#yeah actually if he sticks around joffrey could be my guy

[doobydoobydoowau]

literally trying so hard to avoid learning anything new or resurfacing any buried childhood thoughts ab got, but i'm like 60% sure the red wedding is joffrey's. very excited y'all!! :))

[theonewiththefanfics]

Shield (one-shot)

Synopsis: To the new Captain America she might just be a human shield. But Bucky can see there’s more to it. What he can’t understand is why she stays.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader

Genre: angst, lil bit of fluff

Warnings: mentions of blood and guns, swearing, torture, low mental state etc.

Word count: 3591

I am going absolutely feral about the fact that a portion of the series takes place in Latvia as I am Latvian :D Just seeing the signs and streets (which are not really ours cause they filmed in Prague, but are similar enough I can envision it), especially because we’re such a small country is amazeballs, so to be in such a huge show with my MCU faves is insane. Had the same kind of reaction to Brooklyn Nine-Nine with Nikolaj and the Captain Latvia episode. Riga hammer for the win :D 

P.S. John Walker is not Captain America cause he does not posses America’s ass. Also Zemo is one hundred percent Bucky’s and Sam’s sugar daddy. I won’t accept any dispute over this.

P.S.S. please also remember - John Walker is a character not a real person. John Walker is played by an actor who is doing his job the same way the actor who played Joffrey did. Do not harass him etc. but rather appreciate the insane talent he has. This place is a Wyatt Russell stan place.

P.S.S.S. Kinda spoilers for the show so if you haven’t seen it, don’t read this.

He hated him. Bucky genuinely hates him. He never thought he had despised something or someone so much, not even HYDRA, as much as he hated John Walker – the new Captain America. He wanted to scream at that, at the fact that this arrogant asshole was carrying Steve’s shield, the symbol of freedom and everything good, while in reality, he embodied none of what it stood for.

           Walker and what he’d learned his sidekick was Battlestar, had swooped in from a helicopter while Sam and he had been following the Flag-Smasher vehicles, and, well, they hadn’t been a lot of help, which he shouldn’t be too surprised about. But what he had been surprised about was when they’d all been thrown off of the semi-trucks and scattered all around a field, someone else had been in the mix as well. 

A young woman with Y/H/C hair and determined Y/E/C eyes was rushing towards them, screaming for them to stay on the ground. When Bucky looked behind, he could see why given how one of the radicalised people had jumped from the trucks and was barreling at them with an automatic cocked at them

           But it wasn’t Walker who jumped up running past her, shield at the ready to take on the fire. No. He just remained sitting as the stranger kept her pace. She leapt at the two with a grace of a cat, pushing him and Sam back to the ground and immediately got blown back by the received ammunition, gasps leaving her mouth as the bullets entered her body.

           Sam’s wings extended and created a body length shield as Bucky snatched one of the knives strapped to the man’s side and flung it with deadly accuracy into the Flag-Smasher’s neck, dropping him to the ground. 

           There was blood when he looked back. There was so much blood, and once again it was all over Bucky’s hands, and he couldn’t breathe properly, pressing down on her abdomen and shoulder and side, and. oh god, there were too many bullet wounds...

           Two wide Y/E/C eyes stared back up at him, mouth gasping down shallow breaths as he held down on her wounds trying to stop the blood from pouring out. God, there was so much of it.

           “Don’t close your eyes,” he gritted, his body trembling. “Well get you help. You’ll be alright.”

           But then Walker spoke up, and Bucky saw read because of a different reason. “She’s fine, just leave it.”

           His head snapped to see that arrogant bastard cross his arms as he hissed. “Leave it? She’s fucking bleeding out! She took those bullets for you, and you just want to leave it?!”

           Walker just smirked, nudging his chin towards her body. “You’ll see.”

           “You let her use herself as a shield while you did nothing!”

           “Yeah,” he scoffed. “Because that’s her whole point.”

           And that’s when Bucky felt her skin shift underneath his hands. Slowly the blood stopped pouring out, Y/N’s breathing evened, and her eyes closed not because death was calling, but because of relief as the regenerative cells kicked into high gear.

           Bucky gazed in wonder as the wounds closed up, and when only scar tissue remained he snapped his blue eyes to her, Y/E/C ones already staring back at him.

           “Who are you?” he whispered

           “A human shield that’s what,” Walker answered in her stead, but Bucky just sneered.

           “I asked who, not a what. She’s a fucking person.”

           Once more he looked back down and saw a strange look in her eyes. It was as if she was trying to decipher what those words meant, but once the shock from such a huge assault had ended, she gulped down a breath and gave him a crooked smile. “I’m Y/N Y/L/N.”

           A lopsided one came to grace his own face. “I’m James Buchanan Barnes, but you can call me Bucky.”

           “Bucky.” Her eyebrow rose. “Well, it’s very nice to finally meet you.”

           He smiled at her, and not the painful smile he’d given the senator before her arrest, but a real genuine smile, one that made the skin around his eyes crinkle. 

           “And it’s very nice you didn’t decide to die on us.”

           “Yeah, yeah, can we cut this meet and greet shorter?” Walker interrupted them, and if Bucky hadn’t been holding onto Y/N’s shoulder as she tried to rise from the ground, he would’ve punched the guy. 

           “I told you she was going to be fine.”

           Bucky threw him his best murder glare but stopped when he felt Y/N squeeze his hand as if saying ‘don’t bother.' His brows furrowed in confusion. She just shook her head.

           “We should still find you a hospital.” He talked to Y/N directly, ignoring what the new Captain was saying. “It doesn’t matter that you can survive something like that, I’d rather make sure you’re checked out by professionals.

           “It won’t be necessary.” Walker slipped the shield on his arm and nudged his partner to start walking with him, pretty much expecting the rest to follow. “It was her choice anyway to take the hits.”

           “It doesn’t mean she should!” Bucky pretty much hollered, startling even Sam.

           At that, he saw Y/N’s eyes widen and her head snap up to look at him. All the breath got knocked out from Bucky at the emotion in her face. It was like she didn’t believe what he was saying like she didn’t know it was a possibility to not put her own life before someone else’s, that maybe someone is supposed to do it for her, someone could protect her.

           “She absorbs fucking bullets and infuses them in her body.” John mocked. “I’d say it’s a win-win on both sides. Everyone else stays safe, and she gets stronger, right? The whole bleeding thing is a hitch in the system, but our guys say with enough scuffles that should stop as well.”

Walker looked at her. Y/N just gulped, staring back down at the ground between her knees. 

           When he looked back at everything the moment he’d seen Zemo in the cell and the asshole had said something still remained in him from the Winter Soldier, came back to connect with the scene. He’d hated that sentence because Bucky knew it was true. The Soldier would always be a part of him, but that was what therapy was for – to accept it and let go. But in that minute, he wouldn’t have cared one bit if the ruthless assassin came to the surface if it meant snapping Walker’s neck like a stick. 

           He treated the woman as if she was below him, as if Steve’s shield somehow made him better than her, better than anyone, and yet, even when he’d been given the privilege to carry it, he’d rather use a human person, no matter if they had powers, as a shield.

           A soft hand touched his side, and Bucky looked at Y/N, his breathing heavy at Walker’s words. 

           “I’m alright.” Her voice was softer than he thought it would be. Maybe it was because she was trying to stay out of John’s earshot, but even the gentle whisper made something in Bucky’s chest stir. “Thank you,” she said. “For checking up on me.”

           Bucky stiffly nodded, standing up and offering both his hands for her to take, but even with that, it took Sam holding her by the waist to be able to stand. The Falcon had to catch her, in fact, when she took her first steps, an awkward chuckle escaping her mouth. 

           “It’s been a while since a hit like this.”

           Sam quirked a brow and smirked. “You always have a tendency to do stupid shit like that?”

           Y/N’s whole body relaxed as he said so, and a sting went through Bucky’s own. How bad were they treating her if basic kindness and a little bit of joking made her feel so safe?

           Just as he was about to ask her more, to offer to take her with them, Walker spoke up again. That conversation was an absolute disaster, and the fact that Walker thought Sam and him would actually ever consider working with him on this mission was idiotic. 

           It ended with the two Avengers watching how Walker threw an arm around Y/N’s shoulders, making her knees buckle with the weight, her from still regaining strength, but he didn’t care, just dragged her along with him and Battlestar.

           “Are we just gonna let ‘em do that to her?” Bucky sneered, arms crossed watching their retreating forms over the field.

           He felt Sam glower next to him. “There’s not much we can do.”

           He hated that he was right.

           Bucky couldn’t stop thinking about Y/N. One meeting had left him shaken to the core not just about her, but about how there was something deeply off with the new Captain America, that if they didn’t take action something horrible would happen, not just because of his arrogance, but because of some seed he could feel had rooted itself in the other man’s heart.

           But by that point they’d been in Madripoor, had met Sharon who’d been on the run from the US government ever since the dismantlement of the Avengers, and had now followed a lead to where the Flag-Smashers had settled in Latvia.

           Zemo seemed to not only have a billion cars, but a billion apartments scattered around the world, this one being in the heart of the Old Town. 

           Bucky was on the roof looking over the twinkling lights of the city. His bed had been too soft as it always was, and even the floor wasn’t it for him, not a wink of sleep coming his way as his thoughts were flooded by Y/N.

           Well, the sleep part wasn’t true. He had been able to drift off, only to dream of how the woman didn’t get better, didn’t absorb those bullets and had died right in his arms. That’s when he decided he needed a breath of fresh air.

           The sound of shuffling feet made him whip around from the scenic view only to be greeted by a form he’d now recognise in a full-on ski-suit in pitch-black darkness.

           “What are you doing here?” Bucky stood up wanting to stride over and check her for any wounds she might’ve gotten while around Walker. Any new scar on her body would mean the same number of teeth he’d knock from that Walmart-version-Captain-America’s mouth.

           “Came to warn you.” She shrugged, soft winds making her coat flutter. “John and Lemar are resting, but come morning they’ll be on your ass, so you might wanna make a move now.”

           Bucky shook his head. “I don’t get you. You’re nothing like them, I can see that you know how wrong it is, for him to be carrying that shield, that he’s making a mockery out of the name and legacy Steve built, and yet…”

           Y/N hung her head lifting her shoulders, hands in her pockets. “I gotta do what I gotta do.”

           “He’s an asshole,” Bucky hissed. 

           Y/N gave him a painful look. “I know. But I don’t have anywhere to go. Besides… you have your own way of making amends. Well, this is mine.”

