#*:･ﾟ✧ ❛ otp: it never mattered what it was ﹠ we were just that close ! ❜ —— effie : fg – white.

[wordsbyrian]

Would you pls do a Mary earps imagine with them filming TikTok’s together and being otp x

A/n: Not exactly what you asked for but close enough i think.

TikTok is the bane of your very existence.

It’s the bane of your professional life as a chef because everytime you turn around one of your crew is using prep time to make a concoction and upload it to that godforsaken app.

And in your personal life?

Well, in your personal life, it feels like every time you blink you're being sucked into filming one of those stupid videos with your girlfriend.

The first time it happened, you were barely even sure what was going on.

The two of you had been getting ready to go on a date to a relatively nice restaurant, when she pulled up in front of her phone’s camera so she could show off what you were wearing.

That had been the beginning of the madness (as well as a very hard launch of your relationship to the public).

It didn’t really matter what you were doing, if Mary had decided that a video needed to be filmed, it’d be filmed.

A literal walk in the park. TikTok.

You driving. TikTok.

You tearing a member of the kitchen staff a new one. TikTok. (Although she’d been asked not so politely by the head chef to never do that again).

You cooking in your shared flat. TikTok.

Hell, she even made a TikTok of you sharpening your knives, a task you find completely mind numbing.

And if having your every move recorded wasn’t bad enough, she also had you joining her in filming one of the more popular trends. You mouthing along to the silly sounds that are currently popular on the app. Or worse, dancing, you hate the dancing.

Asking how often you think about the Roman Empire (only as often as you need to).

Throwing herself fully clothed into the shower  and singing Taylor Swift while you were trying to brush your teeth.

Making you record a two second clip of everytime you changed clothes while on vacation.

The list is neverending.

Which is why you should be more alarmed when you see her walking into the kitchen  with her phone out but you’re too focused on chopping the vegetables you’ll be using in your meal prep.

 “Baby,” she says.

“Hmm?”

“Can we record a TikTok?”

“Can I keep doing what I’m doing,” you ask in return, still not looking up from the cutting board.

“You don’t need to do anything but stand there and look pretty,” Mary says as she sets her phone up next to you. “And answer questions,” she adds as an afterthought.

You roll your eyes but don’t make any additional comments as you see her hit record.

“So a ton of you have been asking in the comments how my wife manages to be a professional chef when she has so many food allergies,” Mary says, looking directly at the camera. “And I figured it was better if I just let her explain it. Babe?”

Admittedly, you hadn’t really been listening to every word that she had been saying, only really listening to every word that she had been saying, only really catching the words ‘allergies’ and ‘professional chef’, which is a topic you get asked about a lot. So you just answer without really thinking.

“My main allergies are seafood, peanuts and treenuts. And since I’m one of 2 or 3 sous on any given night, I just,” you pause, “wait, what did you just call me?”

You can feel cheeks heating up as your brain finally processes what just happened.

“What? Babe?”

Mary’s playing dumb on purpose. She knows it. You know it. And you both know that the other one knows.

“Not that, the other thing.”

“What my wife,” she asks.

A cheeky grin breaks out on Mary’s face as she watches even more color rush to your face.

For you, when she repeats it, you suddenly feel like you can barely breathe and you know that your next words come out a little choked (much to Mary’s amusement.)

“Yup, that.”

As calmly as you can manage, you put your knife down and take off your apron before walking out of the kitchen.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“I have to find my wallet and keys,” you shoot back.

“Why?”

“I gotta go buy a ring before you change your mind!”

The sound of her laughter is the only thing you hear as you close the door behind you.

The video is up on that cursed app by the end of the week.

A photo of the ring on Mary’s finger goes up just a few hours before.

[chaifootsteps]

In my ideal world, Baxter x Sir Pentious would have been endgame. I mean, i’m pretty sure they are canonically, or at least originally meant to be, ex creative partners, and we all know what THAT means.

They were two of Hell’s most brilliant inventors, but they could never quite manage to make it big. They worked behind the scenes, making a living by providing weapons, elixirs, and the like to big gangs and overlords. They were also both secretly in love with the other, but never voiced their feelings, Pen because his deep seated insecurities and low self-worth made him believe it was impossible for anyone to love him, and Baxter because he didn’t know how to deal with or process his emotions, and didn’t want “matters of the heart” to get in the way of his work.

Baxter never cared much about fame or notoriety, in fact he much preferred to fly under the radar. Pen however was always desperate to find his place in the world, somewhere he could belong and have his achievements appreciated. Overtime he became bitter, and started insisting that he and Baxter should use their inventions to get themselves power and notoriety. This created a rift between them that eventually led to them going their separate ways, and eventually becoming rivals.

Baxter ends up staying at the hotel, which of course causes issues when he finds out Pen is there too. They of course start fighting constantly, and trying to one-up each other. But of course they can’t help but admire each other’s work, and keep end up getting along by accident.

After a while, they form a begrudging friendship, which progresses as the show goes on. This culminates when one late night, Pen drunkenly admits he always held a candle for Baxter, but never had the confidence to tell him. After hearing this, Baxter becomes withdrawn and nervous around Pen, fighting with his inner turmoil and the feeling he doesn’t want to face.

Pen of course assumes he has offended Baxter and ruined their friendship once again. He feaks out, and ends up leaving the hotel without telling anyone, causing Charlie and the others to panic because they actually give a shit about him in this version.

Baxter tracks him down, finding him in their old shared lab/house, now abandoned and run down. The two of them have an honest conversation, in which Pen admits that his fear of being an outcast and his desire for love and acceptance has caused him to sabotage the relationships in his life (and death i guess) that actually mattered, but that the time he’s spent with Baxter and the others in the hotel has helped him to value the place in the world he does have? instead of the one he wants.

In turn, Baxter confides in Pen how his experience as an outcast has lead him to become jaded and closed off, and gave him the mindset that trusting or caring about anyone will only ever be detrimental to him. He also admits that his time in the hotel, especially his relationship with Pen, has challenged that worldview, and finally tells Pen that he has feelings for him.

Sorry if this is too cringe or fanfictiony, Idk man, I just have a soft spot for men with emotional issues and mad scientists.

I just want them to be autistic4autistic evil husbands 😭

No, not the slightest bit too cringe or fanfictiony! Hell, you want to talk cringe, my Sir Pentious OTP will always be Pentious/my late Hazbin OC, which is why I never liked Pen/Baxter back in the day.

But lately, it's been growing on me. Pentious shipped with anyone who didn't stand idly by while he was sexually assaulted is fine by me.

[lovecolibri]

SaL anon here friend and I promise to only mention this once and you don't even have to publish it if you don't want to but just to get it off my chest the BT 2.0 fandom would not have survived RNM, and frankly the fact that we did while in the deepest of trenches 1) shows how little they know about the BS they're claiming from Tim, Oliver, and everyone involved in the show and 2) shows how little anything they're doing will actually matter.

They think Oliver and the writing is biphobic?? They should go watch the scene where a bi man is used to instigate a horrific threesome involving a gay man and the straight woman who was obsessed with him that triggered many viewers about sexual assault. They think its homophobic to leave lonely, traumatized Tommy on his own without comfort because that's what always happens?? Meet Alex Manes, a character whose actual canon backstory is traumatic, was repeatedly abandoned by those he loves in the narrative (not just Michael, RIP s2 Greg), and had to prop up the straight woman who betrayed him. Oh and that's not even touching on the pre S2 commentary on how the bi character being in a relationship with a woman was "a breath of fresh air". They think the break-up "came out of nowhere"?? Try having one half of the OTP couple that was established on 1x01 give his first ILY to another person, whose relationship was entirely her talking down to him at every opportunity (hmmm, sounds familiar). And this was actually the endgame couple from the start but the literal horrors we went through, even on their goddamn wedding day, I will never put myself through again. But yeah, sure, its biphobic that Oliver thought Buck should get to fool around when that is, to this day the default response to any onscreen break-up of most couples in general. Sure, its homophobic to leave Lou so tragically sad and lonely when the only canon thing we've heard about his friends is that they're close enough he can joke about Buck, his boyfriend, accidentally getting a real corpse for Halloween. The break-up was sooo unexpected when they have shown time and time again Buck and Tommy aren't on the same page and know absolutely nothing about each other even after 6 months. Give me a Fucking Break 🙄🙄🙄🙄.

Oh and yeah, back then we made our voices known. We screamed to anyone who would listen about how fucked up the threesome was, we flooded their sm posts about how "great" the Alex and Maria friendship was with our disagreement, we begged and begged and begged for them to make S2 right by acknowledging, at any level, the fucked uppedness of certain character's actions. And what happened? They doubled down on that character's goodness and righteousness, paired her with the gay man's brother who was his only support in s2, and literally shoved her into every storyline up until the bitter end when she was in the middle of their wedding. They promised up a build-up to our OTP getting together then gave them like 3 scenes in S2, until they made up. They literally promised that our queer couple would be treated the same as the straight one, and we spent most of the last season wondering if half of our couple remembered his boyfriend after he disappeared in a hole and was never mentioned by anyone. No one promised them anything, it was spelled out pretty clearly this was Buck's introductory queer relationship. So 1000% miss me with how fucking "unfair" it is for your couple of 10ish episodes to break up. We were told from the start of the show Malex was "cosmic", and then the show proceeded to do everything in its power to disprove that.

And to be 100% clear, yes, we shouldn't need instances that huge to call out biphobia and homophobia when it happens. But when they get done being childish about things not working out the way they wanted, could someone give them some fucking perspective on what really is offensive and what is whining about not getting your way. To borrow the theme from Josh's poorly laid out Glee argument, show some fucking respect to queer storytelling failures people tried so hard to point out and yet were ignored before you, it might give some damn perspective on the so-called offenses you have have to "endure".

Okay I'm done. I'm sorry if this is extra salty but I have a cold, have been pissed since all the bullshit since 8x06 started, and just overall over the debates about what that relationship deserved. The answer is exactly what Tim and co. promised, and they got it. We didn't. So they can fuck right off.

Hello my friend! This was such a delight to read and so absolutely spot on the money! Maybe, if even one single person was talking about Buck (not the made up "Evan" they have in their heads) and Oliver and what they were hoping for our of a bi coming-out story maybe I'd cock an ear to listen, but the only ones talking about that side of things are us on the other side who agree that the T thing should have ended in 7x05 and allowed Buck to introspect and explore what this means for him. Now, the argument can be made in-universe (because externally we all know it was the early renewal that modified 7b into whatever mess that was, and then other stuff had to happen before Buck's stuff could close out) that it's a real Buck thing to do, just jump into a relationship without thinking. So we're all annoyed, but coping just fine because we saw this storyline for what it was since 7x04 and Buck saying Eddie's name a dozen times in the scene where he's kissed by a man for the first time.

You're absolutely correct that these people NEVER would have survived the RNM torment nexus, IF they were on the Malex side of things. I have a sneaking suspicion they would have been the m*luca/m*lexa type people though because the vibes from them are that rancid.

Thanks for the reminder about exactly how bad RNM treated it's main "cosmic" couple and supposed main character Alex Manes. It really does put 9-1-1s faults this season into perspective, because whoooo boy it could absolutely be worse. They absolutely could have drug that tired ass relationship into hiatus and we would have spent the next several months in misery and honesty, where my life is at right now and the misery the holidays are already going to be? I wouldn't have made it and would probably have had to step back for awhile.

As it is, all their whining and whinging and going on just looks so silly! Like, what do you MEAN you a dick riding so hard for a character that appeared in THREE episodes this season? One, in a brief scene to remind the GA where Buck's story is at in the opening episode, one whole episode to remind the GA that they're dating and to give the GA a clear picture of how that man has been treating Buck for 6 months and how Buck shrinks himself down and allows it, in direct contrast to how Eddie talks to him, even when Eddie ALSO doesn't believe in whatever Buck's going on about, and one episode where Buck tries to do what he thinks is expected of him (and not risk another lecture from the firefam for "giving up too easily" which is honestly ridiculous because it's not a thing that Buck has ever done, ever, and was invented as a reason to make him the problem and keep him in a shitty relationship because FOX is The Worst), and ride it out, only for the audience to find out along with Buck that his BF never thought this was gonna be serious and that was probably why he was a dick to Buck all the time, because he was preparing for Buck to leave instead of, oh, IDK, maybe having a conversation any time in the last 6 months about what either of them wanted or expected out of the relationship.

That??? That is what these people are going crazy over?? That's the "so well developed for a side character" person they are demanding come back??? WHAT ARE THEY EVEN TALKING ABOUT???? HE. WAS. IN. THREE. EPISODES. THIS. SEASON. He wasn't even in all the episodes after 7x04 last season, and some of the ones he was in were like, 30 second scenes that were about moving Buck's story forward! I am BAFFLED at what is happening right now! We have a 7 season slow-burn that is SO CLOSE we can actually taste it and these people want Buck trapped in a relationship with someone who treats him like a child? Who doesn't listen to him, and talks down to him, and doesn't like the parts of him that make him BUCK? T is no better than the Buckley parents in how he treats Buck, which is honestly, subconsciously, probably why Buck keeps staying in these relationships with people that are mean to him. Because it's familiar and now that he knows he failed to save his brother (because of course it's his fault, otherwise his parents wouldn't have hated him so much) it's like he's ALSO denying himself joy, and punishing himself. And these people WANT that for him???? Please. Miss me with that shit. Them claiming Buck is soooo sad and we're hateful because we don't want Buck to be happy are so clearly people who have not actually watched this whole show and have no idea what a martyr Buck is, always blaming himself and thinking he's not good enough to be "kept" by these people and never reflecting on if they were good enough for HIM.

