#Like obviously the characters and their dynamics can be read with that in mind. Obviously

[faestunna]

what are your headcannons of Jack's ( O'Connell ) characters getting their faces sat on?

CHARACTERS: oliver mellors, remmick, roy goode, patrick sumner, lion kaminski, james cook

WARNINGS: smut obviously (18+), dom/sub dynamics, oral (f and m receiving)

A/N: ah more headcanon requests!! pls!! anon i hope u know ill be thinking about this for the next 2 weeks ;)

masterlist

likes, reblogs, and comments are always and greatly appreciated!

oliver mellors

canon pussy-eater right here. oliver would rather lick and slurp up your cunt than actually fuck. he wants to make it fully about your pleasure.

he loves how you shriek when he instantly wraps his lips around your clit, sliding his tongue through your folds until he feels that tight opening. he moans into you and only pulls away to say “could taste this forever, sweet girl.”

he definitely uses his fingers too—adding a little extra pressure to your sensitive spot, prodding one or two past your entrance. “gripping me already, and i’ve barely done anything.”

face sitting with oliver usually doesn’t last long, but it’s because you want something more from him. maybe three minutes in, he’ll be handling you around in the bed, face down, ass up, and tease his cock at your entrance.

remmick

and another canon pussy-eater! remmick is a man who devours you for both your pleasure and his. he literally gets off on it. oh yeah we’re doing sub!remmick

remmick loves it when you sit on his face and take control. interlace your fingers with his while you ride his tongue. “you like it when i ride you like this, baby?” you ask. he nods, mouth open, letting out pants whenever he can grasp air. “y-yes,” he stutters into your folds. “please, keep usin’ me. wan’ you to u-use me and feel- fuck, feel good.”

you giggle and moan when you feel his nose bump against your clit. you glance down and see him looking back up at you with wide, puppy-dog eyes.

and when you finish all over him, he’s shooting ropes on his own stomach. cock red and twitching while he whimpers, “t-thank you, darlin’, for lettin’ me taste ya.”

roy goode

this cowboy may not know how to read, but he’s got a way with words that leaves you shaking.

“love havin’ you like this, baby,” he’ll say, whether it’s your mouth, pussy, or even just a simple glance. he especially loves it when you’re on top, but don’t be fooled. roy likes to have control.

his fingers dig into your hips, pulling you even closer to his mouth while he practically buries his face in your folds. it’s filthy—“want your slick all over me, sweetheart. tastes too good.”

and he’ll use his hand to spread it wider too, making sure he can lick every inch of you. wrap his arms around you to stop you from squirming because this man will pull orgasm after orgasm from you. and the praise kink goes crazy: “doin’ so good for me, honey. takin’ everything i give ya. might just have to fill this pretty pussy up after.”

patrick sumner

there’s really no other way to say it besides: patrick goes crazy for the kitty. maybe even more so than fucking. you saw the way he lost his mind in the arctic? yeah, that’s him for eating you out.

and he’s good at it, too. sucks on your clit with just the right amount of pressure to drag it out, holding your own orgasm from you. legs shaking around him—he loves to feel you squeezing his head—and when your eyes close, he pulls away. “keep ‘em open, darlin’. want to see those pretty eyes.”

his beard adds to the feeling too. he actually only keeps it because you’ve mentioned how it feels in between your legs while his face is buried in your cunt. “fuckin’ soaking me, love. could taste you all day.” you whine and writhe underneath him, but he moves along with you.

needless to say, patrick makes you squirt. not a squirter? no such thing with him. he’s doing whatever it takes until you feel the burning build up. “pat- i- please, i can’t” but he just shakes his head, drilling his fingers into you while his tongue flicks your clit. “yes, you can, darlin’. take it.”

lion kaminski

i’m sorry (not sorry at all) to say that lion goes sub when you sit on his face. as always, you make sure to be extra kind with lion. but it doesn’t usually last…

you face him so he can see every reaction you have. watch your tits bounce whenever you shiver at the feeling of his tongue. “am i doing good?” he’ll ask, and the answer is always yes. he switches from sucking on your clit to fully lapping at your folds.

since you try to be gentle, you slightly hover over him. and lion, who falls in love with the taste of you every single time, can’t have that. his hands pull your hips down to his mouth so he latches himself onto your cunt. uses both his tongue and his lips to put pressure on your clit. “that’s the spot, isn’t it, baby?”

you look down at him, and with one glance, suddenly the roles have changed. lion is very much in control, eyes burning holes into yours. “wanna watch you,” he says into you. “wanna see that pretty face cry when i make you cum.” in other words, lion is a switch XD

james cook

at first, he does not see the point to you sitting on his face. cook is not the one to let you have control over the moment. but what does convince him is when you mount his face and bend down so his cock is inches away from your mouth.

and i am a firm believer in cook’s degradation kink. “nasty girl, chokin’ all over my cock. you like havin’ it down your throat, baby?” you try to nod and respond and he laughs a moan into your cunt.

this man wraps his entire arms around your hips to have you closer. only time he’ll let go is to push your head down further on him. “love lickin’ at this pussy while you make those sounds,” he groans in between licks and kisses. he fucks you with his tongue and your thighs instantly start shaking.

even after you finish, he doesn’t stop. cook will make you cum three times before he does. he’ll even pull your mouth off of him—to his own dismay—“uh-uh, baby. this is for you, yeah?” and “gonna make my girl cum as many fuckin’ times as i want.”

© faestunna 2025.

[endlesslyhyperfixating]

I don't want people to just think that i'm a chronic shipper for the sake of shipping. Or that I don't "understand the point" of The Bear. Or all of my shipping habits is only in spite of the misogynoir-ist Bear fans who claim Sydney is annoying and therefore unlovable or undeserving of love.

It's because, she's such a beautifully fleshed-out character. She holds so much of herself back and doesn’t open her walls to anybody. She really only relies on her dad, and even then, she hates the feeling of someone worrying about her. And it's one of the realest qualities to any character I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and watching within a piece of media..

So yeah, okay, I ship Sydney with three different guys on the show (I see the SydRichie potential, SydLuca, c'mon they're cute, and OBVIOUSLY Sydcarmy..) (yes, you can LOL) because I think they could all bring her out of her shell in different ways.

And this is not in an “oh, she’s dependent on another person and the show is totally a romance” kinda way , and no not in a "I think in order for her character to be fully fleshed out she needs a romantic interest"— but in a way that recognizes romance is in fact a large part of most people’s lives. And as a well-written character, she deserves a well-written arc that includes her allowing herself to be loved. Cherished. Adored. The way she deserves. The way that she's denied herself. The way that she's closed herself off to. Time and time again. (Her dodging Carmen's obvious about-to-be-ask-out in season two, or the way that she blew off his "I like this" statement just this season)

She’s done so much good for every single one of the other characters. So yeah, fucking sue me if I think:

Luca and his charm and openness to learning and skill and flirtatiousness could make her more confident

Richie’s commitment to growth could open a space for real honesty between them and their connections growth to shift and become something more together (-this I'm kind eh on but I def see the appeal and the potential some of y'all have pointed out)

Or, (as my shameless favorite): Carmen.

Carmen, the damaged, youngest, most driven, most “I-have-something-to-prove-even-when-I-don’t,” the self-destructive and the caring, the altruistic yet insanely flawed young man, could grow alongside Sydney.

In what has the potential to be one of the most beautifully written dynamics in TV history.

The most complex, D1 yearner, and developed relationships to be told in a story already so deep and complex and human.

To have the upper middle-class Italian white youngest son, Carmen, with ambition and anger and years of pent-up emotion, to choose financially struggling Black woman, Sydney, who had to fight to become an absolutely, deliciously impressive chef in a predominantly white male industry. (meta tagged below) And for her to choose him back.

And to be together. Create together.

To hold each other (accountable, and in love)

in consistent apologies, and growth, and change, in discomfort and in the face of adversity.

To keep choosing each other.

To be each other’s partners.

And yeah, none of this is even from a technical or meta mind. This isn't an analysis or a deep set and heavily researched post to show you guys the evidence of how the show will show her love.. it's honestly just a rant at this point. I defend and love Sydney's character so hard and I believe so deeply she deserves the love she avoids and she deserves to be held and looked at longing and lovingly the way she really, already is. And to be okay with it and not only okay with it but to accept it and love it right back.

---

I alluded to a lot of ideas brought up in a couple metas I've read the past few days in this rant so I'll tag 'em here:

@whenmemorydies "system" works

@habaritess "I like this" was a confession

@yannaryartside "why Sydney is the bear..."

[pickaropoprocks]

I know my whole bit is that I'm drawing Mafuyu and Tsukasa together every day until they get an actual event together where they interact properly and get a properly established dynamic and allat but. The day Mizuki, Rui, and Mafuyu all get an event together I can simply ascend I Think

[riotgurlll]

Chance (From Date Everything) Headcannons... NSFW

Okay so I'm obsessed with DE as well as Chance, And i've seen SO little material for this cutie so I'm taking it into my own hands.

TW: NSFW content, aka explicit material, spelling and grammar errors probably, plz be warned and lmk if I missed anything.

Contents/Mentions: Dom/Sub dynamic, Roleplay, depictions of male genitalia, mentions non-monogamy, gender neutral/afab or amab inclusive

---

-Chance is a nerd. A dork, if you will. Did you see how excited he was when you indulged in his interest in GnG? The way his pretty brown eyes lit up when you expressed that you'd be interested in joining a session of his? He's such a sweetheart.. The more you visited him, the more he felt himself growing fonder and fonder of you. The way you went along with his stories, listened to him ramble on about the subject in it's entirety- gods, everything about you was just so perfect...

-He'd be a liar if he said you didn't turn him on.

-Chance may be a dork, but that doesn't stop him from teasing you- in his own cute and cheesy way, sometimes. Take things from the character sheets, to the other sheets? Say less! If chance is sure that you're interested in him, he's not afraid of making some flirty remarks.. clearly.

