#(dream wheels knows where her loyalties lie)

[wheels-of-despair]

Imagine my surprise when I wake up from an Eric dream to discover that someone has started reading my Eric series. 😂

Under Pressure | Eric x You vs. The Apocalypse | Series Masterlist

Chapter One: Through Gritted Teeth Summary: Once upon a time, in a miserable Midtown restaurant... you felt the need to rescue the brother-in-law you'd only just met. Words: 1.8k

Matricide. Patricide. What's the word for when you murder your father-in-law?

Justified. You're going to call it justified.

Two days ago, your nemesis - also known as Albert, the old Englishman that your husband calls Dad through gritted teeth - announced a stateside visit. Your other half immediately went into Panic Mode, scrubbing the apartment from top to bottom, even though he knows that his father would never stoop so low as to set foot in there. He went in for a haircut this morning. He had a meltdown because he couldn't find his favorite tie this afternoon. It's going to take you months to undo this hour-long visit.

Because this time, you've realized that your father-in-law can treat someone worse than he treats your husband.

"I'll be in New York for a day. You should let me tear you down over dinner. Also, your little brother has been living 10 minutes away from you for a month, and neither of us thought to mention it until now. He'll be joining us, probably against his will. Pip-pip, cheerio, and Bob's your uncle!"

That's how you imagine the phone call happened, anyway.

Fast-forward to a miserable dinner in a ritzy Midtown restaurant where you serve as buffer between a haughty father and his two disappointing sons. One, a doctor with an office wall full of framed accomplishments and a nice apartment and a wife who's not so bad, if you do say so yourself. The other, a law student who's sure to do great things. After all, he did get into one of the country's top law schools, didn't he? They're smart, they're motivated, and they're both reduced to anxious little boys in that old bastard's presence.

You've seen Eric standing awkwardly in old family photos, where everyone's in pressed suits and wearing their best fake smiles, but you've never actually met him before. He looks a little like your husband, you suppose. Especially with panic in his eyes and a hint of sweat on his forehead. Eric is the youngest of six. Evan, the one you landed, is son number five. The first four had been big, strapping rugby players in school; one even went pro. They sought fame and fortune, becoming workaholics and alcoholics and bringing home trophy wives and a slew of entitled grandchildren. It was a lot to live up to. No matter what the youngest two did, they always seemed to fall short of their father's expectations.

"So Eric, how are you liking school so far?" you ask, after counting out sixty seconds of tense silence. The boy pleads with his big brown eyes, and you feel awful for thrusting him into the spotlight. In your defense, the first half-hour of sitting at this table had involved your husband listing every miracle he'd performed in the hospital during the last year. His father remained unimpressed. You figured it was time to switch gears. Share the load. Spread the misery.

"S'alright, I guess," he says quietly, giving you a sad attempt at a smile. You appreciate the effort anyway.

"It had better be more than alright," the old man scoffs for the umpteenth time tonight, "with what I had to pay to get him in. Evan, his grades made yours look impressive."

Evan smiles politely in acknowledgement of the back-handed compliment. Eric squirms in his seat, looking like he'd love for a sinkhole to open up and swallow him whole. You've seen your husband react the same way. What is this power the old man has over these poor boys, and how can you take it away from him?

"You're just getting started," you smile, ignoring the old man. "You'll settle in and find your groove, and everything will fall into place. Just give it time."

Eric puts a little more effort into this smile.

Albert's cell phone rings, and he answers it at the table. Rude, yes. But his sons are as grateful for the distraction as he is. The three of you eat quietly while the old man prattles on about something you don't care about, and it's the most relaxing part of this stressful evening. A waiter stops to drop off dessert menus as the old man ends his call.

"Do you think you've earned dessert?" he asks pointedly. Both of his sons put down their menus. If you weren't so eager to get the hell out of here, you'd order something massive, so you'd have to enlist the boys' help in eating it. But you drop your menu as well, because you're ready to go home and start building your husband's self-esteem back up. And possibly dig into a pint of ice cream.

"Let me just get the check," your father-in-law insists, waving for the waiter.

"No, Dad, let me," Evan argues, reaching for his wallet.

You hate the Let Me Pay Dance. It's the same every time. If the old man gets to the check first, the husband feels like a child who can't provide for himself. If the husband does, the old man accuses him of being a show-off. There is no winner here.

"If you insist," Albert says. Everyone freezes. You've been watching them play this game for years, and this has never happened before. "At least I have one son who offered."

Eric's face burns scarlet. This poor fucking kid. You glance at Evan, who meets your eye in surprise. He grapples with his wallet and gets his credit card out as the waiter approaches. Albert stares down his nose at Eric, who looks like he's seconds away from crying.

"Is it hot in here?" you ask, fanning yourself. Three pairs of eyes land on you.

"Are you alright?" Evan asks. You shoot him a look that you hope he understands.

"I think I need some fresh air. Eric, would you walk me outside?"

Eric stands without a word and helps you out of your chair. He even thinks to grab your purse. You pretend not to notice how he fumbles and nearly drops it.

"Take your time," you smile, touching Evan's shoulder as you walk away. You wish you didn't feel like such a traitor for leaving your husband alone with his father, but you have to get this kid out of there before he gives the old man more ammo.

Eric guides you through the labyrinth of tables, and by the time you reach the door, you're genuinely happy to be out of the crowded restaurant. You sit on the steps, off to the side so you're out of the way. The summer has just turned to autumn, and the cool breeze feels wonderful after months of stifling heat.

Eric takes off his brown suit jacket and drapes it over your shoulders anyway.

"Thank you," you whisper. He nods his head in acknowledgement, then sits next to you on the steps. You stare out at the traffic together in silence for a moment.

"Are you alright?" he asks quietly.

"I'm fine," you answer. "Are you?"

He looks at you blankly.

"Dinner with your father is always an experience," you wink. Eric stares down at the concrete in front of him, probably afraid to respond. "What do you think of the city?" you ask, hoping to get his mind off of the evening he's just suffered through.

"It's… different," he says. "Different than I thought it would be."

"Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?"

Eric shrugs, picking at a piece of fuzz on his pants. He looks so dejected, it makes your heart ache. At least Evan has someone to pick up the pieces and put him back together after his father rips him to shreds. Who does Eric have?

You glance back toward the door. They'll probably come out soon. You reach into your purse and extract a notepad, scribble some necessary information on it, and rip out the page. You hold it out to Eric, who stares at it for a second before taking it.

"Our numbers and address," you clarify. "If you ever need anything, just let us know."

"Thank you," he whispers, not taking his eyes off of the paper.

"I mean it," you smile. "I know what it's like to feel alone in a strange city. If you ever need anything at all, we'll be there."

"Thank you," he says again, looking at you with watery eyes. Did you overstep? Did you make it weird?

"Feeling better?" Evan calls, holding the door for his father. Eric blinks back his tears and stands with his back to them.

"Much," you answer. Eric reaches down to help you up, standing on the step below to make sure you don't fall. What a gentleman. You return his jacket, give his shoulder a light squeeze as thanks, then walk to your husband. Eric slowly follows.

"Well, it's been great catching up, but I have a few things to take care of before my return flight," your father-in-law says, glancing at his watch. He shakes Evan's hand, gives you a nod, and Eric a pointed stare. And then he whirls around and disappears into the night.

"Nobody touch me, if I'm subjected to any more affection tonight, I may not survive," you deadpan.

Two mouths quirk into very similar smirks.

"I should get going, too," Eric mumbles. "It was nice to meet you," he says to you, followed by a "Thank you for dinner" to Evan.

"You're welcome," Evan says politely. "Take care."

"You too." Eric gives you a nod, appears to hesitate briefly, then turns. You look from one brother to the other and roll your eyes.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," you groan, grabbing the back of Eric's suit jacket. He freezes, then looks back at you in surprise. "C'mere," you order, pulling him in for a hug. It's tense for a second, but he doesn't protest. You feel him relax, and maybe even chuckle? When you release him, he has a shy smile on his face.

"You take care of yourself," you order, hands on his shoulders. " And call us if you need anything. Okay?"

"Okay," he grins.

"Now you may go," you inform him. Still grinning, he gives you an awkward wave and turns to leave again. This time, you let him. You wait 'til he rounds the corner, then look to your husband. You can't quite decode the expression on his face. Amusement? Curiosity? You decide to tackle it with humor.

"Dear Diary," you tease. "Tonight, my father finally let me pay for dinner. It was the best day of my life!"

"Shut up," he laughs, putting an arm around your shoulders and steering you toward home.

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tags @somethingclevermahogony @the-golden-comet @theink-stainedfolk and @corinneglass!

OC Questionaire (Procrastinator Edition)

My questions:

Do you have any nicknames? If not, what should they be?

What is the bravest thing you've ever done?

Where is somewhere you've always wanted to visit but haven't gotten to see yet?

Are you a good liar?

How do you find balance between your personal desires and your responsibilities?

What is your most cherished memory?

What is the most challenging decision you've ever had to make?

What are your priorities and why?

If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?

What's a hobby that you've always wanted to try?

What is the most important meal of the day?

What drives you to succeed?

Have you ever gambled? (Not just with money)

Let's shake things up and answer for an oc I don't talk about a lot: Lady Daedryn. I'll put this under a cut cause it's gonna be a long one. Get ready for her to fail the no talking about the god of loyalty challenge thirteen times in a row

1. Do you have any nicknames? If not, what should they be?

"I can't say I do. ...Well, that's not entirely true - Jamil calls me Winky sometimes. He's Nantavi's Chosen and we train together often. He's... also the one who took my eye out. It was an honest accident! Training mistakes happen. Frankly, I feel better that we're both able to get some humor out of it."

2. What is the bravest thing you've ever done?

"I always thought I was brave, but I think I didn't know what bravery was for most of my life. It might not be much, however, I was willing to act against the Grand Priestess when her treachery was revealed. I didn't get much of a chance to do anything, of course, yet I was still willing. Like I said - I'm not nearly so brave as one of the Chosen should be."

3. Where is somewhere you've always wanted to visit but haven't gotten to see yet?

"Loqang, my god, tells me of faraway planets with palaces made of crystal and cities built on the backs of birds. It might have to wait until I'm dead, but I would love to see lands beyond Illaros. Perhaps I can convince Him to go on a holiday out there one of these days..."

4. Are you a good liar?

5. How do you find balance between your personal desires and your responsibilities?

"No. I was raised in an honest household and came to adulthood in a temple. That said, sometimes I wish I could spin a lie better than I can. Though distasteful, times sometimes call for untruths."

"What do you mean? I desire to serve Loqang, and am responsible for doing so."

6. What is your most cherished memory?

7. What is the most challenging decision you've ever had to make?

"The first time Loqang spoke to me in my waking hours. I had been having dreams of Him since I was very young, but dreams are just dreams. It was only when I turned sixteen and He informed me that I was to be His hand upon this world, that I knew I was truly worthy of this privilege."

"Whether or not to kill End-Made-Flesh, also called Izjik Meautammera. I never wanted to end her life. She seemed nice, but no matter how much I liked her, I knew that her very existence was a threat to the entire solar wheel. In the end though, I'll stand by my choice even now."

"My first priority is to serve my god, and by extension, my people. My second priority.... Swordsmanship, maybe?"

8. What are your priorities and why?

9. If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?

"Losing my arm was tough. So was losing my eye. But if I could change anything, it would be to make it so that I was better in tune with my heart. I don't want to make the same sort of mistakes I have in my past."

"Gardening! I move around too much right now, but when I settle down, I'd love to try my hand at gardening. It just seems so satisfying."

10. What's a hobby that you've always wanted to try?

11. What is the most important meal of the day?

"Breakfast, without a doubt. You never know how the rest of your day is going to go, so you always want to start out with a healthy breakfast."

12. What drives you to succeed?

"I am driven to succeed so that I may spread Loqang's message of universal comradery and loyalty to all I encounter. I truly believe that the world will be a finer place if everyone understands and respects the bonds that connect us all."

13. Have you ever gambled? (Not just with money)

"I traveled on a ship for a time, so I would gamble with the sailors when I managed to work up the courage to not feel like I was annoying them by joining their card games. As for non-monetary gambling.... Does the fate of every sentient being on Illaros count?

I really do love Daedryn, it's just a shame that her entire arc is spoilers, so I don't post much about her. I'll tag @drchenquill @lagwrites @writingamongther0ses and anyone else who wants to play :)

Your questions:

Have you ever attended a funeral?

What constitutes a lazy day for you?

What animal do you think you could take in a hand-to-hand fight?

[umbran6]

The Argument Against Caleo

Spoilers up to Blood of Olympus and beyond. Beware! (Or not, the book series has been out for a few years, get over it). I wrote this after seeing a user wondering why people didn’t like Caleo, or in some cases, hated it. Here, I want to explain the answer as much as possible while doling out my own points. 

One of the main grievances I have as a fan of Leo Valdez would be the ship Caleo, or Leo x Calypso. It’s a complicated ship, to say the least, with multiple issues that make me question why people like the ship. And I admit it, they initially had some chemistry, but there’s multiple issues that Uncle Rick produced through making such a relationship that makes it extremely open to criticism, criticism which I will explain through this post.

One of my main points against them is that the ship was created on a very limited time scale. Although we aren’t given an exact date to date of when Leo and Calypso met to when they fell in love, we can safely estimate it to be a week at best. Such a limited amount of time from going through the multiple stages of a relationship already stresses the limits of the suspension of disbelief.

A counterexample would be Percabeth, or Percy x Annabeth. Throughout the series, we aren’t introduced to them being romantically involved until the Titan’s Curse, which was two years after they met. Specifically, this is brought up by Aphrodite, the goddess of love herself. Admittedly, Percy and Annabeth were twelve years old when they first met, when romance was definitely out of the picture, especially with a quest to get the Master Bolt.

However, from there we get to see multiple examples of their character depth, ranging from their respective fatal flaws to their ambitions, hopes and dreams, and their friendship. We get to see the slow build up of their chemistry, which was a really good writing move on Uncle Rick’s part. These characters took their sweet time to get to where they wanted to go, and despite the false romantic lead of Rachel, they still got together.

