#THIS COULD V WELL JUST BE A CHLOE THING......BUT....I KNOW IT IN MY HEART OF HEARTS!!!!

[yuukimiyas]

dazai loves all dif artists/bands you show him!!! but he ESP loves title fight !!!!

[mirixmoya]

hello friends welcome to GRADING TORTURED POET SOCIETY SONGS BASED ON HOW EASILY I COULD TURN THEM INTO A HAYFFIE FIC (PART TWO) i hope u enjoy.

(you can find PART ONE here, for anyone interested!)

i. the black dog: 8/10. excellent directly-post-war hayffie song. captures a moment when they haven't quite re-connected yet, but they're both dying without eachother. "my longings stay unspoken, and i may never open up the way i did for you" "six weeks of breathing clean air, i still miss the smoke" is all very them. a really effective illustration of how the world feels like a different place in heartbreak, it's desolate and aching, which is all very very hayffie.

ii. imgonnagetyouback: 9/10. this song is bananas crazy, but so is effie. so it fits. it reeks of the turbulent, on-again-off-again, boundaryless, situationship parts of hayffie. once again, i think this could be a VERY good directly-post-war vibe. "i can tell when somebody still wants me" "you'll find that you were never not mine" "even if it's handcuffed, i'm leaving here with you" are all crazy thought processes which i can 100% imagine effie having.

iii. the albatross: 7/10. i know everyone is really stuck on this being a lucy gray / katniss / snow parallel song, but i see the hayffie vision! i think it would be a good song to juxtapose all of effie's relationships with capitol men against her relationship with haymitch. how is she made to behave by love? how does her fame + position loom over her relationships? effie is mythologized by the men in her life, almost made unreal by their perceptions of her, and it's haymitch who makes her real again. if any of that makes sense.

iv. chloe or sam or sophia or marcus: 8/10. EVERYONE HEAR ME OUT ON THIS ONE, but i have this vision of really angsty post-canon hayffie where they try to make a proper relationship work, they really do, but they just... can't. but there is an ache to this failure. a regret. they thought that they would always be able to come back to this, to eachother, but they discover that life is actually a series of closed doors. things change over time. they're forced to grieve this past version of their relationship that they simply don't have access to anymore. "you turned me into an idea of sorts, you needed me but you needed drugs (ALCOHOL) more" "could it be enough to just float in your orbit?" "if you want to break my cold, cold heart, say you loved me" ... yeah, the angst potential is endless.

v: how did it end?: 7/10. ONCE AGAIN, excellent bones for an angsty post-canon 'well, it didn't work out' hayffie vibe. good general thg imagery with "lost the game of chance, what are the chances?" + "the empathetic hunger descends" etc etc. "we were blind to unforeseen circumstances" very very them.

vi: so high school: 5/10. i feel like i could twist it to be hayffie if i tried really hard. like maybe a post-canon movie-verse traumaless fluff vibe where everything just falls into place. "no one's ever had me, not like you" is a very good line for hayffie tho.

vii: i hate it here: 8/10. excellent potential for a pre-canon / during-canon hayffie where effie uses their relationship as her refuge from the rest of the world, it's the only place she can truly be herself. the precocious child stuff, the debutant stuff, "i'm lonely but i'm good, i'm bitter but i swear i'm fine", all feels veryyy effie. this song would also be a good framework for effie being incapable of articulating her relationship with haymitch to other people, the magic of it is lost on them, it comes out clunky and awkward. but SHE knows it's real.

viii: thanK you aIMee: 2/10. not a hayffie song. but i feel like i could make it about effie & The Other Escorts if i really tried.

ix: i look in people's windows: 6/10. listen, this album is just an post-canon hayffie gold mine. "i had died the tiniest death" (the war) "i'm afflicted by the not knowing" (her relationship with haymitch) "what if your eyes looked up and met mine, one more time" (they can try again, can't they?). the anxious, almost neurotic ruminating is very effie to me.

x. the prophecy: 10/10. THE HAYFFIE SONG! if you saw the twitter edit before it got taken down, you KNOW. "don't want money, just someone who wants my company" "i'm so afraid i've sealed by fate" ... devastating. i think the illusions to prophecy & fate & this lack of control all play into her role in The Games really well. the idea that she's being punished for her sins by this lack of love. so much of effie is controlled and precise, i think the fact that this one thing (her relationship with haymitch) is sooo out of her control would drive her insane. perhaps insane enough to beg on her knees...

xi. cassandra: 4/10. not really hayffie focused, but good potential for one of my more politically focused fics. maybe the year of the 75th, leading right up to the rebellion. cinna & portia strike me as very cassandra-coded.

xii. peter: 1/10. not hayffie. maybe seneca & effie relationship study, but def not hayffie.

xiii. the bolter: 10/10. PERFECT EFFIE SONG! NO NOTES! SHE IS THE BOLTER! a precocious child with a "quite bewitching face" who is "splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless"??? welcome back effie trinket! the chorus is very hayffie to me. i'm thinking pre-canon early affair vibes. we get all the fun contrast between her relationship with haymitch and her relationship with the capitol "trophy hunters". the bridge could not be more effie if it tried, "hearts are hers for the breaking, there's an escape in escaping". she falls through the ice (the war) but don't worry folks, she comes out alive!

xiv. robin: 0/10. i genuinely have no idea what i could do with this song. sorry.

xv. the manuscript: 3/10. potential for post-canon living-happily-ever-after hayffie but with effie reflecting on her past relationships with capitol men. there's lots of illusions to grooming and the imprint that age-gap relationships leave behind that i think could really work.

[queerpiratebrainrot]

ALRIGHT!I JUST WATCHED THE MIRACULOUS MOVIE AND I HAVE THOUGHTS! There will be spoilers ahead, so tread carefully

A list, in no particular order, just how they pop up in my head:

The animation was STUNNING! Just, props to the animators, I enjoyed the movie visually SO MUCH! From the use of colours and lighting, to the way they used all of that to upgrade the characters: it was absolute perfection. (though some of those close up shots of Hawkmoth were A Lot. But that was probably the point)

The absolute chaotic energy that both Tikki and Plagg (but mostly Tikki, cuz unfortunately. there wasn't a whole lot of Plagg, which I understand due to time, even if it is sad) is FANTASTIC! I adore Chaotic Tikki so much. She has my whole heart! That little scene of Tikki pushing Marinette's hand to Adrien's? Lovely. Tikki explaining absolutely nothing to Marinette when they first meet? Perfection. Just. Give me more Chaotic Tikki, please!

The soundtrack? WONDERFUL! I kinda knew it was a musical, I think, but I completely forgot, so when Marinette sang those first few notes, I had to catch up a lil, but DAMN I was excited! (sad we didn't get Ce Mur Qui Nous Separe (I don't know the english name oops), but it was still fun!)

On that note: Adrian having the most Disney Princess I Want song in the movie is just perfect. No other words needed. Best choice they could have made there.

ALSO on that note: Marinette's singing voice? BEAUTIFUL! It fits so well! I just couldn't help but enjoy her songs, if only for that.

BUT I didn't have to, because the music itself, without the lyrics was just so well done!

Slightly less good: The hawkmoth song was missing some flavor, in my opinion. It started out, and I was EXCITED cuz it started so HARD and then it didn'treally deliver, I think. It kind of kept in the same range and didn't really go up, ya know?

I really REALLY liked Marinette and Chloe's relationship. The way Marinette fired shots back at Chloe, and they actually seemed to be becoming more frennemies? Amazing. I wish we would've gotten more of that in the tv show, considering earlier seasons Chloe and her character developpement, but I really enjoyed it here, in the movie

I'm happy we got to see Gabriel and Adrian actually confronting each other. Both Adrian standing up to his dad (although the timing was a little off, more on that later), AND Gabriel finding out his son is Chat Noir and the resulting Crisis. At least there was some emotional pay off there! (looking at you, season 5 finale)

NOW on the timing thing: There just wasn't enough time. I understand that they wanted to do the superhero origin story for people who aren't familiar with the show but do go to see the movie, but I feel like they just didn't have the necessary time to create the emotional tension needed for the end scene to actually hit as hard as it could have. We got to see a hint of Adrian and Gabriel's relationship, and what was shown was great! But if we had gotten a little more of that perspective and tension, it would've felt better to watch Adrian stand up to Gabe and his parenting skills. And consequently, enjoyed more of the end scene with them figuring out each others identities. Genuinely, I was happy we got at least some pay off there, but it felt too easy. (which again, makes sense due to the limited time, but I feel like they should have made choice: either the Big End Fight with Hawkmoth, OR the Origin Story. And since they did kind of set up a possible sequel, I feel like the choice could have been made)

With the feeling of too easy: I had the same feeling of Marinette and her finding confidence in herself and Ladybug AT THE END! The sudden change during the montage, I liked and felt like it made sens, since we then, during the big battle, get Marinette's insecurities over only being confident when she's Ladybug and all that. That is wonderful and so in line with the core of who Marinette is as character, no matter what version of her we get, that I love it very much. I would have enjoyed a liiiiitle more time with the Angst, but it's allright!

MOSTLY CUZ: that scene where she's dragging Cat Noir's unconcious body onto the debris of the Eiffel Tower, and she goes 'Don't. Touch. Him.' through tears and with a broken voice? AMAZING! When I tell you I Went FERAL! My children! absolutely STUNNING

The actual fight of the end battle? Marinette surrounded by flame and a Paris that is falling apart? Ladybug in Hell, essentially? GORGEOUS! Cat Noir running up the Eiffel Tower to fight Hawkmoth? Stunning! The Eiffel Tower slowly collapsing, as Ladybug watches and cannot Do Anything to stop it? HEARTWRENCHING!

Marinette revealing herself to Adrian at the ball? AMAZING SCENE! (although i laughed and had to utter 'Real Subtle, Marinette' when I saw the ladybug wings on the back of the dress, which was, againg, stunning). The way the scene was framed like the rejection scene? WONDERFUL!

The glitter on Chat Noir's mask? I loved it! Such a fun little detail we don't get in the show!

Did not like the Plagg farting scene. Just. No thanks. It's cheap comedy and that runtime could have been spent better, with a better characterisation of PLagg and his relationship with Adrian. But whatever, it's fine.

THE LADYNOIR CONTENT AND BICKERING! JUST FANTASTIC! ladynoir stans got FED this movie, and I am HERE FOR IT!

So yeah, that was an incomplete list of my thoughts on the movie! Overall I really enjoyed it! I really liked this version of the characters and their relationships. They feel a lot more genuine and real in comparison to the tv show, in some ways. I had so much fun watching it, and will probably go a second time, to see how it'll feel like on a rewatch. And just to enjoy the vibes. I do hope we get a sequel, because I am Curious. And would love more Natalie content.

[sunnybyler]

what descendants 4 would have been if i was given free reign

okay so idek if there’s a descendants community on here but i just have to get my ideas out SOMEWHERE bc the wonderland stuff had so much potential but disney just went such a bizarre direction with d4. like what even was that time travel plot. this was partly inspired by dylanisintrouble’s incorrect assumption in his reaction vid that it would be abt a group of wonderland kids bc that’s exactly what should have happened!! let me elaborate

fun fact this was written while i was getting torn to shreds on tiktok for my descendants song rankings but ANYWAYS

i’m keeping it realistic to what disney could have done, as in no cameos of the og cast that isn’t already in the movie. ofc in a perfect world we’d get more with those characters, but after cameron’s passing i’m respecting their wishes to not be in more descendants movies without him.

things i’m keeping the same:

the cast is p much the same except characters i have to cut since i’m scrapping the time travel aspect. cinderella and charming were basically the best parts of that movie to me bc i love their original cinderella so yeah we are ABSOLUTELY keeping that. and the cast is v talented they just got an ass script not their fault

red & chloe are still two of the main characters but i’m adding a third too (we’ll get there) and they’re basically unchanged personality/backstory wise

the whole beginning up through red’s song is basically unchanged. uma’s still in charge and invites wonderland kids to auradon prep, except in this case it’s more than just the one

the queen of hearts/cinderella backstory is somewhat the same; they were friends in school and then there was a prank that caused the queen of hearts to become the tyrant we now know. we get this knowledge through further exposition in love ain’t it

okay and that’s literally it LMAOO let’s get into the characters now

the main three

so as i mentioned two of the main characters are still red and chloe basically unchanged from d4. so the third mc is, and i feel genius for this…. bridget!! but an oc version, not as the young queen of hearts. hear me out. pretty much everyone seems to agree young bridget was such a fun character and loves her, myself included, so i had to find a way to make her an mc. in my plot, she’s red’s sister! either twin sister or irish twins idrk either works, but i will be calling them the twins in this post. she’d realistically have a different name but in order to not cause confusion i’m going to keep calling her bridget in this post. she has the same personality and appearance as the movie, except she also has a bit of blind loyalty towards her mom, unlike red. she’s a sweetheart and hates the idea of hurting people, but she’ll do basically anything outside of that for her mother. she also has such an intense need to be liked that she’ll sometimes do things against her morals or ignore red flags — as seen with her mom. she and red do love each other but there’s still a lot of disconnect in their relationship because of their different dynamics with the queen of hearts and how different they are.

the other wonderland kids

so just like the og descendants movie, i would have it be four kids. obviously the two girls would be the twins, and then i would also add the mad hatter’s son and alice’s son. i would keep the mad hatter’s son kinda similar to the one we see in the movie, except he’s red’s age and more eccentric. i’m keeping his name maddox as well but we’d have to recast since the actor is a bit too old. he and red are still good friends and he tries to have her back and keep her out of danger like in the movie. unlike in the movie though maddox is a lot more fun and unique. he’s still more grounded than his father, but he was boring af in the movie for the mad hatter’s kid so he’d be more vibrant in my version. he’s the comic relief. i named alice’s son alex and he’s kind of what you’d expect — very curious and eccentric but still kind and smart. ppl get annoyed with him because he’s always asking loads of questions. he’s close with bridget.

the side characters

okay so admittedly this is probably where i put in the least thought lmao i don’t really have parentage/names for anyone here. but i want there to be a relevant vk kid who’s kind to the wonderland squad just to remind fans that the vks are still here and not all bad. but they would befriend maddox and alex in particular and it could be a fun little c plot. and then on the flip side the “villain” character is actually the kid of hero characters. it’d have to be someone more unpopular of course, maybe like a side character or something. but this character pretends to be friends with the wonderland kids, specifically bridget, but is only doing it to make fun of them with her friends. but these characters would expand on the original movies concept that you aren’t your parents yk.

the parents

i wouldn’t really change the parents much if at all! the casting is great but they’d be seen a little bit less in their adult forms & we wouldn’t see their young self at all. as for the mad hatter and alice, idk if we’d even see them but if we do it’s a very brief cameo like in the first descendants.

okay actual plot time!! lmao

so like i said the first part of the movie up to red’s song is basically going to be unchanged. uma decides to invite the wonderland kids to auradon prep, specifically selecting the twins, maddox, and alex to be the first four to be invited. the first song is unchanged it’s still red. maddox still ends up saving red’s ass but the scene is more comedic relief than anything with maddox’s changed character. we then get a bridget introduction with a brief interlude of life is sweeter (the full song would be later in the movie but i don’t want too many full songs clumped at once) that shows the differences between the two sisters. we would then cut to auradon to meet chloe, and that sequence is basically the same too.

the queen of hearts enters in the next scene, announcing the invitations to the twins. we also get a similar scene as in the actual movie of the queen trying to get red to decide on a punishment for the guard and refusing to kill him. she then tries the same with bridget, who also wants to save the man’s life, but tries to appease her mother by kind of talking in circles about why him being alive is somehow worse punishment. she begs her mom to let her to something else to make her happy but she doesn’t want to hurt someone. this is clearly a recurring pattern with the twins and their mom. the queen is disappointed in both girls and expresses this, but it clearly bothers bridget more outwardly than red.

we’d then cut into the love ain’t it song just for exposition purposes. in this version it would be a cut between the queen warning the twins about auradon and cinderella explaining some of the wonderland lore to chloe after getting news of the wonderland kids attending auradon. so they’re not at the school yet, meaning chloe hasn’t met red or anything. lyric changes would be necessary but the purpose is the same. the song establishes that the queen and cinderella used to be best friends as two outcasts at the school, but at a school dance a cruel prank got pulled on the queen, causing her to drop out and leave to wonderland. the queen didn’t used to be some sweet innocent like we saw in the movie, but she was less jaded according to cinderella.

the scene then cuts to a new day when the queen of hearts has decided to let the twins attend auradon. they have to leave right away. she’s come up with a grand plan on using her girls as spies to get information on auardon so she can plan a takeover. she doesn’t follow them to the school or try to take over immediately bc in what world would one person be able to solo an entire school of powerful magic users. i get she’s unhinged but no. bridget is immediately willing, relieved to have a task from her mother that doesn’t result in her having to directly hurt someone, while red clearly is uncomfortable with the idea but doesn’t say anything to her mom. the queen leaves to go fetch maddox and alex to allow them to attend auradon as well to cover for the twins. the idea is that while bridget and red are snooping around, maddox and alex will be actually innocent to cover it up. but the queen insists they can’t know of the plan. red and bridget have an argument about spying, red saying they shouldn’t enable her but bridget arguing that the queen is their mom. it’s clear bridget is kind of in denial that she’d still be contributing harm even if she’s not being directly violent. it establishes that bridget is a genuinely good person in most ways but is way too loyal to her mother and makes excuses she shouldn’t for her.

the twins fight gets interrupted by them having to leave to auradon so it’s left unresolved. the four wonderland kids go to auradon alone, like in the first descendants movie. they have a similarly awkward meeting with the other students, but instead of being seen as evil/scary, the students seem to think they’re bizarre. alex is asking 101 questions without taking a breath, maddox is trying to make jokes/observations but is just sounding kind of out of his mind, and bridget is so overexcited it makes people uneasy. red originally seems like the most normal, so chloe approaches her trying to befriend her. red shoots that down immediately, and the girls have an instant distaste for each other. instead of people being scared of the wonderland kids, people just think they’re weird/outcasts.

there’s scenes that establish that bridget is giving the queen of hearts actual helpful information to help a potential takeover — including very useful information about the museum when they take a class trip there. red, on the other hand, is instead giving her mother vague/partially true information with some flat out lies sprinkled in. she doesn’t want to cause her mother to flip out again, but she doesn’t want to help her either. with her experience rebelling against her mom, she’s able to not get caught in her actions. red and bridget argue about the spying throughout the movie.

