#but I also love the warm feeling from the farmhouse arc | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sukirichi · 5 months ago

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[ DUSK ‘TILL DAWN : 010 ]

“we who bear the burden of the crown do not need to love. you only need to stay here, with me, in power, in greed, in lust – in victory.”

cw. modern royal au. infidelity. slight angst. reader is beginning to question everything she knew. reader almost drowns. toxic characters. suggestive. toxic relationships. unedited. SHIRTLESS KIYOOMI SHIRTLESS KIYOOMI

notes. the end of kiyoomi arc... mayhaps? also highly recommend listening to the linked song for this chapter and the fanmade playlist linked in the masterlist <3

wc. 8k

series masterlist

[ TEN ] you’ll see me in hindsight, tangled up with you all night, burning it down. someday when you leave me, I bet these memories follow you around

You underestimated Kiyoomi’s enthusiasm.

Blame it on the fact you would’ve never figured the word ‘enthusiasm’ and Kiyoomi could fit in the same sentence, but as always – the Prince was full of surprises. At precisely seven in the morning, he had knocked on your door to wake you up. Not the maid, nor the butler. The Prince himself. He’d asked you to join him for breakfast, boasting that everything was from farm to table – the cheese from the milk of his cows, the meat from his poultry, the scrambled eggs neatly placed around the plate – save for the wine he’d brought all the way from Greenville. ‘Nothing like liquor from your lands,’ he’d commented, and poured you a drink. You stifled a laughter. You hadn’t thought one could have wine for breakfast, but alas, the customs in the Palace were different. Here, you were just you, and Kiyoomi could simply be.

After breakfast, he’d given you a tour of his farmhouse, although calling it ‘house’ was entirely too humble.

Located in the countryside, surrounded by thick greenery and a dense forest with overlooking hills, Kiyoomi’s farmhouse felt like a sanctuary compared to the Palace. He didn’t even need much security, whatnot with the tall trees decorating the driveway to offer privacy. His gardens contained lush greens, and a diverse variety of flowers you hadn’t ever seen before. He knew them all by heart, even their scientific names. You teased him about it, how he was just showing off at this point, because who spews scientific names of flowers when no one asked? He took it with grace, though, or as much grace a flustered Prince could, anyway.

He’d scratched the back of his ear, looking at everywhere but you. “You spend enough time reading books and you can’t help studying everything.”

“I think it’s impressive,” you nudged his shoulder, “I’d certainly boast, too, if I had that knowledge.”

His brows furrowed in confusion. “But maybe not about flowers. No one cares about flowers.”

“I do!”

“Sure,” he snorted, “As long as they’re pretty enough to look at, you’ll like them.”

“I can’t help that I like pretty things.”

“No, you can’t,” his face smoothened, and he snuck a glance at you – all too quickly before straightening up. “I certainly can’t.”

Sometimes, you wondered if Kanami made herself busy on purpose. If maybe, just maybe, she had installed cameras all around the farmhouse and giggled to herself if she could see you and her son interacting. Bent over a bed flowers, with Kiyoomi explaining their origins, and you listening intently. Or Kiyoomi introducing you to his chickens (yes, he’d named them), and then snickering (which you soon learned was his version of a laugh) when you ran away after a mother hen mistook you for a threat. Of course, you didn’t share the same sentiments of humor. The mother hen’s claws were not a laughing matter, but Kiyoomi thought otherwise. He’d simply shaken his head because he wouldn’t let any form of harm come to you, anyway.

You wished that offhanded comment didn’t make you feel so warm inside.

Being here with Kiyoomi was… Well, it was better than anything you’d expected. This was how you wished your honeymoon had been – filled with laughter, sharing in good, lighthearted conversation, and being a part of nature. Spending minutes in silence while you took in your daily dose of sunlight. Being in good company. You were glad you accepted Kanami’s offer, and you only enjoyed yourself more with each passing hour you’d made yourself acquainted with Kiyoomi and his precious farm.

And then there was that nagging voice that told you he wasn’t Rintaro.

You snorted. He definitely wasn’t. If he had been Rintaro, you would probably be in the middle of nowhere, miserable, and crying yourself until you’ve dried up like a prune. No – you didn’t want to think about him right now. It would defeat the entire purpose of this getaway. You wanted to enjoy yourself, and enjoy you did. For now, you gazed upon everything your human eyes could take in – the slope of the hills, the slight swaying of the tree leaves from the fresh breeze, the cows grazing on the grass, and Kiyoomi’s dog, Kael, herding those who went astray. Such a confusing image to paint, that of a Prince wearing his riding boots at the porch of his back garden.

“Wow,” you exhaled, following him into the stables. He’d lent you some boots, too, and was now reigning the straddle parts for the horses. “I underestimated your place. Do you own all of these lands?”

“I do,” he proudly said, and swung open the tiny, white wooden gates to reveal a tall horse with shining black fur. He chuffed upon the sight of Kiyoomi. His tail wagged, his snout reaching over just when Kiyoomi extended his palm to cup his nose. In front of you, a ghost of a smile flittered on his lips. “This is Astra. He’s mine. Had him since he was an infant; Kanami got him for me on my twelfth birthday.”

You couldn’t help but smile too. For all his grumpiness around his Mother’s fretting of him, it was clear the Prince loved her. And it was such a nice thing to see since the other Princes weren’t so lucky when it came to their mothers.

Kiyoomi beckoned you to come forward, and so you did. You were hesitant at first, because Astra was enormous. He stood at least two heads taller than you, with thick, powerful legs that could easily crush you with one kick. But Kiyoomi was there holding him close by his reigns, and you grew more confidence with each step. Smiling at him, you bravely lifted a hand to cup his face.

“Hello, Astra. You are so beautiful.”

Astra chuffed at your compliment, and Kiyoomi let out his barely audible breathy chuckles.

“He’s flattered by the compliment. And that one next to him is Lucy, his girlfriend. She’s great for beginner riders,” he was now fixing Lucy’s reigns as he spoke, adjusting the foothold before leaning over her to glance at you. “Have you ridden one before?”

“Only several times.”

Nodding, you followed as Kiyoomi led the two horses outside the barn. Astra seemed to be over the moon upon being with Lucy without being separated by their gates, chuffing and whinnying repeatedly while bumping noses with her. Lucy was much more reserved, but returned the gesture and even licked him adoringly, which made your chest ache. Gods. Now you were jealous because these horses had a healthier, more loving relationship than you.

Before you could dwell on it, however, a pair of strong arms were already lifting you up. You yelped as you rose mid-air and flailed wildly. The ground below you disappeared, and soon, you were perched on Lucy’s back, while Kiyoomi effortlessly hopped on a much taller Astra. The action seemed so natural to him as if he’d done it multiple times – and dare you say, infuriatingly attractive. The Prince had the top three buttons of his shirt undone because he’d worked a sweat chasing the chickens away from you a while ago, and his curls stuck to his forehead in a way that showcased high-chiseled cheekbones you hadn’t seen before. And… wow. He was breathtaking without realizing it. It felt wrong to think that way, to feel this way, but it was just admiration, was it not? He was a literal Prince Charming, with a dash of awkwardness, and a spritz of unexpected geekiness.

You turned away when his large, calloused, and veiny hands began stroking Astra’s mane. You’d rather not have to think about how those same strong, yet gentle hands lifted you up as if you weighed nothing, and truly, that white shirt of his did little to hide his muscular build. Clearing your throat to rid yourself of those thoughts, you tightened your grip on the reins. “Where to, my Prince?”

“To the edge of the world.”

A smirk was all he gave you before he tapped Astra with his ankles, sending the stallion running off. Your jaw dropped. You hadn’t expected he’d leave you behind, and you refused to be left alone. Mimicking his gestures, you tapped on Lucy and bellowed. She ran and ran, hard enough that your bottom began to feel sore, but that was nothing, absolutely nothing compared to the sensation of the fresh wind whipping at your cheeks, the sun shining down on your skin, and the sounds of hooves hitting the Earth. Your racing heart matched the beat of Lucy’s footsteps as she easily caught up to a carefree Astra. She whinnied, and he responded with one of his own, making the Prince smile when you showed up beside him not a moment later – the smile on your faces proud.

“I knew you could catch up,” he shouted from over the wind, and your smile broadened.

The two of you rode aimlessly for what seemed like hours, even if it was just only minutes. Kiyoomi took you everywhere – in the middle of the forest, where you squealed as the horses ran over puddles and the dirt muddied your boots. But you found yourself unable to care. You were filled with so much glee, with so much life, that you were certain your heart was now pulsing in your arms. It was surreal how much you could see in slow motion despite the speed you were riding at. How your vision had become crystal clear as you took in the tall trees surrounding you, the deers running off and hiding when you’d ran past them. How Kiyoomi always seemed to be a few steps ahead, but always looking back to see if you’d follow him. You did, and you always would, even as he led you deeper into the forest and past the clearing.

Astra slowly skidded to a halt as you took in the scenery in front of you, and you tugged on Lucy, eyes wide open and jaw dropped. A nearly torn down fortress built of stone that was probably piled hand by hand stood before you, vines and moss growing from the walls from old age. It seemed sturdy, yet the holes and cracked towers said otherwise. It must have been centuries since someone last used this place.

“Are those castles?”

“Castle ruins,” he corrected, clicking his tongue as he led Astra to circle around the ruins. “Before Inarizaki split from Itachiyama, the first rulers set their base here.”

“So this was where the original monarchs were.”

It was the typical layout of a castle, with a flatter centre in the middle, and two, tall pillars on its side to serve as its towers. The right tower had already been destroyed, though, leaving a hole in its wake. The large wooden doors from the entrance of the castle had multiple marks on it, as if people had repeatedly tried to beat the doors down with their stakes and weapons. Black marks also decorated the stones, and judging by the empty, darkened patches of soils that was blatantly contrasting with the otherwise growing greenery around the ruins, this Castle must’ve been burnt down at some point.

“Yes, but as you can see, they’re nothing but ruins now. Inarizaki took with them whatever old rules and scriptures they had back in the old days. That’s why we still keep some traditions in our country, although its true origin was from the True Land. The old Itachiyama.”

“Traditions such as last dances on a debut ball?”

“Traditions such as that,” he agreed, rather shyly. His voice had grown distant now that he rode before you, more out of protectiveness as he peeked in the open windows. Once satisfied with what he’d seen, he jumped off Astra and walked to you, absentmindedly placing his large palm on your knee. “We can go see the ruins for ourselves, if you would like.”

Heat spread from where his hand came into contact with your skin – or leggings. Blinking back your nervousness, you reached your hands out to Kiyoomi, letting him gently place you down until you were steady on your feet.

“We are allowed? Wouldn’t that be trespassing?”

“We are royals. Technically, these are the homes of our ancestors,” he stated, and then pursed his lips when you didn’t laugh. “It was a jest. Everyone is free to roam around as they please. As I have said, Itachiyama has less rules.”

You venture inside the castle ruins, fascinated by it all. You kept thinking about what Kiyoomi said – how these were the homes of your ancestors. Once, a long time ago in history, Inarizaki and Itachiyama were united as one, huge territory. Their Kings and Queens lived here and wrote history for themselves. People roamed these hallways once, and it must have been bustling with life. These same stone staircases in which you climbed on were probably littered with torches beside the walls, with their knights guarding each mysterious and hidden door. And gods, the things done behind those doors. Did the Princesses giggle amongst themselves during tea times? Did the Princes like to sharpen their swords and had their choice of horses, as well?

Did the Kings love their Queens?

So many questions unanswered, except Kiyoomi did have answers. He satisfied your unending curiosity by telling you everything you wanted to know – that yes, Kings did love their Queens and former monarchs had many heirs and heiresses. Or how the original Castle only had a right and left wing, but the last King before the country was split in two dedicated a South wing as a burial spot for his wife, the last Queen, who had died in childbirth. He was nicknamed ‘The King of the End’ because his wife’s death led him to a dark path of war, bloodshed, and ultimately, the separation of Inarizaki and Itachiyama. He had become so cruel in his grief that he wielded his power as King wrongly; starving his people, abusing his servants, and neglecting his daughter, who had become the leader of a movement that gave way to Itachiyama becoming an independent territory. Unable to handle anymore of her father’s evil ruling, she’d banished him to Inarizaki, to the northern areas of the country, where her father continued the monarchy.

The story – heartbreaking and dark – caused the mood to dampen. You watched as Kiyoomi stopped inspecting the rooms, probably imagining for himself how this place held a lot of memories, both good and bad. He’d even made a point that he technically wasn’t a half-blood foreigner, since Inarizaki and Itachiyama all originated from one nation.

