#She said he would have to kill her first when the time comes

[areyoudreaminof]

Beyond the Plains of Scythia

I was so honored and lucky to win this commission for @jassaweek! it was such a privilege to get to work with xo.hkka to create this masterpiece. She is such a kind and wonderful person and an incredible artist.

Jurian and Vassa have defeated Koschei, broken the curse, and now have the whole world ahead of them.

For my own fics, I took a lot of inspiration from the golden age of Mongolia, which you can see here in Vassa's outfit and the vast plains of Scythia. Thank you to Hikka and @jassaweek!

Please make sure to check out xo.hikka on instagram! And enjoy the little piece I wrote to go with this masterpiece!

Vassa felt the last vestiges of sunlight hit her face, relishing in the warmth and the stillness of her body. Never again would she take for granted the golden hour of sunset. With the horses far behind her, she looked out into the sea of grass. Hills rolled softly as sea waves and the fire in the sky stretched on forever. That fire reflected upon her hair, but it no longer burned her alive, no longer shredded her body. The trek from the lake and the surrounding forests took too long. Vassa felt suffocated by the trees as they crossed through mountains and gorges, past the fallen wall. But she held her head high as she led her army back across the border and into Scythia. 

Her mother had told her of the ancestors defeating the Fae armies as a child. How they raised the capital from a slave pit. Vassa’s ancestors rode wild horses to freedom on these hills, and Vassa swore she could hear the horde of nomads in the wind as she rode. She was free again, free from her curse, and the chains of the death god. She spoke her own language again, her Scythian tunic felt like armor against her chest, and Vassa felt like she could breathe again. 

Calloused fingers threaded through hers, tugging her close with the wind. 

“When you told me you called it seagrass, you really meant it,” Jurian said, “What was the word again? In Scythian.”

“Tanaap,” Vassa replied, “It’s the word for steppe, not sea.” She smiled as she watched the light dance along the angles of his face. He stood as tall as a king, but he refused that title. They had been arguing about it for days, and Jurian had convinced her army that he would only be her consort. No doubt he’d convince the entire capital and court within days of their arrival. 

He had not left her side the entire journey. He held her through her night terrors, helped her breathe when she felt like the forest would suffocate her, and he cried with her as they crossed the border. Jurian gasped the first time he saw the steppe, and Vassa could not bring herself to think of the walls he had suffered behind for so long.

“I can see why the humans settled here.” he murmured, his face softening, “Possibility without the fear of eternity. No wall could ever stand here.” 

“And no wall ever will,” Vassa promised, pulling him close. 

Jurian was quiet for a moment as the sun slunk behind the hills, and the sky began to bleed purple. Behind them, the stirrings of camp and the whinny of horses broke the silence. 

“If-” Jurian began, taking a deep breath, “Will your people accept me? After everything I’ve done?” He turned toward her then, his brown eyes filled with worry. 

“You mean, after saving me and leading my army to free me? After killing a death god and stopping Beron Vanserra and the queens?” Vassa cupped his face gently, “They will, they have. After everything you’ve done, you can come home and rest. With me.” She pulled him down, capturing his lips with a sigh. Vassa kissed her General as the sun set, feeling only his lips and his arms wrapped around her. She felt her heart flutter against her chest, but she could not feel her bones breaking with transformation, could not feel the lashing of flames on her back. Vassa only felt the future, now stretched before them like the sea of grass they stood on. 

“Take me home, my queen.”

[adilqalbi]

What's True Love If Not Necromancy?

pairing: ramdevi

tagging: @rc-catalog

word count: 799

tw: light mentions of death

rating: g

summary: a different take on devi waking up for the first time in hertfordshire, finding ram and their conversation.

additional note: A SUPER LATE birthday present for the one and only JB/ @webanglikethat!! Jbaby you're one of the greatest people I have had the honour of knowing. i did my best here but forgive any mistakes. i hope you have an amazing year and whatever troubles you, i hope it goes away asap. i'll always love you (platonically)

Ram hadn't realised just how much he missed Devi until the night she showed up to his room, complaining of a headache. 

She had been unconscious for weeks, but the British physicians had seemingly done their best to help her recover from her injury. 

Now, here she was, sitting on Ram's bed, breathing deeply and massaging her temples. 

Ram sat on the floor at her feet, watching her, his palms resting on her knees, waiting patiently for her to break their silence. 

Finally: ‘’Where are we?’’ Her voice was a whisper, and Ram had to lean in to hear the question. 

He sighed. She didn’t know. Of course, she had been dead, roaming around in the afterlife probably, and now she was back but in a foreign place. 

‘’We are in Britain. Hertfordshire.’’

‘’Hertfordshire? How? This…doesn’t make sense.’’

‘’Shh, I know it doesn’t. I’ll explain everything, rakshasi.’’ Ram ran his hand through Devi’s messy hair, trying to calm her down. 

‘’Please, Ram. Just tell me. I was dead. Dead. What happened?’’

Ram bit his lip. There was no delaying this. She had to know. 

He sat down next to her on the bed, took her hand in his and began. 

‘’You did die. Dixit stabbed you. But, you killed him before your final breath. And, then you died.’’

Devi was silent. 

‘Ram continued: ‘’I figure you would be upset to know that the last time you breathed was in…Christian’s arms.’’ 

‘’By the gods. Dying in the arms of a foreigner.’’ 

‘’Yes, well, it’s okay though. We got you back very quickly.’’

Devi looked up at Ram. ‘’Yes, how did you manage that?’’

Ram rubbed his neck, nervous, ‘’There’s this ritual that can be done. It had never been successful before but it worked with you for some reason.’’

‘’A ritual?’’

‘’Yes.’’

‘’It had never worked before?’’

‘’No.’’

‘’But, here I am.’’

‘’Indeed.’’

Devi rolled her eyes. ‘’Of course, you would know a ritual. But wasn’t it too big a risk?’’

Ram looked at the bedroom floor, dark oak. He was silent for a few minutes, lost in thought. 

It was risky to have done the ritual. He could have made everything worse. But, he knew one thing was true, which would never change. 

‘’I wanted to do everything in my power to get you back. I don’t think I could live without you.’’

Ram looked directly into Devi’s eyes, ‘’Five years, Devi. Five years of stolen glances, and flirty jokes, and searching for each other in the crowd and yet not being able to talk openly. I’d already suffered for five years, without you by my side.’’ Ram stopped here, his voice failing him. 

Devi completed his thoughts: ‘’And after five years, once we just began taking steps towards…happiness…that’s when I was taken away from the world of the living. And you��’’

‘’Couldn’t bear it. Not for one minute.’’ 

Devi curled her lips inwards, not sure what to say to Ram’s sudden confession. 

‘’I’m sorry, maybe this was too much altogether.’’ Ram quieted down, mentally berating himself for not keeping his mouth shut. He was always so good at it, so what happened now?

The next thing he knew was that Devi was holding his hand tighter. ‘’No, Ram. It’s…I appreciate you so much. I love you dearly. It’s just that…I don’t know. I just wasn’t expecting it.’’

Ram raised his eyebrow, askance. 

‘’You were the one who said that what we have can’t be anything more than a secret.’’ Devi smirked, her old self coming back slowly as her mind got used to being alive again. ‘’What changed?’’

Ram looked at her again, her sparkling eyes, her smile. He thought back to how she laughed. 

‘’I want to make you laugh, I think. I want to do that for the rest of my life.’’ 

Devi blinked. She had expected a sarcastic joke, but this was serious. 

She smiled softly again, rubbing her thumb against Ram’s palm. 

‘’Ram…truly…I’d love to laugh with you forever. But-’’

‘’Oh god, there’s a but.’’ 

Devi, ironically laughed, ‘’Listen to me, you rakshasa. But now was not a good time to confess. I came back to life  half an hour ago. I’m pretty sure my body isn’t used to being alive currently. I think I need to sleep, actually. So, if you would please continue your tale of true love later on, I’d love to be able to sleep.’’

‘’True love? What do you mean true lov - wait!’’

It was no use. Devi was already under the covers with her eyes closed.

Under the covers. Sleeping. 

On Ram’s bed. 

In Hertfordshire. 