           Dark brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

           She let out a painful chuckle, not because of the memories now plaguing her waking thoughts, but because her wounds were still healing, and instantly Bucky came closer and took her hand, running a soothing thumb over her palm. Wounds he was sure were new.

           Y/N froze at his touch, and Bucky was about to pull away when she put her own thumb over his. He had to bite back tears at how tenderly she was looking down at his palm. Like no one had ever comforted her when it hurt. 

           “When the Blip happened,” she started, voice low and quiet. “I watched how my sister and mom disappeared right in front of my eyes. We were driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, and there was a truck before us. It was carrying loads of metal scraps. The driver of the truck got blipped as well.” She swallowed harshly. “I can still feel how the beam went through my shoulder, how it broke the bone and skin, and how I just wanted to disappear like they had just to make the pain stop. But I didn’t. It hurt so bad.” Y/N looked at Bucky, tears running down her face. “It was burning and tearing, and so much pain… and all I could do was scream, but no one heard me because everyone else was screaming, and I was just one of the thousands doing it.”

           Y/N shook her head, and when Bucky leaned closer to wipe away the tears, she sighed at the feeling. “I passed out sometime later. From the pain the… well, everything. And when I woke up, I heard people outside the door, trying to rip it open, I could see red lights flashing, but where I expected that beam to be was nothing. When I looked down at myself there was a hole in my shirt, but instead of a hole in my shoulder, a round scar was the only thing left from that moment.”

           “They took me to the hospital, and when they tried to put an IV in, my body just swallowed up the needle.” She took a shaky breath, and Bucky squeezed her side. ‘Go on’ he tried to convey with the touch. ‘I’m here.’

           “That’s when the tests started. They were fine at first. Blood samples when they managed to get any, saliva and all that good jazz… but then they started poking. And poking turned into slicing which turned into stabbing until I was their personal pincushion, as they tried to see what my body would and wouldn’t take.”

           Y/N was shaking by that point, but not because of the wind that had picked up, but because of anger, of the horror, she’d had to go through. It took everything in Bucky to remain calm and let her continue.

           “Two years they did that. And then one time they went a bit too far. Someone had stolen a vibranium spear from the Dora Milaje.”

           Bucky’s breath got caught in his throat. He wasn’t moving a muscle.

           “They wanted to know if I could absorb the strongest metal on Earth, so slowly…” Her hands went to her front, to the white blouse she was wearing and started popping open the buttons. Bucky was just about to protest when he understood.

           “They pushed the spear too far.” Her finger ran over a rhomb shaped scar right in the centre of her chest. Right over her heart. “Pushed it right through.”

           “How did you survive?” Bucky was appalled, but in awe at the same time. 

            Y/N shook her head. “I didn’t. I died then and there on the table. They took my body and dumped it in some ditch. From my own calculations, it took me about a day to heal. They’d sown in a scalpel in my stomach a few hours before, so I’m assuming it used that as the binding material for the cells.”

“I was so angry.” She looked at him. “At everyone, at myself, that I couldn’t help my family, that I allowed them to just use me like that, I just went off the deep end. I did so many bad things…” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I read about the Winter Soldier, y’know. His whole thing was efficiency, quickness. I – “ She choked on her words. “I wasn’t. I wanted to drag it out. Wanted to find each and every one of the bastards who laid their hands on me and make them suffer as I did.”

           Bucky’s hand settled on her waist as he pulled her closer, feeling her body keen at the motion as she looked for reassurance. “I’m not a good person, Bucky. This.” She motioned with her head to her body. “This is my repentance for what I did.”

           “What he’s doing is not right. What they’re making you do is not right.” Bucky shook his head. “Just because it might not kill you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. No one had any right to touch you.”

           “It’s the price I pay for what I did.”

           “Pain?”

           Y/N nodded. “Eye for an eye. Pain for the pain I caused.”

           Bucky shook his head. “That’s not right.”

           “How else am I supposed to do this?”

           “By getting help yourself first.”

           Y/N’s eyes widened, and Bucky sighed. He understood how impossible that thought seemed, that someone who’s done so much bad could deserve help from others, but he understood her situation better than anyone. “Being here,” he said, “being able to say these things… I can only do that because I got help. It was mandated by the state, but nevertheless…” Both chuckled at that, and Bucky’s heart lightened at the sound, at the genuine sound of joy from her. “But the therapy… I hate to say this, but it helped. It’s not easy. I sometimes detest going to the sessions, and I might be failing them quite miserably right now, especially with rule number two –“

           “What’s rule number two?”

           “Don’t hurt anyone,” Bucky mumbled. “And I’ve broken it quite a lot recently, I know that which will either make me end up behind bars or will add more therapy sessions to the list, but I’m not afraid anymore.”

           Y/N gulped, gazing just as intensely at Bucky as he was at her. “Of what?”

           “Of reaching out.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Of asking for help. Of understanding that I deserve help, and I deserve to receive it.”

           “Yeah, but the thing is I’m not like you.” Y/N looked away from him. “No one forced me to do this, no one brainwashed me. I did everything out of my own volition. Me. No one else. You deserve that help because HYDRA did all those things to you. You are a victim of war. I’m not. All those horrible things I did… I did them. Not some alias of mine.”

           Bucky’s heart hurt at the fact that Y/N couldn’t see she was a victim of her own circumstance, and how now the government was punishing her for it. And that’s when another brick hit him – it was exactly like Isaiah’s situation. Both came from marginalised groups, parts of society where the ones in power have been trying to oppress and control them for as long as he could remember, he just couldn’t see it. He could see Sam’s point of view now. Maybe not as clearly as he should, but he was starting to wipe away the fog.

           “They used you just as much as HYDRA used me.” He asserted, and Y/N’s eyes widened at his sure statement. “Just because a pile of shit has a bowtie on now, doesn’t mean it’s no longer a pile of shit… Come with us.” Bucky’s forehead pressed to hers. “Let’s do this the right way.”

           “It’s mandated by the US government that I stay by John’s side and help him.”

           Bucky smirked at that, nudging his nose against Y/N’s. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re in Latvia then. Besides Captain America has no pull here.”

           She laughed, warm breath slipping over Bucky’s skin, and he had to close his eyes as the thought of her breathless and underneath him invaded his mind. “Unfortunately, this deal stands whether I’m inside the borders of USA or outside.”

           Y/N looked over the skyline to where the country’s national monument stood. A woman, hands up in the air outstretched with three stars in her palms, with words she couldn’t understand when she'd arrived etched on the granite at the bottom. Some local had translated them for her. For the Fatherland and Freedom.

           After the blip and the experiments, she didn’t feel like she had a home. She’d been imprisoned and prodded like some lab bunny to see what her body could do. What her body could be used for.

           Bucky followed her gaze as she kept looking at the statue. Different stars, different saying, but still with the same meaning of what he saw when he looked at the Captain America shield. Freedom. Justice. For the love of their home.

Something deep started to burn in her chest, and even Bucky could feel the shift. 

           A ferocious look appeared in her eyes as she looked at him. “Let’s get that shield.” She wasn’t going to let Walker taint that star, she knew would happen if he had it for much longer.

           They’d had a single meeting beforehand, and during that half-hour, he’d been terrified for more than two-thirds of the time about how Y/N might die in his arms, die because she’d taken bullets meant for him. 

           He was so glad she hadn’t, not because it would be another life lost because of him, but because he felt like he’d found a twin flame – someone who’d understand him and his troubles. Someone he could help.

           Maybe that could be the true way he could make amends – help someone in the same situation.

           Bucky smiled.

           Y/N did so too, and his heart skipped a beat looking at the woman.

           Her body might be able to absorb the metals piercing it, Walker might call her a human shield, but he knew she was so much more than that. And he’d spend however long it took him to prove so to her. Maybe even in more ways than one.

_________________________________________________________________

Please reblog if you like this. For whatever reason my Bucky fics aren’t appearing in the tags :(

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[softeddiek]

Political Campaign au

after debating whether or not to finish it all and post it as a oneshot, or post it as four separate chapters, i finally decided to just put the first chapter up, lol

fic to go with this gendrya photoset

read on ao3

August

It’s nearing 3pm, the sun is beating down on her neck, and Arya is ready to finish for the day and head home.

When she had agreed to help out with Margaery’s campaign (or rather, when Sansa had hounded her into helping) she had hoped she wouldn’t have to spend every weekend canvassing, maybe spend some time hitting the phones instead. At least then when people were yelling obscenities at you and questioning how you got their phone number (public record people) it was done in the cool, albeit a bit stale, air conditioning of the office Margaery was renting out. She would admit though, the app that Margaery and her campaign team insisted on them using to keep track of houses they’d stopped at was a lot more efficient than the paper and clipboards they had used for Robb’s last campaign.

Normally she wouldn’t mind canvassing too much. Sure, people could be rude and, sometimes, downright hostile. But, despite all of her grumbling, Arya really believed in Margaery as a candidate and was always pleased to be met with a constituent eager to learn more about her and her platform. Still, Arya had had a long week at work and the last thing she wanted to do today was get up at 8am, drive over to the already hectic office, and be sent out to some neighborhood she wasn’t familiar with in order to convince people that they really ought to be thinking about the midterm election three months from now. Not when she could be home relaxing and catching up on chores around the house.

So, when she looks at her phone and sees she only has one house left on the map to hit before she can head back to where she parked her car, she sends a silent prayer of thanks to the Old Gods. Hoping it’ll be an easy one—older, same party affiliation as Margaery, frequent voter—she clicks on the voter profile.

Gendry Waters (I)

Male, 33 y/o

1712 NW Fleabottom Rd.

No voter history available

She finds herself letting out a sigh at the Independent mark by his name, and yet another one at seeing the man has never voted before.

Margaery’s primary had been a closed one, so only registered members of their party could vote in it. She had easily beaten Albar Royce and her team had immediately gone into overdrive so as to win the general election against that shithead, Joffrey Lannister. She now needed to shift some of her focus to constituents who were registered with the main opposing party, fringe parties, and Independents. Arya had nothing against Independents, per say, she just hated trying to convince them to vote for someone running under a major party. They were just as likely to swing to the other party as they were hers and, with no voter history to look at, this guy could easily be supporting Lannister already. It was never any fun trying to talk to someone, only to realize they were a Lannister supporter, none-to-eager to have you on their doorstep.

Seeing Mr. Waters’ house is only one house over from the one she had just stopped at and gotten no answer from (though she was positive she heard the sound of the tv coming from the inside of the house), she wipes the sweat off her brow, plasters on a smile, and makes her way toward it.

