#14% banter (dangerous)

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

y'all it's uh. it's Done. and this "random lil snippet just because i think it'd be Neat :)" clocks in at um. 10k, give or take

delighted to report that one of my all-time favorite pastimes CONTINUES to be nerfing the absolute shit out of lucius and watching him figure out how to win Anyway :)

in related news: four (4) hours of writing time on this random-ass wednesday fixed me, more news at 11

[nobody-viii]

The Turks - Context Clues (The Kids Are Alright)

@accala posted an excellent inquisitive post about the Turks here and their motivations and to add some The Kids Are Alright: A Turks Side Story book context, imma leave this here. Couldn't find the quote I was looking for, but here's some things I found interesting. NOTE: I feel like Advent Children did the Turks a little dirty, but I really loved the banter as a kid. This book has some of the same campy shortcomings, but take it or leave it, here's what I found.

1.) The Healen Lodge from Advent Children was an R&R facility for Shinra, universally accepted as the worst one by employees. The Turks/Rufus chose it for its tactical advantages, but it also shows how far back on their heels they were. "The Shinra empire had ruled most of the world up until two short years ago, and it didn't sit right with Elena that the company president had to live in such a desolate place. Yes, medical treatment was available, security was way better away from the city, and the commute was only two hours by car; the staff could have had it much worse." - pg. 14

2.) The abandoned rec hall was being used by Shinra as a lab to convert SOLDIER stimulants into geostigma treatments. The project was Elena's idea, with the resulting medication being donated free of charge to city medical professionals and the WRO. (pp. 16-17)

3.) Reno & Rude were sent into the city to retrieve a stolen item from a teenager (read the book for details I'm too lazy to go into it), and when he started crying and shaking, Reno and Rude switched to a new script. "Aw, look. The kid's really scared." The redhead sounded sympathetic now. "That's what we came to do," the bald one pointed out. And: "Now, we put on our best tough-guys acts on the way over, so we can't just leave without roughing anyone up," said the redhead. "Our job is to teach a lesson to anyone who tries to mess with us." I was still scrambling for an explanation to give them. "Y-you mean, kill me?" was what came out instead. My voice even cracked for good measure. "That's one way to teach a lesson. But we're trying to strike a balance for Shinra, here. We want everyone to love us and maybe be a little bit scared. Killing you would have the opposite effect." (pg. 23) Reno opted to punch the kid in the face, then tell him to keep his chin up, so...balance? Sure. Shinra is, at this point, technically trying to figure out their PR while simultaneously leaning on old habits. Also, the kid calls Reno and Rude a knife and a fork and I thought that was funny.

4.) Reno is described as someone who looked like he 'turned delinquent as a teenager and never grew out of it, like those kids in the Sector Eight warehouses who I still hated and admired in equal measure.' (pg. 23)

5.) Elena roughs up one of the protagonists, but reins herself in when context is presented: She'd paid a visit intending to break Fabio's dominant arm, but when she saw him fight back to protect the child, she changed her plan. Her objective was to punish a thief, not deprive a child with geostigma of his only guardian. (pg. 47)

6.) Reno calls a doctor for the guy he roughed up. Kyrie nodded. "I figured, these guys must have phones, so I asked them to call Dr. Drake. 'Evan's in a bad way 'cause you guys beat him up,' I told them. And guess what? They said they don't know any Evan. So I lost it and said, 'Yeah, 'cause Evan's the one you whaled on when you mixed him up with Fabio. You owe him..... So then the redhead--his name's Reno--he called a doctor. Not Dr. Drake, he said, but a good one..." (pg. 55)

7.) Evan (the protagonist) is trying to work out who would be the easiest Turk to try to forge an alliance with and we get a glimpse of how the Turks are perceived by outsiders (Tseng is an unknown entity to Evan at this time): The most dangerous one was probably the lady Turk who went after Fabio. A close second would be the slab of muscle out there, Rude. Maybe the redhead Reno was more on our level. I thought back to my first impression of him--the grown-up teenage delinquent. Guys like that generally looked out for their own. A sense of solidarity. There had to be an angle I could work. (pg. 57)

8.) There's a whole scene where Evan and Kyrie try to ambush Rude. They choke him, break a chair over him, kick, scratch, the whole shebang and he just brushes himself off and manhandles them to a car (which made me laugh).

9.) Reno and Rude take the protagonists towards Healen in a truck and there's a few moments I found interesting. "So anyway..." Reno was looking at me in the rearview mirror. "Sorry about the shiner, dude. We totally did think you were Fabio. But y'know, I'm impressed you stayed mum and protected your buddy," Reno went on. "Even if you were about to piss your pants." (lol) Then, "Some of us have been slower to to adapt to the new way of doing things," Reno continued. "How many Turks are left?" asked Kyrie. "Can't tell you. That's Shinra's most closely guarded secret." "It's just you three, isn't it?" "Not telling." "But I'm right." "Yeah, you keep thinking that." (pg.63) Rude sleeps through the majority of the ride despite Reno trying to keep him awake. They talk quite a bit about Aerith, because Kyrie and Reno both knew her. Reno warns them not to get mixed up with Shinra's science department.

10.) Evan gets introduced to Rufus for the first time after believing the former president has been dead for two years and Tseng finally exists in this book for two seconds. "He's alive...?" Evan was still speaking to Reno. "I am. The decoy who took my place is not," Rufus replied. "You're a candidate for the position--and from what I can see, you'll do." Evan's jaw dropped, and he stared agape at Reno, then Rufus, then Tseng. Tseng looked down at the ground, trying to hide his laughter. Evan's description of Tseng: He looked like a Turk, too. The very definition of one, in fact. Reno and Rude both showed an awkward humanity--well, sporadically in the latter's case--but this guy was pure ice.

11.) An ill-conceived escape attempt by Evan and crew sees Rufus temporarily kidnapped, as Tseng and Elena are investigating an explosion. Reno and Rude try to stop it, but are ordered back. "Reno, stay back!" Reno obediently halted. I had expected to see fury in his eyes, but all I say was sorrow. Surprisingly, I felt a pang in my chest, too. But there was no other way. I pulled Kyrie's knife from my pocket and opened it--a sad, flimsy little blade, but it could still slice open a throat. "Hey, don't be stupid." I ignored Reno and held the knife to Rufus Shinra's neck. Then, "Reno, take Rude and check on the lab." Suddenly Rufus was giving orders. "Tell Tseng not to get involved here." "Wait, what? Boss, are you sure?!" "Don't worry. I'm as interested in staying alive as you are." Reno reluctantly descended the stairs, glancing over his shoulder almost every step. (pg. 77)

12.) Reno and Rude talk about family and have a lil tiff. "If I found out about a brother I'd never seen, I'd make way more of an effort than those two," Reno insisted. "That right?" Rude said. My colleagues are all I need. "You're not much into family, eh, Rude?" "I'm a Turk," Rude said flatly. "Coolheaded and cold-blooded." He turned and headed for the truck. "Hey, Rude. You pissed at me?" Reno called, an unabashed whine. "C'mon, man. You can't cold-zone me now. Tseng and Elena aren't answering my calls, and the boss just tells me to finish the monument. I know they're starting something awesome without us. We're outcasts! Me and you, you and me. If we don't stick together, then what?" Rude looked back. "Tseng isn't answering calls?" (pg. 94) Reno goes off several times throughout this book about how he'd act if he got the chance to meet family, which makes me wonder about him. "So how'd it feel, meeting your brother?" "I don't think it's sunk in yet." "Well, it's a process, I guess," said Reno. "But you gotta visit once in a while, you know? Then you'll get to figure each other out. Break the ice." (pg. 97)

13.) Reno and Rude are actually partially responsible for the monument in the city. This lil bit kinda gives weight to how long they've been in Shinra. Evan was one of those types who wasn't quite grounded in reality but was full of bravado. A show-off. A scared kid determined to buck people's expectations by pretending he had no fear. And if he kept it up, he was gonna do something stupid enough to get himself killed. Both Reno and Rude had known too many kids like that, from rookie Turks to infantrymen to SOLDIER operatives wet behind the ears from mako infusion tanks.

14.) Reno & Rude get amused by Kyrie treating them like they're not scary. The concern over redemption makes an appearance. "Now what?" Rude stepped closer from his vantage point. Apparently, he'd been watching the whole time. He was pretending he didn't care, but inwardly, Reno was convinced, Rude was intrigued by every act of the farce. Which only made the whole thing funnier. "She said she's hungry," said Reno. "So she's gonna grab something to eat." "It's like she's never heard of the Turks. It's almost refreshing," Rude remarked. So this is what happens when Shinra wins hearts and minds. Reno chuckled again but then remembered that the girl was still afraid of them. He'd seen the goosebumps on her arms. Her toothless threats were her way of gauging the danger he and Rude presented. Evan might trust them, but not Kyrie. Despite what Rude said, she knew what they were and what they were capable of. "You know," said Rude. "She reminds me of Aerith." "Yeah, I was thinkin' that too." Maybe helping them out will redeem us, at least a little bit, he thought. A guy can hope. (pg. 106)

15.) Shinra's resources are thin...and that chopper that ate it in AC was one of the last ones left (cue gross sobbing because in the words of a certain Puppy, Shinra makes good stuff). No one knew exactly how many helicopters the Shinra Company used to have. Within a half a year of Meteorfall, many of them had been looted. Accidents, mechanicals, and other circumstances had taken out others, and now Rufus Shinra and the Turks were left with only three. But even with so few, it was a constant battle to keep them in working order. Also, Rude has mechanical experience and is the one on repairs.

