#ALWAYS KICKS KATHRYN

[baylardian-1]

Kinda a redraw of this piece requested by @puppycillz like embarrassingly a LONG time ago (2022 🫣🙈), I never forgot and it's always haunted me!!! It's just a very hard pose to pull off with that many bodies. 😭😭😭😭😭

Bit of a fantastical stretch of a scenario and bed lmao. 😂

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it at least goes with the funny idea that Chakotay gives up his fleet commander's quarters on Voyager to the Paris family lol.

[stayevildarling]

Agatha Harkness x Reader- Secrets of Want

A/N: couldn‘t help myself when I saw Kathryn looking like an absolute queen at the golden globes🤍

Prompt: While Agatha is out one afternoon, you go to her basement and look at her magical items. Turns out there is one that intrigues you more than either of you would have expected.

tw/tags: nsfw, established relationship, female reader, soft top Agatha, kinda inexperienced shy reader, mommy kink, choking kink, enchanted strap, hair pulling, breeding, slight manipulation

word count: 3.8k

taglist:

@lunaticwhittaker , @billiebeanhoward , @lanawinters-ily , @kenzbro , @minaslittleone , @httpfiftyshadesofgay @whitelotus00 , @ninaahelvar , @paulsonsratched , @vintagepaulson , @isle-of-earle , @grilledcheeseandguavajelly , @lucyintheskywithxanax , @fanfics4world , @mymiraclewitch , @hazard-to-myself , @awritersometimes , @wastdstime , @p1pecleanerwitheyes , @queen2234 , @ihartnat , @lifebyinez , @ahsatanizgay, @laavaagirl

The afternoon sun illuminates your shared apartment with golden and red tones as you make your way through each room. Your girlfriend had left for some errands a little while ago and you tried everything to distract yourself, making sure to clean up and tidy, do the laundry and prepare dinner for tonight but you couldn‘t help the growing boredom, making you wish you would have accompanied Aggie now. As you pass through the hallway, the door to your girlfriends basement is slightly ajar and curiosity gets the better of you as you peak your head inside, seeing some faint lights and making your way down, assuming the brunette wasn‘t going to be home for another few hours.

This hadn‘t been the first time you are in her basement, her safe space where she works on her magic regularly. She had shown you everything once before, always wanting to include you as you had always been curious about her powers. You see some crystals on the table, countless plants and little vials with what you assume to be potions. Your fingers ghost over her bookshelfs, remembering she had told you not to touch those before as some are filled with dangerous magic. As you walk further down her workbench, your eyes linger on a drawer slightly ajar and something gets the better of you as you peak inside.

Your heart stops in your throat as you see the item, looking very much like a strap on, dark purple and several notes underneath it, incarnations by the looks of it. Your cheeks begin glowing red as your mind trails off, wondering why she would have this, what use it could be in combination with her magic. The two of you had taken things slow since you both started dating. Of course you had been intimate with each other but due to your shyness and the slight inexperience, you both kept things slow and gentle, never having talked about toys before or how to use them.

When you hear a faint noise upstairs, you slam it shut, sprinting upstairs before keeping the door exactly like it had been. You are just in time for the front door to unlock, Aggie stepping inside with several bags and kicking her shoes off before closing the door. With a smile you offer to take her bags as she smiles and presses a kiss to your forehead. „Hi sweet girl, what have you been up to?“ she asks as you unpack the grocery bags with shaking hands, trying to hide your nerves about the discovery you had made. „Not much“ you mumble before she chuckles „Liar“ which causes your eyes to widen as you glance at her. „Look at the place, everything is so clean“ she praises which causes you to sigh in relief inaudibly.

The two of you begin unpacking together, filling the fridge with the things she had bought as well as stocking up some bathroom shelves. Your girlfriend‘s hands linger on you whenever you brush past her and you can‘t help but tense, the discovery still vivid in your mind. By the time you prepare dinner the brunette disappeared to her basment for a while, checking on some of her potions before returning quietly, sneaking her arms around you as she hugs you from behind. You jump, flinching at the sudden sensation, almost dropping the spoon you are using to stir the food. Her eyebrows furrow at your reaction before she whispers „Sorry baby, didn‘t mean to startle you“. You remain quiet before forcing a chuckle „It‘s okay Aggie“‘you reassure.

By the time the two of you are having dinner together, her eyes burn holes into you as your gaze is fixed on your plate, mind continuously trailing off, wondering why Agatha had the strap in her basement, whether she had been wanting to do it or whether she has used it in the past before, suddenly growing extremely insecure. And your girlfriend can tell, knowing you are often quiet and in your own little world but something wasn‘t right since she returned home and she could tell. Her eyebrows furrow in concern as she reaches for your hand, causing you to meet her eyes.

Her thumb brushes gently over your knuckles as her concerned gaze locks onto yours. „Sweetheart“ she begins softly, voice laced with worry. „What‘s going on? you‘ve been so quiet since I got home“. Her tone is warm, patient but is makes your chest tighten either way. You bite your lip, unsure how to respond, mind racing back to the discovery and guilt consuming you. „I“ you start but your voice betrays you as you look down unable to meet her eyes. „It‘s nothing Aggie, I‘m fine really“ you try but the brunette tilts her head slightly, brows knitting together. „That doesn‘t sound very convincing darling, talk to me“ she encourages as she moves her chair closer, her presence calming and yet making the anxiety in your chest grow.

You shake your head, pulling your hand back as your eyes sting with tears „I‘m sorry“ you whisper, voice barely above a whisper. „Sorry?“ Agatha questions, confusion flickering across her face as she reaches out again, fingers warm as they rest on your arm. „Whatever for my love?“ she asks. Your chest heaves with a shaky breath and as you finally look at her again, tears brim in your eyes. „I.. was bored earlier and went into your basement“ you admit, voice breaking slightly. „I didn‘t mean to snoop, the door was open and I was just curious but I shouldn‘t have looked I‘m sorry“. Agatha blinks the confusion away as her expression softens, understanding filling her features.

„Oh sweet girl“ she coos, voice filled with affection „Is that‘s whats been eating you up?“ she asks as you nod but bite your lip. „I saw… I saw something in the drawer“ you admit, cheeks burning red with embarrassment. „I shouldn‘t have touched it. I know you told me not to mess with things but I couldn‘t help it“ you admit. Her lips curl into a knowing smile as her thumbs brush over your cheeks, seeing the tears threatening to spill over. „Hey hey, look at me“ she ushers „I‘m not mad at you sweetheart, I don‘t care that you went down there. Besides I‘ve never been good at keeping you away from things you are curious about“ she smiles, causing you to giggle.

There is silence for a moment before you speak again „But.. that thing I found.. why do you have it?“ you ask and her eyes widen for a brief moment before a mischievous smile tugs at her lips. „Ah.. the strap?“ she murmurs, causing your cheeks to glow red. „So you found that drawer, huh?“. You nod again, not daring to look at her right now as you didn‘t mean to invade her privacy, curious nevertheless. „That thing you found sweetheart? it‘s enchanted.. I‘ve been working on it for you, actually“ she admits, causing your eyes to meet hers again. „For me?“ you ask a bit dumfounded as she nods, her thumb brushing over your hand again.

She nods, her smile softening „I wanted to wait until you are ready to talk about something lile that. It‘s not just an ordinary toy, sweet girl. It‘s designed to connect us both in ways you can‘t begin to imagine- emotionally, physically and magically. But I didn‘t want to push you into anything until you are comfortable darling“ she explains calmly.

The tone of her voice and the honesty in her eyes makes your throat tighten. „I see, I‘m sorry for going through your things, I should have waited“ you admit, causing for her eyes to soften as she pulls you into her arms. „Don‘t worry about it sweet girl, I could never stay mad at you“ she chuckles as you hold onto her, snuggling in the crook of her neck, the familiar scent causing your heart to feel warm as she kisses your cheek. „I love you sweet girl“ she whispers before you smile „I love you too Aggie“. The two of you remain in the warmth of each other before she pulls away a little „Now how about we finish this delicious meal you made? Wouldn‘t want it going to waste“ she smiles which causes you to nod and turn your attention back on your food.

A few days pass and you can‘t help but think about her words, the dark purple item and how much you had been thinking about it. She intrigued you and you found yourself googling, doing some research as you hadn‘t experimented with toys before, not alone and not with Agatha. But there was something in the way she had been treating you since the beginning of your relationship, so patient, so kind despite her sarcastic and sometimes dark demenour that makes you feel even more drawn to her over the next few days. You had made up your mind that morning, seeing her so sleepy and adorable as she held you, preparing yourself with a long bath and choosing the appropriate lingerie. As the two of you sit together after dinner, watching some TV your eyes can‘t help but travel to your girlfriend, her rings, her shirt and the lilac collar.

„Aggie?“ you whisper which causes her attention to shift from the tv to you. „Yes sweet girl?“ she asks and you nudge closer before meeting her eyes. „Can I have a cuddle?“ you murmur which causes her to chuckle before she opens her arms for you. Instead though, you crawl onto her lap, facing her as you craddle her, the sudden motion causing her to look at you in surprise. Your eyes meet hers before you kiss her, soft, gentle and tentative as she melts into you. „Aggie I‘m ready“ you whisper into her ear which causes her surprised and confused eyes to meet your own. „Are you sure?“ she asks in surprise before you nod, a reassuring smile on your face. „Wait in bed for me sweet darling“ she coos before she kisses you one more time, fiercer this time before you walk away, letting her retrieve the item from her basement.

As you wait with anticipation, your breathing hitches as you undress yourself, having bought some new lingerie in her favorite colour, hoping it would please your girlfriend. Carefully you undress yourself, making sure not too make too much noise as you lay on the bed in the purple bra and panties. Aggie walks into the room moments later, strap and harness in her hand as her eyes trail to you, smirk raising on her lips as she closes the door. „Wow“ she murmurs as she approaches, seeing your abandoned clothes on the floor and her eyes trailing down your body. „When did you get these?“ she asks surprised and your shy gaze meets hers as you admit you had bought them when she was out the other day. „You look breathtaking babygirl“ she coos as she abandons the item on the floor, crawling on top of you as her face hovers above yours.

„Are you sure you are ready for this? I‘m happy to wait for as long as you need“ she offers but you nod, almost impatiently as you want nothing more to experience than what she had talked about. „Okay sweetie, it may hurt a little“ she admits and you nod, having read about that bit too. „Um Aggie?“ you whisper which causes her to look at you „Can you tell me how this works?“ you ask carefully as she nods. „So“ she begins as she captures your lips in a fierce kiss. „Whenever you are ready I‘m going to put this on my hips and then it‘s up to you what you wanna do. I can wear it for a bit“ she explains as her mouth travels to your chest, moving your bra aside as she captures your nipple in her mouth. „You can get on your knees and suck it“ she whispers as she lets go off it with a pop. „I can make you feel good baby“ she explains before carrying on „The enchanment lets me feel everything too.. so the experience is- very authentic“ she teases.

You listen to her words carefully, eyes locked onto hers as her mouth travels down your body, leaving hot kisses and gentle marks. Now usually Agatha wasn‘t this sweet and gentle with you, the two of you having experimented quiet a bit but considering this was your first time, considering how your hands trembled and breathing hitched but your eyes betraying how much you wanted this, she can‘t help herself. „Aggie please“ you whine as her hand travels to the waistband of your underwear, slowly pushing it aside as she collects your wetness on her fingers. „God sweetie you are soaked“ she gasps in surprise, never having felt you this wet before.

„I want it Aggie, I‘m ready“ you whisper as you close your eyes, feeling her fingers rubbing circles on your clit and teasing your entrance. She can‘t help but chuckle at your desperation, slowly leaving you with a kiss before she gets off the bed and puts the harness around her hips, making sure everything is in place and the enchantments ready for you. The sight takes your breath away, watching as she removes every single piece of clothing, leaving her butt naked with nothing other than the purple strap tugged neatly between her waist. Something within you takes over as you get off the bed, getting on your knees as your eyes meet hers, her pupils blown at your actions. With slow and gentle movements you wrap your hands around it, of course not being oblivious as to how this works. As soon as your hand touches her she leaves out a gasp, the feeling much better than she could have anticipated, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her body.

„Sweetie just like that“ she coos and before she can ask the question, you do what she told you earlier, opening your mouth as you suck the tip gently before taking some of her length into your mouth, sucking gently. Tears of bliss brim in her eyes as she sees you so obedient, on your knees for her sucking her off. „You‘re such a good girl“ she murmurs as her hands find your hair, slowly pushing you into her more as you supress the need to gag. Her taste is intoxicating and you tremble under the intensity of it all. Before too long, Agatha picks you up, putting you into her steady arms, causing you to gasp in surprise as she lowers you onto the bed. The older woman gets on her knees, capturing your lips into a more heated kiss as her tongue enters your mouth, tasting herself on you as she moans into you.

„Please Aggie“ you whimper again, body trembling with need for your girlfriend. „So desperate darling“ she teases before she sits up on her knees again, aligning herself careful with your entrance as she had pulled your panties off a while ago during your making out. Her eyes find yours, checking for any sign of hesitation but when she finds none, simply pure desperation and want, she leans down, her strap teasing your entrance as she whispers „If this gets too much you tell me. I don‘t care okay? you tell me. I just care about making you comfortable“ she says, her tone firm as she wants to make sure you understand her words. You nod before she stops you, her hands tugging under your chin „Words sweetie“ and you quickly mumble a „Yes I promise“ before she smiles.

The older woman doesn‘t waste anymore time, hands balancing on your knees as she gently pushes the tip in, causing your eyes to close and your hands to grip the sheets. Just like she said the sensation feels a little painful at first but with how slow she is fucking you, you quickly adjust before the pure bliss takes over. Your eyes rip open as you lock eyes with her, hands gripping the sheets to the point your knuckles turning white as gutteral moans escape you, ones that you can‘t even hold in. She takes note of course, adjusting her pace as she begins sinking into you deeper, her eyes closing, moaning herself as she stretches you so well, feeling your walls pulsing around her cock.