-He's a switch, 100%. Sometimes, when you two are playing a game and you're heavily debating you options, or he's watching you as you write about or draw your character, he can't help but admire your features. His mind drifts to... other things, as well. He just can't help it! You're so... alluring. The way your clothes fit your body- whether they're tight or baggy, doesn't go un-noticed by him. It's not uncommon for him to compliment you openly, simply- because deep down? He knows you love it when he does.

He can't help but imagine taking control over you- to show you how grateful he is that you spend so much time with him.. He'd quietly tell you sweet nothings, praising you for your kindness and creativity. He'll stroke your hair gently, holding it back for you to it doesn't fall in front of your face while bends you over and fucks you on your desk. You can't help but feel flustered... Poor Dasha! Mac too... But let's be honest, Mac has seen all the fanfiction you've read on your nerdy crushes, so they aren't surprised. And Dasha? Honestly probably rooting for Chance in her head. She's... so proud...! (sniffle)

But alas, there really is no true privacy in the house, and honestly, we all know not a single object in that damn house objects to seeing you that way. (haha. get it. objects. ha..)

But what if you were to get on top of him? Even if things started out with him having more control, he'd fall apart. Can you blame him? Seeing you bouncing on him like that is literally one of the hottest things you could do, like... ever. He'd be letting out all sorts of noises- whimpers, moans. I just KNOW he would get all whiny when he gets close, for sure. Feeling you clench around him drives him insane... Don't even get him started on the view.

-Speaking of, I think he's vocal ALL the way. Moans, Whimpers, whines, it doesn't matter. Personally, he hates the whole idea that men should be quiet during intimacy- why would he hide his pleasure from you? He wants you to know. He wants you to know how your beautiful self makes him feel. He'll talk you through it too, his voice getting all soft and low while he fucks himself into you. Chefs kiss, fr. Expect to here "yeah?" from this man. Especially if you're into it, cuz he knows full well what that'll do to you. He'll have the audacity to ask you if you feel good while you're cock drunk.. like mf? Obviously????

-Definitely into praise, both giving and receiving. He'll tell you how good you feel, how pretty/handsome you are.. He'll go on and on about how you're perfect for him, about how he fits inside you just right. He'll tell you that all he want's is to make you feel good, just like how you make him feel.

And if you praise him? That's a quick way to get him into a submissive space reeeeaaaal quick. Something about hearing you compliment him, tell him he's doing so good? He'll fold immediately. Tell him he's pretty- he'll whimper with no hesitation as he rests his head against whatever part of your body is closest to him. Your stomach, crook of your neck- forehead, he's down bad. BAD bad.

-Biceps. this doesn't have to be NSFW, but if you're like me, it is. iykyk.

-^^^ Okayyy, I'll expand upon this... I think he's both buff and chubby at the same time- I mean, look at him. He probably works out just so he can look like an OC of his or something, but who gives a fuck. He's strong, and soft. I just know this man gives the best hugs, don't even fucking play w me rn. Imagine him hugging you close while he fucks himself up into you? Yeah. Yeah. I don't need to say anything else about this.

-He's a solid 4.5 when he's soft- and now I know some of ya'll think that's tiny but it really isn't. Regardless, he's a grower anyways. When he gets hard, he's around 6 inches. I don't think he's circumsized though in all honesty. I just know this mans tip is sensitive. Chance is also thick, like serious girth here. You know those mini sized soda cans? That's probably the closest thing I can compare it to. I'm thinking his base is #f5ae8a- (Yeah. we're getting specific). His tip is probably around a #fb9888 color.

His cock is def curved too- upwards, to the left. It's so heavy that it has to lean one way anyways.

-OKAY. Imma state the obvious here. CLEARLY this man is into roleplaying in the sheets. It's cannon bruh. Now, this can be a spectrum- And if roleplay in bed isn't your thing, he won't force it on you whatsoever. It's not something he requires sexually.

However, if you are into it, he's happy. It doesn't even have to be some elaborate scenario. Cosplay as one of your GnG characters? He's sat. Or just cosplay in general- Put on a Tifa Lockhart (FROM THE LATER GAMES.) fit if you're fem leaning, he's acting like a damn dog. It doesn't have to be a fantasy outfit, it could be any reasonable character, he doesn't give a PISS. Going to a Renaissance festival with friends? Better see him while you're in that outfit cuz he's gonna be all over you. He's a nerd, he can't help it.

-Two man w Parker?- OOP??? Who said that... guys.... oh my gosh...

-When it comes to oral, of COURSE he loves giving. He would eyp or syd for hours if u could take it, that's just the truth- but he does have a guilty pleasure for receiving. Watching you go down on him is literally a dream come true. He'll be grabbing your hair, fucking up into your mouth, all while sounding like a damn porno above you.

"Just like that.." "Please, don't stop.." "y'feel so good...-"

-He'd call you nicknames for sure. Beautiful, Handsome, Honey, Love, Sweetheart- anything,really. And he'd love to hear you call him those things too. Could definitely get behind sir and ma'am in a roleplay scenario.

-Honestly a thigh/ass guy. Phatty or nah, he doesn't give a fffFFFFUCK. Wrap those damn legs around him- crush his head, do whatever. And you best believe he looooves hitting it from the back. He'll grab onto your hips like he needs it to live.

-He doesn't care what you look like, but I feel like he would have a sweet spot for chubby people. Def the type of guy to say there's "more to love". He loves a tummy.

-Sit on that mans face. He loves that shit SOOO much. And no, don't hover either, he'll grab you and make you sit if he has to- he's not playing.

-He'd also love to see you lingerie. Put on something dark red and lacey, he'll be on his knees unwrapping you like a present in seconds. He'll press kisses all over you, down your stomach, your thighs, chest, neck- he can't get enough of you.

-Chance would love it if you grinded on his thigh while he was doing something- maybe updating a character sheet, taking notes for a storyline while also having a hand on your hip/ass as he helped you rut your hips against his strong leg. Occasionally, he'll press kisses to your lips and jaw before getting back to work.

-He loves his hands. He loves running them all over your body in places you like and allow him to. He loves being about to grope at your body, being able to hold you, move you at his will. He's got big hands too, no doubt. Big, strong hands with thick fingers that feel amazing inside of you, or wrapped around you.

-Would mumble "Holy crit" During it. Don't lie to urself, he would. That man will be giving you the most dubious back shots in centuries and you'll hear him whisper it under his breath.

-If you were to tease him, he'd definitely get all blushy. he's so cute!!! He'd get all stuttery, probably avoid eye contact. Just because he's more confident than he may seem doesn't mean you can't make him flustered, and TRUST me, it's easy to make him flustered- if it's coming from you, of course.

-Not smutty or nsfw but I headcannon him to have HELLA tattoos up and down both his arms. I know he already has one on the underside of his forearm, but I'm talking SLEEVES.

-Check ups every now and then. You guys have a safe word too- which just so happens to be Gargoyle.

-Aftercare is sooo important to him. He'll be sure to clean you up gently, get you some water, a snack if you need it. He'll cuddle with you, run his hands through your hair- whatever you need, you have it. And it's the other way around, if you're domming him, make sure you take care of this man. It makes him feel so loved and cared for- if you brush him off, then he just feels tossed around and used.

[paulyenvol6]

Byka Atroksia (Masterlist)

This is the masterlist/moodboard/summary for my new series called "Byka Atroksia". It's a story between Daemon Targaryen x reader (Vhaela Targaryen)

First of all: This story is based on the HBO/Max TV show House of the Dragon and the works of George R R Martin. I don't own any of the characters.

This story should only be read by people over 18 years as it contains adult content.

You can find the following themes in this story: HIGHLY detailed smut, fingering, oral (f & m receiving), kissing, dirty talk, losing of virginity, gagging, p in v, unprotected sex, period sex, praising, degrading, edging, overstimulating, blindfolding, some non-con choking, possessiveness, body image issues, angst, mentions of period and pregnancy, incest, inappropriate relationship between uncle and niece, power imbalance, dom!Daemon, inexperienced reader, arranged marriage, toxic relationship, morally questionable behaviour, abusive behaviour, sexual abuse (not performed by Daemon!)

Disclaimer: I am aware that the dynamic of this relationship is problematic as Vhaela's inferiority complexes cause her to search for Daemon's attention. So please be careful while reading this and have in mind that this kind of relationship is neither healthy nor desirable. Daemon is a bad person. His actions are irresponsible and unethical and he manipulates Vhaela. Don't try at home please.

Disclaimer 2.0: The G Spot: In this story I mention the g spot (even though the characters obviously don't know this term for it and what exactly it is) as a way for women to receive pleasure. I know that the existance of it is controversial and it's not scientifically proven that something similar exists. However, I still decided to include it in my story so my main character is able to receive pleasure by vaginal sex, but be aware that a lot of women don't get pleasure plainly by vaginal sex. I just don't want to portray a false image of what sex is supposed to be like so I felt the need to write a short paragraph about it.

Summary: Vhaela Targaryen is the younger sister to Rhaenyra Targaryen and has all her life felt like she was competing with her sister for their interesting and dangerous uncle's attention. In Vhaela's mind her beautiful and confident sister has already won this fight but when Daemon Targaryen returns from a battle at the Stepstones things seem to be a little different and she explores a whole new world of emotions.

Smut is marked with *

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 * (very light smut) Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 * Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 * Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 * Chapter 26 (Final chapter)

[7ndipity]

BTS As Girl Dads

Ot7 x Reader

Summary: Headcanons about how the members would each handle being girl dads

Warnings: none

A/N: Thanks to @coffeedepressionsoup for this request! This got me soo in my feels, they’d all be such great dads(I may have gone a lil self indulgent but who cares lol). Obviously, some/most of these could also apply to any kid, regardless of gender, but for the sake of the Hc, we’re focusing on daughters

Masterlist

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Jin:

He’s honestly such a girl dad, argue with the wall

I totally see him wholly embracing the title and all the things that are typically considered ‘girly’, like pink and sparkles and all that

He would indulge every single one of her interests. She likes animals? They’re going to the zoo every weekend. She likes music? He’s signing her up for lessons for whatever instrument she’s into

I have this mental picture of them sitting on her bed together while he’s reading her bedtime stories, using all these silly voices and wearing one of her princess hats or something bc she insisted he needed for the character and just-😭

Yoongi:

Yoongi would be the softest girl dad ever, like she had him wrapped around her finger from day one. He took one look at her tiny little scrunched up face, that reminded him waay too much of his own expression when he’s annoyed, and he was a goner

I see him just sitting soo patiently while she gives him makeovers, wearing like three different pairs of clip-on earrings at the same time

He would really focus on teaching her to stand up for herself and makes sure she never takes any shit from anyone

He might come off a little stern sometimes, but it’s just because he worries and wants the best for her

Hobi:

Okay, Hobi as a girl dad might be one of my favorite headcanons, bc he’d be soo fucking sweet with them!

