#holeybubushka

[holeybubushka]

Chapters: 1/4 Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Francesca Bridgerton/Michaela Stirling, Benedict Bridgerton/Sophie Baek, Eloise Bridgerton & Francesca Bridgerton, Eloise Bridgerton & Michaela Stirling, Benedict Bridgerton & Eloise Bridgerton, Sophie Baek & Michaela Stirling Characters: Francesca Bridgerton, Michaela Stirling, Eloise Bridgerton, Janet Stirling, Benedict Bridgerton, Sophie Baek Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, canon-verse, John is dead, Mutual Pining, repressed homosexuality, Michaela is trying her best folks, Sophie Baek is more observant than you, Eloise Bridgerton is less observant than you, Benedict Bridgerton is an excellent big brother, POV Alternating Summary:

Almost three years after the death of her husband, Francesca is officially out of her mourning period and ready for the next phase of her life.

However, despite the urging of her mother, she is in no hurry to return to Mayfair. Instead, she wishes to remain in Scotland with her dear friend Michaela, the newly minted Countess of Kilmartin, and run the estate together, as John would have wished.

But she cannot fathom why, on occasions, she is drawn to Michaela for reasons she cannot quite name. Why sometimes there is a strange intensity between them, a tension that she doesn’t share with anyone else.

or; Falling in love with your best friend, even if you don't quite know it yet.

[darklinaforever]

@holeybubushka

You :

Me :

Bonus : Or they could just do a spin-off about an invented main LGBTQ+ couple navigating the Bridgerton universe.

As you can read, it has nothing to do with what you said. Besides, why would I want to prevent Sapphic couples from being represented ?! I ship tons, and I'm a bisexual woman.

You :

The heart of Fran John and Michael's story has been changed, that's a fact. That there hasn't been an entire season to prove it or change anything, the last few minutes have been pretty self-explanatory. Once again :

Literally, John is supposed to be the true love as much as Michael. However, in the show, the true love only seems to be Michaela because of the correspondence with Violet's speech. It's pretty obvious. And Fran isn't supposed to feel anything for Michaela as long as John is alive. All that has already been changed.

You :

Again : I never said the Fran season would be worse than the book. I said that it would be mostly different since the core has already been modified and since I hoped that at least that would be respected, yes, I am disappointed. But I never said the show would be worse than the book and even less not deep. I even said that I thought it would probably be well written and that the actors would probably be very good and that we would have to wait and see in many posts.

It kills me how many people think that the gender of a fictional character doesn't matter.

We are in fiction, where the characters have arcs, or they embody themes. Obviously for some characters gender matters.

Michael is literally named the new heir and freaks out about becoming a new John /basically taking everything he had.

Michaela can't really have this arc... Unless we strangely learn that the laws in Scotland are extremely different from England located in the Bridgerton universe (and I speak for the universe of the series, where we have no idea if they will stick to reality where women in Scotland could inherit), and I doubt it for the moment.

So no, Michaela couldn't necessarily have the same arc as Michael.

I'm not even sure she could be a Merry Rake. Can a woman be called Rake in show Bridgerton universe ?

The fact is that Michaela will necessarily differ at certain times from Michael.

Already there are always drastic differences between the show and the book, this time I think it will be even more emphasized. (I even doubt that we will have as many nods to the book as season 3 dedicated to Polin's story did)

In any case, the very basis of Francesca's story is that despite the loss of true love you can always have a second chance, which is a clear originality compared to the other romances in this series of books ; well, is already changed with the way the end of season 3 happened.

It seems that the marriage to John was a mistake, that the physical aspect of their relationship will not prove pleasant in view of the Fran's reaction to their kiss, and worse, that Fran doesn't feel true love for John.

True love in Bridgerton often results in great passion and similarities to the story of Edmund and Violet, and Francesca literally matches Violet's reaction when she first met Edmund, but this time when she meets Michaela.

Whereas Fran is never supposed to have this kind of reaction around Michael / Michaela as long as John is alive. Because she normaly truly loves him.

So how could the story be the same after such a change to the very heart of the story ?

It's not just the gender change from Michael to Michaela that makes the adaptation of When he was Wicked complicated and uncertain for some viewers, including me too, it is above all a whole.

But for some obscure reason people refuse to accept it.

Beyond that, I repeat, Michael Stirling is a fictional male character who has been around for years.

That people are disappointed, including me, not to see this character, as he is basically on paper, be adapted to the screen is not necessarily homophobic, assumed or internalized.

Yes, some are, but not everyone. Some of us are part of the LGBTQ+ community and no, we do not all suffer from internalized homophobia so as not to 100% validate such a change !

We're talking about an attachment to an image that we have formed in our mind about a FICTITIOUS character for fucking years !