„Aggie“ you cry out, the sensation taking over you as you see the lilac smoke in the air from the spells, feeling the magic tickle across your body and spread into every fiber of your being. Your chest heaves with pleasure and as Agatha collapses onto you, still deep inside you, her hips moving the perfect rhythm, something takes over you. Hungry lips clashing against her own as you your tongues dance together, the two of you taken over by the pure bliss of it all as your hips move together, pushing your hips forward to meet her. The room is filled with sloppy noises from your soaking pussy meeting her cock. „Oh god“ you cry out, tears of bliss streaming down your cheeks as Agatha‘s fingers gently wipe them.

„Are you“ she begins but stops herself when a gutteral moan escapes her „Doing okay swee- sweet girl“ she moans out of breath as you nod, the witch able to see that words aren‘t going to manage to escape you right now. „Aggie I need more“ you whine, feeling the pure bliss take over. She leans back, pulling out of you for only a second before turning you on your back, face hitting the pillow as you lift your ass to meet her. She goes on her knees again, the new angle letting her hit into you even harder and she is beyond surprised at how well you are taking her, the shy side suddenly completely gone as this was so much more than vanilla.

Her pupils are blown as she feels your walls pulsing even more, your juices beginning to leak down her cock. With a last effort her free hand wraps around your throat, moving your head forward to capture your neck in a kiss. She takes your hair, pulling at it as she fucks you at a ruthless pace from behind. „Mommy“ you whimper, barely above a whisper as your entire body is on fire, feeling her magic flowing through you, the strap hitting you so perfectly and her moans only bringing you closer. „Aggie I‘m“ you can‘t even finish before she whispers „Cum for mommy“ leaving no room for arguments as your head pushes further back, her hand tightly pulling your hair as screams errupt in the bedroom. Her name flows from you so naturally and the last waves of magic flow through your body.

The orgasm feels like drugs to you, Agatha pulling out just in time and covering your ass in her cum, the two of you panting messes as the ability to breathe leaves you for a while. By the time she collapses next to you, she sees how tense you are, head completely red before she quickly wipes your sweat and tears „Breathe sweetie“ she instructs and as her hand finds it‘s way to your chest, you remember to do just that, ragged breathing leaving your mouth. „That was“ she begins but you interrupt her „Amazing“. She snuggles closer to you, holding you in her arms for a while as you both come down from this. By the time she begins fiddling with the harness your hands find hers, stopping her movements.

Her eyebrows raise in surprise as you shake your head a little, a questioning pout on your face „My sweet girl wants to go again?“ she teases, usually the two of you keeping things slow and gentle, never doing more than one or two gos when being intimate. She watches in awe as you balance on your knees, adjusting her strap as you climb onto her and the imagine of seeing you on top, watching as you allign her dick with your soaked pussy, climbing on top and beginning to ride her, she‘s in complete bliss and awe. Your tits bounce as your hands grip hers, tight as you enter her fully again, riding her so perfectly almost as if the strap had taken away your shyness and every ounce of holding back you had shown before.

„God baby- you‘re so damn hot“ she mumbles as she holds your hips in place, moving into you at the perfect pace and causing that familiar feeling back in your bodies. The two of you can feel everything together, the magic flowing through your veins, stomachs tightening as the familiar urge to burst returns. „Mommy“ you moan, eyes closed and there is something about how she is having you right now that makes your girlfriend love you even more, having waited to get this side out of you as she knew it was there somewhere. The two of you only manage to keep the pace for bare seconds before you are both close, moans and screams errupting in the bedroom as all you can hear is the sound of skin slapping and your combined wetness.

„Aggie?“ you whine, opening your eyes to meet hers „Yes sweetie?“ she struggles through her ragged breathing as you whisper „Can you cum inside me please?“. Her puplis blow even more, hands travelling up your chest and finding your throat as she gently squeezes. „Oh god“ she rolls her eyes back, unable to believe this. „Do you want mommy to fill you up my angel?“ she manages to coo and you nod frantically before she picks up the pace, pushing your hips up and down her cock and before you know it, your orgasms wash over you and you feel her hot cum inside you. Neither of you think about moving, eventually you collapsing onto her chest but staying inside as she captures your lips in a kiss.

„I love you Aggie“ you whisper as you both catch your breathing and her smile returns quickly, proud and loving as she moves the sweat covered hair from your forehead. „I love you so much sweet girl“ she coos before you find each other‘s lips again, the same hunger and desperation. And if one thing was for sure, neither of you wanted this to stop and as Aggie begins moving slowly again you almost feel like cumming again. And the two of you knew this was going to be a long night, the woman having left her door and the drawer ajar for a purpose of course and she couldn‘t be more prouder of you for tonight. And you couldn‘t get enough, the taste of her, the feel and filling you with her cum like an addiction, intoxicating you and driving you crazy, crazy for your Aggie.

[reaper2187]

Kathryn hahn x female reader

The "Hot Ones" set was bustling with quiet excitement, a controlled chaos typical of pre-show preparation. Camera crew checked equipment, producers murmured among themselves, and a makeup artist made last-minute adjustments on Kathryn Hahn. Y/N sat across from her, observing the scene with a familiar calm. They had just finished working on a movie together, and now here they were, about to test their spice tolerance while answering questions that would dig deep into their lives and careers.

“Ready for this?” Kathryn asked, her wide grin flashing toward Y/N as she adjusted the lapel of her shirt.

Y/N smirked. “Born ready.” At 23, Y/N had already made a name for herself in horror, playing twisted killers that haunted the nightmares of many, but her recent turn as Knightmare in the Marvel universe was opening new doors. Her character, the daughter of the Seven Deadly Sins, was dark, complex, and thrilling to portray—just the kind of role Y/N loved.

Kathryn, on the other hand, was an actress with a range as wide as her laugh. The two had worked together on a thriller, a gritty, emotionally charged film, and the chemistry between them on screen had been palpable. Off-screen, that chemistry had turned into a solid friendship. And now, under the glow of studio lights, about to dive into an increasingly spicy array of wings, that camaraderie was about to be tested.

The host, Sean Evans, strolled in with his signature warm smile, taking a seat across from the two actresses. “You ready for this?” he asked, echoing Kathryn’s earlier question.

Kathryn gave a mock-terrified look, glancing at Y/N. “I thought I was until I remembered how much Y/N enjoys hot sauce.”

Y/N chuckled, her deep voice soft but edged with amusement. “I have a pretty high spice tolerance, so you’re in trouble, Hahn.”

Sean laughed. “We’ll see about that. Kathryn, Y/N, welcome to Hot Ones—the show with hot questions and even hotter wings. Let’s get started.”

The first wing was harmless, a simple kick of flavor without too much heat. They both handled it with ease, bantering back and forth about their experiences filming the movie. Sean jumped in with his first question for Y/N.

“Y/N, you’ve been known to dominate in the horror genre, playing some truly terrifying killers. What’s it like to play someone so evil, especially being so young?”

Y/N wiped her fingers with a napkin, thinking about her answer. “You know, it’s funny because I don’t think of them as evil when I’m playing them. I try to understand what makes them tick, why they do what they do. It’s more about understanding the character’s pain or trauma that leads them to those dark places. I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology of horror.” She glanced at Kathryn, who nodded in agreement. “And honestly, it’s pretty fun to play the bad guy. You get to let out all that chaos you’d never allow in real life.”

Sean nodded, intrigued. “And how does that translate into playing Knightmare in Marvel? She’s still dark, but she’s got that anti-hero edge.”

“Oh, definitely,” Y/N replied, leaning back in her chair. “Knightmare is all about redemption, but she’s also struggling with her nature. She’s the daughter of the Seven Deadly Sins, so she’s constantly fighting against her darker impulses. There’s something relatable about that—fighting your inner demons, you know?”

Kathryn cut in, laughing. “It’s wild because Y/N, in real life, is the least threatening person ever. You wouldn’t guess she plays these intense, terrifying characters by the way she’s so laid-back.”

Y/N gave her a playful nudge. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.”

They moved on to the next wing, which had a noticeable increase in heat. Kathryn started to feel the burn, her eyes widening slightly, while Y/N stayed cool, eating the wing like it was nothing.

“Okay, Kathryn, this one’s for you,” Sean said, holding back a laugh at her reaction to the spice. “You’ve had such a versatile career, from comedy to drama, and now this thriller with Y/N. What’s it been like switching between genres?”

Kathryn blew out a breath, fanning her face. “Whew, that’s hot. Uh, yeah, it’s been a wild ride. I love that I get to explore so many different kinds of roles. Comedy will always be my first love, but I also love getting into the grittier stuff, like our movie. There’s something so cathartic about diving into those deeper emotions.”

She turned to Y/N, her eyes bright. “Working with Y/N was a dream. She’s got this quiet intensity on set, and it just pulls you in. You can’t help but feed off of it.”

Y/N chuckled, shaking her head. “You make me sound like some brooding method actor.”

Kathryn raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you?”

Y/N grinned. “Maybe a little.”

The third wing brought the heat up a notch, and while Kathryn squirmed in her seat, Y/N remained as calm as ever. The difference between their reactions was obvious, and it made the dynamic all the more entertaining for Sean and the audience.

“You’re not even breaking a sweat, Y/N,” Sean said, half amazed. “What’s your secret?”

Y/N shrugged casually. “I just like spicy food. Grew up eating it. Plus, after playing a serial killer in all these horror movies, I guess my pain threshold’s pretty high.”

Kathryn laughed through the heat building in her mouth. “You say that so casually, like, ‘Oh, just another day at the office, murdering people and eating fire.’”

Y/N gave her a sly smile. “Pretty much.”

The fourth wing hit hard, a noticeable jump in spice, and Kathryn visibly winced, reaching for her water. Y/N, however, still appeared unfazed, though she did take a sip of her water just to stay hydrated.

“You’ve worked on some pretty intense scenes together in your latest movie,” Sean said, wiping his own brow. “Was there a moment during filming where the tension on set was almost too real?”

Kathryn let out a deep breath, eyes still wide from the spice. “Oh, man, there was this one scene where Y/N’s character is supposed to be chasing mine down this dark alley. It was late at night, cold, and Y/N is just in full killer mode. She’s got this look in her eyes, and even though I know it’s all acting, for a split second, I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to die.’”

Y/N laughed softly. “I do remember that. You gave me this look after we cut, like, ‘Please don’t ever look at me like that again.’”

Kathryn nodded emphatically. “Exactly! You scared the hell out of me, but it made the scene so much better. That’s what I love about working with you. You’re so committed, and you push everyone around you to be better.”

Y/N glanced down, almost shy for a moment, her masculine energy softening under Kathryn’s praise. “I just want to make sure we all bring our best, you know?”

They reached the fifth wing, and by now, Kathryn was struggling. Her face was flushed, and she took frequent sips of milk between bites, while Y/N continued to soldier on, a subtle sheen of sweat on her brow the only sign that the heat was affecting her at all.

Sean jumped in with another question, this time focusing on their personal dynamics. “You two clearly have great chemistry, both on screen and off. Was there a moment when you realized you clicked as friends?”

Kathryn looked at Y/N, a smile curving her lips despite the heat. “I think it was during one of our rehearsal breaks. We were both exhausted, and Y/N just pulls out this deck of cards and starts doing magic tricks. I lost it. I didn’t expect that from her at all.”

Y/N chuckled. “Yeah, I was just trying to lighten the mood. Rehearsals can get intense, and I figured a little distraction wouldn’t hurt.”

Sean raised an eyebrow. “Magic tricks? Really?”

Y/N nodded. “It’s just a hobby, something I picked up when I was younger. Helps with the hand-eye coordination too, which is useful when you’re playing someone who’s good with knives.”

Kathryn shook her head, laughing. “See what I mean? Full of surprises.”

The sixth wing, known as "Da Bomb," was infamous for its brutal heat. Kathryn braced herself, biting into it hesitantly, and immediately regretted it. Her face contorted in agony as she reached for her milk, gasping slightly.

“Oh my God,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is insane.”

Y/N took a bite, her expression neutral for a moment before she nodded slowly. “Okay, yeah, this one’s got some kick.”

Sean, looking slightly devilish, leaned in. “Y/N, you’ve got a high spice tolerance, but even you seem to be feeling this one. Has anything ever rattled you on set the way this wing is?”

Y/N considered the question, her voice steady despite the heat. “Honestly, the only time I get rattled is when the stakes are high for the scene, like an emotional climax. I can handle gore and action all day, but the scenes where you have to really tap into something vulnerable—that’s the

stuff that gets me.”

Kathryn, tears in her eyes from the heat, managed to nod. “Yeah, those are the hardest. You get so wrapped up in it, it’s like you’re baring a part of yourself.”

Y/N reached over, patting Kathryn on the shoulder. “You’re doing great, Hahn. Almost there.”

They finally reached the last wing, the infamous "Last Dab." Kathryn looked at it with dread, while Y/N calmly added an extra dab of sauce to hers, a cocky smile playing on her lips.

“You’re insane,” Kathryn muttered, though her voice held admiration.

Y/N winked. “Gotta go out with a bang, right?”

They both took their bites, and Kathryn immediately regretted it, her face turning red as she reached for more water and milk, anything to dull the fire. Y/N winced slightly, but powered through, still in control.

Sean laughed, amazed. “Y/N, you’ve officially survived the hot seat! Kathryn, you too—barely.”

Kathryn, still recovering, gave a shaky thumbs-up. “I don’t know how I’m still alive, but I made it!”

As the interview wrapped, Y/N leaned back in her chair, her calm demeanor intact, while Kathryn fanned herself, still feeling the burn. Despite the spice, the bond between them was undeniable, strengthened by their shared experience on set and in life. And as they exited the stage, laughing and teasing each other, it was clear that their friendship—like their careers—was built to last.

This is the second one as a little sorry for not posting

[cbrownjc]

I'm late to all of this but, frankly, Voyager as a show broke my heart back in the day to the point that I left Star Trek fandom. I've only been catching up on, well, EVERYTHING with regards to Star Trek and the actors involved in each other shows since I just finished binge-watching Star Trek: Picard a day or so ago.

And can I just say, not only as an old-school Voyager fan, but an old-school Janeway/Chakotay from around when Season 2 of the show first aired? THIS EXPLAINS SO MUCH AS TO WHY KATE MULGREW NEVER REALLY WANTED A JANEWAY/CHAKOTAY ROMANCE TO HAPPEN AT FIRST!!!

Seriously, by the end of Season 2 she had quietly begun to accept the section of fandom that was loudly calling for it. But before then? She was always trying to talk up someone else for Janeway. Even at one point saying that Tuvok would have been a better fit.

