#anne would agree i don't doubt it

[seud-luachmhor]

[credit to @aimeedaisies for those pictures this morning, and @princessanneftw for this idea that I could not let go of 😊]

Edit - I'm sorry, I should have tagged the entire fAnnedom because all your marvellously funny posts went into this 😄

[storiesfromafan]

Benny x Reader

A/N: first off, want to say this is my first time not only writing a Benny fic, but also writing something different to my usual stuff. So please be kind, as I am terrified to post this haha.

I have been thinking about this idea, and possible series, for over a week. So I finally bit the bullet and wrote out the first part. It's more of a set up for the reader, as I want to make this a series. As well, I left out places and such, but tried to do it in away that its not bad. Only because I'm from Australia and don't really know much with America, only what I've seen in movies and TV shows.

If it is not really liked, I will take it down. But if anyone is interested, I am happy to keep going. I have two more parts kind of planned out. But there is a few idea's I'm not 100% sure of. So if anyone want to talk Benny and these ideas, please message me.

Alright, I guess on to the story then...

“Tell me about the first time you met Benny?” Danny asked moving his microphone towards you.

You were sitting on your couch, lit smoke in hand. “Honestly, the first time I saw Benny, that was something. He saw me more then I really saw him”.

“What did he say to you? Or what did you say to him?” Danny asked adjusting the recorder.

You chuckled. “We never said anything to each other, well I said something but it wasn’t to him. You see I’d just gotten back from living with my Aunt for over three years. I’d gone to live with her when I was nineteen, prior to that for the last ten years the woman had been on my dads case. She believed a man couldn’t raise a girl. My old man wouldn’t listen to her. So I grew up a tomboy, eventually he entertained her request”.

You took a drag from the cigarette between your fingers, before releasing the smoke. “I can tell you living with that woman was torture. Along with her daughter, who had just gotten engaged when I arrived. They both took to teaching what is expected of a lady, how to dress, walk and talk. The only way I survived it was when I made friends with some locals there that raced motorcycles. When my Aunt found out, she flipped out, sent me back after I wouldn’t change my ways...”

~~~

How you managed to pack up three years in two large suitcases surprised you. But here they were, back in your old room on your families farm. The room looked just as you had left it, only a tad dusty from half assed cleaning courtesy of your dad and brother. Looking around brought back memories. Your best friend pushed past you and took a seat on your bed.

“Can see the males of the house don’t know how to clean properly” she commented running her hand over your bedding.

“Unfortunately not. If they did, along with being able to cook, then women would not be required” you laughed lifting and bringing a suitcase over, before dropping it on the bed.

“Agreed" she laughed with you.

You began to unpack the suitcase, which had mostly shoes, tops, bottoms, personal items. Once that one was done you removed it from its place before replacing it with the second suitcase. This one had a few more tops and bottoms, but mostly your dresses.

“Lilly, do you mind getting the dresses out and I will hang them up?” You asked her as you put away the last of your tops and bottoms.

“Sure” was her response before taking out the first dress and handing it out to you.

You thanked her while taking the garment from her hands, putting it on a hanger and then placing it in your closet. While doing this together Lilly filled you in on the town gossip, along with that of people you had gone to school with.

“You remember Anne, right?” – You nodded your head – “she has turned into a real Miss Prim and Proper! No doubt it’s her mummy’s doing, dolling up her daughter in hopes for her to catch a big fish!”

You laughed. “Really? You believe her mum would do that?”

Lilly gave you a pointed look. “Just about every girls mum wants her daughter to land the perfect catch. They practically raise girls to be perfect house wives. My mum done it with me, it’s only half stuck” she laughed pulling out another dress.

You felt a pain in your heart at your friends words, for you didn’t have the luxury of growing up with a mum. You only knew your mum till you were eight, before she died. You love your dad but you missed your mum, and all the stuff you missed out on learning from her. Thankfully Lilly’s mum was a great second mum, not to mention your Aunt when she would come and visit would also give you a little of what you missed out on.

Lilly sighed holding your dress to her body, “I’m so jealous of all the lovely dresses you have”.

You smiled softly. “They are nice, but not ideal for a farm”.

“Well of course not! But when we go to town or parties, they will be perfect! Maybe I could borrow one or two sometime, specially when I have a hot date” Lilly asked leaning toward you batting her eyelashes.

You laughed taking the dress. “Sure, but make sure they are cleaned before returning them. Don’t want any suspicious stains on them”.

She gave you a disgusted look retrieving another dress. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m a lady” Lilly proclaimed sweetly.

You laughed taking the dress from her hands, while she gave you an offender look before she in turn laughed, not hurt by anything you said or done. That was your friendship, completely open and honest. Since you were both children you got on like a house on fire. You told each other everything and not once judged each other. Lilly was the sister you never had.

Once you had finished unpacking that was when you heard the revs of a motorcycle. You looked to Lilly, just as she looked to you. Without saying anything the both of you left your room and headed outside, hearing the revs again you figured it was coming from the old barn away from the house. Both giggling at the intrigue, you both headed for the barn. You were the one to put your weight into opening one of the barn doors, wiping your hands on your jeans walking into the space, Lilly right behind you.

Before you was your older brother, Andy with a racing bike. He looked up when realizing he wasn’t alone, wiping his hand on an old rag. Once his eyes landed on you did he smile brightly before pocketing the rag and coming over to engulf you in a big hug, which lifted you off the ground.

You laughed. “What a great welcome home”.

Andy laughed swinging you around. “Welcome home kid. I’ve missed you!”

You hit his shoulder telling him to put you down, which he did reluctantly. “You saw me a few months ago”.

“Still missed you!” He laughed.

You shook your head at your older brother, before eyes going back to the racer. “Project of yours?” You asked as you walked toward the bike.

Both Andy and Lilly followed you. Andy took the place he had originally been when you entered the barn, while you moved to the other side of the bike, Lilly chose to stand back. You looked over the bike, admiring it’s beauty. Motorcycles was the one thing you and your brother had in common. It was a great way to bond together when you were a teenager.

“When did you start racing?” You asked running a hand over the bikes seat. “Does dad know?”

Andy rolled his eyes. “Yeah he knows. I’ve been racing on and off for seven or so months”.

“He has ever since joining the Vandals” added Lilly.

You looked to your friend before back to your brother with a raised eyebrow. “Really? The Vandals huh? When were you going to tell me, hmm?”

Picking up a tool, Andy went back to adjusting something on the bike that you couldn’t see while shrugging his shoulders. “Does it matter?”

“You usually tell me these things Andy, I feel hurt you didn’t mention it” you said with a touch of sadness. “And dads fine with it?”

He laughed. “Of course, he’s fine with it. Since he knows most of the guys in the club”.

You nodded. “Alright.”.

“Don’t worry (Y/N), Uncle Johnny keeps an eye out for his boys” Lilly spoke up, knowing you worried about your brother.

Yes, you recall Lilly mentioning her Uncle Johnny, and that you had met him a few times when he had stopped off at Lilly’s house, was the leader of The Vandals. He seemed like a nice man, always looking out for his family. You also recalled her mentioning the club, but you hadn’t been around when it turned into a riding club, just when it was in the early stages of a racing club.

After that you and Lilly chatted with Andy while he worked on the bike. The atmosphere had returned to a happy and fun one. You learnt about what had been going on with Andy and the farm, along with your dad, who you still hadn’t seen yet. You couldn’t wait to see your old man, you had seen him a few months back when you saw Andy, but you missed the time with him. You had missed both men in your life. But now you were back where you belonged.

“There” sighed Andy dropping the tool in his hand and turning the bike off, “I think that will do for now. Just have to test her”.

“Her?” Both you and Lilly questioned looking at Andy.

“Yeah, her” he replied moving to kick up the bikes kickstand and holding the bike up. “It’s been nothing but temperamental and trouble, just like a female”. His tone was teasing, telling you he was joking around.

“Sounds more like a male” retorted Lilly with a laugh.

Andy shot her a dark look before laughing himself. You shook your head laughing at the two of them. Eventually he admitted defeat when he and Lilly went back and forth a bit more.

Andy began to move the bike around and then out the barn door, both you and Lilly following behind him. Out in the sunlight you can see the bike better, watching as Andy gave it another look over. You stepped up to him and watch him. Once he was happy with the bike, Andy was about to get on when you stopped him.

“Could I give it ago?” You asked softly. You’d ridden bikes before when you were a teen. Plus when you were living with your Aunt, which may or may not have upset her.

He looked at you unsure. “I don’t know kid. She hasn’t gotten all the kinks worked out of her. I still have this issue with her taking off when you go up in gears, she just accelerates and can be hard to handle”.

You nodded but smiled. “I promise to be careful and not go too fast. Please, can I?” You gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes you could.

Andy wasn’t sure if he should let you, but Lilly came to your defense. “Come on Andy, you know she will be careful. It’s just a few laps, it won’t hurt”.

Reluctantly he agreed and you shot Lilly a big smile, which she returned. So with his consent, you grasped the handle before moving to swing your leg over the bike, and sat down taking hold of the other handle. Andy stepped up and walked you through starting her up, you knew what to do but let him instruct you. He went over everything; front brake lever, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever and rear brake pedal. With his instructions he stepped back from you and let you go.

You started out slow, going around in circles before both your brother and friend. Lilly was cheering you on, which made you laugh. Gradually you picked up the speed and at Andy’s words, you did wider laps.

“You look so cool!” Called Lilly. Which you rolled your eyes at.

“Alright kid” Andy called. “Why don’t you take her back up behind the barn, then down toward the house and then turn right to take the long way back to the barn, get her speed up a bit more”.

You nodded giving him a solute, which made Lilly laugh and your brother call out for you to keep your hands on the handlebars. You did as he instructed before turning around and riding up behind the barn. As you looped back around you revved up the bike, and as you straightened up and headed for the house, you shifted the gears. Unfortunately the little issue your brother warned you about decided to come forth as you gained speed. The bike jerked with the acceleration, you held onto the handlebars tightly doing everything to keep the bike in check.

Andy noticed the change in your body and figured out what had happened, panic setting in he began calling out to you. He couldn’t do much more than that. He prayed you could handle the bike, and didn’t want to think of what could happen to you.

All the while before you had gotten on the bike, none of you were aware that your dad had returned home. Along with him were two men from The Vandals, the older male had dark hair while the younger dirty blonde hair, with stubble to match. They were discussing some business before heading around to the back of the house, when they all caught the sounds of a bike.

“Take it Andy’s working on his racer” the older male commented to your dad.

He laughed. “Yeah, the boys determined to smoke the competition Johnny”.

Johnny laughed. “He’s a good kid and rider, no doubt he will beat them”.

The Three started to make their way around to behind the house. They all looked up to the barn to see the bike take off up behind the old building. Your dad noticed two figures standing by the barn, one looked to be Andy, which confused the man. He wondered who was on the bike then. That was when the bike came back into view, heading towards the house. The shouting from the barn caught everyone’s attention, worry setting into your dad.

You had been so focused on staying in control of the bike you hadn’t noticed the three figures walking into your path until last minute. Upon seeing them you quickly dropped the gears on the bike before hitting the back brakes. With the light weight of the bike you managed to turn it right, planting your right foot to the ground and pulling off a slide stop. Dirt kicked up at your manoeuvre, you sat there a little stunned as the bike idled away.

You blinked a few times before turning to look at the males before you. But mostly to your dad, who looked just as stunned as you.

“Ah, hi dad” you said slowly. “Didn’t know you were home”.

He looked at you, to the bike you sat on and then back to you. “What are you doing?! You shouldn’t be riding that!”

You flinched at his slightly raised voice. “I was testing the bike for Andy...”

He shook his head. “Did he tell you about the issue it has with acceleration?” – You nodded – “and he still let you ride it!?”

“Well I promised to be careful” you replied.

Your old man shook his head. “You shouldn’t haven’t gotten on it (Y/N), what if you had crashed! Turn it off and get off it, now!”

“But I didn’t crash, I think I handled her pretty well” you defended as you turned off the bike before getting off it.

By this time both Andy and Lilly had jogged down to the scene. Your dad turned and began to have words with your brother, while he took the bike from you.

“Seriously Andy, I thought you’d know better than to let anyone on that bike before getting it sorted out” he said with a deep sigh.

Andy looked down while apologizing.

“It’s not all his fault, I wanted to ride it” you came to your brothers defense.

“Yes, well I’m disappointed in both of you. What if something had happened to you? Your brother would have to live with that” he guilt tripped you.

“I am sorry dad. But I kinda knew what I was doing...” you said softly not looking at the man before you.

That was when you noticed the other two on lookers. Suddenly you felt embarrassed that both of them were witnessing you and your brother getting a scolding.

While from the time you had stopped and until you finally noticed them, the younger of the two males had been looking at you. He was surprised when you had slid stopped the bike you were on. It had been like an Angel had slid before him. He was impressed by how you had not only handled the bike, but also your dad. But found you cute when you got embarrassed by him and Johnny. He could tell there was more to you, and it was fascinating.

Before you could really take in the two Vandals, your dad sighed once more. “Andy, take the bike back to the barn. (Y/N), go back into the house with Lilly”.

Lilly walked up to you and linked arms with you and began to pull you to the house, reluctantly you let her do so. All the while Lilly softly comment on the events. But before disappearing into the house, you watched your brother push his bike back up to the barn, then you looked to your dad and the older male watching your brother. Looking to the younger Vandal you saw him looking at you, and not to were the other two beside him was looking. But then Lilly pulled you into the house, severing eye contact to the young Vandal.

“What was that Fred?” Johnny finally questioned.

Your dad sighed. “That was my daughter. She got back today from her Aunts”.

Johnny whistled. “Might have your hands full with that one. But I will admit, that stop was impressive”.

Fred shook his head. “Don’t let her hear that. Don’t want to encourage her” he laughed darkly. “Come on, the sheds this way”.

Your dad started to walk again, while the other males followed. Johnny continued to ask about you, which your dad filled in. He said how he’d lost your mum when you were eight. How he did his best to raise you, all the while his sister-in-law kept hassling him about letting her take you in and raise you.

“The old battle-axe didn’t think I could raise a girl” Fred said with a sigh. “She was kinda right. I raised a tomboy”.

Johnny laughed while the other male smiled. “Nothin’ wrong with that” comment Johnny.

“I agree” said Fred, “but (Y/N) missed out on a lot not having a mum around. Thankfully Lilly's mum was there when it came to female things”.

Johnny nodded before following Fred into the shed. The younger male decided to wait outside, which was fine with the pair. Walking over to a fence before the shed, the young male lent back on the post, retrieving a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. Taking out a cigarette, he pocketed the packet and pulled out his lighter. With the cigarette between his lips he sparked the lighter and lit it. Taking the first drag he put away the lighter, eyes looking back at your house as he released the smoke into the air.

Honestly, he can say he had never seen a female ride a bike before. Usually the females that were around The Vandals were always on the back of one. So seeing you handle that bike like you had was not only impressive but also a turn on. He hoped to cross paths with you again sometime soon.

Johnny came out of the shed with Fred. “Come on Benny, were done here”.

Moving from the fence post, Benny followed both men back to the front of the house and where their bikes were. Once on their bikes, they both started them up. They sat there for a few minutes, which allowed Benny a few more drags from his smoke before tossing it off to the side. He and Johnny began to move their bikes back to turn around, when Benny got a glance of both you and Lilly by the window. With a small smile, they both took off, heading back into town and to the bar.

