#but no we really do have a lingering shot of him standing there crying and their relationship just returns to normal afterwards

[basingstokemercury]

Are you happy, Miles? You broke him. Look him in the eye.

Is it really that hard to trust someone who's meant to be your friend?

You don't seem to have much respect for his kindness, considering it's what you have to thank for somehow not ending your relationship.

I mean. Look at him. I can hardly bear to, and I'm on his side here.

After Profit And Loss with Garak's almost-betrayal, I expressed curiosity about seeing Julian's reaction to being openly betrayed by someone.

In Hippocratic Oath, I got my wish. And immediately regretted it.

If only they hadn't ignored it ever happened except when convenient in Inquisition.

Because I couldn't just move on after seeing that.

And it felt strange the show expected me to.

Yes, in episodic shows, characters can do drastic things and have things just return to normal.

But this is season 4. We haven't been episodic anymore for a long time now.

Surely something that changes how the audience sees a character ought to change how the characters see each other?

[iambilliejeanok]

can you please write headcanons on how the Akatsuki eat out their fem s/o? Thank you.

Yes I can, you’re welcome🌸

🌸How the Akastuki members eat out fem reader🌸

Feature: Pein||Kakuzu||Hidan||Sasori||Itachi||Kisame

Warnings: 🔞, NSFW, content might be unsuitable for some viewers, contains taboo/explicit scenes that some might find disturbing, darcyphillia, female cunnilingus, UNEDITED, the whole thing is about pussy eating, all consensual scenarios.

No artwork presented here belongs to me

💗Enjoy💗

Pein

We love Pein we really do, but dear lawd, he knows how to torture you. Pein is such a dirty tease. He’s so bad, you might even end up crying, the remainder of the session.

With his mouth literally watering, this is tough on him too, spit casually sliding off of his tongue and onto your vulva, while he’s softly biting and sucking the skin surrounding your genitalia, leaving small hickies behind and NEVER touching your clit.

If you’re strong willed enough, screaming at him and tugging on his dry orange hair might direct his attention to your suffering, but that also really annoys him, and now a lingering kiss is all he leaves you with, your hips would’ve shot up if he wasn’t holding them down, but your poor clit is way too sensitive that just the contact of his soft lips against your clit nearly took you out.

“Pein! Baby I can’t stand this! Please!!!”, you desperately beg him, unashamedly attempting to shove your clit in his mouth but you can’t even get close, he’s freakishly strong. He’s eyebrows now lower and he’s purely disappointed. “If I give you want you want you’re still going to bother me. Why can’t you give in to me?”, he asks, and lawd knows you couldn’t give a flying fuck right now, he needs to get serious.

But this is his little game, to see how much he can torture you, purple eyes refocusing on your pussy. Here’s a good reason as to why he admires edging you so much, you’re so incredibly wet, and when he separates your folds to get a good look at you, it’s all goey and sticky, and he absentmindedly starts licking a trail up and down every inch of your exposed vulva, every lick setting your entire body ablaze, Pein shoving his tongue as deep as it can go inside of you as he continues licking up, but he stops just below your clit his eyes blissfully shut and his head in another world as he takes his sweet time to taste every inch of you.

There’s no level of horny greater than this for you and Pein is hard enough to break something with his erection. He’s definitely not sorry for putting you through this and for a matter of fact, he had you right where he needs you. He’s managed to reduce you to a desperate mess, your pussy is dripping with your arousal and he’s looking right back at your hole, watching it contract and expand as though it’s begging him too. He knows it’s begging him. Now he can mess with you.

Kakuzu

First of all, Kakuzu towers over you, his impressive frame and bulky size means he can easily manhandle you regardless of your size, and we know this grumpy piece of sexyness takes advantage of that too.

He’s so serious though, but he loves your personality, whatever it is. He doesn’t typically make any sounds outside of heavy breathing when the two of you have sex, and you’re always the one reaching the high notes.

Kakuzus approach to eating you out is definitely different from Peins, because Kakuzu doesn’t have the time of day to edge you. He’s a dangerous assassin and only enjoys making money the easiest way he knows how, so he always needs to stay alert and be on guard, even in the comfort of your own bedroom while his head is buried between you legs.

He’s very intentional and to the point, he wants you to start crying out his name with ragged screams RIGHT NOW😭This man has no general idea of how to initiate anything sexual so he just scoops you up, throwing you over his shoulder wherever you are. He places you down anywhere comfortable enough for you lay down, and he’s immediately pushing your thighs up and spreading your legs. He also ALWAYS just moves your panties to the side because he doesn’t have time to get all romantic with you, but he also really wants to make you feel good🥺 he really tries his best to make you feel good, if only it didn’t have to be so spontaneous and intense all the time

The pad of his thumb is already rubbing your clit in circles. Now you know he’s insanely good at this, so the minute he throws you over his shoulder, your pussy is already growing moist with every passing second. He’s not a fan of dirty talk but sometimes he’ll comment on how you’re already creamed up at this point. If only he understood his own power😭😭

With his focus on your beautiful face, he spits right onto your clit and you can’t help but moan at the sensation of the cold spit landing on clit, but he’s massaging your clit again with his thumb, his free hand working in ripping your top in half so he can free your titties. Kakuzu gets so horny when you let him play with you, because it’s not like he can just do this whenever he wants. Biting your lip to stifle a moan at the contact of his open palm kneading your boob would work if the speed of his thumb in your clit didn’t increase, and you’re moaning loudly now, his focused facial expression relaxing with a smirk pulling at his lips before he buries his head between your thighs, tongue fucking you to an orgasm, and you’re already throwing your head back, overwhelmed with Kazuzu’s intensity and aggressiveness as he licks and sucks on your clit, your screams like a beautiful play that he gets to orchestrate, knowing what to do to get what kind of reaction.

Your orgasm are always so long and intense because he’s constantly stimulating something. If he’s sucking your soul out of your clit he’s also tongue fucking you, his fingers helping out to stimulate your gspot while he’s free hand keeps you spread just enough to lick every inch of you. HE LOVES EATING YOUR WHOLE ASS OUT OKAY. He’s so strong it’s left you with a little bit of an obsession towards his touch. He lifts your ass up easily enough with how he pushes your thighs open and by the time he’s getting around to lapping the crack of your ass and circling your anus you’re a complete mess. You’re squirting, screaming and shaking but it’s barely been three minutes…he has the time to go a little longer. 5 minutes, maybe 6 since he’s feeling extra relaxed at this point.

Sasori

He’s so sick and evil please😭😭 why does getting your pussy ate out have to be so intense and overwhelming. And you might need to endure a little bit of pain to experience those orgasms that make you feel like you’re turning into another creature. He loves to study you and your body, how certain things will drive you crazy and how other things you can handle better.

Sasori is surprisingly a loyal pleaser, he always strives to send you over the moon and he now understands that the more pleasure you experience the easier it is for you to handle penetration. He loves penetrating you while eating you out, yes with his fingers and they feel so good you can literally envision the way he makes you feel, but he also gets a kick out of seeing the toys he meticulously designed fit inside of you, one inside your anus and one inside your vagina. The one inside your vagina just vibrates, starting from a low buzz and gradually growing more intense, that you’ll eventually have orgasms that could last the whole session, while the you that goes inside your vagina is the one he plays around with, fucking you with it while he devours your clit. Sometimes he will pull the toy inside your vagina out to replace it with his own tongue and slurp up the mess you’re making. 😭🙈

Hidan

Hidan loves spanking yes, but not he’s not about your ass. When you’re enjoying an intense orgasm, crying, or fussing enough to annoy him, especially while he’s in the zone, spreading your lips apart to directly stimulate your exposed bean, but gentle licks is enough to send you into spasms. When it gets difficult to keep you in one position, he straightens up and smacks your titties, loves to slap both of them, until your promise him you’ll sit still. You know the drill.

But the reality is you’re not going to be able to stay in one position with how he’s not giving your a break, constantly licking your vulva, unintentionally stimulating your g spot every time his tongue slips inside of you, taking his sweet time, his eyes shut to really taste you. So he opens his eyes and frowns, sitting upright to start smacking your breasts again.

He makes you cry when he does this because it’s really not fair, and damn you because your years will tug at his heart enough to convince him you deserve a break. He’s actually kinda sweet though, because when you begin to really cry and beg him to wait, he will find something else to do until you’re ready for round two, massaging your boob in one hand while he’s warm mouth is suckling the other, and your beautiful skin is always covered in dark patches from the millions of of hickies he leaves all over you, especially your chest and neck area when he’s giving you a break.

In between kisses he checks on you. “Hey”, he whispers as to not startle you, your eyes fluttering as they open up to see him. You should answer him when he’s done planting soft kisses against your softer lips. “hey”, you respond in the softest voice, he immediately has the urge to wrap his arms around you, squeezing you tight. “Intense right.. babyy, are you okay?”, he whispers in your ear. “Yes I’m okay, thank you”. “May I continue?”, he asks placing a kiss against your temple, already leaving a trail of kiss as he repositions himself between your legs.

This time around he’s a little meaner, praising you for constantly squirting on him while he’s devouring you, your orgasms so intense it doesn’t take too long for you to start throwing another tantrum. He’s so good at handling you🥺

Itachi

Itachi🥺 he loves talking to you during foreplay. He’s also constantly flirting with you, that probably explains why you’re always horny. He knows what he’s doing because Itachi LOVES pleasuring you with his mouth. Whether it’s verbally or physically, he never fails to make you feel so so good.

Itachi will eat you until a whiny mess and he talks you through all of it. “Tachi!’ I can’t take it uhhhh!!!!”, you whine, Itachi not stopping the stroke of his tongue against your clit until you have this orgasm. He doesn’t like ruining your orgasms, so he’s rather just make you nut and give you a break after, no matter how intense the orgasm is. You’re going to have it until you calm yourself. “There you go sweet girl”, he pants, mesmerized by the way you’re squirting and the noises you’re making, screaming while he’s literally just watching you cum. “Baby”, he smiles, “I love watching my pretty girl squirt like this. Thank you baby”. “I- o-okay—“, you try and speak but that orgasm was rather overwhelming.

Your inability to get yourself together always amuses him, he loves doing this to you. “My pretty girl”, he says, leaning forward to finally kiss you, his fingers slowly separating your folds, the pad of his middle finger rubbing your clit in left to right strokes, the speed increasing, quickly leaving you unable to kiss him in return. He smiles again, amused. Your clit is so sensitive and you’re so sweet and responsive, the demon inside of him wants to come out and play. Now even though you’re screaming from such simple actions, he still wants to see you have another orgasm, despite the intensity.

But he’s loving and sweet with how he handles the situation you don’t realize he’s the reason why you find yourself able to make it to orgasm number 4 in just one round😫

Kisame

Like Kakuzu, Kisame is also really tall and bulky, and uses that to his advantage whenever he can, even when he’s trying to pleasure his precious lover😞

He loves him some foreplay and loves using his fingers before he finishes you off with his mouth. He loves you between his thighs with you back resting against his chest, and with his free hand leading your boobs, his other hand is rapidly flicking at your clitoris, bringing you to multiple orgasms while you squirm and convulsive between his legs, yet he easily holds you snug against him. He might even place his own legs over yours and bring you to another orgasm. You’re guaranteed to squirt when he bullies you like this. Sometimes he would make you sit on his dick while he does this to your poor clit, but let’s get into that some other time…

He loves for you to sit on his face, sit on his face and ride him. Don’t stop though because that might aggravate him😭 and slowly make him feel like he has to be a little more aggressive. “Cmon baby, what’s the matter?”, he frowns, smacking your ass hard before sitting you right back on his mouth, the grip of his hands on your hips is so strong you don’t even try and escape, succumbing to your fate of back breaking orgasms. Tomorrow your back will certainly remind you of this moment right here with how often you arch. But you’re grateful for your morning yoga sessions because those help a lot with any body aches you might have, unless Kisame walks in on you in that downward dog position, then he suddenly wants to do some yoga with you. You both know why he’s really here and it’s going to end with his head between your thighs.

But if it’s not for face riding please let him eat you out on all fours. Lawd he’s so aggressive and might make you wanna tap out from the overstimulation. And in this position you’re so exposed, he buries his face nose between your ass cheeks, might enjoy sniffing your anus while he’s devouring you, his tongue lapping at your clit while he shakes his head, making all kinds of grunt and groaning sounds to show you how much he’s enjoying this. And while you’re pushing his head band begging him to stop he makes more sounds while casually smacking your hands out the way.

He can and will tongue fuck you to tears carefully observing your face while he shoves it inside of you with force, making you crumble and cum right then and there.

[l5byrinth]

safe and sound

“you'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.”

pairing: finnick odair x reader

summary: in which finnick shows up at your doorstep and vents his heart out.

warnings/contains: fluff, idk tbh lmk if i should add more

requested

a/n: i combined this with another request bc they were quite similar but tysm for the requests anons 🫶🏼 btw i didn’t really know how to end it im so sorryyy it’s bad. actually this entire one shot is bad 😭

As the sun set, you watched it from behind glass, captivated by the colours adorning the sky. It was something you rarely did, mostly because you had an insanely busy schedule as a former victor who lived in the capitol.

A knock on your door, however, ruined the one moment you had on your own. With a sigh, you walked towards the door, wondering who was visiting you at this hour. When you opened, you were surprised when you were met with Finnick. Yes, the Finnick Odair. The victor from district four who you had grown a fond friendship with. And had on whom you had a secret little crush on. “Hi, finn?” You questioned, rather than said, wondering why he was at your doorstep out of the blue.

Your relationship with Finnick was… difficult. The two of you had shared a kiss and admitted your feelings to each other before, but nothing really came from it. Mostly because you were both scared what would happen when the friendship you shared would blossom into something more. Besides, you hadn’t talked to him for quite some time.

And yet here he was standing silently in front of you. There was something about him that just didn’t sit right with you. His usual cocky and confident attitude, was replaced with an entirely different one. “Well, come in.” The door creaked when you opened it further and you cringed at the sound of it. He walked towards your living space, as if he had already been here countless of times, which he had of course.

It was like his second home before it got complicated between the two of you.

You closed the door behind you, before following him, a million questions filling your head. He didn’t utter a word, staring at the same sunset you had been watching only a minute ago. “Finnick, is everything alright?”

And it was as if that was his tipping point, because he suddenly stumbled into your arms. You were taken aback, that’s for sure, but you hugged him tight nevertheless. You cooed sweet nothings as tears left his eyes like a waterfall. While soothingly rubbing his back, you let him cry his eyes out, not caring that your sweater was now soaking wet from his tears.

“Finn, whatever it is, just let it out.” You said softly, waiting for him to have cried it all out. The man holding onto you for dear life felt ashamed for breaking down like this. But after what he had been through that night, he just couldn’t bottle it up anymore like he usually did. And when he realised it, the only person who he would want by his side was you.

“Sorry.” Finnick mumbled with his head rested on your shoulder. And if you weren’t so close to him, you probably wouldn’t have heard it. He pulled away, one of his hands lingering on your waist, as he wiped the tears on his cheeks with the other. He had been looking down the entire time, but when he finally looked up at you, you could see the pain and fatigue in his eyes. “Oh, finnick.” You put your hand on his cheek and he leaned into the comforting touch.

After he had calmed down, the two of you sat down on your couch. The same couch you were sat at when you finally admitted your feelings. But none of that was important at the moment. Finnick told you about everything he had been going through since he became a victor at the age of fourteen. The man in front of you told things you could never imagine anyone to go through. Your heart broke for Finnick the more he explained and you wished you had noticed this all sooner.

You drew him in for another hug, telling him you would do anything for him. You assured him, “We will get through this together and make sure nothing happens to you anymore. I’m here for you, Finn. And whatever you need, you can ask me.” Finnick nodded knowingly, wiping away the tears that had fallen down your face because of his story, “I know, love. You always are.”

“I know it’s hard, but whatever happens, you’re safe and sound. With me.” You grabbed ahold of his hands and pecked his knuckles lovingly, his heart skipping a beat. A small grateful smile made its way onto his face as he drew you in closer, wrapping his arms around you while you rested your head on his chest. It was as if a weight had fallen off of his shoulder and he let out a contented sigh.

He indeed felt safe and sound. With you.

[makeste]

So... How was watching that episode?

I meant to do a post on this sooner, as opposed to late on a Friday night hours before the next episode drops (eta: well apparently there's no new ep airing this week after all so that makes my timing slightly less atrocious), but yeah. basically I loved it. it hurt in all the right ways.

music was incredible. no shot it was ever not going to be incredible. Hayashi Yuuki thank you for always making my emotions your bitch.

there are admittedly a couple of moments in the anime which I felt weren't quite as impactful as they were in the manga. one of these is the moment when Jeanist, after seeing that Kacchan is (he thinks) traumatized and crying, immediately shifts gears from trying to hype him back up to return to the battle, and instead starts reassuring him that he's done enough and he doesn't have to fight anymore and they'll figure out a way without him. when I first read that part in the manga it absolutely slaughtered me. it's so rare to see media that stars young adults as the protagonists, and portrays them as capable young warriors, and yet also acknowledges that even so, they're still just kids. and to then surround said kids with adults who aren't dumbed down, and who are actually smart and capable and who are actively looking out for them and trying to protect them even though the kids are more OP than they are.

so to have a character that looks at someone like Bakugou and sees past how powerful and determined and ferocious he is, and instead just sees a kid who has been so incredibly brave and who they've asked so much of already. and to have that character make the on-the-spot decision to pull this kid out of the fight, regardless of the consequences, even if it means they might LOSE, just because he thinks the kid is hurt and scared and past his limits, and he needs someone to look out for him. that moment says everything about what kind of person Jeanist is. just, that one part got to me so much.