The tea party King. Like he shows up dressed in the most ridiculous outfits to make her giggle, and ready to talk imaginary gossip with her and any plushies that are joining them🤭

He would love shopping with/for her, constantly trying to find the coolest outfits or pieces for her, and they would definitely wear matching outfits when she was little(she would be the best dressed toddler ever, lol)

I also see him being quite protective of her at times, being super nervous/worried about her doing things like riding a bike for the first time or on her first days of school

Namjoon:

Omg Namjoon as a girl dad would be soo fucking protective. Like if someone does anything to hurt or upset her, they’re fucked

I see him loving daddy-daughter days out together, taking her to the park or museums or bookstores, really just wanting to indulge her curiosity and interests

Like Yoongi, he would really work to make sure she knows how to stand up for herself, as well as others

For all of his sternness tho, he would have the biggest soft spot for her, he’s 100% the type to let her have dessert before dinner or something bc she gave him puppy eyes

Jimin:

Omg he’s soo girl dad coded, like it’s not even funny(he literally confirmed that on that ep of “are you sure?” like 🥺)

He would treat her like a little princess, doting on her at every possible opportunity, buying her toys/clothes/treats, taking her on special outings, etc. If she wants something, he will do whatever he can do give it to her

He would not be able to stand seeing her in any sort of pain. Like even her just having a scraped knee would make him slightly misty-eyed, even tho she’s not upset/crying about it

I see them having lots of long talks about whatever’s on her mind. He would really strive to be her safe place to ask questions about anything, from school and friends to life and the future

Taehyung:

I see him being an amazing girl dad! He has this amazing, comforting dynamic with the girls that he’s worked with/is friends with, so I can only imagine how supportive he would be with his own daughter

He would be so indulgent in whatever she wanted. Ice cream before bed? Heck yeah, let him grab a spoon too. She wants a new plushie/toy even tho she just got one like yesterday? Well, the new one needs a friend, soo-

But he would still have his more stern/protective moments with her, just moreso in little ways like making sure she’s always wearing her helmet and elbow/knee pads, brushes her teeth, does her homework, etc

He would play along with all/any of their imaginary games, fully committing to the role(and adding waay too many silly death/fainting scenes bc they make her laugh)

Jungkook:

Junkook would absolutely adore a daughter. Like she would be his little princess and anyone/anything that upsets her will have to answer to him.

On the flip side of that protectiveness tho, he is so unbelievably gentle with her. As an infant, he handled her like she was made of glass, and as she grows up, he would always speak to her in a softer tone than he uses for anyone else 

(Also dodon’t think about him singing her to sleep every night as an infant. Getting up with her in the middle of the night and walking her around the house, singing to her softly till she drifts back off to sleep in his arms)

He would love teaching her things and playing games with her(I totally picture him teaching her boxing in tiny and falling over all dramatic when she lands a hit, lol)

Taglist: @sopebubbles-replies @btsw1fe @this-must-be-my-tardis @whitefoxgirl @bethanysnow @coffeedepressionsoup @main-bangtansmauyeondan @feminympho @classicalelephant @dfqcsqueen @mother2monsters @comingupwithacoolnameishard @universal-travel-er @bo0ghol @captainorangegoose @k4ngelz

[jaehaeryshater]

Daeron the Drunken and his daughter Vaella at the tavern midday *again* (she’s paying for some milk and honey)

art by: @wodania, commissioned by me

I really don’t know what’s gotten into me but I have two other Vaella Daeron commissions that I need to post on here and two more ongoing, the irrelevant character bug has bitten me. I think it’s because Vaella is meant to be Queen under historical English law, which is one loose inspiration for asoiaf, but the reason she was dismissed and not taken seriously whatsoever is because she’s “simple minded”, which I’ve always taken as meaning developmentally disabled. As someone that is autisitc, many of the non-characters that I gravitate to while reading are characters coded as having some form of disability: Vaella, Daella, Jaehaera, Lollys Stokeworth, Jinglebell Frey, etc, even if it is more on concept instead of actual character. And while there are women that are usurped that we know more about (Aerea, Rhaenys, Rhaenyra), I can’t help but feel a special place in my heart for Vaella that most other characters don’t touch. I so hope that we get more than the one line we received on her in the ASOIAF series if Blood & Fire ever comes out. I would at least love to see the same kind of elaboration we got for Daella for Vaella.

Daeron obviously has more written on him than Vaella does, thanks to the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms short stories. His main characterization beyond any other trait is that of a drunkard. He can’t keep out of taverns and beyond that, he can’t keep out of brothels. Those two tend to go hand in hand in the asoiaf universe. But in my personal opinion, he’s more interesting than your standard drunkard because he’s neither indulging for fun nor because of a tangible tragedy in his life. He’s doing it to escape his dreams. He has dragon dreams that haunt him and sends him into a very deep depression. We know that he keeps drinking and eventually that he succumbs to a sexually transmitted disease some time before his father King Maekar dies. He never frees himself from either of these vices. And yet, Kiera of Tyrosh, the widow of Prince Valarr, practically falls into his lap and he eventually becomes heir to the Iron Throne. I am interested in Daeron independently and his struggles while still at least attempting to be a good person (as we see between Egg and Daeron), what I find immensely interesting is how the position he finds himself in potentially impacted him as a parent. I care more about father and daughter dynamics far more interesting than any other dynamics (besides my one exception of Stannis and Renly); I could talk for days and on very little evidence about Stannis and Shireen, Mya and Robert, Saera and Jaehaerys, Arianne and Doran, Lysa and Hoster, etc etc. So of course I’m interested in how Daeron may have treated Vaella. There’s no evidence whatsoever so I just insert my own headcanons. To me, I feel like Daeron would be scared to be close to Vaella because he feels like such a failure in everything and his life depends on debauchery. And no matter how much he loves her, his dreams will persists and the only escapes he can fathom are in debauchery. That’s also why I think he only had one child, and yes I think he was perfectly happy with Vaella being his heir. I feel like he would have potentially be worried that he would pass on the dragon dreams to Vaella and any indication that she was having them (I think it would be interesting if she did), would only push him further away because it would freak him out. I would like to think he loved her a lot and wanted to support her in her interests. Perhaps he would have bought her love a bit, seeing as it would be easy to feel guilty over choosing time at a tavern/brothel over time with your child. That’s why I always commission her in very pretty and fancy dresses while he’s dressed more haphazardly. The main interest I’ve headcanoned for her is that she likes ponies!!! So he keeps buying them for her and that’s why he’s broke. One of my commissions soon will have her on a pony so watch out for that.

Seeing the way that Daeron treats Egg, I do feel like Daeron does not know what a proper activity for children is, so my idea was not that Vaella followed him to the bar, but that he took her there on purpose so he could multitask. She’s paying their tab for them. She’s getting a milk and honey and Daeron is already pretty inebriated as always. But he does love her and wants to be around her (sort of. If he could get out of his own way), so he’s looking at her fondly. He literally wants to be a good dad guys please be kind!!!!

Fashion inspired by the Tudor era as always. Her hair has the pink strip because her mother is Tyroshi.

Thank you so much to Wodania for drawing this for me, you were the perfect person to bring this scene to life ^_^

[helenofsparta2]

Percy, Nico, and Jason should have fallen into Tartarus together, while Annabeth should have remained with the rest of the Seven in House of Hades. Please hear me out.

1.

For one, this way Tartarus would have been much more intimidating. At least in my opinion, it has pretty much lost this aspect, especially after Sun and Star. Tartarus is the prison of the titans, a place so scary and so dangerous, that only the best of the best can make it through. Homer described it as being as far beneath Hades as heaven is above earth.  Overcoming it should be the ultimate challenge.

Yes, Annabeth is smart, incredibly so, but, I feel like, because Rick wanted her to be useful in Tartarus, he used a lot of cheap tricks in her POVs to get her and Percy over obstacles, which seem a bit too simple to really work against beings like Nyx. This took the heaviness away from them being down there and felt at times even anticlimactic. Don’t get me wrong, again, because I know this is a sensitive subject, Annabeth is smart, has a strong resolve and is great at hand to hand combat, but that’s it. And, in my opinion, that should not be enough to overcome Tartarus. If it would have taken a child of each of the big three working together to only barely make it out, it would have definitely reinforced that status, and also the gods’ belief that such children can become too powerful.

2.

Secondly, Percy not letting go of Nico’s hand, would have done wonders for the development of their relationship and for each character’s individual arc.

Imagine, Nico dangling from the edge, instead of Annabeth. Nico, who had only days prior pretended like he didn’t know Percy, who is so full of self-hatred, he thinks the entirety of camp half-blood hates him, who is already weakened by being imprisoned in the jar, and who is scared out of his mind by the idea of being alone in Tartarus again.

Imagine Nico staring up at Percy, clasping his hand, while Percy looks up at Annabeth, the love of his life, whom he had been separated from for months. Imagine Nico being convinced, that Percy is going to let Nico fall down to stay by her side.

But Percy refuses to let go.

He refuses to let go, even after Nico tells him he should do it, and decides instead to fall together with him into the worst place on earth, just so Nico doesn’t have to endure it alone again. It would have further reinforced Percy’s self-inflicted role as Nico’s protector which he already had in the original five books and his fatal flaw of loyalty. To Nico, it would have given him a worse inner conflict about having a crush on him, which could have been revolved while they were travelling together.  The confession scene would have been much more impactful and healthier, if it would have come from Nico himself, and if he and Percy would have had a more in depth talk about it.

