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honeypiehotchner · 3 years ago

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Gravedigger’s Daughter (Hangman x Fem!Reader) -- part two

I play with Hangman’s backstory a LOT here lol fair warning. I’m not sure if he really got one in the movie or not (I don’t think he did), but I read that they asked Glen Powell to add some southern charm since he was raised in Texas, so I’ve been running with that. Anywho! Happy reading

Summary: You’re finally back in Fightertown to visit Penny and Amelia, but there also happens to be a group of aviators back at Top Gun. One of which who seems dead-set on wooing you.

Warnings: more shameless flirting, some angst if you squint really hard, and maaaayyybeee a sexy thought or two

WC: 3,498

You contemplate for hours about going back to The Hard Deck that night. But Amelia ends up spending the night at her friend’s house, so you almost have no choice. You can’t stay at home with her and watch movies, so naturally, Penny asks you to join her at the bar. And you’d look incredibly weird to say no.

No aviators are inside when you arrive, surprisingly, but you know they’ll all be along soon. But even without them, the place is packed.

“Hey,” Penny starts, pausing to breathe, “you know I’d never ask, but this was an unexpected rush--”

“Move over,” you laugh, walking around the bar. “What am I pouring?”

Penny smiles in relief and points you in the direction of some patrons she hasn’t gotten to yet.

It’s been a while since you’ve helped her here, but the role is easy enough to slip back into. People want their beer, and as long as you pour it, they’re happy campers. Bonus points if you flash a grin, engage in some small talk, and entertain some flirting from the men.

“You’re a lifesaver,” Penny says once the rush dies down somewhat.

“It’s no problem. How do you manage?” you ask genuinely, turning to someone who just approached the bar with an empty glass. “What’d you have?”

As you pour their refill, Penny answers you. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

“Here you go,” you hand off the beer, turning back to Penny. “Well. I’m glad I came in when I did.”

“Me too,” she says. “Any idea where all the pilots are?”

“Oh, who knows,” you shrug. “Why? Looking for Mav?”

“Maybe,” she gives you a look, but then her eyes flick toward the door. “Speak of the devil.”

“And he shall appear,” you finish, turning your head to see Maverick has arrived. Along with Hangman, Rooster, Coyote, Phoenix, Bob, Payback, and Fanboy. The whole entourage.

Everyone except Hangman walks to Penny’s side of the bar. Hangman, of course, comes straight to you.

“They’ll let anybody in here, huh?” you call out.

“Ouch,” Hangman replies, sidling up to the bar, resting his elbows on the wood. “That hurts, sweetheart.”

You smile. “What do you want?”

“One for me, one for you,” he grins, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. “The usual.”

You narrow your eyes at him. “You trying to get your ass kicked again?”

“Maybe,” he muses. “How about you join us for a game of pool?”

“Hmm,” you think it over. “Teams or solo?”

“Whatever you want, darlin’.”

“Bad decision, Hangman,” Maverick comments from the other side of the bar.

“Oh, come on,” you retort. “I haven’t played pool in years, Mav.”

“I doubt that makes any difference,” Maverick replies, sliding onto a stool. “I’ll be keeping my ass up here.”

“Smart man,” Penny comments. “Your usual?”

“Please,” Mav says, smiling sweetly at her. It’s sickening.

“Alright, fine,” you bite, reaching down and grabbing two glasses. “We can play. But I’m supposed to be helping Pen.”

“The rush is done,” she chides. “Go have fun.”

“You heard her,” Hangman quips. “Come have some fun.”

You give him a look before turning around to pour two beers. You wouldn’t be entirely surprised if you turned back around to find he was staring at your ass. You hate that you don’t entirely mind if he is.

You spin back around and hand him his beer, tipping yours back for a drink. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are,” he replies, making you roll your eyes.

You pass the group of aviators and call out a hello, earning greetings in return. When they see where you’re headed and who’s in tow, you hear Fanboy say, “Ohhhh, shit.”

“Lemme guess,” you start, pausing to sit your beer on the windowsill. “You’re the best of the group?”

“How’d you know?” Hangman grins, grabbing a stick.

You take more time than needed picking out your stick and chalk. Maybe it’s hustling, but you’ll call it getting comfortable. “Just figured you’re trying to level the playing field after last night.”

“Maybe,” Hangman shrugs, grabbing chalk. “Want me to rack ‘em?”

“Ha, no,” you reply. “I’ve got it.”

“Please crush him,” Payback says.

“Don’t worry, I will,” you reply, grabbing the triangle rack. “8 ball, I’m assuming?”

You fill in the pool balls, making sure the 10 is in the middle of the third row. You put one on top of the second row, looking up at Hangman. He’s watching you closely, with something in his eyes you can’t quite place.

You jerk the rack and the ball jumps into the final hole, filling the rack and nestling tightly. One of the aviators whistles loudly. That’s a trick you didn’t have to do, but you definitely wanted to.

“Fuck,” Hangman mutters under his breath.

You pull the rack up and hang it back on the wall. “Your break.”

“Thanks, sweetheart, how kind of you,” Hangman smiles, placing the cue ball where he wants it. “Stripes or solids, honey?”

“Your break, Hangman,” you repeat. “Your pick.”

He shoots the ball forward, and immediately a stripe lands in the left corner pocket. “Stripes it is.”

“Stripes are unlucky if you ask me,” you grimace, watching him shoot again.

He lands another ball. “What makes you say that?”

“I’ve only ever played solids,” you smirk.

Hangman lands another. “It’s looking pretty good to me.”

“For now.”

He shakes his head with a smile. “You’ll be the death of me.”

“Gladly,” you grin. He misses. “Ouch,” you echo him from earlier. “Sucks.”

“It’s alright,” Hangman replies, gesturing to the table. “Let’s see how you do.”

“Loser buys drinks?” you ask.

“Sounds good,” he says. “As long as you’re willing to spend some money.”

“Please,” you deadpan. “We’ll see about that.”

“Keep talkin’, honey,” Hangman smirks.

You take your shot and sink a solid pool ball. “That’s one.” You turn and sink another. ��Two.” This time, you have to walk around and adjust, but you take another shot. “Three. Four. Should I go for five?”

“If you so desire,” Hangman replies through a clenched jaw. “My wallet is burning already.”

“That’s five,” you pause, looking up at him. “Six?”

He shrugs, but he’s biting back a smile, his tongue curled against his molars.

You purposefully miss the shot, deciding to back off a little. “Damn. Your turn.”

“I was just getting comfortable here,” he groans, feigning annoyance.

“Oh, so sorry,” you frown. “Miss your shot and you can get comfortable again.”

“Nice try,” he replies sweetly, bending down to shoot. “Damn. You messed up the board, huh?”

“Shut up,” you say through a laugh. You grab your beer and take a sip, watching him adjust to get a better angle. He bends over and his pants stretch against his ass. You look for just a little too long and—

“Like what you see?”

Your eyes snap to his and his cocky smile. “Nope.”

He shakes his head. “Dear Lord, woman.” He takes the shot, almost sinking a stripe, but it bounces.

“You’re not doing too good tonight,” you comment.

“You fluster me, sweetheart,” he replies, holding out his arms. “What can I say?”

Rolling your eyes, you shoot and sink your sixth. “One left.”

“Then the 8,” Hangman adds.

“Yes, I know,” you mock. You sink your seventh solid. “Shall I go for the 8?”

“Go ahead,” Hangman says. “I’ve already accepted that I’ll be buying another round.”

You take your shot and the 8 sinks right into the hole. “Looks like you’re right.”

He hangs his head in defeat. “Alright then.” He rests his pool stick against the wall. “Let’s go.”

You turn and see another wave of people entering the bar. “Actually, I probably need to see if Penny needs any help.”

“I’ll keep you company,” Hangman takes your stick and rests it next to his. “Come on.”

You give him a stern look. “Don’t make me ring the bell on you.”

“I’d never disrespect you, darlin’,” he grins.

You walk off before he can catch your smile.

Penny wasn’t going to ask for your help, but you give her no choice before you begin pouring drinks and handing off glasses to impatient customers.

Hangman stays true to his word (not that you were worried) and keeps his mouth shut at the bar. You don’t even realize that you haven’t given him a refill until many minutes have passed.

“Shit, sorry,” you grab his glass. “Totally forgot we came up here for refills.”

“It’s alright, you’re busy,” he replies. “You look good up there.”

You slide his glass across the bar, fighting back a smile, honing your scolding glare instead. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” he winks, raising his glass to toast you.

Once the rush dies down again, you stay to help clean glasses. Penny is at the other end of the bar, talking to Maverick, of course. Hangman has remained on this one stool at your end, sipping his beer quietly. His friends have moved to the pool table, and you thought surely he’d join them, but he hasn’t.

“You grew up here?” he asks, though it’s posed more as a statement.

“Yep,” you reply. You evaded his small talk all night so far. It’s no wonder he’d choose this moment to weasel it in. “Moved here when I was just a year old. That’s when my dad was called to Top Gun.”

“Wow,” Hangman says slowly. “You never thought about joining the Navy?”

“Please,” you give him a look, then shake your head. “Absolutely not. It’s not for me.”

“Understandable,” he shrugs. “It’s not for everyone.”

“Is it for you?”

“It’s in my blood,” he says, not mocking, this time more matter-of-fact. “My father was in the Navy, so was his father. My mother’s father as well.”

“Wow,” you reply. “You weren’t kidding.”

“Why would I be?” he sounds defensive, understandably.

“Most guys who say the Navy is ‘in their blood,’” you use air quotes, rolling your eyes. “They’re full of shit. It’s not in their blood; it’s in their ego. There’s a difference. Those guys are absolute jackasses. My dad worked with quite a few.”

“Oh,” he nods. “You can sniff out the bullshit then.”

“From a mile away,” you add, grabbing another glass to wipe down. “You’re cocky, but you’re serious about what you do. I can tell.”

“A compliment like that from Gravedigger’s daughter?” Hangman whistles lowly. “I’ll drink to that.” He takes a long sip, then says, “Wanna join me for some darts?”

You’re mid-pouring yourself a beer and you shake your head. “You never learn, do you?”

“Nope,” he shakes his head, grinning wildly. “And I hope I never do.”

+++

When Hangman finally returns to the barracks at Top Gun, the entire team is camped out in the hallway, outside their respective doors.

“Hangman came home alone again for the second night in a row? Say it ain’t so!”

“I don’t need a song, Fanboy,” Hangman scowls. “What are you all doing out here?”

“Waiting on you,” Coyote says.

“We figured you’d have someone with you,” Payback chimes.

“Where is she?” Phoenix asks.

“At Penny’s, I guess,” Hangman replies, turning toward his door. “When did you become so concerned about who I sleep with? Usually you’re complaining that it’s too loud.” He plasters his famous shit-eating grin on his face, hoping it’ll make them let this go. But it doesn’t.

“That’s just it,” Rooster speaks up. “It’s been quiet.”

“Too quiet,” Bob adds. “It’s weird.”

“Seriously?” Hangman laughs. “Well, if you have to know, Y/N is not here and will not be here. Is that better?”

“Whatever,” Phoenix shrugs, still looking skeptical. “Something’s up with you.”

“Nothing is up with me,” Hangman replies, quickly growing defensive. “I’m getting some sleep. We’ve got another long day tomorrow.”

A chorus of “goodnight’s” follow him into his room until he shuts the door.

It’s true, he’s the Flirt of the group. Even when they were going through Top Gun together, no one said a word about it. Hangman figured this time around would be the same. He’d fly under the radar as he spent so much time with you. No one would think anything of it.

But this change in behavior is suspicious enough for his fellow pilots to catch on. Now they’re certain something is up with him, and well, they’d be right.

The only thing up with Hangman is you. Just, you. He can’t get you out of his head. Ever since you walked into The Hard Deck two days ago, he’s been off his game. Or at least, he’s felt like it.

No one has ever flustered him this way. You spar with him verbally, dodging all his charm and throwing some back at him. You’re quick on your feet, a menace at darts and pool. You understand the life he leads, on a level he didn’t comprehend until tonight. You’re everything he’s been waiting for, everything he’s wanted, and yet.

You’re unavailable. You’ve made it clear that it’ll never happen, that you won’t let it.

You didn’t say you couldn’t be friends, though, so that’s what Hangman has been trying to do, even though he has no idea what he’s doing. He doesn’t know how to be “just friends” — not with someone like you.

But if that’s what he has to do to see you more before you go back to San Diego, and he goes on this mission next week, then he’ll do it. He’ll do whatever you want him to.

+++

You spend the next evening with Amelia, which means you aren’t at The Hard Deck.

Penny texts you and tells you that Hangman is looking for you, but you don’t reply to her. Amelia asked to watch a rom-com, so that’s exactly what you do.

The two of you definitely stay up a little too late considering she has school the next morning, but you don’t care. You know Penny doesn’t mind. But at breakfast the next morning, you pour Amelia a cup of coffee that isn’t decaf.

Naturally, you find yourself at The Hard Deck for the day, helping out Penny with whatever she needs.

The aviators don’t show, but you aren’t surprised. One day of beach football is probably enough, before Maverick gets in trouble even more. You can hear the jets, though, so you know they’re doing maneuvers.

It’s incredibly soothing to hear the engines. You’ve missed it.

The way they rip through the air, rattling your brain. It never terrified you, not even when you were younger.

You can still hear them in San Diego, but it isn’t the same as being here, being this close.

It’s a stupid idea, but part of you wants to see if Maverick might let you visit Top Gun, just for a day. Just to walk around the tarmac, see the planes, feel their wings. Nothing crazy.

“Hey, weird question,” you blurt, getting Penny’s attention. She lifts her head, listening. “Would Mav let me visit Top Gun?”

“Why?” Penny starts to smile.

“Not that,” you chuckle, knowing her mind has gone right to Hangman. “I just miss the planes, I don’t know. I didn’t want to ask him if it’s not allowed. Things have changed since I was a kid.”

Penny smiles sympathetically now, understanding. “He’d love to have you.”

“Maybe once they’re done with whatever they’re here for,” you suggest. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

Penny shrugs. “It’s worth asking. You never know.”

So, you do.

Maverick shows up first, unsurprisingly. He says the rest of the crew are on their way, which you don’t doubt, but you’re glad for a moment alone with him, with no one listening in.

“Quick question,” you start, and Mav raises his eyebrows. “Feel free to say no, by the way,” you add.

“Now you’ve got me worried,” he chuckles. “Spit it out.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing at Top Gun or why, and I know I’m not allowed to know — I’m not asking. I just was wondering if it was possible to visit. Just for an hour, maybe.” He doesn’t say anything, so you continue. “I miss the jets, Mav. I miss them like hell. It’s been so long, and hearing them today,” you pause, shrugging. “It’s stupid, but I feel like I need to hug one.”

Finally, Maverick grins. “Why didn’t you ask sooner?”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he replies. “I’ll make a call right now, see if we can’t get you over there tomorrow once we’re done training. I don’t see why it would be an issue.”

“Don’t get yourself in trouble,” you warn.

“Oh yeah,” Maverick laughs. “They’ll love to have you.”

You punch his shoulder and walk off, back to the bar with Penny. True to his word, Maverick steps outside with his phone pressed to his ear.

“Where’s he going?” Penny asks, nodding toward Mav.

“Making some calls,” you explain. “Looks like I might be going to Top Gun tomorrow.”

“Atta girl,” Penny smiles, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Ah, your favorite has arrived.”

“My fav—? Hangman,” you deadpan, looking up to see he’s making a beeline for you.

“Hey honey,” he says, leaning on the bar top with that stupid grin of his. “Where were you yesterday?”

“Watching a rom-com and stuffing my face with ice cream.”

Hangman looks genuinely hurt. “And you didn’t invite me?”

“I was with my niece, idiot,” you laugh. “You miss me or something?”

“Only every minute,” he winks. “You gonna let me buy you a drink tonight?”

“I’ll never say no to free beer.”

“My kind of woman.”

“Your kind of woman is one who breathes.”

“Your point? Are you not breathing?”

You stare at him tiredly, and he starts laughing. The sound is so sweet that you want to shove him, but you don’t. Instead, you pour two beers and walk around the bar, taking the stool next to him.

“How was your day?” you ask, surprising yourself.

“Pretty good, kicked some ass,” he grins. “Maneuvers went well.”

“I could hear you guys,” you reply. “I forgot how soothing it is.”

“To hear the jets?” he questions, eyebrows raised. “Really?”

“Oh, yeah,” you nod seriously. “It’s my favorite thing. I would fall asleep quicker with the jets than I would a lullaby when I was a kid.”

“Damn,” Hangman shakes his head, grinning wide before sipping his beer.

“I told you I grew up in this world,” you reply, just a little confused by his reaction.

“It’s hot.”

“Careful,” you warn.

“Alright, alright,” he backs off. “I won’t say it. I’ll just think it.”

You give him another tired stare, but he winks. You wonder if that’s his way of saying you’re hot again, but without words.

Maverick renters the bar with a triumphant smile, coming straight to where you and Hangman are sitting.

“Well,” Mav starts. “An old friend said he’d like to see you tomorrow.”

You furrow your eyebrows. “Who?”

“Rear Admiral Solomon,” Mav says, waiting for it to dawn on you. “Or call sign—”

“Warlock? He’s a Rear Admiral now? I didn’t know he was back here,” your thoughts come out fast. You haven’t spoken to any of your dad’s buddies in years, with Warlock, it’s been even longer. Probably since you were 13.

“Hang on,” Hangman interjects, holding up his hand, his fingers just barely brushing your arm. “Are you coming to Top Gun tomorrow?”

“Maybe,” you say.

“Yes,” Maverick says instead. “She is. But not until after training.” He turns to you. “I’ll text you when to head over.”

“Okay, thanks,” you murmur.

Part of you didn’t expect them to allow it, especially given Maverick’s reputation. Apparently yours as the Gravedigger’s daughter outweighs his trouble-inclined attitude. But now that you have the go ahead, you’re suddenly nervous.

“So,” Hangman says, sounding a little too excited. “Can I give you a personal tour?”

“That’s a great idea,” Maverick says, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Fuck off,” you swat at Mav, who laughs and walks away, heading toward Penny. You look at Hangman skeptically. “You want to give me a tour?”

He puts a hand over his heart. “It would be an honor.”

“I grew up there. I don’t need a tour.”

Hangman sputters for a moment. “Well—”

“I’m teasing,” you nudge his arm. “Sure. If I can handle it, I’d love for you to walk around with me.”

“Music to my ears, sweetheart,” he replies.

“Mhm,” you raise your eyebrows. “Until you realize I know more than you.”

You expect that to start another round of bickering between the two of you, but it doesn’t. Hangman’s reply surprises you. “I already know you do.”

His admittance and blatant honesty makes you smile, and dammit, sit a little closer.

You’re already going back on your own rules, but you can’t help it. Your time is limited here. The end of your time off from work is fastly approaching. You’d rather spend it happily than be miserable, even if that means getting too friendly with a naval aviator who you know is no good for you.

#gravedigger’s daughter #hangman top gun #hangman x reader #jake hangman seresin x reader #hangman x fem!reader #jake hangman seresin x fem!reader #hangman top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick #top gun maverick fanfiction #jake hangman seresin #glen powell #hangman x you #jake hangman seresin x you

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lover-of-trash-and-people · 4 years ago

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shadow and bone rewatch s1e6 while drinking mid-range scotch

I wish I have a face that is as unlined and pretty as Ben Barnes' when I'm 39

Arken you dirty dirty liar

the face Alek is making at his lies that he knows are lies firstly because he knows the art of lying so well and also because he can read people very well

okay Ivan is kind of a bad bitch with his smirk at Arken's lies

alek's eyes narrowing and his little smile when Arken says 'im an entertainer' bitch I love this show

*grabs hand, pulls up sleeve, and discovers Arken's hand is full of marks indicating successful passages through the fold* 'well, that is certainly entertaining' I love this man with all my heart

him screaming is so fucking hot, is that weird for me to say

Nina being the Darkling's spy is quite interesting

Ben giving the Darkling crazy eyes when Arken owns up to his guilt is so cool

also wtf is Arken a fool trying to negotiate with possibly the strongest man in the world

kind of loved the darkness literally eating him

also love Alina learning to use her powers better when she is alone than when she is with anyone else, wish we got to see the cut in this season as per the books, ah can't have everything I guess

the camera pan to Jesper's gun at his side, amazing

god Jessie is literally so beautiful I need to see her bring Alina to the peak of her power so bad

netflix you better renew this series to let the plot run to its completion

HOW THE FUCK DID THEY CAST THE CROWS SO PERFECTLY

INEJ FUCKING TREMBLING JUST THE TINIEST BIT AS SHE BOWS SLIGHTLY TO ALINA SGSHSBSJJSJSSJ MY TWO QUEENS

'And where is my Summoner?' my little Darklina heart ouchie I really wish you hadn't used and manipulated her like this Alek it was incredibly fucked up especially considering you actually caught feelings

'Ivan and I won't fail you' oh Fedyor my baby, my angel, you don't deserve what is coming

Helnik literally recreating Titanic lmao stop this is a joke

I too would jump off the raft if I came to consciousness to see a gorgeous woman with magical powers with her hand on my back

omg but why is ryevost so pretty though

'I know exactly how she felt. The King's soldiers treated me the same way... I'm not myself today.' why must you do this to me, why must you fuel my darklina soulmates agenda idiocy

I don't quite think I have a problem with the Zoya Darkling relationship as much as I have a problem with the line they chose to reveal it to use with.

my drink's over and I don't know if I should have another, considering that it's 7 am

the tenderness with which he looks at Zoya and takes her hand and then when he says 'I shall relax when I have Alina' makes me believe more that the man that is reduced to tears time and again in front of Alina could in fact be the master manipulator I know him to be

god I can't wait for Zoya's character arc

'I speak six languages, it's part of my job' why is Nina literally the fucking coolest

Alina blinding the oprichniki was so hot, I can't wait to see more of her power and her ruthlessness

I know I've said it before but good god is Jessie Mei Li gorgeous

HER LITTLE SMILE AMONGST ALL THE PANIC AS SOON AS SHE SEES MAL, THE AUDACITY OF THIS SHOW TO MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY

THE SCORE COMING IN AT THE RIGHT MOMENT, THEIR HANDS MEETING, HER SMILE AGAIN DHDHSBSNSNSNSNAN IM IN PAIN

REALLY?! YOU'RE GONNA GO DIRECTLY FROM MALINA TO HELNIK WITH NO CONCERN FOR MY HEART?

