#also to make it clear I love Sophie and stand with her I do hope joe fucks off and let her have her kids without too much hassle

[its-a-swift-kloss]

This is a safe space where Saylor has one meaning, and one meaning only.

[cozcat]

Costuming the Amyrlin, part 2

For the sake of spoiler avoidance, this post is in two parts. Please read part 1 on Siuan's costuming as we've seen onscreen so far before reading this post!

At some point in the show, we are going to be seeing Siuan when she is no longer the Amyrlin, and we are going to see Egwene and Elaida as two very different Amyrlins. They have room to go in some very different directions with their costumes, and thus far, I think Siuan's costumes as Amyrlin really lend themselves to this. So this is my speculation, based on what they've done so far, and the elements of Siuan's costuming as they lend themselves to other characters, and how we can contrast them.

Siuan Sanche after the Tower

If you're reading this post, you're very aware that Siuan's time as Amyrlin is not going to last much longer - very scared, but very excited to see Sophie Okonedo absolutely kill it as we see that contrast between Siuan Sanche the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan the stilled runaway, and Siuan Sedai.

It seems a safe bet that Siuan's costumes after the coup will be a lot simpler and a lot more comfortable, and that'll continue in Salidar, not just as a runaway. Siuan on the run, as well as Siuan in Salidar, is Siuan with actual control and agency over the very simple thing of choosing what to wear. Or, as much control as you can have with little in the way of funds or resources. But I wouldn't be shocked if it's a one-way shift - even once the Tower reunites, Siuan will be in a position to have a lot more control over every element of herself, and sticking her in costumes that she would be more comfortable in is an easy visual cue to support whatever she says and does.

(As an aside: I hope Sharon knows that I'll be finding her for A Conversation if she takes cues from the way the books describe Siuan's costumes in Salidar and Tel'aran'rhiod. There are many things that happen in these books that should remain on the page and never grace our screens and a good chunk of that list pertains to Siuan. But anyway...)

Also: I would love it if we get Siuan with a protective hairstyle once she's out of the Tower. Please.

Elaida as Amyrlin

Elaida is going to be living for this. I have no doubt that Elaida's costumes will make Siuan's seem subdued. But how can that happen when Siuan's are already so ostentatious? Add more stuff. Make it tacky. Siuan's regalia, while ostentatious, is tasteful; Elaida is decidedly not. Elaida seems exactly the type to add gems, to add jewellery, to add colour - she wears a lot of red in the books, and if she continues to do so in the show, it will stand out even more after an Amyrlin whose clothing remained neutral. It's a very sharp visual contrast. Elaida is desperately clinging to power, to prestige, to the illusion of respect - I've no doubt that her costuming will reflect that.

I do still expect some continuity with Siuan's costumes, though, at least to start. The papal shapes, with huge swathes of fabric disguising the person underneath; the sheer amount of embroidery and other decoration, a clear display of how much time can be afforded for one garment to be worn by one person. But where Siuan's costumes were neutral, Elaida's will not be. Where Siuan's costumes were subtle (or as subtle as a queen-pope-leader role can allow), Elaida's will not be.

And by making Elaida be so overt in her show of power and resources, it will contrast spectacularly with Egwene in Salidar.

Egwene as Amyrlin

When Egwene is raised, Salidar will have no resources to make her look the Amyrlin in the way that Siuan looked the Amyrlin - they don't have the funds, they don't have the tailors, they don't have the fabric. I'm expecting this to be where the stole of the books to make its appearance - they cannot make Egwene look like she could stand next to a queen, but they can make her recognisable in her role with some strips of fabric.

But also: as I mentioned earlier, the olivey-gold colour that comes when you blend the seven colours of the Ajahs, that bears a striking resemblance to the gold of Siuan's costumes? I can see Egwene wearing that colour, in far simpler clothing. It would be a fairly subtle call-back to Siuan's costumes, dialling down in opposition to the way in which Elaida's will inevitably be dialled up. Egwene's costumes will take the colour, and make the clothing simpler; Elaida's will take the ostentation and the structure, and make it obnoxious.

And when she reunites the Tower, she may not end up in full regalia. Of course, she might, as it would symbolise the reunification, making it feel wholly formal. But I wouldn't be surprised if her regalia is plainer - she was the Amyrlin of a rebel faction, and she did not have the regalia of the position; she does not need it now, because there is no doubt of her role. She does not need to reinforce her position by showing her resources, and given what she has achieved without much at all, a lack of ostentation will lend her more credence than anything else. Egwene as Amyrlin ushers in a new age for the Tower - the vestments may be another thing that she discards with the old ways.

It's still early days - we've yet to see Siuan in season 2, and things may change, depending on the costumes we see her in. (I believe I heard mention of a travelling outfit in this video, and it sounds like it's referring to one we don't see, but I'm not sure.) However, with what they've done so far, I think they've set themselves up spectacularly to show both the change in Siuan over her arc, and the ways in which the Amyrlins that succeed her play their hands in their roles.

[kepnerandavery]

Bridgerton season 3 (part 1) review

Thoughts on polin this season:

I stand corrected, people. I loved Penelope and Colin this season. I found the writing of those two as individual characters and a couple (on the show) to be mediocre before, but my god, it's like they jumped straight out of the fourth book this season. It's like I finally got to meet book Penelope and Colin (especially Colin). And the chemistry of the leads really surprised me too. I don't know what was going on before this season, but they are great together now. The writing/portrayal of the personalities of the two characters and their connection was spot on, and I honestly have no notes. I wish they had kept this same essence since the beginning, but I get why they were saving this until their season. As I expected, the execution of the translation of this season and couple from the book to screen was the best out of all three seasons. I wish the past two couples got the same attention and treatment (specially kanthony), but alas, there's nothing to be done about that. RMB is my fourth favourite book in the series, but this season is honestly my favourite. The dialogue, costumes, locations, aesthetic of the sets, and even the silent moments between the leads were so poignant. And this season made it clear how a show having a female show-runner can impact it so positively.

Now, on to the other things:

I really liked how they handled Penelope and Eloise's friendship and its fallout this season. Their friendship was written more subtly and with care this season and resembled the one in the books for the first time ever for me. And how they both changed as individuals by the absence of the solace the two of them found in each other in the past as they stood against the confoundedness and cruelty of society was written so well.

Kanthony were adorable and really cute and it's such a shame that we got so few scenes of them. At least they are together and happy.

I hate how they keep making a mockery of Benedict's character. It's clear that he should have already met Sophie and gotten his story cause his character feels lost among everyone else, but the poor boy is still smiling, so that's something I guess. I just wish they would for once properly focus on his love for art and improvement of his talent instead of his little dalliances. It's almost like the writers think that he has no other values/interests beyond that. I feel like the writers are so much better at handling Eloise's character and preparing her for her season than they are at writing Ben's. For god's sake, they should at least give him a best friend, or further build his relationship with one of his siblings or Violet to give his character some substantiality.

Eloise was really great this season and seemed so much more mature and grounded. Her costumes were immaculate too. I just wish we had seen her bond with Francesca more cause they're really close in the books.

As for Francesca, I'm sorry, I didn't like how her character or story was written this season. She was never meant to be this.. idk... plain and quirky? (no one come at me cause I'm a book Fran apologist). After watching these four episodes I feel like Ruby had a better grasp on Francesca's character than Hannah does but it could also have something to do with the very bland writing. But then again, most of what we know of Fran is from WHWW and she is more mature in it, so like polin, her character could also get major development later on as she gets older. But I don't have high hopes for that. And dare I say, I also didn't like how John was written either. He was always way more confident and outgoing in my mind (I also expected them to cast an actor of a larger build and screen presence to play him). But I do see how this version of him suits the new version of Fran. But all in all, neither of them were this particular in my imagination. I hadn't had any hopes for the adaptation of Michael's character since last season came out, so this is literally the nail on that coffin for me. At this point, I'm very desensitised to being let down by this show and prefer to be pleasantly surprised, so who cares.

The soundtrack was great (though nothing can beat season one's in my opinion). But Snow On The Beach playing in episode four at the exact moment it did was really poignant and sweet so it's my favourite song they used this season (so far).

Favorite quote:

"Eros and Psyche battling it out." "What you are trying to say, Miss Cowper? Are they not old friends?" "The oldest of friends, really. Ever since the Featheringtons moved in across the street." "Across the street from the Bridgerton house?" 😭 (argghhh! why is that the cutest thing? whoever wrote that deserves a raise!!!)

Suffice to say, I'm very excited to see how the rest of the season is written. I hope they handle the whole LWD thing with care too.

[ahoyimlosingmymind]

I think what gets me about the situation, is that Fitz knew. He knew Keefe liked Sophie, and I genuinely believe a small part of him that he tried really hard to ignore also knew that Sophie liked Keefe-- but she was so dishonest with him about it. And I know the argument is that she didn't know she liked Keefe yet-- but in an objective, real life way of looking at it... that argument falls so flat for me. Like Sophie would have to be legitimately stupid to not realize she liked Keefe. I really don't see what harm her having an acknowledged crush on him would have done. There's the argument that she didn't want to lose their friendship, but she had no qualms about crushing on Fitz secretly, and he's one of her best friends too.

ANYWAY- not the point lol

Sophie notes a feeling of 'being caught' a few times when Fitz walks in on Keefe and Sophie, and it honestly felt like she was gaslighting him for most of the book. She tells him she wasn't avoiding him, when you could read it plain as day in her own internal monologue that she was, she told him she would work on talking to him and being honest, and from where I'm standing, she never really did. There were a lot of subtle things that Sophie did woven throughout the relationship that gets pushed aside a bit, because God forbid she be in the wrong.

It got to the point where Keefe was having to make loud horribly awkward comments about Sophie being Fitz's girlfriend, him having to make a point to tell her to tell Fitz things. The fact that Sophie can't tell that Fitz and Keefe are aware of something that she 'is not' is just... so dumb, from a writing standpoint but whatever. Keefe and Fitz both know the other likes her, and they both make comments about it and she's just like 'lalalalala'. (Bestie had a lot on her plate, but good God, she gets insufferable sometimes. And I used to be in love with her character, sooooo you know, I didn't always have a more negative opinion of her. )

Fitz knows exactly how Keefe feels. He knows that Keefe likes her, that Keefe feels guilty, but that Keefe also isn't really willing to back off fully, (regardless of his own claims) because he still wants that chance. Like maybe Keefe is trying to not act on his feelings for Sophie, but it's the fact that Fitz knows that Keefe does care about Sophie romantically that puts it in a whole new light. And he knows Keefe feels bad for it... but it's there. That undertone is there.

Then you have characters like Ro, who make Fitz out to be irrational and jealous and hysterical, and like he's in the wrong for asking Sophie about her internal world, and about Keefe, like he isn't literally her boyfriend. *rips hair out*

I'm not saying Fitz was perfect in the situation... but uhhh... it's giving traitor by Oliva Rodrigo. He KNEW, and there were so many signs he tried to ignore to avoid being a pushy and interrogating boyfriend, but he knew, and his concerns were dismissed. and for Sophie and Keefe to get together a few months later... oh my god. I"M ILL.

idk. I don't blame him for being suspicious and questioning, bc I personally would not be super chill with my S/O always hanging out and emotionally confiding in a person I knew liked them. Even if I trusted them not to do anything, it would just be horrendously anxiety inducing. Especially if my S/O was already being avoidant and not completely open with me.

Fitz was messy AF in their relationship too, but really, only when it came to matchmaking. Which he tried almost tirelessly to get a clear answer out of Sophie about, and every time she would clam up, or Ro would be like 'Why do you care?" like maybe because they're dating??

It was fairly obvious that Sophie wasn't 100% down for all the matchmaking stuff, and Fitz probably should have just accepted that, but I think he was taking her lack of a concrete 'no' as hope, even though he knew it was never going to end up the way he wanted it to. The way Fitz cared about matchmaking too, was arguably shallow. I'm not saying he was in the right for putting so much pressure on it, but it is understandable, given his upbringing. And these were all things they should have known about each other and discussed fully before ever committing to anything. But as we've established, Sophie is overly secretive, and clearly saw Fitz on a pedestal and not like a real person, which hindered her honesty. And Fitz low-key knew she liked Keefe the whole time anyway, and that Keefe liked her, and he was just hoping something would change, so he took her dodginess and lies at face value so preserve the ship he knew was sinking the whole time.

anway this turned into a rant about like five different things and I don't even feel like its coherent atp but haha

legacy keefe, letting it happen

that sounds like he doesn't actually care, or at least not enough to actually do what's right.

'But he also knows that it’s seriously wrong because Sophie is with fitz and even if Sophie doesn’t realize what they’re doing, Keefe absolutely does. He does, and he wants Sophie to be better, but he also doesn’t want it to stop.'

that's not a good friend

he can be conflicted or whatever, but that doesn't change that he doesn't really care about fitz- at least not anymore

Hmmm no I disagree.

Because keefe really did do everything he could short of stopping seeing Sophie altogether, that’s literally the reason he felt guilty about it. He wanted Sophie and Fitz to be happy and he didn’t want Sophie to be emotionally cheating in Fitz. He really wanted their happiness.

Where it gets messy is that they both liked the same girl which isn’t their fault by the way. Keefe isn’t a bad friend in any right for liking Sophie.

The thing that makes his situation in legacy tough is that he knows that without realizing it, Sophie really is emotionally cheating on her boyfriend, but he can’t tell her that without telling her her heart emotions actually like him, which he doesn’t want to tell her because that isn’t fair. She should get to figure out her emotions on her own. And of course he’s going to want to keep hanging out with her.

But he’s also very clear that they need to be good friends to Fitz. He tells Sophie she needs to be honest with Fitz about their project—Sophie just ended up forgetting cause she had so much on her plate. And he makes lots of jokes whenever they’re around about how happy they are together and how great Fitzphie is even though he still wants Sophie.

He’s in this really difficult situation where he really likes a girl who he knows really likes him, but who also really likes his friend and is technically dating his friend. So every time they hang out, even as friends, Keefe feels a little guilty about it because he knows what’s going on with Sophie’s emotions—which ALSO isn’t his fault by the way.

But naturally there’s a part of him that’s happy his feelings aren’t unrequited. That’s to be expected. And it only adds to his guilt in legacy because of course he secretly hopes Sophie will eventually choose him and can tell it might be an actual possibility. He really, really likes her. But of course he doesn’t want Sophie to be a bad girlfriend—and he clearly cares about Fitz in legacy, telling Sophie to reach out and wanting them to communicate and be happy.

Keefe can simultaneously care about Fitz and wish the girl he is dating would choose him instead. Honestly, your ask kind of sounds like you’re calling Keefe a bad friend for simply having his own feelings outside of wanting the best for his friend. I’m sure it isn’t your intention, but keefe can both care about Fitz’s feelings and also want something for himself.

