#I always assumed that she say GREY but now I'm not sure

[flowerytale]

Florence and the Machine, from “Mother”

[inkskinned]

i was raised by a catholic deacon so as a kid - maybe ages 7 to 14 - i would have told you that abortion was only okay in exception cases like rape. i didn't even really understand any of the terms at play here, only how to parrot that there were "few and far between" exceptions, but abortion-as-a-whole was irresponsible and evil. i believed it was a bad form of birth control.

for context's sake - i still had a flip phone. google wasn't really a thing back then. the whole narrative was akin to the apostle's creed: i don't know that i ever thought about what the words meant, only that this was what i was supposed to say when asked. i remember being in 4th grade and having it down pat - abortion is evil, except in cases such as rape. my father wasn't insensitive, after all - he acknowledged there might be medical necessity to end a life.

what changed was that at 14 i learned how hard it is to prove that a rape has happened.

it was a boy, actually. and his piano teacher. and him telling me, crying, that nobody believed him that he didn't want it. and what if she gets pregnant?

this is the mark in a lot of our lives: at some point, someone will confide in you, and then you see exactly how often it happens. how it happens so fucking loudly, and nobody says anything. how often your friends, nervous, will shakily admit that while they love their partner, there are a few times that they didn't really consent, that they didn't really want it. for others, there are nights half-remembered in bars. for others, they married their partner at 15, so now it's "fine", legally. for others, there are yes moments that felt like a no. there were no moments that were never acknowledged. you say no but are told you actually said yes because of what you were wearing or because he is good at swimming and his life would be ruined or because he's a nice guy or -

in the last 8 years, my father has become radicalized. he now believes in "no exceptions".

but the truth is that there was never going to be a true "exception" clause. there was never going to be a grey area. i am not even really sure they believe in the concept of rape. and if they did - how would you ever prove it? in the six weeks you have to state your case - when it takes years in a court of law - the "rape exception" would simply evaporate under the continued pregnancy. you were never going to have a moment where you could privately tell a doctor - it's because of a rape. there was no box you could check. there was no form you could file. it was always going to be assumed consensual until proven malignant. it was always going to be your fault.

they also knew they couldn't actually sell the rest of us on this idea of it's always blessed. they knew in their hearts that every pregnancy should be wanted. they knew going in that plenty of us - even raised catholic, even having had this shoved down our throats - plenty of us still had too many questions about what ifs.

it's just they just didn't want to come off as monsters. they patted our heads and taught us they weren't insensitive. they just had these beliefs. and then they put their hands on our bodies. and said if you don't listen, i'm going to force them.

[ozzgin]

Hii I was wondering if u could do a yandere Kazuya x yn x yandere Daitou I’m not sure if u do character x yn x character tho

Yandere! Yakuza x Reader Spinoff

Two yakuza men who have fallen in love with their new foreign tenant. A what-if spinoff to the original story for that love triangle spice. Happy Valentine's Day!

Content: female reader, NSFW, organized crime, obsessive behavior, violence, BDSM themes (choking), threats

Credits: My boyfriend for giving me the Daitou smut idea

[Main Story] | [General Headcanons]

Kazuya is sitting on the sidewalk, checking his watch occasionally and tapping his foot. The cigarette seems to have been forgotten, hanging lowly from his lips.

"Sorry I'm late." Daitou speedily makes his way towards his friend, smiling awkwardly.

"Where the fuck were you, man? We don't know how much time we have before the cops arrive."

"Uh uh, leave it to me." The cheeky grin doesn't leave his face as he pulls out his gun and carefully but swiftly inspects the barrel and safety one final time. "(Y/N) needed some help with the mailbox. I couldn't just say no, ya know?"

The blonde man's eyebrows raise for a second, but he quickly recollects himself.

"I see. That's good."

"She asked me to show her the area tomorrow, so I'll be working extra hard tonight. Hehe."

"That's good."

Daitou glances at Kazuya, somewhat wary.

"You okay?"

Stupid question. What's he supposed to answer? Yeah, he loves waiting like a dumbass while his friend flirts with the new tenant, who conveniently happens to be a cute foreigner, who's been unexpectedly nice and relaxed around them despite them explicitly stating they're part of the Japanese mafia. Fucking hell. It doesn't help that this idiot is as obvious as a blaring, blinding cluster of ads smack in the middle of Kabukicho. He can tell from miles away that Daitou's completely fallen for her. Just like that, in an instant.

They've been partners and best friends for years now, so the natural reaction would be happiness, right? Daitou has always been one scary motherfucker. Even the seniors scramble when he's in the room, let alone women. For him to find someone that isn't bothered the slightest by his appearance or background should be a celebratory occasion. Kazuya should be rooting for him. Except, well, he fell for you just as hard. Tough luck.

The Bushido moral code, often used as guidance within their own lifestyle, covers matters such as loyalty and honesty quite extensively. A true warrior remains fiercely faithful to his master or companions. And yet, love interests are more of a grey area, especially if they happen to overlap. Who dictates the proper etiquette for this dilemma? To whom is loyalty directed towards? Truth be told, Kazuya couldn’t care less. He’s always been a man of vice, impulsive and greedy. If he wants something, he takes it.

The trouble starts when the other person is of the same mindset. Two ferocious predators eyeing the same victim.

***

You fiddle next to the tall, dark-haired man. Similarly, Daitou is avoiding eye contact, looking around in hopes of finding something to focus on. It’s the first time he’s come over since the incident. After his little mission with Kazuya, he was tasked to “interrogate” some of the remaining members to get even more names for the hitlist. He’d completely forgotten about his promise to show you the neighborhood. Hands sticky with blood, he was in the middle of his signature act of benevolence, putting the lad out of his misery.

It was around that time you decided to be the one picking him up instead, for your grand tour. Your knocks on the door remained unheard, however, so you decided to politely make your way in.

“Sorry, I hope I’m not-”

You froze in place. A man (you assumed at least based on the few visible traits left), tied up on the chair, canvas bag roped around his head. Daitou’s hands were secured around his throat. In the few seconds of silence, you could hear a muffled wheezing, as the stranger’s chest heaved in short convulsions.

“-intruding.” You mumbled, regaining your speech.

He messed up, didn’t he? Daitou sighs and slicks his hair back. He can’t blame you if you’re now terrified of him. He had to come over for some tenant checkups and you’ve been maintaining a safe distance from him during his entire visit. What can he possibly tell you? “Hey, I know I threatened to chop you up and you’ve now witnessed firsthand I’m a legit murderer, but, uh…I have a crush on you? Dinner at seven?”

You’re terrified alright, but not of his deeds. Rather, your newly discovered perversion as a consequence of the gory scene. It’s not that you relished in the torment of another. It’s the other details that left you reminiscing. Daitou’s imposing frame, the unbuttoned shirt revealing his traditional tattoos glistening in beads of sweat, his flexed, brawny arms, and large hands. You’re scared of your shamelessness. It can’t be normal. Yet you can’t stop thinking about it. Just a glimpse into this memory and your cheeks become burning red.

“I’ll be on my way then”, the yakuza announces politely.

Though he immediately stops in his tracks, and you realize you’ve unconsciously grabbed onto his sleeve. Uh oh. What now? You mumble an apology without releasing your hold. Being this close to him makes your heart drum inside your chest.

To hell with it.

“I might say something terribly inappropriate right now, but…”

“Sorry?” He stares at you, dumbfounded.

“Do you have anything planned after this?” You ask quietly.

“N-no?”

“Would you mind staying over?”

“Huh? Sure…w-what for?” His mouth is dry, and he searches your eyes in confusion.

“You know…” Choke me until I pass out and such, you think to yourself sarcastically.

He turns to face you, lips pursed awkwardly.

“You’ll have to be clear with me, Miss (Y/N). I’m not good with all this tiptoeing around and I might get the wrong idea.”

Your ears perk up hearing his final words, a deep blush now spreading over your flustered features.

“What wrong idea?”

Daitou fidgets with his glass prosthetic nervously.

“Well, uh, a man can only dream, ya know? Especially around a cute girl like you.” He reveals with a stutter.

“Suppose I’d be willing to go along with anything on your mind. What then?” You twirl your hair, gazing shyly at the floor. Not even you can believe the audacity leaving your lips.

The tall man steps before you, towering above with a certain gleam in his eye. It’s yearning. Your knees weaken.

“Don’t tease me, please. I can hardly control myself around you as it is.”

You release his sleeve and instead cling onto his shirt with both hands, looking up through your lashes.

“I’m dead serious.”

He ponders his next move with a click of the tongue, then cups your cheeks between his hands and lowers himself until his hot breath tickles your nose.

“Are you? There’s no going back after this. Can you handle it?” His voice is suddenly deeper, raspier.

Before you can respond, you feel yourself lifted and you yelp, surprised, instinctively wrapping your limbs around the yakuza. In between the greedy kisses that leave your lips bruised and swollen, you don’t notice the movement back towards the seating area.

As you pull away to gasp for air, he throws you onto the couch, flipping you over in the process so that you’re kneeling away from him. Your nails dig into the soft fabric of the sofa. You hear Daitou unbuckle his belt and you squeeze your legs together, heavily aroused. He presses his palm gently into your back, arching it. You sense his fingers grazing over your core and you whimper.

“G-go on, please.” You beg, swaying your hips tentatively. “I really can’t wait anymore.”

“As you wish, Miss.” He reassures you with a grin.

He adjusts himself and carefully makes his way in. You don’t have time to enjoy the feeling; following almost instantly is his belt looped around your neck, tightening under his grip as he pulls the ends towards him. Your head is forced back, and you groan. You can hear the leather stretch and creak over your assaulted skin, the constriction briefly cutting your oxygen intake. Hot drool trickles down your chin and your eyes almost roll back in pleasure.

“Look at my little Miss (Y/N), taking it like a champion.” He bends over and bites your earlobe playfully. “Does that mean I can be as rough as I want?”

You nod erratically.

The grip around your throat intensifies and your vision becomes blurry.

“Hey, don’t pass out now.” He inserts two fingers in your mouth, pulling you by the cheek and tilting your head to look him in the eye. “Not before you show me that you understand your situation. You’re mine. Is that clear?”

He drags his fingers downwards, aiding your response as you struggle to contract your muscles.

“Attagirl.” He concludes, satisfied.

In the morning you wake up with a dreadful soreness, and you can quickly see why. Your body is peppered in bruises. Daitou is smoking by the window and promptly flicks his cigarette out once he realizes you’re no longer asleep.

“Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” He begins, remorseful, and squats in front of the bed. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“I will need a day or two to recover before the next time, but otherwise I’m fine.”

He beams with delight upon registering your words: next time. You can’t help but snicker at his childish enthusiasm. It’s a mystery how Daitou can switch between ruthless killer and cute partner with such ease.

Although it’s no secret, really. It’s you.

***

“Thanks for driving me home, Kazuya.”

You smile and unbuckle your seatbelt, reaching for the door handle. Daitou has been busy with work for the past days, so Kazuya took his place in looking after your needs.

“Huh?” You rattle the grab handle one more time to make sure. “It’s still locked.”

The blonde raps the wheel impatiently with his fingers. Is he to silently accept his loss? Does it even count as a loss when he hasn’t even had the chance to present his piece? Daitou has been quiet about it, but he can read that bastard like an open book. Something definitely happened between the two of you and the mere thought drives him insane.

Ah, this is so unlike him. There are few things he cares about. His pride, his Family’s honor, his freedom. Women aren’t exactly on that list, yet somehow, you’ve snuck your way to the very top of priorities and he’s realizing it just now. It’s becoming harder to ignore his maddening urge to have you. Out of all the things…He’d give Daitou the world. But not you. He can’t. He can’t.

“Kazuya? Are you listening? You forgot to unlock the door.”

“Say, (Y/N) …ever fucked in a car before?”

“What?” You ask, baffled.

“Come here for a moment.” He swiftly slides his seat all the way back and pats his thigh.

“Are you out of your mind?”

He answers your inquiry by pulling out his handgun and lazily pointing it towards you.

“I’m only going to ask once.”

You clumsily climb over the center console, straddling the yakuza with a slight pout.

“Someone’s in a sour mood, that’s for sure”, you complain. “It’s not even loaded.”

“Even I’m not crazy enough to risk shooting my Princess.” He smiles apologetically, throwing the gun on the backseat. “I thought it’d be more threatening that way.”

He removes a strand of hair from your face, gazing at you intently. His hand lingers for a second, before sliding its way down, tracing the side of your body. You shiver.

“Can you truly blame me when there’s such a pretty girl right before my eyes?” The blonde exhales and focuses on your shirt instead. “Won’t you let me prove myself?”

From this distance, despite the dim lights, you can discern his features in agonizing detail. His long lashes, his fleshy lips, currently parted, the luscious locks of hair casually thrown back. Kazuya has always been effortlessly handsome. It’s not just his good looks, but his overflowing charisma. He always knows exactly what to say and do. A devilish power to have over people, and you’re presently his victim.

His slender fingers play with your first button and cheekily undo it. You can only observe it, entranced. Your legs are weak, and your arms are stuck in place, resting limply over his broad shoulders.

“May I?” He glances up at you with a pleading expression. “I won’t be able to hold back afterwards.”

You bite your lower lip, distracted. Whether or not this is a wise choice, you can’t currently tell. You squirm in his lap and suddenly feel the pressure coming from below.

“Go ahead.” You finally confess.

He doesn’t hesitate and slithers his hand underneath your shirt, popping the rest of the buttons open. Like a hungry animal that has stumbled upon a feast, he sinks his teeth into your neck, leaving mean, wet kisses on his way down.

