#but I think over time she will learn to tolerate it because it'll be the thing she has left

[ahollowgrave]

do they have any sensitivities to tastes?

Odette can't taste much, in truth! So no sensitivities. She can still taste strong flavors and she prefers sweet flavors over savory. Over time she will lose more and more of her self, sense of taste included, but for now she can still delight in a cupcake.

Thank you for the ask!

[ Small Details ]

[zyafics]

CAN YOU PLEASE, PLEASE ON MY KNEES WRITE ABOUT BITCHY!READER X RAFE AND IT'S SMUT?? I FEEL LIKE YOU'LL DO IT JUSTICE!!! thank you

you literally read my mind because i was just thinking of this prompt that works so well with bitchy!reader!! hope you'll enjoy <3 (if it’s bad, look away!!)

WHATEVER SHE WANTS | Rafe Cameron

MASTERLIST (Blurb) | x Bitchy!Kook!Female Reader

Content — 18+, power/dominance play, p in v, doggy style, orgasm denial, and dirty talks

Word Count — 2.2K

lıllılı Whatever She Wants by Bryson Tiller

You always wanted Rafe.

It's your right. Since you were a child, you demanded the best in everything—toys, clothes, boyfriends. They had to be perfect. Had to be yours. And yes, it may come off a little superficial but who cares? It's what you deserve, and it'll be hell if you don't get it.

Since the first look, when you caught Rafe lounging on a chair with his friends, tipping the rim of his beer onto his lips, while his eyes scanned over the room in an attractive lazy way, you knew you had to have him. It didn't help that you were competitive, and Rafe garnered attention with women. They flocked to him and begged for a minute of his time. It became a game to you, and that heightened your need.

Everything was calculated. The makeup you wore, the outfits you curated, the glances. You always timed your arrivals—when you knew Rafe would be watching the door—and marked your exits. You knew exactly what to wear—dresses that tantalizing exposes your ass, but only as a preview—and the cosmetic style he liked. Rafe's the type of man who believes he wants a bare-faced woman, but truly, he wants something natural that enhances your features.

You came with friends. You left alone. You drank enough to loosen your nerves and danced with the crowd, but not enough to make a fool of yourself. You knew your tolerance and knew Rafe didn't like a messy girl.

At least, in public.

You caught his gaze a couple of times, flashing a flirtatious smile over your shoulders, but never lingered longer than three seconds. Rafe can't know how easy he can have you, because Rafe, like most boys, loves a chase. You're not easy, you're spoiled. He had to come to you.

And he did.

Rafe tried to introduce himself on several occasions. On those nights when you're leaving early—as planned—Rafe would cut to the door to pay a parting remark. "You're leaving so soon?" he would ask, "Alone? Again?" He would add. You always told him it was because no one caught your eye, and Rafe took that as a personal challenge. He would then try to tell you his name, as if he were different, to which you nod—detached—as if it didn't matter.

It drove him insane.

Because you didn't offer the same courtesy. You kept him guessing. He had to finally ask around to learn your name, which he would use to tease you the next time he saw you. And he did. And you laughed. But you acted like you didn't care. Like all the trouble he went through didn't prove a thing. That's when Rafe knew he needed you.

Tonight's no different. Just as you're about to leave, Rafe catches you with another smooth pick-up line. You just giggle. He studies how your eyes crinkle with amusement, the curve of your lips painted in his favorite shade of lipstick, and the lithe tilt of your head to the side as you ask him with your gaze, is that the best you got?

It isn't. But Rafe's determined to get further with you tonight. He continues to talk, asking about which men disappointed you and the reasons for your constant disappearances from these parties. And, for once, you're answering his questions with little resistance. Perhaps, it's because of the amount of cheap wines you consumed, or maybe you—for once—are tired of the games and want it to come to a fruitful end. Because when Rafe finally asks to take you home, you don't say no.

The walk to his truck is brisk. His arm wrapped around your waist, directing your path, while his fingers trail over the backless cut of your dress, producing a buzzing feeling beneath your skin. He's whispering something in your ear, but all of it is incomprehensible as you revel in the feeling of his touch and his touch alone. The feeling of your game coming to a conclusion.

And, just as you're about to reach the car, Rafe slams you into the side of the vehicle with a searing kiss.

His mouth catches yours and everything feels perfect. As if the buildup leading to this precise moment had been worth it, and every needy emotion rises to the top. His hand travels down the length of your body, to your hips, pulling you closer, and needing to eliminate all the space and wait you made him do.

Rafe's movements are swift and controlled. One of his hands props open the backdoor of his car, pushing you inside, and laying you against his leather seats. All without breaking the kiss.

"You don't know how long I wanted this, wanted you," Rafe blubbers between wet kisses. "Seeing you at every party, in these tiny dresses, not being able to touch," he rasps, bundling the hem of your dress into a tight fist. "Tell me you wear them for me."

"And if I did?" You say with a moan, tipping your head back to grant him access to your neck. "Did you like them?"

"Of course I did," he murmurs against the curve of your neck, the vibration of his words sending heat straight to your core. "You dressing up for me like my own perfect doll."

You want to retort that it's him who's in the palm of your hand, but Rafe sucks on a sensitive spot, causing your eyes to roll back and a whimper to escape your lips instead. He grabs your wrists with one hand, throwing them over his shoulder as he pulls you flush against his chest.

"So pretty, so fucking untouchable," Rafe kisses down the length of your throat, his fingers collecting the spaghetti straps of your dress before sliding it down the slope of your shoulders. "I'm going to fuck you so good."

His words snap you out of your haze. And while Rafe continues to expose more of your body, lamenting each reveal of flesh with a kiss, you withdraw enough to grab his attention.

"You're not fucking me in a car."

"What?" Rafe breaths, unable to snap out of the trace you had him in. Delirious with want, his mind warped around the idea of you being so close to attainable, that all rational manners left his system. He tries to kiss you again, to resume the moment, but you pull enough to send him a deadly glare, pouty and spoiled.

"Rafe, take me somewhere nice or we're not fucking at all."

He can't believe what he's hearing. He can't believe he's contemplating it. But Rafe doesn't understand that you have it all planned out to result in a perfect moment. You won't let it be disrupted just because Rafe can't drive the extra mile to take you somewhere nice. You'd rather leave him with blue balls.

"Are you serious?" He asks slowly, his eyes drawn to your swollen lips, the little pout, and the desperation to have them back on his. Sure, Rafe's had girls who wanted something more than a casual fling. He had them ask him for a better spot, but he never obliged. He never cared. But you're different. He wants you, and it's been a hell of a chase to get you here. He'll be damned if he lets it slip away because of a pretentious standard.

"Does it look like I'm joking?" You cross your arms over your chest, pushing your breasts further up. He nearly groans at the sight. "We're not having sex here."

"The nearest place has to be at least a fifteen-minute drive," Rafe argues. And it makes you upset, brows pinched together. "We can just—"

"I don't care," you snap. "Take me somewhere nice or I'm leaving."

You're serious. He sees it on your face. Rafe can't risk that, despite wanting to protest, because he knows he if he messes this up, he won't have another chance. Swearing under his breath, he drags himself out of the backseat and into the driver's side, pulling the car out of the parking lot.

Dangerously, Rafe speeds down the road, while you're sitting in the backseat with a self-satisfied demeanor, fixing your makeup through the rearview mirror. Occasionally, Rafe spares a glance through the same reflection, connecting with your gaze, and while there's subtle bitterness coiled in his chest, he recognizes the bigger prize at hand.

And what he can do with it.

Because, despite your bratty attitude, Rafe is a person who wants control. You want perfection. You two can have both.

That's how you find yourself in a newly-booked penthouse suite at one of the bougie hotels in Kildare, your head digging into the soft comforter of the bed, your ass in the air, as Rafe drills into you from behind.

When you reached the room, everything moved frantically. Rafe slammed you against the nearest wall to kiss you again—needing your lips, needing your taste—while his hands roamed over your dress and pulled down your cleavage, revealing your tits. Your hands wandered down his pants, unbuttoning them hurriedly, needily, and he assisted you by pulling them off alongside his boxers. His cock was big, slightly red with a pearly bead of pre-cum that rolls off the tip. And you could tell by the look on Rafe's face that he wanted you to suck it.

But you told him, "I don't do blowjobs."

So fucking pretentious.

It didn't matter. He hauled you over to the king-sized bed and pushed you onto the mattress. You landed with a soft thump, while Rafe hauled you up to your ass, pushing up your dress, until it became nothing but a bundle around your waist. His movements were urgent, and he wanted—no, needed—to be inside you because a bratty girl was going to be a great fuck.

And he was right.

You're perfect. The way you wrap around him, the way he sinks inside you. He doesn't know if it's because of the delirium of wanting you so desperately, of chasing you for so long—but he never had better pussy. And it doesn't help that your moans are sweet, breathy, and loud—begging him to go faster.

"Such a pretentious brat," Rafe grabs your throat, hauling you upwards till your spine rest on his chest, airway constricted by his harsh grip. "Making me wait this fucking long."

"R—Rafe," you mewl, eyes rolling to the back of your skull at the way he's angling his cock deep into your cervix, bullying the sensitive spot over and over again until you're seeing stars.

"Had to get the princess treatment, did you?" He murmurs hotly into your ear, nibbling a spot on your neck as you rest the back of your head on his shoulder. His thrusts grow more erratic. "Had to make me earn you, didn't you?"

"You weren't going to fuck me in a car," you persist, and despite how cockdrunk you became, and how much of an attitude you're willing to sacrifice to feel good, you were still adamant about receiving what you deemed enough. He respected that. "I'm not one of your whores."

"But I'm fucking you like my own personal slut. Is that any better?" He bites the lobe of your ear, and his other hand wanders up to grab a handful of your breast, squeezing the fat before rolling your perked nipple between his fingers. You moan louder. "What does that make you?"

You can't seem to answer him, can't seem to find your senses. The words Rafe uses are vulgar, but there’s still no regrets about this entire thing. Rafe wanted you so badly, that he was willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel he probably won't even stay the night in. All because you demanded it.

You win.

"Shut up," you stammer, your stomach tightening. "Shut up and just fuck me, Rafe."

Rafe grins. The hand playing with your tits slips between your thighs to assist, finding your clit easily as he rubs it with his thumb in sync with his thrusts. Breathy moans escape you as you arch into his palm, while he pistons deeper inside of you, bottoming out.

"You sound so pretty, doll," Rafe murmurs against your heated skin, "Come on, take my fucking cock."

Everything’s so dirty. The way he handles you, the way your wetness drips down your thighs, the way his words breathe onto your skin and tighten your core. But you love it. You do, but you're not willing to give in so easily. No matter how good it feels. No matter how much he feels like a prize.

"You don't deserve me." You whisper with a mewl, body tightening with the familiar wave of your undoing.

Yet, Rafe merely grins.

"But you're sucking in my cock like you need me," Rafe taunts, pleasure coursing through his body at the way your walls grip him in a vice. The way your words spark challenge and invitation. He knows, despite your spoiled attitude and pretentious demands, he'll do anything to get another chance like this. "Now, behave like a good girl or you're not coming tonight."