Where the maids liked to gossip. 

He looked at the empty side of the bed. He thought about it for perhaps one minute. Then he cuddled in right next to his true love.

[itsnesss]

𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧 | minho (xo,kitty) × fem!reader

OO1. OO2.

summary | you struggle with your feelings for minho, knowing he's in a relationship with stella. after an intense conversation about your kiss, you decide to distance yourself, despite the undeniable connection between you two

warnings | emotional distress, relationship complications, heartbreak, mentions of kissing

word count | 1.7 k

author's note | it would help me a lot if you liked, commented and reposted so that more people read what I write and don't forget to follow me, thanks ᡣ𐭩

The way back to the cabin felt endless. You wrapped the towel around your body so tightly that your fingers hurt, trying to keep your breathing steady. Min Ho's kiss still burned on your lips, like an impossible-to-ignore burn.

When you entered the room where you were sleeping with Yuri and Juliana, they were both fast asleep. You climbed under the blankets, but sleep didn’t come. Only the memory of Min Ho, his intense gaze, his voice whispering words that should never have been said.

"What about what I feel? Or what you feel?"

You squeezed your eyes shut. None of that mattered. It couldn’t matter.

...

The first rays of light filtered through the windows when you finally decided to get up. You went downstairs to the kitchen and found your friends already gathered. Yuri and Juliana were serving themselves coffee, Q and Dae were discussing a board game, and Stella was hugging Min Ho, resting her head on his shoulder as she looked at her phone.

Your stomach twisted.

"Look who decided to show up!" Yuri exclaimed with a smile. "We almost let you sleep, but Min Ho insisted we wake you up."

Your eyes quickly went to him, and you found him staring at you intently. He didn’t say anything, but there was something unsettling in his expression.

"Thanks for the gesture," you responded, pretending indifference as you grabbed a cup of coffee.

You tried to stay occupied during breakfast, participating in the conversation as little as possible. However, every time you looked up, you found Min Ho watching you, even when Stella was talking to him.

And then, Stella spoke.

"Since the snowstorm has passed, we could take a walk to the lake," she suggested excitedly. "It’s not too cold, and the view must be incredible with all the snow piled up."

"Sounds like a great idea," Q said, stretching.

"Hope you all have good shoes," Dae joked. "I don’t want to be the one carrying anyone if they slip."

"You say that as if you won’t be the first one to fall," Juliana retorted with a smile.

Amidst laughter, the group prepared to leave.

You tried to convince yourself that it was just a walk. There was nothing wrong with that.

Except Min Ho was there. Except every time Stella held his hand, your chest tightened.

The path was beautiful, surrounded by snow-covered trees. The cold air helped clear your mind a little, but not enough.

Min Ho walked ahead, alongside Stella. She was animatedly talking about something on her phone, while he simply nodded, not too interested.

"He’s looking at you again," Yuri whispered beside you.

"What?"

"Min Ho. He hasn’t stopped looking at you since we left the cabin."

You quickly shook your head. "That’s your imagination."

"Uh-huh." Yuri gave you a look of *don’t lie to me*. "Something happened last night in the hot tub, right?"

You almost choked on the air. "No! Why would you say that?"

"Because I know you. And because he looks at you like you’ve killed his dog and at the same time like he wants to kiss you again."

"Yuri," you warned, feeling your cheeks burn.

"I won’t say anything," she promised with a mischievous grin. "But you have to tell me later."

Before you could respond, Min Ho stopped and announced:

"I’m going to look for more firewood for the bonfire tonight."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Stella asked.

"No, stay here. It won’t take long."

Your heart stopped for a second.

"I’ll... take a walk," you said to Yuri and Juliana, quickly walking away before anyone could ask questions.

You followed the path Min Ho had taken, the sound of snow crunching under your boots. You found him a few minutes later, picking up some fallen branches.

When he saw you, he dropped the firewood and crossed his arms.

"I knew you’d come."

You rolled your eyes. "Don’t think you’re that important."

Min Ho let out a low laugh, but his gaze was serious.

"Are you going to keep pretending nothing happened?"

You took a breath. "I don’t want to talk about it."

"Well, I do."

His tone was different. It wasn’t the usual arrogance, nor his playful tone. It was deeper. More real.

"You kissed me last night," he said firmly.

You clenched your jaw. "It was a mistake."

"It wasn’t."

"Yes, it was," you insisted, your chest burning.

Min Ho took a step toward you. "Tell me you didn’t feel anything."

"Min Ho…"

"Say it."

You clenched your fists. You couldn’t. You couldn’t tell him that because it would be a lie.

"You have a girlfriend," you reminded him.

"I know."

"Then this is over."

He took a deep breath. "I’m going to break up with Stella."

Your eyes widened with surprise and fear.

"You can’t do that."

"Why not?"

"Because she doesn’t deserve that," you said, your voice trembling. "I don’t want to be the reason for that."

Min Ho ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "You’re not."

"Of course I am," you insisted. "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be thinking about this."

Min Ho shook his head. "No. This was happening before. Stella is amazing, but she’s not…"

He stopped, but you understood what he didn’t say.

"She’s not you."

Your chest ached.

"Min Ho, don’t do this. Don’t complicate things more than they already are."

"And what do you want me to do? Stay with her just because it’s the right thing?"

"Yes," you said, even though every part of you screamed no.

He stood in silence, watching you.

"Leave me alone, Min Ho."

The words came out before you could stop them.

Min Ho blinked, as if you had slapped him.

"Is that what you want?"

You nodded, your heart breaking in your chest.

He pressed his lips together, then nodded stiffly.

"I understand," he murmured.

He picked up the firewood and started walking back to the cabin without looking back.

You stood there, with the snow gently falling around you, feeling like you had just lost something you would never have again.

tags | @msromanreigns2023 @imagineme2you @yuwaimo @cassiewritessalot @lavnderluv

[salparadiselost]

For the ask game, magic girl bruce intro 👀

Magical Girl AU

This was developed with @jube514 a bit, though this writing is mine.

TW for mentions of spinal injury

--

It had a price. 

Bruce had so easily paid that price when he was younger. It had felt light. A dangerous life for dangerous power. The possibility that he could be killed at any moment in exchange for the possibility of being so much more than himself. 

His parents had died. 

What had he had to live for anyways? 

So he paid. 

He didn’t feel that price until years later when he was crawling through rubble and ash and calling his name over and over and over again. Broken glass cut into his palms, and he hadn’t even felt it over the shattering pain from within his heart. 

He had screamed his name until his pleas became sobs, and the truth of it sank in. 

It was a heavy price, after all and here he was considering on whether he should make the small body in the hospital bed pay it too. 

“What’s his prognosis?” he asked the nurse who was not-to-subtly gaping at him from a few feet away. 

He was used to the stares at this point.

He had become a Magic-Given almost two decades ago and wore all the trappings that came with it when he donned his magical Ensemble. “Magic-Given” was a more modern term, especially as it became clear that magic could be given to both males and females. The phenomenon was originally discovered in Japan and passed between young girls until eventually it was spread out into the rest of the world. “Magical girls” they had called them, a cute name that didn’t fully capture the amount of danger they were plunging into. Their Magical Ensembles, so iconically clad with bows, ribbons, and corsets, were just pretty frosting on lots and lots of pain. 

Bruce’s Magical Ensemble was a revealing number that showed a large amount of skin to signify both his maturity and power level. Ensembles tended to do that, starting as very modest little outfits for the younger Givens and eventually becoming tighter and scarcer as their bearer grew more mature. Bruce’s Ensemble was a collection of luxurious blacks and golds that twined around his body. Ribbons and lace cut across his body like lingeries, curling along his curves and hinting at the pale skin underneath. His pants were tight, and cut-outs were strategically stretched across his hips, exposing the v of his bones and the expanse of his muscled thigh. His stomach was basically completely bare, only covered by sheer fabric that really left nothing on his top half to the imagination. His shoulders were covered in armour (because, of course, that’s what deserved armor) and dripped gold jewelry down his chest. A long cape flowed out from his shoulders and rippled around his ankles, even when there was no wind. It started as a pitch black near his upper shoulders and then gradually lightened into a gold that dispersed into glimmering stardust that trailed behind him wherever he went. 