Back in the day, I always kind of wondered why; and even wondered if it was because she and Beltran just didn't click outside of character or something. Now I know -- it's because she probably always knew he was a dick.

After seeing so much like this about the man, I actually now feel some peace that Janeway and Chakotay never got together. I'm actually happy they didn't, even! And I mean, this is coming from someone who has their ship initials in my username because it was the username I created when I first joined AOL and the Star Trek boards there to talk about Star Trek: Voyager and chat with other J/C shippers.

Even after, as I said, the show broke my heart when it came to that ship, I still kept their ship-name initials in my username.

Right now, I just hope with whatever Star Trek media they create that has Janeway in from now on, they never hook her up with Chakotay. I now realize I pretty much hated his character by the end anyway before I knew about this stuff anyway (there were only whispers about him back in the early '00, right before the show ended).

Janeway has always deserved better than what that show gave her, especially writing-wise. Now I can just -- fully -- add "better main love interest" to that long list as well. If they ever want to hook Janeway up with Chakotay in some new reboot universe with different actors playing the parts, fine. But I can now happily wash my hands of that ship when it comes to the original Voyager series.

Still a douche....

More twitter fun from the dumbass.

And then he gets Chakotay trending by blocking a bunch of people.  Pretty anyone who disagreed with him.  Have fun in your echo chamber!

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Fics Including Kathryn Lester (2) Masterlist

part one

a matched set (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: “Mum,” he says, and his voice sounds like a balloon about to burst from happiness. “Mum, would you do me a favor.”

(a mother's view of the christmas adventure)

All the Ways to Phil Lester's Heart (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: During Christmas Eve with his family, Phil reflects on all the ways to his heart

Always Yes (ao3) - LetGladnessDwell

Summary: In this universe, Dan and Phil spend all their money to move to London, betting everything that their pitch to the BBC for a weekly radio show will succeed. It doesn’t.

And I know the yearning will always remain (ao3) - Kavat

Summary: Kathryn drops off Phil and Dan at the train station.

bittersweet joy (ao3) - starlight_kth

Summary: dan and phil spend christmas away from each other with their families and phil has some very strong feelings about it, but a skype call with dan always warms him up.

bundle up, baby (ao3) - angelmichelangelo

Summary: dnp taking their little kid for the first time to the iom for christmas

there's nothing more exciting than a child's first christmas

can i wake up with you? (ao3) - dvp_95

Summary: Phil isn't bad at talking about his feelings, he just does it very differently than Dan does.

Chosen Family (ao3) - Mysticallykai

Summary: After Dan comes out at fifteen, his parents don't pay him any mind. At sixteen, when he goes to his first pride, he meets Kath Lester. She becomes like a mother to him, and when his boyfriend hurts him, he goes to her for help. He wasn't aware that he would finally meet her youngest son, nor that Phil would be someone so special to him.

clouds parting (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: Phil’s never been good at thinking things over while in motion, not the way that Dan is. But the first pieces of the decision happen then, making his way down rain-soaked pavements, everything a steely, soggy gray.

(secret holiday, autumn ‘21)

cradled by the bare sky (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: (COTY inspired)

“What did you want, mum?” he asks, the words a mere whisper, his lips curving into a quivering smile. He stays where he is, one hand resting on the frame. Both of the gestures break her heart. She knows he wants to get the truth out there, as they’ve had a silent agreement for quite some time, but seems too scared to try.

Fresh Fake Coffee (ao3) - yikesola

Summary: Dan hadn’t heard Mrs. Lester when he was upstairs, but she’s stirring instant coffee grounds into a long row of mugs: four, one for every person in the house.

A ficlet about sips and welcomes.

growing up or just going down (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil is 15 years old today. He's going to have the best birthday of his life, to kick off the best year of his life.

Right?

Happy Birthday My Love (ao3) - phansuniteinluv

Summary: It's Phil's 33rd birthday!!! Laughter, fun, and a birthday proposal that Dan has been planning for ages!

home for christmas (ao3) - danhoweiis

Summary: kath and dan have a chat on christmas day

I'd marry you (with paper rings) (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Maybe learning calligraphy was of greater importance to Phil, and them, than Dan first thought

It Hits Different (ao3) - danisnotinteresting

Summary: I really have no summary for now, just read the tags please

kiss you until your lips turn blue (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan's confused about who he is, but what he knows is that he finds the quiet boy in his friendship group very pretty.

Leave it to stew (ao3) - chiridotalaevis

Summary: They weren’t, you know, hiding that Dan was here, but perhaps Kath didn’t need to see slightly slobbery faces (don’t judge, Phil is just a very enthusiastic kisser), Dan’s bright red cheeks and Phil’s slightly untucked pants. They just were not exactly Kath presentable at this moment.

Lucky (ao3) - starlight_kth

Summary: Dan and Phil are at a Lester family party with their two children: Emily, 7 and Colby, 2. Phil spends the night twirling them both on the dance floor and Dan spends the night watching his husband and wondering how he got so lucky

mama's boy (ao3) - angelmichelangelo

Summary: when phil said kath had put up that shout poster in his bedroom when he came home for christmas :3

no matter how old phil gets, he's still babied by his mum

maybe this christmas (ao3) - blackbirddan

Summary: In all the years they've known each other, Dan and Phil have never been able to spend Christmas Day together. And it's looking like they still can't, even with how much things have changed this year. Unless...

a.k.a. Dan’s family spend Christmas in the Isle of Man.

My Spirit Love (ao3) - MySecretsX

Summary: If you fall in love with a spirit who drains you both away, do you live together for twenty years, or stay alone each day?

Phil has lived in his house since he was born, but it was when he turned seven he met Dan for the first time. It's all childish games and the muse of a naïve brain until your fifteen-year-old son claims to have fallen in love with the boy you've never seen.

Is anything possible for love?

newlyweds on Christmas Eve (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: “Come inside! Nigel and I have been waiting all of December for our new son-in-law!”

no matter how far away you roam (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Some things will never change, like Dan and Phil video calling each other from their family homes over Christmas.

not a lot, just forever (ao3) - blossomsphan

Summary: “intertwined, sewn together

not a lot, just forever” - adrianne lenker

working through the feels post-hospital incident ❤️‍🩹

now i smile and face the girl who shares my name (ao3) - plinth_of_life

Summary: kath meets her newborn granddaughter.

party for two (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan has only had five birthdays before this one. And he can't really remember the first three of them. But he knows this has to be the worst one yet.

Pretty Guy (ao3) - Archive (Curlylinguist)

Summary: Drinking as a coping mechanism is not Phil’s usual style, but then, he reasons, neither is spontaneously tagging along on an entirely unplanned night out with a bunch of strangers after the bizarre high of a successful publishing meeting. And all just because a pretty boy asked him to.

Or, Phil stumbles across a Pride rally and a certain curly-haired queer activist catches his eye.

songbird (ao3) - jestbee

Summary: a post-apocalyptic coffee shop au

Staring at the Sea (ao3) - Allthephils

Summary: Dan wears a braided chain made of finest silver from the north of Spain, a locket that bears the name of the man that he loves.

The Gaming Video. (ao3) - iamalwaystired

Summary: dan and phil decide to bring back the gayming channel with dab and evans wedding video. basically just fluff for 6k words,

The Scent of Pining (ao3) - americanphancakes

Summary: Dan and Phil grew up together, but were separated by university and the mundanities of life. After years of missing each other, keeping track of each other's careers, and asking their families about each other, they finally reunite at a Christmas party back home. Surrounded by fragrances that cast their memories back to their childhood together, they each work up the nerve to finally do something about how they've been feeling for a decade.

together we sang (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." -Billy, age 4

Two Faces, One Fear (ao3) - R3ad3r1

Summary: Phil collapses due to his head hurting, as the pain does not subside he has to go to the hospital.

Let's have a look at Phil and Dan's emotional journey until they discover why Phil collapsed.

Wagon Wheel (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Is there enough room in Wagon Wheel for Phil's saloon and Sheriff Howell's city-slickin' ways?

"we gotta be brave" (ao3) - wednesday_ukiru

Summary: Six year old Phil misbehaves – and quickly becomes convinced he’s going to get picked up by Mrs. Fuse’s adoption agency. Instead, he meets a boy.

Weight on my Shoulders (ao3) - ByTheFire

Summary: When Phil starts getting some unexpected gifts from his dad he starts to worry if he knows something he is not ready to share. Thankfully Dan is there to make it all a bit less scary. All Phil can hope is his dad doesn't want to change who he truly is.

welcome, love (ao3) - angelmichelangelo

Summary: coming out isn't easy, but it's a little less shit when you're surrounded with family

What We Are to Each Other (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: So maybe they both suck at communication. Maybe Dan needs to talk to Phil about what they are to each other. And maybe Phil needs to sit his parents down and tell them that big, slightly scary thing about himself. But maybe it'll all work itself out, one way or another.

wrecking ball (ao3) - bloodyscarab

Summary: you gotta wanna break the hearts

of all those pretty porcelain dolls

Yours, Absolutely, Positively (ao3) - JudeAraya

Summary: Like so many things in his new life, Dan was coming to understand that Phil was the only exception.

~Christmas 2009~

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Bunch of New OCs

Descendants

Calen (x Ben) & Morrigan (x Jane) in Control – the children of Chernabog, very powerful magic users who grew up on the isle. Not a part of any crew, preferred to just stick together, but Calen has a history with both Harry and Jay, and Morrigan has a history with Evie. TBD if they're invited to Auradon or if they just invite themselves, here to cause chaos

Chernabog takes a technically female presenting body when trapped by the isle magic and is Aubrey Plaza probably but also maybe Kathryn Hahn idk?

Glee

Lucinda (Patti Lupone) & Vanessa (Kathryn Hahn) Hope in The Art Of Making Art – Danny's mothers, details in Danny's intro

(ft. introduced Nadia & Pip, Danny's therapist and boyfriend respectively)

Heartstopper

Isabella Belly Spring in Personal Best – Charlie's twin sister, probably has BPD because i can't write any mentally stable ocs rn, autistic queen, bit of a loner at Higgs but she and Elle have always been close so when she transfers, baby girl gets pulled into the friend squad with Darcy & Tara, Ben's ex girlfriend (while he was also with Charlie, dumped him when she found out about that) and current president of the Ben Hate Squad

Juniper Catalina Solano in A Place In This World – Nick’s best friend, moved away when they were 13 (basically just before his kiss with Tara and before he became friends with Imogen), they stayed in touch and are still very very close

Details iffy but her parents die early in season 1 and it was in their will that if anything happened to them, they wanted their daughter to live with Sarah Nelson (they got along well and trusted her, she wasn’t their very best friend but they knew it was the best choice for their daughter), so she’s just moved back

Marvel (Agatha All Along)

Naomi Kaplan in Darkest Hour, Wake Thy Power – William Kaplan's twin sister, not a Maximoff but born with magic (tbd what kind of witch she is but loves crystals and tarot readings even before knowing she's a witch), can immediately tell that something is Not Right with her brother after the accident (maybe also died/almost died in the accident and that's when her magic kicks in? tbd), the only one who knows the full truth of who he is, invites herself along when Billy goes to find Agatha

Renna Vidal / Renna Vidal-Harkness in Earthly And Divine – Rio & Agatha's magically created witch daughter, Nicky's older sister. Withdrew from both of her parents after Nicky died and might never have reconnected with them if she hadn't somehow gotten herself swept up in Billy Kaplan's plan to walk the Witches' Road

Elizabeth Zella Maximoff in Maiden, Mother, Crone – Billy & Tommy's triplet, ends up in a slightly older body after the Hex breaks down, finds Billy completely by chance and now will not rest until they get Tommy back too

bonus: Kassandra's AAA title is Glory At The End & Cheryl's is Sewn With Fate

RWRB

Christian Douglas Charles William Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor in History Has Its Eyes On You – Youngest prince, 18/19 when everything starts, gay and closeted, adores Henry more than anything in the world

dating Emilia Harper Claremont-Diaz, who knows that he's gay and is okay with being his public beard and forever best friend, but Mary is starting to put more and more pressure on him to propose

Emilia Harper Claremont Diaz in History Has Its Eyes On You– baby of the Claremont-Diaz family, she is in her first or second year at GWU in RWRB. Was a total daddy's girl growing up and never outgrew the pain of Oscar leaving. Majoring in International Relations because she feels like she has to and minoring in art history because she loves it, undiagnosed ADHD like her brother. Often referred to as the People's Princess in the US and as the American Princess internationally, loves Texas with all her heart, Secret Service codename is Buttercup which she chose because of her favourite Powerpuff Girl

Fashion icon (not as much as June though), idolizes her big sister forever, social media star, loves art and art history and museums and creating art, often feels like she might not be smart enough to make her family proud, happily fake dating her best friend Christian Fox

named after Harper Lee and Emilia Casanova de Villaverde, probably goes by her middle name (except with Oscar's family) but tbd

Titans

Morvan Abbott (x Jason Todd) in Abyss – Rowena Abbott's younger, lowkey the reason she was in jail (specifically, she killed their step father while protecting Morvan from him). After Rowena's arrest he ran away, found himself taken in by a woman with powers somewhat similar to his own and a vested interest in not letting Trigon destroy the world. After Rowena ends up with Dick and Rachel, they encounter this woman on their search for answers, and Rowena finally sees her baby brother again

ty everyone @the-witching-ash @ocmerunaway @ginevrastilinski-ocs @cecexwrites @manyfandomocs for listening to me not shut up about these ideas for sooooooo long i appreciate y'all also the ouat squad is still coming but i might die before i figure that shit out so also maybe not idk they're turning in my brain like a rotisserie chicken

edit: also still need to do the teen wolf coven but that's a future problem

[steelycunt]

any advice/book recs for getting out of a slump

hi!! i am currently also in a reading slump and have been for the last few months starting back at uni aha but in terms for getting out of one id recommend starting with short, easy reads. the point of reading obviously is not to just say youve finished a ton of books but i think that the sense of completion that comes when you finish a book can help get you back into reading and obviously its quicker + easier to get that with a small book rather than to try and get back into reading with a really heavy dense read where theres no end in sight and youre much more likely to give up...so yah! short easy reads id say stuff that makes you happy maybe guilty pleasurish reads..and then once youve got through a few it might feel less draining to start a longer one. as for specific recs here are some books under 200 pages that i love:

anything by claire keegan! specifically small things like these, foster, walk the blue fields and antarctica (two short story collections).

bonjour tristesse by francoise sagan.

boulder by eva baltasar.

franny and zooey by jd salinger.

we have always lived in the castle by shirley jackson.

giovanni's room + if beale street could talk by james baldwin.

the passion by jeanette winterson.

panenka by ronan hession.

the archive of alternate endings by lindsey drager.

kick the latch by kathryn scanlan.

a single man by christopher isherwood.

swimming in the dark by tomasz jedrowski.

all quiet on the western front by erich maria remarque (just over 200 technically but i love it so bad...)

hope you find something you love bab!

