#and I have some concerns as to whether whatever’s wrong with her is the sort of thing that CAN get better over time with company

[malamilkbeats]

My thoughts? And throwing stuff in the dark, hoping it hits something

The Heart to Heart: I mean, as sweet as S2 EP4 was with them, I couldn't shake off the cynicism of it seeming staged to some degree...but I could just be paranoid from feeling thrown for a loop by his nonchalance. Circubit didn't seem the least bit surprised about being corrupted by Cyanide from the hug. And I don't see much of people-pleasing qualities from Circubit other than this scene here. I wouldn't call it people-pleasing really, only because he might have had a soft spot for her situation since it may have been relatable.

Just by a stretch in assumption here, other than relating to her, he might have had that "heart to heart" with her to very well be re-corrupted and to have a possible stronghold down the line, now that he undoubtedly knows Cyanide doesnt a have stable, caring caretaker.

His Duality Form Control and its possible advantages: Another reason I came to this is that...I sort of agree from braincell's previous lore-informed theory that he was also using his corruption as a form of a second shield/form of escapism (from identity flaws, his past as a pure shape, the flexibility of alignment, etc...).

As dark as it is to think about, causing a rift between Cyanide and Dub could be a strategic benefit for Circubit now and later on. From my perspective, he has taken a more machiavellian, neutral approach to fix what has been wrong in his eyes because it's the only route he has open. He has taken his own means to an end to achieve what he could want, and it's kinda too early to tell whether that's to be a hero himself, rally an entire rebellion against Dub, and/or getting another chance to counter his tarnished reputation from the Royal family, his ex-friend, and most of the Land of Spheres. Or something else entirely.

Yeah, we know he's not completely aligning with either the heores nor the corrupted side. He's taking his own rogue path, and we don't really know where that destination really lies.

No Benefit being Pure: If he does take any of those possiblites, I would like to think his re-corruption here made sense, though. Would you think his goals could be achievable with his pure form? I don't believe so nor would his pure self even have the support from the heroes, caretakers, groups, and obviously the corrupted. We are only really sure that he needs to be corrupted to achieve what he might be looking for, whatever that may be. From the looks of Circusic's talk with Iris, bro doesn't have the best reputation outside of his corrupted form nor was anyone looking for him outside of sheer unconditional concern, other than he's a threat or some traiter in other's eyes, especially Iris, unfortunately.

From the short, Circubit's Recurring Memory, the king had already expected Circusic to raid the castle, removing what he was looking for. But it's unclear whether Circusic was going to steal the item for himself, something else, or Circusic could have been, misunderstood, purposefully misled, or framed. Regardless, there's still distrust of his character.

Back to Cyanide's confusing adventure for self-identity: Cyanide is most likely...POSSIBLY...(just a guess) going to be rejected by both Dub and the heroes, causing her to come back to the one and only place she felt a "crumb" of acceptance/validation: Circubit.

"We might meet again."

Yeah, alright, Circubit. Would it be sooner or later? Like, he knows she's failing to cope with rejection (and other's perception of distrust towards her) since he's already skated down that hall himself.

Honestly, I would be very, VERY surprised the hero gang would be fully accepting of her suddenly wanting to NOT be evil after naively being associated with the corrupts.

Idk, man, Cyanide is a confusing character, but she just baby though

LOOK AT HER. SHE BABY

I'm just curious where she's going after her talk with Circubit?

Any Thoughts/Theories On Season 1, Episode 4 Part 1 Video + Rant

Part 1

Heavily sighs God… Heavily sighs again, but longer… Hey, everyone… I know my sorry ass hasn’t posted something here for so, so long, but, considering that the next episode for Season 2 is here in the current making, might as well get started, right…?

RIGH-

The Episode (Part 1)

MAJOR SPOILERS WARNING

Allow me to explain how my first reaction went here…

So the opening scene of Season 2, Episode 4 start off showcasing on a rainy night, seeing Dub telling Cyanide of his uttered disappointment of Cyanide’s ongoing failures within her missions, telling her that she should’ve corrupted him, implying to be Iris himself I think since Season 2, Episode 1.

Cyanide apologizes to her boss, Dub for what happened from her previous mission with Circubit, as Dub then commands her to go back to Circubit, while not giving a fuck about you crying on her communication device. Cyanide, while staying silent from Dub’s command and still sad, ends the call.

Pauses the episode

Me: This next part made me laugh and got so angered out loud because I fucking predicted that Circusic was going to find Cyanide being fucking miserable in the rain!

Let me tell you something yawl… For some weird reason, we ARE NOW TALKING TO CIRCUBIT AS A PURE SHAPE HERE OUT OF KNOW WHERE?!?!

Continues the episode

Cyanide somehow recognizes Circubit in front of her while he’s a pure shape. Circubit as a pure shape, questions her that is her boss, Dub is being an asshole to her, which also causes Cyanide to analyze the cuss word…

Mega pauses the episode

Me: WOW, OK!!! THIS PIECE OF SHIT IS NOW TEACHING A CORRUPT HERO, WHO IS CANONICALLY 0 YEARS OLD CURRENTLY BTW, CUSS WORDS AND NOT GIVING AN FUCK!!!! Oh my god…. Guys, I just really don’t wanna hear these Heroes start swearing… It’s weird as fuck to me… Especially considering that they are still young and are childlike beings…

Continues the episode

After analyzing (the fucking cuss word…), Cyanide is seen trying to process how she actually feels about Dub as a caretaker (sort of) and boss due to how Circubit describes him. Circubit then sits down next to her through the aforementioned processing, telling her why bother listening to Dub. Cyanide tells Circubit that Dub is her caretaker and has to still listen to him.

Pauses the episode

Me: Well, Dub is her creator (sort of), but all Dub has been toward Cyanide is to be nothing but an insufferable asshole to her and she still listens to him regardless, despite the lack of care and support she has been given from him.

Continues the episode

Circubit tells Cyanide that she’s right, but also says that her boss, Dub is making her upset and not being a good caretaker to him. Circubit then starts giving Cyanide vague advice which I’m gonna briefly explain right now:

“Take my advice, always do whatcha feel is right.” This advice means to “encouraging you to prioritize your own gut feeling and inner judgment when making decisions, even if it goes against external advice or societal norms.” So, I think what Circubit is advising Cyanide to trust her own instincts and make decisions based on what she feels is morally correct or wrong.

Pauses the episode

Me: And also here’s the problem about this in my opinion… The progression of their relationship from Season 2, Episode 1 to Episode 4 so far feels inconsistent and frankly baffling:

S2E1: Back when they first met, Circubit appeared largely indifferent toward his collaboration with Cyanide, maintaining a neutral dynamic. For instance, the first thing he does to her is scare her and not caring about it upon her arrival to the Corrupted Royal Castle. While not caring to fix her naivety here, Circubit gives off this remark, "I'll handle everything," implied he didn’t rely heavily on her assistance, even though they were nominally teaming up, while Cyanide wasn’t doing shit with him from their first mission together. Their interactions were minimal—only about two throughout the episode and both gone for the next 2 episodes—conveying a relationship that seemed purely functional at best.

S2E4: Then, after 2 episodes, out of nowhere, Circubit begins fucking speaking in pure form for whatever reason. Upon encountering Cyanide again, the first thing he does is start teaching her cuss words ("asshole") with zero hesitation or concern btw. From there, his behavior becomes jarringly inconsistent. He suddenly starts acting like he genuinely cares about Cyanide’s well-being all of a sudden, offering her vague advice, such as to “trust her instincts.” Yet, seconds later, he's allowing Cyanide to make him become corrupted again—seemingly so he can resume his chaotic plans. Their entire dynamic so far felt forced and nonsensical, and I was utterly confused by it…

Do you see what I mean? There’s no logical progression between the neutral, detached Circubit of Season 2, Episode 1, and the suddenly supportive, seemingly empathetic Circubit of Season 2, Episode 4 BECAUSE WE NEVER SEE THAT HAPPEN BEFOREHAND UP UNTIL THIS EPISODE EVEN STARTED!!!

Continues the episode

When Cyanide asks Circubit if that’s what he has been doing, Circubit says Yep! to her, telling her that he’s hasn’t been doing anything his boss, Dub told him to do.

Quickly pauses the episode

Me: Oh my god… Dub is getting some dogshit servants…

Also also, this next part is even more baffling………

Quickly continues the episode

Cynaide, while briefly staying silent, flies up tells Circubit that she actually wants to be a hero instead of being a villain.

ABSOUTELY MEGA PAUSES THE EPISODE

Me: When did you believe that...... When did this thought finally cross your mind Cyanide after the past 3 fucking episodes you were in because there was no development progression up until this point for you to be saying that line with the help of Circubit! All you were was from the previous episodes, Season 1, Episode 9-10 to Season 2, Episode 1 is just being a poorly written woobie with a frustratingly naïve sense of morality that gets you into these dumb shenanigans with these unlikeable/selfish corrupts in the fucking first place, causing you to appear completely distrustworthy and suspicious of most of the good guys into severe depression mode!!!

You were gone for like 2 WHOLE FUCKING EPISODES (S2E2 - 3) in this season so far, which made me almost completely forget about you as a character. And within this episode, the first thing you finally come back to do here is dramatically cry in the fucking rain to make me feel so terribly sorry for you sympathetically with your situation, even though I don't care about you because of how frustrating you are to me!

Secondly, you immediately started analyzing swearing and possibly will do it more later on (which is clearly Circubit's fault btw for swearing at a canonically 0 year old hero with no hesitation), which led me to scream out a huge "WOW, OK!" Because of how unbelievably stupid or maybe even laughable that was for the past 30 something seconds in this opening scene.

FINALLY, this one is just the best topping of how frustrating your character and alignment is on my fucking birthday cake. After some brief advice you've gotten from Circubit's bitch ass, when you said, "I want to be a hero. I do not like being evil.", A few seconds later you intentionally hugged Circubit as a pure form, CAUSING HIM TO BECOME CORRUPTED ONCE AGAIN!!! LIKE, WHAT THE FUCK!!! WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM OUT OF YOUR TINY MOUTH?!?! This baffling and contradictory behavior is the cherry on top of what makes your character alignment—and overall arc so far—so unbelievably maddening.

Slams on on my spacebar to continue the episode

Circubit then tells her Great!, saying to her that they might met again. Cyanide starts quickly zooming toward Circubit, hugging and thanking him by using her head while also… FUCKING CORRUPTING HIM BACK TO HIS CORRUPT FORM FOR FUCK SAKE…!

Slams on my space to pause the episode

Me: The execution of Circubit's return as a corrupt was somewhat exciting, I suppose, but it doesn’t excuse Cyanide’s sudden desire to become a “true hero” this time around without no good development up until this point of the series. This already further shows me how fucked up her neutrality truly is. And, Cyanide STILL doesn't care about the consequences of her actions so far because she actively and intentionally facilitates Circubit's return to his corrupt form, knowingly enabling him to cause more chaos—and does so without appearing to care in the slightest!

AND WHY THE FUCK IS SHE SMILING ABOUT IT!?!? BRO!!!

Slams on on my spacebar to continue the episode

Circubit appreciatingly tells Cyanide that she doesn’t have to thank her while going back to his corrupt form, saying to her about whacha needed to know. After Circubit leaves her, Cyanide starts flashing back toward the worst episode of the TPC series, remembering Cyan's advice and after that, she fucking smiles again and leaves, presumably going back to the main gang or not.

Part 1 ends here.

Finally done, gonna cry in my closet while eating a bowl of ice cream for breakfast....

Plus, If you guys have any further theories/predictions for part 2, tell me in the comments below.

[tye-wig-music]

an incredibly long, draining, at times truly infuriating week spent w my 80 y/o grandma is nearly over.

made all the more difficult because none of the rest of my so-called “family” want anything to do with her, so she feels betrayed and let down on all sides & is incapable of talking about anything for very long without sliding into a tangent about how good things used to be in the past and how awful they are now.

perhaps her modus operandi has always been to find the nearest eldest daughter to terrorise

[wandaslovey]

𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒾𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹?

➺ pastors!wife!wanda x fem!reader

wc ~ 3.8k

a/n: part 2 of my “when two wrongs make a right” series. it’s based around their first time meeting. fair warning my lovey’s - this part of the series may seem a little slow in the beginning. i really wanted to build a little background for both the reader and wanda. let me know what sort of things you’d like to see from these two cuties and i’ll try and incorporate them in the coming parts :)

*not proofread*

cw: mentions of an unspecified religion, religious homophobia as well as a bit of internalized homophobia, light undertones of infidelity/cheating, specified age gap (r=20, w=32), smoking cigarettes, reader being a bit of a stalker, wanda being a massive, shameless flirt and bold with a capital B.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘ ୨♡୧ ⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

it had been over a month since you moved with your parents to a small town in georgia. they said it was on account of a “fresh start” but you had a gut feeling it was really just because your mother wanted to officially separate your father from mrs. stacey—your old neighbor. your dad never came clean about his affair, but it didn’t matter because your mom wasn’t stupid. mrs. stacey and your father weren’t exactly good at keeping things secretive. whatever. you didn’t care. as far as you were concerned, neither of your parents truly cared about much, including their marriage and including you. they were obsessed with their image, wanting to be the perfect cookie cutter, church-going family. it was all about pretenses. it didn’t matter what was going on behind the mirror because the perfectly angled reflection was all people saw of them.

you had planned for things to be different for yourself once you moved here. for one thing, you didn’t want to be a “church-going girl” anymore. after all, everything that was said only made you have more questions. on top of that, you were supposedly a sinner on account of not being attracted to boys. why would you wanna be some place where people wouldn’t accept you if they knew?

your plans turned to squash when the first sunday you tried to tell your parents, it ended up being an enormous deal—your mom sobbing crying that you were trying to “sever your relationship with god.” you tried to console her for a few minutes, but the more you pushed not to go to the church service, the more upset the both of your parents became. to keep the peace and to quit hearing your mother’s nonsense, you bit the bullet and decided to go.

the whole way to the chapel, you planned in your head exactly what you would say the next time this conversation came up. you were 20 years old. you weren’t going to let your parents dictate whether you wanted to participate in religion or not.

as the three of you arrived to the church, you filed in with the rest of the congregation. you kept your head down, not wanting to draw any attention to yourself. it wasn’t until the pastor began his sermon and invited his wife onto the stand that the fake conversation going on with your parents in your head came to an abrupt stop.

holy sh— you thought to yourself.

you see her for the first time. mrs. maximoff. wanda. you’d learned her name once she’d announced it over the pulpit. she radiated an air of confidence and a surety in herself. you tried to commit every detail of her to memory. her southern accent, the way she spoke, her laugh, her hair, her eyes, her lips, her pretty figure, her well-manicured hands that you could see even from your spot down in the congregation..

from then on, you were infatuated with the pastors wife. there was something about her. something that went beyond her stunning outward appearance. you couldn’t put your finger on what it was, but you didn’t mind observing her for however long was necessary to figure it out. you had a penchant for observation after all.

