#Bonde Sham

[spiderliliez]

You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. EXPATS (2023) [+] LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 [+] ..more on “Expats” 🎬

[futiledevice]

Love a good random gay subplot

[guiltypandas]

De-stressing myself from the everything by drawing Sonic and Tails as a tap dance duo! Why not!!

+ Bonus Doodle!

I've always headcanoned that Sonic is like an extremely good tap dancer and automatically made Tails inherit it on sight so! Here's that headcanon actually drawn out!!

[jesterwhoreknee]

Not me wanting to do a Chalastor/Radiobelle roleplay but being scared to death of being attacked or mocked in the roleplay community for it 💀

Don't get me wrong I love Vaggie and Charlie together and loved Vaggie's angel look alongside the backstory and how they met, but Vivzie isn't good at writting women and they don't have chemistry at all. Meanwhile I have always had a soft spot for Charastor and the dynamic/potential they had since the pilot came out. I know it will never be canon and don't intend in wanting it to be because I respect the characters sexualities/official pairings. BUT LEMME ENJOY MY FANON SHIP IN PEACEEEEE 😤😤😤

[unearthlydream]

i was gifted real Indian chai today and I am !!!! over the moon !!!!!

[just-absolutely-super]

As many people have pointed out already in chapter 106, the Forgers—a fake family—act more authentic than the Desmonds—the actual family.

But really…the Desmonds aren’t a “real” family, not to me. Not in a way that matters...

SxF is really good at showing relationship dynamics and how blood doesn’t always make a family. This is so true now that you read chapter 106 and compare the Desmonds and their interactions to the Forgers and how they act with one another.

With the Desmonds, there is no warmth shown in how they interact. I'd say there's barely any love either (we know Melinda does care for Damian despite the conflicting thoughts, but it seems she's not allowed to show it). Damian tries to form connections but no one in the family is receptive of it. The parents have a hands-off parenting style. The older brother keeps to himself and doesn’t open himself up. Damian literally finds more affection in his dog and butler than his actual family and that’s so heartbreaking!

The Desmonds may be a family in all sense and purposes, but they don't present in a way that all families are meant to.

On the other side are the Forgers. Loid and Yor married for convenience. Anya is adopted. They’re only together because of Anya due to her mind reading abilities. It’s all a sham for WISE’s mission and to lower suspicion from the secret police.

But despite the intentions behind forming this persona of a perfect family unit…you can tell that there is a genuity to their relationship with one another. You see love, care, emotion, respect, and protectiveness. The family may be fake but the feelings they exhibit are so real despite the motives not exactly being pure. Loid, Yor, and Anya experiencing life together led to them forming bonds that they cherish. They Forgers managed to create a warm place they can comfortably call home.

idk I just find it so fascinating to see how a family brought together for convenience and ulterior motives can develop true familial bonds compared to an “official” and “real” family. I want to write a thesis paper about it lmao

I do wonder what the future holds for the Desmonds. In Damian's case, I hope he and Anya can grow more together so she can show him what a real loving family is. If Donovan really is as evil as the narrative is making him out to be, my hope is that he can be taken out of the picture so the rest of the family can heal from their respective traumas, then grow back together on what little familial love is left over. But we'll just have to wait and see when it comes to that...

[saphirafoxgirlspost1]

(Open Rp) Journey to the West In "Two Secretive Love Bonds of Two Gods"

It All Started At Sakutopia Royal court, Princess Saphira who was Sitting on the Throne Giving a Cold Look at her Now "Ex-Husband" Name Prince Daniel Jamerson Rooster Who Stood before the Court of the kingdom For a Crime That He Committed and then Saphira said Coldly,

Saphira: "Prince Daniel Rooster, You are Charge of treason, Murder, Adultery, and Domestic Violence against the Crown of Sakutopia. What Do you have to Say For yourself?"

Daniel stood in Chains along with Barbra Minx who is also In chains as well, Daniel begged Saphira Mercy but She's Having none of it and she said in anger tone,

Saph: "Do you have any Idea That our 5 years Of Marriage is Nothing but a Sham, Disgrace, and Unpassionately? You committed a Murder of My Unborn Daughter, Serena For your Stupid Selfish Desires of Having a son. Not Only that You Committed Domestic abuse Infront of My Subjects! and Committed a treason By Committing the Adultery!"

Daniel: "Please Saph, I'm So Sorry.. I didn't mean to let this happen, I've beg Of you and Have mercy on me and Barbra I-"

Saphira Cut in,

Saphira: "Silence! I will not hear your excuses. As Punishment You and Barbra Minx are Hear by Be Shamed by the good people in sakutopia and For your pregnant mistress..The unborn shall be terminated.."

Daniel: "NO! NO! Not my child..please I beg of you, don't take my Unborn child away from me!"

Saph: "YOU TOOK MINE DANIEL! It's eye for an eye Scenario for you. NO Child Is going To be Born with such Horrendous Parents and Barbra minx is Hearby being sterile as well..and after Shame and all.. You two are BANISHED From the Kingdom of Sakutopia and you two Shall not set foot in this palace again or it's Sentenced to Death for the Both of you!"

Daniel Knee down in defeat as the guards took Barbra Minx to Terminate her pregnancy and after that they were taken to Outside of the Palace as they stripped them naked and Force them to walk with shame. Daniels Father Couldn't even look at him because he was ashamed That his own Son had Mistreated the princess of Sakutopia and Tarnished The good name of his familes Neither is Barbra's father who was So ashamed of His daughter for messing around with a married man.. The Fathers of Daniel and Barbra Bows to Saphira and apologize for their Horrid behavior towards Saphira.. After the walk Of shame, She Ordered the Guards to Close the gates of Sakutopia Kingdom letting Daniel and Barbra know that they are No Longer Welcomed to her Kingdom again.. That night, Her Father (Emperor Mordue) was Livid and ranting about daniels Betrayal and he asked,

Emperor Mordue: "What are we going to do? She has No Suitors at all, She rejected them and Not only that That Rooster boy Cause treason!! What in the name of Smiling devil are going to do to Solve this Suitors Delima?!"

Then His Royal Advisor Knocking on the door and opens it and said,

Royal Advisor: "I Say We should Send Saphira to the Oracle of the west. She will tell the Princess Who is a worthy Husband for her and She lives in Thunder Monastery."

Mordue: "The Oracle of the west, It's pretty far from here! Besides They're Crawling with demons in the Mortal World, Who will be by her side to Bless and protect her?"

Royal Advisor: "Thats where the good news part, There is a Monk who just Came into the palace and His name is "Tang Sanzang", He was Known as the "Golden Cicada"."

Mordue: "THE "Golden Cicada" here?! Well bring Him here at the throne room, I'll have Words with him..and request to take my daughter to the west to seek the oracle as well."

