#honestly i could see him having more of a drinking problem in the bad futures too since those were kinda implied to be bad for everyone in
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tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang · 7 months ago
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do you think rindou is an alcoholic or had issues in the past with alcoholism? since it's brought up he likes to drink? Or do you think he has good self control and could just stop whenever he wanted?
Well it's a bit of a difficult one since we don't actually get to see any of this for ourselves. Instead it's the character book and Yamagishi's word that tells us not only that Rindou likes to drink but that he apparently drinks a lot and gets drunk with random people. We know at least in the character book that he was sober enough to hear Ran and knew he had to go hide in the bathroom so he probably wasn't that drunk during that incident. As for Yamagishi's word, I feel like Rindou either doesn't do that daily/ often or he wasn't drinking that much. Rindou definitely likes drinking and he probably would overindulge in alcohol sometimes but I don't think it's something he would do all the time. Plus it's likely something he grew out of or did less of as he got older.
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cipheress-to-k-pop · 10 months ago
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yin & yang pt. 4
Pairing: Ben Tennyson x Fem!Reader
Warnings: None
Word Count: 3.7k words
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Summary: You were an unlikely pair, everyone could see that. But what happens when you get a glimpse into a future where your differences were too much for you to bear?
A/N: Once again just a silly little self-indulgent fic. Hope you enjoy!
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Ben groaned in boredom, laying his face against the dirty tables outside Mr. Smoothie. Not even the smoothie, cheekily titled banana-fantana, was able to cheer him up like Gwen had been hoping.
"What's up with you?" Kevin asked, drinking his soda that he got from a nearby vending machine, after he had refused a smoothie four times.
"I miss (Y/N)." He mumbled, pouting.
They shared a glance over his head. Gwen ushered for Kevin to speak but he shook his head adamantly, mouthing that he wanted no part in this and crossing his arms.
Gwen glared at him.
"Speaking of (Y/N)—" Kevin began, all too quickly.
Ben finally raised his head from the table to look at Kevin and his friend bit his tongue, turning back to Gwen with wide eyes and beckoning her to speak.
"Uh, it's not that we don't like (Y/N)—we do! She's a great addition to the team and a good friend even—and um, Kevin?"
The man in question gave her a wicked glare before Ben turned to him and the murderous expression on his face was wiped away, "Gwen's just concerned that you might be—how did she put it—'acting like a lovesick fool'."
The look he got from Gwen was in stark contrast to the pig-headed grin he was bearing.
"What are you talking about?"
Gwen finally sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder, "We all know that you have this crush on (Y/N) but—and I mean this in the nicest way possible—but don't you think it's time that you start, you know, trying to get over her?"
He raised a brow, "Why on earth would I do that?"
"It's nice that you like her so much, but you know what (Y/N)'s like; she's driven and focused and her career as a Proctor is the most important thing to her—not that that's a bad thing! It's just—well—someone like that doesn't really seem like the type to date or be into relationships, you know?"
"That's not all what she's about. I know it doesn't seem like it but she's actually really sensitive and sweet."
They shared another glance, unconvinced.
"Guys, I'm serious! We have something between us!" He defended, unconsciously clenching his fist, and crushing the half-full smoothie cup in his hand.
Gwen let out an irate sigh.
Growing up, she had only heard of how smart she was from everyone surrounding her—her parents, her grandfather, even Ben—and yet whenever she tried to explain something to people, they tended not to listen.
If only Ben would listen to her now, he'd be able to avoid so much pain in the future. Whenever she tried to gently nudge him, he'd never listen so this time she took a more direct approach and yet, he still wasn't listening.
"Ben, please. I can tell that you're actually falling for her but honestly, where do you even see this going? Do you actually believe that you're going to get married and have kids or something like that?"
"Gwen, I'm just sixteen, it's way too soon to be worrying about something like that!"
"So, you're just going to date her until it becomes a problem?"
Ben rolled his eyes, standing from the table, "How about you mind your own business and keep your nose out of my relationship. I don't have to sit here and convince you of anything."
Kevin watched him walk away before letting out a low whistle, ignoring his girlfriend's glare, "I told you that was a bad idea."
