#complex ​father daughter relationships...... they FUCK me up

[bloopdydooooo]

presumably youve watched arcane, judging by those tags lmfao. you wanna uh 👀👉👈✨ you wanna share those jinx&silco feelings or what

YESSSS okay people have been trying to get me to watch arcane for years and, as it always is with these things, something random (my friend @northernfireart's super cool art) cracked me but yeah. sorry this won't be coherent it's 10pm i just got out of rehearsals and it is cold as shit out here right now

the first time i watched s1 (cause yes i've rewatched almost all of s1 now and yes i started it on saturday 😭) i hated silco for very good reason, and then i didn't notice it but i'd started warming up to him? i mean father daughter relationships in media will always get me so it's probably also partly that but i became enamoured with him and jinx's relationship

like he is the worst man in the world and also he is genuinely trying to be a good father to his moody teen. he literally evil and he loves his daughter and she loves him and she's also doing awful things and none of these facts negate each other. and the fact that her killing silco is the catalyst to her fully accepting jinx is so interesting, too, cause she says that "silco didn't make jinx, [vi] did" and then once she's killed silco she loses that loving human relationship she had and can fully become jinx (at least for a little while)

also the fact that even when she's flipped side again and is back with vi & co, jinx still clearly loves him. she loves silco because he was an evil man but to her he was a father when she really needed someone to protect and take care of her and i just love how complicated it is. the "good" route would be jinx completely abandoning her love for silco as her father because of everything he did and the side she ended up fighting on, but she doesn't because it's not that easy. when jinx was just a little girl she needed someone and he was there for her and he raised her; she didn't have the logic of "he's evil he's doing bad things to the undercity", she had the logic of "this is a man who is taking care of me" and i just. and then she kills him and she's so upset because that's her dad and that's what really sends her over the edge and GOD.

also i thought the scene where silco has to ask for advice with dealing with his daughter really funny cause he's this megapowerful crime lord and he's struggling to be a single dad 😭

[cinnamorollcrybaby]

The Reader gets jealous/upset because Sukuna gets Concubines, with a happy ending though. pleaseeeee

Wish I didn’t care

Tags: true form!Sukuna x fem!Reader, king!Sukuna, royal au (?), angst, hurt/comfort, happy ending i promise

An: Ooo, this was such a good idea. Thank you for requesting it from me!! I hope it’s everything you wanted!!

Sukuna never felt the need to give you a title for being in his life. To him, titles were superficial… There wasn’t a title in the world that could explain or encompass the complexities of his relationship with you.

However, you, coming from the mortal realm, wanted a title. It’s not that you wanted the power that was associated with being the betrothed of the King of Curses. You just wanted to feel.. irreplaceable to him.

So, to make you happy, you were his wife.

Kings rarely ever are allowed the luxury of marrying for love. Most kings marry daughters of other powerful kings to create allies between nations. However, Sukuna didn’t need allies. He didn’t need to marry for power when he had more power than he knew what to even do with.

Everything was simply child’s play for him. He even stopped trying to conquer the mortal realm because it was just too damn easy for him. The “sorcerers” could barely even put up a fight. It was embarrassing.

Life was truly becoming boring for him.

That was, until a female curse was delivered straight to his chamber. He was confused and honestly pissed that Uraume would simply guide this harlot into his chambers without his permission. Only you were granted such luxuries.

He was leisurely splayed in his bed with no cloth to cover himself. He truly appreciated the concept of being completely in his own skin at all times, and he often encouraged you to do the same. Though, he also learned to appreciate your more modest approach. You didn’t have to show any skin to get Sukuna riled up.

“State your purpose.” His voice was low and menacing as he spoke to the woman. He slipped his robes on over his shoulders, tying it in the front so he was no longer exposing himself.

“My father sends his regards. Says that a newly wedded king deserves a ‘fresh’ concubine.” The girl spoke with no humility towards him.

Sukuna’s face twisted in disgust that her dad would even suggest such a thing. He was even more put off that she described herself as ‘fresh’ as if she were a type of vegetable in the garden.

“Your father can kindly go fuck himself. I’m not interested.” He responds coldly, and his large palm grabs onto her shoulder with the intention of throwing her out of his chambers. He knew that if you saw her here, you’d probably be devastated.

“My lord-“

“I am not your anything. You address me as Lord or King, but make no mistake. I am not your lord.” He rudely cuts her off, not letting her think she has any sort of claim to him.

“Okay, Lord Sukuna, when’s the last time she’s fulfilled her wifely duties? I can see she’s not in here tending to you now, right? She’d probably feel grateful that you’re being satisfied around the clock.” The concubine’s voice was like a purr, and she looked up at him with eyes that’d rival a siren’s.

And for a split second, Sukuna almost considers her offer.

“You’ll never believe it, Kuna!” Your happy voice fills the air, and the door swings open to reveal you holding a small flower in your hand. “I got a jasmine to bl-“ Your eyes fall upon to scene in front of you.

Sukuna’s towering over an unfamiliar woman. His hand is touching her neck and shoulder area, while she has her hand leisurely pressed against his bicep.

“Who’s.. this?” You quietly ask, and immediately, Sukuna can feel a strange feeling pour into him. It feels like… guilt? He regrets even momentarily entertaining the idea about this harlot occupying his bed.

“Nobody-“

“Oh my lady, it’s nice to meet you. I apologize. Lord Sukuna and I were just getting aquatinted with each other since we’ll be seeing each other a lot from now on.” The serpent of a female cuts him off, and he immediately realizes just what this is. Whichever king decided to send her is hoping to ruin his marriage. She’s quite literally a snake in his garden, trying to ward his wife away from him.

“I don’t… understand.” The way your voice sounds so small. The small pout upon your lips. The way the flower you were once carrying with such confidence is now sagging in your hand. Fuck. Sukuna felt like a complete imbecile.

“Oh, come on now. You know he has needs that are beyond your abilities. I’ll lay with him when you’re too-“

“Enough.” Sukuna’s voice snaps. His teeth grit together as he practically drags the woman out of his chambers. “Go fuck off for a while. I’ll deal with you later.” The door immediately slams in her face.

After a moment of trying to comprehend what just happened and how it all happened so quickly, Sukuna slowly turns to you. It feels like a gut punch once he sees the tears brimming in your eyes.

“That wasn’t…”

“You took up a concubine?” You ask in a sniffle. Your hands are barely even holding the jasmine that’s you were once so excited to show him. Flowers rarely ever bloom in Sukuna’s desolate kingdom, but with hard work and determination, you had gotten a jasmine to bloom in his kingdom.

“No, she was sent to me. I didn’t seek her out.” He tries to dispel the claims while he slowly approaches you. His chest aches as he watches you take a step back away from him. “Do not cower from me, woman.”

“Was I not good enough? Was I not doing enough for you..? I thought… I thought it was good, b-but I can try harder.” Your voice is so shaky, and you won’t even look him in the eye. What has he done?

“Silence. You will not speak of yourself like that to me.” Sukuna orders, and he takes another step forward. You take another step back with another sniffle. Your tears are streaming down your cheeks.

“Please…” The word sounds foreign on his tongue. He’s never ever pleaded for anything in his life. He could simply take what he wants, but he doesn’t want to hurt his delicate flower. He wants her to seek out comfort in him. “Please don’t cower. It was not like that. She showed up at my door, spoke of lies and filth, and I was trying to throw her out when you walked in.”

“So you didn’t even con..consider taking her on as a concubine?” You ask while you rub the tears away with the back of your hands. Hopefully, this was all just a poorly timed miscommunication.

Sukuna takes a moment before responding. He has two options. He could tell you a white lie that would instantly comfort you, but it would be a lie. Or he could tell you the truth and face the consequences of his actions.

“It was one moment of weakness.” He replies carefully.

He instantly wishes he just lied from the way your face immediately twisted in disappointment and pure hurt. The jasmine falls from your hands, and your footsteps trail away from his chambers, leaving him dumbfounded.

Sukuna is immediately on your trail, unable to let you be. He needs to fix this. His dear wife is upset, and it’s all his fault.

A pair of hands slither up his arm as he walks. He already knows who’s touching him based off the nasty feeling from their contact. “My lord, let her be. She needs to-“

“Dismantle.” The concubine’s body drops to the floor in two, split directly at her waist. He had warned her already about referring to him as her lord. She didn’t deserve to speak of you so carelessly, and she didn’t deserve to live after causing this rift in his marriage.

Sukuna continues on his hunt for you without another hitch, leaving the harlot’s body right where she once stood for one of the servants to clean up.

He searches for you in all your usual spots: the gardens, the kitchen, the library, the rooftop. You’re no where to be found. You don’t want to be found. He starts to wonder around his perimeter. The longer he goes without finding you; the more his heart starts to race.

Did you leave him? Did he lose you for good?

The thought of not having his delicate flower by his side makes his body feel ill. You must’ve placed some sort of binding curse on him, but he didn’t necessarily mind.

He’s close to waging war when he finally sees your small human body tucked underneath a weeping willow on a bed of grass. His body moves on it’s own: running to you. When’s the last time he’s ran like this?

Crouching over you, he can see no visible injuries on your body, but he knows he’s wounded your heart with his foolish actions. How could he ever have a wandering eye when you were the real prize?

His four arms carefully scoop you up and cradle your body as he takes a seat underneath the willow. Your poor cheeks are flushed and tear stained. Your eyes and lips are so puffy. You must’ve tired yourself out from crying.

“I’m sorry, flower.” He whispers softly, even if your eyes are still resting. He pulls your body closer to his chest, and he contemplates when he started becoming so soft for you.

A part of him hates it. That small unconscious voice of his telling him that he shouldn’t concern himself with the feelings of a mere mortal, but the bigger part of him knows that he can’t just ignore you. He cares far too much for you.

“Kuna..?” You murmur as your hands rub your eyes. You’re immediately met with remembering just why you had fallen asleep. “I do not wish to see you right now.”

Sukuna chuckles quietly from your defiant little comment. It reminds him of when you first arrived to his estate. “Then close your eyes.” He simply states as one of his hands start to comb through your hair. “Woman, tell me what to do to fix this.”

You shift your gaze away from him with a small huff. If he wasn’t so much bigger than you, you’d try to wiggle away from him. However, you know it is of no use. “I don’t know, Kuna.” Your words are sharp and still so full of emotion. “Imagine how you’d feel if I told you I contemplated sleeping with someone else… in a moment of weakness.”

The sheer thought of it has Sukuna’s anger burning up like an inferno. You’re his delicate flower. No one would even know how to take care of you like he can. His arms subtly tighten around your frame. “I’d kill every man you gaze at.”

“Well, men can rest easy because I only have eyes for you.” You mutter while rolling your eyes. “I love you so much that the thought of being with someone else repulses me, and it… just really hurts that you don’t feel the same.”

“Flower, I took you for granted. It was a brief moment of contemplation, but I instantly decided against it. I did not desire her in the slightest.” Sukuna tries to explain, and his hand gently brushes against your soft cheek.

“You still don’t deny that you don’t feel the same for me.” You respond quietly, still not giving him the satisfaction of you looking at him.

“You are everything to me. I will not lose sight of what’s important again.”

“Kuna.” You finally look up at him, and you frown slightly. Sukuna secretly adores the little nicknames you have adorned him with, but he’d never admit it.

“What is it, woman?” He asks, titling his head to the side a bit to get a better look at your face. You’re so pretty in his lap like this.

“Do you love me?” You quietly ask, even if you can already hear his voice telling you ‘do not ask questions you don’t want answers to’… because even if he’s the incarnate of evil, Sukuna will not lie. Liars are weak cowards who can’t get jobs done by being upfront. Sukuna isn’t afraid of what the truth is.

Your husband contemplates your question for a moment. He thinks about how disgusting that wannabe concubine was. He thinks about how you preoccupy his mind majority of the time. He thinks about the weird mix of feelings he has felt today in your absence.