16.) A civilian points out the flaws in Reno's hopes for the future of the Turks. "Well, to be honest, maybe my opinion of you guys is changin'." Doyle looked at Reno again with a level stare. "You're up to better things." Reno couldn't help averting his eyes. Unless it came from a fellow Turk, approval tended to make him uncomfortable. "The monument and the medicine are only one step, you know. Just wait. It might take a while, but Shinra's gonna get off the ground again. Rise again, you hear?" That general idea had been floating around in his head for some time. This was the first time he'd said it aloud. "How?" Doyle scowled, his thick eyebrows lowering. Reno cursed himself for the thoughtless comment. "Can't tell you." "Yeah, I figured. But no one is going to let a violent regime lord it over them again. Not anymore. You tell your president that."

17.) Tseng and Elena bring up the notion of inviting old Turks back into the fold. "For any one person, finding it (Jenova's head) may well seem like a futile task. But there is still a nonzero chance. Either way, staying in contact with our agents and meeting regularly are essential to maintaining organizational cohesion." " But how many...?" Elena glanced around and spoke in a stage whisper. "How many former Turks can we expect to help us?" In his mind, Tseng saw the faces of the old Turks, his former subordinates. Of those, he had made contact with-- They get interrupted and Elena rushes off to investigate something. Tseng watched his operative go with a wry smile. Below the hem of her sundress, old scars marked her legs. Once you joined the Turks, you were in for life. Even those who tried to get out and build new lives could be summoned back with a single phone call. Maybe it was a cruel call to make, Tseng thought. and he sighed.

18.) Reno & Rude defy a direct order from Tseng. "Dumbass," Reno muttered. "What are you waiting for? Engage!" Tseng's command rang from the speakers. "Evan's down there," Rude answered in Reno's stead. "He's already done for," said Tseng. "Fire." "No can do," said Reno. "Reno." Tseng made his name a sharp rebuke. "He's our friend." "Fine. Let me briefly explain--" Tseng's voice abruptly cut out. "Radio trouble," Rude mumbled, his hand drifting away from the radio's master switch.

There are a lot of quirky, funny, violent, or neato moments I didn't list, so check out the book if you want more insight. Hope this gave you some headcanon fodder.

[moonteaa]

your dad teba stuff has me frothing at the mouth like a squirrel that needs to be put down. You got any head cannons to share?

AGH!! Thank you!! Hehe 🤍🏹

AND OH BOY DO I EVER!! Let’s see..

1. Teba literally sees every single member as his own, but definitely imprinted immediately when it came to Zelda and Riju. Teba now has 2 teenage daughters and he loves them. They banter and tease each other and Teba sometimes has to deal with typical teenage girl angst and it’s both hilarious and endearing 😭

2. If someone made Zelda cry, well Teba is gonna take that PERSONALLY. You’ll be dead where you stand if a single tear falls from Zelda’s eyes.

3. Teba is FULL of puns and terrible dad jokes. And he’s very nonchalant about it too 😭 the others will absolutely eat it up LMFAO but Zelda will literally look at him like “WHY” (he loves to annoy her like that.)

4. Teba has this paternal instinct to wrap his wings or place his wings over the others when there’s danger. It does not matter if they can handle themselves, he’ll just shield them instinctively.

5. That goes for weathers too, if it’s raining or the sun is too hot, he’ll place his wing over any of the others as means to shield them.

6. If Kass is performing a song and each member is joining in on a dance, Zelda will constantly want him to join in. Though he refuses at first, Sidon will push him towards the others and practically force him to join with a wide smile on his face, much to Teba’s dismay HAHA but he’ll have fun and if it makes Zelda happy then he’ll accept.

7. When they’re all done traveling and camping out, Teba will either (not sleep at all) or wake up in the middle of the night to do a run down and check on everyone as they sleep just to make sure they’re doing okay and not in danger or having any nightmares.

8. If one of them has nightmares, Teba is immediately there for them and stays up with them until they fall back asleep.

9. He’s protective. Like FEROCIOUSLY PROTECTIVE. You touch a single hair on their head? You’re dead.

10. If someone even dares to try to be mean to Zelda, or blame her for the events of the calamity or Hylia forbid, CALL HER A FAILURE? Oooof..you will be taken care of before those words can even leave your MOUTH.

11. Teba nicknames Zelda Sparrow/Linnet. The first time he did, it made Zelda cry because it reminded her of Urbosa and her mom (little bird) ☹️ Teba didn’t even realize he had nicknamed her something so close to Zelda’s moms. He felt so bad about it and thought he had done something bad by calling her that, but Zelda reassures him that it just means a lot to her. 🥹😭 🤍

12. The reason Teba calls Zelda sparrow is because she small and it literally translates to “little bird” and as to why he calls her linnet, is because Zelda has a pretty singing voice like a linnet bird. (I headcanon that Zelda has a hidden talent for singing 🤍)

13. If Riju asks Teba to look after one of her sand seal plushies, yeah he’s guarding that plush with his LIFE.

14. Teba taught Zelda archery

15. Teba and Zelda often go on little trips together and when Zelda begins to happily chat and geek out about ancient history and sheikah tech or what not, Teba happily listens and indulges with her. He even actually enjoys learning about it and discovering things with her.

16. If Teba finds some ancient looking artifact he’ll immediately tell Zelda or give it to her because he knows how much she loves to study it.

17. He constantly makes sure they’re all appropriately dressed for the colder weathers

18. Can and WILL intervene on a creep that’s trying to hit on Zelda or Riju. He will go feral and probably shoot any creeps with a bundle of bomb arrows. LOL

19. Absolutely helps Link try to get with Zelda (but he still also feels a little protective? Like?? Duh, it’s link. Ofc they’re gonna be together but he’s a dad, he can’t help feeling a little protective of Zelda at times even if it’s Link HAHA)

20. Each of them have all accidentally called him dad and he just accepts it at this point.

21. Teba wants to throw hands (wings?) with King Rhoam.

23. despite how close they are, in the beginning Zelda actually had a hard time trying to get comfortable with Teba for a short time. Because her experience with her dad wasn’t BEST, it was absolutely bewildering to see Teba be such a supportive and good father figure to everyone, she’s not used to that. She would watch them all interacting and analyze it, trying to understand but couldn’t. Teba however, was always very good to her and they quickly got really close and bonded.

24. Teba shows parental affection by placing his forehead against the others

25. Tulin now has 5 older siblings 🤍

(I HAVE SO MANY MORE ID BE HAPPY TO SHARE MORE IF THATS WHAT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE LOL)

[celaenaeiln]

Out of curiosity and admittedly it’s been a bit since I touched my collection of New Teen Titans books but for the sake of it;

Has Dick ever recognized similarities between say Slade and Bruce in terms of how they operate, their behavior with their allies, loved ones and how they interact with him in particular, just they happen being in opposite sides of the spectrum between good and bad?

okay I don't know if Dick has explicitly recognized the similarities between Slade and Bruce but Slade was created to be a darker version of Bruce.

Evidence of this lies in the way Dick treats Slade vs the way he treats Bruce. The parallels are uncanny.

Deathstroke the Terminator (1991) Issue #14

"I want to talk to him--not be the one who brings him down."

This is exactly how Dick treats Bruce on his worst days.

Batman (2016) Issue #137

"I'm gonna head into Gotham to see if I can talk Bruce off his 'moral ledge'."

Note that Bruce here is the worst version of himself. He's gone almost evil, completely out of control. This is who Slade Wilson is supposed to be.

But at the same time, when someone hurts his family, Dick doesn't hold back at all.

Batman and Robin (2009) Issue #12

Batman (2016) Issue #138

Their relationship is extremely interesting because as we know, Bruce hinges on Dick to keep his sanity together. To prevent him from going to the dark side.

Slade and Bruce are essentially the same person. They both have fathers that left them, they both have sons that died, and they both are manipulative and abusive of their children. They're just two sides of a coin which is why Dick's rivalry with Slade is so interesting. Since Dick exists as a source of light for Bruce's darkness, he would view a dark Batman to be the exact opposite of everything he's fighting for.

However there are several instances in the comics where Dick treats Slade more as a dangerous ally rather an enemy but that's when Slade's not actively fighting him. He treats Slade the same way he treats Bruce but in a more wary sense because they're not on the same side. Maybe subconsciously Dick sees Bruce in Slade which is why he just banters back and forth with Slade on their better occasions but still fights him like a villain.

All this considered, it only makes sense why DC keeps writing Slade as the Moriarty to Dick's Sherlock.

[otasuneweek]

Welcome to Otasune Week 2023!

This is a week long celebration of the pairing of Solid Snake and Otacon which will run from September 10-16.

Here are our guidelines for participation.

Use the tab #OtasuneWeek23 within the first five tags of your tumblr post. It also helps if you @ us in your post.

Please also tag for any triggering content, especially on tumblr.

On AO3, use the tag OtasuneWeek23 and add to our AO3 collection.

On Twitter, use #OtasuneWeek23 or tag our Twitter.

NSFW content is allowed, but please make sure to tag appropriately.

Gen and ship content are both acceptable, but the focus should be on Otacon and Solid Snake.

Late entries are always accepted! However, if the event has passed, you may way to send us a link or submit your post for visibility.

Always feel free to send us an ask or to tag us if you have questions or want to bring something to our attention.

Below the read more is a more in depth look at our prompts. However, feel free to interpret them however you like. These are meant for inspiration!

Have fun!

September 10 - Flowers

The MGS series loves it's flowers, from blue roses to Star of Bethlehem flowers. Flowers can mean a wide variety of things, whether as a gift or if they're being coughed up, hanahaki style. What they mean to Snake and Otacon (if anything at all) is up to you!

September 11 - During the Mission

We only see a few missions playing out over the course of Philanthropy. What happens during the rest? Danger, banter, injuries, flirting, bad idioms and more!

September 12 - Nightmares

Snake and Otacon have been through hell. And that can lead to nightmares, which becomes especially noticeable when you live in each other's pockets. But sometimes, the worst nightmares are when you're awake...

September 13 - In Sickness and in Health

Philanthropy is a commitment, and that isn't just for the big missions. It's also for the little problems along the way: like if one of them gets sick. And if you'd like to run with the wedding imagery this prompt provokes, by all means!