BUT, in the anime it all happens much faster and the moment gets kind of lost because Kacchan almost immediately starts doing his Deku-style muttering, and Jeanist quickly realizes that his initial read was wrong and this kid is actually FULLY AND COMPLETELY LOCKED IN MORE THAN EVER. which is exactly what happens in the manga as well, to be fair. but in the manga I got to read and absorb it at my own pace, whereas the anime just keeps on going with no concern over whether you've had enough time to process everything that's going on. and so that moment just kind of slips by, and almost isn't even noticeable unless you're looking out for it. it's not really a complaint, because there isn't really any other way the scene could be adapted, probably. but it does give me a good excuse to write a mini-essay about how much I love it, so yeah.

moving on though, in spite of my wishing we could have somehow lingered on that part a second or two longer, I did absolutely love the reveal of Kacchan mumbling and analyzing Deku-style. the first of many outstanding Okamoto Nobuhiko performances in this episode. full nerd powers activated. we'd already seen him do this in Bakugou Katsuki: Rising as well, but this is where it really stands out and it was awesome.

and by the way, shout out to the Big Three who are fucking great. eventually when I get around to posting my manga recaps for this part of the story, those will get more into their antics. for now though, I'll just say that everything was very well adapted. and the part where poor Mirio is all "???? sorry????" when TomurAFO has his brief little Tenko outburst was everything I hoped it would be, and Mirio's actor absolutely nailed it. like I knew it was coming and was anticipating it, and it still slayed me. easily a top five funniest moment in the whole damn series.

Kacchan standing up and telling Jeanist to look after the others filled me with just as much dread as the first time I read it. and the first time I read it, I had already been spoiled. so what I'm trying to say is, knowing what's about to happen does not in any way lessen the intensity of this moment. if anything it just enhances it.

the reveal of Kacchan's powerup was so incredibly badass. I can't even describe how badass it was. just, BOOM. now you see me, now you don't. LA DEE DA, HERE I AM! and the narration in the background talking about his quirk. chef's kiss.

no matter how many anime characters I see pulling off the omae wa mou shindeiru, I will never, ever tire of it. it's the single most badass thing anyone can ever do. especially when they were being underestimated the entire fucking time, and now all of a sudden they're out here scaring the shit out of the big bad himself. no one is faster than Kacchan. KACCHAN CAN RUN FASTER THAN ALL OF YOU. HE CAN FUCKING FLY!! HE'S BEHIND YOU RIGHT NOW!! GOD I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

and then Nobu hits us with the coup de grace. "Izuku… can I still catch up to you?" fellas is it gay to spend your last thirty seconds of life having an imaginary conversation with your beloved rival even as you're zapping around like a bolt of lightning, kicking more ass than anyone on earth has ever kicked.

and I was already dead by this point, but then the All Might vestige scene kicked in and resuscitated me so I could die again even harder. worth it.

so what really killed me nineteen times during this part was the way that Kacchan sounded so completely and utterly different from how he has ever sounded before. this is a scene that's taking place entirely in his head (or… in OFA land… maybe???? goddammit Horikoshi still owes us an explanation. THAT VESTIGE SHOULD NOT BE THERE I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS). there's nobody else around. nobody to perform for. nobody to show off or look tough for. it's just him, and this big mysterious yellow All Might ghost thing.

and he sounds like an entirely different person. nervous, shy, sheepish. no crudeness, no insults. just, aw shucks. hand to back of neck. avert eyes. so this is kind of awkward, but... the thing is, I always wanted to... but I was such a brat when we first met... and I just never found the right moment after... anyway yeah I'm sorry and it's really dumb. but I really just. wanted to get your autograph.

just. this is him at his most sincere. this is who he's always been, all along. the one and ONLY time we've ever gotten a glimpse of him with absolutely no walls. and he is NOTHING like what he presents himself as to the outside world. he is sweet, he is gentle, he is self-effacing. he is painfully vulnerable, which is doubtless why he never dares to show this side of himself to anybody, ever. and he is ultimately so calmly accepting of this one last regret during what he believes are his final moments.

anyway. so yeah. it destroyed me. what else is there to say.

and then it happens. and once again, not to shit on the anime at all because this episode was fantastic, but this was another part that seemed much clearer in the manga. particularly that one page where we see that everyone else -- Jeanist; Mirio; Hadou; Tamaki; even Mirko -- tried to save Katsuki from that final blow, but they were all just a split second too late. the anime did its best to show that, but I think it was just harder to convey in that format. whereas the manga did it beautifully in a way that couldn't really be replicated.

but on the other hand, one thing the anime did VERY well was showing Kacchan's ragdoll body just flop lifelessly away afterwards. holy shit. I watched like a half dozen reaction videos to this episode on Youtube, and in most of them the anime viewers didn't quite realize how bad of a hit it was at first… until they showed that. then they were like, D: D: D:

and then last but not least… the image that broke the internet so hard that it spoiled me even in my paranoid social media isolation. Kacchan lying lifelessly on the ground. it's such a well-drawn panel in the manga, and the anime absolutely did it justice. having him be so pale was a wonderful touch. you see him, and you just immediately know. there's no room for doubt at all. it's powerful af. the Youtuber reactors all lost their minds. one woman actually started sobbing. phenomenal cinema.

so yeah! needless to say I thought it was spectacular. pour one out for the anime-onlys though. and now their watch begins.

[ape-apocalypse]

There's been a lot of talk about Mae since Kingdom's release and she seems to be the character most people are split on, especially with the ending. After much pondering, here are my own thoughts about her, the alternate ending that almost was, and her path in upcoming movies. Spoilers ahead!

Straight to the point, I liked her character. In a lot of ways, she reminded me of Caesar. Her entire goal is focused on protecting humans no matter the cost to apes, much like what Caesar did to protect apes from humans. She has a no-nonsense determination to complete her mission and she doesn't trust apes, even Noa who she spends the majority of the film with. I watched Kingdom thinking it was odd that there was no real bond between Noa and Mae but I think that was on purpose. Though they both rely on each other to complete their individual missions and they concur that Proximus should not have access to what is in the vault, they don't fully trust each other. I know some people are upset that she brought a gun to her final meeting with Noa. Honestly, I don't blame her because they don't trust each other! 

Freya Allan revealed in a recent interview that the goodbye scene between her and the chimp was originally filmed differently. "In the scene that I shot, Mae was going there to kill him because he scares her. His intelligence scares her. Mae doesn't want to kill him, but she feels she has to... Originally, you actually see her pull the gun on Noa, but his back is turned to her. And so you think, 'Oh my God, is she about to shoot him?' Mae is crying as she's doing it... and then she doesn't. The minute he mentions Raka's name, she puts the gun down. But then in the edit, they wanted it to feel more subtle, and I honestly way prefer what they've done with it. It's so much smarter and really allows you to think more... so it becomes a very emotional goodbye, one with tragic, lingering doom."

I'm really relieved that they changed the ending. If she had actually drawn the gun on Noa, especially when his back was turned, I would have been pissed. But the ending we received, with an almost old school Western stand-off between two opponents, with them actually debating if this town - this planet - is big enough for the both of them, I think it perfectly sets up the tension between humans and apes heading into the next movie. 

Now I do wish they had done something to make her a little more sympathetic to hating the apes. There is the briefest mention that Proximus' apes killed the other humans she was traveling with but it's really glossed over. I wish when she and Noa were making the plan, Mae had mentioned the group again. Maybe that someone she cared about was killed or just how vicious the attack was and she saw terrible things. First, this would have connected Noa and Mae more because of the attack on Eagle Clan and the death of Koro, which Freya Allan confirms: "Proximus' apes killed her camp, similarly to Noa's, which is what's so bizarre about it". Second, it would have made Mae have some personal stake in the downfall of Proximus. This clearly was the intention because Allan says in defense of her character's actions, "She's gone through so much, she's lost all the people she cares about, which was a large part of how I justified everything she did." The backstory was there but a few extra lines would have made her thoughts clear and perhaps gotten more of the audience on her side. Allan elaborates that she even "...created a backstory that her parents had also gone off and tried to do the same mission, but they never came back and presumably died". I'm not sure if they were worried about the already long length of the movie that they felt the need to leave this out but I really wish they had added in even a few lines that would have allowed people to empathize with her.

Regardless of how she was portrayed in this movie, I'm already starting to theorize for the next film (with the hopes that Disney will announce its approval soon!). I think the next movie will have Mae fully on the side of the humans in her base/bunker and whoever they connected with. She completed her mission in Kingdom and there will be a new mission to recover the planet for humans that she'll be part of. She will be fully invested in it but something will change by the end of the film that will make her want peace between apes and humans. Then she'll spend the third film in the trilogy helping Noa to find a way to end bloodshed between the two species. 

There is a little part of me that wouldn't mind a female bad guy, because there hasn't been one in any of these films, even back to the originals. But honestly, I do want to see Mae and Noa reconcile and become friends and partners. Who knows, maybe Dichen Lachman's character Korina (the human in the hazmat suit who comes out to greet Mae at the end, who I adore in the TV show Dollhouse) will be the leader of the humans and the main villain of the next film, satisfying my wish for a female baddie? That would leave Mae free to have a redemption story where she helps Noa and works with him to protect apes from whatever the humans are plotting.

[echobx]

not my type 3 - Rafe Cameron x plus size!fem!reader

summary: y/n is trying to reconcile with her feelings towards Rafe

warnings: angsty, swearing, Rafe being a bit of an ass

word count: 3.1k

author's note: I don't really know what happened. I'm sorry /gen

masterlist part 2

“What's he doing here?” you hiss at your best friend when you watch Rafe walk in, a blonde girl on his arm as he is greeted by your father.  “Your dad invited all the partners, you signed up on that, remember,” Claire reminds you and you groan. If you had remembered that he'd be there, you would've worn something else. Something more revealing.  “He doesn't look like-” Claire mumbles as you turn and drag her with you towards the bar. “I know he doesn't. And he's not my type. And I hate him,” you list, and she lifts her eyebrows at you.  “But?”  “I haven’t- I tried everything okay, literally everything. But I can't cum,” you whisper. “The only time I manage to even get close to it, is on my own picturing him. And I hate it. I don't like it at all. It's disgusting and shouldn't be happening. Especially not to me.”  “I think we should get drunk. Hammered, actually. Like in college,” she smiles and orders two shots of tequila for each of you. You down the shots and turn back around to watch the mass of people in front of you. Everyone is mingling but no matter how much you try to not pay any attention to him, your eyes seem to be stuck.  He looks good. Too good. The loose suit shirt half unbuttoned, giving view to his abs just enough to make you wanna rip the fabric off. 

It had been three whole months. Three months since he had left you wanting more. Three months since you had made him sleep on your couch, denying him the pleasure to sleep in your bed after what he had pulled at the restaurant and when you had woken up he had been gone. No note. No goodbye. Nothing.  It was a clean cut. The same thing you did the first time round. Just that he managed to make you cave, and you can't let it happen again. You have too much self-respect to let him get to you, again. Too much resentment towards him. Too much of all of it for him to ruin you. And besides, you can always hold onto the fact that he really isn't your type, he'd never be. 

“Abort. Abort! Move, y/n/n! They are on their way over,” Clair pushes against you, but it feels like you're stuck. “And they're here.”  “Mr. Cameron, you remember my daughter,” your dad smiles politely, and you do your best to mirror it, but refusing to actually look at Rafe. To meet his gaze and get lost in it. Too scared that it'll remind you of that day.  You hold out your hand to shake his, but instead of giving it a proper shake, Rafe takes your hand softly into his own. He leans down and kisses your knuckles, staring right into your eyes, and you can swear your heart is about to stop. And there you are again, mentally trapped under the weight of his hot body, his eyes never leaving yours as he pounds into, nearly splitting you in half.  You could swear he thinks of it too when your eyes linger before you harshly pull your hand away.  “I remember him well. Please, do enjoy the party,” you say and quickly excuse yourself to the restroom. 

You lock yourself in a stall, sitting down on the toilet and trying to keep yourself from crying.  “Are you okay?” Claire asks and you let out a choked cry.  “No. I don't think so, no.” You shake your head. It's unfair that you feel like this while he's perfect and not at all having any issues with it.  “If you cry, bend over, so the tears fall on the floor and don't ruin your makeup,” she suggests, and you stand to follow her instructions, just in case.  “Please tell me she's an escort. I can't deal with this if she isn't,” you press out. You don't know what exactly is wrong with you, never having been in a situation like this before.  “I don't think so. But I can do some research on it and get back to you,” you hear her stilettos on the marble as she walks away.  “He's no one. You don't care. You hate him. He's an asshole. A complete asshole,” you tell yourself, and it seems to help at first, but when you close your eyes he's there again. Brushing sweaty strands of hair from your face and telling you that you're his. And it all starts anew. 

“Y/n? Are you still in there?” you hear Claire ask and reply with a quick “yes.” “So, not an escort, but they just met at a bar. I guess he just brought her along to mess with you.”  “I think I'm having a heart attack,” your breath hitches, and you hold yourself up with a hand pressed to the stall door, still standing bent over like she had suggested earlier.  “Okay, tell me your symptoms, and I'll look it up. I'm not gonna call an ambulance if it's not real,” she replies, and you hate that you love her for being so pragmatic. “I can't breathe, and my chest feels narrow and at the same time as if it's about to burst and I wanna rip his head off,” you cry out.  “Yeah, no, WebMD says- Actually, you're probably right, it's probably just a heart attack,” your best friend doubles down quickly. Lifting your head you unlock the door and step out, snatching the phone from her hands to read the screen.  “What the fuck does WebMD know about heartache? How am I supposed to even have gotten that? I don't even like anyone. Especially not Rafe Cameron!” you sneer.  “Okay, let's just calm down and then go back out there and not make a scene. You think we can do that?” Claire slowly pulls her phone out of your claws, and you glare at yourself in the mirror.  “Of course we can.” It takes you a second to switch up your face, back to smiling and pretending like your life was just as good as everyone thought it to be. “Who cares about some small town asshole, right?”

You manage to spend the rest of the night without much drama, always making sure to not be close enough to him so he couldn't share another look with you or even get close enough to pull you away. 

And when you get home you pull off your heels and throw them to the side while stepping out of the elevator.  It takes some time to peel yourself out of the outfit you had forced yourself into, and even longer to free your hair from all the fixing gel the stylist had put in it.  In the end you find yourself curled up on your couch, sweats on and a blanket drawn over you while eating ice cream and watching your favorite movie, just to make it easier on your heart. 

You really want to avoid going to the office the next day, but after your dad announced to open another office down in Florida, you didn't expect him to put so much of the work on you to make up for it.  That's how you find yourself buried in paperwork and working through the night, making it 4am when you finally get back home.  And you're exhausted, drained and moody and not at all able to rejoice. The job you once loved is reduced to a dull day to day bullshit that you can only imagine being the worst you have ever felt. And all of it was because of him. 

“You need to look at the Cameron account. He says we gave him a bad deal. Fix it,” your dad orders the next day, and you grit your teeth, but you can't just not do it. This was professional, nothing personal should've ever gotten in the way of that. “I'll fly down next thing tomorrow morning,” you tell him and hang up the phone. But getting back to the paperwork seems impossible. 

The jet lands and you smell the salty air, so clean compared to New York.  “Do you want to go to the hotel to freshen up first, miss?” your driver asks.  “No, take me to the office. I want to be off this island again, as fast as possible.” 

“Mr. Cameron isn't available right now,” his assistant tells you and you scoff.  “He’s not getting a better deal unless he gets his ass over here in the next five minutes. Do you understand that?” you stare her down, and she nods before getting on the phone.  “He's on his way, Miss,” she says shyly after hanging up, and you smile at her. “Thank you.” 

“Didn't think you'd actually come down here for it,” Rafe mocks a laugh as he walks into the building, pulling his glasses off.  “I take my job rather seriously, Mr. Cameron.” You look him up and down, there is no mistaking. He had been out golfing.  “Let's go to my office,” he starts walking, and you follow, clenching your jaw because your eyes keep darting down to his ass, that looks so delicious in the tight pants. 