And if Jason would have flown after them in a moment of desperation, it would have reinforced the sense of loyalty and protectiveness that he had already shown when he had saved Piper at the grand canyon. The scene with Polybotes could have also taken place in Tartarus instead, and him and Percy working together, and putting all of their differences aside would have been a much more interesting dynamic than the stupid, out of character, rivalry bit they’ve got going on in Mark of Athena.

And, to be honest, just having Nico, Percy and Jason go all out, would probably be one of the coolest scenes in the entire Riordan verse.  

3.

All the while, Annabeth could have really cemented her role as a leader. I love her character, but to say that she has more leadership capabilities than Percy is laughable to me after reading the original five Percy Jackson books. These books are, after all, about Percy’s hero’s journey from an inexperienced kid to a smart, powerful and wise hero and the leader of camp half blood.  Annabeth, in comparison, shows relatively little of that. (Obviously this makes sense, considering that the books are from Percy’s POV and revolve around him, but the complete switch-up to saying that Annabeth is the natural choice as leader of the seven just felt a bit out of the blue to me in Mark of Athena)

Her leading the rest, in a moment of such a tragedy and remaining strong would have really reinforced the strong resolve that she had already shown in holding the sky in titan’s curse and in remaining steadfast despite all the horrible things that happened to her with her father’s rejection and luke’s betrayal. Annabeth’s relationship to Piper, Leo, Hazel and Frank, which is painfully underdeveloped in the books, could have also been given some much needed attention. Like, I can’t remember a single scene where she and Hazel, or she and Leo really talk to one another, which is a shame, because they could have had really interesting dynamics with one another.

It also would have also been a powerful statement about Percy’s and Annabeth’s relationship, if they, while separated, still believed in each other and trusted that the other person would get the job done.

Without powerhouses like Jason and Percy on board of the Argo II, Hazel and Frank could have really shone as individual fighters. Hazel is probably the second, or third most powerful demigod in the entire franchise, but barely gets any attention, and for a guy, who is apparently so powerful his life had to be tied to a stick, Frank seems, outside of one or two scenes, also pretty underwhelming.  

Without Jason, Piper’s and Leo’s friendship could have also gotten some more attention, and generally the reunion scene at the end of House of Hades could have been much more impactful with these character dynamics. I mean, Hazel, and Nico being reunited, Jason, leo and Piper, and Percy and Annabeth, and Percy, Hazel and Frank.

One of the biggest problems, I have with Heroes of Olympus is the extreme focus on romantic relationships. Having some couples be separated from each other like this, would have also solved this and given the only couple still together, Frank and Hazel, more room to develop.

[micia-posts-stuff]

I think what interested me the most about chapter 210 wasn't really the fact that Donovan has mind reading powers (I mean, that too obviously), but mostly the fact that now Anya knows. Because if it was only revealed to Loid, he would have easily dismissed it and things wouldn't have really changed for the characters for a while, it would have only been interesting for the reader. But since Anya knows that makes it waaaayyyy more interesting to me and I'm so glad Endo went in this direction. This creates so many interesting dynamics.

(more under the cut, because it was getting pretty long)

Since Anya knows telepathy exists and will probably believe Donovan is a telepath like her, then she also knows Twilight is in great danger. She knows they met and can probably suspect Donovan knows about the mission (I mean it's what Loid thinks about pretty much 24/7). So will she try to convince him that telepathy exists to save him? But that would compromise her, especially after this comment

I don't think Anya is ready just yet to reveal her powers to Loid.

Will she try to convince him telepathy doesn't exist with her usual silly antics to protect her secret? I can see that, but as I said, she also has the understanding that the evil boss shouldn't know that her papa is a spy, so what does she do to help him?

And she told Damian she's a telepath! Even if he didn't believe her, is she gonna be worried he thought about it in his father's presence? Will she ask him if he met his dad during the vacation and what did he think about in his presence? If Damian gets annoyed and doesn't answer, will she reveal to him that his dad is also a telepath? Maybe he won't be convinced when she tells him, but Demetrius thinks so too, so if Damian gets to know that his esteemed older brother also believes in telepathy then maybe he will actually start to believe it himself.

Or maybe she'll just play along with what Damian said about cartoons in the hope that he doesn't think about it, but that would be a risk because she can't really control what he thinks about and she would have no idea if Damian already slipped up during winter vacation. If she somehow gets to know that Damian didn't involuntarily reveal her secret to Donovan yet, will she actively try to make him avoid his father? I mean not that is hard, Donovan is not exactly involved in his children's life, but before she was hoping Damian and Donovan would become closer so that her papa could get close to Donovan, but now it would be the opposite.

And the experimentation! Will she connect the dots that Donovan was probably involved? If she does then she will realize that Damian accidentally revealing her secret would be an even bigger risk for her, they could take her back to the lab if they know where she is. So it's even more important that she makes sure Damian doesn't slip up.

And just the fact that Donovan was behind the experiments. How will she react? We could finally get her backstory! See what she went through because of Donovan.

There is a possibility that Donovan is not actually a telepath, although I think he is, but regardless, I think the fact that Anya will most likely believe it already opens up a ton of interesting possibilities imo and I'm very excited to see where the story will go.

[pinkydoggy83]

SPOILERS FOR THE DOGMAN BOOKS! HIGHLY ENCOURAGE READING THEM! THEY ARE SO CHARMING!

With that out of the way, I just wanna rant because I picked up the series again. I wanted to read it before watching the upcoming movie. Think of this as a Dog Man appreciation post <3

I stopped reading the series at "Lord of the Fleas" in elementary, so I started my binge read there.

I honestly wish I had never stopped reading so soon because this book is already a banger. I just love the way Petey is slowly accepting Li'l Petey as his son. Even without realizing it, he has grown so attached to his son and cares so much about him. Like, come on, that's hecken sweet.

Not only that, but I wanna mention George and Harold (I also used to read Captain Underpants back in the day). Back then I thought it was cool that it established that they were now fifth graders and were creating Dog Man as their next story after Captain Underpants. Now that I'm older, I feel this fuzzy feeling watching these goofy fifth graders try to be "mature" and in turn try to add some mature themes into Dog Man.

I find that really sweet and amazing! You really don't often see fictional authors of a story grow up like this. The authors themselves are characters. It's one of the most special things about this franchise. I really do appreciate this detail a lot more now. You get to grow up with them…or, I suppose, see them grow up. And in turn you see how the series changes!

The next book has a lot about Petey and Li'l Petey, but I want to cover this Dog Man part before talking about the cats.

Yeah, it's pretty strange to rationally realize that Dog Man is just a normal dude's body with a dog head. So in that way, Dog Man is a bit of an outcast (I can definitely use this for my own character exploration of Dog Man in a hypothetical fanfic). But the words used against Dog Man is"misfit," which I found interesting. Obviously, they are not outcasting him for his looks (that's not the main focus) but how he can't behave like he's expected to.

Dog Man isn't the most perfect hero. He can be clumsy, and his canine instincts can get in the way. It wouldn't be such a problem for him as a dog; however, he's not just a dog. He's a dog with human responsibilities. He's been given expectation ever since becoming Dog Man.

Don't get me started with the whole angst of his owner dying because that's already so much...but you have to realize that he's taking over Knight's job. Which the idea is hecken mind-boggling!

The thing that makes Dog Man overcome these problems is his golden heart. In the end, Dog Man wants to do the right thing and save the day. That's just Dog Man for ya. That's what makes him so much like a dog and a man.

I'm really overreading this all, but I love this idea for Dog Man. It's kinda hard to put it into words, but I hope this all makes sense.

OOOH BOY! This scene actually made me stop and put my phone down.

The sweet, sincere words of Li'l Petey as it sinks into Petey while Grandpa is just breaking stuff in the background. Guys. I wasn't expecting this from Dog Man. I was so shocked reading this part. Like you can see how much Petey loves Li'l Petey but has such a hard time seeing the world like his son does. Which, by the way, is literally his clone, so it's like him arguing with his inner child. That single hug speaks so many words. Petey just wants to protect him.

I love their dynamic so much. You got this old, disheveled cat who became realistic about the world in a sad way, and this young, wide-eyed, optimistic cat who has so much to learn about... but at the same time can teach so much. That's beautiful, man. That's beautiful.

Anyways, there's so much to talk about Dog Man (that's just how fantastic the books are), but I think I'll just end the post here for now. I'm still busy catching up, so maybe I'll share again. I'm just so glad I came back to this series again <3

[erinwantstowrite]

what are your thoughts abot how Damian and Tim's relationship is portrayed in most fanfics?

personally, although I like the angst part of their relationship I wish there was more fanfics where they're closer and have real siblings dynamic (like u know they 'hate' eachother but they would destroy anyone who would want to hurt their brother)

oh, boy, do i have a lot to say about this one. buckle in, folks.

i feel like a lot of the time, if they're in a fic together and the fic author doesn't like one of them, the other is going to be mischaracterized to hell and back. sometimes... both are mischaracterized.

i'm all for a fanon interpretation of a character- obviously, because i have fanon interpretations in my fic too at least a wee bit- but sometimes it goes too far and it no longer feels like we're reading about the same character

let's talk about Tim.

Tim doesn't have a good view of himself or his standing in any emotional aspect. which is often misconstrued about him believing that he was Jason's replacement (neither he nor Bruce thought this, but it was Bruce's fear), or that his worth as Robin wasn't enough. that's not true at all. i'll say it again here: Jason didn't nearly kill Tim at Titan's Tower, nor did he go there to kill Tim. and Tim fought him back. he even told Jason to his face:

"you can't be that good" "I am."

he knows he's a damn good Robin! he trained with the best, he helps lead the YJ! he doesn't doubt that he was the best person for the job. but when it comes to the emotional aspect of Robin, i think this is where Tim stutters

this is because of how Tim's parents showed their affection.

i think canon neglects that aspect of his trauma, which is why so many people hang onto it. in the comics, Tim is shown to have a lot of friends both in and out of suit. he's abrasive and isn't afraid to ask the hard questions. but he is riddled with self worth issues. his parents were barely around him, they didn't know him well at all. and they loved him, but from a distance.