~~~

“As I said, it was something. Me embarrassed by my old man having words with me. I didn’t really take Benny in at the time” you stated putting out your cigarette.

“You said Benny noticed you more?” Danny asked checking his recorder.

“Yeah, he told me so later on. He’d call me his Angel on wheels” you laughed.

“So the next time you saw Benny, you finally spoke to each other?”

You laughed more at his words. “Unfortunately, no. We might have if the time was right. But that second time I saw Benny, I really saw him...”

A/N: please don't hate me for this lol. I am also sorry for the use of (Y/N).

[writers-potion]

said is NOT DEAD. our brains have seen it so much that when reading dialogue, it just glosses over it. if you don't want to detract from the dialogue, USE SAID. other words might ground the reader a little too much and lose a bit of immersion.

--this comes from my old tutor who now has a phd in literature

Said Is Not Dead

Of course not! "Said" should still be your go-to speech tag, the benefit being that it flows best. I find it nice to have a larger working vocabulary when it comes to expressing speech, though, and I think many writers would agree! It's one thing to use "said" because you know it's the best word choice and another to keep using it because you can think of no alternative.

Having said that:

". . . Don't tell me your character 'excaimed,' 'stated,' or 'replied.' When in doubt, just use 'said.' That's all. Maybe they 'answered.' They certainly did not 'retort.' You can use 'said' more often than you think . . . it's one of those words that takes a while before it starts sounding repetitive." -- Ariel Gore, How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead

"The best form of dialogue attribution is 'said,' as in 'he said, she said, Bill said, Monica said." -- Stephen King, On Writing

"Mr. [Robert] Ludlum . . . hates the 'he said' locution and avoids it as much as possible. Characters in The Bourne Ultimatum seldom 'say' anything. Instead, they cry, interject, interrupt, muse, state, counter, conclude, mumble, whisper (Mr. Ludlum is great on whispers), intone, roar, exclaim, fume, explode, mutter. There is one especially unforgettable tautology: '"I repeat," repeated Alex.' The book may sell in the billions, but it's still junk." -- Newgate Callender, in The New York Times Book Review

"Editors and critics often refer to melodramatic dialogue tags as 'said bookisms.' They know that these phrases give our story an amateurish look. Your readers might not know what the darn things are called, but chances are that they'll notice them, too . . . In most cases, the word 'said' would work just fine, and using said bookisms detracts from the dialogue." -- Ann M. Marble, "'Stop Using Those Said Bookisms,' the Editor Shrieked."

