#and why rick would choose the changes he did

[ineverlovedyouinvain]

one of the critiques I saw about the PJO show was that we lost Annabeth in the first two episodes. She was supposed to show Percy around, explain the camp and how claiming/parentage works, and just build up their friendship. But I'm here to play devils advocate for a minute and say that I'm glad they switched it to luke. In fact, I understand exactly why Rick chose to do it.

We're getting what, 8-9 episodes per season? Maybe 10-11 if we're lucky? (I haven't actually seen what they were contracted for so) There's a looooot of content to fit in to those episodes, and one of the bigger things we need to experience very quickly, is Luke and Percy's dynamic. We need to see how Luke sees the gods and camp. We need to see how both of them carry an anger at their father, and why they do. We need to see how Luke was at the end of the day, just a boy abandoned by someone who was supposed to love and protect him. And we need to see how Percy can see both sides of him because of their similarities and overwhelming differences. Accounting for pacing & what needs to be shown in the first 1.5 hours of the show, it makes much more sense for Percy to spend this time with Luke.

We're going to have the entire rest of the show to watch Annabeth, Percy, and Grover connect and bond. We're not going to have much time to see and understand Luke, who we NEED to understand for the ending of the series to make sense (and even the ending of the season). So, any moment they can take to deepen that understanding, they're going to.

I think it was a good choice by Rick, and with how hard he's fought for the public to accept and love Leah as Annabeth, I highly doubt he's diminishing her space in the story. I think he's solely picking and choosing small parts to change to make sure the plot has the biggest impact it can.

[sleepyangelkami]

BRO I NEEDDD MORE OF PERVERTED!!!! OMG LIKE YOUR MIND>>>>>

PERVERTED III c.grimes

 𝜗𝜚 WORD COUNT - 3.6K

CARL GRIMES X FEM!READER

 𝜗𝜚 SUMMARY - after the perverted thoughts consume carl whole, he realises he needs to act on them and soon finds out that you need him to act on them just as badly.

 𝜗𝜚 WARNINGS - smut, heavy innocence kink, corruption kink, pervert!carl, fingering, dom!carl, sub!reader, size kink, pussy eating, cum eating, aged up characters, thigh riding-ish, manipulative carl, praise kink, petnames, use of y/n, intended lower case, nothing i write is ever proofread 🩷

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after that night in your bedroom, carl was downright desperate.

he realised that he needed to act upon his thoughts before it drove him over the edge of insanity. but there you were, prancing around in your little skirts and dresses, ditzy as ever. how was he ever supposed to explain his need to you?

that was just it, he was going to have to show you.

carl had been your best friend for a long time. you could trust him with anything in the world and carl would know if you'd ever done anything. that was the beauty in it. your innocence was bliss.

you were so innocent to the corrupt minds around you, not a single notion of the horrid thoughts of others. not a clue in your mind of just what carl wanted to do to you. no what he needed to do to you.

he knew he was going to have to ease you into it.

the first time carl had let you feel anything was during a rainy night of alexandria. the clouds were dull and full, slapping down on the outside windows. rick and michonne were on yet another supply run, no surprise there, and you and carl had been put in charge of taking care of judith.

it wasn't until she had been laid down asleep in bed that carl began to shift his mind back to you.

the clouds dulled until they were long gone. the night sky had settled in.

the tv displaying pretty images illuminated the room as you sat on carl's lap. when he'd asked if you'd like to sit there, it came as no surprise. you'd sat on carl's lap tonnes of times. whether it was just you two alone, sitting on the bed or perhaps you were in public, choosing to sit on his thigh rather than the bench occupied by the others.

however, what you didn't know was carl had much more in store for you than just watching the stupid movie that was playing.

you were engrossed in the flashing pictures, watching as each changed to another. you were the type of person to pay all your attention to one thing at a time, finding it hard to focus on more than one.

that was when your attention shifted.

it was a mere, 'innocent', bounce of carl's knee.

he did it as some sort of a test. he'd waited until you were so interested in the movie to do it. your two thighs had splayed at either side of his own. he'd waited until your cunt was snug on the jeans of his leg to rub it gently against you.

and by the sudden breath that left your lips, he deemed that you were almost as satisfied as he was.

nevertheless, you shook the feeling. you assumed the boy beneath you was merely trying to get comfortable so you tried to do the same, writhing yourself in the slightest.

that was when the smallest of whimpers left your mouth. with wide eyes, you clamped your mouth shut, hoping carl hadn't heard. "you okay?" he spoke softly in your ear, alerting you that he had heard.

only, you weren't trying to do anything wrong. like i said, you'd sat on carl's lap tonnes of times. but this time seemed... different. you were suddenly hyper aware of your skirt that was riding up ever so slightly and the way that fixing your position on his leg felt... good?

being in an apocalypse and all, you never really got too much education on... down there.

that was what carl was for, you supposed. he was basically your teacher in everything, any question you had went directly to him.

but what you did know was that parts like that were private and not to be shared. which is why you merely let out a small 'mhm' to indicate that you were, in fact, okay.

"alright." he mumbled back, his voice low as if not to disturb the serenity of the room.

you let a breath out, relaxing once more onto his leg.

carl knew he could have stopped there, letting you be all confused for the rest of the evening on just what that feeling you had was. but he didn't know how much you'd taken in, he needed to make sure that the feeling you felt was going to stick.

which was why he waited mere seconds before bouncing his leg again, like a kid in class riddled with ADHD.

you'd seen carl bouncing his leg like a maniac many times before. he'd do it under a table when he was nervous or angry or anything really. he often cracked his knuckles even when there was no air left to crack and shook his legs like there was no tomorrow. carl was always moving.

so how could you tell him to stop?

what would you even say?

did you even want him to stop?

there was an odd feeling in your stomach as he continued to bounce his leg up and down, hitting smoothly against your covered area. your breathing picked up but you did everything in your will to steady it.

some called carl grimes an ADD nightmare, this was a normal thing for him.

why was it suddenly not so normal for you?

perhaps it was the way his chin gently rested on your shoulder, gentle breath hitting against your neck or the way his hands soothed around your waist, his own calloused hands against your gentle skin where your satin dress lay on top.

the skirt of your dress bounced with every bounce of his leg too, exposing more of your thighs with each steady movement.

he was calculating and gentle, as if he knew you were becoming dizzy.

your throat itched too. you couldn't fathom why though you had a feeling it was a noise trying to crawl out.

you couldn't so much as stop yourself before your hands outstretched onto his thigh, stopping his movements.

he did so with the slightest smirk on his lips, knowing he'd gotten you exactly where you wanted. the way your thighs gently shook around him, you wouldn't so much as turn around. oh yes, you'd definitely felt it.

before he could question you in that gentle, condescending tone, the front door could be heard unlocking.

"gotta get my jacket." was the mumble that fell from your mouth as you helped yourself off of the boy's leg, grasping the pretty coat that sat on the other couch, where you'd originally been sitting. carl got up too, glancing down to his thigh. it was a wonder that there wasn't a large wet splotch on his jeans.

shortly after, rick and michonne entered the house, looking tired as ever. they asked a couple questions about judith, making sure you'd both been taking care of her right before they found themselves stating that they were heading up to bed.

carl gave somewhat of a disgusted look to the way they were looking at eachother. he din't even want to imagine what they'd be getting up to the minute they stepped into the bedroom.

"you sure you don't wanna stay the night?" he questioned, walking you to the front door of his home. you didn't live too far away which was the only reason he was letting you walk out in the dark alone. with his luck, he'd see you getting settled into your house while he still stood at the door.

you looked up at him with slightly wide eyes, you looked a little dazed. your hands were holding eachother behind your back, ignoring the feeling throbbing through your cunt. how had he done something so simple and left you feeling like this? "mhm." you hummed.

he gave you a look. "and you're positive you're okay?" tilting his head. "you seem a little off." he knew exactly why you were off.

but you weren't going to let anything on. "no, i'm okay." nodding your head, trying to convince both him and yourself.

"you know you can talk to me about anything, right baby?" he stepped forward, his words a little quieter as he spoke to you. his eyes flickered down to your bottom lip between your top teeth. "anything at all..."

you looked like you were contemplating, unsure if it was exactly appropriate to share with anyone even if it was just your best friend.

though your eyes quickly turned back to rick who was now standing in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water. "I'm okay." you quickly quipped.

rick turned around, swallowing the water. "you off, y/n?" you nodded, swallowing thickly. "right, night then, and thanks again for watching judith."

"anytime." you mumbled back, eyes flickering up to carl. "g'night, carl."

"night, angel." and so, you left.

the sky rose just as soon as it had gone down. carl hadn't steadied his movements since. hours passed, merging into days and carl was getting braver by the second. he couldn't help it, you were like putty, just so easy to mold.

by the time the saturday sleepover rolled around again, the boy was near ecstatic.

he'd gotten you exactly where he wanted in many ways, with little fluttering touches and words whispered gently, that could have been taken in any way. but he must say, his favourite place to have you was sat atop his thigh, gently bumping against it as he shook it from the ground.

he did it again now, maggie and glenn were long gone on yet another supply run, stocking up on the foods. they wouldn't be home until the next morning, possibly the morning after that.

but there simply wasn't anything else carl could think about other than the girl sat perched on his thigh. your hands were near your stomach, fiddling with themseleves, pulling on your fingers gently, contemplating.

carl didn't stop the bounce of his knee, moving it so accurately that you could feel a pool forming in your panties. you'd never felt like this before. and you were sure that carl knew this too.

this was the longest he'd ever done it, he should have stopped ages ago, knowing he didn't wish to push you too far. however, your little shaky breaths had his head spinning, he couldn't stop, not now.

you were contemplating asking him to stop. something about his shaking leg beneath you had you feeling awfully funny. but you couldn't decipher if it was a good feeling or not. besides, you couldn't understand why it was that his moving leg had your head feeling dizzy.

"carl?" your mouth got the better of you. it was supposed to come out as a steady question, voice stable, however, it came out more breathless than you'd intended, a slight whine to the back of your throat.

carl's hands had gently been resting against your waist. "hm?" he took the hint to stop, though.

beneath you, his leg froze.

your mind went sort of fuzzy then, that was when you realised it had, in fact, been a good feeling. your mind raced back to moments ago when the wet patch was forming on your satin panties. you couldn't even register what was going on before you slid yourself against his leg, not once, not even twice.

"sweetheart?" his voice was soft, calculated. it had you realising what you were doing, but still, your aching cunt dragged across his jeaned leg. "what're you doing? hm?"

a breath fell from your lips. you gently willed yourself to stop your movements before turning your face to the boy. you had pinched brows, lips bitten, desperation written all over your face. "carl, i―" the words left had you frowning.

carl merely rubbed his fingers against your waist. "somethin' wrong?" he questioned softly. "'s just me, you can tell me, baby."

and suddenly, it was your last straw.

but carl had already known that.

he'd moved his hands so gently around you for the past week, bounced you against his thigh every chance he got and whispered meak things to you, calling you such pretty names. he knew sooner or later you were bound to snap.

"you..." you let out a sigh, eyes avoiding the boy. "you can't laugh."

without a second thought, carl's fingers hooked themselves beneath your chin, angling your face up and forcing you to look at him. "'m not gonna laugh at you, angel." and his comforting features looked as though they were telling nothing but the truth. "jus' tell me what's going on."

you sighed, trying to avert your eyes. "everytime you bounce your leg... it feels funny." you tried to keep your voice as low as possible, throat closing and your cheeks heating up. it was hard trying to keep your composure in font of him, especially when talking about such a private thing.

"yeah?" seemingly unfazed by what you'd told him. "where's it feel funny?" again, your cheeks heated up, only this time you were sure that you were as red as a tomato. "baby, i can't help you if you don't tell me."

and you were sure you needed his help. after all, he was the only one that had made you feel so... worked up. instead of uttering a word, you practically whined before pushing your head into his shirt covered chest. you grasped his hand, sucking in as you guided it downwards.

carl couldn't help but smirk as you moved his hand to cup your shorts-covered cunt. you whimpered at the touch of his hand, quickly moving your own away, as if scared you were going to mess something up.

carl placed his palm against the pale shorts, his thumb moving up towards your clit and gently drawing circles. you whined loudly. "here's where it feels funny, huh?" you nodded your head quickly, breaths falling ragged as his gentle, tight circles moved against your clit. "y'gonna answer me?"

"y-yes." coming out as more of a moan rather than an answer. you were suddenly thankful that maggie and glenn were nowhere to be found in the house.

there was a sudden smile splayed on his lips. "good girl." he mumbled, sending electric shocks through your body and right down to your aching pussy. you couldn't understand how two simple words were enough to have you rutting your hips against the boys hands.

though instantly, your face heated again. embarrassment flooded you as you realised what was happening, stinging tears finding it's way to your eyes. "carl." you spluttered out, whimpering as you did so. carl merely shushed you, his free hand coming down to land on the back of your hair, holding your head close to it's place on his chest.

"wh's wrong, baby?" he waited for a response, all you could give him was a second whimper. "want me to stop?"

"no!" was your much too enthusiastic response that had his lips curving upwards. so you did want it as much as he did. "no, please don't stop."

"then tell me what you want." you shied away, cheeks evidently rosy and pink. but you didn't utter a word, much too sheepish.

suddenly, the feeling he was giving to your clit completely stopped. his hand still hung low but they didn't touch you. the whine you let out had your eyes turning glassy. he reminded you that he'd asked you to tell him what you wanted. but you could barely hear his voice now, mind too clouded with the previous pleasure. "f-felt..." your own hand attempted to replace his, rubbing at your covered cunt but it didn't give you the pleasure his had.

you felt his hand reach up and snap your wrist between his fingers, stopping your movements. "you wanna feel good, huh?" you nodded your head, tears stinging. "then the only hands that get to touch you are mine, understood?" you nodded before he squeezed on your wrist, not hard enough to hurt. "understood?"

"yes." was the breathless word as his fingers let go of your wrist.

"now, tell me what you want." almost instantly, his stern voice had disappeared and turned into one of softness again. it was almost scary how quickly he could turn from one demeanour to another. but you were much too hazy now to question anything.

you breathed heavily, cheeks warm. but carl just waited, his eyes looking at you full of admiration, a stark contrast to the stern look he'd had before. "i want..." he waited, not rushing you, patiently. "want you to make me feel good." your voice was so quiet, so small and you were looking anywhere but his face. you thought it was somewhat awkward in a sense, more scary really. he'd shrug it off for your natural shyness that simply never went away.