IMPORTANT: if you want to follow my fics and updates, follow @zyafics-library and turn on notifications!

tagging @starkeysprincess bc she saw it first <3

[qilingxiong]

碎鏡

My Qiaofang fic 《原諒我可好》 was originally the ending to a slightly longer draft, before I edited/cut it down and it became its own oneshot. However, I still like what didn't make it in, and Qiao Wanmian's perspective was a joy to write. So here is everything that happened before, as an extra (but can be read on its own).

Qiao Wanmian learns, days after the fact (again), that a man is dead, disappeared from the world (again), and as she feels the last ten years of her life warp, rush past, reset (back to the start, back to the end) the world fractures into sharp glass.

Qiao-guniang, are you all right? makes its way around the shards, the sound cut too harsh in its gentleness. Menzhu, do you want us to keep looking for him?

Qiao-nvxia, I'm sure he's still alive.

Qiao-guniang, he came back last time. He wouldn't leave you.

(For the second time, no one says.)

Days turn into weeks, turn into a month, strung together by a symphony of demand, of advice, of people who remember a heartbroken maiden mourning her destined, and no one beyond that.

Menzhu—

Qiao-nvxia—

Qiao-guniang—

Qiao Wanmian—

"Enough," she says, and for not the first time, she understands why Li Xiangyi wanted to run.

And so finally, Qiao Wanmian does too.

~*~

Here is the measure of Qiao Wanmian's life:

She is almost thirty, and two betrotheds have come and gone. She has spent half her lifetime dedicated to a sect, defining its name and its honour, but pride though it is, her name does not exist outside of it. Qiao Wanmian of Sigumen, as she hears it echoed in the streets.

And more than that, because the names of heroes will not, cannot die? Qiao Wanmian, Li Xiangyi's beloved.

What is it like, she wonders, watching a trio of girls walk through a market in a small town, sword wrapped in cloth for anonymity, to be someone who loves with the freedom of leaving it behind? What is it like, to exist and nothing more, as someone other than a widow who was never a wife?

What is it like for the world to look at oneself and see a person, not a story, perfect in her sculpted tragedy?

And somehow, somehow she finds the answer after two months of wandering. Or rather he finds Qiao Wanmian, seated at an inn toward the south, blue silk and silver stepping out of a storm and through the door for too-wide eyes to find her own.

"Qiao-guniang," Fang Duobing breathes. When Qiao Wanmian looks at him, all of twenty years old and too young to lose a first love, she knows that before him stands a shattered world too.

"Join me?" she says to that, and signals for another jar of wine.

~*~

Fang Duobing is an interesting one, Qiao Wanmian thinks, several hours later, studying him by the relief of candlelight. His hair sweeps over his shoulder, dark river with a few strands fallen loose, as he slumps forward to brace his arms on the table. He's staring downward as he props his chin up by one hand, the other fidgeting with his sleeve. "How long do you think it'll take to find him?"

Maudlin, he is. He hasn't had the years to build up a tolerance for wine, although Qiao Wanmian cannot say she's been sober this evening. The warmth to her face is from more than the inn torches.

How did Li Lianhua talk to this boy, when he was in this state? What was lie, what was truth, and for how long? Did it feel like this, where Qiao Wanmian knows the answer to Fang Duobing's words, but cannot let it escape her tongue?

"I don't know," she settles for instead, a soft lie to cushion the truth. "It might take a month. It might take years."

"It won't be years," Fang Duobing murmurs. The strings of beads in his hair rustle as he tilts his head to look at her. "We both already waited ten. I'll find him sooner than that."

Xiangyi, Qiao Wanmian thinks, thinks of the last ten years gone by without lighting lanterns for the dead. You always chose the ones who could never give up, didn't you?

"Good luck," she says softly, nearly a whisper, and takes a slow swallow of wine. The jar is nearly empty.

Silence unspools, punctuated by the flicker of the lights. Fang Duobing unstops the next jar of wine and brings it to his lips, neck a graceful curve in the lean of his head back, accented by the line of his jaw. He's grown into his features, for all the room he still has left to mature. If the jianghu hadn't called his name, he would have made a handsome aristocrat in the imperial court.

Is that what else Li Lianhua saw in Fang Duobing, for him to take on a companion after ten years of solitude? Qiao Wanmian wonders briefly, in the split moment before Fang Duobing glances at her again, then somewhere in the distance, darting away too quickly to count as an idle movement. "Something to say, Fang-gongzi?"

Fang Duobing closes his eyes, in a moment's thought. When he opens them, it is to lean closer, close enough that Qiao Wanmian can feel the shape of his breath. Perhaps this dearth of respectable distance, if anyone cares, can be excused by a wine-fuelled lapse in judgment. She chooses to let it be so.

"How did you survive this the last time?" Fang Duobing asks, less question and more plea. Qiao Wanmian can see now that it's been on his mind all evening, desperation forcing his tongue.

His eyes are dark now. He looks lost.

And before she can respond, "I'm asking because you were also someone who knew him."

Oh.

Qiao Wanmian doesn't deserve to have the word zhiji alongside her name. Not when it comes to Li Xiangyi. But she knows what Fang Duobing is searching for, and so she holds it out, that lifeline of kindred recognition.

Thousands mourned the loss of a legend. They both mourned the death of a man.

When her hand moves toward Fang Duobing, half by some instinct, half by impulse, he leans into the touch, letting himself be tugged up by his chin to face her.

"I don't have a good answer for you," she says, and there's no lie for this that will fare any less painful than the truth. "You'll get through one day hoping he'll be there waiting at the end, and he won't be, but you'll go to sleep so that maybe he'll find you in the next. He won't. But if it means you see tomorrow, then you have to keep hoping, until someday, you've found something new to wake up for."

It all comes out in a rush, and it surprises Qiao Wanmian by the honesty of it, so much so that her last words are too quiet by contrast. "That's how people like us keep living."

Fang Duobing's eyes are too bright. She brushes one gemstone of a fallen tear away with her thumb.

"You did this alone?" he says, and Qiao Wanmian recognizes the tremble to those words.

A wandering swordsman with a blade can fight any demon that throws itself at him. Fear, though, has ten thousand different ways to find you.

"You won't have to."

A promise, she realizes a moment too late, but she's already made it. These words were for him alone. Something else takes over Fang Duobing's expression: relief, like the first blossom of spring after a bleak winter.

He's too young for this to be his life.

And of Qiao Wanmian? What does Fang Duobing think? She waits, drawing away from him, the comfort of another's warmth gone.

His words are too soft in his mouth, gaze too earnest. "I know you haven't said anything about yourself all night, but you don't have to either, you know."

It feels like an arrow let fly.

Qiao Wanmian is left helpless by its wound, staring in the half-dark at a boy too sweet for her, willing to break her fall while he doesn't know how to land himself, and, and—

Something inside her breaks.

~*~

When she reaches for him, anything of him, drowned in the shadows by the doors to his room— waist, collar, mouth— he lets her.

[tired-fandom-ndn]

I completely agree with gravecest having a breeding kink but I'm so obsessed with an AU where they break into the house and learn that their parents decided to try one more time with having kids and they run into a baby in their parents new place, clearly left to fend for itself while their mom was doing that grocery run. So many mixed emotions about being replaced but also knowing that even with this one they were fucking up, and wanting to prove they were better than their parents by raising the kid together (which also sells them as "Mr. and Mrs. Graves). And also makes them weird dark mirror reflections to A Series of Unfortunate Events :)

ANON YOU GET MEEEEEEEE

But god, the Graves parents completely restarting EVERYTHING. They have new jobs, a new house, new lives, why shouldn't they have a new child too? A perfect, normal child for their new, perfect lives? One that isn't fucked up like their other two, because obviously the problem was that Andrew and Ashley just Weren't Right, the Graves parents would never consider that their own parenting could've played a role in how their children turned out. Everything will be right now.

(They adopt instead of trying to have another on their own; pregnancy sucks and the agency was more than happy to help a pair of grieving parents start over.)

Except babies are loud and they're gross and they're annoying and they're so needy. They can tolerate working from home on alternating days, because they don't have an older child to dump their baby on and a babysitter is just a waste of money, but neither of them like it and the baby is left to cry in its crib more often than not, the monitor turned off because it's just so annoying. And sometimes Mrs. Graves just needs a break. Babies are sturdy, it'll be fine if she just runs out for a quick grocery run, 30 minutes, an hour at the absolute most.

When Andrew and Ashley find the baby, it's obvious that this isn't the first time it's been left alone like that and that the abandonment isn't the only way it's been neglected. The nursery is half-finished and nearly empty compared to the master bedroom and living room, it needs a diaper change badly, and it clearly hasn't been washed or fed as regularly as it needs to be. This baby is an uncomfortable look into their own childhoods but somehow worse and it makes both of them see red.

Keeping that baby is so fucking stupid, they both know it would be smarter to leave it at a hospital or on a neighbor's doorstep, but. . . they want so badly to be better than their parents. They want to prove that they're capable of the love and kindness that their parents refused to give them, and it'll sell their story better! People are always more sympathetic to a young couple with a baby, even if it'll be more expensive and make them more vulnerable. Their parents had enough basic supplies, formula and a car seat and a baby carrier and all that crap, that they won't have to spend too much of the money on baby stuff right away at least.

(Andrew is frantically googling infant care and trying to figure out the logistics of raising that baby, meanwhile Ashley has a dozen tabs about inducing lactation and thinking about how the more like a "real" family they seem, the harder it would be for Andrew to abandon them.)

At dinner, Ashley gives the baby a few tiny sips of broth from the soup, wanting it to experience something it wouldn't get a chance to later, consuming their shitty parents like its older siblings and new parents get to. Andrew just sighs and reminds her to cool the broth first and not too much, damn it Ashley, it's not old enough!

[leoslosttoolbelt]

What I think the demigods would major as and why

these are personal head canons dont take them too seriously :)

Percy: Education. I know that we usually hc as a Marin biology kinda guy but I genuinely think that he wouldn't be too fond of the workload but instead want to work towards being a teacher and being the kind of teacher he needed as a kid, y'know? Alternatively, I can see him being into something like baking and pastry art to take over Sally's shop.

Annabeth: Architecture. I really don't think I need to explain this one to y'all but yeah she's an architecture girly. But if we want to branch out I can also see her studying law and working in the area of Child Protection.

Leo: Astrophysics. I have this head canon of him panicking because of the sheer amount of choices that he's presented with and choosing the first one of the alphabetical list. Lucky for him, he's insanely good at it AND it'll pay well in the future. He minors in mechanical engineering and realises that although he has all the practical knowledge because of his father, his theoretical knowledge isn't as strong lol.

Piper: Food Science. I'm trying to be unique here because yeah, she could do environmental studies but I also think it would be super cool to see her learning about food and developing new vegetarian versions of food because it's something she's visibly passionate about in the books.

Nico: I can see him getting a history / philosophy related degree for his bachelors just for him to get a  doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.) in mythology or folklore. His hyperfixation runs deep and he sure as hell is going to fuel it as much as he can.

Jason: Doesn't go to college!! Is severely burnt out <3. No but like idk man I think he'd legitimately want to take it chill if that makes sense? Maybe he'd do a business major just so that he can get a job somewhere but I can't think of somewhere he'd fit in nicely. Jason does have a lot of part time jobs though!!

