#I really wish we knew more about Louis’ father

[pynkhues]

Claudia's mother didn't die in the fire. She died in the childbirth and her father sent her to live with her abusive aunt in Storyville.

I do think that making her essentially an orphan in this way factors into her dynamic with Lestat too. Because neither of them had an experience of at all functional relationship between a birthing parent and a child. And there is a parallel of their birth hurting their mother in different ways.

You’re totally right, anon, sorry, it was a memory lapse and the heat speaking (Australia’s summer has come out swinging in the last few days), haha.

And yeah, that’s a really good point too about neither of them having had a functional relationship with a parent to draw on for their own interpersonal relationship. Hmm, you’re going to have me thinking about that one, haha.

[allywthsr]

FIRST SNOW | (l.norris)

summary: your toddlers first snow

wordcount: 1.9k words

pairing: dad!landonorris x fem!reader

warnings: kids

notes: I need dad Lando 🥹, what do you think about this?

advent calendar

It was the beginning of December and by some miracle, it snowed. Almost two years ago, you gave birth to your son, Louis, with Lando by your side. He was holding your hand, feeding you ice cubes when you wanted to eat and supported you in the best way possible during the long hours of Labour. Last year Louis was not even a year old and he was mostly sitting somewhere, playing with his toy cars that daddy had gifted him, from his last gp, so he didn’t really notice the white landscape last year, but this year was different.

This year, he woke you up with his hands banging on the big floor to ceiling window and blabbering the word: ’snow‘ continuously. He was a little rascal and knew how to focus the attention on him, but just like his father, he liked to be in the background and figure out stuff for himself.

So when Lando woke up and saw his son being fascinated by the snow, he knew he had to make it memorable. He shook you awake and you woke up, startled, ”Lando, what’s up?“

”It snowed! Louis is up and all excited, look at him.“

You propped yourself up on your elbow and looked at your little brown curly haired boy. From the beginning he was a Lando copy, there was no denying that he was his child. For a second you wondered if you he had anything from you, because he seemed like Lando, but as the time was running, he turned more into a mini you. He may look like Lando, but his personality was all you. When he didn’t get something he wanted, he had the same facial expression as you have, Lando knew that all to well, when he forgot your chocolate again or he didn’t take the trash out, as he promised.

”I can’t wait to clean the window again, just like last week. Why does your son always have to touch the windows like that?“

”My son?“

”When he‘s of doing mischievous things, he‘s yours“, you smiled at Lando. That obviously wasn’t true, you loved Louis no matter what he did.

”Louis, do you want to join mummy and me on the bed?“

With his naked little feet he waddled towards the bed and held his arms up, he wasn’t tall enough yet to climb up the bed, but he was trying. Lando quickly grabbed him under his arms and hoisted him on the mattress, he immediately laid down between you two.

”Can you believe he‘s almost two?“

”He grew up so fast.“

Louis was cuddling with Lando while everyone enjoyed the silence, he was laying on top of his daddy and snuggled closer to his chest, he was super clingy during the mornings, it was your favorite sight to see.

After a few minutes, Louis had enough and tried to get off of Lando, he carefully sat him down on the ground and he ran back to the window. With his fingers he pointed to the snow and kept saying ’go‘. With a sigh you both peeled out of the warm, comforting bed, you loved having a child, but sometimes you wished you could stay in bed until noon again.

”Let’s get you ready, shall we? Mummy can change into her winter clothes already“, he looked at you and waited for you to confirm that with a nod. You quickly did so and kissed Lando’s lips and Louis head, they disappeared in the hallway and you went to the en-suite bathroom to at least wash your face before you changed into some warm clothes. You could hear the giggles from your two boys even in the bedroom, you loved how happy Louis was, especially with Lando. He was his hero. Whenever you couldn’t join a race and stayed home, you were watching every session with Louis and he blabbered ’da da da da da da‘ on repeat. His words were still limited but he learned something new every day, just yesterday he learned how to fist-bump Lando, something both of them were proud of.

His first word, to no surprise, was ’car‘ but once he said it, the c turned into a d and now it was ’dar‘, no matter how hard you tried to get him to say it correctly again, it was no use. Lando was super happy his first word was car and he told it everyone, whether they wanted to hear it, or not. Everyone loved Louis, you had taken him to a few races, but only ones that were near to home and he was never put in the direct spotlight. It wasn’t like you hid him from the world, but he didn’t need to be photographed and put on the internet. He loved sitting in Lando’s ’dar‘ and playing around with Jon or Oscar, McLaren had organized an extra room only for Louis, so when stuff got too much and he needed time to calm down, he was able to do so, in his room. In there was a comfy couch, blankets, pillows and a lot of toys. They even put up a small ball-pit in the corner and Louis loved it, the balls were thrown around the room and smashed against each other. The whole grid was hypnotized whenever Louis was around, drivers came around just to see the little Lando and play with him for a while, giving you and Lando a small time out.

But back to where we were.

Lando came in to the bedroom with Louis on his hip, when you pulled your hoodie over your head.

”Can you put his jacket and stuff on? I want to get ready too.“

With a nod you opened your arms and Louis did the same, signaling he wants to be held by you. You two went to the entrance hall, where his jacket and his shoes were waiting for him, he wasn’t the biggest fan of getting dressed, but he endured it, probably too excited for the snow.

”Do you have your winter jacket?“, Lando screamed from your closet.

”Yes, baby!“

You pulled a hat on Louis's head and wrapped a scarf around his neck, before putting on gloves on his little hands. You did the same for yourself, so you were prepared for the cold that was about to hit you when you opened the door.

Lando came running down the stairs and stared at the sight in front of him, you sitting on the floor while your son is excitingly ’jumping‘ around, it wasn’t jumping, more like stomping his shoe-covered feet on the ground.

”Family, you ready?“, he said after putting on his jacket and shoes.

Louis was blabbering the word ’yes‘ over and over again, before lifting his arms towards Lando, indicating he wanted to be picked up.

”Do we want to just go out in the backyard or should we walk to my parents and ask for a sleigh? Maybe we can have breakfast with them.“

”Let’s go to your parents, baby, good idea. Louis, you ready to see nana and pops?“

He clapped his hands and put his head on Lando’s shoulder, Lando kissed him on his cheek and you opened the door. A wave of cold air blew you in the face, and you looked at Louis, who was looking confused.

”Is that cold sweetheart?“

Louis nodded and pointed to the ground where everything was white. Lando walked with him to the front yard, ”Do you want to go down?“, Louis clung to his daddy, ”I‘ll take that as a no.“

With a quiet giggle, Lando kissed his cheek once more, Louis was just as shy as Lando was as a kid, it was adorable.

”But Louis, look, it’s snow!“, you bend down and picked up some snow to show it to Louis, his small fingers slowly touched it. With his gloves on, he couldn’t notice the coldness, so Lando pulled off one of his gloves and he touched it again. Quickly he pulled his hand away, when he noticed how cold it was, he started blabbering with Lando, probably complaining about how cold it is.

Lando put on his glove again and put him down, Louis was walking around the front yard and Lando held out his hand, which Louis took.

Slowly you three made the way to Lando’s parents, who were living just a five-minute walk away from your house. You loved Lando with Louis, how gentle he was, how patient, was the five-minute walk, ten minutes longer because Louis couldn’t walk as fast? Yes. Did Lando annoy that? Absolutely not. Normally Lando was impatient, but he learned with Louis that he had to take things slow.

When you arrived at the house, Cisca opened the door and was excited to see you three, Louis was walking towards her, he was excited to see his grandma again. She lifted him on her hip and kissed both of you on the cheek as a greeting, together with Louis she walked to the living room, where Adam was sitting.

”The future Formula One racer!“, Adam opened his arms and Cisca was giving Louis to him. Louis was happy about that and kept talking to Adam, sure it sounded more like gibberish but he was getting better with the talking every day.

”We wanted to ask if we could borrow the sleigh and pull him across the backyard?“

”Of course honey, it’s in the shed somewhere.“

”I‘ll go look“, Lando got up and walked to the backyard.

Cisca started to talk with you about everything, when Louis ran to the window, ”da da!“.

”Yes, Daddy is outside, should we join him?“

He nodded and you opened the glass door, and he ran to Lando. Lando crouched down and opened his arms, in which Louis ran, lifting him up and holding him on his hip.

”That’s a sleigh, if you sit on it, we can pull you across here, what do you think?“

”Sleigh!“

”I think he likes the idea, Lando“, you giggled at your son's antics of pointing to different things that were covered in snow.

Lando put him on the sleigh, grabbed the handles, and carefully towed him through the white backyard. It was the sweetest thing, how Louis's face lit up when he felt the movements of the sleigh and saw it gliding over the snow, you couldn’t resist taking a few pictures and videos.

After two big rounds, Lando stopped to see if he had enough, but the shouts out of Louis‘ mouth with the word: ’more‘ showed that he definitely had not enough, so Lando kept pulling him through the snow, and with every round he grew more tired. He may be a high performance athlete, but pulling your almost two-year-old son on a sleigh through thick snow is still tiring.

So after three more rounds, Lando tried to distract Louis by building a snowman, which worked. At first, he was skeptical about why daddy was rolling around a ball of snow, but once Lando put the second ball on top of the first, Louis was sold. He helped rolling the third ball around and couldn’t stop laughing when Lando placed sticks as his arms, and little rock’s as his face, when Cisca brought a carrot outside, he was almost falling over how hard he was laughing and soon all of you were laughing at how much fun Louis had during his first snow. Oh, how you couldn’t wait for next year.

