#I want to see more of her expressing her empathy to others instead of just feeling it

[loz-the-noob]

Crying because I love Athena Cykes so damn much;-;

[meadowfics]

imposter

kang sae-byeok x smallbusinessowner!f!reader

you catch feelings for a girl who stole from you (dammit empathy)

you run a cozy little boutique that’s become your pride and joy.

it’s small but successful, bringing in enough to let you live comfortably.

you love the job with the regulars who visit your shop brighten your days.

however, you never expected your world to shift because of one quiet stranger.

the day she walks in, you notice her right away. she’s tall, lean, and moves with a kind of cautious grace that catches your attention.

she doesn’t say much, just browses the shelves, her sharp eyes scanning everything like she’s committing it to memory.

you smile at her, trying to make her feel welcome, but she doesn’t return it. instead, she nods briefly before turning back to the display.

something about her intrigues you, but you brush it off, focusing on other customers.

it isn’t until later, when you’re counting the day’s earnings, that you notice something’s wrong. you count the cash again, heart sinking as the realization hits you.

$1000 is missing.

you check the security cameras, and there she is. the quiet girl from earlier, her hand darting into the till while you were in the back.

your stomach twists, not with anger, but with confusion and disappointment.

the next day, you spot her near the boutique, standing by a food cart.

part of you wants to let it go, to just write it off and move on, but you can’t.

so you approach her, calling out softly. when she turns to face you, her expression hardens, her guard going up instantly.

“i think we need to talk,”

you say, keeping your voice calm.

she hesitates but doesn’t run. you gesture toward a nearby bench, and to your surprise, she follows. for a moment, there’s silence between you, her eyes darting around like she’s preparing for an escape.

finally, you ask,

“why did you take it?”

“i needed it.”

you don’t push, just wait. eventually, she sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly.

“shit.. it's for my brother… he’s all i have. we’ve been through a lot. north korea, the border, everything. i’ve been trying to keep us afloat, but it’s… it’s hard.”

her voice cracks just a little on the last word, and something in your chest aches.

you can tell she does not talk about this a lot.. holding back in some way.

you could be furious, you could demand the money back or threaten to call the police, but instead, you ask,

“why didn’t you just ask for help?”

“because no one helps people like us.”

“what if i could help you?”

“not with a handout, but with a job.”

“a job?”

you nod.

“i need someone to help out at the boutique. it’s honest work, and I will pay you more than enough for you to take care of your brother.. and yourself. you wouldn’t have to…”

you trail off, not wanting to say the word “steal.”

she stares at you.

“why would you do that? after what i did?”

“because i believe in second chances, somewhat”

“and because i can see how much you care about your brother. you’re doing everything you can for him, even if it’s not the morally right way.”

she doesn’t answer right away, her gaze dropping to her hands. for a long moment, the two of you sit in silence. then, finally, she nods.

“okay,” she says quietly.

“i’ll take the job.”

the first few weeks are tense. she’s reserved, her walls firmly in place, and you give her the space she needs.

she’s a quick learner, though, and her work ethic is undeniable. slowly but surely, she starts to open up, sharing small glimpses of her life.

you learn her name..sae byeok.. and about her brother, whom she adores more than anything.

the both of you are the only workers there, which is nice to sae byeok.. meaning that she does not have to be known as the one coworker who got the job by stealing.

one day, you catch her slightly smiling as she helps a customer pick out a scarf. its a young boy. she's smile is small, barely there, but it makes your heart swell.

"who is that?"

you smile, seeing sae bye looking a little happier with the boy than usual.

"that's my little brother, cheol."

she leans against one of the clothing racks.

she’s starting to trust you, you can tell.

when her brother gets sick a few months later, she shows up to work with red-rimmed eyes and an unsteady voice.

you don’t ask questions; instead, you tell her to take the day off and slide a little extra into her paycheck that week.

she tries to refuse when she noticed it on her paystubs, but you insist, and for the first time, she hugs you.

“thank you,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

“for everything.”

“you don’t have to thank me,”

“just promise me you’ll keep moving forward.”

and she does. little by little.

the boutique becomes more than just a job for her...it’s a place of stability, safety, and even joy.

sae believed that her life would have been filled with torture in order to get her brother out of the orphanage and in her care.

she still needs to get her mother out of north korea, which she is saving the money she is working for, slowly, for the broker.

weeks turn into months, you notice small changes in sae byeok.

the way her gaze lingers on you a little longer than necessary, the faint smile she gives when you laugh at something that really was not that funny

plus the way she quietly checks on you during slow moments in the shop.

sae is careful, guarded, but there’s something unmistakable in the way she looks at you now.

you try to ignore it at first, chalking it up to her growing comfort with you, but then you start noticing things about yourself.

for example, how the shop feels a little emptier on her days off, or how you find yourself looking forward to seeing her first thing in the morning.

when she’s gone, it feels like the air is missing something...a quiet, grounding presence that’s become more important than you realized.

one evening, as you’re closing up, sae lingers by the counter, her usual brisk goodnight slower than usual.

she hesitates, her hands brushing the fabric of her jacket, before finally saying,

“i.. i like working here. it’s different.”

you look up from the register, her words catching you off guard.

“different how?”

she shrugs, but there’s a softness in her expression.

“it feels… safe.”

your heart stumbles over itself at the quiet vulnerability in her voice.

“i’m glad,” you say, smiling at her.

“you deserve that reassurance, sae, and I am glad that I am giving it to you.”

for a moment, she just looks at you, like she’s trying to memorize the way you said her name.

she nods, mutters a quiet “goodnight,” and heads out the door.

you find yourself standing there long after she’s gone, the warmth of her presence lingering even in her absence.

when sae helps you restock shelves or rearrange displays, her hands brush against yours more often than coincidence can explain.

you tell yourself it’s nothing, but your heart betrays you every time she’s near.

one day, you’re alone in the shop during a rare quiet afternoon.

she’s organizing a rack of scarves, her focus entirely on the task at hand, and you find yourself watching her, the sunlight catching in her dark hair.

she looks so calm, so at peace.

“what?”

she asks, catching your gaze.

“nothing. you’re just… good at this.”

she raises an eyebrow, smirking slightly.

“folding scarves?”

“everything,” you admit softly, and the words slip out before you can stop them.

sae's hands still, and for a moment, you think you’ve said too much.

“you mean that?” she asks, her voice quiet, almost uncertain.

you nod, your throat suddenly dry.

“yeah, i do.”

“i think about you a lot,”

she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “even when i’m not here.”

your heart races at her words, a warmth spreading through your chest.

“me too,” you confess, the words coming easier than you expected.

“i miss you when you’re not around.”

for a moment, neither of you say anything.

slowly, she reaches out, her fingers brushing against yours in a hesitant, tender gesture. it’s small, but it feels like the most significant thing in the world.

you don’t pull away.

instead, you let your fingers curl around hers as you hug her in your embrace, happy that she is here with you.. and safe.

full series masterlist here

[saixria]

The ICHBW live stream animatic is hitting me hard hours after the fact I’m not a crier but I’m actually tearing up. Now I can fully articulate what I love about Athena’s part. Athena’s character came together so well I love it and I think the visuals combined with a day more of thinking + discussing with friends really helped me better understand everything. Those last 90 seconds of ICHBW was the BEST PART OF THE ENTIRE SHOW. Ridiculously long Athena character analysis under the cut which quickly devolves into thematic discussion lmao

First of all, the expressions they have on the animatic makes it abundantly clear that ody and Athena weren’t separated. HER SMILE!! HER LIGHTNING SCAR!! ODYSSEUS’ EXPRESSION SOFTENED TO A SMILE AFTER GETTING OUT OF QUICK THOUGHT!! Odysseus definitely pieced together what she did for her right then, there’s no other reason for Jorge to show Athena showing Odysseus that scar otherwise. It’s like they immediately slid back into place like puzzles pieces even after 10 years. They’ve been changed in completely opposite ways. Odysseus the mortal has been turned to be less human, more ruthless, while Athena the immortal goddess has been turned to be more human, more empathetic. The latter partially because of Odysseus. Tbh Athena ever showing her face to Odysseus after My Goodbye and saying “I can’t help but feel like I’ve led you astray” is as close to an apology as it’s gonna get LMAO. The unresolved WOTM melody in the end is actually because their story together hasn’t ended, it’s because Odysseus doesn’t have to be her warrior of the mind anymore.

I once said that open arms is more than mercy, but treating the world kindly to lead to kinder souls down the road, to change the world for the better, and it holds true even more now. Odysseus is too tired for this. He’s just a man, he knows a better world is possible but he can no longer be a part of it. He can’t witness the better world in his short mortal lifetime, he just wants his happy ending with his wife. He doesn’t want to be Athena’s warrior of the mind anymore, and that’s ok. And yet, and yet he knows it is possible. He needs it to be possible, and he needs Athena to make it possible. Athena accepts it with a soft “very well”. That doesn’t mean they won’t ever see each other again, just that they no longer have that obligation of mentor-student, they’re just two old friends. They can rebuild their relationship slowly but surely with what they have.

Telemachus is the Warrior of the Mind now (AHHHHHH HIS ATHENA CAPE AND HELMET I LOVE HIS UPGRADE). From here, Telemachus and Athena are gonna truly fulfill Athena’s mission of “making a greater tomorrow” except it isn’t to turn the world more logical and ruthless like she once thought, but to make the world more empathetic and kind — she’s finally found what she was fighting for. Perhaps this is why the WOTM melody in God Games ended with Legendary — Telemachus is the new warrior of the mind. Odysseus fought for a world where his son can be safe and grow up kind and he succeeded in that. Far from war, Telemachus grew up able to afford kindness and empathy while also retaining the ability to be ruthless in face of obstacles — and now he can use this to change the world to Athena’s new ideal — where people held each other with more empathy — as Athena’s new Warrior of the Mind.

Athena’s verse existing is a sign of her reconciliation with Odysseus (in character might I add! I don’t think they’re the type to express their affection so easily, they know each other so we’ll that they just know), so instead her verse is there to expand on the show’s theme as I will be talking about next.

I absolutely adore the depth Athena’s ICHBW verse adds to the thesis of the show. I’ve always thought of epic as mostly being about how it was best to strive for a balance between ruthlessness and open arms, but circumstances only allowed Odysseus to become ruthless which was tragic, while different circumstances allowed Telemachus to be both. But it’s not just that. Sure it’s good to have a balance between the two ideaologies but what if we could make a world where ruthlessness wasn’t needed at all? What if we could be unconditionally kind and be treated with kindness in return instead of taken advantage of or hurt? Where, when given the choice between open arms and ruthlessness, people would choose open arms? It wasn’t possible for these characters, but it could happen someday in the future. If Athena and Telemachus can work towards that future so can we. So should we, considering we’re in a much better place compared to them. A friend of mine said this was a call to action to us in the present and I just. Have not been able to stop thinking about it.

