ah. Well, where is this vampirical bummer? DENNIS Downstairs. Hurry! DAGLESS runs out of the door. Cut to the basement again. It is still dark and dank and drippy. DAGLESS is running through the halls in slow motion. DAGLESS [voiceover] Now this was worrisome. The head vampire? Here? In this very basement? That was quite the head scratcher. Why here? Why Darkplace? Why Sanchez? This bastard was going to answer those questions. And more. DAGLESS enters the cave-like room that MAURICE was in before. There is a man standing there in a purple cape with his back to DAGLESS. DAGLESS Oi! You! The vampire turns around. He has on sparkly gloves and a pink fedora. He hisses. VAMPIRE How did you find me, lovie? DAGLESS By my own wits. That and Dennis told me you were down here. VAMPIRE Really? He didn’t seem to mind me too much before. DAGLESS Scowls in disgust. Hey, what you do in the privacy of your own home is your business. Except for when you’re at my hospital. The VAMPIRE starts to advance but DAGLESS whips out his cross again, stopping him in his tracks. Nope, not so fast. Now tell me… why are you here? VAMPIRE Very well. I can tell your will as well as your heterosexuality is too strong for me to sway. He sweeps his cloak and walks around the room, DAGLESS mirroring him. I came to this hospital by accident – I had been hiding out after wreaking havoc on a naval yard by posing as a dead body – and couldn’t help but bite that pretty Maurice when I saw him. Now that I’ve seen this place, I’ve realized that the hostpital is no place for a woman… it is a place for big, beautiful, capable men doctors. And I love it! Not even you can stop me from making this into one big poof factory! Because that is the goal of the gay vampire: MAKE EVERYONE ELSE GAY! DAGLESS I can stop you and I will stop you! Just you wait! The VAMPIRE cackles before disappearing in a plume of smoke, leaving DAGLESS alone and coughing. The others! DAGLESS dashes out of the cave. ******** INTERVIEW WITH GARTH MARENGHI “Now, there were accusations that this episode was homophobic.” Garth scoffed, leaning forward to regard the camera. “So, yeah, maybe I do find bumming grotesque, but this episode is about awareness, yeah? To show that homos are people too. Or rather anyone can be gay.” He thought for a moment. “Or a vampire.” INTERVIEW WITH DEAN LEARNER “Yeah, I heard lots of things, right, like ‘oh, you’re perpetuating the stereotype that gay is contagious’ but no!” Dean pointed a decisive finger at the camera. “No. We were trying to show that it’s not contagious.” He paused, stroking his moustache. “Lest of course you exchange bodily fluids. Big difference.” ****** Cut to THORNTON’s office. SANCHEZ and THORNTON are dancing to loud techno music while DENNIS and MAURICE throw satsumas at each other in their underwear and giggle. THORNTON is dressed only in a mesh shirt and a banana hammock. Everyone has fangs. DAGLESS bursts in, breathless. DAGLESS No! No men! Remember you’re men, not poofs! Everyone ignores him. SANCHEZ runs his fingers through THORNTON’s hair and grinds against him. ****** INTERVIEW WITH TODD RIVERS Todd’s hands fell into his lap and he shifted, avoiding the camera lens with his eyes. “Yeah, I don’t actually remember filming that scene.” ********* DAGLESS Turn off the techno! Put on your pants! Stop with the glitter! The VAMPIRE enters in a cloud of smoke, laughing. VAMPIRE All are powerless to the draw of manflesh! He outstretches his hand, flashing his fangs at DAGLESS. Join us, Rick! Join usssss. DAGLESS Never! At that moment, LIZ enters. Her arm is wrapped around another very attractive nurse. LIZ Hi, Dag. So you found the head vampire? DAGLESS nods. Oh, well, I’m a lesbian now. This is Nancy. NANCY Hi! LIZ Isn’t she adorable? DAGLESS Er… LIZ and NANCY begin to snog. It is very hot. Everyone stops dancing to stare at them. MAURICE drops a satsuma. VAMPIRE What? Why did you stop dancing? Keep going! Grind on each other! DAGLESS laughs a manly laugh. DAGLESS You forgot, vampire, the only thing a heterosexual man can never forget: that lesbians are HOT. VAMPIRE Nooooo! DAGLESS And now, for your weakness… He pulls out a wooden stake. Stake to the heart! At that, he thrusts the stake into the VAMPIRE’s heart. He shrieks and disappears. The techno music turns off and everyone goes back to wearing their normal clothes save MAURICE, who stays in the red jumpsuit. LIZ and NANCY stop making out, causing everyone to groan. SANCHEZ Come on, Liz! Don’t stop now! LIZ Sorry fellas, I’m back on men. SANCHEZ Hey-o! LIZ …Except for Sanchez. SANCHEZ …Hey! THORNTON Thank Christ on a cracker for you Dag! I was actually beginning to think Duran Duran was a stellar band! And Sanchez’ pecs were driving me absolutely nutty. SANCHEZ Thanks, Reed. But thank you more, Dag. Without you, we all would have been bumming within the hour. MAURICE Yeah, thanks for saving us! DAGLESS Don’t mention it. Just remember to be more careful when you muck about with those dead bodies from now on, ok? DENNIS Will do. Now we need to get back downstairs to those cadavers. DAGLESS And your necrophilia! Everyone laughs for a good two minutes. MAURICE Alright, thanks again! MAURICE and DENNIS begin to leave, holding hands. SANCHEZ Um, you fellows do know you don’t need to do that anymore right? They exchange a look and drop their hands. DENNIS Right, yes, sure, it’s a… a mortician thing. THORNTON Right… or a gay thing! Everyone laughs again as the camera pans to look at each of their mirthful faces. Cut to the roof of Darkplace. DAGLESS is standing, solitary, overlooking the city below. DAGLESS [voiceover] That day we dealt with vampires, sparkly shirts, gays and, most importantly, the hotness that is two women snogging each other. What did we learn? Was there a point to it all? Had that mortician really been boning a dead body? Was there a reason why that other mortician had been dressed like a very tarty woman? Did Liz have any lingering bisexual tendencies? These and other questions had to be pondered. But for now, we were all a little bit older, a little bit wiser and a little bit more wary about going into the basement. ********** INTERVIEW WITH DEAN LEARNER Dean shifted in his chair, cocking his head and lighting a cigar. “Sure, so maybe the focus groups didn’t go wild for the episode but I thought it was a hell of a success.” He paused, looking wistful and taking a puff. “I just didn’t see why my wife felt the need to use it as evidence during our divorce.” INTERVIEW WITH GARTH MARENGHI Garth leaned back in his chair, an earnest look on his face. “So, as you can see, there was absolutely no homophobia in this episode. Only truth. And two hot women getting it on. So, really, the gays didn’t need to get all up in arms about it. And the guy who played the Vampire? Absolutely did not need to sue us. I mean, how was I to know he was actually gay? You should really warn people about that before they accidentally make jokes about poofters and shirt-lifters in front of you, expecting you to laugh.” Garth regarded the camera with utmost seriousness. “It’s just common courtesy.” CUE END CREDITS