Tim now sees himself as someone that can receive love from a distance. he is incredibly self reliant, and has been from a young age. he sees all of his accomplishments as obligations. he does well at school because he had to. he takes care of himself because he had to. and in his mind, taking up Robin was partly another obligation. he does his job well because he has to, and he might doubt this sometimes like anyone else, but at the end of the day he is confident in his ability to get shit done.

now, the emotional part of Batman and Robin is where i believe i enjoy a fanon interpretation more. he actually does have a good relationship with Dick, but I'm not too sure about Bruce at this point. this topic is nuanced because Batman writers make him so diabolical at times to the point that i would consider it ooc. but other times they're very close and Bruce admits this. so i replace it in my head with a more stable and realistic version that i've seen written by fic authors very well.

Tim views himself as someone who is there for a job: help Batman. but there is a lot of wonder and awe there. his favorite Robin was Dick. (I'll say this again so everyone hears me: his favorite Robin was Dick. yes you are allowed to have nuance and put Jason in there as someone he looked up to as well, please do. but put some respect on Dick's name!) now that he's working with Dick Grayson, someone he admires so much, as well as getting the honor to wear the Robin suit, he feels more like himself than he has in years. he's good at this, and it's also fun. he meets so many people and he gets to make a difference in the world. yes, it's a job, but it's also very freeing

he never did this be Bruce's son, or to replace Jason. his relationship with Bruce started off extremely rocky, with Tim forcing himself into his life in some way because he believed that Batman was going to get himself killed or get someone else killed, or Batman would cross the line. and Gotham would lose the only person who had such unwavering optimism for them. he and Bruce come to an understanding of being partners but not father and son. Bruce doesn't want to open himself up to that hurt again. but we all know Bruce, and that's not what ended up happening. Bruce would never be the same person he was before, but he is not incapable of love.

Tim would not understand that change. I'd get more into this but i don't want this post too long and i wanna save it for when i'm not supposed to be sleeping and when i'm writing one of my Tim fics for once. all we really need to know is that Tim's emotional intelligence is dogshit, and him coming to see Bruce as a father, and Bruce seeing him as a son, would baffle him. because his parents love him... at a distance. and Bruce sees him every day. that's not how it's supposed to work, right?

so.

sometimes, Tim is treated like a porcelain doll who can do no wrong. many aspects of his canon has been altered by fanon to be "worse" than it is. his neglect by his parents did, indeed, happen, and it affects him deeply. but his parents weren't like. beating him, or leaving him without food or shelter or supervision. Tim was clever enough to get around that supervision all on his own. which is why they should have been there in the first place. (they should have been there regardless). and emotional neglect is still a very real issue??? no one has to make it "worse" by making the Drakes out to be monsters. i think Jack often emotionally manipulated Tim when he was around, and I don't know if Jack was even aware that he did so. (which is why i can see some people delving into that nonexistent relationship that DC gave us, and finally giving those implications more depth. there are a lot of good fics that go over this)

often it's hard to read a fic for Tim because they go too hard into making Tim an anxious shy ball of sunshine. Tim is weird, and he stalked the Bats, he stalked Nightwing, he broke into Titan's Tower before he even became Robin. he's a weirdo. he fits right in with the Bats for that reason. some people make him out to be the victim or some kind of damsel in distress, and sometimes we get to see a phenomena where other characters talk like a book about emotional intelligence that their therapist gave them. which is... fine, if you're just writing to write it, maybe helping yourself. but let's take a step back and see Tim is not like that. he is a very capable person, and his not some "uwu, woe is me, i'm so shitty at everything and if you even look at me wrong i'll cry." i honestly believe that Tim is the type of character to hate crying in front of someone and even if he was actively dying he'd be holding back those tears.

whereas Damian? gets the opposite treatment??

granted, i don't actually know too much about Damian, but i at least try to understand him and his background

he's the youngest of them, and i think many people forget that Damian isn't a reader of the comics like we are. he wasn't going into that family with the emotional connections to these characters and their backstories like we did. he was taught about these people, the idea of them. like how we could be taught in class about people from a long time ago. and i can ensure you that Damian was not taught proper emotional intelligence, nor would he have the best grasp of it himself when he was younger than 9 years old. imagine all of your teachers and also your mother told you about these people and their accomplishments, and then told you that the person all of them look up to is your father. the person that you want nothing more than to know, to see, because the people around you talk about him so highly. someone you haven't gotten to meet yet, because you aren't "worthy." can you imagine being told all your life that you are not worthy to see your father yet? and not knowing if he believes that too?

but one day, you are going to be by his side as his son. i don't want to get too into the culture of the Al Ghul family because i don't actually know that much (i'm sure someone would know more about this, feel free to add on if you want to), but this is important to Damian. it's important to his mom. it's important to his grandfather, the leader of an extensive organization that stretches hundreds of years.

then he gets dropped off in a different country, culture, language, and family and he finds that things are not as he had been told his entire life. his father has many flaws, they do not believe the same importance of a blood tie as his family back home does. they question his entire upbringing to his face many times, they question his mother who he loves deeply. he's nine years old. imagine yourself in that position. you don't know yet what role you're playing in an adult's life, but you want to. desperately. you want to know where you stand. you want a hug. not to mention that Damian actually is a very emotional kid. he was taught to shove that deep, deep down, and not let that out.

too many people write Damian as if he was a "feral" kid which is kind of not something to put on him? i don't like it both because he wasn't feral, he was an asshole. there's a difference. and because it feels like a microaggression?? at times?? because once again... the culture that he is from... is important.

they have been racially profiled for many many years... and yes, everything that you read is political whether you want it to be or not. the act of reading is political. you should definitely be aware of what a writer's goal is when they were giving something to you. you should be reading deeper. again, i'm not from his culture and i can't say if it is an insult/insensitive joke or not, nor am i saying everyone who's made the joke before is a bad person. i have made jokes about Tim being a feral kid before and whatnot. i'm saying that no matter who you are, it is your responsibility to think critically about your media and kindly about other people. it feels uncomfortable to me because i know how wrongly the Al Ghuls (specifically Talia) have been treated by writers in the past. and Damian is an extension of that bias. just look at how many times they try to push Ian Wayne on us. or how they'll pull back on Damian's character development when talking about the Al Ghul family.

this probably isn't my topic to write about, at least not before i learn more about it. but since i get a fair amount of viewership, maybe someone will listen to me that won't listen to someone of color that has already pointed this out many times. with the comics fandom, and Batman fandom specifically sometimes, people don't care to think further about why the characters of color are so often and conveniently left out or forced into an archetype. take that as you will

so! he has spent his entire life believing he had to live up to two great legacies, both of which are VERY different. the intricacies of the Al Ghul family are often boiled down to pure evil by both fanon and canon writers, which dulls Damian's resolve and reasoning for what he had done, or makes it hard to connect to him. he has since learned more about who he wants to be and has come to respect his family in many ways. excuse me if i'm wrong, but i think part of why Damian came so hard for Tim was because Tim had everything Damian wanted. he had a place by Batman's side as both his son and his partner, and was very well respected by Batman and Nightwing both. he's older, more mature, he has stature in both this society Damian now has to fit into and within the family dynamic. considering Damian grew up in an assassin cult that solved threats to their dynamics or positions in power by murder, it wasn't a far leap for a child from that environment to make. he was modelling what he had been taught his entire life.

think about the mistakes that you made as a kid. and i don't mean something silly or funny now, i'm talking something that makes you feel ashamed. embarrassed. hurt. something that perhaps now as an adult, you reflect on as being totally uncool. and i want you to think about if maybe your environment had a role to play in that. maybe you made an insensitive joke that your mom or dad would have found funny, and someone pointed it out and reasonably made you feel like a jerk. shit happens. but you hopefully grew from that.

now imagine that mistake was you hurting someone.

yes, he was annoying. he was bratty, at times. he could be a little calculating shit. he hurt people with both his words and his weapons. Tim obviously had many many many reasons to be upset about his treatment- but I fear that most of his anger ended up directed at the older people in their lives that were supposed to be the ones to do something about it!

and though i hate that Tim went back to being Robin (it feels redundant), i have seen panels that show that the two of them working side by side after Damian and Tim both went through some life and perspective altering events both together and alone, has made Tim see Damian as his little brother, and vice versa. Damian has grown so much and many people just... don't care. no matter their reasoning for hating Damian, it's unfair to not look further than those cutting words written decades ago, or to bring up his mistakes every time you want to be mad at him. and i think it does a disservice to Tim to make him a bleeding heart about this when he has clearly forgiven Damian and cares about him. he rags on Damian like any older brother would, and Damian makes remarks like a younger brother would. personally, i think the two of them are doing pretty good right now

the development of their characters is actually so interesting within the canon aspect, even if they can fumble the ball every now and then. and the mischaracterization takes away the value that their canon relationship has. i personally love reading fics that have Damian and Tim teaming up. in aus where one thing changes and Tim and Damian become brothers later, i think it's actually so silly and fun when Damian respects Tim or thinks he's cool. or even without the au aspect! just like, a fic where the two of them are working together and it's either silly or serious, Damian having a begrudging respect for Tim and Tim being protective over Damian, etc etc, is sooooo much fun

[secondhandsorrows]

Some Vital Scenes to Include in a Romantic Subplot, pt. 1

I’ve been in the plotting stages of a novel I’ve been working on for some time now. It’s not a romance novel, per se, but the romantic aspect is very prevalent… dare I say important. Anyway, so as I was working on my scenes and character arcs, I began to realize that I didn’t have enough fleshed-out about romantic arc, nor deepened the protagonist’s love interest or their connection, for that matter. This led me to devise up some scenes that I felt were crucial to the story if I wanted to keep this romantic angle to it, and now that I’ve most of them arranged, I find now that I’m way more excited about my characters’ love story. 

These tips will be unnumbered because, obviously, the sequence of these events and how they will fall into your storyline will probably be different. Also, you don’t have to use only one scene for every suggestion that will be mentioned, as you can have multiple scenes of flirtations or deep conversations, for example. They usually blend all together into the narrative at this point. Just remember that there should be some relevance to the plot at hand in some of these scenes as to not derail completely from the main narrative or other conflicts.