"see?" his voice gentle and loving. "wasn't hard, was it?" you shook your head no despite it being the hardest thing you'd done all year. "now get onto your back, angel." you did what he said, not wishing to disappoint him. he followed by climbing on top of you, watching your doe eyes slightly widen.

a breath.

he was so close, lips practically brushing against your own. you'd known carl a very long time but you were sure this was the closest he'd ever been. "'m gonna kiss you, okay?" you nodded, slightly unsure. you'd never been kissed before and you had no idea that it related to the feeling that you'd felt earlier. "it'll all make sense in a second, sweetheart." he mumbled, hands on your waist. "just... relax."

and suddenly, his lips were on yours.

his lips were even softer than they looked. and if that was what you thought of his lips, you could only imagine what he thought of yours. he kissed you gently, open mouthed kissing with his tongue slipping past yours.

now you understood.

it definitely related to the feeling.

as he was kissing you, you had the sudden urge to roll your hips upwards, into his own. carl had this way of making you feel so comfortable that you didn't have to worry the outcome. so you did. rolling your hips gently yet desperately.

you felt him let out a harsher breath into your mouth. his lips moved from your mouth. you felt him press a kiss to the corner of your lips, then to your chin and down to your neck. the feeling of him sucking against the supple skin had a whimper falling from your lips, then another and a long stretched whine.

his lips moved away and his tongue soothed down the hurt skin.

you supposed, you knew what sex was. it was an intimate form of love on your partner. was that what you and carl were going to do? sex? carl wasn't your boyfriend but he was the only one in the entire world you'd felt such a connection to. you supposed, if anyone was to have sex with you, it may as well be carl grimes.

"sweetheart." he breathed against your neck. "keep making sounds like that 'n i won't be able to last." to last? for what?

you didn't even care what he was saying, just the sound of his voice was enough to have you reeling. "carl, please just..."

"shh." he hushed you, practically cooing. "s'needy." before his hands moved back down towards your shorts. "can i take this off?" though he wasn't just grasping the band of your shorts but of your panties too. however, you couldn't seem to care. nodding enthusiastically before helping him guide the material off your body.

carl's breath hitched in his throat. he'd seen you before, he'd seen you when you were sleeping and he plunged a finger inside you, tasted you even. even so, it was like seeing you for the first time all over again.

he could see you red as a tomato above him, covering your face. you'd known carl forever, but something about being nude with him over you on your couch seemed like something a best friend shouldn't do. carl didn't allow the shyness to continue, peppering gentle kisses across the skin of your face. "hey, hey." gently removing your hands. "you're beautiful."

your hands suddenly pawed at the end of his shirt. if you were going to be bare, he should too, right? "can you..?"

"wan't me to take of my shirt, baby?" you only nodded, pressing your lips together. he nodded himself before placing his hands at the end of his shirt, bringing it up and above his head, tossing it off the couch. "your turn." he mumbled, pressing kisses to your neck before grasping the bottom of your own shirt. you allowed him to pull it over your own head.

it was no surprise that there was no bra found underneath, your perky tits bouncing gently. he moved his lips downwards, sucking on one and grasping the other between his fingers, flicking over your pretty nipple. you whined, back arching off the couch and hands finding his hair, tugging at the strands.

his lips popped over your nipple, letting go with a string of spit attatching the two of you. he pushed his large hand onto your chest, thumb at one end of your tits and other fingers at the other, pushing them together. you were so small compared to him, it had his own mind reeling. "so fucking pretty."

"carl." there was desperation in his eyes. the amount of times you had uttered his name would have made anyone think you were reciting it as if he were god himself. "need you." you didn't even know what you meant yourself. all you did know was that you needed him, in whatever way possible.

"i know, pretty girl." his fingers traced your cheek, cupping it ever so softly. "'m gonna touch you, okay?"

nervously, you found yourself nodding. you knew by him touching you, the ache would go away. how you knew that, you were unsure. perhaps it was because you put so much trust in carl to do what was right.

you expected the soft flutter of his long fingers, the gentle tracing of the pads against your skin. what you hadn't been expecting was the mouth that suddenly landed on your core.

as if on cue, your back arched against the couch once more. a moan of both surprise and pleasure fell from your lips. you felt the vibrations of a chuckle throughout your body, from him. he'd been waiting for this moment for too long to let it slip from his fingers.

the foreign feeling of a face between your thighs had you writhing. you allowed his tongue to explore your cunt, whining and whimpering while your hands clung to his hair, overcome with a foreign pleasure.

never, had you felt this good in your entire life.

an eerie sense was embedded right in your stomach, telling you that this was all wrong. the feelings you felt and the way his hands moved against your body, it had to be wrong. but the pleasure of his tongue lapping against your cunt told you that no matter how hard he tried, nothing carl could do would ever be wrong.

you felt him insert a finger into your hole and you were sure you'd lost it.

"carl!" you moaned out, unsure what words to use. "carl―nughhh!" no words could grasp your tongue signifying how good it felt.

your wetness seeped onto his tongue, decorating it with your pretty juices, and his finger had a rim of white surrounding it, belonging to you. his face moved up from your pussy, glancing to your own face. your head was thrown back, eyes shut and reflection twisted. "i know, baby." pumping his finger in and out of you in quick motions. "feels good, huh?"

you nodded your head, babbling incoherently despite the fact that carl couldn't make out a single word you said. he nodded with a smirk, anyway.

this was so much better now that you were awake.

"uh huh?" he was practically testing you, your moans coming out strangled and harsh. "yeah, told you i'd fix it, huh?"

and boy, did he fix it.

the sensation grew and you began to get a sudden knotted feeling in your stomach. it was foreign, new and strange. but despite that, you were sure you'd felt it before. perhaps in a dream? one of which carl had remembered all too well.

a sudden panicked state came over you. "carl" you babbled out, a hint of worry in your voice.

carl placed his free hand on your thigh, gently rubbing against it and shushing you. "shh, shh, you can take it." his mouth travelling back to where you needed him the most.

you couldn't even give him a warning.

the orgasm fell over you before you could even register what was happening. your back practically lept from the couch, good thing carl's hand had been keeping your stomach steady against the material. mewls fell from your lips, shameful mewls that had your eyes rolling to the back of your head.

your legs shook from around his head, his name falling from your red and swollen lips like a prayer, fingers tight around his little curls.

finally, his head reappeared from it's place between your thighs, a grin on his face.

your eyes were low, sort of red. and he swore it was the prettiest sight he'd ever seen.

"feel good, huh?" pride on his smug face. he came up to meet your own by the arm of the couch, hand moving your hair past your ear.

you had this sinking, gnawing feeling as you glanced up at him. "but... what about you?" thinking that surely couldn't have made him feel good. you'd never experienced pleasure like that before, you were sure everyone in the world should get to experience it at least once.

"don't worry about me, sweet girl." peppering gentle kisses to the nape of your neck. "next time." he spoke despite his hand moving against his dick, straightening it out after his own cum leaked through his jeans.

he came in his pants because of you. again.

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[hauntedhopeghost]

Ghost ranting about Green's glasses because they needed to get this down on words

With the whole "Green eating grass video dropping" and stuff

I wanted to explain my rose/orange-colored glasses theory in more detail. Because I made an entire timeline just to try and prove this. And for the other post I only put pictures and I find it super interesting.

(I know, I made another post about this but I'm going to say it again)

So, a lot of people already know that Green's sunglasses, (which he wears more and more often throughout the influencer arc) are orange, and that they match up with Second's as seen in the episode Skyblock. And that Green's glasses first show up in the episode A Special Song. Which was mainly just for fun.

And now he wears it in multiple posts now, mainly when he's alone, I've noticed.

Now, the term rose-colored glasses means having a positive outlook on life, sometimes not noticing the negative things or choosing to ignore it.

Green's sunglasses are orange. orange-colored glasses.

The meaning of the color orange, according to the top Google result is this.

Optimism. Rose-colored glasses is literally another word for optimism. And happiness + enthusiasm which plays another role in this. (Mainly with the rick/stickroll and with how Green's channel originally started)

And then there's the negative side. Arrogance, pride, impatience.

Traits that a lot of us associate with how Green is. It almost makes too much sense.

And working through my timeline, I find he mainly only wears those glasses when he's alone. Another very interesting thing to think about. The only time he wears it around his friends is, again, the rickroll episode.

Edit: I actually got that wrong, he did wear it at the end of the Minecraft vlog, but that's when his friends left him when he was trying to promote Instagram. So they might have seen something he didn't, or it just helps this theory even more. (Thank you so much to @dobrinata for pointing this out to me and adding it onto my original post)

So why am I talking about this? It's just a pair of sunglasses that have nothing to do with the plot whatsoever

I think, with how things are going so far, the glasses are going to serve a kind of symbolism, with Green's outlook of everything and how his perception of the new fame would change things, even if it isn't true he may have a more warped view of what happened, maybe with the Color Gang.

(I sound like I have no idea what I'm talking about XD)

They are sunglasses, too. He might be blind to what's going on... or...

(Just something I thought was interesting to think about)

So yeah, we might see more appearances of those glasses later on, but most likely, with how things are going so far, they'll disappear at the end, or at one point. Maybe it's the Color Gang, or maybe it's something else that he has to come to terms on his own.

Yeah uhh... thanks for coming to my talk where I rant about glasses lol-

[helenofsparta2]

kind of related to your post about zoe just now but: what do you think of the hunters in general? I've got a lot of thoughts on them myself.. most of them not that positive lmao lots of "could have been good, but very poor execution" and "sounds cool on the surface, but very questionable when thought about more"

First of all, thank you for the question :)))

Oh god, this might become a slightly longer post, because I have a lot to say about the hunters of Artemis.

From what you’ve written, it sounds like we might have a very similar opinion. I personally think they are one of the worst-written parts of the original Percy Jackson books. I love their idea, I love their basic concept, but their execution was pretty atrocious.

There are four main points regarding them that I want to talk about.

The portrayal of Artemis (though this one is by far not as bad as the others)

2. The behaviour of the huntresses

3. Bianca

4. Lacking Development

Artemis

Now, I know that the gods and goddesses of the Riordan verse, are sanitized caricatures, and shouldn’t be compared to their actual myth versions. I think everyone in this fandom has at least heard some well-founded criticisms regarding the portrayal of Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo or any of the other gods.  

I even understand why Rick Riordan made most of the decisions that he did. Obviously, the gods had to be sanitized for a book series primarily aimed at children, and, to be fair to him, even if their characterizations are a far-cry from their myths and sometimes overly stereotypical (Aphrodite), they are fulfilling the roles they have in this story as deeply flawed, but powerful individuals, because of whose careless mistakes and pride demigods, and other ‘lesser’ beings have to suffer.  

And I actually do not hate Artemis’ portrayal that much, if we exclude the behavior of her hunt, and the initiation of Bianca. Her taking Annabeth’s place in holding the sky and her loudly arguing against killing Percy and Thalia at the winter solstice was a great portrayal of her being a patron goddess of children, and the idea of including the hunters of Artemis as a group of girls, both from mortal and immortal parents, who have been hurt by the world, and found a safe place with one another is actually really great. Generally, whenever she appears in the books, I have the feeling she is handled with far more graze and respect than a lot of other godly beings.  

However, as someone who very much loves Greek mythology, I just want to point out some small parts, which are not entirely accurate, though, again,  I understand Rick’s reason for omitting them in the context of what he wanted to do with her character and the hunt , and I acknowledge that even in ancient times, there existed a variety of different interpretations of the gods.

(Please note, that while I read original sources like the works of Diodor, Apollodorus, Hesiod, and Euripides, I am not a classicist, and that my knowledge of the greek gods primarily stems from personal research and my own interest. If anyone knows more about Artemis, please feel free to correct me if necessary)  

While Artemis is primarily the goddess of the hunt, and in later interpretations of the moon, she is not only the protector of girls, but the patron goddess of children in general and a goddess closely linked to childbirth.

Yes, she expects her followers to remain chaste, but to say that she is completely against men would be a grave mistake. Male followers of Artemis did exist in mythology, most famously Orion, who later became a constellation, and Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and the Amazon Hippolyta.

So, her cold behavior towards Nico and her degrading words towards boys in general is an attribute primarily added by Rick Riordan.

Though, like I said, I understand making certain changes to gods and goddesses, or rather choosing different interpretations of them to have them fulfill a certain role in a book series, so Artemis portrayal itself doesn’t bother me that much.

But if we’re talking about the hunters themselves, things easily take a turn for the worse.  

The behavior of the hunters

Now, I understand the hunters point in the story.

A huge theme of Titan’s curse is to explore the difference between old ideals of what heroism entails and the modern take on it, represented through Theseus and Herakles on one side, and Percy on the other. The hunters, and especially Zöe, represent a group, who have suffered through the actions of those old, primarily male heroes, and have developed a strong bias against all boys and men as a result. A bias, Percy is supposed to break in this book.

This, in itself, is a pretty awesome concept. But, like I said, the execution mostly failed.

Most of the Hunters of Artemis in Titan’s curse were written without any nuance, without development and without any sense of self reflection.

To express it plainly, they completely suck. And that hurts to say, especially as someone who is asexual-sex-repulsed and aromantic, because, like I said, they could have been an absolutely amazing part of the overarching story and theme of the book series, but with the way Rick Riordan wrote them, they suck. They’re insufferable.  They’re a group of immortal teenagers with a superiority complex, who act the way right-wing republicans and trump supporters think feminists act like.

They’re completely antagonistic towards the campers at camp half-blood for absolutely no good reason, act really childish and immature, and their overwhelming bias against every male character, especially Percy and Nico, is just plain annoying and goes to a point, where it makes them act like absolute idiots and assholes.

Zöe’s behavior at the meeting to decide who should go on the quest to save Artemis is a pretty good representation of everything I dislike about the hunters.  

She doesn’t want to take campers with her on the quest, even though the oracle plainly stated that them working together was the only way for them to succeed:

“You’re missing something as usual,” Thalia said. “Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We’re supposed to do this together.”

“No!”, Zoe said. “The Hunters do not need thy help.”

Immediately afterwards, she makes fun of Silena Beauregard (who is around 14 or 15 at the time, might I add.):

“Percy is right,” Silena Beauregard said. “Two campers should go.”

“Oh, I see,” Zoe said sarcastically. “And I suppose you wish to volunteer?”

Silena blushed. “I’m not going anywhere with the hunters. Don’t look at me!”

“A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at,” Zoe scoffed. “What would thy mother say?”

And then, she decisively refuses Percy’s help for the quest, even though he is objectively the best person for the job. I really can’t reiterate enough that Percy is the most accomplished hero present at that meeting. He has successfully led two quests, one to stop a civil war between the gods, the second to recover the golden fleece. Even in comparison to Thalia, Percy is more accomplished and has gained more respect within the mythological world.

As I walked back through the city of the gods, conversations stopped. The muses paused their concert. People and satyrs and naiads all turned towards me, their faces filled with respect and gratitude, and as I passed, they knelt, as if I were some kind of hero. (The lightning thief)

Yet Zoe refuses his help to save the goddess she serves and increases so the risk of failure, simply because he is a boy.

“Oh,” Grover said, suddenly aware of the problem. “Whoa, yeah. I forgot! Percy has to go. I didn’t mean… I’ll stay. Percy should go in my place.”

“He cannot,” Zoe said. “He’s a boy. I won’t have Hunters travelling with a boy.”

Another huge problem in their characterization is their immortality. Here I want to focus again on their ongoing beef with camp half-blood, because, yes, while the campers also act pretty antagonistic in return, I think it’s important to note that most kids at camp half blood are between the ages of 10 and I’d say maybe 17 years old, while the huntresses are immortal.