Athena has always thought in “maybes” about her purpose. from WOTM to My Goodbye we’ll be fine to ICHBW. “Maybe one day…” -> “One day you’ll…” -> “maybe if I…” -> “what if…” it’s like she’s representing the future, the “greater tomorrow” of what could be, because as Odysseus said, she’s immortal and she will live to see it and change it. Circe saga has something similar — “Maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road”, “maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer no more, or maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer more”. The connection of these hypotheticals “maybe one day” with a future world that could possibly be changed for the better by spreading kindness and open arms extends from Athena’s songs to There are Other Ways, one of the only times in the musical where, when Circe could choose between ruthlessness and mercy, she chose to show mercy and help them in hopes of spreading kindness to the world and making the world a slightly better place — aka a scenario that showed how unconditional kindness, “open arms”, could work, for kindness isn’t the inability to be cruel but choosing kindness even when you have the choice not to be. “Kindness is brave”, like Polites said.

Because of her immortality, Athena is the character who’s most connected to “time” in the musical with her time-related abilities like “time dive”, making people think quicker, having a domain essentially outside of time and space… She doesn’t just have a connection with the future but also the past. As someone who lives forever, she is the one who can connect the past, learning from past mistakes, to change the future: “To fall is to learn one way”.

Speaking of her connection to time, You can almost see that at one point Athena was the narrator of the story (see cut songs: full speed ahead demo and Ismarus) like Hamilton’s Burr: simultaneously an observer and a participant of the story. In the animatic of ICHBW she’s overseeing everything happening from her hour glass, wondering out loud from a meta perspective about the themes of the show, hypotheticals of what a different story, a different world could have looked like, and bringing everything to a close. It really feels like Athena is who’s gonna “live and tell their story” as per Hamilton, as always has been the case from burrthena narration days of Old Epic. She’s not just the bridge between the past and future but also between the story and the audience, by bringing up these themes on a meta level to directly tell the audience to make the world a kinder place, because we have the choice, unlike Odysseus who can only choose to accept his actions and move forward. Because she lives forever she can carry on their memories forever. She can keep telling their story over and over again to remind herself and others to change the world by showing empathy and open arms, and she will keep telling this story to us until ruthlessness is no longer needed in the world. The world where this is possible is not theirs but OURS. It is WE who have the chance to choose between ruthlessness and open arms and the show is telling us that, when we have this choice and aren’t forced to be ruthless, to always choose kindness and empathy. Like Circe, like Telemachus. So that we may impart some kindness unto the world and make it a better place.

“Maybe one day we’ll reach them and we’ll make a greater tomorrow then they’ll see I know we’ll change the world cuz we are the warriors of the mind!” — yes, they have reached us. We are all also warriors of the mind, doing our part to change the world for the better, to be kinder.

To me, one part of Athena’s character that’s never clicked for me was her motivation in WOTM. “Make a greater tomorrow” “we’ll change the world” why? How? What’s the point of including this in her song when it’s never come back up again? Now with the ICHBW verse, everything is tied up with a beautiful ribbon. She has always wanted to change the world for the better, and now she’s finally found out how — to spread empathy and Open Arms — and it’s inspired by the desire to help her friends, to prevent what happened to Odysseus from happening again, honoring him, just as how Odysseus tried to embrace Open Arms to honor his dead friends’ memories.

All in all, I’ve grown to genuinely really really like Athena’s verse in ICHBW. It’s so short but so effective at conveying so much. I hope that made sense bc it’s more a compilation of thoughts I had rather than a structured essay. Perhaps one day I will restructure this into a proper essay but not today for after all I’m- *gets shot

[merrysithmas]

Charles' line "There's so much more to you than you know" has always struck me because it's SO easy for Charles to come off unlikeable-

"There's so much more to you than you know" (But I do)

"What do you know about me? - Everything." (Whether you like it or not)

"I know what this means to you but you have to let go!" (Stop this nonsense)

"There's a mutant here already! [Exposing Hank]"

"I don't want your pain. They sent back the wrong man [To Logan]"

"I've seen what Shaw did to you"

"I feel your agony [After Nina died]"

"[Jean expresses no one knows how it feels to be tormented telepathically] Oh but I do."

Like on a base level what he communicates is such an invasion of privacy and instantly gets the hackles up because it's not natural. He can sound, at first glance, self-important and even dismissive (Erik at one point calls him 'arrogant'). Charles' telepathy gift is so alienating. He knows people's most personal thoughts, feelings, dreams, and nightmares. Seeing into someone's soul is as simple as breathing and second nature to him -- and he knows how repulsive this must be (see: how profusely he apologized for outting Hank. This speaks to a past/youth where he clearly unintentionally shared the secrets of others or caused trouble with his abilities and disturbed the people around him or endangered himself/others).

But Charles can't help his powers in the same way that Rogue can't - actually, Charles' abilities could easily been seen in some regards as the psychic equivalent to Rogue's physical gift. She can't touch ANYONE without hurting them in some manner, she is dangerous in some regard. And it's the same thing with Charles -- wherever his mind goes he exposes and hurts people. It's a side effect of his powers.

But unlike Rogue, Charles can't wear gloves. He can try to keep up psychic shields (which hurt HIM), or he can promise Raven he'll never read her mind, but he can't ever lessen his gift. He can't be perfect but he has to try. He can't or he'll be hated, despised, and feared. Rogue and he share a similar distress. Rogue suffers from touch-starvation but has to deal or she'll be seen as a monster. Charles suffers from the same kind of thing is a psychic way - he has to block his abilities or be seen as arrogant, invasive, and holier-than-thou. He has to starve his mind and powers.

So that's why it's sooooo touching that he tries SO hard to do good with it despite all that. Especially as he grows as a person and sees how powerful he can be with appendages like Cerebro. He ALWAYS makes an effort to clarify his knowledge of someone's mind with encouragement, love, understanding, and hope.

He can't help reading someone's mind but he CAN help how they react to it or how they feel about what's been exposed and the constant effort he exerts to express empathy, kindness, and aid is a testament to how hard he works to do good with his mutation. He frankly just doesn't have to do that. He could be like Emma Frost or Jean Grey or Psylocke. They know your thoughts, they use telepathy, and it's as simple as that.

Charles feels people's pain so ardently, sees their struggles so clearly, that it literally torments him not to help. How can he see that and just walk away? Innermost pain and secrets are revealed to him by nature -- he could ignore it, exploit it, or use it maliciously. Instead he takes the information and tries to help (surely in part to make up for how sensitive the invasion is).

"There's so much more to you than you know" (But one day you'll be more powerful than me. Don't get lost, keep going, you have so much more to remember and you aren't just made up of this pain that is so so heavy for you. This is not all that you are, I've seen what you forgot, I promise it's still there. You're still a person. Hold on).

"What do you know about me? - Everything" (I have seen your whole mind - the good and the bad - and still I came out here to ask you to stay. Because nothing in there scares me and in fact it gives me hope. I need you. We could do something great together.)

"I know what this means to you but you have to let go!" (They'll succeed in killing you if you let them. You deserve better)

"There's a mutant already here!" (Thank god! And you're incredible!)

"I don't want your pain. They sent back the wrong man." (Proceeds to cry at Logan's life and is amazed at his strength, you poor poor man. Is inspired to keep going from Logan's strength).

"I've seen what Shaw did to you." (Shaw did it to you. It's not a shameful secret and you aren't Frankenstein's Monster. It won't stop me from seeing who you really are. You're free).

"I feel your agony." (Come back to us. I can help you. You're not alone. You never had to leave. You still have a family. Grieve with us.)

"Oh but I do" (I survived. So will you. I didn't have help and I also had parents who didn't love me. I won't let that happen to you or leave you alone. I promise. You can sleep. You're safe. I'll protect you.)

[wandamaximoffsbadgirl]

Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?

Is it a Wonder I broke? (1)

Wandanat x human pet!fem!reader

Summary: Wanda and Natasha have been looking for a pet for some time, but they've had no luck until they meet you, will you be a good fit for their lives?

Word Count: 2.2K

Warnings: 18+ due to themes, MDNI, heavy pet play, human pets, abuse, violence, hurt/comfort

Authors notes: Hello I was listening to TTPD while I was writing the drabbles and when 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?' came on I was like fuck this would make a good fic. So this can be stand alone for now, but if you want more lmk! I've never written human pets like this before! They're basically hybrids in a way.

Wanda and Natasha stepped into the black market pet shop, their presence commanding attention even in the dimly lit, grungy space. The smell of decay and neglect was overpowering, a stark contrast to the pristine pet stores they had previously visited. Wanda’s heart ached with each step, while Natasha’s expression remained stoic but vigilant.

A grumpy, terrible old man greeted them with a disdainful look. "What do you want?" he grumbled, clearly not impressed by their arrival.

"We're looking for a pet," Natasha replied curtly, her eyes scanning the room.

The man led them through the front section, showcasing various human pets—dogs, cats, bunnies, foxes—all of them displaying various levels of distress. Wanda's heart sank further with each cage they passed. None of these poor creatures seemed right. She shook her head at each option, her expression growing more resolute.

"These won't do," Natasha said firmly. "Show us the others."

The man hesitated, his eyes narrowing, but he ultimately complied, leading them to the back of the shop. This area was even more dismal, filled with the so-called rejects. The noise was nearly unbearable—constant barking, meowing, and occasional screams echoed off the grimy walls. The man banged on the cages, shouting for silence, but the noise continued unabated.

Wanda's eyes softened with empathy as they walked down the rows. These were the broken ones, the ones no one wanted. She had a special place in her heart for such creatures. Natasha stayed close, her posture protective, her eyes scanning every inch of the space.

Then they saw you. Curled up at the back of your cage, you were a small, fragile-looking thing, trying to stay warm under a feeble heat lamp. You didn’t make a sound, just lay there, as if trying to make yourself invisible.

“I want to see her,” Wanda said softly, her gaze fixed on your small form.

At the sound of her voice, your eyes snapped open. Fear and confusion filled your eyes as you looked at the two women and the man who had caused you so much pain. You cowered as they approached, your body trembling.

Wanda knelt down, her movements slow and deliberate, and held her hand out for you to sniff. You snapped at her, biting her hand out of fear. But she didn’t flinch, didn’t try to hit you. Instead, her eyes were filled with understanding and sadness. Your hard eyes softened slightly, confusion mixing with your fear.

The man reeled back, ready to strike you. Natasha's hand shot out, gripping his wrist tightly before he could lay a hand on you. Her voice was ice-cold and firm. "You want this one, Wands?"

