#(the answer was love! it turns out! although I wouldn't have phrased it like that at the time)

[blujayonthewing]

❤️,🧠,🍀 for the ask meme! Take your pick of whomth, I’m curious about everyone :3

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

One of Elyss's best memories was getting to meet and hold her newborn niece for the first time! Elyss has been incredibly isolated for her entire life, with (some of) her family being her strongest (and, until very recently, her only) connections in the world, and her brother Max is her best friend and most beloved person. His wife had their daughter, Emily, when Elyss was out living alone in the woods, but she knew roughly when the baby was due and came home pretty shortly after she was born. Holding her was the most pure distilled moment of joy and love Elyss has ever experienced to date. Em is about five now, and Elyss would do absolutely anything in the world for her.

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

Elyss is very intense, bad with people, and sometimes ruthlessly true neutral, but at the core of almost everything about her is overwhelming love, and a largely unfulfilled desire to be loved. It makes her incredibly compelling to me, and is the source of a lot of her conflict both within herself and with the rest of the world. She prefers to think things through very carefully and act logically and rationally, but she's fundamentally ruled by her emotions and they often get the better of her decision-making in ways that confuse and frustrate her. She craves connection with others, but doesn't know how to forge or maintain relationships, and is so used to social rejection that she has a hard time even recognizing affection when it is there. Like... she's probably my most straightforwardly violent OC but JUST under the surface SO much of her story has been about love and acceptance, or lack thereof, and what she's willing to do out of love for others (almost anything) and I'm so incredibly soft about it

🍀 - What originally inspired the OC?

Elyss was my first 5e character; she was only supposed to be a one-shot character at a weekend get-together with friends, and we built our characters that weekend with free resources and without a lot of prep ahead of time. This is relevant for two reasons: one, I always wanted to play a ranger, and I'd envisioned having an animal companion, but I ended up being sick for most of one of those days and didn't have enough time to wanna have to mess with looking up animal stats and mechanics on top of everything else; and two, the app we were using to quickly build characters listed genasi as a race, and when I found out that was the elementally-aligned race I instantly got the mental image of a character whose skin naturally looked like it was underwater with light rippling though and went OH YEP I'M DOING THAT. Otherwise, a lot of her initial characterization was inspired by me being interested in nature and in wilderness survival, and imagining a person who had spent most of their life alone in the woods building their entire personality and philosophy on life by watching the way the natural world works (and, consequently, not having any social skills because they were never around people).

Ask about my OCs?

[xuterboo]

Kings of Hell and your illness. Their concern is for you. Part 2 ☕💊🛌

Part 1

Beelzebub:

By some lucky chance, he still ended up in his kingdom.

You met him at the threshold of the castle and immediately sneezed. Beelzebub suspected something was wrong. You had a blush on your cheeks and walked a little sluggishly. Without saying another word, he comes over and kisses you straight on the forehead

Yes, just as he thought. Heat. Grabbing you by the shoulder, with a cheerful smile, Belzebub drags you into the castle. But he leads you not to the bedroom, but to the kitchen. .

There he sits you down at the table, and starting to cook something simple but very tasty, the King of Gluttony says that there is no better medicine in the world than food. It gives strength to the body, especially the human body. It is so? Therefore, before you rest, you need to eat nutritiously and healthy!

The food was prepared quickly. Despite the strange Hellish dishes, or at least their strange appearance for you personally, the soup turned out to be deliciously delicious. Having eaten, you began to feel lighter, and Beelzebub dragged you to the bedroom.

Placed in a random room, Beelzebub will cuddle with you while you fall asleep and actually sleep. Inhaling your scent, holding your jelly-like body in his palms, Beelzebub wants there to be more moments like this

Part of the dialogue:

Bael: Damn... Why did you promise to come today, but now you don’t answer?? Have you put your phone on silent again? I hope he didn't forget about his promise...

«He angrily walks past the open door and suddenly stops, noticing a familiar bright spot out of the corner of his eye. Walking into the room, Bael's eyebrows rise. He sees Belzebub and MC sleeping peacefully on the bed. Sighing heavily, he smiles, closing the door»

Bael: Well... I'm glad he's here

Bonus: (I can't help but add this)

«Belzebub feeds you his own soup. Straight from the spoon, like a baby. MC expresses slight dissatisfaction because of this»

Beelzebub: Okay then. Take a spoon for mom, for dad...-

Beelzebub: A. Fuck

MC: Yeah, this is very fucking funny..

Lucifer:

It’s strange that you got sick, because in the Lost Paradise they provided you with proper preventive care and tempered you, among other things. But nothing can be done.

Seeing your condition, Licifer (who is probably well versed in medicine(?) seems like he should), I immediately understood the cause of my illness and sent you to rest. Buer and Marbas take care of your health. Lucifer silently watches this on the sidelines. He trusts his loved ones, so he doesn’t worry about you.

You would listen to his stories from the past, or terrible tales of hell that would hardly be read to human children. You listen to his gentle voice. He is so wonderful that he lulls you to sleep. Lucifer, although he does not know how to properly show his emotions, but he shows it well in caring. If he didn't care, he wouldn't do all this. I wouldn’t call you affectionately “Kid”, I wouldn’t stroke your head when you were about to fall asleep, smiling slightly. Looking at your closed eyes, Lucifer is glad that you are recovering quickly.

Part of the dialogue:

«Lucifer strokes MC's head, smiling slightly. This smile is noticeable, but makes you feel inspired. Buer, standing nearby, smiles, feeling happy for his king»

Lucifer: Well... You'll hear a better story

Suddenly the door opens and Gamigin bursts into the room, holding tangerines in his hands»

Gamigin: MC, are you sick??

Buer: Shhhh!!!

Gamigin: Oh, oh.. sorry..

Belphegor:

He didn't even know that you were sick until he found out from Gusion, who accidentally turned the phrase "I have to go to MC and ask how he/she is feeling". After that, Belphegor was silent for a minute, and then, half asleep, he asked, “What about MC?”

Upon learning that you are not feeling well, Belphegor will order you to be brought to his room immediately. It was unexpected. But as you sat on his bed, Belphegor sluggishly opened his eyes. Looking at you, he blinked a couple of times, and then called you over. Suddenly he pulls you into his arms. He sits half-sitting, and you lie on his friend. Your body is burning due to the temperature, which is why his body seems so cool.

You involuntarily reach out to him and soon you fall asleep in his arms. You and him will only be there for important matters. For you, these are medicines and food and water, but for Belphegor, important political matters. The remaining time you spend almost in one position. Long rest helped you recover.

Part of the dialogue (situation):

«MC lies in an embrace with Belphegor.Harumon sat comfortably somewhere next to them. He purred quietly, creating an even warmer atmosphere. They are both drooling over their 200th dream. Beleth cannot resist taking a photo of this beautiful scene. He sends the photo to the nobility. Someone was touched, but someone (Gusion) didn’t even answer because he was working»

That's all! I went to bed because after this ton of water my brain became like jelly.

It's my opinion. Thanks for reading!

[kazamajun]

Did Kazumi want Kazuya killed?

I like Kazumi a lot as a character. Her design and music themes are bangers. One thing just always bothered me though, how she seemingly loved Kazuya but then requested that Akuma kill him back when he was only five years old. So I did a little investigating to try and make sense of it, rewatching both the story mode and intros and old trailers, and what I turned up was quite interesting.

Evidence for:

Akuma's pov flashback where Kazumi says "Kill him for me... And also... Kazuya..."

Akuma seems to believe it's what she wanted, and is how he interpreted the promise to Kazumi.

Evidence against:

The wording and phrasing is questionable. "Kill him" ... "and also" - why not just say "kill them" if she meant both? Additionally, ellipses are most often used to indicate omissions of words. What is being cut out?

This is perhaps answered where we get a more fleshed out version of the scene, like the 2014 SDCC trailer. The same footage is also in Japanese here, if you'd rather spare yourself the English dub. Transcription of dialogue: "If I die, if I can't stop Heihachi, then you must do it for me." "Kazuya? That boy is still too young. And Heihachi will soon realize that he was born with my powers. Heihachi is more powerful than you realize. Who knows what Heihachi will do to Kazuya or to countless others? It is up to me. I must stop Heihachi." "Even if this power consumes me and kills me in the process." No mention of killing Kazuya, in fact she seems concerned for his welfare. Why worry about him like this if she's asking for him to be killed? Evo 2014 reveal trailer transcription: "You're here. That must mean the time has come. Kazuya? I must stop him. I must stop Heihachi. By now I'm sure that Heihachi has realized he was born with my powers." Similar to the SDCC one, just shorter, as this one came out first. And again the same implication that she's worried about Kazuya's fate. From the PS4 opening cinematic: "My beloved Heihachi will inevitably engulf the world in war and destruction resulting in the loss of many innocent lives." No Kazuya mention at all.

Kazuya himself does not seem to believe it. He calls it absurd and laughs, and in the final confrontation with Heihachi, Kazumi's theme plays towards the end of this whole sequence. Also while not in the story mode; in the opening cinematic (and also in the trailers linked above) Kazuya says "You killed my mother!" before their fight, indicating that he is avenging her.

Kazumi has a reason for wanting Heihachi dead. The Hachijos sent her there as a 'sleeper agent' of sorts to take Heihachi out if he became a threat to the world, which he does after killing Jinpachi and taking control of the Zaibatsu. Kazuya, being a five year old, is no such threat obviously. It does not make any logical sense. If the Hachijos were in the habit of killing their own offspring, their lineage wouldn't go far. And if him being Heihachi's son was the concern, why even have him? Additionally, she genuinely loved Kazuya, something even Heihachi admits. Either way, a young child does not fit the profile of the 'scum' that the Hachijo apparently try to wipe out.

Miscellaneous:

Heihachi seems not to believe it initially; although his reason for questioning it is purely the passage of time as Akuma waited over 40 years to fulfill this promise.

A potential thought as to why Kazuya was perhaps not mentioned as one of Akuma's targets in the other cinematics occurred to me as perhaps it being a plot point that they wanted to keep under wraps, but this was easily debunked by the story trailer a few months before the console release, showing the fight between Kazuya and Akuma. There is also a showdown between them in a 2016 trailer that matches neither of the story mode battles.

If Kazumi thought that Kazuya needed to be killed, she could theoretically have done it herself, easily. After her illness that activated her devil gene, Heihachi believed she was not in control of herself and she supposedly never remembered her attacks on him after she went back to 'normal'. And yet, during those times, her target was only ever Heihachi. If Kazuya was supposedly a threat to be ended too - why did that never happen when she lost control?

Late addition/edit: In Akuma's reveal trailer, the wording is altered again to "And also unfortunately, my dear son Kazuya" but this line is said AFTER Akuma has made the promise to Kazumi to repay his debt. And again, it is vague. Unfortunately Kazuya what? Unlike all the lines re Heihachi, she never actually says he must die. A potential reading of this could be that Kazumi felt Kazuya would be better off dead than suffering whatever Heihachi would do to him -- but then, if the goal was a mercy killing, waiting 40 years after the damage has already been done makes NO sense.

Conclusion:

It is my personal evaluation that Akuma most likely misinterpreted Kazumi's words (or perhaps misremembers them as it's been decades - hence why the dialogue in the flashback is an abrupt and chopped-up handful of words vs the more extensive scene seen elsewhere) and that her wish was for Heihachi to be taken down for the sake of the world, and her son. Akuma, being who he is, would lean towards interpreting any kind of ambiguity as referring to violence and death.

In an out of character sense, the vibe I get is that originally Akuma's hit list was only supposed to be Heihachi but at some point late in development they decided they wanted to have a Kazuya vs Akuma fight added in too hence that no-context bit in the 2016 trailer that doesn't match any scenes in the actual final story; and then the mangled flashback of Akuma's happens in the story mode to facilitate the fights that happen in the final version of the game.

But in an ic sense, Akuma misinterpreting Kazumi seems the most likely to me. I don't think he was deliberately lying, his vibe is sincere enough and he calls her Kazumi-dono which shows great respect. IMO, it's good to remember that characters can be wrong about things sometimes and that just because they believe something that doesn't necessarily mean that it is true.

