#and I don’t want to force her to be monogamous if she’s not

[monserelates]

Clueless Idiots ; James Potter.

⇨f!reader x james potter

⇨summary: Just Y/N and James being clueless little cuties.

⇨warnings/notes: fluff fluff fluff fluffy fluff, use of y/n, reader is female, she and james are really oblivious

⇨a/n: once again with my favorite trope 🥹, I just love writing about James and writing fluff. If you guys have any requests you can definitely share them i’d be really grateful! Hope you enjoy <3

There were very few constants at Hogwarts.

One: Filch’s cat was always watching.

Two: The fourth step on the Charms staircase would always try to eat your foot.

And three: James Potter and Y/N Y/L/N were practically glued at the hip.

It wasn’t official. Of course not. Because nothing was ever that easy with the two of them. They were best friends, partners-in-crime, even, and the subject of at least two weekly betting pools run by both the Gryffindor Common Room and the Hogwarts staff lounge.

“Oh, come on,” McGonnagall muttered behind her teacup one morning as the pair entered the Great Hall, James slinging his arm over Y/N’s shoulder, Y/N stealing a bit of toast from his plate without blinking. “If he tucks her hair behind her ear one more time, I’m raising my bet to ten Galleons.”

Dumbledore sipped his coffee, smiling fondly. “They remind me of a young Lily and James.”

“They are James and—never mind.”

“Minerva,” Sprout said gently, “they’re teenagers. You can’t force these things.”

“I’m not forcing anything. I’m simply pointing out that if they don’t confess by Valentine’s Day, I’m deducting points for excessive obliviousness.”

Meanwhile, back at the Gryffindor table:

“Do you think I’d look good with a moustache?” James asked, munching on bacon.

Y/N wrinkled her nose. “What kind of question is that?”

“You didn’t say no.”

“I’m saying absolutely not. You’d look like an undercover Auror going through a midlife crisis.”

James grinned. “So… no moustache.”

“Not if you want me to keep sitting next to you.”

He paused for half a second—half a second too long—and then laughed.

She didn’t notice. Or at least she pretended not to.

Sirius, sitting across from them, rolled his eyes so hard he nearly fell off the bench. “You two are unbearable.”

Remus didn’t look up from his book. “It’s like watching two penguins try to flirt by throwing fish at each other.”

“Penguins?”

“Very monogamous creatures,” Remus said. “Mate for life.”

Y/N blinked. “That’s oddly sweet.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

James reached for more toast and brushed her hand accidentally. Their eyes locked for one second too long.

Sirius groaned into his pumpkin juice.

⸻

Later that day, the pair was in the library, sharing one textbook, their knees brushing under the table. Y/N didn’t flinch. James did. Barely. Just enough to notice.

“Did you finish your Potions essay?” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he lied.

“You’re lying.”

“Yeah,” he admitted.

She snorted. “Come on, Potter, focus.”

“You said my last one was ‘shockingly decent.’ That’s high praise.”

“I meant its like a shocked cat watching fireworks, but sure.”

He grinned.

They were so close, heads bent together, she could see the tiny freckle beneath his left eye. He smelled like broomstick polish and cinnamon.

She looked away first.

⸻

That weekend, they sat together at the Ravenclaw versus Slytherin quidditch match, they had bet 10 galleons that Ravenclaw will win—James with one arm slung lazily around the back of her seat, Y/N leaning into his side to shout over the noise.

“Ten more points and we win!”

“I’ll take you to Honeydukes if we do!”

“You always take me to Honeydukes!”

“Then I’ll buy you everything in the front window.”

“Even the sugar quills?”

“Especially the sugar quills.”

Lily leaned over to Marlene. “Do you think they know they’re flirting?”

Marlene raised an eyebrow. “Do you think Hogsmeade knows they’re flirting?”

⸻

Later, as the Gryffindors spilled back into the common room, James and Y/N flopped onto the couch together. James didn’t hesitate before pulling her legs into his lap.

“Oi, Y/N,” he said, grinning, “you ever going to tell me your type?”

She sipped her butterbeer. “I don’t have one.”

“Liar.”

“Okay, fine. I like boys who are funny. And brave. And maybe a little too loyal for their own good.”

His smile faltered for half a second.

“And,” she added, “he’d have to care a lot. Like… secretly-loves-dogs, picks-flowers-he-won’t-admit-to, remembers-how-I-take-my-tea kind of caring.”

He blinked.

“Oh.”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason.”

Remus, passing behind the couch, muttered, “I swear to Merlin, if one of you doesn’t kiss the other in the next forty-eight hours, I’m hexing both of you into next week.”

"What's that, moony?" You asked, oblivious.

"Oh, nothing. I was just talking to myself,"

⸻

Back in the staff lounge, the betting board had been updated:

“Confession before Halloween – 3 Galleons”

“Caught kissing in a broom closet – 5 Galleons”

“They still don’t know they’re in love – priceless”

“I’m changing my bet,” Sprout said cheerfully. “Two Galleons on Y/N realizing first.”

“I say it’s Potter,” said Slughorn. “He’s been writing her name in his notes for months.”

McGonagall smirked. “I’ll double it if it’s her who kisses him.”

⸻

That night, as the fire crackled low and the common room emptied out, James stretched.

“I should go to bed.”

Y/N didn’t move. “’Night, James.”

But he didn’t go.

Instead, he leaned down slowly, close enough for her to see the freckles on his nose and the look in his eyes.

“Goodnight, Y/N.

She blinked.

For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her.

For a second, she almost let him.

But then—

He straightened up, ruffled her hair, and walked off to the boys’ dorms.

And she sat there, heart thudding, cursing the universe and every stupid bet McGonagall was definitely winning.

[daybrightsims]

Alright, they've lived in my brain too long; Time to air out my thoughts about the polyamory in BG3

To give a little context: I am currently ethically non-monogamous with my primary partner of almost 7 years. I am not a monolith of thought when it comes to polyamory/ENM/open relationships. These are my own personal thoughts and feelings. I've also completed the game with Astarion and Halsin romanced. Spoilers ahead, read at your own risk.

TL;DR - I don't share the current opinion of whether or not Astarion is okay with Tav pursuing Halsin and the discourse around his agency and choices in the relationship are bumming me out and frustrating me.

I am getting increasingly frustrated about the conversation about Astarion being polyamorous/okay with Tav being with Halsin in the game, primarily because I think a lot of the "think pieces" are coming from 1) monogamous people who have only ever been monogamous, 2) monogamous people who have been burned/cheated on/forced into polyamory by a partner (I feel for ya'll, that wasn't okay), 3) people who are very VERY protective of Astarion, and 4) people who are blatantly uncomfortable with polyamory. My goal is not to invalidate anyone's experiences, but to share an alternate perspective.

I do think that Astarion is not only okay, but happy with Tav dating Halsin. I glean this from how he responds to being poly with ANY OTHER companion. If you ask him to share with literally anyone else, he will say no and give his reason.

Gale: He doesn’t want to be in a love triangle (which with Gale, it would be).

Lae’zel: He’s uncomfortable and Lae’zel would kill him (also true).

Wyll: He knows Wyll is old fashioned and monogamous.

Karlach: He knows Karlach’s feelings for you are strong and he doesn’t want to stand in the way of that (he even says he’d be cool with an arrangement but knows Karlach will need all of your affection based on what she’s been through).

Shadowheart: He would be cool IF Shadowheart had more experience and ya’ll were together longer. But he knows Shadowheart is fragile in her current state.

Minthara: He REALLY doesn’t like this idea and will dump you immediately.

I did also see that ***SPOILER*** they updated or are updating some of the spawn Astarion language to have issues with your affair with Mizora should you pursue it, and it requires a persuasion/deception role to keep you two together.

Up to this point in your relationship with Astarion, he has become more comfortable voicing his opinions and concerns with you. He is learning to value his autonomy and his non-physical relationships. He will tell you when he doesn’t want to do something. In fact, he’ll break up with you over pushing his boundaries. He is fine with you pursuing the Drow twins and fine with you sleeping with Haarlep, even comforts you when Haarlep uses your form. So when he says he is okay with you pursuing Halsin, he means it. Yes, he voices his insecurity with you that you may be pursuing Halsin because you and he haven’t had sex in a while. But he acknowledges that Halsin has experience in this arrangement and doesn’t pose a threat to your relationship. Plus, if you kiss Halsin in front of him, he’ll say “don’t mind me, I’m just enjoying the show.”

To me, the idea that this is the ONE thing that Astarion doesn't have agency over in an arc of showing he can speak up for himself is you sleeping with Halsin is an idea that takes more agency from Astarion. He is a grown man. A 240 YEAR OLD man. That trauma he's endured does not mean he needs to be babied or coddled because he can't make his own choices. I think that's an unfair assumption to put on him that Halsin and Tav being together is the ONLY thing he can't enforce his boundaries on.

If he didn't want you to be with Halsin, he would say no like every other monogamous character in the game.

If you want a good example of someone saying yes just because they want to keep you, look at Karlach. You can tell she is HEARTBROKEN when you ask her, but she says “I don’t want to lose you”. That is not an enthusiastic participant in a polyamorous relationship. Astarion says “yeah, go for it! Just give me some reassurance”. Polyamory is not immune to insecurity. I've asked for reassurance in my own relationships and so has my primary partner. That’s not unenthusiastic. That’s realistic as shit. If you ask him about the relationship after you finish his questline, he doesn’t need reassurance because you’re having sex again. That’s also super realistic.

Am I sensitive to this as someone who practices ENM? Almost certainly. It's hard to see a lifestyle I live be villainized and claimed to be "forced" onto characters. I was actually really excited that I could pursue both Astarion and Halsin, and that Halsin places so much importance on consent and not misleading your partner. And it sucks SOO much to see one of my favorite characters be reduced to "oh, he's only doing it because he's afraid to lose Tav." It makes me almost feel bad for liking the interactions between them and enjoying to option. Do I think people mean to make me or other poly people feel bad? No.

But it does.

Headcanons are headcanons. I get it. People are absolutely allowed to interpret the poly aspect of BG3 how they want to. People are allowed to feel uncomfy with how it's portrayed and not pursue it. But it still bums a queer ENM Astarion and Halsin lover out.

Now excuse me whilst I live out my Astarion x Halsin x Tav polycule fantasies in the form of fanfiction.

[afro-hispwriter]

Satoru Gojo x reader x Kento Nanami

Warnings- established polyamorous relationships, slight angst, this has quite a bit of nanago so if you don’t like it… scroll, the fushiguros make an appearance, homophobia mentions, insecurities(if I missed anything please let me know), set early 2014

A/n- I have a wild imagination and I absolutely hate what I wrote. Fuck Gege.

wc-2.5k+

-

Nanami never wanted to be home more than now. Another day full of his obnoxious boss and equally obnoxious coworkers. 

Nanami turned the key and pressed the button to the penthouse floor. He leaned against the back of the elevator. The dinging of the ascending numbers and the gentle music calmed him down. The doors opened and his ears were instantly hit with the sound of laughter. 

