#also i think he was expecting that sophie would get back together with him once she was ready so the kiss was like being broken

[steal-nightmares-leave-dreams]

sooo done with all this fitz hate

[scarletttries]

Kendall Roy x Reader Engagement/Wedding Headcanons:

Pairing: Kendall Roy (Succession) x Gender-neutral!Reader

Rating: Fluff with one slightly NSFW thought at the end clearly labelled.

Author’s Note: After my own lovely bachelorette party last weekend I got a request for wedding/engagement headcanons for Kendall Roy and couldn't resist! Thank you to everyone who wished me a lovely weekend for my Hen Do and for sending in so many amazing succession requests!! 😊

- From the minute he knew you were the one for him, Kendall would be mentally planning your wedding. It wouldn't matter that it would take him another year to actually propose, he'll live for meticulously planning every detail to make it the most memorable proposal and wedding in history, constantly be thinking of things he wanted for the two of you, scribbling down ideas in his notes app that he can't wait to share with you one day.

- The proposal would be so incredibly Kendall: there would be fireworks, and a stage, and he'd have prepared a musical number, and everything for the whole week would have been set up to lead you unawares to the moment he finally gets down on one knee and asks you to marry him. To be the other half he's always been missing. The loving family he never thought he could deserve. And when you, thank god, say yes; a hundred doves fly out behind you as glitter rains dow,n and it truly feels like something out of a movie or a fairytale, the staged photos front page of every paper in town that night.

- For the entire time you're engaged it's like Kendall's already in the honeymoon phase, his obsession with you is completely renewed. He's so enamoured he finds himself calling you into his office just so he can close the blinds and wrap his arms tightly around you, barely able to contain his grin as he leans down to kiss 'his fiance', a phrase he cannot stop uttering. He'll introduce you to people you've already met a dozen times just so he can say 'my fiance' about you again and again, cheeks aching from the smile that hasn't left his cheeks since you said yes.

- Now that you're engaged he'll also get even more ridiculous with gift giving; when Kendall first starts dating anyone he can be a little insecure that they're just with him for the money, so he holds back on being too generous until he knows their true feelings. But now, expect a bouquet of your favourite flowers every hour, on the hour, each with funny little notes Kendall writes imagining what your life will look like together. Not to mention he insists you both go shopping as 'you both need an entirely new wardrobe now that you're engaged.'

- There won't have been a lot of times you've been able to meet Sophie and Iverson while dating Kendall, so he'll be nervous about re-introducing you to them now that it's as his fiance. But he doesn't need to worry, Sophie is so smart and friendly she'll immediately start running through wedding planning ideas and suggesting you pick them up from school once a week so you can get to know the two of them better - she's seen how much better her father is doing since he found you and genuinely wants to keep you around as much as possible. Naturally Iverson is a lot more reserved, but you'll give him the space he needs and keep the pressure off and over time he'll smile when you walk in a room and Ken will know you've been accepted as part of their dysfunctional family unit.

- The other Roys might not be as welcoming to you when the announcement comes out, assuming you're just some beautiful airhead, or worse, coming after the family's power and fortune, despite how happy Kendall seems to be around you. The exception to this is of course Connor, who will pull you aside after Logan spends dinner shouting about how important prenups are, and tell you he's so excited to have another sibling and he's so happy Ken found you. *For more Kendall prenup drama I have a whole smut fic on it here.*

- Kendall would be torn between wanting a long engagement, loving the affectionate excitement the two of you share every time he catches the glint of your ring out the corner of his eye, and being so excited to plan the wedding that he gets it all set up for just a few months later. No expense would be spared for your day, whether you want to have an island to yourself, an exquisite country house or just to hire out the gallery of your dreams. As long as you're okay with it being BIG, then Kendall will make any dream you have come true.

- Kendall's first wedding was a much more classy, muted affair where he felt like he had to stifle himself to fit the idea of what a wedding should look like. He's learnt a lot about himself since then, and you've always been there to encourage him to be honest with you and hold on tight to the parts of his life that bring him joy, so be prepared for the whole day to be elaborate and spectacular.

- That doesn't mean it's not also magical, and romantic, and intimate. You and Kendall find ways to make every second meaningful to the two of you, stealing away for moments at a time to just look into each other's eyes, overwhelmed with the joy that you are now joined forever, secure together for all the ups and downs your lives will bring (unaware that one of three photographers Kendall hired is taking candid shots that Kendall will have printed as six foot high portraits to hang on the walls of his penthouse, and another dozen images to line his work desk.)

- While you and Kendall aren't too worried about a lot of the classic wedding traditions, you will spend the night before the wedding apart, opting for a cosy night in a luxury hotel with your friends to get prepped. You'll have to have your friends taking shifts by the door at all times though, as Kendall sends an influx of deliveries to show he's thinking of you. And then at 2am he'll turn up at your hotel suite begging your friends to let him see you one more time, "for one last night of sin" and they'll have to remind him it's bad luck and force the door shut in his moping face.

- But it's completely worth it as he sees you for the first time on your wedding day, somehow more beautiful than he could have pictured, dressed to perfection, wearing the same smile as you walk towards him that you did that first day he kissed you and knew then and there that this day would be coming soon. He has to choke back tears as he stutters through his vows, overwhelmed by finally having a true family member in his corner who can love him and have his back through anything.

- Without getting too NSFW, we can all agree Kendall on his wedding night would come at you like a man starved. Greedy hands squeezing and clawing at your thighs hard enough to leave marks as his teeth clash against yours with the sheer fervour that he comes in to kiss you with. A strangled mix of growls and moans, broken up by ecstatic laughs fill the room as he embraces you for the first time as his spouse, exploring and tasting every inch of you like you are an entirely new world only he gets to claim. A world where now he feels safe and accepted and loved. A world he's never going to leave.

[silverfoxstole]

OK. Right. I've sorted my panel photos, which I'll start posting tomorrow (I won't bombard you with them all at once!), so I can get my thoughts straight about yesterday. This is going to be long; sorry! I'll divide it into two parts so that those who want to skip my wittering and just see the pics can.

I hadn't actually thought I'd ever go to a con again; my last one had been back in 2009 and they've got a hell of a lot bigger since then, which sort of puts me off as I don’t really like crowds, and living as I do right down on the south coast they're usually too far away. However, when back at the end of January an ad popped up out of the blue on my Facebook feed informing me that Paul would be appearing at Portsmouth Comic Con (less than ten miles from me) my heart skipped a beat and I started wondering whether I'd be able to go. Of course, there was nothing stopping me but I wasn't keen to go on my own, and I knew my DW-and-anything-else-related-to-scifi-fantasy-etc-hating sister would never agree.

When not long later I saw Sylvester was going to be there as well I mentioned it to my friend P (with whom I’ve attended cons in the past), lamenting that I had no one to go with and not really expecting her to suggest that she try to come down from Manchester so we could go together but to my surprise she did and so the tickets were duly booked. Fast forward to about three weeks ago, unfortunately, and things started to go - literally in this case - off the rails thanks to a driver's strike and then engineering work that meant no trains into Portsmouth for the 11th and 12th and P very reluctantly having to drop out because she wouldn't be able to get down here and back in time for work on Monday. Still wanting to go but not really wanting to do it alone I had no choice but to ask sis to come with me, which she very gamely did and I owe her. Big Time. It’s really not her thing and I know she didn't enjoy it at all. She works in town and made me stand on the outside in the queue in case she saw anyone she knew!

I had been worried about how I was going to react as I do suffer from anxiety and I've not been amongst crowds since before Covid, but much to my surprise I was completely relaxed, even when talking to the guests; I'm obviously long past my 'OMG it's Paul!' phase (thank goodness!) and instead it was a case of 'Oh, yeah, there he is, and Sylv and Sophie (a later addition, and one I'd been hoping for) too.' I don't know whether it's because they're so familiar or I just got used to actors popping in when I worked in a shop near a theatre, but it was easy and I'm so glad! The reflexology session I had in Thursday might have helped keep me calm, too; if you’re feeling tense I recommend it!

I had only previously visited the Guildhall for concerts (sis knows it better as she's had to do presentations to the city council in the past) so it was rather odd to be in there during the day. I have to say that I think they could have put aside more room for the guests as it was difficult to work out who was queuing to see who (ho ho). It was very warm and the setup also made taking photos a bit awkward with people having to dance round each other a bit. We went to see Paul first (of course), and when he clocked me in my NotD cosplay he leaned back, smiled and announced 'It's like lookin' in a mirror!' I honestly can't remember exactly what I said in response to that! Probably nothing that coherent! He asked if I'd made it myself, which gave me a neat opportunity to present the gift I'd made for him: an Eighth Doctor bear and Mr Bush bear.

I think i've wanted to make bears for Paul ever since I put together the first one nearly three years ago, but I never thought I'd get a chance so when I knew I'd be going to the con I started planning. I was originally just going to do the Doctor, and make a Seven bear for Sylvester, but as they were coming to Portsmouth I decided to do Bush as well since I can’t imagine Paul gets a lot of Hornblower-related gifts. Of course, when it was confirmed that Sophie would be there I had to make an Ace bear too and here they all are before I packed them up yesterday morning, sitting on the bags i'd also run up to put them in (not pictured, my terrible embroidery name tags to help me tell who was who):

I'll do some more detailed posts so you can see them properly another day, but I was so pleased with they way they turned out that it was really hard to give them up! At least I knew they'd be going to good homes!

When I gave Paul the bag he just looked at me in surprise and went 'Is that for me? Can I open it now?' and there was a smile on his face as soon as he saw what was inside. 'That's my career! Doctor Who and Hornblower!' He absolutely loved them, couldn't believe I'd made them and told me 'I have a room where I keep all the gifts I've been given, and these are going to take pride of place.' I couldn't wish for more than that! Well, maybe a photo of him with them but it was busy and I didn't like to ask and possibly hold things up. I hope he's found the alternative Dark Eyes outfit that I added for Eight bear as I had some fabric leftover from my jacket; the sonic for that one took a bit of ingenuity!

He asked about my costume again while we were getting into position (for want of a better term) for a photo and commented that so many people are paying someone to make their cosplays now and spending a hundreds of pounds, something I'd guess he finds quite astonishing given the incredulous look on his face when he said it. I could be wrong, but I got the impression that he likes to see what different fans have come up with; there are a lot of people who seem to be patronising Steven Ricks since Paul got his remade costume last year, which I can understand because the man is a brilliant tailor, but sometimes it must be a bit like seeing clones.

Jen took the photo and we were about to leave it there but then this strangely confident person I found inside me asked Paul a question:

‘Can I be cheeky?’

‘Sure.’

‘Can I give you a hug?’

‘Of course!’

Well, if you don’t ask, you don’t get! (says the woman who hates asking for things in shops) He gives very good hugs. 🥰

I did manage to let him go (it wasn’t easy!) and he thanked me again for the bears before we moved on to see Sophie, which involved going round to join another queue in the same small space. Confusing? Yep!

I don't know who here has met Sophie Aldred but you should because she is so, so lovely. Ace has always been one of my favourite companions and I was so pleased when I saw she would be coming. I'd already started an Ace bear with the intention of giving it to Sylvester with his, but of course that got changed and Sophie was smitten. She looked really closely at it, remarking on the little details - 'Oh, it's even got the plait. And a rucksack and baseball bat!' - and sat it proudly on the corner of her table, where I assume it stayed for some of the day. Apparently it's the best Ace bear she's ever seen - you can't get a better accolade than that! (My head was swelling somewhat by this point, by the way. I don't like to blow my own trumpet but I don't often get so many compliments, and never in such a short space of time, so i hope you can forgive me for including them.)

Last but not least, of course, there was Sylvester, which meant another queue in the same space, which was just daft as because their tables were next to each other you didn't know whether people were waiting for him or for Paul. I'm sure that could have been organised much better than it was. In the same section there were also two chaps who had somethng to do with Star Wars who weren't getting much attention at all which was a bit awkward. They haven't gone back today and I can't blame really them.

I've wanted to meet Sylv for years and he didn’t disappoint. He liked the fabric the bag was made from because its starry night pattern was similar to his waistcoat, which admittedly was why i bought it in the first place. When he got it open and saw what was inside he said 'Oh! I'm a little bear! That’s lovely!’ and when I said I'd made one for Sophie too leaned round trying to see it on Sophie's table. I half wish I'd made a set of both for each of them now but that might have been overkill, and I would have needed a rucksack of my own to transport them all; my bag was full to bursting as it was. Maybe if I see them again I’ll give Sophie a Doctor bear and Sylvester an Ace. As it stands I am so, so pleased that all three of them liked something I'd made so much, and Sylvester and Sophie were both also taken with the cartoons of the Seventh Doctor and Ace that I asked them to sign.