September 14 - Supernatural

A celebration of the supernatural elements of Metal Gear Solid! Vampires, psychics, ghosts, parasites, and so much more. Canon and AUs are both welcome!

September 15 - Alternate Univere

A day for any sort of AU fic you could like! Fix-it, Canon Divergence, Coffee Shop, University, Zombie Apocalypse, Superheroes, Soulmates, Time Travel, ABO. The floor is yours!

September 16 - Free Day

There are no rules! Today is a day to fly free. Write whatever is in your heart about Otasune.

[welcometololaland]

almost uploaded a picture of my bank statement instead of this header! happy days!

thanks for the tags @hippolotamus @kiwiana-writes @happiness-of-the-pursuit @rmd-writes

@nancygillianmvp @terramous @tellmegoodbye @freneticfloetry @beautifulhigh

@orchidscript @myheartalivewrites and @strandnreyes (don't think that was a real tag but i'm taking it anyway to force you to love me).

1. How many works do you have on Ao3?

49 (last time it was 46 but i feel like that isn't enough of a difference? disappointed in myself dfhskjh)

2. What's your Ao3 bodycount word count?

1,119,086 which does include some co-writes, but I also have around 200k of unposted WIP in my google docs so i'm counting it (including a fully written fic - someone put their hands around my neck and force me to edit it PLEASE).

3. Which fandoms do you write for?

red white and royal blue, 911 lone star, top gun maverick (flirting with winter's orbit always)

4. Top 5 fics by kudos?

the order of these has changed but not the identity:

Speak for Yourself (RWRB) (you know when eminem said he'd never be able to top My Name Is? this is my version of that)

Fifty First Dates (RWRB) (oodie agenda reigns supreme)

The RIng-In (Lone Star) (otherwise, lone star is in danger of being eviscerated from this top 5 lmao)

(Not) A Cinderella Story (RWRB) (NDAs are hot, apparently)

Cursed is a State of Mind (RWRB) (cursed caffeine is the main drawcard let's not lie)

5. Do you respond to comments?

i try my absolute best to. i am currently really behind and i apologise for that (the problem is, i reply to comments before i post anything and i haven't posted anything in ages).

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

serious answer - Contaminated

my answer - oh baby i'm a fool for you because we never find out if they actually watch twilight and that's a damn shame

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

literally everything else - i don't really do open endings or sad endings! in the words of the great philosopher, skepta: "nah, that's not me."

8. Do you get hate on fics?

i used to, but i haven't in ages! thank god for that.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

yes, although i have to say i've been moving away from pwp lately. i feel my best smut is written into longer fics where the sex serves a plot or characterisation purpose within the frame of the overarching narrative.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

yes, a RWRB/LS but i never finished it. ALTA is a veronica mars inspired tarlos fic which kind of feels like a crossover at times.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not to my knowledge :)

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

yes! Phonography (Lone Star) has been translated, as has Baby, Make Your Move (Lone Star) and Warm Whispers (Lone Star). I'm very grateful to the incredible people who have made these translations happen - you are so talented.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic?

yes, many with @dustratcentral. I also wrote a chapter of a co-written fic with a whole bunch of incredible RWRB authors called never the same twice.

@rmd-writes and I have created (Un)Professional Services and (upcoming) Call Me (By Your Name).

The Rainbow Fish was co-written with @strandnreyes.

I love co-writing so much and I am always open to anyone who wants to give it a go!

14. What's your all time favourite ship?

me + my unposted wips.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

probably the aforementioned crossover which was apparently also my answer last time.

16. What are your writing strengths?

i'm allergic to giving myself compliments but i would say maybe dialogue/banter and worldbuilding.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

keeping things short. also, exposition.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

kinda scared to because i don't speak any other languages and i'm so hesitant to annoy my very talented multi-lingual friends with my annoying questions.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

we don't talk about that.

20. Favourite fic you've written?

probably still Love Game because the experience was just so amazing and i never wanted to stop writing it.

heaps of people have already done this so leaving an open tag and also a couple of suggestions under the cut but apologies if you've already participated or been tagged 7 million times:

@bonheur-cafe @theghostofashton @thebumblecee @indomitable-love @eclectic-sassycoweyes

@tailoredshirt @vineofroses @liminalmemories21 @mikibwrites @birdclowns

@ladytessa74 @basilsunrise @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @rosedavid @sanjuwrites

@alrightbuckaroo @three-drink-amy @marjansmarwani @dumbpeachjuice @doublel27

@lemonlyman-dotcom @blueink3 @ambiguouspenny @clottedcreamfudge @emmalostinwonderland

@sail-not-drift @inexplicablymine @celeritas2997 @cricketnationrise @reyesstrand

@goodways @carlos-in-glasses @heartstringsduet @sunshinestrand @sherryvalli

[fableandfandoms]

Ultimate Proshipping Sentence Starters

1. "It wasn’t supposed to happen like this—an accidental touch, a whispered word—but now neither of them could imagine life without it."

2. "The tension between them had always been there, simmering beneath the surface, but tonight, it finally boiled over."

3. "Every glance they exchanged felt like a silent confession, a secret promise of something neither of them was willing to admit aloud."

4. "They shouldn’t be this close. They shouldn’t want each other this much. Yet, neither could pull away."

5. "They'd fought for so long, always at each other’s throats, but when they finally collided, it was as if the world shifted into place."

6. "Each stolen kiss felt like a dare, but neither could resist the temptation of crossing the line."

7. "Her heart pounded with every stolen moment they shared, knowing full well that what they had was forbidden—but it felt so right."

8. "He never thought he would fall for someone like her, but somehow, every argument, every heated moment, only brought them closer."

9. "Their connection was undeniable, even when they tried to fight it, even when they pretended nothing was happening."

10. "They’d been dancing around each other for years, but now, with their hands almost touching, the air between them was thick with anticipation."

11. "No words needed to be spoken; the look in his eyes was all the confirmation she needed. They were in this together, for better or worse."

12. "There was a dangerous thrill in sneaking around, hiding their feelings, as if their love was the greatest secret of all."

13. "The argument escalated, words flying fast, but in the end, their proximity only proved that no matter what they said, the attraction was there."

14. "They couldn’t keep pretending that the growing affection wasn’t there, not when every interaction sent a spark of warmth through their veins."

15. "No matter how many times they told themselves this wasn’t right, the pull between them only grew stronger."

16. "They didn’t need words. A single touch, a shared breath, and they both knew the truth—there was no going back."

17. "What started as a simple rivalry had somehow morphed into something deeper, something neither was willing to let go of."

18. "In the silence of the room, their hearts spoke louder than any words could, communicating their desire and regret without a single sound."

19. "He had no intention of falling for her. But with every moment, with every touch, the line between love and hate blurred beyond recognition."

20. "They were supposed to be enemies, two forces pulling in opposite directions, but somehow, their orbits kept crossing."

21. "She tried to convince herself she didn’t care, but every time his hand brushed hers, her resolve crumbled."

22. "Their banter had always been a sign of their rivalry, but tonight, the sharp words seemed to come from a place of something much more dangerous."

23. "He couldn’t stand her, couldn’t stand the way she made him feel… yet, there was something undeniable about the way they fit together."

24. "The attraction was always there, but it was during this moment of vulnerability that it finally came to light, impossible to ignore any longer."

25. "They were complete opposites in every sense of the word, yet when they were together, everything just seemed to fall into place."

26. "Her lips felt like a forbidden fruit, something he knew he shouldn’t have, but every time he looked at her, he couldn’t resist the temptation."

27. "They had their secrets, their lies, their reasons for staying apart—but even in the darkness, their hearts reached for each other."

28. "Each time their hands brushed, it was like electricity coursing through their veins, a reminder that this was no ordinary connection."

29. "They’d been pushing each other away for years, but somewhere along the way, they both realized they were no longer willing to fight it."

30. "In a world of chaos and confusion, they had found something that made sense—something they couldn’t walk away from, no matter how hard they tried."

31. "What they had was complicated, messy, and imperfect, but it was theirs—and neither could imagine a life without it."

32. "They tried to hate each other. They really did. But when he smiled at her like that, when their eyes locked, everything else seemed to fade away."

33. "Their love was a fire, unpredictable and dangerous, but every moment with him left her wanting more."

34. "The touch of his hand sent ripples through her, a promise of something more, something real, no matter how impossible it seemed."

35. "They were bound by fate, intertwined in a way neither could explain, and neither was willing to walk away from."

36. "He’d always told himself he could never love her, but when he kissed her, everything he thought he knew fell apart."

37. "She’d been running from this connection for so long, but in the end, her heart always knew where to go."

38. "There was something intoxicating about the way he looked at her, like she was the only person in the world that mattered."

39. "It was a mistake. They both knew it, but every time they came together, it felt like the most natural thing in the world."

40. "They had no business being together, but the pull between them was undeniable, as though the universe had chosen them for each other."

41. "The way she smiled at him, the way his gaze lingered just a little too long—it was all so complicated, yet so simple at the same time."

42. "Their relationship was built on secrets and lies, but even then, every stolen moment made it feel like the only truth they needed was the one they shared."

43. "With every word she spoke, with every step closer they took, the distance between them seemed to vanish completely."

44. "They both knew what they were doing was wrong, but there was a magnetic force between them that neither could fight."

45. "He was everything she never thought she needed, but when he was near, it felt like the world finally made sense."

46. "She hated how much she needed him, how much she wanted him, but it was undeniable—the attraction between them was impossible to ignore."

47. "Even when they fought, even when they clashed, there was something about the way their hearts beat in sync that kept them coming back to each other."

48. "The nights they spent together were filled with stolen kisses and whispered promises, knowing that tomorrow, they might have to pretend it never happened."

49. "They never planned to be together, but as the world spun around them, they found themselves tangled in a love they couldn’t escape."