“Satoru, pay attention you’re making a mess!” You squealed, followed by Gojo’s laugh. 

“Just open your mouth a bit wider. I know you can ba- NANAMIN!” Gojo yelled out and more rice flung everywhere. The long-legged man zoomed around the island and almost knocked the blonde down with the force of the kiss to the man's lips. You spun around the stool before stepping down. 

“Hey, Ken.” You reached up on your toes and pecked the businessman's lips when Gojo pulled away. Your hands went to his tie and you undid it. “Work okay?” 

“As good as it always is.” He says with slight sarcasm and turns his head so Gojo can peck him on the lips and Gojo walks back to the stove. “You’re cooking?” He looks down at you as if silently asking if it is serious.

“Yup! We’re having fried rice with edamame and teriyaki tofu!” Gojo says proudly. 

“He insisted. Don't worry, I have been watching him the whole time.” You pat Nanami’s shoulder and he sighs. “Go change.” Nanami bowed his head before walking off to your shared room. 

Megumi's door was slightly open and Nanami gave it a small knock. 

“Yes?” He pushed the door open. 

“I just wanted to ask how your day was.” 

Now while Nanami has no desire to act like a parent to either Fushiguro sibling. He still lives with them so he does try to build some sort of bond with the kids. 

“Fine.” 

“Good.” Nanami turns to leave when Megumi speaks again.

“Has that idiot burned the kitchen yet?” Nanami fought a chuckle and shook his head.

“Surprisingly not. Yet.” His mouth curved up slightly and turned back to his TV. 

Nanami walked down the hall even more and Tsumiki walked out of the bathroom. They bumped into each other and Tsumiki looked up. 

“Oh sorry Nanami but hi!” Tsumiki says and wraps her thin arms around the man's waist. Nanami rubbed her back softly and softened his face. 

“It’s alright Tsumiki.” She stepped back. 

“I painted today in art! Do you want to see?” 

“That's good, show it to me at dinner.” Her brown eyes twinkled and she nodded happily. 

“Okay!” She ran off to the dining room.

Nanami walked into the large room and started shredding the clothes of the day. He hung up his blazer and placed his tie gently in the drawer with his others. His shoes were placed on his rack in between yours and Gojo’s. His shirts and pants were thrown in the large hamper. 

He put his at-home casual attire on as well as a pair of socks. Nanami’s phone rang on the side table and he peered over to see his boss calling. He closed his eyes and sighed before picking it up and accepting it. 

“Hey Hey Hey Nanami!”

“What do you want?” He says bluntly. 

“No need for the attitude man just calling to tell you we are having an office party Friday!”

“So tomorrow?” He pinches the bridge of his nose. 

“Yep! And it’s mandatory but you can bring as many people as you like. I know you have a woman.”

And a man

He could have told his boss about his true relationship(you stopped by his job to drop something off and when you left Nanami got pestered about you). But his boss has expressed his dislike for many relationships that weren’t heterosexual or monogamous. The three of you already face so much due to the higher-ups not agreeing with the relationship, and you and Gojo having issues with them beforehand doesn’t help. 

It wasn’t that he was ashamed of his relationship but he preferred to keep it private. He tells people he's single if it's a stranger or he will say he is in a relationship and say no more.

While Gojo tells anybody with no care and you only tell someone if the conversation calls for it. You’ve even dropped a few people if they express their dislike, if possible.

But he just wants to keep you and Gojo safe from the shitty world. 

“Mandatory?” 

“Mandatory.” 

Nanami sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time this week.

“I’ll see what happens.” He instantly hung up on his boss threw his phone on the table again and walked out of the room to go back to the dining room to wait for dinner. 

-

Tsumiki saw him first and she jumped down from the tall stool and ran to the fridge where a painting hung. 

“Look Nanami!” She held the dried paper up to him and took it immediately. It was a good painting since Tsumiki always had an artistic side. 

“Very good. Your blending is spot on.” He handed her the paper back and she smiled again at his approval. You grabbed Nanami's bicep and pulled him in.

“You’re such a softy.” You kissed his chin softly. “Such a good dad.” You teased and he rolled his eyes. 

“I'm not their fa-.”

“Just a mentor blah blah blah.” You cut him off and kissed his chin. His dark circles were even more prominent today. “Almost Friday.” He sighed and closed his eyes. 

“Almost Friday.” 

“You guys are making me jealous.” Gojo pouts as he starts his plating. 

“Well hurry up, then we can all cuddle.” 

“Blegh.” Tsumiki grimaced and you let out a giggle.

“When you grow up you’ll want to do the same thing with your significant other Miki’.” She put a weird look on and shook her head.

“If growing up means kissing and hugging boys. I don’t want to.” The 13 year old says and the two men in the room nod in agreement. 

“Yeah, that’s my girl.”

“That is a smart choice.” 

You roll your eyes and Gojo then drops the spoon he was using.

“Tada!” He shook his hands in the air and looked down at the plates. 

“It looks really good!” Tsumiki says and leans over the counter to look closer.

“It may look appetizing but it may very well not taste like it,” Nanami says and you swatted his chest. 

“Be nice. I'm sure it will taste great Toru.” 

“At least ‘Some’ people are appreciative.” He says and stares down at Nanami making the blonde sigh deeply. 

“Megumi!” You yell so he can come join you for dinner. There was no response or any noise. “Megumi Fushiguro!” Still nothing. You sighed and started to unravel from Nanami but Gojo intervened.

“Sit down beautiful, Daddy Satoru’s got this.”

“Please stop calling yourself ‘Daddy’, it's never going to happen,” Nanami says and Gojo frowns and glares at the man. He had that look on his face that he was saying something to himself. A quick tap into his mind from you and you gasped. 

“Satoru Gojo!” He cackled a laugh and walked away. 

“What did he say now?” Nanami asks unamused. 

‘He said, I can make you call me daddy’ 

Nanami’s eyes widened in shock and he scowled. 

“Can I know?” Tsumiki asks.

“No.”

“No honey.” 

-

If someone had told Nanami he would be dating Satoru Gojo and Y/n L/n two years after graduating jujitsu tech and helping guide(parent)two kids the sorcerers “adopted”. He would laugh in their face. But as he looked at all the faces around the table he wouldn’t trade it for anything. This has been the happiest he had been since Yu. 

“So how is it?” Gojo asks as he watches everyone eat. 

“It's pretty good.” You say. 

“Is there any left? I want to take some tomorrow.” Tsumiki asks and Gojo nods happily. 

“It is sufficient,” Nanami says contently.

“Aw, thanks Nanamin. What about you Gumi’?” Everyone turned to the boy at the end of the table. He looked around and shrugged.

“Fine.” He mumbled and took another bite. 

“You know what, I'll take it.” Gojo shrugs, making everyone(besides Megumi)chuckle. 

-

Megumi and Tsumiki started their homework in their rooms and Nanami started the dishes. 

“Hey, handsome.” You circle your arms around his waist and reach up on your toes to dig your chin into his shoulder. “So me and Toru were thinking-.”

“Uh oh.” 

“Oh stop it. How about we send the Fushiguros with Shoko tomorrow so we can just have the night to ourselves? Then we can be as loud as we want.” You whispered the last part and nibbled his ear lobe making him tense. 

“Tempting but about tomorrow.” He turns the faucet off and turns around. “My idiot boss called me and told me there was a mandatory party tomorrow.”

“Oh? That's fine too, I know you won't be there long so we can wait for you.” Nanami took a deep sigh and closed your eyes. 

Is this me betraying our relationship?

“I can bring-.”

“Great, I've never actually been to your job Nanamin.” Satoru’s voice comes through. “I just got a new Prada shirt I can show off.” 

“Gojo.” Nanami's heart started racing and he clenched his fists. Gojo placed his hands on your hips and pulled you back into him. 

“You can wear that pretty skirt with those platform red bottoms.” 

“I wouldn’t be going to the club, baby.” You chuckled. 

“I think Y/n should be the only one to go,” Nanami says, and you and Gojo pause. 

“Huh? Why not both of us?” You asked confused but before Nanami could say something, Gojo spoke first. 

“Because they don’t know about me, they know about you two.” His shoulder slumped and you frowned. 

“Is that true Kento?” The blonde couldn’t help but nod, making Gojo scoff. 

“I know you’re a private guy Nanami, but we’ve been together for almost 2 years. How are you still ashamed of us? Of me?” 

“What Satoru- I'm not ashamed I just-.”

“Just what?” Satoru raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, blue eyes piercing into him. 

“Okay, can we just go sit on the couch and talk?” You suggest but Satoru shakes his head. 

“No, we can talk right here. Explain Nanami, why don’t you still want people to know about us even after all this time.” He got closer and closer to the blonde and you stepped in.

“Satoru, it's alright to keep it private.”

“Easy for you to say, his job knows about you. Nobody would look twice with you two if you walked on the street. Our boyfriend is too ashamed to be seen with me, with both of us if it doesn’t look like we’re just some friends out.” His voice was starting to break. 

“Satoru. I'm sorry I just- I just want to keep both of you safe.” 

“Safe?” Satoru asks and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand. 

“Kento, me and Satoru can protect ourselves just fine.”

“That’s not what I mean. I know you can protect yourself, but that’s physical. I refuse to subject you to the harmful judgment there would be.” 

You and Satoru stayed quiet and then shared a look. 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” You ask and he sighs. 

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and I was just scared. You two and the kids are the best things in my life, and I don’t want to lose any of you because of others.” There was a pregnant pause.

“Fuck.” Satoru says and rubs his face. “I admit I shouldn’t have jumped at you, guess I've been holding down my feelings. I'm sorry Nanamin.” 

“No, I should have talked to both of you earlier, treated the two of you out somewhere, and told people we are a couple with no fear.” Gojo took a long stride over to Nanami and kissed the blonde's nose.

“Aww see, communication works.” You smiled brightly and Nanami splayed a hand behind your back and pulled you into his side. 

“You are always right.” He pecked the side of your head. 

“I know.” 

“And you guys say I have an ego.” 

“You do my love, but we love you for it.” You reached up on your toes and kissed him on the edge of his mouth. Nanami sighed and raised his hand to rest on the back of Gojo’s neck. 

“I love you.” The blonde molded their lips together and Gojo’s eyes fluttered shut. 

This is what his love is and he hopes it isn’t a dream. 

-

Now a really bad attempt at Juju Stroll🤩

“What about this one? 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a pool?” You ask.

It was a holiday in Japan. All schools were closed, Nanami’s job closed, and neither you nor Satoru had been called for any missions. 

The three of you were lounging on the couch. You and Nanami are on your laptops searching for a house. While Satoru has taken the liberty of laying across both of you. His knees and below were hanging off the edge so his thighs were on your lap and acting as the laptop stand. All while part of his upper body was on Nanami's thighs so most of his was Nanami’s laptop stand.

He didn’t care what house you two chose, just as long as it was far enough from Gojo Estate. He was simply the guy with the money to get said housing at the moment. He just had one request. 

“Does it have a fence?” 

“Uh.” You looked at the screen. “No, it doesn’t.” 

