#because my issue is it seems she can never write anything that doesn't have s*pike in it! or from a season before him or anything like that

[consoledacup]

In order to fully understand Colin's reaction to the Lady Whistledown reveal and how he processes everything moving forward, you have to think about the entire season, the entire series really, through his point of view. I have no problems with the part 1/2 split. It made the anticipation that much more intense, and it worked out perfectly with their love story. But you can't separate one part from the other when you're thinking about his character.

In Colin's mind, the end of episode 4 is his happily ever after. That's it. He did it. He took action. He was the Cupid to her Psyche and played god and rescued her from a loveless match. He made shit happen and told her how he felt and they shared that moment in the carriage, and he gleefully proposed. He saved the girl and got the girl, and what a remarkable, enchanting, beautiful girl she is.

And aside from Eloise and Cressida, everyone's obsessed with their relationship. They're the true love match with a great story, and how lucky he is to fall in love with his best friend. And she's showing hints of unease, but maybe that's just wedding jitters. Or maybe she's mourning her relationship with Eloise which is why he keeps trying to get them to make up. Or maybe she doesn't feel as secure with him as she would've with Debling, even though she'd never tell him that. He is the third son after all. And he still has no idea how in love with him she is.

So when she tells him how she's always loved him, he's warmed but also wracked with guilt. Because if he had only taken his stupid head out of his ass, he would've figured out why her letters meant so much to him or why he was eager to participate in an investment with her family or why her lack of response the past summer devastated him. He thought he was the instigator of their love. He's the one who laid himself bare and was like, is it possible you feel a fraction of what I feel for you? And to find out that she did always love him made him feel so undeserving. Because why would this exquisite siren still want anything to do with him after all that he put her through?

There is an incredible scene that I think deserves a lot more gravitas. The minute Penelope mourns Lady Whistledown and burns her issues, it cuts to Colin getting over his writer's block as he writes with great enthusiasm. It's like, he's unknowingly siphoning her power. He is Cupid and a writer and her protector and her provider and so madly in love. And he will finish his manuscript, and he will make things right with Penelope and Eloise. And he and Penelope will have the perfect life together.

And then everything he thought he knew about Penelope, about friendship, about love, is completely shattered. She rips his power from him, and he is absolutely gutted. She has been the mastermind this entire time, and he was none the wiser. And what part of their love story was even real? At which point was he manipulated into doing what she wanted him to do? And while he was helping her with her confidence, and telling her how changed of an individual he was, she not only saw through him but broadcasted his insecurities to the entire ton?

He's still so desperately in love that he remains steadfast in marrying her. But he cannot get over his fury and hurt and betrayal at that point. Which makes so much sense. It's painful to see him lash out and withdraw from her, but he's absolutely reeling.

And on top of all that, he is humiliated. He thinks about everything she said about his own writing. She told him how he made it seem effortless, which is such a great compliment. And he's like, I don't want you to edit my manuscript because I want to prove to you that I'm worthy of you. And he might be thinking, I can even give her some pointers for her own writing! What fun we'll have with more lessons. To find out that she's the talented, sharpest, most prolific writer in the ton fully emasculates him. He feels like she was patronizing him all along.

He brings that part up, and she's like, no, I meant everything I said about your writing. But he doesn't believe her and immediately switches the conversation to her dangerous predicament, so he can at least, at the very least, offer himself up as her protector. It worked before when he danced with Penelope after Cressida ruined her dress, when he rescued Marina from Rutledge, when he helped save Daphne's reputation, when he saved Penelope's family from Cousin Jack, when he helped save Will's business, when he kissed Penelope, when he saved her from the balloon, when he defended her to her mother... If he can't be the provider, he can be the protector. And she doesn't even want that from him. She's the knight in shining armor. She's Don Quixote. Not him. Never him.

So he is grappling with his role in their union. He figures it out, but it takes him a little bit to get there. And in the process, he not only remains in love with Penelope the entire time, but he also falls head over heels for Lady Whistledown.

[ellapurnellmybeloved]

fluff alphabet |clarisse la rue

author's note: Hi lovelies, please send me requests! I don't know what gave me the confidence to think I can write, probably delusion. Also, this is according to my personal views of Clarisse so don't be mad if it's different from what you've imagined. Leave a comment, I love interacting with people, xx.

warnings: I tried my best to keep it gender/race/cabin neutral for the most part but there are still some feminine coded things here and there. English is not my first language so excuse any grammar mistakes.

A ctivities - What do they like to do with their s/o? How do they spend their free time with them?

Starting off strong because with Clarisse sparring is a must. Although she doesn't like to think there will ever come a time in which she won't be there to protect you, it's still an essential part of life as a half-blood. And who better to train you than the daughter of war herself? And in case the apprentice becomes the master and you happen to beat her or pin her to the ground or even hold your dagger to her neck? Oh boy, she's done for. Actual heart eyes.

B eauty - What do they admire about their s/o? What do they think is beautiful about them?

She pretty much loves everything about you, she can't really just choose one aspect. Though, if she had to, she'd probably say she loves you for being supportive, understanding, and patient with her. You understand her better than anyone. That's what made her know you were the one for her. You can control her anger issues and calm her down when she's on the verge of exploding and she thinks that's beautiful.

C omfort - How would they help their s/o when they feel down/have a panic attack etc?

The art of intimacy or comfort never came easy to Clarisse. Her relationship with her mother isn't the best and hasn't been for a while now and her father is a grade A asshole. Her first instinct when you're feeling down is to fix it, to ask you who or what happened and give them a physical piece of her mind, but that's not always how it works. She'll pull you to her lap and hold you through the night or for as long as you need, wiping your tears and kissing your cheeks. She'll let you vent your heart out. You can tell her anything. Or nothing, if you prefer. She's not the best with words but her actions speak much louder.

D reams - How do they picture their future with their s/o?

She's never thought that much ahead if she's being honest. Never allowed herself to daydream too much into the future, choosing to live off the present for now. Sometimes, however, she pictures what could be only described as an utopia; to go on such a fantastical quest that the gods can't help but grant the both of you immortality, that way you'd bask in the glory of your love forever and ever.

E qual - Are they the dominant one in the relationship, or rather passive?

On the outside looking in it would seem Clarisse is the dominant one for sure. And in some ways she is; she likes that you can rely on her, she wants to provide for you, yearns to prove herself capable of such. Still, you're the one in charge. Clarisse is completely devoted to you, and your relationship means more to her than anything she's ever felt before. She cherishes it like no other, always at your beck and call.

F ight - Would they be easy to forgive their s/o? How are they fighting?

Clarisse is intense, that much we know. Her anger runs deep and her passion burns red. She's not perfect, and doesn't try to hide it either. She's hot-tempered, arrogant, she's got a short fuse and she holds grudges. Her fatal flaw is pride, which sometimes gets in the way of her good senses, so you'll most likely be the one apologizing first. Despite all that, she can't bear the thought of you being mad at her and absolutely hates fighting with you. It's like it's tearing her apart, especially if you're sad over something she said or did in the heat of the moment. Truth is, she is a fighter at heart so when all is said and done she'll try and make it up to you in some way, somehow.

G ratitude - How grateful are they in general? Are they aware of what their s/o is doing for them?

She is so appreciative of everything you do and are. As previously stated, Clarisse didn't get much love growing up so any semblance of that is something she clings hard to. She notices everything, every little thing you do for her and the underlying of your words. How you treat her and others is always stored in the back of her mind and she loves to be loved by you.

H onesty - Do they have secrets they hide from their s/o? Or do they share everything?

Clarisse is a very closed off person in general, she doesn't like feeling exposed and being possibly seen as weak. She'll tell you things but there's still some matters you have to pick up on your own and know how to approach them, especially regarding her feelings and personal struggles. She's very honest though, she feels like she owns you that much and appreciates you if you do the same for her. The more your relationship progresses you'll notice being able to read her like an open book because although she does her very best to hide it there's an underlying vulnerability to her behavior in certain moments you'll take proper notice of the more you know her.

I nspiration - Did their s/o change them somehow, or the other way around? Like trying out new things or helped them overcome personal problems?

Clarisse has definitely become more gentle since you. It still doesn't extend to your friends and family but more so how she behaves around you and knowing she doesn't have to put up that though front all the time. Her sense of self worth has improved as well, especially when you reassure her through her insecurities and doubts (never being the son her father wanted etc.)

J ealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?

Oh, boy. Clarisse’s jealousy is very fuelled by… Well, anything really. She doesn't necessarily need a motive to go toe to toe with someone, just staring at you for a second longer than she deems them worthy of and she's ready for a fight. It's hard for anyone to get close enough to flirt with you because she's always there, by your side, kind of like a guard dog. But only because she knows how amazing you are and her insecurities do blurry some lines on what's acceptable. She's working on it though.

K iss - Are they a good kisser? What was the first kiss like?

Clarisse is definitely a good kisser. She doesn't have much experience, if any, but she's a natural. It sounds cheesy but the first time she kisses you was like butterflies and church bells dancing loudly in the wind. The way she cups your face so uncharacteristically soft and how she breaks off the kiss with a series of small pecks only to smile one of her beautiful smiles so close to each other's faces… Magical. It could be at the fireworks on the fourth of July or it could be in your favorite spot in the woods, soaked in lake water during a midnight swim or after a heated argument. No matter how many times Clarisse kisses you, she'll never not feel electricity similar to her spear’s sharp edge digging into her body and soul.

L ove Confession - How would they confess to their s/o?

Clarisse does not have a clue what she's doing. I feel like she'd say something in the heat of the moment; either confessing her true feelings or masking them by saying something hurtful she doesn't actually mean. In the latter scenario she'd storm off and berate herself over it but her pride and fear that you'd never look at her again made her put off her apology for some time and let it all sink in to talk to you when she's ready. That is until you start properly ignoring her and she nearly goes crazy with longing, just missing your overall presence and having her stomach turn to knots at the way things were left between you two. That's one of the few times Clarisse sucks it up and reaches for you. The apology is awkward but overwhelmingly honest and she tells you she's an idiot but you're content in forgiving her and giving her a second (actual first) chance.

M arriage - Do they want to get married? How do they propose? What would the marriage be like?

Again, Clarisse never thought she'd live to see the day she'd actually have a marriage prospect. Her life just doesn't seem complete without you anymore and the moment she realizes that she's done for. It would probably be while you're laying in bed together, your head on her chest while you play with her fingers. Your eyes are heavy with sleep but hers are wide open, thinking. “Will you marry me?” said while staring into the distance and you probably think she's joking except Clarisse is not one to joke about that sort of thing. “Not now. But eventually.” and whether you ask if she's serious or just accept it right away, she'd look at you seriously for a beat and then tackle you into a bear hug, crushing you underneath her. She doesn't see the point in a big wedding, but if that's what you're into, she won't mind.

N icknames - What do they call their s/o?

She is not immune to babe or baby but would still like to keep some variety. Things like sunshine, gorgeous, angel or others (I'm looking at you, person who created the “mama/s” HC). She does like your name very much, or probably a shortened version of it. Don't expect her to not tease you if any of these make you flustered.

O n Cloud Nine - What are they like when they are in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?

Clarisse likes to think she's good at hiding it when she's absolutely not. As Taylor Swift once said, you can hear it in the silence. Just the way her eyes soften when she's looking at you speaks millions, but people also get whiplash at how fast her mean attitude changes whenever you're around. Her love giving languages are probably acts of service and physical touch. She loves to do things for you, feeling all big and mighty whenever she can make your life just a little easier. Touching is also a must but we'll get to that in a second.

P DA - Are they upfront about their relationship? Do they brag with their s/o in front of others? Or are they rather shy to kiss etc. when others are watching?

Clarisse is not very comfortable with public displays of affection, because she is afraid of being judged or mocked by others for being weak or soft. She prefers to keep her relationship with you private and intimate, but doesn't mind the little things. She does gloat about being with you as well as showing you off, so that everyone on camp knows you're hers. She brags about you all the time and I mean, seriously, all the time. She's not a big hand holder but she almost over compensates by grabbing at your hips and thighs, throwing an arm over your shoulder or hiding her face in your neck. She especially loves bonfires when you sit on her lap and she can hold firmly onto your waist while she's talking to her siblings or just press her forehead against yours when her social battery is low.

Q uirk - Some random ability they have that’s beneficial in a relationship.

She's very perceptive. She may not know what has changed right away but she's also persistent so she'll figure it out in an instant. If it's the way you did your hair or something that happened along your day, even if you change your usual greeting. She notices and she'll definitely ask you about it.

R omance - How romantic are they? What would they do to make their s/o happy? Cliché or rather creative?

Clarisse wants to be loved, that's all she’s ever wanted, and she has so much love to give, therefore I believe she'll do just about anything to make you happy. That includes being an absolute sap. She honestly doesn't mind how cliche it is, if it works on you, you bet she's using it. If anyone cares to say anything remotely negative about you or your relationship she will promptly glare them into oblivion or give them something to really worry about.

S upport - Are they helping their s/o achieve their goals? Do they believe in them?

She is your absolute biggest supporter. Especially if you don't believe in yourself, then she's trying even harder for you to see just how well you can do something if you put your mind to it. With something like sword training she is more than willing to help you, rewarding you with kisses and cursing you for distracting her with your pretty face.

T hrill - Do they need to try out new things to spice out your relationship? Or do they prefer a certain routine?

Clarisse doesn't mind change, she rolls with it. If you have a certain way of doing things, a routine you like to follow, that's fine by her. If you're unpredictable, even better. She just loves to see what comes next in terms of your relationship, not necessarily needing anything to amplify her love for you. It's already hardwired into her.

U nderstanding - How good do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?

She knows you like the back of her hand. Even the slightest furrow of your eyebrows or tilt of your head and she'll be there in a second asking what's wrong. She does learn to be more empathetic towards your own struggles, which was hard at first because she wasn't sure how to see things from someone else's point of view. Though road but you make it work.

