#( lucius has been singing this all day )

[minnesota-fats]

A fic-lit about Danny working at the watchtower, not as a superhero but as an engineer.

This is based on an prompt I read months ago but cant find where Danny put that he was a halfa on his resume but the hiring manager didn’t pay attention to it and hired him anyway. Rather than that its just Danny working at the watchtower and vibing on break when a tiny Robin finds him in the viewing deck.

—

Danny had been working for the justice league watchtower for a couple of months. He has seen hero’s come and go, paying him no mind and he was absolutely living for it! Unlike at 14, he was just a simple, normal worker—despite being half dead and the next in line for the crown in the infinite realms—he is just a simple mechanical engineer, Danny Nightingale. No one to fight, no one to save, just a big space station that needed someone to help keep it up in space.

And that's another bonus to this job; Space!

He gets to spend his shift up in the stars, looking out at the cold expanse of their solar system. Admiring the earth from a whole new angle, and he is getting paid to do it! Sure he could go into space any time, but being able to spend a good portion of his time here really made his core sing in joy. When he was on break he would wander around the areas he had clearance to go into, looking out every window at every star. Cataloging the ships movement through space with sharp eyes. His favorite place to go is the viewing deck, it was exactly what it sounded like, a place to just go and view that space outside.

It was there that Danny decided to take his break today, the Watchtower was at just the right angle to be able to see the earth from the viewing deck. Danny smiled watching the planet he lived on from afar, this really was the best job he could have ended up with!

A few months back he was having a hard time finding work after college, sure he had all the proper qualifications for the positions he applied for. But due to his medical condition—being half dead with a slow almost nonexistent heartbeat—they all refused him, afraid that his heart wouldn't keep up if he left the atmosphere to board any of the space stations orbiting the earth. To be fair it wouldn't have, he tested it by flying up to the moon and back the old fashioned way. But he couldn't just tell them that; being an ecto entity was still a crime that he was just barely able to get away from at age eighteen.

He came out to his parents once he graduated high school, they reacted poorly. Danny’s mom saw red and tried to kill him the rest of the way, claiming that Danny was just a ghost “piloting” his corpse around. Danny’s dad just stayed silent and watched, but before maddie could really do anything he acted. Jack knocked Maddie out with a strong blow to the back of her head. Danny remembered the hope that he had when Jack did that, but after he looked up at the man that hope died in his chest. The man looked torn, both angry and sad and in a voice lacking any of the familiar warmth said, “leave before she wakes up.” And he turned to pick up Maddie and made his way up the stairs. It was because of his dad that he was able to get away because after that Danny Fenton was declared dead. With the help of Sam and Tucker he was able to make a new identity for himself and go to school. From that day on Danny decided to move on and never look back.

After putting his name out there time and time again he was rejected. It wasn't until he got a letter in the mail saying he had been scheduled for an interview at Wayne tech of all places. He didn’t remember applying there but decided to go anyway, needing some sort of job to get him through. But when he got there he was greeted by Lucius Fox and Batman of all people! Danny nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the dark knight, Danny couldn't help but think the worst. But before he could bolt, Lucius explained that Batman was looking for workers with the help of Wayne Industries for the base of operations for the Justice League—The Watchtower. Turns out all his applications to several different space programs caught the man’s attention. He even explained that Danny wouldn't even need to have a physical or get on a spaceship because The Watchtower utilized teleportation technology. Danny was so excited that he agreed on the spot without even knowing the benefits he would get from working with them. Which—surprising to no one—were a lot of benefits.

Danny was drawn from his thoughts when he heard the soft, almost nearly nonexistent footsteps coming from behind him. Danny turned and saw a child—no older than twelve—wearing a hero’s costume that looked like he was mimicking a traffic light. The kid froze in his tracks when Danny turned to face him, the two staring at each other for a few moments before the kid smiled and waved at him.

“Hi,” the kid beamed at Danny, “I’m D—Robin!”

Danny lifted a brow, “you a part of the justice league?” He asked, not remembering a kid being a part of their team.

The kid shook his head, “No, my guardian is though!” He explained.

“Ah, neat,” Danny said nonshalontly as he turned back to look at the window, “you come to see the view?” He asked.

The kid walked farther into the room and gasped when he got a better look at said view. “Woah—”, he exclaimed, now standing next to Danny.

Danny looked beside him to see the stars reflecting off of the kids' eyes, “cool isn't it? I come here on my lunch breaks," Danny says.

The kid looked at him and then squinted suspiciously, “if you're at lunch where is your food?” He asked.

Danny smiled, “I forgot my lunch at home today,” Danny lied, seeing the stars gave him enough energy to continue going. He usually eats when he gets home.

“Really?” The kid asked with a raised brow.

Danny smiled and looked around to see if anyone else was there, when he saw no one he asked, “do you wanna hear a secret?” He asked. Robin looked around himself as well before he leaned down a bit so Danny could whisper into his ear, “I actually just absorb the energy from the stars to sustain myself.” He explained.

“Really?” Robin asked, looking at him again, trying to gauge if Danny was lying or not.

Danny smiled, “yep,” he said, popping the p, “that's why I got a job here, that way I won’t starve to death.” Danny grins.

“But cant you just look at the stars from earth?” Robin asked, tilting his head.

“I mean, sure,” Danny says with a shrug, looking back out the window, “but this is so much better, isn't it?”

Robin looked out the window, “yeah!” The boy exclaimed, “it's so much clearer up here than in Gotham.” He commented.

Danny smiled and looked back at the boy, “I live in Gotham, too.”

“Really?” Robin asked, “No wonder you come up here,” the boy commented, causing Danny to snort in laughter and it wasn't long before Robin joined him.

“You got that right,” Danny says with a smirk before something dawns on him, “Wait, hero from gotham? I didn't know Batman had a kid?” Robin looked away, Danny could feel his nerves and sadness pass through him.

Danny was about to tell him that he didn't have to talk about it but before he could get his words out Robin spoke up, “My parents died about a year ago… he took me in only recently, he decided to train me when I found out he was Batman,” the kid says looking down at his feet, a glare etched on his face, “i never got to avenge my parents, the murderer had a heart attack before I could even get to him….”

Danny reached out to the kid and placed his hand on Robin’s shoulder, Robin looked up at him—as if remembering that Danny was there with him.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Danny says softly, Robin looks away from him. “But I can tell you wholeheartedly, your parents are proud of you and what you are doing,” robin began rubbing at his mask, preventing him from wiping the tears away from his eyes underneath. “Here,” Danny says as he goes to pick up the 12 year old, “let's get you back to the Big Black Bat, I bet he is looking for you.”

Danny sits Robin on his hip and walks out of the room, rubbing circles into the child’s back. They walk together in silence, Robin resting his head in the crook of Danny's neck. “…Thank you,” Robin mumbles.

“Don't mention it kid,” Danny says as he looks around the corridor trying to spot anyone who could help him get this kid to the upper levels, “I know what it's like to lose your parents….”

“Really?” Robin asked, his head lifting off of Danny’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” Danny says, “they didn't die, but they basically said they never wanted to see me again.”

Robin gasped, “that's not nice!” Robin declared making Danny laugh again.

“Your right,” Danny agrees as he turns down another hall towards where the zeta tubes were, maybe someone in there could help. “But, now I'm here, having the time of my life with the job of my dreams.”

Robin smiled again, “you could say you're living the HIGH life.”

Danny paused in the hall and started snickering, “that was a good one, Birdy.”

“Birdy?” Robin asked.

“Yeah, your name is Robin, that's a bird, so Birdy,” Danny explained, “its a nickname

“Does that make us friends?” Robin asked.

“Sure, as long as your guardian is ok with it.”

The boy smiled happily, excited at the idea of having made a new friend. The calm was interrupted but Danny’s supervisor yelled from across the room, “Nightingale!” He shouts, causing Danny to jump.

Danny turns to look at the man, “hey boss—” he starts, blocking Robin from the man, not wanting to scare the kid.

“You are late to clock back in! You're not getting paid to sit around with your head in the clouds!” The man shouts.

“Sorry sir, I was—”

“No! You need to get back to work, NOW!” He demanded, “this is a multibillion dollar space station, everything needs to be on a strict schedule!”

Danny sighed, his supervisor hasn't liked Danny from day one. Something about him being “young and nïeve” or something like that; “head higher up into space than we were right now.” At least that's what Danny heard him say about him once or twice.

Danny was about to talk back when something just past his manager caught his eye. It was Batman, walking fast with a look that told everyone to get out of the way. But Danny could feel the worry bleed off the man in waves. Must be looking for Robin, Danny’s mind supplied. Danny sidesteps his supervisor and shouts, “Hey Batman!” To catch the dark knight’s attention. Danny had to restrain his laughter when he saw the look of horror pass on his supervisor's face.

Now with the vigilanties cold glare focused on him, Danny smiled and adjusted his stance to show Robbin to him. “Looking for you kid?” Danny asked.

Robin smiled nervously and waved at Batman, guess he wasn’t supposed to wander off like he did. “Hey B!” He shouts.

Batman’s glare softens so slightly, a regular person would have missed it. However, Danny could feel the man’s previous anxieties melt away into a strong relief. Batman strutted forward and glared down at Danny—despite Danny being taller than him. Danny just smiled and adjusted Robin on him so he could hand him over to the dark knight.

Now in Batman’s arms, Robin tapped his pointer fingers together nervously. “Sorry for wandering off,” he mumbled before his smile came back full force, “but,” he exclaimed, “I made a friend! His name is Danny and he liked my puns! And we both have bird names!” He exclaimed all while pointing at Danny.

Batman looked from the kid in his arms to Danny, “hmm,” he grumbled. A man of few words, Batman nods at Danny.

Danny nodded back, “He’s a good kid, glad I was able to help.” Danny replied. Feeling gratitude from that small gesture alone. Batman isn't the most expressive but being able to read emotions like Danny really helps when talking to people.

Batman turns his head to look over at Danny’s superior, “hmm.” After that Batman turned and walked away.