Besides, I didn't even say that I was fundamentally against it, because I have already explained several times that a part of me was happy to see a main romance between two women on screen in the television universe for Bridgerton (and the actresses are magnificent and on top of that, I'm sure, will have very good chemistry). Once again, representation is always cool, but, is this really the right place to do it ? I'm not so sure.

And contrary to what some say, I'm not saying that LGBTQ+ relationships should systematically be secondary in fiction. No way. I'm simply saying that transforming one of the main canon ships of the books without which the Netflix adaptation would not exist is perhaps not the right thing to do, since there is already a community attached behind these characters...

And seriously, if the creators really wanted a main LGBTQ+ romance dealing with the Bridgerton universe, they could easily make a spin off dealing specifically with this part of society and how they live.

I'm sure many, including me, will watch such a spin-off ! And damn I would love for something like that to happen !

You see, the opportunity to have an LGBTQ+ romance at the forefront without changing the kind of characters mostly beloved by an audience that already exists. Not very complicated though.

Do you realize how inappropriate it is to insult someone homophobic for that things ?! I don't know what kind of fucking bubble these people live in...

And it's scary to say that you can be insulted by a community of which you are a part, simply for not conforming to everything that is judged 100% morally correct for them.

If you have the misfortune of delay, sometimes there are those who unleash themselves on you to insult you for things that you don't have, simply for a fictional character...

"You don't 100% validate that a fictional male character who has existed for years and whom you have loved for years, with a fairly precise image in mind as a result, becomes a woman in his adaptation ? Well obviously, it's is that you are, at worst, a homophobe, or at least worse an internalized homophobe, and in any case that is not tolerable and you are not a true ally and you are problematic who deserves to be hated."

I don't know if you realize how STUNNING this is ! There really are people on this app who need to get fucking treatment...

And anyway why am I racking my brains ?

There will always be stupid people to come and tell me that what I say is always homophobic because if I have a problem with the change of gender of a fictional character through an adaptation well I'm the real problem.

As they say, you can't change idiots.

So stay stupid if you want, but at least leave me alone.

[bisexualdagger]

That Talder fic you wrote - phew! Not only is it hot, but you have left it so open ended - how are Talder going to react in real life after their sordid interludes? Alder has obligations and is a master self denial, whereas Tally has no chill and ardently follows her heart. It is a tinderbox and I just wanna say I think you are very talented.

you are asking the rightest of questions!! that's what makes their dynamic so fluid and interesting, both in the show and for me as a writer to explore — the fact that they're literally each other's opposites (the head and the heart, if you will) but they complete each other; it's only circumstances that keep them apart, and oh how much fun it's going to be shaping those to fit the way i want them to.

and i won't lie, i'm really looking forward to seeing where the story takes me, as i'm currently in the process of both writing chapter 3 and figuring out the rest of the plot for it, but messages and comments like yours make me literally itch to grab my laptop asap, so thank you so much for this!

really happy that you liked the story, and thank you for the lovely message and the compliment (and definitely right back at you! eagerly awaiting the next update of The Bridesmaid (but absolutely no pressure)) 🥰

[tsthrace]

Do you have any headcanons about MFS season two? Especially about my girl Scylla?

So what I see throughout this story so far are characters letting the individual traumas of their past get in the way of them seeing the world for what it actually is, in all of its beauty and terror. Raelle is blinded by the (supposed) death of her mother. Scylla is blinded by the murder of her parents. Tally has been in open revolt against her mother’s trauma, and this leads her to idealizing the military. Abigail is blinded by the slow-cook pressure cooker she’s been raised in. Anacostia, Alder—they’re all blinded in some way by their past.

Their blindness causes each of them to commit themselves in a small-minded way to potentially dangerous ideology. 

By the end of season one, though, they’re all waking up to their blindness (except for maybe Alder). Raelle finds purpose beyond dying. Tally has gotten very disillusioned. Abigail discovers loyalty to her unit is more important than the ambition pounded into her since birth. Anacostia is questioning Alder.

But Scylla, she doesn’t wake up until the final scene of the season. Raelle has definitely made some cracks in her Spree ideology, but they’re not not enough for her to defect—she runs straight back to Willa.

And listen, I’m glad she did. It’s true to who she is and where she in her internal struggle—not to mention the fact that the Spree have some valid points.

All that said, I’d really love to see Scylla embody that tension not only individually but broadly: the tension of recognizing that the military and the Spree are pretty damn similar—both use witches to propel their radical agenda, no matter who they hurt; that Willa and Alder are two sides of the same coin—both wielding too much power with too much unresolved trauma. I think the military will be vying for Scylla through Anacostia, while Willa and the Spree will still be pulling on all her anger and devastation. 

I get the sense that Willa is SUPER manipulative, potentially even emotionally abusive. I know Raelle adores her, but it also sounds like she wasn’t around much when Raelle was growing up. I don’t trust her. At all. I hope the show proves me wrong.