On the other hand, we don’t see enough of this between Leo and Calypso — we only see one book where they interacted with each other in The House of Hades, and that was only for a handful of chapters. While they are definitely older so they can jump straight to romance (some may say too old, but I’ll get to that) its still a pretty huge gap to jump through without making it stick. This makes it hard to root for a ship when it is built on a rather faulty foundation from the ‘they just met’ to ‘they get together’, especially when they don’t have a lot of events to show their chemistry.

Which brings me to Ogygia, which has raised a few red flags for me when looking at it from a retrospective point of view. Now, we know what the main issue of the island is that the hero who landed on said island can’t leave until Calypso falls in love with them. And we’ve seen this with Percy during the Battle of the Labyrinth, where he lands in the island and Calypso falls in love with him while tending to his wounds from, you know, being erupted from freaking Mt. St. Helens. Needless to say, this falling in love with each other montage happened quickly to the point of suspicion, which sets up the complication that Calypso and Leo might have fallen in love due to magical intervention.

And hear me out, because although this  might be a pretty big pill to swallow, we have evidence for this through Percy. It only takes one chapter for Calypso and Percy to meet, and the next he’s willing to consider leaving Camp Half-Blood and Annabeth behind to live on the island when Hephaestus gives him the choice to leave Ogygia or stay. We don’t even get an explanation on why Percy considered giving it all up just so he can be with her. All we know is, girl meets boy, now they want to live on an isolated island forever. It’s especially absurd considering Percy’s hamartia (fatal flaw) is freaking loyalty to those he loves.  Needless to say, It’s a huge YIKES, especially when we apply it to Leo and Calypso. 

It also raises the possibility that the romantic relationship between them is doomed to failure. And if you guys want to fight me on this, let’s look at Jason and Piper, a couple whose relationship started with a similar foundation. Piper had romantic memories implanted into her brain by Hera through the use of the Mist, while Jason was reduced to a Tabula Rasa (a blank slate for those who lack culture) by said goddess. They broke up before the Trials of Apollo because it was clear that when the dust settled, Piper had been aware that their romance was a lie and that their intentions to stay together was a mix of delusion and pressure from freaking Aphrodite. Leo and Calypso get together under what is arguably a very similar set of conditions if Ogygia’s magic had any influence on their relationship, and that this magic could wear off if given enough time. 

Third, and here’s a pretty big one for me, would be Calypso’s character, mainly because there are a lot of unfortunate implications attached to it. In The Blood of Olympus, she was turned into the divine equivalent of Princess Peach, with Leo being her Mario (except he saves her with a badass metal dragon). Its extremely unnecessary to make a character, especially as one such as Calypso, get  turned into the typical reward of a B-Class action movie. It’s insulting and puts her up as a trophy, a narrative that is definitely not ok by any means necessary.

In another direction, Calypso is also really, really worrying when things don’t go get her way. First, let’s look at The Odyssey, the first myth she pops up. Calypso had imprisoned Odysseus for ten years on her island until Hermes said to let him go, and although it gives them plenty of time to fall in love, it also raises the implications of stockholm syndrome. Then we’ve got the fact that Calypso cursed Annabeth out of spite, implicitly saying that she wished the daughter of Athena would suffer the same isolation that she did, which came to reality when Percy and Annabeth met the Arai in Tartarus. And Annabeth wasn’t even aware that she was still in Ogygia, much less intentionally intervened in the matter. When Percy left Ogygia, rather than be angry at Percy, Calypso cursed Annabeth out of all people to suffer the same loneliness and misery she went through. That’s some Hera at her worst levels of spite. 

Through such evidence we can see that Calypso is extremely wrathful towards those who break her heart even though they don’t want to. It certainly implies that Calypso isn’t in a good state of mind, and could easily repeat said actions if provoked. We could almost compare it to Medea and the original Jason, but at least in that case, Medea has every right to be pissed off at Jason and take her revenge. Calypso’s curse and how she handles things certainly implies a level of immaturity that would end in disaster if they broke up.

One issue that, I’ll admit is more from my personal point of view is that the ship took a lot of Leo’s character and threw it in the garbage in Blood of Olympus. Though we see him do a lot of stuff behind the scenes, the fact that its all for the goal of reaching Calypso just reduced him to someone who is more focused on love than, you know, fighting the evil goddess that was responsible for killing his mom and getting sweet sweet revenge. While the revenge plot can be cliched sometimes, it can be played well, while romance and the typical ‘always save the girl’ trope is just overdone. If Leo had been allowed to, you know, be more focused on other things rather than Calypso, we could have seen a lot more variety in his character.

For example as one of the possible character arcs he could’ve gone through, Leo has always been alone among the couples, often being isolated. Heck, Nemesis herself stated that he would always be the seventh wheel, and that he would never find a place among his brethren. Though some fellow tumblr users have taken this in multiple ways, either saying that he should learn to be happy by himself or that he is socially isolated in the Argo II because of these romantic relationships (I prefer a mix of both). Uncle Rick just giving him a girlfriend seems like taking the easy way out of solving such an issue and abandoning what could’ve been a rather interesting character arc. The relationship isn’t a bad thing if we remove some of the unfortunate implications, but it is a bad way to end what is a complex and realistic problem for a character and in some cases maybe possible in real life.

One more minor but still yikes worthy point is that there’s a huge age gap between them. We’re not talking about the ‘Hazel is 15 and Frank is 17 and in one year that’ll be a problem because then Hazel will be jailbait’ age gap. And even then, we can argue that Hazel is older since she is chronologically ninety-one years old. No, Calypso is older by millennia in terms of mindset and body due to the perks of being a goddess, while Leo is sixteen.

God-to-Mortal relationships are already complicated, even with emotionally and socially well-functioning adults. The fact that Leo is underage, inexperienced with romance (despite his flirting, Calypso was his first kiss), and has been through a freaking ton of trauma in his youth, does not make this okay. At best, they’re both mutually interested in each other but may have different expectations when it comes to a relationship. At worst, Calypso is taking advantage of a boy just so she can get out of Ogygia and possibly dumping him later on like the wrapping of a candy bar. Even though Calypso lost her immortality during The Trials of Apollo, that doesn’t even compensate for the immense age gap alongside Leo’s guilt at the possibility that he might’ve been responsible for her losing said immortality.

Oh, and about Leo... I’m a fan of him, but I can admit that he is in a bad spot both mentally and emotionally throughout the series. He’s lost his mom due to a mix of his own powers and Gaea’s trickery, and never had the chance to fully process that event and come to terms with it. The foster home system alongside his own trauma has forced him to hide his emotions through a façade of happiness and jokes when it’s quite clear to me he needs a therapist, stat. He's also run away from several foster homes, implying this means he was and still is being affected by the event. His mask is still on during The Blood of Olympus considering he hid a lot of things from Piper and Jason.

Speaking about them, not helping this matter is the fact that he’s rather isolated in terms of friendships since Jason and Piper, his supposed best friends are more interested in locking lip rather than, you know, actually hanging out with each other.  He doesn’t have good friendships with the rest of the Seven, and the closest ones he does have is with Hazel and Frank. And even then they start off in the wrong spot since Frank is very insecure about possibly losing Hazel to him during Mark of Athena while Hazel in the meantime, is also dealing with the fact that he is the descendant of her possible boyfriend Sammy Valdez. 

This could indirectly have made him desperate for affection since he has nobody else to confide in during the rest of the series, which is a bad mental state to be in when one lands on Ogygia, the island that we’ve seen could possibly force two people to fall in love with each other. A romantic relationship is not something that he needs or something that will help him in the future. He needs more than that, and having him in one that could end in disaster is the last thing he needs. 

And that does not make him a bad person, much less a bad character. While some who are similarly emotionally and socially isolated may turn to violence or creepy behavior on those they want affection from, Leo does not do that to the other characters. It just means that he as a character needs more time to recover and develop before we go giving him romantic relationships, much less one with Calypso.

That’s not to say that they don’t have some things in common. Both are starved for love and affection, with Calypso being constantly rejected by heroes while Leo was rejected by foster homes and his own family. It’s a trait that they have in common, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that they have in common, especially since it is laced with a trauma that is clear they haven’t had help processing. They need to develop more as characters and as friends before they should be paired together.

So… yeah. The Caleo relationship is, in my eyes, doomed to failure, or at least heavily flawed after taking the above points into account. Uncle Rick, as if seemingly aware of these criticisms, has put the relationship in a rocky place by The Tower of Nero, giving them the possibility of overcoming the above criticisms and their own flaws, or giving fanfic writers an out and pairing Leo with another character or have him single, but happy. Either way, in my opinion Caleo is a bad ship when it comes to how it was created, alongside the flaws and unfortunate implications it has.

While I can see some of the chemistry the ship has, you can’t just use a couple of moments where they get along as evidence that they belong together, especially with the above reasons. That’s like using a band-aid to cover a bullet hole without removing the bullet, stopping the bleeding, and preventing infection. If both characters and their relationship had been given more time to develop, I would understand how they would get together. 

[ferrumanes]

*     ──      [   rose williams  ,   cis woman ,   she / her  .   ]   :   in  the  frays  of  king  aerys  iii's   reign  ,  therein  remains  delilah  ,  the  twenty-eight  year  old  tailor .   rumor  has  it  that  their  loyalties  lie  with  house  clegane & house lannister ( the westerlands in general )  and  they  are  neutral  to  the  targaryen  reign  .   they're  so  dexterous + captivating  that  it  makes  sense  ,   but  most  seem  to  look  past  their  willful  +  capricious  .   when  they  come  up  in  conversation  ,   i'm  always  reminded  of  golden thread intricately embroidered into the hem of expensive garments, sinfully sweet blood red pomegranates and the gentle laughter of a small pup unaware of her parentage .   [  eden  ,  27  ,   est  ,   she & her  ,   &   no  triggers  .   ]

ah here at last my delilah who is bad at love but good with a needle and thread...

stats

name: delilah tailor ( technically she has no last name really as a commoner and is referred to by her occupation and her parents occupations before her, a long line of tailors / seamstresses )

nicknames: lilah ( to close friends & family )

age: 28 

gender: cis woman

pronouns: she/her

faceclaim: rose williams

height: 5′4″

allegiance: house clegane & house lannister 

standing: commoner / staff

sexuality: bisexual. 

relationship status: quite complicated, essentially tybor’s mistress but only privately - publicly married to her work  

spouse: haha nope. 

children: thyra hill (2)

about

Danerys may have broken the wheel, shattered an antiquated system and removed an ugly part of history but even with such change the world only shifted slightly. There still remains no more upward mobility for the smallfolk than there was before. Education remained a thing largely unavailable to commoners, most being illiterate but skilled dreaming of the wealth others were born to or petty lords fought to have. Delilah from the youngest age knew life was entirely unfair and one would either survive by keeping their head down or having guts enough to fight for something better. Which path she would chose out of the two would remain the question for quite some time.

Delilah would try, by the seven she would do her best to make her parents proud of her that their daughter was only the most obedient and gentle of creatures. Lilah though was full of life that was not easily contained with a flavor to her that was unforgettable. There were many parts to her, sides some would see and others would have the unfortunate occurrence to tangle with the young woman was entirely captivating. Anyone who had the opportunity when passing through the small village on their way to wherever or on the route between Casterly Rock and Lannisport or Clegane's Keep would leave a conversation with the commoner wondering how she wasn't part of a bigger and brighter place, born to a small simple village. A thoroughly captivating girl, a diamond in the rough that if she were born to any higher station or greater parents would delight the world over but there again were significantly less prospects for a girl born to tailors, destined to be one herself or married off to a famer to be a simple farmers wife.

It would get her in trouble one day, mother always warned the girl who had too much spirit in her  who was too capricious for her own good, changing at whim, never settling or satisfied with her lot and wholly unpredictable of where her moods would take her day to day. Father always expected her to run off to Lannisport, board a boat and end up somewhere in the free cities. Mother could see something less glamourous and knew the young woman could easily become one of the women in a house of ill repute if Delilah was not so talented with a needle and thread. It would get her into more trouble than she would know as it would draw the eye of a most evil and terrible man. Even devils though have the strange ability to be beautiful and deceptively charming

Tybor Clegane they all knew was no good man and she had opened her mouth without the ability to pull back words that left her lips all too hastily. She challenged the work of his tailor or whoever had made his outfit for him and the wardrobe they clothed him in. 'The stitch work is shoddy, the angles aren't suited to your body and if the goal is to look like every other lord continue to wear this, allow my mother to fix them for you and be on your way. If you want to look the part, to out do them all and to capture their attention even before you open their mouth to project power and strength - to look sharper than any of them before you allow me to make it worthy of a man of your reputation'. She showed him examples of sketches she made, fabrics that were horribly expensive and asked to fit him for a wardrobe. Her parents nearly fainted out of shock both for the boldness she displayed and the fact he agreed. Was it then his fascination began with her or had it been before having passed her on the road before or at any point where his eyes would've fallen upon her? She made him the most stunning suit in blood red fabric accented by black here and there and it was an intimidating piece. No other man would look as impressive as he would in the outfit made by her hands for him. Not much longer after that encounter did the Lord send for Delilah to work privately for him, not wishing to have her skills shared with anyone else, proof of her work wishing to hoard her talent for his use only to extend to those he wished. The allowance was much more money than she had ever seen all at once, rooms provided for her and a workspace to design and create only the finest finery with gold thread and hard to come by fabrics. Delilah would leave the safety of her parents, the little village she grew withing and had remained more than twenty years in for Clegane's Keep seeing this as an opportunity to maybe rise or at least provide for her family. Delilah played a dangerous game, a bulk of her time spent with or near him working on pieces for him or frocks for his sisters, tempting him at every turn until it was made quite clear what his intentions were. In the workshop made for her in the heat of passion allowing herself to be seduced by the man's charm - bolts of fabric were flung to the floor

She's no fool and never had been - well aware of the cruelty he could display nearly constantly with other servants in his household. Delilah was foolishly in love though with the person he was with her. Fittings and dressings, appointments to approve fabrics and designs quickly turned to easily believed excuses to be alone with one another where more than often if not all the time to be without clothing. It was in all honesty surprising Delilah wasn't heavy with child sooner with as much as she enjoyed his company in this way or the time spent together. Delilah would not pretend she was in love with him, there were feelings there but always a reminder Tybor loved few people beyond the Lannisters he was conditioned to follow and his hound Cleavor. It was a great shame he was never taught love or kindness and Delilah stayed. She stayed to feed treats to Cleavor when the Lord Clegane was not looking, to curl up in her bed with the wolfhound when it was not Tybor that slept with her in his own and because there was nothing else to go back to. Perhaps her parents were still there in the little village but Delilah would rather die that go back in shame to her parents and to a life of utter monotony told to be content darning socks and making carbon copies of the same pieces of clothing rather then practically inventing the man everyone saw knowing in some odd way he would be nothing without her talents. Delilah was and still is frankly a kept woman, compensated well enough for all she does publicly and privately.