Like I mentioned, the messiest part is that keefe knows all of Sophie’s emotions all the time, which he can’t even turn off, so that’s not his fault! He wants to hang out with Sophie, and he doesn’t mind that she has these feelings for him… he actually WANTS her to have those feelings… but he hates that it’s during her relationship with fitz and wishes Sophie would either be happy with fitz and go communicate and be a good girlfriend or break it off with fitz entirely and maybe start talking with keefe with those little flutters in her stomach then. And you know what? It’s not keefe’s job to make that happen. It’s Sophie’s, and she’s a little confused and oblivious in legacy, which isn’t keefe’s fault at all.

So… yeah no.

The situation is complicated. Of course keefe feels conflicted in the position he’s in. He doesn’t have a lot of right options—or any—and he’s a seventeen year old with a lot more on his plate.

Of all the issues in the Keefe and Fitz friendship (which I’d love to see worked through in canon), them not caring about each other has NEVER been one of them.

Sophie didn’t handle everything perfectly—but she didn’t realize what she was doing.

Keefe didn’t handle everything perfectly—but he really, really tried his best, and didn’t do half bad of a job either.

Fitz didn’t handle everything perfectly either. What can I say. They’re teenagers.

Hope you have a good rest of your day anon :)

[bridgertonbabe]

I really hope we get Sophie next season, but I’m also insanely curious how it’s gonna go with polin and with Penelope and Eloise. I know a lot of people don’t love that they fought but I think it works and kinda needed to happen. But I have no idea how they’re gonna deal with the polin scene of him hearing her and there are so many fun, angsty options.

Though I wasn't expecting anyone to discover Penelope's secret so early on, it did make for an incredible dramatic scene and Nicola and Claudia captured the fallout perfectly. I honestly can't predict how Peneloise will fare going ahead, I just hope they don't ruin either character or their friendship in S3.

As for Polin, I'm intrigued with how they'll play out next season. There's several possibilities of what might occur. Will it be reported on in Whistledown of what Colin said to his friends, because then Colin will be crushed that such words will have been read by his dear friend, and I imagine he'd apologise profusely to her, begging her to forgive him for speaking so cruelly. If it isn't reported on however, then Colin won't have a clue of the hurt he's caused Penelope. It'll be interesting how Penelope plays it as well; will she avoid him and give him the cold shoulder to hide her pain or act perhaps a little distant but still be civil with him when he approaches her to talk? With Peneloise's fallout obviously Penelope won't be hanging around the house and I can see Colin constantly asking after her to an irritable Eloise, as well as it being quite plain to the audience that he's missing her.

There might even be a scenario where Colin picks up on the Peneloise fallout and believes it is Eloise who has done wrong by Pen and tries to get her to make amends or apologise, infuriating Eloise and resulting in them suffering a massive fallout too. Eloise wouldn't say a word of Penelope's identity, even with Colin attacking her for seemingly doing wrong by Pen, and Colin nonetheless would take Penelope's side because in his eyes it's his sister who is preventing him from seeing Pen as often as he would like. I can see Eloise glaring at them across the ballroom, bitter that her ex-best friend and her current least favourite brother are still close. In light of her fallout with Eloise, I wonder if that will also factor into Penelope's behaviour towards Colin; whether she tries to keep away from him to prevent any further upset for Eloise or if she'll be unable to steer clear of him due to her undying love for him in spite of the cruel words she overheard him say.

There are so many juicy possibilities for drama and angst between Penelope and where she now stands with both Eloise and Colin, and I hope the writers know what they're doing going forward.

(I think I saw someone mention it somewhere but I'd like to see Colin asking Pen to dance at a ball, only for her to decline and make a remark along the lines of "I wouldn't want anyone to think us dancing together to mean anything" and Colin's face falls from the rejection.)

[dubersbutt]

Take a Bow (4) - Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,

Warnings: Babies, anxiety/feelings of heightened anxiety, smut

It’s not that Connor hates kids. They just make him uncomfortable.

Like when his aunt had a baby when he was 13 his mom asked if Connor wanted to hold him. Connor was fine when his mom gently placed the baby in his arms. Up until his mom told her to be super careful with his head or else he could snap his neck and kill him. Or if Connor accidently pressed his soft spot it could severely detriment his brain development. It was too much responsibility.

At least that’s what he used to think.

He fell in love with Emilia the minute you walked through the front door with her in the baby carrier. The dogs were excited by the tiny squirming arms inside the carrier, he had to hold Lenny back so he didn’t crush her.

“This is going to sound super cliche,” Connor says as he coos into the carrier where Emilia is trying to open her tiny eyes, “but she is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s a lot cuter now that her head is a normal shape,” you joke, munching on a cookie Connor had set out for you.

“Can you stop making fun of our daughter’s cone head?” Leon rolls his eyes.

“You didn’t see it, it was terrifying.”

(Connor googles a picture of it later. Babies are fucking weird.)

He helps you up the stairs to the waiting cup of tea on the mug warmer in your bedroom. He lets you get settled, handing you the TV remote and giving you a kiss on the forehead before going back downstairs to meet his daughter (step-daughter? Connor didn’t really know).

“Can I hold her?” Connor asks when he finds Leon and Emilia in the living room.

“What happened to the three month rule?” He raises an amused eyebrow.

Connor had created it after the incident. He didn’t hold a baby that was younger than 3 months.

“I’m feeling brave.”

Leon scooches over so Connor has room to sit comfortably. Leon gently places Emilia in his arms, and gives Connor a pillow to prop his arm on. Emilia’s blinks at him before squirming and stretching her little arms over her head. Connor feels all warm and fuzzy in his chest.

“Hello, Emilia,” he says, with a smile on his face, “I’m your other dad.”

~~~

Connor’s not inherently a jealous person.

Or at least he thought he was. But ever since Emilia came home he’s been feeling it. He loves Emilia, don’t get him wrong. Well, actually, he should backpedal for a second.

Connor is still annoyed at Leon.

He knows he should probably bring this up (because look what happened last time) but he hasn’t because Leon was trying to make things right with you. He obviously was trying with Connor as well, but he couldn’t help but feel like he was an afterthought. Some days were better than others, but everytime Connor thought about how he woke up and couldn’t find Leon in the penthouse he felt like puking.

Emilia eases the pain. He truly does love her like his own. The only time he uses the “she’s your kid” card is when it's 2 am and he’s too tired to get up. But he rarely even does that because Connor’s always been the heaviest sleeper out of the three of you. But other than that, he volunteers for bathtime, plays with her while you’re in the shower, he doesn’t even hate changing diapers that much.The puppies love her too, they’ve transitioned from napping on the dog beds in the living room to the spot on the couch closest to the bassinet to keep an eye on them. He regularly has to stop Lenny from trying to jump in and crush Emilia.

Back to Leon (Connor tends to get side tracked when talking about Emilia). Connor’s still annoyed and he’s been working up to talking about it. But it never seems like a good time. First you were pregnant, and Connor didn’t want to upset either of you. Then it was playoffs and Connor didn’t have any time to think about anything else. Then they got swept and Connor did nothing but eat ice cream for a week like he just had his first heartbreak. And after that…well, he just hates confrontation.

He keeps telling himself that he’ll get around to it, that he just wants to gather his thoughts but he knows he’s stalling at this point. Mostly because -

“So did you do what we talked about last session?” Sophie, his therapist, asks him at the beginning of his appointment.

-his therapist calls him on his bulshit. And he realizes that’s the whole reason he pays her, but it’s still rude.

“About that…” Connor trails off.

She gives him an amused smile, “Connor, you know I don’t like telling you what to do but I strongly suggest you talk to Leon.”

“Sophie, my girlfriend gave birth, we started playoffs and got swept all in the last two weeks,” he says with an exasperated sigh, “I deserve a little time for myself. Isn’t that what you told me last week?”

“I was getting to that,” she says.

Connor almost didn’t show up to his first session. He spent the whole ride over that he his therapist would be a quiet homophobe and who’d sell his story to the presses and ruin his life.

But then he went in and saw the framed photo of Sophie and her wife and their twins. He let out a sigh of relief and felt more comfortable telling her about his life. She didn’t even really watch hockey and she told him that he thought he was a “good player” for his age. Connor always has to stop himself from laughing whenever she tries to compliment his playing style. She’s adorable.

“And what about  (Y?N)? Have you thought about what you were going to say to her?”

He knows. He just doesn’t know if you’ll want the same thing.

“I have, a little bit.”

“And would you like to share what you’ve been thinking about?”

“I-uh,” he swallows, “I want another baby?”

“Is that a question?”

“I don’t think so.”

Sophie sends him home with the same homework he had last week: try to slowly figure out what he wants to say when he’s eventually ready to have a talk.

When he comes home, Leon’s standing in the kitchen by Emillia’s bottle warmer. He looks stupid hot holding a baby and Connor’s only mildly annotated about it.

“Hey,” he flashes Connor a bright smile when he notices Connor’s presence, “Can you hold her while I make her a bottle?”

“Sure,” He takes Emilia from Leon before sliding the dimmer down on the light switch. Her eyes slowly open in the dim light and her gumless smile warms Connor’s heart.

“Hello sweet girl,” he coos, watching as she somehow wiggles an arm loose from her blanket, “I love you. I hope you had a good morning.”

He doesn’t expect her to answer, obviously, but she does start to open and close her mouth, indicating she's hungry.

“Leo, you’re too slow,” he taunts playfully, watching as Leon carefully measures out the formula, “she’s starving over here.”

“I can only move so fast,” he laughs.

When Leon finally gets Emilia her bottle Connor relaxes into the dining room chair as she eats her lunch.

“How was therapy?”

Connor told you and Leon that he started going when he came home from his session. Connor didn’t divulge everything that happened in his sessions but it felt nice to have someone ask.

“It was good,” he says, leaning over and resting his head on Leon’s shoulder, “I only cried a little this time.”

Leon chuckles, “Does that mean therapy’s working?”

“Probably.”

~~~

Connor can’t help but laugh when he rewatches the interview of Leon talking about Emilia. He manages to somehow be adorable and sarcastic at the same time. You’re settled against his chest with your ipad resting on your lap and he can feel your giggles as Leon gives his short, glib answers to the journalists' annoying questions.

(Congratulations, she’s very cute.

“I know. She is my daughter after all.”

Your girlfriend’s not going to get mad about that comment?

“She’s gonna get mad if you keep asking questions about her newborn.”)

“I can’t believe you haven’t seen this yet,” Connor says as he runs his fingers through your hair.”

“Neither can I,” you giggle as Leon looks into the camera like he’s on the Office.

Leon rolls his eyes as he emerges from the bathroom, now freshly shaven.

“It’s not that funny,” he says.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Leo,” Connor says, gently hooking his fingers in Leon’s chain to pull him down for a kiss, “You’re very funny.”

“Why did you shave?” you say as Leon turns to give you a kiss, “Your beard looked so good.”

“It was also getting super scratchy,” Connor says.

Leon gets under the covers on Connor’s otherside, “Yeah Emilia’s been distracting me from the beard routine.”

You scoff, “the scratch is the best part, Con.”

“Tell that to the scratch marks on my ass,” Connor says without thinking, and then immediately blushes.

You groan, “Don’t talk about anything remotely sexy when my poor vagina is still healing from pushing out a whole watermelon.”

Leon laughs, “Don’t worry, baby, the beard will be back by the time you get your 6 week all clear.”

~~~

(5 weeks later - after your 6 week all appointment)

“Guess what bitches,” you shout as you enter the kitchen, “I can finally have sex again.”

“Mhm,” Leon hums, feigning disinterest, “And what would you like me to do about that?”

“You’re mean and not funny,” you say lightly hip-checking him, “Besides I have two boyfriends for a reason.”

“Yeah about that,” Connor stretches and yawns, “Emilia kept me up last night so I was gonna take a nap.”

You blink, “I will go to Whyte Av and find some rando to screw in a coat closet, don’t fucking test me.”

Leon grabs your hips and pulls you against his body so your back is flush against his chest before walking forward and pressing your hips into the kitchen counter.

“As if I could pass up the opportunity to fuck this sweet little pussy,” he grinds his hips, pushing your hips further into the counter.

“What have you been cleared for?”

“L-light, non-strenous sex.”

Connor laughs, “Boring, but better than nothing.”

“Davo, take her upstairs,” Leon commands so Connor scoops you up and carries you bridal style to the bedroom.

“Wait wait,” you say when they reach the top, “Where’s Emilia.”

“She’s napping in her crib,” Connor says as he drops you onto the bed, “Leo’s gonna check on her before he comes. So you can turn your brain off for a little bit.”

Connor doesn’t wait to hear your answer, just presses his lips to yours. He fels you moan against him. Connor’s hands slide under your shirt, slowly exposing skin. When he gets it over your head he trails his kisses down your body, unhooking your bra as he does. His kisses move in between your breasts to your belly.

“Beautiful,” he murmurs as he kisses your belly button, “you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

He hooks his fingers on your shorts, pulling them down your legs. He settles himself on the bed as he spreads your legs to press kisses to your inner thigh.

“Perfect,” Connor says, lightly nipping at the sensitive skin.

The tiny hitch of your breath causes all of his blood to rush straight to his dick, but he can’t bring himself to care. He takes his time, warming you up with kisses to your inner thighs, gently scraping his teeth against the skin. He kisses your pussy before running his tongue through your folds. His tongue gently caresses your clit with his tongue. Your hand comes down in his hair when he sucks your clit into his mouth. Your hips start to move against his face, grinding down to give yourself more friction.

“So impatient,” he hums, fucking one finger in you.

“It’s been six whole weeks,” you say,  “I haven’t gone six weeks without sex since I was a virgin.”

Connor chuckles, “Easy baby, we’ll get there.”

~~~

Connor can’t help himself when he sees you changing Emilia’s onesie in her nursery. He walks up behind you, wraps his arms around your waist and rests his head on your shoulder.

“Good morning,” he says, planting a kiss on your cheek, “And good morning to the world’s most adorable baby.”

Emilia gurgles but doesn’t retort. Smh, someone needs to teach her how to be humble.

“Morning,” you reply, buttoning up her fresh onesie, “How’d you sleep?”

“Good,” he responds with another kiss, “Except when you kicked me in my ribs.”

“I take offense to that,” you raise an eyebrow, “I am an angel in bed. And, yes, pun intended.”

Connor snorts, “We both know that's a lie.”

Both Connor and Leon have been victims of your aggressive sleeping style. One of these days he’s gonna tie all your limbs down, and not in a sexy way. But not in a murderous way either, let’s make that clear. In a Connor-wants-one-singular-night-to-not-get-punched-in-his-sleep way.