One hand is greedily kneading your curves, encouraged by your soft whimpers, while the other strokes your thigh in anticipation. With a bit of readjustment, he finds the right spot between your trembling legs. You jolt at the sensation of his cold fingers.

“My, you’re already dripping. How lewd.” He whispers between breaths. “Do you want it now?”

He nonchalantly slips out and undoes his own pants. You lift yourself expectantly and let a moan escape your lips upon feeling the erection throbbing right below.

“Well then, can’t forget our manners, can we?” He announces, visibly excited. “What should I do?”

You glare at him, feverish.

“Stop teasing me.”

“Come on, be a good girl. Tell me what to do and I will do it, Love.”

Why, this…You lower yourself to his ear and answer in a lulled whine.

“Isn’t it obvious? I want you to fuck me.”

Words enough to send the blonde man over the edge. He abruptly clutches your thighs for support, easing himself in before continuing with increasingly aggressive thrusts. Husky whimpers roll out of his mouth, desperate and starved.

“Oh, I’ve waited so long for this. My darling, perfect little (Y/N).” He presses his forehead into your chest, indulging in the moment. “Now say that you’re mine. Please. Please say it.”

“I’m…ah…I’m all yours, Kazuya.” You manage to blurt out, growing dizzy.

“That’s my girl. Such a good girl.”

Once the deed is finished, you flop your head over his chest, trying to catch your breath. Kazuya smoothens your clothes meticulously, holding you with one arm for support. Can’t leave a lady all disheveled, after all.

“Won’t Daitou be upset?” You point out, somewhat anxiously.

His muscles are tense for a second and he furrows his brows.

“That’s one strange way to thank me for making you come at least twice. Mentioning another man’s name.”

“I’m just…” your words trail off.

“What? Worried? You think I can’t handle it or something?”

Far from the truth. Both Kazuya and Daitou are violent, dangerous men. Given their stubbornness, you’re rather certain they’d end up killing each other. Not your favorite outcome.

“I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”

He sighs loudly.

“I’ll tell you what. Under normal circumstances, I’d probably dismember whoever had the guts to even entertain the idea of meddling with you. But…just because it’s Daitou, I might be willing to share. Nothing more than that.”

Kazuya ruffles your hair and chuckles.

“Aren’t you glad I’m such a diplomat, Love?”

“More like batshit crazy, both of you.” You retort, stretching.

[rederiswrites]

Okay so I'm giving @corseque 's super-important audio of all Solas' comments about the Blight a second (or fifteenth, whatever) listen and taking notes as I go.

Solas doesn't think for a second that once the archdemons are gone the Blight will be gone. Which really makes sense because it's the Blight that makes them an archdemon, not the other way around. Supposedly, they're blighted when the darkspawn reach and corrupt them. But of course that begs the question of why it's only darkspawn (and uh, honorary darkspawn like the Wardens) that hear their call. Anyway, the way he says it, it sounds more like the archdemons are a limiting factor than a driving factor.

Varric: "What's so confusing about endless darkspawn?" Solas: "A great deal!" So yeah, whatever the plan was, he didn't foresee darkspawn as a consequence. So did he not foresee them existing at all, or not foresee them being free to cause problems? Worth noting that it's really clear both in general and in Descent that dwarves as a whole were a huge blind spot for him.

He is really really surprised that the Western Approach ever recovered from the Blight. Pretty clear he didn't think that was possible.

He thinks that everything the Wardens have done up til now is a deeply misguided effort that's served (mostly accidentally) as a delaying tactic. Gotta say, with the information we have at hand, this point pairs about as well with the last as a nice dry red with spicy pickles. If the Wardens shouldn't have done what they've done, but he didn't think recovery from the Blight was possible, I'd love to hear what he thought the alternative was.

Same dialogue as above, but when Solas talks about stopping the Blight and when Blackwall and Varric talk about it, one gets the distinct impression that they're talking at cross purposes, because Varric and Blackwall are talking about the experience of Blights, as in, periodic events, whereas I think Solas is talking about THE Blight, that is, its true nature, which is yet untouched.

He thinks Erimond is dumb as shit, which is fair and valid. "That's madness! For all we know, killing the Old Gods could make things even worse!" he says. Well, he knows a lot more than "we" know, but it's entirely possible that he doesn't for sure know this. Increasingly clear that he thinks it, though.

I'd forgotten just how pissed off he was about the Grey Warden plan to kill the Old Gods before they were corrupted. It really doesn't give "hey you're killing my relatives" energy. It really gives "wow that would fuck us all" vibes.

Of course, with a side of my remembering that Solas' besetting flaw was always thinking people should know better even though they don't have access to the knowledge he has. That flaw I WILL grant. He displays it repeatedly--you could even say the writers went out of their way to make the point.

"The Blight is the real problem"

"The fools who first unleashed the Blight on this world thought they were unlocking ultimate power." Anyway yeah those are the absolute core of everything here. The Blight is the real problem and the Blight was deliberate. Deliberately made or deliberately freed.

Even during the events of Inquisition, Solas obviously sees Corypheus as secondary to the Blight as a danger.

Cassandra suggests that the archdemons were really just dragons--"Pets to those who no longer exist", by which she probably means the Old Gods, not specifically the gods of Elvhen, just because of her cultural background. Solas finds this suggestion amusingly wrong--a quiet snort, and "I would not go so far as that."

Last notes: he doesn't sound like he thinks the Blight can be stopped, and he's adamant that it can't be controlled. Which is presumably why he broke the world in an attempt to contain it, assuming I'm right that that was the underlying reason for the Veil. That it didn't quite work the way he'd hoped is also pretty evident, though I wanna be clear that I assume he was working from a place of desperation, and that not knowing every possible outcome of an action is not a condemnation of having taken it.

[russellsppttemplates]

Uh oh, I'm falling in love (Lando Norris)

Y/N and Lando both have jobs that require good sight and attention to detail and yet they're oblivious to their feelings for eachother

Note: english is not my first language. I'm in a very fluffy mood, so I got really excited when I got this request! This also makes my expectations even higher and calls me single in about seventeen different languages at once...

Thank you so much to everyone who likes and reblogs, your feedback is appreciated 🤍 and I'm taking requests so if you have any ideas or concepts you want to share, feel free to do so as I'll try to get to them the best I can!

my masterlist

Tw: mentions a needle (for sewing)

Tag list: @myloverjk-blog

"Hey guys! How's everyone?", Max said to the camera as you made sure the set up was right, the screen showing his and Lando's faces on one screen and the table on the other like it was supposed to.

"As per your many, many requests, we have brought our graphic designer at Quadrant, Y/N", Lando announced as you appeared on camera, sending a very awkward first wave to the camera, "today's stream is little different than our usual programming, but it was the only way she agreed to be in one! You guys really wanted to see her, so we had to be creative!", Max said as he moved the friendship bracelets making kit into view on the table.

"Hey, Queen Taylor said we should make the friendship bracelets, so we're just following her!", you chuckled, looking at all the coloured threads and colourful beads, sorting them out and grabbing a pen and paper so you could draw your ideas.

"Since you guys wanted to get to know Y/N, can I tell them to send in questions?", Lando questioned you, "sure, I'll answer them to the best of mu ability", you smiled.

You were picking the letters you needed for the bracelet you were making when Max spoke up, "first one: how did you start working with Quadrant? I'd love to work on the team when I finish my degree!".

"I saw the job offer, and I must admit at first I didn't really know much about the company. I looked it up, looked cool enough and I sent my CV and portfolio in. So keep your eyes peeled for any offers, I guess? We have them now on the website, which was my doing, so you can check them out there if you want to be part of the team", you offered.

"I need help, guys", Lando said as he fiddled with his bracelet, the orange and grey beads with his initials sliding on the elasticated material, I can't do the closing knot on my own", he pouted as you placed your bracelet down.

"You have to flip it like this, here. Just put it on your wrist and I'll do the rest", you ushered him, your fingertips gingerly touching his hand and wrist as you quietly laced it, "this way we don't get frilly bits out and it looks pretty, see? Pretty!", you smiled, modelling his wrist for the camera.

Pretty, that's what he often thought about you. Not only pretty, but it was one of the first physical traits that came to mind.

"We should all have matching ones!", Max said as he completed his bracelet, impressively on his own, revealing the colourful beads with Quadrant spelled in white round beads with black letters, "I'll make one for each of you", he said as he watched you show your own, pink beads and a lyric he assumed was from a Taylor Swift song.

"I'll make Y/N's, she helped me after all", Lando said as one brave fan sent a comment into the chat.

He's so giddy to make Y/N a bracelet, it's a shame it will snap because of his lack of skills

Am I delusional if I say that they'd make a great couple?

If you're delusional, then what do I call myself? I still think they're making heart eyes at eachother whenever they catch the slightest glimpse!

We're joining forces, I think it's a noble pursuit!

He's a dork, Y/N, but you should give him a chance

Have you always known you wanted to be a graphic designer?

"I thought about different careers before I settled on this one, for now at least", you explained, "engineering was in the running up, but then I figured out that I was curious about how things worked, but that didn't mean that I wanted to be the one working on it. And this was a way to express my creativity, my strategy planning as well, and at the moment it's been quite good", you smiled as Lando grabbed your wrist softly, "I need to make sure this fits", he interrupted, "and it won't snap because I've learnt how to do it, thank you very much", he blushed. So he, too, was reading the comments, choosing not to dwell in them.

"Look, this way you always have a lucky charm with you everywhere you go, even if we're not together. We're eachothers lucky charms!", Lando announced as Max mafe a fake gagging noise.

.

"Are you all ready?", you said as you and Tara walked inside the room, clasping your watch on your wrist and hoping to find the boys ready.

Quadrant had been invited to a gala dinner that celebrated the companies in the same line of business, inviting five people to take part in the meal. After some team members politely declining the invitation since they had things booked already, the group ended up being Lando, Max, Callum, Tara and yourself.

The dress required everyone to up their usual style, hence the long dress you were wearing. Even though it was far from your usual everyday attire, you felt beautiful in the dress you ended up with after browsing the online shops for a while. The cut was simple, the skirt widening from your waist down and complimenting your curves as the sheen from the midnight blue fabric looked soft and sweet against your skin.

Lando seemed to think the same, trying his best to not let his mouth hang open when you and Tara walked inside their room, heels clicking on the wooden floor as you hurried them, "does it really take that long to put on a suit? I had to help Tara with the laces on her back and we still got ready faster than the three of you?", you asked, shaking your wrist to check if the dainty watch wasn't going to fall and that it wasn't too tight either.

Looking up to meet Lando's eyes, you were sure you physically and audibly gulped. No one should look that good in a plain white shirt. The cuffs were still unbuttoned, but the shirt itself was tucked in his black pants. He didn't have any jewellery, so his tanned skin caught your eye as it contrasted with his clothes.

"Lando has a problem with his shirt and we are trying to solve it", Max said, a little bit too antsy given that, at the naked eye, there didn't seem to be a big issue with the piece of clothing you had been inspecting quite closely.

"There was a loose button, and I tried to fix it, but I made it worse", Lando said as he pointed to the button on his hand, the slight movement showing you the place where it was supposed to he holding the piece together and closed.

"Three people in this room and no one thought about grabbing the sewing kit from the amenities?", Tara suggested, looking for it in the box that was the same as it was in your room, "see? Simple as that! Can you sew it, Y/N? My hand isn't fully healed yet, I can't quite grasp something that small yet".

Tara had injured herself earlier on in the week, prompting her to ask to tag out of the gala until you pleaded her to go so you wouldn't be alone, so she couldn't do it. None of the other guys seemed to even know how to pull the thread through the needle, so you grabbed the kit from Tara's hand, "sure, I'll do it", you said, "if that's okay with you, that is", you looked over at Lando.

"Sure, anything to solve this. Do I keep it on or should I take it off?", he questioned, wanting to slap himself straight after at his offer. Why would he volunteer to be shirtless in front of you? It certainly wasn't the way to go, shoving himself like that.

"On should be fine", you muttered, missing the snickers going on behind you as you wet the thread with your tongue, careful to not transfer any of the lipstick on it and ruining the piece without point of return for good, easily looping it through and adjusting the size of the ends.

"Button", you put your hand out so Lando could place it in your fingers, "I will do my best not to poke you, let me know if I do so accidentally", you mumbled at the closeness to him you found yourself in. It was the third button from the top, and as much as you loved the sight of the shirt slightly undone, the dinner required his shirt to be done up. Looping the thread on the button a few times, you moved to pierce the crisp white fabric so it would be secure, your hands dangerously close to his skin as you could hear his laboured breath. Lando still remembered and thought constantly about your fingers touching his hand and wrist when you did the friendship bracelets video for the YouTube channel, and right now, it only added to his predicament.

"It's done, all good!", you exclaimed, looking up as you cut the thread and seeing Lando's eyes on you. The intensity nearly threw you off of your balance as you stood the tiniest bit crouched down on your high heels.

Scrambling to further the distance between your bodies, you smoothed out the non existent wrinkles on your dress, storing the supplies back in the kit as Lando managed to utter out a thank you, too stunned and intoxicated by your scent to say anything else.

"I sewed a button as neither of you look any more ready that you were when we got here? We're going to be late!", you hurried, sitting next to Tara and ignoring her smirk as you scrolled through your phone.

.

"That shoot will have to wait since Lando won't be back here soon, then", you said, moving things around in the online shared calendar, "when did you say you could again? I'm sorry", you asked, rubbing your forehead and squeezing your eyes, adjusting your glasses and looking at him through the screen.

"The first weekend of the next month", Lando assured, "are you okay, Y/N?", he asked. The bags under your eyes didn't fool anyone and you looked tired. And sick, he guessed by the layers of clothing you had on.