It was a powerful Emsemble and the skin exposure spoke to how much time Bruce had had to grow into his abilities. Many of the Given would have killed to don such an Emsemble.

It was also lewd and Bruce hated it. Especially when he was supposed to be taken seriously like in this moment.

He crossed his arms over his chest, covering his nipples with his arms. 

“His spine was broken in seven different places,” the doctor said softly at Bruce’s elbow. She was a tiny Black woman who was probably about two feet shorter than Bruce. Her hands, though, had so much power. They had tried so hard to knit the boy’s spine back together. “He should be dead,” she added after a few breaths. “It’s a miracle he’s even alive but…” She trailed off, worrying her lip with the coming bad news.

“But what?” Bruce prompted. He felt so out of place in the sterile theatre of the hospital. Everyone was bustling around with coats, gloves and masks while his belly button and hipbones were on display. Not for the first time, he wished his Emsemble came with a hoodie. Or even just a shirt.

"He will need attendant care for the rest of his life. The fall affected all of his lower half, so he will be bedbound and need help with the toilet. He will be incontinent so the care will need to be constant to keep him clean. He won't be able to walk again."

Would an orphanage even pay for that amount of intense care? Certainly not the ones in Gotham. Not the one the boy was scheduled to be transferred to in a couple weeks time.

Being a Magic Given was no life for a child and yet... and yet...

[himluv]

Welcome to House Dellamorte

Chapter 32 of Say My Name (Say it Twice) is here! I hope you all enjoy it!

Read below, or on AO3 :)

Lucanis finally faces his cousin, with Rook's help, of course.

This was not how he’d imagined showing Rook Villa Dellamorte. That Illario had allowed Venatori filth into their home angered him almost as much as his cousin’s betrayal did. It would take months for the residual magic to fade and for the Veil to heal. And in the meantime, Lucanis’s eyes would itch terribly. 

And the rugs! So much blood had been spilled in these halls. It would cost a fortune to clean it all. And some of the damask wallpaper was beyond saving, which meant costly removal and replacement. 

Mierda, he might just kill Illario after all. 

They reached the salon in the East wing, where Caterina often hosted visiting Talons or particularly influential clients. It was a formidably decorated room, with not a single vase or pillow out of place. Even held hostage, Caterina’s will could not be refuted. It would be inspirational, if she weren’t so terrifying. 

“This is where you live?” Rook asked. Her eyes were wide as she took in the moody splendor of Caterina’s domain. 

He snorted. “No. I haven’t lived here since I turned eighteen.”

“But, this house is yours?”

He shrugged. “It is the main residence of House Dellamorte. It is my inheritance,” he added darkly. 

Neve raised an eyebrow at him. “Doesn’t sound like you want to inherit.”

He said nothing to that. The truth was, when it came to the Dellamorte legacy, what Lucanis wanted did not matter. It had never even once been considered. He would become First Talon and he would rule The Crows from this Villa. Period. 

It was not a truth he was eager to remember, and yet, Caterina was in need of saving. And so here he was.

He did not miss the weighty glance between Neve and Rook. 

Worried, Spite hissed at his ear. 

“Come,” he said. “I doubt Caterina would allow herself to be kept anywhere but her suite.”

Neve snorted. “Sounds like a formidable woman.”

Lucanis grimaced. “You have no idea.”

He led the way up another staircase, and they dispatched three more Venatori on the landing. He stood over the corpses, panting and still shrouded in the shimmering purple of Spite’s energy, when Rook touched his shoulder. 

“Are you all right?” Her voice was low and Neve made a big show of admiring the original Renauldi painting hung on the wall – a gift from Teia, no doubt brokered by Viago. 

In truth, he was not all right. They were fighting their way through his childhood home, which was infested with racist blood mages. He was running out of time to save Caterina, whom he had very mixed feelings about seeing again. Feelings he neither had time nor the desire to analyze more closely. And, he was hurtling toward a confrontation he’d dreaded for most of his life, because – if he was honest with himself – Illario’s betrayal had simply been a matter of time. Caterina had ensured that when she constantly pitted them against one another. When she lorded the seat of First Talon over them both and attached it to her favor. 

So, no. He was not all right. 

But, Rook’s hand was still on his shoulder, and her eyes were big and shining in the lantern light. She was here, helping him, yet again. And he knew they would face the consequences together, just like they’d promised. 

He nodded once. “I will be,” he said. He nodded toward a hallway that led further into the house. “The family rooms are up ahead.”

“First her. Then we will find what we seek,” Spite said, sounding particularly ominous. Where Lucanis was on edge, angry and worried, Spite was almost gleefully eager for violence. 

Lucanis led them through the East wing, toward the back of the house where the family rooms were. Th entire East wing had been filled with family once, but after House Velardo’s coup attempt Caterina had insisted on keeping her grandsons close. 

He turned the last corner and saw a Venatori mage standing at Caterina’s door. Spite’s wings erupted from his back as they launched at the mage. He went down quickly and Lucanis rushed to his grandmother’s door. But Rook lingered on the other side of the hall.

“What are these–?”

“–Mine and Illario’s rooms,” he said. 

She raised an eyebrow and poked her head inside. Then she frowned at him. “I think there’s been some changes.”

“What?” He frowned and pushed past her into the room. It was large. Too large. He blinked and spun to take in the renovated space. “He took out the wall?”

Wants to erase you, Spite growled. 

Lucanis hadn’t lived in this house since he was eighteen, he shouldn’t be upset to find Illario had claimed the space. But to be faced with yet more evidence of his cousin’s efforts to excise Lucanis from his life…

It hurt.

“Lucanis?” Rook stood at a small table near the wall – the wall that had once been his – with a piece of parchment in her hands. 

He joined her and read it quickly. He snorted. This was what Illario chose to keep? A letter he wrote to Lucanis, when they were much younger. And closer. 

Lucanis shook his head. “That job was a shit show,” he said. “As I’d predicted.”

“Look here,” Neve said. She stood before the hearth, nudging at the ashes with her metal toe. 

Rook glanced at him, then went to the fireplace. She picked up a scrap of parchment and scowled. “A torn up note,” she said. “From Zara.”

Spite growled at the mention of Zara Renata, but Lucanis ignored him. 

“If he’s trying to cover his tracks,” Neve said. “He’s doing a terrible job of it.”

“Illario has never been one for details,” he said. “But, this is sloppy, even for him.”

“He’s rushing,” Rook said, frowning. “Which means he knows we’re coming for him.”

“Let’s go,” he said. He needed to put this room and all the emotions it’d conjured behind him. He needed a clear head when he found Caterina. Then he could let his rage go when he met Illario in the Opera House.

Rook and Neve followed him back out into the hall. He tested Caterina’s door, but just like its occupant, it was immovable. “It’s barred from the inside,” he said. 

Rook stood beside him, hands on her hips. “So, we bust it down and probably get attacked.”

He smirked at her. “Which is why I’ll go first.”

She gave him a disapproving look, but didn’t argue. This was his House – she had followed him this far, she would trust him in this. The fact brought a soothing warmth to his chest, a balm for his jagged thoughts. With Rook at his back, he could do this.

Together they kicked in the door. An idle part of Lucanis’s mind tallied that cost in his ongoing tab against Illario. At this rate, his cousin’s monetary debts would be almost as insurmountable as his blood debts. 

Caterina’s room was not a part of the house where he had spent much time, but it had the expected refined splendor. A large four-post bed draped in purple and black brocade stood in the center of the room, the hearth burned on their left. And on their right–

Lucanis turned in time to see a weapon swing down at his head. Behind him, Rook gasped as he reached up and caught it in one gloved hand. Wood, finely carved, and sturdy. He recognized it instantly – remembered well the crack of it against his knuckles, back, and ribs. Had been haunted by its tapping through these halls and in his dreams. 

He looked past the cane, to its wielder, and there she was. Caterina Dellamorte, First Talon of the Antivan Crows, his grandmother. 

