#King Edward Bar

[anomaly-076]

If the tkdb ghouls were the whb devils, who do you think would be who?

If Tkdb boys were WHB demons

‎‧₊˚✿Masterlist✿˚₊‧

♦ Ooh a fun concept! ^^ *rolls up sleeves*

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Jin

Jin is an absolute Belphegor with the whole 'leave me alone I'm sleeping thing'

Plus he has his trusty servant to take care of everything

Tohma

For the same reason I'm gonna say Tohma is pretty much Beleth

A trusty servant taking on the responsibilities of leading the kingdom/house

Lucas

Okay, not a devil, but I'm gonna say Minhyeok

Our trusty childhood friend who's all prim and proper

And him and Ppyong are amazing besties just like Lucas and Kaito

Kaito

To simply put it: Kaito is an idiot

Kinda like Ppyong, who mostly says stuff that make you wonder if there's a single braincell happening (doesn't matter, he's my son either way)

They both also see themselves at a prince in a shining armor

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Alan

Rarely talks, doesn't really show much emotions...

That sounds like Zagan to me!

Another thing they have in common is their interest in working out

Leo

*sigh* this might be controversial, but I don't hate Leo

Otherwise I'd hate to assign him one of my favorites: Paimon

They're both these cheery and cutesy social media fiends

To be fair: Paimon is a bit controversial too

In a way that there was a bit of drama bc regarding people's HCs (one person was hypocritical about them not adhering to canon)

Sho

Bike boy Sho gets a bike boy Amy

They're both pretty chill despite coming off as a meanie at first

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Haku

Our ever-so-cheery Haku can be no other than babyboy Gamigin

They're both so energetic and adorable ^^

Towa

This is more based on my personal HC, but Morax strikes me as the type to be able to talk to plants/animals and to attract them

Both our boys are on the quiet side and morax is definitely the romantic type too

Ren

In the original design, Gusion was made out to be a gamer in a onesie and so I HC that it was his "teenage" phase he hasn't grown out of and only chooses to dress more mature

They both would absolutely love to have a movie/gaming marathon with MC

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Taiga

Ah, guns ablazing

Stolas has a bit of a short fuse and likes to fire two of his thompsons

I kinda wanna see these two on a shooting range now

Romeo

With Romeo's obsession with meeting deadline money goals, Bimet is the absolute perfect equivalent

We even had an event where some of his money went missing and he threw such a bad temper tantrum

Ritsu

This one is kinda hard...

I don't think there is a demon that would be similar to Ritsu..

Oh, but we do have Bael who is constantly doing paperwork instead of Beelzebub, who's always gone

And Bael is constantly sending all the other nobles out to chase him down

Just like Ritsu constantly bothers Taiga and Romeo with his lawyer roleplay

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Subaru

Subaru as the pretty boy he is gets another pretty boy, Foras

According his idiosyncrasy, Foras is the prettiest demon in Hell so much so even his king, Leviathan, gets jealous

Haku

Personality vise I don't think we have a demon to match Haku, but the spiritual vibe he has reminds me of Buer

Buer gives me the vibe of some temple priest/spiritual healer

Zenji

Zenji is another one who's kinda hard to find a demon for

There isn't really an artist/writer type of demon

So maybe... Astaroth?

Astaroth finds pleasure in corrupting people with his words, just like Zejni wants to spread his poems and songs

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Edward

Old man

Just like Lucifer

I can imagine them sitting in Lucifer's greenhouse and relaxing together

Rui

Another one I wanna say Astaroth about?

Rui is a flirt, just like Astaroth

Plus the whole bar thing matches the corruption thing really well

I once even wrote Astaroth as someone you don't want to watch over the alcohol on a party

Lyca

This one is kinda obvious: Naberius

Since he can turn into Cerberus while angry and they're both precious

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Yuri

Yuri gives strong Agares vibes withe way he thinks everything revolves around him

They're both full of themselves and have a faithful sidekick

Jiro

Gentle giant ♥

Okay, Marbas isn't as gentle (if even), but they're both precious big medic boys

I can even imagine Marbas waving a chainsaw around

If he wan't for the safety of everyone tied up

[shiongenkai]

Tokyo Debunker Headcanons

I'll probably add to this list again, so this isn't all of them forever, but here's some things I like to kick around in my brain about...

Jin

His style of playing chess is extremely close to Yuri's, and vice-versa. He'll deny it if you point it out though.

Kaito

He's just like his grandma when she was young, and she finds it fun to tease him about that (even if he doesn't realise that's why she's teasing him).

His bow aim depends on his own confidence for the most part, but also on how his bow is feeling, so even if he's perfectly confident, his bow will miss to mess with him sometimes

King thinks he's striking out with Luca and the MC daily, but the two of them always clench their fists in pure adoration when he leaves. 'So pathetic we can't NOT want him' vibes.

He got along with Zenji before he died. Sometimes he can still see him, but can't recognize that it's Zenji due to him appearing like the shadowy monster figure.

He's able to see the tree on Towa's hill, which is how they originally became friends.

Lucas

Him and Lyca occasionally meet up to discuss new things they've learned about Japan and exchange notes on slang they don't understand

Sho

ADHD king who channels his restlessness and pent up energy into different hobbies and sparring.

Always jumping to a new thing since he gets bored easily and tends to pick up on the basics intuitively.

Haru

He has a difficult time accepting genuine help outside of his immediate circle of Towa and, very very recently, Ren. He's fine leaving what he considers basic tasks to others (even if his definition of 'basic' is still much more involved than others) but when it comes to lessening his own workload, he's super avoidant of it

On that note, king doesn't get nearly enough sleep. He tends to snag small hour naps throughout the day rather than sleeping for an extended period of time. He feels too restless otherwise.

Despite seeming like he's willing to spend a lot of money on things that don't really matter (tracking devices, new fliers, etc), he virtually never buys things for himself or his own sake outside of drinks at Rui's bar. A $100 purchase for someone else is worth more to him than a $2 purchase for himself.

Towa

He and Shion have a rivalry over Haru, which Haru doesn't know about. Towa is very proud he gets to stay by Haru's side while Shion can't. Shion will die mad about it.

His perception on what's dangerous to humans has been skewed by being around Edward and Shion, so he thinks anything that hasn't killed them is safe enough for humans too (even when it's not).

Haru banned him from visiting Sinostra

He knows about Haru hanging out at the bar but doesn't mind it as much as Haru thinks he does. He prefers to chill at the hill anyway, and Haru can't see the tree.

Ritsu

Ren forced him to join his game guild for the invite bonus, and both of them expected Ritsu to hate it, but Ritsu accidentally got super, super into it. More into it than Ren. It is insufferable for them both

He has behavioral models for everyone, including anomalies like the ZipperCrocs and Peekaboo.

He is insanely, terribly gullible, and the other first years have a field day messing with him over it.

Leo has him blocked on WickChat after Ritsu quoted one too many stupid laws at him.

Zenji

He became scared of ghosts after coming to Darkwick since he realized they were real at that point.

He's the 'He asked for no pickles!' for Jiro, and has carried that over even though nobody but Haku can hear him advocate for his brother.

He sneaks out at night a lot to go watch people sleep, not because he's trying to be a creep, but because he likes to see people look peaceful at rest. He misses that sensation.

He created videos before he died, but rebranded after he died to capitalize on the idea of 'famous artist dies and works become more valuable'.

Yuri

He's a germaphobe, but only outside of the medical contexts. He obviously keeps clean for operations like a doctor should, but he doesn't freak out if he gets blood on him, or so on. If blood or dirt gets on him in any other context he freaks out.

He has OCD tendencies and likely OCD itself, but he's horrible at diagnosing himself with issues, and doesn't trust other doctors to do it for him.

The aforementioned difficulty also extends to physical issues like injuries, but he's more willing to rely on Jiro for those.

Ed

He is unironically a fan of Leo's TikTok and regularly watches his content.

[apomaro-mellow]

King&Prince 9

Steve sprinted so quick and fast, his instincts narrowing down and only allowing him to hear his panting breath, beating heart and the forest rushing around him. He needed to hide, to get away. He'd just slapped him.

He slapped King Edward.

If being a royal from an enemy kingdom wasn't grounds for execution, striking the monarch definitely had to be. Steve hadn't a single weapon on him, he didn't stand a chance in a fight. But if he could get far enough, if he could catch his breath and come up with a plan of action...

Heights

He could get up high. That would give him some time. At the next tree, he began to climb. Up higher and higher until he thought he was far above enough that the king wouldn't immediately find him. Now that he had a moment, he breathed in deep and then out, going slow and taking in his surroundings.

All he could see was dreary greenery. It almost looked like he was back home. He put a hand to his chest, willing his heart to calm down. What were the odds of a random townsperson knowing his face? If he was to escape and get back home, now was the time. Going back home like this wasn't really what he wanted, but he literally had nowhere else to go. His father might consider him a disappointment, but he was still a prince. Barring any surprise children, he would one day inherit the kingdom and that's what this was all for.

He didn't belong anywhere else, certainly not here.

There was the sound of something moving through the trees and he tensed up. It was probably just birds, but he felt as though he couldn't be too sure.

"Come down Little Prince~", the king's voice sang from below.

"Shit!"

"No sudden movements! You'll tumble right down."

Steve looked down and was just barely able to make out the king's form. It also made him realize just how high he'd climbed. He got dizzy just thinking of it and closed his eyes, trying to ground himself.

"I'm not coming down!", Steve shouted.

"So you're just going to live there now? What do you really thinks going to happen if you leave the tree?"

Steve thought about what would happen if someone had ever struck his father. He pressed his hands into the trunk. If he had ever put his hands on his father, instead of the other way around.

"You alright up there, Harrington?" When he didn't get an answer right away, his brow pinched. "Hey! Talk to me, are you okay?"

Steve took a breath. "I'm not going down just to be killed!", he finally said. "Not by you, or by anyone else here."

Steve didn't hear the sigh come from the king. He didn't hear much of anything besides the rustling of leaves as something slowly moved upward. He wasn't surprised when the king rose up and sat on the branch next to him.

"You could've come up here the whole time", he said.

"Just one of my many talents", the king said.

"So why didn't you?"

"And have you flail around and break your neck? You seemed pretty opposed to touching me."

"You're a monster", Steve said quietly, almost as if he didn't believe it anymore.

Eddie thought about how no one was coming for Steve, and for the first time he wondered what sort of monsters he lived with. He had to tell him. Tell him that his kingdom had forsaken him and that if he tried to return, it wouldn't be to fanfare.