"I had a pretty shit day, actually", you admitted, "I had to go with the guys from storage because there was an issue. The supplier sent the samples and we wanted to get things moving so I could have some ideas for the description and the social media team also wanted to prep the draft for the whole story telling, but it all went under. I also think I caught some bug, so it's been a fun day", you exaggeratingly smiled, mocking your own misery.

"You look like you need a hug, Y/N. Do you need a hug?", Lando asked as you nodded, "Actually, that would be pretty good, but I live alone. The neighbours would think I'm pretty weird if I went around like this asking for one, too", you reasoned.

Even though he wasn't next to you, Lando still managed to pull a smile out of you as he got up from the chair he was sitting in, hugging his laptop, "did you feel that hug?", he loudly wondered, "it's full of Get well soon fairy dust!", he smiled charmingly.

"Fairy dust, mate?", Callum wondered, reminding you of his presence in the videocall, "you try and spend more than a few hours with a little girl and you let me know. Mila has taught me all about fairy dust and princess magic", Lando added.

.

"How will we get out of here?", you wondered, starting to regret joining Lando, Max and Pietra when they said they were going to watch a football game. You loved the sport and you figured it would be a nice distraction after a work loaded week, but now, things were looking less than a distraction.

"We will let them space out once the game finishes, free up the roads as well because getting out of here will be a pain, too", Lando suggested.

The game granted your team a win and three points in the championship, the crowd going wild as they clapped, whistled and waved their scarfs, slowly leaving the stadium.

"Should we make a run for it now?", Pietra said, holding her boyfriend's hand as she allowed him to pull her away.

You followed Lando, thanking his choice of a colourful hoodie to wear today as it made it easier for you to spot him, "go in front of me, I'll back you up", he switched positions. You weren't having too much trouble until you were met with a ramp, people carelessly shoving others as they tried to leave as quick as they could, all with the same intent of avoiding traffic and crowded roads.

"Here, Y/N", you heard Lando as he grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers in his and pulling you along, excusing you two as you approached Max and Pietra again, "we're here", you tapped the blonde woman's shoulder with your free hand.

"Goodness, that was and adventure", she said once you reached the stadium car park, the crowd clearing up significantly as there was maybe another ten people headed the same way as you were now, "is everyone alright? I think someone stepped on my foot quite a few times, or many people stepped on it at various different times", you reasoned, walking alongside Lando still.

"Don't we need to hand the bracelets back?", Max said as he looked at the sign, taking his bracelet off and depositing it in the box in the booth, Pietra doing the same as you seemed distracted.

"Are you okay, Y/N?", Max asked, seeing you and Lando were still holding hands and, because of that, not taking off your bracelets.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?", you scrunched your eyebrows, "we need to hand the bracelets back in, so I kind of need to have yours, too", he teased, looking at your hand still entwined with Lando's.

Removing your hand from Lando's as if it har started burning all of a sudden, you removed the bracelet, apologising quietly to the stadium employee as you thanked him, "shall we go now?".

"Dinner out?", Lando gulped, getting into the driver's seat, "Good idea, yes", Max added, sitting in the passenger's seat as you and Pietra sat in the back, your hand rubbing your other hand that had been laced with Lando's own one for a long time. Uh oh, you were falling in love.

.

The launch was finally over after an amazing response from the fans, leaving your heart happy and warm with a sense of mission accomplished.

"Is everything packed into the van?", you asked Tara, "yes, it's just this box. It has fragile things, so do you think you guys can take it in the car with you? It probably only fits at the front, so you'll have to squeeze in with the boys on the back", she smiled apologetically, "it's fine, we'll keep eachother warm like penguins do", you chuckled, holding the door open as she set the box safely.

Saying goodbye to her and the rest of the team, Max and Lando joined you, "You sit in the middle seat", Max pointed at you, opening the door ao you could scoot closer to Lando and he could get in.

"Could you tell me how long we have until get back?", Lando asked the driver, "with traffic at this hour, I'd say around 90 minutes", he smiled, turning on the blinker so he could leave the car park.

"Plenty of time for me to catch up on sleep, then!", you cheered, making yourself comfortable in the space you had, folding your scarf into an impromptu travel pillow, closing your eyes.

"Are you a snorer?", Max asked, making you blindly swat his thigh, "only when I'm sick, and lucky for you, I'm in presteen health, no blocked nose", you grumbled.

It didn't take you long to fall asleep. In the last week, all of the nights combined, you probably slept less than thirty hours, so your body was indeed in need of rest.

"And there it goes", Max said as your pillow undid itself, Lando lifting his shoulder in reflex so your head wouldn't drop drastically, landing on top of him, "Good thing she isn't our engineer, hm?", he chuckled, looking at how his bestfriend was looking at you like you hung the stars and the moon.

"I think I'm in love with Y/N", Lando whispered after he took your appearance in. You had forgone wearing make-up today, so he could see all your moles and scars, your pouty lips and the darkened skin under your eyes. It took everything in him to not bend down and kiss your forehead.

"Congrats on being the last one to find out, mate", Max added, shaking his head, "I genuinely thought you had some issue processing information, I'm glad to find out you don't.

"Now you just have to act on it, which is going to take you, what? Two, three more months?".

[wisedelusionalmarshmallow]

@jegulus-microfic, June 28th - Lawyer, G, Word Count - 740

To the surprise of everyone they knew, James and Lily got divorced three years into their marriage. It was a shared decision and they both ended on amicable terms but everyone kept asking them how it ended? The reason was quite simple, and a little silly honestly. They were better friends. James thought that what he felt was romantic, but it really was just platonic.

Of course, this discovery came after the birth of their son, Harry. So now the both of them had to meet at the courthouse to file for shared custody. It wasn't going to be hard to do, they were both going to co-parent, they just needed the paperwork to show it.

The three of them were currently in their lawyer's office. Harry sat on Lily's lap while her and James keep civil conversation, waiting on Mr Black to show up.

When he does, mere moments later. James is glad he is a newly single man.

Mr Black has short, neatly styled black hair and a properly tailored suit on. James doesn't think he's ever found anyone as attractive before.

"Sorry for my tardiness. I assume I'm speaking with James and Lily Potter, correct?" Mr Black starts, placing a bag behind his desk and taking a seat.

Lily takes charge of the conversation, like she does the majority of the time. James doesn't mind though, it gives him more time to gawk at their lawyer. "That is us, although I've recently changed back to my maiden name, Evans."

James notices the slight crease in the lawyer's brow as he files through a bit of paperwork left on his desk. Clearly confused about the name change. He pulls out a document to examine closer. "I see, that was only finalized this morning, my apologies Ms Evans."

"Don't even worry about it." Lily has one of her signature warm smiles on her face.

Mr Black clears his throat before continuing to file through a little paperwork. "You two are here to file for custody over your son, correct?" Said son is still sleeping against Lily's chest.

She nods. James mainly tunes out the rest of the conversation. Lily's more knowledgeable about these things. Plus, the mother's opinion is always favoured over the father's.

With his silence, James is given an opportunity to continue studying the man in front of him. He's got a few freckles on the sides of his face, and grey eyes that James wants to get lost in. He's leaning on his elbows listening to Lily speak, looking at her like she's the most important person in the world. James wants to be looked at like that, wants all of Mr Black's attention on him and him only.

Lily clears her throat from across the room and gives James a pointed look. Did he miss something?

"Excuse me?" he asks.

"Are you available to come in tomorrow Mr Potter?" Mr Black asks. If he's annoyed he clearly doesn't show it.

James looks up to answer and is hit with the same look Mr Black was giving Lily only moments prior. James swears his heart stopped for that split second. "Uh, um. Well, yes. No plans." Good god kill him now.

Mr Black shoots him a small smile James is sure is out of pity before looking back over to Lily. The rest of the meeting passed by in a blur, James had tuned out again. Not even sure if he spelt his name right on the paperwork.

When the four of them all leave the office. Harry has woken up and Lily's holding his hand to prevent him from running off.

"You're all set, just come back in any time tomorrow to pick up the paperwork." Lily thanks him and starts to walk off, making sure Harry is following her.

James looks back up to Mr Black and is about to say his thanks when the lawyer stretches out his hand, holding something out for James. When he grabs it, he realizes it's a business card, Regulus Black. He looks back up, confused.

"My personal number. You have a bit of a staring problem, did you know that?" Regulus raises an eyebrow in an almost teasing way.

In an instant, James can feel his entire face heat up. "Yes, thanks."

He nearly runs to where Lily and Harry are with the biggest smile on his face. She is one of his best friends after all.

[ramblesbiab]

i desperately need to be the leader of a human uprising against a world which has been largely overtaken by robots and there's one specific robot girl who's a prominent leader in the robot forces. She hates me, I hate her, and years go by as we keep fighting each other. I think we're getting closer, we have to be. We can't let those things win.

Then, finally, it comes. Our largest scale attack. We charge, all at once, on the largest base of operations for the robots, running on adrenaline and hope, desperate, desperate hope, for the future of humanity.

And they obliterate us. They obliterate me, leaving me bloody and barely alive, lying on the battlefield knowing we'd failed. Then, a figure stands over me, and as I blackout, I can feel myself being picked up.

When I wake up, something feels wrong. I'm in pain, sure, but not nearly enough for the abuse I just took, and I assume I must be dead. Then I see her. The robot girl leader, at a work table across the room. Humming a softly digital tune to herself, until I make the surface I'm on creak and she startles.

She explains that I was in critical condition. That I was going to die if I didn't have parts of me replaced, so she did it. I can't think about the disgust of being part machine now from the sheer surprise that she - helped me? My worst enemy saved my fucking life?!

Like she's reading my thoughts, she snaps at me to shut up before I can ever say anything. It's unclear what happens next. If I can leave, if the other robots know I'm here. If her goal is to torture me, so dying wasn't an option, or if there's some other strange reason she wants me alive.

I spend a few unbearably contentious nights in the workshop I woke up in, sleeping on the same table my operation took place. Feeling the machines moving inside me so unnaturally every time I close my eyes. She keeps not saying anything, only giving me glances from the side, not saying I can go but not telling me to stay, either.

One day, I move closer to her worktable. Watching the way her robotic fingers move with such grace. It's mesmerizing.

She finally speaks up to tell me it's rude to stare. But I keep watching, and she does nothing to prevent it. I swear there's a soft smirk on those grey lips of hers.

It's odd to me, how I know what she's working on. About all the devices she's always tinkering with, from all the observing I did while planning the uprising. I know so much about a robot woman I've yet to have a conversation with, at least one that wasn't yelled over the sounds of gunfire and explosions.

I can't bear the silence, nor the occasional sarcastic remarks. So I crack. "What are we?" I ask after another few days. She freezes perfectly in place, or so I think, until I notice the shake to her hand, such an oddly human response to the question. More human then most of the monsters who were willing to join my uprising.

"I'm still figuring that out," she whispers. She goes back to work. After a few minutes, she starts to hum, like I'm not here. Or - like it's okay that I'm here. I let a smile creep onto my face.

We're getting somewhere.

( if it's not obvious this is very inspired by portal 2 and also this portal 2 fanfic: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8896805/27/Of-Robots-and-Women )

[the5thcellar]

Hi, I recently stumbled upon your blog and I am so glad I did! While I’m very sorry for all the troll hate you’ve received, I like the sassy way you’re handling them. I’m trying to find the humor in why so many people are pressed and feel like they need to defend something that you haven’t even denied is real. And just because you have a different opinion, they cannot handle it. Reading your responses, and reading the responses of other people with whom I share similar sentiments, has made me laugh and feel better over the last week. I’ve been desperately trying to find other posts/people that have similar vibes because this whole… situation-ship has been a bit much. I also appreciate your reminder that “no matter how good a man seems, trying to justify anything they do is still a sure path to disappointment!” 

I was wondering if you had any thoughts about Luke’s social media lately? I’ve read some points about how messy his social media presence has been handled (or mishandled) over the past year+ and how it did not help with the way everything played out. Also, I feel like he’s either turned on notifs for Nic because he’s been very diligent about liking all her posts, or maybe, he’s finally gotten a team to handle it. I just feel like everyone is in crisis comms mode, trying to wrangle back control. Just genuinely curious because it’s what I’ve been pondering over for the last day or two. Thank you in advance for your time if you answer my ask!

I'm so sorry this took me awhile - I started replying it in the morning on the way to work but decided I needed to gather my thoughts more.

To the first part: I completely empathise with how the entire situation has just been so "much" - it really has. It seems so silly, but somehow, whether or not two people I DON'T KNOW are in love or not in love, are best friends or are not best friends - can affect so much of my mental and emotional wellbeing.

I know I'm being parasocial (it seems to be the internet buzzword of the moment). But let's be clear: almost EVERYONE online - everyone who has written in to my ask box, who has commented, who has liked - everyone on twitter and tiktok who has talked about this - they're all just as parasocial. Because we're all assuming and casting aspersions on people we do not personally know. No one online who engages in discourse has the moral or ethical high ground. We are ALL in the gutter together (that said - I believe the gutter has many levels 😂).

IN ANY CASE - I just want to assure you that what you're feeling is not some atypical affliction. It is normal to feel awful that something you believed in and something you felt happy about is untrue. It is normal to look for other people who feel the same because misery is always better with company. It is normal to feel disappointed even as you remind yourself that men have been useless since the dawn of time.

The best counter to all these sad, awful feelings is to remember that life is a cycle. That life is complex. And although I'm saying this for the millionth time - that life has many, many grey areas.