despite their awkward first meeting, red and chloe keep getting paired up for things and continue to get on each other’s nerves. chloe also begins to get suspicious that red is planning something with her mother after hearing stories from cinderella. there’s probably a song here about their arguing. chloe thinks bridget is sweet and doesn’t suspect her, but continues to question red’s motives which is beyond infuriating for her since bridget’s the one actually spying. but she can’t say that and expose her sister because despite their disagreements they still have love for each other. perfect start for a rivals to frenemies to lovers arc if you ask me 👀 if we’re being real disney would tell me to go fuck myself with that but i said it’s MYYY descendants 4 so there is a lot of clear romantic tension here. small moments like red getting distracted mid insult by how pretty chloe looks that day or chloe complimenting red’s outfit without thinking. just little things to establish attraction but they still dislike each other on principle.

unlike red, the other wonderland kids are starting to find some friends at auradon despite seeming so odd on first meeting. red and bridget are naturally suspicious at first that people’s motives aren’t genuine after their mother’s story. bridget is actually the one that caved first though, as she is desperate for real friends and wants to fit in. maddox and alex bond with one of the vk’s who is also a bit of an outcast and that’s a c plot of the movie but i don’t have many concrete ideas for them since i’m focusing on the 3 girls mostly. but just know that’s happening! lol. eventually bridget gets paired up with a character well call “the bully” for a class assignment (as chloe and red are somehow paired up — again). bridget goes out of her way to be nice to this girl but isn’t getting anything in return. at the end of the class, there’s a scene of the bully talking with one of her friends and complaining about bridget. the friend suggests that the bully pretend to be bridget’s friend since it’s funny to make fun of her. the bully ends up inviting bridget to eat lunch with her friend group, and they pretend to like her just to laugh at her. bridget doesn’t pick up on this though. red tries to warn bridget against them, but bridget thinks she’s just being paranoid/jealous and ignores her. she has such a deep need to be liked that she ignores the red flags. this is also when bridget starts to question following her mother’s orders, but doesn’t tell red.

red is starting to feel like an outcast even among the wonderland kids with the others making friends. there’s a scene where maddox forgets about plans they had because his was with his new vk friend and they have a little spat over it. they end up making up within a few scenes though and maddox encourages red to try hanging out with him, alex, and their new friend. despite this she refuses to cave and let other people into her circle. oddly enough the person she probably talks to the most during this time is chloe.

the bully ends up learning about the prank that was pulled on the queen of hearts by overhearing the fairy godmother talking about it with another teacher. the other teacher is questioning putting on castlecoming out of concern it will be seen as an act of aggression to her daughters. but the fairy godmother insists on it continuing. the bully ends up devising a plan to make bridget castlecoming queen (or maybe a different title since there’s an actual queen lol but same idea) and turn her into a gross beast in front of everyone. it’s the same prank that happened to bridget’s mom.

as bridget believes she’s making genuine friends, she starts to consider how her actions will actually affect them. shes been feeling guilty the whole time but there’s a ballad here where it all comes to a head and she admits that even if she’s not the one swinging the sword, by spying she’s still putting the sword in her mother’s hands. she stops spying for her mom and starts ignoring her letters. she doesn’t have experience rebelling like red, so she doesn’t think to do what her sister does to avoid suspicion. it’s a moment of character growth. bridget tells red that she’s stopped spying, and red expresses how proud she is and they make up.

so in this movie, we actually get to SEE castlecoming bc why the fuck wouldn’t we!!!! we see all the characters in their outfits getting excited — even red is a bit giddy due to maddox joking with her and hyping her up. in the bathroom at the dance, chloe overhears the bully talking about her plan to prank bridget just like her mom was pranked all those years ago. she tries to warn bridget, but she runs into red instead. she tells red what she heard and the girls reluctantly team up to stop the prank. red gets maddox’s help too, but alex is with bridget all night and they aren’t able to tell him either. they keep either losing bridget in the crowd or being blocked by the bully’s friends. at one point red gets up to her sister and tries to pull her away to talk. bridget wants to go with her sister, but has to leave before red can explain everything because she got called up on stage as part of castlecoming court. red tries to run after her but gets blocked by the bully’s friends. she gets into an altercation with them, but maddox jumps in and the two of them together manage to win.

everything comes to a head when bridget is on stage being crowned castlecoming queen. the sad part is most people voted for her in earnest because she’s a sweet girl, but they ended up leading to her being humiliated on accident. red and chloe both corner the bully who has a spell book. maddox is trying to keep the bully’s friends distracted. unfortunately, chloe and red are just a second too late and the bully casts the spell before they can intervene. the bully then drops the book and manages to escape before anyone else sees it was them since everyone is watching the prank play out. it’s a carrie type moment but without all the murder obviously lmao. more just like vibes idk if that makes sense. as people are looking around to see who did it, someone locates the spell book right by red and chloe’s feet. as the fairy godmother hastily tries to undo the spell, someone yells out that it was chloe and red that did it. the girls start to panic and accuse the bully, but it’s too late because the evidence points to them. the bully of course jumps on this and goes to console bridget while declaring how evil red must be to betray her sister like this, and how hypocritical chloe is by pretending to be so high and mighty. maddox tries to defend them but it’s no use. in her anguish, bridget believes the bully. the movie ends with everyone in chaos and the sisters truly divided.

maybe there’d be a scene of the queen of hearts crashing castlecoming and seeing what went down but idk i kind of want the prank to be the climax of the movie yk. her shenanigans would come at a different time

in my head i also have the sequel for this written out LMAOO. that movie it would be about red and chloe trying to clear their names and catch the bully, while also trying to figure out how to stop bridget from helping her mother attack auradon (bc bridget would def align with her mom again after what happened). not that anyone is gonna read this mess of a post but i might write up the sequel anyways bc this was sooo much fun lmao

[snow-leopard-7772point0]

The Life of a Hero Chapter 1

Marinette… wasn't sure what to think. Not only did she not know who her paternal grandfather was until she tracked down Rolland Dupain, but there was an entire side to that family she would have never dreamed existed. Her grandpère- he was her grandpère regardless of what people may say- was infertile and so his best friend was asked to father a child for Rolland and his wife. Her papa had a brother that she'd never heard of, and so she not only had two new grandfather's, but also an uncle and several cousins. Rolland promised to contact Alfred and see about organizing some kind of reunion. Marinette thought she was going to crush her grandpère Rolland with the hug she gave him.

She did her best to reassure her grandpère that he would not be left behind or forgotten just because of a blood relation to someone else, promising that she had more than enough room in her heart to accept them all as family. She made sure to visit her grandpère as much as physically possible, going as far as to buy an extra sewing machine to leave at his house along with fabrics so that she could work on commissions and requests from her friends while she was there and spend more time with him. Well… when her friends asked for favors these days… if she could call them friends… Marinette quickly shook her head, getting rid of the thoughts. She had no time for negativity. If her friends preferred Lila and her lies, well, that just meant she had more time for Ladybug, commissions, and her grandpère. Not to mention the rest of her family promising to come to Paris soon!

She met her aunt? on a rooftop as Marinette. She liked to parkour over Parisian rooftops in her civilian self when things just… were too hard to deal with. Like Adrien choosing to back up Lila's lies instead of just standing by now, and Chloe's increasingly vicious attempts to make her stand up for herself again. She met a woman clothed very… plainly. An off-white collared v-neck shirt with loose sleeves tucked into a pair of brown military grade pants hid her figure fairly well, her only identifying marks being her hair and face. And, well, the katana she was polishing. The woman hardly spared her a glance. "I was wondering when you would finally come out again, aibnat al'ukht (niece)."

Marinette froze. "I'm sorry, I don't know much Arabic. Did you just call me your niece???"

The woman finally looked at her, sharp green eyes meeting vivid blue. "Yes. Your father is brother to my habibi*. That makes you my aibnat al'ukht. I am Talia, your eama."

Marinette slowly lowered herself to sit on the roof. "You truly know my uncle?" Talia silently pulled out a single photo of herself standing next to Bruce, both of them smiling. Marinette's eyes widened. "Wow," she breathed, "I have an aunt."

Talia repressed a smile at the simple joy and reverence the girl showed. "Bruce and I aren't on the best of terms right now. He married me because he wanted to learn from my father, and alab allowed it because of who Bruce is. Bruce demanded I break off contact with alab… and no matter how loyal to Bruce I am, I cannot be disloyal to my father."

Marinette felt her eyes brimming with tears, her heart going out to her aunt. "I'm sorry he put you through that."

Talia shook her head. "It doesn't matter anyways. He's a good man. I just couldn't leave my past behind the way he'd hoped I would be able to. He saw himself as saving me from myself. But the reason I am telling you all of this is to ask you to keep a very big secret for me. Can you do that? Bruce must not learn of this until it is time."

Marinette immediately nodded, her face reflecting how serious she was. "I have gotten very good at keeping secrets the past few years. I can assure you that no one will learn of your secret from me, eama."

Talia studied her face before nodding. "Damian. Yazhar (come out)."

Marinette's eyes widened at the sight of the child, he looked about half her age. The near-fourteen year old had to physically restrain herself from jumping in joy, not wanting to frighten the child. She settled for grinning at him. "Hello, wulid eamm, my name is Marinette."

Damian offered her a single nod, standing not so tall next to his mother. "Damian is my abn, Bruce is his father. He doesn't know about Damian, and I'd like to keep it that way for a while yet. There is no one Damian's age where we live. I was hoping we could spend some time here so that he could get to know you and have some positive memories of his childhood."

"Of course!" Marinette jumped on the chance given to her. "I'll refer to you as auntie at home instead of eama so that no one catches on to you not being from France. I can say I'm babysitting Damian for you while you're going through a hard time, which is how you became auntie. Damian, do you like swords as well?"

The child eyed the teenager suspiciously before nodding again. "I'm not sure how well my parents would take to a kid using a sword in the house, but I have throwing knives and a target hidden in my room. Would that be acceptable?" Marinette figured this would be the best way to connect with the child instead of trying to drag him away from what he liked. She'd had people do that to her often enough that she knew how much it stung. As long as he didn't cut himself she didn't see a problem with it.

Talia stared at the baker's daughter, truly shocked. "What?"

Marinette simply blinked at her. "He keeps reaching towards his back like he's used to something being there. You're polishing a katana, so it's a safe bet that he's used to having a sword with him as well. There's a chance you've already taught him how to throw knives, but if you haven't yet, it's always good to add another weapon to your arsenal. I also know how to use a yoyo, baton, and rope dart in combat. If my uncle was wanting to 'save you from yourself,' you must be involved in something dangerous, something that involves frequent fights for your life, otherwise you wouldn't have met me with a sword in hand unless you'd planned on threatening me, which you haven't done at all. That tells me you're nervous and on edge sitting out in the open like this, especially since you know your son is unarmed except for two small blades hidden up his sleeves."

Talia grinned at the girl even as Damian somehow narrowed his eyes even more, "How did you know? 'Um did not notice until after we arrived."

"Every time you go to reach for your back and stop yourself, you fiddle with your sleeves instead. I caught a glimpse of one of the blades while you were reaching back and your sleeve rode down. No offense, but you're not yet big enough to swing a very large blade, much less hide any in your sleeves. I'm guessing you have kunai?"

Damian's eyes sparkled. He lowered his voice to what he thought was a whisper, leaning close to his mother. "'Um, can she be my 'ukht?"

Talia stared at her son, once again taken by surprise. "Would you really like me to adopt her?"

Damian nodded feverishly. "She is the first person I have met to prove even slightly knowledgeable. She is worthy to be family."

Talia sighed. "Very well, abn." She finally looked away from her son to meet wide blue eyes, "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, what would you think about becoming an Al-ghul?"

Marinette looked at the child, too small to be seven, and yet wise beyond his years before looking at her aunt, faded scars just barely visible on her neck, chest, and hands. She took a deep breath. "I cannot leave Paris right now. But if it would help you and Damian… I'll do it."

~~~

Bruce is ashamed to say that he and his children may have… panicked a little when Alfred dropped the phone with tears running down his face. Alfred finally managed to calm them down before picking the phone back up with trembling fingers.

"Rolland? Is that really you?"

Bruce tapped his foot impatiently, listening to Alfred's side of the conversation, quickly recognizing the name. "Yes, Master Bruce, the children, and I would be overjoyed to come out for a visit. We have a few things to arrange, but we will head there as soon as possible." Bruce waited for the soft click before speaking.

"Alfred? Is everything alright?" Bruce struggled to keep his voice under control at the sight of Alfred's tears.

"Yes, Master Bruce, I do believe things are more than fine. That was my old friend Rolland- he has invited us all out to meet his- my- our granddaughter. She'll be fourteen in a few months. He offered to celebrate her birthday with us when we get there."

Bruce Wayne, infamous playboy, Batman, prowler of the night, nearly tripped over his own feet trying to get to his office to make arrangements. "I can ask Clark to cover for me in Gotham, we look similar enough. And Martian Manhunter can cover for Tim, or I can say Robin went on a trip. I'll have to ask Dick if he wants to come or not." Bruce continued to mutter to himself, barely avoiding walking into a wall on his way to his office.

Alfred simply looked down at the phone, smiling softly at the child in the picture Rolland sent him.

_____________________________________

*Habibi in this scenario is used in the context of meaning beloved- I have found several translations of habibi that all mean around the same thing, and so I just chose the word that fit what I was going for.

If you want to be tagged just let me know. I have no idea what I'm doing or how to connect chapters, do I look like I'm that skilled? Major character death later on in the chapters, so you may not want to keep going behind this chapter of you don't like that, angst is planned to start building next chapter.

If for some reason I am unable to tag you, I will send you a message letting you know it's been posted.

@liquid-luck-00 @nightlychaotic @adrestar

@astrynyx @fleursroses @ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole

[danakin-skywalker]

Sing for Me (Josh Kiszka Imagine)

Taglist: @flowervanfleet​ @weightofdreams-gvf​ @sierraahhhh​ @stardustschords​ @amourleger​ @ageofsewingmachine​ @theweightofstardust​ and potentially you, just lmk!

(A/N): Hellooooo lovelies, this story is about Josh trying to get his new girlfriend, Y/N, to let him hear her singing voice, but she’s too nervous and bashful because he’s like a professional and all and she has bad memories tied to performing. So, one night he comes home drunk from a night out with the boys and begs her to sing him a lullaby. This is mostly because I’ve been humming la vie en rose all damn week and hopefully this will get the tune out of my head.

For reference, the version of La Vie en Rose Y/N sings is like a slowed down version of the Chloe Moriondo cover, not the classic Edith Piaf style.

Check it out if you haven’t yet, Y/N sings it at like 0.75 speed:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyaLIgXm5l0

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

Sing For Me

He could really be persuasive at times, but you were holding your ground on this one.

You had been dating the lead singer of Greta Van Fleet for only a couple months now. Granted, it’s felt like decades with how intensely that boy loves.

On most things, you were more than willing to share with Josh. He liked to stay with you when he was home because he felt like nobody could find him there, he was a big fan of using up all your fancy shampoo, and you were starting to think your cat liked him more than you. However, when he asked to hear your singing voice one day, you didn’t know why you froze up.

Well, yes you did.

You would never forget that day in freshman year of high school. You were in an all-freshman-girls treble choir, and there were several solos up for auditioning for a particular song. You decided to audition for one solo, but the moment you heard your voice in the mic you lost all confidence you thought you had, especially when you saw the faces of the girls in the front row. You finished the audition sheepishly and sat back down with your head lowered and you never dared audition for another solo again, quitting choir altogether after that year.

It didn’t seem like a horribly traumatizing event while it was happening, but damn that day certainly stuck with you. Now you only sang along with the car radio when you were alone, only sang in the shower when Josh was away, only allowed yourself the pleasure of singing when there was nobody around to potentially hear you.

And here was Josh. Perfectly sweet and respectful in every way, you knew in your heart there was no way he would ever make fun of your singing voice. And yet, this was his job. He made his money with his singing voice; a professional, as much as he liked to turn his nose up at the concept. How could he not at least intrinsically judge you out of instinct? You were convinced it would change the way he viewed you and you sternly rejected his request every time it bubbled up (which increased in frequency with every rejection- he’s a curious boy).

Sure, sometimes when he would blast music in his car and scream along to the lyrics, you would begrudgingly sing along, unable to even hear you own voice. But Josh is smart. He would let you sing for a minute before his hand flew to the volume dial and cranked it down, ears straining to catch a glimpse of your voice.

The lyrics caught in your throat before he could. “Nice try,” you offered

He sighed in anguish, “Babe, how many times do I have to tell you that I won’t make fun of you. Even if you’re the worst singer in the world I would never laugh at something as genuine as singing.”

You looked down, a little sad you couldn’t do this for him, “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I get so nervous.”

Josh glanced over at you, frowning a bit, and grabbed your hand from across the center console.

“You know, you never need to be nervous around me. I know just saying that isn’t much but I really do mean it.”

You smiled and squeezed his hand, “I know.”

And you two went on like this for a few weeks, you constantly wavering back and forth in your decision. You realized you’ve almost made it worse for yourself, because now it’s gonna be a whole big deal when you actually do let him hear you sing.

However, as usual, Josh would make it easy for you.

One Friday night, you received a text from Josh that him and the boys were hitting a bar after their recording session. That was fine by you, but now you needed to prepare for an incoming hammered Josh.

You made the bed and set a glass of water and some advil on his side, draping a pair of pajama pants on the foot of the bed.

After a few hours, you received that all-to-familiar text from Danny.

“Hey, I think it’s time for Josh to head home. Can u come grab him or should we get an Uber?”

You smiled at Danny’s considerate nature. Of course you were coming to get Josh, you did every time he went out without you. But it was sweet of him to consider you might have other plans.

“On the way, which bar?”

He sent his location and you hopped into your car. Driving through the dark of the night, you sang along softly to “Beautiful Child” by Fleetwood Mac. Lately, whenever you sang you felt nothing but guilt over hiding it so protectively. Why couldn’t you just let yourself be completely vulnerable in front of him? It didn’t make sense and yet internally there was unspoken reasoning. But you were sick of it.

You pulled up at the bar and all four boys were sat there on the curb, looking slightly lost in their drunken state. Even Danny looked a lot less sober than his texts had indicated. You sighed.

“Alright. All of you. In.”

Josh made his way over to the passenger seat and the three other’s heads shot up, “But we were gonna Uber?” Sam slurred.

You rolled your eyes with a smile, “Shut the fuck up and get in my car, you drunks.”

They did as you said, with a chorus of “thank you, Y/N” ringing through the interior of the car.

One by one, you dropped the boys off while everyone hummed and sang along to the “Tusk” album. That is, except for you.

Josh made no effort to hide his staring at you the entire car ride home. Luckily, the rest of the band was so far gone in the back seat that they couldn’t notice if they tried.

After you dropped Danny off, Jake asked Josh if he was crashing with you or coming home. You looked over and Josh was giving you some God-tier puppy dog eyes, so you laughed and responded, “I think he’s crashing with me tonight.”

Jake chuckled, “Figures. Sam, you wanna take Josh’s bed to save Y/N the extra trip?”

“Works for me!” Sam was definitely the drunkest, which definitely wasn’t always the case but certainly was tonight.

You dropped the other two Kiszkas off at Jake and Josh’s house before turning down the road back toward home.

When you made it through the doors, all but hoisting Josh upright, you threw your keys onto the nearby coffee table and dragged your boyfriend toward the bedroom.

“Wasting no time, huh, Y/N?”

You couldn’t help but bark out a laugh at his insinuation, “Josh, I’m pretty sure I’d be committing a crime if we had sex right now in your state. Now come on, time for bed.”

Josh groaned and leaned up, alleviating the weight from your body, and walked in staggered motions into the room. You put your hands on your hips as you watched him, “So what, was I just carrying you for my health? Could you walk this whole time?”

All you could hear was Josh giggling in response in your bedroom. You rolled your eyes and entered to find him stuck trying to pull his sweater over his head. As delicately as you can, you yank his head through the hole and help him out of his rough jeans and into the pajama pants you had laid out.

Once he was changed, his arms looped around your body and he held you in a loose hug, leaning his sweaty head against your shoulder. “You’re so good to me, you know that? I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you.”

You smile at his words and try not to think about the clouds of tequila breath accompanying them. You knew from past experience that if he tried to brush his teeth in this state he’d be retching up everything he drank in 2 minutes.

His arms still around you, you leaned back to allow the two of you to fall onto the bed, still entwined. Josh snuggles closer to you and lets out a sigh of content. Or at least, you thought it was content.

“Why won’t you sing for me? Why really?”

You sighed. He really did deserve an answer, even if he probably wouldn’t remember it tomorrow. “I… I got humiliated in choir when I was younger and now… I don’t know, I’m just weird about people hearing me sing. It’s nothing special or anything.”

Josh leaned his head off your shoulder, resting his chin on your chest to look at you. “Everything about you is special. Every little thing. I just hate that you feel like you have to hide such a natural expression of joy from me.”

You bite your lip in thought. Josh’s eyes travel from your eyes to your lips, and he leans up to plant a small kiss onto them. You can taste the Espolon but also the love.

“Okay,” you whispered.

Josh’s eyes light up like a marquee. “Really?” He grins.

You can’t help but smile back. “Sure, but please don’t make a huge deal of it, I still have a lot of embarrassment tied to any kind of performing…” You rambled.

Josh leaned forward to kiss you again, silencing you. “You don’t have to worry. Really. Here, I won’t even look.” He turned his head and laid it down to rest on your chest. Your hands found their way into his curls and he sighed. This time definitely in content.

“Won’t you sing me a lullaby, beautiful?” His arm snaked across your body to interlace his fingers with those on your unoccupied hand.

You took a deep breath, watching Josh’s head rise and fall slightly on your chest. A lullaby. The only one you could think of was the one your mother used to sing softly to you and your brother as little kids.

After a few moments of deep breathing, a few hand squeezes from Josh, you closed your eyes and opened your mouth to sing.

“Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Il me parle tout bas

Je vois la vie en rose”

You couldn’t see because he was turned away from you, but Josh’s eyes flew open when he realized you were singing in French. And it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard.

“Il me dit des mots d'amour

Des mots de tous les jours

Et ça me fait quelque chose”

Your fingers started moving in Josh’s hair again, letting the lyrics meaning allow you to wallow in your affection for the boy in bed with you.

“Il est entré dans mon cœur

Une part de bonheur

Dont je connais la cause

C'est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie

Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie”

You took a moment to pause and catch your breath. You were singing while lying down, with a man basically on top of your lungs. But the song as you knew it was almost over.

“Et dès que je l'aperçois

Alors je sens en moi

Mon cœur qui bat”

Once you’d stopped singing, Josh didn’t move. You almost thought he had fallen asleep. Until suddenly, his whole body moves to hoist himself up to eye level with you.

He takes your cheek in his hand and looks you deep in your eyes. “I’m so in love with you.”

Your heart stopped in your chest. You had been feeling similarly lately, but you couldn’t fathom your rockstar boyfriend reciprocating those feelings so soon, so you never said anything.

Tears pricked at your eyes and threatened to fall as you broke into a small smile. “I’m in love with you too, Josh.”

Josh’s adoration-filled eyes didn’t leave you as he leaned in to kiss your forehead, your nose, and then your lips. “And you have the most angelic voice I have ever heard in my life. I never want you to feel like you have to hide from me ever again. Okay?”

You nodded at him, adoration filling your eyes as well. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to him, his heartbeat now returning the favor of being your lullaby.

For the first time in a while, you felt completely at peace.

[theweasleysredhair]

CHLOE MY LOVE! congrats on 4.6k -- honestly not sure how you don't have a million more followers because your blog and your writing is freaking brilliant! so happy to have formed a genuine friendship with you :') brb getting emotional. anyway! for your event, could you write a little something with my love george with a few different prompts? is that allowed? 3 and 8 from angst, 10 from fluff? who's surprised, i'm all fluff, congrats again my darling you deserve it all x

thank you so so much angel!! 💕 of course i decided i had to do a fake dating drabble for you erica, i got v carried away with it too so hope you like a super long drabble that turned into practically a whole fic - enjoy! ❤️

theweasleysredhair’s 4.6k follower event!

~~

3. “I told you not to fall in love with me.”

8. “I can’t pretend anymore.”

10. “Because I love you.”

