#and i think that distinction would be really important to him
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cosmerelists · 9 hours ago
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The 30 Most Dangerous Things about Being a Cosmere Fan
If you're thinking about getting into the Cosmere, be warned! Danger is EVERYWHERE! Here are the most dangerous risks that you should be aware of!
Trying to carry giant, hardcover books around
Trying to fit a giant hardcover books on your bookshelf
Trying to fit a giant, hardcover book into your carryon
Getting stopped by TSA, apparently (link)
The risk of dropping a 1400-page book on your toe
Spending too much money on merch. There's always more, somehow
Spending too much money on Kickstarters. There's always another one, somehow
Having a lot of feelings about bridges that you can't really explain
Having a lot of feelings about rocks that you can't really explain
Having a lot of feelings about stew that you can't really explain
Looking around at random, everyday objects and wondering, "I wonder how Sanderson would make THAT magic"
Wanting to use the wiki to help you remember things but not being able to until you finish ALL the books in case you get spoiled
Checking the wiki just for the spelling of someone's name...and still getting spoiled
"Oh, this character is dead so it's definitely safe to check the wiki now!"
"Oh, this series is over, so it's definitely safe to check the wiki now!"
"Huh, that random character I just met named Hoid doesn't seem important...I bet I can check the wiki for him at least..."
Listening to a new reader talk about their favorite character...and needing to bite your tongue hard
Getting the question "So, what is that series about?"'
Getting the question, "So, which book should I start with?"
Hearing someone else give advice about what book to start with...
Watching your favorite character lose a character poll
Needing to understand the inner workings of 47 distinct magic systems
The irrepressible urge to tell people about the inner workings of 47 distinct magic systems
Knowing that if you take a break to read a different series, you'll need to catch up on like three new Cosmere books when you return
Having a slightly skewed view of how quickly a book can be written
Knowing that the next book for your favorite series is five years out
Getting your hopes up for an Elantris sequel
Getting your hopes up for a Warbreaker sequel
Getting your hopes up about any Cosmere film/TV adaptation
Reaching the Sanderlanche at 1:00am...on a school/work night... Yeah, we've all been there.
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ronsenburg · 2 months ago
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tbh I think dimitri calling sylvain an older brother figure in the jp version of the game says a lot more about dimitri than it does sylvain…
#dimitri ‘glenn was about my age and my best friend and my step mother was always kind to me’ blaiddyd#i guess i'm still on about this#as a related aside:#i always took sylvain calling felix’s past behavior ‘cute… like a little brother’ as more of a jab than a genuine lament#sylvain knows felix too well for it to be anything else#‘cute’ and ‘little brother’ are just two of felix's big red buttons that sylvain can push when he wants to be an ass#and he does in that support--because felix saying they’re only friends because of their parents actually really gets to sylvain#family to sylvain is an obligation that you don’t get a say in#at this point in the game he is struggling SO hard with accepting the life that someone else has planned out for him#simply because of the blood that runs through his veins#but he gets a say in being friends with felix and ingrid and dimitri#and i think that distinction would be really important to him#if barely-hanging-in-there-dimitri wants to imprint on sylvain like a traumatized baby duckling now that glenn's dead#well--that's a dimitri problem i think#honestly what does IS think a big brother figure is? someone to look up to as an example? to go to for support when you have problems?#because at the start of the game sylvain can't be EITHER of these things to anyone#sylvain's trying to fix problems by redirecting anger onto himself - he's lightening the mood with jokes that make people want to punch him#he's possibly even dying for them on the battlefield#he absolutely cares about them! but he doesn't want to be a brother. he wants to be a friend. that they intentionally chose.#what little self worth he has kind of hinges on it#what do i know though#whatever people can have their own thoughts and opinions i'm not actually saying 'we can't be friends if you don't think like me'#but i clearly feel strongly about this#rambling character thoughts
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the-smiling-doodler · 1 month ago
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i fw aroace harley heavy. however what i dont fw is when some people try to reason that hc by saying he lacks empathy. as if lacking empathy somehow correlates with feeling romantic/sexual attraction.
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the-insouciant-scientist · 4 months ago
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what are hyakinthos's thoughts on the boatman and the slow boat in general?
Ooh, taking a quick sidestep from the rest of the ask game asks to answer this real quick! Short answer: a little complicated but generally friendly! Long answer: Gotta give some backstory first, bear with me. I have been thinking so much about belief systems vs established canon. Canon says that every human who dies regardless of belief (there may be nuance I'm forgetting but I'm in full speed infodump mode rn so that's a problem for future me) goes to the Far Shore. I say that's... kinda bleak? Also I'm just not a fan of stories where there is only One Real Belief and the rest are played off as silly distraction or whatever, but I digress.
A lot of his everything is based around the idea that both belief and proper death/burial care are important to get people to the afterlife they're meant to be in. Ritual makes all the difference between going to the Far Shore vs the Fields of Asphodel, for example.
His Boatman is Charon, or at least accepts the name. Hyakinthos has a working relationship with him and has probably taken up the oars at least a few times, especially for people who need the extra care in getting to where they need to be.
There's respect there, but there's also a certain... I'm not sure I have the words for it. The idea that death in the Neath is uncertain in so many ways (whether it'll stick that time, whether the person will make it to their afterlife or if they'll slip between the cracks and end up in the wrong place, etc) can be... discomfiting, to him. So while he does hold the boatman in high regard, there's always some little uncertainty there.
(Every so often, by their standards at least, Hyakinthos will bring him a very old obol. The Boatman will always refuse it. This is a ritual of its own. They'll sit for a while and talk anyways, and then part ways afterwards a little lighter.)
#a lot of this is. very theoretical sjfndkjnhg. but that is what he believes#a belief that he's held for longer than he can remember at this point#his lover was buried wrong in the neath. with respect but with the wrong customs#a different culture doing their best but not understanding the nuance#having to exhume and re-bury his lover according to their beliefs permanently rewrote some stuff in his brain i think#he just never wants anyone else to have to go through that fear. of a loved one lost. of being lost themselves in an unfamiliar afterlife#to him final death is a blessing and a comfort and he intends to keep it that way. no fear of what comes after because they know it's okay#i'm not sure if i properly answered your question despite all that dfkgnfhkd if so i'm sorry i got possessed#belief is important in the neath but it's hard to tell where it begins and ends in a literal sense. if the far shore really is all there is#then hyakinthos would feel actively betrayed by the boatman for disregarding all these peoples' beliefs#but if the far shore is an option but not the absolute (as he believes) then it's a lot more gentle of a regard#recognizing that mistakes can be made and dreading them but understanding that the boatman is very old and doing his best#they both are really#it's. you can see the difference there#but without having a distinct idea of where the lines lay it's a little hard to say for absolute certainty y'know#whoops did not mean to leave a whole other post in the tags. i have been quiet about this guy for too long. too much time to think abt shit#ty for bearing with me i guess kdsjgdhgdfgjh#the scientist scribbles#c: hyakinthos athanasiou
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witchcraftandburialdirt · 7 months ago
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[ TRUST ] for a scenario where sender’s muse is the only one receivers muse will let close. ( Robin )
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✧ ━━ 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐂 𝐈 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝙳𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙳𝙰𝚈𝙻𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃
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The gargling prayers and pleas had long begun to mingle into a single, choking drone bleating from the mangled body below him. He had lost count of the strikes; how many times his blade had wedged itself between Haruko's ribs or plunged down into her precious heart. Not that it much mattered, anyway, for Robin found himself captivated by the shift; that pathetic whimpering and weeping was a welcome reprieve from her previously barbed words. It was an unfortunate truth that Haruko's voice held an unsettling power over him, and it seemed she had only searched him out to indulge in her advantages. Pity for her that he was not a patient man. Taunt after taunt she berated him with rather scornful observations that burrowed quick into his mind to hide away. It was simpler this way; the guttural noises that filled the space were far more satisfying than those verbal knives she had earlier hurled at him.
Anything to get her to stop talking about it.
"It" being merely an answer he did not want to hear, a resounding "yes" where it should have been a sharp "no". The way she looked at him when she said it too, so confidently, so sure of herself - even now, splattered in blood did she appear happy. As if his violent reaction had simply validated her stance.
Do you truly perceive me as a man capable of such gentle ministrations?
𝒀𝒆𝒔. ... 𝑰 𝒅𝒐.
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His aching knife hand, however, finally found pause when a single stick crunched behind him; a deliberate act, of course. Robin knew that his usual visitor would never actually accidentally reveal themself, they were far too clever for that. They thrived on the thrill of the chase, the unseen dance of predator and prey that Robin was usually all too pleased to take part in. But by now the remnants of life now splattered around him had stained Haruko's beautiful dress from the soft ivory of the Holy Virgin into a sickening garden of crimson offal, and her killer found it difficult to turn away from it all. A quiet, very small, flicker of relief fell over him though, as he recalled the horror of his previous encounter atop the clock tower. He could not handle another episode like that — perhaps it was a good thing he had expelled all of his emotion onto her.
𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐, 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔, 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖? 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒕, 𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒔, 𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓.
You are ignorant. Now I beseech thee; rush homeward to your husband.
The gentle downward tug on his lip alerted him to the sticky strands of bloodied saliva that grotesquely connected his mouth to the gaping, festering wound leaking unceremoniously from the lovely column of Haruko's neck. Another step from his Ghostly companion, and before he could stop himself - an animalistic bark erupted his throat as he snapped his head towards Ghostface. Wide eyes glinted in the lowlight of the backwood like shards of glass, while stained fangs bared; like some starving animal prepared to defend it's kill at all cost.
After a moment, the revelry fell to a haunting lull, leaving only the sound of his ragged breath. With trembling hands, Robin slowly removed the blade from its gruesome duty, quick to yank it free from Haruko's breast, and tossed it into the dead grass beside them to be swallowed by the earth itself. Then, with a desperate urgency, he brought the length of his sleeve to his mouth, wiping away the evidence of his insatiable thirst. As if that could erase all of what had been seen.
"I fear dying an obedient lap dog. I fear being trapped in a cage for eternity."
Was he what Ghostface feared most? A starved ratling scrabbling around in desperate search of its next fleeting morsel? Stuck forever at the mercy of his God ...? Even if it was so, the Grave Walker persisted with ludicrous devotion, returning time and again. Was it from some twisted sense of care? A foolish idea Robin thought rather stupid. Or was it to jeer at him? Somehow that was worse. No. No. Not you too. Robin hated it. He hated this vulnerability, this clarity that stripped away the blur he had mulled in over the centuries, all of it lost the moment his vision crossed that woeful mask. He loathed how intimately aware he was of his own sharp, cypress gaze softening — dissolving, like the last vestiges of daylight spilling into a tranquil, sun-kissed lake calm enough to reflect the abyss of Ghostface's hollow eyes.