V alue - How important is the relationship to them? What is it’s worth in comparison to other things in their life?

She doesn't have much to look forward to so Clarisse values her relationship with you very highly, as you are one of the few people who can see past her tough and aggressive exterior and appreciate her softer and more vulnerable side. She is fiercely loyal and protective of you, and would do anything to keep you safe and happy.

W ild Card - A random Fluff Headcanon.

I actually read this one on a Wattpad story a while ago so credit to the original creator but, Clarisse has a teddy bear named Mr. Muscles she's had since she was like, nine and she cherishes it like it's her most prized possession. When she introduced this piece of information to you, you just found her so incredibly adorable you couldn't contain the giggles and she gets so hot in the face she pushes you off her bed and it's honestly one of the most memorable moments in your relationship.

X OXO - Are they very affectionate? Do they love to kiss and cuddle?

I headcanon Clarisse as your personal furnace as well as a koala bear so kisses and cuddles are a must, especially if it's cold outside. She loves to take naps with you, it gets to the point where she has trouble sleeping without you (so you give her a vial of your perfume to spray on Mr. Muscles for when you're away).

Y earning - How will they cope when they’re missing their partner?

Clarisse with you: 🥰

Clarisse without you: 😡

She gets snappier than usual and easily annoyed but she'll also get really sad because she's never had to deal with being away from you. Her siblings try to cheer her up by shoving some kid's head into the toilet but she's so disinterested in anything that does not involve you she just goes about her days training until she can see you again and show off her muscles.

Z eal - Are they willing to go to great lenghts for the relationship? If so, what kind of?

The answer is yes, one hundred percent. “Touch her and you die” trope goes so hard. Not only that but she would willingly sacrifice the world and herself for you and your relationship. She would go out of her way to make sure you are okay, that you are fed and hydrated and well rested, even messing up her own sleeping schedule in order to take better care of you.

[zegrasdrysdale]

[ christmas in michigan ] l. hughes

day four of malia’s christmas fic marathon

paring : Luke Hughes x jack bsf!reader

summary : (Y/N) is forced to get along with Luke when Jack invites her to the Hughes lake house for Christmas

warning(s) : heavy makeout, some sexual content, some angst

author’s note : i have been wracking my brain to write something for luke and i have been waning to write something angsty for the fic marathon so this is how this came to be. enjoy :)

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The last thing (Y/N) wanted to do was spend Christmas at the lake house because she knew he was going to be there too. Then Jack said that he wanted her there and she can never say no to her best friend.

That's how she ended up sitting on a plane from Newark to Detroit after the Devils game between Jack and Luke. It isn't a very long plane ride but she doesn't like how close Luke is sitting to her. She tries to keep all her attention on Jack and tries to ignore Luke, but sometimes the youngest Hughes makes a comment or two because he can't seem to keep his mouth shut when (Y/N) is around.

It's not that she has something against Luke, but it seems like he does.

When he came to Newark after his Michigan season ended last season, he made his presence very known. Luke would interrupt her and Jack's hangouts or invite himself to things that they were doing. He always had a snarky comment when she was around.

(Y/N) has no idea what she did for Luke to act like this when she's around. She's just his brother's best friend. That's all she's been since Jack was drafted in 2019.

When Luke gets up to use the bathroom, she is relieved that she gets a few moments of peace. Jack decides to disrupt that peace though.

"Can you do me a favor for the next few days?" Jack asks. She knows what's coming but she looks over at her best friend. "Can you try to get along with Luke while we're at the house? I don't like when my best friend and brother fight. Makes me feel like I'm caught in the middle."

"Because you are," she replies. Jack raises his eyebrows with an 'are you kidding me' look on his face. "Fine. You owe me big time. Maybe get your little brother on the same page too. He's the one that has an issue with me. I have nothing against Luke but he has some vendetta against me when I did nothing wrong."

Before Jack can say anything else, Luke sits back down in his aisle seat. "What are we talking about?" he questions as he looks between his older brother and (Y/N).

"Nothing that concerns you," she retorts.

Luke smiles and asks, "Then why did I hear my name come out of your mouth? Miss me that much when I went to pee?"

"In your dreams, Baby Hughes," she replies. (Y/N) knows he hates being called 'Baby Hughes'.

He rolls his eyes and looks at something on his phone. He puts in his AirPods and she feels a sense of peace.

It doesn’t last very long because as soon as the plane lands at a little past one in the morning, Luke practically pushes (Y/N) off the plane.

She can’t wait to go back home to Newark.

Jack slowly drives them to the lake house because of the layer of snow and ice on the ground. (Y/N) fights Luke for the passenger seat and loses. She has to squeeze in the back seat with a bunch of bags and she is not happy at all.

Maybe she does have something against Luke Hughes. It isn’t just because he’s Jack’s annoying younger brother either. Who lets a guest sit in the backseat with three heavily packed bags because the trunk is filled with hockey gear?

Luke. That’s who.

The lake house is dark when Jack, Luke, and (Y/N) pull up. She knows that Jim and Ellen will be getting in later with Quinn since his game just ended a little bit ago. Tonight, it’s just the three of them in this house.

Jack better get his referee shirt out because it’s going to be a long few hours until Quinn, Ellen, and Jim get in.

As predicted, Luke just grabs his things and goes to his room. (Y/N) is stuck with Jack outside in the snow. She sighs and looks at the middle Hughes.

“What is his fucking problem?” (Y/N) mutters under her breath. “He’s ridiculous.”

She pulls her bag out of the car and Jack says, “He does this every time. He grabs his own stuff and leaves us out to dry. Quinn and I don’t like it either but we deal with it.”

With a light sigh, (Y/N) follows Jack into the house. The door closes behind them and the long few days begins.

“So, the guest bedroom is upstairs across from Luke’s room,” Jack tells her. She opens her mouth to object but Jack keeps talking before she gets the chance to. “I’m aware that sucks for you and I’m sorry. I know being here is the last thing you want to do because Luke is here with his stupid vendetta against you but I want my best friend here. If he causes such a problem for you, can you try to ignore him? I don’t want the two of you to fight.”

A frown forms on her face because she can tell how frustrated Jack is getting with the two of them. The last thing she wants is to upset Jack or make him pick sides between his younger brother and best friend.

“I’ll go talk to him when I’m settled, okay?” (Y/N) tells him. “Maybe you can go get food and drinks while I do that just in case a fight breaks out. I don’t want you to get in the middle.”

Jack nods and the frown on her lips is replaced with a smile. (Y/N) walks up the stairs and down the hallway to her temporary bedroom.

A door closes down the hall so she assumes Jack is in his room. Before she can close her door to unpack, she hears Luke’s voice coming from his room. A very curious (Y/N) presses her ear to Luke’s door.

“… what I’m going to do, Rut,” he’s saying when she begins listening in. He probably on the phone and Rutger McGroarty is most likely on the other side of the line. “What am I supposed to do? She has something against me when I want to pin her against something, dude. It's killing me that she's right across the hallway right now and I can't go over there and just fuck her into that mattress.”

Her eyes widen when she realizes that he’s talking about her. Quickly, she retreats across the hall and shuts her door as quietly as she can so she doesn’t alarm Luke to the fact that she heard what he said. She leans against the door with a sigh.

Confusion floods her body. If Luke wants to fuck her then why does he constantly act like she’s this a person when he can just … fuck her? He constantly pushes her away or says something that annoys her.

She isn’t blind. He’s atttactive and she wouldn’t be totally against it. It just never occurred to her that he would want to sleep with her considering the way he acts when she’s around. The way he’d completely cover her since he is so big and she’s so tiny. How he could probably get her to come with just-

A door shutting downstairs brings her out of her head before that thought could get away from her. She blinks a few times when she realizes what she was about to think about. She hears a car pull out of the driveway and watches the lights disappear down the street.

Frustration floods her entire body when she can't understand why Luke keeps acting like this when he feels completely different. She charges across the hallway to get answers.

(Y/N) pounds on Luke’s bedroom door. “Luke Hughes!” she shouts. “Open the door.” She doesn’t care if he’s still on the phone with Rutger.

"I'm on the phone," he calls back.

She pushes open the door and her eyes fall on Luke, who lays on his bed. "You are the most confusing and irritating person I think I have ever met," she spits at him. He looks at her with wide eyes when she bursts into the room. "I mean, why can't you just man up and tell me exactly how you feel instead of treating me like shit whenever you're around me? It's exhausting."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're not quiet when you talk on the phone," she tells him. "I heard you on the phone with Rutger when I came upstairs to unpack." She watches his jaw drop and eyes practically pop out of his head. "Yeah. I heard what you said to him. Something about how you think I have something against you, when I don't by the way. What else did I hear you say? About how you wish you could've come across the hallway and fucked me into the mattress. Yeah. I think that's what I heard."

Luke quickly hangs up the phone and sits up. "Who said I was talking about you?" he questions.

"I'm the only one across the hallway from you, dumbass," she retorts. She runs her fingers through her hair with a deep sigh as soon begins to get out of bed. "If you want to fuck me, then tell me. Be a big boy and put on your big boy pants and-"

As she talks, Luke stomps over and cuts her off by crashing his lips to her in a rough kiss. His hand is on the back of her neck and his fingers curl into her hair so she doesn't go anywhere.

It's a wet and filthy kiss from the beginning, but it catches her off guard so she has to push herself away from him so she can wrap her head around what just happened. She doesn’t get very far because of his hand on the back of her neck.

Fear flashes in Luke's eyes for a split second, but she is so close that she was able to see it. She feels guilty that she pushed him away like that. “If you didn’t want me to do that, I’m sor-”

“Don’t you dare apologize,” she snaps. She takes a sharp breath. “Just give me a second, okay?”

He nods and loosens his grip in her hair so she can back away if she wants. She doesn’t move though.

She stares up at him and thinks about how bad of an idea this would be. Sleeping with her best friend’s younger brother is a terrible idea, especially when Luke has been nothing but rude and annoying toward her.

That just means that no one will probably know what has happened between them.

(Y/N) licks her bottom lip before she gets on her toes to bring their lips together in another hot kiss. Luke seems surprised by this kiss but he does hesitate in returning it.

Her heart races in her chest. This was the last thing she thought would ever happen between them.

The two of them have been at each other’s throats for years. Now they’re kissing like it’s what they’ve wanted to do the entire time.

Maybe it has been the entire time for Luke. She can’t say that she hasn’t had a thought here or there about getting with the youngest Hughes brother. If anything to break the obvious tension between them.

Before she realizes what she’s doing, (Y/N) grasps at the t-shirt Luke is wearing. She pulls him flush against her body and she feels something poke her upper thigh. A small smile forms on her lips.

“You got a hot dog in your pocket or something?” she asks between kisses.

“Shut up,” Luke snaps. “I don’t carry food in my pocket, you asshole.”

“Then you really must’ve wanted me.”

“You have no idea.”

Those words cause her heart to jump in her chest while Luke leans down and picks her up. He’s nearly a foot taller than her so it can’t be very comfortable for him to kiss her. She wraps her legs around his waist.

She attaches her lips to his jaw and carefully kisses the sensitive skin. “You better not leave a mark,” Luke warns her. “I don’t want to explain to my brothers that you turned into a vampire or something.”

To spite him, (Y/N) softly nips at his jaw. Luke turns and drops her on the mattress. She stares up and finds that his swollen lips and wide does just does something for her.

“Get down here, Hughes,” she tells him. “Need you.”

Almost like he was waiting for her to say that, Luke crawls into the bed and hovers over her. Their lips reattach in a filthy kiss that almost causes her to plead for more.

He pulls away and looks down at her. She finds herself chasing his lips. “You’re okay with this?” Luke asks. “I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you or anything.”

“Luke, if you don’t touch me in the next five seconds, I’m going to get out of your bed and go across the hall to do it myself,” she tells him. “Fuck me like you hate me.”

A sly smirk forms on his face and she knows she’s in for it until Jack gets back.

༺═──────────────═༻

Three orgasms in less than two hours had to be some kind of record. Her body still shakes as Luke cleans her up. She’s completely spent.

He definitely fucked her like he hated her. She’s worried that she might not be able to walk in the morning. The only reason there wasn’t a fourth orgasm was because she heard Jack pull into the driveway.

“If you need to stay for a few minutes, you can,” Luke tells her. “I can go distract Jack until you leave.”

She nods and Luke begins to get dressed. He throws on the clothes he wore when he got here. Her eyes stay on him for a second before she says, “We need to talk about this, Luke. I don’t want this to turn into a fight that we can’t get past.”

Luke looks over as she sits up and secures the blankets under her arms. The tension has broken between them and she doesn’t want something to form after this.

He comes over to her side of the bed that she’s occupying. It catches her very off guard when he leans down and presses a soft yet chaste kiss to her already swollen lips. She raises her eyebrows and looks up at him. She probably looks very confused.

“Hope that explains how I feel,” he tells her as he stands back up. “We’ll talk about it, but right now you need to get across the hall before Jack catches you naked in my bed. I’m not sure I’m ready to explain this to him. I’m sure you aren’t either.”

She shakes her head. “Come across the hall tonight,” she suggests. “We can talk then, yeah?”

Luke smiles and nods before he leaves her alone. There are footsteps on the stairs and voices coming from the living room. (Y/N) sighs and falls back against the pillow that’s under her head.

It would be a lie if she thought that Luke didn’t rock her entire world for the last two hours. He absolutely did, and she wouldn’t be opposed to doing it again. Maybe not as rough next time.

Very slowly, (Y/N) begins to get dressed. She’s shaky on her legs but she manages to get her clothes in without falling over.

Much to her luck, Jack and Luke are walking down the hallway when she leaves Luke’s room. Jack freezes when he sees her. She forces a smile as she looks between the two Hughes boys. “Hi.”

