#he was very twitchy in this canon scene | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hannagoldworthy · 4 years ago

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Renegade 4

(So, I went with the dialogue from the actual show in regards to the acquisition of Black Sun, mostly because I wanted to get into Maul's head for that series of scenes. There was a lot to work through; Maul isn't fully finished processing it yet. Also, Savage is starting to integrate himself into the Death Watch way of doing things, just a little. There are hints of not-so-nice things on all three sides of this conflict; I haven't even gotten into some of the worse things Falleen could do in Legends...yet.)

Bo-Katan glared at the young Nightsister through her bucket, squaring her shoulders and exploiting every inch of the Kryze family height genes to be as intimidating as she could.

The girl wasn’t having it. She folded her arms and glared right back even though she had to tilt her head up to do so, and Bo could have sworn her dark irises were streaked with a glimmering green.

“I am coming on this mission,” she said, with that sing-song tone the kriffing jetiise always used before they realized beskar soaked up their creepy Force magic.

“Kid, I know this is a new concept to you, but we Mandos are sworn to protect the weak. That includes not taking children into situations where you’ll be in danger.”

“Your touchingly naïve cultural conventions on childcare aside, I am not a child and I am not weak. I am a warrior and the second-ranked member of my tribe.”

“You’re nine.”

“Twelve.”

“Whatever. Iam the second-ranking member of myclan, and since your clan is a guest of mine, that means I outrank you, end of discussion. You’re staying.”

“You have no right…”

“Merrin!” The largest of the Nightbrothers trundled over, nodding his head briefly at Bo-Katan with an automatic sort of deference. He took a knee in front of the girl; even then, he had to bend his shoulders a tad to look her in the eye. “They do things differently here, remember?”

A pout crept into the girl’s mouth; for once, the little Witch passingly resembled a real child. “They can hardly call themselves a warrior society if they refuse the help of a trained warrior,” she said in the language of Dathomir; Bo had wisely ‘failed to mention’ that her helmet was programmed to translate Paceian. It paid to be able to hear things that were said in secret.

“Yes, but remember they don’t have the ichor of our world to help them,” the male replied easily in the same tongue, “they have to learn things the hard way. Their training takes quite a bit longer as a result.”

The kid rolled her eyes. “Then they should be educated in just what a Nightsister, anyNightsister, can do.”

“I agree. That’s why you need to start with small tasks to prove yourself; then, when they trust you with those things, they can start trusting you with more complicated duties.”

“…I suppose that makes sense.”

“I suppose it does. Why don’t you start with promising to guard the medbay while they’re away?”

She sighed. “Nurse duty again?”

“You’ll get to spend a lot of time with Barriss…”

The girl considered that, nodded curtly, and briskly turned to face Bo-Katan. “You are sworn to protect your weak, you said. In my tribe, the weak were culled so they did not take energy away from the strong; but, as Savage has reminded me, things are done differently here. As a token of good faith, I will guard your weak until you have returned.” Then, before Bo could make any acknowledgement of that line of sheer crazy, she pivoted smartly on her heel and marched off toward the medtent with military precision.

The large Nightbrother shook his head as he got to his feet. At his full height, he loomed a little, and Bo-Katan had to tilt her head up to see his face properly.

“Sorry about that. She means well.”

Bo swallowed back the intimidation that rose automatically in her brain at his gigantic form, and forced her shoulders into a casual shrug. “Kids, right?” she drawled, glad of her armor, which hid her own trepidation nicely from his odd glowing eyes as well as his freakish witchcraft.

His lip twitched in a sad sort of half-smile. “In her defense, her entire tribe got wiped out recently. She’s pretty much the only Nightsister raised on Dathomir left alive; she clings to their ways to keep her Sisters with her.”

“The ancient ways…like ‘culling the weak’ and sending children into battle?” Bo-Katan bit her tongue to prevent herself from saying anything about rape and slave-trading and worse, because she knew the seven-foot-tall monstrosity in front of her could snap her neck with a thought. Still, despite her care, his eyes narrowed.

“Yes,” he said plainly. “My brothers and I witnessed that firsthand, and more besides; name a terrible thing to do, and the Nightsisters have done it. But Merrin is, as you say, a child. At her age, even the Nightsisters did not have her participate in most of their more terrible rituals.”

“And yet, she has been raised to believe those things are normal.”

“Which is why she must be taught differently,” he said mildly. “Education of your ignorant is another vow your people take, correct? Especially when learning something different will enable an innocent child to better protect herself?”

…Stang. “You got me there.”

He nodded placidly. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure we’ve broken her of eating babies,” he said, his face and tone inscrutable. “House-trained her too…though she likes to mark her territory when stressed, so don’t antagonize her anymore.” And then, while Bo’s mouth still hung open in disbelief, the giant nodded respectfully, and ambled into his assigned Warbird for the trip to Mustafar.

Gar Saxon broke out into raucous laughter over internal comms. “WOO, he told you!”

“Gar, will you just shut up.”

“You shut up, Rau. She’s been looking at these guys with a face like she smelled your underwear ever since we saw them; it’s about time he confronted her.”

“Di’kutla cha…!”

“Stow it, the both of you,” Bo yelled into the headset. “Get your heads in the game here! We need to be on our toes against the Black Sun.” She could process the surprisingly articulate Dathomiri male when she wasn’tplanning on recruiting a gang populated by a race of brain-washing reptilians…

***

The Vigos of the Black Sun had grown far too bold in Maul’s absence, setting up a specialized base on Mustafar. They’d eyed this patch of land near the northern pole multiple times, for good reason; the volcanos near here were very fruitful, and the magnetic activity would foil the equipment of most potential investigators. He’d had to clear out their scouts several times while growing up so that they would not cotton on to his Master’s own hidden base. The fact that they had been able to build their fortress now was one of many reasons he was beginning to suspect Sidious had somehow died whilst he was on Lotho Minor, in too much pain to notice anything beyond his perpetually empty stomach; he doubted that his master would have allowed a crime syndicate such a ripe opportunity to obtain blackmail had he been alive.

The plan was simple. Their task force landed without permission or warning, but he, Savage, and Viszla and his lieutenants walked evenly toward the gathering ‘welcome’ party. Commandos equipped with jetpacks scrambled in the air to show that they meant business, but made no overtures of violence other than that. Viszla followed Maul’s advice and removed his helmet, which would allow the Falleen warriors to properly scent him and read his honest intentions for alliance. As a result, they merited the attention of the Black Sun guards, but not necessarily any defense; a nice complement of their best troops assembled to meet them.

“A battalion, Brother,” Savage rumbled, his keen eyes flicking around the fortress.

Maul smiled, projecting his pride through the Force; Savage was progressing nicely in using his Force sight, if he was able to ‘see’ the full complement of Black Sun troops hidden behind the volcanic rock. “They will serve us well,” he said aloud for Death Watch’s benefit.

The captain of the guard met them halfway across the causeway between the fortress proper and the landing platforms. “We request an audience with your leaders,” Maul said before he could be questioned, establishing his dominance immediately.

The captain took one whiff of his utter lack of fear and obvious confidence in his position, and shrugged genially. “It’ll be your funeral,” he said with a chuckle. Maul, Savage, and Viszla followed him, leaving the rest of their detachment on the causeway to guard their escape route, should this not go as planned.

There were five Vigos present, the full complement; doubtless their organization had suffered some upheaval with the war, and their leaders had taken shelter in the most secluded of their properties, as Maul had suspected. He didn’t recognize any of their faces, but he had anticipated that; the Black Sun had had a high turnover even in times of peace, due in no small part to Maul’s actions at the word of his Master.

“Why have you come here?” boomed the man at the head of the table, as if he was not cowering in his own little pillow fort, trying to weather out this war in safety while the lesser echelons of his organization rotted in prison or fought for survival on the streets.

“We seek an army,” Maul replied simply; there really was no point in lying to people who could literally smell his intentions.

“Fools,” the head Vigo said, predictably. “We are not mercenaries. Dispose of them,” he said to the guards at either side of the table. “Keep their ships and weapons.”

“Give me that one’s sword,” leered the Vigo at the leader’s right hand, pointing at Viszla.

Viszla took exception to that, and Savage took exception to a guard’s weapon at his back. Maul remained still as they dealt with the problem, considering the information the Vigos had inadvertently given him. That they needed to keep Death Watch’s ships and weapons indicated that they were potentially running low on supplies themselves, which did not bode well…

When a guard’s limp body smacked heavily on top of the table before him, courtesy of Savage, Maul returned to the situation at hand. “This is your last opportunity to join us,” he reiterated, radiating calm that he knew would be detected.

“Quiet,” the head Vigo growled. “We are the Black Sun!” The others rose menacingly, as if that sentence was a rallying cry rather than a statement of the blatantly obvious.

“Very well,” Maul sighed; he’d given them fair warning. He glanced over his shoulder at Savage for the barest second, and then ducked quickly; lightsaber blades thrummed dangerously over his head. When he stood again, the headless bodies of those who had formerly been the Black Sun collapsed pathetically to the ground, and Savage’s saberstaff floated back toward his outstretched hand.

“It would seem the decision to join us is now yours,” Maul said, turning to the captain of the guard.

The man was terrified, but he recovered well. “After careful consideration, we will join you,” he said, without succumbing to the impulses to gulp or stammer. He would be a more compliant ally than his erstwhile commanders; this agreement was off to a good start.

***

Unfortunately, the state of the Black Sun’s depot was much as Maul had suspected. They had a quarter of their full complement of ships, and only enough fuel to last those ships for a few weeks. The foodstuffs, such as they were, could sustain the army for several months, as Falleen did not need to eat more than once every two weeks or so; still, it was plain that their supplies would need to come from somewhere else.

“We have our army now!”

Maul barely restrained an undignified jump as a beskar gauntlet clapped down on his left shoulder. His Master had liked to touch him unannounced in this fashion, and Maul had never been able to gauge what his goals were in doing so, for he was punished equally if he fought back or if he remained silent. Either way, it had always struck him as infuriatingly proprietary, even more so now with Viszla in his place.

“I have a plan to undermine Satine,” Viszla continued, oblivious to Maul’s discomfort.

Could he not see how empty this depot was? “The army is weak,” Maul replied, shaking off Viszla’s hand. “We are not ready for the Duchess,” he continued, emphasizing Lady Kryze’s true title; Viszla had a habit of using his enemy’s first name as if they had been or were currently familiar, which seemed disingenuous. Perhaps Maul was accustomed to his own family’s professional formality regarding titles and given names, but he was still somewhat concerned that he might be tied up in some form of complex Mandalorian mating ritual, which, if that were true, would be a grievous waste of his valuable time.

Viszla’s expression was of hurt, which was…odd. Normally, his Master had reacted with anger. “With my plan, we won’t need a bigger force.”

"There is only one plan,” Maul said, turning to look Viszla in the eye, “one vision.”

“And it belongs to Death Watch,” Viszla emphasized, as if hisplans had not earned him the scar on his face.

With some effort, Maul refrained from boxing the man’s ears to punish his ingratitude. “Yourvision lacks clarity,” he said, striving for diplomacy. “Without us, you have no army, and no reason to replace the Duchess.”

Viszla’s gaze fell, confirming what Maul had known from the beginning: Death Watch’s grand claim of the justice of their cause, the nobility of their purpose, all of it was a smokescreen for their ambition. This whole operation was Viszla’s grab for power, and nothing more, and it was likely nothing would truly change for his people when he supplanted the Duchess. Deep down, he was more of a petty thug than Maul, who had at least made no foolish pretense at virtue.

“The depth of this opportunity eludes you,” Maul murmured, glossing over the impending argument; there was no need to twist the knife at this point in time. “I suggest that you watch, and learn.” With that, he left; effectively dismissing Viszla, right in front of the rest of Death Watch. The human would learn his place in this endeavor; Maul was doing him a favor by including him in the Collective he had been planning, and it was only right that he receive at least the proper appreciation for his efforts.

When he was sure that he was out of sight, Maul rolled his shoulder, trying to will away Sidious’s phantom touch and having a hard time doing so in the stench of Mustafar. It wasn’t even his bad shoulder; if Viszla had touched the right shoulder, Maul would have bit him. His brothers always announced in the Force when they intended to touch him, as did Merrin, who seemed to have many of the same issues with touch as he did. And Barriss…Barriss had always asked, in one way or another, except for two (frankly adorable) outbursts of temper, for which she had apologized even though he’d not taken offense. If he had ever grown uncomfortable, she took her hands away, or utilized some sort of healing capability to soothe his nerves.

Maul sat in Viszla’s personal Warbird, pretending to supervise as Death Watch and Black Sun loaded the supplies onto the transport when really, he was deliberately recalling the feel of cool fingers on the skin near his collarbone, the pressure of soft lips on his jaw, chasing bad memories away with good ones. Stars; they’d shared a bed for little over a week, and been separated for half that long, and yet he already missed Barriss as if they’d been together for years. He was sneaking another hour alone with her, as soon as he could; maybe then he could put Mustafar behind him, at least for a little while.

***

On the flight home, Savage waited for a quiet moment when most of the Mandalorians on Viszla’s Warbird were asleep, before slipping into the tiny cargo bay. He took out his saberstaff, and with the Force he held it in midair before him; cautiously, he closed his eyes so as to examine the weapon’s composition in his mind, particularly that of its crystal. Feral and one of the Jedi Padawans they had fostered for a while had suggested the idea that Savage might be able to modify his weapon, to make it more his own. He was thinking he might need to make the hilt longer – he had much bigger hands than Dooku had anticipated – but, there was also the possibility that he could heal the crystal, which Dooku had Bled before giving to him. Syndulla had thought it might be as simple as welding the cracks in the stone with the Force, but…

“Did it get damaged in the fight?”

Savage nearly dropped the lightsaber hilt while it was still in pieces; when he was sure that he had not lost anything but his focus, he frowned up at the commando who had distracted him.

For his part, Saxon had the grace to be sheepish. “Sorry. I guess I don’t know anything about these things. I thought you were cleaning it like you would a blaster.”

“I wasn’t.”

Ignoring the clear body language signals that Savage wanted to be left alone, Saxon took a seat across from him on a box, careful to keep a respectful distance.

Savage raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

The Mandalorian shook his head. “I’m assigned to rest during this cycle, but I haven’t been able to sleep; I think the magnetic rock set off my rhythm, or something.”

This had gone on long enough. “Look…I realize you are interested in me, and that’s fine, I’m not insulted, and I’m not going to tell anyone about it. But, just to be upfront, I’m not…”

“Into men? Figures; but it never hurts to ask.”

Savage stared askance at him. “You, uh, accepted that pretty quickly.”

Saxon shrugged. “Well, I reckon you’d have worked out if you were attracted to men fairly early in life, just going on the bare minimum details that I’ve learned about your tribe.”

“That’s putting it nicely,” Savage replied, still watching Saxon askance. Homosexuals in his village were gleaned if the Witches heard any rumor of their orientation…any rumor, no matter who started it or how true it turned out to be. Savage himself had been reported when he gently rebuffed another boy’s advances; it was only the fact that he was the Nightmother’s son that had saved him, and he’d still received a beating when he could not (would not) give them the name of the Brother who had made the report.

The Mandalorian studied his expression, and his grizzled face softened visibly. “How many times have you been hurt because of a conversation like this?”

Savage rubbed at the ridge a Sister had left in the bridge of his nose at the age of sixteen. “Enough.”

“I’m sorry. Truly. You won’t have to worry about that happening with us.”

“That’s…good to know. But, I’m still not attracted to men.”

Saxon sighed sadly, but nodded. “The ladies will love a chance to talk to you, though.”

“I’m even less attracted to women than I am to men.”

“Fair enough. Can I call you friend, then?”

“…Maybe later? I still don’t really know you.”

“Well, I don’t mind getting to know you, if you don’t mind.”

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littlestivy · 4 years ago

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Every canon Dramione moment

I have compiled here a list of every single time Draco and Hermione interacted in canon, talked about one another, or could have conceivably interacted for all your Hogwarts-era fanfic needs!

If I left anything out, please don’t hesitate to comment or DM me! There are some really obvious ones I left out e.g. the fanfic classics: prefects’ bathroom, Astronomy Tower, Black Lake, Potions lesson...

I haven’t included page numbers because every edition is different and it would be confusing. This list is intended as pinpoint references for you to check out the scene in your own books, which is why they’re not super detailed.

Enjoy!

Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 6: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Harry and Draco’s altercation on the train—Hermione isn't there at the time but comes along soon after (could have bumped into him in the corridor)

Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat

Sorting Ceremony

Chapter 8: The Potions Master

Hermione trying to answer a question in potions, Draco and the Slytherins laughing at her

Chapter 9: The Midnight Duel

Draco tries to steal Neville's Remembrall at breakfast

flying lesson

Draco inviting Harry to a duel, Hermione overhears

Chapter 10: Hallowe'en

Harry receives his Nimbus Two Thousand and Draco confronts him, overheard by Hermione

Ron says something mean about Hermione after the Wingardium Leviosa lesson, she gets upset and isn't seen in the next class (could have potentially run into Draco while upset?)

Chapter 11: Quidditch

in courtyard during break

Hermione sets fire to Snape's robes during the Quidditch match against Slytherin (could have run into Draco on the way there)

Chapter 12: The Mirror of Erised

altercation with Draco after Potions

Chapter 13: Nicolas Flamel

Draco sitting behind Ron and Hermione during a Quidditch game and provoking Ron, Ron eventually tackles him and a fight breaks out between Ron, Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Neville

Chapter 14: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback

Malfoy overhears the Trio talking about Norbert at breakfast

Malfoy took Ron's book, which had a letter to Charlie asking to get rid of Norbert (Hermione could have confronted him to get the book back)

Malfoy caught by Professor McGonagall while the Trio are under the Invisibility Cloak

Chapter 15: The Forbidden Forest

Hermione keeping her head down in class after contributing to Gryffindor losing 150 points (Draco could potentially notice this?)

detention, Hermione worried about Draco and Ron when red sparks are seen

Chapter 17: The Man with Two Faces

Gryffindor wins the House Cup over Slytherin

Hermione comes top of the year (Draco is presumably second)

Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 4: At Flourish and Blotts

brawl between Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley in Flourish and Blotts

Chapter 6: Gilderoy Lockhart

Draco making fun of Harry about signed photographs in the courtyard, Hermione has her nose buried in a book

Chapter 7: Mudbloods and Murmurs

Draco calls Hermione a Mudblood for the first time

Chapter 8: The Deathday Party

finding Mrs Norris and the "enemies of the heir beware" message

Chapter 9: The Writing on the Wall

Hermione sceptical about Malfoy being Slytherin's Heir

Chapter 10: The Rogue Bludger

Hermione researching Polyjuice Potion in the library

Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match

Hermione wanting to know how Malfoy fixed the bludger

Malfoy being yelled at by Marcus Flint for not catching the Snitch

Chapter 11: The Duelling Club

distraction for Hermione to sneak into Snape's stores and steal ingredients (the distraction is fireworks into Goyle's Swelling Solution, Draco gets hit in the face and his nose swells up)

duelling club (Harry and Malfoy, Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode—which devolves into physical wrestling)

Chapter 12: The Polyjuice Potion

Malfoy talking about Hermione to disguised Harry and Ron

"I hope it's Granger."