He had not seen her in over a year. For much of that time, he’d believed he would never see her again. Then, after he’d escaped, he’d let himself imagine returning to her side, only to learn she was dead. Supposedly killed by Venatori in retaliation for his escape. To see her now, in her battle leathers, her hair frizzing out of its usually pristine and severe bun… Something cracked within him.

“Caterina?”

For a heartbeat, they stared at one another with wide, disbelieving eyes. Then she stepped toward him.

“Lucanis! My poor boy!” She took him by the arm and they exchanged brief kisses to each cheek.

Even now, in this almost heartfelt moment, Lucanis could not bring himself to touch her. Relief and apprehension warred within him. She was safe, unharmed, and they were reunited. But he was no longer the poor boy she remembered. 

Behind him, Rook spoke up. “I’d love to celebrate this touching family reunion with you both, but now might not be the best time. We have Illario’s celebration to deal with.”

She was right. There would be time for wary reintroductions later. After he dealt with Illario. He looked over his shoulder at her, grateful that she had his back. “Rook, we have to take Caterina to safety before we can break up the party.” The furious tap of a cane on the floor made him turn back to Caterina. 

“You’ll do no such thing,” she said to Rook. Her voice was imperious, the voice of a matriarch unaccustomed to argument. Then she looked at Lucanis. “And don’t speak about me as if I’m not here.” She glared between him and Rook. “There’s no time for heroic nonsense.”

Rook stood a little straighter, her fists on her hips. “Heroic nonsense saved your grandson and is rescuing you now.” She shook her head. “I won’t let Illario do more damage.”

He almost winced at Rook’s tone, but managed to keep his face devoid of emotion. He should have known she would butt heads with Caterina. Because, of course, he would plant himself directly between two incredibly strong-willed women.

Caterina eyed Rook, assessing her. Then, to Lucanis’s surprise, she smirked. “Go,” she said. “I’ll meet you in the Opera House.” She did not wait for their reply, did not give Rook the chance to argue. She just walked out of her room and into the hall, her cane tapping the whole way. 

Lucanis couldn’t help the smile that flickered across his face as she left. He and Caterina had a contentious relationship, there was no doubt. But she was still his grandmother. 

“I hope she can keep herself safe,” Rook said. 

He grinned at her. “Welcome to House Dellamorte, Rook.” Then he led her back out to the hall. They needed to get to the Opera House. 

Lucanis looked down on his cousin, his rage simmering into a bitter disappointment as Spite’s wings dissolved around him in purple mist. Illario had landed some heavy hits, particularly against Rook. When Lucanis had urged Rook to keep back and leave his cousin to him, Illario had honed in on that flicker of concern. Had read Lucanis’s care in a single sentence.

 He’d taunted her about choosing the wrong Dellamorte, and Lucanis about needing help. And he’d focused his efforts against Rook because he knew it was the most direct route to hurting Lucanis. 

For that alone he wanted to slice Illario’s throat. And he would– without hesitation – if Rook weren’t standing beside him, glaring down at his cousin. She was here, they had faced the consequences together just like she’d promised, and they had won. For that reason alone, he would let Illario live. 

His cousin glared up at him, one eye already bruising and swelling. “What are you waiting for, cousin? Finish what you start.” Even now, he repeated Caterina’s lessons to him. As if it was all they shared any more. Idiot.

Lucanis shook his head. “I already did. What am I ever going to do that is worse than this?” He raised his arms to gesture around the Opera House. “On your knees?” He sneered. “In front of every house?”

Behind him, Caterina made her grand entrance. “Get up, Illario.” Her voice and the tap of her cane commanded the room. Illario’s head snapped up, snapped to attention even now at the sound of their grandmother entering the room. 

Teia stepped forward, a brilliant smile on her face. “Caterina! Thank the Maker!” Lucanis wished he felt half her relief in this moment. 

Caterina scowled down at her youngest remaining grandson. “No one from House Dellamorte kneels.”

Viago took that as his cue, stepping forward to drag Illario up off his knees. The Fifth Talon had murder written all over his face. If Lucanis didn’t kill his cousin, Viago just might. 

“Mierda.” He looked past Caterina to Rook. “What am I supposed to do with this idiot?”

Rook didn’t look at him right away. She was still glaring at Illario, who smirked up at her. And in that one arrogant move, Lucanis was certain his cousin sealed his fate. When Embria finally looked at him, there was so much anger on her face. Like that day in Fen’Harel’s memory.

“He tried to kill you,” she said. “And got you imprisoned. And kidnapped the First Talon.” She glared down at Illario. “And made a deal with the Venatori.”

Lucanis closed his eyes and sighed. “Too much to forgive.”

“But,” she continued. “Didn’t you tell me that he was basically your brother and your closest childhood friend?” She was still angry, she still deeply disliked Illario, but in that moment Lucanis knew that she suggested forgiveness, not for his cousin’s sake, but his.

Maker, what did he do to deserve this woman?

“My only friend before you,” he said, and then sighed. “He’s family.” 

Illario gaped at him. “You think you can show me mercy?” He laughed at the notion. “That’s not up to you, is it? Caterina is still First Talon.” He said it with such ice, with such disappointment, that Lucanis knew this mercy was actually the worst outcome to Illario. 

His cousin would have rather died than be forgiven. Not that long ago, Lucanis would have understood, perhaps even approved of such a mindset. If he had failed as miserably as Illario just had, he would have asked for death, too. 

Caterina slammed her cane against the marble floor. “Enough, Illario. Lucanis is the new First Talon.” 

What? Lucanis looked to his grandmother, mouth agape and eyes wide. He glanced at Rook, and knew from the look in her eyes that his disbelief and horror were written plain on his face. No! He didn’t want this. He had never wanted this!

 “His decision stands.” Her voice was completely devoid of emotion as she stole the only thing from Illario that he had ever truly wanted.

Lucanis swallowed back the panic climbing up his throat. House Dellamorte was already on shaky ground after Illario’s schemes, and now with an abomination as First Talon. He could not afford to fall apart now, in front of every House. 

He shook his head as Spite growled in his ear. Shame him. HUMILIATE him. Make. Him. SUFFER.

“Viago,” he said. “Keep him out of trouble.” Lucanis knew no better punishment than being endlessly demeaned and loathed by Viago de Riva. The only thing more lethal than the man’s tongue were his poisons. And judging by the furious flush in the Fifth Talon’s face, he would do an excellent job of haranguing Illario. 

“I’m no miracle worker,” Viago said. “But I’ll see what I can do.” He dragged Illario toward the exit. 

Illario smirked at Lucanis as he went by, purring his name as if to worm his way out of this situation. “Lucanis…”

Lucanis snarled at him. “Don’t. Not now.” He didn’t want to lay eyes on his idiot cousin, let alone listen to his excuses. If Illario said a single word to him, he might change his mind and throw him in a cell after all. 

As Viago and Illario left the Opera House, Caterina stepped forward to the table flanked by the remaining Talons. She took up a wineglass and turned to look at Lucanis. 

He shot a wary look to Rook, but followed after his grandmother. 

“Welcome home, my boy,” she said, handing him the glass.

He took it, slowly. He didn’t trust this kindness, this overture of her approval and acceptance in front of all of the Houses. Lucanis knew a performance when he saw one – even one as flawless as Caterina’s.

Around him, the Talons took up their glasses, and Teia passed one to Rook. Then the Seventh Talon smiled at him. “A Toast! To the new First Talon!”

Mierda, no. He glanced at Rook, saw her smile at Teia and then Caterina. Then she met his gaze, and he saw that, while her smile looked genuine, it did not reach her eyes. And her eyes always told him the truth. 

“To Lucanis!” She said and they all raised their glasses as the gathered Crows in the balconies cheered. 

But, Rook’s eyes never lied to him, and he knew a performance when he saw one. He had just been made First Talon, and Embria was very, very scared. 