“What's the issue with the contract?” you ask flatly, whilst taking the seat opposite of him.  “Oh, there's no issue with the contract. Not that I don't think it's a perfect contract, but it's giving good enough profit on my end, so I shouldn't care too much about it,” he waves it off and you can feel your blood boiling.  “Why did you make me fly all the way down here for nothing!” You spit out and stand, harshly pushing your chair back as you do.  “That's it, that's the issue. There's nowhere in there where it says ‘Miss y/l/n has to come and check in on Mr. Cameron every once a month.’ We missed that little line, I'm afraid,” he's cocky. Too cocky. And for once you don't find it charming.  “I'm your boss, remember?” Your eyes narrow and he smirks deeply.  “You wouldn't be if I dropped you. I can always just do that. Unless you don't want me to. We wouldn't wanna disappoint daddy, right?” he mocks and you swallow hard. But he's bluffing, he has to be.  “He'll understand after I tell him how you took advantage of me. Two can play this game, Rafe,” you say his name with so much disgust in your voice that he's pretending to be offended by it.  “If anything, you were the one taking advantage of me. I mean, you are my superior after all. And I'm just a young man, who lost his father and is struggling to keep his company afloat.”  “You're a real asshole, you know that?”  “Been told before,” he grins. 

“What do you really want?” you finally cave and ask the question that had been lying on your tongue since landing on the island.  “You,” he looks at you, no hint of a lie in his eyes.  “I don't want you, though,” you lie nonchalantly. But your heart is racing, and the heat has been puddling in your pants for some time.  “Why not?”  “I don't need to give a reason for that. At least I didn't go around hiring escorts or whatever for events that no one even wanted me to be at,” you huff.  “Your dad invited me personally. He called, telling me about how much of a Debbie Downer you are. He actually tried to apologize for your behavior that day,” Rafe laughs and your eye starts twitching, nostrils flaring and jaw clenching in anger.  “Listen, I know it's partially my fault, but I was the only one there who was actually prepared to teach you a lesson. I don't know if you've learned it yet, but I'd be more than happy to give you a refresher on it.”  “You're fucked in the head, Rafe,” you mutter before going to walk out.  “Yeah, ‘cause I'm the one with the unresolved issues here,” he calls after you as you storm out. 

You know you can't go home already, it'd be too suspicious, so you take the room at the dumb hotel and at least try to relax a little. 

The next morning your dad calls just to tell you to check out on the properties, make sure that Rafe wasn't selling undervalue.  You make your way to the construction sites, your jeans and skimpy shirt are the only thing covering your body as you fight the heat.  “The best Italian marble, Miss,” the site manager tells you while walking you through what would later be the master-bathroom.  “Looks good. Will you be able to stick to the schedule?” you ask and hear a familiar laugh behind you.  “Of course they will, we've got only the best men down here, Miss.” Rafe walks over and you roll your eyes.  “I care about numbers and about making my clients happy. The rest is not on my level of expertise, especially the quality of men down here,” you tell him before looking back at the manager. “Thank you so much for the tour.” 

You turn in your heels and walk out to what will one day be a beautiful garden. “Walk with me, Cameron.”  “Are you suddenly interested again, or?”  “Keep it in your pants, asshole. No, and I'll never be ever again.”  “You say that now,” he smirks, and you roll your eyes again.  “I'm not a puppet for anyone. Not for my dad, and especially not for you. Do you understand?” you urge, and he runs his hand over the light stubble on his chin.  “I was just like that, then my shit father died and some therapy later, and now we're better than ever.”  “You're wrong. I'm not like you, and I'll never be. Wanna know why?” you lean in and he swallows.  “Pretty sure you're about to tell me, sugar.”  “Because I actually chose this life because I wanted it, not because I felt guilty or like I needed some praise. My life is perfect as is. Understood?”  “Sure you are,” he laughs.  “I am!”  Rafe leans in and whispers, “is that what you tell yourself, late at night when you can't cum unless you think of me. The way I made you beg, and you could only finish ‘cause I let you. Because at the end of the day, you'll always be my good girl.”  You push him away from you, watching him stumble backwards, before stomping back to the house, through it and getting into your car. 

You can't help it, it feels like he's jinxed you. And when you're back at the hotel and try to get off, you once again can't. It's frustrating to say the least and the worst part of it is that he knows, and you don't know how he found out, but it's too late for that. 

You didn't intend to find yourself knocking on his door. But here you are, standing in your sweats and hoodie, hammering on the windowpane until you can see him run down the stairs, and you wrap your arms around yourself.  “What are you doing here?” Rafe asks but lets you in, anyway.  “I had a nice life. I was content with it all. I was happy. I could go to clubs and hook up in a dirty bathroom and get off whenever I liked. I was free!” you yell at him, but it's hard to stay focused the way he's standing in front of you. Bare chest and gray sweatpants that never could've tried to hide the outline of his massive dick even if he had wanted to.  “I understand,” he tries his best to not smile as he wets his lips.  “You owe me one. That's for fucking sure. So, I came to cash it in so we can go back to pretending neither of us exist or have any interest in each other in any way. Ever. Good?” you tilt your head to the side before storming past him upstairs into his bedroom.  “That's a really bad idea!” Rafe calls after you, but he's also not actively stopping you. And when you open the door to his bedroom you know why. Or better who. 

“Are you coming back to bed?” His assistant is lying there, face pressed into his pillow and completely naked.  “Oh, you gotta be fucking kidding me,” you huff a laugh, pushing past him just as he made it up the stairs.  “Y/n, I can explain,” he tries, but you're filled with rage.  “Why would you need to explain anything? You're free to do what you like, or in this case who. I just don't know if HR would like to know about this arrangement,” you scream, not giving a single fuck about the girl.  “We don't have HR,” Rafe reminds you.  “Fine. You're fired.” Your voice has reached a pitch that you had never heard of yourself before and breathing got harder by the second.  “You can't fire me.” “I can do whatever the fuck I want, Rafe! I can do anything I want!” ‘Apart from getting what I want, what I need,’ you think, but you don't tell him that.  “I would've kicked her out if I'd known,” he tries to console you while following you back downstairs.  “Oh, that's really soothing. Thank you, Rafe,” you scoff.  “You're acting a little crazy right now, sugar.”  “Says the guy who made up an emergency, so I would have to come down here in the hopes that I'd jump his bones? And the fact that it would've nearly worked if you weren't so fucking selfish. You're such a selfish asshole!” You don't even realize that you're crying until you rip the door open and the cold wind makes your teary face feel frozen.  “And you're a bitch,” he snaps back, finally actually fighting.  “You left without saying goodbye!”  “You made me sleep on the fucking couch!”  “I should've kicked you out on the street!”  “Why the fuck are you suddenly pretending to care so much about what I think or do? I'm not even your type, remember?” he sneers and your walls, the perfectly built walls inside of you start crumbling. 

“I don't have a fucking type, Rafe! I don't get to have a type! I get to take any hot guy that thinks it'd be fun to fuck a fat chick, because they are high or have to get a dare out of the way. And you don't get to hurt me. You don't get to tell me how to feel about myself. Do you get that? This is my game, I'm the queen, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, you could be different. But you're not. You're just who I thought you'd be. No disappointment there.” Your rant calms you down a bit, and you get quieter with each sentence. “I'm going home. Don't even think about ever stepping foot into my city again.” 

please don't copy and/or post my work onto other platforms! ~e©ho

taglist: @ijustwantttoread @spideysimpossiblegirl @redhead1180@drwstarkeyy@notdxbya @sublimepenguinpeach-blog

part 4

[sequinsmile-x]

I Knew You'd Linger Like a Tattoo Kiss - Head Kisses

-x-

A series of unrelated one-shots and mini fics about the many types of kisses Aaron and Emily share.

-x-

Hi friends,

Here's another one of these prompts to wrap up the week. This is just soft, with a touch of mommy issues because I can't help myself.

Please see the masterlist for a full list of tags, and the list of prompts for this series.

-x-

Words: 2k

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

Emily tried to avoid one-on-one time with her mother as much as possible. It was easier to do since she’d had Samuel, the 18-month-old and Jack both excellent distractions for Elizabeth when she came over to the house, her love for her grandsons obvious whenever they were together. 

On her worst days, Emily envied her mother's relationship with Samuel and Jack. The easy way she showed her love for them, the affection Emily had to earn when she was young given away as if it was free. It was nothing but proof to her that Elizabeth had always been capable of it, but had prioritised different things when she was young. 

She’d tried to get out of lunch with her mother, not entirely in the mood to be her best self after a rough night with Samuel. He was sick, the 18-month-old refusing to sleep and crying if he was anywhere but in her arms, so she and Aaron had barely slept as they took turns to soothe him. She’d almost called her mom to tell her she couldn’t make it, but Aaron had encouraged her out of the door, reminding her if she didn’t do it now she’d just have to rearrange it after a week of building herself up to it. She’d kissed him goodbye, whilst grumbling about his need to always be so damn sensible, and she’d made her way to her mother’s favourite restaurant. 

The first thing she does when she arrives is order the biggest coffee she can, wanting to make sure she is as alert as she possibly could be. She’s barely sat down for 5 minutes when she hears her mother’s voice echoing around her.

“Emily,” she exclaims, stamping a kiss on each of Emily’s cheeks as she stands to greet her, “It’s good to see you,” she says, frowning as she pulls back, “Are you okay? You look exhausted.” 

She suppresses an eye roll and clenches her teeth, wondering if it is too early to order a glass of wine, “Thanks, Mom,” she says as she takes her seat again, “Sammy is sick so we had a rough night.”

“Oh no,” Elizabeth says as she sits down, “Is he okay?” 

Emily nods, “He’ll be fine, it’s just a bug Jack brought home from school. He’ll be okay in a day or two. He’s all about me when he’s sick though,” she says, unable to pretend she didn’t enjoy all the extra snuggles from her toddler who was seemingly always on the go these days, “So Aaron tried to help but I was up most the night.” 

Elizabeth raises her eyebrows, “Well, if you didn’t coddle him so much he’d manage just fine I’m sure.” 

She sucks in a deep breath and smiles tightly, knowing that the only way to stop herself from biting at the bait offered to her was to change the conversation. “How are you, Mom? How’s work?” 

Her technique works, just as it always did, and she sits back and half listens as Elizabeth talks about work and the embassy. She checks her phone to make sure Aaron hasn’t attempted to contact her, and she smiles at the picture of Samuel and Jack that she has set as her wallpaper, the two of them giggling at something Aaron had said. 

“You’ll never guess who I saw - Steve Clemente.” 

Emily frowns, “Who?” 

Elizabeth rolls her eyes, “Really, Emily. You’ve met the man at my Christmas party the last few years. He’s the President over at Primrose Academy.” 

She hums and nods, “Of course, sorry,” she replies, sipping her coffee, “I remember now.” 

“Well, I was able to get Samuel on the list for their Preschool programme,” she says, opening up her menu, missing the confusion that passes across Emily’s face, “We’re a bit late but this is why it pays to know people.” 

“Sammy is 18 months old.” 

Elizabeth sighs, “It’s like you’re being purposely obtuse today,” she says, shaking her head as she looks back up at her, “I know how old my grandson is, Emily. But the waiting list for these programmes is 2 years. It’s a very prestigious school.” 

Emily presses her lips together and swallows thickly, preparing herself for an argument, “I appreciate the effort, Mom. But we’re not going to be sending him to private school.” 

Elizabeth’s head snaps up, her eyebrows furrowed as she looks at her daughter, “Excuse me?” 

“When the time comes we’re going to send him to the same preschool Jack went to,” she says, looking around for the waiter, the idea of a glass of wine with lunch more appealing than it had ever been, “It’s a great school.” 

Elizabeth sighs, “Emily, Samuel has the benefit of the Prentiss name-”

“He’s a Hotchner,” she corrects, her smile tight as she stares at her mother. 

“What?”

“Sammy. His surname is Hotchner, not Prentiss.” 

“You’re being obtuse again, I know that too. But you seem to be ignoring the benefits your son has purely from who we are.” 

The waiter chooses that moment to walk over, his smile kind as he starts to ask what they want to drink, a question Emily answers before he’s finished asking.

“Wine, please. A large glass.” 

The waiter clears his throat, looking back and forth between the two of them, “Any particular one, ma’am?” 

“Whichever one is closest.” ___

She smiles as she steps into her house, the tension automatically seeping from her shoulders the second the warmth of home washes over her. She hears cartoons coming from the living room and she walks in to find Jack sitting on the couch, his focus on the television. 

“Hey sweetie,” she says as she leans over the back of the couch and kisses the top of his head, “Are you okay?” 

He nods, barely looking away from his favourite show, “Yeah. How was grandma?” 

“She was…” she scrunches her nose up and blows out a breath, “Grandma,” she smiles at him, “Where are Daddy and your brother?” 

“Upstairs,” he replies, “Dad is trying to get Sammy to nap,” he shrugs at her, “It wasn’t going very well.” 

She laughs and leans down to kiss his head again, “I’m going to go see if I can help,” she says, pushing his hair from his forehead, “We’re upstairs if you need us, okay?” 

“Okay, Mom.” 

She heads upstairs and smiles as she steps into the nursery, love spreading through her chest as she’s met with the image of her husband pacing back and forth, their grumpy toddler in his arms. 

“Come on, buddy. You’ll feel better if you nap.”

“No,” Samuel grunts, rubbing his face against Aaron’s chest.

“Daddy’s right,” Emily says from the doorway, both of them looking at her at the same time, matching expressions on their faces, “You’ll feel better if you nap.”

“Mama!” Samuel exclaims, his lower lip pushed out in a pout as he reaches out for her, scrambling in Aaron’s arms. 

“I’ve got you, baby,” she says, lifting him into her arms and kissing the top of his head, “Mama’s got you,” she looks up at her husband, “You’ve been giving Daddy a hard time whilst I’ve been gone?” 

“Only you have the magic touch, it seems,” Aaron says, kissing the top of her head and then her lips as she tilts her head up, “How was lunch?”

She groans and runs her hand up and down Samuel’s back, “It was as expected,” she grumbles, turning her attention back to their son who was already a little calmer, “You want to get some sleep, sweet boy?” 

“Not tired,” he complains, and Aaron hides a smile, a look in his eyes that lets her know exactly what he’s thinking. 

He gets that from you.

“Well, I am,” she says, kissing his head again as she walks towards the loveseat in the corner of the room, “Why don’t we all just sit down for a little while.” 

“‘kay,” he says, pressing his face against her neck as she sits down. She rests her cheek against the top of his head and rubs circles on his back, knowing it is a surefire way to get him to fall asleep. 

Aaron joins them, his arm around her shoulders, and he pulls her closer, “Want to talk about it?” 

She hums, “She mentioned getting Sammy onto a list for a private preschool.” 

Aaron frowns, “He’s 18 months old.” 

She chuckles, “That’s what I said too,” she replies before her smile slips away, “I made it clear that isn’t what we want but…” she blows out a shaky breath, “But then she made it clear she didn’t agree.” 

He tightens his grip on her, his lips against her hairline as he blows out a slow breath, an obvious attempt to keep his cool, “What did she say, sweetheart?” 

“She said I’m risking my kid's futures for the sake of being stubborn.” 

He clenches his teeth and sighs, stamping a kiss against her head before he replies, “That’s not true, Em.” 

“I know,” she sighs, shaking her head a little as she looks down at Samuel, the little boy halfway to sleep already, “At least I think I do,” she looks up at Aaron and offers a half-shrug, “I don’t know. I hated going to private school, and I want something different for the boys. But we could afford it,” she licks her lower lip, “Hell, we could afford to send half a dozen kids to private school all the way through to high school if we want to,” she raises an eyebrow at him when she watches something spark in his eyes, “Down boy,” she jokes and they share a smile, “We could afford it but…that doesn’t mean we should do it, does it?” 

“Of course not, sweetheart,” he says, tucking some of her hair behind her ear, “We know what’s best for our children, not your mother, or an old friend of hers, but us,” he smiles softly, “And if we want to send Sammy and Jack to public school, or all half a dozen of them,” he winks when she rolls her eyes, “Then we will. And we can change our minds in the future if we want to. But you aren’t doing them a disservice or depriving them of something because you want them to have a different experience to you.” 

She nods, leaning forward and pressing her forehead against his shoulder, “I know,” she says, believing this time, and she blows out a slow breath, “I just never felt like I could be myself at those places,” she says, “All that mattered was getting good grades and being the best,” she sighs contentedly when he kisses the top of her head, “I never want the boys to think that’s all they are good for.” 

“They won’t,” he assures her, kissing her head one more time before he encourages her to look up at him, “You’re an excellent mom, Em,” he says, his smile growing as hers does, “Our boys are lucky to have you.” 

She stamps a kiss against his lips, “They are lucky to have you too.”

He smiles and looks down, shaking his head slightly when he sees that Samuel is fast asleep, “He’s sleeping.” 

She hums and looks at her son, his nose bright red and sore from where he’d been rubbing his fists against it, “Poor baby, was he okay whilst I was gone?” 

Aaron nods, “He was fine, he missed you - but he always does when you’re not here,” he runs his fingers up and down her arm, drawing a soothing pattern as they silently agree to stay sitting there with their son for a while, “So, about this half a dozen kids-”

“Aaron.” 

[igotanidea]

Jealousy : Gar Logan x reader x Conner Kent

When Dick’s lie about Jericho was exposed.