Jack looks up at his brother. “You hurt her and I will send Nico after you,” he tells Luke. “I swear to God, Luke.”

Her eyes widen and a smile forms on Luke’s lips. Jack definitely put two and two together because of how red Luke’s lips are and the fact that she is walking out of Luke’s room.

Walking is a stretch though. Limping is more like it.

“I’ll never hurt her,” Luke replies. “Again.” He looks at a nervous (Y/N) standing in front of Luke’s room. “I’d kick myself if I ever hurt her.”

The nervousness she was feeling melts away and she smiles.

Christmas in Michigan no longer sounds like the worst thing in the world.

༺═──────────────═༻

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[weirdsht]

Disillusioned 6 . Truth

a/n: i think my blood count is running low again so i might not be able to write for a while but idk yet. also my class schedule is literally from 9 am to 7 pm so i don't really know when i'll be able to write 🥲

tags: abuse as the norm, reader doesn't know better. unintentional self-harm(?), hints of power tripping

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are currently closed but my ask are still open (read navi)

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On doesn’t know how to tell Cale about the things she found out.

Well, it’s not a matter of her hesitating to tell him. There’s no way On would hesitate to tell Cale, someone she has come to see as her parental figure, such important information. Rather, it's the timing of things that made her hesitate every time.

From the moment Cale woke up things have been hectic. There are changes to their schedule and a lot more things to do. Especially now that they managed to capture some of Arm’s members.

With everyone busy running around here and there, On took it upon herself to make sure _____ doesn’t get injured.

The silver kitten can’t fully comprehend why someone would offer their all for other people to the point of being on the brink of death. Saving people is good, but one should not overdo it. After all, being alive is the best thing as Cale had taught her.

Well, Cale is also self-sacrificial but that's On’s headache for another day.

For now, she focuses on limiting the healer to use their healing abilities as much as possible and trying to find the chance to tell Cale the issue.

“Don’t worry, it's dangerous but not dangerous as in you will get hurt dangerous.”

If Cale looked at her funnily then On pretended not to notice. The important thing is she finally managed to tell him that they must talk about _____’s powers. Since the redhead must first go and attend some business, On opted to just give Cale a snippet and continue it after they get back.

And so that night, after having dinner with the cute half-rat half-dwarf Mueller, Cale and On finally had their overdue talk.

Aside from them and the other two children, Choi Han, Beacrox, and Ron are also in the room to listen in. 

“If that’s the case then chances are _____-nim’s healing abilities work like a transfer.”

Silence filled the room at Choi Han’s comment. All of them are thinking about how to confirm such things.

“We can just talk to _____ themself! They’re super nice so I’m sure they’ll tell us.”

“But maybe that will be uncomfortable for little _____”

Raon shut down Hong’s suggestion. However, Cale thinks it’s a good idea.

“It’s not like we have much option, we either ask them directly or sneak around to see evidence while they are using their power.”

And safe to say that Cale wants to choose the less hassle option, asking _____ directly.

After scamming– selling the research remains of the Magic Tower to Toonka and talking to Choi Han, Cale managed to squeeze talking to _____ in his schedule.

While the swordmaster was out to get the healer, Cale felt a sense of dread. He suddenly thought of how _____ never seems to share their story. This makes him think about the chance that maybe the healer is simply unwilling to share the information.

He may be trash but he's not a jerk who will force someone to share their story if it will resurface their trauma.

“So you have no problem telling me? Why haven’t you said anything until now?”

Turns out, _____ is more than okay sharing everything with Cale. They stated that whatever it is Cale needed to know, they are willing to share as long as they know of it.

“It’s because Cale-sunbae has never asked me? They say that if someone of my status shares something personal unprompted then it will be burdensome for the other party. It is also bad to speak unprompted, they said that it’s bad enough that punishment is due when such a misdemeanour is committed.”

Cale Henituse has a pretty good idea as to who that “they” is but he internalizes his anger and decides to focus on the task at hand. He motions for _____ to continue speaking.

“Cale-sunbae, I’m sure you’ve heard of how I got adopted?”

“Yes, what about that story?”

“That story is a lie. Why they lied about it is something I am unsure of.

I was originally from an orphanage. This orphanage is different because they sell gifted children, the children vary from beast children to children with special abilities like me.”

‘Sounds more like a human trafficking scheme, but I can't be sure.’

Cale thought to himself as he listened to _____ talk.

“I have been adopted because the Perduellios were on the verge of going bankrupt. They decided to adopt a child with special abilities so they could maximize the wealth and glory that comes with it. It is also the real reason why I am not affiliated with the Sun God church. However, it is also true that my health would not be able to handle the workload of being a holy maiden”

If _____ is officially affiliated with the church then they would essentially be a property of the church. Minimizing the profits the family can get.

“There’s also the fact that they said I would humiliate the family if I’m not under their supervision- Ah, I’m sorry! I just realized that I’m getting off-track”

“No, continue. I’m quite curious as to how that family raised you.”

Did what Cale said surprised him? Definitely. He is usually someone who does not actively seek out such things as it brings more headaches.

But oh well, _____ is one of his people anyway so it wouldn’t hurt to know about their enemies. Even if the healer isn't aware they are enemies.

“How was I raised? I was raised normally, just like how other people have been. The Perduellios gave me food, clothing, and a roof over my head. I think they were a little strict with me but they said it was because there are so many things I have to learn.”

“Strict how?”

“Instead of tutors and teachers, they used more physical ways to teach me. They said it was a little unconventional but the only way I would learn things fast.

They had a lot of unspoken rules that I had to follow. They said that usually, a child will gradually learn what those rules are as they grow up. However, they opted to punish me for every rule I broke as I am behind my peers.”

‘What a load of bullshit. That’s not normal at all.’

Cale internally sighed before asking what kind of punishment they got. _____ explained that it’s either being whipped or having hot candle wax poured on their skin, whatever the family’s biological child deemed fitting at the moment.

The healer was asked if they figured out what some of those rules were and they said they had.

They are not allowed to speak when not spoken to

They must always answer when spoken to

They must never speak to other nobles as they are a peasant

They are not allowed to have servants and must never ask any servant for help (this was why they never bothered Hans, Ron, and Beacrox)

They are not allowed to go somewhere without guards

They must only take what their adoptive family gives to them

They must refer to their adoptive family as father, mother, and big sister outside, but must call them call them by their noble titles in private

All gifts given to them must go to the family

They are not allowed to refuse to heal anyone, the only exceptions are if it's beyond their capabilities (like chronic illness)

When they heal someone the family must be informed. 

They said that there was more that they did not figure out. However, Cale thinks that all of this is just a bunch of bullshit excuses used to hurt and exploit a child that didn't know better. Then as a result, even as an adult that person still doesn't know any better.

“Human! This is not normal! Little _____ has been deceived by those trash people! You better get revenge on them too!”

Both Cale and Raon are on the same page. Even before the dragon’s comment, Cale was already thinking about what he could do about _____’s family.

However, there was another thing that concerned the redhead.

It was the way _____ was telling the story.

Aside from the usual calmness they had, they were speaking as though it wasn't their story. It was as if they were just relaying the morning news.

To some extent, Cale thinks it's advantageous for the healer to be able to separate themselves from what happened. Even if they aren't aware that what they went through was abuse.

However, it wasn't like that.

It was more like _____ has become detached from things relating to themself.

Cale would even dare say that maybe it's because they are scared to face the hurt and longing they felt.

Not that the man is speaking from experience.

“How come you had no marks on your body? Even at the City of Life the only ones the doctor saw were the wounds you had that day.”

“Ah, that is part of my abilities. Even though I can’t heal myself, my body heals wounds a little faster than average and is incapable of scarring.”

‘This… just how lucky were those bastards that they even had the perfect cover-up?’

While Cale was thinking about how to make the Perduellios disappear from the face of the world, _____ further explained how their healing powers work.

“For my healing abilities, a percentage of my patients' wounds or sickness will transfer onto me. Ah don’t worry as I will only get around 70% of whatever I am healing and it will not be contagious whatever it may be. In return, I can give them some of my vitality. I say I give around 3% of my vitality per patient and then it is multiplied when I transfer it to them.”

Cale swallows the curse words he wants to say. He feels immense frustration at the person who seems to be more concerned at the possibility of Cale thinking they’ll get the entire group sick, and not at the fact that they’re giving their health away to random strangers.

“Uhm you might be thinking that the vitality thing is the reason why I have a weak body but it's not. Apparently, I was just unlucky and happened to have a body this weak.”

Huuuu

The redhead feels as though he will curse a storm if he doesn’t at least sigh.

“Because of how my abilities work, the more severely wounded or sick someone is, the harder it will be for me to heal them. Things like small scratches or common colds would not hurt but more severe wounds might have dire consequences on my body. That’s why I can’t heal severed limbs or terminal illnesses.”

The Medicus proceeds to explain that in theory, they can heal those things. However, it might cost them some part of the same limb or their lifespan as well as some manifestations of the illness.

“Human, let's not make little _____ heal anyone! That power is dangerous for them!”

Cale agrees with the dragon to some extent. But he also thinks that they can still use it as long as it’s in moderation.

“Hmm, I guess in theory I might also be able to revive a dead person once if I get to them right after they die. Though I think I’d have a week left to live if I did that. I haven’t tested it out yet so I’m not sure…”

Cale did not need to know that. There's absolutely no way he'll let this healer revive someone from the dead at the cost of their own life.

“...Don’t. No testing out any of those things. No testing out healing terminally ill people. The same goes for people with severe or paralyzed limbs. Just don’t okay?”

_____ doesn’t quite understand Cale’s requests but agrees nonetheless. The redhead is their benefactor so it would only be right to follow his wishes even if they don't understand why he would make such requests.

What the healer didn’t notice was the way the noble’s face hardened for a second when they were talking about reviving a dead person.

Cale is definitely going to keep a closer eye on them.

Maybe even ask Hillsman to be their personal knight…

No, never mind. _____ already grew up suffocated by the amount of guards they had following them. Cale isn't evil enough to recreate that.

So maybe he'll just make sure the healer doesn't leave his side?

“As for my ancient power, you already know that it’s a water-type power. I can look at someone’s “blood flow” to roughly figure out how strong and what species they are. As to how I accurately know the species of what I'm looking at, the owner of the power tells me. He was also the one who told me to hide my power from everyone. He doesn't speak much, he just tells me what someone is when I ask for it or when he feels like it.

Another thing it does is allow me to sense any living creatures in water. This is as long as we are touching the same water as what happened when I first met Raon Miru-nim.

It also allows me to replenish someone’s energy and stamina. However, I can’t do anything about hunger. Fainting is something I can prevent, but Cale-sunbae’s condition is special as you pass out because of your abilities so I can’t interfere with that. I’m sorry.”

They looked really sorry for not being able to prevent Cale from passing out. A big part of why they can’t interfere is because if they do then they will be breaking the ancient power’s flow of work.

“Last question.”

Cale feels like he knows the answer but he still wants to hear _____’s perspective.

“Why do you still insist on giving your all for people who will never appreciate what you do?”

It’s a foreign question for the healer. Something no one has asked before. 

Something they didn’t even think about.

Even before they were adopted they have always been draining themself for others. The motion of offering themself up to others is as natural as a fish looking for water.

It didn’t matter if they were unloved or unwanted.

In fact, _____ knew in the back of their mind that no one loved them.

“I am both unwanted or unneeded. Then isn’t it only right that I present myself to be used until nothing is left of me?”

That was the conclusion they had come to.

Their life would have no meaning if they didn’t let others use them. Maybe there is, but _____ doesn’t know what could it be. Already so used to their current way of living.

“I understand now.”

That was all that Cale said to _____’s explanation of their powers. He told the healer to go back to their tent and rest.

As soon as it was just him and Raon in the room, Cale roughly rubbed his hands through his face.

Cale summarized in his head that in a way _____'s ability wasn't really healing but more like transferring. They multiply and transfer their vitality to make someone better.

The ability itself was easy to understand. Setting up measures to make sure _____ doesn’t overdo it is also easy.

However, Cale Henituse still feels frustrated.

And he can’t quite fathom why he feels that way.

[sgiandubh]

Machiavelli took a day off

... when the Telegraph article was written in great haste, by someone blatantly given a last minute task, who had no fucking idea to whom she was talking and what exactly meant the PR vetted or even prompted questions.

Instead of a line-by-line analysis, we'll take things differently, on this page, using the '5 W rule of journalism' (or even non-fiction writing, in general, if you ask me):

Who? SRH, EP of the OL series and one of the two male leads of the TCND series, which will be shortly broadcast by Channel 4, in the UK and IE only (and Movistar in ES). The rest of the world is not concerned.

What? A promotional article, focused on the actor's personality, CV and projects.

When? At a particular moment in time, just after the SAG-AFTRA strike and before shooting OL's eighth and last season.

Where? Crucial to place it in LHR (to imply he is 'just visiting') and God forbid it would be in GLA, which (for some curious reasons) seems to be off-limits.

Why? An actor with solid credentials hopes to keep agents and employers interested, after above OL project is done, which is rather sooner than later. Also addressing (as per the actor's PR agent specific requirements) three particular issues: the Palestine letter, the Bond project and his 'private life'.

Onwards to the three issues at stake, which probably prompted the article. In chronological order, this time. And no, I am not going to address the Scottish independence mention, because this is a sincere, well-known position of his and this page never bitches about people's convictions - also because I educated myself on it and I agree with S.

Palestine:

It was important, for obvious reasons, to push damage control a tad further. Also, strictly from a hypothetical POV, I would be very curious to read your compare and discuss thoughts with regard to this particular post on this page:

A sort of answer came in the Telegraph paper, too. Not only to me (I am less than nobody), but to all the people (of which we were many) who thought he should not get involved in this type of debate:

This is not the first time he uses this specific talking point. Last time known to me was on the day the Queen died, on X (I looked for that post, but can't find it, because I am just a filthy lurker, like that: but it is there).

