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laylawatermelon · 10 days

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70.6 - 7.07 Speculation/ Buddie Meta

I am a writer y'know hehe

So, Buddie is happening.

Now let me explain.

Bi buck always existed, but the problem is that most of his consistent emotional relationship one could argue realistically romantically has been with a man he's known for years.

But has always been bi yes, but he's also been in love with his best friend for a really long time.

Friends to lovers where Y'all at? I see y'all madney truthers

Anyways I understand but what has kind of been bothering me is the fact that Buddie the ship has been abandoned/negated as not an important past of the puzzle for bi buck realization despite the fact that Eddie is physically present throughout his entire relationship/storyline.

I could argue that because they're mirrors to each other (corny soulmate type shit is perfect for network tv) this is the best way to ease people into it.

Buck and Eddie are the two beloved firefighters (and respective sex symbols). They have an appeal for the straight audience for that reason.

Lou already spoiled it but he's only here for a while.

There's been almost blatant explanations and dialogue that leads to the fact that this relationship is going to directly lead into buddie one way or another.

Tommy has from the beginning suspected that Buck (I'm calling him Evan in my head in regards to him and it's so weird 😖) and Eddie have an unusual relationship or that Buck is in love with Eddie at least.

(MY attention? is the biggest example.)

My prediction is that their mirrors of each other, the parallels, and red flags pop up too often now.

I know they're still writing the show and are likely watching audience engagement and ao3 (I'm watching you Tim ik you're here I'm new but ik you got shooters out here) for where to go with the story.

In Eddie's (frankly oddly portrayed) plotline is related to his Catholic guilt and his nonexistent relationship with Marisol (no last name?). As the episode maybe suggests they don't know their partners well enough.

Shame to Eddie because it's been months in universe like come on man. In Buck's it's literally been a few weeks, and most of the time Tommy spent with Eddie and not with him.

I like them as a couple and find them affordable. I can't quite bring myself to ship them or be as enthusiastic as others and that's okay.

I still admire the relationship they have and won't bash others for enjoying it.

Hell they still have Taylor and Buck enjoyers and maybe even Abby (i assume I haven't met any honestly).

The reason why I'm a bit confused on why Buddie isn't being all that embraced as a vital part of the storyline is because in a way it is.

I think it spurred the writers on to lean into it heavily due to the actors chemistry and portrayal of the relationship.

Now I'm not saying he wouldn't be bi regardless, because he's always been written that way.

His interactions with worm guy, a gay married couple, Carlos (who I've been waiting to say this but I can't hold myself any longer is Latino, shorter than him, brown eyes, dark hair - Eddie lite/he had a bit of a type aka cute guys.)

I clocked him flirting with him with his cute fact spilling as a way of affection because I do it to to people I love. (🤗i love my ADHD rep!) When he saw him look at the girl he became more platonic in his interactions. Then there was Eddie.

And Eddie honestly is the biggest part of the puzzle.

Yes he likes Tommy, and I don't deny he likes strong confident (suspiciously Eddie shaped 😂) guys.

He has always been attracted to strong personalities regardless of gender.

I do think he did pursue him and I think because Tommy is gay he recognized the flirting Buck does with both men and women as that, flirting.

Eddie doesn't count cause he has a whole can of worms he gotta figure out himself.

If Buck had consistent scenes with an out queer man on the show he'd have been at least clocked. (Eddie was kind of in the way with Josh and the Dispatch crew/his gaydar pinged a lil around him)

I've been saying that now that he's canonically bisexual and it's a known fact, you can't deny he's quite literally been flirting with his best friend the entire show (as a coparent??? Idk man they both said they skip steps/impatient 🤷🏾‍♀️).

When new fans watch it it's obvious, when older fans recall it it's either enlightening or redefining that relationship regardless.

The red flags that are coming up is Eddie's statement of moving too fast and Buck literally moving to fast with his second date (i assume idk how in world time works it's a tv show 🤷🏾‍♀️) being his sister's wedding.

Realistically I know you only invite people to events like that if you're fully committed to each other for a long term thing.

I'm not saying that he's on his wheel but in a way I'm tilting my head at some similarities of Tommy and his past relationships and Buck's tendencies.

Buck will be Buck.

Tommy knows him as Evan, and calls him such.

Which didn't get me wrong cute or whatever but rubs me there wrong away, because we know he prefers Buck as it's his chosen name for a reason. It's defined him and been contextualized and even accepted by his parents.

I believe in calling people the name they choose to be called and I just don't like when that's ignored.

It also doesn't help that he continues to call him that in an episode called You don't know me (you can Even tie it in to Marisol No last name) that deals with identities and lack of knowledge.

Buck has spent most of his remaining twenties with that identity and has defended it so the casualness of him calling him that unnerves me.

It's meant to close the distance and be portrayed as romantic but it can also be interpreted as him seeing Evan, not Buck when with him.

But I did see a post that changed my perspective on calling a name with love instead can recontextualize the meaning of it and I found that sweet and fitting. In that case I can swing either way about it.

If it does make him more accepting of that side of his identity that's great that he's beginning to heal from a path when his name/personhood was used as a weapon or item.

But, I also still feel a bit iffy that it's not interchangeably used with Buck because his family and everyone he knows calls him that. Even his previous romantic partners did and I didn't mind him being called it but I would like it if both names would be used as that is the new part of him where Evan exists as well.

Also narratively they spent too much time on defining his name and what it means to him and everyone around him to not show the importance of his identity being acknowledged in a new unfamiliar relationship.

(whew i think I'm just mad at the writers or this may just be on purpose who knows 🤷🏾‍♀️)

I'm getting to the meta I promise I'm just finally processing what's been plaguing me about this relationship and i gotta let the monster out

That would also explain why he doesn't know the ADHD rants that Buck blabs on about.

But then again the episode is called you don't know me and they weren't even friends he just jumped into a relationship.

(ps you can just start dating someone and learn as you go I'm just saying 🤷🏾‍♀️)

The biggest problem with their relationship is that he's in love with his best friend.

He literally only began to open up and flirt when he realized that he wasn't a romantic threat to his family.

(Which trifling Buck! Your man can't get wined and dined?? He deserves love too!/j)

He literally relaxed/his shoulders open up when Tommy assures him that his son still loves and idolizes him and that Eddie still likes him and he's irreplaceable in his life.

After that's secured he begins to make his move and become more flirtatious (cough sexually open cough) to this confident man in his kitchen in the dim lights and glowy atmosphere.

Damn I'd kiss him too 🤷🏾‍♀️ (if I was a guy ofc)

I also didn't like the parallels of Buck being left (which has happened with his female love interests) and then Buck still having to reach out.

I don't think Tommy is bad for Buck, but I'm still not convinced that he's 100% good. But then again he's been here literally a two episodes and barely any screentime.

And the one he does makes it seem like he's interested but not too invested.

(which makes sense and I will elaborate a bit later in the meta speculation)

The Tommy that everyone is talking about exists solely in fan spaces and head canon and that's why I think I can't get into it. The facts of him are plain in the show but in the fan spaces he has a different image.

Which valid, once again he's almost a blank sheet of what we wish a Buck gets and deserves in a love interest but that's what he is as of now. A blank-ish sheet. Kind of like a projection sheet for movies.

Tommy seems like a caring partner and sure of himself. He's shown himself to be funny, considerate, and as unhinged as the rest of the 118 (ah the fruity fire badasses).

Also i wanna point your Buck likes em a lil older sometimes haha

But back on topic, I can see Tommy being like Natalia (which makes sense as that storyline could've been used) In the fact that he sees that the space in his life is occupied and respectfully backs out.

My meta for 7.06 is this.

Tommy helps out somehow. Buck is ecstatic rightfully so.

They kiss dance and are cute.

The family is very welcoming, the 118 is still loving, but then he sees something that affirms his suspicions.

It's a normal scene for us.

Either Buck is taking care of Chris and then talks to Eddie.

He sees the look in Buck's eyes and the fondness there. He looks at Eddie and sees the same on his face.

He notices how they work together and laugh, them at the family and life he's built all around him, and decides he can't be apart of this. There's no space for him.

It feels too real too fast and he'll only end to heartbroken because he's just interested, not invested yet.

So he gracefully bows out and let's him know that he has enough love in his life if he'd just look for it.

(i also found out he used the word interested in the cafe scene where i recognized it as the ana date. Also Buck was wearing a white patterned shirt and i had a heart attack because it wasn't great the last time he wore it 😬)

Then it leads into ghost of a second chance.

(now imma say this i will be posting more specs about the these episodes I'm just on my buddie storyline juice rn)

This is now Buck trying to salvage/figure out what went wrong and maybe try to contact him again.

In the case of Marisol it's safe to assume they break up, the reason why isn't clear.

It could be related to his sisters disapproval of their relationship (as they're supposed to be coming out did the show forget??) or apprehension towards her as they've been raised/watched him grow up.

They know what makes him happy.

For ghost a second chance I didn't have much buddie assumptions but I'm pretty sure that one is more in relation to other members of the cast most likely and maybe Buck trying to salvage his relationship.

7.08-10 isn't complete so who knows🤷🏾‍♀️ how they must switch it up for more drama?

But I will say, we gotta dive into the Eddie of it all.

Y'all thought I forgot about him?

The bi Buck storyline isn't complete without Eddie either romantically or platonically.

In real life their queer storylines were always interchangeable and they're both feeling out the GA and fans reaction.

Buddie not going canon doesn't make sense because realistically it's one of the biggest ships and the most talked about things for the online fans.

It's a good reason many fans started (me included🙋🏾‍♀️) and stay (if the beautiful found family didn't hit it for them).

The way that they were both discussed and Ryan is fine with Buddie still kind of matches his character honestly. Demi Eddie is a head canon and honestly Eddie would only be comfortable with dating a man at this stage of his life if it's someone he loves already aka Buck.

There could be other reasons but as a Buddie warrior truther (as they named it which is still so insane) as his old interviews alluded to the fact that he loves Buck so much he can't really see himself with another guy he just met like that.

He also maybe wanted a easier storyline as he had always been a bit of a heavy character.

For women it's easier as he's raised to do it and it's "natural" or right for him to do so.

His parents said it, the church says it, God says it so it must be right.

He loves commitment, has said he's a nester and constantly yearns for a family unit.

The only family unit he knows of it feels is acceptable due to his upbringing is man, woman, child.

Not that he's homophobic cause duh, HenRen is literally there, but his standards and pressure doesn't even let him fathom it for himself.

It's also likely if the demi part is true, he's highly unlikely to be like Buck and view others sexually and even realize he's able to have a family/relationship with a man.

I suspect no Buddie this season. I actually hope and pray for it.

Because from both a business and story point it's best to keep the will-they won't-they into season 8 to keep viewers engaged/tuning in and not to rush the story and get some really good emotional moments.

I won't lie I miss the angst we got in the other seasons and as a result the show's identity with Eddie has faltered a bit.

I didn't love episode 5 but I didn't hate it. I still enjoy the show and if they feel a bit unusual it's okay.

There were still some great moments in it.

Eddie's character is now happy but as a result he's also somewhat unfamiliar (that speaks to the whump heavy storylines he has) as he seems less mature. You can argue now that he has a stable support system he's able to let loose because he knows his needs will be covered.

That's also a great point and easy way of showing his development.

His Catholic guilt now that it's been introduced will have to be deconstructed as he will have to redefine his life, what he's looking for/allow himself to be and dare to dream of a life not given to him by someone else or pressure.

This season he's only just started to accept things that make him feel good (which for now is Marisol) and be open and honest about it.

I can argue it is a great sign of improvement of his character.

A bit ooc portrayal yes, but the message of looking deeper still applies.

This can apply to Buddie probably leading through the next half of season 7 by being ramped up and then going full speed ahead season 8.

At the time though since they're still writing they may take a hard right turn and keep it platonic (😭).

But what would be inevitable is Eddie's coming out/self discovery arc that isn't tied to the church or sense of duty.

Which yay! More self discovery I love the message of finding yourself lasts throughout your life and due to life's unexpected events you can change to be a better version of yourself all the time.

We got bi buck (which evidently was influenced by Eddie in some way) now let's free Eddie to even if they didn't do it for Buddie (once again😭😭😭).

Now that I've got it mostly off my chest I'm definitely gonna do an analysis of the parallels and the way it's played pt.2 (and more as seasons passed cause Ryan and Oliver 😘 muah 10/10 no notes).

Okay bye.

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podcastenthusiast · 7 months

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BG3 (Astarion centric) Fic Recs

It's that time again. First, a shamless promo for my fics. Now onward to the real gems.

Reflecting Endless Down the Hall by Asidian

If he turns to watch as Cazador gulps down the meal, Astarion will have to think about it. If he thinks about it, he'll have to acknowledge the smell. If he acknowledges the smell, strong and rich and intoxicating, he'll have to think about how much he wants it. How much his stomach has tied itself into knots at even the thought of a taste. How his teeth ache, and saliva floods his mouth, and how if he could wrench back even the barest scrap of control, he could bend down and lap at some of the precious liquid drying on his own hand. He can't, of course. So he swallows, and he forces down the endless hollow ache inside him, and he does his very best not to look as Cazador takes his time over a young woman who had been, up until three hours hence, a vapid, lovely young thing in a ruffled dress with quite a knack for dancing. -

A series of vignettes that will parallel Astarion's past life with Cazador versus the the way he finds himself living after awakening on the beach in the sunlight.

sunrise, with hope its arrogant rider by edelgarfield

Astarion stares down his nose with that familiar haughty glare. “I suppose that makes us even, now.”

You search his face, trying to find the missing piece that will make the puzzle take shape. You think of what little he’s told you about his life before this strange journey of yours. A cruel master that delighted in his pain and two hundred years of being brought to heel.

It comes to you in a dizzying rush. “You think I left you there as punishment.”

Astarion accidentally, kinda-sorta drains your blood and leaves you for dead. Three weeks later, you drop a monastery on him. You refuse to let the story end there.

bloodlust by KathrynShadow

Liar, blazing across her mind, the first clear thought she’s had so far. It’s almost a relief to be so certain of something, so she lets it go.

Bourbon, Blood, and Backward Glances by GreyscaleCourier

“Lovely.” Your master smiles with teeth. “Astarion, will you be joining us?” You keep your eyes on the floor but you have been addressed and you will answer. There is only one answer. “I would be honored. Thank you, Master.” or, Astarion brings groceries home and feels bad about it. Not bad enough to risk solitary confinement again, but kinda bad :/

Casual Banter by death_frisbee

A party like this one is bound to result in some interesting conversations.

The Dawnbringer and the Day Walker by LunaristicTides

A vampire and a cleric of Lathander fall in love until one decision ruins everything. Five years later, she's called upon to face the biggest regret of her life and she'll stop at nothing to fix it, but it might just shatter the rest of the world.

Silver-Tongue by starkraving

Astarion fast-talks an abnormal number of enemies into killing themselves in the shadow-cursed lands and the team makes idle (then less idle) conversation about it. It’s completely fine and doesn’t bother him at all and it absolutely doesn’t draw additional questions about why he does what he does for the team... and what they in turn would do for him. IE: Origin-run Astarion fic because its interesting to me how the party reacts to their vampire buddy if he doesn’t have Tav to be a social buffer for him. Act 2 content and spoilers.

Strange Smile by starkraving

Wyll, Karlach, and Lae’zel speak with a Gur monster hunter in a bog and Astarion happens to be there. It’s a very awkward way to get outted as a vampire to your (mostly) unsuspecting teammates. AKA: Tav-less party jumps the team rogue and holds him down for questioning. It's fine.

Echo by miraculan

"Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

Astarion dropped his arm with a huff despite his surprise, wondering where he might have crossed paths with him before the ship. Maybe a regular at some city tavern that watched him vanish for more than a day or two and assumed the worst. Maybe a sword for hire that took jobs from Cazador that saw him get hauled off by Godey. Definitely not anyone Astarion spent an evening with, or he wouldn't be standing here to ask stupid questions.

"I'm trying to ambush you and you're making it harder than it needs to be." He sighed, not letting the words sink in before drawing his knife and pivoting, only for it to be harmlessly swatted out of his hand and into the sand by the stranger's off-hand scimitar quicker than he heard it being drawn. Fuck. This entire encounter was going badly. Embarrassingly so.

Like Stones, floatingvon Water by Cirrocumulus

He watches, his thoughts a jumbled mess of malice and mirth, as the poor vendor sweats and stammers.

Every needle and thread he ever owned he did unspeakable acts for, just to keep the clothes on his back from fraying, from flaying the way his skin so often did.

He sees as his companion lowballs the merchant and yet the trade is made, and the fine satin fabric is hers for the taking.

She gifts it to him with a smile, and he knows not how to react. ~*~ Or: Five times Astarion is reminded of owning nothing, and five times his traveling companion gifts him trinkets to change that.

A Little Mishap by Asidian

When the dust clears – and it is a frightful amount of dust, all told – Astarion is marginally surprised to see that no one has been left a bloody smear on the cave floor.

Really, he can't be blamed for assuming the worst. The boulder is the size of the tunnel, nearly, the sort of impending doom that ranks with gale-force winds and approaching dragons on the list of things that might inspire a man to pray to any gods kind enough to lend an ear. Astarion isn't that sort – any god who might have granted him a boon has had centuries of prayers they might have chosen to answer before this, after all – and yet here they stand, miraculously intact, as though some deity just so happened to have glanced their way at just this moment.

Perhaps Wyll is a religious man

Liberty and Her Ghosts by timeboundpythia

"They do insist on asking me how I feel."

Seducere by Tlon

Astarion doesn’t need a reflection to know himself – two hundred years of servitude has shown him exactly what he’s good for. Odd that his new partner seems to disagree.

Or, five times Astarion regretted being seen over the past centuries, and one time he didn’t.

Broken Mechanism by laquearia

He’s the prickly sort, their resident rogue—sharper than any briar patch and twice as vicious. His words can carve deeper than his daggers despite their feigned placidity, all honey-sweet syllables and lengthy non-answers that often mean nothing at all. He darlings and my dears them, and sometimes he’s almost convincing enough to fool them into thinking they’ve had a real conversation when the only thing he’s shared is how bland the weather’s been and that he enjoys red wine over white.

Most of the group has given up trying to wheedle anything substantial out of him. Nothing more than a waste of time and energy, Shadowheart told Tav a few days prior. He’s never serious about anything, and even if he was, I doubt he’d tell us.

Astarion’s words echo in Tav’s mind, all cut glass consonants and pure, unbridled desperation: don’t touch me.

This time is different.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Nebulad

He didn't know how long he stayed down there. He didn't need air, but he needed blood. His hunger went from a static hum in the back of is head to a roaring thunder, pounding against the back of his eyes and making drool run down his jaw and uncomfortably into the neck of the stiff formal wear he was wearing. He hadn't been dressed particularly finely that night in the manor: who had changed his clothes? Where was he?

His brain rejected the answer on the tip of his tongue.

kindred by aevallare

And it's then, with his fingers buried inside her and her back scraping against the bark of the tree, that she looks into his eyes and sees –

Nothing. Like he isn't even there.

"Stop," she says, breath ragged with pleasure that feels like poison.

He might be the most beautiful creature that she's ever seen, bathed in this moonlight, and the wicked smirk he puts on only strengthens his case. "What, darling? That close already?"