~~~

Character: George Weasley

Word Count: 1884

WARNING: there’s no ‘read more’ bc i’m on mobile and couldn’t get it to work hahaha i apologise

Taglist: @dreamer821 @gracemayhateyou @criminalyetminimal @firewhisky-kisses @obsessedwithrandomthings @angelinathebook @iprobablyshipit91 @potterverseimagine @slytherineheir @kpopgirlbtssvt @rexorangecouny @wand3ringr0s3 @ickle-ronniekins @sehunasbitch @cryingforcrystalpepsi @kashishwrites @girl-next-door-writes @susceptible-but-siriusexual @crissdanvers @besitos-41 @heart-of-tempered-steel @andineversawyoucoming @mytreec | message or send an ask to be added/removed!

Disclaimer: Gif isn’t mine, credit goes to whoever made it

~*~

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST MY WORK! REBLOGS ARE ABSOLUTELY FINE! <3

+ + + + +

“I need you to date me.”

In shock, you dropped too many of the porcupine quills into your potion, making the liquid turn a nasty shade of green and sizzle as it practically exploded across the table. You sighed frustratedly, grabbing your wand and cleaning up the potion before turning to the person who spoke - one half of the Weasley twins and one of your best friends, George Weasley - who apparently found your reaction extremely amusing.

“I beg your pardon?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest. The hint of a smile was still etched onto his face as he leaned forward, “I need you to date me.”

You felt yourself grow warm at the thought, “You’re joking, right?” “For once, I am not,” he shook his head, “I um, I told this girl I couldn’t go to the Yule Ball with her because I had a girlfriend who I’m going with instead. Except, I don’t have a girlfriend. So you can see my dilemma.”

“This may be a stupid question but... if you don’t have a girlfriend, why did you tell her you do?” You raised an eyebrow, half curious, half amused.

“I didn’t want to be rude and just tell her no because she was really sweet. So now I need to find someone to date me, and I thought of you,” he explained with a shrug, playing with some of the potion ingredients you’d left at the end of your table.

“There are so many other girls you could have-“

“I don’t want anyone else, I want you,” he said almost desperately, before sighing downheartedly, “C’mon, it wouldn’t be so bad, and it wouldn’t have to be for long! Just until the Yule Ball. It’s not like we’d have to pretend that much! I spend most of my free time with you as it is.”

“How do you know I don’t already have a date, huh?” You asked, beginning to start your potion all over again before Snape got the chance to scold you.

George’s face dropped and his jaw clenched, “What do you mean? Who asked you?”

“Well, no one. But my point was, what if they had?”

“Then you’d tell them you’ve been given a better option - me - and that they were never good enough for you. You know, the truth,” he nodded triumphantly, running a hand through his hair.

You shook your head at him with a smile, glancing up at him before your gaze travelled back to your potion.

“So what do you say?”

You pondered it for a moment, before replying, “Fine.”

George broke out into a large grin, wrapping his arms around you and very nearly swinging you around the room in excitement, “Darling, you are the best! I owe you big time!”

“Yes, you do. Now, do we have any rules we need to discuss?”

“Like what?”

“Like, I don’t know, a backstory, how we got together, how far we’d go with PDA - I vote not too far if I’m honest,” you said nervously, toying with the hem of your jumper.

“Well I vote the opposite, I think we should have lots of PDA constantly, all the time!”

“George,” you said warningly, though you couldn’t help the way your lips curved into a smile.

“Fine,” he dragged out the last syllable, “I can only think of one rule. A very important rule that I’m sure you might have a hard time not breaking.”

“Go on?”

“Whatever you do, don’t fall in love with me!” His eyes widened dramatically as he pointed at you. “No chance of that happening, don’t you worry,” you laughed, stirring the potion.

“Well that was rude of you,” he said in mock hurt, a hand on his heart as he pouted at you. You cracked a smile and shook your head, “Oh be quiet will you, and pass me the rest of those porcupine quills, I have to finish redoing this potion that you made me ruin.”

“Nagging me already,” George mumbled, “We really are a couple.”

***

You realised pretty quickly that you were wrong about there being no chance of falling for George. So very wrong. Turns out the chances of falling for George Weasley were 100%, because somewhere between being his friend and being more, you fell head over heels in love with him.

If you were honest with yourself, you’d had feelings for him before the whole fake-dating, but figured you’d mistaken them for feelings of strong friendship.

Now you knew - you didn’t want to be his friend, you wanted him to snog you against a wall as he whispered sweet nothings in your ear.

And all of this was because of one simple kiss. You hadn’t expected it, didn’t know it was going to happen. All you knew was that one minute you were walking down the hallway with George’s arm around your shoulder - not even for show, really, he just walked with you like that anyway - and the next, your back was against a pillar, your eyes widening as you stared up at George, feeling yourself growing warm.

“W-What’s going on?” You stammered out, heart pounding as you lost yourself in his brown eyes, suddenly getting the urge to run your hand through his ginger hair and pull him by his tie down into a kiss.

“She’s watching,” he murmured, nodding subtly down to the end of the hallway. You couldn’t see anyone, but took his word for it as you figured you were just overwhelmingly flustered from the proximity.

And suddenly you realised what position you were in: his hands either side of your head, trapping you between his chest and the pillar, your own chest barely an inch away from him and his legs brushing against your own.

Your breath hitched in your mouth, noticing how his eyes flickered from your eyes down to your mouth before moving back up again. Your lips parted a little, chin tilting ever-so-slightly upwards as you waited to see what he’d do.

“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” He murmured, and suddenly his lips were on yours, pulling you into a desperate kiss, him cupping your cheek to bring you closer, his other hand sliding down the pillar to grab your waist.

This wasn’t a kiss from someone who was just a friend. This was a kiss that made your toes curl, set your skin on fire and made you want more - so much more.

And in that moment you realised you loved him. You didn’t want to go back to being George’s friend, not when you knew how his lips felt against yours, how his hands felt holding your waist.

He’d finally pulled away for air, still pressing shorter kisses to your lips as you both breathed heavily, and you dragged a hand through his hair, just how you’d imagined.

You knew, right then, that you were in love with him. All of a sudden, and very very full on.

After that, you suddenly noticed and admired everything about him, from the way he laughed to the way he bit his lip as he glanced your way.

And the thought of breaking this whole dating thing off - something that you’d both planned to happen the day after the Yule Ball - made you feel sick to your stomach. The thought of never kissing him again made you want to scream.

You couldn’t imagine going back to being friends. Not when you’d had a taster of what it was like to be George Weasley’s girlfriend.

You argued with yourself, one half of you wanting to end it with him now in order to save yourself further heartbreak, and the other half wanting to continue for as long as possible. It was all you could think about, from the moment you woke up in the morning to the moment you went to sleep at night. And you decided you couldn’t keep going like this, it wasn’t fair to you.

You couldn’t keep pretending you weren’t in love with the ginger boy.

And so, when you found yourself sat in his common room late one night two weeks after that first fateful kiss, sharing one of the red plush couches with him, his leg pressed next to yours and your heart racing, the rest of the students already in their dorms, you decided to be honest with him.

“George?”

“Yes?” George waited for your reply, however at the silence, he looked up curiously, finding you chewing on your lip in thought.

“Are you okay, love?” He asked, concern seeping into his voice as he looked at you, noticing how restless you appeared, how lost in thought.

“I um.. yes? I mean no,” you frowned, “I mean- I don’t know.”

He shifted, his body tilting towards yours and he grabbed your hands in his, bringing them up to his lips so he could press a kiss to you knuckles, “What’s wrong, what’s going on?”

“I can’t pretend anymore, Georgie,” you whispered, afraid if you spoke any louder your voice would fail you.

“What do you mean, you can’t pretend? You’re scaring me, princess, please tell me what’s going on in that mind of yours,” he frowned, hating the idea of anything even remotely bothering you.

“I can’t pretend to be your girlfriend anymore.”

And suddenly George felt like he’d been winded, a pain in his chest he could only liken to heartbreak, if he was to be so dramatic.

“What?” His voice was small, especially in the silent room. He wanted to know why. Had he done something wrong? Made you feel uncomfortable at one point? He’d hate himself if he had.

“I can’t pretend because- because I fell in love with you,” you breathed out, lips trembling as you stared at your clasped hands, “This isn’t pretend for me anymore, this is real! And it’s scary, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

There was a silence and you couldn’t bring yourself to look up at him, not wanting to see the look on his face as he tried to come up with, you presumed, a way to reject you.

“You wanna know why I asked you to be my fake girlfriend?” He asked suddenly, squeezing your hands and waiting for you to nod slightly at him, before continuing, “Because I wanted a reason to ask you to the Yule Ball without being rejected. Because I wanted to spend even more time with you, to have a glimpse at what it would be like to date you. Because-because I love you.”

Your felt your heart skip a beat as you finally looked up at him, meeting his eyes as he smiled at you.

“You love me?” You whispered.

“Always have, I reckon.”

You couldn’t help the grin that spread across your face as you allowed him to pull you closer to him, “Well I guess it’s definitely a good job I fell for you, huh?”

He grinned cheekily, biting his lip as he replied jokingly, “Well, I don’t know really, I mean, I thought I told you not to fall in love with me.”

“Yeah, well,” you spoke, letting a soft smile creep onto your face,

“As it turns out, I just couldn’t help myself.”

[pricemarshfield]

cooler than me

A Zoey/MC/Poppy/Veronica/Chloe smut-with-feelings fic, requested by @hizzieluthor​. Chapter 9/10. Rated E; minors DNI. Read on AO3 here, or the full fic here.

Prompt: MC/Zoey/Poppy/Veronica/Chloe, all doms except sub!MC. If you’d like to be tagged for the finale, say so in the tags or a reblog or in a DM and I’ll make sure to tag you!

-

"Babe," Zoey says, a little disbelieving, a lot pitying.

"I know," Bea groans, head in her hands. "I don't know how it happened either, if it helps?"

Confessing that you've caught feelings for Belvoire's head bitch? (Sorry. Former head bitch.) Embarrassing, but doable. Confessing it to your girlfriend? Decidedly harder, but still super feasible. Confessing that now you don't even really want to bring the real fight to her, even after she literally asked you to?

Bea would 100% take getting kicked by a horse again. She'd broken a rib, but that seems a small price to pay.

"I mean, I do," Zoey says, and when Bea looks up questioningly, Zoey cups her face and says, "That bleeding heart of yours. One of the things I love about you, boo."

Bea's heart crawls into her throat. "Um--"

"Ugh, don't make a thing of it, I didn't mean to say that," Zoey says, abruptly focusing on the lunch in front of her. (Of course they're having emotional talk at Spicey's. It's their place, basically.) "Seriously. Don't mention it."

Bea wants to do more than mention it, but the moment feels fragile enough just talking about Poppy without talking about the L-word. Still, she grabs Zoey's hand and squeezes it, a little reassurance before they move on. "If you're sure. And to be clear, I'm not saying I won't bring the fight to her. I just..." She sighs. "I don't want to hurt her. And I don't think she wants to hurt me." Like that.

"I think you're giving her too much credit," Zoey mutters in a low voice, then shakes her head. "Not trying to be an asshole. I know we talked about this, I really am fine with it, I just don't like her."

"First day we met, you told me you hated her and loved seeing her--what was it? Caked up face crinkle up whenever someone stands up to her?"

Zoey snorts. "And I stand by that."

"I don't want to do anything if it makes you--" Uncomfortable's not right. Upset? Disappointed in Bea? "If you really aren't alright with it, we'll keep it to scenes. I can wrestle my heart into control."

"I never want you to have to do that," Zoey says, squeezing Bea's hand back. "I'm not disappointed in you or anything. But we've got to bring the fight to her, or it's all been for nothing, and frankly? That's embarrassing for both of us."

"Yeah, you're right," Bea says. "Like always, of course."

"Glad to have someone recognize my genius," Zoey says with a little smile.

Bea frowns--there's an undercurrent of something there, not directed at her. "Did you music thing not go well?"

"Oh, no," Zoey says. "It went...fine. Just--family stuff."

"Uh, do you want to ta--"

"Not really," Zoey says, stabbing at her burrito bowl rather aggressively. "Not 'cause I don't trust you or anything! I do. Just gotta process it, figure out where my head's at."

"Okay," Bea says, bites back the instinctive love ya that would have too much weight, considering. "So! What's our game plan?"

"I don't know, distract her with sex and steal the box?"