But he brushed it off, and you wondered if the Prince somehow felt alienated for being the only ‘half-blooded Prince.’ Which you found ridiculous because if that was the logic you followed, then all the Princes except Rintaro would be a half-blood for being illegitimate children. You made no other comments, however, and instead let the Prince reveal things about himself that he could in his own pace. Still, it seemed his mind had gone off a different path the quieter you got, and you nudged his shoulder, a teasing smile on his face.

“I still can’t believe you attended my debut ball. I was a nobody at the time. To hear of a Prince coming…”

Kiyoomi looked confused.

“You were not a nobody. Your father is the kingdom’s general.”

“Yes, but we like to keep to ourselves, and Inarizaki hasn’t fought wars in decades. It isn’t like my father is an active soldier when he has no battles to partake in.”

“He is still an important figure for the Crown. Not to mention your mother comes from a family of business tycoons,” he reminded, narrowing his eyes at you in what seemed to be ridicule – more out of puzzlement than rudeness. “You truly are unaware of your influence, do you? Your family is one of the three noble families that helped Inarizaki’s kings hold the crown.”

You shrugged. You were well-aware of your family’s position in the Kingdom, but it did not feel the same. “That may be true, but I did not go out much. People did not make efforts to befriend me, either. I cannot help but think people do not care much about me.”

“All of the Princes received the invitation letter for your birthday, but we get them enough that Her Majesty discards them, or leaves it up to our judgment should we wish to go,” as if recalling the memory crystal clear, the Prince went beet-red from his neck-up. He tried to hide it by puffing out his collar, but to no avail. The redness of his skin still peeked from his shirt, and you stifled a giggle. “I had just turned twenty-one at that time, so my mother had visited. I guess you could say it was sheer luck that she chanced upon your invitation and insisted I go.”

“To establish connections and form alliances with the general’s daughter?” you cajoled.

“To find a wife, actually,” he sputtered out, “My mother worries I will die a lonely man because I do not speak with women. Or to anyone, at all.”

“You speak plenty to me.”

“Only because I enjoy your company, and our conversations are not mindless, boring politics.”

“True, but if we were back in the Palace, I would have probably talked about politics with you. Or worse, biscuits and tea. We would not have been able to talk casually about flowers, or say,” you gestured around you, “The history of our countries and all the wars caused by a man in love.”

“May history never repeat itself,” he replied drily, and you laugh.

You roamed the ruins for a little longer, noticing details like the dusty and faded portraits of the old monarchs. Some of them have been torn up, save for a portrait of a beautiful young woman who must have been the last Queen. The one buried at the South Wing.

The rooms had been emptied, too, which you found off. You expected to see at least remnants of a bed, or a study, but Kiyoomi had explained that not much survived the fire. You were enamored with everything, though, feeling like you were time travelling. And you didn’t stop exploring until you’ve turned every room upside down without bothering the evidence of history, and Kiyoomi was content to let you be. Later, when you’d both grown tired and weary of the weakening rock fortress, you returned to where you tied Astra and Lucy.

The way back home was blissfully silent. The horses were no longer running, since Kiyoomi said the sun would shine brightest at this time of day, and he wanted to take you somewhere beautiful. Letting him lead the way, he led you back inside the forest and towards a lake hidden by the tall trees. It almost felt like a gated pathway, with all the trees lined up to the side and the lake sitting smack in the middle of it all.

He was right – the sunlight made everything a hundred times more beautiful.

The water glinted, gleamed like it was made of crystals. The water was so clear you could see everything underneath, from the tiny pebbles, down to the fishes swimming underneath in all bright colors. Even your reflection smiled back at you brightly. Unable to help it, you dipped a finger into the water, fascinated by the small ripples it caused, and how the smaller fishes scurried away from the motion.

Meanwhile, Kiyoomi secured the ties of the horses around a nearby tree and opened his satchel, handing you a red apple. “I grew it myself,” he nudged the fruit towards, “Here.”

“Thank you.”

You bit down on it, and held back a moan. Gods. Was Itachiyama heaven or something? Or did fruits just taste better fresh and without preservatives? His apples were juicier than the ones you have back at home, and you were gobbling it, uncaring of the juices that ran down your wrist, leaving a sticky trail in its wake. Kiyoomi had an apple for himself, too, but he seemed too amused by your reactions to start eating his.

“So,” you leaned back on your palms, bum flat on the bank, “What do you do back in the Palace?”

“Avoid Belleview at all costs.” He casted another sideways glance your way. “Do not ask me why.”

You wouldn’t dare ask why – you both knew – but you couldn’t stop your tongue from expressing your curiosity.

“Has… has Her Majesty ever pressured you and Iris to have children?”

“That is a very personal and uncomfortable question,” he sighed, exasperated, “But to answer you, no. She could care less about us as long as we fulfill our duties and do the necessary work. I imagine the case will be different for you, though, seeing as you married her precious son.”

“She hasn’t told us anything, but on the dinners we share with her, she will imply a thing or two.”

He snorted, and took a bite of his apple. “Well, good luck with that.”

“Have you known Iris a long time?”

“No. I never even knew she existed until Her Majesty told me I was getting married,” gently, he took the leftover apple core from your hands and pulled out a handkerchief, dipping the ends of it into the water before reaching for you. You stared at him, confused, when he gestured to your palms. Realization dawned on you, and you handed him your palm. Carefully, the Prince rolled up the sleeves of your blouse all the way up to your elbows and wiped the sticky remnants of the juice with his damp handkerchief.

His actions – so gentle yet intentional – made you feel all kinds of things you shouldn’t be feeling in the first place.

Yet, you couldn’t make yourself pull away from his grasp even if you wanted to.

“Why do you keep asking about her? I figured you would avoid anything that concerns her.”

You winced. “I just… I cannot help but compare myself to her. I often wonder what she has that I do not. Why Rintaro is completely smitten with her, and why he cannot love me just the same,” you admitted, thankful that the Prince has your hand in his, otherwise you’d make all sorts of flailing gestures and make yourself look more like a bumbling fool compared to the ever-so-graceful Iris. “It’s not to say I am the better choice, but have I not given him everything? I gave him my heart and soul. I vowed to spend a lifetime with him. What has she given him that I could not?”

“My brother is a fool. You cannot intellectualize a fool’s decision.”

“On the contrary, your brother is very smart.”

“Academically, maybe, but he knows nothing about life.”

“Oh, and you do?”

“I have lived longer than him.”

“Only by three years!”

“And yet it is crystal clear to me what Rintaro cannot see,” he pulled your sleeves down and stashed his handkerchief back into his satchel, leaning forward with his hand on his knee as he cast you a hard look. You couldn’t read whether it was anger, or something else entirely on his face. “He is a witless excuse of a husband, and more so of a man, because he truly deluded himself that he is in love with Iris when he is not.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Those two do not even talk,” he scoffed, “They merely use each other’s bodies as a way of getting oneself of. But I doubt Rintaro has shared anything intimate with her, and knowing Iris, she will not open her heart to him, either. At least I know very well she does not share the same affections.”

You shook your head, consciously rubbing your wrists together.

“What you speak of is impossible. They care about each other.”

“Rintaro doesn’t even know Iris is allergic to shellfish. He has tried feeding it to her plenty of times on their ‘dates.’ And Iris has not an effing clue over what Rintaro likes outside the bedroom – things that a lover should know about their significant other. What makes Rintaro smile? What makes Iris tick? They know none of that. They are not in love. They are just lonely.”

You flinched. “I was lonely, too, when I met the Crown Prince. Does that mean I was not in love, as well?”

“You are in love,” he gritted his teeth, “Hopelessly so. And I honestly wish you had chosen better. Anyone instead of him.”

You opened your mouth to retort – somehow, his words sounded like an insult. As if you were an idiot for falling for Rintaro, and even worse, for marrying him. Fine, you were stupid. Sure, you didn’t make the best decisions when you were in love, but must he be so cruel about it? His words had pierced your pride and shattered it, and you felt humiliated. So you stood up, determined to walk away from the Prince when your foot slipped on something, and the world turned upside down.

The blue of the sky shifted from the clearness of the water as you were submerged. The scream you were about to let out was lodged in your throat, and you kept sinking, sinking, sinking. You thrashed your arms out wildly as your wet clothes weighed you down. You struggled to breathe, your eyes stinging until you were pulled out of the water and hefted into Kiyoomi’s lap.

“Princess! Are you well?”

His hands were everywhere. Cracking your eyes open to ensure you were with him, his thumb brushing over your lips numb from the cold, and his other hand, warm and comforting at the small of your back. Briefly, in the haze of post-shock and the urgent need for air, you could vaguely see your bra peeking out from the white shirt sticking to you like a second skin. A pastel pink bra – and suddenly you were cold for an entirely different reason. Thankfully, Kiyoomi didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he was too much the gentleman to comment on it.

“Princess,” he tapped your cheek, and this time, you had no choice but to look him in the eye to reassure him. The Prince audibly sighed. “Thank the heavens you didn’t go too deep. Are you okay?”

Your teeth chattered, but you managed to flash him a thumbs-up.

“Th-the water is effing cold.”

Alarm painted over his features. The next thing you know, the Prince was shedding off his shirt and motioning for you to remove yours, as well. He’d already turned around before you could be embarrassed, taking his shirt from his outstretched hands. And my, was it warm. It smelled like him, too, of freshness and mint and nature. But mostly, it was dry, and you had no protests as Kiyoomi carried you once again – this time on Astra’s back instead of Lucy.

“Here, ride with me. Share my heat just until we head back to the farm.”

“O–” Kiyoomi was behind you in an instant, his chest deliciously warm as it pressed flushed against your back. Meanwhile, you burned to your core with embarrassment. He didn’t notice, though, because the Prince was too busy trying to get Lucy to follow him, all at the same time leading Astra forward with you blocking his path. He was so close his natural scent wafted off of you, something so masculine yet comforting. The muscles on his arms also flexed when he reached for Astra’s reign, and you were certain you were being tested right then and there. “–Kay.”

“Princess, can you promise me something?”

The hairs at the back of your hair stood. He sounded a lot closer than you previously thought he was. “Y-Yes?”

“You should avoid Iris at all costs. She is not who you think she is.”

You made it back to the farmhouse in half the time it took you to reach the castle ruins. Kiyoomi had been so worried over your health that he rushed back home. Eventually, he’d snapped at Lucy with such a fierce tone that the poor girl scurried forward, leaving you three behind with a heavier weight. You knew he meant well though – Lucy knew the way back home, and he figured seeing her without a rider would alert one of the servants to anticipate your arrival. True to his words, someone was already waiting.

“Oh, dear! What happened to you?!”

Kanami rushed forward just as Kiyoomi set you down. Like mother, like son – you thought. Kanami wouldn’t stop raising your limbs as if to inspect an injury, and she paled once she realized you were wearing Kiyoomi’s shirt, and her son strutted around the porch in his mighty, shirtless glory. Oh, Heavens. All that farm work really paid off. He was nicely built.

“She fell in the lake,” he responded calmly, though his frantic movements as a servant ran forwards said otherwise. “Please draw a bath for her. And make it warm. Thank you.”

“Yes, sir!” The maid scurried away.

Kiyoomi rushed inside the house first, while Kanami guided you back like you were a newborn foal unsteady on her legs. You didn’t need it, but the kind gesture was appreciated. A moment later, Kiyoomi appeared with a handful of towels.

“Th-thank you.”

“Oh, my, you poor thing,” Kanami crooned, “I will prepare dinner for the three of us. Please do join when you have made yourself comfortable, Your Highness.”

Excusing yourself, you headed upwards and took a warm bath. The tub had already been filled with vanilla and other oils, and you soaked in it, letting the hot water seep into your skin and relax your muscles. It also wouldn’t hurt to smell nice – especially when Kiyoomi always smelled delectable. But just as that thought crossed your mind, and the sight of his abs flexing while he ran around the porch looking for a maid flashed in your memory again, you dunked your head under the water. You’ve heard of cold dunks, but now, it was time for hot dunks.

You had to stop thinking about him.

Or… why should you? Was it to stay loyal to Rintaro? Did it even make sense to be loyal to someone who wasn’t? Was it a sin to be attracted to Kiyoomi when Rintaro was clearly into Iris?