Royal Advisor: "Oh Your Majesty, The Monk was going to the west too to get Buddha's Scriptures as well"

Then Emperor Mordue Nodded as he ordered The Advisor to bring the monk to him. When Master Sazang came to the throne room, The emperor comes in and welcomed him as master Sazang thanked him for letting him stay.. Then The emperor Offered him To Accompany His Daughter on the Journey to the west To seek the Oracle, Of course Master Sazang accepted the Offer and Saphira was overheard the conservation. Then The Next Day as Saphira Is Wearing the Fox mask with her mags full of clothes and food she needs and got on to her Mighty Great White Kirin Name Yuki and she Is Introduce to the monk as she bows and rise, Then the Journey to the west has begun.. During the long Journey, Saphira Notice the big mountain about the shape of the hand even Master tang Told her that it's a Buddhas hand as she was amazed by it until the Dangerous tiger came out from the shadows to come after her..Saphira gasp and rides her kirin to distract the tiger and Told Master tang to get to the Safety, after he gets to safety, Saphira found the cave and began to go in..as the tiger try to get in to eat her..until she hears the Mischief Voice calling to her, She turns and saw the Monkey king and he said to her…

[philosophybits]

The most frequent cause of necessity in the bonds of affection is a combination of sympathy and habit. As in the case of avarice or drunkenness, that which was at first a search for some desired good is transformed into a need by the mere passage of time. The difference from avarice, drunkenness, and all the vices, however, is that in the bonds of affection the two motives — search for a desired good, and need — can very easily coexist. They can also be separated. When the attachment of one being to another is made up of need and nothing else it is a fearful thing. Few things in this world can reach such a degree of ugliness and horror. [...] The human soul possesses a whole arsenal of lies with which to put up a defence against this ugliness and, in imagination, to manufacture sham advantages where there is only necessity. It is for this very reason that ugliness is an evil, because it conduces to lying. Speaking quite generally, we might say that there is affliction whenever necessity, under no matter what form, is imposed so harshly that the hardness exceeds the capacity for lying of the person who receives the impact. That is why the purest souls are the most exposed to affliction.

Simone Weil, Waiting on God

[justastraymoa]

Yet Unnamed

Chapter 4

Masterlist | Ch 5.

Korean is in italics

Warnings for Yet Unnamed: Kidnapping, cuffs, injuries, drugging by injection, mentions of needles, lots of swearing, kissing, fluff, angst, idiots in love all around.

Nothing within reflects anyone or anything irl. Pics off pinterest.

************************************************************************

"I gave you the night. It's time to go public with her." JYP stated.

"You go public, and you will destroy yourself and Stray Kids, dumbass." You snapped. You had literally just established this with the others and were not feeling generous enough to have it again.

"Whether you like it or not you are contracted to JYPE. Best get over it."

"You drugged me and had me sign the contract! I do not have anything to do with JYPE!"

"Think again, honey. You signed the same contract Stray Kids signed. You are legally ours."

You gag at the pet name coming from that man's mouth.

"It won't stick. I'll tell them I was drugged. There is enough physical evidence on me to be believed." You pointed out.

JYP smirked. "You tell them that and you will be single handedly responsible for the downfall of Stray Kids. You willing to do that?"

You purse your lips and glare at him. He had you cornered, and he damn well knew it. He knew what he was doing from the very beginning. But what was his plan to get around the media finding out anyways? Or did he think he was so powerful he could make it all dissapear?

"No." Chan said firmly.

"What do you mean no? I assure you; it very much will end you. If not by media, then by me." JYP threatened.

"I don't care. You will not blackmail Y/n."

You blinked, shocked by this turn and his declaration. Looking around, it seemed like everyone was in agreement with him too.

"You would give all this up. For her?" JYP asked in disbalief.

Hyunjin stepped forward. "You underestimate our soul bond. You have done enough to her. No more."

JYP was stunned into silence. There was no way he saw this coming. You didn't even see this coming! You only just met them, yet they are willing to give up everything for you.

This whole fucking ordeal is absolutely insane. From the very beginning. What even was your life right now? This was a lose-lose situation. Either you get blackmailed into working as JYPs slave and risk the media finding out. Or Stray Kids stands against JYP for you. Either way Stray Kids are done for. Unless somehow the media never finds out the truth.

There had to be a way to head the media off at the pass. You have a degree in business with a specialty in social media and production. If anyone could do it, it was someone like you.

You gasped. You had an idea. "Let's renegotiate the contract JYP." You crossed your arms and half smirked, a plan forming that would benefit all involved.

Lee Know placed a hand on your arm. "You don't need to do that, Y/n. We have your back." He hummed quietly.

You laced your fingers with his. "I appreciate it so much. However, I think I can fix all our problems."

"And how are you going to do that?" JYP challenged.

"You really should have paid more attention to my profile when you hunted me down. I am a social media expert. Given time and the right resources, I can manipulate the facts in our favor."

"What does that mean?" Chan asked.

You smiled, giddy. You couldn't believe you were actually going to do this. "It means, if JYP will meet my terms, I won't have to hide."

"We can show you off?" Felix asked, hope overflowing his entire body.

"What do you say JYP? Tear up that sham of a contract you drugged me into signing and work with me on a new one?"

~

An hour and a half later you were wearing a pair of Hans jeans with a belt and a sweatshirt from I.N. You and Chan sat at a table in a conference room of JYPE way too similar to the room you woke up in just the day before. You eyed the couch warily as you settled in across from JYP and his big shot legal guy.

Chan would be able to help you negotiate a good contract and navigate all the tricky wording. He was a pro at this by now. Or well, better than you were at least.

It took 7 hours of going back and forth. You were not budging on your demands. You weren’t asking for anything outrageous. After what JYP did, he could bend a little for your requests. It was literally the bare fucking minimum.

The craziest thing you were asking for was to be solely in charge of all Stray Kids social media. Both solo accounts and group accounts. Even what went on JYPE pages. And every aspect that went into the posts or on any type of media.

This was part of your plan to head off anyone finding out your origin story. Plus, it gave you a job and a place here, so you weren’t just dead weight getting in people’s way or mooching off everyone. It was also the main demand that JYP was against. He didn’t want to give up that power. You weren’t going to let him keep it. It was now a game of who was going to give in first. And you were one stubborn son of a bitch.

Your heart also hadn’t stopped racing since negotiation began. Chan gripped your cold hand the entire time, not saying a word when adrenaline made your hands sweaty and start to shake. That was the only outward indication of your panic. With tremendous effort you kept your voice steady and firm the entire day.

The other members trickled in one by one as they finished up with their days, starting with Seungmin. They were interested in what was going on and even put in their own opinions at times. But mostly they made themselves comfortable and were just happy to be nearby.

In the end, JYP caved, and we reached an agreement. A terrifying, binding, agreement that was bigger than anything I ever thought I would be a part of in this lifetime.

As such you were now officially the ninth member of the Stray Kids soul group.

“I cannot believe I did this.” You whispered when JYP and his mucky much left with their copy of the new contract, your copy under the fingers of the hand Chan was not holding.

“Do you have regrets?” Chan asked quietly. There was excited chatter around the room from the others now that it was official, and you were able to go with them and not have to be hidden or blackmailed.

You pulled Chan’s hand into your lap and drew your knees up to curl around it. “More freaking out. I have never done something this huge. Or stood up to someone so huge either. I’m not sure what came over me.”

He squeezed your hand where they were both now hidden. “You did fucking amazing. And we have your back.”

Lee Know sidled up to your other side and rested his forehead on your shoulder. “Thank you. For fighting.” He whispered.

In the chaos that followed you had forgotten what happened this morning. You were so happy you wouldn’t be the cause of anyone’s pain. Lee Know snapping this morning absolutely broke your heart.

You reached up to scratch his scalp. “That’s not something you should be thanking me for.” Even though it was for the right reasons, even talking about separating and keeping me hidden caused your soulmates pain. You had caused them pain.

~

Back at the apartment the things you had requested the personal shopper get you had been delivered. And that brought up another issue that needed to be addressed.

“I am not going to permanently steal your room, Chan. I can set up a roll out in the living room and borrow some drawers.” You gesture towards the living room as you talk. Though you were sure eventually you would be close enough to all of them that you could sleep in whoever’s bed for a night or two and they wouldn’t care.

But Chan was already shaking his head before you even finished. “No. The arrangement we have works great. No way are you sleeping on a roll out.”

“Stay in the room you are in. We are all always sleeping in each other’s beds anyways, but you are the only girl. You should have your own space and your own bathroom.” Hyunjin pointed out.