“Yes,” Wanda replied without hesitation, her voice gentle yet determined.

"You do love broken things, dorogoya," Natasha said with a small, affectionate smile.

"We'll take this one," Wanda stated firmly, turning her gaze to the man. "And we'd appreciate you not hurting our property."

The man sneered, his face contorting with disdain. "You'll be bringing her back in a week. She bites. She's loud. She's a runner."

Natasha ignored his words, writing out a check with a flourish. "This should cover her," she said, shoving the check into his chest with a look of contempt.

Wanda carefully attached a leash to your collar, giving you a moment to adjust. You stretched out tentatively, muscles sore from confinement. The three of you headed to their car, a sleek vehicle that contrasted sharply with the grimy surroundings.

In the car, Wanda sat in the back seat with you, her presence a calming force. She let your head rest in her lap, her fingers gently stroking your hair. Her touch was soft, reassuring, and you felt a strange sense of safety begin to wash over you.

“You’re safe now,” she murmured, her voice a soothing melody. “We’re going to take good care of you. We’ll get you all the things you need.”

As you listened to her, a glimmer of hope sparked within you. Maybe, just maybe, these two women would be different. Maybe, this time, you had found a place where you could heal, where you could finally be safe and loved.

You weren't sure how long the drive to their house had been, but you noticed the air smelled fresher and cleaner than the pet shop you came from. Slowly, you sat up, surprising Wanda as you looked curiously out the window. Nothing looked familiar anymore. The scents, the sounds—all new and strange.

As the car approached a large house, you felt a twinge of familiarity. Most of your previous owners had been wealthy, with big houses and nice cars. This was no different. But something felt distinctly unique about this place, a sense of calm that you couldn't quite place.

Wanda gently held your leash as you stepped out of the car, your nose twitching as you sniffed around. The lawn smelled fresh, a welcome change from the dingy pet shop. Natasha had already gone inside, leaving you and Wanda outside. You found a spot to mark your territory, your instincts kicking in.

Once inside, you couldn't see Natasha. Her strong scent of flowers lingered, and Wanda’s scent of vanilla and strawberries comforted you. Wanda let you off the leash, allowing you to explore. She stayed close behind, her voice soft and soothing as she pointed out different rooms.

“This is the living room,” she said, gesturing to a cozy space with plush furniture. “And over here is the kitchen. You’ll like it there; it’s where we keep all the yummy treats.”

Your nose led you from room to room, each one filled with new and intriguing scents. Wanda’s gentle narration helped ease your nerves. You paused at a door that was closed, pawing at it and letting out a small whimper.

“Daddy’s in there working,” Wanda said, her tone understanding. “We need to leave her alone for now.”

You tilted your head, ears flopping slightly, and Wanda giggled at the sight. “Daddy’s working, but Mommy will keep playing with you, okay?”

Her words perked you up a bit. You continued your exploration, feeling more at ease with each step. The house was filled with warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the cold, impersonal places you had been before.

You eventually found yourself back in the living room, where Wanda sat on the floor with you, offering you a soft, fluffy toy. “Here, sweetie, this is for you,” she said, her smile genuine and kind.

Tentatively, you took the toy, feeling a sense of security starting to build within you. Wanda’s presence was soothing, her gentle touches and kind words wrapping around you like a warm blanket. For the first time in a long while, you felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this place, with these two caring women, could truly become your home.

As you settled into the living room, Wanda continued to speak in soothing tones, guiding you through this new and strange environment. You felt a growing sense of curiosity and a cautious optimism as you explored each nook and cranny. The scent of fresh flowers from Natasha still lingered faintly, but it was Wanda’s comforting presence that kept you grounded.

Wanda reached behind the couch and pulled out a large, plush dog bed. It was soft, with a warm, inviting fabric that looked incredibly comfortable. She placed it in a cozy corner of the living room, patting it gently to get your attention.

“Look, sweetheart,” Wanda said, her voice filled with excitement. “This is your bed. We wanted you to have a nice, big space just for you.”

You approached the bed cautiously, sniffing it thoroughly. The fabric felt soft under your paws, and the scent of fresh linen was a stark contrast to the filthy cages you had known. You circled the bed a couple of times, your instincts guiding you, before finally settling down on it. The plush surface cradled your tired body, and for the first time in what felt like ages, you felt a sense of comfort and safety.

Wanda sat beside you, her hand gently stroking your back. “Do you like it?” she asked, her voice a gentle murmur. “We wanted to make sure you have a cozy spot where you can rest and feel safe.”

Your eyes met hers, and you gave a small, tentative wag of your tail. Her kindness was unlike anything you had experienced before, and though you were still wary, there was a growing trust between you.

Just then, Natasha entered the living room, a small smile playing on her lips as she observed the scene. “Looks like she’s settling in well,” she remarked, her tone softening.

Wanda looked up at her with a warm smile. “Yes, she’s doing wonderfully. I think she likes her new bed.”

Natasha walked over and knelt down beside you, her hand joining Wanda’s in gently petting you. “You’re safe now,” she said softly. “We’re going to take good care of you.”

The combined presence of both women, their gentle touches and soothing voices, wrapped around you like a protective cocoon. The warmth of the dog bed, the softness of their hands, and the sincerity in their voices began to melt away the layers of fear and mistrust that had built up over time.

You laid your head down on the bed, your eyes growing heavy as a wave of exhaustion washed over you. The journey had been long and filled with uncertainty, but now, in this warm, safe home, surrounded by care and kindness, you felt the first true sense of peace you had ever known.

Natasha sat on the couch, leaning back and observing with a soft smile as Wanda continued to sit on the floor beside you, rubbing your back. "So, dorogoya, have you decided on a name for her?" Natasha asked her wife.

Your ears twitched slightly at the sound of her voice. You opened your eyes and lifted your head from the toy you were using as a pillow, curious about what they were discussing.

"I was thinking Bumble," Wanda said, her eyes twinkling with affection.

You perked up at the name, your ears standing at attention and your tail giving an enthusiastic wag. This made Wanda giggle, her laughter light and musical. "You like that? Bumble?" she asked, her voice pitched up slightly with excitement. Your tail wagged even more vigorously, and a small, happy noise escaped you.

"Okay, Bumble it is!" she announced with a smile.

Natasha chuckled, a deep, warm sound. "Well, Wands, Bumble needs a bath. Which you really should have done before letting her on her bed, but there's nothing to be done about that now."

Wanda looked at you fondly, her hand still gently stroking your back. "I'll give her one in a few minutes, okay? I just wanted her to be relaxed first," she spoke softly, her voice filled with understanding and care.

You felt a rush of warmth at their gentle banter and concern for you. As you lay there, you began to understand that this place was different. These people were different. They cared, not just for what you could be or how you could behave, but for you as you were.

After a few moments, Wanda stood up and stretched. "Alright, Bumble," she said, looking down at you with a smile. "Let's get you all cleaned up."

Natasha rose from the couch, offering her hand to Wanda. "I'll help you. It’ll be quicker and easier for both of us."

You followed them to the bathroom, your tail wagging at the prospect of their continued attention. The bathroom was spacious and well-lit, with a large tub that looked far more inviting than any you had seen before.

Natasha started filling the tub with warm water, adding a splash of something that smelled sweet and soothing. Wanda knelt beside you, gently removing your collar. "You're going to feel so much better after this, Bumble," she said softly, her hands still gentle and reassuring.

Together, they lifted you into the tub. The warm water enveloped you, washing away the grime and fear of your past. Wanda and Natasha worked in tandem, their movements careful and synchronized. Wanda lathered you up with a sweet-smelling soap, her touch gentle and comforting. Natasha rinsed you off, her strong hands steady and soothing.

Throughout the bath, they spoke to you in calming tones, their voices a steady murmur of reassurance. "You’re doing great, Bumble," Wanda said, her smile bright and encouraging. "Almost done," Natasha added, her voice low and soothing.

Finally, you were lifted out of the tub and wrapped in a large, fluffy towel. Wanda and Natasha dried you off, their hands moving briskly but gently, ensuring you were warm and dry.

As they finished, Wanda gave you a gentle kiss on the top of your head. "There you go, Bumble. All clean and fresh."

Natasha nodded in approval. "Now you really do look like a part of the family."

With a final ruffle of your hair, they led you back to the living room. You settled once more into your new bed, feeling cleaner and more relaxed than you had in a long time. Wanda and Natasha sat close by, their presence a comforting reminder that you were safe, loved, and finally home.

[sosa2imagines]

Let us be there for you...Part 2

Warning- Angst, fluff, introvert, shyness.

You’d always been the type to say “yes” to everything. You didn’t want to let anyone down. Especially not your new team. So when someone asked you for help, whether it was a mission, a training session, or just to hang out, you said yes.

You said yes because you were afraid to say no. You were afraid no one would want you around if you couldn’t say yes. You didn’t want to be rejected or left alone because you were “selfish” enough to say no. So you never said no, you always forced yourself to say yes.

Every time. Even when you were exhausted, even when you just needed a moment of peace.

You were exhausted, both mentally and physically. Every time you said yes, it was like adding another brick to your already full load. Your body was screaming to stop, to slow down, but you didn’t listen. You didn’t know how to say no, so you kept going. You kept forcing yourself to say yes, even as your mind and body were slowly breaking down.

You had no idea how to ask for a break. No idea how to express how overwhelmed you were. Because if you did, what if the others saw you as weakness? What if they saw you as a burden and sent you away?

That’s when Steve stepped in.

It started subtly. You’d find yourself in the common room, tense, avoiding everyone’s eyes because you didn’t know how to say no.

Steve would show up with that steady, understanding smile of his, pulling you aside to chat, and before you knew it, you were talking. Just talking, about how you felt, about how hard it was to constantly keep up appearances.

And he listened. Steve listened to you, truly listened to you. He didn’t judge, he didn’t dismiss your feelings. Instead, he showed empathy, understanding.  He didn’t just brush off your words, he cared. He cared about how you felt.

“I know what it’s like,” Steve would say, his voice quiet but reassuring. “It’s hard to admit when you’re overwhelmed, but you don’t have to take it all on yourself. You’ve got us.”

You never realized how much you needed to hear those words until now.

Slowly, you started spending more time with him, more quiet conversations, more moments of just being yourself. The connection between you both deepened, and it felt like a weight was lifting.

But while it felt like a relief for you, it wasn’t so easy for Bucky.

Bucky had always been close to Steve, so seeing him spend more time with you had rubbed him the wrong way. He didn’t understand why Steve was spending so much time with you, why he wasn’t hanging out with him instead.

You first noticed it during dinner one evening. You’d been sitting with Steve, talking about the latest mission plans, when Bucky walked in.