Hopefully, the show blesses us with some kind of queer Eddie hint, or Buck feelings realization going into hiatus and we can all have fun losing our minds and those people can shut up and fuck off forever and ever to whatever project that man is doing next. And we can enjoy Oliver getting to act with someone who actually can, and doesn't have to be talked through kissing another man, and we can enjoy Buck and Eddie FINALLY getting the epic, romantic, soft and sweet, soulmates love story that everyone else on the soulmates show gets to have.

Cheers my friend! I'm always happy to pass around the salt, especially after what is happening over on Insta and some of the absolutely batshit things those people are saying. If anyone has time, go leave some positive comments about Buck's current storyline, and like similar comments. Don't engage with the T positive ones, lets just ignore them like the show ignored T!

[lucienarcheron]

Elucien ( Taylor's Version ) 🦊🌸

Originally made this a few years ago but had to update it with the newer Taylor songs and her versions of the songs! This was inspired by the many many T-Swift songs that fit our lovely OTP Elucien.��I will be highlighting all the lyrics that fit Elucien in each song and I have always said, TSwift is for Elucien and Elucien only haha. I started from her earliest albums and worked my way up, so buckle up, this is a long post! You can find the playlist here.

Invisible (Taylor Swift). This is a song I can see from Lucien’s perspective and ugh, it crushes my heart.

And you can't see me wantin' you the way you want her* But you are everything to me And I just wanna show you *She don't even know you *She's never gonna love you like I want to And you just see right through me but if you only knew me We could be a beautiful, miracle, unbelievable Instead of just invisible There's a fire inside of you That can't help but shine through *She's never gonna see the light No matter what you do And all I think about is how to make you think of me And everything that we could beI just wanna open your eyes And make you realize

Untouchable (Fearless). This song genuinely hurt my feelings. Every single lyric works for Elucien. The whole entire song just works from both Elain and Lucien’s perspectives. She’s untouchable, like a distant diamond sky. They’re reaching out to each other by can’t tell why (they can, it’s the mating bond) but my favorite of the lyrics is: Untouchable burning Brighter than the sun And when you're close I feel like coming undone

You Belong with Me (Fearless). One specific part that stands out coming from Lucien’s perspective.

Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find That what you're looking for has been here the whole time If you could see that I'm the one Who understands you Been here all along So, why can't you see? You belong with me You belong with me

Jump Then Fall (Fearless). Lucien’s pov as him and Elain start to get to know each other as friends. Lucien just can’t help the way his heart beats frantically for this adorable girl.

I realize your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard I like the way I can't keep my focus I watch you talk, you didn't notice I hear the words but all I can think is we should be together Every time you smile, I smile And every time you shine, I'll shine for you

Whoa-oh, I'm feelin' you, baby Don't be afraid to jump then fall Jump then fall into me Baby, I'm never gonna leave you Say that you wanna be with me too So I'ma stay through it all So jump then fall

Well, I like the way your hair falls in your face You got the keys to me, I love each freckle on your face Oh, I've never been so wrapped up, honey I like the way you're everything I ever wanted I had time to think it oh, over And all I can say is come closer Take a deep breath and jump then fall into me 'Cause every time you smile, I smile And every time you shine, I'll shine for you

The bottom's gonna drop out from under our feet I'll catch you, I'll catch you When people say things that bring you to your knees I'll catch you The time is gonna come when you're so mad, you could cry But I'll hold you through the night until you smile Whoa-oh, I need you, baby Don't be afraid, please, jump then fall Jump then fall into me

Today Was a Fairytale (Valentine’s Day). The song that summarizes how every day will be for them moving forward.

Today was a fairytale You were the prince I used to be a damsel in distress You took me by the hand

&

You told me I was pretty When I looked like a mess

&

Time slows down Whenever you're around Сan you feel this magic in the air? It must have been the way you kissed me Fell in love when I saw you standin' there It must have been the way Today was a fairytale It must have been the way Today was a fairytale Today was a fairytale You've got a smile That takes me to another planet Every move you make Everything you say is right Today was a fairytale Today was a fairytale All that I can say Is now it's getting so much clearer Nothing made sense 'Til the time I saw your face Today was a fairytale

Mine (Speak Now). This is a song I can see representing if (when) Elain leaves the Night Court to work with (become friends) with the Band of Exiles.

Do you remember, we were sittin', there by the water? You put your arm around me for the first time You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter You are the best thing, that's ever been mine

If you think about it, Elain is a rebel waiting to be unleashed. The careful (mediator) daughter of a once careless (up until the end) father. I can see them sitting there, enjoying the silence, and Lucien getting the courage (and with her permission) to put his arm around her for the first time.

I Almost Do (Red). For this song, I view it as Elain’s resistance to Lucien being her own stubbornness. She’s scared of finding something she could want forever, scared of how there’s a pull towards him even when she doesn’t actively want it. Her resistance can be viewed as her fighting the pull of the bond because she doesn’t want to be influenced by it, she wants to make her own choice. I’m sure she could be wondering how often her mate thinks of her compared to how often she thinks of him.

I bet This time of night you're still up I bet You're tired from a long hard week I bet You're sittin' in your chair by the window Looking out at the city And I bet Sometimes you wonder 'bout me And I just wanna tell youIt takes everything in me not to call you And I wish I could run to you And I hope you know that every time I don't I almost do I almost do I bet You think I either moved on or hate you 'Cause each time you reach out there's no reply

Treacherous (Red). This song makes me think of Elain and Lucien both being drawn to each other because they can’t help it, even when they try to resist it. For Elain, Lucien is the hard choice because it challenges everything she’s come to know about the mating bond and takes her away even further from the life she wanted. I can see them hating the attraction they feel but succumbing to it regardless (not as far as haters to lovers but definitely reluctant until they start hashing it out — “is it the bond or do I truly feel this way?”).

I can't decide if it's a choice Getting swept away I hear the sound of my own voice Asking you to stay And all we are is skin and bone Trained to get along Forever going with the flow But you're friction

& Two headlights shine through the sleepless night And I will get you, and get you alone Your name has echoed through my mind And I just think you should, think you should know That nothing safe is worth the drive And I would follow you, follow you home I'll follow you, follow you home

Message in a Bottle (Red). This song is all Elain realizing her feelings for Lucien after all this time and distance. She's reaching out, scared but he could be the one she loves, right?

I know that you like me And it's kinda frightenin' Standing here waitin', waitin' And I became hypnotized By freckles and bright eyes Tongue tied

But now You're so far away and I'm down Feelin' like a face in the crowd I'm reachin' for you, terrified

&

'Cause you could be the one that I love I could be the one that you dream of Message in a bottle is all I can do Standin' here, hopin' it gets to you You could be the one that I keep, and I Could be the reason you can't sleep at night Message in a bottle is all I can do Standin' here, hopin' it gets to you

This Love (1989). This song is so soft and I want to scream because of how it fits so well. Both Elain and Lucien would consider the bond both positive and negative because of how it came to be, how it shifts their memories and faithfulness to their previous lovers.

In silent screams and wildest dreams I never dreamed of this

Tossing, turning Struggled through the night with someone new And I could go on and on, on and on Lantern, burning Flickered in my mind, only you

This love left a permanent mark This love is glowing in the dark, oh-oh, oh These hands had to let it go free, and This love came back to me, oh-oh, oh

Your smile, my ghost I fell to my knees When you're young, you just run But you come back to what you need

Wonderland (1989). Certain lyrics reminded me of their moments with Hybern when Elain got turned. The few moments before, when Lucien picked her up and away from the cauldron tipping Nesta so Elain doesn’t get wet. The tense, crazy moments after finding out she’s his mate.

Flashing lights and we Took a wrong turn and we Fell down a rabbit hole You held on tight to me 'Cause nothing's as it seems And spinning out of control

I reached for you But you were gone I knew I had to go back home You search the world for something else To make you feel like what we had And in the end, in Wonderland, we both went mad

You Are In Love (1989). This song screams Elain watching up one night and looking at Lucien's sleeping body next to her and realizing, "Oh. This. This is it."

One look, dark room Meant just for you

&

No proof, not much But you saw enough

&

No proof, one touch But you felt enough

You can hear it in the silence, silence, you You can feel it on the way home, way home, you You can see it with the lights out, lights out You are in love, true love You are in love

&

You kiss on sidewalks You fight and you talk One night he wakes Strange look on his face Pauses, then says You're my best friend And you knew what it was He is in love

&

You two are dancing in a snow globe, 'round and 'round And he keeps the picture of you in his office downtown And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars And why I've spent my whole life tryin' to put it into words

Delicate (Reputation). Normally this is a Nessian song for me but with Elucien? This is a song that is going on as they very slowly get to know each other, possibly pretending they’re not falling very deeply in love with each other because it’s too #delicate to rock the boat.

You must like me for me Yeah, I want you

Is it cool that I said all that? Is it too soon to do this yet? 'Cause I know that it's delicate

Isn't it, isn't it, isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it, isn't it, isn't it? Isn't it delicate?

Sometimes I wonder; when you sleep Are you ever dreaming of me? Sometimes when I look into your eyes I pretend you're mine, all the damn time 'Cause I like you

So It Goes (Reputation). This is the moment Elain and Lucien stare at each other, seeing each other for the first time as equals and not...fighting it. The moment right before...the kiss and they fall. But when you get me alone, it's so simple 'Cause baby, I know what you know We can feel it And all the pieces fall Right into place Getting caught up in a moment Lipstick on your face So it goes I'm yours to keep And I'm yours to lose You know I'm not a bad girl But I do bad things with you So it goes

Dress (Reputation). Does this one even need explaining? Elain and Lucien exploring their relationship without anyone knowing, without anyone interfering. Shameless plug of my own fic where I used this song just for them.

Our secret moments in your crowded room They've got no idea about me and you There is an indentation in the shape of you Made your mark on me, a golden tattoo

All of this silence and patience, pining in anticipation My hands are shaking from holding back from you (ah, ah, ah) All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting My hands are shaking from holding back from all this

&

Inescapable, I'm not even gonna try And if I get burned, at least we were electrified I'm spilling wine in the bathtub, you kiss my face and we're both drunk Everyone thinks that they know us, but they know nothing about

Lover ft. Shawn Mendes (Lover). Once they’ve opened themselves to the beauty of what they have together? Inseparable.

Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close? Forever and ever, ah Take me out, and take me home You're my, my, my, my lover &

I'll sing love songs to you when we're eighty See, I finally got you now, honey, I won't let you fall

&

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand? With every guitar string scar on my hand I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover Look in my eyes, they will tell you the truth The girl in my story has always been you I'd go down with the Titanic, it's true, for you, lover And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover

The Archer (Lover). I see this as a very Elain song as she’s battling with her own self and mindset as well as what the bond means to her and her potential with Lucien.

Combat, I'm ready for combat I say I don't want that, but what if I do? 'Cause cruelty wins in the movies I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you

Easy they come, easy they go I jump from the train, I ride off alone I never grew up, it's getting so old Help me hold onto you

I've been the archer I've been the prey Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?

I Think He Knows (Lover). This fun song is Elain’s thought process as she shamelessly becomes o b s e s s e d with her mate, the love of her life.

I think he knows his footprints On the sidewalk Lead to where I can't stop Go there every night

I think he knows his hands around A cold glass Make me wanna know that body Like it's mine

He got that boyish look that I like in a man I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans It's like I'm seventeen, nobody understands No one understands

He got my heartbeat Skipping down 16th Avenue Got that, oh! I mean Wanna see what's under that attitude Like, I want you, bless my soul And I ain't gotta tell him I think he knows I think he knows

I think he knows When we get all alone I'll make myself at home And he'll want me to stay

&

He's so obsessed with me, and boy I understand Boy I understand

Paper Rings (Lover).  Reluctant mates to friends to best friends to lovers? This is the song Elain scream-sings from the rooftops.

The wine is cold Like the shoulder that I gave you in the street Cat and mouse for a month or two or three Now I wake up in the night and watch you breathe

Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night (Oh!) Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life

&

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings Uh huh, that's right Darling, you're the one I want, and I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this Uh huh, that's right Darling, you're the one I want In paper rings, in picture frames, in dirty dreams Oh, you're the one I want

&

Kiss you once 'cause I know you had a long night (Oh!) Kiss you twice 'cause it's gonna be alright Three times 'cause you waited your whole life (One, two, one two three four!)

&

I want to drive away with you I want your complications too I want your dreary Mondays Wrap your arms around me, baby boy

You’re the one I want

False God (Lover). Elain and Lucien fighting to know, “Do you want me for me? Or is it the bond?” Give me angry kissing. Give me some frantic hands roaming bodies that set their souls ablaze. Give me the moment they break away from the heated kiss and have hurt in their eyes because those idiots turned away from each at the same time.

They all warned us about times like this They say the road gets hard and you get lost when you're led by blind faith Blind faith

But we might just get away with it Religion's in your lips Even if it's a false god We'd still worship We might just get away with it The altar is my hips Even if it's a false god We'd still worship this love We'd still worship this love We'd still worship this love

I know heaven's a thing I go there when you touch me Honey hell is when I fight with you

But we can patch it up good Make confessions and we're begging for forgiveness

Afterglow (Lover). I see this song as Elain’s perspective as she’s been fighting against this bond and pushing Lucien away because she thinks it’s the worse thing that’s happened to her then slowly realizing exactly how in love she is with him.