I was going to post this all at once, but decided it was too long and wanted to split it into two parts to go more in-depth and for easy reading. /-\ Enjoy ~

- The meet-cute, or the meet-ugly:

Ah, yes, the first encounter. Or, as we sometimes like to call it: the meet-cute, or the meet-ugly if you’re feeling a little unconventional or perhaps mischievous. Though we may enjoy setting up our star-crossed characters in a whole range of moments from awkward to swoon-worthy, the initial meeting is what’s important (if your characters haven't already met before the beginning of the story, ofc, but this is useful to have in mind). Let us quickly define the two:

Meet-Cute: A charming and serendipitous first encounter between the characters in question that sets a positive, memorable, and oftentimes romantic tone.

Meet-Ugly: An unconventional, awkward, or disastrous initial meeting that adds a unique twist to the start of the romantic connection, often leading to unexpected chemistry and an added intrigue on whether or not they’ll get together.

You don’t have to nail your characters’ first encounter into a label or bubble such as these two examples, but I like bringing these up for a general idea. 

- Bouts of flirting and/or banter:

Just as the title suggests, these are scenes containing the flirtaious communication between the two characters. These kinds of interactions will, of course, develop over time and deepen the bond or relationship. Playful interactions, gazes, and witty exchanges between the characters can create a lighthearted and flirtatious atmosphere that hints at their growing attraction.

The way they might flirt or tease can reveal their personalities. For example, one character might be more sarcastic, while the other responds with quick wit, or quiet bashfulness. There’s an element of subtlety, as flirting lets the characters express their romantic interest without explicitly stating it (unless one of your characters lacks subtlety in general and prefers to shout their undying love from the rooftops, which would make for an interesting dynamic, but I’m only spit-balling). 

Banter, teasing, and romantic tension underscoring heated debates or loathsome gazes suit just as nicely, especially if you’re writing with enemies-to-lovers or rivalry tropes in mind. But be careful! A little goes a long way: too much all at once can repel any growth for the characters or narrative.

- Initial conflict or struggle:

Depending on your story’s big-picture conflict, the introduction of challenges or obstacles can create tension between the characters, adding depth to their relationship and making their eventual connection all the more satisfying. This might include cultural or class differences, opposing goals or values, history of past heartbreak, personality weaknesses such as stubbornness, or external pressures that threaten to keep the characters apart. Even a nosy family or a disapproving mother can be considered. How the characters navigate and resolve these conflicts contributes significantly to the overall emotional impact of the romance subplot, as well as allowing for some exploration of each character's strengths, weaknesses, and resilience. 

- Shared vulnerability:

This kind of scene involves the characters opening up to each other about their innermost fears, insecurities, past trauma, or personal struggles. Shared vulnerability goes beyond surface-level interactions. It involves characters revealing their authentic selves, exposing their emotional vulnerabilities, and allowing the other person to see them in an honest — and sometimes new — light.

This is a symbolic gesture of commitment we’re talking about, here… something that requires trust. As characters share their fears or past traumas, they are entrusting the other person with sensitive information, fostering a sense of trust and emotional intimacy. It might be scary, it could be out from left field, but they will end up learning something new about themselves, their situation, or about the other person, and thus deepen their connection, little by little.

[that-wildwolf]

A Queer Reading of Mass Effect - Garrus Vakarian and Demisexuality

Despite the title this is really not a structured formal paper, more like just some rambly analysis from someone who is both queer and deeply obsessed with these fictional characters.

An obvious disclaimer is that this is my headcanon and personal interpretation, etc, etc. There are many ways to read this character and relationships, and this is just one of them, etc etc. You know the drill. Under no circumstances am I saying I'm right and everyone else is wrong, just presenting this particular reading of the character.

So. Garrus Vakarian. Best sniper boyfriend, bad boy turian, Archangel. Also, unintentional but great demisexual representation.

Now there's really no way to analyse all of Garrus' romantic relationships (the only one we know of from his past is his own account and that one is also only presented as a hookup/one night stand. I will return to this later. I think I will, at least. I don't have a plan here.) but there are two romantic relationships he can enter over the course of the three games: one with Commander Shepard or with Tali'Zorah.

Now, the latter is… not handled the best way in the games, in my opinion, and speaks of a wider issue with aphobia in not just the gaming industry but in media in general, but that's its own separate discussion. For the purposes of this analysis, however, I will be looking at Garrus's possible relationship with Tali. It's also important to note here that out of those two relationships, neither starts as romantic and rather is built first as a friendship and only eventually and potentially turns romantic or sexual much later on. The earliest Garrus can enter a romantic relationship is (though this is depending on playstyle) near the end of the second game of the trilogy, which makes more than half of the relationship we see him have with Shepard as more platonic than romantic (although admittedly those lines are rather blurry in the second game. More on that later.)

Back to Tali. They are friends first and know each other extremely well. I will not be going very deeply into this relationship because of how I feel about the way BioWare handled it, but for the sake of full transparency in this analysis, the game itself does present that relationship (also interesting side note while we're on the subject: out of the only two women we see Garrus "dating", neither is his species) as based on their friendship and connection rather than Garrus being physically attracted to Tali (in fact, it can be argued he didn't even know what she looked like at all prior to the two of them hooking up). Even though this is presented as more of a stress relief or friends with benefits situation than an actual romantic relationship, it is clear those two only chose each other because they were already close friends not because they saw each other as physically attractive.

This very nicely brings us (back?) to Garrus and his relationship with Shepard. Due to the way the games are structured and with Shepard being the main character, this is obviously going to be the largest section of this analysis, not just because of my personal emotional investment in this relationship but because of the largest abundance of material to analyse here.

The way Shepard and Garrus's relationship starts is… interesting. For the entirety of the first game, their dynamic is closer to that of a mentor and mentee and eventually of two friends, and there is very little hints of any seuxual/romantic feelings between those two.

ID: Garrus might have started to have feelings of some sort for Shepard at this point.

This base of friendship and mutual respect is extremely important to keep in mind especially with what comes later. The Shepard/Garrus relationship (from here on now referred to as 'Shakarian' for brevity's sake) begins in a way that is very different from most other video game romances (and most romances, really). It starts with Garrus stating outright that he is not attracted to Shepard. Now, there is definitely a lot more going on here than just taking what he says at face value, but it is also important to note that he has no reason to lie to Shepard here and in all likelihood, he truly believes what he's saying here.

Shepard proposes sex, essentially asking Garrus how he feels about adding benefits to their friendship. Throughout that whole conversation, neither of them highlights physical attraction. In fact, the way they're acting would suggest that's not even part of the equation here, or not a very important one at least. What they talk about instead is trust and respect.

ID: Shepard saying "I don't want something closer to home. I want you. I want someone I can trust."

Garrus agrees to Shepard's proposition not by saying he's always liked her or that they would make a good couple or anything like that. He says she's his best friend. Again the friendship is highlighted here so much and especially in direct opposition with the lack of physical attraction. As they go ahead with this, they're constantly talking about this connection they have — I want you, I want someone I can trust, you're my closest friend, if we're about to die I want to have a moment to cherish that's just the two of us… It's clear this is about more than just sex, to the both of them, but the feelings shown here do not come from physical attraction but from emotional connection.

I could analyse the Mass Effect 2 Shakarian romance scene to the moon and back and still have things to say, especially with regard to the demisexual reading of Garrus's character, but this post is running long as it is. Garrus is nervous and awkward and emotionally vulnerable. Any remaining conviction that this is about stress relief is at this point ultimately shattered.

Then cue Mass Effect 3. After six months apart, it is clear the relationship between Shepard and Garrus is… different from what we saw at the end of the previous game. The way they interact now, even before eventually officially reaffirming their relationship, is more unambiguously romantic. The physical touch between them is very deliberate, with particular attention given to their hands: they touch, shake and hold hands, tenderly cup each other's cheeks. It is clear at this point to the characters perhaps as much as to the audience that this is no longer about stress relief (and that's assuming that's all it ever was at any point, which can also be argued was not the case). Along with this deepened emotional connection between them, so does develop the way Garrus talks to and about Shepard. There are parts of Mass effect 3 where Garrus seems fully confident in the relationship and it does not seem to just be banter or joking. As he starts seeing Shepard as not just his friend but as his girlfriend, so does change the way he looks at her not as a human but as a woman. As a beautiful woman, even — something he would not have thought of her at the beginning of their relationship.

I would also be amiss if I didn't mention the way Garrus acts in the Citadel DLC and contrast it to his behaviour from Mass Effect 2 in particular. While definitely not "canon" in the way the games themselves are, the DLCs are also, for better or worse, officially released content in the universe of Mass Effect. (In the case of the Citadel DLC, thankfully mostly for better.) Everything in here should be taken with a grain of salt, especially with the romanceable characters, as the foremost role of this DLC is as something of fan service meant to give the series a happier sendoff than the actual ending. That being said, it is very interesting to see Garrus at a point in time (unspecified but although canonically this takes place before Cronos Station, the characters for the most part act more free and familiar and could be argued as though this takes place post canon — while I do not subscribe to this reading of the Citadel DLC, I thought it important to also point that out) where he and Shepard have been in a relationship for a longer period of time and he feels more confident in both the relationship and his role as Shepard's partner.

Garrus in the Citadel DLC joyfully asserts himself as Shepard's boyfriend (a word he only describes himself with once in the canon Mass Effect 3 if I'm correct) and proclaims his affection for her out loud and repeatedly. What's particularly interesting to note here is how often he refers to her being beautiful or attractive here. The "nice outfit" line is not exclusive to the Garrus romance, so it would feel dishonest to include it in an analysis of this character specifically, but there is a lot Garrus says about Shepard that other characters do not. He brings it back to how lucky he is to be with her and implies others might see her as a desirable partner. The "I love your hair and I'm pretty damned partial to the rest of you too" line always stood out to me. This can be read as just a cute nod to him finding her most alien features attractive, but it also speaks to him seeing her as attractive in general. The "hell if I know" conversation where he talks about how good she looked wearing her fancy outfit at the casino also comes across as genuine. It's fascinating to see him so forthright about his attraction to her at this point in time when put in contrast with him in Mass Effect 2 being so forthright about the lack of that attraction.