[leslutdepointedulac]

I was listening to the mamma mia soundtrack earlier and when slipping through my fingers played I thought of louis and lestat listening to it thinking of claudia. especially the lines: "the feeling that I'm losing her forever / and without really entering her world"... except they did lose her forever 😢

"do I really see what's in her mind/each time I think I'm close to knowing" loustat and claudia struggled to get on the same page

"when she's gone there's that odd melancholy feeling/and a sense of guilt I can't deny/what happened to those wonderful adventures?/the places I had planned for us to go/ well some of that we did but most we didn't" Like?! They miss her and feel guilty about making her. Loustat likely had things to do and see together.

"sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture/and save it from the funny tricks of time". Loustat wishing they could've pressed pause on those moments in New Orleans 😭

Feel free to ignore I just felt like telling someone 🫶

Hi!

Yes, yes and yes!! I completely see what you mean!

They did lose her forever and in more ways than one 😭 Of course there's the obvious, which is her death, but there's also the fact that both Louis and Lestat tried so hard to hold onto that image of their little girl. They lost her when she grew up and became aware of her situation and them trying to cling onto her childhood only pushed her away even more 😥 And re: 'and without really entering her world' specifically as well, they lost her in not being able to truly empathise with her situation, like, they couldn't enter her world, they couldn't know what it's like be be a prisoner in their own bodies. They as adults see a small girl and so they treat her as such despite knowing better. That whole pre-chorus is so reminiscent of Loustat's desperation to keep their little girl a little girl 🤧

Yeah! They had all that guilt for causing her suffering but there was nothing they could do about it, and even then, they would have done it all over again because they loved her too much not to. They might have changed how they did some things but ultimately they would choose to have her rather than not have her again and again. And had things been different, they may have visited different places together, at the very least I think they wished for it, even if it never happened for one reason or another.

And you're right, there are so many moments where Louis and Lestat wished they could've paused time, or found some way to capture it and keep it forever. Those first years together were so precious to them and that's what they try so hard to keep hold of further down the line. They were all in their own little world together and things seemed so tranquil, and as if they would be like this for good 🥲

I think those years at the beginning were so formative for all three of them in their own ways. Even later on after things went south, they were all growing and taking experiences from it with them through life. And I feel like it's a good thing to note as well, that even with all the mistakes Louis and Lestat made with Claudia, none of it diminished their love for her, or made it any less valid. They made some huge mistakes but I think they both took lessons from that to make sure it wouldn't happen again. I mean, take Lestat with Rose, he was a great father to her and I honestly believe he was as good with her as he was, because he learnt from the past and knew what went wrong before.

[birdyverdie]

Hiya! Just wanted to drop by and say hi and thanks for reaching out and saying hi on my silly little post about talking about DD :,)

I love seeing all the Paracelsus enjoyers, she is the best shrimp posture doctor. <3 Do you have any personal favourite/niche headcanons for her?

Also good luck with your exams! Are you studying medicine/biomedicine? (I did a few classes a few years ago, and kudos -- it's so much material, especially the anatomy classes.) Do you have a favourite class? :o

Hi hi! :D! I put the personal stuff under a read more because by GOD can I ramble </3

Of course! I always like saying hi to people I see in the Darkest Dungeon tag! I think your art is SO lovely too!! I adore the way you draw Dismas and Reynauld!! They're so shapely in your style <3 pair that up with a Bloodborne crossover?? you're spoiling us fans fr!!

I'm a Para enjoyer first and foremost because I relate with the thirst for random medical knowledge that Para has, and also her bird motif!! (She's bird-like in my heart and soul. And I'm a bird enjoyer <3)

I have a few stray headcanons for her, mostly everything is about her scope of practice because that's where my thought process tends to stray when I study. We know that she's named after the father of toxicology, so most of her study goes into figuring out external agents effects on the human body. Though, I like to imagine her to have side interest in hematology as well! Mixing blood with a bunch of other agents seems like something she would be interested at least. (Perhaps that's how she finds out about blood types...*cough* I've been thinking about writing a Paracelsus fic about this for literal months *cough*)

This is a personal thing of mine, but I refuse to believe that Paracelsus actually believed in Humorism. I mean, the first iteration of it was basically a glorified personality test, nay horoscopes! (Yes I know that knowledge was limited back then, but alas, I'd like to imagine her scope is more experimental than observational.)

So instead I headcanon her to--if not the progenitor of Germ Theory--then at least a constituent of it. I think she and Louis Pasteur would have really fun conversations about it.

Another stray headcanon I have is that she receives the equivalent of a newspaper subscription from historical medical practitioners/researchers. So her daily newspaper could be about Edward Jenner's vaccine studies or Ferdinand Cohn's endospores. I don't care that the two of them existed 100 years apart, if we can have a 7th century BC Roman Vestal and a 14th century Plague Doctor in the same room then I can have Edward Jenner and Andrew Wakefield ("vaccines cause autism" guy) duking it out in scientific papers that Paracelsus reads like a WWE match.

Thank you for the luck fellow science enjoyer! Are you also studying medicine :0!?

Thankfully, my exam period is finally over, so I'm taking it easy with recuperating with the post-exam burnout :P And I'm a health major with a nutrition minor, but with a program path towards perfusion! My far-future end goal is to become a surgeon, but due to life circumstances I'll have to settle for perfusion for the time being :P Which I don't mind at all! I think it's such an interesting field, and a hidden hero for many cardiac surgeries! I also really like learning about the circulatory system so I think it's a little perfect ehehe :D!

My favorite class is currently Anatomy & Physiology, I have a really good professor this year, but my god It's actually a lot more complex than I thought it was gonna be while walking in. I genuinely thought it was mostly memorizing like...the bones of the skeleton and perhaps the muscles or something like that. Nahhh it takes a lot of micrology concepts too ;; Which I don't mind! But some days I'm staring at some topics like the neuromuscular junction and wishing I never knew what acetylcholine was. Though some days I do wish to return to Medical Terminology, that class was what I imagined: simple.

Thank you so much for this ask!! It was lovely talking about it!!

[alarrytale]

Hi ziam here. I don’t believe either are dads. I’m just going to focus on Zayn right now since he’s the current topic of discusssion. His bbg was always a mess from the start, and there’s several things that would make me 🤨 if I knew nothing else about it. Gigi made the pregnancy announcement only 2 months after splitting up with her ex, Liam posted himself moonwalking to Billie Jean the day Gigi arrived in NYC to give birth, Gigi was posting ads for Zayns new album on her ig the same day she was supposedly in labor and giving birth. Zayns forgotten Khais real age on a number of occasions and sets unrealistic development goals on her like singing falsettos at age 3. Ziam is not as loud as Larry about their bbgs because they are just different people and both their bbgs were never setup to end from the beginning (unlike Louis’)

I don’t think either intend on ending things or ever have plans to come out, and that is why we see Zayn leaning hard into the daddy role. It’s all for their closet. I do wish people would research a bit more about them both before using Zayn as a metric for showing “good dad” behavior and comparing it to Louis as proof- and honestly that goes for any celebrity, lavender babies and bbgs are all over the industry and it’s a sad reality, some people are just better liars than others. Anyway, sorry for the long ask but Ziam shows more proof in their actions/reactions and clothing/tattoos (Zayn tattooing his whole body red is actually a big one for me) if you’re looking for it.

Hi, anon!

I'm not really interested in hearing arguments pro/against this and that when it comes to ziam. You can all believe what you want to. I don't want ziams fighting each other in my inbox. I'm more interested in the fandom dynamics and the different beliefs and narratives you ziams hold. I just find it super interesting that some think that they're not fathers, but they are lavender babies, and L and Z never plan to come out, while some are saying that every rainbow Liam posts is a scream from the closet, but that his kid is really his. It's totally opposite! Does that mean there are several fractions within fandom? Some of you are waiting for a coming out any day now, and some of you know they don't want to come out, ever?

[murfpersonalblog]

IWTV S2 - Pix11 clip makes me so sad for Claudia

As a New Yorker, I caught second-hand embarrassment watching the latest clip promoting Game of Thrones Ann [sic] Rice's Interview with a [sic] Vampire. 😭 But Jacob did his thing, as usual! 👏

Anyways, the clip itself was VERY interesting, from what I could tell with the audio + accents + French + lack of subtitles.

Sweet precious baby Louis, always the optimist in denial that things were getting better, not progressively worse. Louis of all people should know a thing or two about scar-tissue: some wounds only heal on the surface, but the trauma & PTSD can last forever.

I love how while Louis' waxing poetic about them "healing," Claudia's counting change (a la Bricktop 2.0--Louis "letting a woman count his money"); visibly holding back her frustration with their reality.

They had to pickpocket!? 😨 Louis! Don't stash Lestat's useless arse in a dump before making sure the alimony & child support checks get cleared! Like, I can understand them losing all their NOLA luggage while running from bombs & revenants in WWII Europe, but what happened to all Les' Parisian bank accounts!? You know how LOADED that guy is?! Louis, you really let your man take care of all the finances like that!? 💀

Jfc, Lou, The First Wives Club ain't teach you NOTHIN. 😒

Lemme calm down.

Now here's where the clip lost me; I couldn't understand a word he was saying in French--same, Claudia. 😅

But this bit right here really gets to the heart of the matter: "Truth and reconciliation;" them looking for the truth about vampiric origins & history (and the truth about Lestat's past).

Then we get this remark from Claudia:

I couldn't tell if this meant that A) Claudia was correcting Louis' French (Truth versus Trust, and her going "What?" cuz he got the translation wrong); or if B) Louis was correcting hers (her going "What?" cuz she still doesn't know any French). And if so, that got me wondering--Claudia lived with Loustat for 20+ years--how could she NOT know any French by then? 🤨

Like, I don't mean just through casual exposure/immersion; I mean cuz we learn in TVL that vampires are (preter)natural mimics. Lestat never learned how to play violin or even how to read or speak English. He picked it all up passively with the Dark Gift; a vampire who (barely) passed as human by mimicking them.