50. "They fought their feelings for so long, but in the quiet moments, when no one was watching, they couldn’t help but give in to what was always there."

[toxicanonymity]

Low key wishing there were Joelkémon cards to collect ngl

Omg me too. / Blog FAQs

ABOUT: these are just joels i write. an anon called them joelkemons because i would strategically select a joel from my collection to tackle certain requests, and it caught on.

ACTUAL CARDS HERE by @gasolinerainbowpuddles

Trouble Joel Signature Appearance: Tight jeans & tee Calls you: Trouble, sugar, baby Attack: That horny look Charge attack: Banter Tagline: You really are trouble Birthday: March 11 Evolves From: Just the Tip (joel master list)

Night Walks Joel Signature appearance: PJ pants Calls you: Pumpkin, baby Attack: Dirty talk Charge attack: Shotgunning Catchphrase: Hell yeah Tagline: Lift heavy, talk dirty, smoke weed Birthday: March 21

Raider Joel Signature appearance: Tactical jeggings Calls you: Sweet pea, baby Attack: Too-tight hug Charge attack: Dark fluff Tagline: It's for your own good, sweet pea Birthday: March 24

Free Use Joel (Demoted out of the prime time brothel) Signature Appearance: Blue collar Calls you: Baby, if he even addresses you Attack: Use Charge attack: Manhandling Tagline: Not til I'm tricklin' down your thigh baby Birthday: April 1 Comes With: Tommy Optional

Speakeasy Joel (Demoted out of the prime time brothel) Signature appearance: Visible erection Calls you: Baby Attack: PDA Charge attack: Showing you off Tagline: C'mere Birthday: April 3 Evolves From: For Survival (joel master list)

Stepdad Joel Signature Appearance: Joggers, glasses Calls you: Sweetheart, baby  Attack: Inner thigh rest Charge attack: Crying and jacking off Tagline: You're tryin' to kill me Birthday: April 7

Lincoln Joel Sig. appearance: shirt tucked-in, combed hair Calls you: Peaches, darlin', baby Attack: Comforting embrace Charge attack: Sex Ed Tagline: It's s'posed to feel good Birthday: April 19

Thighs Out Joel Signature Appearance: Mid-thigh shorts Calls you: Baby Attack: Full-body press, woo Charge attack: Say stop Tagline: Sky's out, thighs out Birthday: April 29

Slasher Joel Signature Appearance: Blue jumpsuit.  Calls you: Sweetheart, baby.   Attack: get curious Charge attack: near-death experience Birthday: May 11 Catchphrase: Real dangerous out here

Vampire Joel Appearance: Long cardigan with standing collar Calls you: Sweetheart, his special one Attack: Apologetic blood sucking Charge attack: Trying his best Birthday: June 11 Catchphrase: You taste so special

Jojo Signature appearance: heavily tattooed Calls you: Baby, jailbird or buttercup Attack: Dirty talk Charge attacks: Dick print, doing lines Catchphrase: Be good Birthday: August 14 Comes with: Mabel

[strangeshoepatrolbandit]

Hi so I enjoyed Ur brotherly love series and decided to request a side chaoter.

Can u please write something for y/n and Dick since I don't think we had much of their pov or like interactions during the series just something fun and light w them bantering and one of them says these to the other

9. "Somebody's cranky." "Somebody needs to shut up."

14. "Do I look good?" "No." "Very funny."

Thank u love! 💖

Brotherly Love

Short story

Prompts: 9 and 14

Warnings: Reader playfully tells Dick to die,

Heheheh

I ♡ Dick Grayson.

Series Masterlist

~☆~

"Good morning, Y/N!" Dick greeted as you walked into the kitchen.

"Mmm, Die..." You mumbled, looking through the pantry. Nobody was home, Bruce was at work, Damian was off doing his own thing, Alfred was running errands, and your other two brothers didn't live at the Manor anymore. Dick was the only person there, other than yourself.

"Somebody's cranky." Dick teased.

"Somebody needs to shut up." You spat back, picking out a box of cereal, then moved over to the fridge for some milk. Dick let out a chuckle as he reached into cupboards for a bowl, then moved over to a drawer to retrieve a spoon.

"Mmm" was all you mustered up when he handed you the dish and utensil. You quickly prepared your breakfast then put up the ingredients. You picked up the bowl and walked over to the breakfast bar, sitting down on one of the tall chairs.

You looked over at Dick, who was wearing black slacks and a blue button up. "Why are you so dressed up?" You asked, mouth full of cereal.

"Goin' on a date." He smiled, subconsciously smoothing out his shirt. "Do I look good?"

"No." You told him with a dead voice, hiding the smile on your face as you took in another scoop of cereal.

"Very funny." He deadpanned, voice dripping in sarcasm.

As you continued to munch on your breakfast, Dick walked over and leaned in to press a kiss to the side of your head before walking off, leaving you to snicker at your comment.

~☆~

Yuhhh..this was beautiful, thank you Venomsvl...

Taglist: @sanjanapm

@unofficial-jaytodd-wife

@texaschainslvt

@godknows-shetried

@wendds

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@im-in-too-much-fandom-help

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@kerosene-demon

@serendippindots

@bluerasberryfairyland

[darkimpala1897]

Bratty John Brady?

Ahhh thank you for the ask! The gif doesn't belong to me, all credits to the person it does belong to!

Here's some headcanons for you!

1. Master of sass: He has sharp, sarcastic comebacks ready. He lives on pushing buttons, but deep down he enjoys playful banter more.

2. Selective obedience: He follows the rules but only if they align with his goals or if breaking them doesn't suit him at that second. But when asked to do something he doesn't want to do, cue the dramatic groaning and very exaggerated eye rolls.

3. Prankster extraordinaire: He enjoys pulling pranks on people especially ones that are harmless but annoying to illicit a reaction. Like sticking post-it notes on someones stuff or swapping sugar for salt.

4. Mock innocence: When busted, he'll feign innocence with a smile of an angel and wide eyes, going: "Me? I would never!"

5. Nicknames for everyone: He gives everyone slightly insulting nicknames, not to be cruel but because he thinks it funny. The more reaction he gets out of them, the funnier it is.

Like for example:

Blakeky= Captain Falafel

Bucky= Chico

Buck= Cowboy

Hambone= Freckles

DeMarco= Sassafras

Kidd= Puddin'

Babyface= Munchkin

Murphy= Magical Leprechaun

Smokey= Doctor Wizard

6. Procrastination pro: He will wait till the last second and then dramatically complain about all the stuff he has to do, expecting sympathy for his own chaos.

7. Boundary pusher: Everyone swears he has a supernatural sense for knowing the exact line he shouldn't cross, and then proceeds to dance on it because he finds it fun. He'll test how far he can go without getting in serious trouble.

8. Charming when it counts: When he desperately needs something or is in danger for facing consequences, he knows how to turn on that charm. He can be really sweet when it's beneficial.

9. Eye-rolling champion: His eye-rolls are something of legend, to the point where people have questioned how he hasn't hurt himself yet.

10. Overdramatic: If god forbid things don't go his way, he'll act like the world is exploding. He'll flop onto any surface that will hold him and start quoting Shakespeare.

11. Soft spot for praise: Though he loves to test authority, he secretly thrives on compliments. A simple "good job" can turn off his bratty demeanor, for about thirty minutes, at least.

12. Never forgets in the slightest: If someone fucks him over, even in the tinest way, like Hambone stealing his muffin at breakfast. He'll come up with a playful revenge tactic. He keeps a mental list like Santa but more bratty, and he acts on it when nobody is expecting.

13. Stubborn bastard: Good luck convincing him he's wrong. He'd rather do circles around a topic then concede a point, even if he knows he's wrong.

14. Defiant but loyal: Yes he pushes limits and teases restlessly, he's fiercely protective of those he loves. If anyone other than him messes with his friends, his bratty persona is in the backseat, and he'll stand up for them without a thought.

15. Selective memory: He'll "conveniently" forget chores, responsibilities, and or things he promised to do, unless it's something fun for him, of course then he'll do it.

Thank you again for the ask! 💛

[lola-legendary]

Octopath Musical Concept

@beantothemax @throne-anguis

4 sections, each contains 1 of everyone’s chapters. 57 songs total.

Explanation:

Track Number: Character chapter belongs to | Name of Song (Where it’s played)

long post under cut

Section 1

01: Ophilia | Flamesgrace’s Cleric (Ophilia’s Song)

02: Cyrus | Mysterious Beneath (Dungeons)

03: Tressa | Let’s Find Treasure! (Tressa’s Song)

04: Olberic | Unbending Blade (Olberic’s Song)

05: Primrose | Dancer, Dancer (Primrose’s Song)

06: Alfyn | Got Your Back (Alfyn’s Song)

07: Therion | Stay Wary (Danger approaching motif)

08: H’annit | IT’S A FREAKING CAT (H’annit’s Song)

Section 2

09: Therion | Noblecourt…? (… Noblecourt.)

10: Therion | Batty Scholars (No Offense, Cyrus) (Orlick Battle)

11: Alfyn | Hurt, then Heal (Olberic - Alfyn conversation)

12: Alfyn | Sometimes It’s Better This Way (after Vanessa is defeated)

13: H’annit | Picking Up the Scent (Stoneguard)

14: H’annit | Master! (Finding Z’aanta)

15: Ophilia | Child (Meeting Emil)

16: Ophilia | Dog. (Fighting the wolf)

17: Tressa | Capitalism!!! (Tressa, Quarrycrest)

18: Tressa | Damnit, Morlock! (Battling Morlock)

19: Cyrus | Odette (Meeting Odette) [this is an Odette solo by the way. I have no idea which one of the travelers named this.]

20: Cyrus | Oh, No, Anything But The Weird Blood Sacrifices! (Fighting Gideon?)

