#he was the mr. darcy of advertising

[idonthaveacontract]

this exact look is my favorite romance trope

[themculibrary]

Fics Written In 2016 Masterlist

adrenalize me (ao3) - LightningStriking steve/bucky E, 58k

Summary:

Leaning against the side of a wall, taking an indolent drag of a cigarette, there he stood. Watching Bucky with an inscrutable gaze. Staring at Bucky for long seconds, the blond seemed to consider him before breaking the silence. “You know, nice guy like you walking alone at this hour – people might think you were looking for trouble.” Trying not to shudder at the sound of that voice, which wrapped around him like smoke, Bucky managed a smirk, lifted a brow. “Well, if I was, it looks like I found it.”

Two strangers meet in a dark club. One just happens to be a vampire.

Call Boy (ao3) - L1av steve/bucky E, 149k

Summary: Bucky Barnes was skyrocketing through promotions at his advertising firm. Now, a partnership position is opening and if Bucky wants to see his name on the building, he needs to impress not only Mr. Tony Stark, but his wife Pepper. To do this, it takes a team, a couple to be exact. Bucky asks his ex-wife Natasha to set him up with the perfect girl, blonde, tall, thick thighs and huge tits, but with the personality that’ll get Pepper all smiles.

What Bucky gets? Tall, blonde, thick thighs…and a penis. Can this male escort pretend to not only be Bucky’s fiance but also impress Pepper enough to win Bucky the promotion? Is he going to impress Bucky enough to get him to sleep with him?

Steve loves working for his tip.

Can't Blame Me For Secretly Hoping (ao3) - agentx13 sharon/steve G, 21k

Summary: After Natasha tries so hard to set them up, Steve and Sharon decide to get one over on her and prove once and for all that they aren't meant to be together. Naturally, not everything goes according to plan.

cascades. (ao3) - orange_crushed steve/bucky, peggy/gabe M, 152k

Summary: “Holy shit,” Howard says, crackling through the speakers. “You alive in there?” Lying is a sin, of course, but Steve’s not sure what else he can do. He’s already lied to the government and Bucky and God Almighty; and himself, himself most of all. He ought to tell the truth. That he’s not quite what they hoped for. That perhaps they should put him back into the ocean.

“Probably,” he says, instead, listening to Howard’s tinny laughter; and waits for the blast doors to unlock.

Cosmic Love (ao3) - emquin steve/tony N/R, 74k

Summary: Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Tony and Steve have been broken and torn apart by the Accords and the choices they’ve made. But those that are meant to be have a way of making their way back to each other specially since it won’t just be the two of them any longer.

Dearly Beloved (ao3) - Hollyspacey darcy/steve E, 21k

Summary: Darcy has 99 problems, and her first assignment for SHIELD is, like, 98 of them.

As if going back home to deal with all of the people who made her childhood miserable wasn’t bad enough, she’s also stuck in holy matrimony with a surly supersoldier who can’t even deal with her under normal circumstances.

eagles (ao3) - spqr bucky/steve/tony T, 6k

Summary: Natasha presses her hand over her heart, and – Tony has heard rumors, that her skin is blank, or that she killed her other half, but he doesn’t believe them. “They deserve to know, don’t you think?”

He looks at the sleeping supersoldiers in his hospital room, thinks of going to bed safe and surrounded and waking up when it’s already light out, when the first pot of coffee is already cold, waking up to Steve’s bedhead and the body-warmed metal of Bucky’s prosthetic hand, waking up whole.

“They’ve been together for ninety years, Nat,” he says. “They’re practically married. There’s no room for me.”

Hold Me in Your Heart (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 3k

Summary: No one knew about Loki and Tony. No one knew what had developed between them behind closed doors and off the battlefield. No one knew that capturing Loki, that sentencing him, was going to be as much a death for the man behind Iron Man, as the mage behind the bars.

If Running’s a Plan (ao3) - FestiveFerret bruce/natasha T, 98k

Summary: “We need you in New York, Agent Romanoff. I have a new assignment for you.”

“Well I hope it’s more relaxing than this one,” she quipped, throwing a blood-covered glass shard to the floor.

“Just sent the briefing through.” Fury hung up abruptly. He was never one for small talk.

Natasha stretched her ankle out, frowning when a few of the cuts beaded up with fresh blood. Picking up her phone again she opened the briefing and flipped through it. Her frown deepened.

“Bozhe moi.”

In the Home (ao3) - aloneintherain T, 68k

Summary: The Avengers have been infected, turned violent and aggressive against their will. And Peter, the only one unaffected, is trapped inside the Tower with six feral teammates.

“Natasha,” Peter says cautiously, “what happened here? Steve attacked me, and if there was ever a sign that something was wrong, it’s having the embodiment of Truth, Justice, and the American Way throw you across the room—”

Natasha comes closer, her stride controlled. Nothing necessarily out of the ordinary, but there’s something in her face, in her eyes—

Natasha lunges across the space, and slams into Peter, hard.

it takes an ocean not to break (ao3) - napricot bucky/t'challa E, 39k

Summary: “Yet you haven’t sought any vengeance against HYDRA.”

Bucky laughed, incredulous and sad. “No. No, I—” he paused, worrying at his lower lip with his teeth. “If I ran into anyone trying to take me in again, I—I handled it. And I hit a few old HYDRA bases, took ‘em out so they couldn’t use them. But—no. Revenge?” He shook his head. “It’s too big. If I’d let it, it would have taken up all the room inside of me, and there wouldn’t be anything left of me. I had to let it go.”

T'Challa and Bucky get to know each other, and T'Challa learns how to let it go.

I was Born Sick (ao3) - HepG2 steve/tony E, 17k

Summary: For all the genius he was, it certainly took Tony a while to learn of this... "sickness" within. He'd liked them on the same team and that wasn't normal. He could fight this, cure this! So he hid, rebelled. First he removed Steve out of the equation. Then he drowned himself in liquor and sex. Just, Steve wouldn't leave him alone. And that made it so much worse. Inspired by Hozier's "Take Me to Church".

Weakly Tony rose, his chin tilted upwards as he claimed Steve’s lips with his. He held onto the warmth, onto the memory. Let him have this. Let him remember the gentle brush of their kiss, the passing breath on his skin.

“You can’t love me, Tony.”

“And you can’t stop me.”

like ships in the night (ao3) - sharoncarters sharon/steve T, 37k

Summary: After the fall of SHIELD, they all have some rebuilding to do. But sometimes it's nice to not have to do it alone, you know? Takes place after Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Sharon Carter-centric.

Nobody Else But Me (ao3) - Amonae steve/tony T, 18k

Summary: Iron Man and the Captain have been side-stepping each other at every turn, a villain and spy locked in a constant samba. But SHIELD is growing impatient, and Iron Man is losing face in the eyes of his men--both Steve and Tony find themselves in too deep before even realizing the stakes.

Northwest to Nowhere (ao3) - Veldeia steve/tony T, 17k

Summary: Steve and Tony are lost in the wilderness, with barely any gear but plenty of midges and a magnificent midnight sun—and only each other for company.

Out of Many Waters (ao3) - Arukou steve/tony T, 43k

Summary: A freak accident sends Tony and Steve hurtling onto an alien planet. They've only each other for survival, and both have an unfortunate tendency towards monumentally stupid self-sacrifice.

Perspectives (ao3) - HepG2 G, 12k

Summary: Breathing was painful, Tony realised. But all he cared about right now was the indignity of having to take Steve's bullshit for making the right call. He propped himself up on one elbow. "You think I don't care?" A three-part fic that explores the occasional conflicting perspectives of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark.

Pretend We’re In Love (The Heartache Still Hurts) (ao3) - InsaneJuliann rhodey/tony T, 51k

Summary: Rhodey’s dad is dying, and what he’s always wanted is for Rhodey to be happily married. Tony and Rhodey were best friends, and haven’t spoken in years. But after a chance meeting at the airport, and a desperate, insane idea on Rhodey’s part, they end up pretending to be engaged.

But how much of it is really pretend?

Take Me Home (ao3) - dabblingwithwords steve/bucky, pepper/tony M, 78k

Summary: “I’m so sorry, I’m gonna help you I promise, just don’t move, fuck, I ran over Captain America–” the man apologized, over and over, and all Steve managed to say was, “You’re really attractive,” before passing out on the guy’s lap in the middle of the road.

The Road to Courage (By Way of San Francisco) (ao3) - Sproings steve/bucky M, 89k

Summary: A road trip with Bucky sounded great. Except for the corporate sponsorship. And the strangers who’d be going with them. And the way Bucky always said they were “practically brothers” when Steve wanted …

He tried not to think about what he wanted.

It was going to be a long drive to California.

[submalevolentgrace]

me at 2am: ...

my brain: hey remember that time like 20 years ago when itv made a pride and prejudice self insert meta fanfic miniseries where the fic author protagonist shows her landing-strip-shaved pussy to jane bennett, and then darcy's little sister reveals that she was secretly totally into what wickham did to her and actually he's a great guy after all? mr collins is a sex pest now but that's not really a shock

me: ....why the fuck are you reminding me of this?

brain: they put it on pre-streaming broadcast tv. like, for people to watch. on purpose. the abc advertised it a bunch like it was a huge get. you could park a bloody jumbo in those buttresses.

me: why the fuck do you remember this???

[influencermagazineuk]

The last installment of the Bridget Jones saga managed to pull off an unexpected feat—delivering a mix of nostalgia and humor that allowed it to land on its feet despite its somewhat overextended premise. The third film, centering around Bridget’s journey into motherhood, was a surprising success, injecting warmth and charm into a franchise that had already taken quite a few narrative leaps. However, this latest sequel, which follows Bridget’s new romantic adventures, feels like it has finally run out of momentum. This fourth chapter, much like many ill-fated sequels, struggles to find its footing. The comedic elements that made the earlier films so endearing have been dialed down in favor of a more dramatic, melancholic approach. The attempt to balance humor with deeper emotional beats results in a movie that feels both underwhelming and unfocused. There’s an awkward sense of detachment among the cast, with little chemistry between the central characters. In particular, Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget seems oddly distant, as though her mind is elsewhere throughout the film. Brian Minkoff-London-Pixels, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons That said, there are a few bright spots. A cleverly executed parody of the iconic Levi’s swimmer advertisement provides a fun moment, introducing a modern Darcy-like figure in the water while accompanied by Dinah Washington’s "Mad About the Boy." There’s also an amusing nod to contemporary culture when Bridget is asked at a checkout if she’d like to complete her meal deal. And of course, Hugh Grant delivers some of the film’s biggest laughs, reprising his role as the aging yet charming rogue Daniel Cleaver. Emma Thompson also returns as the no-nonsense gynecologist from the previous movie, providing a dose of sharp wit. Despite these highlights, Bridget herself feels stranded, navigating a story that never quite finds its spark. For those who want to go into the film without spoilers, consider this a warning. Early on, it’s revealed that Bridget’s husband, Mark Darcy, has passed away. Unlike the sudden, somewhat farcical demise of Mr. Big in Sex and the City, Mark’s death is presented with an air of noble mystery—he perished while engaged in humanitarian work abroad, though the film doesn’t delve into the details. Now a widow, Bridget resides in a picturesque Hampstead home, raising her two preteen children, Billy and Mabel. Their fun-loving uncle, Daniel Cleaver, occasionally steps in for babysitting duties, while their prestigious prep school is overseen by the strict yet undeniably attractive science teacher, Mr. Wallaker, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Bridget’s loyal circle of friends—Shazzer, Jude, Tom, Miranda, and Talitha—all make brief appearances, though their roles feel more like obligatory cameos than meaningful contributions to the story. Likewise, her parents, played by Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent, return in a somewhat somber capacity, while Celia Imrie’s role is so fleeting it barely registers. After years of grief, Bridget decides it’s time to embrace life again. She dusts off her professional skills and returns to her career as a TV producer, albeit still as chaotic as ever. Encouraged by her friends, she dips her toes into the dating scene once more, leading to an unexpected whirlwind romance. Her love life takes a surprising turn when she connects with Roxster, a much younger man she meets on a dating app. Played by Leo Woodall, Roxster is a charming park attendant who rescues Bridget and her children after a mishap in a tree. Their flirtation quickly escalates, leading to a passionate fling that pushes Bridget out of her comfort zone. This May-December romance aligns with a recent wave of films exploring relationships between older women and younger men, a theme explored in titles like Babygirl, A Family Affair, and The Idea of You. While Hollywood is starting to embrace these dynamics, one can’t help but wonder if the French film industry is merely biding its time before tackling the real-life romance of Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron. However, Bridget’s romantic journey doesn’t stop there. A school trip organized by Mr. Wallaker presents another potential love interest. In what seems like an inexplicably ambitious school excursion, the students and their chaperones embark on a trip from London to the scenic Lake District, as if transported by a supersonic jet. Amid this picturesque setting, Bridget and Mr. Wallaker begin to develop an unexpected connection, complicating her already tangled love life. Aside from Grant and Thompson’s standout performances, much of the cast appears to be merely going through the motions. The script doesn’t offer them much to work with, leading to performances that feel uninspired. Zellweger, in particular, seems disengaged, while Woodall’s portrayal lacks the charm he has demonstrated in past roles. His interactions with Bridget on Hampstead Heath feel like a lesser echo of his romantic moments in One Day, failing to recapture the same magic. Ultimately, this sequel struggles to reignite the spark of the original trilogy, leaving longtime fans with a sense of disappointment. For those who have followed Bridget’s journey from the start, this film may not deliver the satisfying conclusion they hoped for. While it does offer a few entertaining moments, it lacks the charm and chemistry that made its predecessors so beloved. Some viewers may find solace in the nostalgia of seeing familiar characters return, but others might prefer to remember Bridget as she was in the previous three films, before this latest chapter diluted her charm. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is set for release on 12 February in Australia, 13 February in the UK, and will be available on Peacock in the US from 13 February. Read the full article

[grad603scarletttetleyjones]

Speaker Research

Jessica Hische, Tobias Frere-Jones

Jessica Hische is an American designer specialising in hand lettering and calligraphy. After working with design firms for several years, she began working freelance, creating work for clients including Penguin Books, Wes Anderson, and Tiffany & Co. Most of her work is calligraphic art for logos and advertisements. Hische’s process starts with sketching, and then creating a calligraphic painting which she later vectorises and tidies up, primarily in Adobe Illustrator. Hische’s sense of purpose stems from the young artists and designers who contact her for mentorship and advice, and from the design process itself, which she finds rewarding and challenging. For her, it's important to remember that “Whatever (she’s) doing is helping (her) get to that final product, whether the work (she’s) doing right now actually contributes directly to it.”