As a kid I thought Zanessa was everything. Then they broke up, and she got together with Austin whom I hated. For years I seethed at the very mention of them. And after almost a decade... they also broke up. And not even 2 years after that, she's married and with child.

For a long time I also thought Brangelina was everything - you can't imagine my devastation when they divorced and I found out Brad is a complete dirtbag. But at the same time that I felt this horrible upset - I'm sure TONS of other people were feeling vindicated because they were fans of Jen A.

There are just SO MANY other stories like that. I mean come on - JLo and Ben Affleck. On again, off again, finally made it to the altar ... and now they're headed for divorce.

Chris and Mariska - both married to other people for 27 bloody years (or maybe longer) - and still making it very clear they are each others soulmates - and NOT platonic ones btw.

Tony and Kerry - WHAT EVEN ARE THEY? Perhaps the only pair on the internet that has people rooting for cheating and affairs 😂

Lessons: don't let a long term boyfriend stop you from finding a husband. Don't let a husband stop you from finding your soulmate. Don't let your soulmate stop you from engaging in a late, great love affair.

All crazy, contradicting statements distilled from all the above real life stories.

It makes one thing very clear to me: I can believe what I want to believe about Luke and Nicola. Because no one fucking knows what is in the future. They could get together next month. Next year. When they're in their 70s. No one can tell me SHIT about what I believe - not when life is clearly full of incredible twists and turns.

So fuck it. Fuck the haters and the antis and the naysayers. I can ship them till the day I die and no one can tell me any different. Because how could they? They literally canNOT !

To the second part: this is an easy answer and there's no need to think too much into it. Luke's social media has simply undergone an extensive renovation by his agents and team in anticipation of him becoming a big star (whether or not that will actually happen remains to be seen). All highly personal, "non-aesthetic" posts of his have been archived - his posts are all related to work and his coworkers. He has many posts with Nicola because he / his team knows those get the most engagement - and the more engagement he gets, the better the IG algorithm works in his favour to push his OTHER, non-Nicola or Bridgerton related posts to people's feeds. I don't think anyone is in crisis comms mode tbh. Maybe Nicola panicked a bit after she posted that tiktok that everyone took wildly out of context. But beyond that I don't think the wider audience gives af who he's dating - it seems like his personal life is very big news only because we keep searching about it and talking about it and so it feels like EVERYONE is. But if you step outside the online bridgerton fandom bubble ..... no one cares. There is a HEFTY portion of netflix viewers who watch bridgerton without EVER going online to read about the actors.

Long story short I think Nicola and Luke will become even MORE conscious about what they post - but I don't believe there was a crisis in the true sense of the word. And although Luke's team clearly handles his socials he obviously has access to it as well. Btw - all celebs have someone who handles their socials I'm sure Nic does too, just that she's also on her own account a lot. I don't know if Luke has his notifs on for Nicola's posts but even if he does I don't believe his consistent likes mean anything much. I mean...he also diligently likes all of Antonia's posts 😂

Social media isn't much of an indicator of honesty to me ... as someone whose work heavily involves it, everything is curated to a disgusting degree.

What I put more stock in is what we can see - and what we can see of them when they DON'T think about being seen - which is to say, all the unconscious, natural moments between Nicola and Luke - the vibe around them both, and the easy way they breathe and exist together.

That's what makes me such a big believer in their bond.

[jaylienpotter]

Part 3 of Let them be | 1.9K words

> Part 2 | Part 4 <

Let people want both

Remus, James and Peter were outside already, waiting for Sirius to join them to go to Hogsmead. Remus was getting impatient (it was getting close to that time of the month), it was unbelievable the amount of time someone could take to get ready. They always expected him to take longer, hence why not waiting at the dorm. But that day Padfoot was taking especially long.

Lupin's frown became something else entirely. Thin lips parted, brown eyes wide and cheeks most certainly darker than usual. Siri looked absolutely gorgeous, hot, perfect.

"Looking good Pads!" Prongs greeted the last marauder with his usual cheerful grin. But he didn't have the tall boy's slightest attention.

"You think?"

"Yeah! Girl day?" Sirius hummed affirmatively and got closer. Fuck did he she look even better.

"Where did you get the clothes?" The short blond boy was still getting used to the whole gender thing, but it had gotten better since the protest they did for Regulus.

"Well, Marlene gave me the skirt, said it's a tad too big on her. The top is mine but I cut it to be cropped. Not bad, I'd say. Definitely not the straightest but it's me after all. And I don't know, it gives it a grungy style. The fishnets are Mary's. I was expecting it to be uncomfortable but it's not, really. The accessories are all mine except for the bracelet, which is also Marlene's. The boots are mine, obviously. It would be fun to maybe get heels at one point but I don't think they exist in my size."

"You can always try spells. You look wicked, anyway!" Potter turned to Remus, who was very much panicking on the inside. "Y'alright, Moony?"

"Huh? Oh- yeah, yeah." Was that suspicious? He was quite collected in general but something about that man - or woman, person, didn't really matter - made him feral. He wanted Sirius to be his. He needed it. But he was far too awkward and shy to ever make a move. I mean, what if it ruined their friendship?

"Look!" Pads lifted her rectangle black sunglasses to show an amazing eye look (not that Remus knew much about makeup) that made her grey eyes pop. "I did it myself! Lily has been teaching me how to make different looks with makeup."

"You're on a first name basis, now? You're not stealing Evans from me, Pads, are you?" He squinted as if threatening, not that he would ever hurt his best friend.

"No, don't worry. I'm still very much into blokes."

"Good. Anyone you got your eyes on?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." Suddenly focused on the conversation, a million thoughts raced through Rem's head. Did Padfoot have a crush? Who could it be?

"Secretive. I'm onto you, Pads. And how about you Moony? We all know Pete is devoted to the Ravenclaw boy-"

"Merlin! I've told you already, Benjy and I are just friends."

"Sure." Round glasses turned to Moony, who, for once, was feeling somewhat brave.

"I guess you could say I fancy someone." He hoped to get a reaction from said person.

"Ooooo! Who is she?" This was his moment.

"Why are you assuming it's a girl?" There it was. Pads looked up, interest peaked. It could only be from curiosity, she always enjoyed some drama. Or maybe, hopefully, it could be deeper than that.

"Am I the only straight person here?"

"Well I'm not gay, because I don't fancy Benjy. I don't fancy anyone." Poor Pete. James wouldn't leave him alone about it, constantly teasing.

"Whatever you say, Wormy. Who's this person, Moony?"

"Ain't telling." He was feeling brave and maybe even impulsive. But not even the full moon made him an idiot.

"Aww, come on! Why don't you lot tell me anything?!"

"Perhaps because you're extremely obvious and embarrassing." He did have a point. Although that wasn't the reason in this case.

"Awn, do I embarrass you in front of eagle boy?"

"You're insufferable!" Potter chuckled, deciding it was enough teasing.

"Well, where we off to first? Zonko's?"

"We should go there last. We will need quite a lot of things, we're running out of stock for pranks."

"What would we do without you, Moony?" Get in a lot more detentions, that's for sure. "Three broomsticks?"

They all agreed and went to the pub, ordering butterbeer. After a while of talking about nothings, Peter got up.

"I have to go for a bit."

"Meeting a certain someone whose name starts with a B?"

"Sod off, Potter. I'll see you later." He was barely out the door when James got up too.

"Oh shit! I also need to go. I want to buy Lily some flowers. See if this time she'll accept going on a date. Sorry mates." He took some coins from his pockets (most of them galleons, rich prick) and messily left them on the table. "Uh this should cover some of the drinks. I'll meet you at Zonko's in like 30, yeah?"

"Just go, lover boy."

"Thank you, you're the best!" And then it was just them. It's not like they were never alone, but it was especially hard to focus when Sirius looked like a hot rockstar. No matter where Lupin looked, he could easily get flustered. Face? Amazing makeup that he wanted to kiss. Top? You could see her abs under the crop. Bottom? Obviously the mini skirt. There was no way out.

"You seem distracted."

"Hm? Do I?" Fuck.

"Yes. Is it because of the person you fancy?"

"Maybe." Absolutely.

"I didn't know you were bi." The lanky boy just shrugged, afraid to say something stupid. "Do I know him?"

"You know everyone."

"You know what I mean." Another non answer, a sip of the butterbeer that was near the end. "Do you know if he's gay? Or bi or whatever."

"He is."

"What does he look like?" They were getting into dangerous territory. There weren't many males at hogwarts with fucking grey eyes. Join the long black hair and it was a given.

"Why the interrogation? You also didn't give us much closure."

"Ask me things, then." He pondered. He desperately wanted to find out if Padfoot had any interest in the boy across from her.

"Do you fancy someone?"

"I do." Could be anyone.

"What's his house?"

"Gryffindor, of course. I have high standards, Moons." Siri was the only person that called him that. Got this man on his knees every time.

"I mean you dated a Ravenclaw."

"Shhhh we don't talk about him."

"Right." Brown eyebrows came together "Is it- is it James?" It made sense. They were always together, after all. And Potter was always complimenting his best mate.

"Prongs?! Fuck no! He's my brother. Why? You don't fancy him, do you…?"

"No, no!" Different Marauder.

"What's his house?"

"Also Gryffindor. What does your crush look like?" It could go downhill from there very fast.

"Brown hair. Brown eyes." Matched… "Bad sense of style." Listen. Remus didn't have a bad sense of style. He just liked to be comfortable. Although he could be the one in the description since Black said he looked like a grandfather.

Before Rem could answer, probably ask something that was more specific, a crash and shouts were heard a few tables over.

"Let's go somewhere else?"

"Sounds good."

After paying, Moony awkwardly followed his crush to a secluded area in the street.

"How about you? What does your crush look like?"

"Dark hair…" Pads hummed, encouraging to continue. "Light eyes…" Bastard was smirking. Smirking at the pink cheeks across the scarred face.

"I see…" She got close. Very close. "You know, Lupin. I couldn't help but notice you get particularly shy whenever I'm wearing a skirt. Any reason?" He didn't say anything. I mean, what was he supposed to say? Sirius obviously knew the answer already. "I'd say you simply like short skirts but I don't see you staring at other girls like that." His cheeks matched the colour of their house and he could be playing quidditch with how fast his heart was beating. "What is it, Remy?"

"Siri…" His voice was pleading, his eyes were pleading, his heart was pleading, he was on his knees and she was well aware of that.

"No no." She took his chin and made him look into those grey eyes. "Say it."

"I…" Shit, he was nervous. "I… like you…"

"Was that so hard? If all I needed to do to get you to like me back was to wear a skirt, I would've protested a lot sooner."

"It's not since the skirt… It's been longer." The Black smirk. Annoying and hot. He just wanted to kiss it, aware the bold red lipstick would get smudged on both of them.

"Remus John Lupin, you fool." And just like that, their lips met. Pale arms around the taller one's neck. Moony put his arms around her and pulled her closer, feeling her bare skin and melting into the kiss.

Merlin knows how long the kissing lasted. Time didn't exist between those two. After what seemed like an eternity and yet not enough, they parted.

"You have some lipstick on you." She chuckled and cleaned some of it with her finger. "I'm making it worse…"

"That's okay. I'll wash my face."

"Woooooo!" Turning around, there was a short Filipino blondie cheering them, holding hands with her dark skinned girlfriend. "Fucking finally! You better tell me the details, Black!"

"Fine! Now sod off Mckinnon!" She laughed and pulled Dorcas, walking away. "Well…"

"I uh… I'll wash my face at the pub."

"I'll walk with you." The silence was a tad awkward. At least to Remus. His crush took his hand and broke the ice. "So, since when do you fancy me?"

"I'm not sure… A year, maybe? You?"

"Awww really? You should have come out sooner. I've liked you since fourth year. Never made a move because I thought you were straight. And even after the protest, I wasn't sure if you just found me attractive because I look like a girl."

"No, I like you when you're masculine too. The skirt just… I don't know, has a different effect. Wait here?"

"Is my lipstick smudged?"

"A bit."

"I'll go too." They went back to the pub they had left some minutes ago. Pads went to the girl's bathroom while Remus cleaned his face and grinned at the mirror in the men's. When they met again, the red lips were as lively as before. They stained Moony, the shape of a kiss on his left cheek. "Sorry. Had to."

It had been over 30 minutes since James left to fetch Lily a gift. So naturally, he and Pettigrew were already waiting at Zonko's.

"There they are! Where were you two- Is that lipstick?!" The werewolf blushed and looked down while his partner held up their hands grinning.

"We're dating!"

"What?! You were each other's crushes?!" Wormtail shook his head.

"You are so oblivious, Prongs."

"Wha- You knew?!"

"Everyone with eyes and some common sense knows those two have been pining over each other. Congrats on figuring it out, it was getting painful to watch."

"Wormtail!" Pads gasped dramatically, her hand over her chest. "How could you stay quiet?"

"Wasn't my place to say anything. And it was quite entertaining to watch how stupid you both were." Sirius seemed offended, but Remus couldn't help but find the whole situation hilarious.

[monsterswithimagines]

Undisclosed Desires - Part 13

Joe Goldberg x female!Reader

Summary: Twenty minutes before he would have met Guinevere Beck, Joe meets you instead. You intruige him, but it will soon become clear that there is something off about you.

Words: 1298

Masterlist

(I guess Joe's willingness to murder is more book-Joe than show-Joe, but whatever. I can't help that I'm halfway through the first book right now.)

Minor warning: masturbation is briefly mentioned.

Some things, you just can't learn about a person until you're in a relationship with them.

For example: you like to be kissed, often. Softly and sweetly, but also with intent, until you can't breathe. You smile into kisses and when I pull away, you tilt your head and the smile doesn't leave.