Oh god, his brain is rambling. Oh god, he does not want to do this.

“(Y/N),” he says before he can talk himself out of it, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”

“About what?” you ask, holding Emilia close as you sit down in the rocking chair.

“I…” Connor has never been this sweaty in his life, “I want another baby.”

“Oh,” you say, indifferent, “Congratulations.”

His brow furrows, “what?”

“On growing a uterus,” you arch an eyebrow, “Because I sure as hell am not using mine again for like 3 years.”

Connor laughs, “I wasn’t saying right away. But, I just want to know if it’s something on the table.”

“I want another baby,” you say, “And as long as you’re willing to wait, I don’t see why it would be an issue.”

~~~

And Connor definitely feels lighter after his talk with you. And he even impresses Sophie by actually doing his homework for once:

“So did you talk to Leon yet?” She asks after he’s finished giving his rundown of his week.

“No,” he says sheepishly, “But I did talk to (Y/N) about having another baby.”

She has the professionalism to not look shocked, but Connor is getting a little better at reading her. Or at least he thinks he is. He still gets anxious whenever she writes things on her notepad, “and how did that go?”

“Honestly, it was better than I expected.”

“How so?”

He shrugs, “I guess I was just expecting the worst?”

“And why is that?”

He shrugs again, “Isn’t that something that you’re supposed to figure out when you psychoanalyze me at the beginning of every session?”

Sophie throws her head back in laughter, “You do know I can’t read your mind right.”

It sure feels like she can sometimes. Which is why he pays her but still, it’s rude. ~~~

Connor thought he was sweaty and anxious before talking to you. However, when it comes time to talk to Leon he also feels nauseous. Like, he might throw up in the kitchen sink again nauseously. But he’s been sitting on this for a few months now - but what if Leon hates him. What if he doesn't want to be with Connor anymore. What if he asks for a trade?

No, Connor’s spiraling. Leon’s a rational person; he's not gonna hate Connor for talking about his feelings, something Leon encourages because Connor tends to bottle things up until he explodes.

But what if-

No. No spiraling, yet.

“Leo,” Leon hums against Connors chest from his spot on the couch next to him, “You still awake?”

“Yeah,” he says quietly, “But I was thinking about going upstairs soon.”

Connor shuts the TV off, “Um, actually before that can we...talk?”

Leon sits up and stretches, “What about?”

Connor takes a deep breath, “I think - I think I’m mad at you?”

Leon looks a little confused, and Connor can’t say he blames him, “You think you’re mad at me?”

“I-yeah,” he takes another breath, “I know you’ve been trying really hard to reconcile with (Y/N), and that’s great, and I’m definitely not trying to say I take priority over her, but it kind of feels like you’ve put me on the backburner a bit.”

Leon nods, “How so?”

Connor shrugs, “I mean, when you came back and you apologized it was definitely pointed towards her. And it’s the little things, like you always make what (Y/N) wants for dinner and not me. It feels a little bit like there’s a hierarchy here.”

“Do you...feel this way with (Y/N) too?”

“A little bit,” he says, “But mostly with things concerning Emilia, so it’s not as big of an issue.”

Connor realized he feels a bit…scorned, for lack of a better word. Connor was with you first, and that’s not something he feels jealous about but now it’s all coming up. Connor never left you, Connor was the one who held back your hair and wiped your tears when Leon was MIA. Connor was there, Leon left.

...maybe he did need to talk to you some more.

~~~

Connor and Leon spend a long time talking on the couch before they join you in bed. Eventually, Leon puts his head in Connor’s lap as the conversation turns mundane and they just enjoy each other’s presence. It’s been a while since they’ve done that. They end the night with a little make out session that doesn’t lead anywhere more. It was nice.

The next morning Connor’s on baby duty. Not that he minds, it’s always nice to start his day with a smile from Emilia. He changes her diaper and puts a fresh sleeper on her, listening to the little baby noises she makes. When he’s finished he takes her downstairs to the kitchen where you and Leon are making breakfast.

“Good morning, babe,” Leon says when Connor turns the corner, “Do you want strawberries or blueberries on your french toast?”

Leon was making his favourite breakfast. Connor can’t stop the smile from spreading on his face.

“And how’s my favourite girl?” he asks, giving Emilia a little kiss on her forehead.

“A pooping machine,” Connor responds to her, and Emilia laughs at him.

“Did she just-?” you get from your spot on the barstool and run to Connor’s side.

“Her first laugh?” Connor says, “Yeah.”

He tickles her belly in an effort to get her to keep laughing, but she chooses that moment to be a stubborn newborn and frowns instead.

He looks at Leon, “She is absolutely your baby.”

“I smiled when I was a baby!”

“No, Leo he’s got a point,” you say in between funny faces, “your mom said she has one baby photo of you smiling because you would refuse to smile for the camera.”

“I was shy.”

“You’re a robot,” Connor says.

“Like you’re one to talk,” you scoff.

~~~

“Connor please,” you pant, “I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”

Connor holds back a laugh, watching the sweat drip down your face, “I thought this is what you wanted?”

“Leo!,” you yell, catching his attention from across the room, “Tell Connor he’s being an ass.”

Leon does not hold back his laugh, “He’s got a point.”

“I can’t believe I’m getting bullied right now.”

Connor wraps his arms around you and pulls you close into his body, “It’s just some squats, baby, it’s not the end of the world.”

“It is when you keep adding weight!”

“Because you’re stronger.”

You just stare at him and, honestly, Connor feels a little scared.

“Tell you what,” he leans down so he can whisper in your ear, “If you make it through your sets, without complaining, Leo and I will take turns eating you out tears run down your pretty little face.”

“Promise?” you hold out your pinky.

Emilia’s being babysat by her grandparents so Connor feels no qualms when he links his pinky with yours, “Promise.”

“Promise what?” Leon pipes up from his place on the leg press.

“Connor offered up your body in exchange for squats,” you say, shouldering the bar once more.

“And what did Connor say I would do?”

“You’ll find out,” Connor says, waving a hand at Leon nonchalantly.

“I don’t even get to know how I’m being used as a bargaining chip?”

“Nope,” Connor says with a smile, popping the ‘p’.

~~~

Leon learns what the exact terms and conditions are of the agreement about an hour later. And, just like Connor expected, he does not complain.

He even has the audacity to wink at Connor as he’s tongue-deep in pussy. Ugh, he forgot what the butterflies in his stomach felt like when he’s not constantly annoyed with Leon. He can’t help himself, he gets up from where he was giving his jaw a break, and slides his fingers over Leon’s hole. Leon tenses up ever so slightly, he breaks the momentum he had on you, evident by how hard your ankles are digging into Leon’s shoulders.

“Don’t stop,” Connor grunts, slipping one digit past the rim, “You don’t cum until she does.”

He slides his finger all the way before uncapping the lube and lathering his fingers up and adding a second. Connor knows when he hits Leon’s prostate when He lets out a low groan into your cunt.

“Fuuuuuuck,” you whine, writhing against the sheets.

Leon pushes back on Connor’s fingers at the same time your hips start to grind down feverishly on Leon’s face.

“Make her cum, Leo,” Connor says, removing his fingers from Leon’s ass and teasing his hole once more.

Leon’s focus changes completely. His fingers dig into your hipbones, pulling you closer to him so he has a better angle. Your chest is rising and falling quickly, heaving off the bed when Leon finally sucks your clit. You cum with a shout, tumbling over the edge, pussy clenching around Leon’s tongue.

Connor wastes no time, grabbing Leon’s hips to steady him before spreading Leon's cheeks and swiping his tongue in long, broad strokes. Connor’s not the biggest fan of rimming, but Leon loves it. Leon groans as Connor teases him, starts to rut against the bed when Connor’s tongue dips into his hole, loses it when Connor starts to fuck him open with his tongue. He reaches over to jack Leon off, pumping him as he continues to take him apart. Leon goes limp beneath him, reduced to nothing but moans. Connor speeds up his ministries, revealing in the way Connor’s name falls weakly from Leon’s mouth. Leon bucks hard against the bed, cums with a shudder. Connor takes his hand off Leon's cock, and places it on his own but doesn’t quite relent on his tongue, working Leon through the aftershocks' pleasure. It doesn’t take very long for Connor to cum, finally letting up on Leon and effectively ruining his boxers.