I blew things out of proportion, now you're blue Put you in jail for something you didn't do I pinned your hands behind your back, oh Thought I had reason to attack, but no

Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves Chemistry 'til it blows up, 'til there's no us Why'd I have to break what I love so much? It's on your face, and I'm to blame, I need to say

Hey It's all me in my head I'm the one who burned us down But it's not what I meant Sorry that I hurt you I don't wanna do, I don't wanna do this to you I don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose this with you I need to say, hey It's all me, just don't go Meet me in the afterglow

I lived like an island, punished you with silence Went off like sirens, just crying

&

Tell me that you're still mine Tell me that we'll be just fine Even when I lose my mind I need to say Tell me that it's not my fault Tell me that I'm all you want Even when I break your heart

Daylight (Lover). After the heartbreaks and all the fights…they walk into the daylight together.

I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you I've been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night And now I see daylight, I only see daylight

&

And I can still see it all (In my mind) All of you, all of me (Intertwined) I once believed love would be (Black and white) But it's golden (Golden) And I can still see it all (In my head) Back and forth from New York (Singing in your bed) I once believed love would be (Burning red) But it's golden Like daylight, like daylight Like daylight, daylight

&

I wanna be defined by the things that I love Not the things I hate Not the things that I'm afraid of, I'm afraid of Not the things that haunt me in the middle of the night I, I just think that You are what you love

Mirrorball (Folklore). Learning the beauty of falling in love and seeing how a mate is an equal, a mirror to show you all the wonderful sides of themselves.

I want you to know I'm a mirrorball I'll show you every version of yourself tonight I'll get you out on the floor Shimmering beautiful And when I break it's in a million pieces Hush When no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes Spinning in my highest heels, love Shining just for you Hush I know they said the end is near But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes Spinning in my highest heels, love Shining just for you

Invisible String (Folklore). Isn’t this the song for every mate? Highlighting how there was always a string tying them to a chance for a most magnificent love.

Time, mystical time Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine Were there clues I didn't see? And isn't it just so pretty to think All along there was some Invisible string Tying you to me?

&

A string that pulled me Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons One single thread of gold tied me to you

Peace (Folklore). A song from Lucien’s perspective. A future high lord from a broken home. How could he ever bring her peace?

But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm If your cascade ocean wave blues come All these people think love's for show But I would die for you in secret The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences Sit with you in the trenches Give you my wild, give you a child Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other Family that I chose now that I see your brother as my brother Is it enough? 'Cause there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me Willow (Evermore). Elain as she’s realizing how Lucien has sneaked into her heart by being everything she didn’t know she needed.

I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night Rough on the surface but you cut through like a knife And if it was an open-shut case I never would've known from that look on your face Lost in your current like a priceless wine

&

Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind Head on the pillow, I could feel you sneaking in As if you were a mythical thing Like you were a trophy or a champion ring And there was one prize I'd cheat to win The more that you say The less I know Wherever you stray I follow I'm begging for you to take my hand Wreck my plans That's my man You know that my train could take you home Anywhere else is hollow I'm begging for you to take my hand Wreck my plans That's my man

&

Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dark Show me the places where the others gave you scars

Gold Rush (Evermore). Elain, as she watches Lucien dazzle every crowd he’s in, feeling both proud that he’s her mate (while still nervous and apprehensive around him) but can’t help being slightly annoyed at how many people seem to want his attention.

Gleaming Twinkling Eyes like sinking ships On waters so inviting I almost jump in But I don't like a gold rush, gold rush I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch Everybody wants you Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you Walk past, quick brush I don't like slow motion double vision in rose blush I don't like that falling feels like flying 'til the bone crush Everybody wants you But I don't like a gold rush What must it be like To grow up that beautiful? With your hair falling into place like dominos At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit And the coastal town We wandered 'round had never Seen a love as pure as it

Ivy (Evermore). The struggle of wanting someone while they both navigate the waters of grieving an old love. The struggle of how they find themselves in each other’s dreams.

Your touch brought forth an incandescent glow Tarnished but so grand

And the old widow goes to the stone every day But I don't, I just sit here and wait Grieving for the living

&

Oh, goddamn My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand Taking mine, but it's been promised to another Oh, I can't Stop you putting roots in my dreamland My house of stone, your ivy grows And now I'm covered in you

I wish to know The fatal flaw that makes you long to be Magnificently cursed

&

it's a fire It's a goddamn blaze in the dark And you started it You started it So yeah, it's a war It's the goddamn fight of my life And you started it You started it

Cowboy Like Me (Evermore). Elain and Lucien realizing they’re both more similar than they think, having to cater to the feelings of those around them, telling people what they want to hear and just trying to make the most of life. Until they find each other.

You're a cowboy like me Perched in the dark Telling all the rich folks anything they wanna hear Like it could be love I could be the way forward Only if they pay for it

You're a bandit like me Eyes full of stars Hustling for the good life Never thought I'd meet you here It could be love We could be the way forward And I know I'll pay for it

And the skeletons in both our closets Plotted hard to mess this up

&

Now you hang from my lips Like the Gardens of Babylon With your boots beneath my bed Forever is the sweetest con

&

I've had some tricks up my sleeve Takes one to know one

Long Story Short (Evermore). Elain has had her ups and downs, struggling to find herself, letting herself get lost in options here and there but finally, finds her way home. To herself. To Lucien.

Fatefully I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me Misery Like the war of words I shouted in my sleep And you passed right by

&

And I fell from the pedestal Right down the rabbit hole Long story short, it was a bad time Pushed from the precipice Clung to the nearest lips Long story short, it was the wrong guy Now I'm all about you I'm all about you, ah Yeah, yeah I'm all about you, ah Yeah, yeah Actually I always felt I must look better in the rear view Missing me At the golden gates they once held the keys to When I dropped my sword I threw it in the bushes and knocked on your door And we live in peace But if someone comes at us This time, I'm ready

&

No more keepin' score now I just keep you warm (keep you warm) No more tug of war now I just know there's more (know there's more) No more keepin' score now I just keep you warm (keep you warm) And my waves meet your shore Ever and evermore

Lavender Haze (Midnights). The moment I heard this song, I knew it would be an elucien hit. This is Elain and Lucien in the stages of secretly getting to know each other away from everyone. I see this from Elain's POV as they try to take it slow and stay in that lavender haze~

Starin' at the ceilin' with you Oh, you don't ever say too much And you don't really read into My melancholia

I've been under scrutiny (yeah, oh, yeah) You handle it beautifully (yeah, oh, yeah) All this shit is new to me (yeah, oh, yeah)

I feel the lavender haze creepin' up on me Surreal, I'm damned if I do give a damn what people say No deal, the 1950s shit they want from me I just wanna stay in that lavender haze

&

All they keep askin' me (all they keep askin' me) Is if I'm gonna be your bride

Sweet Nothing (Midnights). Elain and Lucien knowing they're each other's safe spaces.

They said the end is coming Everyone's up to something I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving You're in the kitchen humming All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

&

And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more" To you, I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it

And lastly, to wrap it up with an oldie, I’m Only Me When I’m With You (Taylor Swift). “Mine…you are mine and I am yours. Mate.”

Friday night beneath the stars In a field behind your yard You and I are painting pictures in the sky Sometimes we don't say a thing Just listen to the crickets sing Everything I need is right here by my side

And I know everything about you I don't wanna live without you

I'm only up when you're not down Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground It's like no matter what I do Well, you drive me crazy half the time The other half I'm only trying To let you know that what I feel is true And I'm only me when I'm with you

[aingeal98]

yoo sangah for the ask game!!

three facts about them from my personal headcanons

-She faced so much misogyny from both her family and her workplace that the fact Dokja didn't harass her was enough for her to want to try and be his friend. Like the bar was on the floor and it was a relief to her that a single person cleared it.

-Her childhood was lonely, being from a well off family but hating the fakeness of high society and the lack of care towards those not as well off. She doesn't talk to her family much at all and she's never regretted it.

-But since she comes from that upper class, despite her efforts she struggles to make friends easily, especially with women. Her bond with KimCom was the first time she had a family she felt she could truly die for with no regrets.

a reason they suck

Out of all the characters it feels like the authors struggled the most with deciding where they wanted to take Sangah's character. It was very clear from early on that she was intended to subvert her usual character archetype but just how much they intended to subvert it didn't seem clearly thought out from the start. It leaves her with a bond to Dokja that's more highlighted than most of KimCom but not on YooHan's level. It also means that she never manages to carve out the same amount of narrative space as say, HSY does.

a reason they are great

I actually really like that her bond with Dokja is so thoroughly subverted. She's not his love interest, she's not his prize. She's not a goddess or secretly evil. She's just a person trying to survive like the rest of them. She's just his really good friend, someone who remembers who he was before the scenarios and wanted to be his friend even then. Yoohan both meet Dokja for the first time during the scenarios with all this savvy knowledge of the apocalypse. Sangah knew him as this guy obsessed with a webnovel, and she liked him even back then.

a reason I relate to them

Constantly feeling guilty for things beyond their control and feeling like no matter how hard they try there is a wall between them and the people they care about where they can't fully view you as Real and not just what they want you to be.

(what I consider to be) the top tier otp/ot3 for that character

Sangsoo. But more specifically, sangsoo where she's not dating joonghyuk or dokja but hsy is, and she's constantly the only one who can get the entire polycule to cut their antics and listen to her. HSY is highly smug about this even though her gf privileges never stop Sangah from yelling at her too.

five things that never happened to that character that I believe should have happened

-She deserved to snap and go apeshit. Tell everyone to stop fucking calling her a goddess she's just a person and they're all so unhinged she's at the end of her goddamn rope

-She deserved to have an argument with Han Sooyoung that lead to them kissing to shut each other up

-She should have had a Fuck You moment towards Olympus. One just for her where she got petty revenge on them for using her as a pawn.

-I needed one moment where someone fully saw her as a person. Dokja came close but she always knew more about him than he did her. I needed someone who saw her as an equal and I think HSY did but at the same time there was more there we needed to see for me to be satisfied. Probably a conversation within the three years they were living together.

-More focus on her in the epilogue. I get that it's the yoohankim story but for all the reasons highlighted above, Sangah and Dokja have a unique and special bond. I felt there was a tiny bit lacking there and I wanted to see more.

five people that character never fell in love with and why

-Dokja. It could have been something but then he died for three years, and by the time he came back she was also dying trying to keep everyone else alive. In some ways she understands him quite possibly better than anyone, but somehow being inside the Fourth Wall and seeing his entire life just solidified their bond as purely platonic.

-Yoo Joonghyuk. He's not her type. Ironically she is his type but he's already loved Lee Seolhwa which would make any relationship too painfully familiar to him.

-Jung Heewon. In a way she was almost everything Sangah would look for in a partner but on top of already having a thing with Lee Hyunsung, she also comes across as extremely straight. Sangah was convinced she was straight until she saw her arguing with Han Sooyoung and was like wow what is it about that woman and making every fight have underlying sexual tension.

-Lee Hyunsung. Also Sangah's type, but so clearly smitten with Heewon that Sangah would shut any potential feelings down if they ever arose.

-Sun Wukong. She may be Tang Sanzang but her story lies beyond that of his constellation.

[lusthurts]

sebastian and blaine for the character asks <3

ahhh hi bestie im so excited to yap about these two <333

sebastian smythe

how I feel about this character

Sebastian is the love of my life <3 I'm obsessed with writing this character and reading this character and consuming any and all content related to this character.

I have sooooo many head canons about him, and the way I feel about him/his backstory/his personality has evolved a ton over the years, even since I've been writing about him. He has that snark and edge that I love to a character with a clearly very interesting past that we have complete creative liberties to explore. it's so fun and I love him !

all the people I ship romantically with this character

BLAINE! seblaine is of course my otp, and no ship will ever come close to them for me in terms of the extreme brain rot obsession I have because of them - I love that they sort of balance each other out and have this undeniable chemistry that's pretty monumental for both of them and leaves a lot of room for us to explore

I don't think anything will ever come close to them for me, and I fully cannot bring myself to get behind kurtbastian no matter how much I love enemies to lovers as a trope (though when my mutuals write kurtbastian I still try to read it lol)

I did enjoy writing jeff x sebastian in how bright we burn (totally snuck up on me on accident - he needed to be with one of the other warblers for plot reasons and I picked Jeff because they're always in shots together in canon) but that's not something I think I'd ever be super into on like,, a bigger scale - I love it as a platonic ship though

my non-romantic otp for this character

honestly, the warblers as a whole - I really like the idea of Sebastian not really fitting in anywhere/never feeling at home anywhere before dalton and being very reluctant to get close with them at first which resulted in him coming on a little strong/trying to take control rather than trying to develop meaningful friendships, but then by the end he's found he really cares about them and wants them to succeed and finally feels like he's found a home and core group of friends

OH and i ADORE his friendship with cooper in the I'll be there for you series - their dynamic together is fantastic and I think probably the best written friendship for Sebastian that I've ever read

my unpopular opinion about this character

I'm not sure if this is unpopular or not, but I do really like that he's an imperfect person who clearly has a lot of growing up to do. He acts like an asshole and he is one kind of a lot of the time, but even the things he does maliciously aren't meant to be that harmful, and there's clearly a complicated person beneath the surface. I love slutty Sebastian and snarky Sebastian and bullying/blackmail/assault Sebastian so so much

I also don't like the idea of him being "soft" or immediately comfortable in a relationship with blaine just because he's the person he's meant to be with - a lot of my head canons about him revolve around him having a kind of unhealthy relationship with love/relationships, and I don't think it's realistic that they'd just immediately be in a happy relationship. I love fluff as much as the next person, but I definitely don't think their problems end when they get together.

one thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon

obviously seblaine - even if they'd just given us a little bit behind the scenes (what were those phone calls and texts??? they were clearly good friends!!)