Sources: Suleman, A. (2018). #Designer Spotlight Jessica Hische: Lettering and Illustration Mash-Up in Graphic Design. https://www.zilliondesigns.com/blog/designer-spotlight-jessica-hische-typography-illustration/. Wood, A. Ways We Work: Jessica Hische. http://wayswework.io/interviews/jessica-hische-letterer-and-illustrator

Above: Jessica Hische (Image: Martin Kraft)

Above: Titles for Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson, W. (2012) American Empirical Pictures). The large, curling serifs, thin stroke, and interconnected, slanted, cursive letters create a delicate, and whimsical feel. The style of the lettering is reminiscent of old-fashioned letters, with the curliness and fineness of the stroke adding a touch of whimsy very in keeping with Anderson’s style and the context of the movie. Moonrise Kingdom is set in 1964, and follows two twelve-year-olds. This lettering looks like it could have been the best handwriting of one of the protagonists. It’s an example of typography made to fit within the contextual neighbourhood of a project.

Above: Book covers created by Hische for Penguin. Hische uses the first letter of the author's surname to personify or symbolise some element of the story- for instance turning the cross-bar of the A on Pride and Prejudice into peacock feathers, showing Mr Darcy’s pride. These visual clues give the illustrations symbolic depth and create a ‘smile in the mind’ of the viewer. In some cases, the letter is transformed into something new (Lord of the Flies), in others, it is personified (The Greek Coffin Mystery). The letter becomes not only a symbol of the author, but of the plot of the book. This project is an example of type and illustration intersecting to create layers of meaning. 

Tobias Frere-Jones

Tobias Frere-Jones is a typeface designer based in New York, specialising in typefaces for commercial use. He’s designed over 700 custom fonts, as well as many well-known typefaces, including Whitney, Gotham, and Retina. 

In his early career, Frere-Jones was influenced by historical typographic works and methods. He spent time hand-sketching type forms to better understand the craft, and many of his early typefaces are based on historical typographic ephemera. I found it interesting to hear his thoughts on creative instinct. In one interview, he says “The eye has to take precedence.”- meaning that what you see and your instincts should override calculations and theory. I found this interesting coming from a typographer, which seems a strict art form. 

For many years, Frere-Jones operated in partnership with Jonathan Hoefler, working on projects for The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, and GQ among others, before founding a studio on his own. 

Sources: Lunch Time Talks: Tobias Frere-Jones. Hyperakt.  https://www.hyperakt.com/lunch-talks/tobias-frere-jones. Tobias Frere-Jones. Ideas on Design http://ideasondesign.net/speakers/speakers/tobias-frere-jones/.  (Various Authors) The Business of Type Design (2019). Eye Magazine. https://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/article/the-business-of-type-design. About. Frere-Jones Type https://frerejones.com/about.

Above: Tobias Frere-Jones (Image: Graham McIndoe)

Above: Retina, a typeface designed for the New York Times stock market section. When printed, the notches on the letterforms absorb ink, meaning the letter characteristics are retained. The typeface is duplexed, so the letters are the same size across fonts, meaning changing the font doesn’t affect the layout. 

Above: Garage Gothic, one of Frere-Jones’ first typefaces, based on parking tickets he found on his walk to university. Frere-Jones has adapted the font based on the all-caps type specimen into a lowercase font. The narrow letterforms and high x and ascendant height mean that it is in keeping with the original specimen despite containing none of the original letterforms. 

[bmodiwrites]

This one is based off of Ashley Kutcher's Love You More - give it a listen while you read if you want the full experience!

Climbing out of his car, Steve sighs. Describing the day as long is the ultimate understatement. In the world of being a school nurse, being busy with the weirdest stuff is one of the job descriptions. Sometimes, a handful of a very few, rare days, Steve is fed up with it.

Today is that day.

Darcy Monroe coming in at first bell starts off the madness – she’s been on the playground digging in the dirt again, Steve knows that before the messy girl says anything. Her fingernails are covered in a mixture of blood and the red till that sits right below the grass’s surface. The tears in her eyes are no match for the look of triumphant Steve still can’t help but laugh at.

Next of the day is Tommy Shaw, a boy who is a chronic manipulator, trying to convince Steve of his broken leg despite hopping up and down on it. It’s annoying in the same way a fly buzzing near an ear is. Steve lets him sit on the stool to explain himself long enough for the boy to get the break he’s seeking. Pointing him back to class is easier when a lollipop makes its way into the equation.

The worst comes right at the end of the day – Stuart Doyle is gushing blood across his forehead when he makes his way into Steve’s office. There are a couple other kids by his side that look both guilty and concerned. It’s then that he realizes his job for the day is far from over.

Steve lets them sit by Stuart’s side while he puts on a band aid and calls the kid’s mom. Though Steve is a certified nurse with a master’s degree in the subject, he’s not able to do stitches.

When that’s settled, he writes the kids up and sends them back to class two minutes before the final bell rings. It’s then that Stuart’s mom shows up and the fun really begins.

It’s hell to get the situation explained and the bulk of the necessary paperwork filled out – by the time he’s done, there are no other cars in the school parking lot aside from Mrs. Doyle’s. The walk to his Civic is just as lonely as Steve is. For some reason, that weighs a little heavier than usual. Maybe he’s just tired.

While he’s relieved to be back home after a long and trying day, Steve can’t help but feel an ache when he looks at his empty house. There’s dinner to be made and tv to be watched, but that’s all. There’s nothing more to look forward to. Family Night with Robin and Chrissy is on Friday and it’s only Tuesday.

Determined to distract himself, Steve heads to the mailbox at the end of his driveway. It’s been a few days since he last collected it, so he knows it’s close to being full. He compiles the stack and tucks it into the messenger bag at his hip. Knowing his luck, he’ll drop half of it on the way to the door if he doesn’t take the proper precautions.

Steve dumps off his bag by the coffee table as he treads through the living room. A change of clothes is calling his name. Though it’s a perk to wear scrubs all day, Steve hates the scrape of them against his skin after so many hours. His trusty Hawkins High basketball shorts are soft and worn in, their presence so very familiar on his skin. He feels a little better after settling into a soft hoodie and some long socks to finish off the comfy outfit.

There’s a second of pillaging the fridge for a snack and making tea before Steve sits down on the couch. He grabs his bag once some mindless shows been turned on to fill up the silence of his empty house. When he first bought the three bedroom, Steve had hopes of filling it with laughter and love and enough kids to brighten up the spare rooms. Now, it’s a reminder of all the things that aren’t his anymore.

Pushing that thought aside, Steve turns his attention to the bills and advertisements that make up most of his hefty pile. There’s a coupon he sets on the table for later use, but nothing stands out. At least, not until a square envelope falls into his lap. Steve is still the moment his eyes land on the familiar handwriting that litters the white space. He and Eddie grew up together – Steve still has the notes they used to pass back and forth.

It's quite a while later that Steve finds the courage to open the letter. The paper inside is typical notebook paper that’s folded up haphazardly. It’s like being a kid again for a brief moment. Steve’s heart races – so many memories come flying back. It’s not fair that he’s already stripped bare; the pages are still a mystery to him yet Eddie’s taken him apart again, just like that. Steve doesn’t need to read anything his ex has to say – his heart always reacts to Eddie like this, like he's the only thing that truly breathes life into Steve.

Steve’s fingers eagerly unfold the thick stack of papers – he’s not strong enough to resist the temptation of feeling a connection to the love of his life again. It’s not good for him, though Steve chooses to ignore that each time Eddie’s name is mentioned or his thoughts turn to him. He’s been in love with Eddie since they were kids – it’s impossible to forget the sort of feelings their time together engrained within him.

There’s a second where he thinks about ditching the effort and doing something that’s not going to yank another piece of his heart out of his chest, though it’s brief and fleeting. He takes in a deep breath, closes his eyes and sends up a little wish of hope.

Steve,

            I’m positive you’re wondering why I’m writing to you. I’m the one that pulled away, who said I needed space, who ran away – why in the world would I reach out? Though I’m using this pen and scribbling the words you’re reading, I still don’t know the answer to that question. I shouldn’t be thinking about you, let alone writing.

            It’s unfair of me to say this, because I know it probably doesn’t change much, but I miss you. I’m with Jeff now and he’s great, but he’s not you. I can already see your eyebrows furrowing together, wondering how you’re going to process what I just said. It’s endearing to be familiar with the quirk of your lips as curiosity and underlying upset settle onto your face. Steve, you’re an open book that I have read so many times it’s hard not to visit those worn in spots.

            I tell myself all the time that my doubts and fears are a longing for the good things that happened between us. Sometimes, that’s enough to even trick myself into believing that anything other than your warmth and touch and love will ever be enough. After all this time away, I can genuinely say that my doubts are exactly that – doubts. I am not where I’m supposed to be; every single fiber of my being knows that.

            And, if I’m being honest, I don’t think I have the ability to love like I did when we were young. It’s impossible to find a connection that spans years and experiences and traumas that shaped us. Is it fair to be relieved by that? I made such a fuss about never wanting to settle for what I’ve always known. I took steps to do something different. It’s so stupid to think changing you would be the answer to all of my problems. There’s no replacing you, Steve.

            At face value, Jeff is all I’ve ever wanted. He likes my music and treats me like a person he’s still getting to know. It’s fun to not be aware of all that’s coming around the corner. Too bad it’s not fulfilling in the slightest. I can’t get over the fact that I adore you, Steve. You are engrained in my skin, buried underneath it – there is no separation between my core and the space you fill. How did I ever think anything else would do?

            I love him, I want you to know that. I love the man who has the sort of potential to give someone a good life. It’s a viscous cycle of breaking hearts all over the place. Do I continue to break my own by being away from you? Do I yank you a little further at the seams in hopes of making it work with someone who will never have all of me? I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know the answer.

            But, I love you more, Steve. As selfish as it is, I think it’s important you know that, too. I’m not sure it changes anything, the actualization that I sincerely can’t live without you. The pull to explore and roam and be away still courses through my veins on a daily basis. Yet, so does the water of Lover’s Lake and the warmth of your touch. What do I do, Steve? How do I answer my heart’s call when two melodies play?

            You probably can’t answer that for me, no matter how much I wish you could. I know you’d say come back, come home. You’d tell me to give into the call of the song in my heart that’s worn in and true. You’d be selfish, too. I know that because you’ve loved me with every possessive ounce of you since we were five years old.

            I want to come home, I really do. I’m just – I don’t think I really know how.

            Maybe I’ll find a way before you realize I’m no good for you.

            Keep your fingers crossed.

                                                                                    Always yours,

                                                                                    Eddie

It’s like Eddie felt the throb in Steve’s soul. Despite being difficult to understand, the letter is exactly what Steve’s been needing. Damn that man for always drawing him in again. Blinking back tears, Steve fumbles the stack of papers in his hand to start the letter all over again. He’s desperate to read the words all over again when the doorbell rings and the rotation of the whole world stops.

[someprideandprejudice]

Pride and Prejudice is, ultimately, a story about appearances.

While the story may be centered around and advertised as a romance, all the conflict began due to misunderstandings from first appearances.

This is easily seen with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. I’ve ranted about this a few times so I won’t go into as much detail here, but pretty much the entire plot of the story could have been avoided if Mr. Darcy had loosened up a bit and Elizabeth had bothered to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Darcy’s cold countenance and Elizabeth’s first impression of him had set off the story. There’s a reason this book is called Pride and Prejudice after all. Mr. Darcy’s apparent pride and disregard and Elizabeth’s prejudice of him had her thinking the worst of him throughout the story.

Appearances not only affect our main couple, however, but Jane and Mr. Bingley as well. The entire reason Mr. Bingley is convinced to leave the country is because Jane didn’t seem to like him back romantically. Although, due to Elizabeth’s perspective, we know that’s not the case, it had been noted multiple times that Jane kept her favor secret and didn’t outwardly show it like most others would. On Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley’s side, of course it looked like she didn’t like him the way he did her and was only amusing him. To avoid a further broken heart (and to escape the ‘inappropriate’ country society) they had left back to town.