“Aw Leo,” Connor says once he can catch his breath, “We have to watch the duvet cover now.”

~~~

“Where is my baby?” Connor teases playfully when you walk through the door, baby carrier in hand.

“Calm your tits,” you say, placing the carrier on the kitchen counter and allowing Connor to take her out, “She’s home, and just woke up from a nap.”

“I wish I took a nap today,” Connor says as he rocks Emilia in his arms. She gives Connor a toothless smile and Connor just wants to smoosh her.

“Has anyone ever told you, you look really good holding a baby?” Leon says, giving Connor a quick peck on the cheek.

“Good enough to have another baby?” Connor asks.

You roll your eyes, “Two years, Con.”

“I’m just teasing.”

And, yeah, Connor finally starts to feel like he’s home again.

[newtonsheffield]

A little something to, I hope, cheer you up after your horrendous day 🧡

This did cheer me up! Thank you very much.

Now, for you to feel better. Here's some Good Girls Benophie

Sophie knew it was stupid to be nervous to meet Ben's family. Actually no, it wasn't. On their second date Ben's fingers had twitched nervously when she'd said

"What's your family like?" Trying to sign the words that she'd learned online to her preprepared questions.

"Um... Big?" He'd said, his fingers moving in time with his hesitant voice.

She'd rolled her eyes, "No, Really, what are they like?"

"My Dad died last year." He'd stuttered out and Sophie had instantly felt terrible.

"Ben, I'm so sorry."

"No, it's okay." He's brushed it off, clearly not wanting to discuss it. "My Mum doesn't work, and I have seven siblings."

"Seven?!" She'd practically squawked. and ben had laughed, sending her heart fluttering

"Yeah there's a lot of us, I'm number 2."

"and your Mum doesn't work? What are you guys rich?" She'd said it as a joke, but ben's face had gone bright red.

"We're... well off."

Standing in front of his house now, 5 weeks later, Sophie could see that was a vast underestimation. The Bridgerton house was practically a mansion, a backyard sprawling out into the distance, and Sophie felt anxiety swirl in her stomach. This was exactly the kind of place she didn't belong, with her stained sneakers, and her nose ring, and the rainbow hair that had seemed like a good idea at the time, and she loved it, but now would make her seem irresponsible and flighty she was sure.

A loud clap to her left caught her attention, and Sophie practically fell over spinning around. Ben was leaning against the front door, a curious smile on his face.

"What are you doing Out Here?" Ben signed in time with his words.

"Just Thinking."

Ben had rolled his eyes, "My Mum is really excited to meet you."

Sophie had nodded, forcing down the anxiety in her stomach, taking the hand he offered her and letting him tug her inside though her legs felt numb. She'd put on her best jeans, her best sweater, and that didn't seem anywhere near enough as she stood in the entrance hall.

"She's in here!" Ben signed excitedly, tugging her towards the kitchen and Sophie felt Her stomach lurch suddenly not very sure what she was doing at all.

Suddenly a huge boy, a little older than Ben blocked the path. He wasn't taller than Ben, now that she looked closely but something about him seemed so much bigger, his biceps seemed huge, a tattoo wrapped around his right arm piercings shining in his ear, a cocky smirk on his face as he started to sign.

Oh is this Ben's pretty girlfriend?! Oh look at her hair Ben! So many colours, have you asked to paint her yet? The Boy grinned.

Sophie bit her lip, Anthony this must be, clearly didn't realise Sophie had been learning sign.

Fuck Off Anthony! Ben signed, his cheeks burning.

Anthony was grinning, and Sophie just couldn't help herself. She cleared her throat. Hey Anthony, I'm Sophie, It's nice to meet you.

Anthony froze, his mouth hanging open as Ben chuckled. And then Anthony guffawed, his laughter barking through the hallway, "Oh I like this one!"

Anthony pushed off the doorway, snatching a motorcycle helmet from the side table spinning back so Ben could see his hands as he said Can You tell mum I'm going out?

Ben Rolled his eyes, Tell me you're not going to stare at Princess?

Anthony shot a rude Hand gesture. I told you not to call her that!

And then he was gone, whistling as he went and Sophie couldn't help but realise why ben had laughed yesterday when She'd asked if she should dye her hair to meet his mother. If this was his brother, his Mum wasn't likely to be much bothered.

Ben let out a huff. Sorry about Him.

Sophie shrugged, a smile coming to her lips at the sibling banter she'd seen, even as part of her ached for the family she'd never have. Who's Princess?

Ben let out a laugh, A girl he's been in love with forever

Sophie was momentarily distracted by how terrifying this girl must be if Anthony was in love with her, so much so she barely had time to feel nervous again as Ben tugged her through the kitchen Door.

Inside was the most beautiful kitchen Sophie had ever seen, gleaming and shining and perfect, and Sophie ached to touch it to get in there and make something, anything. There was a woman standing behind the stove, two young children at the kitchen table. Ben leapt forward excitedly, tapping the woman on the shoulder.

Mum! This is Sophie!

Mrs. Bridgerton's eyes widened, a kind smile on her face as she took Sophie in.

"Sophie! It's so lovely to meet you. Ben has told me so much about you!" She wrapped Sophie in a tight embrace before she could blink, soft and warm and motherly, and something about it made her chest ache.

"mrs. Bridgerton, it's great to meet you."

Ben's Mum waved her off. "Your Hair is so lovely. You're just so pretty! You'll have to excuse me, none of my boys have ever brought a girl home to see me, I'm afraid you're copping the brunt." She signed so effortlessly in time with her words, Ben's cheeks burning.

"Mum!"

Sophie laughed suddenly feeling far too settled in this home already.

"Can I help you with Dinner?"

And as Sophie was pulled into the kitchen settled behind the stove with Ben's Mum, she couldn't help but feel this was somewhere she might belong.

And she also desperately needed to find out who this girl was so she could tease Anthony.

[sofwrites]

Each other's biggest ally

Polin Week Day 1: Favorite Quote

“No, his method of attack was a lazy smile, a well-timed joke. If Colin ever lost his temper...

Penelope shook her head slightly, unable even to fathom it. Colin would never lose his temper. At least not in front of her. He'd have to be really, truly—no, profoundly —upset to lose his temper. And that kind of fury could only be sparked by someone you really, truly, profoundly cared about.” - Romancing Mister Bridgerton, pg. 64

The one where Colin profoundly cared and had no choice but to lose his temper.

Type: One-shot, angst, sentimentalism, protective/mywife!Colin, protectective/myhusband!Penelope

Length: 3.3k

Read on ao3! Or continue under the cut

In the late months of the year 1825, Penelope Featherington Bridgerton published her debut novel titled The Wallflower. And in the early months of the year 1826, she relished in the praise of her work and suffered in the consequences of her now-public identity.

The response to her book was generally positive. Whether or not they were willing to admit it, the members of the ton were eager to uncover the scathing details surrounding Mrs. Bridgerton’s former pen name. They devoured the secrets hidden between the lines of the pages- forming their own conclusions and theories of what was fact and what was fiction.

It seemed that after many years of Penelope appearing to be invisible, the gravity of her voice was finally truly understood.

But as in all life, there were complications as well.

One gentleman in particular was quick to make his discontent known, and it was all due to just one short excerpt.

Although Beatrice did not befriend even half of the ton, she had made the acquaintance of nearly everyone at one point. And though they never realized, she scrutinized them almost as much as they disregarded her.

Even with her close examinations, she generally liked the people she met. There were bores, many in fact, as well as those with whom conversation could rarely be carried, but most were reasonably pleasant. There were exceptions, however, as there always are. One such exception was as follows:

It is an earlier season for Beatrice, one still full of wonder and disillusioned hope. She looks at the dancefloor with wistfulness in her eyes, dreaming, praying that her prince charming will notice her from across the room and ask her to take his arm.

He does not, of course. His mind is still focused fully on the small group that surrounds him, drawn to him like a shining star amongst the thinly veiled candlelight. Although the music is certainly too loud and the conversations too many, our heroine can perfectly hear his laughter through the crowded ballroom. She can hear it because she knows it better than she knows her own.

Later that evening, he’ll ask her to dance. He’ll remember her minuscule presence in his life, likely prodded by a sharp finger to his spine and a voice carrying a gentle reminder. And even though she knows why he will do so, knows that it is due to a kind sense of duty rather than true desire, she will cherish it all the same.

Right now, however, Beatrice remains at the edge of the dancefloor, her silent woes interrupted by the familiar voice of her mother.

“Beatrice, dear, this is Mr. Wetherden. Mr. Wetherden, I present to you my daughter, Beatrice Harpenton.”

Another bachelor, this one ranking second-tier rather than third. Her mother seems to have given her more credit this evening, Beatrice thinks as she looks at the familiar face.

The introduction is an unnecessary formality, of course, as are many of their rules; they were made acquaintances during her first season. Nonetheless, society calls for her to curtsy and give a gracious smile, and she obliges.

At the same time, he assesses her similarly to how he did so a few years before. And she sees it immediately, the dismissal that passes over his eyes even before he fully bends into his low bow.

Her mother leaves them to it- the stifled conversation in an even more stifling ballroom. The unfortunate girl in the canary-colored dress stands on the sidelines, trapped in conversation with yet another uninterested bachelor who is just as much forced upon her as she is on him.

He speaks endlessly, unquestionably more for his benefit than hers. He spends fourteen minutes explaining the difference between rugby and football. She suppresses three yawns and is interrupted twenty-six times throughout the topic, clearly expected to be an audience member rather than a participant.

At this time, she thinks this is Mr. Wetherden’s worst offense. Later on, when she is years older, Beatrice discovers that she was sorely mistaken in her youth. That without the cautionary lights of London (albeit often cloudy and forgiving), he is much worse.

She later on learns about his propensity to unwilling women. To frightened young housemaids who are often not given the options that women of a higher class are granted.

Our heroine also finds out later exactly how commonplace such a tendency is. And with it, her vision of social seasons- the one with balls and picnics and musicales- begins to splinter.

Penelope hadn’t named him, of course. She hadn’t named anyone directly.

She couldn’t publish a memoir, not really. Even though she was related to a fine variation of important characters in society, she couldn’t put such a strain on her family, and particularly not on her husband. Her husband, her lovely, amazing husband who supported her through the entire process even despite the fact that so much of their own private history was laid out in the pages of her novel. Penelope had written the truth, which hadn’t been entirely pretty. But Colin had agreed with her that the truth was more important than sheltering their secrets.

But even though she couldn’t publish a direct recounting of her life and experiences with the ton, she’d been unwilling to just hide behind fabricated stories.

Penelope’s telling of that night at the ball wasn’t completely factual. She did not know how many times Phillip Cavender interrupted her during their conversation, nor whether or not Colin had even been present that evening. But the details of the matter weren’t as important to her as shedding light on the entire situation.

She’d been young and naive during her first few seasons, believing that a few nasty comments and looks were really the worst of what society had to offer. Later on, she’d found out that she had been wrong, and that there was much worse than she’d ever known. And when her sister-in-law, Sophie, had recounted the night she and Benedict had met (well, met again), Penelope knew that she had to shed light on the matter. She had to make it clear what happened outside of the fancy dresses and giggling parties.

But as mentioned, such decisions did not come without their objections.

“Thank God, they’re leaving.”

The words came from just a few feet behind them, full of indignancy and bitterness. The couple had been walking together, arm-in-arm, towards the door, quite eager to return home for the evening.

They’d been attending an intimate house party at the request of the gentleman’s mother. She’d been unable to make her attendance that evening and had asked that her son and his wife go in her stead. They hadn’t been particularly excited about the prospect, but they’d agreed for her.

The party itself hadn’t been bad. The food was good, the music was pleasant, and almost everyone in attendance had offered the woman praise for her work. Though they hadn’t exactly been excited to attend, the evening hadn’t been at all poor.

That was, until they’d been nearing the exit and heard the troublesome remark behind them.

Colin glanced down at his wife, who grimaced, her nose scrunching as her eyes closed. They’d been met with a number of sneers and snide comments in the last few weeks, but they never became easier to hear.

With a small sigh, he turned them both around, looking directly at the man holding a glass of port too large and wearing a lip too curled.

Colin gave him a smile, the familiar one he used whenever he was looking at something that both irritated and mildly amused him. “Didn’t see you there, Cavender. So nice of you to offer us a sendoff.”

The opposing man’s mouth turned downwards, a stark contrast to the grin still on Colin’s face. Penelope swallowed, quickly cutting in. “We really must be getting home.”

With a pointed look directed towards her husband, she began pulling him back towards the door. Though Penelope would have loved to see Phillip Cavender get put into his place, she knew far better than to spar with a man holding a petty vendetta.

But before they’d even fully turned around, there was a mocking bark of laughter, followed by a slight slurring of words. “You do everything she tells you then? Follow her around like a lapdog?”

This time, Colin’s brow lifted ever so slightly, the same half-smile still imprinted on his lips. Penelope felt an uncomfortable heat rising up her neck as she reluctantly turned from the door again.

“If it means getting to share my life with this incredible woman,” Colin sent her a small wink before shrugging, “Then, by all means, call me a lapdog.”

There was some tittering around them by the small audience they’d attracted. With a quick glance, Penelope could see the angry lurch in Cavender’s throat, the narrowing of his eyes, the twitching of his fingers as they tightened around his glass.

Please, just let it go. Let us just leave and go home.

But he didn’t. Of course, he didn’t.

“I know what lies she’s spread about me.”

“Oh?” Colin’s face took on a thoughtful expression, one that might have been convincing in any other circumstance. “I don’t recall ever hearing my wife mentioning you.”

Cavender’s glare deepened. “In that bloody book of hers.”

Penelope cringed inwardly as she felt the twitch of Colin’s hand in hers. Her eyes darted around the room as an overwhelming sense of dread engulfed her. The ballroom was small and the guests were bored, and a public row was certainly enough to draw a crowd- one that was full of prying eyes and listening ears.

Colin’s face remained the picture of serenity even though Penelope could sense the angry heat rising from him. It was something she could feel in him that others always missed, a secret fire that he did so well in masking.

Looking at the other man, Colin let out a sigh, one that was forcibly tired, as though he were speaking down to an overly emotional child. “I can assure you that all the characters in my wife’s novel were fabricated. And if you saw yourself in one of the less attractive personages, then I’d venture to say that such is simply a reflection of your own self-image.”

The whispers around them grew, and Cavender sputtered for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the easy taunt. But his surprise only lasted a moment before he hardened once more.

A man with a petty vendetta did not often allow himself to be diverted.

His eyes flickered to Penelope before they returned to Colin and he sneered. “You realize that she’s made you out to be an ass, don’t you? You can act high and mighty, Bridgerton, but the wife you so proudly boast has fashioned you into the biggest fool in all of London.”

It was at this jab that Penelope frowned, feeling her own prickle of anger. And for the first time in the nasty exchange, she turned directly to their shared foe, a hard, determined look set on her face. “Excuse me, Mr. Cavender, but I must ask that you don’t speak to my husband that way.”

She could almost see his eyes flash in fury as they set themselves on her. But before he could give the biting retort that was no doubt resting on his tongue-

“And I’d suggest that you consult a dictionary to properly understand the concept of fiction.” Colin’s tone was relaxed, just a sprinkle of mocking mixed into it. But Penelope could feel the tension in him, the protective edge that mirrored her own.

Cavender’s gaze shifted back to Colin, his rage appearing a bit more controlled as they listened to the snickering that surrounded them. Slowly, his mouth thinned into a tight line, and he took a step closer to the couple. By instinct, Colin angled himself in front of Penelope as her grip on his hand tightened.

He was just a few feet away from them when he finally spoke, a voice so low that it was barely audible over the murmurs. “And I’d recommend that you consider taking yourself and that bitch of a wife,” his eyes darted to Penelope for a moment, “out of town.”

And it was this comment that wiped the smile completely off of Colin’s face, along with any attempt of levity.

It was as if a chill had passed over, one that was both icy and burning at the same time. He stiffened like a board, a wave of unmistakable anger coming over him. And when his words came, they were low and even, colder than anyone had ever thought possible from Colin Bridgerton.

