#I don't know but you've rekindled it for me!! Now I have to write or draw something for these two!! 😤✨

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Like no one is watching

summary: a little stream rekindles feelings that had been lurking somewhere in between the lines. Or have they?

a/n *hits chest* guilty, guilty, guilty... yet I had to write this because I was about to go insane. Don't come for my head. Had never written for this man before. Enjoy. 🤍🫧

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It was supposed to be a chill night. Nothing big. Nothing special. All Vince wanted was to hang out with a couple of his old friends and mess around for a bit on stream. He needed to get his mind off the last couple of games that weren't his best. And it was just that—a good evening filled with goofy jokes—until Brian went quiet for a minute before saying, "Uuu, Y/N is coming over," and Vince's body nearly had an out-of-body experience. One that makes you fella as if, suddenly, you are standing a foot away from your body, and it almost feels like tunnel vision, but then it all snaps back into place. Yet Vince pulled the most neutral facial expression he could master before saying, "The one from the game?" making Brian simply hum in confirmation as he typed out a message to you.

The thing was, that it was stupid to even pretend that Vince didn't know you. Or that he only had seen you in one of his games as Brian's plus one. Well, besides being one of the NHL investor's daughter—a tag you shook off with a frown every time. You had made quite a name for yourself on your own. You had graduated from medical school with honors. And had opened a boutique in downtown Chicago... Not that Vince was keeping tabs or anything.

The truth was that he had never paid much attention to you at sports events or gatherings. Not that you were there often. But something about you standing there in the stands during his last game had messed with Vince's brain chemistry, and Vince just hadn't been the same ever since. He had, of course, asked Brian about your friendship and felt even more whiplashed when his friend casually shrugged while saying that you two had known each other for years. A friend of a friend. And since the energy was comparable, you had stayed in touch.

"Vince, keep the chat entertained while I let her in," Brian got up quickly, but not before stopping to address chat too, "Guys, your favorite person is here." Vince was once again left wondering how many times you two streamed together. And kicking himself for never really finding the time to watch his friends' lives. Laughter echoed from the hallway, and Vince had to mentally tell himself not to look back so he wouldn't come off too desperate. Paying extra attention to the sea of messages about how everyone was so excited to see you.

"Make some noise, make some noise," Brian shouted as he sprinted back, clapping his hands. He pulled the mic to his lips, "The one and only, Y/n Y/L/N." Your laughter filled the room, quickly followed by the clicking of your heels. "You are insane," you muttered, stepping through the door. A slight surprise washed over your face when your eyes fell on Vince, sitting in one of the chairs, but it was quickly masked by a warm smile. "Oh, hey, Vince," you muttered before leaning forward slightly to wave at the camera.

"Hey guys, long time no see. Please tell me that you've been making fun of Brian for me", you smirked, sticking your tongue out at him. "Changed my mind; I don't want you here," he huffed, playfully pulling at your hand. Vince blinked a couple of times. Finally realized that he had been staring at you the whole time, but then who could blame him? You had caught his eye back then with a messy bun, baggy jeans, and his team's jersey on. Now, with a black dress, heels, and full of glam. Lord was on his side, and he was sure glad that he had been sitting.

"Do I know Vince?" you read, your eyes darting to the awfully quiet hockey player to your right. "Yeah, we met. Was at his game, actually", you nodded slowly. "I should know all the rules by now, but..." Pulling a face, you shook your head. You avoided the games like a plague. Daddy's girl in the stadium. Those words alone made you want to run. You would rather fall face-first into dog shit. "We'll get you to more games, and you'll get it in no time," Vince's voice made your head snap back to him. The fucker dared to smirk too. Oh, but you knew his type. Heard all about it, and two could play this game. "Is that an offer?", you asked innocently. Vince only shrugged as he leaned back in his chair, "A fact." Your eyes stayed glued to each other. You hated how you could never get a read on him. How could a guy look both like the biggest mistake and like a gift from the Lord himself?

"They want to see your fit, Y/n," Brian's voice made you blink. Turning your attention back to the camera, you muttered, "Oh, wait," you backed up slightly. Trying to fit at least most of your body in a frame. "Do a twirl," Brian clapped his hands like a kid, making you shake your head. "Of fuck you, that's stupid," you muttered. "No cap, do a twirl," he motioned with his finger for you to do as he said. You rolled your eyes, but then you did feel cute today, so a little hype has never hurt anybody. "It's nothing," you said as you twirled a couple of times, "a black dress and these awful heels." You lifted one of your feet slightly, showing the sparkly, black heel.

"My turn!" Brian shouted, stepping up front as he went on a rant about what he was wearing. You stepped aside with a giggle. He was way too excited to do this, so alcohol had to be involved in this steam in some way. "Sponsorship event?", Vince said under his breath, clearly only trying to catch your attention. "You know it...", breathing out, you let out a sigh. People might call you ungrateful for this, but you hated attending anything that involved your father and his money. You were like a shiny toy for him. "Do you hate them?", he asked, catching a slight frown on your face. "Tell me about it," you said, laughing under your breath. "I ain't a fan as well," he added with a nod. "Oh, I know", you muttered, stepping aside from his chair.

"I will go for now; I need to get out of these before I start bleeding all over the floor," you chuckled, pointing to your feet once you found a minute of silence. You didn't want to just get up and walk out, so one way or another, you would have to find a little excuse to slip away. "Just get them off here," Brian muttered, not seeming to care as he scrolled through his playlist, looking for a new song to sing along to. "And flash the chat while doing so?", you rolled your eyes, "You wish for free content like that." You were about to wave your last goodbye when Vince cut in, "I'll get them." For a split second, you had hoped that you had misunderstood his intentions. So you just shook your head with a polite, "It's okay," but Vince scooted his chair closer. "No, no, I got it," he muttered, bending over.

A breath hitched in your throat as you felt his hands on your skin. "No, Vince," you muttered. But he just continued pulling at the strap; his warm fingers touching your cold ankle, sending shivers down your whole body. He fidgeted with it for a moment, but with an awkward angle, it sure wasn't an easy task. You were hoping that he was just going to give up, but his palm grasped your leg just slightly above your knee as he nudged it to a more comfortable angle for him. You nearly let out a shriek, but it turned into you biting your lip. Your hands pressed against his shoulder as you steadied yourself.

But God the feeling of relief once he finally pulled the scrappy shoes off. Near heavenly. Making your head fall back as you hummed in delight, "Remind me to boycott high heels from today," you muttered. Not to mention that you didn't miss the way Vince's hands lingered on your skin before he pulled back away from you. His gaze moves upwards to catch your eyes. And the urge to just take his face between your fingers and... Pull yourself together, Yn. You turned away quickly. Hoping to hide the slight blush on your cheeks. "It was nice seeing you guys", you waved your hand to the camera before quickly picking up your heels and padding out of the room.

Vince's heart was beating so hard against his chest. He was toying with a dangerous line. Girls like you were off-limits for a reason. The rules were pretty clear, too. It was bad enough that this was on the internet. One stupid move and his head would be drilled raw with people screaming at him. Nor did it help that your daddy dearest had spent some pretty coin on his team this year. Yet Vince was itching to get up and follow you. Little could be done with the cameras on, but outside this room, where no one could see you...

"Do you want another drink?" Vince said, causing Brian to shake his can, which, to Vince's luck, was indeed empty. "I'll get..." Brian had started, but Vince was already up and out of his chair. "I've got you, man," he said, tapping his friend's shoulder. He only had one shot at this. You can only get lucky so many times. But he didn't even need to go looking for you because the moment Vince rounded the corner to the kitchen, you were there. Leaning against the counter with your hands crossed over your chest.

"You're following me or something?", you muttered, tilting your head to the side. Vince tossed the empty cans out. "Or something," he muttered back. "Now you think you're funny?", you raised an eyebrow at him, pushing back from the corner to step closer to him. "What do you want, Dunn?", you asked, narrowing your eyes at him. A smirk tugged on his lips. That devilish one. One that turned him from an angel to a man of sins in seconds. "Back to the last name once again; you know I like it." His words were breathy and low as he reached up to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, causing you to pull back.

"You look really good," Vince muttered, letting his eye fall down your body. Following your curves before your laughter filled the empty place. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, frowning slightly. Pinching the bridge of your nose, you shook your head, "You came here to tell me that I looked good?". This guy was something different. Yet your fingers reached up to his jaw, brushing over his jawbone. "You're adorable," you muttered. This time it was Vince who was pulling away, "I'm not adorable."

You bit your lip, trying to keep a serious face. Of course, he would get offended by a comment like that. "Yeah, I forgot that you're an angry puppy, my bad," you said with a firm nod of your head. Vince let out a huff, licking his lips as he stepped forward once more, towering over you. "Careful," he breathed out, leaning closer to your face. "Or what?", you urged him, not willing to back down. Your own hands moved to rest against his chest as you stepped on your toes. His warmth seeped into your palms. Vince's arms were pressed on either side of you. Caging you within his arms, "Or you might see a very different side of me." Your smirk matched his now as you bit your lip, tilting your head to the side. "Like..." you pushed on, wanting to see just how far he would let himself go.

"Not afraid that daddy will get mad?" The warm feeling in your stomach turned to ice. The smile faded from your lips as you reared back. "Oh, fuck you," you hissed, pulling at his arm to get away from him. You should have known better. "Y/n," Vince tried to grasp your arm, but you yanked it away quickly, "Forget it, Dunn." With a quick look around the kitchen, you grabbed your stuff and headed straight to the door, cursing yourself for willingly choosing to come here in the first place.

[paynomindtotheinsanity]

I just wanted to say that your fanfiction is one of the first in a long time that genuinely kept me hooked and frothing at the mouth for the next chapter and it's shenanigans.

The way you write Dib is beyond amazing and the dialogue is so fun, I could genuinely read it all day and never get bored. The amazing banter and stunning writing actually gave me a huge boost to continue writing my fanfics and rekindled my love for writing and reading (which never really left but this gave it a huge boost) and now I have a lot more motivation!!!!

Don't be afraid to take your time for the next chapter, I know that however long it takes, it'll be EPIC!!!!

(Also I really want to draw a certain scene from chapter 27 in a silly way and I want to know if it's okay 😳)

Thank you, this made my night <3

It's been so much fun working on this fic, and I'm beyond happy to hear your love for writing has been rekindled.

And yes, feel free to draw whatever you'd like! I can't wait to see what scene you've picked, 'cause lord knows there were a bunch of ridiculous moments in that chapter lol.

[mccall-muffin]

The Lady and the Major - Part 3/3 // John "Bucky" Egan x OC

Summary: Bucky is gone. For Liz, a world fell apart. But being the daughter of a duke, there still are responsibilities.

Warnings: Language, loss, slight depression, family duties, family fight. FLUUUUFF

A/N: And now this little story comes to an end. It was fun :) Hope you enjoyed it!

Here is my Masterlist

Tags: @liebgotts-lovergirl, @softly-writes, @mads-weasley, @brassknucklespeirs, @softguarnere, @shesgonna

London, Early 1944

The vibrant correspondence between Liz and Bucky, once a source of joy and anticipation for Liz, has fallen into a distressing silence since October 1943. Each letter she sent without receiving a reply added another layer to her growing concern and heartache. Liz's letters, once filled with playful banter and teasing affection, have grown more earnest, culminating in a confession of her deepening feelings for Bucky—a letter that, like its predecessors, remains unanswered.

The once lively spark in Liz's eyes has dimmed, noted by all who know her but most acutely by Mrs. Baxter, who has served the Cavendish family for years and has come to hold a particular fondness for Liz. It's a quiet afternoon when Mrs. Baxter finds Liz in the garden, her laughter at something in a book not quite reaching her eyes, a shadow of her usual vibrancy.

"Miss Elizabeth," Mrs. Baxter begins, her voice laced with concern, "you've been ever so down lately. It's not like you to let the world weigh on your shoulders. Is it that young American soldier? You've not mentioned him in quite some time."

Liz, caught off guard, closes her book, a sigh escaping her lips. "Yes, it's Bucky. I've not heard from him since October. I fear the worst, Mrs. Baxter. But part of me wonders... what if he's simply moved on? Or found someone else? Or worse..." Her voice is a mix of sadness and fear, the possibility of Bucky being gone forever a thought she can barely entertain.

Mrs. Baxter, wise in the ways of the heart and the harsh realities of war, shakes her head. "Miss Elizabeth, the way that boy wrote to you, I can't imagine him simply forgetting about you or finding another. It doesn't sit right. Why don't you write to his superior? Just to ask, to know for certain."

The suggestion stirs a turmoil within Liz. The thought of reaching out to Colonel Harding, of whom Bucky told her, is daunting, not only for fear of seeming desperate but also for the terrifying possibility that her worst fears might be confirmed—that Bucky is indeed lost to her, either through death or by a change of heart.

"But what if I find out he's..." Liz can't finish the sentence, the fear of Bucky's potential death choking her words.

"Miss Elizabeth," Mrs. Baxter says, taking Liz's hand in her own, "not knowing is a torment all its own. It's clear you care for him deeply and living in this limbo isn't fair to you. Writing to that Colonel might bring you the clarity you need to move forward, one way or another."