•

five weeks had gone by, this sunday being the sixth time you get to obsess over wanda in person. your thoughts about the pastors wife had you feeling a little nervous, your tummy filling with butterflies as you think about her. technically, it was wrong to think of another woman this way—right? that’s what you’ve been told your whole life. and on top of that, she was married.

oh to hell with it. it’s not like anything would come of it.

as you stand in the mirror, fussing with your sunday dress, you can’t help but look over yourself once, twice, three times before you finally turn away from your own reflection. the longer you looked, the more flaws seemed to appear, so instead, you take a cigarette out of its hiding place—under the floorboards at the end of your bed—and begin your typical “smoking secretly out the window” ritual.

you needed something to help calm your nerves before you headed to church. especially because today they were doing something called a “linger longer” after the service. it was meant for people to take the opportunity to socialize and eat some finger food after being “spiritually fed.” you didn’t know what that meant, but all you cared about was getting more time to observe the beautiful mrs. maximoff. you very quickly noticed she was quite popular within the church community. she talked with everyone. she was always so spritely and positive—you wondered if it was as genuine as it seemed. not that you would know any time soon. you always left before she could make the rounds to talk to you.

you quickly put your cigarette out in the ash tray and stow it back in its hiding place before looking yourself over one more time and then heading to the church service.

•

wanda noticed you the very first sunday you sat in the pews. she never missed a new couple or family coming in to join their congregation. it was her duty as the pastors wife to get to know everyone. she didn’t mind it either. like a true extrovert, she thrived off of interacting with other people—so to say she was a tad disappointed when she noticed you duck out right after the service before she could introduce herself to you—was an understatement. she met your parents of course who seemed nice enough, but she wanted to meet the pretty girl whom she caught staring at her quite a few times.

every sunday from then on was much the same, she’d catch you staring at her off and on throughout the service. each time she couldn’t help but smirk to herself, wondering what you were thinking in that head of yours. she was instantly intrigued by your behavior and even more so intrigued by the draw she seemed to have to you. without meaning to, she started trying to draw a picture in her head of what type of woman you might be. you seemed reserved yet polite, sweet yet stubborn and bold yet sometimes bashful, especially when she caught you looking at her. you were deliciously difficult for her to figure out and that’s why this sunday, she had made up her mind she was going to pin you down at the linger longer.

•

today was the first time you listened to a sermon and wished it stretched on a little longer. mrs. maximoff was speaking, preaching about the importance of charity. you didn’t disagree with her of course, but it wasn’t so much what she was saying, it was how she said it. you quickly became partial with how she spoke. it was like her tone indicated that everything she said was factual and not up for debate. you admired that quality in her—her ability to speak so profoundly.

she wrapped up her speech and then took her place to sing in the choir for the closing song. your eyes remained on her the whole time. while you couldn’t exactly pick out her individual voice from the bunch, you were sure her singing was the best.

as people filed out of the chapel and out onto the vast lawn that surrounded the church building, you take a moment to admire your surroundings. georgia really was beautiful—very humid, but still beautiful. the lawn was littered with white folding chairs and circular tables with some pink, orange and yellow wildflowers as the center pieces. the colors contrasted beautifully against the long, overgrown green grass and the brilliant blue sky above.

you quickly made your way over to the long rectangle table with food. if there was one thing you learned from being an observant person, it’s that you looked less awkward not socializing if you had a small plate of food in your hand. it wasn’t that you were necessarily anti-social or hated interacting with others, you just didn’t like talking with people who were typically on their moral high-horses.

you exchange pleasantries with a small family who, like you, made a beeline for the food table. you don’t pay much attention to what you put on your flimsy paper plate; some sort of meat kabob, fresh fruit and boiled peanuts. you’d never had boiled peanuts before, but apparently it was one of the food staples of georgia.

turning away from the table, you scan the small groups of people and notice how a lot of them don’t even bother to take a seat at the tables. most people choose to stand in the more open part of the field and chat. you didn’t have to look through the herds of people for long before your eyes land on wanda. she had her head thrown back, laughing at something one of the ladies from the choir had said. her laughter carried through the light breeze that was currently blowing. the sound instantly became one of your favorites to hear.

god, what was wrong with you? you had never become so quickly obsessed with someone before. not even close. the closest thing you could think of was that massive crush you had on sally miller in the 9th grade. still.. that didn’t compare to this.

you begin walking through the cluster of tables, your eyes glancing from her to looking at where you’re walking and then back to her again.

the next 30 minutes was much the same. you briefly sat down at a table, but once more people came to sit with you, you quickly offered your seat up to the last member of a larger family so nobody had to be separated.

no matter where you sat, stood, or walked, your eyes never strayed far from wanda. that was until a kind, middle aged woman came over to talk with you. she was kind enough, asking questions about you and your parents. she seemed genuinely interested in your life, and for that you were happy to talk with her. you learned she had been married for 10 years and her and her husband had been trying for a baby for awhile now, but had run into so many complications. you sympathized with her, understanding that it must be very difficult for something you want so badly to be so painstaking to achieve.

it wasn’t until you exchanged farewells and she moved onto the next person to talk to, that you noticed wanda no longer stood where she was before. in fact, she wasn’t anywhere in the several crowds of people you skimmed through. did she leave? you squint your eyes, focusing in on any short blonde hair you could see in front of you from the place you stood.

“hi there.” you hear drawled out from behind you.

oh my god.

you slowly turn, your eyes falling on none other than mrs. maximoff. you quickly compose the brief surprise that passed over your face.

“mrs. maximoff.” you swallow and tuck some hair behind your ear, offering her a polite smile to mask the squinty expression you had before. had she realized you were looking for her? you hope not..

“oh please, calling me mrs. maximoff makes me feel so old! call me wanda.” she outstretches her arm to shake your hand which you take only after a moments hesitance.

“wanda,” you repeat, your smile growing as you feel her gently squeeze your hand before letting go.

“this is usually the part where you tell me your name, honey.” she smiles amusedly, already thoroughly enjoying this interaction.

“i’m… (y/n), (y/n) (y/l/n).”

“lovely to finally meet you, miss (y/n).” she appraises you, looking you up and down in your cute floral patterned dress. your stomach flutters as you notice her eyes lingering on your figure.

“i met your parents a few weeks ago, but i never got the chance to say hi to you. anyway, i’m real glad we’re finally getting to talk now.” her eyes subtly scan over your features, taking in your pretty eyes, cute nose and full pouty lips. she even noticed the light spackle of freckles across your cheeks and bridge of your nose. she wondered if those freckles were there year round or just for the summer.

“yeah, i um.. i’m not usually one for socializing.” you admit, clasping your hands together in front of you. one of your fingers fiddle with the ring on your left thumb, twisting it around.

“so, (y/n), i have a confession to make.” she blurts, the implication behind her pronouncement making your more on alert. she runs her hand through her perfectly kempt hair before resting it on her hip, trying to appear more casual—though this conversation was rapidly feeling less so.

“oh?” you ask curiously.

“well, it’s just that i’ve noticed you looking at me a fair amount on sunday’s—when i’m at the microphone, singing in the choir, sitting in the pews…but then you never come and talk to me. am i so frightenin’?”

your eyes widen in surprise. you knew you weren’t exactly subtle with your spared “glances,” but was it that obvious?

“what? no, no, no, it’s not that. not that at all. it’s just—well i..” the way she asks has you stumbling over your words. you never meant to offend her. it wasn’t that she was frightening, you just had no idea what to say to her.

she makes an attempt to mask her amusement but can’t help it with your stuttered response. a smile eventually breaks across her face and she chuckles lightly at your trying to explain, finding it endearing.

“oh, i’m just messing with you, sweet thing. no need to get all tongue tied.” her smile was amused and her eyes twinkle with playfulness as she reaches out to touch your shoulder. the action was meant to be placating, but it did nothing more than make you feel more flustered.

“tell me more about yourself.” she says it more as a command than a question, changing the subject and sparing you further embarrassment. you’re grateful for the change in tone regardless of its abruptness.

you shrug, unsure where to begin exactly, but you quickly found yourself wanting to tell this woman everything about you. “well, what would you like to know?”

“what does a cute thing like you get up to?what’re some of your hobbies?” her what appeared to be shameless flirting, surprised you. you mentally kick yourself, thinking she couldn’t possibly be flirting. it was probably just a southern thing they did here…

it was against “god’s plan” to have same sex relations of any kind. that included flirting, didn’t it? and she was married to the pastor for christ’s sake.

although.. at church you did notice that the two of them never seemed to be near to each other at all.. no. you were reading into things. this was just her being polite.

“umm, well, i guess i like to read? mostly fantasy. i’m kind of a closet nerd. i like doing things that are creative, so i’ve been teaching myself to paint and i also make string bracelets or anklets sometimes.. you know, it terms of creative things, um..” you trail off, your hand rubbing the back of your head as you draw a blank. why couldn’t you remember your own hobbies? you weren’t normally so easily flustered or stuttering over your words, but wanda’s confidence and boldness brought out a bashfulness in you that you didn’t even know existed.

she listens intently to your response, nodding encouragingly and she remains silent in your pause to find your words. she wanted to know you better and she could be as patient as was necessary.

“i also like to write.. poetry mostly. i don’t often sit down to do it, but i always enjoy when i do. um, i also love going on walks, listening to music… oh! i love rollercoasters. rollercoasters are probably one of my favorites things.” the longer you talked about what you enjoyed, the looser, less nervous you felt. wanda could see your soft shyness dissipating the more you shared. you light up in a way when you speak, your passion for your interests shining through with your facial expressions and hand movements.

“oh my—rollercoasters? you’re just a little adrenaline junkie, aren’t you?” she teases with a warm smile, her nose scrunching in the most adorable way.

“i wouldn’t go that far, but i do enjoy a good thrill,” you keep your tone light-hearted, mirroring her tone and her smile. her gentle teasing and close attention to you was beginning to make you feel light headed with giddiness.

“what about you, wanda? what do you like to do?” you take a step closer to her, your arm reaching across your chest to grab the other as you continue to feel at ease in her presence.

“anything, really. i like to change things up, keep life interesting. if there’s something new i want to partake in, i seldom hold back from trying it out.” her eyes shine with something you can’t quite put your finger on. you couldn’t help but feel there might be a double meaning to her words, but you could also just be reading into things again. hard to know for sure as you notice her eyes flick up and down your body for the second time since this conversation started.

the two of you continue talking for what only felt like minutes. you barely notice the other people around beginning to clean up food, tables and chairs. it wasn’t until most things had been cleared away that you realize just how long you’ve been standing here talking—nearly a half hour.

“well, i guess i should be letting you get back to the rest of your day,” she sighs, her shoulder raising and lowering with the action. you frown slightly, not wanting your time with her to come to an end. wanda notices of course because just like you were with her, she was paying an awful lot of attention to you.

“yeah.. yeah i guess so.” you nod in agreement, but feel anything but a desire to part from her in this moment.

“hey,” her hand reaches up and gently squeezes your shoulder, her hand lingering there. you feel your heart begin to beat faster, a warmth spreading in your chest.

“can you sing?” she asks randomly. you clear your throat, the sudden question taking you off guard.

“umm.. i’m sorry?” you ask stupidly.

“sing - can you sing?” she reiterates.

“well.. yeah a little, but w-“ she cuts you off.

“perfect! it’s settled then. you’ll join our choir!” her voice is cheery sounding, but the suggestion she made to join didn’t leave much room for discussion.

“i will?” you look at her in slight disbelief, though a smile was also tugging at the corner of your lips.

“mhmm, i don’t see why not. you want to spend more time with me, don’t you?” her boldness was astonishing. you couldn’t decide if you found it endearing, intimidating or sexy.. possibly a combo of the three. she had to be flirting. you finally decided.

“if i say yes, then..?” you trail off, neither confirming nor denying her claim.

“if you say yes then you’ll be nothin’ but honest, and you wanna be honest with me, don’t you (y/n)?” she raises her brows inquisitively, the hand that was still lingering at your upper arm squeezing again.

“that’s very bold of you to assume.” you challenge, your normal wit finally coming out to play. you couldn’t help it. her insistence on being so unabashed and teasing was rubbing off on you.

“well i have eyes, don’t i? believe it or not, i put ‘em to good use.” she drops her hand from your arm and crosses her arms over her chest.

“i noticed.” you purse your lips, your eyes dancing with playfulness as you hint at the fact you’ve caught her looking you up and down a couple times.

she smiles wide at your matching her energy, but she couldn’t help but want the upper hand back, no matter how much she was enjoying this new side of yourself.

“i won’t apologize for gawking at a pretty, young thing like you.” she smiles triumphantly when she notices your dignified posture slump slightly, the most delicate blush coloring your cheeks.

“you don’t have to apologize,” you say quietly, your words surprising you as you say them aloud instead of just in your mind. you look down and off to the side, wanting to hide the heat spreading across your cheeks.

“well we should both get goin’, but choir practice is every tuesday and thursday at 7pm. i wanna see you there, (y/n).” she reaches up presses her palm against your cheek so you’re looking at her again. she locks eyes with you with an edge of what appears to be sternness.

you nod slowly, captivating in her stare. she smiles, pleased and then drops her hand from your face.

“great, i’ll see you then, sweetheart.” she taps your nose affectionately, before turning on her heel and walking away. you watch her figure retreat to the parking lot, your head spinning a bit as your interaction played through your head.

•

as you arrive home late that afternoon, you can’t fight the smile that kept spreading across your face or the butterflies that never seemed to stop fluttering around in your stomach.

when you lay in bed at night to go to sleep, your conversation with wanda kept going through your head. you wondered what it all meant. she had to be flirting—but it was that very fact that had you confused. didn’t she herself subscribe to the belief that being gay was a sin? did she feel it was as wrong as the people in the church say it is? what would her husband think? what would he do if he found out about your conversation today?

the more you thought about it, the more unsettled you felt. before you could truly start to spiral though, you remember wanda’s smile and her contagious laughter. you think to yourself how good it felt to be with her, how warm you felt inside and how at ease she made you feel after a short while.

how could something something so bad, feel so good?

[flippinpancakes64]

cullens with a drunk reader??

The Cullens with a Drunk Reader

Thank you for requesting and hopefully you like this!