Robin climbed to sit up on Batman’s shoulder and waved back at Danny, “Bye bird buddy! Have a good day!” He shouts as Batman enters the elevator. The doors closing behind them and leaving the zeta tube control center in near silence.

Danny looked back to his supervisor who looked as pale as a sheet ghost, Danny gave him a shit eating grin and shrugged at him. “I tried to tell ya—”

“Get back to work Nightingale!” He shouts.

“Ok, ok, I'm going.” Danny says, turning on his heels and walking away from the man with his hands held up in surrender.

—

I have so many ideas for this au and if I write more I might post it on my AO3 feel free to read other things I posted on there!

[slientscreamermj]

hugging them for the first time pt5

Pomefiore Dorm & staff (Vil, Rook, Crewel, Trein, Vargas, and sam)

Y/n has been at NRC for a while and she's never hugged anyone (besides grim) until today. Y/n took in a deep breath before walking out the door of the ramshackle dorm with grim on her shoulder.

Rook Hunt: He already knows what's going on and is excited! When he sees y/n walking towards the pomefiore dorm he was singing praises as he ran towards her. Y/n had a feeling rook knew he’s rook he always knows. Anyway when she saw the blond hunter running towards her singing praises she just shook her head, smiled, and held her arms out for the french man, Which he quickly wrapped his arms around her and hugged y/n very tightly while swinging her around.

Vil Schoenheit: Ask before touching! Y/n may be his favorite potato but ask first! Vil was in his room doing his normal afternoon routine when he heard a knock on the door “enter!” vil said as he just finished putting the lotion on his face “Roi du Poison little trickster is here to see you” Rook happily said as he opened the door revealing both rook and y/n “come in my potato! You're just in time to try this new lotion! Rook shut the door on the way out please!” Vil smiled as he patted the seat beside him. Y/n walked over to him and gently sat down beside him. “Ok my potato, what brings you to me today?” vil asked as he rubbed the lotion on y/ns puggy face “Nothing wrong, i just wanted to ask if i could give the fairest of them all a hug?” Y/n asked vil looked at her before smiling and pulling her into a hug “of course potato! Thank you for asking as well” vil said as he patted the back of her head.

Crowely: Hair spay and a lighter I'm making smoked crow sorry Crowley fans, no touching this man in my story. Crowely “come on give me a hug i’ve been so generous” “Mf you overwork me, cut the money, threaten to kick me out of the ramshack if i don't do your job and more!” Crowely sat pouting in a corner. Y/n definitely bribed ruggie to steal the crows credit cards ( my Hogwarts oc everytime crowley upsets her off “AVADA-” was tackled and hugged by the first years.)

Crewel: Father! Y/n saw her father figure she smiled as she quickly walked up beside him “afternoon professor crewel you need some help?” y/n asked crewel looked shocked for a second “sorry pup you startled me, but yes i would greatly appreciate the help” crewel said as y/n opened her arms he gently placed some of the stuff he was holding into her arms “thank you pup!” crewel smiled at y/n as they started walking. As they walked down the hall y/n and crewel was talking about each others days since today was one of the days y/n didn’t have potions. Crewel was proud that she got a 90% on her last history quiz. Soon they got to crewel's classroom and they placed everything on his desk “D- professor crewel earlier you looked very concentrated. Anything else I can help you with?” y/n asked crewel smiled before he shock his head no “no pup thank you though and here for helping me” crewel replied as he handed her a lollipop y/n smiled before hugging him. Crewel froze before hugging her back. They soon let go of each other Y/n waved by before she left. Crewel nodded to himself “i’ve made up my mind” {can you guess where this is going? hehe)

Trien and Lucius: Grandpa! Head pats{he reminds me of my grandpa. Strict and good at history} Trien was walking out of his classroom with Lucuis when he saw y/n walking down the empty school hall “hello professor Trien, Hello Lucius!” y/n waved at them “y/n meow what are you doing roaming the halls at this hour school ended thirty minutes ago” Trien asked as he watched y/n pet lucius making the grumpy cat purr “i was helping Professor crewel take stuff to his classroom” y/n replied Trien nodded. Y/n went to his side before hugging him he just hmmed before gently patting her on the head. “Now run along” Trien said y/n nodded and quickly walked off. Trien had a small smile on his lips.

Vargas: He will pick you/BEAR HUG! Vargas was putting up some of the left over brooms from flight class. “Here” a small voice said Vargas turned to see y/n holding the rest of the brooms “Thanks! I’m glad you're here. I wanted to let you know you’re really good at flying, i’m proud!” Vargas said as he took the brooms from her and locked him up in their place. Vargas turns around and bear hugs y/n, y/n just laughed and tries to hug him the best she could.

Sam: Big brother. Sam knew y/n was on her way to see him, his friends on the other side told him. Soon he heard the door open “Hello my Little imp! What can i do for you today?” sam asked as he walked up to y/n “i need something but you don’t sell it” y/n started sam hmmed “hmm what would that be? Since your my favorite imp i can get it in a snap!” sam smiled bowing alittle bit “A hug from you” y/n said quickly Sam straighten back up and looked at her for a second “you wanna hug from me?” sam asked y/n nodded “only if you’re ok with it” she replied sam just smiled “Come here little imp!” he said opening his arms y/n gladly hugged him and she could feel someone hugging her back she looked the best she could and saw sams shadow on the wall hugging her.

[vinylfoxbooks]

25 Days of Jegumas | Day 1 | Day 7 December 8 - Holiday Music | @noblehouseofgay | wc: 657

“We’re home,” Regulus hums, walking into the room with his son in his arms. James doesn’t respond verbally, but there are some sounds coming from the living room, and words that he can’t quite decipher.

There are a myriad of things that Regulus can walk in on with his partner, and most things he has seen already. So he’s not shocked when, of all things, he walks into the living room and James is playing Christmas music loud enough to not be heard from the entryway, but absolutely loud enough for James to be nearly belting too -- which makes sense what he was hearing upon walking into the house. They’re dancing around with a broom, singing into the end of it and twirling around the living room. 

He watches them for a while, smiling gently at their partner’s antics fondly, before he clears his throat to make himself known. James pauses in the middle of their dramatic rendition of White Winter Hymnal to whip themself around to see him, grinning brightly, “Hello the my favourite people in the world.” They do a funny little shimmy dance towards them, bringing their arms to wrap around Regulus’ waist, “My love, light of my life, my star.” They kiss him softly, pulling back and pressing a kiss to a very sleepy Harry’s head, “My world, my baby.” And they bring one of their hands to push little curls out of the way so they can kiss his temple. 

Regulus laughs softly, “You’re in a good mood.” 

They grin, “Christmas music always gets me in a good mood, my love. Was the playdate good?” 

Regulus nods, “Draco is definitely more haughty than Harry, but they warmed up to each other well.” 

“That’s good,” they smile, “It’s been so long since the last time they’ve seen each other. How was Narcissa?” 

“She’s doing well, I can’t tell what’s going on with Lucius, but that’s not my business.” 

They hum, “I see that it tuckered the boy out.” 

Regulus nods, “Mhm, I’m not sure if we should let him nap though, since it’s so close to bedtime.” 

James nods and gently runs their fingers over the little boy’s brow, “We can figure it out. Did you have fun, Haz?” Harry gently nods, eyes lidded with sleep, “Well, we don’t want you going to sleep right now…” they think for a moment before humming, “Do you two want to dance with me?” 

Regulus rolls his eyes but nods, and James moves to his side, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him into the center of the living room just as the song switches. Deck the Halls. Where James starts bouncing around and singing loudly, Regulus just bounces a bit, singing as well and trying to keep Harry as awake as possible.

They go through songs like that: You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Here Comes Santa Claus, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Up On the Housetop, the list goes on. And eventually Harry begins to perk up, squirming to get out of his dad’s arms and be let down so he can dance as well with the two. They take a break to eat some of the leftovers that Effie left when she came to visit earlier in the day and go back to their listening to music, though they all settle down with a board game that Harry can play.

And when the boy is in bed, after passing out as soon as his head hits the pillow, James and Regulus settle on their couch, the fire roaring. James has turned down their music and switched to the softer Christmas music, playing it low enough that they can hear it but loud enough that it can fill the silence between them. 

“You and your little obsession with Christmas music is something special…”

“Hey, it helped keep our son awake, didn’t it?” They push him with their shoulder.

Day 9

[reggieswriter]

Narcissa Black POV

Christmas time.

A usually joyful time of year where families join together to sing Christmas carols, eat food, and just spend time together.

This is the exact opposite of the Black and Malfoy household. Not only is Christmas banned because of it originating from a muggle holiday but they make sure the day is as pureblood as possible by hosting a ball. A ball where females dress up in big poofy dresses and men wear strict black suits and raise their noses at everything they deem “Mugglelike”.

As you can see Christmas time for Purebloods and specifically the Malfoys and Blacks is a miserable time.

Narcissa Black sits in the common room. In front of the fireplace in a single chair. Her legs tucked underneath her and a blanket laid across her lap in front of her, keeping her warm from the cold of the dungeon. As it seems for once Narcissa has been given the choice to stay at Hogwarts this Christmas. Not that she wasn't needed but that she wouldn't be noticed if missing because of her sister's recent marriage to Rodolphus Lestrange. Once given the chance to not suffer the holidays at the pureblood balls she immediately took it. Now she sits comfortably in the common room or dungeon. As she reads her book a faint smile appears on her face as she gets closer to a happy part. She's too into the book to realize someone is walking towards her.

Lucius Malfoy's POV

Lucius Malfoy. Queen Bee of Slytherin house. Most people expect him to be excited to go home. Crave the power he gets and fame he has when he goes to the balls but in reality, he dreads them. People gawk and stare and praud at him all night expecting him to snap or reply back coldly. It's a heinous task and when given the choice to not attend this year, unlike the other years, he immediately said yes. Malfoy walks the halls back from the library where he helped tutor a first year. An act he only does on breaks where he knows no one will catch him. No first year has yet to snitch so he continues this kindness anytime he can without being caught. And yes, even the muggleborn first years. The halls are of course quiet and the air is a cool breeze as he walks closer and closer to the dungeons. Nevertheless he walks with his head held high and quietly. Eventually he makes it to the common room. Tired from having to re-explain the same charm to the first year at the very least 7 times. He whispers the password and steps inside silently. As he walks past towards the stairs to the boys dormitory he stops noticing small movements from his peripheral vision. His head snaps towards it and takes slow steps closer to find out who it is. After managing to get close enough to see he raises an eyebrow when noticing that it's Narcissa Black. An acquaintance but also his future wife. He stares for a moment watching her, studying. He decides after a moment of hesitation to talk to her shoulder.

