#I need to catch up and watch season two good lord I need to see my husband ヽ(♡‿♡)ノ (´｡• ω •｡♡)

[writeshite]

“Careful now.” Mr. Milchick cautioned, his left palm just beneath yours as he’d stopped you from nearly dropping the small, neatly wrapped box. He guided your left hand back to a level height, around ninety degrees at angle from elbow to hand. “We wouldn’t want to break that.” His right hand was set atop yours on the top side of the gift box.

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Milchick,” you sighed in relief. “My apologies, my outie overexerted himself this past weekend.”

“Yeah, that’s called sex,” Dylan snarked, pointing to the hard to cover hickeys trailing to the back of your ear. You weren’t exactly eager to promote or detail your outie’s sex-life.

“It’s his outie’s wedding anniversary,” Mark rectified Dylan’s crass statement.

“I’m aware,” Mr. Milchick responded, “Five years, seven months, and twelve weeks.” His left hand softly traced your wedding ring. If you didn't know any better, you'd say his smile took a softer tone; the usual dead joy in his eyes looked almost enamored. “My congratulations to your outie. I imagine the annual exhaustion indicative of a successful and joyous marriage."

Dylan's yearly crude joke on the matter was cut short as Irving placed a hand on his mouth. "I believe so too," you beamed, "alongside the presents, of course." You nodded to the gift in your hands. "Thank you for hand-delivering this year's gift, and last year's, and the year before that. You really don't have to; I'm sure there are better things to do." You glanced down at the gift; his hands had yet to leave yours.

"Nonsense," he assured you, "It's no trouble at all." Mr. Milchick squeezed your hands and, with one final smile, left the space. Irving made a disgusted sound as Dylan licked his palm and darted into the supply closet for a tissue.

Dylan pursed his lips, glancing over at the door; once certain Mr. Milchick wasn't returning soon, he teased, “Get a room next time, will you?”

You rolled your eyes. "It's hardly sexual to talk to a coworker."

"It is when you and Milchick do it," Dylan pulled a face in good jest. "Tell him, Mark!" He attempted to corral Mark to his side, "The eyefucking is abysmally disgusting." He dramatically exclaimed.

"I mean," Mark pursed his lips momentarily, "I don't really see anything of the sort," his words caused disbelief to rise on Dylan's face. "Besides, isn't Milchick married?"

Both Dylan and you turn to each other, then Mark, before shrugging, uncertain as to the answer. "How can you be sure?" Dylan asked.

His question was met with no answer as Irving returned and sternly expressed Mr. Milchick's preference for privacy: "What extracurricular activities Mr. Milchick has have no bearing here; he hardly enjoys sharing facts about himself outside of work, we should respect that." Dylan pouted and directed a not-so-quiet 'party pooper' at Irving; the latter turned to you and smiled earnestly, "Besides, aren't you more excited to find what anniversary present our friend has this year?"

Dylan half-shrugged, and he and Mark turned their attention to the gift box as you tore away the purple wrapping. This year's gift was an appropriately and mildly decorated set of custom sticky notes. "Your outie's husband is quite thoughtful," Irving commented, glancing at the stickers. “He's a lucky man."

[gummygowon]

hands? | jeong yunho

word count: 2.8k

genre: smut sprinkled with crack and a dash of angst and fluff, close friends to ???, friends!yunho x afab reader

warnings: reader has slight body insecurities + bro's fingers just go crazy tbh

author's note: guess who's back. but on a fr note please be nice this is my first oneshot in a fat fucking minute after this godamn cb i needed to write something about someone omfg.

"y'know shigaraki's hand thing would lowkey be kinda hot if he wasn't so crusty." one of your friends, wooyoung comments on the anime's villain.

"what the-"

"you're kinda on something." you agree as you tilt your head watching shigaraki fight deku with one of the hands on his face.

you look back on the couch to see your other friend yunho sitting back looking horrified while wooyoung raised his soda can as a 'thank you' for agreeing with him.

"let me get this straight, you think the tomura shigaraki, the fucking villian in my hero academia is hot? the one with his literal deceased family member's hands all over his body?" yunho asks still horrified at your comments.

"okay, well not when you put it like that." you huff in fake annoyance.

"so what the hell is hot about him?"

"hands! the hands yunho!" wooyoung jumps in and answers as if it's the most obvious thing.

"okay...what about hands?"

"it's like a niche thing some people find hot on others." you explain trying not to out yourself as a hands freak. but lord, jeong fucking yunho had the most beautiful hands out there. they're long and slim and his hands are huge. his hands are just amazing at pc games.

"yeah, haven't you seen y/n checking your hands out when you play val?" wooyoung adds, his eyes not even leaving the tv.

you throw your hands up in defense, "now why am i catching strays?"

"am i not wrong?"

"ok ok, i get it. hands are hot-"

"-thank y-"

"-and y/n finds my hands hot." yunho adds with a devious smirk earning a chuckle from wooyoung.

"alright! time to get the fuck out!" you stand up and throw the pillow you were holding at yunho.

"nooooo, the episode isn't done yet!" wooyoung whines as you shoo him off the couch.

"there's two minutes left! go home!" you argue as you start cleaning up the living room.

"aw man." wooyoung pouts as he collects his jacket and leftovers from the dining table.

"we can finish the rest of the season next week when i don't have work the next morning." you offer trying to compensate.

"deal." your friend says as he slips on his shoes. "thanks for hosting!"

"of course!"

wooyoung was truly the only one who understood the concept of getting the fuck out immediately as you turned around to see yunho lazily collecting his things.

he 100% wants to talk about what wooyoung said.

"sooo, you really like my hands?" yunho carefully asks in case you launch another pillow at him.

"if i answer honestly, will you get out of my apartment?"

"yeah, yeah, definitely."

you give yunho a death stare noticing the fakeness in his voice.

"i swear i will!"

"good." you say unfolding your arms, "then yeah i think they're hot."

"wait really?"

"no more questions!" you quip pushing yunho to the door.

thankfully both wooyoung and yunho had dropped the topic of hands around you after that binge night at your apartment but that doesn't mean that you were still thinking about it. the situation with wooyoung outing your desire for yunho's hand. definitely not yunho's hands...

okay to admit though, you had a little crush on yunho but it's one those things where if he made a move on you, you wouldn't be mad about it. you've been friends with him since your second college after meeting him through wooyoung and even then you thought he was a little cute but it wasn't enough for you to be ballsy with it. wooyoung also definitely had his suspicions of you liking him too but he always had his knack for just knowing who peopled liked.

yunho on the other hand was a little bit of mystery when it came to his dating scene. you didn't really ask about what type of girls he was into or who he was seeing because partially, you didn't wanna feel jealous. you heard from wooyoung and your other friends gossip about yunho's flings with him at parties. the only recent fling he had was a kind of awhile ago but who knows if she's still in the picture. not like you were keeping track or anything.

luckily, yunho also wasn't weird about the whole situation either. things were still normal between the two of you. even the next binge event at your place was normal. you guys were able to finish the season without any mentioning of hands.

wooyoung had to take off a little earlier than usual since san called him about something going wrong in their apartment leaving yunho to help clean your place.

"you wanna play mario kart after we clean? i brought my switch." yunho offered.

"don't have to ask me twice" as you throw yunho the lysol wipes for the table.

after a quick cleaning session, yunho began setting up his switch and connecting it to your tv. you quietly sat next to him watching yunho use the controller to maneuver around the tv. there was something about how long his fingers were and how quickly they were moving the joysticks around. his hands were extra veiny today too.

the pads of his thumbs could definitely fully cover your n-

"are you good?" yunho asks pulling you out of your thoughts, as he offers you one of the controllers.

you shake your head as if it would get rid of the dirty thoughts, "yeah, mhm."

"okay buddy." yunho says as he drops one of the controllers into your hands. he definitely didn't buy it.

there was a moment of silence as yunho goes to open the game and without even looking at you he asks, "you really like my hands huh?"

"excuse me?" your heartbeat that already increased was literally about to burst out of your chest. "i thought i already answered this question."

"i mean, yeah." he shrugs just now looking back at you, "but i wanna hear you say it again."

"absolutely not." you protest.

"okay fine but how about this, if i get the fastest time you have to admit that you looove my hands and if you win, you can ask me any truth or dare question."

"anything?" you bargain with a mischievous raised eyebrow.

"yes."

"deal. you go first."

here's the thing, you were an absolute god at this game and yunho although he is competitive literally has no shot at beating you unless he cheats. so this little race should be a piece of cake. nothing you can't handle.

you guys had decided that the both of you would race on rainbow road and were able to pick what character and car they wanted. deciding to be an honest player, you sat back and watched yunho drive. this time while yunho was playing, you were too busy focusing on how he was doing to even think about his hands. you had to admit though, he was doing really well even though he shelled here and there.

"done!"

"five minutes and thirty seconds." you call out right after. "not bad yunho but we'll see about that."

"okay, sweat."

that nickname earned yunho a middle finger and you sticking out your tongue at him.

as you were selecting your character and tweaking the car, you could sense yunho moving closer to you. not enough to touch you but enough to be all up in your space. out of the corner of your eye you could see him fidgeting with something with his hands. his fingers were twiddling with an object that you couldn't quite make out.

focus. you think as you shake your head and return your full attention to the screen.

after completing your car design, you were ready for the race to begin. while waiting for the race to begin it's countdown, you let your eyes linger back to yunho's fingers to find out what the hell he was playing with. was he shredding a napkin? or playing wth the extra controller?

"y/n?" yunho's voices brings you out of your trance as you realize that you were holding down the gas for too long causing your boost to backfire.

"shit."

"lock in y/n." yunho teases turning his body towards you more, allowing his hands to appear perfectly in the corner of your eye.

"shut up." you growl back at him.

the rest of the race continues somewhat smoothly without any more yunho distractions but fuck that start really fucked up your time. you were closing in on the finish line coming in almost second place until some fuckass throws another red shell at you causing your character to spiral for a few seconds before resuming the track.

"what the fuck!"

"and that's time!" yunho shouts after your outburst. "five minutes and fifty-five seconds."

"that fucking red shell and you!" you turn your anger towards yunho and grab one of the couch pillows and chuck it at him.

"yah! i still won! admit it y/n!" yunho taunts doing a little celebratory dance on the floor.

your lips form into a thin line as you glare at him and shake your head.

"ah, ah, you bet on it."

avoiding the dare, you jabbed your fingers into yunho's side to "tase" him, knowing it was one of his most ticklish spots. you watch in glee as yunho starts to spasm on the floor from being tickled so hard.

"y/n! you little shit!" yunho shouts in between laughs as you kept tickling his sides.

deciding to be nice, you slow your attacks on him to let yunho catch his breath but he takes the opportunity to grab both of your wrists in one swoop. before you knew it, you were leaning over yunho's face with your arms hanging above your head. a blush crept on your face as you realized the position you were in.

"admit it." yunho said with a sick smirk on his face. it's like he took pleasure in making you flustered.

in no position to retaliate, you surrender. "i think your hands are hot jeong yunho."

"thanks pretty." yunho's eyes flicker to your lips for a split second. "wanna see what else they can do?"

too many things just happened. first of all, you losing in mario kart which never fucking happens then you basically getting manhandled by one of your closest friends and lastly, you were enjoying every moment of it. you were too nervous to use your voice so you just nodded along to whatever yunho just said.

you could see the lust fill in yunho's eyes while he talked. "i need words pretty."

"y-yes, i do." you mumble out. "please."

"thank you angel." yunho smiles before swiftly switching positions with you. "that was all i needed."

lying on your back, you stared back up at yunho who had a whole different demeanor ten minutes ago.

"do you know how long i've waited for a moment like this?" yunho asks his face a mere two inches away.

"why keep waiting then?" you tease back.

"you're right."

before you knew it, yunho leans forward and captures your soft lips earning a small gasp from you. his hands slowly traveled down your body as he swiped the bottom of your lip which allowed him access to your tongue. the thirst for each other was so strong after such a long time of waiting. did yunho like you this whole time too?

regardless of what he thought of you, he was devouring your lips. eventually, he traveled down your body leaving wet, open mouth kisses everywhere. he didn't stop until he figured out your sweet spot. yunho's lips came to a stop making you whine.

"can i take this off angel?" he asks softly, motioning to your shirt.

"yes, please."

"fast learner." yunho teases as he slips the shirt off of you.

instinctively, your hands fly to cover your chest when you realize you were almost fully topless in front of him. yunho notices your sudden shyness and stops moving. "what's wrong pretty?"

it was too embarrassing to admit that you were hella fucking nervous to be this exposed in front of yunho but it was too late he already read your mind. "don't be shy angel. we can put your shirt back on or i can take mine off so we're even?"

with a sweaty hand, you tug at his shirt with a pout. "can you take yours off too please?"

"since you asked so nicely." yunho grins as he slips off his shirt revealing his toned body. "now we're even."

a small smile appears on your lips as your arms return to yunho's neck. "thank you."

"of course, anything for you angel." yunho pecks your lips. "are you good to keep going?"