Oh fuck. You were surrounded by 8 men. You are so fucked. The number of farts you were going to have to put up with on a daily basis alone was staggering!

“You know what. I’m exhausted from looking and talking with JYPs ugly ass all day, so I don’t care. I want cuddles. Who is going to cuddle me?” You asked. If you were going to do this whole soul bond thing, you were not about to do it half assed or slowly. That sounded exhausting. You’re all in. And that means your needy ass wants cuddles.

You spin on your heel and go to the living room, grabbing every pillow and blanket you could see, you piled it all up on the floor and turned on the TV.

Behind you a hushed argument was happening between the others.

“You two got to cuddle her last night!”

“Lee Know got time with her this morning after his temper tantrum.”

“Yah, fuck you!”

“Chan spent all day with her!”

"Negotiating her contract. That hardly counts!”

“You held her hand!”

“She was panicking!”

“What? She was?”

“She didn’t seem like it.”

“Trust me, she was.”

“Wow. I am impressed.”

“She did stand up to JYP.”

“You should have heard her yesterday. She looked him square in the eye, told him she didn’t like him, then called his bluff afterward!”

“Yeah, and she said she got those bruises because she broke out of her restraints. Twice.”

You sigh. They had gotten off track. “I’m awfully cold and lonely over here!” You call to them.

“Okay, okay. So, Innie, Seungmin, or Hyunjin. They are the only ones who haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with her yet.”

“Take turns?”

“Youngest first.”

I.N finally joined you in the living room, looking awkward. You smiled gently at him from your nest of comfort.

“Do I…Do I just grab you?” He asked.

You tried not to laugh at him. He was very cute. Very unsure. “Do you want to cuddle. I won’t take offense.” You had to be sure he wasn’t just doing it because you had asked for cuddles.

His face screwed up a bit. “I want to be close. Can I just use your belly as a pillow?”

You got more comfortable and patted your stomach in invitation, quietly hoping it wouldn’t make any weird sounds when I.N had his ear pressed up against it.

“J-Jinnie can cuddle you.” He hesitated now for some reason.

You shake your head. “It’s your turn. C’mon, little bug.” You coax.

I.N blushed lightly and curled up next to you, gently laying his head on your stomach. Immediately you buried your fingers in his hair, twisting strands absently as you flipped through channels on the TV.

The others joined you a few seconds later, all finding their places around the room. Draping over chairs, couches, and each other.

Sometime later, from a cue you didn’t see or hear, I.N rolled off you and Hyunjin laid next to you, half his body on top of yours. One leg and one arm thrown over you and face in your neck. You giggle and squirm as his breath tickled down your skin.

“Mm, sorry. I just pushed through the awkward and went for it.” He explained. He shifted a bit closer, and his breath no longer tickled.

You wrapped both arms around his ribs tightly. “S’kay. I understand. Are you comfortable?”

Hyunjin hummed in affirmation. You gently traced shapes on his back with your fingertips. I.N still lay next to you, just no longer using your stomach as a pillow. Instead, he was using his own arm. You couldn’t see his face, but you were pretty sure he was at least half asleep. You fold one of the blankets you were laying on over his legs so he wouldn’t get chilled without our shared body heat.

Hyunjin was warm enough on his own to keep you both warm. He was playing on a phone absently as you relaxed. Everyone was quietly doing their own things, just enjoying the moment. Every once in a while, there were murmurs as they chatted or a video playing softly on their phones.

Then Hyunjin handed you the phone he had been on suddenly. “We all entered our number and socials for you already. And you are hooked to our shared calendar.” He told me in explanation.

You had honestly forgotten you were getting a phone. You had no idea what they did with the old one when they took you, you would need to cancel it anyway. Who knew if it would even work over here. And if it did what kind of massive charges it would incur.

Slowly, with one hand, you begin setting up your new phone to your preferences and logging into everything of yours.

“Hey look.” You said lifting the phone up and snapping a pic of you and Hyunjin as soon as he looked.

He watched as you set it as his contact photo. “I look awful.” He grumbled.

“You look cute and squishy.” You liked the photo. It was soft and authentic. No practiced or rehearsed looks or smiles. Just the two of you.

You would eventually get one of everyone, Hyunjin just happened to be right here and looking so photogenic.

“You are in charge of announcing yourself to the world now. Do you have a plan?” Chan asked.

If you were honest, not really. More half-baked ideas and a final goal. “That’s tomorrow’s issue. Today I need to book a plane ticket to my apartment.” Meaning you needed to go back and pack up, transfer everything to Korea, sell shit off, etc.

Hyunjins head popped up and several others moved towards me. “You’re leaving?” Felix asked.

“Did you think I would just leave everything behind?” You were confused about their reactions.

“But you’re coming back.” Hyunjin asked to confirm.

Oh! “Yes! I’m sorry, yes, I’m coming back. I just need to pack my things and tie up loose ends.” You assured them all. Reaching up you brushed away Hyunjins hair.

The room palpably relaxed. You needed to be more careful. It seems like they are a little attached to you right now. And you understood the feeling. If you could, you would stay with them, but there were things back at the apartment you couldn’t just abandon. Being apart would hurt, but it was necessary. And hopefully the last time you would need to be apart for a while.

“We can go with you.” Chan suggested.

You shook your read and pulled up the shared calendar on your new phone. The schedule for everyone was full to the brim for the following week and more. “You have things you have promised to be at.”

“We can cancel. We canceled several things yesterday and today.”

“And it’s starting to get suspicious. I need to stay hidden until I can get the plan in motion or none of this will work. And I don’t officially take over your socials and start enacting the plan for a little while yet while the things that are already in motion finish up.” You pulled Hyunjin back down to cuddle, he went easily enough.

“Why not take one or two of us then?” Han suggested. You knew none of them would mind joining you in the least.

“Are you worried about me, or are you worried I won’t come back?” You were sort of teasing them. You knew there would be a small part of them that would worry you would leave them for a long time yet. It was natural. Just like how you worried they wouldn’t like what you brought to the group, and they would ask you to leave.

You hit confirmation on your two-way ticket purchase. “I’ll be back in 2 weeks.” You told them before anyone could try and answer your teasing question.

“Two weeks!” Several voices nearly shouted.

You sighed. “Even though I was probably fired, I did have a job. I should at least try and give them a two week notice to find a replacement. Plus, I can’t pack up and sell my entire life in a day. Two weeks will be crazy enough!”

“Are you going to be anywhere near our fashion shows?” Felix asked. He and Hyunjin would be in New York to participate in several runway walks and appearances.

“It’s too far of a distance to drive and flying is just not feasible. You would get no rest and waste jet fuel in the process.”

Binnie pouted. “I don’t like it.”

Honestly, you didn’t either. You were hoping to get done sooner and dip a few days early, but you couldn’t be sure that would happen, so you didn’t even bring it up. Didn’t want to get their hopes up.

“When do you leave?” Chan asked sad but resigned.

“Early tomorrow afternoon.

“Move, Hyune. My turn.” Seungmin ordered. Instead of coming down to the floor with you, he pulled you onto the couch with him, settling you so you were laying on top of him, his thighs framing your hips and your head on his sternum. You relaxed into the embrace immediately. “Only have tonight, getting everything I can.” He grumbled.

Han scooted over and sat at my feet, placing a hand on my ankle and resting his head on my knee.

You open a new text, adding everyone and naming it ‘Nonet’ before sending a test text through and watching as one by one each member got the message and checked it. It’s not like they wouldn’t have a group chat eventually anyway. And you could keep in touch all day and night with this.