He glanced over, saw you with Steve, and froze. The air between them was thick with something you couldn’t quite place. It was subtle so subtle, in fact, that you might’ve missed it if you weren’t paying attention, but there was a shift. A kind of... tension.

The next few days were more of the same. Bucky seemed quieter around you, his usual teasing replaced with a cool indifference. And whenever you spent time with Steve, Bucky was nowhere to be found.

It wasn’t until you overheard them, that the truth hit you.

It was late, the tower quiet, and you had been about to head to your room when you heard voices in the hallway. You froze, instinctively stepping back into the shadows, trying not to be noticed.

“What’s all this about you spending time with Y/n?” Bucky asked bluntly, his voice laced with annoyance.

Steve raised an eyebrow, his expression cool and calm. “What do you mean?”

Bucky rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. You’re always hanging out with her now. It’s like you’ve forgotten about me.”

Steve’s expression softened slightly, but he didn’t give in. “I’m not allowed to have other friends, then?”

Bucky’s scowl deepened. “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. You used to hang out with me all the time, and now it’s like I’m an afterthought.”

Steve sighed. “Bucky, it’s not like that. I’m allowed to spend time with other people, just like you are.”

Bucky crossed his arms, his annoyance still evident. “But it’s like you’re spending all your time with Y/n. What happened to us hanging out together? We used to do everything together!”

The pain in Bucky’s voice was unexpected, and it twisted something inside you. You felt guilty. Guilty for not seeing this sooner, guilty for the unintentional rift you were causing between two people who were like brothers to each other.

You didn’t want to be the cause of this. So, you did what you always did, you made a decision. You had to fix it.

The next day, you found Bucky in the training room, kicking around a punching bag like it owed him money. You hesitated for a moment, then walked in. He didn’t acknowledge you at first, but you could see the way his shoulders tensed when you approached.

“Bucky,” you said softly, not sure where to start. “Can we talk?”

He paused, then looked up, his expression unreadable. “What about?”

“I know... I know it’s been a bit strange lately...” you began, choosing your words carefully. “You’ve probably noticed that Steve and I have been spending more time together, and I just... I need you to know something.”

Bucky crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving you. “I’ve noticed.”

You took a deep breath, your heart beating faster. “The reason why Steve has been spending time with me...” you paused, unsure of how to say it, but then you forced yourself to continue. “It’s because I’ve been struggling. I’ve been having a hard time keeping up with everything, and Steve’s been helping me through it. I just can't say no to anyone and lately...I've been feeling like I'm drowning...”

Bucky’s expression changed from annoyance to surprise as you spoke. He had expected a different reason, and the truth took him off guard. “You…you’re having a hard time?” he asked, his voice losing some of its edge.

You nodded, feeling vulnerable but also relieved to finally admit it out loud. “Yeah,” you said quietly. “I’ve been putting on this mask for so long, trying to be the person everyone expects me to be...but it’s been exhausting. I just can’t keep up anymore. I feel like... if I say no... they'll be disappointed or think I'm rude...”

Bucky’s expression softened further, and he could no longer keep the annoyance. He looked at you with empathy, understanding what you were going through.

“Why didn’t you say something?” he asked, his voice quiet.

“I was afraid,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “I was afraid of being seen as weak, being seen as a burden. I thought I had to be strong for everyone...it’s just... Steve and I were talking about this, and he just... he knows what it’s like to feel like you have to be everything to everyone. He didn’t make me feel like I was weak for needing help. And I guess... I guess I needed that.”

Bucky’s expression softened even more, feeling guilty for thinking you were taking Steve away from him. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I had no idea you were feeling like that. And Steve... he’s been a good friend to you, hasn’t he?”

You nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “Yeah, he has,” you replied. “He’s been there for me when I needed someone to listen. He doesn’t judge me, he just...he understands.”

Bucky’s mind was racing. He felt guilty for doubting you and Steve, for not realizing how much you were struggling. Now that he knew the truth, he couldn’t help but feel protective of you.

He silently vowed to himself that he would be there for you just like Steve had been. He promised to himself that if he can help Steve, he could help you too.

Bucky reached out and placed a hand on your shoulder, his voice serious but gentle.

“You’re not alone, you know,” he said. “Steve might be helping you, but you have other friends too. Including me.”

His words hung in the air, and you caught a glimpse of the sincere intent in his eyes. He meant every word he said.

The weight that had settled on your chest began to lift, a sense of relief flowing through you. “Thank you, Bucky. I’m really sorry I didn’t see this sooner. I don’t want to cause any more tension between you two.”

Bucky shrugged, the usual smirk on his face. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out. But if you ever need help again, you know I’m right here for you.”

And just like that, the tension seemed to dissolve. What was once a fragile moment of hurt and miscommunication had turned into an opportunity for all of you to grow.

That evening, you found yourself in the common room with both Steve and Bucky, the three of you talking and laughing together. It felt right. You had your team, your friends, and they had your back. And now, you were learning how to lean on them when you needed it most.

You didn’t have to carry everything on your own. You weren’t alone anymore.

Part 1 - Part 3

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[gffa]

I'm going through my screencaps from Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade and it really kills me that I can't recommend this book to more people because it's from the point of view of a character falling to the dark side, so on the surface it comes across as very Jedi critical, but as someone who constantly keeps a hawk's eye out for what the other Jedi say and do so I can put it in my citations project, let me tell you, this book drives me absolutely up the wall with how much I was handed on a silver platter for how it's structured. It's a book that's set from the point of view of a troubled young Padawan, Iskat Akaris, and everything in her thoughts is about how she does try to let go of her anger, which she finds very difficult, but she also constantly craves battle and violence and seeks to find ways to justify that. She's offered by multiple people to find avenues to help her, but she always turns away from them, because they're not exciting enough for her. She never tells anyone directly of her struggles and any time another Jedi expresses support, somehow it's never good enough, she assumes it's not real empathy (because she thinks they wouldn't agree with her feelings--she doesn't want to be an archivist, she wants to fight, she doesn't want to take a regular position with the children in the creche--despite that she was really good with them and felt calmer afterwards--because she wants to be out in the galaxy fighting), and when she makes mistakes, she looks to justify why it wasn't her fault (she doesn't actually care about the civilians her actions hurt, she just cares that Adi and Yoda are telling her she has to be more careful). She's offered mentorship multiple times, by Jocasta, by Josk, Master Klefan talks to her frequently, Adi and Yoda make a point to tell her that two specific Masters are available to speak to, the Council offers her a position in the creche because they think she'd do well there--but that's not the excitement she craves, it's not the admiration for her battle skills that she wants, so she turns away from it. She's offered a position that's clearly very dear to them, it comes with multiple compliments and that they say it's meant to be beneficial to her as well (with the implication of how much it calmed her), and yet she sees it as a demotion, because it's not a mission with action and fighting. Everything that is the opposite of what a Jedi needs to seek. And it's done with such deftness to Iskat's point of view that, if you're not paying attention, it might seem like she is justified in these things. But when you look beyond her, you see how hard the Jedi are trying to help her, how many hands they hold out to her, and I want to write entire essays about this book but arrrghhhh I'm probably the only one who read this book in this specific way and who still has tolerance left for unreliable narrators who unfairly criticize the Jedi, but I can see the consistent pattern of how compassionate they are beyond it, so I feel I'd just be yelling into the void even more than I usually do, so instead I just sit with my feelings, like, I enjoyed this book through this lens, but it's a lens that scrapes a lot of people's nerves raw, so I can't blame them, but also oh man there's so much to chew on in this book and I just have to delete these caps as I make my way through my backlog. Arrrghhh.

[eggwriting]

Kevin McCormick, how to not mischaracterize him:

this is a rant about my favorite background character and I first want to start it with my first complaint; PLEASE STOP MAKING KEVIN AN ABSENT OLDER BROTHER WHO HATES HIS FAMILY AND RUNS AWAY WHILE LETTING HIS SIBLINGS DIE.

Look I get it, kevin has like 6 scenes in the entire 26 seasons of sp while karen has a centric episode and vurnble scenes that make you get to know her better therefore making her easier to characterize than kevin+ kevin hardly interacts with kenny. But here I am to tell you that making him absent is way more of a mischaracterization than making him be there with his siblings but not interact as much.

"But egg, when kevin was fighting with his dad, Carol said that they were both drunk pices of shit while holding a crying karen!!" Kenny also gets high all the time and has shown to have an addiction to it. Sure, kenny as a character has never shown to be violent like kevin has but it is implied that he also has beaten his parents as mystyrion.

"But Kenny was doing it so he could protect his siblings!" Guys, I'll hold your hand when I say this; kevin has shown multiple times that he cares a LOT for his siblings I want to point out:

notice how when Stuart starts screaming at karen for wanting ice cream Kevin is the first one who gets immediately angery but then shows empathy and worriedness when kenny runs after her

Alsooo Kevin is the one who when they put in the orphanage is looking around all worried and suspicious

I think Kevin truly does care about his siblings but he has a hard time expressing it so instead he tries his best to protect them even if that means he'll look like a 'bad' guy in front of his siblings.

If you still are struggling with Kevin's character a more easy guide is to think of it as kenny if he had anger issues. Kenny and Kevin have a LOT of similar traits (I.e when Stuart and Carol start fighting they both start laughing, they both love food, thay both are willing to hurt other ppl for their siblings etc) but kevin is more short tempered which tbh is to be expected; he is a teenager living in a house where screaming and fighting is normal, a house where he can't be listened without screaming (mind you, heard and listened are two VERY different things). He is in a part of his life when he is brimming with emotions and to add onto that he has one-if not, the shittiest home situations in south park.

this audio I'm going to link is how i see kevin's character has been hinted to be: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCPq8AkNBR6/?igsh=dmNtaGl6dm8wcmVh

AWS here are some of my hc for my baby;

Okay VERY far fetched hc but; when Kevin gets mad his voice deepens and it makes him sound more intimidating so what if a reason Kenny deepens his voice when he is mystiorion is bc he wants to sound more intimate like his big brother.

he really likes arts bc in the episode where they go to the circus while everyone else was getting bored Kevin looked genuinely entertained and when mop was performing everyone else looked terrified ecxept kevin who was just enjoying his time and supporting his brother's dreams.