Liz contemplates Mrs. Baxter's words, the wisdom in them undeniable yet terrifying to act upon. The possibility of learning that Bucky is indeed gone is a reality she's not sure she's ready to face. Yet, the perpetual state of not knowing, of holding onto a thread of hope mixed with fear, is its own kind of purgatory.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Liz nods, a decision made. "You're right, Mrs. Baxter. I'll write to his Colonel. It's better to know than to spend my days wondering 'what if.'"

Mrs. Baxter squeezes Liz's hand reassuringly, offering a smile that's both encouraging and sympathetic. "Whatever the response, Miss Elizabeth, you won't face it alone. We're all here for you, always."

With a newfound resolve, albeit one shadowed by apprehension, Liz sets out to pen a letter to Colonel Harding, seeking the truth about Bucky's fate. It's a step fraught with the risk of heartbreak but also the only path toward peace, whether it leads to closure or rekindles a flicker of hope.

Dear Colonel Harding,

I hope this letter finds you well amidst the challenging circumstances that I know the brave men under your command face daily. I am writing to you with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit, seeking information about Major John Egan, who I believe is (or was) under your esteemed leadership.

It has been several months since I last heard from Major Egan, and his silence is uncharacteristic and deeply concerning. We had been in regular correspondence until October of last year, after which all communication ceased abruptly. Understanding the nature of his duty and the risks involved, I am painfully aware of the potential reasons for his silence.

However, the not knowing has become a burden too heavy to bear, and so I find myself reaching out to you, Colonel, in hopes that you might be able to provide any information regarding Major Egan's status. It is my deepest hope that he is safe and well, but if that is not the case, I am prepared to face whatever truth there might be.

Major Egan spoke very highly of you and his fellow soldiers, and it is clear he holds great respect for the sacrifices and efforts of the 100th Bombardment Group. It is in this spirit of respect and concern that I reach out to you now.

Any information you can provide would be immensely appreciated, not only by me but by all who care for Major Egan.

I thank you in advance for your time and assistance in this matter and for your service to our countries. Please extend my gratitude and best wishes to the courageous men under your command.

Yours sincerely, Lady Elizabeth Cavendish of Wellington

Dear Lady Elizabeth Cavendish,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you regarding Major John Egan. First, let me express my deepest gratitude for your kind words, the respect you've shown towards our unit, and the sacrifices made by our servicemen. It is the support and thoughtfulness of individuals like yourself that bolster our spirits in these trying times.

Regarding Major Egan, I regret to inform you that his plane was shot down during a mission over Münster, Germany, on October 10th. The circumstances were such that we have been unable to ascertain his whereabouts following the incident, and as of this moment, Major Egan is classified as Missing in Action (MIA).

This news is undoubtedly difficult to receive, and it is shared with the greatest sympathy and respect for your connection to Major Egan. Please know that our efforts to learn more about his status continue unabated, and any new information will be communicated to you as soon as possible.

Major Egan is remembered among his peers for his bravery, leadership, and the indelible mark he left on all who had the privilege of knowing him. In these challenging times, we hold onto hope and the belief in the resilience of the human spirit.

Should there be any way we can be of further assistance to you during this period, please do not hesitate to reach out.

With deepest sympathies, Colonel Neil B. Harding 100th Bombardment Group United States Army Air Forces

July 1945, Hyde Park, London

The park, with its sprawling greens and tranquil ambiance, serves as a refuge for her thoughts, a place where memories of Bucky feel both painfully close and achingly distant. As she walks beside Mrs. Baxter, her mind is only half-attuned to the conversation about her impending nuptials to Lord Henry Ashcroft, a man of good standing and disposition but whom Liz regards with a sense of resigned acceptance rather than love.

Lord Henry Ashcroft, chosen by her father, was a man of considerable charm and intellect, a diplomat who had spent much of the war negotiating on behalf of Britain. While Liz could appreciate his qualities and the comfort of their companionship, her heart remained untouched, locked away with the memories of a love lost too soon.

As Mrs. Baxter prattles on, Liz's attention is stolen away by a voice, a familiar timbre that cuts through the noise of the park and straight to her soul. "Planning your grand escape, Liz? Or just hiding out from all those wedding planners your father's set on you?"

The voice, unmistakably Bucky's, sends a shockwave through her. She turns, disbelieving, to see him leaning casually against a tree, that all-too-familiar smirk playing on his lips, his arms crossed as if he's been waiting for her all this time. For a moment, Liz is frozen, her heart caught between joy and disbelief.

"Bucky?" she breathes out, her voice a whisper lost in the wind. The world around her seems to come to a standstill, the chatter of the park fading into nothingness as she takes in the sight of him. He's thinner, the signs of his ordeal evident in his eyes, but it's unmistakably him.

Bucky pushes off from the tree, taking a few steps toward her with a grin. "In the flesh," he confirms, his eyes lighting up with the warmth she remembered so well. "I must say, I've had quite the adventure. But I always knew I had to find my way back to you, Liz."

Tears well in Liz's eyes as the reality of the moment washes over her. The pain of the past two years, the resignation to a life without him, suddenly lifts, replaced by a surge of hope and love so strong it leaves her breathless.

"But how? I thought you were—" Liz starts, unable to finish, the question hanging in the air, laden with the weight of untold stories of survival and loss.

"A POW," Bucky finishes for her, his voice softening. "It was... rough. But I never stopped thinking about you, Liz. Not for a single day. It's what kept me going, knowing I had to come back to see you again."

The revelation leaves Liz reeling, the pieces of her carefully constructed resolve crumbling under the weight of her emotions. Here, before her, stands the man she believed she had lost forever, a living testament to the resilience of hope and love.

Mrs. Baxter, sensing the magnitude of the moment, discreetly withdraws with the dogs, leaving Liz and Bucky alone in their bubble of reclaimed time.

Liz steps forward, the distance between them closing with each tentative step until she's close enough to touch, to confirm that he's real and not a figment of her longing imagination. Without a word, she reaches out, her hand trembling as it meets his cheek, the contact sparking a connection that time and circumstance had failed to sever.

"Bucky, I..." Liz starts, the flood of emotions rendering her speechless.

"Shh," Bucky soothes, wrapping her in his arms, his presence a balm to the scars left by war and separation. "We have time, Liz. All the time, we thought we'd lost. We'll figure this out together."

In the embrace of the man she never stopped loving, Liz allows herself to believe in the possibility of a future she had mourned as lost. Hyde Park, once a sanctuary for her solitary reflections, now bears witness to the resurgence of a love that survived against all odds, promising a new chapter for Liz and Bucky, one where 'what if' transforms into 'what is.'

In the opulent salon of Wellington House, the tension is palpable. The Duke of Wellington, a man of formidable presence and traditional values, paces the room, his anger reaching a fever pitch. The assembled group—Liz, her fiancé Henry Ashcroft, her brother Edward, her mother, and Bucky—watches in a mix of apprehension and disbelief.

"My daughter, marrying an American? A soldier with no title, no lands, no... no nothing!" the Duke bellows, his voice echoing off the walls, laden with centuries of history and tradition. "This is not a matter of mere preference, Elizabeth! It's about duty, about the legacy of the Cavendish name. An arrangement has been made with the Ashcrofts, a union that will benefit both our families."

Liz stands her ground, her resolve steeled by the love she has for Bucky, a love that has endured the trials of war and separation. "Father, I respect our traditions, but I cannot—I will not—marry a man I do not love. Henry is a fine gentleman, but my heart belongs to Bucky. I must marry out of love, not obligation."

Her plea falls on deaf ears. The Duke, red-faced and seething, turns his ire towards Bucky. "And you!" he accuses, pointing a finger at the soldier who has unwittingly become the center of the controversy. "Do you think you can just waltz in here and claim my daughter's hand? What do you have to offer her? You are a commoner, an outsider!"

Bucky, despite the hostility, remains calm, his respect for Liz and her family evident even in the face of the Duke's wrath. "Your Grace, with all due respect, I understand your concerns. I may not have titles or lands to my name, but I love your daughter and swear to devote my life to making her happy. Isn't her happiness worth considering?"

The Duke's response is a derisive snort. "Happiness? You speak of happiness in a world where lineage and alliances dictate our very existence. You are not suitable for Elizabeth. This... this farce ends now!"

Liz's mother and brother exchange troubled glances, the family torn asunder by the clash of duty and desire. Henry, for his part, remains silent, his own feelings a mixture of resignation and relief, having sensed Liz's lack of affection towards him.

The room falls silent as the Duke delivers his ultimatum. "Elizabeth, you will marry Henry Ashcroft as planned, or you will face the consequences. You will not defy the wishes of your family or the expectations of our society. This is not just about you; it's about the Cavendish legacy."

The weight of her father's words hangs heavy in the air, a gulf widening between tradition and the yearning of the heart. Liz, caught in the throes of an impossible choice, looks to Bucky, her eyes filled with a mixture of love, defiance, and the dawning realization of the sacrifices they must both be willing to make for a chance at a life together.

As she can't take it anymore, Liz flees the salon and her father and is quickly followed by her mother.

In the quiet aftermath of Liz's hurried departure, the salon becomes a stage for silent contemplation and uneasy alliances. As Henry speaks privately with the Duke, Edward shares a moment of understanding with Bucky, and the pieces of a complex puzzle begin to shift. The choices made in the hours and days to come will redefine the futures of all involved, setting them on paths none could have anticipated.

Edward, acknowledging Bucky's resolve with a nod, breaks the silence. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Facing down the old man is no small feat," he comments, a hint of respect threading through his words.

Bucky, his determination unwavering, responds with a sincerity that speaks volumes of his experience and the depth of his feelings for Liz. "I've seen too much, lost too much, to not fight for what truly matters. Liz... she's changed everything for me. This time in captivity, it made me realize life's too short for regrets. I need to spend mine with her, no matter what."

Edward sighs, a look of understanding crossing his features. "I get it, I really do. But you must understand our world... it's governed by rules, by expectations that have bound families like ours for centuries. It's a tangled web."

Meanwhile, in Liz's room, the atmosphere is thick with desperation and the weight of impending decisions. Her mother, the Duchess, attempts to provide comfort, but Liz's turmoil runs too deep for simple reassurances. "I can't do it, Mother. I can't marry Henry knowing that Bucky is alive and the one I love. It would be a lie, a life built on pretense. I'm not like you; I can't hide my feelings or live a lie."

The Duchess, faced with her daughter's anguish, feels a pang of sorrow for the constraints their world imposes. She knows the Duke's stubbornness all too well, his unwavering commitment to duty and legacy. Yet, in her heart, she understands Liz's longing for genuine happiness. With a heavy heart, she reveals the only solution she sees.

"There is one way, Elizabeth. You must elope with Mr. Egan. It's the only path to true happiness if you're sure he's the one. Your father... he may never forgive you, but this is your life, and you must choose how to live it. But you have to know, if you decide on this, there is no coming back."

The suggestion of elopement, radical and fraught with the risk of scandal and estrangement, hangs in the air like a lifeline amidst stormy seas. It's a testament to the lengths to which love compels individuals to go, challenging the very foundations upon which their lives are built.

For Liz, the idea is both terrifying and liberating. The prospect of defying her family, of stepping outside the protective yet confining boundaries of her world, is daunting. Yet, the chance to build a life with Bucky, to embrace the love they share, is a beacon of hope in the darkness of her predicament.

As the vast expanse of the Atlantic stretches out before them, the cold ocean breeze tangles through Elizabeth's hair, a stark contrast to the warmth of Bucky's arms around her. His kiss on her cheek is a gentle reminder of the new reality they've stepped into together—a world away from the grandeur of Wellington House, a future uncertain but theirs to shape.

Bucky's voice, filled with affection, breaks the silence. "You sure you're okay with this, Lizzie? Leaving everything you've known... for me?"

Turning to face him, Liz's eyes meet his, shining with a resolve that belies any lingering doubts. "Bucky, I've never been more sure of anything in my life. With you, I have everything I need. You are my home now."

Bucky's smile in response is one of relief and love, his hand coming up to caress her cheek. "Liz, you've given up so much. I promise you, I'll spend every day making sure you never regret this decision."

Their conversation, intimate against the backdrop of the vast ocean, is a testament to the strength of their bond, a love that has transcended societal norms and the expectations of their respective worlds.

Flashback: In Liz's room, the Duchess's hands are steady as she helps pack the bags, her face a mask of resolve. "Remember, you're stronger than you think, Elizabeth. You're making a brave choice, for love. That's something I've always admired in you." As Bucky is led into Liz's room through the servants' corridors, his eyes quickly find Liz, his expression a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Lizzie, are you sure? This means leaving everything behind—your family, your title..." Liz steps close, her hands finding his. "I've never been more certain of anything, Bucky. As long as I'm with you, I'm where I belong." Her mother's voice, soft yet urgent, interrupts their moment. "You must hurry, my dears. And be careful." Handing Liz some money, she adds, "This should help you get started." She puts her arm on Bucky's. "Take care of my daughter." Bucky nods. "I will. Always." The goodbye is swift, a final embrace shared with her mother before Liz and Bucky slip out into the night, embarking on their journey towards a new life.

As Liz reaffirms her commitment, Bucky's eyes soften, the weight of her sacrifice not lost on him. "Lizzie, you're my world. I'll make sure you have all the happiness you deserve."

Their kiss, passionate and full of promise, seals their vow to each other. As they stand there, wrapped in each other's embrace, the future unfurls before them—not as a path laid out by lineage or duty, but as a journey they'll navigate together, bound by love and the shared courage to defy expectations for the chance at true happiness.