Now, it’s obviously possible that most of them are still teenagers and haven’t been part of the hunt for that long, but considering the fact that Zoe is over 3000 years old, and could very well be older than most Olympians, the chance of most hunters being older than at least 30, is pretty high, which makes their behavior seem even more ridiculous.

And obviously the whole situation with Bianca paints the hunters in the worst light possible.

Bianca

There are already some pretty good and detailed posts on tumblr regarding the subject of Bianca and the hunters, so I don’t want to dig into this subject too deeply, because this post is already way too long, but you can’t possibly write about the hunters without mentioning her.

The hunters, especially Zoe and Artemis convinced Bianca to join them in a moment of huge distress. Bianca was a twelve-year-old, vulnerable girl, who just found out she was a demigod, almost got kidnapped by the manticore, and watched a girl fall down a cliff, yet they expect her to swear allegiance to them after only a couple of minutes of knowing them.

They paint her this beautiful picture of having no responsibility and a new family, telling her exactly, what she wanted to hear without giving her even a moment to breathe or give her time to talk to her brother or fully think this through.

I want to point out that at this point in time, Artemis had already decided that she needed to go after the monster alone, and knew, that her hunters would spend some time at camp half-blood. But instead of giving Bianca these couple days/ weeks to accept this new reality of the mythological world and get to know both camp half-blood and the hunters, she wants an answer at this very moment,

Yes, Bianca’s answer was rash, and yes, I do think it’s rather cold that she didn’t first talk to Nico about it, but it’s pretty plain to see that she was overwhelmed and pretty much manipulated during this entire conversation.

Later, Zoe decides to take her with her on the quest, even though Bianca is completely unprepared for it. She is probably, aside from Nico, the most unprepared person in the entirety of camp half-blood to go on a quest.  

I don’t think I have to explain how terrible of a decision that was.

The hunters are objectively the worst thing that could have ever happened to Bianca and the main reason why she died.

Lacking Development:

Now, all of this, every single flaw I just pointed out, could have actually worked out, if there would have been some sort of change in the hunters’ way of thinking and an acknowledgement that their opinions on boys and males in general are misguided and lead to more harm than good during the course of the books.

Especially after their actions led to Bianca’s death.

Them seeing how much love Nico had for his sister and how much he suffered from her death could have been a great moment for some character development.

But nothing happened.

Camp half blood and the hunters grieving together at the end of Titan’s curse for both Zoe and Bianca could have resulted in a genuine moment of friendship between the two groups, leading to understanding and change.  

But nothing happened.

The only person who took responsibility for Bianca’s death at the end of Titan’s curse was fourteen-year-old Percy. The only person who cared enough about Nico to search for him and make sure he was safe, was Percy. The hunters didn’t care at all. Took no responsibility whatsoever.

All that happened at the end of that book was that Thalia became a huntress, and that Zoe and Artemis acknowledged Percy as a hero.

This, while admittedly, a great moment for Percy’s characterization and also somewhat for the character development of Zoe, had very little effect otherwise.  

Because, in the end, Zoe and Artemis treated Percy as if he was the exception. As if they had been only wrong about him, and not boys in general. They didn’t revisit their line of thinking, they didn’t self-reflect and they didn’t acknowledge that their bias was utterly flawed, and that they should treat male demigods generally better.

She (Zöe) grasped it contently. “You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like… like Hercules. I am honored that you carry this sword.”

Then, she (Artemis) turned to me. “You did well,” she said. “For a man.”

Percy Jackson is fundamentally a story about the circle of abuse, and, Percy specifically, breaking that circle, but nothing of note happened with the hunters.

Because even if Zoe had confronted her own bias, (and there is admittedly an argument to be made that she did) she would have been the only hunter to do so. And she died.

Thalia becoming the lieutenant of the hunters as someone who is best friends with Percy and Grover, and who misses Jason more than anything, could have confronted this distorted line of thinking, but the other hunters remain pretty much unchanged in the last Olympian and The Lost Hero.

There were hugs and greetings al around- or at least Thalia was friendly. The other hunters didn’t like being around campers, especially boys, but they didn’t shoot any of us, which for them was a pretty warm welcome. (The last Olympian, chapter 10)

“Oh, no way,” Leo said. “We’ve been sitting in a cave and you get a luxury tent? Somebody give me hypothermia. I want hot chocolate and a parka!”

Phoebe sniffed. “Boys,” she said, like it was the worst insult she could think of. (XXXVI Leo, the lost hero.)

Conclusion:

So, yeah. They had huge potential, both as individual characters and as part of the overarching plot and theme of Percy Jackson, but their execution was absolutely abysmal.

The only possible positive thing I could say about them is that they are at least better than the Amazons (though that is not particularly hard)

I hope my rambling was understandable, it's already pretty late:')

[the-one-and-only-aroace]

“Rick riordan is too much of a coward to let Percy become dark and take over Olympus”. It’s almost like the themes of the entire franchise revolve around cycles of violence and familial trauma and how using child soldiers to fight for the greater good just leads to kids dying tragically and doesn’t actually uphold the greater good. Percy willingly crossing lines and taking over would then leave children whose only crime was existing to suffer for it.

And it’s almost like Percy knows that, he knows what happens when you let your righteous anger get in the way of your actual morals. He saw Luke become bitter and angry watching everyone he cared for and then be manipulated into thinking that the people who opposed him, people he loved and had only grown up a couple years, had to die for peace. Percy sees luke get trapped in the cycle and no matter how much he sympathizes, because at the end of the day they’re stuck in the same position, he will never choose what luke did.

Percy demands change, he demands something better. It’s not that much better, just a claiming and a couple more cabins, but it’s something. It opens up the idea that things can get better without everyone dying, without repeating the cycle a hundred more times. (Warning for toa content because most people who think this didn’t actually read trials of Apollo despite it progressing the themes and being kind of important to understanding what Rick riordan is writing as a whole) When Apollo becomes mortal, he learns what it’s like to be human, and now as a god, can encourage what he now sees as right and wrong. But he can’t take over Olympus, and neither can Percy.

Is it possible? Yes. Would either of them (depending on what root you take) be destroyed with the backing of the camps and other allies? Probably not. Would other people, who they care about and don’t think deserve to die be harmed by a civil war? Yeah, which is why it’s not happening. More children dying for a good cause doesn’t work, because at the end of the day a good cause doesn’t remain good by killing teenagers.

That’s the entire point of trials of Apollo (which yknow, lots of people don’t bother reading). You can punish and humiliate all you want to make an example out of “bad” people, but they aren’t going to change unless you actually stick to what you believe in and show them that you are good. Apollo doesn’t learn by being dropped in a dumpster, that just tears down his ego so he is more receptive to realizing that the environment he’s lived in for millennia is a pit of abuse built on sacrificing your own children. There is no grand battle, no glorious revolution. Apollo visits his kids, he makes them feel loved. He goes to herophile, and treats her like an actual person. He visits and he talks and he cares.

He doesn’t throw Zeus in Tartarus because then to control the other olympians he would have to be a tyrant. You can’t dismantle a tyrant or an abuser unless you dismantle the thinking around them. Percy, after Luke, already knows this. Not everyone would bow to him, and he freaking knows that. He doesn’t want to be in control of the entire world, he just wants his family safe. Taking over Olympus puts his family in danger, and fails over and over again. Percy will never be luke, which so many people don’t want to admit, but Percy knows what happens when someone makes the decisions that luke did. Even without Kronos, it’s still incredibly easy to lose sight of what you stand for to support your just cause.

[hannahdalaney-blog]

learning something new

Shane Walsh x plus-size reader

summary: Shane starts showing the reader affection, follows the story (with some changes).

warnings: 18 + ‼️, typical walking dead things, angst, misunderstanding,

Nothing could have prepared you for what happened, even through all the movies and shows you watched countless times the walkers still got you. You're not dead but you might as well be, your not very strong and overweight for the apocalypse. Shane found you while him and few others went on a run. You had hidden yourself away in a trailer almost unconscious but awake enough to try to fight off the group. Shane talked you down and took you back to camp, you decided to stick with him or at least close to him.

A man like Shane needed something to protect something to call his and you were that something. He spent every second he could spare making sure you had everything you needed. The first thing he did was move you into his tent but making a separate bed, you didn't think Shane saw you in a romantic light more of a child he needs to take care of. It hurt but it was fair you didn't have much independence but Shane to you was a knight in shining amour, he was strong and attractive and so far he's been kind.

Sleeping in the same tent as him was hard at first you found yourself staring in the dark but over time you slept like the dead. Knowing he would be there most nights let you fall into bliss. When rick showed up you could see the weight lift off his chest and of course the smile on his face. He had talked about Rick before saying how they were brothers and how he felt he had to take care of Lorrie and Carl. You understood that feeling but didn't speak on it choosing to let him have the moment.

Sitting at the fire that night almost curled into Shane as everyone else sat next to their family. Rick noticeably relaxed and happy with his family, it was cute the picture perfect family. Shane sits back into you while keeping his eyes on the fire, the gesture shouldn't do so much to you but it felt like a fire had sparked inside of you. You tried to focus on the stories Rick was telling but his weight on you was too distracting. Finally you are relived from embarrassment when ed starts acting like an ass.

That night was the same as any other you kept a distance, turning over to look at him you catch him looking back. It felt like you got the wind knocked out of you, he just blinked and smiled.

"can't sleep?" his voice was low and tired.

"yeah, you?" you ask and he goes quiet for a minute.

"I'm just thinking."

"about Rick?" his eyes snap to yours alarming as it is a pleasing shiver goes down your spine.

"it must be exciting to have him back." he turns to lay on his back putting his hands on his chest.

"yeah, I really thought he was gone." you unknowingly moved closer to him.

"well now you can relax right?" he let out a breathy chuckle.

"unless the dead stopped rising I don't think I can." you scoffed, he was so uptight and worried about everyone. Most would think that's a good thing but it makes him tense and moody.

"I think you should a little, Rick can take care of his family and you can finally ask out Andra." your heart breaks a little at the end but you push through, you would have to be blind not to see the way she looks at him.

"what?" he turns back over crossing his arms.

"you should do it, I mean who else are you gonna get with?" you smile, you shouldn't but you do after all he did for you he should be happy.

"are you not on the table?" time stilled for a minute, and then you couldn't stop giggling. Now was not a good time to giggle but you didn't know what else to do just the idea of what he said was laughable but him actually saying it did something else.

"I am but that doesn't mean anything." you wipe the tears from your eyes and look into his...angry ones.

"why not?" he shuffled closer propping himself up on his elbow.

"I- do you want it to mean something?" you could feel your breaths get deeper and your chest rising and falling at a rapid rate.

"maybe" he came closer until he was on your side of the tent leaning over you.

"you should give clear answers Shane." you were scolding him now but you didn't know what to do he was being confusing and annoying. He didn't answer for a while just looking you up and down as much as he could.

"Sha-" he cut you off grabbing the back of your head and kissing you. At first it was kinda scary but then you realized what was happening and melted into the brick wall of a man.

He kissed you slower and more calmly as he moved his hand to the back of your neck. Then he stopped leaving you to chase him opening your eyes to look at the man who could not be real. He looks at you and then slides himself down so that he was laying on your bed. You didn't move, this was confusing and slightly embarrassing but he positioned you so that he was behind you clinging on to your stomach and sliding his arm under your head.

"clear enough?" you could hear the humor in his voice, his nose bumping the top of your head. He wanted to sleep? How? You rolled your eyes not knowing where to put your hands but decided to lay them on top of his. Hearing his soft snores behind you really sent you over the edge, this was real and not a dream.

The next morning was rough, Shane had chosen not to wake you up so you opened your eyes feeling cold and confused. You stumble out of the tent to see a few people missing, walking up to Lorrie you look around.

"where is everyone?" you ask your voice a little scratchy from the nonexistent sleep you got.

"their all stupid, for Merle Dixon?" she was washing clothes at a concerning rate. Of course they went back for him and of course it was Rick's idea he's that kind of guy. Not that it had anything to do with you sure he was nice and you loved Carl but that wasn't your place.

"Morning sunshine." a way to happy Shane appeared. You step away from Lorries angry washing and closer to the wall of muscle.

"why didn't you wake me up." you lower your voice looking at the ground. You didn't know what this was or if he even wanted it to be anything which would mean that hell froze over.

"you were passed out, thought it would be best to leave you be. Not that you would wake up anyways." you smile and nod.

"so what do you need me to do today." the tone almost shifts imminently his stance more straight and his gaze shifting from one thing to another.

"whatever you can we're a couple men down." you nod trying to look at him as best as you could with the sun blinding you.

"ok, well I'll get on that then." You move to walk away when he grabs your arm pulling you into him.

"just stay close to camp don't wonder off." then he kissed the top of your head and sent you on your way.

It was almost horrid how he seemed to make you feel like you've lost your mind just at the smallest kiss. Not to mention you didn't know what this meant, was he just being an ass and doing it on purpose or if he actually liked you. You shook the thoughts out of your head as you start getting to work, you did a lot. With most of the hunters and protecters gone you had to learn to fish.

Amy and Andria usually did it and you learned a lot just from watching and over hearing them telling stories. Amy had offered to take you out fishing and you did for a couple of hours.

"we should go back in, its getting late." Amy said reeling in her line, the both of you caught a couple dozen fish. You've never felt prouder about doing anything for the camp now you could feed everyone.

"yeah, we did good." you smiled at her and she smiled back. Amy was always sweet you got along pretty well.

"so what's with you and Shane?" the sly smile that played on her lips felt like she was teasing you and to a small degree she was.

"uh to be honest I don't know." you shrug and slide the poles out of your way so that you can bring the boat back into camp.

"well I think he likes you." your face felt like it had been lit on fire.

"maybe, I don't want to think about it too much." you hop off the boat Amy making sure it doesn't float away.

"ill put these up, you should talk to him." you nod and thank her but just as you turn around something grabs you.

You scream trying to runaway as soon as you felt the cold yet wet flesh against your skin. Walkers? How could they have gotten here? Where's Carl and Sofia? Of all the things running through your mind you choose to worry about the people around you, then your own safety came in mind. Just as quickly as you screamed your ears filled with other peoples screams.

The camp started to fill with walkers starting to attack everyone around them, you pushed the walker off and tried to run to the kids. Shane was running around shooting everything he could make out as a walker but it's dark, too dark. You run to Carl and Lorrie who are hiding behind Shane, he seemed to out of his mind to even notice you.

"you ok?" you yell trying to get them to hear you over all the screams, they nod and you turn back to the mess in front of you. Trying to pick them off as best as you can while staying close, you saw Carol and Sofie inter the small circle.

By the time it was all over you were covered in blood and sweat, everyone who fought the walkers were. Some didn't make it out but the kids were safe. Shane made sure you were ok and then went to fixing everything again because that what he does. Rick and the others come back, without merl. Honestly the guy seriously creeped you out he would always stand a little to close and say pervy things under his breath.