Frank: Nurse! Nursing school! Despite being the son of Mars I can see him being in the medical field because he wants to help people in need. It's a long journey with lots of ups and downs but finally getting his degree makes it all worth it.

Hazel: Geology because rocks. And also women in STEM!! This one directly correlates to her powers in the books as well as both of her parents! On the other hand, I can see definitely see Hazel studying in the field of archeology with the goal of being an archeologist and then eventually a museum curator :)

Reyna: Psychology!! Listen, I know this seems out of the blue but Reyna gives me the right vibes. Everyone is skeptical at first because they don't think she'd fit the mold of a clinical psychologist but that's okay because Reyna wants to further herself in research! She studies Neuropsychology and becomes a prominent researcher in her field! Please tell me you see the vision.

Will: From what I can see in the books, Emergency Medical Services degree seems like the right field for him. He's already basically a paramedic at Camp Half Blood so he knows it's naturally the right step for him. On the other hand, for something a little different - he seems like the kind of guy who might be interested in studying cinematography or art history maybe.

Travis: He studies Economics because he's so fucking convinced that he can become the next Elon Musk if he studies this. Alternatively, he studies music because he wants to travel the world and like sing with the wind and all that shit.

Connor: he's a communications major because he's a really popular youtube and technically doesn't really need to go to college but oh well he can study communications.

Drew: She goes to cosmetology school as the first step to start her own makeup and skincare empire. She's super nice to all of her clients and helps out all of the other students when they're having trouble with something! I will not tolerate any Drew slander let my girl breathe.

Pollux: Chemical Engineering. He got influenced by watching breaking bad and somehow landed himself a degree in chemical engineering. He doesn't know how he survived that degree but it doesn't matter because he decides to not give a fuck and open a coffee shop that becomes really popular because all the drinks are to die for.

Thalia: I don't really know the right terminology but she has an art related degree / tattoo apprentice so that she can work as a tattoo artist!! It fits with the thalis vision and also she is the eldest daughter who loses it lowkey so she doesn't follow your usual education route. Tattoo artist Thalia for the win!!

[lemotmo]

https://www.tumblr.com/lemotmo/750027986795888640/all-right-now-that-the-biggest-shock-from-seeing

My thing is I read things like this and I’m like this makes sense. And his arc needs to arc. But then it’s like you also have the people who have already seen the episode engaging online saying things like they really hope the show fixes what happens in tonight’s episode in 7.9 or 7.10 and them also liking fan response comments that are saying oh Eddie’s about to do something dumb with Marisol tonight isn’t he.

I get the it needs to get worse before it gets better…and it might even be tolerable if Marisol’s actress wasn’t who it is… but she is and seeing her on screen and having to continue watching it play out with them driving them closer together, sex scenes, missing scenes, constantly, like….when is enough going to be enough. There are other ways they could be doing all of this that didn’t feel like such slaps in the face to everyone especially while they keep spouting the were so inclusive and supportive badges. I hope the pay off is worth it. I really really do.

Hey Nonny! It totally get it! I do. I hate these kinds of arcs as well. Every good TV-show with slow burn romances has these kinds of arcs. I remember so many of them and the frustration it brought along, knowing that two people are so right for each other but they just can't see it or they actively 'choose' not to see it. I've watched tons of TV-shows like that. And, mind you, I was a teenager in the 90's, so we couldn't binge watch anything. We had to patiently wait for a new episode every week. Sometimes the channel suddenly decided to drop the show and there was no resolution at all. It was frustrating, but the one thing I learned was patience... so much patience. Because when that moment came. THE MOMENT when two slow burn lovers finally came together? So incredibly worth it!

So yes. I get it. When I see stills with Eddie and Marisol like this I do get angry. I know in my gut that Eddie might be about to do something monumentally stupid for the wrong reasons. But then I think back to Ana and I realise it's the exact same story they are telling. But this time it'll (hopefully) have a better ending. An ending of Eddie choosing his own happiness over that of his son for once. Doesn't mean he loves Chris any less. It just means that the most important thing for Chris is that his father is happy and that will make him happy as well.

Eddie won't be running away this time, just actively choosing for himself. This is growth and it's what we need to see for him to move on to something better in life. And hopefully, if the show chooses to go there, that will be Buck.

I know Buck is with Tommy now, but that relationship is definitely also on a timeline with a clear ending. Marisol and Tommy are plot devices. They only pop up in the narrative when they are needed to make a point.

So the way I see it, one day both Eddie and Buck will be completely free and they'll be able to actively choose each other. And they will be each other's endgame.

As for Edy. I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. I always try to seperate actor from character, but in this case it's extremely difficult to do. I'm not sure why the show has decided to keep her around, knowing who she really is. I can only hope she is on her way out as we speak and we won't see her again in season 8 or anywhere else on our TV-screens.

I hope tonight's episode won't stress you out too much Nonny. I wish you calm and happy times.

[bbygirl-aemond]

Hey! I hope you're well. My ask basically is what are your actions you would take in addressing the problem Lucerys presents with House Velaryon and the visual implications of a white lord of a predominantly Black house. All the best!

(This ask is in reference to my Lucemond Arranged Marriage AU)

Oh yes thank you! I had too many thoughts on this to fit it into one comment haha.

So as a reminder, this AU is centered around Viserys surviving longer. Where Driftmark is concerned, the key thing is that Viserys outlives Corlys by several years. In this universe, I do think Lucerys would successfully become Master of Driftmark upon Corlys's death, because Viserys as the undisputed King would be backing his claim.

But what happens when Viserys dies? In this AU, the Greens will still attempt their usurpation. The Blacks will be in a much better position to defeat them, but it'll still create instability, and the members of House Velaryon could very well take advantage to try to depose Lucerys and install someone else instead.

I think it'll help that the most powerful members of House Velaryon--AKA the ones with dragons, like Rhaenys and Baela and by then Rhaena--would probably still be supporting Lucerys. And it'll help that Rhaenyra will succeed in getting her throne, and Lucerys will once more have the reigning monarch's backing. I'd also devote a significant amount of time to Lucerys taking the time to learn and appreciate House Velaryon's culture and proving himself as a seafarer. He needs to fully adopt all of their customs without hesitation and without trying to impose any of his own on them.

...But while I could see the Velaryons tolerating Lucerys if he demonstrated a desire to preserve their culture and learn their ways, the optics of a lil white boy's bloodline taking over like the only powerful Black house in Westeros are objectively not great. So I'd definitely want Driftmark's succession to return to Black Velaryons for future generations. Here's my idea:

Lucerys decrees that Rhaena's eventual children will be his heirs.

It's canonically possible for holders of a title to make a distant relative their heir, even if more closely-related relatives exist. Jeyne Arryn successfully made her fourth cousin Joffrey Arryn her heir, even though she had an existing first cousin, Arnold Arryn, who was more closely related to her. So I think this solution would be fairly compatible with existing Westerosi norms of succession.

In this situation, Rhaena could be engaged to another Black Velaryon relative. My best candidates for this would be either of Vaemond's sons, Daemion or Daeron. Daeron Velaryon could have been born as late as 115 AC and Rhaena was born in 116 AC, so it's plausible that they could be basically the same age. If Rhaena and Daeron were engaged and their children named heirs to Driftmark, this would make Lucerys a white little blip amidst an otherwise entirely Black and Velaryon line of succession for Driftmark. Also I'm fond of people relinquishing their titles once they get old for the sake of stable transitions of power so it'd help if Lucerys retired early and didn't cling onto the title longer than necessary.

So yes, there's no way to have Lucerys as Master of Driftmark without the squidgy aspect of a white man ruling an otherwise Black house, no matter how attentive you make him to embracing their culture and preserving their traditions. But I think a lot of goodwill could be created if Lucerys ensured early on that Driftmark would pass back into Black Velaryon hands as soon as he retired.

[away-ward]

What do think the Horsemen and their women are like as parents?

Oof. Way out of my depth. I don't have a parental bone in my body. And really outside of willemmy I don't have a clue about the inner workings of these characters. But...making this up as I go...

Parenthood

I think for the most part, it would be easier to describe any of them as overly protective, or wanting their kids to have independence, ect. I'll try to stay away from the obvious.

The Fane's:

It's hard to tell because their first kid is Athos and she's 18 by the time Aaron comes along, so they probably raised them very differently. One thing is for sure though.

They are going to absolutely BABY Aaron.

Michael has high standards and expects his authority to be respected but will (proudly) hear Athos out when she wants to argue her point. He wants her to be smart and independent, striving to accomplish her goals. He'd considerate it a personal failing if he asked his kids "what do you want to do with your life/what do you want to accomplish/what is your goal?" and they responded "I don't know." He wants them to be mentally strong and determined in pursuit of what they want. He has a low tolerance for emotional outburst but thankfully Rika is there to balance that out.

Rika would want to create a warm, encouraging, supportive environment. As a parent, she want to instill a deep sense of purpose within her children, something that would guide them when she wasn't there. It would break her heart if her children ever felt lost or disconnected who they are. They should know who they are and what they value, even if it ends up being different from her and Michael. She'd encourage Athos and Aaron to speak their minds and cherish their unique personalities. She's more flexible in her role than Michael, and might let them get away with more just because she thinks it's fun.

The Mori's:

Mads is a curve ball for sure, but I think once Kai comes to understand and settle with his peculiar ways, it'll be fine. Jett, I think, is more chill and the easier of the two to parent, which Kai and Banks are thankful for. They train their kids in endurance and restraint, but of course letting them know there's a time for control and a time to let go.

Kai would want to give his children the same stable and comfortable foundation that he had. He'd be gentle but firm in guiding and discipline. He'd expect their respect at all times. There's no yelling or arguing in the Mori household; any disagreements are managed with a calm discussion followed by a reasonable punishment that matches the wrong, if one is required. Punishment isn't meant to hurt; it's always made clear the lesson that he wants them to learn, and it would end when he felt they'd learn it, no matter if it were half-an-hour or a week. Unlike his own father, he tries not to put heavy expectations on them. At the same time, he'd want to make sure they were ready for the world ahead of them and any sign that they weren't would unsettle him.

Banks, for all her worrying over being ready, is actually pretty comfortable as a parent. Along with Kai, she wants a structured environment most of the time, with clearly defined roles and expectations. She leads by example and doesn't expect her kids to do anything she wouldn't. This means, of course, that they contribute to the household chores such as keeping their own rooms clean, doing their own laundry when they get older, dishes and cooking when they're ready. She considers knowledge of these things to be standard and necessary for a successful life. She can be a bit stubborn when her kids start to develop ideas that conflict with the family's as they get older. Still, she finds it easier than Kai to deal with them testing their boundaries and putting up walls as they seek their independence. As hard a lesson as it was, she learned through Mads that sometimes, just letting a kid be is what they need. But she'll always be there when they ask for her, no matter how small the issue.