"[Say is] just too simple and clear and straightforward for many people. Why say something when you can declare, assert, expostulate, whine, exclaim, groan, peal, breathe, cry, explain, or asseverate it? I'm all for variety and freshness of expression, but let's not go overboard." -- Patricia T. O'Conner, Woe Is I

"In journalism circles, said is a virtue--simple, precise, and unadorned--and alternatives to it are considered frilly and silly. You don't have to agree, but be aware that lots of editors hold this view. Choose your alternatives to said with great care." --June Casagrande, It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences

"We're all in favor of choosing exactly the right verb for the action, but when you're writing speaker attributions the right verb is nearly always 'said.' The reason those well-intentioned attempts at variety don't work is that verbs other than 'said' tend to draw attention away from the dialogue." --Renni Browne and Dave King, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Side Note: After a month-long hiatus while this uni writer struggled with exams, internships, interviews and multiple mental breakdowns, I am going to resume answering questions that have piled up in my inbox! Get ready to be bombarded with writing QnA!!!! :)

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

[the-alien-ghost]

BSD CHARACTERS THAT I THINK CAN DEFEAT AND/OR KILL FYODOR!

1- Lucy M.

well basically they don't necessarily need to kill fyodor to defeat him.

all they need to do is get lucy close enough to fyodor so she can activate her ability.

if anne's able to catch and trap fyodor, he'll be stuck. i don't think there's anyway he can get out of there, and since lucy won't kill him she'll be safe.

honestly i think her ability's the best way to defeat fyodor (and asagiri might agree since there's no killing💀)

2- Adam

he's a robot. he could blow fyodor up and he'd be fine. adam manga appearance when. i miss him.

no but seriously i doubt that fyodor's ability would work on him. WHY should it? worst case scenario if he kills fyodor mary shelley gets turned into him on the other side of the world.

3- Poe

kinda similar to lucy.

if poe can write a novel that's complicated enough, he can trap him in it forever/ kill him.

(BUT the thing is that poe hasn't been able to defeat ranpo with that, and fyodor has outsmarted ranpo before. so i doubt he can manage to write a story that complicated—at least not in a short time)

4- Dazai

people have probably said him a lot before! and i mean yeah it's simple.

dazai's an ability nullifier. fyodor's immortality is an ability, so if dazai kills him fyodor shouldn't be able to come back. (but i think he might need to make contact while he kills him for it to work?)

it kinda feels like absolutely DESTROYING his promise to oda but oh well dazai said he's to kill him in prison arc.

5- Lovecraft

based on his fight with skk, chuuya going full force on him and blowing him up + dazai saying that his "ability" isn't an ability and couldn't nullify it, i doubt that he's a human.

so if he kills fyodor he his ability can't work (like i said about adam i think his ability only works on human beings?)

too bad the guy has disappeared years ago :/

but like i personally dare fyodor to go ahead and possess THAT. if he can do that i think we should just let him win.

7- Atsushi

he's the MC ffs since atsushi's ability's claws can "slash through skills and space" (according to akutagawa), maybe his ability won't activate if he gets killed by the tiger.

like if he kills him as the tiger, it'll somehow (??) get past his ability?

yeah that's it! ALSO please do tell me if i missed anyone who can potentially defeat fyodor!!! (or if I'm wrong about anything)

[jechristine]

Neither THR nor Jeff Sneider had any idea that the Nolan movie was The Odyssey so I doubt any of their "inside info". What we do know is that Damon was announced first followed by Tom, then Anne along with Z, followed by Lupita, after that was Charlize and finally Robert. I think the only thing that seems certain is Damon as Odysseus, Tom as Telemachus and most likely Anne as Penelope. Beyond that we don't know anything else. I tend to agree with your theory that Z would not play a character that hooks up with the father of the character played by her real life partner because it would seem weird

Okay, sure, I agree.

[gumballavocadoharry]

Ties before guys:

Ian. The most charming cache to roll off your lips, and the most beguile image of a bulky muscled dark blonde, silver eyed, cleft chin and a magnetising smile. He lit up your world like a thousand lights that floated within the stream of the midnight river.

Ian had this protective complex where anything that could be a threat, was a threat. So, he would wrap his girthy arm around your shoulder and menace any guy that would look you up and down with coquettish grins or stares.

But there was one guy who wouldn't allow himself to be swindled by this 'charmer'; Harry, your older brother. Harry would shoot Ian's intense looks back with pieces of his own; glaring at any little edgy thing the hunk would try to pull. You saw it as a friendly competition between the two over who could protect you more. But it was anything but friendly.....Harry hated the guy.

Ian was a jock like; he was nice and sweet to you, but everyone else, he would be exceedingly cruel towards. Especially Harry. Ian deep down was jealous of the bond you both had with each other and how protective Harry was of you. So it no doubt became an issue when he saw you were dating an awful man like Ian. Of course, like all the lovesicks of the world; you were too blind to see the bitterness of his double side.

Harry tied his long locks into a bun, while sitting on the couch waiting for the 'monster' to arrive. "Harry, he's not a monster. Of anything he's a huge sweetheart," A snort escaped from a disgruntled Harry. "I bet he is." Sarcasm bit into you from the auditory irk your brother had created now in the thick of the tension.

"And isn't this 'sweetheat' an hour late?" His voice now smothered in exasperation. "Maybe he's running a little late, but don't worry, he'll be here." Harry nodded, looking down with pursed lips.

He wasn't shy about expressing his antagonism for Ian, and you were no stranger to knowing this. Finally a knock at the door sounded and Harry sprung from the couch before you could even glance to the door. "Hi, is yn re-"

"Where were you?" Harry questioned, the frown still not leaving his face. "Hi babe, sorry about that." You interjected. Since when do you have to apologize? Harry thought. Ian wrapped you into a tight hug, squeezing your thighs more provocative than justifiable. Harry sharpened his glare at this but softened at the notion he forcibly suggested. "How about I go with you guys to the movies?" You squinted your eyes, in clear vivid annoyance, but Harry couldn't care less at the maddened gesture.

Ian looked at you, sharing your annoyance but utterly and disgruntledly agreed, seeing at the lack of free choice in this situation. On the car ride, Harry drilled Ian with questions. Steam was pouring from your ears and you could just about punch Harry for pestering your boyfriend all because of his inquisitive desire to be overprotective. Gosh, even Anne didn't act like this!

Upon arrival, Harry did just about everything to get in between you and Ian: standing in the middle of you two and pulling you away from him, sending you off to get popcorn and drinks and staying behind to interrogate Ian. You growled at this, and became obstinate in wanting to be around Ian.

During the movie, you made Ian sit next you on the opposite much side much to Harry's chargain. Ian didn't hesitate to make a move on you once given the chance. He grouped your breast in his meaty hand; which bothered you.....but you assumed all couples took things physical at one point.

Harry glanced over, and pressed a tight angry glare to Ian.His teeth almost turned sharp to the points and his face grew hot and red; seething with vexation at this jock. Your eyes silently screamed for help, but your mouth was pursed tight, taking in every moment of being taken advantage of. Whether you believed it or not.

That night, after coming home, the air was silent yet brittle. Harry knew what happened, and you knew that he knew. Ian was at home and you decided to busy yourself with the dishes. "I'll help you," your big brother suggested, "Oh it's okay-" But Harry had already plopped on an apron and some gloves. You gulped back any mention of Ian as you knew that's what Harry was going to talk about.

"Good movie," You started, Harry nodded before placing a fork into the clear water side of the sink. His heavy breath rhymed a hollow mood, the more he shoved the dished into the sudsy bubbles and then clearing them off for you to dry.

"You know, Ian is an amazing-" "I don't like him at all Yn," Harry's bluntness took you for a ride. The curve he threw at you was something unexpected as he was very heedful with his words. Harry noticed your flabbergasted look, and didn't inch it off your face until he explained himself.

"I saw him trying to make a move on you while at the movies. He groped you Yn and I could see you were very uncomfortable." Anger rose inside of you. Deep down, Harry was right about feeling the bile of being seen as nothing but a mere sexual barbie doll to Ian. He didn't respect you, but you had another reason for staying with him.

You were terrified of the guy.

He stood a few solid feet above you; towering over you like a lanky tree. His bulky muscles could easily dominate you in strength, and his thick hands could pin you with every breath. But nonetheless, you still didn't think it to be Harry's business.

"Ian was just trying to cuddle. And besides- you barged in on our date!" "I'm glad I did, or else I would never have seen that! Yn, Ian is no good, and I really don't want you seeing him again."

"I can date whoever I want! You're the one getting in the way of our relationship all because you can't accept I'm growing up and have a new man in my life!"