"yes." you breath out looking into his eyes. something about yunho just made you feel good. he just felt so familiar and comforting.

yunho leans back down and goes back to devouring your lips still not satisfied. he was determined to find your sweet spot if that meant kissing you all over your body. now that your shirt was off, he spent a little extra time on your boobs. he would alternate between kissing and sucking them before leaving an experimental hickey here and there.

it wasn't until he went back on your neck that he buried his face in the crook of your neck and shoulder making you gasp. you could feel yunho smirk once he realized he found your sweetspot. this time he mercilessly attacked your neck with open mouthed kisses leaving you moaning.

god, did he take his sweet time with you in this little spot. however, it wasn't enough to satisfy the growing arousal pooling down your legs. "yunho, please" you pant out, "need more."

"oh?" yunho pulls away from your neck making you whine once more.

"please yunho." you beg and tug at one of his wrists, leading them to the waistband of your pants.

he didn't say a word as he went to work on unbuttoning your pants and helping you slide them off. to test the waters, he cupped your clothed cunt and felt how fucking soaked you were. "angel, you're dripping."

"please." you moan out. "yun please."

"'m sorry pretty." yunho gives you a quick kiss as an apology before slipping his hand into your panties.

another moan escapes your puffy lips as yunho slips in one his long fingers. yunho kept his eyes on you as he moved his finger at a maddening slow pace.

fuck, even with just one of his fingers, it's exactly what you fantasized about. but you needed more. now.

"yun, please. i need more."

"okay, angel."

hearing your pleas, yunho slips not just one but two more fingers in you earning another gasp from you.

"fuck!"

again, yunho starts off with his sick, slow pace letting you adjust to the size difference. he loved watching your face contort in pleasure and a sense of pride washed over him as he realized that he was the one making you like this. all needy and fucked out without even needing to take his dick out.

slowly but surely, he quickened his pace without you even asking. multiple moans fell from your lips but they all got buried as soon as yunho captured your lips again. he swallowed every noise that came out your mouth which made him lose his mind. you sounded so fucking hot.

it wasn't too long until yunho's lips fell back into the crook of your neck earning him another loud moan. he would nip and suck on the spot before relieving the pain with a wet kiss. even with his mouth busy on your neck, his fingers never relented it's pace. the combined pleasure was absolutely insane. the warming sensation in cunt grew so intense that you couldn't hold it any longer.

"yunho, mmmh-fuck. 'm close." you moan, "so close nngh."

"come on angel." yunho encouraged, "give it to me pretty."

somehow his fingers sped up even more making you cry out even more. "too much yun!"

"angel, please." yunho moans into your ear, "give it to me. you can do it baby."

"fuck!" you cry out again, before finally letting go all over yunho's fingers.

"just like that angel," yunho praises as he continued to work you through your orgasm.

you were out of breath once you finished, your eyes closing in satisfaction.

"i'll be right back angel." yunho says as he presses a warm kiss to your forehead. the loss of his fingers made you whine.

with heavy eyes, you watched as yunho disappeared into the kitchen. a moment later, he came back with a clean rag and a glass of ice water.

handing you the water, he gently cleaned you up. finally getting to see just how much you came he couldn't help but tease you.

"so you like my hands a lot then."

[kibutsulove]

okay so since two people (on this post) asked, i guess I’m info dumping about my asoiaf oc + two other ones no one asked for

the oc who was shown in the source post’s name is aenor targaryen, and he was born mid-dance along with his fraternal twin sister, rhaenys (see below)

the totally very very interesting and definitely original and new thing about these two is that. looks around nervously. They’re aemond’s kids . And i know wow woah this has never been done before how did you think of this but let me elaborate they’re cool i promise

these two r not the same person as the kid aemond had with alys rivers just duplicated, they’re his legitimate, in the line of succession children. which brings me to the THIRD oc of this post!! SULYYN!!! i don’t have a good drawing of her rn but her faceclaim is liv hill and she’s a celtigar

i actually made these ocs before I watched s1, ep 10, where it’s revealed lord borros agreed on a betrothal between his daughter, floris, and aemond in trade for their loyalty to Aegon II. which. sort of made me scratch my head cuz aemond can’t be betrothed to two people simultaneously no matter how good his smolder is. But then my beloved mutual was like “hey instead of offering his hand he could offer daeron’s hand . he isn’t betrothed to anyone yet” and i was like “that’s a great idea” so a little canon divergence there

there’s also the thing with lord bartimos celtigar swearing allegiance to rhaenyra before the dance and sulyyn celtigar, his daughter, being married to aemond, but my beloved mutual from before suggested that he just. abandoned his daughter. and now she’s constantly catching strays with people accusing her of supporting rhaenyra when all she wants to do is go the fuck home

(spoilers for season 3 or season 4 in this paragraph) aenor and rhaenys were actually born on the same day as aemond and daemon’s battle at harrenhall, which we know how that turned out and so sulyyn genuinely booked it tf out of king’s landing post-partum cuz 1. with aemond dead, she wasn’t needed by them any longer. and 2. with aemond dead, the greens lost their mvp and she knew that no one else on that side was going to peel for her if the blacks were to win. so she essentially crawled her way out of the red keep and back to claw isle so she could distance herself and her children from her weird ass in-laws

rhaenys and aenor both grew up in claw isle with their mother and uncle, aeneas, who is the beloved mutual’s oc and eventually the lord of claw isle when bartimos passes

rhaenys matured into a relatively normal person, representing herself in her mother’s name rather than her father’s and she soon came to denounce her targaryen link all together. she loathes her father a lot actually

AENOR on the other hand. is fucking insane. he’s like if daemon and aemond touched finger tips super saiyan fusion style and formed into one. he left claw isle at around 12-14 for king’s landing, which would be during Aegon III’s reign iirc, and showed up at his cousin’s front door sad and soggy like a wet cat. and aegon was like “ alright. gonna. keep an eye on you…” and aenor, seeing that he wasn’t going to be jumped on the spot like his sister said he was going to be, begrudgingly thanked him

An occasional hobby aenor had picked up during his time in king’s landing was taking part in tourneys, prominently the jousting portion, which is mostly where he earned his reputation as a threat to society. Aenor’s opponents had the 100% trend of dying whenever they dueled him to put it bluntly. and he was only about 14 during his first tourney. very very violent and homicidal he was as you can see, this is what happens to a child who’s father died aura farming

he grew up to become lord commander of the city watch methinks, like daemon, who ironically he despises for semi obvious reasons. and he’s still nefarious and angry. aegon III’s trying not to be depressed while simultaneously going “look at my lord commander of the city watch dawg there’s going to be a second night of the gold cloaks”

rhaenys and aenor hate each other might i mention, aenor thinks she’s too accustomed with the fact that their father is dead because of the rest of their family, while rhaenys knows aemond’s death was nothing more than his own pride snagging him. she thinks he’s everything their mother wanted him not to be actually

[lightofraye]

Countdown - Review of Episode 4

Putting it behind a cut to spare spoilers, as always.

Keep in mind, this is strictly my opinion. I am not a professional writer, I am not in the industry. Just an amateur writer sharing an opinion. You don't have to like what I write. It's why it's under a cut and not in the main tags.

I was going to watch episode 5, but my daughter had to stop me. Maybe I'll finish it another time, because it made so little sense that I was shouting at the TV.

Countdown, Season 1, Episode 4 - Bite 'Em Down

Right off the bat, I could see a number of problems that had me headdesking.

The music alone tried to emphasize rush, rush, rush--but the pace, acting, and such did not give that impression. Some had complaints about the ambulance scene itself--such as "Why would they cut away the shirt??" "Why was there only one EMT in the back?!"

First, the shirt. It was a necessity! The risk of infection was high. Removing any possible filth that might be attached to that shirt was a must. The top risk to an injury, to an open wound? Infection. Sepsis. That shirt had a risk. Fresh, clean gauze was a must!

Second, why was there only one EMT in the back? EMTs are a shortage these days. I can speak from personal experience. When my DIL needed ambulance help--only two came. One drove, one in the back. Same when I had to help that neighbor abuse victim. There are shortages.

Mark was a detective, former military. He better have first aid experience to help! So yes. He should've pitched in and he did.

However, the whole scene just felt... off. It didn't feel like it was rushed, urgent. When they arrived, when they took Drew to the back? They weren't running! They didn't walk fast! Like, hi, hello, where's the urgency??

Then the announcement of Drew's passing. Blythe just felt so... flat. Didn't come across like it really hit hard.

Then the informing of the wife. I just... that was distressed? Really? I just... man. Where the hell is all the proper acting and writing?!

Lord, save me. Blythe's motivational speech just fell so flat I couldn't help it. I headdesked so hard.

Keyonte is still lacking depth. So is Finau. God, Haas, please, give them something soon! Evan is also feeling flat. Why are these three lacking any meat? (Sorry, Blythe too--make that four!)

I'm really struggling to feel the rush, the urgency, here.

They... actually... broke into someone's home. Without a warrant? Oh wow, okay. This is one hell of a task force.

And more bad acting. Oh god. The wife's sobbing is just bad acting.

Annnnddddd.... the DA again. Sigh. He actually isn't wrong here. Blythe should've included him in the loop. He didn't. He still can't explain why Drew was there... and now Drew is dead. And I'm not feeling the menace at all.

Okay, this is ridiculous. Dane is generally a good actor. But he's doing so badly here.

The interrogation is boring me. I'm not... impressed. I don't get the feeling she's (the wife) is scared at all. Again, the music is trying to make it seem it's urgent, scary, but it doesn't really come across that way.

The message back and forth with the husband was absolutely stupid. They didn't try to make sure she didn't use a set-up phrase? Really?

Regardless, she tipped him off. Didn't prepare for it. And once again, badly matched music. Sigh. A chase, and you expect me to believe Meachum couldn't catch that guy? REALLY?!

Yeah, they caught the guy, but OMFG. What kind of task force is this? Ill-prepared as hell.

Blythe abruptly asking Bell about his father having worked with the DA before came out of the blue, tried to justify the DA's "bad behavior".... sigh. Blythe.

No, wait. HAAS! Make it make sense! How about you write a task force that actually works with the local law and order divisions so they're not having to chase you down for blowing shit up, causing people's deaths? HUH?!

Then Evan trying to be all emotional about Drew's son's baseball hat still feels a bit too much. How did they even have time to get to know Drew and his history? To develop the kind of emotional ties?

Their concept of interrogation is... sigh.

Their ability to track down stuff is a little too pat. Too convenient. They're definitely rushing things here. The pace is wild.

Not a fan of Oliveras's planting of drugs. I'm really not. I get they're trying to get information, but COME ON. Here, I can see why she's the black sheep of the DEA.

Evan joining the interrogation felt out of the blue and her emotional statement felt too... pat. Mismatched. I'm about to toss tables, y'all. You expect me to believe it'd really be like that? REALLY? Talk about going to the extreme.

Absurd as fuck.

And Mikhail falls for it. I'm.... argh.

The fact they fell for the set-up? Too pat. Too easy. Task force is not... yeah.

The ending, with Damon Drew's widow, was... it lands flat. I'm sorry, I know they were trying for motivational, for emotional, for an urgent push. For a memorable closure. But it just falls flat. They rush this. They really do. There was just so little with Drew that I don't feel any connection to Drew's death or why that plaque should mean anything at all.

My gods, y'all... if this is what flies for a good story, I'm gonna cry.

[spaceorphan18]

Ahh, I didn't know you liked Bridgerton! (I was away from tumblr for a moment and just now catching up on your blog) I'm obsessed with Penelope and Colin. How did you like season 3? I always love reading your thoughts! I saw so many people complain but I mostly really enjoyed it. I wish it didn't have so many random plotlines, and I didn't like the insta-baby but overall they're my favourite couple in the show haha.

Hi Nonny! Welcome back to the Tumblr! <3

I hope you don't mind me indulging a little with your ask, lol. If you've followed me for any length of time, you do know I can't shut up - but I realized I haven't really said my actual thoughts on the season, etc, I just started meta'ing and haven't looked back. So, pull up a chair, Nonny, as I chatter non-stop for a bit about Bridgerton and my thoughts on season 3, lol.

I'll put it under a cut to save the rest of your souls....

Part 1: How did we get here?

Am I big fan of historical romance? No, not really. Did I expect this show to ever have a grip on me? Not even a little bit. How in the world did this happen? Idk - it appears that favorite tropes and character designs and dynamics seem to transcend genre. And I'm an old sap.

The tl:dr version is that I watched Seasons 1 and 2 after Season 2 came out. It was fine. Not a huge fan of Season 1, I did like Season 2 though. And then kind of forgot it existed. Eloise was by far my favorite character - because I liked her spunk. And the friendship between Eloise and Penelope was the best part of the show.

And then I was reminded that Season 3 dropped and did not expect the shock that I got. I went in completely blind - I hadn't seen a single promo. I did know, because I looked up the books when I originally watched, that it would be Pen and Colin's story. But I was kind of fascinated at how they were going to go about it. Penelope was not a stereotypical leading lady. And Colin was very boy-ish looking in the early seasons. How was this going to work?

Oh man, the glow ups. The glow ups got me. Pen is so, so gorgeous this entire season. When she's wearing her hair down, omg... Or that one look where she's like a housewife writing in her journal. God damn, girl. She can get it. And then Colin... ha. When he got out of the carriage, I was like - oh shit. It was the pirate coat. A good pirate coat will always do me in.

But more than that - really, the dynamics of the characters just really sold me. I love friends to lovers. I love the angst and the pull. I love the whole she fell first he fell harder. I love that I unintentionally just go for the same kind of characters and their dynamics over and over and over.