She startles slightly but peers up at him before her eyes widen noticing who it's.

“Malfoy?” She hesitantly peered at him.

“Hello, Narcissa.”

“Wha- May I ask what you're doing here? Did my parents send you here to drag me back home?” She asks immediately, her tongue clearly working faster than her brain because she immediately widens her eyes and the tips of her ears to pink.

“Not that it's not nice to see you, or that I don't want to go home.”

Instead of letting her continue to embarrass herself Lucius cuts her off.

“It's fine. I understand. And no I'm not here to drag you home. I'm here because I decided to spend break here.”

He answers honestly.

He's honestly surprised she wasn't at home willingly. Sure, Christmas was hell at the Black household but the balls were amazing and always a bit of fun. He supposes she was always quite reserved though. It could honestly just not be her thing.

“Oh.”

Just oh? He thinks. Is that a good or bad thing? That could honestly be both and it's not looking good for him based upon her face. Does she want him to leave? Has he annoyed her? Does she hate him? Already?

As if reading the thoughts in his head she smiles slightly.

“Sorry. I am just a bit surprised you're not at the balls by choice.”

“Oh.”

Of course. That makes sense. Of course he should be at home, getting ready for the balls. Mentally preparing to sit through social torture. He's Lucius Malfoy, cmon.

“I wanted to relax more this break. I didn't realize you'd be staying as well.” He says.

He studies her reaction but instead she just nods and nods her head towards a seat next to her. As if offering it up to him.

Instead of hesitating he just swerves and sits down.

After a quick best of silence he speaks.

“What are you reading?”

She looks at him eyebrows furrowed for a moment before speaking

“Little Women.”

To the normal eye and ear it'd seem cold but to him the softness in her eye and the slight twitch of her lip I'm the corner tells him she's comfortable.

“I've read that before. It's the one with Jo, correct?”

He hesitantly asks, silently praying it's the same book.

After a dreadfully long beat she smiles and nods happily.

“It is. Would you like to sit next to me and read?” She asks almost shyly.

He stares for a moment into her eyes ensuring she's alright with it. Instead of giving a verbal cue she lifts up the blanket slightly and he scootches closer. He shifts and gets comfortable and she relaxes a little.

She begins to read aloud.

Eventually they both fall asleep to her reading and him listening intently.

There together, alone, and happy for their first Christmas together.

Perhaps Christmas time isn't all bad?

Taglist: @lovemelikecrazyiloveyoucrazy @uhhlifeig @a-t1r3d-b1s3xual @aesthetic-writer18

[funky-little-archivist]

Okay besties listen to me right now. Here’s how steddyhands can still win (real and true)

Stede and Ed clearly love each other very much, but they just can’t seem to stop fighting. They can’t seem to get on quite the same page, and this is a problem they’ve had from the start. They both want different things at the end of the day, and they just haven’t been able to reconcile that issue. Ed wants to explore non pirate life, which he’s never really had a chance to do, while Stede wants to explore pirate life for the exact same reason. I can’t really point at either of them and say that either of these things are wrong or they’re being intentionally malicious with each other. I also can’t point at the writers and complain about them stringing us along when all we want is for gentlebeard to be happy because this feels like very natural progression for both of them. As I said, they’ve been heading in this direction from the very start of the show.

So you know what I think they need? A stabilizing force. An anchor. A mediator. These are two whim-proned people who need someone to keep them grounded. And who’s sitting right there waiting for the chance to do exactly that? Izzy.

All season, apart from the parts where he was mourning blackbeard and the loss of his leg, izzy has been doing pretty much exactly that for both of them. Yes last season izzy was pretty much nothing but toxic for Ed, encouraging the worst parts of him. But he’s since come to regret that and was actively the one that stopped his downwards spiral. And he’s been coaching Stede, getting to know him better and teaching him how to pirate properly. This season izzy has really been encouraging both of them towards the goals they had at the start of season 1, in a way, making them the versions of themselves they want to be. But it does seem like he doesn’t intend for Stede to go off the deep end like Ed did either, as izzy discouraged him getting into the bar fight and kept trying to make him back down. I don’t think season 1 izzy would have ever done that for Ed. He’d have wanted blackbeard to defend his reputation. I think izzy wants them to be better, and as he said he actively approves of and encourages Stede and Ed’s relationship. He knows that they’re good for each other, and he doesn’t necessarily want to see them break up. But he also wants them to be the best versions of themselves.

And I’m honestly starting to think that’s what they need. As I said, they need a calming force, because both of them are very active passionate energies in their own way. But here’s the thing, I could be crazy but I’m actually starting to suspect maybe there’s a chance the show is going in this direction as well? I mean I could be reading too much into it, and listen I’ll be the last to put faith into this kind of theorizing again. But listen

How could it possibly not have been intentional to have izzy serenade Ed and stede’s first time together? It could have been literally anyone. It could have been frenchie, we’ve seen him sing before. But no, it was izzy, he got glammed up, showing his immense emotional growth and maturity compared to the first season, and had him practically sing his blessings for their relationship. And yes, maybe that’s all it was meant to symbolize, that izzy approves now and has moved on. Except he so clearly hasn’t moved on (we all saw that heart eyes stare he gave Ed in man on fire) and for me it’s the fact that he actually played an active part in their scene together, at least for the audience. He set the mood guys. In a sort of metatextual way, izzy was part of Ed and stede’s love scene.

And then there’s the fact that the show has been exploring non traditional non monogamist relationships for the entire season. I mean, already in season 1 we had Lucius telling izzy that they don’t get jealous when izzy tried to use that against him, but now we have olu and Jim actively celebrating each other’s relationships with other people despite still sort of being in some kind on non platonic relationship (shown by olu calling Jim babe during the safe space stand still scene). Olu, Jim and Archie sort of formed a straight up throuple? And then olu and zheng almost invited Jim and Archie to? Share a room with them?? Maybe? Whatever the case, it’s all fluid. And that’s okay! This type of relationship fluidity has been so normalized on the show, I don’t really see a reason for them to get precious about Stede and Ed being the only exclusive couple. At it makes sense, sexual fluidity has always been an integral part of the queer community and it’s so refreshing to see it represented here realistically. (Not to say that monogamy isn’t also accepted and valid in queer spaces but many shows have and will continue to represent that. It’s nice to see a representation of the less traditional, less “sanitized” side of queerness.) (edit: AND LET’S NOT FORGET SPANISH JACKIE! hell she was doing it before anyone else)

And hey as a bisexual myself I understand not everyone will like this allusion but I did see someone say that izzy is quite literally Ed and stede’s unicorn lmao. So. there’s that.

And not that this would be a perfect solution to all their problems either. I don’t want izzy to just continue to play custodian to Ed’s problems and add stede’s to that as well, not to mention that izzy and Ed have SO much work to do to fix their mess of a relationship. But I just think maybe all three of them can help balance each other out, mediate each side of the triangle. The dynamic would just be so satisfyingly perfect, and hey, a stool can’t hold up anything with just two legs, but with three it is stable.

Anyway, basically I’m starting to see it guys and maybe I’m crazy but maybe there’s actually a chance here. Again, I’m by no means saying this is 100% going to happen, and most likely I’m seeing things they didn’t intend. But from interviews from David jenkins and the cast, to subtext in the show, I think maybe there’s a non zero chance. Either way, I cannot wait to see what this show has in store for us in the last three episodes.

[thegoldenhoof]

Poison into Positivity - Why we should have revisited The Talent Show.

Prefacing this, that as a Izzy lover, I loved the Calypso’s birthday episode. Perfect. No notes. Except that maybe it should have been longer 

But boy did Ed get done dirty in that episode (and Stede but I am making my peace with this is just who Stede is. Being a better person was never his character’s motivation).

Perhaps nothing has bothered me about the whole of Ed’s arc as the poison to positivity comment because, Girl! Where? What exactly did you do to earn that? Ed threw some money at the problem and sat back which made sense in a sad way because it is a very Stede way of doing things. At least Season 1 Stede ( but again we are not talking about Stede here). And Ed was following his cues. This is Youtuber apology the sequel.

But in contrast, imagine if we had gotten The Talent Show- Take 2

A repeated problem that many posts have talked about in this season is that it was unwilling to face the trauma that it set up and look it in the eye and deal with it. So much of the show had become “shit happens move on”.

But revisiting the  idea of The Talent Show for Calypso’s Birthday party would have been amazing imo and here is why…

The Chekhov's gun was already set up with Lucius mentioning it in the previous episode

This season had been spoonfeeding us Season 1 flashbacks and references and this would have fit in perfectly with the pattern. 

Ed’s side of it was as set up with him not remembering the show at all. We have been told repeatedly that Ed rewrites his memories/forgets things that are uncomfortable to him. 

Repraising the talent show would have worked as a shorthand for Ed actually confronting his past and would have been an opportunity to genuinely make himself vulnerable in contrast to the youtuber apology.

It would have reminded the crew that this was still the man who they cared for at one point, who just did some fucked up shit because he was hurting.

It would have shown the audience that the crew was able to look at a painful past experience and rewrite those memories with a better version if it-  a stand-in for them moving past the trauma of the Kraken era and being willing to rewrite those memories with this new Ed.

Izzy could have joined Ed’s song putting it in contrast with Izzy’s anger and confusion of Season 1. 

Ed is singing some old song. He hears the uneven stomp of the peg leg behind him and stops. Cue bad memories.

Izzy’s voice takes up the song. He turns back to look at Izzy and he is revealed to us, in all his Drag glory, looking equally nervous until they both give a tentative smile and continue with the song.