I live for that smile.

Also, you're not always nice. You run out of energy and you stonewall me. When you get like that there is nothing I can do to make it better, except leave. This happens most often when you've had a busy day at work, and one day soon we're probably going to have a beautiful fight about it, but for now I let you close down and shut me out. I really do try not to take it personally.

You don't care if I look at your phone. Sometimes you even ask me to check texts for you. This would make me incredibly happy, except aside from me, the only people you text in English are your coworkers.

You're more secretive about your laptop, which makes me wonder what I missed when I looked at it. I guess I didn't really do much digging. But when I do check it out again, even digging doesn't turn up anything.

Weird.

You're a bit of a slob. I knew that already, but I didn't know it would be so easy to take things from your apartment. You don't notice when items go missing, or if I move them around while you're not there. You did comment on your missing toothbrush, but you just assumed you misplaced it yourself.

“I swear, Joe, if my head wasn't attached to my body…”

All of this, I've learned over the course of two months. Two amazing months of being with you. Only it doesn’t always feel like I am with you, because you haven't told Nadia or your mother or even Grey about me, and I've been checking. After you told him you had a crush on me, he tried to find out more about me and you avoided the subject by writing to him about how much you like Angel from Buffy the vampire slayer. (If I could beat up a fictional character, I would.)

And we haven't had sex.

We've gotten close a few times, but you always pull away just when things are getting hot and heavy. Sometimes when you're alone, you masturbate several times in a row and I know you think of me, (Y/n). I can see it on your face. But when we're together, you look embarrassed and tell me you're not ready and I am patient, I am, but how can you not be ready when you are so obviously eager for it? Even dreaming about it?

I still don't like your coworkers. They are rude to you and belittle you, and they make inappropriate jokes in the groupchat. This is why I almost say no when you invite me to a company lunch, but in the end I say yes because at least you're inviting me somewhere.

“It won't be like last time,” you assure me. “No alcohol, for one.”

And you're right. It isn't like last time: it's worse.

I’m pretty sure your job is a scam, (Y/n). Nobody who works at your agency (other than you) actually needs to make money. The owner, Sam Carr, is a man in his fifties who considers this entire venture a hobby. He has two other companies, neither of which are making any money, but he doesn't need to make money because he is the kind of rich that goes back generations, to before white people even lived in America. Yet he pays you peanuts and you have to borrow money from your grandfather over and over again.

Sam's wife is Pam (which is short for Pamela, but Sam thinks it's hilarious for them to be Sam and Pam). She is only a little over half his age (thirty) and twice as smart as him, and you know this. You address her like she's the owner, and when she's around, you don't even talk to Kim, whose approval you were so eager for last time. Pam comes from old money, too, and has started several foundations throughout her life, all of which are doing well.

There's Judy Allen, who is tall and blond and keeps her lips pursed at all times. She does the same thing you do, copywriting, but her real job is being a momfluencer on Instagram, showing her kids off like accessories. Out of everyone here she is the nicest to you, but I can't tell if she means it or not and neither can you. You are nice to her, but you address her like you would a teacher, or a distant relative.

Jasper is so much worse than I remember him. He follows you around like a lost puppy and you let him. You glance at me, testing me, and I hate this side of you. I hate who you are around these people.

Surprisingly little is eaten, though there is much more on the table than even an entire orphanage could put away. You and your coworkers talk about Google and helpful content and black hat SEO and I don't understand anything any of you are saying.

At some point somebody asks me what I do. I grit out that I work in a bookstore and you look up and say: “he's being modest. He manages it” and I feel kind of proud. But then the person who asked me what I do in the first place starts asking me about the store's website and I have to admit that actually, Mooney's doesn't have one.

“I prefer things a little more old fashioned,” I try to justify, and then realize immediately how incredibly dumb I must sound to these people. “I mean, sometimes we sell a first edition on Ebay.”

You pat my leg underneath the table, which is code for 'shut up', so I do.

“You could always ask (Y/n) to help you make a website,” Jasper says, and he is looking way too intently at your chest as you reach across the table for a croissant. “She's surprisingly good at it.”

Surprisingly good? Seriously, (Y/n), I want to bash this guy’s teeth into his skull.

But you act like it's a compliment. You blush and wave him off and shake your head at me.

“You'd be better off hiring someone who actually knows how to make websites. I can write your content, though, if you want.”

I don't even want a fucking website, but I nod.

“Maybe.”

Finally, we can leave. I don't know what the point of any of that was.

In the cab, you slump against me and close your eyes, and you say: “Did you see the way Jasper kept staring at my boobs? I fucking hate that guy.”

Faith in you restored. I never should have doubted you.

“He just will not leave me alone lately,” you complain, and I wrap an arm around your shoulder and press a kiss to the side of your head. “But when I tell him off, he goes and tells Kim I'm being rude. She told me I need to be more of a team player, you know.”

But you are a team player, (Y/n). It's just that those people aren't on your team. I'm on your team.

“He's basically harassing me, and if I wanna keep my job I can't do a damn thing about it.”

“Fuck him,” I say.

And I mean it. Fuck Jasper. Fuck him and every man like him who thinks he can own a woman just because he has money and connections.

Jasper's gotta go.

[chrkrose]

Okay so just a rando ask, I was reading through the posts on your page,, and I came to thinking

If daemon truly abandoned Rhaenyra, why didn't he just run away with nettles? Why did he have to still fight for team black when he could have just flown else where with her? Rhaenyra would have met her own end inevitably. I’m no daemyra shipper, I’m not a daemon fan either it just doesn't add up. He sacrificed his life to get rid of the biggest threat of team green? Wouldn't it be fair to assume it was for Rhaenyra? Or atleast his children.

Now this is just my personal opinion, he loved nettles, yes (she's awesome who wouldn't 😩) but he also bore some love for Rhaenyra (she’s mommy🥰) as well. He chose to let go of nettles to protect her because he loved her. He chose to fight for Rhaenyra because in the end of the day he loved her and wanted to prove his loyalty to her (but wasn’t actually faithful lol)

Daemon in his Katherine era 💀💀💀💅 blurry ass pic

He died for her cause if not for her in the end of the day. Well atleast that’s what I think 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I don’t believe in the theory that he fled with nettles, it just sort of feels out of character for him, to leave his children, Aegon the younger in the clutches of Aegon ii. Daemon imo would scream his head off if he knew his first born son was captured by Aegon ii, and somehow work up some scheme to get back into the game and possibly overthrow Aegon ii. And it just seems unlikely he survived the fall as well. 

Daemon is a complicated and morally grey character, but like any character he has his merits and he has his flaws. I think his love life would be as complex as he is, conflicted by both duty and love.

I hope I make sense lol, I want to know your thoughts.

Ok, so first thanks for being normal even if you have a different opinion. Usually, I always get a bunch of people screaming at me lmao. It's cool to have rational discussions even if in the end the parts just agree in disagree. Now, back to the points you brought. I still disagree lol. Imo, Daemon didn't die for the cause, much less for Rhaenyra or his children. I'm gonna break down why I think this argument makes no sense whatsoever:

Fire & Blood never implies that Daemon had a close relationship or even cared that much for his children. He didn't hate them or anything, but we have no canon basis to say he was a fatherly type where he thought of his children that much or was willing to make huge sacrifices for them. This is fandom projection 101. So to say he did what he did thinking of his children is a stretch IMO.

Aemond wasn't Rhaenyra's biggest threat at the time. Her biggest threat was Daeron and the Southron army he had assembled. It's canon. "And yet, the greatest threat to Rhaenyra's reign was not Aemond One-Eye, but his younger brother, Prince Daeron The Daring, and the great southron army led by Lord Ormund Hightower." And that was before Ulf and Hugh's betrayal and before Rhaenyra alienated Addam by declaring him a traitor as well. So even if Rhaenyra didn't say anything about that in the letter to Daemon (which I doubt, since she was sending the letter to demand Nettles' death, so she sure talked about the dragonseeds' betrayal), Daemon knew about that already. He knew that without him, she was fucked, because she would have only Tyraxes and Syraxes on Team Black's side, and you can exclude Syraxes since Rhaenyra wouldn't go into battle. He knew all of that. He still chose to die anyway.

About running away with Nettles, a few things to consider. As long as he was with Nettles, she wouldn't be safe. If he runs away with her and Rhaenyra somehow wins the war, she will send for him. He would be a traitor, she'd never forgive that. If Rhaenyra loses, Team Green is definitely going after him. He would be a threat to the throne, they would never let them live. The best way to protect Nettles is to send her away alone. Besides that, regardless of what happened, if he ran away with her, he would never be able to return home and I doubt Daemon was keen on living on the run forever. It doesn't fit him.

It seemed like he was tired of war, tired of the scheming, tired of fighting. Even before I reached the point where he makes the decisions he makes, I felt his narrative shifting, and his time in Maidenpool with Nettles looked much more like a vacation to him and a respite than a mission. He seemed happy with Nettles, and happy with that bubble he created for them, but once reality burst that, he seemed done with everything. This is also sort of corroborated by his dialogue with Aemond, where he agrees he has lived for too long.

The narrative in any way frames his final battle with Aemond as something he is doing for the cause. Daemon might have gone through a somewhat redemption arc, but he's still very much a selfish man and someone who would never go down in any other way than not an epic way because he is "the rogue prince". His showdown with Aemond is written as something about both of them as characters whose arcs are mirrored at every turn, finally culminating in their final encounter, and written as Daemon's big send-off.

The narrative specifically frames his final act as a betrayal through Rhaenyra's lens, further corroborating all that was set up before, something that is narratively satisfying to the reader because at this point she's very much the villain instead of the hero. We have seen her burning bridges, behaving poorly with the smallfolk, and being unfair with allies, culminating in her acts against Addam, Nettles, and Corlys, and overestimating her hand to the point of being arrogant in her certainty that Daemon would come back to be with her after murdering an innocent woman. Until this point, Daemon and Nettles have been written as a romantic arc, one that ends in heartbreak, specifically because of Rhaenyra. So we have this moment of satisfaction when Rhaenyra realizes that even though she did everything she did, and she was so certain she would win, she actually lost. He left her. He betrayed her.

The story leaving the "possibility" that Daemon could have survived and gone to find his way toward Nettles serves to show where his loyalty truly lies, and where his heart is, in life or death. If anything, to believe he went on a suicide mission because he couldn't stand being apart from Nettles is a much more acceptable and logical conclusion of his final choices than the bizarre cope that is the "he died for Rhaenyra, for his children, or for the cause".

Finally, I don't think he loved both because I don't think he ever loved Rhaenyra tbh. Not like he loved Nettles or Laena. An argument can be made that he loves Rhaenyra in the show adaptation (although I disagree about that medium, but this is for another post). But in the book, it's very clear that she's not on top or even second in his list of "women I romantically loved most in my criminal life". I say Nettles comes first because his love for her seemed to come from a genuine place of wonderment and affection, with no hidden agenda behind it. Laena comes close behind because even though we don't know if he indeed fell for her or if he married her to advance politically after his recent downfall from power at the time, he clearly came to love her very much in the years they were together and was happy in their marriage. I say even Mysaria might come first to him than Rhaenyra, he clearly cared for her for a while and was very upset when they lost their baby. The only person beneath Rhaenyra is Rhea because he clearly hates Rhea. In the books, Daemon groomed and wanted to use Rhaenyra to get back at his brother/get closer to the throne and later they combined their shared vision and aligned political ambitions in a marriage that was beneficial to both of them. Obviously, there was physical attraction (and co-dependency on Rhaenyra's part), but love? I don't think so.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

I made it better

I'm assuming this is because of me getting annoyed at Azutara shippers in my other blog and calling them and Tyzula fans the "Azula fandom's equivalent of Zutara and Zukka" XD

Anyways *grabs a megaphone and gets on a soap-box*

As a bisexual woman that would go crazy with joy if Azula was gay/bi, and that ships her with Ty Lee and Mai, and even Toph and Suki every now and then, let me make one thing very clear here: Azula DOES have a confirmed canon sexuality, and it's straight. Heterosexual. Likes guys and only guys. The idea that ANY gay ship was CANON in ATLA, a show made in 2005 by a kid's Network, is ridiculous.

Azula explicitly stated that she has tried to flirt with boys before and it never worked out because they are scared of her. She was jealous that boys were paying attention to Ty Lee - and while fanfic writers, and even I, like to say stuff like "Oh, you don't like them getting too close to your gilfriend, Azula?" it's VERY CLEAR that the show was going for the classic "Why do they like her and not ME?" aka she wanted attention from GUYS. She wanted to hook up with Chan, and immediately went for "Let's conquer the world together!" after one kiss. Even the up-coming Azula comic has her dreaming of a guy trying to flirt with her and calling her pretty.

For fuck's sake, Grey Delisle already admiting to voicing the scene between Azula and Zuko as if Azula was trying to seduce her own brother. Meanwhile, even though she likes Tyzula now, when asked about the ship her first reaction was the same as the one every actor, writer and/or showrunner had to hearing about popular gay ships: "I did not see that coming."

It might seem surreal nowadays that the Network let the show get away with incest bait but gay characters were out of question, but that's what happened because, surprise surprise, homophobia was still going strong. Hell, it's still going strong TODAY.

Lots of Nickelodeon shows from the 90's and early/mid 2000's tried to get away with implying or flat out saying "This character is gay" and it ALWAYS resulted in banned episodes, some of which became lost media because the Network was just that desperate to bury any evidence of it to avoid controversy. Even characters that never had any love interests ever were assumed to be straight - not as in "treat them as being straight unless we say otherwise" but in "They are straight because that's the only thing allowed to exist in kid's media." There was no "otherwise" to be heard of. Fitting for years that followed the policy literally called "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."