Then, obviously, there’s Mr. Wickham who, to Elizabeth, had come off as a kind and polite gentleman, but had later been revealed to be conniving and crafty, as well as greedy in his pursuits.

If there’s a lesson to be gained from this story, it would be that appearances can be deceiving. Those who may appear kind might not be and someone might feel differently about you than they might show. You shouldn’t judge someone’s intentions from your first look, nor your second, and maybe not even your third. Understanding others is not a simple feat that can be done by looking at their surface appearance. In the words of the very wise Hatake Kakashi, you have to look underneath the underneath.

Did I put a Naruto quote in my 1800s Victorian Era book blog post? Yes I did.

Does it matter? No it does not.

[queenlucythevaliant]

Thoughts on Pride& Prejudice and/or Revelation?

Pride and Prejudice: Okay, first off, true confessions: P&P is my third favorite Austen novel, after Persuasion and Emma. Heresy, I know. That said, it was the first one I read, it's the most universally fun to discuss with friends, and it has the best adaptation (the 2005 Kiera Knightly version, no offense to Mr. Firth. Oh, and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries series on YouTube is awesome too.) And I love all my Austen novels :)

For a favorite quotation, let's go with Elizabeth's comparison of Darcy and Wickham after learning the truth of what occurred between them:

“There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.”

That's what we love about Pride and Prejudice, right? I mean, of course, it's swooningly romantic, but why? I think, ultimately, because it's a story about uncovering the truth of someone. It's about learning, fully, slowly, and agonizingly, just what sort of a person someone is, and growing to love that person.

We all want to be Elizabeth, I think, although apart from being bookish I've never felt quite as vibrant as she is. Elizabeth is nearly perfect, from a modern perspective, save for her judgement. She thinks that Wickham is good and Darcy bad. She is wrong.

And there's something compelling about that, isn't there? Two boys grow up together, one who is a scoundrel yet makes himself appear noble and victimized; the other who is noble and self-sacrificial, yet appears aloof, rude, and even vindictive, depending on who you ask.

Pride and Prejudice says, people are not what they seem. It asks Elizabeth and, with her, the reader, to examine the actions of those around us and to judge one another rightly. It says, maybe you don't know him as well as you think you do.

Also, it's swooningly romantic :)

(Not as romantic as Persuasion, though. What can I say, I love me some pining.)

Revelation: Hoo boy.

I really, really love Revelation. I find it intensely reassuring.

Probably not the parts you think. Chapters 10, 11, and 18 are my favorites.

I've referenced 11 and 18 on this blog before, so let's go with something from chapter 10. Revelation 10:10-11:

And I took the little scroll from the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, "you must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings."

There's a very simple reason why I love these verses so much. They're honest.

What I mean by that is, this is one of the great truths of the Christian faith. It tastes sweet, but it sits heavy in your stomach. You don't get to stop speaking God's truth, not ever. You have to keep going back.

For those who haven't studied Revelation, the little scroll represents the Gospel. John's angel guide instructs him to eat it. The angel warns him that it will taste sweet, but will make his stomach bitter. He eats it. It does as advertised. Then, the angel tells John that he has to go back into the world and continue to prophesy, that is, to speak truth.

The Gospel does taste sweet. It's good news! Jesus, our eternal Creator-God, chose to stoop in condescending love, to join us in our wretched humanity, to live sinlessly, die a criminal's death, and rise again for our salvation. He loves us. He likes us. The Holy Spirit indwells believers. God is sovereign and He has good plans for us. On and on. The Gospel is so, so sweet.

Yet the Gospel does, indeed, sit heavily and bitterly in my stomach once digested. Sometimes, it makes me feel sick. I have to die to myself, to my own desires, and loves, and my accomplishments, over and over again, until I die. I don't get to be in control of my own life. I have to serve God, living in exile and speaking truth into an uncaring world, for the rest of my life. Not all will be saved, and I can't do anything about it. If you don't think that's bitter, then I can't help you.

And John, having just tasted the sweetness and digested the bitterness, doesn't get a moment to rest. Nothing is that easy. The angel says, you must again prophesy. John isn't given another option.

Yet this verse leads into Chapter 11, which tells, through allegory, the story of the Church's faithful witness throughout history. People like John, people like me, who take the bitterness for the sake of the sweetness, who speak truth into an uncaring world, and who ultimately bring glory to God.

Please, if you need some honest hope in your life, go read Revelation 10 and 11 with a good commentary. Remember your calling, Christian, and your role in history.

[siriuslyarrogant]

I posted 1,154 times in 2021

29 posts created (3%)

1125 posts reblogged (97%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 38.8 posts.

I added 45 tags in 2021

#murdoch mysteries - 11 posts

#text - 7 posts

#william murdoch - 6 posts

#mm unnecessay thoughts - 4 posts

#omgcp - 3 posts

#dead poets society - 3 posts

#thomas brackenreid - 3 posts

#george crabtree - 3 posts

#james gillies - 3 posts

#got george - 2 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#this is about something im writing rn its one of theose fics that follow the eps of a show but dur to storyline im hoing for the charcatwrs

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Unnecessary thoughts: Gillies

Okay so I've now seen all of the James Gillies episodes and I'm gonna rank them because I like ranking things and he's my favourite MM villain.

1. Big Murderer On Campus (2x07)

- so the whole lecture confession trick is wonderful. The fact that Murdoch sports Robert Perry as the weaker one and uses it.

- honestly the whole episode being like we know Gillies did most of the work but we can't prove it so next best thing

- George finding his mother as the subplot

2. Midnight Trian to Kingston (7x09)

- so I think this might of been the first episode I watched with Gillies in (this would've been years ago though).

- the fact it's all on a train, great

- the fact that much of the tension is created by Gillies' taunting people when all he does is sit there. He's just sitting there, driving people insane.

3. The Murdoch Trap (6x13) & Crime and Punishment (6x12)

- so I mostly like this episode due to the trap aspect (which also explains why I like the s14 episode that does something similar, more advanced though). It's like this mastermind criminal is going to act like a cat does will it catches mice, they flaut themselves until they cause themselves to lose.

- did Darcy deserve to die? Does this relate to this post? No and no, I just want to say it.

- mirrors, I don't know what to say about them but I enjoy the overdramatics

- Giles coming around to finally help Murdoch and Co was also nice to watch. It's like I have rules and morals but okay, maybe and just maybe, I was wrong.

4. Murdoch in Toyland (5x11)

- creepy dolls for the win, right?

- if someone gets buried alive it's going to be a dramatic episode and yeah

- the interrogation scene with Brackenreid being all I hate your guts and I will make you bleed

- honestly do prefer this episode due to others characters like George and Henry's fingermarks debate but the whole sawing off the head of someone who betrayed is something.

5. The Devil Inside (10x10)

- so aside from the s14 finale (which puts them in overuse) I actually like the flashbacks used in the show, including this episode.

- the whole being possessed by the devil and going insane was actually interesting

See the full post

16 notes • Posted 2021-07-11 16:22:09 GMT

#4

You can't have my toy *pushes it into Niagara Falls*

21 notes • Posted 2021-07-05 21:47:06 GMT

#3

Unnecessary thoughts: Big Murderer on Campus

So I just watched big murder on campus as a break from rewatching season 9 and woah despite the fact I've very recently watched the early seasons I forgot how different they are. Like the camera zooms, Julia and William not even being together, Brackenreid being a dick, Murdoch being very neurodivergent. So my random thoughts on this episode.

• "why are you shooting arrows in your office?"

"Because I thought bullets would be too disruptive."

• "get to the university quick."

"Quick..ly. Quickly."

• the noose loop with Robert Perry in it. Love Laurie Lynd's directing.

• honestly the whole lecture at the end

• "shut up James"

• George's two mothers and the fact he genuinely didn't think anything bad would come about by placing a newspaper advertisement

• I forgot how much Murdoch would just dissapear from a conversation if he got an idea

• Professor Godfrey looking down on Murdoch

• "I would give it a A-"

"A minus?"

• anytime the university is a used as a location is just great. Because I find the setting rather beautiful

• "mr perry for whatever reason went along with it". - dude took being in love with the bad boy to extreme levels

• Murdoch asks Julia out on a date.. to a lecture about batteries

• Gillies trying to get his hat back from Branckenreid

• the fact that if I didn't know until the letter and handwriting is revealed you don't really suspect Gilles and Perry

• I'm rementioning the ending lecture scene cause I love it

30 notes • Posted 2021-07-20 01:55:43 GMT

#2

So I watched the Murdoch Effect

• for starters the modern theme song is excellent

• just George and Murdoch being on two completely different ends of the spectrum

• the ridiculousness of it all

• Murdoch being confused and amazed by everything while thinking he's being normal

• JULIA AS A DETECTIVE , also George as a detective BUT JULIA!

• brackenreid being some weird criminal in love with Emily just yeah

• I laughed a lot more than I should've

• henrys 'detective crabtree' sneer

- then Murdochs 'you alright Henry?"

• murdochs reaction to aunt daisy

• "You were raised by monks in Tibet"

"Jesuit priests in Nova Scotia"

"Explains a lot actually

• hit me *gets hit in shoulder not head*

• flip phones since it's 2012 and yep

• the whole scene in the interrogation room

• Murdoch trying to make up a story about how he knows about the flat iron building

• "doctor grace?" "No she just needs some air"

• "doctor grace?" "You just need some ice"

36 notes • Posted 2021-06-22 00:23:36 GMT

#1

Brackenreid has a weakness for talented, attractive women (usually actresses) while Murdoch has a weakness for attractive, talented men (usually inventors) when it comes to murder investigations.

56 notes • Posted 2021-07-08 03:35:23 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[joiedecombat]

Continuing in the vein of common Pride and Prejudice AU plots: Elizabeth marries someone else!

A lot of the time this is just to set her up as a wealthy widow of a peer and turn the disparity of social standing on its head, but sometimes the writers are out for blood.

Prime example: The Events at Branxbourne by Caitlin Williams.

This is The Worst Timeline. Okay, maybe Amy D'Orazio's Mysteries of Pemberley has it beat for overall bleakness, but Mysteries is a Gothic, they're supposed to be bleak. I'm not sure what Branxbourne's excuse is.

By the beginning of this book, almost the entire cast is miserable. Jane died of a fever shortly after Elizabeth's sojourn in Kent. Mr Bennet had what appears to have been a stroke, and though he survived it's left him physically impaired. Charles Bingley doesn't speak to Darcy any more since Jane's death; Darcy has spent the last several years burying himself in Derbyshire while Georgiana, in the care of her Fitzwilliam relatives in London, has fallen in with the bad influences of the shallow fashionable set. Colonel Fitzwilliam married Anne de Bourgh and didn't realize how much he loved her until she died giving birth to his son. And Elizabeth is married to an Earl who is mentally ill, abusive, deeply in debt and might have murdered his last wife.

GOOD TIMES. The only characters doing at all well for themselves are, oddly enough, Lydia and Wickham... but not with each other.

Naturally things only get worse from there once Darcy crosses Elizabeth's path again for the first time in years and starts to realize just how bad a situation that she's in.

"Do not cry, Elizabeth. I could bear anything but that."

She trembles. Looking about, seeing we are half-hidden by the trees and that there is no one around, I reach out and press her hand, squeeze her fingers tightly, but only for a moment. "My love, do not cry."

"Your love. Is that what I am?"

"Can I be plainer?"

"Yes, please." She surprises me with a broad smile. "Please do be very plain about it."

"You are my love," I tell her. "My only love, till the end of time. Whatever else my happen, and we may expect dark days ahead, never doubt that in this moment, beneath this perfect, blue sky, on this warm September day, you are loved as no other woman has ever been loved before. You are loved for all that you are, for what you once were, for all you will come to be."

"Mr Darcy, if only you had not once hidden your talent for compliments so well, then we might not be in this terrible mess."

I love a good Darcy To The Rescue story as much as anybody, but this one's A Lot. You've gotta be in a mood to wallow in the melodrama, to want to see these characters pushed to their limits by a situation that can't be endured and which their society's laws and mores offer no palatable solution for.

The happy ending comes as it should, but the trip there is an especially rough ride with little comic relief.

Content warning: domestic abuse, depiction of mental illness, infidelity (emotional if not physical), angst, first person present tense narration.

"If you, too, would enter into this marriage for practical reasons, I would be more easy with the notion. Then we would give to each other only what was received."

He smiled faintly. "Alas, my desire to marry you is formed by the wishes of my heart, not my head, so I cannot oblige you."

"If I did feel myself forming a more romantic attachment, I would welcome it. I just want you to understand that I do not know whether it will occur. It must be yours to decide whether or not you can be in an unequal marriage."

"I have considered it," he admitted after a thoughtful pause. "I see how you loved your husband, and I did not expect to supplant that. I shall readily admit that I am a jealous man, and to know that your heart belongs to him is difficult for me to accept. However, my choice is for an unequal marriage no matter what we decide. Either I can be with you--the one I love--or I can marry another and, thus, be with one who might love me but whom I do not love. You see, just as your heart is for Henry, mine is for you. That will not change.

"So, fully apprehending your hesitation, I say yes, I do agree to a practical marriage with you, accepting whatever amount of affection you give to me because I cannot live without you."