“Nonet. Good one.” Chan chuckled. You shrugged with a smirk at your own little joke.

“Texting won’t be enough! We just got you!” Binnie complained.

“We still have her, Bin. We ripped her from her life. Can’t just expect her to be able to start a new one right away and leave everything behind.” Lee Know explained from the other couch.

You opened your camera to get a profile picture of Seungmin, only to snap one of him making an ugly face at the camera. You snort and set it as his contact photo. “Just wait. I’ll post that on insta.” You threatened lightly.

“Nah, you won’t.”

“STAY would love it. Meme the shit out of it. You would never live it down.”

“It’s going to be interesting having you control our socials now. You think like STAY.” Lee Know mused. You wondered if he meant that as a good thing or a bad thing.

“I am STAY.” You point out.

“Not anymore. Now you’re one of us.”

That was vaguely creepy. “I’ll always be STAY.” I argued. It’s not like I just wasn’t a fan anymore just because I was in this soul group.

“No, he’s right, y/n. You will have your own fanbase now. You will need official socials and everything.” Chan said.

You very much doubted you would have fans. You would have a hate club. Everyone has haters, obviously, but as the only female in Stray Kids soul bond there would be a lot of judgement.

“I don’t think I’ll have any socials. I’ll delete them soon. Bett for my future mental health.”

Seungmin poked my cheek. “A social media expert with no social media?”

Admittedly it was weird. But you wouldn’t have time for your own socials anyways if you were going to manage the boys. It would be around the clock thing with them. Random posts, scheduled posts, bubble, lives, comments. You wouldn’t miss your own much. The itch would be scratched.

The boys were supposed to leave early in the morning. Much earlier than you planned to wake up. As such, you made sure to say your goodbyes before you went to bed for the evening. You packed a small carry-on backpack for your flight and put the rest of the things the personal shopper brought you away in your new room. When you get back from your trip, you could start personalizing the room a little maybe. Make it feel more yours and not a guest room.

♤♤♤♤♤♤

A/n my tumblr is driving me nuts and not saving and posting without permission so apologies

Yet Unnamed Taglist: @fackeraccount @velvetmoonlght @hyunjinstolemyheart @vampkittenb82 @happy-jj @estella-novella @demigoddreamon-blog @tiana-maxivar @ms-flowergirl @jennibahng @whatdoyouwanttocallmefor @mimimiloomeelomi @simpforskz143148 @xxeiraxx @lil-bear08 @brbwritingfanfic @jisungs-iced-americano @zofia515

General Taglist @stellasays45 @beebee18 @weird-bookworm @velvetmoonlght

[lizardkingeliot]

I guess I just didn't, like... expect most of the trial to be about Louis and Lestat's love story? And it's kind of throwing me for a loop rn I can't lie. Obviously those of us who have read tvl know Lestat was forced to be there. He wasn't there for revenge. He forgave them already! But....

I don't know. As hard as it was to watch it almost feels, like... weirdly affirming to the idea that the show is, in fact, all about their love? Like... even with the sham trial and Lestat being such a good performer it was SO evident how much Lestat was actually hurting up there. They had to telepathically remind him of his lines. He looked like he was physically going to collapse on several occasions. He went off script to apologize to Louis while weeping. Even to the general audience who hasn't read the books, there's no way the depth of that love isn't going to come across.

I'm feeling very raw right now and I'll probably need some time before I can articulate this better. I'll definitely need some time before I can articulate this better. But their love is just... right there. In all its toxic, fucked up vampiric glory. They can do anything to each other and the bond can't be broken. They have hurt each other so much. Just so so much it's unfathomable from a human perspective but also...

I don't know that they've ever felt more human to me than they did in 2x07. Not to get too personal on main, but I've been in that unhappy toxic marriage, albeit to a much less insane degree. Still... I know how Lestat feels. I know how Louis feels too. But I especially know how it feels to be neglected by your lover the way Louis neglected Lestat in that very specific way. To want them so badly you ache every second of every day. It is literal hell on earth in a way you can never know until you experience it. To have someone withhold from you (esp as a way to punish you). That shit hurts. And I'm just so glad the show is addressing it while also not trying in any way to excuse the very fucked up thing Lestat did to Louis in response.

Anyway. That's not the point I'm trying to make. The point I'm trying to make is... they're going to be fine. The show wouldn't be putting such an emphasis on their relationship if it wasn't the whole point of the show. It's seriously the whole point of the show and it makes me insane! They both fucked up real bad but we already know they're bloodbound soulmates destined to be together. They're endgame. They're VAMPIRES. They live forever. They will forgive each other. Over and over. Forever and ever...

[stayinhellevator]

Intersection

"And now you're just a page torn from the story I'm living"

Synopsis: A twisted turn of events lead you to question everything you've ever known of Mingyu.

Pairing: Mingyu x fem!Reader

Genre: Soulmate AU/Angst/Betrayal

Word Count: 2723

Warnings: Cuss words, non-graphic description of s3x, probably bad writing, cheating

Playlist: Dynasty ~Miia

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All your life, the concept of soulmates was romanticised and worshipped. You had friends who were happily bonded, co-workers who found peace in their mates, hell even your parents were truly a match made in heaven; their relationship was such an inspiration for you that it made you crave that kind of intimacy and understanding with yours. The way they understood each other with just a knowing look made you respect their bond. You wanted what they had.

And you got it and more when you found Mingyu through some mutual friends and discovered that you two were soulmates. You were over the moon to have found a man so gorgeous inside out. You were scared that he was only a glittery sham but he swept you right off your feet.

There was not a day that passed by that Mingyu failed to make your life seem like a fairy tale. Sure you had your share of arguments and disagreements but in the end, you two ended up right back in each other's arms, where you two truly belonged. He made your heart race every single moment and there was no place that you'd rather be if not beside Mingyu.

There's nothing else you could possibly want.

Or maybe there is.

You watched the way Seokmin and his soulmate naturally gravitated towards each other, practically glowing with a giddy aura around them and you couldn't wait for the day when Mingyu and you were standing on the altar, exchanging vows of your own, just like them.

And you knew it would be equally, if not more, magical the day that you do, for your life with Mingyu was like a fruitful reward for all the sufferings of your past lives. It had to be because there's no way you'd be blessed with a partner like Mingyu, who seemed to love you more than life itself.

Your wandering eyes fell on another pair that you recognised and your heart filled with sympathy for them. Mingyu once shared Seungcheol's dilemma with you and you remember quickly sending a quick prayer to whatever God blessed you because you couldn't imagine being bondless and then finding love in someone who's meant for someone else, alone your own sibling. Thank God you had Mingyu who loved and accepted you without any inhibitions.

As if feeling your gaze on them, his lover met your eyes and you two exchanged a perceptive smile, completely aware of each other's expressions and feelings. You truly wished for them to find happiness, they were good people or at least from what Mingyu told you and you trusted him. He had known Seungcheol through work  before you two had even met, so obviously he knew better than you when it came to his friends and you completely trusted his judgement.

Speaking of which, it had been nearly half an hour since Mingyu disappeared with some colleagues for a few drinks. God you hope he didn't get drunk, he was already tipsy before he left. You turned down towards the hallway, aware that you need to find Mingyu soon for he becomes a real piece of work when drunk, refusing to part even an inch from you, sulking if you don't give into his bizarre wishes.

All of a sudden, a strenuous sensation gripped your chest, as if someone was squeezing your heart and then mangled it. It made you lean against the wall and rub your chest, hoping to soothe the discomfort. A drop of blood fell on your knuckle, making you realise that you had a nosebleed too.