I wish he'd been around more after season 3 - I realize because of real life reasons this was impossible, and he probably would've been back quite a bit if it wasn't for the flash, but I would've loved to see him develop friendships and plots and sing more songs and maybe have a relationship or two

blaine anderson

how I feel about this character

he's one of my first favorite glee characters and one of the main reasons I still love this show

I think I relate to him more than I relate to any of the other characters in the show - he has that passionate, overachiever, ruthless drive for success thing that Rachel has but he's also clearly very anxious about things and experiences depression and has some attachment issues, and I think all that makes him a much more complicated character than he's given credit for

all the people I ship romantically with this character

Sebastian ofc - see above lol

I used to be a huge blam fan - I haven't read or written them in a long time but I still think this is probably my second favorite blaine ship - they have a lot of chemistry together with a lot of fantastic scenes and development in season 4 specifically, and I think this would've been a cool path to go down during their senior year in the post-kurt/mercedes era

I also used to love klaine (prior to realizing how toxic that relationship was lol) - they were def cute in season 2, and they were probably one of the first queer ships I saw on tv that I felt that attached too. I think if handled better in the later seasons they could've been great, and I think if they're written well they can be a lovely ship - I played blaine in a glee rpg during covid (dark times lmao) and I found writing klaine with a person who really cared for writing Kurt's character well to be super fun

my non-romantic otp for this character

definitely sam & tina! blamtina is my favorite trio in the show, and I think their friendship felt very realistic and well-developed, especially for something that really only existed to that extent for one season

a close second would be rachel - I think blaine and rachel definitely get each other in a way the other new directions don't really, and I enjoy their dynamic a lot, especially in the beginning of season 6

oh and the warblers. he referred to that group as a brotherhood and then just,, left ? makes it hard to believe they were as close as he said, but I also will die on the hill that he must've had strong relationships with those guys if they got him from how he must've felt post Sadie Hawkins to the guy that was confidently singing the lead at every performance

my unpopular opinion about this character

while I do think he was occasionally too whiny and treated as a caricature in the later seasons, I also think a lot of that was the natural progression of his character given the circumstances he was dealing with. I think it's very natural for insecurities to come up when you go from where he was at in season 2 (star/lead vocalist of the warblers, admired and beloved by his peers, confidently helping Kurt through the bullying and trauma of McKinley) to season 3 (ignored/disregarded by ND's leaders like finn, only getting the occasional line or two in performances, treated almost exclusively as Kurt's boyfriend)

he was more interesting in seasons 2 & 4 when he was single than he was at any point during his relationship with kurt

one thing I wish had happened with this character in canon

seblaine !

or honestly getting to see him in any romantic relationship with someone other than Kurt (karofsky doesn't count lol we all collectively pretend that didn't happen)

why do we know like nothing about his life !! he's one of the major characters in the show (second in solos only to Rachel I think?) and yet all we get are a few one off and very concerning lines about his dad??? then his mom randomly shows up at the wedding??? and cooper's there but only for an episode and then never brought up again??? girl what I need to know his lore

[autumnslance]

Year of the OTP - September 2023 - I Wrote This For You

("Meet the Family" has a...long draft I'm still not happy with after 2 years of Endwalker. So have some 885ish words of yearning instead.)

[A letter in nearly type-perfect cursive font, the envelope also containing a pressed white flower yet retaining its sweet scent, delivered surreptitiously via postmoogle to the top of a certain gunbreaker’s pack…]

This is not at all fair.

I toss and turn, staring into the darkened ceiling and wonder when I became so restless. So needy.

I sprawl across the mattress, too big for only myself, missing you. It’s only been hours since we parted, only last night that we held one another, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

It’s not quite an ache, but almost, and I’ve no other words to describe it, running up and down my arms, my legs. A need to be touching, to be holding—but there’s only empty air.

A very specific not-quite-heated-ache low in my abdomen, between my legs, a sensation that will not be sated except by your touch.

I roll over and bury my flushing face in a pillow.

I didn’t used to feel such things. I used to not understand what others meant when describing wants and aches and needs. It was surely an exaggeration. Hyperbole for poetry and songs.

Even when we first met, and others hurled themselves at you, insistent—even desperate—I rolled my eyes and thought they were overdoing it. Certainly, physical intimacy can be enjoyable, but so is a game of tag, or cards, or simply sitting together discussing a book. Handsome you are, but I was convinced they were playing it up to win your attention.

Then somewhere, somehow, though I didn’t mean to, along our long and winding way I fell for you. And it seemed as if my entire world shifted.

The gleam in your eyes, the crook of your smile, the gentle roughness of your hands, the steady beat of your heart in your warm chest when pulling me close. All of you is a conspiracy to rewire my every reaction.

I understand now what it means to melt after seeing the ways you look at me. You ask me to tell you what I want, voice low and rough, and the frisson it causes is not imaginary. It shivers through me now, even just imagining you leaning over my back, calloused fingers on my skin, puff of hot breath on my neck, the rumble in your voice pitched just so…

I flip over again. Still alone. 

I could never be mistaken for wanton. There’s still much I don’t understand. I still need to be coaxed and encouraged because this is all so new and a little embarrassing and a lot messy and I worry my inexperience, my need for guidance, just isn't enough to keep you.

I’ve come to realize there are times you neglect your own wants and needs to tend to mine. And while I am grateful for your attention and your patience, I need your happiness too. 

There’s my blush again, as I think about not just your happiness but your pleasure, in duet with mine. The clench of your fingers in my hair, the tension in your neck and jaw as you arch. The way you moan, or call my name.

Your pleased reactions please me. And gods, the thought of seeing, hearing, feeling them again brings a fresh wave of aching in my limbs, more heat pooling low.

I want you. I need you.

I didn’t used to feel this way.

I didn’t see you, after hours or days or weeks, and think about how much longer it will be until I can have you alone, and then in my bed. Until we’re holding, kissing, touching…

There’s so much more to us than this; after all this time, all we’ve been through together. Some days I only want to sit silently in the same room, each doing our own work or play, basking in your company, your presence in my life more than enough.

Then there are nights like this, when I realize oh no, it wasn’t hyperbole, wasn’t exaggeration. That another person, that you, can make me burn and those desires will be the most wonderful and terrifying sensations.

I miss you, though it’s barely been twelve hours since you kissed me goodbye.

And so, since I cannot sleep, here I am writing down all the ways you make me yearn.

How I am counting the time until I have you here again, wrapped in each others arms, breath catching as lips and fingers find those perfect spots we each know so well on one another’s skin, your voice rumbling in my ear, demanding I tell you what I need but it’s you, just you, moving against me, with me, in me, until we both sing.

I would never have written anything like this before you. I would never have dreamed of sending such words as a letter. But I need you to know how loving you has altered my internal chemistry, and that cannot wait until we are face to face once more.

For one thing, you know I will be too shy to say it aloud. I can see you in my mind’s eye, smiling as you imagine my blushing.

But we have ever connected over written words, so here are mine, for you to hold and read and reread and imagine me imagining you until we are together again.

[believeinyourotp]

OTP

Nathanette ships: I just love Nathanette no matter what form it comes in.

AliRose: He should have returned past season 1, the Royal and an average girl.

Love

Love is always to strong a word, and also there is no ship strong enough to that word that I would consider close to an OTP but not quite it, sorry guys

A strong word

Like

Adrigami: rivals to lovers, respect dynamic.

LukAdrien: I’ve seen fanart, they’re cool.

MariGami: IRL, this would probably never happen and there doesn't seem to be any girl crushes for Mari. But if there were any girl rivals Mari didn't hate or wasn't evil, it would be Kagami.

JuLila: Mainly got into this because of @gowonielovely , no questions asked.

MariKim: Got into because of artviavivi aka @chubearr , I would love to see more of them despite their canon story sucking alot, I love any fanart or story, that she makes of them.

Good

Ninonette: I would have liked to see them date…

LadyBee and ChLady: Chloe falls in love with the masked hero, and Marinette is usually annoyed with her shit, but comes to respect her when she gives Chloe the chance to be a hero.

ChloDrien: Childhood friends to lovers, can you tell I have a thing? I think as of now they'll never be together and maybe Adrien is a bit disappointed that his friend he's known since childhood stopped being his friend because she hates one of his other friends that 1 has a crush on him and 2 because she will never be given the offered another chance to change because of the creators wanted a character who represented other people they knew and wanted to implement into a cartoon for children, which I think they should try to let kids who relate to these characters and still have a chance to grow and change, will never have the inspiration from the WORST of characters to be inspired to. Just a bit bitter lol.

Liladrien: Maybe I want to see Marinette suffer in romance for a bit. Also Nice Guy MC x Mean Girl, please crush my IRL dreams lol.

Felix x Bridgette: they have this cute dynamic.

Don’t Mind

LukLoe: I think there was only one next gen with my OTP Nathanette and Adrigami, I liked the design of their kids, and I’ve seen some sad cosplays of them on TikTok back then.

Tikki x Marinette: ok

JuleRose: They’re cute, but maybe I would have liked to see how they met and their impact on each other

Nathaniel x Adrien: Maybe a rivals to lovers au

Adrien x Alya: could have been interesting if they figured out they were Ninonette’s wingmen.

Kim x Ondine: They’re ok I feel like they needed to pair him up with someone so people would ship Marikim less.

Liluka: Maybe it’s because Luka’s not a main character and this would feel more pair the sparesies

Nathaniel x Luka: might be a great dynamic

Lila x Marinette: Could have happened like Lumity.

Ivan x Mylene: ok

Adrien x Plagg: ok

Tom x Sabine: Awesome parents

Nino x Adrien: Best bros

Nathaniel x Alix: Could be an interesting dynamic

Lukanette: Nice guy x nice girl, but I feel like it was to replace Nathanette

Ladybug x Luka: ok

KiMax: I guess I’d prefer over Kim x Ondine

JuleRosAli: Polycule, maybe we need more of them

Ninogami: Artviavivi has a cute dynamic and cute art between them.

AdriGami: I just do, rivals to lovers amiright.

Eh

LAdrien: The most tolerable ship of the Canon Lovesquare. At least in this form it's obvious how much they like and admire each other. Had this never existed or they never found out their alternate identities, or both, would they still be into each other?

JAdrien/AdrEka: I'm not sure Juleka swings that way.

AlyNino: Ok. What if they never got together through the wingman episode, alternate scenarios?

LuKagami: Like I said Pair the Spares trope, not that into it, especially when they are basically treated like plot devices by shows, theories, films, that have the main couple, especially when they are the main focus main characters main couple, that have a will they won't they plot that makes them worst as people and probably people you don't like in real life doing the same things they do. That is one trope I hate.

MarcAniel: I guess they stopped having Nathaniel have a crush on her and felt he needed a partner if he wasn't with Ladybug or Marinette, he HAD to be with someone. I don't know, I really don't like how Marc wasn't introduced, like maybe if he wasn't introduced as someone who really wanted to work with him and felt really bad just because Nathaniel didn't feel like working with him, or just wasn't introduced working with Nathaniel at all, it would have worked, like maybe having a similar hobby that didn't relate to what they're mainly known for characterwise, I would have liked it more. It's just really hard for me to like.

LAbrina: Well don't like it so much anymore since that one episode I know she bullied Sabrina for and Sabrina tricked her into a confession, I just had hope before that episode and it made this Tierlist, It would go down a tier now.

FeLila: Villains(?) in love lol, not all that into it.

ChloBrina: The show doesn't seem to want Chloe to change which will probably lead her into downward spiral for her character, now she's completely alone. For now I want her character to be the same, but more uptight and closed off, not even blinking at the sight of a new friendship because NO ONE in the show wants to like her and even if she moves away she can't move on, but she still has dreams, wanting to be someone great and wanting love, and has finally learned her lesson. This would be a great idea for a spinoff series just for her

ChlAli: One of the Royal's and family of a democratic country's president's daughter, I don't really ship it, but like what if Chloe's dad was upset that her daughter didn't have anymore friendships in her life in Paris because everyone she's known has abandoned her and sends her to Prince Ali's country to get to know each other more, since they probably don't interact all that much except international social events, so he sets up more meetings so she can have someone to hang out with, eventually becoming one of her closest friend and eventually when everyone around them is getting married and having families, everyone in their family worried that they'll never get married they set up an arranged marriage, they don't hate it but their not romantically interested in each other, they're just a guy and girl friends who decided 'meh if it had to be anyone I'd rather it be you' type of situation.

LAlya: Lila x Alya, I think Alya wouldn't want to interact with a hardcore liar, especially being some type of journalist/she's actually a honest blogger.

AlyaNette: Alya and Marinette don't really seem like the type of relationship to be interested in each other, unless I'm not looking to deep into it and one party was actually trying to hide their feelings this entire time

KimAlix: There's not many scenes with them, and I think male/female friendships need to be important and not immediately making them romantically interested in each other and when one's feelingd are unrequited they stop being friends because they can't deal with it, and in a way it will hurt both of them in the end.