When everything crumbled down.

When Titans fell apart. (again)

When everyone left the tower.

Gar was left completely alone with unconscious Conner, trying his best to keep his head up, just like Dick said.

It worked for two days.

After that, Gar had no motivation left in him and was just trailing around the rooms, hoping someone, anyone would come back. His wish was soon granted as at first Connor wake up. Of course, it was never intention Beast Boy intention to see Superboy in all his naked glory but still, it was uplifting to have another soul to talk to. And a day later, one of the younger titans Y/N came back to tower. In her own words, it was her home and she would never feel good anywhere else. She was shyly standing by the kitchen counter while explaining this and both boys watched her with enamored expression. She did not know but despite the fact that they already made friends none of them would let the other win her over. Y/N was strong herself, given her air powers, but both Gar and Conner felt sudden urge to protect her and be by her side through all the good and bad.

They were about to have a chance.

The same organization that produced Conner busted through the tower’s window trying to get the boy back. With glass shattered everywhere, armed men surrounding the titans and guns pointed towards their heads they really had no place to run. Luthor’s organization were more than happy to realize than instead of getting one enhanced human, they get to capture three. At first, however they really had to capture them. In order to do so, they shoot some sedative towards Gar just right after he turned into a tiger.

“NO!” Y/N yelled covering him in her best attempt to swing the bullet around with a heavy blirt and failing miserably, getting shot in effect. A dose aimed at the muscular animal was a bit too much for a human and it made her loose conscience almost immediately.

“Y/N!” despite being poisoned with Cryptonite Connor made it to the girl in time to prevent her from hitting the floor. Now, all three teenagers were weakened, unable to fight and too much of an easy target.

“What are we going to do with them? I mean, we wanted Superboy and now….” One of the masked man turned towards the dark haired woman who was clearly the leader of the operation.

“You’ll see soon enough.” She smiled devilishy as her gaze lingered over the unconscious girl, hurt and bleeding Gar and coughing Conner.

***

After a series of heavy experiments on boys, Y/N was finally let out of her room cage. For the past two days Luthor’s scientists were messing with their heads, trying to reprogram their abilities to Lex’s whims only to be used in a battle against each other.  Y/N was forced to watch Gar turn into a wild, predatory animal without his own control and hurt and kill people. Just because of some music. All the tears she cried while watching the scene could never fully reflect the pain inside. Gar was her friend and it killed her to sit with him in silence when his consciousness came back and he realized what he had done.

“Gar….” She whispered after the incident at the coffee shop gently grabbing his hands. He did not answer, just kept looking on the floor. “It’s gonna be ok, it’s gonna be ok….” She kept repeating even if she herself did not believe it.

“Y/N. I’m so sorry, you have to go through this…..”

“What? Me? Gar, are you insane? You are the most harmed one here. I…. I’m nothing” she shook her head.

“You are not nothing Y/N. I care about you, all right. More than…..” he started

“None of this is your fault, remember that. We are just being used. All three of us.” The tears were flowing freely down her face and Gar could not resist gently wiping them away. Seeing her cry was just breaking his heart.

“Y/N…. I need to tell you something. Not the perfect timing, but I…..”

“Ok, you two, that’s enough” the same dark haired women as always jumped into the car. “We are only getting started with all the fun. You, Gar, need some rest after such well done job, and as for you miss Y/N, we got one more show for you.”

“You can’t ….”

“Oh, Mr. Logan” the woman pouted “you should know better by now. We can. And we most definitely will.”

If only he wasn’t so tired and so blue he would fight for her, but it was simply too much.

***

“More show” meant that Y/N was now standing in front of a glass wall, watching brainwashed Conner complying with the commands of the woman in a robot-like manner. He wasn’t himself anymore. Those beast of a people turned him into a puppet, becoming a product to be shown to and bought by similar cutthroat moneybags, who would offer the biggest amount of money for him. When the connection between the potential bidders were cut, the only thing Conner was to do was…..”

“No…” Y/N whispered “No, Conner, please don’t….” she put a hand on the cold glass, trying to stop him from killing one of the unfomfortable workers, knowing well enough it won’t work. To her surprise, Conner with his superhearing turned towards her. Just like Gar’s his eyes conveyed so much pain, fear and anger. He looked straight at the girl and his eyes glistened upon seeing her so fragile, broken and mistreated. He was about to run straight towards her, hold her tight to his chest and get the hell out of here, but before he could act on that, the woman pressed a button on some strange electronic device and he was back to the robot mode. No hesitation and no mercy in his action as he put a gun to the other’s man head and shot him, leaving another scar on girl’s psyche.

***

Bloody battle was supposed to be the last straw in breaking the teenagers. It did not go according to the plan. Before the show and money raise could even start, the Titans showed up at the fun fair saving the day. Rachel saved Gar, helping him getting back in control of his shapeshifting skills, Kori, Donna and Dawn with a little help from Dick and Rachel dealt with Conner and as it was done, Dick retrieved Y/N from the kidnapper’s claws.  Gar and Y/N were almost shaking while Superboy was just standing in the middle of the ground assessing the damage. And everything would be fine if it wasn’t for the fact that Donna sacrificed herself and died, crushed by the power pole. Y/N could not stand it anymore as she fell to the ground sobbing and screaming, not caring how much of a freak she was making out of herself. Gar immediately crouched next to her, holding her tightly, reassuringly, just like she did so many times during his captivity. Caressing her back, he helped her up not letting go even for a second. Beast boy was doing everything in his power to make her feel taken care of, help her thought that feeling of emptiness, unfairness and guilt. The truth was, he felt exactly the same and the way Y/N was clinging to him brought him a bit of so much needed comfort. Having her so close only made his love for the girl and the urge to keep her safe stronger.

“It’s gonna be ok, Y/N. You have me.” He whispered holding her closer and not noticing Conner’s sideway glances. Or maybe choosing not to see them.  

***

The team was back together. Almost because Wonder girl was gone leaving everyone with a hole in their chests. Ironically, this brought Gar and Y/N closer than ever since apart from Dick, Donna was always their role model. After few days, more often than less those two could easily be found talking and laughing in the kitchen or playing video games together. They really did grow closer and truly Gar was gathering courage to confess how much he fell for her.

“Y/N” she was standing in front of the huge window looking at the street, her e/c orbs scanning every little detail of the evens happening outside. When she heard Gar’s voice she turned around and the most beautiful smile lightened her face and made his knees buckle.

“Hi Gar. What’s up?”

“I… I need to tell you something, but…. If that’s bad moment….”

“No. Not at all. I actually got some free time. Dick is cutting  me some slack with the training since … you know, last events. I wanted to train, but he was insisting that I rest. Quite suspicious, so I think…..”

“I lo….” beast boy was about to blurt out when out of nowhere Conner rushed into the room. Damn the enhanced speed and hearing.

“Y/N!” Superboy yelled. “Can we talk?”

“Like now?” she frowned “Gar was just about to say something, so…”

“YES! Sorry, I mean, yes, I need to talk to you now. It’s urgent.”

“I bet it is” Gar muttered crossing his arms knowing well enough what and why Conner was doing. “But I was here first. So a minute of wait would not damage you.”

“Oh, I think it will. And it is not the matter of priority.”

“You sure about that” Gar tilted his head “you don’t seem convinced.”

“what are you suggesting?” Conner took a step closer to the other boy.

“Nothing.” Gar shrugged “Are you suggesting something?”

“Um…. Guys?” Y/N tried to interrupt them before those started throwing fists.

“She’s not a possession!”

“Look who’s talking. You are simply scared she would choose me over you!”

“Liar!”

“Coward!”

“Gyus!” the girl yelled and this time get their full attention “what is wrong with you two. You are friends, remember. And if this is about me, which I can guess is, you better get me out of your heads. You are both acting like kids. I’m out. Don’t follow me!” she turned on her heels and walked out of the room almost ramming Rachel, who’s eyes widened and who took one glance at the boys and quickly followed Y/N.

“What happened?” she asked her friend who was circling the room in frustration.

“Boys are idiots, that’s what happened!”

“Um… that’s obvious. You will have to be more specific about the situation.”

“Those two dumbasses fell in love with me. BOTH OF THEM!”

“Oh.”

“Really, Rach? Oh? What do I do now?”  

to be continued? (let me know if you want part 2 of this)

[megidonitram]

Everyone's Running From Something (ch. 4)

A Baldur's Gate 3 University Professor AU

Rating: M

Quick Summary: Astarion and Gale are two University English professors precariously mentoring a troubled 19-year-old and falling in love.

💖Main Pairing : BloodWeave,(Astarion/Gale) 💕Side Pairings: Shadowheart/Nocturne, Karlach/Dammon, Wyll/The Dark Urge, Tav/Tav 💔Past Pairings: Gale/Mystra, Astarion/Sebastian, Astarion/Tav

<=Previous Chapter | Master List | Ao3 | Next Chapter =>

**Please see Master List Entry for Full Content Warnings**

⏰Chapter Warning⏰ None

The all-hands meeting for the beginning of the semester went the same way every all-hands meeting at the beginning of semesters go. Every professor and TA in a humanities field got squeezed into a conference room that wasn’t quite big enough, had a powered sugar donut or a couple cubes of assorted melon with half a Styrofoam cup of burnt coffee, and listened to the departmental dean give an un-rousing speech about being on the same page with the other departments. Then he talked at nauseam about school policies and ran a quick training session over a new time-tracking software that would be implemented in 3 weeks’ time.

Gale scribbled down notes on a big yellow legal pad and tried to ignore Jen and Astarion, making faces at each other as he wrote. He’d been in academia long enough to know they’d both be crying to him in a few weeks when they messed up their timecards.

As the meeting drew to a close, a dapper man with slicked-back chestnut hair and a car salesman smile stepped into the room. Astarion went stiff like a cat puffing up to defend itself. The dapper man just gave him a plasticky, knowing smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The dean perked up a bit as he noticed the man lingering in the back of the room. “Raphael, what a pleasant surprise! I had no idea you would be joining us,” he exclaimed, “We were just finishing up. Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to impart to our humanities faculty?”

“Oh, nothing so important,” Raphael said, and suddenly Gale understood why Astarion was so on edge. Everything about the man oozed with a disingenuous charm that made Gale’s hair stand on end. “I just realized I forgot to send out a notice about the upcoming donor gala the next coming Friday. I realized you were all in a meeting right now, so I thought I’d pop in and remind you in person.”

Raphael’s eyes landed directly on Astarion as he spoke his next sentence. “There is a reasonable expectation that faculty attend these events.” Out of the corner of his eye, Gale saw Astarion’s expression go steely. “After all, we want to show up and show out for the people who allow us to do so much.”

“Of Course!” The dean chirped. “I know I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The meeting adjourned, and Astarion immediately made a break for the door. Gale hurriedly gathered his things in one arm, instinctually following after the only person in the room he really knew, like a baby duck.

Raphael stepped into Astarion’s path before he could get out of the meeting room. “Ah, we meet again, Dr. Ancunín!” Raphael’s voice dripped with sugary contempt. “I will see you at the donor gala, won’t I?”

“Perhaps. Are you thinking about calling in that favor I owe you?” Astarion’s voice was clipped, his face unnervingly blank.

“I think I’d like to wait on that a little longer, but I would like you there in case I change my mind.” Before Astarion could respond, Raphael’s gaze slid off him and onto- “Dr. Dekarios! Wonderful to see you. Are you settling in well?” He reached out a hand to him.

Gale stuffed his legal pad into his work so he could shake Raphael’s hand. “Exceptionally well!” he replied. “Everyone’s done their utmost to make me feel very welcome!”

“Oh, you don’t have to fib on your new colleagues’ account, Dr. Dekarios. I’m more than familiar with how surly certain members of the English department can get.” Raphael laughed congenially, but Astarion shot him a poisonous look.

“I’m not lying to you, sir,” Gale replied. “Astarion’s been nothing but professional.”

“Well, perhaps he’s going a bit soft.” There was a flash of something dangerous behind his eyes. He turned to Astarion. “I shall see you next Friday.” It was a command more than a farewell, but he walked away all the same.

Astarion muttered under his breath. Gale didn’t catch what he said but could make an educated guess. Astarion exhaled a deep breath like he was equalizing pressure.

He turned to Gale and said, “Thank you.”

Gale blinked. “Of course.”

Astarion opened his mouth to say something else, but the words couldn’t or wouldn’t form.

Shadowheart stepped in between them, too concerned with responding to a text message to notice the weird tension. “Karlach wants to get drinks.” She said. “She got stuck in traffic and doesn’t want to drive all the way down here for nothing.”

“Roveer’s?” Astarion asked, a very weary resignation in his voice.

“Yes, probably.”

“Nothing like running into your students at a sports bar a week before classes start…” Astarion grumbled. “Fine. Let me finish here, and I’ll meet you there in, oh… 15 minutes.” He turned to Gale. “Are you coming?”

“To the office?”

Astarion gave him a perplexed look. “To the bar.” He clarified. “You should take the opportunity to meet Karlach.”

Gale could feel himself going bright red as Shadowheart snickered. “Right. Yes. I would love to.” He replied.

“I’ll let Karlach know you’re coming. She’ll be thrilled.” Shadowheart replied, giving Gale a warm smile. “I’ll go lock up. See you in a bit.”

“Come on then.” Astarion replied, nodding for Gale to follow him.

***

The all-hand meeting was on the third floor, so by the time they’d returned to the basement and back up a floor to leave, Gale was starting to fear his knees wouldn’t survive the week- let alone the semester. “There has to be an elevator in this building.” Gale huffed and puffed as he hoofed it up the last flight of stairs. He didn’t want his new colleague’s first impression of him to be of him on his hands and knees wheezing. “I can’t take much more of this…”

“There is, but personally I don’t like chancing it unless I really don’t want to be in a meeting.” Astarion slowed to a stop at the top of the stairs to wait for him. He didn’t seem any worse for wear, but he also seemed much trimmer than Gale was- or at the very least, his shirt accentuated the pleasing nip of his waist. Gale wondered if Astarion was a swimmer. “A history adjunct got stuck in it overnight a few years past, and it still reeks a little bit when it gets hot enough.”

Gale laughed, but Astarion very pointedly did not.

The conversation lulled a little bit.

“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Gale asked.

“That entirely depends on what you want to ask.” Astarion stepped into the hallway, taking a moment to slip into his grey wool peacoat before they ventured outside.

“Raphael, is he always…”

“Such an ass?” Astarion finished his thought. Gale wouldn’t have used such a strong word, but Astarion had gotten the spirit of the question right, at least. “He’s usually much worse.”

“Oh?”

“He’s a glorified middleman with too much power and time on his hands.” Astarion scoffed. “He enjoys putting things in people’s way and watching them try to wriggle their way out of problems he created. My advice is to deal with him as little as possible.”

“Is he who you went to talk to earlier?”

Astarion gave him a poisonous look that only confirmed Gale’s suspicion.

They walked across campus in uneasy silence. The bitterly cold wind whipped and whistled, tossing the last remnants of fall leaves across the concourse. The few student residents who’d gotten in that morning had either decided to hold up in their rooms or were enjoying their free time in more exciting corners of town. Gale found himself wondering what Xenia was doing... He hoped she wasn’t all alone in an empty dorm.

“Does Xenia have many friends?” Gale asked as they approached a crosswalk leading to the block of shops across from campus.

“Hm?” Astarion tapped the pedestrian-call button, which commanded them to ‘wait!’ in a mechanical voice. “I think she probably has more friends than she realizes she does. Kids like her tend to think they’re alone in everything.”

“Poor kid… Seems like she’s been through enough.” Gale sighed. There was something heartbreaking in the phrase ‘kids like her.’ It was sad to think that there were more 19-year-olds out there carrying emotional burdens far too heavy for their age- sadder still to think that if there weren’t, then Xenia would be alone.

“She’ll figure herself out eventually. She’s not like…” Astarion paused, seemingly a little shocked by what he was about to say. He leveled a wary glance at Gale. “She’s not a quitter, I mean.”  

“I’m sure she’s not. I just hope she doesn’t run herself ragged.” The walk light flashed, and they hurried across the street.

***

They were comedically out of place in Roveer’s Roadhouse. A group of grown adults in Oxford dress crowding around a sticky Bud-Lit branded high top surrounded by a bevy of flatscreen monitors playing every sports broadcast under the sun. Shadowheart was already nursing a syrupy cocktail out of a chipped margarita glass.

An extremely tall woman with a red tipped mohawk and smiling eyes bounded over to Gale and clapped a firmly friendly hand on his shoulder. “You’re the new Adjunct, I take it?” She asked. “I’m Karlach, Professor Cliffgate, if you’re nasty.”

“Gale Dekarios.” He reached out to shake her hand. She fist-bumped him instead, and Gale got a glimpse of a nasty burn scar peeking out from the sleeve of her jacket. “It’s a pleasure!”

“Aw, I have a great-aunt named Gale!” Karlach replied.

“I get that a lot…” Gale sighed. “I like your hair!”

“Thanks!” Karlach tussled her own hair. “Told my kiddos they could pick what color I dyed it if they all passed their benchmarks.”