“You don't want this,” she says simply, still out of breath, and for the first time since she’s met him, Astarion seems speechless. -

auri knows people, and that's how she can tell; astarion is deeply, deeply fucked up.

no one will love me like you again by FlowerCitti

Karlach smiles at him as the sun begins to set, her eyes softening around the corners, a nervous look flickering over her features. And Astarion is already expecting what comes next, but it still feels like shards of ice blooming behind his ribs.

“Do you think I can sleep in your tent tonight? Now that I can’t hurt you or set the damn thing on fire.” She asks with a breathy chuckle, an uncharacteristic anxiety making her shift on her feet, her bottom lip caught under her teeth. He has no disillusions on what her words could mean. She’s not likely looking to do much sleeping when she is free to touch him now. (Or, Karlach can freely touch the people she loves now. Astarion makes a few wrong assumptions.)

innocence died screaming by FlowerCitti

Astarion feels like a starving fox released into a pen of chickens.

His lean fingers pick at his cravat, easing out invisible wrinkles, his tongue tracing along his own fangs. His eyes dart over the street, his head full of new scents and sounds, pounding at the back of his skull. He can taste the pulses of the people that pass him by, can smell the blood that rushes through their veins, intoxicating in its temptation.

He feels like a ravenous animal, a stalking predator just barely blending in amongst a sea of prey. But whoever he finds, Cazador had instructed for them to still be breathing by the time Astarion brings them back. He can’t rip the throat from the first thing he sees, no matter how much he finds himself aching to. There’s an impossible emptiness inside of him now, a growing abyss, and he finds himself wanting. (Or, Astarion and the prince who swept him off his feet after he had already given up on happy endings.)

suck the rot right out of my bloodstream by FlowerCitti

Astarion moves his legs just slightly to press against Casmir’s broad shoulder, a teasing point of contact. The tiefling doesn’t shift away.

But his hands still haven’t moved to tend to Astarion’s wound.

“Can I touch you?”

Astarion stares at them for a few moments, meeting that burning gaze, fanned by thick lashes. People don’t often ask him that—they just do. It didn’t matter whether he wanted them to or not, only that he was a pretty thing they wanted to get their hands on.

He shakes his head before he can fade away into bad memories, blinking several times. He smirks instead, slipping into flirtation easily, eyes lidded and something like revulsion at himself bubbling in his gut, “As much as you’d like, my dear.” (Or, Astarion has had his consent revoked for over two centuries. Then he meets Casmir.)

where the light won't find you by AndyAO3

Rather like a frog being slowly brought to a boil, by the time Astarion realizes he's doomed himself, it's already too late.

sating the hunger by Velwyn

He wanted to know more about him – he needed to. He wasn’t sure if it was the charm or the mysterious air Astarion played up that peaked his interest more, but Gale was eager to pry him open – to get past that book cover and discover what secret knowledge he would uncover in those pages.

Pretending to be People by Fr0g_king

The night was going off without a hitch; hunted someone down, brought them back, headed for the dorms. And then Cazador requested he join him for dinner, and, well, nothing was ever pain-free with Cazador.

I'm Up, I'm Up by baozisdragon

People don't expect Karlach to be very observant.

the bitter darkness, the flickering illusion by arenathesia

“Straight or serrated?” Godey can barely speak, his misshapen jaw swallowing half his words and his glee drowning out the other half. Astarion understands him though, as easily as breathing, and Cazador is no different.

“No need to make it easy for ourselves,” his master responds.

(Just when he thinks he understands his master, has seen the furthest depths of his cruelty, Astarion is grabbed by the throat and dragged deeper in.)

Butterfly Caught by myristica

Right. Get the moonlantern, kill some cultists. Cultists that are completely evil and not people driven by circumstance to try to find some sense of belonging. Don’t think too hard about it. *** Trauma-bonding with the sad spiderboi and sad biteyboi.

Scorch by 1Ced0Ateram1

Astarion and Karlach try to unwind after a difficult day on the road. Burnt flesh and charred clothes might just be a fair trade for a kiss.

one of thousands by nachttour

A contemplation about living with someone who has a hard time saying no, who has a hard time accepting 'safe' touch from others that he is not directly in charge of; and a larger contemplation about what it is like to love someone who will never move along in time with you.

A small story considering how one Tav out of many Tavs in many worlds acclimates to living with Asterion after the events of BG3.

Will add more as I read more!

The Light of The Seven by Verelia

Cazador Szarr calls his home a palace. Cazador Szarr calls himself a father.

The palace is a prison. The father is a cruel master to the seven spawn he sired. And the siblings--

They were each others' brothers, sisters, enemies, tormentors, victims, shoulders to cry on, hands to hold, eyes to blacken, and yet--the only ones who understood.

Quick Step by starkraving

As more and more people join the party – all of them adventurers of some repute or renown – Astarion becomes all that more disposable in comparison. He endeavors to keep up or be left behind. (Because of course they will leave him behind. Right?) AKA: Act 1 Astarion’s race from a true level one character to team rogue and the rest of the team's reactions to that.

cause my love (is mine, all mine) by mahoushoujochan

After the Nautiloid crash, it feels like everyone has gone their own way, though there’s still so much to do to help the city. But even more importantly: there’s so much that Tav must do to help her friends.

In which Tav and Astarion look to heal a sun allergy, a recovering city, seven thousand bloodthirsty vampires, and maybe themselves along the way. Except there are no shortcuts to healing or learning how to love.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 fanfiction #astarion #cj's fic recs

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dp-marvel94 · 7 months

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(Not) Alone - Chapter 7

Summary: Consumed with worry and scared after watching Dani almost die, Danny begs her to come home with him and meet Jazz. He wants to see her safe and happy and taken care of more than anything. An important reveal also weighs heavy on him – Dani isn’t the only living clone… and the other is him. He needs to tell her the truth; maybe that will convince her to agree to the idea of telling his parents. And she'll stay in Amity Park with him, where he'll never have to worry if she's safe ever again.

Meanwhile, Dani has mixed feelings. Still reeling from the loss of her clone siblings, Danny’s unexpected worry and care make her uncomfortable. And her own guilt… she hurt him and helped get him kidnapped twice. How can he care about a mistake like her? But having clean clothes and a bed is wonderful. And things aren’t as simple as she thinks.

Will Dani accept the help she needs and let herself be loved? Or will she push Danny and Jazz away and run again?

Word Count: 4,451

First-> Previous -> Next

Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net

Danielle hadn’t left yet. The thought was a small comfort as Danny swung after dark, the younger clone humming contentedly beside him. It had been almost a week and despite his fears that first day, Dani hadn’t left. Instead, she’d grown more comfortable, most of the tension of that first night washing away.

Jazz and him had worked hard to give her a fun time. They’d looked for opportunities to bond, to get to know the younger girl better. And they had; the younger clone’s laughter rang like music in his ears. Her bright smiles warmed his heart. And her growing comfort with him and even with Jazz…. He couldn’t help but be hopeful, the feeling blooming in his core. And yet…

He and Dani hadn’t talked about any of it. Not their argument that first morning, the horrible things she’d said about herself and the hurtful accusations lobbed at him. Nor his not-entirely-intentional clone-fusion reveal – even if she did repeatedly, almost exclusively, call him Dami now. Nor their lost siblings.

Danielle was clearly so happy to have him here as one of her clone brothers. She was so relieved to be stable and safe, with fresh food, clean clothes, and a bed. She’d been so excited to have fun with him…. Danny didn’t want to spoil it.

But they needed to talk about it, as much as Danny didn't want to bring it up. He dreaded the painful conversation. Part of him wished that Dani would bring it up instead. That she would talk about all that was bothering her, all the thoughts and memories hurting her. The loss of their other siblings weighed heavy on him and he was sure they were on her mind too. But she hadn’t said anything.

No, that was his responsibility. His job as the older sibling to broach the hard topics. He couldn’t place that burden on his little sister. And he wouldn’t. He refused to.

But first… they were at a playground. They needed to have a little fun.

Danny jumped out of the swing. He rose higher for just a moment, falling in an arc. Then…. he just stayed in the air, buoyed by his natural ghostly weightlessness. “Wanna see how fast we can get the merry-go-round going?”

His little sister followed with a grin, jumping out of her own swing and twirling in the air. “Yes!” She zipped to the metal circle and plopped down in the middle. “You’ve gotta push me first!”

The boy laughed. “Alright.” Leaning down, closer to her ear. “It’s more fun if gravity actually affects you.”

With a flash, the girl turned human. “Spin me! Spin me! Spin me!” She chanted.

Danny obliged. Grabbing one of the metal handles, he flew parallel to the ground in a circle.

“Faster! Faster!” Danielle cheered

Danny zoomed fast, his aura blurring with the motion.

The girl laid down, her face towards the sky. She giggled, her chest heaving with the noise.

And Danny reveled in the sound. He flew faster and faster. He could keep this up for hours. Dani’s head tilted, sparklingly blue eyes meeting his green, though upside-down. Cross-eyed, dizzy with laughter…. And just plain dizzy.

Eventually, the ghost boy stopped flying. Letting go of the merry-go-round, he watched it spin to a stop.

In the middle, his sister panted. “That… was…awesome!” Another giggle burst forth. She tried to sit up, only to flop back down. “So dizzy.” She took another minute to equilibrate. Then with a flash, she transformed…. “Your turn!”

Danny took his turn on the merry-go-round, laying in the middle in human form while the younger girl spun it by flying in a circle. It was a blast, being able to ride it like this. Normally, Sam, Tucker, or Jazz got this treat, with him pushing the circle. And the one time he’d managed to summon a duplicate…. It wasn’t as fun, having to use half his attention to keep the other him from poofing. But this… this was perfect.

After his turn, Danielle turned human again and together, they enjoyed all that the playground had to offer. They raced down the slides. Swung on the monkey bars. Even made sandcastles in the sandbox. But the swings… the swings were the best.

“I bet I can go higher than you!” Danielle boosted.

“No, you can’t.” The boy countered.

“Yes, I can!” Pumping her legs, the girl soared higher.

Her brother chased her, laughing.

“I’m going to go so high, I’ll swing all the way around!”

Danielle gave it her best try, she did. But…. “Wa…Woah!” The chain creaked.

A bolt of panic. Too high!

Eyes wide, the girl wobbled. “D…Dami!” She fell.

“Dani! Float!” The boy reached.

Dani’s eyes flashed green, a ring of light sparking at her waist. Trying to transform, to float but… instead… “Umph!” She landed on her stomach, splayed in the mulch.

Danny’s eyes popped wide, jumping himself. Luckily for him, his core reacted. Weightlessness overtook him, slowing his fall. Gently, the boy landed on his feet. He ran to the prone girl.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” His heart pounded in his chest, full of fear. “Let me see your hands. Did you skin your knees?”

“I’m fine.” Dani rolled over with a grumble. “Not a scratch.” She sat up.

His eyes searched frantically. Sure enough… there were no bruises, no blood. A breathy sigh. “You’re alright.” He squatted, hands on her shoulders. “Shit. I should have been more careful. Stupid. I let myself get too excited. I knew… I knew that could be dangerous.”

The girl huffed but she didn't shake out of his hold. “You worry too much, you mother duck.”

Danny laughed, rolling his eyes at the jab. Then… a stab of guilt. Why was he being such a mother hen? She’d only fallen out of the swing; he’d done the same thing a dozen times as a kid. And she had ghost powers, like him. Clearly, her human body was a bit sturdier than was typical. That or she did manage to use flight to slow herself, just not as successfully as he had. She was fine. Maybe he did worry too much….

Shaking the thought away, the ghost boy straightened. “I think that’s enough fun for tonight.” He offered the younger girl a hand up. “Besides. I’ve got something to show you.”

Danielle raised a brow in question, taking the hand. “What is it?”

“A surprise.” Danny said evenly. He took a few steps away, towards the trees lining one side of the playground. Then he looked back, a heaviness in his eyes. “It’s uh… this is actually the reason I wanted to go to the park tonight.”

The girl stiffened slightly, as if sensing something in his words, his tone. But she didn’t ask anything else. Instead… trust shone in her eyes. “Lead the way.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Danny led her through the small wood, their path lit by the two ghosts’ spectral glows. Over branches, tree-roots, small boulders.

His heart twisted, nervous energy growing. He needed to show her this. Really, it was well overdue. But… how would she react? His core ached at the thought. Bearing all that pain, all the grief again. This was sure to lead to a heavy conversation. And with his seemingly bubbly little sister no less… Some of that happiness had to be a facade, a mask to pretend everything was alright; Danny was sadly familiar with doing the very same thing. The longer he let the mask stay on, the greater the damage was. And the more painful it was to remove. He needed to get Dani to talk to him….

But would it just make everything worse?

The boy shook his head. No. He’d made up his mind… or rather, Jazz had verbally poked him with her big concerned eyes, until he agreed that, yes, he needed to talk to Dani about things.

A less than ten-minute walk later and the pair arrived. A tall sugar maple stretched above them, its wide branches heavy with leaves. This. This was their destination. And sitting at the base….

“Here we are.” Danny kneeled, brushing away the dirt, leaves, and…. wilted flowers.

Quietly, the girl lowered herself to her knees. “What’s this?” Her brows furrowed, eyes fixed on the pile of four stones.

Danny didn’t reply for a long moment, his insides twisting. This was it, the moment of truth. He swallowed, already feeling the grief rising in his throat. “We, Jazz and me…. we made this for our brothers.”

Beside him, Danielle stiffened. “Our… brothers?” Her voice was deceptively, forcefully even.

Slowly, he pulled four candles out of his bag. “It was Jazz’s idea, to make a little grave. A memorial to… remember them.” He placed the tall, white columns around the rocks. “After I told her and my friends about them… and about you. I… it was hard. I was… I was so upset. I kept thinking about them and you. I had nightmares, couldn’t sleep. Jazz… she said I should talk about them. We should make something to remember them. So we lit candles, left flowers and I talked, told them about everything I could remember.”

Danny paused, a moment to let the words sink in. Dani remained still, her fists balled in front of her. Her lips sat in a hard line but… they twitched. A hint of mist lingered in her eyes.

The brother shifted closer, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Do you want to say anything?”

The girl swallowed. Her voice came out so quiet…. “The rocks… what are they for?”

Danny gave a nod. Slowly, reverently, he picked up each one. “There’s one for each of us.” First the largest, irregularly shaped and covered with bumps. “This one’s for Muscles.” Second, a rough textured stone, as white as bone. “For Bones.” A third, smooth, round, and solid black. “Daniel.”

Each name was a crack to Dani’s facade, pain blooming across her face. Finally, on the last, a tear leaked. “Daniel.” She whined.

“There's one for each of them.” Danny said softly. “It’s… I know it’s not much but it’s the least they deserve and…” His own eyes watered with tears. “I love those three so much and I miss them. And I’m sure… I know you do too.”

Her face crumbled. “I…I do. I do. I miss… I miss them so much…” The last word broke, finally a torrent of tears. She rocked softly and Danny wrapped his arms around her. The girl buried her hand in his chest.

Together, for the second time since they’d been reunited, the two half ghosts cried. They wept. They held each other. Their one surviving clone sibling in their arms…. the only comfort for their crushing shared grief.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dani knelt at the grave and cried in her brother’s arms. She bawled. She wept because, because… Dami being there did not erase that their other brothers were gone. They were gone. Bones, Muscles, and Daniel were gone…. And they weren’t coming back.

She’d tried to push the knowledge away. Dami was here. He hadn’t left her. He’d found her again. And she was so happy. She loved him so much. But his presence didn’t wash away, blot away, erase that… that they were the only two left.

Everything they did this week…. Her heart kept trying to remind her. She wished her other brothers had been there too. But they weren’t. And it wasn’t fair….

Dani cried in her brother’s arms, her mind replaying these thoughts until she could hardly breathe. She sobbed, listening to the other half ghost cry until….

She pulled back, her eyes fixing on the little memorial. The pile of stones, one for each brother. Muscles, Bones, Daniel. She grabbed each one, whining their names. And…

There was a fourth one. “That one’s…one’s for me, isn’t it?” She sniffled out.

His words that first morning…. Since you left at Vlad’s, I had no idea if you were alive or… or dead.” He tripped over the word. “You could have destabilized anywhere, and I would have never known what happened to you. I thought… I thought you were dead.”

“You… you thought I was dead too. Because I ran away. I ran away and I didn’t come back.” Guilt twisted. He’d… he’d told her all that. He’d bared his heart to her. And… and she’d just yelled at him. “I knew you were here but… I thought you didn’t care. Or…Or…” New tears welled, the girl wiping at her face. “You pitied me. I’m… I’m just a stupid copy. A mi.. mistake for you to take care of. You wouldn’t… you wouldn’t want me. And I don’t deserve it, not after… after…” She panted, choking on her words. (Unable to say what she’d really done, why she really didn’t deserve….) “But I was wrong. You were here and I left you. I left you too and...”

“No. No.” He shook his head, eyes wide and desperate. “That.. that one’s not for you. I…I knew you were out there somewhere. You had to be and…”

He sniffled and Dani hugged him again, her head tucked under his chin.

Danny shook his head. “I always… I always cared, Dani. I always wanted you here. Don’t you ever think that I don’t. And… and you don’t deserve it?!” His voice pitched up, something in their hug shifting. “How could you think that? You do deserve it. You deserve to be loved. I love you so much. Jazz loves you so much and… and….”

He cried and Dani whimpered apologies. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She buried her head in his shoulder. “I shouldn’t have… have said that. I know you care about me. But I was being stupid and… and I’m sorry. I’m sorry.“ She’d said so many mean things. She’d caused him so much pain…

Again, slowly, the tears slowed. Breathing evened out, heart rates calmed. The pair gently pulled apart.

The boy’s hands (smaller?) gripped her face, eye to eye. “You don’t have to apologize for that. Ever. I get it. Believe me, I get it.” The words were so earnest. “Sometimes your brain tries to tell you lies. Like you don’t deserve to be loved. Or no one wants you; no one cares. But those aren’t true, okay?” He lowered his hands.

“Okay.” The girl said quietly, wiping her eyes.

The other half ghost nodded, serious but just as tender as before. “You are good enough. You’re not stupid. You are not a mistake. And you deserve to be loved and to get help when you need it. Don’t let anyone, not even yourself, tell you otherwise.” He smiled softly. “You’ve gotta keep reminding yourself what’s true. And I promise, I’ll be here to help you with that too.”

What was true…. It was hard, so hard to believe what he’d just said. She’d spent so much time alone, having only herself to depend on. And not… not having her brothers by her side. They’d all suffered together. Vlad had never loved them; they were only useless, inferior copies to him. Mistakes. Damian knew all that; he understood.

(But… what she said at the store today. He was Danny too and she’d hurt him. She’d betrayed him…)

She shook her head, pushing the thought down. No, he was her brother. He loved her. He wanted to help her.

“Okay. I’ll try.” The girl finally answered. “It’s… it’s hard. It’s like… I know it in my head. I trust you. I wanna believe you but…” She vaguely motioned to her chest. “My feelings are all mixed up in here.”

Dami smiled without mirth. “Welcome to being alive. It’s like that sometimes.”

“Yeah.” Her own humorless laugh. She pulled back, gaze fixed down guiltly. “Still… I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier. I shouldn’t have….have said you just pitied me. Or that you’re not my brother.” Her eyes flickered, from her lap to the leaf covered ground to his white-clad boot beside her. “I know that’s not true now. You’re my brother and you do care about me.”