And then, you know, between the first part and second part, I rewatched the first two seasons, which was helpful. (Though, still not a huge fan of season 1.) Was addicted to the promo tour (my god I love a good promo tour). And @ckerouac - got me to watch Derry Girls which really cemented my love of Nicola Coughlan. And, you know, once you start going down a hole, you just have to keep on going until you get to the other side.

Idk how we really got here, Nonny, but here we are! Lol

Part 2: My thoughts on Season 3

So, briefly, I just fell in love with Part 1 right off the bat. LOVED IT. Part 2, honestly, I felt disappointed after seeing it the first time. (I remember episode 6, in particular, thinking - wow that was not a very good episode).

And then... I rewatched it and then rewatched it again after watching Seasons 1 and 2 and kind of started to take it a part a bit, and it's grown on me. A lot! I actually do really love the season as a whole and appreciate what we've got...

Breaking it down a little more:

Pen and Colin's story: I still do think the first half is stronger. The whole Colin helping Pen find a husband, Lord Debling (who is a doll), Colin figuring out his issues, that carriage scene... ooff, all really, really good. The second half - there just needed to be more. At first, it was hard to watch them go through a wedding while being mad at each other, but I feel like now that I've had time to digest it all, it is /so/ good. It's a really, really fascinating dynamic going on there. I could and probably will go on at length about it later... a couple of things, though

They just needed more. The plot was so delicious. I did love the conflict over lady whistledown and I wish we had seen that tension played out better and resolved better. The end of episode 8 was a bit to fast. I swear - Season 4 better have some solidly good Polin moments or idek... They've been such a big part of the show as a whole, I hope they get to continue their development, even if it they go back to their Seasons 1 and 2 focus.

The season works better if you remember what happened in seasons 1 and 2. I had zero memory of the plots from the first two seasons going in. I didn't realize Colin's personality had changed. I couldn't remember any of the Polin moments in the first two seasons. This third season makes a whole lot more sense being built from what came before it, and honestly, I kind of love that. It makes the story more layered and engaging.

As for the insta-baby, I mean, they set it up at the beginning of the season, but it wasn't something I needed to enjoy the couple. I do wonder if they'll go back and explore that 9 months, or if things will pick up after post-baby.

Also, on perhaps a shallower note? I thought the actors had great chemistry. And I have so much respect for Nicola Coughlan for allowing herself to be presented in such a way. She is GORGEOUS in every aspect and the backlash over her body is ABSURD. If you can’t get on board that a larger woman can be seen as desirable than you can fuck right off because she is amazing.

Poor Luke Newton has gotten some push back, too, which I think is a little unfair. He's not expressive the way Jonny Bailey is, but Colin really isn't Anthony, and is much more an inward character. And the awkwardness of his attempt at rake-ishness in the beginning is supposed to be awkward. Colin isn't smoldering like the Duke from Season 1, either. He's a sweet, romantic kid who adores his bff-turned-wife, and the whole season (I mean, can we talk about the all the mirrors?) is about cutting through the bullshit we do to try to mask who we really are.

The thing about Luke Newton that I really appreciate is that he really understands who his character is and keeps that front and center. Colin is trying to be something he's not, and the real Colin slips out unintendedly, and that kind of subtly is hard to play.

The absolute best moments were when they laughed together - they both really shine when Pen and Colin are allowed to be the sweet friends they've been all along.

Anyway tl:dr - loved their relationship, and my heart will just be broken if we don't get more good development as the seasons continue.

Penelope and Eloise: The fact that this relationship was angled as another romance per se was also delicious. As I said above - Pen and Eloise were probably my favorite dynamic pre-Polin and it was devastating to watch them work their relationship out. But again, it was all so delicious. I loved it and thought it was perfect.

The Featheringtons: I LOVED THEM! They were perfection. I love that they leaned into some really good comedy with the sisters. Not only were they able to show off Nicola's excellent comedic skills, the family as a whole was just a whole delight. I loved the sisters. I loved their husbands. I even liked Portia - and, honestly, I wasn't a huge fan of her in earlier seasons. I loved that they linked Pen and Portia, it really made them seem like mother and daughter.

Colin and his family: There were some fascinating dynamics!

Colin and Eloise: yes, the third part of the platonic love triangle I loved their dynamic during the season. Eloise never really knowing how to handle Colin. The fact that they're close and yet awkwardly so. The fact that they both care so much about Pen in different ways and how LW just hangs over both dynamics. Ooff, so good.

Colin and Anthony & Benedict (and let's throw George in here, too): Love it. Wish there had been more. The brothers are hilarious and wonderful together and just I ate it all up with a spoon. Also, as an aside, I love that George is slowly coming into focus. The kid is adorable.

Colin and Francesca (and let's throw Hyacinth in here, too): Hilariously, Colin and Francesca speak zero times to each other during the whole season. Isn't that weird? Really, their plot lines do not intersect except tangentially for family moments. It's so weird. I feel like I have no sense of this dynamic. As for Hyacinth - I adore her, and I feel like she has more personality than Francesca :P

Colin and Violet: I kind of loved this. She's a mother who understands her kids. And even though Violet wasn't around that much for the A-Plot, I like what role she did have to play in getting Colin to act.

Alright, so the rest of the subplots... It did feel like an abundance of them, but was there really more than previous seasons? Or was it the fact that Pen and Colin usually were subplots, and now that they're the main focus, everything else kind of shifts awkwardly around them?

Anthony and Kate: I love them to pieces, and wish there had been more of them. Their dynamic remains sexy and smart. Kate remains one of the best characters on the show, and is such an intelligent woman. I'm so glad she had wonderful, insightful conversations with her new family. I really would have loved to have had a Kate and Penelope scene. Also, the India thing was awkward - I lol'd because it clearly was written as an 'out' for the couple. But it's ultimately fine. But yes - bring back Kanthony in future seasons. I really don't care how much Jonathan Bailey is doing other things.

Cressida Cowper: I thought she was a fantastic villain, and the fact that she was so wrapped up with Eloise was kind of delicious. I don't think they needed to linger on her private life as much as they did. But I was fascinated that there seemed to be some queer coding in there, and wondered, for a bit if she was going to be a lesbian. I also think her ending was a little weak and she just kind of scampered off without any reprieve. I do wonder if she'll be back, tbh.

Francesca: Oof. It was intriguing on first watch but I find it incredibly dragging on subsequent watches and have a tendency to skip over it. I think this is the one plot line that really could have been cut down. I understand that it's set up but it was kind of meh for me. However, I am totally fine with her love interest being changed to a woman. Let's do this bisexuals! Speaking of which...

Benedict: My god, it felt like the show doesn't know what to do with him - and I am hoping Season 4 is his, because they NEED to do something with Benedict. So, to be clear, I LOVE that they made him bisexual. But the woman he was with was so boring, and I just did not care - because I knew it ultimately wasn't going to go anywhere. And, what was with the never ending orgy? Did we really need to cut back to it ten times? Please, show, give Benedict something interesting to do.

The Mondriches: Look, I feel bad saying it, but these people ultimately served no purpose to the show and could have been lifted right out. I'm sure the actors are lovely but if they're not going to directly service the story, then why are we wasting our time? Though, at least they really aren't the ones taking up the most time.

The Queen: They could have played up the rivalry between her and LW a lot more, and they just didn't. It felt... a little anticlimactic. Also, now what do they do with her as a character? Meh.

Violet and Lady Danbury's brother: I just don't care. I get it. I get that Violet should have something to do outside her children. But there are already a million plots, and not everyone needs to have their own individual story. By the time they threaded this in around episode 3 it did feel like too much.

Did I miss anything?

So... that's how I felt on everything. I have seen commentary about the pushback on Season 3. There are some things I agree about and a lot I don't.

About the actors: I disagree, Nicola and Luke are a delight, and they don't deserve the pushback they've been getting.

About the subplots: It is too many, and I do think they should have either made the season longer, or cut a few things.

About Polin not being as steamy: I think Daphne and Simon's soft core porn-a-thon set an expectation that doesn't necessarily work when you're going for other tropes. I did like the steamy scenes we got (though the last one should have been longer -- we better get some happy sex in season 4 or I will be annoyed) but Polin doesn't have the same dynamic as (what is their shipper name??) Daphne/Simon. We were never going to get the porn-a-thon.

Kanthany didn't either in Season 2, I don't know what to tell people. I appreciate that they're servicing the story they're telling and not just relying on sex. But, I will say, it is still the romance genre, based on books that do feature a lot of sex, so I can understand disappointment in some respects. There is a reason people watch these things, and when it's not met, it can be frustrating.

Idk, what else are people bitching about? (that's rhetorical) I think two years is too long a wait for a show like this. And the anthology aspect of it can make it hard when the focus shifts. People adored Anthony and Kate and to shift it to a very different type of love story can feel jarring, especially, I think if you've spent the past two years digesting what we've already had.

And then there are some people who are just never happy.

And I mean, I already feel a little 'meh' about Season 4. (It'll be Benedicts, there are so many hints...) I'll continue to watch, but I am incredibly sad that this was the year my favorites got to shine. My only hope is that Pen and Colin continue to occupy a space in the story... lord help us, though, in that it doesn't take another ten years to finish...

So.... them my thoughts! I'm sure I'll have more of them as I settle into this bright new world.

Omg, how cute are they????

[guilty-pleasures21]

Chapter 4 - the picnic

Part A

Part B

Part C

Warnings: none.

----------------------------------------------------------

     “Lord Jameson here to call on Lady X,” the footman announced. Anjali watched carefully as her sister’s shoulder slumped in disappointment. Lord Jameson was the fourth suitor to call on her that morning and it did not slip Anjali’s notice, the subtle way her sister’s expression would fall every time someone was announced. But then her brows would furrow, confused by the source of her own emotions, and she’d plaster that welcoming smile back on her face. Anjali glanced out the window, over to Miguel’s house where she saw him stepping outside with his brother. The two of them got into their carriage and Anjali’s eyes travelled down the road they were moving down to discern their final destination. Her lips curled into a wicked grin when she realised where they were headed and she turned to her mother in excitement. 

     “Mama …” An excuse, she needed an excuse! “The weather is so beautiful today! Perhaps we should take a stroll around the park? I am sure many an eligible bachelor will be out on the prowl today.”

     Her mother straightened in her seat, immediately convinced by the suggestion. “Oh! What a wonderful idea, Anjali! Let us just see Lord Jameson out and then you and your sister can go get ready.”

     Anjali clasped her hands together, tamping down her enthusiasm so as not to draw her mother’s suspicions. “Yes, mama."

     X chewed her slice of apple slowly, completely absorbed by her thoughts as she sat on the picnic blanket with her sister. His hands had felt so warm around her, so … safe. And the scent of him - so masculine and enticing, wrapping itself around her and shielding her from the world the same way his broad shoulders had. And the way he’d looked at her as their lips had hovered in front of one another’s? Just a breath apart … 

     “Penji? Hello! Are you there?” X snapped out of her gaze as her sister’s voice broke into her thoughts. She lowered her hand from where her fingers had been brushing along her lips, imagining the feel of another’s on them, then she shook her head, forcing herself back to reality. What scandalous thoughts had she been having?! And about Miguel no less! Goodness! She was letting her first Season get to her head already!

     “Yes, Anjali?” she asked, turning to her sister with a practised smile. “What is it?”

     Anjali’s lips stretched wide with excitement, her expression morphing into one of mischief. “Did anyone catch your eye last night? Perhaps a certain someone with whom you shared more than a few dances?”

     She gave her sister a suggestive look and X’s cheeks set aflame as her mind became overrun with thoughts of Miguel - again. She shook out her dress discreetly, trying to dissipate some of the heat that had gathered there, then she cleared her throat before responding. 

     “No. It was only my first ball, Anjali. I hardly think I shall find my future husband on the very first night of my Season.” She waved her sister off, turning her nose up to punctuate the silliness of her implied words. But her stomach roiled with nerves at the thought of lying to her sister about the deal she’d been forced into with their neighbour. 

     Miguel walked down the path with his brother, his brows furrowed in irritation. They’d only been here for ten minutes but already he was bored out of his mind! He searched his surroundings for some source of entertainment and his thoughts soon began drifting off to last night; to how cute she'd looked in her soft cotton dress, her curves fitting so perfectly between his fingers as she’d gazed up at him with her wide eyes and her rosy lips … 

     “Miguel?” Gabriel asked, leaning over to try to catch his brother’s attention. “Are you listening?” 

     “Hmm?” Miguel turned to him, startled by the sudden interruption to his thoughts. “What?”’

     “I was saying that Miss Reynolds seemed to have taken quite an interest in you last night,” Gabriel repeated, rolling his eyes at his brother’s lack of attention. “She comes from a rather reputable family who I am sure will be able to provide a sizable dowry. And she is rather pleasant to look at besides. Surely, you might consider-”

     He stopped listening again as his gaze finally landed on X. She was wearing a powder blue dress today, her hair left undone so that her silky curls framed her soft features as they tumbled over her shoulders and down her bare arms. She was staring off into the distance as she lounged on her picnic blanket and he found himself curious to know what had captivated her attention so thoroughly. So, he took off towards her.