Everyone thinks merl lead walkers to the camp as some form of revenge it all went in one ear and out the other, you lost people you lost Amy. It didn't hit you until you sat around the bodies their faces covered in blood, you don't like crying in front of people so you pushed it down. Things needed to get done so you would focus on that, you got up and wiped your shaking hands on the thighs of your shorts.

That night you stayed up and helped the men as best as you could with the bodies but they just moved a few before Shane told everyone to pack it in. You couldn't sleep though so you took watch letting Glen have a break from what you heard about what happened in the city he needed it. You perch yourself on the camper a riffle in hand and binoculars in the other.

"what are you doing up there?" Shane called his hand on his hip.

"watching?" you roll your eyes not bothering to look at the man.

"you should go sleep, we're leaving in the morning." he climbed up to your level sitting next to you, his gun in his lap.

"how about you? Shouldn't you be in bed?" you look him up and down, this was supposed to be your alone time so that you can process and deal with the shit show that just happened. He didn't say anything just stared at you and then he smiled for a second.

"you ok?" his voice was soft and low he was sitting so close you could hear him breath and smell his sweat. In any other situation this would be a huge turn on but right now it kinda made you sick, like you can't breathe.

"i'm fine, we're gonna have to do something about Amy." you change the subject hoping to get him to back down. He sighed and wiped his hand over his face looking away from you.

"I know, we'll do something tomorrow." it was surreal that she was gone, that anyone was gone. You didn't want to deal with it so you decided on shoving it way back in your mind which meant you needed to get rid of her.

"ok" is all you said almost forgetting to say anything, you didn't want to. You wanted to sit with your mind and talk yourself into forgetting them. Shane backed up a little but he didn't leave he didn't say anything either he just sat there and so did you.

When the sun started rising so did the people, everyone crawling out of their tents and cleaning up the mess.

"stay here." Shane ordered and you listened, to be honest you were tired. As soon as you closed your eyes you were being yelled awake; or at leas that's what it felt like.

"come on." Shane helped you get down and take the chair with you. Rick had the idea to go to the CDC hoping to find something that won't be there. Everyone piled into different cars which Shane practically dragged you to his.

"did you get my stuff?" you didn't have much but you wanted what you did have.

"of course, its in the back." you wrap around the truck and got into the passenger seat.

"you should sleep on the drive." he starts up the car and you lean on the door falling asleep as quickly as you could.

The CDC was like heaven, you could finally shower and get clean clothes. Shane kept you close to him but not at a suffocating distance and he didn't speak much he just kept a hand at the small of your back. He was nervous you could tell and that made you nervous. Everyone decided to spend the night drinking but you called it in early heading to an empty room.

You locked the door as soon as you got in keeping the lights on, you can't trust anything anymore. You slip under the covers pulling the blanket over you but you couldn't sleep. Being here was too good something was going to go wrong you knew it. The door handle started twisting shuffling feet moving, the sound alone made you panic.

"hey....open the door." he was quiet and he sounded a little drunk. You sigh and open the door watching him almost stumble in the room.

"what are you doing here?" you whisper closing the door and locking it again. Watching him look around the room, he sets down his bottle on the small round table next to the bed.

"I came to sleep." he said it so plain and simple like it was a stupid question for you to ask. You sigh rubbing your eyes and standing there as he gets comfortable, taking off his belt and shoes.

You lay in the bed deciding not to watch him take off his pants. Making as much room as possible you scoot over to the wall but face him. He joins you getting as close as he can without actually touching you.

"did you want to sleep all by yourself?" he asked and while you held on to looking into his eyes he was looking everywhere on your body that he could.

"no, I just thought you would....I don't know" it makes sense you would sleep together you've been doing it since you got with the group.

"we need to stay together." his voice that was soft was now rough and desperate.

"I know, we will." you move a little closer without noticing and he does the same, his hand coming to cup the side of your face.

"something isn't right here." he was just staring at your lips now.

"I know." as soon as you got the last letter out he kissed you, it was soft and kinda slow. Kissing him made you feel like you were wanted like he of all people would choose you. You kissed him back but you were sloppy and rushed, you wanted more. But he breaks away ending your want and replacing it with hurt.

"you should slow down." he was the drunk one. You pull away completely lost in the pit of sorrow you built for yourself. He could see the way that your face turns into a hurtful confused look.

"do you not....want to do more?" you were really just asking him if he wanted to touch you if he could stomach it. You hated feeling this way, you don't hate yourself but it was jarring to see a man as good looking as him be attracted to you.

"I do, I just..." the pause alone had you going into a spiral, you were overthinking you know that but you couldn't stop.

"that's fine. We-we don't have to do anything." you quickly turn over before he could defend himself. You shove your body against the wall and breath through the tears forming.

[food-for-hungry-mtr-fans]

I can imagine the robinsons’ family group chat is incredibly chaotic 💀

It is INSANE. Every Robinson has a unique typing style and it would take a whole cypher to understand a days worth of messages.

Because this wasn’t really a concrete ask, I’m going to write the hc’s about what each Robinsons like in the chat.

Wilbur / T!meL0rd: Misspells everything. Definitely a meme spammer. Has been banned four times.

Cornelius: Doesn’t have a cool username. Uses proper texting literate, but says ‘lol’. Uses reactions more than he talks.

Franny / FrannysFrogTheater: Her username wasn’t supposed to be that long, she misunderstood what it was. She’s always active and respond in four seconds, but it never on her phone somehow. Weird.

Gaston / CANNONBAL: TYPES IN CAPS A LOT!!!! Sends photos of everything - selfies, his cannons, nature, anything he sees.

Art / Galaxy3F: He uses voice messages a lot, and they’re often horrible audio quality. Cannot type correctly even a little. Isn’t LEGIBLE. He’s determined to figure it out though.

Laszlo / F!R3W0RK: His username has nothing to do with his hobbies. He has a typing quirk, 100%. Uses GIFs a lot, and pronounces them JIFs.

Tallulah / FashionBB🏳️‍⚧️: Also posts memes but not often. Doesn’t talk in chat a lot. Forgets punctuation a lot, but proper caps.

Fritz / FritzRobinson2: Has to use Siri to send messages because Petunia makes it hard to type. Therefor most of what he says makes no sense.

Billy / CHOOCHOO!7 : Can she use a phone? No. She breaks her phones so often her number changes twice a week. She only responds to Fritz, Joe, and Gaston. Nobody understands why.

Joe / SweatGainer : The silent stalker of the chat. He watches everything but never talks in chat. Uses reactions sometimes. Once said ‘k’ and everyone cheered.

Carl / xX.R0bo.Xx: The chat mod. Only really types if to moderate something, or to randomly ban people for his amusement. Sends TikToks in chat at night just to annoy Wilbur, who never silences his phone.

Spike / Thing #1: Did not choose his username. Starts group video calls during genuinely important times and then leaves immediately, forcing the family to one big call. Solved a lot of emergencies like this. Refuses to admit he’s intentionally being helpful.

Dimitri / Thing #2: Emojibombs the chat way too much. Unlike Spike doesn’t care about being helpful. Refuses, even.

Lefty: Couldn’t figure out a username. Posts a very formal daily report at 7am every morning, top of chat. Carl pins it.

Bud&Luc / Lovebirds: Share an account because Bud tore his phone apart for microchips. Send those random game links for free coins and beg everyone to click them. Rick rolled the chat twice.

[xzinbdg]

zerobaseone as songs from my playlist!

⭑.ᐟ jiwoong

apocalypse - cigarettes after sex

it's the softness of the song for me! like it feels very calm and that's how also jiwoong feels..

older - isabel larosa

jiwoong may be a bit older than the rest of the members but this man is so fine!!! aging like a fine wine 😵‍💫

babydoll - dominic fike

this gives jiwoong in a suit 😵‍💫 oh lord it fits him so much omg " babydoll I can't move on" yea me too

⭑.ᐟ zhanghao

360 - charli xcx

hao is a brat!!!!! like he owns brat summer let's be real!!!!!

symphony - clean bandit, zara larsson

i absolutely love this song!!! and a big part of it is this beautiful violin!!! it almost seems like the violin is singing as well and that always makes me think of hao 🥹

new flame - chris brown, usher, rick ross

"you gon' be my baby, love me, love you crazy" i love this song for hao so much 😭😭😭 it's so cute in it's own way

⭑.ᐟ hanbin

agora hills - doja cat

"baby let me lick on your tattoos" INSANE BUT I ALWAYS THINK OF HANBIN WHEN THIS PART COMES ON 😵‍💫

daddy issues - the neighborhood

now....i had to sorry...he feels very warm to me and the way he treats the younger members is 🫠🫠🫠 him saying that he's rising yujin was my 13 reason

that's me right there - jasmine v, kendrick lamar

"yea that my man" 🤭😋 he may not be my bias but he definitely is on my mind a lot

⭑.ᐟ matthew

souvenir - selena gomez

"you're giving me chills at a 100 degrees" and he would...his whole being is so attractive i cannot

save your tears - the weeknd

now why do I feel like he would slay a cover of this song like it has his vibes!!!

everytime - ariana grande

"why oh why does god keep bringing me back to you?" so you see everytime I have a bias wracker this man comes to remind me who really is the bias here

⭑.ᐟ taerae

please please please - sabrina carpenter

"i beg you don't embarrass me mfucker" except it's him talking to his members 😭😭😭😭

super lady - (g)-idle

HE OWNS THIS SONG LIKE EVERY TIME I HEAR "lady, lady call me super lady" ALL I SEE IS TAERAE WITH THEM TROPHIES

duvet -bôa

taerae pls for the love of god cover this song 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 like his voice would sound heavenly 😭

⭑.ᐟ ricky

role model - brent faiyaz

"i can be your role model" i think is pretty obvious why i choose this song 🤭🤭🤭 it does give off that "rich" vibe tho

heartbreaker - justin bieber

"don't tell me you're my heartbreaker" he may look cold but that man is the softest person on earth and gets hurt really easily :(((

i'm yours - isabel larosa

"you're so pretty it hurts" and he is....insanely pretty and everytime i see him he just gets more and more pretty it's crazy

⭑.ᐟ gyuvin

see you again - tyler, the creator, kali uchis

"can I get a kiss? and can you make it last forever?" YES YES YES YES SO GYUVIN!!!!

i don't do drugs - doja cat, ariana grande

i think it's more the instrumental and overall mood of the song but it does fit gyuvin in my opinion 🥹

paris - sabrina carpenter

"but i already have love in la" it's like he's your biggest bias wrecker (he is for me) but you're trying TRYING to stay loyal to your bias 😭😭😭

⭑.ᐟ gunwook

nun id change - yeat

this right here is peak gunwook vibes, it's the boys planet entry gunwook that everyone was afraid of 😋

ta ta ta - bayanni, jason derulo

please it's a crime that I haven't seen an edit of wook with this song (if anyone have seen it send it to me rachel) it's soooo wook im gonna cry

500lbs - lil tecca

"it's like you don't know your a star tell her that I'm still adjusting" and i feel like he did adjust, wook was confident from the very beginning but now he's just glowing with that confidence!!!

⭑.ᐟ yujin

baby i - ariana grande

"everytime i try to say it words they only complicate it" here's our shy baby yujin!! it's honestly crazy to me that he's younger than me! MY SON!!!!

glue song - beabadoobee

"I've never known someone like you" yujin to me is so special like i truly never seen an idol with his personality! just a kid being a kid and i love it!

misery - nimstarr

"ima walk how i want cause you'll never be like me" he truly is a once in a million idol to me! imagine being this talented and successful at his age!!

zerobaseone masterlist

[richonnesbitch]

Oooh ok now we know your fav TOWL kiss(es) so the logical next question is what is/are you favorite TWD kiss(es) ???

And between your fav TOWL and fav TWD kiss… which one wins 😈

Just wanna start this off by saying I'm sorry I took so long to get to this! I've been busy lately but I wanted to give this question the time it deserved because I could really go on and on about every richonne kiss. But I am going to limit myself to my top 3. I would do more but currently I'm not in the hest headspace so its hard for me to think! This is in no particular order because it's hard as hell to pick favorites! Anywayyyy let's get started.

1. Have Your Mints

Okay so before richonne I wasn't really one of those people that shipped couples, okay? Of course I loved the chemistry between richonne but I wasn't as hardcore about it as I am now. I remember where I was when this moment happened. When I say it changed my life, it changed my entire DAMN life. Like, I was shell-shocked in the most amazing way possible. Never have I felt such euphoria in my life than I did when Rick and Michonne finally happened! I immediately became a VERY hard-core shipper. I would literally rewatch this kiss on repeat for HOURS for MONTHS straight. Obsessed was not even the word. Like it was straight up addiction the way I would watch it. Naturally it would have to be my favorite kiss! It's just so beautiful and romantic and sensual and tender, etc, etc, etc. I've never seen anything else like it. To quote Scott Gimple, "These are two people who have found kindred spirits in each other, strength, respect, support, loyalty. But the world has been screaming in their faces and clawing at them for a good part of their acquaintance. For all they’ve been through, when the world stopped screaming and clawing for them, they realized what they had." Wooooo! What a gorgeous quote. Basically, this kiss invented romance for me and changed the entire course of my life. I had to give it the #1 spot, I had to. I had to!!!

2. The Triple Kiss

This kiss is just too damn cute. If I'm not mistaken, it's the only casual kiss we ever get between richonne. Most of the time they're making out lmao! But it just goes to show how life has slowed down a lot for them and now they're fully able to enjoy their time together and they can take time with their kisses. It's so domestic. Also find it cute how Rick knows Michonne likes too work hard but kinda softly tells her to take it easy for the night because he wants to cuddle her to sleep. This whole scene is too good.

3. Hearts Still Beating

Well, this kiss was almost too dark to see but from what I did see it was sexy as fuck! And also very loving at the same time. Richonne is so good at that. I love love love LOVE Michonne's speech. She has such a way with words, her thinking about becoming a writer at one point in her life makes SO much sense. The way she talks about how she doesn't wanna do things her way. she wants to do it her AND Rick's way. She doesn't wanna do anything without her man by her side. The way she not only convines Rick to fight the saviors but also uplifts him in the process.... she is so one of a kind. And the way Rick listens intensely and values each and every word. This scene is also extra sweet because not only does it drive the narrative forward but it's also a makeup scene for Rick and Michonne who have been at odds! Whenever she starts crying and he cups her face and kisses her.... ughhhh you can just FEEL the yearning they've been experiencing over each other. They missed each other so bad and it feels so good for both of them to be back on the same page. This isn't an actual picture of the kiss but a still from the same scene. WHY IS THE STILL BRIGHTER THAN THE SCENE IN THE EPISODE!?!?! Lowkey I feel like someone on set was trying to sabotage them.

Now.... how do these compare to TOWL kisses? Well, this is kind of like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. How can I choose when they're all so perfect?!?!?!?! But seriously if you really want me to choose.....I have to go with the "have your mints" scene. I'm sorry! I just do. I mean... it's where we all started. It's what turned me into a shipper and kicked off the greatest love story of all time. Did I mention it was all done in one take and Danai and Andy essentially took their own direction for the scene? Meaning everything they did was unscripted and yet it still came off as the most natural thing in the world.... how can it not win?!?!