Also quick disclaimer I have never been drunk before so this is just gonna be based on what I've seen in like movies or TV shows

Please tell me if I got something wrong <3

Edward:

He thinks you are hilarious

Whether you're a happy drunk, an angry drunk, or a sad drunk, he loves it all

When he hears your thoughts normally, he can hear all these things that you never say

Well when you're drunk it just sort of all comes out

Is more than happy to help you walk somewhere, get you more to drink, and hold your hair back (if it's long enough)

Eventually though he'll put a stop to it

If it gets to the point where he can't hear any more of your thoughts and knows that you are on the verge of blacking out, he is putting an end to the night

Will hold you close the rest of the night

And he is at your beck and call when you wake up the next morning

Alice:

Again, she thinks you're so funny

Every time that you trip, stumble, or slur your words she is laughing her ass off

Loves listening to whatever you have to say

She would love to take you places or have you try to do stuff

Of course, she wouldn't let you get hurt

But she would find endless amusement out of seeing you fall on the stairs

She's not one to stop your drinking

She has been able to see your future for the whole night

She sees that you are still gonna wake up with a hangover whether you have 5 or 10 drinks

So she just lets you have your fun

Again is preparing stuff for you in the morning though

Jasper:

He gets just a little annoyed

Don't get him wrong he thinks you're amusing

But his idea of a fun Saturday night isn't making sure you don't break something or hurt yourself

So he mostly limits you to one room of the house + an activity

One time he got you to sit still for three hours while you were drunk just coloring in some old coloring book he found laying around

His favorite is karaoke night though

Will put a random sing-along song on the TV and watch you sing for hours

He'll stop you after a while though

With just a simple "okay enough fun go to bed"

Has something made for you to eat when you wake up

Rosalie:

Ok I have some thoughts about this one

We all know her backstory

A group of drunk men + her fiance violently and brutally SA'd her and killed her

So I don't think she would be too fond of alcohol

So you drinking around her would bring up those old memories

She tries not to take it out on you, though

Mostly would just leave the house

She'd be back in the morning though

If you drink excessively though, she would get angry and yell at you about it

But every once in a while she understands

Just don't drink around her

At least not for a while

Emmett:

He loves it

He just finds it so funny

He can tease you endlessly and if you're too drunk all you'll be able to reply with is some slurred nonsense

He's an enabler though

Will challenge you to beer pong and other drinking games

Half of the drinks you take are from him

It's not that he means to get you blackout, it's just that he's having fun and forgets that you can't consume endless amounts of alcohol

He won't put a limit on you though

He would only notice that you need to stop if you pass out of throw up

And then he's in panic recovery mode

Is a little embarrassed and concerned the next morning that he let you get that out of hand

He repeats the cycle though

Esme:

I feel like she'd be a wine girly

Or like a brunch mimosa kinda girl

If she was alive, that is

I feel like that was her when she was alive, anyway

She wouldn't know what to do with someone who is fully drunk

Her past experiences have only been with people who were a little buzzed

She does think you're amusing though

But she'll be a lot more hover-y

Won't let you go anywhere on your own

You are in bed by 12 at the latest

You wake up to a feast and every single headache pill the local pharmacy had

Carlisle:

He's a little more concerned

He has people come into the clinic for alcohol related injuries (overconsumption, drunk driving, various accidents while intoxicated, etc.)

He knows the damage it can cause

Also if you are younger than 21 good try he is not letting you drink

But other than that he is a mama bear

Watching you very closely

Literally counting the ounces of alcohol you have to make sure you stay under a healthy limit

And don't even think about leaving the house

He's a bit too worried to find your shenanigans funny

But that's okay

He makes up for it by being there for you

Bella Swan:

Another one who is just amused

She never got out much

She regrets never having drank alcohol while it could still affect her

Unfortunately that means she does live a little vicariously through you

Is playing bartender and giving you everything she makes

They're pretty bad

But you still drink them

Doesn't realize she's given you too much until you literally fall to the floor and pass out

Then she's like "oh shit"

Doesn't really know what to do though

So she has Carlisle take care of you

Apologizes profusely the next morning

Would still do it again though

[neverchecking]

That Wild facesitting one was so good omfgjskdkk

It gave me the idea of what if reader thinks the Chain (don’t forget Sage) are just doing so great and wants to give them a reward/gift but doesn’t know what so reader asks what they want.

The Chain ofc are so excited cause THEIR GODDESS WANTS TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING??

As they all think of smt, a couple of them are saying something along the lines of “nothing as long as you’re here we’re happy :)” which ofc reader thinks is so sweet and gives them a hug (cue smug smirks at the other Links bc reader hugged them HA)

As they all mull over their options bc obviously they don’t want to mess up this opportunity, ONE OF THE CHAIN STRAIGHT UP JUST SAYS “Sit on my face” WHETHER INTENTIONALLY OR NOT, EVERYONE IS IN SHOCK AND BEFORE ANYONE CAN SAY ANYTHING— reader agrees red faced bc she loves her boys oh so much ;)

Cue everyone saying they want the same thing bc they would honestly happily die at the opportunity

So sorry if this is a bit much it just came to me

~💚

No-no, don't be sorry, I love requests like these bc the idea of Sage vs. the Chain brings me so much serotonin! Like Mhmmmmm-

Fun fact: someone flagged that post  😭Which you guys can find -> Here!

Sage is TotK Link if you didn't know!

Anyway, smut so MDNI! 18+!

Smut CW: AFAB! reader, face sitting with multiple partners, praise

・❥・So, we all know that Reader has the entire chain wrapped around their finger. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

・❥・Especially after Sage joins them.

・❥・While there is silent fighting between him and the others, they make an effort to show you a united front because you are who they are all fighting for.

・❥・As far as your concerned, they're all buddies. (that was so far from the truth it was laughable, but it kept you happy, so it was the assumption that would remain.)

・❥・That being said, when they're all together in Wind's Era (The boy was at home with his sister and Grandmother, leaving the adults to fend for themselves) and you're in ear shot, they do their best to be on their best behavior. Even if Wild and Sage are shooting the most passive aggressive insults at the other, since, as we've accomplished, Sage is adamant on knowing exactly where your food comes from.

・❥・He refuses to let that failure cook for you. Not when he can do so. He has a bigger repertoire of recipes and more skills to his name than the other does. That...man can barely get through a fucking swim without blacking out because of a memory let alone stay there long enough to ensure your food is as quality as it should be.

・❥・(AN: For legal reasons, I would never think of Wild like this, I absolutely love him with my whole heart. BUT Sage does think like this because he's an asshole.)

・❥・So, while the two are cooking, the others do their own things around the makeshift camp. Weapon maintenance, gathering firewood, admiring your perfect figure as you do nothing but read under a tree.

・❥・ Sage, of course, finishes your food first, settling beside you close enough your hips are touching his. You thank him, eagerly eating whatever was given you (They had to be sneaky about the fighting between himself and Wild, as you had no idea about the tension between them).

・❥・About mid-way through your meal, you set down your bowl, brows furrowed as a troubled expression muddled your features.

・❥・Which just would not stand. Was the meal not to your liking? Was there something wrong? Would they have to dispose of that blasted bastard who dared to try and impose on their territory that good for nothing pest-

・❥・"I feel like I owe you guys some sort of thanks for all of this."

・❥・Oh.

・❥・So he would get to live another day. Pity.

・❥・"You don't owe us a thing, Angel. We are happy to do it." Wars beamed, sitting on your other side regardless of Sage's snarl pointed at him. "No reward needed." The captain smirked, leaning into your space.

・❥・You didn't seem pleased by the answer, brows pinching further together. "...It doesn't seem right."

・❥・"Songbird, your presence is thanks enough." Sky piped up, eyes so wide and earnest, Sage feared he'd cry over you. Again.

・❥・"Airhead is right, Darlin'," The cowboy added, dropping a stack of logs near the fire. "It's a blessin' in and of itself being able to treat you like 'da Goddess you are."

・❥・Sage prided himself on know you though. He knew you well. And he knew you well enough to know that once an idea like this entered your pretty little head, it wouldn't leave. No, not without a fight in the very least. And that was a fight he didn't want to go through. Not with you.

・❥・He just had to pick something that would benefit you more than him, hiding it under the guise of thanking him.

・❥・"As much as it pains me to say this, they're right." Legend piped up, moving to crouch in front of you, easily redirecting your attention from where you were watching Warriors to look at him with his index hooked under your chin. "As long as your happy, we're happy, sunshine."

・❥・"But I don't wanna take advantage of you guys! That would make me no better than Hylia. I can't just ask these things from you without any form of thanks. That's not right." You cupped Legend's cheeks with your own hands, either not noticing or ignoring the way his cheeks lit up under your touch.

・❥・No, you had too much of a heart of gold to let this go. It was what made you so much better than that fraud that placed this destiny upon them in the first place.

・❥・Like a stroke of genius, it hit him. It was too perfect of an opportunity to pass up. While it would sound like it would benefit him, it really would all be for you. It would be perfect. A way to show his true devotion to you. His fidelity and dedication to you, his glorious deity.

・❥・"Sit on my face."

・❥・He wished he had the foresight to pull out his Purah pad to take a picture of your face, which lit up an absolute ruby red as your whipped around to face him. Sage merely shrugged like it was a reasonable request. In his mind, it was. What wasn't reasonable about it?

・❥・Shocked silence fell around the group, some angrily sputtering at the audacity while others had to question if that was a real option.

・❥・"You mooncalf! Have some class, would you?! Especially in the presence of-"

・❥・"Is that what you want?" Wars tirade was cut off by your meek voice as you pulled your hands away from Legend's face. The vet himself looked seconds away from crashing as he caught onto what you were hinting at.

・❥・Sage smirked, something sharp and devious as he cracked his knuckles in front of him. "Absolutely. I think it would be a pretty damn good way to thank me."

・❥・"You don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, Y/n." Hyrule quickly pipes up, stepping closer as he shot a glare too sharp for his soft features at the newcomer. How dare that filth sully you in such a way and how dare he think of it before he could-

・❥・You were silent for a moment, shuffling for a second before letting out a breath. "If that's what you want." You finally decided, and the group was descended into chaos once more.

・❥・Cries of 'that's an option?!' and 'Hey, wait! I want that too!' erupted as the others scrambled to separate you from that degenerate, but he had latched on. His smirk was wide and knowing as he pulled you from Wars and Legend, closer to himself.

・❥・"It's exactly what I want. Now, are you crawling up or am I gonna have to pull you up here, sun flower?" Sage nipped at your neck as your went from ruby to crimson.

・❥・"Right now?!" You squeaked, eyeing the other males around you.

・❥・"You asked, I answered." Sage didn't care. This was a way of staking a claim. Of showing them all that no matter what, he would win. That he would make you feel so much better than anything they could do.

・❥・Silence fell for a second.

・❥・"Dibs on going second!" Was Wild's sudden call before there was arguing once more.

・❥・"Ya can't call dibs!" Twilight barked. "This isn't some sorta playground game where you can call for turns-"

・❥・"Third." Time spoke solemnly, nodding his head slowly. Sage honestly forgot he was there.

・❥・Twilight looked scandalized at the single word before Four was calling his namesake for the turns. Realizing that he either called or went last (Which wasn't too bad of an option in his books), he quickly rectified his horror and instead went to shove Warrior's by the face to call for fifth.

・❥・ In the time it took for him to recover, Sky and Hyrule had already called sixth and seventh respectively. And, with a shake of his head, Legend smirked. "I'll go ninth then. Pretty boy can go in front of me. Besides, you know what they say about saving the best for last."

・❥・"That it'll be worth nothing since it could never top the first." Sage cheekily called back, pulling off his top throwing it to the side so his torso was bare for the world to see.

・❥・"Why are you stripping?!" Sweet, naive you squeaked, trying to advert your eyes. If only they weren't glancing back at the toned abs and chiseled pecs. Oh great golden Goddesses.

・❥・With a chuckle, Sage pulled you closer with firm hands locked around your calves, pulling them apart to slot himself between your legs. Your hips were pulled up onto his lap before he was leaning down, wrapping an arm around you with his hand resting in the arch of your back. He quickly fell back to you were sitting on his chest, your legs straddling his upper chest as he looked up at you with nothing but pure, devious intentions. "For one simple reason, my light." He chuckled pulling you further up his chest as he licked his lips.

・❥・"I don't plan on letting you go until the only name you can remember is mine."

[jazzyblusnowflake]

I wanted to talk about a topic that is interesting to me at the moment-

when me and my partner @/keebokuun bring up the subject about J x Tessa for murder drones- alot of people bring up the dynamics that may need to improve- to which we say yeah- we dont ship them in the context of the show. Tessa is still very much biased and treating drones as her slaves that dont have rights as her since shes a human. whether its cuz of her culture, her trauma or whatever else. but in the context of a human au where they all grew up together- yeah that doesnt exist, or at least we have room to improve. and people have been polite enough about this and sharing their opinions and im greatful of that. yall are really cool and gave me ideas to improve my stories on 👌

but then some OTHER people come and say "but Tessa was a minor in the FLASHBACKS- oh AND- was also their MOM"

😐

to which... i say.... um.... So.... Tessa is a mom? [to a bajillion of those maid and butler drones that were not working at the begining of ep5] AND a minor? AAAND she asked her- CHILD DRONE- to pretend to be a RIPPING ROYAL STUD for her to practice flirting or talking with.... to yknow... HAVE A HUMAN RELATIONSHIP WITH-? [cuz correct me if im wrong- girls dont go looking for "ripping royal studs" just to stare at them autistcally right? they wanna talk and do human communication stuff with them right??] and uh... IM the one whos saying weird stuff here? hELLO???

once again. me and keebo will personally remove ANY INAPPROPRIATE content we have online if the creators come up and say "oh yeah that character is a minor"- i promise you all that. we are not degenerates- but first of all- yeah the thing i just said about Tessa being at least a late teen in the flashbacks for the whole stud thing- and also- she had toys in her room- for CYN! as we saw her playing with them- and she was referred to as a "robo child" ? i mean go back and watch the EP again and really look at Tessa, J and N and SAY they are at an age to play with a rocking horse and barbie/ken dolls [damn cyn was making those two naked ken dolls smooch fr]- look at me in the eyes and say a girl that big is at any age to play with those things. NO?? also- if yall actually LOOK at tessa- she has a very pronounced body/ heigh/ chest size even/ etc in the flashbacks. thats not a design youd give a MINOR. and by that logic then N and V having crushes on eachother should be incest because oh damn Tessa is the minor/teen mom to ALL those erroring drones and N and V are siblings omggg 😱!

if anything by this logic Tessa's first choice of going to J to pretend to be a hot stud for her [which probably works in my favor btw lmao] is def concerning jesus.

companies nowadays make it a point to make all characters above the age of 18 as much as they could to avoid these sorts of issues- lest i remind you all again of the fact that every classmate of Uzi in episode 3 has their age above 18 on their missing posters. companies wouldnt include shots like that unless they WANT people to know they are in the clear.

also.... being in a relationship doesnt always translate to "they are having SEX"????? you can be a kid and still hold hands and have crushes and hug and kiss-

not every couple french kiss or suck eachother off oh my God.

anyway thankyou for coming to my Ted talk- im willing to hear anyones opinions on this below cuz im genuinely curious 🤔

[benevolentbirdgal]

I am writing a Jewish teenage boy who has a close relationship with his mother, but I've also read that there is a Jewish stereotype of mothers being overbearing and their children not fighting back. How can I not fall into this stereotype while also portraying my character and his mom being very close?

Hi, thanks for asking! And hype that you're writing about Jews - a virtual bagel for you!

As is often the case when I answer these sort of asks, I can better answer the more specific you are (i.e. if you have particulars of the character or a specific scene feel free to follow up via ask or message), but am happy to offer general tips and invite other Jews to comment:

Make their relationship more fleshed out in general, don't have the dynamic of an overbearing mother in isolation. They could have activities they do together, whether those hobbies are Jewish or not. Maybe they go see baseball or bake for Shabbat together. Maybe they go visit their relatives and have disagreements about those dynamics. The specifics I'm listing aren't the important part - I just mean to have them have a larger relationship beyond potential arguments or pushiness. And ideally one that incorporates Jewishness in some positive way.