━ 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.
Ah yes, that had been the last, delicately placed attempt at pity that broke his demeanor; the absurdity to grant him such kindness. To act as though he was merely a pitiable, pathetic welp — a fragile thing deserving of mercy! To want … mercy for him. Over and over. In and out. Ruthlessly he sought to reclaim the dignity that had been stripped away by her impudence, plunging cold steel into her delicate form until his arm had begun to ache and strain from the motion. Each stab was a vicious attempt to get the maiden to take back the foolish words that had ignited all of this chaos; to let his mind forget about what he was.
But she never yielded.
Haruko just … watched him without any fear in those navy gems she called eyes; even dulled by the veil of death she held a gaze that seemed to pierce through the last sparks of his soul, as if challenging him to reconsider the depths of his madness. Haruko had died hours ago; that much was evident in the rigid chill of her body, still he found himself consumed by a twisted compulsion to continue, to savage what remained of her until — wintry brows suddenly furrowed downward as a wave of frustration crashed over him once he turned back to the corpse, horror momentarily gripping his heart once he found the her already half lost to the Entity's spindling legs dragging it deeper and deeper into the dirt.
Confusion clouded Robin’s features as he gawked at the woman's death mask, taking note how the once-familiar contours of her visage had been nearly obliterated by the devastation he had wrought upon her. How could it be then, amidst the horror he had inflicted, that Lady Kovacs' spirit still seemed to weep? He could hear it. Echoes of soft whimpers drew his gaze to the stark canyons of her bronze skin where the blood had retreated, leaving traces of a raw flesh in their wake. Long, winding rivulets of skin emerged from the red-stained landscape, each one carved its mournful path along the curve of her body. But his ascending gaze found no storming clouds above, nor even the faintest sign of rain falling from the oppressive gray heavens.
It was as if the very notion of tears was foreign, something he was incapable of understanding let alone feeling; so instead he could only stare bewilderedly at the droplets falling onto her face.
"I … "
Too many words were fighting along his tongue, yet as soon as his mouth opened to allow their freedom, a wave of nausea surged through him and twisted his stomach in a vicious knot of protest. The Sin Eater was practically trembling in his spot, paralyzed by his own weakness. Each breath now a struggle as he fought against the tremors that threatened to overtake him. By now Haruko's beautiful face had shed away and curled those pretty lips back, and Robin was unable to rip his gaze away from the worm cleansed smile before him. And equally helpless was he to stop the constant repetitions of Haruko's deep voice in his head. Suddenly, fueled by a surge of rage and desperation, he propelled himself to his feet, fists clenched at his sides as he spat his fury at the lifeless form under him. “Shut up! I’m in no mood!”
Up came his boot to crash down onto her body, snapping bones and squelching in the torn insides now out. Eventually her cadaver was shattered enough that it disappeared entirely into the Entity to leave the two ghostly figures alone amidst the destructive scene that had been left behind. A hat thrown, once neatly tucked and braided hair now a waterfall of soft glistening snow; and Robin's furious tears streaming down his cheeks as he collapsed back down onto his knees and squeezed his hair in frustration, his stare flickered around him, as if he were pleading with an unseen audience for understanding, "Just, everyone shut up! — I need to think."
Each tear clung to the gentle curve of his lashes, each one settling and shimmering like dew kissed pearls upon lily petals. With a heart pounding in trepidation, Robin turned his gaze upwards, his eyes searching for answers, for comfort, for anything to make sense of the havoc swirling around him. Now along with Haruko's words he also wrestled with the disbelief of Danny’s presence; the thought of his friend returning felt surreal, surely it just an apparition born from the depths of his fractured psyche. A cruel trick, a twisted jest played by his own fraying mind. Why ever would they return to him? Let alone stay after seeing such a revolting display of despair. Of something so dreadfully human. He couldn't envision a reason for them to stay. Kindness wasn't something he was given. Mercy was not something he was given. So, just as the weight of his misery threatened to crush him, Robin's voice finally emerged — a whisper, shaky as a newborn fawn, crossed his trembling mouth:
"A-Are you real … ?"
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#✧ ── 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐍 𝐀. 𝐁𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄 ... 【 ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴏɴ-ᴇʏᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɢᴇ 】#── 𝐀 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐑 ... 【 ɪᴄ 】#── 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓#mxlevolence#✧ ── 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐊𝐎 𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄 ... 【 ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʟᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴍᴀɪᴅᴇɴ 】#murder tw#blood tw#gore description#everytime I write Robin having a moment like this#I remember just how debilitating and devastating his mental trauma is#Danny is really the only real *person* he truly *talks* to#he wandered for centuries alone in perpetual quiet#having such a stark human connection is so jarring to him#and he really has no idea how to handle any of it#He has no one#He knows no one#Not really#He endured all of this trauma and pain alone in pure isolation#in life and in death#idk I think its just#sad how he can't even begin to fathom why someone would stay after seeing him in such a state#especially someone like GF who he respects#its gonna be a lonnnnng road ahead#and he instantly views genuine kindness as something to insult him with#I also know I usually don't format text#but I think doing it to distinct in Robin's memory who is talking is important#(its also interesting how Robin fully 100% believes that Haru is a woman#and its reflected in how his brain connects it to fancy penmanship
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mr-mandalorian · 3 months ago
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ghost proposing, a little angst but very very sweet
they have the night off and he’d already be devouring her whole if she wasn’t so excited about going out. it’s a shit bar close to base, but she reasons it’s a good change of scenery.
and boy is it, terrible karaoke heard a mile away. the military wives, or rather soon to be, taken over. a bachelorette party of at least six women, loud and obnoxious.
soap and gaz find it to be the most hilarious thing in the world, applauding a brunette on stage over her disastrous performance of careless whisper. but ghost can’t help but watch y/n, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. throughout the night he silently dissects her, his assumption it being some sort of yearning for female company. but as one of the women come up to their table, asking if anyone from the squad could take a picture of the rowdy group, ghost swallows harshly. y/n jumps at the opportunity, congratulating the bride like they’ve know each other their whole lives.
they never discussed the nature of their relationship. hell, the word relationship was never even voiced out loud. but even a stranger could tell how they move in sync, his reflection and her shadow. in their line of work it was best case scenario and simon never allows himself to think about there ever being more.
but that is until y/n asks to see the ring. it’s almost comical, the gigantic diamond blinding, making her squint. ghost finds himself scoffing behind the mask, he could easily read y/n’s compliment a lie. she would never wear anything like it.
the following months ghost finds himself ring shopping. fucking hell, what is he thinking, really? his tongue can’t even roll the world girlfriend. and yet here he is, glaring at the poor saleswoman like she’s supposed to know none of these expensive rocks are good enough for his y/n.
when the ring is finally chosen, he doesn’t quite know what to do. he’s horrified of y/n finding it so the ring stays on his person at all times, even in the field. he’s less talkative than usual, if that’s even possible, always looking for the right moment. brushing their teeth together in the morning, ghost buried between her thighs in the evening. he nearly does it one late night, y/n perched on the window sill of her room. swimming in moonlight, she looks ethereal. he’s done unimaginable things in his life, taken and saved lives. none of the gore ever phased him, but the sight of her has his stomach turning.
so he chickens out. regret begins to gnaw at him as the very next mission goes haywire. y/n barks at him through the comms, the sweetest sound in the world, even if she’s telling him to get out, explosives ticking in the building. he’s trying, he really is. his gear seems to get heavier by the minute with a broken rib threatening to seize his lungs. he can make out her silhouette by the exit, but it’s out of reach. the floor crumbles beneath him.
when ghost wakes up, he immediately spots soap pacing back and forth, as much as the tiny ward of the hospital would allow him. y/n is passed out in the chair next to his bed, his balaclava clutched to her chest.
“good to have you back, lt.” soap whispers not to wake the sleeping soldier. “how ye feeling?”
“was she hurt?”
“no.” soap shakes his head, knowing how important the answer is before he can move on to his long awaited teasing, pulling out a velvet box out of his pocket. “i suppose it was foolish to question who this belonged to then. didn’t take you for the marrying kind, lt.”
he wasn’t, but if it pleased y/n, he’d marry her a thousand times. and even though ghost wants to be annoyed with the sergeant, he’s already decided to promote him to best man for finding the ring before y/n could.
when ghost gets released, it takes time to find courage to open the velvet box. it’s barely holding together, taking most of the damage to protect what’s inside. the ring is chipped, the intricate band of petite diamonds has at least five distinct cuts. they’re surprisingly neat, but asymmetrical and obvious to the eye. he can only curse, what a fool he was to convince himself that there could be something more.
“what’s that?” y/n is right next to him, her stealth impressive as she appears unnoticed in his room.
he can tell her awe for the ring is genuine, eyes eyes lighting up at the piece of jewelry. she pries it out of his hold, standing close to the window to examine the gems reflecting daylight. she disregards the cracks completely, telling him it adds character to it. the sincerity of her smile makes it hard to breathe.
“so who’s the lucky girl then?” she asks, never once trying on the ring.
“who- who’s the lucky girl? bloody hell woman, who do you think?”
they’re both dumbfounded, y/n by the answer and ghost by the question. and ghost knows he said the wrong thing as y/n shrinks in her spot, her gaze glued to the floor.
“i mean- i- i really don’t know.” she stutters, growing shy likes he’s never seen her before.
“try it on.”
“what?“
“come here.“
y/n allows him to hold her hand, sliding the ring on her finger with utmost care. it fits perfect, just her size and taste. her eyes jump between him and the ring, mind going a mile a minute.
“what do you reckon?“ his voice is low and quiet, and that’s all he says. it dawns on her that he’s really doing this, proposing in the most simon riley way possible.
“i didn’t even know we were dating.” she can’t help the jaw numbing smile that overtakes her, gently squeezing her hand in his.
“‘cause we’re not. we’re engaged.”
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gloomwitchwrites · 10 months ago
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(I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, but here goes nothing)
For Imagines and What Ifs, how do you think the 141 men would react to you wanting to keep your last name after you got married?
Would be they be chill about having separate names? Would they be hurt that you don't want their last name? Would they suggest a hyphenated last name as a compromise? Or (my personal fave) would they change their last name instead?