But she hadn’t known that then. She’d been furious, thinking he was Danny trying to take the place of her lost siblings. That wasn’t true though; he was one of her clone brothers. And…. he was Danny too.

The thought suddenly crashed in her head, a truth she’d been trying to avoid thinking about. A dozen emotions crowded her heart- guilt, dread, fear, sadness, hope, confusion, longing.

“Dani. It’s really okay.” That familiar, caring voice. “You really don’t have to apologize. I get it.” He’d already forgiven her, despite what she’d said (She didn’t deserve it, didn’t deserve it)….

An uneasy feeling in her heart, her gaze still flickered, anywhere but his eyes. A tall tree, wilted flowers, acorns laying across the path. That small pile of stones. One for Muscles, one for Bones, one for Daniel, and….

“Who’s the fourth stone for?” The question felt heavy on her tongue.

“What?” The boy blinked, as if startled by the question.

“The fourth stone.” She bit her lip. “You said it wasn’t for me so who….”

The question lingered in the air for a long moment. Then… “It’s for me.” He swallowed. “That one’s for me.”

For him…. Dani’s heart sank like a stone at the words. “Why?” She hardly dared to ask.

A pause, the body beside her tensed. Then he sat up more fully. “Just after the fusion was… hard. So freaking hard. I had these two different sets of memories. The fire and the shrinking powers were totally out of control and… I was angry. So freaking angry this happened to me. I was scared too. I didn’t really know what was going on. It’s like…” He sucked in a breath. “I woke up one day and I was a completely different person.” A shake of the head. “No, that’s not really right either.” His knees pulled to his chest. “It’s like… I wasn’t really Danny anymore and I wasn’t Tiny either. But I was. I was both of them. I didn’t know who I really was. Or who I was supposed to be. Was I supposed to just be Danny? But I couldn’t be. Sometimes, I felt like I was two different people, not just one person. But I’m still, somehow, just me…” He trailed off.

Dani looked up, eyes falling on his face. The distant green eyes, furrowed brow….

The girl swallowed. “But still… why the rock?”

His eyes closed. “I needed to mourn myself, Dani. I’m not…” He sighed. “I’m not the person I was before. The fusion happened and I’m not the person, er… the people I would have been if it hadn’t. I’m not really Danny… And I’m not really Dami either.”

This… this was what had been filling her mind with dread before. What she’d… what she’d been choosing to ignore.

Dani looked into the neon green eyes, eyes that she had known so well. They looked like Tiny’s. She could picture them, shining up at her with admiration. That expression was so different now. The thought made her heart ache, grief and anger stabbing at her. She missed the quiet companionship, the simple curiosity. Her core ached. That quiet little brother, he was… he was…. (gone).

And yet…

“Sorry.” His hand gently rested on her arm. “I know that probably doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s heavy but you deserve to hear it.”

And yet… Dani had spent a week with his boy. They’d joked and played. He’d taught her things, bought her presents, made her meals. And…his arms hugging her earlier, the gentle voice muttering comforts in her ears…..

“I’m different from before.” He continued, eyes growing wider, more insistent. “Danny and Dami are both part of me but I’m not really either of them. I’m my own person. Their legacy, that’s how I explained it to Jazz. But I’m still your brother.”

He wasn’t the brother she had known but…

“I know I’m not the Tiny you remember but-”

“I love you.” She interrupted, finally meeting his eyes. He was different but she still knew him. She knew he loved her. And… “I love you.” The insistent, purposeful words.

Her brother’s mouth snapped shut, his forehead wrinkling. But before he could voice question (or doubt)....

“I didn’t really get what you were talking about earlier, the first time you explained stuff. Or maybe I was ignoring it.” Dani shook her head, frowning at herself. “But I get it more now. I know you’re different.” There was no accusation there, nor disappointment . “And I love you.” Just tender acceptance.

Dami’s…. Danny’s expression relaxed, a tentative hope. “You really… mean that?”

“You’re my brother, no matter what.” The girl nodded, eyes wide and earnest. “Of course I love you.”

Still, there was just a hint of doubt there, lingering in his gaze.

“I spent the whole week with you.” Dani continued. “Yeah, I saw how you’re different now. You’re barely like how Tiny was at Vlad’s. And the Danny part….” She bit her lip, more unsure. She’d called him Danny Phantom at the mall, seen him act the hero in ghost fights, seen his love of the stars. And yet….

The girl blinked, a realization hitting her. “I spent a lotta time with you now, but…” Before she’d come here, before the fusion even…. “I never really knew you, Danny you, before.” There was almost… relief in that idea. “Before that day at Vlad's, when I helped kidnap him… you…” That look of betrayal flashed in her mind but she pushed it down. “I didn’t know you. Vlad told me things but… I didn’t really know you.”

Her brow furrowed, stewing on the idea. The other half ghosts’ brow did too, bunched up in confused contemplation. And yet… he didn’t say anything. Dani felt her heart squeeze, affectionate. He was being so patient, letting her quietly put her thoughts together.

Finally….

“What I think I’m trying to say is… I never really knew Danny-you before. I knew Tiny and you’re really different from him. But…” She leaned, her shoulder bumping his. “I’ve been getting to know you. And I don’t know what parts are from Danny and which are Dami. But I know you’re fun to play with. You’re a good listener. You give the best hugs. You made me breakfast this morning and let me wear your old clothes. You care about me. You love me and….” Her arms wrapped around his back. “I love you too. All of you.”

“Oh, Danielle…..” The words shone with affection, the boy wrapping his own arms around her.

“I love being your baby sister, Danny.”

And that was the last thing. She’d been calling him Dami all week, her clone brother’s chosen name. But he was also called Danny. By his older sister, his friends. That was the name taped to his door, on the trophies in his room, written in the tags of his old clothes. He was Danny and he was Dami.

Dani didn’t understand how he could be both of them, but also somehow neither. Also somehow his own person, someone new. But she did know whoever he was, this person holding her… his name was Dami and it was Danny and he was her big brother. He was her big brother. She was his little sister and she loved him.

“I’m so happy to hear that.” Danny said, softly, lovingly. “I love being your big brother too.”

After a long moment, the pair pulled back. The boy smiled. “I’m really relieved to hear all that.” His hand rubbed the back of his neck, a tad sheepish. “I was afraid I was going to have to really push the idea sooner rather than later.” He lowered his hand, more earnest. “But I really wanted to give you time to come around on your own.

For a moment, Dani felt a flash of guilt but… “Thank you for giving me time.” She sighed. “This… everything’s been a lot since I came here. Some of it’s been hard, having to face things. But thanks for talking to me and… “ She looked at the pile of stones. “Thanks for taking me here.”

“You deserved to get to see it too.” The arm still wrapped around her back squeezed. “Crying for our brothers is no fun but I’m glad we were here together for it.”

Wordlessly, Dani met his eyes. She nodded. “I’m happy we’re both here too.”

With his own nod, Danny reached for his bag. “Do you want to light the candles? I’ve got a lighter in here-” He cut himself off, looking back at her. He blinked, brow furrowed. “You’re the same height as me.” His gaze flickered to his hands. “Did I shrink again?”

The bemused reaction chipped at the sadness encircling Dani’s core. “Yeah. I guess neither of us noticed?”

Her eyes traveled up and down him. Sure enough, he was shorter, seemingly the same height as her, hence them being eye to eye when sitting. Their proportions and ages still were different though. Dani was as baby-faced as ever while her brother still looked sixteen, strengthening jaw, gangly limbs stretched by his growth spurt, and all. Closer to her four feet and eight inches, compared to his former five feet ten inches. (Out of curiosity, Jazz had measured each of them this week.)

“How did neither of us notice!?” He raised a brow.

Dani raised her own brow, then shrugged. “We were kinda distracted.” She smiled softly, a hint of humor entering her voice. “I think I like you being me-sized.”

The boy rolled his eyes. “Guess I won’t shift back yet, then.”

“You better not.” She faux-threatened, eyes narrowed.

In all seriousness though, there was something special about sitting side by side with him, truly eye to eye. It made her happy to see him use his size-changing power again. That was something truly of Tiny. And his comment, about the power being all out of wack right after the fusion….

Earlier, he’d talked about all the complicated things he felt right after coming back from Vlad’s. Feeling out of place, like he didn’t know who he was…. And now, sitting eye to eye, the reminder tugged at her heart. He understood how she felt, what it was to not know who you were, who you were supposed to be, who you wanted to be.

The thought made her sad again, her eyes drawn to the flickering flame of the first lit candle.

“Do you want to say something about our brothers?” Danny quietly asked.

“Yeah. I… I do.”

#Danny Phantom #my fic #(Not) Alone #invisobang 2023 #Invisobang

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just-sp-in-inginthevoid · 1 year

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(@raizelswitch (I hope I don't bother you))

Well would you look at that, yet another thing I forgot about Yuzuha's flashback (AND I DEFINITELY SHOULDN’T HAVE I should've reread the entire chapter the first time):

Wakui... doesn't give us informations on things we don't need to know (where is Mitsuya's dad ? How did Baji's mother handled Baji’s death (definitely badly but how)?...) and some people disagree with me on my interpretation of the Shiba family. And. Yeah. We can also find other reasons why Taiju is Taiju and all, my reading can be wrong and flawed and there might be other plausible reasonings because nothing I’ve written has been said by Wakui himself

Thing is, if their father was only neglectful while not wanting to be but still having to work – then.. why didn't the Shiba siblings end up like the Mitsuya ? Mitsuya mother is neglectful of her children against her will. She has to work.

And about them having the possibility to live normally despite that - with the Takemichi and the Tachibana I agree. We don't know where Takemichy's parents are but he seems fine about it, like many other Japanese teenagers he lives alone, he probably has a good relationship with his parents even if we never see them and he doesn't think about them before dying as he says himself before getting run over by a train. Naoto doesn't like his father. He works a lot, he's not here often, but Naoto and Hinata have a good relationship, and, they have their mother and their father comes home everyday (i think). The Shiba father doesn't. Takemichi and the Tachibana siblings’ parents were here during their childhood (at least one of them for the Tachibana)

The Mitsuya and the Shiba family are meant to parallel each others (Mitsuya (+Luna and Mana) knows his mother loves him. Yuzuha doesn't think anything of her father (I use this argument quite a lot don't i)) — Mitsuya and Taiju are meant to parallel each others. However while being in almost the exact same position they handled things differently; 1. Both are big brothers of 2 younger siblings BUT the age gap is different 2. Had to take care of those said siblings BUT at different age (I assume Mitsuya started to have to raise Luna and Mana some weeks/months after Mana's birth so he'd have been 9 or 10 whereas Taiju seems to have been 7-8 when his mother died) 3. They both have a parent who's working and who's not home often and the other is nowhere to be seen BUT Mitsuya mother has to, she has three children, four mouths to feed alone and their family is poor, the Shiba family is rich, I doubt their father can't just stop working if he wants (maybe not, but you get the point)

Yuzuha's father didn't ever hire someone to take care of his children (who must have been like 5, 6 and 7 when their mother died). Mitsuya's mother didn't too, but the Mitsuya are poor. Mitsuya started to sew because Luna and Mana didn't have stuffed toys. The Shiba are wealthy, this man has no excuse for 1. not come home often 2. letting his children to live by themselves when they were children. Because if he was only not there when they were teenagers, that could have been okay (like with Takemichi), I probably wouldn’t have made the hypothesis of him being as awful as Kazutora’s father but this man wasn’t even living with his children when his wife was at the hospital

And (coming back to the manga page) there you have Yuzuha saying she'll protect Hakkai right after Taiju beat him up, protect him the same way their mother did

Then again, there's still the problem of when does their father finds the time to be physically abusive if he's so absent Yuzuha doesn't have an opinion about him

I need to reread the whole arc and make a post that regroups all of my ideas because I've forgotten a lot of things the first time damn

Edit: Here's the post

#this is probably one of the 'headcanon' (idk how to call it) i would never let go off #i know its never said explicitly #i know it can just not be there #for me - and i'll add it in the tags of posts ive made where i didnt specify it was my own interpretation of things -#the father of the shiba family is physically abusive. was at least #do not make you opinion known to me if its different from mine i will cry and go defensive /hj #give as many counterarguments as you want im not changing my mind #tr hcs #tokyo revengers headcanons #shiba family #taiju shiba #yuzuha shiba #hakkai shiba #tok rev #it's not pettiness it just makes more sense to me #and it might not for you #but i love my taiju-repeating-circle-of-abuse-until-he-didnt-and-oh-look-GUILT hc

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i-feel-strange · 1 year

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ATTENTION! In this... Fanfiction? There will be pronouns for leading she/her. Joseph/Jack will be pushy and those who don't like being molested should not read. The action takes place in 1980, before Joseph's death. And there may also be errors in the text, I still use the translator.

(I am a big fan of Leo Tolstoy, so there will be a lot of water here, stock up on life jacket)

Date

As far as you remember, you were friends with Joseph for a little over five months, but this charming gentleman has already asked you on a date several times. You gently and tactfully refused. The actor did not lose his resolve. And now you are already standing at the mirror and picking up a dress for the evening. Red, too bright, this dress is like your grandmother's, this is old, she's been wearing this for a week. You chose a modest, black dress, with gloves, all the same, we are going to a restaurant. I wonder what Joseph will wear?

My God! I didn’t think that sunshine was so easy to agree, she refused me for so long. I already thought about leaving it behind and stop bothering her. I'm about to burst with happiness! That's enough, pull yourself together Joseph Haberday! This date should go well, I've planned everything down to the smallest detail. We go to a restaurant, I hope my sun will not be embarrassed, I want her to remember this evening for a long time. A cozy room, with walls hung with paintings, spacious and bright, without insane prices, but true products. I would like to pay the bill in full, but if my ray of light wants, she can pay herself. I booked a table away from everyone, in the corner of the room so that no one would disturb us. Should I send flowers? Or a gift? No, it will be too much. Where are the cigarettes? Better smoke now, I hope I still have perfume left. I often smell of smoke, but the sunshine always smells perfect. When I arrive in the dressing room after rehearsal, my sun is already there and waiting for me. I sit down on a chair, and her light and gentle hands correct my makeup. I try not to stare at her body, but it's pretty hard.Once I was already caught red-handed, it was pretty embarrassing. We can talk for hours non-stop, somehow we started talking about films, we have the same taste, she told me about the recently released thriller, but I didn’t really listen to her. It was more interesting to watch her facial expressions, hands with which she "explained" the film in parallel, how she moves from side to side, captured by the story about maniacs. The most attractive thing was to look at her lips. Damn, when will I ever get a chance to get her a kiss. Each time she uses different lipsticks, mostly delicate and pearlescent shades. I wonder if she will choose a smoky rose or burgundy for a date? What time is it now?

Fuck, it's almost eight o'clock!

I hastily selected a plain white shirt and a black vest, with slightly visible vertical stripes. Black tie, black trousers, everything is strictly and ironed.

20:00. Restaurant "Parlaur"

Surprisingly, I was not late, but the sun lingers. Maybe something happened? Or is she... No, no. She can't do that, my sunshine wouldn't do that, right?

Ha ha ha, shit. Joseph has probably been waiting for you for a fucking hour. How could you fall asleep before such an exciting event, and Joseph told you to rest more. It's all from lack of sleep. That bucket of bolts can't move faster?! Finally! Are you here. And he's here too. Phew, thank God. It stands alone, like a beaten puppy. Damn, how do you go now? Okay, good boobs knead, you need to approach confidently and apologize for being late.

- Hey... Hey...I'm sorry I'm late, I-

- Sun, finally! Are you all right? Nothing happened? I was so worried! What happened?

He, like a caring folder, took your face in his hands and began to examine me. You took his wrists and tried to stop the flow of his incoherent words.

- Calm down Joseph! Everything is fine with me! We still have time to go to the restaurant, right?

He shook his head positively. He smiled softly and held out his hand to you. Your hand looked like a puppet in comparison to his. The gentle giant gently squeezed your hand in his and directed your duet to the restaurant. The place was amazing! You sat down at a table away from everyone, a little strange, but not important. You made an order and discussed all possible topics. The conversation did not last too long, your order was submitted. The dishes were wonderful, they recaptured their cost. Joseph, of course, offered to pay for everything, but you chose to split the bill in half. Time seemed to fly by and you both lacked some two hours! The young actor suggested that you go to the park, where there is a bridge that crosses a small river. The square was full of trees of different varieties. The moon shone through the branches, but the main source of light was the lanterns. Appearing at the bridge, both of you leaned on the stone indent and watched the river flow quietly. Your conversation has subsided a bit. You moved on to a more soulful discussion, which was accompanied by whispers.

- Actually, I'm very selfish. I've been climbing to you with this date for so long. I want to say I'm sorry you had to come with me...

-What are you, Joseph? This evening was wonderful! I'm glad you invited me, thank you very much. I wouldn't even mind going again.

You said the last sentence a little quieter, but he still caught your sweet words.

-Truth!? Is this an invitation?

-I think yes. I invite you on a date Joseph.

-Hmm. I don’t even know, I have so many things to do, all in worries.

He said it jokingly. You pushed him on the shoulder. Your laughter echoed throughout the garden. As the chuckles began to fade, you noticed him approaching you. Quietly and timidly, trying to test the waters, trying not to scare you. You did not resist and gave it to big, but such native hands to embrace you. You felt how his heart beats, how his chest rises and falls, how his perfume smells, and how tightly he presses you to his body, afraid to let go. You pulled away, Joseph was scared and pressed you harder, but you were not going to leave. Holding out your hands, you brought the clown's face closer to yours. He doesn't seem to be moving away, but you asked him before.

-May I..

-Of course sunshine, I beg you... Kiss me.

You immediately merged into a soft kiss.

-I love you Joseph...

-I love you too (Y/N)

You had to stand on your toes. Joseph did you a favor and lifted you up. His lips devoured yours and asked for more. You gave permission and the kiss got a little hungry and desperate? Kissing became more passionate and aggressive. Joseph moved from your lips to your neck. The kisses were frequent and with some pressure.In interruptions, he asked you. His hands wandered along your body. You were like prey in the hands of a predator.

-(Y/N), please, I've dreamed about this for so long.

He breathed loudly into your neck.

You pulled back a little, but you wanted the same thing.

-Joseph, someone can see us! Not here.

His low, needy moan was drowned out by your chest.

- There should be a hotel not far away, let's go there.

- As you wish sun.

Before leaving, he poured his lips into yours, as if to say that this will not end there.

The night was long and very passionate. Joseph impatiently hid clothes from you and casually threw them anywhere. He didn't want to let you go for so long. Called you the love of my life, promised never to leave you and take care of you. He seemed so insatiable, but you even liked it.

When you woke up in the morning, you went home and met again at work.

There was a 20-minute break and Joseph, as usual, went into the dressing room. It was surprisingly quiet. But when you finished with makeup, he asked:

- So... Umm.. Are we together now?

- I would like to continue, I would like to be with you together.

-I also want this.

He quietly approached your lips and gave a short kiss.

I hope our next date will be very soon.

- And you won't have time to blink an eye, as you will be in my bed.

He laughed slightly.

- Can't wait like that anymore?

#joseph haberdae #something wrong with sunny day jack #sunny day jack #sunny day jack shaun #swwsdj

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damnredthing · 2 years

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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

I think now that the movie has been out for almost a week, it’s safe to post this. Nevertheless, this post contains SPOILERS. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and don’t want to read spoilers, please do not read any further.