You were exasperated, and by the time you’d finished your bath, the time on the clock told you that you perhaps enjoyed it a little too much. Remembering that Kanami was preparing dinner for tonight, you quickly got dressed and rushed downstairs. You were about to announce yourself when you heard two voices – the loud, clear one of a woman’s, and an aggravated, quieter voice belonging to a man. You froze in your spot, unsure if you should make yourself known. But what if they were arguing? Would that make it worse? Or maybe you should just walk away and not eavesdrop? You should respect their privacy –

“If you have something to say, just spit it out.”

“Silly boy. You could be sweeter to your mother. I cooked your favorite dinner!”

“This was my favorite five years ago.”

“Well, how would I know? You don’t tell me anything!” Kanami argued, and faster than you could blink, her aggravated tone quickly turned into a sickly-sweet one – the persuasive Kanami you knew so well. “Anyways, I just wanted to say I am very proud of you, son. I heard Her Majesty was pleased with the work you managed to finish here, and your people are very delighted to hear you have returned. I really wish you would visit more often.”

“…I will try.”

“And bring Her Highness with you, of course,” she added, and you bit your lip. You could just be imagining it, but Kanami sounded like she had another meaning to it. Like Kiyoomi was somehow by default going to invite you. “Also… speaking of the public. Well, they’re just eager to see you! Both of you! Which is why I am inviting you both to the premiere event of my latest movie-”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“Too many cameras. I don’t like it,” he tried to reason, and you heard footsteps echoing from the dining room. Without enough time to duck and hide, you plastered yourself against the wall, forcing a smile on your face when the Prince caught you red-handed. He smirked, seemingly amused, crossing his arms on his strong chest. “Let me ask the Princess herself if she’d like to go, though. If she does, I might change my mind.”

“I…I’ve never been to a premiere night. I would like to,” you smiled, albeit shyly, your gaze darting between Kanami and her son – who you think is now going to be your biggest problem. Or more like the things he was making you feel was becoming the problem.

“Then it is settled! I’ll bring my stylists over and we will all get ready for tomorrow’s event,” she announced, circling the dining table as she pumped her fists in the air. “Oh, you guys will be the talk of the whole country for weeks! This is going to be great!”

“I look forward to seeing your movie, Kanami.”

“Oh, and don’t forget! You’re each other’s dates,” she winked, and just like that, all hell broke loose.

For a country that claimed to not indulge in the luxuries, Kanami’s premier night could rival that of a Prince’s birthday ball. A red carpet. A hundred photographers, with even more journalists and interviews. Celebrities were everywhere you looked. This night was the definition of a night to be remembered, with all the flashing lights on you that it was actually blinding. Apparently, the public had caught wind that Prince Kiyoomi, and you, a Princess of Inarizaki and a potential Queen, would be attending, so the crowd doubled in size in anticipation. It wasn’t often their lovely Prince made an appearance to public events solely catered for media and entertainment. It was even more baffling he brought a Princess with him – one that wasn’t his wife.

At first, you were anxious they might not like you. You were the date of their Prince, and he wasn’t your husband – but the crowd cheered and screamed as you left the car, your gloved arm looped around Kiyoomi’s. He was extra handsome tonight – his curls gelled back, revealing a handsome face sculpted by the Gods themselves, and he wore a tailored suit nothing short of extravagant.

Kanami’s team did great making you look beautiful too. And dare you say, you felt confident enough to be standing next to the Second Prince. You wore a sleeveless champagne colored dress that hugged your figure well, with a fur cloak wrapped around your shoulders. A Bvlgari Serpenti Viper necklace hang on your neck, a gift from Kanami before she left first for the event. It was a simple look – nothing too flashy, and yet you could tell the difference from your usual outfits were you to show up in royal events.

Firstly, you wouldn’t be allowed to show this much skin. The amount of collarbones exposed for the world to see would have Her Majesty in a cardiac arrest. And the necklace you wore wasn’t dainty or minimal enough – by Her Majesty’s standards. The fur cloak would have her in shambles, too, but somehow, you couldn’t care that much.

Kiyoomi couldn’t tear his gaze off of you, and the cameras flashed at each move you made. Every blink, every smile, every nervous graze of your finger against Kiyoomi’s arm.

The last time people had noticed you this much and showed their love for you was when you married Rintaro. The only difference was you didn’t feel this exhilarated. On that day, you only felt miserable. Like your entire hurt was on display for the world to see. That your heartbreak was being broadcasted worldwide, and the smiles Rintaro sent your way was scripted, perfected for the cameras.

Kiyoomi wasn’t like that.

Kiyoomi wasn’t like him.

He never looked at the cameras once. He only had his eyes on you, and when he spoke, he did so behind your earrings, as if he was aware people could read his lips and this moment was private. It was just you and him, and not even the watchful, inquisitive eyes of the world could take this away from you. He made you feel safe, utterly protected even when presented for everyone to judge and criticize.

“If you wish to leave at any point, tell me and I will take you away from here.”

His voice, deep and smooth and gentle, sent shivers down your spine. It felt oddly intimate taking photos with him like this, how his arms had snaked around your waist to pull you closer to him. How he would always speak secretively, yet the slight curling of his lips would be open for the cameras to witness. How his fingerless ring sits comfortably at your hip, and you were leaning against him, smiling at the cameras whilst he smiles at you. The moment was utterly sensitive that you feared one wrong move could undo it all.

And you wouldn’t let it.

Turning your head to the side, you leaned up to whisper at him. “Thank you, but I think I will enjoy myself tonight.” You kept your voice low like his, spoke your words slowly as if you were treading on icy ground, and when you pulled away, you noticed you’d left a smear of your lipstick on the tip of his ear.

You didn’t tell him to wipe it away.

You didn’t stop when he held your hand. You didn’t tear your gaze away from him when he led you inside the building, and neither did you tell him to stop when he kept his arm around your waist until you’d found your seats. Admittedly, you couldn’t focus on the movie. It was difficult when you could feel Prince Kiyoomi’s gaze on you – how braver he seemed when in the dark. You feign ignorance to it all, or more like you tried, because you lightly pinched his thigh and told him to focus on the movie. For a moment, you thought he didn’t hear you. But then he turned his head away and you both watched his mother’s romance film – which, thankfully, she isn’t the love interest in. It would be extremely awkward if she was. But it was still a rather intense romance film – a forbidden relationship between a man and his best friend’s wife.

Kiyoomi shifted uncomfortably in his seat. You were now at the scene where the female main character and her lover, her husband’s best friend, were under the rain. They had gotten into an argument – the woman didn’t want to continue their relationship anymore, didn’t want to have to continue lying to those close to her, but the man was having none of it.

He loved her.

He’s loved her for a long time.

He loved her first.

And he knew damn well her husband wasn’t treating her right. They only got married anyway because he had gotten her pregnant at a university party, and things went downhill from there. But he could only handle so much. He could only endure so much. Eventually, all the love he’d been holding back had grown too much it had poured out from his veins. He would run after her, chase her, and follow her wherever she went. She had his heart from the moment he laid his eyes on her. He wouldn’t give up on her now.

But it was wrong – she knew it was.

You gripped the edge of your seat.

The man, broken and down to his knees, professed his love to her. His tears were flowing down his face on time with the rain, and the woman… Well, she was devastated for a lack of better words. She didn’t like her marriage. She didn’t even like her husband. But what would people say? They wouldn’t understand. They would only see her as a lowly woman who cheated on her husband, with his best friend of all people. They would never see her pain, or how she, too, craved to be loved the way she loved others.

No matter what she said, the man was never swayed. He would fight for her. He would be brave for her. And then he stood up, took her face into his palm, and kissed her. Your eyes grew wide. The kiss was too intense it was hard to believe it was only acting. No, he kissed her like he was consuming her soul, like he was breathing her in. Like he was the air she needed to live, and without her, he would be nothing. And when she kissed him back, she had melted. Like all of pins and needles she used to hold herself up withered away because there was no need to be strong when she knew he would always catch her, that he would be there to be her pillar, her strength, her fortitude.

You looked away from the kiss. Beside you, Kiyoomi had turned his gaze away from the screen, too, and his eyes were so dark it was hard to see him at all. But you knew he was looking at you. And something about his gaze seemed forbidden – felt like a secret. Because in this theater, everyone had their eyes on the screen, completely unaware that the Prince held the same intensity in his eyes when the man kissed his beloved.

Your lips tingled.

Your fingertips curled, aching, itching to reach out to him. He was right there – just within your reach. You could run your hands through his thick, dark curls. You could stare into those dark eyes and get lost within them. It wasn’t love – no, not really. But it was the beginning of something more, and you didn’t know what was louder – your heartbeat or the cheers of the audience as the movie came to an end.

And then the realization struck you –

You wanted Kiyoomi to kiss you.

The lights flashed on. The audience cheered and applauded. The moment was broken.

You looked back to the stage, feeling cold dread wash over you. You couldn’t believe it. You had thought of a different man that wasn’t your husband in ways that were… inappropriate. Is this what Rintaro felt? When he looked at Iris, did he feel this need to have his lips on her? Did he yearn for her? But what could this mean? Were you falling for Kiyoomi? It couldn’t be. It’d only been a week. You were great friends – yes, friends! And friends didn’t go around kissing each other. Friends didn’t want their friends to kiss them.

But you had wanted him to, anyway, and now your dress felt suffocating.

Wordlessly, you stood up from your seat. You headed for the exit, or the restroom, you were unsure. All you knew was that you had to leave. You turned away from everyone who greeted you, pushed away anyone who asked for a photo, and your blood ran cold. What would the tabloids say? That you were a rude Princess? You were sure you look like a madman running out of the theatre when the night had barely even begun. Maybe you looked like a criminal caught in the middle of her act – and what crime? Adultery.

Tears pricked at your eyes. You willed them away, because you didn’t want to ruin your makeup. But you just… This was all a mistake. You should have never come to Itachiyama.

He was your husband’s brother!

You pushed the doors open, arms raised to call for a driver when a flash of lights bombarded you. It stung, blinding you for a moment until you stumbled back. A horde of reporters were shoving their phones and microphones in your face before you could process anything. You pushed back to the crowd, begging for reprieve, but there were too many of them, and only one of you. They all screamed your name, chanted your title, and in the midst of it all, you heard Rintaro’s name being spoken.

“Please,” you insisted, “I just want to get back to my car. Please, let me–”

“Your Highness! Princess!” a reported shoved his way through the crowd, his microphone hitting your lip hard enough that your teeth ached. Shit. You lowkey missed the strict customs in Inarizaki – people wouldn’t be so comfortable being in your personal space otherwise. But the reporter’s next words made your stomach drop.

“Did you visit here with Prince Kiyoomi as payback?”

“I – excuse me?”

Stunned into silence, you stared back at the man demanding answers from you. There was a crazed look in his eyes, his free hand clutching a camera that had taken multiple photos at the look of surprise in your face. Your sweat turned cold, and you took a step back. You headed back for the building, only to collide with a firm chest and a familiar scent washing over you. Before you could do anything, Kiyoomi had spun you around to face him, your head tucked in his neck as he pushed through the crowd. “Out of my way!”

You clung onto him like a child. You close your eyes, letting him shoulder all the pushing and shoving, all to keep you safe within his hold. The entire way back to the car, Kiyoomi bellowed at the people to give way for the both of you, and you’d never heard him sound so angry. Yet, you didn’t feel scared – at least, not of him.

The night was just taking an unexpectedly wrong turn, and you weren’t sure how much more you can handle.

“Kiyoomi,” you cried into his chest, “I don’t know what’s going on. I’m scared.”

“Do not answer them. Those are reporters and journalists crazed for the latest gossip.”

“Princess! Is it true your marriage is falling apart? Are you here in Itachiyama because of what the Crown Prince did? Answer us, Princess! What will be the future of the throne?”

The car came into view. Kiyoomi’s security team formed a barricade around you to allow you safe entry inside the car, puffing out their chests and shoving away anyone who dared tried to follow. Once inside, Kiyoomi barked on the driver to just move, and the car sped away. Your breathing slowly stabilized, but you were still far from being composed. In front of you, Kiyoomi had his hands balled into fists at his knees, his jaw clenched so tight you feared he’d pop a vein.

“Kiyoomi. What is going on? What were they talking about?”

Kiyoomi visibly relaxed at the sound of your voice. Dragging a hand down his face, he sighed, reaching for a tablet tucked away behind the seats and clicked on something. Then, he handed the tablet to you – and all your worst fears had now come to life. All the secrets you buried, the lies you’d kept – none of it was hidden anymore.

Trending for the past hour was an article recently published by a man named Kuroo Tetsurou, headlined ‘CROWN PRINCE RINTARO AND PRINCESS IRIS: LOVERS WITHOUT THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?’