"Yn-"

"No! Forget it Harry. You're the one who's no good for me!" You slammed the dish down before running upstairs to your bedroom. You knew you hurt Harry, but you didn't care. In fact, you wanted to hurt him. You slammed the door and threw yourself onto your bed and cried. Everything Harry said was true, and the olid truth ate at you like a virus. Nothing could shake that feeling of not having what you needed in this relationship.

Heavy footsteps; ones you distinguished to Harry's pattered up the steps and past your bedroom, stopping for a minute and then continuing to his bedroom. You both stayed silent that night.

The sun was up and you layed in bed just staring at the little dust bunnies that were illuminated in the sunlight, floating around.

You pondered heavy on what Harry had said. Despite the zealous of silence between you two, you still took heart of what you're elder brother had said.

So, you set your ambition on calling Ian up and asking him to meet you at the park. Ian became excited, thinking this was a date. But your heart raced at the thought of being alone with Ian. But not completely.....at the park, in front of hundreds of people who could call the police if needed. "I'm off to the park," You announced, coming into the kitchen where Harry was eating his breakfast.

"Ok." He plainly said, still swollen at the arrows of words you shot into him last night. You met Ian at the park as promised, where he stood in a tight t-shirt, muscles bulging out of his arms assertively.

"Hey Ian," Nervousness was more of a covering than the yellow tanktop you chose. "I called you here because.....I feel like our relationship isn't working. We want two different things and- I just don't think it's going to work out....I'm sorry."

You wanted to walk away, but Ian's eyes turned red- his teeth clenched and his rancorous arm reached out and grabbed yours. "Yn, you don't see we're perfect! It's that stupid brother of yours isn't it!" Ian's aggression scared you. It shook you into a paralyzed stance. "I love you Yn,....and you're going to see that when-"

"GET OFF HER NOW!" A voice behind you yelled. You quickly turned to see Harry, grab Ian's arm and shove him away from you. You were astonished by the bravery Harry exhibited, despite Ian towering over him. Harry quickly ran to you and turned you and himself away from Ian.

"Are you alright?!" Your brother asked, eyes burning with fear, anger and adrenaline. You nodded, collapsing into Harry's arms. Even Ian's steroid like muscles didn't feel as safe as Harry's.

"H-how did you know I was here?" Harry smirked, "You said you were going to the park earlier.....I just had a gut feeling about Ian....and I felt you were in danger, so I followed you and when I saw him grab you like that..." Harry's jaw clenched. He grabbed your face gently and looked into your eyes. They twinkled with a fierce amount of protectiveness. "I just just couldn't let anything happen to you."

You cried into Harry's arms. "I'm sorry. For everything that I said. I didn't mean it....you were right and you're the best brother ever." You sobbed.

"I know," Harry's cheekiness meant you had been forgiven. Well, you always were.

You both walked home, arms wrapped around each other. You didn't need Ian to make you feel like a true lady.....you had Harry for that. The first and greatest man in your life. Your brother's love was more than enough for you.

[iblameashley]

Whispered Understanding (Pt 3)

Military | Male | Gay

1,980~ words

Content: Angst, anger, physical violence, cuddling, fluff, gay stuff

Follow up to: Whispered Promises

Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley | John 'Soap' MacTavish

!!!SFW!!!

From a long moon-lit stroll on a beach, to a mission nearly gone wrong and finally ending with a cuddle in bed, Ghost and Soap navigate their relationship and the challenges it brings. Ghost grapples the hardest with keeping his promise to give it his all as he doubts his worth.

Tag List: @imcoughing

The air was thick with the smell of salt as Ghost and Soap strolled along the Egypt Bay beach just outside of London. The sun had long set and the beach was mostly empty, with a full moon illuminating their way.

“Are ye havin' a good time, Simon?” John asked with a gentle lilt.

Ghost nodded, his hands were burrowed in his coat pockets as the cold air whipped around him. Even with a face mask, his breath created wisps with every breath. He kicked at a rock, his eyes fixed on his boots as the sand shifted under his weight.

“It's peaceful here.” Was all he offered in response. The words were as uncertain as the feelings inside him.

There was a strained silence between the two. Soap peered at Ghost from the corner of his eyes, his heart turbulent with affection and concern. Ghost -Simon- had agreed to give dating a go, to give it his all, but he remained as stoic and guarded as ever. It was difficult for Soap to know if Ghost was fallowing through on his promise.

“D'ye remember our first mission together?” Soap asked, determined to break through whatever wall Ghost was hiding behind. “The crash site... the house...” he mused with a hint of nostalgia.

Ghost grunted, “How could I forget? You nearly got us both killed, charging into action without looking. Fuckin' muppet.” He chuckled.

“Aye, but we made one helluva team, anne it was thrillin', no?” Soap Grinned, nudging Ghost's arm gently with his elbow. “Got the job done, always do.”

Ghost stopped and Soap with him. After a moment, Ghost met Soaps eyes. Those chestnut eyes swirled with turmoil and anxiety, but under that was something more. Something that might have been a kindle of hope.

“Soap...” Ghost began hesitantly. “I want this to work between us. I really do. But you know as well as I do that out there” - He gestured vaguely at the wide ocean before them - “I'm a different man. I'm broken and ruthless... and here I'm just... Simon.” The words were pained.

Soap reached out and took Ghost by the arm, giving his bicep a squeeze. “Aye, and I'm just your Johnny. No rank, no expectations. Jus' me tryin' tae get to know the man behind the mask.” He gave a lopsided grin. “One step at a time, yeah?”

Ghost chose his words carefully, even though his body was already leaning into Soap. “I want that, but what if you don't like what you see behind this mask?” He said quietly, his brows furrowed. “I've never been a normal bloke, Johnny.”

“Oi, none of that talk! I know ye better than ye think, Simon.” Soap smirked. “Remember the late nights we'd share pints after a mission? Yer mask mae have been on, but yer eyes gave yer real self away.”

Soaps smile softened as he manoeuvred in front of Ghost and looked up at him. “I've seen yer heart, Si. A good man who's seen too much, just like me. I'm just offerin' ye a chance tae not do it all alone.”

Ghost searched Soaps eyes for the lie. It made him feel like shit to even consider Johnny, his Johnny, would lie. And as he searched those deep blues, he found no lie. No judgment or discomfort. What he saw was genuine affection, patience and care.

Ghost gave a small nod.

“Alright. One step at a time.”

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

A few weeks later, Ghost and Soap had been tasked with infiltrating a remote terrorist compound nestled away in a remote area of Russia, just west of Kazakhstan to acquire intel. They were escorted by a few US Marines who also had a vested interest in the intel, and in the spirit of cooperation, Price liaised with Laswell and the Marine Corp.

But as usual, things went sideways and their presence was detected ahead of schedule, the mission became turbulent and violent. Gunfire had erupted as Ghost and Soap engaged the enemy. In the chaos, Ghost had lost track of Soaps position and acting rashly, abandoned the Marines and tried to flank the compound to draw fire away.

It was only afterwards that Ghost had realized that Soap had been pinned down and calling for backup as he took heavy fire. The mistake -his desire to protect Johnny- had nearly gotten Soap and the Marines killed. He would have also failed to get the intel on his own, assuming he had lived as well.

This all came to a head after the mission debriefing. Simon's anxiety and guilt had been building since exfil and it scared him. He understood his acting alone nearly compromised everything and lost Johnny. It was nearly enough to short-circuit his brain.

“My office, five minutes.” Price had snapped at Ghost as soldiers shuffled out of the briefing room.

Ghost gave him a curt nod. “Sir.”

As the corridor emptied and the soldiers went about their duties, Soap and Ghost were left alone. Standing there. Awkwardly.

Ghost began to step away, resolved to leaving the matter be, but Soap reached out and held firm to his arm. “Gho- Simon. Wait.”

Ghost's jaw clenched under his mask. “Don't.” He hissed. “Just don't.”

Soap gave Ghost's arm a brief squeeze before letting go and raised his hands placatingly. “Look, it all worked out. No one-”

“No one died because I got lucky!” Simon exploded. Weeks of pent up uncertainty and nearly failing a mission; almost loosing Johnny, finally surged free. “It could have easily gone south and you – and those Marines – could have paid the price for my mistake!”

“Aye, but its mae job tae watch me own arse, too.” Soap replied as he took a step forward, his voice low and calming. “We're a team, Si.”

Ghost seemed past reason at this point and shook his head. “Some team. I nearly got you killed because I...”

Ghost grabbed Soap by the vest and slammed him into the nearby wall. Soaps eyes were wide with shock before they narrowed into anger.

Ghost wasn't sure if he wanted to kiss Soap or beat the absolute shit out of him. Why was he mad at Johnny? It was his mistake!

Retaliating, Soap shoved Ghost off of him, watching him stumble backward.

“Aye, you made a stupid, emotional decision.” Soap agreed with a hint of annoyance.

