#arrow season 7 thoughts

[chaoticace2005]

List of why the Radio Demon disappeared for 7 years:

1. His fight with Vox ended really badly and he needed to recover.

2. He went somewhere to acquire more power.

3. He had a mission to do because of his deal.

4. Vox confessed his love for Alastor. Alastor had no idea how to respond to this so he ghosted Vox for seven years. But Vox had access to cameras everywhere so the best way to ghost Vox is to ghost the city.

5. Met a wise old man who taught him the secrets to life, he had a training montage.

6. Took a gap year(s) to “find himself”

7. Extended tea party at Rosie’s

8. His shadow got pissed at him and decided to swallow him, sending him to a shadow dimension that he drifted in for seven years.

9. His friends from the other side finally caught up to him and he had to repay his debt

10. His tailor went on sabbatical and he couldn’t leave his place without the proper amount of drip so he had to wait for him to return.

11. There was a shortage of red hair dye, he had to wait for them to restock.

12. Someone took a photo of him with his tail out. He went on a mission to hunt them down and DESTROY them.

13. He went to the Hellmart to cause $50,000 in TV damages (Tomota vid reference)

14. He was busy making diss tracks for everyone he knows and lost track of time.

15. Susan beat him in a bake sale and he had to hide out of shame.

16. Honeymoon with his cane.

17. Fell into a coma

18. Found out about the Alastor-Body Pillow Vox had and then had to ensure they were never manufactured again.

19. He accidentally saw part of one of Angel’s pornos and was traumatized. He had to leave Pentagram City because everyone he went he saw his face.

20. Hung out with Lilith who dished tea about Lucifer.

21. Was told he was “outdated” so he took the time to educate himself on modern slang.

22. Tried to find an obedience trainer for cats.

23. He time traveled seven years into the future and just decided to run with it.

24. Alastor was killed. That’s not Alastor. That’s a shadow acting as him.

25. That’s not Alastor, that’s his twin brother.

26. Walked in on a role play session between a Vox and Valentino-Dressed-Up-Like-Alastor and needed to find a way to erase the memory.

27. Bonked his head. Woke up and thought his name was Bob, he lived a nice, happy life until he bonked his head again.

28. Fell through a portal and woke up in a dimension where his name was a bird named Crane who was a janitor in a world of King Fu and pandas.

29. Got access to the season 1 script so he could mentally prepare. He’s been rehearsing his lines and doing his best to make his performance as disturbing as possible.

30. Went to the dentist. When they tried to help him he ate them, so he had to find another dentist, who he also ate. This went on for a while.

31. Was run out of town by his dentist who got annoyed he kept dodging his appointments

32. Got relationship counseling for him and his shadow.

33. Was just out having a good time, partying, and consuming souls.

34. Went on a seven year long bender.

35. Rosie told him he was an “arrow” so he went to archery classes. Turns out she was wrong and archery really isn’t his forte.

[hogwartsfirebolt]

the game’s the game

“What was going through your mind when you spotted the Snitch?”

Two camera shutters go off like lighting, but Draco doesn’t blink. It’s almost the end of the season, and he’s done a press conference every week. He’s used to them.

“Fucking finally,” he answers, and the journalists all laugh. They think he’s joking, and he can already imagine the articles they’ll publish tomorrow pronouncing him cheeky and funny, but he means it wholeheartedly. Six hours in the sky, drenched all the way through his pants in rainwater, and facing the very best player in the league? He had half a mind to jump off his broom if only to have the game end somehow.

“This is the second time you face PU and well, Harry Potter, this season,” says another reporter, a young, pretty woman with her hair pinned up and a reverent tone when she speaks Potter’s name. Like everyone. “Are you expecting to encounter him at this year’s Cup? And if so, how does that make you feel?”

Draco breathes out hard through his nose. Across the room from him, sitting at his own table against the wall opposite, Potter’s doing his own press conference. He’s wearing a hat backwards, the light blue of his team hoodie contrasting with his golden-warm skin tone. He has a hand to his chin, rubbing his short beard in thought at some question he’s being asked. Probably about just how sweet it had been to snatch that Snitch right from under Draco’s nose. He’s earnest and so gorgeous Draco can’t stand the sight of him.

“The game is the game,” Harry’s voice carries, clear and chesty, deeply masculine as he says his favorite little quote that means absolutely nothing and that fans have been yelling and tattooing on their bodies the whole season. “We don’t take any victory for granted. Coach has been running us to the ground, she won’t stop until we have that trophy in Puddlemere, and we’re doing our best to make her proud.”

“Oh, I’m certain we’ll face them at the Cup,” is what Draco answers at last. “Honestly? I think no other team comes even close. We’ll face them, and then we’ll bring the Cup home to Appleby. As Potter himself likes to say, the game is the game.”

All the cameras around him go off, the sound of Quick-Quills scrabbling and the reporters’ scandalized gasps at his use of Potter’s quote. He grins, puts his olive green Arrows cap on and stands to leave. He needs a fucking shower.

Later on, he’s sprawled on his hotel room couch, drying his hair with a towel and watching a replay of the game on the enormous television, making mental notes about his own flying, his mistakes, the times he dove too soon or hovered too low. When the screen follows the blue jersey with POTTER 7 emblazoned across the back, he looks closely, trying to spot mistakes but knowing he won’t find any. Potter’s probably the best flier of the century, and Draco loves Quidditch too much to lie to himself about that.

He’s admiring one of Potter’s physics-defying feints when there’s a knock on his door. Immediately, his heart takes up a gallop, and he has to press a hand to the center of his chest with a frown.

“Calm the fuck down, Malfoy,” he mutters. It’s a disproportionate reaction and he’s irritated with himself for it. It’s not as though it’s the first time. Or the tenth.

He pauses the game with a flick of his wand and makes his way to the door, through the archway that separates the TV room from the kitchenette. A quick look at the archway across the suite to make sure the bedroom is as he left it, and he’s at the door, taking a deep breath.

Potter’s grin is huge when Draco opens. He’s foregone all his team outwear, and is now in a familiar, worn leather jacket and a black sweater. His hair is wet, as though he rushed after his shower so he could get here quicker. Draco opens his mouth to say something, but before he figures out what, Harry pushes inside, turns around and presses him against the door, big hands gentle on Draco’s waist. Draco’s heart hasn’t gotten the “this isn’t the first or tenth time this happens,” memo, and is still running a marathon inside his chest, so he says nothing.

There’s a plastic bag in Potter’s hands. Dinner, probably, he usually brings dinner when they meet after a game. His wide smile reveals white teeth, a crooked canine that Draco knows is a baby tooth that never loosened. Round, stylish glasses cover the most intoxicating green eyes Draco has ever seen, and they’re shining with tonight’s victory. And Draco might be — definitely is — the world’s sorest loser, but he’s also the world’s biggest slut for Quidditch excellence, and he has it right here, holding him against his hotel room door.

“The game is the game?” Harry asks, amused, already leaning in, the hand on Draco’s waist moving to wrap the whole way around him and pull him close.

“Just some stupid phrase I’ve heard from a dickhead,” Draco answers, but the words hold the shape of a smile and are uttered right into a kiss there at the end.

It’s always a race at the start. They're both high from the game, still in that mindset, and it’s a competition to see who can undress quicker, who can make the other harder, who can earn the first moan and coax the first orgasm of the night. But after that first one, after Draco’s jaw aches dully and Potter is softening between his legs, everything slows down a little. Potter helps him up and they share the tacos Potter brought, watching the last minutes of the game they played earlier with Draco’s legs up on Potter’s lap, where he’s massaging his knees, his quads, making sure he’s not achy from kneeling for him.

“I really fucked that one up,” Potter comments. His tiny self on the screen just pulled out of an impossible dive at what looks like a 90 degree angle. He sounds earnest, which is the only reason Draco isn’t kicking him right in his beautiful face.

“I hate you so much. Only you would call that a fuck up.”

Potter hums, his massaging hands moving from Draco’s calf to his heel, his thumb pressing into his sole. On the screen, tiny Draco swerves a Bludger aimed to his head, and his teammate Owen is flying to him to make sure he’s alright.

“That guy is so into you,” Potter points out.

“I know. We fucked all through rookie year.”

Potter turns to look at him so fast it must hurt his neck. Draco raises an eyebrow, confused at the strong reaction.

“What?”

“I — I don’t know,” Potter says, suddenly sheepish. His hands haven’t stopped moving over Draco’s foot. Potter’s skin is dark, but Draco can still make out the blush spreading across his cheekbones. “Isn’t it weird? He’s a teammate.”

There’s something he’s not saying. It’s evident in the way he bites his bottom lip, in the way he obviously wants to look away but is too ridiculously brave to actually do it. Draco’s heart thumps inside his chest, so hard he’s sure it must be audible to Harry too.

They’ve never named this thing between them. The first time they did it, after the quarter finals one year before, with Potter’s ill advised kiss that ended with them fucking in the showers of the stadium after Potter had wiped the damn dust with Draco on the pitch, they agreed to keep it quiet, and that was the last they discussed of it. It’s going on fourteen months since then, and they’ve done it at least once a month, when the league brings them to nearby towns, and sometimes when it doesn’t and they take a quick midnight Portkey to each other to blow off some steam.

Draco had never in his life been as well-fucked as he’s been this past year, and he definitely doesn’t want to lose it. Potter’s always been honest and open with him, vocal in bed about how much he wants him, filthy in his occasional text messages when they’re apart, but he’s never given any indication that he wants anything other than exactly what they have.

“It’s not weird,” Draco says slowly, unsure of what to think of this exchange. “We stopped a while ago. I was clear that I didn’t want — that I’d rather we stayed friends and teammates, without any complications.”

“Right,” Potter says. He sounds relieved, and Draco feels like he’s three steps behind the conversation they’re having. He’s about to ask, but Potter’s fingers on his calf smooth over an old knot and he groans instead, letting his head fall back onto the couch cushion.

“That feels great,” he says, and Potter repeats the motion.

“Yeah. I think you pulled it when you made that X turn.”

The turn he made to try to beat him to the Snitch, he doesn’t say. How he had enough awareness to know Draco attempted it while diving for the Snitch himself is beyond comprehension, but Draco has long accepted that Potter is simply insane about the game. He notices everything, considers everything, takes every risk. If he weren’t a player himself, Draco knows he would be following Puddlemere and Harry wherever they played for the entire season, wearing a pale blue jersey with the number 7 on it.

“Probably,” Draco says, closing his eyes and groaning again when Harry keeps pressing the same point. After a moment, he feels something softer brushing his calf, and opens his eyes to find Harry bent over his leg, kissing a path up towards his knee. He can’t help the embarrassing little sound he makes, and Harry’s laugh is a puff against his skin as he keeps moving up, breath warm on the wet trail of his kisses up Draco’s thigh. In the background, the presenters are going crazy over a feint Harry pulled, the sound of the audience carrying all through the stadium and out of the TV speakers.

Harry has made his way high up and is kissing Draco’s birthmark, a brown, apple-sized beauty mark an inch below his groin when he lifts his head to ask, “Why didn’t you want to?”

Draco can’t believe he’s using his mouth to speak at that moment. He licks his lips, trying to make sense of the question.

“What? What are you even — ?” He tries to sit up a little, but Harry moves over him instead so they’re eye-level without Draco having to move at all.

“With Caddell. Why didn’t you want to keep seeing him?”

“Owen? Why the fuck are we talking about —,” Draco lets his head drop down onto the cushions again, a sigh punched out of him. Harry takes pity and leans forward to kiss him, lips soft over Draco’s, knowing exactly how to coax his kisses out of him the way he likes best.

“I just want to know,” Harry whispers against his lips. He’s breathless just from touching Draco, from rubbing his legs, from kissing him. Fuck, this is insane.

“I like him, but it wasn’t very exciting.” Draco says. He closes his eyes as Harry begins to kiss down his neck, and tries to really think about it, because he’s not even sure himself. “I wasn’t willing to risk our teamwork when what we had wasn’t even that … electric. I don’t know. This sounds insane.”

Harry shakes his head, his beard rubbing against Draco’s collarbone. “It doesn’t. I get it.” He bites on the delicate skin connecting neck and shoulder, licks a path down his chest. “I get electric.”

“Fuck yes you do,” Draco says, nonsensical, but he feels he can’t be blamed when Harry is brushing his lips over his nipples, broad hands moving around Draco’s body to secure a grip over his ass.

“Is this?” Harry asks, mouth nearing the V of Draco’s hips, the edge of the trail of hair leading to his crotch. “Electric?”

Draco swears, fingers running through Harry’s hair and finding a grip, hard. “If you don’t put your mouth on me right now I swear I — yes.”

He spreads his thighs to accommodate Harry between them, one hand gripping Harry’s hair and the other curled around the cushion over his head. It is electric, the way Harry knows exactly which buttons to push, sliding a finger inside him while keeping him on his tongue. He’s a prodigy in this too, the star player who knows every move in the playbook that is Draco’s body.

It feels like no time at all, no effort at all before Harry is pulling back, dragging Draco closer by the waist and working himself inside. The feel of it, the sound of them together, the look into Harry’s open gaze, his sweat dripping onto Draco’s chest and his hands underneath Draco’s back, holding him, pulling him onto him, have Draco nearing release almost too fast for his liking, but the night is young and it’s been so long that he lets himself go, a cord snapping in his core, eyes open as he watches Harry watch him come apart.

“Come on,” he says once he’s come down, lifting his hips, shifting his weight onto his shoulders. “Show me what you got, Potter.”

Harry groans and leans forward, kisses Draco’s jaw and his neck, and drives his hips faster. Draco wraps his arms around Harry’s back, moves with him as much as he can in the tight embrace, and remains close as Harry meets his own peak and tumbles down the edge.

They lie together for a couple minutes afterwards, panting into each other’s skins, basking in the afterglow.