“Does Balduran give benchmarks?”

“Oh, no. Teaching university is my side gig,” Karlach replied. “I’m actually a full-time middle school teacher.”

A spindly girl with bleach-blonde hair pulled into space buns sidled up to the table, clutching a notepad. “Can I take your order?” She seemed quite put upon being asked to do actual work on a slow day.

“Vodka Soda,” Astarion replied, holding his ID out to the server.

She took it and dropped it in her apron, jotted something down on her notepad, and turned to Gale with an expectant look.

“I’ll, uh, take a Corona,” Gale replied. He’d never ordered a Corona in his life, but it seemed like an acceptable ‘getting drinks with colleagues’ kind of an order.

The server stood there staring at him a moment long before she asked, “ID?”

“Oh, um…” Gale patted for his wallet and realized he left it in his desk drawer. “I didn’t realize I would need it…”

“You didn’t realize you’d need an ID at a college bar?” Astarion asked dryly as he turned to the server. “Just put it on my tab.”

The server nodded and walked away without asking if they needed anything else.

“Wow Gale, just one day on the job, and you’re already bumming free drinks off the department chair.” Shadowheart teased. She took a sip of her drink crinkling her nose at the taste.

Gale flustered. “I-I was going to pay with my phone, I swear! I wasn’t planning this.”

“Relax. We’re not so underpaid that I can’t afford to buy you one beer.” Astarion rolled his eyes. “You can return the favor when you get your first paycheck.”

Gale blushed. “Alright.”

The server brought them their drinks without another word, then plopped down at the end of the bar to scroll on her phone. Gale pushed the lime through the neck of his beer bottle and watched it fizz as it sank to the bottom of the dubiously golden liquid.

“So, did I miss anything important at the all-hands?” Karlach asked idly, stirring her bourbon and coke.

“You know you didn’t,” Shadowheart replied. “We’re changing timecard systems, and Raphael and Astarion are in another one of their weird power struggles-there, I saved you an hour and a half.”

Karlach’s eyes lit up, and she turned towards Astarion. “Before the semester even starts?” There was a conspiratorial glee in her voice. “What the fuck could he have possibly done this time?”

“Why spoil the mood by ruminating on that rat bastard?” Astarion said. He picked the lemon slice out of his drink and laid it on a napkin. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Fair.” Karlach shrugged. She turned back to Gale and fixed him with a warm smile. “So, Gale, what brings you to the wonderful world of higher education?”

Gale had thought a lot about what he would tell people when they asked him why he wanted to teach college. He’d written little speeches in the shower about the joys of teaching language and the satisfaction of helping students reach their goal, but sitting in a group of other English professors, that suddenly all felt very trite.

“I was a public librarian, but I had to step away from my last position when I got divorced.” He admitted. “I found a job at a community college teaching database management, and I realized I’d just always missed teaching.” He took a long pull of his beer. The sour of the lime battled with the bitterness of the beer on his tongue.

“Library science might be a harder industry to break into than academia. It must have been tough to leave that behind.” Astarion mused.

“I do miss it terribly sometimes… but my ex helped me get into graduate school and got me my first library job. If I stayed, I would never be able to make anything that was truly mine.” Gale sighed. He could see the wheels spinning in Shadowheart’s head as she tried to figure out his age.

“You talk like you’re as old as this bag of bone,” Karlach pointed a thumb at Astarion, who glared daggers at her. “But there’s no way you’re that old.”

“I’m 35.” Gale clarified.

“That’s a little bit older than I thought, but still nowhere near as old as Astarion,” Shadowheart said.

“You are barely two years younger than me.” Astarion snapped.

“Barely a decade older than Gale, too.” Shadowheart shot back.

Astarion rolled his eyes and muttered something into his drink. “Did you go to get your master’s straight out of undergrad?” he asked.

“Yes, why?”

Astarion shrugged. “That’s just quite young to be with someone that well-established in their field.”

“Oh, we didn’t get together until I graduated.” That wasn’t entirely true. They didn’t get together publicly until he graduated. He didn’t know why he was still defending Mystra. It wasn’t like any of his new colleagues would ever meet her.

“I wasn’t trying to imply anything…” Astarion lied.

“Of course not.”

They both took a sip of their drink, holding awkward eye contact.

“Well, here’s to making something for yourself then,” Shadowheart said, holding her drink out to Gale for a cheers.

Gale clinked the neck of his beer bottle against her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

[onceuponastory]

taxi - bucky barnes x reader

In the backseat of the taxi When you told me we were only Two punch drunk souls all tangled in the wind And in the backseat when you asked me "Is the sadness everlasting?" I pulled you closer, looked at you and said "Love, I think it is" - Taxi by The Maine also thought this song fitted bc planes taxi too lmao

Plot: After their misunderstanding, Y/N tries to tell Bucky the truth...despite the roadblocks life keeps throwing their way. Pairing: Pilot!Bucky Barnes x FlightAttendant!Female!Reader Warnings: Angst and miscommunication... but a happy ending, cause it’s me. As always, if I miss any triggers, please let me know. Notes: This was written for @the-slumberparty‘s Writing Challenge from last week: write a continuation of a one-shot. So here’s a part two to my first Pilot!Bucky fic, Fear of Falling. Not beta’d, so any mistakes are my own.

For the rest of the day, Y/N stays in bed, trying to grapple with the night before. Bucky’s expression still haunts her, even now, consuming her every waking moment. Honestly, she’s surprised that she’s still functioning right now. Funnily enough, it feels like she’s been on autopilot since the night before, simply moving through the motions to appear like a normally functioning human. All she knows is that she has to tell Bucky the truth, but doesn’t even know how. And then, she remembers everyone is going to dinner tonight. Her hope rises. This could be her chance to finally make things right. 

When the time comes, she rushes downstairs. Everyone greets her, but Bucky only mumbles a ‘hello’. He refuses to make eye contact with her, and her heart sinks. She was hoping for a moment alone with him, but all this is doing is reinforcing her worst fear. Hopefully, he just needs a moment to think things over, and when she speaks to him later, it’ll all be okay. 

Yet, as the night wears on, that possibility fades more and more. She and Bucky barely speak more than a few pleasant words to one another, both unsure of what to do or say around each other after the night before. “Hey, we’re gonna stay out. Maybe we’ll catch a movie or something. You wanna come?” Sam asks when they’re finished dinner. Deep down, Y/N knows she should go. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Is maybe having fun for a few hours with her friends really so bad? But then, she looks over at Bucky. He still isn’t making eye contact, acting like his shoes are the most interesting thing in the world. And the sight makes her heart sink once more. 

Turns out increasing Bucky’s heartbreak is the worst thing that could happen. 

“No, I’m good. I slept like shit last night, so I’m just gonna go back to my room. You guys have fun, though.” 

“Buck? How about you?” Bucky looks up, and his eyes meet hers for a fleeting moment. As his mouth slowly opens, a small twinge of hope registers in Y/N’s stomach. Maybe he’s considering coming back to the hotel with her. Maybe all hope is not lost, and she can explain everything. This could be their rom-com moment, when everything finally works out and-

“Yeah, that sounds good.” And then, all her hope shatters once more. Turning away sadly, Y/N begins the walk back to the hotel, not even waiting for the others to say goodnight. All she can focus on is trying not to cry.

Although, Y/N doesn’t notice how Bucky watches her as she leaves, his eyes lingering even when she disappears from sight.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning, Y/N stands outside Bucky’s door, ready to give things one last chance. “Bucky, can we talk?” she calls, the sound of her knock reverberating throughout the corridor. As she waits for him to open the door, her stomach churns and her heart pounds. She has no idea what to say to Bucky, or if he’ll even tell her he feels the same. When the door opens, she takes a breath of courage. Even if he doesn’t feel the same, the least she can do is tell him the truth.

Yet, all thoughts of that disappear when Bucky emerges, clad in his uniform and carrying his suitcase. The sight causes Y/N’s brows to furrow.

“Sorry, can we walk and talk? I got an urgent call. They need me to take a plane back to New York. My taxi’s almost here.”

“Oh, I didn’t hear anything from control. Did they say anything about needing me? I can go back to my room and be ready in like five minutes.” She asks, following him towards the lobby. Bucky sighs, running his hand through his hair. Y/N feels her stomach twist. She knows what the words will be before Bucky even says them.

“Sorry, it’s just me they need this time. I’ll see you around, okay?” He replies, and she nods furiously, staring at the floor. Because she knows if she makes eye contact with him, then she’ll crumble.

“Sure. Have a safe flight.” She somehow manages to get out, hoping Bucky doesn’t sense the pain in her words, or how she’s already seeing her vision beginning to blur. And with one last wave, Bucky’s gone. As she watches him leave, Y/N sinks into a chair, cuddling into herself. Her mind races with explanations for why Bucky would be called and not her, and she tries her best to ignore them. Although, one stands out. One she never wanted to think about. 

The thought that Bucky is intentionally avoiding her, taking another flight so he doesn’t have to see her, the source of his heartbreak. What happens when this flight is over? Will she see him again? What if he keeps avoiding her? As her mind continues to race, her heart pounding, another horrible thought enters her mind. Maybe he never wants to see her again. 

A sob escapes her lips then, and Y/N jumps up, speed walking to the elevator. She doesn’t even make it inside before breaking down in tears. Thankfully, it’s empty, meaning she can let out all her feelings before reaching her floor without being noticed. Trying to keep herself upright, Y/N feels her body tremble as it’s wracked with sobs. Once she’s back out, she practically sprints to her room, ignoring everything else around her. All she can think of is Bucky.

Slamming the door behind her, Y/N climbs into her bed, sinking into her mattress. Burying her face into a pillow, she continues to sob. Bucky’s face sticks in her mind, as does the look on his face when he first saw her phone. That sight still causes her heart to ache, even now. And what hurts even more is the fact she can’t do anything to make things better. At least, not now. All she can do is hope that this is just a one off, and that when she next sees Bucky, she can explain it all then.

Unfortunately, as she returns to her regular life, things don’t get much better. After seeing Bucky at least four or five a week, either in passing or on her flights, that number falls. Soon, she starts not seeing him at all. Her texts to him also go unnoticed, and when he does reply, they’re not as cheerful or as frequent as she’s used to. And that means she’s forced to ask others how Bucky’s doing rather than simply asking him. She’s not used to working like this. Being together is what she and Bucky do, what they’re used to. They fly together, as a team. They’ve always been a team. The only times they’ve been on separate flights are few and far between. Bucky is the one constant she has in her job, and she’s grown accustomed to always seeing his face on her flights, and his smile whenever she enters the cockpit. She’s never had to account for this, for being apart from him… especially after what happened.

As more and more weeks go by with no sign of Bucky, the horrible realisation sets in even more. Bucky is avoiding her. He doesn’t want to see her again. And despite how much that thought destroys her, Y/N knows she has to respect his wishes. So she stops trying, not wanting to cause pain to either of them. Or at least… no more than she already caused. Of course, people around her soon start to notice how she’s noticeably more upset, and how she’s clearly lost her spark. Especially Sam, who she explained the situation to after he found her crying in the pilot’s lounge after a flight. At least the silver lining in this situation is getting to see him more than she’s used to.

“I’ll talk to him for you, if you want.” He offers one day as she passes over his food. “I can tell him you want to explain and that he needs to answer his fucking phone.” Y/N shakes her head. 

“I’d love that… but no. If he still doesn’t want to talk to or see me even now, almost three months later, then I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to see me, Sam.” Sam raises a brow, and she sighs. “Has he blacklisted all the flights I’m on? Is he intentionally avoiding me?” Sam’s face softens.

“No Y/N, he’s not. Bucky could never and would never intentionally avoid you. He’s just been really busy recently.” She knows he’s lying to make her feel better. Why else would he not speak to her after all this? After she practically broke his heart? As she turns to leave, Sam’s voice sounds again. “He spoke about you the other week, actually.” His words send a jolt through her body, and she gasps.

“He did?” Sam nods.

“Mhm. He asked how you were, and if you were holding up. I think he’s missing you, too.” His words make her heart flutter, and a small smile grows on Y/N’s face. But then, the little voice of doubt speaks once more.

“So why doesn’t he just talk to me, then? I’m fed up with going through this pain, Sam. I just want it to stop!” She exclaims, sniffling.

“I know. I’ll talk to him. I promise.” He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze, and Y/N nods sadly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Later that week, Y/N stands outside Chicago’s airport, waiting for the taxi to take her to her hotel. Scrolling through her phone, she murmurs to herself, massaging her temples and trying to ignore how much her heels are pinching her toes. That was one of the worst flights she’s ever been on, full of demanding adults, screaming babies and a drunk guy who just wouldn’t stop staring at her tits. Hopefully, this taxi shows up soon, so she can get to her hotel and kick her heels off.

“Hey stranger. Fancy seeing you here.” A familiar voice laughs. Immediately, Y/N’s heart begins to pound. Bucky. 

His hair is a little longer than when she last saw him, a few tendrils falling in his face, which he brushes aside. Yet, he’s still got the same smile, the same eyes. He looks just as handsome as he always does. 

“Hi. How was your flight?”

“Good. Good.” Bucky nods. “How was yours?”

“Shit.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Y/N wrestles with what to say to him. How to tell him the truth, that she’s always loved him and that being apart for so long has been horrific. Tell him that being apart from him for so long has been soul destroying. “Which hotel are you staying in?” Bucky asks, cutting through her thoughts.

“Same one as the last time we flew in together.” She doesn’t tell him that moment feels like a lifetime ago, and like they were both different people back then.  

“Oh, me too. What a coincidence.” Once again, silence falls amongst the pair. In an instant, she’s transported back to that night in their hotel bar, when they were both unsure of what to say to each other. Now, things are so much more different between them. If only she knew back then just how wrong everything would go.

Thankfully, a taxi soon pulls up. “After you.” Bucky gestures to the door. “I’ll wait for the next one.” Y/N shakes her head. 

“No, you take it. I don’t mind waiting.”

“Y/N, it’s freezing. You go.” He insists.

“You know… we’re both going to the same hotel, so it’s probably easier for us to ride together.” She suggests. “...That’s what the driver will say, anyway.” She stammers quickly. Of course, she’d love to ride with Bucky, despite how much her stomach is churning at the thought. All she can do is hope that he’s happy to see her too and that he wants to fix this just as much as she does. 

For a while, all the pair do is look out the window, each huddled into their corner of the taxi. Both are unsure of what to say and waiting for the other to make a move. Sometimes, they get close to it - one takes a breath, and the other turns to them, only for them to say “It’s nothing.”

That is, however, until: “Did you get my flowers? I hope you liked them.”

“Yeah. They were gorgeous. Thanks.” Bucky sighs, running a hand through his hair once more.

“Sam told me you were asking about me. He probably told you I missed you. And he’s right, I really do miss you.” Y/N nods, feeling a twinge in her chest. “Flying without you these past few months just isn’t the same. We have a lot of fun together, don’t we?” 

“We do. And I missed you too, Bucky. More than you’ll ever know.” As silence falls once more, she can see Bucky looking at her curiously, then glancing down at the floor before she can notice. She can tell what he wants pretty easily. After all, it’s the whole reason they stopped talking. He wants to ask her about her date. Y/N sighs. “Bucky, you don’t have to tiptoe around the question. Just ask me.” He looks up, startled, his cheeks flushing pink.

“I wasn’t, I-” He stammers at first. But then, he sighs once more. “I was just going to ask you how things were with you and… you know, dating.” Y/N takes a deep breath. It’s now or never. “Did you go out with that guy?”

“There never was a date. I didn’t go out with anyone. You got it all wrong.” He frowns, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

“But I thought I saw-”

“All you saw was a guy liking my profile. And I turned him down. Actually, I turned them all down. Because they weren’t you, Bucky.” She scoots closer, closing the gap between them both as she looks into his blue eyes. The pair she’s missed for so long. “If you had stayed and listened, I was going to tell you that I love you. I always have. Every time I see you on the flight deck, I get so happy because I love seeing you. Your smile, your laugh… the way you can cheer me up on some of the worst days of my life. But no matter how hard I tried to connect with you, you never seemed to want me back, so I had a quick look at Tinder out of curiosity, which is what you saw. I’m sorry if I messed things up and confused you, but I tried to explain, and instead, you just ignored me for months! Sure, we’re busy in this job, but you couldn’t even send me one fucking text message?!” she demands as all her pain and anger from the past few months is finally released. 

“Oh, god.” Bucky groans, holding his head in his hands. Immediately, Y/N’s heart sinks, and she starts hoping for whatever higher power there is to open the ground and swallow her whole. Why did she have to unload on him like that here? And from the way Bucky reacted, only one thought is in her mind.

He doesn’t like her back.

“I’m not asking for you to feel the same. I just want to stop the pain, and feeling like you hate me.” She states. “If you don’t feel the same, just tell me. And then we can go back to being friends… or whatever we are now.” She speaks, her voice quiet. Bucky sighs. Months ago, even before all of this happened, if you had told Y/N that this is where she would be now, pouring out her feelings for Bucky in a fucking taxi, she would’ve thought you were crazy. And yet, here she is. 