Chapter 13: The Very Secret Diary

students trying to catch glimpses of Hermione in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey puts up a screen

Valentine's Day, dwarves delivering cards

Chapter 14: Cornelius Fudge

Hermione was Petrified near the library

Chapter 15: Aragog

visitors barred from the hospital wing

"Pity it wasn't Granger."

Chapter 16: The Chamber of Secrets

Hermione had a ripped out page in her hand (popular fan theory that Draco ripped it out of a book and snuck it into Hermione’s things)

Chapter 18: Dobby's Reward

Hermione healed and returns to the Great Hall

Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter 5: The Dementor

Draco and co coming to their train compartment but Lupin is there

Malfoy elbowing past Hermione to make fun of Harry for fainting

Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves

Draco does a swooning impression of Harry in the Great Hall at breakfast, Hermione tells Harry to ignore him

Hermione storming away after an argument with Ron about Divination

Care of Magical Creatures lesson

Buckbeak attacks Malfoy

Hermione nervously asking if he'll be alright

Chapter 7: The Boggart in the Wardrobe

Malfoy returning to Potions, bandaged (LOTS of interaction, go read the scene)

Hermione catching up after using the Time-Turner, her bag splits

Chapter 8: Flight of the Fat Lady

Hermione and Ron going to Hogsmeade without Harry (Malfoy is also going)

Chapter 9: Grim Defeat

Sirius Black attacks the Fat Lady, all students sleep in the Great Hall

Chapter 11: The Firebolt

preparing a defence for Buckbeak with resources from the library

Chapter 12: The Patronus

Hermione avoiding Harry and Ron (spending her time in the library) because they're mad at her for telling McGonagall about the Firebolt

Chapter 13: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw

Hermione, Ron and Harry fighting after Scabbers disappears

Draco and co pretend to be Dementors at the match to spook Harry, he shoots a Patronus at them (Hermione was at the match, alone)

Chapter 14: Snape's Grudge

Hermione going down to visit Hagrid often, feeling lonely (helping with Buckbeak's case)

Chapter 15: The Quidditch Final

Hermione slaps Draco

thinking about Malfoy and lost track of things, forgot to go to Charms

Hermione storms out of Divination

Gryffindor/Slytherin tensions high, scuffles breaking out in the corridors

Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Final

Chapter 16: Professor Trelawney's Prediction

Draco lost his swagger after the Quidditch Final but regained it to brag about Buckbeak's upcoming execution

Hermione's fear is failure (potential fanfic scene where we learn Draco’s fear?)

Goblet of Fire

Chapter 8: The Quidditch World Cup

Malfoys and Weasleys encounter each other in the top box

Chapter 9: The Dark Mark

Death Eaters at the World Cup, Draco warning Hermione to keep her bushy head down

Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

overhearing Draco tell his friends about his father wanting him to go to Durmstrang

Draco comes to their compartment, hints about the Triwizard Tournament, Hermione tells him to go away

Chapter 13: Mad-Eye Moody

Blast-Ended Skrewts lesson

Draco taunting Ron with a Daily Prophet article about his father

Draco turned into a ferret by Moody

Hermione saying Malfoy could have been hurt

Chapter 15: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

Hagrid puts down Malfoy during a lesson (something about making a good ferret)

Chapter 16: The Goblet of Fire

Krum decides to sit at the Slytherin table, Malfoy is smug

Chapter 18: The Weighing of the Wands

Malfoy mocking Harry about being the Champion

Potter stinks badges outside Potions, Malfoy offers Hermione one but says "don't touch my hand"

Hermione hit with Densaugeo when Harry and Malfoy duel (her teeth grow)

Chapter 19: The Hungarian Horntail

Hermione enduring taunts from Slytherin girls about being called "stunningly pretty" in Rita Skeeter article

Hermione and Harry (invisible) in Hogsmeade, people keep looking at Hermione, thinking she's talking to herself

Chapter 20: The First Task

Hermione watching from the stands

Chapter 21: The House-Elf Liberation Front

Draco and co hiding in Hagrid's cabin from the Skrewts, Hermione and co outside helping to wrangle them

Hermione going down to the kitchens to see the house-elves

Chapter 22: The Unexpected Task

Neville asked Hermione to the ball during Potions but she said she was going with someone (could have been overheard by Draco)

Chapter 23: The Yule Ball

Draco ridiculing Hermione, disbelieving she's been invited to the ball, she calls him a twitchy little ferret

That scene... Draco can't find an insult to throw at her

Ron and Hermione argument at the Yule Ball, she storms off

Chapter 24: Rita Skeeter's Scoop

Draco showing Harry and co the article on Hagrid

Chapter 26: The Second Task

Hermione and Ron taken for Black Lake task

Chapter 27: Padfoot Returns

Hermione tetchy about being teased for the fact she was Krum's hostage in the second task

Witch Weekly article, Pansy mocking Hermione, Draco part of the group

Hermione smiles and waves sarcastically across the room at them

moved seats by Snape in Potions, Hermione has to sit by Pansy

Chapter 28: The Madness of Mr Crouch

Hermione receives hate mail, including one filled with Bubotuber pus, Slytherin table saw this at breakfast

more hate mail and Howlers

Chapter 31: The Third Task

watching Malfoy talk into his hand through the window

Daily Prophet article about Harry fainting drops, Draco ridicules him across the Great Hall

Hermione realises Skeeter is an Animagus and runs to library to investigate

Hermione in the stands for the task

Chapter 35: Veritaserum

Harry comes out of the maze with a dead Cedric, the whole school is there

Chapter 37: The Beginning

Dumbledore's speech about Cedric's death and Voldemort’s return, Malfoy and co muttering to each other

Hermione caught Skeeter on the hospital wing window sill

Draco overheard and mockingly congratulates her, says some foul things and the Trio all hex him at once

pushing the unconscious Malfoy and co into the train corridor

Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 6: The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black

Draco on the Black family tree tapestry in Grimmauld Place

Chapter 10: Luna Lovegood

Hermione and Ron going to Prefects carriage (Malfoy there)

Malfoy comes to carriage to gloat, Hermione tells him to shut up and get out

Draco being foul to a first-year, Hermione there to witness it

Chapter 12: Professor Umbridge

Potions lesson, Draught of Peace (Harry gets his Vanished and Draco laughs, Hermione's is perfect)

Chapter 13: Detention with Dolores

Bowtruckles lesson, Draco imitating Hermione with her hand up

Draco talking loudly during the lesson about Hagrid, Hermione counselling Harry and Ron to ignore him

Chapter 15: The Hogwarts High Inquisitor

receiving marks back for their moonstone essay in Potions

Umbridge inspecting Care of Magical Creatures, Malfoy telling Umbridge about the Hippogriff attack

Hermione giving Harry Murtlap solution (must have procured it from somewhere, could have potentially run into Draco)

Chapter 16: The Hog's Head

Hermione still writing to Viktor, would have to go up to the Owlery (presumably, Draco writes home to his mother often)

hypothesising that maybe it was Malfoy who tipped off Filch that Harry was ordering Dungbombs, Hermione goes deep into thought

Chapter 17: Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four

Malfoy bragging about the Slytherin Quidditch team being allowed to play and makes a comment about St. Mungo's, Neville attacks him

Chapter 19: The Lion and the Serpent

Slytherin players trying to hex Gryffindor players prior to Quidditch match (Alicia Spinnet attacked in the library)

Draco imitating Ron dropping the Quaffle

Hermione had been close enough to Slytherin to see the 'Weasley is our King' badges

Malfoy composed the 'Weasley is our King' lyrics

Harry and George attack Malfoy after the match

Chapter 21: The Eye of the Snake

Hermione visiting Hagrid's cabin

Thestrals lesson

Umbridge ridiculing Hagrid, Hermione is furious

Malfoy and co taking a jab at Ron, Hermione saying to ignore them

Chapter 22: St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Kreacher not answering Sirius' summons, probably already with Narcissa by now, probably telling her about “the Mudblood”

Chapter 23: Christmas on the Closed Ward

Hermione took the Knight Bus to Grimmauld Place (therefore was in the wizarding world, could have potentially run into Draco)

Chapter 24: Occlumency

Fifth-year students studying in the library for O.W.L.s

Chapter 26: Seen and Unforeseen

Malfoy and co in the library muttering after Harry named their fathers as Death Eaters in the Quibbler interview

Trelawney is sacked, the whole school is there

Chapter 27: The Centaur and the Sneak

Umbridge crashes the DA, Draco catches Harry and is sent off to catch others (could potentially catch Hermione)

Chapter 28: Snape's Worst Memory

Draco docks points from Hermione for speaking badly about Umbridge, revealing he's part of the Inquisitorial Squad

Calls her a Mudblood, Ron whips out his wand but Hermione stops him

Chapter 30: Grawp

Inquisitorial Squad stalking the corridors after the Weasley twins' exit

Chapter 31: O.W.L.S

Hermione worried after overhearing Draco bragging about how his father knows Griselda Marchbanks, the examiner

Chapter 32: Out of the Fire

Umbridge catches them in her office trying to contract Sirius

Malfoy leaning against the window sill, Hermione pinioned by Millicent Bulstrode

look of eagerness and greed on Malfoy's face at Hermione’s mention of a secret weapon

Chapter 38: The Second War Begins

Hermione in hospital wing having to drink lots of potions because of Dolohov's curse

Malfoy and co try to attack Harry on the train, DA members turn them into slugs and stuff them in the luggage racking

Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 6: Draco's Detour

altercation in Madam Malkin's, Draco calls Hermione a Mudblood to his mother

"Who blacked your eye, Granger? I want to send them flowers."

see Draco skulking on the street through the window of Fred and George's

spying on Draco in Borgin and Burke's

Hermione goes into the shop after Draco left in order to investigate

Chapter 7: The Slug Club

Hermione not super interested in talking about Draco compared to Harry

disbelieving that Draco is a Death Eater

Hermione and Ron have to go to the prefect carriage

Ron and Hermione saw Malfoy in the Slytherin carriage as they walked past (he gave them the finger)

hypothesising about why Malfoy wasn't in the prefect carriage

Chapter 8: Snape Victorious

Hermione and Ron would have noticed Harry was missing when they got off the train

Dumbledore's speech about Voldemort, Malfoy playing with his fork

Chapter 9: The Half-Blood Prince

Hermione weighing in on Malfoy's overheard boasts about his standing with the Dark Lord

Malfoy sniggering at Snape ridiculing Hermione in DADA (implying Slytherins now share the class with Gryffindors)

Amortentia in Potions, Malfoy and Nott snigger when Hermione tells Slughorn she's Muggle-born

Draco really wants the Felix Felicis

Chapter 11: Hermione's Helping Hand

Prophet article about Malfoy Manor being searched for Dark objects

Chapter 12: Silver and Opals

Hermione rebutting Harry's instant assumption that Malfoy gave Katie Bell the cursed necklace

Chapter 14: Felix Felicis

Malfoy "ill" and can't play the Quidditch match

not going immediately to the Gryffindor celebration party because she got in a tiff with Ron

Lavender and Ron kissing, Hermione runs away to an empty classroom

attacking Ron with the birds, storming off and crying

Chapter 15: The Unbreakable Vow

Hermione refuses to be in the common room while Ron and Lavender are there, spends most of her evenings in the library

Hermione disproving Harry's theory that Draco snuck the necklace in to school

leaving Transfiguration quickly after the bell to go cry, forgetting her things

taking Cormac to the Slug Club Christmas party and then running away from him

Draco lurking in upstairs corridor and being pulled up by Filch for gatecrashing

Chapter 17: A Sluggish Memory

Hermione got back to Hogwarts a few hours before Harry and Ron after Christmas (visiting Hagrid, but could have potentially crossed paths with Draco)

Hermione sceptical about Harry's overheard conversation between Snape and Malfoy

Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises

Hermione moving as far away from Ron as possible in Potions

both Malfoy and Hermione furious about Harry's bezoar stunt

Hermione researching Horcruxes in the restricted section

Malfoy and Crabbe having a whispered argument during Apparition lessons

Harry watching Malfoy on the Map (could lead to some awkward scenarios with 6th Year Dramione lol), but Draco can’t be seen when in the Room of Requirement

Chapter 19: Elf Tails

Hermione rushing to the hospital wing to see Ron

Draco and co (disguised with Polyjuice Potion) skulking around castle

Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort's Request

Hermione repairing the "little girl's" (Goyle) dropped scales

Chapter 21: The Unknowable Room

Hermione achieved Apparition twice in lessons

Kreacher and Dobby giving their Malfoy update

the Trio discover Malfoy's been going to the Room of Requirement

realise that Draco stole Polyjuice Potion and is feeding it to Crabbe and Goyle

Hermione again sceptical about Malfoy having the Dark Mark

the Trio discover Draco visits Moaning Myrtle in the boys' bathroom and cries (although, Myrtle specifically didn’t mention Draco, as it’s a secret)

Chapter 22: After the Burial

Hermione telling Harry to forget about Malfoy

Chapter 24: Sectumsempra

Katie returns to school and says she got the necklace in the ladies loo of the Three Broomsticks (Rosmerta was under the Imperius Curse)

Sectumsempra, Snape appears and heals Draco

everyone in school had heard about the incident from Moaning Myrtle, including Hermione

telling Harry off for using the spell

Chapter 25: The Seer Overheard

Hermione researching the Half-Blood Prince

Trelawney being bowled over by Malfoy, who was celebrating the cabinet being repaired

Harry giving Hermione and co the map, Felix Felicis etc in order to see why Malfoy was celebrating (he's going off with Dumbledore)

Chapter 27: The Lightning-Struck Tower

Dark Mark over Hogwarts, meaning the Death Eaters are in

Draco and Dumbledore in the tower

Draco got the coin idea to communicate with Rosmerta from Hermione, and also overheard her talking in the library about poisons (implying he’s been eavesdropping on her conversations)

Dumbledore offering to protect Draco and his family, Draco’s wand lowers

Chapter 28: Flight of the Prince

Snape and Malfoy running away, through the fighters

Chapter 30: The White Tomb

Harry has a bit of pity for Malfoy, probably shared it with Hermione and Ron

Deathly Hallows

Chapter 9: A Place to Hide

Draco being made to torture other Death Eaters who displease Voldemort, Harry may have told the others

Chapter 15: The Goblin's Revenge

Ron abandons them

Chapter 23: Malfoy Manor

Draco positively identifies Ron and Hermione (somewhat reluctantly) but not Harry

Bellatrix tortures Hermione, Draco was presumably in the room or taking the unconscious men outside like Bellatrix asked

Bellatrix offers Hermione to Greyback

Bellatrix threatening to slit Hermione's throat

probably best to just read the entire chapter

Chapter 30: The Sacking of Severus Snape

Hermione and Ron rush off to the Chamber of Secrets (could have crossed paths with Draco)

Chapter 31: The Battle of Hogwarts

Room of Requirement

Malfoy stops Crabbe from destroying the Room so they can find the diadem before Harry and co

Malfoy pulls Crabbe out of the way of Hermione's stunning spell

Crabbe shoots a Killing Curse at Hermione

the Trio save Malfoy and Goyle with broomsticks (Malfoy with Harry, Goyle with Hermione and Ron)

revealed that Crabbe is dead

Chapter 32: The Elder Wand

Draco pleading with Death Eaters that he's on their side, Harry stuns the Death Eaters, Ron punches Draco in the face

Chapter 33: The Prince's Tale

reprieve from battle, tending to the wounded and the dead in the Great Hall (no mention of where the Malfoys were)

Chapter 34: The Forest Again

Harry goes to the Forbidden Forest (left behind, Hermione and Ron are likely beside themselves)

Chapter 36: The Flaw in the Plan

"dead" Harry brought into the courtyard

Hermione, Ginny, and Luna duelling Bellatrix

Malfoys huddled together in a corner of the Great Hall

Nineteen Years Later

the Trio see Draco on the platform

but... Epilogue? What Epilogue?

#dramione #fanfic resource

478 notes · View notes

13atoms · 4 years ago

Text

Grit (Javier Peña x F!Agent!Reader)

This is my first time writing for Narcos, but I really liked Peña as a character, so here we are. I might do a second part of this, let me know what you think!

Friends-to-lovers, set during s2, no smut but canon-typical nsfw. [4.9k]

You sighed, then coughed out a delirious laugh, as the news crackled through Murphy’s radio.

It had been yet another trap, yet another informant you couldn’t trust, yet another victory for Escobar. You, Murphy and Peña were sat in a tense little circle, huddled around Javi’s messy desk. The evening had lasted forever, a whole carton of smokes crumbled into the ash tray, each of you nursing headaches from clenched jaws, palms sweaty, tired of the endless threats from Steve to go and join the agents in the field.

Each stutter of noise on the radio had signalled a new round of tense glances between the three of you, notes scribbled down, short fingernails carving half-moon into palms.

Then, it was over. No fatalities on any side seemed a small miracle, but you knew Javi took no pleasure in hearing that the enemy hadn’t lost anyone either. Shot and bleeding and bruised, every bastard who had walked into that fight managed to scramble away. The transmission from the scene finished curtly, and you felt the three of you deflate.

“Fuck,” Peña muttered.

Murphy slamming his closed fists onto the desk painfully hard.

You exhaled, reeling from the whole evening, stretching back in your chair and wondering what the hell this meant for tomorrow.

“Again,” you sighed, hearing the other agents grunt in shared frustration.

Leaning forward you perched your elbows on the desk, throwing your notes away from you in disgust, letting your head fall into your hands. Your eyes ached, your very bones feeling unimaginably fragile as your muscles untensed and your heart fought to restore calm to your body. It was no good. Adrenaline like this would last hours.

Murphy grabbed his gun from the desk, kicked his chair away as he stood, storming from the room. When you looked up to Javier, worried about what the stupid bastard might do, he just rolled his eyes.

You had a sneaking suspicion that the three of you would be spending your pay checks on whiskey that night.

“Fucking hell,” you declared, more to fill the silence than anything else.

Peña gave a strange little laugh, shaking his head. He copied you, elbows on the table, letting his forehead fall heavily to his palms with the weary exhaustion which had plagued all of you since you first heard the name Escobar.