Bea's cheeks warm. "Zoey!"

"Just a thought," Zoey says with a smirk up at her. "Also, can I have my hand back? Wanna check something."

Bea drops Zoey's hand. "Maybe I should just sneak in. No one would be surprised to see me there. Plus I could get V to help me."

"Poppy's definitely got Hayley or Ohio snitching for her at this point, though," Zoey points out. "Especially after you agreed to give her a real fight."

"Ughhhhh," Bea says, because that definitely sounds like something Poppy would do. "I hate this."

"I know," Zoey says, less pitying and more fond. "My idea's always still on the table."

It feels like a bad idea. It's definitely not something Poppy's above doing--she hadn't slept with Bea without prepping the hog calling video well in advance, after all--but is it something Bea's willing to sink low enough to do?

"I can't do that alone," Bea says.

"Send you into the lion's den alone?" Zoey says. "Never."

-

Bea doesn't know the specifics of what Zoey has planned, beyond that there is a plan. Not about the subterfuge--that, Bea knows, has planned down to where she's gonna look for the code, what she'll do if Poppy wakes up, several ideas about what could be in there.

Zoey's been scheming, with Poppy, about some scene. That's the premise, at least, for getting into Poppy's room and wearing her out without surprising her. But Zoey does actually have a plan, point-blank refused to tell Bea about it.

"I want you to enjoy yourself, and you're aleady too in your own head about this," Zoey says. Bea grumbles, knowing she's right and that she wants to know anyway. Time seems to drag on slowly for the week or so that she's got to wait for Zoey and Poppy's schedule to line up, Poppy busy with her shelter and whatever the hell else she does, Zoey working on her music and applying for a ton of internships.

But then the night arrives.

She's wearing her same lingerie--it ain't broke, and she does look good in red--and the dress she'd gotten to go, like, totally undercover in Zeta, because it makes her boobs look great and also because it kind of feels like everyone's looking at her all day, and blending into Zeta can't hurt.

Even if she's way more recognizable now. Even if everyone's expecting her there. Sort of the point of the subterfuge.

Zoey escorts her, uber-casual about the whole thing, winking at Veronica as they pass her (hey, what) on the way up to Poppy's room. Chloe, walking into her own room, waves at Bea with a little shy smile that's oddly sweet. She waves back, trying not to feel like the whole thing is an out of body experience.

"Hey," Zoey says, quietly. "We've got this."

Bea nods, not sure if she agrees. Zoey grabs her hand and squeezes it, and Bea squeezes back hard enough that Zoey winces. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Zoey says. "Seriously. We've got this. We're gonna be fine."

Ugh. Bea knows she's right, but her heart's beating way too hard and way too fast as she opens the door to Poppy's room anyway.

"Come in," Poppy calls, imperious as she was in the first days. Bea has no idea if it's her fronting because of Zoey's presence here or part of the scene, trying to be ready for anything as she walks in. Poppy's sitting at her vanity, but she's not doing her makeup or anything, just looking at them in the mirror.

"Farmsville," Poppy says with a little sigh. "New Money."

"Poppy," Bea says.

"Bitch," Zoey says. Bea'd swear Poppy's smirk twitches towards an actual smile, but she's a little distracted by the sound of Zoey locking the door behind them. "Door's locked."

"Good," Poppy says, and turns, the full force of her attention on Bea. As always, it's a little disconcerting. Now, though, it also puts a little nervous twist in her gut. She's being an asshole, she's taking advantage, she's-- "Strip."

Bea does, Zoey only reaching out to help her when the zipper gets stuck. She hesitates once she's got the dress off, hand fidgeting at the waist of her lingerie. Poppy just arches an eyebrow at her, and she lifts it up over her head, in just her underwear.

"That's fine," Poppy says, whether because she can read Bea's nervousness or some other reason, Bea doesn't know. She walks up to Bea, until she's looking up at her, just slightly. (She hadn't taken her heels off, so even with Poppy's stilettos, she's got the height advantage right now.) "Get on the bed."

Bea does. Neither of them have touched her yet, or even really made a move to, just watching her scramble onto the covers and turn around to face them. Zoey walks right up to her, close enough that their knees brush. Poppy climbs behind her on the bed instead; she can feel the mattress bend towards her, just slightly.

She's not sure when the scene's supposed to start, if Poppy's gonna say something cutting or Zoey's gonna pull out a toy, but she's not expecting the gentleness with which Poppy's arms come around Bea's waist, pulling her into--a hug, almost, the soft silk of her blouse against Bea's back more soft than sensual.

"I--" She cuts herself off, since she's not sure what she'd say or if she's allowed to talk.

Poppy presses a kiss to the base of her neck, and Bea shivers. Zoey's eyes are warm rather than dark, pupils just a little wide rather than fully blown so that her eye looks black. She leans down to kiss Bea; Bea, of course, kisses her back. For a few long minutes, that's really all it is--Poppy leaving little chaste kisses on her neck, definitely leaving pastel pink lipstick marks but no bruises, Zoey kissing Bea, Bea more emotionally overwhelmed than anything else.

When Poppy's hands move up to cup Bea's breast, it's almost a surprise, the shift. Zoey doesn't let up on kissing her, hands braced on either side of Bea on the mattress. Poppy's still being gentle, especially by their standards, but the pressure's getting to her. Zoey eventually pulls back to leave kisses along her neck, warmer and wetter the lower she goes, until she's got her mouth over Poppy's hand where it rests on Bea--

Yeah, okay, that's the hottest thing Bea's ever seen, probably. No one could fault her the little helpless whimper that escapes. She doesn't even feel too embarrassed about it, because Poppy groans, low and under her breath, when she does. Zoey pulls back with a smirk and kisses Bea again, and Poppy's next kiss to Bea's neck is more of a bite.

Zoey pushes Bea back, against Poppy who goes willingly against the mattress until it's Zoey straddling Bea lying against Poppy who feels like she's against the headboard. They keep drawing her in, with Zoey's warm mouth and Poppy's warmer hands soft and slow and gentle and not at all what they're usually like.

Part of her wants to ask. This doesn't feel like a scene. But it's nice? Zoey being sweet and soft is nothing new; that's their thing. But Poppy? For her to be nice is already rare enough; for her to let Zoey see it is a gesture of trust that Bea hadn't realized existed between them. (Probably doesn't, is just doing it for Bea, which--really doesn't help.)

Bea and Poppy are pressed hip-to-hip, Poppy still wearing her weird gold-beige skirt thing, but Bea's attention is mostly focused on Zoey. Very much not in line with their plan, and she's tensing up without meaning to at the (self-inflicted) reminder of her own ulterior motives.

Poppy nips at her neck again, a demand for her focus. "You can't enjoy being the center of attention for once?"

Bea laughs, mostly into Zoey's mouth; Zoey pulls back to let her respond. She can turn her head just enough to see Poppy's eyes, pupils blown so wide the brown looks almost black, even in the bright light of the room. "Aren't I always? You're certainly obsessed with me--"

"Please," Poppy says dismissively, but one hand slides into her underwear in one smooth movement, so she can't mean it too sarcastically. "In your dreams."

"Whatever you say," Bea says, breathless. Zoey kisses her again, and Bea, whose hands have been at her side not really doing much for most of this, loop around her neck and pull her closer. She hums happily into Bea's mouth, and Poppy's hand continues to work, slow but focused.

Zoey pulls away from kissing Bea, who pouts until Poppy presses a kiss almost on her cheek (Bea's heart stops, but whatever), prompting her to turn and kiss Poppy instead. With her head turned, Zoey has more space to let her lips trail along Bea's jaw, nipping at the place behind her ear that always makes her melt. Bea gasps into Poppy's mouth, and she can feel both of them smirking.

It's Poppy who pulls back to say, "Not that I'm fond of sharing, outside of this--" It's said casually, but with emphasis, accompanied by Poppy poking at Zoey in a way that seems designed to annoy rather than really piss off. "But. If the rest of campus could see you now."

Bea shivers, a little. "I--"

Zoey interrupts her, and oh, this is the plan. Nothing physical, just words to rile her up until she's totally out of her mind. Not quite what they're doing here, but she'll take it? "Can you imagine if the nerds saw it?"

"Like you?" Poppy says with an eyeroll. (Bea's got her eyes closed at one particularly rough thrust of Poppy's second finger joining her first, but she's sure of it.)

Zoey huffs out a sigh. "I'm talking about Emi, Daisy, Begonia. I'm mid-ranks, you moron."

"I could bring you up," Poppy says, which would be charitable if she wasn't absolutely saying it to piss Zoey off, or something? Bea can't really follow the logic.

"Hm," Zoey says, as if she's considering it, which has to be part of the plan. If Zoey wanted to move up in the rankings, Poppy offering to help would drive her to say fuck Bea's bid for the throne, it's Zoey's time. (She'd absolutely let her. Poppy, no chance in hell she'd give up the throne, but Zoey would barely have to ask.) "What's the catch?"

Poppy grabs Bea's hair and yanks it back, a sudden spark of pain she hadn't expected at all, more surprising than sexy even though the hiss out of her mouth is not borne of pain alone. "You wouldn't part with her, I assume."

"Right here," Bea says. They both ignore her.

"No," Zoey says, fingers tapping on Bea's thigh. "You'd have to really make it worth my while."

"How about..." Poppy goes quiet for a second; Bea can picture her cat-that-got-the-cream smile easily. "Look through that drawer there. If I can get Bea to come before you find something you want to use, I'll get you into the top fifty. If not, I get Bea all night."

Literally right here, but also pretty down, even if the guilt absolutely is dragging her mood down. If Zoey got Poppy to think this plan was all about sex, it's kind of brilliant and daring and evil genius of her, but Bea's never been good at the ruthless side of power.

"Deal," Zoey says. "Hold out for me, babe?"

"Su--"

Poppy's got them flipped as soon as Zoey pulls back to go look at Poppy's dresser, and probably to ignore the toys completely. She's also got her face at Bea's thighs, pulling down her underwear with her teeth--

Bea groans, and forces herself to keep looking at Poppy, even though it's super not gonna help with buying Zoey enough time to snoop. She needs to make sure she can grab her attention back if she starts to get suspicious.

But she doesn't. Poppy's singularly focused and good at what she does, and Bea's gripping the sheets so hard she's practically white-knuckled until Zoey comes back to the bed with an unassuming vibe and a smirk that doesn't really meet her eyes.

"Damn," Poppy says, seemingly actually disappointed, and Bea comes as soon as she's not holding herself back. "Ha."

"I still won," Zoey says.

"You know everything I said was just part of the scene," Poppy snaps, immediately.

"Obviously," Zoey says. "Bea, you good to come home?"

"Nnh," Bea says. "I mean, if I have to."

There's a long beat, where Zoey looks her down and nods, though whatever she's responding to, Bea hasn't pieced together. "Would you rather stay here?"

"The bed's so comfy," Bea says in agreement.

Poppy scoffs. "This is just passable. I should take you somewhere nice one day."

"Okay," Bea says, as though Poppy will want to talk to her after she wins at the gala. It's nice to live in the fantasy, though.

"I actually have to go," Zoey says, almost apologetically. "Lunch tomorrow?"

Bea nods and blows her a kiss. Zoey doesn't mime catching it or anything, but she smiles at her, genuine, before she leaves.

Poppy elbows her immediately. "You should return the favor now."

Bea does. Uncharacteristically, Poppy's actually tired after, climbing into bed as soon as she's changed out of clothes and into these absurdly soft pajamas that Bea can't help but nuzzle into.

As soon as Bea thinks she's asleep, breathing slow and steady, she whispers a quiet sorry into the crook of her neck. She's not sure if she's apologizing for the underhandedness or for having enough feelings about it that she can't do what Poppy asked.

Poppy doesn't react or stir, so Bea falls asleep, hoping for a lot of things she's not gonna get.

[cloud9in]

Animal Control  (Mc x Poppy)

Summary: Bea decides to buy Poppy a gerbil but it doesn’t go well...A whole bunch of chaos ensues and maybe some hands thrown? Includes Chloe and Veronica. 

Notes: Yeah this is the most chaotic thing my mind has come up with. I hope you enjoy and laugh. It’s FLUFF, and a little angst.

Word Count: 2.4k 

Tags: @samanthadalton @clowneryme @somewillwin @baexpoppy @zigxryanz @uselesslesbianfr @aleiramacaii (sorry if I missed you or if you want to be added to Poppy tags lemme know)

*NO GERBILS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING*

WHAT. IS. THAT?!  BEA HUGHES GET IT OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!!”

It would be an understatement if I said that the whole world could hear Poppy right now.

Bea, wanting to be a good girlfriend, went out and bought a special gift for the blonde. But it definitely got a reaction she wasn’t hoping for. 

Bea watched as Poppy jumped onto the bathroom sink as a little critter ran across the floor. It wasn’t really a critter though, just a cute little fat animal thing that Bea thought Poppy would gush over. “CHLOE CALL ANIMAL CONTROL”

....she wasn’t hoping for that response either. 

“Pops! Okay okay I’ll get him it’s okay. He won’t hurt you. Well-“

“Well?!” 

“Well he might give you a little nibble BUT that’s COMPLETELY normal and-“

“BEA!”

“POPPY!”

 Their voices started to boom through the Zeta House as Veronica and Chloe rushed up the stairs and straight into the commotion. The scene before them was utterly shocking in a sense. The blonde stood on the counter, her foot nearly in the sink as she hugged the wall and squeezed her eyes shut...and seemed to be praying to herself? Bea, on the other hand, stood on all 4s as she looked under the cabinet. The Zeta girls glance at each other and then back at the couple as they try to process what was happening. “....So is either one of you going to explain or are we going to-“

 Bea jumped at the new voice in the room, hitting her head on the edge of the cabinet. “Ow!” Veronica bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing as Chloe turned away to hide the grin on her face. Poppy opened her eyes, too distracted to notice Bea wince and rub her head. She peers around the bathroom, breathing a sigh of relief when she doesn’t spot the little gremlin crawling about. The blonde notices her friends standing by the door and her face flushes impossibly red as they watch her from down below. Real nice Poppy, they definitely envy you right now. Is that a new yoga pose you’re doing right now? I don’t think your foot belongs there. 

 She clears her throat and steps down from the counter. “Chloe didn’t you hear me? I said to call animal control there is a rabid pest in the house.” Poppy shoots Bea an annoyed look, and all the brunette could do was stand there and shrug her shoulder sheepishly. Poppy didn’t expect Chloe to full on panic but now there was another blonde running around the room hysterically. Chloe shrieks and whispers to herself, “oh my god a pest?! What if it lays eggs, or what if people hear about this?” She turns towards Poppy and gasps, “do we have to call the terminator?!” Bea blinks in confusion until it hits her, “termin-? wha...OH!” She spins until she faces her girlfriend, “NO! Don’t you dare call the exterminator! It’s a gerbil for crying out loud, it doesn’t deserve that-” Chloe begins to laugh and points an accusing finger at Bea, “it wouldn’t be here in the first place if you stopped coming in here smelling like a farm.”

 The brunette does a double take at the dumb blonde, “EXCUSE ME?!” She takes a deep breath and pinches the top of her nose to calm down, “...Chloe do you even know what a gerbil is?”

 “Oh I’ll tell you what it is! GONE! It’s leaving now Bea.” Poppy stomps in between the two girls with a deadly expression. Poppy was definitely not going to hold either one of them back if they started fighting. The hell does she look like doing that? But they were definitely not going to damage anything in her room so enough was enough. Bea glances at Poppy and can feel her starting to get more pissed off. She should stop, she should definitely stop. Maybe because she doesn’t actually know where said gerbil is…and Poppy would erase her entire existence off of this planet if Bea ever told her that. 

 Chloe looks over at Bea and can tell that she’s starting to back down. “Oooh aren’t you a nice pet, obeying your girlfriend. Where did all of your self respect go?” A cat-like grin slowly appears on the blonde’s face as Bea’s jaw slackens in shock. 

“You’re one to talk bitch! How about I get rid of you while I’m at it.”

“Oh bring it pig girl!-”

 Both girls close in on each other as Poppy is sent sprawling back on her ass. She sits there in complete shock and blinks a couple times to refocus.

 Veronica, still standing by the door, takes no effort in trying to stop the cat fight happening in front of her. In fact she sneaks away to grab her phone and starts filming the whole thing. Perfect for some blackmail later. And well she could probably get paid a lot to sell this video. Thank you Poppy for your glorious last name. 

 Okay now you’re probably wondering where the gerbil comes in to play? We’re getting there, just wait…

 Bea and Chloe tumble into Poppy’s walk in closet as one tries to gain the upper hand. To Bea’s shocking surprise, the blonde knows how to throw hands. But the brunette more so wanted to pin her down instead of actually hitting her, she knows that won’t end well for either of them. 

 Poppy stares at Veronica filming them in all sorts of angles. How did she even get up on that shelf?  She rolls her eyes with irritation, already feeling a headache forming. The screaming match on the other side of the room was not helping either. All the blonde wanted was to have a peaceful spa day and try her new Glossier vitamin skincare mask, and maybe have a nice lunch with Bea. This was definitely going to leave some wrinkles. Poppy sighed heavily and tried to stand up, but a flash of little legs ran across the floor a few feet from where she sat, and she felt her heart stop. Poppy shut her eyes, hoping and praying that it isn’t what she thinks it is, and to her awful surprise it was most definitely the gerbil. One second of silence passes before Poppy lets out the most horrific, high pitched scream known to man. It was serious enough that Veronica stepped down from the shelf and Bea loosened her grip on Chloe’s hair. The adrenaline hit Poppy so hard as she sprinted out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her, and lunging into the closet where the other girls stood like deers in headlights. Bea quickly approaches her girlfriend, partly terrified and partly concerned. 

 “I just saw it! The- the fiend. It’s in the bathroom still. Just get rid of it Bea please..”

 Poppy cowers in the corner trying to cover herself with faux fur coats and whatever she could find that makes her feel less exposed. The girls just stood and watched her, all sharing confused glances. Poppy loved animals, but she never signed up for rodents as well. This meant a serious talk with Bea after everything settled down. 

The brunette sighs with a little bit of relief at Poppy’s words, “Oh atleast you found it, I thought I lost him for good..”

 The blonde turns so fast it almost makes Bea dizzy. Her face goes pale as Poppy doesn’t break eye contact with her, “ You...what?! You lost it?!” 