“What I feel for you… is probably the closest to love that I’ll ever get.” Sukuna responds, carefully choosing his words. “You, my flower, are the only thing that keeps me grounded to the mortal plains.”

You give him the best smile you can muster despite the disappointment that you feel since he won’t tell you that he loves you. You suppose you have no one to blame other than yourself. Sukuna told you when he married you not to get your hopes up for love, but you still can’t help but crave that sort of affection from him.

“I don’t like seeing you upset, flower.” He speaks tenderly as his thumb brushes against your bottom lip. “If I could, I’d snap my fingers and assure you that I love you whole heartedly. It just not in my genetic code.”

“I know… I’m grateful for your effort at least.” You murmur as you wrap your arms around his neck.

His arms wrap around you, cradling you to his chest. He inhales deeply, savoring your sweet scent that he enjoys so much. “Am I forgiven, woman?”

“Mmm, no.” You smile cheekily in his embrace, and Sukuna chuckles heartily.

“Oh? Is someone going to use this blunder to her advantage?” When you nod in his shoulder, Sukuna lays back against the soft pillowy grass. “That’s my girl. Go on. Make me work for your forgiveness.”

On a completely unrelated note, Sukuna had that harlot’s body mailed back to her father as a ‘thank you’ for sending a whore to his kingdom.

[shorthaltsjester]

there is something so, so devastating to me about imogen having spent the past weeks utilizing how much like her mother she appears to be as a way for the hells to gain intel and slip past different situations but how significantly her like . relvin vibes have increased in the past couple episodes. and of course we only have the one interaction with him but the temult dynamic is one of the ones that spins my brain around in knots. there is something very juicy to me about an imogen who can’t escape her mother’s fate because she looks like her spitting image and has her same powers and who can’t escape her father’s fate because she’s also powerless watching the woman she loves disappear.

like relvin in that visit is of course walled off and he’s decades down the road of having seen the woman he loves disappear into the unknown of her powers and what we got of his response to liliana and the idea of helping imogen save her wasn’t unlike imogen’s recent response to laudna. his comment that he always figured that liliana would realize gelvaan wasn’t the place for her, he just also hoped they’d go together when she left is like the domestic small town mirror of imogen’s illogical but real griefguilt about leaving laudna alone by fighting against predathos. i mean relvin specifically brings up that he doesn’t know if liliana was lying to him the whole time about her powers or if she didn’t know either, “it’s a lot to take in at once. you think you know someone, there’s a whole part of their life that they just been keeping secret from you. i was angry. i’m still angry. but you know, a little part of me wants to believe she was just doing it to protect you.“ a sentiment echoed by imogen’s responses to laudna the past few episodes.

and at the end of that gelvaan visit, relvin speaking up enough to tell imogen to “tell her…” but not having anything to say. because liliana made her choice and he knows his words didn’t mean anything before. imogen just watching as laudna shoves a dagger into her own chest, imogen telling her “i’ll always love you, laudna. i just don’t know what to do with it.”

god, in general, imogen who grew up knowing that love isn’t enough. that love is important and it’s a lot, but not enough. relvin and imogen standing with a chasm of grief and a silver locket between them and “i never want you to be afraid of me, daddy” “me neither.” and laudna’s “i don’t like people being mad at me.” and imogen’s “i know.”

because imogen is her father’s daughter. like absolutely with anger at him and complexity in that relationship but silly little cowboy jokes aside, the values imogen expresses are ones that — when not ones born of her experiences with her powers — seem very much contextualized by her upbringing. i mean the ideal life that she dreamt of and dismissed with laudna someday when the apocalypse is over is a small cottage with some horses. relvin lives in a farmhouse furnished for one.

i’ve talked before about how For Me the most fruitful lens for viewing imogen’s story is one of generational trauma, and i think the reasons for that re: liliana are obvious. but i also think that being raised by someone who isn’t privy to the intricacies of whatever haunts their spouse enough that it’s been passed down is another sort of fucked up legacy and i am truly delighted/sorrowed by how messily and interestingly imogen sits at the intersection of these dual temult legacies; one of leaving and one of being left.

[two-white-butterflies]

gave you all my best me's (ii)

Description: Aemond tries to figure out if his feelings are real. A revelation sends this house of cards crumbling down.

Pairing: (past! jacaerys velaryon/reader), aemond targaryen/reader

PART ONE ||

Aemond takes a nervous bite of his mini-Oreos. It's been a week since he introduced you to his family, and all his relatives have been sending him kind messages. However, his father has refused to return all of his calls. Nothing new, he muses.

"Are you okay, hun?" You sit beside him, and the sofa slightly shifts to accommodate your shared weight. "Yeah," he responds reluctantly. He doesn't exactly know how to feel. He sometimes looks at you and thinks about turning this relationship into a real thing, but then, he remembers your conversation with Jacaerys on the balcony...

Everything has been so blurry and difficult lately.

What if Jacaerys suddenly calls, and you pick up, and everything returns to where you left it off?

"It's just been a tough couple of weeks," he reasons.

But he knows that the feelings that thump inside of his ribcage are far too complex to explain. "Do you want to talk about it?" You asked, and he shakes his head.

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nameofficial posted to her story!

caption: with mr lover lover 😎 song: Boombastic by Shaggy

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YOU are you aight you been pushing me away lately :((

AEMOND TARGARYEN I'm a little busy with work We're releasing a new phone this month

YOU does this have something to do with the jacaerys thing?

AEMOND TARGARYEN Ofc not xx I respect you It's not like we have a 'real' relationship

seen.

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Your eyebrows merged together in fury.

It's not like we have a 'real' relationship.

You continued to stare at his message. Actually, you were glaring at your phone - until it suddenly fell on your face.

"Shit," you cursed. "Fuck," you continued.

The fact that Aemond wasn't entirely lying pierced your heart. Your feelings for him have blossomed these past few months, you didn't need a verbal reminder that this was all contractual. That he only chose to be pretend married to you because it meant inheriting his father's fortune. You are not important to him.

Thanks for the reminder, Aemond.

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You were pleasantly surprised when Alicent invited you for a cup of tea. Aemond told you that his mother kept to herself, she only talked to people inside her small circle. You remember that the only thing that she acknowledged you with were small smiles and nods, but it's good that she's finally warming up to you.

I mean...you are going to be her pretend daughter-in-law.

"I am sure that you are not unfamiliar with the way our family conducts our business," Alicent begins the conversation, taking a leisurely sip of her tea. "- it's a new age, but some of our members are still stuck in the past." She gives you a thin-lipped smile.

What was she going to say next? She voted for Hillary Clinton in the last election. "- especially my husband. He is a traditional man. Before we got married, I was in my third year of medical school. I wanted to be a pediatrician, but he gave me an ultimatum, told me it was either him or being a pedia, and I chose him." She speaks with regret.

"Pardon?" You raised an eyebrow, unaware of where this conversation was leading. "My husband knows there are charges against you by the Spanish Government, which is easy to fix, but there is a stain on your reputation. You are not the kind of woman that he finds worthy of being a member of our family. He will not allow your wedding to pull through, and if it happens, Aemond stands to inherit nothing." Alicent explains with a deep breath.

You wanted to tell her that you were no longer here for the money, but Aemond would want the inheritance, right?

Alicent reaches for her handbag, dropping an envelope of cash to cover the bill for this tea party. She reaches for your hand, holding it with both of hers. "Please stay away from my son," she begs. "- you can find another husband, but I cannot find another him." Alicent pleads, not wanting her son to fall in his ranks in society.

Reputation means everything to people like them.

"Yes, of course." You forced yourself to agree.

It's what Aemond wants.

"Please don't mention this to him. I love him, but he doesn't love me enough to abandon you." You took a deep breath. She reaches for her handbag again, writing you a check for millions of dollars but you shake your head.

"- he'll have kids in the future with a woman that isn't me, but someone that you think is proper enough for him. You won't even remember my name by then. I don't need money, Mrs. Targaryen. I'm happy to have been here." You removed your engagement ring, placing it on the table.

"Thank you," she looks up with a sad smile.

"Thank you too," you answered, leaving without looking back.

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AEMOND TARGARYEN Where are you? I bought some pad thai

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AEMOND TARGARYEN Are you still there?

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AEMOND TARGARYEN My mom told me I'm sorry Let's talk

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YOU MISSED A CALL FROM AEMOND TARGARYEN. (39)

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(ONE YEAR LATER)

WHY DID Y/N L/N DISAPPEAR?

It has been one year since singer Y/N L/N was last seen wandering around New York City. Thirteen months ago, MTV announced that her engagement with tech-CEO Aemond Targaryen had broken off. A close friend alleges that their breakup was amicable, and the couple were just heading towards different paths in life.

A year ago, Y/N L/N deactivated her social media accounts.

Six months ago, all charges by the Spanish government against her were dropped, citing that it was a third-party accounting firm that caused the mismanagement of funds. L/N was let go with a minor fine. It has been radio silence for quite some time now, but according to a few insiders, the singer is seen roaming NYC once more...

Why did she disappear? And why is she back?

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nameofficial: i stayed there.... THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND @luciechurchill!! @taylorswift. i love you so much ❤️

liked by 2,128,321 others

>comments

taylorswift: I'm so glad you enjoyed the era's tour 💙💙💙💙💙 - nameofficial: twas absolute cinema 🤯

Y/NSUPPORT: SHE'S BACK !!! and she's paid her taxes 🇪🇸

BigBlueEyes6: Y/N stays the queen of the revolution 🇪🇸 bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao 👺

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replies:

sexybaliye: I HAVE BEEF WITH HIM BECAUSE HE TOOK HER THIRD ALBUM AWAY FROM US 😭 MY ASS WILL FOREVER MOURN LOVER - applepie59: BYE...Karma by TS is Lover in a diff font - sexybaliye: Albums that will never be released LOL

hauntedasshome8: I'm not heartbroken....also me: Y/N L/N

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nameofficial: I love the crowd in Nashville. I'm so happy to be opening the ERA'S TOUR by @taylorswift. ❤️

liked by 1,329,921 others

>comments

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"How long are you going to keep attending the concerts?" Aegon sits on one of the ottomans. He gives his brother a lazy smile before callously lighting his cigarette - knowing that he wouldn't get into trouble because his grandfather owned the hotel. "Why are you so curious about it?" Aemond rolls his eyes.

"I find it kind of weird that you leave after the opener," Aegon comments. "- don't you want to talk to her?" Aegon inquires.

"She looks fine," Aemond breathes. He doesn't want to ruin your quit life just because he dreams of being in your arms again. If you've moved on, then he has no choice but to follow in your footsteps.

"I've been analyzing her note changes," Aegon puffs.

"You pay attention to that?" Aemond raises an eyebrow.

Aegon chuckles annoyingly, as if he was your biggest fan. "When she says lay on the horn, there's a slight change in her voice, which probably means that it haunts her." He quotes your lyrics. "- in one of the surprise songs, she looked really sad when singing about the snow globe spinning round and round." Aegon continues his analysis.

He looks at Aemond again, who is looking at him with a strange stare. "Men are so stupid," Aegon stands up - he rolls his eyes before leaving the room and slamming the door loudly.

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Aemond continues to watch you from the front row, he's already memorized your routine by now. He takes a sip of the beer that Aegon smuggled inside, and everyone cheers around him - seeing your faint figure begin to march towards the front stage.

"This song is going to be a part of my third studio album, I figured that I should share it with all of you first." You smile, strumming your guitar. "The apartment we won't share. I wonder what sad wife lives there." You begin your song. "Have the windows deciphered her stares? Do the bricks in the walls know to hide the affairs?" You walked around.

Freezing once you see him.

Aemond Targaryen in the flesh.

"The dog we won't have is now one I would not choose. The daughter we won't raise still waits for you." You walked past him. You could attend a million interviews after this and swear to god that you're not over him, but you'd be lying. Because you still love him. You still love all the ways that he'd massage your scalp.