Phew! If you've reached the end of this, well done! I know I have tendency to ramble on and I commend your stamina! I'll put the photos in a separate post but I was one happy camper, especially as just afterwards i got another compliment on my costume and was asked to pose in the TARDIS! We didn't stay the whole day as it was hot, I'd pretty much seen what I wanted to (the Doctor Who 'exhibition' was just a few monster replicas, most of which weren't that good, unlike the really impressive experience they had last year for the 60th and which I would have loved to see. And there were no daleks! My ambition to hug a dalek sadly remains unfulfilled *sniff*) sis had developed a headache, but I'm very glad I went. 😀

[sweetbuckybarnes]

The Eras Tour: 08. Red (Taylor's Version)

Pairings: Colin Bridgerton + Penelope Featherington, Anthony + Kate Bridgerton

Polin Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Penelope looked over at Benedict, who was talking to Little Pen's mother (turns out her name was Sophie), and started chatting with Gregory next to her.

Colin watched as the lights on people's watches blinked before changing to a red as someone brought out a large red wheeled trunk you would expect to see at stadiums for instruments - every time the young woman would lift the lid the instrumentals of a song could be heard before she lifted a lid completely - then out came Taylor Swift from the same place she came out for reputation wearing a white sparkly t-shirt with words (which were also sparkly) and a hipster hat stylised about ten years ago...

"It feels like a perfect night, to dress up like hipsters. And make fun of our exes, ah-ah, ah-ah," Taylor started. "It feels like a perfect night, for breakfast at midnight. To fall in love with strangers, ah-ah, ah-ah."

Colin remembers hearing the song on the radio back in the day, and it recently came back on a few years ago. 

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22! Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you. You don't know about me, but I'll bet you want to. Everything will be alright if, we just keep dancing like we're 22, 22!"

Taylor and her dancers were making their way down the stage - which is when Colin noticed there was a little girl sitting at the end of the stage, looking up at Taylor with stars in her eyes.

Penelope looked over at Eloise with an awe-like look on her face. "She's giving away the 22 hat!"

"It feels like one of those nights! We ditch the whole scene! It feels like one of those nights! We won't be sleeping! It feels like one of those nights! You look like bad news, I gotta have you. I gotta have you!"

Then the chords changed, and Colin instantly recognised the song - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - it was something Penelope had played a lot when she and Debling broke up. God, how he hated Debling. He was so boring! He doesn't know how Penelope coped after going out with him for two years.

Colin seemed to zone out again as he imagined a hypothetical life with Penelope. If he focused hard enough, he could imagine their hypothetical wedding, the kids, and the house in Bloomsbury he had sort of been eyeing for months. 

He knew he would have to speak to Penelope, and soon. Otherwise, he would explode from the feelings swirling around in him.

"I used to think, that we were forever, ever, and I used to say 'never say never'," she sings before letting out a sigh. "Ugh, so he calls me up and he's, like, 'I still love you'. And I'm, like, I just, I mean, this is exhausting, you know. Like, we are never getting back together," Taylor says, before putting the mic in front of one of her backup dancers.

"Like ever!"

Colin watched as Penelope danced in the row in front of him. He knew she described herself as a 'wallflower', he always hated it when she called herself that.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was soon followed by I Knew You Were Trouble, the following song should have been the 10 Minute Version of All Too Well, but instead, Taylor brought on the opening act Phoebe Bridgers for their duet - Nothing New which Colin would eventually learn is a 'Vault track'. 

"How can a person feel everything at eighteen, but nothing at twenty-two? And will you still want me, will you still want me? Will you still want me, when I'm nothing new?"

Colin couldn't take his eyes off Penelope (if he truly thought about it, he hadn't taken his eyes off her since he met her on the playground. When her yellow sun hat flew off her head with a sudden gust of wind, flew straight into his face and made him fall off the monkey bars and into a mud puddle).

Looking back on that moment, the first time they met - as embarrassment and shock that were once covering Penelope's face broke into giggles. He should have known how much she would come to mean to him. She was always the one encouraging him to travel, to see new places. He always made sure to send her a handwritten letter (which would always include the hotel/hostel he would be staying at next, so her letters would get to him.  

Little did either of them know, they both have kept all the letters they have ever received.

"I walked through the door with you, the air was cold. But somethin' 'bout it felt like home somehow. And I left my scarf at your sister's house, and you've still got it in your drawer even now."

This was another song Penelope played when she and Debling broke up. But, when Penelope was telling him about this re-record project Taylor Swift was doing, he didn't know if it was going to bring up the past feelings (when she made the strong decision to dump Debling).

"'Cause there we are again on that little town street, you almost ran the red, 'cause you were lookin' over at me. Wind in my hair, I was there, I remember it. All too well."

He knew Penelope hadn't been the most 'popular' girl in school, she had only been with a few people (Debling, one date with Colin's (now) nemesis Fife and Dankworth - who then went on to marry one of her sisters!) Colin knew if she ever allowed him to date her, he would treat her like the Queen she is (he already does...)

"'Til we were dead and gone and buried, check the pulse and came back swearin' it's the same. After three months in the grave, and then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you, but all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame."

Colin looked away from Penelope and caught sight of Eloise who's eyebrows furrowed, with her eyes darting back and forth between her older brother and her best friend. Shit.

"Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much! But, maybe this thing is a masterpiece, 'til you tore it all up. Runnin' scared, I was there, I remember it. All too well. And you call me up again, just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of bein' 'honest', I'm a crumpled-up piece-of-paper lyin' here. 'Cause I remember it, all, all, all."

Colin didn't realise how much of an impact Penelope's previous partners had on her, because before too long she had very nearly crumpled to the floor.

"They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new hell everything, you double cross my mind. You said if we had been closer in age, maybe it would've been fine. And that made me want to die! The idea you had of me, who was she? A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel who's shine reflects on you."

That was definitely about Dankworth.

"You who charmed my dad with self-effecting jokes, sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show. But he watched me watch the front door, all night, willin' you to come. He said its supposed to be fun, turnin' twenty-one."

He doesn't know if that was about another boyfriend he didn't know about or... him. He didn't make it to Penelope's 21st, a massive storm in Australia delayed his flight home for three days. He could still feel the guilt racking through him. He apologised until he was nearly blue in the face, but Penelope still forgave him. 

She didn't forgive that boyfriend.

"And I was never good at tellin' jokes, but the punch line goes, 'I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age'. From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones, I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight, and did the twin flame bruise paint you blue? Just between us, did the love affair maim you too? 'Cause in this city's barren cold, I still remember the first fall of snow and how it glistened as it fell. I remember it all too well."

[bookwyrminspiration]

do you ever do headcanons? if so, can you do some sophitz pregnancy hcs?

Sure! I'm not great with headcanons, but hopefully this is up to par! it is. a little longer than I meant to make it but i should've expected that. i think they're very sweet <3

I don't think Sophie would realize; she's too caught up in life, so it's Fitz who realizes her behavior has been...off, recently

He's worried she's mad at him for something, but can't think of what it would be

when he confronts her, she has no idea what he's talking about and promises they're fine, and says she's probably just tired

but now that he's pointed it out, she notices how off she is, too. and it keeps nagging at her for the next several weeks because it's just not going away

Fitz asks her to talk to Elwin about it, but she keeps pushing it off because there's nothing overt, it's just this feeling

but when the nausea shows up, he insists, and she agrees, but partially convinced she's just overworking herself

Spoiler alert: it's not that (though she could ease off herself once in a while)

They're both taken completely by surprise--kids weren't even on Sophie's mind, and since her belly button didn't pop like other elves, Fitz had no idea either

But you can bet he's thrilled out of his mind, and practically strangles her with a hug that lifts her off her feet before he comes back to himself and sets her down, incredibly gentle

Sophie simply stands there, staring into the distance, hands tight on Fitz's arms; surely there must be some mistake, and her mind is whirling a thousand directions at once before Fitz's voice in her head calms the chaos

And as terrified as she is, his whole face is lit up, focused on her, and his enthusiasm is infectious

But she's nervous to tell people--human upbringing is part of it, but it's also so personal, and there's so many feelings to sort through; Fitz simply presses a kiss to her forehead and tells her they'll wait as long as she needs

He tries not to be overbearing, but he can't help himself sometimes. He never wants to let go of her hand, holds her even tighter at night, and is always looking at her with this childlike wonder

It feels like he's constantly hailing Elwin with questions, doing what he can when the nausea and aches get bad, his mind never more than a thought away from hers

Sophie, for her part, just tries to live as normally as possible; she has a lot going on, and if she doesn't keep up, it'll tip people off; even though Fitz wouldn't mind that, and would like her to relax a little more

Keefe is ultimately their secret's undoing; when he'd quietly pressed her about the terrified excitement, he'd respected her wishes not to pry. But when he feels the nausea rearing it's head the next time they're all together, he pushes, concerned

Sophie freezes, and looks to Fitz; he breaks the news, grinning, and arm around her shoulder squeezing her tight

And even though Sophie's now the center of so much mothering and pampering, she's relieved to have the secret out

Fitz doesn't let go of her the rest of the night

And now that their friends now, Fitz begs her to let him tell their parents--he'd made Biana promise not to spill

They start with his parents, and there are tears in Alden's eyes as he pulls Fitz close; Della's delighted, but quickly gets herself under control and starts asking a million questions; how does she feel? is she sleeping well? why didn't you tell us sooner? any cravings? tell us anything we can do for you, my dear, and Sophie can't keep up

Sophie wants to take the lead with her parents, and she swears her heart is going to leap out of her chest--it's the first time she's said the words herself, and she nearly doesn't hear the response the way her ears are ringing

Grady's hug is even tighter than Fitz's was the day they found out, like he's never going to let her go, and he kisses the top of her head and looks over Fitz like he's never seen him before and needs to win him over all over again

Edaline's questions are less overwhelming, but Sophie's face burns anyways, and she's smiling as wide as Fitz as she assures her that yes, they've been talking to Elwin and following his advice

Now that others know, it starts to feel real to Sophie, and she has no clue what to do about that; Fitz's excitement is enough to dull the worst worries, and it rubs off on her, too, but not enough

One afternoon alone, she gets too caught up in her thoughts and breaks down; arms around her knees, she finds herself stretching her mind to Silveny of all people, and the exuberant mama alicorn helps ease her worries

To say Fitz is panicked when he finds her on the floor would be an understatement, but she just pulls him down to her and rests her head against his chest; his arms fall automatically around her, and a hand goes to her hair as Sophie finally lets herself press one against her stomach

they sit there awhile, not speaking, and Fitz's eyes are still worried when she finally pulls back, but he can see something's settled in her

When Sophie starts to show, Fitz tries very hard to be respectful about it, since she's shown a preference against touching so far; but he can't help it if he starts asking more, if he trails off when talking as his eyes linger on her stomach, and she swears every time it's like they've just found out all over again

Sophie wears loose clothes in public to keep it hidden, but she swears everyone's going to figure it out the way Fitz and her friends and their families keep looking at her

Fitz always has a hand on her; in hers, on her lower back, and arm around her shoulder, arms linked. And he's always looking for excuses to be nearby. it's both very sweet and incredibly annoying

When they're out, he can't help the longing glances at baby things--clothes, toys, you name it, he wants to get it; but if he did it'd be a dead give away for gossip, so for now he just yearns

Sophie wants to kiss him silly every time she sees that look on his face, and very nearly does a couple times

Once she leapt them straight home so she could wrap her arms around him, face in the crook of his neck because she's so glad it's him.

they're mid conversation in bed when baby first kicks, and she startles and grab's Fitz's hand, cutting off. in answer to his questions, Sophie silently guides his hand to rest where she felt it, eyes unfocused as he watches her, until baby kicks again and Fitz can't help pressing closer as their eyes meet, and he kisses her softly as she starts crying

She starts saying yes more when he asks permission to touch; every time he's unbelievably gentle, to the point it nearly tickles, and she watches his fascination with rapture

Fitz hates that there's so little he can do, so he's always looking for ways to help and brighten Sophie's day, especially when she's moody

He already did most of the cooking, but he starts bringing her breakfast in bed--especially when she starts sleeping heavier and longer

He even learns more of her childhood favorites when its what she's craving--and he does employ the help of friends to get the ingredients

speaking of friends, it seems like they're always over, or always sending messages checking up on her--though sometimes she has to kick them out, since she doesn't have as much energy to spare anymore

it frustrates her to no end, and she's ranted to Fitz many a time about how unproductive she feels, and he reminds her she's literally growing a person with her body 24/7, how could that possibly be unproductive?