[yonemurishiroku]

(tags via @smartichokes) In light of new addition to my Luke & Nico replacement post, I have so much to say about this.

Firstly, there is a fanfic in which Kronos switched to Nico as his host halfway through the series. I said fic, Nico went to Tartarus wayyyyy sooner than he should (which is sometime right after TTC I think?), and got captured by Kronos' force. The Titan considered seizing him, so Luke left the Titan Army and returned to the light side.

With that being said, the Nico in said fic didn't become the host, as Luke (and Ethan) got him out before the taking-over.

In another fic, which is about Nico's apotheosis, It is established that Kronos has been taunting Hades to become his host since he is his eldest child, and as a result, Nico would suffer the same fate should he become a God. Nico didn't, of course, but we can see that he can be a great candidate for the position of Kronos’ host Due to the potential he possesses as a child of Hades. I have talked so much about how powerful he is so I suppose this goes without saying.

On the other hand, the child of the prophecy was supposed to be the son of an eldest god, so let's imagine: Nico is a child of an elder god and now is basically One of the main factors that dictate their fate being the central of Kronos' power. Can you imagine the thrill of having both the antagonist and the protagonist a child of the big three, knowing both of them have the power to change the flow of the story? Nico might as well be the child of the prophecy and now he is in the hands of the big bad villain? Who is to say he wouldn't choose to raze the Olympic to the ground? Please, I cannot be the only one seeing the thrill of second-guessing yourself and watching Percy second-guessing himself, page by page.

Back to our AU.

- Absolutely invested in Nico with Kronos' golden eyes.

- Idk if you have noticed, but there are a number of people who would very much be delighted to see Nico joining the Titan Army - so that's a plus. Though we haven't thought as far as putting him directly in Luke's place, this is such a fun territory to play with.

On the other hand, we should have thought about that lmao what's with Minos having done exactly like this in the canon. The King did manipulate Nico in order to accelerate his uprising (tho Rick wasn't unhinged enough to give the Underworld ghosts the benefit of possessing living things except for the eidolons).

Minos failed ofc. But surely the scenario is there. Furthermore, a big reason that hindered Minos was Nico's true control over him, which returned to him upon his enlightenment, thus breaking the fake power balance. But Nico didn't have any control over Kronos. Once he's in, there's no way out. Kronos is on another level compared to Minos. Luke had one way out and that was his death. Who to say the arms of Hades wouldn't be Nico's ending should he succumb to Kronos anw.

- I like the way you mention Percy - because as it turns out, Nico can perfectly mirror Luke regarding how Percy's fatal flaw is portrayed.

Percy's fatal flaw can be summed up in one sentence - "You would sacrifice the world to save a friend". Now, for Luke, it was thanks to the guy's friendly facade at the start that Percy had trouble deeming him as the enemy at first. For Nico, that's a little different. It's not friendship - bc surely Percy didn't consider 'friend' at that time. So what could it be?

The guilt. And the Loyalty from which it sprouted.

But loyalty to what?

To Bianca's promise.

And this varies between perspectives, but I suspect this can be much, much worse than what transpired with Luke if you know how to play it right. Why? Because it weighs on Percy's kindness, his conscience, his loyalty, his morals. It feels heavier. For Luke, it was a personal betrayal. For Nico, it would be a repeated failure that resulted in two deaths.

And I doubt Percy is fond of failures and deaths.

Do you know the saying that we tend to remember bad things rather than good memories? That. Failures stuck with us, whilst success paled in comparison (Not to mention the vague depiction of Percy's lost self-esteem, but I digress).

For Luke, it might be easier: the guy's now an enemy, Percy just had to put him down - straight and clear. For Nico, it's a little bit different. The kid's obviously an enemy - but he's also that: a kid. Whose sister died in front of Percy, whom he blamed still. You can tell that the setup itself might make it harder for Percy to just straight-up consider Nico an enemy - because as it was, Nico could very well be a victim of Percy's broken promise. Percy is half a reason he fell into the hands of Kronos - as you've said.

And Percy isn't evil. He's a protagonist and he's kind. His morals would prevent him from seeing Nico as an enemy that must be taken out - not before trying restlessly to bring the kid back.

- Percy aside, Hades’ support - and all the little benefits gained from Nico's side quest - should also be taken into account. Without Nico, there wouldn't be the Curse of Achilles. Without Nico, there would be no undead army rushing to save them in the last minute in the last Olympian, but rather a flock of unbeatable enemies that would persist like Nico’s grief for Bianca.

I wouldn't say that guarantees their failure but you have to admit that it would make things hella more difficult for them to win this war.

So that is for the advantages. Now let's talk about the drawbacks. Because obviously things wouldn't be so fun if everything goes that smoothly. 👍

The most noticeable difference between Luke and Nico is their ages, and further, their experiences. At the time he was chosen, Luke has lived until his 17, 18 as a demigod, has seen the mythological world more than Nico ever did. He would know better how to navigate the system, which would benefit Kronos more than a clueless Nico. You can argue that Kronos can properly train him as Minos did, but the fact remains that Luke has experiences that can only be gained through living, aging, and seeing.

On the same topic, after losing his sister, Nico was just a rage-driven, angry, lost 11-12-year-old kid. He could barely take care of himself. He obviously cannot govern and command an entire army. Luke, on the other hand, has many skills required to be a leader. I have talked about this once. He has the tongue, he has his charms, he's manipulative enough. As a tool and a weapon, Luke proves to be a better choice to be the pioneer of Kronos' revolution.

Of course, unless you need a puppet, in which case Nico proves to be a better choice. He was naive .he didn't know better. Luke try to resist because he saw how devastating his actions were/ would be. It should be much easier to fool a kid like Nico rather than an adult, thus limiting the chances of rebuke. I cannot recall exactly what Kronos was trying to do though, so I'll just leave this here.

The best method is of course to keep Luke while getting Nico ready, however, it would put kronos plans back a few years and I'm not really sure the guy would be that patient provided that he has been waiting thousand years to make a come back. So we will just leave it like that.

All in all, it's fun to think about a scenario in which the one whose contribution directly leads to their victory in the original series now becomes the main antagonist, the main reason they will likely fail. Thank you @smartichokes for the delightful idea!! 🥺🥺🥺

[localqueerappreciator]

OKAY

We GET IT. You want us to die, Uncle Rick. WHY ELSE WOULD YOU MAKE SURE PJO BECOMES SUCH AN AMAZING SHOW. Look I had my doubts. I scowled whenever I noticed a change (however, the everbeautiful Tumblr connected the dots for me to understand why change is sometimes better in scenes I wouldn't change). I WANTED there to be dumb kids shenanigans with auntie M, Crusty and Ares. I wanted to see him blow up cop cars and make it make sense to mortals that Percy is a kidnaped baby so he can scam them for money to go back. But despite that. DESPITE THAT. Rick and EVERYONE. every. Single. Person. That worked on the series in the most miniscule of ways. Did an amazing job, bringing our childhood to life. And I hope it will be a gateway for others to join. Titans know,the Movie That Shan't Be Mentioned was mine.

It's amazing. Backbiter tearing away fabric of space so Luke can be on the run again? A perfect thing for a son of hermes on the run. The way Chiron addressed Percy seeing Luke's point? Flawless. Percy not luring Ares to deep waters and standing on a wave but instead crashing him so he can run up to him, slash his ankle and get it over with? Slay. Lance Reddick as The Man? Lovely performance. Amazing. The pride and power that he displays.. I have clapped twice during the episode out of excitement and once as a paying tribute to his performance. Almost everything was great. Gabe being a shitty guy who gets divorced? Fuck yes. BEING STUPID ENOUGH TO ASK A *LAWYER*, WHOM HE JUST OFFENDED, IF HE KNOWS ABOUT LOCKPICKING? HAH! and stealing that package.. Yes we won't get the Poker Buddy statue that she sells, but it still displays what an asshole he is. STEALING A PACKAGE FROM A KID. HOW DARE YOU.

The only thing that didn't smell right to me was how quickly Percy got to New York from Montauk. He could've taken a taxi or something (I'm sure Tumblr will have a post that'll connect the dots for me again). But the cut just seemed just.. Not handled as best as it could've been but that's such a teeny tiny detail. Anyway. THE OLYMPUS WAS BEAUTIFUL. AND ZEUS IS A BITCHY BIG BROTHER. AS SOMEONE WHO WAS BEATEN UP BY THEIR BROTHER RECENTLY BECAUSE OF HIS PRIDE AND POWER I FEEL THINGS WHEN I WATCH HIM AND POSEIDON. And poseidon giving up instantly to save his SON? Forbidden son like Thalia? (yes I see you, playing to his ego, mwah)

Luke, constantly saying We because he just can't fathom that Percy would say no? Oh my heart. Yes there wasn't the scorpion I hoped for but they made up for it by making the scene amazing without it.

Annabeth being there to see him?? And choose Percy?? AND THE PACT? THE STRING W BEADS AND RING?

AND SALLY TAKING NOTES OF HIS NIGHTMARES W GRANDPA?? SO THEY CAN STUDY THEM AND FIGURE SHIT OUT? I love her. So much.

[i-want-chicken-nuggies]

PERCY JACKSON EP 7 SPOILERS ‼️

okay so while watching i just kept a note open and added my thoughts as i watched, and i’ll copy my thoughts here cause why not?

anyway here are my thoughts i had as i watched the episode:

grover using the red toy as a stress ball is so real

ofc the fields would look different from what i imagine but also it’s kinda weird. maybe this is my inner nico di angelo shining but i am a bit irked by the way the underworld looks. not because it’s bad, it’s actually pretty cool ngl, but still that isn’t my underworld that’s not canon in my heart. but also this is the only time ive felt cheated because the show looks different than in my head and idk why. i don’t actually care that much but also at the same time the underworld was probably the most visually detailed places to me while reading pjo and i have such a specific image in my head it’s jarring to see something else. anyway, nothing wrong with the show it’s just me

annabeth you tricky girl throwing the ball to get cerebrus to jump i see you 🤭🫵🫵

okay at first i was a bit annoyed by the 4 pearls but i see what they did. rick you are a cruel cruel man, making the three choose (ofc percy said he would stay behind and refused to take any arguments)

okay ig ive been pronouncing asphodel wrong this entire time go figure

ANNABETH WHAT ARE YOU REGRETTING BABY NOOOOOO

but omg seriously what could it be, there are several possibilities and some of them are percabeth related. but also what regret does she have that’s so strong the fields of asphodel try to take her while she’s alive hello?? i’m weeping.

GAJDUEJBFBEJE PERCY AND GROVER LEAVING ANNABETH BEHIND IM GONNA CRY KSMFNEJKD

GROVER AND PERCY talking over eachother when they found the bolt is so real. i love their friendship

WHY IS HADES SO CHILL??? dude im imagining the hades in the show talking to surly, angry nico and im rolling on the floor thinking ab it

okay taking (part) of my underworld rant back hade’s palace is fucking cool

OHHH MY GAWWH THE BIG BADDIE WAS NAMED!!! losing my mind w/ percy connecting the dots omgkmgomg

OH MY GOD HE SAID THE THING HIS MOM ALWAYS SAID TO BHUM WAAAAH ☹️

“hold fast, mom” im gonna cry

POSEIDON????

OHH MY GOD DUUUDE IDC ABOUT THE PLOT CHANGE ANYMORE IM SO EXCITED TO SEE HOW THIS ENDS NOW!!!!!

l

[moonbeamunson]

𝔤𝔦𝔯𝔩 𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔟𝔩𝔢𝔰 | 𝔞 𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔨 𝔤𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔬𝔫𝔢-𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔱

✰ summary: (18+) you assist rick in a discussion with carl, which brings up feelings of his own.

✰ wc: 6.7k

✰ warnings: angst, comfort, mutual pining, jealousy, smut (heavy on the oral fixation bc rick is a munch hdhdhd)

—

—

As a teacher, helping kids comes to you with ease. Their trust does too. It means so much to you that the children of Alexandria feel comfortable enough to ask you for guidance, Carl being no exception.

After you wrap up your lesson, the kids disperse to enjoy the rest of their day. Carl takes the opportunity to walk over to you, his stomach in knots.

You furrow your brows, giving him a concerned look. “Hey, bud. Everything OK?” He looks at you, unsure of how to explain his dilemma.

“Yeah, um … I kind of like this girl and I think she likes me back, but I still have feelings for someone else,” he looks down briefly pausing “That … someone else probably doesn’t see me that way, but, I just have to know. On top of that … they’re best friends,” he explains nervously.

You know the feeling of liking someone only to be unsure of the other’s feelings. The potential of losing a friend, or at the very least having them see you differently, is terrifying.

‘It’s funny, really. Even as the world crumbles, our seemingly small problems feel so … colossal,’ you consider.

Carl looks up at you, expectantly. “Well, no matter what you choose to do, you still have so much love around you. I know either of those girls would be happy to hear how you feel. Being honest is scary, but you’ll feel better.”

He nods, taking in your suggestion. “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

You give him a soft smile, secretly wishing you could take your own advice.

—

—

Later that day, you find Rick. His back is turned to you, measuring some support beams for the wall. You can’t help but admire his form, his muscles straining against the arms of his button-down. You wipe the thoughts away, ‘now is really not the time.’

“Hey, Rick,” you call out. He stops what he’s doing at turns to you, his blue eyes meeting yours. He smiles softly, running his hand through his hair. You imagine your hand doing the same, grasping the curls draping his neck.

“Hey, how was today’s lesson?” He asks, one hand moving to his hip.

“It was good! We’re starting the creative writing unit and I can’t be more excited,” you say with a smile.

“Glad to hear it. Carl giving you any trouble?” His eyes crinkle, a playful smile emerging. You chuckle, shaking your head.

“You know the answer to that,” you start. “He did tell me about some … girl trouble he’s having,” you explain.

He tilts his head, an amused smile adorning his strong features.

“He’s got feelings for two different people, but he wants to be with the girl he liked first. I … think it might be Sophia,” you say with a chuckle. They have been inseparable ever since she was found at Hershel’s farm, to no surprise to anyone.

Ricks's hand grasps his chin, stroking his light stubble. “I’ll talk to him,” he says, smiling softly.

“I can … help if you want?” I ask hopefully.

“That’d be helpful, you’re good with him,” he says with a nod that you reciprocate.

As you start to turn away, he speaks up. “Wanna join us for dinner tonight?” He says, his eyes searching yours as you turn around. “Sounds good,” you say, trying to hide your eagerness.

With a soft smile you head off in the direction of your house, just a few doors down from Rick’s.

—

You change out of your clothes, searching for something a little more put together. ‘It has been a while since I wore a dress,’ you think to yourself. You can’t help but laugh.

‘Why am I taking this so seriously? This dinner is about Carl. His asking me to dinner has nothing to do with my hidden feelings for him … ones that aren't reciprocated.’