Amy D'Orazio's The Best Part of Love, meanwhile, has Elizabeth already married and widowed by the time she meets Darcy. Her husband was murdered in a treasonous plot that required her to live incognito with her family in Hertfordshire for a couple of years, allowing Darcy to make his usual astonishingly bad first impression at the Meryton assembly and fall in love more or less at first sight.

Rather than Branxbourne's unrelenting angst, this book is a whole soap opera: unnecessarily complicated backstory, misunderstandings and mistaken identities, high emotion, a mystery, and a sharp plunge into acute misery in the third act when it turns out that Elizabeth's late husband might be considerably less dead than advertised, to the dismay of nearly everyone involved.

It's a very well-written soap opera, and worth reading if you're looking for that kind of emotional roller coaster.

The essence of the problem was that there was simply nothing he could do for the situation. He had never before been faced with a challenge for which some action could not be taken. He could neither buy anything nor persuade anyone, work at something nor study a topic, take himself away from his pain nor have the pain removed. He did not even have the comfort of despising someone. There was no one to despise, not even himself, for all had acted with honour and integrity and done the best they could with the hand they had been dealt. It was nothing more than a circumstance beyond anyone's control, and that made it insupportable.

After leaving him to wallow about in his despair for a fortnight, his cousins came for him as he had suspected they eventually would.

"Have you left your house at all, Darcy?" Fitzwilliam's face bore a look of vexing kindliness.

"What do you think--that I sit here all day pining for her?" he snapped.

"That is precisely what I think," Saye replied, tousling Darcy's hair as he walked by and then further compounding his sin by not even looking to see the angry scowl Darcy gave him.

This book also contains my favorite version ever of Colonel Fitzwilliam's older brother, here (as in all of the rest of D'Orazio's Pride and Prejudice fiction) named Viscount Saye and characterized as a languid, almost terminally unflappable dandy with very few social filters to speak of and absolutely no fucks to give. He's an affectionate cousin to Darcy and usually gleefully awful, and is a character I enjoy very much.

Content warning: very brief reference to suicidal thoughts, high melodrama.

[kentochronicles]

***SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 3 OF WANDAVISION***

OKAY - WOOF - A LOT TO PROCESS AND THIS WAS DEFINITELY MY FAV EPISODE SO FAR AND AAAHH IM SO EXCITED.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, I LOVED THE BRADY BUNCH-ESQUE VIBES IT WAS GIVING OFF AND VISION’S HAIR WAS BEAUTIFUL TOO 😂

SO WE OFFICIALLY HAVE BILLY AND TOMMY AND AAAHAHAHAHAH I’M SO EXCITED - THEY’RE DEFINITELY FOLLOW THE HOUSE OF M STORY LINE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE

WANDA MENTIONING PIETRO MADE ME TEAR UP - AND HER ACCENT CAME BACK AS SHE WAS CONFRONTING MONICA TOO AND HER SINGING IN SOKOVIAN WAS GORGEOUS

THE ADVERTISEMENT WAS SO ON THE NOSE - HYDRA SOAK; WE’RE DEFINITELY GETTING A CALL BACK TO WANDA’S TIME WITHIN HYDRA’S WALLS

MONICA WAS DEFINITELY UNDERCOVER (MAYBE TO SOME CAPACITY)

AGNES SHUSHING HERB BEFORE HE COULD SPILL THE BEANS - SHE’S VERY SUS AND I’M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT SHE COULD BE EITHER AGATHA HARKNESS OR POSSIBLY EVEN MIDNIGHT

WITH MORE HINTS FROM THIS EPISODE AND PREVIOUS, I CAN DEFINITELY SEE MEPHISTO, BEYONDER AND ANNIHILUS MAKING THEIR MCU DEBUTS - POSSIBLY EVEN THE X-MEN OR OTHER COMIC CHARACTERS

EVAN PETERS IS ON THE CAST LIST FOR WANDAVISION AND I’M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT MAYBE EITHER MEPHISTO MAY TAKE HIS FORM AS A WAY TO CONSOLE WANDA AND TRY TO BRAINWASH HER OR MUTANTS WILL SOME HOW COME TO EXIST AND THE FACT THAT DEADPOOL 3 IS CONFIRMED (with it’s R rating) MUTANTS ARE DEFINITELY COMING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER

MONICA WEARING A SWORD NECKLACE AND DEFINITELY TRYING TO INTERROGATE WANDA CONFIRMS THAT SHE IS AT LEAST WORKING FOR S.W.O.R.D

ALSO, AGNES IS ALL 3 EPISODES THUS FAR HAS BEEN WEARING THAT BROOCH/NECKLACE

WANDA STRAIGHT UP USED HER POWERS TO FORCE MONICA OUT, GIVEN THAT SHE WAS SURROUNDED BY SCARLET MAGIC AND WANDA/WHOEVER HAS CLEARLY CREATED A POCKET UNIVERSE TO LIVE IN

PENTAGON SHAPES KEEP SHOWING UP AND CLEARLY TIE IN

UNFORTUNATELY I DON’T KNOW IF TOMMY AND BILLY WILL BE PERMANENT FIXTURES IN THE MCU, DUE TO WANDA USING SHARDS OF MEPHISTO’S SOUL TO GIVE THEM LIFE IN THE COMICS AND MEPHISTO TAKING THEM BACK, CAUSING BILLY AND TOMMY TO BE WIPED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH - BUT ONE CAN ONLY HOPE THEY GET TO STAY AND/OR GET RE CREATED

BRADY BUNCH DOLL

THE GLITCH, CLEARLY WANDA OR WHOEVER WASN’T HAPPY WITH WHAT VISION SAID

NOTE TAKER WAS GONE

COULD MONICA HAVE POSSIBLY GOTTEN POWERS FROM BEING THROWN OUT BY WANDA (IN THE COMICS, MONICA GETS HIT BY EXTRA-DIMENSIONAL ENERGY FROM AN ENERGY DISRUPTOR WEAPON) AND SHE BECOMES CAPTAIN MARVEL AND THEN SPECTRUM

I’M STILL PROCESSING THE EPISODE, SO IF I THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE I SHALL POST IT BUT THAT’S WHAT I’VE GOT SO FAR 😂

***FURTHER THOUGHTS***

I loved the stork - little Easter Egg to how the stork brings the children to their parents

And Agnes telling Herb to stop it, is it related to Mrs Hart saying “Stop it” to Mr Hart in ep 1?

Also: The look on Agnes’ face when she’s saying stop it to Herb looked like genuine fear - so - referring back to Volume 1 of James Robinson’s run on Scarlet Witch - There’s a ghost that Wanda talks to almost exclusively and further on down the road she ends up being resurrected by the inner goddess Hecate. So..what if Agnes has been a resurrected ghost, in this little pocket universe by Wanda but she’s afraid of maybe being killed again or maybe she’s just genuinely afraid of Wanda because she knows what she’s capable of - which you could also link the ‘Hydra Goddess’ to Hecate??? Possibly ? Or maybe Agnes and Wanda were working on a spell to resurrect Vision but things very quickly got out of control and Agnes realised that Wanda was going a bit too far but she’s too powerful to stop. Agnes’s job so far in the series is keeping Wanda happy or calm and focused in a way, whenever there’s a heated moment she shows up and quickly shuts it down - or just a little nod

Also also: What if we’re like - in the first episode there was, who I think was Darcy Lewis, watching Wanda’s sitcom type thingy - what if we’re like viewers if S.W.O.R.D is trying to reach out to nearby towns or houses and it’s like a little meta nod and we’re watching Wanda’s sitcom as viewers from a surrounding or nearby town?

Also also also: I don’t think Wanda caused the glitch in the episode, in ep 2 she said “No” and straight up rewound back, however with this glitch she pretty much kept the same face and seemed genuinely interested in what Vision had to say - so again, outsider controlling? There was a little Easter Egg of Grim Reaper’s helmet, could it be the Grim Reaper? Or a clue in to Wonder Man? Seeing as Grim Reaper is Wonder Man’s brother idk

Also also also: “Ralph looks better in the dark” MEPHISTO??????? And the toaster in the first ep, the before toaster, was upside down and had ‘666’

I seriously love this show and I will not give up on my Mephisto theory 😂💙

[watchyourbluesturngolden]

my annotations for chappy 11 of ysijwa

this is just for drea and leyla to read so if you're not drea or leyla pls keep scrolling :)

ok this is pretty chaotic and like i said earlier i treated this ike a wattpad comment section so... have fun ig :)

SHERLOCK AND WATSON CINEMATIC UNIVERSE SHUT UPPPPP I LOVE YOU SM DREA

NOT MISS SNAP CRACKLE POP

jealous y/n you say???

now i know why you ignored all my tiktok asks lmao

HELPLESS OH MY GOD

truly madly deeply intended :)

damn he's kind of a narcissist yk? like "I have to be serious my entire family depends on it" shut up mr darcy you're not special

devout in his religion hmmmmmm hopefully we see some more religious trauma content bc me too vampy

awww he wants kids but now he cant have them bc hes... dead :(

AWWW his sister taught him to knit :( if he doesn't knit bloodbag a sweater i swear to god

stuffy moron is correct

"IT'S A FUCKING WONDER HE EVER GOT LAID" OIJRIOJWEIOJIEWOJFIOEJOF

"THE ATROCITY THAT IS BEING ACQUAINTED WITH NIALL AND HIS HORRIBLE AFFINITY FOR CHEAP FLANEL" ORJFOIJFEIOWJ YOURE SUCH A POET

he's so dumb she was with him bc he's hot that much should be obvious to him🙄

FOOLISHLY HOPELESSLY UNMEASURABLY IN LOVE HWAT THE FUCK DREA IM SAD

i love that he remembers the spinal cord dislocation and the dead leaves . like yea im dead rn but the leaves in my hair are really what's bothering me the most

what the fuck is a maw

ok i looked it up i get it now

"attachment is for gullible idiots" yup and youre one of them vampy 😌

"the warmest skin his icy fingers had ever had the good fortune to touch" im so soft rn

oh so now she has "a wholesome beauty about her nature" ? i thought she was just cute enough 🤨

HE THINKS HER SMILE COULD RESTART HIS HEART THATS SO CUTE IM OUHOIJFOEWIJFIOEWJ

"the responsibility of keeping her safe, satisfied, and happy" how 🥺 🥺🥺

"as long as he breathes" i thought he didn't breathe lmao BUT I GET THE SENTIMENT

"always when it comes to her" IM SCREAMING RN THIS IS SO SOFT I CANT

ill never forgive him for being so dense either his brain is basically a rock

HE WANTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT HE BELONGED TO HER IM GONNA HAVE A STROKE

couldnt be me i dont want to be percieved

HE ADDED A FUCKING BUTTERFLY AFTER THE DISCO BALLS IM OIWFJIOEWJFIOEJIOEWNOJIWJ(*H(WUIOFJIOEWJFIOWHVIFUEH)U)($UT

HEY a hamilton obsession is not childish😤

'the only person who was allowed to touch him there was y/n' he's like a little kid who's possessive omggggggg

oh this reminds me i rlly hope everything in that chest was new and had never been used on anyone else owijfowiejfioewj

oh please my irish king can control himself let y/n meet the other vamps🙄

"if they knew all along why did it take so long" yk im wondering the same thing dummy

"every day was a battle to earn her love and affection" wtffff how could she hurt him like that he is just a baby

i think he needs therapy tbh

yes he does deserve to be treated with respect and dignity😤

"supporting and tolerating them despite your differences" exactly unless they're a republican

IM SORRY THAT WAS MEAN OIWFJOIWJFEIOw i said what i said tho

they did everything backwards but it's what baby needed🥺

im literally gonna 🔪 bradley how dare he hurt my favorite ribeye like that

PROPER BOYFRIEND-GIRLFRIEND BONDING PLSSSSS im sure he makes sure to say stuff like "as your boyfriend' or 'since youre my girlfriend' all the time now

"everything that has to do with harry has always and will always make her feel safe and secure" ...who's gonna tell her👀

HE BECOMES CLINGY IVE BEEN WAITIN FOR THIS ONE TURN IT UP

awwww my love language is also quality times bestiesssssss

(this is more serious you might want to change the words to nose kisses or something because esk*mo is a slur)

HE wants to be wrapped in HER arms and get forehead kissies like a little baby🥺🥺

i can tell you wrote this chappy bc leyla would never write about ice cream

IF CHRIST CAN GET A DATE MARKER SO CAN HARRY OIFJOEIWJFIOEWJFWI PLSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE HIM

ALWAYS FOR HER WEJFIOJWEIOFJEWIOFJOIEWJFOIEWJF HES SO IN LOOOOOVE

HE DID IT AND IM SO PROUD OF HIM🥺

omg i have a thot imagine if she got a heart murmur or something and obvi he knows bc he can hear it so now he has to find a way to make her get it checked out out without being suspicious 😭