The house is buttery yellow in color, the shutters a sun-bleached red, and the grass is what her mom would describe as ‘a few days past in need of a mowing.’ It’s a cute house really, if looking a little bit like the owner doesn’t have time for the upkeep. Arya isn’t really one to talk though; her job at the local state park keeps her busy and she often finds herself putting off household chores. There’s an old Chevy parked in the driveway so it’s safe to say the owner is home. Whether he’ll actually open the door to her or not is a whole other story. She doesn’t see any Lannister signs in the yard, so at least he doesn’t seem to be a fervent supporter of the opposition.

She’s got the thought of sitting in her car with the AC on high on her mind as she reaches forward and raps twice on the door, taking one step back so as not to crowd the guy. She’s counting the seconds in her head, debating on whether talking to him is worth another knock (Margaery has three months before the election, someone is bound to have to visit this house again if she marks it as a ‘Not Home’) when she hears a muffled voice call out.

“Hang on a second.”

Holding in her groan, she begins rehearsing the script in her head and rifling through the pamphlets she has left to hand out. She’s propping the stack up on one knee, trying to root out the one with Margaery’s amendment recommendations on it, when the door jerks open and startles her, causing her to nearly send the stack to the ground.

Standing in the doorway is a man who very well could be Gendry Waters. He’s tall and broad, with thick black hair and piercing blue eyes. The stubble on his jaw and slight wrinkles around those blue eyes certainly make him look like he could be in his 30s. Arya tends to be too engrossed in her spiel on Margaery to truly take in what the people she’s talking to look like but, frankly, this guy is hot.

And also frowning down at her.

She clears her throat, already worried from the look on his face that this is going to go badly. “Good afternoon sir! My name is Arya and I’m a volunteer for—”

“Look, whatever you’re selling, I’m not interested.” He’s moving to shut the door in her face when her sneaker-clad foot darts out, wedging itself between the door and its frame. She cringes internally, knowing her mother would be having a conniption about how unsafe that move just was if she could see her.

Engaging a constituent like this is not a good idea, but she can’t help herself from blurting out, louder than necessary, “I’m not selling anything. Look, are you Gendry Waters or what?”

He eyes her warily. “Who’s asking?”

“If you’d have let me finish,” she grumbles out. His eyebrow raises, an unimpressed look adorning his face. “I’m a volunteer for the Margaery Tyrell campaign. Are you Gendry Waters?”

He looks reluctant to answer. “Yeah. And before you start asking for donations or something, you should know I don’t—”

“Vote. Yeah, I know.”

His forehead scrunches up in confusion. Knowing he’s about to ask how she knows that (they always do) she decides to speak before he can.

Rattling off parts of the script she’s been using the past few weeks, she says, “Margaery Tyrell is running for State Senate this election against Republican incumbent Joffrey Lannister. A former social worker, Margaery feels strongly about the housing crisis plaguing our district. Should she be elected, she looks forward to being sent to our state’s capital to immediately begin working with fellow legislators on ways to provide affordable housing to lower income families in our district and around the state. Margaery is also a staunch advocate for the environment, and supports recently introduced S.B. 4120, the Kingswood Wildlife Preservation Act. Do these seem like qualities in a candidate that interest you?”

The man—Gendry Waters’ forehead is still furrowed, only now there’s a scowl around his mouth. “Tyrell? As in the family that owns that big agricultural company out in the Reach?”

She hesitates. He’s that type of independent then. Arya herself was never too keen on the Tyrell family business, but in all her years as Sansa’s friend, Margaery had proven herself to be down-to-earth and, recently, willing to take on the big corporations by closing legal loopholes that allow them to wreak havoc on the environment. “Margaery’s father and grandmother own shares in Tyrell Farm Corp., yes.” Seeing he’s about to retort back she adds on, “Margaery has, however, asked that her family have little involvement in her campaign, and only make personal donations totaling no more than $100.”

He scoffs. “Right, I’m sure she has.”

If Arya couldn’t feel sweat pooling on the back of her neck and the rumble of hunger that came from only eating an apple on the drive to the office this morning, she might have stayed. She might have set the record straight about Margaery and the donations she was accepting for her campaign. She might have done all in her power to sway this man into voting for Margaery. But honestly, after the attitude he was giving her and all of these other factors, she couldn’t be assed to try. Besides, if he has a problem with Margaery’s background, at least she now knows he won’t be voting for Joffrey. The Lannister family is a terror.

“Okay, I can see I’m not going to be getting anywhere here. Can I just leave some pamphlets with you?”

“Yeah, fine,” he grumbles out. She hands some of the glossy fliers to him, ready for the inevitable slamming of the door.

He’s staring at her pointedly, clearing his throat when all she does is stare at him confused. “Your foot…”

Embarrassed, she pulls her foot back from the doorway it was still sticking out in, turning around to walk the few blocks back to her car. “Have a good day sir,” she calls out behind her sarcastically. She rolls her eyes at the sound of the door slamming.

It takes a lot of restraint to not add “a bit of an asshole” to the notes on his voter profile.

--

Arya’s just washing up the last of the dishes she’d let pile up over the week in her sink when her drier buzzes, signaling the load she’d put in was done. Putting the last plate in the drying rack, she wipes her hands off on a dish towel and heads toward her laundry room.

As soon as she’d gotten home from canvassing, she’d taken a shower, thrown on some comfortable clothes, and started making headway in her list of chores. She’s hoping to get through the last few things by tomorrow morning, so she might have time to get some gardening done. Jon always makes fun of her choosing to spend her Sundays gardening, especially when she spends all of her week outdoors at work, but she’s pretty sure he’s just upset that he can’t keep a plant alive for shit.

She’s just finished putting her clothes away when she enters the living room to see her phone light up with a text. Checking it, she sees it’s from her friend Shireen.

Queen Shireen: Drinks tonight? On me.

Arya: You had me at free drinks, lmao

Queen Shireen: Haha, I thought I would. The Crossroads?

Arya: Ew, no, that gross bartender might be working

Queen Shireen: Tru, tru.

Arya: How about Hot Pie’s place

Queen Shireen: Is he working tonight?

Arya: Idk, maybe

Arya: If he is, we can probably get some free fries from him

Queen Shireen: I’m down.

Arya: 9:30?

Queen Shireen: Lmao bitch, you thought.

Queen Shireen: I have to be up early tomorrow to catch the ferry to Dragonstone. I’m going to visit my father and stepmom.

Arya: Ooh, the wicked witch of Dragonstone herself

Queen Shireen: She wishes.

Queen Shireen: …literally. She wishes she were a witch.

Arya: Don’t we all

Queen Shireen: Lol.

Queen Shireen: 7:30?

Arya: Sounds good! I’ll see you there

--

The bar Hot Pie works at had been an inn before it had been a bar. He’d been the cook there and when it had been bought out by some congressman named Dondarrion from the Marches, they’d kept Hot Pie on. At his insistence, they’d kept much of the inn’s menu when it became the bar, though most people settled for ordering fries and nachos, much to Hot Pie’s chagrin. The outside was just as dingy as it had been when it was an inn—apparently the new owner couldn’t be fucked to clean it up a bit—and the sign on the front was in such disrepair, that nobody knew the actual name of the place. She’d heard some of the bartenders refer to themselves as a brotherhood, but she figured that was just some weird southern thing.

When Arya arrives, she has to muscle her way past a few people before reaching the corner booth Shireen has managed to snag, her purse, coat, and drink spread across the seat and table, an intimidating look on her face. Well, intimidating for Shireen.

“Hey, sorry I’m late, just lost track of time a bit.” She slides some of Shireen’s stuff over and plops down on the sticky vinyl seat.

Shireen rolls her eyes. “’s fine, I got started without ya.”

She sends her friend a grin. “I can tell. So, what’s wrong then, why are you already tipsy at…,” she checks her phone, “8:04?”

Shireen lets out a prolonged sigh, propping her right arm onto the table and resting her face against her hand. “Just not lookin’ forward to going home tomorrow.”

Arya shrugs. “So don’t.”

“That’s the thing. Think I really need to.” She begins twirling around her empty glass, the ice clinking softly. “My dad’s been really moody since he lost his reelection.”

She lets out a scoff. “Stannis hates Dragonstone and the people that live there. He lost that election two years ago. We both know how this works Shireen, he could’ve up and relocated and ran somewhere more conservative. Or, he could’ve run for something at the local level.”

“As if the mighty Stannis Baratheon would deign to go from Senator to…to…to mayor or something. And the way that Red Witch is in his ear all of the time, tellin’ him how he oughta run for President, how he could be more successful than his brother…Yeah, I definitely need to go home for a bit. Just don’t really wanna.” She takes another pull of her drink, frowning when she gets nothing but melted ice. Arya sends a soft look her friend’s way, concerned.

“Okay, so here’s what’s going to happen. I am going to go get one drink for me and a water for you, close out the tab, then we’ll head to your place and watch some trashy tv. You’ll go to sleep, I’ll crash on your couch, and I’ll drive you to catch the ferry tomorrow if, and only if, you still feel up to going, okay?”

“Fine, fine. But you should know, Hot Pie isn’t working tonight so we can’t get free fries,” she pouts.

She chuckles at her friend’s disgruntled expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll buy us some fries.”

After a few minutes she’s managed to flag down a bartender. She’s leaning against the bar, hoping whoever is in the back tonight makes them as crispy as Hot Pie does, when she sees a familiar face under a mop of black hair a few stools down, nursing a beer. It’s the guy from earlier, Gendry. He’s in conversation with someone, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. If he looked good before, frowning at her, he looks even better now; friendlier, more open. Too bad his personality didn’t seem to match. When his eyes drift past the guy he’s talking to, meeting her own, she quickly glances back to behind the bar.

Once she gets her drinks and fries, she maneuvers her way through the thickening crowd back to Shireen, steadfastly ignoring Gendry Waters. She places the fries down in front of Shireen, trying to drag her attention away from the bar.

“What are you looking at?”

Shireen’s forehead is scrunched up in thought. “Why were you glaring at my Uncle Renly?”

“Who?”

“The guy with the black hair and the beer. That’s my uncle.” Maybe Shireen had had more to drink than she originally thought.

“No,” she drags out, “that’s some guy I met canvassing today. His name’s Gendry.”

“Weird. He looks just like my uncle.” She picks up a handful of fries, shoving them in her mouth and chewing thoughtfully. “Hot Pie’s fries are crispier.”

