#well Victor got a bit of an assist :)

[backofthebookshelf]

Horror Recs for Magnus Fans, Part the Second

Last time I did this I was assuming that anyone who was listening to a horror podcast already knew some horror, but I have since learned that this is not the case, so there are a few more classics in here, as well as some more of my faves.

For anyone and everyone who listens to TMA: Sarah Monette's Kyle Murchison Booth stories, many (though not all) of which are collected in The Bone Key. Queer information professional would very much like for ghosts and monsters to leave him alone, does not get what he wants; can't resist the impulse to help out people who are more fucked over than him anyway. I love Booth so much, he deserves much better things than he gets.

For Web stans: Blindsight by Peter Watts, a sci-fi horror novel about free will and consciousness. Lydia Nicholas named this as one of her favorite books in the first Assistant's Round Table; I respect her for it, but I read this once and it gave me an existential crisis. Highly recommended, but make sure you've got a palate cleanser.

For jonelias fans and/or fans of the Corruption: Candyman (1992). With bonus folklore & urban legend meta! Kissing bees into your (potential) lover's mouth in order to convince them to become a murderous spirit of vengeance just like you! "All you have left is my desire for you"!!! It's extremely sexy, is what I'm saying, in all the best ways. (Trigger warnings for violence against children and a fair amount of gore, in addition to the aforementioned bees.)

If you love the no-holds-barred social commentary of season five: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle. No, I will not shut up about this book until absolutely everyone in the world has read it. It's short! You could read it in an afternoon! This is Lovecraft's "The Horror at Red Hook" from the point of view of a black musician and hustler who's hired to help out with the ritual, and it's incredible. (If you're enjoying Lovecraft Country, absolutely do not miss this.)

If you miss the standalone statements of season one and two: the works of the early 20th century cosmic horror and ghost story writers: M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen. Machen has a tendency to get pretty eugenics-y, and they're all either misogynistic or don't have women in their stories at all, but goddamn do they do atmosphere. ("The Magnus Archives" is named after James's "Count Magnus," Jonny's favorite M.R. James story.)

For Stranger fans and those who love unexplained mysteries: The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher, a Southern horror (not a Gothic) about a woman who goes to clean out her abusive grandmother's house to sell it only to find that there are things other than his wife that her grandfather was afraid of, and for good reason. Features hot competent neighbors, extremely practical reactions to terrible monsters, and a Very Good Dog (the dog does not die).

For Lonely bitches: "The Horla" by Guy de Maupassant, the story I use to describe my depression to people. That's a pretty good content warning, honestly.

If you loved the "Am I still human?" plotline: The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht, a grotesque little novella about monsters in (dysfunctional) love. I'm a bit iffy on the ending, but honestly landing the ending of horror is so tricky that I'll almost never discount something just because I'm iffy on the ending. The body horror and emotional repression throughout make up for it.

If you crave the supernatural adventure series starring Gerry Keay: The Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey - modern noir, so gritty you can feel it in your teeth, featuring all kinds of monsters, demons, curses, and narrowly-averted apocalypses. Not as misogynistic as noir can get, but it is noir so there's definitely a bit of that (but definitely not as misogynistic as Jim Butcher). Trigger warnings all over the place; this is B-movie horror in book form.

For Distortion fans: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Bears almost no resemblance to the Netflix series of the same name, or any of the movies based on it; this is a twisty psychological novel with a profoundly unreliable narrator and a lot of repressed queerness. Michael/Helen would be right at home in Hill House. (Content warning for suicidality.)

If you want your horror to make you cry: El Orfanado, directed by Guillermo del Toro; a family moves into a house that used to be an orphanage, that is, of course, haunted. This is a tremendous distillation of the way that horror movies are so often centered around women not being believed, so content warning for gaslighting (and for harm to children); I saw this movie once and entire scenes are embedded in my brain in full color. (Honestly you can't go wrong with any Guillermo del Toro movies; he's fantastic.)

If you want your horror to make you cry, but make it gay: In the Flesh, two seasons of a zombie TV show tragically cut short (yes, it ends on a cliffhanger, I’m sorry). Uses zombies as a metaphor for homophobia, but also includes actual queer people. Content warning for small-town-typical homophobia and tragic gays. Please come yell with me about Simon Monroe, I love him so much.

For Slaughter fans: The Shining by Stephen King - look, look, I know. He's not great. He needs an editor. The movie is all kinds of fucked up. But this book is one of the most raw, personal horror stories I've ever read, and it's got an excellent combination of supernatural influence and real-life mundane fear of addiction and personal weakness that really grabs you by the intestines. Again, an iffy ending, but it's worth it for the slow descent into paranoia and madness.

If you just want to try to find some authors to read: The Borderlands anthology series, paperbacks from the height of the 80s horror boom; there are so many different kinds of stories in here that I can pretty much guarantee you that you won't like some of them but you might well find something new to fall in love with. A lot of these writers are out of print but readily available at used bookstores or for pennies on Amazon.

As always, let me know if you liked any of these or if you have a specific need: it is no longer my job to recommend books and media to people but it is still my very favorite thing to do and I will be obnoxious about it forever

[starlightshadowsworld]

Nico at Camp Jupiter getting hurt and injured there's no ambrosia available.

Nico: Jason, I kinda need some assistance here.

Jason: Nico your bleeding!

Nico: It's fine, I'm the victor he is the victim.

Reyna:... That's a tree... Or rather a tree stump. Did you fight a tree?

Jason: This looks bad... I've got it though don't worry.

Nico: Bandage me in silk and I shall ride again.

Jason: Oookay first we gotta clean it.

Nico: What's that?

Jason: It's just hydrogen peroxide, it'll just disinfect it.

Nico:... Does it hurt?

Jason: No, it won't... Puts it on him Well maybe a little.

Nico: Eh its just kinda cold... Ahhhhh!

Jason:...I'm sorry 🥺

Nico: The hornets of Hades hath descended upon me.

Jason: Sorry Nico... But we gotta.

Nico: I hath smelted iron with the Titans touch and forged swords with Chimera's flame.

Jason:... What is happening...?

Reyna: I.. Have no idea.

Nico: But never felt the Basilisk's sting like this.

Jason: It's just a bit of a sting.

Nico: Lay two tokens on my eyes for the ferryman.

Jason, done with this:... Nico

Nico: I'm fading to Elysium, I see Bartholomew

Jason, whispering to Reyna: Who the fuck is Bartholomew?

Reyna: I believe that's a rat he had in his youth.

Nico: He looks beautiful!

Jason: You're being a tad overdramatic Nico.

Nico: I am the 🌟drama!🌟

Reyna: Does the drama want a spongebob plaster or a marvel plaster?

Nico: Spongebob plaster please 😊

(There both like great we adopted a theater kid 😂 they love him but man is he something else)

Source:

I imagine Nico speaking in this exact voice.

[imagines-to-quench-thirst]

Visiting your hometown

What happens when you take your man to your home town? As your memories, people and places come together how will he react?

A small/long drabble to get me back into writing. Enjoy!

Victor Creed

This mutant never thought that he would walk in your hometown. He didn't expect to see cultures that morph together into one special town, your town. A place where you grew up. So keeping all that in mind he was cautious. Various not to offend someone or to say a rude word in your mother tongue. For the first time in his life, he is frazzled and nervous. he will keep in his front pocket a small leaflet some words he heard you say a few times that may be of some assistance. trying to woo you.

-that old hag showed me the middle finger. let's go.

Unfortunately, anything that he says wrong, will be your responsibility to amend it. so good luck.

Loki

you just know that Loki will have your mother tongue in his little finger (that sounds weird but let's carry on) but do not be fooled, he can not survive the morning wave of people in the farmers market. something that is pretty much normal for you. Loki doesn't know how to feel when he sees the local butcher wrapping the meat in todays' newspaper giving it to buyers or how people shove him to the side as his black suit with the green scarf is more than brought down in value. he will hear the near shouts of Famers that are trying to sell their livelihood to him as his head goes from one side to another in a split second. he will easily get reeled in by the old farmer who just smells the innocence on the Midgardian addressed god. you know the moment you grabs his hand he looks at you.

-how did you ever survive in this chaos?

-I thought you said that chaos is your middle name.

-it is however my kind of chaos is more dignified.

-survive just a little bit more, I need to go to that man in the corner.

-oh, no...

Thor

we all in the fandom know that thor is a ball of joy. but when he lands in your city, your territory he is stoic. he is here on a mission and no one should stand in his way. he will glue himself to your side and he will hold the dictionary book in his mighty right hand and your hand in his left. he will not stand for wasting a day on mundane stuff that you do with him back in the HQ so say goodbye to lazying around. when you go to the oceanic part of your country you are now almost ready to drown him in the ocean. or just leave him on the road, it is getting that heavy.

-thor, think it is time to stop.

-what do you mean?

-to be honest, I don't know anymore I am so tired.

-you are right... let us stop. for 2 minutes and then you can drive again.

-I will leave you here.

Bucky Barnes

bucky loves to travel. he loves to see you in the role of a guide you tell him about the park where you cut your leg open and when you got to the hospital as a nun stood above you praying for your recovery. bucky loves to feel the fresh air going into his nose thinking to himself how this was the same air that you breathe in. he loves to see all the different parts of the city where you went to. even so much that he went to your former hairstylist.

-bucky, you don't have to do this.

-nonsense, doll. I want to experience it. just like you did.

-that was eons ago. and I wore super short hair, like a hedgehog.

-hedgehog?

-yeah, it was so short that I only put on gel and made small spikes.

- I will give everything I have and say that you looked beautiful.

-alright, your call.

Steve Rogers

steve cannot wait for enough for him to arrive in the city where you walked, ran, and laughed. he cannot wait to enter your old apartment and see all of the hidden pieces that he wants to know. he loves to help you clean the apartment and see a big box of your old photos. he will look with your through on the hard wooden floor with one arm around your shoulders as you talk about each photo. even showing him the photo of your sister.

-when will I meet her?

-I don't know.

-didn't you say that she lived here, still?

-yeah...

-I want to meet her. I think am ready for it.

-okay...

Bruce Wayne

you just know that when you told him to pack his bags to go with you he did his research. he knows when, how the city was built. he will try to memorize the tongue twisters and say them horribly wrong just to make you laugh. when he looks at your old apartment he tries to envision the day you left it all behind to go to Gotham and it breaks his heart to imagine you in tears.

-bruce.

you take his calloused hand feeling his fingers tighten the grip.

-sorry, I immediately imagined you when you moved out. I got sad.

-why?

-because, you surely cried.

-I did, a little, but this city didn't have that something.

-and what is that?

-you dumbass. now stop sulking we need to clean.

Clark Kent

as Clark arrived at the farm where your aunt lived he couldn't help feel but prepared. he saw the cows eating grabs and was ready in a split second to milk it just to show off his soft and delicate side. Clark heard the stories of your aunt, well one of them, and from what he concluded, for now, this aunt was the beginner level, nice one, the one who won't tear him a new one if he doesn't treat you right. as the door opened you greeted your aunt in your mother tongue and introduced your man. Clark shakingly trying to reply in the mother tongue feeling the few letters that stood together could fall more apart than from his mouth. your aunt laughed hugging him and roughly patted him on his back. almost like a punch if you will. you look at your aunt and Clark cannot help but stand behind you as he whispered.

-what did she say?

-she said that you seem stiffer than a goat's turd.

-you said that this aunt was nice.

-she is. but that is the way we express ourselves.

-with curse words???!!

-what better way.

Arthur curry

Arthur was relaxed when he arrived, he was laid back when he slept in your apartment but that all suicide jumped off a cliff as he shook hands with your mother. Your mom wasn't that intimating but he heard the stories of her standing to your abusive father and running away with just some change in her pocket and a used car. he knows that the woman in front of him is strong can make or break your relationship. so he held the coffee cup in his hands as if was the key to everything he needed to know how to make your mother happy. he saw how your eyes sparkled when you talked to her how your smile ever left for a second you take what seemed to him in complete gibberish but cute gibberish. your mother turns to him asking in English.

-so Arthur, can I call you by your first name?

-yes, madam. of course, you can.

-thank you. well, then Arthur what do you do for a living?

with a small nod from you, he tells the honest truth.

-I am a superhero. but minus the stupid cape. I am here to keep you and your daughter, of course, safe from all danger. and I hope you will like me!!!!

you turn to your mother with a small chuckle as you tell her in your mother tongue.

-he is helpless.

-he seems like it, good luck, Y/n.

Orm Marius

nothing can save his pulse from rising as he walked with the crowd of people in the town square only your hand which he held more than tightly enough. you stopped pointing at a big statue of a colonel on a horse placed in the middle of the square.

-he is a big deal.

-yes, I can imagine the poor people that had to lift it up to place it here.

-yes, but thanks to those people, people now in the present can always remember what they went through at that time.

he didn't find any specialness in the statute for him it lacked in far more than that he can count but when he saw your face looking at the statue he knew that whatever that stirred in you he wanted to see it every day. he only squeezed your hand placing a kiss on your knuckles.

-does this mean you want in your likeness?

-sure, but only if you will make it.

-oh, darling, that is a recipe for chaos.

The Joker

j never put effort into himself. he did in destruction, in chaos, in mayhem, and even in covering his white skin with some basic foundation as he meets your off the edge aunt. when you told him that every second sentence from her is a curse he was more than ready to meet her. because sometimes crazy people click with the people who like to curse. everyone knows that. so when he sat in the house of your crazy aunt he firstly observed, he watched you talked together and exchanged laughs, even more, when you ever brought to tears as you laughed off the curses she threw at you so playfully making even j smile. so when she turned to him it was game time. and you were the translator.

-my aunt asked what is that you do for a job?

-tell her I am the man of your dreams.

-I told her that.

-damn, then tell her-WHAT?!

you giggle at his shock as you heard the playful quote she told you when you were little and j wanted to know what she said.

-what did she say?

-she said "if a girl gives a man a hand, she will give him her ass"

-your aunt is a wise woman.