"The girl I won't be is the one that's yours. I hope you shortly find what you long for." You glanced at him again. Seeing him feels like getting electrocuted. It makes you happy but at the same time really, really sad because you know that he doesn't feel the same way. "A year and some change. Isn't it strange?" You looked at him.

One word and you'll come running back to him.

"I'm sure she's beautiful and sweet." You continued strumming your guitar. "But you're the only thing I need," you change the lyrics, your voice beginning to fade in the background.

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Aemond nervously bounces his legs, and a few security guards escort him backstage - and now he's waiting for you to finish your last song. He fidgets with the engagement ring inside his palms. It's a family heirloom, a ring that Alicent gave him that came from his grandmother, Alerie.

"Aemond," you say with a reluctant voice. "Y/N," He breathes, wrapping you in a warm embrace.

"What are you doing here?" You questioned, taking in the sight of him. "Let's get back together, please," he begged, offering you the ring that was inside of his palms. "What are you talking about? I thought that wasn't part of the deal, your dad won't leave you anything." You stared deep into his eyes.

"I love you," he confesses.

"The day that you left, I wanted to tell you." He adds.

"I only left because I thought that you didn't feel the same way," your frown deepened.

A chuckle escapes your mouth, truly in disbelief at how the tides shifted in your favor.

He drops on one knee.

"Marry me," he says.

"Of course," you agree.

Meeting his lips with fiery passion.

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nameofficial: I take this magnetic force of a man to be my LOVER.

liked by 3,812,923 others

>comments

bananalols: ok what happened to hello, how are you?

helaenatargaryen: Congratulations sis and bro!! 🧡

Nour192: UMM THIS IS SO UNEXPECTED...

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aemondtargaryensapphires: Happy wedding.

liked by 123,182 others

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nameofficial: I'm so happy to make it with you ❤️

liked by 3,239,192 others

>comments

imthatbitch2: Congrats, we didn't even know that u were engaged lols

HundredBoys82: What ever makes u happy...boo?

ColossalTitan: MRS LOVER LOVER

@glame @xcinnamonmalfoyx @winxchesters @yentroucnagol @mxxny-lupin @mxtantrights @urmomsgirlfriend1 @kravitzwhore @sweethoneyblossom1 @introverbatim @flrboyd @sumsumcooluser @rebstrg @bladestark @ninihrtss @julczimozart @narahwolfqueen16

REQUESTS FOR THE BONUS FLUFF PARTS ARE AVAILABLE just send them on my inbox!!

[hollyseb]

I DO

Mob! Bucky x Reader - Forced Marriage AU

Warnings: swearing, violence, misogyny?, sexual content (MINORS DNI)

3.2k words

Summary; Bucky, a member of the mob, and the daughter of his enemy find themselves entangled in a complex relationship.

No fucking way.

Your throat tightened. The reflection in the mirror portrayed a stranger—pale complexion, vacant eyes.

“You look beautiful,” Nat reassured you, placing her steady hands on your bare shoulders, but you’d never felt so appalled. She was trying to comfort you but fell on deaf ears.

Your gaze dropped to the dress. It fits you perfectly, especially with your hair trailing down your back.

You wanted to rip it all off.

“Nat”, your voice meek, tears threatening to fall.

"I'll be by your side through it all, and if that mystery man dares to step out of line, well, a broken nose wouldn't hurt," she attempted a smile, but it faltered. Your best friend gave your shoulders a final squeeze.

Today is your wedding day.

As you found out yesterday. Yesterday. You seethed, manicured hands clenching.

“How could this happen to me, Nat?”, you asked through gritted teeth, the reality of the situation setting in.

Nat's gaze softened, her eyes filled with a sadness you couldn't bear to meet. "We both know why," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded, the truth of her words like a knife to your heart. Your father's illicit dealings had finally caught up with you, dragging you into a web of deceit and manipulation from which there seemed to be no escape.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. How could I be so naive?

And so, you became a pawn in your father’s game. An object to be bought, owned and sold off at will.

It was all a show of power. You cross me, and I’ll rob your daughter of the rest of her life. You were nothing more than collateral damage.

———————————

As Bucky adjusted his tie in the mirror, the reflection staring back at him was that of a man with a steely resolve, a predator poised to strike. His jaw clenched with determination, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.

“One last drink before you’re hitched?” Steve smirked, pushing a whiskey into his best friend's hand.

Bucky sent him a sharp look. “Come on Steve, you act like I'm not the one calling the shots here”, the glint in his eyes portraying a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

In a swift motion, he downed the alcohol and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. His throat burned. He lavished the feeling.

“Marrying a woman you’ve never even seen?” Steve's grin widened, his tone holding a hint of scepticism.

Bucky dragged a hand down his face. “All part of the game, my friend” he responded cryptically, a flicker of anticipation glimmering in his eyes.

“You never know, pal, she might be a knockout”, Steve teased, a veiled reassurance towards his friend.

”Yeah. Fat fucking chance, as long as Pierce knows I can take everything he holds dear, I’m a happy man”

With a nod of agreement, Steve raised his glass in a silent salute. "I'll drink to that," he said.

———————

Deep breaths.

You felt nauseous.

You stepped into the aisle, honing your vision on the figure standing by the altar. He had his back to you but, he was tall, broad and masculine.

Ripping your eyes from the man and planting them on your feet. Just make it down the aisle without tipping over.

Bucky turned to face you. Holy shit. His surprise was palpable. He wasn’t expecting this. You knocked the breath from his lungs. You looked beautiful. Your dress moulded perfectly to your body, skin glowing. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you.

You felt a cool hand press against the small of your back.

“Hey”, a deep voice whispered in your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

A response far too casual for the situation at hand.

His hand moved to your waist, guiding you to face him and look at him. Fuck him. You knew this was a stupid, stubborn attempt to maintain some form of control, but you couldn’t stop yourself.

That was until he placed a finger under your chin, his touch surprisingly gentle. Oh. He is gorgeous. Sculpted face, baby blue eyes, pink lips. His touch was far too gentle for someone so evil.

“H-hi”, you stammered, your voice portraying the nervousness you felt.

Bucky’s smirk only widened at your response, as if he found amusement in your discomfort. It was infuriating. He was drinking in your wide eyes and aloof expression. You were so innocent. He almost felt bad for inviting you into his world. Almost.

He wanted to devour you.

”Well…aren’t you a sweet little thing”, his finger tilted your head back as he unashamedly raked his eyes over your features, with an almost predatory hunger.

You forced a sweet smile, concealing the disgust you felt at his patronising comment, “get your fucking hands off of me”, you retorted sharply.

Bucky’s smirk faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his features, before being replaced by amusement again. “Such a filthy mouth for a pretty girl… I’ll sort that out for you”, he replied, his grip on your chin tightening.

You snarled at him, resisting the urge to clock him in his cocky face.

It was almost humorous, the way the interaction looked like a loving husband whispering sweet nothings to his wife, when it couldn’t be further from the truth.

The vows went by in a blur, all words sounding muted and unreal, until the time came to kiss the man you met half an hour ago.

Bucky couldn’t look anymore gleeful, revelling in your discomfort.

“Come on honey, I promise I’m a fantastic kisser”, he taunted, arrogance in his smirk.

You opened your mouth for a retort, but his lips landed on yours before you could protest. You hated how he was so gentle, caressing your cheek while his tongue ran across your bottom lip.

Damn it, he is a fantastic kisser.

Pulling away, you forced yourself to compose, concealing the turmoil within. He was so gentle, as if he was afraid you’d break in two at his kiss. Bucky’s touch held a power over you. You despised it, but it was overwhelming.

The reception blurred into a whirlwind of congratulatory embraces and forced smiles. Every glance from Bucky sent shivers down your spine. He was everywhere. A hand on the small of your back, an arm draped across your waist.

As the night wore on, you found yourself cornered by Bucky, his presence suffocating. His whispered promises of a future together sounded more like threats, each word tightening the knot of discomfort in your stomach.

“Is it time for that broken nose yet?” Nat whispered into your ear as you snorted at her comment, your first genuine smile all day.

“I’m ready whenever you are”, you replied, before taking her into an embrace. Her presence was a lifeline in the chaos of this ceremony.

Even after your moment of solace with Nat, Bucky's presence loomed like a dark cloud. His eyes followed your every move, logging everybody you spoke to, as he watched with an adverse gaze.

Unable to bear his suffocating presence any longer, you slipped away from the crowd, seeking refuge in the quiet solitude of the garden.

The cool night air enveloped you, offering a brief respite from the whirlwind wedding. Sitting on the wooden bench, you closed your eyes, simply focusing on breathing, before being unsurprisingly interrupted.

With a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, Bucky leaned against the stone wall, the faint glow of a cigarette illuminating his features in the darkness.

"You shouldn't be out here alone," he said, his voice low and gravelly, tinged with a hint of his streetwise charm.

"Yeah? Well, I’m fine," you replied curtly, refusing to show any vulnerability in his presence.

Bucky's smirk widened, the glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Sure you are," he said, his tone teasing. "But just in case you need a hand getting rid of any unwanted guests, you know what to say."

“Nobody’s watching here, you know? You don’t need to keep up this facade”, you replied, more angrily than you’d expected.

Bucky’s expression darkened at your accusation, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. “Facade? Come on, darlin’ you know me better than that”

”Do I?”, your voice echoed, not ready to submit to him.

He took a step closer, his movements fluid and deliberate. "Yeah, you do," he replied, his tone edgier now, devoid of its earlier teasing edge. "You think I’m doing this all for me?"

You found yourself unable to make eye contact with the mobster, “I think this is a game… where I’m being used as a pawn”, you confessed, a sadness in your voice.

Bucky was taken aback by your raw vulnerability. He lifted your chin with his forefinger, as he did in the ceremony, forcing you to meet his gaze. His eyes were a cocktail of remorse and sincerity.

“A game? I won’t lie, doll, I’ve done things that I’m not proud of”, he swallowed hard, grappling with the actions that had led to this moment, “but I wouldn’t drag you into this twisted world simply to be a pawn”.

You fought internally, unsure of what to believe.

Bucky stepped back slightly, his eyes raking over your features as his finger drew an arc over your jaw. "I know this ain't the ideal situation for either of us," he began, his voice softer now, tinged with a hint of regret. "But we're in this together now."

Your features softened and you let yourself relax into his gentle touch. The voice in your head stressing about how dangerous this man was began to quieten. You needed this comfort.

"I want you to know," Bucky continued, his words measured yet genuine, "that I ain't gonna let anyone hurt you. Not while I'm around."

"Thank you," you murmured, the weight of the day's events finally beginning to lift from your shoulders. "I appreciate that."

Bucky offered you a small, understanding smile before gesturing toward the door leading back to the reception hall. "Come on," he said gently, "let's get back inside.”

Bucky flicked his cigarette into the darkness, the ember glowing brightly before fading into nothingness.

As the night wore on, the exhaustion of the day's events began to weigh heavily on you.

“You ready to call it a night?” Bucky asked, sweeping a stray hair behind your ear.

His eyes were fixated on yours until you replied with a simple nod.

You began saying your farewells to the guests, making sure to hug Nat especially hard. You eyed Bucky as he seemed to be having an enthralling conversation with a man you recalled being introduced to as Steve. You made a mental note to ask him about his friend.

You let Bucky guide you into his mansion, down the large halls, to the bridal suite. Everything was gorgeous, sophisticated and modern.

You hadn’t let your mind trail to what your wedding night would bring, you found yourself wondering whether he’d even stay in the same wing as you.

As you and Bucky stepped into the dimly lit room, the air was hot with anticipation, charged with the unspoken tension between you.

As you turned to face him, ready to bid him goodnight and retreat to your separate quarters, Bucky's gaze met yours with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, a rawness that took you by surprise.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" His voice was low, almost hesitant, betraying the confident facade he often wore. There was a hint of uncertainty in his words, a vulnerability that made your heartache.