What the hell was this? You had never felt something like this before. Was it something that you ate? Or drink? But you didn't drink too much. Oh God! What if something happened to Mingyu? Was he okay? You had several stories of a soulbond being affected if a bonded mate is injured or sick.

Gosh! You needed to find him without any delay.

You spotted a guest room right across you, the door ajar and seemingly vacant so you decided to use the washroom to clean off the blood of your face and clothes only to halt at the threshold, unable to process the sight that you witnessed.

A man that had a striking resemblance to Mingyu was all over a woman; their lips locked in a frenzy, their hands wandering to forbidden places and their hips conjoined and moving in short, quick thrusts.

The man moved his kisses down the woman's neck; the woman you knew all too well as Mingyu's ex-girlfriend and colleague, who though mutually broke up, was always having eyes for your soulmate, often throwing a few flirty remarks here and there, uncaring about your presence and soon enough you had learnt to ignore her because Mingyu hadn't given you any reason to not trust him, had he? He loved you and only you so why should you even bother?

It couldn't be your Mingyu, no, you were probably hallucinating. Mingyu would never cheat on you, he cannot even think of hurting you like that even in his wildest dreams.

The trickling tears down your cheeks angered you. Why were you even crying over a misunderstanding? You harshly wiped your cheeks, almost walking out when she moaned out his name, loud and clear, sealing the fated doom of your soul bond and the remainder of your life with it.

"Gyu!"

You helplessly watch as he groaned in what you know for sure, ecstasy as his vigour only fueled further. You wanted to look away but you couldn't, hoping this nightmare would end and you'd wake up back in the safety of your bedroom in Mingyu's arms. You had hoped that her voice calling out a name that only you did would snap him out of whatever trance he seemed to be in and he'd realise that this wasn't you but some other woman. But it didn't.

You could feel it creeping up in you, the anger, an intense, uncontrollable hateful rage the longer you watched them and before your brain could even process, your hands had already picked up the vase on the hallway table and hurled it towards those cheating bastards, apathetic of the force inflicting any serious injury. In fact, you wanted it to hurt, you wanted them to bleed just as much as your heart was.

No, you wouldn't be the only one to end up hurting tonight.

You watched as the two flinched at the sudden attack as the vase bumped onto Mingyu's head with a thud, that was sure to bruise, before bouncing off to his cheating accomplice, hitting her right in the face, making her cry out in agony.

Good! Die in pain and burn in hell.

"I hope you had a good fuck Kim Mingyu because this is the last time you feel anything."

You watched how Mingyu's face contacted in rage as he turned to face the intruder only to turn pale in horror as he realised you saw him being unfaithful to you. He jumped off the bed, fumbling over his clothes and putting them on haphazardly, increasing your disgust and fury. You swear you wanted to kill him and then yourself, such was your temper that was building up and consuming you. You dug your nails in your knuckles, wishing it'd distract you for a moment.

"Baby, I swear it's not like that. I ..I don't even know how I ended up here... It just happened...."

You wanted to believe him and you would have disillusioned yourself into thinking he made a drunken mistake, such was your love for him, if he wasn't sober. And that alone shattered your heart into further tiny irreplaceable bits. What excuse would you make up in your head to put your brain into a delusion that this never happened and that your Mingyu was in love with you. Only you.

"I can't believe you Mingyu. Why?"

You watched Mingyu visibly shrink as your exhausted question echoed in the silence of the room.

"I ..I don't know baby..I ..I have no excuses for this.... I'm so sorry baby.... Love...I will make it up to you I swear...."

The more he spoke, the more you wanted to hurt him. How dare he even have the audacity? How would he make it up to you? What would he make up when nothing is left to be repaired?

You watched as he tried to hold your shaking hands in his only for you to violently jerk his hold off you.

"Don't you dare fucking touch me with your disgusting hands."

You appalled scream froze him to his place as tears cascaded down his face as the horrifying effect of his infidelity finally settled inside him. His touch, his face, his whole fucking existence nauseated you so much you couldn't stand to even look at him any longer than you already have.

You ran past the guests outside the venue, quickly texting your brother to come and pick you up because you knew your body was slowly giving up and in no time, you'd shut down.

A hand pulled you back around through the elbow as you realised Mingyu had chased you and pulled you to his chest, holding you by the cheeks.

"It wasn't meant to go this far, I swear baby, we were just catching up by the bar and the next thing I knew we were in bed together. It doesn't mean anything to me. She doesn't mean anything to me. It's you love I swear. Please don't go. I don't want to lose you."

"For someone who doesn't want to lose me, you don't act like you want to keep me."

His face portrayed his helplessness as he sobbed in disbelief which made you scoff in disdain. Did he really think his pathetic excuse of a reason was enough for you to stay and torment yourself for the rest of your life?

"This was a huge mistake love and it'll never happen again. I promise you."

You pushed him off you, making him tumble a few steps back.

"Damn right it won't because I won't stay around to find out if it does."

You only managed to take a few steps ahead when he ran around you to block your way. AGAIN!

"Baby please don't leave me. You don't understand. I'll die without you."

The wrath that was bubbling up within you every single second finally erupted at his audacious words. How dare he play the victim? You landed an impactful punch on his chest, sending him a few steps away from yourself, wanting to have an outlet was the ever increasing rage inside you.

"I don't understand? YOU don't understand Mingyu how heartbroken it is to have your trust broken by the one person you blindly put your faith in. YOU don't understand how humiliated I feel as I'm unable to face my own thoughts because I still can't process you could ever cheat on me in your friend's wedding venue. YOU don't understand how angry I feel at myself for still hoping you'd have a valid enough excuse for me to take your unfaithful ass back. YOU don't understand that all I see when I look at you now is not the countless good memories of us but you kissing and touching another woman the way you should've only done to me."

You could hear your voice dampening with every sentence as the weight of those vulnerable words settled between you two in the hollow night as sobs wrecked your fatigued body. Where did it all go wrong?

"Where did I lack Mingyu? What was it that I couldn't give to you? Why couldn't you tell me if I didn't satisfy you enough? What could I have done differently for you to not disgrace our bond like this?"

All your rage boiled down to cries as hopelessness washed all over your senses. You had endlessly and limitlessly given yourself to him and you still weren't enough? All those cherished moments between you two didn't mean anything to him? Your sacred bond reduced and succumbed to a one night stand. Was this your worth?

"It wasn't you baby. You are everything to me. There's nothing wrong with you. It's me...I'm stupid and selfish and undeserving of a goddess like you. Please, please forgive me love. I'd do anything to gain your forgiveness. Please!"

You watched as he fell down to his knees in front of you but even the pitiful sight of him tearfully begging you couldn't erase the sight of him buried inside her; the one that made you feel like an outsider in your own relationship.

"There's nothing you could do to mend us back Mingyu. We're done."

Even as you cried, you could slowly feel the emotions inside you hollowing into nothingness, an apathy was starting to wrap around your brain, numbing your thoughts.

"No no no this can't be the end of us. Not like this baby....we...we are soulmates.. We're meant to be... We can't be without one another.... Please...I love you...I love you so much....."

His confession should've thawed your heart, broken the barriers of numbness that your brain was building, reminded you of the kisses you shared when you first confessed your love for each other and warmed your heart, instead it made you want to throw up in your mouth for these words didn't mean anything to you anymore.

"But not enough to refrain from jumping into bed with every other woman that you see."

His shoulders slumped with defeat as he realised he was fighting a losing battle because your mind was slowly pushing itself into nothingness. There really was no turning back.

You willed yourself to walk away from him and turned round the next corner, right in time to empty out the contents in your guts, till you were left dry heaving and sobbing. You wanted to control yourself till you were safely home, where no one can find you and embarrass you but it was too much. Everything was too much. Your head was throbbing, your chest was constructing, your muscles ached, your brain had stopped working and your thoughts were a jumbled mess. Too much! Someone needed to stop all this.