“What a shit show.”

You nodded in agreement, aching eyes closed. Each blink felt like it would scratch, the darkness of the office only broken by the shitty fluorescent light which created a tiny island of life around Peña’s desk. Everyone else was on the raid, or at home.

Sensible.

“We have to get him. One day. That bastard can’t run forever.”

Peña’s hum of agreement had no conviction, it was as uncertain as you felt, but you liked to imagine he really believed you.

You could feel your body giving up on you, so deprived of everything human for so long in pursuit of a man who always managed to escape back into the shadows. Hunger gnawed at your stomach, the muggy heat parched your lips, your head ached from the smokiness of the room and the sleep which evaded you more and more these days. Your skin felt dirty, no matter how often you washed, stained with guilt and the rivers of blood which ran through Bogotá. It didn’t matter how often Peña told you it wasn’t your fault: you knew your guilt, your sense of inadequacy, would weigh on you for as long as the Cartel was alive and operational.

He felt it too, the hypocrite.

The hunt had drained everything from you. Every ounce of softness and humanity. How long had it been since you were hugged? Since you knew a peaceful night’s sleep or a kind touch? Since you entered a room without imagining the ceiling joists falling under the force of a car bomb? You had slept with a gun nearby since you had joined the DEA here, thinking yourself paranoid. Now, you slept with the damn thing loaded.

“I had such a good feeling about this one,” Peña mused, more to himself than anyone else. You knew he would go home tonight filled with guilt.

Maybe he would take it out on some poor sex worker, fuck away his guilt and fear and frustration.

Maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe he would call you, pretend the phone lines weren’t monitored as the two of you spoke in vague terms. Unable to discuss work on an unsecured line, desperate to hear something real from another human being, exchanging snippets of your shaking voices until one of you finally managed to find sleep.

With nothing else to discuss, the two of you would talk about yourselves.

You never knew how much was true. How much was omitted. You lied sometimes, out of instinct more than anything, and you knew Javi did too. People like you always did. Beneath it all, though, you got the strange sense that you were really hearing something honest about him.

In the deep grumble of his voice, his landline phone cord stretched to his bed as he took the distraction as a chance to drift off, you would hear something real about him. A story from his youth, some reminder that he was real and mortal, a complaint about an injury that wouldn’t heal, some grievance with a dry cleaner. Even the scratch of his stubble as he ran a hand over it sounded like a confession. A reminder you both had beating hearts.

Every word you exchanged, hitched breaths, waiting for reactions or hums down the phone to tell one another you were smiling.

That felt real.

You blinked, wincing at the horrid overhead lights, which seemed to flicker periodically, only when it would really piss you off. Javi was looking at you with concern, the deep lines of his forehead contorted over a raised eyebrow. His badge was in one hand – he’d been fidgeting with it for hours – but his over hand was extended towards you. Palm up, like he was offering it to you.

When you met his eyes you saw worry, mixed with sheer exhaustion, and tried to offer a weak smile.

Someone was moving in a corridor outside, and he waited for their steps to grow quiet until he spoke.

“Are you okay?”

He didn’t need an answer. The weak smile you offered felt like enough to make you cry, and he closed his open fist, nodded his head in understanding.

“Yeah,” he sighed.

He shared the same burden, the same burnout, pulling him to the ground with ten times the force of gravity, yet refusing to let him take a break in pursuit of these bastards.

“Go home,” he offered sincerely, raising that awkwardly hovering hand to clap onto your shoulder.

You closed your eyes. There was nowhere you wanted to be more than your own bed, but as you devoted a second to thinking about getting home, your body felt impossibly heavy.

“I’m exhausted,” you admitted, hoping Javi didn’t notice the tremble in your voice.

“You look it,” he agreed.

With a raised eyebrow and half-hearted glare you had him scrambling to apologise.

“I- I mean, you look lovely, doll. Always do. Just, shattered. I can barely see it –”

When you laughed, he realised you’d been joking, letting his head fall onto the desk braced by his exposed forearms. You glanced at the clock, realising it was gone midnight. None of you would be in the next day. You’d already gotten the time off, knowing the raid would run late.

They usually did.

Especially lately, everything the DEA did seemed to become an unmitigated disaster.

“Give me a minute, ‘til I can be bothered to walk to my car,” you mumbled, knowing Javi would understand your words.

You admired the mussed up back of his hair, looking worse-for-wear after a day of being tousled and pulled at by his twitchy hands. You wanted to fix the piece which was sticking straight up, but your arms felt too heavy to move.

Adrenaline was a funny thing. It left you jittery, pent-up, and yet completely stationary.

It would be fine once you moved, you knew. You’d forced your body through this gruelling pattern often enough.

You rolled your neck, moaning at the tightness in the muscles, and Javi looked up with that damn cheeky grin. He should be exhausted, but there he was, eyebrows raised, eyes gleaming with mischief. You groaned at him. That man could find an innuendo anywhere.

About to look away, you forced yourself to meet his challenge instead.

“I’m starting to see why you go to those fuckin’ brothels,” you drawled. “You think I could convince them to give me a neck rub?”

“I’m sure they’ll rub anything you want, sweetheart.”

You rolled your eyes, laughing as one hand remained on the back of your neck, the muscle rock solid from hours in this stupid metal chair. He stretched out his closed fists and stood wordlessly, taking his place behind your chair like it was the most natural thing in the world. You were about to say something when he commandingly rolled your head forwards, tugging your collar down. When his warm hands found your neck, you gave him a rumbling, contented moan far better than the one which had piqued his interest.

For just a second you felt the slow movements on your neck halt, before he continued to clumsily kneed at the muscle either side of your spine. It hurt, his strong hands against all those tender spots, but it was the best kind of ache.

His hands grew gentler, rubbing softly for a moment, before he spoke.

“Better?” he grunted, and you found yourself scanning the room for something reflective, disappointed that you couldn’t drink in the image of Javier behind you.

“Better,” you choked out, your voice unnatural as you felt the closeness of his touch affecting you.

It had just been too long, you told yourself.

Fuck, you wanted him to do that to the rest of your back. Your limbs. Those strong hands learning your body. And more, if he wanted it.

He cleared his throat and stepped away, and you rolled your shoulders, starting to collect your notes and belongings to leave. Javi slipped his jacket on, adjusting the collar and shaking the arms into place, and you fought not to watch.

“That’ll save you some money from the ladies of the night,” he teased, his tone just a little flatter than it ought to be.

You knew him well enough to sense awkwardness in that rough voice.

“Who said anything about ladies?” you shot back. “Are there male prostitutes? Must be.”

Javi seemed a little shaken, less steady on his feet as he took a second attempt to kick his chair under his desk. He was squaring up papers and stationary as if that was all it would take to tidy the mess around his typewriter, refusing to meet your eyes.

“I haven’t met any,” he ground out, “so I’m not sure I can help you there.”

“And I thought you were a connoisseur.”

You were a little taken aback when he didn’t laugh, and the playful smile fell from your lips. You hadn’t realised how much you were waiting for his deep chuckle, his silence forming a strange missing link in your conversation. Looking up at him, you found him staring at your shoes.

“I’m just teasing, Javi,” you started to apologise.

“No, no. No worries.”

He cleared his throat, playing with the notebook, badge, and keys in his grasp. Passing them from hand to hand. He walked abruptly to the door, toeing it open with his shoe, one hand on the light switch as he waited for you. As you joined him, he looked down, that handsome face distorted with a slight frown.

Frowning seemed to come a little to easily to his features these days.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he rumbled, and you nodded gratefully.

He locked up behind you, and you felt a pang of guilt for ruining a perfectly good moment. You could still feel the phantom touch of his hands on your neck, the callouses of his fingers, experienced with women and yet inexperienced in such gentle touches.

The two of you strode down the dark corridors, and you wondered if he’d always walked that far away from you. He was walking a few feet ahead, and it felt like miles.

“I really didn’t mean anything by it,” you apologised, mumbling in the hopes he might not reply.

“No, I… I’m not upset. It’s fine. I’m just tired.”

You hummed, knowing he could sense your dissatisfaction with his answer. You were too dazed to find the right words.

As you stepped out into the muggy evening air, blinking against the flood lights, both of you froze. There was some commotion in the parking lot. Someone in plainclothes detained by a guard and another man dead on the ground, riddled with bullet holes. You weren’t sure why, but even after all the violence you saw every day, the puddle of blood around him made you clench your jaw with disgust.

Peña stepped in front of you defensively. He usually treated you as just another officer, but off-duty his protectiveness always seemed to kick in. Tonight, you felt your heart clench in gratefulness, as he approached the scene carefully, fingers on his holster. You were too exhausted to keep up with the rapid conversation between Javier and the guards, only tearing your gaze from the dead stare of the body on the ground when Peña called your name. A third time. He waved a hand in front of your face, and you blinked rapidly, apologising as you focused back in on the moment.

You expected the off-white flash of his teeth, laughing at your slowness, some snarky comment about seeming slow, doll. His solemn frown, his concern, was more startling than the flash of his palm in front of your face.

“That’s it,” he told you gruffly, one hand wrapped lightly around your bicep, “I’m driving you home.”

You laughed, half in surprise, and he smiled wearily.

“You’re exhausted.”

Ignoring his comment, you frowned, words tumbling from your mouth before you could stop them.

“Can you call me? Tonight?”

You knew it was pathetic. You sounded pathetic. You knew that.

He went to reply, and you found yourself unable to stop speaking to hear the answer.

“I just… I don’t know how I’ll sleep. I think… I want to hear your voice,” you stumbled.

Javier sighed, smiled slightly, gave a surprisingly bashful nod of his head.

“I’ll call.”

The two of you climbed into his car in silence, and you kept your focus on the moving dials of the dashboard as Javi crawled past the crime scene, joining traffic. The radio hummed quietly, indistinguishable from the noise outside, and you rest your head on the edge of the seat. As Javier drove you through the city streets you felt your energy return, as you knew it would. It always happened like this. You would be too exhausted to leave, be tempted to make a camp on the cool concrete floor of the office. Then, as soon as you were almost at your own front door, you would have the energy to run laps of the block.

You watched out the window, catching reflected glimpses of the flex of Javier’s forearms as he shifted gear, the columns of his neck as he shouted to other drivers, and deft way he handled the steering wheel.

Flashes of red and pink lights made you smile slightly as the car crawled through traffic. It wasn’t a part of town you’d visited outside of work, but you recognised the streets. Javi rolled down the window as you passed brothels, the darkness punctuated by flashes of beautiful women who cooed at Javi from their doorways. You refused to let yourself wonder how many he knew by name.

Then you wondered why you cared.

“Don’t want me to drop you off?” he teased, and you rolled your eyes.

You wondered if Javi had really taken this longer route on purpose, just to make a joke. From the smile on his face, you would believe it. He looked pleased with himself as you gave a groan, trying to hide your amusement.

“Any of them your type?” he goaded again, gesturing out the window, chewing his words.

You shifted in your seat, sitting up properly, blinking back a headrush as everything suddenly felt real again.

“None of them look much like John Travolta,” you noted, smiling as yet another gaggle of women gave the car flirty waves.

A few called out male names, fakes names you presumed, and you saw the man beside you wince. You waved back, smiling. Javier groaned, thumping his thumb against the leather of the steering wheel.

“Travolta? Really?”

You laughed, the lightest you’d felt all day, at the grimace on Peña’s face.

“Yes, Travolta! I’d totally pay a Travolta look alike. You got a problem with that?”

“He’s too soft. No grit.”

“He seems nice!”

Truthfully, there wasn’t much time for films out here. Even less American celebrity gossip. But you remembered him being very popular before you left.

“You could pick up a Travolta look-alike at any bar in this damn city, they’d be falling over themselves. You certainly wouldn’t need to pay them.”

You gave a private smile at the hypocrisy in his voice, as he scoffed over the idea of paying someone for sex. As if he was short on women who found him attractive.

“Yes, but unlike any old bloke in a bar, if I paid they couldn’t fall asleep on me after two minutes.”

Even as the traffic picked up speed, Javi rubbed a hand over his face in frustration, groaning yet again.

“That’s fuckin’ depressing.”

You could hear the unsaid pet name on his tongue, a strange stutter to the rhythm of his sentences, and you wondered why he held it back. The drawl of doll or sugar when he spoke to you was as natural as breathing at this point.

“Yeah.”

The red lights of brothels were far behind you now, and yet Javi was still driving the wrong way, taking a longer route to your place. You bit your lip, looking straight ahead and wondering why he was stalling taking you home.

Hoping you knew the reason.

Javier suddenly shouted, clutched the steering wheel as a car full of young guys cut him off, one hand reaching out like a safety harness across your chest as he slammed the brakes on. As soon as his arm was there, inches from your chest, it was gone again. He was changing gear and honking his horn and swearing under his breath, and you were trying to process the tight feeling in the pit of your stomach. He apologised as he swung the steering wheel, taking a side street to avoid the car ahead, wary of the guns and middle fingers waved from the windows by young men still convinced they were invincible under the cover of night.

You exhaled shakily, blinking away sleepiness as you tried to process what had happened, frustrated at yourself for your slowness.

He seemed to remember himself as the car crawled past sleeping houses, the headlights sweeping across cobblestone, finally in the direction of your place.

“Sorry, darling,” he muttered, fingers tapping on the wheel irately.

“No problem. Can’t be careful enough, at the moment.”

He hummed and nodded, gave you a quiet sideways glance before training his eyes on the road again. One hand rested on the gear shift, curved around so his wrist brushed your thigh as you uncrossed and crossed your legs. He glanced towards you again, something so inconspicuous you hardly recognised it, and you wondered if he knew you were trying not to stare.

The brakes complained under Peña’s foot as he finally rolled to a stop outside your building, the night as quiet as Bogotá ever got. There were a few lights on in your block, the faint shouts of an arguing couple muffled as they drifted on the late night air, a baby crying, faint sirens. All reminders that you were yet to settle this torn city.

Javier cleared his throat and reached for the handbrake, cutting the engine but leaving one hand on the ignition. No doubt it was one of those habits which had saved his life once, and then he could never drop it. You felt the slight movement of the car as his foot finally left the brake, and you smiled privately at how overly cautious he was, ready for anything to go wrong.

He shook slightly at the gear shift, checking it was in neutral.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, if you want. To get your car. Or the next time you need to be in the office. Whenever you need me, doll. Just be safe.”

He swiped at his moustache nonchalantly as he spoke then reached for a cigarette, leaving it between his lips unlit. He pulled a lighter from his pocket one handed, poised to light it as you spoke.

“Thanks, Javi. I really appreciate it, you’re too good to me.”

He froze up, before slowly moving the lighter to the centre console of the car, dropping it into the tray there with a clatter.

“Don’t say shit like that,” he grumbled around the cigarette, but you smiled anyway.

Seeing his prickly exterior come out only meant he was protecting himself from being vulnerable. He looked up at your building, ducking to survey the height of it. You knew it was rougher than where he and Murphy had ended up, but you liked the community of it.

“We gotta get you moved closer to us,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head for show, and you huffed out a laugh.

“I’m fine, Javi. Thank you for the lift.”

As you reached for the door handle he seemed to startle, the bubble of calm inside the car burst as a rush of hot air and noise swarmed through the open door.

“I’ll walk you in,” he declared, stashing his gun beneath his jacket and pulling the keys from the ignition.

“It’s fine, please, you can call me tonight,” you insisted, your feet finally hitting the ground as you got out of the passenger seat.

When you looked back into the vehicle for a gentle goodbye, you were surprised to see something sad on his face. Something disappointed, lonely, enough to make your heart clench.

“Unless you want to come in?”

He was beside you in an instant, the car needlessly loud in the click as Javi twisted his keys in the door to lock it.

“You’ve had a long day,” he reminded you, one hand hovering insistently behind your lower back, refusing to touch or grow further from you as you approached the entrance to your building.

It felt like forever ago, the failed raid, the violence at your office, the feeling of being fused to that bruising-hard metal chair as your heart raced in time with the static of the radio. The memory of Javi’s hands on you had finally vanished for just a second, until he brought it right back.

“You have too, Javi,” you muttered, looking away as you found your key.

“I’ll sleep like a baby tonight,” he grumbled, feet heavy on the stairwell as you ascended to the second story of the building.

“No other plans?”

Your question was supposed to be light-hearted, both of you breathing more heavily as you reached the threshold to your apartment. Key in the lock, you turned to see Javi leaning against the wall as casually as if he belonged there.

“None,” he whispered, “I’m here as long as you need me.”

Who said I needed you?

His arms were folded, fists clenched, and you wondered if he was stopping himself from reaching out.

He followed you inside quickly, taking the liberty of sliding over every lock on the door before you had the chance to. You could see him mentally sweeping the room, craning his neck to look for anything which might make his instincts rear up. You crossed to the small kitchen counter, dumping everything you were carrying down, as he gently paced the small space. He stuck his head into the bedroom, the bathroom, just checking.

Somewhere deep down, you knew why.

He would never forgive himself if something happened to you.

“Drink?”

Peña nodded, and you stepped back to let him raid the fridge himself, needing no permission. He’d been here enough times, though you couldn’t remember a time without Murphy. It was a different feeling, just the two of you. Calmer. Safer. You couldn’t meet his eyes as you moved around to switch on a couple of side lights. You knew you should eat, but you couldn’t walk back to the kitchen. Not while Peña was there.

The shouting had stopped, the baby had silenced, and yet you knew you wouldn’t sleep if you went to bed now.

Not a chance in hell.

You wondered if that was what Javier was doing too: distracting himself from the thoughts which would find him in sleep. By eating everything in your kitchen, apparently.

“I should cook for you, sometime,” he called, though his voice was quieter than you’d expected. Closer.

“You any good?” you teased, straightening up a stack of papers which would immediately slump into a mess again.

“Not really.”

You laughed a little, hearing his matching chuckle behind you. As you turned you found yourself suddenly between his arms, so close you could see the irritated red threatening the whites of his eyes. You wanted to stroke a thumb across those lines in the furrow of his brow, force him to relax until he turned back into the bright-eyed man you’d once known, who relished wasting government money on the finer things in life, and cheered like he’d won a star player when you were assigned to his team.

It seemed like a lifetime ago, and yet here he was, still in front of you. The same man, beneath the exhaustion and the things he’d seen since starting this damn job. As you were examining the lines of his face, the dark circles which never quite managed to overshadow the beauty of his dark eyes, he was staring at you.

He gave you warning, time to move away or speak or – something. He told you what he wanted with heavy eyelids and a light grip on your jaw, in the slight shuffle of his body closer to yours. Then he kissed you, like it had always made sense. It didn’t feel like the first time, he felt familiar. The slight tickle of facial hair against your face, the tensing of his fingers, seeming to engulf your whole skull and guiding you to lean into him as he groaned into your mouth.