It was a bold move, really, you both knew it. For a request you were so sure you would’ve declined earlier in the day, you found yourself taken aback.

“Yes," you whispered, your voice barely audible above the pounding of your heart. "Yes, you can stay."

As the door clicked shut behind Bucky, you felt anticipation in the air. His gaze lingered on you, his eyes tracing the contours of your figure with a certain hunger.

“Let me take off that wedding dress," he murmured, his words laced with desire. His eyes bore into yours, daring you to resist him, daring you to deny the attraction that pulsed between you.

Your head was spinning, the way he bounced between sincerity and domination.

For a brief moment, you hesitated, the thought of shedding the symbol of your forced marriage felt like an admission of defeat, surrendering to the forces that had brought you to this moment.

The primal hunger in Bucky’s eyes convinced you, with a hesitant nod, you faced your back to him and pulled your hair over your shoulder.

Bucky’s fingers delicately worked the fastens on your dress, his gaze transfixed on your back. You felt yourself becoming conscious, truly realising for the first time that this man was going to see you at your most vulnerable.

Sensing your apprehension, the air shifted, “you’re doing great, sweetheart”, he murmured, “Tonight, it’s just you and me”.

You eased at his words, as the fabric pooled at your feet in a cascade of silk and lace.

With a tender smile, Bucky reached out, his hand brushing against your cheek with a feather-light touch. “God, you’re beautiful”, he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

His words warmed you from the inside out. There was something more than desire in his gaze. It ignited a fire in you that threatened to consume everything in its path.

In the dim light of the room, you could see the raw hunger in Bucky's eyes, the longing that burned like a fire deep within his soul. But beneath the hardened exterior, there was a vulnerability—a longing for connection, for intimacy.

You doubted he was some sort of blushing virgin, especially with the stunt he pulled at the altar, but it was hard to believe he looked at other women like this.

“W-will you… are you going to…”, you faltered, not quite knowing how to ask him the question.

”Going to what, doll?”

“You know… it’s an arranged marriage. Are you planning to…see other women?”, you ventured, your voice hesitant, uncertain of how to broach the topic.

Bucky's gaze softened as he sensed the gravity of your words, his expression shifting from one of intensity to one of attentiveness. He reached out, gently grasping your hand in his, his thumb tracing circles on the back of your hand.

“I understand why you might have doubts, especially given the circumstances," he began, his voice calm and reassuring. "But I want you to know that I take this marriage seriously. This isn’t a game to me. You’re my wife".

His words carried a weight of sincerity that eased some of the tension in your chest. "I won't deny that my past may have been... adventurous," he continued with a wry smile, "but when it comes to you, I'm all in. I won't be seeing other women. You have my word."

“O-okay”, a small smile playing on your lips.

“And just so we’re clear”, he added, a playful glint in his eye, “you’re not allowed to see other men either”.

You rolled your eyes at that, your smile widening.

Bucky's eyes softened as they landed on your lips, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his own. "You've got a beautiful smile, you know," he remarked, his tone unexpectedly sincere.

As you met his gaze once more, you couldn't help but notice the way his eyes sparkled with a warmth that mirrored your own.

“Thank you," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper, feeling the electricity between you intensify with each passing moment. The hunger in his eyes mirrored your own.

With a boldness you didn't know you possessed, you reach out to him, your fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt as you draw him closer. The air crackles with tension as your lips meet in a searing kiss, passion and need colliding in a heady rush of sensation.

His hands pulled on your hips, desperate to get you impossibly closer. Your head was spinning.

Bucky gently walked you to the bed, falling onto the sheets when your calves knocked the frame. He ate up the gasp that escaped from your lips hungrily.

“Fuck. I want to devour you”, he murmured against your lips, before taking your bottom one between his teeth. You could only gasp in response as he rolled it.

Bucky’s hands grabbed your wrists, gently placing them above your head. A stark contrast between his gentleness and dominance. His lips trailed down the curve of your neck, nipping and tucking, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

You arched against him, a soft “B-Bucky” escaping your lips.

Bucky released a guttural moan as you bucked your hips into the muscular thigh positioned between your legs.

”Easy, sweetheart”, he whispered, his voice husky with desire. “I don’t want to overwhelm you”.

Bucky's hands trembled slightly as he fought to restrain his desire, the urge to lose himself in the moment almost overwhelming. His breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to control the primal urges that threatened to consume him.

His hands, which had been so commanding just moments before, now moved with a feather-light touch.

"I need to slow down," he muttered, more to himself than to you, his voice strained with effort.

You placed a gentle hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath your touch, “we can slow down, Bucky”, you whispered reassuringly, your eyes filled with concern.

Bucky's struggle was like a battle raging within him, the conflicting desires tearing at his very core. He was used to being in control, but with you, he felt a primal urge to let go, to surrender to the passion that threatened to consume him.

But he couldn't. Not yet. Not with you.

He looked into your eyes, his own filled with gratitude and longing. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice tinged with relief. "I just want to make sure I'm not pushing you too far, too fast."

He’d never cared for the women he’d taken to bed in the past. There was something about you, an innocence he wanted to preserve, but simultaneously fuck out of you, make it his own.

“I’m okay, I promise”, you reassured him.

“No…it’s me. I want to lose myself in you but… I won’t be able to control myself. I want to do this right”, he admitted.

You caressed his face with your hand, letting a silence fall over you and your husband. He traced circles on your bare skin with his fingertips.

Bucky's arms wrapped around you, pulling you into a warm embrace, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. Feeling the weight of the day finally catching up with you, you nestled into Bucky's embrace, allowing the rhythm of his steady breathing to lull you into a peaceful slumber.

Bucky drifted into a calm sleep, the calmest he’d had in months, until the shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence. Groaning, he fumbled for the source of the disturbance, his hand eventually finding the cold metal of his cell phone on the nightstand.

"Steve?" Bucky muttered, his voice thick with sleep as he answered the call, his mind struggling to shake off the fog of slumber.

"Yeah, it's me," Steve's urgent voice crackled through the line, cutting through Bucky's drowsiness like a knife. "We got a problem”.

Bucky sent a glance to your sleeping form, the sheets pooling around your waist, with your chest lifting rhythmically.

He ran a hand down his face and groaned, not wanting to leave you. “How bad is it?”, he asked, debating whether to throw the phone at the wall.

“Bad enough”, Steve replied grimly.

——————————

Taglist!

@casa-boiardi @winterslove1917 @writingpastmybedtime @thealyrs @kandis-mom @blackhawkfanatic @scott-loki-barnes @mrsevans90 @melsunshine

[janeyseymour]

Love Thy Neighbor- pt 9

Summary: Ellie finds out about the two of you.

WC: ~2.2k

Ellie still doesn’t know about your relationship with Melissa. It’s not like much has changed since entering this relationship with the redheaded woman that lives across the hall. She still comes over almost every night, the two of you cook dinner, cuddle with Ellie on the couch before putting her to bed, and then you stay up and have another glass of wine together. Occasionally, she spends the night, but she sneaks out early enough that Ellie doesn’t see, and you’ve avoided your daughter’s meltdowns since that first night that she caught the two of you asleep in bed without her.

But it’s getting to a point where you think maybe you should tell her. Especially when Melissa casually brings up the fact that her lease is ending soon. 

“Yeah,” she says quietly as she thumbs through her mail. “And my rent is going up… asshole landlord hasn’t upped my rent in six years, and here we are.”

You frown at that. “What have you been paying?”

“Less than you,” she snorts.

“By how much?”

“You pay what?”

“Upwards of two grand,” you sigh. “Why do you think I still DoorDash occasionally?”

“Hun,” she sighs.

“I have to make it all work… and Jared is so behind on child support right now,” you roll your eyes. “I’m about to lawyer up again.”

“You know I have a guy,” she tells you. “And I ain’t paying that. I’m paying like eleven hundred a month.”

“What the fuck?” your eyes nearly bulge out of your head.

“An’ he’s still only raising my rent to sixteen hundred,” she says. “But that’s way cheaper than the shit that you’re paying… he’s practically robbing you. Should just move in with me, and we can split it.”

“What?” you raise a brow.

She shrugs. “We practically live together anyway. It’d make sense.”

You hum thoughtfully before turning in her arms. She isn’t wrong, in all actuality. But making it official and moving in with her would mean… you shrug and settle against her to finish the movie that you’re in the middle of watching while you grade papers and she goes through her mail.

“I’m not sayin’ you have to make any big choices or anything, and I know your lease don’ end for another four months, but give it some thought.”

That’s the end of that conversation, and you curl into her once you’re done grading. Her arm is draped lazily around you, settling on your thigh.

Melissa ends up renewing her lease, grumbling about the increase in her rent- although you remind her that she can’t really complain when she’s still paying half a grand less than you. The next two months fly by, and then you really do have to start considering Melissa’s offer of moving in with her and splitting the rent.

You’re laying together in bed one night when you broach the subject hesitantly.

“My lease is ending in two months,” you say softly.

She turns to look at you. “Yeah.”

“And my rent is going up too,” you sigh. “I really don’t know if I can afford to stay in this complex.”

“Just move in with me,” she says without hesitation. “I already told you that.”

You smile softly. “I didn’t know if you meant it or not though.”

“Course I did,” the redhead chuckles. “I meant it two months ago, and I mean it now. We practically live together as it is; don’ make sense that we’re both shelling out a shit ton of money to just end up in bed together at night.”

“I mean, Ellie still doesn’t know.”

Melissa sighs at that. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about that too. I think it’s time we tell her, although I do think that a part of her knows.”

“I do too, but… any time I bring up her father… you’ve seen how she reacts.”

“I do, and I’m usually the one she clings to after the initial meltdown,” Melissa tells you. “I think… that while it might be weird for her mother to have a new significant other, it’ll help soften the blow that it’s me.”

“Yeah,” you hum quietly. “I think you might be right. We’ll just have to introduce it to her slowly, and then… if she’s okay with it, we can bring up all moving in together.”

The next day, the two of you take Ellie out to the park after school. She’s all grins as she hands Melissa her backpack and races off towards the slide in the middle of the playground.

The two of you settle on one of the benches to keep your eyes on your little girl, and Melissa wraps an arm around you. Usually, the two of you wouldn’t do this anywhere but on your couch, her couch, or in your bed, but if you’re going to go public about your relationship, this might be an easy way to ease Ellie into it.

The redhead keeps her arm around you as the two of you chat about your days, and you settle a hand on her thigh. It’s warm, it’s comforting, it’s what you’re used to in the confines of your homes. And when your daughter yells over to get your attention as if the two of you haven’t been watching her run up the steps and slide down the slide for the last five minutes, she giggles when she sees how close the two of you are.

“Miss Mel! Take a video!” Ellie shouts from the top.

With her free arm, she fishes her phone out of her jacket pocket and points it towards the little one. 

“Okay, Ellie girl,” Melissa smiles. “Go ahead!”

As soon as your daughter’s beaming little face comes down to the bottom, she’s sprinting over to the two of you. Without any questions, she settles herself in both of your laps and grins.

“Can I see?”

She hands Ellie her phone and allows your daughter to watch with a grin. Your daughter giggles leaning up to kiss Melissa’s cheek. The redhead responds with a kiss to Ellie’s temple, and then one to yours.

Ellie looks over at you with the most curious face. “Why did Miss Mel just kiss your head like Daddy used to?”

You blush furiously, and you swallow around the lump in your throat. “Because… well, baby…” You don’t quite know how to say this.

“Because I love your momma,” Melissa cuts in gently.

“Well, duh,” Ellie giggles. “She loves you too.”

It’s clear that what Melissa was trying to get at goes right over Ellie’s head, and she looks to you.

“Miss Mel kissed my head because… Miss Mel and I are kind of in a relationship like the one Daddy and I were in,” you phrase awkwardly, not quite knowing how to explain this to the little girl sitting in your lap.

Ellie’s eyes go wide. “Wait, really? Girls can like like girls?”