[lunathebee]

Pairing: Namor x mermaid princess!reader

Warning: none

A/n: I finally finish this! Thank you for sending in a rq @shadowynutsuit, and no hate to the Namor fandom, but are you guys okay? This is the fourth fic I've written that has dialogue #9

Dialogue prompts:

5. "You will be safe here, with me...I'm devoting my heart to you".

9. "Open your eyes, my love, my moon. I'm begging you...please. The war is over; we won... but without you, it doesn't matter to me anymore."

"You're sad again" Namor said when he saw Y/n's face, his hand cupping her soft cheeks, slowly turning her face so that their eyes met. "Have you been crying?" The phrase that left his lips almost sounded like a whisper.

Although Namor is glad Y/n has trusted him more, it hurts him to see that when she comes to him, it's when she's seeking comfort. The world has always been so cruel to the princess; it's not fair at all.

"I just...I hate it here! Not having beauty is like the death sentence for a mermaid. Do you understand Namor? DO YOU?!" Y/n screams at the man in front of her; she doesn't care anymore; he will leave her sooner or later. That's what people do to her; they come and go, and some never come back.

The question was always "when will they leave" and never "how long will they stay" for Y/n. The mermaid princess has long understood how cold and empty the ocean could get until Namor showed her his kingdom and the sun he has there.

"You can hit me all you want; you can scream at me all you want; just let me be with you." The king said this, taking Y/n's hand and placing it on his chest. "Can you feel my heartbeat? It beats for you."

The woman is too stunned to speak; never in a million years would she think that the king of Talokan is wrapped around her finger willingly. Y/n tries to open her mouth to protest, but no words come out,the king then wastes no time in continuing to express his love.

"Y/n...My pearl... Do you know why I called you that? Because pearls are imperfect, yet they stand out on their own and shine brightly." Namor knows he has captured the heart of the mermaid princess right after saying that. People can say he is flirty all they want, but for Y/n, only the truth

"I- ... Please let me have some time to think about it." Y/n's answer makes Namor's heart skip a beat; he doubts she wouldn't feel it; her hand isn't on his chest anymore. More importantly, their hands aren't intertwined, and there is nothing Namor can do but watch the mermaid swim away, waiting for her answer.

===𓆝 𓆟 𓆞===

How little did the king know that the war was one step ahead of him, taking Y/n away.

"HEAL HER" Namor's voice can be heard even from a thousand miles; there is even a hint of despair in his voice. "DO SOMETHING"

"My king, we are trying to do everything" A group of Talokanil speaks up; they're knealing on the floor, trying to keep the blood from flowing out of Y/n's injured wounds. "It's too risky; she is a mermaid, and we don't know if the technology we have is suitable!"

A long moment of silence felt like enternity for Namor; he knows what they're saying is right; he was foolish. In a moment of distress, seeing Y/n in pain, he brought her to Talokan and not her kingdom. It's too late to ever bring her there now; even with his superspeed, every movement would result in Y/n crying out of pain.

Namor demands all the Talokanil leave for a suitable potion; let him be here with Y/N. But it's only half the truth; he doesn't want to let them see how weak he could get.

"Open your eyes, my love, my moon. I'm begging you...please. The war is over; we won... but without you, it doesn't matter to me anymore."

Namor waited for an answer; he waited, and he vowed to forever wait for one.

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

Regulus understood the phrase "The calm after the storm" now. It was happening now. Everything became so calm and peaceful after Sirius left.

Regulus had cried all he had to cry. Regulus had cursed all he had to curse. Regulus felt tempted to hurt himself again. But then the next day, as he got out of his room. Everything seemed okay.

Days of peace. Days of silence. Days of uncertainty.

Walburga was cheerful that morning, as Regulus found her inside the kitchen. It was snowing outside. Inside the house, it smelled of chocolate, fresh coffee, and warm bread.

Regulus smiled at Samantha, their cook, and walked towards the table. Walburga was sitting by the window. She seemed busy with crafts apparently, and she was humming a cheerful french song.

"Bonjour, maman" Regulus said, unsure.

He had been prepared for the fighting, the yelling, the curses. It was weird Walburga was on a good mood.

And she smiled brightly at him when she noticed him.

"Bonjour, mon amour!" she exclaimed "Viens prendre ton petit déjeuner avec maman" she gestured towards the table, full of delicious treats. "There are pancakes, love, aren't they your favorite?"

"Not since I was ten" Regulus whispered but he was ignored as Walburga resumed with what she was doing, humming again.

Regulus frowned. What the hell was she doing?

Curiously, Regulus scooped closer. He noticed she had scissors in hand. To his surprise, he noticed she had been cutting family pictures.

She was cutting Sirius's face from those pictures. Even as a child. Even as a baby.

What the actual fuck?

Regulus felt an unexplicable pain inside his chest. He eyed at his mother with a shock expression.

"Maman, did you take your medicine this morning?"

The only times when she did weird things that scared him, were when she was in her manic episodes.

Warburga ignored his question. She wouldn't have answered anyway, because Orion decided to burst into the kitchen in that very second.

He ignored how Samantha and the other maids greeted him with "Good morning, Mr. Black", and he eyed between Walburga and Regulus with confusion.

"Since when do we eat breakfast in the kitchen?"

Regulus didn't even dare to look at his father. The bruises he had on his face, still healing, reminded Regulus of what had happened that night. The fight, the punches, the groans, the blood....

Sirius had attacked first. He had punched his father's jaw.

Regulus tried not to shake. He was afraid of Orion.

Walburga looked up from the pictures and gave her husband a delightful smile.

"Hello, my darling!" she put the scissors away and got up from her chair to embrace Orion.

It was common with his mother, she either yelled at her husband out of nowhere or she was all mellow with him. The second option was even scarier.

Although, Orion seemed to enjoy the attention.

"Why are you in such a good mood, darling?" Orion raised an eyebrow "Your father and bloody brother are arriving in a few hours..." then he took a quick glance at the stuff before whispering "What are we telling them about Sirius?"

Walburga had her arms wrapped around her husband's neck.

"Don't worry about it, love!" she chanted "It is New Years Eve and it is snowing!" she gestured to the window "Isn't it a wonderful day?"

Regulus and his father shared a worried glance.

"You have a very weird definition of wonderful. We're bloody screwed" Orion spat.

Walburga kept smiling, though. She kissed her husband's cheek. Then turned towards her son.

"Viens ici, chérie"

Reg had to admit that when Walburga acted like this, it felt kind of what a normal loving mother should. However, Regulus knew it wasn't real. And that it was about to turn into shit soon.

But Regulus didn't have much remedy that to obey. He wished he wasn't trembling as his mother's arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. Walburga hugged both of them, each arm around their respective shoulders.

"My boys..." she tutted "I have a plan for this evening" Walburga said "Everything would turn out alright..." she smirked "We are a team after all, aren't we?"

Regulus didn't relax. He was tense. He knew Samantha and the others were eyeing at them suspiciously. And it would only be a matter of time until Orion noticed Walburga was in one of her manias. And he would be furious when it happened.

A team....

Regulus's eyes wandered to the pictures lying on the table. Their plastic faces smiling to the camera. A hole where Sirius's face was supposed to be.

Yeah right....

The difference was that Sirius was no longer part of them. Now things were even more fucked up that before.

Sirius had left a bloody mess, and he didn't even care.

[sebastianswallows]

I adored the hell out of your Feyd/girl!dad headcannons because it wasn't only well written, but yoy actually used little Marie as the inspiation and main character to Feyd. But I have one question, wgen you wrote that Margot was to go to Ksitain to answer for her crimes, do you propose that she SA' ed Feyd as you may have interpreted it from the movie, because I felt that Feyd was very willing even with being under her BG influence. As one commenter wrote, "Margot may had led Feyd to water, but he was alredy thirsty and was willing to drink,". I love hearing different opions on their interaction, so it helps me understand more fully. But I reakky do enjoy Feyd and Margot together cayse they had a lot of chemistry.

Hello! Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you liked it! 🖤

When I was coming up with a "plot" for the headcanons (because I can never seem to just write ideas, I always have to have some longwinded narrative to it), I initially thought that Feyd would just kill Margot. And then I decided that he would very deliberately not do it in front of Marie, as it would traumatise her and it would be too much of a dick move, even for him. But then as I was writing the idea came that they'd just be upfront about what Margot did and have her tried and sentenced. That was the gentler option. Because leaving Margot alive and free would just be a danger to him at this point. He wouldn't risk her trying to get Marie back.

Now, as to whether it really was sexual assault, yeah. Rape, even.

I don't really go by the movie version when I write, mind you, I go by the books. And in the book, Feyd is indeed attracted to Margot, he even offers to dedicate his kill in the arena to her (which she rejects), although he's also slightly intimidated by her. He's just turning 17, by the way (a fact which might get lost since he always seems to be played by 32 year old actors lol). But even if he's attracted, the fact that Margot uses Bene Gesserit mind tricks on him makes it non-consensual. This aspect is more clear in the movie, because there's no scene in the book of them being alone together.

What's not in the movie, however, is that while they're having sex Margot imprints Feyd with a phrase (a meaningless prana-bindu word, specifically "uroshnor") which is meant to paralyse him temporarily if he should hear it again. It becomes relevant before Feyd's duel with Paul because Jessica, being able to tell from how Feyd walks that he's been imprinted, advises Paul to use this word if he begins to lose the fight. Paul outright refuses because he wants an "honourable" win, and it's in fact his visible, dramatic struggle over not speaking this word that confuses Feyd and gives Paul the chance to stab and kill him.

So clearly there were a lot of mind tricks involved between Margot and Feyd, and even though he would have slept with her consensually, this hypothetical scenario could not be proven in court. The only thing that can be proven is that she manipulated Feyd, and imprinted him with a word that could paralyse which, obviously, can be fatal in certain situations.

So I guess this was my version of mercy for Margot, because yeah, originally I thought Feyd would just kill her 😂 But I figured he'd be a bit more forgiving for Marie's sake.

[deathsweetblossoms]

Brief Theory: The Necklace, The Mother, & The Bonus Chapter

Disclaimer: No ship bashing, no character bashing, I just want to share a connection I made that I'm slightly freaking out about. But, it's Elriel leaning, although I do discuss a Gw*n theory (regarding spirituality and priestess-ship). If you can't stomach Elriel, keep it moving <3 I am censoring Gw*n's name because I'm too tired to deal with antis and that's not the point of this post. I just feel as though there's a way bigger picture at play here that we aren't seeing because everyone is at each other's throats over the ships, so this is my attempt to actually look at some details and play around with it.

This is part of a trio of bonus chapter theories I have going on. See also: A Brief Overview of Feyre's Bonus Chapter and Azriel's Bonus Chapter, Mating Bonds, and Mor(e)

"(Azriel) had every intention of returning (the necklace) to the shop in the Palace of Thread and Jewels....Instead, he found himself at the library beneath the House of Wind, standing before Clotho as the clock chimed seven in the morning"

What is specifically happening at the House of Wind during this time?

Per Gw*n, a service. The priestesses "honor the Mother, and the Cauldron, and the Forces That Be. We have a service at dawn and at dusk, and on every holy day".

So, while Azriel is considering returning the gift he bought for the one character who has been constantly likened to The Mother (Elain), he instead finds himself at the library while the priestesses are singing and honoring the Mother. Not only that, but they honor the Forces That Be and the Cauldron.

Gw*n has an interesting relationship with The Forces That Be, considering every moment she was talking about something to do with the Valkyries and it "seemed like fate itself was listening". I don't have the exact quotes because I haven't tabbed them -- but it happens at LEAST twice. We are also shown that Azriel, specifically, gets called to attention when the Forces and The Fates are invoked.

Elain, on the otherhand, is likened to The Mother. Constantly. She is also a favorite of the Cauldron.

The necklace is a rose, which was one of the flowers on Elain's drawer, and Azriel bought it because it has Elain's likeness. It also carries the metaphor of there being more to Elain than everyone sees, with the depth of the glass and the imagery of the necklace itself.