"Let's get you out of this tree", he said instead. He held out a hand, hoping the prince would take it.

Steve looked down and hesitated before reaching out and grabbing it. The king pulled him close and slowly they lowered them down to the ground. Steve let out a breath when he felt the solid dirt beneath his feet.

"I'm sorry. For hitting you earlier. I was just...I don't know, but I'm sorry."

Eddie was surprised by the apology, eyes wide and it even took him a moment to respond. "What, that? Barely a tap. You'll have to do better than that."

He released Steve and started walking back to where they'd left the horse. Without a word, Steve followed. He could hear something out in the distance, and just knew it was those grayish-white creatures from before, probably on all sides. When they got to the horse, Eddie untied it and mounted it first. This time, Steve took his hand to help get up and he put his hands on the king's hips before they took off.

It was easy to imagine that he was riding along with a regular person. Flesh and blood and bone just like his own. When they got back to the castle, Steve's stomach finally spoke up and he thought that now would be a good time to have lunch, seeing as it was late afternoon.

He tried turning towards the kitchen but the king took his by the shoulders and turned him another direction.

"Go down this hall and to the left to the infirmary", he said. "Have your foot checked out."

"My what? It's fine."

"I could just make you", the king warned.

Steve went, not feeling like being carried again. He went in and found Dustin there, getting his arm wrapped up.

"What happened?"

"Max was testing out her homemade anesthetic on me and it, uh... worked."

"Did she cut you open?!", Steve exclaimed. How had these kids survived for this long?

"You know Eddie's going to give you all hell when he finds out", the man patching up Dustin said. "And then he's most certainly telling your mother."

Dustin grimaced. "I hate that he's such a tattle tale. What's the harm? She didn't even cut that deep?"

"And how may I help you?", he ignored Dustin and turned to Steve.

"The king said I should get a cut on my foot checked out?"

"Lucas told me about that. I can't believe you fought with Nancy, do you have a death wish?", Dustin asked. Once his arm was all gauzed up, he beamed. "Thanks Bob."

Steve removed his boot and sat down so that the bandage could be removed and looked at.

"So what did you and Eddie do today?", Dustin asked, loitering now.

"Um, nothing? I wasn't with Eddie today", Steve said. He tried not to move as dried blood was cleaned but it slightly tickled.

"Robin said she saw you riding off with him."

"I went off for a ride with King Edward, not Eddie", Steve said.

Dustin and Bob shared a look, then turned their gaze back to Steve. They didn't speak, like they were waiting for him to realize something, but it never came.

"Steve...Have you never met Eddie?", Dustin asked.

"No. I literally just got out of that dungeon and since then I've been worked like a dog. The only people I've seen are you and your friends, that kitchen staff...the king...does Eddie work in the kitchen?"

Bob was about to say something, but Dustin tugged his sleeve so hard it threatened to rip.

"This is gonna be so funny, we need to do it in front of everyone."

Part 11

Tag Team

@thesuninyaface @only-evanescent @snakeorsquid @ignoremyworld @theclichefortunecookie @goodolefashionedloverboi @just-a-tiny-void @0body0disphoria0 @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @samsoble @jamieweasley13 @y4r3luv @xtkxkrzrizir @un-knownperson @greekgeek24 @justdrugsformethanks @potato-of-the-lord @notaqueenakhaleesi @swimmingbirdrunningrock @queenie-ofthe-void @nebulainajar @lil-gremlin-things @nicememerino @robininblue @hornedqueenofhell @anne-bennett-cosplayer @moomkin77 @here4thetrama

[spookystree]

more more more moRE MORE MORE MORE

roommates au rambles again

↓↓↓

Catwin are exes in this au, I'm gonna say they dated in-between Charles and Edwin reconnecting after highschool (for a year or two)

The cat king goes to Jenny's bar a decent amount

Charles does not know what Edwin's ex looks like, just that he exists and his name is Thomas

Esther is also a regular at the bar

They get into fights there a decent amount, have gotten kicked out cause of it before too

Maxine is permanently banned from the bar after she said something creepy to Jenny

All four of them love Chappell Roan

Edwin's favorite song of her's is Good luck babe, Crystal likes Red wine supernova, Niko's are Hot to go and Casual, Charles also loves Casual

Thomas's favorite is My kink is karma (the song in general makes me think of him for some reason)

Crystal and Niko have gone as Chucky and Tiffany for Halloween (Niko was Chucky and Crystal was Tiffany)

Niko loves Tim Burton movies

Her favorite is Edward Scissorhands

Edwin's favorite is sleepy hollow

Niko is an ever after high girl, Crystal is a monster high girl

They've both made the boys watch a lot of both of those

YIPPE more of the sillies

[impossiblesuitcase]

I remember reading that you said because Cinder is technically Queen Selene Blackburn, aka royalty, that makes it acceptable enough for her to legally marry Kai who’s a royal himself. Could you explain that a bit more, I didn’t actually know that. I thought he had enough power on his own to marry whoever he chooses no matter what the crown or others are to think

Kai is the emperor of a constitutional monarchy, meaning he is governed by rules and limitations to his power. Constitutional monarchs have a lot less power than you think. Most of the decisions in their country are made by the elected representatives, not the monarch, and the monarch cannot change laws at the drop of a hat. In canon, Kai is able to end the cyborg draft, but he is not able to immediately revoke the Cyborg Act.

Because cyborgs aren't even considered full citizens, there may be legislation preventing him from marrying a cyborg and retaining his title. For example, modern-day Princess Mako of Japan had to renounce her royal title in accordance with a law made in 1947 because she married a commoner.

Even if there is no official law barring him from marrying a cyborg, there is clear social prejudice acting as an obstacle. Kai's actions affect his popularity as emperor; if he marries just any cyborg--a group vehemently hated within the Commonwealth--his public approval rating will dwindle. The Commonwealth also has an Imperial Cabinet of elected representatives and if they disapprove of the match, they could intentionally make things difficult for Kai; in an extreme case, they could even potentially dethrone him.

This public pressure is no small threat. In 1936, King Edward VIII of Britain had to abdicate the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. This was because the prime ministers of England opposed the marriage due to Wallis being American, a commoner, and a divorcée twice over--all antithetical to the ethos of the British monarchy at the time.

So had Kai attempted to marry Cinder when she was just a cyborg, he would have faced immense public and governmental backlash, even potentially to the point that he would be legally unable to marry her while retaining his throne. However, by Cinder being Queen Selene, her status becomes equivalent to his, making her a more conventional candidate for empress. Though her being cyborg could still engender public outcry, because Kai revises the laws surrounding cyborgs and because Cinder is well-liked by Earthens for defeating Levana, this prejudice would no longer have as much power.

[bee-kathony]

Out of the Woods | Jane & Guildford

An alternate first meeting of Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley. What would happen if Jane followed Guildford after the chaos in the tavern?

For the first time in Jane’s entire life, no one knows where she is. 

She is alone and free. She can finally escape, ride north, and create her destiny. 

After thwarting the guards, Jane escaped on horseback promising to return home. But home was the last place she wished to return. Her own mother, now her dear cousin Edward had promised her to a marriage she did not want. 

Jane wanted her freedom to do as she pleased. The last thing she wanted was to be tied to someone else for all eternity. So she fled!

As Jane rode on, she swore she could taste her freedom. But there was something in the woods. A light, and suddenly Jane saw them. Guards, a search party clearly sent by King Edward or her dratted mother. She needed somewhere to hide, somewhere no one would ever think to look. 

Dashing off to the right, Jane rode deeper into the woods and thanked the gods as she approached a small village. As she tied up her horse outside a tavern, Jane took one quick glance around her before rushing inside. 

It was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. People were playing dice games, drinking, and laughing. Jane relaxed, leaning against the stairwell as she took everything in. 

That’s when she spotted him from across the tavern. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. This dark-haired stranger. 

Jane couldn’t decipher what argument he was dissolving between his friends, but suddenly he had jumped onto the table.

“And now we’re gonna gut ya!” She heard the man’s friend (or perhaps they weren’t friends) say. 

“Gut me with what?” The dark-haired stranger asked as he reached behind him and grabbed what appeared to be the two squabbling drinkers’ knives. 

“Are you looking for these?” Expertly, he tossed a knife and it landed bullseye on the dart board. And the next right beside it. The entire bar cheered, and Jane found herself smiling as she watched this man. 

“And now I have your attention, shall I torture you with a poem?”

“No!” Shouted the rowdy tavern. 

“Too late,” the man said, shrugging. 

“I have decided to die in a tavern.” He was speaking in Latin. Well, he was attempting, but it impressed Jane. 

“Where the wine will be close to my dying…” he continued, searching for the words and the crowd finished for him. 

“Mouth!” They raised their glasses, drinking. 

Jane was entranced, utterly besotted by the display she’d just witnessed. As she’d never been in an establishment quite like this one before, she wasn’t sure what to do next. 

That was…

Until he laid eyes on her. 

Jane looked around, surely he must be mistaken. This dark-haired stranger that had so easily diffused a fight couldn’t be looking at her. 

She couldn’t remember her feet moving, but it was as if she was drawn to the man, and now she found herself standing directly in front of him. 

“So, do you… come here often?” Two seconds later, judging by his gaze, she instantly regretted that question. 

The man finished off his drink, turned back, and burped in her face.  

“Wow,” Jane said, her opinions quickly changing. 

“Oops.” The man covered his mouth. 

“That’s your response? So you can recite the Archpoet standing on a table in a dirt-floor tavern, but you can’t muster a simple apology?” 

The man shrugged, looking her up and down, “I said, ‘oops’”. 

“You mispronounced ‘vina,’ by the way. It’s ‘Vee-na’’, where’d you learn your Latin? In a ditch?” Jane questioned him. 

“Who would teach Latin in a ditch?” His body turned toward her, but Jane wouldn’t be persuaded. 

“Oh, you’re missing the point.”

“The point being?” He took a sip of his drink. 

Jane crossed her arms. “Your mediocre Latin and disappointing table manners.”

The man looked around, “Are we at a table? No.”

“Again, missing the point.” 

The frustrating man stared down her her, just a breath away, “Has anybody ever told you that you’re an insufferable pedant?”

“Oh, where I come from, pedantry is a virtue.” 

“Where I come from amiability trumps semantics.”

“Amiability is for the meek.”

“Amiability is for the amiable.”