HE ROCKS HER TO CALM HER DOWN WHEN SHES HAVING NIGHTMARES IJFEOWIJFOIWEFJ

“nearly blinds himself for eternity” what a drama queen i love him

maybe learn how to turn your brightness down grandpa

“can women sense emotional distress” why is this so funny oiewfjwieojfioewj

DEHUMANIZING OWEIJOIAJAKLFSDJLKSDJFKLD

not a psychotic episode 😭😭

crippling mommy issues woejfkljdklsjsdf me too king

awwwww he made her a full buffet i would cry

matchy socks im gonna sob

king is a chef 😌

y/n’s head @ harry’s clavicle rn: 💥

“his plush chest” drea its ok you can say titties

“absolutely flawless”? are you sure shes not just cute enough 🤨

he got her oat milk 🥺the sign of true love

hes such a shithead i love him

SPELLING HIS NAM E ON HER TUMMY IM HAVING ANOTHER STROKE

“I DIDNT WANT TO LEAVE YOU ALL ALONE” HES SO WOIFJSJFSDKJKLSDJF

HE DIDNT HAVE TO DO NIALL LIKE THAT 😭😭

RAPUNZEL HAIR OSIDJSKJKLSJF

she traces a tiny heart on him wtfffffffffff im sad

this… is hot

“theres no room on the counter” owifjlksjfslkfjklsj

HE WOULD WALK THROUGH FIRE FOR HER maybe then he’d be a little less cold

im sorry that was wrong of me lisjfskldjfwoiejewiojrei

OH MY GOD OWEIJFKLJSKLFJL SHES SO BOLD “can’t i?” OSIJFKSLJLKJF

oh boy hes gonna kill her

I WONDERED WHEN THE YOURE HOT WHEN YOURE MEAN THING WAS GOING TO COME UP

literally shut the fuck up mr english major

do it bestie kick him in the balls

SPARE BOOBIES MAAM I CNAT BELIEVE YOU aCTUALLY WROTE THAT OWIFEJWIJEKLJFOIEWHOEWIFEHFLKEWJFKLEWJKLJFL

IM WHITE IM ALLERGIC TO SPICE WEJFLKJFKLEJFLKJSKLJKFSJD

“character development at its finest” what a self aware king

y/n stop being mean to him baby just wants to feel close ☹️

“I’m anemic” ok king whatever u say

“ME AND MY CHRONIC ILLNESS IM SENSITIVE” IJFKLSDJFKLJSDKLJ

ahhhhhhh it’s yoga time

“just ask your cervix” jlksdjflksdjflkdsjflk

“if only you knew” ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

yeah y/n isnt like those other girls 🤪 shes different 🤪

yes bestie objectify him

THERE IT IS MY FAVORITE LINE IN THIS ENTRIE BOOK

PERHAPS MY FAVORITE LINE IN ANY BOOK EVER

“He hasn't been this stiff since rigor mortis”

i think about this on a daily basis i truly do

grey shorts? what a slut

“call the lapd im pressing charges” me after walking up the stairs

OH SO THIS IS WHERE THE GREYS ANATOMY CHARACTERS FROM THE SPOILERS WITHOUT CONTEXT COME IN

him using his shirt as a towel im BARKING

“I wasnt jealous” yea ok 😃

AGAIN HIM DRAWING HIS INITIALS ON HER SKIN THATS SO WOIJFSKLDJFLSJ

yeah harold she just wanted a little kiss 😤

yeah 😃 its bc he ran track 😃

no bc thats so fucking cute that she pretended she had never seen the show before bc he was excited to introduce her to it 🥺

I would do the same tbh i feel like it would be fun to wash dishes with harry idk why

“that skank” oisjksldfjklsjfklsdjflkd

YOUR THICK SKULL COULD DAMAGE THE MARBLE LSKFJKLDSJKFLSDJFKLSJFKLSJKLSJLDKFJLSKDJF I WOULD CRY

he gets her a cup of water 🥺

ok but like wouldn't she want to wash her hair after it got all sweaty at yoga

awwwww she got his toothbrush ready for him why am i so soft rn

memory foam mattresses sound nice but actually they kind of suck bc you sink down and feel trapped in them 😃

HE WATCHED THE TIKTOK SHE SENT HIM IM HAVING A THIRD STROKE

niall is probably on the dumbest side of tiktok idek what side but it’s probably annoying and he thinks it’s hilarious

noooo baby youre not a monster🥺 someone give him a hug rn

well actually you are kind of a monster but its ok we still love u bestie

I too run on caffeine and pizza pockets 😌

TONSIL HOCKEY WHAT THE FUCK OIEJFLSDKJFKLSDJFLSJLKFJSDKLFJ

chatsnap hes such an old man 😭

true lmao if you dont have social media i immediately dont trust you

not the i just washed my hands tiktok 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

HE FEELS STRANGELY PERCIEVED RN KJFLSJFLKSDJ IDK WHY THIS IS SO FUNNY TO ME BUT IM LIKE LEGIT LAUGHING

DO IT BESTIE BITE HIM CHOMP CHOMP

“my eyes are stinging” hes such a baby 😭

“MY SIGH”TS ALL FUZZY” SJFKDSLJFLKDSJFLKDSJFLK

“are you all right” “I dont know :(’ i cant handle this my face hurts from smiling lksjflkjafklj

he has a kitchenaid stand mixer omg thats so sexy

ok but has anyone ever gotten salmonella from raw cookie dough bc i think thats just a myth

fuck u for that one vampy

wow he could never deal with my chronically ill ass

WAIT IS IT WAP

NOPE ITS BETTER LSDFJSDKLFJDS

I agree body is absolutely an instrumental masterpiece

I KNEW HE KNOWS SOME TIKTOK DANCES I KNEW IT

“I know youre kinda into that (getting smacked in the face)” SHUT UPPPPPPP SKJFSKDLJFDS

NOT HIM TWERKING SLKFJSDKLFJDSKLFJDSKL

YES YN GET THAT VIDEO AND BLACKMAIL HIM

“I think i popped something” ok old man 😭

why is the word wench so funny lkfjslkfjdslkfjsdlkfj

dont hand it over i want to see him snap

OH SHIT HE JUST JUMPED THE TABLE LSDFJSDKLFJLKDNMNXCMNJKHOIUIOEUR

oooooooooooo

OH MY GOD AGAIN SHE REALLY IS BOLD SLKDFJDSKLFJLSKDJFLKJFS

not guerrilla warfare 😭😭😭😭

do it bestie give him a concussion he deserves it

“no piece of art could ever compare to her” 🥺🥺

“remember that time you told me making out was childish” “no” i hate him 😭

THERE IT IS AGAIN “sex isnt the only way he can feel close to someone anymore” SHUT THE FUCK UP IM SOBBING

this reminds me of the dehydrated intercourse with demonrry

“don’t care, relationships are about sharing’ hes so sdjfksldjfklsjf

DO IT BESTIE KICK HIS KNEECAPS IN

suing disney for false advertisement 😭

THIS SCENE IS KILLING ME LKJFKLSJFLDSJ “just pucker your lips over it” “You have actual brain damage, dont you?” DREA I LOVE YOU KSDJFLDSKJFLKSDJ

how do those bubbles taste babe

ok drea wtf i was so happy and now this??????

“everything’s wrong” NO SHUT UP SHUT UP ITS HAPPY HOURS

not the boob privileges 😭

WAIT THIS IS FROM THE BSE MV ISNT IT “dance is just so hot rn” “depressing shades are just so hot rn”

NOT HIM GETTING ALL STUTTERY WHEN HE ASKS HER IF SHE WANTS A DRAWER 🥺

NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN THIS GENTLE WITH HIM BEFORE WTFFFFFFFF IM CRYING

“youre so fucking cute, my baby” me when i see literally any picture of him

JELLO HAS a STRONGER BACKBONE THAN THIS KSFJSDKLFJDSKLFJ

“betrayed. objectified. taken advantage of. used. “ i hate him sm 😭😭

OH MY GOD IS SHE GONNA SHAVE HIS FACE THATS SO CUTE IM

SHE ISsSSSSS IM SQUEALING

stop him worrying she’ll think it's weird and wont want to do it 🥺

“bold of you to assume id ever be convicted” PLS DREA LAKFJDKSLFJ

“the more you talk, the more appealing manslaughter sounds” I CHOKED DLSKFJDSKLFJDKSJFDSKLJ

HIM WHISTLING TO GET HER ATTENTION WHY IS THAT SO CUTE

Im sorry but its really funny to me how you wrote the sentence “wrong metal, he thinks ironically” … get it ? like IRONically lkfjdslkfj im sorry i’ll show myself out

“this boy?” what a fucking cutie i want to kick him

I forgot what a bop helpless is thanks for reminding me im gonna go listen to the entire soundtrack again-

theyre so fucking cute i hate them

so yea bascally this is the best thing ive ever read and i love you so much and my face hurts from smiling :)))

[gascon-en-exil]

I'm genuinely curious about your "Black Eagles most to least favourite" list.

Here you are.

#1: Hubert

Could there be any other? I remember back when there was a promo introducing the house retainers (well, Lorenz for the Deer) and everyone was saying that Hubert looked so obviously evil that there had to be some deeper explanation, that someone who took design cues from a two-dimensional villain like Fates’s Iago couldn’t possibly be Edelgard’s retainer. Then the game came out, and we all realized that Hubert was exactly as advertised and then some: a cold and calculating murderer and war criminal with his fingerprints all over almost every terrible thing that happens over the course of the story, as comfortable with chloroform and a razor as dark magic and down to perform unspeakable experiments on innocent civilians to turn them into war machines and then backstab his co-conspirators because he will suffer no rivals for his title of the Most Evil Man in Fòdlan. And yep, he looks like Dracula and Severus Snape had a one-night stand and their mpreg love child went to an anime convention...but when Ferdinand looks at Hubert he sees Mr. Darcy and the Phantom of the Opera and Edward Cullen/Christian Grey, and soon enough that snake in Hubert’s breeches will be singing quite the aria indeed. You do you, Ferdinand.

Ok, I’ve already rambled at length on Hubert’s bisexuality and the interesting things it reveals about both him and his two primary love interests, but I do also have to admire the sheer audacity both of Hubert as an incel/Nice Guy-flavored romantic false lead for Edelgard who never had a serious chance because of the self-insert fantasy and of the decision to follow that up with a trope-laden queer romance that perfectly counterbalances Hubert’s attraction to Edelgard and puts Ferdinand firmly in the place he was destined to occupy by choosing to side with the Empire. It’s nearly as outrageous as just how casually evil Hubert gets to be, as well as the immense potential for dark humor that lies with that. You have to bend over backwards to say that Hubert isn’t unapologetically, irredeemably evil, and if you try there will be significantly more fans just waiting to tell you that you’re wrong - myself included. He’s the Manfroy to Edelgard’s Arvis but so much than that, and I look forward to the point in the CF postgame where he effectively takes over the Empire in true evil chancellor fashion and unleashes the full extent of his horrors upon Fòdlan. He somehow got even better in the DLC too despite being absent from CS and getting no new supports, because the Abyssians in CF just can’t stop talking about his nefarious antics down there. I just can’t get enough of how good this guy is at being bad, and I love that FE gave us exactly what was advertised here.

#2: Ferdinand

Now here’s a case of the opposite, where what’s on the packaging didn’t prepare me for what was to come. If I remarked on Ferdinand at all during pre-release it was only to think that he might be part of a Christmas knight duo with Sylvain since the game looked like it wouldn’t have one of those. Early on there wasn’t much else to be said about Ferdinand; he was like Claude in that his popularity ran off a meme (except just the one rather than several), and in appearance and personality he was basically Lorenz with less ridiculous hair. But then came his supports, and his post-timeskip look, and suddenly Ferdinand blossomed into the subtext-laden fem with very bizarre taste in men - see above - that he could have only dreamed of being if he’d stuck to such well-trod ground as the Christmas knight archetype. We learn of his love for opera, his complicated relationship with his father, his worship of the hot mess diva Manuela and how he learned swordplay specifically to imitate her roles on the stage, and - yes - how some backhanded compliments and expensive gifts of tea turn him into a blushing Regency heroine. It all casts his unusually rote romances with women in a performative light (as opposed to Lorenz who is similarly performative but seems genuinely interested in the marriage market), to say nothing of his one-sided rivalry with Edelgard that brushes against jealousy over Hubert’s devotion to her more often than against romantic attraction to her, and that toys around with gendered behavior in a manner complementary to Edelgard’s own bucking of the gender status quo.

And while not to the same extent as Felix, I do appreciate that Ferdinand has two distinct arcs depending on the route - and unlike some who feel that one or the other detracts from his character as a whole I personally find that they complement each other well. In SS and if recruited to AM and VW he makes the hard choice to oppose his homeland, spending the timeskip waging a solitary battle against the Empire with his private militia and then joining back up with Byleth’s army at Garreg Mach because he knows Edelgard is in the wrong even as it pains him to depose the Adrestian emperor and leave his own status uncertain...not to mention fight Hubert, which merits a curious boss conversation as well as some extra lines in SS (plus the infamous Huge Hole™ remark that I will never stop referencing because it is hilarious) that, while not elevating Ferdibert anywhere near the level of Dimidue in terms of cross-route canon endorsement, nonetheless are suggestive of something deeper between them that exists even if they find themselves on opposite sides of a war. In CF by contrast Ferdinand gives into his craving for the title and holdings that Edelgard has just stripped from his father and embraces nationalism and his long-held ideal of what the office of the prime minister should to do as a means of justifying the Empire’s conquests. Of course in the process he also succumbs to Hubert’s, er, charms(?) and becomes the charismatic bureaucrat who is presumably saddled with the task of putting a positive spin on the Empire’s dystopian atrocities while Edelgard and Hubert do all the actual work...and Hubert does all the actual actual work, which includes a lot of murder and kidnapping and all manner of other things that he doesn’t share with his pretty lover and about which Ferdinand quickly learns not to ask. Two Jewels of the Empire, indeed.