[justrandomfanfictionskh]

We should Have Stayed in Gotham ch3

(Almost every Maribat fic I read has the akuma class going to Gotham. But tell me which is more likely, a class touring the city of crime, or a class touring the city of lights? So here it is, the Daminette fic that only I asked for, where Gotham goes to Paris, and the poor students have to grapple with the fact that they have competition for the most dangerous city in the world. I wonder what will happen?)

ao3 Beginning Previous

The moment Damian had learned that he had a roommate, he knew that he would have trouble sleeping. Granted, the Gotham High student, Will, was quiet and unobtrusive, so at first Damian thought that it wouldn’t be too much of a sacrifice to share a room with him (but only if he kept a knife under his pillow). However, after seeing the giant baby trying to eat the Eiffel Tower all thoughts of sleep were quickly thrown away in favor of hours upon hours of research while his roommate slept.

So it should have come as no surprise to anyone, that Damian walked up to the Louvre with bags under his eyes and a scowl to curdle milk. He sipped his hotel coffee in distaste as his peers gave him a wide berth, as they waited for their French guides. Yet despite his exhaustion, and the distance of his peers, he was able to overhear their conversations and gauge their intentions for the rest of the trip.

“You can’t be serious!” Kathryn was yelling, “After what we saw yesterday you’re not freaking out? I’m freaking out! We almost died!”

“You live three blocks away from Crime Alley!” A Gotham High student who was on the “Parisian’s are overreacting” side exclaimed. “You almost die every day!”

“Yeah,” Kathryn said, “From muggers and henchmen. You know, people I can kick in the family jewels. Not magic giant babies! I can’t kick magic giant babies! And if you had bothered too even read the survival guide, you would know that that particular akuma happens like, a lot!”

“But it doesn’t matter!” Chad cried, “I mean their hero has a magic reset button, so…”

“Ok,” Alice said sardonically, all of the "Who cares" Gothamites were now firmly on the "It's a big deal" side, “So you’re suicidal. Great.”

“I’m not—”

“Students!” Mr. Robinson, their chaperone and French teacher, called. “Our liaison class is here, so be on our best behavior!”

Damian took a swig of his coffee as they moved towards the glass pyramid in the center of the courtyard. He was tired, and he did not want to deal with whichever idiotic child they pared him up with, but he needed to know more. He had been researching all night, but he still didn’t know why the Justice League hadn’t been called in yet. And considering how many akumas had almost ended the world, he had a feeling that they should definitely know about this.

 But there was one more thing that was bugging him unceasingly, Hawkmoth. His motivation was clear, he wanted a wish, but he didn’t know the reason behind that motivation. And his strategy was baffling. Just from reading the blogs, it looked like Hawkmoth’s plan was to akumatize as many different people as possible and then hope one of them would be able to defeat Ladybug and Chat Noir. It was ridiculous, idiotic, and completely ineffectual…And yet Ladybug had not been able to catch him. It made no sense. From the videos it was clear that even when Ladybug had been at her least skilled, she had always been competent and efficient. Now two years later, she had experience, training, and competent and effective team members. So why hadn’t she eliminated the threat?

His thoughts were aggravatingly interrupted when they reached the chattering group of teenagers in front of the pyramid. When they saw the Gothamites, the Parisians instantly quieted and lined up with plastered smiles, and bright, scanning eyes. It was…disturbing and pulled all of the Gothamites up short and had them frowning and scanning for any hidden dangers. It was almost comical, the line of bright, colorful Parisians facing off of the dark, scowling Gothamites. Damian just sipped his coffee and began memorizing the faces. He paused when he was the small group of people not joining the lineup.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Sabrina Raincomprix, and Chloe Bourgeois, and two other girls stood on the opposite side of the line from the teachers and little apart from their class despite the fact that two of their members were the class leaders. Marinette was sipping on a large cup, but her small welcoming smile seemed a hundred times more genuine than the toothy grins of her classmates. Sabrina was standing beside her, and she seemed to be fidgeting with excitement as she waited for the teachers to finish talking. Chloe was the only one who was not smiling, instead she was completely consumed with her phone and only huffing when her friends spoke to her. Damian couldn’t get a good idea of the other two girls, as one of them was hidden behind Marinette, and the other was…roller blading around the courtyard completely ignoring everyone.

Eventually, Mlle. Mendeliev cleared her thought as she began handing out papers to her class, with the Gotham teachers mirroring her with Damian and his peers. “Now,” she said sternly yet not harshly in English, “It has come to our attention that you all were caught up in the akuma attack yesterday. That is good, perhaps now you will take this threat seriously, and do everything in your power to avoid creating or becoming akumatized.”

“That being said,” Mlle. Bustier said quickly with a pointed look at her coworker, “We are glad none of you were harmed, and hope that it never happens again!”

“Hm,” Mendeliev said before snapping her attention to both classes commanding their attention like a general surveying their troops. “You have each been paired up according to those whom we have deemed least likely to cause akumas. French students will speak in English. English students will speak in French. Complete your work sheets by the end of the day to receive full marks. There will be no switching!”

Damian noticed her sharp eyes falling on a girl dressed in an awful shade of orange, with sausages disguised as hair framing her face. Said girl just smiled innocently, before her eyes fell on him, and he groaned. The sudden flash of predatory glee that she had eyed him with made his skin crawl. He wanted nothing to do with that girl, but he knew her type far too well. She was like his mother, desperate for power and willing to do anything to get it. At that moment Damian was the most powerful person there, and she knew it.

He prepared himself for an aggravating and unsatisfactory morning as he waited for the opportunist to corner whoever he had been partnered with him and “convince” them to switch partners despite the teacher’s mandate. Needless to say, he was surprised when the person who had extracted themselves from the mass of congregating students to find him, was not the sausage girl, but Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Her smile when she saw him was so bright and genuine, it had Damian squinting his eyes in suspicion as she moved toward him. But she maintained a respective distance and spoke formally in English as she said, “Hello, I’m Marinette. You must be Damian.”

“I am,” Damian said in perfect French straightening as he looked at his work sheet for the first time. Sure enough, Marinette’s name was right beside his at the top of the page. “Although, I should warn you that this exercise will not be very beneficial for me. As you can see, I am already quiet fluent in your language.”

Damian expected the girl to become annoyed or aggravated at his briskness, but apparently dealing with an emotional terrorist everyday gave her a higher tolerance for his behaviors than the majority of his peers. She just tilted her head with a cocked eyebrow and said in Mandarin,

“I understand. If I’m being honest, I’m in the same boat. As I am fluent in more languages than I’ll probably ever use.”

Damian raised his eyebrows in surprised, but he couldn’t help the smirk playing on his lips as he slipped into Arabic saying, “Well, that is unfortunate. But if you do not think you will use them, then why learn?”

“I plan to travel,” Marinette said in perfect Hindi. “I plan to go into fashion, and I wish to be able to reach as many people as possible. What about you? Why do you know so many languages?”

“I am expected to take over my father’s business,” Damian said in Russian. “It is an international company and possibly intergalactic if the treaty with Mars and Tameran goes through.”

“I hope it does!” Marinette said in Spanish, “I believe that intergalactic relations will improve international ones, as we will have to be united in order to effectively interact with the greater galaxy.”

“Interesting,” Damian said in Africans, “Not everyone has such an optimistic view of human nature.”

Marinette said something in Greek, and Damian winced. Her smile grew in victory as she found perhaps the only Earth language he had yet to fully master, but Damian would not be quelled. So, before she could capitalize on her victory, he switched to German and said, “Unfortunately I have yet to master Greek. It seems you have the advantage of me.”

Damian’s smirk returned as Marinette winced. But her smile remained as she said in perfect Japanese, “My German is almost non-existent. So I guess that makes us even unless…”

“I speak Japanese,” Damian said in the same language. “Perhaps this enterprise, will not be as fruitless as I thought. If you are willing to assist me in Greek, then you might even be an adequate companion.”

The moment the words left his lips, Damian knew that he had probably offended her, which would have been awful. She seemed to be the only person here who wasn’t a complete imbecile, and brushing up on his Greek was the only way this exercise wouldn’t be a waste of time. But instead Marinette just laughed bright and clear, and said,

“Adequate. That’s a new one, but I’ll take it. You know you remind me of Chloe, she doesn’t complement…well anyone.”

“Considering she is your friend; I will assume you meant the comparison to also be complementary.”

Marinette shrugged with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Why don’t you meet her first, and then you can decide if it’s a compliment?”

Damian nodded in appreciation and a little wariness before they were interrupted by a shrill voice crying, “Marinette!”

The unwavering class president wavered, which sent a shrill line of tension through Damian. He scanned the crowd for the person responsible for causing such a steadfast presence to flinch and found an overly excitable girl with round glasses running up to them with a too bright smile. Damian recognized the Gotham Academy student following her as one of the students who had retained very little of the French lessons, and could barely introduce herself in the language. This newcomer must have been under the impression that all of the Gotham students had a similar level of incompetence because she began to speak in rapid-fire French as if Damian couldn’t understand a word she was saying.  

“Marinette,” the newcomer said, “You have to switch partners with Lila. She’s desperate.”

Marinette took a deep breath as if she was actively steeling herself against something unpleasant and said, “Alya, that’s not going to happen. Mlle. Mendeliev, and Sabrina spent hours on these partners so that there would be as few akumas as possible.”

“But Lila—”

“Is a liar!”

“I know! But seriously Marinette, Adrien’s right. It’s not like she does any harm saying she save Jagged’s cat. No body actually believes her. Besides she has a disease! She can’t help it!”

“Yeah!” Marinette said perhaps a little snappishly, “A disease she is doing nothing to cure, and all you're doing is enabling her!”

“What?! I am not enabling her! I am trying to help a fellow student who is suffering from a mental illness, and trying to prevent akumas! Which you used to care about. Honestly Marinette, it’s almost as if you want this conference to be ruined. I think you’ve been spending too much time with Chloe.”

“Well, at least Chloe is trying to make amends! What does Lila do whenever she causes an akuma?”

Alya shook her head in disappointment, as if Marinette was the blind one here. “She’s just trying to get her Miraculous back. That girl couldn’t be genuinely kind even if she was hit by a personality reversal akuma. Just switch partners with Lila! It will be best for the whole class.”

“But not best for me,” Damian said in French with as much sternness as he could master. He did not miss the suppressed vindictive smirk from Marinette as Alya stared at him in shock. But Damian simply tilted his chin to the interloper with as much distain he could manage. “Now what ‘illness’ does this Lila claim to have that we must cater to her every whim.”

“She’s a compulsive liar,” Marinette said hiding her satisfaction under a lecturing tone, and a gentle smile. “To quote her words exactly, ‘It’s a disease and I can’t help it. So please be kind. I don’t intentionally want to hurt anyone, but there’s something wrong with me, and I need help!’”

Damian growled in distaste. He assumed that Lila was the girl with the sausages for hair. She had obviously seen the situation in Paris and decided to use it to her advantage. Whether she actually had a mental illness or not, was clearly not the issue, because she was using it to convince her class to cater to her ever whim. “Do everything I say or else I will call a supervillain to curse us all," she was basically saying, "But don’t blame me, I’m sick and can’t help it.” It was something his mother would do and immediately put bad taste in his mouth.

“Alya,” he said giving her the full weight of his “Ice Prince” persona. He took no small amount of satisfaction from her almost fearful reaction. “I can guarantee, that if I was to be paired with this Lie-la, then I will be akumatized within five minutes of our meeting. And if you ask any of my peers, I think you will find that me being akumatized is the last thing you want. So please return to your…friend, and tell her that under no circumstances will I take any partner other than Marinette. Now leave us alone, you aren’t wanted here.”

Alya turned to the other girl with a sort of desperate pleading, but Marinette just sighed and said gently, “I’m sorry Alya. But after that speech, I think we can all agree that it’s for the best.”

Alya shook her head in disappointment, and there was nothing but pure disappointment in her voice when she said, “And to think you used to be our ‘Everyday Ladybug.’ Now…now your just selfish.” She spun and marched off before they could respond.

Damian glanced at Marinette and froze. She looked as if she had just been stabbed. The words had meant nothing to Damian, but they had clearly meant everything to her. But before Damian could offer his support, Marinette closed her eyes and began taking deep breaths. An expression of complete and total calm passed over her. It was as if every negative emotion the confrontation had caused was melting away through her figure tips.

When she opened her eyes, she turned back to Damian with her gentle smile. But there was now a new sense of exhaustion in her clear blue bell eyes that said this was not the first time her “friends” had hurt her, and it would not be the last.

In that moment, Damian came to some very important conclusions about this Marinette. One, she was strong. She lived in a city under constant siege, and she still stood tall and genuine, with a smile that breathed kindness and compassion with every laugh and word. And two, these people did not deserve her. It was obvious that they were sheep, from the way a large group of them gathered around Lila and were now pandering to her to stop her from lashing out. They had traded a kind and gentle leader, for a mountain of fool’s gold. Pretty to look at but ultimately useless. And they had done it with their eyes open. It would have been better if they had fallen for her lies.  

“I’m sorry about that,” Marinette said in English with what Damian assumed was her signature cheerfulness, just as he addressed people with his signature superiority, “Things…well, let’s just say that the akumas have caused a lot of damage, not all of it physical. Make’s it hard to know how to…interact with people, and behave rationally. I hope you understand.”

Damian nodded as he said, “I can not say that I understand completely. But I can say that I know what you mean. I have some experience with liars and manipulators, and I can see how this situation could be very beneficial to them. However, if you’re classmates had any form of actual intelligence then they would not pander to that girl the way that they do. So, I cannot garner too much sympathy for them.”