The really interesting question, therefore, is: does he/somebody monitor what is being said on Tumblr? The answer is, I think, yes, and it shows. Will it stop me talking in here? Nope, as I trust my discerning abilities, for the moment. Other than that, his damage control op does not bring anything new to the table.

Bond:

What can I say, Sir? While there's life, there's apparently hope. But that doesn't translate well, given the context of your interview. That spells desperate and it's not a great picture. Also, let us keep a pious moment of silence in fond memory of a 25 year old who had a dream and the dream went to Daniel Craig (who I detested as Bond, because every girl has her Bond and mine is Pierce Brosnan, amen).

I know people still speculate about it. I have very high reservations and I cannot, for the life of me, seriously consider even thinking about the possibility. He could do it with flying colors, no doubt. Does he stand a chance? I prefer to have zero expectations on it and be floored if it happens. If he naively still yearns/pushes for it, this interview could very well be as abysmal as C's VF tantrum.

'Private life':

Ugh. Slippery when wet. I have already touched the subject in a reactive re-blog of @samheughanswife's post about it and I will not get back to what I said even without reading the article.

Some more extraordinary wording, in here: 'there might even be space for a personal life' - begs the question 'when?' In general? (in general, all men are created equal, too - it's practice that kills the theory) Now? (it is my staunch belief the answer is yes). After OL? (then and now and after Hiroshima, too). Can you program these things? (nope, stars simply aligned) Heh. Enough said. Also, 'might' spells cheap insinuation to me. But that's just me, a blonde voice in the audience.

Now, onwards to the daughter thing. I believe this specifically addresses the cheap, abundant clickbait content on You Tube, hence the vague 'online' reference (not Tumblr, not fans, not blogs - he is not C, he kept it clean). Such as this very recent one (last 'clip' on the topic was five days ago):

The two I chose to share here, which are very conspicuous FAKES, are originating from the same 'source', an account that seems obsessed with S&C and has no problem changing its narrative three times a week, if needed. My opinion? PR induced shite, to prod numbers/interest and see what sticks.

No newborn daughter? I hear no lies.

As for OL leaving 'no time for relationships', ahem. *urv will be thrilled to read that, I bet the farm. As will Flukenzie Floozy, at least her - damn, she was persistent! Also, hello, back to 2014-2016 playbook, aren't we?

No new relationships? Whatever for, when IYKYK? I hear no lies.

'I want a cat' ('because she's great', says my shipper brain on autopilot), 'but I am too scared even for that'. Humph. A very poor lie. But admitting you wanted and got a Ca(i)t scares the bejesus out of you, since 2016. I hear no lies. Yes, I am being tongue in cheek and damn the consequences.

Morality of it?

The easiest solution is never to take personal questions in interviews or panels. Why These Two still do it completely mystifies me.

[raxistaicho]

In which we discuss Edelgard's flaws (she has none)

Hey folks! Been a while since I did a longpost. There just hasn't been anything to stir my interest.

But fortunately I found something, so I suppose it's a good time to get away from Resident Evil 4 Remake S+ prep runs, cooking dinner, going to the gym, and writing my fanfic to indulge in my hobby of being terminally online.

So recently butwhatifidothis, who I will henceforth call Strikes, made a post in which she allegedly discussed how we Edelgard fans view Edelgard's flaws that she doesn't have any of but mostly just sounded off about how Edelgard was presented in a fanfic that consumes an inordinate amount of her mental focus. Let's see what she has to say!

I think the main thing that makes Edelstans' version of Edelgard so annoying is that she ultimately has every ounce of agency stripped out of her,

Don't get confused by her bringing up agency when I was talking about flaws so far, this is the typical Edelcrit strategy of saying that if we deny Edelgard did certain bad things then we're denying she did all the things.

by people who insist that they're "making her grow" into a character they already made her out to be from the start.

Well in a manner of speaking depending on how you handle her character arc it is possible to portray her properly growing into the role of a more focused revolutionary that we all view her as, so I suppose that's not too far off.

We get told that Edelgard has this amazing character arc,

She does.

and then are presented with a Mary Sue with no discernable flaws and/or who makes no substantial mistakes.

Strikes is confusing us denying that Edelgard's an awful racist imperialist with us saying she never did anything wrong. Shitposting in the title (and in the intro) aside, Edelgard obviously did some wrong things in the name of pragmatism. It's rather notable that she's often having to rapidly play catch-up helping to put out the fires Solon starts throughout White Clouds (chapters 6, 8, and 10 being the most notable examples), so she is a little more reactive rather than proactive in stopping some of their activities before they could begin.

Part of the issue is we're just never given an absolutely clear view of just how much Edelgard knew about what the Agarthans were up to and when she knew. One thing we do know is that she doesn't operate the way they do, her attacks are always targeted and have a specific purpose, she doesn't spread chaos like they do, so it's very unlikely she'd approve of most anything they do, especially considering how she often takes measures to fight back against them.

This Edelgard is perfect out the box, no discolorations or tears to be seen.

So Edelgard's biggest flaw early on is her trust issues. Because she struggles to trust she tries to go it alone, resulting in her taking more extreme measures than truly necessary. Of course this isn't entirely without reason, seeing as how on three out of four routes Byleth ultimately rejects her and plays a key role in halting her revolution, but it's only when she puts her trust in Byleth and appears before them without the mask of the Flame Emperor that Byleth has a chance to take her hand.

She even seems to realize she'll one day have to do this:

She just has a bit of dust, but the doll itself is flawless.

Don't like the idea of calling her a doll...

And that is, in the end, what ruins her. She’s not prideful and arrogant,

Oh no, she is 100% those things, roflmao. Sothis even calls her out on it:

Hell, Edelgard herself admits she can seem arrogant, so she's not wholly unaware of that flaw.

she’s not stubborn and narrow-minded,

Stubborn, yeah.

Narrow-minded? Multiple of her supports are about her coming around to the viewpoints of her interlocutors, most especially Manuela, Ferdinand, and Linhardt, so nice try.

she’s not manipulative and deceitful,

Now we're getting into scwary words!

Can't fight against the framework of the continent if you don't hold your cards close to your chest, Strikes.

she’s not violent and abrasive,

No, no, if you want violent you want Rhea or Dimitri.

Abrasive, yeah, that's another thing she grows out of. She's rather impatient with some of her goofier friends in the early supports, and grows to be much more patient and compassionate by the timeskip.

she’s not nationalistic and imperialistic,

She's neither of those things.

but nor is she fearless and confident,

...Where did Strikes see Edelgard fans calling her an uncertain little coward?

I mean I know where she thinks she saw that, but we'll get into that later.

she’s not ambitious and resolute

Ditto. Please show me these Edelgard fans who say she isn't ambitious, I'm dying to see the idiots masquerading as her fans.

- she has none of her character flaws or boons, because they make her too full of agency. They drive her to choose to do anything; they're not forces outside of her control that make her do things that she would just never, ever do were the WORLD not so broken and flawed.

Here we go, so Strikes has twisted the acknowledgement that some things were out of Edelgard's control (because they were) to some kind of admission that everything is out of her control.

There's a certain interesting meta analysis to be looked into on the subject of whether a revolutionary truly has a say in the matter when it comes to rebelling against a world that's gone so firmly wrong, as Fodlan had, but with Edelgard in particular I think the thing most of us love about her is that she's the only one willing to make the difficult choice of ripping the bandaid off. I'd certainly like her less if she just kinda bumbled her way into fixing the system the way Naruto does.

The few "flaws" Edelstans begrudgingly allow her are only meant to further endear her to the player. She’s childish, but only because she’s oh so traumatized and that should be accepted as who she is and not something to grow out of (nor something that is truly wrong of her to be even in her 20's).

Sadly I have no idea what Strikes means by Edelgard being childish. I guess her liking of cute things and sweets? Or maybe her abrassiveness that Strikes claims we think she isn't?

She’s self-unaware, but only because the world made her unsure of who she really is, which is a perfect little angel.

Yeah now we're just getting into Strikes blatantly sounding off about that whole fanfic thing I mentioned earlier. Most of her complaints are about a very specific incarnation of Edelgard, because Strikes and others like will her will never stop trying to pillory somebody for the crime of...

Hang on a sec.

(Flips through notes)

Ah. The crime of writing a fanfic.

The only "mistakes" she makes are because others failed her; Byleth and the Black Eagles fail Edelgard in the Holy Tomb, that wasn't her fault, they didn't ensure her that they could be trusted, for example.

At this point is there any reason in replying concretely to anything Strikes says? Not every Edelgard fan in the world interprets her the way The Emperor and the Goddess does, Strikes, and the point Captain Flash was trying to reach wasn't that the others were wrong, but rather that Edelgard's lack of trust was lamentable but a very really thing founded in the nature of the world she lived in.

Claude and Rhea have flaws - real flaws, that aren't "they just don't wove themselves enuff."

Yeah, Rhea's flaw is "she was a genocide victim, you have to be nice to her :(" according to these people.

Dimitri makes mistakes - real mistakes, that aren't "he twusted the wrong people and got hurt fwom them."

Actually he kinda did trust the wrong people and got hurt by them, roflmao. Thales is... about the worst person ever to trust.

She’s just a little flower

You know, that thing Byleth calls Edelgard in The Emperor and the Goddess!

Man, Strikes's so buttmad at that fic for the crime of existing and being popular.

plucked of all her thorns, safe and easy to pick up and admire, weak, meek and too innocent and pure for this dirty dirty world, coveted by all for her perfection and beauty. Which is just so... boring? And annoying?

Yeah, that would be pretty boring if Edelgard fans viewed her that way...

It's so clear that this Edelgard is one that is sanitized of any pesky little flaw that could make people dislike her or like her in the "wrong" way (because liking villains for being villains Is Wrong), and that is ironically the exact reason why she's so insufferable.

Frankly I'll never understand this flailing claim Edelcrits like to make, insisting we try to deny Edelgard is a villain because "liking villains for being villains is wrong."

I'm sorry, but what? People don't like villains, you say? People love villains! This, probably more than anything else they say, is sheer desperate idiocy.

Cornelia's one of my favorite characters in Three Houses purely because she's just an unrepentant vicious bitch to everyone, including Thales. She became an ascended extra in my fanfic because of it.

Like, it's almost kinda hard to explain why having a character choose to be an asshole is so much more engaging to watch than having a character be entirely reactive UNTIL they can get Good Noodle Stars because.... yeah? Of course? Because there's more meat to bite into whenever a character makes a choice - whether kind or spiteful, whether good or bad - over someone else forcing a character to do something.

Alarak my beloved <3

"Edelgard believes in imperialism because she has been raised in and agrees with a culture that believes itself to be the rightful 'owner' of the continent due to it being the progenitor country, and she genuinely believes Fodlan would be better if back under this 'glorious' reign of Adrestia, even despite her being around those outside of Adrestia for almost a year" says so much about her AND Adrestia.

...It would if she did? Except she doesn't? Says a lot about the nobles who do think that way.

Like the implied Duke Aegir, who Edelcrits try to mildly whitewash of his crimes, coincidentally enough.

"Edelgard DOESN'T believe in imperialism, it's just that everyone else is doing so badly that they FORCE her to kill them or otherwise get rid of them" says things about the ones DOING things badly, MAYBE, but all it says about Edelgard is that she Doesn't Like Bad Things.

That kind of is a way to describe her movement, though naturally Strikes phrased it in a way that strips her of agency because that's convenient for her argument.

I'd phrase it more as "Edelgard chooses war with the rest of Fodlan as a last resort, hating it but accepting the necessity as a means to bring about real and lasting change".

Or, oh so much deeper, it says she likes *gasp* Good Things! How brave, how stunning!

Someone's getting hangry.

Yeah, I have no actual argument for this, Strikes is just mad and saying things.

And before you can try to say "Well maybe Edelgard went to violence so quickly because she views fear and control to be the best way to force a society into being 'good' over trying to convince people peacefully,"

...No. When does Edelgard resort to the Tarkin Doctrine? Ever?

the Edelstan Edelgard is already packaged with "Edelgard went to war first because literally everyone MADE her go to war because THEY wouldn't let anything else work."

That's a rather obtuse way to say diplomacy wouldn't have worked.

"Edelgard tried to assassinate Dimitri and Claude at the very beginning of the game because she wanted to make her eventual war go way easier"

Heheheheheheh, you know where this is going.

turns into the infamous "Edelgard was just trying to scare THE TEACHER away to get JERITZA installed in their place, and CLAUDE ruined it by running away; she wasn't ACTUALLY trying to hurt anyone."

Infamous, and proven true. Edelcrits are still furious about that over two years later. Hopes was a bad time for them, I get it.

And also, if she was trying to kill Dimitri and Claude? So what? If killing them would have made the future war easier, I could understand why she'd make that choice. Their two lives don't weigh heavier on the scales than that of all Fodlan's people.

"Edelgard let Remire be massacred because - like she literally said she would - she was willing to sacrifice her people's lives in service of her higher cause" turns into one of "TWS forced her to be compliant" or "Edelgard definitely didn't know anything because she would have stopped it had she known."

So while it is implied Edelgard had some inkling of what happened,

But she clearly didn't expect Remire to be so terrible,

An interesting thing to note is that the cutscene where Seteth and Rhea talk about the situation in Remire happens on the 1st of the month, Byleth passes out on the 2nd after speaking with Manuela, and we get the scene with Hubert and Edelgard on the 4th. That's the earliest we know that she has some idea what's happening in Remire, and given how in the same scene Hubert openly asks Byleth how the investigation is going, it's likely Byleth had already told the class about the mission by then.