“Then no.” Satoru closed his eyes. 

“Okay, that's the fourth house you’ve rejected for not having a fence. Tell me why it needs one?” Satoru opened one eye to look at you. 

“For a dog.” You frowned and cocked your head to the side. 

“We have two.” 

“Not everyone can see them!” Satoru exclaims and shoots his hands in the air, knocking Nanami’s laptop stumble. 

“This one has 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an indoor pool, and is close to both schools and my job.” Nanami chose to ignore Satoru's no fence complaints and moved on. 

“But there’s no-.” Satoru started but Nanami shushed him.

The blonde stared at his coffee mug on the table and moved his laptop to the side. He then leaned forward. Giving Satoru a face full of buff titty. But what he did next was just the pure urge of- 

CHOMP

Nanami’s eyes almost burst out of his head as the pain rushed through his left breast. 

“Gah! Gojo!” He spit his coffee out and reeled back making Satoru release him with a smirk. 

“What happened?” You ask looking at your lovers. 

“H-He bit me.” Nanami clutched his chest.

“Oh.” You had to stifle a giggle.

“Sorry Nanamin, they were just there.” Satoru reaches out to grab his boyfriend's chest but gets them slapped away. 

“You’re sleeping on the couch.

“HUH!? It was just a bite, you love it when I bite you!”

[from-thedeskof]

In this space, he holds my gaze in a breath suspended between us. His eyes first appraising me, then looking through me, then looking into me. It’s the kind of look that says, “I see you. I know what you’re doing. Keep going.”

What we’re doing is not traditional. Not spoken aloud in polite company or written into monogamous contracts with diamond rings and firm handshakes. It lives somewhere in the undercurrent. Sharp. Intellectual. Deliberate.

He will lead—not because I cannot—but because I want to see how he carries me.

I will follow—not because I must—but because I want to feel what it means to trust him with the map.

The way I respond to him is the way a violin responds to tension. Too tight, it breaks. Too loose, it loses music. He knows this. He tunes me carefully, navigating my submission with the skill of a thoughtful conductor.

In this arrangement, I soften, fully embodied and feminine. He accepts it, treasures it in a firm hand born from some unmatched internal discipline. He leads, not with volume nor intensity but with presence. The kind of presence that makes you breathe slower without realizing.

Our dynamic rests on his unwavering strength. He takes pride in this. I take pride in being his.

When he gives me orders, they come with precision. Clear directives with a matched certainty that I will follow them to the letter. Each question he asks, I door I choose to step through not out of blind obedience but because he’s earned the right to ask.

This isn’t a roleplay. This is power, passed like a secret between two unrelenting forces: the masculine and the feminine. This is power wrapped in restraint. This is power wrapped in vulnerability.

Sometimes I test him. Out of instinct. Out of curiosity. Out of the deep ache to know, “Can you hold all of me without flinching?”

He always does.

He knows I’m not easy to lead, but that when my “Yes” comes, it has not a single hesitation, not a single thread of doubt. This isn’t performative submission. This is intellectual edge-play. I don’t surrender in the soft-spoken, docile sense of the word. I surrender like a queen laying down her sword to the only man she’s ever believed could hold the weight of her kingdom.

And he does.

That’s the agreement. That’s the edge we walk together. That’s the space we choose.

[vesperpharsalius]

you're not alone in not getting the Darrow/Mustang romance. The chapter in Golden Son when they commiserate over her guilt over Cassius, far from answering my questions, did nothing to sell me on them. to be blunt, the way her justification for her relationship with Cassius was written is confusing to me.

for the record, I don't think the relationship even needs to be justified. Mustang can do what she wants with whomever she wants, but it's made very clear that she was only courting Cassius to protect her family... and Darrow? She says to Darrow after the gala that she did it because she didn't want him to die. I really fail to see how their relationship keeps him safe. If she tried to somehow convince the Bellona to renounce their feud with Darrow, would that not make them *more* suspicious of her intentions? especially since they were known to be an item before she went to Luna. It simply would not happen because she's literally dating the guy whose brother's face Darrow bashed in and lied about. Imo this short-lived "love triangle" was Pierce Brown's way of injecting some cheap tension and then resolved clumsily with a speech that made Mustang seem a little #notliketheothergirls. Okay, she's not a "frill-wearing tramp," she's a genius, but her plan did kind of fail with the poisoning at the gala. like.. just saying

I wonder what your thoughts are on this. it may not have been Pierce brown's intention, but I feel as though her jumbled explanation indicates that although she did not love Cassius, she ended up caring more for him than she initially thought she would. anyhoo sorry for the long ask!

Hello! Don’t ever fret—I love long asks. The readers of I&F do not. 

To be honest, I’ve never shipped Reaperstang, although I have been sucked into their drama before and their relationship does have the potential to compel me—if it was platonic, that is. One of my oldest plot–bunnies is Reaperstang being unreciprocated on Darrow’s end, like Dactra, which is what I foolishly hoped against the odds, knowing full well that Pierce Brown had no intention of subverting heteronormativity with his MC initially thought was happening in Red Rising. 

I’ve mentioned before that comphet!Darrow lives rent–free in my mind but even without the sexuality crisis, platonic!Reaperstang still would’ve been more appealing, imo. Their relationship feels much too forced and their outrightly romantic sentiments and conversations are something I’ve learned to… tolerate. And soldier through. 

I don’t want to overstate the significance of my disliking them, though, because I’m not usually inclined towards shipping or the type of person that gets hugely invested in romances or fandom; I’m a casual enjoyer of 95% of the media I know. And heterosexuality of the monogamous and amatonormative flavor is generally nauseating to me; unless there’s serious kink or taboo at play, I am unseated and already leaving the theater.

And even as subtextually freaky and homoerotic as they are, it’s significant that I’m as into Dassius as I am. I have shipped the odd thing before, but never as intensely; I need to snort them like cocaine, tbh. Dassius are the exception, is what I’m saying, while Reaperstang is closer to the rule. Indifference and borderline distaste is more–or–less my way. 

That said… while I don’t prefer Casstang over Reaperstang, it does occupy an unusual amount of space in my head. Because I’m interested in everything it implies and outright confirms about Cassius, of course, but also still salty about how… lazy it is. Half–baked and sloppy.

Granted, most of the story surrounding the Bellona family betrays a serious lack of care, but there’s something particularly irksome about them and not only because I agree that their relationship was confusing and contradictory and basically pointless.

I’ve talked about how nonsensical Casstang is before—on the subreddit, where breaching the topic is unfortunately seen as an invitation to objectify Cassius (which I don’t hate—I mean, far be it from me to ever say we should talk less about his rockin’ bod—but it’s reductive and y’all know I resent his himbofication) or misogynistically lambast Mustang for being a treasonous slut; they can disrespectfully fuck right off with that.

But the fact remains that their relationship, as presented to us, is a clusterfuck and we ought to hold Pierce Brown more accountable for it.

Although Octavia clearly wasn’t half as fond of the Bellona as she initially seemed in Golden Son, might she have encouraged their relationship; arranged it, even? Maybe. Might members of the Bellona family have desired an alliance with Mustang, a marriage that would end their longstanding rivalry and usher a new era of peace and prosperity between their Houses? Maybe. 

But, according to Mustang, no. Nobody pressured her into a relationship with Cassius. It was her design.

So, why? It would’ve made sense if her interest in Cassius was personal. Sure, Mustang loved Darrow by this point; it’s implied she nearly said as much before he left for the Academy and Pierce Brown confirmed they had a romantic relationship during that year after the Institute.

But they broke up. A year ago. Why shouldn’t Mustang move past him? She’s under no obligation to the man who chose war over her—or any man, ever, actually. You’re right to say that she can do whatever the fuck she wants with whoever the fuck she wants—and Darrow agrees. 

But did she love Cassius? We get an emphatic no from her on that and, given her general indifference to him, I’m inclined to believe her.

So, if she wasn’t pressured into the relationship and wasn’t in love with him, was it lust? Again, this would be totally fair. There’s a virtual consensus in the Red Rising world that he’s a bloodydamn snack. If Mustang just wanted a fuckbuddy, nobody—especially not Cassius himself—would blame her for that. If that’s all their relationship ever was, it’d be perfectly understandable.

Again, Mustang denies this. She claims she wasn’t attracted to Cassius, at all; that she didn’t desire him or enjoy having sex with him; that their relationship was purely pragmatic. From Golden Son: 

“I sought out a relationship with Cassius for the same reason I let the Sovereign think she was turning me against my father: to protect my family.  “I’ve always been able to manipulate people. Men, women, it makes no difference. [🫵🏳️‍🌈?] Cassius was a walking wound, Darrow. Raw and bloody despite the fact that it has been two years since you killed Julian. I saw it in him in a second, and I knew how I could make him love me. I gave him someone who would listen, someone who would fill the void.  “I made him think he could not live without me. I knew it was the only thing that could keep the rest of my House safe. I knew it was the best weapon I could wield in this game.”

To what end, though? None of Mustang’s plans included Cassius or demanded that she be close to him. She was already intimate with Octavia, thriving as a Politico, familiar with Lysander, before their relationship began; she had an ancient name of her own to give her access and clout without using his.

And, if her goal was, as she heavily implies, to protect House Augustus, including Darrow, by convincing Cassius and the Bellona, generally, to spare them… well, that’s ludicrous. 

Because none of the Bellona, including Cassius, were ever going to stay their blades for her sake. I’m sorry, but Karnus? Cagney? Kellan? Julia, who was salivating for Darrow’s literal raw heart on her plate? Hell would freeze over first. They’ve been itching for his scalp for three years. No, they’d sooner ostracize Cassius for daring to choose his lover over their family. 

And, let’s be real, Cassius would never choose her—or anyone, for that matter—over Julian. No amount of lust or love or time or masterful manipulation could ever usurp (what Cassius perceives as) his obligation to Julian; to imply anything else betrays a serious misunderstanding of his character, tbh.

If Darrow couldn’t break Julian’s spell—if brotherhood with Darrow wasn’t enough to sway him or stay his blade, if Darrow couldn’t manipulate him into renouncing his vengeance or defying his family—Mustang certainly cannot.

(And it personally strikes me as slanderous to the Bellona, as well as deeply amatonormative, for Pierce Brown to say Mustang ‘filled a void’ in Cassius that his seven other siblings and over fifty cousins and aunts and uncles and niblings, many of whom are certainly also grieving Julian, couldn’t.

(He just needed to fall in love, y’all; panacea pussy from the daughter of the man who beheaded your aunt and orchestrated your twin’s death that’s in love with your rival and has a dozen ulterior motives in pursuing you is clearly the answer! He just needed someone who would listen—because, apparently, the Bellona do not have ears. 

(Apologize to my OCs right now. Hell, apologize to Kellan au Bellona right now. And this isn’t the only time that Pierce Brown casually forgets Cassius has… a family? A tightly–knit family. A fiercely possessive and protective and passionate family. But I’m digressing.)