Ed turns to Stede pulling him into a dance. Izzy turns to Calypso kissing her hand. They are singing the same song but the have their own people to dance with now. 

a) This would have given us a peek into their joint past, a happier time and laid a foundation to the relationship they are hinting at in the death scene with  Ed’s “You are my only family” because we haven’t actually seen that relationship between them in either of the seasons.

b) It would have given us a transition between the earlier drunk Izzy-avoidant Ed scene and the absolute tonal whiplash of the next day morning after scene by having an on screen truce/resolution.

c) It would have shows them as two people on diverse paths who are even now still tied by their past. They too are trying to rewrite what that past should mean now with hopefully better associations.

This means we lose La vie en Rose the, I’d make that sacrifice for some actual character growth. (We could still have had that performance over the end titles/longer post credit maybe?)

8. This would actually fit in with the message of turning poison into positivity for both Ed and the crew and Ed and Izzy.  It would also have had Ed make an emotional investment in that transition and not a monetary one so he has actually earned that comment.

9. It would have made Ned’s interruption much more painful because Ed is trying to make amends for something he did here and another consequence of his actions have come crashing in.

Cue Stede killing Ned but now it doubles down on the “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here beside you helping you (however badly) too” message.

Overall…

The larger events of the episode don’t change. 

Just a few dialogues here and there and maybe trim the Ed giving money to the kids scene (Because what? Why? I dont care u gave them a knife. Those kids are getting murdered within a couple of days. Good job Ed!).

 So little changes. And yet there was so much potential for shifting the tone and not putting all their eggs into the one basket that they were planning to smash with a hammer.

[formerly-windblume]

As many of you know I’ve been on bed rest for the past few days now and have been rather bored as of late. I came up with these HCs in honour of Silver’s Birthday! Happy birthday you beautiful boy!

𝕃𝕖𝕥’𝕤 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨, 𝕀 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕒 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖…

Silver - Aurora Eyed Prince (Head Canons)

Silver has always wondered where he came from, deep down he knows whoever left him behind might have had a reason for their actions but his yearning to discover the answers for such never left him. Now that he has the ring in his possession, he has stared at it and began to wonder more about his origins- such a ring has to have quite the significance, right?

It is no secret that Silver attracts woodland animals to his side without even knowing, it is also no surprise that Professor Trein’s cat Lucius seems to have taken a liking to the silver haired boy. So much so that he has happily purred the boy to sleep in the middle of a lesson- Trein was a bit irritated to say the least but could not be mad at his furry companion.

He sings when he does chores and has the help of his animal friends.

After the events of Ghost Marriage Epel came to Silver more often in hopes to learn how to be an ideal prince. Silver was a bit surprised but was happy to help, he even taught Epel how to become friends with the woodland creatures.

Silver knows how to ballroom dance flawlessly, he was taught by not only Lilia but the forest animals who used his father’s cape and boots for practice. Little does he know that Lilia has pictures of those adorable moments.

He never really cried as a baby, he only let out whines and whimpers, overall he was very quiet but never hesitated to become a ball of giggles whenever something amused him.

Malleus tried to scare baby Silver by growling and breathing fire once but failed miserably- Silver was giggling at him the whole time.

Silver is so brutally honest that he has reminded teachers that homework was due that day on several occasions, of course his classmates hated his honesty for that.

Vil truly does not believe that Silver does not need to do much for his appearance, he has repeatedly asked Silver what he uses for skin care but always gets the same answer- a bar of soap.

Silver has taught Deuce how to use a sword and the basics of being an “Ideal Prince” after hearing how he struggled to talk to the Ghost Princess.

Silver finds it easy to burst into song and harmonize with his bird friends. Some of his teachers and classmates have witnessed him singing with them as he picked berries in the woods by the campus.

His favourite song is “Once Upon A Dream”

Even though he is practically all grown up, whenever he has nightmares he still seeks out his father. Lilia of course does not mind and will happily let Silver spend the night beside him.

He has had terrible nightmares of a spinning wheel and pricking his finger.

Malleus’s Grandmother is his Godmother.

He is actually a lost prince from the neighboring human kingdom.

Cater is convinced Silver is a prince of some sort and has written a full notebook as to why.

On his birthday right in the middle of class his bird friends flew in the classroom window and placed a flower crown above his head and chirped “Happy Birthday”- the entire classroom was too stunned to speak.

He is actually cursed by the very same spell that Princess Aurora was. How does he have it? Genetically passed down to him.

Absolutely terrified of needles.

[wellpresseddaisy]

Year by Year We're Falling Like Stars

For the Snapetober prompt 'Masks'. The title is a line from The Scarlet Pimpernel's The Riddle. Pimpernel/HP mashups live rent-free in my brain.

Lucius Malfoy was made to sing Falcon in the Dive in re: capturing Harry Potter.

Set in the late autumn of 1980 after Severus has pledged himself to Dumbledore. JKR's timelines (much like her opinions) are both bonkers and bullshit, so I made my own.

@sneverussape and @greens-your-color this may be relevant to your interests. :)

Where had Severus gone off to?

That certainly was the question of the hour. Getting Severus to a party these days seemed nearly impossible. Keeping him there practically took an act of Merlin (surely Merlin’s sticking charms would do it?). Lucius hunted through the first floor for his friend, but Severus had vanished from even his usual haunts.

Could he…

Frowning, Lucius headed for entry and the main staircase, thankful that the Dower House had been built on smaller lines than the manor. As much as he loved the grandeur of his childhood home, ‘continue to share house room with Father post-marriage’ ranked somewhere after ‘sign up for long course of high colonics’ on his life list. Some days, even the acres of home farm and the five miles of deer park between them seemed too short a distance.

He paused at the top of the second landing, listening intently to the Nursery corridor. He checked his pocketwatch and frowned again. Had Nanny forgotten Draco’s potions? She’d never forgotten before this, no matter how hectic the day. Always, always they’d hear the distressingly muffled wails of their tiny child at the appointed hours. He couldn’t blame Draco; the inhaled potions apparatus looked like a torture chamber.

He'd come to them early, with lungs underdeveloped. It was only by some miracle (Severus’ intervention with potions) that he hadn’t lost Cissa and Draco both. He woke in the middle of the night most nights, dread coiling within him until he reassured himself that both his wife and his son still breathed. If she forgot…Lucius strode toward the day nursery, determined to get to the bottom of this dereliction of duty. He stopped in the door, anger slipping away at the sight that greeted him.

“Now, snidget, I know this may not make any sense to you yet, but you’ll understand when you’re a bit older. Slicing, dicing, mincing, and chopping all have distinct definitions in the world of potioneering. Slicing—”

He must have made some noise, for Severus looked up from the bundle of blanket cradled in his lap, all fond openness in his countenance shuttering to cool regard. The rocking chair stilled.

“I wondered where you’d gone off to. Has Draco had his potions?” Lucius asked lightly, his heart wringing at the wariness in Severus’ face.

He desperately missed the Severus from even a year prior. His friend seemed so closed off, so aloof these days.

“He’s having them now,” Severus admitted, shifting Draco so Lucius could see.

A tiny, clear mask sat over Draco’s nose and mouth with tubing running from it to a potion vial. Lucius just caught the hum of magic at the edge of his senses as a soft blue mist steadily clouded the mask. Draco regarded him from behind the mask, his tiny hand wound into Severus’ long hair.

“Is this new?” Lucius asked, noting the sudden wariness in Severus’ eyes.

“It…the chamber caused him so much distress,” Severus floundered.

Lucius crossed to the rocking chair and, heedless of creases, sank to his knees by them.

“You invented this for Draco?”

“The weeping, Lucius. It wasn’t the usual baby crying. He hated it.” Severus looked back down to Draco. “I tested it on myself, first.”

Lucius stifled the urge to scold. For the moment. One day, one day he might get Severus to stop self-experimentation.

Or he could tell Cissa.

“Of course you did,” Lucius murmured. “You always do.”

“It’s based on machines to help give children with breathing troubles medication. I…do you mind very much it isn’t of purely magical origins?” The question came so quietly that Lucius nearly missed it.

“No,” he could answer that honestly, at least. “This…Severus look at me.”

For once, Severus didn’t respond to an order from him.

“Now, please.” They both knew what he meant.

Severus’ head snapped up and Lucius nearly winced at the trepidation in his face. What had Severus got himself involved in? What had so damaged the trust that once existed between them? Even six months ago Severus wouldn’t have worried to this extent over his reaction.

“What you have done is given us a great gift. You gave of your time and your considerable intellect to alleviate our child’s distress. You tested it on yourself, Severus.”

Severus’ lips twisted and he looked down again.

“I needed a stronger headache reliever than usual. The inhaled ones work faster.”

“Oh, I think we can discuss that when Draco’s had his potion.” He found familiar ground and teased.

“No matter what you say about practice, Lucius, I’m not actually your child.” The expected response let something relax in him.

“Tosh. You’ll always be our first,” he answered curtly. “You know how Cissa feels about you experimenting on yourself.”

Severus only glared at him.

“Yes, well, you can put that face away unless you’d very much like to have a chat about hospital-strength headache relievers?” he asked archly.

“Do you see how I’m treated?” Severus complained to Draco. “Terrible, it is.”

Lucius chuckled and then added more seriously, “You know Cissa and I…no matter who took the oath, we consider you Draco’s proper godfather, Severus.”

He would never forget the shocked delight stealing over Severus’ face.

[one-strugling-bean]

Finished ep 8 of OFMD S2... And I have thoughts

Am i the only one that felt Izzy's death to be kinda.... Eh?

It's just, we've seen people in this show come back from so much worse. The ridiculous ammount of times Stede and everyone else has been stabbed or shot and come out completely ok; the crew starving for who knows how many days in the tiniest patch of land ever; Lucius thrown off into the sea; guy getting his nose cut off; auntie, who in the same episode suffers from a "pretty bad" wound. These are the only moments I can remember off the top of my head rn but there's probably more.

Like, all of these wounds/incidents would've normally been deadly. But OFMD has never been one for very realistic consequences. Izzy sings La Vie en Rose. In the 1700s.

Like. Yeah.