“Some pro-athletes. We have the stamina of two eighteen year old virgins,” Draco mutters into Harry’s hair after a while, and feels Harry’s chest rumble with his laughter. The room is cast in the warm glow of the foot-lamp that stands beside the sofa they just fucked in, exactly like two eighteen year old virgins having the chance to touch for the first time in their lives.

Harry always goes boneless and slow after a good lay, so Draco eases him off his body with tenderness, a gentle hand to Harry’s chest, followed by a kiss.

“Let's go to bed, yeah?” He whispers.

Harry groans. “I don’t want to move.”

“That’s too bad, because I’m exhausted and I’m going to bed. Some idiot drove me to the ground on the pitch today.”

He stands up and shakes out his legs, testing the soreness of his muscles. There’ll be an ache tomorrow, but nothing he can’t handle.

Despite his complaint, Harry is already standing up too, coming up behind Draco, a hand finding its way to the flat of his belly, his forehead on Draco’s shoulder as though he can’t bear not to touch him for even a second.

“Bed it is,” he declares against the skin of Draco’s shoulder, sounding halfway asleep already. Draco huffs a laugh and pulls him towards the bedroom, pausing at the kitchenette to grab two glasses of water that he watches Harry drink in three gulps, a couple drops sliding down the sides of his mouth, into his beard and down his neck, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“What?” He asks when he catches Draco watching him, and Draco shakes his head and pulls him to bed. He’s so handsome it’s genuinely upsetting sometimes. Draco thinks he’d throw a tantrum about it daily if it weren’t for the fact that he gets to touch him.

They try their best, but they don’t manage a second round before their eyes fall shut, tucked into each other like two hands cupped under a stream of water, tumbling into a satisfied, exhausted sleep.

Harry wakes him with a kiss before daybreak, the last of the night chilling the room and puckering Draco’s skin.

“Do you have to go already?” Draco asks, one eye still closed and a hand curled possessively around Harry’s bicep, not entirely on purpose.

Harry shakes his head, kisses him again with a gentleness that is meant to go nowhere but extend this kiss, warm and sweet.

“I thought we could talk.”

Draco is nodding before fully grasping the meaning, but even once he does he’s not tempted to back away. Must be the night, still cocooning them, must be Harry’s arms around him that are making him brave, but he’s not nervous anymore, not now that he’s remembered what they’re like, together.

“It is electric,” he says, suspecting that’s what Harry wants to talk about. “It’s always electric with you.”

The smile blooms slowly, lighting up Harry’s face from within, his beautiful eyes, unhidden this early in the morning, his glasses still on the bedside table. Harry sits up a little, clears his throat. It seems like he’s been gearing up for this, he’s squaring his shoulders the way he does before trying a dangerous feint, before performing a play that will have Draco biting dust. This insane, wonder of an athlete. Draco forces himself to shake the last of the sleep away, to focus on him, on what he wants to say.

“I know that … so many of us want you,” Harry starts. “On your team, on mine, the whole league, actually. But I —”

He looks like he’s stating an absolute truth, like he has irrefutable proof, and Draco is taken aback. He knows some of the guys find him attractive, but that’s not the same as being wanted. He shakes his head. “What? Where did you get that?”

“I’ve talked about it with the guys, but that’s not the point,” he adds hurriedly when he sees his eyes widen. Draco hasn’t said a word to anyone, not out of shame, but out of sureness that they were sneaking around, that they were making it a point to hide. Apparently, he was wrong. Harry continues, “What I want to say is … I know we’ve not agreed on anything, that you’re free to want others, be with whoever you want to be with. I thought that you knew where I stood, that if you weren’t saying anything it was because you didn’t want the same thing I did, but it’s been brought to my attention that if I’ve not made an honest offer, I can’t assume you’re saying no.”

Draco’s heart is hammering inside his chest, inside his throat. He doesn’t want to jump to conclusions, but if he’s right, it seems Harry is saying …

“I don’t want this to be a once a month thing. I want to bring you home, I want you to meet my family, and I want the guys to know that I’m saying no to all the people they set me up with because I’m taken and completely uninterested in anyone else. Are you … is that something you want, too? I know you might have better offers, but I – ”

The covers crinkle under Draco’s knees as he sits up, throws a leg over Harry’s body so he can fully sit on his lap and brings him forward by the neck.

“You beautiful idiot. What could be a better offer? Why would I care about any other offers when I have the best one right here?”

They’re kissing, and Harry’s gasping, and Draco’s frenzied heart pounds against his sternum. He nods into the kiss, feels dizzy with how much he wants what’s being offered. Fuck. There’s nothing he wants more.

Harry pulls back a little, whispers: “Does this mean we’re — ?”

“Yes, fuck. It’s — The game’s the game.”

“What — That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Shut up. It’s your quote.”

Then they’re laughing into a new kiss, and it’s not the first, or even the tenth time they’re together like this, but Draco’s heart still goes crazy for this man, for his unlimited talent, his openness, his electric company. Quarter finals are coming up, then semis, then they might meet again on the pitch and Draco might lose and throw a strop and want to tear the hair out of his head over the beautiful Quidditch Harry plays, and then they’ll get to go home and celebrate a victory. No matter who takes the trophy. That’ll be the game.

Read On Ao3

[dollypopup]

Ranking Colin Bridgerton's gifts after his travels by order of how much they made my brain go brrrr

8. Perfume for Hyacinth. . .2/10 Get it? He got her floral perfume. . .because her name is a flower?

7. Eloise's book- 3/10. Extra point for listening to how much his sister likes to read and trying to get her something that fits her interests. still meh

6. Frannie's sheet music: 5/10. Very in tune (ba dum tiss) to her interests, again, but kind of got upstaged by John later on in the season. Showcases how sentimental and kind he is tho!

5. Benedict's cards- 6/10 if just for the joke of 'Since you think yoU CAN PLAY ME'

4. Got Anthony a glass ball- 7/10, for the metaphor of it lmfao Colin Bridgerton really said 'since you're gonna be a dick, might as well get you a ball to match' ahahaha

3. A Bow and Arrow for Greg- solid 8/10, also super thoughtful since we know Greg loves mischief and fun, extra point for the Cupid of it all, obviously chosen because it would cause so much chaos, and also potentially many medical bills. Excellent. Favorite brother by a landslide

2. Timepiece for Violet- 9/10. He literally got her the gift of time! Clearly the most expensive gift out of the lot, too. He adores his mum and he clearly cares so much about the women in his life. All the gifts he got for them clearly show he listens to them and their interests, but this one feels extra thoughtful and also useful. Genuinely the sweetest, most respectful male lead by a mile. We stan a Momma's Boy

aaaaaaaand

Gave Pen a hand. . .well, more like two fingers- 11/10, the gift that he keeps on giving

[utilitycaster]

I do highly recommend the TLOVM episodes 7-12 roundtable because while I think it's valid to dislike some of the choices this season, and I definitely don't think "IT'S AN ADAPTATION DO YOU HATE CHANGE" is a useful argument, the discussion was helpful. In particular:

As many have said, the Bard's Lament wasn't done because they didn't know if this would be the series finale, and they do hope to make room for something comparable in S4.

Small moments or specific lines can be really hard to incorporate or adapt. Glintshore isn't really that compelling a battle outside the context of D&D; Keyfish is COMPLETELY nonsensical on several levels (the whole context for that doesn't really make sense if you can give Pike more focus elsewhere); this didn't get brought up specifically but my personal hot take is "call me child one more time" is a little too of its time (peak Hamilton Fandom era) to be worth bringing in verbatim.

Matt pretty much explicitly said that a lot of the deaths for Vox Machina follow timelines dictated by the spells involved and not what makes for the best story, and I do have to agree, and again, personal trepidation about some potential C3 choices aside, the CR cast has always moved in the direction of making their games more lethal, not less.

Anyway my thoughts on how I'd adapt S4:

Come back from the time away; have Tary have shown up and give Scanlan an outburst about how quickly he was replaced instead

Do Keyleth's water trial; make it less lethal but still highly stressful

Reveal Vecna in some manner; I think Pike having some kind of everlight-related revelation would be good, but I also do think the oracle arrow scene would be a good one

Get back Scanlan and then honestly hew pretty closely to episodes 101 onward except naturally shortening some of the dungeon crawls and only keep Vax's death during the Vecna fight. I'm not entirely sure if Sprigg fits in with a streamlined plot but my gut says they'll try to make it work. however i do think they should probably skip Arkhan.

[aphroditesmoon]

Hi! I’m not sure if u do smut or not but I was wondering if u could do a Legolas smut with fem!human!reader, like a enemies to lovers kind of thing. Maybe hate sex? <3

too close

legolas greenleaf x reader

summary: legolas has his doubts about who you really are, but is that really why he can never meet your eyes with anything else but anger in himself.

warning: afab reader, nswf, smut 18+, etl, legolas being a jerk, probably bad description of mirkwood

a/n: soo sorry i took ages, I've been taking new meds, also i havent written smut for a while so im a bit dusty, hope u like it<3

○○○○○○

Summer is barely a real season under the protective courts of Mirkwood, you could barely feel the heat or see the sun through giantic starfall tree and at night, the chill through the strong winds gives a hint of winter in its air.

You loved it. Training at night feels easier when your not already sweating through your tits ten minutes in warm ups. And the quiet around you, save the crickets and owls hooting, gave you the solace you seeked for each existing day you lived through.

But despite finding everything well with want you asked for, the universe seems relentless with making sure you'll always be keeping your guard up and your annoyance up higher, with the ever consistent appearance of Prince Legolas Greenleaf.

He stands by the corner near an entrance to the castle, watchful of you while thinking he's quiet. His lack of trust in you makes him believe that you somehow lack in the specialties of elf abilities, like for example, your keen hearing.

"I could hear you for a mile away, prince." You also caught onto his snort, before his footsteps sounds louder. "How did you lnow it was me then?" He asks, less snobby than usual.

He must be drunk, you tell yourself.

"You have that pompous, all knowing kind of stride, it has its own beat when you walk." You expected him to roll his eyes like he usually do, belittling you like a child being reprimanded. But suprisingly he laughs. "That sounds a lot like you're projecting, after all, only pompous, all knowing arseholes are the ones who isolate themselves and train alone."

Ah, there it is. He's sobered up then.

"And what humble, kind enough of an elf, would waste his time stalking other people just to throw insults like a 7 year old?" You snapped.

If he had found your irritants amusing before, now his smile fades altogether,  and he looks the same as when he's about to pull an arrow on an orc.

"The kind of an elf who's trying to protect his kingdom and father." You laughed honestly yet mockingly before dropping your sword altogether to look at him. "You think your doing the king a favor? His majesty has his own mind, he trusts me, so I'd suggest you drop your savior facade and trust him." He shook his head and looks away for a second, as if deep in thought. "My father doesn't trust anyone, let alone random rogue elves who comes out of nowhere."

You raised you brow at his bravery in speech. 'This random rogue elf is the reason your father is alive, if I had even a glimpse of malice in me, I wouldn't have done nothing but serve him well for the last 10 months." You say matter of factly.

And before he could argue again, you wave your hand at him annoyed, and turn your back at the prince. "I practise better when im alone, and now you've ruined my peace, if you don't have anything new or smart to say-"

"You are a witch." He speaks. You actually freezed for a moment, forehead frowned in confusion. "Excuse me?"He repeated his impossible words. 

"Im a witch...because i saved your father's lives?" You ask him, slowly. He looks more frustrated then ever, as if you're the one patronizing him.

"No, you are a witch, because you have bewitched him." You could laugh if you didn't want to punch him. "And how have I bewitched him?" You almost yell. "I don't fucking know!" He yells first.

"My father has never trusted anyone, except for me, yet i see he'd put his life in your hands if he has to. And you know that, you know what you are doing. How you win his praise and trust when you fight, and when you put yourself over him, over the other shooters, martyring yourself."

Your mouth was wide open, your brows furowing, but no words escape you as he continues, inching closer with every word, untik you're both a step away from eachother.

"And you know exactly what you do to me." He was hovering over you, with a glare so intense you've never seen from the mirkwood prince. "I've done nothi-" He cuts you off when you've just gained enough control to speak. "You've bewitched me."

His breath was steady even in such anger, fanning your face gently as he inhales and exhales.  "I don't trust you, and i shouldn't care too much of another fighter in our army, another stranger i shan't waste my time on. Yet one glimpse of you, and you're stuck in my head, like a memory i can't seem to forget."

he was silent after the last confession ends, and you have the stubborn urge to answer to him. "That sounds like a you problem, not mine." He gives a short bitter laugh, looking up to the sky for a second, as if praying to the stars for guidance. "What have you done to me, cruel enchantress."

The rage seemed to lessen in the glare he still holds at you, but something more hungry lays in his gaze. "I've done nothing. Im no witch." You answer, so over all of this cat and mouse game. "And if I was, I wouldn't waste my time on someone so frustrating like you, and your stupid perfect nose, going around acting like you're-" He cuts you off, closing the small space between the two of you with his lips.

It was persistent, the way his mouth pushed over yours, like a strong wave crashing over sands, forcing it to feel the same surge it's being held againts.

When your hands finally found its strength, you place them againts his chest, pushing him off, he startles and moves a step, eyes locking with yours.

His hands that were once on each sides of your face, falls down to his side, fingers flexing as if too empty now. "I hate you." He says. His eyes saying the opposite. Your mind repeats over and over of what he had done and you tell yourself that it can't get any worse or better than this, so you took a move yourself forward, standing on the ground he was on a second ago.

"Then why don't you show me how much."

You don't hesitate to pull his face towards yours, recreating the similar scene as before. His hands move to wrap around your waist, while yours tangle themselves in his untied long white hair.

You gasp when his tongue licks over your bottom lip, giving him what he wanted, your tongues clashes as you two continue kissing eachother like you're out of air. You don't flinch when he backs you up until your back meets the flat of a wall.  His right hand starts to fliddle with the laces tying your leather top on. You help him take it off before your own fingers helps him take his breeches of while he moves his lips to your neck.