Which makes me NERVOUS for Claudia, if her powers are so dang low that she doesn't speak French by now. 😰

As for Louis, I had to laugh here; him calling French the "mother-tongue." Like, book!Louis was the same way about going to Paris--he wasn't born in America; he was a settler/colonist from France who got rich off of his Louisiana purchases in slave labor & plantations. Going to Paris really was going back to the motherland for him, and Louis was APPALLED when the Theatre mocked him for his French having an accent.

But French is clearly not AMC!Louis' native language (the DPDLs spoke English at home, NOT French--not even when Monsieur Bouillabaisse de Lioncourt came to dinner). And we also know from the OG pilot script that Louis knew (at least some) Haitian Creole, too, when he'd chat with Oncle Vervain Mayfair (GOD I wish they'd kept all that in!). French is more what bougie Creoles would speak to be cultured & educated & show off; not to converse with regularly.

If anything, French is more Louis & Claudia's father-tongue; from Lou's French White great-great grandfather; to the MIA Papa DPDL we never see; to Claudia's biological father "whose daddy gave her away to a mean old auntie" (and who left her for dead to die of PLAGUE in the books); to Absentee Father/Maker of the Year Lestat himself. What's more, French is the language of ANGER, VIOLENCE & verbal ABUSE in the de Lioncourt household/family/coven--Loustat only ever spoke it when arguing around/about Claudia.

So to have Louis talking in French to Claudia about mother-tongues is just hysterical, like boyyyyy if you don't stop--get Lestat's thumb out of your mouth for ONCE. 🤣

[mamasplat]

Hi, I'm new to your asks, and I just wanted to say that you True Serena True Run and Calem Run are my favorite things right now! I love them so much, I simply cannot wait to check out your blog.

I was just wondering if you still took writing requests?

If you do, I'd love to see a scene between Calem and his dad (we've already seen his mommy issues, now we need to see his daddy issues)

[also, a smidge of Kalosshipping with slowly creeping demi realization just for me? pretty please?]

Oh my god I’m so sorry it took me this long! But hey luckily for you we’re on the heels of a holiday that fills me with a grudge strong enough to kick my writers block aside for the sake of me venting my past frustrations through that reformed emo boy.

Calem doesn’t really have much in way of daddy issues, Louis is a great father! Catrina just does enough damage for two which he is trying to fix.

Quick notes!

You will notice Shauna is mentioned here, and while I’ve hardly brought it up I have given her and Calem a sense of solidarity while being total opposites. Shauna was seen in fanon (at least on wattpad) as an obstacle to a lot of die hard shippers and I lost track of how many comments I’ve spotted that label her along the lines of being a slut or whore. Much like I do regarding Magma Admin Courtney’s fanbase interpretations I take this into account and give Shauna the tragedy of girlhood: catty teenage gossip getting you ostracized at least a little.

I don’t get to explore it in this little oneshot but the idea of Shauna being a romcom obsessed girl and being the one to try and help Calem understand himself and his differences makes me feel very fuzzy inside.

more of a chekhov's gun to my kalosshiping stuff- it gets a solo upload outside of the main dabble collection. I do have one scene written out on my true kalos run based irl blog which is the scene where Calem would have his realization, or more accurately, Shauna calls him out on what’s happening- regarding his feelings towards Serena and how they’ve shifted in a way that’s entirely unfamiliar to him.

Sooo I could flesh that out into a full one! I already have a wip. Ya know…if you guys wanttt

◇─◇──◇─◇

The Combees and the Fletchling are Using Evasion Strategies (Hey That’s Banned in Tournament Scenes!)

◇─◇──◇─◇

Dad wasn’t always home, it used to be family trips.

Calem, mom, dad, the fresh snow of Anistar and Snowbelle.

It was mutually beneficial, dad’s ace needed cold climate somewhat regularly, mama’s Glaceon would never turn her nose up to the chilled breeze.

The only thing keeping them in the town of Vaniville was the deed to the house.

If not for the old time-y HOA they’d have the rights to do whatever they wished with the land as well.

It was his grandma’s, when she passed then it went to his mom, and one day it would be his.

And when the home is his to care for, he’s sure his parents will finally move to their snowy escape.

When his mother started to take his training seriously the house went on lockdown.

Hardly leaving, rigorous daily routines, not a moment to breathe.

It’s worth it, it'll all be worth it.

The abnormal cold of the yard in the summer, the mesmerizing mane of a neck that went far over the privacy fence, the rain created by the hose in his hand to get his father’s Aurorus prancing a ‘bout. Her trainer tending to his Hippowdon.

The neighbors always knew when Louis was home.

His mom never was one to talk to about feelings, let alone anything related to romance- it would earn him nothing but scorn for not having his full focus on his career. She wouldn’t let him be dulled by a pretty face.

Dad was easier to talk to, a lover boy in his own right who held no shame to brag about his teen years with Catrina and just how much Calem’s grandparents hated him.

His mom sounded like a much friendlier person when dad gushed about her. And maybe she was. He remembered his mom being much more caring when he was still too tiny to train. She means well, he thinks.

“You said if I needed to I could talk to you about anything, not as a parent but as an equal.” It’s never easy starting this kind of conversation, sitting there in one sided uncomfortable silence waiting to find the right stepping stones… “is that still true?”

“Of course, what’s up?” Casual, friendly, not uttered like a dog's command to speak. An easy flow.

He won’t turn away from the gentle giant of a fossil before him, not unless prompted at least. “When did you start like…..liking people..?” Stumbling far too vague to truly get his concern across.

“What do you mean? Like romantically because oh boy i-”

“Sexually.”

…and now the silence formed a new.

“Well, hormones are a natural thing.” His father reassures before he sees the full picture, “normally people start experimenting young, i think i was around 13 when i started getting into my own feelings. But I was a little younger than you now when I actually got physical.”

“And you know me and your mom were real sneaky back-”

And he already knows where he’s trying to lead the conversation, protection, finding the right person, all advice under the pretense that Calem’s interested in any of it.

“Gross.”

“Alright alright-”

He would rather die than learn any more about his parents sex life, his mom’s mom already said too much and nothing nice of it either.

“Look at glaceon and hippowdon, they like each other a whole bunch! They sneak around to keep us from getting onto them. And that’s all fine but-”

“They’re in the same egg group…” His words an unpleasant drone.

“Yup! And when they get too much alone time we have to call the professor to rehome the egg,” or they could’ve just given the egg to Calem- but his mom insists he isn’t ready for anything beyond his espurr. “it’s not their fault! But people can prevent that with condoms and birth control.”

“You know you could just get hippowdon neutered.”

His father chooses to ignore him. The same way he’d ignore his mom and the professor. He would not neuter his hippowdon out of a deep sense of dick sympathy-

“You have a major advantage because you can use modern advancements.” He expressed like some…weird car salesman for condoms.

“I mean like, I don't want to.”

“Don’t wanna what?”

He hears the amusement in his fathers voice and it makes things harder. He shuts off the hose much to the Ice type's confusion.

“Why don’t I feel this way?”

It’s a cutting tone, it’s a tone his wife spoke in. It gets him in gear. Turning his attention fully to the boy, crouched with dusty knees on the path of their front yard.

“Hey there’s no shame in it. What’s got you so worried about it?”

He lowers the hose, the fossil lowering her head sorrowfully.

“Why am I like this.”

Homeschooled since 3rd grade to be ran like a competitive race horse by his own mother. And even when he was in school he wasn’t well liked. His inflections didn’t come out right, his expressions didn’t seem natural, his smile only quirked at one side. Hiding behind teachers legs, under tables, trying to hide in closets to avoid eating lunch around others-

Louis tried, god he tried. While Catrina didn’t see reason to worry Louis did. Kids need friends- he got him into gymnastics for a few years, got a girl to go be his friend and got lucky enough that she’d stay around regardless of Calem’s lack of conversation.

It’s not enough to soothe the obvious.

“You’re just a little behind your peers, that makes you smart. You would not believe how many of my friends were teen dads.”

A different time back then, wild times where he and his ruthless wife ran the battle scene like a block party.

“I’m not behind, I’m not even there. I’m not in the race- whatever other stupid metaphor people use to avoid saying what they mean.”

He’s not a saint, but he’s not interested. He’s a guy- he had some guy friends and more so he had guys who picked him like a scab. He was best friends with a girl who had been randomly labeled as easy. He had a target on his back; the only difference now is that he’s learned to sneer at the crude comments and explicit suggestions.

Magazines, TV, videos, photos, online, physical media- sex sells and it’s all people expect of someone his age.

“You can’t rush love, son.”

Boots thudded with more weight as the conversation went, his movements and minuscule gestures quick and hasty. Not out of any aggression but rather to distract from the heavy weight in his stomach that made everything just a little too much.

“It’s not just sex. I’m not self conscious, I'm indifferent. Why does everyone think that.”

The words bark and crackle, frustration mounting and fracturing a stoic facade as his meaning is lost in translation time and time again. More like a blurt defense to his mother rather than a conversation with his father.

“Oh that’s not what I meant, I just mean…you can’t knock what you haven’t tried, Cal.”

His father’s words are laced in a low chuckle, earnest and kind. And it does nothing but salt a wound Calem can’t identify.

“You don’t get it. No one gets it.”