If I were to throw out a theory, I would say Gw*n is the one person who could hold something of such value and keep it safe until it finds it's way back to it's true owner. (This can also be theorized without Elriel, as in, the Mother wanted this talisman of herself to be kept safe, and so she ended up answering the call of the priestesses. Either way, look at the clues!! Are you picking up what I'm putting down?!?!?!) My Elriel heart wants to say that SJM threw in the phrases "he wouldn't consider her a friend" etc etc, so we know it wasn't a romantic thing leading him there, but it is a force leading him there.

Further Gw*n theory - whenever Gw*n sings, everything feels "drawn" to listen to her. If she has such a connection to the Forces and the Fates, and her favorite time of service is DUSK, I have to imagine that her *abilities* will come into play in the revival of the dusk court. Somehow. That's a way deeper topic for another time.

Also, if I were to throw out a crack theory, the line about imagining her smiling and a thing of secret, lovely beauty. If we think of the necklace as a talisman, connected to The Mother itself, and he imagines her being happy having received this, it turns moreso into a spiritual scene and not a romantic one. The crack part of this theory comes into play when you consider that Nesta felt somehow compelled to help Gw*n find the book she lost, and Azriel found himself somehow magically drawn to the library to gift Gw*n (or anyone) this necklace. So, it almost seems like, Gw*n can affect The Forces That Be to get things that will help her. That can majorly come into play later, you know? Not for selfish reasons, but to help the greater whole?

EDIT TO ADD: What if Azriel putting the necklace on Elain activated it, in some way? Just by touching her, it becomes this talismanic force of the Mother? The same way that Nesta created the three swords/her own Trove? And that force is what drove the necklace to the priestesses during their service??

I just want to leave you with this. We have Three Themes at play here: The Cauldron, The Mother, The Forces That Be.

"What if the cauldron was wrong?"

There is a play happening with the Forces, with bending and moving the Forces, with changing things, with making sure certain things aren't disposed of and end up where they can be valued (the necklace with the priestesses), with invoking the Mother.

[chloe-spade]

Sour Apple Act Two: Death after Death

Vil doesn't usually stay up so late, but the fear of Epel's safety in the dark woods worries him. But he had many questions, such as why his mother turned against Epel ever so quickly after the King died. Did she ever care about Epel in the first place? Why did he send Rook's father to kill Epel?

If he needed answers, he needed to look for clues around him.

Vil gulped as he grabbed a candle and started to sneak out of his room. He slowly descended into the long, dark hallway, with only candles showing a mere illusion of warm light. He remembered the days when he chased Epel for stealing his comb now and then or when King Hendrick made a hide-and-seek game when the rain couldn't stop pouring down the ground. Vil didn't win ever so often but had some unfamiliar fun that day, resulting in him and Epel bonding more.

He thought he wouldn't care for someone opposite him, but there he was, sneaking out to save his little step-brother from his mother's wrath.

"Roi du Poison?"

Vil gasped as Rook was now behind him.

"Rook," Vil scolded, "Please, do not do that. You can see that I'm tense,"

"I apologize," Rook whispered, "but I came to check on you, and alas, you weren't in your room. I had every right to look for you."

"I know you do," Vil sighed, "but I worry about Epel and my mother. I want to know why she's become so vengeful towards him. Even if that means I have to sneak around for answers."

"You do not mind if I accompany you?" Rook offered.

"Of course not."

They continued to walk until Rook saw a gleam of light in Queen Lorelei's room.

"What is that?" He whispered towards Vil, mentioning the light.

"I have no clue. Is my mother awake?" Vil answered, walking towards his mother's room.

He opened the door slightly to peek inside, and his eyes widened like the Mirror, but there was no sign of his mother.

"Come on in," he heard the mirror greet, "I know you want answers to calm the fear within."

Vil looked back and entered the room alongside Rook.

"Who are you?"

"I am simply a being whose existence cannot be answered by a simple explanation, but I can offer one. I am a being who can see all, even when I am alone. I can see what people do not. Vil, I can sense fear and dread within you, and how desperate you want answers about your family's sudden drift into darkness."

"That's not all I want to know," Vil hesitated.

"I do understad," the Mirror hummed, "All you have to ask me a question and I'll answer honestly."

Rook thought for a moment before saying, "What has happened to Epel?"

The Mirror went silent.

"No, my mother used a certain phrasing," Vil spoke, recalling the previous days.

"Mirror Mirror, on this wall, where can Epel be at all?"

"He is safe within a soft cottage, he escaped the brutality of the forest. The dwarfs that lived there were given the perfect shelter, and there he slept light as a feather."

Vil sighed in relief, seeing a reflection of Epel sleeping peacefully and the dwarfs sleeping downstairs.

"That does make me feel better but I have much more questions."

"Ask away."

"Mirror, Mirror, I ask my question against my will, but why did my mother want to kill?"

"Ah, your mother, once a beautiful young girl named Snow White-,"

"The fairest maiden in all the land?" Rook questioned. "But they said she lived alongside her prince?"

"She was known for being the fairest in the land, something that her stepmother despised, and attempted to end her life with a poisoned apple. She succeeded and died thinking so, but the Prince gave her true love's kiss, saving her life. She did live a happy life, but sometimes, love isn't strong enough. The Prince she ever so loved fell for another maiden and left your mother. But she remained kind through it all, and after meeting King Hendrich, she has found happiness again."

"But what has changed her?"

"She has suffered after Epel's illness. Her body couldn't handle it, although she recovered, something was destroyed within her."

Vil went silent, knowing what the Mirror had meant by that, and the memories of his mother's heartwrenching cries still haunted him.

"And soon after, King Henrich died from that same illness, despite his efforts to stay alive for Epel. His last words, "Where is my son? Please let me see him one last time?"

"Oh, the poor king," Rook reminisced.

"Okay, but so what? Epel just got sick and it did something to my mother, but why harm him?"

"Oh? You didn't know?"

The duo looked at each other momentarily before Rook spoke up, concluding.

"Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

"Though my many days seeing fairest after fairest, I see a boy with beautiful blue eyes that are like a cloudless sky, hair purple like a lavender flower, and skin blessed by the spring."

"Epel," Vil whispered. "He unknowingly drove mother over the edge."

"What do we do?"

"I need to make sure that my brother's okay! My mother has gone to far, and Epel is going to die if don't stop her."

"Hmm, how about we find the cottage?" Rook suggested, "It'll help us know he's safe."

Vil nodded and sighed, "I hope so."

"I recommend that you leave into your room. Your mother is on her way and I do not want you to get caught."

Vil and Rook wordlessly left. Vil was ready to plan out everything to keep his brother safe.

🍎

The Queen glared out her window, still furious about everything that had occurred the previous night. Her huntsman didn't kill Epel as she hoped, and despite all her efforts of saying Epel ran away and died after the plan failed, she found out that Epel was alive and safe instead of dead in the woods. And he was living with dwarfs.

Another arrow in the works is Prince Jack, who knows that Epel is alive and is on a quest to find him, which Lorelei couldn't even intervene in. She was unsurprisingly bitter about it all. She knew she had to sink even lower to keep the place she desperately held onto, and Lorelei hesitated before grabbing the book her stepmother held tightly.

"What should I do?" She muttered to herself as she read through it.

She saw one for a poisonous and sharp comb that could hurt him once it was brushed into his hair. But Lorelei wasn't stupid; she knew that if she revealed herself too quickly, Epel would figure it out. She needed a decoy, a quick one.

The Mirror's reflection swirled into view as if they knew what she was thinking.

"You seem conflicted, my Queen. But I do have a solution for you, a solution that you need."

Lorelei's eyebrow raised as the Mirror showed a conversation between Vil and Rook.

🍎

"I can't help but worry. " Vil spoke as Rook combed his hair. "Epel is alive, and he's living with the dwarfs, for which I am entirely grateful, but what if my mother finds out? And tries other methods to kill him?"

"I propose warning Epel," Rook suggested. "If what that mirror said is true, we need to warn Epel in case your mother does anything that would be akin to what the old Evil Queen before her."

"I just hope we can find him in time," Vil said, looking at Rook. "And warn him."

"I know, my queen."

🍎

Lorelei growled as the Mirror slowly came back into view. Her son, her flesh and blood, is plotting against her to save that little death trap. She stormed across her room, now planning her next move.

"What should I do, Magic Mirror?"

"I sugguest a fake, a fake of something that belongs to Vil. And to give to Epel, he will."

"His comb!" Lorelei gasped. "I shall poison his comb and once it hits Epel's head, he'll bleed to death!"

Lorelei laughed as she rushed down the stairs and waited for Vil to leave his room, leaving his comb behind. She grabbed it without a second thought, went back to her wicked chambers, and began to enchant it, watching as the spell turned a harmless comb into a poisonous one.

When Vil returned, he was relieved to see his comb again, right where he had left it. He grabbed it and met up with Rook at the entrance, horses ready at the helm.

"Ready?"

"…Yes."

🍎

"Hey, this red gem goes with the red jewels, Dopey," Epel reminded him. "I know it can be hard so I'll help ya."

Dopey rapidly nodded happily as he and Epel picked at the jewels again.

Once Epel became situated with everything and being with the dwarves, he gladly started to work with them if he wasn't doing house chores, which he doesn't do every day. So, working with them and he learned more and more about them as he did work with them.

Unfortunately, Dopey was colorblind and had trouble figuring out the colors of the gems, which is why Epel helped him. Dopey also loved making necklaces; Doc mentioned he was skilled at them.

Epel was also great with a pickaxe and knew how to use it without any help from the dwarfs.

"Ah, there we go," hummed Epel. "All counted and seperated."

Dopey whistled happily, jumping happily.

Epel looked at the clock, and it was nearly noon. Almost lunchtime, thought Epel.

"Hm, maybe I should go back and made some lunch for everyone?" Pondered Epel. "I know they said I shouldn't be alone, but I am not a child. I can protect myself."

Epel watched Dopey leave before walking through the path. He remembered it quickly, with the red ribbons helping to guide him. With that, he returned to the cottage but stopped when he saw Vil and Rook looking around.

"I mean, it looks nice, "Vil managed to say. "I do believe this was the cottage the mirror told us about."

"Oui, the mirror never lies after all." Rook agreed. "But where is Monsieur Crabapple? He must be nearby?"

"I hope so," Vil sighed. "I can't worry about him. He's only 16 years old, and he is by himself. And this place doesn't look like a nice place to live."

Epel felt his heart pound nervously, but he grinned happily and rushed towards them.

"Vil! Rook!" he called out, rushing towards them.

Vil and Rook looked back and stumbled as Epel hugged them tightly.

"Epel!" Vil sighed in relief. "You're okay! Oh, thank the heavens!"

"You look nice and spry as ever," Rook added.

"How did you two find me?" Epel asked. "This place isn't the easiest to find."

"We had asked a friend of ours to help us locate you," Rook explained. "You made it here just fine."

"It does help me with the friendly dwarfs that let me live you," Epel spoke. "But I am so glad to see you guys. You won't believe what happened to me."

"Oh, trust us; we know," Vil sighs. "Mother has sent Rook's father to harm you."

"Ugh, I mean, I know she hates me now, but I didn't think she would sent a huntsman to kill me."

"She's just stupidly jealous of your beauty."

"…What?" Epel paused.

"That mirror Father gave her is magic," Vil explained. "It never lies and tells the owner what she needs to know, and one day, she found out that you suppressed her in looks. Now she's going on some mission to harm you."

"Not just to harm me; to kill me." Epel corrected. "I was lucky that Rook came by just in time, though I can defend myself."

"You underestimate my Père, Epel." Rook sadly sighed. "Once he is given a job and fails, the queen would have his heart."

"I should be sorry, but I don't exactly have a great reason forgiving him." Epel huffed. "He choose to murder me."

"It was either you or him unfortunately," Rook spoke.

"But nonetheless, I am grateful that you are safe," Vil said, giving Epel another hug. "Your hair… is still a mess, though."