The sound of your lips separating made your eyes open, staring wide at Javier like he was a new man. His grip on your face slipped to hands resting on your shoulders as he watched you, waiting for a reaction, bottom lip between his teeth as he bit down a grin.

You smiled openly, only able to look at his face, and he matched you with a laugh. He pulled you with him as he walked backwards, dragging you on top of him as he sat on your couch, muffling your apologies with a kiss as you fell heavily onto his lap.

The couch creaked beneath him as your mouths met heavily, but if Peña had even felt the weight of you, he didn’t flinch. He was kissing you like the world was ending, like he had seconds before the two of you would be gone forever, and he was determined not to miss a second against your skin.

It had felt like that, you supposed. That you would be ripped from one another too soon. Countless times together you had been seconds from death, an inch from bleeding out, hours from being blown up. It could all end soon, the two of you swallowed in flames or a shower of bullets. Perhaps he was making up for each and every time you had called for one another across a soon-to-be crime scene, desperately glad to see each other unharmed.

Peña’s hand on your waist grounded you, dragged you back into the moment, and you poured everything you had into kissing him so hard his lips would be reddened for days. You wouldn’t apologise for the roughness of it – he was determined to bruise you in response, sharing the kind of desperation which couldn’t be expressed in any other way.

Finally his second hand found your waist, gently prompting you to sit up in your straddle across his lap, staring at this new glassy-eyed, wild expression he wore.

“I’m no Travolta,” he panted, the words ghosting across you face.

You sighed. No living that one down.

“He’s not got enough grit for me anyway,” you promised, pressing a gentle kiss to the aquiline slope of his nose, before strong hands guided your lips straight back to his.

#javier pena #javier pena x reader #13atoms #javier pena x you #no y/n #javier pena fic #javier pena imagine #narcos fic #fic

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communistkenobi-archive · 4 years ago

Text

On Writing tCW Dialogue

I’ve gotten several (very lovely) comments asking me how I write dialogue for various tCW characters, so I thought I would explain my process here. This isn’t going to include things like technical terms used in the SW universe, just the general flow of conversation. I find that Obi-Wan’s, Anakin’s, Ahsoka’s, and Maul’s speech patterns all pretty diverse (and also the ones I’m most personally familiar with), so those are the characters who I’ll be covering. This is not meant as an authoritative statement about their canonical characterisations, but rather how I, specifically, feel their personalities work best while writing them. If you disagree with something I’ve said in this write up, you can feel free to disregard it. This post is going to cover their general speech patterns, some body language, and also what tends to motivate them during conversation.

This is gonna be long, so it’s all going below a cut ↴

Obi-Wan:

Has a very formal speech pattern, usually uses more words than necessary to say what he wants to say

His lexicon is pretty diverse, but not overly flowery - I would stick to simple words as much as possible. I find the structure of his sentences more important than the actual words he uses. ie, you shouldn’t be constantly looking at a thesaurus to write his dialogue. Also be considerate of the fact that most people reading fic aren’t going to be familiar with tons of formal and esoteric (ha) words, so if YOU have to scour a dictionary for big words he uses, you audience probably does too, which is not very fun.

For example: instead of “okay”, he would say “alright” or “very well”. Instead of “shut up”, it’s “please be quiet”.

Uses some contractions/informal words, but it depends on the context. Things like “I’m” and contractions with “is” (who’s, it’s, etc) are generally fine, but more slang-y words like “gotta/gonna/wanna/etc” aren’t something he would use.

Almost never speaks directly. Obi-Wan is someone who enjoys talking for the sake of it, and very often will use it as a fun pastime with whoever has the (dis)pleasure of talking to him. He is flirty and upbeat, but generally pretty coy, and doesn’t say what he means.

For example: someone has to keep a secret about something. Instead of just asking them “can you keep this a secret?”, he would say something like “I hope I have your trust on this matter” or “I understand this is difficult to keep quiet”. He leads people to conclusions and questions that he wants answers to, but he generally does not state them directly.

The pacing of conversation is slower with him, because his conversational partners need to tease out what the hell he’s talking about. This doesn’t happen EVERY time of course, and he’s usually pretty direct when discussing technical matters like battle plans or giving orders, but if you’re writing a dialogue-heavy scene with him in it, he tends to control the direction of conversation to draw information out of people they don’t always realise they’re revealing.

Basically try to write him as passive-aggressive and hard to pin down, even when he’s in a good mood

He is also inquisitive and thinks critically, so he will sometimes ask questions if he’s invested in a piece of information somebody has - those are more direct, and you can use that to contrast with/mix up his other dialogue

Body language is usually structured, formal. Doesn’t fidget a lot - Obi-Wan has a great deal of bodily discipline, and most things he does with his body are deliberate

When he’s angry, he tends to move around, becomes more twitchy and externalises his frustration by moving more erratically. He’ll touch his hair, or pace, or tap his fingers

Doesn’t try to intimidate people when he’s upset - again, uses language to get across what he wants

tl;dr: coy, formal, flirty

Maul:

Simple sentence structure, usually talks in multiple short sentences. It makes the pacing of his speech brutal and sharp

He’s also formal, but he uses very plain language. I stay away from using adverbs in his dialogue, for example.

Generally doesn’t ask people questions (or if he does, they’re rhetorical). He isn’t usually interested in conversation - he wants people to listen to HIM talk, and doesn’t really care about information other people might have unless it’s critically important to whatever he’s doing.

Also doesn’t use contractions a lot, I usually only stick to simple ones like “I’m” when writing his dialogue

Maul also tends to make authoritative statements about reality, not give people orders or probe for information

For example: instead of “you must run”, he would say something like “you will run from me now”

He basically talks like he already knows what’s going to happen and is just waiting for other people around him to catch up

Obviously a pretty angry person, but he usually speaks calmly unless provoked. If you have him yelling in one sentence, have him laugh in the next one - his mood seesaws a lot, and he doesn’t usually dwell on his outbursts or try to make amends for when they happen, because again, he doesn’t care if other people dislike what he says or does (unless he’s trying to convince someone to be his apprentice. then he’s VERY interested in how they view him lmao)

Usually affects disinterest and disregard in his body language unless he’s trying to intimidate someone. Doesn’t tend to abide personal space, and moves/postures in ways that make people deliberately uncomfortable

For example: think of small unspoken social norms and have him break them. Looking at Maul move around should feel like watching someone face the corner in an elevator. Very weird and visually upsetting, but difficult to pin down exactly why

Note: to be clear, I’m not talking about someone being awkward in conversation or failing to pick up on a social cue - those are totally fine and not creepy at all. But Maul specifically is a malicious person and will deliberately pervert social cues to make people uncomfortable

tl;dr: short sentences, chaotic mood shifts, doesn’t ask questions

Anakin:

MUCH more informal, probably the closest in sentence structure to what we would consider to be every day speech patterns of a young adult (think college age person)

Lots of contractions, very straightforward in how he communicates information

Usually I use him as a foil to contrast with how formal Obi-Wan is, or how professional Rex is

He’s also good for teasing out covert or indirect dialogue - he’s dealt with Obi-Wan for long enough to be impatient with double-speak or coyness. He’s a good character to use when you need someone to acknowledge the elephant in the room

Anakin is also very invested in how people view him and will chase open validation if he thinks he can get it from someone (especially people he admires - Padme, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Rex). This can override and derail the conversation if he wants it badly enough

Prone to complaining and has sudden mood shifts, but he usually lingers on more negative emotions if has them (anger, disappointment, frustration, etc)

Generally uses conversation as a way to get a rise out of people, challenge them, etc - he also enjoys talking, and will say deliberately provocative things to get people to react to him. Anakin LIKES attention, even if it’s negative, and will use conversations to force people to pay attention to him

Generally upbeat, cracks jokes (often at the expense of others, though not mean-spirited), great character to use to relieve tension

Talks like he doesn’t take a lot of things seriously (but he definitely does)

Generally displays a cavalier and irreverent attitude as a way of emotional protection, but Anakin is a highly emotional and deeply caring person, so that tension is always present to a degree in the way he talks

Also doesn’t make statements about how he feels basically ever - his emotional state is communicated in his tone and body language

Definitely not above lying, either outright or by omission - good for dramatic tension

Body language is more fidgety and hectic when he’s happy/neutral; imposing and sharp when angry

tl;dr: informal, emotional, provocative

Ahsoka:

Also informal, though not as informal as Anakin

Ahsoka is headstrong and sure of her convictions, but very open to asking questions and reconsidering things she isn’t sure about

Speaks directly most of the time, usually emotional, but much more stable and predictable than Anakin

Very inquisitive - if she’s not asking outright questions, she’s probing people for information. Ahsoka is very aware that she is less experienced than the other people around her and behaves as such

Very attuned to the emotions of people around her - she speaks compassionately and will make statements about her own and other people’s emotional states. Good character to use for people to be frank with how they’re feeling if they’re dealing with some internal conflict

She’s also a good character to use if exposition is needed - Ahsoka is intended as a stand-in for the audience in tCW, so her conversational dynamic with the other characters is inherently question-driven to a degree already

But again, she’s not helpless or ignorant - Ahsoka is confident in what she knows and will defend what she believes is right. She’s difficult to persuade in another direction if she’s sure of something

Snappy and jokey when she’s comfortable with who she’s around - more guarded and suspicious with people she doesn’t know, but is generally pretty trusting and wants to see the good in people

Ahsoka is also very diplomatic. She is open to compromise, and much more patient than someone like Anakin - good character to use if there is a highly tense situation that needs to be broken without starting a shootout

Talks like a teenage girl (obviously), but doesn’t use a lot of slang. Ahsoka speaks like someone with an expensive formal education, but is still quite young, so that informality/educated tension is present in the way she speaks

Body language is fluid and relaxed. Tends to make herself small when she’s upset about something. Doesn’t try to intimidate people most of the time, so her body language when she’s angry is more emotive (shaking, pacing, etc)

She’s also much easier to read than all the other characters listed above. Ahsoka is generally an honest person, says what she thinks, and doesn’t feel the need to hide things from other people, but is aware that people hide things from HER

tl;dr: informal, inquisitive, headstrong

I hope that was helpful! These are of course only quick and dirty notes and not hard rules to always stick to. Characters behave and speak differently depending on who they’re interacting with, but this is the baseline I fall back on if I’m having trouble pinning down what they would say. I find watching tCW episodes where these characters have to deal with/resolve a personal conflict they’re having to be the most illuminating ones in terms of their characterisation, so rewatching those can be really helpful.

#sw.txt #the clone wars #obi-wan kenobi #darth maul #anakin skywalker #ahsoka tano #fic #my stuff #my writing #er technically i guess #sw meta #tcw meta

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spencstan · 4 years ago

Text

Six of Crows re-read

(i also did this for the shadow and bone trilogy so read that if you want to)

spoiler alert obiously

i'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS this is my comfort book (with crooked kingdom of course)

JOOST HI

oo fun fact this was my first grishaverse book and i read it with no context whatsoever except that the mc is an emo boy and morally grey

so IMAGINE my pure confusion when JOOST appeared

i was like ?????? weird take on morally grey character but ok

joost trying to figure out how to flirt with a girl is a mood

anyone wanna teach us how to???

i kinda wanna skip this part so i can see the crows..

but i won't don't worry

(won't I?

"I think Yuri may be quarantined"

aaaand?

so are we you are not special

i feel like it's very important for me to mention that i read this book in spanish first

and then i got into the fandom and i was like who the fuck is the wraith? i only know El Espectro

Heartender who??? ooo you mean Cardio

Tidemakers? nope, i only know Maremotores

for real i was so confused i had to re-read it in english (not that i mind tho)

say whatever you want about the spanish version but we have to agree that this design is pretty af

another one yay: "Retvenko was a Squaller" vs. "Retvenk era un Impulsor"

(should i also say that in my pfd english version the book is 294 pages long and in my pdf spanish version its 532????) (i think it's because in the english one the speces are way less like the lines are so close together wtf

i've decided that i'm bored so i'll be skiping this chapter

anya is super badass tho

skdgfalsdgfliaysvfascvhjl yesssssss inej

Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

KAZ

INEJ

I MISSED THEM

omg now i can picture amita and freddy SDJGKASKGLASG THIS IS AMAZING

we interrupt our regularly scheduled program to watch the shadow and bone trailer once again to hear freddy's beautiful voice

ok moving on!

now hear me out i'm giving you all permission to make fun of kaz for this one: Dirtyhands = Manos Sucias

hello i am Kaz Manos Sucias. nice to meet you!

AAAAA

AAAAAAAAAA

JESPER FAHEY

JESPER LOVE HI

SJDGHFKAHSGDLAJSDFSJ,AHFLHDSGF

I MISSED HIM OMG

OMG NOW I CAN PICTURE HIM AS KIT

can you tell jesper is one of my favourite characters?

i really love the fact that kaz is pissed about the murder of that ambassador ONLY because he can´t figure out how it happen

he´s such a nerd

i can't believe one of the firts things we hear jesper say is threathen to kill someone by writing "forgive me" with bullets

AND HE CALLS HIS GUNS "BABIES" OMG

picture saying hi baby and wylan thinkin he's talking to him but actually jesper's talking to one of his guns

Jesper rolled his eyes. "It's about sending a message. What's the point of a dead guy with forg written on his chest?."

"Compromise," Kaz said. "I'm sorry does the trick and uses fewer bullets."

ooo thank god we have kaz to come up with creative solutions /j /s

honestly i love how they talk about kaz's cane like it's the scariest weapon ever (which it kind of is)

nothing will ever disappoint me more than finding out that in english their gang name is "the Dregs". like i don't even know for sure what that means

in spanish is "Los Indeseables" (the undesirables?) which sounds a lot more badass

no hate tho i like the dregs

but i was confused af bc i expected it to be sometihng like "the undesirables" or"the unwanted" or whatever

and it said "the dregs"

which in the translator means something like shit or something

anways moving on:

If he'd (kaz) ever been a little boy

i love how lowkey all the crows think he was just born exactly like he is now

imagine a baby kaz all dressed in black and threatening people

cute

"No mourners," Jesper said as he tossed his rifle to Rotty

"No funerals," the rest of the Dregs murmured in reply. Among them, it passed for "good luck".

YES

YESSS

i wonder what wylan's doing right now :))

i can't wait for the next book where he has a pov

the first time i read this book i literally looked at the title of every chapter to see if he ever got one (i was disappointed to say the least :((((

Besides, she was the Wraith - the only law that applied to her was gravity, and some days she defied that, too.

ma'am

marry me please

i'm gonna cry so hard once the show is out and we get to see inej omg

me simp

That Kaz had chosen Jesper to be one of his seconds was no surprise. Twitchy as Jepser was, with or without his revolvers, he was at his best in a fight, and she knew he'd do anything for Kaz.

idk why but i just love it every time kaz implies or shows that he cares or trusts jesper

it makes me soft

But every one of Inej's senses told her that was not how this was going to play out. Her father would have said the shadows were about their business tonight. Something bad was going to happen here.

underrated saying from Inej's father right there

"I'm a business man," he told her."No more, no less"

"You're a thief, Kaz."

"Isn't that what I just said?"

i see no lies here

not to be annoying but i hc jesper as adhd (i mean is pretty much as canon as wylan's dyslexia) so i'm gonna write here every time i see evidence :)

jesper with adhd part 1: impulsivity

Jesper snorted. "Stomach, spine. What's next, spleen?"

"Shut it" Oomen snarled. The rules of parley dictated that only the lieutenants could speak once negotiations had begun. Jesper mouthed "sorry" and elaboratedly pantomimed locking his lips shut.

he know he couldn't speak but couldn't stop himself from making a comment (i relate way too much to that lmao)

hoestly poor jesper he had to watch hid friend get shot and kaz do nothing about it

i would've been mad too

"I like it when men beg," she said. "But this isn't the time for it"

KAHGFAHLGSFGASFLGSAFS

this is one of the best quotes in the book by far

YASSS KAZ POV

Kaz could have tol Jesper that he knew he wasn't dirty, reminded him that he'd trusted him eough to make him his only real second in a fight that could have gone badly wrong tonight.

cute

but kaz is petty af

he didn't even have a reason not to tell jesper that!

i love that kaz knows inej is following him but doesn't say anything because he wants to wait until she's ready

i LOVE the scene where kaz in in the van eck mantion /srs

idk why but it's so good

And, of course, there was the mystery of Van Eck's son.

wonder what that could be!!! /s

He grinned at her (...)

"Hmm." she said noncommittally, pretending to examine one of her knives, determined to ignore that grin.

KANEJ YESS

HE'S BASICALLY SHOWERING IN FRONT OF HER OMG

this is so funny poor inej is getting flustered

"And I'll need Wylan waiting at the Crow Club tomorrow night."

YES WYLAN OMG

One minute he made her blush and the next he made her want to commit murder

happens to the best of us :/

"Please, my darling Inej. treasure of my heart won't you do me the honor of acquiring me a new hat?"

if kaz doesn't say this on the show we riot

agreed?

it's so amazing how nina found a way to use her powers to get money instead of having to like steal and murder like the rest in the gang

NINA'S POV YESSS HIII

nina and inej omg

their friendship is just perfect

POOR MATTHIAS HE HAS TO FIGHT THE WOLVES

i would straight up cry

Matthias was dreaming again. Dreaming of her

i'm gonna cry damn it

this is the enemies-to-lovers we all needed

jesper has adhd part 2:

"Jesper was supposed to wait until three bells." said the pale boy

"It is three bells, Kaz." replied a small girl (...)