THAT was the general sentiment around homosexuality at the time, especially on TV (KIDS TV, I remind you): pretend you don't know that's a thing.

Even The Legend Of Korra, that parts of the fandom still pretends did anything for gay representation, had the creators (the same who made ATLA) that they never even bothered to ask Nickelodeon if they could Korrasami happen, and thus kept the whole love triangle, with the girls fighting over a GUY, going. It wasn't until the very end that they had the guts to ask "Can we make them hold hands in the finale?" and Nick said "Sure, the final season will basically not be aired on TV anyways." Bryke even had to state ONLINE that "Yes, they are a couple." Only THEN, with the positive response from audiences, that neither the writers nor the Network had thought could ever gain any sympathy for the show, did they make Korra and Assami have an actual relationship in the Korra comics.

Do these guys sound like the type that would leave a character's sexuality up for debate or even try to write a gay couple into the show IN 2005, years before Korra was allowed to get away with a slight hint of gayness that to be explained on Twitter?

They didn't make Azula's attempts to win guys over fail to show she was a gay teen trying too hard to be something she was not, her envy that Ty Lee was getting a ton of attention from boys while she wasn't was meant to be taken as EXACTLY that, and no cutesy moment between her and her friends was meant to be taken as anything other just gals being pals.

We can, and should, point out that it is unfair that gay relationships were treated as "too adult" while straight romances weren't. We can change any character's sexuality in fanfics. We can ship whatever the hell we like. But claiming Azula was EVER meant to be seen as anything other than a 100% straight girl that just sucked at flirting and thus was struggling to get a boyfriend is just a flat out lie.

She's not bisexual. She's not a lesbian. Her sexuality was not "left up to debate" because THERE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A DEBATE!

Again, I would love a bisexual Azula (provided that wasn't handled by people like Yang and Bryke, who see her as nothing more than an ableist stereotype), but let's not kid ourselves here.

Nickelodeon is not our "ally", they're a company that wants your money. Bryke, by their own admission, were not revolutionaries who pushed for gay representation and were ready to give up on the idea of same-sex relationship with no resistence if the Network told them "no, only straight romances allowed". Korra was no Steven Universe or even Adventure Time, it was basically Disney with it's 50th "first" gay character that gets five seconds of screentime. Azula's sexuality absolutely WAS confirmed and it is (sadly for me) heterosexual.

And to the people that claim to love headcanons for bisexual Azula, but still insist I should only ship her with women, or make her strongly prefer women, or only have had bad experiences with men and positive ones with women, otherwise she'll be "basically straight": your biphobia is showing, stop hating on bi women everytime they shatter your ilusion that we're just confused/in denial and will eventually realize we're actually lesbians.

[monmelia]

I just read your monmelia thoughts and completely agree. But I’m also hesitant because I don’t see Natalie Morales sticking around long term and this show doesn’t seem to have any real end in sight lol. Like if they’re setting them up to be a slow burn then all the hints (except for Winston I hate that plot and find it unnecessary and a little snakey on his part ngl) are great building blocks. The fact that Monica has come around and is seeing Amelia as fully competent and comforting is wonderful as is the fact that Amelia isn’t letting herself get caught up in the drama of it all and is behaving so maturely about all of this. I feel like her oast relationship made me really take stock. But as of now I also can’t help but think that if they don’t make things clear on Monica’s side that she’s actually into Amelia and just being careful or something then there’s going to be all this buildup for nothing to really come out of it…

Ugh I hope they keep Natalie around long term , but I see what you mean. However I'm not sure Grey's will be around much longer, and I could hopefully see Natalie being around if it's just a couple more seasons. I guess we'll see, but it definitely could be a spanner in the works.

But then I also can't see them setting Amelia up for another mid-game relationship at this stage in the show. Like if they give her another failed relationship again I'm going to lose it because I just want her to be happy, and all the slow burn and build up makes no sense if they're just going to make nothing of it.

But I do agree they need to move forward a little more than they are doing already because as much I love a slow burn, it's burning a little too slow at this point. I will say though that I think it's pretty obvious that Monica likes Amelia. Maybe it's just me looking into it too deeply but the fact she's always been invested in Amelia, she flirted with her right from the start, and then the last episode with her making it clear to Amelia twice that Winston was just casual.

I agree in a way about the Winston thing being unnecessary (and snakey) but I also think he's purely a plot device for Monmelia. Everything about Winston comes back to Monmelia, even the lingerie scene is about Amelia finding out rather than anything between Monica and Winston. I think his purpose is solely to make the audience question why Monica is hooking up with Winston, when Amelia is right there.

IMO I think we the viewers are supposed to assume that Monica only has the bandwidth for casual connections right now (i.e. Winston), which points to the fact she doesn't see Amelia as casual. Or why wouldn't she pursue Amelia? It's not like Amelia asked her to be her girlfriend, she just asked her to go out, which means Monica must have come to the conclusion in her own head that it has potential to be serious, a conclusion that she must be basing off of her own feelings.

I actually think Monica likes Amelia a lot, maybe to the point that it scares her, and it's just too serious for her right now since she's going through a divorce. It's possible she only realised this when Amelia asked her out, but as many point out, she didn't actually reject her. I don't believe that it's just Monica not being interested because of their previous interactions that led to Amelia asking her on a date in the first place, and the fact she didn't actually say no to her. Plus again the fact she went out of her way twice to tell Amelia it was just casual with Winston has to count for something.

But I do hope we see more obvious signs of them liking each other soon. Because right now we're seeing on the surface that Monica is hooking up with Winston, and Amelia is "okay" with Monica doing and "not jealous at all", but I think reading between the lines they both like each other. For Monica the timing isn't right and she's scared, and for Amelia she's already put herself out there once and she perceives Monica's response as a rejection (it wasn't girl!), so she's going to pretend like she's not bothered because she doesn't really feel like she has the right to say otherwise. But I hope they start to make it more obvious soon how they both feel. I love the will they/won't they element, and I love analysing and reading between the lines, but not for too long or I'll start to worry that I truly am just delusional.

[go-to-autistic-crypt1d]

I'm re-watching SGA again and omfg the first episode when weir and daniel are talking, "Atlantis" "I think we can go there" CHILLS

(Gonna be updating this like live tweeting because I can and I will)

-(@autistic-crypt1d)

Updates:

- Ok so straight up did not remember there was no intro for the first few episodes. Also, John and Teyla's first interactions are sooooo awkward, I always forget that. DAMN the plot is so good right off the bat though. The city rising from the ocean??? BEAUTIFUL, MORE CHILLS, GORGEOUS.

- the color scheme and lighting for the wraith ships is soooooo different in the beginning WOW. The blue and grey, complete lack of other colors aside from a slight yellowish light. So drastically different from the heavy yellow and green fleshyness it becomes later on.

- FORD, AHH 💛

- I've always wondered if the red haired wraith was intentionally not following the black or white hair scheme or if that was a pilot thing where they hadn't thought that far yet. (If anyone knows please lmk)

- DAMN the wraith are so fucking cool. I'm 1000% going to make a whole seperate post ranting about them, but I just have to say they introduce them SO WELL. They're intimidating, mysterious, powerful, and not to mention SO UNIQUE. GAAAAAH!!

- "We are merely the caretakers for the ones who sleep" CHILLS. FUCKING CHILLS DUDE. All the lifsigns appearing and the pods lighting up??? BRUH

- Ok Teyla and John's first head bonk, ADORABLE. I love that they do that and that's their thing ya know? Like it's her people's thing but the only expedition member she does it with is John as far as I can remember.

- Episode 3, THE INTRO ARRIVES AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL

- gotta say, the personal forefield thing is a lil inconsistent, like the coffee can't touch his body in the slightest but he can grip the cup? Could be that they're expecting the viewer to assume the forcefield is creating a gap between his hand and the cup and just left out the sound and green flash, but idk

- Jinto (Ginto? I'm not sure how it's spelled) is such a fun character, I wish he was featured with the other ethosians after the move from Atlantis :/

- I love how Sheppard, Teyla, and Rodney all start to really become a team already in ep 3 with the shadow creature. All 3 not knowing eachother really at all, but after everything on the wraith ship and now with this creature threatening everyone on atlantis, they come together and we see their strengths as individuals and their ability to work together using them. Plus getting to see Rodney really step up and be selfless really gives you a new view on him after his appearances on SG-1.

- idk if it was intentional, but Ford being in the infirmary and not with the other 3 could be some serious foreshadowing for later. I mean him not being there while the majority if the team forms really does not set him up for success being the fourth. Don't get me wrong, I adore Ford, I just also think that Ronan fits the team better and provides a better dynamic.

- I kinda love how there's no discussion shown about Teyla joining the team, she's just on the next mission with them. After the 3rd episode it just makes sense ya know?

- iratus (aratus?) bug, then eventually John literally gets infected and starts turning into a wraith cuz of the retro virus? Bro cannot catch a break

- gotta say, the audio balancing in this show is not my favorite, I always have to crank it up by like 10 when it's all talking and then am immediately auditorally flashbanged when the action starts 😂

- I know it's all serious and shit but Rodney and Ford getting tossed around the back of the jumper is fucking hilarious, especially knowing that they themselves are throwing themselves around

- UGH KAVANAGH

- "don't talk to me about screwed!" Teyla's face at Rodney, PRICELESS. Like, do you not see the man paralyzed with the bug on his neck sapping his life force? Stfu

- omfg I never noticed before but when they're running up the dirt hill from the wraith in John's flashback of the bug attachment, Teyla grabs his arm to get up the hill because the sand is constantly crumbling 😂

- Weir putting Kavanagh in his place, PEAK.

- "you're telling me he can't go through the gate while that thing is on him?" "Then we must do something NOW" THE DRAMA, I LOVE IT, THE MUSIC AS BECKETT EXPLAINS THE PLAN, UGH, SO GOOD

- man even though everyone was fine you can see on Halling's face how the fact that Weird didn't allow the ceremony to happen affected him. Like, would it have sucked for the rest of the people on the ship to be told to prepare to die? Yes, but Teyla might have felt comforted by it, we don't get to find out. Really foreshadows all the conflict that occure between the cultures because of their differences later on and how the expedition's culture is always the one that gets its way. The Athosian's really get the short end of the stick in their relationship with the expedition members for like, the entire show :/

- OOF and it only gets worse with Ep 5 when they think there's a spy and only after basically accusing every Athosian of maybe colluding with the wraith (literally the biggest insult you could ever say to an Athosian or really anyone in the pegasus galaxy), do they find out about the necklace. Not to mention the tension when Bates accused Teyla and all that goes down I mean, YIKES.

- ANYWAY

- I will never get over the fact that they fucking TAZED a wraith dude 😂

- ok so they've captured their first wraith, but I always wondered why they never bothered to try and capture another iratus bug. I mean, they already theorized in its first appearance that they're some sort of prehistoric ancestor to the wraith and they're easier to contain and handle than a whole ass wraith so why no let study it? I think they do later when the whole inoculation thing happens but I guess idk why they wouldn't take the opportunity to study something like that off the bat. Even just to study the regenerative abilities.

- bro episode 6 makes me so sad every time, the ancients really just decided to tell them to off themselves in order to get to their version of heaven instead of something asking the lines of maybe, idk, don't have too many kids or something?? Don't stray outside the field?? Anything else??? I'm sure the ancients had some sort of birth control, maybe share that tech??

- is it just me or does Keras 1000% have a crush on Sheppard? (Who could blame him tbh) I mean, the smile he gives him at the end???

- brooooo not the Hoffan drug event 😭 it's so sad dude, the desperate attempt to save themselves only for it to kill a huge chunk of their people and lead to them fleeing their planet as the wraith attempt to wipe them out.

- ya know, they keep that wraith in the brig for a while and there's no bathroom in there, do wraith even need to use the bathroom since they only feed on life force? If they eat regular food does that mean they have to use the bathroom?

- ok ep 8, underground, absolutely one of the most infuriating episodes imo. The Genii are great antagonists, but god damn are they infuriating about ittttt. Tyrus getting himself killed in the wraith ship and Teyla getting blamed for it??? Don't even get me started on Kolya and Sora dude.

- ya know, I find it interesting how they differentiate scientists and military personnel in the field initially. It changes at some point but right now the scientists are in the tan color while military are in the dark navy. They obviously have the color coding back at atlantis with the color blocking, but the field stuff changes and I think that's interesting.

- the cocooning thing the wraith do to save victims for a later feeding is such a horrific and unique thing to add to them as a species and enemy. Like, that's so cool in such an awful way, they really nailed making the wraith scary dude.

- man it's so weird to see this version of the wraith ships, they're so much more techy than fleshy

- ok so ep 9 "Home", always confused me for one reason, Simon and Elizabeth. They mention him like once after his first appearance I think with absolutely zero follow up. He's such a weird like Checkovs gun fuck up (I think I'm using that right, he's like the opposite of "if you mention a gun it should eventually go off"). His relationship with Weir is never flushed out further and it's all so weird.

- something I really like about the episode is how right off the bat there's hints that something is wrong after they believed they dialed earth. Like, when Weir comes through the gate into the SGC she's alone, but in the briefing room suddenly McKay is with her. Of course things only get more confusing from there once we see Sheppard there etc etc.

- can we all agree they did Teyla so damn dirty with her hair rn

- ep 10 THE STORM OMFG. I am SO excited for this episode dude let's goooooooo

- THE DRAMAAAA, god the scene is set so perfectly, the coming storm, the danger, the empty city, GAH such a good setting for what's to come

- the fucking bacon convo between the two guards PFFFFT, I love it so much dude

- Rodney slickly leaning on the intercom to alert Sheppard is just so good. I love those two SO MUCH dude. Those two can do fuckin anythinggggg.