And none of the Bellona, not even Julia, had any actual influence over Octavia, who had been planning on decimating House Augustus for years, if not from the very start of her alliance with Nero; he became a liability the moment she was secure in her power. Any Bellona grumbling against her schemes was sure to be silenced. 

If Cassius himself became a liability by opposing her plans to exterminate the Augustuses, well... he would be disgraced and replaced; he’s a Olympic Knight, after all, and supposed to show blind and unwavering obedience to the Sovereign—and you can be damn sure he would. He is not sacrificing the brand–new Cloak that he has fantasized forever about wearing and devoted his entire life to earning for a woman he just started courting.

So, it’s hard to imagine Mustang could believe that fucking Cassius was the answer to… anything. That she could accomplish anything by charming her way into his bed. He had negligible influence over his family, none over the Sovereign, and he would never betray either for her sake. Cassius genuinely had no value to her.

It doesn’t stretch credulity that she’d miscalculate this badly, though. It wouldn’t be the first or last time she committed an act of astonishing hubris that ultimately made her look stupid.

Did she underestimate House Bellona that much? More likely than not, they saw right through her and, at the very least, as you said, they would’ve been deeply suspicious of her intentions. Did she think so little of Cassius that she believed he was wrapped around her finger, enslaved to her will? 

She did take Octavia at her word that her family wouldn’t be slaughtered and she does admit this, so…

“Then you walked in at the gala, and... and it was like the ground had broken open to swallow me. I felt like a fraud. A wicked girl who’d contrived a reason to do something stupid.”

She really could be that blind, I guess. 

Even so, we are missing something here. She isn’t being transparent. Pierce Brown clearly implies there was more to their story, even though it’s criminally never revisited again. 

Naturally, it should go without saying that Mustang never needed to justify her relationship with Cassius to Darrow and it still bothers me that the narrative undermined itself here, dialogue asserting one thing and subtext implying another. Because their conversation in the cafeteria has the air of an obligatory explanation that’s summarily dismissive, too, of an aspect of this series that could’ve benefited from further exploration. 

I’m referring to the fundamental similarities between Cassius and Mustang. What the goryhell are you smoking, Vesper? you might ask. Well… 

I mentioned in an earlier ask that Mustang resembles Julia and how Cassius is both attracted to Julia, in the sense that he has mommy issues and needs a woman to fill his Julia–void, and overall bears more resemblance to Julia than Tiberius, which makes these relationships as harmonious as they are vain and self–destructive.

Here’s the thing, though: if both Mustang and Cassius are like Julia, to a degree, aren’t they alike, too? Yes, but it’s complicated, because Mustang is deeply in denial about herself and determined to misunderstand Cassius. She would have us believe that she’s like Darrow—and, indeed, the narrative reaches conclusions about her personality that aren’t supported by her actions. In a similar vein, there’s much distortion surrounding Cassius—the unreliability of both Darrow and Lysander’s perspectives surges with him—and dimensions of his personality that are never properly parsed. 

If we strip them down, though, we see two disarmingly beautiful, naturally derisive, and ruthless people that use charm and feigned innocuousness to bely their darker natures, dutiful to a fault and unconditional in their love for relatives that don’t reciprocate their affection or respect, patronizing and often sanctimonious, exceptionally cunning yet usually undone by their arrogance and tendency to overextend and overestimate themselves, painfully stubborn and possessive, ice–cold in their wrath.

I could go on. Darrow clearly has a type. 

That said, Mustang has more in common with Cassius than Darrow, imo. This does not necessarily translate into attraction or affection, of course, but there’s an interesting synthesis that could’ve occurred here: recognition of oneself through another that could’ve led both of them to a place of greater acceptance and understanding of themselves.

And their potential to have such a meaningful relationship was sacrificed, of course, for Golden Son’s vapid love triangle—when Mustang’s at the apex, at least. Because there’s something very compelling, to me, about the idea of Cassius and Mustang as rivals for Darrow’s affection, even if we leave him in the closet. This post encapsulates it. You see the vision. And it’s more–or–less the direction I take Casstang in Alis Aquilae.

But no—we had to go for the heteronormative cash–grab and manufacture some cheap tension to immediately dispel, because God forbid anything ever threatened the sanctity of Reaperstang and God forbid anything or anyone ever cockblocked Darrow aside from his guilt complex. 

😒

Don’t even get me started on Mustang’s boldfaced internalized misogyny—I’ll never shut up. But I hope it goes without saying that one can, in fact, be a frill–wearing tramp and a genius; intelligence, femininity, and promiscuity are not mutually exclusive. I have a personal vendetta against this line and it’s something I go out of my way to ridicule at several points in AA.

But, at the risk of sounding like an anti, I’ve always felt that Mustang’s intelligence is overblown. Told rather than shown. It’s usually a bad idea to draw unnecessary attention to characters by having them unironically claim to be geniuses, because it’s difficult to justify that statement without compromising your narrative—that is, creating idiot plots, dumbing other characters down to make them look cleverer, etc—and Pierce Brown doesn’t, imo.

What’s weird is that he doesn’t usually make this mistake. Most of his ‘genius’ characters are understated and don’t outright claim to be such (I’m thinking of Adrius, Atlas, Lysander, perhaps Octavia) or pretend to be stupid so they’ll be underestimated (most of the Telemanuses, Roque, Cassius and Karnus, perhaps Atalantia) and the ones that do claim to be geniuses are simply making a point (Fitchner, Darrow, and Daxo come to mind) rather than bragging. It’s a commonly acknowledged truth that it’s imprudent to flaunt your intelligence in their world.

But Mustang is supercilious about hers in a way that’s both conspicuous and must feel more than a little insufferable—to people that aren’t in love with her, at least. You’d also think it’d make her uber–vulnerable to criticism because, more often than not, she falls flat on her face.

And it’d be one thing if she learned from her mistakes, if they prompted some introspection where she was like, ‘Huh, maybe I’m not the second smartest person in the world. Maybe I’m wrong sometimes. Maybe I should be humbler from now on.’ Hell, I’d even take somebody else implying as much—that she’s not all that; that people can and do outsmart her, frequently.

But… no? Everyone has bought a ticket to her cabaret. 

😩

As for how I personally interpret Casstang, I’ve never taken her jumbled explanation at face–value. She’s clearly not in love Cassius, yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she loathed him or resented their entire relationship, as she claims in the cafeteria—to appease and reassure Darrow, probably, knowing all too well what a jealous and prudish creature he is.

In her PoV in Dark Age, she mentions that she’s unsure—that she’s always been unsure—about her feelings for him, which contradicts her confession in Golden Son where she insists she felt nothing, at all. And even Darrow, usually her fool, didn’t buy that. 

And there’s a line at the beginning of her speech about how she is very much NOT in love with Cassius, thank you VERY much that’s perhaps more revealing than she intended: ‘My heart does not make my brain a fool.’

Which, contrary to what she goes on to say, implies that she did have feelings for Cassius, perhaps nascent and definitely conflicted, but suppressed them, because they were illogical and threatened her plans—and isn’t this exactly what she does with Darrow throughout Golden Son and Morning Star?

This is classic Mustang behavior. 

So, I think you’re right, anon: their relationship may have started as a scheme, but it snowballed into something more genuine than she intended.

There may or may not be some repressed and ambivalent romantic and/or sexual attraction lingering on her end, as her uncharacteristic humorlessness towards Cassius throughout Golden Son and Morning Star is suspicious and her admitted uncertainty and tentative warmth in the IGT, over a decade later, might be indicative of belated acceptance of these feelings. 

But there is certainly a bond between them, regardless, even if it’s platonic, and there’s likely a hint of truth in what she firmly and contemptuously denies at the beginning of her speech that even Darrow recognizes. 

“I’m sure you understand that I felt lost. One, because I thought I’d found someone special in you. Two, because I felt you were abandoning the idea that gave us the ability to conquer Olympus. Consider that I was vulnerable. Lonely. And that perhaps I fell into Cassius’ bed because I was hurt and needed a salve to my pain.”

In Part III of my series, which covers the intermission period between Red Rising and Golden Son, I’m obviously going to be exploring Casstang in excruciating and nuanced detail. We’ll also see external perspectives on their relationship from Cassius’ relatives in some of the supplementary fics.

But, up close and personal from Cassius’ perspective, it’s clear that Mustang is more ambivalent than she’d ever admit and there are several aspects of their relationship that she does enjoy—often, despite herself. Cassius is adept at making her feel more comfortable than she’d prefer to be. 

In Light Bringer, she describes him as the most distracting man that’s ever been made, which is the key word here, imo. Cassius was a massive distraction for her, simultaneously welcome and unwelcome in her life; an infusion of spontaneity and indulgence and levity and diversion from her driven course that she consciously rejected but unconsciously craved—not unlike Darrow, who also implies that Cassius distracts him more than he’d like, even as he relishes it. I don’t think their relationship was radically different.

In other words, Cassius is just… fun. He’s jocular. He’s a hedonist that’s really good in bed. He knows how to have a good time and refuses to take anything too seriously. The crux of his lifestyle is distraction, delay, and denial—and this bleeds into anyone he’s with.

He’s also a fabulous equestrian, Mustang’s favorite pastime. And I’ll remind you that she has a sensuous side, too; she prefers bourbon, which is almost certainly rare by Society standards, spent an entire summer reading poetry and attending opera and drinking fine wine with Roque, loves to dance and gossip and tease. She’s not half as ascetic as Darrow. 

Speaking of Darrow, he’s perhaps the most significant thing they share; the only person whose mind he was clearly living rent–free in more than Mustang’s is Cassius’ and Cassius, at least, certainly wanted her because of their mutual connection to him.

Which he’s roughly as subtle as a sledgehammer about, btw. Literally, the first thing he says to Darrow after two years of loaded silence is: ‘So, I’ve taken what’s yours. Thoughts? 😏’ 

He’d been dreaming about that moment for months. He wants to fuck him so bad it makes him look stupid. 

Overall, I think people underestimate Mustang’s affection for Cassius, because there’s tenderness between them that isn’t the product of anyone’s imagination and it’s easy to understand why if you entertain the (gasp!) radical notion that Mustang is neither a prude nor a bore.

But they also overestimate Cassius’ attraction to her, imo, because there’s certainly more than just straightforward lust or love involved. I talk about some of his reasons for wanting her, at some length, here, but even that isn’t an exhaustive list. 

And there’s a tendency to oversimplify their relationship, often at Cassius’ expense, when he doesn’t seem to have ever been her fool. By his own admission in Light Bringer, he never truly loved her. (Which reeks of retcon and should be taken with several grains of salt, imo, but he does say it.) And there are ways to explain his behavior in Morning Star and Iron Gold beyond heartsickness. Lysander is the least reliable narrator in the series, after all, and nothing he says should be taken at face–value.

People are too quick to believe Mustang here; that she was able to manipulate him as easily and as effectively as she claimed. He’s too smart not to have suspected she had an ulterior motive—and not to have noticed how conflicted she was. Pretending not to notice, though… 

“When he put his arms around me, I felt like I was drowning. Like I was lost, suffocating under the weight of all I’d done, suffocating knowing there was a life ahead of me with someone I did not love.”