The headline photograph was taken from a window, the photo blurry yet all the details were clear enough. Rintaro, on the bed, leaning against the headboard with his dress shirt unbuttoned and falling down on his shoulders. Iris, on top of him, bare with only her chest censored by a thick, black line. She was kissing him, her hands looped around her neck. Rintaro held her tightly, too, like he was afraid of letting her go – his hand with your wedding ring on it cupping her cheek as he kissed her back. On his neck were multiple hickeys, and her hair let loose and wild.

You felt like you stopped breathing entirely.

“Sir,” mumbled the driver nervously, “Are we going back to the farmhouse?”

“No. Head for the airport. We’re going straight to the palace.”

“But… Sir, your mother is still at the-”

“Kanami will understand,” grunted Kiyoomi, who suddenly snatched the tablet from you and shut it off. You didn’t know whether to be thankful or not. Quite frankly, you didn’t know what to feel. You felt numb and about to go insane all at the same time. Kiyoomi was more composed, at least, but it seemed he knew about this earlier and came running after you. Sighing, he loosened his tie and leant back against his seat.

“We need to go back to Inarizaki.”

You swallowed. You knew it now – you weren’t any better than Rintaro in the photos. But you could be honest, you could tell the truth, you could make it all better and stop it before it gets worse.

“Kiyoomi,” you trembled, spinning your wedding ring around your finger. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

The Second Prince shut his eyes. His placid face a contrast to his fists tightening even more. “Don’t,” he said, his voice sounding more resigned. Funny, how he was inches away from you, and he suddenly felt so far away when he opened his eyes – and you couldn’t recognize the man sitting in front of you anymore. “Whatever it is, just don’t.”

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britesparc · 4 years ago

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Weekend Top Ten #467

Top Ten Romantic Couples in Superhero Movies (& TV)

It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend. Woo, I guess? I dunno. I’m not generally cynical about holidays but Valentine’s Day does seem to be entirely focused on selling cards without any of the associated pleasantries of, say, Christmas or Halloween. I’d rather just try to be nice to my wife all year round. At least because of the apocalypse all the restaurants are closed so we can’t be tempted to pay through the nose for a set menu. Anyway, it gives me a strained excuse to tie this week’s Top Ten to something vaguely romantic.

Superheroes are often horny. This seems to be a defining characteristic of the artform. Whether it’s their descent from ancient myths, or their creators’ origins in writing romance books, or just a function of genre storytelling in the mid-twentieth century, there’s quite a lot of romantic angst in superhero stories. Pretty much every superhero has a significant other; Lois Lane even got her own comic that was actually called Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane. It’s hard to conceive of many heroes without their primary squeeze, and often – as we get multiple media adaptations of characters – we can add diversity or a twist to the proceedings by picking a lesser-known love interest, or one from earlier in the character’s fictional history; for instance, Smallville beginning with Cark Kent’s teenage crush Lana Lang, or The Amazing Spider-Man swapping out Mary Jane Watson for Gwen Stacey.

Anyway, I’m talking this week about my favourite superhero couples. I’ve decided to focus on superhero adaptations – that is, the characters from movies and films based on superhero comics or characters. I find this a little bit easier as I don’t have a phenomenal knowledge of sixty years of Avengers comics, but I have seen all the movies a bunch. As many comics as I’ve read, and as much as I love various ink-and-paper pairings, I can arguably talk more authoritatively about the fillums than the funny books. And let’s be real here, kids: my favourite comic book romantic couple is Chromedome and Rewind in Transformers. Also if I split them in two I can talk about comic couples next year. Woohoo!

It really is hard thinking of these things nearly nine years in, folks.

So! Here, then, are my favourite movie-TV Couples in Capes. Obviously there’s a fair bit of MCU in here. And I’ve been pretty specific about “superhero” romances: so no Hellboy and Liz Sherman, sadly (and I do really like them in the movies, of which they really need to make a third). Some are civvies-and-supes; some are capes-and-capes. You’ll work it out.

Superman & Lois Lane (Christopher Reeve & Margot Kidder, Superman, 1978): who else? The most famous romance in all of comics, a combo so strong it remains the focus of pretty much every interpretation of the character, but arguably never better than here; so good are Reeve and Kidder that their fast-talking banter and inherent goodness set the template for a huge swathe of other comic adaptations to follow. She’s sarky and streetwise; he’s gormless and good-hearted. She leaps in where angels fear to tread, he’s an invulnerable alien in disguise. They have buckets of chemistry and an utterly believable (tentative) romance. They’re perfect performances and the scenes of Clark in Metropolis for the first time (including Superman’s balcony interview with Lois) are the best bits of an already excellent film.

Raven & Beast Boy (Tara Strong & Greg Cipes, Teen Titans Go!, 2014): on a totally different register, we have the comedy stylings of the Teen Titans. Raven and Beast Boy had a flirtatious relationship on the original Titans series, but on this longer-running and much more demented comedy follow-up, they were allowed to make the romance more official (I nearly said “explicit” but, y’know… it’s not that). The jokes and banter – BB the love-struck, jealous suitor, Raven the too-cool partner who feigns nonchalance – build and build, but every now and again they’re allowed a moment of genuine heartfelt romance, and it hits all the more strongly amidst the ultra-violence and outrageous comedy.

Captain America & Agent Carter (Chris Evans & Hayley Atwell, Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011): the premier couple of the MCU, Steve and Peggy spend a whole movie flirting (she sees the goodness of him even before he gets all hench) before finally arranging a date that, we all know, is very much postponed. Peggy casts a shadow over the rejuvenated Cap and the MCU as a whole, founding SHIELD, inspiring dozens of heroes, and counselling Steve to her dying days. She remains Steven’s true north (like Supes with Lois, Peggy’s an ordinary human who is the actual hero of an actual super-powered hero), guiding him through the chaos and tragedy of Endgame, until they both get to live happily ever after. Even though he snogged her niece.

Batman & Catwoman (Michael Keaton & Michelle Pfeiffer, Batman Returns, 1992): Pfeiffer delivers a barnstorming performance as Selina Kyle, all barely-supressed mania and seductive feline charm. The chemistry between her and Keaton is electric, and propels the film forward even when the Penguin-runs-for-mayor stuff gets a bit daft and icky. There are beautiful moments of romantic comedy when they’re both trying to cover up injuries they gave each other, and of course there’s “mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it” – a line that runs a close second to “dance with the devil” when it comes to Burton-Batman quotations (just ahead of “never rub another man’s rhubarb”). Burton, generally favouring the macabre villains over the straighter edges of the heroic Batman, nevertheless makes great play of the duality of the character, and how this is something he and Catwoman can share – both “split right down the centre” – but also how this means a happy ending for either of them is impossible.

Spider-Man & Mary Jane (Tobey Maguire & Kirsten Dunst, Spider-Man, 2002): whilst a lot of this is really down to the sexiness of them kissing upside-down in the rain, there’s a nice duality to Peter and MJ seeing through each other too: he sees the wounded humane soul beneath her it-girl persona; she sees the kind, caring man underneath his geek baggage. This arc plays out beautifully across the first two films (ending in that wonderfully accepting “Go get ‘em, tiger”) before sadly getting all murky and unsatisfying in the murky and unsatisfying third film. Still: that kiss.

Wonder Woman & Steve Trevor (Gal Gadot & Chris Pine, Wonder Woman, 2017): probably the film that hews closest to the Clark-Lois dynamic of the original Superman, to the point where it includes an homage to the alleyway-mugging scene as Diana deflects a bullet. Steve is Diana’s window into man’s world, showing her the horror of the First World War but managing to also be a sympathetic ally and never talking down or mansplaining anything. He’s a hero in his own right – very similar to another wartime Steve on this list – and very much an ideal match to the demigod he’s showing round Europe. And, of course, Gadot’s Diana is incredible, both niaive and vulnerable whilst also an absolute badass. There is an enduring warm chemistry to the pair, with a relationship which we actually see consummated – relatively rare for superheroes! The inevitability of his heroic sacrifice does nothing to lessen the tragedy, and no I’ve not seen Wonder Woman 1984 yet.

Hawkeye & Laura Barton (Jeremy Renner & Linda Cardellini, Avengers: Age of Ultron, 2015): I love these guys! I love that Hawkeye has a relatively normal, stable family life. He has a big old farmhouse that he wants to remodel, he’s got two kids and a third on the way… he’s got something to live for, something to lose. It humanises him amidst the literal and figurative gods of the Avengers. And they’re cute together, bickering and bantering, and of course she is supportive of his Avenging. I hope we get to see more of Laura and the kids in the Hawkeye series, and I hope nothing bad happens to them now they’ve all been brought back to life.

Wanda Maximoff & Vision (Elizabeth Olsen & Paul Bettany, Avengers: Infinity War, 2018): theirs is a difficult relationship to parse, because they’re together so briefly. They cook paprikash together in Civil War before having a bit of a bust-up, and by Infinity War they’re an official couple, albeit on the run (and on different sides). That movie does a great job in establishing their feelings for each other in very little screentime, with their heroic characteristics on full display, before the shockingly awful tragedy of Wanda killing Vision to save the galaxy, before Thanos rewinds time, brings him back to life, and kills him again, and then wins. Their relationship going forward, in WandaVision, is even trickier, because we don’t know what’s up yet, and at times they’re clearly not acting as “themselves”, defaulting to sitcom tropes and one-liners. Will Vision survive, and if he does, will their relationship? Who can say, but at least they’ll always have Edinburgh, deep-fried kebabs and all.

Batman & Andrea Beaumont (Kevin Conroy & Dana Delany, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, 1993): woah, Batman’s back but it’s a different Batman, say whaaaat. Animated Batman has had a few romances, from the great (Talia al-Ghul) to the disturbingly icky (Batgirl, ewwww), but his relationship with Andrea Beaumont is the best. Tweaking the Year One formula to give young Bruce a love interest that complicates his quest is a golden idea, and making her a part of the criminality and corruptiuon that he’s fighting is a suitably tragic part of the Batman origin story. Conroy and Delany give great performances, him wringing pathos out of Bruce, torn between heart and duty (“It just doesn’t hurt so bad anymore,” he wails to his parents’ grave, “I didn’t count on being happy”), her channelling golden age Hollywood glamour. The tragedy of them rekindling their relationship years later, only to wind up on different sides again, is – again – so very Batman. It’s a beautiful, earnest, very Batman relationship, a great titanic tragedy of human emotions and larger-than-life ideals. And they both look good in black.

Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy (Kaley Cuoco & Lake Bell, Harley Quinn, 2020): this one’s a little bit of a cheat, as I’ve only seen the first season of the show, where Harley and Ivy don’t even get together. But in the wider, non-canonical sense of these being characters who are part of the pop-cultural ether, Harley and Ivy will always be a couple, I feel; and there’s definitely enough in there already to see the affection between them, not yet consummated. They adore each other, are always there for each other, and as the season follows Harley getting out of her own way and acknowledging the abuse of her relationship with Joker – and finally getting over it in the healthiest way possible for a bleached-white manic pixie in roller derby gear. And all through this, holding her hand, is Ivy. They’re utterly made for each other, and I’m glad that they do get together in season two. I hope that Margot Robbie’s rendition of the character can likewise find happiness with a flesh-and-blood Ivy. Hell, just cast Lake Bell again. She’s great.

Just bubbling under – and I’m really gutted I couldn’t fit them in – was Spider-Man & M.J. from Spider-Man: Far From Home. Like Batman, I’m comfortable including multiple continuities here, and those cuties offer a different spin on a classic relationship.

#valentine's day #romance #top ten #love #superheroes #comic book #movie #films #dce #mcu #marvel

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purplesunrisefanfic · 4 years ago

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I wanted to write up what I’m feeling as I work on the next chapter of “Dear” and thought I’d post it as a possible behind the scenes thingy. There’s no way I can find to create a cut on the mobile app so apologies if the code I found doesn’t work and y’all get a text wall.

I’m getting so much out of writing Dear (low-key crazy proud that I’m keeping it up and getting such warm responses). However, every chapter feels harder than the last, I think partly because the more I get awesome feedback from lovely readers, the more I worry about screwing it up. My arcs are only sketched which gives me a lot of chapter-to-chapter creative freedom which I enjoy. Overall, I’m enjoying writing so much. It’s kinda cool being in a position where it’s like “Okay this is a risk to approach it this way,” but then realising there’s a risk for any approach, it’s better that there’s no safe bet, I think.