I simply cannot get over Calahan's accent lmao it's really funny

'im not afraid of you' he says to the insanely gorgeous girl with magic

HIM HANGING HIS HEAD IN DEFEAT TO INDICATE NINA HAS MADE VALID POINTS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I CAN'T BREATHE

'You're just a man. Like all the others.' she says and then forgets her train of thought looking at him as he strips. god I love this

not sleeping all night and then scotch is not a good idea, I think

'I promise not to ravish you' 'I hate the way you talk' her hand on his chest, his hand gripping hers, my fucking heart feels like it's about to explode

good god these shooting locations and sets are so beautiful

Alina throwing the flask at Mal and Mal going 'OI!' I fucking can't, I guess I am a

simp for childhood friends to lovers, give me more of that banter and childhood friend energy, I am thriving

wow it literally seems like they took book! Mal sl*tshaming book! Alina and made show! Alina sl*tshame show! Mal, hmm, interesting

'They would have split us up!' MAL'S LITTLE SMILE AT THIS, and the 'You wrote me letters?' Mal's nod, the Malina yearning stare, the Malina hug, 'thank you for finding me' 'always. I'll always find you.' NO MALINA YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE MADE ME ABSOLUTELY FUCKING FERAL

I understand they had to split time between my ravkan babies and the crows and that is why there were several aspects that were sort of not reflected on enough but Alina's training at the Little Palace, Alina's cut, Mal's personality, a teensy bit of backstory for the crows, maybe one lockpicking scene from my boy Kaz

random note: we have far too many idols and paintings and pictures and whatnot of Hindu deities in our house apart from the specially designed temple (we are Hindus, so maybe it's not that weird but it's a little weird)

Kaz's cane is a literal star, it's so beautiful my heart wants to explode

'Why would Heleen get the Crow Club?' *literally fucking gets up and walks aways instead of answering the fucking question* I LITERALLY CAN'T BREATHE I'M LOSING MY MIND

'I know that voice' WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO MAKE ME FIGHT FOR PLATONIC SHIPS IN FANDOMS

'We won't starve' omg get you someone who packs food for you when you go on the run together hiding from your ex who wants to capture you and use your powers as a weapon against your consent

Mal looking surprised at her summoning sunlight, Alina looking cautiously at him waiting for him to disapprove or run for the hills in fear or smth like that, 'I'm sorry it took me this long to see you... But I see you now' my dumb little shipper trash heart ouch

they really said we're gonna feed you this part asian couple as the protagonists in this show in 2021 and guess what I'm eating it's really tasty I'm very satisfied as a south asian

NINA'S LITTLE SMILE WHEN MATTHIAS WAKES UP WITH HIS ARM AROUND HER

'I can feel how much you hate sleeping next to me' 👀👀👀 BITCH SAID IMMA SPILL THE TEA AND THEN SHE DID

it's 8 am and guess what I'm getting another drink my parents have c*vid and are in govt qu*r*ntine centres there is nobody to supervise or stop me

I too say 'Why do you have to say things like that?' to my pretty crush when she flirts with me

Nina smiling at Matthias bragging about his conservative ways is my aesthetic

'No, it's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall and yet, oh, there you stand.' MY FUCKING QUEEN

Matthias laughing uncontrollably at Nina saying something which isn't even that funny is a whole ass vibe

Kaz Brekker saying 'The Black General' ooh fuck yeah

YESSSS STEP OUT OF THAT CARRIAGE ALL SEXY BLACK GENERAL

isn't alcohol supposed to like kill germs? well, the amount in my system definitely will

I love my crows so much (always but this time particularly for setting that alarm in the stolen carriage)

ooh Polina recognising Inej by the knife yesss let's go writers

this Ivan Jesper showdown is all I needed from life and yet did not know about

Ivan taking off his cloak was, um, sexier than I wanted it to be

I just realised how thirsty I am going to sound in this post

'Has no one told you that keftas are Fabrikator-made and resistant to bullets, hmm?' 'Oh, I do love a challenge' LITERALLY EVERYTHING

im sorry to be pointing out flaws in a perfect show and adaptation but the line delivery on 'You robbed me of my brother, now I'll rob you of your life' from Polina was kind of weak

'You're a-' *gets knocked out with the back of a gun* LMAO we love the hints

got excited at the prospect of kaz v. zoya until I realised they will not be letting the opportunity of kaz v. darkling pass up

my goodness is Amita Suman a splendid actress

I AM NOT KIDDING WHEN I TELL YOU I SQUEALED WHEN I SAW DARKLES EMERGE OUT OF THE SHADOWS IN FRONT OF MY BABY BOY KAZ

THERE BEING ACTUAL FEAR OR ATLEAST DOUBT ON KAZ'S FACE, THE LITTLE BACK STEPS AS

THE DARKLING WALKS TOWARDS HIM, AAAAH I CAN'T

THE DARKLING STOPPING AT KAZ SAYING 'SHE FLED ON HER OWN' AND THE HINT OF TEARS THAT WE SEE IN HIS EYES

'IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR SHE WASN'T INTERESTED IN BEING A CAPTIVE ANYMORE' YOU TELL HIM, KING

*ACTUAL FUCKING TEARS IN THE DARKLING'S EYES AS THE SHADOWS APPROACH*

NOT ME YOWLING LIKE A HYENA THAT THIS CHILD OUTSMARTED THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN EXISTENCE WITH A FAKE MAGIC TRICK

'Are you sure you added enough cloves?' literally warranting a wide ass smile from my queen Alina making my entire fucking day

for some reason, no matter how much I push it from my mind, Ben Barnes dressed up as the Darkling, dancing to 'push it' keeps coming to mind, it's absolutely ridiculous

I got somehow distracted with interviews but good things came out of that as it gave my body the time for the booze to kick in

and I would just like to say that I love Leigh for all she has given me

Alina is so fucking compassionate, I have no much love for her. I can feel her guilt and her sorrow as Mal talks of Mikhail and Dubrov

don't particularly like how the stag plotline is woven in, could have been executed better

'You're afraid you might start to like me?' *flaps furs like a bird's wings in frustration*

'I DO like you' my fucking heart you idiots

the sexual tension is so palpable and the moment is so intimate I simply cannot

OMG SHE FUCKING FELL

that moment where you think he might let her fall despite having read the books and he doesn't and he tells her his name I- <3

YOU DARE TRANSITION FROM A HELNIK SCENE TO A KANEJ SCENE YOU REALLY HAVE NO MERCY FOR MY HEART HUH

people have talked about this endlessly but Freddie's little jaw tic after he says Inej because Inej is wounded and he can't physically bring himself to help her I fucking cannot

THE MUSIC PICKING UP AS KAZ LOOKS TO THE DARKLING'S CARRIAGE I CAN'T WITH THIS SHOW ANYMORE

and now for one of my favorite scenes in television and cinematic history, David Kostyk throwing a book at Jesper Fahey without even knowing who he is merely because he opens the door of his carriage and says hello to him before getting knocked out by Kaz Brekker while trying to run away

Immediately followed by another, the scene with David Kostyk raising his finger to put forward his point in front of the Darkling and the Darkling trying to let him know he doesn't have to before obliging is one of my favourite scenes in the world

also sir please stop being devastatingly attractive in your glorious appearance with your face and your black kefta and cloak because all that comes to mind is Ayesha Erotica's Emo Boy and I'm afraid that is terribly inappropriate.

'No, you look great.' *literally looks down from embarrassment or blushing* MALINA RIGHTS?

THE LOOK ON THE DARKLING'S FACE BEFORE HE SAYS 'NO ORDINARY TRACKER, NO ORDINARY GIRL' BITCH IM OUT OF BREATH

'ORPHANS OF KERAMZIN, REUNITED.' 'ADORABLE.' HE FUCKING SNEERED IRL I FUCKING CANNOT

GOD IT'S SO GOOD

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makeste · 4 years ago

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BnHA Chapter 283: I'M MARY POPPINS Y’ALL

Previously on BnHA: Everyone was all, “Tomura what do you have?” and Tomura was all,” a quirk bullet!” and they were all, “NO!!” He then threw the bullet at Aizawa, who ironically actually did have a knife, and since no one bothered to say “no!!” this time he proceeded to CHOP OFF HIS OWN LEG. Just, schwoop. Lopped it right off. Didn’t even fucking care. Anyway so then Tomura was all, “you know what who even needs quirk bullets” and somehow broke free from both Deku and Ryuukyuu to go claw off Aizawa’s face. Thankfully Todoroki “I've spent the past eight chapters puttering around waiting for the coolest moment to strike” Shouto finally decided to join the fray by impaling Tomura, and everyone was all, “ahaha, classic Shouto”, and Tomura was all, “don’t worry though I’m fine”, and it seems like he really is now, since he’s finally regenerated and all his wounds have healed again! The chapter ended with Gigantomachia stampeding towards Jakku, which is super terrible, but what else is fucking new.

Today on BnHA: The Gunga kids spend a few pages standing around letting all that trauma soak in nice and deep as Machia rampages on towards Jakku. Back in the Shigaraki Wastes, the heroes regroup, which mostly consists of the remaining conscious adults tearfully being all “you kids get out of here... save yourselves...” and the kids being all “YOU JUST SIT THERE AND CHILL, DAD” and “[EXPLETIVES]” and “I’M YOUNG AND FILLED WITH RIGHTEOUS SHOUNEN RAGE”, all of which is very entertaining to me and makes me very proud. Anyway so then Tomura’s body sort of explodes a bit, and he’s all, “what”, and then it finally sinks in that he might have popped out of the toaster early, so he tries to end the fight right there and then with another round of Decay. Except that Deku counters it by SPONTANEOUSLY LEARNING HOW TO FLY, which is probably SO CONFUSING for all the non-Gran-and-Kacchan people around, which is just one of the many things I love about it. And the other things I love about it are that it’s (1) THE MOST BADASS THING EVER, and (2) just, really fucking great. So yeah. Rage, Deku, rage.

OH NO MY BABIES

don’t tell me. I’m not sure I want to know what it is they’re looking at. how many of the pros are fucking dead now ffffmg

also that is an extremely intriguing chapter title, though. 75? as in percent?? oh my god is something finally going to go fucking right for our heroes. or at least, you know, less wrong

OOOF

dammit Momo he was supposed to go to sleep! WHAT THE HELL WAS ALL OF THAT MATH FOR, THEN. did he grow bigger, or did she just somehow miscalculate the dosage, or is he finally going to go night-night halfway to Jakku?

btw Momo I’m not actually mad at you, you’re still the only one who fucking did anything at all. if anyone tries to give you shit, just look them in the eye and ask them “okay and how many things did YOU do?”, and they’ll be like, “oh shit, none”, and you’ll be all “yeah that’s what I fucking thought” because YEAH

OH MY GOD SERO ANGST

I have never seen Sero this badly shaken before. it’s somehow so shocking?? holy shit you guys, I know I’ve been saying for ages “lolo all these kids about to be traumatized af” but somehow it’s one thing to know it’s coming, and another to finally actually see it. oh god

anyway let’s just hope all of the grown-ups aren’t actually fucking dead. but based on all of the kids’ expressions, it really feels like a lot of them might be, and that’s just... ...

and they had to see it. right? is that what this is implying?? holy shit. they watched it all happen. that’s it, the rest of this arc is cancelled, please proceed directly to the emergency therapy arc right now

TOKO!!

holy shit look at the size of that rock that fell on the medical tent. and DS pulling people out of the wreckage. it really feels like everywhere you turn this arc, the intrepid young scamps of U.A.’s first year hero class are the ones out here keeping things one step from total disaster

oh shit

excuse the hell out of me young Momo but what the hell is up with this use of the word “dead” with the implied “like everyone else” hanging there at the end?? what is up with that. that’s a very bad sentence I don’t like that at ALL

and what the actual hell is this panel of FATGUM AND TAMAKI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CARNAGE, TWO PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES I’M QUITE SURE ARE ON THIS CONTRACT OF “PEOPLE WHO AREN’T ALLOWED TO DIE” WHICH HORIKOSHI IMPLICITLY AGREED TO THE MOMENT I STARTED READING THE MANGA. BOY WHAT

JESUS MOTHER F. CHRIST

THAT’S. THAT’S, UH

OH THANK FUCK

I mean, I already knew they survived, though. so WHY AM I STILL SO FUCKING ANXIOUS. good grief

and in before Majestic fucking dies on the next page, having saved the children with his very last act. I fucking hate you Majestic, you blue-balling child-preserving magnificent wizard bastard

HE FRISBEED THEM TO SAFETY GAH

WHY COULDN’T YOU DO THAT TO MACHIA THOUGH. BUT AT LEAST HE SAVED THE BABIES. TOO BAD HE’S FUCKING DEAD hahaha sob sob sob

is anyone still alive?? did the guys who were fighting off Snoopy Sno-Cone and RD back at the mansion at least make it out in one piece??

(ETA: from here on out all of these guys shall be referred to as Schrodinger's Heroes until further notice.)

so now Mineta is questioning whether or not their Smart Momo Plan even fucking did anything, which. same, Mineta, honestly. but it must have!! right?? ????

anyway so here’s some more panels of everyone dying do you want to see them. sure. why not

can we get back to the Tomura fight now. I’ve had just about enough of this, I’d like to see some 75% business now before this turns into the most depressing chapter of all time

BOOOOOOO

goddammit. well for now my money’s on Machia collapsing just as they make it back to Jakku. so Momo’s plan does eventually work, but the League still makes it back to Tomura thus ensuring more shenanigans can take place. goddamn, lol, just when I thought the arc was nearing its climax. feels like it just fucking respawned with a full life bar

also Toga is really looking... not great. I’m so scared for whoever she ends up fighting after this. OCHAKO MY SWEET BABY GIRL PLEASE WATCH OUT

WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE

PLEASE ARREST HIM FASTER. holy fuck if you fucking screw this up and he gets rescued I SWEAR TO GOD

oh wait is he just here to provide more backstory on Gigantomachia

GO BURNIN’, YOU GOT THIS. also, gonna be honest, at this point I really would not mind if Machia did a little less living for Tomura and a bit more dying

FINALLY!!!

FKFKF Aizawa not looking too good oh god. and Deku looks like he’s about to spontaneously develop ALL OF HIS REMAINING QUIRKS JUST LIKE THAT ON THE SPOT, FUCK YOU TOMURA

oh my god DON’T GET DISTRACTED!!

Shouto’s arrival is either about to make Endeavor more useless than ever, or suddenly a whole lot LESS useless, and right now it’s up in the air and I am excited but also scared

EXCUSES EXCUSES

BLAH BLAH BLAH. “SORRY I’M LATE, I WAS SAVING PEOPLE’S LIVES,” Shouto lies through his teeth, clearly not aware that Tomura has a built in GPS and knows full well that Shouto was actually only a few feet behind Bakugou and Deku and so that explanation doesn’t fly at all. the real truth must be something so embarrassing that he’s ashamed to admit it. did you get lost. did you run into an NPC who wouldn’t let you pass until you had completed some sort of quest

THERE YOU ARE KACCHAN, I WAS WONDERING

just as enraged as Deku! it’s almost like he just witnessed his sensei chopping off his own leg and subsequently almost being murdered or something

(ETA: actually lol I think he’s mad at Deku, for taking off earlier and leaving him behind with Gran. though there’s no law that says he can’t be mad about two things at once! anyway so do you guys think that being beaten to the punch by Deku here may perhaps frustrate this young man and contribute to his decision to return the favor at some point later on in this battle, perhaps with dire consequences? hmm.)

anyway so if you all are keeping up with the math, and I think you are, it seems like just about every one of the adult pros is either down for the count (Aizawa, Gran), or recovering (Endeavor, Ryuukyuu??), or Might As Well Not Even Be There (a certain TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL IN A TIME OUT AND HAD BETTER BE THINKING GOOD AND HARD ABOUT WHAT THEY’VE DONE. OR MORE PRECISELY, DID NOT DO OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO DO). anyway so all of that means that the only ones actually ready and raring to go here in Round 2 against the newly regenerated and POSSIBLY HAS HIS DECAY QUIRK BACK Shigaraki Tomura are... drum roll...!

okay but FUCK YOU GUYS though oh my god YOU’RE EVEN RUINING THE DRUM ROLL

DID YOU NOT EVEN NOTICE HIS LEG BEFORE?!?!? holy -- can I -- can I please just slap them, I --

anyway so RockLockRock looks like he has something to say here. probably going to tell Deku to take Aizawa and run, as if Deku isn’t the fucking glue holding this entire operation together at this point now that Aizawa is KOed. can you believe these guys are so incompetent they’ve actually got me arguing in favor of the child soldiers now, what even

...fuck

shit. that face. he’s ready to die to give them all a chance. he knows he wouldn’t last two seconds against Tomura and yet he’s willing to sacrifice it all. damn it RLR... okay fine your time out is done now, but I’m still calling your parents

unfortunately, you’ll never believe it, but Deku doesn’t seem all that inclined to listen to this man telling him to bail and save his own skin sob

ngl though I am living for the Enraged Vengeance Deku we’ve been seeing in these last couple chapters. maybe now everyone will stop dismissing him as just a soft boi who always eats his vegetables and doesn’t swear, and remember that in truth he’s actually a mildly unhinged feral child with an infinite pain tolerance and a god-given talent for never listening to any life-prolonging advice that adults give him ever

oop don’t tell me he’s gonna do the Decay thing again, shit

-- uh

“eh?” lmao what the fuck. my boy's torso just opened up like a fucking door hinge and all he can say is “eh.” this fucking manga

like he’s seriously just calmly standing there trying to assess what the heck has gone wrong

you really don’t feel pain do you. “haha lol what why is my arm falling off I thought I fucking ascended”

OH MY GOD

IT’S OCTOBER THIRD. looool the fuck

Tomura. my sweet little S+ ranked death machine with an A rank in knowledge. who’s spent the past 15-20 minutes battling to the death with the number one fucking hero and all his pals. who all just HAPPENED to be there all ready and waiting to fight him the instant he woke up. Tomura. buddy. did it really only just occur to you that maybe something went wrong somewhere along the line. that maybe things were not, in fact going according to keikaku. that maybe the heroes didn’t just sit around waiting for you to finish cooking in your villain bake oven. like please forgive my impudence but TOMURA ARE YOU STUPID, is what I’m saying, I guess. but gently

(ETA: SHIGARAKI TOMURA, WHOSE ARM IS CURRENTLY DANGLING BY A THREAD: “hold up lol what day is it.”)

I really like how Deku’s just crying nonstop this entire time though. but like, you know. crying with RAGE

lol and he’s figured it out as well, and I fucking love the connection his mind made, look at this

sudden feelings of solidarity. “WE’RE NOT SO DIFFERENT, YOU AND I” lmao

AHH MIRKO

how does she still have two legs?? Horikoshi I can’t believe you forgot how many legs your own favorite character has. but anyways yes this has been your friendly reminder that Mirko saved EVERYONE and should have a battleship named after her

okay NOW he’s doing the thing

good job Tomura you finally got them!! good thing none of them can fly, or Float. RIGHT, DEKU

AHAHAHAHAHA YESSSSS

YOU LOVE TO SEE IT. AND A BLACKWHIP/FLOAT COMBO, TOO! TOMURA, YOU WERE SAYING??

(ETA: he even grabbed Kacchan too. “I can fly by myself!” YOU SHUSH MISTER.)

(ETA 2: and what I also love about this is that we know the SIXQUIRKS are seemingly in tune with Deku’s emotions, so it honestly makes perfect sense that in the heat of the moment with Tomura threatening to kill all these people that he cares about, the quirk just basically acts on his instinct to save and doesn’t stop to ask questions. we’re saving everyone, no buts. and he even activates Float at long last, acting on that same instinct. honestly Kacchan had the exact right idea the whole time, all the way back in chapter 217. “it’ll activate when he’s in trouble, right?” exactly.)

NO GRAN STOP NO ONE ASKED FOR THESE FEELS

OH MY GOD

NEVER HAVE I STANNED THIS BOY SO HARD. HOT DAMN

he’s so fucking mad. omg??! omg

okay so I’m gonna try my best to explain why I love this so much lol. all right. so the thing is, it’s actually so rare for Deku to actually take the reins like this. even though he’s the main character, even though he’s All Might’s heir, his personality is such that he genuinely doesn’t mind being in the backseat and is perfectly content to share the spotlight with others, or even relinquish it completely. BnHA has had... how many arcs so far? hold up let me check

-- okay I just checked and it’s 18. so, 18 arcs. and out of all those arcs, Deku has had a solo fight in approximately... five of them. and two of those fights were against Bakugou and Todoroki, respectively, so he was still sharing the spotlight even then. aside from that, he’s fought Muscular, Gentle, and Overhaul (oh, and Shinsou, I guess). that’s it! and it’s been almost 300 chapters! and again, he’s the main character. in a shounen manga. like seriously though, that is wild

and so seeing him here like this on the last page, ready to throw hands with Tomura, presumably while using Blackwhip as some sort of physical barrier to coat his attacks and prevent Tomura from trying any more Decay shenanigans with him? dude. I FELT THAT HYPE. it’s just a really effective way of keeping me from getting Main Character Fatigue like I might get in most other shounen series. because Deku doesn’t get the spotlight all that often in comparison, it still feels fresh to me, especially now with him actually going up against the Big Bad. just, idk what else to say except “hell yeah” lol

anyway, so I don’t even know how long it’s gonna last, and I expect that Kacchan and Shouto aren’t going to be content to just sit back and let Deku have all the glory either (Kacchan in particular is probably frothing at the mouth already), so in all likelihood it’s probably going to be more of a 3-on-1 than a 1-on-1. and it’s also very likely to end with Tomura gaining the upper hand and trying to take OFA! and so in truth this is a very fleeting moment of triumph, and the most premature of celebrations! but even so... damn. and also I just love seeing shounen kids lose their damn minds and explode with angry determination. and I especially love seeing it with Deku, because I love the reminder that beneath that sweet, unassuming nerdy exterior lies a core of fucking steel. that look in his eyes, though. TOMURA ARE YOU SCARED. you should be a little scared, lmao

anyway. so that’s the chapter! and I’m really glad we ended on this note, not just because Deku is a badass, but also because like I was saying earlier, this was about as bad a situation as the good guys have ever been in, and I felt like the manga was starting to lose that feeling of hope that still needs to be there at its core even when things are at their darkest. idk, I feel like we needed this. Tomura got a chance to catch his breath in the last chapter, and now it’s the heroes’ turn. whew

#bnha 283 #midoriya izuku #shigaraki tomura #class 1-a #bakugou katsuki #todoroki shouto #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha #I just wish one of the blackwhips had been kind of dangling above him like an umbrella so my gotg 2 reference would make a bit more sense #eh but you all get it right #because... you know... the flying... and stuff #bah

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botwstoriesandsuch · 4 years ago

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Whoopsie King Rhoam’s a dick but I gotta flesh him out so

Read Part 1 here!

Part 2

If you’re on mobile, and tumblr hates this post, follow along on this google doc!

Rules/overview this rewrite in the beginning of Part 1

‘sup ya beautiful bastards it’s time to gush about the process of storytelling and writing as we fix up the fix it fic so let’s just jump into it

- - - - - - - - - -

A quick recap of Part 2, and I swear this recap is faster than the recap last time: Chapter 3 of Age of Calamity opens with a more substantial scene the beginning points of Revali’s character, and contrasting the old position that Link and eggbot have, so that their later changes in this chapter (well, at least for Link in this chapter) are more pronounced. We edited a bit of the dialogue to make Revali’s intentions make a bit more sense, while also putting some little foreshadowing points with some camera tricks for the Hollow Champions. The Hollow Champions can now speak, which means their potential for being used to bring out the flaws or bitter aspects of each character is more readily available further into the story. And of course, we’ve introduced the main antagonist of Astor, and coupling his presence and dynamic with Zelda’s insecurities. While his intentions of needing Zelda for something is clear, his motivations and backstory remain a mystery as of yet, the only true clue we have so far being some sort of connection to eggbot.

I didn’t get any big asks or comments about Part 2 so I’m going to assume that it was mostly well received (although I will note that I promise I’m going to flesh out Revali to be more than he has been presented as of yet, this is just the very very start of this development don’t you worry your feather loving butts) that being said, you should totally critique me or give me your opinions or comments. I’d love to hear them! Although, keep in mind that I am restraining my rewrite to the guidelines already said, so don’t get mad at me for not killing off all the Champions or something. Thaaat’s a rewrite for another time. So yeah if you reblog you get a little kiss from me because believe it or not I spent a lot of time trying to rewrite an entire storyline while keeping it’s tone and integrity intact. So thanks much <3

Okie dokie then chaps! Let us finally delve into Urbosa lesbian vibes, a zest of Zelink angst, rants about pacing, and a couple tablespoons of Astor backstory, all starting in the latest stage of Chapter 3: The Road Home, Besieged

So right of the bat, big problem here. This Chapter follows directly after the events of Korok Forest, so you assume that maybe “The Road Home” refers to the team, going home, back to the castle, to tell King Rhoam what’s up. But...that’s apparently not the case.

So this entire stage, firstly, it brushes over any scenes where Zelda, Link or the other Champions might talk to King Rhoam about the Master Sword, or the Deku Tree, or...hmm what else happened last stage that might be interesting to see—oh yEAH HOW ABOUT that mysterious magic guy that tried to kill Zelda and was going off about the future and stuff?? That guy that wielded a bunch of dark magic and malice looking stuff and, uh yeah, you’d think it might be important and interesting to see the King’s take on was is essentially a wanted traitor to the crown who may or may not be leading the entire movement for the Calamity’s uprising. But nope, no one asks questions, no one says anything or has interesting conversations that reveal stuff about the plot. It's just….just all about Zelda and ooooOOooo she can’t awaken her powers oh no what’s a gal to do!

And I do mean that quite literally, this entire stage is all centered around two scenes with Zelda. The first, an admittedly narratively important scene of Zelda having a quick flashback about eggbot after he sings her a song, but it lasts for five seconds. And the second, being a pep talk with Urbosa as Link eats rocks in the background. For the majority of this stage, it’s all focused on Zelda, and pacing wise, it does virtually nothing to progress the narrative/plot forward.

And on paper, there’s nothing wrong with that! Hell, people read entire fanfictions dedicated to character development and relationships that have absolutely no external plot. Having a scene dedicated to just character development is completely fine, it’s something that’s pretty common and even encouraged to an extent. The problem arises when you remember that this is a story being told through the medium of a video game.

Now, I am going to try and breeze by this because, similar to Age of Calamity, I have to also construct this post with pacing that keeps my audience engaged, while progressing with my core narrative and story. But I highly encourage you to watch through this video by hello future me (On Writing: How to Master Pacing) because a lot of what I know about this I’ve picked up from his videos, and if you’re a writer or just someone who thinks storytelling is cool, it’s a great guide to the art of pacing.

youtube

Anyhow. There are two levels of pacing within a story. There is the small type of pacing, like for the structure of a singular scene. And there is the pacing of the overall core narrative, how the larger beats of the entire story is revealed. Good pacing for your core narrative is about whether the reader feels like they are getting closer to the big thing, the big climax or answer or promise of satisfaction. The smaller type of pacing, for your singular scenes, focuses on that timing between how close you get to achieving new information, this refers to your slow and fast pacing, tension versus rapid action.