"Since when is Jesper punctual?" the boy complained with a glance at his watch

the time blindness come one

(btw i love the fact that kaz plans around jesper's time blindness instead of like threatening him to be on time)

i really love how every one feels the need to take the time to say/think that the masks are ugly

its so unnecessary lmao

yessss inej is a badass that kills monster we stan

and matthias is lowkey impressed lmao

as he should

"Thank you, Jesper," said Nina

"You're very welcome, gorgeous. See, Kaz? That's how the civilised folk do"

THESE TWO OMG

JESPER IS THE LOML

INEJ OMG LOOK:

She stepped aside as if she's known he was coming, languidly hooking her heel behind his ankle. Matthias let out a loud grunt as he landed on the stones

(...) "Clumsy, this one," the bronze girl said impassively.

that's what happen when you underestimate her bitch

AAAAAAA

PEOPLE

TIME TO FREAK OUT

WYLAN IS HERE

AND HE'S DOODLING STOP IT'S SO CUTE

ok jesper has adhd part 3 i think:

"Just how crazy is he?" asked Jesper, fingers drumming on the pearl handles of his revolvers.

ok first of all: stimming

second of all: hyperactivity

i rest my case

ok 2 or 3 things here

"I believe you know Nina," Brekker continued. "The lovely girl freeing you is Inej. (...) and this is Wylan, the best demolitions expert in the Barrel"

"Raske is better," Inej said

The boy looked up, ruddy gold hair flopping in his eyes, and spoke for the first time. "He's not better. He's reckless"

"He knows his trade"

"So do I"

ok 1: kaz calling inej lovely omg kanej

2: YES WYLAN STANDING UP FOR HIMSELF

2.5: kaz calling him the best cute af

3: honestly why do people think wylan is like an innocent soft boy or whatever. he's in a room full of murderers and thieves and the first thing he does is correct them and stand up for himself

like i wish i could do that

i would be crying like a bitch

AAAAAAAA

"Meet Wylan Van Eck"

KHDSGFALSGFIASGFAL

HI WYLAN BABY

YESSS JESPER'S POV NOW

I'M SO HAPPY also look at this it's the first thing in his pov

Jesper stared at Wylan

do i sense some wesper?????

ok everyone is being so mean to him right now

they are aclling him useless and an idiot and other shit

poor boy honestly he had to deal with this + taking part of a heist he is definetly not ready for + he has to hide the fact that he can't write or read

it so distrubing that kaz is literally the nicest one to wylan right now

"See that? Hidden depths." (...)"He's good enough at demo, and he's got a fine hand for sketching, thanks to all those pricey tutors."

(...)

"There you have it," Kaz said to Jesper. "Marketable skills. Wylan is watching you, Helvar"

GET READY

ARE Y'ALL READY?

OK THEN:

"Scheming face," Jesper whispered to Inej.

She nodded. "Definetly."

THEIR FRIENDSHIP OMG

AND THIS QUOTE

I NEED IT ON THE SHOW THEY BETTER GIVE IT TO US

"Who's Mark" damn wylan (but pretty good comeback to jesper tho)

"What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?

"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.

"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.

"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.

"You're all horrible," said Matthias.

tag yourself i'm jesper

KJSFGAL kaz just told wylan to tell him everything he know about his dad's company

and he said he doesn't know and kaz was like "and you never looked trough his documents????

AND THEN HE GOT SAD AND SAID HE HADN'T (and kaz believed him this is sad)

AND NOW JESPER CALLED HIIM USELESS

ok you know i love you jes but if you keep this up

idk i can't do anything you're a sharpshooter

but stiiiiiil

LMAO MATTHIAS ACTUALLY THOUGHT HE COULD BEAT KAZ

nice try

demjin

*insert spongebob voice* demjin

WE'RE GONNA TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO APPRECIATE INEJ GAHFA

BECAUSE KAZ DOESN'T

The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.

*ugly crying*

Many boys will bring you flowers. But some day you'll meet a boy who will learn your favourite flower, your favourite song, your favourite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.

*uglier crying*

TANTE HELLEN IF YOU DON'T GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE

SOMEONE PLEASE STAB HER FOR ME

jesper has adhd part ?? (i have dyscalculia you can't expect me to remember the number):

That sound - the swift, shocking report of gunfire - called the scattered, irascible, permanently seeking part of his mind into focus like nothing else.

do i really need to explain this?

ok just in case.. an adhd brain doesn't actually have a deficit of attention(the name just sucks) it's problem with controling that attention. the brain is always looking for new sources of dopamine which is why it shifts its focus so much

i love that jes thinks of matthias as "tha giant"

like sir

have you seen yourself?

you're tall af

HE GOT SHOT

WHY DID I FORGET JESPER GETS SHOT IN THE LEG HERE

"Close your eyes!"

"You can't kiss me from down there, Wylan"

"Just do it!"

i love the energy BUT NOW IT'S NOT THE TIME JES

YESS WYLAN SHOW THEM THEY WERE WRONG CALLING YOU USELESS

inej just stabed some guy int the d

good for her!

KAZ YESSSS HI

AWWW SHE'S WORRIED HE DOESN'T HAVE HIS CANE

KANEJ FOR LIFE

oh no wylan got shot too???? (just barely but stilllll por baby)

my Wraith omggg

ok 3 things about this:

Without another word, he tipped Oomen into the sea.

"No!" Wylan shouted, leaning over the railing, his face pale, stunned eyes tracking Oomen in the waves. (...)

Jesper set his hand on Wylan's shoulder. "Let it go."

"It's not right-"

"Wylan," Jesper said, giving him a little shake."Maybe your tutors didn't cover this lesson, but you do not argue with a man covered in blook and a knife up his sleeve"

1. wesper yasssss

2. wylan just argued with a mant hat had just tacken the eye out of someone. he literally called him out for being an asshole. like damn wylan is brave af i love him

3. do you think seeing kaz trow the guy out of the boat reminded wylan of when the same thing happened to him???? this makes me sad

he's brave and a good person and i just-

"Man with a knife, remember?" he said over his shoulder.

"Man with a gun!" Jesper called after him

this had no right being so funny

AND THEN KAZ GAVE HIM THE MIDDLE FINGER STOP I CAN'T

nina is the biggest kanej shiper no one can tell me i'm wrong

unrelated but if jesper had gone to the Little Palace and had studied there with nina they 100% would've had a crush on Zoya and bonded over it

like you can't tell me those two bisexual disaster wouldn't be absolutely in love with Zoya

jesper has adhd part ??:

Jesper scrubbed the back of his neck, touched his hands to his gunds, returned to his neck. He always seemed to be in motions

hyperactivity right there

and restlessness

"Do you know the best way to find Grisha who don't want to be found?" (...)

"Seems to be if they don't want to be found, you should just let them be" (jesper says this)

this conversation must be so stressful to him omg

LMAO JESPER CUT MATTHIAS HAIR THIS IS SO FUNNY

AND HE SHAVED HIM

ok you all know i love all of them but they can be sooo stupid

like wylan wrote no names on the drawing and he's excuse is that he doesn't know fjerdan?

AND THAT'S NOT EVEN TRUE he literally said he learned school fjerdan which means he should know how to write it too (we know why he can't but the tohers don't)

and even then like the excuse doesn't make any sense. why would having the original name be usefull if no one can fucking read it????

the worst part tho? NO ONE QUESTIONED HIM

THEY WERE LIKE "yup makes sense" AND WENT ON WITH THEIR DAY

i wondered how they didn't figure wylan's secret sooner but now i now

it's because theya re idiots

"I'm just doing my job. Stop glaring at me"

wylan baby let's not make the gigant mad

Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. "Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost."

Brekker's lips quirked. "I'll just hire Matthias ghost to kick your ghost's ass."

"My ghost won't associate with your ghost," Matthias said primply, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.

i had to put this here i don't want to get murdered by the fandom

jesper, inej and nina have the BEST friendship

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE JES AND INEJ TOGETHER ON NETFLIX

"I know some people don't understand, but Kaz told me ... he said it was my choice, that he wouldn't be the one to mark me again."

i love this because it happen when they had just met

he did it because he understands her trauma and he respects her not because he loves her (i doubt he did at the time)

Kaz had been impressed with the sketches. (...)

"Just learn to take a compliment. Kaz doesn't hand them out often."

I'M SO PROUD OF WYLAN

and yess kaz only compliments wylan (and inej but that's sarcastic so it doesn't count) because he's a proud dad

"And you don't belong here, either."

"I beg your pardon, merchiling?"

"We don't need a sharpshooter for Kaz's plan, so what's your job - other than stalking around making everyone angsty?"

He shrugged. "Kaz trusts me."

Wylan snorted and picked up his pen. "Sure about that?"

DAMN WYLAN DESTROYED HIM

also

"If you aren't born with every advantage, you learn to take your chances."

"I wasn't-" Wylan left off and set down his pen. (...)

aww cute neurodivergent boyfriends bonding

Wylan had turned back to his work, his disappointment obvious. For some reason, Jesper felt disappointed, too.

ajgflasjgfjagslfiuusgflgdfsgdflasdgfsd

wesper

aww jes checks on inej every morning and every night i love him

"Thank you for keeping me in this world when fate seemed determined to drag me to the next. I owe you a life debt."

Nina blushed deeply. "I was teasing, Inej"

LJFGALKGFALGA another cute friendship right there

(and i can see why people ship them romantically)

STOP INEJ AND JES ARE BONDING SO MUCH (page 127 so i can go back and read it lmao)

Van Eck writes to Wylan every week, and Wylan doesn't even open the letters

"They just said the same thing again and again: If you're reading this, the you know how much I wish to have you home. Or I pray that you read these words and think of all you've left behind."

should i kill him? anyone want to join me?

Inej bumped her shoulder against his."Then at least we're both the same kind of stupid." (...)

"You're too good for him, you know?"

"I know. So are you"

jes and her bonding over their stupid crush on a white boy

Because I've been looking for an excuse to talk to you for two days.

jfsfdajdhmgkfutdjrgsg ok i can't blame them for having a crush on him anymore

this chapter is full of kanej i love it

"What do you want, then"

You, Inej. You forever.

jksdgfoagsdfgsdgfklasgdflaghsldfgksdgfkahgsdfghjlkf

kaz's backstory makes me sad

"When we get our money, you can burn kruge to keep you warm," said Kaz. (...)

"I´m gonna pay someone to burn my kruge for me."

Kaz fell into step beside him. "Why don't you pay someone else to pay someone to burn your kruge for you? That's what big players do."

"You know what the really big bosses do? They pay someone to pay someone ...". Their voices trailed off as they tomped ahead, and Matthias and the others followed.

JES AND KAZ HAVE THE BEST CONVERSATIONS

i can't believe we get to see nina and matthias meet and their whole backstory in less than a month omg

"It's not natural for women to fight."

"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand."

QUEEN

YOU TELL HIM

oh no the dead grisha

this part breaks my heart every time

"Do you have a different name for killing when you wear a uniform to do it?"

.....i'm just gonna leave this quote right here

anyways acab

stop nina tried to kill the survivor so they wouldn't suffer but she couldn't do it

and jesper did it for her without hesitation i wanna cry

and inej didn't want to do it either i want to hug them

"Because our crime is existing. Our crime is what we are"

..........

i'm gonna leave this here again

do with it what you will

"Don't mock what you don't understand."

"My mockery offends you? My people would welcome you laughter in place of this barbarity"

i- this conversation is so important

AAAAA JES AND WY ARE A GREAT TEAM I LOVE THEM

WYLAN TROWS BOMBS TOGIVE JESPER TIME TO GET READY TO SHOOT

INEJ AND KAZ ARE A GREAT TEAM TOO

THEY LITERALLY DID THE SCENE LIKE IN THE AVENGERS (but without the shield WHICH MAKES IT BETTER)

Jesper shouldered his rifle. "Wylan earned his keep."

Wylan gave a little jump at the sound of his name. "I did?"

YES BABY YOU DID GREAT

kaz getting self-conscious for his hair is pure comedy

but nina how can you say that have you see his hair on the show???? it's perfect

"Remeber our friend Mark?"

HELP I CAN'T

"Any other impossible feats you'd like us to accomplish?"

The bearest smile flikered over Kaz's lips. "I'll make you a list."

once again jesper and kaz being besties

unrelated but nikolai and jesper would love each other

the amount of sass they have between them it's unparalleled

"Mmm," Inej murmured, taking a sip from her mug. "Maybe you're just not enough."

DAMN

ma'am marry me please

kaz fainted damn poor boy

unrelated unce again but this is so much betetr than shadow and bone

like you can tell leigh improved so much

her characters are better and their arcs are better developed

the writing itself it's better

or maybe i'm just biased because i love soc so much but i think she definetly improved

INEJ IS TRYING TO GIVE HIM SPACE EVEN WHEN SHE'S TRAPPED AND LOCKED ON THE WAGON

I JUST - THEY KNOW EACH OTHER SO MUCH

Though he'd trusted her with his life countless times, it felt much more frightening to trust her with his shame.

Inej had once offered to teach him how to fall. "The trick is not getting knocked down," he'd told her with a laugh. "No, Kaz," she's said, "the trick is in getting back up"

inej is smart af

Kaz was usually unshakeable during a job, but now he was on edge, and Jesper didn't know why. Part of him wanted to ask, though he knew that was the stupid part, the hopeful farmboy who picked the worst possible person to care about, who searched for signs in things that he knew deep down meant nothing - when kaz chose him for a job, when Kaz played along with one of his jokes. He could have kicked himself. He's finally seen the infamous Kaz Brekker without a stich of clothing, and he'd been too worried about ending up on a pike to pay proper attention.

ok i got a couple of things to say about this part

first of all it makes me so sad that jes cares so much for someone who dosn't deserve him. because no hate to kaz but they would never work as a couple and kaz already treats him like shit most of the time

i think this part shows who a lot about who jesper really is. a boy that grew up having to hide parts of himself, who thinks he's worth nothing but it's smart and capable, who's loyal and brave and caring but doesn't even know it himself. he's someone who feels he doesn't deserve good things and thinks he's not good enough, and that's why he unds up in all the wrong places with the wrong people. he left uni bc he fell in with the gangs, because he didn't think he was smart enough or even prepared to be in studying in the university. jesper is constantly hiding behind a mask or running from things because he's scared of not being enough

an kaz is everything jes in a way wishes he could be. kaz is secure in himself (at least on the outside), he's stable, he's smart, he's "unshakeable". and most of all, he doesn't care about others (we know that's not true but that's how he presents himself)

and that's the thing that causes jesper all his problems. because he's insecure because he thinks he's not good enough for the poeple or things he cares about. and he's always trying to do what's best for his loved ones: he went to the ice court to pay his debt for his father, he follows kaz everywhere beacause he cares about him, he offered to read to wylan (knowing it wouldn't be easy for him to be still that long).

and yeah it often doesn't work out becuase he's messy and he has problems but he tries. and he hates that. he hates that he cares so much about people because at the end of the day, that's what makes him feel like he's not good enough

one more thing and i'm done i promise

unpopular opinion but i love that leigh made jesper have a crush on kaz. 1 beacuse it's refreshing to see someone not get otgether with his first crush. and 2 because i love that it shows that we sometimes get attached to people that are not good for us, but that we can learn to move on. jesper ended with wylan who respects him and values him, unlike kaz

ok i'm sorry that was probably all bs

oo one more thing, jesper definetly has rsd (rejection sensitive disphoria), which is something most poeple with adhd have

"My father used to take me everywhere with him"

this is so sad. bc they probably had a good relationship when he was little. and then they figured he coudln't read and now his father treats him like shit

it's even worse than if he haf been horrible from the beginning because wylan knows he can be a good father. and so he thinks it's his fault and he deserves to be treated like that. i hate van eck

"You're cuter when you're smart"

(...)

"Definitely cuter when you're smart"

wesper yesssss

i love them so much

ok but why do people think jesper is stupid. like the boy just made a bunch of criminals pass out by mixing some chemicals

and he was going to the university at like 15

AAAAND NOW THEY KNOW HE'S A FABRIKATOR

amazing plot twist

also:

Wylan coughed. Flirting with him might actually be more fun that annoying him, but it was a close call.

oooo come on jesper we all know you just love getitng him to blush

and you love him

who said that? definitely not me, nope

awwww jesper misses being around animals that's cute

imagine him coming home to wylan one day with a puppy because he just couldn't resist

cute

Better terrible truths than kind lies

just leaving here more of inej's wisdom

ok this may be a reach but jesper has adhd part ???

Yellow Protocol? Red Protocol? He couldn't remember which was which. (...)

"The alarm was Yellow Protocol, a sector disturbance."

Jesper pushed at his temples. "I don't remember what that means"

a bad working memory? sounds familiar

kaz loves puzzles

it's canon

"I love puzzles. Trickery is just my native tongue."

this part where wylan and jesper see the banner made with grisha's kefta kills me every time

I would have worn purple, Jesper thought, if I'd joined the Second Army. (...) He'd beenwilling, even eager to risk capture and execution as a thief and hired gun. Why was it worse to think about being hunted as a Grisha?

this makes me want to cry so much

another thing super sad: the fact that since his father is Kaelish and had some supersititons towards grisha, jesper grew up wondering if his own father was scared of him. he had to hide his powers and he was almost taught to be afraid of them

"Is it safe to leave them, you know-"

"Alive? I'm not big on killing unconscious men."

"We could wake them up"

WYLAN

damn the boy needs therapy

it's amazing how nothing went like they planned

not a single thing

PEOPLE GET READY

ARE YOU READY?

NEITHER AM I BUT WHO CARES

"What do you like?"

"Music. Numbers. Equations. They are not like words. They...they don't get mixed up."

ok dude the clues are right there he's basically saying it

"If only you could talk to girls in equations."

There was a long silence, and then, eyes trained on the notch they'd created in the link, Wylan said, "Just girls?"

Jesper restrained a grin. "No. Not just girls." It really was a shame they were all probably going to die tonight.

wylan really said a straight man?? couldn't be me

this is the definition of bi panic "jesper restrained a grin" bitch we saw that

btw i love the slow burn

like they hint something here but they don't actually start liking each other until much later and they don't get together until almost the end of ck

i also love that the fact that they both like guys is like out in the open now. bc i'm not a fan of when queer characters have a crush and there's the whole thing of "are they queer too or not?"

like they both know htey are queer. but they don't get together right away bc they have to start liking each other before. they don't get together bc they are the only queer mlm characters

matthias fake betrayal killed me

i tought it was real

I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept fom this oath.

this is just-

also foreshadowing?

YAYY KUWEI HI

There was no part of him that was not broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken.

She's laughed, and if he could have bottled the sound and got drunk on it every night, he would have. It terrified him.

if i ever have a s/o and they don't tell me this at least once i don't want it

He needed to tell her... what? That she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn't pull himslef together into some smeblance of a man for her

THIS

THIS IS LOVE RIGHT THERE

they are the only straight couple that matters

everyone else go home

Wylan had scratches all over his cheeks and neck. He was beaming. Inej grabbed his hands and sqeezed.

so cute omg

"You can explain why our illustrious Shu scientist looks like one of Wylan's school pals along the way"

KAZ

i mean it's true but you didn't have to say it

KAZ IS SMILING OMG

EVERYONE FREAK OUT WITH ME

HE'S "grinning like and idiot" STOP I LOVE HIM

"We are all someone's mosnter, Nina"

"I will have you without armour, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all"

this part breaks my heart and i love it

"Stay," she oanted. Tears leaked from her eyes. "Stay till the end"

"And after," he said. "And always."

i just- helnik is perfect

AWWW JESPER MISSES WYLAN

my daily dosis of wesper :)

ok but in like 2 pages jesper tought of wylan like 10 times bc he's sad wy isn't with him

Jesper scanned the empty deck. He's assumed Wylan would come up to see them off. (...)