- I knew you would like her.

Duncan Vizla

Duncan likes to take walks and taking a walk with you next to him as you showed him around your old neighborhood and told him stores of the always pissed on metal slide and the always filled cafes that were always the pinpoints for some scammers he found in question why you like it so much. as you showed his around you stopped at your old elementary school. you showed him the main entrance was where everyone hurled in the morning hours and where you sat with your friends and talked about the horribly proffers that still to this day haunt you. something he heard you mumble in your sleep.

-she was that awful?

-yes, and people like here never get old it's like the evilness she has in her keeps her eligible for work.

-am i not the same?

he couldn't ask a stupider question. and for that, you punched him in the shoulder.

-don't compare yourself to her. you aren't evil.

-you are forgetting my job, darling.

-you kill for money, she kills for fun and to keep herself alive. a difference now let's go home I need to remind you just how good and attentive you can be.

-lead the way, dove.

hope you liked it. Tell me what you think❤️

Support me with a kofi

[dajaregambler]

HeliosR - Gast Adler Card story “A king’s dignity”

Translation of Gast Adler’s ‘ Wondrous Tea Party On A Bitter Afternoon’ 4* card story from ‘Helios Rising Heroes’.  

--- Just before the LOM begins.

Gast: Stealing the King’s bagel sandwich is a grave crime. So off with your head…!

Gast: Hmmn, kinda don’t feel right… Not too soon until it’s the real deal either, will I be okay?

Victor: It seems that you’re having a hard time, Gast.

Victor: Come to think of it, you had also played the role of the Queen of Hearts for the reading.

Gast: Yeahhh, it doesn’t have the punch like it did though. For the readin’ I had your advice and it somehow worked out…

Gast: But this time I’m dressed up and gotta act out the part perfectly, can’t rely on tricks and all

Victor: The impact, you say. It’s certain that understanding a character’s emotions and the like doesn’t pose a problem for you

Victor: In your case, I believe that overplaying the arrogance somewhat will work in your favor

Gast: A-arrogance… This kinda got really complicated now….

Victor: To put it in simpler terms, the behaviour of someone high and mighty.

Gast: Aah, like that. Someone high and mighty’s good

Victor: Think you can do it?

Gast: Yeah. Here I go!

Gast: Off with your head

Victor: ……

Gast: Stealing the King’s bagel sandwich is a grave crime. So off with your head.

Victor: ……

Gast: …..Doc? Was that no good?

Victor: No, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t good at all-

Ren: Is this some last minute acting advice?

Gast: Ren!

Ren: It’s about to begin…. Marion’s going to lash out at you again if you don’t do it well.

Gast: Gwuh….

Victor: Perfect timing. Ren, please assist me with giving advice from an objective point of view.

Victor: Gast, say that line one more time.

Gast: Eh… Ah, okay, sure

Gast: Stealing the King’s bagel sandwich is a grave crime. So off with your head.

Ren: ………..

Victor: What’s your impression, Ren

Ren: …..It comes over as bad, in the sense of a bad guy.

Gast: Comes over as bad…?

Victor: Indeed. Rather than it being high and mighty… it’s leaning more towards it being “villainous”

Victor: The villain part isn’t misplaced by any means, however for the desired image of the King of Hearts you have to lean away from that for a little.

Gast: So it wasn’t good… Well, had realized that myself though

Victor: I don’t believe that your performance was terrible by any means…

Victor: Perhaps the cause may lay with mentality, which is why acting out a character that is self-important has proven to be difficult.

Gast: Yeah, that could be why. When bringin’ my lil’ bros together I didn’t think I needed to be full of myself or somethin’....

Gast: I probs just suck at behaving in that kinda way

Gast: But I can’t use that as an excuse. If I put on a half-hearted performance… Guuh, felt a chill run down my spine…

Victor: Then, the only option left is for symbolic application. From the tone of your voice to mannerisms, all of it has to be stereotypical.

Gast: Don’t think I’m that clever to pull it off though…

Victor: There’s no need to overthink it. Let us begin with changing the way you move. Something fitting for a king would be…

-

Victor: It has improved quite a bit.

Ren: Yeah, it’s more believable

Gast: R-really?

Victor: Yes, rest assured. Now for the last part, try to change the tone of your voice and the way you speak.

Gast: Okay…

???: Oi…..

Victor: Oh, now that one was excellent.

Gast: Uh, that wasn’t me-

Marion: Everyone, it’s time to go! You all better be ready, got it?

Ren: Marion, since when…

Victor: Oh my, I had lost track of time for a moment there

Gast: Seriously… is it really already our turn to-

Marion: Gast, you better not put on a sloppy performance for the citizens. If you even dare to show a single fault…

Marion: You will get publicly executed for being an imposter of a king!

Gast: …!!

Gast: (S-scary…)

Gast: (Wait, hold on a sec? The way Marion’s acting right now…)

--

Announcer: “Now look at this everyone! The time for the battle between Alice and the King of Hearts has finally come!”

Announcer: “What confidence from the King of Hearts, a gun is being pointed at him and yet he’s still calm, smiling without moving an inch from his throne!”

Gast: As if I, the king himself, would stand for a single intruder.

Ren: I’m putting an end to this trial right here. Watch yourself, King of Hearts…!

Gast: Hah, then I suppose you're ready to get your head taken? Alice.

Roy: G-Gast-san’s kinda, different than usual…

Chuck: Obviously, duh. He’s the King of Hearts. Gast-san’s usually way different than that, but this is…

Roy: Aah, I don’t know how to say it other than I want him to order me around with that intimidating tone in his voice!

Chuck: I want him to look at me as condescending as he can while smiling coldly!

Gast: (Still don’t really get it but, using Marion as a reference was a damn good call)

Gast: (Oh man I’m so relieved~ And at this rate I won’t get whipped by him either!)

Roy: To think that Gast-san had such a side to him…!

Chuck: But this is perfect! I’ll keep following you for the rest of my life, Gast-san!!

[tin-can-iron-man]

Hey have we ever seen Doom be romantic in that physical sense? Because when he got that woman pregnant I was like “When did that happen?” Did I miss an indication that it did? I know he likes to get married to the occasional entity, but that’s usually for political reasons.

the short answer of this all is just a simple “yes” but if you want to listen to me explain in explicit, pain-staking detail (and occasionally my own biased opinions) of what you could possibly refer to as “Victor Von Dooms disastrous love life” you’re welcome to hit that read more because strap in I’m about to write a goddamn essay (also credit to whoever has it as I took these images off the internet thank you for your service or else this entire mess would’ve have photos to break it up)

So, in reference specifically to the Amara thing we need to take a few steps back and possibly assume several things (unless I, too, have missed or forgotten about something, I haven’t read those Iron Man issues in a very long time despite regularly revisiting infamous for some light reading to unholy binging accompanied by certain other stories (life FF (2011) but specifically only when Victor is around and recent installments to either yell at them about why they’re not understanding my poor little meow meow as a character properly or yell at them because Victor is making sense in a way that is told narratively as wrong but actually has a point or two)

So, for some flavor context: Amara Perera is a genius biophysicist who was introduced in the 2016 Invincible Iron Man run as Tony’s next love interest/girlfriend. She meets Victor while she is dating Tony because Victor won’t stop bothering Tony as he’s chosen to be his sort of inspiration/ideal role model of sorts on his own path towards redemption after all the shit he’s pulled (because he realized during the 2015 Secret Wars event that even with everything he’s ever wanted: ultimate power (of the beyonder) and to be ruler of the (remaints) of the multiverse, even being Reed Richards (to an extent but, yeah he stole his entire family and replaced Reeds role because he had the ability to do that, are you ok Victor) wasn’t what he…truly wanted, so his desire to become a “superhero” is more about a journey to find a purpose as well as an apology for all of the horrible things he did as Doctor Doom for a role he realized he was not truly fitted for and the fact that you would reTCON THAT PART OF DOOMS ARC AND THROW HIM BACK INTO A VILLAINOUS ROLE MAKES NO GODDAMN SENSE BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO WIN, EVEN WE HE DOES, AND TAKES AWAY THE EMOTIONAL GROWTH HE JUST WENT THROUGH–) 

So yeah Victor keeps randomly walking in to talk to Tony or assist Tony or just kinda check up on Tony and…yeah he was really focused on trying to be Tony’s friend at this time (if you wanna call it that, Victor thinks they’re friends, Tony is being a big ol tsundere about it). And occasionally he would do this kind of thing with Amara around, or when Amara was on dates with Tony. like, straight up crashing in and third wheeling. Noting and appreciating Amara’s general lack of fear at his presence, even talking science/shop talk with her and giving her notes/advice.

Then Tony fakes his death for a mission that goes on for too long and it’s implied and slightly shown that this is the point in time where Victor and Amara are alone together. Victor gets Amara a job at Cambridge and checks in on her from time to time because, you know, her boyfriend was just declared dead. And as far as I’m aware most of their relationship, if one could call it that, happens off panel. I kinda interpret the whole situation like a soap opera (which is how most of Tony’s relationships are like in comics) (also I’m using this next bit as an example and not exactly what I believe happened): the soap opera Guy who was with the soap opera Girl dies and the guys soap opera Frenemy leaning towards friend does stuff like, buys her flowers as condolences, pays her bills for the next for months, moves in with her because “it’s too quiet in my house now” and eventually soap opera Girl falls into soap opera Frenemies arms and they uh, “spend the night together” only for soap opera Guy to show up and go “hey I’m not dead!!!” and soap opera Girl smack him and breaks things off only to then discover she is pregnant with soap opera Frenemies baby

(also there was originally an air of mystery about whos baby it actually was, Tony’s or Victors? But everyone just kinda universally agreed it was Victors, even the comics)

So, that’s the Amara stuff sorted out. I’m very sorry if my explanation has left you more confused. Comics do that.

Now, for your question on if we’ve ever seen doom being physically romantic for a woman, the answer to that is yes! I’m sure there are other women that I am forgetting about and I’m sure there are panels out there that show that I am a dumb-stupid head, and that’s ok.

For the most part Victor's love life isn’t…exactly elaborated on and it’s mostly just that while Victor–if a writer decided to–COULD have love interests he just simply doesn’t and mostly chooses not to. (Literally, there’s an old Latverian law (re: corrupt barons handled Latveria before Victor started a coup and took over and some laws he hasn’t gotten to/kept because he decided they would be convenient for one reason or another) where the Latverian royal family has the capacity to just simply, pick a woman from the crowd and force her to “spend time alone” with them, they can’t say no, they can’t fight back, if they’re married, their husbands must let them go, they must not refuse any request made of them at this time, so Latveria is basically just a giant fucking harem to the royal family. And the one and as far as I know only time Victor has ever used this was just simply to have a private conversation with a married woman so her family could not eavesdrop. Like. He’s fucking ethical!! Thank god.) 

This is, of course, not to say Victor hasn’t been interested in women, but the things he finds attractive are–most of the time–a person's boldness and the power that they possess (re: Amara, the first thing he noted about her was that he appreciated she was not afraid of him despite his reputation) and we can see that in some of the women he’s been interested in over the years, varying from a sort of–*hand gestures*–romantically charged respect he gives to Storm/Ororo Munroe even upon meeting her even for the first time, recognizing her power, grace, and again, her lack of fear of him (something he did not appreciate so much back then). 

To a kind of–albeit, established as manipulating and for ulterior motives–protectiveness over Wanda when he tried to marry her to gain control over her chaos magic. (and even maintaining a calm demeanor when Wanda threatens to kill him later on, which reads as “if you were going to do that, you already would have, Wanda” but I personally interpret it as “hot”). He still (at the very least, on a surface level) treated them with respect, he treats Ororo as an equal (if not more) and he treats Wanda…a bit less favorably but that's just different writers doing different things. And in the reality Wanda created where her and Victor were married (although I have not personally read it) he seemed to treat her with affection and respect that she must have at least perceived to be how Victor would act around her if they were truly husband and wife. A perception that was based in reality even though he was attempting to emotionally manipulate her.

Even Zora Vukovic aka Victorious, Victors herald and general right hand (wo)man and most recent attempted wife (for political reasons, thank god) (didn’t end up married because uh long story short everything exploded) shows this kind of boldness and is infused with cosmic power!!!

The only person who doesn’t exactly fall under this “type” of his is, arguably (I see you shippers), is his childhood sweetheart and the closest thing Victors ever had to a genuine girlfriend/wife: Valeria Karela (ok her wiki doesn’t say she has a last name but I’m going off the names of her grandfather and mother because it’s the only name I have) 

Also fun little sidenote!!: NOT, I REPEAT, NOT VALERIA RICHARDS, VICTOR WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO NAME REED AND SUE’S DAUGHTER AFTER ASSISTING IN HER BIRTH (so midwife doctor doom is fucking canon, jot that down) WHERE SHE AND SUE WOULD HAVE DIED IF HE HADN’T HELPED AND HE NAMED HER VALERIA AFTER THIS VALERIA BECAUSE HE LOVED HER AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FITTING AS HE ALREADY DECIDED IN HIS HEAD TO STEAL GODFATHER STATUS. SHE IS NOT VALERIA RICHARDS, SHE IS VALERIA RICHARDS NAMESAKE, DOOM NAMED VALERIA AFTER THE WOMAN HE LOVED BECAUSE HE ALREADY DECIDED HE (PATERNALLY) LOVED BABY VALERIA)

So, haha, time to take a few steps back again! So Victor was born to a roma caravan in Latveria to Werner Von Doom (a healer/doctor) and his wife Cynthia Von Doom (a witch). A little while after his birth Cynthia sells her soul to the demon Mephisto (one of marvels top big bads) in return for power she wished to use to overthrow the corrupt barons ruling her country and put a stop to the oppression of her people, but while Mephisto had granted her the magical power to do this, she lacked control and was killed by a latverian guard and died and got her soul sentenced to Hell. Her use of “satanic witchcraft” was then used as another reason why the Romani in Latveria should be oppressed and discriminated against. This in turn turned the Caravan against Werner, her husband, and especially Victor, her son (because what is more condemning, than being the child of an evil witch?). So while they managed to get to stay in the caravan, nobody was really…willing to be around Victor anymore besides his father. (Because he’s an outsider, because he shouldn’t be here, because he’s the witches son)

Nobody…except for Valeria Karela.