A light returned to Marinette’s eyes as he said this, as if he had amused her instead of insulting the people she probably knew and trusted far more than him. “Ok, I have to keep you and Chloe apart. It’s the only way, I’m going to be able to prevent actual murder from happening!”

“Hm,” Damian said, his smirk returning. Perhaps a little brighter than he intended, but still too small to communicate any actual pleasure. “Now I must insist on meeting her. Perhaps we can cull the herd and bring some intelligence back into this city.”

Marinette laughed, and Damian thought it sounded like bells. But they were interrupted when the red haired girl on rollerblades zoomed up to them with a worried expression. “Hey Mari,” she said gently, “I saw you talking to Alya. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, thanks Alix,” Marinette said her smile brightening even more at her friend. “All good here. But where’s your partner?

"Oh, she’s over there!” Alix gestured to the side and Damian saw Kathryn leaning against a statue while she played with her phone. “I’m so glad her French is better than my English. But if you’re ok, then I’ve got to go. I promised to get her my extra blades from my dad’s office. We’re going to have so much fun!”

“I am already regretting the fact that you two were paired together,��� Marinette said with a fond shake of her head. But Alix just laughed and raced off. Kathryn running beside her through what appeared to be an employee’s entrance to the Louvre.

“Her dad’s the curator,” Marinette explained. “She’s been racing through there since she was five. They’ll be fine as long as they don’t break anything important.”

Damian nodded, as the teachers called the students to order. It was time for the first activity to begin. A Louvre scavenger hunt, which will end with lunch and then a "getting to know you party" back at the school. “I hope you know you’re artifacts as well as you know languages," he said openly studying her compitence.

A playful smile spread across Marinette’s face, as if she had some great hidden secret that she was daring him to discover. “Oh, don’t worry,” she said, “As long as luck’s on my side, we can’t possibly fail. Our biggest competition will be Alix.”

“Because of her father?”

“Sure,” Marinette said still with that playful smile brightening her face, “Let’s go with that.” 

Next

@night-ngale @annastasha @ev-cupcake @hammalammadamdam @laydeekrayzee @itsemmylie @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks

[star-trek-fandom-confessions]

Confession #149

"Saying this as someone who loves T'Lyn but I really want her to fuck-up more in the show because right now, I think she is too perfect always giving perfect advice and saying the perfect sassy quip. "Wej Duj" was a good episode because even though she helps save the day, she's still unpopular with her fellow Vulcans and gets kicked off the Sh'Vahl. Don't get me wrong, Im glad she's found her people on the Cerritos but I'm kinda disappointed that the only moment she fucks up is in "Empathalogical Fallacies" and even then, that was hastily-resolved with a Bendii Syndrome asspull. Now some people might argue that she's "perfect" because she's the straight man type of comedy character but Spock, Worf, and Odo are also those types of characters and they're still allowed their major fuck-ups. Idk man, I just miss when Kathryn Lyn was writing her because the newer writers for season four seemed too afraid to let T'Lyn mess up for fear of angering her fanboys."

[nocturneindream]

Gallows of the Dreaming

~ Chapter One: Freeing the Endless ~

~ 18+ | Minors DNI | AFAB Reader | No Y/N ~

Chapter One | AO3

Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any characters from The Sandman comics or Netflix series. This is purely creative writing.

Warning: Future chapters may contain graphic depictions of sexual acts and gore. I will note which parts to skip for each chapter if you’d like to avoid that content, so be sure to read through my notes.

*Please skip to the first plain galaxy banner if you'd like to avoid gore. Though it will be referenced throughout the chapter.*

Word count: 5.1k

Chapter warnings: Graphic depictions of gore, subtle nudity, foul language, mentions of abuse (verbal), the Burgess family (need I say more?).

A/N: Hello! So either I fat-fingered the post button accidentally or Tumblr decided this post has been in my drafts for long enough. I hadn't intended on posting this until I was finished with chapter two (so they could come out simultaneously) but here we are. Nevertheless, I hope this is worth the read for you guys. I wasn't fully satisfied with my initial posting of chapter one so I figured I'd fix it.

I've taken the liberty of creating a tag list of anyone who liked my first post so you guys aren't out of the loop. Some tags are in the comments because for some reason it wouldn't save a few of your usernames toward the end of the post. If you'd like to be removed, please DM me. :)

As always, feel free to comment, send in any questions, and like/re-blog this post. Enjoy!

-Kathryn ;)

DO NOT re-write, translate, copy, re-post, or claim my writing as your own. Thanks!

Here in the darkness, you lay, a puddle of frozen blood and aching bone. Bitter winds have turned your lips a bale shade of blue, your body bare and vulnerable to the will of the elements. There is no source of warmth or comfort, no savior to come to your rescue. The hairs on the back of your neck stand tall, intuition warning you of the presence that stalks in the shadows, watching - waiting. 

Dread, like water, sinks into the pit of your stomach as the all-consuming darkness condenses around you, tightening - suffocating. You can’t breathe - can’t think, instinctively thrashing against your confines. 

“Plea- Please,” You choke. “Stop!” Tears frost around your lashes. You kick and claw at the air until your vision begins to fade, limbs falling numb from lack of oxygen. 

Finally, the invisible force relents, lifting the pressure from your lungs as it drops you onto the misty floor. You gulp down the dry air and roll onto your scraped hands and knees. A faint, glowing orb of light forms in the distance. You crawl in its direction, legs too weak to stand. Each movement sends a sharp pang throughout your body, but you press on, hopeful that the light will provide shelter - warmth. Faint whispers filter through your ears. Your name, a repeated mantra from two distinct voices, circling your figure in the shadows.

“See her.” A deep, honey-coated man’s voice coaxes through the thick fog. For all you know, it could be leading you to your death, a moth to a flame. A part of you no longer cares, yearning only for relief. The closer you grow to the light, the louder the other voice becomes. The shrill, piercing cries of a woman calling for help. Perhaps she’s like you, trapped here in the darkness, alone - afraid. Though uncertain of your ability to assist the woman that calls, you hasten your pace.

At last, you find your source of light: a large glass dome. Inside, a rather unique raven flaps its dreamy, ink-black wings as it hammers its beak against the glass in a desperate attempt to escape. You want to set it free, but it’s as though the glass has been blown and stretched around it, completely encasing the bird. You reach up, entranced by the creature, fingers mere centimeters away from the dome when the man’s voice returns, startling you from your daze. 

“See what they have done to her.” He commands, tone laced with disgust. You fearfully oblige, watching the raven as she continues her assault on the glass.

“Who trapped you here?” You ask against your better - rational - judgment. How could it be possible for a raven to speak? As she opens her beak you’re half-convinced your nonsensical thoughts are somehow correct. 

A long, ear-splitting caw erupts from the bird, her body bursting - splattering - against the glass. The harrowing thump of her corpse hitting the base of the dome rings throughout the sudden silence, and the scent of gunpowder fills the air. The sight burns itself a permanent hole in your memory, tremors wracking your limbs as you soak it in. She’s mangled, white belly stained red with splatters of her blood, now and forever entombed in her glass cage. Rattling with shock and adrenaline, you find the strength to push yourself onto your feet, stumbling away from the glass, a helpless child in the black abyss. 

“Help!” You cry, shrill and piercing. You wail until your voice gives out, unable to produce more than a hoarse whisper. You’re not sure who you’re pleading to. The man’s voice? The entity that follows? Whoever - whatever - it is, grants your request.

 Shadows shift and spin, whipping your body in every direction until you’re left swaying dizzily in a long, dimly-lit hallway. The warm flicker of tall, golden candle stands reflects off dark wood walls and floors, melting your frost-coated lashes. Recognition sits on the tip of your tongue, but you find yourself at a loss for where exactly you’ve seen this place before. Blue, satin-cloaked figures glide past you, funneling through an ornately-carved door at the end of the long hall. 

“Here in the darkness.” They chorus over and over,  the room vanishing as quickly as it had formed. 

You’re awake and grasping your sweat-soaked pillow, pushing yourself upright. A wave of relief washes over you as you soak in your surroundings, realizing it had only been a nightmare. Your dreams were rarely pleasant, but somehow this one felt different - lifelike. You could still smell the gunpowder, feel the smoke in your lungs, and see the blood. So much blood. Too much to have come from such a small bird. You run your hands through your hair, scratching your scalp as you reach for the phone on your nightstand. Ten o’clock.

“Shit. I’m late.” You’re practically jumping out of your sheets to get dressed, knowing you’ll never hear the end of it from Mr. Burgess. 

Six months ago, Paul hired you as a live-in caretaker for the crotchety old man, too exhausted mentally and physically from handling his long-term partner’s care on his own.  A position you were wholly underqualified for. It hadn’t been the job itself that caught your interest, but the man you’d be working for. Alexander Burgess: the only surviving son of one of the most controversial magical practitioners in history - Roderick Burgess. As an avid student and aspiring professor of occult history, the temptation of having access to all of Mr. Burgess’ inherited relics was too mouth-watering to resist. This would be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only live inside the very mansion that housed the Order of Ancient Mysteries but to discover the secrets they’d left behind. 

With the help of a few embellishments to your resume and a bit of charisma, Paul accepted your application. For the most part, you’re only here to assist Mr. Burgess when Paul cannot. While a few years younger, his age has not been kind to his mobility. Day after day, you find yourself reminding Paul that he should look after his health as well as he does his partners’.  

Mr. Burgess is often stubborn and resistant to the helping hands around him, even before your arrival. Though, he treats you a great deal worse than Paul. There have been many days in which you’ve found yourself questioning whether or not your research was worth the constant blows to your dignity. 

Two months ago, after an especially difficult day on the job, you’d nearly handed in your resignation. Paul had caught you sobbing in the kitchen after a spat with Mr. Burgess in which he’d called you an assortment of foul names while attempting to climb down the grand staircase on his own. Paul managed to talk you down, comforting you with a cup of chamomile and a few kind words - as always. Once able to think clearly, you decided you’d stay, assisting only as needed. Once again, your research became your priority, as you’d intended in the first place. You’d no longer allow the sour words of a bitter old man to squander your chance at recognition. 

 You push aside the residual anxiety from your nightmare, slipping into a comfortable pair of black boots and your coat before heading down the hall to your bosses’ shared room. Paul greets you with his signature smile, ever the early bird.

“Good morning, Paul.” You return his smile half-heartedly as your attention shifts to Mr. Burgess who is attempting to shimmy himself off the bed and into his wheelchair. You squat beside him, stabilizing the chair with one hand and holding the other out for support should he lose his strength. You know better by now than to touch and assist unless asked directly, having had your hands smacked away too many times to count. Paul must have helped take care of his morning hygiene tasks as Mr. Burgess is already dressed and visibly exasperated. 

“I’m sorry I’m late.” You apologize to the men, but mostly to Paul. Mr. Burgess angrily mumbles something about not needing your assistance. You share a knowing look with Paul and wordlessly move behind Mr. Burgess, too exhausted from your fitful sleep to engage in his antics. You push his chair out of the room, down the ramp that connects to the end of the hall, and toward the library where they share their early hours each morning.

Much to Paul’s dismay, as the chair rolls to a stop, Mr. Burgess shakily pushes himself up and onto his feet, shambling toward the loveseat. Paul, instantly at his partner’s side, places a gentle hand beneath his elbow for support. The older man grumbles his dissatisfaction but refrains from swatting him away as they situate themselves, hungrily eyeing their steaming trays of breakfast on the coffee table. 

“Is there anything else I can do for you two?” You ask tentatively, cupping your palms together in front of you. You’re hoping they no longer require your assistance, eager to escape the perpetual gloom of the mansion, feel the crisp fall air against your skin, and rid your mind of the gory scene your nightmare burned into your memory. Paul’s thoughtful gaze remains on you for a moment, studying the dark circles beneath your eyes and the tense curl of your shoulders.

“That’ll be all for now, thank you.” He says appreciatively. Mr. Burgess simply waves his hand, shooing you away. You resist the urge to roll your eyes and nod to Paul with a tight-lipped smile, hurrying away before either man can change their mind.

A subtle nagging resistance tugs at your gut, slowing your steps and forcing you to take in your surroundings. Ghostly flashes of cloaked figures float around you as you stand stock-still in the center of the hall, the ornately-carved door of your nightmare looming ahead of you. This was why it had felt so familiar, you’d walked this hall every day, but had never paid any mind to the door. What secrets lie beyond it? Stewing with curiosity, you tear your vision away, directing it toward your bosses. What if it hadn’t been just a nightmare? What if it had been a premonition? What if?

“See what they have done to her.” Echoes the voice inside your mind as you warily eye the two men in the library. You watch Paul dote on Mr. Burgess, carefully wiping a splotch of jam from the corner of his mouth. Paul could never. Not with a heart as big as his. You’re sure of it. You shift your focus to Mr. Burgess as he drinks deeply from his teacup, his stare vacant, far away from that of his loving partner. You’d undoubtedly witnessed the old man’s verbal mistreatment, and had often been the recipient yourself. 

While working for the couple, you’d taken the liberty of flitting through the many family records and memoirs available in their library. Mr. Burgess had tucked anything that so much as mentioned his father’s name into a dark, dusty corner. Out of sight, out of mind. As you flicked through the countless pages, you began to understand why.

 There were nearly as many detailed accounts of abuse toward the young Alexander Burgess as there were rumors of seances and sacrificial ceremonies. You’d attributed Mr. Burgess’ sour disposition to his troubled upbringing, unhealed from the traumas he’d endured. But, could that prove him capable of what you’d witnessed in your nightmare? 

You scoff at your train of thought, slipping your hands into your pockets. It’s been ages since you’ve allowed yourself to become so affected by a nightmare. You turn away from the men and continue your path, tucking the notion under another fold in your brain for later dissection.

Strolling through the property gardens had eased your nerves, but the flames of curiosity were not so easily snuffed. With sleep refusing to take you tonight, your restless legs carry you through the sleeping halls of the mansion, down the creaky stairs, and into the place you feel most at home - the library. 

Your fingers skim the spines of old, leather-bound books, searching for answers within their abundant pages only to come out empty-handed. Not a single book has offered confirmation for your suspicions. Frustrated, you now sit at Mr. Burgess’ desk, poking about the numerous drawers and personal items. Nothing of use in those either. 