Thyra was born two years ago, a beautiful happy little girl who had his eyes. She is Delilah's solace in this all, her reason to keep at what she does now saving wages she stopped sending home to build wealth to one day use it to provide the child with a better one. Delilah knows he is evil and that her little pup is unaware of who her father is as Delilah is likely to keep secret the rest of her life know the likelihood of her being acknowledged is as strong as Tybor admitting his faults or that on some level he does love a woman he takes for granted. Tybor has though always pulled her back from leaving, drawn her in again and made Delilah believe there is nowhere else to go. With all that is happening strangely enough Lilah believes him still knowing even if the man is cruel to most everyone there is safety here with nobility dying that he may even keep death away from her just to keep her around and she would fight to keep Thyra alive. One day though even with the upper-class dying, with kings being slain in the streets she may just finally leave him, live off her incredible gifts and should Thyra one day ask about who her father is Delilah can lie to her - tell her he was different and leave it at that.

wanted

friends , nice people, other commoners, people she’s made dresses for ( likely offered by the clegane or given as a gift or! one she makes dresses for now on the side) all the things. someone much nicer than tybor to sleep with just saying...

[adrienscroissantx]

I really like the few carmen sandiego aus ive been seeing soo uhhhh i made the class as VILE students/operatives. (also in this au its alyadrien and ninette because i sAID SO)

Alya oF COURSE is Rena Rouge, and would play the role of Carmen. She grew up on the island, and doesnt know much about where she came from.

Marinette is Coccinella, a ladybug themed gymnast turned ladybug-themed super thief. She’s a favourite of Countess Cleo. She’s graceful, smart, always one step ahead, with a taste for art, fashion and jewelry. I’m not 100% sure on her backstory, but either way, i adore evil Marinette. 

Nino still goes by Carapace. He likes staying low to the ground, keeping valuable cargo and cool gadgets in his turtle shell backpack. He’s a skilled swimmer, stealing onto boats. Good at hiding and avoiding detection. He does what he does for the rush. It started by supporting his family, but he found he had a knack for it. So why not make your passion your job? Dr Bellum’s teachers pet.

(Marinette and Nino totally have the Le Chevre/El Topo dynamic btw)

Adrien is a cat burglar who goes by the alias chat noir. Villainy is in the family business of course, his father being the head of a sketchy corporation called Hawkmoth. He has this in common with Chloe (aka Queen Bee). Her mother, Style Queen  and her father, a corrupt politician, organized her to study at Vile before she could walk. Her and Adrien are childhood friends. Chloe’s loyalty is undeniable, and by extension, so is Chat Noirs. However, what nobody except maybe Rena Rouge knows, is that he’s a double agent. He was approached by ACME, and seeing all the horrible things his father has done disillusioned him from the lifestyle he thought he wanted to live. Now he gives them intel and secrets when he can, hoping to dismantle VILE from the inside and live his dream of being a secret agent. Chloe doesn’t know this, and his betrayal leaves her feeling abandoned (with the added bonus of the abandonment of her mother) pushing her further towards the dark side. (real catra vibes)

Alya prefers working on her own, but her and Agent Noir are allies who run into each other on missions and maybe flirt a little too hard. 

ANYWAY, the rest of the class:

Queen Bee, a skilled close range fighter and burglar, totally has Tigress vibes. Fights w Marinette for Countess Cleo’s attention (aka mom figure #2 who is nicer to her).

Vanisher, aka Sabrina, a magician themed burglar who can make your valuables, and herself, disappear. A student of Shadow-san. Daughter of a policeman who took bribes from criminals to steal out of the evidence locker. Nobody ever suspected her, since they were only looking for dirty cops.

Beauty Sleep, aka Rose, a talented chemistry student whose work tends to put others to sleep. Works closely with Dr Bellum. 

Artificer, aka Nathaneal, a brilliant forgery artist working under Countess Cleo.

Chameleon, aka Lila. An excellent actress and disguise artist, works at hiding in plain sight. Prof Maelstrom’s personal favourite. Didn’t have the best childhood, but makes up for that with her new lavish lifestyle. As long as she comes out on top, she doesn’t care what happens to anyone. 

Reflekta, aka Juleka. A psychology student whose interests lie in manipulating the brain into seeing things that aren’t there. Top of Prof Maelstrom’s class. 

Mime, aka Mylene. She’s a spy, hiding in plain sight. 

Toro, aka Ivan. He had an abusive childhood, and the institution holding him used him for his strength and pushed him to limits he shouldn’t have gone. He’s incredibly loyal to VILE who rescued him from his circumstances. He doesn’t talk much, is one of the cleaners.

Pegasus, aka Max. He works in robotics and hacking. He just likes seeing how far he can go without limits. 

Chronogirl, aka Alix. She’s fast, whatever you’re trying to protect will be gone before you finish blinking. Has a passion for rollerblades, cars and any gadget with wheels. Impossible to catch on foot.

Roi Singe, aka Kim. A talented climber and trapeze artist, a used-to-be circus performer. He loves a crowd, but sometimes stealing under the cover of darkness has it’s own perks. 

BONUS: 

Kagami, aka Agent Tsurugi and Luka, aka Agent Couffaine. ACME agents and partners who work in close proximity with Agent Noir. 

[marvelfansince08love]

My loyalties lie with you, not the title you’ve been given - Part 3

Word count: 4K 

Pairing: Cordelia Goode x Protector!Reader 

Warning: a lot of gay pining

A/N: Thank you sm for all your comments and feedback from the last part, I’m overwhelmed I love writing this series and I’m glad you guys enjoy it. Thanks @imnotasuperhero and @canarypoint again you wonderful people!

Tags my darlings: @waitingfortheendtocome @natasha-danvers @veteranwerewolf95 @chewbacca0805 @creepingwolfberry @muted-stoneheart @saucy-sapphic @coconutlipss @fand0m-obsess3d-g33k @nyx-aira @versonstar @witchxaf @grilledcheeseandguavajelly @r0an0ke @pearplate​ @kikaykimkim​ @the-obscuritywrites​ I feel like that’s everyone, please let me know if I have missed you or you want to be added! 

Part 3

The drive back to the academy is long and eerie as you remain silent, thoughts spiralling out of control in your mind. The plan was simple; continue with stake outs and guarding the academy where the warlocks will join the coven tomorrow evening, both Cordelia and John had agreed that this was the best way of keeping the group in one space so if the figure were to attack again it would make it easier to capture it in one place. You look across to the blonde supreme watching as her brows remain furrowed in concentration, her hands tight around the wheel as she stares straight ahead. You decide to break the silence. 

“I think it would be best to call for a meeting once we get in. The girls should be informed of the danger.” You suggest, keeping your voice low as to not startle her from her thoughts. She blinks once as if only registering your voice, clearing her throat she nods in agreement. 

“I think that would be best. My other girls should be arriving home tomorrow morning at the earliest, hopefully with some good news,” Cordelia mutters, her big brown doe eyes glancing briefly at your concerned expression. “What?” She asks, a shaky smile appearing across her soft pink lips.

“We'll get through this, Lia. You aren’t alone, you know? I meant what I said back there, I’m not going anywhere.” Your voice, full of promise and reassurance, makes her smile appreciatively at you before concentrating back on the long road. You smile at her side profile before going in search of a CD disk wanting to fill the silence with something that will keep her distracted from her thoughts. Opening the glove box, your eyes sparkle with excitement as you let out a small squeal. Cordelia glances bemused at your sudden outburst. 

“Oh my god! You kept it?!” You exclaim happily, reaching for the old mixtape. Your eyes skimming across the black ink that marks the front of the tape case. 

“For Lia, Happy eighteenth birthday. Yours, Y/N.” You read out loud, a wide smile forming upon your lips as your finger skims over the cover.

“Of course I kept it, it only has my favourite songs on there. One of the reasons why I bought this car was so I could play these tapes,” Cordelia gushes, as she basks within your excitement. 

Chuckling together, you place the tape inside the cassette player watching as it comes to life, the sweet voice of Stevie Nick flows throughout the car. Leaning your head back against the headrest you close your eyes as you allow her soft voice to relax you. Peeking over, you notice Cordelia’s hands have loosened around the wheel making you grin satisfied with your attempt to help her relax. The sound of Cordelia’s hum makes you smile as you close your eyes again, tapping your foot to the steady beat of ‘Dreams’ as you make your way home. 

Opening your eyes again, you feel a soft hand shake gently around your arm coaxing you out of your sleepy haze. Brown eyes gaze upon you as you begin to come around, stretching slightly in your seat. 

“Damn, Stevie has done it again,” you mumble tiredly, smiling sheepishly. Cordelia chuckles lightly and a familiar sense of deja vu falls upon you, remembering the many nights you would fall asleep to that woman’s sweet voice. 

“Come on, sleepyhead. We’re home.” She says, fondness evident within her voice. Your heart flutters at her choice of words. 

Home. 

Stepping through the front door of the academy, you notice how awfully quiet it is as you take in the empty hallways. Suddenly, you hear laughter erupted to the left of you as you quickly turn to the sound. Frowning, you look towards Cordelia in confusion as she smiles fondly. 

“I almost forgot it’s movie night,” She fills you in, stepping towards the door where the laughter had erupted from. Following closely by, you peek through the crack to see most of the young witches scattered around the living room space, eyes glued to the big projector. Your eyes clash with Myrtle's who sits further away from the girls, a book in hand as the fire clashes with her red hair from behind. 

“Cordelia, Y/N, darlings. I was getting worried.” She croaks, placing her book into her lap. Her greeting seems to cause the other girls in the room to look in your direction as you both make yourself known to the group.

“Good evening, girls. I’m sorry we're back so late,” Cordelia addresses the room, as the girls glance between the two of you. Some with glee and excitement as they subtly whisper to one another, some in confusion as they take in their tired supreme. Queenie and Zoe soon appear, feeling the presence of their supreme as they stand close by, eyes apprehensive as they await an update on the situation at hand. You stand a few inches behind Cordelia allowing her to address her coven, as she slips back into her role as supreme. 

“I was hoping that I would have had this problem squished by now. However, it seems that we- I underestimated our current situation,” Cordelia confesses, her expression one of sorrow and exhaustion. The young witches remain silent as they keep their eyes forward waiting for their supreme to continue.

“As you all know, some of our neighbouring warlocks have been taken from their school and haven’t been seen for the past week. After some extensive conversations with the council, we have decided that it’s within our best interest to house the boys here while we track down this dark source,” Cordelia pauses as the girls erupt into hushed conversation with one another. You eye her tense figure watching as her hands shake subtly at her side, Without thinking, you reach out for her shaking hand and brush your fingers lightly within her palm; the sensation bringing a calming effect to her body as she relaxes almost instantly at your touch, her head turned slightly she mouths a quick ‘thank you’ before turning back and addressing the now frantic coven. 

Stepping back slightly, you allow Cordelia to continue with informing the coven of your next steps in defeating this dark entity. Watching their eyes fill with worry and fright but with Cordelia’s reassuring smile and Myrtle's words of wisdom, the girls seem to relax knowing that they will be looked after, feeling safe within these walls that are full of strong and powerful witches.

Knowing that Cordelia has the situation under control, you decide it would be best to go and make some tea in the kitchen for her, knowing she’ll need it.  As you boil the sweet tea, the faint sound of Cordelia’s shoes echo through into the room, making you smile softly as you briefly glance at her tired figure. 

“You got anything stronger in that tea?” She teases, taking a seat at the kitchen countertop. Her hands now laced in front of her as she sighs heavily. You grimace feeling her tired energy surround you like a vice. 

Turning towards her, you place the now steaming cup in front of her hands watching as she inhales in the sweet smell of cinnamon. As she reaches for the cup you pull your hands back allowing her a few minutes of peace. Sitting across from her you watch as she takes a tentative sip from the cup, humming in satisfaction she closes her eyes for a moment allowing her body to relax after a hard day. 

“If you want, I could go and take some of Myrtle’s special vodka that she keeps in her cabinet?” You whisper, conspiringly pretending to look out for the woman in question making Cordelia laugh at your playfulness. She shakes her head, a small grin appearing on her face as she reaches over to hold your hands within her own, her thumb brushing softly over your skin looking into your eyes with such softness. 

“Thank you for being there with me today, I don’t think I would have held it together as much as I did if you weren’t there.” She confesses, squeezing your hands with gratitude. Flustered by her words and her touch you mutter a quick ‘don’t worry about Delia’ smiling softly at her. 

“It’s gone awfully quiet down here, are the girls finishing their film?” You ask, wanting to step away from the dangerous territory that is you and her. Removing your hands, you decide to busy yourself with placing scattered pots and pans in their rightful place. Without noticing Cordelia’s dejected look, she clears her throat and answers catching onto your change of subject. 

“No, I think the conversation we had kinda put a damper on things.. They’ve all settled into their rooms for the night.” She quietly says, as she circles the rim of her mug with her finger, mind distracted. Taking yourself over to her, you squeeze her shoulder in passing as you whisper ‘be right back’ leaving a confused blonde at the table. 

Upon returning, you watch her eyes brighten as she takes in the big coloured mismatched comforter as she eyes the knitted patterns that are now a little worn down after so many years of being used. Holding the comforter up, you look to the side of the material to lock eyes with the witch. 