Have the son argue back! Not (necessarily) in a disrespectful way, but in a way the mother respects and that is congruent with how Jews understand argument. Jewish culture understands skillful arguing as a emotionally and intellectually intimate process, not necessarily at angry odds with one another. (Not all arguing is skillful, especially from teenagers, but if you want a fight you shouldn't have the son being a pushover-Jewish-man-stereotype or the mom a pushy-Jewish-woman-stereotype).

Make him have healthy relationships with other women (sisters, friends, cousins, etc.) so it's not "and the only woman this Jewish boy talks to is his mama" and the weirdness that would imply.

Make the mom's concern valid or understandable if they're arguing about something (which makes for stronger writing generally, IMO, for motives to be contextually understandable and not just because that character or category of character is Just Like That). Even if she's wrong, the story should understand why she's pushing about whatever it is. This doesn't have to be super high stakes - it could be something like Son wants to try new recipe and Mom pushes back - it's a great recipe, but the conflict is the difficulty in getting kosher gelatin or whatever. (Again, just an example - the point is to make whatever the mom is pushing contextually understandable, not just "Jewish woman/mom = relentlessly pushy").

As I often advocate, not writing "child ESCAPES the CLUTCHES of traditional Jewish practice to LIVE a HAPPY and FULFILLED life of CULTURALLY XTIAN ATHEISM and Jewish community/parent/whatever is DEVASTED because they are OLD-FASHIONED and WRONG" type of stories. I have no indication or belief this is your plan, but always good to bear in mind that tradition (including religious tradition and related culture) isn't always some terrible cross menorah(?) to bear that elders are insisting upon. If you're not Jewish, I don't think it's likely to be productive to attempt "leaving Judaism and now I'm happy totes assimilated" stories. As this relates specifically to Jewish mothers, I would tread lightly on "she's inflicting Judaism on her son" type of content if you aren't of the community yourself. "Sharing joy of thing with son" is much less likely to get awkward or out of your depth.

Another general tip that's a hill of mine: decide what you want this Jewish family's type(s) of Jewishness to be. You don't need to infodump this all to your reader, but you'll be able to craft more believable dynamics that are less likely to bang into stereotypes if /you/ know what their deal is, Jewishly. I hope this is helpful - feel free to follow up and good luck writing!

[queenshelby]

Our Little Secret (Part Ten)

Pairing: Dark! Cillian Murphy x Virgin! Reader

Warning: Infidelity, Brief Mention of Stillbirth

Notes: This will not be a love story. It will be dark, twisted and kinky. Cillian is portrayed as totally off cannon.

With your head over the toilet bowl, you violently threw up everything that had settled in your stomach earlier. After a few minutes, you stood up weakly, leaning against the wall and sighed.

You really did not want Cillian to see you like this but, since you were staying at his and Danielle's house, hiding from him was not really an option.

Eventually, you retreated from the bathroom and your cheeks flushed crimson as you caught sight of him watching you intently, concern etched on his face.

Suddenly aware of your appearance, you quickly glanced downward, hoping to find some sort of cover—only to discover that you hadn’t changed since last night. 

"Are you okay?" Cillian persisted gently, stepping closer despite your attempts to remain distant. His voice held genuine worry, making it impossible for you to resist.

"Yes. I think I may have eaten something wrong last night," you responded, avoiding eye contact. Cillian studied your pale complexion with concern. Involuntarily, his hand reached out towards yours, brushing his fingers delicately over your arm.

"Do you want me to make you a tea?"

asked Cillian, offering a slight smile. His offer brought relief as you immediately realized the need for hydration. Despite feeling embarrassed, you hesitatingly nodded, grateful for his support.

Cillian swiftly prepared a hot cup of chamomile tea and handed it to you while Frank and your mother were in the guestroom, getting dressed for the day.

As you clutched the teacup, you gave him a small thankful smile. He returned the gesture with understanding, his eyes conveying sympathy.

Unable to contain his curiosity though as to whether there could be other reasons for your nausea though, he cautiously probed further.

"This might sound a bit weird, but you couldn't possibly be pregnant, right?" he whispered nervously your eyes shot wide in shock, almost knocking over the now empty cup in your hands.

"Pregnant?" you laughed scornfully, dismissing the idea. 

"Well, we had sex on numerous occasions, so I was just wondering whether, you know, it could be a possibility?" Cillian confessed sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"I am on the pill, Cillian," you chuckled faintly, but inside you felt uneasy. Your heart raced faster than usual. Could it be possible? Nah, it can't be true. You reminded yourself sternly. You forced a brave smile, determined not to let this change your mood today.

After hearing you confirm that you used birth control regularly, he appeared visibly relieved and quickly moved on to another topic.

Meanwhile, Danielle finally emerged from the bedroom, yawning widely as she stretched her arms above her head. Her tousled blonde hair fell over one shoulder and, just as she approached you both, Cillian instinctively turned his attention elsewhere, unable to meet her gaze directly.

Her face bore traces of fatigue but beneath those tired features lay simmering resentment, barely concealed by polite conversation. It was clear that she sensed the growing distance between herself and Cillian lately, and she desperately wanted answers. 

Unbeknownst to you and Cillian, the answers she sought were soon to be found - but they weren't going to be pleasant ones.

Later that day…

Hours later, Cillian and Danielle arrived back at their house in Dublin following their weekend trip to Cork with you, Sarah and Frank.

While Cillian spent some time playing with Max, Danielle unpacked their suitcase and hung-up their clothes in the bedroom. Upon hanging up Cillian's suit however, she noticed something unusual. There was something in his suit pocket.

Reaching inside to retrieve whatever it was, Danielle froze. Her heart skipped a beat, recognizing what she held in her trembling fingers—a small, delicate item. A black pair of lace underwear which clearly did not belong to her. 

Confused and deeply troubled, Danielle struggled to reconcile the discovery with her knowledge of her husband's whereabouts during their getaway. He had worn this suit at his aunt's funeral and Danielle began to wonder whether he had slipped out without telling her, engaging in an illicit encounter elsewhere. 

But with whom? Who could he possibly have slept with in Cork, and why would he leave such evidence lying around, virtually ensuring its discovery? Had he simply forgotten to remove them after his last dalliance?

These questions swam rapidly through Danielle's panicked mind, leaving her increasingly anxious and distraught. Involuntary tears filled her eyes, brimming with rage and hurt.

She felt betrayed beyond measure, and her husband's infidelity hit her hard this time after he had promised her so many times that he would stop cheating on her.

Suddenly, the walls surrounding their fragile connection appeared thin and vulnerable and everything fell apart in front of her very eyes.

Their marriage was built upon lies and deceits and she knew that a lot of this was her fault as she had pushed him away for so long. He had become like this because of her.

With that in mind, she clutched the lacy garment tightly in her hands, refusing to let go despite the pain throbbing through her knuckles.

She needed to know who he had been with while they were away and decided to confront her husband about it. 

Danielle stormed down the hallway, intent on seeking answers from Cillian. Unbeknownst to her, he had seen the change in her demeanor from afar and feared the worst.

She called him inside, gesturing him closer with sharp motions of her hand. Trepidation welled up in him, gnawing at his insides as he approached her. Standing before her, he steeled himself against the impending confrontation.

Her voice quivered with anger and hurt as she demanded, "Whose are these?"

She flung the lace undergarments at him, watching as they fluttered elegantly through the air before landing crumpled on the floor.

Fear constricting his chest, Cillian found himself speechless, unsure of how to respond.

Finally, he managed to squeak out, "That's none of your business."

"Don't lie to me, Cillian. Whose are those?" Danielle growled, pointing accusingly at the scattered undergarments on the ground. Frustration boiled beneath her skin, threatening to spill forth into violence.

Cillian hesitated momentarily, weighing his options carefully. He could either come clean about his affair or continue denying, further damaging his relationship with Danielle. With regret, he chose honesty.

"They belong to someone I slept with," he confessed solemnly, his gaze cast low.

"So you keep them as a fucking trophy?" Danielle spat venomously, her usually gentle features contorted in anger. 

Cillian winced at her harsh tone, shrinking under her fiery glare. He felt trapped, unable to find a suitable response. His mind raced wildly, desperately searching for a way to justify his actions – or perhaps escape them altogether.

"Who is she Cillian? Tell me!" Danielle yelled, frustrated by his evasiveness. 

"No one you know," he lied

weakly, stumbling over his words. His voice wavered uncertainly, failing to meet her seething gaze. "Please believe me, it means nothing..."

Danielle laughed incredulously, the sound sharp and mocking. "Oh please, spare me the bullshit," she snapped, regaining control of herself. "You think I'm stupid enough to fall for that? You slept with someone else while we were in Cork and I know everyone who came to the funeral, so fucking tell me already who she is!" Danielle demanded. Anger mixed with jealousy coursing through her veins, igniting her temper more than ever as, suddenly, she became aggressive and threatening, grabbing hold of his arm roughly.

"Stop, Danielle! You aren't well right now, and getting angry isn't going to solve our problems," Cillian attempted to reason with her, trying to calm her down before they escalated matters further as, it would not have been the first time that she became abusive. Her anger occasionally caused her to become violent and aggressive, which was yet another reason Cillian knew to stay, for Max's sake. 

Cillian's comment, however, only made her angrier and she turned towards him menacingly.

"Tell me who the fuck she is! Now!" Danielle shouted, her voice growing hoarse with fury and Cillian winced, his eyes widening fearfully.

She continued, raising her voice higher, "If you won't tell me, then I will make sure every person who knows us finds out about your indiscretions and the lies of our fucking marriage. Do you want that?" Her breath came faster and deeper, indicating she might be capable of carrying out her threat. 

"I can't remember her name. She was a waitress at the restaurant we went to following the funeral," he lied again, attempting to cover his tracks.

Despite his attempts at misdirection, Danielle refused to give up. "Then describe her," she ordered curtly, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. 

Caught off guard, Cillian hesitated, mentally scrambling for details. "She had dark brown hair, maybe shoulder length, and hazel eyes. She wore a uniform – a white blouse and a black skirt." He tried to recollect as much as possible, hoping it would satisfy her demands and, luckily for him, she nodded slowly, seemingly accepting his answer, though there was doubt lingering within her eyes and she decided to hang onto the lace underwear, just in case with a view to bring it to Sarah’s attention.

In recent days, Sarah had become close to Danielle and since Sarah was in Cork as well, with Cillian’s brother Frank and you, Danielle believed that, maybe, she came to notice something.

Tags:

@sunbeamseas @saint-ackerman @oatmealisweird @naxxsstuff @amanda08319 @r-m-cidnah @elysiannook @cillshot @infireddabdab @tastycakee @harrysbestiee @lilybabe22 @adalynlowell @henrywintersdearestgirl @ietss @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @ryiamarie @axionn

@heidimoreton @nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

@galxydefender @hunnibearrr @saint-ackerman @lunyyx @gentlemonsterjennie1 @ihavealotoffandomssorry @nadloves @lost-fantasy @nolucesn@mcavoy-girl @hjmalmed @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @blushykiss @tatumrileyslover @teawithsatanx @orijanko @rhaenyra4ever @xcinnamonmalfoyx @budugu @nadloves @kmc1989 @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @forgottenpeakywriter

[welcometoteyvat]

fake ga-ming voicelines (prerelease, some more delusional, some less. please give more hcs about him)

edit: apparently voiceline leaks just dropped so PLEASE no spoilers <3 if these are wrong that's too bad they're canon in my heart!!!

About Yun Jin: Besides being a great opera performer, Sir Yun's taste in tea is impeccable! Although she keeps asking me to join her at Heyu Tea House... their tea just doesn't have the same flavor as the tieguanyin from Xinyue Kiosk. Speaking of her, one of our clients has just developed a new strain—I promised to bring some for her when I come back to Liyue Harbor!

About Xiao: You mean Senior Xiao! Hehe, so you know him too! Next time, can you bring him along with you to one of my performances in the harbor? I've been trying to get him to come for a long time, but he always refuses... oh, good idea! Next time I'll hold it at Wangshu Inn, just for him!

About Xiangling: That girl always by Guoba's side, right? Man Chai seems to like her a lot, especially the cornbread buns she makes! To be honest, some of the things she cooks are a little too spicy for me, but otherwise she’s an excellent chef with unmistakable talent. No wonder her companion is a minor deity… wait, what? A major deity?

About Keqing: Thanks to her invitation and sponsorship, our Mighty Mythical Beast performances have been getting more and more attention in the harbor! She's very straightforward and speaks her mind about everything, and always has novel ideas! Although we haven’t talked much, I really admire her mindset and determination. It’s not easy to forge your own path forward, especially for someone of her standing.

About Chongyun: I've run into him once or twice on the road to Liyue Harbor. He didn’t seem to like talking that much when we met, but I’ve heard he’s actually quite outgoing! He wields a greatsword too—maybe he can train with me as the suanni’s tail? Of course, I wouldn’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want; I'm sure he's already busy! It would just be nice to have a wushou partner for once.

About Xinyan: I managed to catch one of Xinyan's performances when I had some free time after work. There weren’t many people in the audience, but her music was so energetic it completely made up for the quieter atmosphere. Originally, I was thinking about asking her to join our lion dance troupe as a drummer, but I’m glad to hear she's made a name for herself since then! I should properly introduce myself sometime!

About Zhongli: He once asked me whether I've heard about the legend of the solitary suanni after one of Iron Tongue Tian's stories. When I said yes, he launched into a really detailed discussion of Chenyu Vale's local belief system, and even told me some stories I haven't heard about a carp adeptus. It's amazing that he has so much knowledge on all sorts of folklore, as a funeral consultant no less!

About Xianyun: ... Who? im sorry i was going to put something about the adepti here but gave up trying to think of something and now it's just a joke line. suggestions welcome tho 🫶

About Yelan: Ah, that lady—sometimes I see her lingering around Yanshang Teahouse. They place regular orders of tea leaves from Yilong Wharf. She's very polite and even petted Man Chai once or twice, although I feel like there's more to her than meets the eye... well, business is business, and they've never caused any trouble for Sword and Strongbox, so whatever she does isn't much of a concern to me.

very long notes:

generally i feel like what's mentioned in chara voicelines tend to have a lot less substance than the actual relationship, so in my head some of them are closer w gaming than i wrote.

always welcoming suggestions!!!!! PLEASE share the brainrot with me i'm dying here OTL please please.

i'd like to write an "about xingqiu" but i bully my richboy son and he's already had like 12 other people comment on him in canon it's fine if ga-ming doesn't know him

everything's just for fun etc etc. don't take it too seriously

watch all of these be completely wrong!!!

similarly if any of these end up being right, i will SCREAM

the only ones i really really want to happen are with yun jin and xiao if they don't have voicelines i'll die

senior xiao comes from my headcanon (copium) that they'll keep the mentor disciple relationship (?) from that one concept art if you know you know. it also comes from this absolutely delicious fic

[miuszn]

Hi! I love ur writing sm and was wondering if you could do some,thing with Ellie where reader is maybe a little chubby (cause I relate😭) and gets a little insecure about herself or her body? Just Ellie comforting her but ofc if you don’t want to that’s fine!

hiii anon <3 first of all tysm im so happy to hear u like my writing 🥹🩷 n of course i can do that lovely !! just a heads up tho , since i don’t know what it’s like to be chubby this is just going to be a short drabble i hope u don’t mind 😭🩷 i’m just not rlly good at writing about stuff i haven’t experienced or struggled with ( i do have an idea of what it’s like to struggle w insecurities but due to diff reasons ) and i’m scared i’ll portray it inaccurately so i hope u get that hehe <33 that said , pls enjoy !!