They squared off, their words quick as they sized one another up. It was clear Jane had been mistaken about this man. Sure, he seemed charming enough, but he was grating on her nerves. 

“You are the rudest man I have ever met!” Jane rolled her eyes. 

The man raised his glass, “Well, the night is young. Mingle.” 

“Oh, I intend to. Goodnight.” Jane turned to leave, eager to leave him behind and never see him again. 

“Wait!” He reached out for her. “Who are you?”

Jane evaded his question by asking him the same. “Who are you?”

But they were interrupted before either could say a name. 

A soldier burst through the door. “Good evening!” 

Everyone in the tavern hushed, and a few men at the bar looked nervous. Jane only hoped the guards weren’t there for her. 

“Come with me,” the man whispered, taking her arm. 

“As if!” She brushed him away. 

“What?!”

“I said, good evening, my good people. We have it on excellent authority that a certain beast might be in here. Goes by the name of Archer. He’s wanted for robbery, arson, sedition.” 

Jane breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t looking for her. But a beast? 

“Hand him over or we dunk every last one of you.” 

Suddenly a man close to Jane walked forward. “Why don’t you leave him alone, you bunch of thugs? I’m Archer.” 

The guards rushed towards him, “Then you’re coming with me.”

“Not likely!” Just then Archer transformed into a bear. 

“Ethian?” Jane’s eyes grew wide as she froze. 

Everyone began to scream and run, it was complete chaos. Jane felt herself being pulled towards the door. 

“Right. Let’s go!” The man grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the outbreak. 

They dashed through the crowd, Jane was so curious. As she’d never actually seen an Ethian transform before her eyes. That was until just the other day when her maid Susannah had transformed into a hawk.

“This door leads outside,” the man said as they ducked under the stairs. 

“This is madness. I never knew things were like this.”

“You’ve never seen a bear in a bar before?”

“Never,” Jane said softly. 

The dark-haired man pulled her close, his eyes boring into hers. “Last chance. Come with me.” 

“I can’t… I-“, someone smashed against the stairs. Jane screamed, and before she could protest further, the dark-haired man was dragging her outside into the cool night air. The chaos of the bar drifted behind them as they fled. 

“Wait!” Jane struggled against his grip. “I can’t go with you!” 

“I’m not stealing you,” the man laughed, leading them into the forest. “I’m simply making sure that a lady such as yourself doesn’t die. I can’t have that on my conscience you see.” 

“Ah yes,” Jane tore her hand away from his. “I do see. I’m just another pretty girl you lure into the woods. I think I’ll take my chances with the bear!” 

Jane turned to leave back towards the bar. After all, she had lost her sense of direction, and as much as she didn’t want to return home. She didn’t know where else to go at this exact moment. 

“Not so fast, little one,” the man grabbed her arm, twisting her into him. They were face to face, their chests heaving from the excitement. “I know a safe place we can wait.” 

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Jane spoke softly. “Just let me go.” 

The man stared at her, his eyes making an assessment. 

“Seeing as how your conversational skills were so lacking-“ 

“I was not-“ Jane cut him off. 

He held up a finger against her lips. “I’d wager that you’ve never been to a place like that. Never seen something like that before.” 

“Perhaps.” 

“Well, perhaps,” the man let his hand slide down, taking her hand again. “You also don’t know that the King’s guards will be traversing this area all night until they find what they want.” 

Jane couldn’t have that. Maybe staying with this man and letting her lead her somewhere safe was the only way she could make it to tomorrow. 

“Fine,” Jane agreed, stamping her foot slightly. “Take me to wherever you are going. I’ll wait until dawn before I go my own way.” 

“Very well,” the man said, sighing. “Stay close.” 

He kept her hand in his as they walked quietly for another fifteen minutes. The sound of the crunching leaves under their feet was making Jane rather anxious. How did she get herself into this situation? Walking through the woods at midnight with a handsome stranger. 

Jane’s mind kept drifting back to the events of the day. Not only had her mother gone behind her back and arranged a marriage she did not want. Her dearly beloved cousin Edward, who just so happened to be the King of England, had approved of the marriage and given his consent. Feeling worn down, all Jane could do was hope that this mysterious suitor died suddenly of the affliction and she wouldn’t have to attend the wedding. 

“How much further?” Jane whispered. “It’s freezing!” 

“We’re almost there,” the man said. “In fact, here we are.” 

Jane had to squint to see what exactly she was looking at. It appeared to be a small cottage if one could call it that. Perhaps, a shack was a better term for it. 

“Come,” the man said and pulled her along behind him. “No one will find us here.” 

Inside the small shack, Jane was surprised to see it wasn’t entirely falling apart. In fact, there was a cozy fireplace on one wall, shelves of books, and a bed off in the corner. It looked like someone lived here. 

“Is this your home?” Jane asked as the stranger rid himself of his jacket and laid it across the chair by the fire. 

“Maybe,” the man shrugged. 

“It’s so…” 

“Small? Ugly? Strange?” The man offered. 

“No,” Jane looked around once again. “Cozy.” 

“Hmph,” the man looked at Jane quizzically before squatting down to the fire. “We can hide here for a few hours. But I must leave before the sun rises.”

“Oh yes, I had better return home as soon as I’m able,” Jane sighed and took a seat in the chair, watching at the man started a small fire. “If we are to stay here for the next several hours, then will you at least tell me your name?”

“Tell me yours,” he looked up at her through his falling hair. 

Jane rolled her eyes, expecting nothing less. She wanted to tell this man everything. Nothing but the truth, which was odd seeing as how he was a complete stranger. But there was something about him, the way he looked at her and made her feel seen and alive. 

“Elizabeth,” Jane lied. While yes, she felt she could trust him. One could never be too careful. 

“John,” the man put his hand on his chest. Little did Jane know that this man was also lying about his real name. 

They were silent as John finished the fire and sat in the chair opposite her. 

“Do you really live here?” Jane asked, curiosity sparking once again. 

“Sometimes,” John said. “My family…” he started, looking down at his crossed hands. “My family doesn’t provide much peace you see. So I built this place as a sort of refuge to get away every now and then.” 

Jane knew he wasn’t being completely truthful, but she hadn’t exactly been either. Seeing how harsh the soldiers had been on the Ethians in the bar, Jane understood that you couldn’t trust anyone these days. 

“Where did you come from Elizabeth? I’ve never seen you at that bar before tonight.” John questioned. 

Lie or truth?

“I ran away,” she said, deciding to tell the truth. 

“From who?”

“My family,” Jane sighed, sinking into the chair. “They want me to do something, and I absolutely will not! My mother,” Jane growled. “She thinks she can determine my future, but I won’t allow it.” 

John blinked before responding. “Well, they would be insane to go against you. Then why would you return home?”

Jane did not want to go home and admit defeat, but she didn’t see another option. Yes, she could ride off into the night and disappear, but she didn’t have any money, nor any idea of how to get some. It was a nice dream she’d had to determine her own destiny, but perhaps destiny wasn’t something one made for themselves after all. 

“I don’t know what else to do,” Jane shrugged. “I’m a woman, and since I am unmarried I cannot do anything for myself.” 

“A shame,” John shook his head. “I would love to see the man that could come up against you.” 

“I don’t believe there is any such man,” Jane laughed. Certainly not this man her mother wanted her to marry, Guildford Dudley. 

“You should rest,” John said, nodding to the bed in the corner. “I’ll sit watch by the fire here.”

The bed did look awfully cozy. Jane had had a tiring day. An exhausting day of having her hopes and dreams dashed. Betrayed by the very people she thought she could trust. 

“Perhaps just a little rest,” Jane agreed and stood up, only her feet caught under her dress and she stumbled. Right into the arms of John. He was sturdy, and he smelled good, oh did he ever! 

“Oh bollocks,” Jane tried to right herself, but her hand pushed against something hard, and John winced, crying out. It was only then as he screwed his face in pain that she realized she’d pushed against his member. 

“I’m sorry!” Jane blushed, her arms flailing out trying to push against anything else but his body. 

“Elizabeth,” John caught her arms, steadying her as he leaned forward in the chair. “Just relax.” 

Before she could process what was happening, Jane had been swept up into John’s strong arms and he carried her over to the bed, gently placing her down. His hands lingered, caressing her cheek, a thumb running over her lips. 

“John,” she whispered, feeling that same intense pull as before in the bar. 

His lips crashed into hers, and Jane moaned, her arms winding around his neck. This was certainly not what Jane had envisioned when she’d come to this cabin. In fact, Jane had just sworn off all men earlier that day. But John felt so good. He tasted so good. 

“Elizabeth,” he sighed against her lips, pressing her to lay flat on her back. Her head rested against the pillows as John’s body covered hers. Just as her hand had felt him just a few moments earlier, she now felt his hard member against her thigh. 

Jane had no experience with men unless one counted kissing the stable boy when she was twelve. Which Jane did not. 

John slid his hand along her body, over the thick layers of her dress until his hand rested on her neck. His tongue opened her mouth, and she let him in. Jane wanted more of him, more of him everywhere. 

Their breathing escalated as they began to undress. John reached for the laces of her dress, and she reached for the buckle of his pants. As Jane sat back and watched him take his shirt off, she began to get nervous. 

“Wait,” she whispered, not knowing if he’d heard her. 

“What’s wrong?” John tossed his shirt aside, his hands coming to her face, gently. 

“I’ve never…” she said shyly. “I don’t…” 

“Ah,” John smiled, kissing the tip of her nose. “That makes sense.” 

“What makes sense?” Jane asked, only feeling somewhat offended. 

John smirked, his thumb rubbing across her lips and down her neck. 

“All that pent-up frustration,” John kissed her lightly. “That spark. No one’s taken it yet.” 

Jane melted against him as he twisted his body and laid down beside her. He kept one hand on her neck, the other in her hair. “I won’t bed you Elizabeth. That honor deserves to be for your husband.” 

“Well aren’t you suddenly a gentlemen,” Jane laughed, feeling relief but also a sense of sadness and regret. While she wasn’t prepared to have sex tonight with a near stranger, she also wanted to do it on her terms. 

“Don’t think I don’t want to,” John kissed her bare shoulder, pulling up the sheet around her. “Gods, I want to.” 

“Will you hold me?” Jane asked, unable to feel him let go. 

John gathered her close, pulling her to his chest as he rested his chin atop her head. Jane pulled the sheet over the both of them. 