Considering what my blog is about, it is pretty obvious that this post will be focused on Anson Mount reprising his role as Black Bolt.

However, I’d like to say how much I enjoyed the movie regardless of Black Bolt’s cameo. I would have watched it anyways, just as I watched a bunch of other Marvel movies before.

I do not claim in the slightest to be a Marvel expert. I do not know most about the continuity and canon of the Marvel universe(s). What I know is that the “main” Earth/Universe is 616, which is where the movie starts off.

Before the movie release there was already a lot of speculation going on whether a) Black Bolt would make his return and b) who would play him. For a long time I thought both rumors were just well placed publicity stunts (because unlike Paramount, Disney and Marvel DO know how to create fan interest). I just couldn’t imagine Anson playing Black Bolt again after the Inhumans show bombed so badly and the critics were devastating. I also remember a Tweet from Anson in which he pretty much hinted that he’s done with this role.

But on the other side, fans and critics for the most part didn’t blame the actors for the failure, especially Anson was often praised as having been the only highlight of the show. So, when the rumors about him showing up in DS2 again startet, most fans were not dismissive.

However, I still couldn’t believe it. Until I saw it.

My jaw literally dropped. He really did it. I am not sure why, but he really did it! And he showed up in a full comic accurate suit. I have read many of BB’s comics by now and I have to say I love the level of detail of the suit in the movie. It even had the wings and the tuning fork (which Strange makes fun of, as well as of BB’s full name). And can I say just how super fit Anson looks in the suit? It was like a second skin and oh man, so so fine! The only very minor thing I was not sure about was the chin piece which BB usually doesn’t have in the comics. But it also didn’t bother me much.

If my eyes didn’t betray me, I think BB even had 2 different versions of the suit in the movie, one with the bolts highlighted and one without highlights.

BB’s death was brutal. I am not the only one who is upset that Reed Richards literally threw BB under the bus by telling Wanda what his superpower was. I mean, isn’t Reed supposed to be the smartest person in the universe?

But okay, I get it that the cameo was most and foremost fan service. And as it looks like, it worked out nicely. Since Anson showed up in DS2, it’s become a lot more challenging to filter Twitter posts, news and Youtube videos to find the Star Trek content. There is so much Marvel stuff showing up now. People are discussing what the return of BB means for the MCU. All this buzz and the parallel premiere of SNW boosted Anson up in the IMDB Starmeter to no. 15 in the week after both releases.

But what does it mean for the MCU?

The most precise answer would be I guess everything and nothing. Marvel Studios are known for not revealing key appearances until the release (but spreading rumors just before the release to increase publicity). And right now, with all the SNW promotion going on, Anson is very tight lipped (no pun intended!) on Marvel. Until he will finally open up about his appearance, we won’t learn about his motivation to be in DS2 and his and BB’s future in the MCU (which - if there is a future for him in the MCU - Anson would not talk about anyways due to the NDA).

Nevertheless, the fans already started to speculate.

Theory 1 – Feige showed his distaste for Inhumans by having BB killed so easily

Some critics and fans claim to know that Feige absolutely hates the Inhumans and especially the ABC adaption in their failed show. With bringing Black Bolt to DS2 and killing him off so easily and brutally, Feige cemented the end of this character and the Inhumans once and for all.

My take on this: I don’t think this is the case. Before ABC snatched the rights to the Inhumans, Marvel Studios actually had an Inhumans movie planned for phase 3 of the MCU. The plans then got delayed several times when (from what I heard) Spiderman could be redeemed for the MCU and later Disney removed the release date for the Inhumans movie altogether to make place for other, more known Disney productions. However, to my knowledge Feige never stated that he lost interest in the project. He still hoped for a delayed release.

The property on Inhumans was then transferred to Marvel Television and out of Feige’s reach. What then followed was the infamous TV show that bombed so badly.

Feige could have just leave it at that and never mention Black Bolt again. But he did not. He decided to redeem BB in DS2. Why though?

If Feige really wanted to end this character once and for all, he would have killed him off in universe 616 and not in the universe 838. Actually, we don’t even know if the Inhumans show is considered canon. And if it is, in which universe?

And also, would Anson do this to himself? Would he do a cameo in which his character gets killed off due to the producer hating him? I have my issues believing this (unless Anson was kept in the dark about Feige's real intentions).

Theory 2 – Feige wanted to show ABC and the fans how Black Bolt SHOULD have been done

There are many critics about the TV show, but two that stand out are that BB’s appearance was just cheesy, having him wear human clothes and just hinting at his suit with the leather jacket (which actually was also done in comics btw!). The other is that BB was nerfed way too much and under normal circumstances the cops could never have arrested a superhero like BB. (On a side note: After reading a bunch of comics in which BB repeatedly gets captured and having his powers either subdued or abused, I do challenge this argument. Also, BB has been captured before not by being overpowered, but because he made the choice to prevent others from being harmed, just as when he surrendered to Lash to protect Blinky.)

In this theory fans claim that Feige wanted to demonstrate how Black Bolt should have been done, meaning as a full accurate comic version and with his powers displayed correctly (which we DO get to see in a flashback sequence in DS2).

This theory also claims that Feige wanted to give a nod to Anson for his dedication to the role (Anson developed his own sign language and admitted multiple times how much he loved the character) and as such, wanted to give him the opportunity to reprise his role, but this time within MCU and comic accurate.

My take on this: Quite possible! But then again, what a waste if we never gonna see the character again? Why of all the possible characters, they chose to bring the Illuminati. Why of all the characters, they chose to bring one of the lesser known? While this theory is likely, I still cannot shake off the feeling there is more behind this. Especially because BB was not killed off in the main universe 616. There has to be a reason behind this. Especially as BB was added way late in the production in reshoots (if rumors are true).

Does this mean we’ll get to see Black Bolt again for sure? Nope. But it means the character is now in the MCU repertoire.

Theory 3 – The cameo is a billboard for later projects to come

Black Bolt got his cameo in a blockbuster movie because he will appear in later projects for Phase 4. Or Marvel Studios placed the cameo in the movie to test out fan reactions to decide later whether they will give BB a future in the MCU.

My take on this: I hope this is true!

Will Anson play Black Bolt? I hope so! But I have my doubts. Anson is very busy with Star Trek and could only work on other projects during his off season, which would probably be from September to January. Would be enough time to work for Marvel, but I suppose the man wants some off time and spend some time with his family, too! Not to mention the potential conflicts this might cause with having to major competing companies involved, which are Paramount and Disney.

But it is possible. It is also possible that some other actor will play Black Bolt. We all know Vin Diesel pitched for the role but really… just because BB wears a hood doesn’t mean he doesn’t have hair! Read the comics. He does have hair! In later comics he is even shown without his suit but in a more casual attire.

And in many comics he looks so much like Anson that it feels like the role was made for him. All this, plus Black Bolt is very fit, which Anson is as well… unlike um… okay lets stop here.

Either way, what projects could involve BB? There is Ms. Marvel for once, who in the comics was the Inhuman Kamala Khan to be later named Ms. Marvel. It’s not clear whether Ms. Marvel has the same powers in the MCU as in the comics, there are rumors she might be different in the MCU. But if she may still keep her Inhumans background, a BB cameo would be possible. The miniseries is about to start on Disney+ already in June or July this year (I’d have to look it up). If BB was part of that (which I don’t think he is), filming was already done long ago.

The other project that SHOULD have Black Bolt, if it is close to the comics (which MCU admittedly doesn’t feel bound to to), is Secret Invasion, which will also premiere on Disney+ later this year. So, filming for that also must have been completed long ago. Black Bolt has a significant part in the Secret Invasion comic series with the Skrull showing… let’s just say… great interest in his powers. If he’s not in the TV show it would disappoint me. How are the chances Anson would play BB? Admittedly slim, because the show was mainly filmed in England and I haven’t heard of Anson spending time there. However, filming was later moved to Canada, so who knows?

My overall guess

DS2 was the only time we have seen Anson as Black Bolt in the MCU simply because he is too busy with Star Trek. But it is not the last time we’ve seen Black Bolt in the MCU. I think bringing BB in Universe 838 was a thank you by Feige for Anson’s dedication. But for the main universe 616 they will likely bring another actor which is possible with the whole multiverse set-up, as we have seen with Reed Richards and Spiderman.

I would not mind if I am wrong with my guess though. I wouldn’t mind at all!

But that would be super crazy for Anson to be in two huge franchises at the same time.

I guess time will tell.

#anson mount #black bolt #doctor strange spoilers #multiverse of madness spoilers #mcu #marvel studios

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the-bookie-monster-ph · 2 years

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Carry On, Simon Snow 1, Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis:

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

Review:

I wanted to try to collect my thoughts before writing up this review but then we might be waiting weeks because I don’t think I’ll be able to calm down for another month at least. I honestly have no idea why I loved this book so much but it had so many great elements that I loved, including a swoon-worthy romance. MY HEART. BE STILL. This will probably just be a fangirly rant more than a review.

Carry On is Rainbow Rowell’s take on the Simon Snow series that was introduced in Fangirl. It’s important to note that this isn’t Cath’s Simon Snow fanfiction and it’s also not the ‘canon’ Simon Snow either, so you absolutely don’t need to read Fangirl before reading Carry On! I have to admit that the Simon Snow sections in Fangirl were actually my least favorite bits in that novel and I only skimmed quickly through those parts, because I wanted to get back to Cath and Levi’s story. But even though I didn’t love Simon and Baz (or didn’t read enough to love them) in Fangirl, I’m a total convert and they might even be my OTP of the year. And I’m probably now going to reread Cath’s SnowBaz fanfiction because I need more!

This is a fantasy story that almost reads like a contemporary. It’s set in our modern world and there are lots of pop culture references and things that I could relate to. It just felt like a very contemporary and fresh take on fantasy. There are lots of great messages about diversity right from the beginning and I really appreciated that.

I absolutely loved the world in this book. Initially, I drew lots of Harry Potter parallels but I soon started forgetting about Harry Potter because the Simon Snow world is so different and fascinating. I also didn’t mind its similarities to Harry Potter either, because it gave me something to latch on to at the beginning when the story was a little bit slow. Most of the world building happens during the first section of the book and even though nothing much happens plotwise, I had a great time learning about the world and the magic system. I thought the concept behind the magic system was wonderful – that the words they use are so important. I absolutely loved the magic spells that they used and that they can create new spells by putting conviction and magic into random phrases.

My favorite aspect of Carry On were definitely the characters. I’ve read all of Rainbow’s books, except Eleanor and Park, and I’m always astounded by how wonderful and relatable her characters are. I was obsessed with Baz from pretty much the very first mention of him. It’s no secret that Draco Malfoy is my favorite Harry Potter character and Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch is the rich, snobby, sneering Simon Snow equivalent. I loved him so, so much and he didn’t even make an appearance until Part 2 of the novel! I feel like I spent the first part of the book waiting for Baz and when he did finally appear, it was glorious.

I also loved Simon and his voice really carried through and affected me a lot. He was so sassy and snarky. I loved him! He’s been given this massive burden and he just wants to help, but most of the time he just ends up destroying everything in his vicinity. He’s a bit of a disaster but he’s the most adorable and funny disaster ever. I loved his relationship with Baz (of course) and I wish we’d gotten to see them together a lot sooner because I need so much more SnowBaz. Every single moment they were together, my heart was being squeezed in my chest and I was flailing around on my bed. I felt like I was falling in love right there with them. I also really enjoyed Simon’s relationship with his best friend, Penny. She was very supportive of him and always had his back and I loved reading about their friendship. The only character that I did not like at all was Agatha and I wished that she wasn’t in the book at all. But we can’t always have what we want, and we’ve been given so much SnowBaz that I really can’t complain. Except I want another SnowBaz novel… it doesn’t even need to have a plot. I just want to fangirl over them a little bit more.

I thought the plot of the book was amazing. Carry On kept me theorizing about what was going to happen next throughout the whole book. There are definitely some things that we’ve seen before in fantasy novels but everything worked so well together that I didn’t mind at all. Plus there were so many surprising and hilarious moments and I loved every single one of those. This book just blew my mind and exceeded all of my expectations. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

#carry on #simon snow #rainbow rowell

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nebulablakemurphy · 2 years

Text

Before You (Part 5)

Summary: Lexi’s play brings Rue, Y/N, Elliot & Jules to the same room. Nate makes good on his promise. Everyone faces the consequences of their actions. Companion series to Because Of You.

Trigger Warning: This series contains explicit language, mentions of drug use/dealing, domestic disputes & mentions of sex. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental illness/addiction please reach out to a professional for help. 💜

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

“Hey Rue.” Y/N taps her knuckles against the doorframe.

“Hey,” Rue smiles, she looks…happy.

Y/N knows that everything was worth it. Everything she has done and will do is worth it to see Rue just like this.

“How are you?” Y/N takes a step into her bedroom.

“I’m good.” Rue tells her. “Better now.”

“Good.” Y/N feels the corners of her mouth turn upward.

“Do you wanna go to Lexi’s play with me next week?” Rue asks, toying with the ring on her pointer finger.

“Sure.”

“Cool,” Rue grins.

“Yeah.” This feels different. Different than pining after Rue. Different than being there for support. Different than being just friends.

———————————————————————

“So, now that we’ve almost hit goal, do you still want the rest of that suitcase?” Y/N asks Elliot. He’s sitting at the end of his bed, fingers fiddling with the strings of his guitar.

“That was my sign on bonus, remember?” He lays the instrument aside, giving Y/N his full attention. “Don’t tell me you’re not gonna pay up.”

“No I am,” she assures him. “I for sure am…if that’s still what you want.”

Elliot makes a face at her. “Is the part where you ask me to stop doing drugs?”

“Would that really be such a bad thing?”

His eyes find Y/N’s, “tell me why it bothers you so much.”

“Because I worry about you.”

Elliot sighs, “don’t fucking do this to me.”

“Don’t do what?” Y/N’s brows furrow.

“Are you and Rue together?”

“I’m committed to Rue and she’s committed to me.”

“You think she’s completely over Jules then?”

Y/N shakes her head. “I think there’s people that you never really ‘get over.’ I mean you move on, but you always have a place for them. Rue and I are working toward being together but…separate for now. Friends though.”

“That why you don’t mess with Fezco anymore?”

“Part of it,” she shrugs. “He’s been talking to somebody for a while. I think he really likes her.”

“But that doesn’t hurt your feelings?” Elliot is fishing for something.

No. “I was never in love with Fez. I love him a lot though. I want him to be happy.”

“Are you happy?” He asks, tapping his fingers against the bedspread.

“Are you?”

“Not really.”

“Why not?”

Elliot takes a deep breath, “I have feelings for someone that I haven’t been completely honest with. I just said whatever I needed to say to keep her close to me.”

“Does she know that?” Y/N wonders.

“Doesn’t matter,” Elliot says dismissively.

“What if it does?”

“I’m not ready to put her before me.” If he’s being honest that’s why everything is a mess right now. He isn’t ready to put anyone before himself. Like someday, just not yet. “I’m not ready to stop doing drugs. She isn’t the type of girl who’s gonna wait for me.”

“Did you ask?”

“I wouldn’t do that to her.” It’s not fair.

“Kinda sounds like putting her before you.”

“Maybe.” In a round about way.

“Just to be clear, she is me, right?”

Elliot huffs a laugh, “yeah.”

“I would wait for you if-”

“Parallel universe?” He suggests.

“I was gonna say different circumstances,” Y/N lifts a shoulder, “but yeah. That works too.”

“I think,” Elliot presses his thumb down on a tiny circular pill to crush it, “even in a parallel universe.” He lines it up and inhales deeply, allowing the powder to fill his nostrils and numb his senses, “I would never get over you.”

“If I say it back does that make me a terrible person?”

“Do you think Rue is a terrible person?” He holds her gaze. “I mean how much of her relationship with Jules overlapped with her relationship with you? How much of their relationship crossed into your relationship with Jules? Or my relationship with Jules? Or you and Rue? Either all of us are terrible or none of us are. Anyway you spin it, we all did this. Not just you, me or them.”

Y/N nods, “Lexi’s play is tonight. You should come.”

“I don’t know if I’m really a play person.” Elliot presses his lips together.

Y/N half smiles.

“And it might be extremely awkward with the four of us in the same room.” He points out.

“Extremely awkward seems harsh. I’d say mild to moderate awkwardness.”

“Rue stopped by the other day, I sang her like a five minute song.”

“Five minutes?” That’s one hell of an apology.

“I was trippin’.” He chuckles. “But I genuinely do like Rue. And you obviously. I hope someday we can be friends.”

“I thought we were friends.” Y/N cocks her head to the side.

Elliot smiles, then clears his throat. “I hope we can be better friends.” Now if he could just talk to fucking Jules…

———————————————————————

Y/N has one last stop to make before meeting Rue at the play. “Fez, are you in here?”

“Yeah girl, I’m getting ready for Lexi’s play. What’s goin’ on?” He calls, meeting her in the hallway.

“Wow, suit and tie.” Y/N can hardly believe her eyes. “You look great!”

Fez holds out his arms, doing a slow turn around. “You think so?”

“I do,” she nods. “I just dropped by for the suitcase. It’s on it’s way to a new home.”

The corners of Fez’s mouth quirk up in a grin. “I knew I didn’t have to worry ‘bout you.”

“Again, I wanna say thank you for everything.”

“Come here.” Fez isn’t a hugger, but this is a special occasion. “You’re my family, girl. I got you, always.”

“I got you too.” Y/N breathes, as they break apart. “Hey, uh…did anything ever happen with Nate and his ‘information?’”

“Nah.”

“Is something wrong?” Feels like it.

Fez taps her chin. “I’ll see you there.”

———————————————————————

Lexi’s play, for all its messiness, is actually kinda beautiful. Lexi saw a lot of things Y/N didn’t. About Rue, about the world and their lives.

Y/N sneaks a peek at Rue, who meets her eyes with a smile. She wants to stay in this moment forever, she wishes Rue could stay this happy.

Even Cassie’s outburst and Nate storming out doesn’t kill her vibe. Rue just starts chanting for Lexi, and so does everyone else.

Y/N feels her phone buzz three times, electing to ignore it until it goes off a fourth, she reaches into her back pocket.

‘I hope you’re enjoying the show.’

‘It’s too bad Fezco isn’t here.”

‘Good thing you are.’

‘I’d hate for you to get hurt.’

“Did something happen?” Rue yells into Y/N’s ear over the roar of the crowd.

“No,” she lies, giving Rue’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll be right back ok?”

Rue nods, brown eyes searching Y/N’s.

Y/N moves to stand, slipping quietly out of the auditorium. Calling Fez’s phone, straight to voicemail. “Come on, Fez.” She tries again.

“Bathroom break?” Elliot’s voice causes her to jump.

“You fucking scared me.” Y/N puts a hand to her heart.

“Where are you going?” He asks, jogging to keep up with her.

“Fezco’s.”

“Did something happened?” Elliot catches her elbow.

“I don’t know.” Y/N frowns. “Nate is texting me all this crazy shit and Fezco’s phone is off. I don’t know what’s going on, but I have to go.”

“Want a ride?”

Y/N nods.

Elliot drives in silence, what can he say? Nothing to make it any better.

“Turn right after the light and-” oh fuck.

“Shit,” Elliot squints at the flashing red and blue lights.