So, for Izzy Hands - Izzy Fucking Hands, who we've been shown, throughtout this season especially, who's a super mega badass - to die from a stray bullet in the middle of what was overall a pretty meh fight (in terms of stakes) feels like a betrayal. At least to me it did.

Or at least, it feels like lazy writing. I dunno. I just think there would've been better ways for him to go. It felt to me like spitting on his character. The guy went through so much development, he suffered so much to get where he was at the end of the season.... It feels really sucky he had to die when he was finally in a better place.

The Unicorn leg. His singing. Trying to train Stede. This was all so hopeful! Like Izzy was turning around. He was relearning what piracy meant and relearning to love it. But then... He's saying he wants to die to Edd at the end. That didn't feel real to me... Maybe I'm just being unrealistic idk, but that felt so much like a basic line. If he'd said that in the beggining of the season I would've believed it. But after everything he went through in season 2? It just sounds a lil cheap for me.

And again, that could've been ok. I wouldn't like it, but I could accept his death, if the show wasn't so characteristic for ass-pulling.

If this had been any other show, I could be sad, and feel bad that Izzy was taken so soon, but I wouldn't feel betrayed. Because "that's just the pirate life". But that's never really been the pirate life that's been shown to us thus far. What we've seen is a bunch of super-humans who can get through anything. Since when has a stray bullet wound killed anyone relevant in this show?

And btw, I'm not complaining about OFMD not being realistic with human bodies. And I'm not complaining about Izzy getting killed by a random bullet wound. I'm complaining over the fact that these two things co-exist. It feels like a cheap death. Like they wanted to kill Izzy for the emotional impact, but hadn't planned for it beforehand, and had to resort to the easy method last minute.

Idk. These are just my thoughts. Does anyone agree with me? Or not? I'd love to discuss this with others, its been plaguing me :p

[ragingstillness]

Ok so I just finished the episodes and by a cruel twist of fate I once again have to work in the morning so here’s my quick thoughts:

Calypso’s bday was clearly a pride celebration and I love that for them

I actually picked up on it surprisingly fast, like literally when Frenchie left the galley to go prepare for the party

Izzy’s voice is of course always tops, we knew Con could sing but man he really belted it this episode

Ned Low is a dick and deserved what he got

I now stan Hellcat Maggie

Not surprised murder turns Stede on, frankly it was smtg I was always expecting

While their previous two kisses have been sweet and romantic I was happy to see one with some passion

Izzy, Jim, and Wee John in drag mean everything to me

Poor Roach, he seemed to be enjoying his torture

Wish we’d seen whatever torture there was that “turned Izzy on” lol

Can confirm, people who play violin are assholes (source: I am a violinist) /jk

Ngl the episode felt a tiny bit rushed idk if that was just me

Ricky’s a dick and his speech immediately made me think of a gay priest who is denying himself and condemning homosexuality (for which specific priest, just take your pick there are a lot of them)

As much as I like Ed trying to encourage Stede not to “kill in cold blood” I think that ship has totally sailed on both their parts. Even if you don’t claim Stede’s killing of the Badmintons as “cold blood” he did totally set that ship of French aristocrats on fire

I like that the show’s acknowledging that jumping right into sex especially after trauma is not necessarily a good idea no matter how much some part of my shipper heart is like ugh why are they fighting again let them be happy

The second episode in particular Stede spends kind of acting like a dick and knowing Djenks and his team this is on purpose but it’s still unpleasant to watch

I feel like Stede’s fallen into the trap of now that he’s back with Ed he thinks everything is going to be fine and he’s turned Ed into this idealized figure again and is ignoring the actual things that Ed says

That being said, I do agree with him that Ed is being a coward by running off to become a fisherman as if he wasn’t a bloodthirsty pirate who still hasn’t made up for his actions to the crew.

Ed becoming a fisherman is clearly a “I was happy fishing for the first time in a long time I want to hold onto that feeling” decision

Essentially both Ed and Stede are running from their faults and pasts and I think they need to talk it out

Ed seems to be trying to say to Stede that he wants to have time to love himself before falling headlong into a relationship but he missed the mark a bit

Izzy briefly plays Lucius’ role in congratulating them on sleeping together and giving Stede advise

It fits him like an over large suit but I understand they needed a character to fill that role and Lucius has his own plotline now

I do think Izzy is being remarkably calm and that might not last, he’s probably bottling it up

Has the Jim/Olu/Archie polycule expanded to include Zheng? I’m so confused by it all. I don’t disapprove in any way I just feel like some of the relationships in that square are qpps and some are romantic and I can’t really nail down which is which

Fang and Roach bonding I kind of ship them a little

The Paper-azzi hysterical

Jackie’s new outfit: yes queen

The Swede’s new look: bitchin’

I feel like most of the cast have gotten hotter over the season. Shows what a few modifications in costuming can do (note, I said in costuming not in body or face or anything I’m not shaming anyone)

At one point I straight up thought Izzy was a ghost the way he kept popping up near Stede and Ed and giving commentary, idk if that was intentional

Izzy is still dealing with his alcoholism and I’m glad they didn’t pretend that’d be solved in a few days

RIP Ed’s leathers, you were hot

I knew there was smtg up with those clocks but I thought there was some sort of secret message in them not that they’d explode. That might be just because I considered it an anachronism. The earliest I can find evidence of a time bomb with a little googling is 1776 but that may be wrong

Who was firing on the republic? Was it Ricky or did the bombs somehow set off the canons on Zheng’s ships?

Stede deserved the beat down he got he was being a misogynistic dick

Also, it’s about time Stede detached from Ed long enough to realize that he hasn’t spent enough quality time with his crew to get them to stay with him when there are other options

Not surprised Ed didn’t kill Ned Low but a little surprised Izzy didn’t, as Izzy’s canonically killed everyone Ed couldn’t

Izzy mentioning how Ed shot him when he told him he loved him and Stede responding as if he’d heard that before I would have loved to see that scene

In general these two episodes felt a little rushed but idk if I’m perceiving that correctly I’m too tired

[lgbtqasacrew]

Can I request a fic about ouizzy, post-S2, with the plot being the crew trying to keep Izzy alive and him nearly dying (like, TCD, maybe) but eventually pulling through and focusing on Frenchie's feelings and actions throuhout?

Summary: After Izzy gets shot and is close to death, Frenchie has to deal with his emotions for the man he has yet to confess his feelings to

Relationships: Ouizzy

Word count: 800+

Warnings: inaccurate pirate medical care

A/N: Sorry it’s been so long since you’re request, I hope this is what you were wanting

Frenchie doesn’t leave Izzy’s side as Fang carries him to the bed, the same bed where his leg had been amputated only days ago, how cruel could life be, Frenchie wondered. He’d kept Izzy safe that time and he could do it again, he had to do it again, not just for Izzy but for himself too.

Roach quickly gets to work, stripping Izzy of his shirt so he could get a better look at the wound, there’s blood, so much blood. He feels like all he sees these days is blood as if it’s permanently etched into his vision. He takes Izzy’s hand, instantly taken back to the last time he’d held Izzy’s hand a few days ago. How warm it had felt compared to the coldness that surrounded him now. He hadn’t even thought when he did it, he’d never seen Izzy so sad, so dejected, and by instinct he had grabbed the man’s hand to comfort him. He hadn’t expected it to feel so nice, so right.

Now, the instinct was just as strong, he wanted to protect Izzy, to comfort him even in this unconscious state. He watches on, feeling hopeless as he watches Roach try to stop the bleeding. This is definitely one for the box, he thinks, he’s never gonna want to revisit this memory. Soon it won’t even matter, because Izzy is going to survive this, right?

It takes a while but eventually the wound is dressed and all there is to do now is wait, to hope. He leaves Roach and Izzy, needing some fresh air on deck, finding this is where everyone else has congregated to comfort one another. He glances around, eyes first falling on Jim, gripping Olu’s hand like a lifeline, tears pooling in their eyes. Ed and Stede with their arms wrapped around each other, Fang sobbing into Lucius’ shoulder.

He finds strong arms wrapped around him, knowing immediately they belong to his best friend. He allows himself to sink into Wee John’s body, allowing a few sobs to leave him. “He can’t die, I never told him” Wee John is the only one who knows of Frenchie’s feelings for Izzy, how they had developed during the reign of the kraken.

“He’s a stubborn fucker, I’m not even sure he can die”

That got a small chuckle from him, Izzy definitely was a stubborn man, that’s part of what he liked about him. As well as other things like his secret caring nature and that beautiful singing voice that had drawn Frenchie to him like a siren. “Thank you” giving his friend a squeeze.

Everyone takes a turn in visiting Izzy, just in case. Frenchie is one of the only ones to not take a turn yet, he doesn’t know how. Instead he sits with Jim and Archie, taking turns in swapping stories about the man. The things he’s done for them over the past few months, their beautiful twat of a unicorn.

“Do you think he’s gone to that place that Blackbeard went to? The gravy basket” Archie asks. Ed had recounted the whole story one night, until he’d started describing merstede in great detail and Stede had decided to take him back to the cabin.

Jim seems to consider it for a second, twirling their knife with their fingers “maybe he’s seeing that bastard Hornigold too”

“Maybe he’s getting his own mermaid” Archie counters. Frenchie considers this, wondering if it would still be Ed after everything that’s happened, he knows who he wishes Izzy most wanted to see. He wishes he could provide that comfort to the man that has come to mean so much to him.

“I’m gonna go sit with Izzy” Frenchie tells them, they both give him a sympathetic nod. Maybe his adoration for Izzy was more noticeable than he thought.

He takes a seat by Izzy’s bedside, taking the man’s hand in his own, it’s still cold. He doesn’t speak for quite a while, simply taking in Izzy’s features, the scar on his forehead, the tattoo, his well groomed goatee.

“I didn’t like you at first, we all thought you were a dick. I just thought you were some sort of witch sent to torment us. But then when we met the kraken, I realised you weren’t as much of a dick as we thought you were. You saved me and my friends, and saving you in return was less returning a debt and more of an instinct. I guess the same instinct that led to me holding your hand that day”

Frenchie continues to ramble on “if you were awake, you’d probably call me a twat and tell me to shut up” he would do anything for that to be a reality, to have the first mate tell him to stop being such a mopey twat.