“I do.” Bucky’s response comes out muffled at first, so quiet that she doesn’t hear it at first.

“I’m sorry?”

“I do like you back, Y/N. Oh fuck, I’m so sorry. You haven’t ruined anything, I have. I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. Actually, I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember, but I’ve just been too scared to say anything. Seeing you on my flights makes me so happy, and the last thing I’d want is to lose you if you didn’t feel the same. When I saw that notification, I thought you didn’t feel me back, and I got so upset I wanted to be alone for a while. I didn’t want to intrude on your happiness, either, so I stayed away. Sam told me you were missing me, and I felt awful. I wanted to tell you the truth, but after being away from you for so long, I thought coming back out of nowhere would just make it worse.” He sighs. “I was only thinking about myself, and not how I was only making things worse.” He scoots over too, closing the gap between them both. “I’m so sorry I ruined everything between us. I’d understand if you never want to see me again.”

To his surprise, though, Y/N starts giggling slightly. “I’ve wanted to hear those words from you for as long as I can remember. And you’ve probably felt the same too. God, what are we like? We should’ve just told each other the truth from the beginning and saved ourselves all this mess.” At her words, Bucky starts laughing too.

“Yeah, we should’ve. Actually, Sam said he wanted to bang our heads together at one point.” He admits, and they both laugh. Hearing them both laughing together again causes a familiar, happy warm feeling to return to Y/N’s chest. Her love for Bucky Barnes. “At least now we can try to make things right.” He places his hand on top of hers, gently running one of his fingers along hers. “Can I take you out tonight to say sorry, and to start over?” Smiling, she nods.

“I’d love that.” Bucky brings her hand to his, gently pressing a kiss to it.

“Me too.” He smiles.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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[marmie-noir]

Pretty Girls and Parolees

TW: Violence based on the show, murder, use of a firearm.

Hearing Pops swear made me smile, biting at my bottom lip, eyes trained on the salt shakers I was filling up behind the bar. It was past close and Mitch was doing something in his office, so I made myself busy refilling the salt and pepper shakers before moving on to the ketchup and mustards on each table. A week of doubles turned into two weeks, not out of some jealousy issue but because one of the other girls had quit, leaving town fast. Apparently it wasn’t uncommon. 

I hummed to myself as I worked, swaying slightly back and forth, a song from the jukebox earlier stuck in my head. I had been serving a big top who left me a nice tip, the cash lovingly tucked into my back pocket per usual, when I had caught a few of the familiar notes. I wasn’t even sure how I knew it, just that I did, the notes expected and words coming naturally. An old country song about love, one with a sad undertone, something that somebody would play while crying after a bad breakup. 

“Pretty girls should sing happier songs.” Pops interrupted, not looking away from where he was glued to the TV, a half full beer before him. I blinked before smiling, shaking my head. “Any requests?” “What songs do you know?” That certainly wasn’t Pops’ voice and I turned to see Mitch leaning against the doorway, adjusting his hat and looking me over. I grinned, looking back down at the salt, refilling the last few of the shakers before twisting the tops back on and wiping the bar off. 

“I think I only know sad songs.” I admitted with a small shrug, reaching for the large container of pepper. A hand appeared and pushed it back from my fingertips and I huffed, looking over my shoulder to where Mitch stood behind me, partially caging me in against the bar. “Now that can’t be true, darlin’. You’ve gotta know some other sort of song.” He said, voice low with how close he was, a teasing grin on his face and a spark in those pretty blue eyes. 

I narrowed mine in response, snatching the pepper from where he’d pushed it, twisting the caps off the few pepper shakers that needed to be refilled. “No, I don’t ‘gotta’.” I sassed, smile twisting my lips up and giving away that I wasn’t bothered in the slightest. “I know sad songs, and break up songs. That is pretty much it.” “Well we gotta work on that.” Mitch said, so close I could feel the warmth of his chest against my back through our shirts. He lingered a moment, the zing of awareness not dulled as he pushed off the bar to stand next to me. He was certainly in a good mood, hip bumping mine and making me pour some pepper on the countertop. I shot him a look that he saw right through, his smile growing. 

Wiping the counter once more I brushed the pepper spill into the trash before closing up the shakers, turning to look up at Mitch. “What kind of songs do you know?” “Mm, lemme think.” He hummed, leaning against the bar with his hip, crossing his arms. “Songs about drinking. Love songs, songs about having a good time.” “Oh yeah?” I asked with a grin, mirroring his stance and looking up at him. “Well then, cowboy, you’ll have to teach me some.” I paused before letting out a little laugh. “Love songs? Really.”

“That so hard to believe?” 

Before I could answer the door opened and in walked Dwight. I gave Mitch a look before rolling my eyes, grabbing the salt and pepper containers and heading to the back to put them away as the Italian settled into a barstool in front of Mitch. I lingered in the kitchen for a few moments, making sure everything was back in place for the cook when he came in the next day knowing he got cranky if things weren’t in order when I heard Mitch curse. 

I came out of the kitchen, moving to his side to see one of the draft’s pulls had fallen off. Beer continued to pour and I slid a glass under it, knowing if nothing else Pops would drink it while  Mitch worked on turning it off to not waste the rest of the keg. Dwight watched before speaking up, palming his glass of bourbon. 

“Maybe it’s time to renovate.” “Maybe it’s time to light a match.” Mitch shot back, struggling to undo the top of the tap. I bumped my hip against his as I reached out, smaller hands having an easier time and Mitch mumbled a quiet “Thanks, Darlin’.” 

Dwight made an amused noise as I continued to work on the tap, ignoring him at the moment. I still wasn’t the biggest fan of Dwight, I didn’t dislike him exactly but he made me a little nervous. Especially when he seemed to have his sights set on Mitch and this bar, the very place that had become my home. 

“You ever think about taking on a partner?” He asked Mitch, the two of them speaking over me. I didn’t mind, I was focused anyway. 

One of Mitch’s hands settled on my lower back, warm through the cotton of my shirt as his other hand reached in to help with what I was doing. I was close to getting it shut off, quickly switching out the glasses to fill another while I worked. “I’d consider it,” Mitch said, shrugging slightly, his fingers brushing against my back as he did so. “Never met anybody dumb enough to do it.” 

Dwight leaned in then and I glanced up through my lashes, looking over the older man. “Dwight Manfredi, how ya doin?” He said, obviously volunteering for the position. I tensed under Mitch’s hand and he felt it, slowly tracing circles against my lower and mid back, hand soothing my raised hackles. It helped, my shoulders untensing. I made a quiet “ah-ha!” noise as I finally got the damn thing to stop spouting beer, grinning up at Mitch. But he was busy looking at the other man, raised brows and all. “You serious?”

“Could be.” Dwight said with a small shrug, half casual half not. I looked over at him as well, tilting my head slightly in introspection. “I ran clubs in New York in the 80’s. All you need’s some live music, some dancers, food is pretty good here. Got some good help.” He winked at me, friendly as always, and I leaned into Mitch a bit more with a raised brow. “You just need a little push.” He finished, eyes going back to Mitch, who seemed more than content to have me tucked against his side. 

“Music wise I do a little music playing myself.” 

Dwight looked impressed, giving a nod. “He’s good.” I added, glancing up at Mitch before looking back at Dwight. “Fits the aesthetic at least.” I teased, feeling Mitch’s hand tighten on my hip. 

“Okay, you’re the house band, no problem.” Dwight said, leaning back on the stool slightly with a nod, as if it was all coming together. “Anyway, think about it. No pressure. Talk it over.” He gestured between us and I blinked at him, surprised. This wasn’t my bar, and I wasn’t really Mitch’s anything, even with the position we found ourselves in now. I excused myself, pulling away from Mitch even when his fingers held on a little tighter before letting go, leaving me to catch Pops dipping his hand into the tips jar. “Maybe a little pressure.” I heard Dwight say, sounding amused as I leaned over and pulled the tips jar back from Pops with a raised brow, the old man unphased as he just grabbed his beer and lifted it to his lips, innocent as a Sunday school teacher. 

“I’ll put it on the back burner.” Mitch said after a few moments to think it over. Dwight smiled, nodding and returning to his drink, clearly not having any intention of drinking and leaving too quick. I handed Pops one of the beers from the broken tap, making my way to wipe down the tables one final time before putting the chairs up for the night. 

Closing went by fast and all four of us gathered our things, intending to turn in for the night. I was behind the bar grabbing my hoodie, pulling it on as Mitch went to go flip the lights off. The moment he did there was a loud crash, like thunder almost, and I immediately got down behind the bar with a gasp. I knew gunshots, was no stranger to them, my heart immediately racing. 

“Dad!” I heard Mitch cry out and I clutched at my chest. “Are you okay?!” Had Pops been shot? No, not like this, god what the fuck was happening? I felt my shoulder sag slightly when I heard Pops confirm he was just fine. Another crash, the sound of wood splintering, and I covered my ears. “Sunny!” “I’m fine, I’m behind the bar!” I shouted back. “You good? Dwight?” “Good, we are fine.” Dwight called back. “If you got a gun get it!” 

I knew Mitch kept a few firearms behind the bar, being on Cherokee land it wasn’t out of the question. We couldn’t exactly call the cops if something went wrong after all. More shots, the twinkle of glass shattering and wood splintering filled the space and I moved fast, finding both the guns that I knew about. Mitch appeared behind the bar, crouching so his tall form fit behind the bar as he looked at me for a second to confirm I was okay. I nodded at him, pressing a gun into his hands, gripping him for just a heartbeat. 

“If you get shot I’ll fucking kill you.” I whispered, looking up at him with eyes that were a little too wide. He nodded, squeezing my hand back before disappearing once more. I heard the two of them head towards the side door but I headed towards the back, trusting Pops would stay in place. 

I moved around the building fast, my own gun pointed at the ground. Pressing against the side of the building I peeked out to see a large man next to a bike, some sort of short shotgun in his hands, pumping to unleash another round into the bar. 

I didn’t think, didn’t have time to. Before I could even think to stop myself I raised the gun and fired three times. I knew I’d hit him, I’d always been a good shot, something I apparently hadn't lost as I watched his body jerk three times before going down. Lowering the gun once more I let out a slow, steady breath, slowly moving towards where the downed man lay completely still next to his bike. His gun clattered to the ground, thankfully not going off.

I stood over him, watching the concrete slowly get covered in blood, seeing that I had shot his chest three times. I blinked at him, sensing Mitch and Dwight coming closer but not looking up at them. I kept my gun pointed at the man, only glancing away after Dwight nudged the man, announcing he was done for. 

“What the fuck were you thinking!?” Mitch asked, snatching the gun from my hands to tuck it into the waistband of his jeans, his own balanced in the crook of his elbow. “Sunny, what the fuck? I didn’t even know you could shoot!” I looked up at him, startled to be the center of his anger for the first time. I blinked, eyes jumping over his familiar features, the two of us next to a literal dead body. A man I’d shot. I blinked a little faster, knowing he expected an answer. “You are on parole, Mitch.” I answered quietly, swallowing the lump in my throat and looking over at Dwight. “And you just got out of jail. I don’t- I’ve got nothin. And it’s easier to sell self defense when it’s a smaller woman.” Dwight seemed impressed. I didn’t get a chance to see Mitch’s reaction because he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, one of his hands wrapping around the back of my neck and pulling me against his chest tightly, resting his chin on my crown. I let myself relax, fingers twisting in his button up before finally just squeezing him back. After a few seconds Mitch loosened his hold on me but didn’t completely release me, tucking me against his side with his arm around my shoulders. 

Fine by me, I didn’t want to let him go yet, remembering the thundering of my heart when I heard the gunshots. I’d thought I’d lost him. I pressed against his side, taking comfort in the cigarette smoke and bourbon mix that I had come to associate with Mitch, the scent of gunpowder still burning my nose. 

Mitch looked over at Dwight, giving a firm nod. “Well, I’ve thought it over.” He said, holding out his free hand. “You’ve got yourself a partner.” 

More Sunny and Mitch here

[archiveikemen]

Liam Evans Main Story: Chapter 19

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by playing their games and buying stories. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

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It wasn't the right time and place to cry, but I could no longer hold back my tears.

Kate: … Liam…

Roger: Young lady! Liam…!

Right when my hand was about to let go of Liam’s, a much stronger arm grabbed him.

Kate: … Roger.

Roger: … Guh.

Roger: Pull him up…! One, two, go!

Roger forcefully pulled Liam towards him.

We laid down onto the floor with a thud.

Kate: … *pant*... *pant*

Liam: I…

My heart was pounding loudly in my chest like a jackhammer.

Roger: Liam, you…!

Roger grabbed Liam by his shirt and raised his fist.

— But the punch was never thrown.

Roger: …

Roger: Whether you live or die doesn't matter to me.

Roger: How you want to treat your life is completely up to you. It’s just that…

Roger: I will never tolerate someone who hesitates while dying.

Liam: …!

Roger moved his arm away from Liam.

Liam: Roger, I…

Roger: I’m going to catch up with Al and Harry. … They went after your dad who shot up the place and fled.

When Roger’s footsteps faded away, a frightening silence fell upon us.

My eyes met Liam’s, and I was finally able to move again.

(... Liam.)

I pulled Liam into a hug as he sat on the floor.

Liam: …

(... He’s warm.)

(... Yeah, he’s really… alive.)

Kate: … Thank goodness…

My tears fell onto Liam’s shirt, wetting it.

Liam: … Kate.

Liam: … Please… please don't cry because of me…

…

Alfons and Harrison gave chase to Max who ran away after the gunfight.

They caught and cornered him.

Alfons: Goodness. There's no way you can outrun us with your crippled leg.

Max: … Guh.

Alfons: — So, what do you intend to do with this man?

Harrison: …

Harrison pulled out his gun and held it to Max’s forehead.

— However, he didn't pull the trigger.

Alfons: … Harry?

Harrison: It’s easy for me to kill you right here and now.

Harrison: But that won’t help him (Liam) one bit.

Max: Hah. I have no idea how you guys are related to that boy.

Max: But you must be a very unusual bunch to hang around that jinx.

Harrison: … A jinx?

Max: Yes. Everything has been messed up ever since that boy was born. I… I lost everything thanks to him.

Max: Love, wealth… and even a body free from scars!

Max: If you protect him, misfortune will surely befall upon you!

Harrison: … Misfortune, huh.

Harrison: Unfortunately, we’ve already grown accustomed to misfortune. Besides—

Harrison: I’ll decide my own misfortune. I don't remember you having the right to tell me what to do.

Harrison fired a shot at Max, deliberately missing the side of his face by an inch.

Max: … Ggh.

Following the reverberation of the gunshot, Max vanished with a limp.

Harrison: … Let’s head back to them.

Alfons: Right.

Alfons smiled and watched Harrison’s back as he walked back to Liam.

Alfons: He’ll never be saved unless he faces it head on… hm?

Alfons: The more you try to face reality, the more you’ll get hurt. They sure are fond of getting hurt, these people are hopeless.

…

We brought Liam back to Crown’s castle from the bell tower.

Victor urged us to get some rest for the night, saying “we’ll talk about the details tomorrow”.

I made some hot milk and brought it to Liam’s room where he was resting.

(I think something warm can help ease his mind a little, even if he can’t taste it.)

Contrary to the warmth in my hands, there was still some lingering tension in my fingers.

(I stopped Liam from losing his life.)

(But…)

(At that moment, no matter how many times I yelled for him to… Liam wouldn't grab my hand.)

My heart ached when I remembered the way he didn't grab my hand.

Liam may still be standing alone at the grip of death.

(... What can I do for him?)

I knocked on the door, and Liam delightfully welcomed me into his room before happily accepting the hot milk.

(The last time I stepped into this room, I didn't have the time to think this much about it.)

Boxes of presents from theatre guests were all over his room, and every one of them was left unopened.

I had a feeling that… it was because he didn't think he deserved them.

Liam: … Kate, you came because you wanted to talk to me, right?

The old me would've been too afraid of getting hurt to go any further.

(But I know that I’ll never reach Liam’s heart if I continue being afraid.)

Accepting the reality that stepping any further might hurt, I spoke up.

Kate: Yes. … I have something to tell you.

Sitting on his bed, Liam urged me to go sit next to him.

Kate: I know that you wanted to erase yourself from the world.

Kate: But I never could find out what was the reason for that.

(... I know for sure that Liam’s father held an important position in Liam’s heart.)

– Flashback Start –

William: I found that Liam’s father had dismissed many of the family's butlers in the past without any good reasons.

William: That proves that there was a secret he didn't want any of them to know, right?

– Flashback End –

Kate: You once talked to me about your past while we were reading Jacob’s letters, right?

Kate: I believe that everything you told back then were true. But…

Kate: I have a feeling you left out a “very important” part of the story.

Liam: …

Kate: And I’m sure it was because you didn't want me to worry unnecessarily. … Am I right to say that?

Liam: I knew it… I’m not good at hiding and telling lies.

Liam: Yeah, you're right. You’re right about all of that.