You still remember the first time you saw him in the prison, stepping off the bus from Woodbury. He made sure to make you feel comfortable, taking a liking to you from the start. Only as a friend, you’re sure.

You finish up, slipping on your shoes before leaving the house. You walk the path to Rick’s, your nerves make the trip feel miles long.

You finally reach his door and as you lift your hand to knock, Carl bursts through the door. Tears are streaming down his face and you try to reach out to him, but he brushes you away. You turn to watch him barreling down the stairs, his fists clenched in anger. You rush into the house to find Rick in the kitchen, looking out the door in worry. He looks at you, eyebrows furrowed.

“Carl just ran out crying, I have no idea what happened,” you explain. He walks towards you, placing his hand on the small of your back. It’s a simple gesture, but it affects you nonetheless.

He guides you outside, closing the door behind the both of you. You rush to the gazebo to find Carl with his knees against his chest, his face stained with tears. Your heart wrenches at the sight. It’s so hard to see family in pain.

“Hey … what happened?” You question softly. You look towards Rick as he sits beside his son.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he says curtly, turning his face away from the both of you.

“Carl-” Rick starts before Carl cuts him off.

“It doesn’t matter, Enid doesn’t see me the way I see her. There’s no way she won't talk to Sophia about it. I’m so embarrassed,” he says, dropping his face between his knees. It’s not often you see Carl broken down like this, especially about a girl. The poor kid tries to be so strong for everyone else.

“Well, what if Sophia is relieved? What if she likes you back and just didn’t want to get in between you two?” You offer.

“You don’t know that,” he says, his voice laced with disappointment.

“I know it hurts … to like someone so much. To not know how they feel.” It takes everything to avert your eyes from Rick, not wanting to give any idea as to who you’re actually talking about.

“But … I don’t think you have anything to be worried about. All of us see how close you two are, so it doesn’t hurt to try and tell her your feelings. I’m sure she respects you enough to not take your vulnerability for granted. Sophia is a good kid, same as you,” you explain with a soft smile, trying your best to comfort him.

He wipes the rogue tears from his cheeks, finally lowering his guard.

“She’s right, I see how close you are,” Rick starts. Our eyes meet before he continues. “Maybe you should try to open up to her. Things will be alright regardless of what happens,” he says, his hand moving to his shoulder to give a reassuring squeeze. Carl nods.

You spot Sophie behind them, walking with her mom.

“Now’s your chance,” you say, flicking your head towards the girl. Carl turns around and lets out a huff. “I’m gonna talk to her,” he says before standing up. “Atta boy,” you say, ruffling his hair. “Hey!” He says shooting you a dirty look. You can’t help but chuckle as he runs off adjusting his hair, trying to catch up to Sophia.

You move to sit on the bench, shaking your head. “Kids,” you breathe. Rick chuckles beside you, his head propped up on his hand. “You are good with him,” he says genuinely, a gentle look in his eyes.

You blush, his gaze bubbling up your nerves. “I try,” you reply.

“I’m glad he trusts you, I don’t think he ever would’ve told me that on his own.”

You smile, looking down at your feet. He moves his arm down, placing his hand over yours. “Really, thank you,” he lowers his voice, displaying the seriousness of his gratitude. You start to hear your heart in your ears, the simple touch sending you into an internal frenzy.

You smile at him, unable to form a reply. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but you look great. I’m so used to seeing you in your working clothes I .. forget,” he admits with a soft chuckle, the last word escaping just above a whisper.

The way he’s looking at you makes you feel so observed that you resort to humor.

“I clean up nice, huh?” You say smugly.

He looks down, smiling to himself. “Sorry, I-I didn’t mean it like that.”

You giggle, his attempt to explain himself is adorable. Little does he know, his compliment gives you an exhilarating rush.

“I’m just messin’ with you,” you say shaking your head to which he does the same. He tries to display annoyance, but his badly masked smile gives him away.

You’re interrupted by Carl and Sophia walking up to you, hand in hand. You shoot him a bright smile, his father smirking knowingly. Carl gives you a look, silently warning you to not make a big deal of it. You decide to cut him a break, saving it for later.

“Dinner’s ready,” Rick says as he stands up. “C’mon, lovebirds,” you say with a chuckle, earning an eye roll from the boy.

—

As you finish up the meal, Carl and Sophia ask to be excused. The second Rick obliges, they bolt outside. You’re so happy to see Carl carefree again, knowing how much Sophia's reciprocation of feelings would uplift him.

“They’re adorable,” you say, looking at the man across from you. He nods in agreement.

“What about you?” He asks suddenly. “Who’s this person that might not like you back?” He sends a sly grin your way, his arms crossed while he leans back in his chair.

‘Oh, if he only knew,’ you think to yourself.

“Um … not important,” you say, looking down at your now empty plate.

He shakes his head. “Maybe you should take your own advice.”

“Maybe.” You reply quietly, still not meeting his eyes. His demeanor changes, sensing the hurt behind your response. He moves his hand over yours. “I understand … how you’re feeling.”

He pauses.

“I’m sure it’ll turn out how it did with Carl. You’ve got nothing to worry about,” he replies, his tone gentle. His throat bobs slowly as his eyes bore into yours.

‘If only she knew,’ he thinks.

You nod, not sure of what to say. The irony of the conversation overwhelms you. You release your hand from under his to stand and gather the dishes. He pauses, taken back by your sudden relinquishment of contact. As gets up to help, you stop him.

“Uh no, don't even think about it,” you say with a smile, trying to ease the believed one-sided tension. “You made the food, I’ll clean up,” you order. Your finger is pointed in his direction, not wanting to hear another word about it. He lifts his arms in defense, chuckling to himself.

As you finish up, Rick walks into the room holding Judith. You can't help but melt at the interaction, seeing the pure love Rick has for his children.

The mention of his one-sided attraction gnaws at you. ‘Who could that possibly be?’ your heart clenches wondering.

“So,” you start as you dry off your hands. “Don’t think I forgot you understanding unrequited feelings … who in their right mind turned down Richard Grimes?” You say, using humor once again. You try to keep your composure as your insides twist awaiting his answer.

He dips his head, attempting to hide a blush you don’t fail to notice. He doesn’t reply.

“Oh, c’mon, you know I won’t judge you,” you gently speak. He sets Judith into her playpen, placing a kiss on her head before facing you.

“First of all … I hate when you call me that,” he starts.

One edge of your mouth curls up, knowing full well that’s the case.

“But, it’s not that. It’s just … complicated. After I lost Lori, I was so fucked up. This … person … helped me out of it. I couldn’t help but feel tenderness towards her. I felt so guilty that I was betraying Lori, regardless of what happened with Shane,” he explains hesitantly, head turned away in thought.

You stare intently at his side profile, ignoring your heart's pull. You noticed how torn up he was after she passed. You tried to break through to him and ease his distress, but it seems someone beat you to it.

He continues as you try to push down the jealousy you have no right to feel.

“After I had time to heal, I met Jessie. I knew that lettin that person in on my feelings could ruin our friendship, so I distracted myself. I worked so hard to fully let go of her, it almost worked for a while. Then, I lost Jessie too,” he explains. He still hasn’t met your eyes, clearly embarrassed.

“After all this time, those feelings haven’t gone anywhere. I don’t want her to see me differently, but it’s killin’ me … holding it in.”

You wrack your brain to think of anyone close to him. ‘Who has him this unsure?’ It’s not a long list, seeing as most of your group has already found their person. It’s odd for you to think of Rick Grimes being … hesitant, after everything your group has been through.

You place your hand on his bicep, trying to be a good friend and comfort him.

“Maybe you should take my advice too, I’m sure she’ll appreciate hearing your truth,” you say softly squeezing his arm. You search his face, wanting to be a genuine friend, a safe space. You keep pushing away the jealous thoughts the best you can. ‘I can’t be selfish when he’s hurting,’ you think.

His eyes lift from the floor to your hand, gazing for a moment before finally meeting your eyes. Seeing him like this, so vulnerable and uncertain, makes you angry at this person playing with his heart. He deserves so much better, and you could give it to him.

“Whoever it is, I’m sure she can’t resist,” You continue, playfully pinching his arm. You pause for a moment, moving to cross your arms. “If she doesn’t … she must be dumb,” you add quietly.

He leans over the counter, his veiny hands gripping the edge as his head drops. Your eyes soften, seeing the torn man before you. You only hope your push gives him the courage to go after who he really wants.

He opens his mouth to speak but falters.

“What is it?” You ask after a beat. The silence hangs for what feels like years before he finally breaks it.

“You shouldn't talk so low of … of yourself,” he finally says quietly. He looks back at you for a moment before looking down at his hands.

It takes you a moment to piece together the meaning of his words. Your brain seems to short-circuit which leaves you unable to form a single thought. Your mouth is parted slightly, hands nervously wringing at your dress.

“I-I’m sorry, please just forget I said that,” he pleads and removes his iron grip from the counter. He pinches the bridge of his nose as his weight shifts between the snip-toe boots you adore.

You grasp his wrist softly, pulling back his arm to force him out of a spiral. You can feel every thump of your heart nearly shifting your ribcage.

Your head rushes with every time you’ve caught him staring, every touch and meaningful response. All the force it took from you to dismiss because you never wanted to get your hopes up.

“I … don’t want to,” you speak softly. His eyes lift from your hand still holding his wrist to meet yours.

“What about that guy? The one you have feelings for? It’s hypocritical … but I can’t handle being some kind of rebound. Not with you. Tell hi-”

His words are cut off by your lips crashing into his. One hand is bunching the bottom of his shirt while the other moves into his hair. It’s something you wished for only this morning.

He takes a moment to catch up, frozen against your lips. A moment passes and it clicks. He realizes that this is really happening.

‘All that time wishing it was her hands moving through my hair.

Her body pressed against mine in the dark.

Her full lips on mine.’

He takes not a second past his realization to move his lips against yours, gentle and longing.

‘Finally, the feeling you’ve been grasping for.

A fine thread that always seemed to slip past your fingers.’

He snakes his arm around your waist, pulling you against his strong chest. His fingers curl into the fabric of your dress, holding on for dear life.

Your hand moves down to the nape of his neck, slightly gripping the curls there. You hum into the kiss, relishing in the feeling of your bodies, flush. Both in distance and blush.

His hand flattens and glides down your back to meet the end of your hips, squeezing greedily. You press yourself harder against his front, wanting to be as close as possible.

Your eyelids flutter open as he slowly breaks the kiss, eyes dark and mouth partitioning. You’re both breathless as you take each other in.

“You don’t know … how much I’ve needed this.” He voices from a low growl.

“How about you show me?” you tease, still catching your breath.

He grabs the baby monitor from the counter that watches over Judith’s playpen, slipping it into his back pocket in case she wakes.

He meets your eyes and smirks before bending over to hook his large hands behind the apex of your thigh, your skin tingling under his touch. He effortlessly lifts you in the air, earning a squeal from you.

He folds you over his shoulder, your dress falling up to expose your ass. He notices the lace underwear against your soft curves. You can feel the vibration from his chuckle on your torso, and it’s clear he’s enjoying this.

“You’re comin’ with me,” he says before ascending the stairs.

“I hope I am … coming with you,” you say laughing, the blood rushing to your face even more severely than it was before.

He moves his hand from your thigh to smack your ass, and a sneaky smile finds his lips as he reaches the second floor. “You’d better watch it,” he threatens in a low register.

Your breath hitches at the change in tone, still not processing the fact that Rick is carrying you to his room. His strong hands support your back before he drops you, your frame bouncing into the bed. You giggle at the sight of him towering over you.

He reaches for the monitor and puts it on the nightstand before turning back to you. You absentmindedly bite your fingernail as you watch him, excited to feel his body on yours. He takes off your shoes tenderly, followed by his boots. His hungry eyes trail over your body as your arms slowly rise above your head. He uses two fingers to separate your thighs, crawling between them all while flashing you the most handsome smile.

Your cheeks heat as his weight presses against your core, his arms bent on either side of your face. “You look so good for me,” he says, his voice dripping with desire. Your hand moves to his face, moving your thumb to glide against his swollen bottom lip. “You’re as handsome as ever,” you coo while your legs wrap around him. His eyes soften before leaning in, your body melting under his soft lips.

Your arms meet behind his back, nails grazing lightly over it as his tongue finds yours, your touch producing a needy groan from his lips. The sound pools wetness between your thighs, seeping through your underwear. The heat from his throbbing groin only makes it worse.

You lift the back of his shirt as his open lips move to your jaw, his tongue dragging a line from under your ear to your chin. You moan as he places sloppy kisses down your neck. His hips jerk in response, a gasp falling from your lips. Your hands slip under his shirt to feel his toned back, the muscles moving under your fingers as he supports most of his weight above you.

“I need this off,” you moan, nearly begging.

He pauses the trail of kisses he’s working on to lean back, allowing you access to the buttons of his brown shirt. You swiftly release each button, his eyes focus on your determined face. He smiles down at you as you nearly rip the shirt over his shoulders, the fabric falling to the floor. You lightly scratch his skin, drinking in the image before you.

‘It’s a lot different when he’s actually here, in front of me,’ you realize as you reflect on your many, many, fantasies of him bearing himself to you.

“Please, take this off of me,” you plead. You have to make it even after all.

“My pleasure,” he gruffs before hiking your dress up your thighs, squeezing the sensitive spot that meets your pelvis. You lean your head back into the pillow, his hands feel like fire against you. He leans down a places a kiss in the same spot, and you can’t help but moan.

“I haven’t even done anything yet, sweetheart,” he teases.

You roll your eyes as he continues peeling the dress from you. He kisses your stomach as it reaches just below your bra. You sit up and lift your arms as he leaves you in just your underwear, the dress falling somewhere on the floor.

His knees press into the mattress as his hands move to his belt. “Let me,” you interrupt with a smirk, something he reflects on you.

“Yes ma’am,” he replies as you scooch closer to him. You smile to yourself as your hands find the cold hardware of his belt. You swiftly remove it, slipping the leather through the loops with quickness. You place your hand on his chest, pushing him back. He chuckles as he meets the mattress, his hand tracing down your arm to leave goosebumps in its wake.

His face relaxes as you start touching him. You look up at him through your eyelashes before unbuttoning his jeans. “Is this okay?” You ask. He nods feverishly, his mouth parted.

“I’m gonna need to hear it,’ You demand. “Y-Yes, this is exactly what I want,” he assures. The dominance in his voice has switched to desperation, signaling that he’s putty in your hands. “That’s it, baby,” you whisper with a sly smile.

As you unzip his pants, your eyes never leave his. He pants as you graze your finger over his straining bulge. You lean down to kiss the wet spot you marked him with, causing him to let out a desperate whimper. The sound makes your clit throb, wanting to hear it again and again.

You drag the denim below his hips and down his legs, wanting both of you in as little clothing as possible. You swipe your thumb over the wet spot on his underwear, his cock twitching at the contact, before bringing the precum to your tongue. He whimpers with even more desperation at the sight of you tasting him.

You give him a sweet smile before hooking your fingers under the waistband of his boxers before checking in again. “Still OK?” You question. “Please, baby, I need you,” he says through a breathy moan.