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Greetings, anon! You absolutely submitted a request correctly! I adore this idea. I love thinking about any of these men as married men and what they're like in that regard. I can easily see this prompt having angst and fluff. What I would like to do is answer the last half of the prompt. Those are four distinct questions, and four distinct ideas, and I think each of them matches to one of the 141 guys in turn. That is how I would like to tackle this request (if you don't mind).
I'm sure my selections might not match up with everyone's opinion but that's why fanfiction is so wonderful. We can all have different ideas and HCs and they are all valid in their own way.
Enjoy!! I had so much fun with this one!! Presented in four drabbles.
For the masterlist and how to submit your own request, click HERE
Task Force 141 x Reader
Content & Warnings: established relationship, fluff, light angst, married life
Word Count: 400
ao3 // taglist // main masterlist // imagines & what if masterlist
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John "Soap" MacTavish
“You don’t want to take my last name?” He sounds hurt, and that breaks your heart.
“It’s not personal, Johnny. I’ve earned my title.”
“I know,” he says softly. “You worked hard. But—” Johnny sighs and rubs his chin. He glances away, clearly growing agitated.
“I love you,” you murmur, kissing his cheek.
Johnny melts a bit, kissing you back. “I’d like to call you Mrs. MacTavish.”
“And you can,” you reply softly. “Sometimes.”
“Like when?”
You need to turn his mood around. Leaning in, you playfully nip at his bottom lip. “When we’re alone. In the bedroom.”
Johnny grins.
John Price
“We need to talk about this, John. I feel like you’re avoiding the conversation.”
John’s tea mug pauses just before reaching his lips. “Avoiding what conversation?”
“About me keeping my last name,” you reply, crossing your arms
John sighs and places the mug on the counter. “You can do what you want.”
“Does it not upset you?” you ask cautiously.
“Not upset, love,” he says softly. “You’re a grown woman. I’ll respect what you want.”
You step up to him, one hand pressed to his waist. “Sure about that?”
John leans forward, stealing a kiss. “I’m more than sure, love.”
Simon "Ghost" Riley
“I don’t want to change my last name, Simon. It’s…special to me.”
Simon stands stoic and calm. He understands. Names are important. They carry memory. Sometimes good ones. Sometimes bad.
“That’s your choice,” replies Simon slowly.
“You’re not upset?”
“I’ll respect whatever you decide.”
Your sigh of relief is soft and calming. This has been a burden for you.
“What if I take your last name?”
You frown. “What?”
Simon repeats the question.
“You want that?”
“I do,” answers Simon firmly.
Names are important. Names carry memory.
Riley is Simon’s father's name. It would be a relief to shed it.
Kyle "Gaz" Garrick
“How do you feel about a compromise?” Kyle asks softly. “Instead of us keeping our last names.”
It’s a conversation the two of you have had repeatedly after saying “I do.” You want to keep your last name, and while Kyle respects it, you sense he’s not entirely happy about it.
“A compromise? What are you thinking?”
“Hyphenate them.”
“Really?” you laugh.
“Yeah,” he grins. “My name first or yours. Doesn’t matter. A bit of both of us.”
You rest your head against his shoulder. “I can see it.”
“Be the same for our kids.”
“I like it,” you reply.
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@sapphichotmess @saoirse06 @ferns-fics @unhinged-reader-36 @miss-mistinguett
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liberalk1tsch · 19 days ago
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This has been an unpopular opinion but i actually think after the books Peeta wouldn’t like Gale not because of jealousy but because he treated Katniss really rough. What do you think?
can’t wait to get cancelled for this one LMAO. warning: if you’re someone who can’t accept criticism of gale, just dni.
i think peeta despises gale, and not because of anything remotely resembling jealousy. HOWEVER. i don’t think he would ever push his feelings toward gale on katniss.
peeta isn’t disrespectful toward her relationship with gale. even when it pains him. he’s made a couple snide comments about their weird dynamic, but he’s never badmouthed gale. ever. even when gale doesn’t pay him the same respect.
peeta’s smart enough to know it’s a sensitive topic. friend breakups suck, even if the reason they end is cos they were turning sour. he’d listen and probably agree with katniss if she brought it up herself and needed to vent, but i highly doubt he’d go out of his way to voice every grievance he’s had with gale unprompted.
internally though? if gale has no haters, peeta mellark is dead.
the last interaction we know of between him and gale is the conversation in tigris’ basement when gale tries to tell peeta that katniss will choose whoever she can’t survive without, which is a) incorrect and b) incredibly reductive of her feelings toward both of them, which is especially cruel coming from the person who’s supposed to be her best friend.
and i never see anyone talk ab that it’s lowkey a jab at peeta too considering gale has previously established a distinct lack of faith in peeta’s survival skills in cf (doesn’t want him to come along into the wilderness when katniss suggests they make a run for it, both bc of jealousy and bc he continually underestimates him (and then proceeds to call him a traitor in mj for doing whatever it takes to survive? bffr guy)).
alas, peeta doesn’t care how gale feels ab him. he never has. but katniss? i don’t need to read peeta’s pov to know this man was utterly baffled at what gale was yapping ab. like. by the end of mj, katniss herself narrates that there’s no sign of the kids they were when they became friends in the woods.
he just doesn’t know her anymore, at least not the person she’s become, and this is when it becomes clear to peeta that he’s been severely overestimating gale’s role in katniss’ life. he only knows what he has seen and what our lovely, unreliable katniss has told him, and she was actively trying not to pit them against each other.
but in the basement, this is the first time peeta hears things unfiltered from gale’s side, the first time he hears how off base he was to assume that there was so much more to their relationship than there is. bc wdym he thinks he has a chance w katniss when he’s not even bothering to factor her feelings into it?
and peeta thought he was the crazy one.
not to mention the fact that of everyone gale saved, he didn’t manage to save a single member of peeta’s family.
and yk what? credit where credit is due — it is thanks to gale that so many people made it out of 12 alive.
but personally, i have my doubts about how hard he tried to get the townies out. the seam and victors village are on opposite sides of town; he would’ve had to go through the town square to get prim and asterid to the meadow. past the bakery. past the justice building. past peeta’s and madge’s families.
knowing full well how important they are to katniss.
delly and her brother are the only townies i can recall from mj, the rest are seam, and he could have easily just plucked them up if they were outside when they ran through the square.
is it a fucked up idea that he might leave them behind in favour of saving seam kids? yes. but that doesn’t make it any less plausible. i wouldn’t be surprised if that same thought has crossed peeta’s mind, especially considering gale isn’t exactly subtle about his disdain for townies.
so yeah. i don’t reckon peeta likes gale at all. but he respects katniss and their history enough to keep that to himself.
i really need to figure out how to shorten these rants of mine lol
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dubina-dawkins · 5 months ago
Text
WINCHESTER'S PICKUP, INJURIES AND CLUMSY KISSES
~1k words
>you get hurt while hunting with your uncle, John Winchester and his son. Dean can't help but help.
pairing:teen! dean winchester x teen! reader
warnings/notes: basically a really tooth rotting fluff, first love and first kiss trope, vague descriptions of reader's past (like death of their family), few but subtle descriptions of injuries, john winchester mentioned (and i mean he's a real trigger so that's important), gn reader, no usage of y/n
REPOSTS WILL BE APPRECIATED
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Minnesota. A werewolf hunt. Ordinary case-- boring, in a way. Just had to catch the bastard and shoot it through the heart with silver.
It seemed normal even to you, even though you weren't even an adult yet. Had to grow up early, huh? God, you hated that phrase. It sounded like you were feeling sorry for yourself. And self-pity is weak, very weak! At least that's what your uncle, the hunter who raised you since your family died in a vampire attack taught you.
And besides, you and your uncle weren't alone on this case, but with "family friends" - the Winchesters. Were they considered family friends if every time John needed help hunting and Dean was busy, your youngest son, Sam, was left at your and your uncle's house? Hell if I know! But at least you got a good memory of that family. And the older son's face, his cocky grin, his brilliant green eyes, his perfect nose and distinct freckles...it was all getting to your throat.
But damn it, it had to be some old, abandoned house. Protruding nails, scattered things, wood that left splinters in fingers - it would be dangerous here, even in daylight, without the risk of having your heart eaten...and when there was that risk, every step was tense.
Especially when the "hunted object" - you tried not to think of them as people, or else it became too hard to hunt - had run right into your path. The rumble of falling things, the pop of missed shots. This werewolf was physically strong and dexterous, so it was hard.
Like when he threw you into the wall and some protruding, crooked, rusty nail pierced your shoulder. It's okay, we've been through worse injuries, you'd think. Until Dean ran up to you, completely ignoring his father's scolding.
"Hey, are you okay? Ooh..." He seemed to swear, but it was quiet, a whisper he didn't want his father to hear. Dean sharply threw your arm, whose shoulder wasn't injured, over his neck and lifted you up, not listening to any of your complaints about not needing help.
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"Dad's gonna kill you- sshhiit..." You hissed as he pressed his shirt, previously hanging over his black T-shirt, against your shoulder, treating the wound. The fabric was soaked with whiskey.
Hearing your sounds of pain, Dean lifts his emerald eyes from your wound to your face. His gaze is piteous, concerned, and his thick lashes glisten in the moonlight.
He was too handsome. Objectively, of course.
"Like the first time I'm going to get a punch from him... All right?" He squeezes your healthy shoulder in the palm of his hand, then puts his hand on the collar of your t-shirt, and...stops. "I... Can you slip your arm out of your sleeve?"
All his arrogance evaporated, there wasn't a particle of it in the air. And it was cute.
"You want me to take my clothes off? Pervert," you laugh, but your face immediately frowns as you raise your arm. Dean doesn't waste a second and starts helping you.
And God, the touch of his somehow warm fingers - there was a cool breeze outside, by the way - send shivers down your spine, making you dizzy. But you don't think about it. At least you're trying.
A low whimper escaped your lips as he tightened a piece of cloth, torn from your shirt and soaked in alcohol, on your wound. Maybe it wasn't unusual, but it still hurt.
"You're gonna stay here, you hear me? There's no way in hell you're going to go fight that big guy again right now. I won't let you," Dean said, glancing outside his dad's pickup window. His dad and your uncle were still in the house with a werewolf, apparently. You two could have been alone...for a little while. But of course that didn't excite you at all. You and Dean were just friends, right? Hunting bros. Nothing more.
And the fact that your gaze fell to his lips, then to his cheeks, covered with freckles, sharp cheekbones, ash-black long lashes, brilliant green eyes.... It meant nothing. At all.