21: Olberic | Friends, I Suppose (Meeting Ned and Cecily)

22: Olberic | And I Your Shield (Tournament)

23: Primrose | Old Acquaintance (Meeting Arianna)

24: Primrose | Left Wing (Killing Rufus)

Section 3

25: H’annit | The Seer (Meeting Susanna)

26: H’annit | DRAGON! (Fighting the dragon)

27: Primrose | Deja Vu (Noblecourt, again)

28: Primrose | Clipped Wings (Killing Albus)

29: Ophilia | No Harm (Before boss battle)

30: Ophilia | Scholar and Cleric (After Mystery Man and Shady Figure are defeated)

31: Cyrus | Fallen Down (Kidnapping) [This “song” is more of a script with music, but it counts]

32: Cyrus | Therese (Lucia’s location revelation)

33: Olberic | To What End (Party Banter)

34: Olberic | Unbending, not Unbreaking (Battle against Erhardt)

35: Therion | Don’t Be a Fool (Battle against Gareth)

36: Therion | Memories (Sharing backstory/Therion's Song)

37: Alfyn | Miguel (Battling Miguel)

38: Alfyn | Doubt (Party Banter)

39: Tressa | Edbart's Shield (Banter with Cyrus and Olberic)

40: Tressa | My Treasure (Party Banter)

Section 4

41: Therion | Hideaway (Approaching and entering Northreach)

42: Therion | Darius (Battling Darius) [everyone gets to take a chance to diss him]

43: Ophilia | Dread (Entering Wispermill)

44: Ophilia | No Longer Human (Battling Mattias)

45: Tressa | Esmeralda (Battling Esmeralda)

46: Tressa | My Treasure (Reprise) (The auction)

47: Primrose | Play the Part (Entering Everhold)

48: Primrose | Puppets (Battling Simeon)

49: H'annit | Petrified (Battling Redeye)

50: H'annit | Family (Party Banter)

51: Olberic | Monster (Battling Werner)

52: Olberic | My Purpose (Battling Werner) [Follows previous song directly]

Bonus Track: Cyrus | We Care About You (Party Banter) [Only observed live]

53: Alfyn | Never Give Up (Alfyn regains confidence in his abilities and purpose)

54: Alfyn | Big Birb (Battling Eagle)

55: Cyrus | Love (Before Lucia Battle) [It's basically a love song from Lucia to Cyrus, who is very confused about what the fuck is happening and why this creepy woman is confessing to him]

56: Cyrus | How To Go On From Here (Decoding the Mural/Cyrus' Song) [This is Cyrus' ONLY song. The only song that he has notes to his words.]

Epilogue

57: All | Going Back To Life (Everyone goes home and continues what they were doing a changed person)

Bonus Track 2: Cyrus | Galdera (Performed offstage) [Cyrus reads into the microphone. No singing involved.]

Bonus Track 3: All | Last Goodbye (Credits)

whew. That was tiring.

[itsdappleagain]

i know csweekly is on hold now, but I still have to catch up on The Luchadora Tango Caper, so here it is!!

Season 3 is maybe my least favorite season out of any of them, but I still love it, so I'm really excited to get into this!

Notes under the cut as always and please ignore the fact that I'm a month late on this thx

NEW CASTLE!!! NEW CASTLE YAYYY

sometimes I think this whole series is Maelstrom just talking about shit for like 14 hours

cleo sympathizing with guys in skirts <3 she knows ur struggle boys

love how they slapped up a giant glowing green world map and copper sulfate burning chandeliers before they put in insulation or heat

brunt, girl, calm down. they were just doing their evil minion bagpipe job

british on british violence

that was such a cute nod when this season first dropped. haha theres been no sign of her all summer because of the hiatus you are so clever

they rlly thought they had something with the turn them against each other thing. i cant believe they thought they tvy7 rating would let shadowsan and carmen kill each other 🙄

"carmen is DEAD" (cheery tango music)

i mean it works because we know hes wrong and stupid but like

no offense but the tango dancers are animated in a way that is reminiscent of a kid manually moving their barbie dolls legs to make them walk

our girl <3

tell me why dropping 200 feet onto the top of the metal detector was more sneaky than literally anything else she could have done

ok. yes. but the fact she is robbing it does not negate the fact that she will be on the news for breaking into a bank dsjfsdghfkdsa

1021 is the number on the box- could it mean something? in a strictly doylist sense. october 21st doesn't seem to have any significant holidays...I can't find anything, might just be a random number set.

good god the "i...have his eyes." hits me like a truck every time

gina pulled it out with the voice acting in this one

she WAS a very cute baby

"another" link girl what else has there been you should be ecstatic

ayyy its the character literally everyone except spintrap-stan and amaryllis solely remember for being voiced by dante basco

i love how snarky carmen immediately gets. if he knows her name and what she looks like, obviously he's an operative, so she gets to have a little fun in immediately declining him while still gaining valuable information, almost immediately, about who he is and what his talent will be

everyone is very stretched today

this is not my favorite fight scene honestly (at least until flytrap gets here. dont even get me started on her fighting style im in love with it) because its literally just like ooh. he kicks. she dodges. wow. they really do try with the tango parallels but idk

wow!! other people can kick too??? who knew

she protected the face

cutely runs into oncoming traffic

those cars were not even slowing down girl they were just like HONK MOVE OR DIE

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS FLYTRAP MY GIRL

okay mini rant incoming i already did a post on this like a billion years ago but flytrap is one of my favorites because in my opinion she and paper star are the most dangerous villains we ever see in the show. let me. try to find that post actually

yeah here it is

flytrap is also so hot and has the same va as luz so she's just top tier. idk if the team put half the episode budget into celebrity voice actors and thats why we only got 5 episodes but you know what

love how carmen is literally stopping her attempts to get free to banter. girl. stop

shadowsan <3

love how they do not even bother showing the fight they just get their asses handed to them

why didnt they start in veracruz just asking

not the table

ok guys. you can stop with the tango thing now. its okay

that little conversation between ivy and shadowsan is so good

comrades??? sir its not the cold war

article from 17 years ago, thank you for that easy to understand slang

carmen plot armored her way out of getting her skull smashed in on that train so hard that she made maelstrom stupid

its canon both in and outside of the show that color theory is so prevalent that any sort of red at all immediately signals carmen

the colors are so beautiful in this scene. carmen doesnt have her coat or jacket on, everythings just a little desaturated as she searches

THE ACME GANG <3333

not the finger guns and glasses wheeze hes such a loser i love him

THE FORESHADOWING TO EGYPT WITH THE PYRAMIDS ON HER LAPTOP!!!!

love how all we get of julia this season is her being pissed off and then leaving

he was such an asshole for closing her laptop why did he do that 😭

has carmen just been ignoring vile missions for the last season of the year to research her mom or

girlie is so sad about everything

ah yes, the door, the thing you wish to have opened, the best place to lean your full body against after you knock,

i'M SOrry. did you NOT attend a school for THIEVES

HSDGGDG HEY. just broke into your house. im your long lost daughter

i love how she goes DONT TOUCH ANYTHING and then immediately drags her whole arm across the wall and cabinet

also her face when she sees the masks is perfect

okay be honest how many of you have replayed carmen saying maybe mommy at least once. who. raise your hands

shes sooo buff

love how everyone is taking this so seriously and then carmen is just completely apathetic about anything thats going on

dont deadname lupe, carmen

her hair catching a gust of indoor wind for the sole purpose of making her look sick as hell in her intro card is so iconic

as ivy absolutely obliterating zack in the foreground is so fucking funny

she got that "EH EH EH." titter of "HEY NO. DONT YOU DO THAT" down scary well

devineaux strutting im sobbing. julia was doing SO well and then she got paired with devineaux AGAIN

that cab driver looks so concerned about the hulking texan in his backseat

remember when the trailer dropped and we thought those roses were for julia. good times

everyone narrowly avoiding each other as they pull in

you just know ivy smacked zack when he protested to decoy time hdsafhadsg

gotta say the "EH?" while getsuring to the trophies is fucking hilarious. obviously julia knows she wouldnt go after those but its so funny

i do love the way carmen just shrinks any time brunt appears. she is soooo traumatized

VAMOOSE EL MASKO SHES SO ACCURATREIUSDHKFSKHFD SHES EXACTLY WHAT MIDDLE AGED AMERICAN SOUTHERNERS SOUND LIKE

LUPE IS SO FUCKING COOL

devineaux showcasing his braincells for a spilt second this episode

ah, so begins the not a good time mantra

devineaux getting absolutely decimated because he thinks coach brunt thinks hes handsome is so funny

the referee watching two apparent civilians enter the ring: 🙂

carmen is so funny here. she uncuffs herself and then just leaves devineaux to die like fuck his ass he can get smooshed

carmen getting increasingly mad at devineaux while she drags him places is my favorite part of the episode

also, either carmen got stronger or devineaux had a few bouts of crazed research where he didnt eat, but she can drag him easily now as opposed to when she was struggling back at the trap in poitiers

they put this shot in the trailer and without context it just looked like carmen was standing there glaring at brunt menacingly

the cat burglar <3

worst fucking ref on the planet i love him

was carmen stopping to listen to julia's voice i would like to think so

ah the devineaux and cars gag. i mean, to be fair, it wasnt his fault this time

starts beatboxing

carmen really just dumped her whole life story on lupe thats so funny. girlie started the day preparing for a match, got her house broken into, and then ended the day learning about a global crime syndicate

they really ended s2 going THE NEXT SEASON WILL FOCUS ON CARMENS MOM and then started s3 going well actually um okay so

theres our transition sentence

lupe's yellow and blue palette btw!! cs color theory i love you

lupe is more of a mom than carlotta ever gets to be thats sad honestly

carmens little smile ough

here is a shot that very succinctly illustrates the dynamics in the coming seasons. the three at the table stand strong- always have. roundy is basically a footnote no one cares about him and then brunt...brunt is sort of on the edge. this carries over all the way into s4 when malestrom tries to drown her

oh my god i forgot about the weird halloween thing the faculty has going on this season i love it

my analysis is right in time for spooky season >:) halloween IS nearly upon us!!!