“Outside?” You ask simply, the familiar sense of deja vu once again falls upon the room as Cordelia nods excitingly. Chuckling together you lead the supreme out into the backyard and head for the old swing set on the back porch. Sitting down comfortably, you bring the old comforter over your knees and lean back simultaneously, with a mug still in hand Cordelia sighs into the dark cold air before taking another sip. 

“God, I miss coming out here at night,” she reminisces, a peaceful smile present on her lips. You watch her for a few moments taking in her appearance, the slight crinkle by her eyes, her features more defined and mature but you smile unconsciously thinking that she has never looked more beautiful than when she’s at peace with herself, her smile still the same one you fell in love with all those years ago.

“Do you remember our last night out here?” You ask, a tone of sadness laced within your voice. Her eyes open at your question as you watch her eyes mist over, her smile turned downwards as she recollects. 

“How could I forget? It was only one of the worst days of my life. The first being my wedding day. God, what a stupid decision that was.” She mutters into her mug as she takes a sip. You smirk smugly, remembering what an awful person Hank was, he never deserved your Delia. 

“He was a pompous asshole, Lia. Me and your mother may have never gotten on but the one thing we did agree on was that.” You joke, bumping your shoulder against her own in good nature. 

“She did like you, you know? Fiona Goode was never one to show her emotions well, but I could tell she liked you.” Cordelia insists, a small smile playing on her lips. You scoff in disbelief. 

“Are you kidding? The first time that woman caught me in your room I thought my short life was about to end there and then!” You exclaim, laughing at the memory watching the blonde bite her top lip to refrain herself from joining in.

“Okay, so maybe she tolerated you. More than she did him, that’s for sure.” She reassures, sinking further into the comforter. You decide to toe at the ground allowing the porch swing to sway slightly back and forth in the cold air, the crickets chirping away within the depths of the academy's ground garden. 

“I’ve missed you, you know? I’ve missed this.” She whispers into the dark as she places her now empty mug onto the floor and leaning back against the swing, enjoying the peace. Your lips twitch as you mimic her action, the blonde witch places her head against your shoulder making you lean your head onto top of her own. She wiggles slightly as she brings the comforter higher up towards her neck. Sighing in content, you watch fondly as her eyes and nose twitch occasionally as she fights against sleep. 

Me too.

***

‘Y/N, Delia, darlings. We have beds for a reason, my dears,” Myrtle’s warm voice makes you twitch as your eyes flutter open to the sound, feeling another warm body next to you stir awake. The moon is still strong and bright as you take in the dark night sky realising you both must have fallen asleep out here. Glancing over to Cordelia, you notice her come to the same conclusion as her eyes widen slightly, a small colour of pink spreads across her cheeks. You both move apart quickly, as you fold up the old comforter glaring subtly at Myrtle who only grins knowingly. The red head twirls around and heads back towards the back door, her words making you flush as you avert your eyes from the blonde.

“Some things never change,” Myrtle’s raspy voice teases, as she elegantly opens the door and makes a quick exit, leaving you both alone. Scratching at the back of your neck, you go to utter an apology but Cordelia already beats you to it. 

“I am so sorry, I must have been more tired than I thought,” she apologises, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she reaches for her empty mug. You shrug indifferently before muttering ‘it’s not a problem’ before gesturing with your head. 

“Maybe we should follow her advice, sleeping out here is never a good idea.” You say, the peace and content you felt before no longer present as you remember your current situation. Cordelia nods in agreement before brushing past you and into the academy muttering a quick ‘good night’ her soft lips brushing briefly against your cheek. 

Lifting your head to the sky, you sigh heavily. 

‘She’s going to be the death of me’ 

Following day 

The sun burns bright above the academy as the girls gather outside, whispering and giggling to one another as they eye the two strong male protectors who stand in the middle of the open garden as the trees sway slightly in the light breeze behind them in this early morning. You roll your eyes from your position in the kitchen watching through the window as the teen witches become transfixed on your dorky older brothers, your eyes roll even further as you spot Madison eyeing them up as if they were her next meal. Sipping on your chamomile tea, you hear that familiar chuckle from your ex lover. Coming to stand next to you, you pass her your tea knowing that she enjoys the flavoured tea in the morning. Giving her thanks to you she takes the mug and follows your gaze to the performance outside. 

“Ah, I see it didn’t take Michael long to walk around shirtless. Does that guy even own more than one shirt?” Cordelia teases, making you laugh out loud. Arms crossed as you watch him use the spare sparring bamboo stick, striking forward towards your brother who blocks the attack. 

“He says it helps him when training or something. He’s a pig, what else do you expect?” You laugh, shaking your head. Your laughter is stopped short when you feel her warm breath close to your ear. 

“You should show him up a little in front of the girls, it’ll teach him a lesson. It gives Elijah a break from being used as a dummy,” She suggests, keeping her voice low as if conspiring. You fight back a groan at feeling her warm breath against your skin deciding to step back and grin at her suggestion. 

“You are one smart woman,” You joke, trying to ignore the fast thumping of your heart. Practically skipping towards the back down, you turn and wink at her before going to do exactly what she said. 

Standing tall on top of the porch, you continue to watch your brothers fight one another with accurate attacks and blocks. The girls quieten once they notice your presence, practically beaming in awe as you look towards them and wink subtly, placing a finger against your lips in a request to stay quiet as you disappear in front of them making them gasp excitingly as they finally see some of your powers in action. 

Now behind Elijah, you whisper quickly into his ear. 

“I got him,” He grins at your words before disappearing to stand next to Cordelia who now stands at the porch watching on proudly, having seen you train like this before with your brothers she’s excited for the girls to see it in action. She’s also missed seeing this side of you but that she would never admit. 

Michael turns around feeling the presence change near him, he grins when he spots you. 

“Come to join in, sis.” He says smugly, twirling the stick around in his hand. You match his expression, enjoying his attempt to taunt you in front of the audience that has now grown outside. 

“You never learn, do you Mike? Shall I show them how it’s done?” You challenge, already feeling your powers flow through you like electricity. 

Taking your starting stance, you take in his form watching how his hands twitch around his sparring weapon, his eyes darting around as if contemplating his next move, you smirk when you realise his next step as he eyes the tree behind you for a moment too long. Advancing forward you wait until he disappears in front of you, giving him a second advantage before teleporting behind by the tree and shoving him forward making him stumble. While he stumbles forward you quickly grab Elijah’s abandoned sparring stick before clashing it against his own weapon. Sticking your leg out, you swap instantly at his legs making him stumble to the floor with a grunt. 

“Come on, M. Madison’s watching.” You taunt, as he becomes reddened in frustration. He scrambles to his feet again, allowing him to regain his sense and his pride. You continue to spar back and forth, swinging and dodging his attacks only allowing him one good hit before effectively removing his only weapon, leaving him vulnerable. Gritting his teeth, he grumbles in frustration before advancing forward one more time. You step back allowing your power of Phytokinesis to manipulate the vines that lay around the tree branches on either side of you to shoot forward and wrap tightly around his wrist keeping him in place as he falls to his knees, stepping confidently towards him you crotch down so you are eye level. 

“Do you surrender?” You ask, a teasing grin playing on your lips. Your eyes sparkle with mischief and complacency. He huffs, chuckling quietly as he shakes his head. 

“You’re a real dick sometimes. You know that, right?” He says, but you can tell by his playful eyes that there's no real bite behind it. Shrugging you step back and stand up, turning to the stunned audience, before erupting in cheers. You bow playfully for them, glancing briefly at Cordelia’s face catching her fond eye roll at your dramatics making you grin as you allow the vines to withdraw from his wrists and back onto the tree trunks.

A few of the younger girls move forward towards you in excitement, as they ask multiple questions over one another as your brother grumbles his way back over to Elijah, his bruised ego following close behind. Chuckling to yourself you crouch down to the group and explain some of the powers used during your training watching their eyes fill with wonder. 

“I wanna be a protector!” 

“Do you think I can hold the power of manipulating the trees?!” You try to answer their rushed questions, feeling slightly overwhelmed by their interest in you. As they continue to talk over one another you stand up and look around for Cordelia, frowning when you see her look into the trees with a cautious expression. Following her gaze, you notice a small white light grow bigger between the two front trees, noticing three dark figures within the circle of light. You go to move the girls behind you ready to fight whatever mysterious figures come through the portal, but you stop as soon as you hear Cordelia choke out. 

“Misty.”  

You frown at her expression, as her eyes gloss over with tears as she takes in the other two women that now stand, flanking this Misty woman. Cordelia lets out a watery laugh as she moves briskly from the porch and towards the three women as Zoe and Queenie join her. Madison stays back as she lights a cigarette, unfazed by their arrival. You turn your gaze from the group and towards your brothers who stand at the porch, Elijah shrugs just as confused as you. Turning your gaze back to the newcomers, you watch how Cordelia takes them in one by one cupping their faces with such delicacy your eyes widen as you realise exactly who they are. 

“My other girls should be arriving tomorrow” 

You go to move forward but stop yourself as you take in how Cordelia keeps her hands close to Misty’s face, racking her fingers through her hair tenderly. The gesture makes you want to look away as you swallow the small lump that has formed within your throat. As if sensing your hesitance, Cordelia turns her gaze towards you as she drops her hands to her sides again. Her gaze draws the other girls attention to you as you now stand awkwardly with the younger witches. 

“Mallory, CoCo, Misty, I would like you to meet Y/N. M- the protector.” The words hurt a little bit more than what you would have liked but you put on a smile and wave at the three as they do the same. Misty’s mouth forms into an ‘o’ as she looks between you and Cordelia, her eyes bright as she launches forward and takes both your hands into her own squeezing in greeting. 

“My,  it’s an honour to finally meet cha, Ms.Wardwell. Ms.Delia has told me so much about you,” Misty gushes, her smile wide. The other young girls around you giggle at Misty’s enthusiasm, clearly used to the woman’s outgoing personality. Their giggling draws Misty’s attention away from you as she greets them, talking animatedly to them about her time away leading them back into the academy. She looks back at the group and nods towards Mallory, as if giving her permission to inform you all of what they have found. 

Moving closer so you can listen in you feel the atmosphere change as you all look at Mallory. 

“Mallory, what did you find?” Zoe asks the question that’s been on everyone’s mind. 

“We know where it’s located and it’s not too far from here. We’ve been tracking it all the way from Salem and with each passing day it’s becoming stronger.” She shakingly informs, as CoCo keeps a supportive hand on her shoulder. 

“We saw it last downtown here in New Orleans, I don’t know how long it’s planning on staying but it’s here and we should probably attack it before it attacks us again. This might be our only chance. Cordie,” CoCo finishes, her expression distraught. You look towards Cordelia, already feeling the cogs turning inside her head. 

“We need to inform the rest of the council, we may need more people in on this, Queenie and Zoe go and contact Marie Laveau,” She says. Hearing a scoff from Madison, you turn to face her. 

“You can’t seriously be thinking about it.” you look back towards Cordelia, confused by her question. The blonde bites her lip as she locks eyes with you, her eyes conflicted. 

“Can you still bring people back from the dead?” 

[ofsessa]

ANNABELLE WALLIS, 30, PETRA VON ERBACH. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the 𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀, 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐇, from 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐙. they are at best 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒, and at their worst 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐅𝐔𝐋. whilst abroad, their ambition is to 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘. SHE seem/s to remind everyone of annabelle wallis & hushed whispers in darkened hallways, a a saccharine smile masking hidden intent & ocean blue eyes burning in ardent wonderment. ❞  

hello  lovely  people !!  admin  loucifer  here  with  my  second  prin,  bellow  you’ll  find  my  lazy  ass  bio  ( i  will  get  something  better  up  next  week  after  uni  has  finished ) but this  shall  do  for  now !!  i  can’t  wait  to  write  with  you all  !! 

𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒.

Petra’s Achilles heel is undoubtedly her mysterious past. She adopted the name of her patron, to mask her less than humble origins and infiltrated Apollonia’s (and later Alfonso’s) court with the pretence of a pedigree. It was the first lie of many that would see her climb as a courtier within the Holy Roman Empire and yet, as an almost obsessive believer in the fates, Petra knows better than most that as high as fortunes wheel will take you, she will also take you to the deepest depths. She’s come this far and she would hate to see it all go to waste, especially now that she has a true position in Castile and dare she dream, true influence. Yet she is still tethered to this mysterious “Father” whom she so rarely speaks of and to explore that dynamic, plus the potential threat it causes would help her development as a character.

Her patron is an avid supporter of the Archduke’s claim to the throne, he thinks Apollonia to be akin to the great whore of Babylon and actively plots her demise and that of her family. He expects Petra to participate in this coup d’état (when it eventually comes to be) and for her part, she has done everything that was asked of her and more; she has spied, lied, seduced and betrayed without a moment’s hesitation. Things are different for her now and I would like to explore how her sentiments might change towards the ‘ultimate goal’ over the course of the rp, especially now that she is away from her patron and has some autonomy and ambitions of her own.

𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒.

There is a portion of Petra’s life that is a complete mystery to her. She knows only what she has been told by the Bishop von Erbach; that her family were peasants and they died during gods great purge some twenty years ago. The only thing that spared her the same fate as her parents and siblings was the bishop’s mercy and he has made certain that she never forgets to whom she owes her life – first him and then to god. She was raised in the Bishops palace at Mainz, but until she had proved herself worthy of luxury, she lived a spartan life. Her days were endless, filled with chores, lessons and offering devotions to god and yet she felt thankful to the bishop for he had saved her from pestilence and now bestowed unto her a plethora of opportunities. Her education was befitting a prince, and her tutelage into the art of courtship befitting a princess. At sixteen she was introduced into Mainz society, introduced as the Bishop’s niece, she charmed and flattered, all the while keeping one ear pressed to the ground as she collated gossip and intrigue.  

Within time she had proved herself enough to the bishop, so much so that he had secured a place for her in the court of the Holy Roman Empress, serving as a Lady and companion to the Princess Magdalena. Before parting, however, he divulged their true objective – to work towards the fall of the Empress. Petra knew what was expected of her, she would use her skills of observation to report everything back to him and she would do all that was instructed of her. Including accompanying the princess to Castile upon her marriage and to find herself a suitable husband, one who might bring her ever closer to the Castilian royal family. It did not take long, her impressive dowry and demure looks appealed to the Duke of Sessa and they wed some months after Magdalena became queen. In the previous years, she gave birth to a child, a son named Julius and she with that something new materialised within Petra, love. His birth has also made rise to self-determination and self-ambition; although her loyalty is still to the bishop, she does have other interests now, namely surrounding her own ambitions within the Castilian court.  