That was enough to make Ghost see red. He reacted faster than his logic could keep up with, and he took a swing at Soap.

And Soap let himself get hit. Let himself be knocked to the floor.

“Do ye feel better now?” Soap asked as he massaged his jaw.

Simon hated being called out – especially after a fuck-up – but realizing what he did to Soap made his rage deflate. He felt the waves of guilt and shame wash over him, and stood there immobile. “Johnny...” he rasped.

Soap shook his head and slowly stood up.

“One hell of a right hook, LT.” Soap joked.

“Fuck off.” Ghost replied as he took a cautious step forward.

“Ye can't let it happen again.” Soap spoke softly, still rubbing his jaw.

“I shouldn't have hit you you-”

Soap held up his hand and shook his head. “I'm not mad at ye for takin' a swing at mae, Si. I'm not even mad ye took off on yer own on the mission. But ye can't take that risk again, ye hear? Ye can't come rushin' in like a knight in shining armour for me.”

Ghost managed a half-hearted shrug.

“Its why I offered tae switch units. I dinnae want tae compromise ye.”

Ghosts eyes flashed with a mix of emotions, a spike of rage igniting within him once more.

“Absolutely not.” He commanded. “The only thing worse than losing my head on that mission, is not having you on my team. Not having you at my side.”

This was as close to an 'I love you' that Soap had heard since they started dating and it made his heart skip a beat.

“Ye big fuckin' softy.” Soap smirked, biting his lower lip. “I like havin' ye by mae side too, Si. Now get yer arse going or Price'll have yer head.”

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Simon stared out the bedroom window of his quarters, lost in thought as the stars sparkled in the night sky. An arm had slipped around his waist from behind and pulled him close.

Simon lay there quietly, feeling Johnny's rhythmic breathing against his back. Being held like this was unfamiliar, even after several nights of it. Simon had a deep urge to pull away. This was somehow scarier; foreign. It was so vastly different from just fucking someone and leaving. It was more intimate than he had expected, and he didn't exactly know how to process that.

John wasn't oblivious to what was going on in Simon's head. The man was more of an open book than he let on, especially without the mask and even more-so as they shared this tiny, cramped bed.

John began to slowly trace irregular patterns over Simon's stomach, feeling the muscles tense and convulse in response.

“What on yer mind, Si?” John asked softly. After everything that had happened, he knew Simon was wrestling with himself more than usual.

Simon let out a sigh and debated ignoring John's question, wanting to avoid another potential confrontation.

He rolled onto his back, and could see John from the corner of his eye. The man nestled between Simon's arm and chest, continuing his feather-like touch over Simon's stomach.

“I'm not good at any of this.”

John scowled. “What do ye mean, Si?”

Simon sucked in a long breath and exhaled slowly. He tried to find the right words. “Opening up and letting people in. Someone who nearly got you killed because I didn't stop to think... or trust in you. You deserve someone who isn't such a fuck up.”

'This conversation again.' John thought to himself.

John simply shook his head against Simon's chest. He slipped his calloused fingers under Simon's shirt to play at his treasure trail. A nice distraction tactic.

“We've both made mistakes, Si. We're both fuck ups in our own way, yeah?” John whispered softly. “Anne yer doing great, Si. We're literally cuddlin' on this shitty fuckin' bed in yer quarters.”

Simon's resolve wavered once more, and he relaxed ever-so-slightly. Somehow John had saw something worthwhile in him that even he couldn't see. Something no one else had ever seen in him either.

Simon had always been good for a hook-up had the opportunity presented itself, though since his 'death' those had tapered off significantly.

But Johnny didn't want a quick fuck. He wanted to stay. It baffled Simon to no end, and maybe that was why he struggled with this relationship.

“You're the only man I'd.... ever let in. The only one I would let touch me this way.” Simon whispered towards the ceiling.

John leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Simon's collarbone. “I know... and it means the world tae me, Si.” he replied, smiling into Simon's body.

“I'll... keep trying... to be better.” Simon stuttered feeling the warmth of Johns lips through his shirt.

“I just want the Si I fell for. I dinnae need you tae be anything ye ain't.” John reassured him.

Simon couldn't help but smile. He was still uncertain he could be the man he knew Johnny deserved, but he also couldn't deny the connection they had. He felt lesser without Johnny. He didn't want to lose this new feeling he had, even if it was causing a tsunami of emotions inside him.

[black-flag-if]

While not fitting letter by letter, something about Lane x MC reminds me so much of Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot from Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Something about Anne taking a dearly loved and trusted old family friend's warnings about her future and safety and acting accordingly despite how much it pained her and her lover, and how even years later, she still stands by that decision to listen and her lover agreeing that Anne is not to be faulted for listening to her friend/pseudo-mother figure at such a young age on a heavy and serious topic such as marriage, the only means of safety for women of that era.

And how MC ultimately chose to choose themselves despite (optionally) still loving Lane so much, and how they still don't regret that because it was necessary for their mental and career development, and how painful it would have been to go on to despise the very person you love so much if you didn't choose yourself?

How Lane tries to view MC as the villain of their story, compared to how Captain Wentworth tries to relish in the fact Anne is suffering and sad but all it does to him is to upset him very much and how he doesn't enjoy it actually, not as much as he would have desperately wanted in his heartbreak. I frankly don't think Lane's attempts to compartmentalize MC's behavior would last long, nor do they genuinely believe MC to be a 'villain', let alone THE villain.

I am actually very feral about them. 😵‍💫

Oh, this was such a pleasure to read!! Thank you very much for this! I don't think people quite understand how much it means to writers/creators that was simply thought of for fun and people think about your characters outside of the IF itself. I love the old era's romance stories Netflix tries to make. (Same with Bridgerton. I actually wanted to write those older settings IF, but something called for racing. I have too many ideas and so little time. )

I even get song lyrics from people, saying it reminds them of Lane and MC. It's just very surreal but it gives me such a good feeling and a boost to continue it.

And you aren't too far off about Lane, actually. I don't think it's really a secret that Lane has no ill intentions of MC at all. Depending on choices, of course, they can be friendlier or colder, but they never blamed MC for wanting to venture out. Lane's biggest issue is that MC didn't trust them enough to even stay in contact. It was literally a "think of me as dead" scenario. So, you're definitely correct in thinking that Lane doesn't think of MC as a villain, but they don't agree at all with how MC went about everything. It's very hard not to share everything right away but if you're on Lane's romance path... it's sort of a one step forward, two steps back kind of relationship because Lane has so much doubt and not wanting to go down that route again. I just hope I give it as much justice as Wentworth with Anne, and the whole, "I have loved none but you." 😭

But I also have to write carefully because while it has been five years, I don't want it to be canon at all and give people enough freedom to be with other ROs without being "I feel bad." It's very dependable on choices so Lane will act accordingly. Thanks so much for sharing this! 🤩

And so glad you love Lane. ❤️

[loumandforyou]

inbox dumping time, sorry: I'm really scared for some reason that the show writers' version of Marius will be like Anne's, i.e. basically a naughty charmer you can't help but be drawn to and who will make you feel stupid for being upset at him. I know there's a good chance they won't do this, mainly because the blowback against a sympathetic pedo character would be almost as bad as the blowback against Slave Owner Louis in a 2022 tv show would have been; but the marius defenders on here insisting he's not that bad and everyone should just get over the whole child assault/slavery thing makes me wonder how prevalent that attitude is in the wider world.

Ιf you know me, you know I don't really trust writers easily.

BUT I think the show is good with two things so far.

TAKING A STANCE

I feel like they have already established what Marius is, even if we go by Louis' high on drugs line saying that Marius groomed Armand. And that was still when Louis was a bitch about it and he was trying to hurt Armand (if he just said "made me into a little bitch". would be different. or if he didn't use Marius at all to hurt Armand).

and again, the show could have easily been like "Lestat didn't really hurt Louis that much, Louis was misremembering/lying" and Lestat is their favourite character and him hurting Louis that bad makes him look awful, lbr. So I think characters in the show might say "he isn't that bad", and the deranged fans here will agree, but I also think characters like Louis and Daniel (and Armand if he is in the right place) will still set things right.

Edit: even Jacob says "eugh yuck" about Marius.

POVs

there are ways to do this right, to make him look sympathetic, as the freak fans think he is, but set the record straight right after.

1. they could show it from POVs. If Lestat does meet him, for example, he could be more charming, romantic/whatever. It's Lestat's story. But then we see him in the present (ew) and even the lighting of the scene changes, the music, the setting, how he holds himself everything.

and 2. I don't know if you've seen Black Mirror the "shut up and dance episode". SPOILERS under the cut in case you do want to watch it, but basically it could go like that on IWTV too:

you feel sorry for a 20 something young man for the entire episode, cause someone online blackmails him to release footage of him masterbaiting, and you think he is just embarrassed. They make him do little things, like bringing cake to someone and they go on to make him do worse, like robbing a bank and then goes to the forest to fight someone. And that's when we get the clear picture, the guy there says something like "was it pictures? how old were they?". and the 20something man fights him to death (as instructed), but the blackmailers release the footage anyway and still, because we shouldn't have any doubt, his mother called him crying telling him "little kids, Kenny??? little kids???"