"We're in this together, every step of the way. I love you, now and forever," Bucky whispers, his words carrying the weight of an oath, a pledge of a lifetime together, against all odds.

And Liz, gazing into the horizon, her heart full, knows that no matter what challenges they may face, their love will be their guiding light. "I love you too, Bucky. Here's to our new beginning."

[sh0ek0]

after hours (part 2)

please find the other parts via my masterlist or the #sh0ek0 tag, I'm having some trouble with my posts not showing up in the tags and I think the links are messing this up

genre: angst, smut, dark content, kinda all over the place content warning: 18+ !MINORS + AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT! mentions of alcohol and drug use, name calling, toxic relationship, abusive relationship, violence, emotional abuse, choking, rough!megumi, slapping, threatening with a gun, Russian roulette, manic kinda episode, I should honestly stop romanticizing this kinda behavior, still: probably more but I am new to this pairing: Megumi x Reader word count: about 6.5k

summary: After Megumi beat up Choso at Yuji's and his houseparty, you're left drunk, high and confused. You start looking for him and remember an incident from your past before you sneak out of the apartment to meet up with your abusive ex, trying to rekindle your toxic relationship.

I'm so sorry this second part took me so long. Again: I don't want to talk myself down and I love writing, it's so much fun but I am very critical of myself and I really think this is trash compared to all the other amazing writing on here. So, THANK YOU SO MUCH for bearing with me and hyping me up. Every single like I got on 'heartbeat' really made my day <3 (I am terrified of posting so brb logging off for a few days help)

recommended songs: Formula - Labrinth / The Hills - The Weeknd / After Hours - The Weeknd / The Zone - The Weeknd / Streets - Doja Cat / Wicked Games - The Weeknd

You stumble through the open door onto the roof terrace. There are people staring at you and some of them seem to recognize you - you knew people were talking and you were old enough to just not care about that kinda shit anymore. They haven't been through what you've been through and if they decided to judge you? Well that was on them.

Right now you needed to find him. Megumi reacted the way he did because he loved you. You knew that. You pass by a table and a few lounge chairs and recognize the people sitting there from your college lectures. A girl, you remember her name to be Yue, waves you over. 

"Y/N! Hi, are you alright?" she asks and you can hear a tiny bit of concern in her voice as you stumble and bump into one of the chairs. 

"Hi, uh, yeah 'm fine." you answer and shoot her a smile, fumbling with the sleeves of your dress before you drop into the chair you just bumped into. Your head was spinning while you were desperately trying to process what had just happened inside but it was too much, it was too loud, too many people, too much booze. Everyone around you seemed to have the time of their lives while you were stuck inside your mind.

You reach for the half-empty bottle of vodka that was on the table in front of you and pour yourself a glass. It would definitely not help you to get any clearer in the head, but it would calm your nerves. Or at least you could just escape this mess for a few more minutes.

You put the glass to your lips and down its contents before filling it right back up. You can feel the stares of the guys sitting next to you. You never bothered to speak to anyone in your lectures and you didn't even know their names but apparently they seemed to enjoy seeing you in this state.

Under normal circumstances you wouldn't give them a single glance and you would’ve snapped at them for staring at you like this but now, as drunk as you were, you didn't even notice how far your dress had ridden up, or the spilled liquor on your cleavage. The wet fabric clung to your boobs, exposing you without really exposing you.

"Hey, slow down." Yue laughed as you down another shot, taking the bottle out of your hand. You look at her before leaning back in your chair, closing your eyes for a brief moment. 

"Listen I actually don't want to bother you any longer," you frown, unsure what to say next "just 'wanna know if you saw Gojo or Megumi I- I am looking for him." you say, unsure if Yue could understand you over the music.

Yue looks at you. You know she understood you because you can see pity in her eyes and you immediately regret asking her in the first place. You told yourself that you didn’t care but you still hated that everyone around you had their opinion about you and your relationship. No one dared to say it out loud, but everyone thought the same. Even your friends. 

"Well, I don't know where Gojo is but I saw Megumi passing by just when I came out here," She moves closer to you to pull your dress down, glaring at the two guys that were staring at you. 

"I think he left." She looks at her hands, obviously searching for the right words to say to you.

Yue leans over to you. You weren't exactly close but apparently most people on campus knew about the ups and downs in your relationship. People really liked to talk. 

"Y/N I guess your friends are really worried about you," she says gently, trying not to cross your boundaries. "You should really stop looking for him - I mean everyone saw the bruising on your neck-" 

Well, so much for not crossing boundaries. 

"Megumi would never hurt me." you protest, cutting her off.

"-people say he threatened you with a gun after an argument escalated." Yue carefully put her hand on your leg and you flinched.

"That's bullshit." you laugh, getting flustered. How could this even have spread around? You told nobody except Maki. 

"That’s not what happened." you whisper.

"You don't threaten someone you love with a gun." Yue said in a sharp voice. You look at her, completely thrown off guard. 

"Yeah and I guess you don't stick your nose in other peoples fucking business." you hiss and lean on your hands to lift yourself up out of the chair, a little bit wobbly on your feet. You grab the bottle of vodka from her hands and stumble in the direction of the terrace door.

You feel tears well up in your eyes as you remember that day a few weeks ago. It happened in your dorm room again, you just came home from another lecture. Grabbing you from behind in complete darkness, Megumi covered your mouth with his hand to keep you from screaming as he pressed cold metal to your temple. You will never forget how utterly and absolutely terrified you were. 

You will never forget the look he had in his eyes when he threw you against the wall and made you face him. You could see on his face how much he enjoyed having absolute power over you.

***

"You fucking stalking me now?" he spat at you, holding you against the wall of your dorm room by your neck. Your throat still hurt from the last time he did this to you. 

Megumi had an old revolver in the other hand and pointed it at your head. "What the fuck did you think you were doing last night? You are fucking crazy, Y/N." Your body was shaking, he sounded so angry it completely scared the shit of you.

Would you let him treat you like this for the rest of your life?

"You were fucking some other bitch last night you fucking asshole," you screamed out, cutting him off. "I fucking know it! Stop bullshitting me I fucking heard you through that door." You started crying.

"You telling me this after you sucked off some random guy at the party you were at? You fucking kidding me?" - "We just kissed an-and I was drunk-" you started explaining but got cut off as Megumi pulled you towards him by your neck before slamming your head against the wall. You let out a muffled groan.

He was still holding the gun to your temple and you were scared shitless that it would go off. 

”'We just kissed and I was drunk'” he mimicked your voice and you cried out in pain. Your head hurt, your face was scrunched up and your eyes closed. 

”You are a fucking whore, Y/N, and you don't fucking own up to your actions. You’re a fucking slut and you think you deserve to get treated like a fucking princess.” Megumi spat at you.

You started bawling. 

"At least that bitch wasn't as fucking annoying." Megumi huffed. 

"I really fucking hate you." You yelled at him. 

"Leave me alone, stop touching me." You felt a headache coming on, your head was throbbing and tears were flowing uncontrollably down your face. "I hate you."

How could you keep on doing this to yourself? You slowly came to the realization that nor you were scared of him neither you were scared of him being violent. You were simply scared about the fact that no matter what he did to you, you couldn't stop loving him.

"I know you do." Megumi answered.

He took his hand off from around your neck and you felt the cold metal leave your skin as he slowly lowered the gun. Your pulse pounded against the spot where the barrel had just been pointed at and you see the usual blank stare returning to his face. 

"You're abusive and a fucking psychopathic maniac." you cried, trying to catch some air.

He just kept staring at you with emptiness in his eyes, watching tears stream down your cheeks. 

"I hate the way you're making me feel, Megumi." you added quietly, staring at the ground.  

"I know." he said. 

You sniffled, tears still streaming down your face.

"Can't you just leave me alone already?" you said, rubbing the bruising on your throat with shaky hands. You didn't even believe yourself and the words that came out of your mouth seemed so far away. As if you were standing next to yourself and listening to some other person talking.

"That's what you want me to do?" he asked in a calm voice and lifted the gun that was still in his hand. 

No you didn't. 

Megumi opened the chamber of the revolver in his hands. You saw that it was indeed loaded when he dropped the six bullets into his hand and slipped five of them in his pocket. He then placed a single round back into the gun and spinned the cylinder with his thumb.

You stood there in silence and watched what he was doing.

He lifted the gun and held it against your forehead. You closed your eyes, unable to stop your body from shaking. You begged him to stop.

"Megumi, stop, you’re scaring me, please stop that." you pleaded. "Just leave me alone, please stop-"  

Not until you felt him pull back the gun did you dare to open your eyes. Your cheeks were wet with tears and as soon as you opened your eyes, his gaze met yours. His dark eyes looked so empty as he put the barrel to his own head. 

Your heart stopped once again.

And then he pulled the trigger.

You squealed and instantly flinched but you could only hear a silent click! - the gun didn’t go off. 

Suddenly it dawned on you what he was up to. Even if you didn't quite want to believe it, in the condition he was in right now he would have been capable of anything. Even of something as crazy as this.

And you were so fucking scared of how far he would go this time.

"Megumi- stop p-please STOP." you sobbed.

He was manic. Completely out of his mind. 

"You asked me to leave you alone." His voice eerily calm, as always. He closed his eyes and grimaced, pulling the trigger again. 

Nothing. No loud BANG! just a faint metallic click!

Watching him almost put a bullet in his head a second time had traumatized you. If he hadn't managed to do that by now, he certainly did at that moment.

"Megumi- PLEASE- please stop this." you screamed hysterically and reached out to him, your hand now touching his chest. 

"Please stop, I-I love you- I love you so much- p-please stop I don’t want you to leave me, please-" you wailed. Your body followed your hand and you leaned against him, head buried in his chest. You felt so weak, barely able to hold yourself on your feet. You sobbed and cried into his chest, staining the fabric of his sweater with salty tears. 

And you could feel that his body was shaking as well. 

You didn't dare look up at him. After a minute that felt like an eternity you finally felt his arm wrap around your waist, stone-cold metal now pressed against your back. 

Megumi’s chin was resting on top of your head and he slowly pressed his lips to you hair, inhaling your scent while planting kisses.

"Next time you ask me to leave you I’ll kill us both." he whispered in a cold voice and you nodded, barely noticeable. 

"I love you." he added and you closed your eyes.

He loved you. That was all that mattered to you. 

You could never love another man, not even if you wanted to.

***

You made it back inside on shaky legs, your heels were way too high for the amount of booze you had in your system by now. You screw off the lid of the bottle in your hands and take a sip. Looking around you spot none of your friends except Yuta but he didn’t seem to notice you. 

He’s sitting on that very couch you were sitting on with Choso just a while ago and at a second glance you can see that he’s making out with your roommate. Maki didn’t seem to notice you either, as she was completely distracted by Yuta’s lips and his hands all over her body.

Under other circumstances you would have been quite excited about this turn of events - you knew how long Maki had been crushing on him. And you also knew that Yuta was the one who fell first, given how he acted around her and how he looked at her like she was the only woman on the planet. 

But now you were way too drunk and way to invested in finding Megumi to care about anything else. You push past a few people while drinking from the almost empty bottle, trying to find the front door.

After taking a few wrong turns you eventually find yourself standing in front of the door through which you had entered the apartment a couple hours ago. And just as you put your hand on the doorknob, you feel someone snatch the bottle from you.

"What the-" you start and turn around, looking at pink hair and a deeply concerned face. 

"What are you doing? Let me get you home." Yuji was completely sober again, looking at you with a raised eyebrow. 

"I really need to get som' fresh air Yuji, please jus' leave me 'lone" You slur, struggling to stay on your feet.

Yuji held the empty bottle in his left hand and grabbed your wrist with his right to keep you from falling. 

"Y/N, please, don’t go out there by yourself. You can either sleep in my room or I’ll get you home." He tries to pull you away from the door but you stand your ground.

"Please just let me gooo." you beg, impatiently stomping with your feet after finding your balance again. "Let me go." you insist and try to pull your arm away from him.

"I just don't want you to get hurt, Y/N" Yuji says and you have literally no idea on how to get out of this situation. It was not like he would just let you leave like this.

"Listn' I really don' need a babysitter and I have an Uber waiting for me, so please just lemme' go." you lie to him, hoping he would be satisfied with that. 

"Bullshit, you did not call an Uber. That’s like a five minute walk, we’re right next to campus." he busted your lie. "What are you really up to, huh?" Yuji asks.

Choso and Yuji indeed lived right next to the campus. You had always asked yourself how they were able to afford this huge apartment and you figured that Choso not only consumed the drugs he hid here by himself - but also dealt them. That would explain at least a few things, for example all the people who constantly went in and out of here.

After a while of not answering him, Yuji finally lets go of your wrist and looks at the ground. 

"You're looking for him, don't you?" he asks after meeting your gaze again. The look in his eyes made you feel so terrible and ashamed. 

"Listen, he’s my best friend too, but he just beat up my brother and that look on his face? I don’t know Y/N, he looked like he was capable of anything in that moment." You tried to avoid his gaze, but no chance. It seemed like he pinned you to the wall with his eyes alone.

"I'm not looking for him- I'm-" you start when suddenly you get cut off by a few guys that were calling out for Yuji. As he turns around for a split second you immediately take advantage of him being distracted to open the door and slip outside. 