she still complains

he still listens

they revisit a cognate skill long forgotten, and Fitz starts visiting her emotional center more and more to tune in to how she's feeling; it's nowhere near Sophie's experience, but it does help

Fitz's mind is almost always seeking out Sophie's, not making contact but just there, near, waiting just in case. he's not sure for what, but it makes him feel more at ease

because the further things go, even he's starting to get nervous--though maybe that's Sophie's anxiety bleeding over a little. her knowledge of human pregnancies and birth does not make this easier for her, even with all her experience with elven medicine

when they finally start collecting baby things to his immense delight, it seems like every time Fitz goes out he comes back with something new.

not only for baby, but he's spoiling Sophie, too. she tries to stop him after a while because it's ridiculous, but there's no reasoning with him, and she is flattered

one of her favorites is a balm he consulted Elwin on for her back, as baby's big enough its really starting to ache; he helps her put it on in the mornings and night, and it quickly becomes one of her favorite parts of the day

when he's done he always kisses her shoulder, and hugs her from behind once she's put her shirt on, and her hands rest on top of his for a moment over their baby

Fitz isn't sure exactly when the habit started, but he's started transmitting to the baby, not that they can hear it; but he likes to say it, doting on them and whispering sweet things just between the two of them as he and Sophie settle for the night

Sophie falls asleep easier, which he's grateful for, because she's always exhausted, which he's not

he brushes his thumbs against her skin as she sleeps, transmitting towards her stomach, and he can't help staying awake to stare at her in awe, still giddy all these months later, and hoping the baby will have her eyes

[mannatea]

His Choice, a Tales of Symphonia ‘fic

Words: 959 words Summary: He’d known all along he would outlive her. Pairing/Character: Zelos/Sheena, mention of others Extra Info: This was originally written and posted June 22, 2008 for my friend Nico. His prompt was “Finality.” The original title of this work was “Curse of a Man.” Rating: T Genre: Romance with some friendship vibes, also sort of a character study piece for a more mature Zelos.

The title is the link to Ao3! Please let me know what you think. :) This was a surprisingly big rewrite again.

Notes below the cut as usual:

When I re-read the original ‘fic last night I honestly felt I’d keep more of the original structure, but once I started rewriting I just...couldn’t.

So my usual rewriting habit is to open the original in one document, open a blank document and place them side by side. I retype everything and edit/leave things out/etc as I go. 

While the original had some good bits in it (the line about Regal’s death and Raine disappearing did hit pretty hard I think) the theme was based more around love being a curse, which...yuck, no thanks.

I think there’s room for “ageless” (or slow-aging) characters to feel bitterness and loneliness regarding love, but I ended up wanting to explore that relationship dynamic without the cynicism. After all, Zelos did, in the end, get to choose what he wanted for himself. He might be a bit of a dunderhead sometimes, but like Raine, Genis, Yuan, Kratos, and any other person in this game with a long life expectancy, he’d be well aware of what he was getting himself into.

I’m not 100% satisfied with the end result, mostly because it’s really hard to hit on the characterization of an older and wiser Zelos who isn’t chasing down voluptuous hunnies all the time, but I think it turned out all right. If he commits himself to something of his own free will he’s not the type to back down from that IMO. And there’s something intriguing about a character like Zelos taking love extremely serious when he does decide he wants it. I wanted to show that in the rewrite above all else—that he loves her and the journey they took to get to where they are, aging and all. (Even though it hurts to see the journey coming to an end, even though it makes him feel helpless.)

Anyway, the year I wrote this was the year my grandmother died. She spent the last months of her life in a nursing home and shared her room with a woman in her 90s named Naomi. Naomi was there for end of life care and was never awake or even fully aware, but every day her 101-year-old husband came to visit her and just sat there holding her hand for hours and hours.

I’m sure that inspired at least part of this story.

And while I didn’t have time to explore it fully in this story I did want to touch on how friend groups start to fall apart when no longer united by a commonality. Since the line about Regal dying and Raine disappearing was in the original, I expanded slightly on that relationship and connected it to Zelos’s current predicament. There’s a tiny implication in there that Regal’s funeral was the last time the group was together and he’s heard almost nothing from anyone since. 

I REALLY wanted to explore the funeral more (Raine losing her struggle with grief, Genis unable to comfort her, the group feeling disjointed, unbalanced, and unfamiliar now) but there wasn’t room for it. I guess you can imagine it for yourself. ;)

I almost titled this “Chosen’s Choice” for the sweet alliteration but worried it read too close to Ladies’ Choice and/or Sophie’s Choice and couldn’t do it. 

[starboyshoyo]

Hello and congratulations on your 500 followers !! My name is cerise and I’m super excited to be (hopefully) a part of your matchmaking event :) My friends describe me as creative, funny and a tease. But that’s usually after they get over my rbf😭😭❓

 Im into the arts, but I mainly do ceramics and drawing. I have a soft spot for pretty aesthetics, like fashion, make up, and old architecture😔🫡 

A song that represents my ideal relationship is the howls moving castle theme😳 while I love the fancy romantic vibes, when it played over Sophie and Howl walking in the air it made me realize I want someone who can take me out of my comfort zone and do something fun once in a while. 😭😭☝️

Some characteristics I look for in a partner are smarts ! There’s always something a person is smart/good at and that means you can always learn from them. I’m unsure on what I expect out of a relationship tbh, but the comfort of a long lasting relationship is nice Also, I like receiving acts of service, physical touch, or gift giving! I’m return, give back physical touch or giving something handmade. Honestly, I do have preferences but I really wanna see who you would matchmaker me w op🫣🫢

A/N: @cerisescherries hello! I totally get what you mean about learning from others. Too bad my fictional crushes are always the dumb sunshine type LMAO...

Also I assume you mean Merry-Go-Round of Life for the song? Fun fact, that song is my fake girlfriend best friend's dream wedding song!

I match you with...

Malleus Draconia!

Honestly, the moment I finished reading your matchup form my brain just went THIS PERSON IS PERFECT FOR MALLEUS. I had a hard time thinking of any other candidates for this!

Malleus strikes me as the type to enjoy someone who's creative, teasing, and loving. As a couple, you guys would have a mutually beneficial relationship in terms of going out of your comfort zones. You would show Malleus the world outside the walls of his castle, and he would be a steadfast supporter for you in acheiving any of your dreams.

Did someone say old architecture, fashion, and aesthetics? Malleus loves those too- just look at the way he spends hours talking about gargoyle statues. He'll happily let you ramble about and show him the latest picture collages of pretty outfits and photos and give you his own input on them.

Malleus isn't super affectionate with his friends, but he is with you. He'd love to hold your hand as you walk down the halls at NRC together, or give you random things he thought you might like.

As for Merry-Go-Round of life, I'm sure he'd be more than delighted to recreate the scene in the movie with you! Dancing while floating in the air is no problem for the Fae prince. Just say the word, and he'll do it.

Other Possibilities: Jade Leech, Ace Trappola, Jamil Viper

[mcalhenwrites]

Spoilers for (all of) Seasons below, I'm just rambling bc it has been a very difficult night, and I can't seem to get any reading or work done. :(

I'm thinking a lot about favoritism in the Liddell family. Back on the old anon Seasons blog, there was an ask about this, and I recall saying that neither father thinks he plays favorites with the children. Or rather, I think Vivian knows but denies it to some extent. Vivian knows playing favorites is harmful, but he does it anyway and figures if he at least demonstrates that he loves the children through ritualistic practices (bedtime kisses and whatnot), surely it shows that he cares about all of them. And he does, in a way, it's just that that way is different, and it isn't tailored to the children. It isn't making sure Howie gets to play sports while he ensures El always has reading materials and Bee gets new dollhouse pieces. It's down to what he wants from the children and whether or not they provide it alongside already established biases. Howie isn't wrong that Vivian did once adore him. He was a cute baby full of silly ideas about the world, and that was all charming until it became apparent he wanted more. As children always do. That he has a distinct personality. As children always do. Then there's Graham, who can somehow convince the kids that they're all loved, but he spends the most time with Bee, puts the most expectations on El, and forgets to put aside sufficient bonding time with the oldest two children that doesn't end up also involving Bee. But it looks like Bee's just the most demanding due to his small age. Which is only partially true. Graham still fails at providing necessary father-child time with his other kids. Then you have Shannon and Sophie, who are directly opposites at a different time: the least favorite and the absolute favorite for Vivian, but both cared for pretty equally by Graham. Graham did try to verbally defend Shannon, but he never stuck up for him, never physically interfered with Vivian's abuse. He has regrets about that, and he didn't necessarily want to have any children after Shannon. But Vivian went and had Sophie and later El, and Graham was talked into the last two. (In a way, it was because of El's loneliness that he accepted it, plus Vivian treated Sophie and El so much differently that Graham thought it would be better this time.) I think with a better partner and the ability to heal from his own bad relationships with his parents, Graham might have been a better parent. I also think Graham neglects El most of all. He's the reliable middle child, even though he doesn't know this and thinks it's just that he's the oldest. Which, there is that too. He's the oldest of the youngest three. He probably also harbors guilt about manipulating El into forgetting Sophie. I do wonder what might've changed if they'd all been raised together, with less of an age gap between Shannon, Sophie, and El. Like... how might that have gone? I love that I can tell a painful story, but it has a lot of what ifs that I can explore. I'm terrible at doing that in fandom - looking for all these "what if" possibilities and thinking of a million things. It's fun to do it with my own stories sometimes too :'D

[wakeup-awg]

Reunited | Mid March

[Sophie | Alex]

It had been a month since they had married and now they were going to be reunited since she had stayed behind in Paris for Paris fashion week with Delphine and Alex had gone on with the boys to do some shows with Willa and Noah. It had been hard, being apart the first few weeks of their marriage if she was being honest but they made it work with lots of facetime calls and things of that nature. Finally though, they were headed back to Baltimore on a flight from Paris, Delphine incredibly tired and curled up on her mother’s lap. Once they landed in Baltimore a cab drove them to the farm and she wasn’t sure if Alex was already home as she got there and carried the sleeping child in her arms and yawned herself. “Babe?” she called out seeing, if anyone was home.

After a couple days in post-married bliss, it was a rough cut being off on tour without Sophie and Noah and Willa tagging along with him and the boys. Alex longed for any day off, just to get in some nap time while the little ones napped so he was awake and energized enough to do the shows. He loved being on tour and doing the shows, but this time he was really happy at the prospect of getting home and being reunited with the rest of the family. He'd gotten back to their Baltimore home a few hours prior, had taken Noah and Willa to check on the animals before they had dinner and he put them to bed early. Thankfully, they were really sleepy. He was just relaxing on the couch with a random movie on when he heard the door and moments later Sophie was greeted by their dogs. He got up and moved through the living room, towards the hall where Sophie still was. "Hi, baby," he greeted her, a bright smile on his lips. He caught Delphine sleeping in her arms and held his hands out. "I can take her, so you can take shoes and coat off," he offered.

When the dogs greeted her, she pet them as best as she could without waking up Delphine who was exhausted from traveling. Plus, she knew she had been missing her siblings and her father tons since they had been doing separate things. Then Alex came around the corner and she smiled seeing her husband in person, she had missed him far more than she wanted to admit out loud, but she was sure he knew that without her even saying it. “Hi babe.” she said softly, not wanting to wake the almost two-year-old in her arms. When he offered to take her, she shifted the sleeping girl into his arms. “She’s exhausted fell asleep towards the end of the flight and woke up when we landed and fell back to sleep so I think if she wakes again she’ll be incredibly cranky.” Which she knew would be the case in a lot of ways as she started shrugging off her coat and shoes. “I’m so tired too if I’m honest. These last few weeks,” she sighed out. “Good time but.. I missed just us all being together.”

Sophie looked tired and Alex was just happy to have her home. They'd get some time for just them as a family now and it was a really nice change from being on tour and, well, separated. He carefully took their youngest into his arms and for a moment she looked like she was gonna stir and wake up, but then she settled into his embrace and dozed back off. Alex smiled at her, he had missed her terribly, only having two of their kids was the most logical thing but it also always felt like something (or someone) was missing. He leaned in to peck Sophie's lips with a grin on his own before pulling back and nodding towards the stairs. "I'll put her down in her room, I'll be right back." It really didn't take long to put the little girl down and as he emerged from the room, he almost expected Sophie to have made her way to their bed to get comfortable.