His eyes trace the features of the silver haired man, looking for any sign of life but his features stay still. “If you can hear me, wake up now yeah? You can call me a twat, tell me to fuck off, but just wake up, cause um, I love you”

Frenchie nearly jumps out of his chair when Izzy’s fingers twitch in his own, his eyes immediately drawn back to the pirate’s face. “Izzy?”

Izzy’s eyes slowly blink open “I love you too, you twat”

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

It was a vast, eclectic set list: Not just the hits or the crowd-pleasers, but impassioned re-imaginings of material from across Mitchell’s catalog, like the romantically tranquil title track from the 1991 album “Night Ride Home” and the fiery social commentary of “Sex Kills” from 1994. A clear highlight was “Amelia,” a plangent, airy meditation on freedom and flight. Mitchell’s vocals sounded especially muscular, and the musician and producer Blake Mills accompanied her, with grace and agility, on Mitchell’s own guitar. Backing vocals from Lucius, percussion from Marcus Mumford, and guitar and vocals from Celisse Henderson (whom Mitchell, admiringly, called “a lady Jimi Hendrix”), among other musicians, rounded out the set’s lush sound.

Mitchell can’t hit those canary-like high notes anymore. So what. As she put it Saturday night in a sonorously sung “Both Sides Now,” “Something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day.” What Mitchell has gained is a fine command of her sumptuous lower register — an androgynous, omniscient voice, like a wise, benevolent god. Given this unexpected third act as a performer, Mitchell has become resourceful with what others may see as potential limitations. As she and the others around her sang, the cane she uses to aid in her mobility — on Saturday it was topped by a glittering wolf’s head — became both a percussion instrument and a royal staff.

As the night went on, Mitchell became increasingly chatty, telling delicious stories about friends and peers like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. She recalled the time when Prince had invited her onstage to sing during the “Purple Rain” tour, and she confessed she didn’t know the words to the title track; he assured her there were really only two. Though Mitchell rivals any rock icon, she was not always afforded the respect of her male contemporaries throughout her career. Lennox, in one of the night’s most heartfelt monologues, acknowledged, “Back in the day, there were so few of us women doing this thing that we’ve been doing.”

Since Mitchell’s recovery from her aneurysm, though, the world seems to be making up for lost time, belatedly recognizing her extraordinary influence on popular music and bestowing upon her one accolade after another. In the past several years, she has received a Kennedy Center Honor, the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Person of the Year award, and, most recently, the Library of Congress’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

So many laurels hung around one’s neck can easily become heavy, but Mitchell has welcomed all of this fanfare with an amused lightness — a shimmy, a chortle and a fresh round of pinot grigio. And, of course, another song. She sang a few lively covers of classics from what she called her “rock ’n’ roll dancing days” — “Love Potion No. 9,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” — but closed with what she introduced as a “Frank Sinatra song,” “Young at Heart.”

“Vive la old age!” she had exclaimed with a laugh earlier in the night. As if that wasn’t what she’d already been saying between the lines for this entire, astonishing set.

[fishsouper]

HI NIC I'M GOING TO GO WILD WITH THE QUESTIONS so feel free to skip this in case it's overwhelming or anything! favorite books? favorite music genre, song, and artists? favorite season and month? do you prefer cats or dogs (or neither, or both!) what are your hobbies? what's your favorite show? what is your least favorite show because it didn't meet your expectations? who is your favorite character in every fandom you're in? what headcanons do you have for your favorite characters? CAN I HEAR MORE ABOUT YOUR LOTF OC IF YOU HAVE MORE CONTENT OF HIM? (sorry i just adore him!)

KUNI ILY THANK YOU SO MUCH

favorite books: lord of the flies, les mis, good omens, enders game, and the house on the cerulean sea

favorite music genre: i like indie soft punk, anarchist early 2000s rock, and musical theatre!!

favorite artists: i adore green day, death cab for cutie, queen, aaron tveit, ben platt, mccafferty, marina, lincoln, cavetown, ricky montgomery, and penelope scott!

favorite songs: good old fashioned lover boy, riptide, trees, be nice to me, lotta true crime, american idiot, basket case, my heart is buried in venice, line without a hook, boys will be bugs, paul, twin size mattress, drink with me, stars, are you satisfied, i will follow you into the dark, the village, and so many more!!!

favorite season: late fall/early winter

cats or dogs: dogs i guess!! i love both but i’ve always been more of a dog guy

hobbies: art!! drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, singing, acting, etc

favorite show: GOOD OMENS!!! i also enjoy our flag means death, the umbrella academy, and the simpsons

least favorite show: not a tv show, but south pacific (the movie/musical). the ending is so wild and sudden and poorly done!

favorite characters for each fandom: aziraphale (good omens), simon (lord of the flies), grantaire (les mis), alai (enders game), lucius (ofmd), five hargreeves (umbrella academy)

character headcanons:

lotf:

simon survived his wounds on the island, and was secretly cared for by roger (not really “cared” for, just “kept alive”). however, he is left partially paralyzed in one leg and has chronic pain because of it. when they return to civilization, he uses a mobility aid

the choir doubles as their schools honorary gsa

jack is openly trans and jokingly blames transphobia whenever he doesn’t get his way. this infuriates piggy

simons guilty pleasure is fast food. he has strong opinions about what makes a good french fry

maurice makes british jokes and sam has to gently remind him that they are all in fact british

good omens:

crowley has trouble seeing because of his snake eyes. he misses the stars dearly. once, aziraphale brought him to an observatory on the top of a mountain and crowley cried because the stars were just bright enough for him to see

crowley also gets excited whenever humans discover new telescopes or ways to take pictures of other galaxies because it means people are getting closer to seeing more of his creations

aziraphale invented macadamia nuts (reasons: they’re buttery and soft and light and are really nice to bite and i like them)

les mis:

grantaire makes music. 3 am guitar recordings and random voice memos of lyric ideas. most are about enjolras

as a smart person and a victim of police brutality, valjean is a firm acab believer. he likes giving large anonymous locations to the les amis

marius is the token straight friend, even though he himself is a trans man. there’s such a lack of cishet folks in their friend group that the token straight is literally queer

enjolras is terribly allergic to cats but pets grantaires pet cat anyway. he suffers constantly

other hcs about my lotf oc: he likes swimming but hates the feeling of dried salt water on his body, he likes to paint his nails, he chews his hair and nails when he’s nervous (someone needs to introduce this boy to oral stim toys), and his favorite color is baby blue!

again, thank you so much for the asks!!! <333

[lyranova]

It’s Not You

Hiya guys! So I’m having serious Zerilliam brainrot these days, and this idea has been floating around in my head for a few months, and I just sat down to write it 😆. It’s a little angsty, but I hope you all enjoy~!

Word Count: 1,305

Warnings: Manga Spoilers, Mentions of Blood and Death

————

William silently laid on the ground, blood pooling underneath his missing arm. He could hear the shouts of his Squad members and the citizens of Clover as Lucius and his Paladins attacked them, he heard buildings collapse as magic spells and other objects hit them. The world was in absolute chaos, and he could do nothing but lay here, helplessly.

He heard some shouts for a healer as a few members of the Golden Dawn protected their Captain and tried to use their own recovery spells on him, but his mind was somewhere else. His mind was racing, trying to figure out how he missed all the signs, how he didn’t see Julius’s betrayal coming. But then again…no one saw his betrayal coming those years ago.

William felt so stupid as he thought about how obvious it was, especially recently with Julius disappearing along with Damnatio Kira.

Where did it all go wrong? Was it when he tried to help Patolli and the elves? Or was it when Julius died before coming back as his 12-13 year old self? Or did it go wrong long before any of the recent events transpired?

From the very beginning, they were all playing a losing game.

He felt his head slowly getting fuzzy, and his eyes growing dark and blurry. He smiled a bit, that meant he was dying, right? He felt tears well up in his eyes. He didn’t want to die, he still had to look after his Squad members…he still had to protect the Clover Kingdom…and he had to get home to his son.

His son!

William’s eyes widened, he couldn’t die, not now, not yet! His son needed him, his son didn’t have anyone else, and he was still only a baby, he needed his father now more than anyone.

Especially since he no longer had his mother.

As his vision continued to blur and fade, he saw an outline of a figure above him. The figure wore a white dress with a long white robe, they had a pair of beautiful large wings on their back, and they were surrounded by beautiful white and yellow flowers. Which they used to attack the Golden Dawn members that surrounded and tried to protect him.

His frown deepened, why would an angel, who was coming down to take him to the afterlife, attack his squad members?

He could hear the angel land a few feet away from him with a soft ‘thump’ before he could hear them walk across the gravel, dirt, and stones towards him. He faintly heard the Squad members shout as they continued trying to protect him, he wanted to scream and tell them to stop and to save themselves. He was a dead man.

William suddenly saw the angel stand beside him before crouching down, and a loving smile appeared on his face.

It was his wife, Zera. She was coming to get him, to greet him, just like she had said should those months ago when she parted from this world.

He sighed, this was it. He said his goodbyes to his Squad members, to his friends, to his son who he would never get to see grow up. The tears pooled in his eyes and fell down his cheeks, he was ready to go, he was ready to leave this world to be with his wife. He closed his eyes, so he could be welcomed in her warm and comforting embrace one final time.

“ William~, William~, open your eyes.”

His eyes snapped open at the sing-song voice, he turned his head as his vision and mind both began to clear, and his eyes widened in shock and horror at the sight before him.

It was Zera. She was alive, but worse of all…

She was a Paladin.

“ There are my husband's beautiful purple eyes,” She said, her voice sending chills down his spine. It was her voice, but it was monotone and void of any emotion, it was as though she was reading from a script or was just an empty shell of her former self.

“ Z…Zera,” He stammered before coughing up a bit of blood, but his ‘wife’ just stared at him. The gaze in her ice blue eyes, the eyes his son shared with her, were dead and completely void of any emotion.