Another farfetched hc; I think that it's more likely for Kevin to have smth sort of the same curse as kenny bc he seems very Pernoid and scared most of the time same like kenny.

he has absolutly no sense of fashion and frankly...he dosent care, hell wear what the heck is in front of him as long as it keeps him warm. (smth that probably runs in his blood bc tell me why both kenny and kevin looked like they just came out of a trash can in post covid)

He has veryy thick brows bc in the show even though e doesnt talk a lot (like kenny) we understand what he is feeling cuz his brows are constantly showing. which leads me to the next point...

he has a hard time hiding emotion. he is so expressionante- when he gets angry he clutches his fists and looks at the ground, his brows frown hard and he grints his teeth (and how i mentioned earlier that his voice gets deeper ). when he is worried it seems like all the mountness layers and threatning words melt down and so does his face. he looks way younger and he hides away behind the other kids (as seen in the scene where that one kid was getting doctor peppered in the orphange episode)

if you read this thank you so so much and i really hope one day there will be more fics where kevin is a good brother who works through his issues with the help of his siblings and gets as much attention as karen.

with love, egg.

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

Daddy dearest (Rhaenyra/Harwin Daughter x Darkish Daemon Targaryen) (READER OR OC)

🔷Summary: You are Rhaenyra's and Harwin's daughter and you just proposed to Aemond, your stepdaddys worst enemy.

WORDCOUNT: 2159

🔷Author's note: This was a request, this is my first Daemon fic so i hope i did him justice without turning him into a carebear or a scary pookie.

🔷Warnings: Oc/reader is a brat, reader has clear empathy issues, reader has a daddy kink (liiiiiterallly) targcest!, dark!daemon, smut, p in v, fucking, desk fucking, choking, slut-shaming, high-treason, cheating, (daemon) slight gore, and dom/sub themes.

There is something about Targaryens that makes them a little more dangerous than other families. You have always known that. But there is something about you that makes you a little more dangerous than most Targaryens. 

Like a dragon, you wish to be close to the fire, letting it consume your everything while you hiss at your pain. You always enjoyed creating drama and orchestrating plots. You have been good at it. 

So, when your one-eyed uncle, Aemond Targaryen one day writes a sobby letter where he confesses his love and devotion to you, regrets killing your little brother, and vows that he will love you from the end of his days, it is not the prospect of peace that makes you happy. It is the prospect of war.

You write back, of course you do. You appeal to Aemond’s pride, his titles, his ‘’beauty’’ and most of all: His ego. You assume that the two of you will be married soon, should your mother wish it. Everything to avoid the war.

You happily brush your hair, thinking of all the good things that will hopefully happen to your family now. You love wearing your hair on a side-braid, the way Visenya wore hers.

You have just finished preparing for the day to come when your stepfather, Daemon Targaryen barges into your rooms. You don’t bow or greet him, instead you just smirk at his furious expression and red worked up cheeks. You fold your hands on your back and raise your chin with an innocent smirk. ‘’You seem upset.’’ You speak, your voice cheerful.

Daemon hands you an opened letter. You briefly scan the words and sigh, noticing the familiar awfully nauseating perfect handwriting of Aemond Targaryen. He brags to Daemon about ‘’Seducing’’ you and that you ‘’soon will be pregnant with child.’’ Inwardly, you roll your eyes, but you did suspect that Aemond would write Daemon about his ‘’conquest’’ of you. Of course he would. That is why you picked Aemond in the first place. He thinks you are being conquered but in reality he is a pawn in a plot he has no clue of. He is as a sheep being lured in the wolf’s den, unaware he is about to be slaughtered.

But you don’t let Daemon see your disgust at this, kinslayer waving his win in his rival’s face.  Daemon is very worried for your safety. ‘’Are you insane, courting him? Have you forgotten what that child murderer did to our family?’’ As much as you miss Lucerys, you won’t kill yourself or others for his dead chewed up corpse. Luc would want everyone to get along and to make peace, not war. Which is why he died, as it is a very foolish way of handling enemies. You feel indifferent about his loss. You miss a bit, but you won’t trade a limb back for him.

You hand him the letter back. ‘’Yes. I am betrothed. Aren’t you happy for me?’’ It is almost funny how quickly his emotions change from utter rage and murder, to disappointment, to heartbreak and finally how all his emotion die and only a mask remains.

He becomes silent. The only thing you hear is the betrayal of your own heart beating. ‘’With Aemond?’’ He asks, now a bit calmer than previously. ‘’You know you can get much better.’’ He says. You don’t know who he refers to.

You roll your eyes. ‘’No, with Aegon. Of course with Aemond!’ You know he hates it when you roll your eyes.

‘’What the fuck do you mean with ‘’of course’’?’’’You giggle inwardly.

You blink rapidly, innocently.

‘’Daddy dearest, don’t cuss please. It’s very peasant-like. Aren’t you happy I’m finally engaged? You tried so hard to find a good suitor for me.’’ You grin.

‘’Your mother and I should choose your suitor! Have you thought about any of us during these games with Aemond?’’ More than he would ever know. 

You sigh, lying easily.

‘’I will be honest, you haven’t both been on my mind very much.’’

You need a final push. You are so close. ‘’Daddy dearest, me and Aemond are meant to be. Soon I’ll carry his babies for him and make him a father when I polish his creepy sapphire eye for him while he breeds me as if I am livestock. You either adjust-’’ That is pushing it too far, part of you just knows it. You can see when you cross a line and you just did that. You see a reflection of danger and insanity in the eyes of Daemon, the man you’ve yearned for so long. 

He grabs you violently by the throat, and you squeak pathetically when he drags you with him. Daemon has lost his patience with you and drags you with him as if you are a toy. ‘’Not another word. No one is breeding you. Not him at least.’’ With a push you are on your back, on your writing desk. Daemon throws several of your books and your quills on the ground, bending you under him. You pretend to groan but your lips are curled up in a smile, when he removes your smallclothes, pulling them down and exposing your body to him. 

His big hands grab each of your asscheeks when you hiss in anticipation. He releases his anger on your poor behind but you can’t say that you mind. If anything, you love it. You wait for Daemon to finish his spanking before turning on your desk, revealing your other entrance to him. A glistering wet and needy entrance. ‘’Aemond rides the biggest dragon. Do you think his cock is the biggest too? I read something about men with funny noses-’’ You will never finish the sentence.

Your head is smashed down and you finally feel Daemon’s experienced hands touch your so eager cunt. You whimper, weak and softly when he takes a stance behind you, and you clench yourself when you hear the sound of his belt being removed. ‘’You want a man to breed you, you horny little slut? You want to be fucked and owned as a whore? Fine with me.’’ He groans in your ear when spitting in your face. You recoil in brief disgust before your legs are spread wide and open and his cock is forced deep inside of you, causing you to grunt against the wood of the desk. Daemon yanks you up by your arms, fucking you without speaking. You become a little light in the head as pleasure mixes inside of you, and you can’t believe it's finally happening. His cock feels good to have inside of you and once again you clench, needy as a whore.

Daemon grins in your ear when noticing your little cries and gasps of pleasure. ‘’You wish to be bred, little girl? You wish for your Kepa to make you his little whore?’’ He grins, using his Valyrian accent for that one word. You become even more aroused because of that and moan, weakly. Daemon sinks in back inside of you, pulling you up so he can fuck you when you lay on your desk. Your wooden deks cracks of the movements as Daemon takes your maidenhead on it, not giving a fuck for your sore museles or your begs. 

‘’Daemon…’’

You are close to your heights. There are days just like these when you touch yourself, imagining it was him all along. And now he is, taking you as his spoils and fucking you the way a conquerer takes his spoils. You beg. ‘’Daemon..’’ You are spanked another time, this time on your cunny that is brutally fucked at the same time. You cry out in pain and glare at Daemon who simply smirks back at you, before dragging his nails into your skin, forcing you back on his cock for another good, but painful ride. You become used to the pain, and to the feeling of having a man inside of you. It is better than everything you ever did to yourself. ‘’Kepa, please…’’ You beg, pathetically. 

Your stepfather has no mercy for you, grinning as if you are his enemy and this is your end. ‘’You are a little greedy whore. I won’t finish you off. The only one who comes is me, little Princess. Your Kepa will put a child inside your belly, perhaps that will teach you some respect.’’ He vows, riling you up against his cock until you nearly come.

You become even more aroused, fighting your desires and the urge to ride his cock. ‘’What if I’m not with child?’’ You ask, knowing you will like the answer very much.

Daemon pauses, the cock half inside of you, taunting you, torturing you. ‘’Then I simply must return and fuck you the way a dog fucks his bitch until you are, won’t I?’’ He breaths out, before taking you again on the desk. You are taken now quicker, faster and can barely keep up. Your cries become louder and freer and Daemon needs to wrap his free hand around your mouth to silence you when his cock fucks your body sore. The thrusts become rougher and more dominate and Daemon hits you again, and again and again on your ass when fucking you sore and likely very bloody. Yet you cry in approval, beg without words and plead for more by slowly grinding back against his body.

You see a determination that is very arousing in his eyes. He grabs your hips, impales you with his cock, all the way in and fucks you harshly and more animalstic than before. You lose count of how many he times he fucks you, but when he is finished, you can hear him grunt and you know his cum is inside your body right now. You remain on the desk, frozen, half undressed, and needy and naked.

Daemon grabs you by your throat once more, moving you to your bed. He throws you on it, grabbing a pillow. You protest but are turned on your stomach. He presses your face in the pillow so your cries can’t be heard and whispers in your ear. ‘’You’re going to become such a marvelous little mother for my son, Princess. Yes you will.’’ He murmurs against your belly. You whimper wordlessly.

His cock finds your body again and is pushed all the way in, when he kisses your hair and fucks you gently this time. ‘’Come for Kapa. Show me what a pretty obedient slave you can be for me.’’He whispers. You feel it build as he fucks you harder and harder and as your eyes close you cry out in the pillow he forces you on your mouth, soaking it in the process when Daemon fucks you when you scatter around him, breaking into million of pieces. 

Satisfied with your state, Daemon removes the pillow and looks at your wet, but bloodied cunny. ‘’Such a good slut for Kepa.’’ He tells you with a smirk. You pant still in denial that that happened. He pats your belly next. You lean in and want to kiss him. ‘’Kepa..’’

But he pulls away, disgusted all of a sudden and angry. ‘’You will write to Aemond today. You will invite him to an inn somewhere close and you will seduce him. I want him to think mine child is his. I want to be there, when you reveal to him you played him and I want to see his pathetic little mind break at the betrayal you and me pulled on him.’’ He grins. You nod, absently. 

‘’What if I don’t want to fuck Aemond?’’ You have seen the man and he seems very boring in the sheets, almost as boring as he is in the streets.

Daemon grabs you by your throat, choking you and you gasp, but you feel a different connection to him now. He seeded and sored you. He made you his in a way and you are now his little princess. ‘’Did I fuck your brains out, little dumb princess?’’ He groans out. 

You are shocked as you gasp for air, worried it ends there for you. ‘’K-Kepa…’’

He sighs at your stupidity. ‘’You will fuck Aemond, you’ll be a needy little slut for him and fuck the shrimp he calls a cock, and you’ll pretend your baby is his.’’ What does that even accomplish?