You quickly walk in the direction of the stairs, your head spinning but you try to stay composed and take one step after the other before finally stumbling through the door downstairs onto the street. 

The sky was completely black, not a single star in sight and the only light was coming from a few dimly lit street lamps. Thankfully it was still relatively warm outside.

You take a few shaky steps away from the building, still a bit afraid Yuji would follow you. You were in no condition to run from him. 

For a while the sound of your heels on concrete is the only thing you can hear until you notice the faint buzz of your phone in your purse. 

MEGUMI: "Meet me outside. I'll wait for you." Your heart starts beating faster. 

The text was from about 30 minutes ago so you figure that you didn't have a signal upstairs in the apartment. You look up from the screen and turn around, trying to find where Megumi was waiting.

You flinch a little when suddenly a parked car on the side of the road starts its engine. 

You recognize the black pickup truck and as the lights inside light up for a brief moment, you see Megumi sitting in the driver's seat. Your vision is still a bit blurry and your head’s dizzy but your legs are already carrying you towards the car. 

He really expected you to come looking for him.

You open the car's door and slip into the passenger seat without saying a word. The lights inside are dimmed and you can only see his pale, slender fingers on the steering wheel. His dark clothes swallow him up and the hood of his sweater is pulled down over his face. 

Megumi did not say a single word either, his face turned towards the windshield in front of him. 

"Y/N!" you hear someone call out for you as you close the door behind you. Looking through the window you spot Yuji at the entrance door of the apartment building. He's holding the open door and watching you get into the car. 

"Your dog’s already looking for you, huh?" Megumi asks without expecting an answer and starts the truck. He drives off before Yuji could even think about running after you. 

Yuji's eyes were full of concern and yours were full of guilt as you turn to face him, but you quickly lower your gaze. You couldn’t stand looking at him. You knew how desperate he must feel right now.

At this point you wouldn't blame your friends if they never spoke to you ever again. The hours they spent worrying about you, the evenings they spent trying to talk you out of your relationship with Megumi. 

It was all for nothing.

You slip out of your heels and throw them to the back of the truck. Megumi looked at you, one hand on the steering wheel. He watched you while you were rubbing your aching feet, trying to ease the pain from walking in these goddamn high heels for hours. 

With his free hand he stroked your thigh, motioning you to put your legs in his lap. 

"C'mere." you hear his deep voice and you hesitate for a second before you stretch your legs out towards him. He starts massaging your freshly pedicured feet with one hand, the other one gripping the steering wheel tightly. His eyes were focused on the road in front of him. 

You close your eyes for a moment and enjoy the sensation of his touch, your whole body was aching and this right now was a blessing, no matter how awkward the situation was.

After a few minutes you feel the car speeding up. You knew that Megumi was probably still drunk but you also did not really care about it. It was not a big surprise to you that he would drive drunk and it was also not the first time he did this. 

For a really long time neither of you said a single word and you were just enjoying his touch on your skin, without having to fill the silence.

"What were you thinking?" Megumi was the first to break the silence, eyes still fixated on the road. His voice was icy and it made you shiver.

"What d’you mean?" you ask, pretending to be clueless. Your head starts spinning a little as you open your eyes again.

"Don’t play dumb." Megumi huffed, looking over to you, directly into your eyes. "I mean you, sitting in Choso's lap, behaving like a slut in front of everyone." 

"Mhm." you answer, turning your face away from him. You switch on the radio. 'After Hours' by The Weeknd starts playing, probably from some playlist you made for him. 

"Technically, I wasn’t sitting in his lap." you say. You're not sure you would have had the courage to say that if Megumi hadn't been busy driving. 

Even though you’re unsure of what to say next, you didn't want to submit to him again. You did not want to make yourself so small anymore.

"Shouldn’t the question be: Why the hell do you even care?" You shift your weight and put one foot up on his thigh, stroking his crotch through the fabric of his pants. 

The last bit of alcohol in your blood gave you at least a little courage.

"It’s not like we are together anymore." you say teasingly as he looks over to you again. 

Megumi grabs your leg, pushing it back down roughly. You wince, as his grip on your ankle is a bit too harsh. 

"Ouch." you protest and he lets go of you. You send him an innocent smile and tilt your head to the side, as you continue to stroke his thigh with your foot. You feel a bulge growing in his crotch just seconds later

"So why does it matter to you?" He doesn’t answer. You see the grip of his hand tighten around the steering wheel, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead he keeps on caressing your feet and legs, trying to push them down or hold you still but you don’t let him.

The two of you just sit in silence again, listening to the music without talking to each other.

"It matters because I don’t want to see that fucking bastard all over you, acting like he owns y-" Megumi says after a while but you cut him off.

"We’re not together anymore and you don’t get to beat up anyone I am involved with," You snap at him. "Cut your fucking bullshit Megumi, I am sick of this." 

You don’t know how to feel. This is all so confusing - a big part of you is annoyed with him and so hurt and heartbroken, but the other part, probably even bigger, wants to nestle in against his chest and leave as little space as possible between the two of you. 

And he knew that, too. That smug piece of shit knew you inside out, and acting was not exactly your strength.

"Then why are you here?" he asks and glances at you, both hands on the steering wheel again. 

You think for a moment, look over at him, then out the window again. You skip to the next song and loll your legs in his lap now sitting on your side and resting against the back of the car seat.

"I guess I make terrible life choices and besides, you almost hospitalized my one chance at some superficial sex tonight so you have to deal with me now." You say, trying to sound almost bored. Or  at least unbothered.

Megumi swallows, eyes still fixated on the road. You figured that this was not what he wanted to hear but to your surprise you hear him chuckle seconds later. 

Well, as you had already noted: he knew you too well.

"Nah, don’t bullshit me." he sneered. "You started looking for me as soon as you arrived at that party. I saw you disappear with Yuji immediately after." 

Megumi ignored your little show of pretending that all of this left you completely cold and you just wanted to end up in someones bed. It was a show after all.

"And I saw you getting out of that bathroom, holding hands with my best friend." You cross your arms. "Wearing the dress I bought for you. " 

"I doubt that you wanted Choso to fuck you tonight." Megumi huffs, his deep voice making your heart race. 

"I doubt that you wanted anyone else’s attention than mine." He was so right.

After a few more minutes of sitting in silence with the music playing softly in the background and Megumi driving off into the darkness, you roll the window all the way down. He looks over to you as you lean your head out slightly, hair waving in the breeze. 

You take a deep breath and lean out a bit further, supporting yourself on the window frame. As you arch your back a little, your breasts start to perk up and you close your eyes to fully enjoy the cool night air blowing in your face. Besides the music and the sound of the engine it was so quiet outside. The world was asleep and somehow that comforted you.

You feel Megumi’s gaze on your body. His hands act upon his thoughts as he starts stroking up your calves, over your thighs and further up under your dress. You lean back inside and your eyes meet, but as always you couldn't quite read his expression. 

You slowly pull your legs out of his lap and rest your feet on the dashboard. Without breaking eye contact you lift yourself up out of your seat, pulling up your dress a little and taking off your panties. His eyes widen for a second but he seems to try his best to stay composed.

In your perception, you didn't have much power over him. Not after he managed to read you like an open book once again. He was right about everything he said, even if you wish it was different. 

You only went to that party because you hoped something like this would happen.

Megumi would probably not make that statement - even if it didn't seem like that to you, he knew you could bring him to his knees with the blink of an eye.

He swallows hard, turns away for a moment to look at the road and looks right back at you again. You feel his hand run across your thigh, squeezing gently.

You meet his gaze with the most innocent smile on your lips before you throw your panties in his direction. 

Megumi's lips twitch as he takes a look at the pair of panties lying in his lap. 

"I knew I was right." he says with a smug grin on his lips. You notice his eyes immediately scanning the road for an exit and you giggle as the car takes a sharp turn off into some run-down construction side.

"Well, you better hurry up, so you can make up for the amazing sex I would’ve had if it wasn’t for you." you purr and look up at him from big doe eyes. 

He glances over, looking you up and down 

"I will definitely make you regret saying that out loud." Megumi hums before he brings the car to a halt in the shadow of an unfinished building. 

You roll the window back up and climb over to him without thinking twice, straddling his lap in the drivers seat. He grabs your hips to bring you into the right position and you smile down at him before you lower your lips to his neck. 

"Promise?" you ask and feel his hands move all over your body before sliding under your dress, pushing it up and squeezing your ass with both of his hands while you’re leaving hickeys on his pale skin.

"God, I missed that feeling." he groans as you grind down on his lap. You can feel how hard he already was while dampening the fabric of his pants with your soaking wet pussy. You pull back for a moment and look into his eyes. Just seconds later your lips crash down on his, wet and sloppy as you hold his face with both of your hands.

His hands move further down your ass and you moan into his mouth when his fingers reach your slick heat, sliding through your wet folds. He teases you, circling your clit and your clenching hole lazily with two fingers. He deepens the kiss before your lips part with an audible pop! and you’re left to catch your breath. 

His lips wander along your jaw and the side of your neck while your hands move from his face down his neck and over his chest, further down to his pants. Megumi’s hands are back on your ass to lift you up a little so you can try and open up his belt to pull down his trousers. With a hasty movement you relieve him of his pants and grind down on him immediately after.

You flinch a little when you feel his leaking tip brush against your sensitive clit. Letting out a quiet whimper you start grinding on him again, sliding his hard dick through your wet folds. He pulls you into another kiss, gentle at first before he nips at your bottom lip and then bites down hard. You pant and slide your tongue into his mouth, making him groan in return.

You pull away and look deep into his eyes, arms now wrapped around his neck. Megumi pulls you up again by your waist, positioning his cock at your wet entrance. You cry out in pleasure just as he pushes the fat tip of his cock inside you without giving you any time to adjust. 

"Ahh, 'gumi! Fuck-" you moan. You lift yourself up again, the sensation of his dick filling you out being just too much to handle for you right now. Megumi looks at you, a crooked smile on his lips. Hands on your hips and lower back he pulls you closer to him, you can feel his hot breath against your neck.

"Too much?" He breathes into your ear. "Guess you didn’t fuck around after all." 

"Good girl 'been waiting for me." he whispers, caressing your back with one hand before he thrusts up deep into your tight pussy, bottoming out completely. You squeal but have no chance of escaping him as he holds you in place with both of his hands.

"Ah- Fuck! Fuck- Megumi-" you whine, throwing your head back in pleasure. 

"Shit- How are you so fucking tight?" you hear Megumi growl though clenched teeth as he holds you down for another moment to keep you from moving. Finally his grip on your hips loosens a little and you start grinding up and down, picking up the pace. Still, you felt how much he hated not having full control over you so he kept on guiding you with his hands. 

He watched your pussy swallow his cock whole, going so deep and hitting spots inside you that made you cry out in pleasure and pain, his thick girth stretching you out just right. 

Megumi is quick to push your dress further up your waist to expose your boobs, watching them bounce up and down as you keep on riding his dick. You moan out in pleasure while picking up the pace of grinding on his cock, making him pant and groan against your soft skin.

His gaze and hands wander all over your body, having your soaked cunt crush down on his cock even harder now that you were free to move however you liked. Megumi’s getting lost in watching your cute pussy bury him deep inside, creaming and slowly forming a white ring around his shaft. 

Your head’s still thrown back in pleasure, eyes rolling to the back of your head from the sensation of your tight hole clenching around his thick girth, your moans and gasps and groans and the sound of skin slapping against skin fill up the car. 

He watches you in awe as you fuck yourself on his cock exactly how you need it, whimpering, moaning and breathing so hard as he puts a thumb to your clit, drawing harsh circles that make you flinch. 

"You’re so fucking beautiful-" he groans, trying to catch his breath and coming back to reality as he notices your moans getting needier and your breathing getting harder. 

"'Please 'gumi- need you to-" you babble, your grinding on his dick gets sloppier and after a few more lazy circles Megumi's hands move to your waist, squeezing the fat on your hips on his way up.

One hand on your waist, the other moving up, grabbing and squeezing your boobs before wrapping around your neck, he holds you in place as he roughly starts fucking up into you. 

Your thighs were already shaking, his hand around your neck still squeezing tightly. You’re gasping for air while now being fucked at a brutal pace.

"Oh- Fuck- just like that Megumi-" you moan. "Please d-don’t stop- Just like that-" The quiet pleads leave your lips and you close your eyes, desperately trying to hold yourself up by supporting yourself with your hands on the window frame and steering wheel.

"You think Choso would’ve made you feel like this?" Megumi sneered, already leaving bruises on your neck by how hard he was squeezing down his hand. You try to shake your head but instead you can just let out a quiet whimper.

"Huh? You think he could’ve fucked you like I fuck you?" he spat, loosening his grip just as you begin to see stars forming in the corners of your eyes. You feel his hand on your cheek and a second later you hear a loud slap! followed by a stinging sensation on your face.

"I asked you a question." he growls, his thumb on your lips, pressing into your mouth. You begin to suck on it instinctively, your eyes half closed and your strength slowly leaving you because he was pounding so hard up into you.

"N-No- only you-" you whimper, voice breaking.

"Good girl," he praises "be a good little slut and keep squeezing me so tight." His thumb leaves your mouth and you fall forward a bit, losing the support of his hands. Your walls clench around him, turning you into a moaning mess against the hot, sweaty skin of his face.