--

It’s around 9 am when she gets home from taking Shireen to catch the ferry. She hadn’t slept very well on Shireen’s couch, so she’s ready to lay down in her own soft bed to catch a few more hours of sleep, maybe make some pancakes after, then head outside to tend to her garden. She’s just finished changing from her grimy bar clothes into some pajamas when her phone lights up from her nightstand.

Sansa: Emergency

Sansa: We’re phonebanking from 12-4 today and two volunteers said they can’t come in

Sansa: Marge and I really need the extra help and you’re great with the phones

Sansa: Please

Arya: Ok

Arya: You owe me pancakes next weekend

Sansa: Deal! Thanks so much, see you soon

She lets out a sigh, setting an alarm for 11 before settling into bed.

[sly2o]

The Abandoned Aegon/Blackfyre story line would have fixed nearly everything

This is a GOT post.

In the books there is a character you never meet in the show who goes by the name of Aegon. He is allegedly the son of Rhegar Targaryen and Ellia Martell. The popular fan theory is that he is actually a Blackfyre descendant, which is an offshoot branch of the Targaryens from a civil war between the Targs from a while back in Westeros history.

Either way - in the books this character named Aegon (nickname: Little Griff) who was raised in Essos in secret, amassed an army there, and has now shown up near Storm’s End with a host of followers and is rapidly picking up steam on his way to conquer King’s Landing at the end of Book 5. Lord Varys has been helping Aegon on his journey to King’s Landing to claim the throne.

Aegon believes - like Daenerys believes - that he is the last of the Targaryen’s and that he is coming home to Westeros, and plans to take back what is his birthright.

The show decided to include nothing to do with this Aegon.

But what if they had?

Imagine the story goes like this instead:

Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor and there are consequences. Aegon shows up outside King’s Landing with a host of followers from the disenfranchised houses to take down Cersei because of her sacrilegious mad act. It is an overwhelming battle and Cersei loses.

This would prompt the Valonqar storyline earlier in the narrative. One way or another in this battle Jaime could end up fulfilling the destiny of that prophecy and kill Cersei. Maybe it’s a mercy kill because he knows Cersei will not be treated kindly by these invaders. Maybe it’s a vengeful kill because of what she has turned into without her children. Either way she dies, and in order to save his own life Jaime takes the black, sending him up North. For the remainder of the series we have Jaime reconciling what he has done, and learning to accept the heroic things he has done even at their cost with his character arc intact.

Meanwhile, we have Daenerys show up on the scene and she’s like “what the fuck - this guy MASSIVELY stole my thunder”. Daenerys was supposed to be the one to save the people of Westeros from the madness of Cersei - not this guy. Not this pretender.

And it starts to get under her skin.

So she is advised to win over the hearts of the people of Westeros by heading North to help with the issue at the Wall. We have the same story line probably around getting the North to bend the knee with Jon and Daenerys. The Jon and Daenerys romance probably still happens. Maybe it’s a bit more political - because she did make herself single so she could marry her way into a political alliance. We can also probably have some similar politicking around Aegon staying in King’s Landing and deciding to fight “whoever is left” when they come south of the Trident.

So Dany goes North. In the fight she loses a huge chunk of her host. They win. And then she finds out that this act of sacrifice has gained her almost nothing in her quest for Westeros.

This gets under her skin even more.

Maybe there is even more politicing. Maybe Aegon offers his hand in marriage to Sansa as a way to undermine Daenerys relationship with the North.

This also gets under her skin because The North was supposed to be her one big alliance through her relationship with Jon

And then the big reveal of Jon’s lineage comes up.

Now all of a sudden Jon’s parentage actually means something. Because it means he is a real contender versus Aegon the Pretender.

And this news will now really set Dany over the edge

Because after growing up and spending her entire life being the last Targaryen there are all of a sudden so many other Targaryens.

Because now the person she loves is also a Targaryen.

Because he has a better claim to the throne than her too.

And while yes these were all reasons before that we saw in the show - they suddenly mean so much more when Dany has lost so much fighting one person who alleges to be from her family, to find out another person from her family is standing right in front of her.

So now we have Dany with so much more motive to jealously torch the people of King’s Landing because those smallfolk have aligned themselves with a different Targayen who she thinks is not as good as her. She has motive to think that those smallfolk are committing treason by standing behind that Aegon. And the drama is so much more poetic, sad, and more within the spirit of the entire show.

If all of this had happened...

The writers wouldn’t have needed to spend a season just killing off and capturing the leaders of high houses (think Olenna Tyrell, Ellaria Sand, Yara Greyjoy) to justify sending Dany to the North. Those houses would have already either been aligned with Aegon to cause conflict.

Tyrion wouldn’t have had what seems like the world’s worst lobotomy because almost every single one of his plans resulted in someone from a high house getting captured or killed. He hasn’t been smart since around Season 4 and it’s deeply frustrating.

Did I mention Jaime’s character arc would be left intact? Well let me say it again because yeah that’s important to me.

Lord Varys actions would have made sense. This season has driven me bonkers with some of the lines he has been saying. Stuff like “maybe a leader who doesn’t want to rule should be King”. If Varys believed that was true he would have never conspired to remove Robert Baratheon in Season 1. If that was true he would have helped Ned Stark escape the dungeons in Season 1. If that was true he would have poisoned Joffrey, like how we just saw him try to poison Dany. The purpose of his character the entire way has been to pave the way for Aegon to take over (there are fan theories on his motives for this too) and with that purpose removed from the show, they had to take his lies about caring for the realm at face value. It came off as weird and frustrating.

It would have given more purpose to Jon Snow’s reveal for himself as an individual. Right now we’ve just had a season of him going “Ok but I don’t want any of this” and deferring to Dany. Having Dany versus another Targaryen, while himself also being a Targaryen would have forced himself to answer a lot of questions about his allegiances. He may have been convinced to fight for Dany and promise he would then abdicate to allow her to rule - and then when she torched the city we see conflict arise between them. Or maybe Jon would side with Aegon for the sake of peace and protecting the smallfolk and that would have broken Dany. Either way he would have been forced to make a more meaningful and public choice.

So why didn’t it happen?

First off, GRRM has made some comments in the past about characters sticking around for a while longer than they should because they rate well. I’m thinking in particular that they kept Cersei and Jorah longer than intended, and gave them storylines not meant for them so that they would have something to do. (We know Jorah’s greyscale storyline was taken from the Aegon storyline from the books).

Second, D&D have been hired on to do a future set of Star Wars films and are keen to move on from the GoT project. Adding the Aegon storyline would have taken at least another season to do it right.

Third, it seems that D&D saw an easy out with just saying “hey Dany is crazy!” and cutting the Aegon storyline that way.

In closing...

It’s so frustrating that what we currently see on screen could have been so much more compelling, and it’s doubly frustrating considering that D&D had the pieces to make it happen and chose not to use them.

[ginmo]

Okay this is going to be long haha. As a disclaimer, Jaime can still die. This just explains why I’ve become skeptical over that fate.

I have not been given a straight answer to Jaime’s fate by any of the people I have spoken with, and I can’t be too detailed in my explanations because of reasons, but this is what I can say:

1. Jaime doesn’t die in the battle of WF. I’m making this clear because this has become popular spec. Now when I say die, I mean permanently dead, not resurrection dead. I have no info about any resurrections, so it’s entirely possible he can “die” and still come back. All I know is that Jaime is definitely alive after the battle of WF, so don’t listen to any leaker who says his final farewell is during that battle. I know of a specific event (actually, two of them) that happens after the WF battle, and he’s very much alive for it.

2. Jaime is in all 6 episodes, and no, that information is NOT taken from Nikolaj’s contract. I can say this with 99% confidence.It’s possible he could be in less depending on how they move scenes around in post production, but at least during filming, every person I spoke with was certain he was in every episode.

3. Jaime is not dead during Tyrion’s trial in episode 6. Tyrion’s trial is AFTER the KL battle.......... sooooo.................

4. Okay this really isn’t anything lol but, they were all pretty excited to tell me what happens, and wanting to tell me “so badly!” while… knowing I want him to live. Like I said, that doesn’t mean much, but I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they’re not, like, Satan or something. “Omg you want him to live so I’m so excited for you to see him DIE! :D!!”

Recent Observations:

This isn’t what I’ve been personally told, but this is what I have observed in fandom over the past few months. Take all of this with a grain of salt. I’m only including these because they got my attention, considering what I know.

1. There have been a couple randos that have popped into fandom just to say that everyone is wrong about Jaime because he lives and then they poof. Like I said, take this with a grain of a salt. It probably is nothing, but they always stood out to me as suspicious.

2. Recently, someone said they spoke with a family friend and that friend said a person everyone thought would live ends up dying and someone who was “seemingly marked by death from the beginning” would survive. This actually can’t really be argued for any character. Not every character has been around since the beginning, and only a handful have been “marked by death” in the eyes of fandom.

Speaking on average: Jon, Dany, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Sam… all of them have fairly uncertain fates or the assumption of survival. Minor characters? No one is going to care so much about their fate to give a spoiler about it (“oh man dude! Melisandre LIVES! People will freak!”) or the others haven’t been around since the beginning… IMO, there are only two characters that fit that description: the twins. Considering I have good reason to believe Jaime may actually have a chance at survival, and since literally every sector of the GoT fandom, including the JB fandom, he's talked about as if he’s already dead, I’m going to make an assumption here and apply that to Jaime. Out of the twins, Jaime has actual potential set up for survival, Cersei not so much.

Narrative:

As much as Jaime’s death would fit the traditional mold for the path he is currently on, there is setup for a possible survival in the books and the show. I had always envisioned his fate going either way, and was confused why people would be completely convinced of death or survival. I felt both had set up? I went from thinking he was doomed, to thinking he would survive, to being totally unsure, back to thinking he’s dead again, and now I’m residing in survival camp.... for now, at least lol.

I could go on and on and on with the support in the books. I could describe a different interpretation to his weirwood dream, dig up quotes about how he’s yearning for fatherhood and a married life and how he thinks he will only ever be a warrior, explain how the hand chop was his “death,” moan about how eye-roll worthy it is for him to be a Stark prop. I can find evidence to argue that he’s simultaneously being molded into a leader and heir and therefore it would be a wasteful death that accomplish nothing. I can also blab about how Brienne is basically his plot armor because of how ridiculously redundant and meaningless it would be for HER arc if another person were to die in her arms and leave her exactly where she started (actually, no, I’ll probably still talk about this with the show evidence because it annoys me). But since this is a somewhat show-themed post, the question being about season 8, I’ll just stick with the show evidence.