"Whatever you say, sir," you quipped, rubbing the wound under the piece of cloth with your hand. Dean just gently pulled your hand away, "Don't make it worse for yourself, buddy." And oh, his tone is so gravelly. You're absolutely done.
But he won't let go of your hand. And you don't want to pull away.
His green eyes came up to your face, and he suddenly just froze, as if he couldn't look away. Dean stared at you as if you were the most brilliant and expensive gem, as if you were a living angel he hadn't believed in for a long time.... Like something unearthly. It would be foolish not to admit that you looked at him the same way.
Dean squeezed your hand lightly, and slowly - yes, very unusual for Dean Winchester to do something slowly - moved closer, but in a friendly way for now. In the same second, however, he remembered who he was, and his hand went up to your neck - still tentatively, of course... "Listen, buddy-..."
"Dean, please..."
And that did it. Dean's one word was enough for him to press his lips lightly against yours. He wasn't pushy, he wasn't rough, he didn't even let himself try to deepen the kiss. His lips only phantomly touched yours, guiding you, somehow even mentoring you, gently (still unusual for Dean Winchester himself!). His lips were matte, a little dry, but damn it, you liked it better than the sweetest meals of your life.
He pulls back, takes a deep breath and leans into you again. You're so cooked.
Dean can't help but marvel at your ineptitude at kissing- God, he could have sworn it made it the best kiss of his life. His lips move hotter, feistier, more needy, but still tentative, dipping down a little to leave a few quick nibbles on your chin and on your jaw--
Until you start hearing John and your uncle's voices outside. Oh, God, not now!
"Sorry, baby, sorry-" the nickname slides off his tongue so tenderly, lovingly, as he quickly pulls moves away from you.
Because after today, the chance of Winchester allowing you to see Dean earlier than after few months was close to zero.
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a/n: i needed to think about little dean that haven't experienced hell already (on s4 currently yaaay). young jensen on header only because i can't think of teen dean looking as original cast actor for this role. and because i love young jensen. like really much. think im starting to get a lil' bit too much obsessed with dean
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rockrosethistle · 1 year ago
Text
If there's one thing TGWDLM fans are gonna do, it's think about the implications. And the implications of the opening number are crazy.
So. We know that the show isn't completely chronological since the opening number takes place before the meteor hits. So that song is a sort of "flash forward" moment. But when you think about it, we don't really know how far in the future it takes place.
What we do know is that by the time it's happening, Emma is infected. She has a little solo in it singing about how Paul is pining over a barista
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And we know that this is meant to be an infected Emma specifically. Lauren had other characters in the show, if they wanted to avoid the Emma implication they would've just dressed her as one of those.
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So we know this is meant to be Emma.
And Emma isn't infected until the very end of the show. She's dragged off stage during the credits. So since she's infected in the opening number, we know the number takes place after the events of the show.
Another important detail is that Paul is infected before Emma. He's the one that passes it on to her.
So back to the opening number, Emma is infected. Which means by just following a simple timeline, Paul must also be infected. He should be singing and dancing, right?
But that's not what happens. Paul misses his entrance.
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If Paul is infected, then there's no reason he should be missing his entrance. Furthermore, if he's a part of a hive mind, there's no reason other members of the same hive mind shouldn't know where he is. They are literally all connected by one brain, and yet both Mr. Davidson and Bill express they have no clue where he went.
What I'm saying is that Paul is not infected. He was infected (again, we know that because Emma is infected and he was infected before her) but now he's not anymore.
I'm saying there's a way out of the hive, and Paul found it. That's the only explanation that makes sense given the facts of the situation. Sometime after the events of tgwdlm, Paul is able not only to break out the hive mind, but to hide from it.
And if he broke out, others could do the same. Maybe even Emma.
Edit because a countertheory has emerged: Yes it's possible that everyone is infected the entire time and the show itself is just Pokey replaying the events for the fun of it. But it seems unlikely to me. First of all, each of the Lords in Black has a distinct personality. They all are evil, but within that they seems to fall somewhere on a spectrum of "silly billy" to "prick." For example, Tinky is more of a silly billy. He toys with humans without much of a motive and more for just shits and giggles. But in every instance, Pokey's more on the extreme side of prick.
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He's one of the few with an actual motive behind what he does. In Yellowjacket, it's confirmed that Pokotho hates the sound of anyone's voice except for his own. The events of TGWDLM don't happen because Pokey is bored, they happen because he is executing a plan. So I don't think that he would just have them play out their little scenario just to entertain him, especially just one small island? I just feel like he'd be more focused on world domination.
If the theory is that all this is happening after Pokey's already taken over the whole world, no one was successful in stopping him, then yes it's plausible, but still weird. There are a strange amount of things in that show you just think an eldritch god wouldn't include.
Edit 2: New evidence has emerged???
The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals is loosely based off of Invasion of The Body Snatchers. Paul's last name is even a nod to the main character, Matthew. At the end of the film, Matthew survives, and continues living among the infected, pretending to be one of them. And wouldn't that be just such a fun little parallel...
Obviously it doesn't prove anything but the source material doesn't lie folks.
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fangswbenefits · 2 years ago
Text
Double-edged Sword
Summary: Miguel knows he has to let you go before you can be his. But it’s not that simple. Especially when you keep on testing his limits…
Pairing: Miguel O'Hara x spider-woman!reader
Word count: 2.2k
18+. Miguel POV. Obsessed and jealous Miguel. Soft/inexperienced reader. F*ngering.
Part 1 (if you're just starting out) - Previous part
By the time Miguel rose from his slumber, he was met with a pair of curious eyes glaring at him.
"You snore."
A sleepy yawn worked its way out of his throat as he lifted his wrist to assess the time. It was still fairly early in the morning, and he allowed himself to relax against your soft pillows.
You were on your side, both hands tucked under your head, and your trademark sweet smile curling your lips.
"Did you sleep well?"
Miguel nodded, mustering the will to sit up against the bed rest. He soon realised he had fallen asleep on top of the comforter with just a blanket covering him, whereas you were nicely tucked inside your bedsheets.
A distinct barrier between you two.
He looked down at you through sleepy eyes, wishing he could plant a soft kiss to your temple.
You looked so peaceful and it brought a sense of calmness to him as well.
"I was thinking of meeting Tom today.." you began, as you flopped onto your back. "Think you can get someone to cover for me? Just for a while?"
And just like that, Miguel's stomach turned uncomfortably. "Today? Already?"
Your head turned to him. "Why? Do you think I should wait? Do we have something important today?"
"Maybe you should wait a little longer," he said with a sigh. "Take some time to figure out the best approach."
"I've been waiting for months... I just... I really need this," you whispered, now facing away from him.
In reality, Miguel knew there wasn't much he could say to deter you from this. He couldn't really blame you from wanting to set things right with someone who meant so much to you.
He would have given everything to be able to get that opportunity with Gabriella.
However, the less rational side of him was seething with jealousy. After all, you had revealed you had feelings for him.
But what truly fueled his escalating jealousy was what had happened last night. The kiss, him touching himself in front of you, and you touching yourself in front of him. Intimacy had engulfed you both so unexpectedly, that he wondered if it had been a mistake.
He dreaded that thought, so he promptly pushed it away.
"Sure. Take your time."
You then shifted to sit next to him, your shirt briefly clinging to your breasts, letting him know you were braless.
Of course.
He groaned inwardly at the sight of the small protuberances on each nipple.
And you caught him staring, arching a brow in amusement. "Want to see them again?"
He cleared his throat and shook his head. The last thing he needed now was a raging boner.
But it seemed that you were hellbent on torturing him, so when you got on your knees, briefly crawling to him, and finally settling on his lap, he knew he was fucked.
You were wearing nothing but a shirt and sleeping shorts, and when you looped your arms around his neck, he instinctively closed his eyes, bracing himself for yet another erection.
He had expected you to lean in for a kiss, but you remained still, eyeing him with utmost interest.
"This place can be so isolating," you sighed.
Miguel gripped your hips, adjusting you back to prevent having you seating on his crotch.
"Nueva York is overflowing with spiders, yet you still feel so lonely, you know?"
He did know.
It was lonely at the top.
While many spiders had relationships of their own and managed to build their lives around them, Miguel had nearly forgotten how used to being alone he had gotten.
"So you feel lonely here?"
You seemed unsure. "I have you to keep me company, though I figure that doesn't really count. you were forced to babysit me when I forgot got here."
"I wasn't forced to do anything," he corrected, slightly frowning. "I saw the potential in you and wanted to harness that."
Your fingers were absentmindedly caressing the nape of his neck. "I feel really comfortable around you."
That caught him slightly off guard.
"I never thought I'd be able to reveal that secret to anyone... you whispered, shifting to sit on his growing erection. "And last night.."
The not knowing was killing him. On one hand, he was scared to find out that it had been nothing but a hear of the moment thing, but he yearned for more than that... and that part of him needed to kn more.
"Was is because of loneliness, then?"
You pressed your lips tightly together.
"Well, I suppose loneliness gets the best of us, eventually," he sighed, trying his best to seem as casual as possible. "Sometimes, using your hand just doesn't quite do it."
At this, you widened your eyes, before averting your gaze. "It wasn't because I felt lonely... I... I just... you're really attractive and.."
Miguel decided that was enough.
He brought his hand to the back of hour neck and pulled you closer until your lips grazed along his.
"Can I kiss you?"
You swallowed, pressing yourself down on him. "Do you always get this.. excited so easily?"
He gripped your chin between his fingers, tilting your head to have your eyes meet his. "Only for you."
It was a simple confession mixed with desire, but it was enough to startle you.
Fuck.
You leaned back as if snapped from a daydream. "Do you mean that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"
Miguel took a deep breath. "I mean that, and you can feel it," he proved his point with a roll of his hips.
You moaned softly, eyes fluttering shut and mouth dropping open.
His sweet girl was so, so responsive...
Instinctively, you tried to match the sway of his hips, but it felt clumsy and Miguel brought both hands to your hips, gripping them tightly.
Your breaths were coming out shaky as he guided you on his clothed cock, guiding you on how to move your body alongside his.
"Does that feel good?" he asked seductively.
"Yes..." you gasped. "I... I'm.."
Miguel felt the first beads of precum drip from his tip. "You're what?"
Your hands came to grip his shoulders, and you took a deep breath before one of them slid down to your
body.
Miguel immediately knew what you meant, but he intended on having things go differently this time.
" can do that for you... he offered, gripping your wrist gently, as your fingers prepared to slide inside your shorts.
You bit your lip, eyes still squeezed shut. "You have to...”
"I want to," he said firmly.