“Yeah, sweetness,” you tell her gently. “And Miss Mel and I like each other in a romantic way.”

Ellie sits thoughtfully for a few seconds before shrugging. “That’s cool. I like like Anna, so…” then she breaks out into a grin. “Can we get ice cream?”

You roll your eyes playfully. “Why don’t you go run around a little more, and then I’ll consider it.”

The six year old leaps off of your laps before running over to the swings and starting to pump her legs. You watch her in wonder.

“I’d say that was easier than we thought it would be,” Melissa hums as she taps away at her phone.

“Yeah,” you hum. Then you purse your lips just slightly. “I think my daughter just came out to me at the age of six.”

“I think she did too,” Melissa chuckles as she continues to look at her phone. “At least she doesn’t have to worry about fear of rejection from her mother when she’s older.”

You chuckle softly before laying your head down on her shoulder. You glance down to see what your girlfriend is doing, and it turns out she’s adding the video of Ellie going down the slide to an album on her phone.

“What’s this?” you ask softly.

“Just an album where I keep pictures and videos of you and El,” Melissa tells you as if it’s nothing.

When you look at the album name, it’s labeled with a singular red heart.

“Oh?” you raise a brow and place your hand over your heart. It may be the fact that you’ve had a child, or the fact that you’re currently hormonal as hell, but your eyes well with tears.

“I look at it when I’m having a rough day with my kids,” she tells you. “It always makes my day a little brighter.”

“Can I see the pictures?”

Melissa hands you the phone, and you look through it. The contents make your heart so light. There are so many pictures of you just strumming your guitar or ukulele, a few videos of you singing as the sunlight hits your face nearly perfectly. And there are even more pictures and videos of your daughter- running around, singing her own little songs, hugging her, smiling brightly.

“I didn’t know you had half of these,” you whisper.

“I like to take pictures and videos when you guys don’t really know,” she shrugs. “Natural and beautiful.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you reply, but you do send a few pictures to yourself from her phone.

After Ellie runs around for a bit longer, you do give into your girl’s puppy dog eyes for ice cream. and you notice from your peripheral vision Melissa’s camera snapping pictures of both you and your daughter enjoying your ice cream.

And then the three of you head home, she makes you dinner, and you enjoy every bite of it. When you curl up on the couch, Ellie is immediately in your lap, and Melissa’s arm is around you, squeezing your hip gently.

You hand your remote to the little girl, but she just looks at you and your girlfriend. “I have questions.”

“About?”

You two.”

“Shoot,” Melissa says shortly.

“Do you and Momma kiss?” She nods. “Do you and Momma love each other?” Melissa nods again. “Are you gonna be like my second Momma?”

At that, you bite your lip, but the redhead takes this one. “Your momma and I love each other and everything, but we’re taking it slow and seeing where it takes us.”

Ellie nods thoughtfully. “Are we going to live together?”

“What makes you ask that?” you ask softly.

The six year old shrugs. “Don’t couples live together?”

“Sometimes,” Melissa tells her. “Maybe in time.”

“We all practically live together anyway,” your daughter says as she reaches for the remote that you set aside. She turns on her program and lounges against the two of you. “Let’s make one thing clear though, Momma: Miss Mel is still mine.”

“Hear that?” your girlfriend jostles you gently. “It’s me and El for life.”

“I suppose I have to make peace with the fact that my daughter is closer to my girlfriend than I am,” you sigh dramatically as you kiss both of their heads.

A bit later, you both take the little girl to bed and tuck her in. She practically begs for a story from your neighbor before she finally settles in for the night.

“Stay tonight?” you ask Melissa once you exit your daughter’s room. She pulls you in gently and pecks your lips.

“I’d love nothing more,” she sighs softly before leading you into the bedroom.

Once the two of you get situated, you exhale slowly. “So… I’m thinking maybe we should move in together?”

“Yeah?” She cranes her neck to look at you. “You moving to my place, or am I moving in here?”

“Well, since you already renewed your lease, and it would be way cheaper with your landlord situation… your place? It should be an easy move too- just across the hall.”

“I would be more than happy to have the two of you join me,” Melissa smiles. “You know I use my second bedroom for storage mostly anyway- for shit I don’t need anymore but hold onto… it’ll force me to get rid of some of it.”

“Really?” you ask.

“For the two of you? It’s no question,” she promises you as she kisses your temple again.

You snuggle up against her and drift off to sleep.

You wake up in her arms, thankful it’s a weekend for the two of you to sleep in while Ellie entertains herself playing dress up and having a tea party with her stuffed animals in her room.

The sunlight streams in through your curtains, and you spend a decent amount of time in a sleepy haze with your girlfriend. Only when you roll over to get out of bed do you look at your phone.

And there it is- the one thing that could throw everything you know in this new life for a loop: a text from your ex-husband.

I’m in Philly this weekend. We should talk.

[loving-family-poll]

2nd Ultimate Incest Tournament - Round 1

Propaganda under the cut:

Cain/Abel:

the og brotherssss. invented murder.

Brothers inexorably tied together… brothers alone in a field, no witnesses but god… jealousy violence guilt sin… you get it.

Blueprint for violent older sibling & younger sibling relationships. Our beloved Cain complex comes from this story and where would we be without it? These two are the huge inspirations for both incestuous and non incestuous poetry, especially between brothers. Nothing represents the self destructiveness of incest more than these guys. Also I know they frotted in those fields, Eve told me.

Alicent/Otto:

They might be father and daughter but they’re basically married

Otto thinks Alicent looks so much like his beloved dead wife, he instructs her to put on one of said dead wife's dresses before sending her to "comfort" (= hopefully seduce for the family's political gain) a man who could literally be her father because he has a daughter her own age. After that, he spends years manipulating her like a puppet while acting like some sort of surrogate husband (+ father figure to her children) when her actual husband is too sick to play his role. Also, the one time Alicent loses her shit and attacks someone in a blind rage, he thinks that's hot… er, I mean, admirable and a sign she's finally becoming as ruthless as him, of course.

Can I say he has an Agamemnon complex. Am I allowed to say that. He lives in a deeply patriarchal society where everyone's ambition is to have a son. Not him tho he doesn't really care for his male children the way he cares about her. In his own fucked up way. He doesn't comfort her or even attempt to, but instead he sees that she marries a king and becomes mother of kings and she's an extension of him and his power and she later treats her son how he treated her and she's also an extension of her dead mother. Also when her grandson aka his great grandson died he refered to him as their grandson

[icarusredwings]

Thinking about my current favorite thing is emphasising JUST how heartbroken Wade is over Nathan still but being fully understanding of it because he's surprised that he agreed to be an undefined relationship with him in the first place.

There's no "Well why don't you just bring your daughter here? I'm open to share you can bring your wife too" it's just... Acceptance.

Acceptance that Nathan is leaving him. "Oh... okay.."

"I had a great time with you, Wade. Don't think I didn't it's just... It's not the same."

".. I know.."

He wipes a tear off his face with his thumb. "It's not why you think.."

"Yeah.." but he clearly doesn't believe him.

"I'm really sorry.. I didn't mean to.. I thought I was going to stay. But I can't. I can't leave my daughter alone like my father did to me." He mutters this last part.

Wade gives a nod. Wow. Here, he was being dumped and abandoned, and still, he was doing it in the hottest way possible. By sticking to his family. Too bad Wade didn't have any family. He wanted one so badly, but it never felt complete. And even when it did, just briefly, he put them all in so much danger that its better to be alone.

But Cable didn't need protection. He could take care himself, and Wade didn't need to worry about him being kidnapped and held hostage.

His voices had begged him not to do it.

Told him to break the damned thing so Nathan could never leave... but he showed him the second he fixed it. Excitedly wrapped it up and gave it to him. He physically handed Nathan his own heartbreak. Presenting the wrist band to him like a proud cat who finally killed that annoying bird its owner complained about. He couldn't keep it hidden. Morally - pft. Yeah, those pesky things - Morally, he couldn't keep Nathan from seeing his daughter. He'd visit and come back. Back to Wade. And for some stupid reason? Wade thought it would stay like this. He thought that by doing the right thing, Nathan would see him as good and love him more..

That was the last time he litsened to that stupid cricket on his shoulder.

"...Bye, Wade." He told him. Even kissed his forehead goodbye. And then?

He left him standing there. Alone.

It's why he has such a hard time believing Logan when he comes around. For months, he paced and worried that once again he's done the right thing too well, Worried that by getting his suit repaired, once again excitedly presenting it to him, a nice little ribbon. Logan had cried when he got it. Hugging him and breaking his ribs.

He waits for him to leave. He waits for him to realize he's not happy here. He waits for him to give him the same speech, but it never comes.

Eventually, he tells him that if he doesn't have the balls to break up with him, then he can just leave. Logan has no fucking clue what hes talking about because he thought things were going well. He dosn't immediately jump to being upset and instead just tilts his head in that stupid little look he does.

"... what's wrong, Wade?"

Triple W. He hates it. Everyone is always asking this, and he can't ever explain why. He couldn't explain such complex emotions that he himself barely understands.

"Turns out.." he starts, looking almost defeated. Small. And tears come to his eyes. "When a guy says you remind him of his wife... it's not a good thing.."

Again, he's confused because Wade would rather not talk about him much. He hurts too much when thinking about it because none of his relationships ever end on respectful terms like that. They either die or dump him, call him nuts, run away. Or... They sit him down.. tell him they're leaving... and then leave.

He doesn't want Logan to be a third. Oh, it was ridiculous how much he loved him. How much he LIKED him. Sure, he had a great time with Nathan, but Logan felt different. He couldn't pinpoint why. He spent hours comparing the two in his head, trying to find WHY Logan was different.

The last person to do this to him, after Nathan, was Vanessa.

Yes, Logan can live forever LOVE him forever, but so could time travelers. Yeah, he could stab Logan and genuinely blow off some steam with him, and he'd be fine, but he was used to being gentle with partners, used to holding back with V. To make sure he didn't hurt her, Ever (well- unless, she asked - but that was different) So why with him did he feel so.. trusting? Was it his smell? Was it the fact that he could be pissed off at him and still make Wade his safe foods? Was it how he snored? How he sat there and endure his bullshit like now? With that pathetic pitiful smile with such big canines and beautiful eyes that he could swim in? WHAT WAS IT?

"...What if she's dead?"

"W-what?" He holds himself tight, stomach turning and hurting with worry, feeling nauseous.

"What if my wife is dead?"

He swallows "That dosn't help your case."

"What if.. You're nothing like my wife?"

Wade glances at him, semi perked up. "...What do you mean?"

"Well.." he starts. "What if this is real?"

Wade tilts his head like a puppy.

"What if... our entire marriage was fake because her power quite literally gave me false memories and forced me to believe all of it was real? What if... what we have IS real?" He mutters, putting his cheek in his hand.

He blinks, processing, smiling, immediately cringing, and crinkling his nose. "OH- Wolvie... ouch....ew." That didn't sound very consensual...

"... yeh.. well.. shit happens."

He hates it when Logan connects with him so much, having something very similar of his own happen.

"So.. we good?" Logan asks.

"Huh?"

"Are we good? Yknow... cleared up the whole... thing?"

"What thing?"

"God really gifted you the memory of a goldfish didnt he? You told me you wanted to break up."

He crosses his arms, pouting. "No! I said If you didn't have the balls to break up with me then leave. I-i can't handle it."

Logan sighs heavily. "Fine. Then Im breaking up with you."

The look of pure shock quickly turns to sadness as he looks away, voice breaking. "..Ok‐ay.."

He rolls his eyes. "What are you doing later?"

"G-gonna cry in my room and eat an ungodly amount of ice cream..."

"....But your lactose intolerant.."

"I said what I said! W-why!? Why do you even care!?" He snaps at him, tears running down his face, clearly having over upset himself with his own mind.

"Hm.. You wanna get dinner instead?"