He’s only leaning into the stereotype, but maybe there’s a reason the stereotypes exist. Maybe hard headed teenagers are just some projection of adults who refuse to dig deeper into the uncomfortable truths of maturing, from adults who forget what it’s like to be young and confused.

The door shuts a little louder than he wanted. And his dad simply sighs. Shaking his head with a dulling smile.

He’s not mad, he’s just dejected.

◇─◇──◇─◇

[niall-ate-mynamee]

Please do a drabble where Niall is really tiny, and he’s at the library and he can’t reach a book and Harry helps him? Andddddd then they exchange numbers and BOOM 1 year later they become a couple? Thank youuuuuuu

note: i’ve taken a few inches off Niall’s actual height (5’8) just to make this drabble just that little bit more adorable :’)

but, i hope you like this, niallermybabe! this was fun to write :) if any of you were here in the first few years of my tumblr acc, you might remember how much i adored Narry, so i love writing their pairing! feel free to keep sending those prompts/drabbles! 💜

anyways, enjoy! :)

“Oh, come on,” 18 year old Niall Horan groaned as he tried to reach for the book he wanted. Niall was 5’4, he blamed his Irishness for that. He hated being small, he swears people in the street purposely bump into him and nearly knock him over. Even in his flat he couldn’t use the higher shelves without a stool. He hated it. And now, this library was just taunting him.

“You suck,” He huffed, glaring up at the shelf as if it was to blame. He didn’t like asking for help, it was embarrassing. His height was the bane of his life, it was the only thing he wished he could change about himself.

His mother had always called it “cute”, his father loved picking him up teasingly, and his older brother used to hold things above his head just to spite him. Fair to say, Niall wished he was taller. Especially now at 18, an adult for goodness sake, he needed to be able to do things for himself.

He sighed, looking around the area for any sort of stool he could sneakily use, before trying one last time to reach for the book, until a voice suddenly sounded from behind him. “You okay there, sir?” When Niall turned around, he froze, for there stood the most beautiful man he had ever seen with the curliest hair and cutest dimples as he grinned.

“H-hi…” He squeaked, immediately mentally berating himself. He felt the blood rush to his cheeks, and knew he was blushing furiously.

“Hi yourself,” The guy chuckled, “Do you need any help?”

“Um, I, uh…can’t reach…the book,” Niall stuttered, looking up at the shelf briefly before looking at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Which one were you after? I can give you a hand, if you want?” The guy asked, smiling fondly.

“Uh, it’s the uh, James Patterson ‘The Murder House’ one…up there…” He said, pointing out the book and watching as this earth angel easily grabbed the book, taking a quick glance at the cover before handing it to Niall, “Thank you so much!” Niall exclaimed, hugging the book close to his chest as he grinned up at the man.

“It’s no problem at all, sweetheart,” The guy replied, “I’m Harry, by the way. Harry Styles,” He introduced himself, holding out his hand.

“I’m Niall Horan, it’s nice to meet ya, Harry,” He grinned back, shaking Harry’s hand and feeling sparks immediately. Boy, he couldn’t wait to go home and call his mam about this man. Niall knew he was super attracted to this Harry…

“Do you work here?” Niall asked, curiously.

“Yeah! My best friend, Louis, got me the job last year. He works on the counter over there,” He pointed to a fluffy haired guy behind the counter, chatting away happily to a girl, “We work the same shifts since we car share, so it made sense,”

“That’s so cool!” Niall said, “I mean, getting to work with your best friend must be fun,” He giggled. Harry grinned at the sound, and Niall blushed once again.

“Yeah, it is pretty cool. Is this your first time here? I haven’t seen you in here before, and I never forget a face!” Harry asked, cocking his head slightly to the side, and Niall thought it was the most adorable thing he’s ever seen.

“I’ve just moved in down the street. Finally ‘flew the nest’ as my ma put it. She’s back in Ireland, but I always dreamed of living in London, so I found a job, found a cheap flat, and here I am!” He explained, waving one hand around, as he talked.

Harry laughed, “I like you, Niall. You’re cute,” Harry winked, and Niall felt like his knees would buckle any second, “Come, let me introduce you to Louis!”

With that, Harry took Niall’s hand and dragged him over to the counter and, that was the start of something very magical and very special for both Niall and Harry.

•••

One Year Later…

“Ni, babe, have you seen my phone?” Harry called up the stairs to his boyfriend of 6 months as he patted his pockets while turning his head side to side looking for the missing device.

There was silence for a moment before there was a chuckle and footsteps coming down the stairs, “You left it on the bedside table,” Niall smirked, holding the phone out for Harry to take. His boyfriend laughed and grabbed the phone, then took Niall’s hand and pulled him down the last step gently, pulling him close.

“This is why I kept you around,” Harry smirked back, leaning forwards and pressing his lips to his boyfriend’s.

“Hmm,” Niall hummed happily, “That the only reason?” The Irishman smirked, pulling back but keeping his arms around Harry’s neck.

Harry pressed his forehead to Niall’s, “Hm, maybe not the only reason…” He whispered, kissing him again before Niall pulled away.

“Come on, babe, we’ve got a lunch date with Louis and Liam, we don’t wanna be late again,” Niall laughed, moving his arms away from Harry’s neck and moving to grab Harry’s car keys.

“That was your fault last time! You were the one who insisted we stop off at the store!” Harry exclaimed, following Niall to the front door.

Niall turned around just as Harry was close enough so their bodies were pressed together. Harry grabbed Niall’s hands and they locked eyes. “I love you, Haz,” Niall whispered, biting his lip as he took in the face he adored so much.

“I love you more, Ni,” Harry replied just as quietly, looking at Niall’s lips before he tilted Niall’s chin up and pressed their lips together for a soft and loving kiss, “Thank you for saying yes,” Harry said softly, leaning their foreheads together once more.

“Thank you for making me the happiest I’ve ever been,” Niall replied, wrapping his arms around Harry’s waist and cuddling into him, closing his eyes and sighing softly as he felt Harry hold him tightly. He felt lips press against the top of his head and grinned happily.

A year ago, Niall was just a new kid in a big city, wanting a book from a small library, and who knew that he would meet his whole world there? He moved out of his small, one bed flat, a month into their relationship, and now lives in a two story, two bed house with the love of his life. What could be better! Niall adored Harry with everything in him, and he knew Harry felt the same.

They were two peas in a pod, two hearts combined into one, two souls connected forever. They were NiallandHarry, HarryandNiall, and nothing could break them apart.

Yes, Niall thought happily, This man is my forever.

well, there you go! :) sorry if it feels kinda rushed at the end, i already felt like it was getting a bit too long to be considered a drabble, so i didn’t wanna drone on! i hope you enjoyed it all the same!! it was so fun and cute to write, hahahah! 💜

as always, lemme know what you think!

p.s i realised i missed out the exchanging of phone numbers bit, im so sorry!! i hope it’s still good, tho!

[professionallydeadinside]

Heyo!! I’m gonna be participating in Bullet Train week so get ready for a mix of fanfics and fanart! I swear not all of them are gonna be this long idk why I had so many ideas for this prompt wkakdkdkdk

@bullettrainpromptweek

Day 1: Kidfic

——————————————

“Hi! You’re pretty! Wanna play with me and my brother?”

Back then, Yuichi didn’t fully know what the other boy was saying to him. He knew English well enough, but the way the other boy rushed out his entire sentence startled Yuichi enough where he could do nothing but blink in surprise.

This wasn’t the first time he’d seen the two boys and he knew a good amount about them. He knew the boys’ family was staying in the apartments near his own home and that, by how often he saw the two boys playing on the building's steps, he could also infer that both of the boys’ parents were out during the day. Yuichi could see them more often than not already playing by the time Yuichi’s father brought him to the park and still playing by the time Yuichi was told it was time to leave.

“Louis, I doubt he speaks English.” Louis’ brother stood a little behind with his arms crossed tightly. Yuichi had heard about him more than he had Louis. Particularly that he had snatched a teacher’s keys but was adamant he hadn’t used them.

“Sure he does! I’ve heard him talk to his old man before. You’re probably scaring him.” Louis jokingly elbowed at his brother, who seemed to actually growl in response.

“Me? You’re the one who just walked up and started yelling at him. Let’s just go, we can go to the shops or whatever.”

“The shops? Really? After they’ve put you on a big ‘keep out’ sign? Real smart, Francis. Let’s just stay and play here.”

“What? With the boy who can’t speak English?”

“H-hey.” Yuichi stuttered a bit, not knowing if getting in between the brothers’ argument was a good idea or not.

“I can talk. You just caught me off guard.”

Louis beamed, a stark contrast to Francis’ blatant look of contempt.

“Great! Let’s go to the shops!” Grabbing Yuichi’s hand, Louis tugged him up from his sitting position and pulled him in the direction Yuichi vaguely knew the shopping markets were.

“What the hell! You just said you didn’t want to!” Francis snapped.

“Language.” Yuichi replied. It was purely out of habit from hearing his own father say it in response to his colleagues swearing in front of Yuichi. But now Yuichi wished he hadn’t spoken, seeing how the look Francis shot him was down right murderous. Yuichi unconsciously scooched closer to Louis as the brothers led the way towards the back gate of the park.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Louis and Francis jumped at the sudden confrontation, both of them being much more used to going around undetected by adults. Yuichi, on the other hand, simply straightened up and turned around at the sound of his father’s voice.

“To the shops.” Yuichi replied. He felt a little embarrassed seeing how his father raised an eyebrow at that. Yuichi knew he was no doubt going to get a lecture about stranger danger when they got home.