She was exhausted if she was honest, traveling with kids, even just one being the youngest was tiring, even if Alex had both of their oldest kids who could be a handful. Easily their youngest settled into Alex’s arms and he pecked her lips and smiled at him that he was so helpful with getting their daughter to bed. As she got comfy, she pet the dogs again wanting to give them some attention before she started up the stairs and meeting him as he was coming out of Delphine’s room. “I was just heading up to our room.” she said softly. “Did you want to join me or were you going to go back downstairs and I can meet you downstairs?” she asked figuring whatever would be best but she wanted to spend some time with him after weeks apart.

"Hi," Alex chuckled softly when they met just outside of Delphi's room in the hallway. "Depends, you look tired, so do you want to just lay down in bed and rest some?" he questioned. "I have to turn the tv off, grab some water but then we can meet up her." They could also watch what he had been watching downstairs, but Sophie looked so tired, he figured their bed would be the better option.

“Hi baby.” She smiled. “I am tired.” Admitting before glancing at him. “But I honestly wanted to spend time with my husband after not seeing you for weeks.” She said. “Being apart sucks.” She admitted out loud because it did, so much. “So if you want to grab two waters I’ll get the bed set up and we can hang out in bed and be comfy.” Given how big and spacious their bed was.

A soft chuckle left Alex's lips. "I wasn't gonna go back downstairs if you weren't gonna come join me," he told her. She was right, being apart sucked but he was gonna focus on the weeks of being together they had in front of them. "I'll be back in a minute," Alex hummed and once again leaning in with the intention to peck her lips but he got a little bit distracted when he realized how much he'd missed her lips on his, so he let the kiss linger a little longer.

She was looking forward to being back together for the next few weeks as a family, wanting that time together. “Okay.” she said as he leaned in and the kiss turned a little longer than she was expecting and giggled into the kiss after a few seconds and finally broke away. “I’ll see you in a few minutes I’m not going anywhere.” she said as she headed into their bedroom. She changed into comfortable pajamas and pulled back the blankets before grabbing the remote and hopping into bed and getting herself comfortable and leaning into the thick row of pillows waiting for Alex.

He smiled when the kiss eventually broke again. "You better not," he murmured with a chuckle before heading downstairs. He turned off the tv first, made sure the lights were off before heading into the kitchen. Penny and Percy were following him and he raised his brows as he grabbed two bottles of water and found the dogs sitting in front of him looking expectingly. "You want some treats? It's not time for your dinner yet," he told them before finding the dog treats to give them, and the rest of the pack some of them until he eventually headed back upstairs where he found Sophie getting comfortable in their bed. "The dogs thought me coming in the kitchen meant it's time for their dinner," Alex chuckled as he put one of the bottles beside Sophie and then moved around to slip into bed with her.

“What am I going to do sneak out a window?” she teased with a laugh shaking her head. Once she was comfortable in bed she was just waiting for Alex as she flipped through the different streaming channels they had looking for something to watch. When he finally got upstairs she laughed, “The dogs always think it’s time to eat, they’re dogs they’re hungry even when they just ate.” she pointed out. “Thank you.” she said about her bottle of water and he slipped into bed. “Did you eat?” she asked now that he mentioned food even if it was for the dogs eating.

"I don't know, just saying I'm glad you're here now I don't want you to go again," he said before heading off downstairs. The dogs followed when he returned to the bedroom. "I mean, I can't blame them for always being hungry," Alex chuckled as he crawled into bed. "I had a little bit when Willa and Noah had dinner. They were very determined on me having dinner with them. How about you, have you eaten?"

She laughed, “If I didn’t want to be here, I would have stayed you realize and that’s crazy given we just got married and I want to be here with my /husband/.” she pointed out. “No, I didn’t eat, I was more worried about flying with Delphine by myself and anyone seeing us and taking photos and my anxiety and making sure if she got hungry.” she admitted so she hadn’t really worried about food or anything other than the soda she had gotten on the plane. “Oh, and the snack pack they passed out on the plane but not like dinner.”

Once he was in bed, Alex shifted to lay on his side close to Sophie and he raised his eyebrows a little. "You're gonna need dinner," he told her. "Should've said that before I got into bed." A chuckle left his lips as he reached over to drape his arm over her and bring his hand up to her cheek. "You made it alright, yes? I knew you'd get here safe and sound."

“I know I’ll get something once I unwind a bit.” she said because she knew she wouldn’t pass up something to eat and that they would have something in the fridge. “I know but you know how I am always anxious when traveling with the kids, it was easier with just one by myself I’ll admit but I’m always worried if someone gets too close or in our faces with a camera. Delphine was a sweetie so calm.” she pointed out because she had been amazing and made it a lot easier. “Slept so much of it think the time change and getting her up extra early wiped her out.”

"I can cook you something," he offered. But he was very happy to just lay with her for a little bit. "Well then she was much better than our other two," Alex chuckled. "Noah was waving at everyone and saying hi and I think Willa was trying to tell everyone about our trip on the boat. She wouldn't stop talking." Which was adorable, but also kind of exhausting, and Alex wasn't sure how much he wanted her to share about their whole time off. "Thankfully she ended up talking to Jack the whole flight."

“If you want but if not I can get myself something in a little bit.” She said because she didn’t mind honestly she didn’t want him to feel like he had to. A laugh left her lips. “Noah is just a confident little king that wants to be friends with everyone which maybe we should teach him safety things.” She admitted. “Oh I’m sure jack loved that when I know he loves to sleep a ton he didn’t end up telling her to just shut up because like that wouldn’t surprise me if I’m honest.” She admitted though she knew he also wouldn’t want to piss Alex off either.

"You know I don't mind cooking for you," Alex offered. He shifted to settled down more comfortably and lean against a propped-up pillow. "He was trying to be very polite. And Jack did look at me like he wanted me to safe him, which I didn't," he told her with a grin. "But he didn't tell her to shut up either. I did hear him tell her he was there though," he laughed and shook his head. "So how was fashion week?"

“I know but I don’t want you to think you /have/ to you had a long day too.” she pointed out. “Glad that he was being polite but was in distress from having Willa talking to him the whole flight.” she laughed. “Kids don’t care if you were there they want you to know how they thought of it.” she laughed softly shaking her head. “I can imagine if he told her to shut up you would have punched him.” she said. “Fashion week was amazing, so so amazing.” she admitted.

A grin spread on Alex's lips and he tried to stay serious as he shook his head. "I wouldn't have punched him. He was doing better to let her tell him all about it though." He liked to deny it, but Willa was so much like him in a lot of ways and he didn't exactly like telling a story and realizing the other person isn't interested in hearing it, either. "Yeah? So you had a good time? I did see a few pictures. You looked stunning."

“You’re telling me if he turned around and told Willa to shut up and she got all pucker lipped and cried you wouldn’t punch him?” she raised a brow at him? Not that she thought Jack could actually be that cruel to their kids because he was a big kid himself, he might if he got drunk to an older person who pissed him off or something but not their kids. “I had so much fun, sat near Anna Wintour which was both amazing and scary as fuck.” she admitted, “She’s so intimidating… but I felt so hot in that outfit but powerful. I actually asked Louis Vuitton to keep it because I loved that outfit.” she said. “No clue when I could wear it again but I don’t care.”

"I mean I'd be tempted to, but..." he trailed off and chuckled at the thought, because of course he'd end up punching him if he had so deliberately upset his daughter. He arched a brow when she said she asked to keep the outfit and for a moment he bit his lower lip before shrugging his shoulders and offering, "next time we go on a date night you could wear it." If she did, he'd be like putty in her hands probably, but he'd take that to see her face to face in it.

[hollandsmushroom]

Reader recording her first topless scene as an actress with some guy and she thinks tom would be jealous or something but then he's all like: fuck I forgot you look so good on top

Looking Good || T.H.

warnings: not explicit but enough that I ask minors to not engage. mentions of sex, penises and boobies

word count: 761

a/n: i am sorry I just reread the request and it said topless scene but i took that as sex scene, i hope you still enjoy!

Tom stood behind one of the cameras on set, a scowl carved into his already sharp features as he watched you in your white robe provided by the costume department. His mood was soured when he opened his eyes at your alarm, awakening with you to go to work with you. You and Tom were both aware of the fact that nudity was a part of your jobs but it didn’t make the every territorial Tom feel any better about the fact that you were going to work and getting naked and climbing on top of naked man, a man that wasn’t him. When he found this out he insisted on coming to set with you that day and you obliged, it actually made you feel slightly comforted knowing that he would be there, a safe presence when you had to get your tits out in front of around 20 people.

You looked over your shoulder from where you stood next to the set bed, sending Tom a soft smile in an attempt to calm his tense stature, your eyes looking deep into his as you tried to wordlessly assure him that it was all gonna be okay and after this you would be back in his arms. The signal worked slightly, Tom’s shoulders relaxing slightly and his arms falling from where they had been crossed defensively over his chest.

Throughout the rest of the prepping for the scene you made sure to keep sending Tom reassuring looks and blow him the occasional kiss but as soon as it was time to film and you reached for the ties on your robe you noted how he tensed out of the corner of your eye but you had to ignore it, not let it affect your performance as you stood with your co star, a highly attractive man who’s towel was already discarded, standing in front of you with only a genital bag on(I researched it and men put their bits in this little bag for sex scenes). You chuckled with the awkwardness of it all as you let your towel fall too, your breasts being exposed to the entirety of the room as you tried to maintain your composure, not getting too self conscious with all of the eyes on you, it wasn’t sexual at all, it was a professional environment but that didn’t make it feel that much better.

Tom bit his tongue and held himself back as he watched your leg swing over the man’s hips, bracketing them as you came to rest on his barely covered dick, your tits in his face. His anger was unnecessary and he was aware of that, he knew you would never hurt him and that this was quite awkward for you as well. Shockingly as the scene continued Tom’s annoyance dissipated, his previous discomfort rapidly being replaced as he watched your tits move as you faux ground your hips against the man beneath you. The scene was something so interesting for him to see, it was like watching what the two of you did together from out of his body, but it was also different, he noted the difference in tone in your moans, they didn’t sound as true as they did when you were with him, well obviously you were faking it but it still made him grin from ear to ear, it affirmed that you had never once faked a moan with him.

Tom continued to watch, no longer out of protectiveness but out of admiration from the way your body moved, his will power was wearing thin and his cock was hardened in his boxers, lips trapped between his teeth as he gnawed on them, waiting in anticipation as you moved off of your costar when the director called cut and announced that it was a wrap for the day. You moved directly to Tom, expecting to have to diffuse the London boy's rage but you found something else you had to diffuse and it wasn’t his anger, it was more carnal than that.

“Hi Tommy” you chirped apprehensively as you wrapped your arms around Tom’s waist, you waited for a response as you rested your head against him but none came. “Tommy?” your arms tightened as you tilted your head to catch his eyes.

“We need to get home” he smirked at you, snapping out of his daze.

“Are you alright?” you asked, worry on your features.

“‘M fine love, I just forgot how fucking good you look on top and I think I need a reminder”

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[bridgertonbabe]

Anon asked: just recently learned about a "servants' ball" that existed for the aristocracy back then, and ik it was probably more prevalent in the 20th century, i think it was still a thing in the 19th century esp for "kinder" families like the bridgerton. i think bc the show loves using ball scenes to create tension, they could have one for the benophie szn and there could be another moment for benophie to dance AS just sophie and ben (sans mask)

Ngl I actually love the sound of that.

The Bridgertons would definitely be kind and generous enough to treat their staff to a servants ball but I could also see it coming about after Hyacinth grows jealous of all her sisters attending balls while she still has years to wait. I could see her grumbling to Kate about it and Anthony overhearing and deciding to treat his sister to a ball of her own and having Bridgerton House host one with the servants having a night off for some fun of their own. Violet would buy extra fabrics for the lady staff members to make dresses out of or even lend some of her daughters' old dresses to the younger servants (perfect chance to incorporate Sophie being lent Francesca's old dress). 

Then on the evening of the servants ball you'd have Hyacinth dancing with Anthony and Kate dancing with Gregory, meanwhile Colin asks Mrs Wilson for a dance as a show of thanks for being his mother's long-time lady's maid, Eloise dances with John the footman to show her appreciation for all the times he's let her get away with murder, and Francesca and Sophie have a giggle as they spin around the floor together. Benedict would show up and be surprised at the festivities, not having been made aware his family were hosting a servants ball but immediately his face lights up at the sight of Sophie beaming with delight as she dances with Francesca, and naturally Benedict makes it his mission to ask Sophie for a dance. 