“My family wants me to do something I don’t want to either,” John admitted in the silence. Jane couldn’t see his face now, but she listened, feeling his voice reverberate through her whole body. 

“It’s for my protection, and theirs,” he continued. “I only hope it works.” 

“What works?” Jane asked, wrapping her arm tighter around his middle. 

“The solution to all my problems,” he sighed and Jane didn’t want to press further. 

Silence fell on the small shack, the low rumble of the fire flickering as they both fell into a peaceful sleep. Jane had never slept as well as she had those few hours in John’s arms. As she opened her eyes to the cracks of the first light, she noticed she was alone. 

“How chivalrous,” Jane sighed, knowing it was too good to be true. At some point, she had felt John stir next to her in the night, but she’d quickly fallen back asleep. Now she knew he had been sneaking out to leave her. 

It wasn’t as if she knew him, or that they had even been intimate together. But there was something there, something she couldn’t quite place. 

Jane gathered up her few belongings and left the little shack, closing the door behind her. Attached to the front door was a piece of parchment with a nail drive through it. 

“Dearest Elizabeth, 

I hate to have left you alone, you seemed so peaceful. Those few hours in your arms were the most peace I have felt in so long. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance… however tumultuous our first meeting began.” 

Yours, John G.D. 

Jane felt what could only be described as butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Folding the note neatly, she slid it into the pocket of her cloak. The sun had risen now, and lit a path to a nearby road. Surely if her mother and Edward were looking for her, she could find them along the main path. 

As Jane began to make her way through the forest, thinking of her night spent with the mysterious John, she heard a sort of snuffle beside her. 

It was a horse!

A dark brown horse, with a black mane and tail. He was feet away to her left, and he was staring at her. Jane froze, a sense of familiarity striking. Jane began to walk towards the horse, but he shook his mane and ran off deeper into the woods. 

How odd.

[breanime]

Bre's Random Thots: HOTD and TLK Edition

In relation to this poll-- don't forget to vote!

Warning: Steamy, NSFW, yandere tendencies, if you know what I am, you know what this is gonna be lol

Characters: Aemond Targaryen, Sihtric Kjartansson, Finan the Agile

I'm considering writing: Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Uhtred Ragnarsson, Cregan Stark

Obsessed Arranged Marriage--Aemond Targaryen

Aemond found no sleep the night he was told that his hand had been promised to you, afraid if he closed his eye, he would awaken from this dream. You were to be his. You, with your sharp wit and bright mind and pretty face and soft-looking, plump lips. Aemond had spent months pining for you, fixated on his sister's pretty new friend, wanting nothing more than to touch you, hold you...

Claim you.

And now, you would be his, bound to him by law and vow, promised to him through weeks of negotiations that neither of you had been privy to. He had spent the first part of the night pacing, thinking of all the ways it could go wrong. What if your family withdrew and broke their promise? What if, after the vows had been said, you did not accept him? What if you never loved him? Aemond's pacing had ceased at that thought, his stomach churning in a swirl of despair and rage at the idea of you rejecting him. But then, as he pictured you, his mind supplied him with an answer to his silent question. What if you never loved him?

He would have you still.

Aemond stood, silent and tense, as he pictured you, his pretty wife, bound to him until death took you both. Even if you never loved him, he would have you. You would be his, and he spent the next portion of his evening imagining, in great detail, all of the ways he could claim you. He pictured the way your mouth would look around his cock, stuffed with him, eyes wide open and gazing up at him as you sat on your knees. He thought of the sounds you would make as he fucked you--no, made love to you--no. Fucked.

The last of the night, until the sun rose and his body, already dedicated to pleasing you, sagged with exhaustion, was spent fucking his fist, pretending it was your mouth, your cunt, your tight, tiny asshole, until Aemond had emptied his balls.

And still, he wanted you.

Aemond watched the sun rise over King's Landing, heard the low grumbles of Vhagar rising in the distance, and sighed. His hand was still feebly wrapped around his now soft cock, abused to exhaustion at just the thought of you, his wife to be.

He felt himself twitch in his hand, tempted at the reminder of what you would become to him--his wife, and Aemond couldn't help but smirk, amused at his own desperation. You were to be his, and his alone.

He would have you.

Sihtric Kjartansson--Modern Jealous

Sihtric had an Instagram for two reasons: one, because Finan said it was weird not to have one, and two, because you had an Instagram.

He scrolled through his feed, ignoring most of the posts, but taking note of a few. Edward posted a picture with Uhtred at some conference the latter had been forced to go to, using Sihtric's friend to gain clout, no doubt. Meanwhile, Uhtred posted a story--tagging Sihtric, of course--showing the guys going absolutely insane at the bar last night. Sihtric bit his lip as he watched the story, his mismatched eyes immediately finding himself in the background, even with Uhtred's shaky camerawork. Sihtric was easy to find, after all.

He was always standing next to you.

In the video, Uhtred was showing the crowd to the camera, grinning widely with Finan at his side, gesturing to a very drunk Osferth off to the side, clearly flirting with some girl while another watched, arms folded. Aldhelm was there as well, smiling shyly, eyes on his cup, as Aethelflaed, always that much more affectionate when tipsy, laid her head on his shoulder. Sihtric smiled warmly for a moment at the memory--it had been a good night, last night. The smile, however, quickly slid into a smirk as the images flashed in front of his eyes, documented by Uhtred. Sihtric saw himself, his tattoos glistening against his skin, holding you to him, his large hands on your waist. You were laughing, and Sihtric could almost hear the sweet sounds of your pleasure over the music, could see the way the sweat slid down your neck as you laughed. Even now, he felt himself stiffen, his cock rising at the thought of your neck, exposed for him, covered in his kiss, his bite. He had experienced a similar thought last night, and Sihtric watched as he acted on it.

In the video, Sihtric pulled you that much closer, one of his large hands gripping your ass, his tattooed fingers curling into your soft curves until his face was buried in your neck. He watched himself latch onto you, and his eyes widened as he saw, for the first time, the face you made when he did that. Sihtric grinned, teeth bared like a wolf, as he watched the way your face contorted; your cute little nose scrunched up as your pretty mouth fell open in a gasp, how your tiny little hands clung to him, wanting him closer, and Gods, Sihtric couldn't wait to see you again and get you closer, fuck, the way you looked, he just--

--the video morphed into the next slide, and Sihtric was reminded that this was Uhtred's story, as vivid as the memories were, what he was looking at now (a scowling Brida flipping off the camera while Cnut, red as a tomato, raised his empty glass in a toast), was public. Anyone could see it.

Anyone.

Could see it. You. Your sexy, beautiful face alive with pleasure.

Sihtric scowled, suddenly frustrated. That face was for him, and him alone. It wasn't fair that others could see it, would see it... but then again, Sihtric thought, barely registering the next slide of the story being shown-- Osferth with a third, different girl--maybe this was too his advantage. Sihtric enjoyed marking you up, displaying his claim on you. He liked to touch you too, keep an arm on you or his hand on your thigh, so everyone around could tell that you were his girl. And so now, with this video, that fact was broadcast that much further. really, he should be thanking Uhtred. Because now, everyone who followed him (which were a LOT of people, it was insane), could see those few seconds on his story and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you were Sihtric's woman. The story flashed twice more, depicting Finan and Uhtred teasing Aldhelm-- about his crush on Aethelflaed, Sihtric knew, and then a video of a fondly exasperated Hild in a Sihtric-Uhtred-Finan bear hug while Osferth could be seen making out with a fourth girl in the background, before the story--and Sihtric's temper--flashed again.

The next image was of you and Uhtred. This did not spark Sihtric's temper at all; he loved how close you were with his friends, they all adored you, and Sihtric felt he could trust any of them to look after you if he was ever gone. In fact, the picture was cute. Sihtric took a screenshot so he could keep it. You stood beside Uhtred, posing the same as him, your face smug and proud in a perfect imitation of his brash friend. Since you were copying Uhtred, you were standing like him, feet apart, face forward, chest pushed up, that cute expression on your face making Sihtric's heart swell with affection. Immediately afterwards, Uhtred's story switched to a text box, and Sihtric saw that Uhtred had tagged him in it. The text read: "Stop asking about her, she's with @Sihtric" accompanied by an emoji rolling its eyes.

And that'd when the jealousy went from mild to... something else. His thumb moved as quickly as his mind did, until he was hearing a ringing tone followed by Uhtred sighing, "Yeah, Sihtric?" He already knew where this was going.

Sihtric knew he was being ridiculous, overprotective, and unnecessarily possessive, but he didn't know how else to be. You were his, and his only, and he thought he has made that clear. He answered Uhtred with a low voice, eyes narrowed.

"Who's been asking about my woman?"

Waking Up Together--Finan the Agile

Finan loved waking up with you. He loved how you cuddled into his chest, loved the way his big arms engulfed you, loved how soft you felt against him. He almost always woke before you did, a habit of his warrior lifestyle and constantly being on the move. He didn't mind it so much now, though, because it gave him some quiet time to reflect before the day took his mind away.

He loved you.

Carefully, because even after all this time, Finan still secretly feared he might somehow hurt you, he ran his fingers down your arm. Your skin was warm under his touch, and Finan smiled to himself as you nuzzled into his broad chest. He found himself kissing your hairline, his eyes fluttering shut as he breathed in your scent. He had humped you on the riverbank last night, his forehead pressed against yours as he fucked into you. Finan sighed at the memory, his cock, already half-hard simply from being near you, growing even harder as he recalled the feel of your wet pussy pulsating around him. He kissed your forehead now with a tenderness that would have surprised many if they knew about it. But you did that to him, brought out his softer side, his need to protect you, to take care of you, to bring you pleasure and security and to love you.

But then again, you brought out another side to him as well.

Finan smirked, kissing down to your nose, as he thought back to earlier the previous day, sometime after him having you for breakfast, his strong hands keeping your legs open as he licked into you and before him pressing against your round ass, his cross slapping into his chest with every thrust shortly after he fucked you on the riverbank, to right after suppertime.

Finan held you close now as he thought back to the way he had slammed you on the table, tearing your dress, grinning wildly as the fabric ripped, exposing your perfect breasts to his probing tongue and hands. He had his face buried between your tits then, biting into your supple flesh and then soothing it with his dripping tongue. He had no patience then, and he took you hard and fast, much to your mutual satisfaction. Finan had fucked you like a beast, hands gripping your hips and pulling you to him as you laid on your back, legs in the air, head thrown back in pleasure. You always took him well, and Finan adored the way you loved a rough fuck. He was so big, so thick, he loved the way you would tremble taking him.