     “Miguel?!” Gabe called after him, rushing to keep up with his sudden determined pace. His brother was so confusing at times, utterly impossible to figure out. Take last night, for example; when he’d shared an inappropriate number of dances with their neighbour. Did he not know how the ton would have interpreted his actions? Or did he perhaps just not care? The latter sounded like the more reasonable explanation, but it was rather inconsiderate on his part, to not take into account how his behaviour might affect their friend. “Miguel, where are you-”

     “Lady X!” Miguel exclaimed, finally coming to a stop in front of their friend. “What a pleasant surprise!”

     X lifted her gaze to his, her dark eyes wide and her rosy lips parted in shock, and Miguel grinned at her confusion. He waited patiently as she hopped to her feet and bent over her dress to straighten out the wrinkles. 

     “M-My … My lord!” X stuttered, letting her hair fall over her face to conceal the blush she could feel crawling up her cheeks. “What a surprise indeed!” 

     But it was only Miguel - only the boy next door she'd known since she was nine years old. She had no reason to feel so … nervous? Excited? She pushed down her emotions and turned to Gabriel instead. “A-And you, Lord Gabriel. What …. brings the two of you here today?”

     She was … kind of cute when she was nervous, Miguel had to admit to himself. But was she really nervous? What would she even be nervous about? He glanced away, gesturing to the numerous groups of people scattered around the gardens. “One must indulge in the rare opportunity to experience some sunshine in this dreary country, must they not, mi solita (my little sun)?” 

     He turned back to her with a cheeky smile and though she couldn't understand this new term he'd used upon her, she could guess by his expression that it was something inappropriate. “Uh, y-yes … my lord.” 

     She lowered her gaze and brushed her hair behind her ear, trying her best to focus on anything but the scent of him wafting through the air and curling around her insides. She snuck another glance at Miguel - at the boy who'd grown up next to her. The boy who'd grown into quite the man, his shoulders broad and his chest wide and his features sharp and chiselled and-

     “Lord Miguel! Lord Gabriel! How wonderful to see you today!” Anjali exclaimed, jumping to her feet when the silence had become too awkward to bear. Her sister let out a sigh of relief beside her, grateful for the interruption. 

     “And you as well, my lady,” Miguel responded warmly. Then he turned to their mother and nodded at her in greeting. “Lady Singh, dazzling as always. I fear some of the suitors passing by might see you as a possible prospect for the Season.”

     Lady Singh rolled her eyes good-naturedly and returned his smile from where she was sat beneath her parasol. “Oh, nonsense! Have any young ladies managed to catch your eye this Season? Or will our charming bachelor be spending yet another year as the most elusive catch of the Season?”

     His gaze darted over to X, quick enough for her not to notice it, but not quick enough for her sister not to. 

     “Er, yes, well, I do not think I am quite as much of a catch as some of the young ladies do,” Miguel argued, forcing an awkward chuckle through his lips. “But enough about this tired old bachelor. Has Miss X received much attention yet? I noticed many an intrigued glance cast her way last night.”

     Anjali stepped in front of her sister, a suspicious expression on her features. “And how would you know this unless you yourself were casting a few ‘intrigued glances’ her way as well?”

     X's eyes widened in horror at the question, but Miguel simply laughed it off. “Uh, yes, well, I … It was her first Season, after all - I did not want an old friend to feel uncomfortable at her debut.”

     He rubbed the back of his neck as he said it - a habit that X had come to learn would show itself when he was nervous. But why would he be nervous when everyone was already familiar with the way he would always tease her? X turned to her sister in confusion and found her eyes narrowed at Miguel, unconvinced by his response. Suddenly, Gabe clapped his hands together, breaking the tension that had gathered around them. 

     “Well!” he exclaimed. “It was wonderful to see you all today and we are so-”

     “Would you like to go for a walk? My lady?” Miguel asked abruptly, holding his elbow out to X. She looked up at him in bewilderment, caught off guard by the sudden question, and his heart stopped momentarily as he waited for her answer.

     “O-Oh! Um …” She slid her gaze over to her mother and then her sister, the former smiling in agreement and the latter nodding vigorously in encouragement. “A-All right.” 

     His heart fluttered as she gingerly curled her fingers around his elbow and together, they set off down the path.

Continue

[daemonwaters]

My thoughts on Season 2, episode 1: A Son for a Son

Some general spoiler-light thoughts:

No mention or presence of Maelor or Daeron, unfortunately.

Jace was definitely the highlight of the episode.

Nice to see more of Aegon - he seems to like being king, to put it lightly.

Overall, I'd say a 6.5/10. Maybe a 7.5, if it hadn't been for the way they did B&C, which was... well I didn't go into the episode with the highest hopes, but I'm still disappointed. I'll make another post on it.

More details below:

Perhaps it's just my unrealistic expectations after so much time waiting, but this episode felt a bit muted. It sort of reminded me of Episode 6 - a general catch up after a long absence, where we see how everyone's doing. Necessary, but it's not going to be electric.

The opening at the Wall felt like it suffered from the need to have Jace back at Dragonstone in time for Luke's funeral. Which is a shame, because what we got of him and Cregan felt really good - my favorite little bit was Jace reminiscing about how Aegon and Torrehn Stark stood where they were, only for Cregan to sarcastically thank Jace for not threatening him with Vermax.

I will say though, the different motivations they gave Cregan was kind of odd - in the book he sends only his Winter Wolves because he needs his men for the harvest (otherwise they'll starve and die), but in the show he needs them to protect the Watch in case the Others show up? Is the implication supposed to be that the North sends thousands of men to protect the Wall at the beginning of winter (which in Westeros, can last for years)? And this happens every year, never mind the logistical strain this would place on the entire North and the Night's Watch? Alright, buddy.

No scenes in the Vale, unfortunately, presumably due to the same reasons for the condensed Wall plot. We're told that Jeyne agreed to support Rhaenyra in exchange for a dragon to defend the Vale, but we don't get to see the Maiden of the Vale. Of course this episode had a lot to cover, but it would've been nice to see her.

In my opinion, the highlight of the episode is Jace reporting to Dragonstone. He stands proud, strong (no pun intended), but has a wavering voice as he struggles to tell Rhaenyra about his diplomatic mission - and then he breaks down and Rhaenyra rushes to embrace her.

Rhaenyra I feel doesn't do much this episode. She spends her time looking for Luke's remains, finds a cloak tangled up in his dragon, she's there at the funeral. I like her pained, subdued entrance to the war council, announcing that she wants Aemond's head - but it feels like a bit of a narrative retread of the end of episode 10.

From all the reviews raving about Tom's acting chops, he was probably my most anticipated character in season 2. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in his portrayal, but he was a bit more... carefree than I was expecting. A great actor, but the reality of the war doesn't seem to have sunken in for Aegon yet. Definitely my most anticipated watch for the next episode, however. A vengeful, grieving Aegon will be fun to watch.

Moving over to his mother, we see that Alicole is a thing now - our first glimpse of the two is Cole kneeling between Alicent's legs. It's implied this isn't the first time, but it's unclear for how long it's been going on. I feel like this episode could've used a little more time between them. However, I do very much appreciate the touch of Alicent being the one to put Cole's white cloak back on. Very obvious symbolism, but I approve of it all the same.

We get a preview of some upcoming characters - Alyn appears as a shipwright in the Driftmark docks. He gives his condolences to Corlys for the loss of his heir, and Corlys thanks Alyn for being the one to pull him from the sea in episode 6. Interestingly, Alyn seems almost uncomfortable to be thanked by his "lord" (gee, I wonder why?).

Hugh Hammer shows as a blacksmith petitioning Aegon for more funds due to rising iron prices. No real foreshadowing there, though I did find it slightly amusing how he was obviously well-groomed compared to all the other petitioners - he's definitely not a reoccurring character.

And that's all I can think of, I guess. Looking forward to next week.

[cannedkopi]

So, after watching the first 4 episodes of Bridgerton season 3, I have a few first, very, very random thoughts.

Spoilers ahead - you have been warned.

A disclaimer beforehand - all my comments pertain to the characters and storylines, not the actors, who did the best they could with the material they were given. Just so we're clear on this.

Sadly, the rumours were true, and we got only one episode of Kathony in the first part. But damn, they made it count!

Also, I am just gonna say it, it is now officially canon that Anthony loves to eat out his wife. Last season already established that, but this season cemented it. End of story.

I absolutely love Francesca! She is so different from her siblings, being the one who does not want to be in the spotlight and prefers peace and quiet. It is so fitting! Though her comment regarding marrying to just get it over with and especially settling for whatever match the queen might present to her? That gave huge season 2 Anthony vibes.

Speaking of season 2 - Francesca being questioned by the season's bachelors as well as her comment about being "inspected like a rare insect" reminded me of Anthony conducting his interviews when he was looking for a wife. Mhm...

Edwina making a "splendid match abroad" to me means that Edwina marrying Friedrich is now canon. Change my mind.

Good god, Colin is obnoxious and pretentious when he comes back from his travels. How on earth is this man considered a catch? He is self-absorbed and arrogant and I would just like to point out that he is a third son who has learned no trade, never contributed to the family estate in any way and is basically living off of his family's money. I have already read some comments that Colin's new persona is a facade he needs to shed before he truly can be with Penelope just as she needs to come clean to Colin about being Lady Whistledown, and I can kinda get behind that, but let's see.

There were several interviews in which it was said that Benedict will have a newfound purpose this season, and after 4 episodes I am wondering, is that new purpose just taking over managing the estate when Anthony and Kate are on their honeymoon and shagging Lady Tilley Arnold? Because if that is all, then I feel very, very sorry for Ben.

Lady Arnold somehow reminds me of Star Trek Voyager's Seven of Nine. I think it's the hair. Go figure...

Lord Debling is awesome. He's the one new character I want to see more of. Give him a decent storyline for the remainder of the season and maybe a proper love interest. No, not Cressida.

And while we're speaking of Cressida, sorry, but I did not buy the entire "she is only mean because she's been treated badly by her parents" storyline.

That speech Violet gives Colin in the fourth episode? About Colin being "one of her most sensitive children, always aware of what others needed" and someone who rarely puts himself first? And then saying that she can imagine it being wearing at times to live to please others? Did that woman somehow mix up her children? That first part should really have been meant for Benedict and the second for Anthony last season.

The costumes were even less regency than in the first two seasons, and while I get that this is a creative choice and in my mind Bridgerton is a Regency inspired fantasy world anyway, I would have loved to see more era appropriate silhouettes.

Ok, rant over. I might change my mind on a few of the above as I rewatch the episodes and maybe after the second part od season 3 streams, but maybe not.

Did, I enjoy the new season. It was ok. As they say, not great, not terrible. Will I rewatch it? Of course I will. Will I watch the second part? You bet I will. Did it give me inspiration to write something? Very much so.

So watch this space.

[ruiniel]

Fandom: Castlevania Series (2017-2021)

Rating: M

Characters: Alucard, Trevor Belmont, Sypha Belnades

Relationships: Alucard/Trevor Belmont/Sypha Belnades

Additional Tags: Post-Castlevania Season 2, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Trephacard, Grief/Mourning, Mental Anguish, Hurt/Comfort, Illnesses, Monsters, Canon typical violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Friendship, Developing relationship, Polyamory, Eventual smut

Chapter I

Also on AO3.

X.

A lazy wind breathes through the trees as they near the structure, stopping before the building. 

“It seems… quiet,” Sypha comments, gazing at the walls covered in dark green ivy. Chipped murals depicting biblical episodes are visible here and there, painted faces of saints staring at them with aged eyes. 

“I hear no heartbeats,” Alucard adds, and Trevor hums as he follows along the side to the main entrance.

The wooden gates of intricately carved wood are ajar, and worn with time. 

“Dustier than I remember it,” murmurs Trevor as they enter, watching sparse rays of light filter in through the stained glass windows.

“And empty,” Sypha says, lighting a swift flame with a flick of her fingers. 

The giant cross of a teary, dying savior does nothing to alleviate the sense of barrenness the place invokes within the hunter, something that doesn’t slot at all with memories of what used to be. 

“Whoever dwelled here has long since departed,” Alucard surmises, paging through a dusty Bible set on the pulpit. “This place is abandoned.”

“Thank you, lord Obvious,” Trevor mutters. “That was that, then, let’s go.”

It’s funny, sometimes, how the very worst of luck catches you by the throat. It’s a useless thought coming to mind as the doors creak behind them. “Huh, strange.” 

“What is?” asks Sypha, her voice echoing in the vast enclosure. 

“There’s no wind now,” Trevor says, gazing long at the broken tiles. “There used to be a cellar here though, and—”

He doesn’t finish, caught off guard while his body strikes the broken floor. “What the hell’s wrong with y—” his words die there, gazing from Alucard’s strained expression towards the wall.

What looks like thick slime slides down the washed out silhouette of one mural painting, burning its way through the wall. 

“Behind you!” Sypha.

He and Alucard both roll over together grasping at each other, fast enough to miss another projectile of the same stuff, at which point all Trevor’s reflexes get a good grip. 

They’re both on their feet in a second. “What the fuck are those?”

They stare at the giant dark mass slithering towards them from every which way—some crawl above them, over the ceiling, curved talons leaving cracks in the stone. 

“I don’t recognize their ilk,” Alucard helpfully adds, his sword slashing the air at his side. 