Nodding, you brought your hand up to his shoulder again, and he took the chance to gently slip his fingers past the waistband.
You immediately shuddered and leaned to rest your face against his neck.
He trailed down carefully and his cock twitched once he reached your clit.
"Is this okay?"
You moaned in response, wrapping your arms around him.
Your clit was already swollen and Miguel felt his fangs threatening to drop once he began to slowly roll the pad of his finger around it.
It didn't take long until he felt your wetness seeping through the layers of fabric and staining his suit.
"Please... Miguel..." you groaned, now jerking your hips against his touch.
He began to drag your wetness along your folds to coat your clit with it. You were soaked for him, your body already working on preparing you to take his COCk.
But he would have to be gentle.
He would have you riding his fingers first.
"Please what, sweet girl?" he cooed, planting a kiss to your temple."
You answered by trying to have his finger slide down to your entrance.
So eager...
"Can you take one finger?"
You halted your hips and took a few seconds to nod.
"I can take it..."
He could cum just from your shaky voice and how much you craved him.
As one finger reached your opening, he felt you tense up lightly.
"I'll be gentle," he promised, tracing the sensitive spot. "Tell me to stop, and I will."
"Don't stop..."
He pressed yet another kiss on your flushed skin, and slipped the tip of one finger inside, feeling you immediately squeeze around him.
Miguel realised that if he were to be your first, he would be utterly fucked. The way you gripped his fingers with your walls nearly tipped him over the edge. He couldn't imagine how ridiculously good it'd feel to have his cock inside you instead.
"Try to relax.."
And you did try.
Until his thumb pressed down on your clit.
Your hips immediately bucked into him, encasing his finger inside you until he was buried knuckle-deep.
"Easy..." he growled, his fangs emerging right away from the overload of sensation.
He doubted you'd be able to take another thick finger of his, so he settled for having just one sliding in and out, drawing the sweetest gasps from you.
"You're doing so well.." he praised.
You rolled your hips instinctively, fucking yourself on his finger as best as inexperience allowed you.
"Take... take your... suit..." you pleaded, clawing at his chest with one hand.
The digital layer vanished down to his waist. He didn't want set his cock free or he would cum in an instant.
Then, he saw you roll up your shirt with trembling fingers, exposing your breasts.
He nearly came rigth there and then.
But nothing could have prepared him for what you were about to do.
You desperately brought your pierced nipples to graze against his bare chest, slowly raising your before sinking down around his finger.
Miguel was now certain that you would be the death of him.
He felt your wetness dribbling down his hand, but kept a steady pressure on your pulsing clit. With each undulation of your body, he was able to feel the cool metal of your piercings digging into his skin, and couldn't fight back the growl that emerged from deep within him.
As expected, he was embarrassingly close, and needed to do something about it.
"Lift your hips."
You groaned in response, stilling for a moment.
"Wait….. why?"
"I'm close.."
You slowly clenched around his finger, and his hand came to grip your hip tight.
"Too close..
The beginning of a pout settled on your face, but you did as requested, finally putting a stop to the near excruciating pleasure he was feeling.
Now he could focus on you.
You buried your face in the crook of his neck to anchor your with each flick of his finger and with each sway of your hips.
"Are you okay?"
You didn't answer, but he could tell from your erratic breathing that you were nearing your peak. Your whimpers increased in intensity, as you clumsily rode his finger, chasing after your bliss.
The sound of his watch beeping broke the rhythm for a second, but Miguel ignored it.
As long as no canon event was involve, he wouldn't shift his attention from you.
It beeped again.
But you were so close.
"I... I think I'm.."
He didn't need your words, your body language spoke to him in ways he didn't know he craved.
The movement you started convulsing against him and tightening your grip around his neck, he knew you were coming undone. Your walls clenched around his finger as the orgasm tore through your body.
Another beep, which Miguel ignored again.
Miguel allowed himself to enjoy your tightness, realising you would need far more preparation than this if you were to take his cock.
Your legs were shaking slightly, as he kept pressing the pad of his thumb against your pulsing clit.
But what really made his cock twitch was the way you kept mumbling his name in between sobs, eventually slumping against his chest.
He slowly withdrew his finger, earning a deep sigh from you.
<CANON EVENT IMMINENT: ANOMALY DETECTED>
Miguel's heart nearly burst out of his chest from the unexpected announcement, and you jolted into him, still descending from your peak.
Instant bones killer.
Much against his will, he brought himself to suit up and carefully set you aside on your bed with a kiss pressed to your forehead, before jumping to his feet, quickly clicking through his watch.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled hurriedly, glazing at you as he neared the bedroom window.
You were a panting mess, but quickly tried to gather yourself. "Don't apologise. Just go."
He hopped onto the window sill and took a deep breath, throwing you a final glance. "TIl find you once I'm done."
"You don't have to... I have to do this on my own."
He nodded. "Don't deactivate your mic."
Your straightened your shirt before sitting on mattress. "Miguel... it'll be fine."
"Do as I say."
You eventually nodded.
He hated having to part from you, but his duty came first, and he couldn't step away from it.
Not even for his sweet girl.
"Lyla, summon squad 12, and give me the readings on the anomaly."
Before swinging into the cool morning air of Nueva York, Miguel saw you crossing your legs and stare at him with those sweet eyes that he was so addicted to.
But he would be there for you again.
He would find you.
And he would make sure your devotion would he his.
Not Tom's.
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Once Miguel was done with the canon disruption, he threw himself into a portal to get to you.
Your mic wasn't working, and your bio readings weren't available, and he could only assume you had switched off your watch.
Luckily, he had checked Tom's file before deleting it as you had requested.
He knew exactly where to go.
The sun had began to set on the horizon, engulfing the city in shades of orange that helped mask his movements across the innumerous rooftops. He refrained from using his web often, as the laser-like flashes would draw too much attention.
So he took it to jumping and clawing his way up the steep walls of the building opposite to where he lived on all fours, already being able to pick up some interference coming from your mic.
You were close.
"... you want me to leave."
Miguel reached the metal railing of an emergency exit, and balanced himself on it, feeling his heart stammering against his chest.
"You're so good at that, so go ahead."
From there, he was able to spot you in his apartments, near a window. He caugjt a glimpse of Tom and immediately decided he hated him.
He was scowling deeply at you, arms crossed, and words sharp as knives.
How dare he?
His claws were digging into the railing, and Miguel felt droplets of venom spill from his fangs.
This Tom individual wasn't even attractive to begin with, so he figured your previous attraction to him had to based on something else.
"You hurt me! You cannot do this and expect me to pretend nothing happened."
Clearly not based on personality.
Your voice was so low, Miguel was barely able to make it through the mic. "Tom... it was also hard for me..."
Miguel was visibly seething at this pint, wishing he could just drag you out of there. You deserved better than someome who didn't bother listening to you.
"Please leave."
There was a long pause and Miguel held his breath, not wanting to miss out on your reply.
"Don't do this..." you whispered, and he could hear the sadness in your words.
It was itching him to put an end to it.
But...
Deep down, Miguel knew you needed this. Closure. Even if things didn't go as you had hoped, you had tried your best to remedy this situation.
His heart hadn't wanted you to go visit Tom, but his mind spoke differently. He had to let you go to him, to have you as his.
A double-edged sword.
"You left me for months. Ignored me for months. You don't get to do this without a decent explanation," the idiot went on, further angering Miguel. "And since you don't want to tell me the truth, I want you gone."
This time, you cleared your throat and stormed out of the room, not exchanging another word.
Miguel considered dealing with Tom in his own way, but you came first.
He plunged from the rooftop and into a deserted alley, pacing quickly to meet you as you exited through the door, zipping up the hoodie that hid your suit underneath.
Miguel called after you, but you didn't turn to face him.
"I don't want to talk, Miguel."
Not wanting to be spotted by some passer-by, he urged you to walk into another alley.
"I heard some of it," he said softly once you were both out of sight.
You pressed your back against the wall, looking absolutely defeated. It was almost criminal that someone like you had to ever feel this way.
"You did what you could," he went on, placing one hand on your shoulder. "Maybe one day he'll understand."
Miguel didn't want him to be near you ever again, but he had to comfort you somehow.
You lowered your gaze and fixed it on a small puddle of water at your feet. "I deserve this."
"You do not."
"I don't want your pity."
He shook his head. "You won't have it."
In fact, he was willing to give you his heart if you'd take it. But he wouldn't dare say that out loud. Not in this moment.
He waited for your to make a move, but you remained quiet.
"Let's go back to Nueva York," he suggested, placing one hand on your shoulder.
You sobbed softly, and he saw a couple of teardrops drip from your face.
He just couldn't bear seeing you like this, so he took a step closer and you quickly wrapped your arms around him.
"Thank you... thank you, thank you..." you kept on repeating in between sniffles.
He held you tightly in absolute adoration and devotion. "I'm here for you."
"You're a great friend, Miguel..."
Friend.
That word made his heart sink violently.
"Just as a friend?"
There it was... his obsession for you creeping in.
You pulled away from his grip, teary eyes narrowing at him. "Oh... with benefits?"
That was somehow even worse.
Your face twisted into something else as you patted your face dry. "What do you want from me, Miguel?"
Anything.
Everything.
"Anything you're willing to give me," he said truthfully.
Maybe he shouldn't have been so straightforward, but he was merely answering your question. He didn't want to lie, and didn't want to go back to having to hide how he truly felt.
"I don't know if I can give you much more than this."
Your words lingered in the air after hitting him hard and he felt as though his body had been plunged into freezing water.
"Why?"
Your gaze wavered and you began chewing your lip. "Because I don't know if I'm ready for anything serious..."
Miguel straightened to his full height. "Anything you can give me... I'll take it."
He sounded desperate, and deep down he knew that it was probably working against him. Being intimate with you only could only satisfy him for so long if nothing was to come of it.
As much as his body yearned for you touch, his heart was seeking something that wasn’t skin-deep.
"Can I ask for something?"
Anything.
Everything.
He would give it all to you.
You cleared your throat. "I need time."
He could definitely work with that.
However...
"Do you... like being with me?" Miguel carefully asked. "And I'm not talking about being with me like earlier today." Your fluttering orgasm was proof enough.
Your eyes widened and he could tell you had not expected his bluntness. "Of course I do... I... just need time."
He pressed his lips together into a fine line. In truth, he didn't want to be just friends with you. He didn't crave that level of human connection. He needed much more than that from you.
"You only want me as a friend."
It wasn’t a question, and it sounded more like an accusation.