— 𓆩♥︎𓆪 —

ellie and you loved taking walks together. that was sort of your thing. walking through the overgrown fields, enjoying the fresh air and the warm sunshine. that day, however, you weren’t exactly feeling the best. you struggled a lot with your self-esteem due to the fact you didn’t exactly fit society’s standard of skinny, but most importantly, you were thinking about how a lot of the girls ellie had been with before didn’t look a lot like you. thin, fit, whatever way you wanna describe it. it had been in the back of your mind for a few weeks, but it was a thought you could mostly overlook. but you couldn’t ignore it any longer once you went out with some friends to grab lunch and one of them made the god forsaken “should you really be eating all that?” comment despite your meal being a completely normal size. the insecurities you r thought were now behind you were all coming back at once.

ellie noticed the change in your demeanor and looked at you with concern. "hey, what's going on? you seem a little down."

“it’s nothing,” you shrugged, not wanting to burden ellie with your troubles. but she could always read you like a book.

"hey,” she stopped and held your hand, looking into your eyes. “i know there’s something that’s troubling you. what’s wrong?”

you looked down, feeling embarrassed. "well.. i know i'm not exactly.. thin. it’s just i know all the girls you dated before were all so fit and skinny and i’m not and it’s just-“

“hey, look at me,” ellie cut you off. “you don’t need to compare yourself to them. you’re beautiful and i love you regardless of whether you fit some stupid standard or not. besides, it didn’t work out despite all that. i’m with you because i love you no matter what you look like, okay?”

although her words did make you feel a little bit better, at least with that specific issue, you were still feeling mostly down from the comment your friend made and the fact no one else stood up for you then. still, you tried not to show it, but as always, ellie could always tell.

“i know there’s something else on your mind, babe. spit it out.”

you sighed and explained to her what had happened the day prior and how none of your other friends said anything about it, some even laughed but tried to hold it in to not hurt your feelings.

“let’s sit down for a bit,” she said, and you could see her eyes full of anger. “listen to me, i love you just the way you are. i wouldn’t change anything about you. who do those fuckers even think they are anyway? as soon as i find them i’m gonna beat the shit out of all of the-“

“ellie, stop,” you cut her off. “you don’t have to do that. i won’t hang out with them anymore and i don’t want to cause any issues.”

“they caused the issue the second they thought they had the right to comment on what you were eating.”

“i know that but- please. it’s not worth it.”

she sighed in disappointment, but understood. although you were sometimes grateful for her habit of beating up anyone who crosses you, often times it could just cause even more issues and you didn’t want to drag her into anything else.

she wrapped her arms around you and held you close. “you know you can always talk to me about anything. and you don’t have to think about what anyone has to say. i love you no matter what. never forget that, okay?”

you nodded, and that’s when it hit you. she truly loves you unconditionally. a few tears welled up in your eyes but you hid it out of embarrassment. you so felt safe and happy in her arms, especially now that you know for sure you don’t have to worry about her leaving you for the way you look, and that she won’t hold you up to any standards. you weren’t exactly sure what you’d do with your friends when you got back, but all that mattered to you in that moment was that you had her, no matter what.

[pynkhues]

Thank you for answering my Magnus question. That does make sense that the show will go there and yeah, I'm curious how they handle it too. I'd forgotten that it all happens on a bed in the book--that the metaphor, if it's even a metaphor, is that clear, and it makes sense that the show wouldn't shy away from that (I don't know how far they'll go or what they'll show, but I do think they'll make it clear that there's a sexual element). I'd forgotten the extent of the parallels with Claudia too -- that is fascinating and so sad. I wonder too if, from Lestat's perspective, ANY of his reaction to Claudia in that area is going to look different -- like from his perspective, instead of being purely callous, is it going to be concern that comes out wrong, or an attempt to "toughen" her because he thinks it's necessary? I wonder.

(x)

You're welcome, anon! It's definitely a complicated thing to explore, and y'know, probably something for people to prepare for in whatever form the show chooses to depict it in. I can't imagine they'll be especially graphic, given they haven't been, but I also can't imagine it'll be something they can easily shy away from either given Lestat's actual turning takes place during what is largely alluded to as rape, and the dialogue of that scene is so important they had Lestat literally quoting it in Magnus' tower in 2.08.

I think a lot of how they do it too will depend on whether or not they're still leaning into the interview format with s3? I'm inclined to think they will be, given that's the name they chose and stuck with, but what that actually looks like is anyone's guess at this stage.

With Claudia and Lestat too - - yeah, it is sad. I don't know what the show is intending to do, of course, but their dynamic kind of reminds me of a few recent studies around the conecpt of a perfect victim, and how survivors of violence, including and especially rape, can sometimes (and sometimes often) not believe each other, or diminish what happened to each other. It's such a destructive act, and there's this sense of like - - it happened to me because of x, and how could it have happened to this other person when x wasn't a factor for them?

Claudia and Lestat's assaults are so different, yet have so much crossover too - they both happened after they left the quote-unquote "safety" of a family home, they both happened when they sought to explore and experience a larger world, but Lestat was stolen from a hotel room, and Claudia briefly trusted a man who would steal her, and I think there's that element there between them, particularly given their relationship as we know it in canon, where they point the finger at each other as imperfect victims. Lestat could - wrongly! and I'm sure patronisingly! - accuse her of naivety and stupidity because of course that is something that could happen to her and didn't he teach her better, maliigning her as his daughter, just as she could - wrongly! and I'm sure also patronisingly! - accuse him of lying (which she does say explicitly to Louis!) because she only knows a version of him that is an abusive and controlling father who she refuses to share a real experience with, and ergo refuses to see as a person in his own right.

Like! It's tragic! But I also think it's tragically real, and I think there's some really interesting themes to explore there, especially with Louis as a satellite to this particular sort of trauma because while he's a man with many wounds, this is something outside of his experience.

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 10/24/2023

this post and this series not sponsored by hellofresh

listening

caravan palace's new single MAD. genuinely the song i've had on loop while working but i had a very strong "ugh can't use that one it's cringe" reaction while drafting this entry and am trying to sort of sit with myself for a bit and go okay WHY is it cringe? how can we talk about it being cringe other than the fact that steampunk and electroswing are no longer fashionable? some weeks the policy of No Such Thing As A Guilty Pleasure is easier than others

i would not classify this song as electro or swing, and it's considerably jazzier than their more recent dancey pop stuff. more of a languid stroll with enough brass to keep my brain interested while i peer at spreadsheets? spotify

-

reading

Alexis Hall's A Lady for a Duke. i liked this quite a bit but i have some longer form thoughts percolating that require a reread. it was a tense but fun read, i do not know that mr hall achieved the goal he set forth below. in a broad initial stroke, there is certainly a great deal of internal conflict not helped by our trans lead’s difficulty seeing her trans self in a loving relationship.

how this conflict resolves did genuinely keep me on the edge of my seat bc i could not fucking figure out how she was going to do it

-

watching

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951, dir Lewin). this is a movie where (in the immortal words of the switchblade sisters podcast) it’s not what happens, but how it happens. the movie opens with fishermen dredging up two star-crossed lovers. i will not be particularly concerned with spoilers here or in my letterboxd review.

age and a deft scorsese-backed restoration have been very kind to this sea-mist movie. cinnamon fucking topography, technicolor at some of its prettiest and best used. jack cardiff (also did Black Narcissius, The Red Shoes, The African Queen) you've fucking done it again. the restored version is on american tubi and it's so so lush and dreamy. the very first handful of scenes contains a church bell ringing wildly, giving you glimpses of commotion on the beach, and it just keeps getting better from there. the beach party, full of dutch angles and toppled statuary and debauchery and no one dancing the same, is exactly the same as every beach party i have ever been to.

james mason is at his hottest, wettest, and most brooding. not all of our main characters are as openly debauched as pandora, but all of them are just as selfish. i have a lot of fucking beef with some of the letterboxd reviewers, who are simply wrong. pandora is not supposed to be a likeable or redeemable character. i think one of the questions for YOU to answer is whether or not a flighty, homewrecking, irresponsible woman like pandora is redeemed through her willingness to die for true love-- this is generally an admirable quality in myths and fairy tales, but is it cancelled out as just another flight of her fancies that ultimately kills her?

also the people who don't "get" what the film's about and complain it's too slow. it's about insanity and the sea what's not to get!!!

thank u @dying-suffering-french-stalkers

-

playing

so we are mostly through the genshin 4.1 part 2 events. i am so tired of the past few battle events cycling through the same arenas; however, this is the first event where i read the directions and was like "augh that's too complicated we'll do that later" and did all my weekly bounties instead. speaking of bounties, i finally did enough to unlock the treasure chest locator and confirmed my suspicions that i have in fact picked over the region pretty well in the last ~two months. the liffey and research institute were at 85% and 95% respectively before i unlocked this thing, but i did almost immediately find two remarkable chests in the far south by the port. augh. would have bit me if they had teeth etc. i would prefer if the regions showed 100% when i have actually 100%ed them instead of whatever margin they have going now, but i recognize that i have brain problems.

-

making

im MAD bc i was given a singular hellofresh dinner by a friend going on vacation and it was fairly easy to make and tasted good and everything WORKED. and it was like a fun little after work project!!! and the directions said “here’s what to do to the peppers if you don’t want it super spicy” and it most importantly it all WORKED. this is a very expensive thing to have a sudden interest in. i feel like i fuck up most of the food i make and i know that's part of the learning curve but it's SO fucking expensive to fuck up food and i have such a limited amount of energy :<

[strangesthirdeye]

CHAPTER 4: DIRTY PLANS

After you both felt that you were far enough away from Thor and Hulk, you suddenly stumbled forward and groaned in pain. Natasha quickly caught you before falling to the floor and slowly lowered you to sit on the floor. You groaned and arched your head up and let out a painful breath.

"what's wrong?" Natasha asked with a concerned expression on her face. Eyebrows arched together.

You groaned. "Don't worry, it's just my regeneration energy trying to heal the bruises and cuts that I have. I'm still in the 'cooking' state so it hurts a little bit. Probably there are some ribs and broken bones after the Hulk smacked me to the walls" You breathed out slowly .

Nat looked at you with concern. Her hands shaking probably her adrenaline has disappeared and now all panic and nervousness appear in her body language. She then nodded her head and sat next to you.

Then, your right hand starts emitting a violet-yellow light then it starts spreading to the spot that has bruises and cuts. You closed your eyes while Nat looked at you with wide eyes and amazed. As soon as the violet yellow energy had made sure that all the injuries had been healed, it began to subside. It's beautiful yet so confusing for her

Nat shook off her reverie and looked at you with wonder. "so, you really are an alien? What do you mean regeneration?"

you puffed a big breath. Relief after the pain in the body is disappearing. "You and your curious nature. Yup, Time Lord actually. Well for me it's Time Lady. It's cool, isn't it? Regeneration You see, what I mean by regeneration is that I can cheat from death with it. It could happen because of severe illness, old age, fatigue,or injury. It could also be invoked by choice, whether voluntary or involuntary. It also has a limit, you see every TimeLord/Lady their maximum life is 13 and this is my fourth life. I still have 9 lives left. However, I don't want to waste my life"

Nat just nodded a little as a sign of understanding and then she leaned against the big chest with horror on her face. Her hands were visibly shaking and that made you notice it.

You then slowly hold Nat's left hand and gently caress her hand trying to calm her down. "hey, you're okay. We're both okay.. We're safe. Yeah?" you lowly said to Nat trying to reassure her.

Nat is speechless and held your hand tightly. After that, you two were silent for a while. There is no sound around the two of you. But suddenly the Hellcarrier seemed to lurch to the side with a force that made you both jerk and slide to the side. You both gasped and managed to put your hands in front of you and managed to prevent hitting the metal walls.

You groan and pushed yourself to sit up. "whatever it is, it sure makes you want to curse at everything."

Nat grumbled in agreement. "it sure did make me want to curse at everything."

"you good there, Nat? can i call you Nat.. Just Nat because it's quite brilliant, you know."

"Yeah, I'm good. Doc" Nat replied.

You puffed out a small breath. "You know, right now I should still be running away from Sontarans and then The Tardis will make an unnecessary comments because I didn't listen to his warning and then Bounty will wheel around me and make some sort of noises as if he doesn't agree with the Tardis' comments." you chuckled.

"I didn't expect that I offered my help to Fury and it turns out like this" you added.

Nat looked at you confused by what you said. "You didn't expect to come to earth?"

"crash, actually. 15 jumping through space to space and crash to earth. Rough journey, as you say." you scrunched your face and blew your lips in boredom. "pretty sure the Sontarans are a bit grumpy right now"

Nat tilted her head slightly. "why? What's The Sontarans? "

"well," you sighed. "Well, it starts from Christmas day. Not Christmas day on earth but different planet and timeline. Me and Bounty are supposed to enjoy our Christmas in Orizon. A planet with two suns and two moons. Its inhabitants are like animals but at the same time like humans. So, Sontarans are war-hungry aliens who destroy anything that interferes with their path. They look like a rotten potato. A cruel rotten potato actually. So they came to the planet and destroyed little by little the life there. Luckily, I landed there and saved a village from being destroyed by them. So when they bumping into me again, they got angry and chased me and promised that they would kill me if we met again which I just ignored because I got a lot of death threats"

"You.. save a village..and planet? Alone?" Nat blurted out with a skeptical look on her face.

"well, not actually alone.. Bounty and Tardis are with me. So, not alone. It's teamwork" You replied cheekily.

"How long have you three been traveling through space?" Nat asked.

"longer than you think" you replied simply while fidgeting with your fingers. "not only space but time too"

"you're a time travel too?" Nat started to catch up.

"mhmm... sort of.. Just wandering around fixing some technical in the Tardis and traveling thinking it's a vacation turns out it's not.. I'm more of a 'wrong place right time person' as they say"you spoke lowly.

"why the Police Box, though? Like you clarified that the Tardis is a Time Machine then why does the Tardis look like a Police Box?" Nat commented.

"the chameleon circuit is a bit of a mess up at one point. He is supposed to disguise himself as any objects depends on a certain place but the circuit got messed up on one of my travels in London 60's and it stuck into a Police Box which I find it quite brilliant and fantastic though" you explained with smile writing on your face.

Nat stared at your face with astonishing and bewildered expression on her face. This is all quite new to her. As an ex assassin and full time Agent this is the first time she encountered aliens let alone meet one. Not to mention making friend with aliens in front of her eyes. She didn't expect you to look so human. What she expected was a green colour skin or an antenna on the head.

Although, she grew up in a place where children shouldn't grow up, so no wonder Natasha has different expectations than others. Apart from her expectations of aliens because everyone has the same expectations as her, only she has quite basic expectations.