A girl close to the same age as Victor and the granddaughter of Werner's close friend and confidant, Boris Karela. (yes, the same Boris who now serves in Castle Doom and has done so faithfully ever since he was introduced. Take that as you will.)

So, Victor and Valeria grew very close at this time, and by the time they were about…I’d say…just about preteens? They both fully expected to one day get married and have children together. 

Of course, this did not work out. But there’s more to it than that.

It’s not as though this was a…silly middle school romance (even though they were young), but rather things just sort of happened and snowballed in Vic and Val’s lives that eventually drove them apart for the time being (Started with Werner's death, then Victor finding Cynthia's things and starting to perform magic like his mother had) until Victor was given the option to attend State University in America on a full ride scholarship because of his genius in science, specifically engineering and robotics. Victor asked Valeria to come with him to America but she refused due to having familial obligations in Latveria. In turn, Valeria pleaded with Victor not to go to America and attend University, and they argued until she gave him the ultimatum of going to college alone in America or staying with her and getting married, like they had planned and daydreamed about since they were little kids.

And Victor chose. 

And attended his college orientation.

And then Victor literally accidentally blew his face of after trying to build a machine to communicate with his mother in Hell because he decided he must save her from her eternal torture and that explosion blew up his dorm room and he got expelled and then later got to look at his brand new deformed face for the first time.

Yeah so Victor went on a pretty depressive spiral for a while just kinda living in europe off the money he made in college by selling ideas to the military (as his scholarship program was about that) and that’s when he coincidentally meets Valeria again and they start dating again and Valeria does not mind that his face is messed up and as far as I know she is the only woman that’s ever been depicted in this kind of romantic/physical relationship with Victor. And there is a…risque panel (nothing too explicit shown but uh yeah they’re absolutely going at it) in Books of Doom

(I will be choosing to abstain from that panel)

Anyway I just cranked out a 4 page essay response (that is the page number my google doc tells me that I wrote this in like a madwoman) to a tumblr ask and it’s midnight now. I literally wrote this into the next day so if you’re still here um, thanks! I very much appreciate the time it took to read this and I am so sorry this has become such a monstrosity. But also you’re welcome.

I’m going to collapse into bed now. See ya!

–Tin-Can-Iron-Man

P.S. I totally forgot to mention the time he had sex with Morgana Le Fay a lot. also possibly Loki they had a flirty type thing going for a while or something.

P.P.S. Read Books of Doom guys it’s really good

[therenlover]

🍄 Zemo with Kiss promt #22. It gives me pride and prejudice vibes and like I was standing in the rain today so why not XD Congrats again on 1k!!! Can't wait to see more of you work! 😊

Thank you so much!!! I suddenly had inspiration for this idea and I’m really glad I got it down before I forgot about it lol. I hope you enjoy it!

Another Timeline, A Helmut Zemo x Baroness!Reader Drabble

Prompt: Kisses In The Rain with Helmut Zemo

Rating: T

Warnings: Mentions of the Sokovia Disaster

Word Count: 1100~

-------

You had been feet from death when the roof caved in.

No, not feet. 

Inches. 

Huddled together with Heinrich and Carl, you had only made it out of the house seconds before a massive chunk of rubble had dropped down and destroyed the entire front room. If you’d been even a few seconds slower while leaving, or if you’d chosen to try to go back for your phone, all three of you would have been dead, but spectacularly, you had made it. There was nothing left to do then but hold your son close and pile into Heinrich’s ill-suited Lamborghini as you made your way as far away from the ruins of Novi Grad as you could. 

In the end, you’d stopped at the nearest big city almost 3 hours after watching your home crumble to dust under a chunk of the capitol where your husband had been stationed. Catatonic, you’d made your way to an emergency relief center the locals had set up and then came the waiting. Two whole days of nothing but waiting. 

It rained the whole time.

The people were welcoming, of course, most of them happy to give up blankets or rations for the Sokovian royal family, but you declined their assistance where you could. At least you knew when the last hot meal you’d eaten was before this hell on earth. The people out here… well, you couldn’t say the same. Besides, you were far too anxious to eat or sleep anyways, so you passed any food you could on to your son or your father-in-law. There was something a bit more pressing you needed to do. 

Every day, from the crack of dawn until you finally passed out, you sat camped out by the one small radio that the camp had said up in the central tent, listening to the officials list off the names of those found dead after the disaster. Heinrich insisted that it wasn’t good for you, that the three of you should just drive over the border to Latveria and take shelter with the Von Dooms, but you refused to leave, because there, bundled in a shock blanket, you were waiting to hear Helmut’s name. “If he looks for us, he’ll look for us here,” you insisted, and so you stayed, all three of you, huddled together at the side of that radio as you tried to assure your son that everything would be okay. 

Only at the end of the second day did you rise from your spot to try to gather up some more supplies from another tent. 

It was just before sundown, though with the heavy cloud cover from a mix of precipitation and dust you could barely tell the difference between night and day anymore. By lamplight, you passed the huddled masses in search of a supply table or organizer of some kind. That’s when you heard his voice. 

“Do you have a list of all the people taking shelter here?” 

You didn’t trust your ears at first. In the darkness, it could have been any Sokovian man searching for his family. Above you, the rain fell in heavy, mucky drops that settled on your skin and streaked it with the remnants of the debris that hung heavy in the clouds. It was a trick of the night, that’s all.

“I’m sorry, sir, but-”

“Please. I have a wife and a son, their faces are known to the public, I just need to know if anyone has seen them here,” 

In an instant, you froze. Could it be?

“Baron, is that you?” 

That was the catalyst. You whipped around and there, in the gaudy white glow of an emergency camping lantern at a check-in table about 10 feet away, was Helmut. He looked awful, with dirt smeared across his face and uniform and tears in his eyes. Seeing him again, though, in any state made your heart stop. He was alive.

Your sudden pause must have caught his attention because in a second his eyes were on yours and he was running at a full sprint towards you through the mud. A soft sob escaped your lips as he captured you once again in his arms and pressed a desperate kiss to your lips. It didn’t matter that your house was nothing more than a pile of rubble. In Helmut’s arms, you were home. So you kissed him. You kissed him good and hard and breathless despite the black rain that poured above you until you couldn’t kiss him anymore.

“Schatz, I-” he gasped, wet hair dripping long dark streaks of water down his face that almost masked his tears, “Carl? Is he...” 

“Safe,” you nodded, “He’s safe and so is your father. They’re just inside that tent,” As you spoke, you gestured off in their direction.

“Mien Gott... Y/N I came back to the house and it was nothing but dust. I searched for you, for your bodies, for days…”

“We’re safe, Helmut. All of us are safe,” Your whole body seemed to tremble as you brought a hand up to his cheek. He relished in your touch, pressed into it, craved it and needed it like he needed sleep or air. For the first time in days, you felt halfway conscious of the fact that you had barely eaten or slept. It still didn’t matter though, not when you had just come back together. 

Something dark crossed Helmut’s features as he looked away from your face. “The Avengers and their hubris have destroyed our country, our people, our home… I can’t let them simply get away with this. They’ll pay for what they’ve done to us,” 

Slowly, you guided his face and gaze back to your own. It grounded him, gave him something to focus on other than the tremendous grief and loss that surrounded you on every side. “Once we’re somewhere safe and dry, we can ask Victor what can be done to hold them accountable, but for now can’t we simply be grateful that we’re all together again? For me?” 

He nodded, pulling you in for another, softer kiss. “I don’t know what I would do without you, Schatzi,”

“Nothing good,” you murmured against his lips before pulling back, “Now, it’s time to go see your son,” 

Hand in hand, you trudged through the muck towards your future, thoughts of what could have been fully resigned to the back of your minds. Vengeance could wait, for now, you needed peace, and that was what you were going to get.

[yaboylevi]

Shingeki no Kyojin's Ending Interview (May 2021)

Translation commissioned by @goldsword07​, DO NOT REPOST in full, always include credits and a link to this post if you use or share any parts of it.

Question: Congratulations on completing Shingeki no Kyojin’s serialization! How do you feel now that you have finished writing the final chapter?

Isayama: There’s still some work left to do when it comes to putting together the final manga volume*, so I don’t actually know how a “life without deadlines" feels like yet (laughs), but by publishing the final chapter, I feel like I can finally breathe again. However, there are still several things that need to be done.

(*Translator’s note: usually, putting together a volume includes: fixing drawing mistakes, sometimes even redrawing certain scenes if the author wasn’t satisfied with how they looked/their composition, fixing text (both wording or simply changing the Japanese characters used), drawing omake/extra pages, like the High School Caste fake previews, which usually take up 2 pages, and so on. So, of the 8 extra pages he mentions below, probably only 6 at max will be used to add new original story content.)

Q: What?! What else is there to be done?

Isayama: At first, the draft for the last page of the chapter was neatly divided into 5 panels, but I was feeling quite indecisive about it. At the time, that last page was a scene of 3 people running towards a tree on a hill. After having a meeting about that with Bakku-san and my other editors, I decided on a last-minute change, and I turned it into the one that is now published in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine. The limit for each printed chapter in Bessatsu Magazine was 51 pages, but since up to 8 extra pages can be added in manga volumes, I want to finish up everything that I couldn’t draw in the printed magazine and add it in the final manga volume.

Q: As for the serialization, which spanned 11 years and a half, have there been any changes about the way you think about mangas?

Isayama: Up until recently, I had drawn as if sexism wasn’t a thing, but when drawing the Marleyan military, which was comparatively more modern, if I had added, with no explanation whatsoever, female soldiers like I did for Paradis Island, it could’ve given the impression that Marley was quite a developed nation. It would’ve felt out of place. That’s why, as long as I was drawing a story set in an era of the past, I couldn’t draw female characters as part of the top brass of the military, because it would’ve meant acting as if there was no actual history of gender discrimination at the time.

It might be a story set in a fictitious world, but if you don’t connect it in some ways to the real world, it could end up becoming a story people cannot relate to.

Q: The unraveling of events that led to the final chapter has been quite shocking. Especially when it comes to Eren…

Isayama: I have been frenetically checking any and all reactions to that. There are as many honest opinions as there are people, and they’re all correct. With how I portrayed that part, it’s not so strange that it was interpreted as if Armin accepted the massacre. My portrayal was lacking. Armin didn’t approve of the despicable measures taken by Eren, but he ended up benefiting from the mass slaughter, regardless of his intentions. Armin, who couldn’t possibly understand Eren, faced their last farewell with a firm “Thank you for becoming a mass murderer for us”, essentially conveying how he himself was also an accomplice. He wanted to feel closer to Eren, even if just a little. I realized the final stage in particular had too difficult themes, and my portrayal was inadequate. I deeply regret that I wasn’t able to fully express them in the manga proper.

I’ve been drawing this manga for 11 years and a half, and when I completed the manuscript I truly believed that “everyone will be happy with this”. I was conceited. I apologize to those who have supported me until the end but have felt let down by the ending.

Q: During these 11 years and a half of serialization, have there been any memorable events?

Isayama: I’m happy that I could deepen the relationship with my assistants, as “manga friends”. When the serialization started, everyone was in their twenties, but now some of them are married and have even become parents, and we have become close family friends.

Q: Was the manga becoming an anime a memorable moment, too?

Isayama: The anime adaptation can certainly be considered another part of Shingeki no Kyojin. Lots of people got to know this story through watching the anime. Personally, it was refreshing for me too, as I could experience the story anew. In addition to that, the characters were taken out of my hands - in a good way - by the directors and voice actors, they began moving as independent “existences”. It was a first and interesting experience.

Q: Do you have a favorite scene?

Isayama: As far as drawings go, the scene I like the most is the one in chapter 104, “Victors”, when the Jaw Titan claws at the Attack Titan. Besides the fact that I feel like I can’t draw anything better than that, there also haven’t been that many action scenes with titans after chapter 104.

Q: Well then, what about your best chapter?

Isayama: One of them is chapter 71, “Bystander”. I feel like that chapter exceeded my abilities at the time. I like the way it doesn’t feel like “Shingeki no Kyojin”, as the spotlight was on the life of a single character who isn’t involved with the original story.

Q: Chapter 69, “Friends”, also depicts some characters’ personal life.

Isayama: I like that chapter, too! At the time of drawing its draft, I flattered myself with words such as “Uh? Aren’t I so mature?!”. Normally, I would draw the main story’s continuation, but in chapters 69 and 71’s case, it felt like I was drawing stories that were complete on their own.

Q: With the start of the Marley arc in chapter 91, “The other side of the ocean”, both titans and modern times’ weapons made an appearance in battle.

Isayama: That battle scene was the time I had the most fun while drawing mangas, I was in a state of total concentration and full energy.

Q: How has Shingeki no Kyojin been for you?

Isayama: It’s as if youth has come a bit late, a third of my life has been packed into this work. …Of course, there have been hard times, too, but it’s been a chapter of my life that normally you wouldn’t be able to experience and even now I struggle to think it was real. Although I’ve been spoiled by my readers, I had planned to draw all the while accepting even harsh opinions.

Q: Finally, a message to the readers, please!

Isayama: Through Shingeki no Kyojin, I could connect with an unfathomable number of people. I’ve been happy to share this time of my life with my readers, which is something that, if I had had a normal life, I would have never experienced.

Also, now that the serialization is over, I have been freed, so I want to stroll around a small city with a can of One Cup sake in one hand. That’s what I would call freedom.

[idv-sunsxin3]

Ooh, I have an idea! What about VALE adopting a child from an orphanage together? But the child’s been there for so long, they’re in disbelief when the group decides to adopt them, and they think they’re joking?

VALE Adopting A Child

Header made by me (Art via Identity V Official Twitter)

{Headcanons/Scenarios}

Note: These HCs are kind of taken place after the survivors got out of the Oletus Manor.