"Well, when you run for your life and now work at a mine, brushing my hair was simply that last thing I would do," Epel sighed. "But knowing you, that excuse doesn't work."

"Nope, it doesn't," Vil rolled his eyes and removed his comb from his basket. "Knew I would need this."

"Only you would bring a comb out in the woods," Epel mumbled.

"Hush, now turn," Vil instructed.

Epel listened and turned around, feeling Vil's hands carefully examine his hair. The soft brushing of the comb, brushing the dirt and leaves off his hair, made Epel relax, making him feel nostalgic for the times Vil would brush his hair just because he could, which Epel never minded.

But something felt odd. Wrong.

Epel felt his vision blur for a moment as Vil continued. His body felt limp and numb, and his mouth couldn't even form a sentence to tell Vil to stop. But it was too late as Epel collapsed on the floor, causing Vil and Rook to rush down.

"Epel!?" Vil gasped. "Epel!?"

"What happened?!" cried Doc as the other dwarfs rushed over.

"We don't know," Rook panicked. "Roi du Poison was merely combing Monsieur Crabapple's hair but…"

Vil carefully got his brother in his arms and was disturbed to see the blood that was bleeding from Epel's head, where the comb seemed to attach itself.

"….the comb?" Vil whispered.

"Is something the matter?" Rook spoke.

Vil snarled as he ripped the comb from Epel's hair and threw it to the side. The others watched as the comb shined and became a spider, crawling away. Epel jolted awake, gasping in Vil's arms.

"That wasn't my comb," Vil said, looking at Epel. "It clung onto Epel like it was sucking him. My mother must've done this!"

"…Vil?"

"What do you mean?" Grumpy questioned. "What does your mother have to do with that crused comb?"

"My mother must've replaced my original comb with a poison one," Vil theorized. "A way to kill Epel. Ugh, I can't believe I didn't noticed it."

Epel groaned and felt his head, much more relieved from the pain. "It…it's okay. But now she knows about where I live."

"What do we do?' asked Rook. "The Queen is smart."

"….You," Vil looks over at Doc. "What is your name?"

"D-doc, your majesty."

"Please, keep Epel in your cottage until that woman is dethroned." Vil ordered. "He will not leave your cottage…do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, your majesty," Doc bowed. "We will do anything in our power to keep Epel safe."

"Thank you," Vil sighed. "This is our only option now."

🪞

"That blasted boy!" growled Lorelei. "Thinking he could interfere with my plans now, he understands them. And you! I should crack you for telling them about my plans again!"

"I shall forever be honest to those who ask," The Mirror reminded. "I have been created to never lie and that is why I serve my purpose."

Lorelei sat at the edge of her bed, now thinking of a new plan to dispose of herself of Epel, even if it meant getting her hands dirty.

"Suppose I should consider it," Lorelei mumbled as she read through her spellbook and spotted an interesting trick. "The Self-Tightening Lace, will suffocate your enemies if you simply wrap it around their necks and let the lace do the rest."

"Sounds dastardly and effective." The Mirror hummed.

"I can't use that apple yet," Lorelei whispered. "That should be a last resort if I was to become desperate."

That night, she planned, ensuring her tracks were hollow. Knowing Epel was suspicious of her, she had to wait, so she had to step back. But the lace was done, and practice clarified that it worked with her and not against her.

🍎

Epel hated being confined to the cottage, but nothing he said convinced Vil otherwise. Ultimately, he promised to keep himself safe as Vil and Rook had to return to the castle. The dwarfs gave him some housework to pass the time, which helped him, though he hated doing housework.

But it has been nearly a month since the Queen attempted to kill him through Vil's comb. Epel eased himself to water the blooming flowers and tend the trees outside. It seemed like a perfect spring day, though the cold of winter remained, but Epel liked it.

Suddenly, a scream caught his attention, and a young girl, no older than 8, rushed towards the cottage, her face full of tears. Epel rushed towards the girl and wrapped his coat around her.

"Are you alright?" Epel asked, wiping the girl's tears. "Are you lost?"

"Y-yes," the girl whimpered. "I was going around selling lace necklaces for my grandmother, but I got lost in the woods. I was chased by something, I don't know what but it was something."

"Oh, you poor thing," Epel mumbled. "How about something nice and warm for you?"

"Oh, really?"

Epel nodded and gave the girl a bowl of soup he was preparing. "You were selling stuff?"

The girl's eyes lit up, and she went into her basket to show a beautiful periwinkle lace necklace with a white gem in the center. "This one is made for someone who has blue eyes, my grandmother says, and looking at you, I should give this to you."

"Uh," Epel hesitated. Sure, it was beautiful, but unlike Vil, Epel never cared about jewelry. "Thank you, but I can't accept this."

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't think it fits me," Epel answered honestly, picking up the bowl.

"Then how do I repay you?" The girl asked.

"Well, staying here until the drawfs come back might be one. Maybe they can help you find your way home."

"No, really, I insist!"

The girl leaps on Epel's back, wrapping the lace around his neck.

Epel carefully lets the girl down and looks down at the lace around his neck.

"Ok, enough of that! Now, you sit here and wait like a good little girl."

Annoyed, Epel reaches towards the lace, but before he can, the lace tightens around his neck continuously. Epel gasps for air, but it tightens enough that he falls onto the floor.

The last thing he saw was the girl's wicked grin and her shushing Epel as he closed his eyes.

💎

Heigh-Ho

Heigh-Ho

Heigh-Ho

💎

The Dwarfs sing and whistle along the trail, happy to return to eat Epel's excellent cooking. Seeing a giggling young girl in the woods back home is odd, but Doc says kids tend to play in the woods all the time, so it wasn't bizarre.

Bu a dark aura loomed over the cottage as they returned.

"What's the matter?" Happy whispered to Doc.

"I have a bad feeling. I don't smell soup or anything!" Doc answered.

"Maybe Epel is taking a n-nap?" Sleepy suggested.

"There's only one way to find out," Grumpy groaned and marched forward towards the cottage. The others watched with bated breath until Grumpy started screaming, "Epel! Epel!!"

The other dwarfs rushed in to see Grumpy shaking an unconscious Epel, unresponsive to Grumpy's multiple shakes to wake him up.

"What happened?!" Bashful gasped.

"I don't know but he ain't waking up," Grumpy groaned.

They surrounded Epel, and the only thing that caught their attention was the new lace around his neck and a forming bruise outside the lace area. Dopey, liking the jewel, took the lace off Epel's neck, and to their surprise, Epel started to cough and heave, waking up.

"Epel!" Happy cheered. "You're alright!"

"What happened to you?" Doc asked, worried.

"Ugh," Epel touched his throat, feeling the bruise. "Some…girl. She was chased to the cottage and wanted to give me a lace necklace for gratitude…but I didn't want it."

"But why did you have it?" Grumpy pondered. "Doesn't seem like something you would wear."

"She forced it on my neck and before I knew it, I felt myself losing air." Epel finished, coughing again.

"Dopey! Put that thing down."

Dopey whistled sadly and obeyed, watching the lace transform into a snake, crawling away from the cottage and into the woods.

"Another trick!" Doc concluded. "The Queen must've sent that girl to kill you!"

"Such a demented young girl," Epel coughed again, getting himself up.

"You should rest." Doc recommended.

"No, I can still move and breathe," Epel said, his voice hoarse. "And I need to reheat the soup for dinner. Ugh, that girl almost made me waste my food."

"Nothing scares you, huh? You almost died twice."

Epel looks over at the dwarfs. "…I only fear death if I am alone. But you guys are here."

"Aw, shucks," Bashful blushed.

"Now, go get washed and undressed, I am not feeding dirty mouths." Epel chuckles, trying to light a fire.

🪞

Two months had passed since then, and Loreli celebrated her newfound victory. She was happy, and everyone knew about it, but she never asked why. One day, she was fawning herself in the Mirror that she couldn't help herself asking the damned question.

"Magic Mirror on the Wall," Lorelei spoke, now confident about her attempt. "Who's the fairest of them all."

"Oh, my queen, though you may be," Magic Mirror spoke. "Epel is still more fair than thee."

"What?! But that lace was full proof." Lorelei spoke.

"You forget a single detail of your demand, it could only be taken off my a pure pair of hands."

"…I should've thought about that. Now that smarmy little brat is alive, and he still takes my place." Lorelei growled. "That boy will rue the day he cursed my body and took my husband away from me!"

"If I were to make a final request, I bet there is something at your beheast?"

"…The Poisoned Apple. The same one that took my life years ago. Sleeping death."

"What would you do?"

"….Should I even consider this?"

"You are running out of options, my queen," The Mirror spoke. "Now it is the time to become mean."

Lorelei tried to ignore it, but she knew what to do. She rushed up to her lair and opened the book to see the page: The Poisoned Apple, with merely one bite, can send those to a Sleeping Death. She knew that if she used this, she had to ensure that no True Love's kiss could break that curse.

But none mattered as she lifted the apple, watching the green ooze slip back into the cauldron.

"An irresistible red," Lorelei laughed. "So irresistable that Epel cannot deny such a sweet treat. But how do I give this to Epel without him noticing it was me?"

The Queen sighed as she looked at a wine glass, her mind made up.

"Perhaps if it has to be a magic disguise, then I have to do it."

With a magical drink, Lorelei felt herself transform into an elderly woman, like the one who gave her the apple years ago. But she had another vail to reverse it once she was done. Without her guards noticing, she swam across the mote of alligators and into the woods, finally ready to take down Epel once and for all.

🍎

"Ah, the smell of spring is perfect," Epel yawned as he woke up."Something could go right for me today."

Epel got up and got dressed, hearing the bluebirds sing delightfully.

He hums softly as he walks downstairs, but to his surprise, he sees a beautiful breakfast and a note.

"Happy 16th Birthday, Epel," he read.

"Shame that we couldn't have a ball in your honor like when you were twelve, but at least you are safe and sound. Please enjoy the breakfast Rook and I made for you, as well as an apple pie that I remember you dearly wanted. Please be safe, and I hope that one day, Mother will be punished for her actions. Until then, Happy Birthday, and I miss you.

Love, Vil."

Epel smiles and turns the note.

"P.S. The dwarfs left early so you can enjoy your breakfast. I made them breakfast as well."

Epel laughed and looked back at the table. "Well, a happy birthday to me."

The first thing he tried to eat was apple pie, and his heart bloomed happily. It was like how his mother made it years ago, and he felt the care and love she would always put into a pie. He felt lucky, happy, and oddly hopeful that everything would get better.

He ate the entire pie, and it was already noon. He had some work to do, after all.

Epel started to cut wood and replenish it for the next couple of months. Knowing how much he wanted to make some pies again, he managed to sneak away to take some nearby apples for the apple pies that he wanted to share.

"Seven little pies for seven little men," Epel sighs. "But I have to repay them other than just staying at the cottage and cleaning after them."

A bluebird chirped.

"I know it's a little too late, but I want to thank them for saving me," Epel answered. "But you guys will help me, won't you?"

The birds chirped happily.

"Thought so."

Epel smiled and started to grab the ingredients. That's how Epel spent his afternoon making seven pies for his new friends. As he finished the final pie, a figure appeared before him, scaring Epel and the birds.

"Ah!"

"Oh, did I scare you, my dear?" The old women laughed. "Pardon me, but I heard someone humming while I was picking apples and it lead me to you, dear boy."

Epel gulped, "Thanks for the compliment."

"What are you doing?" She asked, looking over the window seal.

"Just baking pies," Epel simply answered.

"Oh, would you like an apple to make more pies?" The woman offered, showing a shiny red apple.

"Uh…I have enough apples, ma'am," Epel spoke up. "But that does look like a mighty good apple. My Mother says that shiny reds one like that can grant an wish when you take a first bite."

"Oh, really? I never knew," the woman laughed. "Maybe I should give this to you so your dream could come true."

The woman handed the apple to Epel, who, though hesitant, grabbed it.

"What do you wish for?"

"…I," Epel closed his eyes and thought momentarily, and he took a bite of the apple.

"Well, how do you feel after you make the wish?"