Liam: … Hey, Kate. I’m about to show you something disturbing…

Liam: It’s not a big deal, so there’s no need to be too shocked.

(Huh…?)

Liam faced his back towards me and removed his jacket.

He then unbuttoned his shirt and lifted it up, showing me his bare back.

(T-Those are…)

Liam’s back was covered in scars, like it had a burning fire poker forced onto it multiple times.

It was obvious that they were old wounds, inflicted by someone a long time ago.

I gently stroked the wounds with my fingers.

Liam: … They don’t hurt anymore, so it’s okay if you touch them.

Kate: Were those wounds…

Liam: Yes, they were caused by my father.

Rather than surprise, I got more of a “ah, I knew it” feeling.

Liam put his shirt back on and sat back down onto the bed, facing me.

Liam: In this world, there is always a right way to do something. For example, a response that would please someone, a smile that puts someone in a good mood, and so on.

Liam: Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve been pathetically bad at picking the correct answer that people want me to…

Liam: Therefore, that man would train me—

– Flashback Start –

Max: London bridge is broken down, broken down, broken down… ♪

A burning fire poker was pressed against Liam’s back.

Liam: … Ah! Ahh…!

Max: I love you, that's why I’m training you for your own good, do you understand?

Liam: Yes… I’ll do my best to be a better son. So please… please don't hate me.

– Flashback End –

There might have been something only the two of them understood.

(Regardless of the reason… hurting a child is absolutely unforgivable.)

Kate: … What about your mother?

Liam: She didn't care. She even hated the sight of me.

Liam: But I thought it was inevitable because it was my fault for not being good enough…

Liam: Things continued that way until my curse first appeared when I was five years old.

The first appearance of his curse was when he accidentally stepped onto the railway tracks and was nearly run over by an incoming train.

Liam mentioned this before. I’m sure there’s still important information that he’s hiding.

Liam: That day, I had been receiving strict training since morning. I was walking alone next to the railway tracks with my back covered in wounds.

The sky was so clear that day that it was scary, but it had been raining in my heart for a long time.

I was walking around while in a daze, and that was when I heard a voice that sounded exactly like mine—

Say, Liam. Why don’t you jump onto the tracks? It must be the most thrilling thing you’ll ever experience.

Liam: In my head… I knew that it was a dangerous thing to do, and I would die doing that.

Liam: I felt myself get increasingly excited as I listened to that voice. And so… I jumped onto the tracks.

Liam said that it was a close call.

Liam: As I listened to the sound of the train passing by, I realised that I was laughing… because that was the most thrill I had ever felt in my life.

Liam: For the first time in a long while… I felt alive.

Liam: That was my curse — and then came my episodes.

(He let himself be led on by a voice that sounds exactly like his…?)

(Could it be…)

Kate: Was it your own voice you’re hearing, Liam…?

Liam: … Yes, that’s right.

Curses were inborn, and a trigger causes them to appear — that was an established fact.

Liam was no exception.

(However, is it true that Liam’s episodes aren't caused by his curse… and instead they’re psychological?)

(In that case… everything that has been caused by his episodes would be Liam’s fault.)

Liam smiled, as if he knew what conclusion I had arrived at.

Liam: Ever since, driven by my curse and episodes, I committed multiple wrongdoings.

Liam: My entire family died in my hands. Afterwards, I was placed under some relatives’ care… and I killed them too.

It was a shocking confession, but I knew that Liam wouldn't do that without a reason.

Kate: Did those relatives treat you badly too…?

Liam’s smile confirmed it.

(Liam’s heart was broken and hurt over and over again… did that cause him to have his episodes?)

But if that’s true, then — whose fault is it?

Everyone who hurt Liam likely pointed their fingers at him saying “You’re inferior, you’re wicked”.

Above all else, Liam constantly blamed himself more than anyone else, telling himself “it’s my fault”.

Liam: And after that, my relatives put me into a psychiatric hospital…

Liam: After spending some time there, Victor found me and brought me with him to Crown from the hospital.

Kate: And for a long time, you’ve been looking for a reason to die?

Kate: A reason that the late Jacob would accept.

He nodded his head once.

That small gesture made my heart creak again.

Liam: I would always volunteer for dangerous missions. I did many dangerous things with Al too.

Liam: And yet, death never came for me. I don't know why.

Liam: I wonder if it's because even God doesn't want to accept someone who wants to die like this…?

I felt that if I relaxed even just a little bit, my tears would start flowing uncontrollably. So I grit my teeth and held them back.

I didn't want my tears to make it seem like I could understand the pain Liam had been suffering from for a long time.

Liam: … Hey, Kate. The things we have in this world are very beautiful, don't you think?

Kate: Huh?

Liam: The flowers blooming by the sidewalks, the stars I saw with you… oh, and you. They’re all so beautiful.

His rose coloured eyes sparkled like he was looking at a precious treasure.

Liam: Everything is beautiful in my eyes. They all have a reason for existing…

Liam: They look like their birth was a blessing.

Liam: However, it's not the case for me.

Kate: … It’s not?

Liam: I’m the only one who’s a flaw in this world.

Liam: But even then, I can’t give up because I’m afraid of being hated by others. So I’m always trying to get on everyone’s good side.

There was a day when I thought it was frightening how Liam was able to completely erase his own desires and put others before himself.

(But it’s because… they’ve been continuously trampled on and crushed into pieces until he ended up in this state, isn't it?)

Liam: Aha, it's so shameful and pathetic, right?

Liam’s fingers were trembling slightly, and yet he was still smiling like it was nothing.

It was sad, tragic, and helplessly pitiable.

I reached my hand out and gently touched Liam’s smiling face.

Liam: … Kate?

Kate: … Liam, please don't smile.

[basketprutas]

Hiii hello~! I'm not sure if this counts as a triggering or sensitive topic, if it is please feel free to ignore it ofc! ^^;

I was wondering how Tartaglia would react when he finds out reader is can't have children? He already knows having children of their own is a bit scary for her for multiple reasoning, but after trying to convince her, they give it a shot. Only to later find out... she can't have any kids. It devastated her only because she fears how Tartaglia would even view her and how crushed he must be feeling, knowing he's a family man and he probably dreamt of having a family with her for years?? (I like the childhood friends to lovers trope shh)

A good/comforting ending would be really nice.. reverse comfort sounds nice too.. I really want them both to be happy tbh :,-)

WHAT IF SERIES- REQUESTED! ✧*。

Now playing… Sweet Nothings by Taylor Swift

“And the voices that implore, you should be doing more, to you I can admit, that I'm just too soft for all of it.”

Content Warning: Heavy mentions of infertility, please don’t read if this topic is sensitive to you.

Genre: Tartaglia x Fem!reader who is a married couple but reader is infertile. Angst with happy ending. Reverse comfort in the midst of it all.

Notes: my first request! Hopefully I got it right to the nail. This is my first time writing this kind of topic, so apologies in advance for any discrepancies.

Want to request a short story too? Here's my inbox!

“Don’t you want a family with me? Tell me, honestly, is this where you’re coming from? I would understand if you were scared of having kids but-”

“It’s because I can’t bear a child, okay?!” You stand in your kitchen island, head hung low. In the heat of the argument, you weren’t ready to say it to him, not when you just found out about it a few days ago yourself. Childe just looked at you, eyes wide open on the other side of the kitchen island. His hand which was bearing a fist was now gone.

“I went to the doctor. They said… I can’t. It’s not you, It’s not the both of us, it’s me. And I know you’ve been wanting this- God knows I wanted it too. But… Fuck.” You mutter, voice shaking. He didn’t waste any time to walk up to you and hug you. You held unto him tightly, now crying in his chest. He comforted you by rubbing his hand on your back while whispering “Shh, okay. Let's sit down on the couch.”

You stayed there on the couch, comforting one another for what felt like hours until Childe spoke up. “When did you find out?” He asks in a whisper. “The day before yesterday. I didn’t know how to tell you, but we were fighting over it again, and I got ahead of myself and just dropped it. I-I’m sorry.” You reply with no more tears left to cry. He continued to comfort you, nodding at what you said as the both of you hugged one another. “I understand now. I’m sorry too. For arguing about this, for everything.” He said.

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

The next few weeks the both of you tried to ignore the feeling lingering in your home, the feeling of loss. The loss of something that could’ve been, imagining that someone that could’ve been in your and Childe’s arms, trying to fall asleep as you cradled the baby the both of you should’ve had. 

Nights fell silent, just a quick 'goodnight' from one another while Childe closes the bedroom lights. You stayed up late, thinking of how much grief you felt. You were grieving over a baby that wasn’t even born yet, but something else plagued your mind.

How does Tartaglia feel about all this? Despite everything, you knew he wanted this the most. And that thought crushes you; Does he feel regret in marrying you now that you can’t have his children? Does he not want you anymore after knowing that? Your sleepless nights consisted of those thoughts, left with more questions than answers.

But one night, staying awake in the bed you and Childe share, you heard a sniffle. You didn’t move, hoping to hear it again just to be sure. And you hear it again, and again until it stops. You hear Childe fix his position, and then you realize, is he crying?

“Ajax?” You whisper in the dark. You rarely use that name, but with emotions heightened that very night, you felt like it was appropriate. “Yes?” “Are you okay?” you turn to face him, despite not seeing anything, you knew he was also facing you. You heard another sniffle and immediately closed the space between the two of you to hug him. “Oh honey, I’m sorry…” You say, brushing your hand on his hair. He was now sobbing, the same way you did when you told him.

“What’s on your mind, hm? You can tell me all about it. I’m right here.” You say, still hugging him. “It’s nothing, what you said last week just really hit hard.” He confesses.

"You know it's been a dream of mine, right? To have kids, more specifically to have one with you myself, for years now... Hell, I even told you before we became a couple that you'll have my kids and I'll have yours." He jokes, trying to lighten up the mood.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. We’ll find another way around this, Ajax, I promise.” As you said these words, he felt safe and comforted. He nods, and stays in your hold, the heavy feeling slowly drifting away. Though some things were left unsaid, both of you knew that this moment solidified your relationship even more.

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

For the next few months, you and Childe researched heavily on ways both of you can have Children. From fostering to adopting, there were many options that you had in mind, but you both agreed to try and adopt a small pet for now.

You were still debating whether or not the both of you wanted a cat or a dog, or maybe a reptile, or even a bird. So adopting an animal was on hold for a bit. One night, in a strong thunderstorm, you and Childe lay on the couch, watching a movie when you hear scratches on the front door. Confused, you look through the peephole, but you saw nothing. The scratches grew louder and louder until you opened the door out of frustration to see a small black-coloured kitten on your front porch, looking up at you. 

“Childe, there’s a kitten.”

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

You kept the kitten of course, with it being adorably cute. You clearly saw how much this changed your and Childe's well-being. He’d buy one cat toy per week because the kitten kept breaking every single one. He would always groom the kitten, despite it not needing that much assistance. He would always prepare it's food, and silently watch as the kitten finishes the food. He'd always wipe the kitten's face after it ate.

You saw how happy he looked taking care of the kitten. Though it wasn’t exactly what you both had in mind, given the situation, it was enough.

One day, you went home to see Childe on the couch, lying down as the cat was sleeping peacefully on his chest. 

You put down your things and went to the bathroom. Despite being notified of your infertility, you and Childe still tried. You knew you had to take a pregnancy test today, so you grabbed a test from your cupboard and did so.

After a few minutes, you barge out of the bathroom, pregnancy results in your hand. You run up to Childe, startling him and the kitten.

“Baby, I’m pregnant.”

END.

Notes: I actually enjoyed writing this prompt, and to be honest I thought of the kitten as scara LMAO hope you enjoyed it! Thanks once again anon for requesting.

I recently started writing again; click here to learn more about me ^-^

Inbox is always open for suggestions and comments.

-Clara

[ac-19]

can u do a fluffy romance one shot, of Drew Franklin from seal team, where its Jason Hayes daughter (not emma) who’s also in the navy??

Wedding - D. Franklin (Bravo 6)

summary: coming home from deployment had never been better.

"Thank you for doing this Stella."

She chuckled as she looked over at me as I finished applying my makeup in the passenger seat of her car as she drove me to Emma and Brad's wedding venue.

"Of course, that's what friends are for. Does Drew know?"

I shook my head.

"Nobody knows I'm stateside except you. I wanted Emma to be the second person to know."

Stella nodded as we pulled up to Emma and Brad's venue. Even though she would never admit it, I knew Emma was disappointed when we talked a couple of days ago and I told her that I didn't know if I would be back in time for her wedding, but for once the Navy stuck to its timeline and I flew in two hours ago and quickly showered and got myself ready even though all I wanted to do was go home, crawl into Drew's arms and sleep for the next few days.

"I'll meet you inside, go surprise your sister."

I nodded as I looked at myself one more time in the mirror before I headed inside. I got directions from the staff and took a deep breath as I pushed open the door to the bridal suite.

"Can you give me five more minutes dad?"

I stood silent as I watched Emma and tears welled in my eyes. I couldn't believe my baby sister was getting married.

"Da... (Y/N) oh my god."

She ran up to me and we engulfed each other in a bear hug just as the door opened up behind me.

"(Y/N)?"

I smiled at Emma as we pulled away from each other and I turned around to face my dad.

"Hi dad."

"When did you get home?"

I chuckled as my dad pulled me into a hug. He was never the biggest fan of me joining the navy, but nonetheless he's grew to the idea that this was my life and I was, in a way, just like him.

"Two hours ago. I got changed, showered and came straight here."

My dad kissed the top of my head and I smiled as I looked back over at Emma.

"Let's go get you married yeah?"

She nodded as she handed me a bouquet of flowers.

"You better take your place next to Mikey maid of honor."

I nodded and hugged Emma once more before I headed out and took my place next to Mikey in the procession line.

"Hi I'm Mikey."

I chuckled as I turned my head and looked up at my younger brother.

"(Y/N) oh my god."

Mikey quickly wrapped his arms around me and I returned the hug as the music started playing. One by one everyone walked down the aisle and I smiled up at Mikey as I looped my arm through his as we walked down the aisle. I quickly scanned the room and my eyes quickly locked with Drew's and I just quickly winked at him to which he returned a small smile. Once we got to the top of the aisle Mikey kissed my cheek before we both took a our place on either side and once the door opened up to reveal Emma standing beside my dad I couldn't believe the progress we made as a family.

The ceremony was beautiful, and I really should have worn waterproof mascara, but I did not expect to cry as much as I did. Emma and Brad walked off, and I couldn't believe my baby sister was married, especially before me.

"I ask that all family member meet me out front for a few pictures. Everyone else please make your way to the reception area and enjoy some drinks on the newlyweds while you wait."

I looked over at my dad.

"Open bar huh? I expect the same as my wedding."

"Don't get married anytime soon then."

I chuckled as I looked over at Drew who lingered by the front door.

"I'll meet you outside dad."

"You know he's growing on me."

I chuckled.

"If I only knew all it took this whole time was for him to join your team."

I quickly turned around and made my way over to Drew and smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Welcome home beautiful."

I quickly planted my lips on his and I felt his hand rest on my hips and I smiled against his lips before I pulled away from him.

"Sorry I didn't tell you, I wanted to surprise Emma."

"I get it, it's all good."

I nodded.

"I've got to go take some pictures but I'll meet up with you after?"

"I'll be here."

I nodded as gave him another quick kiss before I headed outside to take picture with Emma and Brad. After taking so many pictures we finally made our way to the reception and since I had been deployed for the last four months, everybody wanted to talk to me and I could tell Drew was getting impatient. Other than the team he didn't know anyone here and he probably would of ducked out a while ago if not for me so when a slow song started I excused myself from my grandmother and headed towards Drew.

"Let's dance?"

Drew nodded as he pushed himself up and followed me to the dance floor. Drew swiftly wrapped his arms around my waist while mine rested around his neck.

"You miss me, Franklin?"

"You wish Hayes."

I rolled my head as Drew leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. I heard my dad clear his throat and I just shook my head.

"Ignore him."

Drew chuckled lightly while I laid my head down on Drew's shoulder as we swayed along to the music, and it was nice to just be with Drew after that long of a deployment.

The song ended all too quickly and Emma pulled me onto the dance floor for a while and before I knew it, it was nearing midnight and I had lost sight of Drew.

"He's out by the water."

I looked back at Mickey and nodded.

"Don't lose him."

"Why?"

"Because he looks at you the same way dad looked at mom, the same way Brad looks at Emma."

I smiled.

"You're growing up way to fast."

"I love you."

"I love you more Mickey."

I gave my brother a hug before I went to find Emma to bid my goodbyes.

"I'm gonna head out okay? Before I fall asleep in one of the chairs and you have to carry me home."

Emma chuckled.

"But you, Brad, Mickey, Dad, Drew and I are going out for breakfast before you jet out on your honeymoon okay? My treat."

Emma nodded as she wrapped her arms around me.

"Who knows maybe you and Drew will be the next wedding we all attend."

I chuckled.

"I think you might be getting a little ahead of yourself."

"He loves you."

"And I love him, but I don't think we're there yet."