#the mighty boosh #mighty boosh #boosh #Garth Marenghi's Darkplace #darkplace #garth marenghi #Dean Learner #Todd Rivers #liz asher #Lucien Sanchez #rick dagless #Thornton Reed #dean learner/todd rivers

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rosesisupposes · 6 years ago

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"Dedication has no reward." with whatever ship you think works best?

ROYALITY

Aka, this is penance for hurting all the boys recently. Prepare yourself for some Royalty Royality <3

Prompt Tag

word count: 1,924

pairing: Royality

warnings: tooth-rotting fluff

reader tags: @residentanchor @royally-anxious @bewarethegrammarpolice @jemthebookworm @arandompasserby @sparkly-rainbow-salt @astral-eclipse @thelowlysatsuma @adorably-angsty and of course, @notveryglittery

read on ao3

Crown Prince Patton, His Royal Highness and heir to the kingdom of Solarya, was a very friendly man. He thrived on the days he went out to meet the people of the kingdom, when he rode or walked through the markets and greeted his future subjects as they went about their normal errands. The Knight-Captain of his personal guard, Sir Roman, had his hands full on those days, keeping the prince safe without cutting him off from the public. The balance worked itself out as a loose ring of guards and Roman right by Patton’s side, alert and ready to counter any threat. But being there to watch him work was always distracting. The prince was raised in luxury, never having had to do errands or work for a living. Instead of creating distance, this difference created an opening. Patton would ask fishmongers how the catch had been and listen with interest and attention as they described weather and sea patterns. He nodded sagely as clothing merchants demonstrated the difference of cheap and well-made cloth, admired the qualities of produce as farmers burst with pride, and stopped to smell and compliment the color of a bouquet of peonies from the flower sellers. Every walk or ride through town brought new interactions. The earnest interest and validation he showed were why the people of the capital city were utterly charmed by their prince.