The Torrance's:

Damon gives his children complete freedom to do whatever they want. He doesn't deny them any opportunity to explore or experience the world at large. Nothing would piss him off more than his children not using their lives and freedom to the fullest extent. But even he has limits, and the expects his kids to not push them. He's given them a lot of space to roam, but don't go pass the fence, so to speak. Or, if they do, they should at least know how to conceal it. He encourages their creativity and spontaneity, often joining in with them if he can, but he isn't pushy about it. As they grow, his kids will trust Damon to be level-headed if (cough-when-cough) they get into trouble. And as a warning, don't look sideways at his kids unless you want him to be looking directly at you. He knows they're loud. Deal with it. But it's not all fun and adventure. At times, Damon may struggle with with the more emotional side of parenting and will leave that Winter if he thinks he's going to do or say something that will mess them up.

Winter enjoys motherhood. More than just having a house full the sounds of family, she's naturally warm and relaxed as a parent. She usually feel confident and capable when it comes to her kids. Not that motherhood is easy, but I think of all the girls, it comes easiest to her naturally. Being an artist, she's always thinking of something new and exciting for her kids to do. Since they are so...energetic...it has to be something hands-on. She'd be understanding when her kids make mistakes. Her first priority is making sure they're okay, then figuring out what happened, and then correction if needed. She's open-minded enough to let her children take risks (some that maybe even the others parents would hesitate with), but she expects them to own up to it when they do wrong. And because she's proven herself to be understanding and warm, they usually do without much resistance. People think that because the Torrance children are wild, they don't respect Winter or that she has no control over them, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

The Grayson's:

maybe it's my personal opinion and soft spot for willemmy, but they are the most normal parents???? Or maybe it's just because they have the most average American family: three kids and a dog.

Will is the fun-dad. The "you're dad is so cooooooool" dad. (It's music to his ears every time one of his kid's friends say "I wish I had your dad." He looks over to Emory with a little wink and a smile, and she always rolls her eyes. "yeah, because impressing an 11 year old is sooo hard.") Like Damon, Will wants his kids to explore and experience everything. Unlike Damon, he wants to be there for every second of it, not as an overbearing parent but as a friend. He's just as hyped to do stuff as his kids are. Will has few rules when it comes to his kids branching out into the world. Hearing his them say, "I don't know what to do" isn't a failing or a flaw. It's because there's so many possibilities, and he's just as excited to explore those possibilities with them. But when disappointments come - because it always does - Will is uniquely qualified out of all of the Horsemen to help them deal with it. He's sensitive to emotions and understanding the ways of the heart, which he uses to help his kids get over setbacks and rise to the next challenge. Will would be happy with his kids doing anything. All he expects from them is to be kind most of all, no matter what they do in life. And while he doesn't enjoy the idea of disciplining them (often giving Em puppy eyes when it comes to that part of the job), he'll follow through because he knows they need it to develop into good people. Not rule-following people, but good. He makes sure they know there's a difference.

Emory encourages her kids independent thinking skills. Because of her and Will's natural curiosity, and fostering that quality in their children, her children ask a lot of questions. She'll always answer in an age appropriate way. Emory doesn't want to hide things from them because "they're too young" or "they won't understand", even if the topic is difficult. Because of this, her kids feel comfortable speaking around her, asking for help, or maybe sharing something embarrassing. Emory loves showing her kids physical affection - holding them everyday and showering them with praise so they never doubt they are loved. But for her, this is more of a private activity. In public, her words will be supportive and proud. She doesn't place a lot of importance on what she considers meaningless rules (hence, Indie dying her hair blue), so she makes sure the ones she does provide have good reasoning. Unfortunately, because of Will's resistance to discipline, it leaves her to the be strong one. Which is fine, for the most part. She knows that kids need guidance to be responsible adults, and she wants nothing more for them to be self-reliant and capable. So if that means a grounding here or there so her kids understand when to push the boundaries and when to fall in line, she can do that without problem, but that's the extent of her punishments.

Overall, these are people who are completely devoted to their children. They truly encompass the "it takes a village" saying. Where one of them as a failing, another picks up the slack. This means, as crazy and unusual as the kids appear, they're actually really well-developed, strong-willed, and confident in their skills and each other.

pic link

Thanks for the ask. Let me know your fun HCs!!

[thetavolution]

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion!Tav Ask List

Paloma Silkflower

What if your Tav was a recruitable companion, instead of the main character?  (contains major spoilers for the game, and for some dark urge runs as well)

General

Where can your Tav be recruited?  Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region?  Or are they not recruitable until a later act? The PC meets her on the Nautiloid. She's immediately over Shadowheart and Lae'zel's bullshit. She's hyper focused on getting out.

Do the other companions have special comments or reactions upon recruiting your Tav? She's a drow so some people has some pretty nasty stuff to say. Wyll, Gale, and Karlach are chill because that's who they are. No one trusts her at first because they assume she worships the Spider Queen. Over time, they realize they were wrong about her.

Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions? Shadowheart: "She proved herself back on the Nautiloid. She'll be useful to have at our side in battle." Astarion: "I'll be blunt. I don't trust Astarion as far as I can throw him, but I can deal with him." Gale: "I've never seen a wizard stuck in a rock before. I guess there's a first time for everything. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find him endearing though." Wyll: " It's nice to know that there are real life prince charmings in the world. It'll be an honor to fight by his side. Let's just hope he doesn't end up getting sidetracked trying to save a princess." Lae'zel: "Gith may be brutal, but they're also fearless. If she's on our side, we're in good company. But we better stay on her good side." Halsin: "I think everyone has been drooling over that man since he came to camp. I can't blame them. I wouldn't be against climbing Mount Halsin myself...." Karlach: "She's a firecracker, isn't she? She's a fantastic addition to our little team of freaks. It's been so long since I met someone who just radiates goodness. She's doing wonders for my heart." Minthara: "You don't expect me to be happy she's here, do you? You can't put a Lolth and Seldarine in a room together and hope for the best. (sighs) While I wish you hadn't recruited her, I'll get over it for the good of the team." If you have high approval, she'll add, "I trust your judgment above all else." Minsc: "I already love Boo so much. I'd keep Minsc around for for his sake alone. All jokes aside, it'll be an honor to fight alongside Minsc. He's a good man." Jaheira: "I'm afraid I've only recently learned of her exploits, but I'm thoroughly impressed. I have a lot I'd like to learn from her. We also need someone around who can bust our chops a little bit."

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval? She has a soft spot for kids, especially orphans. If the PC is kind to children, they'll get approval points. She'll also be impressed if the PC can talk their way out of confrontations.

Are there any instances where your Tav can permanently leave the party, depending on player character actions? The PC can driver her off. It's not easy, but it can be done. If her approval rating is too low, she'll leave on her own. If you pick insulting options too often, she'll ditch you, too. She will not tolerate that kind of abuse.

Do they have any secrets that can be revealed?  What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light? She's secretive about her past, but she can either be persuaded to confide in the PC or a future quest will reveal her secrets. It's mostly about her sister. (More on that in a bit.) I might expand on this idea more in the future. She's also a mom, but she keeps that a secret to protect her kids. If she trusts Tav enough, she'll tell them she has three.

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game?  Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes? Her sister will make an appearance later on and you can choose to help her or not. Her sister, Lamia, is a criminal who is constantly getting into trouble. She's being chased by the authorities and you can choose to help her or let her get arrested. You could also possibly break Lamia out of prison later. Lamia will help in the final battle if you help her stay out of prison. If she goes to prison, she obviously will not be able to help.

What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp?  How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again? Stay in camp: "Are you sure? You know, if you need me, you can call on me any time." To go adventuring again: "At the ready. I get worried about you when you go off without me." (Even if she's not romanced, she will say this platonically. She will either see the PC as a lover or a sibling.)

Does your Tav have any escalating conflicts with one of the other companions, like Lae’zel and Shadowheart’s knife-fight? Oh yeah, she and Minthara are at each other's throats. Minthara underestimates her and Paloma looks down her nose at Minthara. If the PC plays their cards right, they can get the two of them to tolerate each other. They might even eventually respect one another with the right choices. Or the PC can egg them on. It will lead to a fight and possibly a death, or just one of them leaving for good.

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game? Paloma grew up in an orphanage called the Holy House of Nym. It's run by Ilmater clerics and the PC be able to meet the clerics who raised her. Paloma isn't particularly fond of many of the clerics. Note: Paloma is from an original story and I named the House of Nym before I knew anything about BG3. It having the same name as Nym Orlith was an accident. Lamia, a changeling rogue, grew up with Paloma at Nym and she's an optional NPC to interact with. She's like a sister to Paloma, but she's also an absolute disaster. You can choose to help Lamia escape from the authorities or leave her to her fate. Allie is a barbarian Dragonborn that Lamia pals around with. Allie is kind of a meathead who likes to spit acid on people. You can also decide to help her escape capture or let them both go to jail. If you help them, you can call on both of them for help whenever. Lamia would do anything for her sister. Paloma will be surprisingly understanding if you don't want to help them. If you do help them, you get a HUGE approval boost with Paloma. You won't get disapproval for not helping though. If you go to the babysitter's house, you can also meet her children, Orianna, Lucan, and Meriele. The babysitter has yet to be named.

Are there any moments in the game that trigger unique dialogue for your character? (Like Gale’s anecdote about the barfight after you save the goblin prisoner)  If you help any orphans, she might be tell the PC a story of her past. This is one of the potential ways for the PC to discover she was orphaned as a child. She can regale them with a story of her childhood. She'll also mention keeping her "little sister" out of trouble. If Ilmater is ever mentioned or read about in a book and the PC knows she's an orphan, she'll talk about how the orphanage she grew up in was run by Ilmatari. She has a complicated relationship with Ilmater worshippers. If Tav knows about her kids, she'll also talk about the shenanigans they get into. Gale will probably chime in because he relates to being a precocious kid. It'll be cute.

Story Specific

How does your Tav advise the player character when it comes to the Dream Visitor? She 100% doesn't trust them. "I don't know what to make of them, but I don't trust them. How do we know they actually have our best interest at heart?"

How do they advise the player character on Raphael? "Don't trust a devil. Nothing good can come of it. He can smell our desperation and he will prey on it."

How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character? "I told you! Didn't I tell you? I knew there was something up with him. ...I don't actually care he's a vampire. It makes him kind of hotter, if I'm being honest. But the important part is I was right!"

How do they react to the Player Character letting Abdirak whip them? "So... can we take turns doing this, or is it a one time deal?"

How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power? "Gods... why would you do that? Are you trying to become a mind flayer?" She'd also check up on the PC to make sure they're okay. She'd be genuinely very worried about them and acting like a mother hen until she was convinced they were okay.

Will they stay with the Player Character regardless of siding with the goblins or the tieflings, or is it possible for them to leave the party permanently? If they side with the goblins, she'll leave. She can't help but feel for the tieflings, especially the kids. She also has no interest in rubbing elbows with goblins in general.

What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party? She'd retreat to her tent to drink a glass of wine alone. She's not a big partier, but she'd be personable if you approach her.

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with?  She'd approve of anyone you bed, honestly. She knows she's traveling with a group of hotties. She'd have a very "Go you" reaction. She'd also ask for details later.

Do they have unique dialogue if the Player Character lets them die when they steal the Blood of Lathander? "I understand the appeal of the nice shiny sun cannon, but I stopped understanding at the part where you let it crush me! Gods, what were you thinking?" If you have high approval, she'll add, "You're lucky I like you so much. I forgive you." If you don't, you'll have more options to either apologize or antagonize her.