"Fuck- such a good little whore for me, huh?" Megumi growls into your ear while your head rests against the side of his face. He’s still at a brutal pace, his thrusts getting even deeper and you can’t help but whimper and cry on top of him.

"P-Please- Can’t take n’more" you sob while he fucks into you relentlessly, making you cry out in pain and pleasure. 

"Please- Please let me cum-" you whimper, tears starting to form in the corners of your eyes. 

"Look at me." Megumi orders and you try to lean back again, supported by his strong arms holding you upright. 

"F-Feels so good." you cry, squirming and wiggling under his touch, overwhelmed with the delicious feeling of his dick pumping in and out of you. He’s hitting all the right spots while your walls are squeezing him so tight. Megumi holds you in place, hands on your hips and lower back, not letting you move a centimeter to the side. 

"Fuck- doing so good- now cum on my dick, be a good girl for me." Megumi groans, not taking his eyes off of you for even a second. Tears roll down your cheeks while you look deep into his dark eyes, black strands of hair sticking to the damp skin of his forehead. 

With every thrust you feel the knot in your stomach getting tighter, with every brush of his shaft against your puffy clit you feel yourself getting closer to the edge until you feel that sweet release washing over your body with a final harsh thrust. Your lewd moans and your tight pussy clenching around his cock throw him over the edge just seconds later and you feel him pumping his load deep into you with a few feral groans escaping his lips.

"F-fuck- keep squeezing me so tight," he breathes into your ear, pressing your body as close as possible to his while you lazily continue to move up and down on his dick. "Good girl." Megumi moans. He holds you tight and you bury your face in the crook of his neck.

For quite a long time you both are just trying to catch your breath, entwined in each others arms. The truck’s windows are steamed-up and only the shallow light of the moon falling through the windshield makes it possible for you to see anything at all.

"You’re something else." Megumi whispers after a while, his soft cock gliding out of your sticky cunt and his hot breath hitting your skin. He quickly pulls up his pants and pulls down your dress before he pulls you back into his lap, your body trembling under his touch. 

"I missed you." he says and you feel so exhausted that you can only nestle into his chest, listen to his heartbeat and close your eyes, while he strokes your back gently. 

"Let me stay the night. I’ll get you home." he whispers and plants a kiss on top of your hair. 

"Not if you’ll leave me again." Your voice sounded so delicate and fragile, he had to pause and swallow before he could answer.

"I won’t." he says quietly. 

"Please don’t leave me again." you repeat yourself and you feel a single tear forming in the corner of your eye that gets wiped away by Megumi’s hand caressing your cheek. 

"I promise." You look up at him and he pulls you into a deep kiss. "I love you." you say quietly.

He doesn’t say anything.

"I still love you." You feel so vulnerable, it’s almost making you sick. "I don’t care about us fighting or fucking or obsessing over each other - deep down I know that I’m only capable of loving you."

"You’re the only one I want." You add in a low voice.

"I know." You hear Megumi’s muffled voice, his face is buried in your hair.

If only he could see the damage he did to you. How dependent you were, how much he was hurting you. 

If only you could see how much you were pouring oil on his fire, how obsessed you were with him. 

There was no happy end for the both of you and deep down you knew that.

[animasola86]

The Darkness Within (Smut Edition) - Dark

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!mc x Tom Riddle

Summary: When Genevieve dies at the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Sebastian is driven mad with grief and sees only one way out of it: he has to bring her back, no matter what. He goes down the darkest path imaginable and in the end, it works, but not as he expected - as he is suddenly transported to 1953. As is the love of his life. Until they finally meet again, seven long years later, both of them go down the opposite ends of the moral meter: one becomes an Auror and the other is charmed and influenced by none other than Tom Riddle, who is on the verge of gathering more and more people for his cause. Will they be able to rekindle their love, now that they are mortal enemies?

Genre: Angst/Smut/Dark!Romance

Warnings: Explicit sexual content. Rough sex. Choking. Angst! NSFW!

Read more on AO3

Warning: There is very dark smut under the cut! Read at your own risk. The darkness is real! MDNI, I mean it! Save your innocence!

Excerpt from Chapter 8 (3k words):

Inside his head was turmoil as he kept arguing with himself. All his training came back to him, all the studies he had had to read about Dark wizards and witches and Dark Magic and how it was all wrong. It was wrong, he knew that, but then again... He groaned and shook his head. It wasn't fair. Life wasn't fair, he specifically knew that all too well. Why did he have to meet the good guy, when she had fallen into the arms of the bad guy? Why was fate such a cruel mistress? A tiny voice inside his mind came through then, and he froze at the notion.

Why don't you just give up your life? You wanted to be with her, didn't you? You have her now, she is right here. Is your job really that important? Are you choosing being the good guy over being with the girl you love? Why are you even arguing with yourself? What the hell is wrong with you?

He swallowed hard at that. The voice had a point. He did love her and he had done everything to this point to find her, to be with her. Why did it matter that she had chosen the dark side now?

Because she didn't love him back. It wasn't the same.

Then you'll make her love you, all over again! You've done it before, remember?

As he considered the last thought, he suddenly felt two tiny hands snake around his torso and then she had pressed her body against his back. He inhaled sharply and slightly turned his head.

“What's wrong?” she asked and without seeing her, with all his memories of her whirling about in his head, he was back at Hogwarts, probably slouched in the Undercroft, studying Slytherin's spellbook, screwing up his face in order to understand what the man had meant by his cryptic writings. And she would join him, sit beside him and her hand would find his arm and she would ask the same thing. And he would look at her and smile and forget about his worries.

“Nothing,” he said curtly, placing his big hand on her small ones.

“You're a liar,” she whispered and he could feel her warm mouth on his shoulder blade. “I know you are conflicted.”

“Why would I be conflicted?” he played along.

“You wonder what to do,” she said and kept kissing his back softly. “You know you shouldn't be with me, because your Auror senses tell you not to. You should arrest me, that would be the right thing to do, hm? But you don't want to, you can't. Because deep inside...” She pressed her hands firmer against his chest. “...you know that it doesn't matter. You want to be with me, don't you? You've waited so long...”

Her voice was soft, but he still heard the dark edge within. She was a very talented sweet talker and he suddenly understood her role in this organization he was watching. She was the recruiter. Of course she was. Playing with men and convincing them to follow her, join her, seemed to be the easiest thing for her. She was sultry and manipulative and even without the use of the Imperius curse he somehow knew that she was very successful also. Because she knew what men wanted to hear. What he wanted to hear.

“Yes, I do want to be with you,” he said quietly and worked his jaw in growing frustration. “But it's not as easy as you think.”

“But why is that? You can be with me, I certainly want you to be with me! All you have to do is let out your darkness, show me your darkness...” She slipped around him and her hands found his shoulders as she leaned up against him, her eyes fixed on him. “Why do you fight this so much? I'm right here!”

He looked at her hard and long and everything inside him was fighting. All the pros and cons, good and bad, light and dark, everything turned against him, and he was a tiny speck somewhere in the middle. He lowered his eyes, gritting his teeth.

“Just let go,” she whispered. “I know you want to. If you have to choose a side, shouldn't it be obvious which one? The one I'm on? Isn't that what you want?”

“I want you,” he said darkly and looked at her. “I do, but...” He sighed deeply and grabbed her hands and pushed away again, turning around to pace the room. “You don't understand. My darkness... I... I don't want to face that ever again. It broke me, it destroyed my life, it took everything I had, everything I held dear! It might have made you stronger, but I... I'm not made to survive it for too long. I won't. I can't...”

“But if you would embrace it,” she said gently and watched him closely. “If I taught you how to control it...”

“No!” he shouted and shook his head. “I can't go down there again! I'll lose you again...”

“You'll lose me if you don't go down there...” she said and her voice changed into a harsher tone.

He stopped pacing and stared at her. “So you only want me for my darkness? For the potential I have? Is that it?”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “No. I would also really want you for this body of yours and the things you do with it...” she added with a smirk.

He scoffed and started pacing again. “Unbelievable...”

“I was joking!” she sighed. “Sebastian, look at me!”

When he didn't, she walked over and grabbed his arms, tilting her head to make him look at her. He still refused. His vision became blurry as he got angrier and angrier and he didn't even know why any more.

“Stop fighting it! Just choose me,” she whispered and her hands found his face.

“And if I do, will you be with me and only me? Or will you keep prostituting yourself for the higher purpose of your Master's cause?” His eyes stared into hers and he could see how shocked and angry she was by his words.

“He is not my Master...” she replied through clenched teeth and dropped her hands quickly. “And I'm not...”

He suddenly followed an impulse and grabbed her, forcefully ripping the black blouse off of her body, revealing the Dark Mark burned into her left forearm. She gasped when he did so and tried to squirm out of his tight grip.

“But he marked you as his, didn't he?” he said darkly and closed his fingers tighter around her wrist. “And you swore to do anything he asks, didn't you? You are his and you'll always be his! And you expect me to just tag along? Play dumb when you're planning to overthrow the world with him?”

Without him actually noticing, it had gotten really dark inside his head. His heart was pounding against his ribs and his breaths came faster than he would have liked. He was working himself up into a very dark place and there was nothing he could do against it.

“You... you want to be with me, remember?” she said in a tiny voice, almost a little timid. “You love me! You said so! Shouldn't you be able to deal with all this, if you'd love me?”

He stared at the skull and snake on her arm, it looked as if it was taunting him, writhing beneath her skin, the skull grinning up at him in glee. He dug his nails into her wrist and clenched his jaw. He heard her wince as she tried to pull her arm away from him.

“But you don't love me...” he muttered darkly. “You've forgotten me. Our love. Our life... what I did for you, what you did for me. He made you forget. Don't you see that he's using you? He probably knows about your power, about your abilities. Why else would he keep you so close?”

She scoffed angrily. “Why else? Is that all that I am? My abilities?”

He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Am I more to you than my darkness and body?”

Her jaw was working and she looked away with an angry exhale.

He let go of her wrist and grabbed her shoulders instead, shaking her slightly. “So what if I joined you, what if I gave you my darkness, would you stop your recruiting?” He stared at her. “No, you wouldn't...”

His breaths had become shallow and his entire body seemed on edge. He could barely think straight any more as he was consumed by anger and frustration and jealousy.

When he spoke, his voice was a deep growl. “Unless... I make you...”

And with that he pushed her backwards towards the bed, span her around by her shoulders forcefully and simply threw her onto the bed. She landed face down on the mattress with a shrill shriek and before she could clamber off it again, he was behind her, grabbing her waist to pull her rear back to him. She was either too shocked or too afraid to fight against him and so he pulled up her hips and pressed his front against her quivering core. A whimper escaped her and it only fuelled the rage within.

“I'll show you my darkness,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “And once I'm done with you, you'll never want to see it again!”

One hand tightly gripping her hip, kneading the soft flesh, he rubbed his cock against her warm centre, breathing heavily already, before he took a step back and gave himself a few quick strokes as he stared down at her exposed backside. His heart was pounding inside his chest and all he could see was her, how her tiny whimpers reached his ears, how she squirmed lightly against his touches. She wants this, a tiny voice rang through his clouded mind. Give her what she wants!

He clenched his jaw and slowly moved his tip through her wet folds, drinking in her noises, before he pressed hard against her. He felt her shuddering, a muffled moan coming from her as she buried her face in the sheets. He hesitated for a moment, his tip teasing her entrance, then his rage grew stronger again and he pushed in hard and deep, not stopping until he was completely engulfed by her tight warmth. Her legs twitched against him and she mewled quietly. He didn't wait for her to adjust to his intrusion and started pumping his length into her in a fast rhythm, every thrust as deep as possible, causing her to moan and whimper and the headboard to slam against the wall.

His hands gripped her hips tightly, his fingers bruising the soft skin, as he drove himself into her again and again, faster and faster, harder and harder. His breaths became shallow and the noises of their bodies slamming against each other filled his ears. He barely noticed how she surrendered to his movements, how her body shivered and quaked uncontrollably, as she tried to grip the sheets and arched her chest into the mattress, her own noises breathless and helpless. He kept one hand on her waist, holding her in place, while he brought his free hand down on her butt cheek with a loud smack. She squeaked loudly. And he slapped her again and she screamed once more, and he only stopped when his hand imprint was visible on her soft flesh.

“You're mine,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Only mine...”

Seeing his mark on her skin fuelled the desire within, the darkness trying to claim her. He increased his pace, his hips slamming against her fast and feverishly. He wasn't going as deep any more, this was about speed now. He felt her walls stretching from every single in and out motion, making it easier and easier for him to drive himself into her. Her constant whimpering was like background noise to him and only when her knees buckled and her legs slipped off the bed as she couldn't hold herself up any more, did he focus on the woman in front of him, the woman, not just the hole he was pounding into.

He grabbed her hips tighter and pulled her up against him, before he wrapped his arms around her stomach to lift her up slightly as he kept ramming into her like a rabid dog, arching his body to angle himself better against her. He could feel the muscles in her abdomen tensing up and the shivers running through her body as her moans filled the room. He kept his pace, closing his eyes as he started to feel his own muscles cramping up slightly. He worked his thighs against her, a deep growl coming out of his throat. Breathing loudly through his nose, he continued his rhythm, returning to driving himself as deep as possible, then retrieving almost all the way before he would push into her again with a force that made her shriek louder every time.