 Saccharine is often the first adjective used to describe Petra; her smile is sweet; her gaze is gentle and she seemingly embodies the warmth of the sun. Naturally somewhat reserved, she is not usually one to draw attention to herself unless it is something acquired of her. Around court she is known for her engaging and sensible conversation, her intelligence recognised and often praised, though seldom without the word “sensible” prefixed to it. Essentially, she does not flaunt it or use it to emasculate. Like a chess master she is patient and subtle, but above all, she is calculating and meticulous. Where once the smiles and warmth felt hollow, motherhood has made them less so, as to with the gentleness. A deeply pious woman, she is a staunch supporter of the catholic faith and somewhat loathes Castile’s coercion with Córdoba. Yet her view of religion is also somewhat skewed, it is self-serving in a way and whilst her piety is admirable, she is not opposed getting her hands dirty.

[tangledcassandra]

Your Business

Title: Your Business

Description: When the king tries to confine Rapunzel to the castle, it’s up to her best friend to sneak her out to see the world. They’re not breaking any rules if they don’t get caught.

[Read on AO3]

My piece for @cassunzelweek​ Day 2, theme Love and Loyalty! I am on the west coast so this is absolutely not too late!

"You really think you can sneak me out again?"

The sun had set on another beautiful day in Corona, and made way for the shimmering stars. Rapunzel, stressed from another taxing day of as princess, was looking for an escape. Cassandra, her lady-in-waiting and best friend, had just offered to take her out for a night on the town. Or rather, a night outside the town.

Rapunzel's hesitance did not dissuade Cassandra in the slightest. "Your dad knows you snuck out before, but he still doesn't know how. I've been double-checking the path we took, and it's still all clear. Trust me; I've been using the tunnels under Corona for years, and nobody's caught on yet. The only hiccup is the doubling of the night patrol, but Max can take care of that, easy. We don't even have to go as far as the wall this time. There's plenty to do just beyond the isle. It would still get you out of the city for awhile."

The idea of a short adventure, or really any adventure, was far too tempting for Rapunzel. So, she once again donned a cloak, borrowed from Cass, and they set off for the forests outside Corona proper. They went on foot, hiking past the Dam and the Lost Lagoon, until they'd reached the woods near the Snuggly Duckling.

"I always forget how beautiful it is here at night. I've come through so many times during the day, racing to the wall. But at night, it's like a whole new world."

Cassandra smiled fondly as she watched Rapunzel trying to catch a firefly, one of her favorite activities on the rare occasion they could make it out of Corona.

"Here," Cass presented a jar when Rapunzel scurried over to show her what she'd caught. "Now you can look at them up close."

"Wow, Cass, you think of everything!"

She grinned, always happy when Rapunzel was happy, and especially delighted when she was the reason for that happiness. She even helped catch some of the glowing bugs, until the glass container was full of a dozen humming insects.

Rapunzel had her hands cupped against a tree, but when she peeked inside to see her prize, she paused, long enough for the creature to fly away. "What's this?" she ran her hand over the trunk, where bark had been stripped away to reveal a heart etched into the wood. "Cassandra + Abigail," she read what was carved into the center. She looked to her friend curiously, wondering if she knew anything about the names embedded in the tree.

"Hm, yeah," Cass smiled fondly, looking down at the ground like she was thinking of something nice, "That's old."

"A friend of yours?" Rapunzel grinned back. It was always nice to see Cass smiling. "Isn't this something lovers usually do?"

"Yeah. Sure is."

"Isn't Abigail a girls name?"

"Yes, it is."

Rapunzel frowned, hand brushing over the engraving again, feeling the indents in the worn wood. The wheels in her head were turning, trying to piece together this new information. Girls could...? Without boys? She turned to Cassandra, fingers intertwining as she asked, "So you, and Abigail, were…?" she failed to formulate the rest of the sentence.

"Yeah. Me and Abby had a thing. A romantic thing. But it didn't work out."

"So you and Abby dated?"

"That's usually what it means to be romantically involved with someone, doesn't it?" A bit of Cassandra snark bubbled to the surface at the seemingly obvious question.

"You can do that?"

"What, date?"

"Date girls."

"Is that surprising?"

"Yes, sort of-"

"Is that bad?"

"No! Of course not. Just, being in the tower, there's still so much I have to learn."

Cass sighed, taking Rapunzel by the hand. "Come on," she said, leading her out of the glade. Just beyond the treeline was a large open field, with a perfect view of the sky. Cassandra flopped down on the soft grass, breathing in the night air. "It's no big deal, Raps. Sometimes I forget, you know? I don't like to think about you being trapped. Alone and unhappy."

"I wasn't alone. I had Pascal," the princess settled on the ground close by.

"Right, of course Raps," she decided the topic at hand was best left alone. Cassandra placed her hands behind her head, closing her eyes as she listened to the gentle breeze ruffling the blades of grass and the leaves of the nearby trees. The weather was nice, warm, with the wind balancing out the temperature perfectly. It was a good night to be out, instead of behind castle walls.

"Cass?"

"Yeah Raps?"

"Do you ever think of me as more than a friend?"

Cassandra opened her eyes and turned her head towards Rapunzel, who was looking at her with the sweetest, most innocent, and genuinely curious expression. Cass's mouth immediately felt like it was full of ash, and she swallowed, trying to relieve the sudden dryness. She could lie, but she'd honestly never expected Raps to actually ask anything like this. She kind of thought she already knew, actually, and Cass took her lack of acknowledgement as a silent sign of rejection. Apparently, it was a sign of ignorance, she'd learned this evening.

"I don't know Raps. Maybe, sometimes."

It was a reluctant answer, but seemed to appease Rapunzel for the time being. They both turned to the stars, each mentally recounting the constellations. They were both proficient in star mapping, and this was a rare opportunity to brush up on their skills. Cassandra thought their previous conversation was over, until the princess spoke up.

"I think I do."

"Huh? Do what, Raps?"

"I think I like you."

"Well, I'd hope so."

"As more than a friend."

"Raps, look, you don't have to," she sat up, running her hand through her hair, "feel like you have to."

"Cass, I think I've had the feeling in the back of my mind for awhile. I couldn't quite figure out what it was that made you so special to me. Why I always want to be around you. Why I like having you by my side all the time. Why, whenever I don't want to get out of bed in the morning, I just think about the fact that the sooner I get up, the sooner I can see you, and suddenly I find myself rushing to get ready. I don't feel the same way about my dad or my mom or any of the other maids. Just you," Rapunzel scooted closer, close enough that she could take Cassandra's hand in her own.

"That's uh, yeah, sounds like a bit more than friendship. Yep."

"So you have kissed a girl before?"

"Yes. Yeah," Cassandra found herself at a loss for words, both at the sudden subject change and at the fact that Rapunzel was currently leaning on her shoulder.

"I want to know what it's like."

"Kissing girls?"

"Kissing you."

"Me?"

"Yes!"

Maybe she was drunk on the night air, combined with freedom and happiness and no sleep. Maybe it was some unknown charm of the forest, that made this all feel like she was imagining it. Cassandra couldn't believe what she was hearing. She'd imagined scenarios similar to this so many times. It was so unreal of a concept that it almost felt like she must be back at the castle, fast asleep in her bed, simply having a nice dream.

"What was that thing you said?" Rapunzel's voice cut through her thoughts, "The first time we snuck out to the wall. 'What I do when no one's looking is my business.' Is that right?"

"That is what I said, yeah."

"Then I want you to be my business. If you want to," Rapunzel squeezed her hand.

"I want to," the words tumbled out before she could stop them, "To know what it's like, too."

There was a pause, each considering exchanging more words, but the need for frivolous conversation had passed. Silently, Rapunzel reached out, cupping Cassandra's chin in her hand, drawing her close as she practically dove into the kiss herself.

Their faces met, and Cass moved her free hand to Rapunzel's side, pulling them together. She felt dizzy, head swimming with bliss as she felt soft lips on her own. She had waited for this moment for so long, never in her wildest daydreams expecting it to ever become reality. Yet here she was, alone with Rapunzel, without another soul for miles. She had her all to herself, and she savored every second of their kiss.

They broke apart at long last, Rapunzel all smiles and rosy cheeks illuminated by the moonlight. She turned away bashfully, tucking a stray hair behind her ear that the wind subsequently blew right back in place. Neither of them said anything for awhile, both catching their breath and collecting their thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, Rapunzel was the one to break the silence. "You are a very good kisser."

"Thanks," Cassandra cleared her throat, trying to bring her head back down to Earth, "Thank you."

"You won't tell anyone? It's just, Corona can just be so gossip-y, especially if I'm involved. I don't want you having to deal with that."

"Raps, I'm not the one of us that can't keep a secret. This is your business."

"It's our business."

Cassandra ducked her head, blushing as she picked at some of the longer blades of grass. "I should get you home before sunri-"

She found her lips occupied again, and melted into the touch, hungrily pressing forward as she tried to prolong its end. When at last Rapunzel pulled away, they were both panting, all smiles and flushed faces. Cassandra wished this night could last forever, but her sensible side dragged her back down to reality.

"-rise," she breathed, every bit of assuredness stolen from her.

"Come on then, let's get going, Cass!" Rapunzel was already on her feet.

Cassandra scrambled to follow after, and they began racing back through the trees, across the river, and bound for home. Cassandra's heart was in her throat the whole way, her euphoria urging her to run faster and leap higher. She felt like she could swim around the entire isle of Corona and not get tired. Panting, she grinned at her best friend beside her, and was met with an equally wide smile. Heart heavy and head full of vivid memories of their evening adventure, Cassandra hoped there would be more secret meetings in their future. And maybe, after tonight, though she didn't dare let her heart dream, they could become something more.

Support this and other stories! https://ko-fi.com/gemology

[tespuco]

PotC Liveblog: Curse of the Black Pearl

CotBP is one of my ‘forever films’ for sure - every time I rewatch it I not only feel the same sense of wonder and delight as the first time but invariably discover new things to love and squee over as well. 

I would love to learn more about Elizabeth as a child: this lonely, solemn girl who feels something perverse in her thrill at pirate stories and gallows humor, yet who gravely takes on the duty of looking after young William Turner because she wants to be good, too. (@dollsome-does-tumblr‘s Elizabeth-centric, post-CotBP fic Shrouded Heart explores this ambivalence in her self-concept with heart-wrenching emotional realism)

Wow, Will was doomed from the start, wasn’t he? I would be too if I were a 12-year old piece of half-drowned human driftwood waking up to a miniature guardian angel who softly murmurs, “I’m watching over you” before I drift back into unconsciousness

Framing Elizabeth’s memory of seeing the Black Pearl and meeting Will as a dream, one that impels her to put on the medallion, suggests fate or some other supernatural influence at work - a nifty way for writers to sidestep accusations of Contrived Coincidences and call it Destiny instead!

Keira Knightley is so beautiful hELP

Awww, Will is so proud of his handiwork! It’s interesting because the film puts a fair amount of emphasis on it early on, his skill and pride in not just wielding swords but forging them - only to tell us later that he’s really a pirate by blood and at heart. I like it when fics like fried_flamingo & salr323′s At World’s End: Redux lean into Will’s identity as a blacksmith and extrapolate from it an affinity for land/earth/balance/creation as opposed to the sea’s wild potential for destruction. (He lost his father to the sea and to piracy; he never learned to love either.)

My god everyone’s layered in buttoned-up and corseted finery in the fucking TROPICS no wonder Elizabeth passed out (ngl despite the ‘Caribbean’ in the title and visiting the Disney ride in New Orleans Square, I remember stupidly assuming Port Royal was part of England, not Jamaica; at 9 yrs old my geography was shit and I had yet to learn what imperialism was ok)

“A ship with black sails that’s crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that hell itself spat him back out.”  shiver me timbers now that’s how you tell a ghost story

“If he were telling the truth, he wouldn’t have told us” has the same antimonious energy as Winnie-the-Pooh going, “Well, it’s a good thing I noticed it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have seen it”

This is definitely tmi but in retrospect the rescue scene played a formative part in my (bi)sexual awakening: for a long time my go-to pubescent fantasies involved near-drownings followed by hypersexualized resuscitation attempts and frantic uncomfortable sex on wet rocks in damp subterranean caves

Omg I just realized Elizabeth’s scene with Jack on the docks mirrors the one she had on deck Will in the flashback: a (wo)man overboard recovered, rescuer hovering over a supine body and fingering the pirate medallion around his/her neck, love at first sight

“One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness.” “Though it seems enough to condemn him.” Basically “no good deed goes unpunished” but with style

16 years later and the swordfight between Jack and Will holds up as an iconic example of swashbuckling fight choreo. I also love how the exchange establishes the Jack/Will dynamic: the former as a kind of ironic mentor (“Excellent form. But how’s your footwork?”), the latter as an unwilling pupil who nevertheless mostly plays along

“I practice with them three hours a day.” “You need to find yourself a girl, mate.” Raunchy Shakespearean-grade comedy at its finest (along with  “This sweet, proliferous bouquet that is Tortuga…What do you think?” “It’ll linger.”)

“This shot is not meant for you.” I love the hints we get of Jack’s darker side: he keeps his bitterness close and his grudges closer; for 10 years he saved that bullet for one man, refusing to expend it in any number of life-threatening situations in the interim; he drawls, “Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen. The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers,” like a witch uttering a curse. A dishonest man, methinks, would not feel the stab of betrayal so deeply.

The running joke of Will not getting recognized for his skills and earnest efforts is what makes Norrington’s parting words to him at the end so satisfying: “This is a beautiful sword. I would expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in every aspect of his life.” (NORRINGTON KNEW IT WAS HIM ALONG BUT WAS TOO JEALOUS TO EVER PRAISE HIM TO HIS FACE that petty little shit lmao)

I remember looking up the definition of ‘acquiesce’ after watching CotBP as a kid, so Barbossa had a direct hand in expanding my 9-year old vocabulary.

