#✩ ⦙ 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 ⦙ answered.

[politicalgenius]

@prettytragcdies​ said   ⇾   “i thought it was part of the act.” ( xoxo Karen )

MORE RANDOM DIALOGUE,   accepting.

a part of the act.   the implication stings as she allows a hint of exhaustion to shine through,  offering a brief empathetic look in her daughter’s direction.   “i...”   a moment is taken to breathe through the feelings that tear through her,  lips pressed together,  eyes shut as a wave of grief and guilt is weathered with a practiced discretion.

“karen,  i know i have been far from the ideal mother,”   words are quiet as she finds it impossible to look away from the young woman she so desperately craves a relationship with,   “i have made mistakes,  probably too many of them,  but you have always been incredibly important to me and i love you more than i can say.”   mellie pauses,  allowing those words to settle before continuing,   “the act?  it...  it was a matter of survival in a marriage that felt like a prison.  i closed myself off,  let the person they wanted me to be shine through on the surface,  and i’ll admit that i closed you out,  too.  you deserve better than that,  and i am not that person anymore.  i swear to you that i am trying,”

[politicalgenius]

@everstride​ said   ⟶   close your eyes, baby.   from saren

ALIENS,   accepting.

head’s rested on the other woman’s shoulder,   a hand light on her chest as she breathes in saren’s comforting and familiar scent.  it’d been one in the morning when she’d finally come to lie down after a gruelingly long day.  mellie’s uncertain of how long it’s been since then,  but she’d hardly stopped talking in the time since  —  nothing specific,  really,  just talking in order to keep her mind from slowing down until she finds herself mentally worn out enough in order to aid in the quest to sleep.  

saren’s been patient enough to listen,  and now that mellie’s found herself yawning every few words her lover’s gentle,  soothing words break through in an interruption that’s surprisingly authoritative in its gentility.  it brings a silence that feels enormous,  lungs filling slowly as she tries to come up with the words to explain just why it is she’s going on and on like this.  finally,  she exhales slowly and shuts her eyes,   “i’m having nightmares,”   she admits quietly.   “’m not sleeping well when i manage to sleep at all,  seems easier not to try,”

[politicalgenius]

@everstride​ said   ⇾   “whatever you’re going to ask, the answer is no.” from laura

400+ RANDOM DIALOGUE PROMPTS,   accepting.

irritation is reflected subtly,   in the thin set of her lips,  the slight lift of her brow  —  but underneath?  underneath the mask she’s truly annoyed,  arms crossing over her chest as gaze meets laura’s.   

“you haven’t even heard what i intend to say,”   with a charming smile — one borne of necessity,   “that’s awfully rude,  don’t you think?”

[politicalgenius]

@malbloom​ / @fatalelity​ said   ⇾   “your dress is so pretty, auntie mellie!!” beams mallory as she stares at the former president with awe. “you look like a princess!”

THE LOST MALMALGRAM,   always accepting malmal content.

“you’re too sweet,  malmal,”   mellie laughs lightly,  gaze adoringly fixed on her goddaughter,   “but i think the one who looks like a real princess here is you,”   she’s startled at the relative ease with which she manages to crouch down while maintaining her balance  —  in heels it’s no easy task,  but being on mallory’s level makes the challenge especially worth it,   “i think we should get you a tiara one day soon,  every princess needs one and we’ve got to make sure everyone knows about you being a princess,  don’t we?”    

[politicalgenius]

@fatalelity / @malbloom​ said   ⇾   mallory’s in the rose garden, toddling about as she tries to keep up with mellie whilst being distracted by the flowers, butterflies, and small birds that found their way in. so when mellie pauses, she catches up and tugs at mellie’s pinky. two arms extend outwards before she speaks, “up, up!”