“Whatever they are, hoping they die,” Trevor says, his whip at the ready, watching Sypha already forced into dispensing with ones having made their move. Too far, she’s too far. He doesn’t like it, not one bit, but now the two of them have their own batch to deal with as two bodies fall to pieces before him.

“Belmont!” 

Trevor avoids the burning projectile, jumping as high as his muscles allow, landing right atop one of those things and he can’t see faster than his own movement, instinct taking over as he knifes it in the head—or what he thinks is its head?— then curls his whip around his arm, unleashing it against a larger one.

And ‘creature’ is the right word here—they look as bad as they reek, and somehow he ends up back to back against Alucard, downing as many as they can while trying not to get burned alive by whatever they’re spewing with relish. 

Multiple, hairy legs. There seem to be no eyes, his mind reels as he tries to find weak points, gaze briefly on Sypha at the front of the long chamber, freezing and burning them in turn as fast as her magic can hold. 

“Go to her!” Alucard cries, and Trevor doesn’t need a second urging. Not that she couldn’t handle this, but they don’t know the nature of these damn hellcritters, nor can they risk impairment—either of them—if they want to stay alive. 

The whip cracks as he makes a swing through her fire, rolling behind her and up in the next moment. 

“How are we doing here?” The space feels so much smaller now, crammed as they are.

“So... damn... many!” Sypha retorts, flushed from the effort.Trevor senses the anger in her voice as she does a fell sweep, icing a quarter of their surroundings but more just.keep.coming.

“Swarm!” 

They’ve been through worse, after all. They coordinate like one when the need calls for it, but when he sees Alucard facing more and more on his own, by comparison he and Sypha aren’t doing so badly.

“If only we could get the fuck out of here!” he cries, but likely she cannot hear him, focused as she is. Trevor lashes at two more spiderhags or whatever the hell they are, avoids a sputter of burning excretion at his face as he makes his way in a painstaking churn at Alucard’s side.

Their eyes meet—and Alucard wants to speak but doesn’t get to, and all Trevor sees is his horrified expression, and then the reason why.

“What are you doing? You were supposed to—”

The scream feels like a blow, and with a desperation he’s never felt Trevor glances to where Sypha was—was, because the very floor is sinking, crumbling before their eyes, taking her and a slew of those things with it. 

“Sypha!” he yells above the mayhem, rushing forward, pure relief when he reaches the chasm and sees her down there, in one piece. He lands before her inert body, just in time to clash with the mass of two creatures. 

At the end of his tether, he trips—but instead of being beheaded by a set of talons, a red flash blinds him once, and again and again, and soon there is dust settling and a horrible, endless ringing in his ears. 

Trevor tries to breathe, and somewhere along the way he’s taken Sypha into his arms, hugging her to him with the instinctual intent of a human shield. 

Now, panting, he can see her better. “Hey…” he tries, but her eyes are closed, and her form lacks that tense strength he knows. 

“Give her to me.” Alucard. 

Trevor obeys, not least because what-the-fuck-just happened, but he doesn’t have the strength to get her back up there.

Alucard does so, gentle in laying her on a bench before bringing Trevor up so fast he turns and vomits on the broken tiling. 

The festering odour, the darkness, the silence are all too much, but the thought of—

“Sypha,” he calls, feeling both lost and dumb, looking to Alucard who’s bundling her in his now ragged coat. “I… Alucard…”

Alucard doesn’t answer, quick about his task.  “I watch myself,” Trevor hears, words spoken in a chilling calm. “You watch each other’s backs, that was always our agreement.” He lifts Sypha in his arms again.

Well, crap. “You were fucking swamped—” 

Alucard rounds on him, freezing at a pained hiss from Sypha. He gazes at her briefly, in anger and remorse and the worry twisting Trevor’s own heart. His voice is low when he looks up, a bright red flame burning in the depths of his eyes. “You wanted to stay? What for? For this? So I can see you maimed, so I can watch you die?”

“Hey!” Whatever’s turning Alucard inside out reaches him too, now, and he can’t shut up. As usual. “Nothing works by the fucking book, but at least we're all still here, alive—”

Alucard turns away, Sypha held tightly in his arms, pacing out of the building as fast as he can without jarring her. 

Trevor follows, staring up at the skies tinted in a deceptively peaceful blue. Shit. It all makes him dizzy. He breathes through his nose, begging the battle tension to drain from his body faster, wishing for the words he so wants to spew to lie under his tongue where they belong. We wanted to stay so that you wouldn’t be in that fucking carcass of a place all by yourself. Because we care. Because I—

Doesn’t matter. His fists are clenched as he follows, fast on Alucard’s heels.

~

“Will she be all right?” 

“Of course.”

Trevor watches Alucard, rushing to and fro. He’s inspected Sypha for injuries as soon as they reached the castle, finding a sprained ankle, but luckily not much else. “I’m not certain about the extent of injury to her head, though.” He speaks through gritted teeth, but lost that flare of anger which so made Trevor want to smack him over the jaw in their frenzy. 

Now, there is only relief. Trevor lifts his chin, watching Alucard carefully clean the scrapes on Sypha’s face, then bares her leg to be splinted and bandaged. She lies there on a working table-turned-bed, in the laboratory. Not once does he raise his gaze to Trevor’s.

“Do you need help?”

Alucard shakes his head.

“Look,” Trevor begins. His throat aches. Sypha opens her eyes, gazes at him for a moment before her features return to stillness. “I’m—”

“I have this, Trevor,” Alucard murmurs, bent over her. “Go clean yourself up.”

His tone is dry, his hands meticulous in wrapping a gauze around the splint.

Trevor sighs, guilt and worry warring within like serpents coiling to bite. He clenches and unclenches his fists, winces in pain, figures it’s best he makes himself scarce before he says something he might truly regret. There’s been enough of that going around lately. 

As such, he turns on his heel and slowly departs, aiming for a change of clothes and, considering the burning sensation he’s begun to feel in his arm, some doctoring of his own.

It feels wrong like this; he should be back there, holding her hand, doing something—but Alucard’s stone-cold demeanor, the set line of his jaw and the cast of blame on his features… he couldn’t bear it. Part of him is grateful to Alucard for sending him away.

Is he a coward, too, afterall?

‘What are you running to? Do you have a destination in mind?’ Sypha’s grandfather had once asked in the early days of their meeting; in another life, it feels, before he knew that what his heart needed was right there, before him.

Trevor reaches his chamber, an old chamber with a tall ceiling where the breeze of evening sends long sheer draperies fluttering. He goes over to a washing basin, fills it and stares at the water, feeling for all the world like an outcast more than ever before in his life.

~

The walls are chipped here, he now notices. This place is silent as a grave when it wants to be, especially, it seems, when he most needs it to be anything but. Alucard stares down at his burden, held in his arms. The lack of timber left the fireplace cold, and he hopes what he can offer will be enough. 

They were careless. They were ambushed, they were—how had he not sensed anything amiss? He’s been here for hours, thinking the same thoughts, buried in the same guilt. 

And Belmont… 

A meld of concern and pure vitriol rises through him. How the hell did the hunter not see it coming either? If nothing else, they always trusted in each other’s abilities, and this time it was… nearly not enough. And he’ll be damned but he lost all composure the moment he rushed down there and saw them, and if anything happens to her, to either of them, he doesn’t know what he’ll do. 

That’s probably what frightens him the most. 

And it's not until Sypha stirs, body tensing as she seeks a more convenient place to rest her head against his shoulder that Alucard remembers how the weight of her makes him dizzy, like before, all those times when a fleeting stare or touch sent her static right through him.

She brings a hand to his chest, staring up at him with long-lashed eyes, bleary and slow to focus. Her cheek is pressed to his collarbone. 

“I... fell asleep…”

“Don't worry about that,” Alucard smiles, boot propped against one leg of the couch opposite them, gently rocking them back and forth in the chair. “Sleep will aid the healing process.” 

“Mm…”

She's still out of it, then. “How does your leg feel?”

The swelling on its own gives a rather good indication. Sypha moves, winces in pain. “Hurts less than earlier, doesn't make me want to scream … as well as can be?”

“Good,” his fingers skim the curve of her scalp, over a hidden scar he discovered there one night, the shape of a ragged sickle moon. He never did ask her how she came by it, but now words clog his throat like trapped fledglings eager to soar. 

She inhales, sighs, an arm snaking lazily around his neck. “Adrian…”

“Yes,” Alucard frowns, unused to hearing those letters in that order from her mouth.

“... too warm.” Her skin is slightly damp against his.

“I know. But the pain relief will help, you'll see. Forgive me, Sypha.” It sounds vacuous to his own ears, his regret. Sypha curls up more into him, and all he wants to do is die.

“Silly. There is nothing to forgive,” she shakes her head, voice raspy and cracking. 

Of course she’d say this. And things could have gone so much worse today. His arm tightens around her. “This could have been avoided, if only we—”

Sypha lifts her head; his breath catches with the brief press of lips to his jaw. “Don’t stay upset with Trevor,” she says, then sleepily hides against his neck. Her messy hair tickles his chin, and he can still smell the soap on her hot skin from her bath this morning.

“I’m…” Alucard presses his eyes shut. “I’m not.” Another mistake, his own doing. His hand alights on her hip, settles there. “Can I tell you something?”

“Always.”

He sighs, the creaking motion of the rocking chair filling the silence for a moment. “I confess that I… don't yet know how to handle this.”

Sypha looks back at him, her eyes soft, lips slightly parted. “…this?”

Alucard's leg stops its languid motion of swaying them back and forth in the chair. He can't seem to bring the right order of words to this particular weave of feeling, the despair and the longing and relief; the blood. The truth of what they both are to him. "The two of you, close. Being here, living here.”

Sypha smiles. “Tell him that, too, will you?” 

“... I thought you were out cold at the time.” 

“I have a special sense…” she slurs, head falling heavier against him, “... for when you two argue…”

“Do you, now?” He needs no answer, and expects none will come anyway. She’s softened against him again, unconscious. 

~

Trevor fumbles with the roll, winces from the pure agony erupting in his arm and his abused fingers cramp so suddenly the bandage dressing drops from his hands. 

“Stupid idiot,” he grumbles, watching as it unrolls over the floor all the way to Zori the cat, who saunters through the space and sets to inspect it by way of paw, before raising his head to meow at Trevor.

“I'm glad someone agrees,” Trevor says, rubbing at his forehead. He's tired; more tired than he's been in a while.

“What… are you doing?”

He looks ahead and sees Alucard, leaning with his shoulder against the entrance to the laboratory.

“Oh, just talking to my friend here,” Trevor says. “What does it look like I'm doing, Alucard?” He’s avoided coming down here for as long as he could, but now it had become imperative he does something about this damn burn. “Apparently, one of those fuckers nicked me and since I'm rather attached to my limb, came here to do something about it.”

Alucard's face becomes alert. “Let me see.”

“It's, uh, fine,” Trevor says while the other nears him. “No need to fuss over this too, all right? You've got enough to worry about now with Sypha and I've mended myself before—”

“Let me see,” Alucard insists, now facing Trevor, who's still seated atop the long table. 

Trevor rolls his eyes but the pain has spread to his entire left arm, and it throbs, it pulses; he wipes the sweat beading on his forehead, gazing at Alucard, who patiently regards him in turn.

“Is this a staring contest?” Alucard deadpans. After another moment, he adds, “Sypha is resting. Will be, for some time yet.”

“Fine,” Trevor reaches for the fastenings of his shirt with his right hand, setting to undo them with moderate to no success.

The brush of fingers against his, warm and firm, stay his movement. The hunter stares up. His own hand drops in his lap, allowing Alucard to undo the first clasp at the base of his neck, then the next, following lower, and despite the pain something tightens inside him with each brief, clipped touch. Fucking ridiculous.

Finally done, Alucard helps him out of the fairly ruined shirt, careful with Trevor's arm and slowly taking hold of his wrist. His eyes dart to Trevor’s face when the hunter grits his teeth. He frowns, inspecting the raw wound carved into flesh.

“...What is it?”

"This needs cleaning and treatment.”

“Thought as much.”

“Come with me," Alucard instructs, releasing his wrist and turning away. He leads them to another corner of the laboratory.

“Sit.”

Trevor does so without complaint, exhausted, and does what he’s told. For all his growling and griping, Alucard is careful with these things, almost endearingly so. Soon his wound is cleaned and bandaged much better than he could ever do himself.  “Is this to be your life, now?” he asks late, worried by the deepening shades on Alucard’s drawn face.  

He receives a side-stare as the other returns utensils to their rightful place. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Making pancakes, patching us up after the heavier fights,” Trevor says. The burn has dulled significantly owed to the salve Alucard used on him. He feels a little dizzy, like his blood is sludgy and crawling through his veins. “Alucard…?”

“Easy now,” he hears, then realizes his forehead is pressed against Alucard, whose body seems to be the only thing between him and the floor. “You nearly fainted.”

“Umm… fuck's sake, sorry…” Maybe that’s why he can’t keep a coherent thought going. 

“Don’t be sorry, Trevor.” 

Right now he’s not much of anything, anymore. He wants to tell Alucard that, too, but his mouth will barely open. “Hell, Alucard… what did you give me… Don’t go… not finished…” Is he being carried somewhere? He’s likely never sounded as pitiful, but Trevor finds it nowhere within himself to care. 

“I’m not going anywhere,” comes Alucard’s voice, closer, along with a violent heartbeat thumping against Trevor’s ear. “Of that you can be certain.”