#3-4: Edelgard and Dorothea

I go back and forth on these so I’m not going to bother putting them in a definitive order, particularly because I like them for very different reasons that are difficult to compare. For Edelgard, it would be most accurate to say that I enjoy her potential much more than her execution; she gets some meaty material to work with as a lord and as the driving antagonist of the whole game outside of CF, and while I still prefer Micaiah for female lords there’s something darkly satisfying about her need for control and domination and her utter refusal to compromise or remain stagnant...except where Byleth is concerned, and Edeleth drags her down so badly that it would be painful if I cared more about that type of strong female character. Had the game axed the self-insert obsession (even if that meant axing her bisexuality along with it) and focused on her experiences during the Insurrection as the source of her worldview and motivations I’d be inclined to like the final product far more, because that’s a hell of a lot more in line with what she actually does and conveniently also maps to the life of a real world ruler with whom I’m relatively familiar and whom history regards in appropriately ambivalent terms.

Dorothea on the other hand is someone I can relate to on a more personal level, mostly as a sex worker. She’s similar to Primrose from Octopath Traveler, both of them prostitutes and playing coy with the implications of the RPG dancer class archetype, although Primrose hits a few more of my buttons for being former nobility and being motivated by revenge. Then again, I fully understand Dorothea’s anxieties about growing old without a man to take care of her, even if she loses me (and Yuri picks up from where she leaves off) when she dips into lesbianism as an alternative option. She’s got her ups and downs for me - I love that she brings up incest kink with Caspar as opposed to this series’s usual outright incest, while I love less her strange Ferdinand supports that are suspended oddly between friendship and romance and...something else undefinable - and I don’t have much to say on her life as an opera diva except that it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that she’s been turning tricks on the side and even got a sugar daddy to pay her way into the academy. Theatre and sex work have always gone hand-in-hand like that.

#5-7: Linhardt, Caspar, and Petra

This is why I couldn’t make up a list like this for the Lions or Deer, because most of their students would be in big clumps like this. I have no strong opinions on any of these characters; they each have their moments, but not enough to elevate them to where I actively like them or drop them down into real dislike. I suppose you could say I’m disappointed by how Caspar and Linhardt are visual allusions to Ike/Soren who do absolutely nothing else with that similarity except eloping in their paired ending...which is preceded by virtually nothing in the way of real chemistry. If I enjoy them for anything in particular it’s Linhardt’s wit and Caspar’s occasional bouts of emotional vulnerability, like his mini-arc in AM where he has to deal with his feelings surrounding Randolph’s death and then later gets an apology from Dimitri for it.

Petra is awkward all around as the game dances around her delicate political situation, and I also happen to agree with the VA who (if I recall) thought the character should have some sort of accent but wasn’t allowed to do one. (If anyone is wondering, based on her last name and Brigid being an island nation I headcanon it as a Celtic-derived culture, but as with my personal reading of Dedue and Duscur I know that doesn’t play well to the fandom at large).  All in all Petra feels like a more self-aware rendition of the exotic swordswoman archetype begun by Ayra in Jugdral, but there’s clearly still some work to be done on that front.

#8: Bernadetta

Ugh. With apologies to @capriciouscorvid for explaining how even unintentional disability representation can be taken as a positive, I just don’t see how Bernadetta’s character could possibly be considered a good thing when she’s so grating in almost all of her supports and most of her story and exploration presence outside of CF. All the screaming and high-pitched pronouncements of impending death get very old very quickly, and the part where she’s meant to be romantically appealing in her neediness and isolation is as lost on me as it would have been had it stemmed instead from a massive rack. Her supposedly sympathetic backstory doesn’t help much either, as it leaves me mostly with the thought that her father is an idiot because his methods obviously did not make her suitable to be a good wife. I also don’t care for how she’s one of several characters used to soften Jeritza (and that the way she does so is I think rather insulting to people with social anxiety, to liken it to a compulsion to commit murder), or even worse that people point to her Hubert support to try and say that he’s not such a bad guy and they’d be total besties just like Ferdinand and Dorothea (another pairing that doesn’t exactly scream BFFs). I mean, really....

[akp-1327]

dear diary // chapter three

Hey! Long time, no see! I am so, so, so sorry that this chapter is late. I’ve been having a bit of a busy time recently and haven’t had many opportunities to write/edit like usual. But now I have a looser schedule so updates to the series should go back to normal! 😄 I hope you are all doing okay wherever you are! :)

Find the series masterlist here to catch up on the previous chapter!

Word count: 4.6k

(*) Warnings: mentions of bankruptcy and emotional abuse

All I could see was red. The anger that flowed through my veins was terrifyingly smooth, leaving my entire body shaking. The news that my mom just told me, well, sobbed to me, left me in awe. In terrible, heart-wrenching, shocking...awe.

Sweetie, my mom’s sweet and clear voice bellowed through my memory, I’m so sorry. So, so, so sorry, darling.

“Charlotte, you need to calm down. Seriously. I don’t know what’s--” Leila said softly, her hands firm on my shaking shoulders.

At a time like this, I didn’t need her soothing me. I needed her to slap me out of this impending doom that I thought would tear me apart. I needed to get a grip on reality, to comprehend that this entire nightmare was actually happening.

“Leila, do you know what my mom just told me?” I huffed, throwing my phone onto the tidy bed that I had just made. Our first night in New York had started off amazingly, as if it was taken straight out of a movie; we met new and amazing people, found Leila’s wayward bag, explored the dorm building...

Then, when called my mom once we got back to our dorm...everything came crashing down like a colossal, teetering tower of Jenga blocks.

Leila scowled at me then, squeezing my shoulders harder. Her eyes, usually a coffee bean brown, looked inky black when her entire demeanor changed from confused to quite ticked off. I immediately regretted the tone I used, though there was no going back now.

“Does it look like I do? God, you can be so dense sometimes!” Leila stated, glaring right into my eyes with a look that sent a chill down my spine. “Something’s up and you need to tell me immediately.”

This wasn’t something that I thought I could even have the guts to say. But, sooner than I though, words started forming on the tip of my tongue at the speed of light; but one stood out in particular, one chilling me to the bone.

“Bankrupt.”

This set her back, making her hands falter a bit on my shoulders.

“What? Charlotte, I need deta--”

“The diner, Leila.”

The words slowly tore my heart into microscopic pieces. Every notable memory I had from my childhood took place at the diner. I could distinctly remember the scent of buttermilk pancake batter being mixed and the sounds of plates being stacked. I could remember the outside, the bright yellow paint standing out against the lifeless gray colors of the neighborhood that it’s surrounded by.

“T-The Golden Griddle?” Leila asked, confusion consuming her features once more. The intense look in her eyes slowly fizzled out and turned into pure fret. As she’d always been, Leila was not well-composed in these types of situations.

“Yes. There’s just too many complications with the building, too many expenses and so little money...” I sighed sadly. Tears welled in my eyes, though I didn’t need to show Leila that. And so, with a deep breath, I sniffled and shook my head to clear the emotions away. “My dad spent what he could to fix the cheaper things like the light fixtures and seats, but then he got carried away with fixing the rest of the bigger issues. It all added up over time, Leila. Now the diner...the diner doesn’t have anything left.”

The diner had so, so many issues for such a long time. The interior, for as long as I could remember, was small. There were only ten tables, half of those being booths that lined the walls, in total. The kitchen was also considerably compact for the amount of business that the diner would face. My parents always wanted to get around to renovate properly, but could never keep up with the overwhelming amounts of money spent on necessities like ingredients, napkins, utensils, advertisements...so DIY projects and repairs it was.

“But your parents still own it, right? They can bounce back?”

My heart yearned to be at home with my family. Why would I leave? God, I really am dense. Forget school, forget dreams. Home is where I should’ve been when that news was unveiled, not thousands of miles away.

“No. I guess the health inspector said that there were so many things with the building that set off a lot of red flags. He condemned it right on the spot.”

Leila’s eyebrow’s furrowed in thought. It was never easy for me to talk about these things - the serious things - with her. Of course, though, she knew almost everything about me; she knew that I was never the “open book” type and would always need a bit of encouragement to work my way up to talking things through. I’d rather sit and wallow in my misery than get help. The whole mindset had definitely not been ideal for anyone, but that was always the least of my worries.

The moment Leila looked back into my eyes was the moment she started to speak, her voice soft like it was before; again, I didn’t need to be sympathized, I needed to be able to see reason. This whole thing caught me completely off-guard.

Leila whispered, shaking her head, “How did this even happen?”

In high school, a very wise teacher of mine once said that there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people who ask questions. However, by the looks of it, this was definitely an exception. Even with her ingenious, Leila had just asked one of the stupidest questions known to man. 

She knew exactly how this happened, and has known for years. The Golden Griddle’s financial instability had never, ever been able to be kept secret in a town such as Ceder Cove, no matter how many times my parents tried.

“Oh, wait. Sorry.” Leila stammered, looking up at the ceiling to collect herself.

“It’s fine. I just can’t fathom what my parents are going through right now. Henry, too.” I sighed, stepping back from Leila and letting my shoulders deflate. I slowly sat on the edge of my bed and crossed my legs, my gaze trained on the aged wood floor. “Even if I should, I’m not calling my mom back with more details tonight. This...this is just too much for me to handle right now.”

Leila was silent and I looked up to see her scrolling through her phone. 

Seriously? I cleared my throat to get her attention...but she didn’t even flinch.

“Leila. Are you even listening to me? Or...are you texting Skye?”

Leila’s eyes immediately averted from her phone to look at me. The smallest hint of a blush crept into her cheeks, though she played it off and rolled her eyes.

“Actually, Erin wants to take us shopping for the party next week when we’re available. Check your phone.” Leila stated, a defensive edge in her tone. I was the one to roll my eyes this time.

Now, let’s get this straight; I am not fond of parties. Leila had dragged me to each homecoming, each winter formal, and the two prom nights that we had. My date to prom both years, a guy named Harold Longhorn (a total snob), would not shut up about politics or the “oh-so-stupid” stock market. I only went with him because he said he’d tutor me for free with my AP Euro and AP Chem homework in collateral. Oh, and did I mention that his dad is a major entrepreneur in the Portland area? Wait, that’s unimportant; just like every single party I’ve ever been to in my life. 

“Do I have to go? I’d rather stay here and reread Pride & Prejudice for the millionth time or something that I actually enjoy. Dancing the night away doesn’t sound as interesting to me as my daily dose of Mr. Darcy.”

Leila scoffed and looked over at me again, her eyebrow quirked in such a way that left me a bit uneasy.

“News flash, Charlotte Parker, but Mr. Darcy is fictitious and will not save you from this.” Leila scolded, though she was playful about it. “I’m not letting you stay here because you’re a college girl now and you need to socialize with people other than me!”

“Ughhhh,” I groaned, laying down onto my bed and turning away from her and burying my face into my pillow that sadly smelt like home, “you sound just like my mom!”

Leila burst out into laughter that sent a faint chill down my spine. Whatever her plans were, she knew I’d loathe them.

“I’m glad.”

*

*

August 10th, 2020

Dear Diary...

Okay. Sorry for the radio silence. Lots has happened over the course of a couple weeks that I need to get off my chest. As Scar would say, be prepared...

First off, NYU is amazing. I’ve already met lots of (!!) people, though 4 have become friends! Two girls, two guys: Skye, Erin, Rory, and Ajay. They’re all really down-to-earth and genuinely cool people that I’m getting along with! 

Rory and Leila are really like two peas in a pod, and so are Skye and Leila. Leila is just a social butterfly, so she honestly gets along with everyone. Erin and Ajay, though, are more mellow and easy-going. Erin is so...laid back? Like she’s the type of person that you could spill your life story to. She’s just so, I don’t know... nonchalant? - definitely in a good way.

However, I feel more drawn to Ajay; we share similar interests and outlooks on life. He even saw my performance at Spotlite! He’s also a student director here at NYU, so if I do somehow wind up in the show, I’d probably work with him. It even helps that he’s kinda cute, but you didn’t hear that from me.

Overall, though, the campus is absolutely stunning and the view from our dorm window takes my breath away each and every morning.

Second, The Golden Griddle is doomed right now due to both bankruptcy and condemnation. My parents are all torn up about it, and to be blatantly honest, so am I. The diner has always been a home away from home, and now that I may have to face losing it forever...

Third, I HATE PARTIES. With a deep, burning passion.

Leila, if you’re reading this, then you can call me George Eacker: piss off because I’m watching this show - also known as Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist - now...well..when you’re at the party! There’s no way in hell that I’m stepping foot into anything resembling a disco or a dance or even, god forbid, a hoedown like that one during our sophomore year. Nope, nope, nope. Over my dead body.

All in all, I’m having a wonderful time settling into my new life in New York. Of course I miss home, but I also feel like it was time for me to spread my wings and learn to fly!

Alright. I gotta run. I’m going shopping. And, yes, it’s regrettably for this pointless party that I’m being forced to go to against my will. 

Talk, er, write soon!

Charlotte :)

*

*

“Ooo, what’re you writing about?” Leila asked, barging back into our slightly messy dorm after finishing with her morning routine. I hastily closed my diary and forced a smile.