Someone held your hair up simultaneously rubbing your back, trying to provide you some comfort. Gosh you didn't want anyone to see like this, all vulnerable and pathetic, only to find it was your sibling.

"Johnny!"

Your brother brought you to his chest, making your head slump in weariness and you felt his arms tighten around you securely.

"Ssh! I'm here.

You closed your eyes, hoping to muster as much strength as your brother could provide.

"It's all over John. I'm done."

You were entranced in the shimmering gold sparkle that was Kim Mingyu that you forgot that in the end, all glitter turned into nothing but dust. You had foolishly wanted to bask in the shimmer but your ignorance only left you in the midst of the dusty pile of the dazzle that was once your life.

In honour of all the good times that you had with Mingyu, you couldn't say you wished to turn back time to change everything because selfishly, you wanted to turn back time and pause it when you were contentedly lying in Mingyu's arms, listening to him ranting passionately about his favourite football team on a rainy night.

You had been loved but more importantly, you had been in love and that was something you cherished. You only prayed to whatever God that heard you, that if Mingyu is who you're meant to find in every life, then you wanted to be with him on happier terms; and not to love him for a while and then live on without him. And if all you two are is soulmates in betrayal, then you could only hope, you didn't love him so deep that he takes everything from you and you're left with nothing but emptiness.

You wanted to meet him on a path which allowed you both to walk together, watching all sunsets for the rest of your lives.

That's all you want; till then you're content to be just a page of his story.

©stayinhellevator2024: Please don't repost, copy or translate my work on any platform.

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[extremely-judgemental]

Feyre’s autonomy in the books is a sham.

From the start of the series, Feyre is the voice of agency and independence. Even before she is taken to the fae lands, she’s headstrong and stubborn and insists on making her own decisions against the advice of her sisters and father. And once in Spring Court, she often retaliates against Tamlin, sneaks out of the mansion, and wanders where she isn’t allowed for her own safety. After her rebirth, once again, she fights for her autonomy which causes the rift between her and Tamlin.

It’s very clear where Feyre’s values truly lie. So, let’s talk about how they crumble in her new life.

Feyre shares three different bonds with Rhysand.

Under the Mountain, Feyre makes a bargain with Rhysand which leaves a spying eye on her palm. This only proves beneficial to her during Amarantha’s second task and later, when she wants to stop her wedding in Spring Court. From the bargain marks on Nesta and Cassian, it’s obvious they don’t act as a communication channel. Rhysand deliberately fashioned theirs to enable his voyeurism. In FAS, he turns this mark to the insignia of Night Court, which raises the question, if he had control over such powerful magic, why didn’t he change it or release her when she left for Spring Court if he had no intention of spying further or harming her? Moreover in WAR, she admits missing this specific tattoo and is relieved to have the one on her other hand, implying Feyre is addicted to his influence over her mind by now.

Rhysand trains Feyre to control her Daemati powers and shield herself against the others. Yet at the end of it, Feyre admits to leaving an open channel for Rhysand at all times. While she never blocks this path often, other than that time in Spring Court, Rhysand chooses to whenever its convenient for him, like when he decided to give Nesta away to Eris, allow Keir and his people into Velaris, or during the battle of Adriata. This shows Feyre allows him more reign over this bond and encourages him to do so whenever he’s making decision without consulting her.

Finally, the mating bond. This is the one that influences emotions the most. For someone who’s already being influenced mentally to have an open emotional line to the other only makes Feyre prone to be a sheep herded by Rhysand.

Feyre prefers to be Rhysand’s lackey.

Feyre learns to control her powers, learns to read, and trains to wield her newly made fae body. Though these are her desires even before she moves to Night Court, they all conveniently fit into Rhysand’s grand schemes. So, if none of it had amounted to much, would he have let her? We have proof of it in SF where Nesta’s trauma and healing doesn’t matter to him and he chooses to prepare a traumatised woman to find the trove and fight for them.

Time and again, Feyre does everything Rhysand asks for because she ‘understands his reasons’ or they are vital in the upcoming war like stealing the Book of Breathings from Summer Court. She has a moment to make a choice of her own, she contemplates telling Tarquin the truth instead of deceiving him and decides against it because Rhysand doesn’t trust him. Not a night ago, Feyre has no problem violating Tarquin’s mind and yet she couldn’t recognise his true intention.

It shows Feyre doesn’t even want to think. She’s happy to follow along with whatever Rhysand says. She dismisses her instincts in favour of believing every word he feeds her. How does Feyre have an agency when she refuses to even think for herself?

Velaris is a gilded cage.

Feyre is first brought to the Moonstone Palace and introduced to Velaris only after she promises to never speak of it or go back to Tamlin (iirc). The city is protected by a ward that hasn’t been breeched in 5000 years. She’s brought to the Town House (Rhysand’s personal home) and left with the wraiths who answer to him. The word ‘choice’ is often brought up here when in truth, Feyre is a homeless fae taking ‘help’ from the first person who offered. If she denies, she’s on her own in an unknown, and possibly enemy, territory.

But all that turns out fine and Feyre becomes the High Lady. Now, she’s never left the city alone of her own volition. She never explores the city on her own. She doesn’t even know the true boundary of Velaris or the court other than seeing it on maps maybe. Whenever she’s out of the city—to CoN, to Illyria, to the Prison, to Summer Court, to High Lord’s meeting—she’s always escorted by Rhysand.

Her life in Velaris is very similar to the one in Spring, except the entire city is her mansion. What Feyre condemned Tamlin for is exactly what she accepts with open arms in Night.

Feyre has no true friend or ally.

The first people Feyre meets in Night Court are the very and only ones who ever become her friends—Rhysand’s family. Whenever Feyre is not with him, she’s always found with one of these ‘friends’ who are also more loyal to their High Lord than her. They prove this in SF when none of them care for her agency as much as they care for her unborn child or Rhysand’s feelings. Moreover, Feyre has even isolated herself from her sisters by choosing her new family over them again and again.

High Lady who is just another lady.

During her rule, Feyre does nothing but fight and wage wars for inappropriate reasons. She either doesn’t or can’t make rules. While Rhysand makes decisions without consulting her and employs it, Feyre only ever gets to know of these when everybody else does—Keir’s visit to Velaris, offering her own sister to Eris. She is only a High Lady by name and has no authority to do anything with her crown. In fact, she hasn’t even tested this new power except for lording it over her sisters and so-called friends. It’s merely a title enabling her to run amok destroying courts and insulting High Lords without consequences.

Feyre is a prize to be claimed.

Feyre is tossed back and forth between two men, especially since MAF. She’s never the one choosing what’s best for her. She doesn’t reevaluate her situations, tally them, and decide where she wants to be or who she ends up with. She chooses the first man who is willing to give her an inch on the leash. For a woman who’s meant to be the badass female who never relies on anyone, her freedom is controlled by, bargained by, and fought between two domineering men. She could have chosen to go back to her sisters. She could have chosen to live separately for a while, to explore at least Velaris on her own without someone breathing down her neck all the time, and then she could have decided on a path for herself. Instead Feyre is willing to jump from one man’s arms to another because it’s easier than to have true autonomy.

What if Feyre wants a break from Velaris or Rhysand?

She has no home of her own to go to. She’s bound her own sisters with her inside Velaris. She’s established herself as Rhysand’s whore in Hewn City and his racist queen in Illyria. The only people she can rely on for help are Rhysand’s friends. No one can enter the city to rescue her, nor will anyone choose to fight the ‘most powerful High Lord’ for her. She had the opportunity to befriend Tarquin and instead she made an enemy out of Summer for Rhysand. If she had explained her situation to Tamlin, he could’ve been her one shot but then she destroyed Spring on a personal vendetta.