I think Scylla’s going to be pretty lost for the first part of season two while Raelle finds herself, finds her power, finds her purpose.

I see them meeting again, perhaps on different sides of a table or battlefield. They’ll fight, maybe not literally but there will be a struggle. But they’ll eventually come back together. Because they, too, are two sides of the same coin.

And maybe eventually (very eventually, I hope, for the sake of the story and pacing) Raelle will prove to be the still point of Scylla’s turning world, the place where all that tension eases, and Scylla finally lets herself experiences the peace of her own truth, the truth of what she needs—not what anyone else needs from her. I think Scylla will also discover her power and purpose.

And when both Scylla and Raelle have found their power and purpose, and when they join forces—well, both the Spree and the military should watch out.

[crazyintheeast]

One thing I've noticed is how articulate Scylla is. She's very eloquent when she wants to be and her room at Fort Salem is full of books so I headcanon she is someone who has a thirst for knowledge and loves a good novel. Books were also probably a vital source of comfort for a kid who was always on the run. So I think her ideal life is: being free to live in a cottage on the beach with a kickass library and Raelle by her side.

I agree! The world of Fort Salem seems to be several decades behind us when it comes to technological level so I strongly suspect that things like the internet, computer games and so on aren’t widely available and for a kid on the run like Scylla books would have been a safe haven. I imagine that in every new town she went to the library was her favorite place. A familiar quiet place where she could find some peace and safety. And yes! I love this. I can already imagine Raelle surprising Scylla by building her a whole room just for all her books!

[sammyloomis]

ive been thinkin about ‘sundown girls’ again,,, thinkin abt feral ashley,,,,,

a doodle of my girl again, go read sundown girls if u enjoy the until dawn gals being lesbian vampires 

[tallycraven]

You're writing smut again? That is amazing. Your writing inspires me a lot, so I am so grateful you're getting back into it again

ahhhh thank you!! god idk what i did to deserve your support i’m so 🥺

n’ yeah, i have two fics in the works and the first one will hopefully be out either later this week or early next week! 

[whatsinthemines]

I legit did not know you liked Jossam? No judgement just I am amazed I missed that fact for like three years, hahha

AKAKS tbh its been a fairly recent development ;w; feels like the longer i stick around the less reservations i have abt ships :’]

but they Do be p cute, and i like their snarky flirting bullshit plus the whole trope of “best friends brother” is rly Great :V

[luxarcher]

A glimpse from the Until Dawn fic - Captive by FixOrRideDaily Commissioned by @holeybubushka!~

- Do not repost, use or edit without the commissioner’s permission. - Do not erase the signature/watermarks.

[ Commission Info ]

[sammygiddings]

Sammy I can't wait to go home and read your story I love your Until Dawn stories amazing amazing amazing

Please holey, we all know who the real MIP is. (answer you!). If not for lovely people like you who send constant love and praise and positivity then none of us creators would be here. Not only are you doing that difficult job, you’re also and amazing creator yourself! Can’t wait to read yours (and my SS gift as I’ve had zero free time today)

[johnnyutah]

Random question of the day : what do you think of Matt/Emily?

i don’t ship it at all and don’t really understand why people do. chrashley isn’t my cup of tea at all but i could understand why people might enjoy the “thrown together in a bad situation”/“confesses love at the worst possible time” romance. matt and emily never captured my interest during the game; it’s so clear from their first interaction how little emily cares for him versus how much he cares to her, to the point where he kisses her ass over every matter. he only survives if you stick up to emily at some points, thus giving matt the flare gun so he can use it on handigo... but the only way to ensure a good relationship between them is for matt to never call her out on her behaviour.

anyway aside from the game and just looking at them as characters, i don’t understand why people like the ship. matt deserves better than to be with someone who looks down on him, belittles his intelligence, and cheats on him. emily deserves to be in a relationship she actually wants to be in (cough jess cough cough) with someone who can love and trust her. they aren’t a good match for each other and it’s strange to me that people fixate on them instead of mike/emily (problematic but arguably more compelling than emmatt or mike/jess) or matt/jess (the best straight ship).

i also think this trope applies to emmatt... until dawn is my favourite game but a lot of things about it fucking suck (how straight it is, how bad josh’s endings are) and i definitely think having the only two people of colour (excepting josh tbh) date is a little dicey but i can’t really speak on that

[thekorcariwilds]

I think Beth and Emily are the gayest gays that ever gayed and I wish more stories exaimined their friendship (or rivalry since they are similar and probably admire but annoy each other in equal measure ) sorry this isn't really an ask more of an observation 😉

agreed!! i love thinking about what their dynamic would’ve been like

[bandydear]

Can I just give you belated love for your Let's over analyse Beth Washington post? It actually underpins my ENTIRE reading of her as a character (and as someone who writes fanfic with a lot of Beth in it, I spend a lot of time thinking about her so thank you again). It's so spot on and it hurts and you have such a perceptive sense of the game so THANK YOU. Do you have any other let's analyse UD stuff? I'd totes read anything you write #shamelessfan

Oh wowsers, thank you so much. I’m so sorry this took so long to respond to.