Hearing her shrieks and how she didn't resist him in the slightest brought back the dark thoughts of imagining her with other men. She seemed so... submissive, so willing to let him do whatever to her, and he just knew he wasn't the first man to use that to his advantage. As he thought about how many men she had pleased like this before, another growl escaped him and he leaned one hand down and wrapped it tightly around the front of her neck, pulling her upwards against him. His fingers closed around her throat and he heard her whimper in surprise, yet she wouldn't do anything against it, her arms hanging loosely by her sides as he held her up against his body, one arm around her stomach while he kept slamming his hips upwards into her.

“Do you like this?” he hissed into her ear as he brought his mouth to the side of her face. “Do you like being dominated?”

She whimpered in response, her lips parted, her eyes squeezed shut, a mixture of pain and pleasure on her beautiful face. His hand clamped around her throat tighter and he turned her head slightly more to him, seeing her eyelids flutter. He pressed his lips against her cheek and tasted salt. Only then did he notice the tears streaming down her face. One part of him would have eased his rapid movements against her, would have loosened his grip on her, would have stopped because she was obviously in pain, but that part was buried deep within under a pile of sizzling rage and unquenchable lust.

And he realized the more pain she was in, the better he felt. She deserves this, that tiny voice croaked inside of him. And he agreed. How dare she not remember him after all he has done for her? How dare she seek solace and pleasure in other men? How dare she give her body to men who don't love her like he does? He groaned against her face as he swiped his tongue over her cheeks, lapping at her tears, using them as fuel to his desire. She whimpered loudly, breathlessly, and he noticed her body convulsing against him. He tightened his grip on her throat even more, really squeezing her until there were no more sounds coming from her lips, only soundless gasps – and then she raised her hands and grabbed at his hand, her fingernails clawing at his skin.

Her fighting back only made him slam against her harder and he felt her tightening around his girth, her muscles contracting as she squeezed his cock almost as hard as he squeezed her throat. A deep moan escaped him and he felt his own legs shaking slightly as her orgasm rolled over her and crashed into him as well. He pressed her shivering body against his, holding her tightly, feeling the spasms of her stomach against his arm. He was breathing heavily into her ear as he kept his rhythm while her body slowly went limp in his firm embrace. The fingers that had tried to loosen his grip on her throat slipped down and ceased to move any more.

He let go eventually and as her body slumped onto the bed motionlessly, he didn't even register that she had lost consciousness. He pushed her down flat on the mattress, her face turned to the side, a more or less solemn look on her pretty face if one would ignore the tear soaked cheeks. The darkness within him blurred his vision as his own release announced itself. Frantically grabbing her hips, he pulled her back up against him and pumped into her breathlessly until he felt his stomach clenching, and with a loud moan and a stilling of his hips against her as he pushed deep into her with one last forceful thrust, he emptied himself into her, groaning deeply with every spasm as his warm seed filled her up more and more.

He leaned against her, his head full of static, holding her hips, savouring the feeling of being buried deep within her, claiming her more with every passing heartbeat and every convulsing squirt until he was completely spent. His breaths were heavy and when he loosened his grip on her hips, she slipped down onto the bed with a last twitch of her legs as he pulled out of her, watching his seed spilling past her wet folds and dripping slowly down her skin.

He took a stumbling step backwards and looked at her body, sprawled on the bed, motionless, her red hair tousled, her skin covered in sweat. His head cleared only slowly and when he realized she wasn't moving, his heart skipped a beat. He stared at his hand imprint on her ass and how he had defiled her, marked and soiled, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

What have I done?

Read more:

The rest of Chapter 8 (angst)

Excerpt of Chapter 6 (fluff) Excerpt of Chapter 7 (smut)

All the chapters on AO3

Pictures credit: @sebswebs (Sebastian) @the-slytherin-paramour (Sebastian) @joanasallinger (Sebastian) @zimmerfarn (redhead) @esolean (Tom) very bad paint edit by me >_>

Notes:

I apologize for the angst (and the explicitness) in this one, I have no idea where that came from - though, to be fair, the more I read through this as I edited it, the less heavy it feels to me. Am I becoming numb to my own smut? Nooo...

Story idea came from an interesting little chat I had with @seabass-swallows Auror Sebastian chat bot. Thank you for tickling my (disturbingly) creative juices!

With one eye closed you could also see this as the (possible) sequel to my very slow-burn, fluffy, tame af HL re-write story Diary of a Snake Lover (this fic does reference some parts of it).

He is watching - and one day he'll join in. I promise. Stay tuned.

(I was searching "rough" gifs and this mf shows up, I can't!!! XD)

[linmeiwei]

OMG! I recently found your stories and

I'm.

In.

Love.

You've rekindled a fire I haven't felt about P&P variations in a very long time! Yes, there are many good writers, but not very many excellent ones! Your Darcy and Elizabeth, their interactions in all stages are—at least to me—so true to their canon selves, I can easily imagine several parallel universes in which Austen herself might have come up with something like I Dreamt or Betrothed!

Another (very, very) important aspect of their dynamic I absolutely adore in your portrayal of ODC is their sensuality and ardour. It's unlike any other I've read so far, and I'm so grateful for the little scenes of intimacy you've given us— in spite of the position of much of the fandom on sex no less!

(Alas, I am greedy fanfic heaux who was raised in fandoms much hornier than this one, so i cant help but wish for Darcy-centric outtakes for Stranded. Does this exist??? Can it????)

Since I don't yet sound desperate enough, let me ask this: Please tell me you're currently writing a new story? I do realise it takes work and effort and time. Nevertheless, i'm fully committed to being the needy, greedy reader and have therefore no shame in demanding ever more!!

(in reality, of course, I'm beyond thankful for what we have, and can't wait to read all your stories from back to front again and again and again once I've rampaged all the way through, which, at my current speed, should take just another couple of hours, lol 💗💗💗)

Oh wow, thank you so much! It genuinely means so much to me that someone reads what I write, let alone likes it. It's so nice to hear, genuinely, thank you.

Partially, I'm a little flustered reading comments like this, because I write so painfully slowly, and honestly have to go through fifty complete re-writes (as in start from scratch-go again) before I think a story fit to be seen by the eyes of another human being, and even then I'm a bundle of anxiety until the first review comes in. But the fandom has been so forgiving of my many mistakes and so kind in their feedback, and so that really helps me keep going. So, again, thank you!

It does mean that I'm slow with producing more work, though! I do in fact have a completed draft of another novel, that I am now letting rest before I start re-working it again. Which is my long-winded way of saying that, yes, there's something new coming out at some point, but I really don't know when it will be ready (I'm really rather ashamed of how long it's taking me). I have a little toddler and a full time job, which doesn't help, I'm afraid!

Oh and the sex scenes! Yay, I love a good sex scene! I also love horny P&P variations! And I'm so rubbish at writing them, lol! My genuine position on this is that the sex scene comes if it feels right that it should be there (like, in Betrothed it felt right to be more descriptive when it happens, because something fundamental changes for Elizabeth at that point in the narrative, and she breaks the distance between them, purposefully, er, letting him in, so to speak). Stranded was my first novel, so I didn't really know how to do this stuff, so it's coy and full of banter, rather than anything remotely explicit. I hadn't thought about writing any extra scenes for that one, but maybe I will (and if I do, I'll pop it on AO3 for everyone to laugh at :D)!

[babbling-idiot]

Are your requests still open? If so, could you maybe write something about Herbert West having a very introverted bookworm/writer s/o?

To be honest he loves that you read a lot and write

He does the same, except he also steals bodies and kills those reanimated people in his spare time

Which doesn't bother you much

Often times actually since you have been together for some time, he has on occasion asked you if you could help record some things

Especially if he's trying to make a new concoction, sometimes he gets in the mix to deep and can't remember what ingredients which are so having you to help him is a huge relief

Though you are a bit quiet, your actions speak much louder than you could

And he loves you for everything you do for him

And usually, after you've helped him, you will ask him to assist you as well

In your writings, depending on what you're writing, you will have him read it and get his opinion on it

Most of the time is very positive, and he'll tell you it's amazing, but very rarely, he will tell you that you need to rephrase or redo something

Most of the time he can't help but feel jealous at your writing skills

Besides the fact that Dan is Herberts friend, you can't help but stick to yourself and to Herbert

You can't help it, honestly

Oftentimes, Dan will ask Herbert to go out for dinner

And sometimes Herbert will agree but often times he might actually change his answer because you won't go

But of course, Dan's personality is very contagious, and you have once or twice gone out to eat with them

There have been many times where Herbert could not find or locate you

This actually causes him to panic, I don't think we've ever seen him really panic, but he panics when he can't find you

You don't leave the house to go out with a friend or anything, and oftentimes, he can't find you in your room or on the couch reading and writing

So of course, he asks Dan and what's the first thing he says, Library

So, Herbert hauls ass to the library, and sure enough, there you are, nose deep in a book, and when he walks over, all he hears is:

"Oh Herbert! Look at this." The book you're holding is just something random you picked up, and sure enough, it's a book about animals. Random facts about different animals.

"Did you know that turkeys can reproduce without having sex? That's neat, huh?" He sighs out and rubs his forehead. "I did not know that. Are you going to bring that book home?" Oh no, I've already read the whole book. I'm just flipping through random stuff now. "He nods his head and proceeds to tell you that it is officially time to go home

Of course, you don't want to, but you do anyways because you know that Herbert was just worried about you the whole time

(I hope you like this. I'm sorry it took me longer than usual. I am having trouble with motivation, but I am trying to go strong, so don't lose faith in me, yall. Writing is my favorite thing to do, so hopefully, I can rekindle the fire.)

[maxbegone]

something personal below the cut...please do not reblog.

I am...likely doing something I didn't expect to do for as long as I could possibly hold off. I had a really long conversation with my uncle yesterday (which is whole other thing in and of itself), and something he always does is bring up my mother, with whom I've not had a contact with for nearly a decade. he said that while he doesn't like her or the torment she caused my dad and I, that his relationship with his own mother, my grandma, was similar. all of that boiled down to him not wanting me to regret not having contact with her for the rest of my life. and I understand, I really do. I'm a completely different person now than I was then, and she's remained a stranger to me — something that is my choice. she's been blocked on everything for years, and every so often I'll clear out my blocked voicemails and accidentally hear what she's sent. It's triggering, sure, but they more so make me roll my eyes and scoff.

here's the thing: I don't like her. I don't trust her. I don't feel safe with her. but I have the leg up here; I call the shots. I think it's best that I finally get some closure on all of this, because while I don't think I can truly forgive her, I want to be able to move on from this and let go of the anger that has sat with me for nearly ten years of my life, and maybe more if I'm honest — our relationship was declining for well over a year prior to her kicking me out of the house, which...if you've been here long enough, you know about that. and if not, I can't find it in myself to explain it tonight.

my plan is to write out a list of questions and email her with a meeting time over zoom or similar (I will not be unblocking her number and she lives out of state), with no one but the two of us. no other family, not even in the same house as her. if she really wants to have a conversation with her daughter after everything, I'm pretty sure she'll abide by these requests. I know that sounds pretentious, but she has no control over me anymore. we'll see where it goes from there. I don't see myself wanting to rekindle our relationship when this conversation is over, and I'll keep her at a very far distance away from me, but it really is time for me to show her what she's missed out on, who I've become, and that she doesn't fit in this life.

it'll be my choice. I won't let her manipulate me anymore, and I certainly will not let her say a single bad thing about my dad. she hurt us, she mocked us. she doesn't deserve a relationship with me, but I deserve some peace.

if this is ridiculous, I'll know when it's all over. for now...I need to do some thinking...

and as sick as this might sound, I'd trade her for my dad.

[mommypieck]

Hello! I've been here for a while and seeing how much you've been through so far makes me sad that you've experienced so much sad shit. I recently came back to your blog since I wasn't on Tumblr for a while(I've been following you for sometime now) and decided to snoop around for a bit to see what I missed, congratulations on 10k followers btw🥺. Also I'm sorry in advance this will probably be long knowing how I can go on for a while.

Some things you've been through I can relate to, my family isn't a step family but it's definitely incredibly dysfunctional and can be shitty. It's almost 4am here so excuse any mistakes I make in writing this, I literally told myself if I didn't send this to you now I'm not gonna be able to later so I'm fighting sleep. Also your friendships I'm sorry you're stuck with people who don't deserve you in just about every aspect ☹️.

You seem like such a genuine sweetheart. I had an experience with a friendship I wanted to end before and I remember being the same as you were, wanting to stay in that friendship but couldn't leave because I was so attached to that person. I thought the end of the world was gonna happen when I left because I was so codependent on them. But I realized that the feelings I had when it came to them shouldn't be taken lightly, the bad feelings, every single one should never be taken lightly. I'm not gonna sit here and make any promises towards you that certain things are gonna be perfect but I can at least say that it's gonna be okay. Not just when but comes to friendships but living apart from your family. I know you've probably heard this shit a million times but you're not gonna be stuck in the same situation forever. If you have decided to leave that friendship I hope you felt the relief I did when I left mine, if you haven't decided to yet, you most likely will feel relieved even if there's always gonna be a longing for the good moments you might have had before, don't let the good distract you from all the bad.