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar? "Do not put stuff like that in your mouth. You're going to make yourself sick!" A second time: "No! Bad! Put it back!" Sometimes her dialogue will be redirected at another companion, "Have they done this before? You'd tell me if they did something like this before, right?"

What do they say if the PC tries to force them to go up on stage with Dribbles the Clown? 1: "I saw a clown in the Underdark once.... His corpse was used as a warning for any other clowns that dared come down." 2: "Do you really wish to see me up there? Or do you just have a thing for humiliation and didn't tell me?" 3: "Well... our friendship was nice while it lasted." / If romanced, "I hope you don't plan on trying to crawl into my bedroll tonight after this stunt."

Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin?  How is Orin's deception revealed?  How do they react to the PC rescuing them in the Temple of Bhaal? Yes, she can be. Orin would pick up on her trying to be a big sister/mom to everybody, but she'd 100% overplay it. She'd perform her like a really bad OOC fanfic of Paloma. She'd make her freak out that she couldn't protect "her babies" and the PC would be able to see through it. It'd be a lot like Halsin, but about protecting the group. When rescued, she'd be grateful. "Thank you. It's good to know I can always count on you. Now let's get out of here. It smells like someone died in here... Huh. I'm hearing myself say that and feeling very stupid."

How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn? I think she'd be so heartbroken if he ascended. He grows on her and she wants to protect everyone. She just wants the best for her little crew. She'd tell the PC how sad she is Astarion ascended, but would still want him in her life. She would also be touched if Astarion spares the 7000 spawn, but worried out of her mind. She just doesn't want anyone to get hurt.

How does Tav react to the PC becoming a mind flayer?  Can they offer to become one themselves?  Does their reaction change if they’re romanced?  She wouldn't but only because of her kids. She can't become one because of them. She would be so sad if the PC becomes one, but she'd never leave their side. She'd take care of them and stay with them if romanced, no matter what.

How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them? She'd be scared, but she would be there for the PC. She's supportive and loving. She would have a suspicion of what's going on, but she'd keep it to herself until later.

How do they react to the Dark Urge killing Alfira? "Did you do this? Please... please, tell me this wasn't you. Gods, why? Why would you do this to her?" She'd still be suspicious she knows that the Dark Urge is a Bhaalspawn, but she'd never say it. She'd just do everything she could to help the PC.

If romanced, how do they react to the Dark Urge trying to kill them in Act 2? When she first wakes: "Love...? Is everything alright? What's happening?" After being told what's happening: "You wouldn't be the first lover who tried to kill me, but I do wish it would stop happening... Whatever is happening to you, we'll get you through this." She would be supportive as always and protective. She would talk the PC through it and stay calm for them. She'd calmly and firmly ask for an explanation afterward.

Romance

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them? Yes, she is definitely romanceable. She'd pretend she's hard to get, but she is not.

Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough? In order to get things moving faster, the PC can flirt with her and let her know they're interested. If the PC gets her approval high enough, she will bring it up first. It just takes a little longer before she feels confident in making the first move.

Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option? She's a poly option. She'll just ask the PC to communicate with her about their needs/wants.

Do they have a special romance scene at the tiefling/goblin party? If her approval is high, she'll flirt with the PC and make the first move. But the PC will also be able to ask her to spend the night with them. She'll take you into the woods to spend the night together.

Does the romance have different branching paths, or just one route to take? She would have a pretty straightforward path, even if you take a poly angle.

How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them? She'd be really upset about it, but trying to put on a brave face. She would try to act as if she doesn't care, but the PC definitely broke her heart. She'd also probably get in a jab at whoever the PC left her for... and immediately feel bad about saying it. She'd apologize for that. She would ask to stay friends.

What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test?  The heart is fraught, so let us begin with the joyous. When is Paloma happiest? A. When she's curled up in bed with some snacks and a good book. Or if Tav knows about her kids: When she's with her children. ★ B. In the Underdark. C. When she's with me. ★ (If romanced.) D. While fighting on the battlefield. Listen. Think. What is Paloma's greatest fear? A. Spiders. B. Letting everyone down. ★ C. The Underdark. D. Losing her children. ★ We often gaze through a veil of roses, but love accepts both the petal and the thorn. Paloma - what is her greatest flaw? A. She has a huge ego. B. She holds herself up to an impossible standard. ★ C. She's greedy and prioritizes money above everything. D. She spreads herself too thin. ★

If they’re poly, do they have a reaction to the PC engaging in a relationship with Halsin? She's into it. (In my play through, she's romancing Astarion and Halsin.) She'd hope he'd be down to let her join in.

How do they react if the PC has sex with Mizora? The Emperor?  Haarlep? She doesn't want to tell the PC what to do, but she'd disapprove of Mizora because of what she did to Wyll. It'd be less about the sex and more about who it was with. It might get her to leave the PC. She'd disapprove of the Emperor and Haarlep, but she would be empathetic toward the PC.

Will they join in with the PC and the Drow Twins, or no? She would! She'd love it.

What are Tav’s plans for the future?  Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in? She'd propose and there'd be an option for the PC to beat her to it. She's poly, but not against marriage. (She's also willing to be monogamous for someone she loves. It's not something she HAS to have.) As long as the PC accepts her children, she wants a future with them.

Free space! Share anything from your companion!Tav au! I'm actually planning on doing some VO shorts with Paloma, Lamia and Tessa. Just for fun! It'd also be some voice acting practice for me.

[beanmom]

My husband just informed me that he's planning to take the day of the upcoming solar eclipse off work. He found an AirBnB outside of Rochester (like 5 hrs away) so he's gonna drive up Sunday, stay over, see the eclipse Monday afternoon (it'll be total there whereas here it'll only be like 95% or something), then drive back home that night. He asked me if I wanted to come along.

Now, do I think it would be cool to see a total solar eclipse? Sure, yeah, of course. Is it a bucket list item for me like it is for him, though? Nah. But more to the point, the day of the eclipse is the day before our daughter flies out to Norway for good. So it's not a great time for me to dip for 36 hours or whatever. And plus she and I have a baby shower to attend that Sunday, her last chance to see one whole side of the family before she emigrates, so the calendar is already full for me.

Additionally, in general, it is complicated for both me and my husband to travel at the same time because we have a diabetic cat who needs insulin morning and evening. We have a sitter we can hire who will come care for him but she's not cheap, especially if we need her to come at precise times, multiple times a day. (Boarding him is not an option because it would be much too stressful for him.)

So yeah, I'm not going to Rochester on the 8th. And I'm fine with that specific thing. What I'm not entirely fine with is the ongoing fact that he Goes Places and I just fucking do NOT.

He has a job that requires him to travel occasionally. In the recent past he's had work trips to Austin and to Boulder. This year, he has a new job, and they are apparently sending him to, like, Brazil and uhhh some other country, maybe Romania? Additionally, he has friends in various places who invite him for visits sometimes, or with whom he plans little excursions a few times a year.

I do not have these things. My job is a piddly little part-time job. I am autistic and basically in-fucking-tolerable so I do not have people in the world who want to spend time with me. We went to Norway last summer to meet our future son-in-law and that was the first time I'd been on a plane in 20 years, first time I'd been off the continent in 30. It was the first vacation of any kind I'd had since, like, 2017.

Y'all, I fucking love to travel. I love just being new places. I love airports. I love learning how to use a city's public transport system. I love trying new foods. I love architecture. I am mastering two different languages on Duolingo right now.

My husband does not begrudge me anything. We are finally doing well financially after many years of struggle and worry. My passport is current. If I wanted to take myself somewhere I could do it. But, what, I book myself a trip to walk around in some city by myself? Stay in a room by myself? Speak to no one but myself for five days or whatever? I'm an introvert, yeah, but that sounds lonely.

So he gets to run off on a wild hair and trust that I'll stay here and keep the lights on, and I'm just envious. Little bitter. Not gonna lie.

[jimmycartersufo]

this is me having the Tuesday foh museum employee version of Sunday scaries. I love using tumblr as a sort of diary right now especially when writing my hand causes pain!

the last two weeks of work have been especially rough and this week I have some tough stuff to get through that I'm nervous about but it'll be OK. I just struggled with the unknown. time always moves too quickly this time of year and I'm desperate to hold on to my days off because I am so burnt out. the problem is when you're in between those biweekly checks and you're broke as hell but also it's been pouring down rain. I can't help but feel bad and guilty when I do nothing. I didn't do just nothing, I took care of my mom today and I've rested a lot but it still feels weird and bad.

I'm almost back to being in the green for my sick time. I used up all my sick time and my boss had payroll give me negative sick time which was a life saver. I miss my boss so much. everything has gone to shit without her. but she deserves so much better. clearly. anyway, in a couple weeks I'll start to see actual sick time build up again. and on July 1 I'll get more pto 🤡 but thankfully at least Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday so we will have a three day weekend. The museum won't pay it's workers more or respect their security dept (which is historically and systematically Black) but they will do land acknowledgements if they happen to put up a work by a Native person (aka no permanent land acknowledgement lol) and they'll give us Juneteenth off with pay. oh and back of house gets more pto than foh but I'm not here to list alllllll of my complaints rn. but we as a team are counting down the days so we can have a three day weekend. like yeah holiday pay on a day we already have off (every gov holiday that falls on a Monday) but would rather have a floating holiday for more pto. abyway I should hopefully have some sick time built up in a couple months to take a day off for rest.

falling behind on chores again. desp need to spring clean dust because ofc I have to be a maximalist autistic. still need to wash my beach combing finds from a few weeks ago. still need to hang stuff up. the most I can do is pick up a little. do a load of laundry but share the labor with my husband because we don't have the capacity for either or alone. do dishes maybe. make breakfast, lunch, and John makes dinner. take care of mom which is hard sometimes but more than anythjng it has to be done and I can trick my brain into not being an asshole about it. make the bed but in a more "lazy" way. take care of myself and stick to my barely there routine. medicine with alarms, brush teeth, set out the clothes I want to wear at least a day ahead but two days if possible. shower when it's been too long. lotion on my face and my arms and my legs if I can tolerate it. drink water. try and keep my salt levels up. stretches even if it's in bed. my daily puzzles. learn something new (read an article and or a wiki page).

at least tomorrow we get paid. I have to save money for when we go to an Orioles game soon. need to figure out when and how and where we are viewing the eclipse. grocery shopping. taking care of mom if dad is working late/in traffic. look over what bills are do this check. thankfully we get paid I think three times this month? JK it's may we get three paychecks but thankfully I get paid the week of my mom's birthday!!!!!!