Show Evidence:

1. Watch: Jaime and Tywin’s conversation #1 , conversation #2, conversation #3. Look. The show decided to include THREE SCENES about marriage and the Lannister Legacy. THREE................

“Oh but in the first one he says that he doesn’t want the Lannister legacy to fall like the Targaryens did which foreshadows the Lannisters going extinct.”

Jaime fulfilling his duty as heir has been brought up T H R E E times.

And the Targaryens went… extinct? … I mean… who are the two leads of this series? If they’re going to parallel the Targaryens in some form, then that means they definitely don’t go extinct. Baby Lannister left behind? Possible. But…

2. Jaime is removed from the KG in season 6. Why?  In the show he... didn’t need to be removed from KG so he could later on leave Cersei (even in the books he ran off while still on the KG). Brienne says Fuck Loyalty and he Fucks Loyalty anyway. They could have had him do that while still member of the KG. It was perfect setup. Tywin wants him removed so he can fulfill the Lannister legacy, Jaime eventually gets removed. What’s the point of removing him from the KG to simply lead the Lannister army for two seasons and then die if he could have been doing that anyway as LC? They removed him from the KG because he’s being molded into an heir and freed of vows for endgame. And, again, connects to the Tywin conversations.

3. Purple Wedding. Ah, one of my favorites. (<- that one kinda sucks because the youtuber edited Brienne’s walk to be more quick but you still get the point)

When Loras and Jaime are having a conversation, Jaime says, “You’ll never marry [Cersei]” and Loras responds with, “And neither will you.” Loras walks away, Jaime looks down, Brienne walks past and Jaime looks up. Keep in mind GRRM at least wrote the Cersei and Brienne portion, and it was even mentioned that they paid attention to the transitions. when filming and editing.

Minor detail to mention: the Bear and the Maiden Fair is playing in the background.

”lol that song has been used before for other people.”

Yeah... for marriages. Not only has it been consistently used for Jaime and Brienne - also season 3 when they’re captured and used as the episosde title for the bear pit- but the other times it has been used were for: the wedding feast between Tyrion and Sansa, the wedding feast between Edmure and Roslin, and then the wedding of Joffrey and Marg... and when did it play at theirs? During the Jaime and Brienne scenes, literally during and after Loras told Jaime he would never marry Cersei and then Brienne walks past and then Cersei accuses Brienne of being in love with Jaime.

“It just means Jaime won’t marry Cersei because he’ll fall in love with Brienne.”

Maybe? But he’s already simultaneously falling in love with Brienne and he was (in the show) still trying to marry Cersei? Why is a theme of marriage hammered in so often then? (like Brienne’s monologue, which I’ll get to)

Maybe I can also throw in this more tinfoily bit in. “Maybe you’re a Lannister too.”

4. “Die in the arms of the woman I love.” -sigh-. Okay, I admit, the first time I heard this I jumped on the SEE JAIME IS DEAD bandwagon and was firmly stationed on that wagon until I got info that started raising my hopes and then Brienne’s, “nothing’s more hateful than failing to protect the one you love” popped into my head and I’m like

and then “who wants to die defending a Lannister.” Yeah yeah, “who wants to die defending a Lannister” is simply foreshadowing Brienne’s love for Jaime and doesn’t necessarily mean she will die (she at least survives to episode 6, after the battle). But if you take that and mix it with “nothing’s more hateful than failing to protect the one you love” and stir it in a pot, you got yourself Brienne making a move that almost gets her killed to save Jaime and NOT fail the like 4th or 5th person just because.

That line about failing is so often overlooked. Yeah, of course it’s possible it can mean she fails again, but I’m just… even if it doesn’t foreshadow shit, it made it clear that failing the one she loves is a thing she wants to avoid so... why the hell would the story have her fail another fucking person? What’s the point? She feels like she failed her father, failed Renly, failed Catelyn (more in the books), she’ll probably feel that way after Pod bites it, let’s have her fail Jaime too! :D! Let’s also be repetitive and have a guy die in her arms again just to rip her heart out and leave her exactly where she started just for the demonic lolz (btw I never subscribed to GRRM being as blood thirsty as people make him out to be). To me, that line sounds like she’s going to do everything in her power to not let that happen ever again. There will probably be a close call where she thinks she failed but doesn’t. Jaime saved her twice, maybe she will be the knight in shining armor and save him.

“Okay  but what if she’s left with his baby? She’s not exactly where she left  off then.”

No, she’s not in the exact same spot, and that’s a scenario I definitely find plausible. However, she... still kinda is? Stripping her of the only person who has ever  genuinely loved her in that way sends a message that society is   correct- Brienne, an ugly, undesirable woman- is unworthy of love. Brienne is unworthy of a long, happy life full of love because the Gods gave him to her for just a bit, dropped a baby in her lap as a consolation prize, and took the one person who has ever genuinely loved her for who she was.Normally I would argue that GRRM isn’t writing a story that gives characters everything they deserve. And I agree with that, but I’d argue that he’s using Brienne to literally tell a message of BatB. Inner beauty triumphs, superficiality does not (Cersei being example A). The message isn’t as effective if this rejected, freakish, beast of a woman continues to feel like a failure, continues to get fucked over and remains fucked over in endgame.

Now back to “die in the arms of the woman I love.” This line was used to set up the JC downfall to the viewers, and get Jaime questioning by having Bronn say, “does she feel the same?” On the surface it’s Cersei, the subtext is Brienne. That was it’s purpose. But I tend to agree with the people who say it can also be foreshadowing. So can he still die? OF COURSE! Will I agree with the narrative decision? NO (explanation further down). Can he die and be resurrected like a literal BatB tale? YEAH! Can it mean that he dies in the arms of the woman he loves as an old man? SURE! There’s multiple interpretations here.

Going back to the last one, I find it curious that immediately before Jaime mentions his preferred way of death, Bronn said he wanted to die as an old man in his castle with children groveling at his feet for his fortune and Jaime makes a comment about how that’s boring. So, I’d find it kinda funny then if the two desires were combined. (and Jaime never said in a battle, btw. The scene he describes is romantic with no context).

5. Brienne. Don’t tOUCH ME. Okay.

a) She told Catelyn she wasn’t a Lady, told Pod she wasn’t, Cersei told her she’s a Lady whether she wants to be or not... her insecurities over being a Lady is CLEARLY a theme that the show decided to keep. And then there’s this scene. Brienne fulfills her oath by keeping the Stark girls safe and getting them North. Pod calls her my Lady, Brienne begins to say she’s not a Lady, stops herself, and then thanks Pod. why is this always ignored?? This is saying that plot is done. Brienne is done being a bodyguard (which is also made crystal clear in Season 7 when Sansa basically tells her she can protect herself and Brienne tells the Hound that Arya doesn’t need protection). Brienne’s acceptance of her title is the story saying that Brienne will move on from this dragged out af plot and will now get ready to fulfill her role as Lady/heir. So what does this have to do with Jaime? Ahem. Well who else is being groomed for the role of Lord/heir?

b) I’ve been dying for them to finally give some book canon backstory to Brienne and show her vulnerable side. I was pleased in season 5 when we were delivered a wonderful little nugget that isn’t straight book canon, but an adaptation of it. Look, the fact that they even CARED to adapt this for the show is huge. Here is the scene.

The addition of this scene is important because it’s Brienne literally telling Pod (and the viewers) that the happiest she has ever been was when all the boys wanted to marry her and take her back to their castles. It’s reminding the viewers that romance is a major theme of her arc. They had her specifically mention marriage and living a domestic life in a castle and that made her fucking happy dude. The happiest she had ever been.

Now… why? Why is that necessary if Jaime and Brienne are just destined to bang and then he bites it? If they wanted to highlight that Brienne is a sexual being that wants to be loved, they literally could have taken out the whole marriage and castles and kept it as the boys dancing with her and complimenting her and flirting with her made her happy. But no, they brought in marriage. She wants marriage, man. She secretly desires the life of a Lady, with the one she loves, and that’s okay. And do NOT tell me that her destiny is to be some bodyguard for the Starks. I already wrote like 4 paragraphs on it but deleted because… not the place. Anyway, they adapted the marriage bits because it’s something that comes up in Brienne’s chapters quite a bit. (The lions on the cloak as she watched the boy she was to marry walk away and Jaime putting a cloak around her shoulders are probably my favorites).

“But what if they marry and then he dies!”

Oh, a little spoiler: Let’s just say it doesn’t seem likely they marry on screen. Possible, but very unlikely. So if they marry, marriage would have to be implied after the show... -whispers- which means he would have to survive.

Also, I already explained why I personally find that an ineffective ending, but again, is it possible that’s the version being told? Hell yeah it is. This is why I’m not completely convinced of his survival, and why I have always been open-minded about his death, and have gone back and forth depending on how much I trust the quality of writing. In most redemption arc narratives the character dies because death itself is something they have avoided, usually by obtaining power or through an exploration of a courage theme. Jaime has already proven he’s willing to sacrifice himself and has accepted his death on many different occasions (ex: he jumped into a bear pit with one hand and no weapon with literally no plan, and on the show he charged a fire breathing dragon head on with nothing but a spear I mean....), so what does his death as a knight really accomplish for his character besides, “it’s TRADITIONAL! Redemption = only DEATH! Knightly honor = only DEATH!” (I can feel myself going down a rabbit hole by wanting to talk about the hand chop so I’m going to stfu now because this is getting ridiculously long.)

“GoT has been inconsistent in the past and sometimes they do things that make no sense.”

I know, and it’s still entirely possible the execution of this story is trash and everything was pointless. That argument could apply to literally everything I say in this post. But at the same time, GoT is shit at being subtle, and when they want to drive a point or theme home, they do, even if it’s sloppy. (and yeah, like mentioned, I see this in the books as well... I’m not basing my opinion entirely on the show. It’s just if I add book bits on here, it’s going to get even more boring than it currently is lol.)

“Gin, sorry, I just disagree with you.”

That’s okay! It’s possible I end up changing my mind 50 more times, based off of the info coming in. Guys, I just think this story can be DIFFERENT. I’m so goddamn tired of the same, predictable narratives. And also because, like I said, I see potential set up for survival. I see all of the different interpretations. I’m tired of seeing people act all arrogant, like the answer is already there, when I see evidence for at least the possibility of something different.

Like we can’t even fucking discuss his survival in fandom, and if someone even BREATHES it they’re called delusional or in denial, even by their fellow JB shippers. NO? I just see multiple paths and interpretations?? And... to make it even more confusing I’ve been receiving optimistic hints that have raised my hopes??????? Fuck, I’m basically a victim here because I had been comfortable assuming the worst lol. 