Fez is bleeding, being walked by two officers into one of the police cars.

A second vehicle is there, waiting to receive the stretcher wheeling a body bag.

Caution tape is reeled out across the lawn.

Knock, knock, at the window let’s them know they haven’t gone unnoticed. “Move along, this is an open investigation.”

“That’s my friend.” Y/N tells him.

“You need to vacate the area, unless you’d like to join him.” The officer says.

Elliot looks to Y/N.

“Let’s go,” she sighs. Can’t help Fezco if they’re locked up with him. She needs to get back to Rue, make some kind of plan.

———————————————————————

She doesn’t make it before the end of the play, the crowd of people flooding out of the auditorium doors tells her that. Elliot waits in the car, he offered her and Rue a ride home. If they’re going to try the whole ‘friend’ thing maybe this is a start.

“Excuse me,” Y/N says, shuffling through the outpour of her classmates to get back to where they were sitting. No Rue. “Jules.”

The blonde swipes beneath her eyes, flicking away traitorous tears. “Yeah.”

“Where’s Rue?” Y/N asks.

“She left.”

“Did you fight or something?”

“No,” Jules looks down at her hands.

Y/N sighs, plopping into the seat beside her.

Jules won’t meet her eyes.

“Fezco just got arrested. There was a body bag that I’m pretty sure has his kid brother inside. I think um…I think he might get locked up for the rest of his life. And I owe a dealer a bunch of money. I’ve been lying to everyone for the past month because I’ve been pedaling drugs with Elliot.” Y/N confesses, she can’t hold it in anymore.

Jules turns to her with misty eyes. “Is there anything I can do?”

“My life has gone to shit…and I really need my best friend.”

Jules reaches for her hand. “I’m sorry.” Sorry for betraying her trust. Sorry for being with Rue even though she knew it would hurt Y/N. Sorry for hurting Rue. Sorry for not being there.

“Me too.” Y/N admits, their heads clunking together as they both lean in.

“Ow,” Jules laughs. Pulling away to rub the sore spot on Y/N’s scalp.

“I need to find Rue.”

“Should I like,” Jules shifts uncomfortably, “do you want me to come with you?”

“I do.” Y/N decides.

“Come on.” Jules stands first, offering Y/N her hand.

The Y/H/C girl takes it. Making their way back to Elliot together.

He pops his head out the open car window. “Where’s Rue?”

“I don’t know, I’m calling her.” Y/N lets Jules take shot gun.

Elliot sits tight, “hey Jules.”

“Hey.”

“How are you?”

“I’m ok.”

Y/N doesn’t hear the rest of whatever the fuck, awkward rekindling they’re having. Because just as she’s about to dial Rue a second time, her name pops up as an incoming call. “Rue?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Rue says, immediately.

“Ok, yeah. Tell me.” Y/N pulls the seat belt across her torso, snapping it in place.

“I took a bunch of drugs from a dealer. I told her I could turn them…but I didn’t.”

“Rue-”

“Please listen.” Rue takes a deep breath. “I was going to finish what was left and then,” she breaks off. “Well you know.”

“Where are you right now?” Y/N taps Elliot’s shoulder, they need to move.

“Honestly, I didn’t plan on being here this long. But since I do now, I have to take care of this before it gets worse.”

“Rue,” Y/N’s voice breaks over the word. “Where are you?”

“I’m really sorry I dragged you into this.” Rue apologizes.

“I don’t give a shit about that,” Y/N can hardly breathe. “Just tell where you are. I’m coming to get you.”

“I know what you did.” There is no anger in Rue’s voice. “Nate told me about you and Elliot and the parties. I never wanted you to do that. This is my mess.”

“Please, we can talk about this.”

“I know you don’t have the money, Y/N.”

“No, I do.” Y/N argues, “I promise.”

“You would say anything to talk me out of what I’m about to do. I love you for that.” Rue pauses, “but that’s why I don’t believe you.”

———————————————————————

“Well?” Sawyer waits on pins and needles for her mother to finish the story.

“Well what?” Rue asks.

“You can’t leave me hanging.” Sawyer protests, it’s just getting good.

“Yes, I can. You’ve got school in the morning.”

“Ma!”

Y/N chuckles, “that’s mean, Rue.”

“You really want me to finish?” Rue arches a brow. “We’ll be here all night.”

Y/N shrugs, touché, “but to leave her on a cliffhanger-”

“Look everyone survived.” Rue motions to her wife. “Spoiler alert, we’re both standing here.”

“Yeah, how? And what about Fez?”

“That is a story for tomorrow.” Rue and Y/N lean in, sandwiching Sawyer between them. “Goodnight, Sawyer.” Each pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Sawyer can’t help but smile. “Goodnight.”

Part 6

#rue bennett imagine #elliot euphoria #because of you #before you #jules vaughn x reader #jules vaughn imagine #jules euphoria #jules vaughn #rue bennett x y/n #rue euphoria #rue bennett x reader #rue bennett x you #rue bennett #rue bennett fanfic #fezco euphoria #euphoria fanfic #euphoria #elliot imagine #elliot x reader

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beepboop358 · 3 years

Text

Anti-Byler Argument Refuttals

Although I discussed all of this in my Byler Proof master slides post, I wanted to do a separate post specifically just refutting the most common anti-byler arguments.

1. "Mike and El's relationship is too developed" and "They have been through too much together to break up now!"

This is probably the thing I hear the most when people argue that Byler will never happen. The weirdest part of this argument is that people assume that they will never drift apart, and that they will never ever break up, as if we didn't just see them drift apart, break up, and not officially get back together in S3? Yes, they have both been through a significant amount of trauma, but their relationship is not as developed as people think it is, they barely even know each other really. They spent a week together in S1, then El was gone for a year. Mike and El don't reunite until the very end of S2, probably a few days after halloween. If we work out the timeline between Halloween of 1984 and July 4th of 1985 in S3, that's 246 days, so it's actually less than a full year they have spent together, getting to know each other.

The “development” people argue that Mike and El have just doesn't stand up. Mike and El do not have intimate conversations, their conversations are incredibly awkward, and they just kiss frequently in the beginning of S3 before they break up. That's not development. Hopper even refers to their constant kissing as "not normal and not healthy." Mike couldn't tell El he loves her to her face, which is a parallel to the failed relationship of Stancy where Nancy couldn't tell Steve she loved him, and we later find out it's because she doesn't, which all happens during the blank makes you crazy scene that is extremely similar to Robin's coming out scene. And yes, Mike and El have endured a lot of trauma together, but so has the rest of the group and people don't seem to use this argument the same way with the other couples, or between the friendships. History doesn't determine the future if there's no feelings involved, things can always change. This is idea of staying in a relationship where there is no real love but there is history/benefits is hinted at in S3 when Mike dresses almost identically to both of his parents.

2. "Look at how much Mike cares for El! They're in love!"

No, they're not, and how they treat each other proves that they're not. I firmly believe neither Mike nor El is seriously, romantically in love with each other.

If Mike was really deeply, romantically in love with El, why did he treat her like he did in S3? If he really cares about her that much, why did he wait for Lucas to guide him at all times in matters regarding his relationship with El, instead of just taking initiative, but he does take initiative with Will? Why can't her apologize to her? Why wasn't Mike more upset about El dumping him? Why couldn't he tell El he loves her to her face? Why did he consistently lie to her throughout the whole show? Why did he stop calling her in S2? Why did he give up and say she was dead, but never gave up on Will? Why did he scream in her face in S1? And no - it isn't because he's just shy or awkward. Mike doesn't act like he is truly in love with El because he isn't. He is projecting his feelings for Will onto El, and he is deeply in denial about his sexuality due to his internalized homophobia and hasn't fully processed how he feels about Will throughout the series (up until the ending of S3). And why does Mike have such an odd reaction to El saying she loves him if he does love her? If he loves her that should be exactly what he wants to hear, so why does he look so confused and scared? And why doesn't he just say it back right then?

El isn't seriously, romantically in love with Mike. They meet in S1, and he immediately takes her in, saving her life. He looks out for her, and actually cares if she is okay, and no one has ever done that for her before. El was abused her whole childhood until Mike lets her live in his basement. He was the first person to treat her like a human being, and show her compassion, which she has never experienced before. It makes total sense that she would cling to their relationship like a security blanket. Mike is an emotional attachment for El. He makes her feel safe, because of how he saved her life previously. El has very limited knowledge of love, life, friendship, relationships, and social behaviors since she was locked in a lab for over a decade of her life, she was never truly exposed to these concepts like the other kids in the party were. Everything El thinks she knows about love she learns from watching soap opera's alone in Hopper's cabin. Of course her perception of what romantic love is, is warped. If El was seriously romantically in love with Mike, why was their break-up no big deal to her? Why was she smiling, laughing and looking at pictures of boys with Max right after she supposedly dumped the love of her life? Why did she not seem even the slightest bit upset about it the entire season?

If they're both seriously in love, then why are their interactions so awkward to watch and why does it feel so unnatural and forced? Why don’t Mileven’s interactions feel romantic? The official released scripts on 8flix describe several Mileven scenes as "awkward". It's no coincidence that detail was included in the script.

3. "But they already have Robin"

I mean this comment basically means that sense the show already has one confirmed lgbtq+ character, there can't possibly be any others. What?! There isn't a "one gay character limit per TV show". This comment really bothers me because it reeks of homophobia. If you don't ship Byler that's fine, but refusing to even explore the possibility there could be more than one lgtbq+ character in a TV show just because one already exists? Yeah no. Queer people existed in the 80's, definitely more than just one, so capping out the amount of queer characters in the show is just icky.

Also, Robin was not originally written to be a gay character. It was decided during the filming process that Robin should be a lesbian, because Maya Hawke and Joe Keery were not getting romantic vibes between their characters. Just because the show introduced a new gay character in S3, it does not mean the queercoding of Will and Mike is erased to make room for Robin, and keep Mileven together. Making Robin a lesbian, does not cancel out Mike and Will being gay/liking each other, and the show's future plans for byler.

4. "Mike's not gay."

Does this seem straight to you?

Giving your girlfriend a drawing of your male best friend, that was drawn by him, but telling her it's your drawing so she'll hang it up on the wall you coincidentally face while you make out with her, to remind you of him.

Taking your girlfriends hands off of you while you're making out with her, and keeping your hands folded in your lap away from her.

Only being able to apologize to said male best friend and being more emotionally invested in that relationship than your relationship with your girlfriend.

Mike is the only other person besides Will pictured in close up shots with rainbow and fruit imagery.

Even the die-hard Mileven fans have to admit that's more than a little coincidental, and if we know anything about the Duffer brothers, it's that they love incorporating intricate details in their show to reveal things about the characters/plot.

If you want more examples, some images, or just a more in-depth analysis of byler throughout the series, I suggest you check out my Byler Proof master slides :)

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arielxlazarus · 3 years

Text

I almost forgot about that fanfic appreciation week, but I wanted to at least do something for it! So here's a rec list for some of my favorite fics in the one piece fandom!

This list is not at all exhaustive btw (there's still loads of other fics in the fandom that I love), so please don't feel bad if you weren't included! Also if anyone wants more recommendations from me, you can check out my bookmarks on my ao3!

Who Knows (what could happen) by Chromi

Rating: T

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: For as long as he could remember, he had wanted to set out to sea as an adventurer. His father, unfortunately, dictated that he was to follow the family tradition and become a doctor instead.

Following a lifetime of hurt and sorrow at the hands of his family, he eventually breaks free and takes to the sea alone - determined to keep it that way. Fate has other ideas in store for him; fate crosses his path with Portgas D. Ace's, a brand new pirate.

And what does he hate more than pirates?

Nothing.

Or: from Sixis to the Moby Dick - the lives of the Spade pirates.

First Time by Chromi

Rating: E

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: "Because it is Ace, and it will only ever be Ace, that he wants to see like this, and he wants to be responsible for unravelling him down to his core and loving him to his very center."

In which Ace and Deuce go all the way for the first time.

@chromiwrites

Seabound by AnkhPosts

Rating: T

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Ace is a selkie, making one of his periodic stops on land to catch a breather and get some ridiculously tasty human food, maybe see some sights if there are any. His pelt is safely hidden, he'll stay a day or two at most and be on his way.

Deuce is a mer, alone on the sea and traveling as he pleases for the first time in his life, and while he might not be terribly interested in actually interacting with humans it's hard not to see them as fascinating.

Ace meets Deuce. Deuce meets Ace. Neither knows the other isn't human.

@ankhposts

Death is only the beginning by Chizyk

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: “Ankhreshet?” he whipped his head round at the sound of a raspy voice so fast he almost got whiplash. He could feel his body going completely cold as he saw the mummy’s empty eye sockets staring right at him.

@chizyk

I'm Still Here (part of a series) by theprodigypenguin

Rating: M

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace (also Izou/Sabo later in the series)

Summary: "When I do die, don't bother burying me in that empty grave. Put my body in a boat and set me out to sea. Let me sleep eternal on the ocean that my father loved so much; because before everything else in this world, I am a child of the sea, and when I die, I want to return to it. Put me in a boat and set it aflame so I can go down in the same fire I lived."

Forget-Me-Not Fall by theprodigypenguin

Rating: M

Pairing: Izou/Sabo

Summary: “Most of the nobles I’ve met tonight look meticulously put together. They look like they were built to portray a certain image paralleled a hundred times over. People who were copied and pasted. Flawless clothes, flawless faces, flawless makeup, flawless hair.”

“Not me though,” Sabo stated, and Izou hummed.

“It’s comforting.”

“Huh?”

Izou met Sabo’s eye. “Everyone else in this place hides their worst attributes with a mask they modified to fit their faces. They don’t seem to comprehend that those perfect masks only make their worst characteristics more pronounced and defined.” His expression was terribly gentle as his eyes wandered across Sabo’s face. “It’s comforting to be approached by someone not trying to be something else.”

Sabo tilted his head. “How do you know I’m not manipulating you like some common Goa aristocrat?”

Izou smiled. “There are a few reasons.”

@theprodigypenguin

A Light To Guide You Home by TheSkyIsMyHome

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: In a world that despises mutants, Ace lives purely to protect his little brother.

Until the flames inside him find their perfect match and opposite, and he doesn't know what to feel anymore.

The Phoenix's Mate by TheSkyIsMyHome

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Marco is a handsome man. Ace really can't be blamed for being attracted to him. Nobody minds, either.

But Marco isn't always a man. Ace still loves him regardless, and his sexual urges are catching up to that fact.

Marco indulges him, but he might just find himself enjoying it more than he thought he would.

@evvazi

ASL in Red (series) by Kereea

Rating: G-T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace, Monkey D. Luffy/Trafalgar D. Water Law (both asexual), Koala/Sabo, Akagami no Shanks | Red-Haired Shanks/Benn Beckman, Donquixote "Corazon" Rosinante/Aokiji | Kuzan, Roronoa Zoro/Sanji, and several other minor ones

Summary: In an alternate universe, forces conspired to put Ace, Sabo, and Luffy in the care of the Red Hair pirates as children.

The Grand Line would never know what hit it.

Mates (part of a series) by Deubatty

Rating: E

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Deuce just wanted to go searching for plants! A nice walk in the woods. Except, he ends up becoming the mate to a very persistent naga

His First Mate The Mermaid (part of a series) by Deubatty

Rating: T

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Instead of finding another person on Sixis, Ace finds a mermaid

@masked-writer

Being Human by MaiKusakabe

Rating: E (no smut)

Pairing: None (heavy focus on the platonic relationships between Marco, Whitebeard, and the rest of the crew as they form)

Summary: The line that differentiates human from object appears to be clear, but sometimes it blurs to the point where it is impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins.

The Unknown Devil by MaiKusakabe

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Ace hadn’t expected his last week of imprisonment before his execution to be any different from all the years preceding it. Then again, he hadn’t expected to have Marco the Phoenix as a cellmate for that week, or that Marco’s presence would shake his bleak world so much.

Ripple Effect by MaiKusakabe

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: After the incident with Shanks, Garp didn't take Luffy to Dadan's, unaware of how much that would change the life of his other grandson.

@maisstories

To Build a Home by endlessblankpages

Rating: G

Pairing: None (heavy focus on the platonic relationships between the ASL bros and the Whitebeard Pirates)

Summary: The ASL pirates are used to being accused of crimes they didn't commit. But when they're accused of destroying a small village in the New World, it sends them hurtling toward a deadly confrontation with the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard. The results are not what they were expecting.

Persistence & The Impossible (part of a series) by dragonsfall

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: In order to keep himself from losing his job, Ace takes on an impossible story. Get an interview with the ever-elusive Phoenix. Guess he might as well kiss his job goodbye.

Self Discovery (part of a series) by dragonsfall

Rating: E

Pairing: Izou/Sabo (sort of, it's technically masturbation)

Summary: Sabo has been waiting for a day like this for a while but it doesn’t go quite how he planned it.

@clockworkpanic

A Breach of Intention by Depths

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: It was unspoken, but some pirate crews and mermaids had an unspoken solidarity. Pirates throw their enemies overboard, and the merfolk will take care of them.

mer!ace au

@leviathiane

Running on All Sixes by lunarshores

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace, minor Izou/Thatch

Summary: The Whitebeard gang might be one of the most influential in the city, but to Marco they're just his family. Though he sometimes wishes they'd just leave him alone, especially when Izo's playing matchmaker, and Ace is his usual oblivious self. When a brother betrays them, they'll have to fight to show why no one ever messes with their family.

nothing is impossible with you by lunarshores

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Five times Ace and Marco accidentally mixed their flames on accident and one time that was entirely on purpose.

@lunarshores

I Want You to Look at Me by shockandlock

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: One night, Marco is missing from dinner, so Ace decides to bring dinner to him. He's surprised to see Marco wearing glasses and now he can't stop thinking about the way he looks. Now with additional chapter(s) including more miscellaneous MarcoAce PWP!

To My Dear Fire (part of a series) by shockandlock

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Living in the city is a new thing for Ace. After being raised near a cozy coastal mountain town through his childhood, it's definitely a change of pace, but it doesn't help when he loses his new job after an unfortunate encounter with actor Marco Newgate. He just wants to live-- and meet his long time pen pal, Phoenix.

Marco knows that being an actor is hard, so he takes the little things when he can: writing his pen pal (and honestly one of his best friends) Fire Fist, flirting with the cute new waiter at his favorite café-- not that he has a chance after a disaster on social media. But maybe fate really does give him a second chance when Ace shows up at Four Emperor Studios...

@shockandlock

Uncharted Territory by silverwolf_fox

Rating: E

Pairing: Masked Deuce/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: This was by far one of Ace's most ridiculous ideas.

When Deuce keeps getting flustered everytime he tries to dominate Ace, they created an opportunity where he didn't have to be afraid of messing up.

Now he's free to do and try whatever he wants...

...so long as Ace doesn't wake up.

Watching the Sunrise (part of a series) by silverwolf_fox

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Many years have passed since Rouge gave up her life for her son’s...except she didn’t die, but she thinks Ace did. Living her life on Baterilla, she’s mourned each and every day until the morning she receives his bounty poster. She sets off immediately to find him, but finds their meeting isn’t as easy as she’d imagined.

@the-devil-fruit-tree

never shall i forget, how you climbed out of a dream by siojo

Rating: T

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: “Kaido,” Ace smirks, flames burning around his feet as he shifts in preparation for Kaido’s next attack, already trying to decide what he’s going to do in response. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? You’ve seemed to have been enjoying yourself here.”