So, overall the rule of thumb is: the amount of time you invest into your smaller scenes, even put together, that must correlate with a big enough payoff in the core narrative. That’s what good pacing is. (And that’s why people make stuff like the Three Act Structure to help visualize this pacing process but obviously other forms of pacing guidelines exist like the Five and Seven Act Structures but that’s too complicated for this Nintendo Game anyhow that’s just some educational flavour for ya to impress your highschool English Teacher I guess)

So knowing that, the question now is: Does The Road Home, Besieged contribute good pacing to the story? This is going to be my excuse for changing up other later scenes in the game, so when I mention pacing and narrative again, remember this. The time spent playing for thirty minutes, minimum, in the game, to only be paid off by two lines of character development isn’t good pacing. So the answer is “no.”

Delving as long an amount of time as thirty minutes, means that pretty much everytime a stage is complete, you must introduce new substantial progress to your story. A game like this just doesn’t have time to waste it’s valuable cutscenes on character development alone. There’s an even further wrench in the issue when you consider you also need to account for sidequests, so you could really be forcing your player to go through hours of gametime before you introduce new details in the story.

Obviously it’s not always gonna be cut and dry like that—sometimes you have to account for how enjoyable the gameplay is, and sometimes the amount of character development offsets any lack of narrative development—but for the majority of stages I’m gonna change, they all suffer this pacing problem. In a game that's entire story hinges on these cutscenes, bad pacing is just something it doesn’t have time for.

Anyhow anyhow anyhow, I got to get my dose of serotonin by talking about pacing writing structure and stuff and blah blah, so now I shall grace you with the changes that address these problems that would theoretically lead to vast improvement. I gave you this reasoning and backstory to writing because I am making hella changes, to hopefully make the experience more “poggers,” which is something the cool kids say these days if you didn’t know.

Firstly, timeline wise this stage is gonna take place directly after the Korok Forest battle. The gang is returning home from the battle, with Link, the new wielder of the Master Sword, along with this new information regarding a certain Astor character.

We open the same way it does in game, focusing on Zelda’s face, before the frame is suddenly blocked by the pommel of the Master Sword. A wordless way to express how the sudden revelation of Link being the hero has forced its way into Zelda’s mind, great use of camera Koei Tecmo 10 outta 10

Now I don’t want to immediately jump into Zelda’s “oh poor me I can’t awaken my powers” dialogue because—and this is something even Breath of the Wild is guilty of—This game seems to forget that there are other characters besides Zelda. It’s marketed towards kids, sure, but I assure you that kids playing this game have a longer attention span than 2 minutes. You don’t need to keep reminding the audience every single scene about how Zelda is anxious about her powers. It gets redundant, you waste the audience’s time, and therefore you waste your own time, because you could have been using that precious screen time to develop some other thing further. So anyhow, goes a bit like this.

Zelda’s walking, the Master Sword comes into frame. Zelda looks down at the ground but keeps walking, but you can tell from her expression that she’s troubled. Don’t need to waste time on dialogue for her here, show don’t tell, we need to make the most of the scene here. Camera is still on Zelda, but the focus blurs shifts from Zelda to the Champions behind her. We can start with Mipha, I don’t have my heart set heavily on any specific dialogue, but I want her to say something along the lines of “how proud she is of Link” and what an honor it will be to fight by the side of not just her dear friend, but also someone selected by the goddess to be the hero. Subtextually, I want her to say this in a tone that suggests that she doubts the need for her to be here at all. She’ll say something like “He’s grown so…” glances up at Link who's just walking ahead, “...so much stronger than I could ever imagine. [Something Something] His power has grown so much over the course of a few days, more than I have achieved in a lifetime.” She looks down, but she still has a sweet smile.

Now I’m doing this because I want to develop further this plot line of “getting stronger” that Age of Calamity sets up but never does anything with. Remember how in Chapter 2, Mipha asks Daruk to train with her to get stronger? I really like the possibilities of this arc with Mipha as it can not only parallel with her feelings for Link, but also make her character better as an individual. Mipha wants to get stronger so that she can protect Link, but now she thinks that Link’s already growing stronger to an extent that she might not be needed. She’s not jealous of Link, nor does she wish him to be weaker, she simply wants to be more than she already is. This is literally echoing her words that she left her father, about how leaving the Domain and experiencing new challenges would be “good for her.” So I wanna run with it. The dialogue here establishes Mipha’s motivation to grow stronger, almost equivalent to a rivalry of sorts.

So after Mipha says this, Revali scoffs and butts in. Again, I’m not too set on any particular dialogue here, just something like “Hmph! Well, I don’t know about that. Seems to me all that’s happened is some magic sword gave the knight an ego boost. Blade’s only as strong as the little Hylian who wields it, and—based on my own extended experience and professional observations of course—I’ve yet to see this ‘stronger’ boy that you speak of.” Another camera pan to Link a ways in front of them. “If you ask me, hero or no, that knight is still exactly the same as I first met him.”

Revali places a wing on his chest dramatically. “Perhaps if you’re truly keen on seeing growth in skill and strength, Mipha, you’d do well to—”

“Flattering of an offer as that may be, Revali,” Urbosa interjects, “But I think Mipha might find it difficult to observe growth from one of the shortest Rito in Hyrule.”

Cue laughter from others or snickering or something. We just need some banter to add a bit more flavour to the characters. Revali can do a little huff and cross his wings or flip his scarf or something. But then Urbosa continues.

“Although...he is right about one thing.” Urbosa looks straight ahead. “A sword does not alter a hand, just as strength does not alter character.” She puts a hand on Mipha’s shoulder. “Grow as he might, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the same boy as he’s always been.” Urbosa looks up in the direction of Zelda. “Whether you realize it or not.”

Ok so, scene’s not done yet, BUT quick gush on the dialogue flow here. I’m trying to establish parallels in these character perspectives based on the flow of conversation. We started with Mipha who, like I said, wished to grow stronger along with Link. This flows into Revali who also has a similar parallel as he wishes to grow above Link’s shadow. But the distinction between Mipha and Revali is that Mipha think’s Link’s strength is earned, and Revali thinks he cheated, gaining authority through a magic sword, and not through merit and skill. Thus, leading to Revali’s perspective of Link being exactly the same as he’s always been, he believes the sword doesn’t change anything. Urbosa then speaks, because she thinks exactly the same thing. However, her distinction is that Link is the same as he’s always been: a determined young boy earned his place and cares for his friends. Then she looks to Zelda who, as we know, will develop a perspective that contradicts this. So you get it? This scene is like 20 seconds long but it already mirrors nearly all the character parallels and perspective, that’s why the flow of dialogue is important. And I know half of you probably think these kinds of details are a stretch but I promise you it’s not, just look at any movie or show ever and I guarantee you can find similar stuff there too. Ok moving on moving on—

Urbosa looks up at Zelda, comments her, “He’s the same boy, whether you realize it or not” piece of dialogue. Camera shifts back to Zelda and Link, who, idk if I mentioned this, but in the scene there’s enough distance between the Champions and Zelda and Link that the Champions can speak without the other two listening. So they didn’t hear any of this.

So the camera is back on Zelda, and now we can get her “How can I…..If I am unable to awaken my inner power….” line. Eggbot senses her sadness, does his little cheer up dance, Zelda gets a flashback.

One small change I wanna make to this flashback: Instead of just a baby Zelda going “nighty-night” I want there to ALSO be a figure in the background behind eggbot wearing a silk royal blue dress. And said woman has blonde hair and she’s by the table back there. We don’t have to show her face or anything because Nintendo hates that. Just place the woman somewhere in the back somewhere

Also possibly you could add the shadow of another figure by the doorway, maybe? It would serve good continuity purposes for the plot points that I’m telling, but that part is not as necessary. I just need at least the woman there.

Then Zelda is like “I remember you” to eggbot and all that and blah blah… Now, instead of Impa offscreen just yelling “enemy ahead!” I just want it to be a full on ambush. Not like a major one, but just enough where the group is surprised a bit. Maybe on the cliffs above, a lizalfo throws a boomerang, or a bokoblin shoots and arrow, or even just throws a rock. I don’t really care. I just need this to happen because…

As soon as this danger is presented, Link turns around to grab Zelda’s hand and they start running again. And he can like use his body to try and shield her a bit, I need it to parallel how he acted during Chapter 1 on the road to the Royal Tech Lab. However, this parallel has one important distinction because…

Zelda rips he grip from Link’s after a moment. “You don’t need to coddle me!” She says, or something along those lines. “Y-You...You’re the hero aren’t you! I’m perfectly fine, you don’t need to spend your precious time playing babysitter to me.” In the distance, a horde of monsters is beginning to form. Zelda looks between the monsters and Link’s Master Sword, her expression unreadable. “Well? Just...just go do what you need to do.” Link hesitates, looking between her, and the approaching monsters. Zelda speaks more sternly now, “Go!” So Link, not one to disregard an order from the Princess, gives one last look to Zelda before setting off towards the monsters. Maybe Zelda can take a deep breath to steady herself after he leaves, but as soon as Link unsheathes his sword, the metal glistening in the setting sunlight, it cuts immediately to gameplay. Start battle.

For essays’ purposes this is the part where I explain why this is better than the original. So here’s my reasoning:

Uhhh, it just is. :3

Ok but seriously, I’ve already talked a tone about why the pacing and dialogue flow is better than the original. But also this scene doesn’t just say “Ooo Zelda is sad about her powers,” because that’s not interesting. Like I said, it’s redundant information. What is interesting is see how characters deal with that internal conflict and how it affects their relationships. AKA Zelda’s relationship with Link, who now basically embodies the success that she’s been working so hard towards but never achieved, is deteriorating a bit. I wanted to get that sense of the Zelda that we see in Breath of the Wild because all things considered, they should be roughly the same character.

So that’s that, you fight the battle, the Hollows show up a bit, so insert “dark evil Champion” dialogue because if you’re gonna use the evil clone trope might as well use it to the fullest. Then you fight the Talus and hurray horrah the day is saved.

Then we have that iconic Urbosa motherly pep talk to Zelda as Link eats rocks in the background. Now honestly, I’m not that big a fan of the first half of the dialogue, so I wanna change it into something more interesting. But the rest of the beats and camera work go roughly the same.

Zelda: “Link is...so much stronger now”

Urbosa: “‘And yet I have not.’ I presume that’s what you’re thinking, hmm?”

Zelda: “Well it’s true, isn’t it? More and more, monsters have been appearing around Hyrule. It is a sign that the Calamity draws near. So...there isn’t much time. And still, no sign of my power awakening.”

Urbosa: *sighs* “Little bird…”

Zelda cuts her off, in an attempt to change topics: “Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa: “Hmm?”

Zelda: “Little bird...I feel like I’ve heard it before. Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa, after a beat looks off in the distance or something: “A long time ago, my dear friend would call me to the palace, or perhaps invite herself over to mine, [she chuckles] ...and she would talk with me all day, and ask me to gaze upon her little bird with her. Her dearest daughter...a princess”

Zelda: “You mean my…”

Urbosa just smiles with a soft nod: “Back then, times were a bit different. The destiny that you have was still upon the Queen, who worked day and night to refine her powers and fulfill her destiny. In just a few short years, I went from being friends with a Queen, to friends with the destined sealer of the Calamity.”

Another pause, before Urbosa speaks again: “But...she was still the same woman I had grown with. Still the same loving mother who spoke about her little bird with joy. She had not changed one bit.”

Urbosa: “Even when your mother passed, her loving smile was there until the very end. She always loved you—believed in you, Zelda. She had great hope, great faith that her daughter would grow into the beacon of light Hyrule needed. That even with her gone, you would spread your wings and fly, because you were just that amazing to her.” *Urbosa puts her hands on Zelda’s shoulders.*

Urbosa: “Destiny did not change your mother’s love, just as it does not change Link’s courage, or your value.” *the camera can pan to Link eating rocks now*

Urbosa looks directly at Zelda now: “Look how hard we’ve all worked to get this far, how hard you have worked to get here. While we may grow in strength, in that regard, we’re all one in the same.”

Zelda: “...I….well…”

Urbosa: “What did the Great Deku Tree say? There is no need to fret princess.”

Urbosa: “Our faith, Link’s, your mother’s, it’s all as strong as ever. And everyday, with every moment that you travel towards your destiny, it just grows. It is always with us. So believe in that, have hope, yet, little bird.” *Eggbot can scurry up and make cute noises here next to Zelda*

Urbosa: “I know, you are where you need to be. You must accept that too.”

Zelda: “...”

Zelda gives a solemn nod: “Thank you, Urbosa.”

So that’s that scene! Don’t let the length fool you, it’s technically even shorter than the original scene in Age of Calamity. So why is it, in my opinion, better? Because for one, we actually get an insight into Zelda’s mom and Urbosa’s relationship, something that was PROMISED To us but never given and I’m still a bit salty about it. Anyhow, in addition to just getting some lore details, that relationship between the Queen and Urbosa is important for this scene because, just like Urbosa spells out, it’s in direct parallel with Link and Zelda.

Before the Queen suddenly got sick and died, she was destined to seal the Calamity. But she didn’t let that destiny change her, she was still the same loving mother to the end. Now that is something that Zelda needs to realize about Link, as his newly acquired destiny doesn’t change who he was before, the knight who cares for her and wishes to protect her. Zelda needs to realize he’s the same and that she can still trust and confide in him. Hence, that’s why this mom backstory is in this scene and not somewhere else, because it serves to the narrative but also more impactfully to the character development.

The dialogue could probably be polished a bit more but come on, not half bad for an improvement yeah? So that concludes Chapter—

SIKE we’re not done yet. We still have to move into the entire point of this stage, the road home, to the castle.

So, badabing badaboom, I’m adding an entirely new scene from scratch right here at the end, because it is VITAL that I set up something new about the story, as a sort of clincher. So anyhow

Zelda is alone with her father, let’s set it in the royal library (Intact, not ruined, of course) because we don’t see enough of that location and it’s really cool. So Zelda is briefing her dad about the events in Korok Forest and on the journey back home. I know I always gush about cinematography but it can’t be fully appreciated since I’m….writing,,, this, BUT I think it might be fun if the side shots of Zelda have her background be some bookcases of the library, maybe half bookcases and the other half the ornate walls. Then the background for the King’s shots is the full symmetry of the elegant staircases.

[And if you needed the specific reasoning for that, because it makes camera shots more fun. Like when Zelda says something that aids in her scholarly side, the camera angle can change slightly where the bookcases take up more of the frame, and then when the King’s will takes more power, then the book cases can be angled a bit more out of frame. And then the symmetry of the King by the staircase is a way to show his higher power dynamic to her, and contrasts well with Zelda’s shots since the bookcases are dark and the stone is lighter, so on a meta level is also makes it easier for the audience to understand where they are. Shot composition is fun ok, and that’s not even getting into color theory (Thinks about Baby Driver and LaLaLand....even videogames like Undertale and Hollow Knight have such wonderful shot composition and use of color theory hhhhh love it)]

Ok so Zelda’s briefing the King in the library, she’s standing while he’s sitting at a desk. There’s maybe two or four Royal Guards on the staircase entrances, but for the most part, they’re alone. You can tell that this meeting between them has been going on for a bit now, as from Zelda’s dialogue, she’s retelling events midway through the story.

The King is flipping through some paperwork, not really looking Zelda in the eyes. She continues speaking.

“And so...with the malice cleared and the monsters being dealt with, Link and I made our way into the heart of Korok Forest.”

The King hums a response, flipping through another page. “And this is when Link pulled out the Sword that Seals the Darkness then, I presume.”

Zelda paused, as of thinking of how to phrase her next words. “Not exactly. I...we both encountered someone beforehand. A man, with a pale face, and dark hair and robes, and he had the power to control malice, using a strange object in one of his hands.”

Rhoam stops writing in his journal or whatever. He doesn’t look up, but the sudden stop he makes is obvious. Zelda notices, but continues.

“He talked about...the Calamity, and my birthday...destiny, and the future….I’m not quite sure I can remember his intentions word for word. But he did introduce himself as—“

“Astor…” Zelda and the King say simultaneously. The King has fully perked up now, looking at Zelda. She’s pleased to see a reaction from him. The King rises from his chair, and starts pacing a bit, stroking his beard thoughtfully like the asshole he is.

“So you know him then? This Astor man? Who is he, father? What does he—“

“Were you alright? Did he hurt you, or mention anything else?”

Zelda pauses for a moment before shaking her head, as if the concern he was expressing was uncharacteristic. “N-No. No, I’m fine, and Link was there. During the battle, as Link fought him off, that was when the sword was pulled. Then Astor fled, or...” Zelda pauses for a beat, “retreated...he expressed his wish to speak with me again.”

Another beat of silence, as Rhoam gets up, hands clasped behind his back. “He used to work at this very palace.” The shot is now directly on Rhoams back, as he faces a bookcase, although it’s clear that he’s just deep in thought, and not just staring at books. Rhoam is in third column of the shot (he’s to the right, not in the center)

“A trusted advisor. Someone gifted with foresight, who many years ago, had first predicted the coming Calamity.” Cut to shot of Rhoams face, the camera being by the bookcase, so that we see Rhoam’s expression and Zelda’s.

“In truth, I thought him dead. For the last time I saw him alive—truly, truly alive—was ten long years ago...” The shot goes back to the original establishing shot, of Rhoam facing away from the camera, towards the bookcase, he’s standing to the right, hands still clasped behind his back.

“...when your mother still graced this earth.”

From left frame, a younger Astor walks up and stands beside Rhoam. He runs his fingers along the books. Rhoam looks to his left, as if he is seeing Astor. Camera cuts to Astor’s right, as if looking at him from Rhoam’s perspective. He continues brushing his fingers against the spines of the books, before he finds the one he’s looking for. Pulling it out, he opens the book, flipping through its pages, before giving a genuine smile. Cut back to wide angle behind them. With the book, Astor starts walking back out left frame, but this time the camera follows him. Filter fade to a memory tint as the camera pans right to left

[when the camera fades fully into the Astor memory, the figures can have that silhouetted effect like you see in botw. Cause I know Nintendo hates making new character models for some reason.]

So if it wasn’t clear already, even though the memory filter doesn’t come immediately, Astor isn’t actually there, but it’s just a flashback. I’m a sucker for merges, which is something this game and botw NEVER do which bugs me because there are so many creative ways you could introduce flashbacks without just doing “ooOooOoo fade to sepia filter and then oooOOooOOO we fade back to reality and no time has passed.” I apologize if my explanation of the camera doesn’t make sense as it’s hard without much visual aid, but hopefully it makes sense so far. Anyhow! Let’s continue.

We’re now fully immersed in this memory, but King Rhoam’s voice still narrates overhead.

Astor brings the book to one of the desks in the library, where a woman sits writing something onto paper. News flash, it’s the queen. Astor hands her the book and starts speaking about something, although you can tell the tone of their conversation is light, almost akin to Zelda rambling about Sheikah Technology. The Queen laughs about something unheard, as Astor continues ranting about something, his hands moving to like a professor giving a lecture.

Rhoam Narration: “When he had first predicted the Calamity, things were much more hopefully for our kingdom. As although his foresight granted him only glimpses and fragments of a future, he was almost certain that with the Guardians, and the strength of your mother’s power, our victory would be absolute.”

Scene changes to the Queen walking down a corridor, Astor is leaning against the wall by a window.

Rhoam Narration: “He and your mother would often work together tirelessly to study the ancient arts, to make the most of the powers given by the goddess.”

The Queen has walked up to Astor now. She crouches down and gestures to her left, the side not yet seen by the camera.

Rhoam Narration: “In fact…”

The camera changes to focus to where the Queen was looking towards—a young Zelda, crouched behind her mother’s dress, stares up at Astor.

Rhoam Narration: “I would not be surprised if you found within yourself, a memory of such.”

I would prefer if you could see the expressions of Astor (giving Zelda not a smile, but not really a frown or anything rude either) and young Zelda. But I guess it can also just be silhouettes too cause again, Nintendo hates giving us younger character models outside of first person POV stuff. Anyhow.

The scene fades, the light from the window dimming as everything darkens.

Rhoam Narration: “I often times wish we could go back to such a time, when victory and pride swam in every corner of this castle. But of course…”

The scene brightens again, although not as bright as before. It’s the exact same corridor with the large window, but now it’s raining. A young Zelda stands alone in front of it, looking outside.

Rhoam Narration: “Such a time did end…”

We now cut to a new scene, King Rhoam is walking down a hall, the camera’s perspective is of a bird’s eye view, like we’re peering in from outside a window. We can see the shadow of Astor chasing after him, as he starts speaking frantically about something, not quite, but almost to the point of shouts.

Rhoam Narration: “After your mother died, the visions of the future shifted drastically. No longer was there glimpses of rolling fields and shimmering skies, but instead, of rubble, red earth, and death.”

You can now more clearly hear the words coming out of Astor’s mouth. He is telling something about failure, and souls, and the Calamity to the King’s ear. He’s still walking forward.

Rhoam Narration: “He was adamant that our demise was now coming faster than ever, and that without your mother, we were doomed. That even you, should you take up your mother’s mantle, could not save everyone.”

Astor: “I’m telling you Your Majesty, if you go down this path, there is no going back.”

King Rhoam: “There is no other choice, we are moving forward.”

Astor: “I don’t think you quite understand the true gravity of the fate you’re choosing for yourself. It is a guarantee that you, me, and countless others shall die.”

King Rhoam: “I don’t want to hear it.”

Astor: “And of course, there are a multitude of possibilities, but the end result is the same.”

Astor: “Do you have a preference, perhaps? Crushed by rubble? Suffocation under ash?”

Rhoam’s tone is deadly: “Stop.”

Astor: “I’ve seen fire too. I’m not yet quite sure the exact circumstances that lead to flame appearing and spreading so quickly, but rest assured that if you—”

King Rhoam: “Stop.”

Astor: “If you saddle someone else with this duty I am absolutely certain that you and I will—”

King Rhoam, voice not shouting, but still with a booming intensity: “Just like you were so certain of our victory 10 years ago?”

Astor’s face darkens. He’s silent for a moment, collecting his words before practically spitting the first articulation: “...That, future, was the one that would come to be if Her Majesty was alive. If you’re so unsatisfied with my departed wisdom you can go ahead and flail around with destiny alone. You think I choose for these events to happen? You think I lie when I saw I want what’s best for this kingdom—”

King Rhoam: “What’s best for you.”

An ugly pause.

King Rhoam: “It is decided, Seer. It’s time you accept this. My wife is dead. That is the truth. Thus the role of sealing the Calamity shall pass to my daughter. She will work to awaken her own ability. It will be her duty to save us.”

Astor half laughs: “A child?! Surely you don’t need the supernatural to see how foolish that is.”

King Rhoam’s voice is even more stern: “You are living proof that the future is not absolute. Therefore I...must place all belief in her ability.”

The King walks away, leaving Astor alone. Weirdly, he smiles. Perhaps to mask some other emotion.

After another moment, Astor yells to the King: “I’ll fix this! Alone if I must!” He’s chuckling as he shakes his head. “Your useless faith may cost many lives, but even so mark my words, I will fix this.”

The King looks back, but says nothing, his expression unreadable. He continues forward, leaving Astor alone chuckling, or perhaps something in between chuckling and crying to himself.

Rhoam Narration: “We haven’t spoken since that day. I simply left him to his devices. If he was so determined to find another way to stop the Calamity, then who was I to stop him. I doubt my word could have swayed his mind regardless.

We’re now looking at a room, the camera is just by the doorway, looking at an office, circular and domed. It’s stone brick walls are covered in parchment and ripped books, covered in symbols and frantic writing. An old Sheikah tapestry hangs crudely on the left wall, and the window on the right seems to tint grey, or even a deepest crimson. Centerframe, is the back of Astor, robe hanging just above the paper ridden floor. He is flipping through something on his desk.

Rhoam Narration: “Fixated as he was on the perfect future that you mother might have led, I still had hope that with time, he might still assist you with your destiny one day.”

The camera slowly comes closer to Astor. We can see more clearly the type of stuff that sprawls the papers and books and diagrams across his office. Some depict stars and constellations, and even a few notes on Ancient Technology, although in a noticeably cleaner font. However, as the camera moves close and closer to Astor, the papers and books depict only one clear topic: the aura of death that comes only with necromancy.