‘’But we don’t know yet if I am even pregnant!’ You whisper distraught by the idea of bedding your uncle.

Daemon smirks. ‘’One of these days, you will be. I have had a taste of you, princess and I will be back. Your mother is not cutting it for me anymore. She is the love of my life, but love only does so much.’’ He speaks, petting your cheeks when you silently cry. 

‘’Go make Aemond happy. Then we will destroy him. Together.’’ He promises you, with a kiss on your lips.

A/N

Aemond, thinking he has a pure valyrian woman waiting for him that will help him destory daemon:

HE HAS NO IDEA-

Yeah this was fun! Actually a lot of fun. I hope you guys liked it!!!

If you did be sure to let me knoww xxxx

[stromuprisahat]

An icon, not an instigator

Six of Crows- Chapter 35 (Leigh Bardugo)

I've been thinking about this passage in connection to LB's words on Darklina, not quite able to put into words why it didn't sit well with me. First the quote, courtesy of @aleksanderscult :

I've analysed what Aleksander meant by this in the reply mentioning said interview. To put it shortly- I don't think he meant he expects Alina to manage his behaviour. It goes against his characterisation he'd let anyone control him in such way. He merely expressed his willingness to listen to her, should she disagree with him due to her moral stance.

LB herself puts her issue with certain tropes into two points:

Women shouldn't be expected to act as men's babysitter. He should change by himself.

Women don't have to be good. They, themselves could be even worse.

Her logic is faulty in several places.

First of all a woman acting as "a healer" as LB calls it doesn't necessarily mean she's somehow responsible for her partner's behaviour. It's merely about her influence helping him to overcome trauma or other effects harmful experience had on him. I'd even argue it's closer to what Matthias describes above, than whatever could Alina offer the Darkling. Ever.

You'd need specific qualities Alina never possessed. Empathy, caring, some amount of selflessness... What's the point of "addressing" a notion that doesn't have a leg to stand on?

While I agree that "a man should be able to better himself on his own" Helnik passage above has an important weak spot. A man should be able to better himself on his own without such change being significantly tied to a single person, especially if he's "rewarded" for his progress by romantic relationship with said person.

Genuine change should be driven by recognition of one's faults and resulting desire to become a better person, not a promise of possible relationship dangling in front of them. One that would be otherwise impossible.

While Matthias specifically happens to be a paragon of virtue, and once The Realization™ strikes, he never really falters, never tries to return to his old beliefs, ordinary people tend to struggle and doubt new ways less beneficial to them personally. Especially if their motivation happens to be external.

What happens when the one, who inspired his change is no longer around? What if they break up, his old ties severed and new ones either all business or acquaintances made through the ex-partner? Or are we ignoring the possibility that losing the benefits such change produced could lead the man to slip back to harmful patterns of behaviour and thinking as a way to justify one's failure to maintain the relationship or straight up revenge for ending it?

I'm sure no man would ever even think about that. Who'd be so petty or simply lost?!

This is why Malyen's change in R&R isn't believable. He "realized" his coercion led Alina to suicide attempt instead of expected eternal faithfulness, so he went through 180° turn of his behaviour. It's too sudden and too "perfect". Merely a changed tactics of abuse we shouldn't mistake for genuine betterment. "Look what you were willing to abandon!"

Matthias' case could be roughly fixed in this passage- don't make it all about Nina. Have him remember questioning drüskelle philosophy when Brum proudly showed him the laboratory. Or when he watched the broken body of a boy, who was ~someone's~ friend- make that the impulse to help Nina bury him. Have him remember seeing other Grisha as human, so his faith in their humanity doesn't seem so sudden and pussy-blinded.

Malyen's case would be much more complicated. His vices ~targeted~ Alina specifically. They were never openly admitted, described as such, he was never properly called out on them, certainly not by Alina herself. His doubtful development happened mostly off page in a way resembling just another kind of manipulation, and it didn't take long for it to "earn" him EXACTLY what he always wanted pre-change. He doesn't seem to mind the negative impacts of it any more than he did Alina's failing health previously.

To sum up once again- yes, women shouldn't be those to "fix" their man, but not because it's just wrong to expect them to do men's work, but because true change has to come from the inside. Others can help you realize there are "better" ways, but YOU're the one, who has to change the way you think. (Unless we're in Dead Dove territory, exploring all sorts of manipulation.)

Secondly it's kinda ironic reading LB's take on "Woman's rights AND wrongs", considering her strong tendency to moralize, shame and punish for any seeming "vice". Sure, she eventually changes the tune to "Women can do no wrong.", but that's equally stupid and harmful as the above mentioned Victorian take.

The way the books are written viewed through the lens of the interview turns likely a well-meant sentiment into the notion woman's some passive idol to worship by laying change at her feet, which wow- double creepy. Certainly more empowering than intentionally influencing or even FORCING the man to adapt to her requirements.

[lemonidae]

Coming-of-age BL Manga

Koimonogatari by Tagura Tohru

When Yuiji accidentally overhears his classmate Yamato confessing to another friend that he's gay, his perspective shifts. Seeing Yamato in a new light, Yuiji does his best not to let prejudice color his view, but he still finds himself overthinking his classmates' interactions now. He especially notices the way Yamato looks at one particular boy: Yuiji's own best friend. Even though he tells himself he shouldn't get involved, Yuiji finds he just can't help it; watching Yamato's one-sided love draws him in a way he never expected. At first, it's empathy, knowing that the boy Yamato has his sights on is definitely straight and has no idea. But as his own friendship with Yamato develops and the two of them grow closer through a mutual study group, Yuiji comes to truly care about Yamato as a person, regardless of his sexuality. He only wants Yamato to be happy, and to be able to express his true self.

Status: 2 Volumes (Ongoing)

Tagged: Drama, School Life, Slice of Life, Coming Out, Friendship, Insecurity, Unrequited Love, Romance

Kieta Hatsukoi by Hinekure Wataru

“Aoki, I didn’t know you thought about me that way.” Aoki has a crush on Hashimoto, the girl in the seat next to him in class. But he despairs when he borrows her eraser and sees she’s written the name of another boy—Ida—on it. To make matters more confusing, Ida sees Aoki holding that very eraser and thinks Aoki has a crush on him!

Status: 9 Volumes (Complete)

Tagged: Comedy, Romance, School Life, Bisexual, Misunderstanding, Romance

Hatsukoi Note by Amekiri

Shouya, a high school boy whose heart has never known romance, comes across an internet diary filled with wistful whispers of love toward the writer's same-sex crush. A photo posted to the page provides a hint as to the blog's owner: Tsubame, a fellow classmate known for being a lone wolf. Shouya realizes that his friend Ryuu is the object of the diary writer's affections, so he attempts to play matchmaker…but where will his own feelings take him in the process?

Status: 1 Volume (Complete)

Tagged: Drama, Romance, School Life, Yaoi, First Love, Misunderstanding

Smells Like Green Spirit by Nagai Saburou

Mishima, a student at a school in the countryside, is bullied by his classmates. The reason is because he's seemingly gay. In reality, Mishima does like guys so he doesn't resist their bullying, and instead, finds solace in secretly cross-dressing. One day on the rooftop, Mishima finds the lipstick he'd lost before in the hands of Kirino, one of the bullies… and Kirino was about to put on the lipstick that Mishima used on his own lips. This is the story of young boys looking for a place they can really be themselves…

Status: 2 Volumes (Complete)

Tagged: Drama, Psychological, School Life, Coming Out of the Closet, Countryside, Cross-dressing, Enemies to Friends

CW: Attempted Rape, Bullying, Homophobia

Doukyuusei by Nakamura Asumiko

Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito’s music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer. But when Hikaru realizes that he’s fallen for Rihito, will they stay classmates or become something more?

Status: 1 Volume (Complete) Has multiple sequels

Tagged: Drama, Romance, School Life, First Love, Opposites Attract

Blue Sky Complex by Ichikawa Kei

Narasaki only wanted a place where he could sit and read books in peace, but was blackmailed by his teacher into supervising a delinquent called Terashima while working at the school library. As they spend their days in silent but close proximity, they begin to feel drawn to each other. And then...

Status: 10 Volumes (Ongoing)

Tagged: Drama, Romance, School Life, First Love, Opposites Attract, Yaoi

Usagi no Mori by Enjo

Shunta and Tamaki are childhood friends with a year of difference, but Shunta feels something different towards his friend, an impure, not correct, dirty feeling. As this feeling grows stronger, will the relationship between the two friends also change ...?

Status: 3 Volumes (Ongoing)

Tagged: Drama, Romance, School Life, First Love, Childhood Friends, Psychological, Childhood Trauma, Yaoi

Monotone Blue by Nagabe

Hachi the cat finds most things monotonous, but at the top of his list is high school and all that comes with it. But when Aoi the lizard--a quiet, high-achieving transfer student--arrives, Hachi catches a glimpse of a brighter, more colorful life. If Hachi can help Aoi open up, unlocking new feelings in the process, maybe his life won't be so bland, after all.

Status: 1 Volume (Complete)

Tagged: Romance, School Life, Slice of Life, Anthropomorphism, Romance

This list on MB | more manga recommendations

last edited 19/dec/2024

Recommendations are always appreciated ^^

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 68)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (56) / Alexia Putellas x Character (26) MINI

Masterlist (other parts here)

((**< 1k**))

YFN POV

Sudden loud banging startled YFN and Lucy awake. They jolted upright, the Australian whimpering at her broken body as she did so; Lucy’s arms quick to find her.

“I’m okay Luce-”

More loud, insistent banging and Narla now yapping. Lucy felt around without her glasses, trying to find her phone. It felt like they’d barely slept – having had dealt with the Mark situation the day before and Lucy attending the Arsenal game with Alexia. Lucy had seen the fatigue wearing YFN down and had ushered the players from the apartment by 9pm.

“Fucking 3am.”

More loud banging. So hard, in fact, that YFN thought the door may break down.

“Luce…”

“I’ve got it, little one. Stay here.”

Lucy’s glasses were on and she was up, stalking for the door and almost ready for a fight. Understandably so – she was protective.

YFN rolled off the bed and hopped her way towards the doorway as she heard Lucy rip the front door open.

“Wha-”

Lucy’s voice cut off as footsteps entered the apartment without a word. YFN watched as Ridley rounded the corner looking the most dishevelled she’d ever seen her. Hair ruffled, and clothes just thrown on without a care. Not at all the well put together Ridley she usually was. Lucy was right behind her looking confused and a little annoyed at the intrusion. “Hey!”

But Ridley only had eyes for thing and as soon as she saw her, YFN inhaled sharply at the redness surrounding her eyes. Alexia.