“I thought you would be smarter than this, Portgas. You’ve never tried to fight another Yonko before, your bounty won’t matter much when you lose.”

Ace barks a laugh, his teeth bared in a facsimile of a grin, “You must have missed out on the brawl I had with Big Mom after she sent two of her daughters and a son for me to consider marrying. This is a bit more personal than that.”

@wordsdrippinginink

Reborn in Fire by aerle

Rating: M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Fireman Marco has earned the nickname 'the Phoenix' by saving numerous people from a certain death. After an accident however, he has to relearn to walk and gets a new job as arson inspector at a different fire station. There he gets confronted with a boy from his past, now all grown up and gorgeous.

Three's a Crowd, Four's a Double Date by aerle

Rating: M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace (main), Izou/Thatch (secondary)

Summary: "We're not dating," Marco said definitively. "That we're sharing a bed tonight is a total coincidence."

@aerle

Universal Dive by EmpressKira

Rating: M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Ace had been making his way through the city to go to one of his favorite cafes. Well, that was until this hole ripped in the sky and some pirate fell out with the flaming bird guy following. Getting targeted, he is dragged into a different world with pirates and everything defying the reality he is used to. Will he make it home? Will he go back when the time comes?

@empresskira

Blue moon (series) by de_Winter

Rating: T-M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Urban fantasy AU, werewolf Marco and witch Ace

Red Velvet by de_Winter

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: Ace already knew their routine by heart, just from observing them for a couple of mornings when he had early delivery, and from Izou’s daily long winded—and probably sexually frustrated—rants. Big Blond would come out of the bakery wearing a shirt too tight for him and too thin for the weather as soon as he was done setting up the tables inside the storefront, holding a take out cup and a small box in his big hands. They looked really, pleasantly big from where Ace was standing, and he honestly wished he wasn't standing that far away.

@dee-de-winter

We'll Look Back and Laugh at Ourselves by JuHuaTai

Rating: M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace, minor Gol D. Roger/Portgas D. Rouge

Summary: Between his new boyfriend and his workaholic boss, Marco felt like he was surrounded by family issues of the father and son dispute variety. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

Or maybe he should've listened to the office gossip more. Maybe then he'd figure it out sooner.

Gratitude of the Phoenix (part of a series) by JuHuaTai

Rating: M

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: [Based on 'The Crane Wife' Folklore]

One day, he saved a bird from freezing to death in a trap. Then, a stranger saved him from suffering the same fate, and a request to stay for one night turned into having someone to fill the void left in the small cottage and in his heart ever since his brothers left.

These two incident doesn’t seem to be related to one another, but they both changed Ace’s life in ways he could never have imagined.

Watashitachi wa Roger kaizoku desu (we still stand proud) by stereden

Rating: T

Pairing: None (heavy focus on Buggy, Shanks, and Crocus)

Summary: The Roger Pirates disappeared after their Captain's death, and were happy enough to let the Marines forget about them.

Until the Marines decide to execute their Captain's son, that is.

@stereden

This Bites! by Xomniac

Rating: M

Pairing: None (heavy focus on a main character oc and the strawhat pirates)

Summary: Sea Kings, sea-sickness, sunburns, a 95% genocidal Navy and more than a million and one other assorted ways to die. It's official: Being inserted into an anime sucks ass... Buuut I guess it could be worse. I mean, look on the bright side: At least I'm sailing with the future king of the pirates.

A Fortune that Never Grows Old by imperialmint

Rating: E

Pairing: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

Summary: It's one thing to get butterflies in your stomach when you seen an attractive person but it's another thing entirely for Marco to want to stomp out a courtship ritual and lay foundations for a nest when he meets the navy's new (hot) secret weapon.

@imperialmint

Most of the authors on this list have many other excellent one piece fics I'd definitely suggest checking out! Enjoy your reading and try to show them all some love if you can!

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sourholland · 3 years

Text

A Royal Convenience || Tom Holland

| Series Masterlist |

Part Seven

Summary → When an alliance is made between England and France, you are sent away to marry the crown prince and heir to the British throne. Except both you and Prince Thomas despise each other at all odds, subjected to the hand of the monarchy and unable to stand each other.

AN → So this chapter could potentially be a bit triggering for some people, it is pretty descriptive into the beheading of someone. I would like to preface this in saying that I do not support capital punishment, nor do I support the death penalty. This is merely a work of fiction, and I am only trying to bring to life history. Anyways, this chapter is something else. Let me know what you guys think, I’m sure you’ll have some thoughts.

Pairing(s) → Prince!Tom x Princess!Reader

Warnings → Angst, Beheading - Descriptive, Blood, Vomit - Descriptive, Light Smut, Choking Kink, Alcohol, Language, Intended Oral Sex - Female Receiving, Knife Play

Word Count → 4.5k

“I want to leave, please just let me go home,” you pleaded.

It was only you and Tom at the heart of the throne room. After the whole shooting ordeal, he’d rushed you back and demanded the audience of the King.

You were both waiting, still suffering from the shakes, you could only beg and pray that he would let you go. Tears stung the backs of your eyes, cheeks hot and feverish. Tom had sent all of the guards away, not caring that it wasn’t proper for you both to be alone without a chaperone.

“Please, Tom,” you almost whispered.

“You can’t go home, Y/N,” he replied simply, peering over at you from his spot parallel to where you stood.

“I was just shot at! What more could you people want to see in order to let me go home? I miss my mother, I wish to see my mother,” you shouted at him.

“I couldn’t let you go even if I wanted to.”

“But you do want to?”

Silence. Tom said nothing. He only straightened his posture a bit, looking away from you and back to the door. The King had still not come, there had been an attempted assassination and the King of England could not be bothered to grace his own son with his presence.

“This is why I told them to take you back to your chambers,” he murmured to himself.

“You can hardly look at me!” You marched up to him, taking a free hand and pressing it to his chest in anger and frustration. “Look at me, Thomas.”

His eyes slowly lifted from the ground to your eyes, your breath staggering from the rage and sudden proximity. There was an intimacy in the way you both seemed to get yourselves into these situations. It was a change for you to initiate something like this, especially since anyone could come through those large double doors at any point.

“Please,” you begged.

“You don’t get it do you?” He asked, eyes falling to the dip of your lips, parting at the curve of your Cupid’s bow. “You and I, we haven’t got a way out of this. It’s for life, Y/N. There is no running, not really. Don’t you think I’m tired? This life is exhausting, but it’s bigger than both of us. There’s no out, no going home. The sooner you accept that, the sooner this’ll all become a lot easier for you.”

“I hope you’re saying that when our heads, or God forbid, the heads of our children—”

The doors opened and King Dominic and his entourage came through, there was hardly any urgency in the way he walked. You and Tom quickly stepped away from each other, he stood taller, bowing as his father sat. You gave a quick and anxious curtsy.

“You’ve clearly been quite busy, I didn’t expect an act of high treason to pull you away from whatever important engagement you were wasting your time with,” Tom scowled.

“Do watch yourself, Thomas,” the King responded.

“Did you not hear about the man who attempted to put a bullet through my skull?” He question, tone raising.

“From what I’ve heard, the bullet was directed towards Princess Y/N, meaning this was hardly even an attack on the Crown.”

“She is the Crown! We’re to be wed in less than three weeks, she’s practically the Princess of Wales already!”

You stood in silence, wondering whether or not you should step in. Tom told you to go back to your wing of Buckingham Palace when you’d both come back, but you refused. He was shifting uncomfortably under his father’s intense gaze.

“Maybe so, but not yet. I’ll have the bastard’s head, hell, you can even watch if you’d like. I won’t cause an uproar within the country, this is far from the first attempted assassination of the Crown, nor will it be the last,” the King boomed.

“What if that bullet had landed between my eyes, my head blown apart within seconds? What would you have done then?” Tom asked him, brows furrowed.

“You have three brothers, one of which would probably do the job better than you,” he responded, coughing into the handkerchief he pulled from his pocket.

You took in a sharp breath, wondering how any decent person could say such a thing. Tom stiffened, his lips forming a fine line. There was something lacking between the two men, you hadn’t seen it before, but now it was clear as day. There was absolutely no love, no compassion. You were staring at a King and his successor.

“That’s an awful thing to say,” you finally said.

“Don’t, Y/N,” Tom leaned over to you.

King Dominic’s eyes scanned over you, eyes flickering from you to Tom. The room was almost silent, the ruffling of your dress pooling at your feet filling the air.

“You are quite a pretty little thing,” he mused. “Shame, you know? That you have no clue when to keep that mouth shut.”

“And why is that?” You asked him, stepping forward.

“If you hadn’t been brought here from France, I’m not sure you’d have been very popular among suitors.”

“Then it’s a good thing that I don’t exist to cater to anyone’s domestic pursuits, isn’t it?”

Your gaze did not falter, King Dominic’s eyes piercing your own. He was dressed in fine satin, but this did not distract you from the fact that there were deep purple crescent shapes, littered in purple and indigo underneath his eyes. The King’s sallow skin was discolored against his sunken in eyes, and downturned mouth.

“She’ll bear witness to the beheading,” King Dominic remarked, pushing up against his throne to stand.

“What?” Tom asked very suddenly, stepping in front of his father. “She’s eighteen, practically a child! You cannot expect her to watch something like that!” He shouted, waiting for his father to let go of his pride.

“If she can stand before me—acting as if she is King, and not I, she can watch the man you ordered to die be executed.”

Tom went to argue, but was met with his father’s hand held high in his wake. He slumped back in defeat, sighing as the King turned in front of him. There was hardly anything you thought he could say, and nearly nothing he could do.

You let out a shaky breath, holding your abdomen with a free hand. There was nothing you wanted more than to be in your mother’s arms, or to sleep in your old bed. Yet, you stood in the throne room of Buckingham Palace, having just been shot at and conspired against.

“The Tower of London. Tomorrow.”

This was all he said, turning his back to both of you and walking off. Tom said nothing, not until a man came in after his father had left and leaned into his ear, an unreadable expression passing over his face.

“He was Danish?” He asked the unfamiliar man.

“Yes, sir. I am sure of it, it is all we were able to get out of him.”

“Leave us,” Tom motioned towards the door.

As the man left, he turned to you with a look as set as stone. He was upset, yet somber at the same time. Something about the way he was staring at you left the hairs at the nape of your neck standing up. You couldn’t help but step forward, feeling the need to steady yourself.

“Do you remember when the Prince from Denmark and I had a row?”

“I would hardly classify that as a row, you are still battered from hitting him so hard. When I saw him today, his face looked worse than it had that night,” you said.

“Y/N, you have no reason to listen to me, or to trust anything I say, but please heed my words, do not engage with Nikolai again. I cannot stress—”

“Is this what you do now? Tell me whom I can and cannot see. I have nothing, Tom! My life has been seized from me, and now I cannot even dictate who I see?”

Tom’s hand just barely brushed your own, his head bent to look directly into your eyes. There was an urgency in them, something telling you that this was bigger than both of you. You remembered the way he had held you down when those shots were fired, and the way he held your hand.

“You’re right—about all of it. I am asking you, Y/N, not as the Prince of Wales, or even as Thomas. I’m asking you as your husband, as the man you have been dealt in the most unfortunate of circumstances. Please, just stay away from him until I can be sure of something. This is all I ask of you, and even then, I deserve nothing from you. So in this moment, right now, you and I are not the next King and Queen of England. We are simply a man and a woman, nothing else.”

His words came out pleadingly, his fingers curling around your wrist. The pad of his thumb dipped underneath your glove. The skin on skin contact made you shiver, wondering whether or not Tom was being serious in his words. Nonetheless, you nodded feverishly, feeling him let out a deep breath of relief.

The carriage ride and walk into the large and extremely ancient looking castle, seemed to blur together. You were dressed darkly, a short veil covering your face in an almost sheer material.

Tom was beside you, his hand lightly cupping your elbow as the both of you entered the large room at what felt like the heart of the Tower of London. Prince Harry and Prince Sam followed closely behind the both of you, the King in front.

Everyone parted as you all made your way through the crowd of Nobles. You learned that the man’s name was Sir Alfred, and his title was the reason he was to be executed in such a manner. It also contributed to the fact that his beheading was occurring in such a prestigious place. Many famous executions took place in the same location, you had heard of many of the people who had lost their heads in the same position.

At the front of the room there was a high block on top of a sort of wooden stage, an executioner standing off to the side with an axe in his right hand. You couldn’t fathom the idea of having to do what he was only minutes away from doing himself.

Tom looked like he wished to say something, but in the end stayed completely silent. You were all completely sectioned away from everyone else, standing to witness the man about to die for his crimes.

In he walked a moment later, he wore a baggy black tunic and a cross around his neck. His head was down, eyes on the floor. When he came through the archway and into the large room, you couldn’t help but feel a lurch in your stomach. He denied the man who asked if he wished to say anything before he placed his head at the high block.

You felt your hands begin to clam up, wringing them against your dress. The man stood in prayer for a moment, a single tear falling from his eye. He mouthed a few words and took his place, bringing to cross to his chapped lips, and placing a single kiss upon it.

“Help me, God.”

His words were enough to make you sick, watching as he bent forward on his knees. His head sat firmly on the block, the man holding the axe waiting patiently. Someone said something in the distance, but your ears were pounding.

The moment the blade raised, you fought the urge to squeeze your eyes shut. It came down in a thud, a loud noise coming from the mouth of the man. A splatter of blood came soon after, his head was still intact. The blade raised again, and it struck once more. This continued another time, until at last, Alfred’s limp body had fallen.

You tasted acid, biting your tongue as you pushed through the cluster of people and looked for any exit. There was a single stone passage leading to a bit of land outside, you had no clue how you had gotten there. In a fleeting moment, you felt yourself hunch over and begin to empty the contents of your stomach onto the ground.

You felt a pair of hands grasp at the bit of hair falling into your face as you heaved, holding your chest firmly. You willed yourself to stop, but bent once more. Your throat burned, tears prickling the backs of your eyes.

“Are you—”

“No, no—I am absolutely not alright,” you just barely got out. “I’ll be in the carriage.”

You spent both of the following days in your quarters, claiming ill to all of those who asked. Dinner had been brought to you each night, and every other meal left for you as well. You couldn’t decipher whether you were doing it out of spite, or pure hatred for the establishment you were marrying into in less than three weeks.

A small portion of it may have also been out of fear, the thought of even being out and about sent a shockwave up your spine. Every time someone rapped on your chamber door, you couldn’t help but flinch.

On the morning of the second day you’d isolated yourself, the Queen sent word that the ball she’d arranged was still to be attended. You couldn’t help but groan at the man she’d sent to deliver the message. You had absolutely no desire to make an appearance at a dance, especially after the past few days.

It was only hours later when Anne pushed through the double doors to your room, sending all of the other servants away in a simple hand motion. You furrowed your brows at her, holding onto the bedpost, corset left loose and undone. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, clutching the underside of her dress.

“Your grace,” she curtsied quickly.

“Anne, is everything alright?”

There was a pause, she brought a small brown bag out from under the cloth of her brown dress. She undid the clasp gently and pulled out a dagger, extending her hand to give it to you. With it came a sheath and what looked like two leather bound straps.

“I have reason to believe someone is dangerous, ma’am. I—well, I wanted to be sure you would be able to defend yourself, should something present itself tonight,” she said shakily.

“Oh, Anne. Where did you get this?” You asked, placing a hand on the blade.

“A stable boy offered it to me at a fair price, I just wanted to be sure you’d have some sort of defense. If you don’t want it—”

“No, no! I’m terribly grateful, I just haven’t a clue how to properly handle something like this.”

There had been very little swordplay taught when you were being instructed to be the ruler of a country, and even less as you grew into a young Princess. You handled horseback riding, language study, arithmetic, and learning the duties of a sovereign.

Anne took a few moments to show you how to hold the knife, and then flipped up your undergarments to have access to your thigh. She strapped the leather bindings to it gently, the sheath sticking to you as she slid in the dagger. You felt nervous, knowing you were armed underneath all of the layers. Yet, something about it made you feel safer.

A while later, she brought all of the servants back in and they began to dress you. By the time you had finished, you stared into the full length mirror at the entirety of the velvety looking gown. It was a deep red color, with a dipping neckline that left your shoulders and collarbones exposed underneath the candlelight.

You opted for a more bold choice in tiara, ditching your family heirloom and going for a fringed tiara that dated farther back than you could guess within the British royal family. It was littered in diamonds and went well with the dress, watching as the material swished at your feet.

“I must say, this is one of my favorite dresses you’ve worn so far,” one of the lady servants murmured.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Thomas of Wales,” announced a man, almost out of nowhere.

You watched as the doors opened, the guard member stiff and standing tall. Tom rolled his eyes, wishing his entrance had not just been broadcasted so generously. Though, he was far too used to it by now to say a thing. It really had been quite unnecessary, but it was clear that the young man was quite new.

“Princess,” he greeted.

You turned, meeting his eyes and watching as he swallowed hard, eyes dipping to the curve of your bosom, and curl of your gloved hands. He was dressed in his usual formal ball attire, blinking a few times and noticing the way you moved to sit.

A diamond necklace laid untouched, sitting prettily on your vanity. He sent a nod to each of the women crowding you, watching as they fled the room. You peered over your shoulder, almost immediately seeing him lift up the heavily studded jewel. It was cold against your bare skin, but his hands were warm as he fiddled with the clasp at the back of your neck.

You gazed into the mirror, watching his determined eyes work their way around your shoulders and spine. Just as you felt the necklace sit comfortably, his fingers lingered for a moment, the brush of a knuckle against the divot of the arch of your neck.

“There,” he said. “Now—we should probably be going.”

His words came out breathlessly, turning around quickly and looking away. You couldn’t help but let out the wisp of a breath yourself, feeling the heat flush to your face. The trace of his touch remained on your skin, the thud of your heart quickening as soon as you took his arm.

The short walk to the ballroom was mostly silent, only breaking when you would make a mindless comment, making him reply with a crude remark. You felt a pull in your gut, like you wanted to despise him more than anything. Most of the time you were together, that was all it was, disdain. Though, in passing moments, you couldn’t help letting your guard down.

These thoughts rapidly halted when you both entered the large familiar room. You both made your rounds, greeting the guests and embracing family, his family. Soon after, you watched Tom step to the side and reach for a bottle of what you could only guess was brandy.

“A dance?”

This was a phrase you heard dozens of times throughout the night, men after men swinging and swishing you around the floor. Some of which left you drowning in your own boredom, others capable of making you smile and laugh. There was no sign of Nikolai, this was odd to you.

Tom sat at the edge of the room, elbows sat on his knees while he drank himself to death. His cheeks were flushed a deep red, curls falling into his eyes. The most peculiar thing was the way he watched you, the way he would be able to speak and converse, yet still make sure to flicker his gaze back to you.

The dagger at your thigh made you feel a bit less helpless, like you had a bit of leverage. Though, the night quickly faded and everything was turning out to be incredibly mundane. Nothing was seemingly out of the ordinary, and when you took your out, a feeling of relief washed over you.

Your soft steps sounded as you made your way back to your chambers. It was easy for you to find the right moment to claim you were tired, and needed to retire to your bed for the night. Tom had left you for the entirety of the night, keeping to himself for the most part.