“Um, it’s just the address of my uncle’s new house! Mom said to write it down somewhere in case I lost my phone.”

Shoot. Thank God Leila wasn’t really paying much attention to catch how bad of an excuse that was; she just turned her back to me and scavenged through a pile of dirty clothes already heaped in the corner by her closet. It’s been six days since we’ve moved in. I still haven’t really organized nor have I gotten around to calling my parents or Henry with updates about the diner.

“Right, right. He moved a couple days ago. Though, with our plans today, are you ready to go? Erin and Skye are already waiting for us downstairs.” Leila said, grabbing her purse. I gave her a scowl and grabbed my own, sighing as I slung it on my shoulder.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess. But I have one quick question,” I said, finally catching her attention, “why are you wearing those?”

My eyes went to the unscuffed black stilettos on her feet; they had to have been at least 5 inches tall. She laughed and instinctively brought one of her ankles up to rub it as if she’d been in pain. The stilettos were paired with a pair of skinny and holey whitewash jeans and a black Shinedown sweatshirt with a crow and a butterfly printed in white; from what I remember, that was one of the band’s songs.

“I’m wearing these to the party so I figured I’d break them in a little first. And I need to find a dress that looks good with them, so why not?”

“Fair warning, you might actually break something else before you walk a block in those death traps.” I teased, making her huff. This was obviously not something she wanted to hear, but let’s remember who was dragging me to this stupid party in the first place. My sarcasm comes with the territory!

“Jesus, you make it sound like I’m breaking a law! They’re just heels!” Leila laughed, shaking her head. Her hair had been in two Dutch braids, making her outfit even more unique. To each their own, I suppose.

“Just heels that might put you on crutches,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes as I slipped my (comfortable) light pink flip flops on. We headed down to the lobby and quickly spotted Erin, chatting with Rory and Ajay, and Skye standing a little off to the side.

“Ah, there you guys are!” Erin grinned, running over and leading us over to the group.

“I thought this was a girl trip?” I asked, playfully eyeing the guys. Ajay gave a tight-lipped smile and rolled his eyes.

“Oh, don’t worry, it is. We were just heading out to find Rory another outfit that he apparently needs because his six other ones aren’t enough.” Ajay explained, making direct eye contact with me. I could see the different blends of brown tinges in his eyes - the light from both the windows and the bulbs above hitting just the right angles - shimmer behind his glasses. I also noticed that he was wearing a simple green t-shirt and a pair of khaki shorts with black Nike’s. 

Wait, what?

“I may have a slight obsession with shopping,” Rory said sheepishly, slowly creeping away from the group, “but I also need something fresh. I can’t be seen in the same maroon shirt that I wore to--”

Ajay’s groan interrupted him but he followed in Rory’s footsteps with a small shrug. “We’ll be going now. Have fun.”

I immediately felt myself missing his eyes. The brown sparkles that caught my own. Was it so wrong to find his eyes...gorgeous? Didn’t think so.

As they waved goodbye, Leila migrated from my side to Skye’s. The redhead looked particularly sad today, but let out the slightest trace of a smile when Leila started talking to her.

“So, where’re we going to go first, o’ wise Erin?” I asked, turning to her. She looked a bit lost in thought, a bit dazed when our eyes met, but I could tell she regained herself before she answered.

“Well, I thought we’d take a trip to The Shops today,” Erin said smugly, her hand resting on her hip, “we can take an Uber in case we want to make other stops along the way!”

Skye visibly revolted at the thought, her arms tightening around her chest and her glower intensifying. The way her blue eyes darkened was just a bit unsettling, too.

“Okay. Sounds good...” I sighed, gripping my leather purse strap a bit tighter.

“Sure,” Skye groaned, “good. Great. Grand. Just how I wanted to spend my day.”

*

*

The nearby mall, The Shops, had a wide array of stores that we buzzed in and out of, Erin and Leila eagerly leading the way.

“You know,” I said, looking over at Skye, “I really don’t understand why we need new clothes for this party.”

Skye shrugged. “Me neither. I never really had to get new clothes for the banquets that I went to as a kid with my parents.” 

I instantly noticed that her hands were in tight fists at her sides.

“What do your parents do?” I asked, trying to keep her talking. I really wanted to get to know her better; she was still such a mystery and I was destined to change that.

Though, the bitter grimace she gave at the question was all the hint that I needed to know that I’d said something wrong, maybe even crossed a line.

“They do nothing but make a lot of money and prioritize themselves over anything else, even their own kids.”

Oh, wow. I blinked rapidly, willing my brain to say, something, anything, to break the agonizing silence building between us.

“Oh. I’m sorry I brought it up.” I stammered, though she shook her head.

“It’s okay. It’s just...not something I really like to talk about.” Skye sighed, almost ruefully. Despite my pending curiosity, I left the topic be.

“What’re you here in New York to do, Skye?” I asked instead, hoping to lighten her spirits a little. When she looked back over at me, she gave me a neutral expression.

“Graphics,” Skye stated, her tone firm and assured, “I want to be a graphics designer.”

“That’s really interesting. Have you designed anything yourself?”

Sadly, before I could hear her answer, Erin and Leila gasped in unison and pointed to a store. A quick glance at the shop name was enough to make me roll my eyes.

“Windsor! Yes!” Leila squealed, bolting into the store without a second thought. Erin rushed after her, gesturing for Skye and I to follow.

Several racks of dresses filled the store and even lined the walls, some popping with bright color and some glittering with infinite sparkle. I watched Leila pluck several dresses off their racks and fold them over her arm, shaking my head.

“Wow, look at this abomination.” Skye murmured, plucking a dress made of plastic (well, not literally, but basically) off the rack. It was a flamingo pink and looked like something a Barbie doll would wear. A laugh escaped her as she sifted through and pulled out the other options, the colors ranging from a vibrant cobalt to a neon yellow.

“I’ve always wanted to be Barbie disguised as a highlighter! Skye, how’d you know?” I giggled, taking a resembling green one off the same rack. My poor eyes ached at the sight of all the vivid colors.

“Pure intuition, obviously.” Skye responded, putting the dresses back on the rack. “Jeez, I could never wear any of these.”

I could agree; I would never be able to pull any of these off. Also, it didn’t help that they were so effervescent and looked severely uncomfortable. (I mean, how do you even move in that kind of material?)

“Me neither,” I said wistfully, plucking another dress off a nearby rack. It was a black sweetheart-necklined dress that cut off at (what I’d say) the knee. It had some lace detailing on the straps and a few sparkles scattered across both the bodice and the skirt. It wasn’t over-the-top, nor was it boring...

I held it up to Skye, making her jump back a little with surprise. I giggled and closed an eye, coming to a conclusion about how this dress would look incredible on her.

“Whoa, what’re--” Skye asked, her eyes widening. I smiled warmly and laid it over her arm.

“I think this is a good option for you, and I’m guessing your a 4?” I smirked, watching her gape in both confusion and amusement.

“How’d you...know?”

“Pure intuition, obviously.” I playfully mocked, making her crack a tiny smile. As we continued throughout the store, we came across a few more ridiculously bright options, thankfully not made out of a faux plastic. 

About five minutes into our little exploration, I spotted a dress; it was a silvery mauve skater dress with a flowing skirt and spaghetti straps. By some sort of force, it spoke to me.

“That’s pretty,” Skye said, nodding in approval as I held it up, “ it definitely speaks ‘girl who can read minds’ to me.”

Oh jeez, she’s cool. She’s really cool.

“Perfect, it’s just what I’m looking for, then,” I joked, folding the dress over my arm and walking further into the store. Erin and Leila, practically having the time of their lives, had their arms brimming with dresses that ranged from super glittery to extremely bright. I could swear I could see a familiar highlighter yellow in Leila’s stack, but that could just be my mind playing tricks on me.

Speaking of Leila, I stifled a giggle as I watched her wobble around in her stilettos, grimacing whenever she walked too fast. Not to say I told you so, Leila, I thought, but...I told you so.

“Ladies!” Erin squealed, pointing back to the dressing room area with her free hand. “Let’s go try these on!”

*

*

“How about this masterpiece?” Leila giggled, sauntering out of the dressing room. Erin burst into laughter, Skye rolled her eyes, and I, well...

“Oh my God, Leila...” I playfully gagged, covering my eyes. Turns out that she really did pick out a highlighter dress to try on. After a few laughs, she turned around and changed into a royal blue dress with a deep V neckline. It was sparkly, sassy, and overall...very Leila.

*

*

“Wow, you look great, Skye!” I cheered, giving her two thumbs-up as she examined herself in the mirror. The dress was a perfect fit and she seemed to be comfortable in it. Her hands idly fiddled with the skirt, experimentally flicking it back and forth in thought.

“It seriously looks amazing on you!” Erin smiled, nodding with approval. Skye gave me a small, appreciative smile in the mirror.

I took a quick glance over at Leila and was met with her wide eyes and deep red cheeks.

*

*

“Charlotte, phew, you look hot!” Leila whistled, gesturing for me to spin around. I didn’t really gush over the “dream dress” as much as I had hoped. In fact, the more I looked at it, the more I disliked it.

“Maybe we can find a different color?” I said, looking back at Erin’s face; she definitely did not like it. She shot up out of her chair and came back a moment later with a similar option. It was the same style of dress but in a jade green shade instead. It was also not as shimmery, but more dull and had ruffles on the neckline.

I ducked back into the dressing room and quickly changed. With just a glance at myself now, I knew I found the one. I stepped back out and saw everyone’s face light up.

“Yup,” Erin said smugly as she crossed her legs, “that’s the one.”

*

*

Erin walked out in a tight-fitting midi white dress that popped against her flawless chocolate brown skin. It had a plunging V-neck and a small slit on the left side that climbed all the way up toward the middle of her thigh. Needless to say...she was killing it.

“Now I just need some hoops...” Erin mumbled as she examined herself. Leila looked over at me and just gaped.

“Stunning!” I said, and Erin gave me a warm and self-satisfied smile.

*

*

Finally, we were heading home in an Uber. But because of how long the shopping took, we decided to stop and get some ice cream from a local parlor; all after persuading the driver to wait for us with a hefty tip.

Erin munched on a mixture of raspberry and vanilla, Leila got creamsicle all over her face, Skye picked at her brownie swirl, and I delightfully ate two scoops of cake batter.

“So. Are you two excited about going to this party now?” Erin asked, eyeing Skye and I. At the same time, we both shook our heads.

“New dress, same feelings.” Skye sighed, looking down into her dish. I nodded in agreement only to hear a dramatic sigh from Leila.

“You two will have fun. We’ll find fun things for you guys!” Leila grinned, glancing at Erin. The two shared a look that, like all the times before, sent a chill down my spine.

“You guys can’t make us have fun.” Skye said, figuring her face was serious; but I looked over to see a teasing smirk on her face.

“Well, we can sure as hell try! Besides, what do you guys have against parties?” Erin said, her tone a bit more tame then it was before. My eyes averted from theirs, and without looking, I could tell Skye was doing the same.

Awkward silence wracked the table for what seemed like hours before Skye spoke up.

“You can thank my parents for being the pessimistic and narcissistic assholes that they are. My distaste originates from them.” Skye said, her teasing tone completely replaced with a hiss. She spoke in a mumbled tone, as if she wished she didn’t want to speak.

“I’ve just never been really...happy with the ones I’ve gone to in the past.” I added awkwardly. I thought about the one good party I went to...and of course it had to be from the diner. Emotions bubbled in my throat and were about to escape before Leila (thankfully) interjected with a disapproving groan.

Then, right after, all three of us got looks of unbridled hope and amusement from Erin.

“That’s going to change because, dearest freshmen, you’ve never experienced a party quite like a college party.”

And it can stay that way, I thought.

*

*

The rest of the ice cream was eaten alongside lighter conversation, and then, FINALLY, we were back in the dorms.

The afternoon flew as I decided to buckle down and unpack the remainder of my things. Leila went to hang out with Erin and Skye (without heels, if you were wondering) as I slaved away at stacking my t-shirts in my closet, that is until I got a knock at my door.

As soon as I opened it, I saw a familiar pair of gorgeous eyes lock onto mine.

“Hi, I know this is kinda weird,” Ajay said casually, “ but I have a question for you.”

I leaned against the door, praying I didn’t look like an uncoordinated mess. “It’s not weird at all, actually. Shoot.”

God, his eyes are just breathtaking in any and every way. Was it weird to be obsessing over an acquaintance’s eyes like this? Yes, I thought, yes it was.

“Well, since we really don’t want to go to the party, I was hoping we could try to get something out of it?”

What does he mean? If we didn’t want to go, what good would we be able to get out of it?

I tipped my head a bit to the side in curiosity and felt some of my blonde hair come loose from its bun.

“Let me escort you. To the party.”

Wait, was that an actual thing? An escort to a college party? No way. It sounded so childlike, almost like something an elementary kid would say.

“Hang on. Do you mean, like, as a date?” I asked, my tone packing more intensity than I had hoped. His eyes widened and he shook his head.

“No, no. I just want to get to know you better. I thought that this would be a better option than hunting you down in a huge mass of drunk people and ending up not being able to find you.” Ajay explained, a light smile tugging at his lips. “So...?”

Maybe spending the night with someone with the same ideals as me would make the night less dreadful, perhaps even fun. I barely gave the idea a thought before words left my mouth. 

“Sure, Ajay, I’ll be your escort.”