Jesper knew he was being selfish and stupid, but some petty part of him wondered if Wylan had deliberately kept away from him on the journey back. Maybe now that the job was complete and he was on his way to his share of the haul, Wylan was done slumming with criminals.

*charles boyle's insinuating voice* and why do you care so much???

btw YOU ARE WRONG. HE'S LITERALLY GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO BE WITH YOU EVEN THOUGH HE CAN'T SPEAK

this scene where we find out the truth about wylan hurts so much but it's one of my favourites idk why

I LOVE THAT EVERYONE IS AS MAD AS I AM ABOUT THE LETTERS NOW

"Your're a fool," Jesper snarled. "He smarter than most of us put together, and he deserves a better father than you."

YES TELL HIM

the fact that wylan just heard him say that omg

"Deserved" amended Van Eck. He blew the whislte twice.

SOMEONE BETTER GRAB ME BEFORE I KILL HIM MYSLEF

THAT IDIOT

I HATE HIM SO MUCH

I'M GONNA CRY CAN SOMEONE KILL HIM FOR ME

Jesper screamed in rage and raised his guns.

YES EXACLTY WHAT I MEANT

JUST KILL HIM RIGHT NOW

"I'm not big on bludding, am I Inej?"

"Not as a rule"

Van Eck's lip curled. "And why is that?"

"Because he'd rather cheat," said the boy who was not Kuwei Yul-Bo in perfect, unaccented Kerch.

THIS WAS PERFECT

THE BEST WAY TO REVEAL THAT

(...), and Jesper flinched

baby he recognized wylan's voice

The Shu boy held out a hand. "Pay up, Kaz"

BITCH THIS IS AMAZING

THIS BOY MADE A BET WITH A CRIMINAL THAT HIS OWN FATHER WAS GOING TO TRY TO KILL HIM

AND HE WON THE BET

A nearly perfect replica of Kuwei Yul-Bo stood before them, but he had Wylan's voice, his mannerisms, and - though Kaz could see the fear and hurt in his golden eyes - Wylan's surprising courage, too.

i love it when they compliment him

my boy deserves all the compliments ever

AND KAZ IS PROUD OF HIS SON WE ALL KNOW THIS

Wylan cuold draw a perfectt elevation. He's made a drill that could cut throu Grisha glass from parts of a gate and scavenged bits of jewellery. So what if he couldn't read

this is taking me to some real places

i may cry you've been warned

WYLAN DIDN'T CARE THAT HE MAY BE STUCKED LOOKING LIKE KUWEI

this is making me cry

"A fool would have been waiting to be smashed to bits on that ship. And as for "traitor", you've called me worse in the last few minutes alone."

EXACTLY

YOU TELL HIM WYLAN

Instead, in that moment of threat, when he should have thought only of the fight, he looked at Inej.

BABY

i would've done the same tho she's pretty

amita is sooo pretty i'm gonna die when the show comes out

Jesper was staring at Wylan, his eyes roving over the black hair, the golden eyes. "Why?" he said at last. "Why would you do this?"

nothing to say here except: wesper

You... how many times was it you standing beside me on the deck at night when I tought it was Kuwei?"

"Every time."

i want to cry so bad

"Why does it matter?"

"I don't know!" Jesper said angrily. "Maybe I liked your stupid face."

a very staright and platonic thing to say of course

i know jes we all liked his stupid face

"Jesper made a mistake," said Wylan. "A stupid mistake, but he didn't set out to betray anyone."

YES WYLAN DEFEND YOUR BOYFRIEND

And maybe he'd kept him in the dark about Wyllan because he wanted to punish him a little

even kaz know they like each other come on

Jesper sat with elbows on knees, head in hands. Wylan deside him wearing th face of a stranger.

wylan give him a hug fro me please

he needs it

"Scheming face," murmured Jesper.

"Definitely," agreed Wylan.

i miss inej already

And I'm going to get my girl. Inej could never be his, not really, but he would find a way to give her the freedom he´d promised her so long ago.

i'm ugly crying and so what?

and now we're done....

i want to read this book again omg this is unhealthy

#shadow and bone #s&b #six of crows #jesper fahey #wylan van eck #kaz brekker #grishaverse #inej gahfa #matthias helvar #nina zenik #freddy carter #kit young #amita suman #soc #helnik #kanej #wesper

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recurring-polynya · 3 years ago

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Your thoughts and headcannons on Nemuri Hachigou because I don't think she gets talked about enough, when in reality she's pretty interesting, she's essentially, a blank slate, Mayuri's second chance that I don't think he feels like he deserves. She's Nemu but she isn't and I think people(especially Mayuri) forget that a lot, that's a fascinating position to be in.

Puttin’ this under a cut because I’m gonna say some unkind things about Mayuri and I do not want to cause any distress to the many lovely people on this website who delight in his horrible antics.

This is not so much a headcanon so much as a thing I came up with for fanfiction purposes, but it’s all I got.

Right. So, like I said, I despise Mayuri. I just hate him. I understand that he appeals to some people, but I strongly dislike the dude and go to exorbitant lengths to avoid him ever appearing in my fanfic.

Additionally, I do not vibe with Nemu 7. She registers as not-a-person for me, she’s basically an extension of Mayuri himself. Don’t get me wrong, I find Mayuri’s treatment of her to be vile and I wish someone would take her away from him, but she comes off as very robotic to me. She is conscious, but she is not an independent being, if that makes sense. She is not a real girl. It’s funny that Mayuri keeps talking about how advanced she is, because clearly he means only her cognitive and fighting abilities. In terms of recreating a person, she’s incredibly primitive compared to the other mod souls we see. Take Kon, for example, who has a fairly limited powerset, but is never presented as less of a soul than any of the other characters. An even more interesting example is Ururu and Jinta. Ururu is described as being older than Jinta, and she is clearly “less human” than him-- she has less affect, she shifts into a distinct “attack” mode, etc, which implies that Jinta represents advances in mod soul technology. It’s notable that Urahara and Tessai and even Renji, in the canon scene where he protects the Shouten kids, never treats them as anything less than people. The contrast with the way Mayuri treats Nemu is stark. He likes that her feelings and personality are limited, he sees this as a feature.

I was completely unmoved by the entire chapter where Nemu died. Her sacrifice did not come across to me as anything indicating growth or humanity-- in every battle she's ever been in, she nearly dies because Kurotsuchi tells her to. She simply prioritizes Mayuri over herself. She always has. It’s simply the logical extension of her programming. A lot of people say they would have preferred Nemu to live and Mayuri to die and for sure I would have *preferred* that, but I have never seen Nemu as enough of a character to be worth rooting for. Like, at least Uryuu would have gotten some satisfaction form killing his clown ass, and that might have convinced me for at least half a second that he actually was on the side of the Quincy.

Caveat: if some talented fanficcer wants to write a short novel on Nemu discovering her humanity etc etc, I’m all for it, I’m just saying that canon hasn’t given us anything to suggest she would do more than just shut down without Mayuri to tell her what to do.

Onto Nemuri 8. I can’t believe they let Mayuri have another one. It makes my blood boil. The dude is an on-screen abuser and Kubo had the gall to try to make me feel sorry feel him (I did not) and then gave him another one.

So, I took her away from him.

I mentioned earlier that I go to great lengths to keep Mayuri the hell out of my fanfic, and usually the way I do that is to have my characters go through Akon whenever they have to deal with Squad 12. I think I started doing this because Akon is sort of weirdly familiar with Renji and Rukia in the TYBW, but I have projected all over him and he’s mine now. The way I assume Squad 12 functions, based on my career in scientific programming, is that Mayuri is like a primary investigator-- he's the Big Ideas guy and he spends a lot of time doing wholly self-directed research. He’s the face of Squad 12, so he has to go talk to the Captain-Commander and beg for money and defend blowing things up, but when it comes to science stuff, he does what he wants. Nemu is the lieutenant, and I think she handles most of the usual lieutenanting-- paperwork, meetings, etc., but I think Mayuri takes up a lot of her time by using her as a personal lab assistant on his wacky projects. There's nothing wrong with this, but I think in a lot of squads, the lieutenant is responsible for the day-to-day running of the squad and spends a lot of time dealing with their subordinates and other lieutenants. Nemu, instead, focuses on her captain. Now, the rest of the Gotei counts on Squad 12 for a lot actually-- gigai, Hollow tracking, Dangai monitoring, etc. etc. From the point of view of most science people, this stuff is mundane-- it’s all application, not development, and all the difficulty is in the twitchy little details. It’s frustrating and it’s unrewarding and you never get credit for it, and it is vitally important. There is a certain kind of science professional that makes a career out of this. They usually have master's degrees instead of PhDs, and they are usually tragically underpaid and underappreciated for what they do. In the real world, without these people, you wouldn’t have mass vaccination sites or weather data on your phone or cute li’l robots landing on other planets. In Bleach, these are the people keeping soul reapers alive in the field. And in my mind, this is Akon’s department.

So here’s the headcanon:

After Nemu’s death, Mayuri has so much sad clown pain about it that he wants another robot child poste-haste, but can’t bring himself to do the actual work, so he shoves it off onto Akon, with a list of the design specs he wants. The last one was pretty good, Akon can handle a few minor upgrades, it doesn’t need his personal hand in it. Thinking about going through all that work again just pisses him off, honestly. What a waste!

And Akon's like, yeah, cool, fine. It was heavily implied that he did a lot of the work on Nemu 7, it's just a matter of digging out his old notes and cleaning out some vats.

Except that, right around the same time, Rukia and Renji decide to have a baby.

Babies are super rare in the Gotei, and it’s not like those stuffy nobles are gonna let Akon look at their precious offspring. But Rukia is a rank weirdo, and Akon is their pal, so she’s always like “I hear they have these things in the Living World where you can pee on a stick and tell if you’re pregnant, can you make me one?” and Akon’s brain goes, “Wow, what even is the first detectable sign of a newly formed soul, this is very interesting.” So, at the same time he’s trying to grow a new and improved Nemu, he’s got access to the developing fetus of two captain-class shinigami. So when he has to pick between eight good candidate embryos to move to the next vat, he picks… not the one with the strongest reiatsu signature, like they did last time, but the one whose reiatsu looks the most like a real baby.

Akon reminds me of a lot of programmers I know, so I always sort of headcanon him as particularly interested in whatever passes for programming in Squad 12, and I think he takes special interest in revamping Nemu’s artificial intelligence system, which is primarily based on taking in information about the world and building up a realistic personality based on people she observes. In particular, it gives extra weight to “people who resemble her”. Nemu 7 was raised by Squad 12, so she came up very Squad 12, just like Mayuri wanted. Unfortunately, toddler Hachigou Nemuri’s algorithm unexpectedly decides that she has much more in common with toddler Abarai Ichika than any of the adult soul reapers around her.

Nemuri 8 is a very successful sample in terms of power and intelligence but she’s also very boisterous, and the rest of Squad 12 is like “Akon do something” so Akon takes drastic measures: he asks Renji for parenting advice. Distressingly, Renji is full of useful ideas like “tire her out” and “only fight the important battles” and “we’re signed up for baby yoga, you wanna start comin’ to baby yoga? Your back is gonna thank you.”

Akon didn't mean to let them hang out so much, but Ichika is a very useful data point and also if he takes Nemuri over to the Abarai house, the girls will entertain themselves (i.e. chew on each other) long enough for him to have a beer with Renji and Rukia and honestly my man really needs that beer.

I don’t think Akon thinks of himself as Nemu’s dad past the first time when she calls him ‘Daddy’ and he corrects her (she only did it because that’s what Ichika calls Renji, very predictable quirk of her programming). She’s just a work project. She’s not even his project, she’s Mayuri’s project, he’s just handling the little details. Fathering just happens to be an adjacent field of study that he’s found to contain a number of very useful best practices.

I would prefer not to get into the detail of the physical abuse that Mayuri uses against Nemu 7, but I would like to think that Akon finds ways to protect Nemuri 8 from the same, or barring that, maybe this is what finally drives Akon to murder Kurotsuchi and become Squad 12 captain himself.

Other Nemuri Headcanons:

Her favorite book is Rejection of the Twin Fishes!, Captain Ukitake’s posthumously published children’s book.

She prefers to be called “Nemuri” over “Nemu.”

Nemuri’s second favorite person in Squad 12 after Akon is Rin, because he always has candy. Rin actually likes having someone to share his hobby with and helps her make a World of the Living Snack Bucket List. When other shinigami come in for gigai, Nemuri constantly tries to con them into bringing something back for her.

Rukia teaches her to cuss, but tells her never to do it around Akon. Nemuri never actually cusses around anyone, but really enjoys having Forbidden Knowledge.

Speaking of Forbidden, she is mildly obsessed with Urahara, even though she’s never met him. She’s constantly on the lookout for thumbprints of his work in modern Squad 12 technology.

The one thing she does have in common with Mayuri is an absolutely batshit personal aesthetic. She starts painting her face as a tween and is somewhat inconveniently both into piercings and inflatable outfits.

The true proof that she has surpassed her predecessor, at least in terms of humanity, is that she is able to learn the name of her zanpakutou.

Oh, if you want to read any of my fanfics with Nemuri, here's one where she and Ichika play football and here's one where she tries to con Byakuya into buying her shaved ice. I really like writing Nemuri hanging out with Byakuya because I think an adult man who navigates social settings via rigid system of etiquette and class hierarchy and a small child with a pile of Markov chains for a brain would be natural friends.

#nemuri hachigou

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violetteatime · 3 years ago

Note

hello violetteatime of measure a year fame, what are your feelings on widofjorester

hello anonymous of my inbox!

personally, i really really love widofjorester. i'm someone that overanalyzes most characters in media (especially these critical role folks), and can really just. see this relationship. i also think that the relationship would be good for all of them and is just. good in general.

i'm a literature major so you know im going to dissect my feelings about them under this break. tl/dr - widofjorester for the win

spoilers ahead, but from someone who is only on episode 78 and has been spoiled for the whole campaign so. do with that what you will.

fjord is someone who is playing up being confident, but obviously needs reassurance and care. he's genuinely humble, and can't often see what others see in him, which i think was a big part of why he didn't show any romantic interest in jester until far into the campaign.

having caleb be interested in him would have fjord very flustered at first, i think. even from early on, fjord very clearly respected caleb and admired his arcane abilities, even if he didn't trust him until after the iron shepherds arc. caleb shows his love in physical touch often in canon (though usually through a hand on the shoulder or a polymorph action), and i think fjord would find a lot of comfort in it.

fjord's ignorance of jester's feelings in early canon was clearly because he wasn't comfortable with the idea she had set up (more-so that he was some sort of knight to save her and the aesthetic attraction she showed early on), but i think that, as we saw in canon, once jester was able to realize that relationships aren't like in the books, they could find a happy medium together, and with caleb. jester is so bubbly but also far more wise than anyone (other than caduceus and occasionally beau) gives her credit for, and she would probably catch on to his insecurities and, in the same way that she did with his tusks, help break down those walls.

fjord has never been loved, never been held, and both of them would be more than willing to show him he is so worthy of that. of them. caleb and jester, both in their own ways, boosted him up as captain tusktooth, and would continue to do so, offering him confidence he's never had before. caleb would be a person to lean on when things get rough, and jester would be there to light a candle in the dark.

jester has always loved the idea of a story-book romance, and that's not what she would get with these two. caleb is deeply scarred, twitchy and uncomfortable with any sign of care until after felderwin, and fjord is new to romance, and not exactly romantic himself.

in canon, we saw her break through a lot of her own mental barriers in terms of what relationships meant to her, and her relationship with fjord and caleb would very much defy what she has read. at first, she would see it as an unconnected love triangle (akin to jacob-bella-edward in twilight), but once she saw how the men cared for each other, she would realize that love isn't simple.

being in love with caleb would excite her. he's much more chaotic than you'd expect, cracking jokes when he thinks of them and willing to help her with pranks. he would love her art and listen to her talk and become the friend she's always wanted. their love would be very playful, i think, as she brings out the parts of caleb that want to show off and fool around, and while she stays fun and bubbly, he helps her rationalize things.

having fjord by her side would mean the world to jester. he's her oldest friend, her first real crush, and a man who would treat you right. while fjord is their leader, he's also an impulsive and genuinely fun person to be around, and doesn't have the wisdom to really think about the consequences of his actions. he would mature her, in a way, as she sees that even the typical 'knight in shining armor' is a lot more three-dimensional than the characters she's read about, but he would never force her to be anything other than she is.

jester would really get the opportunity to be herself around them, to not always have to be the brightest star she thinks she has to be. she would feel comfortable enough to share her issues with them, and know that comfort would come in return.

caleb would feel off for the first while in the relationship. his past with astrid and eodwulf would make sure of that, especially with the seeming scene in episode 77 setting that up (him literally casting those two as his exes). he would be frightened of hurting either of them, especially jester, and try to push them away, despite himself.

for so long, caleb has struggled with ideas of worthiness, of being good and just and fighting with his own past. they wouldn't let him feel like that.

fjord would calm the storm inside of his mind. with strong arms and open seas and that steady voice, caleb would feel like he can rest. while caleb had issues trusting anyone at first, it's clear that in the late 10s to early 20s, he started to connect with fjord faster than almost any other party member. they've always said they understand each other. fjord would stop caleb from overworking himself in the gentlest of ways, encourage him to take breaks and eat and live outside of the world of academia.

caleb lost so much of his youth to the assembly, and jester would give him just a taste of that back. she would drag them dancing in bars and to prank people and paint words across ceilings and genuinely give caleb something to look forward to. there's a gentleness in jester that, from the harshness we saw of both of his past lovers, would be very new to him. while on the surface jester seems very go, go, go, she would know when to let him have his moments to breathe and soothe him and show him a kindness he's rarely been given.

caleb has spent so much of his life alone, and they would make sure that he would never feel that way again.

#anon im so sorry i wrote you an essay #i just love them so much #widofjorester #violetteatime rambles #critical role #measure a year #thank you for your ask!!!

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goblinconceivable · 3 years ago

Text

More Leverage ‘cuz binging

stuff and thoughts

1.3

Aha, there be NW going a bit flaily, in completely appropriate usage and reminiscent of Ford while being distinct rather than competing. “Manic” lols

Like that little ongoing joke about Sophie not running things like Nate speechwise. And that little speed up to the scene transition? I really like it.

Parker’s performance on the shooting range? She’s come so very far as a grifter. Eliot seeing the cop car and riffing? So has he. All highlighted by Breanna racing to catch up.