When we all are teenagers or were teenagers, we are constantly told how grown up we have to act that we forget how young we really are. You are 19, you are so incredibly young and you have so much time to become whoever or whatever you want to become. I remember Jane Fonda saying that if you can't do something in your 20s,30s,40s or even 50s, you can still do it in your 60s. I DON'T mean that you won't accomplish all you desire now, because I'm sure you'll definitely get there, but you have a lot of time to get there, to think, to breathe, to exist, to have fun, to have new experiences.

Please remember that you haven't even met all the people who are gonna love you yet. You have so many people who will enter your life later on, as long as you allow them to enter and stay, that can and will love you so much.

If your family is shitty or weird, then you can have your own family, family is not defined to me by blood but by love. So I'm not telling you become pregnant or anything, but your friends can be your family, people you meet along the way can always become family, maybe even family members you'll eventually meet again will rekindle your family relationship.

I'm a bit forgetful (ADHD and trauma not a good combo)so I'm trying to remember what else I was gonna add omg.

You're a sweet girl, you're incredibly talented, if your desire is to become a writer then you're perfect for it already. Honestly I live by, "if Colleen Hoover and Anna Todd can write and publish those damn books, you damn well can too." And I know your books won't suck like theirs do. Full offense to Colleen Hoover fans btw🙃 I expect if you're reading stuff by mommypieck then your taste isn't bad.

Anyway this has been so long and I don't want to overwhelm you, so I'll end it for now, stay safe, and I hope you have a beautiful forever because just wishing you one day isn't enough💖🥺💖.

i am at loss of words.i seriously don't know what to say. thanku so much for this message. it means a world to me really. i am so happy that i have people here who stick with me and actually care what i have to say.i kinda feel bad that you spend so much time, typing all of this. but you seriously gave me hope for better life. thanku so so so so so much. i love u and i appreciate you. thank you again.

[bisluthq]

I just remembered that when Speak Now TV came out people were speculating that Electric Touch was about Jake ??? Gyllenhaal ??? How and why people came to that conclusion I have no idea.

Like, is it possible? I guess, maybe, yeah. Is it likely? I really don't think so.

To be fair, this take was generally perpetuated by people who seem to have an "analytical" fixation on Gyllenswift for the Wrong reasons, so clearly their ability to reach is out of this world😭 on top of that, a lot of them seem to truther that they were going out earlier than is publicly accepted (Sep-Oct 2010, gets stretched to like July-Aug which 1) I find difficult to believe and 2) isn't backed up by anything but "vibes").

Also I don't know how much "post-breakup" Gyllenswift truthering you've engaged in off the top of my head, but I feel pretty solid in the notion that she and Jake called things off for GOOD around like March 2011.

Then she was really sad about it, he kept trying to call her, she kept writing songs rather than responding. Then come April 2012 and he's STILL insisting that they'll get back together (which might indicate a continued communication, but other shit she's said and the timeline for when certain songs were written makes me think that at the VERY least they took a LONG break throughout 2011/did not get back together post March).

One of their Big pieces of evidence was that she wrote The Last Time in May 2012. And shit like that (+ that interview that got released in early 2012 where she off-handedly mentioned jake to the staff) does open me up to the idea of a potential post-Begin Again's conception rekindling, especially since learning that she actually started writing Begin Again in March 2011 (that on top of writing Better Man and finishing All Too Well... Jesus), so the "8 months" might be in reference to the time it took to finish the song, rather than the time since the breakup.

This got WAY off track, but in conclusion, people are Weird about Gyllenswift, and I am lowkey people😭

I think solid thoughts but imo Gyllenswift was a mess.

[ashesandbone]

Summary: Elena and Rebekah rekindle their friendship while caring for Klaus's daughter, Hope, at the Salvatore Boarding School. As they reminisce about old adventures, a deeper connection emerges.

In the quiet halls of the Salvatore Boarding School, Hope Mikaelson had grown up without the daily presence of her father, Klaus, then thanks to the every lurking threat to the hollow, and now after the demise of both klaus and elijha. Mystic Falls became her sanctuary, and the school, a place where she honed her supernatural abilities under the watchful eyes of the school's staff.

Now, In the heart of Mystic Falls, Hope Mikaelson's laughter echoed through the halls of the Salvatore Boarding School as she studied in the enchanting library. Rebekah, her devoted aunt, had come for a visit, and the school buzzed with an extra layer of warmth.

Hope, engrossed in her books, looked up to find Rebekah standing nearby. A bright smile adorned Rebekah's face as she approached, enveloping Hope in a warm embrace. "How's my favorite niece?" Rebekah teased, ruffling Hope's hair.

As Hope matured into a strong and resilient young woman, Rebekah, her aunt, maintained a distant yet loving connection. The occasional visits became more frequent, especially as Hope's magical abilities became more potent.

Hope chuckled, "you do realize that I'm your only niece right? Anyways I'm good, Aunt Bekah. It's just not the same without Dad around."

Rebekah's eyes softened with understanding. "He would be proud of the remarkable woman you've become."

Their conversation continued, weaving between fond memories and the shared bond of family. Elena Gilbert, now a guardian at the school, joined the scene, standing on the sidelines admiring the bond the aunt's niece shared and dare I say admiring the older woman too. As she continued staring, Rebekah's eyes wandered towards hers and she felt like she got caught staring.

The older woman beckons the girl over as they have recovered their old friendship in the few times Rebekah could visit hope after her brother died. Elena hesitantly joined the duo and added her fair share of memories about Hope's father and Elijah. Most people still expected her to hold a grudge against the original family (that is her ex husband) but for her it was years ago.

In the sidelines while the two conversed and were totally oblivious of their own feelings, the smart little tribrid told herself to remember to talk to her aunt because obviously what potential epic love story ever starts without a small push and push hope will give.

As Elena reluctantly excused herself, expressing the need to attend to a patient, Hope couldn't help but shoot her aunt Rebekah a mischievous look. "Both of you are so pathetic," she remarked with a playful smirk, her eyes dancing with amusement.

Rebekah raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Pathetic? And what, pray tell, is your expert opinion on the matter, darling niece?"

Hope chuckled, her tone teasing. "Oh, Aunt Bekah, don't act all clueless. It's written all over your faces – the longing looks, the lingering touches. You two are practically oozing romance." She rolled her eyes dramatically, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Rebekah, caught off guard, couldn't help but laugh at her niece's candid observation. "Well, maybe there's a bit of truth in your words. Mystic Falls does have a way of stirring up unexpected feelings."

Hope shook her head in mock disapproval. "I swear, you two are worse than any teenage lovebirds. It's like a supernatural soap opera around here."

Rebekah grinned, placing a playful arm around Hope's shoulders. "Well, darling, if you've learned anything from this 'pathetic' display, it's that love has a funny way of finding us when we least expect it."

Hope couldn't suppress a genuine smile. "Yeah, yeah, Aunt Bekah. Just promise me you won't start writing love letters or composing cheesy poetry."

Rebekah feigned offense. "I am wounded, my dear. I'll have you know that my romantic gestures are nothing short of sophisticated."

Even as a thousand-year-old vampire, Rebekah couldn't ignore certain insecurities that lingered within her – the uncertainty of whether Elena truly liked her and whether she would accept every aspect of her immortal existence. However, in a moment of reflection, Rebekah recalled someone once saying, "the first rule of truly living - do the thing you're most afraid of." With newfound determination, she resolved to confront her fears and reveal her true self to Elena, embracing the vulnerability that came with it.

As the day unfolded, Rebekah decided to extend her trip to mystic falls and she and Elena discovered a shared history that extended beyond Hope's supernatural journey. Laughter resonated through the school corridors as they reminisced about past adventures, and an unspoken connection began to deepen between the two women.

One evening, beneath the stars on the school's terrace, Rebekah and Elena found themselves lost in conversation. The air was filled with a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet scent of blossoming flowers. "Elena love, do you ever think about the old days?" Rebekah asked, her eyes reflecting a mixture of nostalgia and something more. Both the elder woman and Elena never realized when they fell in the routine of calling each other by nicknames.

Elena smiled, her gaze meeting Rebekah's. "All the time. The friendships we forged, the challenges we faced – they shaped who we are."

Their words lingered in the air, and Rebekah couldn't ignore the warmth blossoming within her. "There's something so special about Mystic Falls that makes everything feel more alive." she admitted.

Elena's expression softened, mirroring the sentiment. "Maybe it's the magic, or maybe it's just the people." her hands softly grazed that of Rebekah's.

In that moment, the realization of their deepening connection sparked between them. Rebekah reached out, gently cupping Elena's cheek, and their eyes locked. The world around them seemed to fade as they leaned in, sharing a tender and unexpected kiss beneath the moonlit sky.

The kiss spoke volumes – a culmination of years of friendship evolving into something beautiful. As they pulled away, smiles played on their lips, and Elena whispered, "Maybe Mystic Falls has a way of bringing out the magic in everything."

Rebekah nodded, her heart full. "It certainly does."

And in the quiet embrace of Mystic Falls, surrounded by the whispers of history and the promise of a magical future, Rebekah and Elena walked hand in hand, their connection stronger than ever, and love blossoming like the flowers in the town they called home.

One of the one shot fic I wrote for the february challenge. Hope all of you like it

[twilightguardian]

Well well. Looks like Lil is still up to her incoherent screaming. Let's take a look, shall we?

I gotta wonder what she means by 'absolutely nothing'. Like by definition 'absolutely nothing' would mean that there has been nothing going on. At all. The equivalent of sitting at a desk, not even twiddling your pencil between your fingers because twiddling would be something.

Episode 2 continues on from episode 1 with what Ruby bought at the festival, revealing them to be friendship bracelets for WBY, establishing how happy she is that not only her team, but her friends are back.

Qrow is still drunk, and unlike in the show, it's becoming actually debilitating for those around him, with Jaune and Ruby having to carry him to the station.

Blake says goodbye to her parents, Sun and Ilia just like in canon. (But I guess since Lilith thinks that's absolutely nothing, we can count that as nothing of worth to canon, either.)

There's also brief mention about the White Fang going to help Vale's recovery.

First episode we saw Roman and Neo pickpocketing people at the festival, and that got paid off when they got into first class on the train.

Mercury and Emerald have a discussion about Cinder and their differing views on her and parenthood.

Cardin and Russell replace Dee and Dudley both as characters we care about and filling in some exposition about the status in Vale.

Brief comedic scene where Yang tells Neptune the truth about 'Jane', because why keep friends in the dark about such things.

That's 8 'nothings' that have happened in the episode. So if you want to break it down into the most important things, we can say establishing RWBY as rekindling their bond, Cardin and Russel's cameo, Emercury's discussion and Qrow's drunkenness as being the core elements.

Ooof. You've never actually read fanfiction, have you, Lilith? You should join the Tundra discord server and join us for bad fanfiction night. Because all this tells me is that you don't know what incompetence is.

Actually, I have no idea if you even read. That's not an insult, that's just a general statement of fact. I've never seen any mention of books on your blogs, and I don't know you as a person.

Why would Cardin's return make you want to watch Fixing RWBY unless you had the expectation that Cardin, who you think only abuses women for some reason, would abuse a woman. Is abusing women something you like to see? People generally avoid things they don't like, you know. That's pretty dang weird.

Emphasizing again that Cardin isn't an abuser of women, specifically. He was a general bully in canon and a rather toothless one at that. He more went after Jaune in canon. Raymond gave him some teeth and his ass was still humbled for it. Now he knows better. When was the last time we've seen Cardin 'abuse' a woman?

Casually insulting all fanfic writers while trying to shit on one guy you have a hateboner for. Nice. You know there's not a single thing you said here that also can't also apply to your average fanfic author. Authors that may like a male character for whatever reason and may want to focus on that male character. Fanfic authors in general create derivative works that aren't 'their own' and many take from each other based on common fanfic tropes, themes and scenarios. The point of Fixing RWBY is to keep as close to the original as possible while also not being afraid to cut unnecessary fat and rearrange things. There isn't a single thing done to Fixing RWBY that one could say impacts the story in any substantially detrimental way. Oscar not being around doesn't matter because Ozpin still has a host. Expanding Menagerie's arc still resulted in Blake meeting up with everyone at the school.

lol

And she wonders why I have no faith in her ability to write when she doesn't seem to understand the concept of foreshadowing and Chekhov's Gun. No, he didn't do the Apathy Arc in V4. It was establishing when the backstory that Maria read in that book took place.

Also prove that the Apathy Arc is going to be 'all about Roman Torchwick' because you're just pulling that out of your ass with no basis other than you want it to be that way. You know, criticism comes after something you disagree with happens, not before.

I don't mind if you think that the first two episodes are slow. That's perfectly fine as valid criticism as not everyone is going to feel the same. Doesn't make it bad, it just means that's your preference. But that doesn't mean you get to pull shit out of your ass like you're fucking Jillian Epperly.

I don't understand this criticism. Are you saying that because Adam has a bike that Yang doesn't have her bike? Or that Yang owning a bike gets diminished because Adam has one because only one person is allowed to own a bike at a time?

Hey @iamafanofcartoons, hello, we haven't formally met yet. I've actually been very interested in talking to you at some point, and I'm sure this might wreck that a bit. But permit me to ask you what this even means lol

When has Raymond ever said that CardinxVelvet is going to for sure be canon in FRWBY? Because like... there's a difference between shipping a ship and then making that ship canon in the story you're working on. And really, obsession? How is Raymond obsessed with men who harass women? Because so far the one who talks the most about Shiloh is you.