She stalked forward with purpose and a grieving expression. If YFN didn’t know her as well as she did, she would have thought she were about to beat the hell out of her. But it was Ridley. She dropped to her knees and her face found YFN’s body, her arms wrapping around her legs and hugging her as she sobbed.

YFN’s heart broke into little pieces. She looked over at Lucy whose annoyance had faded, instead replaced with pure empathy. This wasn’t a Ridley she’d seen before.

YFN’s hand found Ridley’s hair and held her close, stroking it.

“Oh, Riddles.”

The strongest woman she knew – broken down into a sobbing mess. She let her work herself down a little before speaking.

“What can I – we do? What do you need?”

Her sobs had faded now. “I need to go, Blue.”

She needed to go. To escape. To move again. She’d said that to Blue every single time she’d moved on to a different place, and every time it was just as heart-breaking. She was going to just abandon Alexia here?

“She deserves more than me. Please make sure she’s happy. Look after her… let me know if she needs anything at all…” her head tilted up to look at her as she repeated herself. “Please. I need to go, Blue.”

It was desperate. Almost asking. She didn’t want to leave her.

“Okay, Riddles. I have Luce to take care of me…”

Her forehead found her abdomen again and nodded. She squeezed a little tighter and then stood, taking her head into her hands and placed a long, loving, lingering kiss onto her forehead. “I love you Blue. So, so much. You know how to reach me. Only you.”

She did. She was the only person who knew how to reach her when she disappeared. YFN nodded and pressed herself into her, not knowing how long it would be until they saw each other again.

“I love you, Riddles.”

“Anything you need… call me.”

“You’re going to leave her like this?” She whispered against her.

“She-”

“-will be lucky to have you. And you, her.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that. I have nothing to offer beyond money and sex. No family. I’ll always be gone. I’ve killed people. I still do. She deserves the world, Blue. I can’t taint that.”

YFN sighed, knowing she’d never be able to convince her otherwise. “Will we… still see you at Christmas?”

A brief pause. “I’m not sure.”

YFN was crying now. She kissed wherever she could reach. “Thank you for saying goodbye. I love you, Riddles.”

“I love you too, Blue.”

They held each other a little longer before Ridley broke it with another kiss to her forehead that came straight from her heart.

“Bye my baby Blue.”

Ridley turned to leave, stopping at Lucy briefly. “You’d better look after her, Bronze. Treat her like a fucking Queen. I’m trusting you.”

Lucy knew her well enough for that, though, and extended her hand for a goodbye with a sympathetic smile. “We're right here when you need us. For anything. Goodbye Ridley.”

And then she was gone for good.

[ddarker-dreams]

Yan Chrollo x F Reader.

Companion piece to Idée Fixe.

(A journal entry that will never see the light of day, for it is meant to rot in darkness. Even the amoral owner is bound to agree with this).

Warnings: Yandere themes, unhealthy relationships, Chrollo is creepy hooooly shit (he needs a hobby), and religious imagery. Word count: 1k.

I have become hopelessly smitten with a woman who is, for lack of a better word, strange. 

She tells me she’s “probably agnostic, because that word sounds cooler than atheist”, while often exemplifying the religious doctrine she grew up in. She condemns herself for qualities she’d pardon in others. She’ll get excited over the most mundane things, such as pigeons, or when her rewards add up enough to get her favorite drink for free. I’m allowed to steal a certain amount before she stares at me, not quite comfortable enough to express her dissatisfaction verbally, yet undoubtedly pondering the perfect string of words to avoid offending me. 

The extent of her consideration for others is perplexing. There is no advantage to be gained by placating strangers, though her insistence on the matter would almost convince you otherwise. She never says “you’re welcome”, it’s always “of course”, as if the act of going so far out of her way is expected of her. If not that phrase, she’ll say “it’s no problem”, on the off chance the individual may think they burdened her. 

She’s strange, yes, but we’re alike in many ways, so I wonder what that’d make me. 

I’ve taken on innumerable roles throughout the years. I know how to judge the weight of my every word. My motivation for doing so is self-serving in nature. People, to me, are locks that require the right combination to crack. From what I can tell, she’s come to realize this too. Instead of pursuing this advantage, she shies away from it. Originally, I thought it was nothing more than people-pleasing, but it goes beyond that. She loves humanity, the same humanity I deem worthless. It’d be easier for me to understand if there was an ulterior motive. Alas, that'd be doing her a major injustice.

My initial intrigue in her was nothing more than a passing fancy. I had time to pass, and she just happened to be in the vicinity, reading a book I’m partial to. I thought I’d give her a few minutes of my time and then be on my way. Presently, however, If I believed in fate, I’d go so far as to say our paths were destined to cross. She is every part of myself that has died a slow death. Optimism, empathy, passion… they mix together to form the essence of her being. 

I didn’t intend to give her so much of my time. She became indispensable to me before I realized what was happening. In retrospect, perhaps I knew deep down that this was the type of person I’d been looking for. Someone I’d struggle between wanting to ruin or preserve. I erred toward the former at first. If I didn’t wake her from her naïve reverie, another would inevitably come down the line and do it themselves. The mere concept was unforgivable. 

As time passed, it became clear she wasn’t living in a dreamlike state, but was perfectly aware of her surroundings and the people who inhabit them. This left me at an impasse. How do you destroy someone who has already annihilated and rebuilt themselves? There are ways, yes, yet no longer did the idea appeal to me. I wanted something new from her, though the specifics alluded me. What I did know, however, was that this strange woman would touch many lives for the better. 

This was a constant torment. I’d have to go about my business, knowing full well she’s making others smile, laugh, and otherwise brightening their day elsewhere. My chest would become impossibly tight whenever I fixated on this. She holds qualities people are inevitably drawn to. She is radiance incarnate, so easy to adore. A light like that is visible far and wide.

When I pressed back against her dearly held beliefs, instead of fading, she burned ever brighter.

I know she feels it too — this invisible rope that binds us. She’ll happily talk to me for hours, even when I forgo superficial charm and express slivers of my depravity. She sees it, acknowledges it, and seeks me out all the same. I find myself talking more than I meant to when she’s around. She challenges me, interestingly enough. Her arguments often have holes and aren’t by any means polished, but she cuts to the heart of things. 

She is my personal torment. I want every inch of her for myself. Her unique mind, heart, soul… would it be enough? Could I stop there? Or would I keep going, taking more and more, until we were essentially one flesh? 

It’s by her recommendation I’m writing any of this down. She said “I am in desperate need of intensive therapy” and sent some links to her recommendations. I’m inclined to give in to her requests since she asks for so little, but that might be the one I have to refuse. I cannot recall the last time I met someone this amusing, if ever. The inner workings of her pretty little head are a mystery I long to unravel.

Displeased as I am to admit it, a day will pass when she no longer looks at me the way she does now. My true identity can’t go unknown forever, the revelation is inevitable. Still, I won’t let her go. My grip will only grow tighter. If her ire is my penance for possessing her entirely, then I’ll accept the sentence and chip away at it over time. Emotions are transient. With the right encouragement, I can guide her back to my arms, even if she considers the embrace a scourge. 

When we first met, she said something that has taken permanent residence in my mind. 

“So long as I can say I helped one person, that’s good enough for me.” 

This was always bound to be my benediction and her condemnation. 

From that moment onward, her life was mine to do with as I please. There are many far more worthy of her than I, which is why I’ll never give them the chance. I’ll deprive the world of her vibrancy. It could become engulfed in eternal darkness, and still, I’d happily refuse to give her back. Let them lament, weep, and gnash their teeth.

In my youth, I set out to be the greatest villain. Never have I been more willing to carry out the actions befitting such a lofty title. 

This is the curse of a wicked man’s love, [First] [Last]. Revisit your religion and pray fervently. For only a god could save you from the future I’ve planned for us. 

[super-paper]

Like I feel like 90% of my problems with 423 (Izuku) could have easily been fixed if Hori had actually stayed true to Izuku's character as someone driven by his empathy for others. Naturally I would have still been extremely upset with Tenko's death, yeah, but I think I would have at least been able to gradually process it and eventually accept it if Hori had actually depicted Izuku as like... actually reacting to the fact that he's killing Tenko and actually attempting to grapple with the weight of taking his life. Any reaction that might come after this chapter is simply too late to undo the damage.

Blood+ is an excellent example of a well done "I had no choice but to kill you" villain death: In this series, The hero (Saya) is ultimately forced to fight and kill her villain (Diva), but the core of her character-- her kindness-- is never sacrificed. It's enhanced by the tragedy of it all, of her being forced to end a life when she sincerely didn't want to. Even though Diva did terrible and unforgivable things, the first thing Saya does when she sees her crumbling is to rush forward and comfort her despite her own injuries, and to express intense anguish over not being able to help her. This cements why Saya is the hero of this story. I haven't watched Blood+ in over ten years, but the final moment between these two is something that has stuck with me all this time-- this is how you write a powerful ending between your kind/empathetic MC and the villain they were ultimately forced to kill.

Comparatively, everything about Izuku and Tenko's resolution feels completely numb. Izuku's lackluster nonreaction to everything he learned about Tenko in the vestige world. His complete lack of distress when Tenko's abuser swallowed him up and took over his body again. Him not expressing any concern for Tenko's safety once AFO resurfaced. Him continuing to beat on Tenko's body as it crumbled without any internal conflict or hesitation.

All of it sacrifices the very foundation of Izuku's character-- him being moved to act out of EMPATHY for others, not out of a desire to simply "beat the villain". The climax of Izuku's long awaited "rising" chapter is ultimately about him punching someone rather than saving someone, which also betrays the core of his character (yes, it's also about how he inspires others by doing his best but can you honestly say him rushing forward to punch TomurAFO to death was "doing his best as a hero". What was supposed to be the cumulation of Izuku's arc ends up being completely surface level/lacking sincerity and instead reads like Hori is just going through the motions).

The boy from chapter 1 whose body moved on its own after seeing someone in pain was ultimately more heroic than the boy from chapter 423, and that's one of the many reasons why people should be upset with this chapter and what it's done to Izuku's character/arc.