UNPROMPTED,   always accepting.

it’s truly touching that addison had granted an inherent connection to her daughter.   mellie’s been aware for such a long time that her best friend’s greatest wish has been motherhood.  addie’s wish for a child fulfilled warms the brunette’s heart,  and spending time with mallory is proof that the toddler’s as much of a gift as either of her mothers   ❪  truthfully,  mellie doesn’t know lauren all that well,  but the simple fact that she makes her best friend so happy is plenty  ❫.   having a child so near in age to her youngest is an added bonus,  truthfully,  mellie worries that teddy’s lonely  —  growing up in the white house doesn’t really lend itself to making friends  —  but he seems to adore mallory...  almost like he’s her older brother or something,  which makes it all the better.

to spend time with such a special child,  to have the time to connect with her,  warms mellie’s heart as they walk.  teddy’s old enough that it’s easy to forget to slow her pace to match that of such a young child,  so after a moment mellie pauses and turns to observe mallory,  a delighted smile on her lips at the sight of the absolute wonder mallory sees in the world.  when the girl makes her way over,  indicating so clearly that she’d like mellie to hold her...  well,  it’s impossible to resist.  it’s impossible to say no.  so,  she crouches and lifts mallory into her arms,  pressing a kiss to her forehead.   “where would you like to go next,  miss mallory?”

[politicalgenius]

@tenacyti​​ said   ⟶   most people do a lot of talking but end up saying nothing. 

ALIENS,   accepting.

a soft laugh falls from her lips paired with a subtle nod,   gaze trained on the other woman as she studies her carefully.  maintaining a perfect smile is simple in the most pressure-laden of moments  —  and mellie wouldn’t categorize this as one of them.   “truer words have never been spoken,  it’s a phenomenon that washington d.c. is truly infamous for,  whether it’s been acknowledged publicly or not.  i’m sure you’ve dealt with it plenty in your line of work as well.”   a beat passes,  a soft hum offered absently,   “you know,  i’m certain there’s too large a population who talk just because they like the sound of their own voice  —  it doesn’t matter if they’re actually saying anything of substance.” 

[politicalgenius]

LESBIAN MELLIE GRANT UR MIND ITS POWERFUL

this is two weeks old bc i magically forgot i have an inbox with things in it but hELL YEAH THANK YOU

[politicalgenius]

@j-reau​ said:  [ INVITE ]  :  your muse asks mine into a private room with nobody else present.

a meltdown of some sort has been inevitable,  she thinks.  it only makes sense,  doesn’t it?  the immense stress and pressure she’s under would get to anyone.  and of course jj would notice  ---  the woman’s observant as hell  ---  though in this moment mellie can’t decide if it’s comforting or not.  the way the other woman pulls her aside helps to calm her a little at least,  and she supposes that’s something she should be grateful for.  but there’s time for that later.

her chest heaves with a breath that’s more akin to hyperventilation than actual steady breathing,  and mellie’s absolutely certain she can feel herself unraveling more and more by the second,  so jj’s suggestion   (   that feels like more than a simple request   )   is one that’s impossible to refuse.  as her eyes meet the agent’s,  mellie does her best to calm her breathing a little,  taking a moment to glance around to assure they’re as alone as possible before her hand reaches for the other woman’s and she follows her into a nearby room.  

the door locks the moment they’re inside,  and mellie whirls to face jj.  there are almost tears in her eyes,  though she feels like she’s doing a commendable job at holding them back.  she offers a shaky breath,  then another,  steadying slightly before she launches in,  all too prepared to unload.   “is there any progress on....”   there’s a vague gesture,  one that borders on hysterical as her tone steadily shifts to match,   “any of this?”   eyes squeeze shut as she sighs,  a sound that’s truly pathetic escaping through slightly parted lips.   “any leads?  is there an end in sight?”

“don’t get me wrong.  i love having you....  around.  i love our moments.  i  ---  can’t fully address it right now,  because this is all overwhelming enough,  but i think i might truly be in love with you,”   shoulders sag a little,  sad eyes meeting her lover’s as exhaustion truly sets in,   “and i don’t want you to leave.  i don’t want this to be over for the fact that it being over means you’ll leave and that fact alone.  truly,  though?  i’m not sure i’ve ever been more exhausted in my life,  jennifer.  this hypervigilance on top of all the work i’m doing figuring out how best to do my job,  and trying to give my kids a fraction of the attention they deserve and  ---  ”   her lower lip trembles,  head bowing in open defeat.   “i just don’t know how much more i can take.”   

eyes plead for understanding,  the worst of this has passed.  maybe.  she thinks.  but goddamnit,  some validation would be helpful right about now.  something  ---  anything would be helpful right about now.  mellie lets out a stifled cry as she paces away briefly,  standing in silence before she comes to face jj once again.  closer than before,  with hands grasping desperately at each of the other woman’s arms.  until she finally can’t take it anymore  ---  she can’t  ---  and with the full force of her emotions behind her actions,  like an overwhelming wave,  her lips crash against the other woman’s.