I don’t have a lot of written UD analysis, but I can give you some of what I can remember off the top of my head. It may overlap with my ‘Let’s Over analyze Beth’ stuff.

Emily is a really interesting character to me. I always love the bitchy girls because there’s a complexity to mean girl shit. So, we gotta find out what Em is insecure about.

It’s not her grades, or it could be, but she confidently brings up her 4.0 GPA. 

I think it has more to do with her in-group dynamics. I headcanon that Emily was the last addition to the female friend group and still doesn’t feel like a member. (The core crew being: Josh, Beth and Hannah, Sam, Chris, and Jess. Ashley, Emily, Mike, and Matt all became friends with them later on. Like in middle school or high school.)

Oh, and she doesn’t really like boys. She uses boys for her image. Emily doesn’t show strong feelings for either Mike or Matt… at least not positive ones. The only good relationship she has in-game is with Sam. Though, in certain encounters she and Ash get along well enough, the scenarios where Emily doesn’t get bit for example.

So, I think Emily doesn’t feel secure because she’s respected, but doesn’t have a lot of friends, and she’s in the closet. 

And she has a crush on Sam, but looks up to Beth so she is Lady Conflicted Feelings.

Group dynamics:

I mentioned that I think the girls largely met through girl scouts. At least that’s where Sam and the twins met Jess. Ashley got introduced to the group through Chris, and Matt through Ash. 

Mike’s the dude everyone’s been in the same grade with since forever, but only became friends with them when he started dating Emily. He’s divisive in that 2/3 Washingtons HATE Mike and, the other is Hannah. Chris and Sam tolerate him, but the only ones who actually like Mike are Emily, Hannah, and Jess.

Everyone aggressively loves Halloween except Emily and Ashley, because Em hates fun and Ash is a scaredy cat.

Seriously, October comes around and the group is like

Sam was the tallest when they were kids and now she is the smallest and is #salty

Ashley, Chris, and Emily are the Pokemon nerds. Everyone else likes Pokemon just fine, they’re just the three who disappear behind DS’s every time a new game comes out.

Washingtons:

Josh wants to be a film director, but Beth and Hannah get involved too. They appear as creepy twins in his Shining-inspired student film.

Hannah wanted to be an actress. She had scream queen aspirations rather than true dramatic roles.

Beth was more into effects and make up. She and Josh would rig up a lot of stuff together for his films.

Beth even sculpted a demonic version of her face to use for a horror film in which Hannah gets possessed by a demon. They never ended up filming it, but Josh used the sculpture for the ghost that spooks Ashley in the Basement.

Hannah was the Horse Girl in their grade.

Beth had a goth phase.

Josh has really curly hair that he only recently tamed by cutting. Dude gets a depression ‘fro.

[tsthrace]

Listen, there’s a lot to like about this fic, especially if you’re into Scylla’s backstory and unfolding the Spree. It’s well-written: light and effortless, quietly dropping details exactly where you need them.

But there’s something @holeybubushka does with Scylla���s coming out to herself that seems so YES to me, a queer woman—one simple, short line that resonated so profoundly with my own coming out:

“I don’t see what the fuss is about.” Scylla says when she talks about hooking up with a guy.

I think for me, someone lucky enough to have had a quieter (but still difficult and painful) coming out, my sexual experiences with the opposite sex felt exactly this. I just felt so seen in that line. And when Scylla's intimate interactions with Raelle were so easy and deep and lush and powerful, it all just made sense. 

It made me remember my first kiss with a woman. It was like when Dorothy stepped into Oz and the movie went full-color. 

[crazyintheeast]

I know this total speculation, but do you think Willa has a strong opinion on Raylla?

I think she hates it passionately. Not just because she send someone to choke out Scyll and mess with her head as soon as she found out but I feel like she is all about control just like Alder. And love is not something you can control especially when it comes to her daughter who is the most impulsive person on the planet

[tallycraven]

I am here for the slow burn reunion, I feel it in my bones. But first: God I hope Scylla is MAD at Willa for hurting Raelle like that. I am hoping for fury from the murder bean

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SCYLLA YELLING AT WILLA AND WILLA GIVING SCYLLA MURDER EYES BUT NEITHER CAN HURT EACH OTHER BECAUSE RAELLE WOULD LOSE HER SHIT AT EITHER ONE OF THEM