OKAY well my thoughts on the luchadora tango caper...pretty good. honestly its kind of net zero information because we introduce the premise of finding carmens mom and then immediately abandon it but it sets up um....well....it sets up....what does it set up

anyway- not my favorite episode, even though lupe is fucking awesome. i think it suffers a little from deviating from that classic caper structure and jumping around, but it does its job as an introductory episode.

until we return, sayonara, mon amigos!

[curlytheintrovert]

My Favorite Papa Joel Moments (Pt.5):

🦠 When, in the stables, he tries to act like he’s giving Ellie a choice in who she travels with. Bullshit. He knows he’s unable to leave her, no matter how hard he may have tried to force it. No matter how harsh he was to Ellie the night before he still can’t be apart from her. And Ellie is so so quick to accept him, it’s hysterical. The look he gives when she slams her bag into his chest…that tiny smirk, like he’s trying not to let it show how relieved he felt.

🦠 How once they get on that horse, their bond is out in the open, and breathing for the first time. Joel confirmed it the night before with “Course I do” and Ellie confirmed it with “Let’s go” She lovingly rests her head on his back, he’s smiling, Joel is actually teaching her things like a dad would and their banter is back. They are father and daughter now, for better or worse.

🦠 The look on Joel’s face when he gets stabbed at the university. My theory is that not once did he think of himself, even as blood gushes down his abdomen. The way he just stares at Ellie and nothing but her…I’m hurt which means Ellie is in danger. I failed her already. I’m not the strong hero she needed, and now she can see it.

🦠 In the basement when Joel is laying on the mattress, the way he grabs Ellie when she first puts pressure on his wound is strangely sweet to me. The dire situation is forcing him to rely on this 14 year old girl, and he’s not able to hide behind his gruffness anymore. She’s all he has. Followed then by weakly ordering Ellie to leave Joel is trying his best to get her safe, which is not with him anymore. How he pushes her away is meant to be harsh and to drive his point home, but you see in his eyes he hates having done it. Is this really how they’re going to part ways, possibly forever? Joel clearly doesn’t want her to leave but that constant nightmare fear won’t allow her to stay. Then when Ellie quickly does do what he says, and it appears she’s abandoning him, he’s sorrowful. They’re really parting ways and this may be the last time he sees her. She’s going to be alone and he won’t be able to protect her anymore. Did he even tell her how much she meant to him? That single tear down his face says so much without words and I’m crying too, damn it.😭

[buttercupsandboys]

Sunshine & Rainbows

Alfie Solomons x Livy (OFC) — Chapter 15

18+ NSFW - minors don’t interact 🙅🏻‍♀️

MASTERLIST | READ ON AO3

CHAPTER 15: only love could hurt like this

Summary: The Shelby women torment Alfie and secrets are revealed ...

TW: language typical of Peaky Blinders, a touch of angst

Word count: 3273

A/N: It’s been a while, so here’s a super quick recap! (Or click here to read Chapter 14 again!)

Alfie found out Livy was missing, then beat the crap out of Tommy. A few hours later, Polly and Esme show up at his hotel room ...

This chapter picks up right where we left off. 

“Well, go on then,” Alfie demands. “We haven’t got all fucking night. Where is she?”

Polly chuckles darkly, looking far too amused for his liking. She takes a moment to light a cigarette, raising it to her painted lips before replying. “And what makes you think I’m just going to hand over that information?”

Fucking hell.

The room goes deathly silent, save for the ominous tick of the clock, reminiscent of a bomb just waiting to explode.

… much like Alfie's stormy expression.

He’s exhausted, and his patience has officially run out. A volatile mix at the best of times, but with Livy gone, the look on his face is more than a threat. It’s a promise of violence.

But Polly doesn’t notice or, more likely, doesn’t care. Instead of backing down, like any sensible being, she stands with one hand on her hip and the other in the air, smoke dancing from her fingers, chin raised like the Queen of fucking England.

“‘Cause that’s what you said, ain’t it?” He glares at her through narrowed eyes. “You asked if I wanted to find Livy.”

“Exactly,” she smirks. “I asked if you wanted to find her. I didn’t say I would tell you where she is.”

Alfie considers snatching her cigarette and shoving it down her slender throat. Polly’s asking for trouble, pushing his buttons at the worst possible time, and they all know it. It’s almost like she wants to see him lose his temper, or at least expects it.

But he is nothing, if not unpredictable.

Despite the displeasure written across his features, Alfie remains seated. He doesn’t speak, barely even blinks as he raises his fist and cracks his knuckles, slowly and methodically, one by one.

The women watch on, seemingly unfazed, but the longer Alfie sits and stares, face like a predator stalking his prey, the more their facade begins to crumble. They are bold, not stupid, or so it seems. The minutes pass, and Polly takes a hesitant step backwards, Esme following suit, dropping her boots to the floor as they brace for an explosion.

Alfie surprises them all. He should be fucking furious, but his blood cools when he recognises this for what it is: a negotiation. And despite the high stakes, the familiarity of it all is comforting.

This is one game he knows how to play.

“Right, then.” Alfie grins as he leans back and spreads his arms wide. Everything is still fucked, Livy is still fucking missing, but at least he has something to work with. “Let’s talk, love. Why don’t you tell me what you want, yeah?”

“For you to fuck off,” Esme mutters, confidence restored now that the danger has passed.

Polly shoots her a stern look before returning to Alfie. “What makes you think I want anything, Mr Solomons?” she asks, cool and composed behind a cloud of smoke.

Alfie laughs; in another time, another place, he might genuinely enjoy their banter.

“Don’t play coy, sweetie. It’s three in the fucking morning. Now she”—Alfie waves in Esme’s general direction—“she might be here for Livy. But you?” he huffs. “You’ve got too much Shelby in you.”

Polly’s mouth falls open, a retort on the tip of her tongue, but Alfie cuts her off with a raised palm.

“I don’t want to hear it, yeah. Normally I’m happy to go along with these little games you fucking gypsies love so fucking much. But tonight, I’m going to need you to get to the point, ya hear?”

Alfie watches as Polly visibly bristles, her lips pressed in a firm line, her spine impossibly straighter. But the Shelby matriarch quickly recovers.

“Of course, Mr Solomons,” she replies, her voice and smile sickly sweet. “You’re obviously a very intelligent man.”

Polly waits for a reaction, but unfortunately for her, Alfie is a very intelligent man. So he ignores the trite tactic and gives her 30 fucking seconds to explain herself. The clock continues to tick, and he resumes cracking his knuckles; it’s a veritable symphony of unspoken aggression.

“Fine,” Polly huffs, rolling her dark eyes when it becomes clear they're doing this on his terms. “I need your help,” she reluctantly admits. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I have a son….”

Livy wiggles her toes, delighting in the morning dew against her bare skin. The sun is low on the horizon, but it’s already promising to be a beautiful day. The air is crisp, the birds are singing, and she half expects rainbows to fall from the sky. She breathes deeply and, for a few minutes, finds peace.

Almost.

Because then she remembers what brought her here.

With a groan, Livy flops on the grass, not caring about her state of dress—or her hair, for that matter, her scarlet locks tangled, free from adornments save for a few twigs and burrs. She’s feeling quite sorry for herself as she drapes her arm across her eyes, the weight pressing her into the damp earth. If only it would open and swallow her whole.

“Well, Holy Lord God, it’s Livy Lou, queen of the fairies. What would your father say if he saw you like this?”

Livy smiles at the familiar voice, lips curling despite her melancholy.

“That we should bury our sorrows and rise like the sun,” she recites.

“Rise like the sun,” Aberama repeats as he drops into the grass beside her, stretching his long legs and propping himself on an elbow. “A mighty wise man, your William.”

She hums in agreement, grateful for the company, and together they sit in comfortable silence, watching the sun rise higher in the sky. Minutes pass until it blinds—not the light but the unfettered hope that for once feels so fucking foreign—and Livy turns away, tracing the ground, wishing she could take her father’s advice.

But her sorrows refuse to stay buried.

As she inspects the dirt beneath her brightly painted nails, Livy can’t help but wonder if she made the right decision. Which is strange in and of itself; usually, she’s so confident, trusting her gut and following it faithfully, eyes on the horizon, never looking back. It’s her life’s motto and often the only thing keeping her sane.

Except now she’s in love with Alfie—and doesn’t that just change everything?

She wipes her hands on her dress and closes her eyes to avoid Aberama’s curious gaze. Being here with him reminds Livy of those first months after escaping Bernard. It was all new then; the kind faces and open fires that chased away the darkness, smoke and songs accompanying them into the night. As joy and laughter replaced fear and pain, she was, in many ways, reborn.

How fitting that she should find herself here again.

Last night was a turning point, and Livy knows it, although she’s not ready to face the truth. Instead, it would be easier to ignore altogether, to fall into the comfortable rhythm of life on the road and let it consume her as she rides out this chapter.

With enough time and enough whiskey (or perhaps that broody Shelby gin), she might come to see this nightmare as a blessing in disguise. Livy was truthful with Esme; she missed the life, the freedom, even the creaky wheels beneath her bed.

One door closes, another opens—right?

Livy snorts before she can stop herself, drawing another look from Aberama, who she continues to ignore. Her usual optimism has bolted, much like Cyril, who is off in the bushes chasing a rabbit. This is no blessing, of that she’s sure. More like a lesson—the universe punishing her for holding too tightly onto something that was never hers to begin with.

Of course, Livy knew this day would come, but she wasn’t expecting this.

Only love could hurt like this.