CW: Mentions of sucidial impulses, TLOU Part 2 ENDING spoilers, mild possible spoilers for the next chapter of Dear.

So I’ve worked at having this really subtle linguistic shift in how everyone, but Dina especially, speaks to each other, trying to have the warmth and trust grow naturally, (and having a reader notice and comment on this gave me all the good feels) but now I’ve got a curve ball for that plan because I’m writing Dina’s letter where she opens up and gets hella mad and tells Ellie how much she’s put her through. On the one hand, it’s a moment of trust because she 1) trusts Ellie to actually process this stuff sensibly and not just run off on another suicide mission in response & 2) She’s actually reached a point where she feels like it’s worth actually bothering to tell this stuff to Ellie — I don’t think Dina is someone who just unloads negative feelings for the sake of it, she’s very orinetated towards moving on, focusing on the good memories and she only really gets mad when there’s an immediate purpose (I’m looking at you, Farmhouse Tommy.) — so in a way it’s like “Fuck you, I fucking hate you but also I don’t totally hate you because otherwise I just wouldn’t bother sharing this with you at all.” But at the same time, it’s still a hurt, fuck you, I know why you did this but also why did you do this type of letter, so it’s hard to know if I’m getting the tone right.

And then there’s Ellie’s reaction. My instinct is that there’s a lot unsent and unsaid before she nails her reaction. I might even dig out some material from the Interpersonal Effectiveness component of DBT to have her draw on. I’m hoping that showing enough of her process along the way will stop it from seeming OOC when she ultimately sends an emotionally mature response. That’s one of the challenges of a story where cannon characters grow and change, because it can be tricky to navigate the line between change and OOC.

My only other challenge right now is that I had a bash at Ellie reacting via drafting some song lyrics, based on something that came to me while I was writing. I’ve been able to draw on some very rusty poetry writing knowledge, but I’m not able to think about them musically (Fun(?) Fact: I actually have something called “beat deafness” which for means that while I can hear a beat on something like a literal metronome on its own, I can’t “hear” a beat when I listen to songs/music proper. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be able to listen to a full song and hear something like that actually.) So with that I’m just gonna push past feeling a bit insecure and hope it comes off alright.

I’m still in lockdown so I’ve been blessed that I can write most days (my bank account is less blessed, but there’s nothing I can do and my credit limit is pretty high so I’m just leaving that be for now). I’ve also finally felt emotionally able to replay Part 2 so the rest of today is gonna be a mix of Dear’s next chapter and killing a bunch of NPC dudes (I’m into Abby’s section, love that girl but she can’t stealth for shit compared to Ellie. Plus having a kid with me makes me way more brutal tbh. Plus I’m not counting my actions in this NG+ as cannon so 🤷‍♀️)

If anyone read this (and I really don’t mind if no one did), then I hope you got something out of it and you’re always welcome to chat fic, ask stuff etc on my inbox if you’d like. Hope you have a good one.

#journalling

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msbeccieboo · 6 years ago

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Arrow 7x16 brain dump

So another episode, another triumph!! Star City 2040 was AMAZING!! The episode was almost all I had hoped for and so much more to boot! We got Mia Smoak’s origin story, and got brought somewhat up to date with the future storyline, whilst still leaving plenty of unanswered questions. The episode could easily be seen as a backdoor pilot episode for a next gen spin-off, that no doubt is in the works for when Arrow comes to a close. There is lots to deal with from this week’s offering, so without further ado….

Olicty and Mia

This will be short and sweet as we only got a minute-long flash of them as a family unit. But OMG THE BIRTH!! HDVKVHWDGRFJLBHSDNVSDLK!!!!!! My heart was so full, even in that short scene 😍 I had always had reservations about seeing a Felicity pregnancy storyline during the show run, but it seems like Beth has crafted the story so cleverly as for the pregnancy to not be so much of a focus-puller from the main story arcs for the season and for Felicity herself. This is what a talented and female-driven writing team does people!!! We will get the bulk of the pregnancy falling over hiatus, and the birth we have seen already here, and still get to keep some fluffy fanfic-y moments between her and Oliver in the present day. This is win-win as far as I’m concerned! But I digress…the birth!! We hear Felicity’s labour-screams (*shudders* 😬), whilst we get a tour of their new home, and Oliver is right there by her side!!!! Holding her hand, they exchange “I love you so much” and I diieeeeedddd!!!

Source: oliverxfelicity

This was so adorable, and then Oliver’s little chuckle at Felicity’s joke? GAAAAHHHH!! Mia is handed back to them by Nurse Random, and the happiness on both of their faces, along with Felicity’s tiny “hi”, and the forehead kiss (I love a forehead kiss) just broke me!! Tears, all the tears! No drama, just a beautiful family moment.

Source: feilcityqueen

Continued under the cut

The “abandoned farmhouse” I thought we’d get, based on the trailer this time last week, in fact turned out to be a beautiful, warm, secluded family home, obviously lovingly furnished and lived in for a while by Oliver and Felicity. I guess this begs the question of when do they leave Star City for this new home, given that the team never knew about Felicity’s pregnancy? I think Olicity will leave by the end of the season for sure. And then that’s it for Olicity, and Oliver in this episode. Personally, I never expected to see Oliver in this episode. I don’t expect to see him in the future scenes before the end of the season, or even at all, as any future timeline reveals would scupper whatever tomfoolery they intend on cooking up in the next crossover *rolls eyes*.

Mia’s montage

Gosh I just love a montage! We immediately snap from new-born Mia to the most adorable toddler badass ninja Mia!!

Source: ebett

Look at that little face!! It was a stroke of genius casting James Bamford’s daughter here, as she already has some killer little fighting moves! I am in love 😍 She then transitions seamlessly into a slightly older version, before the teen/adult Mia that we already know. Can I just say that I adore the fact that she always has a little blonde ponytail just like Mama...my heart!!! Oh and who is her trainer?? Only Nyssa fracking Al Ghul!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!

Source: felicittysqueen

What a fantastic surprise! I squealed! I stan one set of sister wives and their daughter! Much like finding Connor’s true identity last week, just this little twist was so exciting! I love spoiler-free season 7!!

Felicity/Mia

Agggghhhh these two! We finally got a little more insight as to why Mia seemingly hated Felicity so much. She seems to have been relatively well adjusted, if not feeling both isolated and suffocated in her small town (all this as well as having been trained to be a ninja by Auntie Nyssa), prior to leaving for Star City. Her relationship with her mother looked easy and loving, and I loved how her protective instincts kicked in when she returned home and Felicity didn’t reply.

Source: felicitysmoakgifs

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate how chill Felicity is when Mia nearly attacks her! The way Emily has chosen to portray Future!Felicity with a new-found calm and poise is fabulous. She is such a boss (as if there was ever any doubt), with echoes of Moira but still all of ‘our’ Felicity’s heart. I loved her slipping back into her babbles over the comms over Mia’s ‘type’; Nana Donna would be so proud!!

Source: felicitysmoakgifs

The turning point in their relationship comes when Mia stumbles upon Felicity’s secret bunker, compete with desktop pics of Oliver as GA and William pictures 😭😭 Two of the people that Felicity loves most and has seemingly lost? 😭😭This discovery leads Mia to realise that Felicity is still partaking in some vigilante side-action, which is the crux of their relationship breakdown. Vigilante’s have been outlawed, and painted as the ultimate big bads, something Felicity has obviously tried to make Mia see sense of. But Mia has clearly seen and heard all of the propaganda surrounding them, we don’t know where Oliver is, but we know he and Felicity have vowed to continue saving people, taking them away from Mia, and in turn, making her grow to resent the vigilantes irrespective of the heroic stories her mother has told her. Felicity keeping her own present vigilantism from Mia is the last straw for her. She is young, unworldly at this point, and clearly has strong feelings of abandonment from both parents, and the idea of Felicity being caught as a vigilante and taken away from her makes her snap. Cue Mia escaping to Star City to get her freedom, and to ‘find herself’ in cage fighting (the obvious career choice haha), and generally be a broody teenager. There she ‘learned’ even more about Vigilantes, only with the government spin on it, further driving that wedge and distance from Felicity and developing her hatred for them. This is where we see their relationship at as they reunite, a few years later, by the sounds of it.

Felicity being the empathetic angel that she is, has absorbed all of Mia’s hatred and disappointment, which I think is why she seemingly just ‘takes’ all of Mia’s attitude. Felicity also knows all too well the disappointment of being lied to by the person you love the most (looking at you S4 Oliver). She loves her so much and sees so much of Oliver in her, that it must be heartbreaking for her to know how she has disappointed her. That line where she tells William “I’m used to being a disappointment to her” is a gut punch. Yet she is so so proud of her! 😭😭

Source: olicitygifs

Felicity realises that she should have told Mia the truth, and immediately apologises, but it takes the rest of the episode’s events to unfold before Mia really starts to understand the situation Felicity and Oliver were put in, why they made the choices that they did, and allows her to accept Felicity’s apology and start to mend fences. The final scene with them had me in tears for the 46232th time this episode, and you can really see how much they love each other, and their bond that still remains.

Source: felicitysmoakgifs

I know she has been divisive so far, but I love Mia, and can understand where she is coming from in her attitude. This is a girl who is 20 years old, remember, and whereby in some ways she has had to grow up incredibly fast, she is still very naïve and emotionally unaware as well. I see so much of Oliver in her, as does Felicity.

Source: olicitygifs

Her reaction to danger, physicality etc (hellooo handstand press-ups!) is down to training, yes. Her brooding, rash decision making and acting alone are character traits straight from Oliver. Her rage/anger reaction to the lies from Felicity and Connor scream S1 Oliver to me.

This is my take anyway haha, I know some will disagree, but I am officially a Mia Smoak stan!!!

William/Felicity/Mia

William didn’t take centre-stage this week, but he still had so many amazing moments. Ugh I love this boy so much!! His relationship with Mia continues to grow and be the cutest thing ever! Like I said last week, I love seeing William draw the light out in Mia, in the same way as Felicity always does with Oliver. All the little sibling moments that they share are so heart warming I could dieeeee! The “show off” line, “you’re just more useful to me not dead”, “oh good now there are two of you”, “now I got a sister to hate instead” the list goes on!! And then Will making Mia pose as his EA, and her distain at that are a hilarious call-back to their parents…Olicity S2 ftw!!

Source: smoaktechs

I clearly have already spoken about her, but let’s just take a moment to appreciate that FELICITY IS ALIVE BITCHES!!!

We saw that Felicity had been looking out for William all along, investing in his start-up under the pseudonym City of Emeralds Capital, see my Wizard of Oz meta here. Then we finally got to see the reunion between her and both of her children, and it was epic. Her and William just murdered me.

Source: felicitysmoakgifs

I love that he just went to her and embraced her straight away 😭💗😭 William had every reason to hate Felicity, something she acknowledges, but the love he still has for her after all these years, ad the profound effect she had on him in the short time they were together in our time just had me in tears so hard. Every time I scroll by a gif of this moment, I tear up (awkward when I’m ninja-tumblring at work 😬)! William, being that bit older than Mia, and having known Felicity and Oliver at an earlier point in time, allowed him to understand and forgive her pretty much immediately. I’m glad; we only have the energy for one broody Olicity baby! And once reunited, William and Felicity are a force to be reckoned with!

Source: ebett

I loved seeing them hack together at the Gala! And then in their last scene together, when Felicity thanks him for keeping faith in her and holding on to the Hozen for all this time ruined me yet again.

Mia/Connor

SmoaknHawke has arrived people!!

Connor following (following, not stalking) Mia and William all the way to Galaxy One to save their arses was so cute!! He is a good little Diggle and will always have his (girl)friend’s back, whether she is crazy pissed at him or not! Tiny Mia getting him up against the wall was a total mood haha! We discover that Connor is in fact Agent Hawke 🔥🔥, working for Nightwatch…a good version of ARGUS?? Is this where Dig is at? I want to see Dig! David Spoiler Ramsay already told us that he’d be in the FFs, so that was my only disappointment of the episode, that we didn’t see him.

But back to my newest OTP!! Mia was still so mad with Connor (and the world) for lying to her about his identity, then again for following her, and again for being a secret agent. He is so apologetic…that boy is GONE!! He just wants to keep her in his life! The “because I care about you”, “entire relationship is based on a lie” exchange was so charged!!!

Source: mia-smoak-gifs

I loved Connor talking up the heroes to Mia, whilst still acknowledging her pain. Connor’s compassion is straight up John Diggle, adopted or no. This also led into the ultimate shade, with Mia’s iconic line:

Source: oliverxfelicity

😂😂😂 Mia’s very existence as a child of Olicity already angers a certain comic-loving demographic, so this line was extra satisfying for me.