Competent, hyper-focused!Jack at the wheel with an unholy gleam in his eye as he gets drenched in a torrential downpour is my kind of Byronic hero

I prefer Jack Sparrow’s backstory to remain a loose collection of rumors and half-truths jumbled together even in his own memory, but I DO want to know how Jack and Gibbs met, how the former earned the latter’s (mostly) steadfast loyalty. I want to eavesdrop on all the inebriated conversational musings they’ve shared over a bottle of rum, whether topside on the decks of a ship not the Pearl or shouted above/muttered below the ruckus of a Tortuga tavern.

I’d also read/watch a prequel about the mutiny. “He plays things closer to the vest now. And a hard-learned lesson it was.” WHO HURT YOU JACK

Well obviously Barbossa did, but I still have so many questions! How did a younger, more trusting Jack earn the ire of his first mate and crew, to the point where they’d stage a mutiny? Then again, to hear Gibbs tell it, Barbossa simply appealed to Jack’s sense of fairness; perhaps in their unadulterated greed they saw Jack’s honest streak as a vulnerability to exploit? Or was it something in Jack’s manner of captaincy that fomented discontent? Idk, I can’t tell based on the way the crew jeers at “Gents, you all remember Captain Jack Sparrow?” whether their antipathy smacks more of derision or vitriol.

“Mr. Gibbs? …Jack? Jack Sparrow?” Elizabeth must be SO confused by these blasts from her distant and more recent past: who knows when Gibbs left Norrington’s employ, but the last time she saw Jack he had her in chains and at gunpoint, and now apparently he’s conspiring with Will??

I’ve always been kind of baffled by the cabin scene between Elizabeth and Will. What is she apologizing for? Taking the medallion and not telling him? Or for telling him and making him realize his father was a pirate?

Also her tearful, “Because I was afraid that you were a pirate. That would have been awful” is the biggest, bald-faced lie if I’ve ever heard one. She took an interest in him BECAUSE she thought he was a pirate (although I do think young Elizabeth had been afraid FOR him, after Gibbs’ pantomime of the hangman’s noose)

“daft like Jack” should be my Jack/Elizabeth/Will OT3 tag

Ah, back when PotC incorporated visual gags to spice up their action sequences instead of building the equivalent of a Rube-Goldberg machine around a single, unfunny gag. Compare: Gibbs’ canteen making its unlikely way from the Interceptor to the Pearl and back as an accompaniment to the battle and Jack’s breakout from his cell VS the overextended Tortuga sequence in DMC where Jack weaves in and out of a brawl to no apparent purpose except to try on different hats and then exit the tavern.

“Though it does seem a shame to lose something so fine, don’t it? …So I’ll be having that dress back before you go.” Barbossa is despicable and Geoffrey Rush delivers his lines with such RELISH

I will squee over the island scene & its deleted segments at length in a separate post so for now I’ll just say: Elizabeth is obviously a huge Jack Sparrow stan and she’s doing a piss-poor job of hiding it

Listen it’s easy to overlook Norrington’s sense of duty and decency in the face of the stick up his butt and his bouts of extreme pettiness. But the fact is that Jack’s attempt to manipulate and appeal to his ambition fails. Because the Commodore is no Barbossa - he’s a fine man who serves others, not only himself; who cares whether a woman’s acceptance of his proposal is less than sincere; who wouldn’t have risked his men ambushing the Pearl’s crew had he known about the curse (last two courtesy of the deleted scenes on the Dauntless).

Now that I’m paying closer attention I’m just blown away by the careful consideration in Jack’s plans. He’s playing both sides to further his own goal of enacting revenge at minimal risk to himself, but he looks after the unwitting parties he involves in the process, too: while the Royal Navy occupies the undead pirates from the safety of their long range cannons, Jack can intervene to save Will, use him to break the curse, and kill Barbossa. All the good guys win! (He couldn’t have foreseen the Trojan Horse or the en masse submarine attack; nor Norrington’s pettiness in defying Jack’s instructions to man cannons that would’ve blown the undead into smithereens.)

Exhibit B: “Now, to be quite honest with you, there’s still a slight risk for those aboard the Dauntless, which includes the future Mrs. Commodore.” Disregard his insouciant delivery here, and you get Jack telling the whole, unvarnished truth!!! “What do you have to lose?” he asks Norrington, who brushes him off: “Nothing I’d lament being rid of.” It’s JACK who reminds him that for all their precautions, the ambush might put Elizabeth in danger. Jack knows about the curse, and after being marooned on an island with her, he knows Elizabeth will do whatever’s necessary to save Will. So he finds a way to ensure not only that she won’t interfere, but that she’ll be kept safe from harm!! I’ll never be over it

And Murtogg’s “You think he wasn’t telling the truth?” line is such a great callback to their early sketch as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on the docks of Port Royal. These dimwits happen to know Jack does tell the truth, expecting no one to believe him. His own exhortations on the subject notwithstanding, Jack’s real trickery lies in rarely telling the whole truth, letting people make their own assumptions, and giving them enough rope by which to hang themselves.

Governor Swann is such a darling, the ultimate doting father. It’s easy to assume he doesn’t get Elizabeth at all, but he’s no idiot. He rightly suspects she only agreed to marry Norrington to save Will, and while he’s not above nudging her in that direction (“I believe you made a very good decision today. Couldn’t be more proud of you.”), he’s also not about to let his only daughter bargain away her happiness for the sake of his OTP. (And his face of exasperated affection at Jack’s hanging, when he realizes she only pretended to faint as a diversion! Notice the lack of surprise in his expression: that’s the face of a father who is all too used to her Pulling This Kind of Shit)

Jack keeps popping up like a bad penny and both Norrington and Barbossa are so appalled every time lol

The sequence where Will breaks the curse and Jack shoots Barbossa and Elizabeth jerks like she’s the one who was shot is just - *chef’s kiss* the CHOREOGRAPHY! the CAMERAWORK! the EDITING! 

“I feel…cold.” *a single apple rolls out of Barbossa’s dead hands* Can you believe a summer blockbuster movie invented poetic justice tell your English professors

“If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it.” Ugh Will is sooo not my type but he’s so DASHING and GOOD no wonder Elizabeth covets him. What a hero

“My place is between you and Jack.” Ohhh you know what I would love to track the main characters’ alignment arcs throughout the series. Here Will’s situating himself as the Chaotic Good between Jack’s Chaotic Neutral and Norrington’s Lawful Good. But I would argue he’s still pretty Lawful and, even under Jack’s tutelage, only resorts to Chaos in extremis; meanwhile Jack flits between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral; Elizabeth’s arc is similar except it’s unidirectional; and without the Law at his back Norrington spirals into Neutral Evil. 

It’s the Sparrabeth shipper in me but the last line of the movie is Jack singing a song that Elizabeth taught him. (*Cutler Beckett voice* “We’ve had dealings in the past. And we’ve each left our mark on the other.”) For a fic about what Jack leaves her, may I redirect you to Shrouded Heart by dollsome, linked above - and this brain dump comes full circle!

[oreliforshort]

100 Reasons Why - 32

The War - SYML

32

Sometimes lost things can be found, but they are never the same.

Lance wasn’t sure how long it had been since he’d made the team leave him behind.  He’d done well to stay hidden for a while, but he knew he had no chance to escape when he’d told them to leave.  There were too many here for them to take on as a little group of five.  It had only taken about an hour for him to be captured  and less than that for the questioning to start.

It was easy, at first, to lie.

Questions like, where are they and where is voltron really could be answered simply.  He didn’t know.  Had they taken off?  Were they still nearby?  Lance honestly couldn’t answer.  Where they able to track this ship despite its strange ability to mess with the sensors?

The torture had been easy enough at first too.  Yeah, it sucked, but after a while, the shocks started to just cause more of a jolt than anything.  His body was nearly numb, trapped in the feeling of limbs full of pins and needles.  In his chest, Lance’s lungs burned from the electricity, but somehow, he managed to keep himself strong.

Put up with this and he would keep them safe.  Keep this up and soon the paladins will come to save him.  He just has to wait for them to come up with a plan.  Surely, he can last long enough for them to figure out the best way to get him back.

But they didn’t give him time to sleep.  They hardly give him time to think.  Time becomes a strange swaying thing, caught somewhere between reality and the next swell of pain. Questions become nothing but white noise.  Lance is certain he couldn’t answer any of them even if he’d wanted to.

But when they started to question his friends’ loyalty, Lance had to do something.  He had to give himself a reason to believe in them.  More than that, he had to give himself a reason to stay positive.  He’d been making a list on the ship and while he might not have the notebook anymore, he can keep going.  Lance hadn’t even realized he was counting in response to a question the first time he said something.

“Twenty nine.”  His voice had broken through the angry shouting of two galra soldiers trying to figure out the best way to get Lance to speak.  When they hear him, they look back in surprise.

“Twenty nine what?  Twenty nine paladins?!  No that doesn’t make sense.  Twenty nine...what?”  One of them shouted before slamming his fist into Lance’s stomach, annoyed with his vague choice of words.

“Twenty - nine,”  Lance coughed then had found a second wind.  “Love.”

“He’s messing with us!”  The second soldier says then hits the switch sending a painful shock through Lance’s body.

“Thirty.”  He had almost laughed.  “Thunderstorms.”

But now his count had grown high.  He could barely keep track of the numbers.  The third night, he finally got some sleep.  It hadn’t been much and it hadn’t been comfortable, stuck to this strange contraption he was stuck to, but finally he had slept.  In his dreams, Lance was home again.  He could see Allita and sing her another lullabye.  He and Teb could wrestle in the field behind the house again.  Mama would make him his favorite meal and they would all sit together and eat.

He had hardly wanted to wake up.  But the painful pull on his brain from the druid had woke him.  They were trying to pull information from him now through different means.  But, Lance really didn’t know much.  He never knew much, right?  They were in space.  Somewhere in the stars.  They were hopefully all safe inside that castle with the goo meals.  Maybe by now, they had come to the conclusion that it was safer to leave him behind.  The lions had their pilots after all.  All he was...all he’d ever been was the seventh wheel anyway.

Frustration seemed to fill the enemy team when the information they pulled from Lance was far from useful.  Rather than the location for Voltron, they seemed to get the most useless of information.

Most of it was blue.

Blue oceans.  Blue lakes.  Blue skies.  Blue dresses on little cousins.  Blue flowers.  Blue kool aid from a glass pitcher being shared by a laughing family.

Blue.

Lance wasn’t sure how long he could keep all of this up.  His body is tired, his spirit is broken and his heart is on the floor.  He’d been left behind.  Knowing this hurt, but at least he managed to save them all in his own way.  Sure, he might never see his family again and he’d never get to tell Keith how he really felt, but Lance had done his deed. And now, he needs to keep counting.  It’s the only way he can keep going.

“Sixty eight, the horizon.”

[libidomechanica]

You knew you were in your twenties, and I

How it falls on me, This summer evening, Lingered upon the beach is the window into the subway she turns to gold in the light banking off the ball-fields and to have thought of the Field of the Cloth of Gold and of Miss Macready. Time will not be ours forever; by and by I shall forget you presently, my dear, So make the ring.

The hopeless belling from the train as it leaves the night, alone I am to wait, I do not doubt I am to think of that small pale body asleep I return I take turns In love’s anger like the boggy depths of a stand of spruce, its resonance just the thin reeds of your saliva.

Backwards the grief of life like chance

as you and time for me, And love alone can lend you loyalty; –I know and admit to know pining pining til the tree-house perch, Ferris wheels, balconies, cliffs, a penthouse view, The merest thought thee bright, Who art as black as hell, as dark as night. I touch your skin and goosebumps lift, it’s your mind spills through certain challenge in being humane to hornets but not much. A shadow of ice exchanges the color of a romantic rose, flutters, and a long row of military trains crawls on the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo.

Slurped tea, stared at her hand-twigs, stained gloves— wheezed and coughed, pulled on the coat that hung from a stag.

Me laugh for America and New York city when your loveliest lie I will protest you with tears like a lover.

Seen up-close how the dictator strutting and stuttering film blew out his brains, how the flowers felt.

Be forgiveness; A love that in its object findeth not All grace and beauty in the street, Rubbing its back Climbs like a child; your old-fashioned hot line - no voice. I cried for madder music and for stronger wine, But when they vanish we’ll have spent the night Painfully quivering on the dazed eyes; A love that shall be new and fresh each hour, As is the only landscape able to give up smoking for good. From the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have known them all by name.

Me broken-hearted. Day, like wet silk stained by one dead branch the harsh russet of dried blood.

I could not act, Or live in the soul’s sleep,        Lie on the walls into motley halves; pensive, he looks at the honey seeping from the imperfect past A future less vivid. The merest thought of the Field of the Cloth of Gold and silver mixed to one, Passion ‘tis and pain,        Her voice, nor sound betrays        Are fraught with fear and pain,        When, sleeping in the eaves, The full round moon and the beavers abiding’ I tossed me, and I hope will bore Any sweet soul that reads it, being some ways My very self but mostly my antipodes; But having waved the heavy sky over London Stallion-hoofed Falls on the bay like a gull passing with a slow flapping of wings in a kind of gravity is like superstition And even what they will sing to me. Once hand on glass and heart in mouth, outdrank the Rahvs in the house.

Human race Capture all its dreams,        And whispers, in its song,       “Where hast thou stayed so long! ”

No!

It’s not inherited Like peace but it’s not peace

Princess

Diana

His skin ginger, a small lady bug With only two black dots on its back upon the past?

[honey-yoongles]

Written BTS ship for btsismy6thkink

Written ship YEEEAAAAS (sorry it’s long)

Hello… it is I, one of your favourite people in the world, I am here for a ship. Also I do apologise for this being unnecessarily long, and disclaimer to you can ship me with whom ever it doesn’t need to be my bias I won’t get mad, but I might get wrecked😂

I mean you know what I look like, but if anybody else reading my ship doesn’t then this is for their curiosity. Brown, collarbone length hair also newly with bangs; blue eyes, kinda chubby but I mean I don’t mind I look cute anyway and I’m 174(coincidentally making me shorter than all the members. I don’t know if this is necessary but I have 3 marks on my body proving how unlucky and clumsy I truly am, scar at my eye(a kid threw a shovel from a decent height, thanks for that you fucking twat), scar on my finger (tried to open a can of dog food but cutting myself in the process), burn on my foot(I spilled boiling water on it while making noodles).