I’m legit procrastinating on posting this because I have anxiety putting it out there. Discussion of his survival is that unpopular.

[neutralfans]

Breera High School dance

So instead of doing actual work on my many unfinished projects I wrote this. Enjoy. 

Bran Stark + Meera Reed high school AU 

2,234 words

No warnings needed, just pure fluff. 

Bran rolled into the cafeteria smiling at the people who moved out of the way as he approached his lunch table. As he pulled up to the table he barely had time to move his torso away from something white being hurled at him. “Tommon, why on earth did you throw a napkin at me?”

“Keep it and hurl it at your sister for me.” The blond replied sullenly, “I had to listen to Joffrey throw a tantrum about her breaking up with him all last night.”

Bran winced, his older sister, Sansa, had finally decided to break it off with the older Barathon, much to the relief of the whole family. But in retrospect, while he did approve of Sansa’s decision, he kinda wished that she’d waited for the weekend to break up with her now ex as then Bran wouldn’t need to deal with Tommon’s reaction.

“Come on Tom even you have to admit that he’s a domestic violence situation waiting to happen.” Tristain said shoving Tabasco covered fries into his mouth. Tommon sighed with gusto, “I know, I know sorry Bran.”

Bran shrugged pulling out his meal from a brown bag, leftovers from last night, as Jojen Reed sat down  beside him, “Whatcha got there Bran?”

“Sansa’s tofu stir fry.” Bran shrugged, he often ate whatever Sansa made when she was feeling down, but lately she had gone on a vegan diet, making Bran’s supportive eating an adventure at best. He was more of a pizza and steak guy. Jojen flashed him a sympathetic smile and pulled out his own lunch before neatly switching his own beef macaroni with the tofu stir fry, Bran flashed his friend a grateful smile.

“You two make a lovely couple.” Tristain commented as he poured more Tabasco sauce onto his fries, causing Jojen to grimace, “You’re going to kill yourself with all that sauce, besides Bran is more interested in Meera than me.”

Bran choked a macaroni noodle, Tristain thumped him on the back which helped him to breath but not ease his nerves about what Jojen had just said. “I, what do you mean Joj? Meera’s your sister and-” The two other boys laughed as Bran wracked his brain to try and come up with a way to salvage his sentence. “Bran, we all know you have a thing for her.” Tommon said still tittering.

“Yeah, you’re not very good at hiding it, the way you moon over her when she passes you in the hallways, or the way you duck your head when you’re trying not to be caught looking. Its the little things man, the little things.” Tristain joined once he’d caught his breath.

Bran glanced at Jojen, waiting for the other boy to add his opinion on Bran’s crush, but he remained silent that alone was disquieting. Bran had known Jojen the longest they had grown up together and until the last few months Meera had just been Jojen’s older sister, someone who bossed them around when they were younger. Then when she’d started high school she had gone to an all girls boarding school and hadn’t been around to boss Bran and Jojen around. But things had changed last summer. Jojen and Meera’s mother had been diagnosed with cancer and Meera had enrolled in the local high school to be near to her mother. Bran had gradually become aware that he had a slight crush on Meera, he had thought that he’d kept it all under wraps considering that none of his older siblings had teased him about it, though he hadn’t considered that his best friend might see right through him. 

Bran was still trying to figure out a way to get out of this delicate situation when Tommon’s eyes lit up, “Hey Bran, the homecoming dance is next Friday, you should ask Meera to go with you!” Tristain nodded in agreement his mouth full of fries. Bran glared at them both and made a wide gesture at his wheelchair, “And why would I do that? I can’t dance. Period end of sentence.” 

“Come on Bran,” Tristain wheedled, “aren’t you the one who keeps telling us that being a paralytic doesn’t stop you from doing what you want. Besides the worst she can say is ‘No’.”

Bran gawked at his friend, “You’re wrong the worst that can happen isn’t her saying ‘No’, its her feeling like she has to say ‘yes’ because she’ll look like a heel for turning down the guy in a wheelchair. I don’t want pity dates.”

“Meera wouldn’t do that Bran.” Jojen said quietly, sticking another bite of stir fry into his mouth. 

  Bran looked at him, “you can’t be OK with this Jojen, I mean she’s your sister, aren’t you suppose to be reading me the riot act or the bro code or something?” The realization that his friendship with Jojen could also be on the line was not lost on him.

“There’s nothing in the bro code about asking out your friends sister.” Tristain muttered, garnering himself a glare from Tommon, as Tristain had asked the former's sister to the dance next week.

Jojen swallowed his food and looked Bran dead in the eye, “I would be if I didn’t think you’d treat her right.”

Bran gawked at him completely floored, he had never considered that Jojen might approve of him liking his sister, he didn’t know what to do with this information. Jojen though had, had enough of Bran’s gawking and sighed, “Bran out of all the guys that go to this school, you are one of the six that I wouldn’t glare at when they came to pick her up for a date.”

“Wow, high standards much?” Tristain jibed, earning himself another glare from Tommon, both were ignored by Bran and Jojen.

“So are you agreeing with them?” Bran gestured at the other boys, “That I should ask Meera to the dance?”

“I’m saying that if you asked her out at all that I wouldn’t say anything negative, just don’t give me details about what you both get up to and I wont be tempted to strangle you.”

“Bran, Meera just walked in now is your chance, go ask her to the dance.” Tommon said in a hushed tone. Bran froze and looked down into the beef macaroni trying to decide if he should ask Meera out or not. Though she was two years older she was only in his sister Arya’s grade as her birthday was after the cut off date; would she still see Bran as that annoying little kid who’d come around to play. Or would she look at his wheelchair and politely decline as others before had, though they were few. Who would want to go to a dance where their date couldn’t participate, surely she wouldn’t want to spend the entire night sitting with him.

“Bran, for the sake of all that is holy, at least go talk to my sister.” Jojen said exasperated.

Bran took a deep breath and pushed his chair back from the table scanning the room for Meera, just his luck she was sitting with Arya, he couldn’t back out now the others would tease him not to mention Jojen would probably be annoyed with him, having given him his blessing and all.

“Bran stop over thinking and just go ask her.” Bran wasn’t quite sure who had spoken but it managed to shut his brain down and motivated him to move over to where Meera sat, and before he knew it he was a respectful distance from her. Unfortunately he had garnered the attention of the wrong person at the table. “What’s up Bran?” Arya asked him, “Sansa’s tofu got you looking for edible food?”

Bran’s tongue felt thick as he responded to his sister, “Uh, no Jojen traded with me.” Meera was looking at him now and Bran was sure she could hear his heart that was threatening to beat right out of his chest. “Oh really? I didn’t know he liked tofu.”

Meera laughed at Arya’s comment, “he sure does, he’ll eat it plain if you tell him that’s what’s for dinner. Mom tried adding it into our regular diets once, Dad was not a fan, so that failed quickly.” Both girls laughed and Bran chuckled weakly, wetting his lips before he plunged past the point of no return.

“So, Meera, have you heard about the dance next week?” Bran chastised himself, of course she knew about the dance next week everyone did.

“Yeah, its funny though my other school didn’t have dances, so I just thought I’d skip this one and go see a movie or something instead.”

Bran felt his stomach drop, that wasn’t the response that he’d been expecting, not to mention that Arya was giving him the weirdest look. “Oh, well, what if someone asked you to go, would you go then?”

“Maybe, it would depend on who was asking.” Bran reminded himself to breath, and that the worst thing would be that he’d need to ask his parents to get him transferred to a different school.

“Well then would you go with me?” There he’d done it, he’d asked. Arya gaped at him mouth open exposing her half chewed food, Meera looked, well not repulsed by his question. Which Bran took as a good sign at least.  Bran felt as if time had managed to stop before Meera spoke, “Are you being serious or are you asking hypothetically?”

Bran swallowed, “Serous.” “What the-” Arya started, but with a look that Bran could only describe as quelling, Meera silenced her. 

“Honestly Bran I’m not interested in going to the dance.” Bran felt his heart sink lower than his stomach, “but if you want we could go see a movie instead.”

Bran blinked, that was not a rejection, not a ‘No’, “Sure, what’s playing?” Well he never claimed to be smooth.

Meera grinned, “Not sure yet, want to decide when we get there? Make it more fun?” “Uh, sure. What time should I pick you up?”

Meera’s eyebrows raised, “You drive?” Bran winced at the one flaw in his plan, he was still learning how to drive his specialized car and had no license to speak of. “Not yet, I’m working on it.”

“That’s cool, I could drive us.” Meera offered.

“Yeah that works, so around 7?”

“Sure.” The world seemed to have taken pity upon Bran as just then the bell rang for the next period.

“OK I’ll see you then I guess. I’ve got to get to class now, uh, bye.”

“Looking forward to it Bran. See you later.” Bran felt as if his chair couldn’t move fast enough towards his next class, he was situated at his desk before he remembered that he’d left his lunch bag behind. He was contemplating the problem when Jojen dropped the bag down on the desk in front of him before gracelessly flopping down into his own. 

“What’s the verdict?”

“She said no to the dance.” Jojen’s eyebrows furrowed together, “But we are going to a movie instead.” Jojen’s face smoothed out and he nodded. “I don’t think I need to tell you that if you hurt her that I’ll dump you down the longest flight of stairs that I can find, right?”

Bran flinched, “Message received.”

“Good.” . . . . . . Jojen watched as Bran and Meera entered the reception, smile wide on his face, they were perfect. Bran in a suit and maroon tie, Meera in a cream floor length sleeveless dress that sparkled when she walked. Jojen was proud of them and the part he had played in their relationship. The couple sat down at the head table and Jojen took his place next to Bran, knowing that before long all eyes would be on him. The wedding had been beautiful, Meera had done a wonderful job, surprisingly single-handedly or near enough. Though her being a wedding planner probably had something to do with it.  

Jojen’s attention was brought back to the present when Arya stood up to make her Maid of Honor speech, Jojen as Best Man would follow up with his own shortly. He looked out at the guests specifically at the table where Bran’s parents and his Dad sat, his own mother having passed only a few years before. Everyone looked happy for the newlyweds. Applause brought him out of his musings alerting him to the fact that it was now his turn.

Jojen smiled and stood, “Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are celebrating the union of two people that I care about deeply, I have the privilege of calling the bride sister, and now I can call my best friend brother as a result of a high school dance. A dance that was not attended by either the bride or the groom they instead went to see a movie, and as they say the rest is history. But I can’t help but think that if it hadn’t been for that dance that they skipped, that this strong couple wouldn’t be sitting here. So a toast to high school dances and the Bride and Groom.”