“You would do well to avoid threatening my family, Cavender.”

Though there was a slight tinge of red on his face, Phillip Cavender did not retreat. Instead, he took another step forward. “And why is that, Bridgerton?”

Penelope could see the muscles in Colin’s jaw moving from where she was angled, could practically feel the heat radiating off of his body. She’d seen him angry before, furious even, but this was different. This was so much more.

She wasn’t frightened, not by Colin nor by the man standing across from them. Fright was not why she wanted this to stop.

She didn’t want her husband’s anger to be made into a form of entertainment at a party. For him to have to serve the role of gallant protector whenever she upset someone. So, she attempted to silently will him to calm down, running a featherlight thumb across the surface of his hand.

But Colin wanted to finish what they’d started and instead let go of her and took his own step forward, almost shielding her completely.

“I think we all know that I have more than enough relatives to run you out of town,” he said, eyes locked on Cavender.

There was a flash of worry that crossed his face, but it was quickly forced away by a snort. “Is that meant to scare me? The threat of a duke and a viscount?”

Colin didn’t falter. Instead, his head tilted as he considered the man, considered the shaking fingers and the smell of alcohol on his breath. He’d never been a violent man by nature, even having grown up with two older brothers. He preferred words when he fought, and they almost always gave him his victories. He wasn’t opposed to physical repercussions, but he knew that a private gathering was not the place or time.

He looked Cavender directly in the eyes, speaking in a low, clear voice. “I will ensure that you are ruined, that is a promise.”

And because he couldn’t help himself, “And if that is not enough, be rest assured that we will do worse. My only qualm in doing it myself is that my brother would be disappointed he wasn’t able to help.”

There was a silence in the room that followed as Cavender glowered at him. His eyes darkened in fury as his face reddened, trying to figure out how far Colin could really go.

But there was something in Colin’s threat that didn’t allow for any consideration that he might have been exaggerating. Perhaps it was the definitive and resolute tone in his voice, or the strength behind his gaze, or the tight set of his jaw.

Or perhaps it was because Colin Bridgerton wasn’t the type to quicken to anger. Wasn’t the type to have a temper or even hint at unpleasantry.

Whatever it was, it made Cavender finally break eye contact and step back. He turned away, taking another large swig of port.

Colin could hear the pounding in his ears as he looked at the pathetic man, anger still coursing through him. But then he felt a warm hand lace through his, and the red glare of the world began melting away. Penelope was whispering something, her voice calm and soothing. He squeezed her hand in understanding but kept his gaze on Cavender.

There was a familiar casualness when Colin spoke this time, but it was threaded with venom. “Do not forget what I’ve said.”

And with that, he turned to his wife and pressed a kiss into her hair.

“Good night,” Penelope nodded to the remainder of the crowd, who finally had the decency to look away.

A few minutes later, when they were finally in a carriage returning to their home, Penelope sighed. With her eyes glued to her skirts, she whispered, “I’m so sorry, Colin.”

He looked at her thoughtfully, taking in a deep inhale of breath.

He’d been scared after the reveal of her identity, terrified even. There were evenings where he’d lie awake in bed and imagine all of the awful things that could happen to the person who was his entire world. And though they never spoke of such worries aloud, he knew that she was just as aware as he was.

Italy had been like taking a deep breath after being underwater for too long. There, no one cared or knew, and the only threat they faced was the harsh sun.

And then Penelope was pregnant, and a new light was added to his life, one that shifted his fears elsewhere.

Then they became a family of three, and Colin was thrilled. He still worried, of course, but his joy outweighed everything else.

Old wounds had been reopened in the recent weeks, that was for certain. But it did not mean that he blamed Penelope for them.

So, Colin pulled her into his side and tucked her head under his chin. “You have nothing to apologize for. We both agreed that you did the right thing.”

For a few moments, she said nothing, just listened to the sound of his heartbeat and the wheels on cobblestones. And though he couldn’t see her, Colin could sense in the silence that she was crying. Wordlessly, he handed her a handkerchief.

Penelope dabbed at her eyes a few times before leaning back to look at him. “I didn’t want to force you into this position.”

He smiled and lifted a hand to stroke her cheek, feeling the familiar warmth of her skin. “I watch you every day with nothing but awe, Penelope. I love you, I’m proud of you. And I will gladly stand by you through anything.”

Her eyes moved slowly as they crossed his face, searching for any hesitance. There was none, not even a hint of resistance.

Instead, there was so much love that it overwhelmed her, struck her with the same shock that it had years before. It was a love that mirrored her own, a fierce desire to protect and support another with as much reverence as one did for themself. It was one that never faltered even in the most difficult of times.

Her eyes were glossy when her hand reached up to meet his, and the smile on her lips was weak but true. “I love you so much. And I can’t believe that I’ve become so lucky in my life to have you by my side.”

And with that, they settled into their drive home, sharing whispered conversations and watery chuckles.

They still had a long road ahead of them, of that they were sure. But they knew that they would cross it together.

[pynkhues]

Hey sophie I hope you're doing great! I keep thinking about the last two episodes of succession and what they tell us about the siblings dynamic. One thing I wonder about is how exactly shiv's experience with and trauma from her parents differs from her brothers, particularly kendall and roman. While logan seems to be alot less verbally and physically abusive towards her, I actually think that caroline treated her worse than the boys. I also think that the absence of a mother figure after her parents divorce messed her up more than kendall and roman because she didn't really seem to have any female role model around to look up to and guide her. She just seems so isolated right now, especially with no one checking after her, after kendall humiliated her like that. Neither roman nor conor seem to notice how badly that sabotage affected her, which makes me wonder how well they actually know her. I would really like to hear your take on what exactly differentiates shiv's trauma and experience from the boys, because I see alot of people thinking she didn't have it as bad as them. Sorry for the wordy ask😅, this new season is seriously messing me up. Thank you in advance and have a great week!

Hi! I’m doing pretty well, anon, thank you! And you don’t have anything to apologise for at all, I love your ask! It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot too lately, because you’re right – I think the show’s always been pretty clear in the fact that Logan treats Shiv differently to how he treats the boys, but they’re really doubling down on it this season, for better and for worse. He’s softer on her, yes, but also in many ways uses her more. It’s like Kendall told her in 3.02 – girls are worth double – and Logan knows that too, using her as both a weapon and a shield in a way that he doesn’t really use the boys (one really clear exception though I’d say is the way he used Kendall not in the s2 finale, but rather when they were sitting before Congress in 2.09).

We saw that over and over again in season 2, most notably in the way he held her hand when meeting the Pierce’s and again in front of the press when the cruise scandal broke, and, of course, in coercing the victim in DC. This season’s doubled down on that – she was the one he needed most on side after Kendall’s defection, and he took her not greeting him with a hug at the press op when he came back and her delegating the soft magazine interview to Roman as a personal slight. He basically says it explicitly in 3.03 – “My daughter. My only daughter.”

It’s interesting, I said in this ask that I think Logan genuinely does like Shiv the most of his four children, and I do stand by that. In a lot of ways, I think that the Kendall letter showed that they’re the most alike in temper and personality, and I suspect Rose’s death may give Shiv an extra special place in his heart too, but I think the only value he truly sees in her professionally is her gender. Even the access she grants him politically is something he tends to steamroll or ignore.

But that favouritism I think is something that’s coloured the Roy kids’ childhood. Logan’s style of parenting has always been divide and conquer, and I could talk a lot about the way presenting as a united front is so important to Logan even as he deliberately stokes the competition between the four of them in private, but that feels like a whole other post, haha. I think separating Shiv out as the only girl effectively meant that the boys club world that Logan navigated outside of the home was something he brought home, positioning Shiv as an outsider to her brothers.

But then, he did that to all of them in some way. Connor was always going to be othered because of his age and having a different mother, Roman was sent away to school in Tennessee while Kendall and Shiv grew up in Manhattan, and Kendall was separated from his siblings first as heir, then as black sheep and finally as traitor. What’s fascinating to me is that they all end up in these iterations where if they actually talked to each other, they’d have a lot of points of connection – Logan sent Roman to Tennessee and Kendall to Shanghai! Shiv and Kendall are both washed up heirs! Roman and Shiv both apparently want to marry the first stable people in their lives! But Logan keeps them all in such a state of flux and competition, it’s a line none of them can really cross.

I think Logan’s favouritism though, and the fact that she was protected from experiencing the more obvious abuse, probably did a lot of work to separate her from her brothers and build lines of guilt and resentment between them too, even beyond the boys club mentality. What that looked like growing up is anyone’s guess, but it does seem to have manifested in this inherent distrust and bitterness, and - - mmm, I can’t quite think of the right word, but I’d say a type of undermining of Shiv’s ideas and strategies. She’s daddy’s precious little girl, right? So Logan’s always going to give her a gold star in one form or another.

I agree too that Caroline seems harsher on Shiv than on the boys. She’s directly antagonistic of Shiv in a way she isn’t with Kendall and Roman (although I do think the cruellest thing she’s done on the show is leave after Kendall tried to talk to her). It makes me think of how some women can see their daughters as competition, and I think it’s something that probably wasn’t helped either by the way Logan dotes on Shiv. After all, if you’re in the midst of a hairy divorce, seeing your only daughter coddled by the father she’ll choose over you has got to sting.

It sort of feeds into the idea as well I think that Logan’s a powerful man operating in a man’s world, and that was the environment that he fostered at home too. He had three little princes who weren’t good enough, and a little princess who wasn’t ever meant for competition in the first place, so was simultaneously an accessory to her father’s power, and hungry for her own. It creates this sort of sense I think that Shiv desperately needs male validation because it was simply never on the table for her. Prior to season 2, she never got to fail in the way her brothers did, because she was never allowed to believe the opportunity was something that could be hers.

Her trauma’s not any less than her brothers’, it’s just a really different shape. Something tied intrinsically to something outside of her control, which instead leaves her desperate to be in control. It’s why she doesn’t want to work for anyone else, why she doesn’t want to do Logan’s years long training plan. She thinks her brothers have grown up on a path that she’s only just been allowed to start on, and she doesn’t want to be striving to catch up, she just wants to be ahead of them. Wants to be where they’re at already, prove that she’s the same – not the same, better (anything less would be a humiliation) – and she might be, but the thing is without that work, without that path, no one’s ever going to see her as anything more than daddy’s little princess playing dress up in his crown.

It’s the paradox of her unique experience within their family, and it’s one she can’t set aside her pride to unpick.

As for Connor and Roman not checking on her, to be honest, I think they did know just how humiliating it was for her. They know exactly how proud she is, but Connor wasn’t there, and even if he was – they’re not a family that checks in on each other. None of them went after Kendall after their dad viscerally tore shreds off him at Shiv’s wedding reception, Kendall intervened when Logan hit Roman, but it didn’t seem like any of them checked on Roman later, and none of them seemed to check in on Connor after the complete disaster at his ranch. It’s a part of the divide and conquer environment Logan’s created for them – showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and as a result, the only way any of them know how to acknowledge vulnerability is to weaponise it.

[footballxposts]

The Rest Of Our Lives - Mason Mount Series 🦋 (Chapter Three) Departure

Warnings: none but next chapter is smutty ;)

Recommended Listening: Forever by Labrinth (Slowed).

Taglist: @storyofavengers

——————————————————————————

After releasing me from the hug I was immersed in, I quickly went to the bathroom whilst Mason waited patiently for me outside in the hallway. Once I had finished and came back out to meet him, the little smirk on his face made my heart so full. Maybe he really did miss me like he had said, but if so why didn’t he get in contact sooner? I guess he was afraid of the rejection but I really did wish he had still tried. At the end of the day, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. Of course I was still hurt by him, but I did want to give him his chance to explain everything, even if it meant we wouldn’t rekindle the friendship like it once was, and we would still go our separate ways again.

“You alright?,” he asked in a soft tone.

“Yeah..” I gave him a small smile before he nodded and took my hand leading me back upstairs to the nightclub’s centre-point. It was only at the top of the stairs that we were caught in our tracks by a stunning blonde-haired girl who had recognised my old best friend.

“Mase gorgeous, how are you? I haven’t heard from you or seen you in a while. I thought you might have fell of the face of the earth or something.” she piped up. His reaction was like a deer caught in headlights. Who the hell was this? I knew it wasn’t his girlfriend but she seemed to be someone who was at one stage more than just a friend like I was.

“Uh, hi Olivia, yeah..” he began to speak back to her. “I um, I’ve just been busy sorry, I’m good how are you?” he continued unconfidently, itching to get away from this current conversation.

“Too busy, huh?.” She raised her eyebrows and chuckled. I was standing there so awkwardly, not knowing what to do or where to look. She didn’t pay attention to me once, her eyes fixated on the brown-haired man beside me. “And here’s me thinking Mason Mount would never be too busy to reply or spend some time with me..” she gasped jokingly, but I knew she was being serious and I really didn’t like the vibe I was getting off her. My heart began shattering again out of jealousy. It’s amazing how you can go without seeing someone for years and even though they broke you, in an instant all the feelings and memories come rushing back. And that’s exactly what happened when I saw Mason on the street earlier this night. Even though it was /my/hand he was still holding, I still felt threatened.

“Awh no.. I mean.. I don’t know. I’m sorry as I said I’ve just been really busy,” was all he could come up with as a response, his palm becoming sweaty interlaced with my own. You know when you can feel your heart beating in another part of your body? I could feel his through his hand in my grasp.

“Hmm okay.” She said with barely any emotion behind it. “So who’s this little one then? Your new girl?” Her attention was now focused on me, now frozen with a tightness in my chest. I should have spoken up. I wanted to. But I was unable to. Thankfully, Mason covered for me.

“Uh, no she’s just a.. a friend..” he trailed off, so unsure of his answer and looking across at me, his eyes soliciting for an answer. Realistically, we were former friends. But within time, we both hoped we could drop the former. Slowly nodding as reassurance, I turned back to look at the the tall woman standing in front of me.

“Just friends?” her eyes widened with a smug look, pointing towards our intertwined fingers. I went to let go of Mason’s hand but his grip tightened, letting me know it was okay and he had the situation under control.

“Yeah this is my childhood best friend Sophie. I uh- I ran into her down outside the bathrooms and she wasn’t feeling the best so I said I’d bring her back upstairs and take her home. I just wanted to keep her close in case she fainted or anything.” he announced. Her eyes were now practically staring into my soul, but buying it, she just replied with an ‘oh’ and I signalled in agreement once again.

“Well, that was nice of you.” She smiled pompously. “Anyhoo, you have my number. Don’t be stranger.”

“Right.” Mason gulped and she winked walking away. Once gone, he turned to look at me again, apologising with his eyes. I bit my lip and shook my head to let him know that it was alright and that we didn’t have to talk about it. To be honest, I did want to talk about it. I wanted to know who she was. Was he sleeping with her? And if so was it going to progress any further? So many questions filled my mind but I tried to forget about them, telling myself that it was none of my business and it was before we had reconnected to night anyways.

Making our way over to Hollie, the look of disappointment across of her face said more than words ever could. She was relieved to see that I hadn’t gone missing, but she wasn’t too impressed that on my return I had brought back Mason with me. Giving me a moment to talk to her, Mason stepped away, resting his arm on the bar counter and facing the dance floor.