You grasped the brass handle, pulling it open to reveal a room full of servants meant to help you undress. You bid them all a goodnight and promised you could do it on your own, wishing to be alone. When the last of them departed, you lifted the tiara from your hair, unclasping the necklace and placing both of the priceless items on the wood of the table.

You heard the rattle of the door a second later, asking who was there. No response. You felt your pulse quicken, lifting up the skirts of your dress and pulling at the handle of the knife. You took a few paces backwards, jumping when you realized it was only Tom. His back faced you as he closed the door quietly, throwing his hands up when he turned to see you, dagger in hand.

“Y/N—put down the knife,” he said cautiously.

You hadn’t a clue why you were still holding it in a position like you planned to stab someone. The adrenaline, perhaps. Tom approached you slowly, making your head swim with thoughts. Some part of you was wondering why you hadn’t dropped your hand, and the other was telling you to stay just as you were. He was just as bad as any other man you’d encountered, wasn’t he?

“Give me the knife,” he held a hand out. “Just let me see it.”

“You’re drunk,” you muttered, smelling the alcohol on him.

“You truly do know how to sober a man up, though, don’t you?” He laughed.

There was something mocking about his words, like he knew you wouldn’t do anything. This set something off inside of you, that feeling in your chest only grew when you took the opportunity to step forward and act as if you were going to pass the dagger off to him. When he extended his palm, you pulled his wrist forward and did your best to slam his back against the nearest wall. Your right hand, firmly grasping the hilt of the blade, rapidly meeting his neck. You pressed it into his exposed skin, watching his pupils dilate.

“Feeling sober?” You asked, masking any bit of anxiety.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

You felt the beat of his heart through his shirt, pressing deeper. This earned a shocked wince, making you take in a deep breath yourself. His expression was surprisingly calm compared to your own, making it even more difficult to grasp when he flipped the both of you very out of the blue. His significantly larger hand had flawlessly brought the dagger from your white knuckled fingers, and into his own.

You felt the cold blade against your hot skin, his breath fanning over the sensitive spot below your ear. Your chest constricted, never having been this close to him before. You could smell the mix of brandy and whisky on him, wondering if he could sense how fast your heart was beating.

“Quick. Just not quick enough,” he teased lowly.

Something about this position made you almost melt, just now noticing how dry your mouth had become. Tom’s head turned to look into your eyes, making you practically jump. There was something so intimate in the way he was looking at you, something so personal.

“God, you truly have no clue about the things you do to me,” his drunken words seemed to spill out.

“Don’t I?” You asked, feeling his free fingers slide against the skin of your jaw. “You despise me, hate me even.”

“I wish I hated you.”

These were the last words spoken between the two of you before the space between both of you was filled. Firm, but warm lips were being pressed onto your own. With hardly a second to react, you felt your hand slide up the fabric of his clothed shoulder and to the nape of his neck. Your fingers threaded themselves into his hair, tugging harshly as he kissed you harder.

You arched your back against the hard surface you were pressed at, listening to the clatter of the knife against the floor in the night. His now freed hand found your neck, gently curling around it and squeezing. The euphoric feeling sent a wave of pleasure down your back, a single whimper passing between your conjoined lips.

“Tell me you hate me,” he whispered to you, breaking away for only a moment.

“I hate you,” you kissed him. “I hate you,” you kissed him again. “God, I hate you right now.”

One of his hands remained around your neck, the other sliding down to your waist and flipping you around. His nimble fingers played with the buttons at the back of your dress, pressing sloppy kissed against your neck and throat. Once the dress fell to your ankles, he pulled several layers over your head. Before you could even get to unlacing the corset, his heavily ringed hands twisted into it, ripping it straight down the back.

You were left in almost nothing, a thin article of clothing covering you. His hand brought itself to your breast, kneading at the almost completely exposed skin. You let out a repressed moan as he cupped the swelling of your chest.

“Is this okay?” He asked between wet kisses, trailing generously down your collarbone.

“Yes,” you hardly got out.

He nodded against you, lips brushing the skin above the neck of your underdress. It slid down, exposing the tops of your breasts. His head dipped, tongue trailing behind, leaving goosebumps along your feverish chest. He bit gently, leaving you to pant as you felt his hand slide up your calf and onto your thigh, he undid the holster, listening to it fall to the floor.

Before you could even truly think, you were being placed on top of one of the wooden surfaces of your bedroom. Tom was on his knees, pulling your ankle to him lips and pressing a kiss to the skin. This continued up to your knee, nearing closer and closer to your aching core. His touch was like fire, spreading through your whole body.

Movement outside of your chambers made you stiffen, Tom sat up immediately. The sound repeated itself and you were both scrambling to get away from each other. Your discarded clothes littered the floor, corset ripped down the middle. Tom was clearly disheveled, but mostly dressed. You began to realize the extent of what you both had done.

You grabbed at a few of the pieces of fabric, finally looking up and meeting his eyes. You both stared at each other for a moment, and without a word, Tom slipped out the door and into the night.

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dr3amofagame · 3 years

Note

consider- after the whole "reviving Tommy" thing comes in and does the whole pic thing again- but this time dream lunges for the pic, trying to grab it from sam, and they fight for it, and sam ends up stabbing through dreams left eye, far enough to kill him. dream respawns blind in that eye.

ooh anon ,, this is such a good prompt but . *head in hands* MAN,, half-blind c!dream living in my head rent free. on one hand, narrative parallels! and on the other hand ,, pain. so, so much pain.

anyway, have this quick ficlet set in current roommates arc!

tw: EYE TRAUMA, GORE (in ask), implied torture/abuse, violence, mentioned child death, injuries, trauma, prison arc, pandora’s vault, dark portrayal of c!sam

Techno is pacing around the cell for something like the fifty-third time after sending Draem to break the obsidian when Dream snaps, neck twisting over to look at him with the one eye exposed by the cracked edge of his mask narrowed in a rather unthreatening glare.

“Will you stop that?” he hisses, and Techno hesitates, shrugs.

“I dunno,” he says simply, walking back to the bell. He raps his knuckles on it once as he passes, humming at the wave of new channel member and one of us from Chat as the echo subsides. “I’m not going to lie, Dream, there’s not exactly much to do here.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Dream’s voice drops, for a second, from that over-tense harshness the guy refuses to give up, becoming softer around the edges, more casual than meant to rile up and provoke. Seconds later, his jaw tightens, and he looks away to stare back at the block, humor gone. “Figure out something else to do. I don’t care.”

“Hmm,” Techno makes a considering noise before pacing back to the bell and letting the back of his hand meet it with a quiet clang. “Nah.”

Dream makes an irritated, wordless sound of frustration, but otherwise does not stop in his chipping away at the obsidian block. Techno watches him as he circles around - the line of his lip, from where it peeks out behind the mask, is flat and slightly downturned at the corners, speaking of his frustration, but otherwise he seems mostly relaxed. Techno steps forward, stopping in his tracks at the opposite side of the cell when the other man’s posture tightens suddenly, shoulders rising to his ears, chin ducking to his chest. The smiling face of the side of the mask that hasn’t been shattered stares at him from behind a curtain of matted hair. Techno steps back, watching when he swings over to Dream’s other side and he relaxes again, shoulders falling, muscles untensing, and frowns.

Usually, people have a weaker side when fighting - it’s something he’d become especially adept at picking out in fights, giving him an edge over his opponent. Personally, he’s relatively ambidextrous, easily able to maneuver around and wield a weapon on both sides, and the versatility has proved to be a valuable asset on the battlefield. As a shield fighter, Dream isn’t offered the same flexibility when it comes to switching hands, but Techno remembers being impressed by his range of movement anyway - unlike most, who fail to properly wield and move around the awkward weight and shape of a shield in their non-dominant hand, Dream’s movements were fluid, unbroken. He wielded the shield almost like a second sword, not simply blocking hits as much as he would catch and redirect them in a way that benefited him most. He hadn’t had a weak side, from what Techno could remember of their spars, despite the specialization, he met every thrust and strike on either side with an easy movement and laughing air.

Once again, Techno paces until he’s entirely on Dream’s left side, watching him all the while. Once again, Dream tense with every step he takes towards the opposite end of the cell, ending with hunching over himself significantly, jaw clenched and tight.

“Are you hurt?”

Dream flashes a look at him, unimpressed, and yeah. That’s fair - it was a dumb question; the other man is absolutely littered with cuts and bruises on every visible inch of skin, obviously malnourished and even more obviously marked with a patchwork of pale, pinkish scars. Techno huffs at Dream, still watching him incredulously, and gestures at his crouching body.”

“Well obviously I know you’re injured, but you’ve been really jumpy around your left side, man. You haven’t been hiding any life-threatening injuries under that jumpsuit, have you? It would be really awkward if you just dropped dead one day, I’m not gonna lie.”

Dream goes still, before shaking his head slightly with a harsh puff of air.

“Figures you’d notice that,” he mutters, almost to himself, before turning to look at Techno with a small, tight-lipped smile. “Nothing gets past you, huh?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say nothing…”

Dream laughs, short and without humor. His hair swings in front of his face, and Dream ignores it as he goes back to chipping at the obsidian. Techno winces, sensing that he’s hit on a sore spot, and backs off, presuming that the other man is done with the conversation.

“I’m blind. In my left eye.”

Or not, apparently.

“Uh,” Techno rolls his shoulders back, trying to catch a glimpse at Dream’s face underneath the mess of his hair and his mask keeping it out of sight. “I’m guessing that’s a recent development, then?”

“Mmhm,” Dream goes back to the obsidian with seeming renewed determination. Techno sighs, waving away the curious chants and questions from Chat blind? Teletubby blind? Not pog. Is that from quackity? E e e e and battling his own awkwardness to figure out what to say next. Gee, thanks for the bombshell, Dream. You sure know how to make a conversation uncomfortable.

“Is it from Quackity, then?” He asks, finally, remembering the scar that had clawed across Quackity’s face, a large, ragged thing from the rough edge of a pickaxe. It had been a harsh death, not that he’d thought much of it at the time, and the clear remnants of it on Quackity’s face and in the newfound fogginess of his left eye seems all the more relevant here, with Dream’s newest revelation. He’d hardly put it past the man to take someone else’s eye as revenge, even if Dream hadn’t been the one to ruin his vision in the first place.

“Nope, surprisingly,” Dream seems to shrug, popping the ‘p’. “Was from Sam, actually. He got mad after I killed Tommy, gave me this in return. I don’t even think it was on purpose, but you know. Shit happens. He ran.”

“Kinda sounds like a garbage warden, I’m not gonna lie.”

“He probably could’ve fixed it, if he bothered getting a regen. He didn’t, though. He left basically immediately after, didn’t come back for weeks. Bastard. Left me in here with the child for another few days- what an idiot.”

“Doesn’t sound like the smartest decision,” Techno says, finally, and Dream laughs slightly before going back to his obsidian. Techno watches him for a minute, before going back to their bell, carefully feeling along the smooth surface.

“You want to see?” Dream says, suddenly, and Techno’s head snaps up.

“Uh,” he flounders. “I guess?”

Dream’s hands go to his mask, trembling slightly as he unfastens the buckle in the back. Techno thinks he’s seen Dream without the mask fewer times than he can count on one hand, watches silently as he eases it off to look him in the eyes. His cheeks are pale, gaunt, eyes startlingly wide. There’s a cut still healing along his right cheekbone, a bump along his nose bridge from where it’d been broken, before. A small, thick scar rises from his left eye socket, and the eye within it is glassy, unseeing, paler as if covered by a slight film. He looks tired, shadows under his eyes, slightly scared. If he’s being honest, he looks young, human. Very, very human.

“When we get out,” Techno says, keeping his voice light as Dream goes to fasten the mask on his face again. “I’ll get Phil or someone to make you an eyepatch, or something. Really sell the whole homeless schtick you’ve got going on.”

“Techno,” Dream starts, exasperated, and Techno grins.

“Or maybe a pirate is more fitting. You like pirates? You know, if you have a ship, you won’t be homeless anymore-”

“You are the worst,” Dream huffs, and Techno laughs as he goes back to pacing around the cell, careful to stay on Dream’s right side.

“That’s not an answer, you know,” he continues, and Dream shakes his head.

“I’ll tell you when we get out, then.”

“Sounds good,” Techno smiles despite himself. That must be the first time that Dream admitted that they were going to get out. Guess you aren’t as hopeless as you thought, nerd. “We’ll figure it out when we get out.”

#-> my writing #my writing :D #my asks !!#-> my asks #tw eye trauma #tw gore #tw violence #tw torture #tw abuse #tw child death #tw death #tw trauma #prison arc #pandora's vault #c!sam critical

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chainofclovers · 3 years

Text

Ted Lasso 2x7 Thoughts

“Headspace” is a very apt name for this episode, in which we learned almost no new information about the characters in Ted Lasso but learned a great deal about the way many characters’ brains work.

Most of the episodes this season have been so full of new information (if you wanna know something about how my brain works, the critique that early s2 episodes lack conflict does not compute), so full of dramatic irony (Sam and Rebecca don’t realize they’re messaging each other on Bantr! Rebecca’s voicemail to Ted doesn’t actually indicate that she spent a significant portion of time panicking and looking for him!), and misunderstandings that it was really nice to spend a bit over thirty minutes on an episode with very easily mappable plotlines.

Ted and Sharon and Therapy

Ordinarily in my little recaps I talk about the characters as real people making their own decisions, because every character on this show feels very real. But I have to take a minute to just, like, celebrate the acting in these scenes. Sarah Niles and Jason Sudeikis brought the perfect energy to each of their three scenes in Dr. Sharon’s office.

The drinking bird toy! The way he switches from nodding along with it to shaking his head no while the bird continues to shake its head yes, just like Ted shook his head no while saying yes, they should hire a sports psychologist! The way he finally stills the bird in the final therapy scene in the episode...but performatively throws the tissue box.

(Someone is going to need those tissues, Ted. It might be you.)

I also LOVE that this is the first time we see Sharon in an extended scene that takes place in a session. We’ve seen her rapport with the players, we’ve seen the results, and we’ve seen the things she does to make someone feel comfortable at the start of a session, and that’s all the information WE need to know to feel confident in her excellence as a psychologist. But because Ted hasn’t been able to fully appreciate those things, it’s so fitting that his sessions are a time for us to learn more about Sharon’s approach along with him.

It’s just...such good acting. The way she tells him he doesn’t need to worry. The kind of charming (but not performatively charming, just...charming) smile on his face when he claims he knows he doesn’t need to worry. And the way his voice changes a little as the conversations progress—deeper, less controlled, with some very genuine Midwestern “ma’am”s.

Sam and Rebecca and Awkwardness

Sam and Rebecca were so awkward when talking to each other in the hallway! If I had been in that hallway I would have been physically unable to stop myself from doing something even more awkward and diverting to make it stop. (I say this as someone who is neither disgusted by or delighted by the direction of the Bantr storyline. This is a good story about two good people who are in very different places in their lives existing in both a manufactured connection and the real, and very different, connection they have when they aren’t glued to their phones. This story is supposed to be awkward and uncomfortable.)

I did like the parallels of their friends sort of urging them on/coaching them through the inherent panic of the three dots that appear and disappear—a source of panic whether you’re the one creating the dots on the other screen or watching them and feeling at their mercy.

I like that in this episode both Ted and Rebecca are loudly broadcasting “I AM NOT IN THE RIGHT HEADSPACE FOR A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP”—Ted with his rueful awareness that Michelle would be upset if she heard him still referring to her as his wife, Rebecca with her insistence that relationships are doomed and awful even though she’s talking to two people (Keeley and Higgins) in committed relationships.

Roy and Keeley and Space

This plot was a really wonderful...counterpoint? complement? to the places both Ted and Rebecca are in as Ted starts to come to terms with the fact that he’s going to have to deal with his past and the losses he’s suffered (including the loss of his marriage) and as Rebecca questions whether she’s really going to embark on the next phase of a relationship with someone whose identity she does not know.

Because Ted and Rebecca are stuck apart, it was great to see Keeley struggle with needing space from Roy without worrying for a second about whether or not this challenge was a threat to their relationship. (Keeley and Roy aren’t used to long haul relationships, so they both see it as a threat, but the audience doesn’t have to.)

There was so much going on in that boot room. I love the coexisting realities there—Rebecca and Keeley and Higgins treating the boot room as their personal room for secret smoking, but as the crowd grows all these other unspoken dynamics emerge (it’s been two days since the panic attack and this is the first time we see Ted and Rebecca in the same room and there’s no evidence that they’ve talked about what happened with the panic attack or Rebecca’s parents or any of the big stuff).

Everything about Keeley’s plotline this episode reminded me of how Ted and Keeley are so similar (and, to a lesser extent, Rebecca and Roy are so similar). Rebecca and Roy both tend to write things off (Rebecca is so certain any relationship she has will be doomed, but it’s just because of how hurt she already is; Roy wanted to convince himself he was happier as a pundit than as a coach, but it’s just because he was scared of how much he wanted to be back on on the pitch), only able to deal with things when a safe person like Ted or Keeley sort of startles growth out of them. (We talk a lot about how Rebecca should be in therapy, but Roy should too.) And Ted and Keeley! Everything’s great, everything’s sunny, but look at how Keeley stands on her couch and screams in sadness and anger when she blows up at Roy and he leaves.

This time, things work out between Roy and Keeley because he figures out what Keeley was trying to communicate and respects what she needs, but in the future she’s going to have to figure out how to articulate herself more clearly. (And so will Ted...not only in therapy with Sharon, but as everything with the other coaches and the team and Will and basically everyone in his life come to light.)

Nate and Beard and Twitter-Insecurity-Rage

Ahhhhhhhhh.

This plotline made me feel almost as nervous for Ted (the things he doesn’t know) and Beard (the things he knows) as it did for Nate and Colin and Will and everyone.

At first I was really bothered by the repetition of Nate checking Twitter. We know! He’s on Twitter a lot now that he’s semi-famous! He’s obsessed! But then it occurred to me that it’s extremely perfect that Nate checking Twitter becomes this silent refrain building him up or tearing him down based on the latest 280-character compliment or take-down. Because this is how the internet works! You get obsessed with something on it and then check it a million times per day until you feel sick. It could be a dating app, or a trending story, or almost anything. If you check it often enough, the internet won’t even have anything truly new for you...it just feels like it does. So the repetition of Nate scrolling Twitter wasn’t meant to deliver us new information, but rather to mimic the old information coming through again and again.

I feel so deeply for Nate, who’s brilliant about football but unfit to coach because the power dynamics of coaching are a totally foreign concept to someone like him, who relies entirely on external inputs to take his actions. Ted and Beard and Roy all go and learn things and bring them back to the pitch, but none of them have had the capacity to teach Nate how to do this. Even Nate’s private thoughts, which he wrote down during s1, only come to light when Ted prompts him. And when your external inputs are coming from social media and an unappreciative father and a hyper-awareness of insult after years spent on the receiving end of bullying...it’s very dangerous. Maybe even literally physically dangerous.

I also feel so deeply for everyone who interacts with Nate right now, particularly Will.

Some Bonus but Never Extraneous Trent Crimm

Trent in the pub made me NERVOUS. Seeing him in this new place where Ted goes to wind down, almost coaching Ted through lying to him about having had food poisoning?! When they both clearly know that isn’t what happened?!?