Now, Finan was fully hard. He wanted you, and he sighed sweetly as he held you, lips brushing against yours. Your nose twitched at the feel of his beard against your soft face, and Finan chuckled. He leaned forward, the mattress moving beneath him as one large hand fell to your ass, cupping it firmly as he pushed you even closer, his hard cock pressing against your soft tummy. He felt your lips pucker, and he knew you were waking up. He kissed you, soft and slow, his mouth pressing into yours with a low groan, moving against you until your lips parted. His tongue slid into your mouth easily, and he rolled on top of you, smirking when you spread your legs to make room for him.

"Good mornin' to ya, love," he whispered, his accent thickened from waking up and from the deep, insatiable desire he felt for you, "Can I fuck you?"

************************************************************************

Okkkkk goodnight! Please let me know what you think, how you feel, which one you liked best. I wrote this all at once just now, so please know that NONE of these are WIPs (Work In Progress), I just was inspired by the awesome fics I've been reading lately, and @fvckthisbxtchup specifically got my engine revving today, so if you did like any of these, thank her! Love you babe!

Again, please let me know what you think of these. I haven't written in a long time, I'm rusty, I admit that, but I also had so much fun writing these, and I wanna interact with these fandoms more so... this! This is my third time writing Aemond and my first time wiritng Sihtric and Finan, so let me know how I did! :D

I did this poll regarding some more snippets or fics or drabbles or whatever I may do in the future, please vote if you haven't already!

Thank you for reading! I really appreciate it!

[blueiscoool]

A Hoard of 122 Anglo-Saxon Coins Sells at Auction

A hoard of more than 100 Anglo-Saxon coins discovered by two metal detectorists in a field near Braintree, Essex, has been sold auction at Noonans Mayfair on February 21. Believed to have been buried in 1066 and owned by an individual who died during the Battle of Hastings. The collection of Anglo-Saxon pennies found by two metal detectorists have been sold for £325,560 ($411,000) at auction.

The coins were each worth 12 shillings, a considerable sum back in 11th century, leading Noonans’s coin expert Bradley Hopper to hypothesize that the reason they were abandoned was due “some great personal misfortune” such as the death of their owner in the conflict. Hopper added, though, that “it was perhaps quite common for people who had access neither to banks nor vaults to conceal their wealth in the ground, even in times of peace.” All bar two of the coins were minted within five years of 1066.

A small selection of coins from the hoard were bought by Colchester Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, following the protocol of the 1996 Treasure Act. The purchased coins include two 11th-century Byzantine coins.

The metal detectorists found the majority of the coins in 2019 over the course of a few days, all within a 100-foot radius, some just inches beneath ground’s surface. A further 70 coins were found when the site was revisited in 2020. The coins were minted in various southern English towns and cities, including London, Cambridge, Canterbury, and Hastings.

The coins date from the reigns of Edward the Confessor and Harold II, the last two Anglo-Saxon kings of England. Harold was killed during the 1066 Battle of Hastings, seen on the Bayeux Tapestry receiving a fatal arrow through the eye. His death marked the victory of William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England.

The detectorists have kept several coins, with 122 of the remaining relics headed to Noonans. The proceeds will be shared between the finders and the owner of the land on which the coins were discovered. Some coins included in the sale are exceedingly rare and could fetch £6,000 ($7,600) individually.

Hopper said that Noonans is “particularly fortunate that the auction catalogue contains not only the rarest and most academically interesting English coins from the Braintree Hoard, but also those pieces in the finest state of preservation.” He hopes that the auction will “promote further research into this wonderful coinage.”

By Verity Babbs.

[girlactionfigure]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐬.

I'm sick and tired of Candace Owens and her likes that are obsessed with framing Jews behind every problem that they had over the years. While we all love the Christians and while most Christians are real friends of the Jews, I think this has to be said again and again. So let's review some history and some facts.

1/ Early Christian Era: 

Hostility towards Jews began as early as the 4th century when Christianity became the Roman Empire's official religion. Emperor Constantine's policies, later codified in the Theodosian Code, restricted Jewish rights. Jews were barred from public office, synagogues were destroyed, This set a precedent for future Christian rulers to marginalize Jews.

2/ First Crusade (1096): 

As the Crusaders marched to the Holy Land, they massacred Jewish communities in the Rhineland (modern-day Germany). Known as the Rhineland massacres, thousands of Jews were killed in cities like Worms, Mainz, and Cologne. The violence was often enabled by Crusader preachers who framed Jews as enemies of Christianity. Many Jews chose martyrdom over forced conversion, a theme that would reappear in later persecutions.

3/ Blood Libel Accusations (12th century - today): 

The first known case of blood libel occurred in Norwich, England, in 1144, when Jews were falsely accused of murdering a Christian boy, William of Norwich, for ritual purposes. These accusations led to widespread violence and massacres, including notable cases in Trent (1475) and Damascus (1840). Blood libel myths fueled antisemitism, resulting in the torture, execution, and expulsion of Jews across Europe.

4/ The Black Death (1348-1351): 

As the plague ravaged Europe, killing millions, Jews were scapegoated and accused of poisoning wells. Pogroms erupted across the continent, with entire Jewish communities in cities like Strasbourg being annihilated. In some areas, Jews were burned alive, while in others, they were forcibly converted or expelled. Despite papal condemnations of the violence, local authorities and priests encouraged and some even participated in the massacres.

5/ Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834): 

The Inquisition targeted conversos, Jews who had converted to Christianity, suspecting them of secretly practicing Judaism. Tomas de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor, led a brutal campaign of torture and execution. The Alhambra Decree of 1492, issued by Ferdinand and Isabella, expelled all Jews from Spain, forcing over 200,000 to convert or flee. This expulsion ended centuries of Jewish cultural and intellectual contributions to Spain.

6/ Expulsions in Europe: 

Over centuries, Jews faced expulsion from numerous European countries. England (1290) saw the Edict of Expulsion under King Edward I, forcing Jews to leave and seizing their property. France (1306 and 1394) saw similar expulsions, as did various German states. These expulsions often followed periods of economic exploitation and violence against Jews, stripping them of property and wealth and forcing them into exile.

7/ Ghettos and Restrictions (16th-18th centuries): 

In many European cities, Jews were confined to ghettos, segregated neighborhoods with curfews and restricted economic opportunities. The first ghetto was established in Venice in 1516. In Rome, Pope Paul IV established the Roman Ghetto in 1555, enforcing strict segregation. Jews in ghettos faced overcrowding, poverty, and social isolation, with limited rights and constant threat of violence.

8/ Russian Pogroms (19th-20th centuries): 

The assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881 sparked a wave of violent pogroms against Jews across the Russian Empire. These state-sanctioned attacks involved looting, arson, and murder, with entire villages destroyed. The May Laws of 1882 further restricted Jewish rights, driving mass emigration to the United States and Israel. Pogroms continued into the early 20th century, culminating in the Kishinev Pogrom of 1903, these pogroms were influenced by various social, economic, and political factors, they occurred in a predominantly Christian society where antisemitic attitudes were pervasive and pushed by local priests, and a lot of Christians participated in the violence.

9/ Context on Christian Persecution Claims: 

While millions of Christians have faced persecution over the years, those claiming they are the most persecuted group are misleading. Let’s look at some numbers:

- 1800: Approximately 22% of the world population was Christian, around 200 million out of 900 million.

- 1850: Christians made up about 28% of the world population, roughly 350 million out of 1.2 billion.

- 1900: The proportion increased to 34%, with 560 million Christians out of 1.65 billion people globally.

- 1950: Christians constituted about 35% of the global population, approximately 800 million out of 2.3 billion.

Today, around 31% of the world's population identifies as Christian, approximately 2.3 billion people out of 7.8 billion. Given these numbers, it's clear that while Christians have certainly faced persecution, the idea that they are the most persecuted group does not hold up. It's like saying the world is the most persecuted world—statistically inaccurate given the substantial and growing global Christian population. 

This context does not diminish the real suffering that many Christians have endured, especially in certain regions and periods. However, the Jewish experience of persecution stands apart due to its intensity, persistence, and the often racially motivated nature of the oppression. Jews, a much smaller group historically, have faced systemic efforts aimed at their complete eradication, from medieval pogroms to the Holocaust. Their persecution involved not just religious but also racial and cultural dimensions, leading to centuries of marginalization, violence, and genocide.

10/ Conclusion: 

The history of Christian persecution of Jews is a strong reminder of the consequences of intolerance and bigotry. While it's important to acknowledge and appreciate the many Christians who have stood by Jews as true friends, we cannot ignore the dark chapters where Christian societies and authorities played a significant role in the suffering of Jewish communities. 

By understanding these historical contexts, we can better appreciate the resilience of the Jewish people and the importance of standing against all forms of hatred. Let's ensure that history does not repeat itself by fostering an inclusive and compassionate future. It's time to move beyond misplaced blame and work together to combat antisemitism and bigotry in all its forms... 

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐬: 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞��𝐭. 

[jamiedryssnail]

Matching JellyCats

Love of my Life Au

Instagram Edit Xx

liked by rutgermcgroarty, markestapa, lhughes_06 and 478,386 others

madshughes matching jellycats?

| rutgermcgroarty Clarence and Walter 🤝 having the best parents

| madshughes you know it 🥱

| Mackie.samo you did not name them clarence and Walter wtf

| madshughes is this hate I’m hearing???

| madshughes of course not madison 😒

| sophiaarnold okkkkkkkkkk I’m in love

| sophiaarnold gossip on the bar >

| madshughes bar besties 💙

| jackhughes you have a shopping addiction

| madshughes firstly it’s called thrifting and secondly who tf cares bro

| jackhughes don’t bro me

| madshughes ok bruh

| user347826 ok but rutger and madi are so dang cute please god when is it my turnnnn

| colecaufield OK we need a matching trio of jellycats @trevorzegras @madshughes

| madshughes on it 🫡

| trevorzegras ft guys!?

| maliahzeegs it’s weird how you are closer with my brother than I am but YOLO 🤪

| dylanduke so cute pookie

| madshughes thanks babygurl 😘

| rutgermcgroarty am I the only one who finds it weird?

| Edwards.73 yes she is pookie Dylan is babygurl mark is gorgalicious king, Mack is boo-boo bear, Luke is snickerdoodle, and we all call quintin mother bear

| dylanduke exactly bitch

| lhughes_06 da gang

| markestapa get it right rutger

| mackie.samo he has such a hockey boy name 😒

liked by madshughes, jackhughes, mollyannmcg and 98,367 others

| madshughes ur cute bubs

| rutgermcgroarty ur absolutely the most gorgeous, stunning, sexy girl ever #obsessed

| lhughes_06 go blue

| markestapa not the shared custody of brett the bee

| jackhughes bring brett over he’s missing his fav uncle

| madshughes how do you know your the favourite

| jackhughes we ft a LOT

| _quinnhughes oh so ur that kinda boy 🙂

| madshughes @_quinnhughes @lhughes06 we are supportive ok!

| Edwards.73 lol

[katethetank]

Rating: 18+, minors gtfo Chapter Summary: Eddie talks to Chrissy about Steve, Eddie has some alone time in the shower, the boys FaceTime and plan their next date CW: Discussion of overdose, sobriety, shower masturbation Tags: Alternate Universe - modern setting, Rock Star Eddie, Counselor Steve, Eddie is gay, Steve is bi, slow burn, eventual smut Word Count:2,649

Chapter 4<<Masterlist>>Chapter 6

“I’m sorry, but I’m finding it hard to believe you didn’t rail the guy. No offense, but you’re kind of a whore.”