- Sheppard yelling at Kolya over the walkie in the wind with the waves crashing, god he's such a badass and everyone fucking KNOWS ITTTT

- I FORGOT IT WAS A 2 PARTER. I'm even more excited about The Eye, shit is about to get REAL.

- Rodney standing between Kolya with the gun and Elizabeth, I love that man dude.

- "Oh would you look at this?! That is just never gonna be useful again!" - Rodney McKay, being dramatic as per usual and I love it

- John sheppard literally in the rafters waiting for the Genni FOOLS who thought they could take him. Bro really saw those life signs disappear and whimpered "report...". He knew true feat that day.

- McKay's sign "REALLY REALLY DANGEROUS, DO NOT TOUCH.". Sheppard 👀... imma touch it

- the way weir grabs Kolya as he presses Rodney against the railing, heavily contemplating throwing him over. She couldn't possibly stop him, but the way she tries and runs to grab him after he's released, so wholesome dude.

- "are you telling me to shut up again?" "Again."

- "turn. around." "You turn around" "what?" "Well if I have to turn around, you should turn around." Sassiest mf alive.

- Bro the final grounding station being sperated and everyone all at once realizing there is only one place to go, the control room. Everyone in the same place, the culmination of the entire ordeal. Have I mentioned how fucking AWESOME the sound track is for this show??? Because DAMN.

- ok Sora pisses me off, but the hallway scene with her and Teyla where she comes at her. Dude the emotion and reckless abandon she has confronting her, it's so good. Plus Tesla's entire lack of fear, she knows she can take this girl down in a heartbeat and she will if she has to, but she doesn't and god that's so badass.

- "you said this would work!" "I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE NOTICED BUT I'M AN EXTREMELY AREOGANT MAN WHO BELIEVES ALL HIS PLANS WILL WORK"

- "I'm not aiming at her" fucking shoots the dude dead on, SUCH A BADASS DUDE.

- the lightning through the halls, the apocalyptic size wave heading for the city, AHHHH (wave is a lil janky looking but still dope)

- "nice work Rodney" "did you ever doubt me?" "Yes, several times"

- man the ancient weapons platform satellite was introduced a lot sooner than I thought! Now I'm sad because I remember that part.

- this episode (12) is both awesome and like, depressing af. Seeing Sheppard go one on one with this wraith who's been trapped on a planet alone thinking only of eating and escaping is so intense. Not to mention the wraith that's just eaten the two scientists he was supposed to protect. I also absolutely love Ridney wanting to go out and help Sheppard despite his background as a scientist and general phobia of... everything combat related. Also can I just say that this episode is HELLA FORESHADOWING (intentional or not) for S5 E19 - Vegas??

- oh hey, it's the bugs from that one SG-1 episode with Cadet Hayley.

- bro Sheppard realizing there could still be a Wraith on board

- the fact that this Wraith was also one who was actively part of the war with the ancients and his last interaction was that of combat, bro is out for bloooood

- watching Sheppard shake tf outta the bandage trying to unravel it only to still slap it on on top of the strap at first. How are we supposed to believe this mf actually tied that onto himself XD (jk John is amazing he can do anything obviously)

- almost blows himself up 2 seconds later

- there's gonna be a post where I talk about the wraith extensively but I have to say that I just love how multidimensional they are. Like the ones without masks aren't just soldiers or mindless drones for their queen, they're smart. Like this wraith is just boping away in the controls of the lantian ship, activating the forecfield, figuring out how to use a human gun. It's horrifying in such a cool way! A monster that gives even adults nightmares that is smart dude, that's so dope.

- I don't think people talk about Rodney witnessing Dr. Gall's death in this episode. I mean that's gotta have fucked him up dude. You can see it in his face afterwards. Then he has to go from that to confronting a wraith that's trying to kill Sheppard and he does. No hesitation he goes out there and opens fire dude.

- ooooo episode 13, the death by fear shit

- I love seeing Rodney in a leadership position. Is he an ass? Yes, but he is genuinely a fantastic leader. I don't think he should run Atlantis or anything, but he's fantastic in a second in command type deal and I love seeing it.

- dude Peterson is THE WORST dude. He's 10000% the mf in a zombie movie who hides a bite. Like I get you're scared but you're endangering literally everyone else.

- seeing the city quarenteen on its own once Peterson gets out of the damaged sensor area is so cool. I know it's all coding and stuff but man do they have a fantastic way of making the city feel alive.

- I don't understand how the red hazmat suits Sheppard and Teyla put on do anything. They're not sealed, like the hood is just kinda slapped on there. Carson's teams suits look sealed but theirs? Idk I wouldn't trust that

- ugh I really do not.like episode 14 y'all. There is literally zero chemistry between the ancient lady and John, it is so forced it's PAINFUL. Also another prime example of how the ancients are massively pompous self important dickheads that caused almost every single massive problem we see in stargate istg. Wraith? Their fault, replicators? Their fault and thus the annihilation of the asgard, their fault. Anubis? ALSO THEIR FAULT. Also probably like a lot more that we don't even know about cuz those fuckers have been meddling with the universe for a long ass time before getting wiped out.

- bro Sheppard believing this random ass person over RODNEY, will never not piss me off. This man has been there for you no matter what and you're not even gonna give him the benefit of the doubt that something is up with this complete stranger??? HE'S ABSLUTELY RIGHT ABOUT HER TOO OFC.

- the way Rodney starts walking towards Sheppard as he runs off to get a jumper. He wanted to go with him so bad 😭

- ok there's gonna be a rant in another post about the ancients rn, I'll put the link here

- "ah, that's what I thought, freezer burn." ABSKDJSKA RODNEY

- 1 x 15 is a pretty meh episode to me overall, but "that's not what happened, not the first time" and the whole flooding scene are pretty damn awesome

- the way I would immediately cry if I got there and realized we were fucking underwater dude, hell no. Then when the flooding started??? I'd have a heart attack before I drowned.

- Rodney staying behind, working until the end, duuuuude 😭

- the fact that Weir chooses the jar Sheppard gave her for her birthday to put her ashes in...

- ep 16 man, the one off insinuation of romance with McKay and the archeologist woman is so weird first of all. Sheppard seems to be the only one who agrees with that (jealous?)

- the other woman with them who rats em out to Kolya, UGH. DUDE.

- Sheppard not wanting to let McKay go alone with Kolya, so cute

- bro poor Carson being tasked to dog fight a damn wraith dart 😭 he's a nervous wreck in the best of days dude

- my question is, how does no one notice the piece that's hiding the last stone in the map? It's clearly a slot, like, come on now.

- Sheppard and Rodney getting side tracked about the Mensa thing, TWICE 😂

- they way Rodney looks to Sheppard after hearing the news of the wraith dark and loss of a jumper and crew. Teyla doesn't, no one else, we're shown Rodney looking to him.

- ok ep 17 is the whole preparing for the hive ships thing, this is leading up to 2 of my absolute favorite episodes (siege 1 and 2)

- they finally fixed Teyla's hair!

- duuuuude, seeing the hive ships for the first time, not to mention the cruisers with them, WOAH. The sheer size and quantity of them.

- watching Ford's video tape knowing what's about to happen in Siege pt 2... ouch.

- Carson losing it trying to tell his mom he misses her 😭 I love that man

- Teyla and Sheppard clashing over their ideals due to their background is so good. I love that they show their different viewpoints, never really pushing for one being right or wrong. Then for them to both have to sit and watch the culling happen before their eyes, a mutual, horrible feeling of helplessness.

- "you didn't say anything that would require security clearance did you?" "Security clearance?" 😂

- Rodney's entire video tape

- Dr. Weir's recordings to inform the families of deceased expedition members 😭

- UGH, KAVANAGH.

- The final snippets of video ahhhhhhhhhh

- SAM

- bro ep 18 is STRESSFUL AF. The revelation about the source of Tesla's powers, the conflict with her and Bates, finding out there's been a god damn WRAITH in the city THE ENTIRE TIME since the dart showed up.

- I know it's a really short scene, but Teyla and Sheppard sparring is still a favorite. It just shows once again how much they truly view eachother as equals, far too often are female teammates viewed as less, weaker, in need of protection. Not these two though, they don't hold back with eachother, they know that the other can take it and they continue to push eachother to be better. I love them so much. Not to mention how much they value the thoughts and opinions of the other.

- Rodney and Teyla running into eachother at Dr. Heightmeyer's office and him immediately making up a ridiculous excuse is so so Rodney.

- Ford making fun of Rodney making a tiny dick joke about him only to be SHUT TF DOWN by Sheppard is so funny

- Teyla being confronted with a fact she's been running from her whole life is so heartbreaking. She's connected to the Wraith, the species who has terrorized and killed her people and countless others throughout the galaxy for thousands and thousands of years.

- getting pretty much confirmation that the wraith created the damn wraith, angerrrrrr

- ok rq, Weir just said that according to the data from the lab, Wraith don't seem to be able to read the minds of humans even though they have a telepathic network, but they can on some level. We saw it in episode 2 when Colonel Sumner is being interrogated by the Wraith. Not only did she kinda read his mind, but she got so inside his head she was able to force him to kneel just using her mind! Maybe this is just cuz she's a queen (it's mentioned in that underwater power rig episode queens are significantly more powerful mentally than other wraith.), but still, it is entirely within their ability to read and influence human minds on some level. Even without the experimental stuff done to Teyla's ancestors.

- what's with everyone getting sedated in these shows

- UGH. BATES MY GUY STOOOOOP.

- I totally get that the Ancients are basically gods to the people of the pegasus galaxy, but Halling expecting the people of Atlantis to risk letting the Wraith get to the Milkyway out of faith? Faith that people who abandoned their galaxy over 10,000 years ago leaving the inhabitants alone to be repeatedly harvested and tormented by creatures they created? After all of that, all the horrors he's seen, the people he's lost and he wants them to risk letting it happen to a whole other galaxy because the Ancients might have a plan??? BRO.

- R "Oh yeah. Yeah that's permanent back damage." Peter "Sorry, I assumed it would come on more slowly." R "Well you assumed with my life." (He's so sassy I love it)

- I love the satellite trio so much, I wish we could've gotten more before... sadness. Also, how TF did Miller snap the pencil that easily???

- PETER NOOOOOO 😭 the way that they say they'll see eachother after the fight is so devastating dude, they're saying it for eachother but they both know he's not making it out of there alive and it breaks. my. heart.

- god, watching the first wraith ship be destroyed, everyone filled with joy and hope that maybe, just maybe they can win this fight. Then the wraith ships start to turn and Peter can't get the satellite back online and they all know exactly what's about to happen. Rodney tries to come back for him anyway but it's too late, it was always going to be too late but it doesn't make watching the satellite be destroyed any less devastating. Not only have they lost the satellite, their only hope, but their friend was on board when it happened and that, that is what kills their hope in that moment.

- new colonel guy irritated the fuck outta me right off the bat. Bro thinks after reading their message and mission reports that he has ANY idea what they're up against and it's bonkers.

- AHHH, the way Sheppard stands with Weir against the Colonel guy cutting her out, I love that man.

- I've been pausing this episode like a billion times because I have so much to write about it, help.

- the fact that Sheppard warns them they should keep some of the proximity warheads in reserve and he doesn't listen... AUGH. He is sooooo gonna regret that later.

- Carson and Rodney bickering will never stop being hilarious

- even tied up, blindfolded, and alone in a Genii facility, Elizabeth stands her ground like a damn badass.

- "yeah well we're building nuclear bombs here, staying awake is a prerequisite." "Snappy." PFFFFT

- poor Rodney man, dude already doesn't sleep enough, but now he's been awake for days already and still running around being the only reason any of these plans have a chance in hell. He needs a nap and a snack asap.

- "So long Rodney" you could write this off as Rodney being the person who happened to be in the room when he decided to man the jumper manually, but I think we all know that's not the case. He's run off in silence without so much of a word to anyone more times than I can count, but Rodney, he has to say goodbye, even if it's a crappy one.

- "You let Sheppard fly that jumper?" God he is so heart broken in this moment, he never had the chance to stop him but Elizabeth, she has the opportunity and she didn't. I don't think he ever could've truly forgiven her for that if he'd died.

- GOD DAMN I FORGOT THIS WAS A 3 PARTER.

- Rodney dropping the clip PFFFFFT

- Ford... his storyline makes me so sad, especially in this episode. The character we love so dearly, this boy who has seen war and conflict and violence and is still so full of joy and love loses himself before our very eyes. Before the eyes of his friends and there's nothing they can do to stop it.

- THE MUSHROOM CLOUD GOD DAMN

- "why are you whispering?" "I dont know, just seemed like the right thing to do."

- god the siege episodes are so good, if you wanna hear about my ramblings in more detail I'll link that post once it's made here.

- this is getting long af so each season will have it's own post

Season 2

[beesxrated]

Invisible Lover

Ascended Astarion x Tav. 🪻

First person female Tav.

Masterlist

The party seems to be going perfectly, just like always. We haven't hosted many, but Astarion has been enjoying every one. He's been busy lately trying to make connections in the city to be able to throw extravagant parties. It's been pretty easy, as everyone in Baldur's Gate knows the two of us as heros of the city.