They weren’t the only ones.

One sunny morning, as Prince Patton walked through a wide open square, a tiny form dashed in front of him. The prince almost tripped, but caught himself as the toddler crashed into a guard’s leg. The little girl looked up, eyes huge.

“Hello, little miss!” Patton said gently, kneeling to her level. “I’m Patton! What’s your name?”

“I’m Val,” she squeaked out, staring warily at the armored men around her.

“Good morning, Val! Are those flowers I see?” the prince asked.

A gap-toothed grin spread as the child held up a fistful of daisies, half-woven into the beginnings of a crown. “I’m helping Mama,” she explained.

“And I’m sure you’re doing a great job,” Patton said warmly. “Where is your mama? Is she close?”

The girl placed her flowers on her dark hair as she pointed past the circle of guards. A woman with matching hair and similar dimples hovered there anxiously. Roman, as the closest, turned and bowed.

“Greetings, madam. Is this lovely young lady your daughter?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry, she knows she’s not supposed to be running away from me.”

Patton took Val’s hand and guided her to her mother. “Not a problem, my lady. I’m glad Val ran into us.”

“Oh my goodness gracious, Prince Patton!” the woman exclaimed, dropping into a deep curtsy. “I truly apologize-“

“There’s no need, mistress,” Roman interrupted, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Prince Patton wishes only to ensure that your daughter is well and happy. His Highness could never be inconvenienced by meeting such a charming subject and her lovely mother.”

A blush spread across the flower seller’s golden cheeks as she took her daughter’s hand and led her back to her stall, dipping one more curtsy as she went.

Back at the castle, Patton flopped onto a window seat as Roman took his regular place by the door.

“Knight-Captain? Roman?” he called.

“Your Highness? How may I assist you?”

“Oh, nothing, I just- what you said at the market today.”

Roman frowned. “Did I err in any way, Your Highness? I did not mean to offend.”

“No, no offense whatsoever!” Patton said, sitting up straight. “You, you just said a really nice thing to that flower seller, Val’s mother. About me and how much I care for my people.”

Roman willed the heat in his cheeks to not show through as he replied, “Was that not my place? I apologize-“

“No, I - I was glad to hear it. You didn’t need to reassure her, but you did. And you- so many people here,” Patton featured to the castle around them, “they think I’m wasting my time when I try to spend time with the commonfolk. They tell me it’s beneath me. But you- you were smiling. You think it’s a good thing?”

Roman hesitated, but nodded. “I do, Your Royal Highness. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with a ruler knowing more about those they rule over. I think the way in which you treat the folks at market is admirable.”

Patton smiled wide. “Thank you, Sir Roman! It means a lot to hear that. But, um. If you’d like- you can just call me Patton. If we’re not around my father or his advisors, of course.”

Roman was sure his blush was showing now. “I- wouldn’t it be rather improper?”

“Ugh, you sound like my father’s Grand Vizier. ‘Consorting with commoners is improper,’ ‘Napping during council meetings is improper,’ ‘Making shadow puppets in the torchlight is improper.’ He’s no fun whatsoever,” Patton grumbled.

“Sounds like he’s a party im-pooper,” Roman said before he could stop himself. He immediately clapped a hand over his mouth, blushing a deep red. But to his surprise, the prince was staring at him with shining eyes of delight.

“Sir Roman, you make such witty jokes and you’ve been holding out on me?”

“My role is to protect you, Your Highness. Not to be chatty.”

Patton’s expression drooped. “Oh. Yes, I see. I wouldn’t want to distract you from your duty.”

“Your Highness, I- I didn’t mean that I didn’t want to tell you jokes, I just wanted you to know why I haven’t before. Even if it is improper, I would like to be your friend as well as your guard.”

The prince softened. “I would like nothing more, Roman.”

“Nor would I, Your Hi- I mean, Patton.”

Roman had already been a constant presence at his prince’s side ever since his appointment when Patton came of age, but the change in Patton’s mood was now obvious to most residents of the castle. Let his father think it was a determination just to be a good student and ruler- he knew it was from having a guard and companion as delightful as Sir Roman.

Soon, Roman had perfected the art of imperceptibly whispering in Patton’s ear during grand receptions and banquets and meetings, murmured jokes and wicked nicknames for the many tedious advisors and foreign dignitaries. Patton quickly learned to conceal his giggles, laughing on the inside alone. But Roman could tell, in tiny shifts and tapping fingers on the arms of his throne, that Patton was entertained, and felt the glow of pride all the same.