However, Sophie proves to be a popular dance partner as John the footman takes her for a twirl next, as do several other male servants and even Gregory dances with her. Benedict would also realise at some point that Sophie was purposefully trying to avoid him - once she saw him, she knew any interaction between them would be scrutinised even more so than normal, and dancing with him would only take her back to the night of the masquerade; a night which Benedict still doesn't recognise her from. 

Eventually, when Sophie's defences are down and she's having a chat with Violet, Benedict materialises and asks for her next dance. Sophie is surprised with his boldness, especially in front of his mother, and expects Lady Bridgerton to dismiss the offer on her behalf, not wanting any talk to come from her eldest eligible son dancing with a maid; but on the contrary, Violet takes Sophie's drink from her and encourages the pair. 

Benedict leads her to the floor and far from the relaxed and lively dancing he had witnessed her enjoying earlier on throughout the night, in his arms Sophie has tensed up nervously and can't quite look him in the eye. 

"Just look at me, Soph." he says quietly and she does so instantly, her mossy green eyes gazing up into his. "I'll guide you. Just keep your eyes on mine." 

And they begin their waltz around the ballroom, their eyes transfixed, Sophie's body moving perfectly in step with his without instruction. 

"You're a natural." he says to her. "Have you ever danced before this evening?" he asks, assuming he knows what her answer would be. 

"Only once before." she reveals and it's the only time she glances away from him, her cheeks blushing, and Benedict frowns as he wonders what other man once got to share in a waltz with her. 

"I hope I am a much better partner than the other gentleman." he remarks and regains her eyes locking onto his, something indecipherable glimmering in her curious gaze. 

She offers him no response and then their dance comes to a finish. It's only when Sophie finally breaks their longing gaze - several beats after they had let go of each other and their dance had ended - that she suddenly becomes aware of everyone in the room watching them. 

All of the servants and all of the Bridgertons are studying them and Sophie immediately acknowledges how they must have come across, and quickly leaves the room, the ball, and Benedict behind. 

Benedict watches her leave, his eyes dancing with sadness from her abrupt departure, but something else is bothering him. His dance with Sophie took him back to the night of the masquerade ball with his Lady in Silver, and while he'll always wonder what happened to this mystery woman, now that he's danced with Sophie he can't imagine dancing with another.

[shewholovestoread]

The L Word Generation Q - Is Dani into Gigi - Part 2 of 2

Part 1 is here

We next see them when Gigi accompanies Dani to the prison to see her father. We know that Dani can be prickly where her father is concerned, she loves him and at the same time, she knows that he’s flawed, he’s overbearing and likely more than a little toxic.

When she returns to the car, you can imagine how distraught she must feel, disturbed by everything she just learned. Season 1 Dani would have shut down and I think this Dani wanted to as well. It’s a pity we didn’t see more of this car ride but I think it must have been a quiet one with Gigi giving Dani the space and time to process everything that just happened. It would have been a huge contrast to the scene with Dani and Sophie in the car after the prenup scene. Sophie failed to understand that even though Dani stood up for them, she was still hurting by what her father had tried to do. Dani seems more comfortable in the above scene with Gigi. And she feels safe enough to ask for what she wants, she wants the safety and familiarity of her own space.

Once home, we get another instance of just how comfortable they are with each other. With Gigi, I think Dani feels like she can start letting some of her walls down and we start to see it in this exchange.

I love Dani’s flustered expression when Gigi tells that she will love like that again, soon. She looks away and fidgets. The tension (for Dani at least) again relaxes when Gigi tells her that not everyone would agree with Dani’s assessment of Gigi.

By the time’s it’s evening, you can tell that there’s already a certain level of casual intimacy between them, the way Gigi is so at home in Dani’s apartment.

Another aspect that i really enjoy is that Gigi tells Dani to speak to Micah if she misses him as much as she does. Also, Gigi is completely focused on what Dani is saying, she’s giving her all of her attention. She advises her to reach out without sounding preachy or condescending. This is one of the hallmarks of a good friendship if nothing else. Gigi doesn’t belittle Micah, she listens and actually wants Dani to reconnect with her friend. I think some of it also comes from what Alice told her in season 1, that Nat misses her and their friends and I think on some level, Gigi doesn’t want Dani to make the same mistake.

This leads us to the whole “are you hitting on me?” exchange and this is a goldmine. I think Gigi being older, is more obvious about her interests and desires, she doesn’t try to hide them and doesn’t bother being subtle. I think Gigi’s feelings had already started to change, she probably didn’t want to scare Dani after the day that she had. Dani, on the other hand, is a little more guarded, she’s not used to someone being so frank and honest and you can see her trying to wrap her head around it. Here is a woman who’s honest and upfront, there are no mind-games involved, no damn wordplay, and no mixed signals. And by the end of the scene, Dani is the one who’s looking intently at Gigi. She asks Gigi if everything is alright when Bette texts and then keeps gazing at her, followed by that small happy smile when Gigi decided to stay:

The night at Dana’s, things really come to a head for both Dani and Gigi. Gigi gets a cold brush-off from Bette (entirely uncalled for) and Dani gets to be spectator to Sophie and Finley’s get-together. When Dani storms out, I think she fully expected to be on her own, she doesn’t expect Micah to follow her out and her surprise is palpable when she realizes that it’s Gigi. And she doesn’t stop because she thinks that Gigi will try to persuade her to go back and she finally opens up, confirming what Gigi suspected all along, that she’s not fine.

Another thing that struck me about the Dana’s sequence is when Dani asks Sophie if everyone cheats, but what’s telling is that she asks that after looking in Gigi’s direction. They all run in the same circle and I’m sure that Dani knows why Nat and Gigi broke up and Gigi was the one who cheated. I think on some small level, she’s scared that Gigi might cheat on her (though she’d never say it).

The night ends with Gigi telling Dani that her feelings have changed. Now, I think we can safely assume, that a few days have passed (honestly, the passage of time on this show makes no sense).

When Dani tells Gigi that she think it was shitty, that was Dani being honest, not filtering what she thought with her usual filter. And while initially annoyed, Gigi stays and tries to understand what Dani’s concerns are (communication is key kids)

Gigi stays but gives Dani the physical space she needs to sort through her thoughts and again she listens. Dani can express her concerns and Gigi doesn’t belittle or play those concerns down. An indication that Dani does like Gigi and thinks she’s pretty awesome is when Gigi says that she doesn’t think that Bette had very strong feelings for her and Dani replies with “I find that hard to believe.” That’s like saying how can someone not have strong feelings for you, I sure do. I think Dani is genuinely scared of just how much she likes Gigi.

At the party, I liked that for once, Nat spoke nicely of Gigi and let Dani know that this wasn’t some casual fling for her which is what I think what Dani was scared of. She goes to Gigi, almost looking for a fight and again finds Gigi not taking the bait, instead asking Dani what she wants, effectively getting Dani to vocalise what she wants and what she’s afraid of. Vulnerability is not easy for Dani and it’s a big step forward for her to actually be open about her fears and Gigi immediately assures her.

Also, shout out to Gigi for respecting Dani’s boundaries when Gigi invites her inside but Dani says not yet. Gigi lets it go, instead reassuring Dani again, it’s real, what Gigi feels for her is real.

Things inevitably come to a head, first with Bette biting Dani’s head of instead of talking to Dani and explaining why her actions while well-intentioned might be problematic and secondly the crises with the CAC. She snaps at Gigi, shutting her out and going back to her old self, trying to protect herself and rushes out.

Dani’s relationship with Sophie was not the healthiest, they spoke to everyone else except each other about their grievances. When Dani returns home that night and finds Gigi missing, she goes looking for her, she actively seeks her out.

Even Gigi can’t resist those puppy-dog eyes. And again, Dani apologies and tries to explain why she reacted the way that she did and Gigi listens. Another thing to note, when Dani says that she wishes that her father was separate from the rest of her life, Gigi immediately says that that would never work out. She gets the complicated relationship Dani shares with her dad, because I’m guessing that’s how Gigi feels about her father.

While Gigi is a little closed off initially, she shuts her laptop and gives her full attention to Dani. It’s not easy for Dani to talk about her dad and kudos to both Arienne and Sepideh for acting the hell out of this scene. Dani’s fidgeting to deal with her discomfort and Gigi can see t. And again, Gigi gives her the space to figure out her thoughts and only comes to her when she asks if she did something to make Dani feel embarrassed.

When the CAC chooses to support Bette and Pippa, that’s another blow to Dani on two fronts, one that something she worked so hard on, is literally falling apart and two that it’s Bette who’s orchestrating it. I don’t think Dani deals well with hurt, she instead tries to mask it with anger. I suspect that it’s something that she picked up from her father who likely did not have a strong emotional bond with her. Anger was safer, anger let you keep your walls up and anger kept you from feeling hurt. But under that anger the hurt keeps festering. Here as well, she turns to anger when it probably would have been more honest to say that she is hurt by Bette’s actions, someone she trusted and looked up to.

Gigi and Dani hit a snag again when Dani skips out on Eli’s recital after having a hard day. Gigi is incredibly devoted to her kids, add to that she probably wanted Dani to meet them, so when she finds out that Dani lied about why she couldn’t make it, she is understandably upset. I honestly don’t think Dani thought to continue the lie when they meet, I think she chooses to tell Gigi why she couldn’t make it but didn’t think it was a big deal. This also comes from her dad, who probably couldn’t be bothered to attend her school performances. So Dani can’t understand why Gigi is so upset.

And this is her reaction when it sinks in, how her actions hurt the woman in front of her and again, instead of hiding or resorting to anger, she apologises. And Gigi (good god this woman is perfect) comes forward to hold her, to give her the comfort Dani so sorely needs.

And just look at the peace on both their faces, they look so comfortable with each other with Dani fully leaning on Gigi. Gigi just holds her, no questions, no other expectation except to offer comfort. With Gigi, Dani feels like she can be honest about her feelings without fear of reprisals or that Gigi would use them against her. 

The court scene is very important. I don’t think Dani is used to having people she can lean on, people she can depend on. She doesn’t reach out for help even when she needs it, she’s used to looking after herself. And so to see her reach out to Gigi get her out of there is a huge milestone. And Gigi immediately gets her out, no questions asked, her sole focus is Dani and her well-being.

At this point, Dani’s entire world is crumbling, her father had been lying to her, her company is responsible for ruining the lives of many people. I love the scene with her father, Dani’s come so far that she tells her dad that she needs him and that she can’t take the stand and lie for him. His anger doesn’t faze her because it’s normal for them, with her father yelling at her for not being able to clean up his mess. I think Dani stood up to him in part because of Gigi, because she finally has someone who has her back 100% and that love and support doesn’t come with terms and conditions.

I love Dani has come so far that she now doesn’t hesitate before reaching out to Gigi when she starts feeling overwhelmed like when Dani stops Gigi just before they meet her family, letting Gigi know that she’s overwhelmed. I loved that scene, i loved how warmly the family greeted her, especially Gigi’s mother, she was immediately made to feel at home.

Their love language is definitely food and I loved that even though they are surrounded by a whole bunch of people, they still connect with each other, the way Gigi looks at her, they might as well have been the only two people there.

I love this couple because they bring out the best in each other. They are literally the best, most healthy ship on the show and I desperately hope that Dani and Gigi are endgame, they deserve each other. Dani has come so far and I hope to her happy and carefree with Gigi in the next season.

[imherongraystairstrash]

Puzzles

A/N: Idk if this is good, but I wanted to write it so bad, so I did it because I can:

Ship: Sophideon + Family fluff

Title: Puzzles

...

Sophie woke to the warmth of Gideon’s body and the crackling of the fire in the hearth. She could also hear the children, speaking in hushed tones and giggles. Cracking open an eye, she saw that they were currently sitting side-by-side by the coffee table, their backs facing her. Her left arm was resting on Gideon’s chest, and it rose and fell with his steady breathing.

She realized that their legs were tangled together under the thick blanket that she could only assume their children had placed over them. She closed her eyes and took a blissful stretch before resting her temple on her husband’s shoulder. He was still asleep, emitting soft snores that she felt in her belly.

They had been patrolling all night, and had barely gotten any sleep before their children woke them up again, ready to begin the day. Sophie and Gideon lasted until midday before they must have fallen asleep. The fact that they’d managed to stay awake that long surprised Sophie.

She wiggled her toes a little bit and adjusted herself, so that she could stretch the leg that was thrown over Gideon’s hips. His hand was warm on the small of her back, and she didn’t want to accidentally shift in such a way that would cause it to slip off her. Therefore, each movement was minuscule and delicate.