If a next gen series does happen, I will be so excited to see where these guys go…especially will the addition of William (and to a lesser extent, Zoe). The FTA scenes and lift/fight sequence was so so good!!

FF storyline

I suppose I should actually cover this haha! Lots of new stuff. We saw Rene interact with the Team…and reveal he thought Roy was dead!! Dinah’s line about Rene getting all the age but no wisdom was just 😂😂😂 There is mention of a terrorist organisation called Edencore, now going under the alias of Galaxy One, who Rene is directly working with in the Glades. They, along with Rene (hello new, crappy version of Malcolm), are planning on setting off a clusterfuck of bombs to level Star City so they can rebuild in their image. To cover their evil arses, they plan on placing the blame on vigilantes, namely Felicity. Anyway, once everyone is reunited (with a bit of an awkward hug between Felicity/Dinah…not sure if that was intended or not?) and introduced (“This is Mia, these are mine and Oliver’s impeccable genetics” gahhhh!) they deduce that the bombs are scheduled to detonate at an event that night, where everyone is in hoods and masks…how very convenient haha!

Felicity wearing a green mask is just 😭😍😭

Source: noonecanknowmysecret

Her and William are an unstoppable hacking duo as they seek out the slimy bad guy (forgot his name) so Mia can go kick his arse!! I almost HAD ANOTHER LITTLE CRY WHEN Felicty say to Dinah “No-one’s called me overwatch in a very long time” waaaahhh!! Mia obviously runs in half-cocked and on her own (like father like daughter) to confront the slimeball, and just when it looks like she’s in trouble and massively outnumbered, she takes down the whole fracking room on her own! “Oh this will be fun” YAAAASSSS!!!

She is AMAZING in the field (a total badass, as Felicity later tells her). That cape move she did was 🔥🔥🔥 She loses Slimer in the kerfuffle, following him out into the crowd, that Rene has stirred up by announcing the vigilantes “show them what heroes look like” yaaaasss! Then, with no time to spare, Mia shoots the inch-square detonator out of his hands with an arrow in the most epic shot everrrrrr! I feel like if the new series does happen, this could be the opening title sequence shot!

Source: felicittysqueen

The fight stunts/effects this episode were amazeballs! I think this episode needed to be ‘big’, due to the absence of Oliver and the mixed reactions to the FFs so far, and it totally delivered!

Other folk

Roy! Future Roy continues to do things for me…so hot 🔥🔥 He seems to be enjoying being back with a team again, but we still have little-to-no idea of his past 20 years. He gets scary angry out of nowhere whilst interrogating one of Dinah’s contacts, and beats the crap out of him. I cut a whole Roy/Edencore/present/FF spec from this review and put it here if anyone feels like a laugh!

Rene continues to have terrible hair, unlike when Oliver was mayor….oh those were good hair days….*sighs dreamily*. He is complicit in the plan to level the city, but is talked around by Zoe, who he finally realises is one of the Canaries (well, duh). He ends the episode still playing the role of evil mayor, but is he really ‘good’ again now?

I’m not keen so far on adult Zoe, but maybe we just need to see more of her? Or maybe we can just forget her, like her Dad? She will surely form part of the next generation team if a spin-off happens, so I guess we will see her interacting with FTA soon.

Dinah doesn’t have much going on, other than fight scenes, and awkward hugs.

Legacy

The overarching theme of this season is legacy, and this episode is the most blatant about that I think. We see here, Oliver and Felicity’s literal biological legacies in William and Mia, and how being their children has affected their outcomes. Will is a flourishing CEO and tech wiz, thanks largely to his time with Felicity, and maybe the fact that he’s been able to succeed so well in a somewhat normal life is down to their absence from his life post-S7, but he missed out on growing up with his parents 😭 Mia on the other hand, grew up with Felicity (at least, if not Oliver for some of it), who had to have her trained in order to protect her, should the day ever come that her identity is revealed. So Mia had the parental love growing up, but was otherwise isolated from the world, no schooling, never left the town etc.

We also see Oliver’s legacy as a hero manifesting in his children. We see them finding their way on this journey, finding their own reasons and routes of being heroes. William didn’t need asking twice to join Felicity, and stand up to help. Mia was far more reluctant, with her fears of losing people, and (at the time) still in the belief that Vigilantes weren’t the heroes Felicity claimed them to be. Despite taking more convincing, the hero blood runs strong in her veins, and we went from the ‘I don’t want this life, heroes are bad’ mentality to “Let’s go save the City” in no time.

On the flip side, we see the future state of Star City, and way people have been affected in future shows Oliver to have left behind more than one type of legacy, not all good. Was he right in his choices to save the city/world? Of course! Or his way of going about doing it? Possibly not.

By the end of the episode we find ourselves with the ultimate OTA legacy. An FTA comprising of the same skillsets as OTA; Mia as leader (no doubt) and skilled fighter, William running the tech and the brains of the operation, and Connor with the tactical experience, government ties, and all the Diggle Yoda-wisdom.

Source: smoakmonster

And that’s that, sorry this was another whopper….

Thank you to the beautiful gif-makers, as always! You guys put the sparkle in my ruby slippers 💗💗

#arrow #arrow 7x16 #arrow season 7 #olicity #flash forwards #beccie's brain #long ass post

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calamity-bean · 7 years ago

Note

Something I've noted: at this point in the series (4.08), we've seen a redemption or a clear move toward wrapping up of loose ends for almost all of the main characters on the show (so far: Abe, Ben, Caleb, Townsend, Mary, Simcoe). Who are the final two people whose story arcs are still fully up in the air?: Anna and Hewlett. I find this curious - why wait for the final two eps to finish their storylines? For some reason, this gives me hope. I think their arcs will end together

Hewlett’s arc is going to get at lease partial resolution in this next episode, I believe — which is to say, one way or another, his longstanding feud with Simcoe is going to come to an end. And then hopefully he still gets Whitehall after that. (I mean, we’ve seen that Abe’s farmhouse is coming along nicely, so it looks like Whitehall is indeed gonna be open, yeah?)

…But Anna, yes. So up in the air!! SO VERY STRESSFULLY UP IN THE AIR. And it troubles me. As far as I can see, the crux her arc this season is basically to answer the question: “What is important to you?” And the thing is … I am not entirely confident of her answer to that. She’s been wrapped up in the war for so very long, and unlike Hewlett — who we know has hobbies / passions outside the war — we… haven’t really gotten much information, in canon, about Anna’s individual interests / goals beyond the war and beyond her romantic relationships. (She told Hewlett she was constantly impressed by modern science, but was that sincere? Idk!!)

But for my part — and this has been key to guiding my most recent Annlett fic, btw — I tend to look to the letter she left Abe at the end of 3.04:

Dear Abraham: It appears you now have all that you want or need, a clear path to continue your work for Washington. I, however, have lost everything else. I have no home, no husband, no man to love or to love me … no reason to stay in this place I’ve known all my life. I can at least tell myself that I’ve saved a decent man from being the next casualty of your mission, though at the cost of his hope and happiness. You drove me to befriend him, Abraham. And when I did, you made me pay for it. And for that, I’m not sure I can ever forgive you.

In some ways, I fear the man I once gave my heart to is gone for good. Maybe one day love, even if now curdled into bitterness and jealousy, will find you again. And if it does, then perhaps there is still a hope that this war that has already cost us so much … will not have cost us everything.

Though she’s talking specifically to Abe here, I think the sentiments she expresses reflect on her priorities in a general way. I think what’s important to Anna is that there is still goodness in the world, even after all the horror. I think home and love are important to her, and so is healing. It’s remarkable that a woman who started the series asking, “What more do they have to take from us?” has come to see the cost of the war she was so eager to fight and to prize goodness and decency over blind loyalty to the cause.

I also think freedom is important to Anna — personal freedom, and personal respect. It was good of Selah to ask what’s important to her, but I think her overall response to him thus far still indicates a lot of reservations:

She says that the fact that he didn’t force her to go back to Philadelphia indicates that “He’s changed. He’s not the same man I married.” Which spells out pretty plainly that the man she married did expect obedience and prioritized his wishes over Anna’s, which runs contrary to Anna’s continual striving for agency, involvement, and respect.

When Ben asks if this change makes her happy, though, she’s unable to answer, perhaps indicating that she doesn’t entirely trust that Selah has truly changed or that it’s simply not enough.

The flat, not-exactly-chipper way she answers his request to write to her with a simple: “Of course. You’re my husband,” shows that the bond between them is still one layered through with elements of obligation / ownership that I don’t think Anna is comfortable with.

I don’t know; I don’t know, y’all. Maybe they ARE gearing up for a reconciliation with Selah. But I thought their reunion was pretty inconclusive in terms of Anna’s feelings toward him, and I agree that it’s interesting that the writers have chosen to stretch the issue out, leaving us in suspense. Especially considering that they could have made her and Selah’s reunion involve a more conclusive warming / reconciliation / demonstration of affection if they’d so desired.

someone please just hold me through these last coupla eps, i am Scared

#anna strong #yay for anna meta!!!! i don't write as much of it as i should #partly bc most of the asks i get are about hew & partly bc his survival has always been more up in the air / stressful #turn meta #asks #anonymous #op #annlett

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cathygeha · 6 years ago

Photo

REVIEW

Lavender Blue by Donna Kauffman

Blue Hollow Falls #3

I love Blue Hollow Falls and the community that lives there. I can see it, feel it and want to be a member of it as I read the stories that take place within it. This was a book that warmed my heart and made me happy even though the heavy topic of loss, grieving and making one’s way forward with life after a great loss was central to this book. It was healing, good and provided a HEA...I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Hannah Montgomery and three of her friends, met at a grief group, have gone together to purchase a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls. Each of the women have suffered loss and bring special talents to their joint business venture. I look forward to finding out what will happen to Chey, Avery & Vivi in future books. Hannah is an artist and illustrator who lost her son and is divorced from her husband. Her way of living through the pain warmed my heart and as she shared her thoughts with others I grew to like her more and more. She was comfortable in her skin, knew what she wanted, was a good friend, willing to give and to share, enjoyed life and found humor and beauty around her.

Wilson “Will” McCall was a hunk and a half but a quiet deep sort of man. He is a widow and single parent of a fourteen year old son. In the previous book I liked him and hoped he would be able to deal with his grief and in this book he does just that...and opens himself up to what life again. I loved the way he interacted with his son and how that relationship grew, too. Will and Hannah were perfect for one another and I liked the slow growth to their relationship and the fire that entered it when they finally opened up to one another.

I loved this book and hope that this series will continue long enough for Will’s son Jake to grow up and choose what he wants to do with his life and also to find out what will happen to Bailey – she is someone I would love to see as an adult in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensginton-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40166970-lavender-blue

BLURB

In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains lies a small town with a big heart--and a chance to begin again . . . When Hannah Montgomery buys a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls with three friends, she's creating a life she never imagined--one she hopes will honor the memory of the sweet young son she tragically lost years ago. Standing on the porch of the sprawling farmhouse, looking out on row upon row of those lush purple plumes, Hannah is ready to embrace this fresh, new start . . . Then she meets Wilson McCall. The stonemason hired to fix their crumbling chimneys and leaky roof is quieter than most folks in the Falls. Hannah's not surprised to learn the widower struggles with his own grief. Who could blame her if she finds joy in making Will laugh again, or if she feels a poignant kinship when she sees him with his teenaged son? But her deepening friendship with Will reminds Hannah that there's a part of her that still needs to heal--awakening a tender yearning to have a life that isn't just good enough, but lived fully--even if that means taking risks once more . . .

#Donna Kauffman #Kensington-Zebra #NetGalley #Blue Hollow Falls 3 #Contemporary Romance #Small Town Romance

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thewalkingdead-obsessed · 7 years ago

Text

Season 2 Rewatch

This is pretty hefty so if you actually read it... bless you!! Lots of spoilers and thoughts ahead!!

2x1 What Lies Ahead

-We see the kids really being kids in this episode. Between Carl and Sophia asking to go to the Grand Canyon, Sophia being scared and going with her gut to run (twice) even when it wasn’t the best thing to do, Carl thinking he’s old enough for responsibilities, and what have you. Even though this world doesn’t seem to be “meant” for kids, I love seeing their youth coming forward regardless.