 “Poppy that’s really not what we should focus on right now-”

 “If you couldn’t tell...I am losing my mind right now Bea.” She gestures wildly to the mismatched outfit on her body and her tangled locks.  “If we don’t capture this animal and RETURN. IT.” She takes one menacing step towards everyone, “none of you will leave alive, got it?” 

 Okay Poppy is scary, i’ll admit it. 

 Bea exhales nervously and looks at Chloe, and Chloe looks at Veronica who is holding a camera in her face, completely unfazed. Chloe scoffs with disbelief, swatting the phone out of her face, “Really V?! This is not the time for that.”

 The vlogger just kept filming with a shameless smirk painted on her face, “Or what? You’ll fight me too?”

 Before anything could progress again, Bea intervenes even while trying to catch her breath. “Okayyy, lets not do this. Can we just work together and catch the gerbil so Poppy can act normal again?” The brunette laughs internally because she knows that her girlfriend is probably staring directly into her soul, but she doesn’t look. She could not imagine herself fighting Poppy, even though they technically did in the water fountain once, but that was more like a fever dream and she found it kinky, anyways… Bea took the lead and headed straight for the door to the bathroom, preparing herself for the quick little monster. 

“Do we not have a secure plan for this? Just gonna open the door and hope for the best?” Chloe huffs out. And if Bea was being honest, that was the most sensible thing she had said all day.That girl was full of surprises. “I’m not scared of him like ya’ll. He is just very quick and I don’t want to lose him again.” 

 “Listen, I don’t care what you guys are or aren’t. I am still standing by what I said earlier...and I guess I will help as well.” It was already embarrassing how Poppy had acted before, but the blonde wanted to save the last of her dignity and so she stood in the far back, offering to be the last minute captor if anything went wrong. Bea was grateful that she didn’t appear to be very mad at her, but she wasn’t a fool. Still, it was better to be in trouble than dead, in some ways. The brunette braced herself and counted to three before swinging the door open and lunging to the floor immediately. Too bad the gerbil was too quick for Bea and it ran between her legs. She grunted with frustration before tripping backwards and knocking right into Chloe, who fell back onto Veronica like a freaking domino effect. The room erupted into screams as Poppy unwillingly ran forward and grabbed the rodent by its tail and lifted it into the air, hundreds of feets away from her body of course. “I got it! I got it!...Now what do I do, Bea?!!” 

 “Okay! okay calm down...and slowly bring it towards me. That’s it you got it..” Bea cautiously steps towards Poppy and holds her hands out to catch it if things went awry. Poppy stood frozen with fear and shock, still not registering that there was a gerbil scrambling wildly and hanging from her fingers but she pushed the dread away and successfully placed it into Bea’s hands. Mission freaking accomplished. The room visibly sighed with relief after Bea placed the animal back into his cage but Poppy could only stare at her fingers in horror. She’d need to exfoliate it maybe twice, get a new manicure, a skin peel maybe, or just some new skin honestly. 

 ***

After the chaos had settled down and Poppy finally scrubbed herself clean, she walked back into her room and saw Bea lazily playing with the gerbil in his cage. If she wasn’t so creeped out by the rodent, the blonde would almost think this view was very sweet. Bea noticed her immediately and sat up with a guilty expression. “Pops...If I had known that you’d react like that I would have never even thought about buying him. It was a stupid decision really and I should’ve made sure you were okay with it first.” There goes Bea again with her puppy eyes and charming choice of words. Poppy sighs internally, already feeling like an asshole. She sits next to Bea and rubs her knuckles soothingly, “Well yeah it was pretty stupid…” The brunette raises an eyebrow amusingly. “But...you couldn’t have known, and I thought it was really sweet that you’d want to surprise me like that. Usually I’m the one buying gifts for others.” Bea sits up straighter feeling a little overwhelmed but wraps her arms around Poppy’s waist, leaning her head on her shoulder. They sat in comfortable silence until the brunette spoke up again, her voice nearly a whisper, “...does this mean we get to keep him?”

 The blonde scoffs loudly but glances over at the cage, her eyes softening just a little bit. She looks down at her girlfriend who seems to have been watching her this whole time. Poppy feels her face start to heat up but for all the right reasons. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to having one of...those. But if you really want me to try then I will.” It was definitely worth it to see Bea’s face beam with joy, she kisses Poppy on the cheek with excitement, “Babe you won’t regret it! And.. if it doesn’t work out then we can always give him a better home okay?” The blonde watches her girlfriend’s eyes sparkle brightly and she can’t help but mirror her smile,“Okay”.

 Bea reaches for the cage and sets it on her lap. She doesn’t take the gerbil out just yet, wanting Poppy to get comfortable with it in her presence. She watches different stages of emotions make its way across the blonde’s face before she relaxes. Poppy looks at her and speaks gently, “have you decided on a name yet?”

 “Well I was hoping we could come up with one together, but after what happened today maybe he can be called….terminator?” 

 Poppy rolls her eyes so far back but lets out a soft laugh, her hair falling softly onto her cheek. When she doesn’t feel Bea brush the strands away she does it herself and watches as Bea observes the little creature. “Okay I change my mind, you’re giving him more attention than me.” The brunette looks up with a sheepish smile but can only stare at Poppy’s loving but teaseful gaze. Of course she has to be a smartass though, “actually did you know that gerbils require your attention on a daily basis, and can develop strong relationships with their owners? Almost sounds like you.” Bea feels the punch in her side before she can see it and pretends to howl in pain. It doesn’t seem to faze poppy though as she smirks at her victim, “keep that up and you will be sleeping in the cage with him.”

 “Oh so you want to lock me up huh?” Bea bites her lip mischievously as she leans into kiss Poppy. Before things can heat up they hear a groan coming from the door. “Ughhh! Of course it had to turn sexual.” Veronica stood with her phone in her hand filming, and a hand over her eyes.

 “VERONICA!”

[beautifulpersonpeach]

I have to stress that I have no noteworthy knowledge of music. I just write what comes to my mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-S75YDYY7I

I love, love, love the song. It's so well layered and creative.

And it fits RM's voice and style like a well handcrafted shoe. This is the type of style I could also see him do in the future. He always had the more laid back - killing them softly - type of style.

I love songs where I draw a blank in regards to the genre. Parts of the song remind me of Frontline Assembly, Angel Haze's "Werkin Girls" (don't ask me why but that song immediately popped up in my mind) and some good old 90's Sci-Fi Anime à la Cowboy Bebop or Ghost in the Shell vibe. Visually I immediately associated it with Katsuhiro Otomo's "Akira" (I have an Akira artbook that's very close to my heart): https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/akira-the-architecture-of-neo-tokyo-exhibition-illustration-080622

***

Hello @guacamoli-avocadorado!

Your first link [Sexy Nukim MV], and second link [exhibition synopsis].

This track is everything. It's the perfect fusion of old school and avantgarde hip hop. The more I listen to it the more I can't help but appreciate every single choice that was made on this song. The only really regrettable thing is the lyrics. RM delivered, of course, but the others have room for improvement. Which is funny because RM actually plays off the lyrics of the previous verses applies the same key words in a better way.

The genre is Old School hip hop. Sexy Nukim sounds almost exactly like something Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, or Fab 5 Freddy would put out today.

*

This is also where I say yes yes yes to the Akira and Ghost in the Shell references! Film, I don't know, but anime I do, and 80s / 90s cyberpunk anime is precisely what Sexy Nukim would be the soundtrack for. Ghost in the Shell, Serial Experiments Lain, Psycho-Pass, or Cowboy Bebop would be perfect.

It could also work with American TV and cinema. I see it as the perfect OST to The Wire, Succession, The Matrix, heck even Stranger Things...

Can you imagine if someone did like Chloe Zhao and added Sexy Nukim to a soundtrack the way Friends was added to Eternals?

[stanzoeywade]

Poppy x MC Tinder AU

Summary: based off that one tumblr post about a girl who never experienced an orgasm and their friend hooks them up with their lesbian friend. aka, the au that no one asked for.

in which Veronica and Chloe find out that Poppy's never experienced an orgasm and they decide to help her out by creating a tinder account for her, cue MC finding her account and shenanigans happen.

Warnings: swear words maybe some smut but nothing too graphic. (OWO)

If anyone wants to be added to taglist please reply. As always these are only my headcanons so enjoy my take on that tinder au anon asked @somewillwin about. Your brain anon omg.

Taglist: @somewillwin @belvoiresqueenbee @origmansello @clownery-is-a-new-personality @kamilahtrash @poppysminion @poppysimp @captain-hanadeleine @poppysmc @iiizdumb @uselesslesbianfr @scattered-to-the-winds @idiot-justidiot @toyhenoctus

First of all this discussion happens one night where Poppy, Chloe and Veronica get their asses drunk at a frat party. Believe or not the top 3 girls of Belvoire actually care about each other, they just have a really weird way of showing it.

A heart to heart talk starts and the three of them start to confess things that they would never talk about when sober. Cue Poppy saying "I've never experienced an orgasm in my whole life."

Chloe and Veronica just look at Poppy shocked and their jaws drop. Veronica just looks at Poppy with a weird look of pity, whilst Chloe just stares.

After realising what she said Poppy quickly sobers up and clams her mouth shut. "What do you mean you've never had an orgasm before?!" Veronica all but yells. "Gee V, couldn't you have said that any louder, I don't think the whole school heard you." Poppy replies sarcastically.

Veronica just rolls her eyes and says "Girl, you're not getting out of this convo that easily. Now spill the tea sis." Chloe and Veronica look at Poppy expectantly, waiting for her to elaborate. Poppy just sighs and looks away cheeks flushed, as if embarrassed.

The two don't stop pestering her, so Poppy has no choice but to raise her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, I'll tell you" she says as her eyes narrow dangerously. "But if you tell anyone about this, I will actually erase the both of you from planet earth."

Poppy begins to explain that none of her exes made her feel good, and that whenever she had sex with any of them she always had to fake it, so much so that she's started to find sex boring.

Veronica and Chloe share a look and nod at each other. The both of them say "We're gonna set up a tinder account for you to find a good lay (basically the british version of saying good fuck), because that's just pretty fucking sad. Why didn't you tell us sooner, like bruhhh??."

Poppy just looks away and says "Its not like I can just go up to you guys and say 'I've never orgasmed before'". The two just nod their head in understanding before taking Poppy's phone and installing tinder.

They spend some time taking and choosing the best photos for Poppy to use on her tinder profile. (If anyone has seen Euphoria, you know that scene where Rue helps Jules take nudes, it's like that but PG-13) Considering that the three of them were pretty drunk, it was surprising to see how well it turned out.

Feeling sleepy, both Veronica and Chloe retreat back to their room, and Poppy just feels so tired that she falls asleep as soon as the other girls leave.

Waking up the next morning Poppy wakes up to the sound of her phone beeping numerous times and annoyed by the constant ping, she picks it up to see that almost all the notifications were from tinder.

Poppy is confused because wtf? When did she download tinder??? And then it hits her like a truck, 'Oh shit, we were all drunk as fuck last night, I thought that was some bizarre lucid dream but I actually have a tinder account. Fuck.' - she thinks to herself, embarrassed that Veronica and Chloe know her secret.

She sees a few messages from the group chat. Veronica sent her a message. "Poppy, istg if you delete tinder after all the time we spent making your profile look cute, I will post the ugliest picture I have of you on my insta." it reads. What surprised her is that Chloe actually backs Veronica up by saying "Yeah Poppy, it took our three collective brain cells to curate that account so you better use it."

Poppy giggles a little amused by her friends' reaction and she messages them back by saying "Fine, but if it doesn't work out you guys have to pay for my next shopping spree." Chloe and Veronica just agrees albeit unwillingly, but they know not to argue back.

Poppy decides to check the messages and matches that she got on tinder, disappointed but not surprised, most messages say "Send nudes" or a nude pic is attached to their messages. Poppy just rolls her eyes as she immediately unmatches them.

You were looking on tinder for your latest hook-up with no strings attached because ewww commitment and no one really caught your eye, except Poppy. Imagine your surprise when you find Poppy's profile on tinder, deciding that it was a troll account you decide to message them saying "Wow, of all the people you could choose to pretend to be, you choose the HBIC of Belvoire. Stop trying to catfish people, that's just shitty."

Poppy shocked at the sudden message that she gets from you scoffs and replies back "I'm not pretending to be anyone, Farmsville, in case you didn't know even I'm allowed to use tinder."

You just roll your eyes and text back "If you really are Poppy Min-Sinclair, prove it. I might hate Poppy's guts but trying to ruin her reputation by doing shit like this isn't funny."

This catches Poppy's attention, and suddenly she's curious. 'Why would she even stand up for me?' she can't help but wonder.

Poppy screenshots your conversation and sends it to Chloe and Veronica who have vastly different reactions. Veronica's response compiles of this emoji 👀, and the words "Farmsville likes girls, we been knew." and Chloe's response is more of a "WTF, I thought she was dating that Zoey girl."

The girls tell her that it would be fun to mess with you, and they tell her that she should prove that the profile is hers. Veronica also messages her privately saying "girl, her bio legit says 'not looking for commitment' this is like your chance to sleep with her and if you don't, I will." Poppy just grunts in annoyance and decides that fine, she supposed that you were attractive enough for a hook-up.

When you don't get a reply within the next ten minutes you scoff and roll your eyes. 'Damn, people really stoop so low huh.' - you think to yourself. There's a slight disappointment that crosses your mind once the account stopped replying to your messages. You were kind of hoping that it was the real Poppy after all.

Against her better judgement (gay denial right here folks, you're the first to see it), she decides to take a selfie and sends it to you.

Right as you're about to unmatch to what most likely seems to be a fake account, you're surprised to see a message from Poppy's supposed account. It was a selfie of Poppy, where instead of her usual pink fur coat, she's wearing something casual, and to be fair it's a really nice mirror selfie. (This is what I imagine) (I still stand by my headcanon of Poppy looking like Chungha but I couldn't find a good photo lolol)

Doubting that it's really Poppy, you decide to check your socials to see if she's uploaded any new images, and so far you haven't found anything. However you're nothing if not stubborn. You ask if she could prove that she's real and not some weirdo.

Poppy just rolls her eyes annoyed that she's being questioned, as a last ditch effort to gain your trust she sends another selfie, which is a bit more revealing than the last and once you see it your brain stops functioning.

Regaining your composure, you message her saying "I thought you had a boyfriend? What the fuck?" The only response you get is a reaction gif of some girl rolling their eyes. Being the little shit you are you decide to annoy her by sending selfies back, each photo more provocative than the last.

Poppy amused by the photos decides to get you back and it becomes a game of one-upping each other to see who takes better thirst traps. This continues on for an entire week (It's such a stupid competion and both of you know but you're both competitive af so yeah.) until Poppy snaps and contacts you using her actual phone number instead of the app.

Poppy's already frustrated and she's annoyed because she can't stop thinking about you and your stupidly hot, gorgeous body - oh my god I'm going insane she thinks to herself. She decides enough is enough and messages you. "FUCK YOU FARMSVILLE! BACK DOWN ALREADY!"

You wouldn't be yourself if you didn't have a sassy comeback ready so you reply with "FUCK ME YOURSELF YOU COWARD!" sending her yet another thirst trap, this one more revealing than the others.

Poppy snaps when she sees the message and she's quick to make a reservation to her favourite hotel in NYC, because as if she'd be seen taking you to her room. She gets the biggest room because she's extra like that and she knows she deserves the best.

The only response you get is a pinned location on the map, aptly captioned, "Meet me here Farmsville and I'll make you eat your words."

Still feeling feisty you reply with "Is that a threat or is that a promise? 😘😜" and Poppy just tells you to hurry up.

This is a really stupid idea - you think to yourself. You can't help but be suspicious of Poppy wanting to meet up, after all she can use this information against you. However none of that matters to your lust riddled brain, considering the last hook-up you've had was with Professor Kingsley and that was quite some time ago and you're really horny for some action.

You quickly dress in your best underwear, and choose something fashionable yet casual to wear because let's face it even if you hate Poppy, you don't want to look like a loser if you're gonna hook up.

Once you get there, you quickly make your way to the designated room that Poppy told you to go to. Knocking on the door, you're lowkey expecting Belvoire students to berate you, but once the door opens all you can see is Poppy.

Poppy is dressed in nothing but her underwear as she pulls you into the room. Feeling a bit awkward, you decide to break the ice by saying "I lowkey expected this to be some weird plan where you embarass me in front of your clique."

Poppy just looks at you and she scoffs as she says "As much as I hate you Farmsville, even I wouldn't stoop that low. Plus it's a crime to share nudes without a person's permission." You just look at her in disbelief jaw dropping as you take all of her in. I mean if you thought she looked good in the photos, then damn seeing it in real life was a different experience entirely

She notices that you're staring and she just flashes you a smirk and says "See something you like?" and all you want to do is wipe the smirk off her perfect face.

Stepping closer to Poppy, you make the first move and kiss her roughly, each kiss longer than the last and you can feel your heart pound as your nervousness dissipates and all you can focus on is the smell of Poppy's perfume and how it drives you wild. As well as how soft her skin feels against your hands and it's enough to drive you over the edge.

Poppy pulls away and you follow after her, annoyed by the fact that the kisses stopped. You can hear her pant as she struggles to breathe.

As soon as Poppy catches her breath, she says "I'm starting to feel under dressed so let's fix that shall we?" She pulls you towards the bed and she strips your clothing off, and you can't help but stare because holy shit this is actually happening. You start to wonder if you're dreaming until you feel Poppy kiss you again, this time slower and softer and you can't help the wistful sigh that escapes your lips.

You decide to take the lead until you hear Poppy say something. "Wait a minute Farmsville." You stop and listen because no matter how sexually frustrated you might be at the moment, consent is always important.

You wait patiently for her to start talking and she says "Don't make fun of me, but I've never known what an orgasm feels like." You can tell that she's flustered by the way she looks away and refuses to make eye contact.

Your eyes soften up and you kiss her gently on the neck and whisper "I guess that's something we can improve after tonight, but if you feel uncomfortable at any moment in time just tell me to stop." Surprised that you even cared about how she felt Poppy just nods her head softly at you.

"I'm gonna start touching you, okay Poppy?" you say your voice gentle, as you hope that it soothes her nerves. "Just relax and let me do the work, alright, I promise I won't hurt you." Poppy just shoots you a shy smile and your heart pounds because fuck that's the cutest fucking thing you've ever seen.