"I like you better with your hair down." You manage to gasp out while he's sucking on your neck. "And I like you better with your mouth shut."  Legolas replies before his hands easily turns you around your face meets with the wall.

You barely hold on to the wall when his grip on your hips tighten, your own training tights pulled down before you felt him againts your back.  You squirm and let yourself grind againts his hardness when one of his hands move to your front to squeeze your breasts, flicking your nipple, gently moving lower then from your chest to yoir stomach, grazing your scar filled abs until it gets lower to where you want him the most.

He's still squeezing your left hip while rubbing his hard cock againts your ass.

Finally as he sinks into you without notice,  receiving  a loud whimper from you, his hand over your hips move to grabs a fistful of your hair, pulling your head back againts his chest. His right wandering fingers were still againts your front, rubbing circles on your thighs.

You're too speechless, feeling yourself filled up to the brim by him. He doesn't move at first, head laying low by your neck, hot breathing againts your cheek. You almost cry when he slowly pulls out, until he pushes himself in again, harder tham the first thrust.

He doesn't stop them, pushing into your hole repeatedly, his hands moving up from your thighs to your clit, rubbing over it with a pace that wanted to make you scream.

Legolas finally regains enough strength to start biting and sucking on your neck, marking you, while he doesn't stop pounding into your wet cunt.

The fullness of his cock and pressure of his fingers makes your cunt tighten againts him, he lets out a growl you've never heard if the elf prince before he bites down your sweet spot harshly, making you scream out his name. "Fucking hell." He groans out, fucking out all his pent up anger and tension over you.

.Your hands feels slippery againts the wall, gripping againts nothing while he takes you like a ragdoll, manhandling you take his cock over and over, watching you turn into a crying and moaning mess.

"Legolas, please- uh." You mewl out to him He hears you, pleased he is as he lets out a grin againts your neck. "Please what, my love?" He asks huskily.  Love, thats a new one.

"Need to come-" You beg out to him.  And Legolas, for all his false pretense of hostility before, could never say no to you.

He pushes your face againts the wall again,  both of his palms now back to each side of your hip, tightening againts them as he plunges himself harder inside of you as you scream out his name, shameless of who could've heard them. Your nipples grazes againts the hard bumpy walls, oversensitive to everything now,  you clench againts him so tightly that you could hear him curse out in elvish as he holds on to your bruised sides.

You feel tears brimming in your eyes as he continues fucking you while you explode all over him, your orgasm leaking out of your cunt, all over his leg. "Argh- im going to-" He doesn't finish his words as he finally cums after you, his hot cum leaking into your hole and then lower lines on your arse.

His head leans on your back, his breathing rapid and sweat glistens you both.

Legolas pulls you back by your breast, letting you rest on hus chest while the two of you try to regain some air. His fingers grazing the valley of your tits, head stuck on the side of your forehead. Once you've calmed down from your high, you tilt your head towards him, relishing his warm arms around you.

He leans forward, letting your forehead meets. You let out a small smile.  "Now what?" Your voice gentler then expected. "Now-" He answers, voice hard. "-I'll take you to my chambers, and I'm fucking you again."

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

Why am I still reading so many people believing that Galadriel actually “shut the door” on Sauron!? Did you all miss the part where he stabbed her above her heart with Morgoth’s crown and, in the next scene, he’s mind communicating with her!?

This is the scene that starts Sauron’s “grouping” of Galadriel’s mind not her “closing the door” on him.

‘I know what it was that you last saw,’ she said; ‘for that is also in my mind. Do not be afraid! But do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlórien maintained and defended against its Enemy. I say to you, Frodo, that even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark Lord and know his mind, or all of his mind that concerns the Elves. And he gropes ever to see me and my thought. But still the door is closed! The Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Chapter 7: "The Mirror of Galadriel"

This only happens in the Third Age, thousands of years after Season 2 finale. Galadriel can't "close the door" on Sauron, on her own. She doesn't know how. She didn't even kick-out her magical arc, yet. And when she says “the door is shut”, Sauron wrecks that door wide open by having them bind together via Morgoth’s crown.

And why is everyone ignoring "Dark Galadriel"? In the Third Age she can walk between the Seen and Unseen world, and is a powerful elf-witch. Did you all see any of this happening in "Rings of Power", already? The correct answer is: not yet.

Tolkien describes Galadriel "dark form" in "The Mirror of Galadriel" chapter: [she] stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful.

Peter Jackson took this to the next level, and drew inspiration of Glorfindel's form in the Unseen World, when fighting the Nazgûl (in the "Fellowship of the Ring", his role is taken by Arwen), and we see it again when she fights Sauron in Dol Guldur:

Caught between fire and water, and seeing an Elf-lord revealed in his wrath, they [the Nazgûl] were dismayed, and their horses were stricken with madness.

I thought that I saw a white figure that shone and did not grow dim like the others. Was that Glorfindel then?' 'Yes, you saw him for a moment as he is upon the other side: one of the mighty of the Firstborn. He is an Elf-lord of a house of princes.  Gandalf and Frodo talk about Glorfindel's form in the Unseen World (Frodo was able to see it because he had the One ring on). The Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Chapter 1: "Many Meetings"

[starryinkart]

Hey so a bit of a possible crack theory:

So in the show, we’ve gotten three solver colors already, Red, which stands for Doll, Purple which stands for Uzi/Nori, Yellow which stands for the solver/CYN. But here’s something ALOT of people seemed to miss. After you rewatch the Season 1 trailer, you realize:

There’s a blue solver, most likely a blue solver holder. Hidden right before the infamous yellow of the solver we’ve come to know in the show.

If you watch the trailer, you also notice something else. Right before this symbol quickly shows up, we have a dialogue from N, running away from Uzi from the scene at the end of episode 2 and then him sitting in front of V being sad. But if you listen to that dialogue:

He says “We can’t be around the workers anymore V, we’re too dangerous…”

He eventually begins to hang around them again, but to me this line with the imagery is super important. We know from the most recent episode 7/8 teaser that N is the actual leader of the squad, most likely the strongest and most likely protected by CYN with her admin right before she was completely lost by the solver.

Through out the show, we see him confused at his own power at points, like in episode 4 when he shoots the arrow through another and catches them on fire, cracking the arrow board, proceeding to say:

“Did I do that?” All confused.

N obviously doesn’t know how powerful he is at all, but what if and hear me out, it’s not ONLY because he’s a Disassembly Drone?

We know that CYN blocked the solver from having access to him, V and J to most likely protect them from the fate the solver has for drones who are infected. She didn’t want the same thing happening to N, her brother, who she loved and his friends which he cared about and most likely she cared about before she was taken over completely.

But now, Uzi has unblocked them from being protected from the CYNs admin, which was presumably protecting the squad from the affects of possibly getting the solver, (under the assumption CYN was bad in general) by becoming their administrator. If Uzi is their admin, and she gets taken over by the solver in general, that means that her admin code basically becomes useless to protecting N and the others from being infected too. And remember Tessa found them in the dump and repaired them as well, like CYN so they have a high chance of contracting the solver since they were also disposed of incorrectly.

So here comes the point of this picture that was released as a teaser yesterday:

It’s N, looking down, whether at something or just on the verge of having a breakdown and losing it we are uncertain, but from the posture, the balled fists, he does NOT look okay at all.

The first thing yours eyes are drawn to are the building split in half in front of him, the exoplanets in the sky and N. But, on a more closer look, you see two things:

1. The snow flakes on the bottom left have a ominous blue tint to them, which should only happen if blue light is reflecting off of them…

2. If you didn’t notice on the first look, N has the same blue light, coming from right in front of him. Perhaps maybe the same color as this blue solver symbol we have yet to see with some weird lines and curves jutting out from the sides…

At first, I thought Khan would be the blue solver holder at the beginning of the series, being a surprise twist for him to have activated in him he was so afraid of due to him possibly seeing it with his wife Nori. Honestly while that would’ve been cool, episode 5 debunked this possibility, since Khan was flung out of the room by Doll when she was attempting to get the cyber bug from Uzi. Solver owners can’t effect other solver holders as proven from the series, it can only use items around them to throw or hurt them.

We haven’t seen N be affect by the solver once in the present time or in the flashback of episode 5.

Now I do know the merch video came out today, but it was stated in the video that

1. “It was totally not canonical to the series what so ever” which I HIGHLY doubt. Most of the merch and videos we have seen have been canon and it seems as though the characters have been pulled aside between episodes to “film” these fourth wall breaks.

2. The fact that the title of the video “N’s Final Form” and the thumbnail are most likely not just a joke. Notice his acrylic stand teaser from V’s acrylic stand released recently:

When I first saw this, it looked SUPER weird. Me and my significant other said it looked like N and we thought the two things in the foreground of his body were his wings, meaning he was looking away from the viewer of the stand.

But then we looked closer and I started looking at my King Solver N design you can find in the murder drones link in my FAQ and we drew a more accurate picture of what we were seeing. N was not looking away from the viewer, all the characters are looking at us, and it would be weird to have N be different. So this is what we came up with:

W stands for his wings, T stands for where his tail is, L stands for his legs, F stands for his face and H stands for his hands.

His hands look a-little weird don’t they?

Remember this:

It was mentioned some where on Tumblr that this looks similar to the cocoon that Uzi broke out of in Episode 4 when she transformed into her solver form only N is being dragged in. This is obviously a biomechanical phenomenon of the solver. But why is he being dragged in?

To have his “final transformation” , a “final form” you may say?

The only thing is, after Uzis transformation, is when the solver really started to gain power over her, taking control of her as seen in Episode 4 and recently in Episode 6. As soon as she became biomechanical, the solver gained more control over her.

(Edit: sO this cocoon theory was wrong, but his emotions can still spill over and cause this!!! So its not fully wrong yet!)

Now think of the scene above and what happened to Uzi in Episode 4, but with N. N gets dragged into this cocoon, fighting but not able to escape, while Uzi is fighting inside her mind with the real solver, posing as CYN in the mansion as Uzi is trying not to lose her mind. While she’s stuck, N has his transformation, now not able to be protected by CYNs administration since Uzi is now the administrator of him and V, so he undergoes the transition, the solver not having much to fight against converting him to a biomechanical creature like Uzi. This gives it more power over N, and gives it a chance to take advantage of the situation to bury itself into N’s code, making his solver string: true. Now N has the same thing inside him that has possibly taken everything from him.

After this, he either gets possessed fully and goes on a rampage or the possession is slow, painful after he manages to escape the cocoon and get to the surface. Either by this point Uzi is still fighting in her head and N thinks she’s fully gone or dead OR she has successfully fought the solver and is looking for N. All his repressed emotions, everything that has happened, everything he’s lost…it’s all become too much. He snaps, lashing out on whatever is in front of him, this being the building we see in half in the teaser from yesterday. Before he can stop himself, he angrily swings toward the building, but instead of a sword, his gun or his claws coming out, there is this fleshy, gross growth that emerges, a blue solver symbol appearing in front of him and shooting towards the building, snapping it in half like a toothpick.

There is a moment of either him stopping in pure panic due to this OR his panic, sadness and fear turns into full on anger, him not able to repress anything anymore, taking a turn into a full on uncontrollable breakdown. The reason he had to repress his emotions for all this time, for fear of lashing out and hurting the ones he cares for. But now, as far as he knows, no one is left to care for. After all in the merch teaser today Uzi said really sarcastically:

“You’re meant to be better than us! Don’t become swallowed by the darkness/animal based merchandise (murders) like I have!”

And

“HIS EMOTIONS… CAN NOT BE CONTAINED!”

(which can be very much true)

This could end in either him being used by the solver as a host or Uzi coming back to help him and in turn as he said in the teaser:

“Okay I’m back! I’m better and it’s even deeper down now….haha! “ (basically his repressed emotions being repressed further for an even worst breakdown in a season 2)

That’s one turn it could take, but another could he that when he stops from pure panic due to what he’s become, similar to Uzi, and in the merch trailer today, and realizes he can use his newfound powers to save the ones he loves that are either left alive or find another way to fix what has happened.

(Someone mentioned on here that N’s solver powers could be similar to Time-travel to places he’s been to in the past, (like Dolls in teleportation to only places she has seen and Uzi doesn’t really have one yet, she’s not that far along in development of her solver) to go back and correct what mistakes he has made, fixing the timeline and THAT would be super cool if he does think he has lost everything or really has. If it ever find it on here again, I will tag it.)

Sorry this was SO LONG, but basically, N will have the blue solver due to the final two episodes and he will get a transformation like Uzis, having him grasp the thing that has basically ruined his life several times over being apart of him now, having to use it to save his loved ones. All the while not having a mental breakdown or angry blowup and losing control of his powers. So basically affecting the story and his choices greatly.

[youruinedmylifebynotbeingreal]

Confessions in the Clouds

AO3

Summary: In which Corvus has some realizations mid-flight

Note: This is inspired by a promo image for season 7 that was released last month so if you are looking to go into the season blind do not read this!!

If it's after season 7 comes out and you’re reading this, hi! Hope you enjoy the fluff after a season that I’m sure left you in pain.

…

“Hey, uh, Corvus? You okay back there?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Are you sure? Did you forget to tell me you’re afraid of heights? Or flying?”

“Definitely not afraid of heights -“ Soren nodded, thinking of Corvus’s love of trees “- and I’m not the biggest fan of flying, but… it’s gotten better. I especially feel safe with you at the helm. Again, why?”

“Well… we’ve been flying for a bit now and you’re holding on as tightly as you were when we were taking off,” Soren chuckled.

Corvus had been hugging him close since they hopped on their Twin-Tailed Inferno-Tooth Tiger. At first he’d assumed it was due to their take off and not wanting to fall off. It was both of their first time riding this type of flying animal, after all. But it had been a solid ten minutes of easy flight, and Soren still felt Corvus’s arms grasping at his middle.