It is clear, very clear, that throughout their relationship Garrus grows to deeply love Shepard not because of her alienness or in spite of it, but completely separately from it. He acknowledges that she is human and that it is not something he is attracted to, but cares about her so deeply that it does not factor into the decision to agree to her proposition and entering into a relationship with her. The relationship they build together is one that is shown to be built on trust and mutual respect, in fact more so than any actual "feelings", which is admittedly a departure from what might instantly come to mind when one considers love, especially between two fictional characters. But aside from their confidence in their connection and in each other, there's another thing that grows in this relationship, once given time: Garrus's attraction to Shepard, something he initially was striaghtforward and realistic (Garrus, ever the realist, ever saying it as it is) about in saying that he did not see her that way. Then, giving time to their relationship and after letting their connection deepen, letting their emotional bond become stronger, Garrus finds himself attracted to Shepard not just emotionally but physically as well.

And definitely some might argue that after being with a human sexually and romantically for some time, Garrus has simply started to see humans as potentially desirable too, but we never see Garrus interested in any humans besides Shepard (RIP Chloe Michel's unrequited crush on this guy) so there is really no evidence either way here. And there are many ways to read this characterisation other than "this character is demisexual", but that is certainly the impression I am getting from the way this relationship progresses and the fact that he never mentions being attracted to anyone else, neither Tali in their possible brief hookup near the end of ME3 nor the scout from his story. In fact, he doesn't seem to pay much attention to phsyical appearance of potential partners whatsoever until his relationship with Shepard grows more intimate to allow him to find those feelings for her along the way despite not having them to start with. And that, at the very least, reads as extremely demisexual to me.

Happy Pride!

[thehydraethereal]

"You flinch like that again in public, and I’ll give you a real reason to." (1)

Character: General Marcus Acacius.

Trigger warnings: age gap (maybe reader is the daughter of someone from the Senate), power dynamic (he's the General a.k.a HOT), physical abuse, harassment, threats, fear kink, manhandling, manipulation maybe ?

I was honestly just thinking of Acacius putting on the facade of a caring, loving and dotting husband when he's scorting reader to the market to buy some food for dinner and at some point she does something he does not like and she flinches at his reaction. He's an abusive man close doors because he's obsessed with reader and deep down fears she's going to run away from him or something like that, I leave it to you obviously, I read your work and god, breathtaking to say the least

CORIANDER UNDER THE FIG TREE ههههه

senator's daughter.ᐟ reader && dark.ᐟgeneral acacius

.ᐟ trigger warnings: My work contains dark themes such as physical abuse, power imbalance, age gap, harassment, threats, phsyhological terror and other possible triggering elements. Proceed with caution. If these warnings trigger you, DO NOT INTERACT. 𝒜cces my DARK PROMPTS, my WHEEL OF INSPIRATION, my MASTERLIST and send in more REQUESTS.

ههههه

A shaky breath leaves your chest as you stroll next to the aged fig tree which marked the beginning of the market. And then, the scent hits you—coriander. Its citrusy and spicy aroma was the characteristic, consoling element that marked your childhood.

Whenever you touch the darkened green leaves, sadness overflows you. 

Your father, Ghauccus, often let you stand among the servants. You were much beloved due to your father’s kindness, everybody loved to see his sweet child growing up so gorgeously. The maids often let you ground spices in the bronze mortar—an activity you loved doing, especially during summer evenings, after you had tired yourself running after fireflies and the moths that gathered around flames that illuminated the garden and vines. Notwithstanding their chuckles at how heavy the pestle was for your infant hands, you were still encouraged and strength was manifested over you ever since you were a youngster. 

A custom you and your father honorated religiously was the  first quarters of the moon, spent within the folds of forgotten stories or legends about women that shaped their own fate and destiny—no matter how darkened it seemed. You still felt your father’s fingertips grazing your lower back, showing you his deep affection and cherishment whenever you shared a walk in the open.

You flinch hard as you feel the general’s —your husband's— fingers gripping your hip and pulling you nearer his grander body. Your ribs are adorned by burgundy marks and a tiny whimper escapes your throat as the bruised flesh is pressed against the gilded armor with drops of gold which poke your skin mercilessly.

People bow their heads as he passes by with you on his arm, even though a couple of elders eye him with a disgusted glare and you...with pity. As they remember who your father was and who your husband is. They all view his as a tyrant for serving the twin Emperors so respectfully but you are the one that knows he certainly wants the throne somehow. You know about the plots and about his aspirations of becoming the Emperor of Rome soon. And the thought terrifies you.

You can already tell, by the way the muscles in his jaw clench and tick, that your "stunt" has maddened him. Fear constricts your throat and you feel your chest burning, so you try your best to brush the event off your husband's mind.

"W-we should buy more herbs, and I will have the maids prepare you the dish you l-like so much—", you try to speak, but Acacius lowers his head to speak in your ear and the words die on your tongue.

"We will return home, my love.", he growls and you already feel tears burning in your eyes. Home? You don't want to go "home". You know how rarely he lets you out and you know what will happen to you when you arrive back to the villa so you try to delay the inevitable by lingering in this moment.

"P-please, my lord, please...", your eyes bore pleadingly in his coal black ones as you try to steady your whispering voice. "Please, no, let's stay a little longer—".

"No?", he cuts you off again, and you feel his grip tightening. The deep chuckle that erupts from his broad chest sounds more like a growl and again, you feel small, powerless, you feel like a lamb to the slaughter. "When I command something, you have no say in it, haven't I taught you that, my little lamb?", he continues, as if he heard your thoughts.

You nod your head weakly, as you graze your eyes over the marketplace one more time. The coriander you willed to buy lies now forgotten on a wooden table as fear curses through your veins.

As soon as your feet hit the marble floors, and Acacius knows he is not under people's gaze anymore, you feel his hands on you. He grips the back of your neck and drags you to himself. You don't have time to scream, plead, beg—only to whimper—, as his lips press to your ear. "Tell me, you like when I put my hands on you?"

When you only move your head in a silent no, too choked by your own sobs and tears, he shakes your body harshly. "Answer me!", he says, trying to keep his voice down, inhaling and exhaling, visibly overly angered.

"N-no...", you cry out in the silence of the house.

The general grabs your waist next and he slams your body in the wall. You fell the copper of the blood in your mouth as he presses himself against your back. "Then why you make me do this?"

Both of his massive, calloused hands that killed so many, wrap around your wrists, pushing them next to your head. The general's massive figure makes your lungs burn, air simply not reaching them.

"My queen, why do you have to be so diffucult? ", he asks you again, and even under the heavy robes, you feel his hard member poking at your lower back. A sob escapes your lips and you feel a warm, thin trace of blood running down your chin, along with fresh tears. He always gets disgustingly excited whenever he feels your muscles tensing with fear. Another thing you loathe about him.

"I give you everything, don't I? I am a good husband, I am wealthy and I will make you my queen one day, and you still act so ungratefully."

He retreats from you all of a sudden and your knees give up on your weight, making your body collapse on the ground on your palms and the skin tears open on them. Teardrops fall, wetting the expensive marble carved with bronze. Acacius's hand fists itself in your hair and he slowly pushes your head up. His eyes scan your terrified features and the blood that starts to dry on your face and he licks his lips at the sight. You feel like you are nothing but a pile of broken limbs at the general's feet.

He runs his thumb over your lips that are trembling, and pushes it in your mouth, letting it rest heavily on your hot tongue.

You screw your eyes shut as he pushes it further, almost touching the back of your throat with it. "Look at me.", he commands and you obey immediately when he grips your jaw harshly with the other fingers. "You are mine by right. If you shame me one more time, I will ruin you so thoroughly that even the crows will pity what is left."

You flinch at the threat, and terror settles deep in your bones.

The general retreats the finger from your mouth and grips your cheeks with his entire hand. The look in his eyes was, for a brief moment, vulnerable. The only vulnerable thing in him.

Another tear slipped down your face and, combined with your blood, it painted his hand in a powdered pink stripe.

"You flinch like that again in public, and I'll give you a real reason to.", the man finished, standing up high.

"I expect you in the bedroom. You have wife duties to attend. And if you refuse, I will fuck the disobedience out of you under the sun’s gaze — and when everyone will spit on you as a whore, you’ll know you earned it."

You choked on a sob as he left, and your blurry vision caught one of your servants, one of the servants that let you ground the coriander in your father's home, look at you with tears in her eyes. There was nothing you could do but stand up and join your husband.

⋆↝ 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒: So, when I saw your request in my inbox, I was literally SO. HAPPY. because I've been seeing your reblogs and you read good stuff and it was really encouraging that you are reading MY shit 😭 ♡ Thank you, my love and I really hope this reaches your expectations. I LOVED WRITING THISSS

⋆↝ 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒: @highonmarvel @pedrosyouknowwhat @essraxi ♡

[cy-lindric]

bonjour cy-lindric, j'ai une petite question. when I was a young person, I read The Three Musketeers and then eagerly started to read Twenty Years After and was so upset at what had happened to my beloved young heroes that I put the book down and never picked it up. what do you think, should I try again?

Bonjour !

After reading The Three Musketeers, I also wasn't sure I wanted to read Twenty Years After, and I took a break inbetween both to read something entirely different (The Locked Tomb, iirc). I think my reason for that was kind of the opposite of yours ; I enjoyed T3M a lot and loved the characters, flaws and all, but by the end they had somewhat crossed over the line into being Too Awful and the lack of retribution left me a bit frustrated. I didn't see it as a failing of the story - on the contrary, their strong character flaws and downfall in the conflict with Milady is one of the most emotionally intense and compelling parts imo - but I wasn't sure I felt like hanging out with these guys for a few hundred more pages at that point.

If your vision of the characters as a young reader was a very positive and perhaps idealized one, I can imagine why you might not have enjoyed entering into Twenty Years after. The illusion of glory has worn off ; the characters have separated, they live unremarkable lives, and their personalities have evolved drastically with the passing of time. It's almost a brutal return to reality.

For me though, it added layers of characterization to the point where now it's clear to me that this version of the Inseparables is by far the one I prefer.