While she may be overstating her shame for Darrow’s sake, taken at her word, this is dramatic. Even if Cassius was somehow blind to this, which I deeply doubt, someone more perceptive in the Bellona family would’ve noticed how uncomfortable she was.

And they were together for several months, iirc. There’s little chance that she didn’t slip up, at least once, in a revealing and perhaps damning way that would’ve confirmed what must’ve been suspected by some, if not all, of the Bellona: that her interest in Cassius wasn’t sincere. 

She may or may not have been aware of it, but it’s likely that they were playing each other. Using each other to achieve their ends; he had just as many, political and personal, as she did. I reckon the manipulation and machination was reciprocated. And Cassius and Mustang are more evenly matched than anyone believes, including her.

He was at a major disadvantage; between Julian and Darrow, he’d never been more vulnerable in his life and—in the canon, at least—it’s clear that Mustang won their game and the last laugh. But it’s a mistake and a disservice to both of them to assume that victory came easily to her.

And there’s something to be said about her choice of mythological allusion in the cafeteria, too, which has lived rent–free in my mind since the first time I read Golden Son. 

“I felt like the cruel witch snaring Odysseus, making him fall in love, keeping him for my own selfish aims.”

Comparing Cassius to Odysseus is… a choice. Although it’s Darrow that’s called ‘Achilles’ in the text, the subtext supports the conclusion that he’s actually Odysseus–coded and points to Cassius as the Achilles–coded character instead.

(There is something delicious about this, of course: that they are each explicitly likened to the figure that the other was clearly crafted to resemble.)

But it should go without saying that identifying Cassius with Odysseus is giving him a shitload of credit where cunning is concerned. I’m of the opinion that Cassius is much smarter than he seems and the majority of people, characters and fans, usually acknowledge, but for Mustang to imply that he’s anywhere near Odysseus’ level of deviousness and brilliance is frankly… insane of her. Even I wouldn’t go that far and my mind is mush. And she did it so unconsciously and dismissively, too. 

If Mustang wanted to convey the sentiment she expresses throughout her speech—that Cassius was an easy mark for her—she could’ve compared herself to… off the top of my head, Medea, also a witch from Greek mythology (Circe’s niece, actually) that infamously manipulates several simpleminded men into falling in love with her and uses them to achieve her ends.

But she didn’t—or, rather, Pierce Brown didn’t. 

By ‘cruel witch,’ she’s probably referring to Circe, the infamous enchantress that transforms Odysseus’ men into pigs, rather than Calypso, who’s actually a nymph—that is, a very minor goddess. But she might loosely be considered a witch, as she does have magical abilities, and she’s the one that ‘selfishly’ imprisons Odysseus on her island and tries to compel him to love her and renounce his home. Circe, on the other hand, is enthusiastically helpful to his quest.

I’ll speak broadly, though, so as to cover both of them. 

What’s significant about these relationships, in this context, is that they’re actually unreciprocated on Odysseus’ end. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that Circe’s in love with him (it’s been a while since I’ve read the Odyssey, though, so maybe she does claim to love him and I’m misremembering) but she is one that’s attracted to him and he takes advantage of her attraction. Calypso is more dramatic, infatuated with Odysseus, and she holds him captive so obstinately that she has to be compelled by the gods to release him. 

But Odysseus is not interested in Circe and he certainly does not love Calypso; he’s unwavering in his determination to return home and misery over his inability to do so. Their wiles do not compromise his commitment to his family in the slightest, although he indulges them, particularly Circe, to manipulate her.

And I can’t help but think about what this deliberate choice of allusion on Pierce Brown’s part (and Darrow’s pointed comment about their relationship being more complicated than she claimed that’s uncharacteristically critical of Mustang’s verisimilitude; it’s unlike Darrow to suspect her of lying; dissembling and omitting, yes, but outright lying?) indicates about Casstang. Because it couldn’t be more different from what’s stated outright.

Mustang claims not to love Cassius—while likening their relationship to one in which a woman wanted to fuck a man so bad that her characterization did a 180° reversal from hostile to friendly the moment she saw him (Circe) or had such passionately unrequited love for a man that she imprisoned him on her island so he could never leave her (Calypso)?

Mustang claims that Cassius was easy to fool and seduce into submission—while comparing him to ‘Wily Odysseus,’ perhaps the most cunning and steadfast hero in Greek mythology? Mustang says that Cassius was part of her plan—while comparing herself to a witch whose fundamental purpose was to foil Odysseus’ plans?

It’s such a choice.

To be clear, I’m not arguing it’s some sort of Freudian slip, but you can see how the subtext is undermining the text here, no? Casstang, you clusterfuck!

And there’s a different between clusterfuck (affectionate), where the relationship is just convoluted and toxic and therefore scrumptious, and clusterfuck (derogatory), where a creator botched a pairing more than you would’ve thought possible.

Genuinely, what the hell happened here. It’s like a ten–car pile–up on the freeway.

There’s always more to say... but I’ll set you free, lol. Thank you for the ask.

😘

[kendrysaneela]

Wow that went so much better than I thought it was going to? This show is surprisingly good at handling intense subjects. Like I was not expecting her to actually be pregnant so I was surprised by that but then also I was anxious that were gonna kinda throw out the Ody3 concept for a second but this episode made me feel like they’re still keeping that up there in the air and then that’s such an interesting way of bringing them back together and making them all rethink the white picket fence ideas they all have I think if that’s part of what they’re doing. And then having the cliffhanger be is she gonna keep it and who’s is it? Not to mention this will force them all to think about intimacy and think about being together and omg the possibilities here the possibilities. Also omg I love Tristan he did so good. Max I understand the babble even though I was telling him to shut up the whole time because medical school and doctor talk was not what Avery needed right then she needed normal person Max doctor Max so I’m glad Tristan called him out on that but Omg I was actually so not on board for the pregnancy thing when they brought it up in the trailer I and was like positive that it was gonna be a false positive and got anxious when they made the pregnancy real. But they handled that pretty well and actually made me enjoy the concept and understand it’s reasoning. Also it’s interesting how Max was like “What does that say about all of us” in terms of like are they all running from something or is this truly what they want? This show is surprisingly good at dealing with serious issues and being properly respectful and introspective about them. I think this storyline will make them all examine their lives and what they want out of them and truly why they all decided to come work on this cruise ship after all. It’s quite fascinating what they’ve done here. I don’t think I’ve ever actually ever like a surprise pregnancy storyline on a television show but the way they’ve set this storyline up is actually so interesting. And I’m excited for the possibilities it could bring. I don’t think she’s actually gonna have the baby because this is season 1 of a fun throuple boat show so I think miscarriage or abortion but I think this will make for some really interesting introspection among the three of them and if they all actually do want the heteronormative monogamous white picket fence life they’ve all discussed wanting.. Also tbh with everything going on in America right now I really like how they acknowledged that it is Avery’s body and Avery’s choice and Max and Tristan can support and give their thoughts but at the end of the day they don’t get a say. Really great thing to do. (Less serious Sidenote not them mentioning they had sex MULTIPLE TIMES that night? Go ya’ll😂)

[notablenotions]

Chapter 43- What the Hell Is Peaches

Henry’s private lodge was precisely what Hans expected: spartan, practical, and wholly devoid of vanity. A clean hearth, a worn bench, a simple rack for weapons, and a handwoven rug that looked as though it had survived both winter and war.

And yet—standing out like silk in a pigsty—were Hans’s gifts. A carved antler box too fine for the floorboards, an embroidered hunting jacket Henry never wore but never discarded, and, most conspicuously, a pillow nestled in the corner beside Mutt’s straw bed.

The pillow was velvet.

Stitched in golden thread.

Two entwined Hs.

Hans stared at it like it had bitten him.

Henry rubbed the back of his neck, ears already pink. “Jitka made it.”

Hans blinked. “She what?”

“For my birthday,” Henry muttered. “Said it was unfair there’s nothing in the world that shows we loved each other.”

He cleared his throat, voice dropping into a shockingly accurate imitation of Jitka’s clipped, chilly tone: “If anyone asks, Henry, you can just say Hans is being a narcissist again.”

Hans choked on a laugh, mouth open in gleeful disbelief. “She did not.”

“She did,” Henry said. “Right after throwing a spoon at Bartoš for saying our relationship reminded him of his parents.”

Hans chuckled, stepping over to flop across the bed like he owned the place—which, technically, he did. It had been gifted to Henry from Hans, years ago, and he still insisted it was part of the Capon estate.

He stretched like a cat, sighing into the well-worn mattress. “She’s kind. Too kind. But she doesn’t want people to know.”

Henry gave a small, fond smile. “Thinks it makes her weak.”

“I see it. Regularly. Especially with Radzig.”

Henry’s smile faded slightly, and he moved to the hearth, poking at the embers. “That’s… been a strange thing to come to terms with. I always knew Radzig was her guardian. I saw the Duckling Guidebook. I heard about the—” he paused with a grimace “—you know.”

Hans waved lazily. “I told you about the sex lectures. I was forced to sit through one.”

Henry snorted faintly. “He meant well.”

“I know.” Hans folded his arms behind his head. “Still, it’s hard, isn’t it? Seeing someone else get the love you never thought to want until it’s too late.”

Henry didn’t respond at first. Then, softly: “He didn’t make her more like him. Didn’t try to. Let her be herself. Let her be angry. And Peaches—bloody Peaches—I swear he’s written the dog into his will. I think she’s legally a knight.”

Hans chuckled. “I’m still not convinced she’s a dog. Václav—who is the King, by the way, Henry, if you hadn’t figured that out—he said he was there when Jitka found her.”

Henry’s brow creased. “He was?”

Hans nodded sagely. “Said the beast rose from a bog, covered in moss and blood, and chose Jitka like some kind of hellish relic.”

Henry doubled over with laughter. “Please don’t tell me—despite your desperate attempts to win her heart—you still think your wife is a witch.”

Hans pouted. “Maybe.”

Henry pointed at him. “You’re still getting Katherine to report on potential witchcraft, aren’t you.”

Hans rolled away. “No comment.”

Henry shook his head, still grinning, but his tone softened as he asked, “You really are pursuing her. Not just for an heir.”

Hans looked up at the rafters. “I didn’t mean to. But she’s—” He stopped. “She’s someone I could build a life with. Not just bear it. Not just play at it. It wouldn’t be the same as with you. But it would be real. And I think I’d like that.”

Henry was quiet for a long time.

Then, voice low: “We were never monogamous. Not from the beginning. I always knew I’d have to share you with duty. With a family.”

Hans turned to face him.

Henry gave a wistful smile. “I just hope, one day, I’m sharing you with that family, not instead of it. I want one, Hans. A family. I just—” He stopped himself. Looked away.

Hans saw where his thoughts had gone. To the boy in Talmberg who looked so much like Henry—same mouth, same blue eyes, same quiet steadiness—and whom Hans, out of stubborn guilt or petty defiance, still called Mini Henry, having never bothered to learn the child’s name.