Kissing your way to her inner thighs, you can hear and feel her squirm against your touch. In order to keep her still, you place her hands on your hair and assure her that it's okay if she tugs on it. You place your hands on her hips to keep her steady as you tease and suck on her clit.

Poppy's small moans of contentment makes you want to do more, so you try extra hard because you want to hear more. You can feel Poppy's body begin to shudder and you can tell that she's close and spurred on by that you insert your fingers into her core and thrust until you can hear scream in pleasure.

You can't help but stare as her body starts to spasm and you let her grind so that she can climax again and it's the most erotic moment of your life.

Poppy feels her whole vision turn white for a moment and she feels euphoric once she realises that she came.

As soon as she regains her bearings, she turns to you, who looks very satisfied, and omg did she just see you lick her juices off your finger. That sends a wave of arousal straight to her core and she looks away embarrassed from being turned on again just a few seconds after coming.

You put your hand on her chin and turn her face towards you forcing her to make eye contact. "It's not over yet, Princess. I'm pretty sure that we can wriggle more of those out of you and the night is young." you say your voice dropping an octave.

By the time that you've finished, Poppy's mind has gone blank and she feels so tired that she doesn't think she can move. She's got to give you props though, because goddamn that was the first time she actually enjoyed sex and she actually got to cum too.

Noticing that Poppy's too tired to move, you decide to lift her up in a princess carry and surprised by your sudden action Poppy's about to protest until you just tell her to be quiet.

Placing Poppy in the bath tub, you turn on the faucet and makes sure that the water isn't too hot or cold as it fills up. After the bath has been filled you slip into the bathtub behind Poppy as you help her clean up.

'Okay now she's just being unfair, why is she being so nice.' Poppy thinks to herself. Trying to make conversation Poppy says "Why are you taking care of me, I half expected you to leave after we fucked." You rest you chin on her shoulder and say "I didn't want you to catch a cold, and besides what kind of a person would I be if I just left you on your own? I like to think of myself as a gentlewoman." You start to place soft kisses on her shoulders and Poppy just sighs wistfully, feeling at peace as she leans back against you. "Don't tell anyone but this was actually the most fun I've had. Hell I don't think any of my exes would have compared against you." Poppy says shyly.

You can't help the smile that creeps it's way to your face. "You can't say shit like that Poppy, I'm pretty sure you're gonna give me a heart attack if you act this soft." you say teasing lilt in your voice and you can hear Poppy giggle. It sounds so soft and you realise that it's a sound that you want to hear.

Your relationship as enemies with benefits start and the both of you can't really keep your hands off each other, God forbid if you're in the same room.

Intense stares from across the room that everyone assumes to be glares, but little do they know that it's your own way of communicating.

One day Poppy calls you up and tells you that you're going shopping, but in reality it was just an excuse to spend more time with you. On the way to the mall, you guys get frisky in the car and before you can stop yourself you say "Babe" and you can't help but think that you've fucked up.

Poppy doesn't say anything but she likes the new pet name and can't wait to hear you say it again.

You guys go to a high end designer store and one of the staff approaches you and says "You guys look good together." While you're quick to deny it, Poppy just thanks them, but as she hears you deny it her eyes widen and you can see her heart break in front of your eyes. Poppy runs off and you're confused.

The employee looks at you and says "I probably shouldn't say anything else today but you should go after her. It's obvious that you both like each other."

Searching the mall, you're relieved once you see Poppy sitting down on a bench, and you approach her carefully. You see that her eyes are red and you feel shitty because you're the reason why she's crying.

Poppy notices you and she's about to run off again until you catch her wrist in your hand. "Poppy please look at me." you plead and she doesn't budge as she tries to get away from your grip.

Seeing that she can't outrun you considering you're holding onto her she just sighs and looks at you. Her face is covered in tears and you use your other hand to wipe them away.

"You know after you called me babe in the car, I was so happy because I thought that it meant that we were dating, but I guess I was just another girl for you to fuck." Poppy says and your heart breaks.

"I thought that you didn't like me that way, so I quickly denied that we were dating. I do like you Poppy, but you never made it clear that we were in a relationship. Though to be fair I should have tried to clear things up too. I guess we're both idiots huh?" You say as you hold her face between your hands.

Leaning in you capture Poppy's lips and she eagerly kisses you back, happy to resolve the misunderstanding.

Unbeknownst to the both of you a Belvoire student caught everything on camera and by the next day everyone on campus knows that you guys are dating.

No one dares to say anything because uhhh POWER COUPLE and they're highly scared of Poppy killing them lol.

Long story short Poppy sees your tinder account and you compete for better thirst traps and well you start fucking and it ends up with you two dating.

Well that was long, hope you guys enjoy, don't forget to like or reblog if you like it.

[alleycat97]

The Sweetest Valentine

Queen B

Chloe x Mc (Bea)

Minor Smut*

Tag list: @fundamentalromantic @samanthadalton @penda-bear @paolaqueen5580 @iamsimpforpoppy @kwaj05 @gay-dinosaur-banana-milk-carton

Love was in the air at Belvoire. That’s right it was Valentine’s Day and our beloved Chloe couldn’t wait to spoil Bea.

“Veronica!” Chloe yelled in panic as she stormed into the girls room.

“Wow Chloe chill. What’s up?” Veronica asked jumping out of her skin.

“Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.”

“Yes? I’m aware.”

“Well I wanna do something fun and special for Bea...but I need ideas.”

“Ok you’ve come to the right place. Now listen carefully Chloe. The best gift you can get for Bea is you.” Veronica smirked.

“You mean you will wrap me up in my box? I still have it under my bed! I’ll go get it!” Chloe tried to slip away but Veronica stopped her and sighed.

“No Chloe you won’t need the box this time. All you need is, well you.”

“How do you mean?” Chloe questioned confused.

“Ok, Valentine’s Day is a day to show your partner how much they mean to you and how much you love them right?”

Chloe slowly nodded.

“And how do you show Bea you love her the most?”

“By taking her to a horse show? Bea loves horses.” Chloe smiled, while Veronica face palmed.

“No Chloe. And horses? Really?”

“She loves them!” Chloe protested.

“Forget the horses!” Veronica shouted. “You’re going to fuck her brains out tomorrow night!”

“I am?” Chloe pondered.

“Yes Chloe. Doesn’t Bea like making love with you?” Veronica asked making Chloe grin from ear to ear.

Bea always teased her girlfriend on her attributes. She claimed Chloe was 10% brains, 20% looks, 30% heart, and 40% fuck-ability, all summed up to be 100% Bea’s sweet girl.

“Yes! I can make her come over and....”

“Ok great! Wonderful idea Chloe!” Veronica shouted cutting the blonde off. “So just go out and get something sexy that she will like, maybe get some flowers and chocolates too. And bring her here for a long passionate night.”

“Ok! I think I can do that! Bye! Thanks V!” Chloe hugged her friend and ran out the door, nearly tackling Poppy in the process.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going Chloe! And stop! I need you to run an errand for me! CHLOE!”

“Save it Pops, she’s got Bea on her mind.” Veronica said leaning against her doorframe watching Chloe dash out the front door.

“Ewww, don’t tell me she’s bringing farmsville here again.” Poppy made a gagging noise.

“Just let her be happy.”

Chloe spent the afternoon doing some last minute shopping, getting the flowers, candles and an assortment of chocolate. All that was left was the sexy outfit that Bea would love, and she had just the idea.

The next night rolled around and Bea couldn’t wait to see what Chloe had in store for her. But given Chloe’s track record, she was both excited and nervous because of her girlfriends ‘creativity’.

“Hey Bea.” Veronica greeted as she opened the door, “You look cute.”

“Thanks V, as do you. You got a big Valentine’s date tonight?”

“Nah, I’m gonna go meet Ford in a bit. There’s nothing ‘big’ about it.” Veronica laughed making Bea join in.

“I’m assuming you’re gonna meet him a few minutes before bedtime?” Bea teased.

“Definitely. It’s gonna take longer to get my pants off and back on than it will to do it with him.”

“Well you try and have fun, I can’t wait to see Chloe.” Bea said giving Veronica a hug and started for her girlfriend’s room.

“Hey Pops.” Bea greeted passing Poppy on the stairs.

“Don’t talk to me loser.”

Bea grinned as she walked into Chloe’s room, startled by the surprise. Dark room, red lights, flower petals on the bed and vanilla candles burning across the room.

“Oh Chloe this is wonderful.” Bea smiled in awe.

Chloe stood from the bed and greeted B with a kiss. “I hope you like it. I’ve been working on it all day.”

“I love it. And I love you.” Bea placed a sloppy kiss to Chloe’s forehead making her smile like an idiot.

“Ok now, the food will be here in 45 minutes. That gives us plenty of time to...”Chloe started but was pulled down to the bed by a hungry Bea.

“Wait wait! I’ve got one more thing to do, and I think you’ll like this. I’ll be back in a minute!” Chloe rushed off into her bathroom locking the door shut.

Bea’s mind short circuited at the possibilities. It had to be lingerie. Chloe had a killer body and always came in clutch with her undies. But Bea couldn’t help think that everything was going too well, it was still Chloe after all.

She pushed it aside and stripped down naked and struck a pose on Chloe’s bed waiting for her. Her heart accelerated when she heard the lock on the door click and out came Chloe.

“Surprise!” Chloe squealed wearing a horse onsie.

“Chloe what the hell are you wearing?” Bea busted out.

Chloe dropped to all fours and ‘trotted’ over to Bea. “I’m a horse! I know you love horses! So now, are you gonna ride me or not?” Chloe gave a suggestive wink.

“You’re such a nerd.” Bea couldn’t stop the tears from escaping. This was perfect. “I didn’t catch the role playing memo.”

“That’s ok!” Chloe smiled crawling onto the bed, because you’re about to endure the wildest 8 second ride you’ve ever had.”

Bea couldn’t help but gulp. Chloe wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed but she could do one thing greater than anyone, and that was fuck.

“Well madam horse thingy, I guess you’re gonna need this.” Bea said giving Chloe her Valentine’s gift. “But please, lose the costume, it’ll be weird.”

Chloe immediately stripped down and strapped on her gift from Bea, aiming to please.

“Now take it easy with that thing Chloe. It’s not exactly small.” Bea grimaced as Chloe teased her entrance.

“I knew you had a thing for horses Bea. This is perfect.” Chloe groaned as she shoved herself deep into Bea making the girl belt out a moan as her toes curled inwards.

“This is gonna be fun! Happy Valentine’s Day!” Chloe grunted finding the perfect rhythm.

Bea grabbed the headboard and braced herself for the pounding Chloe was delivering. “Best Valentine’s Day ever.”

“I love you Bea.” Chloe said leaning down to kiss her girlfriend.

“I love you too babe.”

[sd1970x]

Marinette, work in progress - Chapter 1

Read also on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26203645/chapters/63770623

----

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” Simone de Beauvoir

There is almost nothing about Marin Dupain-cheng's life, an aspiring clothes designer, that makes them happy. Certainly not the bullying they keep getting at school.

Marin doesn't even know her true gender identity yet.

Both of these are about to change. But would that be enough for her to fight the demons within? ----

CW - Homophobia

Pronouns note: in the beginning of the fic, as Marin(ette) is very much closeted, I am purposefully using he/him pronouns as these capture the correct perspective feel. Pronouns will change as soon as she realizes who/what she really is.

---

So, this is my first work after almost two years of not producing any new ones. I am planning to explore mental challenges involving the crossing of the gender barrier, the very same ones I am now fighting after discovering my own gender identity, as I was writing it in a Miraculous Ladybug fic.

This work is planned to be about a dozen chapters and around 30-40k words when complete.

Thanks go to: V- for inspiring this fic and for being the amazing and caring person they are. Wonderful beta feedback and copyediting: Skye, MyKeyboardDidIt

(further thanks will be updated as goes! if you helped with beta/ideas just hit me up and i'll add you!)

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

"Dear, your alarm’s been going off for fifteen minutes! You’re going to be late for your first day of school!”

You say that as if it’s a bad thing. As if I don’t want to be several hours late. Or days.

“Yeah Mom, I’m coming.”

Marin dragged himself out of bed, his form hunched as he made his way to his closet, regarding his clothes with indifference.

I Don’t even like any of them. And I doubt they would solve the real problem here. That I do not like what I see in the mirror.

Myself.

His hand drifted to a random shirt of no particular interest and he casually tossed it over his head. He shuffled over to the bathroom, glancing at himself in the mirror.

Ho-hum. Same old me, isn’t it?

His hair was in its usual mess on top of his head. Foregoing using a brush, he ended up lightly combing through his hair with his fingers until it looked somewhat acceptable.

I guess that’s okay, he thought while shrugging.

As he was brushing his teeth, his eyes strayed to his face. Studying it. Scrutinizing it.

I ought to shave better than this, He thought. His hand reached for the razor, but he stopped short of picking it up.

What even is the point. Either way, trying won’t make any difference.

The image in the mirror appeared to give him a judgemental look, his own blue eyes prying into the inner parts of his soul.

Well, at least these eyes aren’t half as bad. Perhaps they would have been of some use if they had been matched with another person altogether.

He sighed and turned his head away, as if that would be enough to make the thought disappear.

It wasn’t.

The stairway creaked just a bit as he went downstairs to the kitchen where his parents were already toiling about.

“Your need to patch up your shave, my boy,” Tom said. “You want to look good for the ladies, don’t you?”

I’m not into girls, Dad.

Maybe one day I’ll gather the courage to tell you that.

“Well… not really…”

After all, what difference does it make?

“Come now, where’s the spirit? Every girl is different, they can’t all be like Chloe,” Sabine interjected, attempting to be helpful but having just the opposite effect.

“Ugh, Mom, why’d you have to mention her at all?”

Marin frowned as he sat down for breakfast, unable to drive Chloe’s image away from his mind. He took a bite off of his omelette and was struck by the apparent blandness. He set the fork down, sighing quietly to himself.

And there goes my appetite. It’s not the omelette that’s the issue though....

A sip of fresh juice did the trick, the taste too strong to be overridden.

“Cheer up, buddy!” Tom came over. “Take these macarons to school, maybe a tasty start would help lighten up your day!”

“Thanks, Dad, these are awesome.” He said as he picked them up, giving him a half-hearted smile in return.

I appreciate the gesture..., but it feels more like bribing my classmates with these. Guess anything is worth a try at this point.

---

Marin walked into school where everyone was bustling about and chatting with old friends.

Bright banners greeted the students and everything still felt pristine and clean. The corridors even had flower bouquets placed as decorations. Marin took a breath of air, relishing in the floral scent, and proceeded to enter class.

The classroom was freshly painted and even the furniture had been patched with an attention to detail. Marin barely allowed himself a moment of excitement, before despair and weariness took hold again.

It may look different, but looks won’t change anything for people like me. It’ll still be an endless test of mettle against bullying and harassment.

He cautiously went for his seat and observed his classmates.

So there’s Nino, he’s kinda-sorta okay with me. Something I could never say about Kim. Max hasn’t been mean either, but he’s with Kim, so... At least I don’t see her , maybe we’re not in the same—

“What do you think you’re doing?” a loud cry halted his thoughts and confirmed his fears.

Chloe. The nastiest of them all. Here’s to an old-new welcome, a start-over that amounts to absolutely nothing.

“Ugh. Here we go again,” he muttered quietly, hoping Chloe wouldn’t pick it up.

She came over, an accusing look plastered on her face.

“That's my seat.”

“But Chloe, this has always…” he attempted to retort, then quickly backtracked.

“Fine, just… take it. I don’t care.”

“Take it? It’s always been ours.” Sabrina added, bearing the same mocking countenance.

Sabrina helped herself to one of Marin’s macarons uninvited, then made a puking motion.

“Ugh, they are so gross!” she said, even though she was quick to pocket one for her friend as well.

Chloe paid no heed to the macarons as she was already busy teaching Marin the new rules.

“Listen. Adrien's arriving today and the last thing he needs is someone who needs straightening like you giving this class a bad name. Stay away from him, get it?”

Marin tried his best to ignore the obvious insult and focus on the more pressing question.

“Who’s Adrien?”

Both Chloe and Sabrina chuckled, making Marin regret asking.

“Adrien is a famous model. Pretty, rich, glamorous, someone to look up to. Like me. And just like me, he’s everything you’ll never be and everything you’ll never have.” Chloe fawned over her imaginary description as Sabrina took up the task of reprimanding Marin for the question.

“A loser that doesn’t even know who Adrien is, needs to sit as far away from him as possible. You’re enough of an embarrassment to our class as is.”

Marin opened his mouth as if to deny every word, but opted against it.

You’re wrong. One day, I’ll be a famous and successful designer and every single one of you will be sorry for how you treated me. I just have to persist through this. I won’t bite it this time.

He picked up his bag wordlessly and slowly went towards his designated seat.

At least that’s what he planned to do, but the new girl pre-empted him as she grabbed him by the hand and helped him to the seat next to her. Apparently she had overheard the conversation and didn’t plan on letting it slide, at least as far as her expression read as she looked towards one Chloe Bourgeois.

“Hey! Who elected you queen of seats?” She cried out.

“I did. Good luck dethroning me with your pariah friend.” Chloe laughed at her.

It was then that Miss Bustier entered the class, finally putting a timely end to the whole ordeal.

“Has everyone found a seat?” she called.

“Hey. Don’t let her get to you.” The new girl turned towards Marin again.

He nodded.

“If only I could… She makes my life miserable. My only comfort is the thought that I’ll be free once I graduate.”

“I’m Alya, what’s your name?”

“I’m Marin” He replied. “Pleased to meet you.”

“For those of you who don't yet know me,” Miss Bustier called yet again, “I'm Miss Bustier and I'll be your teacher this year.”

At least with the lesson going on, I should be safe from unnecessary trouble.

Marin pulled out his history book, the same one from last year, bearing yet another reminder. "Marin the Gay-boy" scrawled over the cover, courtesy of Kim.

Safe, huh.

“Everything you’ll never be, Everything you’ll never have.”

Like a clean history book.

It was then when the memories came back to life, a flashback from last year.

---

“Who did this?”

Marin looked about, trying to discern any dead giveaways by his classmates. Too many of them seemed to be smiling too mysteriously to be able to get anything out of them.

You need to stand up for yourself! Show them weakness and they’ll hunt you down like prey!

… easier said than done.