"Strange," Epel answered as he fell onto the ground, the apple tumbling away, the bite mark becoming rotten and black.

The birds chirped in alarm and rushed away, leaving the woman laughing and transforming herself back into the Queen.

"Now I'll be the fairest of the land!!"

[variousqueerthings]

@autistic-puffin tomorrow we hit nine's regeneration and in honour of that my partner and I are going to watch all of the special behind-the-scenes for season one before we get fully into the tragedy of ten, because we own all the boxsets (in fact, I own a boxset from 2006 that is squared out to look even more like the tardis -- it's... very well-used shall we say, we do not use it for watching, but keep it with fondness) and therefore all the special features! up until s7 anyway. (I might get the rest, because I definitely want capaldi's last season + whittakers, and it wouldn't be complete with the ones leading up to that)

and tonight we watched an interview that eccleston did ahead of the launch and it just cannot be overstated how gracious this man seems to be/have been about playing this role and what it meant:

some highlights:

he said that he was hoping he might be the first doctor to a generation of 8-12 year olds at the time and I almost cried, because I was 10/11 at that point, and he was, he succeeded

I mention that because I know that for years he kind of felt like he didn't, and he's self-effacing (a bit comedically, but I wish he wouldn't be) in the interview too, preparing almost for a bad reaction

he did mention that a couple of early reviews hadn't been kind, and that it hurt and I just!!!! you don't understand!!!! you became part of the trajectory of my life!!!! you're one of the reasons I love stories my guy!!!!!! you were great!!!!!!

he said he quite liked the whovians (although he seemed unsure if that was or wasn't a polite term 😂) because they don't ask about your private life, they ask what it's like to be a time traveller and about the tardis

he mentioned that a big change was that it was attempting to move away from a patriarchal model of the doctor and the helpless "assistant" and that rtd was good at writing women (he's said that several times, but I like how open he was about that opinion in 2005 when you don't even really hear many actors today use words like that)

he also - and I found this charming - admitted that apart from some of the things like regeneration and the reveal of what a dalek really looked like, he wasn't so big into doctor who, because he didn't have a "camp sensibility." it just tickled me that he used that phrasing, because it's such an accurate identifier of that early low-budget (set wobbling, as he called it) aesthetic. kind of hinted he was more of a trekkie😂 which you know. I'd call that a camp sensibility too, just differently

at one point the interviewer directly asked him about whether he'd regenerate at the end and he eloquently avoided answering the question, but I do always feel that pang that he really did all the legwork of reestablishing this iconic character, only to not feel quite... welcome. for a long time. I know he's since (I believe) more embraced that his turn is iconic to so many of us, but it's sad to see it in the moment

he said he took the role because rtd is a great writer, because it was challenging sexism in the writing of female characters, and because he'd always been told he was too serious and "not funny or charming" -- me + my partner + her husband like "YOU'RE SO CHARMING!!!!!! SLANDER!!!!!"

it's very funny being someone for whom the doctor was your first eccleston role, only to later on watch his other stuff and be like... let my boy be whimsical dammit! he's so good at it!

[bobbole]

The first time he almost didn't realize it. They were at Morpheus' funeral and the boy was upset (in his mind he kept referring to Daniel as the boy even though he was 25 years old and now the head of the whole organization). He must surely have been upset, although he had not shed a single tear nor uttered his father's name once. The Corinthian found him far from the family mausoleum, almost on the opposite side of the cemetery, contemplating unknown gravestones. His mass of hair, so blond as to look white, was completely wet from the rain. He was sorry to interrupt that moment of private grief, so he tried to approach as quietly as possible, but Daniel heard him and, without giving him time to stop, threw himself into his arms. The Corinthian was not used to hugs: he did not know how to give comfort, since he never had any, but he cared for this boy more than anything in the world, so he hugged him back, letting Daniel's face find shelter on his shoulder. They remained thus embraced, in silence. - Now it's just the two of us - the boy's voice came to him far away, hidden by the folds of his jacket. He felt Daniel's arms tighten around him, in a strangely possessive way, and his head lifted just enough to place his lips on the Corinthian's neck, kissing him gently. - Mine at last - and then, without adding anything else, he let him go.

---

A gunshot. And then nothing, all over. Why did you do it? I could have protected you. I wanted to be the one to kill you. ---

The second time it was clear that something was wrong and perhaps Lucienne wasn’t exaggerated in warning him, but it was Daniel, he had known him since he was a child, and besides, how could he keep his distance if it was the Corinthian's job to protect him? He had gotten stabbed: sure, the guy who had hit him had been promptly sent to his Maker, but the wound had turned out to be more serious than expected and the doctors had had their hands full preventing the Corinthian from reaching Morpheus underground. For a long time he had hovered between life and death but when he was finally able to receive visitors, the first to arrive was Daniel. The boy wouldn't stop crying, sorrysorrysorry it was my fault, I was reckless, and the Corinthian tried to tell him to not worry, that it was the risks of his job (he had faced quite a few others, at Morpheus' side) but Daniel didn't stop babbling apologetic phrases, and his hands didn't stop stroking his face (as if to be sure that the Corinthian was there, still alive), and his mouth didn't stop kissing him, little light kisses on his hair, on his cheeks, on his shoulder. On his lips. - You cannot die, now that you are finally mine - The words came loud and clear to the Corinthian's ear, unambiguously, without the merciful numbing power of morphine. - If you die, I will kill myself - ---

He had once tried to run away, but Morpheus had found him and managed to bring him back. - Why did you run away from me, Corinthian? - but answering that question would have forced him to reveal truths that he preferred to remain hidden, and the Corinthian was a killer, not a poet in love, and he didn't really know how to give voice to those feelings that he wanted to rip out of his heart. He never answered that question, preferring to appear in the eyes of Lucienne, of Matthew, of Mervin, of everyone as an ungrateful asshole to whom Morpheus, God only knew why, had decided to put his trust again, but Morpheus knew what was in his chest. Morpheus knew it was love. ---

The third time was inevitable, because the Corinthian was once again thinking of escape but Daniel had sensed something because he was Morpheus' son and, although he proudly claimed to be different, the truth was that he resembled his father like a twin and just like his father he was fucking good at reading the Corinthian's mind. He had decided to do this on the anniversary of Morpheus' death, when everyone would be busy with celebrations in memory of their old boss (Lucienne had organized something big, she had even managed to get the whole Endless family together again). His absence would go unnoticed, at least immediately, and by the time they realized it, he would be safe. Safe from the two men who had been in total control of his heart for so many years. But it was still the anniversary of Morpheus' death, and even though the memory of him had never left, that day was a heartbreak because the Corinthian remembered everything, every last detail, every fucking second branded into his mind. He was the one who had found Morpheus' body. That's why he decided to fortify himself with something strong, but then from one glass he went to two, then three and before long the bottle was finished and he felt a knot in his throat that didn't want to dissolve and he couldn't, really couldn't, get up and head for the door. He didn't even notice that Daniel had silently entered his room, and in the haze of his senses it almost seemed to him that he was a ghost. The Corinthian knelt down, as if before a holy apparition. - Morpheus! - He felt a hand settle on his face and the Corinthian sought shelter there like a traveller touching land after years and years at sea. Oh to be an old worn skull, and remain sheltered forever in the safety of that sacred hand. - Why do you want to run away from me, Corinthian? - This time he felt strong enough to answer that question. After all, what was the point of lying to a ghost? - Because I love you - And finally, after so many years he felt Morpheus' lips rest on his own, the lips of a ghost, for it was not Daniel at that moment, no, it was the ghost of Morpheus incarnated in Daniel's body. And of that body that he had longed for so much, that he had wanted to love for years, of that body he could finally take possession, caress it, kiss it, penetrate that pure white flesh, the flesh of a ghost but so real. God, so real. Sleep caught him by, exhausted, and the Corinthian abandoned himself to it, lulled by Daniel's voice, led slowly into a safe, dreamless abyss. - I carry with me the legacy of his love for you. I will be Morpheus, for you and you alone, and you will remain mine -

[armpirate]

UNDER YOUR SKIN || JJK || Ch. 3

Pairings: tattoist!jk x fem!reader

Genre: smut, angst, friends to lovers, tattoo au, virgin reader.

Summary: You were awful on anything related to flirting, guys and sex. He was the perfect ladies man. You wanted to get rid of your virginity. And he was there to help you with everything you needed. You didn't have the best start, but that didn't mean you wouldn't have the best of the endings.

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

I drag the humid rag over the counter, cleaning the stains that -at some point in the evening- started being part of the decoration of the wooden surface along with the few empty glasses Tammy, my co-worker, kept gathering next to the beer tap. 

I hate being behind the bar right after Tammy because of this.

She throws the empty metallic tray before both of her elbows rest on the counter. It doesn't take her long to move them back up, just as soon as she realizes I've been cleaning up what she didn't.

—I swear if one more asshole touches my ass... 

—Kick him —I shrug—. Isn't that why you've been boxing?

—That's why I started —she corrects me—. The reason why I'm still going though...

—Oh, your boxing crush —I nod—. Gotcha. 

Tammy is still standing there. Probably waiting for me to go on and ask her a thousand questions about that crush she has talked about non-stop. 

—And that's it? You aren't going to ask if there's something new?

—No —I answer, moving to the beer tap so I can start picking the empty glasses up—. It's not like you need me to ask anyway. 

—You're right —she laughs—. He might come with his friends tonight —I nod, she already told me this earlier today.

And just like she told me, her group of friends show up half an hour later, when we are about to close. It's not a big group, and they don't look like the people I'm used to seeing Tammy surrounded by. They look... normal.  Don't get me wrong, Tammy is great, but her friends have always been the type of people you would love to kick for being too loud next to you. Yes. Definitely that type.

She's laughing and talking to two girls, while the other guy is just looking at his phone. And, right at the same time I'm eyeing them, Tammy spots me and waves at me to join them. I don't really want to, but she insists.

"Take any change you can to meet new people. Get out of your comfort zone" I roll my eyes when that phrase pops up in my mind. I'm annoyed, but at the same time, that dude wasn't wrong. How am I supposed to meet new people if I keep closing doors? 

And since the pub flirting didn't work two days ago, I should stick to meeting people that are friends with my friends -or coworkers in this case.

I look around, and confirm there aren't a lot of customers left before I start walking to the table where Tammy is more than comfortable now. She just sat right next to the blonde girl like she isn't on her shift at this exact moment. I'm about to turn around and go back to the counter, but Tammy's warning gaze just tells me she'll be a pain in the ass if I end up doing that.

—Guys, this is y/n —she introduces me to her friends as soon as I reach the table.

Everyone there greets me and assures me Tammy has talked a lot about me. And that makes me feel bad instantly, for the thought I had earlier of her not being totally my friend -at least, I don't think we've been around enough to be considered as such. They all introduce themselves: Melanie is the blonde girl with a white charming smile -and by her accent, I'd assume she isn't from here, maybe Boston-, Lucas is the blond guy who only lifts his gaze from his phone to look at Tammy every once in a while, and Jungsoo is the asian girl, brunette short shoulder length hair, that welcomes me to the conversation, although it's the first time she's ever seen me. 

They tell me both Soo and Lucas met Tammy in one of those kickboxing classes, and Tammy met Soo's boyfriend when she got that butterfly tattoo she got on her shoulder, while Melanie was already friends with Soo because they both went to the same college. And just that way, the conversation swifts to a topic I don't like and that reminds me why I'm working in a shitty bar this late into the night. 

—Fine Arts —I try to suppress the usual annoyed tone that comes with it.

—Really? —Soo asks surprised— My brother also studied that degree, but he wasn't lucky finding a job he liked.

Well, at least he was lucky enough to find a job and quit only because he didn't like it.

—He started working with my boyfriend on a business he opened, and just stayed there —she mentions—. Have you ever considered doing something on your own?

I know the question is genuine, I know she's just being curious since she found someone who was just as unlucky as her brother. But unlike him, I don't have the resources of opening anything on my own. Imagine thinking I had them, but I'm still working here by choice? I'd kick myself to death if I ever did something like that.