“ Dear,” She said in that voice that made William’s blood go cold. “ We can be a family again, just like we dreamed of. You, me, our son. But only if you let Lucius purify the world. He promised me that we could all be together in the new world that he is going to create. Don’t you want that?”

William swallowed as his throat grew dry and more tears welled in his eyes. Of course, he wanted that, he wanted that more than anything else in this world. He wanted his beautiful, spunky, and silly wife back, and he wanted his son to finally meet his mother who gave her life for his. He looked at her outstretched hand, oh how he wanted to reach out and take her hand.

He began to extend his hand out to grab hers. Who cared if he lost himself and ended up becoming one of Lucius’s paladins, for most of his life he had been used by one person or another, so why would now be any different? Although this time stung a little more as the knife Julius, no, Lucius had put in his back twisted at his wife being used as well. But as long as he got Zera back, and they could be together, did it really matter?

William paused just as his hand hovered over hers. Did he really want to continue this endless cycle of being used for someone else’s gain? How was he supposed to be a good example for his son if he did this? And did he really want to lose himself again, just like he did with Patolli?

“ Not if it’s not with the real you.” He muttered as his hand dropped to the ground, he watched Zera blink emotionlessly. “ I would rather die and us meet again in the afterlife, then live with an empty version of you.”

“ So leave,” William told her softly as he closed his eyes. “ Go work for your puppet master, and leave me be.”

“ Oh, my darling husband, death isn’t a choice,” Zera said, and William’s eyes opened as he felt healing plants and vines wrap around his body. He could feel his wounds and arm begin to heal, he turned to face her again and she had a wicked, but still empty, smile on her face.

“ You, me, and our son will live together in the new world that Lucius is going to create. I wanted you to do this willingly since it would be much easier, but you wanted to do this the hard way, so I have no choice but to force you.” Zera told him as she tightened the vines around his body, William gasped and struggled for a moment before he opened his grimoire and used his World Tree Magic to slash at her. Effectively knocking her back and causing her plants to let go.

“ I don’t think so, Zera,” William said as he landed on his feet and looked at her. “ I love you, and I miss you every day. But this isn’t how I want us to be reunited, I want to see you again, not Lucius’s version of you. But, in order to do that, I need to free you from his grasp.’’ William said, as he began to make tree’s and limbs come out from the ground. He didn’t want to fight his wife, he didn’t want to hurt her, but had to save her.

And this was the only way he knew how.

———

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you all have a good day~!

[edenityy]

( chapter six ! )

"It has been a while since we last met, Marquess Barrett."

In a not-unusual turn of events, Lucius Barrett decided that some days ago, celebrating Ciel Phantomhive's seventeenth birthday was the absolute best idea. Luckily for the young Earl, he was given a notice a few days in advance. However, he thought it would only be Lucius and Leah, not his wife and son as well.

"As always, you have arrived earlier than expected," Ciel gives a lopsided smile, his disheveled hair on display.

Letting out a hearty chuckle, Lucius reaches out a hand to ruffle the boy's hair, "Of course! We need all the time we can get to celebrate." he muses before observing the Phantomhive further. "Did you just get out of bed?"

Before Ciel has a chance to respond, Leah appears behind her father's shoulder. "You look a mess!" she smiles teasingly, earning a scoff and a small slap on the arm from her mother.

Brushing off his fiancé's words, Ciel greets Leah and Vivienne before his eyes fall upon Daniel, Lucius' oldest child whom he rarely hears of. The two meet at about the same height, but Daniel seems stockier compared to the younger boy.

"Daniel.." Ciel starts, "Pleasure to see you."

Daniel Barrett, the heir to the Barrett name, is a nineteen-year-old boy. Brown hair and blue eyes, similar to Leah, and could probably pass as her if you put a wig on him. His tall stature is one quick to intimidate, along with his harsh resting face that speaks an air of composure and authority.

Giving the younger boy a once over, Daniel nods at nothing in particular, "Ciel."

Bounding over towards her fiancé, Leah envelopes him in a hug, "We get to spend the whole day together! Isn't that wonderful?" she smiles brightly.

"Wonderful.." Ciel mutters, trying to ignore that her grip slowly grows tighter.

"Leah, have some decorum!" Vivienne scolds, shaking her head from her spot next to Lucius.

Rolling her eyes in defiance, Leah hardly looks in her mother's direction, "I'm just hugging him, Mama! It's not like anyone can see." she whines.

Speaking up from behind them, Sebastian gives a fake smile, "Shall we tour the manor?" he suggests.

"Firstly, I will lead you to explore the garden, the winter roses bought from Germany are exceptionally beautiful," Sebastian explains as he leads the Barrett family through the Phantomhive manor.

Cracking open the door to the garden, Sebastian is met with the untimely sight of Finnian cutting off the heads of the flowers while singing a tune.

"Hello, Finnian!" Leah calls out, hoping the gardener is even outside.

Retreating from his original plan, Sebastian shuts the door and turns around with a smile, "I have made a mistake." he states. "I actually wanted to let you explore the main hall."

Turning back around — much to everyone's confusion — Leah listens to Ciel worry about what could've possibly happened in the garden, Daniel walking beside her to look suspiciously at the young Earl.

"Why? Since we are already here, we should start exploring from the garden!" Lucius questions.

"No. Please come to the main hall. This way please," Sebastian leaves no room for denial. "It was an oversight on my part!" he says while standing, using an arm to gesture where to go.

"It is currently the time whereby the roses of the Christmas season as well as those bought recently from Germany bloom at their peak. Please come to the main hall as the view of the flowers will be better, you will be able to see the garden from there. It is our wish to provide you with the best scenery blooming flowers in the day." Sebastian explains.

Daniel and Leah, having mastered the art of tuning others out, hardly listen to the butler speak about the garden and flowers. Leah herself tries her best to ease the tension between her brother and fiancé, though it particularly seems one-sided on Daniel's end.

"I refurbished the main hall a few days back, I have taken the liberty to order a wallpaper with a lovely design from France.." Sebastian says, cracking open the door to the main hall before shutting it just as quickly when he notices to sight of Meyrin breaking dishes. "I have made a mistake."

Fighting back a groan of irritation, Leah holds onto Ciel's arm and peacefully follows any orders as the group walks around the mansion. Her parents however still can't shake their questions when Sebastian yet again tries to divert them elsewhere.

"I think we should proceed to the greenhouse to have tea."

Furrowing her brows, Vivienne stares at Sebastian in confusion, "Why? I thought we were here to view the main hall."

"No, we shall have tea first."

Once again, Sebastian sticks out a hand to lead the way, "The four of you have been stuck in a cramped carriage for such a long time, both of you must be tired. I'm so sorry for not realizing this sooner.. I have already set up a resting corner in the greenhouse. Anyway, please proceed there to help yourself to the snacks and enjoy a cup of tea!"

Stopping towards the greenhouse, it's once again ruined.

"I have coincidentally purchased some excellent tangerines from Spain and I have been intending to use Ceylon tea grown in Dimbulla to serve you orange-flavored black tea." Sebastian smiles as he speaks before an explosion sounds from behind him and all he can muster from himself is that soulless smile and silence.

Daniel lets the silence continue for a few moments before fighting back a sigh, "Have you made a mistake again?" he asks.

"Perhaps we shall just explore the stables instead? It might not be suitable for the ladies to explore but I'm sure you won't mind?" Sebastian suggests, earning shrugs from Leah and Vivienne.

Out in the stables, it's nowhere near less calm when Leah gets a view of the horse. She's pushed away from Ciel in mere seconds to approach the animal, petting it happily as if it were her cat.

"Oh, you are just so cute!" Leah exclaims, running her fingers over the horse's mane.

Putting a hand under the horse's chin, Sebastian glances towards Vivienne, "What do you think of this, Marchioness? I have specifically bought a horse with a blue-black coat as the Young Master's personal horse. It has always been my wish to show this to the Marchioness." Sebastian kisses up to Leah's mother.

"It is indeed a splendid horse! It has a nice build and possesses a good look," Vivienne looks in wonder as she and Lucius approach and get the best look they can with their daughter all over the animal.

Observing the horse, Lucius smiles down at his daughter's blissful smile while coddling the animal who seems to pay her no mind. Squinting his eyes, the Marquess' son turns his head towards the Phantomhive and mimics a happy smile.

"Ciel, so you want to go hunting with me right now?" Daniel asks.

Looking towards the boy in confusion, Ciel raises a brow, "With you?"

"This is a good opportunity to show everyone what sort of man my daughter is going to marry." Lucius eggs on, staring into the pools of blue.

"Or perhaps," Daniel starts, "Hunting is too strenuous for the Earl Phantomhive who possesses the small, skinny build of a girl?" he teases, a smirk making its way onto his face.

Looking towards his future brother-in-law in agitation, Ciel calls out for his infamous butler, "Sebastian, go make preparations."

"Competition! Competition!" Leah quietly sings to herself, secretly praying for the downfall of her older brother.

— ౨ৎ —

It isn't long before the pair are on their respective horses, trotting past the trees with rifles on their back. Ciel sits on his particular horse being led by Sebastian, Leah sitting close against him with her legs hanging off as she observes the scenery. Not far behind them is Daniel, staring at the young Earl's back with a glare of determination. Even father behind, Lucius and Vivienne enjoy a calming walk.

Looking around, Sebastian tugs on the lead, "Young Master, this way."

"Does your butler serve as a hunting dog as well? I've heard many stories from Leah," Daniel speaks.

"You can put it that way," Ciel shrugs, steadying Leah so she doesn't fall off. "It is somewhat true."

Leaning closer to Ciel's fast, Leah pays little mind to the hitch in his breath and flush that begins to cover his face as she whispers. "Listen.. you have to beat Daniel. I want to see the look of sheer disappointment on his face when he loses so I can laugh at him for the rest of eternity for losing to you." she stares into Ciel's eyes, an almost deranged look shadowing her own.

Blinking back his questions, Ciel shakes his head to instead listen to Sebastian. Today, Ciel will certainly see a different side of Leah. One that is only brought out when she gets to torture her beloved brother.