So I think it could be like that, an episode or a story might make you feel sorry for Marius (if you are a casual viewer and you might not remember what this fucker did) but then it is made clear to you once again, that no this bitch was a child sex trafficker/pedo/groomer. And as casual viewer you are left ???? wtf or in jacob's words: eugh YUCK.

[midnighttreasureseeking]

James Somerton and the Vampire Chronicles

Ok last thing about this whole James Somerton situation before watching the hbommerguy video.

James Somerton made several videos in which he mentions interview with the vampire and they always rubbed me the wrong way. In the last one, a video of which im still trying to figure out the point, he spends about 20 min trying to tell us that Anne Rice was the first person the portray the vampire as sexy. Which is not true, for example 'The vampire lovers' was made in 1970 and 'The kiss of the vampire' in 1963 (and then i havent even talked about literature). It is not Anne Rice's original idea that vampires can be sexy. But the portrayals of sexy vampires before 1975 were mostly women being sexy, and i guess that doesn't count for him.

The only other things he could talk about was how sexy the main characters are (in a way that made me honestly uncomfortable because he seemed to be undermining the point of the scenes and the show in general) and to give us a general summary of the show he spends ten minutes on.

He goes into the attractiveness of lestat in the book and briefly the show but he goes into no further depth beyond that. And there is a lot to say about attraction in the vampire chronicles beyond that!! Why do we get a ten minute summary of the show instead, where nothing is mentioned to further your point?

Don't get me wrong, Interview with the Vampire is my current hyperfixation and i love hearing about it. But i already knew the plot of the show and you had a point to make, right?? (the point never gets made)

When watching the video back when he posted it i was pretty disappointed that he went into so little depth regarding the show, certainly after the analyses i had already read about it, but now i'm honestly relieved. No doubt he would have directly stolen from our amazing meta creators and analysts in this fandom.

There are more things i can talk about.

His endless praise of Anne Rice as the saviour of all gay people while every other woman (including queer women) is bad for liking and creating content about gay men. (heartstopper, fanfiction, etc.)

How he doesn't mention the racism present in the books while only sparing a sentence or two talking about the handeling of racism in the show. And with that taking a firmly white lens stating that Lestat releases Louis from the shackles of humanity and therefore racism and homophobia. Which, when you watch the show, is obviously not what actually happens. Louis is still factually a black man in the Jim Crow south, he just also has to kill people now and can't talk to his family. Not crazy he doesn't take to vampirism so easily. But James seems to agree with Lestat that he should get over it and have fun.

He does not talk about any of the misogyny present in the books, just not at all. I don't remember him talking about the women in the books or the show at all either...

Now i'm going back to real life where people disappoint me far less

here 5 youtubers that source their content

[midnight-in-town]

Hi! I really enjoy reading your Kuroshitsuji theories. ♥️ Question: Why do you think Yana created a whole new character (Layla/Al) to be Vega instead of bringing back an old character? It makes sense in the story why Layla/Al is Vega if she's Baron Heithfield's daughter and he's a supporting the BD & blood collection, but I don't understand how confronting Layla/Al is supposed to be satisfying for readers. I LOVE her character design, but unlike Doll whose death O!Ciel feels guilty over, she has no connection (that we know of) to him. And we know next to nothing about her, and it seems odd to be developing a new character when there's so many loose ends to tie up and other characters we haven't seen in forever.

Also, do you still think Polaris is Joker? If the children at the orphanage are supposed to resemble their star counterparts (like how Mabel is acrobatic like Doll and how their outfits are similar to the stars'), Artie doesn't seem all that similar personality-wise to Joker. Unless Joker is extremely different as a BD. And he dresses so properly as a butler and does so many different butler like tasks... Even if Joker was Kelvin's "butler", the activities Artie does don't seem very Joker-esque. Unless I'm missing something?

Thanks!

Hey Anon, thank you for the kind words and sorry for the delay ! :))

So about Layla/Al, like you said, I believe Layla/Al is Lord Vega and could be Baron Heathfield’s undead child [x][x]. And while I initially found it strange to have Layla as a Star Lord for reasons similar to yours, I've now come to the enjoy the idea that it simply gives more of a wide range to UT's BD project.

In other words, it's not that Layla/Al is important as a character to the our!Ciel vs real!Ciel conflict (unlike Doll and maybe Joker, or even Ann if she was brought back), but rather it shows just how deep this project runs and that 1) UT may not be the only deserter shinigami working on it and 2) that they're in crucial need of sponsors to keep it going. For example, if Layla is Heathfield's child, then making Layla a star lord is making extra sure Heathfield will hold a blood collect in his basement without fail.

Also friendly reminder that, while UT seems mostly interested by salvaging the Phantomhive family (his words, not what's really happening), other deserters might be working on it because it threatens the world order that the shinigamis' higher ups oversee :

In other words, the bigger the BD project becomes, the bigger chances UT has to bring back perfect undead members of the Phantomhive family (like real!Ciel and maybe Claudia) and the bigger chances other shinigamis have to see "the world the higher ups oversee crumbling" because, to quote Queen Victoria...

So, I doubt Layla's narrative value is confrontation : it's more a proof that the project is getting bigger and bigger. In fact, during Finny and Snake's investigation, it was implied that F.O.L orphanage was a test run to turn the BD project into a profitable business [part 1] [part 2].

This brings me to your second question, yes I still believe Polaris is Joker. However, while I agree Artie doesn't seem to have much in common with Joker, I'd say Artie's group still represented a "butler" servant category and, even if Polaris is not real!Ciel's butler, he still defined himself as a butler in ch169 (Kelvin's butler maybe, indeed ?), so overall it fits.

Additionally, the way I see it, Polaris is to real!Ciel...

what Artie is to Theo...

that is to say a catalyst to get things done. Without Polaris, real!Ciel wouldn't have succeeded to attack Soma and Agni vs without Artie, Theo and the others wouldn't have found the strength to keep going.

Also Artie probably managed to kill a few adults in cold blood because he lived through a load of shit his whole life and he wanted to save his fellow kids, just like Joker could abduct children and lead them to their death, because he hardcore believed this would help his many siblings at the orphanage.

Lastly, like I explained before, in my opinion, the "four categories" of children at the orphanage being groomed to resemble the star lords are not just because of the blood types, but also because maybe UT and co thought they could create resembling episodes of quality to use for the star lords. At the end of the day though, nobody can force you to be what you are not, to quote our!Ciel...

...so maybe the whole point of Theo, Artie, Mabel and Oliver being different from real!Ciel (Theo seems kinder), Joker, Doll and Layla/AL (Oliver is definitely shier) is a hint that the BD project is supposed to fail because cheating death isn't an answer at all. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I could be wrong though, about Joker and the purpose of F.O.L orphanage, so don't read too much into my answer. :)) Nevertheless, I hope it helps !

Thank you again for the kind words, I wish you a nice day !

[cant-icle]

hello. unhinged request right out of the gate. akechi’s terrible horrible no good very bad golden week— hear me out— can I please have the rest of the PTs taking bets on when akechi will crack and let akira destroy her.

(i'm not changing the names because thinking up all the genderswap names is beyond me at this point but you get it you get it you get it)

from: futaba sakura 5000 yen that she lasts two hours before rage-quitting or trying to murder akira

from: takamaki ann that's generous! i would've put money on her just straight up murdering akichan the second she walked in the door, from her expression

from: sakamoto ryuji nah, ain't no way! girl would rather die than let aki get one over on her. 5000 yen on her straight-up cockblocking her the whole trip

from: takamaki ann loooooool, you really think she'll hold out that long?

from: futaba sakura there's NO WAY, i'm telling you! we're gonna have the police out here by nightfall

from: sakamoto ryuji she IS the police!

from: takamaki ann what makes you think she's not just gonna drown her in the onsen later tonight?

from: sakura futaba mostly the fact that if she did she wouldn't be able to drag akira out of the water

from: sakamoto ryuji not with those noodle arms

from: takamaki ann like you have room to talk, lol

from: sakamoto ryuji BITCH TRY ME, I CAN BENCH PRESS YOU EASY

from: niijima makoto Is this really an appropriate use of our time?

from: okumura haru Oh, Mako-kun, let them be! Besides, I agree with Ann-kun, with a caveat. I highly doubt that anyone can stand up to the full force of Akira-chan's "feminine wiles" for too long. I doubt that she'll leave without, hm

from: sakamoto ryuji without wHAT

from: sakura futaba say! it! say! it!

from: okumura haru Oh, but I don't want to be crass...

from: niijima makoto Really.

from: sakamoto ryuji changin my bet! 5000 yen on aki talkin her into sloppy makeouts and then she has a big ol breakdown about WHY CANT I KISS BETTER THAN YOU, YOU TWO-BIT SLUT, I'VE WORKED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS

from: sakura futaba it's like she's in the room with us!

from: takamaki ann lol!!!!! hey yusuke, you got any bets?

from: sakura futaba inariiiii hey hey inari

from: takamaki ann yeah, that's about what i expected

from: sakura futaba so 5k from me for attempted murder, 5k from ryuji for sloppy makeouts

from: takamaki ann 5000 on akira actually getting in her pants but akechi throws a hissy fit!

from: sakamoto ryuji that's MY BET

from: takamaki ann noooo, you JUST said sloppy makeouts!

from: sakamoto ryuji takamaki i'm gonna come over there and kick your ass

from: takamaki ann good luck, short stack!

from: sakura futaba and 5k from ann for, what, third base?

from: takamaki ann yeah, that works!

from: sakura futaba makoto, haru? either of you want in on this?

from: niijima makoto Absolutely not.

from: okumura haru I will put.... 10,000 on Akira-chan sweeping Akechi-chan off her feet!

from: sakura futaba risky bet!

from: okumura haru In the, ahem, most coital sense of the phrase.

from: takamaki ann someday we're gonna get you to say fuck

from: sakura futaba i'll have my screencap ready!