ChloLila: They either or hate each other or relate to each other.

NathLoe: Nathaniel is still friends with Marinette, somehow still cares about her in some way, also probably wouldn't get with the girl who made fun of his crush on the girl who is his ex crush still friend that much.

Antibug x Chat Blanc: Villain loves villain

MarcNette: Not sure they'll like each other in that way ever

AlixMax: Hmm... not sure really

MaxNette: Could be an interesting, but I don't think they'll ever be paired up by the creators knowing that 1 The creators don't seem to like ships that aren't main couple and isn't gonna bank them the money with the drama 2 Even if it did happen I'll probably be disappointed by canon again

Jagged Stone x Penny: Huh? They were a thing?

Pl'Ikki: Ok

Kim x Chloe: Girl probably messed with his feelings and head, don't need to watch the show to headcanon that

ChloGami: Maybe Kagami could inspire her to not be stuck up and not the total worst character, but I doubt that we'll ever happen since the show just sees them as plot devices.

Max x Sabrina: Ok

Duusu x Nooroo: Ok

Wayzz x Trixx: Ok

Wayzz x Pollen: Ok

DelBrina: Haven't watched the movie, but maybe it'd be a romantic long distance relationship.

MarcIno: I feel like this is just pair the spares trope acting up again.

FeLoLya: Childhood friends(?) plus girl they think is cool

NathAurore: Feel like even celebrities besides Adrien don't get the chance to shine more in the show besides Adrien, like has she ever appeared in the show besides her Akuma eps?

LiLuka: Before, could have been cool, one of the main/supporting characters gets with the mean girl/girl MC does not trust, could have been redeemed. But honestly who would want to get with their ex crushes bully or someone who hurt them, unless it was just your fleeting crush lol

LukaZoe: I think Zoe is gay but I could be wrong. She could be Bi, but also I feel it would be a boring because it seems like your basic pair the spares ship

Dislike

LadyNoir: I feel sad for Chat even if he's a simp, it's just imagine if your crush thought you were annoying as heck.

MariChat: Mari just being openly annoyed at Chat, when he isn't looking and Chat eventually Chat falling for the 'just a friend', I don't know, I feel he would think she's a little weird even as a friend let alone a crush, like imagine the friend you never knew liked you to an unhealthily obsessed level.

AdriNette: What I said above.

ChloNette: Bully x bully, hate x hate, could have been interesting if Chloe didn't manipulate her obvious feelings for Adrien, and Marinette actually gave her a chance to be a hero again, and her not disappointing.

Gabriel x Nathalie: A man obsessed with bringing back his ex wife and the assistant who's been by his side, who looks over his kid trying to maintain their relationship they have with one another. TBH, he's willing to die just to bring Emilie back, he knows he sucks, but maybe it's mainly because he knows he has no idea what to do with his kid since then.

Hate

Don't really hate any ships TBH in general, everyone probably has a guilty pleasure.

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

For the fanfic asks: 6. Are there any fics from others you reread all the time? and 18. What’s one of your favorite lines you’ve written in a fic?

Fanfic asks

Must admit, I was excited to see you sent in an ask! XD But in answer to your questions:

6. Are there any fics from others you reread all the time?

There's quite a few so buckle up:

it was all a dream, i just called to say, and in law out(ing) by @canariie: her writing is beautiful, her plots are offer many sweet and homely moments, and they all feature my OTP. The first was a request form me and I love the direction to she took it, giving Toshiro and Momo a soft moment where they're both scared but then turning it into a moment Toshiro can express how he truly feels. The second is beautiful from start to finish, giving us an interaction between two like-minded individuals who have been through a lot and would probably benefit from meeting each other in canon; also the last third is just so good for a Hitsuhina fan! The last is just great fun, and I love seeing Shinji and Toshiro interact like this (it also gave us #letshinjifish2k23, what's not to love?!) If for some reason you haven't read these fics (or any of her fics for that matter) and you're a hitsuhina fan, read them after this post!

Bleach Returns day 3: A Time to Celebrate by @recurring-polynya: yeah that's right, I go back and read this fic of yours! It's one of the most humorous fics I've read, and it never fails to make me smile. I love all the characters' banter with each other, it feels organic and it's awesome to see some character interact with each other (seriously, I never thought I'd want to see Chad interact with Rangiku and Toshiro, but here we are). I've been meaning to read your submission for this year's BLEACH Anime Celebration too, but I'm sure I'll love it!

a cacophny in stillness by @visionen-im-spiegel: I mentioned it in my last ask response, but there's just something about this fic. I love to come back and reread it as a whole, but there's just certain sections I read it for. I love in the last chapter where Momo finds Toshiro, and there's that shock of seeing him at first, but more than that, there's relief that the war is all finally over, and they have each other in that moment of realisation.

the warmest place in the world by @pinkhairedlily: this is such a fluffy read! I love snippet of the hitsuhina married life here, it feels authentic and organic. I always laugh at the drunk Toshiro scene, the poor guy forgets he finally married Momo! XD

D O N K I and Away, Away by @bleachbleachbleach: I've said many thinks about their writing, and I cannot praise them enough. These two fics in particular hit me though. Again, a little biased here, but the first was written as a request from me, but like with canariie, it got taken in a direction I didn't see coming but absolutely loved. Toshiro and Orihime interactions are always a 10/10 for me, they're a soft friendship that needs to explored more. And this fic even got me to care about the weird unspoken side characters in Orihime's neighbourhood! Away, Away holds a special place for me, as it was the first fic I read from bleachbleachbleach, I come back to it because I still marvel at the world building, the atmosphere throughout, and the character interactions being so on point.

18. What's one of your favorite lines you've written in a fic?

There's more than one line here, but I feels it needs context for me to explain why it's one of my faves. This one is from On the Shoreline:

“I-I didn’t understand why you were becoming so distant, I thought getting away from the Soul Society would help, but now I think I know. Are you…?” She’s conflicted, her lips opening to continuing her question, only to close seconds later and becoming a taut, pressed line. He’d wanted to tell her what was on his mind, but not like this. To his own ear, he’s ended up both paranoid and like a child complaining about something not going his way. He's upset her. Toshiro sighs, suddenly more tired than before. “What is it?” She still hesitates, her focus on the waves circling his ankles. Eventually, she raises her head and steps closer. “Are you scared?” It hits him in the chest like a stone thrown into glass. For a second, his blood runs tight and cold in his limbs. His heart skips a beat, then clenches. He can feel hairline fractures running through him, threatening to break apart.

I still can't forget how long I sat there trying to come up with a line to emphasis the impact this question has on Toshiro. This was the moment in the story where he finally breaks down more or less, and finally tells Momo what's been going on for him. He's been keeping his walls up, but they aren't strong ones; he's at a point where they're being worn down and he's barely making it through this trip, and Momo's concern, her insight into who he is and how he's feeling, finally breaks them down completely.

It might be a corny or cliched line, but love how it turned out in the grant scheme of the story. Her question hit him hard, and finally got him to open up to her when he's been the exact opposite for most of the fic.

Thanks so much for sending these in! :D

[therealslimshakespeare]

Ok I have one very angsty headcanon about Maureen that probably doesn’t fit your version but I’m gonna float it anyway. Feel free to ignore it, I completely understand! But considering how much time she spend around men before the war and how she was thought (in part by her absentee mother and in part by her father) to seek out validation from men only, is there a chance that she realised how cruel and brutal some men can be before being captured? Because with Ida and Lu their only introduction to intimacy was through brute force and trauma (which is heartbreaking and unfair and generally deserving of death sentence for those assailants). We know that Maureen wasn’t a virgin when she enlisted, and that she knows that sex is normal and more often than not a good thing in one’s life. But from what I gathered, man before her Gale (my otp) came around, treated her rather poorly, even if she let them to the extend. What if (and only if, as I said feel free to ignore my mad mumblings) she herself had been hurt during the act before? And her way of dealing with that is to be accommodating and “loose” (I hate that word so much but cannot think of the better one to use). I’m not suggesting that she had experience of brutal rape before war, but it would make sense to me that she realised how inhumane some man are before meeting germans after being shot down. And to protect herself and keep on getting that validation from man (that she was thought was the only kind that really mattered!) she was always the one more forward? It’s something that had been sitting in the back of my mind for weeks now and I had to get it out here

You’re in my walls, Nonnie darling.

This is creepy close/same to what I always imagined myself. It could have taken so many forms beyond brutal assault, amen, and that’s how I imagine it. Some other form. But certainly one or many instances of absolute unacceptable behavior. Think of those upper crust circles in the thirties, I mean, it’s glamorous but also full of such dark doing and zero accountability, it chewed up girls like meat. Tragic. And many who survived did so and became either a product of it or were considered bitchy for standing up for themselves.

So anyways. Yes. Fully support. And I always had a thought she at least got exposed to some of this too young as well. Again, not saying full assault necessarily but too young is too young no matter what we are talking about. Too far is too far.

Also. I don’t think she processed any of that. Really don’t. Just as she hasn’t taken a second to process the rape part of her torture at the hands of the Gestapo and SS. The drownings and the beatings yes. Her hands are what she’s fixated on. Anything but exactly that.

Might I hedge….only her suspicion for poor Gale’s plight keeps her on edge with her own. But god she’d rather not because she’s never even coped with the civilian instances before

[theleotorrio]

Hi there! A, F, M, and U for the ask game? If you don't mind 😊

Hey, friend!!

Thank you for the ask, I don't mind at all and will try my best :)

A - Ships you currently like a lot. (They don't have to be OTPs because not everyone has OTPs.) Friendships, pairings, threesomes, etc. are allowed.

Currently I am for some reason obsessed with Nikola & Nigel and Nigel & Helen friendships. I think they'd have a really fun dynamic.

Also I had a fallback to the Jane/Lisbon ship from The Mentalist, that slow burn romance is just really great. And then the usual Helen Nikola in any way honestly, I love their friendship, I like them as a couple, just those two having a choke hold on me.

F - What's the longest you've ever been in a fandom?

Gosh I am not sure. For most of the time I was never really active in fandoms because people scare me but I've been looking at fandom stuff for some fandoms for as long as like 14 years, which is long. But actively engaging in stuff, probably 5 years with the Sanders Sides Fandom.

M - Name a character that you'd like to have for a friend.

Many of them. I'd create my own small, perfect friend group. But probably George Karim from Lockwood and Co. He's a great cook and we can nerd out together about conspiracy theories and discuss comics and mangas.

U - Three favourite characters from three different fandoms, and why they're your favourites.

Uuh, I like this one a lot!!!!

Firstly Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan. He's my favourite because I relate to him a lot and I like how he is written as such a closed off yet so deeply emotional character who no matter what the world throws at him will get back up and try to find something new worth living for. I do find this sad yet inspiring at the same time, also I love that he loves tea a lot. I think he is simply written amazingly but also tragically, which makes him such a cool character!!

Secondly Lucy Carlyle from Lockwood and Co. She's my favourite because even though she is insanely powerful, she is so humble about it and has such a good heart for justice and wanting to make things right while being incredibly grumpy. I find it really endearing.

And then I have to put Nikola on here. He's hillarious even if troublesome and I like how he does have his serious moments and still wants to believe in the good of humanity even if it keeps failing him and I just really enjoy the balance he is written with.

I don't like that I could only put three on here, but honarable mentions would be teresa Lisbon(The Mentalist), Elizabeth Weir(Stargate Atlantis) and Raine Whispers (The Owl House)

Thank you, those were a lot of fun!! Sorry, this got a bit long.

[hello-nichya-here]

“That is literally what happened to Katara in the comics and LOK though? She basically became Aang's trophy gf/wife. It's part of why they are hated so much.” So now you guys care about what’s “canon” and what’s not? If we go by that logic, in the shitty post-atla canon Zuko and Katara stopped being close friends and genuinely do not give a fuck about each other anymore. They don’t talk about/to each other and they don’t care about each other (even though post-atla Katara has no problem bringing up her brother, Toph, Suki, and even Iroh). But that doesn’t stop you guys from making your fics & art in which she’s attached to Zuko’s hip. So why should we accept Bryke’s Americanized fanfiction as canon when it comes to Kataang or any of the other canon pairings? I swear, Zutara shippers act so entitled thinking that they’re the only ones who reject canon and everyone else is welcoming it with open arms or something. Who’s going to tell these whiny pissbabies that no one likes that Korra “canon” outside of Korra fans themselves?

Oh, anon, don't you know they change their mentality from "Death of the author" to "Word of God is law" depending on what's convenient? Azula antis do exactly the same whenever, by some miracle, the writers say something nice about her.

It's all about hiding behind "authority" to claim they're correct, then mocking said authority the second it says something they don't like.

If the evil writers made a decision that makes Kataang look bad? Well, that's obviously canon and, in fact, was always meant to happen, just look at the signs that TOTALLY were there in the original show.

If the same evil writers made Zutara look bad tho? Well, we call them evil for a reason! They are writting lies to make our OTP look bad!

They can never say something like "I think this writing decision is good and coherent, while that one is a mixed bag, and that other one is just dumb" because that makes it clear that it's just their opinion, and people can disagree. They always go for anything that makes their thoughts on the matter be "correct."

[period-dramallama]

Legacy review: part 3

Men Be Normal About Elizabeth I Challenge 

Lettice Knollys: *marries Robert Dudley*

Susan Kay:

Susan Kay really doesn’t like poor Lettice Knollys, does she? It’s giving very “how DARE she intrude upon my OTP” vibes. Nearly everything is wrong with Lettice- she’s horny, she’s vain, she’s disloyal yadayadayada.