I work on late shift this month. bad because no extra money but good because I am so fucking exhausted. I'm basically a sorta manager without all the manager roles and Def not the pay. but that's basically what I am now. thinking about it makes me sick. I goofed up somewhere to end up here with this responsibility. but also it was happenstance. I understand that. and that I have been masking so well for so long.

it's autism awareness day. I am autistic. I am finally feeling right with that. it's been over a year now, and I've spent that time reflecting on my life and the way I am. I was lucky that my sister has been in programs and I basically knew a guy that knew a guy that knew a guy. but I don't have like, a therapist or anthring to guide me through the realities of hey you're autistic and this is why you think and do xyz. I wish I listened to autistic friends years ago that said hey you're autistic and I was like no not me, I don't do this thing but the thing is a lot of those things I didn't think I did I literally did not understand the questioning which is funny. I can't really think of a good example but like you read a question like do you struggle to make eye contact and irs like yes but only in certain circumstances like when I don't know someone but you don't have the way to answer with nuances so you just say no. not the best example but it's like that. what's so interesting about being diagnosed late is you start to kind a breakdown the safety nets of masking and then it seems like you're faking because you're doing all this stuff not in private anymore, like you're regressing or something and it's like no I was just playing a role.

today for dinner I had chicken nuggets and heinz pickle ketchup and we watched a video about being in wdw on 9/11 and I was like oh

rigut now I'm trying to follow my night routine but I'm so anxious to sleep. I did sleep in really late today after sleeping poorly and then getting up to take care of mom in the morning. I woke up just before noon after going back to bed about nine???? so I'm not very tired. I'm going to go figure out my lunch for tomorrow so I don't worry about it in the am and then I'm going to check the laundry and if it's dry enough get my favorite pair of undies (tomboyx boy shorts) and my favorite pants (green!!) and find a top and then make the bed comfy and then I'm gonna use my new neck massager even though I've probably used it too much today and I hope to find a nice wiki article to read :)))))))

[bumblewarden]

back in the game let's go!

You know, the trouble is i don't actually know what would be the moment Novhen realizes, but i want them to be able to address it before he runs away with Morrigan. Their hurt needs a little comfort 😔

Broken Circle is definitely a contender for the ideal time frame, but it's not the only possibility. It could be sometime during Nature of the Beast while Novhen is contending with the idea of how the Dalish (whom Cyrion often told romanticized stories about) would react if they knew the truth about him + Astala reaffirming that she'll always be there for him. That route would also be a good one for addressing his feelings of betrayal. Urn of Sacred Ashes is also ripe for bringing religious differences and buried grief to light though i'm even less clear on the particulars if you want to go that way (not that you should take that as a deterrent!)

If Astala gets to a point where she says "What? Am I not good enough to stand next to you now?", his response would probably be along the lines of "You were the one who thought you were too good for *us* when turned to that bleeding prophetess!" Which is a bit mean of him to say but not unexpected :( It's a very difficult subject for the two of them

And oh nooooo. In trying to be a good brother, he accidentally creates an awkward scenario for them both! His reaction could honestly go either way depending on how Astala approaches it and if they've spoken openly about their feelings yet. If she declines in a way that offends him, she'll probably just get an "Oh". He's too tired to start a fight right UITA, but he's definitely feeling the hurt

There is definitely is a way for Astala to convince Novhen that he should be the one to keep Fang. I don't know exactly how would be best tho... (I've just so few concrete answers today 🤕) If she waits until after the Battle of Denerim, it'll be pretty easy if she just points out how he won't be in a state to shoot a bow for a while. There are for sure ways for her to spin it before then that'll convince him to accept Fang without any hurt feelings tho

Novhen's in-game blades are Fang and Duncan's dagger. He doesn't have high enough strength for either of the blades you mentioned, and almost all of his points are put into archerly talents, so it's not like he's causing major damage when he's in dagger mode anyway 😅

What i recall of Adaia's canon characterization is that she was fiery, full of life, and protective of her family, so what you say about her personality checks out!

I think yeah Novhen is having a much more positive reaction to Adaia's spirit return makes sense. This is an important step for him to stop blaming himself for her death. I can also see his happiness potentially making Astala's feelings of awkwardness worse if it's the case that she thinks she should be as excited as him to see Adaia again but just isn't. (Not to put words in your mouth tho if that reading is off!)

Re: Ilanlas. The dynamic of coworkers only getting along because Astala said to is so funny, but also, if being forced to work together over long periods of time isn't enough to make them get close despite the grudge-holding, he'll at least one day learn he's better than Oghren. Some of his voice lines actually cross the line into what Novhen cannot forgive

Novhen is indeed very interested in Ilanlas's arrowheads. And Ilanlas will indeed have quite the path ahead of him in learning to stealth in the cities, but Novhen is a patient teacher lol. He can also handle a little humming during quiet time, and he might even be using that time as an attempt to learn to tolerate each other because Maker knows they're stuck together (Unless Morrigan has anything to say about it)

And i hope they have peacocks in Antiva then for Perinella's sake XD These two better give their parents gray hairs to rival Valendrian!

I bet Novhen knows where Soris is too from all his traveling around. Whether or not Soris knows he knows... ehhhh... Moving on! I think I remember you liking my hc about Soris moving to Wycome after Origins (which technically would only happen if he's made bann, but i'm fine ignoring that little detail if you are), so who's to say Astala wasn't simply curious about the new city council and wanted to pay it a visit and offer her support as a fellow elf in politics ;D Then "Wow! Soris! What are you doing here! What a coincidence of coincidences!"

And Shianni becomes hahren eventually if she's not named bann at the ceremony! This way we can backdoor her into the position of bann without getting her killed! Especially if someone else becomes bann first before she's recognized as an adult, then they can take the brunt of the "someone else" slide, so she doesn't have to be the one who dies. Can you tell i'm desperate to give her a nice long life? She's been through enough ToT If Astala tries to suggest Shianni for the position, Novhen's response will be along the lines of "I trust Shianni for the position more than near anyone else left, but she's a child. If she's as deserving as we think she is, she'll be named bann when she's ready."

Making the bann=hahren would also likely make it the only non-hereditary noble title in Ferelden which could be taken as a resistance to assimilation into human culture. No reason to change themselves for the worse in that respect. Novhen believes bloodlines are in most cases are a poor way to decide who is in charge. How many abuses have been laid upon their kin by those who think they're better purely for the conditions of their birth? Their new leader should be elected from the wisest among them as the elves have traditionally done

Building on what you said, i think tying the title of bann to hahren does work best under the assumption that there can be multiple hahrens, but there could very well be times where there's only one. Maybe the bann is the "senior hahren" of the alienage in the first case and are still mostly called hahren by the residents of the alienage? Bann could then be a title mostly said by outsiders. The bann would focus on the external affairs while any other hahrens handle the internal affairs

And if Shianni so happens to eventually be put forth as hahren then bann, well that's good fortune on the family

When the other Junior Wardens see Novhen see them at the war meeting tho, i have to imagine what the scale of "oh shit" is XD I have guesses:

Even though Astala may be a little hurt right then from him not telling her about the particulars of the Joining, he's still the same mischief-making brother, right? Right? She might still be a little nervous because she doesn't know how much he's changed since they last met but by is far the least nervous when his eyes flicker over. Khêd and Sulri have probably known him for just long enough to start hypothesizing that he won't immediately rat them out, but they don't know for sure, so there's still a huge feeling of relief. (For Khêd especially with his own history. I hope he and Sulri haven't been doing any pickpocketing around camp and getting caught because this could just make that brief fear so much worse!) Ilanlas has known this Novhen guy for a few days at best, and one of their only interactions consisted of him finding out he gave his sister the Blight and took her wedding ring. He should be worried

Does that all sound right?

And on the note of Novhen being invited to the war meeting since he's being prepared to become Warden-Commander someday: I've been going with the assumption of Ilanlas being WC like in your canon, but how would you feel about him only taking that role after Witch Hunt? Because it does make more sense for Novhen to be WC imo. Besides what i said at the top of this paragraph, he's been a Warden longer and is better with people. I also think it adds more gut punch to him leaving with Morrigan at the end of Witch Hunt. He might need to change his lie from "reassigned to Rivain" to "recalled to Weisshaupt", but that's really such a minor thing in the grand scheme of things

Also Ilanlas, Khêd, and Pavle XD XD XD Nothing to see here! Just your average trio of refugees from the Blight! They look Totally Normal!

And Lothering it is then! Obviously, we know who's picking up Pavle, but how about Leliana and Sten? I suppose our twin main characters of this AU ought to get a chance to pick some companions up, so maybe the better question is how do they go about it? IIRC in Novhen's canon, he got Leliana to convince the Mother to give them the key to Sten's cage, but if Astala went a different route, i'd love to hear about it

Astala and Khêd watching Radka cling to the nearest anchor (Alistair) when they pass through the gates to the surface and then him noticing and pretending to fall upwards XD XD XD Why did she have to have an audience for this >.<

And yes, those adjustments sound like good sense! If you're gonna get pastries, you'd better make it worth the effort to bake! I bet Antivan food is generally lighter than Fereldan food also. The Tabrises are probably *loving* that dose of culture shock (And wow this chocolate stuff is good! Can Novhen have a bit more of it to bring back to Morrigan?)

And for all my talk of mechanics, i did forget injuries happen when you reach 0 😅, but i guess they must have reduced him that far now. I was too caught up in how easy it is to get concussed irl. Poor guy... I know he's bad at 1v1's, but that's still rather extreme. Maybe he was still suffering some damage from the fighting in the dungeons? And he must have not have been able to find a convincing time to sneak in a Feign Death before reaching actual unconsciousness. Most characters won't fall for a character "fainting" before even one hit (narratively, that is. mechanically, they do all the time and it's hilarious)

If Astala needs a push to not nuke the entire staff of Fort Drakon, it wouldn't be ooc for Novhen to try to pull her aside and caution subtlety. Besides instinctively wanting to minimize risk of a purge (even if them escaping as part of a group of Wardens is less likely to incur that particular outcome), if they bring a fight to their party, he's dead weight, and it won't be fun for any of them

Novhen's going to be grateful to have Astala at his side during discussions once it becomes clear the alienage's welfare may be involved. It's obvious Anora is not as fully on their side as she may act, but he believes she was at least partially genuine about not knowing the extent of what was going down in the alienage. It's not like any nobles paid attention to them before except when abusing them for sport, but that doesn't seem to be her MO. She's playing them, without a doubt, but she did not seem to be involved with the slave trade. The bar is in hell

Twins AU (Round 2)

Since our original post exchange got a tad bit long, @bumblerhizal I’m starting a new one here ^^ First, a few things on the doodles: I’m still cackling XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD Especially about Amell (Pavle) going all “woe is me! 😩😩😩��� over the dirt on his favorite robe while these two Alienage kids with probably multiple patches and mends on their clothes just look at each other like “can you believe this guy” XD XD XD XD XD XD XD It’s sooooooooo good and I am now imagining Pavle coming face to face with Sigrun’s particular brand of cheerful dead inside XD XD XD The official Grey Warden merch is amazing and our guys are great models. I really want that on a shirt now (and I could, now that I think of it. Ooooooh it’s tempting). I love Valendrian’s grey hair counter. The expression is on point XD XD XD The Plum of Peace should be a Feastday gift. And it’s very good to see reference for Radka, Pavle and Mr Andras (Who looks so kind!!!!!) Mousevhen is absolutely adorable. I want to give him all the pickled beets in the world

Keep reading

[refiwrites]

Can u write being el's first friend in california as popular fem!reader headcanons

el deserved better >:[ ive tried my best, hope you enjoy!