[rosietrace]

❅ I lied I will send you another cause I miss AzureCarol a little

I HAVEN'T DONE THEM IN SO LONG OMG 😭 MY HEART

Snowed in

(Central) Characters Featured: Azure Ekoms, Carol Ann

↳ { Carol belongs to @/fumikoyasaki }

Others mentioned/featured: Sumeragi Yuuta

Pairing: Azure Ekoms & Carol Ann

Event: Valentine's Day 2024 💌

↳ Type: Requested Oneshot! 「 ❅ — Muse cuddling up to my muse on the couch 」

Synopsis: With RSA being completely snowed in, Carol had little choice but to stay a little while longer.

Warning(s): Potentially ooc, Yuuta mentions, YuuRen is implied but Miren isn't properly mentioned by name, this plotline probably doesn't make much sense but shhh enjoy the fluff, written before Azure's profile revamp

[ Apologies for any out of character moments ]

[ Reblogs > Likes ]

†•°•══════ஓ๑「📚」๑ஓ══════•°•†

Carol huffed in silent frustration, sitting down on the couch situated in Azure’s dorm room.

“You’re in a rather sour mood,” Azure sat beside her, not looking up from his book. “Then again, I can't exactly blame you.”

“Being snowed in isn't an ideal situation.”

Carol sighed. “Yes… I can only hope Yuuta doesn't cause too much of a ruckus back at Ramshackle.”

Azure hummed, his arm wrapping around her shoulder to bring her closer to his side.

“I'm sure Yuuta won't make too much of a fuss.”

“You're too kind when it comes to saying things like that.”

“I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Azure cracked a small smile, the edges of his lips quirking upwards. “He's nice.”

“When he wants to be,” Carol clarified. “Yuuta's nice when he wants to be.”

“True.”

Azure couldn't deny that fact. Plus, Carol knew Yuuta for longer than he had. It wasn't like he knew the Machiavellian man that well, though.

Carol looked over to the contents of the page Azure was currently reading, tilting her head in intrigue. “New book?”

“Mhm,” Azure nodded, pushing his glasses up. “It's an Author paperback copy, since… Well, I wrote it. I'm just reading it to spot any mistakes.”

Carol smiled slightly. “Could I read with you?”

He could only chuckle, pressing a kiss to the center of her forehead. “Of course,” Azure agreed, going back to the very beginning of the book to reread it.

Carol's eyebrows raised in both surprise and slight guilt. “Oh-” she cleared her throat. “You… Didn't need to do that.”

“Well, too bad, Miss Ann,” Azure was filled with amusement, using the top of his pointer finger to push up Carol's glasses, this time around.

Soon after, he looked down at her with a soft, reassuring look. “Besides, I don't quite mind.”

“You don't?”

“Of course not. Why would I?”

“Well,” Carol paused, drawing in a breath. “You were quite far into the book before I asked to read with you. At most, you were ⅓ of it.”

“And?” Azure arched a brow at her, not really seeing what point she was trying to make.

Not wanting to argue over something so petty, Carol drew out her breath, leaning against him.

She smiled to herself as Azure pulled her somewhat closer, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

“Forget what I said.”

•📚°─────────°📚•

“You're quite the observant one, My Dear.”

Carol stifled a laugh, feeling teasingly skeptical whilst looking up at him. It wasn't like she did much, only pointing out several writing errors and plot holes in the book one after the other.

Well- It wasn't much to her, but to him? It meant a lot.

Frankly, Azure felt himself falling in love with her all over again. Knowing her, she'd ask why, but Azure was always much softer, much gentler than Carol; Someone who was both things, but knew when to be stern when need be.

“I don't think I've accomplished much,” Carol mumbled in reply. “As much as I hate to admit it, I believe Yuuta's more observant than me.”

“Oh?” Azure felt a story coming along. One he'd happily listen to from the lips of his girlfriend.

Settling herself in for a moment, Carol began. “Well… He's quite attentive. He notices when I'm feeling particularly stressed, has my favorite food memorized so that he could make it for me while I was sick, and…”

Azure waited patiently, but couldn't resist chiming in with: “And?”

Carol chuckled. “And, he somehow always knows when someone's in the botanical garden. Quite odd, that man is.”

“Perhaps. Is he still seeing that other guy?”

“Oh, very much so. Yuuta likes teasing him, but they're quick to forgive once they're given some concoction involving a lot of spices.”

“Huh,” Azure tried to imagine Yuuta in a scenario like that, but couldn't find himself to properly grasp that idea. “How… Interesting.”

“He gets more interesting the more I learn about him.”

A light scoff fell from Carol's lips. “If by interesting, it's likely you mean discomforting…”

“... But yes,” she allowed some semblance of herself to properly admit it. “I suppose he is, in your words, ‘interesting’.”

“He did bring us together, after all, My Dear.”

“In his own way, at least,” Azure placed his bookmark on the page they were currently on, setting the book down on his lap.

Carol wondered what he was up to, her gaze flickering between his eyes and the book he just put down. What was he up to, she must've thought.

Fortunately, Carol got her answer rather quickly; As Azure cradled her face in his hand, pressing a quick, yet gentle kiss against her forehead again.

Then her nose.

Then, inevitably, her lips. Carol was almost impressed that Azure had enough confidence built into his system to do such a thing.

But she didn't fight it. Hell, she embraced it, letting herself be brought into his arms and smiling softly once her head was on the crook of his neck.

Azure’s soft smile widened a little. He picked up his book and continued where he left off.

Only this time, not long before he reached the book's climax — Carol had rested her eyes, snuggling against the crook of his neck.

Azure looked down at her, carefully taking off her glasses. “You deserve a nap, my dear,” he whispered to her. She wasn't going to hear him, naturally, but some part of him hoped she somehow did.

He gave her one last kiss on the forehead right as he was about to continue — and eventually conclude — reading.

†•°•══════ஓ๑「📚」๑ஓ══════•°•†

Taglist

—

Written for

@fumikomiyasaki

—

🥥

@starry-night-rose || @jasdiary || @authoruio || @nem0-nee || @sakuramidnight15

—

「 Etteilla ♢」

@geminiiviolets || @hallowed-delights / @terrovaniadorm || @twsted-princess || @absolutelyobsessedkiya / @twistedsongstressofstarz || @mystery-skulls-ghost || @abyss-wonderer

[fenicenera83]

One aspect of Marius’ portrayal I absolutely don’t agree with is the idea that he’s “a jealous man.” He’s arrogant and cowardly and rigid and his fear gets ugly and violent but is he really jealous? I think Armand more prone to jealousy than he is to be honest. Marius is just afraid of his own replaceability but I feel like he’s too generous to be truly jealous.