~

TBC

[tangerinecherrygal]

A Very Gwynriel Christmas

I felt like writing something for the holidays at the last possible minute. It’s very rushed so there might be some spelling errors. I hope you like it.

Part 1/2

Six months after their move to Vancouver, Gwyn wants to surprise her boyfriend, Azriel, by throwing a Christmas party with the old gang from Velaris.

AO3 link

Gwyn was on a mission. Her boyfriend, Azriel, would be home in a day and a half and she had left things to the last minute again. He was arriving back from the Congo after a month of studying bonobos. He always joked that he was the best ‘animal intelligence agent’ in the world. But Christmas was creeping up and Gwyn had no time to think about things that would make her miss him more.

A buzz sounded from the front door. Nesta and Emerie were back with the presents, no doubt. She still couldn’t believe that they made the trip all the way to Vancouver just to see her and Az. She sighed, looking at the abandoned cookie dough that had been taunting her for what felt like hours. She unlocked the door and waited.

“Maybe them being around will help me concentrate,” she said aloud.

The door swung open.

“Hello, hello,” Emerie chirped from behind a mountain of presents that she balanced in her arms. “are we the first ones back?”

Gwyn nodded. “I can’t get anything done.” She gestured to the boxes of decorations that watched them from the corner. “They mock me.”

“Always the drama queen,” Nesta said shutting the door behind her, “we’re back now, we’ll get it done.”

Gwyn released a shaky breath.

“Yeah,” Emerie chimed in, “and anyways, you’re a librarian, you’re used to organising.”

“That’s not quite how that works,” Gwyn smiled at her longtime friend. Suddenly, she felt that this could come together. Nesta was in charge of marinating the turkey and preparing all of the baked goods. She warned them to stay out of ‘her kitchen’ for the time being. Emerie helped Gwyn hang the lights along the wall and when they were done, they admired their work. Nesta had bought tiny hats to put on random objects in the house. While Gwyn and Emerie were busy, she made it her mission not to spare a single one. Even the Stitch, the alien, cookie jar now proudly donned a floppy stocking cap. The house had turned into a tiny two-bedroom Christmas wonderland.

All that was needed was the tree delivered, which was a task that Gwyn now regretted delegating to Cassian and Feyre. Lord knew that they had made dozens of unnecessary pitstops along the way. She put her head in her hands and groaned. It was getting late and all she wanted was to climb into bed and watch TV. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror was enough to confirm how badly she needed it.

Gwyn crept under her warm duvet to watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on her laptop. She doubted that Nesta and Emerie even noticed her leave with how preoccupied they were with cooking and decorating the fireplace respectively. Besides, they knew she was easily overwhelmed sometimes, they wouldn’t mind. She was proven correct when ten minutes later the door to her bedroom creaked and her friends came scampering in.

“Are you feeling alright Gwyn?” Emerie asked, sliding under the warm covers with Gwyn, “Oh-what season is this?”

“Season five, they’re fighting in Amsterdam,” Gwyn said, stifling a laugh. “And I’m tired, that’s all.”

“Aren’t they always fighting?” Nesta joined them and cuddled up to Emerie for warmth.

“That’s pretty much the whole show,” Emerie explained, “and I love it!”

Nesta watched the screen with big eyes as a violent brawl broke out over lunch.

10pm is when the doorbell finally rang, signalling Cassian and Feyre’s arrival. Gwyn was too tired to be upset. Nesta was passed out on the bed and Emerie was halfway there as well.

“Sorry we’re late,” Feyre said, coming inside with a handful of bags, “This couple were putting old boxes of decorations out and we had to stop and ask if we could have them.” Gwyn peeked into the bags. Nothing special.

“That took you five hours?”

“We also had dinner,” Cassian’s voice came from outside. Gwyn could see him trying to lug the tree across the lawn through the front window.

Feyre lowered her voice. “He got an endless number of gifts for Nesta. He’s crazy, he couldn’t decide what to get so he grabbed everything that he saw.” She glanced back at him to see if he could hear. “All for him to say that the original gift was perfect and make us go back to return everything.”

Gwyn mustered a weak smile but was too tired to hide her frustration.

“We should go help him before he breaks his back,” she sighed.

The grass was covered in an unusually thin layer of snow, making for a slippery trip. By the time they arrived indoors, Feyre was sporting a scraped knee and Cassian kept rubbing his lower back when he thought that nobody was looking.

Gwyn excused herself and told them that the tree could be decorated the next day. On Christmas Eve. Last minute. She did her nighttime routine absentmindedly. Moisturising her face, replacing her contacts with her glasses and brushing her teeth didn’t even register. The only thing keeping her from sleep was her message from Azriel. He would be on the plane now, but he always texted her on time. 11pm almost on the dot. First a long voice note explaining what happened that day and then the pictures from his trip that he didn’t send earlier. Tonight, she was treated to pictures of some flower’s native to the basin, sunsets, and landscape pictures. Her favourite was one of him pointing at a baby and mother bonobo a few feet ahead and looking back at the camera with a smile. Finally, his last message that always tugged at her heart.

Good night Gwynnie, I’ll be thinking of you all day.

[magicalyams]

People I want to get to know better

(Was tagged by @nabaath-areng, ty!!)

Last Song: Young at Heart by The Bluebells - Not at all my standard taste, but it is a fun listen. I'm slowly trawling my way though a long spotify playlist of Now! albums, and doing them in chronological order means I'm stuck in the 80s for a while and finding gems here and there.

Favorite Color: Orange. Gotta love that zesty little thing. Bright orange? Dark orange? I dont care I'm having a good time

Currently Watching: Interview with the Vampire. I'm two episodes off of finishing the new season and will get there..... eventually. I keep being sidelined by activities that need me to focus more. Also, if youtube videos count, a long list of vods of the card game GODGAME. It's good background noise but my lord do I have so many hours to catch up on.

Last Movie: Alien ...but without the first half of it. Dropped into a discord stream of it with a couple pals kinda late but I had fun anyway. I got to see the girls have fun and play with each other.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: Yes. I'm not pitting them against each other they all have their merits.

Relationship Status: Single

Current Obsessions: Monster Hunter. ough monster hunter..... I'm readying myself to grind MR Narga and I'm really not looking forward to it :')

Last Thing in my Search History: 'mh rise vortex extension' My incredibly exciting attempt at modding rise, right on display for all to see. How shameful.

Tagging: anyone who sees this and wants to do it. go nuts.

[leonbloder]

Down Front

When I was younger, I always bought General Admission tickets to almost every concert I attended because I was... well, younger.  

In my late teens and early twenties, I didn't mind not having a place to sit while I enjoyed a show, and I didn't mind getting into the middle of "mosh pits" or being nearly crushed against the barricade between the audience and the stage.  

But after decades of sitting in comfort in assigned seats far from the maddening crowd, I have recently taken to buying General Admission / Pit tickets again, and I'm loving it. 

To begin with, I can see better, which is important as one reaches a certain age.  I'm tall enough to see over most people, and when I wear boots to a show, I can add a couple of inches to my height.  

Secondly, believe it or not, it's not as loud in front of the stage. Almost all speakers aim to fill the amphitheater or arena with sound, making the area "down front" slightly less noisy. This is also suitable for older concert-goers like me. 

There is also an energy in the Pit area of a concert that can't be matched in the seats. And you can usually worm your way as close to the front as you want to be if you want to.  

Granted, there are some drawbacks to all of this as well.  Because I'm not as young as I used to be, I get tired of standing for several hours and need to stretch, and when I finally get home, I need to preemptively take some Advil for the inevitable after-concert aches and pains. 

But this is a good trade-off for the overall experience of being close to the action, seeing up close the artists' expressions as they perform, and occasionally catching a guitar pick, drum stick, or sweat-soaked towel from the band members. 

For the record, I tend to avoid the sweat-soaked towels.  

I've learned something about life by returning as part of the crowd "down front."  Sometimes, it is prudent to find a seat and take in the show from a distance; other times, you ought to be in front of the stage to mix it up. 

There are seasons in our lives when we need a broader perspective, which is challenging to attain when you are sweating it out amid the crowd.  Conversely,  there are seasons in our lives when we need to relinquish the comfort of distance and let ourselves be consumed by the joy of proximity to the "show." 

In my own context, I've watched church members in the various churches I've served live this out in practical terms.  

Some people spend their entire tenure as part of a faith community without getting involved. You'll see them one or two times a month in worship, but that is the sum total of their engagement.   

Essentially, they prefer to find a seat far from the stage and stay there.  

But many more find their way to the Pit, so to speak, and find places to serve, give of their time and talents, and step up when volunteers, leaders, and the like are needed.  They may have started in the seats but found their way down front when they knew it was right.  

The trick is to know when you need a break from the Pit and to find a seat for a while without giving up your desire to move back into the fray when you have the chance again.  

It's a balancing act necessary for us to stay energized, engaged, and in love with life.  

If you have felt that your distance from life's stage has kept you from experiencing all that life has to offer, it may be time to turn in your assigned seat for a general admission ticket.  You are never too old, young, or busy to discover ways to be fully alive.  

May you find your way to the Pit, once again.  And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever. Amen.  

[hausofmamadas]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee, bless us these gifts we are about to receive from thy bounty p sure I combined two separate prayers...? But tbh, I don't really fuck with the Father or the Son, just the Holy Ghost, so it works oh- *laughs nervously* what, sorry I didn't see you standing there. Oh, why? Why am I praying you might be wondering??????????????????????? BC GOOD GOTDAMN, I TRULY LOVE MIKA SO MUCH, SHE IS SUCH A RARITY IN FIC, AND I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT HER SO I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT HER EXTENSIVELY AND JUST THE WAY YOU'RE SO CORRECT TO MY HCs FOR HOW SHE THINKS AND HOW SHE CARRIES HERSELF. Like this was me raeding the whole thing, left and right:

LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY A SUPERHUMAN FEAT OF STRENGTH THE WAY I AM RESTRAINING MYSELF NOT TO QUOTE THIS FUCKKNGSIDJOF;OAJSD THING LINE FOR LINE FOLLOWED BY THROWING MY LAPTOP OFF THE BALCONY ALONG WITH MYSELF But bc I have no choice to be who I am and always have been, a few examples of Mika-specific correctness:

She planned on taking him out for the season after Kiki's passing, but he begged for her to keep him in. Now, as she watched him pour every ounce of grief into his swings, she wanted to kick herself for ever thinking of the idea. Somehow, the conscience inside his little body craved for something he hadn't realized he would need. An outlet.

Mika catches it and remarks, "He could be telling you that he thinks your goatee looks like a ferret on your chin and there you are, nodding and smiling like a doofus."

She's proud because she knows how hard he works at his job. Loop. She's angry because he's leaving for an entirely different country and that solid mass of reliance that she's had for the past four months is leaving with him. Loop.

But if there was anything else that kept her glued into one piece these days, it was rage.

Okayokayokay. We. have. to. talk. about. it. The Loop Thing ....... JESUS H CHRIST ON A FUCKINGSLDFJKA;LSDJ CRACKER. THE WAY I LEGIT DROPPED MY PACKET OF PAPERS, PUSHED MY CHAIR OUT FROM MY DESK AND GOT UP, EYES CLOSED, SHAKING MY HEAD. LIKE ELVIS OUTTA THAT BUILDING OKAYYY????????? Bc truly I live for that kind of shit, just literarily speaking, that kind of internal monologue is my bread and butter, primera y única, it never fails to slap for me.

But beyond that, the level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence of this woman. I don't know that many of the women get their due in shows like Narcos, but they certainly did her justice better than Connie and we see so many demonstrations of self-possession and emotional intelligence from her in her interactions with Jaime and Kiki, and you fucking nailed that shit, forreal you did and I'm just- I mean, I hope you're happy

Depth Over Distance

Prompt: Day 1 Of Narcoctober - Create a fanwork about a canon character you’ve never written about/used before

Characters: Mika Camarena x Brother!OC (Michael Luna)

CW: language, discussions of grief/death

WC: ~2.2K

A/N: Hiiii friends, my first Mika fic! Credit to @nocturnal-milk-dud for the pic above. Also, if you've read my IWBSS series, you're probably already familiar with my OC Michael Luna, who's actually Mika's older brother. Had so much fun writing their sibling dynamic and a little insight into how Michael winds up in Colombia. Hope you enjoy 💖

“Just the person I wanted to see.” 

“Michael!” Mika exclaimed in both surprise and excitement. It’d been a while since she’d seen her older brother, a steady presence in her life for as long as she could remember. His position as an agent for the Mexico Interpol field office kept him busy, but that wasn’t why he’d been keeping his distance. 

The two of them basked in their hug before taking a seat next to one another and looking out at the baseball practice field. The park may as well have been a second home for her with how often she was here for her oldest son’s practices and games. 

“How’ve you been? Work must be keeping you busy, mano.” 

Michael shrugged, “It’s never not, unfortunately.” 

She hummed in response. They were no strangers to sitting in silence, savoring how the quiet was an easier kind of forgiveness. Their relationship didn’t allow for conflict or discord. It was effortless even at its inception. Maybe it was the decade length of age difference, but Mika and Michael had never been the type of siblings to fight. 

“How’s he doing?” Michael asks, nudging his chin towards his oldest nephew.