HCs of being Jane "Eleven" Hopper's first friend in California

New place, new school, new faces

El was hoping that she'd somehow blend right in, just in the background

Will was encouraging her although he also found it hard not seeing an inch of the faces he'd grown used to

The first few months passed, and El was beggining to slowly come out of her shell

But that's also when a girl named "Angela" had decided to start picking on El

D'yknow the presenation scene, yes that scene

Eleven felt her hands shake as the students in front of her laughed.

"Knock it off Angela, don't you have nothing else to do besides, I don't know, being an ass? Oh yeah I forgot, you're already one."

Eleven looked at where the source came from, there was you, giving Angela a smug smile as everyone now turned to snicker at her.

Then your eyes met Eleven's, and she saw you give her a small smile and a thumbs up.

Eleven knew she liked you better than anyone else here, except Will of course

"Ms. (l/n)! I will not be tolerating this kind of behaviour, meet me in detention later."

Eleven looked at the teacher and back at you, you gave a shrug and Eleven had the chance to continue her presentation

Now after class, and after freshly getting out of detention, you saw the girl or rather "Jane" as you could recall, walking towards a bench and sitting on it, placing her project on her lap.

It was the great time to approach

"Hey, I haven't seen you before... You're not from around here, aren't you?" You casually say after walking through the sea of students towards her.

Eleven tensed, but once she looked up to spot you, she felt herself calm down just a little bit

She shakes her head no, and you nod. You offered your hand and introduced yourself. "(Y/N) (L/N), you?"

Eleven looked at your hand and back at you

"I promise you I'm not like Angela, and I apologize for her behaviour, you know how animals act when they get out of their cage." You joked and that made Eleven audibly laugh

She shook your hand, uttering her name

"Jane, Jane Hopper."

"Well Jane Hopper, can I be your friend?"

Now this was the start of a rollercoaster of a friendship

You were the one to give the tour of everything, including the latest talks and such

Eleven was a bit overwhelmed at first, but with your reassurance she began to grasp things a little bit better

She also learned that you had quite put the reputation for yourself

Because you were known as that easy-going, reckless, and the funny type of popular

You were chaotic at times, but some would say you're one of the good ones

Don't get me wrong, you were still getting good grades (hopefully) but you just rather want to live in the moment

Eleven would often watch you in awe as you made the class erupt with laughter again

Will knew about this friendship and you got to meet him too, Will thinks you're cool and Eleven very much agrees

Few weeks in and you were already closer than ever

Going to Rink-O-Mania with her and Will

Having the time of your lives

Lucky for her, you were an expert in these things

You dragging Jane around as she laughs, trying to hold onto you so she doesn't fall

Will following you and laughing along when the three of you accidentally bumped into each other and falling on your butts

Over all having a good time

Also bonus

Defending Jane from the bullies

Eleven couldn't be more grateful, even though she's been around for a few months, the anxiety still hadn't settled in

But then Eleven suddenly had the thought of you getting hurt because of her

If ever that happens, Eleven knows that she'll protect you no matter what

You were her friend, and you were the only one who took their time getting to know her without any malice, even showing her all the cool stuff she'd been missing out

And you were respectful when she decides to stay silent when you ask her about herself

She wouldn't let anything happen to you

Although if she wanted to protect you it'll come with a cost

It meant telling you everything that happened, everything. Even all that's happened in Hawkins.

This often plagued her mind at night, what if they come for you?

But all she could do was hope that day would never happen.

[animeyanderelover]

My holidays are almost over😰. Also, I went with Yandere who are naturally more on the delusional side. Underaged characters are aged up in here.

Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessiveness, obsessiveness, delusions, clinginess, manipulation, kidnapping

Purely platonic

Sai

🖌️Sai has yet to grasp the concept of love fully, there are lots of things he doesn't understand. I wouldn't call him a classic delusional, but he was stripped of emotions from a very young age and now has to learn everything about it. Kind of awkward with how touchy his darling constantly is, he isn't used to so much affection. But he tolerates it, simply because it is his darling. 100% read in some books about how people in love are physically affectionate. So he naturally assumes you love him and since he accepts your affection that must mean you two are dating, right? He kind of feels relieved that you lead this relationship a bit since he is kind of clueless.

🖌️A very blunt person to have so one day he might just say it out aloud that you two are dating, either because someone asks him or because he wanted to ask you something about your relationship with him. His bluntness will in either case fluster you, but shock you if you really only saw it as a platonic way to help him warming to emotions up more. It really doesn't matter in either case, even if you do have emotions for him. Having to explain to him that you only saw it as platonic won't get through his head, in his eyes you did exactly what every couple in love does. Maybe his darling is now just a bit shy, he's read about this before.

🖌️So if you suddenly stop being touchy with him, realizing that you have given him the wrong impression, Sai gets this weirdly stirring emotion inside of him, later on identified as irritation. Why did you suddenly stop kissing him and holding his hand? Couples do this, don't they? It wouldn't be a good idea to do such things with others because Sai with his limited knowledge will assume that you like them in which case he will have to murder someone. If his tries to talk with you and somehow solve this problem fail, he will kidnap you so he can finally get to know what is wrong. Also, people in love do live together. And you two are in love, you're probably just confused because of something or someone.

Sasha Blouse

🍖She is a very sweet Yandere to have who sees her darling as absolutely great and the best person she has ever been able to meet. She herself is someone who is very affectionate so she really is just happy when she is being met with so much affection from their side as well. It only really boosts her illusions more and she naturally assumes that her darling must be also in love with her. It really is also extremely fooling for people around you two when they see how lovey dopey both of you are with each other. For Sasha it just becomes so natural to feel like you two are already dating and everyone else most likely assumes so too.

🍖She literally calls herself your girlfriend and everyone else probably mentions it to you as well so one day you will have to notice that there was a misunderstanding between you and her. Though, I think the darling would have to be pretty oblivious at this point because Sasha literally already mentioned a lot how she wants to marry them and went on dates with them. Sasha is just genuinely happy and excited that she and her darling are finally so happy together so this makes it really hard for the s/o to somehow break the news down to her. Because at this point it'll be nearly impossible to convince her that you two were never together in the first place.

🍖Sasha won't even accept this in the first place. She simply doesn't believe that all the times you two spent happily in love were only one-sided. Trying to separate you from her will only be a shot backfired because Sasha will never give up on the belief that you two are now meant to be with each other, she only grows more clingy and attempts to figure out if something bothers you. It goes to the point where she pesters you and she will end up asking her friends at one point a well. People like Connie and Jean probably will see what has gone wrong in here, but I can't say that they might blame you a bit for this as well since you gave Sasha false hopes from which she can't wake up anymore.

Juuzou Suzuya

🔪His delusions work more in the way that he doesn't see his behavior as creepy or wrong in any sense like other people would. But he is fairly quick to think that his darling has a crush on him as well the moment they start being so affectionate, hugging him out of nowhere and even give him quick kisses on his cheek, forehead or nose. It naively makes him think that you love him just as much as he does and it causes him to be thrilled. If that's the case he doesn't have to be shy with his love either not like he was ever in the first place. Do not be surprised when he constantly pops up at the front of your door or smothers you straightforward with his love.

🔪Juuzou runs his mouth quickly so in no time everyone will have to be told at least once before that he and his darling are in a relationship now and that is how you will find out as well. Mostly because as soon as rumors spread, his co-workers approach you and ask you how you can even endure him, though people like Shinohara are happy for Juuzou as well. He knows the boy isn't easy. Talk right away with him because Juuzou is a lost case, don't even bother to try. He won't even listen, it just goes in through his one ear and out the other and in the best case he'll see it as some sort of prank. He might just think that all the attention from his co-workers was too much for you.

🔪Honestly, even Shinohara wouldn't be able to get through him at all after you had to awkwardly explain that you only saw it as a very platonic relationship. Since I see Juuzou feeling more attracted to a shy and easily flustered darling, he would just believe that they felt uncomfortable with the sudden attention on them which is why he would guarantee that no one of his fellow workers pesters you anymore. Avoiding him is a challenge to say the least, he knows where you live and has obtained through some way your keys. Protests are useless, he's just already in absolute belief that you two have a normal relationship. Instead he settles for spending even more time with you so whatever you currently go through, you'll get used to him again.

Kotarō Hayama

🐆He is one of the Yandere who are heavily delusional from the very start. You see, he believes that his darling and him will be in love and together one day and that makes him extremely confident. So having a darling who likes being affectionate with him whilst only seeing him as a really good friend of his is the worst. Because guess what happens? He declares you two automatically as a couple madly in love with each other and it makes him far more obvious with his unhealthy feelings and clinginess since he has less restrains anymore. Being all the timy by your side and having an arm wrapped around you, a sign to tell others to stay away and random smooches all the time are suddenly the common.

🐆There is the thing that he exclaims to everyone about you and how much you two are in love with each other to the point where he annoys other people. Akashi most likely notices what exactly is wrong as the very first person, though he understands why other people naturally see you to now as a couple. It was incredibly obvious that Hayama always had feelings for you so he is half-amused and half-concerned about you. Because he knows exactly that no force in heaven or hell can safe Hayama now from his delusions anymore. You'll figure that quickly out yourself, Hayama not even listening to your explanation and instead just shutting you up with even more affection.

🐆His darling might ask the captain, Akashi to help them and talk with their currently very obsessed boyfriend, but it really will be useless. Even Akashi will say his honest opinion that by now it is already too late. Turning away from him and spending much time with others is a mistake because Hayama gets easily mean-spirited and will blame such people as the reason you ignore him. He can get violent as well and will scare others away as an attempt to get your attention back on him. Totally starts monopolizing your time and keeps cornering you whenever he can. He knows his darling still loves him, they just don't want to admit it. Are they perhaps shy all of a sudden?

Ryota Suzui

🎴As a more insecure and yet very needy Yandere this falls into his cup of tea very perfectly. Ryota is extremely blinded by his feelings and never really fully grasps that his emotions for the s/o are in fact wrong. He does know that he can be more overbearing due to his neediness and attachment, but that's it. He really is just happy that his darling seems so very into PDA because he feels more reassured whenever they literally throw themselves into a hug with him or give him a quick kiss. Of course it always flusters and he never fully can avoid a pink blush on his face, but he really is just overjoyed that his s/o loves him so much. He is more insecure about himself.

🎴He doesn't really boost about this relationship, he is far more timid and doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. It's most likely his friends who point it out to him. I see Mary or Yumeko eventually seeing that there is a possible misunderstanding, though even they tend to get confused by all of this. Higher chances are that Mary will inform you about the impression Suzui has by now gained and after having heard your explanation, she's mad with Suzui and you. Suzui because he was so stupid and you because you were naive enough to believe nothing would happen out of this. The blond will break the news down to Ryota, breaking his heart like this.

🎴He will believe it the moment you tell him, he is only semi-delusional after all. It really manages to hurt him a lot, but since he is far too attached to you, he decides that he'll still be near you since he can't handle the thought of you both drifting apart like this. It all becomes more painful and awkward afterwards, but all he really wants is to be with you. It strips him of the confidence he might have gained whilst believing you loved him, but as long as he can still be somehow with you, he'll endure it. It is Yumeko who will try to cause some problems since she knows about Ryota's wrong feelings and she will end up manipulating him into being a bit more manipulative. He loves you, doesn't he? So he has to fight for your love.