Soren chose to omit the fact that Aanya and Ezran had managed to fit themselves, Aanya’s bow and arrows, and Bait onto the back of Aegis with room to spare. Corvus may be the best tracker in Katolis, but his usually keen observation skills had seemed to be a bit muddled since he got back from the wedding.

“Oh!” Corvus loosened his grip, but didn’t let go. “Sorry about that. I guess, I, uh, just got comfortable.” He mumbled into Soren’s back, flushing.

“I mean, I’m not complaining,” Soren clarified, placing one of his hands over Corvus’s, briefly giving it a squeeze before returning it to hold on to Embertail. “Just checking in.”

He felt Corvus nod in response, chin slotting over Soren’s shoulder to look out at the sky. Soren involuntarily shivered at the feeling of warmth permeating through him. He chose to ignore what he knew deep in his bones: he’s in love with his best friend.

But Corvus is his best friend, after all. Nothing more, nothing less.

Right?

…

Corvus pretended not to notice Soren’s reaction to his presence on Soren’s shoulder, and chose to ignore the thrill it brought him. He’d been ignoring a lot of those feelings recently.

Janai and Amaya’s wedding must’ve made him sappy. Or maybe it was being captured by an enemy. Again.

This definitely was not the time to be having emotional breakthroughs. They were mid-flight, mid-disaster, mid-world-ending-scenarios, mid… well, let’s just say there’d been a lot going on. Corvus didn’t exactly have time to analyze his feelings.

His thoughts stalled. Feelings? Where did that come from?

Sure, he loved spending time with Soren more than anyone else and he felt like a piece of him was missing every time they were apart. Sure, he hadn’t felt like he could properly breathe since Ezran received the letter at the wedding until they’d landed back in Katolis - well, what was left of the capital, that is - and he’d enveloped Soren in a hug. (Corvus definitely wasn’t going to analyze the fact that he hadn’t wanted to let Soren go ever again during that.)

Because that’s normal between best friends!

Right?

Not that either of them really knew the answer to that. Soren’s closest and best friend before Corvus had been Claudia, and Corvus had been more of a loner growing up. Corvus knew Soren was close with the Dragang and viewed them as family, but also felt like the odd one out at times.

Sure, Corvus had some casual friends and he was close with his family. But he’d never had anyone he’d considered his best friend. Regardless of how close he was with Amaya and Gren while serving in the Standing Battalion, there was also always a level of formality due to being in the military. And, honestly, there were times where Amaya felt like more of a parental figure than just a friend.

Although, technically Soren was his superior too. Captain of the Crownguard and all that. Sometimes it was easy to forget, but there should be a level of decorum there. Usually it was always in the back of Corvus’s mind, but since the mushroom forest, he found himself forgetting often - or just not caring.

What made his relationship with Soren so different from the others?

You don’t want to push them against a tree and kiss them, his brain butted in.

He reared back far enough to move his head off of Soren’s shoulder, but didn’t let go.

Where had that thought come from?

Corvus had heard about Soren’s reputation when they were teens, even though they hadn’t truly run in the same circles. Everybody knew Soren had a tendency for being a bit of flirt and loved doling out affection to everybody around him. But the more Corvus thought about it, he couldn’t remember ever hearing about Soren actually being in any relationship. He wondered why that was.

Corvus, on the other hand, had never been too keen on flirting. He’d never really imagined himself with anyone. He’d been perfectly content by himself, with his group of casual friends, or with family for most of his life. He’d had good people around him and that was all he needed. Being in the military in a world at war, he also hadn’t really thought he’d live long enough to want any romantic relationship. The type of deep, meaningful relationship he needed to feel those things was hard to come by when you were a tracker constantly being sent on secret missions.

But then he’d met Soren. Well, he met Soren, a lot of things happened, and the whole world changed. Then he joined the Crownguard, and his whole world had changed. Simply because Soren had asked him to, no puppy dog eyes required. And they had become friends, and spent every moment possible together, and…

Corvus, against all odds, had found somewhere - someone - to call home.

Corvus’s eyes widened, and he looked back at his feelings and actions of the past few days, weeks, months, and, heck, years a little differently.

At the very least, that initial shock helped clarify some things for Corvus. He had feelings for his best friend.

…

Soren frowned at the loss of Corvus’s warmth.

“Are you sure you’re okay back there? I know you’re usually quiet, but… you seem extra quiet today.”

Soren could feel more than hear Corvus’s sigh. He felt his heart twinge at the thought of Corvus being sad. Or in pain. Or struggling in any way.

“Honestly?” Corvus asked.

Soren nodded. “Always. If you can’t be honest with your best friend, who can you be honest with?”

Soren felt sick saying the words, when he knew he wasn’t being honest with his best friend.

“Honestly, I…” Corvus couldn’t help but trail off. Corvus wasn’t even sure where to begin. When he’d been captured - the most recent time, that is - one of his first thoughts was I may never see Soren again. He hadn’t realized quite why at the time, but now he did.

It felt especially ironic, considering where their relationship had started out.

He took a deep breath, and started again. “Currently, I’m thinking about when you knocked me out with a rock - ”

Soren spluttered. “I thought we moved past that!”

Corvus couldn’t help but laugh and rest his head on Soren’s back. Soren was one of the only people who made him laugh so easily. So freely. “If you’d let me finish, I was going to say that I was thinking about how far we’ve come since then.”

Soren puffed out his chest. “Okay, good!”

“I was also thinking about the most recent time I was taken hostage,” Corvus said. Maybe this wasn’t the ideal time to do this, since if this conversation went badly his only choice would be to jump off of a flying cat over who knows where. But that just meant the conversation couldn’t go badly. “I… I kind of had a realization. Soren, my first thought wasn’t of King Ezran and how I’d get him out of the situation. It was of you.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Soren asked, turning his head. Corvus held his breath. This had been a mistake. He wished he could take the words back. He - “You’re talking to my back more than me; I can barely hear you as it is up here with the wind!” Soren shouted the last words for emphasis with a goofy grin.

Corvus felt his face heat up. It had been scary enough to say it the first time. He cleared his throat and moved his mouth closer to Soren’s ear. “I said, when Karim took me and Ezran, I was thinking more about you than the king.”

“I - what? Why? We’ve both been in dangerous situations plenty of times. I was nowhere near there.”

“I think… I think the wedding helped me figure some things out.”

Soren, for one of the few times in his life, went quiet. His throat felt dry. “Like… like what?” he rasped.

“Like… I was afraid that I would never see you again. That I would never get to make up for all of the times I pushed you away because I was too afraid of feeling things that are hard.”

Soren skipped over the part that made his heart flutter. “I can’t imagine you being afraid of much of anything, Corvus. You’re the bravest person I know.”

Corvus chuckled and shook his head. “No, sorry, that title has to go to you. You have the biggest heart. You’ve been through so much, yet you still put on a smile every day. Or at least try to. And the most infuriating part is, it’s so often genuine! You ask how everybody’s doing, even when nobody asks you how you’re feeling. And, Soren, I want to be the person that asks you how you’re doing.”

Soren swore his heart skipped a beat. He knew he was overanlyzing this - after all, everyone knew thinking wasn’t his specialty. He’d had that drilled into his head since childhood. So he tried to do what he did best - lighten the situation, as per usual. He leaned back into Corvus’s personal space, just like Corvus usually hated. “Aww, right back at you, bestie.”

Corvus groaned at the nickname. He was messing this all up. “Soren, that’s what I’m trying to tell you! I don’t want to be your ‘bestie.’”

Soren stiffened and leaned forward, trying to get as far away as he could. Which wasn’t very far, considering they were on a flying magical tiger. Oh, he’d definitely read this situation wrong. Corvus was tired of him, just like everybody else. It seemed to be an inevitability of his life. Corvus was leaving him alone, too. Somebody was always leaving. Just like his mom had left the family, just like he left Claudia, just like -

“Oh, Sources, that did not come out right. Soren, I don’t want to just be your best friend. Because I…”

But Soren couldn’t hear Corvus attempting to course correct. He felt the pressure of a hand on his shoulder, squeezing, but his chest felt tight and he was struggling to breathe. He had the sense of mind to keep Embertail on track, but aside from that, he couldn’t notice anything else, trying to focus on his breathing. In through your nose, out through your mouth. But that made him think of his childhood, and his father - no, Viren - which made him think of everything he was doing his darndest not to think about, and -

“Soren?” Ezran’s shout cut through Soren’s chaotic thoughts. What could he say, he’d been trained well as Head Crownguard. “Are you okay?”

Soren looked down and swallowed. He schooled his face accordingly and put on a smile. “Yup! Just peachy, my King!”

Ezran made eye contact with Corvus who had alerted him to Soren’s condition, becoming concerned when Soren became unresponsive. “Okay, if you’re sure. We should be close now.”

Soren nodded. “Aye, aye, captain!” Soren saluted Ezran dramatically. Soren hoped Ez wouldn’t notice the shake in his hands.

“Soren?” Corvus said quietly. “Are you back with me?”

Soren nodded. Normally Corvus helped to tether him to reality during moments like that, but he guessed he’d need to get used to him not being there.

“Yup. Like I told Ez, just peachy.”

“Soren, I thought we just promised to be honest with each other.”

So it seemed that now Corvus didn’t even need to see his face to know exactly how he was feeling. Lovely.

“Well, that was when you still wanted to be my friend.”

“Soren, you disappeared on me before I could explain. I know, I know, the way I worded that before was… awful. But what I mean is that I don’t want to just be your best friend.”

Soren’s still racing thoughts screeched to a halt. Maybe his initial analysis of this conversation wasn’t so off? “Wait. What?”

“When I was at the wedding, I realized I wanted to be there with you. When Karim had us, I was so worried that I’d never get a Soren hug again. When we got the letter about Katolis, I dropped to my knees because I feared for your wellbeing. But it took me until right now, forced to be face-to-face - or, well, back-to-face - with you and my feelings that I realized…

“I never imagined myself living in one place, let alone in a castle. Adjusting was… difficult - “ Soren laughed, thinking of the times he’d seen Corvus sneaking out in more and more outlandish ways to sleep under the stars “ - but you made it easier. You made it worth it. You made me feel at home.”

Soren so wished he could turn around right now. He also knew this might be easier on Corvus because they were back-to-face. While both men admired each other for their bravery, he knew he’d been afraid to tell Corvus his own feelings for a while. Maybe this was what they needed.

Corvus took a deep breath, and leaned close enough to Soren that his lips brushed his ear. Soren felt all tingly.

“Soren, I think I love you - “

“I love you too.”

They both went silent. Corvus let out a surprised little “oh!” and Soren chuckled.

“Is it that surprising?” Soren asked.

“Well, I just figured out my feelings, like, five minutes ago. I don’t know what I expected.”

Soren grinned. “And are you happy with the outcome?”

Corvus nodded.

“Nope, use your words!”

He guided Soren’s face towards him, and Soren turned his body so that he could see Corvus more comfortably. Corvus made a face and rolled his eyes, because he knew it always made Soren laugh. He was not disappointed.

“Yes, Soren. I am very happy with these results.”

In that moment, Soren’s smile - his genuine smile - could’ve outshone the sun. Corvus felt like his heart was going to burst.

…

They’d been flying in comfortable silence for a little bit, when suddenly -

“I’ve gotta tell you something super embarrassing.” Soren blurted out.

Corvus laughed. “Okay, sure, that’s one way to start this relationship.”

Soren’s smile somehow grew wider. They were in a relationship. “So, I’ve never told you, or anyone really, about how - or, uh, why - I got this scar,” he pointed to his left eyebrow. “You know how we crossed paths at trainings and summer camps for most of our teen years?”

“Yeah, of course. Even being in different age groups, you were always the most boisterous person around. It was hard to miss you.”

“Well, uh…” Soren faced forward, suddenly flustered, debating if he should go on.

“C’mon Soren, use your words,” Corvus needled with a poke to Soren’s side.

Soren took a deep breath. Corvus would never judge him. He hadn’t judged him for any of the awful things he’d done in the past. He wouldn’t judge him for a silly accident in his teen years.

“Well, there was one year where I noticed your scar. And, looking back, I thought it made you look incredibly attractive. But young, still-figuring-himself-out Soren wasn’t sure how to handle those feelings, and decided he wanted to look like you. So, after camp, I, uh, attempted to shave a slit into my eyebrow.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes. I messed it up pretty badly, and ended up with a little scar all of my own. All because I’ve been crushing on you since we were kids.”

Things went silent. Soren silently cursed his talkative nature. He’d ruined things already. Corvus would think it was weird he’d paid so much attention to him when they’d basically been strangers. Acquaintances at best. Before Soren could get too lost in his thoughts, a gruff voice broke through.

“I really wish I could kiss you right now,” Corvus said before he could overthink it.

Soren froze. He was so used to being the one to initiate physical affection, he wasn’t sure how to react to being on the receiving end of that request, especially from someone he was actually attracted to.

Corvus misunderstood his silence, fearing the worst again. “Wait, are you okay? We don’t have to kiss if you don’t want to or you aren’t ready to. You just being you makes me happy.”

“Wait, no, I definitely do want to kiss you,” Soren explained. “Like, so badly. I just didn’t think that anybody I really, truly liked would… actually want to kiss me.”

Corvus’s heart broke for the kind soul in front of him who had been so damaged by life, he didn’t see his worth or desirability outside of his strength and status. Corvus swore to whatever higher beings were out there that he would make this man feel worthy of love and affection, even if it’s the last thing he ever did.

Corvus just hugged Soren tighter. “As soon we land and have some space from others, I promise I’ll prove it to you.”

Soren felt himself get flustered. “I - uh - “

“In the meantime, I just got you back. I’m not letting you go. Okay?” Corvus asked, scooching somehow even closer and resting his cheek on Soren’s shoulder.

Soren nodded, lacing his fingers through Corvus’s as they flew. “More than okay.”

They were silent for a few minutes.

“So, now that we’re… together, and I’ve told you an embarrassing story, does this mean I finally get some Corvus backstory? Or at least the story behind the scarf, O Great Man of Mystery?”