The High Lords meeting is interesting as Rhysand uses that to isolate Feyre furthermore from the other courts. Despite what happened with Spring, they still had respect for her. But Rhysand constantly throws ‘She’s a High Lady’ around cementing that Feyre is the one making the choices when it came to aggression when he passively fuels her actions. He refuses to hold her accountable for her crimes proving he’s capable of but wouldn’t stop her even when she’s wrong. He allows Feyre to lose control of her powers when a minute ago, he gladly took control of Tamlin’s mind. He casts a shield around them after her little outburst. He is capable of taming her temper and chooses not to, making a show of his influence over her, essentially destroying every alliance she’s built on her own.

Also, when the Wall comes down, Rhysand senses it all the way from the Dawn Court. If his powers have such reach, would it be impossible for him to find Feyre wherever she was even without the bonds aiding him? Considering the city wards, the three bonds, and the extent of his powers alone, he has little to worry about Feyre’s safety. If one of those were lacking, it’s not far-fetched to believe he’d go ballistic. And this is obvious from the shield he caged Feyre in during her pregnancy. Would Tamlin have acted the way he did if he had an ounce of Rhysand’s powers or had a secret city? Rhysand is calm and assured not because he trusts Feyre but he knows she can’t get too far from his reach.

These circumstances are completely ignored and Feyre chooses to believe she’s better off in Night Court when her life is not so different. She is too blind to realise her fate and life is heavily influenced by Rhysand—from her home, to friends, to family, to her own mind. She sees the city he wants her to see. She meets the people he wants her to meet. While every other court is still recovering from Amarantha’s rule and rebuilding their cities from ruins, Rhysand flaunts Velaris as the ideal home for her and Feyre is more than willing to take it. She never once questions him or his beliefs. She even accepts and embodies his morals as her own to the point of hating two whole cities she has no clue about.

And where is her autonomy in that? In some ways, Feyre had more power as herself in Spring than she has as High Lady in Night.

[sickofthistoxicshit]

stg the more I think back to the first episodes of S7,

I am more and more convinced lfj/T was chosen for Ryan/Eddie.

Firstly, they actually had chemistry, it was evident on screen, and Oliver says so himself in an interview before the break up.

Second, the whole dialogue and interaction between Eddie and Buck, and Buck and Maddie, was as if Buck was afraid he'll lose his Diaz boys rather than his straight friend beating him to the trunk of a man.

Thirdly, Tommy had a personality with Eddie, he was former military, who loves everything Eddie loved and was into everything Eddie was into from martial arts, to basketball, to working on cars, to boxing fights in Vegas.

Fourth, Tommy took Eddie to freaking Vegas and he met Christopher who liked him.

Fifth, T/lfj face lit up with a goofy smile whenever Eddie entered a room and that is evident even in B&T disastrous restaurant date.

Sixth, when they play on the basketball court, Eddie passes with the ball and Tommy inserts himself between Eddie and Buck telling Buck he's not getting past him.

Seventh, T takes Eddie to the clinic and then home, after Buck, in his frustration with T's presence and that he gets between him and Eddie, physically hurts Eddie.

Tommy being the one to drive Eddie to the game and then take him to the clinic and then home, is just too telling.

Everything that came after that for T from the moment he kissed Buck after freaking talking about how great Eddie is, from both talkers, mind you, is all downhill from there.

What could have been a redemption story for T, dating a Latin man, getting in his friends' good graces again, helping him or even just bonding with Christopher, as they keep clicking, like Eddie flat out told Buck in the beginning of 7x04 on that call with Ravi (I miss Ravi!!) as Buck watched and pined from the sidelines, would have made for a much better story and probably would have had us much more in Tommy's favor than the crap writing we got.

Tommy could have been the Chris to Eddie's Chen (The Rookie reference).

We would have been much more invested and heartbroken at the breakup, if he wasn't reduced to Buck's background boyfriend.

Did I have any affection towards him after Hen and Chimney's begins? Hell no.

Was I sad to see him walk out that door in 8x06? Nope.

It was long awaited because that's how the story was told, when things are tough, complicated and don't go his way Tommy, like all of Buck's previous engagements just walk out that door.

The way Tommy was introduced in his connection to Eddie (that pretty much evaporated after that kiss with Buck, like wtf?) indicated that he could have been written in a different way,

That last minute change, reduced Tommy to what Taylor was reduced into in S4 finale and then in S5 - nothing but a LI.

I was disappointed, not that Buck is bi, but that the LI he had, didn't get the storytelling we all could have had fun with. It was bland and meaningless in the grand scheme of things, cause, somehow, 6 months later Buck still has no idea what he is exactly.

(Buck's supposed heartbreak is a whole other post and it is centered solely around Buck.)

So yeah, Eddie and Tommy made much more sense and probably would have been a fun ride, if not for the truly bad last minute change that turned the "nester" into a cheater with a ghost. And what could have been a beautiful redemption arc into a sham.

[roseodelle]

Arcane Pt2 - Eris Vanserra x Unnamed OC

Eris’s best kept secret is infiltrated.

No use of y/n

WC: 1326

Warnings: Angst, Violence

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

The forest is charred. Their wards are broken, and the glamours have fallen. The cottage is in shambles. Once a beautiful home for them both, smoke now drifts upward from the rubble. Trampled are the flowers and vegetable garden she’d tended to dearly for so many years. The smell makes him sick to his stomach, and he falls to his knees. There’s nothing left.

His chest heaves, his hands gripping and pulling at his short red hair. Tears begin to fall from his face as reality sets in and the sobs begin. It’d happened so quickly. In his quarters of the Forest House one moment, standing above his beheaded brothers the next. Beron will be after him; he knows. He’ll send the hounds and guards before he himself comes to smite him down. He has minutes, if that. He’d killed his brothers. He’d have killed his father, too, if he didn’t know better. But while Eris was strong, Beron was stronger.

Her body... her body lay ahead of him in the destruction of their home. What will Beron do to her, even in death, he wonders? He won’t find out. He will not let Beron desecrate her further. She deserves dignity in her death, and he will give it to her. His love. His grace. His empathy and compassion. His brilliance. His mate. He failed her. How didn’t he know? Why didn’t he feel the intrusion on the ward? Why didn’t he feel her through the bond? Why didn’t she call for him? Why leave her side of the bond closed to him, even near death? Why shield him from his failure, from her pain and fear?

Rising from the scorched earth, he takes an unsteady step forward. His right foot lands on a shard of stained glass that once belonged to the beautiful front door. She’d been so proud to have found it. A great discovery: a decrepit old wooden door with a stained glass window. His chest tightens again. He wasn’t here. He wasn’t here. With uneven steps, he walks through the rubble. The sitting room was once such a beautiful space. They’d spent so many hours and so many years together in that room. Once lively shades of green and orange are now a burnt charcoal gray. The kitchen was the same. Only the innermost walls of the home still stand as he makes his way down the hall.

He needs to find her. He dreads finding her. He tries again to tug on that string, that bright orange thread, tying them together. Nothing. He feels nothing. Minutes, he reminds himself. He has minutes until the sentries come. Before Beron comes with vengeance. 

Their bedroom lay just a few steps ahead. The door was broken, leaning sideways on it’s hinges. The smell is stronger here. Putrid death mixes with the remaining scent of his life. Only faint hints of jasmine and sage rise above the remnants of an angry, relentless flame. The scent of his brother was a bitter aftertaste. He marches on.