Gideon’s breath stirred the smallest tendrils of her hair. She looked up at him, brushing a lock of hair away from his forehead. She loved him very much. So much so, she often surprised herself, as she had never thought she could ever love someone again, after what had happened to her all those years ago. She kissed his jawline and put her ear to his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat against her cheek.

It was times such as these that she felt as if the world stopped at her fingertips; like no matter what happened, she would be fine, as long as she were here, with Gideon by her side and their children near.

She heard Gideon grunt softly, as he always did before he woke up, before slowly opening his eyes. He blinked a little, his dazed eyes slowly roaming the room, and closed them once more. He turned to where she was, resting the tip of his nose against her forehead.

“Good morning,” he muttered, his voice an octave deeper than usual and thick with sleep.

“Evening is more like it,” she replied, reaching up to stroke his impossibly soft hair.

She felt Gideon’s muscles shift as he stretched them, the hand he had on her waist tensing briefly as he did so.

Finally, Gideon let out a breath through his nose and said, “that was the greatest sleep I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

Sophie chuckled softly. “I would have thought the best sleep of your life would have been on our wedding night.”

Gideon opened his eyes and smiled, “we didn’t do much sleeping that night, though, did we?”

Sophie nudged him with her elbow. “Why is it that you’re only like this around me? You act diplomatically and mature to everybody, and yet you say the most scandalous things when it is just us.”

Gideon pressed a soft and lasting kiss on her lips. He then brought his lips close to her ear and muttered, “I’m not trying to woo everybody else,” before kissing the spot where her jawline began.

Sophie’s eyes shuttered closed, Gideon’s warm breath sending shivers down her spine, but she turned her face away from him and nodded in the direction of their children. “We should spare them the sight of their parents kissing.”

Gideon turned to where they were huddled around the puzzle. Sophie resisted the urge to turn his face towards her and kiss him regardless.

He looks back at her soon enough, his sea green eyes bright in the soft light the fire emitted.

“They’re not paying attention.” He said, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face with his knuckle. “They have their backs to us.”

“They could turn around at any second and begin shrieking, like two of them did last time.” Sophie said.

It was no mystery to anybody who the two that had done said shrieking were.

Gideon presses his lips together at the memory of that before raising his eyebrows and smirking.

“What’s that smirk all about?” Sophie asked.

Before Sophie could so much as to guess what it could be about, Gideon turned on his side and lifted the thick blanket so that it shielded them from the children.

“How is this?” He asked, kissing her nose.

Sophie huffed out a laugh. “It’s better, I suppose. At least this way, our eardrums will remain intact.”

“Hallelujah.” Gideon said, flashing her a dazzling smile, that made her insides melt. She put both of her hands on either side of his face and lowered his lips towards her own. They kissed softly, unrushed and lavishingly so.

Gideon was so warm. His body seemed to emit heat when he slept, which meant that right now, his skin was hot enough that it felt as though Sophie were standing right in front of a furnace. It ended up working in their favor, because whenever Thomas gets too cold at night, they plant him next to Gideon and he’s able to fall asleep. They’re absolutely adorable when they sleep together, if Sophie does say so herself.

Sophie giggled against his lips, causing them to break apart.

“What?” Gideon asked, his smile soft as he kissed the corners of her lips.

“I just thought about something silly.” She said, spreading her hands on his chest and roaming upward, intertwining them at the nape of his neck.

“Would you care to elaborate?”

Sophie shook her head giggling.

“Come now,” he said, playfully, “I’m dying of curiosity.”

“Alright. I was thinking about the time you slipped off the roof while we were patrolling in London.”

Gideon laughed through his nose, burying his nose in a particularly sensitive spot of her neck. “I’m never living that down, aren’t I?”

Sophie shrugged her left shoulder and kissed Gideon’s bottom lip when he lifted his head.

“Not a chance.”

His eyes fluttered shut as he kissed her shamelessly, his hands sending shivers through her as they travelled up and down the sensitive skin of her waist and hips.

“We should stop,” Gideon said, breaking apart. “Before they realize we’re awake.”

“Yes, I suppose we should.” Sophie said.

They kissed once, twice and then thrice (for good measure) before reemerging from the blanket.

Once they’d gotten over their daze, they arranged themselves in each other's arms, fitting like pieces of a puzzle, and gazed towards their children. They were quiet as they built a puzzle Sophie had left out for them while she and Gideon rested on the couch for a while. They hadn’t expected to fall asleep, but thankfully, the children were still entertained by the puzzle. Barbara had a blanket over her shoulders and had placed little Thomas in her crossed legs, periodically hugging him and adjusting the blanket, so that he didn’t get cold.

Thomas, on the other hand, took every opportunity Barbara was looking away to try to crawl out from the blankets and watch the puzzle-making action.

Eugenia was humming to herself, picking up random pieces and fitting them together. Every time she’d manage to get them to go together, she’d get up and do a little twirl, before sitting down once more and starting the whole process all over again.

Thomas was the first to realize they’d woken up. He gave them a toothy grin and crawled out of Barbara’s arms. Using the table to slowly get to his feet, he padded over to Eugenia.

When he got close enough, however, Sophie reached over Gideon’s chest and scooped him up. She tucked him into her arms and kissed his little cheeks.

“You’ve been caught by the love monster.” She said tickling and attacking him with kisses. Thomas giggled and tried to squirm away from her, but she held on tighter.

Part of her wants to hold Thomas forever. It felt like just yesterday he’d been born, four months and two weeks premature. He was still so small and light in her arms and got sick far too easily, but she thanked the Angel everyday for his life. Her miracle child. Who seemed very keen on getting away.

She stopped peppering him with kisses enough to hold him away so that she could see his face.

“You don’t love the Love Monster?”

He met her stare before putting his hands on her cheeks and kissing her forehead. Sophie

raised her eyebrows at him and when he giggled again, she tucked him in her arms.

“No,” she heard a soft voice say.

She pulled back. “What?”

“I love Mama, not the Love Monster.”

Gideon chuckled and ruffled his hair.

Sophie gave Thomas a final kiss on the forehead and let him go to his sisters.

They watched their children put puzzle pieces together, Eugenia aggressively so, going so far as to slam her fist upon two tricky pieces.

“Mama! Papa! Do you like it?” Eugenia said, gesturing towards the unfinished puzzle.

They both craned their necks to see.

“Oh. Erm…”

“We love it!” Sophie said.

“It’s lovely.” Gideon added.

When the kids turned around again, Sophie covered her mouth.

“There’s not a single puzzle piece that’s connected to its corresponding partner, is there?” Gideon asked.

“No, I’m afraid that in the hours we’ve been asleep, they haven’t managed to piece any together correctly.” Sophie said.

Gideon pressed his lips together and shrugged. “Well…”

“They’ll get more intelligent with age.” Sophie said.

“Yes, yes. I should think so.”

“I should hope so.”

They looked at each other and smiled, and then laughed, perfectly content with the life they had made for themselves.

...

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[queer-and-dear-books]

Title: Only Mostly Devastated

Author: Sophie Gonzales

Genre: YA Fiction | Romance | Friendship | Drama | LGBTQ+

Content Warnings: Homophobia | Biphobia | Terminal Illness | Death

Overall Rating: 9.7/10

Personal Opinion: In all honesty, I came into this book with low expectations but I was completely blown away. The chemistry between the main couple is electric, you can feel how much they care for one another and how much that bond deepens over the course of the story. It is riveting and enchanting and I really think everyone should read this book at least once. 

Couple Classification: Ollie X Will = Goth X Jock

Do I Own This Book? Yup, this was another Christmas gift to myself.

Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:

Likes:

- I’m going to be honest, I had very low expectations for this novel. To start with, I thought I would loathe Will because of his switch into the closet after giving Ollie the most romance-filled summer with happiness and roses while he was going through a hard time with his Aunt Linda dying of cancer. I mean, I still hate him on some level for a lot of the shit that he pulled but he showed a lot of self-awareness in his dickish behavior and he apologized in the end. He realized that he was acting like an asshole once he actually took the time to see things from Ollie’s POV. Once he imagined how he’d feel if he saw Ollie grinding on some random person or Ollie making jokes about his music tastes, he realized that he’d find it hard to forgive. Just because he wasn’t out did not give him the excuse to act like an ass and I’m glad he realized it. I’m also a little glad that he was so desperate and miserable when he abandoned Ollie because listen, he deserved it. Oh, and the fact that he said “I don’t deserve it” when Ollie said he loved him at the end! Yes! I’d actually fantasized about him saying that because he really didn’t deserve it! But the fact is, Ollie loved him anyway and I just, my heart soared so goddamn high when he admitted it and still got the guy!

- The wit in this book is spot on and I love it. Ollie’s narrator voice is hilarious and his dry humor and mental responses to things crack me up. It’s the timing. Even when bad things happen around him, he makes jokes in his head and it really does wonders to alleviate the reader’s responses. Ex: when Matt mentioned Will and Jess going to the dance together in a sing-song voice and Ollie immediately thought, “Well if that’s not the worst song I ever heard.” Or when Will’s dad had asked, “Do you boys plan on being out for long?” and Ollie thought about responding with, “I, for one, plan on being out permanently.” He’s naturally so funny and I can absolutely see how Will enjoyed being around him. Ollie’s passion for music and his humor would probably attract any guy. Basically, I’m saying I can really feel their chemistry which is getting a lot rarer for me to find these days.

- Out of context Lara sucks but in context Lara is actually so cool. She didn’t like Ollie at first because she thought he outed Will on purpose. She had wanted to get ahead of that. She speaks her mind and she is so sassy, I love that about her. She’s also really funny too and I appreciate that. She’s just here to have fun and I respect that.

- Juliette and Niamh are both so cool as well. They were just so supportive of Ollie’s pursuit of love and when Lara got so rudely outed by Renee, they backed her up instantly. Even though Niamh had every right to be mad at Lara and Juliette was mourning over a rejection from her dream school. Like, those are true girlfriends right there. “We can scream louder” is honestly such an iconic line from Juliette too. The fact that Lara called back to it too when Will was worried someone at the after party would talk shit about him? Ugh. The growth of Lara from Ollie’s enemy to a true friend is so good. 

- Oh my god, the way Ollie would babysit Crista and Dylan was so precious! He was such a good guardian to them and his banter with Aunt Linda vis a vis the kids was so wholesome and cute! Like when he was talking about the fact that half a jar of nutella was gone and it couldn’t have been the kids (even though they had nutella all over their bodies) because Crista said it wasn’t them. And Linda played along. It was so cute and it fucking shattered my heart when Linda died. But I love that they showed the entire family processing grief in their own ways and the fact that it led to Ollie needing to go to Will for comfort was just the icing on the cake. God, my heart just breaks for Linda in general though. You can just tell she was a fun aunt who was always there for Ollie when he was going through his own sexual identity crisis.

- Izzy, Emerson, and Sayid are all real ones. They were just in the book to vibe and play good music. They never judged their new bassist for being gay and they didn’t even care that he skipped the sound check. Not when they saw he was kissed by the vice captain of the basketball team anyway. Like, imagine being that cool. They had maybe two lines each and I loved them.

- Matt and Darnell are chill too. In that they supported Lara instantly when she was outed. And Matt had wanted to be respectful of Lara’s sexuality and not make her uncomfy by flirting with her and honestly, I respect that about him. And of how easily they accepted Will too even if they were part of the reason why he was unable to come out at first with their incessant jokes dripping with casual homophobia.

- Listen, when Will won their last game with that last shot and then kissed Ollie and said, “I love you” I legit squealed so loud. My whole body went into that tight feeling and I was just tingly all over. I knew that it was going to happen and yet, it still blindsided me. Kind of like how it blindsided his teammates and his parents. But he didn’t care about them in the heat of the moment. He just needed to take the boy that he loved to his gig. And the way Juliette, Niamh, and Lara, the only people who knew, were all smiles for their friend finally getting his man, ugh, those are true friends. I love them.

- Also! Also! Also! When Linda had that bad turn on Thanksgiving and she cried, wanting to send the kids home because trying to be happy for them was just exhausting, I was just in tears. But when Ollie took them to McDonald’s and told Will that he wouldn’t get a big feast, Will didn’t even hesitate to call and invite Ollie and his cousins to his house for a big holiday meal. It was just so damn precious!

- Oh my god, Ollie supporting Will’s dream to be a nurse and telling him he would be good at it was so precious. He knew that Will was a good guy deep down and the fact that their first meeting involved them giving first-aid to a bleeding Crista just further shows that it is what Will would be good at. And of course, Ollie would know that. And the fact that Ollie was the first person to tell that to Will is so telling of how he presents himself around others. Because everyone just says he should go pro since he’s so good at it. No one has ever asked him what he had wanted to do until Ollie. And because of Ollie, he applied to the nursing program and UNC. 