———

After the ‘game’ ended, VALE didn’t want part ways and never see each other again… As their homes were very far away from each other to take a visit once per week.

Andrew and Luka are less likely to have somewhere to go to either- And Edgar didn’t want to see his gluttonous family again while Victor doesn’t want to get near to a certain mafia gang whom threatened to harm Wick-

So their solution was to live together.

Despite that they already have Wick to be concerned of, Andrew and Victor came up with a conversation about having a child running around their shared home. Victor was the one who seemed to want to be a parent someday.

Edgar didn’t agree to adopt a little devil at first, and that it was too soon for them to take responsibility on a young person-

But Luka somehow agreed anyway, saying that it would be fun to play with a kid instead of bothering others- which is a 3 vs. 1 vote X’D

Of course, the decision requires all of them to agree, so it took awhile for Edgar to reconsider it.

___

The first time you met the four was when you caught Wick’s attention. You liked dogs, so you couldn’t help but pet him happily as he licked your cheek- You noticed a blonde man approaching you two… Wick must be the man’s dog companion by how he happily barked as he jumped toward his arms. The man with honey eyes smiled your way, you used to find his grin intimidating…

???// Mhm! nwn

E-Eh???

The man was not saying anything but merely stared at you. He then turned around to face other three men. They seemed to get his message and the brunette man with an eyepatch went towards you with an excited look.

#1???// Oh, Victor! You already decided the child?

Victor// Mhm!

#2???// This one? There’s no second thought…?

Victor// *Moves his hands around as if he’s doing sign language*

#3???// So the rest of the kids are scared of Wick, unlike this one…

#2???// Ah… Luca, Andrew, Victor… Are you three sure…?

Andrew// E-Edgar, we can just get to know the child a little bit and consider it, No need to rush…

Luca// *Looks at you* Hello there! What’s your name? :D

You were having trust issues at first, since no one accepted to adopt you as their own child for years- They seemed nice, despite that Edgar was looking quite grumpy. However, you still don’t see why they ended up deciding to adopt you…

Since you were quite old enough to know some things, they told you that it was already time for you to be accepted by people.

___

Victor was selectively mute, he spoke in the rare times but usually interacted with sign language. So he had to somehow teach you sign language to understand him, with the help of Luca of course!

Imagine some kids looking at you and Victor communicating in sign language at a park, as you speak normally to your other three dads-

Random kid// Mom, what is that kid and that man doing?

Random kid’s Mom// Shhh- They’re talking in sign language, sweetie. Don’t mind them-

Random kid// Why?

Random kid’s Mom// As you can see, the man may possibly be… Mute.

Random kid//

Random kid// what’s mute?

Yes.

Luca will make you go to school-

No buts.

Fortunately, two of your dads were well-educated.

Edgar would help you with Art, as Luca would help you tackle science and math-

Luca makes the subjects more fun to learn surprisingly(after years of knowing your likings-). Though, he won’t give the answers easily, he would merely give you small hints to give a push.

And yes, Victor can assist you with reading and writing if you ever struggle with those subjects!

Luca was very easy to get along with, he loved to play games with you when he had the time.

He would eagerly teach you about every tool he used to fix broken items and work on inventions.

I can imagine him holding you up towards the sun very often and flex to any acquaintance who was near.

Luca// BEHOOOLD- THIS IS MY KID!!! >:D

Andrew was quite distant at first, but he warmed up to you at the end.

He had this motherly side where he takes in charge of laundry and cooking dinner-(he learned that from his mom-).

He would also patiently teach you how to cook his, Luca’s, and Edgar’s family recipes!

It would be a fun experience to do, since the culture between the three families were very distinct from each other.

He always told the prayers for all of you before eating, and read bible stories to you before bedtime.

Edgar wasn’t very talkative with you and often avoided you as possible, but he couldn’t just ignore his child forever as if he haven’t adopted you-

So he attempted his best to get to know you more and learn how to love you as a member of his family.

Once you both feel more comfortable with one another, Edgar would start to nag you when it comes to your health.

Edgar was willing to teach you etiquettes and manners, and even offer to raid malls with him for some good shopping-

He was still an important figure in his family name, so he would drag you to social events with him once in a while as long as you were well-behaved.

Seeing you draw the entire family (including Wick) makes him feel… Woah.

Edgar had the proud dad vibes as he shamelessly hanged the framed drawing in the living room, above the fireplace.

Edgar// Luca, listen-

Luca// ???

Edgar// A child can draw better than you-

Luca// >:'v

Luca// I mean, you are not wrong-

[soundtracker27]

Day 3, "Home" - @koriandrappreciationweek

I love thinking of them like a family. They come from vastly different backgrounds but have found a safe place together. Friends are the family you choose for yourself. ❤️

-------

"Home"

It's been strangely quiet in Titans Tower today. Gar and Raven have been out running errands, Dick has been busy with a lab analysis for Bruce.

Kory softly mouths along to the words of the song she's got playing in her ear buds, and wanders through the dormitory floor looking for Donna. "He-lloooo? Donna?"

Donna pops her head out of their shared bathroom, brushing her teeth. "Hey honey, wanna pick up bagels with me for the meeting later?" Kory almost leaps for joy. Any time with Donna is a good time - she's the best friend she's ever made and Kory is beyond grateful that Donna doesn't seem to mind her awkward unfamiliarity with earth. "Let me change into something cute!"

She dashes in her room and comes out moments later trying to zip a summery dress. Donna finishes the zip, checks her phone to send a text and the two head downstairs, Kory dangling her high heels on her fingertips, and Donna pulling her hair into a pony.

Kory bounces into the kitchen only to be shocked by a spray of streamers in her face.

"Surprise!!!!" yells one voice. "Happy anniversary on Earth Day!" yells another.

"Glad you're here, Goldie." Vic says.

"Well, oh my goodness! What is this about!?" Kory is amazed and ready for whatever this pleasant surprise happens to be. Everyone is here - Gar, Rae, Vic, Wally, Dick.

Dick hands her a small, nicely wrapped gift and kisses her cheek. "You've been with us for exactly a year, Kory." "A year?" "Yup, one whole revolution around the sun."

Garfield pipes in, "And what a year it's been, huh? You've tasted pizza and cotton candy, put the Scarapelli gang behind bars, ridden on your first subway and been to a Yankees game."

"And learned to be a pretty good barista at Kelly's, and balanced a modeling job with being a badass crime fighter." Wally always knows how to compliment her in the ways that mean the most. She shoots him a beaming grin. "Thanks, Wally. I think this has been the best year of my whole life!"

Gar puts a paper birthday crown on her head and the team drags her over to sit on the couch. Each has a gift for her - from Raven, a book, from Dick, a pretty "T" necklace that hides the world's tiniest spy cam. Donna ordered those furry boots she had been eyeing from Macy's. "Sorry they haven't come yet! I didn't think of it in time." Kory throws her arms around her friend. "This is the best day of my whole life!"

"We're poor, so we went together and got this album for your polaroid photos!" Gar presents a pretty pink photo binder from him and Wally both.

"Poor? I'm a skeptic," Vic chimes in. "The rise and fall of the good fortune of Logan is a mysterious thing indeed," Gar quips back.

"Alright princess, here's my gift. Dick helped me with it, with some assistance from the Justice League database. Click the button on top." Victor hands her a small metal orb with etchings all over, and a small red button on the top. She clicks it and the orb opens like a flower and shines a hologram on the ceiling with what looks like the night sky filled with stars.

Vic looks at Dick to launch an explanation. "No, you go ahead, this was your brilliant idea and mostly your hard work. I was a consultant."

"Okay. So this is my best guess at the Vegan star system, Kory. It's hard to find exact measurements to go off of because, as far as I know, you're the first Tameranean to make contact with earth. I took some maps off the ship you crashed when you arrived, and did some educated guessing to fill in some bits. But my best guess is that Tameran would be right about here." He points to a pinkish haze in the upper left of the quadrant of the hologram.

Eyes wide, and brimming with tears, Kory nods. "That seems right. It's the eighth planet in the system." She reaches out to brush the pink spot representing where her life began. "Home," she whispers. "Victor, thank you." She throws her arms around him, and he is pleased knowing his gift hit just right.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone. This has been the most unexpected and wonderful surprise! You all mean so much to me, and... As much as I miss Tameran, you've made Earth a most lovely new home. I don't even know what to say to thank you."

"How about, 'Let's eat' because I'm starving and Vic, jack of all trades that he is, made lasagna!" Dick squeezes her hand and nods towards the table. Kory giggles, "Let's eat, then!"

[reds-fluff-extravaganza]

Hi there! I saw the most recent hop/reader headcannon you posted on your other blog as I was going through tumblr, and I also saw that you were considering putting it in oneshot form on here so i figured I’d make a formal request for it if that’s okay! Love your writing and I hope you have an amazing day/night!!!

This is the one for those wondering

You were new to the Galar region, as you came from the Unova region. You were here on an internship for Professor Sonia. Even if it was only for a short while, you were still rather nervous about being away from your home region, family and friends, especially since this would be the longest you’ve been away from your loved ones.

You looked up at the building in front of you, looking back down at your town map. Yep, this was the place. You walked up the door and knocked. A few moments later, a lady opened the door. She had ginger hair which was put up in a ponytail, fair skin, and turquoise colored eyes. She was wearing a tan colored trench coat, a teal shirt and light blue skinny jeans. It took you a moment, but you recognized her as Sonia.

“Hello, you must be Y/n.” She said, looking at you with a smile on her face. You nodded.

“Yeah, I sure am. It’s nice to meet you, Sonia.”

“And you as well. Come on in, Y/n.” Sonia moved to the side to let you into the lab. You walked inside and looked around a bit, turning around to face Sonia again.

“This is amazing, Sonia!”

“Isn’t it?”

“Absolutely!” You went to say something else, but you were interrupted by someone else,

“Is this our new assistant?” A purple haired male approached you. You were surprised you hadn’t seen him yet. You took a moment to examine him, and you realized who this was. He was in the championship cup with his rival Gloria/Victor (you choose!). You may not be a trainer, but you actually enjoy watching battles on the TV and such. 

“They sure are! This is Y/n.”

“Y/N? It’s nice to meet you, I’m Hop!”

“It’s nice to meet you as well. I actually saw your battle in the championship cup.”

“Haha, you saw that?” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“I think you were amazing! I may be a trainer, I only have Servine, I’m not much of a battler. I like to see other trainer battles.”

“Thanks, Y/n.”

“You’re welcome.” You and Hop walked back over to where he was. The two of you chatting here and there during work. 

“Hey, Y/N?”

“Hmm?”

“Since you’re new to the region, how about I be your little tour guide?”

“You would do that for me?”

“Of course! Unlike my brother, I actually have a sense of direction.” You chuckled a bit at his words.

“Alright, I’ll take you up on your offer, Hop.”

“Sweet! Then tomorrow we’ll go exploring around the Galar region!”

“Alright, sounds good.” You smiled faintly and you two went back to work. You both continued your work, until it was time to go home for the day. You said your goodbyes and headed back to your temporary home.

Once there, you called up your folks and told them all about your first day, meeting Sonia and Hop, how nice they were, and a little bit about what you were doing. They were both proud of you and happy that you were doing what you loved. You talked for a little bit until you started getting tired. You said goodnight and got ready for bed, falling asleep not too long after lying down in bed.

-timeskip to the next day-

You were already up and moving, which was a surprise to you since you tend to sleep in a bit. You were sure it was because of nerves, and the fact that Hop was going to show you around the region. You were now waiting at the nearby cafe, eating (breakfast food of choice) while you waited for Hop.

“Wow, that looks pretty good, Y/n. I may have to get one of those.” You heard a voice say to you. You looked up to see Hop sitting across from you. You smiled softly and nodded.

“It is really good. You should try it sometime.”

“Whenever you’re ready to go, we’ll head out.”

“But aren’t you hungry?”

“Oh, I already ate before I left.”

“Alright then.” You shrugged and soon finished up your breakfast and you both got up.

“Alright, where to first?” You asked as you walked out the cafe.

“Oh! How about we check out the wild area?”

“The wild area..? Sure, let’s go.” Hop nodded and the two of you took a Corviknight taxi over to the wild area. Once you stepped out, you looked around, seeing many different wild pokemon around.

“Is the place I’m thinking of? Where Pokemon can become giant?”

“You mean Dynamaxing? Yeah, you can find pokemon here who dynamax!” Your eyes lit up a bit as his words.

“Do you think we’ll see any?”

“We might!”

“Well what are we waiting for?!” You grabbed Hop’s wrist and dragged him along. You explored the wild area for several hours, documenting any and all dynamax pokemon you encountered, as well as some Galar pokemon you’ve never seen until now.

“This was really fun, Hop!”

“It sure was, but there is one other place I would like to show you before we have to call it a night.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah! I want to show you Ballonlea and the glimwood tangle, especially with how close to night it’s getting.”

“Sure, let’s go!”

-timeskip to Ballonlea-

You looked around in awe at all the beautiful lights as you entered Ballonlea. It looked like something you would see out of a fairytale!

“This is so pretty!”

“It sure is.” Hop smiled as he walked up beside you. “I like to come here sometimes during the evenings after work, and admire the pretty scenery.”

“I don’t blame you, I would do the same.” You sat down on one of the mushroom chairs.

“Do you feel less nervous about coming to Galar now?” You had to think for a moment before you answered,

“Actually, yeah. I do feel better about coming here. Thanks, Hop.”

“Of course, Y/n. It’s no problem.”

“How about we explore a little more after work tomorrow?”

“Sure, sounds great!”

“Alright, sounds like a plan.”

[pokemon-legends-and-legacies]

Can I know more about the Hop/Gloria family and how they interact with the Victor/Bede family?

(Yes this ask is very very old but I'm doing my best to clear my ask box out!)