You reach behind you to undo your bra, and the straps drop. You slowly peel it off, your breasts now exposed. You grab his wrists and place his rough hands over each one, they’re large enough to cover them. You throw your head back as your hands grip his calves for support. He earns a deep moan from you while the pads of his thumb lightly graze your aching nipples, so needy for his touch.

You groan as you lean forward to slide his boxers off, his length springing from under the waistband. You smile at him, squirming as you imagine him inside you. You decide it can wait as you spit on your hand to meet it with the base of his cock. He shudders as you grasp him, his stomach rising and falling unevenly.

“Fuck,” he breathes ragged, eyes fluttering closed.

You hold his chin to look at you before you lower your mouth to place kisses on his stomach. You start to pump your hand, spreading the slickness. His eyes are hooded with lust as he takes you in, your plump ass in the air as your kisses now litter his thighs.

One hand moves to his hair as the other caresses your arm. You place a kiss on the base of him, his length twitching beneath your lips. Your tongue drags to his tip, where you leave another kiss. A line of spit falls from your mouth, coating him.

A strangled moan leaves him as you finally take him in your mouth, sucking in your cheeks as your tongue flicks over his head. His breathing quickens and both of his hands slam into the bed to grip the sheets.

“Goddamn,” he says, his eyes squeezing shut. You drop to take him all, his head pressing against the back of your throat. He throws his head back in response, wincing at the sheer crudeness of it all. You start to bob your head, still pulling in your cheeks.

He moves his hands to grip your shoulders, pulling himself out of your mouth and pushing you to lay back down. He reclaims his place above you. “I can’t take it, I need to taste you,” he growls. “Rick, please … just do whatever you want,” you whine, beyond ready to relieve the heat between your legs. “That’s it, baby,” he repeats your words back to you, his drawl as smooth as honey.

He uses the back of his hand to spread your legs open, and his eyes lower to your center. You stare at him as he takes you in. “Jesus, baby … all this for me?” He questions, the inflection of his voice sending chills down your spine. You blush, your hand covering your face. He moves it away and places it on the crease of your thigh.

“Nah, I need to see you,” he demands.

His lips start to leave wet kisses on the inside of your legs. His facial hair adds depth to the feeling, and you want nothing less than to coat his face. His mouth moves to the sensitive spots on the edge of your labia, making your hips twitch.

“Mmm … fuck,” you whimper.

He raises an eyebrow at you before he kisses the bundle of nerves, your underwear creating the most excruciating barrier. You squirm at the sight, hands moving to his curls.

He reaches his arms under your ass, taking the lace with him as he slides them down your thighs. As soon as they leave your frame, he’s right back between your thighs. He licks your thighs, leaving love bites where no one can see, wanting to make this go on as long as possible.

He locks eyes with you before his tongue softly wets your labia.

He kisses your center, closing his eyes. You see stars as his tongue drags inside your folds, lapping up the wetness he created. He spreads his tongue as he presses against your clit, moving it in circles. His facial hair tickling your thighs further numbs your brain.

“Rick!” You exclaim, his skilled tongue now flicking against you. He keeps the same pace while he grips your legs to drape them over his shoulders. His tongue suddenly stops, moving to your entrance. He groans as his tongue slips inside your hot cunt, his hips pressing against the sheets. He stretches his tongue as far as possible, putting pressure on the top as he slides in and out. You feel the heat rise in your stomach, no denying that you’re nearly over the edge already.

“I’m about to … about to …”

He nods against you, his eyes displaying what could only mean that he’s not stopping. You fully let go, your head thrown back as your core snaps. The orgasm he ushered floods your body, and your muscles tighten and tremble. “Fuck, Rick,” you moan. He still doesn’t stop his tongue, aiming to make it so you have to pull his mouth from you.

As much as you cherish the feeling of his tongue, every nerve in your body is screaming with sweet overwhelm. You use both hands to rake into his hair, pulling his head up. His face glistens with your desire, hair disheveled.

He swipes his hand down his face, gathering the excessive wetness. His face slacks as he sucks some off of his thumb. He leans forward and nods. “Open,” he commands, which you comply with immediately.

His fingers slip past your lips and you taste yourself as you suck, once again flooded with desire. You gaze down at his cock, beads of precum leak from him. He removes his fingers and the weight of his length resting on your thigh is entirely too distracting.

“That was just … beyond,” you gush.

He chuckles, his dimples creating warmth in your chest. “For me, too, I can’t believe I kept myself from that,” he scoffs. You giggle at his desire for you, still beside yourself.

“Baby?” You ask. “Hmm?” He hums, voice still laced with sex. He raises his eyebrows, awaiting your response.

“I need you to fuck me,” you state, still desperate for his cock to fill you. He grins, baffled by the things he can experience with you. The person that he loves with every fiber of his being.

He grabs a pillow from beside your head. “Lift your hips, baby,” he says, his hand resting against your hip bone. You lift yourself before he slides the pillow under your lower half. He knows the angle can only make it better for you, and the thoughtfulness makes you blush.

Rick lines his body up with yours, and his member presses against your clit as he kisses you. Your hands grasp his sides as he tilts your face, wanting to slide his tongue against yours. It starts slow, your fingers creeping against his skin, but soon his movements become restless.

His hips curve to slide against your center which erupts a moan into his mouth. He meets it with a deep groan, causing your hips to do the same. His arm slides behind your waist, pulling you in to be as close as possible. Your hot skin sears against his while he moves to your neck. His warm mouth feels sublime against your sensitive skin.

“Baby … please,” you beg, your wetness dousing his twitching member.

He leans against your angled thighs to shift his weight, his arm still tightened around you as he grasps himself. He lines himself up with your entrance before inching his head to your clit. “Fuck … Rick,” you utter. Your breath is short as he looks at you with a knowing smile.

“You’re so adorable when you’re needy,” he teases. You can’t even choke out a response, frantic to feel him inside you.

He moves the tip in circles around you as he presses his lips against yours. You open your mouth to find his tongue, desperate whimpers egging him on. He drops his length to support his body as his calloused hand leaves your back. He uses it to grasp the crook of your knee, folding your leg against itself.

Your eyes snap open to meet his before he presses against your entrance. “You ready?” He questions with a smile. You nod quickly, but he shakes his head.

“I need to hear it,” he growls. Your words to him are biting you in the ass now. “Yes, I’m beyond ready just … plea-” you start to say, cut off by his head moving past your soaking cunt.

You moan softly as he eases in, his thick cock stretching your slick walls. His breath shudders at the feeling of you finally wrapped around his strained length.

His hand finds one of your hardened nipples, squeezing slightly. His pace inside you is slow and torturous while his other hand grips your knee. Being so spread open for him is like nothing else. He lets you adjust to him before the tip of his cock meets your cervix, making you groan. “Oh, fuck …” He moans, his voice dropping.

“You feel so good,” you moan.

“You’re mine,” he responds, his accent makes the dark tone drip. He slides himself out of you before crashing back into your heat. “Rick!” You scream out from the surprise. A very good surprise.

Your eyes shut and his hand moves from your breast to your chin, tilting your head down to look at him again. He wants to feel completely connected to you. Your eyes stay closed as you moan louder, his pace increasing.

“Look at me,” he demands as he folds your straightened leg to match the other. You do as you’re told, his lustful eyes and flushed face make your stomach flutter. He moves his weight to his knees, and the lewd sound of his hips slapping against you and his delicious rhythm tears a fire in your womb. Both of his hands press into your legs, the pressure caving into your torso only adding to your pleasure.

‘He fucking knows what he's doing,’ you think as his cock slides against the spot that builds heat in your core. Your nails dig into his bicep, and it takes every ounce of self-control that you have not to mark him. “Right there, baby,” you plead as sweat gathers on his hairline. His curls tremble as he pounds into you, the force makes your chest bounce for him.

Your moans get louder as his brutal thrusts leave you a puddle beneath him. “That’s it, sweetheart,” he praises through strained breaths. His heart pounds against his chest as he keeps up his pace, completely lost in your warm tightness.

He groans as you pull his arms towards you, freeing your legs to wrap around him. He leans on his elbow while his hand tangles into your hair. His free hand moves to your clit, rubbing circles. Your fingers graze his stubbled jaw before you pull him to your lips, wanting to feel the vibration of his growls that he can’t help but produce.

“I’m so close,” you warn as you slide yourself over him, matching his pace. “Let go, darlin',” he drawls as his hand meets your neck, applying soft pressure to the sides.

That’s all you need to release your tension, a crude moan slipping past your lips. You see flashes behind your eyelids, absorbing the fact that the man you’ve loved for so long is giving you the most explosive orgasm you have ever experienced.

Your walls tighten around him, almost making him lose it right then and there. He holds off so he can drink up the sight of your writhing beneath him. He grins at your frenzied movements as his head slams against your end.

“Inside … please,” you beg as you start to come down, wanting to feel his warmth coat your throbbing pussy. The words are strained as your thighs convulse, the erotic energy coursing through your veins.

A deep moan escapes him as he pumps into you, his thrusts now sloppy and out of control. His head dips to the crook of your neck, biting where it meets your shoulder as he gives his orgasm over to you. You can feel his cock twitching and throbbing as his seed spills inside, ragged breaths fanning over the skin wet from his mouth.

Your hand grips his curls as you make his lips meet yours. His body relaxes into you, his length still pressed against your walls. You break the kiss to stare at his chiseled features, his strong nose being your favorite. His eyes close as you run the tip of your finger over his eyebrow, basking in his glow.

“I’ve needed that for a long time,” you admit blushing.

“I’ve needed you for a long time,” he says softly. You smile before wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him into your chest. The side of his face is pressed against your breast as you cockwarm him, your fingers tracing circles on his sweat-beaded back.

“Me too … I still can't believe you’re inside me right now,” you respond with a teasing smile. He twitches inside you as he smirks, looking up at you through his eyelashes. “I’m not goin’ anywhere,” he whispers as his head returns to your chest.

Your eyes flutter closed, the feeling of being so completely connected with him is beaming warmth through you. The love you feel for him is beyond measure, with all of the years admiring his courage and resiliency. All the years wishing to be by his side, to take on some of his struggles as his partner.

You’ve seen all sides of him through every hard decision and moral dilemma the group has faced. You’ve witnessed his unbridled fury. You’ve also seen his softness.

Like when things get tense and he finds your eyes first, just to make sure you’re OK. How he takes your input seriously because his faith in you never falters. He knows you’re more than capable, but he fiercely protects you regardless.

You do know his softness, but what you just shared is on another level. The bond you formed as friends, even while pining, only made it easier to give yourself over to him. You would do anything to keep him out of harm's way, to ease his worry. Anything to be his.

He’s glad he finally found the courage to say something. The gentle touches and soft glances didn’t convey what he wanted them to, and making the move toward you made him feel like crumbling under the anxiety.

He doesn’t feel the need to hold back any longer, ready to be yours and you to be his. He admires everything about you, the core of who you are. You would do anything to protect your family, the same as him. Your interactions with his kin only deepened his feelings. Your intelligence and quick thinking inspire him, and your character urges him to do what’s right for everyone.

He slowly starts to pull himself out of you, causing you to pout. He shakes his head, leaning in towards your ear. “Trust me … there's more where that came from,” he speaks. You wiggle your eyebrows as he backs up to look at you, a smile reaching his crinkled eyes. “I don’t doubt that … sir,” you wink as your voice lowers.

He smiles before he tightens his arms around you, leaving love bites everywhere he can. He sucks in the skin stretched between your breasts and your breath hitches. You pretend to push him away, loving the playful energy between you. He meets your lips with a hum, his arms still tightly pressing into your sides. He flips you around to be on top of him. Your hands drop to his chest, hair draping over the sides of your face.

“You’re gorgeous,” he coos while his eyes look from top to bottom. “You’re a beautiful, beautiful man,” you say matching his tone. Just then, the baby monitor echoes Jude’s cries from downstairs. His hands are on your biceps as he flips you back to the bed.

“Let me see what she needs and we can pick up where we left off,” he says before climbing off of you to stand up. He leans over to kiss you, lingering for a moment. You brush your fingers across his lips tenderly after he pulls away. “I'm not going anywhere,” you repeat his words from earlier. He shakes his head with a cheeky grin and leaves to find his clothes.

You can’t help but giggle at how cute his ass is, so you give it a quick slap as he bends down for his shirt. He furrows his brows as he stands back up, trying so hard to hide his grin. “I’ll get you back for that,” he grumbles, his smile no longer in hiding.

As soon as he leaves the room, you throw your hands over your face to muffle your tiny scream. The thoughts racing of what just happened make you giddy as you move your face into the pillows.

It finally happened.

❁♡❁

a/n: not me blushing at my own shit … anywayyy … I had so much writing this so lmk if you want me to make this a mini-series!! i haven’t written anything for rick before so i hope i did him justice :,) this isn’t edited, sorry for any mistakes lol.

[deputygonebye]

@rickgrimesdoingrickthings asked: "Why do you have to make everyone hate you?"

Dark and Angsty Sentence Starters

Charred firewood filled the evening air that cooled Hershel's farm and those upon it. Smoke that rose until it reached the stars above, bright and bold in silver. Flame that burned in orange and red, blood and passion and whatever else was lost to the world presently known, had it not been for Rick, the silence between he and Shane would've stayed. Partnered perfectly with the chirps of crickets, leaves blown from their hold on tree branches, a quietness that was every ounce unnatural. Shane was dubious that any sort of change would've happened. All else within the farm's lines static - invariable to all things except for Shane himself. None viewed him as they once did. Never considered him as they used to; beloved dog dragged to the doghouse and left to wither underneath a leaking roof. Fear was held for Shane in every choice he made. Curious glances, confused faces, not the same that was given onto Rick for he and his decisions. Quite simply, love had turned to hate.

Tossing another stick into the campfire, a loose piece that had fallen from the pile collected earlier by Daryl, an insignificant addition, Shane shook his head. Distrust from the others was not something that he strived for. Never was his personal safety risked for such cause, only ever had he wished for the opposite. But tides had turned for the worse of the two. Loath bloomed where it shouldn't have - soil rich with tears and sweat - gratitude more like dead weeds. But if hate was what was gotten for sacrifice, Shane would not try to sway opinion in his favor. See his ways and welcome life, ignore him and choose death. It was only a matter of picking. And Shane would show everyone, Hershel's family and those that had become family from the Atlanta camp, the realities that they were so clearly blind to. A shepherd for lost sheep.

"I don't make nobody do anythin', brother." Shane said, eyes concentrated on the fire before him, watchful as the wood cracked and crumbled further into the pit. "They just don't like what I have to say. Better yet, they hate that what I have to say is right. Some of these people, Rick, they're clueless. They got no idea what life is really like out here. They think Walkers are still people. They think that the world is just gonna go back to how it was. That world's dead, Rick. It's long gone. Only world to look for now is the one right in front of our eyes. The one we're livin' in today. But these folks, they don't see that."