"You look like a human" Nat blurted out her thoughts.

You looked at Nat challengingly while crossing your arms over your chest. "Funny, because I think it's my kind that looks like a human first"

Nat raised her eyebrows and tilted her head a little. "then what makes you different than human?"

"I have two hearts" you muttered simply and looked around.

Nat opened her mouth but closed her mouth again as she was now a bit bewildered by what you said earlier but then she just shook off her confusing state and kept quiet.

Your and Nat's heart seems to be in a normal beating state as the feeling of fear and worry has faded now that it has been replaced with relief after the marathon with Hulk.

The Hellcarrier seems to be in critical condition with how aggressively it is shaking. At any time it will fall to the ground and everything will perish. Let's just hope that everything will be okay.

For now, the two of you just sit and be silent as the feeling of relief deepens inside you. But still the feeling of awareness with the surrounding area is now in high alerts. If it's not the Hulk, someone else will appear so you both need to be ready.

Although, you're not very good at hand combat, you at least know how to throw a punch in someone's face. You just need a good target and aim. If it's not the face then the private area is enough. It's not like you like to hurt creatures or people, it's just violence doesn't suit you. You despise that.

Because you know, your previous life has crashed into many things including violence. So you just want this life a better and new as you say.

"It's Barton, he took out ours systems. He's headed for the detention lab. Does anybody copy?" Fury's voice was heard in both of your earpieces.

Nat came out of her reverie then tapping her earpiece to reply. "This is Agent Romanoff. I copy."

You looked at Nat with a determined look on your face. Then you put on your brave face and staggered to stand up from your sitting position and held out your hand to Nat. Nat then reached for your hand and got up quickly and ran while holding your hand tightly.

"Sāikō!" (Let's go!)

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Barton is walking along a passage catwalk. Natasha appeared behind him and he quickly turned and shoots a bow, which flies by her. She pushed his hand.

He charged her and she kicks him, then rolls underneath some pipes -- popping up on the other side of the catwalk,kicking him in the knee. He shoots another arrow, which she dodged by dropping across to the next passage. Barton followed her.

They fight along that catwalk. The fight is very even. Barton tries hitting her with the bow and she pulled on the string. They fight some more, headbutting and punching. They

both pull daggers.

Then that's when you come in behind Barton. Jumping behind his back and choking him tightly not enough to make his breath cut off just so he can be far from Nat. Nat then rushes forward and kicks Barton's hand that holds the dagger in his hand which makes the grip in his hand flinch and causes the dagger to fall from the catwalk.

Barton let out a grunt and violently he turned his body which you tightly gripped his shoulders strongly so as not to fall from him then Barton slammed your back on the rail on the catwalk so hard that you let out a pain grunt and you lost gripped from him.

You slid down to the iron floor with your squeezed eyebrows because of the great pain. Barton tried to knock you out but Nat quickly slapped Barton's hand and threw a few punches at Barton which Barton fought back seeing as he's the type who doesn't give in quickly.

Natasha grabs Barton arm and thrusts it back. He groaned as he throw another punch to his free hand. Natasha grabbed that hand too but he hoists it her against a rail. Barton grabbed Natasha's hair and pulls, exposing her neck. Romanoff sinks her teeth into his arm and he let's go Barton trying to force her down but then you tackled Barton to the rail with great force leaving Nat free from his hold.

Barton fell to the floor and groaned in pain then looked at Nat and you.

Barton then attempted to get up but could only kneel in front of the two of you. He looked at Nat with realization on his face.

"Natasha?" Barton muttered her name weakly.

Nat just kept quiet then she punched Barton's face hard until he was knocked out. You flinched when you saw the action.

Nat then looked at you sharply. You raised your hands in the surrounded sign and looked at Nat with wide eyes.

"I don't want to regenerate early" you exclaimed with hearts racing in your chest.

Nat let out a sigh of relief and leaned against the rail. You follow her action by leaning on the rail in front of her. You back is still hurting thankfully regeneration is still activated so the pain is fading. You winced painfully.

Nat noticed your face. "you alright?"

You waved your hand at her. "I'm fine" you winced as the wave of pain washed over you then disappeared. "brilliant move you did earlier"

"so was you" Nat commented.

"ngk- i just choked him then tackled him to the floor, that's all" you replied and cracked your neck hoping to pop some tense muscles in your neck.

You sigh. "it's been a long time since I did things like this. Usually I just confronted them by saying something clever. Never throw my punch around them"

"well, you better get used to it from now" Nat crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Barton who was still unconscious on the floor.

"We did good teamwork actually." you muttered and let out a tired breath.

A booming sound of footsteps started to be heard towards the two of you, making you both push yourself off the rail and prepare to fight whoever treats is coming toward you two, but then you both lost your fight stand when you found out it was just the medical team.

You both sighed in relief and went back to leaning against the rail. One of the medical team came to you both.

"you guys hurt?" the medical woman said while observing what injuries you both have.

Nat shook her head indicating 'no' same goes to you but with a quick smile.

"we're good." you assured her

the medical woman only nodded her head off then turned to look at some agents who dragged Clint's body.

Nat just stared at Clint as her mind wandered around. Her hard look face still on.

"Agent Coulson is down." Fury's voice began to echo in your earpiece.

You opened your mouth in surprise and looked at Nat who just stared at the empty space.

A wave of grief started washing over you as you felt the atmosphere there changing after the news was said.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.�� .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Not long after, Steve, you, Tony , and Fury gathered at the conference table as the atmosphere here seemed somber and depressing. Everyone is quiet. Letting the mourning wash over them as they just lost an agent.

You fidgeted your fingers under the table in silence. Your head bowed in condolence to Coulson. Although you don't know who he is, you still honor him.

Fury who was standing started taking out a handful of cards from the pocket of his jacket and fumbling with it with his fingers.

"These were in Phil Coulson's jacket. Guess he never did get you to sign them." Fury then threw the vintage cards on the table causing the cards to scattered on it.

You looked up and looked at the cards that had blood stains on it. Steve leaned slightly and reached for a piece of upside-down card that also had blood stains on it. Not expected that the card he took had a picture of himself which was full of blood stains.

"We're dead in the air up here. Our communications, location of the cube, Banner, Thor. I got nothing for you. Lost my one good eye. Think I had that coming" Fury said lowly.

Tony just looked down grieving silently. You looked at the card with your hands clasped together and placed in front of your lips.

"Yes, we were going to build an arsenal with the Tesseract. I never put all my chips on that number, although, because I was playing something even riskier. There was an idea, Stark knows this, called the Avengers Initiative." Fury walked around the table slowly.

Stark stared into space with no reaction after Fury mentioned his name. You looked at Stark and observed him silently. Fury reached between Steve and Tony and put his hands on Tony's chair.

"The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they could become something more. See if they could work together when we needed them to, to fight the battles that we never could. Phil Coulson died still believing in that idea, in heroes." Fury added somberly.

Tony came out of his reverie and quickly got up from the chair without looking at anyone there, he walked out of there. You look down in thoughts. Fury was just silent when he saw Tony's reaction as he rushed out without saying a word. Fury looked down somberly.

"Well, it's an old fashioned notion."

"The Avengers is a thing that considers remarkable people as heroes. Do you consider me a hero if you yourself see me as a threat?" You asked suddenly.

Fury raised his head to look at you however, he was unable to respond to the question you asked him. He was stunned and didn't know what to say. However, he just kept quiet.

You stared at Fury for a long time and sighed heavily, you got up and walked out of there just like Tony without uttering any words.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You return to the laboratory on the Hellcarrier which is still in a state of destruction, but there are some ship assistants who are maintaining the destroyed laboratory. Some swept some materials such as iron, cement and glass on the floor and some lifted some rumbles that were there. Some people gave orders to their staff.

You walked as your eyes darted around the lab. So many things happened after you regenerated into this life not long after the things you went through before. All this happened at the same time. Every moment there is bound to be a disaster.

Just one normal day for you. Even one day is okay, at least you can relax. But that's the destiny of being a Time Lady. Running around and never stopped running.  This is not what you expect after deciding to travel around the universe. What you expect is just to travel around with joy and without killing or violence. But you seem to be wrong.

You sighed briefly and walked towards where your TARDIS was parked. When you get to where the TARDIS is, you widen your eyes after you find that the TARDIS is not where he should be.

you anxiously looked around trying to find a glimpse of the blue police box but it wasn't in the lab.

"oh no" you put your hands on your head and ruffled your hair anxiously as you paced around the lab trying to find the TARDIS.

You then caught a maintenance staff there by gripping his hand. The staff looked at you with wide eyes and a scared face.

"Do you see the old blue police box parked here?" you asked him

The staff who still looked scared nodded while swallowing. "it's.. in suite 17.. lower suite on the ship"

"why did you put him somewhere else?" you released your hold on his arm.

"we have too, Ma'am. It's the place where all the things that shouldn't be put there" he stuttered.

You grunted and walked past him with a tired expression on your face. "thank you" you said to him before walked out of the lab.

After several steps and passing several rooms, you finally arrive at suite 17 where the TARDIS is. You then without any thought, entered the TARDIS and closed the TARDIS door firmly before leaning against the door and sliding down to the floor. You bring your legs to your chest and put your head on your knees.

You don't know why you suddenly feel down and guilty about the incident with Coulson. It's like something has been triggered deep inside you. Grief and sense of loss is what opens up inside you. Something you wished to forget but you can't. You are familiar with that feeling because your life before was a bit of a mess and you lost too many things you loved such as your own planet. Although it's because of you, you still feel the loss is quite big. Like you carry a big boulder on your back and walk around the world. Just like you bring that feeling to wander around a universe.

You should help them but why did it turn out like that? You thought your job was just to track the tesseract and know Loki's plan, but why does there have to be such an incident? No wonder Fury is still hesitant to trusted you.

You sighed heavily and hid your face between your legs and chest. The TARDIS' light starts to light up, meaning that the TARDIS has woken up from its 'shutdown' mood. Bounty wheeled towards you fast and excited as always but when he saw you, he frowned.

He makes a sound as if asking if you are alright or not. He wheeled closer towards you and gently he bumped himself into you. Trying to take your mind off the negative things you think. You lifted your head and watched him through your glossy eyes. Your face is red and tears stream down your cheeks like a river.

You then slowly put your hands around Bounty. You hugged his robot body tightly before letting out a sob.  Bounty's robot hands stretch to become long and hugged your body tightly. He patted his hand on your back like a father persuading his child. He let out a comforting sound.

The TARDIS, which sensed the gloomy emotions, began to play his part by playing a song that made you feel relief. Lights began to illuminate the control console.

"Why do things like this have to happen? I didn't expect things like this to happen like this! I should have helped them but now. They have lost one of their friends. If only I could track the cube and prevent it from happening.. All this wouldn't have happened. Now Loki is gone and God knows where the cube has gone" you sobbed.

"You can't prevent things you don't expect. Sometimes you just have to let them happen" TARDIS hummed.

"but why does it have to be like this?" you asked "Why is it that every time I step somewhere there is bound to be trouble? Am I the bearer of bad luck?"

"no" the TARDIS denied. "You're not the bearer of bad luck, Y/n. If you were the bearer of bad luck, no one would call you a hero, instead they would call you something inappropriate. Trouble always follows you, yes, but you know what you're doing for it. You always save something that happens at the end of the day" TARDIS added sternly.

"But, their friend. I don't-"

"Death is one of the things we cannot prevent. Until someone dies, it means their life story is over. If death can be prevented, Gallifrey will definitely still exist" TARDIS said.

You are silent. Bounty parted away from your embrace and stared at your face with concern. He knows you like the back of his mechanical hands. You don't always break down this bad before. In the many regenerations you have gone through, this regeneration is the most emotional. It's like all the suffering things that you went through in the past regeneration are finally released in this regeneration.

He feels sorry for you who have to go through all those things every time you regenerate. It's not something we can live like nothing happened and make a new life, no. Instead it is something that you bring pain from the past to the present. Until the time it will be released.

"Whatever happened before, it's not your fault. It's never your fault. Everything happened for a reason. So get yourself together and fight it." TARDIS encouraged you.

You stared at the console with new found feelings in your chest. Something like passion and burning in your chest. Something you feel you can do without fear. You looked at Bounty who was still looking at you with concern. Bounty nodded with determination.

You shifted your gaze to the console again before wiping your wet face on your sleeve and standing firm. Your face is tight, eyebrows furrowed with determination.

"right, find Loki and finish him off" You rushed to the console and started pressing various buttons and pulling levers.

The TARDIS signature sound began to sound majestic and loud. Marking he is ready. Bounty bouncing around excitedly.

"Loki is the kind of guy who likes to press something that hurts everyone, especially something that makes that person breakdown. He is also the kind of guy who likes attention and pride in himself. He wants everyone to know who he is and what his position is in a situation such as now. He wants to rule the world. He wants to be king" you pulled the screen to your eye level, examining every coordinate above it.

"And?" The TARDIS interrupted.

"he wants an audience, he wants people to celebrate him, he wants servants and everything a king needs for himself such as a throne. He wants people to know his name and what his purpose is in a certain situation, he wants a big castle so that people know his wealth , he... oh" you widened your eyes after you realized something.

Something very obvious. Building, name, and power. The ugly Stark building like Steve mentioned before. It has the power that Loki needs to activate the Tesseract. You frankly pressed the TARDIS button quickly. The TARDIS wheezing and whoosing in every timeline before it landed in the middle of the room where Tony and Steve were. Tony and Steve were stunned to see the TARDIS suddenly appear in the middle of the room. Mouth agape, they backed off to give the TARDIS room to land properly.

The door was opened by you with a stern face. You quickly got out of the TARDIS and Bounty followed behind.

"STARK!" you shouted his name.

"Doc?" Tony replied confused.

"Isn't it a good day to visit your ugly building?" you give him hints.

Tony was silent for a while but after a few seconds his eyes widened and he looked at you with his mouth open.

"son of a bitch" Tony exclaimed.

[gabessquishytum]

oh i just had a dream/hob/calliope omegaverse idea and i need to share. so. dream and calliope are trying to have a baby (and this is maybe not a good thing! because they don't quite fit together, they're too intense with each other in the wrong ways, but on some level they're both hoping a baby will give them a place to direct their attention where it won't chafe the other, because they love each other and want their marriage to work, they really do). maybe female alphas have low to no fertility when it comes to carrying a child, maybe it's something else, but whatever the reason, they can't seem to get pregnant.

hob, meanwhile, is an unmated (or widowed) omega, close to finishing his phd but increasingly concerned about whether he'll manage before he burns through his savings entirely. he meets death out at a pub one evening, somehow the conversation turns to children, she happens to mention her brother and his wife are struggling to conceive. hob jokingly (but also not joking at all) says that he could be a surrogate, it's not like he's planning on using his womb anytime soon. maybe that would fix some of his money troubles.

he was decently drunk by that point, and he doesn't actually remember giving death his phone number... but he wakes up the next morning to a text asking if he'd be willing to meet her brother and his wife for lunch some time. no pressure, but they'd like to meet him -- if they get along and he'd be interested in actually being their surrogate, they'd take good care of him through the pregnancy and for a while after.

so obviously, they meet, they hit it off. they go on dates in between sorting out the surrogacy arrangement and moving hob into their house. they fuck him pregnant, of course -- both of them fuck him every night so either one of them could be the sire -- but they dote on him during the days as well. calliope helps him organize his thoughts for his phd thesis. dream distracts him when he's spiralling into frustration by pulling him into a debate on whatever comes to mind.

by the time hob's good and bred, dream and calliope are already getting along worlds better, because they have their sweet little omega to pour their devotion into. they absolutely adore him. and they're so, so excited to raise their pup with him.