Emma nodded as we pulled away from each other.

"And I love you."

"Love you more."

I couldn't find my dad so I kicked my heels off and walked down into the sand to Drew who was standing by the water.

"I thought you left."

"I could never leave you."

I smiled

"You wanna go home?"

Drew looked over at me.

"I thought you'd never ask."

I smiled as I tangled my hand in his and we headed to the parking lot and Drew drove us back to our house.

"My feet are killing me."

Drew chuckled as he turned the engine off as we sat in our driveway.

"I don't even know how you're still awake right now. Usually after you come home from deployment you crash immediately."

I chuckled as I climbed out of the car and Drew swiftly walked over and picked me up in his arms bridal style and I smiled as I leaned my head against his chest.

"I love my sister, I'd do anything for her."

Drew nodded.

"I can tell. I wish I had a sister like you."

I nodded.

"I don't think I ever told you this but after our mom died, my world came crashing down. I had just turned seventeen and I had to take care of both Emma and Mickey. My dad was devastated and I don't know if you heard this before, but ignore and override was his mantra back in the day. "

Drew nodded.

"My dad wasn't always around and it was usually just my brother, sister and I against the world. I could of been way further up the Navy foodchain by now but they came first."

Drew nodded.

"I love you, you know that?"

"And I love you. I'll love you even more if you run me a hot bath once we get inside."

Drew smiled.

"Of course, I'd do anything for you."

I nodded.

"I'd do the same for you too I hope you know that."

"I know."

I smiled as I snuggled up against Drew's chest as he unlocked the front door and walked inside our house. Drew gently let me down and I quickly kicked off my heels and headed towards the kitchen.

"I'm gonna grab us some beers."

"I'll go start the bath."

I nodded and smiled as myself as I watched the man I loved walk up the stairs to our house. Man was I ever lucky.

I grabbed us some beers and headed upstairs and found Drew sitting on our bed with his button up shirt unbuttoned which exposed his abs.

"Like what you see Hayes?"

I rolled my eyes as I slipped off my dress which earned a wolf whistle from Drew as I walked over to the bathroom.

"You like what you see Franklin?"

I settled into the bath and not too long after Drew joined me and I let him slip in behind me and leaned my head back on his shoulder.

"Welcome home darling."

"Thanks babe."

I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy Drew's presence and also this hot bath.

"I have something to say."

"Me too. You go first."

I nodded as I opened up my eyes and shifted my body so I could look at Drew.

"I was thinking that once my contract is up next year that I don't re-enlist and we could start trying for a baby."

Drew nodded.

"What was your thing?"

"I was thinking we should get married."

"Oh your thing is way more serious."

Drew chuckled and so did I.

"Married? For real?"

"You're thinking about kids and me asking you to marry me is what is surprising you?"

"Well when you put it like that."

Drew smiled.

"Wait is that your way of asking me to marry you?"

"Give me a little more credit than that Hayes. When I ask you I'll at least have the ring and have clothes on."

I chuckled.

"Fair enough."

"You really want kids?"

"Since I was young, yeah."

Drew nodded.

"Is that not what you want? Be honest."

"My family is so messed up, I don't even know where I would begin."

I nodded.

"Just because my family is good now doesn't mean it always was. My parents had me when they were sixteen, and when my dad turned eighteen, he enlisted, and he was barely ever there. After our mom died, it was the worst it ever was but we got through it. But for the record I really think you would make an amazing dad."

Drew sighed.

"You think?"

"I know."

Drew smiled.

"A year huh?"

I nodded.

"Well we better get to practicing then. Make sure we know how to get it done when the time comes."

I chuckled.

"Slow your roll cowboy, after this bath I'm going to sleep for the next few days."

Drew chuckled.

"I love you Hayes."

"Love you more Franklin."

As I leaned back in Drew's arms, I couldn't help but smile as I pictured a life where Drew and I had kids of our own, and I couldn't help but feel excited.

[tarisilmarwen]

Ahsoka: "Master and Apprentice" & "Toil and Trouble" Liveblog

Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOO! :D

We've added Marrok and Hyuang and one of the mercenaries and Chopper and Sabine to the opening character swivels, nice.

Digging this drum cue.

And we get an opening crawl! Nice.

Hilariously this bridge sequence feels more Star Trek than Star Wars.

Good for this captain he's very suspicious.

Hi Baylan! Hi Shin!

Aaaaaaaand they all dead.

All right, well thus far I can say I definitely like Baylan's heavy forceful presence and Shin's near feral nimbleness and speed.

Also digging the general Black Knight feel of Baylan, when he calls her "Lady Morgan" here.

Definitely feeling Zeffo vibes off this temple here.

Aligning the pedestals to light up each of the map icons definitely feels like it'd be a perfect JFO minigame lol.

That... is a Treasure Planet map.

Love how these droids move.

Welp, they blew up quite a bit of the ruins.

HEEEEERRAAAAAAAAAA! :D

Oh and she does have the lekku markings, nice.

I'm sorry, lol, the height difference is gonna bug me, Ahsoka with her large montrals was like... one of the tallest characters on the show and LA!Hera's got inches on her here it's unintentionally hilarious.

Makes LA!Ahsoka look like a shrimp.

This is a call to improve the alien makeup Disney, I'm sorry I will never not be disappointed in it.

My heart. :(((( Hera came to believe that Thrawn (and most likely Ezra too) died in the Liberation of Lothal. The quiet fearful hope on her face as she's holding this map.

"If Thrawn survived, does that mean Ezra--?"

FRICK I WAS NOT PREPARED.

And Lothal looks beautiful. *sniffles*

Hi Ryder!

And Jai Kell got to be Lothal's senator! SWEET.

BEAAAAAAAAN!

The camera shot that introduces her. *chef kiss*

Sabine being A MESS because she misses Ezra so much and she can't stand being at the dedication ceremony honoring him. :((((

There she goes to the tower.

KITTY!

SKRUNKLES MY LOVE!

We don't ever learn its name do we? Then I'm calling it Skrunkles.

OHHHHH I heard Sabine's theme! With the pan down to her stored armor.

The cat is really too cute, they did a fantastic job on it.

Ezra's theme playing too aaaaaaaand frick I'm dead.

"Hey Sabine! Sorry for disappearing on you." YOU HAD BETTER BE SORRY YOU LITTLE SHIT.

Ha ha now I understand all the weird Sabezra related asks I got over the weekend, y'all were trying to warn me.

Like I've said before, canon validation isn't my be all end all, I love these two and that's not gonna stop.

SORRY DAVE, I'VE BEEN ON THE HELL TRAIN TOO LONG, YOU CAN'T GET ME OFF NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.

Also? Eman is nailing this.

And there's the Nightsister reveal.

I'm slightly confused as to how and why Baylan knows that Ahsoka had Sabine as her apprentice.

Like, where to find Sabine, that's easy, obviously she's on Lothal, she's the local hero and protector.

But why does he know about Ahsoka's connection to her?

Anyway, Lothal still looks beautiful.

Bury me in Sabine having maybe prophetic nightmares and waking up gasping Ezra's name.

*weeps*

"Everyone was there." "Not everyone."

OW PAIN STABBING.

Natasha is killing it with this look like she's trying to hold back from crying.

They cut out the "It's been a while." line, huh. Interesting choice.

Oooooooo Sabine has doodles in one of the bunks on Ahsoka's ship!

This dialogue seems a bit redundant to the Hera-Ahsoka scene. Like, isn't this the same conversation she had with Hera?

I can't get over it, lol, it's literally a Treasure Planet map. Love it.

"The map stays here." You're going to turn around and Sabine's is gonna be GONE honey.

See, told ya. Lol.

Callbacks to Maul scenes from Phantom Menace, nice.

Skrunkles is adorable. I love him.

Ohhhhhh we are definitely exploring Ahsoka's lingering guilt over leaving the Order, leaving Anakin, before his Fall.

That design looks a bit like a Celtic knot. Maybe tying into the whole Authurian legend theme with some of the names and aesthetics?

WOAH OKAY HA HA EZRA GOT THRAWN WAAAAAAAAY MORE LOST THAN WE'D THOUGHT.

Sabine are you seriously planning to go off looking for Ezra by yourself?

You've got it baaaaaad girl.

Okay, glad they finally explained where the turbolift was in this thing lol.

Youuuuuuuu didn't need to lurk, Shin? Literally could have just taken the map and left?

Ho ho Shin grabbing the lightsaber in order to throw Sabine around.

Ooof that's gonna scar.

Soooooo was Shin just being Extra and wanting to fight another Jedi?

Bet that was it.

"For our friend, Ray" RIP good man. :(

Star charts credits nice!

These are gorgeous and I wanna study them so much more closely. I think there's a chimera? Some kind of worm thing.

PURRGIL!

The score is also excellent and I love Sabine's theme and Ezra's theme throughout.

Bet Sabine had to spend quite a while in a bacta tank. Good thing she got medical attention right away.

Corvus?

Seatos! Okay. And a "reflex point"? Color me intrigued.

Loth-kittes aww.

Ahsoka's looooong sigh when she sees that Sabine's been rewatching Ezra's holo, lol.

IS THAT A USB CORD? LOLOL.

A lovely little moment between Hera and SAbine here.

Nightsister ichor!

I am loving the star map.

"Thrawn calls to me... across time and space." Okay lady sure take a cold shower before your crush gets too hot okay.

So there are a LOOOOOT of plot McGuffins in this story thus far lol.

I'm sorry, Shin's actress is so dead I need her to emote more in her quiet scenes, simply being vicious and feral in fights isn't working.

The Phantom II looks so beautiful.

CHOPPER! HELLO MUDERBOT I MISSED YOU.

Oh wow we're actually exploring the fact that rebuilding the New Republic is messy and complicated and you can't just fire and/or jail a bunch of low level civilian machiners just because they worked on Imperial ships.

And we're ALSO getting some hard-handed slapping Ahsoka in the face with the fact that she's a mess and needs to deal with her mess.

"I see you still have your lightsaber." "Ezra's lightsaber."

AW FRICK THE WAY THAT CORRECTION GOT ME.

Filoni I love the messy prickly falling out between Ahsoka and Sabine but I would really like... ONE paragraph of exposition about why Sabine went to Ahsoka and asked to be trained, or however that happened.

I mean I know I can inference that she was desperate to feel closer to Kanan and Ezra and mourning them and trying to be the hero Lothal needed and worked up in her feelings about, "If Ezra's not here to be Lothal's Jedi I have to be." but the general audience might need some help.

OH GOSH THAT LITTLE SWALLOW AS SHE TAKES HER SABER AGAIN AND LOOKS AT IT.

So I'm confused is it that the New Republic was lazy and/or too trusting/too willing to give ex-Imperials another chance just to keep some kind of order and peace and infrastructure in place or are they just that bad at uncovering spies?

Because there is a good point that not everyone who worked for the machine of the Empire has to be rooted out and displaced from their jobs and livelihoods, that just builds resentment, makes it easier for the Imperial Remnant to gain support.

At the same time though I feel like this is tying into the general New Canon "The New Republic is incompetent." trend that I'm not a fan of.

Next setpiece yay!

Love Ahsoka using the droid as a body shield.

LOL CHOPPER.

Oh, have we remembered we need to clear atmosphere BEFORE jumping? Thanks that's great. SW been slacking on that.

Oh what? Oh this is new, hang on the bulleted lists have a character limit.

Where were we?

The new Chopper model is so much more expressive than the one they build before, it looks great. Very much like the cartoon.

SKRUNKLES I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

And cue the Kanan parallel scene with Sabine.

OH FRICK THE SCENE AT THE MEMORIAL I'M NOT READY FOR THIS.

Gimme a minute.

Right so even if you don't ship them, their bond is hugely undeniable, they are in fact the Most Important People to each other, she misses him so much and she's been drowning in her grief about him.

Ngl the finger touch is still getting me.

"It's more me." Frick, how she's been hiding away from her true self, essentially cosplaying as Ezra because she thought that was what Lothal needed, and now she's struggling to understand who she is now.

MY GIRLS ARE MESSY AND EMOTIONALLY CONSTIPATED AND SO SO FLAWED AND I LOVE IT.

Oh what?

Are they building a hyperspace ring? A special one???

Oh OHHHHHH ARE THEY BUILDING A SUPER STARGATE EQUIVALENT?

(Reference, on the show Stargate SG-1 the plot revolves around a network of alien wormhole transportation devices called stargates, that connect to each other across the galaxy. But to connect to OTHER galaxies you either needed a plot device energy source called a ZPM or YOU HAD TO BUILD A REALLY REALLY BIG HUGE HONKING STARGATE.)

Ohhhhhhhhhhh they are MAKING A SHIP CAPABLE OF EXITING THE GALAXY I WAS RIGHT.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THAT WAS A RUSH.

I am very nicely happy with how things are unfolding, aside from a few nitpicks here and there about the worldbuilding and backstory that's been kept from us. (Ahsoka and Sabine's whole... everything.)

But it does not look like Sabine is Force Sensitive, which I'm glad about. I've seen a couple people salty about her being a Jedi and honestly between the two options of "Make her Sensitive and retcon large parts of Rebels" or "It's a new era, there are No More Rules, we can't be picky about who we take on as Jedi so sure let's have a non-Sensitive, Ahsoka maybe thought it was safer that way anyway", I know which one I'm picking.

The whole plot with the celestial navigation is fascinating. I need to study screencaps of the starmap and the end credits for clues because WOAH BOY DID I NOT EXPECT EXPANDING BEYOND THE GFFA.

Ezra baby come hoooooooooome. :(((( Your girl misses you.

Wew lad, I hope there are plenty of gifsets, 'cause Imma reblog 'em all.

[jenyifer]

Dangerous romance 7/10 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lists I’d Put It In: So much potential, Sports, Slice of Life

Review: There is a lot of things I like about dangerous romance but the cons makes it so that I’d likely not watch it again.

Pros the actors main and side were fan fucking tastic. Perth can be so intimidating bratty sexy and on the other hand just a sweet little puppy. I love how funny he made Kang just adding flare. Chimon baby of OffGun of course I watched this show mainly for him. Sailom is basically a hop skip and jump away from Wave from the gifted Sassy Smart Secertly extremely caring and gushy. I’m hoping Chimon’s roles always involve sass it’s his signature. GIVE PAPANG AND PEPPER A BIGGER BL ROLE AND VIEWJUNE ALL OF MY MONEY. MarcPawin really surprised me as well I wasn’t expecting much because I just watched my gear your gown. The grandma was precious. Euro and JJ were great comic relief I wish there had been more of them. I wish there was more I made a post before this 12th ep saying how I’d fix the series in detail. So I’m gonna boil it down here. The ships should have been more interlocked with eachother. The editing made the show boring. Why did we have so many flashbacks and lingering shots. I love a pretty scene but they took so long and we needed extra interlocking scenes for all the ships. Ugh I can see how this show would have been great with just a few changes which makes it so frustrating. Anyways more about the ships after the break

First Perth and Chimon are not at fault for this I’m talking about editing and story. I adore KangSailom they had good potential but it felt like it got every trope imaginable enemies to lovers, poor boy rich boy, long standing unexplainable secret crush from childhood, tutor student, redemption arc, misunderstanding. AND YET IT FELT WEAK BECAUSE OF THE EDITING AND LACK OF OTHER CHARACTERS INTERACTION UNTIL THE VERY END.

Meanwhile audiences kept getting tiny precious glimpses of WONDERFUL side ships.

GuyNawa Idiot Sport boy for Idiot Sport boy with injury, enemies to lovers (really fully enemies), long standing crush was so incredibly beautiful and effective. I probably won’t have liked their plot too if it had been drawn out because I would have been missing the other side characters but what we got for them was perfect I’d rewatch their scenes again. I was much more impressed by MarcPawin this time I hope they get another series their kiss was thru the roof. They give me strong Sports Anime vibes made me miss Haikyuu.

Saifah and Name had the most potential to be a 10/10 ship. Papang and Pepper definitely need their flowers because the show didn’t give them a lot to work with. Their characters and storylines should have been worked in from the beginning. I wanted to want to cry for Saifah when he was taken away. I wanted to want Name to stay safe as he tried to protect Sailom and Saifah. But I felt like it was so rushed. We barely got to see what these characters had. But everything we did was leaning towards greatness a big brother who has done wrong in the past to get by trying to do ANYTHING for his brother even tho he’s in over his head and a bit of an idiot and mafia guy who sees his highschool friend again falls in love but is offered shit choices all around to his enviable conclusion and redemption. If only we had gotten them sooner and worked into Sailom’s plot more. I’m telling you it would have been stunning. I can see the vision.

I really love Pimfah. She is… a great female character. I talked about it already but great lesbian energy. I wish I had more. I wish Pimfah could have been worked more smoothly into Kang’s storyline after he decided to go after Sailom. The student teacher was precious. She is going to make a great teacher. I wish we got a spin off of what happens in London. But sadly the ship just didn’t have enough screen time.

I might rewatch the GuyNawa scenes again but the rest is probably a skip.

Bonus: Strangest kiss in the bathroom award goes to….