“and for years he had dreamed of raping her”- Susan, ‘I love you so much I don’t want to rape you anymore’ is not nearly as romantic as you seem to think it is.

Usually the assumption in Robert/Elizabeth romance is that if they bang at all it’s in the 1560s when they’re young and hot so it’s nice to have Elizabeth have sex later in life for a change. It makes sense for Elizabeth to be ready once she’s coming up to menopause and doesn’t have to worry about conception.

WHAT.

Slapping Elizabeth for saying she’s going to marry Alencon?? He’s throttling her?? He’s calling her a stupid woman?! She’s OK with that?!

She plans to have his son and pass him off as Alencon’s?! Elizabeth would never do that!

I’m going to have to deduct points for this insanity. INSANITY, i say.

All that build up to show Elizabeth’s trauma and now she’s cool with her man throttling her out of anger??

Two pages ago everything was great....we had a good sex scene and now Susan is clubbing her book to death and i’m just...

“He put his hand gently beneath her chin and raised her face to his. ‘Your life’ he said slowly ‘the continuance of your reign is the only thing that matters now in England. And if it costs the death of Campion and a thousand like him it will be worth it.... In my arms all your enemies are defeated.”

Oh NOW we have Robert Dudley no no no it’s fine i’m cool i’m cool

Overall, I’d say this book has complex characterisation....most of the time. Elizabeth, Dudley, William Cecil, Mary (both of them), Henry, Edward & Thomas Seymour, Essex, they are 3 dimensional. Lettice, Anne Stanhope, Anne Boleyn, Walsingham- not so much. Walsingham is basically a caricature, “bloodless” “cold and sly and fanatical” . To say his work was “received without gratitude” is a little harsh. He was not a close friend of Elizabeth’s but she did stay at his house, Barn Elms, and she did judge him worthy of a nickname “Moor”. We do know that he was friends with Dudley and Cecil, Cecil consoled Walsingham when his daughter Mary died aged 7 in 1580, and lamented the passing of a good friend and colleague in 1590. Walsingham had a dry sense of humour, he bought Italian wine and plants and owned a clavichord. There’s no excuse for saying his “few emotional needs were satisfied by the fierce demands of his work” because we’ve known since at least the 1970s that that’s not true. Yes, he was more Protestant than Elizabeth and he had a providential view of history (like Dudley himself!) but that doesn’t mean he believed “he had been personally singled out by God”. Yeah he died broke, but a lot of that was just bad accounting lol. 

Also it’s Gilbert Gifford not John Gifford hoowwwwwww do you mess that up.

The matter of Dudley’s short-lived son is sad but in summary.

Elizabeth on drugs...sad or funny? I’ll go with sad. Elizabeth bordering on atheism...I’ll excuse it because she’s so jaded. 

Robert missing Elizabeth in the Netherlands is lovely but “home was always you” clashes with “for years I wanted to rape you because you were my obsession.” I’m not saying love has to be portrayed as healthy, but these two statements conflict. 

Cuddly supportive middle-aged Leicester 1586 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>young aggressive rapey Leicester 1560s-1580s

Susan Kay talking about Leicester’s podgy dad bod like it’s a minus and not a plus

“She never had one, did you know that? He gave her a coronation but not a decent burial” saddest line in the whole book. Elizabeth remembering that her mother’s executioner was paid £23 6s 8d...ahhhhhh. Dudley holding her tightly- that’s it! More of that please! That’s what we needed the whole time!  Weirdly heart warming in a dark way that he’s urging her to assassinate Mary. 

“January crawled into February on leaden feet” *chef’s kiss*. 

“’We’re all in this together,’ Burghley insisted steadily. 

Elizabeth’s life versus Elizabeth’s sanity- excellent.

Part 4 of the book ends with Dudley’s death- predictable. but predictable because competent. Will I miss Dudley when he’s gone? Jury’s out. Probably I’ll miss him because he is replaced with Robert “we have Dudley at home” Devereux. “crimes against humanity” stop with the anachronisms Susan!

The realism of trying to distract Elizabeth from her depression: good. 

Philip would consider the anti Christ a man, and i think it does both him and Elizabeth a disservice to make the vendetta almost completely personal. Philip was not an incel. Elizabeth had cost him millions of ducats in military expenses, persecuted Catholics, intervened in the Netherlands, helped herself to some of his treasure ships- and she had reasons to do that, obviously. Also Phil seems to have forgotten that Elizabeth’s preservation was in his own best interests too- but I get why time and spite would make him forget that. Philip did have presence of his own though- Elizabeth’s eyes were unnerving, but so were his! He wasn’t just a bureaucrat. He was a commanding presence, partly because he was so quiet. And yeah, “Gloriana” is a cooler nickname than “El Prudente” but Phil did not entirely lack reputation. 

“My eyes are closed forever and I am blind” I see what you did there.

“How dare you desert your people in their hour of triumph to mope over a dead rat who was never worth a tinker’s curse alive?”

Cecil absolutely deserved to get shredded for that. Absolute idiocy on his part. What you doing boi.

There is an anachronism when Essex thinks of Elizabeth as an ice queen with a splinter of ice in her heart- unless there’s a sixteenth century source for that, the Snow Queen was written by Hans Christian Anderson centuries later.

Elizabeth: I’m haunted by Mary Stuart’s ghost

also Elizabeth: anyway time to wear Mary Stuart’s looted black pearls.

Cecil complains about having no salary...that’s not how Tudor government worked. Susan you really ought to have read Penry Williams’ The Tudor Regime (1979). 

Essex “was not troubled by its unnatural overtones, for he never even noticed them”. This boi I swear would be in a horror movie, hear a weird spooky noise, and go “hello? is anyone there?”. 

What is this jealousy bullshit? Elizabeth always punished courtiers for marrying without permission. It’s the done thing. Phil did the same thing and nobody is calling HIM jealous.

Cecil’s veiled insult with the psalms was great, especially as the real guy regularly reread his psalter. I think once a month? But regularly. So that’s 100% something he would do.

A little hiccup with the timeline: Elizabeth’s 40th anniversary on the throne would be November 1598- AFTER the deaths of Phil and Cecil. 

 Cecil and Phil as “my best friend and my best enemy.” Yes. Thank you. That’s the truth right there.

“A bitter old maid- everything she said and did supported that image.” I disagree. Also Essex is one of those men who see make up as cheating. But I think Essex’s characterisation is very good: he genuinely admires and cares about the queen he just misunderstands their relationship. Because he’s an idiot. 

I think too much blame in this novel is given to Elizabeth for Essex’s mistakes. He IS an idiot. His prefrontal cortex is woefully underdeveloped. His immaturity would always be a problem. 

“he had not lost his manhood in the Queen’s service- he had simply never attained it; she had warped and stunted his natural growth.” C’mon now, he wasn’t a child. When Leicester died he was 22-23. When Essex was beheaded he was 35-36. To put that in perspective, Catherine Parr died at 36 and Elizabeth of York at 37. He had plenty of time to become as mature as those women- he didn’t.

This novel suffers from a bit too much predestination. No, Essex’s execution was not inevitable because of Elizabeth’s trauma. he had free will. she had free will. Essex’s story is so much more interesting if it’s his choices that matter. Making it inevitable because of *spins wheel* Anne’s execution in 1536 undermines that. 

I like it when Elizabeth has a touch of the supernatural about her, at least in the eyes of other people (Dudley, Phil, Mary) but it can go too far. It takes agency from her and her skills and gives all the power to luck/fortune/god/the devil. 

The ending is also well-written.

[protect-daniel-james]

OTP ASKS!

grizione: 17, 26, 32

and let's do *whisper voice* frank/mason: 27, 30

if you feel like doing rakidrić you could do 30 for them as well but i know it's been a long time

Thank youuu!

Grizione:

17. Who fell in love first?

Oof, this is difficult... I think Antoine viewed Cholo as untouchable in the early days, but Cholo was almost immediately platonically in love. And the softness with which Cholo treated Antoine - in contrast with his "dark, shithousing" character as outsiders often view him - slowly gave Antoine the confidence to start flirting. First as a joke since he was Cholo's favourite, but eventually it became serious. And Diego always let Antoine make the first steps, he was very careful not to pressure/, pursuit him.

26. How do they comfort each other?

Just being with each other I would say. Tbh, Cholo is too stubborn/proud to show he needs comforting. He would never want to burden Antoine with his needs. He just adores him in the most tender, devoted way. Antoine ofc needs comforting because he's very emotional, and he 's been through some rough times... Cholo would literally be his shield, his shoulder to cry on, his cushion to sleep on... Anything that would help comfort his sweet French prince (enter soft soothing lovemaking).

32. How do they resolve their arguments?

Antoine does his pouty face 🥺 and Cholo Is lost. Tbh they don't really argue, or at least not about important things - I think if it was something REALLY major, Cholo would be very stubborn about his personal conviction to resolve anything.

Frank/Mason:

27. What random everyday object/activity makes them think of each other?

For Frank it's definitely shower. He used to love when Mason was called for a "private talk" right after training. No matter his posh and upper class demenor and lifestyle, he has a very animalistic/carnal/messy behavior when it comes to intimacy. He adores Mason's scent, sweat, used training kit... It reminds him of his own playing days, and gives him a kick because it's a complete contrast with his managerial suit/kit. So him and Mason would spent a lot of time after trainings in his office and then shower. Sometimes, Frank fantasizes about those moments when he's showering alone and missing Mason....👀

For Mason, it would probably be some posh/expensive materials or food, something that Frank would treat him to when they were together in hotel rooms or at Frank's place. Very grooming-like....eh? Well, yeah.

30. What is their favorite place to kiss the other? (Cheek, hand, closed eyelid, neck, nose, etc.)

Mason adores Frank's face, at least in the early days. He's hooked on the idea that it's that Frank Lampard. And he would always stare at him lovingly, completely smitten.... Frank adores Mason's body. And as I said, he's a bit of a freak when it comes to carnal love, he would want to kiss Mason where nobody else ever would... Or, you guessed it, give him sloppy blowjobs and rimjobs after trainings, praising and wanting to explore every inch of Mason's body.

Rakidrić (there's never enough of it)

30. What is their favorite place to kiss the other? (Cheek, hand, closed eyelid, neck, nose, etc.)

Lukita's hair! Always! The crown of his head, soft and tender kiss by Raketa is all we need. The protectiveness, gentleness, and fleeting moment of happiness that they can share even in front of others on the pitch 😘 in private, he would also kiss Luka's nose of course, especially if Luka mentions something self-deprivating.

I think Luka would be pretty conservative, going for the chin and neck, because he likes to nuzzle his face in the crook of Raketa's neck.

[invisibleraven]

Sommes-nous les jouets du destin

Wriitten for the Year of the OTP challenge prompt: Soulmate AU

On AO3!

Come on y'all, you knew this was the prompt I would choose this month.

Soulmates is my favouritetrope of all time, and even though I've written it a fair few times, I will never get sick of it. Hope you enjoy this one, it was a fun one to write!

“One large latte for Melinda Gale!” 

A man approached her, a hopeful look on his face. “Melinda Francis?” 

“Melinda Abigail, sorry love,” she replied, patting his shoulder in sympathy. “You’ll find her, I’m sure.” 

He glanced down at the deep black mark across her wrist. “You too.” 

From his table, Reggie scoffed “Soulmates.” 

“I think it’s sweet,” Julie said as she sipped her Frappuccino. “Hope springs eternal and all that. Just because you don’t believe in it…” 

Reggie turned his head away, not wanting to have this argument again. Because on the outside, he rallied for the Free Choice Movement- saying that we should all be allowed to pick our own mates. Not let our romantic lives be dictated by a string of letters on our wrists. 

But the reality was, Reggie would love to have a soulmate. To know with certainty that there was someone out there for him, that would love him no matter what. But there wasn’t.

Because Reggie was a Blank. 

His parents were unsurprised, saying he was always such a disappointment, why not in this area too? Perhaps he deserved to go on being a Blank, since he had made them so miserable. Reggie was never sure what to believe with them, not even sure they were mates, as they kept their marks religiously hidden. Finally he got out of that house, leaving their hatred and abuse behind. But the sting of their words never truly left. 

And no matter how he rubbed his skin raw, or searched every inch of himself, because not everyone had their mark on their wrist, no hopes or prayers or waiting granted him a soulmark. 

Thus Reggie joined the Free Choicers, so at least then there would be a chance he wouldn’t end up alone. And he stayed even as others left, mainly after they found their own soulmates, perhaps to get his lonely heart to give up on the idea of Julie Molina. 

He and Julie had met at the library of all places. She was looking for a book for her thesis on contemporary music composers, Reggie was just looking for something to read while on his break, as working there gave him a discount on tuition, allowing him to actually finish his Photography degree when his loans ran out. Their fingers brushed, and that was it for Reggie. Julie had laughed, her nose scrunching, the gap in her smile showing, and he was a goner. 

“Hi, I’m Reggie,” he said, giving her his signature crooked grin.

“Reggie?” she said, her eyes lighting up a little. 

“Yeah, my mom was a big Elton John fan,” he admitted. “So Reginald Eugene Peters it was.” 

“I’m Julie Molina! Well it’s actually Julianna, but everyone calls me Julie,” she said, animated and Reggie grinned. 

“Nice to meet you Julie.” 