“What’s going on, are you okay? I went looking for you but I seen you talking to him from the top of the stairs and I didn’t want to interrupt.” She whispered sympathetically.

“Yeah I’m fine, thank you Hol. And I’m sorry I left you for so long.” I replied.

“No no, don’t be sorry. I was more than alright up here, I was talking to that bartender for ages anyways. I’m sorry Soph, I didn’t realise he would be here too. Is everything okay between you both?”

I wanted to say yes. But was everything okay between us both? I mean for now it was. I was giving him his opportunity to talk to me, but I hadn’t heard his side of the story yet nor had I forgiven him. Trying to find the right words to respond with, I took a deep breath.

“It’s not your fault Hollie, I was the one who said I wanted to come here in the first place. And I guess for now yeah. I’m giving him a chance to clear up everything and get some clarity on the whole thing. It doesn’t mean we’re going to go back to being how we were before but at least if we can be on civil terms.. I don’t know that’s got to be worth something right?” I asked, in hope of encouragement.

Hollie was the best friend a girl could ask for. She was more like a big sister despite me being older; a little dumb and clumsy at times, but no matter how many bad and possibly avoidable situations she put herself in, she would always make sure I didn’t do the same. She only wanted the best for me, as did I for her, so she basically made herself the crash test dummy and tried to advise me as much as possible. And she always made me laugh and smile without fail, after every heart break, every failure, basically anything terrible circumstance you can think of. She was always there.

“Well that’s your choice and I think it’s fair enough.” She gave me a fragile smile. “Just be smart and don’t let him hurt you again Soph. I seen how much pain and anguish you were in tonight and I never want to see you like that again. It’s alright that you want some light shed and some closure on the situation, but don’t let him blindside you and destroy your heart again, okay?” she raised her brows, placing both hands either side of my shoulders to make sure I was listening. Nodding to let her know I understood, she gave me a full warm smile back.

“Okay, so I think I’m going back to Dylan’s house once he’s finished his shift”. She added, referring to the bartender who was now waving at us. “But I don’t know what your plans are so I don’t have to if you don’t want me to and you need me.”

“No no, you go. I’ll find out what Mase and I are doing and once I’m back home and safe I’ll give you a text and let you know. If I need you at any stage I’ll call you.” I said before giving her a hug and getting ready to leave.

“Okay, I’ll do the same!” She mumbled, and with that I rejoined Mason who had finished informing his teammates and friends what was happening. Putting an arm around my waist, we had left the nightclub once again with crisp and fresh night air.

——————————————————————————-

Quick A/N: AHH I’m so excited for the next chapter you guys are gonna love it I hope! Also, the reason I put listening recommendations is to help you all imagine what I’m visualising when I right my stories and ideas! Music basically helps me set the scene. When you’re listening to the song attached to this post, I want y’all to try visualise yourself walking in slow-mo through a crowded nightclub holding hands with THE Mason Mount. Everyone looking at you both leaving, but he’s looking back every so often just to make sure you’re okay. Just imagine. That’s all :)

[hops-hunny]

im back!! well not totally back, but i have a treat for you ;)

idk if you are comfortable with sex tapes, if youre not you can ignore this

it's about nev with the hot popular person who everybody wants :)

okay so, the reader and neville are dating in secret, but the reader wants neville to tell people that theyre dating, and as neville expected, no one believed him

neville is sad and the reader wants to cheer him up, so, why not have sex with him right? it's the best way to cheer someone up

but the reader wants to spice things up with the idea of recording a sex tape

nev is like "sure! why not?" cause he LOVES that kind of thing

they record the sex tape, they watch it, and they watch it again, and again, and they love it, and they do it again...

a few days later the tape was """""accidentaly""""" leaked

and everyone watch it, and they are SO FUCKING SURPRISED due to the fact that not only neville is dating the hottest person in school, but also cause in the tape, he is fucking them into oblivion, and people never thought about neville being a dom and rough during sex, actualy people didnt even imagined that neville had sex SHDISKDJJS

now sweet neville is happy and can hug and kiss his fit s/o in the hallway with confidence cause now, everybody knows he has a hot s/o and a massive dick

thank u for your atention <3

idk if this has anything to do with exhibition, but if it does, hope you liked it cause i know you have a kink for that

~🌻

PRONOUNS: SHE/HER

erkkr 🌻 anon, you remembered one of my kinks? pls that's so cute ily <3 also I didn't know which pronouns you wanted so if you want I can probably go back and change it if these aren't to your liking!

"I know you're upset Nev, but this was your idea in the first place darling." (Y/n) said, straddling the boy as they stroked his cheek. She placed a peck on his lips, pulling away to look into his hazel eyes.

"I-I know but I didn't think that would include me having to watch blokes flirt with you and be able to do nothing about it!" He huffed out, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's waist. (Y/n) stood up in front of him, a flirty look present on her face.

"Well," she started as she began to unbutton her shirt, dropping then thin white material to reveal her bra, "There is something you can do about it." his face flushed as he motioned her over, pulling her panties down before stuffing them in his back pocket. Gripping her waist with one hand, he used his other to flip up her skirt, revealing her slick covered folds.

"Yeah? What would that be pretty girl, having me mark you up? Leave bites and bruises all over this pretty little body of yours?" The boy ran his thick digits along her messy cunt, chuckling as she whimpered, nodding and urging him to go further. "Use your words, bunny."

"P-please touch me Nev. Want you to mark me and make me yours.." she felt her eyes roll to the back of her head as his thick fingers curved inside of her, letting out a sigh as he began to pump them in and out. The girl climbed into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder as he began to speed up his pace, tips brushing against the spongy surface of her cervix. Her eyes landed on her phone across the room, still positioned on the tripod from a photoshoot she had of herself earlier. "W-wait, I wanna try something...."

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

(Y/n) was completely confused. Ever since she had made her way from her room this morning, eyes followed her every move. That wasn't the uncommon part, no that happened quite a bit. The uncommon part was the unusual whispers that came with them. She felt relieved when her friends approached her, same treatment as they usually gave her.

"Ya know (Y/n), I should've known you'd go for someone like Longbottom. I mean I never saw the appeal but after seeing that little tape of yours, I can see why!" Sasha giggled, nudging her friend along with Sophie on the girl's other side. (Y/n) felt herself grow dizzy.

"T-tape?!" she squeaked, watching as Sophie pulled her phone out, handing it over to the girl. (Y/n) watched herself on the screen with wide eyes.

Tossled hair, puffy lips, and thick mascara tears running down her face, she watched as Neville lifted her up flush against his chest, tightening the grip he had around it. He smirked into the camera, pulling out of her as he rubbed his monster of a cock along her folds, light reflecting off the piercing in the tip. His dick was a sight, long and thick, inches upon inches covered with a mix of their juices.

(Y/n) let out a series of whimpers, crying and whining from the loss of him inside of her, causing him to turn her head to look at him some. He pecked her lips before turning her messy face to look at the camera. He looked down at her, eyes filled with lust and admiration.

"Tell the camera who's you are, pet or daddy's not putting it back in." He stated, continuing to rub and slap his cock along her folds. She whimpered, blabbering something incoherent which caused him to cackle. "Oh come on, puppy, daddy knows you can do better than that."

"Y-yours Nev! Daddy's whore." she cried out, letting out a series of yesses as he slid back into her at full force. "G-good, feels so good! Neville's good girl, all yours." he released his firm grip on her face, patting it gently as he tightened his hand around her throat more, continuing to fuck her as he admired his work in the reflection of the phone screen.

"I-I've seen enough! Here, take it back." she shrieked, handing the phone back to her friend trying to ignore the heat in her cheek and the pooling in her panties (which she was lucky Neville hadn't taken already). "Let's go, I've gotta find him!"

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

Neville had been enjoying the attention he had been receiving all day. How could he not? All those poor, jealous, lovesick boys envious of him? Some of the most well known boys in the castle, begging him for even a word of what his baby's cunt feels like. He'd never tell them though, he had so snarkly replied to each one of them with something along the lines of 'you've got a hand, I'm sure you can use your imagination'. However one thing was obvious: he'd never miss the opportunity to brag about it to the boys.

"I just, I'm in shock! You're fucking (L/n)?!" Ron exclaimed, standing up from the ratty couch as he ran his fingers through his hair. Neville chuckled, smirking some as he examined his friends' jealous expressions.

"Well I'm not just fucking her, she's my bird." he shrugged, as if it wasn't the most shocking thing they'd heard in a while.

"Yeah, yeah that's nice. Not to be rude but," Harry cleared his throat as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "You have sex? Was she your first time?"

"(Y/n)? God no. I was hers however." he turned his attention back to his phone screen, which everyone's eyes was currently on. Since most, if not all the castle had seen it, what was the problem with watching it with the boys?

"I'm not surprised Neville has sex, he's my boy!" Seamus exclaimed, patting the boy in question's back way too hard. "I'm more so surprised that he's a beast of a man, like look at that!"

Neville spit in the girl's mouth, hooking his fingers on the inside of her mouth. He used his leverage on it to hold her up, stretching her mouth back as he continued to pound her. (Y/n) let out multiple screams and moans, tears continuing to poor down her face.

"God she's so pretty like that." Neville sighed, leaning back as he looked at the ceiling. However, something caught his attention out the corner of his eye. He smiled as a familiar set of beautiful (s/c) legs made their way over to him. Seamus quickly turned off the screen, all of them freezing up as the girl and her posse stopped in front of them.

"Wow, I-"

"You're, you're..."

"I-I..."

"Hi petal, you alright?" He asked, hovering above the girl as he stroked her cheek. She nodded some before pouting.

"Yeah, I would be better if half the school hadn't seen my tits before the time I even woke up! How'd you manage to leak it anyways?" she whispered, hiding her face in his chest to avoid the horny gazes of his friends.

"To be fair, I thought I hit your name not all contacts!" he lied, causing her to look up. She looked at his ears before gasping looking back up at him again as she punched his shoulder.

"Neville Longbottom, you leaked it on purpose?! Don't even lie again, your ears always get red when you lie!" she huffed out, turning away from him. "I wouldn't have had a problem with releasing it if you had just asked. I will admit though, it is kinda nice not having to hide and sneak around anymore."

"I'm still not over the fact that he has a piercing.....and thigh tattoo!" Dean finally spoke up, catching everyone's attention. It grew silent for a bit before they all began to laugh.

"Well there's a lot you don't know about me."

"I think it's better that way after this. I don't know how much more Neville I wanna get to know."

TAGSLIST: @princesslaiahg @elemental-of-magic @pink-hufflepuff @nevillelongbottomlover @ezra-my-beloved @vayeya11 @beewitchedlou @redpanda-poetry @nevillelongbottomsgirlfriend @De4d-s0up

[letterstoseven]

Killer Queen [ch. 5]

✏︎ pairing: klaus mikaelson x reader, elijah mikaelson x reader, kol mikaelson x reader

✏︎ summary: y/n Silvius –– daughter of the Alpha of the most respected and powerful pack of the first were-witches (werewolf + witch). She needs to find the remaining Crescent Wolf Pack members as the Elders are planning to reunite the seven packs, namely: Crescent Wolf Pack, Northern Wolves Pack, Moon Shine Pack, River Pack, Lycan Blood Pack, Midnight Stone Pack and the Malraux Pack. On her journey, she met the family whom the witches and werewolves warned her about, The Mikaelson Family.

✏︎ Chapters: one, two, three, four, five

It was early morning the next day when Hayley saw your messaged and called the attention of Elijah. "Elijah, I hope Marcel won't do any harm to her. I know she can protect herself but, she doesn't even know what to expect. I should've told her more about vampire stuff." Elijah called you, but to no avail, he received no response from you. Elijah then called Klaus, "Brother, I believe our new friend is in trouble. Marcel asked her to meet at Rosseau's."

"Oh, Elijah. Please, she can save herself. A vampire like Marcel is nothing compared to a hybrid like her." Klaus knows that a powerful witch like you will not let anything happen to herself. "Maybe you can call Rebekah if you want to deal with Marcel." Rebekah overheard this conversation, "Before you call me, the little witch is a bloody genius person. By the looks of it, it'll be Marcel who digged his own grave." Elijah and Hayley looked at each other and sighed. Elijah told Hayley, "I guess we'll just have to wait for her call then."

You found Marcel at the corner of Rosseau's. "So, what is it that you want from me?" Marcel smirked, "Feisty and straight-forward, I like it." You raised your eyebrows, "Just tell me why do you want to see me." Marcel gave you something to drink and eat, but you did not bother to move it. "Thanks, but no thanks. You threatened me the moment I got here, and you expect me to just accept this?" You pushed the food in front of you and he said, "Look, (y/n). I'm just here to be make friends with you. You're interesting." You looked at him, "Why would I want to make friends with you?" Marcel poured you a drink, "Because you are dealing with the Mikaelsons. You need someone who knows them in case things don't go well." You then told him, "Marcel, I know who I'm dealing with. And trust me, the Mikaelsons are not the reason why I'm here. Maybe there's more than just them. You know, like the thing called life and moving on." Marcel then told you how he became a vampire and his life with the Mikaelsons and how he thought of Klaus as his father. "So, (y/n), I'm just telling you to be careful." You smiled at Marcel and said, "Thank you for telling me all of this. I may lack on experience and knowledge outside my pack, but I do know that all of us are not that innocent. We've got bloods in our hands that we're responsible for." You stood up and left him. You checked your phone and you saw the text messages from Elijah and Hayley. You messaged them letting them know that you're fine.

While you were on your way back, Klaus appeared in front of you and said, "Well, done, little witch. You proved yourself that you can be trusted." You sighed, "You were there? Ugh, vampires are so annoying." Klaus smirked and said, "Oh, no love. I just happened to pass by Rosseau's and heard you two. You know, vampires got this thing called heightened senses." Amused, you said, "Oh that's nice. We don't have that. So... where's the moon stone?" You stopped on your tracks and faced Klaus. "It's not that easy to get, little witch. It's like you're telling me to kill all these vampires." You got your phone and typed Marcel's number, "It seems that I'll get the moonstone on my own since the mighty Original hybrid can't do it." Klaus snatched your phone feeling slightly offended and happy, "How dare you say that to me? Are you challenging me?" You snatched back your phone and said, "I dare you, Klaus. Give me the moonstone by the end of the week. Or else, rumor has it that the Original hybrid lost its touch." You left him and texted Hayley that you're going back to the compound to talk what happened with Marcel.

However, when you were about to enter the compound, you saw Hayley tending to some guy. You called the attention of Elijah, "Elijah! Who's that? What happened here?" Elijah looked at you and said, "The Guerrera pack. We thought that they were humans but little did we know that they are your kind. Werewolves. They wanted Hayley and Klaus' child. Rebekah and I were on our way to attend to some business when Hayley called me that the Guerrera pack and the witches are conniving against us and that they're attacking her. But this young man, who happens to know you, rushed to help Hayley."

You walked towards the man and you were shocked and scared, "Aiden?! Aiden!!! What happened to you?! Where's your protection charm?!" Aiden held your hand and said, "I used it against the Lycan Blood Pack. They attacked me, they didn't want my help, our help at all!" You can't think straight as this is the first time you saw Aiden defeated like this. A woman, who happens to look like, approached Aiden and casted some healing spell. "Who are you?", you said. The woman said to you, "Consider this as a thank you gift for saving my niece. I'm Freya. The witch of the family. Before you ask, no, I'm not a vampire." You thanked her and asked Aiden and Hayley what happened here.

"The Guerrera pack happened. Apparently they are wolves who happen to hide the curse for so long. They recently triggered the curse because they were working with some witches to help them become more powerful than the vampires. Sophie called me beforehand that the witches are plotting against us again because they think that this baby is an abomination to this world. And that's when the Guerrera pack and the witches agreed upon." Hayley was shaking. Hayley's a strong woman but you can see that she's scared for her baby. You now faced Aiden, "And you? Why are you here? It's just been what, a week since we started this, explain." You help Aiden change his shirt, for you it's nothing since you've been friends since you were kids but the people around you found it awkward. "I concede, (y/n). The moment I got there, they instantly knew what I was going to say. They rejected my offer. They told me that they already have what we have. That we've got nothing to offer. They won't bow to me as their Alpha. So, I tried another way. I challenged the Alpha." You face-palmed yourself and said to him, "How can you be so... dumb?!" Many things are now running inside your head. "Now that you conceded, I have to finish two tasks. Good, great! I mean, it’s for the seven packs. Oh, god."