Rhoam Narration: “It seems…”

Astor finally reacts to whatever he was doing on his desk. You don’t see his eyes, but as he fully turns around to face the camera, you see his smile, along with him holding a dark orb of unknown energy. It hovers in his hand.

Rhoam Narration: “...I was mistaken.”

The camera cuts to a wide angle, looking at Astor from behind a stack of books on his desk. The stack of books on Astor’s desk brighten in color (from the memory dull filter), until the scene fully fades back into the Royal Library. The camera is now focused on a similar stack of books on the desk behind Zelda, where Rhoam was working before.

Zelda is still looking at her father, who is still turned away. Now, he turns back around to face her.

“He had disappeared completely one day, so it was my understanding that whatever he was working on killed him. However, if he is truly back as you say…”

Rhoam walks closer to Zelda, close enough that he might have put a hand on her shoulder, but his arms stay behind his back.

“It is in your utmost interest to prove him wrong. I know not what he plans on doing, but it would be wise to stop him before he does.”

Rhoam turns away now, pacing back to the otherside of the desk. “But, your more important priority is unlocking your powers, understand? Now more than ever, is not the time to get distracted.”

Zelda, taking this all in, takes a deep breath. She then nods at him. “I understand...Father.”

After a moment, the King makes a motion as if to dismiss her. She starts to walk away, her thoughts churning in her head, heart thumping to the same beat as her echoing footsteps. Suddenly, Rhoam calls,

“Zelda.” It’s not a question, but the tone is asked like one.

She turns back, looking at him, expectantly. Rhoam only stares at her, an uncharacteristic moment of uncertainty for him. The words he wants to form seem stuck in his throat, until finally, he lets out a quiet breathe through his nose, before simply saying:

“You must.”

Zelda can only frown, her shoulder’s slumping slightly, as she ducks her head and leaves.

- - - - - -

And that’s that! That’s the complete end of Chapter 3. So tune in next time for Chapter 4, including a new slight but important story changes, Yiga husbands, and shocking turns of events.

Edit: I forgot that posts with link’s dont show up in tag results so a rb is appreciated :p

#Hwaoc: The Kip Cut #fuck this is the biggest one yet #hwaoc #age of calamity #hwaoc rewrite #hw age of calamity #hyrule warriors age of calamity

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imnotwolverine · 4 years ago

Text

Written in Egyptian Cotton

Henry Cavill x OC (Naomi) one-shot

Disclaimer: NSFW, sexual tension w/ someone outside of relationship, emotional blackmailing, break-up, smut

Word count: 9.982

Author’s note: It took a while, but here’s a fic I’ve written on request of darling @cherrybloomn (thank you for all your wonderful ideas, patience and help! ❤️). It may have changed quite a bit from your original idea, going from pure smut to something with nearly 10k of backstory - WOOPS - but here goes.

PS. I just got back from work ..and..eh..WHAT?! I got like 200 notifications, which is like 10x what I’m used to getting in such a time frame. So, whatever’s going on; thank you sweet readers, it’s such a joy to see you enjoying my work in such great numbers, and what a great way to start my weekend! YAY!! 🎉

Written in Egyptian cotton

‘Well you could have just told me. Yeuss Henry..’ The pretty brunette rolled her eyes and turned away from him, her face pouting as she scooted back, further expanding the already significant distance between the two.

‘But..I did! I…’ He sighed, realising she was no longer listening, her arms crossed in front of her ample bosom as she looked out of the window of the jeep, the vehicle bouncing left and right as it drove over the uneven desert road.

The blond woman in the shotgun seat, Naomi, bit her lip, the petty fight behind her reminding her just what a ..joy..it was to not have a partner of her own. And this definitely wasn’t the first petty fight between her two clients, the two near endlessly bickering over the past week. They were far from the calm, loving couples she was used to giving tours, being a personal traveling guide for the well-to-do.

‘I hate this.’ The brunette softly muttered under her breath, the air in the jeep now so tense that it would only be a matter of time before the ticking time bomb that she, Victoria, was, would completely explode.

The other day she had in fact almost jumped out of the car after a full hour of nagging that she didn’t want to go. And now? Now she was picking a fight over the fact that Henry hadn’t told her explicitly that we wouldn’t be back before dinner, since..well..the name kind of implied as much; we were going to do a “Night Tour”.

The darling brunette had not packed any extra clothes, which is, no matter what you are going to do in the desert, ab-so-lute-ly ridiculous. People got stuck here all the time and nature didn’t care about your pouting face and stomping feet. Carefully looking over her shoulder Naomi caught a glimpse of Henry’s eyes as he bit his tongue again, the large man quietly clenching his fists before his blue eyes quickly looked away, avoiding Naomi’s knowing gaze.

It was going to be a long, long, long afternoon..and probably even longer night.

Shivering in the cold night air as she had given some of her spare clothes to Victoria, Naomi called a silent prayer as she heard the wind in her back carry the all familiar nagging voice of one very unhappy client.

Would this ever end?

‘My feet hurt. Can we go back?..HENRY? Hello? Earth to Henry?…I’m tired.’ The small company just trudged on through the sandy dunes, some pocket lights shining the way to a small beduin village where a local would tell about life in the desert and explain how the stars were used to travel in the vast expanse of this sandy landscape.

It was a pretty night. The wind laying low and the stars sparkling bright like a million tiny freckles on a black velvet canvas. Almost perfect. Almost, the peace and quiet of millions of sand grains not being able to muffle the never-ending wails that escaped Victoria’s lips, no matter what her lover Henry tried - the shame and annoyance clear on his clean shaven, handsome face.

‘Vic..- URGH - Victoria. Please. Just…’ Henry’s voice came out strained and choppy. ‘Stop.’

‘Oh YOU WANT ME TO STOP. Well here.’ She stopped her dragging feet at once, soon falling even further behind. Henry halted as well, shining his light at her, her face turned up in an angry scowl. ‘..I stopped.’ She growled.

‘Vic..baby come on. I promise once we get back I’ll make it up. We’ll..’ He hesitated. ‘We’ll..just..reschedule our plans. Look for a..a..swimming pool..and..hammam. Get you pampered, hmm? Just a few more hours, okay babe?’

‘FUCK. YOU.’ She near-screamed over the listening landscape, the small gathering of other tourists that had arrived for the tour now also halting to hear and see what was amiss with these two.

Naomi quickly paced back to check on her bickering clients, her heels sinking away in the heavy sand before she halted next to Henry, his voice just biting back a quiet; ‘I wish we’d at least do tha..’ - ‘Hey. You okay?’ Naomi looked Henry up and down, his face long and exasperated. He looked positively DONE with his darling girlfriend.

‘Yea..it’s..we just..’ He looked at Victoria and wetted his lips. ‘..Just a..just a moment, okay?’ He offered Naomi a pleading look and took a shaky breath before quickly moving down the dune hill to talk some sense into Victoria.

They truly were an interesting pair. Victoria playing Henry like a fiddle. A sweet caress, a little flirt, followed with an on-slaught of ..well..emotional blackmailing?

Naomi watched Henry disappear in the half-light, her blond hair flailing in the gentle night air as was lit up by the dozen pocket lights that shone behind her back, the rest of the group now also watching the scene unfold.

The scene where Victoria broke with him, Henry.

AGAIN.

Yea..this was emotional blackmailing.

‘Hey.’ - ‘Hey…’ Henry hesitantly stepped into the corner of the hotel bar, Naomi sprawled onto a low sofa as she was typing away on her laptop, the hour late and her hand keeping a cocktail right within arm’s reach. ‘Can I eh..’ He bit his lip. ‘..join? I mean. I don’t want to..’ - ‘Oh yes, of course! Please!’ Naomi hastily sat up and pushed aside the scattering of paper that had gathered around her as she worked through the plans she was making for her next trip.

‘I really don’t want to disturb you. Please…I..’ - ‘Henry.’ Naomi looked up at him with a stern but friendly look. ‘Sit down.’

He sighed and smiled hesitantly, the falling out with Victoria clearly having scarred his confidence a little, his large feet carefully stepping into the small nook to take a seat on the dark blue sofa. With a sigh escaping he let himself sink into the comfortable pillows, his whole being obviously very exhausted with all that had come to pass.

‘See. The couch doesn’t bite.’ Naomi winked, hoping it would lighten the mood ever so slightly as she moved to place all her stuff on the seat next to her.

‘Well that makes one thing that doesn’t bite me in the butt.’ He snickered, his voice echoing the tiredness of his body after a long day of attending to the every need of Victoria - who had thankfully retired to the hotel room by now.

‘Yea..’ Naomi said softly, her voice trailing away in the incense heavy air, the temperature inside the hotel lounge so very comfortable after a few long hours of hiking through the cold desert dunes. She had fallen into a bit of a rosy state, her pale cheeks slightly flustered, a fluster that got even worse when Henry finally laid a good eye on her.

He had that effect on her.

Always had.

‘So..’ Naomi quickly swallowed, reaching for her drink in hope it would cool her down somewhat. ’..that was an eventful night, hmm?’

‘You can say that.’ Henry sighed, sinking even further down in the pillows so he could rest his head on the backrest. It didn’t look like he was going to share his thoughts with her, and Naomi couldn’t blame him.

‘Hey..shall I get you a drink? Looks like you can use a drink.’

‘Oh no..please. I can..’ He tried to get up from his comfortable position but Naomi gently coaxed him back in the pillows. ‘I’ve gotcha, no worries.’ She said, using her fingertips to push him back down. A gesture that made their eyes interlock for another brief moment, both their mouths falling open ever so slightly as Naomi’s nimble fingers felt through the soft fabric of his shirt, noting Henry’s rapid beating heart, his pupils blown out wide.

Naomi hastily pulled back her hand and smiled. ‘Sorry.’

Darn it Naomi! He literally broke up with his girlfriend two hot seconds ago!

Besides..HE’S YOUR CLIENT.

’No..no..please..It’s okay.’ Henry muttered, pushing himself up from the pillows all the same, his eyes looking for hers but she already evaded his gaze again. A mere look of those ocean blues did things to her that she should not even think about. She shouldn’t make the same mistakes she made earlier.

He’s a client. And a very good, returning client at that. Behave yourself!

‘Yea..okay..drinks.’ Naomi pushed herself off the couch and with long strides she carried herself to the bar, out of his sight, one heated night in the city of Rome springing back up in her mind.

Ugh..Rome..

‘Can I ..can I at least have a pillow and a blanket?’ Henry tried, standing in the corner of his and Victoria’s hotel room. ‘Pffft! You run so hot in the night..like you fucking NEED it.’

‘VICTORIA dammit! I’m trying to just…ARGH..’ - ‘WHAT?! HUH? Make amends?! Oh look at me being all goooood, your superhero ready to serve your every need. I am Henry, I am too good to keep my girlfriend involved when we plan OUR SHARED FUCKING HOLIDAY.’ Victoria fumed as she pricked her long, prettily manicured nail in his chest. ‘Or is that not how it went, hmm? HMMM?’ She moved to spin around on her heel, but Henry caught her arm before she could reach the bed, his hand gripping awkwardly around the silky smooth fabric of her black bathrobe.

Black like the poison in her words.

‘Vic..I’m sorry..really..’ He sounded at loss for words, his every attempt to make things better between them, only causing more damage. His voice got close to breaking as Victoria’s words echoed in his ear.

‘Don’t Vic me.’ She growled, fiercely pulling her arm from his grip and reached for a little blanket and a pillow. ‘Here. You sleep on the fucking couch.’ And with that she threw the items at him before pointing at the couch that was situated behind a curtain in the corner of the room.

Henry blinked and held his breath, the fabric of the little blanket coarse beneath his finger tips.

Another uncomfortable night on a couch, it was.

‘Wow, look at that!’ Henry’s eyes glittered as the boat coasted over the smooth water of the Nile, a number of land workers digging through the wet soil on the river bed to create water trenches for their crops. ‘Cool right.’ Naomi stepped in besides him, joining him as he watched the men work. ‘They’ve been doing it like that for thousands of years. In fact the Egyptians became one of the first cultures to develop such large scale agriculture. And actually.. if you look to the..’ - ‘Hi!’ Victoria peaked in between the two of them, her face all smiles as she squeezed herself through, trying to get a glimpse of what Henry and Naomi were looking at.

‘Whatcha talking about, hmm?’ She smiled at Henry, who blinked at her like she had just slapped him right in the face.

‘Eh..the..the..fieldworkers.’ He quickly gathered himself, stepping aside to make room for her, ever the gentleman. ‘You see those men there?’ He pointed at the bronzed figures in the distance, toiling in the harsh midday sun.

‘Mhm, what about them? Hey, by the way, they have cocktails on board, did you know that?’

And just like that the conversation was diverted back to the many luxuries that Henry didn’t care much about, but Victoria? Oh Victoria most definitely did.

It had played out like this on a near daily basis. Like the bipolar sexbomb Victoria was, she was either a sweet, happy and bubbly spirit, or a projectile of red clawed nails and vicious words whose sole purpose was to hurt whomever got near.

Which, usually was Henry.

As Victoria pulled on Henry’s arm to attract his attention, he looked past the brunette to meet the worried gaze of Naomi. He knew what she thought. All in just one simple look.

Oh...If only his life could be so simple as to understand his lovers with just one look.

If only everything in life was so simple, so gentle, as the caress of her fingers over the cotton sheets of her bed.

Trailing her finger pads over the notoriously soft Egyptian cotton, Naomi looked up at the ceiling of her hotel room. Usually she had a near endless pool of energy to tap from. Traveling, in the end, was her life’s dream. Now, however, she was simply exhausted. Truly, truly exhausted.

Naomi just hoped that beneath the childish nagging and materialistic bullshit that seemed to make up 99% of Victoria’s being, there was somewhere deep underneath that 1% that made her a good match for Henry. Because honestly, she couldn’t see it. She couldn’t see what made the two a good fit.

Happy, cheerful Henry seemed honestly depressed. She had known him for years and never had she seen the large man shrink so small and unsure. And Victoria? She seemed truly restless, her gaze and attention falling a bit too often on other men. Rich men. As if she was setting up a back-up plan.

Poor Hen..

*knock knock*

Naomi blinked and turned her head slightly. Had she just imagined that? The room was near quiet, some muted sounds outside the third floor window of a few people walking through the nightly streets of Caïro. Hmm, strange. Maybe it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She looked back up at the ceiling, her fingers trailing back over the soft cotton.

Maybe she could help him. Maybe she could..

*knock knock*

Alright. There was definitely something, or someone, there. Sitting up and slipping into a bathrobe to look at least a little bit presentable, her bare feet padded over to the door as she searched for a light switch, hands flicking open the lock to see who was there.

Henry, his lips curling in a tentative smile as he carefully let out a little breath.

‘H-heyy..Henry.’ Naomi blinked, then looked into the hallway left and right, almost as if half expecting a vicious Victoria to come chasing him down the long hallway. But, there was nobody else there.

‘Hi. Eh..mind if I eh..’ He gestured over her shoulder and she gulped a quick agreement, stepping back to let him inside.

Did something happen?

‘Yea..sure, sure. Come in. Don’t want to wake the neighbors haha.’ - ‘Yea..the neighbors.’ Henry swallowed, his eyes flying around her small, but comfortable hotel room. On one side of her king sized bed a scattering of maps and tourist info, obviously moved aside so she could go to sleep in the other half, sheets already tousled.

‘You know what...I..It can wait til morning. I didn’t know you went to bed.’

‘Oh no, please, please. I couldn’t sleep AT ALL, actually. Tired yes. Sleep no.’ Naomi shrugged.

‘Hmm.’ Henry’s brows furrowed as he looked back at Naomi, seeing she indeed looked quite tired. So unlike her, the steady force of happy, bubbly excitement in his life right now.

‘I hope it’s not about..Victoria..I really am so sorry about-’ - ‘It’s fine. Truly. I mean, you can’t really help it now, can you? Sometimes things are easy, sometimes they’re...not?’ She smiled at him and quickly moved past, hand accidentally brushing against his as she reached to fold back the sheets, a quick attempt to make the room look somewhat more presentable.

‘So. Anything I can assist you with?’ She turned back around, the energy in the room suddenly very tense.

Oh..they should never be alone. She just knew it. Everytime they were alone, things were bound to happen.

It was past 11 o’clock and Henry, her very hot-hot-hot client, was standing here in her small hotel room. Why?

‘I guess I just..eh..’ He looked around the room again. ‘..wanted to apologise. I mean you had to..’ He gestured at the paperwork on her bed. ‘..change your plans. And I really, truly appreciate all your hard work and how you are dealing with this situation with me and Victoria.’

‘Eh..but of course. I mean, that’s what you hired me for.’ Naomi shrugged it off, barely noticing the restless shuffle of Henry’s feet. ‘It’s not just that though, is it?’ She gave him a discerning look and he slowly shook his head. ‘You know what. This is really silly on my part. It’s late and we both should catch some sleep. Great plans for tomorrow, right?!’

And before Naomi could even blink he had left again.

Was it just her, or was Henry acting increasingly weird now things were crash-and-burning with Victoria?

A day off. It was almost strange to have a day off when you were going on a holiday, but right now Naomi was more than a little glad that they had planned this day for everyone to go about their business alone. And, from the looks of it, that was just what everyone was doing. Naomi had given Victoria some tips on local spas that she could visit and Henry had simply vanished into thin air.

Which was fine. Naomi wasn’t sure if she could handle being alone with him again. Not after that night he had visited her hotel room. And most definitely not now, after she had some hot and bothering dreams in which she explicitly thought of what COULD have happened, had he stayed.

All scenarios including very..VERY unprofessional actions on her part.

Naomi was feeling tense and all she really needed right now, was a nice..relaxing..stretch session.

With her room being simply too small to even sit on the ground properly, she had opted for the hotel’s gym, the midday hour meaning practically all tourists were out in the pool or on excursions. There was nobody else, which made it just a little less awkward to roll around in some shorts and a tank top as she followed along with a Youtube video she would always resort to whenever things in her life got stressful.

Deep relaxing breaths escaped her slightly parted lips as she sat there in a cobra position, head tipped back, eyes closed, arms pushing up her upper body as her legs lay stretched out behind her. Just..breathe in..and..breathe out. Breathe in ..and..

*scchwwupp*

The door of the gym quietly slid open.

Okay, just, don’t pay attention to it. You’re here for you, Naomi. Just..breathe in..breathe out...breathe in..

Not managing to calm her curiosity completely, she peaked through the ceiling height mirror to check who it was. And well, have you there, it was of course a gleaming, beaming, slightly sweaty Henry.

‘Hi.’ He breathed, smiling, getting back his breath after what probably had been a run out in the scorching hot Egyptian sun.

‘Hi.’ Naomi swallowed, quickly reverting her attention back to the video before her and acting like there was nothing awkward about sitting there in clothes that really left nothing to his imagination. And oh how absolutely wonderful it was that she was right in front of that darn floor-to-ceiling mirror, the reflection making sure that he could not only admire her back..but also her front.

UGH..the gods had a sense of humour, didn’t they?

Swallowing back those thoughts she sat back on her buttocks to follow the instruction along, the stretch continuing with a focus on the legs, her hands reaching out to touch her toes, back straight. And ..breathe in...breathe out..breathe in…

She could swear he was watching her, but it was probably rude to check.

And breathe in..breathe..Fine, a little peak then.

Making sure she was not too obvious she quickly eyed Henry, his attention averted to adding weights to a bar.

He looked good. His broad chest sporting a grey shirt that sat snug on his pecs, his shorts begging for mercy as they stretched over his generous booty and thighs, long legs covered in a fine sheen of sweat and hair.

Oh, he was truly a thing of magnificence wasn’t he?

[ Florence, Italy, a few years back. ]

‘And here, the one and only..David by the great artist Michelangelo!’ Naomi pointed at the humongous statue as it rose high above both their heads, Henry’s eyes admiring the smooth stone that bulged with perfectly hewn muscles and sharp facial features much like his own.

Though, not entirely like him, his eyes dragging down to the crotch area before raising a careful eyebrow.

‘Aherm..yes. Times were quite different then,’ Naomi chuckled. ‘..with the Greek also having pretty clear opinions on ideal genitalia sizes and shapes. Smaller, back then, was considered to fit the ideal Greek man, since it fit with the profile of being rational, intellectual and authoritative, whereas bigger penises were related to lust and foolishness. And that was very much opposite of what Greeks wished to exude.’

Henry frowned and slowly shook his head. ‘Why not both?’ To which Naomi broke out in a loud chuckle, making Henry snicker in turn. ‘Sure..why not..both?’ She winked.

Why not both?

Well. Not much later that week she had learned what Henry had meant with that little joke. And what he packed away beneath those tight gym shorts she was staring at right now, the fabric straining around his muscles as he bent over to start a timer.

Oh he surely would have made Michelangelo’s David blush - both by those ridiculous gym shorts and what was beneath.

Henry was a man of intellect, authority ..and ..well..he sure as hell was packing.

Swallowing back those thoughts too, Naomi finished her stretching sessions with red hot cheeks - her mind trying to blame it on the barely working airconditioning, but she knew better as she returned her gaze to the mirror, finding his eyes there.

Of course he was looking back at her now she was a blushing mess.

With feral eyes, face in deep grunting focus, he pushed the heavy weighted bar high above his head. The weights at either end probably as heavy as she was, her eyes staring in quiet admiration, the air so very tense again that she just had to hold her breath as she watched him lower down the weight.

Turning around, wishing to bid him a good day and leave, she simply couldn’t. Their eyes interlocking and his face turning into a teasing grin, he furrowed his brow and pushed up the weight again, muscles flexing, hair tumbling over his sweaty face.

Ugh, that beautiful chiseled face.

No matter how focused and snarling he looked at her, she couldn’t help but feel all kinds of hot and bothered, completely ensnared in his gaze. And so she just stood there, watching, phone and gym bag in hand, ready to leave but doing none of the sort.

*cla-clang*

With a slightly awkward slip Henry pushed the weighted bar back in its holder, Naomi finally awaking from her stare as a little smirk appeared on her lips.

‘Don’t hurt yourself, cowboy.’ She mused, finding back her teasing confidence.

Henry snickered and shook his head, looking away for a split second to make sure the weight wasn’t causing damage, before realising she was now really making her way towards the door.

‘Unless of course you want me to.’ He teased back, slightly out of breath, making Naomi offer him one more raised eyebrow over her shoulder before she quickly disappeared.

D-did he mean something by that? Or was this just Henry being unaware of the tease he was being?

[ Rome, Italy, a few years back ]

Blond, bouncy and confident, Naomi waved her hands in the air as she explained in great detail how the city of Rome had been rebuilt numerous times over the past few thousand years. “And look here!” She’d say with that grand smile on her lips, attracting Henry’s attention like nothing else could, his eyes barely managing to tear away from her whenever she wished him to look at a grubble of old decaying rock.

It was the first holiday in years without a lover by his side and, though he was fine with being alone, he couldn’t help but wish for having someone there to share his trips with. And thus he had hired her again. Naomi. He had hired for a trip a year prior, which had been with his brothers, wives, nephews and nieces.

So very different was this trip to Italy, being just the two of them, her hands now halting mid-air as she struck a near comical pose, copying the stance of a statue of a grand fountain they were walking past. Henry chuckled loudly, cheeks dimpling and eyes twinkling.

She was cute.

‘Do you dance?’ He asked, near teasingly.

Oh gods..he couldn’t help but tease her endlessly. It was a perfect way to get the rather professionally dressed and well-learned blond woman before him to loosen up and strike a pose like she did just now. Winking at him, a chuckle on her lips, she nodded towards a bridge in the far distance. ‘Only one way to find out, cowboy!’ She teased back, walking ahead and making Henry chase her through the tourist horde.

He enjoyed the chase.

Looking back over her shoulder she offered him a kitten-like, though also quite taunting, little smirk. ‘..tonight, maybe?’ She smiled.

Henry’s heart flipped out of his chest, his ears almost unbelieving of the very subtle flirt that had just escaped her lips.

It had taken him a full year to get the blondine for him alone. And then some weeks before she would as much as offer him a wink or tease back. But this? THIS?! OOPH, this was more than he could have wished for. He may not be much of a dancer, but her offer? He just couldn’t refuse.

‘OH GODS.’ Naomi shot up from the bed, the crinkled Egyptian cotton sheets falling down her naked curves, her eyes staring in slight shock at a sleepily blinking Henry. ‘W-what?’ He yawned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he watched the blondine rush out of his bed, her hands quickly grabbing for her clothes.

Only after her underwear was back in place, did she turn back towards him, eyes big like those of a deer in the headlights. ‘I’m SO..SO sorry. Dammit..ugh..let’s ..forget this ever happened, okay?’ She said, looking at him with intent as she pulled on her jeans with kicking feet. Jeans that he had so deliciously rolled down her legs only a few hours prior.