The only correct thing you say is that Marius is not jealous, and it is true, Armand is the one who is jealous. And that Marius is generous. Marius is not cowardly, again, you cannot judge Marius for his choice toward Armand, and only for that and call him a coward. Marius single-handedly carried the burden of Akasha and Enkil on his shoulders, protected them, and allowed all vampires to live their immortality free and unburdened, even those who knew of their existence. He sacrificed himself and his immortality so that there would be no danger to other vampires. So much so that loneliness almost killed him. This spirit of sacrifice and dedication to duty are admirable things that show that Marius is not cowardly at all. He has made his mistakes, like all of Anne's characters, but Marius's mistakes are often dictated by his too much love, too intensely or of his pride.Marius is not arrogant, he is a custodian of immense knowledge, of a time that will never return, a philosopher, a scholar, a man who relies on reason because he cannot understand the movements of his heart. And this not knowing fills him with doubts and uncertainties. He is a man of his time, an ancient Roman, who nevertheless follows the course of history, who does not stop but continues to seek and to want to understand the world and human beings. He is a changing man who is fascinated by the new ideas of the Renaissance, who embraces them enthusiastically, man the center of the world, but who comes to close himself off in the face of the cruelty of men.In the modern era made up of wonders, and new ideas that can change the world, cruelty and injustice seem to prevail in his eyes instead. An arrogant man would never have the heart and open-mindedness of Marius. And do you say rigid? Marius yes can be rigid, but only if it is necessary, otherwise he is made of love and tenderness, Marius is sarcastic, he is funny, disheveled but perfect at the same time. He is not that cold and courtly figure that many people insist on seeing. Marius has immense tenderness and a dedicated spirit turned to the knowledge and beauty of the world.Marius is full of vivacity, of spirit, even if he is melancholy, even if he is serious and posed, with impeccable manners. Marius is much much more, than those labels they want to attach to him simply because he is so complex and peculiar that we don't stop to take a good look at him, he is simply stiff and arrogant.... No! He is not! Please open your eyes to the wonderful character that Marius is. The real one, Anne's, not the one your friend or Wikipedia told you. Marius is one of the deepest, most beautiful and complex characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Marius is much more than the surface that many want to give him.

[nalyra-dreaming]

yeah, when i said 'written into a corner' i just meant they've made choices that will almost inevitably shape future events on the show! probably bad wording there on my part lol. not actually a diss to the show tho, i don't think their choices were bad, as long as they have a clear vision in mind & execute it well. & the relationships were interesting in themselves, they just weren't structured in a way that makes me think "polyamory" (as in…polyamory as the general audience would define it) is part of their long-term plan for loustat. it's more an observation than a complaint on my part! i fully agree that the book characters' relationships defy human definitions. the show seems to be framing them in slightly more explicit & recognizably 'human' terms. i get why tho - some of the vc relationships were p vague & tv audiences tend to expect more clarity & structure (i think rolin said this at some point). i know the orginal context but i still haven't given up hope of the cuck chair! a girl can dream lol. i just meant that the relationship is a bit more 'up for grabs' right now as we know so little about it on the show, but don't worry i'm fully managing my expectations. tbh i will just be happy to see dm portrayed in p much any form! it will be interesting to see what loustat's dynamic is like in the present. it's bound to be a bit different if only bc they've both been through a lot & learned some lessons, tho i don't expect the mutual jealousy & possessiveness to be gone w/out a trace either, more that it'll be less of an issue moving forward. time will tell!

Three very different opinions, and I hope you don't mind me putting them together, but this reflects the different expectations angles a bit, I think. :)

I think a key point is in the first ask: "polyamory as the general audience would define it".

What... is the general audience and what is the definition?^^ On the previous post @actual-changeling commented "as an aromantic polyam person, it's not about romantic relationships it's about relationships period, whatever that might mean for the people involved. having sex with someone who isn't the person you have a committed relationship with very much falls under polyamory."[...] And that I kinda disagree with (no offense!!!), but, since polyamory is an umbrella term with definition very much in flux and prone to personal interpretation.

However, Season 1 of the show put a heavy emphasis on jealousy and cheating. I doubt Louis or even Lestat would have defined the affair with Antoinette as polyamory though, even if it came down to being non-monogamic (on Lestat's part, on Louis' depending if you want to count Jonah or not). [Not counting feeding flings here.] But for me (myself and I) the cue aspect here is that this was not done on level agreement - if anything the "of course" scene made clear that this was not something they both truly agreed on. And if we trust Antoinette's comments at the ball... then she was not 100% behind this either.

Of course this is very much focused on Loustat here, but I think it is exemplary for the books. Not excluding polyamory in total! I think if I remember Sevraine's home with Gabrielle, and Allessandra there... then there might be something there, indeed :) For example.

But Armand and Louis and Lestat do not hook up that way. Not like that. And neither do Armand, Louis and Daniel - that we know of, so far. There might have been something in the past there, I could see that, easily. We'll see.

I think the fanon idea of them is very cool, and I hope everyone has fun with them^^. I doubt the show will add David into it (like Anne tried to), at least I hope Rolin will not^^.

As per Loumandstat? I had really, really hoped for a DreamStat-Loumand-triple 😅. I wanted that *exaggerated sniff* But I... don't think we'll get it on the show now. I think the way they spun Loumand... that Louis will be very pissed with Armand for the foreseeable future. To put it mildly.

The cuck chair may still happen - or has happened, in the past, maybe^^.

So yeah, I don't know. I think there are expectations, and the books, and while a lot of vampires do live together in a big castle at the end... it's not one big polyamory relationship. It's a net of history and previous and current relationships. I just don't necessarily see that as the same.

And the modern day show elements will likely put a different light on the tale we got wrt this as well.

[endlessly-cursed]

WWTG, Winter Solstice: The Winter Masquerade

Primrose once again checked her outfit for tonight: it was the signature Somerset blue, adjusted to nowadays' fashion. Her aunt, the Dowager Viscountess Alina, had agreed to come up and socialize for a bit.

Finally, she put on the highest tiara she could find, with jewels that Queen Anne gave to her ancestor. It was kokoshnik style and had a massive sapphire that sparkled as brightly as the moon. Malcolm entered the room and smiled at his wife's beautiful ensemble. He dipped his head to kiss her cheek as he rounded his hands around her growing belly "You look wonderful, my love. There won't be a doubt on who's in charge here."

"I'm glad my choice of outfit pleases my beloved husband."

"I hope you feel less dizzy. You left the archery contest really early."

Primrose grabbed his hand and kissed it "It's just pregnancy sickness. Nothing out of the ordinary. Almost every woman has gone through it."

He nodded, but was still unsure. Primrose was tense still. It was the night of the solstice, and tonight had to go perfectly well. She was not the perstitious kind, but in the wizarding world, magic did play a role. She would rather not risk it."

Composing herself, she gave Malcolm a smile "I think I'm ready."

Three hours into the ball, Primrose had decided to take a break from socializing and pretending not to hear the rumour mill about her past, and the fact that some ex-flames of hers were in attendance.

As she observed how the moon seemed closer to its goal by each hour, a pair of familiar hands surrounded her, kissing her bare shoulders. Malcolm.

"Thought I'd find you here."

"You thought well." She tiptoed, but Malcolm stopped her and crouched down to kiss her. "Given by how Aunt Alina's friends were gossipping, I knew you'd need a breather. Stress is not good for the baby."

Primrose bit her lip "Don't you mind? That I have a... past?"

Malcolm kissed her forehead "I don't. Do you know why? Because your past is there, in the past. There might have been others, but you chose me, and I'm thankful every day for it."

Primrose smiled widely and kissed him softly "Although, I do have a question." He nodded, a signal of go ahead "Did you? Have past relationships as well?"

He looked at her intensely "There might have been other women interested, but nothing of that sort ever happened."

"Why? You're handsome, rich and charming."

"Because I have loved you all my life, Primrose. Before I knew the word 'love', I knew that you were the one for me. Every time you were in the room, all the women ceased to exist, and when you weren't, they only reminded me that they were not you. You are my past, present and future, mitt allt. All I've ever wanted, the only thing my heart and soul ever desired and cried out for. My heart was born to be yours, dearest."

It might have been the pregnancy, or the fact that it had been the first time since announcing her pregnancy that he had bared his heart so, but Primrose couldn't help but tear up, feeling loved and stupid.

"Did I torture you, my love, every time I was in somebody else's arms?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"A bit. But in the end, here you are, in my arms, telling me that you love me. My dream coming true has overcome any torture or agony I ever felt."

And thus, they kissed, and he kissed the tears away. After what it seemed like an eternity, Miss Gwyn told the couple that they were waiting for the opening dance, and that Mr. Rowle could only stall the guests for too long.

With their heads high, they entered the ballroom and started to dance. Mal was yet to become as graceful as his wife, but with only looking at her in the eye and allow himself to become one with her, it was more than enough to conduct the dance with the grace the Somersets executed everything.

As they bowed, Primrose felt it. She gasped, her hands going to the growing three-month belly and beamed, looking at her husband "Kicking. The baby's kicking!" She cried out of happiness.

Mr. Demiurgos took the lead "It seems that the solstice has blessed our hostess. Let us give her an applause and carry on!"

Ignoring the claps, the couple embraced.

Cecilia observed the young couple wistfully. Years ago, the thought of forming a family scared and disgusted her in equal measure. But now, with Vinnie at her side, maybe it wasn't so bad. She looked at her and whispered "I'd love to have that one day."

"What? Her clearly expensive and ancient coronet?"

"No, my love. A family. The three of us."

Vinnie whipped her face towards Cecilia "Are you... are you sure, Cecy?"

"When it comes to you, my love, I am."

Both women smiled, holding hands for as much as they could before pulling apart, but a clear happiness in their eyes.

Tagging @gaygryffindorgal because Malcolm, Harlan and Vinnie belong to them <3