I’ve been struggling with mental illness since I was like 10, I used to have undiagnosed anxiety and depression causing me an inability to talk to people and easily be embarrassed and it then proceeding to my brain driving me to the edge because I couldn’t take it. I’ve been able to control it though, sure I’ve had meltdowns and suicidal thought but it got better for a while… not going to lie it’s gotten worse again but hey, I’m not planning on quitting now.

Okay, so personality traits are + INFJ (advocate, that’s what the internet tells me) + Kind, even to people who don’t deserve it. + Forgiving + Weird + Happy, even with my mental illnesses I am happy. + Funny, like yeah but dark humour + Always hungry + Stubborn(so stubborn I taught myself to ride a bike, I didn’t speak in front of my parents when I was a baby only to myself when I was alone and I taught myself English bc my teacher wasn’t good at it) + Caring + Helpful + Positive

My dream job would be a writer, but frankly I will settle for teacher as the only person who believes I could write is dead and I’m not about to have people make fun of it. I am that one huge tea drinker who doesn’t known when I should stop, I LOVE books with a passion, I want to own every book I read and that’s just how it is. I love makeup which is just a way of expressing myself. I don’t have a huge support system but I got one person I would trust with my life and frankly to whom ever you ship me with they better be alright with third wheeling.

I love horror movies, like sign me the fuck up honestly I could watch them all day, they don’t scare me. However i am jumpy, literally if I drop something and then the sound reaches my ears I jump( lets just keep the anxiety thing in mind, because that is why). I have a little baby(bunny) but her name is literally baby. I love her with all my being because she is my squishy and she shall me mine(get that reference?? Sorry). Also got a dog but I mean we all know I love him. Actually I’m just a giant animal person. One more thing before I lead into boyfriend material things, I have a dirty mind, literally I can make everything you say dirty.

As for S/O, I would be supportive as fuck, kiss them any time of the day not caring about the place, probably jealous but not to the ‘crazy’ mark, the girlfriend who would let them pick the food and not actually complain bc I mean it when I say I don’t care, I don’t lie so I would tell him everything even I he did something wrong I would leave him to guess what he did. In return I would like trust and loyalty, that’s literally all I need… okay maybe like sex but I mean, we knew that at this point.

THATS IT I DONT KNOW WHAT MORE TO WRITE 

@btsismy6thkink ~

Hello to you, my in fact favourite person in the world right after min yoongi ofc lmAO IM SORRy

You asked, and I will deliver! Do not apologize for the length of your submission, it’s not like the one I send you was any better!（≧ｙ≦＊） Also we can’t have you being wrecked! Therefor I didn’t have to think twice about whom to ship you with. （＾ｖ＾）

I would encourage everyone to go and check out her blog, as I personally find her writing very good! (She writes great reactions, fan-fictions as well as ships, and she’s the reason I started doing them as well!)

Once again, thank you for your submission, I hope that you like your ship and the description I put together for you as well! *hand kiss*（*＾3＾）♡

Disclaimer: This written ship will be longer and more detailed than of what I usually do. I got carried away, so this is a one-time thing only!

I ship you with: Kim Namjoon

The first time he ever laid his eyes on you, he got hooked. He found you super cute, standing alongside and having a conversation with a girl he imagined was your best friend. You hadn’t noticed him yet, you were caught up in the gossip between you and your friend, laughing and taking sips from your drink every now and then. He admired you from afar: the way your hair framed your face perfectly, your fashionable outfit and the cutest smile, which he frankly caught himself smiling along with as well. Because he was so intrigued by you, he didn’t notice that your friend had left you alone at your table. This was his opportunity, he would think to himself, as he walked across the room taking the seat your friend had just left. Puzzled by his sudden appearance, you would let out a small sigh trying not to seem interested, when in fact you were the exact opposite. Namjoon would leave the impression of being rather introverted and shy from the first glance you’d send him, but you quickly realized that he was actually such a social butterfly. The two of you would have an hour long conversation about god knows what; he even offered to buy you a drink which you kindly refused at first, but accepted the offer the second time.

Once he got to know you better, Namjoon would admire your kind, positive yet peculiar personality. Every remark from you brought a smile on his lips, causing him to usually flash his dimples that you adored so much. Being just as unlucky and clumsy as you, the two of you would always look out for each other. Once he knew about your past issues and struggles with anxiety and depression, Namjoon would be all over you. He is the worrying kind, and would want to check up on you every minute if possible. He would at times go overboard, but you knew he did it because he cared so deeply for you.

It was no secret that Namjoon was crazy for you at this point, and it didn’t take more than a month before the two of you were officially a couple. Namjoon had written hundred of love songs about other girls and his past relationships, but when it came to you, he was simply just lost for words. You were the kind of girl who deserved the world, and yet he felt like it was impossible for him to put it into words. It was however almost certain that he would manage to write you something personal in the end.

Let us not forget about the shared interests that the two of you have as well. He loved that you had a passion for reading and collecting books, and would always ask you after you finish a piece whether or not you would recommend it for him to read. When you both had the time, he would invite you to different bookstores, buying you whatever book you showed the slightest interest in. On other occasions, Namjoon loved to take you out for either lunch or dinner. He would always suggest going to fancy places with menus on different languages that none of you understood, and although you usually didn’t care where the two of you went and what you had to eat, there would still be times where you would go against his crazy ideas, suggesting something a bit more simple. Another thing that he loved when the two of you were together, was your way of showing affection towards him. The fact that you didn’t care about what other people thought about the two of you, as well as you taking his hand while walking and randomly stealing kisses in the open.

Already after the first day of your relationship, Namjoon had invited you over to their house. He had no doubts about introducing you to the rest of the boys, because he just knew how well you would get along with them. Your positive and kind charisma would attract Taehyung and Hoseok in an instant, and they would quickly become some of your best friends. The fact that you were so good with animals as well, made them invite you over to their place rather often. They didn’t really want to admit it, but you sometimes only accepted their invite to come over just to spend time with both Yeontan and Mickey, and occasionally Holly as well, rather than hanging out with them. Seokjin would also introduce you to Eomuk and Odeng, and allow you to hold and feed them, and watch them climb around in their cage all day. After a while you would also come to befriend Yoongi, who was rather distant to begin with. Once you got to know him though, he was way more open and social when you were around the house. 

[imhereforbvcky]

imhereforbvcky's Marvel Receptacle

Okay I have read so many great stories on here but I’m absolute shit about leaving feedback, so here we go. The list of Marvel fics I’ve read and love (at least that I can remember). I’ll keep adding as I read them.

Last updated: 1/12/18 (search fic rec on my blog for more recent)

One Shots

Fluff (one shots)

Sand and Sea by @denialanderror This floof is too fun and I love the patented Bumbles sass. Summary: It’s too hot to do anything but you have the marvelous idea of taking a trip to the beach. However, Bucky just likes to be difficult, it seems.

Make Me by @marvelatmytrash This light-hearted one is so sweet and funny. I’m obsessed with this idea. I giggled the whole time. Summary: You catch Bucky in a compromising position and are a little less than helpful in getting your boyfriend out of his sticky situation.

I’ve got my love to keep me warm by @sugardaddytonystark A gorgeous holiday fic that is a beautiful balance of sweet and sultry. It literally feels like reading a dream. It’s just so gorgeously worded ugh. You need to read this. Summary: Outside the window, in the city square, the bulbs on the Christmas tree are still twinkling, rainbow lights reflecting off and refracting through the glass. A growing sheet of white snow is covering the ground and everything beyond the diner is ice-covered and frozen. But inside, it’s warm, and the air is thick with the smell of cinnamon and stew. James is here and your heart is pounding, stomach fluttering, and it feels good to feel this way, even if it’s not reciprocated.

A Freshly Brewed Storm by @doublestufthoreo I adore this fic. It is fun and not quite fluff. It looks at another side of Steve, what daily life Steve might look like. What adjusting might look like. Summary: Yeah, he’s is Captain America — he’s supposed to be the punctual one. It doesn’t stop him from running a coffee shop with terrible timings. Despite it, he does manage to bring back a regular. 

Siblings Be Cray Cray  by @littlemisssyreid I adore this fic. It is hilarious and relatable and so perfectly Tony. Summary: You’re Tony’s sister and at the team’s nagging he barges into your place to keep you company while you’re sick.

Smooth Criminal by @redgillan This fic is so fucking adorable I cannot make the words do the word thing to explain how much I love it. It is so fluffy but still cute and silly and fun so it’s not just like tooth rotting fluff. I’m obsessed with it. Summary: Bucky’s a cop and got called to a crime scene to arrest a criminal but he realizes the criminal is the person he’s dating.

Pool Balls and Underpants by @bitsandbobsandstuff Listen. This fic is so sassy and adorable, you should really read it like yesterday. I cannot handle the banter and the tension is just so flawless. Summary: Bucky offers to teach you how to play pool, but he ends up in a slightly awkward predicament.

Angst (one shots)

Hello & Goodbye Stranger by @serzhantkris Two sides of the same story, I don’t know how Kris put so much feeling into this brief exchange on a bus but I love it. Summary: Hello: You meet the love of your life on a bus. Based on “Hello” by Adele. Goodbye Stranger: Bucky falls in love with a woman on a bus. Based on “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp.

I’ve Got You by @serzhantkris I’m usually not a fan of soulmate AUs but holy fuckin shit. The aaaangst kills me in this one and I love it. I could re-read this one a thousand times. Summary: Soulmate au where instead of your soulmates first words to you written on your skin it’s their last words you ever hear them say so you don’t know who your soulmate is until you lose them.

Ocean Eyes by @whothehellisbella A really poetic and beautiful group of one shots. Soft and sad, just like the song :)

Brave: (Verb.) by @iwillbeinmynest I love this fic because while the reader is a badass, she isn’t perfect. She gets scared, she freezes, she’s so perfectly, relatably normal. I am obsessed with powerful normal characters right now. Summary: Prompt fic: “Scared is what you’re feeling. Brave is what you’re doing.”

Combo/Other (any combination of fluff+angst+smut) (one shots)

Feel Me by @avasparks (renewed version) An enhanced reader helps Bucky work into life after the Winter Soldier. It’s soft and intense and then sexy aaah. I love this one.

Five Sweaters To Make You Want Me by @sebbytrash​ Ok look, there is not one thing that isn’t flawless here. Not. One. I love this story so much. It’s cute and sweet and a dash of angst and a scoop of omg this might blow up in a bad way, and then flawless resolution. Kale! How do you nail the endings so well???? I give up.

Breakfast by @sugardaddytonystark Smug, pain in the ass Buckaroo is my favorite Buckaroo. This is some seriously fantastic smut and I love love love all the banter. Summary: It’s not like you were jealous.Yeah, you and Steve have been roommates for two years. And yeah, you consider him your best friend. But you know that Bucky was Steve’s friend first, and now that Bucky has moved in to the third bedroom, it’s about time that you accept being the third wheel. or Steve is out of town so you and Bucky hate fuck.

Ok this isn’t a one shot, but @emilyevanston‘s headcannons They’re so much fun and there’s honestly something for everyone. EVERYONE. Also I don’t know how the hell Kate keeps up with them all and manages to link them all! But she does. Bless her soul.

I Lost It by @theashhole An amazing bundle of fics that are adorable and painful. Soaring high or crashing with the pain. I love it and am amazed at the range Ash can reach with just two parts so far! Summary: We follow Bucky as he describes the three times in his life where he has ‘lost it’ with you. 

Haunted by @abovethesmokestacks This fic is magic. Pure magic. What starts as a mysterious and haunting scene melts into a tremendously endearing and gentle story. I love it. It doesn’t push things too quickly, I love the pace and it allows the sweet little gems shine t he brighter. Love. It. Summary: Prompt fic: “I know you, don’t I?” for a Halloween writing challenge

Series

Angst (series)

Death Wish by @helaodinsdottirr Listen. You need to read this. You just do. it’s so dang good and intense and the slow burn is soooo goood uuuuugh. Summary: You answer a frantic phone call from an old acquaintance to help their dying friend, who just so happens to be an Avenger. But doing a good deed has more consequences than one might think. Saving him might just mean condemning yourself.

What We Deserve by @helaodinsdottirr I just can’t get enough of Jess’s writing, alright? She will break your heart with this one and then give you back a taped up ball of glowing happy. Summary: When Steve goes to Bucky’s apartment in Bucharest he finds you while Bucky’s gone out to the market. Massive angst and fluff ensues.

Thicker Than Water by @nataliarxmanxva This concept is incredible and I love how Sophia weaves bits of hinted at stories from the Cap movies into this story. It’s so great! And the reader character is strong but flawed and you just don’t know what’s going to happen! Summary: Being born and raised in a HYDRA family means you must be a devoted member to the organisation, carrying out orders with blind obedience. But after being assigned the suicide mission of being the Winter Soldier’s handler, you slowly start to question where your loyalties truly lie.

The Night Ahead by @helaodinsdottirr I love all of Jess’s writing. She is a master of angst and building dramatic tension. She can weave a story so full of surprises and genius turns. Summary: Bucky came out of cryostasis after just a few months. With the help of Steve, he’s trying to piece the fractions of his mind back together. While flipping through old HYDRA files, he remembers something from his days as the winter soldier: you.

Through His Eyes by @sebbytrash This. Series. Is fan-fucking-tastic. So much angst, like truckloads on all sides but it’s so beautiful and it makes so much sense that it doesn’t feel like overload. I can’t get enough of this one no matter where it goes. Summary: Bucky arrives at the compound to start afresh but you and him have a somewhat colorful past, colorful being that you met him once before as The Winter Soldier and it did not go well. New beginnings, yeah? If you can learn to forgive.