“No you’re not. Stay here, okay?” Yuichi nodded and sheepishly turned to the brothers with a shrug. Louis frowned but didn’t press the matter. He went to pull Yuichi to the playground when Yuichi’s father spoke up again.

“You too, young man.” Yuichi and Louis watched as Yuichi’s father stopped Francis in the middle of his escape with a quick grab at the collar of the boy’s t-shirt. Francis whipped around, smacking his hand away.

“You’re not my dad.” Francis scowled. Yuichi’s father rolled his eyes.

“Still. I don’t want you wandering around without an adult. Stay here.”

Francis opened his mouth again to protest but was stopped with a sharp jab at his arm from Louis.

Disappointed, the three boys meandered to the swings. Yuichi sat down on one while Louis decided to sit on the ground. Francis leaned on the frame of the swingset.

“Why’d you stop me? We could’ve just ran.” Francis complained. Yuichi felt his life flash before his eyes considering what the talk at home would’ve been like if he had run from his father. He shuddered to think about it. He made a little noise of apology to Francis as Louis kept his eyes to the ground.

Suddenly, Louis picked up one of the many branches that scattered the playground and pointed it at Francis’ chest. He stood in a pose reminiscent of a fencer.

“En garde, Sir Diesel! It is I, Sir Thomas, and I’m here to defeat you!” Francis yelped and jumped back in surprise as Louis swung at him.

Catching on to what he was doing, Francis grinned, grabbing a stick from the ground like his brother. Except, unlike his brother, Francis made a point of also grabbing Yuichi. He pulled him close until Yuichi’s back was flush against Francis’ chest, his stick angled at Yuichi’s throat like one would angle a sword.

“You’ll have to kill me if you want to see the princess again, Sir Thomas!” Francis cackled.

After shaking off his initial surprise, Yuichi snickered and allowed himself to be pulled away by Francis up into the highest spire of the playground. Louis followed in hot pursuit, shouting as he followed.

“Come back here villain!” His voice sounded muffled as the other two disappeared into the tangled tubes of the playground.

It was cramped as always, Yuichi was sure even as a littler kid he had a hard time playing in them. The light shown through the colored walls as their breathing was amplified by its tight conditions. Twice they were nearly trapped in one of the dead ends.

“Take a left!” Francis said in a hushed whisper, he sheathed his stick in one of the belt loops of his shorts. Yuichi lagged behind for a bit but eventually caught up. He squinted his eyes as he and Francis made it back out into daylight.

A far away voice was heard, echoing through the system of tunnels. Louis sounded a lot further away than before.

Francis turned to see Louis looking baffled at a scarf fluttering in the wind like a flag, tied to the outside of one of the lower spires, not at all the spire Yuichi and Francis were in.

Francis looked at Yuichi with wide eyes who simply shrugged with a grin.

“Just wanted to keep the game up a little bit longer.” The other boy beamed at that. He gave Yuichi a light punch to his arm.

“You know, you aren’t that bad afterall.”

Before Yuichi would celebrate the other boy liking him, Francis noticed Louis was no longer at the lower spire. He could hear the sound of him making his way to the upper one. He quickly rearmed himself with his stick and pushed Yuichi onto one of the side ledges. He was ready as Louis appeared, clutching Yuichi’s scarf like the decapitated head of a warrior.

“Sir Thomas.” Francis smirked. “Nice of you to join us!”

He gave a warning swipe that Louis jumped away from.

“How unfortunate you’ll have to die.”

Not giving Louis the chance to give a comeback, Francis lunged. The crack of wood against wood was heard with each attack Louis was able to block. He brought down the sword once more and held it there, pushing down and feeling both sticks bow under the pressure.

“Surrender now Sir Thomas, and perhaps I’ll spare you.” Francis was nearly pushing Louis off balance.

“Never!” He growled.

“You got this Sir Thomas!” Louis turned to see Yuichi cheering him on with a shy smile. The sight seemed to power him on as with all of his strength, Louis flipped Francis off him. Francis’ stick flying out of his hand and sliding under the wall surrounding the spire. Yuichi heard as the stick hit the ground.

Francis looked around him. He only had two ways out, the one Louis was blocking or the slides behind him. He could also jump off the railing but getting another leg cast didn’t sound ideal. He stepped back more and more as Louis approached, stick sword keeping him from fighting back.

“Surely you’ll show mercy!” Francis had gotten onto the actual start of the slide and struggled a bit to keep from sliding down as the rubber slipped under his shoes. Louis kneeled down and set down his stick.

“Not to you, Diesel.”

With a grand flourish, Louis pushed his brother down the slide, feeling a little shock from the static that had collected. Yuichi ran to the banister to see Francis slide down and collapse onto the ground at the bottom.

“I've defeated the evil!” Louis slid down the slide as well, hopping over his brother to prevent crushing him. Yuichi decided to just take the stairs.

“Oh brave prince, you saved me!” Yuichi said in a pitched up voice.

“Now the prince and princess need to get married!” Yuichi turned to see Francis sitting up, brushing sand out of his short hair.

“You’re dead!” Louis protested.

“Shut up!” Francis dug in his pocket and produced a pink ribbon.

“I stole it from some girl.” He said, handing it to his brother. Noticing the look from Yuichi, he shrugged.

“What? She had another one.”

Using the ribbon, Louis wrapped a stand in ring around Yuichi’s finger.

“There!” He exclaimed, clearly proud of his work.

“Now, we’re basically married! All we have to do is have the wedding!” Yuichi felt his face get warm.

“Tomorrow.” Louis decided. Yuichi shook out of his daydream. “We need to get married tomorrow, then Francis can be our officiant. If not, then I don’t know if I’ll see you ever again.”

He grabbed the other boy’s hands and smiled. Yuichi could barely recognize his own voice when he agreed so quickly to the faux marriage. But with the way Louis’ smile widened, Yuichi was sure he would’ve agreed to anything the boy asked of him.

Francis laughed at how eager he was. He claimed he’d help make sure the wedding day was perfect.

The wedding day, unfortunately, never came to be.

A sudden rainstorm prevented Yuichi from attending his own “wedding”, despite his best efforts to get outside. His father refused to let him go out just to get sick. By the time the sun came back Yuichi came to a terrible realization. The family had moved out somewhere during the storm, leaving nothing behind except the ring of ribbon still wrapped around Yuichi’s finger and the lingering regret that Yuichi hadn’t talked to him sooner.

Yuichi grew up fine without Louis. Eventually even forgetting about him like most children did their first loves. That was, until the same boy Yuichi had fallen for popped back up in his life on a bullet train to Kyoto, now bearing the name Lemon. He thought by now his feelings would’ve faded, how surprised he was to find they had persisted throughout the years and had simply been masked over.

This brought Yuichi to his current situation, lying comfortably on a past love that he thought would just remain as such. Yuichi hadn't even noticed he was spacing out until Lemon waved a hand in front of his eyes.

“Yuichi? Nickel for your thoughts? Or, penny, I guess. You know, I always found it weird that it was a penny and not like, a dollar! If I wanted to know someone’s thoughts that badly I reckon I’d give them at least two quid. And if they didn’t tell I could always give them somethin’ else.” Lemon cracked his knuckles and winked. Yuichi smiled, readjusting to settle closer to Lemon’s shoulder.

“It’s nothing, dear.” Yuichi looped the ribbon he had insisted his father sew into the hem of his scarf around his fingers.

“Nothing at all.”

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Any info on Louise Sébastienne? I’d like to know more about her :3

You mean Danton’s second wife? In that case, good question, but unfortunately not one I think has very exciting answers… Louise left no written material behind, nor could I find any letters adressed to her. All that we really have are documents briefly mentioning her.

Louise was born in Paris on March 3 1776. Her parents were Marc-Antoine Gély (1751-18) and Marie-Jeanne Léger Revel (1759-1825). According to Claude-François-Étienne Dupin (1767-1828) De la Révolution à la restauration, au service des administrés (2015) by Gildas Dacre-Wright, Louise was the youngest of three daughters. At the time of her marriage with Danton, she lived with her parents on the second floor of 24 of Cour de Commerce, a floor above her future husband.

When going through Danton biographies in order to find any info on Louise, three claims regarding the nature of their union continuously showed up. The first was that Louise knew the Dantons before marrying Georges, some saying her father Marc-Antoine had gotten into contact with Danton’s father by frequenting the latter’s café (Danton (1914) by Louis Madelin, Danton (1935) by Hermann Wendel), others that she was Gabrielle’s friend (Danton (1978) by Normann Hampson, Danton (1987) by Frank Dwyer). The second claim was that it was Gabrielle who begged the two to marry as a last wish (Life of Danton (1906) by Augustus Henry Beesly, Danton (1978) by Normann Hampson,  Danton (1987) by Frank Dwyer and the third that Louise, being a religious person, was the one who asked for the ceremony to be officiated by a refractory priest (Danton (1914) by Louis Madelin, Danton (1978) by Normann Hampson, Life of Danton (1906) by Augustus Henry Beesly, Danton (1935) by Hermann Wendel). However, none of these could cite a primary source (or any source for that matter) for these claims, Augustus Henry Beesly going so far as to say ”There is a story that his first wife had recommended the marriage” and Norman Hampson that ”Gabrielle is said to have urged Louise Gély, a friend of the family and barely fifteen, to take care of her two boys. Louise is believed to have insisted, not merely on a religious marriage but on one celebrated by a priest who had refused to accept the revolutionary religious settlement.” So perhaps these are just apocryphal claims that hold themselves alive because no one bothers to check their origin properly.

Regardless, the marriage contract was passed on June 14 1793, in the presence of family members of the bride and groom. According to it, Louise received a dowry of 10 000 livres from her parents, along with 30 000 livres from Danton’s aunt Lenoir, to have if she was to survive her husband.