Even though we don’t know these gamblers, I love this extension of the Team’s “social network.” Back in the day we had Maggie, and the “Second Team,” but in this revival they’re more integrated into a worldwide web. I think they were all actors at the fake auction, hoping to see more characters, and some blasts from the past. Archie? Maggie? Sterling is 100% going to show up at some point, I figure a quick cameo at the end of the halfseason break. It’s a nice touch that this time the gamblers are indebted to Ford, keeps the memory alive while loosening up the playing field. (Also knew the woman at least was in on something with her slightly off line read “not again”) Subtle and effective foreshadow :D

I would like to hear more about that gorilla enclosure.

Hey they showed the red button, and like the gun in the first act... Buuuut, is this another winging it situation, or a flashback setup?

Parker eating Eliot’s cake?!?!? double lols

I am satisfied with my flashback reveal explanation.

And yeah, the pearl. Gun #2.

1.4

“We usually let our clients find us.”

Well, no. Remember way back when, Hardison had set up web crawlers to find clients? Remember one episode ago when they picked up the job based on a TikTok post from a teenager to her friends? And they already knew this was in Harry’s backlog and that he’s seeking redemption. All in all, stupid line.

O. M. G. Parker and ELIOT know Klingon! And Beanna had a lovely comeback! And Eliot did his twitchy thing! They’re becoming a family it’s so cute :D

Okay they didn’t know, but why do I know? Didn’t he talk about it with his old boss and they were listening? Didn’t they do a background search on him? This feels shoddy and unnecessary, just there to have him going rogue without... actually... having gone rogue.

Breanna brilliant. Again harkens back, this time to Parker and whatever that duck thing was. Building her own brother/sister relationship with Eliot, which makes me miss the old Parker/Eliot. I think Parker grew up along the line and their dynamic changed a little, which is natural but makes me really want a good scene between them. Which itself is odd because the Klingon thing just happened and that was adorable, but maybe it didn’t hit how I wanted because it was at heart about something between Eliot/Hardison and Parker/Hardison rather than Eliot/Parker.

I will mention here that despite preferring the Eliot/Parker dynamic in fic, in canon I love Parker/Hardison and hooking up Eliot and Parker romantically would be very wrong. But platonically speaking, I do think they’re my favourite dynamic onscreen.

Re: Harry/Sophie scene... This feel unearned, is this the intended episode order? It must be, given the platform, but I was not aware that he was not in that raw “redemption” phase anymore such that he’d be ashamed enough to hide this? I don’t feel how this was his “Big Regret,” why this case carries the emotional weight. Yes, people died, but he wasn’t there or personally know anyone affected. People died from the opiates.

It’s hard not to compare with the original run, especially because there are so many callbacks, but this feels like a vague shadow of Nate, the first that comes to mind is his emotional conversation with Maggie about not getting the experimental treatment approved. And that was earned and fundamental and an actual admission of deep trauma. Maybe more an analog to Eliot’s reveal about Damien Moreau, since that wasn’t central to the show premise either, but that was POWERFUL. For reasons we all know why. I don’t know what this is. Which makes it feel cheap. Convo with Eliot lends legitimacy, but I don’t feel it, don’t feel that Harry’s depth is the same.

Probably because they haven’t shown us that he actually knew he was on the wrong side all along but was burying it. I don’t know if Eliot’s speech is harkening to that, but even if it is, not organic.

But hell if I don’t adore the reveal that Parker was there. Because a) she knows that about Eliot so she doesn’t even need to comment and Eliot doesn’t care she hears and b) adds some dynamic to the scene and c) speaks to the comfort in their roles during a con, even if they really haven’t done them in a while. Though we know Parker and Eliot do most of the travelling, is that seperate or together?

It’s been increasingly nagging me, but they’re going after Jason, when clearly they should be going after his wife? Or was she not involved then? I’m fuzzy on that? So instead they’re triggering a dude who was being manipulated, and at least atm it appears to be about catching him rather than using him to get to his wife, who is legit our expected kind of evil? I just feel bad for this guy. All kinds of confused with this episode.

The end was satisfying I guess, but also not? But also yes? I’m used to a hammer fall at the end, stamping the bow into the thing, but in this case the ending was initially funky because they didn’t get justice, just money and such. I do like that we get the intended result in a roundabout way but there was no flashback to the workman’s comp thing to show the real ending with a wink and nod.

I just didn’t get this episode, maybe on a second viewing without pausing it’ll go better.

#leverage #redemption 1x3 and 1x4

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fkahersweetness · 4 years ago

Text

so i just got done watching Adam and i guess this is what passes for romance these days

i mean GOD

i was INSTANTLY annoyed at Beth's opening voice over like what SCHLOCK don't you take le petit prince's name in vain

ok ok ok

so first off, Hugh is an adorable twink but like i knew that before i watched this fucking movie lmao i didn't need this to tell me again but ok Adam was p cute, love the sequence of him just existing in the wake of his dad's death and actually the best scenes were Adam by himself or Adam with Harlan lmao "lunch talk"

i can see why people like Adam, he's a woobie but in a way... literally all of Hugh's characters are woobies i mean Will and Cal are like that too to varying degrees, he's a very twitchy actor Hugh is

i must say the whole Beth thing brought this movie way down like do people even know how to write compelling women characters

she was a big ass baby the ENTIRE time, i would argue that Adam was ten times more mature than her

and she had no excuse of not being able to read body language etc

she was whiny, annoying, useless (you can't carry your own damn groceries?! you don't know how to get a laundry card?! you're a woman in NEW YORK CITY DO FOR YOURSELF) and she's a 30 year old woman who calls her biological father DADDY UGH

good god girl get a grip

i did actually laugh out loud once and that was when Adam asked her if she was sexually excited while they looked at raccoons BECAUSE HE WAS

it's canon that Adam's dick gets hard when he sees woodland animals

i'm glad they didn't have them actually get together in the end, what a relief, but at the same time some fucking writer Beth is, she legit STOLE that story from Adam, she has no creative ability and she's a morally bankrupt hack

it kills me that these are the people getting paid six figures to write this shit lmao i'm so salty

anyhoo

so this whole eh Spacedogs thing -- first off who the hell came up with that name and why did everyone just fall in line, it's a terrible name and yes i do know it comes from the shirt and the space obsession still a terrible name

HOWEVER

i can see why people would think these two go well together, it's like having tiramisu after puttanesca

so i will put HEU on the menu when commissions reopen and people can feel free to order Spacedogs stuff if they like

#robyn reviews

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kingofthewilderwest · 4 years ago

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psst, just so you know, the whole "Padmé is conspiring to kill Anakin" was not a subplot cut at the last second. It was one of many concept arts presented to Lucas early on, when he was still deciding the base story. This was never even accepted, let alone worked on, but people love to say it was always gonna be canon and it was "cut" to be mad at GL. The conspiring to create the Rebellion did get cut actually much later! But I dont like how people spread misinformation about this killer!Padmé concept. It's just like how people would design multiple ideas for Dooku's general and GL picked one design that would eventually becone Grievous, the other designs were never even considered beyond that. Same with killer!Padmé. It was always too OOC for him. I do wish the Rebellion one had stayed tho!

bonus: the "cast member" was not a cast member, they DID work on ROTS but as, you guessed it, a concept artist. This is from a BTS book and its from a page about early concepts from the movie, its just supposed to be trivia! :'D

---

So the post you’re referring to, I can see why you’d get twitchy. I have my own areas where I get little twitchy for misinformation in fandom circles. So kudos to you for caring about this. And I totes respect that.

That said, I do not read the implications and tone of the post like you are.

Poster 1: Giving information. Showing, albeit with a tiny amount of frustrated tone but not dragging Lucas AT ALL, what could have been cool Poster 2: Giving information and showing why it could have been cool to explore this Poster 3: Has a little bit of frustration in there, and some misguided words, but I can’t cut them because they’re giving information and showing some cool alternate possibilities Poster 4: Frustrated and misreading. I could’ve cut them out by reblogging from someone else, but you know how lazy we get on this site, so I just reblogged. I don’t share their view and me reblogging it does not mean I’m suggesting I adopt their view. Poster 4 for me is like, a comment to be ignored that’s barely even there

Like you, I am interested in trivia, and I read the majority of this post as trivia-sharing, with people thinking, “Oh! This could have been an interesting alternate idea!” I love knowing the alternate concepts that went into a movie production at all stage and that’s what I’m here for. Even the earliest brainstorming material for me is something I always delve deep into, thinking and discussing with others what “might have been instead” if they’d run with that idea. And I find fandom analysis of what alternate ideas could’ve done for story interesting as well.

The first part of the post is someone talking about the “conspiring to create the Rebellion” being cut much later in production, which is true as you said, and which I’ve seen the footage of even before this gif. The third part, written by another poster, does not say it was material cut last-minute. The fact that the poster showed concept art but said “cast member” to me was a clear misspeak/terminology mix-up. That’s very easy to read between the lines of for what they meant; it’s clear from context and everything else said that it was someone in a different part of production.

This post does not say that "Padmé is conspiring to kill Anakin" was a subplot cut at the last second; it just has a few not-perfect-choices-of-words such as “original scene” and “cast member” but those can be easily sorted through, and I can tell where the person is putting their personal mindset/interpretation into it versus what was actually part of the production process. They are overselling its importance in the creation process (as you said, heavily suggesting it would become canon), and in that it is misinformation and I agree, but I can see through it.

I’m not mad at George Lucas and I’m not gullible enough to be mad at George Lucas. I can tell the difference between concept art, brainstorming, early work, late work, and final cuts. I understand this post and what it does/doesn’t say. ^.^ And while there are people who will misread the post and be frustrated, and while other people have talked in more depth about killer!Padme ideas elsewhere with obvious misinformation and misconceived ideas, I think many people who reblog this post can discern amongst the information, too. And I think that’s a cool enough reason for a post to exist and be shared. If other people can’t read between the lines, that’s on them.

It is just trivia, for me.

I really love the prequel trilogy and I’m fine with how they wrote it. I’m overall fine with how characters were characterized even if I would have liked more in certain areas. It’s my favorite part of Star Wars canon, the Star Wars canon I know the most about and talk the most about with friends. But I also love talking with my friends endlessly about the might-have-beens and what that would’ve done for characters and plot.

So, kudos and all fair’s to you for disliking it, and you getting frustrated at specifically-me-I-guess reblogging it, so I do respect that hoards, and thanks, but while I know you’re going to squirm at this post existing at all and continuing to be shared, I cannot do anything about the 55,000 notes and I enjoy the post so I’m keeping it. ^.^

That said, I don’t like when it comes to how information gets shared for, say, religious posts, of which the misinformation-sprinkled-in-with-the-discussion makes me squirm like none other. So I sympathize.

Have a good one and take care!

#SW #Star Wars #ROTS #Revenge of the Sith #Anakin Skywalker #Padme Amidala #etc etc etc #blabbing Haddock #analysis #non-dragons #inkerii

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visionsofus · 4 years ago

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Okay but the song “only us” from dear Evan Hansen and it’s Wanda and Vision either in the avengers compound or Edinburgh when Vision asks Wanda to stay with him. It is also a very nice song and makes me want to cry (really love your WandaVision mixtape fic ive read it so many times already)

oh gosh you’re destroying my heart with this one. thank you so much for requesting! the song fits them so well. I hope you like where I took this prompt though it might not be what you had in mind. I went canon divergence from CW but still at the compound for some extra comfort.

| read on AO3 here | mixtape playlist | send me an ask with your song/prompt request |

Wanda and Vision’s Mixtape Track #22: Only Us by Laura Dreyfuss, Ben Platt

Synopsis: The Sokovia Accords are renegotiated so that the team are never divided. Following the successful signing of the document a press event is held at the compound. Wanda and Vision take a moment to breath away from the crowds, both have been holding back from each other for months, worried about risking their friendship. A simple miscommunication leads to a brief moment of angst as they realise their months of pining over each other has been mutual.

(ft. months of yearning, sky dancing, Wanda scaring a journalist away from her man, being too worried about each other to realise you’re literally in love--- )

The new Avengers Compound was the ideal location for press events. It gave the team the opportunity to host things on their own terms, in their own space and with their own security team – primarily Friday holding down the Compound’s fortress of a security network, as she so often did. Not to mention the sleek marble floors and tasteful interior décor made for great photo opportunities. Vision understood the logic of hosting the press event following the successful renegotiating of the Sokovia Accords at their home, but it did not make it easier to bare.

He’d just managed to escape the crowded living room after being trapped for half an hour between various news microphones. Vision figured he’d be safe enough by the hors d’oeuvres table which seemed empty enough what with the majority of the team engaged in the living room. He took a moment to relish the silence, turning away and pretending for a moment that it was just a normal evening and that soon enough he could settle down to watch television with his friends and Wanda.

Wanda. Vision grew nervous, perhaps he should have stayed by her side. The press were notorious for asking her the harshest questions to get the scoop they wanted. He hoped that things would be different with the new version of the Accords and the momentary peace it granted between the state and his teammates, but these reporters were sharks and Wanda was far too good at grinning and bearing it. She’d smile at as many cameras and dodge the worst of question if it meant securing a good report of her teammates to the public.

Brows furrowed in concern, Vision turned to make his way back to the living room and check in on her but found himself face to face with a short, eager man. His recorder was held at the ready, but he seemed a little more hesitant than those Vision had past experience with.

“Mr Vision, I’m Jeremy from the New York Gazette, I don’t suppose you’d mind sparing some time for a few questions?” Behind Jeremy a photographer waited, holding her camera up expectantly. Though it was the last thing he wanted to do, Vision knew how important it was to make a good impression, so he forced a smile.

Back in the living room Wanda’s hands had grown twitchy from being clasped in front of her for so long. She worried that if she didn’t then she’d fold them, something that could make her appear guarded and judgemental. No matter how on edge she was about this whole situation, it was only one night, and she had promised to do her best to be as appealing as possible to the strangers crowding their living room.

So far, she had only been approached by two gutsy journalists who took turns asking her questions about her role in the negotiations and her view on the resulting document they had all signed into. Their questions had been remarkably tame, a more pleasant experience than she’d had in the past, that was for sure. But they’d quickly grown tired of her civil answers, and a small voice in Wanda’s brain told her they’d wanted her to cause a scene and give them something they could really write about. No matter, she’d undermine all their expectations.

In search of comfort, Wanda found herself looking around the room for Vision, she had lost sight of him early on when the journalists had been let in to mingle with her housemates. But Vision was nowhere to be found, and so she grew concerned. Suppose he had been cornered by a particularly nosy journalist? Wanda hated being asked questions about her role in Ultron’s uprising in Sokovia, or the sickening accident she had caused in Lagos, but what really had her grinding her teeth was when these sharks turned their hungry eyes on Vision. He was a prime target for an interesting scoop, and he was too often kind enough to entertain their advances, even, when their questions became inappropriate.

Vision had been her safety net these last few months, always there when she needed a quiet moment away from the world that was so insistent on unpacking every part of her and scrutinising whether she was allowed to wield her own powers. Months spent negotiating with official state representatives intent on disproving her right to exist often became overwhelming. It was in those moments that she sought Vision out.

Many a sleepless night had been spent together, watching sitcom reruns in the living room and falling asleep on the couch together. It began as a simple comfort. But after nearly two years of living with Vision, Wanda worried that she was in danger of being very much in love with him. It had been thrilling at first, then scary, and now the uncertainty between them was agony. They always stopped one step before the edge, so Wanda could never work out if her feelings were being reciprocated or if his affection was purely platonic.

Regardless of her complex feelings around him in that moment, she needed to be there for him as he always was for her. A break had appeared in the throng around her, and Wanda made a beeline for it, catching Steve’s gaze as she passed him. He gave her a nod and she smiled back to assure him that she was alright.

Next to the spacious living room was the dining room which had been cleared of dining table and chairs and was instead occupied by a long buffet table occupied with dozens of different canapés. Wanda thought most of it looked wildly unappealing, perhaps she and Vision could get late night takeout once this whole ordeal was over. Her cheeks warmed at the potential and she quickly schooled the giddy smile from her face.

As she had expected, Vision had been cornered by a journalist and to Wanda’s dismay, she recognised him immediately. Jeremy Coin – he’d written a fairly scathing piece on her involvement in Stark Industries, questioning if she, as a ‘weapon of mass-destruction’ could be trusted with the secrets behind the biggest technological conglomerate in the West. Of course, his carefully timed article had coincided with a big charity launch that she had aided in. Wanda had to step aside from the project at the last minute, lest her presence affect the donations. Aside from volunteering with the charity side of the corporation that Pepper had invited her into, Wanda could hardly be said to be in possession of any industry secrets.

It was fair to say that she was not particularly keen on the man.

“Jeremy,” Wanda said, coming to his side and placing a dangerous hand on the man’s arm, a little bit of his own medicine you might say. It did not go unnoticed, and Wanda took pleasure in the fear on his face as he stepped back. “So lovely to see you!”

“Miss Maximoff,” the short man said, trying for a smile as he pushed back his oily hair, “ever a pleasure.”

“Vis,” Wanda said, shifting her weight so she was nearer him. Vision’s eyes darted between the two, reading the sharp changes in body language. “You all ok here?”

His eyes softened at her reassuring smile and he nodded. “Of course, Mr Coin and I were just discussing some of the more pointed areas of the new Accords,” Vision gestured to Jeremy, “he had some very interesting questions on the relevance of human rights to the discussion of sentient AI.”

Wanda’s stomach dropped. Of course, the snake would have something to say regarding Vision’s humanity.

“Oh,” Wanda purred dangerously and turned on Jeremy, who was now visible sweating, “do elaborate.”

“It was nothing really,” Jeremy said raising a hand in defence. “Perhaps, inappropriate given the newness of this agreement.”

“Perhaps,” Vision said with a tight smile and Wanda took pride in the air of sarcasm he used. “We can finish this off with a photo, then?”

“Of course, of course.” Jeremy hurried to wave the photographer closer.

“Wanda, dear?”

Wanda started at the endearment, Vision had only used it when he was teasing her about this or that. Never before had he used it as genuinely as he did now, and certainly never in public. He extended his elbow to him and she took it instinctively.

The camera flashed once or twice, and Wanda did her best to smile without looking like too much of a lovestruck fool.

“Thank you for your time,” Jeremy said, hurrying to backpedal back to the main event still ongoing in the living room.

“You’re welcome,” Vision said tightly.

“I can’t wait to see your next piece,” Wanda said, unable to help herself.

Vision managed to wait until the man had made it around the corner, practically running away from her, before he started laughing.

“You mustn’t scare him like that,” Vision said quietly to her.

“It’s harmless,” Wanda said shrugging, “besides he was asking you rude questions.”

Vision’s laughter died and he grew more solemn.

“Come on,” Wanda said grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the stairs. “We’ve done our parts for the evening.”

Vision tried to be reluctant about shirking his duty as Wanda lead him up to the roof, but he craved the alone time they spent together more than he cared about his responsibilities.