—No —I shake my head—. I'm sure there will be something out there for me sooner or later. I have the gift of patience, so...

And that's probably why I still haven't found a proper job as a designer. Fuck, even a simple job in an art gallery would make it for me. At the end of the day, it's what I studied for. 

Soo moves her hand up, moving her locks away from her face, and I can't help but notice a familiar tattoo on her wrist. But before I can think too much about it, I see her pointing at me before asking:

—Are you working next weekend? 

—Hmm no.

Which always translated to me as: waking up at three in the afternoon, doing the laundry, maybe grocery shopping... Adult things, basically.

—We rented a cabin —she sips her beer before looking at me again—. It's Melanie's birthday, and we usually go to Lake Seneca to celebrate it.

What does that have to do with me?

—Tammy is coming, too. And a few other friends —she continues—. My brother's ex-girlfriend was supposed to come, so now we have space left. If you want to join us...

—I don't know —I doubt—. We just met and it's your birthday —I point to Melanie—. Having a stranger around...

—That's how we all started —she shrugs—. Also you're Tammy's friend, so you're fine. The more we are, the better. We all were strangers at some point.

—If it's fine for you.

Melanie nods right away, assuring everything is fine and I shouldn't be worrying. Soo talks again, trying to comfort me when she realizes I'm still not totally convinced.

—My brother is in a similar situation. He started going out with us not that long ago.

The difference is he is your brother. While I've just learnt today I'm close friends with Tammy. 

In one of those trips my eyes make all over the bar, I spot one customer waiting in the counter, resting both of his arms on the surface while he's looking around for either of us. Warning everyone that I'm going back to work, I start heading there. 

While I'm busy with the customer, I hear the door opening and closing almost instantly. And that only causes me to beg people stop coming.

It's late. They all should be going to sleep. I want to go back home and let the mattress absorb me. But doesn't seem like that's what Tammy wants me to do, when she waves at me again once the customer leaves.

[elvenbeard]

from the oc ask game:

7. favorite animal? why? 13. what languages do they speak? how fluently? 29. are they associated with any particular element (air, earth, fire, water)? 34. how would your character describe themselves? it doesn't have to line up with how they really are.

for Vincent of course 😊

Thanks so much for asking!! :D a lot of these are already answered, but I'll copy paste them here anyway :D

7. Favorite animal? why?

Nibbles of course! No but in reality I think... this wouldn't have been something Vince ever put a lot of thought into actually. He has favorite cars, favorite tech brands, favorite films and games and all that, but he's not necessarily a very outdoors-y, nature-loving guy. I think the topic of "I want a pet" would've come up at some point when he was younger, but his parents didn't see this as a wish worthy of pursuit. Even though his family was well-off when he was a kid, a cat or dog as status symbol wasn't really a priority either, and so that remained unfulfilled. I think Vince would've always liked cats though due to their resilience (given the convo with Takemura on that topic during Gimme Danger), their sneakiness, elegance, their free will and attitude. All that applies to Nibbles in a way, too, she has been fending for herself on the street pretty well despite not really having a steady home, and I think in that aspect Vince can see some of his own struggles as a young adult reflected. So yeah, Nibbles XD And overall probably cats, cause they're the only animals really present in his world as he grew up.

13. what languages do they speak? how fluently?

He grew up bilingual with English and Japanese, although in the age of auto-translators his Japanese is getting a bit more rusty as time goes on. In the case of a complete and utter failure of his tech though he'd still be able to hold a normal conversation and understand his conversation parter(s). Since his parents had a corporate career in mind for him, he went to pretty prestigious schools and over the course of his school education learned a few other languages, but those were never super interesting to him (cause, y'know... auto-translators). He's retained some basic knowledge in French, Mandarin, and Russian, and with how multicultural of a city Night City is he also picked up a few phrases here and there that he understands without translator, but none of that is fluent speaking material.

29. are they associated with any particular element (air, earth, fire, water)?

The element I could see for him the most is fire. He's a bit of a hothead, even though he can hide it well if he needs to. He's a very passionate person, in general, as well as about the people and things he cares for. Someone who can light up a room and make all heads turn, who burns bright and inspires, but who you should also be very careful about playing with. In his own ways he can be quite ruthless and merciless, he'd have no qualms about utterly destroying and ruining the life of someone who wronged him or his loved ones. He's a force to be reckoned with.

34. How would your character describe themselves? it doesn't have to line up with how they really are.

Tying this in a bit with my previous points on Vince's lying habits... this highly depends on who he's describing himself to. Potential new client? "I'm the best Night City has to offer, a professional with references, here's my list of amazing skills. Oh, all these problems you mention? They're no problems at all. Trust me. I will come up with a waterproof plan, I have the means, the connections, the equipment. You won't regrets this." (while internally he is cursing about how stupid of an idea this person's gig is, he knows he'll have to do this alone because no one else would be dumb enough, but on the other hand, the client could have [important piece of information or other thing] he despereately needs so, fuck it... he'll figure something out, he's good at that at least).

I think in general to people he doesn't know or wants something off of he would be over-confident and a little boastful, describe himself as competent etc etc even if not all of it is the case. What matter is that he gets what he wants in the end in these scenarios - money, a boost of reputation and streetcred, information, sex, drugs, whatever.

If he had to describe himself to someone he cares about or trusts... He'd focus more on what interest him, what he likes and dislikes, all still somewhat superficial though. He's confident and unashamed of his past and wishes, but yeah... Things like "I'm really scared of dying alone and being forgotten" wouldn't make it into a description of himself, he'd just omit all his insecurities and polish what he considers strengths. He'd probably describe himself as someone you can trust (but only if he trusts you or needs you, but he'd omit that), pretty down to earth (he's not, and Judy would call him out on it at every opportunity), level-headed (when in fact he can just hide and control his panic in tense moments very well) and yeah... something like that xD He'd be fine with being described as an opportunist, an optimistic realist, cause those two apply. He's sarcastic and creative, and not someone who can easily sit still, always needs something to do, a bit of a workaholic for sure.

[spacecadetspe]

A snippet from last year...

Aug. 5, 2023

Phantasos called me to sit in on an AMA podcast at the radio station. He seemed surprised that I'd decided to keep company with his sister, although he had nothing rude to say about her.  He wanted to know if I was all right, being out in the relative "wilderness," and we got onto the topic of my own uncomfortable accomplishments... and injuries.  I gave him a memory orb, but made him promise to call on Nyx if any of it was too much for him.

I started the day in Fortitude's arms; by far my favorite place to be.

It seems that when I get onto certain topics, I catch the attention of some deity or other.  And this morning, Fortitude made me a small breakfast and I made coffee, and Hades tuned in to our conversation to ask after Orpheus.  It surprised me, since I figured Hades had had his fill of me, but I was happy to hear from him and talk for awhile about nothing.

He mentioned something about Orpheus' prophetic ability, and how children sit and listen because they haven't developed a "reasonable fear" of the Divine Flame.

"Perhaps it's best they don't," I said.  "Pain is a learning experience."

"Ah, that's true," Hades replied.  "But what is survival without a reasonable amount of fear?"

For some reason that phrase ignited a spark within me.  "Reasonable fear" and "survival..."

I hastily excused myself and ran back to my bedroom to confide my findings in Fortitude.  "I know how to help Phobetor!" I exclaimed.

He turned over to look at me.  "How's that, love?"

I threw myself enthusiastically into the mattress next to him.  "What Hades said about developing a 'reasonable fear' of the Divine Flame!"

"What about it?"

I thought for just a few seconds longer.  "What would the mortal world be like without nightmares?"

He shrugged.  "I guess... the mortals would be a lot more reckless?"

"Exactly!  They wouldn't develop a sense of self-preservation!"

Fortitude narrowed his eyes at me.  "What are you getting at?" he asked.

"His name!" I insisted with glee.  "It's 'God Sustains'!"

"That's a well-educated guess," said a voice from nearby.  The grey-haired lady who had processed me before came forward.  "They call me Moni; the one who lives alone."

I asked her why she had helped me, but instead of answering, she took me on a walk around the area, and then got me to help her with some chores for the afternoon.  She finally revealed to me that Vassilios had been in touch with her, and had requested her aid in processing me.

She had some idea of who I am, but was much less formal with me than the other oneiroi, and that's a bit refreshing.  This morning, she and I were canning apples.  I have a feeling I can learn a lot from her.

I keep thinking of all the ways my conversations with Phobetor could go... from outright rejection to the loss of yet another friend.  But it does me no good to dwell on it and keep grieving over something that may never happen.

For now, perhaps it's best if I stayed out in my little homestead.  I need time to heal.

[ay-chuu]

Bsd prom number 4 for dazai

Fem reader

we knitting for him

Prompt 4: "Are you knitting something for me?"

Warning: Kind of readers past ig?

Pairing: Dazai x fem!reader

Life is like knitting patterns. It reflects people's troubles, but none of them is the same as another. Even if the topic is the same as the others.

You were always an unknown sweet enigma in his eyes. When you first came to the company, Kunikida warned Dazai that you were a very quiet person. Of course, Dazai didn't wear it, and he tried all kinds of methods to make you laugh. And you, after gliding him to a quiet look, would just continue to do your job. You liked to knit. That's all Dazai found out about you that day, because all you did was knit and fill out a report.

Dazai, for some reason, likened this version of you to himself.

Perhaps it was because it was a very beautiful pattern that summed up the discussion of the personality of the person reflected by the personality of his inner voice.

Knitting your love takes effort.

Your first moment of intimacy was when Dazai tried to commit suicide. Of course, when he gets hurt, he calls everyone in the company. "Oh how wonderful for you!" To get these answers. Ironic.

But you answered. Of course, Dazai thought you wouldn't come because you hung up on him without saying anything. Until you stepped inside his bathroom.

At first, there was just a funny look between the two of you. Then you quietly asked him, "How did you manage to tie yourself to the edge of the bathtub?" you asked. He just shrugged with a smile.

After you got him out of the bathtub, you took him to his bedroom and waited for to change his clothes. Dazai wondered how you got into his house when he was changing his clothes. Were you good at door locks like him?

Oh, that's a good topic to start a conversation.

When he came out of his room and saw you knitting again in his living room, that was the first question he asked.

"How did you open the door?"

"I don't know. How long did you have to wait there to die of hypothermia?"

"15 Minutes in sufficient cold."

And then you looked at him. It was a quiet look.

"You didn't even bring it to coldness enough, did you?" And the answer surprised even Dazai himself. “Yes." When silence fell between the two of you again, Dazai sat down next to you. And you quietly took a wire buckle out of your bag and put it on his lap.

"Large wire clasps are a beautiful tool for rescuing people who are prisoners of organ mafias in underground hospitals. If you know your tactics, of course."

Dazai was sure that there was information that he would be shocked if you told him at a normal time, but in that atmosphere the atmosphere that you created he just wanted to be moderate and quiet and join you. “Yes. If the door locks are encrypted, the password will help to disassemble the device. Also in simple multilevel locks."

"Why do you want to commit suicide?"you said, stopping knitting and looking away from his eyes. You were upset. "I don't know, how do you want to live?" Dazai said, gently placing his hand on top of your hand.

You put your hand in his and turned your head to look into his eyes. "Living is… beautiful under the necessary conditions." and with a smile added. "It's nice with the right loops."

And Dazai sensed the bond that would form between the two of you while you were giggling.

Because no love is like another model of love while knitting.

The most beautiful thing to knit is to, knit for a person who is worth knitting. Becuase we always knit our feelings. Bad or good,for love or hate.

About 6 months after the two of you started hanging out more after that day, Dazai asked you out on a date. Although it's a strange phrase for a "Confession" -like 'When I'm with you, I want to live.'- it was the sweetest moment between the two of you.

Although Dazai is known for his behavior towards women, since you have understood his nature when he loves people, he has behaved differently than anyone else, let alone show you one of these behaviors.

Dazai was in love with a lot of things about you. Your mind, your feelings, those skillful hands that knits your love… and the list was getting longer.

You told him you always thought knitting was like therapy. "I weave my life, stress, sadness and love with threads." you said so.