Henry sat down at the edge of the bed. “I love you. You love me. We’re best friends. We always will be. Nothing’s going to change that.”

Hans reached out, tugged Henry down into a half-hug. “Even if Peaches eats my boots?”

Henry grinned. “Caught her chewing your glove this morning. Watching you. Like a ham leg.”

Hans blanched. “I knew she was plotting something.”

They sat in companionable silence, the fire crackling gently.

Hans looked at the embroidered pillow, then at Henry, and murmured, “You’re everything I never thought I could have.”

Henry smiled, tired and warm. “And you’re everything I always knew would be too much.”

Neither of them moved. Neither of them needed to. And in that quiet lodge, surrounded by firelight, friendship, and the faint threat of demonic pug vengeance, Hans finally felt what he had always longed for.

He felt like he belonged.

[seoafin]

In an issue of Batgirl 2016 Dick refuses to sleep in the same bed as Barbara because he’s not over Shawn yet, like he can’t do stuff that can be considered as non-platonic with people he’s not dating, or romancing whatever, and he’s been characterised as monogamous a lot, like in an old issue he refuses to stay with Kory and be her ‘lover’ (they were together) when she was forced to marry someone else, iirc the thing with Babs before his wedding w Kory was a mistake and it was retconned, it ruined decades of characterisation

Basically I I don’t think he would fall in love with people at the same time

(Okay but can you imagine it? Like, if I’m wrong dating this dude would be a nightmare, his partner would have to be extremely confident and secure in their relationship because that would not go well with an insecure person.

In a realistic world, if you weren’t the one to write SOT, do you think their relationship would last?)

the fact that you came with receipts LOVE! and yes I know; I should have worded it better but I didn't mean that to imply that he would cheat! I meant that more to say that he IS committed but I also don't think there's ONE true love for him. I was also thinking of that semi relationship he was in with the super of his building that he broke up with bc he wanted to get back with barbara. and yeah...thank GOD that cheating stuff was ret conned but I also think it's interesting to deliberate on....like I do think people make mistakes. If anything I hate the fact that he INVITED BABS TO HIS WEDDING instead of calling it all off 😭😭😭

hmmm probably not; according to comics logic no relationship ever lasts HAHA

[sadlybeans]

Finwë, First King of the Noldor - headcanons

Ok that title is misleading, this is more like… a compilation of lore I’ve built for him for my AU which you can read on AO3 shameless plug. A lot of them are built around canon, so I don’t think they particularly interfere with it? Except perhaps in parts where I’ve forgotten they do. I hope you enjoy them!

First and foremost; Finwë was not born Finwë. His birth name has been long forgotten except by a handful of living elves, but nobody speaks it anymore. He was orphaned very young but had no lack of love and support, since he had a handful of older sisters that collectively raised him. Back then in Endóre life for the Tatyar was very different in many ways, with an underlying danger lurking at every corner, but he lived a relatively normal carefree childhood in what manner it could be had.

Since his early days he had a close friendship with Elwë of the Nelyar, and they could often be seen together. As they grew into their teenage years it became impossible to spot them apart— many of the elders in his clan often caught Elwë sneaking in and out of his bedroom at night. They were each other’s first love, and soon after reaching their teenage years was when Finwë met Míriel.

Now, slight canon divergence�� The Tatyar were not strictly monogamous before they reached Aman. Finwë’s elder sisters each had more than one spouse, and while not everyone chose to do so, it was also very common. Therefore, he was so sure that one day he’d marry both Elwë and Míriel. Although at first the both of them had a slight rivalry they eventually bonded over their need to keep a then reckless Finwë safe, and while they were not attracted to each other they were happy to plan a life the three of them together. It was possible, after all… or at the very least it should’ve been. But then Oromë rides towards the quendi.

Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë volunteered to visit Valinor of their own free will. It opened their eyes to a light that they had never seen before, and offered a tantalising opportunity that they couldn’t pass on; in Aman they would never have to worry about what hid in the dark anymore. In Aman they could build a safe home for their families, start a peaceful life. It was an offer that they could not refuse. When they come back, they convince their people that this is the right choice, telling them of the beauty and wonder of their future home. It was the best choice Finwë could’ve made… and the one he regrets the most.

The Sundering happens, and those of the Tatyar that want to find this blissful land set on the Great March towards the west. But it wasn’t a peaceful travel… there was something always standing behind them, always looking, and whenever they were distracted it pounced. One by one people vanished into the dark, never to be seen again. When the first of Finwë’s nieces disappeared he and Elwë looked for her in the forest for weeks, until they were forced to confront the reality that they had to continue with their hands empty. She wasn’t the last either. Once he had had a numerous family… but once they stood by the shore, there was only him and a handful of very distant relatives left. All of that pain and sorrow was only made worse by the disappearance of Elwë. He too had vanished into the forest forever, and Finwë was only kept slightly together by his desperate need to bring his people across the sea, and by Míriel who was always there to hold his hand.

In Aman, life was supposed to be perfect. He and Míriel married at last, and to his shock this is when the Tatyar, who will soon become the Noldor, make him their King. A new life is slowly coming together, and while a lot of precious things were lost, there was a hopeful future awaiting them.

It was the ainur who brought word of Elwë and Melian’s marriage. The devastation was impossible to describe… it would’ve almost been easier if he had been taken like all of his family was, but instead he found that Elwë had willingly abandoned him, and that he had never even bothered to let them know he was alive. He didn’t even spare him a second thought later when he sent word to Olwë of his marriage.

And then Míriel gets pregnant, and then sick.

Curufinwë Fëanáro was born silent and asleep, burning bright with far too much fëa in such a tiny body, and Míriel was dying. She lived only hours after his birth, only enough to hold their son, name him, and make her husband promise he’d live on and protect their child.

Finwë’s pain couldn’t be contained anymore. He had no more sisters who could teach him about parenthood, his first love had abandoned him entirely, his wife was dead, and his only son would not wake… the healers said it was very likely he would not live long. Night after night he sat by the crib, watching him breathe with difficulty, and could do nothing to fix it. Ingwë and Olwë had to drag him to bathe and eat, but nothing could bring him out of that state. He was fading, even in the blessed lands.

And then one night his son woke with a scream and cried.

Holding the baby to his chest, alive and screaming with strength, he was given a new lifeline. A new beginning of what would be a hard but fulfilling life nonetheless… And so, along with his child, Finwë of the Noldor is properly named and born, named along his son.

A lot of things would be hard to move past, and a lot of things would have to be learnt from scratch without guidance, such as being a king and a father and mother simultaneously. He could never handle calling his son by his mother name without remembering the days where he laid motionless on that crib (Fëanáro, in turn, would always prefer people to call him by his mother name, but Finwë would always be the only person allowed to call him Curufinwë), and he could never fully understand why he had to choose between the women he loved when he loved them equally, but that would come much later.

First he’d need to tend to a clever and energetic little elfling who would have a million questions for him, like where his ammë was, why he wasn’t allowed to do everything all other children were, why he was sick when no one else was, why atar was the only elda with black skin in all of Valinor— some of those would be painful to answer, but he would answer them nonetheless.

[angelasscribbles]

65 Poly Asks Part Six

Time for part six of these asks for polycules. I'm doing them in ten-question increments. Since there are 65 asks, the last set will only have five answers.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

I’m answering for my Bad Romance gang, obviously.

Do the mono-poly relationships have different boundaries than the poly-poly-poly-poly-etc. relationships? Sort of. Basically, no. Riley has told Drake that she’s open to him exploring with other people. He does not want to. However, she does get more jealous of any perceived attention Drake gets or gives to other women precisely because she knows he is monogamous. Liam being physically attracted to someone else isn’t a threat to their relationship, but Drake being might be. The main boundary difference is that Riley is not likely to even flirt with an outsider around Drake, because it tweaks his insecurities. They have more of a don’t ask don’t tell dynamic around anything Riley does when not with him. This does not include Liam and Max, as they all live together, but Drake has dealt with his insecurities around them.

How well do the metamours get along? Do they even know each other? Drake lives with Riley and Liam and Max. He was best friends with Liam before either met Riley. He knew Max and tolerated him. His relationship with Max has developed into a real friendship now. Rashad is outside the quad that are nesting partners, but he gets along well with everyone but Drake. Rashad and Drake’s issues are largely because they have different outlooks on life and neither understands Riley’s affection for the other. Riley knows about Rashad’s prolific dating life and may know many of them superficially as they run in the same social circles.

Do any of the metamours dislike each other? How does that impact their shared partner(s)? Yes. Drake and Rashad. They maintain a cool politeness when forced to interact. It only affects Riley in as much as it annoys her when they snipe at each other.

Do any of the metamours hang out when their shared partner(s) aren’t around? Yes. Once the first baby came along, Drake started hanging out a lot more with Max while they collaborated on child care so Riley and Liam could get some rest. Plus Max just bulldozed his way into a relationship by insisting they were best friend and trying to mother Drake, which Drake grumbles about but secretly has come to appreciate. Drake and Liam have always hung out together.

Do any of the metamours have specific dynamics and/or boundaries with each other? Why? Yes. While Riley and Liam dabble in some light dom/sub dynamics with each of them being a switch, Riley and Max have a full-fledged Domme/Sub dynamic complete with him being collared by her. Why? Because he is into that and others aren’t. Max also enjoys being topped by Liam, but as the three of them are a fully functioning throuple, a boundary had to be put in place that when all three play together, Max obeys Riley, as it’s hard for a sub to obey two masters. As Liam and Riley are officially married, being collared by her in a collaring ceremony has a deeply emotional significance to Max, making him feel like a full partner in her life, not secondary to Liam.

How do the members feel about marriage? Do they live in a society that recognizes polyamorous marriage at all? If marriage isn’t an option, what about legal protections? So far it is not legal, but since this is a fictional county which Liam runs, I have toyed with the idea of making it so. Riley never cared about marriage, didn’t really believe in it, but she is deeply committed to those she loves and Liam was required to be married to ascend the throne, so she married him. Drake didn’t care about being married, but did struggle with Riley marrying someone else as his half American heritage made him more conservative in outlook about such things. There was a several chapter arc where he struggled to overcome this, even leaving for awhile but eventually coming back and making it work.

What do any monogamous members think about their polyamorous partner potentially marrying someone else (either in addition to or instead of them)? As stated above, Drake spiraled out about it. She almost lost him, but they eventually worked through it.

How does the polycule celebrate anniversaries? Each individually and also, Liam, Riley and Max have a mutual anniversary of the date they officially became a throuple.

How does the polycule celebrate birthdays? There is always some type of celebration, even for Drake, who absolutely doesn’t want one.

If one of the members gets sick, who takes care of them? Is there a rotation of caretakers lining up, or designated partner(s)? Ooooh, good question and one I have not explored! In general, Max is the caretaker. He works from home when possible and does the bulk of the child care while the other nesting partners are at work, so he would be the obvious one to caretake a sick member. If Max gets sick, it would be whoever could get away from work easiest that particular day.