His scent still lingers on her skin—warm and slightly spiced, like rum and sweat and home—and despite everything, a part of her wants him back. She misses Alfie dreadfully; those beautiful lips, maddeningly distracting as they trace the valley of her breasts, his whiskers teasing her flesh, leaving his mark behind.

Just like the mark he left on her soul, and he should be hers, even though logic and reason tell her to run and run and run.

And she will because as much as Livy hates to admit it, the truth is she’s terrified.

Not of Bernard McCall or Thomas Shelby, as one would reasonably expect…

No, Livy is afraid of Alfie.

Because if he knew about Bernard and still chose to do business with him, he couldn’t possibly love her back.

And how on earth is she supposed to survive that kind of heartbreak?

Livy shakes her head.

She’s always been impulsive, but she’s never been in love, and sometimes it’s easier to give everything up than to have it all taken from you.

She picks a blade of grass and pretends to be fascinated by the vibrant shade of green when Aberama reaches over and plucks it from her fingers.

“You know…” He pauses, eyeing Livy from beneath his low-slung hat. “I didn’t expect to see you again. At least, not anytime soon.”

Livy blushes at the unspoken question, her thick lashes kissing her cheeks as she averts her eyes. How can she explain when she barely understands herself? Everything is jumbled, and she’s never felt so confused.

“Yes, well, you see …”

She bites her lip and considers how much to share with Aberama. He’s fiercely protective of those he considers family, and Livy’s fortunate to count herself among the few not related by blood. But she doesn’t want to see a bullet with Alfie’s name on it. At least not yet.

“I’m taking precautions,” she finally replies. “Keeping a low profile for a bit.”

“Precautions?” Aberama repeats. He stares for a long minute before wiping his palm on his thigh and extending his hand. “Well, come on then. You know the promise I made to your father.”

Livy nods in relief and accepts his hand as he pulls her to her feet. She’s grateful for the help—and the lack of questions—but it’s still too much. The weight of everything is drowning her, and she needs a distraction, something familiar to ease her troubled mind.

“Aberama, darling, do you still keep that blade inside your boot?”

He flashes a brilliant smile.

“What the fuck does Michael have to do with anything?” sputters Esme, the shock written across her tired face.

Polly ignores her, keeping her chin raised and eyes hard, refusing to wilt beneath Alfie’s probing stare.

“Michael has recently shown an interest in joining the family business,” she continues. “But Thomas has … ambitions that come with unnecessary risk. Risks I cannot allow my son to be exposed to.”

“Right…,” mutters Alfie, stroking his beard as he contemplates her words. It’s just as he suspected: a fucking mess. “And what the fuck does this have to do with me?”

“I need you to terminate the deal with Bernard McCall. Ensure Thomas no longer has access to Liverpool.”

“Why would you want that?”

“Does it matter?” she snaps. “Help me, and I’ll help you find Livy.”

His heart clenches at the sound of her name, and in that moment, he’d sign away his fortune, his bakery, anything to get her back.

But then he has a better idea.

“Tell me more about your business in Liverpool,” Alfie demands.

Her eyes flash darkly. “Our business is not your concern.” Polly exchanges a look with Esme, and her face softens. “But I’ll make you a deal, Mr Solomons. Agree to help me, and I’ll tell you more about Bernard McCall. And trust me, there are things you need to know.”

“Trust you,” Alfie repeats, the words hanging heavy in the air. “Right, well that’s just it, Mrs Gray. Trust is a fragile thing.” He strokes his jaw. “And what about your boy? Is he … fragile?”

Polly leaps forward. “Are you threatening—“

Alfie stands, towering over her with his broad frame. “I don’t make threats,” he warns, advancing slowly until she has to crane her neck to face him. “Now, you’re going to tell me about Liverpool, you’re going to tell me about Bernard, and you’re going to help me find Livy. If she’s safe, nothing will happen to your precious son, and in exchange, I will end things in Liverpool.”

She glares at him, and Alfie can only imagine the gypsy curse she’s placing on his black soul. But he’s already damned, so he returns her cold stare. Livy is all that matters now, and he’d deal with the devil—or worse, a Shelby—to get her back.

“Fine,” Polly finally agrees, spitting on her palm and extending it to him. Alfie responds in kind, and she nods, inhaling deeply from her cigarette.

“Thomas is working with a group of Americans who support the Bolsheviks,” she begins, taking a seat. “He’s importing weapons from them under the protection of Shelby Company Limited. But security is tight in London, which is why he needs Liverpool.”

Alfie briefly closes his eyes. “Fucking hell. Meddling with the Russians, that silly boy.”

She snorts. “Exactly. It’s going to blow up in his face, and I don’t want Micheal around when it does.”

“And what about Livy?” he asks sharply. “Don’t fucking tell me she has anything to do with—“

“No, not the Russians,” she reassures him. But something in her tone has him on edge.

“But what?” he demands.

Polly gives him a sad smile. “Alfie.” It's the first time she’s used his given name, and a chill runs down his spine. “I’m assuming you know that Livy had a … difficult past?”

A growl escapes from his chest, a feral sound, raw and violent. “Yeah, I fucking know. And when I find the fucker responsible….”

Alfie trails off at the look on the women’s faces.

No.

Oh, fuck no.

The table goes flying, splintering into pieces, just like his heart.

“Bernard?”

“Yes.” Polly and Esme reply in unison.

He wants to vomit.

Alfie has a strong stomach—after France, not much offends him—but when he thinks about Livy, he nearly drops to his knees.

And he will soon, to beg her forgiveness.

But for now, violence will have to do.

“I’m going to kill him. I’m going to fucking kill him.” He stalks forward, reaching for Polly, unable to stop himself. “Does he have her?” he roars, yanking her to her feet. “Does he fucking have her?”

Polly remains oddly calm. “No,” she assures him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Alfie lets go, visibly relieved. “Right, then where the fuck is she?”

Polly and Esme exchange another look, and he glances around for something else to throw.

“Stop with the fucking faces and tell me where to find Livy before I cut off your—”

“She doesn’t want to be found,” interrupts Polly.

“I don’t give a fuck what she wants—“

“Maybe that’s the problem,” snaps Esme, arms folded defiantly across her chest. “You men are all the same. How do we know you’re not working with Bernard?”

“Esme, shut up,” retorts Polly.

“No, you shut it. Neither of you care about her, it’s all about Michael with you, and fuck knows what he wants—“

“Enough,” roars Alfie, his temper at breaking point. “Fucking, enough. I love her, yeah, and that’s all you need to fucking know. So gather your shit, and let’s go get her.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence before Polly nods, looking relieved as she collects her bag and makes for the door. But Esme stares at him, eyes dark like the window to her soul.

“I don’t give a fuck what they say about you,” she announces, stalking forward until she’s toe to toe with him. The top of her head barely grazes his chin, but Esme speaks with a confidence that betrays her small frame. “If anything happens to her, it’s you that will be afraid of me. Do you understand? I’ll be watching you, Mr Solomons.”

She takes a few steps backwards. “Always watching,” she repeats before turning on her heel, leaving Alfie no choice but to follow.

Bloody Shelby women.

“Fuck off, no. Categorical.” Alfie pokes the side of the wagon with his cane. “That there, right, is a coffin on wheels. If you want to travel like the living dead, knock yourself out. But you see, for my people, it’s a matter of principle, ain’t it?”

Polly sighs. “Do you want to find Livy or not? We can’t go any further by car, and it’s too far to travel by foot. So unless you want to ride a horse, this is your only option.”

“Ride a fucking horse,” Alfie mutters as he steps forward and nearly loses a shoe in the mud. “This is just fucking perfect, innit? Drag me out in the middle of nowhere, in one of your curious gypo wagons, yeah? Then you put a bullet in my fucking skull, and when my poor Jewish soul is liberated from my body—“

“I can’t fucking do this,” mutters Polly, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. She takes a deep breath and gathers her strength. “Mr Solomons, please, I implore you. Get in the fucking wagon. If there’s any hope of finding Livy, we need to move quickly.”

Alfie nods and, for once, does as he’s told.

The mud and wagon had provided temporary distraction, but now his nausea returns with a vengeance. His head is spinning, his mind frantic, desperate to pinpoint the moment where everything went so horribly wrong. How the fuck did this happen? All his men—a network of spies, a fortune in bribes—and not one goddamn whisper about that bastard McCall.

Because they’re all bad men, but there are just some lines you don’t fucking cross.

Alfie grits his teeth and settles into the vardo (which is surprisingly comfortable, although he’ll never admit it) when the truth hits him squarely in the face.

Thomas fucking Shelby.

It’s the only explanation. Somehow he knew the truth about Bernard and Livy, and purposely kept it from him to protect the Liverpool deal.

Because of the fucking Russians.

Alfie groans and runs a hand down his face, recalling the conversation in Tommy’s office. It’s all coming together now, and it’s not fucking good. Livy is gone, and he’d bet his left nut both Bernard and Thomas are searching for her, making this whole fiasco a race against time.

And here he is—creeping across the countryside in a fucking box.

To make things worse, his fate lies in the hands of not one but two Shelby women and for all he knows, he’s riding headfirst into a trap. But what choice does he have? He’s armed and angry, a dangerous mix, fueled by emotions that are entirely new, fucking raw, and he will find Livy because right now nothing else matters.

Of course, what happens after he finds her is another story.

Fucking hell.

Just 24 hours ago, he was working up the courage to share his feelings. Now he’ll be lucky if she doesn’t cut his fucking balls off.

And that’s if Livy agrees to see him.

Alfie shakes his head and sits taller in his seat. He’s negotiated ‘deal or die’ offers with some of Britain’s most dangerous men, and this is Livy. His Livy. When he finds her, he won’t give her a choice. After all, it was God himself who delivered her to his doorstep.

Some things are meant to be, and once he has her in his arms, he won’t let her go again.

A/N: So ... let me know what you think! I really wanted this chapter to be longer, but honestly, I’ve been sitting on this for months. It got to a point where I think I just needed to publish it, so I could get creatively unstuck! 🙈

Or at least, let’s hope! 