He really should be offended, but Chrissy’s not far off. Eddie’s definitely had his fair share of hookups - groupies aren’t exactly hard to come by.

“It wasn’t like that, Chris. He’s the furthest thing from a groupie. He didn’t even know who I was!”

“So you’ve mentioned. Like six times.”

Eddie glares at her. “Sorry, am I boring you? Is my infatuation with this man putting you to sleep?”

Chrissy snorts and slaps his arm. “No, you big idiot! I think it’s sweet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this! All flustered over a kiss on the check like he took your dick down his throat.”

“Could you two attempt to keep it down, just a little bit? We’re on a plane for fucks sake.”

Eddie and Chrissy guiltily look up at Gareth, who’s turned around in his seat to scold them like a couple of children. He probably has a point.

“Sorry Gare,” they reply in tandem.

Eddie slumps down in his seat with a groan. “Babe, I’m totally ass over tits for this guy already. This doesn’t happen to me, like ever! He actually had me nervous! I don’t remember the last time I was nervous about a boy. I felt like I was in fucking high school again. Drooling over the prom king or some shit.”

Chrissy pats his head like a dog and ruffles his hair. “Babe, I love this for you! It’s good to feel something like this, you know? You never really give yourself a chance to connect with someone. We’re always moving around too much, but I promise you, I’m gonna get the label to back off. We could all use a break. And maybe you could spend some more time in Indy, see Wayne, get to know your boooyyyyyy.”

A sweet smile creeps onto Eddie’s face at the mere suggestion. He wants to spend every minute he can getting to know Steve. He wants to get his hands on him as soon as possible too, but Eddie is actually capable of being patient thank you very much.

“I told him. About the overdose.”

Chrissy slowly turns towards him, her eyebrows up in her bangs. She knows Eddie doesn’t usually like to talk about it, much less acknowledge it for what it was. “And…how did he react?”

Eddie sits up straighter to look her in the eyes. “He was so sweet. He even asked me if having some drinks sometimes would be a dealbreaker. Like he actually cared about my feelings and if it would make me uncomfortable. Which it wouldn’t! It’s totally fine. But the fact that he cared enough to ask? Babe, it felt like my heart was going burst out of my chest like a goddamn xenomorph!”

“Damn, Eddie. That’s…wow. I know it’s hard for you to be vulnerable like that. It sounds like Steve is actually a pretty good guy, huh?”

“I think he might be the best, actually.”

Chrissy nods her head with determination. “Alright. We’re gonna rock this fucking meeting, get us the break that we deserve, and I’m sending your ass back to Indy so you can woo this boy of yours. Mark my words Edward, you’re gonna have him locked down by the end of the summer!”

Chrissy, true to her word, rocks the fucking meeting. He’ll never understand how this 5’3” former cheerleader who’s made of bubblegum and sunshine can manage to put the fear of god into bloodthirsty record executives, but goddamn is he grateful. After the meeting, they all grabbed some dinner together and went their separate ways. 

Eddie arrived home (as close to home as his spacious L.A. loft can be) and headed immediately to his shower to wash the plane off of him. He doesn’t like spending a lot of time here. Not that he gets to anyway. It lacks the warmth of a real home. It’s barely lived in. It’s really more of a landing pad these days. 

But goddamn he loves the shower here. It’s set up like something you’d see in a spa, with half a dozen shower heads running down the walls, and that rainfall thingy that feels amazing after a long day of stuffy planes and offices. The acoustics are dope too. 

And it’s spacious as hell. He’s never actually brought anyone back to his place before, but he can imagine the fun he could get up to in here. As the tension leaves his body and the room fills with steam, he closes his eyes and sees nothing but Steve. Imagines what those lips would feel like on his. How soft they would be trailing down his body. He wonders if those gorgeous moles spread even further down his neck, if they’re all over his chest, his back. What it would be like to connect all those dots with his tongue. 

Eddie grabs a hold of his rapidly hardening cock and gives himself a little squeeze. A breathy moan leaves his lips and he starts to slowly stroke himself. Imagines Steve’s big hands running all over his skin. Cupping his ass, gently tugging on his balls, wrapping around his thick shaft. Would he try manhandling Eddie, or would he be soft and sweet? Would he lay himself out, let Eddie take his time with him? 

It’s been so long since he’s been able to do that. Most of the time, it’s rushed blow jobs on the tour bus, or a quick fuck in a dressing room. It’s all fun and enjoyable, but Eddie’s true specialty is in having the time to take a man apart piece by piece. Map out his body, find all the places that make him gasp and moan and squirm. God, what he wouldn’t give to have that with Steve. 

He speeds up his strokes as he thinks of what Steve’s skin tastes like. Of how breathy he gets when he’s close to losing control. Eddie imagines tying his wrists to the headboard, trailing his mouth down Steve’s chest, biting and sucking on his nipples till he’s writhing in the sheets, begging for more. Working his way further down and licking a long, wide stripe up the underside of his cock. Mouthing at his balls. Spreading him wide and shoving his face between those plump cheeks. 

His breaths are coming faster now and his dick is so hard it could cut glass. He strokes himself faster as he thinks about sinking into Steve’s tight heat. Pounding into him and reducing him to a whiney mess. I’m so close…Right there…Fuck me harder…Oh my god, Eds!

And that’s what does it. His orgasm takes him by surprise and he lets out a shout as his cum paints the shower wall. He’s panting and shaking when he opens his eyes. What the fuck. Eds. That’s all it took for him to tip over the edge. Just a sweet little nickname. Jesus.

He finishes washing up, steps out, and towels off. Does that hair twisty thing with a towel so it doesn’t drip all over, and heads into his bedroom. He digs through his drawers until he finds a worn pair of sweatpants and slips them on. Just as he pulls them up over his ass, his phone starts to buzz.

Steve’s big goofy grin takes up the screen with the incoming FaceTime call. He’s never hit a little green button so hard in his life. The call takes a second to connect and then he’s face to face with his gorgeous boy.

“Hello there sweetheart! I see we’ve graduated from phone calls to FaceTimes already!”

“Hey Eds!” 

Oh fuck, don’t get hard again.

“That’s a good look for you!”

Huh? He looks down at the little box with his own face in it and realizes he’s still got the towel twisted up on top of his head.

“Oh, shit! Sorry, you just caught me after a shower. Something about riding on an airplane makes my skin crawl,” he explains while untwisting his hair one handed and shaking it out. “Ah! There we go! So, how was your day Stevie?”

“I should be asking you that! You had the meeting today, right?”

“We did, we did.”

“…And?…How did it go?”

“Never underestimate the power of one Chrissy Cunningham.”

“Wait, did she do it? Are you guys getting a break??”

Steve’s like an excited puppy. Eddie wants to squeeze him. “We are, Stevie! Just a few more weeks to wrap up the tour, and then our lives belong to ourselves again!”

“Holy shit! That’s great, Eddie!”

“Which also means, we get to go on our next date! If you got any second thoughts, now’s the time to back out!”

“Never. I can’t wait.” 

His smile is enough to make Eddie’s knees weak. He takes a seat on his bed and props the phone up against the lamp on his nightstand. “So what do you have planned for us? Or is it gonna be a surprise?”

Steve is just staring blankly ahead, unmoving. “Shit, Steve? Are you there? I think the connection is weird, the screen is frozen.”

“No! No, sorry, I was just uh…goddamn.”

“You ok?”

“Yeah. Yup. Just trying to reboot my brain after seeing all of that,” he says while waving at the screen.

Eddie looks down at himself and realizes he hasn’t put a shirt on and it just tits-out on this call with a guy he hasn’t even kissed yet. “Ha! Uh…hold on, let me grab a shirt. Didn’t mean to offend your delicate sensibilities.”

“Don’t get dressed on my account! I wasn’t complaining…not…one bit.” The man looks downright hungry.

“Ok mister, quit ogling the goods! I’m not a piece of meat!” He reaches over and grabs a shirt out of his bag and throws it on.

“Yeah, like you don’t love the attention. You got all those tattoos to not show them off, right?”

“Exactly. Now quit stalling, what’s the plan for our date?”

“Well, I wanted to ask you about that! Judging by the incognito outfit you wore to The Dungeon, I was wondering if going somewhere public would cause any problems. I don’t want you to get hassled or anything, so I was thinking…if you’re more comfortable with it, you could come to my place and I could cook you dinner?”

Eddie could cry. Seriously. This man is so considerate.

“That actually sounds really great Stevie. A nice quiet night after the tour would be heaven.”

Steve’s smile is radiant.

“Perfect! Oh, do you have like, any allergies or anything? Or just stuff you don’t like?”

“Nah, no allergies. I’m not too picky…God you are so sweet.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve just been so…considerate. I’m not really used to people caring so much.”

“Well fuck. That’s simultaneously really nice to hear and really devastating. People should care, Eds. You’re worth the care.”

Once again, Eddie feels like he could cry. He clears his throat and needs to change this subject fast before he makes a fool out of himself.

“Well thanks for that sweetheart. But enough of that! Tell me how your day was!”

“Pretty good! I met with Rainbow Connection today, that’s the LGBTQ group at the center-“

“Wait! It’s called Rainbow Connection?! Like, Kermit the Frog??”