The Agarthans don't respect Edelgard, they don't need to ask her for permission for anything, and they don't need her help with anything. Solon has already vanished from the monastery to finish up the experiments, so by the time Edelgard even knows what's happening in Remire, it's already too late to do anything about it.

"Edelgard directly assisted in Flayn's kidnapping because TWS having more tools to work with means she gets more weapons to fight with" turns into "She was forced to do that."

I think she means, "Edelgard was forced to give up the Death Knight to Thales," when she says "she was forced to do that", because that's the closest I've ever seen it argued. Usually the take I've seen is that Edelgard didn't know Flayn would be kidnapped until she was, because, again, why would Solon bother to tell her about it? He's already had the Death Knight for over a month by then and he doesn't need any further help from Edelgard. If Edelgard wanted Flayn captive, why would she help in the search, why would she let Flayn go, and why wouldn't she take Flayn captive at the Holy Tomb?

"Edelgard helped hide Kronya among the student populace even as she kidnapped students and mutated them into Demonic Beasts because it will help in giving her Demonic Beasts to work with in the war" turns into, you guessed it, "Edelgard was forced to do that."

This time I have no idea what Edelgard was supposedly "forced" to do in the context of Edelgard fan apologia. Edelgard "hid" Kronya by not outing her.

And yeah, it ain't great that Edelgard didn't do that, but there's a lot of reasons she couldn't. By the time Solon reveals himself Kronya's already about to disappear from the monastery, revealing her would be too blatant a backstab against Thales, it wouldn't also reveal Edelgard herself, and there's no guarantee the church would do anything judging from how Rhea reacts to Edelgard outing Thales in Three Hopes.

"Edelgard sent her army and Demonic Beasts onto either her direct Black Eagle classmates or otherwise innocent students to stop them from stopping her from getting Crest Stones to use in her upcoming war"? Oh, a surprise! "She HAD to do that, because OTHER PEOPLE were going to take the Crest Stones if she didn't!"

The students can't be innocent if they're fighting for the church. You don't get to have it both ways: if they're innocent non-combatants then Rhea has no business recruiting them to fight on behalf of the Church of Seiros.

And yes, she endangers her classmates. Again that ain't great, but the future of Fodlan is more important than the lives of a few of her close friends.

She was forced to, she wasn't hurting/trying to hurt anyone, she didn't do anything wrong - if her actions lead to people getting hurt and/or killed, those are the exclusive reasons allowed as to why she did it.

No, they weren't exclusive, I threw several more. The issue here is Strikes wants to either make it:

A) Edelgard is an evil vicious imperialist racist.

B) Edelgard has no control over anything.

With zero nuance because that furthers her point. Edelgard's either EVIL or has no agency, with zero in-between.

These reasons being excuses to alleviate her of any accountability, not genuine explanations that still demand her to take accountability.

Who's she to take accountability to? Most of the people she fails are dead, is she supposed to apologize for starting a revolution to better Fodlan?

That's the difference between Rhea and Dimitri, who Strikes will mention onward: their mistakes they take accountability for are inherently selfish ones. If Edelgard was selfish she'd just hide in her room all day munching on sweets.

Meanwhile, Rhea distorted history to keep her and her family safe - which in verse is said to be something she was still wrong to do, and which in verse she ADMITS was wrong of her to do.

And her fans try to minimize what she did. "Rhea only briefly held back certain inventions, and only so that humanity wouldn't progress 'too fast'." "Rhea had no control over the Crest system, that was humans being bad!" "Rhea was just the midwife, she didn't do anything suspicious to Sitri and Byleth!" "Rhea thought Byleth was an amnesiac Sothis!"

Dimitri was absolutely willing to torture Randolph because he viewed the guy as less than human and felt him getting such inhumane treatment was justice

And his fans try to argue either that Randolph deserved it or because Byleth stopped him it wasn't all that bad.

Hell, Strikes herself is minimizing what Dimitri did here! He didn't just attempt to torture Randolph, he did torture Randolph. Even if you don't know that describing torture you're about to inflict upon a person is legally classified as torture in and of itself, just look at how Randolph is reacting to Dimitri's dressing-down: the dude is having a complete breakdown and Dimitri hasn't even laid a finger on him yet!

- which he directly takes accountability for to Randolph's remaining family.

Uhh what? Did I miss the alt scene where Dimitri stops Byleth from gutting Fleche, admits what he did to her brother, and kneels to her in penitence?

Claude weaseled up to Byleth because he felt he could use them for his own ambitions - which he owns up to and grows out of doing.

Yeah, this is the only thing I generally don't see people trying to minimize, probably because it's the least-obvious offense and doesn't really hurt anyone. Claude comes out of Three Houses with squeaky-clean hands, and I respect Three Hopes for dirtying them a bit.

And yeah, that's about it. As I explained in the opening, Strikes is mostly just mad that we Edelgard fans don't view her as an awful person the way Strikes herself does. She's upset we can actually explain her actions, so she's venting that we're stripping Edelgard of all agency, with a side helping of shitting on Emperor and the Goddess again because that's her life, I guess.

[thevindicativevordan]

Thoughts on the new announcements on absolute comics

Anonymous asked: Hello! How are you feeling? What do you think of the new creative teams DC announced for October?

Anonymous asked: So ! What are your thoughts on the All In initiative and the new creative teams for the existing books like Action ?

txtmasterblast asked: On a scale of 0 to 10, how much are you looking forward to the upcoming Absolute Universe line?

Thought I'd save this for SDCC since there are still some rumored books that are yet to be confirmed, but I can save my thoughts for when those are officially announced. Short version is that this is extremely exciting.

Dawn of DC was DC playing it safe, and they botched the initiative because of how they spammed low quality events like Knight Terrors. Now they're stepping up to the plate and trying to tap into the energy created by Marvel's Ultimate Universe and the Energon Universe. They're trying to take a big swing and hit a home run. After multiple attempts by Didio to create something like this, it's downright ironic that Snyder finally is the one to do it given the two of them clashed at the end of their tenures. Once again Snyder seems to be trying to infuse the DCU with the essence of Metal, and at least this version appears to revolve less around Batman. I won't lie, hearing Snyder name drop Doomsday Clock and talk about "Darkseid Energy" in the promo video made me cringe.

The success of Hickman's Ultimate Universe and the Energon Universe came because they broke free of the usual shared universe comic nonsense. The Maker is an evil Reed Richards who eliminated all the heroes who couldn't be turned in order to build his perfect world. Energon was a reboot with no prior knowledge required. Simple! If the Absolute Universe requires me to know about the "Metaverse", throw it the trash because it's doomed. If the first issues of these books are not able to be read standalone with zero prior knowledge required, it's going to fail. The All-In one shot should tell us why this universe exists, what the pitch is, but it needs to be free from the kind of esoteric meta commentary which has poisoned DC for the last decade or so. Darkseid meddles with an Earth in order to understand his foes better is an easy concept to grasp. Don't make it any more complicated than that.

Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta - Least exciting of the bunch. Unless Snyder is going to radically change up his writing style, we know how his Bruce sounds. Even without the wealth Batman usually has, I expect this will feel very familiar. Since I've dropped all the other Bat books however, I plan on getting this and two others for my Bat fix. Snyder has teased that Scarecrow and Bane are the two Bat villains he wished he could've done more with during his first run. Scarecrow is my favorite Batman villain and the thugs in the ashcan look like thugs of his to me. I think this Batman will be juicing himself with Venom, explains why he's huge, which is a much better justification for why Bane seeks this Batman out than anything they've come up with elsewhere. That logo sucks but I assume it's because this Batman has to make use with whatever he can scavenge, maybe that is a literal bulletproof plate to guard his chest which he shaped to look like a Bat as best as he could.

Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson & Hayden Sherman - Thompson was a fan of the Azz/Chiang New 52 Wondy up until the reveal about the Amazons being rapists. Between the reuse of the silver/red color combo for this Wondy's armor, and how she doesn't have access to Paradise Island or other Amazons, I'm getting very similar vibes. I was a fan of Azz's run even though I acknowledge he "broke" her in several ways, I'm up for a second stab at a Wondy like that with Thompson. Tattoos show Hecate's symbol from Historia, perhaps this Wondy got her powers from Hecate only? My theory is Hippolyta went with her Bana sisters to war, and was never Queen of Themyscira. When she had Diana then, it was in Man's World. If this is dark urban fantasy Wondy, that would make for a good contrast with King's current political thriller run.

Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval - Bizarro arc was great, Sandoval is one of the best artists in DC's roster, I'm all in (hehe). No Fortress is a shame but since Bats and Wondy don't have their bases either I accept it. No family and no home is particularly intriguing. Seen a lot of speculation about what that entails, from this Superman being raised in an orphanage like the Action #1 origin, to Kal being sent from Krypton when he was old enough to remember it. If it's the latter then Absolute Kara will likely be dead, since she would overlap too much with this Superman. I love the design, grey suit with Morrison's first All-Star shield that Quietly only drew for one panel is a peak look. Hairstyle reminds me of Corenswet's "Clark" hair only longer, also reminds me of Anakin/Luke Skywalker which might be exactly the intention. His "cape" appears to be made of solar energy, perhaps this Superman has trouble controlling his powers? His solar battery biology might work differently here, with him "leaking". Or perhaps he even has a different powerset entirely? Seems like he can channel power into his arms/fists, if we get heat/ice fists instead of vision/breath, that would be the kind of silliness I love. Don't think this Superman will be paired with Lois, which frankly is a good thing. All the other major Superman projects focus on the Clois romance, for this to stand out I believe Absolute Superman needs to be dating other people. Since he seems to be a drifter, Aaron might eventually have him travel to other planets, where we could get Maxima or someone entirely new.

Other books have leaked and are probably right considering Bleeding Cool accurately called the Trinity, but I'll wait until they get revealed officially - likely at SDCC - before giving my thoughts.

For the mainline universe:

Justice League - Superman is apparently building a new JL that will be going after Darkseid and reshaping the cosmic hierarchy of the DCU. If DC had any brains left in their collective heads they would give this book to PKJ, but he's denied being on JL. Ram V still has a book to announce, maybe it's him? I would've said Waid but without Mora I don't think he'd take the job. Aaron is a possibility albeit not one I'd want. Seen some people say Lemire, and he did write the JL crossover with his Black Hammer verse. Please let it not be Taylor.

Superman - Mora joining the book took me by surprise, that is sure to have generated major fuming from certain corners. Doomsday arc is going to be a joy to look at

Action Comics - Waid and Henry are finally announced. Action going weekly was unexpected however. Only question I have is, does this mean Waid is staying on past that one arc? Not clear but since he will have more issues that the previous three Superstars I would assume so. Bitter as I am over PKJ getting kicked off before he could tell the Aethyr story he was building up to, Waid bringing in Morrison's Phantom King does make me happy.

Detective Comics - Taylor taking over made me breathe a sigh of relief. For now he remains quarantined to the Batbooks and Elseworlds.

Nightwing - Watters and Soy are going to finally give us the epic run Nightwing deserves. Watters deserves to be a "big writer" and with any luck this will be what elevates him to that level.

Batman & Robin - Damnit PKJ, you really going to make me read a mainline Bat book? Fine but you better continue the Olgrun plotline through this somehow. In all seriousness with Zdarsky and Taylor being on the other books I expect this will be the best mainline Batman book on the stands. Every previous time PKJ has written Batman has been enjoyable, and I trust him of all writers to do something different with Batman. Let this be the book that gets the general DC audience to take notice of how good he's been elsewhere.

Titans - Nah.

Green Arrow - Wish Montos luck, he deserves to be one of DC's A-List artists, but not interested in Green Arrow.

Exciting shake-ups are on the way, going to have to start trimming my pull again. Anything that doesn't wow me is getting dropped because I need the cash for all those Absolute books, which appear to be stacked creatively.

[can-ya-guess-my-curent-obsession]

heya...!!! Sweetypie, if you don't mind could you please do a headcannon for Murdoc and 2D with s/o Those who have a special motherly attitude towards children, I also want to know how they will react when they have children. And their kids love to help. You can ignore this request, if you feel uncomfortable . Love you and your blog ❤️❤️🌹

Murdoc and 2D with a GN! S/O who is motherly children + their recation to having kids + Helpful kids.(I gave up on the rainbow letering)

WRITERS NOTES: Hi I don't really have much to say this time around, exept sorry anon for taking so long, and sorry to every body else who has requested. But thank you for the love, I'm glad you enjoyed my works.

side note: And I know motherly implies female or fem S/O, but gender was never spisificly spesified in the reqeasts and in mt opion men and non gender conforming people can be motherly or maternal, and I just like doing GN! more unless it's key to the hc's themselves, so I'll be doing GN! with this.

[Another note: If you've seen my post before this, you know I'm debating on leaving Gorillaz tumblr and maybe shifting to AO3 so I'm gonna use this post and my next few to gage how active this comunity is and see if theres even an audience for my writing here, if not once I get my AO3 acount I'll move there as the Gorillaz comunity seems much more active there]

Requests: closed

Edited: no

Pairings: Murdoc x reader, 2D x reader

Phase: unspesified

TW: Murdoc's mommy issues, Murdoc is an ass, communication issues?, Oopsy baby, Murdoc is not happy about being a father, child abandonment, fear of becoming a parent, bad spelling, bad grammar, swearing, adoption, 2D is scared about being a dad, anxiety about being a parent, if I missed anything please do tell!