Since you've really been thinking a lot about the new thing you're going to knit in these days. You were constantly messing with your head, as if it were a vital matter." Of course Dazai just said to you, "Let your feelings knit, my love!" even if he says -which is usually enough motivation for you to start knitting something new.- you were just thinking more. And it made Dazai curious.

And finally, you started knitting today. You were looking at a big model in front of you. When Dazai was looking at the knitted model in the book, he realized that it was a bandage. Wait- bandage?

"Are you knitting something for me?" he asked you curiously.

Looking at him with a sweet smile and a flushed cheek,you shook your head. "I'm knitting our love, my dear, your neck is very cold in winter. You'll feel better when you wrap this bandage." you said, smiling as you continued knitting.

When Dazai was standing, he felt his knees tremble and his heart quicken. "You were knitting your love". You were accepting his love. You cared about his love. Ah, Dazai is happy! Seriously!

That's why he just smiled as he quickly sat down next to you and smothered you in kisses. "Thanks, my love… I will keep this gift for the rest of my life…"

And you knew he would. Dazai didn't lie about deals. Oh, in fact, Dazai would never lie to you.

That's why when he pulled you into his lap and leaned against him, you raised your head and kissed him. While you were both enjoying the kiss, your love was knitting a new loop.

Dazai was the most worthy person to knit for your love.

[bestruction]

Burn in your memory

Warnings: oral sex, edging, teasing, all characters are aged up

Words: + 2k (just a bit above)

Summary: You and Ymir were used to joke around all the time but this time, that could lead both of you to something else.

"Let's change that." 

It all started with that stupid phrase and Ymir's devilish smirk. You were used to your friend having the craziest ideas, and honestly, you loved her spontaneous side, but that one was different. You stared into her face looking for some remnant of her classic sarcasm to indicate she wasn't serious. Although you found nothing, you still decided to believe she was just joking, to make you blush as always. 

"Shut up. Stop messing with me." You said before pushing her shoulder lightly.

"I meant it. I don't see why not. You said you were curious." 

Ymir paused the movie and got out of bed to turn on her bedroom light. You had come for the afternoon, just to chat and watch a movie. You loved talking to her because, unlike other people, Ymir had no filters or limits in a conversation. She was honest with herself and her listener. Maybe that's why you end up saying things to her that you would never say. Like, that you really wanted to know how it feels having someone going down on you. 

"And what do you get out of it?" 

"Mmmm..." She looked at the ceiling pretending to think, "Have fun listening to your cute moans."

"Like you could get me moaning." You answered, rolling your eyes. 

Ymir licked her teeth, looking at you before jumping to lay on her bed by your side. 

"Wanna bet?" She lifted her head to look at you again and rested her chin in one hand, "Of course, it is okay if you don't want to. We can just keep watching the movie, and I will order some pizza for us."

It was your turn to stare at the ceiling, feeling a different tension build in the room between you and wondering whether to accept it or not. You had known Ymir for a few months and thought she was beautiful... So why not?

"Won't that change anything in our friendship?" 

"Only if we want." She shrugged. 

A brief silence stretched across the room before you finally made up your mind.

"I bet" 

Ymir looked at you in surprise. She really thought you'd say "no" and was ready to drop the subject as if nothing had happened.

"Then you should know that I never bet anything I couldn't win." She said, running her fingertips along the hem of your shirt, "Are you sure?" Her fingers slipped under the fabric slowly, expecting a rebuke from you, a hesitation in your gaze.

"Yes, I am" And again, she got surprised when she didn't find anything. "Are you sure?"

Ymir leaned her face towards your lips, placing a small peck on them, "What do you think?" 

Her free hand touched your cheek, bringing your face to hers to kiss you once more. But this time, she took her time to feel your lips getting lost in hers. Ymir kissed you slowly, patiently. It was like she was trying to hypnotize you as your mouth danced in the way she wanted. And judging by the way your head was starting to feel dizzy, she got it. You felt her other hand squeeze your waist and press you against her body as the kiss became more urgent. And you answered, wrapping her neck in your arms, playing with the hair you so loved to run your fingers through. Ymir stroked your thighs, up and down, before grabbing the flash and putting your leg around her waist. She wanted to feel your closer, and if that was possible, she would definitely make it happen. 

You could feel the room getting hotter and hotter and your body more sensitive. Your skin prickled as Ymir's tongue asked its way into your mouth, taking up space and your breath away. 

God, you could moan just for being already so wet, but you wouldn't give up so easily. 

Ymir ran her hand up your thigh before between your legs and caressed the area still covered by your shorts and panties. But that didn't stop you from feeling her fingers move, giving you a brief example of what she would do when you were free of clothes. All that teasing was making the horniness sweat through your skin, crawls inside your body, and drip down your panties. You were already impatient.

"I thought you would make me moan." You whispered after letting her lips go. 

Once again, she showed you her devilish smirk, and for some reason, you couldn't explain, that made your insides clench. 

"And I will" She sat down on the bed and stroked her chin without breaking eye contact with you, "Why don't you strip for me since you are so impatient?"

Of course, she would answer that with more teasing. It was Ymir in the end. And if she wanted to tease so much, why wouldn't you do the same to her? 

You got up from the bed and stood in front of her. Honestly, you were shy at first, and you wish you had worn a prettier bra and panties that afternoon. Taking off your clothes like that in a bright room where she would see you naked and clear from head to toe wasn't an easy task, but you tried to ignore that feeling as you took off your shirt. 

Ymir noticed you bite your lips and did the same with her own shirt, trying to get you more comfortable. 

"It's fairer if I take mine off too, huh?" She said, catching you looking to her chest without a bra. 

You smiled at her, unbuttoned your shorts, and took a deep breath before pulling them down. Ymir stood up on the bed and threw her pants along with her panties in some corner of the room that you didn't bother to notice, getting completely naked in front. Not everyone has seen that sweet and dorky side of her.

But it was you. Ymir could never be totally mean to you. Although you didn't know that. Honestly, Ymir almost felt bad for suggesting such a thing to you without revealing her second intention. She wanted you but not just your body. 

Almost. 

That feeling went away the moment she laid her eyes on your only wearing underwear figure. If she couldn't have you as she wanted, she would at least be sure to burn in your memory as the person who made you feel the most pleasure.

She sat down on her bat again, watching you take off your bra, and now, being the one impatient, she gave you a sign to sit on her lap. 

Ymir cupped your face in her hands and kissed the corner of your lips. 

"Why are you so beautiful?" She placed a kiss on your shoulder, "I can't even stop looking at you." her hands climbed up your ribs and squeezed your boobs gently.

"Seems like you are almost winning." She said, seeing you gasp. 

"You wish" 

Ymir caressed the base of your breasts and then took her thumbs to your nipples. You closed your eyes, feeling her making circles on them before licking one. She smiled at you arching your back in a silent ask to put it in her mouth, and for the sake of your sanity, that was what she did. 

Ymir sucked one of your breasts softly without stopping playing with her hand on your nipple. You had to bite your lower lip to not let go of a small moan. But that was even more difficult when the hand that was on your boob went down to your panties, running her fingers across the region, spreading your visible wetness through the fabric.

Ymir smiled without releasing your nipple from her mouth, pressing her index finger against your clit, making you bite your lip stronger. She teased her nipple using her tongue as she began to rub her finger up and down her clit. With her tongue, she played with your nipple while she began rubbing it up and down with her finger.

You were almost losing your mind, and she knew that. 

"Lay down on the bed to me, sweetheart." 

You did as she told you and watched her slowly slip your panties down your legs. She placed a kiss on one of your knees before putting her head where she wanted to and looked at your face looking for any sign of hesitation one last time. 

Ymir gave a small peck on your pussy before licking between your folds, tasting your wetness and falling in love with your warmness. Her hands hugged your hips, keeping you from squirming, and when she finally licked your needy little spot...

"Aah..." A moan escaped from your lips. You could only see her eyes, but you knew she was smirking on her mind. "Don't get all happy that won't..." She licked again, and you stopped talking, "That won't happen...Hm...Again" 

It was delicious for Ymir to watch you betray your own words as she started to eat you out. She loved seeing all your stubbornness melt away as your legs opened wider for her unconsciously. You moved your head from side to side on the pillow, feeling Ymir's tongue make lazy circles on your clit. Letting her scent, engraved in the sheets, intoxicate your senses.

She released one of her hands from your hip to play with your slit using her fingertips without penetrating. She ran her tongue all over your pussy and returned to your sweet spot to then gently suck it as you arched your back, once again, asking for more. 

"Ymir..." You moaned her name, and only after that did she feel like she had won...

...but there was no reason to stop now. 

You felt your skin burning in heat, and as much as you tried to keep your mouth shut, your moans escaped and filled the room until your breathing became heavier, faster, and she stopped.

"Where are you going so fast?" She said before you asked why. "Let's take our time, huh?" 

Ymir licked slowly licked your pussy again, but this time, it felt like torture for being so sensitive. You just wanted her to go faster. 

At this point, all you needed was to cum. You tried to move your hips against her face to say that, but Ymir only pinned your body down, and you whined in response. 

"Tsc...So needy"

Ymir used her fingers to lift the hood of your clit and the tip of her tongue to stimulate the region, now more sensitive thanks to direct contact. It felt like she pressed a button to make a mess of your mind. The more she licked you like that, the less you could think of anything but her wet and warm tongue taking you to heaven. It didn't take long before you were on the verge of orgasm again, and once again, she stopped. 

Ymir kissed your inner thigh with false innocence as if you weren't panting in frustration in her bed at that very moment.

"If you want something, you should nicely ask for that." She raised her eyebrows at you before slightly bitting your flesh to leave a gift for you. 

"Fuck you" 

"Nah, not like that. Try again. What do you want, sweetheart?"

Ymir looked at you in a way she had never done before as she spread small, short kisses down your leg. You thought about telling her to fuck off again, but when you felt her lips approaching your pussy and stopping… Your chest filled with all your lusty desire for her. 

"Just let me cum, please." 

And how could she say "no" seeing your hair all messy, your face so needy, and your body soft with her hickeys on your thighs? 

"That's my girl." 

Ymir started licking you slowly, gradually increasing her speed, alternating the pressure of her tongue as she held your hips against the bed. You didn't even care about trying to hide the moans anymore. All you could think about was that pressure building in your belly.

You came in waves of pleasure in her mouth, calling her name as you watched the ceiling turn to a gray blur. You felt your legs go soft and your toes curl up. Your body relaxed on the bed while her chest rose and fell for air.

"Told you I would win," Ymir said, proud of her work. 

You raised your head to look at her, and from that angle, she couldn't be more beautiful, smiling from the middle of your legs.

"I hate you."  

[hops-hunny]

Just a Flight Away

Pairing: Neville Longbottom x Ilvermony!Reader

Word Count: 2.8k

Request N/A

Summary: Neville has a cutie who lives in America but no one seems to believe him.

Warnings: None! 

A/N: This isn’t a request but it’s based off of me rambling here and slightly off of the vibe telepatia by Kali Uchis gives off.

If there was one thing Neville was thankful was it was the absolute goddess he got to call his girlfriend. It was funny the way they first began talking to one another. (Y/n) had been trying to contact a friend at Hogwarts but after the long trip from Ilvermony to Hogwarts, her owl was quite exhausted and ended up bringing the letter to Neville instead. Neville saw the poor bird, giving it a bit of bird seed and water that he kept in the green house before he set off to find the rightful owner of the letter. Luckily he had 3rd period with the girl who thanked him before excitedly yanking the letter from his hands. When Neville went to go check on the owl, he saw that it had already left, leaving a heart shape in the bird seed.

After that day, Neville hadn’t really thought about the incident that much. Well, that was until he saw the same owl fly towards him with a letter in its mouth. He smiled fondly at it rubbing under its chin with his finger before going to give the letter back to the owl until he noticed it had his name on it.  He ripped it open, careful to not damage the envelope before reading the letter.