-🐈‍⬛

Oh this!!! Is amazing!!!! It's already just perfect but I will add a few thoughts of my own <33

- Maybe Hob has already had Robyn (but he tragically passed away with Eleanor in an accident) so he knows for sure that he can safely carry a pup. He's the perfect surrogate, basically. And although nothing will ever replace Robyn, he wants to give the gift of a happy family to Dream and Calliope. He can tell that there's tension, but they're good people and Hob wants to help them. He firmly tells himself that he won't fall in love with them, he'll just be a friend and a fun uncle for the baby.

- As soon as he moves in with them Hob knows he's fucked (he's literally fucked, 3 times per day at least, but he expected that). He loves Dream and Calliope, together and as individuals. They're stubborn and silly and they get in the most ridiculous fights, but basically they're warm and gentle and in love with each other. Hob yearns. A lot. And enjoys living in their very expensive house and eating food from the posh farmer's market.

- Hob is pregnant, yay! And Dream and Calliope are so good to him. They literally dote on him 24/7, he's sleeping in their bed because he needs to feel them close by and they don't complain at all. He gets amazing massages from Dream, Calliope sings to him and brushes his hair. They still fuck him, which he wasn't expecting but God he needs it because the horniness is hitting different. He has to keep reminding himself that all of this is for the baby, not really for him. He won't get to keep any of this love and devotion.

- Calliope works out eventually why Hob is a little sad sometimes and she has to sit him down and explain that she and Dream consider him as their omega now??? If he'll accept them??? They just never mentioned it because alphas are dumb about communicating sometimes. After the baby comes they want to claim Hob for real and marry him. And Hob ends up crying in Dream’s arms while Calliope covers him in kisses.

- Fastforward a bit, and Hob is obsessed with his alphas (even though they can be SO stupid) and his newborn pup, and he has his PhD now!! Maybe they fuck pup number 2 into him after his graduation ceremony. Whatever happens, Dream and Calliope are a proper team, and Hob is always going to be there to set them on the right path. They're stuck with him now <3

[slothquisitor]

Heroes and Villains

"Astarion thinks he might have found these sorts of discussions compelling, once. In a time before, when it might have mattered. Morality is a luxury only afforded to those with actual choices. For so long, morality was just another obstacle keeping him from grasping whatever meager scraps of comfort were available, so he tried not to trouble himself too much about it." Recommended listening: Villain by Searows. Astarion x Liv, 4.7k.

Also on AO3.

____________________________________________________________

The Emperor is in her head, and it will not save Jaheira’s friend. She is tired, wounded from the battle, and Jaheira is yelling even as Minsc fights their tadpole connection. It feels as it always does, an invasion, a violation. Images and memories that are not her own flash through her mind. 

She hates the way the tadpoles connect them all, taking memories and trading them around without thought or concern. She tries to fight it, but more memories come and she knows that Minsc is seeing her own as well. 

She had never considered that the Emperor would say no to this, that the protection offered so readily to Duke Ravengard, to each of her other companions, wouldn’t extend to another. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t feel right . She is missing something, but she’s just not sure what. 

“We need all the help we can get, you told me to gather allies. Please, just help him!” 

“Don’t be foolish. He is too unpredictable. He will only be a hindrance to us,” the Emperor replies. 

Jaheira shakes her head. “The mindflayer pours poison into your ear, I think. Tell it I will tear the prism from your grasp and throw it into the deepest lava pit I can find. Long after our bones are dust and ash, the walls of its prison will still be burning. Now help my friend!” 

The Emperor believes Jaheira to be bluffing, but Liv doesn’t care if she is or she isn’t. She doesn’t agree with the Emperor’s assessment. Especially when its only argument is Minsc being too unpredictable, too chaotic. Having to coerce it into doing this leaves a sour taste in her mouth. There’s something familiar about the tone used, something she can’t quite place, but feels like she knows. In the end, it agrees, but the disappointment in her is palpable. As if she is the one in the wrong here. It is not the first time that she’s questioned this alliance of theirs, but it is the first time that she feels how fragile it might be. 

But then, Minsc is saved and Jaheira is grateful, and Liv has helped . It is almost enough to banish her worries about the Emperor. But then talking with Minsc reveals the Zhentarim’s plot. They mean to overthrow Nine-Fingers, and Liv could kick herself for not realizing that the Zhentarim haven’t just thrown their lot in with the Absolute for profit, but have perfectly set themselves up for a coup since they’re the Guild’s fighting force. And if Nine-Fingers is in danger…that means Percy is too. 

Like so many things, it’s not exactly their problem to solve, but no one questions her when she suggests they hurry to the guild hall. Worry gnaws at her the whole way. What if they are too late? What if Percy is caught in all of this? 

When they arrive to the guild hall, it is sheer chaos. Fighting has broken out in every corner, wreathed by darkness it’s hard to tell who is who. But Liv rushes in anyway, determined to find her brother, to keep him safe, to help. She’s not sure exactly why she cares so much. The last time she saw him she had told him she wasn’t sure she even wanted a relationship with him, thought it would be better not to continue with any expectations. 

She doesn’t regret saying it, putting that distance between them so that she could have space to figure this thing out, but there’s a part of her that worries that he won’t survive this and then she’ll never know whether they could have found some way to be a family. He knows the dangers she’s throwing herself into every day too, is it possible he has those same worries? It seems far too much to hope. 

She and Minsc, Astarion and Jaheira wade into the the fray. She has to be careful as she targets her magic not to catch members of the guild unaware, but as she tosses flame bolts and lines up lightning, she catches the eye of several grateful folks, looking more than a little ragged. Nine-Fingers had said herself that the Guild was no fighting force, and it shows as the Zhentarim cut through their defenses. Nine-Fingers is caught in the fray too, throwing knives at the very force she’d brought in to protect her people. 

Liv is breathing hard, racing up the wooden steps tossing magic as carefully as she can. At the top of the stairs, there is a group of Guild members unsuccessfully trying to parry the unwavering assault of a Zhentarim swordsman. Her lightning chains through him to another fighter, armed to the teeth with knives. They both fall, bodies twitching. 

Beside her, a figure emerges from the darkness, as if they have stepped directly from the shadows. “What in the hells are you doing here?” Percy asks. 

The relief that fills her is a short-lived thing, something she can barely focus on before throwing a shield up and hearing the soft thunk as an arrow plunks harmlessly off it. She’d seen the glimmer of the bolt just in time. “Saving your ass. What does it look like?” 

Percy shakes his head in confusion. “How did you even know?”

Liv gestures across the hall towards Minsc. “Turns out the Stone Lord wasn’t really operating on his own free will. The Zhentarim are aligned with the cultists as well.”

Percy throws a knife with deadly accuracy at an enemy, barely looking at her. “Yeah, tell me something I don’t know.” 

“I think the exit is clear, you can make a break for it,” Liv says, tossing a firebolt at an archer aiming for Astarion. 

Percy glares at her. “These are my people. My friends. I’m not going anywhere until every last Zhent bastard is dead.” His words are laced with protective fury she didn’t realize he was capable of. 

“Yeah, okay,” Liv says unsure how else to respond. “What can we do? You know this space better than me.”

Percy scans the room quickly. “Those archers are a problem.” High on the scaffolding, Zhentarim archers shoot down into the fighting, slowly picking off Guild members completely unchallenged. He turns to her and grins. “How’s your close-combat fighting?” 

She’s got spells for that. “Fine enough.”

“Then let’s go.” Percy grabs her hand, and they step directly into the shadows. For a heartstopping moment, there is nothing but darkness around them, and then they emerge, as if out of a doorway, directly behind the archers. 

She doesn’t hesitate, and neither does Percy. When the archers are dead, she and Percy return to the lower levels going their separate ways as they make their way across this makeshift battlefield. The tide is turning in the fight, and for that she is grateful. 

The buzz of battle always feels somehow eternal, though Liv knows that’s not the case. But finally, the last arrow flies and the battle is done and quiet falls within the guild hall as if everyone is truly wondering if it’s really over. And then the cheers rise up like heat on a summer’s day, slowly at first, but then louder. The folks of the guild aren’t used to open battle like this, to working in synchronization with each other. There’s a comradery in the room that she didn’t notice before, the existence of a shared enemy uniting the disparate groups. 

She watches her brother check in on his people, his friends. Watches the concern and the worry in every line of his face, and feels a wave of resentment rise up within her. Who are these people who deserve care and worry and concern from her brother? Is it unforgivably selfish of her to have wanted some of that worry and concern? He hasn’t even spoken to her since the battle ended. But then she was the one who told him that it would be better if they didn’t have expectations of each other. And yet...

“Are you alright?” Astarion asks as he approaches. His gaze roves over her, clearly taking stock of any injuries. He gently steers her out of the way of two guild members carrying another, his hand lightly on her back. “I lost sight of you for a moment.”

“Percy took me up to take care of the archers.” 

Astarion frowns. “Strategic of him.” Astarion has been clear about his feelings in regard to her brother, her family, and there’s a part of her that doesn’t exactly disagree. There’s a part of her that wonders if he’s right, that maybe they shouldn’t have come here at all.

“Yeah,” she replies, still watching her brother move between groups, care and concern etched into every line of his face. Was he always capable of kindness? 

There is something invariably depressing about this realization, that perhaps if she’d been different, more observant, said the clever thing, asked the right questions, left that house sooner. That she wouldn’t be discovering all this about her brother now. She wants to rush over to him, bombard him with questions. Where was this gentleness when her sister died? When she wept over the burns her mother’s magic left behind? 

But it’s not the time. She cannot afford to fall apart now. Cannot afford to fall apart here. Later, perhaps she can be angry or sad or whatever these tangled feelings are, but she cannot do it now. So she tears her gaze away from her brother, sees Nine-Fingers standing across the hall. She is battle-bloodied and stone-faced, surveying the damage. 

Her eyes fall on Liv. “Why don’t we have a chat in my office?”  The words are filled with a quietly contained rage. It is not a request. She looks to one of her ladies and raises her voice loud enough that it booms in the hall. “Enough gawking. There’s a mess here to clean up.”

There is no hesitation from the members of the guild, from her court. Nine-Fingers stalks up the steps toward her office and everyone jumps to work. Liv, Minsc, Jaheira, and Astarion trail her up the steps and into her dimly lit office. The doors close ominously behind them. 

Nine-Fingers stands at her desk, daggers still drawn. She turns to them as they enter, glaring at them all, challenge in her eyes.“The Zhent are down - just you and me now, Stone Lord. So if you mean to take my chair, you’ll get no better chance than this.” 

Minsc shifts uncomfortably, but shifts easily into a fighting stance. “Minsc has no interest in your furniture, Nine-Fingers - only in the wicked rump that fills it!”

Nine-Fingers looks towards Liv, face twisted in confusion. “....What?”

“You have been a stone in this city’s boot for too long. And it will be no Stone Lord who reaches ‘twixt Balduran’s sticky toes to dislodge you - it will be Minsc!”

Nine-Fingers sighs and sheaths her knives, clearly deciding that despite Minsc’s threats, the fighting is done. “I haven’t got the slightest idea what he’s trying to say.”

“Proof that he is back to normal, no?” Jaheira interjects. 

Liv jumps in to defuse the situation. “He was under the sway of the Absolute, tadpoled same as the rest of us. Everything he did as the Stone Lord wasn’t his choice. He’s protected now and the Stone Lord is no more.”

Nine-Fingers laughs, crossing her arms. “Good. I’d rather you die as Minsc the mad Rashemaar. It’s silly, but d’you know you were something of a hero of mine when I was young?”

Minsc shakes his head. “Even now, your tongue twists the truth. When you were young and ten-fingered still, Minsc and Boo- were stone estatuated in a city square!”

“Aye, I remember the spot - by a garden on the Wide. A soft thicket near the market, with ample pockets to pick. Celestia itself, to a street rat looking for shelter. You might not have been wrestling monsters, but...you kept the wind and rain off. Heroic enough for me,” Nine-Fingers shrugs. Liv can see the strategy here, but she suspects there’s some kernel of truth to the story. 

Minsc shakes his head. “Bah! You try to dampen Boo’s eyes. Do not think you will be spared his teeth. Evil is evil…even if it once was…innocent.”

Nine-Fingers lifts up both hands. “Oh, I’m no innocent. But evil? You tell me. With the Fist, the watch, and the council itself licking the Absolute’s boots, who’s the only one left standing to protect Baldur’s Gate?”

Jaheira nods. “She’s right, Minsc. She’s been an ally down through the years. A friend, even.”

“A friend? Jaheira, Boo cannot believe his ears. Has the city fallen so far in our absence? Are there no heroes left?” 

Nine-Fingers steps closer, eyes narrowed. “Heroes come and go, but the Guild has always been here, protecting the city. Until the Stone Lord came to break us.” 

Liv looks between the guild master and the massive ranger, she’s had enough conflict today. “Minsc, the Guild will fight with us. We just have to let them.”

Minsc nods, but his face twists in sadness. “I am ashamed. Nydeska , unworthy to fight alongside my friends. Boo, what am I to do?” 

Nine-Fingers has her opening and she takes it. “I can’t speak for your rodent, but I know something of debts. If you reckon you’ve got one to repay…well, we could always work together. We’ve got bigger enemies than one another. The city’s enemies. And, honest truth? You gave my Guild the wake-up call it needed. We’ve grown complacent, lazy. We never would’ve needed the Zhent if we’d had a fighting force of our own. Swords for the city, for when the Fist and watch fail us.” 

Liv watches Minsc struggle with his ideals and accepting a deal with Nine-Fingers that fits within them, but eventually they do come to an accord. After dealing with the Absolute, Minsc will help protect Nine-Fingers, get a fighting force in shape. It means that Minsc will be keeping an eye on the Guild, and Nine-Fingers gets a better fighting force. Everyone wins. 

Eventually, Nine-Fingers turns toward her. “With the Stone Lord off my back, I’ll be able to bring my people out of hiding. Cobble together a force, so we’re ready when you call on us.”

“I appreciate that.” 

Nine-Fingers nods. “You have my thanks. Though I’m still not actually sure you haven’t made my life that little bit harder. Must run in the family.” The last bit sounds almost approving, but then Nine-Fingers sits down at her desk a little stiffly, the exhaustion clear, her mask slipping just a bit.  “Now get the hells out of my office. You’ve brought me enough trouble for one day.”

As they exit, Jaheira steps close. “We shouldn’t linger. I don’t know that many know the Stone Lord’s identity, but I can’t imagine this alliance will go over well if anyone does.”