S/O is motherly twords kids

Let's start off with pertty Murtty here

Listen I'ma be real honest with ya man, he could not give less of shit what you thought about kids beyhond Noodle

He's not exactly the paternal type here

And ya see, he probubly wouldn't see you act this way with kids besideds Noodle, because his life doesn't constatute him seeing kids a lot

He's a musition and he has centered a large portion of his life around it, and his hobbies outside of his job and music aren't exactly child friendly

So the most of children he see's is noodle when she she was a kid, the occational child on the street, or when kids parents bring them to their concert because the baby sitter canceld and even than he's seeing them from stage

Also most kids are scared of Murdoc so yeah

but for the sake of things lets say your in a situation where he sees with kids or more likely teens or pre-teens, and you are acting motherly

And first of all if they are teens/pre-teens he'll probably try and gage if their fans if there not and their not impressed by his status and bragging he has little interest in them

But when it comes to you interacting with kids

Murdocs reaction? unimpressed, than out right unplesant.

if there young children he'll just groan, and stare

And jealusy will slowly start bubbling in him

Not the 'pay atention to me' kinda jealusy but 'why wasn't any one as kind to me when I was a kid' kinda jealusy

and from there he'll probubly stomp off

Murdoc could feel himself tence as he watched to coddle that little twat, "Can ya shut'em up, all the little fuck did was trip, no need for the damn wambulance..." murdoc mocked under his breath. "He's 4 Murdoc, the hell are getting so pissy for..." you snap back, you two had stoped at a park because you wanted Murdoc to get out more, and while out a little boy had triped nearby- you heard and whent to help. Murdoc shifted uncomfortably where he stood, before shaking his head and starting his way to the street, "... I'm teird of this place I'm ready to go back to Kong, meet me outside the park when your ready or I'll leave without you.." his words were bitter but his threat was hollow and you knew it. You found him on the streat smoking a few minutes later after you had found the parents of the kid. You walked up to with your arms crossed, displeased with his behavour from earlyer. "What was up with you back there, that was totaly uncalled for.", you asked him somewhat stern. Murdoc srunched up his face and made a weird sound "mgh'well..." what Murdoc wanted to say was 'why did that kid get someone like you to be so nice to them, why wasn't anyone like that shown kindness tome when I was a kid, did I not i deserve it?', but he wouldn't, instead just it was nothing before starting the silent walk back to kong.

So as prevously stated Murdoc kinda struggles with a S/O who like to mom kids

He never knew his mom, he never knew anything resembleing maternal care, and it makes him bitter watching children recive the love he so despreatly needed as a child but never got

Murdocs reaction to having a child

I was originaly going to make this section of Murdocs HC purly with a Fem S/O purly because I couldn't see or invoision murdoc wanting or actauly trying to have kids, if he had it would be an acident and an unhappy one at that

I vary breifly mentioned at the start of my Dadoc with a Daughter HC's that Murdoc doesn't want and will never want kids of his of frouition

But to keep things G/N so anyone can read it lets go with if you have a functioning uteruise than it was an oopsy baby, but if you don't or don't want it be your kid, than one of Murdocs old hook ups droped a kid off at kong studios doorstep just like his mom did to his dad, and by extent you as his partner(if your chose to stay) take responsibility as the childs adoped parent anogside the actual father aka your boyfriend Murdoc

Why'd I go through all that explination crap?

Because the truth is in any situation Murdoc doen't want kids(I've said it so many time, I'm sorry for being repetative)

Young children kinda scare him, in his opion their grows and sticky

My opion on murdoc and his kids has changed some but not entirly since the Dadoc HC's so do mind any conradicting statments I may make

And that change is how Murdoc reacts when first met with the news of being a father, he isn't imeadity like 'I wanna be better than my dad was', he more or less goes through the stages of greif before he gets to that point

Denial: "The kid can't be mine!"

Anger: "I DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE A DAD I HAVE A FUCKING LIFE TO LIVE!"

Bargening: "Maybe we can put it up for adoption, yeah?"

Depression: "I'm not ready for this, I can't handle being a father... I'll probubly fuck the kid up.."

Aceptance: "I have a chance... a chance to be better.."

And despite aceptance that doesn't meant he'll be dandy walking into parenthood, he'll be anxouise, hesitant, and inatentive for quite some time, very reliant on others help and assistance

He struggles with the more responsibility based parts unsure and unerved

Which all of this is kinda ironic because despite never wanting kids he sure as helll never took any prucotions to prevent them

Helpfull kids

Honestly makes him question if the kids are is or not

A Niccels helpful? Never

At least in Murdocs eyes

But regardless of his doubts, when the kids are young he'll take it as a pleasant surprise

Kinda gets a complex about it honestly

Like he thinks his kids(that includes noodle) are better than every one elses

"Your kids has a black belt in karate, well mine did the washing up last night, also another one is milataryly trained in kenjutsu, so suck it!"

But that does change when they become teenagers

He doesn't exactly trust teens persay

I mean he assumes his teen is gonna be like him as a teen so he doesn't acept their help assuming they have bad inentions

"Hey pops, I can help take out the trash"

"And what, let you throw it through the neighbors windows? Absulutly not!"

"What??"

S/O is motherly twords kids

Once more like Murdoc, 2D's life doesn't constatute him seeing kids that much, with the exption being Noodle- 2D hardly interacts with kids

He does so more than Murdoc though, probubly because 2D goes outs out the house.

but again for the sake of it lets say your in a situation where 2D gets to see you motherly with children(that isn't Noodle, sorry Noodle)

He's totaly A-okay with it, and thinks it very sweet of you

I mean hell this guy probably already thinks the world of you, it's kinda hard to make yourself more likeble, but some how you did it

but honestly, the truth is it doesn't ilisit much of a reaction from, him cuz the truth is it was kinda expected

Because unlike some people *cough* Murdoc *cough* he had a fairly good upbringing, with loving caring people, espeasly his mother who he has a solid relationship with even as an adult

So to him it's kinda expected for you to get along with kids, in his mind any adult person regardless of gender should be diecent twords kids

And S/O just being extra motherly is purly just a highlight for him it just makes you a litlle but better

Kindness, and caringness is what 2D wants in a partner so seeing this really solidifies that you two are ment to be in his nonexistent eyes

Side note though kids are scared of him, more or less when he had pits where his eyes should've been, but even the pure white freaks young kids out

Which sucks because when 2D sees you doting on some kids, he kinda gets a feeling of being left out

and he wants to say hi to the kiddos and just take it as an opertunity to bond with you

if only it ever worked out like that...

"Hi kiddies!" Stuart said with a wide smile as he waked up behind you

Cue a crying 3 year old and a crying 5 year old, as they were scared shitless by the tall blue hair man that towerd over them and looked at them with hollow eye socets

"wait, why are they crying?" Stuart turns to you caught off gaurd, "did something happen... was it somthing I did?"

But once most kids get to know him, they usualy love him

2D's reaction to having a child

I don't think Stuart ever wanted kids, but I don't think he's upset at the prospects, well at lest as upset as murdoc

Because 2D definity has his own doubts

And while Stuart is a bit ditzy, always seems to be stuck in his own head

when brought down to reality he's quite compitent

2D in my opion lives life with his head in the clouds, stated by his own wiki, but he has breif moments or peiords of clairity at times

I could see this being one of those moments

Kids are a big thing so if there was a situation where he had to think serouisly about being a parent it would be hard at first, whether that be an acident baby(that he has to take resposibity for) or his partner siting him down to have serious conversation about kids, whether concieving, adoption, or sergate.

like I said he's not totaly incompetent

He knows his situation isn't ideal for kids

His career takes up a large portion of his life wether that be traveling, recoding or writing songs, that doesn't leave time for kids

Not to mention relisticly with his situation with being being abused by murdoc throughout all phases makes the thought of bringing his child into the same building as Murdoc want to make 2D cry

So frankly he is more or less scared and anxouise because a child is a lot, and he understands his life would not permit that

not to say 2D hasn't thought about kids nesisarly, because I could see him enjoying being a father, and could see him with his expearence helping raise Noodle, become kinda fond of the idea of kids

But thats it, and idea, he never thought he would be given the opertunity

I could see 2D walking away from the situation of either the children talk or being told about oopsy baby

Not like abandoning, but like taking a step back to catch his breath and thing

I could see him talking to his mom for advice

She had and raised a kid after all

And she gives him pretty solid advice, if want to be a parent(or are going to be a parent), but your not ready, than get ready- over thinking wont help, and work with partner(S/O) to make the trasition easyer.

So after talking with his mom, and smoking two packs of ciggarents, 2D comes to you with his mind clear, and ready to try and have a real conversation

and while still scared and anxouise he gets really exited eventualy

Stuart, at some point starts actauly looking forward to becoming a parent... a little to much

But how can you blaim him, Stuart can get really pasionate when he's doing them and can over do things very easily

Also in later phases if your looking into adoption I could see stuart semi-joking about trying to find the iligitimate kids he hd when he was younger and slept around a lot

But regardless 2D would be a loving parent

2D would also be really exited about giving his mom grand kids, and having his mom involved

But despite that Stuart is still a ditz and needs a lot of help with the whole parenting thing

"Sweatheart, you're making /Childs name/ their bottle, right?" You say entering the kitchen. "Yep I got it all well in done." Stuart beems happily at you pointing at the bottle on the counter. "Great thanks..." You nod grabing the bottle before pausing, the feeling of a cold bottle makes you frown and shake your head "...wait, you forgot to heat up the bottle again..." you sigh, at this point you should just expect it with how frequently he does it. Stuart's posture falters as he looks at you blankly "I'm suposed to heat it up?", "Yes stuart, yes you are- and it's suposed to be luke warm tempurate, don't put in the microwave for 5 minutes again.." You state mater afactly handing the bottle back to him, he needs to learn how to do this himself Stuart responds back with a chipper "okay", before trying to put the whole bottle in the microwave, "Wait, stuart, hon, you to trake off the the bottles and and nipple before you warm it" you stop him before he puts it in. "Wait, this parts called a nipple?"

He's trying but it's a bit of a struggle

Stuart with a helpful kid

Good, their dad could use the help

Stuart lucked out with a helpful kid, cuz while like I said it was a struggle at the start

It would probubly be a struggle though out

And I don't think 2D could handle rebellious kids, so it's good their well behaved and helpful

I could also see 2D picking up on this and trying to be more atentive himself

Sorry not much else to say

[beanghostprincess]

I would like to know your thoughts on Boa x Luffy.

Because I have a few problems with this ship. (actually it´s mostly one, the others are more reasons why I don´t ship them)

First the age gap: Can´t say anything to it since I like Marco x Ace (I don´t won´t to think of that age different! )

A problem I have is that Boa seems to idolize Luffy and alredy wants to merry a 17Y old Luffy. And first I was like thats a bit creepy but then I stopped a moment to think. When I look of her behavior and her thoughts, she actually reminds me more of a little girl with her first crush. (lasteres is definitive true) While she wasn´t as lucky to grew up as isolated as most of the amazons (who didn´t even know what a man looks like) and has probably good reasons to hate men, she soesn´t know much about relationships.

I think, and I can´t believe I´m saying this, that Luffy is in this more mature than her in this. He clearly says that he won´t marry her. (and thank you Oda to not play it for laugh and make him not understand what she means) I´m pretty sure Luffy knows her feelings for him, but ignores it (doesn´t think about it).

What I really don´t like about this ship is actually not the ship itself (even if I don´t ship them), it´s some "shiper" when you can call them that. It´s when someon just ships them because Luffy NEEDS a love intrest (not true) or because with someone Luffy has to have children in the future (also not true!).

I hate that! Boa (and Luffy) deserve better than that. She is a strong independent women that is more than her crush on Luffy.

I could write so many reasons why I love Boa, but I wrote already so much (more than I wanted) and my cat is bothering me because she wants attention. ( how dare I not give her the attention she deservs? Love her.)

I usually have no issues with ships because if I don't like them I just ignore them, so I basically don't care about this ship? Like people be people. You do you. Hakuna Matata. I personally don't like it because it's not my type of thing and because the only reason Boa likes Luffy is because she feels safe around him the way she feels safe around Rayleigh. Men have always seen her (and still do) as an object, and she has managed to use her beauty against them and their stupidity and I love it. I love her. I find Boa and Luffy's dynamic really endearing because it's not only that she has a ""crush"" on him, but she trusts him and genuinely feels comfortable in his presence to the point of saying "well, if this goes wrong I'll just go to Luffy" (which is really fucked up actually because she should be more independent and relying on romantically/sexually is only a trauma response, but yeah, at least she has two men in her life she can trust). I think she doesn't love Luffy or have a crush on him at all. She's just captivated by him and how safe he makes her feel because he's one of the only two men who have never seen her as an object. So, from that POV I really like the dynamic, but not romantically/sexually at all. I honestly think she's a lesbian going through the biggest fucking case of comphet I've ever seen, but then again, no opinion on the ship other than I don't like it but people can do whatever they want as long as they don't bother me.

However, I must say I do agree with you on the fact that most Boa/Luffy shippers (dudebros, mostly) like the pairing because they think Luffy as a main character needs a female love interest, and since she's been pretty much the only girl who has explicitly displayed romantic feelings for Luffy, they just take it as canon without thinking about their relationship or characters in the slightest. These people just keep pushing a normatively straight and allo agenda that I can't fucking stand. But, well, it's not like I interact with them so whatever.

Most people see this ship as problematic for the age difference and I find that pretty much stupid because usually the main problem with age difference is the level of maturity and power imbalance, but in this case, Boa is just down bad for him and she's a bit annoying at times (honestly, I keep saying it's just her coping mechanism often played as a joke for her character). And Luffy knows that she is because he has refused to get married to her multiple times. People act like Luffy is this naive kid who doesn't know what love/sex is, but the guy is just... Not interested. He doesn't seem bothered by her either? If Luffy genuinely disliked Boa for this he would've said so. He is a very direct and honest character. He likes Boa. He's friends with her. He'll help her if needed and he cares about her. However, he just doesn't like her romantically and... That's pretty much it? It's not that deep from Luffy's POV, honestly.