According to Danton, Mémoire sur sa vie privée (1865) Louise and Danton had a child together that died young, although I’ve not seen that claim repeated anywhere else… EDIT: it could be from Histoire de la Révolution française (1850) by Nicolas Villiaumé, who in his turn claimed to have gotten the story from Louise herself:

[After the arrest of Danton and Desmoulins] Lucile ran to Madame Danton to suggest that she come with her to go find Robespierre, ask him for an explanation, and recall the feelings of friendship which had attached him to their husbands. Madame Danton refused, saying that she wanted nothing from a man who had showed himself to be the enemy of her husband. (I obtained this particularity from Madame Danton herself, who was then pregnant. She gave birth fifteen days after Danton's death, but her child did not live.)

On July 10 1794 a register was signed, handing custody of Danton’s two surviving children over to their maternal grandfather. Louise did not sign this paper, but her father did (perhaps only men could do it?). It’s hard to tell if Louise had taken care of her step-sons up until that point (that’s the conclusion drawn in Life in Revolutionary France (2020) by Mette Harder) or if they were taken in by their grandparents immediately and this was just a formal thing. It would nevertheless appear like Louise kept up contacts with Danton’s family. The paper L’Éclair wrote in 1895 that ”a correspondence (which I’ve not found any trace of) attests that Danton’s second wife and her father were still in contact with Danton’s sons and sister-in-law during the second empire.” Louise’s second husband, Dupin, had known the family before they married, and the godfather of the couple’s first surviving child may have been Danton’s brother-in-law François Victor Charpentier. Similarily, in 1812, Charpentier’s wife Constance painted a portrait of Louise (”Baronne Dupin”). Danton’s sons, however, couldn’t even get Louise’s name right in a memoir written 1846:

In the course of this same year, 1793, we cannot indicate the precise time, he (Danton) married, as his second wife, mademoiselle Sophie (sic) Gély, who was still alive two years ago (we do not know if she has died since).

On July 13 1795, Louise was present for the removal of seals for Danton’s old house, playing the role of Danton’s attorney general. According to the protocol she had at this point moved to Arcis-sur-Aube, where Danton’s mother also lived.

Louise got remarried to Claude-François-Étienne Dupin, by then chief secretary of the department of Seine, in 1796. They had a religious wedding ceremony on May 9 and a civil one the day right after. According to Claude-François-Étienne Dupin… (2015) the ceremony was presided over by abbé de Keravenant, who had also been in charge of the one between Louise and Danton. Louise’s father, along with four others, were the only witnessses. Louis Madelin claimed in his Danton (1914) to have received letters from people who knew Louise as an old woman, telling him that she disliked talking about Danton after remarrying. 

The couple first settled down in Danton’s old apartment, but they would move around a lot in the years to come, starting two years later when they went to live at Rue du Théâtre français instead. Dupin, being appointed baron of the Empire in 1809, sometimes went on long missions, while Louise mostly stayed at home and gave birth to their children. In 1808 the family moved to Niort after Dupin was appointed there, whose Maternal Charity Society (whose goal it was ”to help poor women in childbirth, to provide for their needs and help with the breastfeeding of their children”) Louise became a member of in 1812. They moved back to Paris one year after that. Dupin died 1828 and Louise 28 years later, aged 80. Both were buried in the Montparnasse Cemetery.

Dupin and Louise had five children together, of which the two youngest lived to see adulthood, a girl, Camille Antoinette (born 1801) and a boy, Antoine Louis Gabriel (1804-1856). The latter married in 1832 and had a child fifteen years later, but after that his lineage seems to end. Camille on the other hand had a girl, Marie Bellot de Kergorre (1837-1884), who in her turn gave birth to the French author René de Laigue (1862-1942, who actually has his own wikipedia page). René had two daughters that died in 2002 and 2008 respectively. I can’t find any info on whether they had children or not, but if they did, it’s possible Louise still has descendants that are alive and kicking, and if not, she at least had not that long ago.

Since, as mentioned, Louise left no writings behind, I couldn’t find anything regarding the idea that she was a royalist, which is what’s claimed on wikipedia among other places.

[pynkhues]

Someone pointed out that even if lestat 'chose' to save Claudia at the trail and the coven put her in the coffin like they did to louis, who would get her out? And that is something I never actually thought about, like Armand just had no reason or motive to help her like he did Louis. And we don't know what was actually happening with Lestat at that time or if he would even be able to help. I know lestat usually makes impulsive decisions but maybe (outside of the fact that he was always going to save louis bc they are them) he knew he could make a deal? with armand later or was counting on his attachment to louis?

One more thing that is also devastating ab the whole situation is that even if Claudia got out safe she would have lost both madeleine AND louis...

All this to say I personally wish I was angrier at Lestat for making the choice he made but I just can't be. Plus I'm sure he feels angry enough with himself to make up for it jhjh

Yeah, I mean, it's kind of hard to tell given there's still so much we don't know about what was happening with Lestat before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the trial. We don't really know where his head was at, or how much he understood about Armand's attachment to Louis, or even the workings of the theatre or systems of punishment, especially given the company's moved out of Renaud's into this new venue, which is a choice I'm super, super curious about in general.

Thinking about who would save Claudia if he'd been able to have her banished too - - I don't know. It's interesting in that sense, because I think it does boil down a bit to how strong he actually thinks Claudia is by that point in the story. He seems throughout s1 to be very conscious of her weaknesses and vulnerabilities as a result of the age she was when she was turned, and he knows that she didn't have the strength to turn someone then because he knows how many times she tried to do it. What context that adds to Madeleine's presence at the trial is perhaps an interesting factor there too, because if Lestat realises that she's Louis' fledgling, not Claudia's, despite Madeleine declaring Claudia her coven, I could see that as underscoring the fact that Claudia's never going to have that type of vampiric strength. What that means for how Lestat feels in the moment about where to focus his energy and the odds of their survival both collectively and individually - - I don't know!

I can see it being a factor though, because I do think Lestat understands Claudia well enough to know that her strength is in strategising and ruthlessness, and they're well-beyond that point during the trial. I wrote this into my fic, haha, but I also think Lestat sees the claws-out-will-dig-himself-out-of-hell survivor in Louis, and even beyond the fact that, y'know, of course he'll always save him, I think he trusts him, despite everything, to survive in that moment, even if the distance (and perhaps his own grief) makes him less sure in '73.

That's not to say that I don't think Lestat thinks she would try, but I mean, I think Lestat meant it in s1 when he told her the vampires of the world would tear her apart because she's built like a bird. It might not be true - personally I think she's a survivor through and through, just like he and Louis both are, she's her fathers' daughter - but I think he believes it, no matter how much he talks about her strength in front of the coven in the brief flashback of the rehearsal.

So yeah! This isn't really answering your question, haha, but I do think there are still a lot of questions around the trial and what Lestat was thinking about all of it, which I do think we'll get some answers to in s3.

[random-delights]

Agate

Name: Agate

Age: 24

Bio: Nicknamed the Falcon of Brodia due to her speed and strike in battle with her sword, she is a dedicated captain of Brodia. She has the tendency to nap wherever she pleases due to her overexerted energy during battles and training, giving it her all. She calls Diamant “Didi” and will also grace you with a nickname without asking.

↓ More Info Below  ↓

Thank you @shellysaurus-rex for putting in all this work for providing the template!

Note: "Sparkles" is Agate's nickname for Alear :' )

Ally Notebook

Initial Page;

Initial Class: Swordmaster

Birthday: August 02

Basic Info: Known for her agility in battle, she is a strong captain of Brodia who takes great pride in her duty to Diamant and Alcryst. She joined the Divine Dragon’s army to fight for the same cause.

C Rank;

Likes: Woodcraft, Training, Games, Diamant & Alcryst (Brodian comrades too), Music, Her blanket, Loyalty

Dislikes: Being tired, Anyone who makes Alcryst cry, Fashion, Her older brother, Snooty people

B Rank;

Hobbies: Training and exercising

Talents: Carving wooden miniatures 

Background: Born in a small town in Brodia, she was raised by a family with a skilled father in woodcrafting. Her father suffered from an injury that required him to work less than he was capable of. It wasn’t until her older brother suddenly left their family to go on a trip alone exploring the world. This left Agate furious over her inconsiderate brother, and took it upon herself to take care of their parents. Learning that joining the Brodia army can provide the support for her parents, she took up her father’s sword and charged into the Brodian castle demanding a fight with Damiant, only to accidentally walk upon a small Alcryst (of course, sending him to a fit of sobbing that drew Damiant’s attention). Ever since then, she has become a loyal and diligent captain known as the Falcon of Brodia due to her agility and endurance.

A Rank;

Height: 5′5″

Ring Size: 7 | N 1/2

Personality: Dedicated to her role as a  captain of the Brodian army, she can be loud in personality and loves to take on challenges of all kinds. When her energy is spent, she knocks out into a nap, sometimes even on the spot. She is loyal and caring to her close comrades and is always there to look after them. Has napped the most in the army. 

Supports:

Alfred

Louis

Diamant

Alcryst

Citrinne

Lapis

Amber

Jade

Zelkov

Kagetsu

Goldmary

Fogado

Pandreo

Panette

Merrin

Seadall

Mauvier

Nel

Rafal

Lila (oc)

Battle Quotes

When Selected:

“Ready and willing” (Full Health)

“For Brodia” (Full Health)

“Send me forward!” (Medium Health)

“Let me at them!” (Low Health)

Critical Attack:

“I will cut you down.”

“This is your end!”

“Meet my blade with honour!”