Was he being fair with you? Was he being fair with himself? These questions kept on looping inside his head, but his emotions had a stronger hold on him.
"I trust you," you said in a whisper. "I don't trust people easily."
That did ease some of the uneasiness within him, but he still wanted more. The grip of his obsession for you was tightening around him viciously, and it was getting harder for him to keep it at bay.
"Maybe I want more than that."
"Miguel..."
He leaned in, bending his head just enough for his lips to almost meet yours, searching for the comfort of your warmth.
He could feel you slipping through his fingers again.
You turned your head lightly and pressed a lingering kiss on his cheek instead.
His eyes fluttered shut, and the dreadful feeling that you were parting from him suddenly overcame him.
"Maybe you should go back..." you said after parting from him. "I'll stay here for a little while..."
"Because of Tom?" he could feel the poison dripping from his words.
You shook your head vehemently. "Because of me."
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Part 7
Masterlist
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yes-no-maybe-soo · 1 month ago
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I'll never get people who shit on MC for being "too mean" to Sylus.
She's not being "too mean". She is lovingly roasting him. Which is an important distinction. She loves Sylus, and would never say something that would for real hurt his feelings. Not intentionally.
And Sylus clearly loves her sassiness. Loves that she talks back. Loves that she gives as good as she gets.
The "gives as good as she gets" part is a detail that the "MC is too mean" crowd seem to overlook. Sylus isn't some fragile flower who just stands there silently holding back tears whilst MC is gagging him. Fellas, this is Sylus we're talking about. Mofo is sassy as hell, and just as smart mouthed as MC is, heck, arguably even more so. Some of his text messages alone are proof of this.
In other words, he bullies MC right back.
He basically outright says as much in the arcade "I won't bully you... here" but I will when we get home, is the obvious implication. B/c that's what they do. They enjoy indulging in more or less childish banter and witty back and forths. Affectionately taking the piss out of each other is canonically one of their love languages
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Besides, I think that Sylus likes it when MC is "mean" (ie talking back) to him. Not only is it a novelty to him — being as feared and powerful as he is — that someone would actually do that to him, but I believe he clearly enjoys it when MC smart mouths and humbles him, finding it amusing and hot. In a text message of his he even says that he wishes MC were bossier with him. He definitely doesn't want her to kiss his ass or constantly fall over herself for him, which is what certain players seem to expect and want from her.
Anyway, what I'm really trying to say is that I think it's funny that some are so quick to pile on MC when she is gagging Sylus, yet don't react at all when Sylus does the same to her 🤷‍♀️
Personally, I love this aspect of their relationship. They're both funny af. So many lines from Magnum Opus in particular has me wheezing. Their banter is honestly everything and I hope to see even more of it in future cards 😌
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apartmentsmoke · 6 months ago
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"Wait, wait, stop," Buck says, and the very pleasant feeling of Tommy's mouth on his neck vanishes.
"You okay?" Tommy's got his Look of Concern plastered on his face. Good thing, because if Buck is right, this is concerning.
"Yeah, it's just - did you hear that?"
Tommy raises his eyebrows. "I heard you moaning."
"Tommy, that's the thing - it wasn't me." The Look of Concern has morphed into the Look of Are-You-Sure-You're-Not-Having-Me-On? It's mostly used whenever Buck regales Tommy with tales of one of the 118's emergencies ("Nothing like that ever happened while I was there, Evan"), but he's seen it in other contexts (explaining the entire Kim situation).
"At this point, I think I know what you sound like in bed." Tommy's mouth is still nicely red. And maybe he's right, it was nothing, and it would be easy to fall back into him. Buck waits a beat, ears perked, but there's nothing - so he does press his lips into Tommy's, Tommy's body relaxing against him.
Tommy rubs his side like Buck's an anxious horse. The hair on Buck's arms slowly flattens, goosebumps leaving his skin. He loses himself in the slide of their kisses, until -
He breaks free of Tommy and looks around wildly, Tommy woah'ing.
"Sweetheart," Tommy says, reaching out again. "Seriously, you okay? Because you're giving Ghost Whisperer."
Buck snaps his fingers at Tommy. "Exactly. My apartment is haunted."
"Evan." The word is a drier desert than Antarctica.
"There was a moan again! And it wasn't me. And when Chimney and Mara and Jee were over here helping set up, they left the balcony door open. It's October. And now there is something living here."
"Last time I checked, Casper wasn't considered alive," Tommy says, and the look on his face tells Buck everything: he really is a skeptic. Falling asleep during Buck's thoughts on Area 51 wasn't just because he found Buck's voice soothing.
When Buck reaches for his phone on the bedside table, a chill runs down his arm and into his spine. "Okay." He's got Google, a helpful army of friends, and the ability to buy anything he needs. That ghost is history. "So first, we need to get -"
He's stopped by Tommy's hand on his wrist. "Baby, do we really need to figure out your ghost thing right now?"
"Do you want to fuck in front of a ghost, Thomas?"
"Is he a hot ghost?" Tommy waggles his eyebrows, then sighs. "Look, I get that this is important to you, but I was away for three weeks for that training camp and I missed you. Can we send The Flying Dutchman back to sea in a couple days? My place has a big bed and a distinct lack of the supernatural."
As they're closing the door to Buck's loft, another faint moan emanates from the air.
"It's the pipes," Tommy says, linking his arm into Buck's to guide them to his car.
(They find out three days later Tommy is technically correct when maintenance pulls a dead raccoon out of the walls of Buck's loft.
"Huh," Tommy says, frowning at his phone. "They really do make that noise."
"And they stink." Buck wrinkles his nose. "Your bed still open?"
By the time the landlord's finished the repairs, Buck's stuff, cleared out for the construction, is scattered over Tommy's house.
"It'd be a pain to pack it all up again," Tommy says. "Keep it here."
"You just want easy access to my hoodies," Buck accuses, feeling Tommy's laughter from underneath the fabric of the stolen blue hoodie he's wearing.
Two hours later, hoodie abandoned to the floor, Buck officially moves in.)
[thanks to @stardustbuck (Buck thinks he's haunted) and @theweewooshow (balcony raccoon) for the inspo 🫶]
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linddzz · 4 months ago
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I am slamming that validation button like a rodent wanting more sugar water so here's more mostly rough draft Jayvik.
A continuation of the nicknames fic. More science dorks being dorks, this time greatly featuring some seriously questionable boundaries between totally normal lab colleagues, and much more briefly featuring Viktor being so horny it makes him stupid. Also appearing is Jayce Talis, ADHD King and allusions to Viktor's past slut era. Both fics are a sort of preview chapter in the bigger thing @amahhi and I are working on!
Thank you to @avelera for planting the idea of platonically dubious scritches in my head, and for being a constant sounding board!
Rating: PG
Pair: Jayvik pre-relationship
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It continues to be surprising, how not surprising everything is when it comes to Jayce.
A week into the partnership, and that initial bright thrill of something new has not dulled in the slightest. Nor has the perfectly ordinary, easy comfort that he feels with Jayce. The un-remarkability of this calm is what makes it remarkable. With Jayce, there is none of the discomfort of dealing with another person. None of the abrasive tension that arises when Viktor must face other people as distinct personalities which he must contend with, instead of the larger concepts of People. People as an idea have problems that he can solve, whose suffering he can reduce without any needs for interaction causing issues.
But Jayce functions outside of these issues Viktor often finds himself in. Jayce slots into a space Viktor hardly knew existed, like there had always been this jagged edge to him that, to his great surprise, was actually part of a puzzle that Jayce had the other half to.
Past experience would have him expecting that, with time, the shine would wear off. The glow would dim. He would learn all the little faults and human contradictions of Jayce and would grow to feel that jagged tension return. Spending hours upon hours each and every day for a solid week with him have revealed Jayce’s little foibles, yet not one has grown into a frustration. In actuality, Viktor has had nothing but further data points to add weight to his newly forming thoughts of destiny and its relation to himself and Jayce. For each little fault and lacking Jayce has, Viktor can help. He can, perhaps, be the puzzle piece that returns the favor to fit neatly into Jayce's life.
For example, Jayce can grow blind to his surroundings, his mind too caught in their work. Viktor had assumed that the apartment was in the state he first found it in due to an explosive force of arcane power. He still thinks that, but he has learned that this great force was not the struck gem amplifying and reflecting the kinetic force aimed at it to exponential levels, but Jayce himself. He often forgets his keys, or his mugs, or his pencils behind an ear, his goggles on his head, his tools, everything but his journal really.
It was the third time that he left his keys in the lab (on top of twice that he came in groaning that he had locked himself out of his temporary housing), that Viktor realized what the pattern was, and that he could provide a solution.
Jayce had more important things to focus his mind on, so it was both useless and counterproductive to adjust Jayce’s behavior or habits so he could track the little necessities of life. Fortunately, Viktor is well practiced on keeping track of what he needs to. It’s a skill that was refined when he first used it to avoid detection in the Academy, and then even further developed as Professor Heimerdinger’s assistant. When Jayce left his keys behind again, the answer was simple and obvious. They were already missing from Jayce’s person, so Viktor simply took them to the sort of establishment in the lanes that would never ask any questions, but would always make a perfect copy of any keys brought to them.
Jayce’s keys were neatly returned to him, and Viktor took no small delight in waiting for the next time Jayce smacked his forehead as they left for the day, realizing that he had once again locked himself out of his rooms, to reveal his backups. There was a brief moment, where Jayce stared at the keys hanging from Viktor’s finger, when he worried in a flash that this was not something a friend or colleague should do, that he had overstepped in some way. Then Jayce snorted with his grin, called Viktor brilliant if a little terrifying, but mostly brilliant, and everything was perfect.
The key was only for Jayce’s temporary rooms in the Academy housing, but Viktor could make another set once the apartment repairs were complete, even if it seems wasteful to have Jayce eventually move out of the building that Viktor lives in.
Jayce is also wonderful at taking notes for his work, but less skilled at going back to reorganize or refine those notes. His notes are exemplary, even with the little flair of him signing every single page, but it leads to problems.
These problems are their current struggle in the cramped space of their semi-lab at some odd hour of the night. Viktor stands and contemplates the board crowded with copies of Jayce’s notes, additional observations both have about that first successful arcane spell, and Viktor’s little chalked notes next to clusters of paper denoting what sections of an article each goes to. Behind him, Jayce is not exactly pacing, which would require repeating of one path, but he is in a constant state of muttering movement with occasional bursts of frustration over paperwork.