Liv nods. “Of course…I just…I’d like to talk to my brother before we go.”

Jaheira looks like she wants to argue but thinks better of it. “Of course.”

Percy is easy to find, he’s helping the injured into the tavern area where the Guild’s healers are doing their best to patch everyone up. It’s still surprising, so at odds with the person she thought he was. She’s not really sure what she’s here to say…only that she thinks that something needs saying. 

He notices her approach as he finishes half-carrying a half-orc over to a chair. He sets the man down before approaching. “You heading out?” he asks. 

Liv crosses her arms just to have something to do with them. “Yeah, but I wanted to check-in? Are you alright?” 

Percy runs his hand over his jaw and glances around the room. “This is….uh…this is as close to a home as I’ve got, and Zhent attacked us in it today…so, no.”

That’s fair. It was probably a stupid question. “I’m sorry. We came as soon as we knew-”

He holds up a hand stopping her words. “I don’t doubt it. You didn’t have to, but you did anyway. Thank you.” There’s a heaviness weighing down each word, but there’s no double-talk, it feels genuine. 

She wants to be better at this, at knowing what to do now. “I should go. Let you get back to taking care of your people.” She hopes he can’t hear her confusion, the bitterness she can’t quite seem to let go of. 

He stares at her for a long moment before shaking his head. “Of course.” But then he steps close, for a moment she thinks he might reach for her. For a moment, she thinks she might want him to, might want the comfort of her older brother, whatever that might look like. Instead, he stops short. “I don’t know what Nine-Fingers promised you, but I’m with you. When you call, I’ll be there.”

It’s more than she ever expected; it’s not quite enough. “Thank you.”

He turns away then, going back to his people, to help them pick up the pieces. She leaves and tells herself it isn’t a retreat. Tells herself that it’s fine that this is something she might never see fixed. 

The fire is bright and warm, and Astarion has a new book. He plucked it from a shelf in the Stone Lord’s little sewer hideout. It’s a romance, and a badly written one at that. It’s so bad it’s entertaining. He dog ears the pages with the cheesiest lines, intending to show Liv as soon as she joins him for the evening. She desperately needs a laugh after the day they’ve had, crawling through sewers and getting caught in power plays. And dealing with that brother of hers.

He’s not sure that they made the right call today, sticking their noses in the Guild’s mess with the Zhentarim. Seems like a good way to make enemies they won’t even know they have until it’s too late. But Liv had wanted to rush in anyway to save her brother. He hopes Percy realizes how lucky he is that she gives a shit. That she keeps handing him chances. 

He doesn’t know what Liv was thinking today, but there was something about watching her brother after the battle that had shaken her somehow. He’s still trying to decide if she’s going to bring it up or if he’ll need to. 

It will have to wait, as Liv has been waylaid by their new companion. Astarion doesn’t mean to be eavesdropping on their conversation, but it’s hard not to. Minsc’s loudness is perhaps only rivaled by Karlach’s. His voice booms out across the room, and whether Astarion wants to or not, he hears every single word. 

“I wished to believe the Stone Lord’s evil was the worm alone, a-tainting my thoughts with foul dung. But I see now, the dung was within Minsc all along. So I wonder, if Minsc can be a villain, and Nine-Fingers a hero: must it be so with all creatures? Is there good and evil within us all? Heh. Boo calls this nonsense. Less thinking of bad thoughts, says he, and more breaking of bad bones. But still - I would hear what you have to say on the matter, my friend.”

Astarion thinks he might have found these sorts of discussions compelling, once. In a time before, when it might have mattered. Morality is a luxury only afforded to those with actual choices. For so long, morality was just another obstacle keeping him from grasping whatever meager scraps of comfort were available, so he tried not to trouble himself too much about it. 

But now? Now he is free, truly free, and he’s not sure what he believes in. He’s not sure where he fits on the spectrum of hero to villain. 

It takes Liv a moment to respond to Minsc, it’s clear that she’s considering her response carefully. “I think we all have the capacity for good and bad. I don’t think that it’s as simple as villains and heroes though, it’s a lot of shades of gray.” 

Minsc laughs his booming laugh. “Minsc does not believe there are these ‘shades’ when it comes to evil. Evil is evil!”

“Maybe sometimes. And maybe sometimes we try to do the right thing, and end up hurting people instead.” 

“You mean like with Minsc as the Stone Lord? Minsc tried to do a good thing, destroy the cult! Instead, he got tadpoled and puppeted around by the Absolute.”

Liv’s voice doesn’t sound entirely sure. “Kind of like that, yeah.”

Or perhaps she means that it is more like insisting on completing an infernal ritual that would have killed seven thousand people? He hadn’t done it, but he had wanted to, and do wants and desires factor into goodness or is it just actions? He doesn’t want this, these questions he’s not sure what to do with. He’ll go read elsewhere then, farther away in hopes that he doesn’t have to listen in, doesn’t have to question. Doesn’t have to find himself at a loss about who he should be now. 

He snaps his book shut, and wanders over to the bed he and Liv have been sharing. The one he thinks of as hers, but not his. His is over in a shared alcove with Gale, and while his things live there, he almost never is. He supposes he could move them, but he likes the idea of still having his own space, a place to retreat to, even if he doesn’t necessarily use it. It feels like an extravagance, and he gets comfortable, opening up the book once more and trying to tune out the voices around.

It isn’t long before Liv joins him, looking tired. He smiles at her. “Sounds like you and Minsc were having quite the lively conversation. Tell me, have you figured out if the rodent is actually conversing with him or is he just mad?”

Liv gives him a hard look. “Be nice. We need all the allies we can get.”

Astarion feigns offense. “I’m always nice.” It earns him a smile. 

“There was something…though…I wanted to discuss,” Liv says, words quiet and unsure.

He shifts his legs, making space for her to join him on the bed. “I’m all pointy ears, my love.”

She sits down, hands twisting together in her lap, but she doesn’t speak for a long moment. The silence drags on, but he waits her out. “Did you find it odd that the Emperor didn’t want to extend its protection to Minsc?” 

It’s not the question he’s expecting, and not just because there are so many other things that happened today that he expected to be on her mind. They so rarely discuss the inhabitant of the Astral Prism, but he knows she doesn’t trust it. Hasn’t since she discovered that their protection is dependent on Orpheus’s continued captivity, that the dreams they shared and the protector they believed to be helping was really a mindflayer. He knows she feels watched like the Emperor is always listening in. They cannot change it, so they don’t discuss it. 

“I hadn’t thought much of it,” Astarion answers truthfully. “But I suppose it does seem odd considering how quick it was to protect Wyll’s father. The rodent conversing aside, Minsc is a hero of the city.”

Liv looks relieved. “Okay, I’m glad I’m not the only one then. I just…I feel like I’m missing something. Something’s not adding up…and then there’s the Duke Stelmane thing…”

She had shown him the book she’d found immediately, about Stelmane’s condition, about a visitor that came to her rooms. They hadn’t talked about it, worried that deep in the Emperor’s old hideout they were being watched. Like many things these days, they don’t have much choice but trusting the Emperor, since their continued existence and people and not mindflayers is due to its intervention. 

Astarion reaches over and untangles her hands, holding one gently in what he hopes feels reassuring. “Like you said, we need all the allies we can get. Shades of gray, hmmm?” He hopes she catches his meaning without coming right out and saying it. 

She nods in acknowledgment. It is not so simple as heroes and villains. It never was. 

“Is it still trying to get you to use the tadpole?” he asks. This conversation still feels precarious, but he wants to know. The Emperor has tried to make inroads with them all, but Liv has always been the sole recipient of its attention since it revealed its true nature. He doesn’t miss the dreams, the mysterious Guardian promising him power. 

“Sometimes it reminds me of my mother,” Liv says, words careful. An innocuous enough comment for almost anyone but her. She’ll never touch the tadpole she was given. That was the Emperor’s first mistake: making it about power. Liv is terrified of power and of the way that it corrupts. He disagrees of course, but that’s a discussion between the two of them that never seems to go anywhere.

He pulls her into him, kissing the top of her head. “Don’t worry, we’ve got Minsc and a miniature giant space hamster on our side now. We can’t possibly lose.” 

She laughs. “Don’t forget that the Guild too.”

“Criminals and thieves. Who could ask for better company?”

She doesn’t reply and instead leans more fully into him, and he is grateful for the simplicity of it, the comforting reassurance that though they don’t have all the answers, they do have each other. 

“Did you mean what you said to Minsc?” he asks. 

Liv twists a bit so she can look up at him. “What thing?”

“About everyone having the capacity for good and bad?” 

“Yes. I meant it.” Her eyes are searching his, looking for something, but he’s not sure what she might find, he’s not even sure himself why this has become so important to him tonight. 

“How are you so sure?” 

It’s clearly not the question she’s expecting, her eyebrows raise a bit in surprise. “I…I suppose…” She pauses as she considers. “Because I’ve seen it. I’ve seen good people do bad things; bad people do good things. It’s…complicated, isn’t it? I mean, I try to be a good person-”

“You are.” He’s not sure of much, but of that he is sure. 

“But I’m not always sure that I’m making the right decisions every day. Sometimes right and wrong aren’t quite as clear-cut as I’d like them to be. I don’t know…I guess that’s why I’m always giving people more chances than they maybe deserve.” 

He considers her answer, it’s thoughtful, if a little rueful. So he offers up a truth of his own. “I’m not sure what I believe. I’m not sure I care, really.” The last part rings false as he says it. He wishes it didn’t. It would be so nice, not to care. 

“When I left my family, I was so lost. I had spent so much time fighting against them, being consumed by their actions and thoughts and expectations…I don’t think I really cemented what I believed until I stumbled off that nautiloid and I had the chance to start over.”

The confession surprises him. Oh, she’s told him of her insecurities from those early days, but he hadn’t considered that beneath her unflappable exterior, she might have been just as unsure as he feels now. 

“I would never have guessed.” 

“I don’t think that’s as comforting now as it would have been to me then. The rest of it will come, Astarion. If it’s important to you.”

“If you say ‘give it time’, I’m leaving,” he says, but he’s not at all serious. He’s just tired of the same refrain, of needing time. He’s never been patient, but the more he discovers he needs to reclaim in his own life, the less he’s willing to wait.

Liv sighs. “How about, ‘if we all die to the elder brain, it doesn’t matter anyway’?” She says it with a smile, a sarcastic lilt to her voice. But he catches an undercurrent of something, a kernel of truth nestled in the joke. He wonders what she’s pushing down, what she’s holding off dealing with. 

But he doesn’t call her on it, not tonight. Instead, he cups her face and leans down to kiss her. “And isn’t that the most comforting of sentiments,” he says, smiling against her lips. 

But hells, he’s never wished more for her to be wrong.

[fruit-of-infidelity]

♱ DIABOLIK LOVERS: Haunted Dark Bridal ー Sakamaki Ryuuto | Heaven 02 ♱

⌜ Scene: Balcony ⌟

Ryuuto: Strip.

Yui: Wh-What do you mean…? Out here!?

Doing that on the balcony… Ryuuto-san, I can’t!

It’s already so chilly being out here, but to get completely undressed? And not only that, but this balcony…

I’m in direct sight of that house, over there!

( Why would he want me to be in plain sight like that? )

Ryuuto: I don’t want to hear it; I only have so much patience.

ー Ryuuto tugs at her clothes, stripping her. ー

Yui: W-Wait…! At least let me cover myself!!

Ryuuto: That should be the least of your concerns right now, especially considering you reek of foul play, and of that person in particular…

Yui: ( “That person”? I wonder… Could he mean Laito-kun? )

( That doesn’t make sense, though. I haven’t evenーー )

ー There is a sploshing of water. ー

( …! Just now, a bucket appeared at Ryuuto-san’s side! )

( It’s filled with soapy water… )

( Uu, I have a feeling I know where this is going… B-But it’s so chilly out! )

Ryuuto: Leg’s apart, now.

Yui: What…!?

Ryuuto: Legs. Apart.

ー Yui has little choice but to do so. ー

Consider your bath privileges lost.

ー Ryuuto reaches for the sponge. ー

Yui: Ryuuto-san… I-I don’t even know what it is I’ve done.

Ryuuto: Is that so? Perhaps, then, it will come back to you once we’re done with your punishment this evening; Take a long, hard think.

After allーー

ー He wrings out the sponge. ー

If you are going to behave like a bad dog, you are going to be treated as such. From here on out, you will be washed outside, in plain view, by me.

Be thankful I didn't decide to hose you down.

ー As he speaks, he washes her roughly. ー

Yui: …!!

( H-He’s scrubbing so harshly!! )

Wait a m-moment, Ryuuto-san!

Ryuuto: Spit it out.

━─┉┈◈ Selection ◈┈┉─━

　　❈  I haven’t done anything wrong!

Yui: I haven’t d-done a single thing to warrant this!

Ryuuto: Arguing will get you nowhere; You have already dug yourself a hole.

You most certainly have something to warrant this.

Yui: B-But! I haven’t even been near Laito-kun, I swear!

　　❈  I’m sorry

Yui: ( Ryuuto-san seems deeply upset, so... )

I’m sorry… for whatever it was I’ve done.

Ryuuto: …Fufu, what a meaningless apology.

How on earth are you expecting to be forgiven if you have little clue what you’ve done wrong in the very first place?

Yui: ( Uu… He has a point. But, if I had to pin-point it… )

It’s because of Laito-kun, isn’t it?

━━─┉┈┈◈◉◈┈┈┉─━━

Ryuuto: Laito? It seems you’re incredibly mistaken.

This has nothing to do with that sort of person, so I wonder why would your conscious dwell on that? Instead, this is about that other person.

Richter.

Yui: Richter…!?

Ryuuto: His scent, it’s lingering, clinging to your skin and taunting me with its presence… I’m to clean you of that.

Regardless of whether it takes all night, or whether it includes taking the top layer of your skin with it, I won’t go easy on you.

Yui: O-Ow…!!

You’re scrubbing too roughly!

Ryuuto: You accompanied him to run some staffroom errands after class, didn’t you? Spending time in such close quarters with someone like that…

Yui: ( M-My skin… it feels so raw, it’s turning red…! )

( If I knew it would t-turn out this way, I wouldn’t have helped Richter… )

R-Ryuuto-san… I c-can’t!

Ryuuto: Although Richter was to keep a close eye on you whilst we attended the Academy, what possessed you to think that would be acceptable?

Yui: Uu… O-Ouch…!

S-Slow down!

( Ryuuto-san just isn’t stopping! )

Ryuuto: When we’re done here, you are going to stand here until you air dry thoroughly.

Is that clear?

Yui: “Air dry!?”

Ryuuto: Then you’ll spend the night by my side, impregnating your skin with my scent, dousing yourself in your Master’s fragrance.

Yui: D-Don’t… say it like that!

( That twinkle in Ryuuto-san’s eye… Like he’s enjoying my pain… )

( Deep down, was he always truly this possessive!? )

✥ TO BE CONTINUED ✥

─────── ≪ °♛° ≫ ───────

←  [ ✥ Heaven 01 ✥ ] ⎥ [ ✥ Heaven 03 ✥ ]  →