-Speaking of Sophia, her going missing was one of the saddest parts of the season, maybe even the entire show. Her going missing and everyone putting all their energy toward looking for her develops so many different plots and characters arcs, as well at shoved the show in an entirely different direction. First off, there is Carol, who would not be the Carol we know today without this unfortunate event. We see a change in Daryl as well, who begins to show more emotions, and start working with Rick and the others as a team. This also brings up some moral issues, between Dale not wanting anyone to argue over anyone giving up on Sophia (via convo with T-Dog), and Shane wondering those exact same things but on the opposite side. Sophia going missing also brings us to Otis, who then brings us to the farm.

-I really hate the dynamics between Andrea and Dale. I think this is where they really screwed up her character. They turned her into a black sheep, relating more to Shane, when deep down I feel like her character would have been better less angsty and more powerful from the get go. She wants to leave with Shane, after he has a conversation with Lori that she overheard, and I think they should have either made them both leave and we catch up with the later, or never have that happen/have them connect.

-The scene where Rick begs for a sign, and then gets it in the form of a deer with his son, is so beautifully done. Carl was just being a child, appreciating nature, and then getting shot, is so heart wrenching. But it brings is back to the beginning of the episode. It started by examining youth, and ends with the two kids on the show getting hurt/going missing.

2x2 Bloodletting

-The flashback to Lori talking to her friend right before Shane told her about Rick getting shot really solidifies, to me at least, that Rick and Lori’s marriage was over before any of this began. Shane and her seem to have an immediate connection after he tells her, and she seems emotionless when she tells Carl.

-When Rick gets Carl to the Greene farm, we see this expression from Rick that we don’t get often in the show. Only when it comes to the lives of his family, does Rick break down and practically beg people to help him.

-I love the introduction to the Greene family, everyone is moving so fast and incredibly willing to help.

-Seeing Shane really stabilize Rick in this situation is something that is confusing, in a good way to the audience. It’s hard to tell whether Shane is a good or a bad guy because his actions are so back and forth. Sometime the antagonist isn’t always a horrible person.

-The parallels between Rick and Carl getting shot is really interesting. I think the main difference is the reaction from Lori.

-I have such a hard time watching any of the Shane and Otis high school scenes, they’re so hectic and leave you on the edge of your seat (esp if you’re already expecting what is happening).

-One thing that confuses me in this episode is the conversation between T-Dog and Dale, where T-Dog is suffering from an infection and is out of his. He refers to the both as weak, and live bait. They touch on it again a few episodes later, but even then it still leaves me confused. I don’t really understand the point of the conversation I guess.

-I’m glad Carol stood her ground and decided not to leave the highway, and I’m especially glad other people backed her up.

-We see our first glimpse of what Hershel thinks of the walkers and the “disease” they have is.

2x3 Save the Last One

-I get so mad everytime I watch the scene with Otis and Shane, but honestly… could you blame him? We’re so quick to judge, but if it was Rick in that situation, I’m not sure what would have happened. I’m not sure that Rick would have done the same thing, BUT I think Carl may not have lived if that was the case.

-While everyone seems to be losing hope that Sophia is alive, oddly enough Daryl is the only one who’s really holding out for her and Carol. I think Carol realizes he’s the only one who still really believes. The foreshadowing of him saying something like for all we know she could be held up in a farmhouse somewhere is wild.

-Carl waking up and talking about the deer was so sweet. I think that was everything that Rick needed to keep going, even when Lori was wondering if she wanted to Carl to make it and live in a world like this.

-When Shane comes back right in time, you can tell he’s messed up from what happened between him and Otis. I believe this was the final point where there was no going back for Shane.

2x4 Cherokee Rose

-I think it’s important to note that we still saw a funeral for Otis, even without his body. Burials/funerals are a key part of the show. I think they represent the difference between life and death. Even in death they choose to give life to these characters. Burials are important because in a show that is surrounded by death, there is a distinct different made when someone is of important to the group when they die.

-The scene where Hershel and Rick talk with a beautiful view on screen reminds me a lot of the Maggie and Sasha conversations later on.

-Seeing Maggie’s reaction to the well walker’s death was something that was interesting because it shows that there are some people who are numb to gore and death at this point, and some that aren’t.

-Shout out to Maggie for initiating doing it with Glenn ;) Love me a strong woman.

-I like when Rick gives Carl his hat and says it’s like a club for those who got shot and survived. It was about time Rick put his uniform away, but the hat is a nice reminder of his roots.

2x5 Chupacabra

-I love the use of flashbacks, and the one in the beginning of this episode is especially one of my favorites. Seeing Carol, Carol, and Sophia together, the bombing of the city, and how close Shane and Lori were puts a lot of thing into perspective.

-Shane wanted to call of the search for Sophia, and thought Rick was being too nice by still looking, but Rick still has his humanity left. Shane is only worried about survival, Carl, and Lori at this point.

-Daryl’s scenes alone in the woods are of the most confusing to me. I really like his hallucinations of Merle because we really get to see Daryl’s strength, and insecurities, but I wonder the use of this. Was it to get Daryl to really assimilate with the group, to tell us more about him and his relationship with his brother, all of the above, or more? I feel like the dialogue between him and Merle is super specific (especially homophobic) and I think it’s something worth analyzing deeper.

-I LOVE the scene where Carol brings Daryl food. Daryl is still very much an outsider, but I know that Carol wants to validate him and let him know he’s just as worthy as anyone else. Daryl want’s to think he can do it all on his own, but this is the beginning of him warming up to having a family for the first time in his life.

2x6 Secrets

-The relationship between Dale and Glenn warms my heart, and it’s way better than Andrea and Dale’s. I understand why they didn’t make them an item (like the comics), but a nice wholesome relationship would have been good, rather than turning Andrea into one of the most annoying characters (when she could have been the most badass).

-The two main secrets: Lori’s pregnant and there are walkers in the barn, really set up much of the rest of the season. With the walkers, it gives us a chance to realize the people are the priority, not the dead. It’s about getting the Greene family and the Atlanta group on the same page, even if it doesn’t happen in the most civil way. With Lori being pregnant and coming clean about Shane to Rick, it brings a huge separation between Lori and Rick, as well as Shane and Rick. I don’t think Rick is the same after this.

2x7 Pretty Much Dead Already

-When Glenn tells the group about the walkers in the barn, it reminds us that Glenn will always choose family over anything else (Maggie not quite being family yet).

-I found it really interesting that Carl said he’s not going to leave until they find Sophia, which I think sways Rick (and Carl’s opinion is always swaying Rick, think season three when Carl says Michonne is one of them).

-Once Shane figures out Lori is pregnant, I think he becomes more determined than ever to win her over again.

-The barn and walker scene is definitely one of the saddest in the entire show. When Sophia comes out and Rich has to kill her, you can tell no one is the same after this. Up until this point, everyone’s main focus (besides Shane) was to find Sophia. I don’t think anyone dealt with the reality of how they might find her. Especially after an incredibly brutal and emotional experience for the Greene family, who saw the walkers as human, seeing Sophia walk out slowly was a horrific moment. Daryl holding back Carol is something that gives me goosebumps, because he was still holding out hope, maybe even more than her. This wasn’t easy for anyone, and I think it shook the entire group.

2x8 Nebraska

-When Shane calls Rick out for being delusional, I think it hits him hard. He realizes that he did put everyone in danger, as a leader, making them look for a child that was most likely dead. All of Rick’s guilt comes out, I think even from when he was in a coma and couldn’t save his family. He is happy Shane did, but I also believe he carries a lot of pain for not being there for his family when they needed him. I’m sure he felt replaced, even though they all thought he was dead. Rick has taken the role of the leader and that’s a huge burden that we’re finally seeing him struggle with. He’s a good person with morals, and I think that’s what makes things so hard for him, since many people are beginning to let go of the rules and moral codes they had before the apocalypse.

-What happens in the bar is really telling of these emotions because Rick kills the living for the first time, perhaps and overcompensation for not being as “tough” as he thought he should have been this whole time.

-Everything revolving around Daryl in the episode is very sad because he’s starting to retreat a little and close off after opening up. He’s taking this hard. All the talk of Sophia is depressing because a lot of people think it has no meaning (but it does in character development!!).

2x9 Triggerfinger

-Glenn’s struggle with being in love is something I find so interesting because him and Maggie are the first “new” relationship introduced in the show (all the other one’s are pre-existing). He’s never been in love before this which adds on to the emotions because of the nature of the world they’re in. He wants to live for her, which he thinks is bad at this point.

-The confrontation between Daryl and Carol is so strange. Their whole relationship is. I think because they both dealt with a similar kind of loss (losing someone and not knowing if they’re alive) and then both being abused (carol by Ed and Daryl by Merle and his father), they are working things out emotionally, through each other.

-Beth being in shock and suicidal is the first real development of her character, and I like that they take the time to focus on people being so incredibly upset about death. It’s so normalized, but the fact that she focuses on it is important.

-Rick proved again that he is a good guy, by saving Randall (this isn’t my favorite plot in the show, but the focus on human life is interesting and reminds me a lot of the future Morgan story).

-The conversation between Rick and Lori bugs me a lot because he basically tell Rick he’s going to need to kill Shane, because Shane is dangerous and wants the baby, Carl, and her to himself (BUT THEN SHE GOES AND PULLS SOME BULLSHIT LATER ON).

2x10 18 Miles Out

-Something interesting to note about where Rick and Shane bring Randall is the vehicles in the lot. There is a fire truck and school bus. These same kinds of vehicles become important in the story later. In seasons 3 and 4, school buses can be seen multiple times. Michonne uses one as cover, TF brings the Woodbury people back in a school bus, and I believe they’re used again to attempt to escape the Governor’s second attack. In season 5, Abraham’s group has a fire truck that is highlighted (and then lost, but not without hints to it in other spots in the show).

-The two dead cops in the area they were going to leave Randall reminded me a lot of pre-apocalypse Rick and Shane.

-The Rick and Shane fight is some nice action after a slow-ish season action wise.

-Beth wanting to die is very sad, but I think Andrea was sort of right when she said that Beth made her choice after she attempted, she didn’t want to die when it came down to it. This changed Beth, for the better.

-The field walker is one of my favorite scenes in the entire show. It’s just walking, through a field. But it’s so beautiful and well done.

2x11 Judge, Jury, Executioner

-Daryl beating Randall seems more so a release of aggression over anything. And after Randall tells what his group did to those girls, I think it just motivated Daryl’s anger more. We’re finally hearing about groups that aren’t a tight knit family, sometimes awful people band together.

-This episode also made me think “where the hell is T-Dog?”. He’s such an underutilized character and should be more than just a pawn to help and save people.

-I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the same episode that Hershel gives Glenn his watch, is the same episode that Dale dies (thinking back to Dale’s time speech in season 1).

-When the whole group gets together to talk about what they’re going to do about Randall, you really see the weight the world has put on these people. In season 1, many of them probably wouldn’t even have thought about killing someone living. A season later, everyone is torn and broken. The rules are starting to change, but Dale is still fighting for them. I, personally, don’t think either side is wrong in this situation. I see the case for people wanting him dead, and I see the case for people wanting him to live. Dale has always been a metaphor for morality, and even today I think he lives on in the group.

-You can see Carl changing as a young boy, growing up in a world like his is now. He thinks Randall should die, and that terrifies Rick.

-Dale’s death is so sad. Rick wants to put him out of his suffering, but it’s so hard for him especially after the confrontation earlier. He feels guilty. He feels guilty if he’s bad, but he also feels guilty if he’s good. There is not easy choice. Daryl ends up having to put Dale down, which is definitely the first step in Rick and Daryl’s brother-like relationship.

2x12 Better Angels

-During Dale’s funeral, Rick’s speech is huge in his growth. He wants to do things the best he can, and he realizes the important Dale had on the group. He doesn’t want to be “broken” so he wants to prove him wrong, and lead better.

-Poor Carl, he’s learning (much different than he would have in a weird without walkers) that every action has a consequence.

-Love the budding friendship between Daryl and Rick, I feel like this episode really starts it.

-Here Lori goes, all conflicted fucking things up again. When she talks to Shane in this episode, I think this pushes him over the edge. She looks at him lovingly, and thanks him for all he did. She says it must be hard for him not knowing who’s baby it is. This gives Shane the last bit of hope he needs to take over. I truly believe Lori was in love with Shane, more than she ever wanted to admit.

-Shane’s elaborate plan was sort of brilliant, but Rick knows him well, and knew pretty quickly what was happening. At any point he could have killed Shane, but he pushed it off as long as possible because he did love his friend. When he killed Shane, it also solidified what Jenner had told him about everyone being infected.