Not quite four months of their first-name-basis had passed when another morning found them in the market. It was spring, almost the spring festival, and the courtyards and squares were filled with the heady perfume of flowers. Patton walked with his ring of loose guards as he greeted vendors and merchants and shoppers. He stopped by a flower cart, admiring the colors and wreaths.

“Oh, look at the lovely contrast here, of the light blue and red together,” he said, brushing the soft petals of some hydrangeas.

“Thank you sir- oh! Your Highness!” the seller exclaimed. It was the same one they’d run into months ago, and a wriggling head underneath the tablecloth that revealed itself to be Val confirmed it.

“My lady, it is wonderful to see you and Val again,” Patton said with a smile. “I don’t believe I got your name last time we met.”

“It’s Teresa, Your Highness, sir,” she said breathlessly, hands twisting in her apron strings.

“A pleasure, Mistress Teresa. Your handiwork is stunning,” the prince said gallantly. “Is there significance to these flowers?”

“Hydrangeas are used to represent heartfelt feelings, Your Highness. And gratitude, for being understood.”

Patton smiled softly at the light blue flowers that so well matched his personal crest and the livery his guard wore. “And the roses?”

“They’re LOVE!” Val cried happily from behind the stall.

Teresa smiled and smoothed her daughter’s hair. “That’s right, sweet pea. Red roses for romantic love.”

Patton leaned forward to bury his face in the lovely scents. Roman edged closer to the stall, watchful as ever. As the prince drew back, his expression was soft as he contemplated the blooms. Roman found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the sweet smile playing across the royal’s lips. Patton’s light blue eyes suddenly met his, but the expression didn’t change.

“They match you, Roman,” Patton said.As Roman’s mind suddenly started racing with implications, he continued. “The blue and red match your uniform.”

Roman felt an unavoidable blush rising as he nodded. It was true- he wore Patton’s personal livery and the red sash that denoted him the leader of the guard. That was surely all the prince had meant.

But that night in Patton’s chambers, the prince asked Roman to sit with him.

“Sir Roman, I feel I should apologize for the position I put you in today.”

“‘Sir Roman’? Did I do something wrong that you’re using my title again? You know you may always use just my first name,” the knight said warmly.

The prince ducked his head. “No, you haven’t done a thing wrong. I fear that I have, though. Earlier, in the market - I didn’t intend to embarrass you, or put you on the spot. I know that as your liege, I have an obligation to not make your service uncomfortable in any way, and I failed in that. I hope you can forgive me.”

Roman stared at his prince, confused. “Patton, in what way have you failed? I’ve never been uncomfortable around you - indeed, these past months have been some of the most enjoyable since I was but a boy on my mother’s farm.” He felt the lightest flush spreading over his cheeks as he added, “I find myself often forgetting that you are my liege rather than a friend of whom I am excessively fond.”

Patton looked up into Roman’s warm brown eyes. “I… feel the same way, Roman. I thought, today, with the flowers, that I was being too obvious. Heartfelt feelings of gratitude, and… love.”

Roman felt his breath catch in his chest. “You… you love me, too? I wasn’t just imagining it?”

Patton nodded, fully blushing now. “You feel the same way?”

“I hardly dared dream that it could ever be requited, dearest Patton,” Roman said, taking the prince’s hand in his. “Your kindness towards your people, your humility despite your position, the light in your eyes when you’re able to make someone smile… how could I not fall utterly and entirely in love?”

After a moment of hesitation, Patton lifted their entwined hands to kiss Roman’s. “And you, sweet knight, who cares for the soldiers in your command as you would yourself, who does his best to serve justly and well, who sees me as a man, not just a royal - is it any wonder I’ve become infatuated with you?”

Roman cupped Patton’s face, and slowly leaned in, their lips meeting in a chaste kiss that transformed them both into red-faced balls of giggles. Patton rested his head on his knight’s shoulder, a smile on his face.

“Are you sure you don’t get tired of me, my love? Spending every waking hour at my side?”

Roman kissed the top of Patton’s curly-blonde head. “Never, my sunshine. When my mission is to ensure no harm comes to you, there is no limit to how many hours I will gladly spend on guard. Dedication has no reward. Nor does it need one, not when it means I get to spend time with you.”

#prompt fic #Roses Writes Fanfic #royality #sunshine gays #ts roman #ts patton #my smol drama son #my smol soft son #Fluff #pure fluff #i love it #royalty au #prince patton #knight roman #flirting through flowers #i love them so much #sanders sides #sanders sides fanfic #sanders sides fic

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