Hop and Gloria's story follows pretty closely to the game's plot, with the two being rivals and Hop often feeling unable to catch up to Gloria as a trainer. The two had a deeper rivalry than Hop had with Victor, which I think mainly stemmed from Gloria having a more obviously competitive personality, which then got Hop fired up too when he battled her, while Vic was (on the surface) more laid back and chill with battles so his and Hop's rivalry was a bit less intense.

Of course, then the Champion Cup happened and Gloria defeated Hop only to be soundly demolished by Victor, who then went on to defeat Leon and become the new Galar Champion. This kind of blindsided the both of them, as Victor had kept just how seriously he was taking the League Challenge fairly secret. Prior to this however, Hop and Gloria were the ones who teamed up with the two Legendary Wolves to defeat Eternatus, and this experience changed things for Gloria, she felt something when fighting side-by-side with Zacian and wanted to explore that more, so when Hop announces he's going to be working for Sonia as a researcher, Gloria decides to follow him. She had been ahead of him as a trainer, now she'll be the one following him - they can leave the professional battling to Victor.

Romance followed pretty quickly for them afterwards and both were quite active in helping Bede when Ambrose was born (though not as much as Victor haha). All that babysitting led them to want to start a family of their own, so around when Victor and Bede announced they were going to be having a baby, Hop and Gloria started trying for one as well, wanting the cousins to be the same age. Things panned out nicely, with Robin born in November and Neil the following March. While Robin and Neil often played together growing up, their personalities never really meshed - Robin being quite shy while Neil was very outgoing. Neil was such a handful that he kept his parents busy from wanting any more kids for quite a bit, but seeing how large Victor and Bede's family was becoming, they decided when Neil was five to have a second child, which ended up being Caelia. Tania followed quickly about a year and three months later, then finally they had their fourth and final child, Annie, three years after Tania.

Despite Victor and Gloria's best efforts and dreams of their kids being best friends, none of the cousins are exceptionally close. Ambrose is quite a bit older than his cousins, so mostly sees them as (additional) younger siblings more than anything. Neil is close in age to Robin and Isidore but doesn't really get along well with either of them, being a bit too pushy with Robin sometimes and then getting on Isidore's bad side, the two often fighting. He does enjoy being a cool older cousin to the twins though, and will enable their pranks and stunts gleefully and even give them pointers (thus their parents don't particularly like how close they are...). Caelia and Theo have a bit of a rivalry going on, where Theo often bossed Caelia around when they were little and now Caelia is determined to get back at her for it. Tania's quite introverted, but unlike her older sister does get along pretty well with Theo (even if she does find her exhausting). Against all odds, Annie and Reynard are fairly good friends, and a lot of it is based on shared experiences of having so many older siblings with big personalities and feeling overshadowed by them sometimes. They like to go exploring together and other activities where it's just the two of them being themselves. (Merlin is The Baby and too little to play with any of his cousins yet.)

Also since this is very long a quick breakdown of the Hopria fam under the cut!

Robert "Hop" Arjuna & Gloria Arjuna (née Ellington) - The parents! Both are senior research assistants to Professor Sonia Magnolia, focusing on Pokémon Mythology like her. Hop focuses more on research in the lab, while Gloria prefers fieldwork. They live in Postwick (possibly in Hop's family home?) and commute to the lab in Wedgehurst for work. They also regularly check in on Zacian and Zamazenta - the wolves also sometimes wandering to the village to visit their humans as well!

Neil Arjuna (Born March 20, 3024) - The eldest and only son. He's very outgoing and energetic and loves racing around the Wild Area on his Rotom Bike. He can often be reckless and has had plenty of accidents, though he always bounces back. He decides to take the Gym Challenge, traveling alongside his (paternal) cousin Charlie, but doesn't really have any solid goals in mind about becoming Champion or anything. He just wants to have fun! His starter is a Bulbasaur who rides in his bike basket (and hasn't evolved in order to remain able to fit in said bike basket).

Caelia Arjuna (Born June 21, 3030) - The second child and oldest daughter. An extrovert like her brother, Caelia wants everyone to know who she is and what she's about. Loudly. She adored tagging along with her parents on their fieldwork excursions, deciding to follow in their footsteps as a researcher. She's a very animated fan of any kind of ruin and gushes about them to anyone who happens to be within earshot (and then yells at people who she doesn't think appreciate them enough). Cae also has latched onto Edmond as a mentor during the time he spends studying abroad in Galar, finding his study of ancient Pokémon Art fascinating. Her starter is a Scorbunny (same as her father's!).

Tania Arjuna (Born September 23, 3031) - The third child and second daughter. Very introverted, unlike her siblings, preferring the company of books to people. Strategy books about pokémon battling specifically. Tania travels with her older sister, and people often assume that not only is the quiet and mature Tania the older sister (her being taller doesn't help), they also presume she's the researcher and Cae is the trainer, when in fact it's the opposite. Tania has her eyes set on the prize - becoming Champion! Her starter is a Sobble (same as her mother's!)

Anemone "Annie" Arjuna (Born December 21, 3034) - The fourth child and youngest daughter. Quiet like Tania, she's happy to play by herself and finds her older siblings often quite tiring. She's very close with her father's Dubwool and often goes on walks with him around the rolling Postwick fields. Annie enjoys drawing, especially nature scenes she sees on her walks, and also sometimes writes little poems about her favorite moments in nature. She doesn't think of it as more than a hobby though, despite her parents encouraging her to sigh up for art and poetry programs and/or classes. Annie is still too young to go on a journey, so isn't thinking too hard yet about what she wants to do with her life. Her (eventual) starter is a Snom.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Patton and Monty at War: Unbelieving the unbearable rivalry.

Monty is trying to steal the show and with the assistance of Divine Destiny [Eisenhower] he may do so.

- General George S. Patton, on the Sicily Campaign, private diaries 16 July 1943

So every week I play my usual game of chess over a glass of wine with one of my neighbours in my Parisian apartment building. He’s a retired army general but remains active as a military historian and speaker. He’s curmudgeonly but one warms to him quickly as he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He’s not a fan of women in the military but reluctantly concedes he would make an exception for me (besides who else could he play chess with?). We get on really well now because of the Covid lockdown this past year. We often have long discussions about military history and current politics until the bottle of wine is completely drained.

On one occasion he invited me to watch the 1969 classic war film, Patton, about the life of one of America’s greatest iconic World War Two generals, George S. Patton. It’s been years since I’ve seen it and I almost had forgotten how great the movie is with George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley. We watched it in English and then discussed many things that came out of the film.

Hollywood and history usually do not mix. It is quite common for  filmmakers to take a historical subject and to distort it for their purposes and to dumb it down for entertainment purposes. In the case of the movie, Patton, there was no real attempt to distort the story of Patton. It was a fantastic and stirring Hollywood movie. Moreover it was an excellent study in character given Oscar worthy heft by the great George C. Scott as the crusty General George S. Patton. Francis Ford Coppola’s script was severely under-rated.

However there remain glaring inaccuracies such as Patton’s opening speech in the movie - admittedly a an iconic bit of cinema - but even this was based on his statements and captured the character of  the man, something even acknowledged by the Generals’ family.

Much  of the details of his role in the defeat of Germany are true. The only real omission was the lack of focus on Patton’s Lorraine Campaign, where he distinguished himself. There are some exaggerations in the movie and some minor distortions such as in the weather-prayer scene. In general,  the movie managed to produce a great overview portrayal of the  character and career of an extraordinary American leader.

The film does accurately relate the leading role played by Patton in the  liberation of Sicily. His daring use of armour was crucial in the defeat of the German army on the island.

However long after the film had ended I did think about one thing that irked me. And this was how the movie seemed to linger on the belief Patton was motivated by the desire to do better than General Montgomery, the victor  at El Alamein. Indeed the film probably reinforced the accepted conventional wisdom that these two driven and ambitious men hated each other.

There was a great personal rivalry between the two men.  They were both driven and wildly ambitious. The movie suggests that the rivalry between Montgomery and Patton was the main feature of the Sicilian Allied campaign and was perhaps a factor in why it ended so quickly with a  decisive Allied victory.

The rivalry was not as intense as the motion  picture suggests and the two men worked together when needed for the  good of the Allied cause.

Born two years apart, both were commissioned within a year of each other  and both were wounded in France in the First World War. Both men  encompassed very different but very valuable characteristics in combat:  Monty-careful and meticulous, Patton-dashing and diplomatic.   Despite  the differences, both generals demonstrated striking similarities:  commitment to their careers, a ruthless egotism, interesting when you  consider neither held superior command. This did not impede their desire  for the limelight and fame in warfare, arrogance and the manipulation  of colleagues in high places to advance their careers.  Both were  machiavellian in their own affairs and self-interested in their own  personal progression.

The great rivalries amongst the Allies that made a real imact were Marshall and Brooke over war policy, Nimitz and MacArthur over resources, Eisenhower and Montgomery over strategy; and then between Percival and MacArthur for incompetence,  Patton and O'Connor for aggressiveness, MacArthur and Clarke for vainglory,  (and possibly  Clarke and Wavell for the stupidity of letting defeated enemies escape),  were the issues that defined the war for the Western allies.

The idea  that a competition between Patton and Montgomery was more important is cute, but naive. I am not even sure where the idea comes from. 

Much is made of the bet between Patton and Montgomery over reaching Palermo in Sicily first, but in practical terms that was the only time in the war that Patton ever appeared on Montgomery's radar.

For the rest  of the war Monty was so much higher up the food chain than Patton that  he was unaware, or disinterested in Patton's opinions. Montgomery  was, by 1944, an experienced general who very successfully fought extensively in both combat and staff roles for 4 years throughout World  War One. (Patton got a combat command for a few weeks when the Germans  were already collapsing.) Montgomery led a division very successfully  through the Battle of France, and a corps through the crucial Battle of  Britain training and rebuilding years. He led an army in combat for two  years, through many successful battles both on defense and in attack.

By  1944 Patton had led a corps for a few months, and an army for a few weeks. For the very brief period of the Sicily compaign they were  theoretically equals in command, but probably only in Patton's mind. Montgomery saw Patton as an enthusiastic if amateurish old man but respected his aggressive boldness. Montgomery saw his HQ 'betting book' as a bit of fun (and was delighted when bet a  B17 by someone who should have known better).

When he and Patton met  and co-ordinated the Sicilian campaign Alexander seemed not interested in co-ordinating, Monty saw Palermo as a similar bit of fun to pursue, no bigger or smaller than the hundreds of other bets in the book.

Patton saw it, as he saw anything relating to his persona, as the most vitally important challenge of his whole life...up until the next one.  Montgomery lost a bet and moved on to the next challenge. Patton won but  didn't. (Or at least that is what bad writers have tried to suggest. I  think he moved straight on to the next challenge anyway.)

That  was the last time Monty and Patton were in direct competition, no matter what revisionists or romantics would say.

The next time Patton was  allowed in the field he was one of half a dozen army commanders in  Monty's Normandy army group, and, familiarly, he did not arrive until  the Germans in Normandy were already collapsing. Very soon afterwards Eisenhower split off Bradley's army group, and Monty had no control, nor much interest, in what Patton was up to thereafter.

The  romantics like to suggest that thereafter Monty railed against Patton's supplies, and that Patton railed against Montgomery's caution. The truth is less foolish for both of them. In fact Montgomery railed  against Eisenhower's broad front strategy regardless of which of the  other sub-commanders was benifitting (to the point of Montgomery making  an offer to serve under Bradley as long as someone got single control to  pursue a single strategy). He railed against the diversion of resources  anywhere not at the main point where a thrust might have achieved early  victory.

Leaving aside whether that victory could have happened,  Montgomery's beef was with Eisenhower first, his appalling chief of supply Lee second, fellow Army Group Commanders who couldn't control the excesses of their subordinates like Bradley (and to a lesser extent) Devers third, and only then with the several army commanders who each tried to do their own thing.

In practical terms Montgomery seemed more appalled by the negative effects of the incompetence of Hodges (1st US Army,) and  the obnoxiousness of General De Gaulle's orders to 'his' army (French First Army), and perhaps even  the ineffectiveness of his own subordinate Crerar  (Canadian 1st army) , than he did by Patton's enthusiasms. There is  hardly a mention of Patton in his diaries through this period, compared  to several comments on Bradley and De Gualle, and endless ones on  Eisenhower.

Patton too is being maligned by the pretense that his  war was taken up with a vain competition with Montgomery. Patton, like  Montgomery, was totally concerned with the main issue of defeating  Germany. But unlike Montgomery, he did not have Brooke  -  the Chief of Imperial General Staff - to rely on for support against  Eisenhower's broad front strategy.

Patton too was convinced that this was the wrong way to go, but to get his version of a thrust (with him at  the front) happening, he had to be a bit more manipulative than Montgomery.

Every word Patton used to wheedle and manipulate  support, or at least a blind eye to what he was doing, was designed to  get more resources from his superiors. Indeed, if he couldn't get them from Eisenhower, he was willing to steal them wherever he could, and  then get Bradley to pretend to not know what he was doing. In this he was quite willing to encourage Bradley's inferiority complex in relation  to Montgomery, and to happily manipulate Bradley into tantrums to get  what they both wanted, but it seems likely that Patton was more  interested in getting his way by making his superiors compete with  Montgomery, than in competing with Montgomery himself.

Patton is  actually a more complex and clever character than the romantics give him credit for. His 'kill them even if they try to surrender' speeches in  Sicily were part of his stage management of troops, not part of his innate personality. HIs 'us against the world' propaganda was more  manipulative, not so much like Bradley's inferiority complex. He wanted to win, and he would use anything to get what he needed to win, even  ramping up his superiors to distrust their allies. But his genuine competitiveness with Montgomery at this stage was less about him and Montgomery, and more about him and how he could maneouvre others to  support him. He would have shown the same level of competitiveness, and  the same willingness to undermine, any competitor at this point, British, French, Russian or even American.

Montgomery on the  other hand only saw Patton as one more junior general syphoning supplies  from an inadequate source. Montgomery was in competition with  Eisenhower for control, and possibly with Bradley for resources. Minor  army commanders in other people's army groups only registered on his horizon if he could get their armies assigned to his army group.