Thanks to everyone still reading this story. I appreciate all of you xx

Tag List: @noz4a2 @confessionbrain​ @omgeternal​ @potter-solomons​​ @quarterpastmidnight​ @woofgocows​ @shaddixlife​ @redhead7799 @cillmequick​@goddessfuck @peakyscillian

[artaxlivs]

20 Questions for Writers

Tagged by @eriquin. Thank you!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? Forty-Five

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 419,731

3. What fandoms do you write for? Stranger Things, Marvel (specifically Hawkeye based), & recently, Teen Wolf

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? (all Stranger Things)

Destroy the Silence (Drummer Steve)

An Accidental Flogging

The Second Worst Trip to Mordor Ever Taken

Even Flowers Have Their Dangers

Screw Todd, Steve's Her (His) Daddy Now

5. Do you respond to comments? Always

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? It's not angsty but this one will ruin your day and it's only 442 words: i was afraid to follow

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Almost all of my fics have happy endings but I am told that Something to Tweet About is a sticky sweet happy ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics? No but I don't write anything polarizing.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Ohhhh I write smut. 😘

10. Do you write crossovers? Not really. I write "Fandom A in Fandom B's world" types sometimes but the characters don't crossover. I wrote a Dirty Dancing Stranger Things called Nobody's Baby.

11. Are any of your fics converted into podfics? Yes! I have two by amazing podders that I'm incredibly grateful to - check them out!

Destroy the Silence read by @rufusbear

Let Me Be Your Man (I Want to Hold Your Hand) by @thirdeye1234 (RattleandHum on Ao3)

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? My Destroy the Silence is currently being translated into Russian (It's not up yet or I'd link it!)

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Nope.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Winterhawk (Hawkeye and the Winter Soldier)

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Listen - don't come at me. I'm gonna finish all my WIPs, okay?

16. What are your writing strengths? Mmmm, story pacing, dialogue, good banter, humor, fluff, consent communication, character development and somehow working music into most of my fics.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? visual world building. I have aphantasia so sometimes I'll just forget to describe the world around them because I can't see it anyway.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I think a few common words here and there are fine but not full sentences of a language you don't speak. Advice from Brandon Sanderson that I write by: be vague or you create plot holes and inconsistencies.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Winterhawk

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? Loaded question here. I'm gonna say two. My first is actually a Steve Rogers/Clint Barton series where Clint is a soldier and meets Steve Rogers during the war - he falls from the train, not Bucky. It's called A Bird By Any Other Name and I love it. My second is Even Flowers Have Their Dangers which is Stranger Things rewrite of the end of S4 and what I think S5 would look like if Steve and the kids had turned into werewolves in the tunnels in S2.

No pressure tags: @betrayedbycinnamon @carcrash429 @noxnthea @there-must-be-a-lock @river9noble

[esta-elavaris]

Hi!

Sooooo, I was wallowing in self pity because there was no HWFG (no pressure to write or update! I just can’t be normal about that story) so I went to check your ao3 and was surprised to see that you’re a fellow James Norrington truther! It inspired me to rewatch the first two pirates of the Caribbean movies and I kinda fell into the norrington rabbit hole again.

That made me read fallen through time and I honestly became OBSESSED so when I was done with the chapters you posted for that story I immediately turned to catch the wind and,,,,,,, [insert unhinged meme about ripping out guts]. I started reading it on Saturday and I couldn’t put it down so I read through two nights and am now tired as fuck, sitting at work, trying to appear busy while still reading your story. What have you done to me!!! I just read the wedding night chapter (I’m going insane, that had no business being so hot???) and honestly, that was so rewarding? Very well written smut aside, the slow burn was soooo good and there were moments where I had actual tears in my eyes??? Theo’s pain when she overheard Elizabeth accepting James‘ proposal? AH!!!! I adore their relationship. The banter, the soft moments, their conflict, their quiet conversations (though I must say I maybe even like it more in fallen through time? He’s just so mean, suspicious and stupid at times in that one, I live for that). I feel like theyre the definition of „she fell first, he fell harder“ and at one point i was really reminded of something I’ve read elsewhere… it was something like „you’re looking at me with purpose“ and that’s just so spot on for James? He’s so devoted to her it makes my heart melt.

On that note, it’s so impressive how much research you’ve done?! And how much thought you’ve put into everything? It’s not easy to write for that time period (I say as a person with two degrees in history lol), especially when it comes to balancing the cultural differences between norrington and Theo? That made everything even more fun to read.

And it’s so impressive how you manage to have this story follow the events of the movies but for it to never become boring or repetitive? You manage to capture the characters we all know and love so well while also making them your own. Your James, of course, is spot on, but also Elizabeth and will? And in all honesty, I maybe like your jack sparrow more than the canon one. He serves as comic relief so much that you sometimes forget he’s a seasoned pirate and much more intelligent, provident and even dangerous than one might think. He feels much more human in your story in my opinion. And that moment where he returns to Tortuga and confronts Theo about the cannibals? I laughed so loud that my bf woke up lol

Okay so I’ll stop rambling now, I just wanted to drop by to tell you how much I love your work and how glad I am that I checked out your norrington/theo stuff. Theo is amazing and I love them both so much. My boss just left the building and I sure will spend the rest of my time at work today reading, they don’t pay me enough anyway. I so hope that her attempt at changing James’ fate will work out and I’m very anxious but also excited to find out where this all goes!

Sending love and appreciation from Germany!

I know I'm on a tumblr break but this is too nice and it has me crying too much to leave it to gather dust in my inbox 🫠🫠🫠

Thank you so so so so SO much!!!

Honestly Catch the Wind will always have a special place in my heart (the people who have sat and watched me continue to talk about it ~14 months after it was finished are like "we know, babe") because I wrote it like, being somewhat fond of Norrington but mostly to get the idea for a Boromir fic out of my system, and instead I ended up sick over Norrington and still writing the Boromir fic anyway. Buuut I mean I got my favourite project so far out of it so I can't complain, I just laugh at how I played myself. Tbf tho, it was a great thing because POTC was a great stepping stone towards even more intimidating LOTR territory!

I'm so glad the smut was decent, too! That was the first story I've ever written it for and I was so nervous about it 💀 I do completely agree with your view on Theo and James as a couple though - the falling first/harder, and the "you're looking at me with purpose" both. I just don't think he'd ever be the type to get complacent. He's not a man who lays on the charm to win the girl, before thinking "what's the point in continuing to try?" once he "has" her. I see him as being such a ride or die, insanely loyal, "that is my WIFE", Gomez Addams coded guy, I love him for it. Those sitcom coded jokes where a guy hates his wife the second he marries her would be the very opposite of his kind of thing. That's why I had so much fun giving him that back in Theo, considering Elizabeth doesn't return his feelings in the movies.

And I mean, I don't think he's owed that from her and I don't think less of her for not returning those feelings, she can't help it (although I do raise my eyebrows at anybody who'd choose Will over The Noz, but people are allowed to be wrong ig), and I think if anything it'd be worse if she did marry him in the end without having that same level of feeling, but it was just so nice to give him someone as dedicated to him as he was to her in Theodora 🥹 I also think Boromir has a lot of that in him, so I'm very excited about his future with Sybil.

I'm also so thrilled to hear the research went appreciated - a lot of it was very fun, like if I hadn't done an Eng Lit/Creative Writing degree, I would've gone into history (I actually almost did do a second degree in history but the funding didn't work out, so I stick to just reading a lot, which I'm cool with), and like most of it was fun, but there were times when I was googling a) the origin of the coffee table, and b) 18th century equivalents of a coffee table/accent table at 4am for the sake of one throwaway line where I did wonder about my path in life. I swear, I deep-dived into it in the notes usually because I at least wanted to make it clear when I had done my research vs when I was knowingly deviating (a few unknowing mistakes did slip through but I think how much research otherwise went into it kind of makes people more willing to overlook a mistake here and there?) but also because it meant I could get more out of said research binges than just one unnoticeable line in a random paragraph 🤡

And JACK. God. I could write a dissertation on Jack. What they do to his character in movies 4/5 are 90% of the reason I don't like them and have only seen them once each. The other 10% is that uhhh they're just crap. Like it's so, so clear in the first three - mainly because of JD's fab acting - that the eccentric thing masks a lot of intelligence and cunning. He'll do his whole "weirdo" shtick, and I don't even think it's entirely an act, I think he is truly eccentric to an extent, but there'll just be these really brief moments where there's just a gleam in his eye, or he'll be suddenly serious for 0.5 seconds and you see what's going on behind the mask, and you realise it is a mask. Whereas in 4/5 it turns into a thing of "idiot who bumbles around and finds his way by sheer luck", which was never what he was in the trilogy.

I also think his crew's reaction to him shows that he is more than willing to be a hardass captain when it comes to it - the moment off of the top of my head is when Cotton's parrot goes "walk the plank" in movie two and his gun is immediately out and he's not happy and they all kinda startle a bit. But even without glimpses like that, like, they're pirates. If he was weak, and he wasn't willing to be stern and not take shit, they wouldn't follow him, and he wouldn't be half as infamous as he is. They know he's odd, but it's clear they respect him, so he must have earned that respect.

He was the one I was most scared of having to write going into this thing (along with Barbossa and Beckett), because he's so easy to get wrong. I'm always so, so thrilled when I hear I did him justice!

Okay, I have written you an entire dissertation here, so I'll stop now and just say again THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!!! 💜💜💜 I've read this like ten times since I first received it, it had me grinning like an idiot every single time, I'm so grateful -- and I hope you like what I have in store for HWFG! The wait shouldn't be tooo long, I'm taking April off of posting but not writing, so ideally I'll have something to post in the very beginning of May!

(and I'll reply to your other ask in a bit, I just wanted to make it clear I wasn't ignoring this!!)