And when people call Boa a predator (I've seen that) I just feel uh... Conflicted with their opinion. Because a predator is somebody who has these patterns and keeps wanting/liking kids/really young people and keeps insisting whether or not they want it and they're, well, pervs, basically. Boa's feelings for Luffy are, like you said, pretty much shown as a high school innocent crush. The way she acts around him is to rely on him rather than take advantage of him, because, I repeat, all men in her life have used her and now that she has a male friend who doesn't see her as an object, she copes with having a crush on him. Which is really sad and it has happened to me and to a lot of lesbians with bad past experiences and... Seeing people call her out like this as if she were some big evil predator makes me feel really uneasy and worried about the reading skills of this fandom. Have you considered that... Even if there's an age gap... Some people don't have bad intentions and adults can also be traumatized? Like, I'm not saying this would be okay in real life, because it wouldn't (even if her behavior is understandable from a psychological POV), but in fiction? I think Boa is a pretty complex and well-written character and she has her reasons behind this comedic gag, even if it doesn't seem like it. Oda likes to exaggerate these things, with Sanji, for example. Y'all would literally hate Sanji in real life for how he treats women most of the time and we all acknowledge it's a comedic gag that got out of hand.

I'm not sure if I'm wording this right, but basically: Boa doesn't like Luffy romantically/sexually and just mistakes feeling safe with those types of attraction. I don't like the ship for that reason, and most shippers only ship them without having any understanding of their characters at all and because they just want a main straight pairing. It can be seen as problematic for the age gap and it's a running gag that can make people uncomfortable, yes, and I understand. But that does not make Boa a pedo/predator and y'all keep using those words very very freely to the point of them losing their true meaning.

Now this ended up being kind of an essay on them rather than my opinion so, TL;DR: I don't like the ship but they're cute friends.

[niuniente]

I don’t personally believe in ghosts, but I am curious about your perspective and experience (and I also write fiction so I’m curious for that reason as well)! Do you think it would be beneficial to treat/speak to ghosts with kindness and respect? Would that improve haunting experiences? Do you think they would understand kindness at all?

Thank you for your time, I love your work!!

Depends on the ghost! Do you treat a cat and a tiger the same way? Then, it also depends on the spirits (including those who are not ghosts) and does your culture have certain ways of treating those entities (and do you want to follow the traditions).

Overall, it is nice to be respectful to all :3 Never a bad idea with a regular ghost and majority of the weird things are just regular ghost. I have one experience related to this topic of respect.

I visited Scotland with my friend and we went to a church. As I'm a history nerd, I wanted to see all nooks and crooks of the place. My friend walked beside me. When we came to a small aisle leading to a dead end, we both froze at the first step. It was like walking on a wall with "Don't!" energy. We looked at each other and asked if you also felt that? We pondered for a while should be go in. My friend said that she's not going, someone there doesn't want us there. I hesitated for a moment but then made my mind and said "I'll go take a quick peek, I want to know what this is about". Turns out there was a sarcophagus of a noble man, who had been convicted and beheaded in 1660's. I got a feeling that he was upset because he felt he was wrongly accused and killed, and now there was this plate above his remains telling these "lies" of him.

My friend joined me after some time, and I told her what it was. She suggested we should bid the spirit some good vibes and respect, so we did. I apologized for the intrusion, apologized for his execution, said I was going to go and not bother him anymore, and then I left.

I went back to the same church a few years later. This time, there was no hostile energy. I kept my promise and didn't go to the aisle. I greeted the man far and let him know that I remembered him (as he seemed to remember me) and I was going to keep my promise.

--

I label paranormal entities to a few different boxes as they're different entities and should be approached differently. I hope these help you with your writing!

Ghosts = Passed people and animals. Can be anything by nature, just as when they were alive. Cause all sorts of things from sounds to moving objects. Can get attached to people and items. Can leave behind little messages and trinkets for you to find. Poltergeist = Non-human entities. Mischievous and intelligent. Mimic voices and sounds but typically in repeat. Typically mind their own businesses. Human caused poltergeist = Humans can cause poltergeist activity, even very violent one, with repressed emotions. This is a studied phenomena. Typically the person causing the issues is in their teens. Doppelgänger = These I don't know much about but they take forms of other people and also mimic their voices. Glitch Doppelgänger= This is a glitch in the matrix-phenomena, where a person can see themselves somewhere (younger, older, same age). Typically this happens suddenly and without other paranormal activity, like during your regular shopping trip. Nature Spirits = Non-human spirits, which can take physical forms resembling also humans or human like creatures. Can cause lots of harm in their come inside a house but this is rather rare. Typically live in nature, like in trees. I also include spirits like trees themselves into nature spirits but the variety under this category is wide, like in ghosts. Home Spirits = All kind of positive non-human spirits which protect human settlements and live with humans. For example, Finnish Tonttu and Haltija are these kind of creatures. They live in houses and outdoor buildings, and look after humans and animals. Be respectful to them or they will get angry and either move away or get your house burned or cattle dead. Elementals = Non-humans energetic beings. Extremely rare and ancient entities but chaotic, dangerous and hostile if they end up into houses. Think about letting a wild tiger loose in your living room. Demons = Non-human negative entities. Doesn't have anything to do with religions but demon is an easy word to describe them. Cause all sorts of issues from moving objects to bad smells, growling, maggots & insects suddenly appearing, scratching, appearances of black animals, cause animal deaths etc. Can get attached to people and items. Residual energy = Not a ghost but like a video recording of a past event. Always repeats the same way. Angels and Spirit guides = Non-human positive entities looking after us all. Can leave little hints, messages and trinket for you to find, like feathers, coins, flowers etc. Cryptids = Their own very, very wide category! Some of them seem to be able to switch between physical and spiritual form. Typically encountered out in the nature. Aliens = Non-cryptid living entities from other planets and parallel timelines. Black Eyed Children = This is it's own category and frankly, even after 33 years of paranormal things, I'm not sure what they are! They seem to be a rather new phenomena, earliest encounters I've heard are from 1950's from USA. If I had to guess, they're demons (non-human negative entities) of some sort simply from how people react to them. Man Made Horrors = These are human made Chtulhu-type of things, like Slenderman. The only exception seems to be Rake but I think the creature existed before Creepypasta and then someone there came up with this name. Glitches in the matrix = Frozen animals and items, time slips, parallel universe slips etc. all belong to this genre. Witches and Shapeshifters = These I put in their own box as they can cause paranormal encounters to occur. The most famous shapeshifters are Navajos' Skinwalkers (because Western internet space is American dominant [and I've heard you can't say their name so I won't write their Navajo name here]) but such malicious shapeshifting people live in many cultures around the world. Deities and Saints = A special mention to deities and Saints as they can cause "paranormal" things to happen, like statues blinking and people healing suddenly.

This is only my list. Not a paranormal scientific approved list of anything.

[ackermansimper]

Hey, if I’m asking too much please tell me, it’s cool! I don’t wanna push it, but if you have time and you feel like it could you maybe write about the Ackermans with a S/o who likes joking around a lot?

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU, YOU NEVER PUSHED TOO MUCH. SORRY FOR THE HIATUS BTW IMMA DO ALL MY INBOX REQUESTS 😭❤️

The Ackerman's when their s/o likes to joke a lot

Kenny

-Kenny would absolutely love having an s/o who throws jokes around a lot as he himself, likes joking a lot as well

-He would almost always go along with his s/o's jokes whether it was insulting someone or not. He just liked getting a laugh outta it.

-He'd like someone who can insult him for fun without being afraid. Makes him feel like he can absolutely obliterate them with words and they wouldn't take offense because they throw insults back and then laugh with him about it.

-He also liked having an excuse to insult you (not that he needed one)

-He'd definitely like someone with a crude sense of humor. Ripping into each other with hurtful words would make him quite satisfied as he knew he could say whatever without you actually taking it serious.

-In some weird sense, you would both weirdly sorta bond through it all though. Your joking insults, teases, and snickerings were a way of bonding with each other. He knew that. You knew that. Everyone else didn't and they were confused when y'all would start insulting each other and then laughing about it.

Levi

-Levi wouldn't have any issues with you joking around but he'd never laugh at it or any type of joke you'd make

-You and Levi probably started dating because of it though. You'd be wondering why Levi never laughs at your jokes and you'd then take every opportunity to tell a joke to him that you could. Sooner or later it might've sprung into a closer relationship because of the amount of time you spent together while you told your 'shitty jokes' as Levi called them

-He probably did figure out that you only stuck around him in an attempt to make him laugh but it flustered him a bit on how much effort you were putting

-You still probably wouldn't get a luagh outta him but you'd both end up getting together sooo yeah

-Moving ooon he probably wouldn't take part in most jokes you make but he would make some of his own, insulting people of course but you found it funny with his deadpan face so he saw it worth it

-Although he usually wouldn't partake in jokes you made, he would take part whenever you'd make shit jokes. He would continue them with a straight ass face which made it even funnier in your opinion.

Mikasa

-She honestly probably didn't care for your existence when first meeting you. Her first impression was that you were just some eccentric jokester who thrived on attention

-However, she was definitely easier to get a small chuckle out of than Levi

-Sometimes she did actually consider your jokes funny and although she wouldn't react too big all the time, she'd still sometimes react with a small smile or small laugh

-Everyone would probably be confused as to what Mikasa would find funny with you and why she seemed to not mind your presence and jokes but no one questioned it

-It honestly was probably you who initiated anything more than that though. She never really tried to get to know you on a much personal level apart from your jokes

-After your attempts and her decision to give it a try, she started to partake in your jokes much more often and add to them

-You were most likely the energetic one in the relationship though. She'd add to your jokes but she'd never start it herself.

-You both are honestly probably the complete opposite but she doesn't really care much. She loves you and your stupid jokes so that's all that matters to her.

♥ Thank you for reading ♥

I miss writing so much 😭 Requests are opened for our favorite Ackermans so ask away! I mainly do headcanons though ^^

[my-writings-and-musings]

Hi!!! I have been reading a lot of your latest writings since Earthspark really pulled me back on my transformers hyperfixation but is it okay if I request headcanons of Earthspark Soundwave and Skywarp with a human s/o who's a scientist that used to be part of the war like mandroid? but is really kind and uses their skills to help and patch up the bots.

I feel that hyperfixation! Earthspark has become my brain's permanent background soundtrack and it's all I want to write about when I have time! I went with some headcanons and a short story, I hope you like them!

Skywarp

She was hesitant about your offer to help at first, but dealing with Mandroid left her little reason not to accept, even if she was sure you had something else planned. Free medical care and a safe house simply seemed too good to be true, and Novastorm shared that sentiment, informing her that you'd probably dissect them and sell their parts when you got the chance...

Imagine her surprise when she showed up with a damaged wing and found you not only willing to repair it, but downright concerned for her wellbeing. She was speechless as you guided her to rest, and hadn't a clue what to do as you treated the injury carefully and with painkillers for her comfort, in part because she expected you to reveal it was a ruse at any moment. It was only after you sent her on her way with the promise to return if she had any issues that she realized; you really wanted nothing more than to help.

From then on, she became your security, even if you tell her repeatedly that you don't need anything in return for your services. She doesn't listen and keeps an optic on you whenever she can, and if any of the bots you help show the tiniest trace of sass she makes it clear that you're to be addressed with respect. She also keeps the skies under her careful watch, lest GHOST or a filthy Autobot even thinks of getting the drop on you.

Without much to do, she'll start looking for reasons just to spend time with you, as she finds your company enjoyable for more than just medical care. Whether you realize it or not, she's more or less decided that the two of you are going to be friends. She's never met a human like you, after all, and she's not going to let anything happen to you.

Soundwave

"Hold still now, this might hurt."

Before you could apply the welder to the cleaned up gash on his arm, the sizable mech let out something like a huff and spoke with gruff confidence.

"Pain is of no consequence."

Fighting the urge to roll your eyes at his bravado, you dropped the welding mask back down, voice muffled but no less sarcastic as you replied, "A warped suture line is though, so just don't move, okay tough guy?" There was another grumpy huff, but otherwise he went quiet, allowing you to apply the flame and seal the injury. Moving quickly to spare him any unnecessary pain, you pretended not to notice his small tremors of discomfort as you worked, wishing you had some real painkillers to take the edge off. Unfortunately you only had enough for the truly critical emergencies...

As soon as the gash was sealed, you killed the flame and lifted your mask to inspect it. The mesh was still rough yet looking ready to start the natural healing process, compelling you to sigh softly before you stepped back to give him some room. "Try that out for me; does it feel okay?"

Lifting the arm in question, Soundwave flexed it to test the patch, not showing any sign of discomfort as he stretched out the mesh that had been gaping and bleeding when he'd arrived. Nodding once, he stood up from the makeshift medical berth as if ready to go at that very second. A quick tilt of his helm turned his visor to you. "This is acceptable."

"Keep an eye on it, and try to take it easy for a while. I'd like it if at least one of my patch jobs got a chance to heal properly." you replied with tangible weariness, thinking back to the countless cons you'd fixed up only for them to come stumbling back in a day or so to have their injuries patched up again. He was always the absolute worst of the bunch when it came to ignoring your orders, and judging by his lack of concern while testing out his injured arm, he had no intention of being careful this time around.

"I cannot make promises." he replied simply, looking ready to leave even if he'd only just stepped off the operating table. Going for the door of the small warehouse you'd turned into a safe house, he stopped to face you, speaking as plainly as he always did. "There is much to be done."

"I know, just..." you trailed off and took the opportunity to climb up the catwalk that rounded the building, putting yourself more at his eye level to say what was needed. He turned his attention to you completely, remaining respectfully quiet as you found the words to voice your concerns, though it was admittedly hard not to feel silly as you did so. Fussing over a three story warrior would have seemed unnecessary to most. "I worry, okay? I've got limited supplies, and if you ever need more than I have, there's not much I'll be able to do."