Because they can make a fully stable arcane frame that affects the gravity within the dean’s office, but that means nothing to the academy if it is not properly written and submitted for review. They are on their fourth draft of the paper, and the initial excitement over being published has dwindled with every draft that has been returned with Heimerdinger’s cheerful blue ink slashed across the pages. One of Jayce’s faults, Viktor is finding, is that he does not take such things gracefully. It takes the second set of revisions for Viktor to realize that pride is not the primary hurt that Jayce feels, but the thread of anxiety Viktor had seen woven through Jayce’s journal. The need to prove himself, and the fear of impending failure at every turn.
“How else do they want me to explain it?” Jayce groans, and Viktor does not need to turn around to know that the perfectly clean cut hair is likely sticking out in every direction.
“I was hoping the Professor would not have edited “crank it” so quickly out of the methodology.” Viktor muses. That was his greatest disappointment. “I am deeply curious on how he expects us to find half of the citations he has requested for this entirely new scientific field.”
“And when the Academy insists there aren’t more tomes on mage lore!” Jayce snarls.
“We will have to expand outside of the Academy in the future.” Viktor agrees, turning a little to once again look over the taped up pages of their latest draft and what blue marks are where. “However, I think a more concrete description of the runic array you conducted into the stabilizer may be our ticket past many of the other issues he has found.”
Instead of grumblings or more huffed complaints, a heavy weight thumps onto Viktor’s shoulder. He pauses, realizing immediately that it is Jayce’s head that has slumped against him, and Jayce’s impressive body heat against his back indicating that there is, at most, a few inches of space between them.
“I don’t know how.” Jayce groans, but it’s less petulant and quieter, almost fearful. “I don’t know how to describe what I did.”
“Hm.” Is all Viktor can say in that exact moment. He is, briefly, distracted by Jayce’s hair brushing against his jaw with the strong scent of some sort of…of fancy wood. It is not an unpleasant scent.
“Sorry.” Jayce mutters. “Sorry, I know you’re not touchy I just- gimme a second I gotta think.”
“That’s perfectly alright.” Viktor assures him. It is alright. Jayce is correct that Viktor is not nearly as tactile as Jayce is, but he is at this point well acquainted with Jayce’s propensity towards touch. His own lack of aversion or any other strong reaction to it was one of the earliest surprises in their partnership. “Take your time gathering your thoughts. This is a far less dire circumstance than that first stabilization was.”
“You told me there was no pressure then.” Jayce mumbles, already sounding a little less miserable.
“That is because I was lying.” Viktor hums, delighted at the snort he gets, and the way he can feel Jayce’s movement from the small laugh.
“Seriously V, I just remembered that night, remembered what the mage looked like and what all the magic looked like and I…did the same thing. But it wasn’t the same thing, because no one got teleported. I don’t even know if what I did was a spell.” Viktor thinks he can feel the resonance of Jayce’s voice through his core, spreading in waves from the point where Jayce’s forehead presses down at the top edge of his shoulder.
The distraction is not a true distraction however, because Viktor catches something in what Jayce is muttering. “You can remember how he moved, what the runes he summoned looked like?”
“I remember everything about that night.”
“Yes but-” There is something here. He has already seen Jayce's remarkable skill at memorizing things that Jayce deems worth memorizing. If Jayce says he can remember it, Viktor does not doubt it. “The order of them, could you remember that?”
The head on Viktor’s shoulder shifts as Jayce rolls it slightly to one side, but he doesn’t move it in the other to shake his head. It’s a contemplative movement. “Maybe…I think so. Let me...ok this is going to sound so weird but can I just uh, hang out here for a second? It helps me think.”
“By all means.” There’s something particularly marvelous about becoming a stabilizing agent for Jayce’s mind, he would be a fool not to agree to the opportunity. As Jayce calibrates himself, Viktor once again considers their paper, the problems it has given them. Jayce had moved the dial of the stabilizing framework like a conductor, with precision. Heimerdinger wants written out theories and explanations and citations, but what if they could instead find a formula. What if the precision of Jayce’s input could be broken down into components and quantified…
His free hand moves with habitual lack of awareness to where it would usually begin fiddling with his own hair, and it takes a few moments for him to notice the slight change in both texture and location of the hair he is rolling between his fingertips. Even then, he only notices because Jayce’s head becomes an even heavier weight on his shoulder.
“Ah, apologies.” He says, stopping the movement, thinking this might be a thing to feel awkward about. “Force of habit, it helps me think.”
“No, s’fine.” Jayce says, voice thicker in a way that is dangerous for Viktor’s higher thought processes. “It’s nice, actually. I don’t mind.”
After a second, Viktor continues. This time he notes the finer texture of Jayce’s hair. It’s very soft, sleek almost, with traces of the gel he uses to style it making sections of stiffness that crunch away under Viktor’s fingers.
“You smell nice.” Jayce mumbles.
A response to that requires some consideration. Viktor…considers.
There was a time, not all that long ago, where he would have leapt on someone with Jayce’s build telling him he smelled good while standing a scant inch away from Viktor. He would have assumed that the intent was for him to leap. Viktor is more discriminating than he used to be about sexual escapades, mostly because he began finding the nights spent on dalliances not worth the distractions, but even he can admit that if Jayce had put a head on his shoulder and told him he smelled good a week ago, Viktor would know exactly how to respond. It would have involved leaning back against that broad heat, turning lightly twirling fingers into a fist in Jayce’s hair, then gleefully seeing where things went from that point.
But now…
Jayce fits in like a missing puzzle piece. Whatever Jayce is, it is not one of Viktor’s brief encounters. Viktor would want to tell Jayce he didn’t need to get his apartment repaired, when Viktor lives much closer to the lab and things would be much more efficient if they lived together. Viktor can be wildly in love with this man in every definition of love that exists, but romantic or sexual entanglements (and if there is one, Viktor very much wants the other as well) often end. In Viktor’s personal experience, they ended before morning, and that was only considering the sexual entanglement. Heightened intimacy was desperately tempting, but it risked a greater end to the entire partnership. Even if nothing ever started, a proposition alone could forever poison what there already is.
Jayce is tactile in a very casual way. He flirts with everything that smiles at him for more than three seconds, and there has been nowhere near enough data for Viktor to calculate the risk of losing that side of the puzzle, or how much of a reward he would gain from taking that risk.
“Thank you.” He says eventually, slow and still considering. Then, because that feels incomplete and awkward, he adds, “I use soap.
Jayce snorts again, the head on Viktor’s shoulder shaking as Jayce’s body shakes with quiet laughter. Viktor knows he is shaking with it, because every other hitch up of Jayce’s shoulders causes a tiny sway forward, which bumps Jayce’s chest against Viktor’s back. Each of these millisecond bits of contact makes Viktor once again run through the considerations of risk versus reward in relation to getting his hands on that chest. Under the shirt. He would need both hands. There is an awful lot of chest, after all. Maybe both hands and his mouth. Definitely all three. It really is so much chest.
He takes the fantastic effort to rein his mind away from Jayce’s prodigious chest, even more effort to pull it further from contemplating the amount of shoulder matching that chest and what the rest of the torso probably looks like. There should be a response in kind to Jayce’s. A friendly compliment to return a compliment.
“Your hair is very soft.” He decides, as that seems safe as well as relevant to Jayce's compliment. Jayce’s silent laughter turns into some small hitched sounds that near a squeak, which means that Viktor’s thoughts are successfully pulled away from the sexual distractions, but only into the romantic sort.
“Thank you.” Jayce says with a dreadful mimic of Viktor’s accent, which only strengthens Viktor’s resolve to not take any uninformed risks that could lead to him losing this, “I use a leave-in conditioner.”
Viktor’s hand drops from Jayce’s hair, and he turns his head as much as he can to shoot a baffled look at the top of Jayce’s head.
“Why the fuck would you leave in a hair conditioner?” He asks, affronted. “Conditioner already feels dreadful. It’s heavy and slimy, absolutely horrendous.”
Jayce shoots up (which is a shame) so that he can lean around and give Viktor a look of equal outrage. “What does- Viktor it’s a different thing from- do you not use conditioner!?”
“Of course not. It feels terrible, I already said that.” Jayce makes a pained sound, and Viktor waves him off. “Enough of that nonsense. It is a waste of time. I have an idea.”
Jayce moves up next to him, facing Viktor with an intent eagerness. “What is it?”
“You are going to describe to me exactly what you remember. Each rune, each movement, as much as you can.” Another thought occurs to him, and Viktor snatches his cane from where it’s leaning on the board so he can turn to the inert stabilizing frame sitting on a table. “And I want you to dial in the stabilizer as you did in Heimerdinge’s lab as you do so. I will record everything. I believe there may be something we can measure, some sort of constant in the timing and the runes used, a way to-”
“We can make it an equation.” Jayce interrupts, breathless and awed, knowing what Viktor is thinking without Viktor needing to explain any of it. He so deeply wishes Heimerdinger had let them keep “crank it” in the paper. “Something concrete.”
“Precisely. The runes are instructions, a code. Perhaps the clockwise and counter-clockwise cycles of them are additional instructions. We can use your stable field as a baseline to begin working on a formula.”
“We can give them a solid theorum.” Jayce is already rushing to the stabilizing frame, even recreating the hunched over pose he had that wondrous night. “Okay, tell me when you’re ready.”
Any thoughts on conditioner or smells are gone. In the future, it will be as common as breathing for them to be drawn together when they need help thinking. Jayce’s head will always find Viktor’s shoulder, and Viktor will learn that playing with Jayce’s hair further settles his restless mind and channels his thoughts towards solutions. Whatever else there is, the most important goal to further all other goals of Viktor’s life is to keep the partnership. In the partnership there is the work, the thrill. The endless infinitesimal ways they fit together, two pieces destined to find the other. In the moment, Viktor takes up his notes and marvels again on the nature of fate, of probability, and of magic.
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rederiswrites · 11 months ago
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Okay so I'm giving @corseque 's super-important audio of all Solas' comments about the Blight a second (or fifteenth, whatever) listen and taking notes as I go.
Solas doesn't think for a second that once the archdemons are gone the Blight will be gone. Which really makes sense because it's the Blight that makes them an archdemon, not the other way around. Supposedly, they're blighted when the darkspawn reach and corrupt them. But of course that begs the question of why it's only darkspawn (and uh, honorary darkspawn like the Wardens) that hear their call. Anyway, the way he says it, it sounds more like the archdemons are a limiting factor than a driving factor.