He took another good look at his history book. A small red scrawl was now adorning it, not unlike a barb stuck in flesh and equally painful.

“ Marin the Gay-Boy ”.

“Please… tell me who did this.”

Weariness engulfed his voice as it went weak.

I’ll find out who did this! I’ll…

Drip.

Drop.

The book’s hardcover had just won yet another adornment, as Marin’s teardrops started collecting over it.

Marin picked up the book, tucked it by his side and blasted away from class, his legs carrying him as far as he could, a bout of laughter coming from his classmates in his wake.

By the time Nino found him, his tears had mostly dried out.

“I saw it, dude. It was Kim.”

Marin sighed.

“Thanks, Nino. I… there’s nothing I can do about it, now can I?”

Nino nodded.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

---

I may have missed first period and the picking of seats, but I haven’t missed out the first day entirely. I guess luck is somewhat on my side, today.

“Hey there, Adrikins. Here’s your seat, I saved it for you. Right in front of me!”

So, I have that going for me as well!

“Thanks, Chloe, that’s really nice of you!”

As Chloe and her friend Sabrina went to do something else, Adrien found it to be an opportunity to introduce himself to other students around. What caught his attention the most about the nearby student were his orange headphones, seemingly a fixture of his appearance.

“Hey, I’m Adrien, pleased to meet you!” he offered his hand and got answered with a sturdy shake.

“Yo, I’m Nino. So, you’re that guy Chloe mentioned earlier?”

It was at that moment that he caught something happening out of the corner of his eye.

“What’s that all about?” he called towards Chloe and Sabrina, as both were putting gum on one of the seats.

“The brat that sits here needs a reminder of his place in the hierarchy. I'm just commanding a bit of respect, that's all.”

“You think that's really necessary?”

“Ah, you've got a lot to learn about school culture, Adrikins. Watch the master.”

Hardly convinced, Adrien went about trying to remove the gum from that seat, as he heard another male voice.

“Oh. So that’s your method of choice. How original.”

The voice sighed as Chloe and Sabrina laughed.

“Uhhh… I…” Adrien tried to protest, as he turned towards who he presumed was the seat’s owner.

The first thing that struck him about this boy is that he had a good amount of untapped potential. Smooth black hair, bright blue eyes… given proper care, he could look so much nicer, but he was relatively unkempt and his clothes were poorly matched too.

“And to think I imagined this year would be any different. Stupid, stupid, stupid. ” The boy lamented.

“No, no, I was just trying to take this off!” Adrien tried to salvage the situation, but to no avail.

All the while, Chloe and Sabrina continued to laugh.

“I see you’re in cahoots with Chloe. You don’t need to play pretend with me.”

“See?” Chloe said, “Gay-boy here knows his place. As he should.”

Marin just covered the gum with spare tissue paper and sat by Alya.

“There you go. Adrien Agreste, daddy's boy, teen supermodel and Chloe's buddy.” Alya quipped.

“I bet he’s used to not seeing or caring how people beneath his status feel,” Marin muttered.

---

Alya had little interest in the class, but much more interest in her table partner. She quickly learned that Marin wanted to be a famous designer after he graduated. While she wasn’t a professional, the sketches Marin gave her seemed really good. But there was something else to watch for, too. How his face had lit up when he handed her his sketches. For a moment there, he seemed to be another person altogether. His face brightened up as he took at least a hint of pride in his handiwork.

And you should. Not to mention that a smile looks so much better on you than that sad face you had on earlier.

They had a free hour just after class, so Alya was only mildly surprised when Marin caught her hand and pulled her towards somewhere as he ran forward.

“Where are you taking me?” She asked.

“The best place this school has to offer.” he grinned and continued to dash forward.

“I present you… the art club room!” he exclaimed.

It’s as if he’s another person entirely.

Marin waded in, showing Alya all the different areas the art room had to offer.

A wall for street art, mostly cleaned from past works but still bearing color marks of older works. Desks used for writing, pen scratch marks still visible even after having been cleaned for the new year. Drawing stands, also marked by some uncleanable paint blots. Then there was...

“... Here it is. A state of the art sewing machine, My best and only friend in this entire school.” he laughed, but in a moment the smile dropped from his face.

“That… I…”

He sat by, not nearly as happy as before, and pulled a derby hat from the nearby drawer.

“I worked on this last year and haven’t managed to finish it yet.”

Alya picked up the hat and casually caressed the fabric. It felt somewhat sturdy yet comfy.

Marin flicked the machine on and seemed to be mulling his next move. Eventually, he just turned it back off without doing anything.

“We technically shouldn’t be here without a teacher, so let’s go.” His passionless voice took over again.

Alya could see this was nothing but an excuse, but she declined to call it out. Her instincts told her there was no chance on earth Marin wasn’t keen on violating this rule more than once.

“It really is a lovely place.” She tried to brighten up the atmosphere, with mild success.

“And I loved the hat.” She said as she handed it back for Marin to place in the drawer again.

That seemed to work a bit better.

“Wait ‘till it’s complete, then. I’m sure it will suit you well.” Half a smile crept to Marin’s face.

---

Marin bid Alya farewell as he left the classroom and slouched towards the school’s main doors.

He cautiously opened it, only to find rain pouring outside and the sky filled with grey clouds.

A fresh start, huh? The morning’s nice weather is already gone. At least the bleakness isn’t hiding anymore.

He stood by, still sheltered, when he found out another person was standing next to him.

That Adrien guy. And he just noticed me. That’s the last thing I need right now.

“Hey!” Adrien called.

He slowly sidestepped to maintain a safe distance between them and turned his head away, muttering a slight ‘hmph’.

“Hey, listen buddy… I really was trying to remove that gum from your seat.”

Marin turned his head around and looked at Adrien, wide-eyed.

I… I must be dreaming. Did he really just say that?

“S-so… you weren’t…” he tried to piece together his words and found himself unable to do so.

“Of course not. I came here to study, to make friends… I’m not here to harass or insult people, where’s the sense in that?”

He is sincere about it. Somebody that doesn’t see me as the “gay punching bag” everyone else does.

“I didn’t even get your name.”

“It’s… It’s Marin.”

Marin’s heart nearly skipped a beat, one that he was sure Adrien managed to hear even with the rain’s sound muffling it.

And then, there was an inaudible sound he missed.

A cracking sound, as the nearly-impenetrable shell, one that was built layer over layer of self-defence from bullying and mistreatment, sealing off his emotions, gave just a little bit of way.

Adrien let his hand out of the shelter, feeling the raindrops accumulating.

“So, Marin, It’s raining and I’ve got a ride, need an umbrella?”

He nodded ever so slightly and Adrien pulled out a black umbrella. A click and a whoosh and it was now open, handed for him to take.

Marin cautiously reached out for the umbrella Adrien handed him, his hand shaking and trembling.

That’s… so nice… so… so unlike…

No sooner than he had picked it up though, his hand slipped and triggered the activation switch, the umbrella closing shut over him.

Adrien laughed for a brief moment and gave Marin a slight friendly shoulder bump.

“You keep safe, alright buddy?”

“A… al… alr-...”

Marin barely even noticed his bag dropping, hitting the ground with a ‘thud’ and his personal effects rolling about on the wet pavement. His eyes were transfixed as Adrien waved goodbye and proceeded towards his pick up car.

He’s not going to insult me or beat me or humiliate me.

Someone I can trust. Someone I can rely on.

I feel… safe next to him.

.

.

Oh, Adrien!

Maybe things were going to be different after all.

---

Unnoticed by them both, there was another figure watching the exchange, clad in a hawaiian t-shirt and accompanied by a green looking creature.

“Are you sure of your choice, master?”

“Yes. He will make a fine Chat Noir…

… and she will make for an unforgettable Ladybug.”

next

[thecrenellations]

Return of the Thief Notes, Part Three: The Book of Pheris, Volume 2, Chapters 6-14 and “Alyta’s Missing Earring”

Notes from my first read, October 2020. (Part One | Part Two | TaT)

Contents:  Elephants, guesses about gods and dead men, villain team up, the unexpected, AAAAAAH, elaboration on the word cloud above (which is one big Gen, medium Pheris, medium love, and scattered other names), and more quantitative analysis! I love this book.

Format:  Page number. My thoughts (Context?)

Chapter 6

285. unkingly moment, last night with her at home

MISMATCHED STOCKINGS (I have a thing about this.)

Wedges of ribbons?

285. cute

286. a pitneen? A drunk bird?

Wait. Gift of animals??? Did he steal the thunderbolts wearing it?

A canary no longer

287. Hilarion and Ion, wow

Throw a cup of wine on me

288. War pants! War pants!

What’s Attolia wearing?

Sophos! (the whistling!)

288. Ok fine it’s gonna be sad ... I say as if I didn’t just experience the trial (the last lighthearted moment)

Pepper!

Be careful Pheris

Also Relius went to Dite and Juridius, right? (I was convinced Dite would show up)

Sinerine!

290. SOCKS! Yay <3 magus

I was resigned to not much magus but he is HERE!

He’s … so much nicer than he was to the kids in the Thief, lol

A CART!

Lamb, falling in same paragraph. Worried.

Gen :( Gen you ran all over the palace and leapt in the water last night. You are so stupid.

292. Yay Sophos I love you

Math buddies!

294. I’M SAD.

They have had this convo before

I love them

It’s because I can that I think I should

295. Do not overreach. Eddis is right

Danger in self indulgence?

I love her! “I was outside chasing your brother with a stick”

296. My heart. You have to trust yourself. I don’t know if I can. Then you have to trust us.

Tactical Irene!

Thanks I’m gonna hold on to it: “The Call of life is a s powerful as the call of death, and it is no weakness to answer to it”

297. Oh no. My children. Tell each other things like that!

Great time to be childish, Gen.

Yeah honestly. It’s bothered her FOREVER

299. Pull it together, kids!

Thx Helen

Inkpots … :( :( :(

Chapter 7

302. See … that Continent occupation isn’t good either!

303. Unfortunately that is NOT an alternative. Bc volcano.

305. This is stressful.

Chloe, interesting

306. Elephants

Oh my god it’s better than I ever could have imagined (there was like 10 years of lead up to the elephants, and I thoroughly enjoyed them)

I love him

Gen wtf

Yes drink up those guards (“We could keep [an elephant] in the guard’s bathhouse! There’s plenty of room.” “And the guards will bathe ...?” “In the palace reservoir.” “Our drinking water.”)

#6 Gen about elephants

308. This is gonna be a disaster

Hilarion with an eyeglass

Fuck Pheris is making this up.

Gen I love you

Oh my god

Honestly idk if Gen is having fun but I AM

They’re. They’re such a power couple.

Also Bu-seneth is so rude to Attolia

309. so vague about battle, but I’m sure it’s horrible

310. hero talk. Chills.

311. all the woman comparisons for Gen (“Would [a world with no war and no heroes be a bad thing?” “That’s a woman’s question”)

Wow. Interesting. Anonymity

312. Don’t listen to them Gen!

Bad tempered cooks

313. lol. Good looks.

Gen. the hand joke. Why

Well that was … a scene (I don’t know my Henry V)

Reassuring to have a glove. Which one?

314. No. Bad. This is what I was afraid of. (Nahuseresh baiting Gen with Kamet)

Ok Pheris

315. That cannot be true. (it was not!)

Gen. No. No.

316. Wow. That worked out well. So far.

They called him annux. If Kamet is really dead…

319. Yeah Attolia is RIGHT

Yeah I can’t actually either!

Irene knows. In his story!

320. Glove resolved very fast

Interesting reversal (Gen and his dad)

Maddening!

Chapter 8

322. who’s charging off in a haze of glory now

Philologos wounded

Wait, the attendants follow him in to battle...

Cleon RIP

Temenus <3

No. Stenides

If they ever returned.

His brother died in an explosion

Gen’s tears

This is sad.

323. lion lamb :(

325. At least they have each other

Morality is an illusion. Like safety?

326. that’s what Costis was mapping, right? (nope)

How many has Gen killed now

328. Who. Pol? Ambiades? (The cairn man question remains)

Oh no

Oh no. you can fall from a horse

HILARION!

Is Fordad a spy?

I am just not accepting this yet

WAIT THE MEDES TOOK HIM! (I thought the Attolians had taken Gen, or Gen’s body, at first.)

330. wow things only Pheris can do

GDI Erondites

WOW THIS IS A VILLAIN TEAM UP

332. You gave it to him dude (Nahuseresh asking “Why does he still have this?” about Gen’s hook)

I love Gen. I wonder if he’s afraid.

This is bad.

Whose treason, whose betrayal?

333. Yeah! Kamet said so (“Tell me again that you are king.” “Annux, if you prefer.”)

334. Oh god.

Get your stories straight bastards

Rolled in a rug!

336. Oh gen

Oh god

Yeah this is …

Be careful what you ask for

338. What did he sign as, though, Attolis? Eugenides?

Nomenus wtf

What does mwt have against facial hair (Fordad, Nahuseresh)

Costis please come (idk how I thought he was going to help, but I was in Costis Denial and expected him to show up at any moment)

Everyone must be going through a lot

A face like an open grave

Gen.

Gen I love you

YES

YES

Is he … invulnerable now?

Gen what.

Is he possessed? Is he already a god?

341. Yeah same. (“I think he meant that I should not fear him, either. I did, though ... I still followed him”)

This isn’t being self indulgent or overreaching, is it?

342. RIP Ion Nomenus

“My work”

Oh Nomenus

Does he just exist for the morally gray and loyal angst feelings? It works (...)

344. What did he DO

Yes! Swearing Gen!

345. love all caps Gen

Those names

Aaah

346. Ooof.

Chapter 9

347. moon promises

Yeah

Noooo Philologos :(

Legarus … :(

349. Gen what what

Sparks

Costis? Stenides? STENIDES?

Wow ok he killed Bu-seneth

350. god

See I said Nahuseresh shouldn’t have said that

Also is Gen a bastard

351. WHAT (“Because your council had just voted to kill him”)

Oh Helen

Oh Irene

Does he invite him in?

This is reassuring to the reader (“He can bear his god a little while without losing himself”)

Aaaaah Galen

354. Gen that’s a lot. A lot.

Don’t kill everyone.

So so so x7 of doom

Bye Yorn

I hope he wins too

Go away Nahuseresh

Omg

another fall

Interregnum

Ok it was Lader (when you don’t know who the man at the cairn was, keep on guessing!)

Yeah the circumstances thing is back

Oh god

Oh no

Chapter 10

361. how long has it been?

362. three days

I love them (Elephants! My excellent queen!)

You promised to trust him

364. Oh no. Oh no. (Relius)

370. These Helen convos…

371. Sad. :(

372. Emtis and Lader

Yeah.

Omg

374. Wow

Steal by elephant?

377. Don’t forget about Dite!

378. He’s gonna kill him?

379. Is Dite dead too?

Oh Sejanus

Oh I see

He’s got a mercy taste too

380. Switching!

Lying in moonlight. Hm.

381. Yesss

Nooooo

383. I’m nervous

Gods blessing on your road

Wow. <3

They would have fallen… (if Pheris had gone through with his plan, that’s how they both would have died)

Did not expect Sejanus feelings in Rott.

Chapter 11

386. He’s gonna know. But the trust.

Ion knows.

390. Gen…

Pheris is Lyopidus?

I’m scared

393. I kind of love Ion

More Sejanus, bring it on

I’m nervous

Hmmm… who could it be

395. MoW :( <3 I will not be ok if he dies too

Gen knows the way bc Costis (nope)

Oh my god these two (“I lied” “I know”)

Chapter 12

398. Oh no.

This is not

Her Thief

Irene. “only sleeping” this is what Eddis said to her

But mist… water???

Face touch

402. not living or dead. King

Yes. But no.

403. crying at everything and the MoW next to him

There he went

It was the Eddisians. He fought with them.

404. yeah that’s a lot to deal with, Pheris

405. what a mystery man (Sejanus)

Lol mysterious exit averted

Excuse me that was a difference

406. :(

Am I king

407. Helen is once again right. She’s also always right

MOIRA was Melisande???!??!? (who even knows)

409. ?? Irene?

Same as for Dite. Man loves his brothers. (nephews. you know what I mean.)

Nice.

AAH yup. Add it to the list (“How neatly you tie them together” ... the list of is ways Gen and Irene are becoming more like each other)

410. speaking of which where is Costis!

Hm… what god was that

I love their reactions

411. SPLENDID.

Oh Irene. It’s true <3

It’s so true (“When the king gives his heart he gives it completely”)

Now I’m crying again, at them

412. Gen, she has a point.

Amazing. I … I don’t think she meant to ask like THAT

Jesus, Gen.

You do not know a wagon from a wheelbarrow

413. Irene!

She’d better get home safe.

Gen!

Omg

414. I have another bad feeling, about Gen

415. High king or queen though?

Magus <3

Chapter 13

416. “of course”

That’s ominous

417. No! Sejanus!

A gut wound yikes

418. sadness

419. lol “ill will”

We’re in Roa. My heart’s pounding.

422. I love Gen.

YESSS

Yes I love them.

Sheep.

Kamet!!!

?!?

Costis. Mattresses exist.

424. Oh no.

426. roof dream

Good roof dream

Good job Helen

428. TWINS. Everyone was RIGHT

Reyatimi

Oh shit. The sky.

Oh dear. :( aaah

430. Climbing the rigging!

“it’s just that you have so many least favorite things”

431. I love them (Gen and Irene)

432. I love them (Gen and Helen)

433. RIGHT! I was thinking

I can’t <3 (they’re naming the baby after the MoW, and it’s perfect, and she’s not gonna tell us, huh)

OH MY GOD!!! (baby thief!)

WOW!

434. AAAAAAH (Hector! @threetoadswaltz​ finished reading before me and knew that I would explode about this and I DID, I threw my arms in the air! HECTOR!)

PERFECTION!

435. AAAAAAAAH (this was when it became clear they were going to dance on the roof)

Yes she was (as surefooted as the king)

Is this the first time she’s Irene

Yes.

I’m filled with happiness

Celia and Lavia again … lol.

Lol Chloe

THALIA

CRENELATED wall

HE’S ALIVE

Kamet is a sweetheart

The gods!!!

The gods!

Aracthus

Mystery goddess?

Ula?

Moira! Yes!

(I was very happy. The page itself:)

Alyta’s Missing Earring

Wait. Was it Alyta.