“Pick your prayers.”

Defeated Enemy:

“That was disappointing.”

“Over so soon?”

“Time to nap, I guess.”

“What a privilege it’s been.”

“May we cross blades again in the afterlife.”

Ally Heals:

“T-thank you…”

“I will return the favour!”

“This is embarrassing…”

Emblem Engage:

“Emblem Engage!”

“Forward together!”

Post-Battle Exploration

Chapter-Specific: 

“Don’t let the nickname Falcon of Brodia stick too much…I don’t really like it, but it makes Diamant and Alcryst smile, so I can't complain.” (Chapter 8: Kingdom of Might)

“We should hurry, Divine One. I’m afraid of what will face us in Elusia…I have a bad feeling about this.” (Chapter 9: A Clash of Forces)

“I must remain by Diamant and Alcryst’s side…especially during this time.” (Chapter 10: The Fell Dragon Sombron)

“I know Brodia and Elusia have been at each other’s throats…but this…I would never wish this upon anyone.” (Chapter 19: The Dead Town)

Battle-Specific:

“What’s this? Afraid I’ve lost my edge? Nonsense. Put me back out there!” (Not Deployed)

“Is that all? We’re just getting started! Bring it on!” (Deployed Numerously)

Location-Specific: 

“I’m not one for traveling, that’s more of my useless brother’s type of gig, y’know. But I must admit…the views are great to take in.” (Default)

“Who knew all these colours existed? No wonder people from Firene are so happy.” (Florra Mill Town)

“See that pillar supporting that part of the bridge? I climbed that, but Diamant sent guards to bring me back. He was worrying too much, if you ask me.” (The Grand Crossing)

“Welcome to our home. Impressive, isn’t it?” (Brodia Castle)

“I wish I had my trust blanket with me, the winds here are brutal. ” (Fort on the Border)

“Every nation has its wonders, eh?” (Destinea Cathedral)

“Sparkles! A group of people over there let me join their singing. Come! You should join us!” (Oasis Village)

“This place is really cool, I wouldn’t mind living here. Wait, don’t tell Diamant I said that. Please.” (Solm Palace)

Somniel

In Somniel:

“My brother would have loved to visit here…hm? Oh, nevermind. It’s nothing important.” (Default)

“Sparkles-! Have you seen the weapons? Which one do you want? I can get it for you and we can spar!” (Plaza)

“I’m not picky on food, I will eat anything, even twigs. Citrinne sometimes worries about me because of it. She’s such a worrywart.” (Café Terrace)

“Want to join me, Sparkles? Water’s good!” (Pool)

“The fruit here is so good! Wait—what do you mean we’re not allowed to eat the fruit off the trees here?!” (Orchard)

“I never fish myself, but I do accompany Diamant and Alcryst from time to time. They sure love their fishing.” (Pond)

“Sparkles! Good timing, want to train together? This is the best time to do it!” (Training Yard)

“Did you know this is a great spot for napping? You should try it some time!” (Lookout Ridge)

“Huh? A gift? T-thank you…you made my day.” (Their Birthday)

“Happy Birthday! Hope you like this…I had a hard time choosing, because I wanted to give you so many things.” (Alear’s Birthday)

Gifts:

“Thanks?” (Disliked)

“How considerate of you, thank you.” (Liked)

“Can I really have this? Thank you, this means a lot to me.” (Favorite)

“I mean…some people would find this useful, but not me. Sorry. ” (Horse Manure)

Café Terrace:

“Welcome! I can try my best, but can’t guarantee the outcome. Eat at your own risk.” (On Duty Quote)

Arena:

Introduction;

“You dare challenge me? Bring it on.”

“Let’s see what you are worth.”

“Come at me with your best.”

Win;

“Already over? What a shame.”

Loss;

“How strange…I need to train harder.”

Wake-Up Events

C1:

“Sparkles, here I come! Too bad I napped before I came here, or else I would have joined you. You got a nice place for sleepin’. ”

“You look so comfortable…even though I just napped…I feel like dozing off. … . Hm? Oh, Sparkles, you’re up. I guess that means I shouldn’t nod off. Ah well, shall we head out?”

“I wonder if there is a way for me to nap here too-oh, hey! Hello sunshine! Hm? What was I talking about? Don’t worry. Let’s get a move on then, yeah?” (Waking Early)

C2:

“I can’t believe they made a napper like me come and wake you up, Sparkles. You look all comfortable and cozy there…hm. Let me see if I can squeeze on here too. This isn’t a bad spot for napping.”

“You’re awake? No, sh, go back to sleep! We can nap the whole day off. Okay, fine, fine, I suppose you have important duties to attend to.”

“Aw, you’re up. I was hoping we’d nap a bit longer together here. Alright, up we go.” (Waking Early)

B1:

“Operation New Nap Spot is a go! Let’s see, if I squeeze myself here, I won’t have to disturb your sleep, Sparkles.”

“Wow, this bed is really comfortable. Do I have to be a Divine Dragon to get myself one of these? Oh hey Sparkles, hello sunshine. Me? Don’t worry, I was just testing some things out. Let’s go.”

“A-Ah! Did I wake you? I will have to be more successful next time…alright, let’s go then. I will try to do better next time!” (Waking Early)

B2:

“Watching you sleep has been so peaceful, Sparkles. I find myself coming here too much. A little quiet doesn’t hurt…”

“Are you up sunshine? Don’t worry, I haven’t been waiting for long. Feel free to go back to sleep if you wish.”

“Hey Sparkles, sorry did my words wake you up? I will keep my thoughts to myself then. Let’s head out, yeah?” (Waking Early)

A1:

“I hope Sparkles doesn’t mind me bringing my own blanket. Let’s see, this should be enough to cover us both. Let me just climb up onto here…”

“... . Hm? Oh Sparkles, you woke me up this time instead of the other way around. Can we stay here for a few more minutes like this? Is that okay?”

“Sparkles! I was hoping I wouldn’t wake you…my plans are spoiled now. Ah well…let’s head out then.”  (Waking Early)

A2:

“Sparkles, it’s me. I couldn’t help but come here on my own accord. There’s something about you I can’t keep myself away from. Maybe I should take a thing or two from you…they way you are kind, thoughtful and caring. I wonder if I could ever be like you, Divine One...”

“Are you up? Welcome back. We’re in no rush, so take the time you need to fully wake up. I will be here if you ever need anything.”

“Ah, S-Sparkles, morning! Shall we get a move on?” (Waking Early)

[licncourt]

What are your thoughts about Louis' relationship with his sister in canon and in the human AU?

Okay for some reason this idea has been possessing me for like months straight so LET ME TELL YOU. It is no secret that I'm deeply attached to Louis' unnamed canon sister, so I've taken the opportunity to give them the relationship I always wanted in my human AU. (Just for clarity's sake, I call Louis' sister Annette, but I'm aware she's been named Grace in the AMC show. I'm very happy she finally has a "canon" name, but she'll always be Annette in my heart and in my fics.)

Canon:

Unfortunately we get VERY little about Unnamed Sister in IWTV so most of this is just head canons extrapolated from crumbs and my own wishful thinking

Louis and his sister are eighteen months apart in age and were extremely close as children

When Paul came along he was their parents' clear favorite, so Louis and Annette bonded quite a bit over being the "less desirable" children as the only girl and much less ideal boy

They both loved learning and spent a lot of time together reading books and applying their knowledge like little scholars, memorizing Shakespeare and Greek tragedies to recite back and forth, analyzing the great classics together, and collecting plants and feathers to identify with botany and ornithology books (sometimes they would sneak outside at night to search for the constellations)

When they got a bit older and Annette's schooling ended to focus on her instruction in "feminine areas", Louis would show her his schoolwork and do his best to teach her what he'd been taught (as well as he could for being a kid and having just learned it)

Annette was always the kindest to him and was headstrong enough to disregard whatever negative things she heard their parents say about Louis. Paul was never mean and he loved Louis, but he was the baby and favorite and some of what he heard from his parents colored his opinions

As teenagers, she started to wonder about his...sexual preferences, but even though as an 18th century Catholic she was worried for his soul, it didn't change her personal feelings for him. That's her brother and nothing would make her love him less. She never brought it up though, he would've lost his mind

Things got harder as they got older and were forced apart more and more by their respective roles. Louis in particular was kept busy, his father determined to whip him into shape and make him a proper heir and eventual master of the house. He didn't like the influence Louis and Annette had on one another, Louis distracting his sister from her place and purpose and Annette being too much of a feminine influence on her already not-terribly-masculine brother

This was about the time when Louis really got hit hard by his self-loathing and started to isolate himself from his sister even further of his own volition. He was convinced that his presence was bad for her and he should "protect her" from his evilness. She tried for years to stay close to him, but eventually backed off when it was clear having her too involved was just upsetting him more. They always cared for each other, but Louis kept her at an arm's length

Once her marriage prospects are secured to ease Louis' conscience and he's been freed from the shackles of heteronormative society to some degree, their relationship (like it does in the book) improved significantly. I suppose from there it's just book canon

Human AU:

So things aren't that different in my human AU, except their closeness isn't sabotaged by 18th century gender roles, but basically I just give them the sibling happy ending they deserved

Louis was the one who put the most effort into "raising" Annette. They weren't that far apart in age, but he did his best to compensate for their parents' distance and strictness. If she needed to be picked up from a party after too many beers or cry about a boy or get help with homework without being scolded for falling behind, Louis was there

In turn, she knew Louis was sensitive and their parents' disapproval is hard for him, which made her extra protective of him. She didn't get in trouble often herself, but it wasn't unusual for her snap back or try to intervene if their mom or dad was being hard on Louis or treating him badly.