“Fuck it.” You stand and pull the top drawers completely from the desk, dumping them into the leather chair. Your fingers skim the edges of the wood, searching for something - anything. Antique, hand-crafted desks like this almost always have secret compartments and hide-aways, right?

 Just as you’re near your wit's end, ready to submit to the fact that it may have just been a nightmare, your fingers brush across a loose button of wood - almost unnoticeable. You press down, delighted to hear the quiet click, and see the base of the compartment lift. Your nimble fingers pry open the lid, snatching out the typewritten documents inside, and devouring them with greedy eyes. 

You hold in your hands an incomplete memoir, written by a man named Dr. Hathaway, detailing a particular interaction he’d had with the Magus: a title Roderic Burgess insisted to be addressed by. Dr. Hathaway had come to the Magus in an act of desperation with a stolen grimoire he’d gained access to through his high standing with the museum that kept it. 

This spellbook - the Magdalene Grimoire - contained an incantation that could summon the Angel of Death, binding it by the laws of magic to the will of its summoner. The Magus had sought after the book in the hopes that he may force Death to resurrect his eldest, most beloved son, Randall, who died in battle. Though Dr. Hathaway initially refused the Magus’ requests for the book, after his own son, Edmund, fell in battle, he felt he had no other option. 

With an aching heart, he relinquished the book into the hands of the Magus who called upon his Order of Ancient Mysteries to begin the ritual. Dr. Hathaway goes on to describe the terror he felt whilst witnessing the act, as well as his disappointment when they realized their attempt had been unsuccessful. They hadn’t summoned Death, but they had summoned something. 

The documents trail off into unfinished sentences. You presume this to be the fault of Roderick Burgess, not wanting any more bad publicity. In the eyes of many, he was a fraud. Surely, Alexander wouldn’t have gone through the daunting task of rounding up and hiding away his father’s collections if there hadn’t been some level of truth within the writings. You fold and tuck the pages into the side of your bra for safekeeping, and return the drawers back to their original, tidy state. If they’ve still got whatever Roderick summoned locked away, it certainly isn’t a raven.

 You slump into Mr. Burgess’ chair, resting your elbows on the desk and your forehead in your hands. If not a captive entity, then perhaps they’ve got the Magdalene Grimoire behind that door, just beyond your reach. It would make perfect sense to preserve such a powerful artifact in a safe space of its own, rather than leaving it to rot on a shelf. 

You’d be lying to yourself if you didn’t admit the fact that this is the first promising lead you’ve discovered in your six months of working here. Therein lies the rub. If you’re not careful, you could lose your job or far worse if they truly have someone - something - held captive. You squeeze your head in your hands, weighing the risk against the reward. You owe it to yourself - to the world - to discover the secrets of the Order of Ancient Mysteries. And, if someone is being held captive, don’t you have a moral obligation to help them? 

“I’m probably going to regret this.” You sigh to yourself, standing from Mr. Burgess’s chair to head, once more, down the dreaded hall. As your hand grips the doorknob, apprehensive second thoughts ebb away at your confidence. Are you truly willing to put everything on the line for the slim possibility that you might find something of value? What if you find nothing? What if you get caught? What if?

“Oh, come on!” You lecture yourself, clenching and unclenching your fists, feet shifting from side to side as you strain to build back your courage. You quickly wipe your sweaty palms against the thin fabric of your satin night slip and twist the handle.

The door swings open to reveal a spiraled, stone staircase descending into darkness. A frigid draft blows over your body, spreading goosebumps across your flesh. The image of the raven, bloody and lifeless, flits across your mind’s eye. But, it’s too late to turn back now. You’ve made your decision. Shivering, you push onward, one hand on the damp wall for guidance as you follow the spiral down. 

The sight that greets you as you round the corner makes your skin crawl, fingers slotting through the gaps of the black metal entrance gate to keep yourself upright. Four grey columns lead up into high, blue-colored arches. In the center of those columns hovers the very same glass dome you’d seen in your nightmare, suspended by silver chains over a circle of chipped, painted runes. A man, pale and statuesque lay in place of the raven, his legs tucked into his chest. There's a stillness to him that both unsettles and excites your senses, his skin emitting a pearlescent, otherworldly glow beneath the white light that sways above the dome. 

 He doesn’t move a muscle as you muster the courage to take the final steps into the room. Your legs don’t stop their advancement until you’re mere inches away, eyes widening at the prisoner’s condition. He has nothing, not even a scrap of fabric for warmth. No food. No water. Left bare and alone to rot away in the cell. 

You breathe deeply, your head spinning from the revelation. At worst, you’d expected to find taxidermied animals and strange spell ingredients, or ancient books. At best, the Magdalene Grimoire Dr. Hathaway had mentioned. You didn’t truly believe you’d find someone - a man - locked away like an animal. You’re so close you can see your reflection on the surface of the glass, wondering if he’s even alive. He’s so still, the subtle rise and fall of his chest barely visible. 

Obsidian eyes overflowing with glimmering stars lock onto yours. You stumble back at his sudden movement, tripping over your own feet. He watches you, eyes fixed in a hardened glare, irritated by your disturbance. He has every right to be. Here you are, outside the glass, gawking at him as though he’s nothing more than a museum exhibit. 

“I’m- I’m sorry.” You stammer. “I don’t mean to stare. It just didn’t look like you were breathing so-” His eyes narrow on you, cutting your sentence short. You clear your throat nervously and change the subject. 

“How long have you been down here?” He remains silent, unwilling - or perhaps unable -  to answer your question. 

If the writings of Dr. Hathaway were accurate, the answer could be up to a hundred years. Though, based on the youthful appearance of the caged man, you’d have never come to that conclusion on your own. He’s unlike anyone - anything - you’ve ever seen. Messy, pitch-black tendrils of hair frame the angular structure of his face, drawing your focus toward prominent brows and wild, swirling eyes, like compact portals into the cosmos. 

“It’s strange,” You continue, determined to get answers - or any response - out of the stranger. “I had a dream about your cage the other night.” You watch him carefully, searching for any sign of recognition. His scowl turns to a look of curiosity, interest piqued. He watches you carefully as you anxiously pace in front of him, detailing your nightmare. 

“There was this beautiful raven with a white belly. She was beating herself against the dome, trying to escape.” Lithe muscle raises him to rest his weight over his forearm. He listens intently, face virtually pressed against the glass. He hasn’t looked away from you - hasn’t blinked. 

“Was that your doing?” Yet again, he refuses to respond, words held behind a dam of unchanging silence. You want nothing more than to hear his voice, to solidify the obvious connection between this stranger and your nightmare. There’s a persistent, pulsating pressure at the front of your brain. You swear it’s coming from him, as though he’s trying to pry into your mind and see the image for himself. 

“Look,” You press your fingertips into your temples in an unsuccessful attempt to rub away the pressure. “I won’t hurt you. I just need to know who - or rather, what - you are so I can get you out of there.” 

There’s a visible struggle behind his eyes as he weighs the potential consequences of placing his trust in you. From your position, you don’t see what more he has to lose. At worst, you’re another greedy, selfish mortal, seeking to use him for his powers - whatever they may be. At best, you’re his only shot at release. Several quiet, lengthy moments pass, and you realize you may not get very far by talking to him. 

“If you’re not going to speak, I have to go.” His expression falls sullen as he watches you back away. “I’ll be back.” You promise, suspecting he’s heard those words before. 

The door slams shut behind you - a bit too loud for comfort - and your body slumps against the wood. The hall spins around you as you dizzily rest your weight over your knees. You close your eyes, taking slow, deep breaths to calm your racing heart. How the hell are you going to get him out of there? You, alone. You doubt you’ll even be able to break the glass. 

“We never meant for you to find him.” Your head whips toward the intruder only to find Paul standing at your side, his dark red robe tied tightly around his waist, hands behind his back. A thousand ants of panic crawl across your nerves. He takes a step closer and you take one back, fixated on his hidden hands. You’re no longer sure what he’s capable of, not after what you’ve seen - what you know. He calls your name, striving to pacify you as he always has whenever Mr.Burgess pushed you past your emotional threshold.  

You frantically search your surroundings, a cornered animal, eyes landing on a metal, bird-shaped figurine on the hallway console. You snatch it from its place, pointing it toward Paul as a warning. 

“Stay the fuck away from me.” Paul raises his empty hands out for you to see, halting his steps. His eyes dart between the metal bird in your trembling grasp and your frightened expression. Unarmed or not, you fear he’s trying to lull you into a false sense of security, ready to strike the moment you let down your guard.

“I suppose you think differently of me now. That I understand,” He exhales, aware of the shadow this revelation has cast over his character. “Truthfully, we’ve wanted to set him free for years now.”

“Who is he? What is he?” You press, figure heavy in your hand as you struggle to keep it raised. Every fiber of your being screams for you to run before you end up like their prisoner, but you deserve answers. 

“Drop the statue and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” He offers as a compromise, moving to step closer. In turn, you raise the figure higher, threatening to bludgeon him. He flinches, lowering to his knees before you. His reaction spurs a wave of confidence within you, allowing you to still your wavering voice.

“Answer me, Paul.” You threaten. His brows furrow, bewildered by your abrupt loss of fondness toward him. 

“The Sandman.” 

“And why, exactly,  is the Sandman locked in your basement?” 

“We weren’t the ones that put him there. That was Roderick’s doing. But, we couldn’t release him after he died. Alex has done far worse than keeping him locked in there.” He shakes his head, face riddled with the guilt of a long-held secret.

“We tried to bargain with him. His release in return for his word that he wouldn’t harm us, but he refused to speak. He never has, not to anyone.” 

Understanding does nothing to quell the sting of betrayal you feel as you look at Paul, enraged on behalf of your stranger, and heartbroken at the loss of the friend you thought you knew. How could you have trusted him? His love for Alex has tarnished his moral compass beyond repair. They’re no better than Roderick, selfish and entitled, believing their safety is of higher value than the life of another. There’s no telling the damage they’ve inflicted throughout the world by holding the Sandman hostage.

“I answered your question. Now, will you please put the bloody statue down?!” You reluctantly lower your arm, unable to support the weight of the figure any longer, but keep it close - just in case. He sighs in relief, shoulders slouching as he leans back against his heels.

“You know how wrong this is, Paul.” You scold him. 

“I’d set him free myself if I could guarantee Alex’s safety.” 

“You would?” Mr. Burgess questions, calmly emerging from the shadows behind Paul. His lack of emotion sets you on edge, and as you watch Paul’s expression falter, you suspect it’s had the same effect on him.

“I see you’ve met our…guest.” He says the word with poorly contained disgust, as though he were the victim. His knuckles turn white as he grips the armrest of his chair, pushing himself to stand.

 “Let us properly introduce you, then.” Paul rises from the floor, moving to support his partner who brushes him off, cocking his head sharply toward the basement door in a silent demand for Paul to open it. You withdraw from the two, ready to make a run for it. 

“Don’t play coy now,”  Mr. Burgess snaps, pinning you under his menacing glare. “You think I haven’t noticed you snooping through our library - through my father’s belongings? Is this not what you’ve been searching for?” He turns to Paul, visibly disappointed. 

“Did I not warn you this would happen?” Paul remains quiet, unwilling to meet the blameful eyes of his partner. Instead, he simply folds the wheelchair, tucking it under his arm as the two of them begin their descent into the basement. You know you should leave while you have the chance, but you won’t be able to live with yourself if you don’t at least try to rescue the Sandman. Still clutching the metal statue, you trail after them, mindful enough to leave the exit open behind you.

The Sandman sits upright inside his cell, arms strewn over his crossed legs, making no effort to acknowledge the presence of his captors. You remain near the gate, unsure of how the situation will unravel as Mr. Burgess hobbles toward his prisoner. 

“It’s been some time since our last visit, hm?” He leans on his forearm, resting his weight against the surface of the glass. “I wonder if you’ll speak now.” He taunts. “If not for us, then perhaps for our friend.” 

“I’m not your fucking friend.” You huff, prompting Mr. Burgess to slam his hand against the glass. Unflinching, the Sandman’s starry eyes find yours. He shortly scans over your clenched fists and the figure you’re still clutching as though your life depends on it.

“I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in the last sixty years. That’s your fault!” Another strike meets the glass. “Isn’t it!” Mr. Burgess spits. The Sandman’s jaw tightens, but he wordlessly keeps his eyes locked on yours, unwilling to submit to the old man’s tantrum. You feel the pressure from earlier against your temples, prodding - provoking.

“Father was right to keep you here. You serve no purpose to anyone. You’re useless!” Mr. Burgess hisses. “Just a naked man in a glass cage.”

Absentmindedly, your feet inch closer behind the old man, blood boiling from the witnessed abuse. You’ve half a mind to rush him, to cave his head in against the glass. Before the urge can be acted upon, you feel Paul’s gentle hand against yours, carefully prying the figure from your curled fingers. You catch a glimpse of your palm, puncture wounds littering the skin from how firmly you’d squeezed. He sets the figure aside, grabbing and unfolding the wheelchair he’d left by the gate. 

“Alex, darling,” Paul sighs, exasperated. “Please.” He rolls the chair to his partner’s side. To your surprise, Mr. Burgess complies, sinking defeatedly into his seat. Tears pool in the corners of his eyes as he stares at the Sandman who continues to ignore his presence. 

“Take me upstairs, Paul.” His lower lip quivers. “I won’t be coming down here again.” Paul turns the chair, pausing for a moment. Your eyes follow his pointed glance to a freshly-cut, curved line that now disrupts the runic circle. The two of you share a look - an understanding. You want to ask if he meant to do it, but he wordlessly moves past you, assisting his lover up the staircase and out of the basement.

There’s hardly any time to process what’s happened, the Sandman already standing within his cell, cosmic eyes trained on you with feral determination. The smoke of your nightmare billows into the room, and you stagger toward him. You’re terrified to end up as you had before, near dead, cocooned inside the suffocating haze.

“I won’t hurt you.” It was him - the voice in your nightmare. He speaks softly, voice like liquid gold. It’s deep and warm, and for a moment you forget about the smoke that threatens to devour you. 

You find yourself transfixed on his figure as he presses his hands against the surface of the glass, beckoning you to do the same. You’ve no choice other than to believe his words as the smoke lashes at your limbs. Your tremoring hands slot over the glass, aligning with his. The space between beams with light, his hands phasing through the surface, boney fingers lacing through yours. 