Just for amusement, it might be fun to consider how Montgomery and Patton might have worked together?

Montgomery was notoriously superb to serve under, no matter what your nationality.  British, Australian, New Zealander, South African, Indian, Canadian, French, Polish, and American troops who served under him  were all very happy to do so. So were their generals. Bradley certainly learned more  about being a field commander from a few months of Montgomery's distant mentoring than from anything Eisenhower ever did for him in their much closer relationship.

There is no doubt that Montgomery preferred effective subordinates to ineffective ones, and it seems possible that Patton would have made a preferable subordinate to Crerar or Bradley in his mind.

As for Patton, he would have served anyone who got him what he wanted. Had Montgomery offered him the chance to spearhead the attack into Germany, there is virtually no doubt that Patton would have  jumped at the chance.

Patton was not the racist that Bradley or Eisenhower were, and was happy to have black troops. He was not the American supremacist that Roosevelt or MacArthur were, and worked well with others (as long as they let him have enough lime light).

Had Montgomery been left as land forces commander, there is little doubt that he would have used Patton's aggression in a way that would have  made Patton much happier than Eisenhower's broad front strategy ever allowed.

It is fun to imagine Montgomery as land forces commander using Patton's 3rd Army in conjunction with British 2nd to leapfrog ahead at top speed into Germany. The best British tactics were never the  broad front strategy that the worst American's like Marshall and Eisenhower fancied. They were always the 'hold the enemy, crumble the  enemy, breakthrough the enemy, and pursue with as much force as fast and  far as possible' skills that had worked since the development of  mechanised warfare in 1918. (As demonstrated by the Germans in Poland  and France and Russia, the British and Germans in North Africa, the  Japanese and British in Asia, and the Russians in Eastern Europe.)

Montgomery would have used his traditional two corps up, one back, one resting deployment, adapted to armies, to keep up the momentum. Patton's preferred tactics were almost exactly the same, and he and his 3rd  Army would have fit it like a glove into Montgomery's thrust strategy.

Personally  I think that the limited reality behind their competitiveness paid trumps in Sicily, and I wish that it had been repeated in France. Patton could not have been a worse Army group commander than Bradley was, and would almost certainly have been better.

It is amusing to think of Patton and Montgomery effectively conspiring to destroy the broad front strategy while they got on with winning the war in the best spirit of competition. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that one of Patton's biographers was right to suggest that by 1945 he had suffered a few too many hits on the head, there is little doubt that he would have been almost as valuable to the Allied cause in Bradley's place against Eisenhower's policies directly, as he would have under Montgomery's army  group. That might have been a useful version of rivalry.

[litteidiot]

Four Seasons With You

Volume one: Chapter 1- Spring

Easter Egg Hunt

Pairing: Victor x Mc

Summary: When an unexpected inconvenience gives you the opportunity to make this day unforgettable for him.

“I’ll see you later.” You chriped on a sunny morning. Basically hopping in front of him, you placed a gentle kiss on his lips before parting.

“So cheery today and the day barely started. Does a certain dummy has something in her mind?” Victor hooked his arm around your waist, giving you another kiss on the forehead. “Oh, it’s nothing, just springtime.” You smiled at him. “And it’s also Easter.” You added. He nod reminding himself about the holiday. Today he was supposed to be at home with you enjoying each other’s company. You made him promise you because he is on his day off he won’t look at any document nor report. He is yours only.

But last night in some ungodly hour, the management crew gave him a call, about some hiccups what occurred with the overseas department. The negotiation to collaborate with the new American company took a bad turn and they refused to do anything further if they can’t talk with the CEO of LFG. So it meant he has to go in for an impromptu meeting.

“I’ll make it up for you when I’ll get back.” He pulled you close again, hinting another soft kiss on your temple. It was still early in the morning. He tried to get up beside you without disturbing your sleep, but when you didn’t feel his warmth anymore, you woke up and followed him to the kitchen. You shook your head in refusal. “Don’t rush the meeting because you want to get back home earlier for me. Take your time I know you were in contact with this company for a long time. I’ll see you when you finished.” You smiled at him.

You know this deal can benefit LFG’s future in the overseas market. So of course you don’t want this to end badly because of some holiday. “Even though it means two batches of pudding.” The sweet smile on your makeup free face turned into a mischievous and greedy grin. “Such a dummy. Always thinking about her stomach.” He murmured pretending to be annoyed, but you knew this man long enough to know he will grant your wish. “When I get home I better not see chicklets, bunnies and an idiot running around the house.” With that he closed the door behind him and left.

While you made yourself a light breakfast, what only contained toast and eggs, your mind was furiously racing on how to spend the time while waiting for your boyfriend. As you kept musing on the possibilities on how to spend the day, you gradually remembered the little surprises you left in Victor’s office while you waited for him to finish his meeting a couple days back. A prankish smile tugged on your lips. Shoving down the remaining bites of your meal, and taking a few more sips of the coffee you hurried away to get dressed.

Walking in the step in closet you chose a casual wear for the day. Pushing and flipping the hanged up clothing articles you eventually found a nice beige colored dress among the many formal and ridiculously expensive clothings. When you became Victor’s partner and after the media acknowledged this information you got invitations to balls and fancier parties. It was a natural requirement you had to look high class just like him. Your boyfriend mercilessly spoiled you rotten with fancier and fancier dresses, personally tailored to your sizes by the finest taylors he could find. As the collection grew, it swallowed all your older clothes. The dress you posed with in front of the body sized mirror was like a scavenger hunt amongst the many night gowns and suit dresses.

Quickly putting on your chosen outfit, you left the penthouse in a hurry, barely being able to snatch your purse on the coat hanger. You were having an intense race with time. To not blow up your sudden Easter surprise you tried to do the shopping as quickly as possible. You don’t know when Victor comes home so it added another reason to make this fast.

***

“Goldman, the management team better have a good reason to call me in, because I have a better place to be today.” Victor’s stern voice echoed through his office the moment he stepped in. Several moments of keyboard clicking later Goldman began with his speach.

“The possible partner we are trying to convince suddenly got a more appealing offer from a different company. The deal was that the company will sponsor them PR commercials and advertisings, they can keep their position in the stock market and can have sixty percent of the income.” He said, flipping back and forth on the tablet.

“I see.— Victor rested his chin on his hands— “Remind me please about the deal LFG offered.” The assistant cleared his throat, opening the files what contained the agreement. “Comparing to the new proposal our offer is lacking. Because of their crash in the marketing area lately, you decided to not offer munch in case the collaboration would backfire.” After minutes of thinking, what felt like centuries Victor finally spoke up.

“Rewrite our proposal. Tell them LFG will ensure their stay in the stock market, and will back it up if any unpleasant problmes happens. Also mention they have a two months recovery time and we will give one hundred percent sponsorship with the possibility to function as an independent company like Kiseki Entertainment. This is the best deal they can get and they know it.”

From the very first moment, Kiseki Entertainment functioned independently. Under his guidance, you bloomed into a successful company in barely two years, becoming one of the most productive investments amongst the very few freelancers under LFG. “Arrange an online meeting in twenty minutes. During that, — he stood up, to make his way to one of the conference room— “collect informations about our opponent what can be used for LFG’s advantages.” Goldman nodded already holding his phone to his ear, summoning the staff needed for the conference.

“Anything else you want t— is that an Easter egg?” Goldman pointed at the bunch of tiny colorful eggs scattered around the coffee table. The more he looked the more he noticed. On the shelves, between Victor’s compture, on the coat hangers.

“Goldman who was the last person in my office?” He asked, walking around removing the candy eggs from their places.“Until this morning no one was in here. A few days ago only Ms. Mc stayed here, waiting for you to finish the meeting.”

Victor sighed.

Of course it was you.

***

You looked at the row of numbers at the screen, your purse, and then the ridiculous amount of Easter eggs piled up behind you. Maybe you carried away a little bit.

“Uh, excuse me for a second.” You kept digging in your purse in hope you will find your credit card. After minutes of unsuccessful searching you started to panic a little.

Your plan was to buy plenty of Eggs and hide them all around the mansion. You bought chocolate eggs and plastic eggs in all sizes and colors. Also a pink rabbit onesie because you couldn’t insist. You just didn’t expect the price what came with it.

“I’m sorry Miss, but you are keeping up the row. Do you wish to purchase these items?” The cashier lady asked what made you squeak and panic more. “Please debit these items on Victor Li’s account!” You blurted out. The cashier nodded typing away the informations. “Everything is settled, have a pleasant Easter.” The lady smiled handing you the bags. Thanking her and wishing for the same you made your way home. If you knew ypu will end up with multiple bags you will take the car.

“I’m back.” You opened the door of the house placing the bags on the floor. A small meow eachoed at the corner, a cat trotted towards you. “Hi Pudding, mommy is back.” You bent down to pick up the cat, a light huff leaving your lips. “Victor feeds you too well.” You giggle pocking at the fat at the cat’s belly. “I will bring some Easter spirit into this big house will you help me?” Like the animal just understood you, Pudding meowed and with a hop she escaped your embrace and walked away. Lazy cat.

Shrugging it off you unpacked and stared to hide all the eggs around the house. In the kitchen, the coffee table, the couch, hangers, in his suits. In other words you hide them everywhere you found it suitable. Now all you had to do is wait for his return.

***

Several hours passed, the sun was about to go down when he finally came home. Tossing away the book you were reading, you jogged to the entrance to greet him. “Welcome home!” You smiled at him, what left your face in a second. “Is everything alright at LFG?” You furrowed your eyebrows in conern when you saw his expression. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.” He said. “Nothing is wrong, my plans just takes a little more time to be accomplished.” Victor pulled you to his side, giving a kiss on the top of your head. “Let me make up for you with a dinner. It’s your call, I’ll make you anything.” He unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and rolled it up while walking in the kitchen.

“Pudding!” You smiled, Victor rolled his eyes at your remark. “Dummy, you want pudding for dinner?” He asked opening the fridge. “What is that?” He held a green chocolate egg in his hand. “Ah, I see. We are mischievous today.” A smile crept up on the corner of his lips, putting the sweet aside. “So I assume the plenty of chocolate in my office was your doing too.”

“I have no idea what are you talking about.” You shuffled away. “I didn’t do anything.” He chuckled. “Of course you didn’t, those eggs are from the Easter Bunny. So what do you like to eat?” He asked again getting the pots and pans ready. Without a word he put another handful of eggs aside, making it harder for you to comtain the fit of laughter what is about to erupt from your chest.

“Beef ribs would be fine.” You composed yourself. Victor nodded and began to prepare the dish. “So tell me, what were you doing all day?” He asked putting away another egg when he opened the cabinet where the seasonings were. “Aside from scattering sweets all over the kitchen.” A soft giggle left your lips. “Just the usual. I cleaned up, fed the cat. You knows, the things I usually do.” You chatted nonchalantly, like having Easter eggs around the house is ordinary.

“Why you are so clingy all off a sudden?” He lookes at you in confusion when he notices you are following his every step with your eyes. “What? No, I’m not!” You grinned, getting more eager every time he found an egg.

But what you didn’t know that the more he found the more annyed he got. He saw Easter eggs everywhere. On the kitchen counter, in the fridge, on the cabinets even in the cat bowl. But he didn’t have the heart to tell you. You waited for him all day so he can bear with your pranks a little longer.

He didn’t know what will coming.

“The ribs are almost ready.” He closed the oven after flipping them in the pan. “It’s smells so good.” You hummed, mouth already watering just from imagining how smoothly you knife will slide through the juicy ribs.

“I’ll go set the table.” You hopped down from the barstool and opened one of the cabinets to get the plates. While you clattered with the utensils, Victor opened his phone to check the notification he got from his bank during the meeting. The numbers he saw is what made him finally snap.

“What did you do?!” He exclaimed, looking at you, eyes wide as saucers. His sudden harsh tone startled you, almost making you drop the plates you balanced in your hands. “$150?! What did you buy?!” He questioned, his eyes shooting daggers at you. He sighed. “Don’t tell me all that were for chocolate eggs! Are you out of your mind?” He raised his voice at you, his eyes casting a frightening shade. The last time he looked at you this way when you barged in his office, demanding for funding. And that was many years ago. You flinched under his cold stare.

“I’m sorry.— you put everything in your hands down— “I-I’ll go clean that up.” With that you left the kitchen, and disappeared at the corner.

“Mc, wait.” He called after you, immediately regretting the way he spoke to you. A wave of guilt went over him when he caught up to you in the living room. Like you said, you obediently rummaged around to find the eggs. And it would be fine if you wouldn’t sniffling quietly, occasionally reaching up to wipe your eyes. And he hates it when you cry. And despise it if he’s the reason behind your tears. He didn’t mean to be this harsh with you. Or at all.

“Mc.” Victor called your name. Looking at the source of his voice you wiped off your tears in a quick motion. “Don’t bother, — you turned back, to hide your bloodshot eyes.— “I’ll get everything done. Go set up the dinner.” His heart ached, watching you turning away to hide your tears from him.

“No.” He walked up to you, folding you into a hug. “Today I almost lost the client I negotiated for weeks. They got a better offer and I had to change plans. The meeting was unplanned, I should’ve been at home with you.” He murmured into your ear. You stood there in sock while he kept talking.

“So I got frustrated. I shouldn’t have to release my anger on you. You just wanted to spend this day with me. I’m sorry.” He apologized. You on the other hand was shocked. Your boyfriend is a prideful person. And goddamn, he is also stubborn just as much like you are. The man you get to know almost never makes mistakes and if he does, the ground can crack, there’s no money in this world for him to make him admit it. He had to regret his actions very much to muster out an apology.

“It’s okay.” You turned to face him, knowing he meant it. Reaching up you scarping your fingers through his soft and well kept hair. “It was my fault after all. I went overboard with the sweets. And I scattered them all around the house.” You added. “Dummy.” He sighed, a relieved smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he saw you are hot angry at him. A soft giggle escaped your lips, remembering again how many chocolate eggs you hide in this big house.