[distant--shadow]

I usually agree with most of your Fearne takes but i don’t think involving the players directly (as in the individuals, not the characters) is necessarily relevant here? Its a little bit of a stretch to think we can assume what these people are thinking of and viewing the situation as. I think most of the cast is just aware of the limited time they have to expand on certain situations. Which of course is a shame!! We want that attention to the relationships that were put a little more to the side. But i don’t think that necessarily means it reflects anything about their personal views and thats a little bit of a far-fetched thing to assume. Not meaning to be annoying about it, I just think in-game discourse should not mix with assessing anything about these people or calling it character mistreatment. I don’t know if I got your point correctly, and if not, I’m sorry. I just think its a reality that the fandom would benefit from accepting: these people have a job and limited time per episode to do it. Fearne has plenty of other ways to shine and I don’t think it is MEANT to be poly erasure (as a poly person myself who was hyped for representation) or that she’s being forced into monogamy. Its just something thats quite hard to balance in the setting they are if they want time for all characters. Hope you have a great day nonetheless :)

ayo, that's cool, I think as far as I've expressed my opinions on here I have described the players and their characters as having "selective hearing" when it comes to fearne stating her views on sexual and romantic relationships for herself - and I stand by that - because as you said and despite of it, yes there hasn't been as much time this campaign for character exploration, and yet fearne and Ashley (discussing her character out of episode time) has stated her wants and interests many times, and since early campaign. I'm not trying to start beef about it, I just, also personally as a point of relating, find it exhausting, especially how a hint of a romantic monogamous ship from her is treated and encouraged and pushed, once again, despite what she keeps vocalising. I've used the term selective hearing because I don't think anyone is prejudice towards it or disgusted by it, but i do think it is being ignored, and I do think that someone who is better at words than me can write an essay on how this is particularly relating to a female character who is perceived as a bit of an airhead/ditzy/comedy relief/doing it for the bit, and also how a lot of people ultimately wish to see a "slutty" character settle down with one person caus it's seen as "growth" (I won't go into everyone except ahston in later episodes post lava pit/shard acquiring ignoring fearnes wishes to not have the rock and not allowing her no's either but I do think the two are related)

but aye, don't feel bad about coming in with your opinions, we're not always gonna agree and I'm just here to share mine. I'm not tryna get anyone called out or anything. I share frustrations about my favourite show caus I care and I'm real enthusiastic about it and that manifests in a lot of ways including drawing fanart and chatting shit.

[ladylooch]

I think Lucie and Connor would end up together even without the unplanned pregnancy but they def don’t get married and have kids as early 🙃 but for Mack and David idk I feel like Mack is a little like lio and I don’t know if I ever see her fully settling down ever if she never married David

I agree with both of these takes!

Lucie and Connor were so clearly going to be together forever. Their obsession for each other goes so deep. They have that young kind of love that feels old and complete from the beginning. Even with their two break ups. I mean, they only lasted like 10 and 14 days respectfully. They couldn’t get through more than two weeks without each other. No way it wouldn’t be forever. I do agree tho that they would have waited until they were older to solidify their forever plans. They certainly learned some tough lessons about keeping two feet planted in reality.

I see Lio in Mack as well which is probably why she’s so annoyed by him. If her and David weren’t together I don’t see what she would have ever been married. I can’t even see her being in a monogamous relationship. I see her with a few hook ups in places she goes often otherwise she’s flying solo through life. She didn’t even want David to get close to her. She tried to force herself to hate him to run from those intense feelings from day one. She never planned for any of this with him. But damn did she get it 👏🏻

[ghuleh-witch]

And We Are Tied As One Eternally-IX

Fandom: Ghost Rating: Explicit Warnings: stalking Relationships: Papa Emeritus IV/Copia x OFC Additional Tags: soft!dom Copia, eventual smut, developing relationship, kind of a slow burn, no beta reader Chapter Word Count: 2341 Summary: Ellie Moran just wanted to make a new life for herself. Running to escape the people in her past, she ends up in a small town in the middle of nowhere that happens to be home to a Satanic church. She never expected her life to change again after she started attending the public masses at said church. Ao3 || Masterlist Chapters: 9/? Previous Chapters Tag list: @sodoswitchimage Fic Divider by @gothdaddyissues

“He asked you to the ball as his plus one?” Gemma asked Ellie a couple of days later. After confiding in Gemma about everything that happened involving her apartment and her history with Ethan, Gemma just held her and soothed her. She felt closer to the other woman and it felt nice to have a friend.

“Yeah,” Ellie said. “He said we can go as friends or whatever I want. Whatever that means.” 

“Sounds like he doesn’t want to presume it’s a romantic thing like a date unless you want it to be,” Gemma said. “But you said yes?”

“Yeah, I said I’d go with him.”

Gemma squealed as softly as possible as they were sitting in the library. “Do you have something to wear?”

“Well, no,” Ellie said. “Formal dresses weren’t high up on my things to pack while fleeing my ex.” 

“I’ll take you dress shopping,” Gemma said. “This weekend.” 

“Okay,” Ellie said. “Thanks, that actually sounds really nice.”

“We’ll make sure it has pockets so you can carry some condoms on you.”

Ellie chocked. “What?”

Gemma rolled her eyes. “For when you bang Papa.”

“I’m not going to bang him,” Ellie sputtered. “This is just a friend thing…”

“And I’m the king of England,” Gemma smirked. “Hey, I don’t care if you use them or not, at least have some on you just in case. Anyway, let’s focus.” She reached for the paper she had read a few moments before. “Where were we? Ah, okay this one, This doesn’t apply to you because you’re not becoming a Sibiling of Sin, but if you change your mind—Upon completion of your intitionary training, the current Papa will complete the initiates induction through way of the ancient rite.” 

“Uh, wait, what,” Ellie said as she registered what Gemma said. “Papa has sex with everyone who becomes a Sibling?”

“Yep. The reigning Papa—so Papa Copia will finish an initiates induction through ritual sex. For me, it was Papa Secondo,” Gemma sighed dreamily. “The best sex I’ve ever had.”

Ellie bit her lip as a pang of jealousy rushed through her. “And you all have to do this?”

“Yes, but if someone doesn’t want to do the sex part for whatever reason, the ritual is done symbolically. We’d never force someone to have sex if they didn’t want it, but there are only a handful of people who have done it symbolically. Everyone wants to sleep with the Papas.” 

“What if the reigning Papa is in a relationship?” Ellie then asked. 

“I guess that would be a discussion for the two of them then,” Gemma shrugged. “I’ve never seen a Papa in a relationship while he was Papa, at least not a monogamous one. Either way, it’s a Papa’s duty as a representative of the Olde One.”

“And I don’t have to do it because I’m not joining as a Sibling?”

“Correct. For you, you’ll have to make your case to Sister Imperator with me and Papa to vouch and then she approves you or not before you have an induction with Papa. It’s like a communion ceremony or something. Super tame,” Gemma said.

Ellie barely heard Gemma continue on the subject of the duties of the Sibling. Her mind was caught up on Copia sleeping with every new Sibling that came to the Ministry since the start of his reign. She understood it was part of his job, but the jealousy she felt disgusted her. She should be jealous. Copia wasn’t hers. He was a friend and nothing more.

When she finished her lesson with Gemma, Ellie packed up her backpack. The door to her apartment was replaced and her landlord had her new keys. She told Copia the night before she would be returning to her apartment. He tried to convince her to stay a little longer, but Ellie knew she couldn’t hide. He refused to send her off alone though. He said he would have Aether and a ghoul named Swiss patrolling the street outside of her apartment to make sure Ethan didn’t show up. Ellie didn’t argue. She was thankful for it.

“And I’ll come by when I’m not needed here,” Copia then told her. “I’ll bring some dinner.” Ellie didn’t argue. She was looking forward to spending more time with him. 

Aether took her to her apartment once she was ready to go. Ellie stopped in the office and picked up her new set of keys and then went up to her apartment. She felt Aether’s eyes on her back as she unlocked the door.

“Do you want to come in?” Ellie asked.

“I should go outside and start my watch,” Aether responded.

“Does it matter if you’re outside or in my apartment?” Ellie asked. “You’re supposed to make sure Ethan doesn’t come to my apartment, and wouldn’t it be better if you were already inside with me?”

“I suppose,” Aether said with a shrug. “Alright, fine, but just for a couple of hours. I should be outside when Papa gets here. I don’t want him catching me not following his specific instructions.” 

“Fair enough.”

Aether turned out to be an excellent helper when it came to cleaning up her apartment. What would have taken her four hours only took two. By the time they finished, Aether was heading outside and Ellie was flopping back on her sofa. She lit a candle and looked in her fridge. She had half a bottle of wine, milk that was souring, three bottles of water, and a pack of cheddar cheese. She grabbed the win and hoped Copia didn’t mind how cheap it was. She poured a couple of glasses when there was a knock on her door.

She glanced out the peephole and saw Copia standing there with red oven mitts holding a foil-covered dish with another foil-wrapped package on top. She grinned and opened the door. “Hey,” she greeted, moving aside. “That smells delicious.”

“Thank you, tesoro. It’s my brother’s lasagna recipe and garlic bread,” Copia said as he made his way to her tiny kitchen to set the hot dish down. “Just came out of the oven before I left, so it’s very hot still.”

“Greet, I’m starving,” Ellie said. “I hope you like cheap wine because it’s either that or water. Unless you’d like to sample some sour milk. I won’t stop you, but I will judge you.” 

Copia laughed. “Wine is fine,” he said, unwrapping the food. 

“Your brother’s recipe huh?” Ellie asked looking at the melted cheese and sauce-covered noodles.

“Secondo is a very good cook,” Copia said. “I get a lot of recipes from him.”

“Secondo is your brother?” Ellie asked.

“Si, I thought it was obvious,” Copia said gesturing to his white eye.

“I…I guess I never thought about it,” Ellie responded. “So all the Papas are brothers?”

“Si, we’re all half brothers. Nihil is our father,” he grumbled the last part. “He isn’t much of a dad though.” 

“And your mothers?” Ellie asked.

Copia shrugged. “Women Nihil knocked up and when they saw the white eye they left us at the Ministry. I think Primo had a relationship with his mother, but the rest of us?” He shrugged again. “It doesn’t matter. We have each other. Even if we do want to strangle one another at times.” 

“I’m glad you have each other then,” Ellie said opening a cabinet and pulling out some paper plates. “All I got is paper, sorry.”

“Hey, it works,” Copia said, putting a piece of lasagna on the plate and giving her a chunk of garlic bread. “I hope you like it, cara,” he said handing it to her. 

“I’m sure I will.”

They sat on the floor at her coffee table. Ellie loaded Netflix up on the PlayStation and put on a cheesy horror movie as they ate.

“This is amazing,” Ellie said around a mouthful of cheese. “I haven’t had a decent meal in a while.”

“I imagine moving from place to place doesn’t allow you to keep a fully stocked kitchen,” Copia said.

Ellie shook her head. “It’s been a lot of frozen meals and instant soups.” 

“You can’t live on that, cara,” Copia said sipping his glass of wine. “Secondo and I will make you some food that you can keep in the fridge and reheat.” 