[pumpkinpenguin]

okay so i was talking to my sister abt this but i'm kind of heated over it now and must share it with the 10 of u that i keep in my echo chamber

i love evil 2012 donnie aus. he's such a creechur and i think he should be able to commit crimes. as a treat.

however.

i HATE evil donnie aus where he's emotionless and/or turns on his brothers.

donnie is emotionally driven and he doesn't hide what he's feeling. excitement, anger, sadness; if he's feeling it you'll know he's feeling it. a lot of his mistakes/the trouble he gets into is because he's having an emotional outburst of some kind or he's thinking with his heart over his head. he's also incredibly anxious and high strung. if something goes wrong it could ruin his whole day. if donnie were to be evil and not hold back anymore, he'd be the most unhinged villain ever with emotions that switch faster than a spirit box surfing through radio channels, and they'd be intense as well. this could be said for rise donnie as well, to be honest, and there's a conversation to be had there about autistic characters who are awkward and standoffish getting turned into emotionless and stoic villains, but that's not what i'm here to talk about atm.

when it comes to why he would snap, i think it would probably have to do with feeling rejected by humanity. donnie didn't ask to be the way that he is, a mutant turtle, but he's punished for it anyway. it's probably hard for him to rationalize. a big part of his character is his insecurity about being a mutant, which is also part of the reason i think he tries so hard to get april's affections. i DO NOT condone his behavior towards april, but it does kind of prove my point here. april rejecting him, to him, confirms that he'll never be accepted by humans. again, not april's fault at all and obviously she doesn't care that donnie is a mutant, she just doesn't like him that way. but like i said, donnie is emotionally driven and it would be very easy to spiral into that line of thinking. some people say that his brothers not appreciating him or asking too much of him would make him snap, hence why they have evil donnie turn against his bros. but i don't think thag would make him evil? to donnie, his brothers are all he has. they annoy him and pick on him and get a little too entitled to his tech skills, but i doubt he'd ever be motivated to hurt them. and if, IF, by some small chance he'd turn on his bros, leo is going first LMAO

raph teases donnie a lot and says mean things sometimes, but at the end of the day, i feel like he's still closer to raph than leo. not only that, but leo is one of the main contributors to donnie's stress. there's a problem? donnie, fix it. make some invention for the team. work harder. don't you know we're all counting on you? you know how much this means to splinter. don't even get me started on the metalhead situation. leo is on screen more often than not telling donnie what he can and can't do. not to mention he can be kind of a hypocrite sometimes. he judges donnie for his obsession with april, but he's just as obsessed with karai, more often than not putting his brothers in danger for her time and time again. i hate leorai with a passion but i cannot deny that it gets brought up in the show frequently. even if you ignore the romantic implications, i would still argue that leo is a hypocrite in this situation. also, through subtext, we can kind of infer that donnie and raph are closer than donnie and leo. i also feel like raph gets got first in these aus because there's an inherent bias against his character within the fandom, but i have a video essay in the works for that.

but again, if anyone were to be the victim of villain donnie's wrath, it'd be humanity. ESPECIALLY after the don vizioso thing (which is ANOTHER thing leo is hypocritical about??? "meh meh meh donnie killing ppl is bad ur stooping to their level meh meh meh" *literally TWO OR THREE EPISODES PRIOR decapitates shredder and carves his skull from his helmet* ?????!?!?!??!!?) he'd grow frustrated with how he can't do normal things. he's punished for something he has no control over. he feels alienated. why not give them the monster people think he is?

obviously ppl can write what they want, but so can i lmao. i usually don't care if something is OOC (it's funny a lot of times tbh), especially in something like a villain au, but when it comes to the turtle bros hurting each other?? that's the one thing i CANNOT stand 💀 of course i'm not telling ppl to stop writing it, but these are just my thoughts! lol i tend to avoid those fics/aus like the plague bc of what i'm personally comfortable with but!!!! i can see how they're fun to explore

i'll probably reblog later with an evil donnie WIP i haven't touched in three months when i have my laptop on me 👍

[chappellrroan]

hey babe okay so I saw the first episode and let me tell u u thirsting about helly r (or helen? im guessing that's her outside name) is soo valid and justified she's very pretty and she's banging on doors screaming to get out and throwing things so I obviously admire her lol also this scout guy omg I cannot take him seriously he was a joke character in the good place it was so funny I keep thinking of him but except for that hmmm it's kinda interesting but I fell asleep like 5 times😭 why is it so slow vio why do they show stupid things like him walking through a white hallway and tying his shoelaces i guess am just used to sitcoms i cannot watch these slowpokes I hope i didn't miss anything important my favourite scene yet from just ep1 was scout sobbing in his car before going to work (haha been there done that) and also helly's video she's so animated corporates will truly kill us all this concept is wild tho but like. it's. i thought that wow i can't keep you're giving away one third of your life to a corporation and you're not even going to remember it like how can you waste it lifeis sooo precious. but then I think about all the precious hours i spent in my office formatting idiotic word documents because my seniors said the font looks bad the spacing is incorrect and how tired I was that I just came home and fell asleep and I'm like oh. i loved that line the boss lady said that humans imagined hell but it doesn't exist but the scary part is that what humans can imagine, they can create. so we all gonna die. but anyway yes that's my review of the first episode.i think i definitely missed some important things like i remember seeing some very old guy talking and suddenly he's like I'm petey and I'm like wait YOU'RE petey? where did u come from? but I'll figure it out lol maybe I didn't sleep enough last night

you'll only fall more and more in love with helly lol (also try not to get spoiled by my posts here because i need to see you react to everything a hundred percent authentic). okay in show's defence it's trying to show and not tell, that's why the first episode might seem a bit boring and slow but trust me it'll speed up by end of 2nd episode. the walking thing is show you the shift in his mannersims how outside he seemed depressed and crying while when his innie (aka the severed self) had absolutely no idea at all (the puzzled look at the wet tissue paper and throwing it) the changing of shoes because he isn't allowed to wear outside ones inside it'd have probably make his innie wonder why they're wet (i am realising this as we speak tbh, because his innie has no idea about sky sun snow weather etc) and give him a chance okay forget his previous characters RIGHTTTT it seems like a fucked up concept but if it was possible i am sure soo many companies would take advantage of it to prey on depressed/naive people. like it sounds nice as a concept but (you'll realise this as you watch) in fact is inhuman to that the other part of yourself that is consistently working. lmao that's miss cobel for you, tell me more about how you feel about her as you go on. also get some sleep and try not to be too worried about catching all the symbolism you'll get them as you go plus we have tumblr to discuss anyways mwah

[darklinaforever]

God help me...

First off, what the hell are you doing in Wyler tag ? What's your fucking problem with pissing off people who didn't ask for anything ?!

But let's see the rest of your bullshit in detail and tear it down as we go along.

But this ship is very much dead. There is hardly any traction towards it because the people who ship it make no sense when they defend it. They sound like they could be mentally ill...

Weird, Wyler is the most popular ship with Wenclair though. And for a dead ship, Netflix still took the trouble to make Wyler the first teaser for the new season...

And how do we make no sense ? It's you who had no interest in repeating things that the show and the show team have themselves contradicted for years now about Tyler's character.

And it's you who comes into Wyler's spaces to piss off and obsessively spill your venom. It seems that you are the one who is mentally ill...

I don't know how crooked you have to be to say that you're crooked to ship a canonical ship. Already, this is not even said for fanon ships, but even less canon. What are you trying to prove here ? You're shooting yourself in the foot by coming in to tag Wyler to insult us and try to seem like the smartest person when you seem like the stupidest.

By the way ; Do you think you're smart to say that kind of thing ?! That we are mentally ill ?!

Wow, for say that you must really hate the fact that Wyler is the first official trailer / teaser of season 2, otherwise you clearly wouldn't be here trying to impose your pseudo dominance...

I guess Emma Myers (Enid actress) is mentally ill then, since she says most of the same things we do about Tyler...

And not to mention Hunter himself who spoke of sexual compatibility between Wyler, that Wednesday had been Tyler's light during the events of season 1 and that if he had to imagine his character ending up with someone it would be her ?

You're really a piss of shit.

And I won't apologize for saying that.

You allow yourself to insult us with enormous condescension that you try to pass off as a form of kindness in the rest of your post ? Well, I will insult you in return, but head-on this time.

You are a big piss of shit. That all.

Tyler almost killed Wednesday and all her friends + he manipulated her like a professional and she felt humiliated because she never even suspected him and put a good person in jail because of him.

She will never forgive herself, let alone him.