2x13 Beside the Dying Fire

-It was so cool to see how a herd is formed. The herd travelled far together, and as we see later in the show, herds really control where people can go.

-I’m glad we got to see the RV save Rick and Carl, it went out in glory.

-The farm/herd scene is so badass, I love seeing everyone fighting. We can see improvements in characters taking on walkers, very dramatically, in this episode, which is nice because this season wasn’t incredibly walker heavy.

-Everyone getting separated, but getting back together where they lost Sophia was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. The highway was what brought them to the farm in the first place, and now they’re back.

-Poor Andrea. Although she was left behind, we really got to see how badass her character could be on her own. And then she meets Michonne (a twist I looooooooooved).

-I feel so bad for Rick as he talks to the group after everything happened. Not only does he have to admit he killed his best friend, he has to take charge in a way he never thought he would have to. He also tells them about what Jenner told him, he had to bear that incredibly grim news to his family after keeping it on for so long. I don’t blame him for becoming cold in season 3.

-I hate how Lori reacted to Rick telling her he killed Shane. Days before, she was the one who told him Shane was a threat and needed to go. Now that she realized she was really in love with him, she resented Rick for it. I believe that Rick and Lori loved each other, but by default at that point. After Lori’s reaction, you could tell Rick was done with her.

Overall, season 2 was filled with massive amounts of character development and taught us a lot about morality and the characters views on the world. They were left at an incredibly vulnerable state, realizing that nowhere is really safe. On to season 3!!

#twd #the walking dead #the walking dead spoilers #twd spoilers #spoilers #season 2 #rewatch #twd rewatch #mine

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jeremystrele · 5 years ago

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43 Hanging Chairs And Seats To Get You In The Swing Of Spring

Stylishly suspended from the living room ceiling or from a beam on your porch, hanging chairs are the perfect way to invite tranquility into a hectic day or add a bit of coziness to your backyard escapades. Not sure you have anywhere to mount a hanging chair? No problem! You can still enjoy the bliss of these swaying seats with a self standing design. Not only have we made sure to include a variety of designs in our collection, but we’ve also included something for every style and budget. Whether you crave a Bohemian style hanging chair for the bedroom or an elegant hanging lounger for the patio, we’ve got you covered!

$58BUY IT Hanging Macrame Chair: Weave a bit of comfort and Bohemian charm into your home with a hanging macrame chair. With its extra large seat made from 100% cotton you’ll feel like you’re sitting on a cloud!

$70BUY IT Hanging Macrame Chair With LED Lights: Speaking of clouds, this hanging chair definitely has some heavenly appeal with its soft glow, LED lights. It’s not often that we come across seating with built-in mood lighting.

$120BUY IT Pink Macrame Saucer Swing Chair: A macrame saucer swing that will add a punch of pink in a pinch to any indoor or outdoor space. Pink not for you? No problem! This chair is also available in Natural, Turquoise, or Navy,

$715BUY IT Hanging Outdoor Egg Chair With Stand: An egg-cellent chair that is overflowing with comfort and contemporary style. If a ceiling hung design doesn’t work for you, then this freestanding chair is a great option. Not only will it infuse your space with an exotic aesthetic, but it is made from sturdy aluminum, has washable cushions, and ships pre-assembled. 9 cushion colors available.

$374BUY IT Hanging Wicker Egg Chair With Stand For Outdoors: Another freestanding, hanging egg chair, but this time with a more natural, driftwood finish. The perfect boho chic chair to escape on the patio with a good read.

$536BUY IT Hanging Woven Wicker Rattan Egg Chair: Its gentle curves, tight weave basket body, and contrasting cushion all contribute to the sleek appeal of this hanging wicker egg chair. A gorgeous mash up of organic style and modern elegance.

$690BUY IT Swing Wicker Chair: An eye-catching wicker chair that instantly gave us a beachy vibe with its faded grey finish and jute rope ties. This swing wicker chair is well-suited for most homes, but would look especially stunning when paired with beach, southern, or farmhouse decor.

$200BUY IT Swingasan Luna Star Parchment Hanging Chair: Featuring an airy open-weave back, side compartments for your drink, and a canopy for shade, it is hard to go wrong with this hanging chair. Love the design, but not the color? This chair is also available in Turquoise, Grey, Mocha, and Parchment.

$698BUY IT Knotted Melati Hanging Chair: Macrame knots create a stunning pattern on this hanging egg chair. With its natural color and aesthetic, it is a great choice for Moroccan or beach decor.

$548BUY IT White Woven Hanging Chair: Fresh and clean, this white hanging chair provides a soft look for light rooms and a bold contrast for darker spaces. A must if you are looking to embrace jungalow style!

$290BUY IT Hanging Wicker Papasan Chair: The comfort of a papasan chair paired with the soothing motion of a swing? Yes, please! Cushion included.

$473BUY IT Tear Drop Style Hanging Chair: You will never find yourself crying over lackluster seating with this tear drop hanging chair. It provides the perfect combo of style and practicality to any patio.

$505BUY IT Teardrop Resin Wicker Chair: Durable resin wicker weaves itself into the shape of a teardrop to bring us this hanging chair. It is a double seater that will fit two, so it is fantastic for romantic evenings and snuggly mornings.

$320BUY IT Rainbow Colored Indoor Hanging Chair With Stand: If this is the treasure at the end of the rainbow, we’ll take it! This hanging chair is equally as durable as it is eye-catching with its all-weather wicker and rust-resistant frame.

$199BUY IT Grey Hanging Chair: Hang out on the porch all day with this grey hanging chair. With its side compartments for your beverage, all you have to do is figure out what you’re drinking!

$525BUY IT Hanging Rattan Chair: A fun way to experience the comforts of home. This indoor, hanging rattan chair is a must for those that adore fun and natural decor. Also available in White.

$598BUY IT Bent Rattan Hanging Chair: Bold stripes take this rattan hanging chair to new heights. Paired with a few patterned pillows, it makes quite the modern statement piece.

$1099BUY IT Indoor Wicker Hanging Chair: Shut out the world for awhile and swing your worries away. This indoor hanging chair creates a place where stress melts away and dreams grow wild.

$43BUY IT Kids Hanging Pod Hammock Swing Chair: As adults we get excited about hanging chairs, so you can only imagine how kids feel! Get them the best seating with a pod hammock swing chair. It is affordable, comfortable, and available in multiple colors.

$59BUY IT Large Kids Nest Swing Chair: If you have multiple kiddos running around, then this large, nest swing chair is ideal. With the capacity to fit up to three kids, there should be no more fighting over the best seat in the house! Available in Blue or Pink (shown).

$60BUY IT Baby Swing Seat: We didn’t forget about the original swing lovers. Make baby’s swing time extra stylish with this wooden horse swing. It is made from eco-friendly and safe materials, plus it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

$70BUY IT Caribbean Style Netted Hanging Chair: Bring the relaxation from the tropics into your home. This netted hanging swing is great to kick your feet up as you enjoy the sun and it will cost you under $100. Available in Blue, Rainbow, Rice White, and Brown (shown).

$70BUY IT Large Comfortable Hammock Swing Chair: If you’ve ever fantasized about having your own little cocoon to shut out the world, then you need this swing chair. This extra large chair will envelop your body in pure comfort while the 3 color options will keep your home decor in check. Plus, it comes with an adorable macrame drink holder and offers a lifetime warranty.

$29BUY IT Hanging Sky Chair: This chair will keep both your body and your wallet happy with its comfortable design that includes a footrest and ultra-low price tag. It is available in Blue, Green, Red, or Tan (shown).

$40BUY IT Hammock Chair With Cushions: Under a tree, on the porch, or in your living room, this chair is sure to encourage a little rest and relaxation with its plush pillows and soft build. Available in Blue or White (shown).

$87BUY IT Netted Tree Swing Seat: A tree swing chair that keeps both comfort and fun in mind. A great addition to a backyard playground or a fantastic add to create a quiet escape under a large tree. Comes fully assembled.

$550BUY IT Luxury Teak Hammock: A combination of quality, comfort, and luxury breathe life into this naturally weather-resistant teak hammock. Its handcrafted with recycled teak dowels that create the perfect pattern to eliminate pressure points.

$1886BUY IT Hanging Pod Chair: Craving a bit more privacy? This hanging pod chair is all about privacy and comfort with its closed design filled with an abundance of cushions and throw pillows. A stylish lounge spot that will make an eye-catching addition to any space, either indoors or outdoors.

$940BUY IT Hanging Balloon Chair: Despite being designed over 40 years ago, this balloon chair swing is still as stylish as ever with its glossy white shell and bold red interior. A hanging chair that will give any room a bit of contemporary swing and a pop of color.

$631BUY IT Clear Hanging Chair: It was crystal clear to us that this hanging chair had to make our list. Not only does its transparent shell make it suitable for a variety of modern interiors, but it is based on the famous Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair. Looking for the original? It can be found here.

$70BUY IT Circular Hanging Lounger: Make all the birds jealous with the best nest in town! This highly unique lounger called a “swing nest” creates the perfect reading nook for both children and adults. Plus, it can be used both inside and out.

$340BUY IT Flying Saucer Chair Hammock with Stand: A place to lounge on the beach in the summer or a place to curl up indoors during the winter, this saucer hanging chair is a versatile option that offers plenty of room and comfort. The ideal place to catch a cat nap, read a book, or watch a movie.

$1980BUY IT Scandinavian Style Premium Wooden Hanging Chair: A hanging chair that breaks the mold with its unusual wood build and distinct Scandinavian style. Not only is it visually appealing, durable, and easy to assembly, but it even uses the best practices for harvesting raw materials.

$400BUY IT Swing Chair With Stand And Umbrella: Hot days by the pool just became a whole lot cooler and stylish thanks to this hanging chair with a built-in umbrella and stand. The perfect place to kick back and enjoy a cocktail or magazine.

$184BUY IT Arc Patio Hammock With Wood Base Stand: Sleek and simple, this free standing hammock with its wooden base will jive with almost any decor style. It is a great addition to the backyard and superb for soaking up a bit of fun and relaxation on warm days.

$80BUY IT Hanging Chaise Lounge Chair: ” Dear Diary, I just got the coolest chair for my birthday!” Yup, we are pretty sure that is what she is writing. How could she not be? This hanging chaise lounge chair will become an instant hit with both adults and children alike.

$190BUY IT Hanging Chaise Lounge Chair With Canopy: Hang out in the shade on the deck or by the pool with this outdoor lounge chair that includes a canopy. A comfortable and affordable option for outdoor leisure that comes in Green, Red Orange, or Teal (shown).

$386BUY IT Wood Look Hanging Chaise Lounge Chair With Stand: Sleek and elegant, this hanging chaise lounge chair has a natural feel thanks to its wood frame and cream colored cushion. If you are looking for a chair that is sleek and comfortable without overpowering nature’s beauty with bold colors, this chair is a must.

$900BUY IT Double Swing Chair: Whether you are looking to share a bit of swing time with your sweetheart or just love the idea of extra space, this double swing chair is up to the task. A freestanding hanging seat that can be enjoyed both indoors and out.

$397BUY IT Hanging Porch Sofa (2 Seater): Another hanging , open weave two seater, but this time with a mountable design. This all wicker swing can seat up to 3 and is perfect for enjoying everything from hot days on the porch to cool evenings under the stars.

$898BUY IT Hanging Rattan Bench: A rattan swing bench that screams out for a side of fresh squeezed lemonade. Stage with a few throw pillows and blankets for an extra dose of comfort and style.

$219BUY IT Hanging Porch Swing Seat With Cup Holders: A classic design that never fails. This hanging porch swing is made from kiln-dried, pressure treated pine, has a rollback design that contours your body, and even includes two cup holders.

$1955BUY IT Swing Sofa with Cushion: The porch swing gets a contemporary update thanks to clean lines, a cream cushion, and warm wood finish. This 1959 design will add some major flair to any porch! Available with a Charcoal or Cream cushion (shown).

Recommended Reading: 50 Modern Outdoor Chairs 51 Wicker And Rattan Chairs

50 Beautiful Vanity Chairs & Stools To Add Elegance To Your Dressing Space

41 Chaise Lounge Chairs That You And Your Decor Will Love

51 Lounge Chairs That Every Book Lover Dreams About

40 Beautiful Modern Accent Chairs That Add Splendour to Your Seating

50 Stunning Scandinavian Style Chairs To Help You Pull Off The Look

50 Modern Home Office Desks For Your Workspace

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drewebowden66 · 5 years ago