“You don’t have to,” Ellie said, cheeks flushing. She was touched. No one ever offered to cook for her before, but she didn’t want to become someone’s burden.

“I want to,” Copia reassured her. “And Secondo won’t mind.” 

Ellie nodded. Who was she to deny him that? “Okay,” she responded. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. I’m so sick of eating instant ramen.” She laughed softly and finished off her wine to hide the fact that she was tearing up from his offer. “This movie sucks,” she said, changing the subject.

“I know, it’s great.” he laughed. “I love B-rated horror movies.”

They sat in a comfortable silence for a bit. Eventually, Copia got up and put away the rest of the food, telling Ellie to eat through the leftovers and return the dish when she was finished. “Now, to more serious shit,” he said, sitting on the opposite end of the couch from her. “What are we going to do about your ex?”

Ellie sighed. “I don’t know. I’m going to go down to the police station in the morning and try to plead my case again and see if I can get a restraining order. It won’t do me much good, but it’s something at least. Otherwise, there’s not much I can do. I don’t know what he will do if he confronts me.”

“Are you sure you just don’t want to stay at the Ministry until this is dealt with?” Copia asked. “You’ll be safe there.”

“I know,” Ellie sighed. She considered it, she really did. But she needed to deal with this herself. She needed to stand up to Ethan and put an end to this once and for all. “But I need to deal with this, or at least try to.”

“I understand,” Copia said. “But if you change your mind…”

“You will be the first I tell,” Ellie said

“Well, Aether and Swiss will be around all night. They won’t let him near your building. And if you need anything, call me.” 

“I will.” She watched as he stood, wishing he’d stay longer. “I’ll see you for mass on Sunday.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he smiled. He reached the door and turned to her, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips to kiss. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, tesoro.”

Ellie felt an inferno consume her at the simple gesture. If his lips on her hand did that to her, what would kissing him be like she wondered. “Y-Yeah,” she responded. “I’ll see you. Have a good night.”

“You too. Sweet dreams, Ellie.” 

She watched him leave out the door and make his way down the stairs before she closed the door and locked up. She cradled her hand to her chest and sighed. 

“Shit,” she said to herself. “I like him.” 

He was watching her apartment from across the street. The Airbnb he rented was perfectly positioned to see into her living room. She only had a sheer lace curtain over the window, allowing him to see practically everything inside. His Elenor was so stupid.

He took a drag on his cigarette as he watched the man who had gone into her apartment a couple of hours before leaving. Ethan wasn’t sure who he was exactly. He knew he was affiliated with that damn Satanic church though.

“Oh Elenor, how you have fallen,” he muttered as he watched the man get into a white car and drive off. Ethan tapped the cigarette against the ashtray as his eyes returned to the window. He watched Ellie tidy up her apartment and turn off the light. As if on queue, two masked figures appeared on the street below. Ethan noticed one of them earlier when Ellie had returned to her apartment.

“Freaks,” he muttered. “Playing bodyguard huh? So Elenor isn’t running this time.”

Perfect.

He leaned back in his chair and took another drag. He’d see Ellie tomorrow and have a chat with her. She’d see reason and come back home with him. They’d be together and have the family they were supposed to have.

And if she didn't? Well, he had a plan. 

[beigepillow]

Don’t u think yashiro is abit too romantisized from the writer herself before the fandom , this is a really controversial thing to say but don’t u see yashiro is too feminine and he’s soft like this only bcz a woman wrote this , i mean by that the way yashiro views the trauma is from a woman’s pov which is same as the female writer view, add on that he has this trauma of him possibly being a woman, so if he’s doubting deep down that he could b a woman isn’t that comes from the fact that the writer romanticising him too much as a woman

Something is off and I don’t understand this I searching for an explanation

I am going to try to answer this but the ask is a bit confusing so I’ll go through my thoughts point by point. I am unsure if romanticized is the word you meant to use in this instance. To romanticize is to make something or someone better than it actually is so if you do mean that, I don’t think Yoneda Kou does romanticize Yashiro in that she is making him “work” for his happy ending. She could have written Doumeki as someone who forgave Yashiro as soon as he got an indication that Yashiro had changed but she didn’t. She also could have written Doumeki in a way that doesn’t care about Yashiro being monogamous and open with him but she didn’t so in that sense Yashiro isn’t romanticized or at least that is not the feeling I get from her writing. As for Yashiro’s reaction being from a woman’s pov, I think you chose an interesting way to word that since, in America and I’m sure many other places, men getting sexually assaulted is seen as emasculating and is thought to somehow make them less of a man. There is a deep sense of shame that actually prevents many men from coming forward because they don’t want to be seen as less than. Yashiro isn’t seeing his trauma from the woman’s pov, he is seeing his trauma as a man who regularly got demeaned for it. Whenever a character implies that Yashiro is a woman or is less than a man, they’re insulting him or Yashiro is perceiving it as an insult to him. I am not sure if Yashiro thinks of himself as a woman. I don’t really focus on Yashiro’s gender identity overall since a majority of my posts are about Doumeki lol. In my opinion, Yashiro actually isn’t feminine at all. He is actually a pretty masculine character. We focus so much on his vulnerable side that we forget Yashiro was a powerful figure in the yakuza who is capable of beating others. Ryuzaki attempts to “treat him like a woman” by protecting him and then has the revelation that it was Yashiro actually protecting him. Women are not welcome in the yakuza beyond sex or as their place as someone’s woman and Yashiro definitely doesn’t have that issue. I think Yashiro is more jealous of women than anything. He thinks only women get treated gently and women aren’t forced to be in the yakuza but both those things are attainable for Yashiro. Yashiro tries to gain back control by seeking out sex with other men but he tries to keep his masculinity by making it violent so it is all very complicated for him. Considering there is more focus on his genitals and accepting gentler touches, I think we’ll see Yashiro accept himself and his preferences in sex while not feeling ashamed and less of a man for it. That is just my interpretation and other people may have different interpretations. My answer got pretty long so I’ll end it here haha.

[amysubmits]

Hi there! I wanted to ask for advice if you have time. My boyfriend and I are in a DD relationship. He makes me feel validated and safe in every way since being together. We are monogamous and both feel strongly about that. That being said, before we knew each other, he had a friend that was submissive and they had somewhat of a friends with benefits situation. She was interested in DD and he would hold her accountable for things, but they were not in a committed relationship. It was more of a fun/flirty thing.

Once we started dating, he let her know that any type of flirting and DD type of relationship they had would be ending. He told me that she fully respected that and she would never cross boundaries. Sometimes she will reach out to him if she is going through something or they’ll talk about sports or stuff like that.

Recently she made a comment to him that I found inappropriate. Tbh, if one of his guy friends made it or someone he didn’t have that type of history with in the past, it probably wouldn’t have bothered me at all. But I am a little more sensitive given their history, especially because imo, having any type of DD relationship, is a lot more emotional/intense than vanilla relationships (or can be). The fact that she goes to him when she has something rough going on in her life makes me wonder if she still looks to him like a dominant/safe person. I’m not sure if that’s appropriate now that he’s in a committed relationship.

He told her that the comment she made was inappropriate, and she profusely apologized, and said she wouldn’t cross those lines again. Now I am rethinking if this is normal that they are still friends. He told me that if I’m uncomfortable with her, then he would end their friendship completely. I don’t want to be controlling or force him to end a friendship over one comment. I’m just looking for advice from you or anyone else who has insight. I don’t know if I’m overreacting or not because I’ve never been in this situation.

Hi :) I'm not sure I really have advice on this, unfortunately. I haven't been in a situation like that before, and I think what the 'right' thing to do is, is going to depend a lot on your needs and your partners needs but also somewhat on this other person and how respectful she can be of boundaries that are set. With you saying that if some other friend had said the same thing she said, it wouldn't have bothered you...that makes me think what what she said wasn't super terrible? At the same time, I think it's reasonable to want tighter boundaries to exist between the two of them than you might expect between two friends, given that they have a history and most friends don't. Whether or not that boundary is just not being friends anymore or not is really a personal thing and would be based on whether or not they can both keep things strictly as friends and appropriate/respectful of his relationship with you. I'd assume you can't really know whether that is possible for her, but hopefully you are close enough with him to trust that he'll keep things appropriate on his side, and also to have a sense of whether he would uphold a boundary if she tried to cross the boundary now that it's been clearly set? I wonder if you can discuss with him your insecurities about this friendship, and also admit to him that you don't feel it's right to tell him he can't speak to her because of your insecurity, so you aren't really sure what is best. Explain as much as you can about the specifics of what she's done or what happens within their relationship that makes you insecure. And just see what he thinks and feels. It seems like a good thing for him to be aware of you having messy feelings about this friendship, at least. I hope you two can find a solution together. Maybe a plan for how he would handle it if anything that felt at all inappropriate was said again. :)

[welcome-to-oslov]

Tilrey is always top of mind for me after a new Oslov universe chapter drops! Two in one week, how lucky are we 🤗

So, I'm thinking about his age again during this terrible time in his life, which molded him for the rest of his life.

The age he is, college age, 18-22 (barely turned 18 when this all began and was literally still in high school when Makari took him for Malsha's ownership) is such an important age of personal growth.

Curious what areas of personal growth you think Tilrey missed out on during these 5 years with Malsha, Veran, Linden?

Very interesting question! All that was stolen from Tilrey.

Oslov doesn’t offer as many opportunities for young adults to have personal growth as our culture does, especially if they’re Laborers, but we still see some of that happening with other characters. Vera flirts with being a Hargist (cultural rebel) at University. In Thurskein, Dal seemed all set to marry Tilrey before he left, but then she falls in love with a woman and becomes a rebel. Adelbert gets obsessed with streams and wants to be an actor.

So, what kind of personal growth/exploration could Tilrey have had? Laborers don’t do University, so he would have started a job immediately, maybe working under his mom. I can see him getting disillusioned with the system his mom was upholding and no longer trusting her as an authority. He soon would’ve realized that her boss, Supervisor Fernei, was corrupt and generally evil. Would he have accepted that with regret, the way his mom did? Or quit to do something else? Or secretly joined the growing resistance?

At some point Tilrey’s relationship with Dal would have fallen apart—hopefully before they married and had kids, not after! Strange as it may seem, I think he would have wanted to be monogamous and she might have cheated first. But once that happened, Tilrey could explore his attraction to men at his own pace, without anyone forcing or rushing him. Maybe he would have a phase of sleeping around, but I think he would settle down with one partner fairly quickly, imitating his mom’s devotion to his dad.

And then there’s the AU idea where Tilrey manages to be the token Laborer who gets Raised. (I can see him applying!) If he got Raised and went to University in Redda, we’d see some wild and perhaps even chaotic personal growth for sure. Upstarts would still be trying to exploit and manipulate him as a vulnerable young person, but he would have more power and status to resist them. Who knows what he’d get into! Or maybe he’d just study obsessively and still not get a great job after college because of silly ideas about art and personal fulfillment—no, wait, I’m thinking of me now. 😅