"We shall start from the vicinity of this area. The rules are, that the area where you can shoot is bounded by a perimeter of twenty-five kilometers, and also, it is forbidden to shoot birds that are situated lower than the height mentioned. Is that alright?" Sebastian looks around as she explains, pulling a watch from his pocket.

When no further objections are made, Sebastian smiles and begins the time on the watch.

"We shall begin now. The time limit is three hours."

Swerving his horse to the left, Daniel stomps off without a word. Riding off into the trees, the boy pulls the rifle from his back to situate in his lap, eyes moving faster than average to scan every piece of area surrounding him.

"Leah, you should get off the horse. I'm unable to hunt like this.." Ciel sighs which prompts a noise of surprise from the girl.

A pout leaves Leah, "But I am seldom able to be with you like this.." She nearly starts to whine.

Bang!

The three not within the trees shift their attention to the sound of a gunshot, shot by none other than Daniel who is taking this competition beyond seriously.

"One to zero," Sebastian states.

"Sir Daniel certainly lives up to his name, he managed to shoot down a bird as soon as the competition started." Sebastian puts a finger under his chin. "It seems like he is a bit too tough for someone like you, Young Master." he teases.

Staring with knitted brows, Ciel is quick to pull the rifle into his lap and cocking it, earning a half-compressed scream from his fiancé.

"Even though I feel a little bad for your brother, I'm not losing at anything that has the word competition written all over it." Ciel smiles before heading Leah off the horse, "Leah, stay here with Sebastian as it is going to be dangerous, understand?"

The only thing Ciel receives is a hum as Leah moves to stand beside Sebastian, watching as her parents finally catch up with content smiles on their faces.

"Why don't I get to go? I want to watch!" Leah complains, her signature pout covering her usual smiling face.

Vivienne smiles softly, running a hand over his daughter's hair and admiring her glacial green winter dress and attire, "Don't throw a fit, Darling. It is just dangerous for you to be in the middle of hunting." The older woman explains.

"I'm not throwing a fit!" Leah yells, but before she can truly begin to throw a fit, Sebastian intervenes when the sound of gunshots rings through the air.

"Five to four. The competition seems to be heating up, we should start cheering them on."

— ౨ৎ —

The result, thus far, is a tie. This not only results in an annoyed Daniel but also a crying Leah when she gets a glimpse of the dead animals. Thankfully it was easy to calm her down, which is key for sticking her at a dining table with a glass of apple juice. On either end of the table, Ciel and Lucius sit at the head. Beside them are their respective partners, Daniel sitting across from Leah.

"Let us conclude this with a draw, what do both of you think?" Sebastian asks.

"I cannot take this lying down!" Daniel starts his theatrics, "I won't be appeased unless there is a victor."

Ciel smirks with an elbow on the table as he watches the boy on his left, "I agree with you this time, Daniel, even though occasions whereby I agree with you are rare." he mocks.

"In that case, we shall determine the winner through another competition in the afternoon."

With the confirmation, Daniel seemingly reverts to his original self for a split moment when he glances at his sister sitting across from him. The sixteen-year-old is happily sipping on a glass of juice, dry tears still staining her cheeks but the previous wailing has come to an end. A mischievous smile spreads across his cheeks, Daniel shifts around in his seat to kick the girl beneath the table.

Slamming down her glass with a scoff, Leah glares harshly at her brother, "Did you just kick me?!" she complains.

"No." Daniel lies.

"Yes, you did! I felt it, the table shook!" Leah fights, gripping the tablecloth.

Daniel continues his lie, much against his father's warning look, "I didn't kick you! How do you know it was not Ciel?" He teases.

"Because Ciel is mature enough to not kick someone at the dining table!" Leah controls her urge to lunge across the table, barely noticing the shadow looming behind her as she argues.

Looks of horror replace the annoyed one around the teenager, watching as a large bear emerges from the trees. Screams sound and for half a second, Leah's face changes to one of concern before being slammed out of her chair.

"Leah!" Ciel shouts, moving his body to cover her own with a hand digging into her hair.

As Ciel is accepting his death in return for saving his fiancé, a multitude of gunshots sound before a silence fills the air. Aiming his head to glance away from Leah's brown locks, Ciel notices the once moving bear no longer shifts. Daniel stands across the table with a cocked gun, aimed directly at the bear that once stood in the spot.

Everyone releases a breath of relief, the danger and Leah's impending death put to a halt.

"Sixteen to fifteen," Sebastian announces.

Looking back towards the bear, Leah begins to sob once again as she rips herself from Ciel's grasp, crawling over to the dead bear. "Why would you kill it?!" she cries dramatically.

"It was going to kill you! What was I supposed to do?!" Daniel shouts, throwing the gun to the side to approach his — once again — upset sister.

"Let me die! He could've had a family!" The Barrett girl cries, ignoring the arms of her older brother wrapping around her.

Rubbing his hand up and down Leah's arm, Daniel does his best to comfort the younger girl, "You have a family too. We would all be devastated if you died." she sighs.

With a twitching eye, Leah speaks little words before attacking her brother, hitting him without much effort before being pulled away by her father. 'Why can't he be eaten by a bear?'

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Lucius holds Leah in his arms while approaching Ciel with a satisfied smile. "You are indeed worthy of my praise for the bravery you have shown, at the time when you have it your all to protect my daughter." she speaks with gratitude, "I owe you one. You are worthy of being my future son-in-law, Earl Phantomhive."

"I say rematch! I want Daniel to suffer nothing but humiliation." Leah huffs.

"Perhaps another time, Darling.." Vivienne sighs, fixing a piece of hair that had come out of place on Leah's head.

— ౨ৎ —

After another horse ride — a calming walk for Marquess and Marchioness Barrett — the aristocrats arrive back at the Phantomhive manor to be greeted by the servants who are beyond disheveled, save for Tanaka.

"Welcome back!" Bardroy, Meyrin, and Finnian yell cheerily.

"Why does everyone look like this?"

Holding up an unappetizing cake, Finnian gives a bright smile to his master, "This was made by all of us!"

"We even used roses for decoration!" Finnian gestures towards depressing, dying flowers.

"I made a donburi filled with the Young Master's favorite food!" Bardroy smiles proudly.

"The table settling was done by me. I followed Mr. Sebastian's style.." Meyrin looks down bashfully, view of the messy table behind her.

Observing the chaos, Leah shakes her head slowly, "I should be more thankful for Thomas.." she whispers, which earns a giggle from her mother and brother.

Walking past his family and the mess, Lucius sneaks up on Ciel to give him a tight hug, "Happy seventeenth birthday, Ciel!" The older man ruffles his hair and lifts him off the floor, "I'll be counting on all of you to take care of my daughter and her husband in the future." Lucius says as he simultaneously shifts his attention to the servants, Ciel still in his arms but now back on the floor.

Smiles fill the room, except for Leah who still pouts over the bear.

"Thank you very much!" Ciel smiles, subtly shifting away from Lucius and back towards Leah's side, almost using the girl as a shield from her father.

Later in the evening, the group is content to sit in the parlor, surrounded by warmth and calm conversation. Vivienne managed to stop Leah from plotting to murder Daniel, despite the constant defiance that came from the girl.

Finnian glances outside the window to see the falling white specks from the sky, "Look! It's snowing!" he announces.

Approaching the window with a blissful smile, Leah releases a sound of amazement at the snow she can see as it falls out of her view. "It's beautiful!" she sings as though she's never seen snow before.

Following behind his sister, Daniel drops his tough facade to wrap an arm around the younger girl, softly smiling and pulling her closer. Waving Ciel over to join them, he watches the snow with the eyes of a child, similar to that of Leah.

"When do you plan on marrying my daughter?" Vivienne appears behind Ciel to speak in his ear, "You won't be young forever." she urges, already picturing the planning and trying on wedding dresses.

"Don't rush him, Mama!"

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Aaron Taylor-Johnson 

full name: Callum Mendes 

nickname(s) / goes by: Callum

pronouns & gender: he/him, cis man

sexuality: bisexual 

birth date: 17/12/1990, 33

birth place: Barcelona 

arrival to merrock: 5 years ago 

housing: historical downtown in apartment 

occupation: tattoo artist 

work place: mods tattoo shop 

family: Mother Sophie and Father Juan, living abroad, sister Norah and brother Lucius 

relationship status: single 

PERSONALITY

Callum has always been kind of perfectionist, so he can easily get annoyed if something is not going his way. 

He is a perfect kind of friend as he is very understanding and supportive. 

Callum is usually very stubborn so sometimes it might be hard to convince him otherwise, even when he's not right. 

WRITTEN BY: Tina (she/her), gmt.

BACKGROUND / BIO

triggering / sensitive content: alcohol/drug abuse in past.

Callum was born in Barcelona and lived there for a few years. Then his parents decided to move to England, where he was actually growing up. He liked to live there, despite of the weather, at least when he was younger. He was good in school even though he wasn't  really ambitious. Callum was showing his perfectionism even when he was a teenager. He was very talented for the arts and music, so he always knew he will do something close to that.

When he was in school, he used to go to the classes of singing and he knows how to play piano and guitar. Although he liked the music and playing the instruments, it was more of his mother wish then his own. His mum was always dreaming about being a famous singer or pianist, which wasn't Callum's dream at all. He was still attending the classes and played in the school as well as long as it will make his mum happy.

Callum really grew up being very close to both of his parents, as well as his brother Lucius and sister Norah. His childhood and school days were more than happy and he couldn't ever ask for more. Despite of that, he did have drug problem as well as alcohol problem. It happened because of people who were hanging out with him and he just didn't want to be different. That really disappoint his parents in a way, although they are still there for him.

He never went to rehab, but he stopped it as it wasn't doing any good for him. Then he decided to attend the classes to become a professional tattoo artist. As he was very talented in arts, he found it very easy and he loves to do tattoos. His mum thought he would go on a music path, but Callum really thought this is the best decision for him.

He moved to Merrock 5 years ago, together with his brother and sister. He is now planning to open his own tattoo shop and live his life to a fullest. The job is going great, but his love life is a kind of a mess. Before he moved, he was in a long relationship with a guy who hurt him a lot. That is why Callum doesn't want to get involved with anyone, unless it is a friendship.