Realising what was happening a tad too late, Henry’s sleep muddled brain could only produce a confused ‘Okay..sure..’ As he watched her leave his hotel room.

Had it all been but a dream?

As a dream is a wish your heart makes

‘UGH..and these don’t fit either!’ Victoria growled, her tone of voice so very unladylike, so very unlike what she presented to the world with her well coiffed hair, elegant white palazzo trousers and silky light blue blouse. It just proved that no matter how pretty a person was from the outside, it could never truly hide what was inside.

Near throwing the “pretty curly shoes” back at the poor vendor, she looked up at Naomi, her mouth curled down in a dissatisfied pout.

Naomi tried; ‘It’s eh..actually rather normal to wear slightly too small shoes here - in fact it’s the reason why you fold the back of the shoe flat beneath the soles of your feet.’

It was obvious that this wasn’t the desired answer.

With one angry snarl of Victoria, Naomi’s words were quick to die on the tip of her tongue, her lips curling in an apologetic smile at the salesman, the man quickly shrugging before he turned to look for some different shoes that would appease the queen of drama.

‘Pff..it’s not like you know shit about fashion.’ Victoria muttered begrudgingly, looking away from Naomi in annoyance. It was then Naomi decided it was best to just flee the scene, her feet shuffling backwards until she bumped into one large chest.

Henry’s chest.

‘Woops..sorry.’ Naomi swallowed, quickly stepping aside and creating some socially appropriate distance between the two of them - quite a challenge as the little shop was packed from top to bottom with those “cute little curly shoes”, the racks squeezed so tight together that you could barely walk through the small isles, Henry and his wide chest having to actually side-shuffle to move through.

‘No..no problem.’ Henry muttered, quickly eyeing what Victoria was up to over Naomi’s shoulder. And thankfully, she had now occupied herself with her smartphone as she waited for the sales vendor to get back with a new batch of shoes. Naomi followed his gaze and quietly whispered; “Well, looks like prince charming found himself a Cinderella of sorts.’

‘Ha.-ha.’ He said unamused, then rolled his eyes at her, lips curling in a smile. Naomi chuckled.

Then Henry used the moment to study Naomi, her blond hair half-hidden behind a royal blue head wrap - it looked pretty on her. Subdued, but pretty, her face without make-up and her outfit a simple unwashed linen shirt and ankle length skirt. Like..

‘Cinderella? Hmm..I think there’s only one Cinderella here..and Victoria..is definitely not the one.” He smiled, making Naomi blush ever so becomingly as she quickly turned to meticulously study a stand with leather bags.

Pfft..what the hell was he talking about. She was hardly a princess, right?

Looking back at him through the corner of her eyes she saw him still looking at her, an appreciative smile ghosting his lips.

Right?!

[ Carcassonne, France, a year ago ]

‘WOA..did you hear that?’ Naomi looked nervously over her shoulder, the single street lantern behind them casting long, ominous shadows over the cobble-stoned alleyway. Almost without noticing herself she stepped closer to Henry, the large bear of a man right in step as they walked back to the hotel after a rather late dinner in the medieval old town centre.

Narrow alleyways, uneven cobble-stoned roads, cute little squares. The old fortified city had made for a nice sightseeing trip as they drove with Henry and his team down for a week-long team excursion in the Pyrenees mountains. The rest of the group had taken a cab, but with there being no place left, Henry had been quick to just wave them off, offering to walk to the hotel together as Naomi knew the way and “he would keep her safe”.

Something she had thought quite ridiculous, wishing to call another cab, but Henry had been adamant.

What he didn’t know was that she was in fact just really quite afraid of the dark, and so, with every passing cat or gust of wind, she’d hold her breath, stepping closer to Henry in hope he would in fact protect her if the need arose.

And Henry? Oh, he loved every minute of it.

‘Don’t worry.’ Henry smiled, reaching out his hand and folding it around hers.

Amicably, but spark-inducing anyways. Naomi chewed on her lip as she felt the warmth of his palm ooze into her skin, the simple touch calming her nerves like nothing quite could.

‘I’ll gladly be your knight in shining armour!’ He beamed, winking at her, to which the last of her nerves finally faltered, making way for a tinkling little laugh. ‘Oh...OH!’ Naomi exclaimed, then flailed her free hand extremely dramatically before her face, acting all tender and maidenlike, ready to swoon right in his arms. ‘OH it’s so SO dark! And scary! And..’ They both break out laughing, Henry squeezing her hand and pulling her closer to his chest.

And she let him.

Henry couldn’t be happier, the little moment being just what he had hoped for. Not only having the time alone with Naomi, but also seeing her burst out of her neatly built up walls. Ever the professional, it was hard to get her to join in such banter like they had right now. And he liked every second of it, his feet trying to slow their pace just so it would last a little while longer.

It was unfortunately also the only moment that holiday during which she allowed him to come anywhere near that close to her, further tempering any hope he held to finally grasp her attention.

Did she not feel what he felt? Did she not ..enjoy..being around him, like he enjoyed being around her?

Hmmm...France. It seemed so long ago.

The reality of Henry’s life was quite different now as they once more walked through a dark alleyway. Though this time with Victoria next to him.

No hands being held, though conversation warm and surprisingly pleasant between him and Victoria - she seemed to be in a good mood. Perhaps, just maybe, he was simply comparing her too much to others. To Naomi. Victoria was Victoria. He had to give her a chance.

After a little evening stroll they had arrived at a cute restaurant where they’d be having dinner, Naomi having walked ahead to explain in the best of her capabilities that they wished to get a table out of view - so fans wouldn’t disturb Henry during dinner.

Feeling eager to recapture that memory of France, which he had kept so close to his heart, he reached out a hand to Victoria, her face pulling into one of near agony as she quickly swatted it away.

‘It’s too freaking hot Hen.’ She said with exasperation - as if he was stupid for even thinking about touching her - her eyes moving back to Naomi as she and the waiter seemed to come to an agreement, a simple “come-hither” wave of Naomi’s hand gesturing them to join her.

Well. So much for hoping things were okay now. Was it..urgh..was it bad to wish that Victoria would take a cab home, so he and Naomi could..walk back to the hotel again?

It was a good question to ask why in the hell’s name he had stayed with her. Victoria. Every time he decided to give it another shot, appreciate the little moments that were good, he was disappointed even more.

Sitting now, alone, on the edge of the hotel bed, it was probably the reason why he didn’t feel any disappointment. Her clothes gone and the hotel room void of anything other than the furniture and the never-ending heat that lingered between these walls, Henry couldn’t help but feel a slight relief. Slowly he let his eyes wander across the room, for the first time truly appreciating what was there.

It was large and with oriental luxury in abundance, a prettily mosaic tiled bath sunken in the middle of the room, heavy dark blue drapes hung around it and candles at the ready might the need for something romantic arise.

Not that such a thing had happened with Victoria. Not in quite a few weeks..or actually months by this point.

It was always either too hot, too humid, or she had a headache, was tired or just got her period. Excuses, excuses, Henry realised, as he saw her eyes glimpse a touch too often at other men. Rich men. Her laugh and banter directed at those men whenever she could - thinking he didn’t see.

And now she was gone. She had broken up with him, again, though from the definity of her actually leaving, this was probably truly foregood.

Henry could only guess where she was now. With the creepy old Italian, with whom she had been flirting for over a week now? Or perhaps that sjeik that had been a bit too obvious in his curiosity for her as they made a visit to his estate?

Henry felt bad. Bad for how all this had come to play out, as well as that he simply couldn’t bring himself to care for Victoria at this point. He had made sure there was a cab waiting for her, he had apologised for whatever tiny little misstep he might have taken, in hope to salvage the situation, though knowing full well that neither one of them truly wanted that. Not Victoria, but also not he.

He just didn’t like goodbyes. And Victoria had used his tenderness, abused his tenderness, to the extent that he wasn’t even sure if relationships were a good idea for him anyways. He had wasted most of his life on women that may have stolen his heart, but made him insane in the process. Either they wanted his fame, his money..pfft..even just the sex. But never truly, just..him.

*BZZT BZZZT*

Naomi: “Henry! Are you okay? I received the notification that Victoria has just checked out of the hotel. If you need some time, don’t feel pressured to answer. I just want to know you are safe and taken care of. If you need anything, I’m a call away. Naomi.”

Well, alright, at least there was at least someone looking out for him.

He sighed, a smile brushing across his lips as he reached out for his phone that lay forlorn next to him.

Naomi.

Where some hotels had nice, proper running air conditioning, this cooling system seemed to run on the coil of the earth, the walls near sweating with the humidity that hung in the air like a thick, heavy blanket. Naomi wiped her forehead as she continued to fold her clothes, neatly packing her suitcase so they could leave next thing in the morning - that was, if Henry would be ready to.

Just a few hours ago she had walked past the reception desk to inquire at what hour they could check out, only to hear that one of the guests had already done so. Victoria Koberlach. Left without a trace, without a message or goodbye.

And honestly, that wasn’t so much of a surprise. Victoria hadn’t really come across as a person who cared about the well-being of others. Especially if there wasn’t something there for her to gain. She was the most charming woman from a far, but once you got close you could see the fine lines between her brows from the many times the furrowed them, angry pouting and stomping her foot to get her way.

The princess had left the building.

Sighing quietly, she zipped open the inner pocket of her suitcase, wishing to slip in her toiletry bag when something seemed to obstruct it. Something small. With hesitant fingers she reached inside, only to find an old trinket there. And not just any trinket.

That darn fucking ring.

In the low light of the few lights that lit her room, the hour getting quite late, the golden band with the heart shaped cut diamond shone like one of the treasures from Ali Baba. Pretty, but deceiving. Not only was it absolutely not her style - too big and too loud -, it also carried with it the memories of her ex-husband.

Just like Victoria, he had been a handsome, charming man from a distance. And Naomi had fallen hard for him. So hard that her sweet 22-year-old ass had barely noticed when his caring, authoritative figure was not galant and kind, but overbearing and manipulative.

Before she knew it she barely dared to open her mouth to express her thoughts and feelings, his head already shaking as he laughed it off. ‘Oh you women.’ Which he’d then follow up with a tap to her ass or a squeeze of her cheek. He would be the one to tell what they’d be eating at a restaurant. He’d be the one telling her she looked tired and perhaps should let down her hair so it looked better with that dress he bought her. He would tell her she just needed some sleep, when she was feeling emotional or insecure.

Not in the five years they had been together, had he once truly asked her how she truly felt. Never did he ask about what was going on in her mind. She thought this was what love was. Someone who took care of you to the point you didn’t have to think or feel anymore. You just had to ..get pregnant, be a mom, raise that family and be the good, sweet wife. Before she knew it that gaudy ring was on her finger and she made herself believe that this was happiness.

But it wasn’t. It was a prison. And as they were shopping for a bigger house and she stood there in those rooms that were ready for their off-spring, she decided that she just couldn’t do it. She went on a trip with a friend to clear her thoughts, only to find that not only did she no longer wish to be with that overbearing, manipulative husband of hers.

She wanted to truly be free.

And here she was. A private travel guide, following her life long dream or travelling for her job. Setting out her own path.

Love, had to be side-tracked. It only caused her pain.

Men, in fact. Needed to be side-tracked. Because not ever did she want to sink down in that hell hole again. Not ever again would she let herself make the same stupid mistakes.

*BZZ BZZ*

Henry is calling.

‘Hey’ She answered, quickly letting the ring slip back in its initial hiding spot.

‘Hi..eh..I saw your message.’

‘Hey..yea..do you need anything? Can I..?’

‘Eh..could you maybe come over? To my room?’

A soft shuffling of feet and zippers being zipped told Naomi that Henry was indeed in the room, her head peeking around the door that had been intentionally left unlocked and cracked open. What she saw was probably one of the prettiest sights she had yet to lay her eyes upon.

The room was mutely lit, small speckles of light dancing over the ceiling, large drapes hiding most of the room from sight, Henry on the right near a large bed, folding his clothes just like she had done moments earlier. Engrossed with his task, he hadn’t noticed her presence just yet. He looked..okay..she guessed. Not distressed, panicked, angry or sad. Just..normal.

Closing the door behind her, stepping further into the room, the soft click of the heavy lock finally made him look up, big blue eyes meeting hers.

So...now what? She wasn’t sure what to say or do.

What do you do after someone just left you? What do you want, need? What did..Henry..need? She wasn’t sure, his eyes surprisingly calm, his lips curling up in a warm smile. ‘Hi.’ He greeted, standing back up and turning towards her.

Was this just him acting like nothing was amiss, whilst his whole world was in fact crumbling? After all, he was an actor..

‘Are you..are you okay?’ Naomi asked carefully, quickly looking around her now she got a better impression of the room, her eyes almost inadvertently looking for any items Victoria may have left behind. Any sign of that she may return. But there was nothing of the sort.

She really was gone.

Henry smiled again and shook his head. ‘It’s..hmm..I think this had to happen for a very, very long time. It’s..good. Yes. Good.’

‘Okay then. So..’ Naomi quirked her head, trying to see if he was lying or hiding the truth, but not finding even a flicker of doubt in his gentle eyes. Clearing her throat she looked back into the room, her feet stepping just a meter ahead, taking in what was hiding behind those curious heavy blue drapes. A bath. Ha..of course. A bathtub in the middle of the room. Why not.

Her lips curled up in a half amused smile as she felt Henry’s presence come nearer, his eyes following her gaze.

‘Nice bath, for sure. Though the couches aren’t great. I’ve..unfortunately.. spent plenty of hours there.’ Henry grinned, pointing at a little sitting nook in the far back, making Naomi grimace at the thought that Victoria had probably made him sleep on the freaking couch.

‘She really was a treasure, wasn’t she?’ Naomi said, looking back at him and finding an amused smile on his lips, making her feel less concerned for him. He looked truly relieved. Their eyes met, bodies now far closer together, a mere meter or so left in between them. He swallowed and squared his shoulders, the already humid air feeling even more tense all of a sudden.

‘Are.. you okay, though?’ He asked, quite unexpectedly, his eyes not missing the slightly reddened eyes that Naomi sported.

‘Me? Yea...I eh..’ She frowned and suddenly felt the need to turn away from him, turn away before he’d come bursting right through the meticulously built walls around her heart. Gosh that darn ring. She should have gotten rid of it the moment she had gotten rid of her ex-husband. Sniffling her nose she quickly turned on her heel, deciding to act as if she was to inspect the bed now.

Henry frowned and followed Naomi with his gaze, seeing her shoulders stiffen as she moved towards the bed, her hand flicking over her cheek as if to wipe off some sweat - though obviously it wasn’t sweat that was leaking from her eye.

‘Is this the moment where you’re going to tell me that it’s common in Caïro for local rain showers to make their apparition indoors?’ He asked, trying to somewhat lighten the mood. Naomi laughed and turned back around, watching him with watery eyes.

Just like that her walls crumbled like they had never even existed.

‘W-w...noo. Henry. Oh come on.” She sniffled, quickly brushing away her tears. ‘It’s…’ She shrugged. ‘UGH..it’s just so fucking stupid. I was thinking about this ex of mine. And..pff..you know what, it doesn’t matter. Victoria just left and now your travel guide is in tears in your room? Ha..quite a show, aren’t we women?’

She turned back to face the bed and took a calming breath, eyes roaming over the soft Egyptian cotton sheets - she really should bring some of those sheets home -, before halting on the sight of Henry’s open suitcase. Without meaning to, her eyes fell down on a pack of condoms. Unused condoms. The box still wrapped in its original plastic wrap.

Well. At least they both didn’t get laid this holiday.

‘From the looks of it we men don’t fair much better..’ Henry said carefully, watching Naomi’s shoulders slowly release their tension as she looked over his bed..over his suitcase..over..oh..dammit..the condoms! He forgot to hide those condoms.

Naomi didn’t really seemed to be fazed by it. ‘I’m sorry I left you like that..’ Naomi said gently, looking back at him, her eyes suddenly holding a certain fierceness. ‘That wasn’t..’ She took another deep breath. ‘That’s wasn’t right of me to do. You didn’t deserve that..’ She blinked, feeling the scorching heat of this arabian night suddenly catching up with her.

‘R..rome you mean?’ He stepped a little closer, eyes flicking for the slightest second to her lips, the air thickening with every excited beat of their fluttering hearts.

‘Yea.’

Did time just come to a halt?

‘Ugh this is silly. Do you want to talk about it?’ She asked, knowing full well that neither of them truly wanted to talk. The tension in the air was sparking so delightfully - just like it had that night - that it didn’t take an evil genius to decipher what was going on here. What was going on between them.

‘I mean if you want to.’ He tried.

‘Me? Ha..’ She breathed, blinking slowly as her body almost automatically pulled towards him, her tears long dried, the sweat beading on her heated body but an afterthought. Tonight it wasn’t too hot, too humid and nobody suffered from headaches, or periods or tiredness.

Tonight had been postponed for years now. And in this slight slip of time, where both their guards were down and nobody else was there to disturb, it felt almost natural to smile at one another, to step closer, to forget for just a moment that this was very..very..

Unprofessional.

Naomi stiffened again as Henry traced a careful finger over the back of her hand, wishing to grasp it but noticing the near immediate flinch that rushed through her body.

‘Oh this is very unprofessional of me. I’m so..so..sorr-’ - ‘Ninny.’ Henry stopped her rambling.

She blinked. ‘What did you just ..call me?’

‘Ninny.’ He smiled. A nickname. Her nickname. She blinked again, her body stepping back, needing to sit down for a moment, her legs hitting the edge of the bed as she slumped down on those ridiculously nice, soft sheets.

DARN this. What the hell was going on with her. Him?! THEM?!

‘Ninny..huh..you’re going to call me by my nickname now, hmm?’ - ‘May I not?’ He said carefully, a smile tugging at his lips. She looked up, her initial shock making place for a slightly amused grin.

‘Pff haha..oh gods Henry. Of course you may. You’re one of my best clie…-’ Her words died on her tongue once more as he moved to sit down besides her as well, his presence causing that electricity to spark in every cell of her body. And truly, Naomi was not a shy person at all. She haggled with corrupt police officers, she could tell aggressive street salesmen to piss off without a blink of the eye, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to back down from anyone who dared to speak up against her.

Not after she left her husband. She took care of herself now.

And yet...Here she was, flustered and giddy, her heart beating loudly in her chest and her whole body so aware of how close he was to her, how good he smelled.

‘Hi.’ She smiled. ‘Hi.’ Henry chuckled, turning his body slightly towards her, knees touching hers. ‘I can call you Naomi too, if you like that better.’ He said, averting his eyes from her curious gaze, his ocean blues looking back out into the room.

‘You called me Ninny on that night in Rome.’

‘I did.’

‘So I guess you’ve forgiven me for that bit of my unprofessional behavior?’ She looked back at Henry, having collected herself again. It was in the end so very comfortable talking to Henry, being with Henry. He didn’t seem to be bothered one bit by the memory of what had happened between them then.

He didn’t seem bothered at all by what was happening between them..now.

‘I think I was actually the one who made the first move there..’ Henry shrugged, teasingly looking back at her.

‘Ho..oh no you didn’t.’ She chuckled, rolling her eyes at him. ‘If I remember correctly you wished to order room service at like 2AM at night. And it took so long that I practically stole that phone from your hand...and THEN we..’

He kissed her.

The dance they had avoided for so long now was danced once more. Him, her, a flurry of arms and legs tangling into one another, the first move quickly followed by a cascade of new ones. Caressing finger tips, giddy laughter, tentative pecks on the lips, hands growing bolder, roaming, claiming, until every piece of clothing only seemed to have become an obstruction.

Shakily breathing Naomi started to tug on the white shirt Henry was wearing - for once not a blue shirt, huh? -, his lips curling in an enbolding smile, hands reaching down to help her strip him down to his bare chested glory.

‘Ha..’ She breathed, a hand immediately reaching down for his pecs, abs. He was bigger now. Bigger than the last time.

‘I can shave it if you want.’ He grinned, feeling her finger tips move through his patch of chest hair.

‘What?! No..no. absolutely no freaking way. It’s..’ She started to slowly nod her head. ‘..nice.’

He chuckled, eyes interlocking with hers as his fingertips in turn moved to her shirt, the cotton slightly sticking to her heated skin.

Not that he cared.

His eyes got more greedy, eating up every inch of skin as he pulled up the material, her breath choking in her tight chest as she reached up her arms so he could remove the obstructing piece of fabric altogether.

With tender fingers he traced the valley between her breasts, her dark blue bra thankfully semi-sexy - it wasn’t laundry day.

‘Want me to shave?’ She teased back, making him chuckle even louder.

‘No..no. Absolutely no…’ He leaned in closer, smiling against her lips. ‘..freaking..way.’ He claimed her mouth again, eager tongue begging for entrance as his hand became bolder, moving over the hills of her bosom, soft flesh hidden beneath a lacy harness.

‘Take it off.’ Naomi breathed, feeling equally annoyed with the thing, her throat sighing in great relief when Henry didn’t need to be told twice, his other hand eagerly reaching back and unclasping it with a flick of his fingers. Practised fingers.

‘I fucking missed Rome.’ Henry muttered, dipping his head down to sniff a long stripe up her swan-like neck.

‘Did you now?’

‘Why else did you think I hired you?’ He smirked, pulling back ever so slightly.

‘And bring the girlfriend just in case?’

FUCK..she should NOT have said that. Naomi gasped quietly, biting her lip as Henry raised an eyebrow.

‘Ouch.’ He chuckled.

‘Oh gods..I should not have said that.’ Naomi uttered.

‘Ninny. Please. You are more than allowed to make such a comment. I mean. Yes. I brought along a woman I already knew, full well, would not be in my life for much longer. Like all those women before her.’ He sighed, his smile becoming slightly more watery.

He had been hurt a lot of times.

‘I’m just terrible at choosing a woman who is right for me.’

Naomi sighed and shook her head, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. ‘And I AM the right woman for you, hmm?’ She chuckled.

‘Oh well..I guess I have to admit that I did in fact have a little crush on you. And…’ He raised his shoulders slightly.

‘What?’

‘The stretching session didn’t help. Much.’

‘Ah! You! Cheeky monkey!’

‘Hahaha..more like a cheeky bear, right?’ He winked, using the moment to push Naomi’s back flat on the bed, his body moving on top of hers, arms and legs caging her beneath him.

‘I did call you Bear, huh?’

‘Yea..’

‘Ninny and the Bear.’

‘Quite romantic..’ Henry smiled, his fangs shining in the low light as he looked down upon Naomi, her blond locks fanned prettily around her head. ‘..oh I could actually light some candles..talking romantic.’ He sat up slightly, but was immediately pulled back, head now dipping down as Naomi eagerly tugged on his curly locks.

‘Henry. Another time, okay? Please..just…’ She bit her lip.

‘What’s that?’ He teased.

‘You know what.’

‘Do I now?’

‘UGH.’ She rolled her eyes and tried to pull him down. Unsuccessfully so, because he was too strong, his pecs flexing ever so slightly as he tightened his arms to stay on all fours above her. ‘..just fuck me already. Leave the romance for later..please?’

Henry lifted a teasing eyebrow, but was not going to decline such an invitation, his lips quick to press back down on hers.

In mere seconds the hot arabian night brought with it a new memory that was written in the soft embrace of egyptian cotton. Bodies colliding, dancing, writhing, those condoms finally unpacked, as was their emotional baggage after evading feelings and needs at either end of their finger tips for so long.

‘Henry, stop stalling.’ Naomi growled, feeling his eyes on her as she lay face first, ass up on the bed.

‘Are you in a hurry, milady?’ He purred, slowly crawling on top of her, his weight pressing her down further in the mattress, in the silky soft sheets. ‘Mmpfff..no..it’s just..a few years of waiting..you know.’

‘Ah..’ He breathed with a chuckle, playfully nibbling on the shell of her ear. ‘I’m sorry to keep you waiting then.’

And with that said, he finally, finally claimed what was his, their mingled moans echoing off the sweating walls, the lights dancing along with their body song as he pressed on, in.

‘Oh bear.’ Naomi growned, her aching walls finally soothed.

It may have been years of waiting, but every second had been worth the way he stretched her out, the way he fit perfectly to her body, their hands entangling and hips writhing. Rolling sharply the crescendo of his hip thrusts reminded her just why she had called him bear.

Because where her ex-husband would have been a lazy, selfish prick. Henry? Henry was a big, burly carebear, perfectly balancing between a tender lover and ruthless beast, strong beyond compare. And as he crashed into her hips, filling her ache, burning her skin with that itchy patch of hair - which he definitely shouldn’t shave -, she was happy.