It felt very fitting that this uncomfortable yet kind-of-mercifully-executed lie takes place towards the end of an episode full of such positive and negative growth for the characters. Such movement. It felt all wrong (in a good way), like covering something new and smooth and precious with spackle because maybe you actually wanna paint something else after all even though it won’t serve you in the long run to do it. To paraphrase Dr. Sharon, the truth will set you free but first it will piss you off, and Ted’s conversation with Trent is a reminder of all the layers there are to cut through on the way to the truth.

If Apple TV could simply release 2x8 - 2x12 this week, I would bargain with something crazy and miserable like giving up caffeine until October 8, the air date for the season finale. I continue to love this season and to feel the serenity of watching excellent actors execute on excellent scripts...but we’re getting to the point where the momentum’s built up and is heading to ever-scarier places, and I neeeeeeeeeed to knoooooooow.

#ted lasso #ted lasso s2 spoilers #meta by me #ted lasso 2x7 #a lesbian watches ted lasso

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nerdsideofthemedia · 3 years

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I've come to terms with bb but I still want to know when it was decided to be endgame. I don't buy the "planned from the start" thing since everything in show points to the exact opposite. Maybe the volume commentary after the fact will finally put the matter to rest...or muddle things up further lol. given the likely possibility of them lying ) if it was planned from the start there should have been hints from the start they shouldnt have began hinting at bb halfway into the series ( and attempting to use bb being a same sex ship as a shield and claiming anyone who didnt see evidence just didnt see it because it was a w/w ship makes me roll my eyes "I recognize that BB is likely to become a canon ship. But given that it's a stupid-ass canon ship, I've elected to ignore it."

Have you ever gotten around to reading from start to finish the one giant post dedicated to you that goes into length about your harassment and it is now linked to in all my rwby post in the wordpress blogs, @megashadowdragon (yes, I am almost certain that is your actual real account even if my evidence is circumstancial)? Should I put a link to your tumblr profile too?

You've claimed to be in your late 20s, how the fuck can you be that old and still think it's acceptable to harass someone over a ship? and for months, no less. The only time you left me alone is when I had cut all means to do so. I shouldn’t have to do that. Have you been checking on my account every week for the last month to see when you could strike again? Get the fuck over it. BS sunk for good in early V6 (yes, the Renora/BB parallels are very clearly intentional and no, they didn’t change their minds mid-volume – that would have been likely impossible). V9 is starting in a couple of months.

If the writers told you every single hint they had to reveal BB, you would not believe them, so don’t bother feigning curiosity and pretending you’re open-minded. A person who thinks Adam attacked Yang and associated the word love without any planning on the writers' part is someone who could not care less about what the writers were trying to convey. A person who sees Yang getting associated with the ex and Sun getting associated with the unrequited love doesn’t think it says anything about story is naïve at best. And a person who keeps sending me to a goddamn post (that I’ve even quoted verbatim in one of my posts) that says “Like seriously if I was writing two characters that were only meant to be platonic, I would never write a scene like that. The implication of those words are too strong.” but tries to pretend this only applies to Renora and not BB is a deeply homophobic one. I have yet to understand how the hell you fail to see that that post makes actually a massive amazing argument for BB being planned from very early on.

Nothing can be applied to Renora without applying to BB too.

It wasn’t just the Renora scenes that were written by writers, the BB scenes also were, including the flirting and wink, the ship named Pride, the ex attacking and using the word love, yet classmate for Sun, Yang paralleling Pyrrha when they both helped the object of their affection in the dance arc, the Arkos/BB parallels in V3, etc. The writers decide everything. If they wanted Sun to fight the ex and not be associated with unrequited love, that would have happened. Don’t bother pointing Adam didn’t fight Sun when they were alone, that’s why he used the word classmate because the fight could have happened any way the writers wanted it to happen. If they wanted those 2 to fight (or with Blake) and use the word love, they would have.

The writers decide everything. If they wanted to associate Sun with the ex instead of the unrequited love or if they wanted to associate him with the word love instead of classmate, they would have.

Instead of writing a post responding to all your nonsense for the 124539th time,

let’s decide what to do with you.

I’m guessing reporting you to tumblr is worthless because you harassed me using several accounts that no longer exist (mysteriouslypaleenthusiast, reallydelicateturtle, red2sposts, ravenstarsblog, violetcloudsworld, pleasantbarbarianfire, makofan and now lightningemperorsworld). Let’s not forget the multiple anons and the [email protected] and the [email protected]. Still, reporting to tumblr and see if they have ways to check it’s you and see what they can do about it, not off the table.

Here’s my suggestion: you stop harassing the BB community (the entire community, not just me) and I let bygones be bygones.

Or maybe, I inform your community (yes, I have also saved the usernames of the people you are constantly asking to bring down our posts because you can’t do it yourself – to be fair, neither can they) and let them know what you’ve been up to and how you’ve been using them to harass us. Unless of course, they already know, but they’re garbage so they don’t care. I may be willing to take a shot and find out.

Oh, and you can stop with the nonsense of being offended because I called you out on your homophobia. You don’t want to be called out on it, then stop being homophobic. For starters, stop harassing real LGBTQ+ people because your fictional straight ship didn’t become canon.

If most saw it coming and you didn’t, then the writers didn’t fail, you did. Also, the hints didn’t begin mid-series, they have been there since the red fucking trailer. By the end of V3, a good chunk of the audience had called it. By the end of V6, almost no one thought BB wasn’t going to be endgame.

You are one of the few exceptions. If that doesn’t scream volumes to you about your lack of understanding of storytelling/how much you live in denial, then nothing will. Live in “I’m right and everyone else is wrong” for as long as you want, but don’t ever bother me or anyone else ever again.

For the sake of honesty, I will say that I do not know if @megashadowdragon is the one behind the harassment of several BBers. I know with almost certainty they are behind mine, but I cannot be sure they have other victims since the patterns aren’t the same (at least, not the victims I know of). This been said, add them to the list of suspects.

I suppose I thank you for not being a complete asshole to me for the last 2,5 years, when I actually wrote the post that has you screeching for months. And now I say fuck you for being a complete asshole to me for the last 4 months because of a goddamn ship. Yet you have the fucking gall to pretend we are the toxic ones.

TLDR: act your age (which you claimed is late 20s), and stop harassing people over a ship. No one owes it to you to pretend they did not see BB coming just because you didn’t. No one gives a shit about what you ship. Ship whatever you want as much as you want. Want to have an entire tumblr page just for BS? Go right ahead. What you cannot do is force your garbage ship down someone else’s throat.

#bumbleby #bmblb #harassment #found the culprit #rwby #shipping discourse #yang x blake #blake x yang #lgbtq #stop living up to your initials bsers #lgbt in fiction #lgbt couples

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yellowsuitcase · 4 years

Text

I missed you // Draco Malfoy

A/N: This was an anonymous request I received about 4 days ago. It took me a while to write it because school was A LOT this week and I’ve been so exhausted from trying to keep up with everything. I’ve also started trying to shift so if anyone has any tips on that, please let me know! Otherwise, I hope you enjoy!

Summary: Draco and Y/N have mutually broken up and have started experimenting with other people. But it’s only a matter of time before Draco gets jealous.

Warning(s): Swearing

Word Count: 2.5k

It was for the best. Wasn’t it? He didn’t love her anymore, and nor did she. That happens sometimes. People just fall out of love. It was mutual; there was no fight, nobody was angry. The relationship had run its course, no feed to fuss about it. Besides, it wouldn’t have made sense for them to remain, boyfriend and girlfriend, when they’d each lost feelings.

If all of that is true...then why does it hurt so much? Y/N wondered as she lay flat on her back, the bedsheets around her in disarray from all her tossing and turning. She knew there was no way she’d find sleep easily tonight, not after the breakup. She felt as if a piece of her had been forcefully ripped from her. But why? She had a hunch for almost an entire month that she’d lost feelings for Draco. Shouldn’t she have been prepared for the end? Alas, Y/N knew that completely preparing oneself for a breakup is an impossible feat.

These thoughts swirled through her brain as she finally closed her eyes. She clutched the sheets in her palms, trying to ground herself. Her forehead was tense with wrinkles as she was already anticipating the nightmares. But nevertheless, after a few more minutes of restlessness, her body’s need for slumber overtook her.

When she awoke the next morning, she could practically feel the bags sitting under her eyes. She could only guess that her sleep had been plagued with nightmares as she was lucky enough not to have any recollection. Her head pounded as she sat up in her bed. Her roommate gave her a pitiful and knowing look. Y/N took in a deep breath and clambered out of bed.

It didn’t take her very long to get ready since she frankly didn’t care whether or not she looked presentable today. She made sure her teeth were brushed and that her tie was on correctly and walked out of the dorms. Truthfully, she knew she wasn’t very hungry, but people would ask questions if she missed breakfast. While walking to the Great Hall, she was startled by someone jumping right in front of her.

“Good morning!” George Weasley said. “Why the long face?”

Y/N gave him a weak smile and said, “I didn’t sleep well, that’s all.”

George looked skeptical but pushed no further. He fell into step beside her.

“Where’s Freddie?” she asked.

“Morning detention with Filch, he slipped a puking pastille into his drink.”

“You had nothing to do with it?” she asked, a doubtful smile on her lips.

George shrugged, smirking as he did so. “I have my ways,” he said while bumping her shoulder slightly. She looked up at him with a fake mean glare as they strode into the Great Hall. Y/N caught sight of Draco immediately. He was where he always sat in the morning. Usually, she would’ve made a beeline for the space next to him. Today, that spot was taken by Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl who had always taken a keen liking to Draco. Y/N stopped in her tracks and stared. Pansy was fawning over him, running her hands up his arms. Y/N felt anger begin to rise in her chest...but then she remembered.

Shaking her head, she forced her feet to follow George to where he had sat down at the Gryffindor table. He was talking animatedly with his mates and didn’t notice Y/N standing behind him awkwardly while she tried to figure out whether or not she was wanted at the table; she was a Slytherin after all.

George eventually took notice of the presence behind him when his friend nodded his head towards her. “Y/N, did you want to sit? Thought you’d be with Malfoy. Has something happened?”

She sighed as she threw her leg over the bench and sat down. “Yeah, we broke up,” she said softly.

“Broke up? He didn’t do anything, did he?” George asked while turning to look at Draco.

“No, no. It was mutual. He didn’t do anything.”

“Good. Well, cheer up then. You’re a free woman now. The world is yours, right?”

Y/N smiled at George. “Yeah, you’re right, it is. I don’t know why I’ve been sulking so much. I lost feelings, and so did he. Nothing more to it.”

“Yeah, that’s the spirit! Who needs Malfoy anyway?” George bellowed, successfully making Y/N giggle. She felt her stomach rumble. This surprised her; she didn’t expect to be in a good enough mood to be hungry. But the buttered rolls on the table now looked extremely appetizing.

---------

{A few months later}

Draco paced back and forth in front of the mirror. He was nervous. In nearly twenty minutes, he’d be on his first date since breaking up with Y/N. He couldn’t believe he was really going on a date. With Pansy Parkinson, nonetheless. These past few months, she’d really grown on him. She was from a pureblood family, she was kind to him, and she was rather pretty. Draco knew his parents would love her. He could only hope he could grow to do the same.

He gathered his courage and left the bathroom. They had agreed to meet outside the potions classroom. It was an odd location, but Pansy suggested it, and Draco had no reason to object it. As he walked down the middle of the corridors, his mind began to race. What would she be wearing? Would she like him? Would they become boyfriend and girlfriend after this? Would Y/N find out? What would she think?

Draco’s face grew tense. What a silly thought to have. He wouldn’t actually date Pansy. And as for Y/N, he knew she wouldn’t care. She and George have had a thing for a few weeks now. They were always holding hands or sitting shoulder to shoulder, lovey-dovey stuff like that. He had even given her a kiss on the cheek. The image of it was burned into Draco’s memory.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he saw Pansy outside the classroom. She had her back leaned against the wall. She donned a dark green dress that reached her mid-thigh. Her hair was wavy and fell over her bare shoulders. Draco exhaled sharply. He felt the anxiety in his stomach but was determined not to show it.

“You clean up nice, Parkinson,” he said cooly and confidently while nodding his chin towards her.

Pansy rolled her eyes, “Thank you, Malfoy. You look handsome as well,” she said while scanning him up and down, her voice slow and sensual. Draco shifted his feet, feeling uncomfortable. “Shall we?” he asked. Pansy smirked and pushed off the wall and sauntered over to him. She reached for his hand and grasped it tightly in hers. Draco had to fight the internal instinct to wriggle his hand out of hers.

Just as they were about to go, they heard a noise from behind them. They turned around saw none other than Y/N, her arms full of potion ingredients and notebooks. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“Stealing potion ingredients, Y/N?” Pansy asked with a knowing smirk on her face.

Y/N’s eyes shifted back and forth between the pair. When her eyes landed on their interlocked fingers, she straightened her spine and frowned. “You know perfectly well that we have a section that’s open to students. And it’s none of your business anyway,” she spat.

But Pansy was unfazed. “Lavender, Flobberworm mucus, and valerian sprigs. What’s wrong, Y/N? Can’t fall asleep? Oh no, don’t tell me you get nightmares,” Pansy taunted, using a voice one might use when speaking to a baby or a dog.

Draco watched as Y/N’s face turned red. He knew she’d always struggled with nightmares and would often have to make herself a sleeping draught potion to be able to get some genuine rest. As he looked at the ingredients in her hands, he noticed she was short on a few of them.

“You don’t have enough,” he said without thinking. Both girls’ eyes turned to him. He ignored Pansy’s and instead focused on Y/N’s.

She waited a few beats before replying, “Snape has stopped refilling the supply. He said I need to stop relying on it so much,” she muttered. Her head had turned away from the couple. Draco’s eyebrows knitted together. When did she become so dependent on those potions? While they were together, she’d only need it maybe once every few weeks.

He didn’t have time to wonder about it any further. Pansy had begun walking and dragged Draco with her. Leaving Y/N alone in the cold dungeons, watching them go.

----------

Draco stared through the leaves of the tree he lied underneath. Classes were over, and he was relaxing before Crabbe and Goyle were bound to come and bother him. The week had dragged on for what seemed like years. Frankly, he was ready to crawl into bed and sleep the next few days away, but he had already made plans for the weekend.

He allowed his eyes to close, and the stress from the week began to leave his body. But his peacefulness was short-lived. Loud cheers made their way to his ears. He sat up angrily, ready to hex whoever decided to irritate him. However, all that frustration dissipated when he saw what people were cheering for. When he saw it, time seemed to stop.

George was holding Y/N in his arms, she was parallel with the ground, and her lips were pressed against his. He was kissing her passionately while her hands gripped his shirt collar.

Draco felt his heart sink. The only word running through his brain was “no.” No, no, no, no. After he watched the scene in front of him for nearly a minute, he decided he couldn’t stand it any longer. He jumped to his feet and stomped out of the courtyard, passing Pansy as he did so.

“Draco, what’s wrong? What’s happened?” she asked, her face was strewn up in confusion as to why Draco’s shoulders were heaving.

“Not now, Parkinson,” Draco snapped.

“But Draco—”

“Shut up! Merlin, do you ever shut that trap of yours?” he shouted at her. Her eyes widened in shock, but Draco paid her no mind. He was halfway down the corridor when he thought better of himself and turned around. Rage overtook his body as he stormed back into the open courtyard and headed right for George and Y/N. They noticed him coming towards them and took a few steps back. George took Y/N’s hand and pulled her behind him.

“What d’you want Malfoy?”

“Move, Weaslebee, I’m not here for you.”

George pursed his lips and withdrew his wand. He was intent on not letting Malfoy come any closer to the girl behind him. “If you’re here for her, you’re not getting her.”

Draco clenched his fists and also withdrew his wand. He aimed it straight at George’s face. “Move,” he demanded.

George widened his stance and raised his wand towards the blonde boy. “No,” he said firmly.

Draco inhaled and opened his mouth, but before he could hex George, a golden light shot towards Draco’s hand, and suddenly his wand was thirty feet across the yard.

Y/N emerged from behind George. Her wand was clutched in her palm. “There’s no need to fight. I can decide whether I want to speak with someone, and I certainly don’t need protection. So if you’ll excuse me, it’s obvious that Draco and I need to have a chat.”

She didn’t waste a moment; she began to make her way towards the exit. Draco quickly came to his senses and went to fetch his wand before hurrying after her.

He followed her through many hallways before she stopped outside the Slytherin dorms. “Salazar,” she muttered. The walls opened up before her, and she and Draco walked down the stairs into the eerie common room.

Y/N took a seat at the couch on the left of the fireplace. It was the couch they’d use to cuddle on after a long day. It felt weird to sit on it now since they both sat on opposite ends.

“Let’s not waste time,” she said, “you’re obviously upset. Care to tell me why?”

Draco scoffed and threw his arm over the back of the leather sofa. “Weasley, huh?”

“Draco, don’t be a git. We’ve been broken up for months. I’m allowed to see other people, aren’t I? I mean, you went on a date with Pansy.”

He shook his head vehemently and shifted in his seat. He couldn’t sit still, he was so angry.

“Speak, Draco. You know we can’t work any of our issues out if you don’t speak,” Y/N reminded him.

He let out an angry sigh and turned to face his ex-girlfriend. He had expected her to look just as mad as him, but instead, her eyes were filled with worry and concern. Her hand was pressed into the couch, and her body was slightly leaning forward. Draco felt the fire within his chest begin to die. He took another breath before talking.

“I can’t stand it. I can’t stand it, Y/N. Seeing you with someone else fucking kills me. It makes me so angry. When he kissed you, I… I forgot how to breathe. It was like a dementor had come and sucked all the happiness from my veins. I was infuriated, not just at him but at myself. How could I let someone else hold you?”

Y/N stared at him with soft, gentle eyes. Slowly, she reached for his rigid fist that was resting on his lap. She took it into her hands and felt the tension leave. She had always had that effect on Draco. Her touch was able to calm his stiffness with ease.

“What am I saying?” Draco wondered out loud as he shamefully wiped a tear from his cheek, “you’re not mine anymore. I know that, and yet…” he trailed off.

“Then make me yours again,” Y/N whispered.

Draco’s head whipped towards her. He saw a look of nervousness on her face. Steadily, he took her head into his hands. He moved his head slightly below hers, forcing her to look into his eyes.

“Do you mean that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Almost as if he was afraid to ask.

Y/N nodded her head, “I do. God, I do. It’s always been you, Draco. I’m so sorry—” She was cut off by Draco pulling her in for a kiss. Y/N felt herself melt into his embrace; she felt at home again.

He pulled away to catch his breath. “I’m sorry too. I never stopped loving you. I know that now. Please, let me be yours again.”

Y/N smiled, “I missed you, Malfoy,” she said with a small chuckle. Draco felt a grin spread on his face, and he dove back in for another kiss.

“I missed you more. Don’t you ever let me walk away from you again, you hear?” Draco asked playfully. Y/N laughed and gave him a quick peck on the nose.

“I solemnly swear,” she said in a fake deep voice while trying not to giggle. Draco rolled his eyes and tackled her onto the couch, causing her to squeal happily. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, vowing to himself to never let go of her again.

#draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy #draco fanfiction #draco malfoy imagine #draco malfoy x you #draco malfoy x yn #draco x reader #george weasley #request #jealous #draco malfoy fluff #fluff #angst #draco malfoy imagines

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