“Better. He’s been putting a lot more power behind those swings,” Mika sighs, “I’m glad he has the outlet. He needs it.”

She had planned on taking him out for the season after Kiki’s passing, but he begged for her to keep him in. Now, as she watched him pour every ounce of grief into his swings, she wanted to kick herself for ever thinking of the idea. Somehow, the conscience inside his little body craved for something he hadn’t realized he would need. An outlet. 

Mika chuckles to herself, wishing she had one of those. Some kind of avenue to channel every emotion bouncing in the recesses of her heart and mind. But every second of every day was dedicated to making sure her boys would and could grow up without such a vital figure in their lives. Anything less than 100% was unacceptable to her. 

Michael coming to these games might’ve been the only adult interaction she got these days. Her life had become a precise routine, down to the hour, and she never veered from it, too afraid that the facade of togetherness would shatter with any detour. She clinged to the sense of normalcy and warmth she got from their bleacher seat conversations, even if they were of the most mundane topics. And mundane they were. 

Michael’s way of helping his little sister grieve was to simply not bring it up. She had more than enough people asking if she was alright, he figured. So he didn’t ask. He was patient with her and comforting during those moments when it all felt like too much and she needed a good cry. Otherwise, he carried on as usual. The first practice after Kiki’s funeral, Michael sat down next to her and started talking about some new television show he started watching called Murder, She Wrote and how he confused Angela Lansbury with Agatha Christie. 

It’s the first time she bursts into laughter since she became a widow. She calls him an idiot and explains that they are indeed two different people, though Angela had starred in a film based on Agatha’s novel. Later that week, she watches an episode of Murder, She Wrote so she can discuss the episode with him. 

Another week, he brings polvorones. He notices she’s losing weight and this is his silent way of getting her to recuperate her appetite. She’s never been able to resist the crumbly shortbread sweets and smiles to himself when she takes the bag from him and hogs them all to herself. 

Ever perceptive, she knows the intentions behind the gesture, but doesn’t acknowledge it beyond obnoxiously licking her fingers after finishing them all.

“What if I wanted more?” He jokes.

“Too bad.”

He holds his youngest nephew in his arms as Mika rounds up her oldest, adrenaline-drunk son. He should be dead tired after the lively game under this scorching sun, but his team won and he’s still amped up as they walk back to their cars.

Her youngest babbles in baby talk and Michael indulges by nodding his head, as if actually following along with whatever the infant is trying to convey. 

Mika catches it and remarks, “He could be telling you that he thinks your goatee looks like a ferret on your chin and there you are, nodding and smiling like a doofus.” 

He looks at his nephew, seemingly ignoring his little sister’s comical dig, “What do you think, sobrino? No más polvorones para tu madre, ¿bien?”  

Mika’s eyes widened, “Wait, nevermind. He said that’s a nice shirt you’re wearing today.”

All in all, she’s not sure she’d be keeping it together if not for her big brother. It’s only once a week that she usually sees him, but the other six days are filled with longing. It’s like she crawls desperately every day so that she can get to the day where she finally sees him. 

He’s been less present this past month. Skipping practices and games, leaving vague voicemails on her machine in the aftermath. When she does get to see him, he’s more withdrawn which is saying a lot coming from a man of so few words already. She doesn’t breach the topic. Namely, it’s because she’s got a lot going on as a young widow and mother, but also because Michael’s not the kind of person you cajole or nag on. He’ll come to you when he’s ready but will blow away like a leaf if you push him too hard.

It’s annoying, but again, they’re the kind of siblings who roll their eyes at each other, rather than fully air their grievances and argue. 

“I’ve got a job offer in Medellin, Colombia.” 

When she learns of Kiki’s death, it’s like the noxious feeling that takes over you when you jump out of a plane with no parachute. Your stomach doesn’t drop, but your senses are swiped from you. You can’t see because grief is like the air that blasts into your eyes. You can’t hear because your ears have just been violently assaulted with the worst news of your life. If you touch anything, it’s like you’re grasping nothingness because how else are your hands supposed to act when they know they’ll never touch their lover again? 

When Michael tells Mika he’s leaving, it’s more like a rollercoaster. There is a drop in her stomach. She feels nauseous. Her stomach roils in spirals.

With her husband’s death, it was a long, unidirectional descent that left her fractured in pieces when the news landed on her.

With her brother leaving, it’s like the sudden drops, the highs and lows, and loops of a rollercoaster.

She’s proud because she knows how hard he works at his job.

Loop.

She’s angry because he’s leaving for an entirely different country and that solid mass of reliance that she’s had for the past four months is leaving with him.

Loop.

She’s scared out of her mind because how is she supposed to function now that she’s realized he’s become a crux?

Another fucking loop.

She only nods when she finally digests the news enough to form a response.

But when he follows her home, something he hasn’t done before, she slaps him two steps into stepping into the house.

And then she goes to grab him an ice pack in short order, because shit she didn’t mean to do that even though it kinda felt good. He takes it and they sit on the couch together once the boys are in bed for the night. Michael hasn’t taken the ice pack to his face at all in the couple of hours since she slapped him. Finally, she takes it from his grasp and holds it in the hand that she striked across his face. All this time, it’s been sore and she presses the mostly water but still somewhat chilly pack onto it.

“That shit hurt, didn’t it?”

Mika laughs and laughs until the queasy feeling in her stomach is replaced by aches from the overuse of her accessory muscles in snickering loudly at his comment. She cackles even more as she notes the red hand print forming on his cheek, knowing that it probably hurt as much for him as it did for her. He’s just too fucking prideful and that’ll never change. 

Once her laughter finally leaves the room, Michael heaves a heavy sigh.

“I don’t have to leave for another month. And Christmas isn’t that far away when you think about so… I’ll be home, then.”

Christmas is six months away and she already struggles through the other six days of the week that she doesn't see him.

She could tell him not to go, but to her, that would be admitting weakness and he’s already the one person that doesn’t pity her or treats her with kid gloves. And she is feeling pretty weak right about now, and she knows that he knows it, but it’s different when you have to verbally admit that. 

She also tells him not to go because she knows that he’ll stay. 

When she was six, she watched a horror movie called El Monstruo resucitado even after the warnings from her parents not to. They were out having dinner with friends and only her and Michael were home. He comes out into the living room to see her cowering in the corner at the image of the disfigured creature who possessed the eponymous character. Sure, like any other sixteen year old brother would do, he laughed and teased her for being afraid of some dumb movie, but later that night, his face veers into resolute seriousness when she finally breaks and tearily begs for him to sleep at the foot of her bed so that the monster man doesn’t come to hurt her. 

His back feels like shit the next morning and he still continues teasing her when she gets in trouble from her parents for watching the movie, but she knows then that he would do anything he asked of her. 

She had a will right now, in the present day, not to break no matter how much the rope of her composure bent. And damn, did she want to break. 

But if there was anything else that kept her glued into one piece these days, it was rage. 

Rage at the ones responsible for her husband’s death. Rage at the existence of drug cartels. Rage that they wielded such strong enough power to rot out the heart of entire families. Leaving them in shades of gray and blue from the lack of oxygen and the rush of anguish and despair that came in to replace it from the air. 

The drug trade was as interconnected and intricate as the labyrinth webs that spiders spun. And their touch was just as covert and venomous. There were ties between the Guadalajara cartel and Medellin cartel that necessitated relationships between the law enforcement agencies trying to sever them. A man with Michael’s accomplishment and knowledge was the perfect person needed in Colombia as the cobwebs grew. 

If that led to the takedown of not only the men who murdered her beloved but also all the other scum just like him, then she opined that he absolutely needed to go. 

Michael knows that his little sister will stand on her own two feet and continue carrying herself, carrying her boys forward into this new, harrowing chapter of their lives. He doesn’t doubt for a second that they’ll be okay and he acknowledges as much when he says, “Do me a favor and make an individual tres leche just for me on Christmas. Don’t tell her I said that, but I hate when mamá puts all those mangos in it.”

And because that’s their “thing”, she jokes, “I’ll tell her and put extra mangos when I make it for you.” 

She’s not sure where she goes from here, but she’s got two young boys relying on her and a husband whose demise deserves retribution.

She leans on her brother as they watch an episode of Murder, She Wrote together while night blankets the sky outside. If there’s any source of strength that she can gain from what’s probably their last night of one-on-one bonding, she’s quick to cipher it for all of its worth. 

They’ve said “I love you” to each other maybe a handful of times in their lifetime. They don’t say it now. It doesn’t need to be said. 

She can’t see what the other end of the tunnel looks like. 

The light’s too dim and she’s all alone. But if she closes her eyes and listens closely enough, she can hear him, hear Michael’s voice. 

Where life takes her next, she’s gotta do it alone. But she knows he’ll always be the one to catch her before she falls. The one who protects her from monsters and demons, even the ones taking hold in her head.

Two thousand miles of space between them could never change that.

It was always depth over distance for them.

Click here if you want to be added to my taglist! Taglist: @asirensrage @narcosfandomdiscord

[angels17324]

Chance - Chapter 1

Prince Friedrich x Fem! Reader

Word Count: 1.4k

Genre: Fluff

Prev Masterlist Next

Another night yet another ball that (Y/n) attended in hopes of finding a Husband. (Y/n) being Lord (L/n)’s only daughter, she had all she could ever want in life and she was happy, the only thing she longed for now that she had been presented to the queen was a marriage built from love and not just who could give her the best life or how high she could climb the social ladder. Though her stepmother didn’t quite agree with that sentiment. She would say she only wants what’s best for her daughter and in her mind that would be someone with a title. 

This was her very first season she was excited to share her first season with Daphne who’d been named the seasons diamond after a slightly rocky start with Baron Burbrooke she seems to have found her love match with The Duke of Hastings and she was quite happy for her friend and now only hoped the same for herself no matter how long it took. 

Dressed in a blue gown that complimented her beauty she was dancing with a gentleman that appeared to have two left feet, for he stepped on her toes quite frequently though he didn’t seem to notice her wincing in pain each time it happened as he spoke only of himself. The end of the dance couldn’t come quickly enough, she thought. Though he asked for another she excused herself.  

“Was that as painful to watch as it was to be in?” The young woman asked as she approached Benedict Bridgerton. He was Daphne’s older brother and the two managed to become friends as well over their shared love of the arts. She knew Benedict would make a fine husband for any woman. She just didn’t feel that way for herself but she enjoyed his company regardless. However, in her mother’s eyes, he wouldn’t be good enough as a second son his brother would but she didn’t like him like that either and was almost sure Anthony would never marry.

“Even more so,” He chuckled at her and pushed his hair back.

“Then perhaps I’ll need a knight in shining armor to come to rescue me the next time he asks for a dance,” She joked slightly nudging him. 

“I am no knight, however, maybe a prince will come to rescue you~” he grinned at the young woman they had both heard the rumor of the Queen’s nephew, a Prince of Prussia coming to London for the season. 

“Oh-“ She was cut off as the room grew quiet around them and they turned their heads to see what had caused it. That was when she saw Prince Friedrich of Prussia being guided by his Aunt the Queen to meet the young ladies in attendance at the ball.

She watched as he greeted Cressida Cowper, the two girls weren’t exactly friends but they weren’t enemies either, they simply tolerated each other. She watched as Cressida attempted to charm the Prince; he kissed her hand and smiled at her before quickly moving on. 

“You’ll catch flies,” Benedict teasingly whispered in her ear with a sly grin. Her mouth had been slightly open as she watched the whole exchange between the two.   

“Not funny,” she glared at him. 

It seemed like hours but in truth, it was only a few minutes before Queen Charlotte brought Prince Friedrich over to the duo, though it seemed at that very same moment Benedict decided to wander off and she was left alone in front of the Queen and the Prince. 

“Miss (L/n), let me introduce you to my nephew,” Queen Charlotte beamed proudly showing off her nephew. (Y/n) curtsied but looked up and met his eyes. A bright blue that seemed to sparkle in the light of the ballroom. He stood a bit taller than her. They reminded her of the boy she had met when she was younger. Why was she thinking of that now?

Friedrich reached out and took her hand, though both their hands were gloved she could feel the heat radiating from him. He brought her hand up and kissed it gently, she hadn’t noticed he seemed to linger for a few moments longer than he had with any other lady and it felt familiar.

“It’s lovely to meet you Miss (L/n),” he said as he finally released her hand.

“You as well, your highness,” she smiled and could feel the heat rise to her cheeks.

“Might I also say you look beautiful tonight,”

 “Oh, thank you, your highness,” it took all the courage she could muster to not look away. 

“I guess you don’t have a bonnet to lose tonight or any trees to climb,” He tried to hide his slightly teasing remark behind his perfect smile. (Y/n) stood in slight shock and was unable to form any words. It was him, he’s the boy… well man now. 

“We must finish our rounds, Friedrich,” Charlotte spoke a bit confused by Friedrich’s comment, and guided Friedrich along with her. Friedrich was the Prince of Prussia! She felt like a fool still staring at him, however, he was still looking at her as well. The two didn’t break eye contact until Lord Jameson stepped in front of her. 

“May I have this dance?” Lord Jameson spoke and held his hand out. 

“Oh… Uhm yes,” she held out her hand with her dance card for him to sign and went to the dance floor for him at least he had been a slightly better dance partner than her last. However, she had been distracted glancing around the hall hoping to see the prince again.