SEXUAL TENSION PROMPTS.   accepting.

[politicalgenius]

@j-reau​  said:   “ i’ll be okay. i promise. ”

“i  ---  i know.”   does she,  though?  or is she just saying so,  hoping she’ll believe it if it’s something spoken aloud?  that’s,  unfortunately,  very possible.  sighing,  mellie’s eyes squeeze shut for a long moment,  because she's just really not very good at this.  she’d been all torn up with fitz’s assassination attempt,  though....  admittedly that’d had more to do with a fear for the end of a political career that hadn’t yet begun.  at the thought of so many years and so much time and energy wasted,  and for what?  but then he’d recovered and they’d gone back to hating each other   (   or rather,  he’d gone back to hating her while she’d pretended someday she might expect anything else....  and sometimes she’d really,  genuinely hated him,  too   ).

but this is different.  this is someone she’s sure she actually,  deeply,  genuinely cares about.  it’s more than some mix of shock,  terror,  and pregnancy hormones   (   that last one is most certainly off the list,  anyway   )   leading to an emotional reaction.  lips press firmly together as she works to put up a mask that’s more for her own benefit than jj’s  mellie’s fairly certain the other woman would be able to see through it anyway.

“i know.”   her voice is more steady the second time,  so much so that she almost believes herself.  that’s something,  at least.   “i’m just worried about you,”   she knows that protecting her is quite literally the only reason the agent’s been undercover on her staff,  but the fact that she’d actually been hurt like this?  for her?  is more difficult to swallow.  maybe it shouldn’t be.  maybe she should have a thicker skin by now  ---  she’s been in this game for so long  ---  but she doesn’t,  she can’t just stomach everything like so many around her seem able to.  but maybe that’s better.  maybe that’s a part of herself she shouldn’t give up.  she shouldn’t have to,  anyway,  but she’s not so naïve as to think there’s always a choice.   “and you’ll just have to accept the fact that i don’t tend to accept that a promise is a promise until it’s been fulfilled,”   

[politicalgenius]

@corruptaxpoliticus​ said:  “Every time we fix things something else ends up breaking.”

𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭,  and it’s one that rings true,  because there’s always something  —  there’s always something going wrong,  always a new obstacle arising,  always some aspect of a plan falling through.  it’s a concept that’s exhausting,  particularly when it also tends to apply to her personal life  —  there’s always something breaking.  still,  she smiles.  still,  there’s some sense of faith and an illogical belief that things will almost always work out.

“you’re right,”   mellie nods,  a soft smile on her lips,   “but there’s really no fun,  and no point,  if there’s not something left to fix,”

[politicalgenius]

@crimsonmalice​  said:    🎉   (  not accepting  )

parties and events are really nothing new.  in fact,  if she’s being honest with herself?  for the most part,  they’ve become truly monotonous  ---  there’s rarely anything new,  and she’s often involved in such an official capacity that ‘enjoyment’ is low on the list of words she’d use to describe any of them.  or...  most of them,  at least.  

maybe it’s simply the fact that the first event she’d met minerva at has become a significant one in the grand scheme of mellie’s life.  at the very least,  that influences the fact that every gathering attended by her best friend is one where mellie’s actually happy.  her smiles are genuine,  and she finds herself laughing more,  with happiness lingering for days afterwards.  of course,  she’s happy whenever min’s around.  

and her best friend being present to ring in a new year  ---  something else that typically feels monotonous?  it feels genuinely poetic.  so what if some of that poetry stems from the fact that she’s just a little tipsy?  does it truly matter?  not in mellie’s mind,  and while she has an ego that’s plenty healthy it doesn’t feel egotistical in the least to think that what happens in her mind in this instance is all that matters.   

so,  while mellie wouldn’t mind all that much if they were ringing in the new year in some grand manner,  she finds herself perfectly content to simply spend an evening alone with her best friend.  the smiles,  the laughter,  the happiness  ---  they’re still present,  and even more abundant without the need to guard herself in the slightest.  all in all,  this may very well be the best new year’s eve she’s had in too long   (   possibly ever   ).   her attention shifts,  mid-laugh,  to the television.  