This one line flips a switch In wades dumb little head as he stares at him with wide eyes. "...Y-you're asking me out? Again??"

"Mhm. Long as you dont have a secret power that brainwashes me into it."

He shakes his head. "I-i dont."

"Promise?" Logan smirks, raising a brow.

"Promise!!"

And just like that he's on his lap, nuzzling all over him and telling him how mad he was at him but also how hot it is, and if they could get pasta for dinner.

The point of this story is that you are loved and your brain is a bitch. You really gonna litsen to a little bitch?? Pssh no. You're stronger then that. Act like it.

[wishfulsketching]

this is super random but i saw you love silco & jinx and complex father-daughter relationships and i wanted to rec the dragon prince on netflix to you. the main pairs that'd prob interest you on that front would be Claudia and Viren (bio daughter and father), who have a loving but fucked up mutually codependent dynamic with one another and Claudia and Aaravos (adoptive daughter and father) + Viren and Aaravos being old toxic gays together. All 3 of them are dark mages and use themselves/creatures and ppl around them as spell ingredients. Claudia also has a huge fear of abandonment and does a lot of fucked up things but is always developed and treated sympathetically by the narrative too (as are Viren and Aaravos once we get to both of them)

I actually started watching it when the first season came out. I dropped it because I really did not care about the main group but saw a lot of potential in the side characters. I peek at the tags at times, am aware of the old gays, but I am not the kind of person who can force myself to watch something. The designs and a lot of world building intrigue me but it's just not enough.

BUT! I do think if you like it, hell yeah. It seems like a deep well of inspiration and good characters. I loved Amaya the little I saw her

[natinkart]

✨️FEM MERCS HEADCANONS✨️ pt 3 SUPPORT

those would be mainly things directly influenced by the gender change, so like personality wise they are pretty much the same as the og

THE BIG FINALE W/ MEDIC, SNIPER AND SPY, oof this one's long and heavy...

*mentions of periods, pregnancy, conceiving and all of that, blame medic and spy, those two are fucked up, and descriptions of resentment towards ones child (it's really heavy but i dont know how to tag it help, i hope this is enough ;-;)*

medic - I like Ludwig as a surname, so she prefers to be called by that (I don't wanna search German names rn). she's bat shit crazy as og medic, so she too, didn't feel "challenged" in medical school and started doing not so legal surgeries. ok now, let's take the weird obsession that og medic has for uteruses but put it through a femminine lens. a woman with a god complex OBSESSED with the concept of reproduction and basically "creating life" is ten times more scary and menacing than the og. I firmly believe she made a procedure on herself to stop her period while keeping her ability to conceive. She just wanted to stop the pain and the bothering bleeding. so no projecting your period cramps on her, sorry 😔. she's one of the few mercs to shave, she cares about her appearance. she has a thoughtful hair and skin routine she's trying to pass to engie. medic and engie are besties. They do girls' nights in the medbay or in engie's lab in which they try to create life from scrap metal and spare body parts. Just girly things, don't worry about it. she needs 3 bottles of beer before starting to feel tipsy, she's not the best drink buddy because trying to keep up with her will most likely bring you comatose. everyone thinks she has big tits but actually, she has a big rib cage and little fat on her chest. She does not correct the others, though, she never showed her full body in the common shower. seeing the team fully naked does not bother her, she just sees future specimens, but others seeing her? that's embarrassing, that will NEVER happen.

sniper - ok, hear me out for the name, but I think Mildred would be cute, but she would prefer to be called Mindy, so her name would be Mindy Mundy. I'm a genius I know. anyway, like og sniper, she had a difficult childhood, always out of place, distant and isolated, like engie but 10 times worse. so she has EVEN WORSE care routine. no wait, correction, she DOES NOT take care of herself WHATSOEVER. she's a greasy, unkept woman with little to no care about her appearance. she has mid back length hair but she cut her front hair with scissors because they get in the way. she prefers to stay with no bra, she finds it restricting. she does sleep in the van and lived out of canned food every time she had work to do. obviously, when employed by RED she kept sleeping in the van but is grateful that heavy, scout and engie are able to cook really good meals, this kind of helped with her health. she knows how to skin animals and have great anatomical knowledge. she's neither shy or introverted, she just doesn't care about others and sometimes she's kinda of a dick, but if she actually talks to you it means that in some way she cares about you. she talks a lot with scout, even if they mainly tear each other apart, both verbally and, sometimes, physically. the fight is usually stopped by heavy or engie, the others either encourage it or do not care. she is a professional so she would never say it but she likes staying with the team, but she does say that the all have their use.

spy - uff.. ok. spy is a complicated one. an arrogant, stubborn, self centred femme fatale. she wear her mask (i'm sorry i don't remember how it's called T.T) that covers her face like og spy, but i want here to wear a neckerchief and sunglasses. she still wears a suit, but it's a woman's suit, so shorter jacket and some other small differences. the main problem with spy is that a relationship between father and son and a mother and daughter one it's REALLY DIFFERENT. if you are the one that suffered for 9 month to give birth to a human being you didn't want, you are not just gonna ignore her for the rest of her life, no, you gonna have pure hatred in you soul for your daughter… the maternal love is so easily obscured by this resentment against the child you feel ruined your life. spy's really spiteful and maybe even malicious against scout and the fact that Jenny keeps her in such high regard would only increase that love-hate sentiment. spy wants to have a loving relationship with her but she connected the very concept of her daughter to that profound hate she had for so much time that she started to loath herself. that hate towards Jenny became toward herself, but she won't admit it so she conceive that feeling behind her "disliking scout". a bond between a mother and their children is so deep that when severed in any way leaves such deep scars and may will never heal. and when your daughter sees you everyday but not her own mother, you know that wound for spy is open to the world to see. she isolates herself from the team to NEVER create a bond with anyone, she's always alone, she must know everything about others and make them scared of her, it's the only way she can keep control on her own emotion. if someone would find out ANYTHING about her she would feel vulnerable, if she bound with ANYONE she would be vulnerable, and she won't allow it. she won't never allow it again. but Jenny is the living manifestation of her vulnerability, the only time in her life in which she was happy, in love, but from where she fled the moment she had a physical representation of that. so no, she doesn't hate scout, she hates herself, she hates that she is vulnerable, that she can't be vulnerable, that she crave a loving relationship with her daughter and the consciousness she fucked everything up. her love for Jenny is so deep inside of her that is impossible to grasp, is at her very core but covered by millions of layers of hate and self loathing, all protected by the mask of a cocky and egoistic woman.

EDIT: you can find the full art line up HERE!!

pt1 | pt2

i really hope you're still here after the depression™️

[yello-123]

Something I am just beyond obsessed with this Shauna Shipman being a dog that bites (specifically the hand that feeds her), a violent dog, a losing dog, etc, whatever the Tok Tok dog trend is this month. If there’s an unfortunate dog allegory— boom she’s there. Shauna’s just got that dog in her like no one else before her.

That being said, my favorite one to dive into is that she bites that hand that feeds her. Any individual who shows her genuine kindness, care, and affection she both fails and hurts horribly. Off the top of the dome:

Jackie Taylor- Jackie adored Shauna. Just adored her. I mean they shared a lot of history and their relationship was complex and toxic, but Jackie doted on her and more than that depended on Shauna for emotional support, camaraderie, and idk homoerotic tension. When Jackie’s mental health and significance/popularity began to decline in the group she needed Shauna, she needed her best friend and Shauna refused her. Shauna, finally in possession of a role outside of Jackie (more importantly one that outshined Jackie’s) and weighted down by a guilty conscious, grew more and more distant. I mean that’s just to start, not even mentioning how she emotionally butchered (don’t get me started) Jackie in front of the whole team, led directly to her death, ate her, and then lived her life. How Shauna specifically “bit” Jackie’s “hand” just needs to be its own discussion so I’m going to move on.

Jeff— Oooo I’m discussing Jeff in a serious light the Yellowjackets police are going to come get me. He’s a more interesting character than most fans give him credit for— sue me! Jeff, although a cheating lowlife in high school, is a brilliant husband to Shauna. Like I dare you to show me a more loyal and devoted husband. If you do, I owe you whatever you want from Panda Express. Jeff knows everything that Shauna’s done and still does everything he can to give their family the best life he can possibly provide. He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but the lengths Jeff goes to are astounding. I mean even on the mundane level, he goes to marriage counseling and puts forth his best effort to keep their marriage afloat. What does Shauna do to repay this care and effort? Cheats on the father of her child repeatedly and pulls him into her life or crime. Essentially it was like “Hey honey, I cheated on you then murdered him! Would it be any trouble to help me do a cover up?”. The man is literally willing to lay his life down for a woman that barely can stand him.

Callie- Speaking of the happy family, Callie may be one of the worst victims of Shauna’s hand-biting propensity purely because she was fucking child. Honestly, I’m surprised Yellowjackets hasn’t leaned into exploring concepts of mother-daughter relationships more because, I mean, look at the audience. That aside, we don’t really see it much until S2, but Callie seems to have inherited Jeff’s unearned devotion and loyalty to Shauna. Shauna straight up tells people that she doesn’t like her child and pulls said child into her life of violent crime, and her 1990s-all-women-wilderness cult shit. In addition to this, Shauna’s worst crime against Callie may just be the genes she passed down to her. Callie, a pretty typical teen, asks Jeff, “Am I like mom?” And soon thereafter we see her shooting a gun at live people. Idk the mommy issues go CRAZY. They also deserve their own discussion post.

Ok, this sat in drafts for like a week so it would no longer be "off the top of my head" if I continued. Other victims of Shauna Shipman's hand-biting habits are Lottie and Adam. Every single individual in this post (esp Lottie, Jackie, and Callie) deserves their own full explanation post and may one day get one.

[rwrbficrecs]

September Faves

Enjoy these September recs from the team 🥰

Best Bar in The World by @pridepages (book-verse)

@heybuddy-drabbles: Well, I can now confirm that I'm 100% cerified a pridepages fan. The way she picks the themes of the original source and uses them in a different setting is just absolutely flawless, the same happens in Little Pages. It's gives you the same feelings of reading rwrb but also reading something new and different all at the same time.

My Brother’s Keeper by @indomitable-love (book-verse)

@janetical: Written in Philip’s POV, it tackles all the canon events in a frustrating yet heart-wrenching way. I knew what I was getting myself into when I noticed the POV, but I really did hate Philip less at the end of this fic. Everything is entailed in this little story: unresolved daddy issues and grief, internalized homophobia and Philip acknowledging Henry’s first time. It will make you cry, and it will end on a somewhat happy note.

For all the world to see by @everwitch-magiks (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This is a fic I couldn't put down! I'm always a fan of Henry being a writer in fics (so the description alone caught my eye), and the mix of cute moments with firstprince (and David) and plot twists had me hooked! It's also such an interesting look at the life of a writer and how difficult it is for them to have anonymity, which was especially interesting to me because of the writers strike in Hollywood.

he looks up grinning like the devil by @coffeecatsme (book-verse)

@read-and-write-: Also known as the frat boy AU, if you want some hurt/comfort that really does what it says on the tin. Don't be afraid because it is completely worth it!

written in the stars by @indomitable-love (book-verse)

@heybuddy-drabbles: This is just so beautiful. It's basically about Henry mostly. I didn't expect the "past" part would hit so hard but it did. I had to put it down a few times because it was truly heartbreaking but it has a happy ending. Don't be fooled like I was about it being all fluff. It's not, it's very nostalgic and they are apart for a long time but I still recommend it because, like I said, it's really beautiful.

Deep Blue by @myheartalivewrites (book-verse)

@thesleepyskipper: This was just a stunning piece of writing that does such a wonderful job of evoking images of the seaside cliffs, swimming in the cove and spending lazy days in the cottage above. At the same time, we get all that delicious pining and FWB to lovers fun within that beautiful setting. The spicy bits are beautifully done too! Highly recommend!