When Jojen sat down he was embraced in a side hug by Bran, “Thank you, Jojen.”

Jojen smiled feeling giddy, but that might be the champagne, he couldn’t think of a better out come to that day in the cafeteria than this.

[gameofbrodon-blog]

Baby Jon Is Still Hot

Welcome Brodie to my first GoT recap. This adventure began way back on Feb 5 when you replied to my IG story about starting the GoT rewatch. Back then, Jon was a hot baby teenager, Dany was just a baby but she was naked a lot because this was before HBO toned down the OTT nudity, and poor old Ned Stark was still alive. Feels like a decade ago... oh wait...

Jon Snow was a pouty little baby back then. He was the bastard of Winterfell and even though Robb and Bran and Arya and Rickon and Ned (RIP) all loved him, he was never actually equal. Catelyn made sure he remembered that he was a bastard. Jon really wants to join the Nights Watch cos as a Ranger like his uncle Benjen, he can shed the bastard name and stigma. Little does he know he’s about to become the sexiest man alive (and King in the North but whatever. Remember when he was naked? Yeah me too. 

Side note - I noticed that when King Robert arrived at Winterfell, and all the Starks were standing in line to greet him, Jon was in the back row behind them. Legit excluding him cos he’s (not actually) a bastard. OR was Ned trying to hide him from Robert because he’s worried Robert will recognise Lyanna’s features in Jon’s face?! Interesting... 

Speaking of King Robert - I can’t see him without seeing Roland from A Nights Tale. That was a good movie. RIP Heath Ledger.

Joffrey is a right little git. A dinkhead from day one. Best scene of season 1? When Tyrion slaps him a lot. THE BEST. Also, Tyrion. He’s a good guy from day one I’m discovering. Could HE sit on the Iron throne in the end? I’d support that.

Teeny Tiny Baby Arya. Stick him with the pointy end. The hug/farewell with Jon. Adorable. We don’t see her soft like that for a while. Poor thing. But also badass in the making, there’s a reason I named my dog after her!

Sansa is a whingy little brat. Stop pining after Joffrey. He legit gets horny when people are being tortured. HE. IS. NOT. THE. GUY. FOR. YOU. GIRLFRIEND.

Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. We should have known he was gonna die from day one. Sean Bean always dies. FORESHADOWING EXAMPLE ONE?!

Now, let’s discuss our #Queen Dany. Early days, her wig is terrible, her brother keeps telling her he’s going to let horses rape her (wtf?) and she’s naked a lot. Did Emilia use a body double? Just curious, cos I’d be like nah mate you can’t write in any more nudity till you cast a body double who’s way fitter than me please and thank you. I want the world to think I have abs please.

I enjoyed watching her gain confidence with Drogo. And them falling in love. SWOON. My Sun and Stars. Moon of my Life. STOP IT. If my future husband doesn’t use these pet names with me I’m getting a divorce. 

Also super satisfying when Drogo pours molten gold onto Dany’s bro’s head. YASSSS! Drogo is also a baby. Is season one just babies? Who knows. I just know that now Drogo is Aquaman and he’s rugged AF. 

More nudity when Dany walks into the fire and then the next morning is like SUPRISE I hatched the dead dragon eggs! Also, everyone was asleep around the fire, and she was just sitting in the ash. I would have thrown a rock at someone to wake them up so I could do my big naked dragon reveal. She probably had to wait ages for everyone to wake up.

We see our first Incest Sex Scene! Yay! I’m being very sarcastic! Can you tell?! Jaime, did you really need to push Bran out the window cos he saw you going at it with your twin sister? 

Side Note - I think the incest is even creepier cos they’re twins. Like, you legit started out as the same egg/sperm. forking gross. 

Can you believe that in 7 seasons time, Dany and Jon will be having sex but then also find out they’re related, and Arya will have slashed Littlefinger’s throat (more on that in another post) and Sansa will have been tortured by Joffrey and Ramsay and as a result will be a badass boss bench? I almost can’t when watching Season 1. It’s all so... minor? The issues at hand aren’t massive in comparison to the challenges in Season 7. The king is dead and his son is actually the bastard son born of incest from his mother and uncle? Damn. Drama. It’s no where near as troublesome as the army of White Walkers marching on Westeros that will literally kill everyone. (Sarcasm again if it wasn’t obvious).

Season 1 peeps need to sort their shirt out. Winter is Coming.

x Jords

[whatisgameofthrones]

Season 7 Episode 6 Recap

I’m uploading this late because I got home from Gencon on Sunday. I was home by the time the episode aired, but I was way too tired to watch it. Instead, I laid on the couch and watched rhythm game videos for like two hours. By the way, at Gencon I saw a bunch of things like coasters that said “I Drink and I Know Things” in the Game of Thrones font. As I am sure somebody has said this, it must mean that at least one of the characters drinks and also knows things. I can relate to this quote because I am currently drinking wine.

Previously

The redhead’s father was a traitor, so she must prove herself. I don’t know who she is. Arya found that paper. Dennis is unlike her father. Jon Snow received a sword. The roving gang of Some Guys looked in that fire. Have we seen those dudes again? I forget. Jon and his friends are in some sort of cold place.

Introduction/Theme song

So the introduction definitely changed. Kings Landing. Dragonstone, which I think was the place that had all of the dragonstone. Winterfell. That looks like the castle where Jon Snow and the Starks are from. The Wall. Eastwatch, which is part of the wall. I think that’s the cold place where Jon is. Some place that either wasn’t labelled or maybe I just missed the label.

The actual show

Jon and his buddies are still cold. They’re talking about the differences between the north side and south sides. The one guy was sold to a witch. He’s all like, “You guys sold me to a witch,” and everybody else is like, “Stop complaining,” but he’s like, “You literally sold me to a witch and she stole my blood.”

Jon shows the one guy his sword. “Your father gave me this sword in the show intro. He put a wolf on it instead of a bear. I like wolves. Do you want it, though?” The guy doesn’t.

Arya tells stories about how their father used to watch them from the watchin’ balcony where everybody watches things. I’m just going to start calling this place “Winterfell”. Don’t correct me if I’m wrong. Anyway, she tells her sister a story like, “One time I was bad at archery, and dad was watching me. Now he’s dead.” The story needs some workshopping. She then reads the paper that she found before, which was written by her sister about their father’s death. They argue about which one of them is cooler and tougher. I forget the one sister’s name. I know it was written on that paper. Sansa? Arya says something about Sansa and a guy named Joffrey. It’s probably “Geoffrey” like the Toys R Us giraffe, but she pronounces it “Joffrey”.

Jon and his buddies are still walking. It seems like it took them no time to reach this place; now it’s taking forever to get to wherever they’re going now. Everybody’s cold and tired and they start hitting on each other. Eye patch bro tries to give a motivational speech about how he fights for his life. But Jon is like “But everybody dies” and the guy is like “Oh right. It’s not a very good motivational speech I guess.”

Oh, these are the roving gang of Some Guys. I didn’t recognize them because nearly everybody looks and dresses the same.

Peter Dinklage and Dragontales are hanging out by the fire. By the way, I didn’t get around to trying the Game of Thrones card game at Gencon. However, I heard that one of the guys that worked on it also worked on Twilight Imperium, which is cool. Wait, did Peter Dinklage just say his father was Joffrey? For a room that’s completely open to sunlight on one side and has a fire on the other, it sure is dark in here. Peter Dinklage gets all Sun Tzu about understanding your enemy. Peter Dinklage says something about planning for the long term, and Dragontales responds by saying that they should have planned for the short term, but she does it in a way that makes it sound like she’s making a short joke. I’d say that’s a low blow, but that also sounds like a short joke.

We’re back with Jon and Some Guys. In the dense cold the one guy grunts and points at an AT-AT. Nevermind, it’s just a bear. They get in a circle because bears are afraid of circles. Or so they thought. Two guys with +1 longswords try to attack the bear, as flaming longswords do an extra 1d6 fire damage. The bear attacks a bunch of them. They cauterize the one guy’s wounds with one of the flaming longswords, which is a really creative use of magic items.

Sansa is whining to that priest looking dude. Did I ever give him a nickname?

Yep, Jon and Some Guys are still walking. Just… walking and talking. At work today at least 4 people were bugging me about putting a new post up. I made a deal with my one coworker that I promised to watch the episode tonight if he would watch the first episode of the Ducktales reboot. If you’re reading this, you know who you are, and you better be prepared to talk about Ducktales. (The reboot is really good, by the way.)

It looks like Voldemort has stumbled upon the Some Guys fire. They Some Guys attack and… win. I think? Like, Voldemort get stabbed and he shatters into ice, and then all of the other zombie guys also just collapse. Except for that one. That’s it, right? Like, end of show, the Ice King Voldemort is dead. They notice that they’re about to get swarmed so they start running. Yep, then they get swarmed. I’m just now noticing how great a Game of Thrones themed Dead of Winter would probably be. At least, I think it could be cool. There was a GoT Catan at Gencon, which didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Okay, I’ll stop talking about Gencon, maybe. The main guys make their way to a frozen lake. They get caught in the middle, but this holds off the hoards of zoms. Meanwhile, their one friend runs until he falls flat on his face. But he was right in front of the door! He’s good though, and he’s like “send a raven”. Back on Some Guys island their one friend dies. Jon Snow pours out a forty of the body of his dead homie, and they set his body on fire. I don’t quite know why. That seems like a worse way to dispose of him than to just let his body freeze. Oh, by the way, they still have the one zom with them, but it’s tied up. Also, they’re still surrounded. And up on that hill is Voldemort. I guess he’s not dead. Or maybe he got better. Maybe it was another Voldemort?

Sansa gets invited to Kings Landing. Apparently there’s a guy named Littlefinger. I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to this scene because my friend texted me. They were actually walking by our house and saw that we were watching Game of Thrones.

Peter Dinklage is really worried that Dragontales will die. He brought this up before. He’s like, “Who’s gonna have all your stuff? Can I have your stuff?” Dragontales flies away. On a dragon. It’s not like she can just fly, though that would be cool, too.