‘What are you smiling at, huh?’ Henry stopped his hip thrusts for a moment, looking down in Naomi’s broadly smiling face, the soft London morning light trickling in, caressing the feather light cotton sheets beneath her blond locks.

‘Mmm..nothing. Just thinking about how much I love these sheets.’ She teased, making him quirk an eyebrow, hip jerking in her to punish her for her little tease, her lips “o”-ing with a little gasp. ‘The sheets? Really?’

‘Uh-huh.’ She snickered, feeling him dip down and bite down on the tender skin of her neck, tickling her with his slightly out-grown week old beard. She chuckled, arms and legs wrapping around him, pulling him closer to her so she could whisper in his ear.

‘Six-hundred thread count, extra long fibres, and the more you use them..the ..HAHAHAH..no..the better..HENRY STOP..HAHAHAH. The better they feel.’

‘Mrrrwpfff.’ Henry growled biting down on her laughing lips, his teeth catching her bottom lip before soothing it with his tongue, their mouths entangling in a sensual slow dance, their hips quite naturally following in a slow, erotic rut.

‘Very good sheets.’ Naomi whispered, causing Henry to gasp in unbelief, his chest thundering with an even louder growl, his lips attacking her every reachable patch of skin, marking her, his cock making sure she’d feel him even long after this little morning session was over.

Naomi gasped and swooned beneath her bear’s administrations, her lips parted and her brow slightly sweaty. Just like that night. And many nights after that night. And mornings? Mornings too. And afternoons? Oh, you get the jest..

She smiled, fingers tangling through Henry’s curls as his lips hesitated, hovering above hers, his deep blue eyes searching hers.

‘Then again..’ She sighed, smiling. ‘..the sheets just can’t compare..to you.’ Her little confession made him smile, honestly, his life now calm and easy-going, their love a tale that was told with luxurious kisses, wrapped in the silkiest of Egyptian, 600-thread count cotton sheets.

General Tagsquad: @harrysthiccthighss @tumblnewby @magdelen69 @thereisa8ella @mary-ann84 @darkbooksarwin @summersong69 @madbaddic7ed @luclittlepond @maroonmolly

#henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill smut #henry cavill fluff #oneshot #smut #breakup #makeup #evil girlfriend #travel #slow burn #romance

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afterspark-podcast · 4 years ago

Text

G1 Episode 45: Transcript

[This can also be found on AO3!]

[Stinger]

O: Because again, he's an overconfident bastard.

[Intro]

O: Hello, and welcome to the Afterspark Podcast, an episode by episode recap of the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon. I'm Owls.

S: And I’m Specs.

O: And today we're going to be talking about episode number 45, The Secret of Omega Supreme. Let's talk about giant robots, shall we?

S: Mm, we start out our episode today with the Constructicons maneuvering an asteroid via moving a rocket.

O: They call back to the Con base, and we get a special guest, Sideswipe standing next to Megatron as he communicates with the Constructicons.

S: We assume that this is supposed to be Soundwave.

O: And in fact is Soundwave in a later shot.

S: Yaaaaaaay…

O: Coloring mistakes! This was more than a coloring mistake, it was a straight-up drawing mistake! [laughs]

S: Yep, animation errors, what can you say? Megatron orders Astrotrain to meet with the Constructicons.

O: Meanwhile, (in space) Cosmos is observing the Constructicons on the asteroid and comments on the energy readings coming from said asteroid.

S: Cosmos reports all of this to Prime at the Ark.

O: Prime is a jerk, and tells Cosmos that he needs, “conclusive evidence,” before they make any sort of move and orders him back into space.

S: Ah, poor Cosmos.

O: Cosmos leaves, and Prime goes to talk to the, “One other Autobot who can go into space,” Omega Supreme.

S: What? Skyfire can't do this? Is he just off on sabbatical all this time?

O: Oh no, he quit. He's totally got tired of being their taxi. I feel like we haven't seen him last- in such- such a long time!

S: He's very overqualified for being a taxi.

O: Yeah! Right?

S: Optimus drives out into the middle of the woods and calls for Omega Supreme who, um, emerges from the woods, despite you know, being many times taller than the woods.

O: Meet the Pacific Northwest’s new cryptid!

S: The wild man of the woods, Omega Supreme!

O: Obviously, he just plays poker with Sasquatch on you know, friday nights or something, because he's in the Pacific Northwest! [laughs]

S: Mm-hmm. Omega seems a touch miffed at being interrupted until Optimus mentions the Constructicons.

O: So come to find out, Omega really fucking hates the Constructicons.

S: With um, very good reason as it turns out because Optimus pushes Omega to tell him why he fucking hates the Constructicons.

B: [laugh]

O: And I love that Omega is basically like, “It's private.”

S: But Optimus cares not for privacy, and insists that Omega tell him anyway.

O: I hope you're ready for some tragic backstory.

S: For Optimus’, I mean, the audience's sake, Omega talks reasonably normally as he talks about his past. His- his sentences are normally truncated in case you haven't seen this. He's not a terribly verbose uh, mech.

O: Yeah, and this often carries over into other versions of him as well.

S: Mm-hm.

[Apparently the actual reason for this was because the writer didn’t know about Omega’s speech pattern, so the dialogue editors had to insert Prime’s request for the flashback to work. ~O]

O: But long ago, Omega Supreme was built as a Guardian robot.

S: Occasionally uh, Guardian robots will get brought up again, but eh. We see him getting repaired by a rather strange looking medic that never shows up again.

O: And Omega Supreme was the Guardian robot specifically for Crystal City.

S: It looks like a sparkly, glittery, white city. It kind of reminds me of the Epcot.

O: Which is like, “Welcome to Walt Disney World, Cybertronian location!” [laughs]

S: Yeah, but I guess Crystal City is super fancy art/science city or something?

O: Right. Uh, so he then reveals that he and the Constructicons used to be friends and that they were the ones that built Crystal City.

S: Mm-hm, and either they were completely bullshitting Omega for quite a while, or they do appear to genuinely be friends.

O: Omega's even smiling.

S: Mm-hm. Which is very unusual for him.

O: He's very stoic.

S: Yep.

O: But like a creeper, Megatron lurks around a corner watching Omega and the Constructicons talk. [laughs]

S: Oh god.

O: Apparently, he made a device called a ‘Robo-Smasher’ that forcefully reprogrammed Cybertrons [Cybertronians] to be loyal to him.

S: It is just as crazy as it sounds, and it looks rather disturbing, heh.

O: Very tentacley. I'm not saying I'm kink shaming Megatron, but I'm kink shaming Megatron

S:I think we both are i mean he kind of warrants it considering-

O: Tentacles! Why are there so many tentacles, Megatron!?!

S: Yes, considering all the tentacles.

O: Regardless, the Constructicons are next on his little ‘hit list’.

S: The Constructicons enter Crystal City with the intention of performing maintenance.

O: But Megatron traps them in a room and unleashes the Robo-Smasher on them.

S: How did he get that in there!?

O: No one fucking knows! Omega Supreme is stationed in front of the Crystal City when the Constructicons come up to him and say the capital city is being attacked by the Decepticons.

S: Nevermind that they were, you know, just inside the city and apparently are approaching from the outside in this scene or maybe there's some weird time manipulation but who knows-

O: Right! But we- we are given no indication that any amount of time has passed. Which granted, considering the show it could have been a week, I don't know but- but yeah, I- I don't know how any of this happened!

S: Yep, so they convince Omega to leave and that they will guard Crystal City in his place.

O: At some point Omega Supreme realizes there isn't an attack and becomes concerned (presumably because he is aware of the Robo-Smasher) that the Constructicons were lying to him.

S: Yep, and then his concern is uh, kind of verified when he gets back to Crystal City and it basically, immediately explodes while he looks on in horror.

O: The timing on that was just, I don't know who did that but good job, I guess?

S: Yeah, this is like the most emotion we get to see on his face that isn't like, anger.

O: Yeah, so after a commercial break we come back to Omega sitting curled up in a ball on the forest floor with Optimus sitting nearby.

S: Yup, he looks very sad here.

O: Understandable.

S: Mm-hm.

O: And Omega Supreme continues with his story.

S: The Constructicons flee from the rubble.

O: Omega vows to rescue his friends, tracking the Constructicons over the course of several weeks.

S: He then captures them by blasting a hole in the ground, and... yeah, the first two drive in before they realize it's trap, but Omega just comes up behind them and pushes the rest of them in. [laughs]

O: Naughty Constructicons go in the timeout hole!

S: Oh, Omega then attempts to reprogram them back to their normal selves.

O: Nevermind where you learn to do freaking that!

S: That's honestly kind of cr- scary when you think about-

O: Omega Supreme could rewire your brain! [laughs]

S: Ah-

O: He’s a bot of many talents!

S: Yup. This um, appears to work with Hook saying, “I feel sane again!”

O: Because that's definitely what a same person says.

S: [whispers] It isn't! Spoiler alert.

O: Spoiler alert, this- this ends about how you'd expect. [laughs]

S: But as the seven of them head back to Crystal City they are cornered by the Robo-Smasher, and it is revealed that the Constructicons are still definitely evil, and uh, following Megatron.

O: Obviously. And then we find out that it was Megatron that gave them the ability to combine into freaking Devastator! HOW!?!

S: There is so much weird shit going on in this cartoon.

O: [laughs] Yes! In particular this fucking episode! Mind control!

S: Yep, So the Constructicons form Devastator, and attempt to hold Omega Supreme down uh, to be reprogrammed by the Robo-Smasher. Which is, uh, yeah, not horrifying at all. I- I'm being very sarcastic with that.

B: [laugh]

O: I'd say all this is why they were okay with mind controlling the Constructicons a few episodes back. But bhat doesn't work because presumably no one but Omega Supreme was aware of their history! All that being said, I don't know what the air order was on these episodes. So, maybe, arguably, it did air in a different order, and that would make a lot more sense. But I don't want to give this show credit when it doesn't deserve it, and I kind of doubt it deserves that much forward thinking!

S: Yep. Ah, Omega Supreme is able to get away from the Robo-Smasher and the Constructicons flee.

O: Later, they even left Cybertron and Omega followed them apparently, for millions of years before they rejoined Megatron on Earth.

S: And at this point I think we can safely assume that Omega has... probably a lot of mental and emotional scars-

O: Right.

S: -from all of this stuff. And at this point after the Constructicons rejoined Megatron, Omega Supreme himself arrives on Earth.

O: Right. So, back to the Decepticons, Astrotrain arrives on the asteroid where the Constructicons are mining ore.

S: Cosmos attempts stealth mode again while he watches the Cons.

O: Failing miserably, mind you, not that it matters, as he trips over Astrotrain, who says nothing and has no reaction.

S: Maybe he's taking a nap? I mean, it's not like he's got anything better to do right now as the Constructicons load him with ore.

O: I mean, a commendable use of his time, honestly.

S: Yeah, Cosmos makes it back to the Ark with a sample of the ore and presents it to Optimus.

O: Who just sends him back into space.

S: Because we need to know where the processing plant is, don'tcha know?

O: “If you insist.”

S: He sounds so sad!

O: Give Cosmos a break, 2021!

S: Preceptor and Teletraan examine the ore sample, and while they still don't know exactly what it is- it is clearly high in energy.

O: Optimus is satisfied that this is what the Cons are after, and sends Omega Supreme into space to blow up the asteroid.

S: No less than 10 seconds later, Teletraan I informs optimus that the ore is organic in nature meaning the asteroid is alive. Well shit, I done fucked up, man.

O: [laughs] You did, Optimus. Uh, the Constructicons however, aren't terribly pleased with Omega's arrival.

S: A fight ensues!

O: Optimus calls and tells Omega NOT to destroy the asteroid, but Omega does not respond.

S: Optimus, maybe don't send your warrior off after his mortal enemies.

O: If you want good results, this is not how you get them!

S: Yep. On Earth, Megatron examines his own ore sample, but seems surprised to buy the ores makeup.

O: In the middle of the Constructicons and Omega's fight, a crack appears in the asteroid and a space dragon comes flying out.

S: I'm assuming it's a baby. Maybe.

O: We- we, yeah, we come to the conclusion it's the egg. The asteroid is its egg.

S: Yeah, which it does make sense for the high energy output.

O: Yes.

S: Ah, the Constructicons taunt Omega about needing to save Earth, but he seems perfectly happy to stay there and destroy them.

O: Teletraan I informs Optimus and Cosmos that the asteroid has hatched and the life form is headed to San Francisco. Teletran also predicts that they'll be unable to stop the space dragon without Omega's help.

S: Because it is a baby, and it's scared and hungry.

O: The asteroid acted as its food source. As we said, it is probably an egg, you know. Leading Optimus to the conclusion that they need to get it back into the asteroid.

S: That seems a bit easier said than done.

O: You would think! [laughs]

S: Powerglide, Ironhide, Tracks, and Beachcomber arrive in San Francisco.

O: They confront the space dragon and Tracks says, “Keep San Francisco clean, LEAVE!”

S: Tracks’ anti-litter campaign isn't going as smoothly as he would like.

O: Smokescreen appears out of nowhere, and jumps into the fray.

S: Not that it does much good as the dragon just flies away.

O: And now in the Arctic! The Constructicons have made it back to Earth, with Omega in close pursuit.

S: The Constructicons form Devastator and the two big bots begin to toss each other around

O: Omega Supreme is ready to take his vengeance, but is stopped by Optimus (who's here for some reason).

S: He tells Omega that he needs to save San Francisco and Omega eventually agrees.

O: The Constructicons overhear the conversation between Optimus and Omega and learn about the whole egg/asteroid/food thing.

S: They head back to Megatron to inform him of this and he orders them to destroy the asteroid.

O: Some bots just want to watch the world burn, and that's entirely what he intends to do allowing the dragon to wreck the planet while he sits back and watches.

S: The dragon continues to shoot lasers all over San Francisco.

O: I love that it has lasers. [laughs] This newborn alien has lasers!

S: Well, it's a baby space thing, it's gotta have something to deal with shit!

B: [laugh]

O: Obviously! Beachcomber spouts some hippy dippy nonsense about them all being one with the universe.

S: But Tracks takes a slightly more pessimistic view, telling him to, “duck!” as the dragon does another flyby.

O: [laughs] Omega arrives and lures the dragon back to the asteroid.

S: Megatron’s quite happy about this development, as he readies a long-range blaster that Hook has quickly put together.

O: But Optimus stops him just in time, blowing up the control panel.

S: Somehow, Optimus takes out Megatron and all the Constructicons by shooting in their general direction.

O: The space dragon eats the remainder of its asteroid and then just flies off and that's the end of that!

S: Ah, later on on the Golden Gate Bridge, Optimus thanks Omega Supreme.

O: And says that even though his experiences with the Constructicons changed him, Optimus hopes he'll eventually find something more important than revenge.

S: Omega responds favorably (for him), while the light glints off the barest of tears in his optics.

O: And that's the end of the episode, emotional Omega Supreme, a space dragon just flies back off into space. I... don't know what that's about, or we need to worry about it coming back, but fine, whatever! Join us next time as the Autobots are the perfect size to add to my collection even without a Megatron in the set.

S: All right, so for today Owls is giving our fanfic recommendations, because I am forgetful.

O: To be fair, one of them I actually did put on this episode, because it was relevant, so-

S: That is true.

O: One wild card fic today. The first one is, “Giving Life to the Future,” by Merfilly. It is in the Shattered Glass continuity, it is G, it is Gen, there are no pairings. Our characters are the Shattered Glass Constructicons, Megatron and Starscream. And in summary, “The war is over, and Scrapper has a plan. Hook concurs.” Our theme for this is the Constructicons, and the Crystal City. It is directly relevant to the Crystal City getting destroyed in the Shattered Glass universe, and it is a one shot.

Our second one is a wild card fic, it has nothing to do with anything, it's just another Shattered Glass fic that I liked. Uh, it is called, “But Officer, My husband was in there.”

S: [laughs]

O: Which is a wonderful title. Our author's Interstellar_Child, our continuity is IDW Shattered Glass, our rating is T, it is slash, it is a Minimus Ambus/Megatron fic. Our characters are Minimus Ambus, Megatron and then assorted Shattered Glass characters. Like, several Autobots and stuff pop up too, at least kind of in background roles.

Ah, in summary, “Minimus knows how the world sees him. He knows how his brother is using him. He knows a better world is a foolish dream. But he can't help but dream.” And it was part of the MiniMegs week last summer it was day six for like, AU. Again, wild card, it's a one shot. It might be my favorite uh, Shattered Glass MiniMegs fic right now because, it's very well done so, highly recommend! Uh, if you don't know what Minimus Ambus is like in the Shattered Glass universe, he's basically like a black widow, it's amazing. [laughs] Very, very opposite of what he normally is.

And our fanart recommendation for today is Herzspalter. Uh, they do a lot of G1, but they kind of do a bit of everything. They have some really nice, simplified versions of the G1 bots in their G1 recap comic series, which is hysterical um, by the way, we're- we're just recommending the entire page of that. Uh, they also have some lovely standalone work, but we've linked to several of their comics. Uh, first we've linked to their G1 recap series, as I said, and then a comic with Rodimus and a poor, poor beleaguered Ultra Magus.

B: [laugh]

O: “Why is this my life?”

S: “I broke all of it.”

O: Yes, it is delightful, and I love it. And then we have a Cygate Halloween comic.

S: Pumpkin vampire!

O: Yes, we have Tailgate as an adorable little pumpkin, and Cyclonus is a pumpkin vampire. It's amazing, and adorable and also somebody totally made little pumpkin Tailgate figurines on Etsy and I have one. I need to take pictures of my Cyclonus with, it but it is so fucking cute. It's like, just cute- he’s the cutest little pumpkin! Anyway, we will be linking to their Tumblr and you can find other links to their stuff on our Tumblr, where as always we will have it in our episode notes.

S: Yep, and that just about wraps it up for us today. Remember to check us out on Tumblr or Pillowfort as Afterspark-Podcast, for the additional information, show notes, or links we may have mentioned. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter at AftersparkPod (all one word) and various other locations by searching for Afterspark Podcast such as AO3, iTunes, Spotify and Youtube, just to name a few. And feel free to send us questions on Tumblr, Youtube or AO3. Until next time, I’m Specs.

O: And I’m Owls!

S: Toodles.

[Outro]

#transcript #g1 episode 45 #afterspark #afterspark podcast

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chiaki-translation · 4 years ago

Text

SR Sakuya [Packing Deep Red Tomatoes] Backstage Translation

Time to clear some of my backstory backlog and the first one will be Farmer Sakuya~

Summary:

The three who went to the farm continue with their work and the children asked Sakuya to make Vegetable Stamp with them.

(What’s Vegetable Stamp? It’s when you use part of the vegetables to make a patterned stamp, google it and you’ll know what I mean~)

Disclaimer:

A3! is owned by Liber Entertainment

Nostalgic Stamp

Director:

Today we will be planting the seedlings here.

Sakuya:

…Eh?

Director:

The soil is pretty muddy.

Kazunari:

Maybe because it was raining yesterday night~

Be careful not to fall down!

Director:

You’re right.

Then, shall we start planting.

Sakuya:

Yes!

Kazunari:

Alright! Let’s do our best!

Director:

(We’ve heard that a farmer’s couple were looking for a helping hand, it’s been 3 days since we start helping them.

Those 3 people have been doing their best, but above everything else, I’m glad that they are all enjoying themselves.)

Sakuya:

Woah!?

Director:

Kazunari:

Sakusaku, what happened!?

Sakuya:

Ah, my feet’s stuck in the soil…!

Kazunari:

Wa, I’ll come and help you immediately!

Director:

I’ll help too!

Kazunari:

Heave…ho!

Sakuya:

Even though you just told me to be careful… Sorry.

Director:

It’s fine, it’s not something that you can avoid with just being careful.

Kazunari:

Right right!

Sakusaku, don’t mind it!

Sakuya:

Ehehe, thank you so much.

Director:

Then, let’s continue on the planting.

We still have work after this, so let’s try to get this done quickly!

Sakuya:

I’ll continue doing from this side.

Kazunari:

I’m going to finish the row on that side!

Director:

Understood. Let’s do our best!

Director:

I guess that’s it for now.

Let’s take a short break.

Sakuya:

Yes!

Kazunari:

Alright~! Good work!

Tasuku:

Good work.

Director:

Tasuku-san, good work.

Kazunari:

Good work to you too, Tax~!

Sakuya:

Tasuku-san has finished sowing the seeds too huh.

Tasuku:

Yeah.

Director:

So how do you three feel about helping out in the field?

Sakuya:

The first day was tough, but I’m getting used to it.

Director:

We tried to keep a low profile at the beginning, but it will be tough if we can’t get used to this.

Sakuya:

Yes… But, I’m happy to be able to experience this personally, it helps with my strength too, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone!

Kazunari:

Right~!

I also got a lot of inspiration from this field work!

Sakuya:

By the way, Tasuku-san seems to be doing fine from the beginning, is it because you have been training regularly even before this.

Tasuku:

Not at all, I have to use different muscles compared to the usual one so that’s not the case.

I guess I understand which muscle I don’t normally use now.

That’s why, I’m grateful for this opportunity.

Director:

I see…

(An image of angry Yuki-kun at the next costume fitting comes to mind somehow…)

Tasuku:

It’s about time to move on to the next job.

Miyoshi, you’re picking weeds with me.

Kazunari:

Right~!

Then, Director-chan, Sakusaku, I’ll see you later!

Sakuya:

Yes, please do your best!

Director:

We will be harvesting tomatoes right.

Sakuya:

Let’s go.

[

Choice 1: I’m looking forward to harvesting the tomatoes

Director:

I’m looking forward to harvesting the tomatoes.

Sakuya:

Yes! I’m pretty excited.

We already gathered a lot of other vegetables, but it will be great if we can gather a lot of tomatoes too.

]

[

Choice 2: I’m glad everyone came here to help

Director:

I’m glad that everyone came here together to help.

Sakuya:

Kazunari-san and Tasuku-san, they are so cool and reliable!

Director:

Yes. But it’s not only the two of them, Sakuya-kun also helped a lot so you’re reliable too!

Sakuya:

Eh… Th, thank you so much!

I’ve never done things like field work before, so I think I’m really going to get a lot of experience here!

]

Director:

Yes. Let’s continue like this and do our best!

Sakuya:

If we finish early, let’s go and help the others too.

Director:

You’re right.

Then, firstly, let’s do our best on harvesting the tomatoes!

Sakuya:

We finished harvesting the tomatoes!

Grandmother:

Thank you.

Can you put it on the table over here?

Sakuya:

Understood!

Director:

Let us help you with the lunch preparation too.

Grandmother:

Then, I’ll have you help me wash these vegetables.

Director:

Leave it to us!

Sakuya:

…Eh?

Excuse me, there are part of cut vegetables in this basket, but, what are you going to use it for?

Grandmother:

That, the children will pick it up and make a stamp out of it.

Director:

Vegetable stamp, that’s so nostalgic!

The root of the spinach will form a rose-like shape right.

Sakuya:

Ah, I did it before too!

Children:

We’re home!

Grandmother:

Welcome home. So what are you going to do for lunch today?

Boy:

Mom said it’s okay to eat here!

Girl:

Me too. I want to eat here!

Grandmother:

Then, let’s eat together.

Girl:

Yes!

…Ah! There’re vegetables today!

Big brother Sakuya, let’s make the stamp together!

Sakuya:

Eh umm…

Director:

I’ll do the work over here so go ahead, it’s fine.

Sakuya:

Understood!

Then, let’s make the stamp together over there.

Girl:

Yes!

Boy:

I’ll use the blue ink for this one.

Girl:

I want this one!

Sakuya:

Then, I’ll use the Okra.

Girl:

Woah, that one looks like a cherry blossom!

Big brother, press it on this letter for my friend!

Sakuya:

Then, let’s try pressing it with the pink ink.

Girl:

Yes!

Sakuya:

…There you go, how is it?

Girl:

Woah, it really becomes a cherry blossom!

Let’s put more!

Sakuya:

Ahaha, alright.

Girl:

I know! I’ll give this letter set to big brother too.

Big brother, write a letter too!

Sakuya:

Eh, for Director?

Director:

Food’s ready~

Sakuya:

Ah, yes!

The two of you, let’s clean up first, we can continue this later.

Children:

Yes!

Director:

Sakuya-kun, is it because of your part time job in the nursery maybe?

But the children here really like you.

I was surprised that you make friends with them so fast.

As expected of Sakuya-kun!

Sakuya:

Th, that’s not the case at all.

The children are honest, they are good kids.

Sakuya:

Hmm, the letter set that I received…

Ah, found it!

Since I got it already, I should try writing something.

Umm, ‘To Director…’

Sakuya:

I wonder which vegetable stamp I should use.