"They just see me as the asshole who talks too much. The guy that they can hate on when everythin' else around them gets bad. All I've ever tried to do was keep everybody safe. It's what I've done since this thing started. But they don't want me doin' that. They want you."

[potetosaradas]

Problem Solved

Summary: Rick comes up with an unlikely(?) solution that settles the decision of choosing Prime or Diane. Rating: T

DISCLAIMER//NOTES: This fic was never meant to published or shared and thus it's in a permanent state of work in progress-- this fic was supposed to be part of Bad Habit, but it never made the cut :') but with the upcoming hype around S7, I wanted to share this for anyone who might be interested in reading my delulu thoughts ><

Dedicated to @cyanichexanthine for encouraging me to share this and supporting this silly fic <3

Blue light washed over pale skin, edges of bone and muscle defined by deep shadows in the artificial light. 

“Take care of him for me…”

A shaky hand stroked down a smooth cheek.

“Be good to him.”

The hum of machinery buzzed lowly in the background as a monitor counted out a steady, stable pulse. 

“Love him better than I ever could.”

----

When Prime woke up the next morning to cold empty sheets, he wasn’t surprised. Disappointed and lonely maybe, but not surprised. Out of habit, his hand came up to rub the scar on his ribs, feeling the tender healed skin and remembering the way Rick had kissed him there the night before. 

There was a strange knot brewing in his chest, gnawing and burrowing at the cage of bones surrounding his heart. Prime was feeling a lot of things as he sat up, but mostly he felt a cold realization that things were truly changing between them. The sex had been bittersweet, tender and heated in the moments that passed far too quickly but it was a mockery of the connection and passion they had shared together in the past. 

He didn’t believe in fate, but whatever it was, he clearly felt the divide in the path that they walked together. Prime felt with absolute certainty that Rick was now walking down a path that did not include him and it brought out a desperation that Prime didn’t even know he was capable of feeling. He had been so certain that Rick would choose him— how could he not? He’d seen their future together. He could feel it in his mind so tangibly that it had become real. All of that was swirling away like bath water into a drain and Prime was left feeling cold and alone. 

Anger swept over his body and he snatched the half pack of cigarettes from the makeshift bedside table, lighting one and smoking it in mutinous silence. This right here was why he never got attached to anything or anyone. He knew he’d fucked up when he found himself starting to rely on Rick. The worst part was that it had felt so easy and natural. They were so in tune with one another that they didn’t even need words. They’d just known what the other needed.  He’d never known what that level of comfort and understanding was like and it was all consuming. Prime had gotten himself hopelessly addicted. He felt safe in the knowledge thinking that Rick had felt the same way. He knew Rick had felt the same way. He saw it in his eyes and felt it in his body. And yet, Rick was the one pulling away so easily for someone who didn’t even inspire him to be the best version of himself and it made Prime burn. It would have been better for the both of them had he left Rick to fuck up his life on his own, but he couldn’t. He saw the same haunted look in Rick’s eyes and to Prime, it was a cry for help. 

As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, Prime found himself wondering and poring over every moment that led to this point. Was there any point in time he could have prevented the rift between them? He thought about the day they’d decided to go to Shoney’s for breakfast. How small and insignificant that choice had seemed at the time. It had been a toss up between Shoney’s and some no name diner on the corner of Main and 3rd. He imagined if Diane hadn’t been on shift that day. Would it have been another waitress that stole Rick’s heart? He should have ripped up that receipt when he had the chance. For not the first or last time, Prime idly considered wiping Diane’s existence off the face of the Earth, wondering if that would make a difference at all. With that thought, he crushed the butt of the cigarette out in a makeshift ashtray and got out of bed. 

After Rick stabilized portal fluid, he hadn’t been back to the lab very often. Long gone were the days they used to spend holed up on this distant moon and the stretch of days enclosed in the ship as they traveled to and from Earth. The absence of the extra body only served to make the modest apartment feel bigger, emptier and quieter. Prime glanced at the small square table where they’d shared countless meals and hours plotting out schemes and problems. Now the table was littered with loose leaf from Prime’s research on time travel and there was virtually nothing to show that his twin had occupied the space at all. 

He glared at the table as if it caused him great offense. He didn’t need Rick. If anything Rick needed him. The lie made him laugh quietly.  He’d existed on his own just fine until he met Rick, now everything seemed determined to remind him of what he longed for the most. Irritation at his human weakness caused a surge of spite to rush through his veins and Prime decided to throw himself into his work. If Rick didn’t want to make a choice, Prime would make that decision for him. 

For one week Prime barely slept as he kept his hands and mind busy with completing the time machine modelled after the portal gun they designed together. He had to keep himself busy otherwise he’d find himself stalking the house at all hours of the day and Rick had expressly banned him from doing that. There was one thought in his mind that he kept coming back to in the late hours of the night as he worked through the final equations, a feverish, desperate thought that maybe he could use the time gun to correct their timeline. 

Even though he had been determined to avoid thinking about Rick, Prime couldn’t help but keep one eye on the portal gun log that sat open in the basement though. Partly because he was curious to know where Rick was traveling to but mostly to keep tabs on his partner. The last entry had coordinates marked for Rick’s home and it hadn’t changed from one week ago. Usually Rick would call or text to let him know if he was planning on coming over, but Prime’s phone remained silent. He refused to call or text Rick first and spite alone drove him to work like a madman. 

In an effort to drown his thoughts and feelings, Prime had started to feel numb. He hadn’t even felt half as satisfied when he’d completed the time gun even though he’d been working on this project for a little over two years. The time gun sat in front of him and Prime could barely even look at it. When Rick had perfected portal travel, they’d gone out and celebrated, partying hard and getting completely sloshed. The elation of success could hardly be contained as they kissed each other on the mouth and cheeks stained with alcohol all night, proud of their accomplishment. It had been a great night. They used the portal gun extensively, traveling to all their favourite planets and a few more new ones. It was thrilling to be able to make trips to places that would have otherwise taken days. They kissed for every successful portal opened and closed. When they got home late the next day, they’d fallen into Prime’s bed and made slow, achingly sweet love until they fell asleep bathed in starlight. 

The loud buzz of his phone vibrating against the worktop jolted him out of his thoughts and he checked the caller ID. As if Rick had sensed his thoughts, the call was coming from Rick’s home phone. Usually, Rick would call him directly from a private number. Something about this call felt strange. 

“Hello?” He answered guardedly. 

There was silence on the other end. 

“… Rick?” A familiar soft voice asked in a strange tone. “Is… is that you? Honey— where are you? Are you okay? Who's… whose number is this? Please come back home. If this is about what happened last week… I’m sorry. I didn’t… I just want you to come home… please.”

Prime’s fingers gripped his phone tightly, trying to make sense of the call. Rick wasn’t at home? His eyes flicked over to the portal log but the coordinates hadn’t been updated. He wanted to feel smug about the fact that there was conflict between Rick and Diane but worry overwhelmed any satisfaction he felt. 

“I’ll… I‘ll be home soon.” Prime said in a strained voice and hung up. It was better to keep the conversation short and sweet. The longer he had to hear her voice, the more nauseated he felt. 

He pushed a shaky hand through his hair and tried to rally the facts in his head. If Diane didn’t even know where Rick was, it must be quite serious. He must’ve been missing for days for her to be this worried. 

Prime grabbed his portal gun sitting on the other side of the workbench and punched in the coordinates to Rick’s last known location. 

When he stepped into the garage, the first thing he noticed was that everything was neat and tidy as if it had been untouched for days. Rick worked like a whirlwind, papers scattered, equipment strewn everywhere in the process of building something. Prime was the same way. The spotless workbench gave Prime a strange sense of anxiety. It wasn’t normal. 

The garage felt warm. Unusually so. Getting on his hands and knees, Prime felt warm concrete under his fingers. His keen eyes picked up a place on the floor where dust had been disturbed. There was a faint outline of a trapdoor, so thin you would have missed it. A laser scanner emerged as Prime approached and as he placed his hand on it, the trapdoor slid open silently revealing metal rungs of a ladder that extended deep underground. 

As Prime made his way down into the darkness, the air became warmer and he could smell the stale smoke of cigarettes and marijuana. The short corridor opened up into a larger room cramped with machinery, cables and tubing feeding into one large glass tube. What available wallspace was completely covered in drafts and papers documenting research and tracking progress. It looked like he wasn’t the only one who’d been busy. His gaze fell on Rick who was bent over, embracing someone whose face he couldn’t see. Angry jealousy surged through his body. He drew his laser pistol.

“What the fuck is this?” 

Rick turned around slowly and Prime saw how exhausted Rick looked. His eyes were rimmed with red and there were deep shadows. They could barely focus as they took him in. Prime’s gaze dropped to the man standing behind Rick and his eyes widened.

“You— you cloned yourself? You… you made a successful clone?” He couldn’t help but add on in slight admiration. Cloning was something they’d always talked about doing together. 

“Yeah.”

“Is this what you’ve been doing for a week? Why didn’t you call me. We could have worked on it together—” 

“You said I couldn’t make a decision so… this is it.” Rick waved tiredly at the clone and sighed. 

Prime stared at the clone who stared back at him unflinchingly, trying to put two and two together. What did making a clone have to do with…

“Tell me that’s for her.” Prime’s eyes cut towards Rick’s accusingly. “You made a clone to take care of your bitch spawn so we can be together, right?”

“...” Rick’s silence said it all.

“Right?” Prime’s voice took on a waver. “Come on, baby. You can’t be serious.”

“Maybe… in an alternate reality if it had just been Diane, maybe the choice wouldn’t have been so difficult. But we have a kid together now. There’s— I can’t let Diane do this by herself. It’s my responsibility too. And… And I want you to be happy too. The clone has—”

Prime took three strides forward, grabbing the clone by the arm and yanking it into a kiss right in front of Rick’s shocked face. It had Rick’s exact likeness and it smelled and tasted just like him too. The Rick clone tried to kiss him back but Prime didn’t even give it a chance before he pushed it away violently. The clone fell back against the desk, throwing out a hand to catch himself. Prime felt nauseous. 

“You know what I think of your clone?” His voice trembled with anger and adrenaline. Without thinking, he aimed his laser pistol at the clone’s head and pulled the trigger. The clone fell to the floor with a heavy crunch, blood seeping out of the head wound. Rick let out a harsh, strangled cry and turned on him.

“Prime! What the fuck? You motherfucker— Do you know how long it took—”

“How could you possibly think I’d be okay with your clone? That’s the biggest insult to everything that we are. You think I’m with you for your body? You think that some clone is going to be able to replace you?”

“The clone has all my memories—” 

“I don’t give a rat's ass if the clone has two dicks. What were you thinking? Were you just going to send the clone in your place one day and think I wouldn’t know the difference? I want you not just some shitty xerox of the person that you are.”

“Then tell me what I should do!” Rick said angrily, hands balled into fists. “I’m trying so hard to come up with a solution that doesn’t fuck up the lives of the two people I love the most in this universe. Nothing I can do will make you or Diane happy. Sure, it’s not fucking ideal but I really thought that—”

“Well you thought fucking wrong.” Prime spat out. “Great idea, but you’re sending the clone to the wrong person. I refuse to spend the rest of my life with a substitute. You need to make a real decision, Rick. Blood will be spilled. There’s no way to avoid that.”

“Well that’s fucking bullshit. There’s an infinite amount of choices— there has to be a solution that will—”

“Let’s just skip to an alternate dimension— one where you never even met Diane or had a kid. It’s literally that simple.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why the fuck not? The answer to all our issues is sitting on the table over there.” Prime gestured to Rick’s portal gun.

“Because… I’m just not that guy who would abandon their family.”

“But you’re okay with being a cheater?”

“... That’s low and you know it.”

“Truth hurts, baby. Doesn’t matter if it’s hard to hear, doesn’t make it any less real.”

“...” Rick looked away, ashamed.

“I’m going to tell her.” Prime said quietly. 

“You— what?” 

“I’m going to tell her— about us.” Prime continued in a stronger voice. “I’m going to tell her about every single time you were getting railed in bed when you were supposed to be at home eating dinner instead.”

“No, you will not.” Rick grabbed his arm. “If you do that, I’ll never be yours.”

Prime laughed and pushed Rick’s arm off.

“Don’t you see? You’re already not mine.”

The words hung heavy between them as they looked at one another with a mirrored expression of resentment and misery. 

Prime turned on his heel and started walking towards the entrance. 

“Stop!” Prime felt Rick grab at his jacket. “Stop it. Don’t take another step or I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Prime turned to face Rick, a sneer on his lips. “You’ll hurt me? Babe, you’re already hurting me.”

“Just don’t hurt Diane.” Rick muttered. “She doesn’t deserve this.”

“But I do? She gets you but I get a clone?”

“Just— just give me some time to work— to figure something out.” Rick’s grip tightened on his jacket. “Just don’t tell her. Please.”

[elpida]

You said not to fall for you. Did you change your mind? (For Eris)

"Nope." she answered back promptly. She seemed off today, more angry than usual. "Don't fall for me, god if you did that'd be awkward." she didn't mean that, she was tired... she was really tired and this was the second night now she'd not been able to sleep and then it hit.. Eris had.. Eris had been drinking? She'd never so much as picked up a bottle before, never dared to unscrew the lid and yet right now she was absolutely and utterly drunk. She'd spilled a little down her tight black shirt, christ she still had the bottle in her hand and that showed... just quite how much she'd drank. "'Coz who'd ever fall for me huh? Who'd fall for- for vicious fucking Amorello. I've heard what they say! I've heard all of it- guard dog, they say I'm like a guard dog that I bite." she made a move to swig some more. Something had upset her because she'd never normally reach for alcohol.

It'd started with a nightmare and then from that the stress started piling on, a new mission, new briefings, movement here and there and then this new name that apparently just tipped her over. "That I bite... me." she pushed her hand through her hair, it was down.. god she looked like a vision of flames with her hair down, nobody normally got that luxury aside from Rick. Soft and bouncing waves, a deep and fire touched red. People used to pay money to get Eris' natural hair colour, that deep and rich auburn. "And that's not fair! That's not fair because I bite but- but I don't mean to bite. Why would I?" see normally she'd not be bothered but to say someone bit, in a world where a bite meant death was.. something else, a different form of cruelty. They were essentially saying she was a jynx, a death wish on anyone she was near. For what? For the fact she was defensive?

"Maybe I should bite! Hell have they seen, have they seen what I've been through- the scars that I carry?!" she was pacing, back and fourth yet she had this wobble.. but she wasn't putting that goddamn bottle down, slurring every couple of words. He mentioned falling for her but she was the one falling. "I didn't ask for any of it!" she panted, getting that anger out when she was like this, was like seeing a whole other side. "I didn't ask for.. for any of it." she panted, falling back against the wardrobe messily and sinking her back down it. "So- So how could anyone, anyone fall for me huh? Changed mind or not how could you ever, how could anyone look at me and not see the scars, or a guard dog that bites or- or me. How could anyone see me, and choose to... want me. Why?" she asked suddenly, reaching for the screw of that bottle again. "Why doesn't... Why doesn't anyone pick me? Why doesn't anyone want me?"