Aiden is apologetic to you, "I'll help you. I am strong but I don't think I am fit to be an Alpha, (y/n). I told my parents about my decision. I'm sure your parents are going to call you soon. I'll stay here with you." Next thing you know, Aiden is kneeling in front of you and he let his blood from his hands leak on the floor. He casted a spell on conceeding the competition and giving the task to you. This is also a proof of his loyalty to you. The Mikaelsons and Hayley saw this situation and they were amazed by the fact that they just witnessed someone conceeding the Alpha-candidate status. Hayley, as part of the Crescent Wolf Pack, also kneeled in front of you. You were panicking, Klaus and Elijah saw it right through you. "Oh, god. No, no, no. Both of you stand up. This is insane. Thank you though. Everything's happening so fast. I need a good run to clear my head. Aiden, we're not yet done."

[purplebass]

How Does it Feel

Since everyone talked about Jesse meeting his uncles Gabriel and Gideon (and his aunts too), I’ve decided to write a fic about this. 

Rating: T Words: 1779

The day Jesse Blackthorn returned to London, he never thought he would get this much attention. Well, he did expect people to be shocked. He was alive, after everyone had known he had been dead for years. But he never expected the affection, considering how Will and James Herondale had glared at him during most of their time in Cornwall, while they tried to convince Lucie that the best thing to do was going back. 

“Why are you stubborn, Lucie? You’ve never been stubborn,” Will told her. “You, please, say something,” he told Jesse, who hadn’t interfered, thinking that it was better if he didn’t voice his thoughts if no one asked him.

“Lucie,” he said gently. “Your father is right. We should go back to London. We can’t stay here forever.”

She glanced at him, and he could read the panic in her eyes. “If we return…” She left the phrase hanging, but he knew what she was thinking. Once it was known to everyone what they did, there would be consequences. 

“You don’t have to worry,” he tried to comfort her. “We are going to be okay.” He longed to touch her cheek, but he decided that it was too much to do in front of her family, considering that they might believe it was his fault that she was far from home. He was sure that they didn’t hate him. That it was just a father and a brother who were bothered from their daughter and sister running away with a guy, unmarried. 

She nodded at him, and then looked at her father. “Then I guess we should leave.”

Jesse remembered the crestfallen expression on Will’s face as Lucie left them and got ready to go. He turned to him and managed a smile, and that was when he realized that he had probably gained his trust. 

There were a few people waiting outside of the London Institute, the evening they were finally back. He knew who they were because he had seen them, but they never did. He recognized Lucie’s mother Tessa, speaking to Cecily Lightwood. His aunt. Her husband, Gabriel, was folding and unfolding his hands in front of him expectantly, while his brother Gideon was telling something to him. He turned his head towards the carriage when he heard the noise of the horses coming closer to the entrance. His wife Sophie also glanced towards them. James had probably told them they were on their way, since he had taken off with one of the horses once they arrived in London.

“They’re all here,” Lucie commented, and touched Jesse’s hand. Her father had fallen asleep during the ride home, that was why she did it. “Is that alright?”

“We can’t control people, Lucie,” he grinned. “And why wouldn’t it be alright? Do you not want to see your uncles and aunts?”

“Of course, I do. I’ve missed them,” she said. “I meant you.”

“What about me?”

“I’m sure they’re also here for you. And you,” she paused. “Might want to be alone.”

He still forgot how it felt to be alive, and to be seen. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see them now. He had been curious about them for years, and only dared to watch them from afar while in his ghost form. He had only met his uncle Gideon once, years ago. He felt a little overwhelmed, but he didn’t say anything. He offered her another smile, then squeezed her hand. Her father cleared his voice and frowned, but Lucie rolled her eyes at him. 

“I hope Bridget is already preparing something because I’m starving,” Will said, as the carriage stopped in front of the Institute, and he got off.

He left his side of the carriage open for them, and Jesse took a breath before he also exited the vehicle. He extended his hand to Lucie, whose eyes widened because she didn’t expect it. They had never ridden in a carriage before, in the real sense. He had kept her company in there several times, while he was a ghost. But he had always vanished before she could get off. And he hadn’t been solid - he couldn’t have possibly offered his hand. He realized his hand was sweaty, but Lucie was wearing gloves. She wouldn’t notice. 

“We thought you wouldn’t arrive anymore,” Cecily said. “James was here long ago. We were freezing.”

“Nobody asked you to wait outside, Cecy,” Will replied. He was half hugging his wife when Jesse and Lucie turned towards the group of people waiting for them. They caught them kissing, but the others didn’t seem to mind. 

“We’ve been,” Gabriel then said, calmly, as if he couldn’t find the words. “Waiting. Waiting for you. Both of you.” He was watching them intently, especially Jesse. He had to look away, his cheeks were surely red by now. “We missed you.”

“Thanks, uncle. I also missed you all,” Lucie said giddily. “May I introduce you to Jesse?”

There was an awkward silence at first. For some reason, no one talked. “I’m very pleased to meet you,” Jesse said, his voice didn’t waver like he expected. “Mrs. Herondale, Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood, and Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood.”

“We’re very pleased to meet you as well, my dear boy,” Sophie said, smiling. 

“Yes, we’ve wanted to meet you for a long time,” Gideon echoed. 

Lucie squeezed his arm to encourage him. 

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” uncle Gabriel said. He didn’t give him time to answer, because he enveloped his nephew in a hug. 

Jesse didn’t know how to react to that. He didn’t expect all of this excitement, this warm welcome. So he just patted his uncle’s back until he was ready to let him go. Once they separated, Gabriel seemed quite moved. The thought that someone other than Lucie and Grace cared about him to the point of tearing up, made him want to cry as well. He felt tired. He grinned, trying to hold back the tears. 

“Why don’t we all get inside? They’ve travelled a long way, they should rest,” Gideon suggested, and the others nodded in agreement. 

The group split once they got inside. Tessa greeted them and went her own way with her husband, letting everyone know that they would not join them for dinner, but they would surely see each other later. Jesse wondered what dinner, since it was likely after nine, but he had to admit he was hungry. He’d missed being hungry. 

“Bridget has prepared dinner for you,” Cecily said, once they gathered in the drawing room. “She also prepared something for James, but he fled on his horse after he told us you were coming.”

“Do you like chicken soup, Jesse? That’s what she said she’d made,” Gideon added. “But with that woman, you never know,” he shrugged.

“I like everything,” he answered. “Anything is fine.”

“Would you like to stay with us?” Gabriel inquired, making everyone turn in his direction. Cecily seemed to glare at him, murmuring that he had just returned from a long trip and to give him a break. 

“Wow, Gabriel. You didn’t even let him rest. You don’t have to respond now, Jesse. And, by the way, that offer also stands on my part,” Gideon said.

“Gideon!” Gabriel huffed. “That’s not fair.”

“Please, do not argue over me, Mr. Lightwood. I do not wish to be the cause of your discussion,” Jesse replied solemnly, silencing everyone.

“Don’t worry, no one is arguing in this room,” Sophie said. “They always bicker like that.”

“Yes, we do,” Gabriel said, crossing his arms on his chest. “And we’re also both very serious about this offer. Promise you’ll think about it? Do not feel pressured.”

“Yes, Jesse. Take your time choosing between me and uncle Gabriel. Or choose no one, for that matter. Just know that we are here for you.”

“Thank you,” he simply answered, not being able to say much more. He knew that they both meant it, and he was grateful. He couldn’t have put into words if he tried to. But it was too much for a day. Jesse managed the unpteenth smile of the night. He never thought he would smile so much in one day, that he’d feel his jaw hurt. Was this what it felt like to be loved by your family?

“I’m so tired, I guess I’m going to bed,” Lucie said, standing up from the spot next to his. She probably understood that he was done for the night, and wanted to be alone.

Everyone stood up, and said goodbye. Jesse greeted everyone with formality. His uncles and aunts didn’t tell him to call them by their names. They probably comprehended that he needed time, that this was too sudden, and they had never seen each other. They were strangers in his eyes, even if he didn’t seem to be a stranger to them. 

Uncle Gabriel told them he would tell Will or Tessa that they were going, and that they were alone in the drawing room. Jesse didn’t think his uncle knew about their relationship, but perhaps he suspected there was something. He was still a stranger in there, a stranger in the same room as an unmarried woman. 

“It was easier, when I could fade. Whenever I didn’t want to talk anymore,” Jesse said, when everyone left. “I could just disappear.”

Lucie nodded, sitting down on the sofa again. He followed her. “Do you miss it?”

“Being a ghost? No, Lucie, no,” he replied with confidence, caressing her cheek. “But I have to admit, all of this,” he shook his head. “Thank you for making them go.”

“Don’t mention it,” she replied, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t know they would come, or else I would have told them to go. I’m sorry, Jesse.”

“It’s not your fault. Not theirs, either. I just - feel. I felt their interest, their fondness of me. And it,” he sighed. “And I don’t know if I deserve it. It is odd. Being loved by someone. Receiving affection from people who share my blood, even if we never met before.”

“Everyone deserves love,” she said. 

At that, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears came freely. They marred his face with water and salt, something he’d never thought he’d feel again on his skin. Lucie opened her arms, letting his head settle on her shoulder. His hand grabbed one of hers, while her other hand brushed the side of his arm to soothe him. She let him weep in silence until he had enough. And in that moment, Jesse felt very lucky to be so loved and understood.

Taglist (if you want to be added or removed, send me a PM): @princesslucinda @kit-12 @immortal-enemies @lucian-evander @esa-emery @danieldyers @blackthorn-trash @rinadragomir @fortunesandfables @itsdaughterofthemoon @silvenys@thomastair3 @livvyheronstairs @ holding-infinity-and-a-book @lovelaces @axoloteca @autumnangel20 @cordelia-cardale

[mskatesharma]

every single person i know who's watched s1, irrespective of whether they read the books, thought benedict was gay till we actually saw him making out with that woman in that orgy. 😭😭😭 i know benophie is a well-liked ship but it wasn't my favorite book and i'd have loved it more if they'd gone for that artist x benedict lol. or male!sophie? idk. also in my head henry golding was bagwell (blame crazy rich asians), but that's not going to happen :/ i wasn't TOO invested in that but yea.

(would also love eloise to be asexual actually, but that's also probably not happening, i still can't picture her with the philip they've shown us tho.)

i get all the reservations about sophie being a woc but i feel like she still will be one because as of now, the next two couples are all white - pen and colin, philip and eloise.

also idk if you've watched lost in space but ajay friese in my head is gareth, and his character in the show has a similar-ish dynamic in the show with one of the girls too. i know he's a bit young but it's a fancast :p

I think most of us(?) think that Benedict's storyline from season 1 gives an indication that he is queer, or rather, his sexuality is going to be explored in the second season. If they don't end up doing that, then IMO, it's a clear case of queer-baiting.

I have a feeling that they had Benedict befriend Henry, so that Ben could see a relationship that is considered taboo for the time, i.e between two men, and the way it struggles, to foreshadow his relationship with Sophie. However, I find that to be in such bad taste, because a relationship between two people of different social and economic classes is not the same as a relationship between two people of the same sex or gender, and it doesn’t face the same obstacles.

(Answer got long so put it under the cut)

If Granville and Weatherby's relationship was to be made public, their literal lives would be in danger; it's not a stretch to say that they could be killed. If Benedict were to marry a maid, sure there would be some social ostracisation (to an extent, he's a second son so there's less pressure on him), but neither of them are going to be at risk of losing their lives.

If they wanted to show the struggles of a relationship between two people of different social and economic classes, Anthony and Siena were right there. But for whatever reason, they chose not to go down that route, so I hope that my fears about queer-baiting prove unfounded, and that Ben will be exploring his sexuality next season? (Also, Ben realising that he likes both men and women won't devalue or demean his relationship with Sophie, and to suggest that it would is really gross.)

Ben's book isn't my favourite, tbh I couldn't really stand book!Ben and kept wanting to shake Sophie and tell her he isn't worth it lol. Which I was surprised about because having watched the show first, I really liked Ben's character. Sophie, however, is an absolute sweetheart who deserves everything good in the world (which doesn't include book!Ben imo, so I'm glad they've changed him in the show).

To your point about a male!Sophie, it is a thought that I had too. However, I was discussing this with a friend, and they pointed out that changing a woman character to a man probably wouldn't be best, just because it would be erasing Sophie's story, and if she were changed to be a man, I guess some of the precariousness of her situation would be lost? And Sophie is such a wonderful character by herself, that I'm not really sure how it would translate to her becoming a man?

And yeah, I think Sophie will be played by a WOC because the two couples after that (Polin and Philoise) will be all white.

Look, lesbian Edwina owns my heart, but I know how unlikely it is that the show will go down that route. But instead of pairing her with a white man, can we not pair her with a MOC? Henry Golding is interesting? Tbh I don't see him as Bagwell, but I could maybe see him as John Stirling? And then Colin from Crazy Rich Asians as Michael, because he was hot lol (I know it’s not likely but it’s just fancasting).

I don't know if Eloise as asexual was mentioned in a previous ask, but I could see it? I'm not exactly a book!Phillip fan, but I think we saw so little of him in the first season that it was hard to discern his character properly. Plus, in order for Philoise to happen, Marina has to die, and the idea of that makes me so uncomfortable for a number of reasons.

And I haven't read IIHK, so I don't really know the vibe~ Gareth gives off, but this is Ajay Friese for anyone who doesn't know. I had to look him up as I haven't seen Lost in Space. And he might be young now, but it will be a good few years before they get to Hyacinth's book so he has time lol.

[fiction-boys-rule]

Imagine...joining the Leverage team and liking Eliot.

Pairing: Eliot Spencer/(Y/N)

Warnings: slight violence, fluff

Word Count: 2,200

Boring real life has been very stressful lately so writing has been non existent. If any of you have any ideas or requests, I am happy to take them. The characters I write for are very limited and this year I’m working on changing that, so my apologies. Hope you enjoy :)

You blow out the candles, smiling as the team claps and cheers. Nate holds up his glass from his position on the couch, making you roll your eyes and smile. 

“Did you make a wish?” Parker asks, gazing up at you. 

“Yeah.” 

“What was it?” Hardison asks. 

Parker quickly slaps his forearm, making him protest and glare over at her. 

“What the-“

“You know that if you say a birthday wish out loud it doesn’t count!”

“Why not? That’s kids stuff.” He frowns.

“It doesn’t come true! And it’s not kids stuff!” Parker glares at him. 

“Alright, guys. I won’t say my wish, okay? Let’s just have some cake.” You intervene.

Sophie smiles over at you before you cut the cake and serve everyone. Later, you gratefully take a glass of whiskey from Nate and enjoy the silence of the apartment. Everyone else has gone off to do other things while Nate and you  decided to stay behind. 

“I know I promised I wouldn’t say my wish, but can I still say it?”

Nate leans back in his chair, lazily looking over at you.

“Well, I don’t believe in those things. If you don’t put it out there and chase it, how will you get it? I guess you can consider me the devils advocate here.”

“Alright. I’ll indulge you. My wish was to finally be able to go out and help you guys.”

“Help us?” He eyes you warily.

“Yeah. I mean I know I do already in my own way but I just really want to see what it’s like out there. Even if it’s just being in the background.”

“You’re already in the background. With Hardison. Safe background.”

You roll your eyes.

“Not what I meant. Don’t you want me to see how this works? I mean you always complain that I don’t get it. So let me get it. Come on. I promise I’ll listen to you and play it safe. But let me have some fun, please!”

“That’s the problem. It’s not ‘fun’ out there, kid. It’s a job. I don’t know if you can handle it.”

“Handle it? You know what I can’t handle? Hardison for one more day! No offense to him but I can’t stand another day stuck with him in that hot van! I can’t, Nate! I’m going crazy! Stir crazy! Can you at least let me do this once? Please!”