Director:

Eh, Sakuya-kun, you’re still awake?

Sakuya:

Yes, umm… There’s something I would like to do.

Director:

I see… Hmm?

(He wrote my name on the first line…?)

Sakuya-kun, that’s…

Sakuya:

Ah…

I wanted to give it to Director in secret, but I guess I got found out.

Director:

Sakuya-kun, can I have the rest of that letter set?

Sakuya:

Eh? Ah, of course.

Director:

Thank you!

Then, I’ll also write a letter for Sakuya-kun.

Sakuya:

Really!?

I’ll be looking forward to it!

Director:

Fufu, I’m looking forward to it too.

Sakuya:

…I’m done!

Director, here you go.

Director:

Thank you, I’m also done.

Sakuya-kun too, here you go.

Sakuya:

Thank you so much.

Also, this, can we look at it when we’re back at the dorm?

Director:

Yeah, that’s fine.

I’m looking forward to reading it.

Sakuya:

I’m back.

Eh, is Citron-san going out today.

I was only out for a week, but somehow I really miss this place.

…The letter from Director, let’s read it.

“Sakuya-kun’s smile has the power to bring smiles to everybody else’s faces. I’m always saved by it. Thank you.

From now on, with everyone else, let’s keep doing our best!”

(Director…

I’ll keep doing my best…!)

MANKAI… This, isn’t it a potato stamp.

Ahaha, that fits Director so well.

Director:

I guess it’s fine to open the letter from Sakuya-kun now right.

Hmm…

“Thank you for always supporting us with practice and dinner.

That time when we first met, it’s because Director came forward, that’s why we can keep having fun with theatre and acting right now.

Even from now, I’m looking to work with you even more!”

Fufu, that really sounds like Sakuya-kun…

The stamp that Sakuya-kun use looks like a fully bloomed cherry blossom, it’s cute.

(…Me too, I hope to keep working with you in the future, Sakuya-kun.)

#a3!#a3! act! addict! actors!#a3! translation #sakuya sakuma #a3! backstory #a3! backstage

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faejilly · 4 years ago

Note

F, Q, and R

[fanfic ask game]

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

ANOTHER ONE?

Hmmm.

It’s hard to pick a snippet, because the whole point of the fic is the way they have to slowly spiral around the stuff that Alec doesn’t know how to say, and I honestly still adore all of it, but probably a flower of always and the way it offers comfort, warm and sideways and building between each exchange.

"Tea?"

"Maybe with a shot of whisky in it," Alec mutters as they head towards the kitchen.

Magnus hmms, ignoring the ache in his chest in order to keep his voice steady. "You don't like whisky."

"No, but." There's that frown again, and his hands lift, trying to point at his throat, almost pressing against his chest. "But I can't, it won't. There's everything in the way."

"That is a terrible reason to waste excellent whisky on someone who won't appreciate it." Alec's face does a remarkable twist, as if he can't manage to be affronted and amused by Magnus' words at the same time. "Let's try the tea first, shall we?"

Amusement wins, to Magnus' great relief, and Alec almost smiles. "We will be delighted."

"Excellent!" Magnus grins, though they're both perfectly aware it's a bright and shallow expression, and guides Alec over to sit on a stool before finding the kettle.

"You're making tea?" Alec seems calmer, his elbow propped on the table, his head resting on his hand, the almost smile just a little closer to being real.

"Do you doubt my ability to boil water the mundane way?"

Alec's smile finally catches in his eyes. "Of course not, but it takes longer."

Magnus shrugs, stands still as he looks over his shoulder at Alec. "Isn't that the point?"

There's that swallow again, a little too deep, and Alec nods.

Magnus turns back around, humming softly as he sorts through his boxes of loose leaf teas and flowers, trying to decide between fortifying or calming. "Any requests?"

"Surprise me." There's an undercurrent there, warm and steady, I trust you, and Magnus smiles.

Q: How do you feel about collaborations?

I LOVE THEM, and I feel like they can inspire a lot of wonderful things that no one involved would have come up with on their own.

But I also feel very nervous about ever attempting one because I’m terrible at working to a deadline and I’d hate to let someone down if/when they were waiting for me.

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence?

Well, I’d have to say the Dragon Age TTRPG group that actually got me to post backstory-fic in public. So many thanks to @darthkrzysztof and the rest of the OG RPG team. :D @siawrites & @evilsapphyre for the collab and the support especially when we were all three more active in BioWare Stuff. A few other people from the old BioBoards & BSN before it was quite such a cesspit, who I don’t think are on tumblr so I can’t @ them.

@tarysande because she’s brilliant & lovely & aspirational in terms of both technical and creative skills (Also for Sebastian, still and always, along with @shadoedseptmbr & @atomicpen)

@junemermaid because she hits my reading id just right and I like to try and return the favor :D

@jadesabre301 because she encourages the disasters and agony, and I’m not sure I realized until recently how much I sometimes need to write the agony

In terms of commercial fiction that I read that helps inspire me or keep me going, Patricia Briggs and the way her prose just gets out of the way was formative when I first started posting fic, Nalini Singh’s long-form worldbuilding and intense emotions, Martha Wells and everything but especially depth of setting and Relatable Protagonists will always be A Goal.

Beyond that, I’m not entirely sure? Thirty years of reading, it all piles up in the back of your head where you can’t quite consciously touch each piece... or at least I can’t.

#writing memery #lightwormsiblings #jilly answers

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spam-monster · 5 years ago

Text

Helsa Week day 4: fantasy

(I was trying to finish this last night so i could post it in time, but the words just did not want to go)

Backstory: Everyone is fairies. Elsa is the seelie Winter Queen, while Anna is the Queen of Summer (Rapunzel and Merida are Spring and Fall, respectively). The Queens have all decided to take Knights, loyal fairies who will protect them and help them enforce peace between the courts. The unseelie fey all choose members of their own courts as knights, but the seelie decided they would choose a knight from the opposing season’s court in order to strengthen their relationships.

(Fairy lore: basically seelie are the fairies who would help guide lost children out of the woods, and unseelie are the fairies who would lure unsuspecting travelers to their doom for funsies.)

(Story notes: The seelie and unseelie each have their own 4 seasonal courts, with their own Queens., and there are specific names for each. The relevant ones are: unseelie Summer = The Blazing Court, seelie Summer = the Dawn Court, and seelie Winter = the Dusk Court)

As this part of our story begins, Queen Anna has been traveling around the realm of Winter searching for a suitable knight. But every time she met a promising candidate, something went wrong. It was eventually discovered that the culprit was a young man of noble lineage from the unseelie court of Summer, who had snuck into Anna’s realm and attempted to court her in order to win the position of her Knight...

“But why would you choose a knight from another court? That’s not-“

“Just because the unseelie Queens have chosen knights from their own courts does not mean we are beholden to do the same.” The Winter Queen said. “And that is no excuse for you to sabotage my sister’s quest to find her knight.”

The redhead protested. “But I could have been-“

“Enough!” The Queen turned away, her crystalline cape glittering as it swayed around her. “Go back to the Summer courts of the unseelie at once, Hans! That is, unless you would prefer to stay here in Winter eternal as my servant.”

“…I would. Prefer that. Actually.”

The Queen looked back in confusion. Surely she could not have heard that right?

But the young unseelie man looked at her with quiet determination. “If it is possible…I would serve out my punishment here. I would rather endure a thousand winters as a servant than one more day as a noble among my brothers in the Blazing Court.”

The Queen was at a loss for words. A Summer fairy, wanting to stay here? There was a reason she had not yet gone to Anna’s court, despite her sister’s urging. Although she agreed strengthening the bonds between their courts by appointing a knight from the opposing season was a good idea in theory, deep down Elsa feared that no fairy from her sister’s land of sunshine and laughter would ever choose to live in her own land of ice and quiet.

Maybe…this would be a good test run. If this one could survive in her lands, perhaps there really was a Summer fairy out there willing to become her knight.

“Very well, then. You shall stay here, child of Summer.”

Who am I kidding? She thought to herself as he was led away. In a few weeks he’ll be begging to go back to his brothers.

---

It had been a few weeks, and another few weeks yet.

And the young man had shown no desire to leave.

Where other fairies of other courts would have been put off by her people’s stoicism and bluntness, Hans had adapted his way around it, speaking just enough to fill the silence but never so much as to be a nuisance. Where others would have complained about the endless cold, Hans just bundled up tighter and endured it (although he did take more trips to the hot springs than most). And when others would have compared her lands endlessly to Summer’s beaches and Spring’s gardens and Fall’s woodlands and found them wanting, Hans could be found staring out at the vast mountains of snow and ice for hours.

“It’s quiet.” He explained to her.

“And that doesn’t bother you?” She asked.

“I have twelve older brothers. My whole life I’ve been surrounded by noise, yelling and screaming and fighting and clashing. This…is peaceful. I feel like I can breathe again.”

She left him there, gazing out the windows, and did not ask for more.

---

“The gathering of the Four Seelie Queens shall now commence!”

“Elsa!” Anna yelled from across the room, bounding up to catch her sister in a hug. Elsa accepted it warmly, nodding to Kristoff in greeting.

“How have you been?” She asked the two of them. “She hasn’t been too much trouble, I hope?” She directed to Kristoff playfully.

Kristoff grinned sheepishly. The former grumpy icecutter had been roped into escorting Anna around when she was searching Winter for a candidate to be her knight, but the two of them had bonded against all odds and he was now her Summer’s knight. “Well, you know Anna. Never a dull moment with her.”

“And the weather?”

“Still getting used to it, as is Sven. But I’m fine. It’s worth a few sunburns to be able to…” stay with her went unspoken, as he glanced at Anna softly and she giggled and took his arm. Elsa felt a pang of something like envy, but she fiercely pushed it down.

“How is…” she waved her arm and glanced towards the other Queens. The Spring Queen Rapunzel was laughing softly, leaning her head on her knight. (Rapunzel had been the first of them to find her knight, and it had all started with Eugene trying to rob her, not knowing the girl in the carriage trundling through the woods was secretly royalty.) Sir Eugene was preoccupied between playing with her hair and trying to fix his, as usual. And next to them was…

“Wait…Merida found a knight?!”

Anna chuckled as she glanced in their direction. “Yep!”

“But she’s…”

“Merida? Yeah. But it as it turns out, she somehow happened to find the one fairy in Spring as uninterested in romance as her, who was also willing to help her deal with all the boring administrative stuff she never wants to do.”

Elsa looked again. Unlike the other two pairs, Merida and her new Knight seemed more interested in leaning on each other and gossiping than stealing longing glances. They looked…comfortable. (And it wasn’t like there was actually a rule that said a Queen and their knight had to be romantically engaged, she supposed.)

“…Good for her.”

“Uh-huh! Soooo…what about you~?”

Elsa looked back at Anna. “Me?”

“You’re the only one who hasn’t…you know. You should come over later. I’ve been thinking about…is that Hans?!”

Elsa looks behind her. She’s so used to seeing Hans among the other members of her inner court by now, she’d forgotten that he wasn’t always there. “He’s been…serving out his punishment with me.”

“Wait, so he’s like, living with you?”

“You let him in the palace?!” Kristoff sounded scandalized.

Elsa shrugs awkwardly. “He’s been…behaving himself?”

Anna looked at Hans again, then back at her, like she was trying to figure something out. The intense scrutiny started to make her feel nervous. “Is…is this a problem?”

“No, not if he’s getting punished like you said, but…Elsa. You’ve been so worried about if any Summer fairies would actually want to stay with you – and don’t give me that look, I know that’s why you keep putting this off – and yet, you’ve been letting this guy live in Winter for months and it’s fine?”

“He…” Elsa hesitated, unsure of what to tell her. The sound of more trumpets below them interrupted her.

“Hear ye, hear ye! The gathering of the Unseelie Queens commences! Get in line, people!”

The floor beneath their feet rippled and changed, the barrier becoming clear. Below them, the four Queens of the unseelie courts and their Knights gathered. The chattering on their side stopped, tension filling the air.

The seelie Queen of Winter met the eyes of her unseelie counterpart through the barrier, as she knew the other Queens were doing. Slowly, she bowed. The unseelie Winter Queen held her gaze for a minute, her eyes a cold reflection of Elsa’s own, but she then bowed back. The tension lessened. The truce was upheld for another season.

“Excuse me.” Elsa murmured to her sister and her knight, slipping away to get some space. Logically she knew that the unseelie Queens would never break the truce (they couldn’t; any harm that befell one Queen would come to her counterpart on the other side as well), but it always made her nervous. She rested against the wall for a moment, watching as the party slowly resumed and the fairies on either side of the barrier began traveling back and forth, trading greetings and stories.

“Well, they didn’t waste any time in getting noisy again.”

Elsa turned to look at the man next to her. He glanced over at her with an unspoken question. Are you alright, your highness?

She wondered since when Hans had become so readable to her; or maybe it was another aspect of himself he seemed to be able to turn on and off at will. She made a non-committal noise of agreement, and he nodded and looked out at the gathering again. I’m fine, Hans.

“Your sister seems to be in a good mood.” Is she still mad at me?

“Probably just happy that she doesn’t have to listen to Merida complain about not wanting a Knight anymore.” I’m not sure.

“So even the Queen of Fall has a Knight now…” And what about you, Elsa? How long are you planning to put this off?

“They seem to get along well. I’ll have to have her introduce me properly later.” I’m not answering that.

“Hmm…” You can’t run from this forever, you know…

“Is that you, little scrubfire?!”

Hans flinched, and his eyes grew wide as he turned towards the source of the voice; a man with similar eyes to his and a smile with too many teeth. He brandished a sword slung over his shoulder, the emblems on his chest gleaming. The unseelie Knight of Summer, Elsa thought to herself.

---

Elsa understood why Hans hadn’t wanted to go back now, if this was what was waiting for him.

The Knight was one of Hans’ older brothers, and once he found Hans the rest of them had swarmed him like a school of sharks seeking prey.

“We thought the Dusk Queen had frozen you up like a statue, or dumped you in a lake!” one of them laughs, in a tone that indicated he wouldn’t have cared much either way.

Elsa just stood and watched. She shouldn’t care, she knew. After all, this man had selfishly tried to disrupt the peace between their lands just so he could try and trick her sister into making him her knight. But the man who at any other time would have been easily quick-wittedly trading barbs with whoever insulted him, was frozen, looking down at his feet and slumping into the wall like if he made himself small enough maybe they would go away.

“Hey, weren’t you gonna become a knight up here?

“Ha! That brat couldn’t become a regular knight, let alone a Queen’s Knight!”

“I’ll bet they took one look at him and laughed right in his stupid face!”

“Like he could ever be anything important!”

“That’s enough!” Elsa growled, unable to stand by and watch any more. She put herself in between Hans and his brothers, at them.

“Hans is a member of my court now, and I will not stand for him being disrespected this way!”

She could feel Hans eyes staring at the back of her head with surprised gratitude and relief.

---

It had taken Anna stepping in and summoning the unseelie Summer Queen herself to get Hans’ brothers dragged back to their own realm.

“You didn’t have to do that.” He muttered nervously.

“They were harassing you.”

He just shrugged.

“…Are you…alright?” Anna asked a bit awkwardly. Hans turned to her, sighed, and bowed deeply.

“Thanks for stepping in, your Highness. And…let me take the opportunity to apologize for my earlier actions against you. Had I known that there were people up here kind enough to protect me from my brother’s cruelty without asking anything in return, I would never have acted so rashly and almost upset the balance between your kingdoms.”

“Umm…yeah. You’re welcome.” Anna glanced at Elsa, then back at Hans, a small smile beginning to form on her face. “You seem different, after living with my sister. It’s a good different.”

“Well, I, uh, yes. That is. I.” Was Hans…blushing?

Anna giggled, her smile turning into a full-blown smirk. “Ooooh, I see how it is.” She patted Hans on the shoulder. “Welllll~, I suppose I can forgive you; if you promise to be good to her and lay off on the scheming. We can’t have future Knights running around causing any more unrest now, can we?”

“Yes. Wait, what?!”

-----

(Below the cut: pictures!)

I’ve actually been playing with this au for a while now...well, not an au really, more like I just based the fairy queens in my fantasy/D&D setting on Disney princesses because it was fun. The only oc is Merida’s “knight”, because I didn’t really want to “pair her up” with anyone, so I just made up a character who would also have no interest in getting married and would also balance out her personality. Anyway, here are some designs.

And the unseelie, just because:

#helsa #helsaweek2020 #helsaweek #frozen #frozen au #helsa au

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stillness-in-green · 5 years ago

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Shigaraki Birthday Week, Day 6: cake

If Magne wants cake, she’s going to have cake. That it’s a good team-builder is just icing. (Contains one extremely vague reference to Shigaraki’s backstory, but it’s not even the really big part. Otherwise spoiler-free through Kamino.)

———– ———– ———– ———–

Magne considers the facts thus:

-Kamino has got everyone a bit down. Lost the kid the boss wanted, lost the big boss, lost the hideout, their names are out there making their way around the wanted lists and the bulletins. Well, hers had been making those rounds already, but the League of Villains has jumped her up the charts the same way All Might retiring will do for that fiery Endeavor and the rest of the top ten.

-The boss has been working much too hard since Kamino. He started out moping, like anybody would if they lost a parent (or whatever it is that All for One was to him), but pulled out of it nice and quick and then threw himself into planning. Expand the group, find new safe spots, get that new power he sent Kurogiri after. It’s good that he’s keeping busy—being rudderless and adrift is just about the worst feeling there is—but overwork is a problem too, and with Kurogiri and All for One both gone, there’s no one in the group that can do much to talk him down.

-Her birthday is this weekend, and if she can’t spend it with her friends—what with being on the run from the police—she can at least spend it with her new group. And why not? Being at the top of the Most Wanted list, that’s a thing worth celebrating, and it’ll bring the group closer together. Working well together’s an essential part of pulling off a job, and with their numbers down—at least for now—they could all do with some team-building.

-She wants cake. And who doesn’t like cake? It’s a bit gauche to plan your own birthday party, but then, she doesn’t have to say it’s for her birthday, now does she?

…Fate is not feeling quite so amenable, unfortunately. Twice is reeling in a new recruit and Spinner’s laying low—the most recognizable in the group, poor thing, at least as long as he’s insisting on the Stain cosplay. Dabi’s playing Mystery Man instead of Mystery Date, worse the luck, and Toga’s still off on whatever errand she’s playing at that’s got her texting from a burner phone instead of her little cute pink one.

Mr. Compress, the dear, is completely on board. He also makes stealing a cake a complete breeze.

———–

“Do you think Shigaraki-kun is more of a chocolate or a vanilla person?”

“That’s hard to even contemplate, isn’t it? Well, if I were to hazard a guess between the two, wouldn’t it be chocolate? Isn’t vanilla a bit plain for a villain?”

“But there’s so much you can do with vanilla—what about one of those fruit cakes, with all the strawberry?”

“Strawberry seems more like little Toga’s preference, doesn’t it?”

“Then what do you think?”

“I prefer pastries, myself. One of those delightful French confections with more layers than a stack of bank notes.”

“Haha! That’s so you! Then how about cheesecake?”

“Might that be a bit rich for our dear leader?”

“He’s not that childish. And I’m not walking out of here with finger-food.”

“How about that one, then?”

“With all the powdered sugar? And him in all black? He’d never get it out!”

“Now who thinks he’s childish?”

“Childish or not, you know it’s Kurogiri doing their laundry.”

“I’m not sure anyone’s doing his laundry. Hmm. Perhaps this one?”

“Oh! Cute!”

“But not too cute?”

“No, that’s a good one. Let’s go with it.”

“Decision made. Then let the heist begin!”

“It’s already most of the way finished, isn’t it?”

“Let me have this, please.”

———–

Shigaraki knew they were coming. Mr. Compress had texted. He’s a stickler for details like that: you can’t expect to carry off a successful heist if you don’t work out the details, apparently. Shigaraki’s sitting against the wall waiting when they come in.

He didn’t know they were coming with cake.

It looks like an average-sized thing to him, not that he’s got a lot of experience, squared-off into ruthlessly clean edges that show off the alternating dark and cream layers. The top’s covered with a chocolate icing and drizzles of bright red glaze over the kind of “casual” arrangement of raspberries and blackberries and a couple of pale yellow macarons that means somebody with tweezers probably spent an hour agonizing over exactly how to put down every last piece of it.

He looks up from the cake to Magne and Mr. Compress, both of them staring at him expectantly—he can just sense it on Mr. Compress, even with the mask on.

“Is this a joke?”

“Rude!” Magne huffs, leaning her magnet bar against the wall, where it sticks to a pipe with a clang, and dragging over a crate to sit on. “Call it a housewarming present.”

“You must admit, our new surroundings could use the color.”

The color makes my eyes hurt, Shigaraki thinks, but that’s too petulant to say out loud, so he doesn’t. Instead, he opts for, “We’re not going to be staying here long-term.”

“Perhaps not, but we are here for now,” Mr. Compress replies amiably, pulling out a marble and materializing himself a very familiar chair.

“Did you steal that from the bar,” Shigaraki says, tone flat and disbelieving.

“At the time, I preferred to think of it as ‘reserving a seat.’ And now that the bar’s gone, it’s just salvage, isn’t it? I’m waiting for a chance to surprise Kurogiri with it, so keep it under your hand, would you?”

Magne tries—she fails, but she tries—to muffle an undignified snort of laughter; Shigaraki just glares.

“Shall I get us started?” the magician asks with a lilt of good cheer, and an outdoor café table complete with plastic tablecloth appears between the three of them. Magne sets the cake down and pops the clear plastic lid off of the box.

“This is stupid,” Shigaraki says, standing up.

“Why, because we don’t have utensils? Actually—”

“You brought a table with you; you obviously brought utensils too. That doesn’t make it less stupid.” He turns to go back to the trashed office he set up shop in when he and Kurogiri found the place. I don’t have time to play around like this. I’ve got to show Sensei I can—

“Honestly!” Magne’s voice is tart; when he turns to flash her a glare, she does—Good—flinch back. But after a few tense seconds, she follows up by sitting up straighter and jutting out her chin. “Enjoying the spoils is part of being a criminal, Shigaraki-kun!”

All right, it’s good that his League isn’t made of cowards, but this is still stupid.

“She’s quite right. And being on top means you get first cut.” Mr. Compress brandishes a knife that’s much bigger than anything you’d need to cut a cake with, especially the one they brought. “Won’t you show us how it’s done?”

Shigaraki pauses, scowling at his own hesitation as much as their familiarity.

“It’s good to let your followers do as they like sometimes, Tomura. If you enable someone’s happiness, you become associated with that happiness. In turn, your followers look for ways to return the favor. And just as moments of injustice can poison a mind, so can happy memories become totems that will drive people to their best efforts.”

Sensei talked a lot about how to handle followers, especially after he lost to All Might. Shigaraki got sick of hearing it, honestly, and it turns his stomach to have it come back now. But if I go back to the office I’m just going to stew on if I should have done it or not.

“Are the masks an issue?” Mr. Compress asks, and slides his own halfway off, blinking one warm brown eye at Shigaraki and giving him a sly grin. “I’ll have to take if off to eat, of course; so you won’t be alone. And we’re hardly in a position to take you to task for how you wish to present yourself to the world.”

Magne jabs him once in the ribs, looking unrepentant when he yelps, and smiles up at Shigaraki from her crate when Mr. Compress rubs his side and compresses his mask down to marble-size.

“Come have a bite with us,” she says, direct. “If only the heroes get to enjoy themselves, why even become a villain?”

“If you were going to pose rhetoricals like that, we should have stolen wine, too,” Mr. Compress complains, but allows himself to be shushed and begins setting out plates with poor grace but reflexive flourish as Shigaraki walks slowly back over to the two of them.

He stares down at the cake, trying to remember the last time he even ate something like this. A restaurant or something, right? Sensei took me out after the whole thing with the cruise liner.

The restaurant looked nicer than the crumbling plaster and the leaky pipes on the walls here. But he had to pretend to be normal there, and he itched the whole time. Just the memory brings his nails up to his neck, and he indulges the habit as he reaches up and gingerly pulls off Father.

Mr. Compress and Magne don’t even pretend not to stare; the former holds up his hands disarmingly when Shigaraki meets his eyes, but the latter just tilts her head, taking in the sight of him.

“You know, at this point I was expecting worse?” She laughs to herself and hands him a plate. “Come and eat.”

She didn’t turn away. It pulls at something inside him, a memory of people’s eyes finding him and then sliding away like he was one of those yokai that would follow you home and rip you to pieces if you made eye contact.

Huh. Sounds nice.

He slides Father into his pocket and takes the plate.

He doesn’t end up finishing the cake slice.

…But he does take all the macarons.