Corvus pretended to contemplate the questions with a loud hum. “Maybe if you’re lucky.”

“Well, I already feel like a pretty lucky guy.”

Corvus steeled himself, leaned forward, and kissed Soren’s cheek. “Me too.”

Even with everything going on, they both had a strange feeling that everything would be okay, so long as they had each other.

…

Not included: Ezran owing Aanya jelly tarts because, while being back in the lives of these two men for mere days, she knew this would happen within the week. She’d been shocked when Ezran told her they weren’t dating. Ezran had hoped it wouldn’t happen yet because he had a whole elaborate scheme originally planned for after they got back from the wedding and he still wanted to see it through. However, when they saw Corvus and Soren downright cuddling on the back of their ride, he knew he’d lost. But he could still use his scheme to help Soren plan a date sometime in the future.

…

Author’s Note:

Thank you so much for reading!! This is one of my first times writing about guys and from a guy’s POV so I was very nervous. I hope I did these two justice!

I’ve probably read almost every Sorvus fic on this website at least twice and have stalked social media since I finished season 6 in August, so I have lots of pieces of inspiration.

First, I have to mention the Aftermath fic by the talented ChaoticGoodThiefling on AO3/@/SorineTheMastermind on Tumblr. The “I just got you back. I’m not letting you go.” line in chapter 5 has had me in a chokehold since I first read it and it is what inspired me to write this fic. I hope you don’t mind me borrowing it.

Second, this post made my brain start working in overtime. If you look at my tags on the post, you’ll find the beginnings of a portion of this fic.

Third, as I mentioned above I’ve read. Just. So many Sorvus fics at this point. I’ve likely taken a little bit of everybody’s characterizations of them and mashed them all together. I finished this and have been fine tuning for weeks, and it’s been wild to see ideas I included in this included in other fics. I love how we all share a braincell when it comes to this couple.

Fourth, I accidentally and then on purpose included some RWBY confession references in this, so if you spot them please be my friend.

Also if someone is not familiar with the headcanon of how Soren got his eyebrow scar, check this out: https://x.com/thedragonprince/status/1096511787556454400?s=46&t=vXzCmFCffK1Tzl3093q15w

Finally!!! Thank you again for reading if you made it all the way down here. I haven’t been here for long, but I love The Dragon Prince fandom (specifically on Tumblr) so much already.

[justjensenanddean]

Jensen Ackles | Charlotte (North Carolina) Convention, August 20, 2023 | Main Panel

(CreationEnt)

jared prefacing being careful about sag questions and jensen goes “oh i have a handful of stories lined up for you guys” so let’s go (x)

danneel got Jensen an experience driving cool cars and it was at 7 am (x)

“7 am? on a saturday? i’m already not happy” (x)

danneel got Jensen an even to get to drive a fast exotic car around a track but at 7am on a Saturday and he asked if she would come with him and she said “no i’m sleeping” (x)

JENSENS CAR HAD A RAINBOW UNICORN ON THE HOOD AND IT WAS PINK. ITS NAME WAS “sparkles glitter hooves” (x)

his helmet also had a pink unicorn on it. (x)

the car broke on the track 😭😭😭 they only got up to 50mph and it stopped (x)

aw he didn't wait to get another driver he just got in his actual car and went home. Jensen; it was NOT a great experience and i wish i had just stayed in bed (x)

jensen: i hurt my hand the other day by pushing on a closet door and it pinched my palm and i pulled my hand back and a piece of my palm was still in the door (x)

ARROW ASKED HIM IF SHE WANTED HER TO HOLD HIM BC THATS WHAT HE DOES WHEN SHES HURT (x)

jensen just told a story that one of his girls fell and he offered to hold them then he hurt his hand and he heard over his shoulder “… want me to hold you?” (x)

jensen had an emergency kit that phil gave him from season 8 and he opened it and he thought it would have bandages but all it had was salt and matches (x)

“make the bed first thing in the morning” - Jensen (x)

“would you rather have the others’ face for a butt or the other’s butt for a face” (x)

Jensen: yeah id rather have his face for a butt. jared: better wear see thru pants bc you’d have a damn fine ass Jensen: jokes on you i already have a damn fine ass (x)

jensen: I already have a fine ass jared: *chanting* prove it! prove it! (x)

Jensen prefers hard plastic spatulas (x)

jensen reccomends four roses whiskey (x)

fan: advice on senior year or life? jensen: do as much as you can. sign up for clubs. do as much as possible (x)

jensen is telling the baseball/theatre conflict story again he really is troy bolton (x)

in his senior year jensen left baseball early to do a play this man was living high school musical irl (x)

fan; if you were earths ambassador to talk to aliens, what would you ask or show them jared: FACE BUTT jensen: *in alien voice* excuse me can i ASS you a question (x)

LAST QUESTION IS WHATS YOUR FAVORITE VIDEO GAME GROWING UP LETS GO JARED SAYS SUPER SMASH BROTHERS AND JENSEN SAYS GOLDENEYE (x)

jensen saying it’s a me mario with the accent (x)

(outerspaceangie)

[silencefromafar]

I went back to rewatch episodes 7 and 8 of TROP season 2 because I wanted to be sure I hadn't actually missed anything. And I noticed some things...

So I already shared thoughts about how it felt like there were missing pieces in the season finale and how the show suffers with the challenge of condensing events that happened in the spam of several centuries in a shorter timeline.

After rewatching the last two episodes of the season I stand by my previous assessment. And even more: they had problems condensing the plotlines of the season into 8 episodes. Thus a season that started incredibly well dialed down to a messy combination of emotionally flat conclusions.

I will try to organize my considerations in different posts, the first one being about episode 7 and the Battle of Eregion. This episode has some weird editing choices and continuity mistakes that led me to believe that either there was more to the Battle of Eregion than what made it to the final cut or there were post filming changes that led to reshoots of some scenes (or even both).

The most notable slips are related to Gil-Galad's weirdly timed appearances and his absence for the majority of the action sequences. The first time we see the elven cavalry arriving the camera focuses on Elrond leading the forces and briefly shows the High King to the side. When the cavalry charges and we get a wide shot, Gil-Galad is gone. After that very brief appearance he comes back only near the end of the episode to help Elrond and Arondir and deliver a one liner in the fight against the troll. And even then the moment he spears Damrod seems weirdly disconnected from the whole sequence as it is shot in a way that does not show Gil-Galad in the same framing as Damrod, Elrond or Arondir. When the troll is finally dead, there are a few shots were we can see Gil-Galad upon his magnificent horse delivering another one liner. With the fighting still going on around them, Gil-Galad, Elrond and Arondir look in the direction of the treeline. Cut to a shot of Adar ordering his children to march and various shots of the orcs advancing from the edge of the forest to cross the battlefield. We see by the lighting that it's still the middle of the night. Cut back to Gil-Galad on his feet and we have no horses on sight, all the orcs that were fighting the elves a few moments ago have disappeared or dropped dead and the lighting is completely different as the sun is already rising on the horizon. Oh, and the body of the troll they just killed? Nowhere to be seen.

Back to the battle, we finally have Arondir facing Adar. Now, this should have been a big moment, since they interrupted Arondir's story arc with the southlanders to have him pursuing revenge against Adar as his main arc of the season. But it's resolved in less than 30 seconds. Or in 24 seconds, to be more precise: Arondir shoots his first arrow directly at Adar around 1:05:34 and by 1:05:58 we have Adar leaving the frame while Arondir crawls on the floor with what should have been a mortal wound. When I first watched this I was genuinely scared for Arondir's life. This is the last we see of him in this episode and when the finale came out one of my concerns was knowing who would come to Arondir's rescue... No wonder I was confused when he showed up perfectly fine like he didn't had a big ass sword thrust on his belly.

Next we have this beautiful shot of Elrond looking despondent, his gaze on the battle going around and his hair mostly in place. Then it cuts to Adar's sword being sheated while he stands right in front of Elrond, who's in a slightly different position, face looking down, hair a lot more disheveled. The lighting also changes from one shot to the other: on the first it looks more natural while in the second it's weirdly artificial. It's clear that there was supposed to be a fighting scene between Adar and Elrond before the moriondor takes Nenya. What happened to that scene?

One can't help but wonder how such primary mistakes in continuity could happen in a billion dollar production like TROP. My guess is that originally there was a different version of the Battle of Eregion and what aired was a mix of that version with reshot scenes but I still can't say what was on the first version and what was a result of reshooting.

That's it for now, I might come back later with more comments on these last two episodes.

P.S.: I've seen some people theorizing that it could have been Sauron impersonating Elrond in that infamous kiss scene. And as much as I think that kiss was gratuitous, purposeless and completely out of place I don't think that is what went on. As many editing mistakes as they did the sequence of events here seems mostly ok and I can't imagine how Sauron would have been able to pull that off. But who knows? As I've said, that kiss was weird enough and might be another evidence of the mess that went on in the making of episodes 7 and 8.

[batsplat]

have you ever done a ranking of your fav vale podium celebrations (or celebrations in general)? Would love to hear your thoughts <3

I love ranking dumb things so I HAVE done this, years ago actually, but I've not posted it on here! going over my list and I stand by the order with two minor alterations. I won't just limit my picks to podium celebrations but WILL exclude all his title-winning celebrations, because that feels like its own thing. so here goes

next off list *deep breath*: first win, brno '96 (so thrilled he almost rode into the wall, bless); playing the violin, donington '05 (just slaps idk man); bowling, jerez '07 (cute but also kinda funny in hindsight given how the rest of the season played out); hazing your baby teammate, catalunya '09 (like it's not even anything specific it's just SO hammy); superman, assen '97 (jorge martinez saw that shit and was like ENOUGH I need to retire NOW); bike medical check, catalunya '04 (endearingly corny and quietly ominous); 46 yamaha wins, sepang 2010 (delightfully stupid dick measuring contest with jorge); serving the champagne, brno '05 (it's silly and it's sweet, especially uccio correcting valentino's tea towel placement); beachwear, mugello '98 (this one HURT to leave out, not least because of the poor veteran valentino was upstaging)

and here's my actual top ten:

10. empty grandstands, andalusia 2020

idk this one's just so quintessentially valentino to me; I'm glad he had something fun like this for his very last podium. he parks the bike on the side of the track, gets up on... whatever you call those things, barriers? and then he wildly gesticulates in celebration at an entirely empty grandstand at the height of the pandemic as if he's being serenaded by fans. I like that it was at jerez too, feels like a full circle moment for a celebration featured later on the list - one that's also about like... subverting expectations in 'communicating' with the 'crowd'. it's just so FUN, the vibes were incredibly off back then (to put it mildly) but he did his thing and it did low key cheer me up at the time. which is the classic valentino magic, isn't it

9. tricked them all, welkom 2004

another one of the simpler, more spontaneous celebrations - valentino stopping at the side of the track after winning his first ever race with yamaha. he kisses the bike, he briefly sits down and buries his head in his hands. the commentary thinks he is crying, overcome by the magnitude of what he achieved - but in his autobiography he says he was laughing (x)

“So I was right!” I thought to myself. “I can’t believe it, I tricked them all, what a show!” I kept repeating.

it's just such a pivotal valentino moment... and in its own way, it's a very memorable celebration. an intimate *cough* moment with the bike, a genuine outpouring of emotion from a man who had won pretty much everything there was to win the last few years... but was now attempting to achieve something almost nobody thought he'd be capable of. he WAS right, he DID trick them all - and he certainly put on a show

8. robin hood, donington 1998

listen. I'm a lesbian. this gets as high up the list as it does on sheer concentrated power of lesbianism. I don't even have a lot to say about this one, I just think it's neat how he was winning everything and also winning everyone over while swanning around like THAT. valentino charmed his way into the hearts of the british to such an extent that they would terrorise anyone who looked at him wrong for the next decade plus, and it all started with some remarkably dyke-coded behaviour. look at him with his cap and his bow and his arrow. no wonder he had them all eating out of his hand

7. chicken, catalunya 1998

redefined commitment to the bit. everything about his whole 'inventing a fake sponsor to fuck with the press' saga is obviously just. excellent. all the comedy hijinks where they're getting someone to act as osvaldo and trying to continue stringing the sceptical press along... something about how he managed to still treat the whole thing as a game, still had fun with his friends, didn't take himself too seriously. obviously this celebration is a culmination of sorts of that whole ploy - valentino riding around with his imaginary chicken sponsor to the delight of the crowds. I'm always a fan of a recurring bit, so I also like the continued chicken-themed celebrations over the years. let him be a silly little guy y'know

6. speeding ticket, mugello 2002

this one is just pure camp. what can you even say. like it's such an annoying lame bit that crosses the line again to be incredibly funny, classic valentino style. this race set off valentino's mugello streak after he'd crashed out of his home race in 2001... also low key the speeding ticket was a good idea, given it kept valentino away from a rather dangerous track invasion where one rider was dragged off his bike. so he just stayed out of trouble, did his silly camp theatrics and continued to rack up wins at the circuit for the next six years. so deeply lame. bless

5. portaloo, jerez 1999

this one I confess I didn't really Get when I read about it the first time. kinda went... okay, that's cute, but I also don't really know what the point is. so it's been a bit of a slow burn for me. think it's one that helps to actually watch and then read a bit about the crowd reaction... it's just a classic case of subverting expectations, right. this entire crowd is going nuts at your victory, you're known for your zany post-race celebrations, and then you just... dive into the portaloo. he has to sell it too, I reckon, like it just wouldn't work the same way without his earnest little dash. and so the crowd goes quiet - until erupting with even more volume once he emerges. just that feel for engaging the crowd... for toying with them and winning them over all the more as a result

4. donkey ears, misano 2009

huh, this one really has snuck up the order for me. idk I just find everything about it annoyingly endearing. I like how valentino was willing to take the piss out of himself after his indy crash (which he very much should because it was extremely stupid). I like how he showed up to his home race with a donkey helmet because he'd been such an idiot. it's a tense moment in the championship given that the indy crash having very much reopened the contest. so you've got valentino really committing to this playful way of bouncing back from an embarrassing failure... smart too! it takes the sting out of things, right, just defuses the optics of his big error by gently mocking himself

The donkey is because I was stupid to crash at Indy. [...] [In this race] I was in trouble, I found myself fourth and I didn't feel confident with a full tank. So I took my time to put some more temperature in the tyres and then I attacked. Today, I was the flying donkey!"