Prince Friedrich had hoped to quickly finish meeting all the young ladies so he could get back Miss (L/n). He had met her when he had attended school in London many years ago. He had thought of the memories fondly on occasion, meeting her in the woods and when he saw her bonnet fly off and went to get it to return it to her, however, she had chased after it too. He saw her staring up at it, likely debating on how to get it down herself but he stepped up to retrieve it for her.

He occasionally snuck glances at the dance floor to see her with a much older gentleman she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself. He would have come to her rescue but he was currently occupied with his aunt. 

After a short while, he was able to sneak away from his aunt and look for Miss (L/n). She now appeared to be talking to the man he had seen her with when he first arrived. He took the chance to approach them. 

“You’re the worst Benedict,” She glared at the tall man next to her. Friedrich didn’t know who he was to her. 

“I didn’t do anything,” He noticed Friedrich approaching them and grinned mischievously. 

“Exactly my point,” Before the argument could continue Prince Friedrich cleared his throat. 

“Miss (L/n),” He said. 

“Yes?” The young woman turned to him and once she noticed it was the prince again she became a bit of a flustered mess. 

“May I have this dance?” He asked, holding his hand out. She nodded, unable to trust her voice, and took his hand. He led her to the dance floor. 

“It’s you,” She said once she found her voice again. 

He chuckled a bit at her, he wondered if she had thought about those days a lot too. 

“I didn’t know you were a prince…” She mumbled and tried to avoid his gaze. Remembering the ways she had spoken to him the first time they met, she had been a bit rude in her opinion. 

“I didn’t say I was, it's not your fault,” He smiled at her again he thought her nervousness was cute.

“I suppose you’re right,” She said, training her eyes on his shoulder where her hand rested. 

She took the chance to look up at his face and he was already looking at her. Her breath got caught in her throat as their eyes met again. She had to stop this; she never acted like this with anyone else! When the song came to an end neither was ready to separate but they had to so they reluctantly did. (Y/n) still didn’t know much about him but what she did know is she wanted to know more about him.

Next

[libraryofloveletters]

i cannot help myself. another fluffy friday request.

okay so this one is like, pre-relationship with our boy anthony. like the two of you have been friends for a while, but you both spend so much time together that it seems like you’re together? and you do actually like each other obviously.

so one day you’re just out promenading together and anthony asks if he can actually court you?

sorry more detailed than usual but this idea just came to me lol😂

we love us some Anthony so it's all good bestie :)) // category: pre-relationship

----

You and Anthony had been friends since childhood, your mothers were best friends as were yours fathers until Edmund’s passing. Regardless, your families still kept in contact, multiple dinners together and never a week without seeing each other. 

Anthony had been forced to grow up much quicker than expected, granted that he's only 2 years older than you. 

You were the only person that he hasn't managed to force away through it all. 

You stuck out the anger and pain the misfortune in which of how he became viscount ad you were the one constant other than his family that he could count on. 

More and more, he begun to realize that he liked you as more than friend. You were smart, beautiful and kind. You loved his family as your own and he did the same with yours. 

Last season, his focus was on Daphne and her marriage, which of course you were there for; but it was now time for him to find a wife and you fit the role of viscountess more than anyone he could think of. 

Anthony walked alongside you through the park, your families a few feet ahead on the two of you. “Do tell, any eligible gentlemen fighting over you as of yet?” he teases, nudging you with his shoulder. 

“None that I like. They are all rather lacklustre, do you not think so? No substance other than wanting my attention.” you hum, admiring the gardens. 

Anthony watches as you stopped to smell the flowers, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. He smiles at the sight, his heart fluttering. 

“Y/n.” he calls, making you turn to face him. He offers you his hand which you take and he helps you up. 

“Anthony.” you answer his call, facing the man. 

The two of you never used formalities, something that both of your mamas detested but it was how you two were. You’d known each other since you were children and now he was supposed to call you Miss y/n and he be Lord Bridgerton or the viscount ? You rather not. 

“May I say something ?” he asks, you nod. “You are the viscount, say what you wish.” you tease and the man smiles. 

“I am sure you are aware of my wishes to marry.” 

“I am.” 

“And how difficult it is been to find a suitable wife.” 

“Do say what you mean, Anthony. No need for hiding meanings.” 

“I wish to marry you.” He admits, catching you off guard but in actuality, your heart was beating a million miles an hour. 

“Anthony, I- do you wish to court me?” you ask the man, his hand still holding yours. 

“Yes.” he smiles, “If you allow me to do so.” 

You smile, giving his hand a squeeze. “I would like that.” 

[heliads]

Newt Masterlist

Alone Without You - When you're kidnapped by WCKD after Teresa betrayed your group in the Scorch, you can only hope that Newt will come to save you. Newt, who's been there for you since the start. Newt, who is infected with the Flare, and may not be able to protect you for much longer. Imagine

we both know what happened to you -  Ben is exiled. The Glade doesn’t take it well. Imagine

Teasing - Drabble

Not Realizing Newt Was Crushing On You Would Include.. Headcanons

Foxes and Hounds - Based on this request: “Bridgerton AU. Reader, the diamond of the season, is the Duchess of Hastings. She wants to marry someone who likes her and isn’t after her money. Newt needs to marry to save his family’s reputation because his sister Sonya was seen alone with her fiancé Lord Aris before they were engaged.” Bridgerton AU

wckd is good / part two - Based on this request: “modern day AU one-shot where Newt is Venom and the female reader is Spider-Woman.” Marvel AU

What You See - Based on this request: “mordern au!newt whos readers classmate and reader fell for him because of how cute he is and they sit next to each other in class and reader keeps catching newt staring at them and its because he wants to ask them out” Imagine

Overnight - Based on this request: “during bonfire night reader had too many drinks from Gally, accidentally confesses to Newt. Newt gets flustered but reader is too drunk to go back to their own hammock so Newt carries reader and end up sharing a hammock.” Imagine

Survivors - Maze Runner x Hunger Games Crossover

Looking Up - Maze Runner x Top Gun Crossover

What It’s Like - Based on this request: “newt x reader where they’re in an established relationship in the Glade and during a bonfire night the boys ask newt questions about what it’s like to date reader. newt answers with the utmost sweetness. Reader overhears and fluff ensues!” Imagine

there is no other version of this story - Minho may be protected in the Safe Haven, but he’s never felt more alone. Newt is growing to realize that he will never exist in the Glade without something driving him away from peace. It is difficult to miss the one you love when you are separated by time. Based on the quote ‘someone has to leave first. this is a very old story. there is no other version of this story.’ Minewt Oneshot

Monopoly at Midnight - Based on this request: “modern au newt x reader? the gladers are playing monopoly and it turns into an all-nighter because Minho refuses to let anyone stop. during it, reader, being sleep-deprived, confesses her feelings for newt. in the morning reader doesn't remember but newt does and he confronts her?” Modern AU

Waking, Dreaming - Based on this request: “Newt x fem reader. The characters are high school students. Y/N and her parents move because her father got a new job. She joins Thomas, Newt, Minho, Gally, Alby, Teresa, and Brenda’s friend group. Thomas and Minho are on the boys’ basketball team. Sonya and Harriet are on the girls’ soccer team. Thomas is the valedictorian.” Modern AU

And We Will Try Again - Thomas thinks that watching Newt die will be the worst day of his life, and it is. It’s still the worst when he wakes up just to have to live through it again, and again, and again. He may not understand the time loop, but Thomas does understand this: having to lose Newt so many times is going to kill him. Newtmas Time Loop AU

Trouble and Consequence -  Based on this request: “newt fic with prompts 3 17 25 (‘You know, for a jumpscare to work you have to actually be scary,’ 'From the bottom of my heart, what the fuck,’ and 'Tell me you love me. I need to hear it just the once.’)” Imagine

The Jacket - Based on this request: “Prompts 29 and 33 (’You can say what you want about how you look, but [character]’s jaw literally dropped when they saw you, so clearly something is working.’ and ‘Is that my jacket?’) with Newt from TMR” Imagine

Who Could Stay - Based on this request: “Robin Hood AU, Newt x fem reader. Ava Paige is King John. Janson is the sheriff of Nottingham. Reader is Robin Hood. Thomas, Minho, Gally, and Chuck are the Merry Men. Newt is Marian. He’s a nobleman who the reader falls in love with.” Robin Hood AU

Dating Newt Would Include... Headcanons

Trials of Love Potions - Based on this request: “maze runner AU with the gang at hogwarts! newt x reader where they're both in hufflepuff. in potions they have to make amortentia and they smell each other” Harry Potter AU

Monstrous - Based on this request: “Newt x reader? Y/n has powers like Scarlet Witch, she’s made by WCKD. She was thrown into the maze. She trusted Newt the most. They never knew about her powers until Newt was going to kill himself but he got saved by y/n?” Imagine

Stuck Together - Based on this request: “Newt and Reader don't get along, deep down they care about each other, however they do think that one hates the other. One day they get stuck alone and share a moment, Newt asks why she hates him and Newt kisses her.″ Imagine

Choices - Based on this request: “Newt x Reader where they meet at wicked and then she escapes with newt (who doesn't have the flare) and they get to the safe haven and then they get together” Imagine

Alive - Based on this request: “reader’s the one that runs to help Minho in the maze at night. When she comes back, Newt is furious, because he was SO worried that he would lose her; he starts scolding her, but in the middle of the argument he sobs on her shoulder because he thought he would never see her again." Imagine

A Matter of Confidence - Based on this request: “Newt (tmr) where he likes reader but doesn't know what to do about it or how to deal with his feelings. Then he sees reader with someone else and he gets super sad. She talks to him and he admits what's happening″ Imagine

Safe and Sound - Based on this request: “reader is the first girl in the Glade. Some of the boys there were disrespectful. Newt is the sweetest of them all and the one she grew most attached to. She's everything to him but he doesn't think his feelings are reciprocated." Imagine

All This Time - Based on this request: “Newt x Reader where they're in the glade and reader comes up and is the first girl and everyone's kinda shocked and all and then Newt slowly falls for her but soon reader catches feelings too” Imagine

Some Use - Based on this request: “Newt: The reader is introduced to Ava, and Ava takes a liking to the reader. She gives the reader “special treatment” but it’s just a plan to get information out of the gladers and to use her. Ava tries to use the reader a a test subject but the boys & teresa get there just in time. Imagine

How to Overcome - Based on this request: “Newt x reader in which she feels guilty over everyone they couldn't save and he comforts her? This is after they get out of the Maze or reach the Safe Haven. Newt is alive.” Imagine

Good For Now, Good Forever - Based on this request: “platonic newt & lesbian reader? just them being snarky smart dumbass friends together” Oneshot

Hope For The Best -  Based on this request: “Newt x Reader (TMR) // The reader gets the flare but so does her brother minho and newt panics” Imagine

Hoaxes and Hearts (Part One) (Part Two) (Part Three) - Based on this request: “AU one-shot where Maze Runner characters are in Shadow & Bone. The pairing is Newt x female reader. Minho is Alina Starkov. Thomas is Mal Oretsev. Y/N L/N is Kaz Brekker. Teresa is Inej Ghafa. Newt is Jesper Fahey. He is Y/N’s boyfriend and a member of the Crows. Gally is the Darkling. Brenda is Genya Safin.” Multi-Part Grishaverse AU

The New Girl - You’ve been able to rely on Newt being there for you since the day you stepped foot in the Glade. Just when you’re about to gather up your courage and tell him how you really feel, another girl shows up in the Box. Imagine

Men and Tea - Based on this request: “newt fic with her using the “I like my men like I like my tea” and everyone’s staring at her until she says “hot and British” and newt is just like “hey I’m British” and she’s like “yeah i know” and he’s all blushy, flustered and cute?” Imagine

The Sting of Avoidance - Based on this request: “Newt x reader: they’re together and instead of thomas st*bbing himself with the griever needle, she does it instead and he gets worried about her” Imagine

Midnight Reassurances - Based on this request: “newt lives AU where him and reader have always had a thing between them but aren’t sure where they stand. one night he asks her to stay the night with him because he has nightmares of cranking out and they confess to each other?” Imagine

In the Long Run - Based on this request: “An AU where Newt is immune to the Flare. Fem reader ended up in the Glade soon after Alby and Newt. She became a runner/ the third-in-command, and she and Newt started dating.” Imagine

Being Miss Misery - Based on this request: “a fic with newt based off mr perfectly fine by taylor swift” Imagine

Never Trust Your Friends - Y/N might have feelings for Newt, the newly arrived blond runner. Newt might have feelings for Y/N, the second in command who’s been in the Glade longer than anyone except Alby. When Minho and Alby assign them both to work together on a project, they’re sure it won’t end well. Imagine

Rainstorm - Y/N and Newt have been best friends ever since she arrived in the Glade. However, she might find that her feelings over the blond boy have changed, especially after the events of a rainy day. Imagine

Into Thin Air -  Newt doesn’t know what to think after Y/N disappears one night in the Scorch. She’s nowhere to be found, until a few weeks later she shows up with the girls from Group B. The only problem is that she can’t remember who Newt is, and all Newt can remember is how much he loves her. Imagine

Are You Happy With Him? -  Y/N is a Med-Jack in the Glade, who happens to be dating Gally. Newt happens to be completely in love with her, but he may have more of a chance with her than he’d first thought. Imagine