#shigarakibirthdayweek #shigaraki tomura #bnha magne #mr. compress #sako atsuhiro #my writing #boku no hero academia #bnha #ficcing

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thebibliomancer · 5 years ago

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Essential Avengers: Avengers #212: Men of Deadly Pride!

October, 1981

Here they are -- the new Avengers!

But not the New Avengers (the difference is that the hairy monster they have is Tigra instead of Wolverine).

And they are having difficulty.

I don’t know what they did to piss off Galadriel over here (I mean yes I do, she says it right on the cover) but she is kicking their asses.

A dark queen indeed.

Not much to actually say about the cover. Uh, the composition looks neat! There we go. A thing.

So lets jump inside.

Where in a moody dawn scene, Jarvis walks alone through a nearly empty Avengers mansion, little knowing he is being stalked until

RAWWR! IT IS CAT!

Tigra jumps out to do him a startle.

C’mon, Tigra. Be nice.

You’re the only Avenger actually staying in the mansion so try not to terrorize the butler.

And he was bringing you a glass of milk for your breakfast!

Although he says that he’s dealt with a lot of unsettling things and he’s learned to maintain him composure. He didn’t even spill a drop.

Jarvis: “I must say, madame, that I find you rather more unsettling than our previous resident Avengers!”

Tigra: “Oh? You a cat-lover, Jarv?”

AND DON’T FLIRT WITH HIM EITHER TIGRA GEEZ

Poor Jarvis is even allergic to cats which seems to include giant cat women.

Jarvis asks how she got this way, prompting Tigra to give a very laconic backstory that once there was a human Greer Nelson who got almost dead and then the cat-people saved her life by turning her into a cat-person.

Tigra: “And, so, here I am, one pretty kitty! But, c’mon, Jarv, does it matter how I got this sexy?”

Jarvis clarifies that he meant how she got this way as in her upbringing. Like, why you so rude.

I guess I’ll just be grateful that this is just playful Tigra flirtiness as opposed to ‘i must make out with someone 24/7 oh hey a supervillain sure I’ll make you with you’ hypersexuality she’d have while on the West Coast Avengers, in the future.

Elsewhere, Tony Stark is decompressing from his one night stand, Teri. Admiring her very comfy couch, grateful that she’s still asleep so he can sneak out (Tony, you cad), and lamenting being on the wagon. When all that’s left to drink is scotch, bourbon, and half a can of warm, flat Dr. Pepper, you drink that Dr. Pepper if you’re Tony Stark.

Tony calls his secretary to have a janitorial crew clean up after the party and to send up a dozen roses for Teri.

And then he flies out the window as Iron Man, the Man Who Kisses and Runs! as Teri wakes up and is like ‘hey tonykins what the hell was that whooshing sound?’

Tony, you cad.

And elsewhere meanwhile, Steve Rogers wakes up promptly at six o’clock in the damn morning bright as the sun and raring to go. Disgusting. Truly disgusting.

I joked about Steve getting up at 6 to run ten miles and whatever because of him criticizing Beast that time but its sickening to see it in action.

Anyway, after he damn sings in the shower like the perky morning man he is, he bounces out the window to the first Avengers meeting since the roster shake-up, musing how little they know about Tigra and how he’ll have to keep an eye on her because he doesn’t know if she’ll crack under pressure or not.

And then onto, ok wow, we are just having full pages of individual Avengers going about their mornings.

So we’re onto Normal Human Man Dr. Donald Blake reaching the end of the night shift he just pulled at a hospital.

Nurse Wilson pretty blatantly flirts with him (thinking to herself “C’mon, doc! Notice that I’m a woman! I dare you!”). Normal Human Man Dr. Donald Blake doesn’t seem to notice but his thoughts are on her, wishing he could take her out for lunch but that he has important Avengers business.

He then taps his walking stick and transforms into Thor and flies off towards the mansion.

And that brings us to Cresskill where Janet van Dyne aka the Wasp and Hank Pym aka Yellowjacket are going about their morning.

Befitting her blase attitude last issue, Jan just wants to stay in bed longer and cuddle but Hank is desperate not to be late to his first meeting as a newly active Avenger again.

So he’s in costume and ready to go while she’s still choosing which of her many many costumes to wear. Albeit with the ulterior motive that she’s trying to look good for him. She does put in like 90% of the effort into the relationship.

So she’s narrowed her choices down to a red and blue costume and a green and purple outfit that looks like maybe she raided the Green Goblin’s wardrobe. She asks Hank to decide for her.

And he does. In a sense.

He blasts the green and purple number to shreds and yells “Wear the other one!” and when she protests the destruction of her stuff he goes “So what? Like you said you’ve got lots!”

Hmm. We haven’t seen Hank in a while. And he didn’t talk much last issue what with all the Moondragoning. But he’s taken a bit of a level in being a jackass.

And then on the ride to the mansion, the limo gets stuck in traffic.

Yellowjacket: “That does it! You can ride in your blasted chauffeured limo so your two-hundred dollar hair-do doesn’t get mussed -- but I’m flying to Avengers Mansion under my own power!”

And then he ditches. He ditches hard. Leaving Wasp to fly after him begging him to wait.

You’re a bit of a rude, Hank.

Like Hank feared, the two do arrive late to the meeting and he is gently ribbed by sudden class clown Captain America.

Captain America: “Well, look who’s finally here! Now the Wasp has arrived with her new partner -- uh, Yellowjacket, right? We can get started!”

Is funny joke. Its been a time so they’re pretending he’s a new guy and ha ha he’s being described as Wasp’s partner instead of vice versa. What an upset.

And it is an upset. Tigra notices what the other Avengers seem to miss, that Cap’s joke just pissed Yellowjacket off.

And its not helped when Cap mentions that its time to elect a new chairman but Iron Man interrupts to say that he and Thor have agreed that its better for Cap to remain chairman. They did just reorganize the roster and all. Some stability is fine.

Thor: “We choose to waive the elections! Such is our right as founding members!”

And this sets Yellowjacket right the hell off.

Yellowjacket: “Is that so? Well, I resent not being consulted! As the Ant Man I was a founding member, too!”

Iron Man: “uh, of course Hank... you and the Wasp! But you came in late... we’d already decided...”

Yeah! The Wasp too!

But Yellowjacket has some kind of insect in his bonnet and he yells that he’s done being forgotten and treated as a has-been while Janet just silently cringes. She wonders what’s happened to the man she loves. And why he won’t let her reach him anymore.

The meeting continues but the scene transitions.

To a cottage in an isolated glade among the wooded hills of Virginia. Where the olde talking power couple of Gorn and Linnea wake up. Linnea wants to lay in bed with Gorn a while longer but he decides NAY TIME TO GET UP NOW.

Hey wait.

Hmmm.

I’m sensing... thematic parallels. I’m sure its nothing, though.

Anyway, Gorn is tired of living a quiet idyllic life in a beautiful glade with a woman who dearly loves him, as they’ve done for ten thousand years. His dander is up and he wants battles to fight and glory to win! He’s tired of being safe in the glade, protected by Linnea’s power. He’s a warrior, not a farmer!

(I see no evidence of farming around the cottage, just saying)

And since its either be ditched or go with him, Linnea decides to go with him.

Gorn: “You are beautiful in that gown, Linnea. Men shall again call you Elf-Queen as they did in ancient days!”

Linnea/Elf-Queen: “They also called me witch and devil-spawn! They are ever so cruel to my kind!”

Gorn: “Aye, and once we fled them! This time, if we must, we shall fight them!”

Ah, geez, Gorn. The cover implies this won’t go well for you.

So Gorn and Elf-Queen, him on foot and her on horseback) wander into Washington DC literally looking for trouble.

But before trouble, something to eat. Looking for an inn, they wander into a random restaurant.

Gorn, being Gorn, immediately starts yelling at the maitre d’, who he assumes is the innkeeper.

And here’s a bit of an interesting and not often used touch. Even though all speech bubbles are rendered without <> as is sometimes used to denote someone speaking a different language, Gorn and Elf-Queen Linnea are in fact speaking an ancient language.

Nobody can understand a thing they say.

And they can’t understand modern English.

This is a perfect setup for some farce.

Gorn ends up just yelling that he wants food and the maitre d’ gets the gist even though he doesn’t understand the words. This is Washington DC. A lot of people from other countries wander through. So he shows them to a table.

Linnea and Gorn decide that the maitre d’ is probably the innkeeper’s idiot brother. I mean, that’s probably why he can’t understand normal language, right?

And there’s more culture shock to be had. Linnea is realizing how differently dressed everyone is in this era. None of the men are even wielding swords!

Elf-Queen Linnea: “And the women, Gorn -- ! The way they’re dressed --! Like -- like harlots!”

Gorn: “Aye! Hmmm...” -totally staring at a butt and not paying attention-

Linnea: “Gorn... ?! I-if we stay here... would you like me to dress so? I do not know if I can learn the ways of these women... but for you my love, I would try! Gorn... ?”

Gorn: “Mmm...” -still not paying attention-

Linnea: (Oh, Gorn! For ten thousand years we have dwelt together in solitude, as one in our love! Am I to lose you now, here in this city of temptresses?)

Hmmm.... this reminds me of something.... but what?

A Barry Kaplan interrupts her inferiority anxiety by coming up and trying to hire her as a fashion model.

And neither Barry nor Linnea can understand each other still.

But she senses something of his intentions and warns him that this isn’t a good idea since she’s sitting next to a warrior and all.

Barry is like ‘maybe if I try other languages?’

And then Gorn notices. And Gorn is displeased.

Gorn: “NO ONE TOUCHES GORN’S WOMAN!”

Barry: “I warn you, I’ve had six jiu-jitsu lessons!”

Wow!

So Gorn gets up from that and just bodily lifts the guy over his head (Barry lamenting that he dropped out before jiu-jitsu lesson seven). But if you get the barbarian or warrior dropped into a modern setting trope they’re usually just way better than any soft modern man. So its funny to see this random dink get the better of Gorn, even if its just the preamble to what would have been Gorn delivering a thorough beatdown.

Its just not what you expect to see in this story.

Linnea magics Barry out of Gorn’s hands, trying to defuse the situation but Gorn interprets the situation as her ‘unmanning’ him.

Gorn: “Why, Linnea? Why do you seek to unman me? Is it not enough that your power has preserved my youth and kept me for centuries? Must you now interfere in my battles?”

Linnea meekly apologizes.

And then the maitre d’ comes pissed off that this loud, shouting weirdo started a fight and is going to call the police on them. Until Linnea goes ‘oh right we should pay for the damage we caused’ and gives the maitre d’ a gold and diamond necklace.

And the maitre d’ mentally goes cha-ching and reroutes an order about to be served to give to the big spending non-English speaking weirdos.

When Gorn and Elf-Queen finally leave the restaurant wouldn’t you know it, someone stole their damn horse!

What kind of city is it where you can’t leave a horse tied to a parking meter without someone making off with it??

Linnea once again is like ‘hey lets go home to our nice glade where nobody ever stole our horse’

Gorn: “It is your home, Linnea, where I am but a guest -- nay, a pet kept by your grace. Ages ago, I was a renowed warrior, honored and feared by nations and kings! If I am to be a man in my own eyes I must regain the glory I once knew!”

And then a cop comes up to Gorn because you can’t just carry a sword around Washington DC.

Gorn: “Eh? His words are gibberish but the intent is clear! This blue-clad warrior issues me a challenge! Have at thee scoundr- AHH!”

And then the cop just maces Gorn.

Its not funny like the talent agent tossing him into a salad bowl because: cops. Its still a little funny because: Gorn.

Anyway, while Gorn is screaming and coughing the cop just slaps some handcuffs on him.

And Linnea magics the cop away from her boyfriend and worries over him.

Given this new horrible thing that has happened to them, another in a line of horrible things happening to them once they left their home, Linnea begs Gorn again to give up this quest to fight a random thing to make himself feel manly.

Linnea: “I am so worried, Gorn! The world has grown so strange! There is so much here that we do not understand! Please, let us go back before something terrible befalls us!”

He again refuses and she asks if he would die for his pride.

So he slaps her across the face.

And after all that she’s meekly gone along with his whims and tantrums and whatever else ways to describe Gorn’s exceptionally gornish way of being, she draws the line here.

Linnea: “Go ahead, Gorn -- stay! Win your stupid ‘glory’! I do not care! Farewell!”

And she just walks away into the sky, twinkle, because she can do that.

When she’s too far to hear he whispers an apology but its too late and he sadly trudges off alone into the city.

Wow, that was six pages of just Gorn and Linnea, Elf-Queen. That’s nearly a fourth of the whole issue! We spend a lot of time with these two new characters!

Back at Avengers Mansion, Iron Man and Yellowjacket prep the Quinjet to fly.

Wasp: “You mean we’re going all the way to Washington, D.C. just because somebody there claims they saw a woman walking on air? What’s new about that? I do it every time my sweetie Hank gives me a wink! Then, again, they do have some wonderful stores there! Last time I went there I bought six fur coats!”

Tigra: “Sounds expensive! I’m lucky! Mine’s built in!”

Iron Man chimes in that the air-walking woman also assaulted a cop so clearly this looks like a job for the Avengers.

But when they finish up checking the Quinjet, Yellowjacket says that he’s discovered the ‘sonomodulator circuit’ on his disruptor gun is acting up.

He’s pretty sure he can fix it but Wasp chimes in with a more different idea.

Wasp: “I’ll just ring up Jeeves over at the East Side Penthouse! He can grab one of those doohickies from your lab there and zip right over in the limo! It’ll just take a few minutes!”

Yellowjacket: “You love doing that, don’t you? You love taking every opportunity to flaunt your blasted money! Well, I don’t need your butlers, your cars or your money -- and I don’t need you!”

And Wasp runs off crying that she only wanted to help. Yellowjacket storms into the Quinjet telling the other Avengers to forget Wasp and get going.

Making the other Avengers feel very awkward about witnessing this fight. Cap even feels as if he should do something but doesn’t know what since its a personal matter.

A suggestion? Mandated couples counseling since this kind of thing could affect the team, will be the reason you give? Like. This clearly is something that’s going to cause trouble. Get ahead of it, Cap.

Meanwhile, back in Washington D.C. because yes Gorn didn’t just walk out of the book forever alone. He walked into a very honestly uncomfortably stereotypical gang who decide hey maybe we should mug that guy with the sword, it’ll probably pawn for something.

Gorn still can’t understand a thing anyone says but they’re carrying weapons and finally here’s a situation he understands. And finally he also doesn’t get played for a chump. He just wades into the crowd of six and starts laying them out with his bare hands.

This is what you’d typically see for a warrior type dropped into modern world thing.

Oh and then the cops hear the fight and go hey its that guy with the sword that there was an APB about.

And Gorn goes, hey its guys wearing the same livery of the guy that got me with that stinging vapor. Time to run at them with a sword.

So they shoot him five times.

And he dies.

It turns out that Linnea has been watching Gorn from a distance this whole time, apparently unwilling to actually ditch. So she sees him get gunned down.

She floats down from the sky to his side and realizes that he is already dead. The cops mistake sky woman for an angel (but there was an APB out for Gorn so why didn’t the flying woman warrant a mention?) but if Linnea is, she’s an avenging one.

She turns on the cops with her magic and makes them sink up to their necks into the concrete.

Elf-Queen: “Are you begging? It is for naught! He’s dead! DEAD! My love is dead -- and this city, this world shall PAY!”

And she turns her magic on Washington D.C., blasting a building and a helicopter, lashing out in grief at the world that killed her dickbag boyfriend.

This is when the Avengers finally arrive to the Plot, in this Avengers book.

The Avengers just see someone breaking property and go to stop her.

Captain America: “Avengers... attack!”

Of course, Tony being Tony, and kind of a loose man immediately gets distracted at the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

Iron Man: “Excuse me, miss! Couldn’t we discuss whatever’s bothering you... say, over dinner at the diplomat club?”

Its... not a bad idea. A little bit of empathy. Its just his motive that’s bad.

And also, his inability to speak ancient languages. Elf-Queen still can’t understand a thing anyone says. She does think a flying man in armor is something Gorn would have liked. But that just makes her mad.

So she magics a railing to wrap up Iron Man.

Thor grabs Elf-Queen from behind, pulling her arm behind her back. Its strikingly reminiscent of the Standard Female Grab Area trope but Elf-Queen doesn’t believe in that trope.

Elf-Queen: “You are strong, jackal! Your strength might have been enough to hold even me -- had you not presumed I was as frail as I appear!”

And she throws Thor into what is probably a monument.

Hmm, Iron Man and Thor got dunked so far because they really underestimated this woman because she’s a woman. Maybe don’t do that?

Meanwhile, Yellowjacket is thinking that this is his chance to prove what a star he is, if he’s the one that takes the threat down with his disruptor blast.

While Elf-Queen distracts herself with the dropped Mjolnir, Yellowjacket tries to shoot her with his disruptor from behind.

But it shorts out again!

Maybe he should have gotten the replacement part instead of trying to jury-rig a repair!

Elf-Queen senses the power in Mjolnir and tries to pick it up to better smash the world but finds she can’t lift it.

She guesses that there’s some enchantment on it since it doesn’t crumble the ground beneath it.

So she magics the ground to form a hand to grab and lift Mjolnir.

And then she hits Thor in the face with his own hammer. Hah.

Another for the list of silly Mjolnir loopholes.

Linnea monologues about her backstory because. Look. She may not be a villain. And people may not be able to understand a word she says. But people in comics have to comic.

Elf-Queen: “I am Linnea, called Elf Queen and great is the power I was born with! It transported my love and me across the ocean to this land ages ago in search of solitude! It preserved our youth! It kept us hidden when civilization spread its taint hither! The forces, forms and sustenance of the world bend to my will -- but all my power cannot help my Gorn now! Now, my gift serves only as a means for vengeance!”

Iron Man manages to tear free of the railing wrapped around him just as Tigra loudly pounces at Elf-Queen.

And Elf-Queen just gestures and sends Tigra flying into the air. High, high into the air. So high, so into the air that Iron Man has to fly after her to make sure Tigra doesn’t end up asphyxiating in space.

With all of the other Avengers out of action (or standing around uselessly like Yellowjacket), Elf-Queen turns out wrath on Captain America.

She blasts a building, sending a whole wall at him.

Cap dodges through the rain of rubble and berates himself. He realizes that he should have attacked sooner but he’s been holding back, trying to figure things out.

She’s speaking a language that doesn’t sound like any he knows of. Her clothes seem to be of ancient design. And he’s wondering if she maybe just popped out of the past, somehow surviving from some age undreamt of.

And hey, relatable, kinda. He spent decades in suspended animation.

Elf-Queen throws a lake of fire between her and Cap and Cap figures hey she’ll expect me to go around. So he jumps over it, doing her a startle.

Cap: “Good! I took her completely off guard! This is a perfect chance -- to show her that we want only peace!”

So he stands in front of her, hands to his side, palms showing. Showing no aggression.

Elf-Queen: “You did not strike when you had the opportunity! I could slay you easily now! Unflinchingly you face death! How like... my Gorn... my brave warrior!”

The fight could have ended here. Could. Could have. Could’ve.

Because Yellowjacket has been focused entirely on fixing his disruptor this whole time and has not paid any attention to how the fight has been going.

So when he gets the disruptor fixed, he doesn’t think ‘oh hey Cap is standing there and nobody is currently fighting!’ he thinks ‘wow this is a really easy shot’ and shoots Elf-Queen in the back.

And turns out that Linnea - a person who can toss Thor around - can also weather a disruptor. So she’s just mad. Furiously.

She figures that Cap’s courage was just a bold ruse. So she’s going to kill him. AFTER she throws a car at Yellowjacket.

Yellowjacket: “Oh, no! My sting’s shorted out again! No time to dodge! I’ll be crushed!”

But before Hank can be crushed like some kind of insect, can’t really think of a specific example, he is saved by Jan, who comes out of nowhere and blasts the car away with all of her might.

And apparently car blasting is under that umbrella.

But it takes it out of her and she weakly flutters to the ground.

Hank has mixed feelings about not being dead.

Yellowjacket: “You -- you saved me! You shattered the truck with your bio-electric sting! You saved me! You! She must have followed us down here... probably chartered a plane! She followed us down here, and when I was dead meat for sure, she saved me! Why her? WHY?”

Where are you in your life where you have to ask that, Hank?

Elf-Queen is like well that just happened but I’m just going to try to kill him again.

But Cap jumps in front of her again and very assertively non-aggressives.

Captain America: “Don’t do it! Don’t you see? It was a mistake -- an accident! If only you could understand me! Don’t kill him!”

Elf-Queen: “You dare stand in my way? Can you not see the rage in my eyes?”

But nonetheless, she subsides. The Avengers all re-assemble, ready to rush her but Cap tells them to stand down.

Elf-Queen Linnea starts crying and just walks away from the team.

Feeling a bit awkward, Cap decides to follow her to see what’s what. And they find her crying over Gorn.

Thor: “A fallen warrior! Her husband, perchance?”

Captain America: “Somehow I -- I think I knew! I mean... I’m not surprised! She seemed... grief-stricken!”

Iron Man: “I -- I wonder how this all came to pass?”

They’ll probably never know. The shot isn’t wide enough to say for sure but I think that if the Avengers saw, they’d say. I’m pretty sure those cops Linnea sank into the concrete have finished sinking. So it goes.

Cap says he’s sorry for what happened, knowing that his words will probably mean nothing to her. Language gap and all.

Linnea: “I hear compassion in your voice, brave champion! Is there such a thing in this cold, cruel place, save in your own heart? I cannot forgive your world for what it has taken from me.. but, for you, who are so much alike my beloved... for you, I will go in peace... for now!”

Yeah. She’s never coming back.

This is her and Gorn’s only appearance.

So despite Tigra wondering if she’ll be back and despite Iron Man’s suspicion that she might be a mutant, it doesn’t matter.

She’s done her role in the narrative and she’s gone.

But as the Avengers try to figure out what this was all about, Wasp looks at Yellowjacket with worry. For the issue ends with him still consumed in bitter thoughts and oblivious to Wasp.

And the big next time teaser says COURT MARTIAL! so. Yeah.

We’re coming on to a storyline that anyone who knows at least two things about Hank Pym knows. You probably already know it or will be able to guess it.

I was familiar with this story but only the moment where Hank shoots Elf-Queen in the back and makes things worse for himself. I hadn’t absorbed via osmosis how much of a shit he was being throughout. And nobody ever talks about Gorn.

Which is a shame.

The title of the issue comes right out and connects the obvious dots.

“Men of deadly pride!”

And that can only be Hank Pym and Gorn.

Much of this issue doesn’t actually feature the Avengers. There’s this long stretch in the middle that just has Gorn and Linnea leaving their home, traveling to the big city, Gorn’s attitude getting worse and worse, and finally his death.

Its clear enough that Gorn represents Hank Pym.

Hank rails against Janet for flaunting her money and emotionally withdraws from her and even becomes angry with her. He rankles at the idea he might be perceived her partner instead of vice versa. Feels he’s not being given the respect he deserves.

While Gorn resents that Linnea is the one caring for him. He emotionally withdraws from her. He perceives himself a pet to her. That he was once renowned and desperately needs to regain his glory.

And he just gets angrier when Linnea has to rescue him from his dumb mistakes.

Much like Jan had to rescue Hank in this issue, something that basically made Hank check out of the rest of the issue.

I don’t know what Gorn may have been like ten thousand years ago that Linnea sees him in Captain America most, but he’s a shadow for Hank Pym.

And what’s interesting is how the story looks at Gorn and his machismo. His obsessive preoccupation with proving himself. The story highlights the problems he creates for himself eventually leading to his death. It shows a person that just can’t live in the modern world.

And then the story looks at Hank Pym. One of the 60s style manly men holdovers. Paints him in much the same light. And seems to ask. “Can you live in the modern world?”

The question is in the air.

Its not particularly deep symbolism. But it surprised me that nobody ever mentions it.

Interestingly, if Hank is Gorn then Jan is Linnea. Their personalities are different enough that this might seem strange.

But they both draw the line in a similar place with their partners.

And there was a What If? based on this issue What If? #35 where Hank did die, much as Gorn did. And Wasp became an avenging angel of her own. Taking the identity of Black Wasp and brutally attacking criminals.

She even contemplates letting Cap be killed by falling debris, blaming him for Hank’s death.

All I can say is that this has been one awkward first day for Tigra.

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#Avengers #Elf Queen and Gorn #Yellowjacket #the Wasp #Captain America #essential avengers #Thor #Iron Man #Tigra #essential marvel liveblogging #tigra has a very cat first day #Jarvis not even drop #some thematic similarities happen and they're unfavorable to hank #captain america uses that empathy #its super effective #shooter ain't wasting any time

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