“It is! I know right?! I fucking love muppets, it’s perfect!”

“Jim Henson was a master of his craft, for sure. Go on, what did you guys do today?”

“We usually just talk about whatever the kids have going on in their lives. Things they’re struggling with, or problems at home. It can get kinda heavy…but that’s the point of it. Providing a space where they can talk freely. Be themselves. Share with each other. It’s really important to me that they feel like a part of a community, you know? That they’re not alone. I just want to be for them what I wish I had when I was their age. Someone they can trust…that they can talk to and feel safe with.”  

Goddamnit. So much for keeping his tears at bay. 

“Hey…Eddie? Are you ok?”

He sniffles and quickly swipes at his eyes. “Yeah. Yeah I’m ok. That’s really fucking beautiful Steve. God, you’re something else, sweetheart! Where the hell did you come from?!”

“Eh, just a couple of assholes who prioritized work and money over their own kid. Kinda making it my life’s mission to not be anything like them.”

“I hear ya. My folks weren’t exactly the best parents either. Shit, we should probably save the trauma dumping for at least the third date, right?”

Steve chuckles a little to himself.

“Yeah, maybe. I don’t mind though. I never even really get to the third date, much less the second.”

Eddie’s brain suddenly screeches to a halt. What?

“I’m sorry, what? What does that mean?”

“Um…I don’t exactly have the best track record with dating. Not really sure why. I don’t really have a problem meeting people, but nobody ever seems to want to stick around. Fuck, that’s actually kind of embarrassing. Probably shouldn’t have said that…”

“You can say anything you want to me honey. But honestly, I find that really hard to believe. Not only are you a total smoke show, but you’re sweet as pie, funny, smart, kind…what’s not to like?”

“Oh…thank you for that. I don’t know. People just seem to want to sleep with me and then they’re done. I haven’t actually had a second date in years.”

Eddie’s heart is breaking for this beautiful man. Who the fuck are these morons? He’ll throw hands with anyone who treats Steve like that. Eddie decides right in that moment that he’s going to make it his own mission to treat Steve the way he deserves. He’s gonna spoil the shit out of him.

“Well I promise you Stevie, I’m all in for this second date. You gotta make sure to send me your address, ok? Just tell me when to be there.”

Aw, there’s that blush he loves so much.

“Yeah, I will. And uh…Eddie?”

“Yes honey?”

“I know it’s probably kind of presumptuous to invite you over to my place…but if it’s ok with you, I’d kinda like to take things slow. I just don’t wanna set up any expectations, you know?”

“Steve. Of course. I wasn’t thinking that at all. I’m just excited to see you again, and we’ll take things as slow as you want.”

“That’s seriously ok? I hate to stereotype, but…guys in bands kind of have reputations, you know? I didn’t want you to be disappointed or anything.”

“Darling, have you been Googling me?”

Steve bursts laughing. Good, he needs this boy to smile.

“I swear, I haven’t! Robin actually suggested it last night but I talked her out of it. Whatever I learn about you, I want it to come from you. Not fuckin…TMZ or some shit.”

“Well I appreciate that. Those vultures aren’t exactly kind. But seriously though, I don’t want you to worry about any of this. I promise, I’ll be a perfect gentleman until you tell me otherwise!”

“Well good, that’s a relief! I’ll uh…think of something to make us for dinner and then, maybe we can watch a movie or something after? Just relax?”

“That sounds perfect. I can’t wait.”

“Me either. I um…I should get going, it’s getting late and I have brunch with Robin in the morning. Can we talk again soon?”

“Absolutely doll. Get some sleep.”

“You too. Goodnight Eds.”

“Night Stevie.”

Eddie shuts off the lights and tucks himself into bed. When he first laid eyes on Steve, he never could have predicted where it would lead. Now he feels like he’s on the cusp of something big. He falls asleep with a smile on his face and full heart.

Chapter 4<<Masterlist>>Chapter 6

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Comments are cool, let me know what you think! Taglist is open!

@annachronisme @mrsjellymunson

[autumnaaltonen]

i really would like to know what would be alucard reaction to a goth reader and what would be his thoughts on their style and the music they listen to!! ❤️❤️

really love your works btw!!

Alucard x Goth! Reader

Warnings: none

Immediatly thought you were the rogue vampire he and Seras were tracking down, and had one hand on his gun.

Why else would you be wearing only black from head to toe in broad daylight?

It was 6:30pm.

Seras had to quickly explain the concept of goth fashion, and how 'walking the path of darkness' is also an aesthetic, along with a vampiric lifestyle.

Alucard is happily surprised, having only ever spent time around God-fearing humans who would mistake a Hot Topic for a satanist church.

Imagine his surprise when you turn out to be their contact for the mission, having witnessed the rogue vamp acting super sus while being a regular at your favourite nightclub.

When people started going missing week after week, last seen at the entrance to the club, you knew the wannabe Edward Cullen sleazebag had something to do with it.

You walk the two vampires into the club just before opening to show them around, Skeletal Family and The Cult already blaring through the speakers as the bar sets up for the night.

"It doesn't matter if we all die. Ambition in the back of a black car. In a high building, there is so much to do. Going home time, a story on the radio."

Yeah, Alucard digs it.

Discussing the recent victims, you've already come to the conclusion that the rogue is targeting new kids to the scene, teens and young adults who were just getting into goth culture themselves.

Basically, Alucard and Seras were targeting an undead nark gatekeeper.

Alucard admires your smarts and obervational skills, given that you recognized the target without any help from the experts, but you reassure them that they'll know the vamp when they see him.

Before the club opens, you take Seras behind the bar and force her to go through the Lost n' Found bin to suit up. While her military cosplay hugged her in all the right places, the blue and white were going to make her stick out like a sore thumb.

You reassure Alucard that he's already dressed to impress, and that no one will be any wiser that he was new at the club.

"Will my attire not attract any unwanted attention?" he asks you with a smile, as you help Seras with her makeup in the washroom.

"You will have so many bitches humping your leg, you're going to have trouble shaking them off when the vamp breaks into a run. So perhaps you could lose the hat and goggles," you suggest, squeezing Seras' chin as you force a fake septum around her nose.

As the club opens up to the street, in flows a tidle wave of black lace, sequins and leather. Alucard has never felt more at home, and Seras has never felt so uncomfortable around humans in her life.

Just as you said, it takes the two vamps less than half an hour to spot their target. Cake faced, glammed up with tacky chrome, and biting throats at the bar while patrons think he's just some kinky shmuck with some really authentic fake-fangs.

He's not even trying to be subtle.

Alucard and Seras manage to lead him to the mens bathroom, where they have fun pushing the prick around, treating him worse than the poor kids he 'napped and killed.

You stand at the door, not letting anyone in, and telling them that "staff are setting up a gore-fest theme as promo for the new Saw movie."

With how efficient the mission went, compared to the usual goose chase they go through, Alucard keeps your number in case they have another vamp lose in the city.

You already have a list of possible rogues at other goth hangouts you're familiar with, and are more than happy to help keep your community safe.

However, you find Alucard contacting you more so out of boredom than for work, not that you mind in the slightest.

He shows you the real nitty-gritty of the dark side, how shadows and death bend to his every whim without question, given he is the rightful King of the undead.

Alucard finds your style practical and unique, but thinks you can do better than nightclubs and festivals. It doesn't take long for him to take you under his wing as a Hellsing human associate, acting as a bridge between vampires and the living to communicate on undead disturbances.

You become his right hand, not a secretary, but his human voice and confidante. And no one dares ever question your clothes or makeup whenever you walk into a room, because they know the shadows that follow you aren't just for show anymore.

[scotianostra]

November 21st 1673 saw King James VII marry Mary of Modena.

The daughter of an Italian Duke, Mary wanted to become an Nun but at age 11 proposals for her hand in marriage were received from James, the then Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles II. James was a widower, the love of his life, Anne Hyde, had passed away age 34 in 1671, James was a staggering 25 years older than the future King, but fear not the marriage never took place till Mary was 15.

There were problems straight away, Mary was a staunch catholic and this didn’t go down well with the Parliament, which was all protestan, they viewed Mary with suspicion, believing her to be an agent of the Pope, such was life back then. Things worsened for James and Mary when a secretary of theirs was implicated in the fictitious Popish Plot, a plan to assassinate Charles II. This led to the Exclusionist Crisis, an attempt to bar the Catholic James from ever becoming King.

In an effort to ease tensions, Charles II sent his brother and Mary away from London, with them first going to Brussels and then Edinburgh for a few years, only returning to London for brief periods, such as when Charles got sick. In 1683, they enjoyed a boost in popularity after the Rye House Plot was discovered. The Rye House Plot had sought to assassinate both Charles II and James, which prompted many people to sympathise with them. Aware of this shift, Charles invited his brother and sister-in-law back to London. Charles II died in 1685, leaving no legitimate children. His brother was crowned James II and VII.

Since getting married, Mary had suffered several miscarriages, and all of her and James’s children had been stillborn or had died young. In 1688, she gave birth to a healthy son who was named James Francis Edward Stuart. James’s two daughters from his first marriage had been raised as Protestants, despite James’s own beliefs; because of this, Protestants had hoped that one of them would succeed their father. The new child became known by many as the “warming-pan Prince”, named so because of the rumour spread that Mary’s own child had been stillborn and swapped out for a random healthy baby. This, combined with a negative response to James’s policies, led to the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in James being deposed and him and Mary living in exile in France.

Louis XIV of France presented James and Mary with Château de-Saint-en-Layne, where they resided for the rest of their lives. Mary also spent a lot of time at Versailles, where she was well-liked. In 1692, she gave birth to a daughter, Louisa, who lived until 1712. The Jacobites referred to Mary as “The Queen Over the Water”.

In 1701, James VII & II died, and his young son succeeded him to the Jacobite claim. Mary, acting as regent, pushed for her son to be recognised as King. France, Spain, Modena and the Papal States acknowledged him, but in London he was declared a traitor. Though she wanted to promote his claim, she was against him being apart from her before he was of age. She acted as regent until her son turned sixteen.

Mary spent her later years assisting and visiting convents. She died of cancer at the age of fifty-nine. She was buried in the Convent of the Visitation at Chaillot, which was later destroyed during the French Revolution.

[apomaro-mellow]

King&Prince 2

As was well known, King Edward did have control over many creatures and beasts. Some he used to perform the most subtle of espionage. Such as the pure black raven that had traveled from the land of the Harringtons back to him, perching itself on his arm.