Dear Neviile,

Thank you so so so much for getting the letter to Gwen! Gwen is a good friend of mine who I had been missing dearly and if not for your kindness she would have never received my letter. 

As you may be able to tell from the seal on the letter, I attend Ilvermorny school of witchcraft and wizardry. I've heard of how grand and great the infamous Hogwarts is, is it true? How is England in general? I've never had the pleasure of traveling out of America.

Oh yes! The main point of this is as a thank you, I've attached a package of my favorite American sweets as a token of my gratitude. The package is enchanted which is why it's so small. To restore it to its original state, place it on a flat surface before tapping it with the tip of your wand.

Sincerely,

(Y/n) (L/n)

Neville felt his face grow warm at the girl's kindness. (Y/n). 'What a beautiful name..' he thought to himself before pulling out the galleon sized package from the envelope. He pushed aside a few plants on the table in front of it before placing the package down, tapping the top with his wand. He gasped, watching in amazement as he saw the package expand. Neville wasn't quite familiar with this enchantment, perhaps he'd ask her about it in his response. His cheeks turned a brighter red. Response?

Did she want to speak to him more? He didn't want to assume but by her letter and her asking questions, it made it clear that this wasn't the last exchange she wanted to have. Was this a prank? Were the Weasley twins up to this? There was only one way to tell. Neville reached a shaky hand forward, opening the package as he closed his eyes expecting something to pop out at him but when he opened his eyes there was nothing but a box of snacks he had never seen before. He let out a sigh of relief, ignoring the racing in his heart.

After that, Neville and the girl started to talk quite a bit. Months had turned into years and he couldn't have been happier. It felt nice to have someone he could talk to, someone far away from all the hustle and bustle of the castle. To her he wasn't the kid with unfortunate luck or the "cowardly" boy in Gryffindor. He was just Neville, her boyfriend. Neville, her kind boyfriend in another continent, far away. 

(Y/n) loved Neville just as much. It wasn't that she never had suitors approach her. In fact, she had quite a few. (Y/n) was what you could consider popular, not that she cared. She was kind, smart, and beautiful. Who wouldn't want that? However, she always felt like none of the men who'd approach her got her. They all just saw her as a beautiful woman instead of what she was, a normal girl deserving of love. That's why she liked Neville so much. No matter what he always treated her with the utmost respect and that hadn't stopped when they started to date either. 

When the two had first exchanged photos, Neville was stunned. He had been talking to that beautiful of a girl? He couldn’t believe it. It was as if Olivander himself had sculpted and carved her out of the best of wood. She had glowing (s/c) skin, soft healthy looking (h/c) (h/c) hair, and a smile that could compete with the sun on its brightest of days and win. And when he found out she was single? He would’ve been a fool not to make a move. Angels as sweet as (Y/n) didn’t come around that often. 

And although their relationship was as great as can be there was the underlying sadness: they lived across the world from one another. Every time either of them would see a couple hug or kiss in school, they’d feel a twinge of jealousy pierce their hearts. It wasn’t fair that the most perfect person in the world was off enjoying themselves in their respective countries. Although (Y/n) tried to ignore it, Neville was the type to bring it up. He’d describe in the most beautiful of words what he’d do if they were together. How he’d hold her in his arms and show her off to all of his friends. Where he’d take her on a date, the plants he wanted to show her as they were both herbology geeks. Meanwhile she’d end each of the letters discussing this topic with the same phrase as usual. ‘You know I’m just a flight away. If you wanna I could take a private plane.’ He could never ask that of her though. As much as he’d love everyday to be filled with his flower, he wouldn’t wanna rip her away from the things she had going on in her own life.

It wasn’t all bad though! After the girl had taught him the charm she used when she first sent him something, they both would send each other gifts back and forth as much as possible. Neville sent her sweaters with his scent embedded, charmed flowers, chocolate frogs, anything she wanted was hers. She’d send her own things to remind him of her as well. Her favorite stuffed animal, loads of photographs, little crochet hats she made for Trevor, more...unsavory things as well definitely not her underwear. Despite the increase in objects Neville owned, none of his friends had questioned it until he started to wear a necklace with a heart shaped piece of onyx on it with the letter (Y/f/i) carved into it.

“Oi! Neville. Where’d you get that necklace from?” Ron questioned his friend who sat across from him in the Gryffindor common room. The boys had all decided to study together which of course turned into Neville studying as they goofed off. Neville tensed as his cheeks heated up turning a pink color.

“O-oh um..it’s from my girlfriend.” He said, saying the last word as soft as possible. He prayed to Merlin that his friends hadn’t heard him but unfortunately for him they had. It wasn’t that he didn’t want anyone to know about her. It was far from that. He was just a bit protective, he didn’t want anyone to try and steal her from him. Even though it was impossible since they had no contact with her, he never knew when it came to his friends. They always found a way to make the impossible possible.

“What year is she in?!”

“Who is it?!”

“No way, is she fit?!”

He finished at the chorus of voices, trying to calm them down so he could speak. They all scooted closer to him, looking up at him expectantly. “Well you see..” he trailed off, looking away as he played with the pendant around his neck. “She doesn’t go here. She attends school in Ilvermorny. But to answer your question, yeah she is bloody fit.” he responded, turning his attention back to the scroll of paper in front of him. Dean, Ron, and Seamus exchanged a look with each other trying to suppress their laughs.

“Yeah I’m sure she does Nev.” Dean said sarcastically as he joined the other two in laughter. Neville looked up at his friends confused at their behavior.

“Yeah Nev, if your nan sent it you could’ve just told us! Better than saying you’ve got a girl halfway across the world.” Ron said, pushing the boy slightly as he continued to laugh at him. Seamus was doubled over, snorting with laughter as fire whiskey shot from his nose causing the other two to howl with laughter.

“It’s not from my nan! My girlfriend really did send it to me.” he exclaimed, smacking Ron on the back of the head, before doing the same to the other two men. “Besides, you have some fucking nerve accusing me of lying when none of you have birds yourself.” he sneered, causing the boys to quiet down some.

“So harsh Neville, you didn’t have to go there mate! Well what’s this ‘girlfriend’ of yours called.” Seamus asked, doing air quotes as he mentioned the topic at hand. “You’d think it was a bit strange too if your friend suddenly mentioned a girlfriend who lived all the way in the states too wouldn’t you.”

“(Y/n). And I’ll have you know this isn’t a new thing. We’ve been dating since around 2nd year. Sure, I’d find it a bit strange if you mentioned a girlfriend in America that you had never brought up prior, but I wouldn’t find it impossible! Now if you excuse me, I have to go.” he quickly stood up, packing up his materials as he stormed off to the direction of his dorm. He sped up, ignoring the protest and begging of his friends to come back and continue to hang out with them. He had enough of them and he wasn’t gonna sit there and let himself be called a fucking liar by Hogwart’s biggest ones.

--------------------------------------------

“Did you guys hear? Students from Ilvermony are supposed to be coming to visit!” Ron said, running up to the other four boys. “I’m just picturing how hot all the girls from the states are gonna be. All hot and leggy with those bloody accents. I could combust just thinking of it!” he exclaimed, flopping down on the couch. Neville gasped softly, looking up. Did he hear him correctly? 

“Where’d you hear that from? I didn’t hear anything of the sorts.” Hermione questioned, looking up from her book at the interesting news she had just heard. However, Neville was still frozen. Was this true? And if so, why hadn’t (Y/n) mentioned it. No, no it couldn’t be. She surely would have told him.

“I just overheard it from Dumbledore himself. They should be arriving in a few minutes! They’re staying here for a few months. It’s a part of this new thing that they’ve set up. Something about wanting the students to learn different methods and what not. They decided it’d be a good idea since summer is coming soon.” he said nonchalantly, looking over at Neville who hadn’t moved since the news left his mouth. He went to question what was up with him before his eyes lit up, recalling the conversation they had a few months ago. “Hey Neville? Didn’t your supposed ‘girlfriend’ go to Ilvermony.” the boys all suddenly interested began to ‘ooo’ exchanging looks with each other.

“See Neville, this is why you don’t lie. Lies will always come back to bite you in the rear. Perhaps Ronald i-”

“I wasn’t lying, Hermione! She really does go to Ilvermony.” he exclaimed, standing up as he wiped his hands on his pants. All of a sudden, there were the sounds of a bunch of American accents speaking which caught all of their attention. Many different students in Ilvermorny uniforms (some without them) roamed freely to explore the large and intense castle.

“God you weren’t kidding Ron, the girls are bloody fit.” Dean muttered, eyeing some girl who gave him a wink before giggling and running off with her friends. “Woah look at that one, are you kidding me? She’s a fucking goddess!” Neville’s curious hazel eyes followed his friend's words as he saw a familiar shade of (h/c) hair styled in the way his girlfriend wore it. Wait, was that his sweater? 

“That’s not just some fucking girl, that’s my girlfriend!” Neville exclaimed, standing up from his seat.

“No chance.”

“You couldn’t pick a more believable one?”

“Prove it then.”

Neville went to say something before the girl turned around, locking eyes with him. She gasped, tearing up some as she pushed through the crowd of people running to him as quickly as possible. “Nev! Neville babe, is that you?” she exclaimed. Neville’s face flushed brightly taking in the girl’s appearance. She had worn the first sweater he had given her, a mossy green sweater with an obscure pattern, with a pleated skirt pairing it with a pair of boots. Neville nodded his head quickly, holding his arms out as the girl ran into him almost knocking him over. He picked her up, spinning her around quickly before setting her down, holding her soft face between his hands.

“W-what are you doing here?! You never told me you were coming to visit!” he exclaimed, wiping at the stray tears that had left her eyes. He moved his hands from her face securing them around her waist as he stared down at her. God she was even more beautiful in person.

“I wanted to surprise you! I actually found out a few weeks ago and let me tell ya, it was SO hard not to tell you!” She giggled, reaching up to stroke his cheek. He leaned into her touch, smiling at her. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to get even more handsome but bloody hell. You’re so fucking hot, Nev.” she said, feeling her face heat up. Neville flushed a bright red before leaning down, kissing the girl on the lips. She pulled him down more, wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed back. The kiss was full of the love and affection they had both been craving from one another. (Y/n) tangled her hands in the back of his hair as he deepened the kiss, moaning softly. They both jumped away from one another at the sound of someone clearing their throat. “Ah sorry! Nev, are you going to introduce me to your friends?” she asked looking up at him as she intertwined his large hand with her smaller one.

“I suppose I will, even though for some reason they thought you weren’t real.” he quipped, glaring at the four boys who looked away ashamed. “From left to right there is Harry, Ron, Dean, and Seamus. And over there,” he said pointing to the big arm chair in the corner. “That is Hermione.” he said as they all muttered ‘hi’ and ‘sorry’ from some of them. (Y/n) giggled some, waving at them all.

“It’s very nice to meet you all! Nev talks about you guys all the time in his letters. Oh!” She said, eyes looking at his chest. She reached a hand forward, grabbing the engraved onyx in her hands. “The necklace I gave you!! You like it? I think it looks really good on you.” she exclaimed with a smile, happy her boyfriend enjoyed the gift she gave him. Neville once again looked at his friends chuckling some at their wide eyes.

“Of course I do, petal. I wear it everyday, everywhere I go. Right guys.” he teased, watching as they all stuttered out ‘yes ‘yep’ ‘sure does. “Come on flower, I’ll show you around the castle. I know you’ve been looking forward to that for a while. Also, you look quite cute in my sweater.”

“Thank you. I wear it quite often, even though the smell of you has worn off it still brings me good memories.” she said, playing with the slightly worn out sleeves of the sweater. “I’d love to!! Can we check out the greenhouse first? I wanna see that plant you were talking about. Maybe we can work on identifying what species it is!” he nodded in response, taking her hand once again as they began to walk off. Before they turned the corner, he quickly turned his head around using his unoccupied hand to flip off his friends before turning his attention back to his lover.

“Who would’ve thought? Longbottom with an absolute fox.” Ron said, slumping back down as he frowned. Hermione took the book she was reading smacking him upside the head.

“Maybe if you knew how to treat women you’d be with one too.”