I hope it's ok if I take the opportunity to talk at length about what I like about TYA below the cut. TL;DR : I love that Twenty Years After is a more realistic look at the big four's personalities and how they evolved while still keeping them thematically coherent, and that TYA makes them confront the reckless and cruel shit they did in their youth.

Spoilers ahead obviously.

We've often talked about how T3M is at its core a story about the end of knighthood. It's a tongue-in-cheek approach at chivalrous initiation, set at edge of the modern world, inbetween the time of ballads about knights in armor and that of adventures about journeying gunmen and soldiers. I think TYA embodies that particularly ; the story of people who have carried the last of these intense, dangerous chivalric ideals in their youths, and who have now grown into middle aged adults who need to find their place in the world.

For a good chunk of the book, the big four are separated into two teams ; that in of itself might discourage some, but imo it's genius. Instead of the natural two-by-pairings, Dumas goes for a d'Artagnan+ Porthos and Athos + Aramis split on opposite sides, which makes for good drama and develops lesser explored dynamics. D'Artagnan and Porthos form a scrappy team of opportunists with money on their minds, and Athos and Aramis a more idealistic duo fighting for a noble lost cause. I think it's a bold choice but also premium sequel writing.

I also love the way the young and wild characters we knew evolve into middle aged men ; at their core, they're still the same, but they've all changed and struggled against the sunset of the golden age in their own ways.

D'Artagnan, after knowing such adventures and subsequent rapid social ascension in his teenage years, has been met in his adult life with the harsh reality that he is, in fact, not a noble knight but a soldier on payroll. His modest origins give him little hope for any further career advancement, and he takes on a new mission in his early 40s for a man he has no devotion for and a cause he doesn't care about, simply because he is bored and broke. D'Artagnan still has his quick wits, his strategic talent, his fencing skills, but he has grown out of the excesses of pride of his teenage years. I loved meeting him again in TYA, and it made so much sense to me that his bouts of anger and aggressivity would be a youthful trait that he'd ended up taming. He also realizes now a lot of what seemed like funny adventures and necessary violence was actually kind of fucked up ; that was a shock to me, as their shenanigans are treated so lightly in T3M, and tbh it healed me a little. Grown up d'Artagnan is cunning, calculating, down to earth and realistic. My foxy little man. I love him.

Porthos, likewise, has been struck by the weight of reality. He has made the sensible choice and got married to the rich widow who sugar mommied him in the first book. Now she's passed, he is rich, but he still fails to earn the respect of the high society he evolves in because he's not high born enough. Like d'Artagnan, he's stagnating and bored and now that he goes back adventuring it has nothing to do with the queen or the kingdom or honour ; it's about getting his damn nobility title.

Athos, on the other hand, is the eternal knight : the only truly high born of the four, and still hopelessly holding on to a time gone by. It's no surprise imo that his storyline brings him into the english civil war, doomed to fail at saving a king who'll end up executed right in front of him. TYA acknowledges more clearly than ever that at 28 yo, Athos was a depressed alcoholic, and an embodiment of what an excess of aristocratic righteousness can do. In TYA, he is sober and moisturized and a DILF, and now he's running around frantically looking for absolution for his numerous crimes. It's delicious.

Aramis is maybe the hardest pill to swallow. TYA confirms the T3M hints that he isn't really the prim and proper romantic boy he acts like he is, and that he's possibly the most hypocritical and ruthless of the four. It might be a harsh one for Aramis fans who like him better as a cute bean, but I love the early onset of remorseless conniving bloodthirsty ambitious Aramis. Another harsh bit might be the evolution of Aramis and d'Artagnan not really liking each other ; they were always the least close combination, and imo it makes sense that their personalities would clash. I think it's clever and compelling conflict.

Now, obviously, if you've cared enough to read all this and if you know me a little, you know that a huge highlight of the book for me was its late-appearing antagonist, Mordaunt. Mordaunt is the son Milady had with her english husband. Because of the Musketeers' intervention, he's grown up in poverty and has been denied his father's inheritance. He's now a Roundhead working for Cromwell, and set on avenging his mother at all costs. Mordaunt, unlike his mother who was this beautiful and dangerous force of nature, is very uncool and pathetic. She was the primordial snake, he's the gutter rat. Obviously, I love that in and of itself, but it's also kind of striking image of the wretchedness of what they've done to her, a fucked up little goblin ghost come back to haunt them as they're trying to make their life worth living again. This time, their enemy is not a cunning political rival with a flamboyance of body and mind akin to their own ; it's a shitty little guy with bad skin who wants to kill the king and punish the murderers. Watch out babes, it's the modern world coming for you.

Of course, they're the Four Musketeers, and they did what they had to do, so they get together again and swear friendship and keep going their way. But they're also old guys with difficult personalities in a world that's never going to be the same. I think it's a cool book.

[sallyfisher1312]

Quality Time Headcanons

Bad Batch x reader

Masterlist

A/n: I've been really busy recently, sorry for disappearing. I wrote these in between my study breaks and was going to wait to proof read it later, but I don't know when I'll have the time for that so forgive me for any misspellings.

Warnings: None I think, let me know if there's any.

Characters: Hunter, Echo, Wrecker, Crosshair and Tech x reader.

Word Count: ~1.1k.

Hunter

As the Seargent of the Batch, consequently also being responsible for his brothers, he’s the busiest and can’t spend much time with his partner and brothers other than during long travels in the Marauder. But, whenever he can, he likes to hear you talk about anything you want, your voice blended with the soft hum of the ship’s engines is a natural remedy for his headaches. Even if you’re not talking directly to him, just to be in the same room while you and his brothers chatting, all while he looks lovingly at you, is already really soothing.

He would use training sessions as an excuse to spend more time with you, helping you lift heavy weights, stretch, whatever it is that you enjoy doing for exercising, he’ll be there close to you, guiding your body to assure you’re training correctly. But beware, when you’re least expecting it, he’ll latch on you, tickling you without mercy until you’re laughing and rolling on the floor.

When in shore leave, he’ll prefer calmer environments so you can enjoy each other peacefully for some time, but he certainly wouldn’t mind it if you wanted to get drinks and dance all night in a club.

Echo

It’s one of his strongest love languages. While doing any task he always unconsciously looks for you, being so used to having you with him. He could be fixing the Marauder, piloting the ship, strategizing your next mission, somehow, he’ll find something to talk about with you.

He’s the type to enjoy discussing. About anything, really, as long as it’s discussing with you. You usually start talking about the war, economics, politics, serious matters that end up turning into something else entirely, and when you realize you’re playfully arguing about loth cats, the most handsome clone in the army, who would win a dance battle. He makes conversation so dynamic, you often loose sense of time and forget about everything happening around you.

When you finally have shore leave, he’ll want to show you every place he used to visit with his brothers, unlike Hunter, he’d go first for the most chaotic places in town, you never know what to expect. Street food eating competition, mechanical bull, bumper cars, you name it he’ll take you there. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t plan some romantic dates. There are times he just wants to relax and a good dinner night followed by stargazing feels ideal to him, in these moments he actually stays quieter, just wanting to enjoy your company before you have to go back to the loud, never-ending war.

Wrecker

He loves spending time with you. He obviously is not the type to stay still doing calmer activities, so training and sparring with you is what he usually goes for. Obviously, he’ll go easy on you, in fact he’s being more playful with you than actually trying to exercise, but if you insist on training seriously, he’ll actually try. He’ll show off to you during this time too, making sure you’re watching him lift weights twice as heavy as himself, and if you let him, he’ll have you on his back while doing push-ups.

He's also a big fan of nature, even if he’s rarely had the opportunities the visit places like forests outside of his missions, so that means he’ll want to go camping with you. He’ll do everything, bring the food or even go fishing (he’d dedicate his catches to you), set up the tent, show you around the place, explore caverns and maybe even go hiking. You just have to be there; he would sincerely offer to carry you if you didn’t want to go.

Crosshair

He likes to spend time with you during quiet space travels, only the sounds of his rifle echoing through the ship as you sit besides him cleaning his equipment. You can join him if you’d like, he wouldn’t object and it might even seem like he doesn’t care, but depending on how much time you’ve spent with him you’ll eventually learn to read his body language, and by the way he glances at you from the corner of his eyes when he thinks you’re not looking or how he subtly scooches closer to you, you’ll know he’s enjoying your presence.

He’s not the most romantic of the bunch, but if he feels like it’s an important date, he’ll take you to somewhere in Coruscant to eat. He loves spicy food, but if it’s not your cut of tea he’ll try to find other places that match your tastes or if you’re feeling adventurous, he might drive you around the city in a motorcycle until you spot something interesting to visit (there’s no use asking where he finds that motorcycle to drive during shore leave, he gives you different answers all the time).

Tech

Tech could spend hours talking to you, the way he always ends up getting carried away and explaining how every system in the Marauder works, and yet, you keep paying attention, asking him questions, actually showing that you’re interested. He’ll try to reciprocate that, doing research about topics you like so he you two can talk about it nonstop… or until he falls asleep. You’re used to it by now, your “talking sessions”, as Tech calls them, usually start by him sitting across from you, as the conversation goes, he approaches you more and more to show you things on his data pad and when he realizes it, he’s almost leaning his head on your shoulder, his eyelids growing heavy as your soothing voice calms the constant need to think he feels. Then, when you notice it, you invite him to rest with you, sometimes he lays his head on your chest, sometimes it’s on your lap, regardless, it always ends with you two soundly asleep holding each other.

If you’re good with mechanics and programming he’d be so happy to create things with you. At some point it would become a game of who makes the most surprising invention to gift the other, it doesn’t exactly need to be super useful, maybe just a silly little robot that says “I love you” or something with your initials engravened on it, just the thought that it was you who made it for him is reason enough for him to love your little inventions. But if you ever offered to create with him? Like, at the same time, in the same place, side to side with you? Then you’ll have a blushing Tech who’s short circuiting every time he even looks at you.

Reblogs, comments and feedback are appreciated. Let me know if there are any mistakes, English is not my first language. Thank you for reading! <3

Do not copy or translate!

Dividers by @/enchanthings