Their bed was left unmade. The lxurious golden sham is now a horrid black. Down pillows burned to a crisp. Intricate woodwork smolders, and her scent is stronger here, but he still can’t see her. He passes their bed and her vanity. Flower pots and dirt litter the floor, and the burgundy rug he found on a trip to Adriatta is torn into shreds. She’d put up a fight. Good girl. His chest heaves, vomit rises in his throat, and he shakes his head, steadying himself again. He needs to get her out and take her somewhere Beron cannot find her. Where he cannot do her more harm. Where she can rest.

He finds her in the closet. She’s curled inward on herself, her beautiful dress bloody and torn. Her back is still, and the familiar rise and fall of her breath are nonexistent. She’s gone. She’s gone. She’s gone. He’s shaking again, tears burning his cheeks. Unsteady hands reach toward her burned body. The skin of her back was blistered and damaged beyond repair. There’s so much blood. From her face to her chest, her arms, and her legs. She’s covered in cuts and burns. His sobs become stronger and louder as he reaches for her. She’s not breathing.

“My love.” He brokenly whispers, begs, and pleads with her as he pulls her destroyed body into his arms. He turns her face toward him. Unmarred by the fire of his brother. Her eyes remain closed, the stillness of her chest breaking his soul into pieces. He rests his cheek on hers, his tears making their home on her skin. 

“My love, please. Please wake up.” He chokes back a sob, running his hand along her arm and along her spine in an effort to wake her, but he knows. He knows she’s gone.

“Please. Come back to me. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He’ll die here, he decides. How could he take his place as High Lord without her by his side? Let Beron strike him down. Let his father's fire end his life as he holds his mate in his arms. He’d die with her. He leans down, pressing a chaste kiss to her cold lips, and he closes his eyes. Let him die here.

Two hundred years. Two hundred years of safety. Serenity. Peace. Over. All over. His heavy sobs shake his shoulders and shake the still body in his arms, and as he holds her tighter, he still runs his hands over her arm and back. His hand finally rests on her wrist, checking for a pulse he knows he won’t find. 

“I’m so sorry, my love. I’m so sorry.” He repeats until the words run together in an incomprehensible mumble, his fingers digging too tightly into her wrist, hoping to feel something he knows he will not. He wasn’t here. He didn’t protect her. For two hundred years, he’d kept her safe. It wasn’t enough. He had failed her. 

His breath stalls in his throat, eyes widening in shock. Denial floods through him as he tugs again at the bond that remains silent, but he felt it. It was so faint, so faint, but it was there. Her pulse.

“My love, my love, please.” He straightens, pulling her tighter to his chest and forcing her face toward his once again. Her beautiful eyes remain closed, but he feels it again. It's so faint, but it’s there. She lives.

His demeanor shifts, his mask falling into place as he assesses the situation anew. She’s mortally wounded. She will not live, not unless she receives help he cannot give her. Cannot provide for her. Not with Beron’s sentries so close behind him. Minutes, he reminds himself. He has but a few minutes with her before they come for him. Before Beron comes from her. Seconds, he amends, another faint pulse coming through much later than the last.

He’s on the border of three courts. He has two options. He can beg for sanctuary in the Summer court. Tarquin is known to be just and kind. But Beron will follow. Beron will follow him across Prythian. Tarquin would not be able to provide the safety or care she requires. Nor Kalias in the Winter Court, who would likely attempt to freeze Eris on sight. 

There is only one true option, he realizes. The Night Court sees Eris as the ruthless, conniving killer he made sure he was known as, but his mate was not like him. Not like the mask he wore. The mask he perfected over two hundred years to protect her. Tensions between Eris and the court were harsh on both sides, but it may be the only place Beron will not follow.

It’s the only option, he knows. And as another weak pulse graces his fingertips and the rustle of leaves alerts him to the first sentry sent for him, he knows what he must do.

[evilweasel]

Locked Tomb Necro-Cav Dynamics

I'm probably either reaching or stating something really obvious, but - if the necro/cavalier partnership is supposed to be a metaphor for marriage under patriarchy (in being that it was created by a guy who seemed to have taken bullet points from the previous society and its power dynamics, in which one party holds all the power and the other is supposed to submit and serve blindly), then a lot of the necro/cav pairings we see in Canaan House reflect a lot of marriage tropes from Earth.

Judith and Marta

They seem to reflect a "stereotypical" necro-cavaliership, akin to a stereotypical marriage. Judith and Marta appear to have known each other in school ("I have studied energy transferral aptitude with Lt. Dyas since our school days." [GtN: P.456]) and were sworn to each other not long after school , not dissimilar to how a lot of very "traditional" marriages begin in high school and are quickly consummated after. They are also very professional and close with each other, and through Cohort military training are the pinnacle of everything a necro and cav should be, even down to Judith having to watch her cavalier die for her lol.

Ianthe, Coronabeth, and Naberius

Necro-cavalier bonds are typically partnerships, HOWEVER in this case Ianthe makes a third, and so she and her twin have to share a cavalier, which is very much frowned upon. My initial thought is this is a metaphor for polyamory, despite Ianthe and Corona being twins. But also them being twins hasn't stopped them from being very... attached to each other, to the point where several characters in the novels make references to their incestous-bordering relationship. (Palamedes comments about it to Nona I can't find the exact quote rn it's very late). So maybe it's not that far fetched.

Isaac and Jeannemary

The "arranged child marriage" trope, as they are the youngest necro/cav pair, having been sworn to each other at age 9/10, and Jeannemary being modelled into Isaac's cavalier from birth ("Intended to be Isaac's cavalier from birth, swore the oath with him and gained the title at age nine." [GtN: P. 460]). This is not unlike a lot of marriages between throughout the ages as families betrothe their young/unborn to strengthen ties and forge alliances.

Magnus and Abigail

Magnus and Abigail are a weird one again, because I'm saying the necro/cav relationship are a metaphor for marriage, and yet Abigail and Magnus, who ARE married, are reviled for it. The metaphor isn't perfect, and I'm willing to be wrong about this. Honestly just read this post by @katakaluptastrophy because honestly it was this that got me thinking in the first place.

Silas and Colum

Silas and Colum are a play on many marriages being incestuous; it's not unheard of for medieval marriages to be between uncles and nieces or aunts and nephews, especially to keep blood purity in noble families, which is very much a mindset of the Eighth and their need to "breed batteries". (Source)

Harrowhark and Gideon

Honestly, for these two I'm... not sure which part would be the metaphor. The sham nature of their necro/cav partnership? The power dynamics of an indentured servant being boosted up to the partner of a figurehead? All of it?

And from here I can't think of other marriage tropes that fit the others. The two left are the Sixth and Seventh but as we don't know anything about the relationship between Dulcinea and Protesilaus (since both are a bit... out the picture during GtN), it's hard to comment on. Unless, that's the commentry? Cam and Pal also don't fit anything that immediately comes to mind, apart from maybe mild incest again? But then, we have the Eighth to fit that trope already,,,

Let me know if you think this idea has any merit!! It's 4am, I'm tired, and I'll go back and fix sourcing issues at another point lol.

[wingdingsandbrokenstrings]

Peter Venkman Headcanons I've had over the years:

His name is actually pronounced 'Vinkman' (if you listen closely that's actually how he pronounces it)

His ego is a sham. He's incredible self-conscious and covers it up with bad humour

He's autistic but presents differently than Egon and Ray. His struggle with social interactions and forming bonds drove him to study psychology.

He's bipolar.

I do love the circus background presented by Mueller in the novelization and the Real Ghostbusters (We do NOT look at the Larry Milne version). I think it offers a unique style of social scripting that accounts for his peculiar persona.