[just-some-random-blogger]

No Way, Subway

DC Batman Bruce Wayne x Tailor!Reader Summary: You definitely did not meet Bruce Wayne on a Subway Word Count: 1k+ Warnings: Teasings, fluff, name calling kinda, etc.

---

“I know this is a really weird question, but, uh, who’s your tailor?”

The man in the deep green three piece suit turned to me from where he stood and narrowed his eyes curiously. Everyone in the carriage shook as the train passed that uneven part of the subway with the loud pipes. The man pulled his head back and looked for a tag inside his suit.

Even though the expression on his face was not very flattering, he still very much looked like someone from out of a magazine. Even with his folded triple chin, he looked awfully cute.

Honestly, I know it sounds crazy, but he looked so much like Bruce Wayne for a hot second I thought he was him. And then I took some common sense from the back of my head and started to rationalize why the richest person in the damn planet would be taking the subway. Oh that’s right, he wouldn’t, ergo, this was merely someone who looked exactly like Bruce Wayne.

“Isn’t this, like, Armani or something?” he grunts, frustrated that he couldn’t find a tag.

I knit my brows and nodded profusely, “Armani doesn’t stich like that. This was handmade, unless you got a handmade Armani suit or something.”

For a second, he stops his search for a tag and turns to me.  He then, I think silently debates the weight of my words.

We arrive at a stop and I turn to the opening doors. At his point, he removes his jacket and goes AHA!

“Darcy,” he says, putting his outwear back on. He turns to me as I wonder if I knew a tailor called Darcy, which slowly melted why don’t I know a tailor named Darcy when that tailor made that?

 “I assume Darcy is the last name, does he or she have a first?” I asked by the time the train started again.

“I…” he trailed off, “believe her name is Ephonie.”

I frowned.

A second passed before the man spoke up again, “Why the long face?”

I turned to him humming. I blinked at his expression, concerned, deathly handsome. Holy crap what if he was Bruce Wayne?

“Oh, I just… I don’t know her.”

The man took another second before replying, “I’m guessing you’re a tailor too?”

I pursed my lips and nodded. “If this big ass bag of junk isn’t already a dead giveaway,” I said, kicking the big bag of cloth and various types of fabric in front of me.

“Not to be nosy, but wouldn’t it be better to take a cab with how much you’re carrying?”

“Yes, well, Mr. Nosy, not all of us can afford to take a cab back and forth the city frequently.” I sighed. “And besides, save the environment, right. Plus, I’m used to it; it’s not as heavy as you think.”

He chuckled, “I just asked if you should’ve taken a cab and yet you’ve said so much. I don’t qualify being called Mr. Nosy if you said shared all that yourself.”

I broke into a laugh.

 The rest of the ride was spent in the sound of others chatting and the train moving around. When the next stop came around, I moved to gather my things. The man in front of me seemed like he was getting off too.

“Need some help?” he offered.

I took my back up and smiled, “I’m good; as I said, it’s not as heavy as it looks.”

He nodded and walked off. I followed, exiting the same way he did. As we went up back into the streets, he looked back at me, slightly making me feel conscious. Nonetheless, I walked on, and he apparently seemed to be heading the same direction as I was.

Once we both came to a stop at a stop light, the tall man placed his hands in his pockets and nodded. “I’m heading that way, Nosy jr.”

I chuckled, “I literally didn’t ask.”

“Exactly. But because I have a strong feeling we’ll be heading the same direction anyway, let me help you carry your bag, at least one of them.”

I huffed and looked at the street light. Well, judging by the suit he was wearing, I could say he was rich, but then again he could be a con man. However, my tiring arm was trying to get me to think otherwise.

“Okay, you can help,” I huffed as the pedestrian sign turned green, “but the moment you get to your destination give it back, ya hear?”

I waited for his reply and he smiled, nodding, “I hear.”

“Good.” I gave a breath and pulled my bag towards him. “Another thing… you know what happens to me if you run off with this?” I handed him the heavy bag of my supplies. He made a face at upon carrying it and looked at me like a liar. Perhaps it was lie that my bag was not as light as I made it to be, but then again, he could just be a wimp.

I disregarded his look and pursed my lips, “I die.”

The man turned from my bag, which he hung on his shoulder, to me. I continued on saying, “I will die if you run away with this. It’s literally all my last money in that bag, so I beg of you: don’t run away with it.”

 We stared walking off.

If ever he did have any intention of robbing me, I guess I changed his mind because he walked slowly by my side. We talked to avoid awkwardness, but it was mostly about whatever we saw on the way.

By the time we were laughing about a pretzel stand with the funniest logo, the man stopped, causing me to turn to him, alerted.

I titled my head, “Tired?”

He shook his head with an airy chuckle, “No… it’s… my stop.”

I turned to the building and gasped.

W A Y N E    E N T E R P R I S E S

My eyes widened. “No way… are—are you really Bruce Wayne?”

For some odd reason, he turned to his shoes and his cheeks turned red. “What gave it away?”

I raised my brows and shook my head profusely, “UH YOUR FACE?”

“Damn. And here I thought you didn’t know me.”

I scoffed out a chuckle and took my bag from him, “Funny. Everyone in the damn planet knows you, Mr. Wayne.”

“… I prefer Mr. Nosy, honestly. It’s my middle name, or so I’m told.”

I burst out into a fit of chuckles.

“Well, Mr. Nosy. Thanks for the help. I’ll be sure to testify next time someone says you’re a lousy, greedy businessman.”

For a moment, I regret saying the words I did, up until he laughed heartily. 

“Oh, it’s fine. People will think what they will.”

I felt my cheeks turn burn.

I cleared my throat, “Well, it was nice meeting you. Oh, and uh, thanks,” I pulled my bag up and smiled.

“I’d say you’re welcome, but I didn’t catch your name.”

I pursed my lips and told him. He smiled and said a quick you’re welcome.

And that was that, I turned around, walked away, and went back to my studio, finishing a couple of designs I had.

My shop was dark and cold, and so was my desk. I looked at my sketch and felt tears well in my eyes. It wasn’t bad, I swear in the most non-arrogant voice ever, I knew my work was good. It was just really hard to get my work out there.

I sighed, in good time. It’ll be good in time.

      Or will it.

      “Why are you taking the subway?” a voice asked from behind me. 

I turned to the man with the deep voice and smiled at the face I saw. “Mr. Nosy!"

His lips quirked upward, “Nosy jr. How do you do?”

I chuckled, “Oh, honestly, I’ve been amazing. I mean, I’ve had all these customers and I’ve been making so many clothes, it’s exhilarating!” I laughed loudly, quickly covering my mouth when I realized I was a tad too loud.

“That’s great,” Bruce Wayne smiles brightly, unlike any of the advertisements I've seen him in, “you’re not going to die now if you lose that bag?”

I chuckle, feeling my cheeks heat up at his words. “Actually, I wont anymore.” I smiled at him and he reciprocated. Then all at once, I realized something.

“Wait… did—did you help me out?”

The man knit his brows and tilted his head, “I don’t follow.”

I shoved his chest and growled lowly, “Please, don’t tell me the mulit-billionare is dumb.”

Bruce was taken by surprise of my actions and started bubbling out laughing. “Ah, and the short tailor is a violent bully. Cute.”

“Hey, you played dumb first!”

“Oh, and I bet you were just born a bully.”

I groaned, rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms. I looked at him expectantly, “Well?”

He smiled, turning away, “Well, actually, all I said was I was thinking about going to this up and coming tailor that was based somewhere near Wayne Enterprises. A couple of people did some snooping and now, here I am, going to that very place to have a suit done.”

My eyes widened, “W-wha-are you for real?”

Bruce shrugged, “Yeah. I didn’t mean for a bunch of other nosy people to get involved though. I could tell them to stop if you—“ “NO!” I blurted out, making the man laugh. I scoffed and clicked my tongue, “Sadist.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to ­not live up to the name you gave me.”

I give out an airy chuckle. “By the way, why are you on the subway? Aren’t you afraid your fangirls will throw themselves in front of you?”

He pursed his lips, “Actually, people tend to doubt my identity when I’m not in fancy places, and I was once told that, apparently, I was ugly up close. Weird, my mom always said I was handsome.”

I rolled my eyes and broke into laughter, “Okay, Mr. Nosy B. I-Fish-For-Compliments. You are definitely not ugly up close.”

He hummed, “Not ugly enough for you to go out to dinner with me.”

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes went wide. “I—“

He looked at me with a small smile. I turned to the window and nodded, “Sure. I guess I live through such an insufferable date.”

[fictionadventurer]

For the fandom asks: Austen, Sayers, and Wodehouse (predictably)

Austen

Favorite Male Character: Captain Wentworth, ever since my most recent reread of Persuasion. He’s overly confident, overly dramatic, and much wittier and light-hearted than I had remembered. A fascinatingly complex and flawed character. (I suspect that the next time I reread Northanger Abbey, Henry Tilney will resume his rightful place at the top of the list).

Favorite Female Character: Anne Elliot. So kind and selfless and just an all-around great person.

Least Favorite Character: Mrs. Norris. Forever and ever. She’s just plain AWFUL.

Favorite Ship: As you might guess from the above, Anne/Wentworth.

Favorite Friendship: I kind of love the friendship between Anne and Charles Musgrove in Persuasion. I can’t really think of any friendships between men and women in Austen’s other books (that don’t turn romantic), which makes the dynamic between these two extra interesting. I love how they can be friendly and teasing, and how Charles is considerate of Anne and how Anne motivates Charles to be better.

Favorite Quote: “Now I must give one smirk, and then we may be rational again.” My favorite line in the iconic scene that has greatly influenced my preferences in fictional male characters.

Worst Character Death (if any): Mr. Dashwood, because of the effect it had on his family.

This made me so happy you have no idea Moment: There are much deeper and more serious takes on this scene, but I fondly remember the sheer glee I felt when I first read Darcy’s first failed proposal. The sass! The confusion! It’s just so funny!

Saddest Moment: The horrible way everyone treats little (ten-year-old!) Fanny when she arrives at Mansfield Park.

Favorite Location:  Pemberley

Sayers

Favorite Male Character: Lord Peter Wimsey, for many, many reasons.

Favorite Female Character: Harriet Vane, also for many reasons.

Least Favorite Character: Helen.

Favorite Ship: Peter/Harriet, of course.

Favorite Friendship: Peter and Parker. Parker’s solid sensibleness paired with Peter’s wilder whimsy is a great dynamic.

Favorite Quote: If I take the prompt at face value and take it to mean all of Sayers’ writing, it’s probably something from The Man Born to Be King or The Mind of the Maker. From Peter Wimsey, probably something from Gaudy Night. “What are you to do with the people who are cursed with both hearts and brains?” Or “I gather that he nearly knocked you down, damaged your property, and generally made a nuisance of himself, and that you instantly concluded he must be some relation to me.” Or this gem from Have His Carcase I just found in my Peter Wimsey tag: “ ‘Darling, if you danced like an elderly elephant with arthritis, I would dance the sun and moon into the sea with you. I have waited a thousand years to see you dance in that frock.’ ‘Idiot’ said Harriet.”          

Worst Character Death (if any): That guy who died in the end of Murder Must Advertise. Especially because of the societal assumptions and values that lead to the characters taking that path. (I’d say Jesus in The Man Born to Be King, except that Sayers didn’t exactly make that part up).

This made me so happy you have no idea Moment: The “identical cousins” farce in Murder Must Advertise. It’s indescribably delightful. Beautiful silliness.

Saddest Moment: Again, if we’re talking all of Sayers, probably something from The Man Born to Be King (Judas’ death, the line from Caiphas: “Caiaphas also will have lived in vain”, Claudia’s dream, Jesus’s death, etc.)

Favorite Location: Probably Oxford (especially the river scenes), closely followed by that town in The Nine Tailors.

Wodehouse

Favorite Male Character: Toss-up between Psmith and Bertie, possibly with Mike quietly sneaking up to challenge both of them for the top spot

Favorite Female Character: Aunt Dahlia.

Least Favorite Character: Maybe Downing

Favorite Ship: Psmith/Eve, followed closely by Mike/Phyllis

Favorite Friendship: Mike and Psmith will always be among the top answers for this question in any fandom.

Favorite Quote: When searching for the exact Psmith quote I was thinking of (“By the way, returning to the subject we were discussing last night, I forgot to mention, when asking you to marry me, that I can do card-tricks.”“Really?”“And also a passable imitation of a cat calling to her young.”) I also ran across this one, which made me laugh so hard that I have to throw it in here: “A certain critic—for such men, I regret to say, do exist—made the nasty remark about my last novel that it contained ‘all the old Wodehouse characters under different names’. He has probably now been eaten by bears, like the children who made mock of the prophet Elisha: but if he still survives he will not be able to make a similar charge against Summer Lightning. With my superior intelligence, I have outgeneralled this man by putting in all the old Wodehouse characters under the same names. Pretty silly it will make him feel, I rather fancy.”

Worst Character Death (if any): Can’t think of any deaths in Wodehouse

This made me so happy you have no idea Moment: I feel like most of the Wodehouse canon just falls under an overarching genre of “makes me so happy you have no idea”. It’s just kind of his brand.

Saddest Moment: Probably Mike’s depression at having to go work at the bank.

Favorite Location: Blandings. Just seems like a lovely place.