“What’s so bad with Hardison?”

“Parker this, Parker that. He’s always talking about her and I wouldn’t mind it if he actually went and told her how he feels! He reminds me of someone I know and I can’t stand it!”

“That person you know is that bad?”

“Yes, he is! And he’s not granting me my birthday wish!”

You lean back and sigh, glaring at him. He sighs, holding his face in his hands. 

“Bad enough I have to accommodate everyone else and now you? You’re the one I like because you never ask for anything!”

“I’m asking for one thing and suddenly you don’t like me?”

He grumbles, sighing heavily and rubbing his face. 

“The alcohols not going to kill me, it’s going to be you or Sophie.”

“Oh, I guarantee you that. We’re already planning your murder. We have plans A to C done. How much does your ex hate you by the way?”

He suddenly looks up and sends you an annoyed glare. You laugh softly, running your fingertips on the rim of your glass. 

“You remember how I had that friend whose dad owns a whiskey company? Well, they offer care packages for people they know and the discounts are so good. But it’s not my favorite and I don’t want it to go to waste. Don’t want my friend to think I’m taking advantage of them. But they did offer me a full tour of their distillery. Full of test tasting, complimentary dinner, drinks-“

“Sophie is going to kill me.” He groans, shaking his head side to side.

“Well that was going to happen either way.”

He groans, taking a bigger swig. 

“Just listen to everyone and don’t get in the way of them doing their job. I’m pairing you with Eliot. So far you’ve been getting along. I think he likes you.”

“Likes me?” You stutter. 

How would Nate know about your crush on Eliot? How would anyone know?

“Yeah, well he brings you your favorite drink every day and he got you that gift.”

“He doesn’t like me.”

“I’m not doing this right now. Leave me in peace and regret and I’ll update the team later.”

You slowly get up and smile as soon as you close his office door. Checkmate.

Time Skip

"While I'm proud of you, we don't know who we are dealing with exactly. You've seen it before. Us, the professionals, even get in trouble sometimes. But we trust Nate to make a plan to bail us out." 

You frown as you see all of the orange soda in the fridge. Choosing to just grab bottled water, you close it and turn to a very worried looking Sophie. 

"I'm going with Eliot. It'll be fine. I’ll be fine." 

"By any chance, did you have a say in who you were joining?" 

She peers innocently at you. 

"No. Nate just said and I went along with it." 

You take a swig and watch as she looks away. 

"Ah, I see.” 

“Why?" 

"It's nothing." 

She gives you one last undecipherable look before heading to the couch and sitting next to Parker. You frown. Even being with the team almost a year, you didn't know everyone that well yet. When you had applied for a “secretary title with a concoction of ever changing duties” position working alongside Nate, this was the last thing you expected. You’re glad you took a risk and gave them the benefit of the doubt. It took a while to gain their trust, but they eventually liked you and included you more and more in what they actually did. It was probably because they liked the extra manpower and variety than their already established and constant team members. You sit on the couch and wait for Nate to come reveal the big plan. 

"So, you're tagging along with Eliot?" Hardison asks while typing away at his laptop. 

"Uh, yeah." 

He clicks his tongue while shaking his head. 

"You're going to regret it. Eliot isn't the best or easiest to work with." 

“Then who is?" 

He looks over at you with a “really?” look.

"Obviously me. I would love to teach someone my skills." 

You nod slowly and laugh. 

“What's so funny?" 

"Eliot also said that about you, remember?" 

"You mean the Denzel case?" 

"Yeah." 

"He doesn't know what he's talking about." 

You laugh and look over at the door opening. You see Eliot and he comes in, sitting next to you. 

"Hey." You smile. 

"Hey. Where's Nate?" 

"Probably getting drunk in his office. Want me to go get him?" 

"You shouldn't. He'll come out eventually. Probably thinking about his big plan." Sophie says. 

"Alright! Is the whole team here?" 

You all turn your heads towards Nate. 

Time Skip

"A basement is a pretty bad place to hide a bunch of cash. Just saying." You mumble as you follow Eliot through a hallway. 

“Yeah, well some people aren't as smart as others." 

You quickly turn your head around a corner to check for any guards. 

"You know, I thought you would be mad, or even annoyed, that Nate let me tag along." 

He turns his head around a corner. 

"Yeah, well I think it's a good way to learn something. I like to teach. Just don’t make Hardison my student.” he grumbles.

You run towards a door. He opens it and you squeeze in. 

"Alright. That's the control room. See a metal box?" Hardison says. 

You tune out Hardison's orders to Eliot while you look for any guards. 

“Hey, I'm going to go check the other door. That should be the door to the basement. If it's a basement." You whisper. 

Eliot nods, cutting a cord. 

"Yeah, go. Tell me if you see anything." 

"Y/N, be careful. Just because there haven't been any guards yet, doesn't mean you should get confident." Nate says. 

"I'll be fine. The door is right here." You whisper.

You open it and look in. 

"It's just a big room with nothing in it. Just some vaults. There could be something in here.“ 

You hear footsteps behind you and turn to greet Eliot before a fist comes at you and you feel pain before darkness greets you.

"Y/N, hey. Hey. It's okay. How you feeling?" 

You groan, adjusting your eyes to a bright light. Your head is pounding and your jaw is feeling sore.

"What? Where am I?" 

"She's alive!" Parker yells, making you grimace.

"You okay, Y/N?" Nate asks. 

Eliot clears his throat forcefully. 

"A guard found you. Knocked you out pretty good. The guard blew us. We're going to have to find another way out. You okay? Not feeling dizzy? You might have a concussion."

"Yeah, I'm fine. What about the basement?" 

"Forget about it. We just need to get out of here." 

“We could use the window in the basement. It's small, but I bet we could fit. It leads to the backyard. All we have to do is run across the yard in the blind spot of the cameras, climb the fence and we're out of here." 

"You remember all of that? Damn, Nate. She deserves a promotion." Hardison says. 

"Thanks." You say softly.

Eliot shakes his head, "Lets get out of here, then." 

The moon is bright after you had escaped the house and were waiting for the team to pick you up. You were leaning against a wall next to Eliot, letting the cool night breeze hit your face. You were listening to Hardison and Nate bicker about something. 

"Thanks for uh-saving me, I guess." You say suddenly, breaking the silence. 

Eliot looks over at you. He motions for you to take out the ear pieces and you do. He takes yours and his, and puts them in his pockets. 

"What was that for?" You ask. 

“We don't need to hear Hardison complaining. We get that enough already." He says. 

You both laugh. 

“But seriously. Thanks for helping me. But I just want you know for the future I would rather get caught than risk-" 

He shakes his head, frowning. 

"I don't like to think about that. Point is, it didn't happen." 

You nod, looking at the moon. 

"I think you did good. For your first time. I wouldn't mind having you tag along again." He says. 

You smile, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. "Thanks. I enjoyed myself. And I think I’ll have a bump on my head to remind me about this little adventure." 

“Well, at least you’ll still have a head, darlin’.” 

You both laugh softly. He moves to stand in front of you and lays a hand on the wall.

"Just be more careful next time, alright? I don't want anything bad happening to you." 

"What, I worry Big Bad Eliot?" You tease. 

“Yes, you do." He says. 

His low voice sends shivers down your spine. He slowly starts to lean in until his face is inches from yours. His eyes gaze at you softly. You move a hand up to his neck and gently move him closer. You both close your eyes as his lips place a small kiss on yours. Soft and slow. You shiver from an incoming gust of wind and pull him closer. You kiss him back harder as his other arm hugs your waist. He grips your waist harder and pushes you more against the wall. You moan, gently scratching at his neck. As he pulls away slowly, he bites your lower lip. He moves back and nuzzles his face in your neck. His lips press against your shoulder blade and his facial hair tickles your skin. 

“Happy Birthday, Y/N.” He whispers. 

You bite your lip and your arms surround his back. 

“Two gifts in one day. Wow.” 

You both laugh softly and he kisses your neck, holding you and comforting you with his warmth.

"So...." you whisper. 

He pulls back to look down at your face and smiles.

"So...the team is here." 

You quickly look over and see the van waiting at the end of the alley. Eliot grabs your hand and motions with his head. You smile and walk beside him as he leads you to the curb. He opens the van door and Hardison's shocked face greets you. 

"One time. One time. And Eliot's stupid charm overtakes you. Unbelievable." 

You laugh and hide your blush as you get in the van, sitting next to Eliot. 

"So, I take that it went well?" Nate asks, looking at you with a knowing look.

“Yeah. Perfect." Eliot says, looking over at you with a smile. 

You blush and lay your head on his shoulder. 

“Surprising but it worked out in the end.” You chuckle.

Nate laughs, shaking his head as Hardison mumbles rapidly, driving all of you away.

[2manyfandoms2count]

Love you (not) - Chapter 2

Cheating a little today because I couldn't think of a way to fit a Ghibli AU in the fic. Anyway, thanks to @marichatmay for finally making me watch some Ghibli classics, aka Kiki's delivery service and Howl's Moving Castle. They'd been on my watchlist for far too long!

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Chapter 2: In which Chat Noir and Marinette struggle to hold a conversation without flirting

Chat Noir doubted that he’d ever laughed as much as he’d laughed during his lunch at the Dupain-Chengs. Marinette’s parents had just been so warm and welcoming, that he’d started to wonder if the relationship Marinette and her parents had was extraordinary, or if his vision was simply skewered by his father’s absence. He’d come to the conclusion that it was probably a bit of both; he remembered having fun with his mother as well, but there was something truly special about the way Marinette relaxed in this environment.

He doubted that he’d ever seen her so carefree (between bouts of almost fake embarrassment when Tom’s jokes got too bad for her taste; she kind of shared Ladybug’s facial expression when it came to those) in the relatively short time they’d known each other. He really appreciated her letting him see this part of her, and letting him into her family and her happiness.

This was why, after lunch was over and he really should have been heading home to study up on his Chinese, he’d accepted Marinette’s suggestion to stay a little longer, given the rain that was still pouring outside. There was just something about the prospect of spending more time with Marinette that warmed his heart; and, thinking about it, what harm could a couple more hours do? They’d hang out a bit, Marinette would probably realise that she’d been in love with an image more than with him all this time, and they would part ways as friends at the end of the day. Easy.

Alas, the plan had started to crumble the moment they’d decided to watch a movie together. Tom and Sabine had gone to take a nap after the copious meal (Tom really had gone all out on the courses), and he and Marinette had been left awkwardly standing around, twiddling their thumbs as they tried to figure out what to do.

Chat had spotted Marinette’s Howl’s moving castle DVD under the TV stand as his gaze wandered around the room, and he’d commented that it had been a while since he’d watched it. Marinette had jumped on the occasion, relieved that an idea had been handed to her.

She’d set up the movie and then had sat on one end of the couch, while Chat Noir sat on the other. So far, so good.

Things had started getting difficult when Sophie had entered Howl’s castle, and Marinette, whether by empathy or pure coincidence, had felt a draft and had moved to the angle of the couch - closer to him, although they were still far enough apart that he couldn’t consider it making a move - to escape it.

When that didn’t work to make her feel warmer, she’d whipped a blanket out of seemingly thin air and wrapped herself comfortably in it.

By that point, despite his supposedly thermal suit, Chat Noir had also started feeling cold, and had scooted a little closer so he could slide his feet under a corner of the blanket that wasn’t tucked under his friend. Marinette had then spotted his apparent discomfort, and before he knew it, he was buried under the blanket with her, and although there was still space between them, their shoulders definitely knocked against each other if they moved a bit.

The movie had been captivating enough that neither of them had focused too much on that fact while they watched the plot unfold, but Marinette was suddenly very aware of their situation when the credits started rolling. She wasn’t sure how to get out of it without her partner feeling pushed away, but supposed that sparking a conversation would probably help.

“So…” She turned towards him, stretching a little as she did so and seizing the opportunity to move a little further away from him. "Have you seen many Ghibli movies?" She cringed slightly at the question. Her social skills really seemed to have taken the day off.

"Yep," Chat said with a proud smile. "In fact, I think I've seen them all!"

"Oh, neat!" Marinette smiled, trying to find a good follow-up question. “Erm... so, who do you think you’d be in the Ghibli universe, then?”

He paused to think about it, a pensive pout on his lips, adjusting the blanket around him to close the gap her movement had allowed to form as he did.  “That’s a very good question, to which I don’t have an answer.” He shrugged. Suddenly, all the characters he'd ever related to seemed to have evaded him; one character stood out as he looked at Marinette, though, and he supposed it was good enough to keep the conversation going. “You, on the other hand, would totally be Kiki.”

Marinette crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “That’s just because I’m small, I have black hair, and I hang out with a talking cat.”

“You wound me, Purr-incess. Those are very superficial arguments.” Chat’s hand flew briefly to his chest, before he realised she wouldn’t see it under the blanket. “Those are some good points, but I actually thought that because you live above a bakery and you sometimes work there, you’re kind of clumsy... In a cute way, don’t worry!” He added quickly when he saw her roll her eyes, before widening his own as he realised what he’d just said. He felt his cheeks warm up under his mask. Marinette looked away, pink dusting her cheeks. So much for keeping things entirely platonic. This wasn’t sending the right message at all. “...And you’re always willing to help people, generally with pretty original plans.” He concluded after clearing his throat.

Marinette and Kiki also shared strong first opinions, he didn’t add. He hadn’t been scorned as long as Tombo had in the movie, granted, but he felt a certain connection to the boy nonetheless, probably because they both also shared a liking for clowning around. He couldn’t say anything about it without revealing too much, though; and he wasn’t sure that comparing himself to a character who had a crush on the character he was comparing her to would be a very good idea.

“So actually, I guess I would be Jiji, then. After all, as you said, I am a talking black cat.”

“You’re a little more than that, though.” Marinette snorted. “I actually think you’d make a fine Howl; you have this protector instinct, even though you seem to like putting yourself in danger - don’t think I don’t read the Ladyblog.” She shot him a pointed look. “But you’re also just both kind and generous, you know?And you obviously have a penchant for justice.”

Chat Noir felt his heart flutter in his chest at the compliments. Marinette really was too nice.

“Also, I guess you do look like him. If you let your hair grow, you really could pull off his cosplay.” She looked at him, head tilted as she started imagining what kind of outfit she could make for him.

“Is that you saying I’m handsome?” Chat waggled his eyebrows, before freezing. He needed to stop sounding this flirty with Marinette. It would just feed her hope, and that simply couldn’t do. He needed to make it clear to her that she was just a friend.

“I mean… it’s not like you’re unpleasant to look at…” Marinette trailed off, before realising what she’d said. She cleared her throat. “But whatever, will you just stop hogging the blanket?” She pulled on her side of it, hoping she could cover her blush with it somehow.

“I’m not! It’s just too small for us both!” Chat tucked his side under him so she wouldn’t take it.

“Fine then, I’ll just have to move closer to you,” Marinette said, looking him straight in the eye.

“Fine by me,” Chat Noir said in spite of himself, part of him screaming that it would have been the perfect excuse to say something about not liking her that way, or even to leave.

“Fine.” Marinette scooted as close to him as possible. Their bodies touched from the shoulder to their feet. What am I doing? She thought as she registered that fact. This is not how I'd seen the day going at all.  “Erm… Want to watch something else on Netflix?” She added, thinking it could only make things less weird.

“Sounds good to me!” Chat gulped next to her. He told himself he'd stay a little more to defuse the slight awkwardness, but promised himself to tell her how he felt before crossing her door to go home. “Maybe we could watch Kiki’s delivery service , since we were talking about it?”

“Sure.”

The pair only got through part of the movie; Tom and Sabine emerged from their room for tea before they’d even reached the halfway mark, and as much as Chat Noir was tempted to stay for the macarons, the excuse to get back was just too good. It would probably be a miracle if Nathalie hadn't already come up to his room to check on him, and if she hadn't he was probably due a visit at any moment. Sabine insisted that he took some leftovers back with him, and he was so touched by the attention that the one thing he’d promised himself he’d do slipped his mind.

He was halfway home when he realised it; he'd been so preoccupied by thanking her parents and her, that he'd forgotten to talk to Marinette one last time, to tell her not to get her hopes up.

Guess I'll have to go back sometime next week, then, he sighed as he popped a macaron into his mouth. Oh, well.