- And the fact that the book ends with Ollie deciding to stay in North Carolina was just so good! And the fact that he had asked Will what would happen if he went to USC instead and Will immediately, without any hesitation (although he was mildly hurt), said he wanted to make long-distance work. He was ready to make things work with Ollie when he used to be so afraid and oh god, that’s just so good!

- Listen, okay, overall, I adore this book. The story arc, the characters, the dynamics. Sure there are a lot of things that kind of squick me out. All of which range from the way Will behaved in the beginning at the arrival of his summer fling at his school. But he grew on me and his chemistry with Ollie is genuinely adorable.

Dislikes:

- Out of context Lara still pisses me off. The way she treated Ollie in the beginning was just wrong. But even putting that aside, she should not have said what she said to Niamh about going on a crash diet before castings. I do love that Niamh realized herself how dangerous crash diets are and I do love Lara’s growth as a person. She realized her sass and sarcasm wasn’t welcome at times and she learned to respect herself more. But still, the way she acted in the beginning was just foul. To a fellow queer person too! She really needs to learn to communicate better. But oh my god, the rose gold dagger necklace she gave to Ollie basically made everything up.

- Will, the way you acted in the beginning was fucked up. You could’ve borrowed Matt’s phone to just message Ollie real quick. But I get it, he was afraid. But oh my god, when he dirty danced with Jess just to make the guys forget about the photo of Ollie in his varsity jacket just pissed me off so much. I’m glad that they clarified he was bi so at least he wasn’t JUST using Jess but oh my god, he still used an innocent girl just to make himself appear straight.

- I’m less inclined to blame Will for all that though because Matt and Darnell and the rest of the team made a lot of dumb homophobic jokes. Matt thought it was fine because they were “jokes” and was never called out on it so I’m glad that in the end, when he tried to make Will feel bad for not coming out sooner, Ollie actually put him in his place by reminding of all the ways he made Will feel like he wasn’t safe to come out. And then not only did Matt say he was sorry but he (or at least Darnell did) agreed to cut the gay jokes completely. If he and the other guys stopped making those dumbass gay jokes concerning Ollie though, god, things would be so much easier for Will and I do wish they were just a bit more apologetic about it. Though at least Will being in the closet in this case makes a lot more sense to me than some other closet cases in books. Luca (Be Dazzled) and Ricky (Late To The Party). None of their teammates made casual gay jokes like Matt did. And once again, so glad Ollie called him out on it. And also glad that he called out Darnell for acting so cold toward Niamh.

- Also, fuck Will’s uncle for what he said about Kane liking the cheerleading a bit too much. And also his dad on some level for saying Kane will grow out of it. If he wants to cheer, let him. But I am glad that they talked with Will and sorted everything out and told him that they loved him no matter what. It’s the bare minimum and they really should have expressed that they would have loved him regardless of the gender of his partner but you know, baby steps.

- Fuck Charlotte too for claiming that Lara was “suddenly gay” after hanging out with the new gay guy. And for calling Lara a slut. And for saying it was wrong of Lara to be in the changing room when the other girls were changing. But I’m glad Matt came to tell her off. As he should!

- I do like that a lot of the other characters’ issues were resolved without the main character’s own involvement but I kind of wish he still patched things up with his parents. They both acted fairly badly honestly. Granted, it was in the face of tragedy but I still wish he talked to someone about the rest of his family processing their grief on their own so that he didn’t have to blame himself for the way Dylan reacted when he mentioned his bottle. Or for the way he responded to his mom about not being happy.

- Honestly, a lot of the bad things that happened have their reasons for being in the book and all got resolved in the end so I’m really not too upset by any of it. Well, I still am about some of it. Mainly the way Lara, Will, and Matt had all acted. But at least they all learned from their mistakes.

[faorism]

#give us sobriety in a series when they really couldnt do it with nate

i know this is a tag about hurley but excuse me that hurts

i don't even like nate but the idea that after his son dies he drinks, and then he builds leverage, he saves 4 people who are not himself, saves countless lives who are not his son. and he carves out a bit of happiness with sophie, but he still is this furnace of rage, this, he's still missing a piece of his heart

and you never get to see him recover, never get to see him live his own redemption, because his grief has killed him before he gets the chance

what i'm trying to say is this tag hurt me anyway what are ur thoughts on nate

[grief, alcoholism, canon character death, end of life illness]

i think about how they had those tall glasses for their whiskey in lr episode 1. they weirded me out, because it's so easy to over pour and (as hardison feels later) drink too much. surely they had to have a shorter glass, right? surely whiskey glasses? but i realized: no, no they dont. sophie has the liquor on hand for herself, when she feels most alone in her grief, to smell and remember the taste she associates with kisses with nate even though itd been two and a half years since nates last drink. (two and a half, not four as it could have been; the tears shed when nate had to give up his two year chip after his first and only relapse was horrendous. as was the weeks of his drunken stupor and the fighting until hurley was able to travel back to boston to help out. nate didn't have a chance to gain that two year chip again.)

i think about their last meal together as a full family—not that anyone knew that'll be what it was then. there was a lot they held back that night: eliot, parker, and hardison continued to avoid the topic of leverage international; and no one mentioned that the old man'd been jaundiced and clammy, even though eliot needed to prepare a separate, lighter meal after nate woke up with an upset stomach. hardison didn't point out the strain in sophie's eyes. yet even with all that they wouldn't say, they joked and laughed for hours like they'd just come off a gloat. 

they thought they had another few years. closer to a decade than not, maybe, with diligence and prayer, albeit with less comfort than preferred towards the end.

who'd expect that it wouldn't be the cirrhosis that did nate in but a heart attack? 

i think about how (gesturing to my characterization in it's a lot) peak nate was a bisexual disaster but mostly just an old mean queen. he brought a lot of snap to the group and a ruthlessness that caught the breath of his friends (and us, the viewers). i think his storyline was darker than the series warranted, but i also cannot see og leverage without it. this deep personal hurt, the kind of hurt that these corporate big bads are always doing; sam couldnt be (attempted to be) saved, and he was lost to the goliath that is greed and bureaucracy. nate broke over that in a way maybe only eliot can really relate to of the crew. nate changed. he changed and he drank and he was once the kind of man who went to chat with the accountants and remembered all their birthdays. now hes a man who can have a plan m.

i think about the peace on his face at the start of season five. the calm of the breeze on his face that is burned into my mind because it was so unusual for nate. i think of how much he must of spend so much of the time on his boat alone and thinking about, of all things, care. the thought of caring wounded him so often, but now, he crafted the world so his crew-and-family could go on, and his crew-and-love could find a new adventure with him.

i think him and sophie travelled the world. i think they met so many cool people and had a lot of fun and nate drank right up until he literally couldnt, and no one is a hopeless cause for sobriety but theres a way i think everyone left nate alone to his drink, and i think that's sad.

i miss nate more than i thought i would, and i love him more than i thought i would.

that's what i think.

[vickyvicarious]

Leverage Redemption Pros/Cons List

Okay! Now that I've finally finished watching the first half of Leverage: Redemption, I thought I'd kind of sum up my overall impression. Sort of a pro/con list, except a little more just loosely structured rambles on each bullet point rather than a simple list.

This got way out of hand from what I expected so I'm going to put it all under a cut. If you want the actual bulletpoint list, here it is:

PROS

References

Continuity

Nate

Representation

Themes

New Characters

General Vibe

CONS

'Maker and Fixer'

Episode Twins

Sophie's Stagefright

Thiefsome

You might notice the pros list is longer, and that's because I do love the show! I really like most of what it does, and my gripes are fewer in number and mostly smaller in size. But they do exist and I felt like talking about them as well as the stuff I loved.

PROS

References

There is clearly so much love and respect for the original show here. Quite aside from the general situation, there's a lot of references to individual episodes or character traits from the first show. For example, Parker's comments on disliking clowns, liking puppets, disliking horses, stabbing vs. tasing people. The tasing was an ongoing thing in the original, the stabbing happened once (S1) but was referenced later in the original show, the clown thing only had a few mentions scattered across the entire original show. The puppet thing was mentioned once in S5, and the horses thing in particular was only brought up in S1 once. But they didn't miss the chance to put the nod to it in there; in fact with those alone we see a good mix of common/ongoing jokes and smaller details.

We got "dammit Hardison" and "it's a very distinctive..." but also Eliot and Parker arguing about him catering a mob wedding, and Eliot being delighted by lemon as a secret ingredient in a dish in that same episode (another reference to the mob episode). Hardison and Eliot banter about "plan M", an ongoing joke starting from the very first episode of the original show. We see Sophie bring up Hardison's accent in the Ice Job, Parker also makes reference to an early episode when describing "backlash effect" to Breanna, in an episode that also references her brother slightly if you look for it.

Heck, the last episode of these first eight makes a big deal out of nearly reproducing the iconic opening lines of the original show with Fake Nate's "we provide... an advantage." And I mean, all the "let's go steal a ___" with Harry being confused about how to use them.

Some of the lines are more obviously references to the original show, but they strike a decent balance with smaller or unspoken stuff as well, and also mix in some references between the team to events we the audience have never seen. If someone was coming into this show for the first time, they wouldn't get all the easter egg joy but most of the references would stand on their own as dialogue anyway. In general, I think they struck a good balance of restating needed context for new viewers while still having enough standalone good lines and more-fun-if-you-get-it callbacks.

Continuity

Similar to the last point, but slightly different. The characters' development from the original to now is shown so well. I'm not going to go on about this too long, but the writers clearly didn't want to let the original characters stagnate during the offscreen years. There was a lot of real thought put into how they would change or not.

It's really written well. We can see just how cohesive a team Parker, Hardison, and Eliot became. We get a sense of how they've spent their time, and there's plenty of evidence that they remained incredibly close with Sophie and Nate until this past year. The way everyone defers to Parker is different from the original show and clearly demonstrates how she's been well established as the leader for years now - they show this well even as Parker is stepping back to let Sophie take point in these episodes. Eventually that is actually called out by Sophie in the eighth episode, so we might see more mastermind Parker in the back half of the show, maybe. But even with her leading, it's clear how collaborative the team has become, with everyone bouncing ideas off one another and adding their input freely. Sometimes they even get so caught up they leave the newbies completely in the dust. But for the most part we get a good sense of how the Parker/Hardison/Eliot team worked with her having final say on plans but the others discussing everything together. A little bit more collaborative than it was with Nate at the helm.

Meanwhile Sophie has built a home and is deeply attached to it. She and Nate really did retire, at least for the most part, and she was living her happy ending until he died. She's out of practice but still as skilled as ever, and we're shown how much her grief has changed her and how concerned the others are for her.

There's a lot of emphasis on how they all look after one another and the found family is clearer than ever. Sophie even calls Hardison "his father's son" - clearly referring to Nate.

Nate

Speaking of Nate! They handled his loss so, so well. His story was the most complete at the end of the last show, and just from a narrative point, losing him makes the most sense of all the characters. But the way he dies and his impact on the show and the characters continues. It's very respectful to who he was - who he truly was.

Nate was someone they all loved, but he was a deeply flawed individual. Sophie talks about how he burned too hot, but at least he burned - possibly implying to me that his drinking was related to his death. In any case, there's no mystery to it. We don't know how he died but that's not what's most important about his death. This isn't a quest for revenge or anything... it's just a study of grief and trying to heal.

Back to who he really was real quick - the show doesn't eulogize him as better than he was. They're honest about him. From the first episode's toast they raise in his memory, to the final episode where Sophie and Eliot are deeply confused by Fake Nate singing his praises, the team knows who he was. They don't erase his flaws... but at the same time he was so clearly theirs. He was family, he was the man they trusted and loved and followed into incredibly dangerous situations, and whose loss they all still feel deeply.

That said, the show doesn't harp on this point. They reference him, but they don't overwhelm new viewers with a constant barrage of Nate talk. It always serves a purpose, primarily for Sophie's storyline of moving through her grief. Anyway, @robinasnyder said all of this way better than me here, so go read that as well.

Representation

Or should I say, Jewish Hardison, Autistic Parker, Queer Breanna!

Granted, Hardison's religion isn't quite explicitly stated to be Jewish so much as he mentions that his "Nana runs a multi-denominational household", but nonetheless. He gets the shows big thesis statement moment, he gets a beautiful speech about redemption that is the emotional cornerstone of that episode and probably Harry's entire arc throughout the show. And while I'm not Jewish myself, most of what I've seen from Jewish fans is saying that Hardison's words here were excellent representation of their beliefs. (@featherquillpen does a great job in that meta of contextualizing this with his depiction in the original show as well.)