“This looks better.” He pulled away, wiping the remaining tears from the corner of your eyes. “From now on just smile only. It looks better on you than the tears.” A pink color appeared on your face. When this stone cold man get so romantic?

“I’ll go pick up the eggs. Just keep making the dinner I’ll be fine.” You turned around and walked away.

***

“Almost got it!” You stretched further, balancing with a net in your hand while Victor had a firm grip on your hip. You were practically levitating above the pool to reach for the plastic egg at the bottom. Victor during that grew some gray hair.“I can’t believe you literally threw eggs in the pool. What if I’m not around? You straight up jump in?” You glared at him above your shoulders. “Hold me still or let me go. I can get them myself.” You puffed up your cheeks and reached further.

“Idiot, you can’t even swim.” He sighed. “Mc, stop wiggling you going to fall in!” And like this is what gravity waited for, you slipped on the wet tile, you fell in dragging Victor with yourself. With a swift motion, he scooped you up in his arms and brought you up in the surface. “I told you to hold me!” You screeched between coughs. “If you wouldn’t throw eggs in here like an idiot you are we wouldn’t be in this situation.” He fired back sitting you on the edge of the pool and then he climbed out himself.

“Dummy.” He sighed for the millionths time today, draping you in a towel. “Go get changed or you’ll catch a cold.” He helped you up. In that moment a little smirk appeared on your face, and it stretched wider. “What is it? Don’t tell me you still have eggs.” Victor sighed, a miserable look on his face. “Nothing.” You smiled and ran away.

“How many times I have to tell you? Don’t run by the pool!” He yelled after you but you were already outside. Grabbing the paperbag left on the bedroom you hurried away to the shower. After taking a shower you put on the pink, fuzzy bunny onsie you bought today. Stepping out your bringht pink color looked way too odd compared to the black and claret themed bedroom you two shared.

“What on earth are you wearing this time?” Victor looked at you from the bed. While waiting, he used the guests bathroom and changed into a black silk sleepwear. You giggled and hopped in next to him. “I didn’t remember keeping a rabbit at home.” He chuckled. “Childish.” He added. Rolling your eyes at his comment you laid down besides him. “Today is still Easter so I’m excused.”

“You have 5 more minutes to be like this.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Then we are stretching it till tomorrow because I’m not changing.” You turned to face him.

Putting down his phone on the bedside table, Victor pulled you closer to his body. “I’ll make it up for you for being away. And for yelling at you.” He sighed, pressing his lips on the top of your head. As he moved closer to you something pierced into his side. Reaching to get it a small plastic egg was in his hand.

“Dummy.”

Your cheerful laugh echoed through the bedroom.

Still feeling tired? Grab some more story at Reading Corner

[mionemymind]

Dancing in Fantasies

“Can we just pretend for one day that you love me?”

Summary: (Hermione x Female Reader) During Bill and Fleur’s, Y/n and Hermione have a small moment together in the midst of all the chaos surrounding them. 

Words: 1405

A/N: This is my submission for @weasleysflowr 300 follower writing challenge! Congratulations, you really deserve it! 

The tent was bustling with laughter and chatter everywhere you go. Every guest was wearing their best attire, but everyone made sure to never overdue the attention. It wasn’t their day; it was Bill and Fleur’s day. The Weasleys made sure to try and speak to every guest they can to be great hosts as the bride and groom were congratulated for this spectacular day.

Y/n stood afar from the crowd, leaning up against a post. She was surveying the crowd as she drowned in her own thoughts. It wasn’t like she was sad, but she wasn’t happy either. “What’s on your mind?” Y/n glanced to her right. Her body untensed itself at the familiar friend beside her. “The usual.”

Y/n didn’t have to look to know that Ginny had just rolled her eyes. It was the same reaction she received every time she answered the question. “Which fantasy is it this time?” Y/n sipped on her drink and noticed from a far that Hermione and Victor Krum were dancing. “We’re having a small picnic behind my parent’s vacation loft. This time, she’s feeding me-” At the sound of fake barfing, it was Y/n’s turn to roll her eyes. She set down her drink at the closest table.  

“Gin, what exactly was the point of asking if you’re just going to be disgusted?” Y/n shot her best friend an unamused look which Ginny was used to by now. It just so happens that Y/n gets to this teenage angst moments at every beating minute. Shrugging her shoulders, she replied with, “I don’t know. Trying to be a supportive friend here.”

“Well be supportive elsewhere. I’m trying to think of better places to be in than here.” With one last look at each other, Ginny said, “It’s getting serious out here and I’m bloody certain you know that as well. There’s a lot at stake and I’m certain your heart won’t be able to handle it if anything were to cross Hermione’s way.” Ginny grabbed Y/n’s shoulders and closely looked at her. “Do it now before it’s too late.”

With that, Ginny left and strode across the tent to reach Harry. Maybe she was taking her own advice since it always took the girl a lot of courage to speak to her crush. Y/n didn’t want to admit it, but Ginny was right. Hermione was bound to come across enemies since the company she keeps happens to be the targets.

Scanning the area again, Y/n quickly found Hermione by the punch table by herself. “Just fucking talk to her for Merlin’s sake.” Taking a deep breath, Y/n walked towards Hermione managing to curse herself with every step. Before she knew it, Hermione was right in front of her.

Hermione glanced up once she saw someone in her peripheral vision. It just so happened to be the very person she was also thinking of. “Hi.” It was a small whisper, but Hermione still heard it. “Hey.” Hermione could visibly see how tense Y/n due to her form fitted suit. Y/n scratched the back of her neck, racking up ideas to try to continue the conversation. “Uh…how’s your night been?” Really Y/n? Really? It really was the best thing the younger girl had in her mind. “Good, but average.” Y/n nodded at Hermione’s words. She didn’t know what else to say.

Soon, the mood of the dance floor changed as a slow song was playing. “May I have this dance?” Y/n extended her hands towards Hermione with every fiber in her body wishing she would say yes. Hermione didn’t say anything and slowly placed her hand on top of Y/n’s. Hermione was familiar with how Y/n’s hand felt in hers, but this time it was different because they weren’t together anymore, and it was ages since she had held Y/n’s hand. It was still as soft and had perfectly fitted with her hand.

Once they got to the dance floor, Y/n placed her hand on Hermione’s waist as Hermione had placed her hand on Y/n’s shoulder. It was almost like the time they had danced during the Yule Ball except Y/n sucked at dancing and kept stepping on Hermione’s feet. But two have grown tremendously since then. And even though part of it was not together, they still had grown.

The two were slow dancing for a while before Hermione broke the silence between them. “How have you been?” Hermione didn’t notice, but Y/n had bit her tongue at the question. She wanted to say a lot of things, especially how much life sucks without her, but she responded with, “A bit hectic.”

“How so?” Y/n sent a look towards Hermione. It was obvious considering it was the second thing on everyone’s minds at the party. “Right…sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” Silence was formed again, but Y/n already had enough of it. “I miss you.” Hermione gave Y/n a tired look knowing they had this dreadful conversation millions of times after they had broken up. It always ended with Hermione saying the same stupid lecture about how it was meant to keep the both of them safe. And every single time, it was Hermione that had to walk away from the argument as Y/n just wanted nothing more than her girlfriend to be back in her life. The fantasies in her head were a coping mechanism she had lately developed. Now a days, if she wasn’t doing a task for Dumbledore’s Army, she would be thinking of Hermione.

“Y/n-” She gave a desperate look towards Hermione, while cutting her off. “I know what you’re going to say Hermione, so please let me have just this moment with you. I understand you can’t love me back and that all we had planned for is basically just a fairytale. And as much as it pains me to not love you in the way I want to, I will still do. Simply because it is you who I will always wish to love. So, let me indulge in my fantasies of us sometimes and think about how much I’d love it if we made it.” Y/n twirled Hermione in her spot and slowly pulled her back in. “So please, do me one small favor and can we just pretend for this moment that you love me?”

Hermione looked at the younger girl’s eyes and saw the desperation in them. She did not realize how much it hurt to see the girl she loves so much hurting. It was as if the cruciatus curse could not compare to the current feeling in her heart. Without much thought, Hermione slowly nodded and laid her head on Y/n’s shoulder, her arms still around Y/n’s neck. As for Y/n, she pulled Hermione closer into her arms, trying her best to bask in the feeling of being happy at this moment. They rocked back and forth as the slow music played. They didn’t care about anything else, besides the person in their arms.

But the moment was ruined when a spiraling ball of white and blue flames shot through the middle of the tent. “The ministry has fallen!” Quickly, many of the guests apparated out of the party as death eaters soon appeared. Scanning the crowd, Y/n saw Ron and Harry by each other. With Hermione’s safety being on her mind, Y/n shoved people out of their way with wand in hand. When they were close enough, Y/n pushed the older girl towards her best friends. “Go!” There was one last look between the two. Hermione had wanted to say everything on her mind, from how she wishes they could be together, how she needs to know Y/n will be safe, and how she must promise to meet once again no matter what. As for Y/n, all she wished for was for Hermione to be safe no matter the cost and that she loved her still, no matter the distance that had grown between them.

And in a flash, the trio apparated out of the wedding as Y/n assisted the Weasleys with the trouble that was brought to them. In the back of Y/n’s mind was the moment of her and Hermione slow dancing. But in a far distant fantasy, it was their moment. Where the special day was meant for them and all they were meant to do was just love.

[danses-with-dogmeat]

Introducing My Fallout OCs!

OMGGGG y’all, I can’t. I’ve apparently reached over 200 of you fantabulous followers and I am so ecstatic! I honestly don’t even know if this is considered a milestone or anything, but I was super psyched, so I'm doing something about it, dang it!

Also, just a heads up on me right now, I just started school again, so my posting miiiiiiight be a bit sporadic every now and then, but I’m determined to still try and get a few posts out every week, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m also pretty backed up on requests at the moment, I’m still accepting them for the time being, but I may turn off my asks if I’m finding difficulty getting to everyone.  

Anyways, I know I don’t ever really talk about my Fallout Original Characters, but I’m thinking of doing some stuff with them in the future, so this seemed like a good place to start  🤷‍♀️ So, here they are! One from each of the 3 FO games I write for. If ya’ll want to send in any asks about these folks, please feel free to do so! 

(Art for these peeps is pending potentially as well).

My Lone Wanderer: Hope

Appearance: 

- Basically like a black-haired, blue eyed Sarah Connor (y’know, from Terminator), she’s got a small frame, but is an absolute beast. She loves to change up her hair, but prefers the iron maiden, unladylike, or rude ridge styles and will often dye it bright-ass colors, cuz why not? She’s pretty pale considering the vault background and the fact she is constantly wearing full body combat or leather armor when she’s outdoors, and she has a few piercings she actually got before leaving the vault. 

What’s in a Name: 

- “Hope” was the name that her parents chose for her before she was even born, but she can’t stand it, she just tends to see it as a cruel joke in the world they live in. She instead goes by Effie (short for Ephialtes, cuz she’s edgy and dramatic and read too much in school). Hope tends not to tell anyone her real name, and if she does, you’d best not use it to refer to her, unless you like being enslaved. The only one who could ever get away with it is Jericho and a select few people from the vault (Stanley, and her father, but she’s still not happy about it.)

Sexuality: 

- Pansexual

Main Companion: 

- Jericho

Relationship(s): 

- She has a sort of “friends with benefits” type situation going with Jericho, but it ends up getting... complicated, and turning somewhat into a relationship.

Bestie(s):

- Even though he’s her boss, Hope likes to hang out with Eulogy when she’s in Paradise Falls. When she was in the vault, she spent a lot of time with Stanley, and was pretty close with Butch, Wally, and Paul as well. 

Fam Dam: 

- James and Catherine are/were her parents (obviously). But she also considered Stanley to be a sort of uncle to her. 

Karma: 

- Oh, the worst. She’s honestly awful. She steals, she murders, she enslaves, she blows up settlements, all of it. She’s got a lot of things she needs to work out...

Faction of Choice: 

- The Slavers of Paradise Falls. (Yeah... she sucks.) The Brotherhood and the Outcasts just never really struck her fancy, and her and Jericho found it was easy to make bank with the slavers. Hope also is a friend to Allistair Tenpenny and Mister Burke... and not the folks in Megaton. Cuz they’re all not really alive.

Vault Occupation: 

- Engineer

Fun Fact!:  

- Hope is really bad with empathy, and absolutely needs to experience something for herself before she can make any sort of judgement on it, or other people who have had that same experience.

My Courier Six: Sage

Appearence: 

- Sage doesn’t really consider herself very “flashy” in comparison to most folks in NV. She’s got shoulder length brown hair (blast back or clean cut style) and brownish-hazel eyes. She’s pretty damn tan (Mojave, you know) and doesn’t have many scars, but the ones on the right side of her forehead clearly indicate where she was shot in the head (thanks, Benny). She and Boone tend to twin quite a bit, with matching red berets and sunglasses.

What’s in a Name: 

- The poor girl has no clue what her real name was before she was shot, but she saw a box of labelled herbs in Doc Mitchell’s house when she was recovering from her headwounds and decided she liked the name “Sage.”

Sexuality: 

- Bisexual

Main Companion: 

- Craig Boone

Relationship: 

- Also Boone :) it’s a pretty darn slow-burn romance with lots of bumps along the way, but their love always seems to prevail. (Gross and sappy, I know)

Bestie(s): 

- Arcade, plus Rex, and ED-E. Also Victor and Doc Mitchell.

Fam Dam: 

- No clue, unfortunately. She eventually tries to find out something about her past and her family, if she has any, but she’s got a few things to deal with first (hint, one rhymes with pleaser’s fleegion).

Karma: 

- She may make mistakes along the way, but Sage really does try her best to be as good as possible. 