Glad we got a bi god (with all due respect to Immakuk and Ennikar, whose bi-ness and godliness is perhaps more up to the reader)

Got very bi very fast

Also. He’s Gen.

Interesting difference in story

Kathodicia!

Are we literally getting ALL the answers? (No. But so many more than I expected!)

Gen’s grandfather sucks

An urn huh

Omg. Heiro’s earrings?

Oh my gosh.

Same, Gen. Same.

Obvs Phresine knows.

Is Phresine a goddess?

Same, Gen. Same.

She got to tell a story! She is so happy!

I think he’s a little scared

Moleskin

Yeah peace huh

This series is socially sanctioned silliness

1000 Eugenides. Wow.

They did melt though

Little thief.

<3 <3 <3

He’s a character in a story

A big question

Tamarisk? Takima? (We are not getting all the answers.)

That’s it! Thank you for reading - it feels very self-indulgent to type up all of these, but I will honestly take most chances to relive the intense and wonderful experience of reading this book for the first time, which often means looking back at my own notes and sometimes means sharing them with people. Also, I really love reading liveblogs/real-time book thoughts, so here is one from awhile ago ... all at once.

Anyway, check out this word cloud from all of the notes (made with this site):

It’s ... mostly just character names, with a variety of words that express my enthusiasm and feeling (love, lol, wow, yes, excuse me...). Gen is the biggest because I said his name 115 times! Here are some totals for the other characters who came up a lot:

115 - Gen (and 10 Eugenides)

42 - Pheris

26 - Costis

18 - Irene (and 6 Attolia)

16 - Helen (and 8 Eddis)

10 - Sophos (and 4 Sounis)

12 - the magus

11- Kamet

11 - Teleus

10 - Relius

9 - Ion

6 - MoW

6 - Moira

5 - Sejanus

These don’t fully represent how much I had to say about them, because I didn’t always refer to people by name or title ... which kind of explains why Costis’s total is ridiculously high compared to how much he is in the book -  I likely have more notes about other characters, but I didn’t need to bring up their names because they were already present in the scenes I was taking notes on (for example, I think I talked about Relius more than Teleus, the magus, or Kamet, but many of those just referred to him as he, because it was obvious to me who I meant). But also I was just looking for Costis! Anyway. My use of names and titles for the monarchs also really illustrates how much this book reshaped the way I think of these characters’ relationship to them, Gen’s and Irene’s especially.

It’s representative of my feelings about this series that I wrote “I love them” about so many combinations of characters. Who, exactly? And how many times? Well...

5 - Gen and Irene

4 - Gen and Helen

2 - Gen and Pheris

1 - Gen, Irene, Helen, and Sophos

1 - Helen and Sophos

1 - Costis and Kamet

1 - unknown combo of Gen, Pheris, and Relius on p.166, I love them all and can’t remember. Kamet’s map was there, too, and I do love Kamet, so maybe he was in there too.

no matter what the numbers say, I love them all endlessly, and I love this book.

be blessed in your endeavors, yes I will take any questions about these notebook screams, etc.

[raisondetempete]

Ten Characters Tag

I was somehow tagged by the wonderful @dialovers-translations​???? I’m not worthy of being mentioned by her. Anyways, here’s the post. I am very bad at conveying my opinions so some of the descriptions might be a bit odd.

Rules: make a new post, name 10 of your favorite characters from 10 different fandoms that you like, and then tag 10 people.

1. Hanayo Koizumi (Love Live)

No offense, but if you didn’t know I loved her, you’re fucking blind. She’s literally my profile picture and header. Anyways, Hanayo is my favorite anime character ever. She and I are very similar in that we’re shy introverts with glasses that love to sing despite having social anxiety. My friends that have watched the show say that we’re basically the same person. In fact, her birthday is 5 days after mine. Her voice is my favorite out of everyone else’s voice in the Love Live series. Her old voice is to die for (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, listen to Love Marginal or Kodoku na Heaven). I could go on about her for hours, but I’ll stop here.

Honorable Mention: Honoka Kousaka

2. Rinko Shirokane (Bang Dream!/Bandori)

I. Love. Rinko. So. Much. My name in Bandori is “Worship Rinko/Lisa” with one of my banners dedicated to her. Kinda the same reason why I like Hanayo so much, Rinko is similar to me in that we both have social anxiety and can play piano I’m not good at describing this oof. She’s really beautiful and I love her gothic lolita aesthetic. Her voice is also really good (although I prefer Yurika Endo’s voice much more than Kanon Shizaki, her voice is still good)

Honorable Mention: Lisa Imai

3. Reiji Sakamaki (Diabolik Lovers)

(Fun fact about me: I get really shy looking at characters I think are hot so this was hard for me.) I’m a really kinky person. I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m a huge masochist and am 100% a sub. I also like guys that are smart and formal. So, Reiji is the perfect guy for me. I can’t remember if he was always my favorite character (I watched the anime at least 5 years ago). However, I do know he was my favorite by the time I started reading the game translations (which were about a year and a half ago). Honestly, he can 100/10 tie me up and whip me any day.

Honorable Mentions: Laito Sakamaki, Ayato Sakamaki

4. Saeran Choi/Ray/Unknown (Mystic Messenger)

So, based off the three aformentioned characters, you can tell I like shy characters and sadistic, dominant characters. Well, Ray is a combination of the two. Although Jumin was my favorite before (that 2nd bad ending yes-), the image above is what sealed the deal. I got almost all his bad endings (could never get the 3rd and my friend was loaning me her account and wanted it back for a bit) and his true ending. The 2nd bad ending was my favorite ending of his route and tied for 1st for my favorite ending in the game (Jumin’s aforementioned 2nd ending is tied with him). I prefer Unknown over Ray as he’s the type of sadist I like (plus, his theme is a bop).

Honorable Mention: Jumin Han

5. Wu Chang/Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu/Black and White Guard (Identity V)

If you been on my blog at all, you know that I love Wu Chang as my header is “Wu Chang is Daddy”. I say this a lot in world chat in-game too. I have a whole folder dedicated to them on my computer. If you had to ask me which one I prefer, I couldn’t answer that question. What I like about Xie (White) is his calm, gentle nature which is perfect for me because I’m really shy and sensitive while Fan (Black)’s nature is aggressive and domineering which I also love.  A fair few of my followers started following me for my Yandere Wu Chang fanfic (link to part 1 if you want to read it) so thanks for that. 

Wu Chang can double penetrate me

Honorable Mentions: Yidhra (Dream Witch), Vera (Chloe) Nair (Perfumer)

6. Vincent Pait (Dead Wishes)

If you love yanderes and/or games with dark themes, Dead Wishes is for you. I love this game so much and, although I haven’t finished playing yet, I can basically guarantee Vincent is best boi. He’s like Reiji, but instead kidnaps you and chains you up in his house. However, he still does punish the MC a lot. Warning though: the game is not for the faint of heart (I was streaming Vincent’s route for my friends and one of them got so freaked out over a punishment, he banned me from streaming the game and mentioning Vincent).

7. Yuuya Kizami (Corpse Party)

I’m one of the very few people that like Kizami. Practically everyone else hates him. If I wasn’t a masochistic yandere fucker, I probably wouldn’t like him either. But, you’ve got admit. He’s hot. I find is backstory interesting, as he was always the way he is. Unlike Morishige, the school didn’t change him. Also, another very unpopular opinion, I really dislike Yuka. I find her really annoying. She acts like she’s 8 when she’s 14 or something. Because of this, I didn’t mind her dying.

Honorable Mentions: Sachiko, Seiko Shinohara, Mayu Suzumoto

8. Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji)

Note: Along with Reiji, I had to work up the courage to search for pictures of him. Sebastian has been one of my favorite anime characters for awhile. I think I watched Kuroshitsuji in 6th grade, so that was awhile ago (I’m not comfortable stating my age). I can’t really describe why I like him so much. He’s just... perfect. He’s a gentleman and incredibly, but is a huge sadist as well which is a huge plus. 

Honorable Mention: Ciel Phantomhive

9. Sal (Wadanohara and the Great Blue Sea)

Ah, yes. The trash himself. Once again, I am in the minority because I like Sal. The rest of the fandom hates him, because he’s an asshole. I love him because a yandere. In fact, he’s one of the few male yanderes listed on the Yandere Wiki. I discovered WATGBS in 8th grade and instantly fell in love with him once he showed his true colours. The possessiveness. The obsession. All things I love in a lover.

Honorable Mention: Wadanohara

10. Aya Drevis (Mad Father)

Mad Father and Ib were the games that got me into horror. Although I wanted to put Mary from Ib on this list, I like Aya and Mad Father just a bit more. Aya is this cute, adorable girl that, as the game goes on, reveals her dark nature. She frequently killed her rabbits, albeit unknowingly, chainsawed someone in half, and then went on to use humans as parts for dolls. All in all, 10/10 character. Bonus Reason: I adore the aesthetic of Mad Father. I love the use of dolls in games. I love the themes. I love the yandere themes in it (even though it’s platonic). Mad Father is a great game.

Honorable Mentions: Alfred Drevis, Ogre, Dio

I’m not tagging anyone because I’m really antisocial and don’t know many people on here-

[caydesgirl-uldrensprincess]

Forbidden || Chapter Four: The Ball

(FINALLY!! I have it out!)

--------

A/N: Cinderella warning???

"So, your date is an Awoken Warlock, a light-bearer?" Jolyon asked, surprised by the fact that the Prince even did such a thing.

"I did it so Mara would get off my back," Uldren stated, adjusting the formal suit jacket he was wearing.

It was a half-truth. Yes, he did it to get Mara off his back, but he also wanted to get to know Isabelle more. He wasn't going to tell Jolyon or his sister that. The Prince put on his cufflinks and nodded to the Crow. Both men left Uldren's quarters and went to the ballroom of the Palace. They met Mara just outside the doors. She wore a beautiful purple gown that flowed gracefully down her figure.

"You look dashing, brother," Mara said, as she linked arms with Uldren.

They entered the ballroom, which was crowded with Reef-Born and Guardians on either side.



"Her Majesty, Queen Mara Sov," The Guard announced, causing the crowd to quiet down, "and her twin brother, Prince Uldren!"

The Prince scanned the crowd to see if he could spot Isabelle. But the crowd itself was to thick to see anyone properly. As he and Mara descend the stairs and arrived at the bottom, Uldren bowed to his sister and parted ways with her. He entered the crowd of guests. He found the Vanguard, maybe Ikora Rey would have an idea of where her most trusted Warlock could be.

Uldren cleared his throat, grabbing their attention, "I was wondering where I could find my date, Isabelle Brigham?"

"She's out on the balcony, she wanted fresh air and somewhere not too crowded," Answered a Huntress with curled blue hair and icy blue eyes, clinging to the arm of Hunter Vanguard Cayde-6. She was probably the famous Chloe Brask, daughter to the late Hunter Vanguard Andal Brask.

He nodded, bowed, and went to the balcony on the other side of the ballroom. Uldren saw Isabelle gazing up at the night sky, her hands resting lightly on the railing. She was breathtaking. Her normally loose, half-shaved, bubble gum pink hair was in a beautiful pleated braid over her right shoulder. The moonlight made her pale blue skin glow, making her sapphire eyes pop. The dress she wore was stunning, the bodice hugging her sides in all the right places. The dress itself was pink with a beautiful white lace design. The thin straps stopped before they even reach her shoulders. The neckline dipped down into a V just under her sternum, letting the swell of her breasts show just a tad bit. The skirt was long and flowed out, flowers decorating the bottom of it.

"You look beautiful, Isabelle," The Prince complimented, causing the Warlock to snap her attention from the stars to him.

She blushed a light purple, "You look equally handsome, your Grace."

Isabelle curtsied. Uldren bowed and took her hand, placing a light kiss on it. He felt her tense for a second then relax. "Care to join me inside and get a refreshment?" Uldren asked, offering his arm to the Awoken woman.

"I'd love too," Isabelle answered, linking her arm with his.

Uldren guided her inside the ballroom. A waiter came by and The Prince picked up two champagne glasses, handing one to Isabelle. She took it and thanked him quietly.

"Can I have your attention?" Came Mara's voice from the front of the ballroom.

Conversations ceased and everything became quiet.

"Thank you, as you know I invited you for a splendid evening and a chance to make new allies with the Traveler's Chosen," The Queen stated, "I hope this alliance will bring peace and prosperity to our people!"

The crowd clapped and conversation resumed. A chorus of string instruments started to play, Reef-Born and Guardians who knew how to waltz joined in.

"Care to dance?" Uldren asked, setting the now two empty champagne glasses on a waiters tray as he passed by them.

Isabelle nodded, shyly looking down at her feet, "I'd love too, Uldren, but I'm not a graceful dancer."

"Then just follow my lead," The Prince said, walking into the middle of the dance floor.

He placed one hand on Isabelle's waist and the other held her hand. Uldren stepped back, prompting the Awoken woman to step forward. Slowly, surely, The Prince had taught Isabelle how to waltz. Halfway through the instrumental 'La Valse de L'Amour', Uldren twirled his date around, then held her by the waist again.

"They're all looking at you," The Warlock said, noticing that everyone stopped dancing to the music, creating a space for her and Uldren to dance.

"Believe me, they're all looking at you," Uldren, a smile gracing his lips. 

They continued to dance, gliding around the room. Uldren realized he liked the smile that adorned Isabelle's face. The crowd awed as The Prince lift Isabelle up and spun her around, before setting her down gently. Gracefully, Uldren dipped his date and pulled her up again, spinning her around yet again, the layers of her dresses skirt swirled and frilled about.

People started to dance again as the music continued. As the music drew to a close, Uldren bowed to Isabelle as she curtsied. He then offered his arm again. "Would you like me to take you somewhere more, er, private?" He asked.

"Yes, that sounds wonderful," Isabelle smiled.

Uldren returned the smile and took Isabelle out of the crowded ballroom and down several corridors and stairwells. He led her out of the palace and onto the grounds, taking a left away from the ball.

"Isn't Mara going to notice your absence?" Isabelle asked as they walked down a cemented path.

"No, I doubt she would even know I'm gone," Uldren muttered, "Besides I wanted to bring you somewhere I never took anyone else, not even Mara."

"Okay."

The Prince stopped in front of a white gate. He opened it and stepped aside, "Ladies first." The warlock chuckled, smiling as she stepped through the gate. He heard her gasp and she turned to him.

"It's beautiful!"

Uldren had taken Isabelle to a private section of the palace's garden. The flowers all around were exotic and had a bioluminescence glow to them. In the middle of the garden was a beautiful white swing that hung from a tree with bioluminescence leaves. The Prince took Isabelle gently by the hand and led her over to the swing.

"Please," He said, offering the awoken woman a seat.

"I shouldn't," Isabelle replied shyly.

"You should."

"No, I shouldn't!"

"Should!"

"Shouldn't!"

"No, you should," Uldren chuckled

"I will," Isabelle smiled and sat down, as the Prince stood behind her grabbing hold of the white ropes on either side of the swing.

"May I?" He offered.

"Please," Isabelle replied, looking up at the Prince.

 He gently pushed her and the swing, letting it glide out and come back to him. He repeated this process a few more times as the Warlock let out a small giggle, making Uldren's heart flutter at the sight. Suddenly, Isabelle's shoe fell off and landed a few inches away. Uldren moved in front of her and picking up the rose gold heel.

"It's made of gold?" He stated, examining the shoe

"And why not?" Isabelle shot back.

"Allow me," Uldren moved to place the shoe on Isabelle's foot.

"Thank you," The Warlock offered him her foot and he gently slid it on.

"So, tell me who you are," The Prince said.

"Well, for starters, I like books," Isabelle answered, a purplish blush dusting her cheeks.

"What kind of books are you into?"

"It varies from moment to moment, I read dystopia, other times I read literature or romance, sometimes the occasional historical fiction," She stated, "I know, it sounds boring."

"No, it's intriguing, any other things that interest you?" He continued.

The Warlock thought for a moment. "I also enjoy theatre, artwork, the outdoors, the weather in autumn, and sweets," She replied, "what about you?"

"Thrill and adventure," Uldren answered.

"Why that in particular?"

"Because I want to be a hero my people can look to."

"Is that all? Interests, I mean?" Isabelle asked.

"Please my sister, I guess, though she always seems to be disappointed by everything I do," The Prince replied, casting his gaze from Isabelle to the side.

"I'm sorry to hear that, that's bloody awful."

"Don't be, I'm used to it by now," Uldren stated.

"Besides trying to please your sister and being a hero, who are you really, Prince Uldren?"

"If I told you, would you still want to know me?"

"Yes," Isabelle replied.

The Prince gazed into her sapphire eyes, they were so close. He didn't realize how close they were until they were inchesapart. His eyes darted down to Isabelle's full lips. They looked so plump and soft. He wondered what they would feel like on his own. Isabelle apparently had the same idea as she also lean closer. Their lips were only centimeters away.. Uldren closed his eyes awaiting her kiss when something interrupted them.

"Isabelle, the Vanguard is leaving." Came a voice.

Uldren jumped back, spotting Isabelle's ghost. The moment was ruined. 

"Oh, I'll be there momentarily," The Warlock replied, standing up from the swing.

The ghost bobbed once before disappearing. Uldren stood up and straightened his formal attire. He took Isabelle's hand and kissed the back of it.

"Until next time," He said.

"Next time?"

"Yes, I would very much like to get to know you better,"

"You have a mobile?" Isabelle asked.

"Yes," The Prince answered.

"Then send me a text,  if you want to talk."

After exstanging numbers. Uldren bid goodbye to the guardian. He went back to his quarters, where he found Jolyon waiting for him.

"You were no where to be seen after the first waltz," The crow said.

"That's because I spent the night wondering the place grounds having a pleasant conversation with my date," Uldren replied, entering his bedroom.

"That is surprising coming from your mouth."

"Really, how so?" The Prince started to take his blazer off.

"Well, for starters, you had a date this time," Jolyon stated.

"People change," Uldren replied, dressed in only his slacks.

"Is this change good or bad? Because if you fall for her, you know its not..."

"Not what, Jol?"

"Permitted."

The Prince rolled his eyes, "I'm going to bed. Meet me in the courtyard tomorrow morning and I'll explain what the plan is then,"

Jolyon nodded and left. Uldren sighed. He knew it wasn't permitted. Isabelle wasn't a royal, she was a guardian and that made the things even more complicated. With another sigh, The Price laid on his bed, hands behind his head, thinking about what lies in store for him