People are dancing, I'm greeting more as they come in, Astarion is talking with a group of rich business men. Everyone takes in the decoration, tomorrow is the beginning of winter, so I have decorated accordingly. Blue and silver everywhere. Astarion let me go all out, since it's the last party of the year and my birthday is a tenday away. I got someone to make silver snowflake pottery for the tables. I used any scrap paper I could find and made snowflakes that now hang from the ceiling. I bought a dress with a deep blue skirt with small star like glitter, the bodes is black paired with a light grey under shirt. For Astarion I bought him a black jacket embroidered with silver moons, his pants matching.

Once the flow of people stops I step away and to the table of food, grabbing a small tart and glass of wine for myself. I scan the room, unable to find Astarion. A new friend, Callista Archambeau, thej wife of one of the richest men in the city, finds me, however. She leads me to a small table away from the crowd of people.

"You have outdone yourself, this time." She laughs taking in the decor I picked out, "What made you pick this theme?”

"Blue is my favorite color, but it's almost winter and I don't expect to be throwing anymore parties this year." I respond.

She nods seeming to agree with my choice. We hear someone call for her and she quickly says goodbye and excuses herself. I sit in silence, sipping a glass of wine watching everyone mingle and talk, still unable to find Astarion.

Suddenly, I feel someone grab me and drag me into a little corner. I know this place, I’d been here several times, it's one of Astarion's favorite places to have me during parties. It's not really a corner, it's three columns almost touching, the biggest opening facing away from the party, but a place the guests have access to. Astarion has recently had a bench seat put in to block the columns’ side of the space. I turn to find him giving me a cunning smirk.

I don't have time to say anything before he’s kissing me. He bites my neck, not hard enough to draw blood, just a nip. He kisses me again. He, quickly, turns the two of us around and sits while kissing me, pulling me onto his lap. This time he fully bites my neck, not drinking, just plunging his teeth in for fun.

We hear footsteps coming and I immediately turn away from him. He pulls me back onto his lap and whispers, "Invisibilis", before continuing to kiss my neck.

Callista comes around the corner and smiles at me, "Found you!" She sits next to us on the bench, "I haven't seen Mr. Ancunin, where is he?”

"Probably busy," I say, struggling to keep still, "showing off." He bites me hard at that comment.

"They love doing that, don't they." She laughs, not a cute giggle, a rough sort of chortle.

Astarion bites me again and starts to roll up the back bit of my dress, slowly. Just as he does, Sir Archambeau enters the doorway. I go to stand to shake his hand as a sign of respect, but waves me away. As I sit again, I feel Astarion push into me. I feel my face flush realizing what he's done, thankfully the dimness has saved me from explaining anything.

I hear him whisper the invisibility spell again as he grips my hips, slowly moving me back and forth. I feel his breath on my neck become hot and heavy, doing his best to keep quiet as I do the same.

"Have you seen Ancunin? I had a proposition to make him." Ballard Archambeau asks.

I smile as best as I can, "I'm not sure. I lost him a while ago.”

Astarion grips your hips tighter, I assume trying to tell me to direct them somewhere else, "I saw him by the table earlier. Let's go out and look around, it's a big place, we will find him sometime." Callista says, convincing her husband to leave.

Once the both of them leave Astarion pushes me over. I brace myself on the column in front of us as he continues to thrust. One hand holds my waist in place and the other grips the roots of my hair, pulling my head back. I do my best not to make a noise.

He pulls out and spins me around to kiss me. My back is pressed against the column I was just bracing against, while he places hot kisses down my body. I let out a soft moan as he grabs my neck with his right hand and again raises my skirt with his left hand.

"Just listen to them out there." Astarion groans, toying with me, "Having all that fun, not knowing what I'm doing to you back here.”

I groan as he pushes his fingers into me. I hear footsteps and Astarion takes his hand off my throat and puts it on my mouth. I bite his palm and he glares at at me. In response he grabs my neck again, turning my head and plunging his teeth into my neck, drinking just a bit of blood. I feel the blood flow through my veins, it feels cold and thick.

I grind my hips against his hand as he finishes his blood snack. He tilts his head offering me his neck as well. I lean forward and sink my teeth into his porcelain skin. I taste the thick sweetness his blood has. I don't know if it's from fulfilling the ritual or if his blood has always tasted this way, but it's like a dessert.

Astarion has to push me off of him, "Cheeky." He says lowly, keeping his hand on my throat.

I let him do as he wants to me, it's the least I could do for possibly almost killing him. He kneels in front of me, pulling my skirt over himself. He takes a moment to adjust, still working with his hand. He throws one of my legs over his shoulder before pushing his tongue into me. I lean my head back and try to grip his curls through the dress.

Before I can readjust or stifle the latest groan, Callista bursts through again, she has seem to be a constant in our life the last hour or so. I feel Astarion slowly move to hide himself more under my dress and slip through the space between columns just behind me.

"Still no luck finding your husband." She says, "Are you okay though? You look flushed.”

"He's not really, my..." I trail off, no one really knows your relationship, not even me, "Yes, I'm alright, sometimes parties just take it out of me." I respond.

She smiles, "Well after saving the world you think you'd be able to relax more.”

Astarion arrives quickly behind her, "I heard someone was looking for me?”

"You are a hard one to find Mr. Ancunin.”

Lady Archambeau grins and loops her arm in his leading him to her husband. I take a breath, glad she didn't notice the red blood dripping down my chin. I quickly wipe it away, making sure it's all gone before rejoining the party. Astarion is busy listening to Ballard's proposal. He actually looks interested in this one, it's rare he accepts any. Realizing this is a rare occasion I join them.

"Just think about it, will you. We need people like you." He says.

Astarion nods, "I will." I give him a look as if to say what is it, to which he shakes his head slightly, he will tell me later.

I pat his chest softly, "I'm going to head up to bed, this crowd is giving me a headache.”

"It's almost over, I'll say our goodbyes and join you, okay, darling?" He says. I nod in response.

I climb the stairs to my room, the two of us used to share a room, but with him staying up every night it's become mostly mine. I don't really sleep either, but I like to use the time to read quietly and write letters to all our old friends. Karlach and Wyll's stay secure in a small box in the nightstand since I can't actively send them. Gale is the only one who sends anything back regularly, he's also the only one I see occasionally.

I lay on the unmade bed grabbing a book Gale sent us not too long ago, another perk of having a professor friend. I send him books I find he might like, which most he probably already has, but he doesn't tell me that. He sends us adventure books, romance sometimes too. This one he kept from our time together against the Absolute, A Pleasurable Deal. I wonder why he sent it, it's a very lewd book, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

A little while later, Astarion joins me, "Oh, a sex book, I love those.”

"Well I had to fill my time until you came back up." I laugh, "I couldn't stand there with you, I'd just be picturing what I'd want you to do to me.”

"Oh," he starts to kiss my neck and unlace my corset, "and what's that?”

I hum as his lips and tongue trace the scares in my neck and shoulder, "I want this, slow, soft touches. I want to slowly take everything off, kissing every inch of unveiled skin as we go. I want to enjoy every caress.”

He grins against my shoulder, taking in everything I said. He pulls the laces out of my corset in one tug, "Okay, beautiful. I think I can manage that.”

I turn around to face him. Kissing his lips and brushing my finger along the outside of his ear. He shudders and closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them he smiles and does the same to me. He kisses my nose, ear, cheek, neck, collar bone.

"I love you." Astarion says very softly, I almost didn't hear it.

I peck his lips, "I love you.”

He kisses my shoulder, pulling my sleeve down and trying kisses as far down as he could. He moves himself over me and does the same to the other shoulder. He nudges me, asking me to pull my arms completely out of the fabric and as I do he kisses every inch of skin he can, relishing in its softness. His lips trail over to my chest, kissing the space between my breasts and moving the collar just a bit more downward.

I enjoy every touch and every kiss as he pulls the corset off of me. He slowly pulls my blouse over my head and admires my body, his body. He kisses my breasts, my sides, and my stomach to the hem of my skirt. He stares up at me as he sensually pulls down the cloth, brushing his lips on my skin, and leaving butterfly kisses on my stomach.

He pulls my skirt completely off and kisses my calves and up to my hips. Astarion places the last kiss on the center of my hip. His kisses start back up again before he nips my ear. This time I flip him over, starting with his lips, ears, cheek and neck just the same as he did to me. I pull off his shirt kissing every inch of skin, nipping his hips just a bit. He jolts a bit, not expecting that. I push his pants off and kiss all the way from his calf back up to his lips.

"Now what did you picture?" He asks, still under me.

I think for a moment, "I don't know. I just want to enjoy it, and I want it to be slow.”

He smiles before pushing me back over again. He doesn't lay on top of me, instead he starts kissing my shoulder again. Astarion let's his hand slowly drift down between my legs. He kisses my neck and I grip his hand as he dips his fingers into me. I moan when he finds the right spot, arching my back. I turn to face him, taking him in my hand. Both of us enjoy the feeling of the other, taking our time in making it perfect.

Slowly he eased himself over me and I guide him in. And for some reason it feels better than any other time we've had sex. There's a sort of pressure and intimacy to it I'd never felt before. There's more closeness than any other time, he's fully on me leaning down to kiss me on his elbows. It feels like we are one body instead of two just seeking companionship. I feel every emotion, every trust seems to relieve some stress. He groans in my ear, a different tone than any he'd previously had. It's as if he's actually, finally, enjoying me, for me.

Astarion bites my bottom lip as he lets out his last thrust. I taste blood in my mouth and feel him jolting inside me. He doesn't seem as out of breath as he usually does. His eyes are still closed as he slowly pulls out of me, shuddering. He plants a heavy kiss on my lips and collapses next to me.

I turn to him again and twirl some of the silver curls in your finger, "Are you okay, Star?”

"Yes " he sighs, his eyes still closed, "I just... Feel everything.”

I furrow your brow, "What do you mean?”

"I like it but I have no idea what it is.”

“Can you describe it at all?”

"Like something small, tingly in my stomach. My head feels fuzzy like I can't think properly and I just want to hold you.”

"Those are butterflies." I smile tugging lightly at his hair.

"I don't want them there." He laughs, "I love you.”

"I love you.”

[canadiannationalfox]

Murder Drones Fanfic - Tessa's Tinkerer

Tessa sat at the bench in the garage, she was helping putting the left arm back into the shoulder socket of a worker drone. "Now, this is going to hurt for 5 seconds, One-Seventeen," she informed gently, "So squeeze my left hand reaaaaally tight with your right hand, okay?"

The unnamed little maid nodded and held the teen girl's hand as tight as she felt she could do safely.

Tessa counted to 5 under her breath and popped the arm back in on the worker drone sitting on the work bench.

117 winced in pain at first but once the moment passed she wiggled her fingers on her left hand.

"Can you give me a high five?" Tessa asked as she held her hand at the ready.

The worker maid drone high-fived Tessa and smiled. "Thank you again, Miss Tessa."

The ebony haired girl helped the drone back onto the ground, she trilled happily, "Well, if you need another repair or anything, come find me. I love helping." She watched the little drone head away before a little monotone voice greeted the Elliott heiress

"[Giggle] you sure are good at f-fixing us up," The little odd drone climbed onto the seat next to Tessa while verbalizing her actions, "[climb climb sit]"

"Oh, Cyn, you gotta let me know when you're there, ya little dingo."

The drone with hair the same style as the human girl blinked slowly in confusion, her golden LED eyes curious. "Why is that? [head tilt] Does it scare you?"

Tessa wanted to say 'yeah a little' but responded bravely, "No, I would've asked you maybe for some help if you wanted to help, that is."

"I wa-want t-to help [smile]" Cyn pleaded in her computery voice, "Please teach me, Tessa"

Tessa smiled, she had a small soft spot for the broken little drone that fawned over her. "Well, ok, let me show you on you, alright?" She gently put her right hand on Cyn's right hand, asking the alabaster haired drone, "Only if that's okay."

Cyn nodded as she says "[nods happily]"

Tessa took a little rubber mallet and explained sweetly, "Well, drones and human bodies have similar reflex nerves, let me just..." she took the little mallet and tapped Cyn's knee.

Cyn stared curiously at where Tessa had tapped and then her leg kicked up as she exclaimed "[KICK]" "Funny" Cyn beeped approvingly, "Do again! Do again!"

The grey eyed adolescent girl hit Cyn's other knee with the rubber mallet.

Cyn once again watched as her left knee kicked upwards as Cyn exclaimed once more, "[KICK]"

Tessa and Cyn looked at each other and both started laughing because it was adorable, after which, Tessa put away the reflex hammer. She gave Cyn a very warm and caring hug, leaning into it enough for the little drone to feel safe, but not enough to overwhelm Cyn's busted steel spine. She gently let go of the robot to not overwhelm her. "You're so precious, Cyn."

"Pr-precious?"

Tessa reassured as she tucked a section of Cyn's white hair behind her left auditory sensor, "It's a very good word, it means cherished, valued, loved, special."

Cyn lifted her hands to her chest and repeated the word, "Precious."

Tessa lightly tapped her finger on the spot on Cyn's face where a nose would be had Cyn been a human child. "You're learning so much every day. I'm proud of you."

Cyn smiled as she kept holding her hands over her chest. "Proud," she continued, "Meaning you are h-happy with me."

Tessa nodded, smiling still kindly as she invited, "If I'm ever in the garage, feel free to come with me. I could always use a hand getting tools or to keep me company."

Cyn repeated back in a monotone voice that still mimicked Tessa's Aussie accent, "Company!"

Tessa patted Cyn on the head, lovingly reassuring, "You're alright, Cyn. I'm glad I saved you"

Over the next few weeks, Cyn helped Tessa repair robots in the garage, assuming innocently that it was so because the odd little drone wanted to be helpful, but the malicious truth remained hidden, alike a ticking time bomb beneath the floorboards of the library

The End...