I like how he gets his crew to wear donkey ears to greet him in parc fermé. I LOVE him mock-formally shaking the hands of his team - including obviously with luca - before giving them all a proper hug. unfortunately just unavoidably very sweet. and I like him imitating donkey ears to the camera

and OBVIOUSLY I love him putting on those bloody donkey ears for the actual podium. the way he gets down onto his knees in front of the adoring crowd. wonderfully annoying

just something about these later celebrations, when he wasn't doing them as often anymore,,, it's almost strategically recapturing that sense of whimsy, right - using this old part of his repertoire to regain a measure of authorial control. helps bring to the forefront what the celebrations are actually doing for him in practical competitive terms, what he's getting out of them beyond just having a laff. and of course I love how big a fan of these celebrations jorge is (x, x):

Rossi's donkey. At Misano my Captain America was replaced on track by Rossi’s donkey - the one he put on his helmet and the ears he wore onto the podium. It is one of the funniest celebrations I have seen Valentino do and I laughed when I saw him get the helmet out. He is an expert at turning things around, and that wasn’t the only occasion he put that talent to good use this weekend. On the podium he tried to hush the fans who were whistling at me. Personally I saw their reaction as normal because they were defending one of their own. 

one of THE key moments you need to get their dynamic imo. jorge understands exactly what valentino is doing here and they're in the middle of a title fight and jorge really does think it's GREAT. it's sort of the precursor to the misano fish helmet to aragon shark fin 2015 dynamic, right, where jorge is such a keen student of valentino's... and he also is so determined to be magnanimous and honourable and all that other stuff - which is why him glazing the celebrations makes it all the way to his biography. and the helmet makes him laugh, because it's funny! jorge might know what valentino's game is, might be taking notes on exactly what he's doing - but nobody's completely immune

and now *drum roll* my top three in just. a little more detail:

3. kissing the corkscrew, laguna seca 2008

okay, picture this. you are currently leading the championship, but your main rival (who kicked your arse the previous year) has won three races in a row and is steadily closing in on your points tally. he's doing his thing again all weekend, looks ridiculously dominant to the point pretty much everyone is framing this race as a fight for second place. you spend the night before the race plotting and scheming how to make up the difference, and you tell your best friend you will not let your rival win the race whatever happens - even if the both of you have to crash. you go out there and - with all your cunning and guile and ruthlessness - somehow prove yourself capable of hanging with your rival as you gradually infuriate him. on lap four, you plunge down a terrifying blind corner and go off-track as you make an overtake, bumping into your rival and only by some miracle keeping the bike upright. around twenty laps later, you finally break your rival and manage to tease an error out of him that makes him tip the bike into the gravel. you ride the remaining laps in utter tranquillity - not only are you under no threat, but the two of you ran so ferocious a pace that your rival can finish in second even after crashing. you win the race. the championship momentum is back on your side and you have finally managed to drag down your toughest rival down to your level. you know just how much he will have hated that. so, what do you do to commemorate this moment? well, of course you go back to said terrifying blind corner where you almost crashed on lap four of 32. you get off your bike. and you kiss the ground

idk, there's just something beautiful about the presence of mind valentino had to have in order to know that this overtake would be the defining image of the race - to pay tribute to it immediately and reinforce the memorability of that moment in everyone's heads. was he thinking about doing this while cruising home to victory? planning it out while the laps pass by? or was it really just a spur of the moment thing? it's my favourite of the spontaneous celebrations - because of course it could only ever be spontaneous, because he never could have expected to win that race, and certainly not in such a memorable fashion

and then the second part of the celebrations: how valentino decides to really, really, really rub it in. these are for my money quite possibly the most triumphalist celebrations of valentino's premier class career (catalunya 2009 is the only one in the same league), to the point where the eurosport commentators commented on how unusual it was for valentino. back in the day, during his prime, he really did go for a bit more of a cheery but cool tone for his celebrations - almost as if minimising the effort it took to take the win. all just a bit of a laugh, right? no ecstatic fist pumping on the bike, no sign that the victory had ever been in doubt... but here, valentino goes all in. he makes no secret of how delighted he is, no secret of just how much he loved beating casey. interrupts casey during his post-race tv interview in front of lurking cameras and microphone, grins his way through parc fermé and the podium. no playing sly here - he's making a point to savour it. and in commemorating the most memorable moment of the race, in getting a rise out of casey, valentino has gotten exactly what he wanted. together with the race itself, it is this post-race theatre that changes the complexion of the season, that has helped immortalise the episode

which very much includes all the ways valentino interacts with casey directly! the way valentino just REFUSES to leave well enough alone and keeps nagging casey while casey is trying so, so, so hard to not say something he will come to regret in the coming weeks. a task he is ultimately unsuccessful at, but my god is it a brave effort to not strangle valentino then and there. it's fantastic stuff because it's also a pattern of behaviour reserved entirely for casey - latching onto his defeated rival is NOT actually part of the valentino rossi playbook. the closest he gets is interrupting jorge's tv interview too in catalunya 2009 (which is how you know it's a deliberate ploy lol), but after that if anything it's jorge who is initiating communication...

whereas at laguna, obviously casey has less than zero desire to talk to valentino. and obviously valentino is 100% aware of this. valentino usually isn't the sort to get in someone's face like this when he knows they're pissed off at him - he's more the avoidant type - but he makes an exception for casey. partly it'll be because he knows casey isn't doing himself any favours with his on-camera behaviour, partly because it's his chance to twist in the knife and make the experience as hellish as possible for casey - but partly I reckon he's just getting a genuine kick out of casey's reactions. beautiful, isn't it

hell. hell! hell <3

2. prisoner of your own success, brno 2003

look, I've yapped extensively enough about this celebration by now that there's probably not much new for me to say. to make an analogy circa two people reading this will appreciate, you know that episode in revolutionary girl utena where a flashing pointing finger directing the viewer's attention to the symbolically important objects on screen? this is valentino's in-universe equivalent. flexing those authorial muscles to make everyone aware of The Themes. something charming about how it's like. zero subtlety. just valentino turning to the camera and explaining to you, the audience, what character arc he's currently undergoing. you see, he's unhappy at honda - he's feeling trapped, if you will. like his individuality is being suppressed. he had a big cock-up at the sachsenring that made him reevaluate how he tactically approached races - from now on he'd be "taking no prisoners". he feels the media is being too harsh on him, almost as if they're punishing him for how dominant he was the past. which would make him a 'prisoner of his own success'. if you will

here's a post that just like,, has a few relevant quotes from the commentary and the autobiography and all that. key detail about that weekend is that after sulking/partying with his title rival on ibiza during the summer break, valentino shows up to the paddock with his snazzy new hairdo. which obviously the commentators speculate during the race is a form of mind games

dyeing my hair red to psych out the competition. like a pro. the race itself is obviously fantastic, but I love that he had celebrations this elaborate planned out for a race he won by *checks notes* .042 seconds. I mean. come on, could've easily gone wrong. in the end, however, valentino plot armoured his way to reversing the defeat from a few weeks prior - and immediately does this whole chain gang routine, which is just another elite camp bit. and crucially it's also a bit of a throwback! the planned celebrations had petered out a little at this stage of his career, as if he'd grown out of them... both the hair and the celebrations are recapturing his wild lesbian youth from the days before he became a honda factory man

he's got to break free, you see, got to express his identity again. and "prisoner of my own success" is just. such a funny phrase. deeply insufferable. the way he carries that stupid ball and chain around with him, on the bike and off it... how sete has a kick at it during the podium ceremony... how valentino's still holding that blasted thing mid-champagne spray...

open wide

valentino brings back the celebrations later that year when he seals the title - carried aloft by fans dressed in convicts' garb while sporting a massive novelty lock and key. back in brno, he had told yamaha under the cover of night that he would sign for them. when he seals the title, his last for honda, he is freed from the expectations of the press and the fans that had been weighing on him all year. he is about to liberate himself from honda. the novelty lock is now open... whatever that might symbolise. and the following year is about truly embracing his own identity, for better and for worse. beyond being a fun celebration, it functions as a neat little thematic road map for what's to come. plot significant celebration. imagine having plot significant celebrations

1. sweeping the grid, sepang 2004

sue me, I'm horrible, but this one will always come top of the pile for me. this is another one I've talked about way too much by this point - but to me it really is the definitive marriage of joy and cruelty that valentino so thoroughly embodies. he's having fun! coming up with a little joke with his team :) but of course the whole thing is also incredibly, shamelessly malicious. valentino is obviously on one that entire weekend... or, well, he's on one that entire month tbh. he's already exhibited some generational malice in the press conference that started off proceedings, he's doing his thing that entire weekend to unsettle poor sete as much as possible - and eventually he wins the race in reasonably straightforward fashion

which in itself is already enough to swing the title fight back to being basically wrapped up (though I'd still advise keeping the risky last lap phillip island lunges to a minimum, but you do you), so you'd think that'd be job done. except valentino is still feeling furious and vengeful towards both sete and honda. so after blatantly ignoring sete's outstretched hand on the cooldown lap (to the surprise of one of the commentators, who said such unsportsmanlike behaviour was unlike valentino - which... buddy), valentino then stops at the side of the road for another one of his fun little celebrations. this time, it's reenacting the sweeping of the grid that had given him that nasty back-of-the-grid penalty the week before

similarly to misano 2009, what valentino's doing is defanging his own mistake from the previous week - he's reducing its power, drawing attention away from the self-inflicted nature of his precarious championship situation, making his setbacks into jokes better than anyone else can. except unlike in 2009, valentino does not primarily blame himself for his recent humiliation. valentino's pre-planned celebrations are generally about himself, not his rivals - but he makes an exception here to mock sete and honda. to show them that nothing is forgiven. the sete rivalry is about valentino gaining more agency in his story, including in torturing his rivals, so it feels right that this gleeful malice really comes to the fore here too. I didn't include jerez 2005 in this post because that's more... valentino reacting to the crowd in his celebrations rather than doing his own thing (though obviously I'm also a massive massive fan of that energy and dearly wish valentino had been booed more often). and well, that's the same vibe of valentino just relishing how much torment he was causing sete, the spanish crowd... the fourth wall break when he's mocking sete's injury, just properly embracing the nastier side of his celebrations. joy and cruelty, cruelty and joy - these two things were never really in opposition to each other for valentino

and just to mention my favourite detail, the cleaning company valentino and co invent to 'eliminate dirt from the world championship':

as in, they're cleaning starting grids... but they're also taking action against dirty rats. naming no names. lovely, isn't it

the whole thing's mean-spirited to a somewhat cartoonish extent - especially when you consider what a tight timeline they were on here. seven days between qatar and sepang, both flyaway races, like logistically it's honestly kinda impressive they made this happen. what the power of spite will do for you, I suppose. I also love that jb has one of these shirts. I love jb being completely ride-or-die in getting revenge on sete, helpfully commenting that it's dangerous to piss valentino off. watch out :) get yourself a crew chief who will enable you in psychologically torturing your opponents

and, remember, all this came in the third-to-last round of a tight title fight!! with a slender fourteen point lead in the championship, a mere week in between races including quickly nipping back to italy to attempt to address the hole in his finger... and valentino's spending his time coming up with custom shirts to take the piss out of his enemies? fantastic sense of priorities, 10/10 no notes

[stevesbipanic]

Boy For All Seasons

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ao3

While the snow began to melt in the weeks that followed new year's eve, Eddie's heart still felt cold and broken. He began to pull away from Steve, still wanting him in his life but needing enough distance to try and get over him. They didn't share a bed anymore, the first night it stopped Steve looked sad but understanding when Eddie said Wayne needed him at home. Ignoring the phone calls in the middle of the night hurt more.

Sometimes Eddie thought Steve was going to bring it up, but he was always quick to cover it up with a smile, his smiles looked faker these days. Eddie didn't understand, shouldn't Steve be happy that Eddie isn't clinging to him anymore, now Steve could find someone like him someone who wasn't different.

Eddie still visited Family Video, he liked Robin's company too, Wayne was happy he had friends outside of the band. She and Steve always seemed to be whispering about something these days. Maybe Robin had finally talked to that girl Vickie, but he's sure she would've told him the moment he'd stepped in the door. Eddie felt another stab at his heart, maybe Steve had met someone, maybe he knew Eddie was in love with him and didn't want to hurt his feelings.

With Spring Break only a few weeks away it was Eddie's new least favourite time of year, Valentine's Day. The halls at school decorated with pink hearts and flowers. Pretty girls hoping the football team were going to ask them to the dance. Even Family Video was getting ready for the day, plenty of couples looking for a movie they could ignore while making out.

If things had been different Eddie probably would've put together some ridiculous costume to impress Steve, make him blush the same soft pink as those hearts on the wall. Things weren't different though, this Valentine's Day Eddie will spend alone once again and Steve would take some sweet girl to the movies or the dance or anywhere other than around Eddie. Eddie slammed his locker shut, ridiculous holiday anyway.

"You good, Eddie?" Gareth said tentatively, the boys had been giving the storm cloud that was Eddie Munson a wide berth.

"Fine Gare, great even, I'll see you later."

"Hey Eddie wait!"

"What do you want, Henderson?"

"Are you going by Family Video after school?"

Eddie hadn't been planning to returning to the heart shaped hell but he had a weak spot for the boy.

"Maybe why?"

"Robin wants to borrow my DnD manuals, she's thinking of joining Hellfire."