You pull, freeing the rest of his body from the cell. His arms circle you at once, pulling you into his chest for support. Tingling with excitement and adrenaline, you hardly notice the hand he brings between your faces, fingers splayed as sand flows from the gaps. 

“Now,” He drawls. The particles sweep past your cheeks and into your eyes, your body falling limp against him as your vision fades to black. 

“Sleep.”

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[queenmagnusao3]

the arms of the ocean

Immediately after returning to the Alpha Quadrant things don't seem to change much. But when the rest of her crew starts to move on with their lives after Voyager, the Captain struggles with who she is without her role as captain of a lost Starship. She can't save herself from herself alone. Link to full fic

Everything was fine at first. 

Almost from the second she had stepped foot back on Earth she had been pulled in a hundred different directions. People needing her attention. Debriefings. Medical checkups, Reunions. It all kept her in a constant state of stimulation.

It was exactly how she preferred things. She thrived on it.

Debriefing. Coffee. Check on member of the Voyager crew. Coffee. Defend her Maqui crew members before Starfleet. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee……

She found herself in routines she relied on from the most harrowing of times in the Delta quadrant. Her body had learned to function on little to no sleep and when sleep did come it was in short intervals before the next crisis demanded her attention.

She was the captain and the price of being a captain alone in the Delta quadrant was…

Loneliness. 

Which some may look on as some kind of tragic fate but it was something that was almost a comfort at times. It made it easy to play her part. She was what every member of her crew needed her to be at any given moment. She gave and gave and gave until she wasn’t even sure who she was underneath the shell that was Captain Janeway.

But it made everything easier.

Her facade slipped sometimes. No matter how revered her crew may keep her she was still human after all. 

It had been hardest in the void.

No crisis. No puzzles to solve. No mysteries to distract her.

And no stars.

The stars were a constant she could always count on, no matter what part of the universe she found herself in. She knew the constellations of the Alpha Quadrant best and could always rely on them to help calm her racing thoughts when they threatened to consume her.

But when the stars disappeared, the darkness of space seemed to lay bare her very soul.

The stars were not gone now and yet she felt worse than she had in the void.

It started after she had lunch with Tom and B'ELanna and the newly thriving baby Miral.

“And you wouldn’t believe it! My father, who never showed me a shred of his nurturing side treats Miral as if she’s his queen and his role is devoted servant. I’m telling you Captain, if you could see him-”

He winced, looking at her with a lopsided grin.

“Tom, I’ve told you. You don’t have to call me-”

“Captain anymore. I know, I know. It’s a hard habit to kick, And honestly, Captain just suits you. Though, I imagine that title is going to be bumped up to admiral soon if the rumors are true.”

His face fell for only a moment when he didn’t seem to get the reaction from her he was hoping for. She had heard the rumors too, expecting to find the idea exciting but instead feeling…. nothing. B’Elanna gave him a look before there was some kind of commotion under the table and Tom let out a muffled grunt of pain that suggested he had been on the receiving end of a well placed kick to the shins.

This made Kathryn smile and the conversation continued until it was time for the family of three to move on with their day.

“Don’t be a stranger. I mean it.”

B’Elanna gave her a stern look as they hugged goodbye, Tom moving in with Miral tucked close to him to kiss her cheek.

“Yeah! Miral changes so quickly, she needs her Auntie… uh… Auntie Captain in her life!”

“She is NOT calling me Aunt Captain, Tom.”

B’Elanna punched him in the arm not cradling their daughter but he just laughed.

“We’ll figure it out! We’ve got all the time in the world now we’re not under constant alien attack.”

As Kathryn said her last goodbyes she started walking around the city. She had no quarters of her own anymore, having been presumed dead for several years and Starfleet demanded so much of her time she had been given a temporary living arrangement in San Francisco until she found a place of her own.

She had nothing else planned for the day. In fact, the whole week was free. It had been over a month of constant meetings, but now the dust seemed to finally be settling. 

So she ran a bubble bath. Ate a real ice cream sundae with coffee ice cream and an espresso toffee sauce that was to die for. She picked a book from the box of her own belongings Mark had brought for her and read the whole thing. She read through reports on everything that had been happening while her and her crew were fighting to survive in the Delta quadrant. She had the computer give her the exact location of each member of her crew. All safe. All accounted for. All home with their loved ones. And then she climbed into her bed and closed her eyes.

But sleep did not come.

She thought of Tom and B’Elanna and how happy they were. Safe on Earth with no job but to be parents to their perfect daughter. How she had seen tears in Admiral Paris’s eyes as he hugged his son and held his newborn granddaughter. She had never seen the man cry. Not even when they had been in that Cardassian prison together. It had healed something in Tom too. To have that strained relationship well on its way to being fully mended.

She thought of all the reunions she had the privilege of witnessing. Tuvok and his family, stoic and unemotional to an untrained eye. But she could see the way her oldest friend’s body seemed to relax as he reunited with his beloved wife and children and grandchildren. Tuvok had a grandchild! 

When they had first docked and prepared to meet with their loved ones she had stayed back, needing one more moment alone. Just a captain and her loyal Voyager. She waited in her ready room as the others had disembarked from the ship, allowing herself time to process the moment. To accept she had actually done it. They were actually home.

Finally, she left the ready room and made to take one more walk across her bridge when she found she was not as alone as she had thought she was.

“Naomi Wildman, what are you doing here?”

The young girl was sitting in the captain’s chair, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she looked to her captain with tears in her eyes.

“I don’t want to leave Voyager. I don’t want to stay on Earth.”

Kathryn smiled and walked to her chair, kneeling down so she was eye level with the girl.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

She nodded quickly.

“I don’t want to leave Voyager either.”

“You don’t?”

She shook her head.

“That’s why I was waiting until everyone else had gone. I wanted a chance to say goodbye to Voyager. And to thank her for getting us home.”

“But Voyager is our home, Captain! We can still stay here and just go on away missions to Earth! Can’t we?”

Kathryn smiled again. It wasn’t the first time she had thought about the life Naomi lived. How Voyager and constant space travel was all the girl had ever known. With the number of times she had put the young girl’s life in danger. No. No. She coudn’t let those thoughts in right now. They were home. They were safe.

“Captain? Are you okay?”

Kathryn blinked a couple times, regaining her composure. 

“You know, That is still my chair, crewman Wildman.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I was keeping it warm for you!”

Kathryn laughed. A true genuine laugh.

“Naomi Wildman I am going to miss you.”

She put an affectionate hand on the girl’s knee and felt a sudden pang of sorrow. It didn’t last long as the young girl suddenly flung herself from the chair and threw her arms around her captain’s neck. Kathryn pulled the girl closer to her and held onto her tightly.

“Ensign Wildman to Captain Janeway.”

Not breaking from their embrace, Kathryn acknowledged the hail.

“Janeway here.”

“Captain, I’m sorry to bother you but are you still on the ship?”

“In fact, I am Ensign. And I think you may have misplaced something on the bridge.”

Naomi pulled away first, her eyes suddenly very wide.

“I’m so sorry Captain. I’ll be right there.”

“No need, Ensign. We’re coming to you.”

Kathryn stood up, straightening her collar and brushing a hand through her hair. She looked down to Naomi and held a hand out to her.

“Let’s say goodbye together.”

And so they did.

They caught up with Sam Wildman and Kathryn once again knelt in front of Naomi, taking her hands in hers.

“I know it seems scary to leave the ship we’ve called home your entire life but I promise you are going to love Earth. And one day you might even return to the stars as a captain of a ship of your own. But you’ll never get there if you don’t take this first brave step into a whole new world. Can you be brave for me?”

Naomi stood a little straighter and nodded.

“Good. Now I’ve got one more direct order, for both of you.”

She looked up to Sam and saw tears in her eyes.

“Live well.”

She stood, embracing Sam before escorting the pair to the landing bay. She stopped, the sounds of the gathering crowd growing louder. Then there was a small hand holding hers and she looked down to see Naomi smiling up at her, pulling her forward to follow behind her mother.

“What are you going to do without me as your assistant, Captain?”

Kathryn laughed and let herself be lead to the sea of people joyfully reuniting with their loved ones.

“I suppose I’ll have to figure that out for myself. But I promise I’ll let you know if I need your expertise.”

She gave Naomi a final wink before Sam pulled her daughter quickly toward someone she had obviously spotted in the mob.

She wandered through the crowd, She smiled as Sam and Naomi were swept up in the embrace of a Ktarian man she knew was Naomi’s father. Some crew members huddled together, laughing with each other as they waited for their own loved ones to arrive.

She lingered for a moment watching Seven and Chakotay talking with a mixed group of people, smiling and laughing and embracing. She felt a pang of something she wouldn’t allow herself to recognize and turned away, nearly running into a small woman who stood directly behind her.

She barely had a moment to look at the woman before she had pulled her into a very forceful hug.

“Captain Janeway! You did it! You saved my Harry. You brought him home! Thank you! Thank you!”

Kathryn smiled, quickly realizing who the woman currently sobbing into her shoulder belonged to.

“Mom! Mom, get off the Captain. I’m so sorry, Captain.”

Kathryn held up a hand to Harry with a quick wink.

“It’s quite alright Ensign. It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Mrs. Kim.”

Harry’s mom released the captain and went back to her son, wrapping an arm around his waist as if she was never letting him out of her reach again. 

“Thank you, Captain. Thank you for keeping him safe.”

She bowed her head and Kathryn returned the gesture.

“You should be very proud of your son. I know I certainly am. He is not only a fine example of the kind of Ensign any captain would be lucky to have but also the model of what it means to be a great man.”

Harry looked down in attempt to cover the obvious emotion on his face while his mother went in for another hug from the captain.

Harry. Tuvok. Naomi. Tom. Seven. Chakotay.

All the members of her crew. All the people who looked to her everyday, who needed her everyday. All of these people who were solely her responsibility to look after. To nurture. To guide. To mentor. And now they were all gone. Off living their lives without her. Because they didn’t need her anymore.

Nobody needed her.

Who was she if she wasn’t needed by someone?

She was the hero captain of the lost starship Voyager. 

Who was she after that?

Nothing.

The voice in her head clawed its way forward.

She was nothing.

She felt a tightness in her chest, trying to ignore it. Probably just the ice cream.

But what if it wasn’t? What if something was wrong?

She felt the tightness creep down to her stomach and her heart seemed to be beating in an erratic pattern all of a sudden. She was so tired but what if she fell asleep and something was actually wrong with her. She had been warned by the Starfleet doctors that being reintroduced to Earth foods could result in new allergies or intolerances. What if this was an allergic reaction? Did she care?

She ordered the computer to turn her lights back on and got out of bed. She grabbed a glass of cold water and grabbed another one of her books. As she read, she felt the tightness lessen and her brain seemed to stand down its red alert.

She thought about trying to go back to bed but a glimpse out the window showed the sky was beginning to lighten, marking the start of the new day. And so she pushed herself through the motions of her day.

She had 3 nights without sleep.

Every time she turned off the lights and closed her eyes, the voice in her head started talking.

All of her mistakes as captain. 

All the choices she had made. Choices that weren’t fair but it was her job as the captain to make no matter how big of a piece it took of her. 

The tightness would creep back in and she would try desperately to make it all stop.

Reading worked at first but then parts of her books reminded her of one of her past sins and the voice would make sure she couldn’t move on from overanalyzing each one from every possible angle.

It was better during the day. 

Until it wasn’t.

At first she would take calls from her crew and keep up with their lives. But as they continued to move on she found it too painful to keep up with. It was better to isolate herself from it. If she kept them at the edges of her life, she could find a way to cope and move on. 

She dealt with it. Some nights getting a couple hours of sleep. Those wonderful moments in the morning before she was fully awake were the best. Those moments before everything came crashing back into her.

Her meetings weren’t about her much anymore, they just required her presence. It seemed evern Starfleet didn’t know what to do with her.

It was weeks of riding that constant edge when she finally couldn’t take it anymore.

She was so tired but her thoughts kept her from sleep. The tears came and she couldn’t stop them. She paced for what felt like hours. She wrapped her pillow close to her chest, craving the comfort of someone holding her tight. Not wanting to be alone. She needed to not be alone.

But she couldn’t burden her former crew with her issues. She could handle them on her own. She was strong, she had faced worst things than this. She just had to stop being so ridiculous.

You’re weak. Your life is nothing without Voyager. You’re nothing.

The voice in her head was cruel and unrelenting.

She couldn't keep going like this. She needed someone. She just wanted someone to tell her what was wrong. What she needed to do to fix it.

And then she knew what she needed.

Kathryn Janeway needed her mom.

[sanamartens]

about.

full name: Laksana "Sana" Isara Martens

age & birthday: November 7th, 1992

zodiac: Scorpio sun ☀︎ Leo moon ☾ Aries Rising➶

occupation: Ex-actress, current Influencer on Tiktok/Instagram

preferred pronouns & gender: she/her, cis female

sexuality: Pansexual

hometown & length of time in briar ridge: Born in Thailand. Moved to NYC when she was 5. Visited her grandparents in BR every summer as a child, and lived there from 14-17, until she moved back to LA with her parents.

neighborhood: Beachfront

personality traits: confident, selfish, impatient, manipulative, witty, ambitious, calculating, resourceful, vain.

soundtrack: Messy - Lola Young

✍︎ penned by: Tee

☆ bio | connections / pinterest / timeline

Sana Isara Martens has always dreamed of fame and fortune, craving the glitz, glamour, and adoration her parents embodied as stars of the entertainment world. However, beneath the shiny facade of her upbringing was a darker reality. Her father’s betrayal at fifteen and her mother’s harsh words left deep scars, leading to rebellion, expulsion, and a stark shift to life with her grandparents in Briar Ridge. Determined to escape, Sana pursued acting in LA, but harsh critiques and a scandalous reputation plagued her career. A tumultuous affair with Alex Caldwell, a married lawyer who helped her break free from a controlling contract, left her vulnerable and shattered when their relationship—and her pregnancy—became tabloid fodder. Struggling financially and emotionally, Sana ultimately gave her daughter, Emmy, to Alex, believing he could provide the stability she never had. Reinventing herself as a social media influencer, Sana built a following by twisting her narrative, projecting strength and glamour while masking her pain. Now, hearing Alex has moved to Briar Ridge, she returns under the pretense of finding Emmy but with revenge and unresolved feelings driving her. Complex and contradictory, Sana is a glamorous storm—broken yet magnetic, selfish yet yearning for connection—determined to rewrite her story, no matter the cost.

timeline:

1992: sana was born

1996: sana and her mom move to LA when she's three

2007: she's kicked out of school at fifteen & forced to move to briar ridge with her grandparents

2010: graduates and moves back to la at eighteen, pursuing acting

2012: lands her first soap opera role at twenty

2017: moves to NYC at twenty five to pursue theatre after her reputation goes downhill, labelled a 'bad actress'

2018: lands a small broadway role at twenty six

2020: meets alex caldwell at twenty eight

2022: gives birth to emmy and several months later, gives her up. moves to LA

headcanons:

Inspired by Gabrielle Solis (Desperate Housewives), Alexis Rose (Schitt's Creek), Jackie Burkhart (That 70s Show), Summer Roberts (The OC), and Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions).