Vision loved the rooftop of the compound and had spent many evenings escaping the commotion within to stare at the stars above. This far from the city the constellations were remarkably visible.

The rooftop was often used as a space to wind down after particularly challenging days and so it was equipped with a sufficient number of fairy lights as well as a picnic table and barbeque set up. When they reached the rooftop Wanda dropped his arm, much to Vision’s dismay, and ran over to the picnic table where Bucky had left a small radio a few evenings prior. She stopped a foot away and pointed at it dramatically and the speaker crackled to life, music bursting forth. She turned it down a bit and then made to throw herself down in the middle of the courtyard of grass on the rooftop. They often lay there, side by side, Wanda pointed out it was the best way to watch the stars without getting a sore neck, but Vision just liked being able to see the wonder on her face.

This time however, Vision reached out and caught her hand.

“A dance, first?” Vision asked holding out his other hand. “As a thank you for coming to my rescue?” Wanda’s cheeks reddened at the invitation, but Vision was too focused on internally reprimanding himself for taking the selfish opportunity to get closer to notice.

Wordlessly, she accepted his hand and pulled herself closer. Vision’s chest constricted slightly as she slipped one hand over his shoulder, the other coming to rest lightly in his left hand.

“I don’t think I have ever danced like this,” Wanda murmured, this close she had to look up to meet his eyes and Vision grinned down at her.

“There’s a first time for everything.” He pulled her a little closer and took note of the challenge in her gaze as she tightened her grip on his hand.

They started slow, moving in time with the ballad playing over the radio. Wanda got the hang of the steps easily and Vision thanked his lucky stars that he had once thought to investigate simple step dances, precisely for an occasion such as this. If anything, he was the one stumbling, forgetting to count his steps owing to Wanda’s intent gaze never leaving his eyes.

When Vision started to float, Wanda joined him. A red mist surrounded the tips of their feet as they spun into the air. Wanda’s laugh was music to his ears as they kept tight grips on each other, and she sent them spinning around and around. The world below and around them fell away and Vision could only see her, the light of her smile and the happiness shining in her eyes. Never was he as happy as he was with her. What he would do to spend the rest of his life with her…

On Wanda’s cue Vision spun her away and she twisted gracefully upon her magic before returning to his embrace. Her back came to a rest at his chest with his arms around her waist as they swayed and slowly drifted to the ground.

Feet now flat on the ground, the gravity of his body returned, along with the gravity of the situation. Wanda turned slowly in his embrace and Vision froze, unable to move as she turned her eyes on him. He couldn’t help but mimic her body language and they both leaned in. He watched her eyes widen as they flitted desperately about his face and Vision stopped.

He turned his head sharply to the side and took several deep breaths. Dropping his hands from Wanda’s waist he hurriedly took a few steps back, worried of what he might do without the distance to separate them. She was his friend, his closest friend and he would not risk making things estranged simply because of the futile feelings captivating his normally rational mind.

“We ought to be getting back downstairs, Tony said they wanted a group photo at the end.” His voice didn’t sound right following the tense silence that stretched between them.

Wanda’s eyes had grown shadowed, and she turned away from him.

“Why must you do that?” Wanda asked and Vision started at the rawness in her voice.

“Why must I do what?” He asked, forcing his vocal cords to act.

“You start things, you get close and then you pull away from me again and again,” she said, and Vision was horrified to see her turn and reveal that her eyes were brimming with tears. “You are so straightforward with everythingelse! If you don’t want me that way, you just have to say it.” A hand came shakily to her mouth and she wrapped her arms around herself, turning away from him.

Vision was dumbstruck and stood like an idiot for a few moments while he tried to process what she had just said. In his silence Wanda kept talking. “It’s fine, clear as day, let’s just forget I said anything.” He watched her surreptitiously wiping at her eyes and rolling her shoulders back. How many times had he seen her do the same thing on the days when it was difficult to face the world? Never before had he thought he might become the source of her hurt.

“Wanda,” Vision reached out to catch her fingers as she tried to walk away from him, “how could you ever think I wouldn’twant you?”

She spun on him and snatched her hand away. “What do you mean?”

“Of course, I want you,” Vision said, his voice hitching in exasperation. “I just worry about my feelings ruining our friendship, I understand you don’t feel the same—”

As he babbled, hoping to mask his abrupt confession, Wanda stalked closer until they were nearly nose to nose.

“Hello,” Vision breathed, going cross-eyed now that she was before him.

Wanda laughed, an exasperated smile on her face in stark contrast with the tears she had almost shed moments ago. “We’re both fools.”

“We are?” Vision asked hesitantly.

She bit her lip and leant closer, her forehead brushing his. Her hands found his and it was as though little sparks danced between them as she trailed her fingertips up his palms. Vision shivered though he did not feel the cold.

“We’re trying to confess the same things here,” Wanda whispered but Vision’s eyes had shut, and he was desperately trying to hold onto his composure as her fingers made their way up his forearm.

“I—we are?”

He felt Wanda nod.

“Please don’t leave me to infer things, I’m clearly not very good at it,” Vision whispered, and he pressed his forehead to hers longingly.

“Then let me say it,” she said, her voice a whisper upon his cheek, “I’ll say it as many times as you need me to.”

He was holding his breath.

“I’m falling in love with you.”

Vision melted.

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited—” but he didn’t have the chance to finish his sentence before Wanda was kissing him and the world was falling away.

It was months of anticipation paying off in one glorious moment and Vision felt sure that he was flying again. His hands came up to cup Wanda’s cheeks as they moved in sync. He finally drew back with a laugh and grinned as Wanda teased another kiss from him.

“All this time I was holding myself back, thinking you could never be interested in me, I worried I wouldn’t ever be good enough for you.” The truth flowed out in a rush now that he’d admitted to the secret he’d kept hidden the past long months.

“Oh Vis,” Wanda murmured, turning forlorn and raising a hand to his cheek. She made to continue but huffed in frustration as she searched for the right words. In the end she instead pressed her forehead to his, the mind stone flickering at the familiarity of her touch. And then a rush of emotion hit Vision as she started to project her feelings to him. It was something else to hear her tell him she was falling for him, but to feel that emotion coursing from her to him. Vision let loose a shuddering breath. Her longing, her worries, her fears. In return, Vision did his best to call forth the longing he felt for her, the burning love that was growing in his heart day in day out and pushed it her way.

Wanda laughed happily at this and drew back, her eyes shining. Vision nodded in understanding and turned his chin into her hand, kissing her palm tenderly.

“Let’s forget the dumb doubts, just forget all those irrational worries and let’s just—” Wanda shook her head happily, “just be us.”

In that moment Vision would have done anything she asked but he settled for a tender kiss. Wanda sighed wistfully into him and he trailed his arms down her back to hug her to him.

Wanda couldn’t recall when she had last felt this happy, but it went beyond your average joy, she was ecstatic. Every worry from earlier in the evening, her months spent agonising over his true feelings for her all fell away. It was impossible to not be lost in him, not when she finally had him where she wanted him. She drew her arms up over his shoulders and hugged him tightly, delighting in how perfectly their bodies matched, his chin coming to rest atop her head. The rest of the world fell away and reassembled itself around her, now reoriented with Vision at its centre.

“It’s just you and me,” Vision whispered in her ear.

“There’s nothing else in the world that I need.”

They stayed content in their own little world, not longing for anything except the shared comfort of each other’s warm embrace.

#wandavision #scarletvision #scarlet vision fanfiction #wanda maximoff #scarlet witch #vision #wanda x vision #visionsofusfics #its all about the yearning #sweet sweet longing #bit nervous about posting this one #but I hope everyone likes it

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goldeneyedgirl · 4 years ago

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JaliceWeek20: Canon Gapfillers

What You Say

JaliceWeek20 Day 3: Canon Gapfillers

Notes: It seemed unsporting for my version of Jess and Alice not to make at least one appearance in Jaliceweek, especially since everyone is so enthusiastic about the WIP! This is kind of a missing scene that comes before Jess’s temper tantrum scene posted here. I’m not big on canon gapfillers, really, so this was the most fun way to write it and even then, I probably took liberties.

Only 2.5 to go! We’re getting close!

Takes place upon Alice’s return from Volterra in New Moon.

Rating: M-ish, I guess? NSFW, but not super graphic.

Word Count: 2,245

—

“I’m sorry.”

They’re the first words she says to Jessamine when she gets back from Volterra.

When they get off the plane, Bella is pale and twitchy, and everyone is fussing around her and Edward. Maybe Jess has already put them all off, pushing interest and focus off of her and onto the human girl. Or maybe they don’t see what Alice does.

The rigidness in her stance, the way she’s holding herself so tightly, so she takes up no more space than she needs to, the blank look on her face… Alice wants to run to her side, to wrap her arms around Jess and reassure her. Draw out every that is causing the pain, tension, the fear.

Except she knows exactly what - who - caused it, and more than that, Jess isn’t in that place. Not in such a public place; she won’t be able to touch her until she’s calmed, when her gift is not stretched to the very breaking point.

So she stands as close as to Jessamine as she dares, and she stares into those golden eyes that she loves so much that are so blank yet sharp, and knows that this is not yet over; Edward might have thought Aro was their reckoning, but Alice knows for her, it is Jessamine’s hurt.

—

The drive home with Carlisle and Esme is… taunt. She answers Carlisle’s questions honestly, and halfway home, Jess takes a quiet breath and that’s good. That’s a step closer to Jess purging all the toxic emotions she’s trapped inside herself, a step closer to talking and explaining and apologising a dozen times over.

The relief Alice feels when she sees the Forks house washes over her, and then she realises what she’s done, and she cannot even look back at Jess; she knows now. Knows how afraid Alice was, knows how close she was to never coming home again.

Esme smiles gently at both of them as they troop up the stairs; light and dark, tall and small, both looking like they’re off to their own executions.

She sees the confrontation in her mind; the words are changing and a little bit muffled because of it, but it happens like this - she sits cross legged on the bed with her head bowed and she apologies. Jess rages at her, properly destroys the rocking chair, two lamps, and her closet door before storming off into her study. Then Jess will come back and hold her so tight that not a single molecule can get between then, when they are just a single entity scented of roses and salt and rain and basil, and they will curl up together on the bed like that, pressed together until the fear and the grief and the guilt slowly ebbs.

That is how it happens until it does.

Her Jess does have such a bad temper. She just can’t remember the last time it was directed at her (yes she can - ’49, Toledo. That was an ugly argument and Alice is still properly ashamed of her part in it.)

So Alice goes to take her place on the bed, on the blue floral duvet that she bullied Jess into picking out that Jess decided Alice would like best even though Alice had given her two choices she already liked equally, because that’s just how they decided things. Except, she never gets to take a seat on the bed, because Jess has changed her mind and the future is scrambled, as Jess grabs her arm and spins her around.

The rage is second to only the fear in Jess��s eyes and Alice wants to cry, wants to weep out her apologies because it was always about protecting Jessamine, never about anything else. Not about trust, not about ability, not about anything more or anything less than the fact that of everything that Alice was prepared to hand to Aro, prepared to cut down and sacrifice, Jess was never on that list.

“I’m sorry,” she manages, in a small voice, unable to tear her gaze from Jess’s.

“Sorry for what?” Jess hisses back, her eyes hard. “Sorry for running away? Sorry for lying? Sorry for deciding some human girl is worth more than yourself? Sorry for giving up the one thing that kept us safe? Should I keep going?”

Alice is shaking now, shaking with the weight of Jess’s disappointment and fear and hurt.

She grasps Alice by her shoulders and half shakes her. “Why did you do it? Why, Alice? Do you love Bella Swan that much? Edward? Are they worth that much to you? Because they sure as hell aren’t worth half as much to me as you are.

“You lied to me, Alice.”

All the fight seems to seep from Jess, and she jerks away, leaving Alice feeling like she’s been stripped bare, and quite ashamed.

“I didn’t want you to worry.” The words sound childish and feeble, not at all convincing.

“Not to worry?” Jess’s foot strikes out, and the rocking chair is kindling in the corner; at least her visions were right about one thing. “Do you know what it was like, the waiting? To know what you were walking in to? To not know if you’d ever walk out? If I’d ever see you again?”

Alice wants to crawl into her arms right now, to hide there and admit that she was terrified, terrified for Edward and Bella, and then terrified for herself and Jess. But she knew that Jessamine wasn’t in that place yet, was still letting out all her pain and fear, her gift still raw from waiting with the rest of the family, absorbing all of their pain on top of her own. The time will come when they wrap their arms around each other and Alice will murmur her fears into Jess’s ear and Jess will do everything she can to soothe them

But that will be later. For now, it is about Jess’s pain, Jess’s rage.

“You swore to me you would never lie to me, and you would never leave me. Remember?” Jess snaps, pacing the room like an agitated lioness. “Remember promising me that, Alice?”

“I do, of course,” Alice said softly.

“So why? Why did you do it?” Jess is suddenly towering over her. “Make me understand, Alice.”

“Because they’re family. Because I couldn’t stand back and let Edward die for such a stupid, senseless reason when Bella was always going to be one of us - the visions never changed. But then I thought Bella… I swear, I didn’t think I’d make it, I thought I’d just be there to help Charlie through it,” Alice whispered.

She swallowed hard. Jess was silent, watching her carefully, a judge, jury, and executioner all in one - and Alice will accept her judgement willingly.

“There was no way you could have been there. If Edward had seen any one of us, he would have revealed himself faster, and Aro would have punished all of all. If you had been there, Jess, there was no future that showed us walking away. The only chance for survival was if it was just me and Bella - even Carlisle would have died, Jess.”

“There were a million alternatives, Alice - I could have stayed in the goddamn car,” Jess said in that dangerous, low voice.

“You think there was ever a chance of you sitting in a car waiting whilst I faced the Volturi? Jess, that was never even a possibility. You couldn’t be there.” Alice was pleading now, and reached out to grab Jess’s hand.

Within a second, Jess has her pressed against the wall with her legs looped around her waist, Jess’s hand cradling the back of her head.

“Never again,” Jess says sternly.

“Never again, I promise,” Alice said breathlessly.

“Promises aren’t exactly your strongest argument right now, Miss Cullen,” Jess bites back, and then they are kissing, roughly - Jess’s kiss is harsh and unforgiving, and Alice melts into her arms, letting her love take what she needs to heal the hurt.

She lets Jess push her down onto the bed, her mouth hard and demanding as her hands dive under Alice’s clothing. For an empath, Jess has always been so physical, and it’s never been a bad thing, since she knows exactly what she’s doing. Her mouth is hot as it makes its way down Alice’s neck and when Alice gets her wits about her and reaches for Jess’s shirt, her hands are quickly pinned on either side of her head, Jess breathing, “don’t you dare move,” in her ear as her shirt and bra are torn away, Jess’s knee is between both of Alice’s legs and if this is her penance, Alice is going to go down willingly. She’s already got matching bite marks on the inside of both her thighs, overlapping from dozens of similar encounters over the years.

Jess has her stripped, except for her panties, and is staring at her with a dark but satisfied look, as her gift ripples through Alice, who arches slightly on the bed, grinding against Jess’s knee. She catches a glimpse of them in the mirror overhanging the dresser, a nearly obscene tableau of Jess hovering over her fully clothed, and her splayed across the bed in only her undergarments, grinding against Jess’s denim-clad leg.

Jess leans forward, cradling her head so gently, pulling her gift back enough for Alice to remember coherent thought, but instead of kissing her, Jess’s lips graze her ear as she whispers, firm and cold, “mine.”

And Alice is willing to agree to anything because that’s the moment that Jess strikes, her hand sliding into Alice’s panties and everyone is going to hear everything tonight, because she doesn’t even need to ask to know that Jessamine feels the same - like an exposed nerve, a cornered animal. The threat has passed, but it is also coming for them, in some kind of hazy future, and if incredibly loud sex is how they’re going to deal with that new knowledge, well, there are worse coping methods.

—

Jess lets them both leave the room when they are summoned to Bella’s meeting.

“Calling family meetings now,” she mutters, and Alice elbows her. Jessamine’s grudge holding is legendary - nothing Bella does between now and graduation will be immune to her judgement. Right now, though, with her legs feeling a little shaky and her own plans for her mate for the next day or two forming in her mind, Alice thinks the trait is cute.

Emmett starts to applaud when they both walk in, and for once Jess just rolls her eyes and high-fives him, whilst Alice primly takes a seat. Bella’s looking at the spot just beyond Alice’s left ear, her eyes quite red, so she must have been here for at least an hour, when Jess just wanted to see how loud Alice could get… Edward just looks like he’s living his worse possible day, and - already having seen why Bella has called the meeting - Alice thought it might definitely be in the top ten.

Jess sits beside her, resting her foot on the back of Alice’s chair, and Alice tries not to smirk when she feels the strands of love and lust and mischief twist their ways around her.

The vote for Bella joining the family goes just as she sees it, even ending with Edward shattering the television into three large pieces. As Bella departs and the rest of the family raise to disappear into the depths of the house, Alice leans over and rests her head against Jess’s arm.

“You know I’m going to kill Edward for putting you in danger,” Jess says conversationally.

“You have the right to be angry,” Alice agreed, nuzzling against her arm like a feline. “But you know murder would upset Esme, and wouldn’t really solve anything.”

Jess scowls, and in one motion, Alice has been lifted and settled into Jess’s lap. “A maiming then.”

Alice giggles, though she know that Jess has never made a hollow threat in her life. Her temper is legendary, and apparently Edward will be facing a reckoning with Jess as well.

“I love you,” Alice said, looking up at her love. “Never, ever doubt that every single thing I do, I do it for you. For us. Because I love you and I want to protect you, and there’s nothing that I can think of that I wouldn’t do to keep you safe and happy, Jessie.”

Jessamine closes her eyes and rests her chin on Alice’s head. “I don’t need protecting when it puts you in danger; that will never be okay with me,” Jess replies.

“And I will never be okay with you risk yourself to protect me, so I am afraid we are at an impasse,” Alice retorts cheerily, reminding them both of Maria’s visit to Calgary in ’76.

Jess rolls her eyes, but nods infinitesimally so she doesn’t have to move her head. She sighs, such a heavy sound and Alice aches to make this better, to erase the hurt completely. But she knows that will take time, and she’s never been known for her patience.

“I love you,” Alice says meekly, settling against Jess’s chest.

“I never doubted that,” Jess says mildly, and the future flutters and reforms, and Alice smiles, happy to sit quietly with Jess for awhile. Everything will be okay but, most importantly, Jess will be okay, and that’s all Alice ever wanted.

#jaliceweek20 #alice cullen #jessamine hale #jasper hale #jalice #my fic: what you say #twilight #twilight fic

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