Her face fell a little. “My name doesn’t mean anything to you does it?” she asked.

“It’s a very nice name?” 

She sighed, almost dejected, and Reggie couldn’t bear the sad look on her face or to have her walk away. “Way better than Reginald.” Which at least succeeded in making her laugh once more. 

He had offered to let her have the book, but she had shyly suggested they share, and so they had, sitting so close their legs would brush, that Reggie could feel the heat of her body, smell the sweet coffee drink she had before coming in. He could see her wrists were bare, but she was also wearing a turtleneck, in May. In LA. So he kind of figured that her mark was somewhere on her torso. 

He never asked of course, because it would crush him to have her show it to him, some other guy’s name. Some guy who was destined to win Julie the second she heard his name, and that would be it. 

She didn’t ask about his soulmark either, especially after she saw his Free Choice patch that lived on his bookbag. Even asked him about it, even if she was 100% on the soulmates train. 

Which honestly made it kind of worse, because if she was okay with it, he’d gladly sweep her off her feet, soulmate be damned. He explained his beliefs, and while Julie didn’t agree with those views, she respected them, and they usually left soulmates stuff alone and had a good-nay, great friendship despite it. 

Which brought them back to the coffee shop and the almost pairing that had happened in front of them. “I just think it’s asinine, letting your future be dictated by a birthmark,” he said. 

“Do you ever think about how wonderful it is that we all have someone out there who will love us?” Julie countered. “Your perfect someone made for you and only you?” 

“Without knowing you?” Reggie retorted. “Sure you might have an initial attraction, but just learning their name should not equal being in love. I’d rather be with someone who I know, who loves me because they know me, and I know them, regardless of what our marks may or may not say.” 

“But what about your actual soulmates?” Julie asked “Isn’t it cruel to them?” 

Reggie shrugged. “Is it fair to end something you’ve built with someone just because someone else might be your perfect mate due to some scribbles?” 

Julie shook her head. “I will never get you. Soulmates are made for each other, they’re never wrong. But I’m tired of arguing and I have a class to get to.” 

“Movie night Friday?” Reggie asked. This was usually how their rare fights regarding soulmates always ended. With them leaving it and making plans to see each other again. It might seem strange, but they made it work. 

“Of course,” Julie replied. “We can even watch an action flick.” 

“Sweet,” Reggie said, waving her off. Watching her walk away and knowing no matter what he said, she was taking his heart with him. 

~

Friday night Reggie was digging through his shirts trying to find one to wear to Julie’s place. The sniff test was failing him though, and he made a mental note to make sure to do laundry later. 

“Reg-a-roo!” Luke yelled as he entered their shared space. “You home?”

“Not for long!”

“Oh yeah, it’s date night,” Luke said, leaning against the doorframe. 

“It’s not a date,” Reggie grumbled. 

“You keep telling yourself that bud,” Luke said with a grin. “I know I don’t spend my Friday nights watching movies with someone I’m not dating. Buy them special presents just because. Go with them to weddings, block parties, and get invited to their family holidays.” 

Which were all things that Reggie did for Julie. He had dated a few of his fellow free choice members years ago, but a lot of them left when the leader found their soulmate and abandoned their beliefs, more of them finding their own mate and leaving Reggie as a result. And then he’d met Julie and his dating life ground to a halt as a result. 

Though he had enjoyed the Molina family vacay to a little cabin in the redwoods. He still kept in touch with Ray and Carlos, even if he was positive they thought he was Julie’s soulmate. He hadn’t exactly told them otherwise, but they never asked or said anything definitive. Reggie just enjoyed the feeling of family and belonging, regardless of any falsehood he might be perpetuating. 

Reggie blushed, finally pulling on his favourite plain black tee. “We’re just friends I swear. She’s waiting for her soulmate.” 

Luke hummed. “Pity you’re in love with her then.” Reggie’s head flew up, mouthing gaping open as if to ask how Luke knew. “Dude, I’m hot, not stupid.” 

“Never said you were. Do you think she knows?” 

Luke smirked. “Why don’t you ask her? She might be a bit more flexible than you think. Now get outta here, Bobby’s on his way home and we’re gonna desecrate every surface.” 

“Make sure you sanitise every surface before I get home then,” Reggie said, waving as he took off. 

~

Normally Reggie would head right for Julie’s place, but he ran into Alex in the foyer of the building on his way out for his own date. “Hey Reg, off to Julie’s?” 

“Yup. You off to see Willie?” 

Alex gave a dopey grin which was answer enough. The two of them had an auspicious start, what with Willie mowing Alex down on his skateboard, sending the two of them stumbling onto Hollywood Boulevard. Finding out they were soulmates as they checked each other for injuries, and spending their first date bandaged and smiling. They had been together ever since, though they still had their own spaces, they went back and forth so often, the rest of them were just waiting for the day that they finally decided to move in together. 

“Oh, hey, you remember my friend Nick?” Alex asked. 

“The cute blond with two left feet and unfortunate taste in hats?” Reggie retorted. 

“That’s the one,” Alex chuckled. “He was asking about you during our last study session.” 

“Me?” Reggie asked. “Why?”

“Well he hasn’t met his soulmate yet, and he knows you’re perpetually single and thinks you’re pretty cute,” Alex replied. “Asked me if I thought you’d say yes if he asked you for coffee or something. What should I tell him?” 

Reggie froze at that. Nick was cute, a sweet guy really. Sure it wouldn’t be true love, but they could have a good time together until he met his mate. Plus maybe it was time he got back out there. He knew his feelings for Julie were hopeless, and he was torturing himself waiting for them to disappear on their own. So with a weak smile, he told Alex to give Nick his number, and wished him a good night. 

But for some reason his every step up to Julie’s place felt leadened. Drawing it out, wanting to delay getting to her door when normally he’d take the stairs two at a time, too impatient for the elevator, too anxious to spend time with Julie. He was sure even his knock sounded dull and hollow, but he tried his best to plaster on a smile, for Julie’s sake, lest she catch on and make him confess. 

Julie beamed as she opened the door, ushering him to the couch. “Just in time. The pizza just got here and I made some boozy root beer floats.”

“Sounds delicious.” 

They devoured the food, and settled back to watch whatever movie Julie had picked out, but honestly the pizza tasted like ashes on Reggie’s tongue. The movie was one he really loved, but that made it all the easier to space out. Startling as Julie wormed her way to his side like she always did, her warmth plastered to his side. 

“What’s wrong?” she finally asks, poking him playfully. “You’re all tense and not my comfy pillow.” 

“Why do we even bother putting on a movie if you’re gonna fall asleep on me every time Molina?” Reggie jokes. 

“Not my fault you’re so comfy,” Julie replies with a pout. “But seriously, is something bothering you? You’re not yourself.” 

Reggie knew he couldn’t put it off any longer, so he swallowed audibly. “I ran into Lex on the way in. He-he wanted to set me up on a date.” 

“A date?” Julie repeated, her voice small. 

“Yeah, his buddy Nick is interested,” he shrugs. “Might be a fun time.” 

“No.” 

Reggie looks at Julie then, and she is furious. “No?”

She huffs, then gets up, starts pacing, finally facing him, hands on her hips. “No. Reggie this has gone on long enough. You-You can’t!”

“And why, pray tell, can't I go on this date?”

“Reggie,” she starts, then swipes at her eyes. Oh god, she’s crying. “I know you don’t believe in soulmates, but I’ve been here. So patient, waiting and waiting...”

“For your soulmate?” 

“Stop!” she cries. “Just stop! I’ve been waiting for you, you idiot!” 

Reggie’s heart soars and drops all at once. “But what about your soulmate?” 

“Can we please stop pretending?” she asks, sitting down next to him. He doesn’t understand, and he’s crying now as she clutches his hands, eyes pleading with him. Finally she huffs and pulls her loose shirt to the side, and down. 

And scrawled on her chest, right above her heart are three little words that makes the whole world stop. Reginald Eugene Peters

He reaches out, then stops, not wanting to touch her without permission, but she snatches his hand, lays it over where his name resides. It doesn’t feel any different than the rest of her, but there it is in stark black; his name. 

“Show me yours,” she says. A plea, a prayer, a whisper. 

And then the blood in Reggie’s veins turns to ice. 

“I know you have my name,” Julie says. “And we know each other better than any mates I’ve ever met. So show me yours and we can finally be together.” 

“God Julie,” Reggie sobs. “You thought all this time… I wasn’t making a move because of the Free Choice thing?” 

“Show me,” she says, more like demands, her voice desperate. 

“I can’t,” Reggie weeps. “I never knew Julie. Gosh I feel so stupid, but… Julie, I'm not your soulmate.” 

“You’re lying,” she says, voice shaking. 

“I wish I was,” he says, the world blurry with his tears. “It must be another Reggie Peters. You’re meant to be with him, not me.”

“It has to be you,” she says, reaching for him. 

“It’s not,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m Blank Julie. I never got a mark. I don’t have a soulmate.” 

The room is eerily quiet, the silence feeling like a thousand pounds as it settles on them. Finally, Julie speaks. “What?” 

Reggie sniffles, wiping at his eyes once more. “Why do you think I hate it so much? Why I joined the Free Choice movement? Because I know it doesn’t exist for me! No one will ever... I can’t…” He shook his head then. How had it all gone so wrong so fast? He had hurt Julie from the start, letting her believe that they would be together as soulmates one day. But if he had been honest… maybe she would be with herReggie right now, and he wouldn’t be here with the ruptured smithereens of his own heart. Maybe it was right that he never got a mark, maybe he deserved it, just like his parents always said. 

He looks at Julie, sure the devastation on her face is mirroring his own. “I hope you find your Reggie Peters,” he says honestly. If nothing else he wants Julie to be happy, no matter what it means for him. He grabs his jacket, making for the door. “But he’s not me.” 

He pulls on the jacket as he all but stumbles down the stairs, head throbbing from the crying, his thoughts pounding in his ears. Doesn’t hear Julie thundering down the stairs behind him, not until he’s outside and she calls for him. 

Turns and sees her standing there. Even after crying and running after him in her cozy movie watching clothes, she’s never looked more beautiful. “Reggie, wait. Please, I don’t care about anything else I just want-”

But whatever Julie wanted got cut off as he heard the screech of tires, the blare of a horn. Feels the impact at his side, the overwhelming pain, and then the world goes black.

~

Reggie awakens in the hospital. He’s not sure how he got here, but he supposes he should be grateful he’s here and not on a slab in the basement. Though that thought does little to help the fact that he hurts everywhere. 

He groans at the harsh lights, smacking his dry lips together, looking around and sees Luke sitting in the chair beside him. “Hey,” he croaks out.

“Hey Reg,” Luke replies, the relief washing over him. “Gave us all a good scare there.” 

“What happened?”

“You got hit by a car,” Luke replies, handing him a juice box, letting Reggie drain it dry and pressing the nurse call button for him. 

“At least I’m not dead?” 

“Pretty close call honestly,” Luke says, his head falling back. “I would like to never get that call again thank you very much.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Reggie says wryly. Then he sits up, wincing, but the only thought on his mind comes out. “Julie!” 

“Lie back down!” Luke urges, helping him recline once more. “She’s fine. In the cafeteria getting some coffee. She needed the break honestly. She’s been here the whole time.” 

Reggie barely has time to register that thought when the doctor comes in, offering him a friendly smile. “Well hello Mr. Peters. Nice to see you conscious for a change.” 

“Julie…”

“Julie Molina?” The doctor says. “I just saw her down the hall, I’m sure she’ll join us soon.” 

Reggie breathes a sigh of relief, and tries his best to pay attention to the doctor who is trying to assess his state, and let him know the extent of his injuries. But all he can focus on is Julie and the words left unsaid between them. Plus he can feel every cut, scrape, and bruise on his body, and the braces keeping his leg in place kind of hint at the state of that. 

Apparently he was extremely lucky to still be kicking around, so he’ll take the upcoming surgery and ages of physical therapy he has coming up in kind. He yawns, and knows that even though he justwoke up he could go for another nap. 

Only then an angel appears in the doorway. “You’re awake!” Julie exclaims, looking relieved, rushing to his side, squeezing his hand. Luke smirks and takes his leave, motioning that he’d be back soon enough. 

“Thank goodness you’re okay,” Julie breathes out. 

“You’re not mad at me?” Reggie has to ask. 

“Why on earth would I be mad at you?”

“I left things a mess between us,” Reggie supplies, as if it should be obvious. Keeps replaying it honestly, the heartbreak and distance between them seeming fairly obvious to him. 

“Reggie I am the furthest thing from angry at you,” Julie replies, kissing his knuckles. “You should be mad at me. If I hadn't chased you… you might not have gotten hit.” 

“No apologies needed,” Reggie said. “It wasn’t your fault.” 

“You’re not allowed to scare me like that ever again okay?” she asked with a wet giggle. 

“I can do that,” he promised. Squeezes her hand tighter. “I have to have surgery on my leg.” 

She nods, tucks a curl behind her ear. He reaches out and tugs on it, just to make her smile, which she does. That smile that’s brighter than sunshine, her eyes warm as a fire, and Reggie has never been so enamoured with her as he is right now. 

“I love you.” 

Julie’s eyes widen and Reggie realizes what he just confessed. Of course he meant it, with every fibre of his being, but he never meant to say it! 

“You…” Julie looked hopeful and apprehensive and a thousand other emotions. 

“Love you,” Reggie repeated. In for a penny, in for a pound right?

“Then why did you leave when I told you we were soulmates you goof?” Julie asked, her smile betraying her. 