it feels important to keep connected,  even a little,  with the volume turned down so it’s no more than a quiet buzzing in the background.  but when the last countdown to the new year begins,  it’s enough to pull mellie’s attention away from the conversation at hand. she’s prepared to ring in the shift in year that comes with the stroke of midnight with nothing more than a moment of cheering and applause before diving right back in where they’d left off in the dropped conversation.

what she doesn’t expect is for min to kiss her,  but she can’t say she’s upset about it.  not in the least.  and that may very well be what prompts mellie to kiss min right back.

and when she pulls away?  there’s a smile,  and the soft offering of three words in a half-spoken half-breathy laugh,   “happy new year,”

[politicalgenius]

SOFT SENTENCES,   accepting.

there’s no denying it’s been a shitty day...   hell,  it’s been a shitty week.  this is the first she’s seen saren in days,  and there’s no denying mellie’s missed her.  god,  she’s missed her.  she’s missed her warmth,  her gentility,  her company,  and the sheer comfort that’s impossible to feel even a hint of resentment toward.  

saren also has the uncanny ability to pin down exactly when it is mellie’s growing restless.  she’s just getting the urge to squirm when her girlfriend speaks,  prompting cold fingers to clutch to the fabric of the shirt that’s laid under her fingers for the last hour  —  it’s a sort of symbolic gesture,  even as @everstride​ speaks,   “please.  just let me hold you,”   the gentle urging is paired with mellie taking a deep breath,  pulling herself closer to saren,  just by a little,  as a soft response is offered,   “‘m not going anywhere,”   and every part of her is fighting to find some sense of contentment in being held,  in the arms around her,  in all of it    it just doesn’t seem to be working.   “i can’t get my mind t’slow down,”   mellie laments with a heavy sigh,   “sitting still isn’t going well.”

[politicalgenius]

I hope you don't mind such a random question, but how do you make your icons? They just look so lovely, I can't help but wonder)

Besides, isn't Scandal, like, 7 seasons long? That must be an awful lot of screencaps to choose from.

ahh no i never mind!! i hope you don't mind the late response! honestly i just have figured out what i want and mess around a lot with exposure + color balance + selective color, and i have a sharpening action that does two layers of sharpening! it's chaotic trying to figure out what caps i wanna use but it's also a lot of fun!

[politicalgenius]

@bannannie​ said   ⇾   “how many people have you killed? how many?”

400+ RANDOM PROMPTS,   accepting.

“none.”   the single word is harsh and final,  heightened tension building in her shoulders and her jaw,  anguish colliding violently with anger.  “i haven’t.  i would never.”   not first-hand anyway,  but those she’d inadvertently lead to their deaths...  they’ll always haunt her.   “i understand the concept of corruption,  of deception,  ruthlessness  —  i’ve seen them all far too often,  but you’re making an assumption that’s entirely out of line.”  

[politicalgenius]

@gdvas​ said   ⟶   “you look… amazing.” - liv

400 RANDOM DIALOGUE PROMPTS,   accepting.

head ducks as a smile overtakes her previously neutral expression,   heat rises in her cheeks as they flush at olivia’s words.  it’s a sensation that prompts a reminder that mellie really needs to work through her feelings about the other woman — all she really knows for sure right now is the sense of warmth and safety that rise up whenever they’re in the same room.  

head lifts again,  eyes meeting olivia’s with a softness that’s so rare amidst the walls, and chains, and barriers that surround every aspect of mellie’s life — every part except for liv.  “thank you.  you don’t look so bad yourself.” 

there’s a pause,  her mouth still open as if she’s thinking about whether or not to speak again,  but it’s only a fraction of a second until she’s made up her mind,   “actually,  that’s a lie.  you look stunning,”

[politicalgenius]

@prettytragcdies​ said   ⟶   "wow, look who remembered my existence." ( Karen bc i had to )

UNPROMPTED (i think),   accepting always.

“karen!”   maybe the way her daughter’s name comes out so short and chiding isn’t helpful,  it isn’t constructive,  but she’s frustrated  —  that’s understandable,  isn’t it?  mellie scowls as her lips set in a firm line,   “that’s not remotely fair.  admittedly,  i could do better.  i could do much better at keeping up with you,  but it isn’t all on me.  you know how little time i have,  but i make an effort.  i try,  karen,  do you?  or are you just looking to blame somebody other than yourself for the lapse in contact?”