Lyon Vastia

🌨️The one guy who tries to look cool in front of his darling gets flustered the first time you happened to suddenly grab his hand and not let go of it for a long time after. You see, he did see your meeting as destiny since he fell in love the very first time he caught a glimpse of his darling. And he was confident he would court them, but that they would be already so attached and affectionate without him having done much catches him shortly by surprise. But it pleases him to know that they feel the same as he does, at least he assumes so. Honestly, he finds it very sweet how much they do these things without him even having to do anything and it feeds nicely into his ego.

🌨️With him doing the same thing and doing other nice things for you since you make him so happy, other members of his guild believe that you two are a couple indeed. And he literally declares this very quickly as well and that should be the moment you finally come to realize that the friendly affection you gave him only caused a already delusional guy to be pushed over the brick. A nice advice beforehand, talk with Jura rather than Lyon himself. Because even if Jura will sigh about this sudden commotion, he'll try to tell Lyon as harmless as possible. The Ice Mage still won't believe it unless he confronts you about it and asks with a forceful smile what Jura meant by you only being a very affectionate friend.

🌨️Should be obvious, but Lyon won't accept the truth and he gets in an argument with you after you confirmed Jura's explanation. He simply can't because he sees you to as soulmates by now, you can't just ruin him his happy relationship like this. He won't let you! Lyon turns a bit unhinged for a while after, especially if you decide to give him some time to digest the news. Monopolizing your time and asking Sheria and Sherry for help since he knows those two are big shippers of him and you are just some of the things he'll do in order to get this relationship back he had with you. He's somewhat desperate with it since it hurts him to hear you saying you never once loved him. Please...just love him.

Izumi Kyouka

🌸Kyouka proves to have problems with realizing that her emotions are wrong as well and since she is quite the stealthy type, she happens to stalk her darling or simply show up where they are. What the girl really wants is to be accepted by her darling despite her past and she makes quite the effort with it with the tips Atsushi gives how you make a person happy and like you. So when it turns out how naturally affectionate her darling is, she doesn't even know what to do at first. She only knows that it makes her really happy and she gets her hopes very high up that this means th s/o loves her as well. After getting over her first shock, she slowly starts returning to the affection she hasn't really received for years.

🌸Whilst at first the Agency seems happy for her and her darling, it won't take long until some of them start realizing that you never really saw her in a romantic way, but more as a really close friend with whom you feel comfortable enough to hold hands and give long hugs and cuddles. Initially some hesitate to tell Kyouka the bad news, knowing how happy she is. But someone has to do it and they deem Atsushi to be the best one for this job, telling him and shocking him like this as well since he didn't know either. But no matter how careful he tries to be, there is still shortly hurt visible on the girl's face before she suddenly wants to see you and know the truth.

🌸You manage to disillusion her from her little delusion she started to make, believing that you two were a happy couple in love. She doesn't resent you though, she's still thankful for how kind and accepting you are towards her, but now whenever you try to be affectionate to her, it isn't only sweet anymore, but also very bitter. She doesn't want to give up what you two have now, but at the same time she yearns for more. The lady still stalks her darling out of habit and for protection. She doesn't want to give up though, she still has hopes that you might start liking her at one point and she still attempts to somehow court you with Atsushi's help. She'll never give up on trying.

[bitimdrake]

im curious how would batman!tim and robin!damian work in a dick dies universe? since tim isnt adopted and that probably means damian is going to tolerate him a bit more? but like, batman tim is almost always Dark Future Tim too, to how would that go? personally i think the only way to salvage this is by doing Batman!Cassandra and Robin!Damian, but id like to hear from an expert!

(in reference to)

Oh I don't think it works at all!!! This is not intended to be functional! The conceit here really is that Tim tries to do something out of a sense of responsibility/obligation except ultimately it fails and everything sucks, because the universe where Dick dies in infinite crisis is an inevitably bad one.

(I mean, you could write a version of it that works out, but that would really require nudging Damian's characterization, to an extent that imo would not be able to remain in-character. I might still enjoy it, because I'm a sucker for stories of people who don't like each other learning to get along, but...it would be a stretch. I really think Tim and Damian coming around to like each other requires Dick to be there for Damian first.)

Tim not being adopted might soften Damian a little bit, but my interpretation was always that Tim being Robin--being Bruce's partner--was the greater source of his resentment. I did propose in my "what would happen if dick did die" theorizing that Tim and Bruce might drift apart and not end up entirely close, so that might make Damian less insecurely jealous and bitter towards him. But it also leaves Damian with even less reason to respect him, if Tim (seemingly) doesn't even have the endorsement of being Batman's partner.

...or maybe in the brief time they knew each other, Bruce still managed to say something complimentary about Tim to Damian and/or Bruce and Tim were still a united front in the face of this new element, so Damian comes out with the exact same resentment anyway.

Now, the silver lining for Tim not going evil future Batman is that Cass and Alfred and Cassie are all still around, and Bart and Conner come back right about when Bruce 'dies'. (Steph is also back, but things are very awkward/tense between them at this point, so I don't know if that really counts as a mark in his favor.) I think that's too much of a support system to let him slip fully into the dark side or depression.

...but that still doesn't actually make the "being Batman" or "trying to be responsible for Damian" parts work out.

Batman!Cassandra and Robin!Damian, though? That's a great solution. Hmmmm potential story thoughts under the cut:

OKAY. Tim takes after Dick in the "emotional support child" determination to fix everything, so in the aftermath of Bruce's death, with Dick not around this time, Tim feels compelled to try to make it work. He can't give into his own emotional struggles, because Dick isn't there as a safety net to pick up the slack. Clearly Tim must Fix Everything.

And in the same way that canon Tim broke a still murderous Jason out of prison because he thought Bruce would want him to have a second chance (does he still do that in this AU? not sure. we could lean on the butterfly effect to avoid it, or could leave it), he thinks Bruce would have wanted Damian to be looked after and trained. And since clearly Tim must Fix Everything, Personally, Himself, that means he must also be Batman (which Gotham needs), and try to look after Damian (which Bruce would want). And probably he can win some points by giving Damian the Robin name he's been gunning for the whole time? Plus, it'll give him a great excuse to push Damian to abide by The Code because everyone knows Robin doesn't kill, and he wants to be Robin, doesn't he? This will work out great.

[Narrator: it did not work out great.]

MEANWHILE, over to the side there is Cass, who is going through a bit of a crisis of faith in herself. Maybe we are actually keeping the brainwashed and evil arc and this is a reaction to that. (Or maybe she's just messed up that her mentor and not-dad has died so suddenly, and she wasn't ready yet, but let's go with the former for now.)

And Cass does not have the "I must fix the people around me" instinct that Tim has. She's much more inwardly-focused. She's trying to work-through/avoid her own issues while drifting away from everyone else, and wondering if maybe she shouldn't be Batman because: is she really good enough? She killed people (while drugged and brainwashed, but she accepts no excuses for herself). Her idea for the network fell apart. All Bruce's message told her was to make Stephanie Batgirl. Maybe he didn't even believe in her. Tim has already taken the cowl, and he knew Bruce better and longer, and maybe she just isn't good enough :(

And so we end up with this structure of dramatic irony, where Cass wants to be Batman but doesn't want to want, and is convincing herself that Tim has it covered. And Tim doesn't want to be Batman and is crashing and burning and has no idea how to get this awful little gremlin of a child to listen to him, but he's trying to act like everything is okay because It Has To Be. His mentally stability is kinda hanging by a thread right now and so Everything Has To Be Okay. And Damian is half a blink from leaving Gotham forever because fuck this, fuck Drake, this sucks.

Aaand then something something Tim has a breakdown, or Cass realizes he's struggling hard as Batman. Or Cass has a solid interaction with Damian for the first time and realizes she can relate to and/or help him, or Tim realizes that by seeing them together (because Cass just assumes that she's not doing anything special and everyone can talk to Damian like this) which either encourages to ask Cass for help or causes that aforementioned breakdown depending on his current state--

Or, I don't know, some combination thereof. And Tim and Cass realize this situation is terrible and stupid actually. Tim is like what do you mean you don't know if you can do it; I did this because you acted like you didn't want it anymore, of course you can do it. And Cass gets the cowl and cape and mantle she desperately wants. And Damian has way more respect for her to follow her lead, and she gets him way better than Tim. And Tim gets to not be Batman, which is so much better for him--though he is still very much supporting Cass in the areas she's less secure in.

(And we did start this whole AU with Dick dying, so when Tim gets a new mantle he might take on Nightwing in his big brother's honor. But I want to say he takes on a different name that is still in tribute to Dick but not directly picking up his name again.)

(and uuhhhh also someone else is going to have to figure out that bruce is alive and what happened and how to get him back. whoops)

[fruit-salad-ship]

Ok ok, Peach and I have different preferences, fair. Now that it’s happened tho, how does she get Plum back? Does she also try traps or does she bring a different approach? Does she get Grey involved or is he guilty as well?

I mean, she wont admit she enjoys herself, even if she defo does, considering shes alwasy in charge, alwasy busy, endlessly run off her feet making sure everythings going smoothly, to suddenly be very much out of her depth, nothing to do other than go with it, its an unusual feeling for her. Shes the sort to take charge because she knows it makes people happy, just like it quietly makes her very happy to not be the boss for like five minutes. The backlash is that she's unsure wether or not she deserves the attention and specifically the time off, she's one of those people who does a lot of work, and wants nothing in return. Grey has to endlessly fight her on this, Plums learning to counter it too now. Those two clearly discuss the fact that Peach kind of ducks out when the focus is on her, their theory is if they give her enough love and affection it'll break her down slowly and she'll relax into not being so top heavy, she clearly enjoys herself for the moments she disconnects from overthinking, it's just tough to hear her express a discomfort with being so overly loved and focused on. They wont stop until she settles into it, it's gotten better over the years, but theres a long way to go yet. They just want her to chill out, let go a little. She will eventually recover from the hangover and the embarrassment/guilt, and start plotting, scheming, and repay that "favour". Big difference is she doesnt need to trap Plum, she's able to just turn up and pick her up and do whatever she wants. Her style is very much one of action, not trickery.

Oh entierly Grey gets roped in, gotta really push that ranger, make sure she doesnt forget who's really in charge. She got lucky, Peach made a drunk dumb mistake and overlooked the obvious, she wont be stealing desk candy in a hurry again.

It's an odd one, lots of mixed feelings. Plum loves having the power, its a rarity and she gets to go to dark places with it because peach is high-key tolerant to a lot of things. Peach is confused, she denys liking it but her body betrays her, and she's too proud and too stubborn to go looking for that kind of attention, doesnt know how to handle that want/feeling. Defo thinks about it in her free time, without meaning to go there, gets a little hot under the collar, realises what's happening and backpedals hard, denial, bury that, ignore. Grey's just amused, watching her wrestle these issues, watching plum really come out of her shell given the chance, shes the closeted perv who finally has an outlet. He whole heartedly likes to help instigate more of these events, see how both of them handle it. Bonus he's strong enough to keep peach from taking back control, and tends to really enjoy being bossy with her given the chance, and him and plum have symilar wants so can team up easily.

theres a mixed dynamic going on.