Rae of Sunshine! (series) by @three-drink-amy @indomitable-love @clottedcreamfudge @everwitch-magiks @the-amber-fox @villiageidiot @athousandrooms @welcometololaland @dustratcentral

@rmd-writes: I couldn't choose just one fic from this series gifted to me so I'm recommending them all, but every fic very much deserves the recommendation! Nine food-themed fics featuring everything from an exploration of Henry's life through food to chef!Henry to craft services trailer!Alex to matchmaker!Pez to the world's most cursed coffee habits from some of my favourite authors (and people)

What Do I Know? by @three-drink-amy (book-verse)

@babiemonk: The angst is so good I cried

Screw Your Courage to the Sticking Place (and forget macbeth is a fucking tragedy) by @celaestis1 (book-verse)

@babiemonk: So amazing, I didn’t want it to ever end. The angst was so good. The kidfic element was perfect. Possibly the perfect fic.

@dot524: I absolutely loved this one. Such a ride and I enjoyed every bit of it. I also really enjoyed the character of Alex’s daughter. Lots of complexity, great story arc.

God Save the Blessed American President Mom by @zipadeea (book-verse)

@babiemonk: This fucking broke me I cried for at least an entire day

@suseagull04: This is such an introspective look at Alex and Ellen's relationship (and Ellen as a character in general) and it's so good!

like father by rizcriz (movie-verse)

@indomitable-love: A really lovely and sensitively told conversation between Oscar & Henry, where Oscar catches Henry sneaking out of the lake house. This one got me right in my emotions. Very healing.

Bite Your Tongue On Purpose by Woodsarelovely (book-verse)

@darwinsfinchesx: Coffee Shop AU with a twist. This fic has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read. It’s delightful, funny, and the characterization is on point. It leaves a big smile on my face every time I re-read it.

seldom what they seem by @jumpinginmuddypuddles (book-verse)

@gwiazdziarka: Sleeping beauty AU, where they don't need to fight with witches or dragons but there are... other problems. I love modern-day solutions to fairy-tale problems and here it actually just makes everything more complicated.

Mr. Bodypillow by @inexplicablymine (book-verse)

@gwiazdziarka: Yes, I recently recommended this one as wip, but now it's complete and I just need to bring it up again, because it deserves all the attention. Alex and Henry have the most amazing relationship here that goes outside of usual norms. It's also the warmest and the sweetest thing that I've read in a while. And it has great ace representation.

@read-and-write-: Is Ace!Alex very special to you? Do you want to feel like someone is wrapping you in a soft blanket? Then Mr. BodyPillow is for you! It's beautiful and will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside

come pick me up by @smc-27 (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic will both make you laugh and give you all the feels. An awkward first interaction when Henry requests an Uber ride leads to an instant connection and sizzling chemistry, all leading to a conclusion that, although satisfying, will leave you wanting more of this verse!

the winner takes it all by @dumbpeachjuice (book-verse)

@myheartalivewrites: A Tour de France, rivals cyclists AU! Keeping a lot of the book dynamics, Alex and Henry find themselves competing against each other on the Tour — and then falling into bed. This has everything: thrilling sports passages (even though I haven’t ever watched the Tour in my life!), romantic tension, a great read.

Love-Love by @smc-27 (book-verse)

@myheartalivewrites: a tennis AU set at Wimbledon, which obviously holds a special place in RWRB hearts. Alex and Henry as rival tennis players who’ve hooked up once, and then end up as doubles partners. A quick read that left me all warmed up from the inside.

a flicker, a spark by acastle (book/movie-verse)

@daisymae-12: Wow I don’t have the words to truly convey how much I loved this fic. It diverges from canon at Kensington and the events that follow are so beautifully written. This fic made me cry over an OC, made me feel seen when I recognized parts of my own cultural background woven into a story, made my heart ache for everything Alex and Henry have been through and made me tear up some more. This is one of the most heart-wrenching canon-divergence fics I’ve ever read and I know I’m going to be thinking about it for a long time.

Baby, All At Once (This Is Enough) by @iboatedhere (book-verse)

@daisymae-12: This fic is such a lovely look into Alex & Henry’s life post-canon and had me absolutely melting from the softness of it all.

Will You Brie Mine? by @cha-melodius (book-verse)

@daisymae-12: A fic featuring cheese and Henry being the one to sell it, what’s not to love? This was such a sweet fic and I loved the interactions between them! @cha-melodius always writes such amazing fics, and this was no exception.

[ripplestitchskein]

Another thing I facilate wildly on is Stella. How much is she in control of this situation and using her brother and Stolas’s assumptions that she is stupid and just a pretty face to her advantage? On the other hand we don’t have a lot of indications that she isn’t stupid either, the situation with Striker doesn’t frame her as some genius, just a jilted wife getting revenge in the dumbest and most indiscreet way possible.

But her stupidity is almost too much sometimes for me to really believe that’s all there is to her character when we have characters with a lot of complexity otherwise. I would also just kinda super dig the idea that she is subtly manipulating both of them to play against each other, keeping her hands clean and coercing her daughter so at the end she gets everything. She tried a simple assassination thinking no one would care, but when Blitz and IMP foiled it twice she needed a new plan, just drop a few well timed hints to Andre and he’ll take care of the rest.

How does she know about the grimoire and the deal and the rest of it? Octavia knows all of it, she stole the book from IMP in Seeing Stars, she’s aware of what’s going on with her father more than Stella is and it wouldn’t be difficult for Stella to get the information from a 17 year old who doesn’t know what she’s revealing.

The way I see it we have a few sources for leaks of the information:

1. Servants, she treats them like shit though so I can only see them telling her if she paid them off.

2. Octavia knows everything, she knows Blitz has the book, what he was using it for and presumably that they broke up. She’s used the book herself.

3. Striker knows about the book from Harvest Moon but I can’t see him keeping tabs on their relationship like that, and he didn’t even know what it was, he had to be coached by Andrealphus.

4. DHORKS has video footage, I used it as evidence in my similar trial scene in Sheltered and they are being funded by someone, someone who just increased their funding. I speculated it was Mammon, jealous of Ozzy’s ability to get to the surface and wanting to exploit a market, it would have tied Ozzy/Fizz nicely to Blitz, but he seemed pretty irrelevant in the trial so I’ve dropped that theory for the most part. DHORKS also has been Blitz use the crystal.

The big glaring indicator it might have been Octavia for me is that a servant spying on Stolas for Stella would probably have mentioned the crystal. They were shouting about it in the palace so a servant would be just as likely to know about the crystal as the book. Octavia might not know about that yet, especially if she hasn’t seen her father lately, so therefore Stella know that detail either. Striker is still a possibility for this reason as well, he wouldn’t know about the crystal but I can’t see him trying to get revenge on Blitz in this way unless it was just offered to him. Why go to Stella to get to Blitz? His beef isn’t with Stolas and he wasn’t at the trial for Stolas, he was there to fuck Blitz over and get paid.

Another reason I think it has to be Stella pulling all the strings is that this trial only guarantees that Stella wins by hurting Stolas via Blitz’s death. Stolas losing everything was unexpected, in fact it wasn’t even likely. There was zero guarantee that Stolas would show up to this trial, he just happened to catch it on TV, so Andre’s plan is super shoddy in that regard, especially how he framed it as Blitz taking advantage of Stolas, and Stolas being unaware and traumatized. How did Andre intend to get his titles and fortune if Stolas didn’t show up and confess?? Stella would still get revenge but Andre wouldn’t get shit and if anything he made Stolas more sympathetic, he frames him as a victim? If he was counting on Stolas showing up to save Blitz wouldn’t he have put something in place to ensure Stolas was there??? I do not understand this part at all. Like it could just be a failure of the writing but until the end of the show it’s impossible to know what isn’t part of a larger narrative so maybe I’m just being delusional that there is a larger plan at work. So this really only works for me if Stella was using Andrealphus.

Let Andrealphus be the fall guy, if Blitz dies Stolas would come after Andrealphus. Andrealphus is gone, Stella might be his heir, Stolas is punished for going after another Ars Goetia, Stella gets his stuff. Stella wins. Or Blitz dies, Stolas is sad and she has revenge on the imp who fucked he husband, and Stolas is probably not mentally stable enough to handle that, Andre even laid the ground work for it in the trial, her hands are clean in the eyes of her daughter. Stella wins. And now with what actually happened, Andrealphus is the one with a public connection to Striker, he is the one who has the legions and power, and she might still be his heir, if anything comes up about the assassination she can just point to him, he knew the assassin, he benefited from Stolas’s fall and got his stuff, again, Stella wins.

Edited to add: In addition to Andre now publicly being tied to Striker at the trial, Stella also had Striker come after Stolas publicly in the tea shop where Andre also was, another way to have him be the fall guy.

This honestly only makes sense for me if Stella is an evil genius.

[avelera]

i agree with you and I don't like the Armand is alice theory. since Claudia died, we have 0 main female characters. This theory seems like an attempt to erase a minor female character who had an impact on a main male character life. Sometimes I felt like the iwtv fandom is hostile toward female characters. It also remind the fan that Daniel wasn't a good husband or a good father and a very flaw character who hurt a lot of women, not in a criminal way but he was surely an asshole. In fanfic, he doesn't have any flaw and is often victimize. The fan wants him to be a Marius hater, when himself forced a girl to put a paperbag on her head to have sex with her. She cried a lot but he didn't stop. I don't think he's aware of concept like "consent" or sexual assault. He was mostly a cheater with his wifes and an absent father to his daughters. And I feel like the fandom can't accept this so 1) they erased Alice 2) they made all his life about Armand when it wasn't. Because no matter how his life was, how he was a sexist asshole, it was the life he chose and Armand was a part of it but not the center. I like him, but not everything is about Armand and he's not Armand's savior or Armand's redemption or Armand's soulmate.

I think there's a lot of valid points in what you're saying!

I think fandoms in general have a tendency to polish off the rough edges of their favorite characters and Daniel is absolutely going to get this treatment by the fandom. It's pretty much inevitable but I don't blame people for doing it in their fanworks, that's just how fandom works.

I completely agree that a tendency to make Daniel's whole life about Armand would be a disservice to the character, especially Old Man Daniel who has lived a rich life on his own and if he had a relationship with Armand in the 70s, he's had half a lifetime or more since to live completely independent of Armand (perhaps thanks to Armand wiping his memory of that relationship, perhaps not). Regardless, it's a pretty common angle for fandom to take, especially when shipping two characters. The focus will be on the relationship and so the focus will be on making that relationship central to who they are often to the exclusion of all else. Certainly as maker/fledgling, these two ARE going to mean a lot to each other going forward too. But yeah I agree that erasing Alice or making Alice Armand is a denial of the long, independent and complicated life that Daniel lived completely without Armand.

But I also completely agree that Daniel was, canonically, not a good husband or father. He admits it himself. It's at the absolute core of who IWTV Show Daniel is. It's at the heart of his acerbic personality, his regrets, his terror at the thought of dying because he will be dying alone and unloved, and his relentless pursuit of the truth with Louis and Armand because he thinks the only thing valuable about himself that he has left is his skills as an investigative reporter. He has by his own admission fucked up every personal relationship he's had by being a complete asshole but that asshole flaw in his personal life was a virtue in his professional life. He is a relentless investigative reporter in part because he's a complete asshole. He wasn't able to shut that part of himself down when he was with his loved ones and that's why he has no one he loves in his life who wants to be around him, but he is still an award winning journalist. It's to me what makes him an interesting and complex character. If you polish that away, if you make him nice rather than a flawed man who is trying to do better (until maybe he's not, once he's a vampire) I'm not even sure why you'd be writing his character instead of an OC, it is what makes Bogosian's Daniel unique even as compared to the book version of the character.