And I wouldn't even say that either Shiloh or Shay D. 'harassed' Yang. The dude was drunk and tried to flirt. She wasn't interested and while touching her could have been assault, she was the one that touched him first to hit him instead of moving out of the way and verbally telling him off. Harassment actually deals with continued intimidation and threats. Yang was never threatened by Shay/Shiloh in either version. Yang was not a victim of harassment. So I would appreciate it if you would not infantilize Yang by saying such an innocuous altercation was harassment as it really makes out real harassment out to be not that bad if that's the comparison.

Yeah. I can't wait to see him prove you wrong because you're saying this with no proof.

[clatoera]

Ok it's not a question but I just have to say I too recently rekindled my love of the hunger games, particularly clato, after about a decade hiatus (i blame the new movie coming out this year) and just wanted to say I am SO happy i stumbled upon ARWBFB. It's seriously one of the most well-written fanfics i've ever come across. I don't know how I've never read a clato fic about them going into separate games before now, but I'm glad I didn't because none of them would compare to this one anyway. I love how you portray cato and clove - they're selfish but still likeable in all the best ways, and i feel like you've perfectly captured how suzanne collins would have written them to be. The dynamic between clove and enobaria is just perfect. And the taylor swift song lyrics as chapter titles are *chefs kiss* the cherry on top.

I am so excited for the quarter quell chapter and all the chapters after that, too. I feel inspired to write again for the first time in like 7 or 8 years, so thank you for that.

PS - I'm assuming you're in med school based on the comments about surgeries and board exams so I needed to express my awe that you were able to find the time to write such an amazing story while studying for step (i just finished my first year and i'm actually terrified of that exam)

PPS - Literally reactivated tumblr just to share this lol

This message was literally the highlight of my entire day. like truly this was like a little light for me after a very rough like..seven-ten days of studying.

The things you said are some of the absolutely BIGGEST compliments I have ever received. What an absolute honor, my heart is like fluttering wowie. Thank you so much. For literally all of this. I.. worry a lot about their characterization and making sure they're still giving careers you know. There is NO bigger compliment than "captured them how Suzanne Collins would have written them" like holy hell bestie I'm literally shook. When I say I was LITERALLY in tears reading this ( I take step 2 tomorrow literally) because i'm so overstimulated and this was SO kind i'm not lying. I love my careers. I feel like I'm getting to really run with them and develop them and enjoy them! That goes for Clato but also glimmer and enobaria and co. I'm just really having the time of my life with this.

I'm hoping to write the quell this weekend! I finish my test tomorrow and will need a day or two to recover but then I can really dig into the quell I think, and i want to make sure I write it how it deserves. This fic is literally my baby. This is my child at this point. I am the mother of this fic, I will protect it to my grave.

I am so SO glad to hear you are writing again! I hope it can be a source of joy and escape in what I can safely assume is a very stressful time.

And yes I am in med school! I just started my 4th year, and am taking step 2 tomorrow literally. I did NOT have time like this in 2nd year or until the end of 3rd year! Step One is terrifying but it is so so managable and you can DM me any time if you want to talk about it or anything else! Enjoy this summer!!!

<3 also welcome back i am so honored you took the time to leave me this-- so thank you so so SO much!

[tethrarisms]

I love your hardenshipping rambles, and we think very alike. I was wondering if you had seen the "bonus event" with Maxie and Archie in Pokemon Masters expedition area? They're literally on a beach talking together alone, its adorable. (just search for bonus event pokemon masters and you can find a compilation of them all) I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, and sorry if you've already talked about it and I've missed the post

That's so sweet??? Thank you so much for reading my rambles about these two ;-;

Yeah, I've seen it!! Although it never happened to my acc! I used to have them on my team B but these mfs never interacted (for some reason, Maxie was only social with Courtney, no matter how hard I forced them to stay together on the same area!!)

Pokemas is just a MUST PLAY for any hardenshipping stan. Fr, the last event forced me to write a fic because they're literally rekindling their marriage like????? HELLO?? THE DEVS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING (and we're very grateful xD) ❤️💙

Sadly, I lost my previous acc with them because my phone was stolen =/ I created a new one but now I don't have them yet, I'll have to wait for another Hoenn Villain Arc to be released, but my crystals for them are all saved, no matter how long it takes!! (they both had their EX suits aka married suits unlocked, I'm so sad I lost them ;-;)

I miss them...

Ah, on a side note, I followed you on my main acc since this is my side multi-fandom one. Thank you again for being so kind 🙏

[addoration]

fanfic writer 20 questions

i wasn't tagged but @zebsfloppyears invited anyone who wanted to do this to do so, n i was bored. hope u dont mind vienna!

1. how many works do you have on ao3? 79. i have 79 works. and im working on a long fic rn so i probably wont be uploaded another fic for a while to make that number rounded. its bothering me. 2. whats your total ao3 word count? 232,222 3. how many fandoms have you written for and what are they? 7 fandoms! most.. prolifically? if i may use that word.... for loz breath of the wild, and his dark materials. 4. what are your top five fics by kudos? 1. finding words enough - i legit dont remeber much of this but basically link is mute and revali speaks on his behalf. ppl seem to love it. rated G. 2. making cocoa for spencer reid - just a lil criminal minds family piece between rossi and reid, idk. bit of a character study! rated T. 3. magic might stain the air - my first merlin fic i posted (out of 2. lmao) but i really hate this one becaue i rushed it and i could have done so much better!!!!! rated M, beware tags. 4. snow on snow, snow on snow - i rllyy dont remember this one at all. lmao. link/revali pre-slash, rated G. 5. whenever we feel - we evaporate - i think? this was my first fic on ao3! and it's the first part of a lil aziraphale/crowley series that became dearly beloved to me but i never really got back to. rated T.

5. do you respond to comments? why or why not? i do now!! i didn't used to because i had an ocd thing about seeing the number go up when half of them were my responses, but thats an obsession that has since left me. i want to apologise to everyone who commented n didnt get a reply sdfghjsf i feel so awkward n i cant respond to comments made years ago now lmao. now i love responding to comments, its such a joy to communicate with my readers and thank them for their kind words!!!!

6. whats the fic you've written with the angstiest ending? i dont write angsty endings; the fics can get as angsty as possible but they must always end happily. sorry :/

7. do you write crossovers? no, i don't. they're not for me!

8. have you ever recieved hate on a fic? not hate exactly.... but i do recall one comment telling me they thought i had rushed the work and it was a bit sloppy (not in so many words tho). i totally agreed with the commenter but i was a bit :/ at reading that yknow

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind? i have been known to write smut occasionally, though i dont think i have a "kind" or a "brand".

10. have you ever had a fic stolen? not that i know of, but (as vienna said in their answer), it's not something that i think about or check for!

11. have you ever had a fic translated? nope! i welcome it though.

12. have you ever co-written a fic before? nope! in theory i would be open to it however i am probably very difficult to work with lmao

13. whats your all time favourite ship? such a hard question because it rlly depends what fandom im currently in, but. baruch/balthamos live rent free in my head. as do aziraphale/crowley, espeically my specific brand of them which is queerplatonic <3

14. what's a wip you want to finish but dont think you ever will? lmao if you had asked me a week ago, i would have said my current longfic, when you catch him, he burns through your heart, like a shooting star burns the skies but im actively up and working on that again, so. i guess something i dont imagine i'll return to any time soon is my series of harth/link fics, you hold my touch in you, simply because it's been a while now, and i dont imagine that such a minor npc as harth will be in botw's sequel, so... how will i rekindle my desire to write for them. idk! it's all up in the air though - i haven't necessarily abandoned any of my unfinished fics, theyre just on indefinite haitus.

15. what are your writing strengths? i would like to think that my poet's voice shines through my prose and therefore that my description is sufficiently good! lmao i have to sometimes physically stop myself from writing 5 paragraphs waxing poetic about the scenery. also honourary mention to dialogue. im pretty proud of some of the lines of dialogue ive written.

16. what are your writing weaknesses? hhghgh action. handling a big plot sensitively. ive been really struggling with making sure ive got hold of all my threads in my long fic. i dont think ive let go of any yet but im constantly paranoid that ive dropped one lmao. also i find action so hard!! the pacing of it, the choice of words, the making sure the reader doesnt get bored by not over or under describing whats happening! hhg.

17. what are your thoughts on writing dialogue in another language? if this means in the sense that a character is speaking a different language in the fic, then. i've seen it done a few ways. personally i ofc want to understand whats being said, so i like it best when the line is written in english but perhaps put in italics, with a tag saying smth like "they said in french/whatever langauge". ive also seen it done as typed in the langauge followed by the english translation in italics. either way works, i just don't rlly like it when it's completely untranslated!! even having like a lil dictionary in the end notes works.

18. what was the first fandom you ever wrote for? good omens lmao. i wrote fic before that but im not going into that, and i dont even think i could find it again bc it's lost in the depths of ff.net. i was also 13/14. so yeah :/

19. what's your favourite fic you've ever written? ppl dont really like this fic bc it's gen/not shippy and possibly also bc it was inspired by music, but. i have a real soft spot for my fic rose quartz and cool safflina. (botw, T) i wrote it while listening to la dispute's album panorama, and i think having the music helped me write with such a good flow. it's a very poetic piece, though. not for everyone. i also rlly like the great frost of 1684 (good omens, Gen) though neither of them are anywhere near my popular works' stats.

20. who do you tag? low pressure tagging @snidgetwidgeon, @itcantbe, @cyraclove, @unmaskedcardinal and everyone else who fancies it!!

[velvet-vox]

Yet another status update.

If you have been reading my posts for a very long time, you may have noticed that, in the last couple of months, I have slowed down the previous output that I had this summer.

The reason as to why that is, as I've stated in the past, is because I'm very busy at the moment, between work, helping out my friends, multiple writing projects etc... I don't want to get into the specifics because I value my privacy a lot.

Also, another very big thing for me is that I spent a huge chunk of the last few months writing My top 30 favourite female antagonists of all time; I've been working on that project in conjunction with many others for a long while, and I've been writing all three parts more or less simultaneously, hence why the first part took this long to release.

My original plan was to release all three parts at the same time, for the most, overall "spread" of the posts.

However, since I'm still relatively new to this site, and I was unsure if there was someone who really liked to read my stuff and wanted something new, I decided to release the first part as a standalone hook, since the other two parts were much more juicy in comparison.

That said... the amount of time that I spent writing it, and the fact that, from my point of view, not many people saw it or cared for it made me think that maybe I should focus on something else that is easier to make.

So, here's a survey on some of the ideas that I want to do, and should be faster to execute, unlike the top 30 thing.

The Fethry Duck analysis has zero work done on it at the point of writing this, but I already know what I want to say and how I want to talk about the subject. I want to do it just to have at least one DuckTales analysis done by me on this blog, as I still haven't done one at this point in time.

However more than an actual analysis on the character, it'll be an analysis on how the writers decided to adapt the character to the reboot, and I'll use my favourite Fethry comic as a comparison.

With the recent release of Epic Mickey Rebrushed, which came out of nowhere from my point of view, my love and appreciation for this series has been rekindled, just like my hyper fixation, to the point where I've already done 7 play throughs, platinated the game 2 times, and done 3 speedruns ever since it's release.

But it got me thinking:

Many people assume/want Purple Lamp to also be doing a remake of the second game in the franchise, one that, according to the official site, would need a lot more tweaking in order for it to stand on par with the first game.

However, the question of whether or not the story would need to be changed in order for them to do so is still up in the air.

But what was the story of EM2 exactly all about? What were the original writers trying to say?

That's what I want to talk about and analyse.

As a way to further celebrate Rebrushed, and as a momentary conclusion to my Epic Mickey character arc, I plan to do public pools ranking of all the levels in Epic Mickey, Rebrushed/Original game variants included. I'll give more information about this one when I get around to doing it.

I still want to do analyses on the antagonists of Wakfu, Dark Vlad, Julith, Toross... possibly a sequel trilogy to my analyses of Oropo... but not right now.

Same thing for my Kung Fu Panda stuff: there are things that I want to do more right now.

If you've been following me for a very long time, know that my "famous" (it's not, but I've been throwing it around a lot, even outside of this site) Critique of Doll is still coming..... Next year.

That... "thing"... will be the summary of a journey.

As for more Murder Drones ideas, I have a few, but I don't want to do them now, unless someone asks for them:

Making the case for why Alice is the best humanoid villain in Murder Drones; a fun little idea that I had a while ago. To be honest, I don't sincerely think Alice is the best humanoid villain of Murder Drones, but I think that Alice fans could enjoy this post.

If you've been following me since the very beginning, you know that I wanted to do a comparison post between Nox (Wakfu) and Doll (MD) ever since I watched Murder Drones for the first time, and now that the show is over, I think this is the best time for me to do so.

While thinking about the Nox and Doll comparison, I realised something else: there's an argument to be made that Qilby and Cyn, characters from the same series as Nox and Doll, share enough similarities with each other that I could probably make a post comparing them too, and I think it could be very interesting.

In the meantime, while I wait for the survey to be over, if everything goes according to plan, this weekend I'll release an analysis on a small, current obsession of mine.

You may have already guessed it, considering all the foreshadowing that I did for the past couple of days, but here it is:

The character of Turbo, from Wreck-It Ralph (2012).