Weird that Robin hadn't asked him but he supposed she knew Dustin longer, besides he could duck in give Robin the books and leave, wouldn't even need to see Steve.

"Sure, Birdie would be a great addition anyway."

"You're the best, thanks Eddie!"

When Eddie pulled up to the store, the carpark was surprisingly empty besides Steve's beemer.

"In, out, easy Munson."

When he stepped inside he let out a small sigh of relief seeing only Robin at the counter, for once the universe was on his side.

"Special delivery, Birdie!"

"Eddie! Are those Dustin's books? Great, just leave them here, oh before you go would you mind looking at the character sheet I drew up?"

Eddie wanted nothing more than to leave before Steve appeared from one of the shelves he was surely shelving, but he was weak for DnD and it would be really cool to play with Robin.

"Sure, but only quickly."

"It's just in the back, you wait here a minute."

Before Eddie had a chance to argue she was gone. Just then, the lights went out.

"Huh? Robin you good?"

Soft music started playing and a torch lit up the break room door. Eddie had seen a few strange things in his life but nothing prepared him for what appeared before him.

Steve stepped out from behind the door, and Eddie felt frozen in place. Steve was dressed in a white sheet wrapped as a toga, gold Laurel wreath in his hair, eerily similar to the costume Eddie wore that started all of this. The difference being the white feather wings and bow and arrow in his hands. If Eddie wasn't having a stroke already the blush and glitter dusting Steve's cheeks was about to cause one.

"Hi Eds," Steve said softly looking up at Eddie through his lashes.

"H-Hi Stevie."

"I thought it was my turn to dress up, do you like it?"

"Like it? Sweetheart you look beautiful."

Steve smiled shyly, ducking his head before returning his gaze to Eddie's.

"I was wondering if you had any plans tomorrow night? We can't go to the dance but maybe we could go to our diner? We haven't been in awhile."

Steve was right, they hadn't been in awhile, because Eddie had been dodging hanging out, because he had been avoiding Steve, because Steve didn't like him...right?

"Don't you want to take a nice girl out for dinner tomorrow?"

Steve shook his head, "Nope, just you."

Eddie couldn't help it, he didn't understand, "Why?"

A flash of worry crossed Steve's features, "Why not? I like you, like a lot. Do you...do you not like me?" The corners of Steve's eyes started to mist, he looked like he had begun to regret what he was doing.

"No! No I do, I really really do Stevie, but I thought you didn't like me, on new year's you told Robin we wouldn't work, that we were too different."

Steve's eyes widened, "Is that why you've been avoiding me?" Guilt crossed Eddie's face before nodding.

"Eddie," Steve reached out and took his hands between his, "I had gotten in my head that you wouldn't want me because we're too different, you're cool and fun and in a band and an adorable nerd and I'm just me."

Everything made sense now. "Sweetheart, you're not just you, you're loyal and funny and beautiful and kind, I would be crazy not to be in love with you." Eddie froze as he realised what he said.

"You love me?" The look in Steve's eyes melted away any doubt in Eddie's heart.

"Have for awhile, Stevie." Steve grinned widely at Eddie before taking his face in his hands. "I'd be crazy not to be in love with you too, Eddie."

Then, finally, after months of jokes and costumes and schemes and nightmares and hugs and comfort and crying and confessions and waiting, finally, two boys fell into each other sharing a soft kiss.

"Hey Eddie?"

"Hmm?"

"Not wearing anything under this one either?"

Eddie knew it back last March and he knew it now, Steve Harrington was going to be the death of him.

Tags: @zerokrox-blog @smallfrogpleasedtomeetyou @eboyawstenn @sharingisntkaren @goodolefashionedloverboi @the-redthread @steddie-there @questionablequeeries @liorereshkigal @mightbeasleep @carlyv @my2amgaythoughts @gregre369 @space-invading-pigeon @bisexualdisastersworld @epiclazershark @sherrylyn628 @raisedbylibrarians @swaghettoni @lololol-1234

[curioussubjects]

Feedback Fest 2024

Since everything I've read for the past 1.5 years has been pilots, all 10 of the fics here are Kara/Lee from Battlestar Galactica. I'm only listing one fic per author, so be sure to check individual author pages if you liked their style.

(go here over on @transformativeworks for more info!)

1. In the Whole World by pennyante (M, ~80K, WIP)

Summary:

The Cylons aren't quite human, and the humans haven't quite forgiven them. Political stability is less certain than ever now that the war is over: Lee Adama finds himself up for re-election, where being defeated will mean a Gemenese theocracy puppeteered by Leoben Conoy. Meanwhile, Kara Thrace has nothing but questions about her death and destiny. The only answers available come in the form of the vision of a temple, and from her hybrid/comatose husband's cryptic ramblings about a sister artifact to the Arrow of Apollo.

There's violence in the air. Civil war looms. Can Lee and Kara save each other, and keep the fledgling colony whole?

Thoughts: The best season 4 fix-it, lives in my head rent free, rewired my brain, etc. Also I've read it, like, 3 times (and I cried).

2. We're Not Friends by ninety6tears (M, ~25K)

Summary:

When two soldiers in the middle of a war can't seem to like each other, baptism by fire is apparently the natural solution. (AU in which Kara never knew Zak and first meets Lee after the fall of the colonies.)

Thoughts: I love a different first meeting AU, and this one takes pilots on a fun rivals to lovers spin that works surprisingly well. They're still very unwell about each other, though, make no mistake.

3. Artemis Rising by clairza (M, ~11K)

Summary:

The next morning Lee makes a few phone calls, and when everything has been organized and his credit card has been used for the first time in three months, and he’s had the pleasure of telling his mother that no, he has plans this week, he tracks Kara down in the quad. 

She's lying on her stomach poking sticks upright in the grass. He sits down beside her, and he can see the tension in her shoulders.

“So,” he says casually, and he’s very proud of the way his voice doesn’t shake at all. “I hear the Aegean Peninsula is nice this time of year.”

“It probably is.”

“I’ve booked a unit.”

“Where are you going with this, Lee?” Thoughts: I have a huge soft spot for fluffy academy pilots and this fic absolutely delivers. Happy baby pilots go to the beach five stars no notes.

4. An Arranged Meeting by lark_ral (E, ~11K)

Summary: Even outside of wartime, you might be surprised by the pressures our service men and women are under. The most effective among them either have, or need a release valve. Thoughts: Lee and Kara are scene partners for years, then the Cylons come. Somehow less messy than the show, but still delicious.

5. Rota by leda13 (E, ~2K)

Summary: The days are arbitrary, in space. Bereft of the guide of a planet's rotation around the sun, they live in slices of time, stealing as many as they can. Thoughts: Emotional support curtain fic of pilots sneaking around.

6. Sufficient to the Day by rachelindeed (T, ~1.5K)

Summary: At the sound of Lee’s voice, she feels her stomach twist and drop. Reluctantly, she opens her eyes and sees him come to a stop an arm’s length away, settling one elbow onto the corner of the bleacher behind her. His jacket is unbuttoned, his hair mussed, jaw ghosted with stubble, and the frakking sun is rising behind him. The look on his face is casual and fond, but he breathes as if he’s been running. Thoughts: Mandatory UB morning after fix-it...sort of. I really like this one because all I wanted was for Lee to get to Kara first. Or for him to call her bluff. This fic is both. It's not a showdown on main street like I enjoy joking about, but it's quiet and it's them (so it's better!).

7. Contrecoup by Fahye (T, ~2.2K)

Summary:

Contrecoup (n): A concussion or shock produced by a blow or other injury, in a part or region opposite to that at which the blow is received, often causing rupture or disorganisation of the parts affected. (One story told right-way-up, the other told upside-down, but both in the same narrative.)

We begin at a single point in time. The present goes forwards. The past goes backwards.

The story is AU-within-canon and set after episode 1x11, "Colonial Day."

Thoughts: I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil the fic. So: a bit angsty, a lot sweet, with a side of Kara's amazing problem-solving skills.

8. Lee's Emo Coffeehouse by haycorn (M, ~2.9K)

Summary: Lee has a bar, and sometimes Kara makes his life more interesting. Thoughts: I love cute modern AUs in general, and I love them even more when there's pining involved. There's not nearly enough of this type of fic for pilots, either! Many thanks to the author for their service. Would read 100K of this 'verse.

9. Breathing Room by callmeonetrack (M, ~12K)

Summary: Kara and Lee adjust to their new, very separate lives on the Pegasus. Badly.

Thoughts: My favorite Pegasus fic! Being on the Pegasus sucks, but then Lee and Kara find each other and things get better. Chef's kiss, peak pilots.

10. And I Feel Fine by hazellazer (M, ~2.4K)

Summary:

“That was… that… why?”

Her hands stay firmly on his face, thumb brushing over his cheek. “I was just thinking���”

Cutting her off, he smirks. “You think?”

She swats at his arm, hard enough that it might actually bruise. “I thought you were dead, Lee.” Her gaze is harsh on his, voice rasping, before something softens. “And I should’ve done this the second I knew you weren’t.” Thoughts: Season 1, but Lee and Kara are together. It's nice, refreshing, and plain good.

[internm0thb0y]

Tonight's the night everyone.

The end of the Clone Wars era, after almost 16 years. I thought it would be nice to write a little something for it, since it's so important to me.

The Clone Wars was the show that brought me into Star Wars, which is now one of the most important aspects of my life. I first saw it when I was 6 years old, at my friend's birthday party. I didn't know very many people there, so I was sitting alone for most of the party. My friend's mom noticed, so she put a show on for me— the Clone Wars, season 3, episode 22.

After that, I became obsessed. Later that week, I found a few of those Star Wars kids books, with simple sentences and arrows describing each aspect of a picture. My aunt also lent me her copy of the Lego Star Wars Complete Saga game for my Wii. My favourite levels were that of the Phantom Menace. Although she insisted that I wouldn't like the movie, it is still my favourite to this day (although I will admit that the dialogue was less than perfect).

When I was around 7, my father and I watched the live-action films.The prequels became my favourite films, despite all their flaws, and my favourite character was Commander Cody, although he only had moments of screen time in Revenge of the Sith. Before I even knew he was in the Clone Wars, he was my favourite.

After finishing the films, I returned to the Clone Wars. While Cody remained (and still is) my favourite clone, I quickly developed a bit of a crush on Rex, which led to my realization that I was queer. Soon enough, my list of favourite characters was overthrown by clones— Cody, Rex, Echo, Kix, Tech, and so many more.

I still remember the day I watched the finale of the Clone Wars. May 4th, 2020. I was in my room on my computer, and sat in the dark for far too long after the credits finished. I'm embarrassed to admit how long I cried that night. But, despite my sadness, I was happier that I got to experience it. When the Bad Batch was released, I was overjoyed— but I knew that it too would one day end.

And that day is tomorrow! I'm so sad that it's ending, but I'm also so happy to be here for this. Star Wars, notably the Clone Wars, has gotten me through so much, and I'm so thankful for it being here. The clones existed, exist, and will continue to exist in my mind forever, and even if the era is over, it will continue to live on. Thank you so much to the actors, producers, directors, animators, and everyone else that made these shows possible. Thank you to Dee Bradley Baker for being such an inspiration to me (and for the autograph last week!).

Good luck for tomorrow soldiers. May the Force be with you.

[loggiepj]

FORBIDDEN

Part 6 | Part 7

Part 8

Winter finally came. Temperature dropped down degrees below zero. The lake solidified in two days; the eerie sound under the waters filled the silent hours of the night as it turned into ice.

Most of the population anywhere in the world would stay indoors at a time like this. But the Avengers' camp wasn't like any other normal village.

The pavilion and other facilities of the camp remained tolerable, even warmer, enchanted by numerous spells to keep the cold away. Most of the campers carried on with their daily tasks as if it was any normal day, as if it wasn't just snowing an hour ago.

Winter would mean less attacks from Deviants. It was as if the two divisions had agreed on a temporary truce, a festival, an occasion even, to celebrate the entire season without touching any weapon, without unnecessarily shedding more blood.

The snow was already ankle deep, yet it didn't stop the children from starting snowball fights against each other. The sun had now begun to set; the night sky more visible like a mirror magnifying a painting of an entire universe. The stars even looked like salt accidentally sprinkled on a dark veil.

The older ones stayed comfortable in their seats, watching the young have the time of their lives while drinking hot cocoa served by Bruce.

"This doesn't even taste that good," Vision said, catching Y/n's attention. She looked at where said witch was sitting, irritatingly close to the beautiful witch who had occupied most of her thoughts.

Y/n's grip around her mug tightened as she witnessed the scene before her, immediately looking down once Vision seemed to chase Wanda's lips with his own, not seeing how Wanda aggressively shoved him away.

Y/n was too stupid to think that whatever was going on between her and Wanda would end up to be something more.

Who wouldn't? Ever since that night the two had shared under the stars, they became fast friends. Y/n entertained the witch with myths, fables and even folklores about the universe every night and Wanda would savor every second of it. The barrier between them was completely broken. Wanda even built Y/n an archway without a door to give the human a grand welcome.

Y/n had taught Wanda some of the constellations she knew and how to find them. Wanda was a good listener. She had never been attentive to any of her classes when she was a kid. But with Y/n as the teacher, it would be impossible to stray her focus away from the human.

"What's your favorite?" Wanda asked in a whisper, face so close to Y/n as they laid on the cool grass. It was still nearing Winter that time, and the perfect weather made the stars more visible like a clear painting in full display.

Wanda had performed a spell around them to keep them both warm. Y/n had never been more grateful, even though she didn’t need warming up. The lack of distance between the two of them was already heating up Y/n's entire body, heart skipping a beat whenever their gazes met. And their gazes would always meet.

"Orion," Y/n answered. She gently pulled and held the witch's hand as she drew the constellations up above. These were the times Wanda love the most. The human's touch ignited a spark within her that no amount of magic could ever explain. "Those three bright stars in the middle are its belt." Y/n held Wanda's fingers, tracing the constellation in the air. "Orion is known as the Hunter, with the way the stars are perfectly aligned like someone ready to attack with a bow and arrow."