Yes... and ? First, Tyler “tries to kill” Eugene essentially under the orders of Laurel, his master to whom he is forced to obey and who tortured him ? Note also that Laurel technically didn't tell Tyler to kill Eugene but to take care of him and that strangely, he's the only victim of Tyler who escaped death ?

Coincidence ? Maybe not !

And if you want an explanation for Enid, it is implied that the Hyde offers a second personality, different from the human version ? So, technically, the Hyde is not Tyler. It's a second personality. Why is everyone forgetting the recording of the psychologist that Donovan listens to ?! Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, you know ?!

Literally, these people are being dishonest on purpose.

Also... again, Wednesday doesn't blame Tyler specifically for nearly killing her friends. First, it would be bad faith, because she also did it in the show with Enid, but above all, it's a question of ego. No really justice in her anger towards Tyler.

She is mainly angry at Tyler because, yes, he managed to fool her and her intelligence. And she is deeply hurt in her ego and personal feelings.

But how would his anger on this subject be eternal ? On what fucking basis ?! Tell me !

Once this aspect calms down in her, everything will surely be better and she could potentially look again at the case of the Hydes whose research remains incomplete (which have always deeply interested her on the other hand), and therefore Tyler.

But to return to her friends, Enid and Eugene are fine. Wednesday can recover from what Tyler almost did to them. Especially since Eugene was under Laurel's orders (and strangely, Tyler who could have easily killed Eugene... strangely didn't do it ?), and that Enid explains it by the fact that Tyler was in Hyde mode, his second monstrous personality, that he doesn't seem to really have control over ?

But more than that, Wednesday is a person who generally takes those treated most unfairly under her wing. And Tyler is probably the one who has been in this sad situation the most.

That she hates him forever makes no fucking sense ; since although she is angry for the moment because her ego is hurt, she knows that Tyler had a shitty family life, was groomed by Laurel who woke up his Hyde thus forcing him to become her puppet and imposing a bond that makes Tyler want and love what his mistress wants.

Then again, it wouldn't make sense for Wednesday to be mad at Tyler forever...

Oh and... Just for pleasure : “Of course the first boy I kiss would turn out to be a psychotic serial-killing monster. I guess I have a type.”

Also... Wednesday didn't put Xavier in the cell because Tyler manipulated her into doing so ? Wednesday did this all by herself like a grown-up ! 😂 Because, for the recording, Wednesday is a narrow-minded and toxic person. And believe me, of all the people Wednesday could have upset and blamed herself for this, Xavier is the one she will get over the quickest. Because ultimately she just likes him as a classmate and childhood acquaintance. And again I'm being nice... because most of the time she actually just tolerates him.

Oh and Wednesday finally saved everyone at the end of season 1. Given her ego and her anti-heroine nature, I think she will eventually recover from her own mistakes / forgive herself. 😂

I get that some people are shipping them as some kind of kink ( monster serial killer with Wednesday addams) 😏. But this kind of shipping starts and stays in the dark corners of the internet.

This ship can't be acknowledged by a streaming platform to the general public ( which includes millions of kids).

Just... God, if you think Wyler is an impossible relationship to fix, then you've never read or seen a real enemies to lovers romance !

I literally read one romance where the guy almost killed the heroine forever by stabbing her in the heart ! And if it weren't for the intervention of other characters, she would have died ! And yet at the end of the story, they're happily married !

The enemies to lovers trope isn't as fragile as these morons think it is !

One mistake and the relationship is dead forever ? Wow...

Wyler is also so soft in that category too ! The antis seem like a bunch of fragile people when they talk about Wyler.

Literally every time these people try to put the Wylers down they just make fools of themselves. Because they just bring up arguments that have been contradicted a billion times or are comically weak, or they just say bullshit that is simply not true.

I repeat, enemies to lovers have existed since the dawn of time, it's literally one of the most popular and represented tropes in existence ! Whether in children's fiction or for a general audience !

What cave are you living in to dare to say that Wyler cannot be recognized by a general public ?!

Even in super popular books you have thousand times worse than Wyler ?!

“The general public can't handle Wyler” My god... hello Delena, Klaroline, Clarice & Hannibal, ect ?!

For information, as shocking as it may be The Vampire Diaries was seen by many children / teenagers in addition to adults in time. All my friends at the time and I were kids when this show started and we watched it, like so many others.

Hence children and the general public couldn't handle Wyler ? Wyler is as soft as fucking Reylo ?! Another great ship that the general public and children loved.

This is one of the biggest bad take I've ever seen ! The confidence you need to say this kind of stupidity ?!

Seriously, wtf ?!

Although he was groomed, Tyler was a willing participant in the crimes that he committed and he even told Wednesday that he enjoyed killing innocent people. Millar and gough folded the wyler book forever in that scene.

Tyler can never be trusted enough around outcasts to be released.

It's literally said in the show that the hyde is conditioned to like what its master likes and want what his master wants. It's not even ambiguous. It's said in the fucking text of the show.

And I remember that Tyler makes his fucking confession to Wednesday with tears in his eyes. Yes, what a great villain...

Oh and if you need to talk about the non-canon novelization of the show that most of Wednesday's audience hasn't read and never will read to prove your point about a canon scene and events from the show, we're going to have a problem.

They're the ones who sound like mentally ill repeating over and over again that Tyler absolutely loves killing without any fucking doubt... 🙄

And they go so far as to agree that the Hyde should be excluded ? While the show is literally about the treatment of the marginalized ? The excluded from society ?

And they think it's positive that there is a category of outcast among the outcasts themselves ?!

Clearly not.

The treatment of Hyde is something that needs to change in this show !

And for that, we first need to finish understanding how these creatures really work.

But hey... Not as if we had incomplete research on the subject, that Wednesday is interested in it and that she just happens to have a Hyde on hand to look into the subject... I wonder where this scenario could lead us ?!

But certainly not to a questioning of the treatment of these creatures by the society of this story according to the antis (#irony) ?! Of course, nothing will ever change for the Hydes ! They are too dangerous ! Long live the status quo !

This is driving me crazy !

Yes, what the hell would Wednesday who defends the oppressed and the victims, have to do with Tyler, the outcast of outcasts himself who was groomed by a psycho who triggered the Hyde in him to use him as a puppet and who has the equivalent of a mental illness by being a Hyde. Hyde by which she is fascinated, and who it is implied that she will complete the unfinished research on them ?!

Seriously, the writers racked their brains to write us a character like Tyler, a teenager with multiple problems, including family problems, a victim of abuse and whose hyde (the creature marginalized among the marginalized themselves, knowing that the whole message of the show is to accept the marginalized in reality) seems to be the equivalent of a mental illness, for people to be like “Yes, this guy is a pure villain who cannot have redemption ! He is rotten and the show is right when it says that the Hyde are too dangerous for the world ! Nothing must change and nothing aspires to a change of point of view on these creatures in a show where we are encouraged to accept the marginalized (and whose hyde is the marginald of the marginalized himself) through the only Hyde that we meet in person throughout the story who is only a teenager victim of abuse with the metaphor of mental illness !”

Seriouslly, the “Tyler will never be put back with the other outcasts because he's too dangerous” take it's so fucking stupid for a show about outcasts and injustices...

We present to you the outcast of the outcast, whose case in terms of creature has never been finished studying...

And you think Tyler will forever remain an outcast among his people and locked up for life ?!

WTF ?!

These people are tiring me out...

Because it lacks the "genuine" element: there is no love between Wednesday and Tyler.

I would like to understand how Wyler lacks romantic elements ? They literally have one of the most classic storylines in the world in terms of romance ? What the hell are you talking about ? Developed ? What would be missing ? My god, what bullshit. If you want analysis of the Wyler relationship you have my tumblr or those of @fullofwoe5321 @tylernation @wylerserver18official @ablatheringblatherskite @cosmic-lullaby @broken-everlark

Tyler and Wednesday only have one scene in season 2, according to the leaks we got. So this teaser is very much bait for the fans who still like them together 😏. Netflix is yet again giving false hope to fandoms about something that isn't going to happen.

Saying that Wyler will only have one scene in season 2 according to the leaks...

Are you aware that the leaks are not always true ?