Autistic Parker, however, is shown pretty dang blatantly. She already was very much coded as autistic in the original show, but the reboot has if anything gone further. She sees a child psychologist because she likes using puppets to represent emotions, she stims, she uses cue cards and pre-written scripts for social interactions, there's mention of possible texture sensitivity and her clothes are generally more loose and comfortable. She's gotten better at performing empathy and understanding how people typically work, but it's specifically described as something she learned how to do and she views her brain as being different from ones that work that way (same link). Again, not autistic myself but from what I've seen autistic fans find a lot to relate to in her portrayal. And best of all, this well-rounded and respectful depiction does not show any of these qualities as a lack on her part. There's no more of those kinda ableist comments or "what's wrong with you" jokes that were in the original show. Parker is the way she is, and that allows her to do things differently. She's loved for who she is, and any effort made to fit in is more just to know how so that she can use it to her advantage when she wants to on the job - for her convenience, not others' comfort.

Speaking of loved for who you are.... okay, again, queer Breanna isn't confirmed onscreen yet, and I don't count Word of God as true canon. But I can definitely believe we're building there. Breanna dresses in a very GNC way, and just her dialogue and, I dunno, vibes seem very queer to me. She has a beautiful speech in the Card Game Job about not belonging or being accepted and specifically mentions "the way they love" as one of those things that made her feel like she didn't belong. And that scene is given so much weight and respect. (Not to mention other hints throughout the episode about how much finding her own space meant to her.) Also, the whole theme of feeling rejected and the key for her to begin really flourishing is acceptance for who she is, not any desire for her to be anyone else, is made into another big moment. Yeah, textually that moment is about her feeling like she has to fill Hardison's shoes and worrying about her past, but the themes are there, man.

Themes

I talked a bit about this yesterday, so I'm mostly just going to link to that post, but... this series so far is doing a really good job in my opinion of giving people arcs and having some good themes. Namely the redemption one, from Hardison's speech (which I'm gonna talk a little more about in the next point), and this overall theme of growing up and looking to the future (from above the linked post).

New Characters

Harry and Breanna are fantastic characters. I was kind of worried about Harry being a replacement Nate, but... he really isn't. Sure, he's the older white guy who has an angsty past but it's in a very different way and his personality and relationships with the rest of the crew are correspondingly different. I think the dynamic of a very friendly, cheerful, kind, but still bad guy (as @soundsfaebutokay points out) is a great one to show, and he's got a really cool arc I think of learning to be a better person, and truly understanding Hardison's point about redemption being a process not a goal. His role on the team also has some interesting applications and drawbacks, as @allegorymetaphor talked about. I've kind of grown to think that the show is gradually building up to an eventual Sophie/Harry romance a ways down the line, and I'm actually here for it. Regardless, his relationships with everyone are really interesting.

As for Breanna, first of all and most importantly I love her. Secondly, I think she's got a really interesting story. She's a link to Hardison's past, and provides a really interesting perspective for us as someone younger who has grown up a) looking up to Leverage and b) in a bleaker and more hopeless world. Breanna's not an optimist, and she's not someone who was self-sufficient and unconcerned with the rest of the world at the start, like everyone else. She believes that the world sucks and she wants it to be better, but she doesn't know how to make that happen. She outright says she's desperate and that's why she's working with Leverage. At the same time, Breanna is pretty down on herself and wants to prove herself but gets easily shaken by mistakes or being scolded, which is a stark contrast to Hardison's general self-confidence. There are several times when she starts to have an idea then hesitates to share it, or expects her emotions to be dismissed, or gets really disheartened when she's corrected or rejected, or dwells on her mistakes, or when she is accepted or praised she usually takes a surprised beat and is shy about it (she almost always looks down and away from the person, and her smile is often small or startled). Breanna looks up to the team so much (Parker especially, then probably Eliot) and she wants to prove herself. It's going to be so good to see her grow.

General Vibe

A brief note, but it seems a fitting one to end on. The show keeps it's overall tone and feeling from the original show. The fun, the competency porn, the bad guys and clever plans and happy endings. It's got differences for sure, but the characters are recognizably themselves and the show as a whole is recognizably still Leverage. For the most part they just got the feeling right, and it's really nice.

CONS (no, not that kind)

'Maker and Fixer'

So when I started writing this meta earlier today, I was actually a lot more annoyed by the lack of unique 'maker' skills being shown by Breanna. Basically the only time she tries to use a drone, the very thing she introduced herself as being good at, it breaks instantly. I was concerned about her being relegated into just doing what Hardison did, instead of bringing her own stuff to the table. But the seventh episode eased some of those fears, and the meta I just wrote for someone else asking about Breanna's 'maker' skills as shown this season made me realize there's more nuance than that. I'd still like to have seen more of that from her, but for now the fact that we don't see a lot of 'maker' from her so far seems more like a character decision based in Breanna's insecurities.

Harry definitely gets more 'inside man' usage. His knowledge as a 'fixer' comes in handy several times. Nonetheless, I'm really curious if there are any bigger ways to use it, aside from him just adding in some exposition/insight from time to time. I'm not even entirely sure how much more they can pull from this premise in terms of relevant skills, but I hope there's more and I'd like to see it. Maybe a con built more around him playing a longer role playing his old self, like they tried in the Tower Job? Maybe it's more a matter of him needed distance from that part of his past, being unable to face it without lashing out - in that case it could be a good character growth moment possibly for him to succeed in being Scummy Lawyer again down the line? I dunno.

Episode Twins

This was something small that kind of bothered me a little earlier in the season. It's kind of the negative side to the references, I guess? And I'm not even sure how much it annoys me really, but I just kinda noticed and felt sort of weird about it.

Rollin' on the River has a lot of references/callbacks to the The Wedding Job.

The Tower Job has a lot of references/callbacks to The White Rabbit Job.

The Paranormal Hacktivity Job has a lot of references/callbacks to the Future Job.

I guess I was getting a little concerned that there would be a 'match this episode' situation where almost every new Redemption episode is very reminiscent of an old one. I love the callbacks, but I don't want to see a lack of creativity in this new show, and this worried me for a minute. Especially when it was combined with all three of those episodes dealing with housing issues of some kind. Now, that's a huge concern for a lot of people, and each episode has its own take on a different problem within that huge umbrella, but it still got me worried about a lack of variety in topics/cases.

The rest of the episodes failing to line up so neatly in my head with older episodes helped a lot to ease this one, though. Still, this is my complaining section so I figured I'd express my concerns as they were at the time. Even if I no longer really worry about it much.

Sophie's Stagefright

Yeah, I know this is just a small moment in a single episode, but it annoyed me! Eliot made a bit of a face at Sophie going onstage, but I thought it was just him being annoyed at the general situation. However, they started out with her being awful up there until she realized the poem was relevant to the con - at which point her reading got so much better.

This felt like a complete betrayal of Sophie's beautiful moment at the end of the original show where she got over her trouble with regular acting and played Lady Macbeth beautifully in front of a full theater of audience members. This was part of the con, but only in the sense that it gave her an alibi/place to hide, and I always interpreted it as her genuinely getting over her stagefright problems. It felt like such a beautiful place to end her arc for that show, especially after all her time spent directing.

Now, her difficulty onstage in the Card Game Job was brief and at the very beginning of being up on stage. @rinahale suggested to me that maybe it was a deliberate tactic to draw the guy's attention, and the later skill was simply her shifting focus to make the sonnet easier for Breanna to listen to and interpret, but he seemed more enraptured when she was doing well than otherwise in my opinion and it just doesn't quite sit well with me. My other theory was that maybe she just hasn't been up on stage in a long time, and much like she complaining about being rusty at grifting before the team pushed her into trying, she got nervous for a moment at the very beginning. The problem there is that I think she'd definitely still get involved in theater even when she and Nate were retired. I guess she could've quit after he died, and a year might be long enough to make her doubt herself again, but... still.

I just resent that they even left it ambiguous at all. Sophie's skills should be solid on stage at this point in my opinion.

Thiefsome

...And now we come to my main complaint. This is, by far, the biggest issue I have with the show.

I feel like I should put a disclaimer here that I had my doubts from the beginning about the thiefsome becoming canon onscreen. I thought the famous "the OT3 is safe" tweet could easily just mean that they are all still alive and well, or all still working together, without giving us confirmation of a romantic relationship. Despite this, the general fandom expectations/hopes really got to me, especially with the whole "lock/pick/key" thing. I tried to temper my expectations again when the character descriptions came out and only mentioned Hardison loving Parker, not Eliot, but I still got my hopes up.

The thing is, I was disappointed pretty quickly.

The very first episode told me that in all likelihood we would never see Hardison and Parker and Eliot together in a romantic sense. Oh, there was so much coding. So much hinting. So much in the way of conversations that were about Parker/Hardison's relationship but then Eliot kept getting brought into them. They were portrayed as a unit of three.

But then there was this.

I love all of those scenes of Parker and Hardison being intimate and loving and comfortable with one another and their relationship. I really do. But it didn't escape my notice that there's nothing of the sort with Eliot. If they wanted a canon onscreen thiefsome, it would by far make the most sense to just have it established from the start. But there aren't any scenes where Eliot shares the same kind of physical closeness with either of them like they do each other. Parker and Hardison kiss; he doesn't kiss anyone. They have several clearly romantic conversations when alone; he gets important conversations with both but the sense of it being romantic isn't there.

Establishing Eliot as part of the relationship after Hardison is gone just... doesn't make any sense. It would be more likely to confuse new viewers, to make them wonder if Parker is cheating on Hardison with Eliot, or if they have a Y shaped relationship rather that a triangle. It would be so much clumsier.

Still, up until the Double-Edged-Sword Job I believed the writers might keep it at this level of 'plausible hinting but not quite saying'. There's a lot of great stuff with all of them, and I never expecting making out or whatever anyway; a cheek-kiss was about the height of my hopes to be honest. I mostly just hoped for outright confirmation and, failing that, I was happy enough to have the many hints and implications.

But then Marshal Maria Shipp came along. And I don't really have anything against her as a character - in fact, I think she has interesting story potential and will definitely come back. But the episode framed her fight with Eliot as a sexyfight TM, much like his fight with Mikel back in the day. And then his flirting with her rode the line a little of "he's playing her for the con" and "he's genuinely flirting." The scene where he tells her his real name is particularly iffy, but actually was the one that convinced me he was playing her. Because he seems to be watching her really closely, and to be very concerned about her figuring out who he really is. I am very aware though that I'm doing a lot of work to interpret it the way I want. On surface appearance, Eliot's just flirting with an attractive woman, like he did on the last show. And that's probably the intention, too.

But the real nail in the coffin for me was when Sophie compared herself and Nate to Eliot and Maria. That was a genuine scene, not the continuation of the teasing from before. And Sophie is the one whose insight into people is always, always trustworthy. She is family to the thiefsome. For this to make any sense, either Eliot/Parker/Hardison isn't a thing, or they are and Sophie doesn't know - and I can't imagine why in the hell she wouldn't know.

Any argument to make them still canon leaves me unsatisfied. If she knows and they haven't admitted it to her - why wouldn't they, after all this time? Why would she not have picked up on it even without an outright announcement? Some people suggested they wouldn't admit it because they thought Nate would be weird about it, but that doesn't seem any more in character to me than the other possibilities. In fact, the only option that doesn't go against my understanding of these people and their observational abilities/the close relationship they share.... is that the thiefsome is not a thing.

And furthermore, the implication of this conversation - especially the way it ended, with Eliot stomping off looking embarrassed while Sophie smiled knowingly - is that Eliot will get into another relationship onscreen. Maybe not a full-blown romantic relationship. But the Maria Shipp tension is going to be resolved somehow, and at this point I'm half-expecting a hook-up simply because of Sophie's reaction and how much I trust her judgement of such things. Even if she's letting her grief cloud her usual perceptiveness... it feels iffy.

It just kinda feels like I wasn't even allowed to keep my "interpret these hints/maybe they are" thiefsome that I expected after the first couple episodes convinced me we wouldn't get outright confirmation. (I mean, I will anyway, and I love the hints and allusions regardless.) And while I'm definitely not the kind of fan who is dependent on canon for my ships, and still enjoy all their interactions/will keep right on headcanoning them all in a relationship, it's just.... a bummer.

Feels like a real cop-out. Like the hints of Breanna being queer are enough to meet their quota and they won't try anything 'risky' like a poly relationship. I dunno. It's annoying.

.

That's the end of the list! Again, overall I love the new show a lot and have few complaints.