"And what news do you have for us?" He nodded and hummed along as the bird whispered into his ear, grinning as it got better.

"What's going on, Eddie?", Jeff asked. Their game of chess had been interrupted.

"They're shipping off their son. Get your men ready. The little prince is going to take a detour."

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

While Steve's escort party traveled north, the path took them a little west, which put everyone on edge. It was already starting to feel colder and it had little to do with the change in latitude. Every sound in the distance had the potential to a petal-faced beast. Something that would tear into their flesh while they screamed for mercy. They were about two days into the journey now.

Steve was keeping himself entertained by humming songs to himself and looking out the window when he saw a strange shadow in the trees. His eyes narrowed and just when he thought to find it odd, he heard shouts from the men and his carriage suddenly stopped. Bandits, most likely. It could be a monster but Steve heard no snarls.

He knew he was expected to stay inside and let the guards handle it. That was their job. But they could end this quickly by either just giving them what they wanted (his parents could afford it) or by having more men to fight them off. Either way, Steve couldn't just sit here while people were fighting.

He opened up the door and drew his sword, ready to take anyone on.

"Eyes on the prince!", someone shouted.

"Someone grab him!"

Steve elbowed the first one that tried right in the face and slashed towards the next one, their swords clanging together as they parried back and forth. While he kept that one at bay, Steve tried to take in the situation. No bodies on the ground yet, so no one was dead. These men didn't cover their faces in masks. So they weren't bandits. Then Steve saw a clear emblem on one of them.

It couldn't be.

"Just come with us nicely, Your Highness", the man he was currently fighting said, quite politely honestly.

"You've got manners for a mercenary", Steve grunted. "Your name?"

"Jeffery Kinsey. Not a mercenary, a knight."

"My apologies", Steve said as he pushed him off and got some distance between them. "I'm just not used to knights ambushing a traveling party."

"Oh? How about a village of innocent people?"

"You-"

"Stop chatting like it's a tea party!", a woman attacked Steve now, her sword quick and her attacks fatal if they were to hit. She was really trying to kill him.

That knocked some sense into Jeff and he started to get serious as well. Steve was no slouch but two on one was enough to overwhelm anybody, especially in a situation this disorienting. Clearly they were from the enemy kingdom and this ambush had been planned. But how did they know? What was their aim?

While he was trying to figure this out and fight the two of them back, he felt a hard blow to his head. He heard them continue to talk as he blacked out. Something about a big wheel? Getting all the credit? But a robin got the last hit? Had he been attacked by a bird in the end? All he knew was that he felt a deep sense of dread as hands touched his body while he lost consciousness.

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

The first thing he noted was the cold. He felt it down to his fingertips. Then, the hardness of stone. Steve sat up and opened his eyes but that didn't help much with how dark it was. There was a small bit of light coming from a torch that was lit from farther down, allowing him to see some of his walls. He reached out and felt the bars of a cell.

"Shit", he hissed quietly.

Then he heard a chuckle in the blackness. Steve froze. He wasn't alone. He moved away from the bars just as another torch suddenly lit up, revealing the silhouette of someone sitting just on the other side of the cell bars.

"Welcome to my home, Your Highness." His legs were crossed in his chair. He reached behind himself to grab the torch off the wall and now that the light had moved, Steve could see his face.

"You...You're..." Steve had seen his visage on tapestries, walls, illustrations in books. He had the long, curly hair, the pale skin. But he was missing a few things. "Where are your horns?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your horns? And your fangs and claws? And aren't you supposed to be bigger?" Even though he asked this, Steve kept his distance from the bars.

His question was met with raucous laughter. Even a knee slap. And wiping a tear from his eye as his laughing slowed.

"Didn't they teach you about aaall my different forms?"

"I know you can shape shift. I just never imagined you would...I just thought you'd choose to always look intimidating. Not like", Steve gestured to him. "This."

"Oh. Ouch. My pride. The little prince doesn't find me at all scary. And after I went through all the trouble of waiting in the dark to surprise you. How'd you like my welcoming party?"

So this really was the king. And he had Steve trapped. Miles from home with currently no hope for any rescue. He crossed his arms, trying to look defiant, but really just trying to keep himself warm.

"What exactly do you aim to do with me?"

"Oh it's all so very easy. I'll send a message to dear old dad, telling him I've got his precious heir. He'll either promise to stop disturbing my people and their lands, or he'll declare war. I'm ready for either."

He didn't relish the idea of war. But at this point...If that fool of a man kept on trespassing and hurting his people, then there was no other choice.

Steve let out a breath and leaned back against the wall, then came off it when he felt the cold bleed through his clothing. "So I'm a hostage for ransom?"

"In essence, yes." The king stood up and Steve saw that they were pretty much the same height. From all the stories, he thought he would be much taller. More monstrous and ugly, the kind of visage that would strike fear in all who saw it.

But he just saw a man.

"Someone will be down eventually to feed you. I suspect we won't be seeing each other again until the hand off. Ta-ta."

Steve watched him leave and waited until his footsteps faded away before sinking down to the floor. There was a cot off to the side that had seen better days. No windows to speak off. And no hope of getting out unless he suddenly developed super strength. He pulled his knees up to his chest. He imagined his father getting a letter about his capture. It was hard for him to imagine any worry, but surely he wouldn't be slow to get Steve back?

After all was said and done, he was still the prince. He wouldn't just be abandoned here. He had to believe that. He had to.

Above the dungeon level, Eddie met back up with some of his most trusted friends to debrief and prepare for the next stage. In his study there was Jeff, a long time friend and knight. Along with him was Nancy, originally a scholar but she had changed paths to warrior a couple of years ago. There were others he considered to be part of his inner circle, but they were all tending to some minor injuries or other business.

"Do you really think King Alric will avoid a war?", Nancy asked. "He's all but declared it."

"He's a king and kings avoid wars unless they know they can win", Eddie said. At least a smart one would. "Just our population of demobats outnumber their soldiers. Forget if we send anything else. Alric will ask for his son back, and we'll return to that oh-so-sweet tenuous peace for about another twenty years before little Stephen gets it in his head about attacking our lands."

Eddie fiddled with a quill as he slowly walked the room. "Such is the cycle I and the Harringtons have been in for years." He sat behind his desk and crossed his legs at the ankles while resting them on the top. "Now help me pen a letter that's just the riiight amount of condescending."

Part 4

Tag Team

[chronivore]

In 1901, Bert Williams and George Walker recorded their music for the Victor Talking Machine Company, becoming the first black recording artists.

They also performed the first black musical comedy (titled In Dahomey) on Broadway.

After Walker’s death, Williams became a star in his own right, with Theatre Magazine calling him “a vastly funnier man than any white comedian now on the American stage.”

He became the first black actor to appear in a movie while writing, directing and starring in the 1916 films, A Natural Born Gambler and Fish. He was so popular he even performed for King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace.

Although he managed to break down barriers, much prejudice remained. He couldn’t reconcile the praise he received onstage with the racist treatment he received offstage.

Barred from joining the Actors Equity in New York, he became depressed and drank heavily. He performed the song, “Nobody,” later covered by artists from Nina Simone to Johnny Cash. W.C. Fields called Williams “the funniest man I ever saw and the saddest man I ever knew.”

He never missed a performance and on February 25, 1922, collapsed halfway through an evening show in Chicago. He died a week later at his home in New York City. He was only 47.

[marksbear]

if u write for the Riddler, can you do a m.reader x Riddler where the reader works for the police and is secretly dating him? Maybe with dom/sub undertones where the reader is the one with full control — ⚰️

It would be my first time for writing him! I hope you like the fic my friend! ⚰ I chose to write the riddler from the batman movie, but if you want the one from Gotham just simply tell me!

SUB RIDDLER X DOM COP MALE READER

"Edward-- No I mean fucking Riddler. When the hell are you gonna lay off the murder and torture."

Edward nervously turns around from his messy desk looking up at Y/n. Y/n holds the loaded gun to Edwards head. "Y-Y/n! uhm. I--" Edward chokes on his earning a laugh from Y/n.

"I'm only joking with you Ed." Y/n says putting his gun back in the holster. "But seriously lay off some. You're getting out of hand with this. And plus my boss is gonna give me more hours since all the shit you're going." Y/n puts his hand on his boyfriend's head giving his forehead a light kiss.

"I promise you that Batman sees you Ed. Everyone sees you. Your the talk of the office all the time." Y/n says pulling his boyfriend up off his chair. "Just be careful Ed. I love you too much to see you get hurt. And I don't wanna see you inside those bars. So promise me you're gonna be careful."

"I promise Y/n. I'll be careful."

"Good boy." Y/n responds back giving him a light kiss on the lips before sitting him back down on his chair. Edward looks up at Y/n in a trance. "You can continue what you were doing." Y/n tells his boyfriend giving the back of his head one last kiss before leaving the room.

Moments like that terrified Edward. Even though Y/n and him were dating for a long time and he knew that Y/n loved him no matter what it still scares him.

Theres no telling that one day Y/n isn't joking and actually shoots him or arrests him. He hated the way Y/n was fully in control. Y/n always had control over him since day one.

Edward thought once he revealed his little villain persona to Y/n that Y/n would be scared of him. He wanted to bow down to if he was some sort of king, but Y/n half other plans. Once Edward revealed himself as the Riddler Y/n already had a gun to Edward.

"I already knew. But thanks for telling me. I figured it was you a long time ago love. But since I love you too much to give you to my evil co-workers i'll leave you alone. But don't think I won't hesitate to take you down my love." Y/n confesses putting the gun on a flat surface before stalking up to his boyfriend.

"You look cute with your little costume. I like it on you." Y/n kisses the top of the mask where the head is supposed to be before leaving Riddler alone with his thoughts.

Editor Bear!: Because I felt like the fic was too short I added some headcanons!

Edward would leave Y/n tiny messages on his victims. It would be for Y/n to only recognize it. And sometimes would use the little riddle cards to communicate with Y/n using letters to spell out words.

Y/n hides / takes anything that can get Edward caught.

Y/n using his car sirens to get through traffic so he can pick up Edward after work.

Edward and Y/n exchange riddles back and forth during lazy days.

Edward picking up habits from Y/n. Like how Y/n studies information, drinking coffee,

Edward passes around the idea of you joining him to be a villain.

Y/n giving Edward private information about the person hes stalking about. Like giving him personal files about the person.

Edward standing in the background watching Y/n alongside the other officers work.

THE END!