Varric: "What's so confusing about endless darkspawn?" Solas: "A great deal!" So yeah, whatever the plan was, he didn't foresee darkspawn as a consequence. So did he not foresee them existing at all, or not foresee them being free to cause problems? Worth noting that it's really clear both in general and in Descent that dwarves as a whole were a huge blind spot for him.
He is really really surprised that the Western Approach ever recovered from the Blight. Pretty clear he didn't think that was possible.
He thinks that everything the Wardens have done up til now is a deeply misguided effort that's served (mostly accidentally) as a delaying tactic. Gotta say, with the information we have at hand, this point pairs about as well with the last as a nice dry red with spicy pickles. If the Wardens shouldn't have done what they've done, but he didn't think recovery from the Blight was possible, I'd love to hear what he thought the alternative was.
Same dialogue as above, but when Solas talks about stopping the Blight and when Blackwall and Varric talk about it, one gets the distinct impression that they're talking at cross purposes, because Varric and Blackwall are talking about the experience of Blights, as in, periodic events, whereas I think Solas is talking about THE Blight, that is, its true nature, which is yet untouched.
He thinks Erimond is dumb as shit, which is fair and valid. "That's madness! For all we know, killing the Old Gods could make things even worse!" he says. Well, he knows a lot more than "we" know, but it's entirely possible that he doesn't for sure know this. Increasingly clear that he thinks it, though.
I'd forgotten just how pissed off he was about the Grey Warden plan to kill the Old Gods before they were corrupted. It really doesn't give "hey you're killing my relatives" energy. It really gives "wow that would fuck us all" vibes.
Of course, with a side of my remembering that Solas' besetting flaw was always thinking people should know better even though they don't have access to the knowledge he has. That flaw I WILL grant. He displays it repeatedly--you could even say the writers went out of their way to make the point.
"The Blight is the real problem"
"The fools who first unleashed the Blight on this world thought they were unlocking ultimate power." Anyway yeah those are the absolute core of everything here. The Blight is the real problem and the Blight was deliberate. Deliberately made or deliberately freed.
Even during the events of Inquisition, Solas obviously sees Corypheus as secondary to the Blight as a danger.
Cassandra suggests that the archdemons were really just dragons--"Pets to those who no longer exist", by which she probably means the Old Gods, not specifically the gods of Elvhen, just because of her cultural background. Solas finds this suggestion amusingly wrong--a quiet snort, and "I would not go so far as that."
Last notes: he doesn't sound like he thinks the Blight can be stopped, and he's adamant that it can't be controlled. Which is presumably why he broke the world in an attempt to contain it, assuming I'm right that that was the underlying reason for the Veil. That it didn't quite work the way he'd hoped is also pretty evident, though I wanna be clear that I assume he was working from a place of desperation, and that not knowing every possible outcome of an action is not a condemnation of having taken it.
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superbat-lmao · 3 months ago
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Bruce shows up at the Kent farm because he wants Martha’s blessing to marry her son.
It’s an outdated custom, but Clark is sentimental about the oddest things, so Bruce resigns himself to it.
He made sure to show up in some of his most relaxed clothes and brought some of Alfred’s cooking. To anyone else he would appear to be any random passerby, which was the objective. Ma Kent expressed a distinct distaste for Bruce’s masks, either as Brucie or Batman.
It was difficult to hide his nerves.
He hoped by following all of her past critiques of him he would pass muster. You aren’t at a board meeting, million dollar suits have no place in a pig pen, or, You must bring that butler of yours with you, I would love to trade recipes.
When Martha eventually opened the door she smiled easily until she really took in his appearance.
“Bruce! What’s happened? Are you alright? Where’s Clark?”
Caught off guard, Bruce blinks.
“No Mrs. Kent, it’s just me. I had something I wanted to discuss with you-”
“Dressed like that? And what have you got there?”
“Alfred sent it with me. Everything’s alright, I just wanted to abide by your suggestions.”
He bears her scrutiny for 37 seconds before being ushered inside. He cannot stop himself from going over his actions and the best course for rectifying them. He is unaware of what would be a cause for such concern.
She fusses over him and Alfred’s dish until he is sat at her kitchen table, empty handed.
“So, Bruce, honey, what was it you wanted to talk about? Must be important if it got you to fly all the way out here by yourself. Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you, but you boys are a rare sight indeed these days.”
Without appearing obvious, Bruce tries to brace himself for a moment. The words are difficult for him to say, and Martha’s kindness has always been hard to bear the full brunt of.
“I had hoped to discuss something with you.”
There is no exasperated sigh, but he does see her patience at his silence as he tries to string together what he’d like to say.
“I would like to ask for your blessing.”
Martha’s eyebrows pinch together for less than a second before her face slackens in surprise. Bruce does his best not to fidget, or indeed move a muscle.
“My blessing.”
“Yes.”
“In marriage.”
“Yes.”
“To Clark.”
“Yes.”
Martha sits down on the chair across from him, keeping a hand on its armrest to steady herself.
“Goodness.”
Martha turns almost mechanically to face him. He still hasn’t moved.
“You haven’t discussed this with him?”
“Two years ago we discussed the institution of marriage and its surrounding customs as part of a mission involving marital law.”
“But you haven’t discussed the possibility of you two getting married on Earth?”
“No.”
Martha holds the fabric of the table cloth between her thumb and forefinger, pressing it against itself to make slow circles.
“Why do you think you need my blessing?”
There is a distinct pause as Bruce thinks this over.
“Clark values your opinion as well as Earth’s customs. It is not exactly standard practice, nor a custom rooted in a particularly ethical social mores, but it is one I think he would see sentimental value in. If I have overstepped-”
Martha is kind enough to cut him off.
“No, no, no. It’s just. You’ve really surprised me is all.”
“I will, of course, submit to any questions or trials you require to illustrate my sincerity.”
Her forehead wrinkles as her eyebrows race toward her hairline. It’s a look Clark has made after some of Bruce’s more severe injuries when he had suggested returning to patrol. It is endearing to see where he gets it from.
“Trials.”
“Any requirements or standards that I must meet.”
“Ah.”
They lapse back into silence for 3 minutes and 12 seconds before Martha sighs gently. A cold feeling passes through Bruce at the realization he has somehow already failed.
“I’m so sorry honey. This is just such a surprise. I think I have a couple of questions for you, but I had just never considered anyone would be asking for my blessing. Being a Mother of the groom doesn’t usually have that in the job description. Is there a reason you picked Earth customs instead of Kryptonian ones? Clark says you’ve spent an awful lot of time in that ship of his.”
“Kryptonian marriage customs do not place emphasis on courting rituals, only the ceremony itself. I had planned to ask Clark if he wanted us to follow them or incorporate them into Earth’s customs or even forgo customs altogether, but that’s only a consideration if he accepts. As it stands, I would estimate there are two aspects of Kryptonian marriage customs he would likely incorporate and a majority he would be disinclined to, given his current frequency of preference for Earth customs. Although I have prepared everything in case he does wish to follow Kryptonian customs.”
“Prepared everything?”
“I would have to substitute the Hall of Justice for the Palace of Marriage, but I have done my best to acquire a jewel from Diana that could stand in for the Jewel of Truth and Honor. I have also acquired rings or bands to the specifications of custom, depending on his preference, and commissioned the parental statues.”
“Parental statues-?”
“However, I estimate that Clark would choose that option if Superman got married. I believe his original preference would be to have a ceremony here. Though if he agreed to a ceremony with media presence, it would likely be at the manor. I do think he may find three separate weddings to be excessive, but if he did want more I would be willing to-”
“Bruce!”
He paused, looking up from the checkered pattern of the tablecloth to see Martha smiling, faintly. The cold feeling had spread while he was talking and he tried to push it away.
“Honey, I think I’ve done a poor job of this. Maybe it shouldn’t have been a shock, you showing up here dressed like you work in town, with a home cooked meal and detailed wedding plans, but you must forgive me. I feel my age catching up to me sometimes and it can take a minute for my brain to catch up with you youngsters.”
She rubbed at her eyes for a moment before continuing.
“Lord knows that Clark was always an idealist, he was a happy child who loved so much. I used to quite literally have to ask him to come down from the clouds.”
“I don’t think I have ever met another person as grounded as you are. Literally, Clark has told me stories about that cave of yours. All that to say, in my own marriage, Jonathan and I tried to strike a balance.”
She paused, looking out the window in the kitchen for a moment.
“I think the both of you have polar opposite approaches to the same thing. That your practicality balances out his optimism. And that he is a counterbalance to your cynicism.”
“I am so proud of the both of you boys. To have found each other and support each other. That boy loves absolutely, and while I can’t speak for him, I would support him in whatever decision he would make.”
“But I have also come to know you and your children. I see your dedication and commitment to everything you put your mind to. Family is important to you, and I am glad my son has met someone who loves as fiercely as he does, even if it looks a little different on the outside.”
Martha’s hand reaches across the table and folds neatly over his own. Bruce finds it’s the easiest thing in the world to match her smile.
“Of course you have my blessing. I’m sorry if I made you think you didn’t. It’s just that “bat-preparedness” as Kon puts it, is a bit beyond my speed. I’m so glad you came by. I’d be delighted if you stuck around for a while to really explain to me what some of those ceremonies entail, but then I don’t know how much time you set aside today.”
The cold feeling had morphed into a warm sort of liquid, like Alfred’s hot chocolate. Slowly, Bruce relaxed his muscles and posture to be more at ease.
“Thank you. I would love to stay. My schedule is free for the next few days actually. I had been planning to ask if you wanted anything done around the place, or for me to take a look at that tractor again. Jon mentioned you were having trouble with it and I know none of my boys have been by in a few weeks or I’d have asked them to take a look.”
Martha leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Bruce’s temple, effectively stunning him for a moment. She laughed at the look on his face.
“Oh you sap, you better get used to it. Come on, you’ll have to show me how you’re setting that thing to rights each time.”
As they got up and made their way towards the tractor, Martha asked one final question.
“I’m surprised Clark didn’t stop by halfway through your explanations. He told me he showed up once during one of your patrols unannounced because your heartbeat suddenly picked up. Lois made fun of him for weeks. How did you know he wouldn’t be listening?”
Bruce smiled slightly as he rolled up his sleeves to take a look at the well worn machinery.
“Easy. I’m on light duty for the next two weeks and the rest of the League got called on a mission for the Lantern Corps. He won’t be anywhere near this solar system for at least four more days. Perfect opportunity to stop by.”
Martha snorted beside him as he pointed out the different systems. She was warm and solid next to him, something that made him smile and think distinctly of family.
Bonus Below the Cut: Kryptonian Marriage Customs from Google.
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