“I’m not your soulmate Julie,” Reggie said, shaking his head. “I’m no one’s soulmate. I wasn’t lying about being a Blank.” 

“I know,” she replies. “I don’t care.” 

“But Julie, your soulmate…”

“Is you. You; Reginald Eugene Peters. I’ve known your name since I was a child, it’s been written over my heart all my life. Getting me through every hardship and bit of misfortune. And when we met… I knew it was you, even before you introduced yourself. I looked into your eyes and I knew. My world stopped, and then started spinning all the faster.” 

“It was the same for me,” he admits. “But...”

She lays a finger over his lips, stopping any further protest. “I didn’t know then why my name didn’t mean anything to you. It hurt, and even further when I found out about the Free Choice movement. But I figured… if I stayed by your side, you’d get to know me, just like you wanted. Then we could be together, as soulmates, no matter how long it took. I was willing to wait for forever if I had to.” 

“I still don’t have your name on my skin,” Reggie says. 

“And I don’t care,” Julie states. “You love me?”

“More than anything.” 

“I’ve been waiting to hear that for a very long time now,” she says. 

“I know.” 

“I love you too,” she says, finally finally finally. “I love you, and that’s what matters. Every Reggie Peters in the universe could come to me right now and I wouldn’t care. I just want you.” 

“But what happens when you meet him… what happens when you love him more than me?” Reggie asks, a squeak of a sentence. 

Julie laughs. “You’re not hearing me. Youare my soulmate. I choose you. There is no way I could ever love anyone else more. Just trust me on that.” 

“You love me? Even though I’m a Blank?” 

“You’re still you,” Julie said with a shrug. “I love you, get used to it.” 

Reggie barks out a laugh at that, bringing her face in close, cupping her cheek. Adoring how she melts into his touch as their lips brush. “I love you too.” He feels like he could say it a million times for every time he held the words back, and that might still not be enough to make Julie aware of his feelings. So he kisses her instead. 

That kiss made it feel like Reggie’s universe expanded, like a burst of light making every hazy thing clear. He swears he hears the heart monitor pick up as he keeps kissing her, igniting sparks behind his eyelids, better than every dream and fantasy he’d had regarding this moment. Pulls her in closer, fingers tangling in her curls, making him feel alive and vibrant despite his broken and bruised state. 

Finally they pulled back, only far enough to nuzzle noses, eyes twinkling. “I could get used to that,” Julie says breathlessly. “To kissing my soulmate.” 

Reggie isn’t sure that term will ever fully register with him, that the reality of it will ever sink in. All his life he had thought he was destined to be alone, unloved and deserving of that fate. Julie’s love was wonderful but it didn’t wash away a lifetime of those types of thoughts in an instant. He just kept reminding himself that Julie loved him, and that was what mattered. 

~

The day of Reggie’s surgery, he saw all his friends, as they stopped by with flowers and chocolates and stuffed animals galore. He has no idea how the nursing staff hasn’t cottoned on to them violating the two visitors at a time rule or maybe Luke sweet-talked them, it’s a skill he excelled at. 

The big surprise is when Julie’s family comes in; Ray, Carlos, and even tiaVictoria, all of them fussing over him. Victoria has his fridge and freezer stocked so he doesn’t have to worry about food. Ray promises to take him to every appointment that he has, and Carlos has a goodie bag of books and games to keep him occupied until the cast comes off. 

“You don’t have to do all this,” Reggie protests, but secretly he’s preening under the attention, loving the family he never got to have. 

“Of course we do mijo,” Ray says. “You’re Julie’s soulmate. I’ve known that since the moment you two met.” 

Julie blushes, but Reggie loves that she was so confident they would end up together that she told her family right away. 

Alex smirks when he comes in and sees Julie’s hand in his. “So I am gonna tell Nick no to the date then?”

“Yes you will,” Julie says, her voice firm and no nonsense and gosh Reggie just adoresher. She stays with him as they prepare him for surgery, pressing a kiss to his temple before they put him under, promising to be there when he wakes up. 

His vision is going fuzzy as they wheel him to the OR, and the last thing he sees is the x-ray of his broken leg, looking odd. Like there are squiggles all over it. 

~

Reggie wakes up with cottonmouth and a loopy head, but everyone is there smiling at him, so he figures it went well. There’s a heavy cast on his leg, but it’ll be off in a few short weeks, and he can see everyone has already signed it in colourful markers, making it an art piece. 

The doctor tells him he can probably go home tomorrow, and Reggie tells everyone to go home, get some rest, not like he’s going anywhere. Only Julie stays. “I don’t think I could sleep with you here all alone,” she admits. 

“You’re welcome to stay. Then you know I’m right here,” Reggie replies. Lets her crawl into the bed with him, curled up opposite to his injured leg, head resting on his heart. 

“See, already a great soulmate,” she mumbles. “Knows exactly what I need.” 

Reggie grinned and kissed the crown of her head, letting sleep take him after that. His dreams are weird, full of twisting letters, but when he wakes up, Julie is still asleep in his arms, and that makes every nightmare worth it. 

“How are we feeling this morning?” the doctor asks, only smiling at seeing Julie curled around him when she comes in. 

“Never better.” Julie snuggles in further, smiling in her sleep, and Reggie looks at her fondly. 

“She certainly does love you.”

“Yeah, she does. Luckiest guy in the world because of it,” Reggie replies. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” the doctor says, perching on the end of the bed “How did you find her name?” Reggie gives the doctor a confused look, so she continues on. “I’ve never seen such a unique mark. I would love to write a paper on it if you’d let me.” 

Reggie only saw Julie’s mark once, on that fateful day, so he’s not sure how unique it is. He knows he wants to study it, but probably not in the same way the doctor intends to. “She showed it to me?”

The doctor gives a kind smile. “No, not Julie’s mark. Yours.” 

Now Reggie was really confused. Maybe he was still loopy from the meds? “I don’t…”

“How did you even find Julie’s name on you?” The doctor asks. “I’ve never seen a mark like it.”

“I don’t have a mark,” Reggie stated. “I’m a Blank. I’m sure that’s in my files somewhere.” 

Now the doctor seemed confused. “I did see that, but those records haven’t been updated since you were a child. I was wondering how you found it since then… Oh. You don’t know.” 

“Know what?” Reggie asks. He could feel his heart racing, his head pounding, and nothing was making sense. What was going on? 

“Julie Molina,” the doctor said. “I knew her name before anyone told me.” 

At this Julie finally awoke, stretching and yawning and looking down right adorable despite her sleep rumbled state. She greeted Reggie with a soft smile and a tiny peck to the cheek. “Hey, howya feeling?”

“Really really confused.” 

Julie sat up at that, and saw the doctor, her whole countenance growing serious. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

The doctor held up a finger. “Wait, just one moment, I’ll be right back.” She returned almost a breath later, and handed him a photo. “This is a copy of your x-ray.” 

Reggie looked at it, first only seeing the break, and yikes, it was bad. No wonder he needed surgery. But then… there, along the unbroken part of his leg were letters in a dark loopy script.

Julianna Maria Rosita Molina

“Oh. My. God,” Reggie said, shaking like a leaf as he struggled to comprehend what he held in his hands, then let Julie look. 

“Dios mio.” 

“I don’t understand,” Reggie said, but there were tears escaping his eyes once more, and he was smiling. 

Julie grabbed his hand in hers, her grin even brighter. “Yes you do.” 

Reggie looked at the photo once more. Julie’s name was there, written on his very bones. 

Oh. Oh.

“I knew it!” Julie crowed, kissing all over Reggie’s face. 

Reggie was struck dumb, and all he could do was say “I have your name on me.” 

“I didn’t care if you did or not,” Julie replies. “We were soulmates regardless. But this just cements the point.” 

“Julie Molina,” Reggie whispers, like he’s saying it for the first time, treasuring every syllable on his tongue. “Julianna Maria Rosita Molina. I have a soulmate.” 

“Told you so,” Julie whispers, bringing him in for a fleeting kiss. “I love you.” 

“I love you too. Soulmate.” 

~

It was a long road to recovery for Reggie, between the cast and therapy; both on his leg and on his mind after years of thinking he could never find love and happiness. But Dr. Butler had helped him so much, making sure he knew that his soulmark didn’t define his worth. 

Plus Julie had been there every step of the way. 

Now they were lounging on Reggie’s bed, sharing a book, though Reggie was admittedly distracted. Julie was ethereal, glowing in the soft afternoon light. It didn’t hurt that he could see his name on her skin, now a bright purple colour. He leaned in and kissed her, the book falling to the bed. 

“Where did that come from?” Julie asked with a laugh when he pulled back.

“Can’t help myself when it comes to my beautiful soulmate sometimes,” he said with a chuckle. 

Julie purred, crooking her finger at him and giggling when he pressed her to the bed. Their clothing quickly joined their book on the floor, and Reggie took great pleasure in kissing every inch of Julie. 

Especially her soulmark. 

And she did the same to him, lingering on his now healed leg, and the fresh red ink there, showcasing her name, right where it lay under the skin. “I love this, have I mentioned that?”

“Only every day since I got it,” Reggie replied bemusedly. 

“Well I do.”

“So you didn’t care if I had your mark but the tatt does it for you?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows. 

“I told you I don’t care, and I meant it. Just seeing my name there…” she shivered. 

“I know what you mean,” he said, laying another plush kiss to her mark, and after that all words were lost. From then on they let their bodies, and their hearts speak for them, coming together in perfect unison. 

And Reggie was never so thankful that he had been wrong about soulmates.

[harryissuchalittleshit]

Hugo and his immediate family headcanons plseg:Ron,Rose, Hermione

I know it's different to what you normally do so you don't have to do it if you don't want to.

Also hugo x lyla headcanons!

Can we have some becca x lysander headcanons to???

Sorry if it's a lot

Hugo & Rose:

They have always been close

Rose was so excited to be a big sister and she was always aware of Hugo growing up

They even managed to stay close as teenagers and in adulthood

They always supported each other in their choices- Hugo and Lyla not marrying young, Rose and Scorpius having a family very young, neither of them going into the Ministry

Hugo is even good to Scorpius, which the favor is easily returned

Rose is honestly one of Hugo’s favorite people in the world

He and Lyla name their only daughter after Rose

Rose names her oldest son Hermes Hugo for Hugo

They are the only Weasley grandchildren that never had a serious fight between them

Hugo & Ron:

Ron loves having a son so much! Even if Hugo came with an amazing amount of challenges throughout his life

They are both dyslexic, so it was great for Ron to learn that there was a name for his reading troubles, the pair of them learned how to read together

Hugo is amazing at chess and one of few that can beat Ron in a match

Hugo reminds Ron a lot of Fred, especially when he’s younger and causing trouble left and right, he finds out the name for that too, ADHD

While Hermione worries about Hugo going to school, Ron knows that Hugo will be fine and happy and thrive at Hogwarts

He was proud of Rose for being a prefect and Head Girl, he nearly cries when Hugo is named Head Boy

He has read every article, every column, and every book Hugo has ever published, he is such a proud Dad

Hugo & Hermione:

Hugo looks more like Hermione while Rose looks like Ron

Hugo is incredibly logical and reasonable like Hermione, but he’s also incredibly impulsive lol

He loves old stories, especially mythology and the stories Hermione read to him as a kid

Hugo was very close to Hermione’s father, and that is a connection Hermione holds very dear to her

Hugo loves visiting Hermione at the Ministry, even if he does get a little too excited during court cases

He would play or nap in the space under Hermione’s desk, to the point that she always had a blanket in one of her desk draws

They are the two that know Spanish best in the family and often get into fights in Muggle London about “speaking the native language” and what not

Hugo loves to switch languages mid sentence, a trick he learned from Hermione

She was really nervous about him going to Hogwarts with his ADHA, but he defied her expectations

She was also nervous about Lyla, but grew to love her as a daughter

Hugo & Lyla:

(I love these two so much!! OTP level right here)

So they are definitely a school rival to teenage crushes to dedicated soulmates in a matter of a single summer

They just have this level of understanding for one another that only grows as they get older and they’re in such a strong relationship

In many ways they see their relationship to each other as like their parents

Hugo sees how understanding and forgiving they are to each other

Lyla sees how dedicated and trusting they are for each other

They have a shared love of music and dancing, they love mythology (especially Greek), they are both very smart and academic, and they both love languages

Hugo teaches Lyla so much about the Muggle world, including how to drive

Why Lyla teaches Hugo about the inner workings of the Society and pureblood culture

Rose and Scorpius pretty much set them up, Hugo and Lyla just so happened to have already hooked up a week before the real set up lol

They both become writers and have several books published together and alone

They end up having four kids and eight cats (though four belong to the kids)

Becca & Lysander:

They’re the couple no one really expected to get together

Their mum’s were friendly back at Hogwarts, but Becca’s dropped out during the war to have her oldest daughter

But they became friends again through Ginny and Hermione

Rose and Becca are best friends, while Lysander and James are good friends

Rose and Scorpius had already been dating for a few months when Becca and Lysander started going out

It wasn’t even like a thing anyone really realized, they were just always talking and finding each other in the library or out on the grounds and all the sudden they just were dating

Lysander kissed Becca first but she said the first “I love you”

Lysander does break up with Becca for a year while he’s out of school and she’s a seventh year

It’s really bad for both of them, but they come out of it stronger and more sure of what they want in life and who they want to share that life with

They learn to forgive and trust each other so much more