A fan of cheesy rom coms, and cries dramatically at endings — though will vehemently deny it if asked.

She has a TikTok and instagram following of about 800k people.

Her most popular video outside her discussion about a "previous relationship" aka Alex, is her 10 step skincare routine. Allll about self care.

She always checks her lipstick in reflective surfaces.. windows, spoons, her phone screen.

Girl has a voice and can sing.

Does not believe in casual attire — she's almost always overdressed.

Smells like a mixture of vanilla, honey and caramel.

Sana's obsessed with tarot cards and astrology. She acts all skeptical but secretly believes in all of it.

Speaks fluent Thai. Though she rarely speaks it in her day-to-day life, she’s fluent and slips into the language when she’s angry or overwhelmed or talking to herself.

connection ideas:

HALF BROTHER: He is 5 years older, and half white as per the Martens side of the family.

FANS: Either of her soap tv time, time in broadway, or social media followers.

NEW YORK CONNECTIONS: give me all the NYC connects! she was in new york from 2015-recently.

LA CONNECTIONS: She technically grew up there 'til she was about 15, then she moved to BR. She returned to LA when she was 18 until she was 23.

BEACHFRONT NEIGHBOURS: Your girl is currently renting a nice apartment overlooking the water. I want all the neighbour connections.

COUSINS: Must be at least half Thai (her mother's side)

PARTY BUDDIES: Someone who's willing to let loose with her, though she's actively trying not to.

CASUAL HOOKUP/FWB: Self explanatory. Your girl isn't one for commitment.

EXES: Maybe from her earlier New York days, or her time in LA.

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS/HIGH SCHOOL PARTNER (BR): I'd love some connections tied to her childhood summers in Briar Ridge, or the time she spent in BR from 15-18.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Family Included (4) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three

a matched set (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: “Mum,” he says, and his voice sounds like a balloon about to burst from happiness. “Mum, would you do me a favor.”

(a mother's view of the christmas adventure)

Air Hockey (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Christmas fic where neko!dan, who has a horrific past, faces his greatest challenge yet: meeting his fiancé’s family…

An Alternative Bahamas Incident (ao3) - Do_it_with_the_Howell_Lesters

Summary: Phil is set to be the best man at his brother's wedding, but his mother insists on him bringing a real date. So obviously he asks Dan to be his fake boyfriend for the week. But can Phil’s heart really take that? Can Dan’s?

And I know the yearning will always remain (ao3) - Kavat

Summary: Kathryn drops off Phil and Dan at the train station.

antisocial (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: normally Phil loves when Martyn comes over, but right now he just wants to talk to Dan

Bear (ao3) - Mysticallykai

Summary: As a child, Dan was easily frightened and needed comfort; that was when his Nana first gave him his Pooh Bear plush, as something that could keep him safe. Over the years, the plush became his absolute comfort, even into adulthood. When Phil comes into the picture, he makes Dan even more comfortable; through the good times and bad.

bundle up, baby (ao3) - angelmichelangelo

Summary: dnp taking their little kid for the first time to the iom for christmas

there's nothing more exciting than a child's first christmas

Christmas Coming Out (ao3) - FandomFeels17

Summary: He didn't intend to come out to his mum in his future mother in law's kitchen at Christmas... But here he was, doing exactly that.

clouds parting (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: Phil’s never been good at thinking things over while in motion, not the way that Dan is. But the first pieces of the decision happen then, making his way down rain-soaked pavements, everything a steely, soggy gray.

(secret holiday, autumn ‘21)

growing up or just going down (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil is 15 years old today. He's going to have the best birthday of his life, to kick off the best year of his life.

Right?

Happiness Without Followup Questions (ao3) - Bandom_Squirrel

Summary: Dan is having a hard time accepting that he is happy. A late-night chat with Phil’s mum might be all he needs.

home for christmas (ao3) - danhoweiis

Summary: kath and dan have a chat on christmas day

ice is slowly melting (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Dan's mum brings Colin on a visit.

It's going to be fine. (ao3) - Septic84

Summary: Scared out of his mind, Dan takes Phil home to meet his family.

I've got you, brother (ao3) - Findus26

Summary: Dan is visiting his family and as always, things turn sour quickly.

Dan wants to run back to Phil, but somehow, he finds himself in his brother’s room for what might be their first ever honest conversation.

In the Light of the Moon (ao3) - rainbowchristy

Summary: Dan Howell’s never had any friends. Why? Because he has a superpower. One that he can’t control. Luckily, the new kid at his school doesn’t mind.

Leave it to stew (ao3) - chiridotalaevis

Summary: They weren’t, you know, hiding that Dan was here, but perhaps Kath didn’t need to see slightly slobbery faces (don’t judge, Phil is just a very enthusiastic kisser), Dan’s bright red cheeks and Phil’s slightly untucked pants. They just were not exactly Kath presentable at this moment.

maybe this christmas (ao3) - blackbirddan

Summary: In all the years they've known each other, Dan and Phil have never been able to spend Christmas Day together. And it's looking like they still can't, even with how much things have changed this year. Unless...

a.k.a. Dan’s family spend Christmas in the Isle of Man.

meeting the parents (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan is ready to meet Phil's parents.

Right?

My Happily Ever After (ao3) - tol_but_smol

Summary: Royalty AU! Phil is a prince and Dan's his servant

reconnect (ao3) - Rawritsamehh

Summary: Dan reconnects with his mother after a very big email.

sometime, stranger (ao3) - dieofthatroar

Summary: Karen's thoughts on a little boy she thought she knew

transparency (ao3) - indistinct_echo

Summary: Dan and his parents have about as honest a conversation possible when none of them are quite willing to tell the full truth.

we're like two halves of one heart (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: dan's grandma might not have understood what being gay meant, but she's here for dan now in an important moment of his life.

Weight on my Shoulders (ao3) - ByTheFire

Summary: When Phil starts getting some unexpected gifts from his dad he starts to worry if he knows something he is not ready to share. Thankfully Dan is there to make it all a bit less scary. All Phil can hope is his dad doesn't want to change who he truly is.

welcome, love (ao3) - angelmichelangelo

Summary: coming out isn't easy, but it's a little less shit when you're surrounded with family

What a great year to be a mum (ao3) - WhatsNew

Summary: Karen reminisces in the year of big revelations, regret, happiness and new chapters. Year 2019 through proud mum's eyes.

What We Are to Each Other (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: So maybe they both suck at communication. Maybe Dan needs to talk to Phil about what they are to each other. And maybe Phil needs to sit his parents down and tell them that big, slightly scary thing about himself. But maybe it'll all work itself out, one way or another.

when it feels like nothing else matter, will you put your arms around me? (ao3) - commonemergency

Summary: “Sorry.” Phil says.

His father wraps his arms around him, and the embrace feels warm. It’s an embrace that he hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s like when he was a kid and something scary happened and his father just held him like nothing could ever hurt him because his father was there protecting him.

“It’s okay.” His father quietly whispers into his hairline. “It’s okay.”

He didn’t know how to tell him all the things that he wanted to say, like: I don’t know how to stop my thoughts from spiralling out of control. What if the medicine makes it worse? What do we do if things don’t get better? How do I live in a world that doesn’t have my dad in it?

“Let’s just enjoy right now.” His father says, and he doesn’t let go of him.

[divinemissem13]

30 Days of Prodigy, day 17: Admiral Janeway

Admiral Janeway sighs with relief as she steps into her quarters at the end of another long day. She kicks off her boots and shrugs off her admiral’s jacket, leaving a pile of Starfleet armor on the floor to be dealt with later, and pads over to the replicator where she orders a glass of red wine.

All day long, she is Admiral Janeway: fearless, hopeful, and unshakeable.

But alone in her quarters at night, she can just be Kathryn.

This has become her nightly ritual, on this long journey to rescue Chakotay. She sheds her armor and then Kathryn curls up on the couch with a glass of wine, wrapped in the tribal blanket he gave to her years ago, back on the first USS Voyager.

She imagines it still smells like him. It probably doesn’t.

She looks out at the stars as she sips her wine and she talks to him. She doesn’t say anything of consequence. She tells him about her day. She tells him about the antics that the Hellions (which is how she refers to the former crew of the USS Protostar and their shadow, Miral Paris) have gotten up to. She tells him about the class 4 nebula that they flew past and that maybe they’ll stop to study it further on the way back, but there’s just no time now for such frivolities. Besides, she thinks he would enjoy studying the nebula too.

Truthfully, she is fairly certain that the only reason he cares at all about studying nebulas is because he likes to watch her watching it.

When she has run out of new stories to tell, she begins recounting old ones.

She ends, as she always does, with the story of the Angry Warrior who found peace. Only then does she allow a tear to slide down her cheek.

She stands, still clutching the empty wine glass and wrapped in the blanket, and she presses her palm to the glass. He’s out there somewhere, waiting for her. The stars twinkle encouragingly as she silently pleads for them to guide her to him.

Then, just like every night, she folds the blanket carefully over the back of the couch. She recycles her wine glass and she picks up the pieces of her uniform from the floor and puts them in the refresher for tomorrow.

Tonight, she puts on a long, quilted nightgown. She wears it because it is chilly in her quarters.

But also because, for some unfathomable reason, it is his favorite.

She slides between the cool, desolate sheets and orders the lights off. Before she darkens the viewport, she turns onto her side to look out once more at the vast field of twinkling lights and she completes the ritual.

“Good night, Chakotay. I’ll see you soon,” she whispers to the stars.

[serinmatheson1]

"Twin stars of my heart" Headcanons

Yes, I named this story I will never right. Here's some stuff about Kathryn having Mark's twins and raising them with Chakotay

This is the slowest of burns. Kathryn starts out wanting to have Castor and Pollux because she misses Mark and wants a piece of him there in the Delta Quandrant. It's not until the kids are about 2 or 3 that she starts to realize that her heart has shifted from Mark to Chakotay

Seska *hates* her. Like I know she wasn't a fan in canon but she hates her in this. Because she can't even flirt Chakotay when he's so busy trying to help Kathryn. Like that scene with the mushroom soup? It didn't happen. He was busy with the EMH working out Kathryn's checkups and how long she's going to be out in the later months.

Kathryn is 2 months pregnant when they leave and gives birth during "Tattoo". Chakotay is a little sad he's not there for the birth but it was pretty quick and painless (It's the 24th century, we have to have created a procedure for women to give birth without pain) But he is the first to see them on the crew

Chakotay is also the only one who gets to feel the babies kick. The first time they kick, Kathryn is in the ready room with Chakotay and she just takes his hand and lets him feel

If you asked them, both will deny that there is anything between them the longest time. You know, despite the fact that Chakotay has basically moved into her quarters, makes the boys lunch every day, helps them with their homework and makes sur there's dinner on the table. But totally, just being a good first officer

Headcanon worked out with @elephant-in-the-pride-parade: Chakotay finally proposes after the events of Timeless. He had planned to do it after testing the slipstream drive and that version of him carried the ring on a chain for the restof his life. When he gets the message from his former self to not wait anymore, there's a lot of crying between the two of them

Castor and Pollux refer to Chakotay as dad. Even when they meet Mark, he's just papa. Chakotay is their dad.

Castor is his mother's son. He's always talking about how he wants to join Starfleet when they get home. And like anyone who has spoken to him is like "that's the next admiral janeway."

Pollux is quieter and more philosophical. He's very interested in spiritual traditions. Kathryn has asked multiple times if Chakotay is really his father and he'slike "you were already pregnant when I met you."

The boys are identical. Their hair is more brown with red highlights and blue eyes.

That's all I got. Maybe more later? We'll find out.

@baylardo @elephant-in-the-pride-parade

[kingwithpaintedfingers]

I got tagged in an ask game by @tagedeszorns! Thank you so much, for thinking of me and asking!

Last song listened to: Probably Mordred's Lullaby by Heather Dale, while in the car with my friend. Don't tell my sister, please!

Currently reading: A is for Arsenic: the Poisons of Agatha Christie, by Kathryn Harkup (not to be confused with A is for Arsenic: an ABC of Victorian Death by Chris Woodyard and Landis Blair, which I have not read and hadn't heard of until I googled the title of the book I'm reading to look up the author. Might have to check it out though!). Very good stuff, goes into the nitty-gritty of molecular biology in an accessible way (speaking as a biology major who didn't do well in chemistry). Did you know that cyanide doesn't actually turn the victim cyanotic? It actually turns them pink! I never knew that!

Currently watching: Qwerpline season 3, babyyyyyyy!!! Nsburg is back, and it's wacky as always!!! That's only once a week, though, so in between I've been watching Overly Sarcastic Production's Trope Talk series.

I should watch Castlevania, I've heard it's good...and someday I need to watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood...idk, I have a lot of things on my to-watch list.

Currently obsessed with: Still Warhammer 40k. I need to kick myself into updating fics, though, I haven't since like...last summer, and I think people are getting impatient. 8C I'm also doing some digital art online with an adoptables group, doing some crochet, and I finally started playing Cult of the Lamb on my Switch on Friday, so that's been taking up a lot of my time.

Tagging! Oh man, uhhhhh lemme seeeeeee... if they haven't been tagged already, @relax-and-read-on, @bobthebobhere, @krynnmeridia, @wolf-tail, and @rayshell22livejournalcom! And if you want, @ludiart, you too!