Are you aware that it wouldn't make sense for Wednesday and Tyler to only have one scene together ?

Because a teaser is supposed to give an indication of what the new season will be about overall ?

Oh but am I stupid. In your stupid little shit head you think that Tyler will now always be locked up for life. In that case, why keep the character in the show ?

Fucking idiot...

You really have to be in complete disillusionment to say that this trailer / teaser will be the only scene between them in all of season 2 while a teaser serves to show the viewer what will generally be the center of the new plot.

Oh, and no official romance in season 2 doesn't mean no romance in the rest of the show, FYI. Especially since it is completely logical that Wyler (if these two were to end up together one day) wouldn't they go back into in love mode in season 2 ? They have a fucking relationship to repair first and also work on themselves each as an individual person ? Also, most Wyler fans, without even the announcement of a reduction in the romance being made, certainly did not expect the romance between Wyler to return straight away for season 2, simply because on a narrative level it would not have not been logical... Seriously, go find another hobby other than annoying people.

And even if Wyler doesn't end up together at the end of the show, despite all the logic of this romance, do you think that will stop us fans from shipping Wyler ?!

Obviously, you are clinging to Xavier when it is clear that nothing more will happen (since the character was removed from the show because the actor was accused of sexual assault) ?

Seriously, this person seems obsessed with the character of Xavier (who could have been an interesting character but who in fact remains generally average and a real potential ultimate shit boyfriend)...

But they got a slap in the face 🙂. since the teaser was met with massive backlash about the most unethical thing they did: dropping an innocent man and Convicting him of crimes he never committed...

Except the comments you showed don't show people being outraged that Xavier was sent to prison when he did nothing, just that they will miss Xavier's character.

You're thinking all by yourself, big girl (this is obviously a recurrence among the anti-Wylers).

And then “they did” ? What is she talking about ? Wyler fans ? Was it Wyler's fans who put Xavier in jail ? 😂

I repeat, you can only blame Wednesday for Xavier ending up in prison. Tyler has nothing to do with it, he never tried to accuse anyone to keep suspicion away from him. Wednesday suspected Xavier alone as a grown-up.

I'm so angry that this kind of crap is getting into the Wyler tag. Don't these people have anything better to do ?

I feel like I'm back in Reylo's time ! Because Reylo and Wyler are some of the softest ships in terms of enemies to lovers that I have seen and people act like they are some of the worst things in the world and that these ships are too hardcore for a general audience and calls us mentally ill for our thoughtful argument, which is ridiculous.

It's truly ridiculous and cheeky.

They just repeat the same bullshit over and over again, contradicted by the show itself and the show team !

At this point, we're not the ones who look ridiculous. It was them.

[tojisprettylittlething]

Mr. and Mrs. Fushiguro 18

Pairing: Assassin!Toji Fushiguro x Assassin!Reader

Warnings: Couples Therapy- TWO sessions, fluff (if you squint)

Masterlist

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

Chapter Eighteen: Marriage Counseling, Assassin Style

The therapist’s office smelled like lavender and bad decisions.

You sat on the couch with your arms crossed, staring at the stupid decorative bowl of fake fruit on the coffee table. Toji sat next to you, legs spread wide, looking as comfortable as ever—because of course he was.

The therapist, a woman with kind eyes and the patience of a saint, clasped her hands together and smiled in that infuriatingly calm way.

“So,” she said, “why don’t we start with why you’re here?”

You opened your mouth, ready to lay into Toji and his bullshit, but he beat you to it.

“She’s mad at me,” he said simply, as if that wasn’t the most obvious thing in the world.

You scoffed. “Gee, wonder why?”

The therapist nodded, her gaze shifting between the two of you. “And why do you think she’s mad at you, Toji?”

Toji exhaled through his nose like this whole thing was some great inconvenience. “Because she got hurt.”

“Because I got hurt?” You turned to glare at him. “That’s how you’re gonna phrase that?”

“What?” He shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”

Your hands twitched in your lap.

You could kill him.

Right here, in this office.

The therapist blinked. “Okay, let’s unpack that. What do you mean, Toji?”

“I was just trying to fix things,” he said, like that somehow excused it. “And she got mad about it.”

You turned back to the therapist, your voice sickly sweet. “He tried to fix things by going behind my back, cutting some deals, and nearly getting me killed in the process.”

The therapist frowned slightly. “Can you elaborate?”

You gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Let’s say we had…a debt on our heads. A big one.”

“Right,” she said slowly.

“And he decided to try and clear it—without telling me. Which, great. Love that he was thinking of our future, really, so romantic—except he botched it so bad that I ended up with a bullet in my shoulder.”

The therapist’s brows lifted. “A…bullet?”

You waved a hand. “Metaphorically.”

She hesitated. “Ah.”

Toji sighed dramatically. “It wasn’t that bad.”

You turned on him so fast he actually leaned back slightly. “Not that bad? I bled for you, you asshole.”

“You would’ve been fine!”

“Oh, fuck you.”

The therapist raised her hands. “Let’s take a deep breath—”

“No, let’s not,” you snapped, whipping back around to face her. “He thinks this is nothing. That he didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I didn’t try to get you hurt.” Toji tilted his head, giving you that lazy, cocky smirk that made you want to throw something. “You just have shit luck.”

Your jaw dropped. “I have shit luck?”

“You do,” he said simply.

The therapist sighed. “Okay, let’s pause for a moment. Y/n, what is it that you need from Toji in this situation?”

You let out a slow breath, pinching the bridge of your nose. “An apology would be a great start.”

The therapist nodded. “Toji?”

Toji looked at you, expression unreadable.

Then, finally—

“…Sorry.”

You squinted at him. “That was the weakest apology I have ever heard in my life.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’m really sorry you got shot.”

You clenched your jaw. “No.”

“What?”

“You’re not sorry I got shot—you’re sorry you fucked up.”

He huffed, rubbing a hand down his face. “I tried to fix things.”

“And you failed.”

Toji made a face, like he didn’t love hearing that.

Good.

The therapist leaned forward slightly. “Toji, it sounds like Y/n feels like her trust was broken. That she wants to know you respect her enough to communicate, especially when it comes to decisions that impact both of you.”

Toji scratched his jaw, thinking.

Finally, he sighed. “Fine.” He looked at you. “Next time, I’ll tell you first before I fix shit.”

The therapist smiled. “That’s a great first step.”

You eyed him. “And?”

He groaned. “And I won’t get you hurt.”

You gave him a flat look. “Swear it.”

Toji exhaled through his nose. “I swear it.”

You studied him for a second before nodding. “Okay.”

The therapist beamed. “That’s progress.”

Toji turned to her, expression blank. “So we’re done, right?”

She smiled politely. “Why don’t we talk about your tendency to steal, Toji?”

His brows shot up. “What?”

You smirked. “Yeah, let’s talk about that.”

Toji groaned, already slouching lower into the couch.

You crossed your arms, narrowing your eyes at Toji. "All my shit got burned in a fire, Toji. A fire. And yet, you—who did not lose everything—keep stealing my shit."

Toji, the absolute menace that he was, just smirked and leaned back on the couch. "We’re married now, sweetheart. We share things."

You scoffed, gesturing wildly. "Do we? Because last time I checked, you still have all your things. I have to replace everything, and somehow, you're the one stealing from me."

The therapist cleared her throat, trying to redirect the conversation. "Toji, can you see how this might be frustrating for Y/n?"

He shrugged, completely unfazed. "Nah."

You exhaled sharply, trying not to strangle him in front of a licensed professional. "Of course you don’t."

Toji smirked, like he was enjoying this way too much. "Look," he drawled, "I could buy you new shit, but where’s the fun in that?"

Your eye twitched. "The fun? The fun? Are you fucking serious?"

Toji just grinned, clearly entertained by how unhinged you were becoming.

The therapist, bless her soul, still tried to mediate. "Toji, maybe instead of taking Y/n’s things, you could help her replace what she lost?"

Toji made a thoughtful sound. "Mmm. Or she could just accept that what’s mine is hers."

Your mouth fell open. "But nothing of yours is mine! That’s my jacket you’re wearing, my toothbrush you keep using, my—"

"Like I said," he interrupted smoothly, "we share."