[not-your-rain]

May I oblige a line from one of your earlier posts and ask you about your Five Pebbles x Unparalleled Innocence interpretation? It's nice to see someone else into that ship, and seeing as there's so much potential for how the ship can be portrayed (mainly based on how each person establishes/develops UI as a character), I'd like to hear someone else's interpretation of it! Plus, it's definitely still a rarepair in the fandom as of now, and I think it deserves some love!

hi!! i'd be happy to talk more about them

(more under the cut since this post got way too long)

even with all of this compounded together, she isn't a bad person. it's vague enough ingame that i choose to believe she had good intentions when she discovered pebbles' condition. she sent overseers to his can because she's nosy like that, saw the rot, freaked out and sent it to everyone. i think she wanted to help but wasn't sure what else to do.

my interpretation of unparalleled innocence is meant to be a subversion of the "mean girl trope" as i find that trope to be rather shallow. she's very impulsive and doesn't think before she acts which gets her into trouble more often than not. she has trouble with empathy and doesn't always consider the feelings of others. she also can't keep a secret to save her life.

her structure was a museum, art center and fashion capital and she was frequently treated by her citizens as an icon or a symbol and not a living, thinking being. she holds a bit of resentment due to this, and it is in part why she has trouble expressing herself properly.

she already has a reputation for being brash, "rude" and a gossip, something she doesn't really attempt to combat as she doesn't see a point in doing so. she hides a thick layer of cynicism and futility about her situation behind a cheerful mask. it doesn't help that her relationship with pebbles is somewhat of a rivalry. the two constantly butt heads, within and outside of the local group. they bicker, and she likes it because she likes the attention she gets from him. i do think she harbors a bit of a crush on him but isn't sure how to handle it so she annoys the hell out of him instead. the two don't hate each other they just get on each others nerves a lot lol

innocence, being slightly older than pebbles, is one of the few iterators who see eye to eye with him and view him as an equal. this is why i find the ship appealing apart from being really into enemies to lovers type stuff. most others see pebbles as little more than "moon's neighbor" or "moon's replacement". innocence does not. they're both the youngest in their local group, which definitely aids how she sees him. i feel like they would both be able to peel back each others layers. inno sometimes boasts about things she knows are wrong, if only to get him into correcting her and giving her the right answer.

tl;dr i think they just Get Each Other. even if they bicker there is a mutual level of understanding and a balance in their dynamic that pebbles lacks with other members of the group. innocence cares about *him* and not what he is or what he supposedly represents to everyone else.

also my inno design is based on a zebra finch and i love her

[call-mi-jinx]

Spencer Reid X Reader - "You are smarter than me."

summary: there's a competition between you and reid about who is smarter than who. when he finally confesses something y/n can't get it out of her head so confronts reid about it.

warnings: unknown pining (reader was too busy trying to one up spencer), swearing, making out

Main Masterlist Spencer Reid Masterlist

a/n: hey girliessss! av jus started watching criminal minds and i love spencer's character! don't know if this is completely accurate of his character so pls don't come for me 😂😂 anywaysssss enjoyyyyy xx

spencer reid x fem!reader

Spencer Reid was and still very much is a pain in my arse. We both have IQs of 187, able to read 20,000 words per minute, have 3 PhDs and he thinks it's a competition, but I'm smart enough to know that if we actually put our smarts together then we'd make an unstoppable team for the BAU. However, he thinks it's a stupid competition of who is actually smarter.

So instead of being a normal human being and talking things through with Reid, I decided to play his little game because I've grown to absolutely love pissing him off. It's become my new favorite hobby.

"This guy seems to be a complete psychopath, he shows barely any sympathy. He only has a few close relationships with people, but he even takes advantage of them." Reid says as we're talking about the new guy we're profiling. However, this reminded me of something. Reid is explaining a sociopath, not a psychopath.

"Actually, Reid, you're describing a sociopath. Psychopaths have no empathy while sociopaths have some empathy. And this sociopath we're dealing with has a few close bonds with few people. However, psychopaths have no close bonds with anyone, as they find people easy to manipulate and just a little puppet. The guy we're dealing with enjoys hurting people for personal gain, not enjoyment like a psychopath would." Reid's facial expression makes me grin. He's pissed.

"Good work Y/N." Gideon pats my shoulder as he walks away to get a cup of coffee.

I give Reid a smug look as I go towards the little breakroom. I can feel him quickly following after me, God I love pissing him off, kind of makes me forget that he's so good-looking.

As I get to the breakroom, it's empty, I go towards the cupboard and grab my special mug with little daisies all over the mug with a light blue background. I put a tea bag in the mug and go to put the kettle on but Reid gets in the way.

"Care to move out of the way Reid?" I say as politely as I can but it's hard with the look on his face, I can tell he's angry angry.

"Care to stop making me look like a dumbass?" His jaw tensed as I smirked at how pissed he was.

"Maybe educate yourself a little more then you'd stop looking like a dumbass. It's not my fault I'm smarter than you. One day you're just going to have to deal with it." Reid seems to be getting angrier and angrier with every word I say.

"You are not smarter than me Y/L/N. Just because we have the same IQ, both have 3 PhDs - in which one of them is practically useless - and can read 20,000 words per minute does not mean you're even as smart as me." Reid's tone reeks with venom laced in every word.

"Actually, my degree in biochemistry may be useless to you. But, it's not as useless as you think because it's helped solve cases faster than without my biochemistry PhD. So you are yet again wrong." My smug grin only becomes bigger as I correct him for the 4th time this week. It's Monday.

For once, Reid was absolutely speechless. Not really the reaction I was looking for. And on top of that, his facial expression was calm. Makes me feel uneasy. Very uneasy.

"You know what Y/N. I'm just going to end this right now. You are smarter than me. And you want to know why I'm admitting all of this right now? Because I am tired of pretending that we don't want each other. I'm tired of pretending not to see the look on your face when I'm wearing that particular shirt that I know you like." My breathe hitches at even the slightest mention of that shirt, he always looks so damn good in it. "And I know you're getting tired of it too, especially because of the glances you send my way from your desk." He was now inches away from my face, his breathe fanning against my ear.

As he finished talking, he pulled his face away gave me a small knowing smile and walked out of the room. I was flabbergasted. Reid wanted me? Like in that way?

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For the rest of the day, I stared at the case files. What Reid said took me aback. Not even I knew how I felt about him until he mentioned all those things.

I was taken out of my trance when someone knocked at the door. "Come in." I sigh as I lean back in my chair. When the door opens, I see JJ.

"JJ, what's up?" JJ sits down in the chair opposite mine. She has a warm smile on her face as we make eye contact.

"We've cracked the case! It wasn't the husband who killed her. It was the gardener because he was having an affair with the husband and wanted the husband all for himself!" JJ was ecstatic, it took us almost 3 weeks to crack this case.

"How did you figure it out?" I leaned on my desk, almost as happy as JJ finding out that we cracked the case.

"Wasn't me, it was you." I leaned back in my chair in shock.

"Me? What did I do?" JJ smiled and leaned forward on my desk.

"Reid told us that your correction to his mistake helped him find out that the gardener was a diagnosed sociopath and the only person who fit the description. At first the gardener wasn't even considered by how well he and the husband covered up their affair!" I leaned back in my chair, guess Reid really meant it when he said our 'competition' was over.

"Glad I was able to help." I had a small awkward smile on my face, the mention of Reid reminded me of what he had said to me earlier.

"Also, we're all going out to celebrate. The bar 2 blocks from your apartment building. 8 o'clock." She smiles at me before closing the door.

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As I arrived at the bar, everyone was there. JJ, Garcia, Morgan, Gideon, Hotchner, Greenaway. And Reid. God why did he have to look so good? The way he styled his hair, the clothes he wore, the way he presented himself.

I made my way to JJ and Garcia who, from what I heard on my way over, were talking about how buzzed they were about solving the murder.

"Y/N! Heard you were the one who solved the case! Well done! Proud of you flower!" Garcia hugged me, I looked over her shoulder to see Reid staring at me, he had a look on his face that I couldn't pinpoint and haven't ever seen before. Especially not on his face.

"Thank you. It was Reid who helped me actually. If he didn't make a small error I wouldn't have even mentioned that the killer was a sociopath." I tucked some hair behind my ear as I smiled shyly.

"Reid told us you'd say that. Speaking of, how come you and Reid are giving the credit to each other? Usually you both argue for the credit." JJ had a suspicious look on her face as Garcia stated this.

"We just had a chat in the breakroom and decided it was the adult thing to do and stop our little competition we had going on." JJ and Garcia wasn't convinced but they nodded their heads anyway.

As the night went on, everyone except for me and Reid got drunk. Because I don't really like being around drunk people, I sat in a booth away from everyone else.

I was looking through Instagram on my phone when I felt the seat next to me dip with someone's weight. I looked up from my phone to see Reid next to me.

"Hey Reid, what's up?" Reid had the same look on his face from earlier. Made heat rush straight to my face.

"You still thinking about what I said earlier?" He rested his face on his hand as he stared at me intently. The heat in my face only grew more as he spoke. I never noticed how much I actually like the sound of his voice.

"What exactly did you say Reid?" I tease him a little bit. I remember exactly what he said. Word. For. Fucking. Word.

"Please don't make me say it again, I had a sudden urge of confidence in that moment and just then." He leaned back and looked at me pleadingly.

It made me giggle. How introverted he is but when he wants to be he can be the most extroverted person ever.

"Don't worry love, I remember and cannot stop thinking about what you said." I leaned closer to him, leaving just a few inches between our faces.

"R-really? I... I-I was kind of hoping you wouldn't." He had an awkward and embarrassed look on his face.

"And why's that?" I lean slightly closer, I can feel his breathe quicken.

"B-because you obviously don't feel the same way, the way you oppose me every chance you get, the way you look at me when I correct you, the tone of voice you use when you speak to me. The facts are there Y/N, to anyone it'd seem like you almost hate me in a way." When Reid was stating the facts I felt horrible, he thought I hated him. I could never hate him, I just hate when people correct me.

"Spencer. I don't hate you. I could never hate you. I just hate when someone corrects me. Especially when we're in front of other people that I care about the opinions of. It's because when someone corrects me, I feel like a failure. When it used to happen in school, I'd always go red in the face and want to curl up in a ball. It's nothing against you Spencer." Reid's face lit up.

"That's the first time you've used my first name. And you used it twice!" He had the biggest smile on his face.

"That's all you could focus on?" I chuckle and lean back then forward again.

"Well not actually, but it's a huge thing because we've known each other for years and you've always called me Reid because we've always had this sort of rivalry going on-"

"Shut up and kiss me Reid." I say before placing both my hands on his cheeks and connecting our lips. He kissed me back after quickly processing what I just did.

His hand went to my waist shortly after to pull me closer. His other hand went to my neck and pushed my head closer to his. The kiss was desperate but also freeing.

We eventually pulled away to catch our breath and giggled like school children as we made eye contact.

"I guess the facts are not there." He breathed out a chuckle, his hands staying where he had placed them, not wanting to let go. Of me. Of this moment.

"Guess you don't know everything Spencer." I had a smug smile on my face. He rolled his eyes before he peppers my face with kisses.

"You have always been such an ass Y/L/N." I mock an offended look on my face and place my hand on my heart.

"Such a hurtful thing to say Reid." We both giggle as we lean in for another kiss.