When Louis was outed in a very unfortunate manner, she was the one to support him through the aftermath. She'd kind of assumed before, but she'd hoped he would want to tell her on his own someday

As adults, they remained each other's closest friends, though Annette left the church while Louis didn't. It was hard for her to watch him beat himself up and crush his sexuality down, but she did her best to support him as much as he would allow

Annette had been taken out of the will for leaving the church and pursuing her own life, but Louis ensured she was taken care of through his inheritance and got a cut of his real estate profits (if their parents could've disowned him as well they would've, but his head for business was too valuable). She is extremely spoiled and Louis' little princess

After Paul died and Louis went off the rails, she was obviously worried sick about him, but he pushed her away during that period of time "for her own good". She forced her way back in when Lestat came around, but even though she was technically glad that Louis was with someone he was actually into, she did not approve of the volatility of the relationship or what it did to his mental state (she felt like he was sabotoging his own happiness and punishing himself and she was right)

Things were better after the breakup and she was around to help him pick up the pieces and actually get his head on straight after a while. She was most of the reason he didn't wallow in an alcoholic depression stupor for God knows how long

She was very skeptical of Lestat when they got back together, but eventually came around. They became very good friends and share the same extroverted, spontaneous, cheerful personality. They definitely gang up on Louis

When she gets married, Louis throws her an absolute royal wedding and is bridezilla on her behalf. He's more invested in her day than he eventually is in his own. Her wedding is also his first "official" outing with Lestat in front of their extended family

When Louis and Lestat get married, she's Louis' maid of honor at the wedding and definitely takes him to a strip club (in cahoots with Daniel) for his bachelor party to torture him with go-go boys

Most of all, she ADORES Claudia and being an auntie. Her brother is finally happy and has the family she knew he always wanted but wouldn't let himself look for. Claudia is doted on plenty by her dads, but her aunt doesn't help the matter with all the gifts either

[1d1195]

Ding part 2.... SAMANTHA I AM IN SHAMBLES!!!!!!!😭 i don't know where to start!!!!

Knowing a bit on how Harry got into boxing broke my heart! Imagining little Harry feeling so misunderstood by his peers was so 💔and that mention of him not having a father figure 💔

But of course I LOVED how you described how he felt when first meeting/seeing cupcake! You know I love when your Harry's are just so far gone for the MC! Thought it was so cute that little interaction with him and Louis in the ring like 😭

But their little moment in the bakery😭 Him being so sleepy yet still wanting the comfort of her presence is just so adorable! Realistically yeah he's a stranger but who cares I think this is just so cute! and the cupcakes! She's so sweet( like all of your MCs) of course she would bake him cupcakes! and that call back to the first part was so perfect!

Was i a bit gagged that 2 MOTHS had passed? YEAH but im not mad about it lol Now my heart froze for a bit when she had a date! Now i knew this was like a distraction bc my girl is so gone for him too so I was not worried lol

Now the aftermath of the date... my heart BROKE for her! It genuinely made me feel so sad bc men are the absolute worse :( The way you depicted her showering and her feelings felt so real to me and hit close to home :( But i did not feel uncomfortable reading it so im okay! I just felt so much for Cupcake like I wanted to just hug her and comfort her so bad! And her blaming herself :( Those feelings are so hard to avoid and ugh I wish that anyone who has ever experienced this that it is not their fault at all! No matter how much our brain tries to convince us!

But the change to her interacting with harry after months was just so sweet! I was for sure smiling like an idiot from just how well their banter is! It didn't feel like so much time had passed between them at all and I love that for them!

NOW THAT CLIFHANGER BESTIE!!! I SCREAMED INTO MY PILLOW! I AM ITCHING TO FIND OUT HIS REACTION!! will she tell him the truth? SO MANY QUESTIONS! I ATE this up! I felt so immersed in their world while reading this! You did such an AMAZING job, but you always do that! I loved reading this! And the new layout is cute and so are your little notes at the beginning!

sorry for the late reply! This week has been so busy! But I hope you are enjoying your break so far!!!! Love you lots!-💜

AHAHAHAHA FULL NAME

I plan on adding on a little more about how Harry is a bit grumpy and frustrated. Always underestimated kind of thing. I don't usually describe Harry all that much because he's pretty much already described--or everyone just knows who I'm talking about. But I think he's mainly face claim, right? I feel like that's what most people do nowadays anyway.

I love to add a bit of 1D back into the mix when I can. I also LOVE to have him be so far gone for the MC. I do love my callbacks. I'm glad you feel that way about him being a stranger, I was getting kind of nervous he was being creepy--another reason I cooled Harry's heels and put a span of 2 months between them. I know that was a lot 😂

MEN ARE THE WORST. I'm so sorry it felt close to home; I'm glad you were able to read it without feeling uncomfortable. I don't want you to go into detail if you don't want to but I'm sorry you related to that. Nothing about that kind of situation is okay. I'm really sorry :( I always get so nervous when posting delicate storylines like that. I want the plot to move but not at the cost of making people uncomfortable. I think you'll REALLY like the next part in regards to blaming herself. I completely agree with your feelings. It's hard to ignore the way we feel and experience situations and it's easy for our brains to trick us.

Even though I put two months between them, I'm--as always--trying to sell that they just click; time and social norms be damned hehehehe I'm glad you liked their banter 💕

I know i said it just a second ago, but I really think you'll like the next part 😉 i think it will cover a lot of the questions you have.

AS ALWAYS please don't apologize. I'm sorry your week is already off to a tough start that on Tuesday it's already been so busy. I HATE weeks like that. I'm enjoying my break and love you lots too! 💕

xoxo

[hrh-the-royals]

Transcript:

Ashley: Hello and welcome to another day of Good Morning Royals! Today, we have the full panel out to discuss the most recent royal related news! We bring sad news and shocking news, let's start with the sad.

Ashley: This morning, Mt. Komorebi Palace announced the passing of King Dong-yul. the King had been in the hospital for over a month. he passed last night with his family around him.

Ashley: The family will observe their seven day mourning period. A service honoring the king will follow. His family, friends and head's of his patronages will be invited. This will also be shown live so the public can be apart.

Harper: It really is tragic, while a quiet Kingdom, the Queen's love for her husband is often spoken about.

Brian: King Dong-yul came from a family with influence and they've always served on under a Monarch. Without him, I fear the Queen will be in for a hard time. Men are favored and the she currently doesn't have support of the entire court.

Maxwell: Yes, without her husband or father, it will be hard for her. There is her son-in-law but it's queitly known that his family somewhat oppose the views of the Queen. I do wonder how thing's will develop from here.

Ashley: With that being said wish the Queen and people of Mt.Komorebi the best. Moving onto more shocking news, King Otto has released a statement that he will be stepping back and Crown Prince Luca will ascend the throne.

Anna: Once again…he's causing more trouble. I've been told that King Louis and Queen Josephine knew nothing about this. The palace has been caught flat-footed again.

Harper: I didn't expect this but I think King Otto is being sensible. He understands it's time to step down and let the next generation take the reigns. Brain: I understand the family will be upset but I agree.

Maxwell: I believe this is a mistake. Nothing can be done about Luca being Crown Prince but if he had any care for his family, he'd wait for his brother to take to the throne.

Harper: And how long would that be? King Louis is still young and fit. I doubt he will step down any time soon. King Otto is older and should be able to live his final days in peace.

Ashley: That is true, he has served his country for years. If he wants to step down, it shouldn't be an issue. What's done is done. We've reached our break! Tune back in after and join us for this discussion at Good Morning Royals.

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC #955

Only three teens lived in Walden at the present moment: Hannah, Rowan and Rowan’s cousin, Louis. 

Louis was a few years older than both of them; he would be going to college soon, and he couldn’t wait. He was a chill dude though, and Hannah got along with him well enough.

Hannah: “What was it like growing up in a town full of witches, and fairies and vampires? We didn’t have nearly as many supernaturals living in my hometown.”

Then again, it was a larger town than Walden. Most towns were larger than Walden.

Louis: “I only knew about the witches, really. Then I found out that I had a half-sister, uhhh, about 2 years ago? Even though she used to hang out at our place all the time, her being friends with Ellie and all. When the whole fairy thing came out I was, like, whoa! And doc Orwell, a vampire? Didn’t see that coming!”

Hannah could only imagine! She was glad she wouldn’t be singled out, and that in general people there were quite accepting of non-human Sims (or, to use the more accurate term, non-baseline human), but she still felt, well, like a weirdo at times. 

She wished her mom were there, a thought that was always accompanied by a pang of longing and loss.

Louis suggested they have a water balloon fight, which cheered her up some. Since they didn’t actually have any balloons on hand, Hannah improvised by raiding the box of condoms she knew her dad kept inside the nightstand.

The box had been unopened, she was glad to note.

In need of commiseration, Hannah confessed her woes to Louis. Part of her hoped an older guy like him would have some advice, particularly as his own father had caused trouble for the family. Louis’s father was dead though, and Hannah didn’t know all the details, but her friend’s heavy silence when the topic had come up told her it was still painful. She wouldn’t pry.

Louis: “Well, I dunno, maybe you’re overreacting a little? You said they were just hanging out...it’s not like he proposed to her!”

Hannah: “I saw the way he looks at her! He’s totally into her!”

Louis: “So, what do you want to do? Split them up?”

Hannah: “I just want to get him to see she’s not good for him!”

Louis: “Oh? Is she bitchy or gross?”

Hannah glowered at her lap; she was perfectly nice, which somehow made it worse! Miss Prim Book Lady, with her stupid hair and dumb clothes and, just....ugh!!!