Faction of Choice: 

- Mr. House and the Followers of the Apocalypse. Would like to get rid of House, but can't bring herself to become responsible for everything once he's gone. She considers herself his personal empathy and tries to assist with the goings on of the Mojave even after the battle of hoover dam. Fucking wiped out everyone in the Legion. Her and Boone are a force to be reckoned with. And she never really cared much for the Brotherhood since she had such little interaction with them. She has a good relationship with Freeside and most of the settlements/other towns as well.

Previous Occupation: 

- Courier? She has no idea what else. But she’s oddly really good with medicine 🤔

Fun Fact!: 

- She supports Mr. House for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest is that she doesn't want to lose Victor. He saved her, and she considers the securitron to be her oldest friend (besides Doc Mitchell). She knows it's a little selfish, but she can't bring herself to put an end to him after he pulled her from her own grave and helped bring her back from the brink of death.

My Sole Survivor: Jolene Arvanidis-Ryan

Appearence: 

- She’s got auburn hair she usually keeps cut short (clean cut) or in a bun, green eyes, pale skin with a good amount of freckles and has exceptionally straight teeth (braces suck, but you know.) When traveling with Cait, people tend to think they’re related. Jolene tends to wear a black beret and, if she has the time and resources, she likes cat eye style eyeliner. 

What’s in a Name: 

- Her first name runs in the family... plus her dad really liked Dolly Parton, so that helped cement the first name for him. Nate’s last name was Arvanidis, and she tends to use that as her last name exclusively, she rarely reveals her maiden name (Ryan) to anyone. 

Sexuality: 

- Straight

Main Companion: 

- Paladin Danse

Relationship: 

- It takes a long time (post BB), but she ends up being with Danse. 

Bestie(s): 

- MacCready and Cait

Fam Dam:  

- Pre-war, her father was a carpenter and her mother was a major in the US military, she had no siblings and was very close with her father since her mom was often away on deployment. 

Karma: 

- Decent. Tries her best to do what’s “right,” but she sometimes has a hard time determining what that is. Is good at following orders, even if she doesn’t always agree with them (BB is the exception in this case).

Faction of Choice: 

- Brotherhood of Steel, at least until BB, then she tends to focus more on the Minutemen, but still stays by the BOS’s side when it comes to taking down the Institute. Despite her loyalty to the BOS, she always regrets what she did to the Railroad, and how she ended things with the Institute, and she holds quite a bit of resentment towards Elder Maxson for ordering her to pull the trigger that ended her son’s life, and the other lives within the Institute. 

Previous Occupation (Pre-War): 

- She was a Gunnery Sergeant in the US Military. (Trying to follow in her mother’s footsteps).

Fun Fact!: 

- She hates killing feral ghouls, but keeps it under wraps since she tends to travel with MacCready and Danse the most. After that random encounter where she found herself murdering her own neighbors, she can’t bring herself to look into the eyes of any feral ghouls she has to kill. 

Bonus! Fun Fact!:  

- She started out as my sort of "throw away" playthrough where I wanted to do a BOS run, just out of curiosity, but she ended up being my main playthrough… probably because Danse is just the best and I can't get enough of that tin can thesaur-ass.

[regrettablewritings]

Preference: When They Get Jealous

Characters: Nevada Ramirez, Okoye, George “Digger” Harkness, Lucifer Morningstar, Clyde Logan

Nevada Ramirez

Nevada Ramirez does not get jealous. Don’t get anything in that pretty little head of yours twisted: Nevada “El Trujillo” Ramirez does not stoop so low as to feel jealous. Jealousy is what a pussy incapable of keeping his woman feels. And Nevada don’t never gotta worry about that type of bullshit.

Nevada Ramirez does not get jealous. Not even when he sees some jackass getting a little too handsy with you. He gets angry, sure. But not out of jealousy: It’s because that dumbass just doesn’t know his place. He knows you’re too sweet for your own good, that you’ve never been particularly good with confrontation or speaking up when it came to strangers; luckily for you, your boyfriend is more than happy to lend you a hand with that problem.

He sees you smile all wobbly at the asshole, brows ever so slightly furrowed over eyes that whimper in panic. Maybe even reads your lips a bit. He can’t hear you over the thudding bass of the club, but he knows you well enough to know that you’re stuttering, your voice quivering as you try ever so gently to politely shut him down. It almost makes Nevada want to smirk: You’re trying to help your own pest, give him a head start and give him a chance to escape. But it’s too late for that, and you know it the moment you see two of ‘Vada’s boys stalk up to you and your new friend, with one of them grunting that it’s “time to go.”

You’re pretty sure your “new friend” knows it’s too late as well, given how he tenses, but the hand he has on your lower, lower back stays. Maybe even applies further pressure. He tries (stupidly) to hold his ground. But the ground can’t hold him; not as Nevada’s boys pick him up effortlessly and drag him off to a more dimly-lit section of the club. The only thing shining brightly from that corner being the exit sign.

Fifteen minutes later, your boyfriend joins you. He would pretend that he doesn’t know why your lips are pressed in disapproval, and that he doesn’t see how your brows are still furrowed but this time, in a way to suggest disapproval. And you would pretend that you don’t smell the smell of cigarettes smoked in the alley, or sweat worked up from an activity he got too into. More importantly, you pretend that you don’t see his bruised and bloodied knuckles as he rests and arm about you, gently ushering you closer to him as he murmurs about how lonely you looked without your Papi around.

Instead, you give in to the kiss he gives you. His idea of an apology without outright owning up to it.

Nevada Ramirez does not get jealous. He gets even.

Okoye

On the outside, she is calm and collected. The very image of the perfect warrior. But on the inside? Okoye is blaze with passion. Of course, her fierceness shined through when it came to protection, particularly that of her country, her king, her queen, her princess, and, of course, you. But it was ultimately her taciturn countenance that people took note of, which makes her all the more deadly to the unassuming.

Case in point, if she sees anyone putting the moves on you — man or woman — they will find themselves in one of two situations: They will either have the tip of an often-used vibranium spear pointed at them, or they will be requested to help Okoye spar. And, more often than not, the latter is what she chooses to apply.

Mind you, the challenged needn’t be a member of the Dora -- they needn’t even be a seasoned combatant or even have so much as an orange belt in Tae Kwon Do. Which frankly isn’t very fair, considering they’d be receiving a challenge from the head of Wakandan security, but oh, Okoye will insist: “There are few things more patriotic than assisting your protectors where they need the assistance,” she says. The smile she speaks with is very slight, but there’s no doubt from anyone who knows here that there’s a sliver of malice in them.

There’s really no need to go into how the match goes, especially since it’s obvious who the victor is every single time. Generally speaking, there are only four things that bare mentioning:

For one, no matter how much of a sweat or how bruised and banged up her opponent gets, Okoye always goes easy on them. Always. For two, every blue moon, Okoye might let them land a hit on her. However, this is out of pity as well as being for show. Because in the event they so much as scratch her, there’s the third thing: At the end of every sparring match, you go up to your beloved, singing her praises or to offer her a cloth to dab what little sweat she might have shed, or to tend to whatever sores she might have received. But whatever the case, you always go to her.

Fourthly, none of Okoye’s opponents ever try getting cozy with you again.

George “Digger” Harkness

Digger’s got a lot of nerves, daring to actually exhibit jealousy. He’s not a cheater, no, but he sure doesn’t exactly keep his eyes locked and loaded on you as much as you would like for him to. The amount of times he’s earned your ire for glancing at a jiggling ass or checking out a pair of swaying hips could fill a small novel.

So you (pretend) that it isn’t petty when you finally gain the opportunity to enact revenge on him.

Considering that his release from Belle Reve wasn’t exactly officiated by actual personnel (and was, in fact, just a flat-out jailbreak), your beloved Aussie had to lay low for a bit. That meant that in order to keep the feds from knocking down your door and getting you more involved than what you already were, Digger had to hide from place to place for a bit before he could even dream of returning back to you and setting up shop in your humble abode. But just because his life was sort of on pause didn’t mean that yours had to be.

It seemed like every time Digger gave you a ring from a burner phone, you were about to be headed out somewhere or were planning on going to an event with friends. Really, the fact that you wanted to go somewhere wild should’ve been a big indication to Digger that you were pulling his leg, but it didn’t matter: On the occasion that you sent a pic of what you planned on wearing, the jealousy consumed him.

You were going out? In that outfit? In that color you know makes you irresistible to both him and probably literally anyone with functioning eyes and a working downstairs!? Well, no, actually: While you did occasionally join your friends for a night out on the town, it was rarely ever in any of the outfits you implanted in Digger’s mind. And even then, for the most part, you weren’t actually going anywhere except to the couch to scroll YouTube or binge watch New Girl until you fell asleep.

But of course, Digger never thought this might’ve been the case. Instead, he thought to enlist the help of “friends” to keep an eye on you and report back to him if any bastard’s eyes or hands went anywhere they didn’t belong, aka on you. And when those efforts came up fruitless (he refused to believe them when they insisted you weren’t acting up), he took matters into his own hands: His dumb ass cut his location-hopping a bit short, appearing at your door a frustrated and possessive mess as he wasted no time storming through the door, hoiking you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes so he could take you to the bedroom and “remind you who you belong to.”

So, in short, Digger’s main resort when he can actually be around you is his go-to for most things he gets involved in that isn’t thievery: He, ahem, “smashes your back out”. Lovely.

Lucifer Morningstar

Lucifer swears he doesn’t get jealous but since he doesn’t think it’s a lie, he’s technically not lying. But he’s most definitely not being forthcoming with the truth. And that truth is that when he gets jealous, Luci becomes the most petty baby of them all!

Normally, he’s pretty confident that he has your attention. After all, what’s not to love? He’s sexy, talented, witty, interesting, and, oh yeah, the literal embodiment of enticement and charisma. Regular men just simply cannot compare! . . . So why in the Heaven would you be smiling at such a drab, bipedal specimen who thinks that they can replace having a personality with simply owning a pocket watch in this day and age!?

He doesn’t care that that guy is your coworker, he’s boring and stupid and there’s no way you really find him interesting, right? . . . Right?

If left to his own devices (hell, he’ll make the devices himself even if you protest), Luci will go out of his way to try and prove that that guy isn’t worth your attention and that you should please keep it on your loving Devil instead please. He’ll bequeath him unpleasant sobriquets; he’ll enlist his connections to dig up some dirt; if you leave them alone together for too long, Lucifer might even ask him what his deepest desire is. But these will often fall flat on the ass: The nicknames will roll off the “opposition’s” back like water off a duck (or you’ll fuss at Lucifer to quit it); the worst thing that could be dug up was that he was a college republican or something; and apparently his deepest desire is to acquire a copy of the Star Wars holiday special.

And somehow, that’s even worse!!

He might actually become a little pathetic (which, considering it’s Lucifer, probably just means his hair becomes a bit less combed, his clothes become more disheveled, and he might even somehow become even more clingy and demanding and even direct his pettiness towards you) because (Y/N), please, you can’t seriously be considering leaving your handsome, interesting, Devil for some boring, sad, oblivious piece of --

Really, the best way to get Lucifer to stop pestering is by reminding him who you’re with: Himself. After all, you’re not going home with the guy from work. Nor do you let him rest his head on your lap so you can play with his hair, or giving him your kisses, or letting him touch you in places only Heaven and Hell know drive you wild.

No . . . Those are reserved only for Lucifer, your beloved Hell bastard, for better or for worse. But mostly for the better -- even though he can sometimes just be the worst.

Clyde Logan

It really depends on the environment, because it ultimately can go one of two ways based on that alone. Clyde thinks the world of you, that you must be some kind of angel to see something good enough in him worth dating. And while it’s a bit of a confidence-booster in some respects, it also leads to a lot of other worries, highlighting even further his own long-term insecurities.

In a way, he’s both shocked and glad that you don’t get hit on every moment of every day the moment you walk out the house: You’re clearly the most gorgeous gal ever. You deserve acknowledgement of this! But then again, he doesn’t want so many eyes on you; one pair might most definitely belong to somebody better for you than him: Better-looking, better at talking, better socially, better job . . .

So when the two of you are out grocery shopping or visiting a local farmer’s market or anything and some rugged fox of a man casts a sensual smirk your way, Clyde can’t help but gain the demeanor of a nervous puppy, his large frame seemingly shrinking as his long hair curtains his face. If he had a tail, it would most certainly have tucked itself between his legs. It only gets slightly better when you only return a polite but small smile and take your partner’s hand to gently lead him elsewhere. But only slightly. It may take some cuddles and smooches when you get home to properly perk Clyde back up, but that’s far from something you mind doing.

However, should you both be at Duck Tape, or any other gathering that might make use of a mixologist for that matter? Clyde is in his element.

Clyde isn’t one to boast or show off; it’s not compatible with his shy nature, and his belief in the Logan Family Curse just doesn’t allow for him to get greedy about it. But if one night you drop by to visit him at work and he sees some guy making goo-goo eyes and hokey small talk at you? It’s on.

It doesn’t matter what drink the guy orders: Clyde immediately knows how to make it and make it perfectly, utilizing only his organic hand. The concoctions are mixed with such ease and precision, his every move emoting a sense of confidence that the unsuspecting would never have guessed a man like him could possess. And if he would be so bold, Clyde might even do so while barely breaking eye contact. It’s all the more better if the guy flirting with you tries ordering a drink for you himself. Because that’s when Clyde can start off with the man’s drink . . . before making you a completely different one entirely. The patron’s brow furrows.

“That’s . . . not what I ordered for her,” he points out.

And Clyde nods. “Nope. But that’s her favorite, and I reckon she’d prefer that over what you wanted her to have.”

You toasting at your beloved and offering a, “Thanks, honey” only sweetens the deal.

There aren’t many opportunities where Clyde feels like The Big Man on Campus, so to speak. But moments like that, where he feels he gets to show some of his worth? He can’t help but be a bit emboldened by them.

Of course, it goes without saying that it isn’t the drink-mixing or skill that drew you to him: It’s that sweet, thoughtful disposition of his. Because let’s face it: In a county of foxes and wolves, you can’t beat a sweet-eyed puppy-dog.