Some Guys start passing the time by throwing rocks at zombies, like you do. The one Zom realizes that he can just walk across the lake. The rest of the zoms are like “Oh, yeah. Why didn’t we do this earlier?” The zombies start attacking from all sides, but slowly because these are important characters and at least some of them have to live a few more episodes. I guess this is less like Dead of Winter and more like Zombicide. I like tabletop games. Jon Snow shoves a guy off a ledge into a pit of zoms. I think it was by accident. This activates sad slow motion combat. Oh, and now there are dragons. Dragontales is here! Dragons are powerful because they have flying, which in this case is a much more effective form of evasion than the zombies with snow covered landwalk. That’s another gaming joke. Gencon was fun, okay? Dragontales is here to save Jon Snow. But then Voldemort shows up with his pointy stick, and throws the stick at a dragon. Not the dragon that they were going to ride, but one of the other ones. The dragon dies to direct damage. Now I’m sad because dragons are like birds. Wow, everybody else was trying to kill dragons with big weapons, but nobody bothered to figure out their greatest weakness: pointy sticks. Voldemort tries to throw another pointy stick at the dragon they’re riding, but Dragontales is smart enough to serpentine. Oh, and they took off without Jon Snow. He was too busy drowning in freezing cold water. A guy on a horse shows up with a +1 flaming flail. I think it’s Jon Snow’s uncle? Anyway, Jon takes off on the horse and the other guy fights off the rest of the… oh nevermind. He’s dead.

Now where are they? Is this the place in the wall from the intro? Eastwatch? Dragontales sees Jon approach on this horse. They all board a boat. I don’t know whose boat this is or where it came from. I thought Dragontales only got around by riding dragons.

Sansa finds her sister’s collection of realistic masks. She’s like, “Where did you get these?” and Arya is all mysterious about it. But they’re curiously well-made masks. Sansa doubles down on the masks and gets real stern. “What’s with these faces? Have you been snorting masks again? I told you to stop hanging out with those Spirit Halloween employees.” Arya gets real creepy like she’s about to steal Sansa’s face, but then she doesn’t. The face harvest will wait for another day.

Back aboard the boat Dragontales and Jon Snow talk about how they’re going to fight the (K)night king. Jon calls Dragontales “Danny”. Do you think his name is Jon Snow because he’s always cold? Hahahaha. Like, snow is cold. Hahahahahahaha. That’s hilarious. Here comes cold Jon; he sure does like the snow. Hahahahahaha.

The zoms dredge the dragon from the lake. Oh shit, are they going to zombify the dragon? Dragon zombie? That’d be cool. Oh shit, I think they just did. Voldemort put his hand on the dragon and it opened its eye. And its eye is blue. Now the army of the dead has a blue-eyes white dragon. More gaming jokes.

Next time

Soldiers. Boats. Soldiers. Horses. Soldiers. Horses. Boats. Castles. Soldiers. Castles.

[janiedean]

Honestly, I would like to hear you rant about Brienne's s5 storyline and her killing Stannis. It felt weird to me that in the book there's this whole thing with Lady Stoneheart wanting revenge and using Brienne as a tool to to try and get it tho she probably won't get it, and then in the show it's Brienne still seeking revenge for Renly and actually getting it. Like there's a "revenge isn't actually a good thing" theme that got lost along the way.

... lmao.

well okay this is not for renly fans so just so you know, you’re warned.

now.

I don’t have.... like, anything specific against renly nor I think he’s a Bad Person which is why in modern aus I just let him be his best version, but.. canon renly Is An Asshole when it concerns his brother, his niece and brienne and that’s A Thing because like sorry but skipping succession ‘because no one likes you but they like me’ is not a good reason to do anything, ‘my niece is so ugly ew grayscale’ is just bottom level of being... let’s just say vapid, and it’s canon that the reason he keeps brienne around is not that he cares about her, it’s because he knows she’s good at what she does and doesn’t want nothing in return and actually would die for him, which........

considering that brienne would have died for renly because he was nice to her once and danced with her which is like bare minimum for decent human being, sorry if I side-eye this narrative that renly believed in her etc because sorry guys renly in asoiaf canon didn’t give a single fuck about that;

specifically, when it comes to brienne renly is that one crush you get at some point that you’re in love with the idea of, not with the person they actually are, and as someone wise said on some post once, brienne thought she would die for him and didn’t and didn’t know she could die for jaime but she immediately knew when she had the choice, so I think that just seals it, but ahead with that...

affc is also about brienne getting over renly because she was in love with the idea of renly, not with renly himself, never mind that renly wasn’t in love with her anyway and could have never been. like, all of her affc povs are about that. she thinks about him less and less, she superimposes jaime on him like ffs when she’s naked in the bath she has to MAKE HERSELF THINK ABOUT RENLY, at some point she dreams of renly’s death except it’s jaime in his place, then jaime puts renly’s cloak on her shoulders and at the end of it when she has that dream which is sort of very similar to jaime’s in asos where he sees people he thinks he disappointed and she sees renly and cat.... well. it’s because she thinks she disappointed them, or that she failed them, but she’s plain not in love with him (or his idea of) anymore;

now, she also swore to cat she’d kill stannis in revenge for him... and she’s never so much as thought about it. ffs there is ONE single instance of brienne thinking about stannis in affc. THIS ONE:He shrugged. "Sometimes. At tourneys, from afar. Once at Baelor's Sept. The gold cloaks shoved us aside so he could pass. Another time I was playing near the Mud Gate when he come back from a hunt. He was so drunk he almost rode me down. A big fat sot, he was, but a better king than these sons of his."They are not his sons. Stannis told it true, that day he met with Renly. Joffrey and Tommen were never Robert's sons. This boy, though . . . "Listen to me," Brienne began. Then she heard Dog barking, loud and frantic. "Someone is coming."IT’S WHEN SHE RECOGNIZES THAT GENDRY IS ROBERT’S SON AND THAT STANNIS WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID TOMMEN AND MYRCELLA WEREN’T HIS. that’s it. that’s all brienne has to think about stannis in affc. she doesn’t think about killing him once.guess why? because meanwhile she’s found better things to think about and she doesn’t feel the need to avenge renly as much as she feels the need to fulfill her vow to catelyn and jaime and she’s fucking over renly and she has realizes at least subconsciously that guess what she didn’t want to die for him;

the entire point was that she is over her crush on a guy who might have been decent to her though it was the bare minimum anyone should have shown her but who didn’t give two shits about her personally and that she thought she could and would die for, and sorry if being willing to die for someone because he danced with you isn’t healthy as much as people don’t want to accept the fact that brienne has Issues with the capital I;

therefore, the moment the show dragged her north FOR RENLY and OMG I HAVE TO KILL STANNIS FOR RENLY before getting her stuck watching a tower for a season for that crap joke of a winterfell storyline and don’t get me started on how they made brienne’s sl secondary to sansa for three seasons when surely her point in her narrative is not that ita) ignored that brienne had a character arc that included getting over renlyb) elevated renly to sainthood (forget saint tyrion) because it implied that yes he was that nice dancing with her so yes he deserves her avenging his death when sorry but what the fucking fuck he just paid her the bare minimum it didn’t mean she should have joined his army for it or that she should avenge him for having being a decent person oncec) made it look like renly actually gave a shit about her for real when lmao nod) trashed lady stoneheart when as you said they lost the REVENGE IS A BAD IDEA theme and all that she brought with bc stoneheart is fundamental for both jaime and brienne as characters but hey let’s just stick brienne serving other people without a personal storyline and let’s not let jaime have his arc because what the fuck amritee) missed all of the themes in her affc arc because where was meribald? where was the anti-war message? where was the fact that brienne is a vulnerable person with doubts? we saw none of that shit except oMG SHE KILLED STANNIS BADASSSSS. yeah, no. character assassination my old friend here we are;

now, specifically re stannis: what angers me on a molecular level in that choice, not counting the fact that never in my life I ever want to see character #1 I relate to in a series (and period) kill character #2 I relate to in that same series without any goddamned reason to do that but that’s personal is that....... since brienne doesn’t give a fuck about avenging renly anymore in the book it’s very likely that if she and stannis meet again they might actually like talk about things and now I’mma give you the other hot take of the year....

... which is that I would like it if people saw that actually if brienne were to get along with one baratheon brother, she and stannis would have a lot more chances to hit off than she and renly ever could have because sorry but:a) they’re both introverts with huge issues communicating with others who also have been treated like shit for their entire lives based on people judging them before they opened their mouthb) as much as brienne isn’t THAT hard on it she has a sense of justice that he’d definitely appreciatec) if we assume that a guy with a daughter with grayscale whom renly also referred to as ‘that ugly daughter of his’ who is considered disfigured by everyone who still treats her like his only heir and doesn’t gaf about her looks would give two shits about brienne’s looks and not about her skills instead then we assume wrong nvm that stannis has a hand who used to be an illiterate commoner and melisandre used to be a slave like.... come on he’d definitely treat her with respect and not just because he needs herd) reverse, if she saw how he is with his daughter thaaat might remind her of her father not having forced her to marry eventually and agreeing to let her join renly/learn swordfighting instead I mean... come one) never mind that as stated before both of them are way more similar when it comes to take your vows seriously than notlike........... okay but with these premises if they meet when they need all the men they can spare to fight the white walkers I’d presume they will actually talk about renly’s death and get an understanding, not that she’ll take out a sword and impale him there especially if it’s post lady stoneheart which is the point in her sl where she 100% understands you can’t follow all of your vows and you will have to choose at some point (btw she chose jaime already over stoneheart and we all know it bye)...

which means that having her kill him in the show after a thing they made happen from 0 to 180 just to make him look irredeemable, for renly when brienne doesn’t gaf in the books anymore and reinforcing this - excuse me - bullshit narrative of saint renly who was the ideal king and never did anything wrong except trying to pass over stannis who was ahead of him in the line and further creating drama in that damned war because his brother didn’t happen to be immediately likable (nvm that I have issues with the fact that renly doesn’t even seem to remember having been at storm’s end during the siege which means that stannis made sure he actually had to eat while everyone else was starting to consider cannibalism but hey who cares that my brother almost died and never let me starve with the entirety of the castle I’ll now go and stab him in the back because NAAAH WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT HIM? sorry but what the fucking fuck) while stannis was an asshole who eventually got what he deserved because he wasn’t fun amrite will never not irk me to a molecular level because that wasn’t brienne’s storyline anymore and it hasn’t been since asos, the renly vs stannis situation is way more complicated than renly was nice and stannis was an asshole, stannis is nowhere near the piece of cardboard dnd think he is and the fact that both characters didn’t move on from their renly-related trauma but that it went down in the cheapest most ooc way ever should have woken people up about how dnd couldn’t be trusted for shit with these books if the WF adaptation of the adwd storyline hadn’t showed that already.

tldr: it was ooc and an insult to both characters and also can we stop with the saint renly narrative, thanks.