You turned to the therapist, hoping for some kind of support. "Do you hear him?"

The therapist smiled tightly, like she was deeply regretting taking you both on as clients. "I do."

Toji stretched his arms behind his head, smirk widening. "Look, baby, it’s not like I’m stealing important things. Just little things. Y’know, intimate things."

You clenched your jaw. "Oh, yeah? Then why the fuck are my weapons missing?"

The therapist blinked. "Weapons?"

"Metaphorically," you both said at the same time.

Toji chuckled. "You should see your face."

"I will kill you," you seethed.

The therapist held up her hands. "Okay, let’s try a different approach. Y/n, what would make you feel better about this situation?"

You exhaled slowly, trying to reel in your frustration. "Him—not stealing—my shit."

The therapist nodded. "And Toji, what are you willing to do to make Y/n feel more comfortable?"

Toji hummed, looking at you. "Lemme think about it."

"Think about it?" you repeated, outraged.

"Yeah," he said casually. "Marriage is about compromise, sweetheart."

"Compromise—?" You inhaled deeply, willing yourself to remain calm. "Fine. You can steal my things after you replace everything I lost in the fire."

Toji looked at you, amused. "Everything?"

"Everything."

His smirk deepened. "Including the lingerie?"

Your face heated. "Yes."

Toji exhaled, shaking his head with a grin. "Shit, guess we’re going shopping, then."

The therapist smiled tightly. "Well, that’s some progress."

You weren’t so sure. -----

So they went to another one...

-----

"I still don’t know why we’re here again."

Toji leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, expression unreadable. The therapist—a middle-aged man with tired eyes and a clipboard—stared at him expectantly, waiting for more.

Y/n, sitting beside him, pinched the bridge of her nose. "Because apparently, killing people together isn't enough of a bonding experience, and we have 'issues.'"

Toji scoffed, lips twitching. "We don’t have issues."

"You broke my nose last week."

"You dodged the first two hits. That’s on you."

"You threw a knife at me in the kitchen," Y/n deadpanned.

"You caught it."

"That is not the defense you think it is."

The therapist cleared his throat. "How long have you two been married?"

Toji smirked. "Three years."

Y/n turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing. "Two and a half."

He blinked, then nodded. "Right. Two and a half."

"Wow," she said. "Glad we cleared that up."

The therapist wrote something down on his clipboard—probably something about dysfunctional tendencies or potential homicide—before looking up again.

"On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you as a couple?"

"Seven," Y/n said immediately.

Toji’s brows furrowed. "Wait—ten being perfectly happy and one being totally miserable, or…"

"Just respond instinctively," the therapist cut in.

Toji nodded. "Okay." He turned to Y/n. "Ready?"

She kept her eyes on the therapist. "Ready."

"Seven," they both said at the same time.

The therapist blinked. "Well. That’s… consistent."

Toji turned to Y/n, expression unreadable. "Why’d you say seven?"

"Why’d you say seven?"

"Felt right."

"Same."

They stared at each other for a moment.

The therapist sighed, flipping the page on his clipboard. "How often do you have sex?"

Silence.

The air shifted—like a sniper adjusting their aim, like a blade being unsheathed.

Y/n cleared her throat. "I don’t understand the question."

"Yeah, I’m lost," Toji said. "Is this a one-to-ten thing?"

"Because—like, is one very little, or is one nothing?" Y/n added. "Technically speaking, zero would be nothing."

"Exactly. Plus, if we don’t know what one is, what’s ten?" Toji asked.

"Right… is ten…" Y/n chuckled. "Oh god. You know… constant?"

"Unrelenting…?" Toji offered.

"Twenty-four seven, without a break. For anything," Y/n said, biting back a grin.

"Not even to eat," Toji added, nodding.

Y/n let out a breath, resting her forehead against her knuckles before lifting her head again with a chuckle. "Like Sting."

"Exactly. Look at Sting’s day job. Who else has sixty hours a week to put aside in the sack?" Toji asked.

The therapist looked like he regretted every decision that had led him to this moment. "This is not a one-to-ten scenario. It’s a straight question. How often do you have sex?"

Silence.

They both froze.

"How about this week?" the therapist asked.

"Including the weekend?" Toji asked.

"Sure."

Y/n pursed her lips, pretending to count on her fingers.

Toji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean… Monday was a wash because we were in that car chase."

"Right. And Tuesday, we got into that fight in the alley."

"Which kind of led to something, but—"

"But then I fell asleep."

"Right, right," Toji said, nodding. "Wednesday, though—"

"Yeah, yeah. But if we’re counting that, then we have to count the morning, too."

"True, true. Thursday was—"

"After the mission."

"Yeah."

They both nodded, as if agreeing on some unspoken battle plan.

The therapist just stared. "So…?"

"Four?" Y/n guessed.

"Five?" Toji offered.

"Five and a half?"

"Five and a half."

The therapist pinched the bridge of his nose. "I—what is half?"

"Well, we started but didn’t—"

"You know what? Never mind," the therapist said quickly. "Let’s move on."

Fighting with fists was easier than fighting with words.

Toji hated sitting still.

Hated being asked stupid questions that had no purpose.

But when the therapist asked, "What do you love most about each other?"—Y/n didn’t answer right away.

And that?

That made something uneasy settle in his chest.

"Her aim," Toji said, shrugging. "Girl could shoot a quarter out of the air."

Y/n scoffed. "Really? My aim?"

"You like my arms," Toji said smugly.

"Yeah, but I wasn’t gonna say that."

Toji smirked, flexing slightly. "Too late."

The therapist exhaled, like he was debating walking out and never coming back. "Y/n?"

She hesitated.

Then, finally, she looked at Toji.

He was watching her, eyes unreadable, waiting.

"…He always comes back," she said, quieter than before.

Toji blinked.

His smirk softened—just slightly. Almost imperceptible.

But she caught it.

When the session was over, they walked outside, the sun setting over the city.

Toji stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Told you we didn’t need therapy."

Y/n snorted, glancing at him. "We still have ‘issues.’"

Toji smirked, slipping an arm around her shoulders, tugging her in close. "Maybe. But at least our sex life’s a solid five and a half."

She elbowed him. Hard.

He laughed, the sound deep and warm in the cool evening air.

And for now—that was enough.

My lil taglist ₍₍ ◝(　ﾟ∀ ﾟ )◟ ⁾⁾ : @t4naiis - @crimsonxm00n -

[hellsdogs]

𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐊𝐈 𝐃𝐀𝐈 & 𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈

       @wellfell asked for an incorrect quote

[tenwhiteandalusians]

is episode 8 the domitian arc ? more on this and EVEN MORE narratives i’ve been ignoring that the show said “actually,,,” about in 5

[misspickman]

transfem kon proposal could have been good if was good

[termagax]

like ronnies wuest is ALSO really really good but you basically get to say to her everything i wanted to say. about it not being her fault and about how much i love her and want her to be free and live her own life and not tie herself to a sinking ship forever. girl i love you sometimes your family is determined to wallow in the mud but YOU dont have to. but like you get to tell her that straight up. the combo of not getting to say everything i want to say + arcade LEAVING ME FOREVER. SOMETHING I DID NOT KNOW WOULD HAPPEN. just leaves me with this big aching arcade gannon shaped hole in my heart that will never be filled by anything else as long as i am on this earth. i get to go back to my apartment every night and go HONEY IM HOME and kiss veronica on the mouth. i wont see arcade again for months and months and months of in game time. and i miss him dearly.

[lesbiansanemi]

WARNING FOR ANIMAL DEATH/MUTILATION IN THE TAGS

I think I’ve figured out why it’s the stuff with my cats that gets me the most viscerally upset when it comes to my roommate and I think I need to tell him why that is… we had a talk and he apologized for a lot of stuff but I just feel like I need to explain why I react so intensely to him hating my cats/wanting me to get rid of them

[skitskatdacat63]

I think if I could make an F1 edit to any song, it would have to be "The Distance" by Cake, like cmonnnn (But which driver 🤔, I say as if I have any editing skills LMAO)

[girlivealwaysbean]

slowly becoming everything i was afraid i would be: resentful and bitter