Though he only had the visor, you swore his expression shifted as if he raised a brow in surprise. Either way he went silent before turning on the spot and returning to your side, crouching down to speak at a far more intimate level.

"Concern... noted." he replied with a nod, every syllable delivered with careful consideration. You couldn't help smiling at the softness he seemed to reserve just for you, especially when he went quiet and seemed to plan out his next words before speaking them in a tone you dared to call bashful.

"Care will be taken."

You reached out and laid a hand on his, ignoring how he averted his gaze from what you knew was embarrassment before you replied softly "That's all I ask."

[literaticat]

Hiya Jenn,

I really appreciate all the info you have shared here over so many years. It's SO very helpful!

So, I'm having a bit of a menty-b about something a fellow writer reported about one of their submissions. Apparently, one of the editors receiving said sub asked why the author had "so many" publishers. Like, huh? Even worse? The author said that this was the second time their agent was asked that question and the agent felt that they had to send references to the editor to prove all the different publishers wasn't because their client was difficult to work with!

I mean, what in the what? Given the state of publishing -- so many editors moving or leaving entirely, editors being burned out, houses becoming mega-houses -- I thought we were past the era of authors staying with the same editor for every book. Especially when editors move or when authors write for more than one age group or have different styles for different books. I myself have had five different publishers because if my original editor(s) turned down a sub, we took it elsewhere> Because that's how we're going to make money if someone else wants it?

I guess I just don't get this thinking of sticking with a small number of editors because it really seems like that's from a bygone era (and one not conducive to authors making money as I mentioned), and I was wondering if you had encountered it. Thank you!

SLOW YOUR ROLL, KID.

You (and your friend) are reading much more into this than needs to be read into it, IMO. I have been doing this for nigh on two decades, and I've had this question plenty of times -- and never once has it been a problem, an issue, or anything of the kind. They are just curious, it's not an interrogation.

They asked "what's with all the publishers" because they just want to know, hey, what's with all the publishers? And there's usually a good answer to that, yes? Like, you and your agent presumably have some kind of strategy, (or at least, your agent can formulate a response that doesn't make you sound bonkers) So the answer will probably be something like: "Well, we have her nonfiction picture books with PUBLISHER A, her MG novels with PUBLISHER B, and her nonfiction MG with PUBLISHER C -- since this project is a fiction PB, we are going out to new folks."

Or perhaps, "In recent years she's been working mainly with Publishers A for Picture Books and B for novels, but recently her editor at B left the business, so as much as we appreciate the team, she doesn't have a real connection with anyone there anymore, so, we're looking for a new home for this novel."

Or perhaps, "She's always writing something new and different, so it happens that we've ended up with a diverse array of publishers; I'd love for her to build an audience for [this new kind of book] though!"

All publishers WANT to "build author's careers" and have a loyal publishing relationship and yadda yadda. Or at least, they will always SAY that is their goal. But obviously, in the cold light of day, one publisher is unlikely to publish EVERY SINGLE ONE of your books for decades, particularly if you are quite prolific and/or writing very different kinds of books. We all know this. It's not a ding to have worked with lots of publishers, as long as you have always been pleasant and easy to work with and people aren't running wild with tales of how difficult you are.

At the end of the day, if the publisher loves the book and wants to publish it, your having had different publishers in the past will not be a stumbling block. (And this is highly unlikely, but IF they are put off by the fact that you have had different publishers -- guess what, they weren't gonna publish the book anyway, and they were just looking for excuses to say no!)

[fairysbookshelf]

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

Book Stats:

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐(3.5/5)

Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️(2/5)

Tropes: Cozy Fantasy, Occult Romance, Lgbtq+ romance

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Summary:

Marigold has always known she is different. She has never enjoyed the highs of society, she much rather run thru the woods. So, when her grandmother starts to die and she must now take over as the Honey Witch and protect the magical isle that her grandmother has been living on forever. Only problem? Her family has a curse placed on it and now Marigold can never fall in love. Marigold, who just got her heart broken, doesn't think this really is a issue, until she meets Lonnie, who turns her world upside down.

Review:

Okay, so let's start with the good things? I absolutely LOVE the cute cozy vibes this book brings to the table. Also the cover? SOOO PRETTY!

There is some really great representation in here. Grief is explored, in many different ways and shows how many people deal with such. Its such a hard topic to address in books, because if you don't do it right, then the whole thing just seems inhuman. I think the author nailed it perfectly, in showing how exactly the characters are effected, each in different ways. Second, there are several LGBTQ+ relationships that are shown. Fantasy novels are constantly picked on for the lack of diversity in the community so it's definitely a nice change.

The writing style & diction is truly amazing. I truly felt transported to 1800's England.

The book was such a hard one to get thru. It truly is a interesting concept, but it was struggling to hold my attention. I think it may be a "Me issue" as I always struggle with slow paced books, but I also think it's maybe because of the plot.

So, full disclosure, I am not sure there is a plot? Just a lot of relationship fluff..... The overarching conflict was there, but it wasn't really over arching. It was mentioned in the beginning, maybe once in the middle, and at the very very end. It was more about the relationship between our two FMC's then anything, which if your into that, this book will be right up your alley. But for me, this book was advertised as a cozy fantasy with a romance SIDEPLOT(capitalized for a reason people!), so can it still be that when it's only mentioned a couple of times?

The characters, they were just, fine. Nothing special, nothing crazy, just fine. They have chemistry, I will give the author that, and just enough backstory to not make you question things but not enough to truly make them feel realistic.

I think if you are looking for a more romance heavy book, with a dash of magic this book could be perfect for you. That being said, it was just mid for me, which sucks because I really was looking forward to it.

[pysoch]

Hey guys I have scout angst for you all :3

So one of my favorite musical artists is a fella named Matt Maltese. He's most recognized for his song "As The World Caves In", but he has some absolute bangers in his discography. There's specifically one song from one of his upcoming albums that's been encasing my mind these past hours of my life.

It's raw, which I really like about Matt's music. He doesn't loveslick lyrics like a lot of other songs, but they also have metaphorical meaning occasionally. Usually they're blunt, like this one. However blah blah I can rant about music some other damn time, here's my lil Scout headcanons!!!!!

For maximum experience listen to song. It might make some of these see my vision behind the song.

(t/w for angst and sensitive topics, as usual)

_______________________________

- Scout doesn't like Pauling just because of her looks, duh, but also because she does some things that his mother would do (do not bring Freud into this). Like snorting when she laughs or having a plan C, D, etc for everything. Blunt and humerous, but kind regardless. I guarantee he sends letters to his ma about her.

- Sometimes in battles he completely turns off his voice communications and listens to the muffled chaos around him. It brings him an odd sense of peace when he doesn't have voices interrupting it.

- Although he's still kind an extroverted bragger, and the obvious self esteem issues behind that, he also wears the shield of overconfidence because his ma before he left said he's her favourite soldier of the family.

- Even though in the comics Scout seems to be abrasive towards talking about his dad, he in the hours of the nights talks about it freely to either Engineer or Pyro.

- Adding to that, Engineer is definitely a fatherly figure towards Scout. Scout clings to every time Engie calls him "son" like the southerner he is, and though it's just a nickname, Scout takes it to heart and in his head imagines it as an endearing title.

- Sometimes Scout still goes under his blankets at night and puts a pillow behind his back to pretend its his ma holding him when he's scared or sad. He gets homesick a lot.

- He'll yap about how he's more successful than his brothers but will defend them from other people with his life. Knows em all by name, too, and I like to envision they all write alongside the letters his ma sends. He keeps every single one.

- When he first experienced respawn whilst in the medium, he cried out for his mom and sobbed. Not because of anything to do with death, but because he realized she would've then lost both her husband and her baby boy.

- Once he came back, he crossed his fingers and whispered a "love you" to the ground because of a superstition he has that if you do that then look to the ground, the words will find their way to the recipient's hands and to their ears. He always does it with his ma in mind :)

- Scout has only physically self harmed once, and it was before he was recruited because of ongoing depression. He vowed to never do it again after waking up to his ma holding his arm and crying out small "sorry"s.

- After the comic "reveal" of Tom Jones being his "dad", Scout acts as if he's honored to be his son, but has slowly gained a small resentment towards the singer and can't quite listen to his music the same.

- Heavy and Scout often argue, but Heavy inside really has the brotherly instinct of wanting to protect Scout. Scout semi-recognizes this because he sees Heavy's demeanor like one of his older brothers, but denies that Heavy is intentionally doing it because of resentment.

- BLU and RED scout are the only doppels that still aren't used to each other, and will do whatever it takes to avoid even so much as hearing one another in battle; sometimes avoiding direct instructions from administrator to do so.

I'm really tired so I'm gonna head to sleep for the next half hour before morning classes begin goodnight my lovely followers!!!!!!!!!!!

[newwwwusername]

Community - Jeff & Study Group - Pride Month Prompt 30 : Aromantic

Warning : Arophobia Requested by : Anonymous on my Google Form Request : I'm not sure if you're taking requests for the Pride Month prompt challenge or not, but I really like aromantic!Jeff Winger and I'd like to read a fic about it on the last day of the challenge if possible Pride Month Prompt : Write a fic in which an aromantic character (can be a canon or headcanoned character) is coming out to/being comforted by/otherwise talking about romantic orientation with their friend(s) or queerplatonic partner Headcanon : Alloaro!Jeff

"Guys, I've realized something about myself" Jeff said with a big smile on his face as he entered the study room. The rest of the group looked up at him.

"You are gay" Pierce guessed.

"Uh, no" Jeff shook his head as he set down his bag by the leg of the table and sat down. "I'm... Aromantic"

The room went still.

"Sorry, you're whatnow?" Shirley asked. Everyone else seemed equally confused- Except for Britta, that is.

"I call bullshit" the blonde spoke up. Everyone looked at her. Jeff seemed uncomfortable.

"Um-

"If you're aromantic, what's with all the advances you've been trying to make on me since day one?" she asked.

"I think you're hot and wanted to have sex with you, not a whole relationship" Jeff said and then winced as he realized how that came out. Britta scoffed. "I didn't mean it like that"

"Okay, Jeff" she rolled her eyes. The man looked hurt, which was odd, but seriously who the hell did he think he was? There were people out there who were actually aromantic and here he was flagging the label around because he had commitment iss-

He got up and left the room.

----------

Abed walked into he and Jeff's dorm room and took in the sad expression on his roommate's face.

"So, what's aromantic?" he asked. Jeff chuckled humorlessly.

"You heard what Britta said" Jeff sighed. "It doesn't matter"

"Britta tends to do surface-level research on a lot of things, but she rarely actually makes an effort to understand them" Abed replied. "I'd like to know what it means to you, since you're the one who this is actually about"

Jeff smiled weakly at his friend before taking a deep breath and giving an explanation.

"I've just never saw myself in a real relationship with anyone" he explained. "Romantically, I mean. Sex is nice. Friends are nice. But the idea of dating someone just isn't all that compelling to me" he continued. "And it's not just an issue of not wanting to commit"

"Okay" Abed said. Jeff stared at him for a moment.

"Okay?"

"Okay" Abed repeated. "Do you want me to tell Britta that?"

"No, no, I'll do it" Jeff replied before groaning in annoyance. "This whole thing is so dumb..."

"I don't think it's dumb"

"Well, thank you, Abed"

----------

"Britta, hey" Jeff said meekly as he approached the blonde in the line of the cafe. She rolled her eyes and looked away but didn't tell him to fuck off, so he supposed he could continue. "I want to talk about what happened"

"Are you done pretending to be something your not so you don't have to own up to your bullshit?"

"Britta, I'm not pretending to be anything, I-"

"Right, right" she laughed humorlessly. "Of course. Because big and mighty Jeff Winger never does anything wrong"

"Britta, lis-"

"He'd never treat a woman like an object he can just fuck and then throw out. No, no, cause he's different and special"

"Brit-"

"He's 'aromantic', so it's all perfectly well and good if he-"

"BRITTA!" he shouted and a few people turned in their direction, concerned. Britta's mouth clamped shut as she stared at the agitated man. "Sorry... Sorry, I didn't mean to yell" he apologized. She still said nothing. "I just... Look, I'll buy your breakfast, but please just... Sit and listen to what I have to say?"

"Okay, Jeff" she agreed quietly before pulling out her phone to text him her order as she sat at one of the smaller tables.

He returned a few minutes later with two coffees, a croissant, and the sandwich that Britta had asked for as well. He sat by her at the table and handed her her breakfast before contemplating his next words, grateful that she just remained patient.

"I've never felt... The urge to get romantically involved with people" he explained. "It's not that I have a fear of commitment or anything like that, I just don't want it" he continued. "And yeah, sex is nice. I like having sex with people, but just so long as we're... Friends. The thought of anything becoming more than platonic fuck buddies just... It isn't appealing to me"

"...Jeff-"

"What?"

"I'm sorry" Britta sighed. Jeff's eyes widened. "I mean, I'm sure you can understand why I was on guard, but still... I shouldn't have said those things. If this is how you really feel, then I'm sorry, and I accept you"

"So... Does that mean we can be fuck buddies now?"

"Very funny"

----------

Jeff walked in for study group with a weak smile on this face. "I'm gonna try this again"

Abed smiled. Britta nodded.

"I am Aromantic" he said, this time with more confidence. In response to the confused looks, he continued. "It just means I don't feel the want or urge to date people. I don't feel that spark, and I'd like for all my relationships to remain platonic"

"Oh, okay" Troy nodded genuinely. "That makes sense"

"Thank you for telling us, Jeff" Shirley smiled.

"This actually makes a lot of sense" Annie laughed lightheartedly.

"Pierce?" Jeff asked, looking at the old man. The man seemed to consider this for a moment before speaking.

"So... You're still gay, right?"

Do not repost on other sites! If you want to participate in this month's challenge, there are 30 LGBT-centered prompts that you can find here