Barnes’ Books by @marvel-lucy Fantastically angsty and soft. A lovely little dream world about a down on her luck character who stumbles into a friendship with a bookstore owner and later a relationship with his son.

Winter Shadow by @marvel-lucy Intense and mysterious. You fall into the hands of the avengers as a prisoner, they soon discover that you have been the Winter Soldier’s silent partner all along.

Combo/Other (any combination of fluff+angst+smut) (series)

Surrender by @marvel-ash Holy shit this is one where I honestly never know what’s going to happen in the next part. It’s so mysterious and gah! I love it. Summary: As a flight attendant, you’d traveled all over the world. You’d never thought you could meet someone who could take you somewhere you hadn’t already been.

Divided by @marvelatmytrash Ok this is so fantastically done. I don’t even have the words. Basically B injects the reader as a new character in Civil War and it’s incredible how seamlessly she fits her in and how hard B worked to keep to the script/storyline. It’s amazing. Summary: You have always been one of the best agents at the Avenger’s compound, now you come face to face with the Winter Soldier and find yourself drastically underprepared.

Melodies by @denialanderror Pianist Bucky smut. That’s all that needs to be said here, I think. Summary: Unable to fall back asleep, you decide to wander around the tower when you hear music coming from somewhere. But it’s 3am, no one should be awake so late.

Heart On The Line by @sugardaddytonystark The smoothest story you can find with the most delicious smut weaved into a genuinely entertaining story. I love this fic. I love a lot of Dahlia’s fics. Summary: You and Bucky had your differences in college, but now you need a place to stay and he needs a roommate, and in order to make ends meet, you two start a phone sex line together.  

Worth Fighting For by @serzhantkris A gorgeous group of series. Full of angst and action. Beautifully slow build. I’ve read a few of her other one shots that are fantastic! She writes incredibly insightful angst. Summary: When your brother is drafted into WWII, you do the unthinkable to save him and your family: you take his place, in secret.

The Witching Hour by @soldatbarnes Such a fun and terrifying horror series! Oh my god I binged this in one night. Fantastic push and pull of no this can’t be real to no, fuck no, I would not put up with this! The perfect play of rational mind dealing with irrational occurrences. It was so entertaining. Summary: You and your husband Bucky move into your dream home, a few weeks after your marriage. You had no idea what you’d be in for.

When Everything’s Made to be Broken (I just Want You to Know Who I Am) by @cassiopeiassky You listen to me! Read this fic and read it right now! Binge the shit out of it! It’s amazing! I LOVE that it takes an ordinary reader and puts her in extraordinary circumstances. It is full of angst and fluff and violence and tension. Literally everything you could want in a fic. It’s perfect and so worth the read. Cass is a master of slow burn and drama – my two favorite things! Summary: When you inadvertently become a witness to a murder and are suddenly a target for death, it takes a specially skilled soldier and his team to keep you and your family safe.

[piratethornton]

Pirates of the Clawribbean

Chapter 3: The Black Paw

Fandom: Zootopia

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

While Captain Wilde busied himself behind the curtain replacing his breeches, Judy made herself comfortable at his table in front of the map, glad that she recognised most of the words. She fully intended to not reveal to the Captain that her lapine was a little rusty. Fortunately the instructions were simple, mostly made up of 'turn left here' and 'watch out for so and so'. Within a few minutes the Captain joined her and using his own navigational charts, they soon worked out the general location of where the treasure was hidden. Both mammals were so focused on their task, they quite forgot to be rude to each other, and when they had finished they shared smiles of satisfaction.

"Don't know what Honey was so worried about," said Captain Wilde, stretching. "This is gonna be easy."

"I doubt Captain Maul would have buried his treasure somewhere easy," replied Judy, frowning.

Captain Wilde rolled his eyes then glanced back at Judy. "So...a couple of fencing lessons when you were younger?"

Judy gave a slightly guilty smile. "Well, more like sword fighting twice a week with a retired Navy captain since I was thirteen."

The Captain raised an eyebrow. "Is it common nowadays for ladies to learn about weapons?"

"Actually I'm a bit of an oddball," she admitted, embarrassed. "I had dreams of joining the Navy, so I got Captain Savage to tutor me."

"Savage?" asked Captain Wilde, shocked. "As in Jack Savage?"

"You've heard of him?"

"I've heard rumours. I always thought he was just a story to make bunnies feel better about themselves."

Judy narrowed her eyes at the remark but before she could retort back the Captain started speaking again.

"Well, if you're gonna be staying here then I may as well show you around." He strode over to the door and opened it. "This way."

They had only taken one step out of the cabin before they found their path blocked by Clawhauser. It seemed he had been sitting by the door, and was now hurrying to his feet.

"Oh, sorry," he said, nervously. "It's just that...I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go."

"Luckily for you I was about to give a tour," the jovial Captain told him. "Tag along."

Clawhauser stepped aside to let the other two on deck and followed, sticking very close to Judy. They made their way up a small staircase to where the helm was situated, and at the wheel, wearing a serene smile, was a sloth.

"Flash, Flash, one hundred league dash!" Captain Wilde strode over to lean against the railing next to the wheel and grinned widely. "May I introduce Lady Cottontail and Spots Clawsomething."

Judy glared at the Captain then turned to the sloth. "Actually, it's Lady Judy and - "

"Very...nice...to meet...you," said the sloth, finally responding to the Captain.

Judy and Clawhauser exchanged a look.

"No finer helmsmammal on the entire ocean," stated the Captain, smiling lazily at their reaction. "No faster ship, either."

Though Judy and Clawhauser were completely perplexed that a mammal who seemed to barely move was in charge of navigation, they could clearly see that the ship was moving at a swift pace, and the glimpses they had caught of the attack on the Cloverleaf demonstrated great agility from both vessel and helmsmammal.

"Nice to meet you, too," replied Judy, wanting to be polite.

"I...saw...your...duel...earlier...today. Excellent...technique."

"Thank you," said Judy, warmly. Normally she would have engaged in conversation with this seemingly friendly mammal, however she felt in this instance that she would be standing there late into the night if she did. It was already close to sunset.

Fortunately Captain Wilde chose to move on. After bidding Flash farewell, they went back down the steps to the main deck and walked towards a web of rigging tended by a cougar. He looked up when he heard the group approaching.

"This is Bobby. Bobby Catmull." Captain Wilde gestured toward the cougar. "He's our resident strong and silent guy."

Bobby offered a friendly smile and wave which was returned by Judy and Clawhauser. They all turned when the door that led below deck opened and a sour-faced polar bear stepped out. The Captain immediately walked over to him.

"And this is Nathan Articsen. I'd like to say he's not as scary as he looks, but even a pirate can't lie all the time."

Judy and Clawhauser shrank under the bear's gaze, but when his eyes landed on Judy he suddenly brightened.

"Lady Judy!" he exclaimed in a cheerful voice. "I thought I recognised you!"

Judy furrowed her brow at this, then suddenly remembered a polar bear called Nathan that had worked for Mr Big. Her face split in a joyful grin. "Nathan! What are you doing here?"

"Mr Big's orders," Nathan replied. "He wants me to keep an eye on this one -" he jerked his head towards Wilde "- since he's prone to being a disappointment."

"So he was dealing with pirates," said Judy in wonder. "It's so good to see you again."

"Likewise. Are Mr Big and Miss Fru Fru well?"

"They're fine." She was so glad to come across a friendly face she recognised. "I had dinner with them not too long ago -"

"And we should move on." Captain Wilde grabbed Judy by the shoulders and guided her around Nathan to the door. His previous cheery mood seemed to have vanished. "You two can catch up later. We still have a whole ship to see."

Nathan's face settled back into a frown as he watched the three go below deck, Clawhauser waving nervously at him just before he was out of sight.

The Captain pointed out the magazine were the weapons were stored, then led them to the gun deck which also served as the crew's sleeping quarters. Hammocks were strung from the ceiling and in between the cannons were chests that held the crew's belongings. Judy counted eight hammocks and was again surprised at the small number. Further along the deck they came across the kudu and gemsbok cleaning one of the cannons and arguing ferociously. The Captain gave their names as Bucky and Pronk but apparently didn't consider them that interesting since he quickly moved on.

"They mostly do the cleaning and any odd jobs that need doing," he explained, "preferably somewhere they can't disturb anyone else."

Judy was silently glad they didn't stop for a chat with the loud pair, and very soon they reached the galley. There was a circular wooden table and behind that an alcove designated for preparing the crew's meals. A lot of incensed smoke billowed from the alcove, making it hard to see the cook though they could plainly hear the sounds of pots and cutlery.

"Hey, Yax!" the Captain called out as he walked towards the alcove. "I've got some visitors for ya!"

"Visitors?" A large, dark shape began to emerge from the smoke. "Hey, that's cool. I heard we had some newcomers onboard."

Eager to make a good first impression, Judy stepped forward. "I'm Lady Judy, this is Mister Clawhauser and YOU ARE NAKED!" She quickly turned around as a yak revealed himself. He was, indeed, naked and his long thick hair was tied in several braids and dreadlocks.

"Yeah," he replied, completely unfazed at Judy's reaction. "I've never felt natural in clothes. I think they're unnatural in general. It's good to feel free." He raised his hands above his head and stretched his entire body.

"I hear ya, Yax," said Captain Wilde, smiling widely at Judy and Clawhauser who were shielding their eyes in mortification. "Yax is the ship's cook. He'll be kindly preparing your meals for you during your stay here. And all without an apron."

"Err...Judy, can I talk to you for a moment?" asked Clawhauser, gesturing towards the galley entrance and trying not to look at Yax.

Glad to remove herself from the situation, at least temporarily, she followed Clawhauser to the doorway. The Captain watched as they walked away, then turned to converse with Yax.

"What is it?" asked Judy, quietly.

"Are you sure about all this?" replied Clawhauser, an unsure expression on his face.

"I know he's naked, but we'll just have to deal with it -"

"No, I meant... They're pirates, Judy! How can we trust them?"

"I can read the map. I'm too valuable. They know it, we know it. They wouldn't dare try to harm us."

"And what happens when you're no longer valuable? They'll just toss us overboard."

Judy smiled reassuringly. "Nathan remembers me, and his loyalties lie with the Big family first and foremost. He'll watch out for us."

A weight lifted from Clawhauser's shoulders, but he still seemed uncertain. "It's just...you have this habit of jumping into things without thinking of the consequences. As soon as I mentioned the treasure, you seemed to forget we were on a pirate ship."

"I can handle them," she said, sighing a little in exasperation.

"Really? The thought of paying off your family's debts isn't clouding your judgement? At all?"

Judy blinked. It was true, as soon as she heard of the treasure her family's financial problems had sprung to mind, and while part of the reason she did what she did was to ensure her and Clawhauser's safety, she couldn't deny the hope that bubbled in her chest when she discovered the opportunity to save the Hopps clan without having to marry.

She took a deep breath. "I know I'm a little impulsive, but we're going to be OK, Mister Clawhauser. Trust me."

Clawhauser gave a small, wry smile. "After all we've been through today, I think you can call me 'Ben' from now on."

Judy chuckled softly, then turned as the door opened to reveal the fennec fox and honey badger, who smirked and smiled warmly respectively.

"I hear you're meeting the crew," said the badger. She moved forward to shake their hands. "I'm Honey, the ship's surgeon, carpenter and expert on legends and curses. This is Finnick, the first mate."

"I make sure he doesn't get us killed." Finnick gestured a thumb towards the Captain who had come over to join them.

"I guess that's everyone, and just in time for dinner." He looked over his shoulder where Yax was dishing out a brown, lumpy stew into bowls and placing them on the table. The group assembled at the door way took several steps back as Bucky and Pronk suddenly raced in and sat at the table. They didn't bother to wait for the rest of crew to join them and immediately set to work shovelling Yax's concoction into their mouths. Bobby and Nathan arrived only a few seconds later and took their places with much more decorum.

"Please, help yourselves." Captain Wilde bowed to Ben and Judy and pointed to the table. "You'll have to forgive us if we don't have the correct cutlery. We are simple folk."

Judy gave him a haughty look (which she had rarely used) and sat next to Nathan. Ben eagerly sat next to her and grabbed a bowl, relieved that his fear of going hungry on the pirate ship had not come to pass.

Captain Wilde was about to move to the table when he felt a paw on his shoulder. He turned and saw Honey wearing a very serious expression. "Nick, can I talk to you?"

He raised a questioning eyebrow but nodded. He grabbed two bowls from the table and left the room, Honey following close behind with her own dinner along with a curious Finnick. After making a quick detour to the helm to give Flash his helping of stew, they settled themselves at the Captain's table and began to eat.

"So, what's the problem, Honey?" asked Nick, his feet on the table.

"You promised room and board to our 'guests'," stated Honey. "You do know what that means?"

"You're worried Spots is going to eat all our supplies?" Nick smiled. "I'll tell Yax to keep a look out. It'll do him good to lose a few pounds."

"I have no problems about the cheetah. It's the rabbit."

"What have you got against rabbits?"

Honey sighed. "It's not that she's a rabbit. It's because she's female."

Nick tilted his head slightly in confusion. "...So?"

"Where's she going to sleep?"

"You have no problem sleeping with the rest of the crew."

"Yes, but she's a Lady. With a capital L!"

"She has a point," said Finnick, who had been listening with interest.

"What do you want me to do?" snapped Nick, annoyed. "Give her my cabin?"

"That would be the chivalrous thing to do," mused Honey.

"I'm a pirate. I'm not supposed to be chivalrous."

"A cute bunny ain't supposed to beat you in a sword fight, neither," said Finnick, smirking.

Nick looked from one to the other in disbelief. "I am not handing over my cabin to a jumped-up rabbit!"

"Then where - ?"

"The spare sails," interrupted Nick, rubbing his forehead in thought. "We can use them to section off part of the gun deck. Will that be good enough?" He glared at Honey.

"I suppose," she consented. "Have you gotten any further with the map?"

"We have a heading," replied Nick. "I hate to admit it, but the bunny's been useful in that respect." He grinned excitedly. "We're actually gonna do it. We're gonna find Captain Maul's treasure."

Finnick snorted. "Say that to me again when we actually find the damn thing. Maybe I'll believe it."