Their heads pressed together so their eyes would be looking at the same thing. Wanda's scent infiltrated Y/n's nostrils and she couldn't get enough. Y/n could breathe her in forever.

"Like you," Wanda muttered. A small smile crept unto Y/n's face, blushing.

"I doubt that. I'm not much good of an Avenger compared to anyone here. And my archery skills would be far in comparison to Orion," Y/n replied, putting both of their hands down on the ground where they laid.

Wanda smiled, knowing the human was being modest. "I find that hard to believe. You know, campers here look up to you."

Y/n swallowed a lump in her throat before she gave a nervous laugh.

Before the normie could respond, Wanda went on. "How did Orion end up in the sky?"

"There are stories in Greek mythology, where Orion the Hunter was killed by Artemis, a goddess, daughter of Zeus. Zeus, being the king of all gods, immortalized Orion by putting him in the sky and maybe to honor him. . . ."

Y/n then began to tell a story about the goddess Artemis and other gods she could remember. All the time, Wanda listened. Her eyes focused at the way the color of Y/n's eyes change when her gaze travelled between the witch and the sky.

Wanda suddenly found herself praying the human wouldn't let her hand go, skins molding as one as if Y/n was a part of her. And Y/n didn't let go the entire night they spent together.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into a month.

Both of them, unconscious of what the other was concerned, always looked forward to the end of the day, where they could spend time together talking about the moon and the stars and everything else. Even Pietro grew wary of this sudden change of behavior, wondering what his sister was up to.

And when Y/n thought about seeing Wanda during the day, she'd always stopped on her tracks because of the other man's presence. Vision.

Y/n needed reminding that Wanda wasn't a free soul. She was promised to be married to that awful man Y/n had only encountered seldom times.

Vision never apologized for his behavior. Y/n thought he should had been grateful at least for getting sanctuary when he needed it the most. What Y/n couldn't understand though was what Wanda had ever seen in that man.

Y/n had considered the possibility that Wanda could like a woman like her. But if that possibility didn't exist, she was sure there were other far better men than Vision out there in the world, better and worthy for someone like Wanda.

Most times, Y/n would understand. She'd tell herself that maybe underneath all those arrogance Vision was showing off, was a kindhearted sensible person only Wanda knew.

But one night, Y/n had enough. That night was the time Vision made fun of Bruce's hot cocoa, making the anger in the human's body boil, which brought her back to the present.

"This doesn't even taste that good," Vision said.

The scene made Y/n retire early for the night, not even waiting for supper.

The human was oblivious to Wanda waiting for almost an hour in their spot after dinner, wondering if Y/n forgot about their nightly rituals, if Y/n forgot about how they were going to talk more about Aurora Borealis.

The Aurora Borealis was the most beautiful thing Wanda had ever witnessed in her entire life. It only appeared during Winter. Green strings danced into the night sky, giving light and wonderful aura to everyone looking.

Wanda kept thinking about that night Y/n told her the beauty of it wouldn't compare to the green wonders found in the witch's eyes, making her blush the entire night even as they parted their separate ways.

When Wanda found out some time later, that Y/n had already gone to bed without even telling her, the witch cursed to the silent night and to the ugly sky above. Damn her heart for trusting humans!

 

BACK WERE the days the two had begun ignoring each other. It was only until they were sent to a mission together with Yelena and others, which was to meet with Steve, the leader of a neighboring camp bordering along the town of Wakanda where the latest attacks had happened, when Y/n and Wanda finally spoke a word to each other.

They met at one of the distinct taverns across town, one where Deviants seldom visited. It was a safe place for both normies and witches alike. But witches preferred to hide or pretend, just to avoid any casualties. The place was known to serve the best ale in town. The Avengers conducted some of their meetings in the place, known for its atmosphere of not minding every drinker's own business.

Steve also talked about the recent developments of the weapon they were making. Yelena took note of the chemicals to use. They even exchanged supplies under the table, slipping inside the satchel Yelena had beside her foot.

When the conversations turned to somewhat light, what with the amount of alcohol involved, they began talking about the female witches Steve and his team had rescued and how they were a master of seduction and love spells on certain nights. Yelena laughed at this, asking whether she could visit some time.

Wanda, on the other hand, was fuming, when Steve suggested to bring Y/n along with her too, for Y/n might find the women exhilarating and fun to be around with.

Y/n only shook her head, laughing, before turning to look at Wanda, who had not even touched her pint of ale.

"Do you want to drink something else?" Y/n asked, ignoring the ongoing conversations beside her.

"I'm fine. I don't drink intoxicating liquors," Wanda complained. "Need I also remind you that we shouldn't be even drinking right now."

"Wanda, relax. You deserve to have a little bit of fun. And their ale is the best, aged perfectly well," Y/n retorted. "A bit malty and strong but sweeter than lager—"

"I said I'm fine."

"Oooh, lovers' quarrel?" Yelena asked, hearing their heated exchanges. Y/n and Wanda only glared back at her.

"Did you know that ale is more flavorful than lager?" Y/n went on to convince the witch to start drinking. "They tend to be fruitier and aromatic, whereas lager is just plain and dry."

But the information only sent Wanda into spiral.

"Why can't you stop being a know-it-all?"

Yelena erupted in laughter, while Y/n scoffed. But they abruptly stopped talking when the conversation in front of them became louder.

"It's completely barbaric," the bartender, an old bald man with a protruding belly, said in a low yet noticeable voice. He placed the half-empty pint glass of ale hard on the table. "They capture and burn these innocent witches as if they're nothing. I know they're scum in the earth. But burning them until they turn to ashes is a bit beyond the works of the devil, don't you think?"

The other customers he was talking to in the tavern agreed in murmurs. Y/n turned to look at Wanda beside her, who was trembling in rage.

Wanda couldn't bear to listen anymore to the outrageous cruelty being done by Deviants to her own kind. Burning witches? What did they ever do to them? Why couldn't they accept witches as equals?

The witch's heart thudded so loud in her chest, heated blood surging through her veins as her mind almost lost it. No. She can't get out of control. No.

Her sight began to appear blurry; noises surrounding her echoed inside her head like low pitched maniacal sounds.

And then she could hear the helpless cries and agonies of those hunted, of her own kind, mercilessly tortured by heartless humans.

Help! They cried, children, women and wounded men. Wanda felt she'd explode any moment now as the screams grew louder.

And then it was gone all of a sudden. As if someone blew the flame of a lit candle. Wanda could see clearly again, the voices gone, replaced by the noise inside the tavern.

Wanda wondered what happened, as if someone miraculously performed a magic to calm down the wild beast in her. Then her eyes travelled to her lap, where a hand was enclosed hers. Y/n's hand.

Y/n gave her another squeeze before linking their fingers together. When she looked at Y/n, the human's eyes were filled with concern and sincerity that warmed the witch's heart. Relief flooded into Wanda, hoping it would be enough to keep her uncontrollable power at bay.

Wanda survived the entire night, listening to other updates that she couldn't bear to listen, trying to remember that they're good humans too. Not just the evil Deviants.

It was a hard task.

 

WHEN THEY got back to their camp, Y/n broke the silence. "Are you okay?"

Yelena had already left the two to give some of the supplies she received from Steve to Pepper.

Wanda shrugged her shoulders. "Why wouldn't I be? Witches around the world are being slaughtered every second."

"I'm sorry," Y/n said. She didn't know what to say to make the witch feel better.

"Why can't you save everybody?"

"Wanda—"

"Never mind," Wanda scoffed, walking past the human.

"Look, we're doing the best we can—"

The witch stopped as she turned back to face Y/n. "Well, it's not good enough! We shouldn't be even sleeping peacefully right now if witches out there won't witness another day in their lives."

Wanda broke into a sob. She was trying too hard to stay silent so as not to wake the sleeping campers, but she found it difficult to breathe without making a noise.

Y/n slowly approached her, wrapping her arms around the shivering body. The witch calmed down, letting herself be hugged as she buried her face into her chest.

"We're going to save them, Wanda," Y/n promised. "All of them. Day by day. I swear to you."

Eventually, Wanda's arms slithered around Y/n's body, underneath the coat the latter was wearing, feeling the human's heat as the source of life she needed to breath. The hug tightened. Wanda could hear Y/n's heartbeat, the sound calming the storm brewing inside of her.

"It will be okay," Y/n said. And Wanda believed her.

Taglist:

@bibliophilicbi @swiftie1-0-1 @whitewidowsbite @aliherreraaa @smromanoff @wandanats-goodgirl @supaheroine @eliii1sblog @bananasplits-world

Author's note:

Follow me on my social media accounts. Thank you. ❤ Facebook : loggiepj | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089779552892&mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram : loggiepj | https://instagram.com/loggiepj?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ= Twitter : loggiepj | https://twitter.com/loggiepj?t=EiFoKQyY1L-HCAMkBV2qCg&s=09

[artsspangledpumpkin]

Because I love worldbuilding so much, I decided to create an Ozian Calendar and thought I'd share it.

The Ozian day is 26 hours long, there are seven days in a week, twelve weeks in a season, and four seasons in a year, leading to 336 days in a year. Each year is symmetrical, each day falling on the same day of the week without fail. The days of the week are named after seven of Lurline’s fairies who helped her construct Oz in the beginning when everything still needed moving along. The Calendar is based on the Lunar cycle.

The names of Lurline's fairies who helped her form Oz: Mona, Tuesin, Wednessa, Thur, Fridda, Saturno, and Sun.

The format for the Ozian Calendar is read DAY SEASON YEAR. Before the Wizard of Oz took over, the calendar followed the Ozma Dynasty so it would read 54 SPRING 3104 Y.O.L.O (or Year of Our Lady Ozma). After Oscar takes over the format is 54 SPRING 1 D.O. (or Dynasty of Oz)

Note: This list of holidays and their dates are not canon or comprehensive. You don’t have to use any of these or you can come up with your own. I’d love to hear about them.

HOLIDAYS under the cut

New Years Day/Winter Solstice: 1 WINTER

Vinkun Festival of Lights: 84 AUTUMN - 7 WINTER

The Festival of Lights lasts eight days and celebrates both the end of the Ozian Calendar year. Over the course of the festival, candles are slowly lit adding one each night to represent the days getting longer and hopes of a good spring. Some areas go to temples to make wishes and ask for good fortune for the New Year while other areas release paper lanterns with their wishes written inside.

Lurlinemas: 6-7 WINTER (Ozian version of Christmas)

Day of Queens: 15 WINTER

In some sections of Oz, this is the day children are given presents instead of on Lurlinemas. Schools use this day to host pageants and talent shows.

St. Amora’s Day: 43 WINTER

Amora was a matchmaker who would bring couples together and help them fall in love by using enchanted arrows. She fell in love with a mortal man, but her arrows didn’t work on him so she had to woo him the old fashioned way. She presented him with sweet smelling flowers to make his days bright and fragrant and sugared dates and honeyed nuts to give him sweetness, and though she was busy she set aside time to be with him. They fell in love, but the day they were meant to be wed, he was killed. Every anniversary, she brought flowers and sweets to his grave. She never loved again, her heart bleeding so much, her bird companions offered to share her pain. Tradition lives on in showing your sweetheart that you care about them by giving flowers and sweets and decorations of hearts and punays.

Discount Candy Day: 44 WINTER

St. Rependi’s Day: 71 WINTER

Brother to St. Amora, represents requited (or unrequited) love. This day is used to give return presents (or dish out rejections) given by admirers on St. Amora’s day

Spring Equinox: 1 SPRING

St. Platonia’s Day: 15 SPRING

A day for children to show appreciation to their parents.

Earth Day: 43 SPRING

Deemed the day to celebrate the creation of Oz. Usually spent by showing appreciation to nature which now moves by itself rather than needing help by Lurline’s fairies to move along.

Cotillion (Munchkinland): 61-63 SPRING

Traditionally for matchmaking, now used as one big debutante ball for all who have come of age in the past year. Wealthier families have balls for one child, though it’s more common to wait for Cotillion so everyone enters the season together.

Vinkun Festival of Trees: 40-43 SPRING

Gillikin Spring Festival: 40-47 SPRING

Munchkin Spring Festival: 40-46 SPRING

Vinkun Poppy Festival: 67 SPRING

Summer Solstice: 1 SUMMER

Vinkun Summer Solstice Festival: 1 - 8 SUMMER

Festival begun to hope for a good harvest in the autumn. Celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and good food. Midway point of festival a sacrifice is offered up in the bonfire. Since Great Drought the “sacrifice” is a bundle of grass and a wooden animal. Second to last day is spent fasting and at temples, final day has a huge feast. More devout households and the temples will begin the festival with eight candles and extinguish one each day to represent the days becoming shorter and to remind that the days of plenty are temporary just as the lean days are.

Music Festival (Quadling Country): 78 SUMMER

Autumn Equinox: 1 AUTUMN

Wizard Arrival Day: 2 AUTUMN

Vinkun Harvest Festival: 36-42 AUTUMN

Celebrates end of the harvest and is traditionally a way for tribes to get together to exchange goods. People clean their homes and prepare for winter during this time

St. Sowren’s Day: 43 AUTUMN

On this day, the realms of Oz would shift where the angels and fairies could not cross into Oz, but the creatures of the demon realm could, leaving them unchecked. St. Sowren was left behind before they could return to their realm and they discovered that by donning frightening masks and offering up sweets to anyone scary enough, the demons grew confused and would leave the disguised alone, suspicious of their gifts.

Gillikin custom dictates this is a day to visit family graves and shrines which they clean and leave offerings on inviting their deceased loved ones home for the evening for a party. A day of remembrance. In the last century, costumes are also worn by children to collect treats (part of their haul is shared with their family) or by adults for parties.

Ozma De-throned Day: 68 AUTUMN

New Year’s Eve: 84 AUTUMN