The whole point of IWTV is that these characters are complex and they are ugly, they are monsters and they are human, and as Santiago says we should remember that when we put them on trial. This is a central theme of the show. This theme extends to Daniel too. Claudia is a victim of her horrible circumstances but she's also a bonafide serial killer of thousands of innocents. Louis is a soulful and tormented person who also murdered his way through the San Francisco gay population in the 70s as viciously as any epidemic. Madeleine was a collaborator during WWII and as much as we might debate how much of a choice she had in being one if she wanted to survive in WWII Paris, she was also completely unbothered by the idea of becoming a serial killer in order to gain immortality.

We are being asked by the show to hold the dichotomy of these characters in our heads, we are being asked to love them as humans and be horrified by them as monsters at the same time. Anyone who tries to polish the rough edges off these characters by having them be moral paragons is, I think, entirely missing the point of the gothic moral complexity of the show. No one is innocent, not even the interviewer. Daniel was an asshole to his loved ones. We can still feel for the fact he's afraid of dying, either to his chronic illness or to the vampires he's interviewing. That isn't something to be avoided by the viewer, that is the exact complexity we're being asked to engage with. Then again, fanworks serve a different purpose so people should do whatever they want with the characters there, this is just to say that the core story that I think is what attracted many people to IWTV is about moral complexity and it's a shame when that element is removed, at least when it comes to my personal enjoyment as I can't speak for others.

There are a couple things I disagree with though with what you said or want to address with a bit more nuance below the cut.

I don't think the fandom is hostile to women as such. I admit, I don't really know it well enough to say one way or another, but I'm always hesitant to apply such a sweeping criticism of a large group of people. M/M slash fandoms tend to focus on the male characters, it's just how it is. But IWTV gave us a beautiful f/f relationship with Claudia and Madeleine and I see a lot of appreciation of them and their relationship on my dash. Fact is, there's just not as many female characters as male characters in the Vampire Chronicles by at least 2:1. So naturally the fandom will focus on the male (and more importantly surviving) characters.

As for Marius, I don't think we have an answer about him yet within the show. What we have is that Louis called Marius Armand's pimp and we have show Armand telling us that Marius was his whole world but also that Marius prostituted him to visiting friends.

That is completely contrary to what we learn about Marius in "The Vampire Lestat" and "The Vampire Armand" books. If it's true, it's an invention of the show. Marius in the books specifically allowed Armand total autonomy in his sex life after he freed him from the brothel because he wanted Armand to have a full life before he became a vampire and Marius even then was very resistant to turning Armand or indulging in Armand's crush on him, and the only reason he turned him as young as he did was because Armand was dying. So until we get a more objective answer about what Marius and Armand's relationship was, not as it's told to us during a vicious fight between Louis and Armand or a very complex moment of self reflection tinged with bitterness, I am hesitant to say Marius is a villain in the way the fandom has decided he is.

However, if the show decides that based on Marius's actions in the book, the richer exploration in their reinterpretation of his character is that he had a highly questionable, even groomer relationship with Armand, I'd be all for it. It's a completely valid interpretation of the character in a reexamination of the text and one I trust these writers to bring a lot of complexity to. But I do think it's going to be more complicated than it appears based on the two mentions of Marius we've had so far because everything in the show has been more complex than it seems. Marius is 90% a protagonist in the book, he's one of the most universally beloved vampires in the entire vampire world for his wisdom, his humanity, his care for others, and for taking on the duty of caring for Akasha and Enkil when it was a very dangerous and tedious thing to do with little reward besides survival (and he was almost killed over it too multiple times). So it's a BIG change to make him a villain to a modern audience by making him Armand's abuser instead of his patron and inspiration (until they were cruelly separated) as he was in the books. I'm curious to see how they handle it once Marius is cast.

Now, how Daniel and Marius are going to interact is going to be based on the complexity of how we see Marius objectively in the show, outside of the flashbacks, in my opinion. I'm very curious to see how that turns out but again, remember these characters are monsters. I think assuming that Daniel's reaction to Marius will be 100% negative is premature.

And one more thing I disagree about is the idea that Daniel doesn't know what consent or sexual assault is (unless it was a typo and you were referring to him in the past, not in the present?).

I think Daniel has deep regrets about how he treated that girl when they were both teenagers, and he has deep regrets about how he treated his wives and his daughters. I believe he is haunted by these parts of himself. So I disagree with the characterization of him as being somehow unaware of consent or sexual assault. I believe that the incident with the girl when they were both teenagers was a particular shameful, ugly memory that Armand dug up specifically because it was an ugly, shameful memory of a time that Daniel was cruel and monstrous that he still feels shame about to this day. Armand dug it up not because it was something Daniel thinks is fine that he did, it's something that disgusts Daniel about himself.

But it's also, not to excuse it, but it's a story from when he was young and stupid, not a pattern of behavior we see coming up to the modern day. This is something that haunts him and that he's learned from. Old Daniel is a man who has been an asshole and who has learned a lot of lessons from it, mostly in that he gained many regrets in his life. But Old Man Daniel is introduced to us as someone who remains an investigative reporter because he wants to do some good for the world. It's the one thing he has to offer the world as he is dying. He views his job as a reporter as a sacred trust and we open with him talking about the ethics of investigative reporting. From that I think we can deduce that Daniel is very aware of consent and things like assault and just why what he did as a teenager was wrong. In his way, I think he sees being a reporter as him trying to be a good person.

[crisalidaseason]

Fourth Wing/Iron flame spoilers

Lilith Sorrengail: fucking complex character rant.

Warning: This is not a defense post for Lilith, this is merely my observations about her. I do not condone her actions at all!

So, despite many people hating her I think Lilith is a really interesting character. I can hate her actions, but not her entirely.

First of all, she is clearly a badass motherfucker that comes from a huge line of badass motherfuckers. The fact she is a storm wielder says a lot about her as a person. Storms are ruthless, destructive, but also necessary for nature.

She clearly has a very difficult position, one that makes her do things that goes against her own morals but also guarantees the protection of her loved ones. Unfortunately, regarding the bad shit, she does have to suck it up for the benefit of their country - and going against what leadership wants is clearly dangerous. In a way, her years in the military shaped her to become the current person we meet in Fourth Wing.

Lilith is not an affectionate parent to her children. She loves them very much, but she never thought about them as human beings in need of love, only protection and training. For her, making sure her children live and succeed has been her only objective. Her husband seemed to be the one to fill the role of raising them in a more affectionate manner and I think she thought that was enough. Therefore, she treats them like soldiers and her husband attends to other necessities.

Her relationship with Violet is by far the most hearbreaking. I don't think she necessarily hates her daughter, she hates herself for failing to protect Violet from the illness. There is a lot of self-hatred on Lilith's behavior and I think she runs away from it by building this huge wall between her and Violet - which is not nearly as thin as the wall of distance she built for Brennan and Mira. At the same time, Violet is the child she is most paranoid about protecting - in her own manner.

Something that I theorize: The possibility that Lilith was actually very similar to Violet in the past. The fact Lilith wield storms and her daughter wields lightning makes me think they had very similar views at some point, hence why they manifested similar signets (though I think Violet is not only capable of wielding lightning, but this is not a theory for this post).

Because Lilith distances herself even more from Violet, her daughter ends up being fully raised by the father. This is what breaks my heart even more. \when Violet mentions that her mother ingored her completely after her father's death, I can imagine that not only Violet became a reminder of Lilith's younger self, but also the copy paste behavior of her husband - whom she loved dearly. Violet is a painful walking reminder of her failures, her past self and her husband.

Lilith sending Violet to the riders quadrant was downright cruel, but I understand her reasoning. Violet would end up questioning too much within the scribes and possibly end up killed as a traitor - something that puts Mira and Lilith herself in danger too. Sending her to the riders allows Violet to focus on her survival more than the bullshit they are hiding - which fucking backfires but Lilith had no way of knowing that.

In the end, Lilith would do whatever she could to ensure Violet survived within the quadrant, and she did. Asking Xaden - the son of the man who 'killed' one of your kids, the boy you tortured - to protect your youngest is a fucking desperate move. Yes, sending Violet to the quadrant was cruel, but she had all bets that this girl would survive. Or at least die what Lilith would consider a 'honorable' death, though I don't think she actually planned to bury Violet, she would have moved more pieces on her chess game.

In iron flame, when Violet is rescued from the torture chamber, not only is Lilith ready to murder everyone on the path to her daugher, but she actually aids Xaden to get her out of there. At that point, she could not give a fuck if her daughter running away puts her and Mira in danger, she wants Violet out of harm immediatly and consequences be dealt with later. She could have forced Xaden to leave Violet there, Varrish was dead already and she could monitor the college to not have that kind of situation happen again, but no, she lets them go!

When Lilith meets her children alongside Melgren and other leaders, her only reason to have all of her kids there was for solely seeing them a last time and hand Lyra's journal. She did not know where, but she knew Violet was raising wards and needed to make sure the wards were fully powered. That book should have returned to the king's library, but instead she stole it and gave it to her children as a last action. It was a desperate measure when she felt completely powerless knowing that they were exposed to venin.

Finally, the moment of her death. Lilith proved her loyalty to her children - to Violet of all children - that moment. No way she was going to loose a child for a problem Lilith caused alongside leadership. Her death was her ultimate act of protection, even if it meant breaking her child's heart yet again.

[reinieseason]

begging someone to pls help me construct a gen v hunger games au ......... my brain is so dead from college but i might actually write while the roman empires are empiring

marie is a tribute (maybe 16 or 15), probably for a district who hasn't one in a long time, similar to district 12 in the books/movies. honestly, i do not know who would be her mentor or a former victor for her, so i do sort of see marie having to enter the games alone.

i don't think she's a volunteer or if she'd volunteer for her sister because i think i'd like to keep the complexity of their relationship and not speaking but now that i think of it, i do see her volunteering for the sister she doesn't speak to anymore but still loves.

i'm not sure if this au will have powers, but marie would be skilled at long-range combat, she's good with a knife- fights like a street rat, fights like an orphan.

i'd imagine she gets the name bloody marie after murdering most of the tributes, always covered in blood (hence the name). or maybe in her final battle, we get the blood rain from catching fire, covering her and the other tribute in blood as they battle to death. trying to breathe and see as hot thick blood envelop them. i think that marie ends the battle slashing the throat and the tribute sputtering blood at her.

if not the blood rain, she slashes the throat and it covers her in blood. or she when she kills a tribute the blood gets everywhere. something like that.

if she doesn't have a mentor, for some reason, i can see emma as the daughter of a capitol member having to be the escort- but her quickly knowing the games for the cruelty it is and trying to campaign for marie throughout the games- oh or a stylist.

the others in this case... hm...

jordan li is a victor, they won a few games ago, they're probably a year older than her and was reaped when they were maybe 15 or 14. i feel like youngest victor would give them some clout. not sure how the shifting would work but who fucking cares its like year 2110?

i'm not sure how jordan would hate her, they might find her annoying, especially if she has no mentor to hold her back. marie's personality is spitfire and it's passion and she doesn't bother to act prim because she has no reason to think she'll live after this. she can try her hardest but she'll probably die.

luke riordan is a victor, he's definitely the finnick od'air of this au. he's the capitol's golden boy, what they don't know is he's planning the rebellion behind their back. i do see luke being a youngest winner as well, it adds to the appeal. probably has the same post-games treatment as finnick as well, he's appealing to the sponsors and won his game from the sponsors. while i'm unsure with marie, luke definitely volunteered for sam- had a whole "i volunteer! i volunteer as tribute". he made a deal with snow post-games to keep his brother out of the reaping bowl.

andre anderson is the son of a victor, his father works closely now with the capitol to make tech. andre is being looked at for a position in the capitol, maybe as gamemaker? not sure what to do with him.

cate is the adopted daughter of shetty, maybe shetty is the president or she has a high position. cate was luke's stylist maybe, i feel like cate would be a stylist.

shetty, like i mentioned before maybe is snow, if we want to contain this to solely the gen v cast. i'm struggling to come up with the president, maybe stan edgar. i wonder how newman falls into place here, she's definitely a sponsor for marie that's for sure.

anyways that's all. ihave so far lol