***
Ben kept a single hand on the wheel as he drove the two of you over the museum, where you were supposed to meet Gwen and Kevin for a mission. You had long stopped reprimanding him for not driving with both hands since he began throwing tantrums and claiming he couldn't focus if your fingers weren't intertwined with his free one.
The roads were empty at this time of night anyway.
"Hey, did Gwen talk to you about anything? Me, specifically?" Ben brought up and you immediately picked up on the slight squeeze of his hand in yours but didn't comment on it.
"Not lately, no. Is something wrong?"
Ben let out a relieved sigh, "Nope, nothing at all."
You raised a brow at this, staring at him with suspicious eyes. He eventually caught on to your prying gaze and immediately attempted to change the topic, pretending like you didn't notice his futile attempts to do so.
"That's a pretty necklace, where'd you get it?"
You rolled your eyes, watching as a cheeky grin grew on his face at your response. He was not hiding his giddiness very well, but how could he? You, his beautiful girlfriend, whom his cousin said was a monotonous emotionless dead-end (she didn't actually say this, but Ben was offended all the same), was wearing the necklace that he had gifted her.
It was fairly simple, a thin chain with a small pendant with a gemstone. He knew you wouldn't wear something that was flashy or too gaudy, so he settled for something he knew you'd like.
And the sight of you wearing the necklace even though you usually insisted that any accessories that weren't a part of the uniform could sometimes hinder the mission was completely worth the hours of time spent staring at different necklaces that all looked the same and troubling his mother for advice until she hurled a wet sponge at his head.
***
When he was responding to the distress signal on his Omnitrix at the museum, Ben wasn't expecting to get attacked by a bunch of ninja that seemed to appear out of nowhere before disappearing into thin air.
You stared at the green tablet in the crate as you wondered just where you had seen the artifact before.
"It's the Hands of Armageddon." You explained, going through your database quickly to pull up all the information the plumbers had on it, "It's an artifact that was secured by the plumbers more than 2 centuries ago. It's said to be a crosstime gateway created by the Chronians, but we have yet to prove that. It's virtually indestructible though. The Plumbers have had multiple attempts and they all resulted in mass disasters."
You turned to Gwen, "The vision you saw was probably an alternate dimension—"
"Right as always, young (Y/N)."
Before the flash of light behind you could even disappear, you were pointing a gun at it, only lowering it when you saw Paradox emerge through the blinding light, accompanied by someone you'd never met before and yet, still recognized.
"Who's your friend?"
Ben stared at him with apprehension before realization struck him, "Are you?"
The man responded with a startlingly deep voice, "That's right, Ben, I'm you—only even more awesome."
You were hardly surprised, the man before you was a splitting image of your boyfriend and you averted your gaze to hide the oncoming heat to your cheeks at the sight of his beard and his stronger build. He certainly grew up nicely.
Ben 10k and Professor Paradox didn't waste any time and began to explain just what problems the group of you had somehow managed to get stuck in once again. As the four of you heard their explanations, you heard a slight sound coming from the back of the museum.
"Shh."
Ben 10k raised a brow at you, opening his mouth to say something when you shushed him again, with a fierce glare this time. It was only a second more before you were swerving around to point your gun at another intruder, a woman this time, who was pointing her own gun at you.
Your mouth dropped open in shock, faced with an older version of yourself.
She looked like you, that much was obvious, but she was also different, much more womanly than you were, with more rounded curves and a more matured face.
Recognizing her younger self, the you from the future lowered her own gun and placed it back into her holster, taking a look around the room and registering just how many faces were there.
"What the hell is she doing here?!"
She raised a brow at him, lips pursed in annoyance, "Excuse me?"
Paradox sighed, "I apologize for this, Ben, but this involves her future as well."
He gritted his teeth in fury, rolling his eyes, "That's just great."
You spared a glance at your boyfriend, whose face had fallen so far it looked like he had just had his heart broken.
Gwen sighed, whispering something that had only been audible, to him and you watched as his face fell deeper, "I tried to warn you, Ben."
***
Professor Paradox was one of the most infuriating people in the entire universe. You had gathered as much since the first time you had the displeasure of meeting him, but he seemed intent on reminding you exactly why you disliked him.
He spoke in riddles, appeared and disappeared as he pleased, never made any sense but expected everyone to listen to him with no explanation whatsoever.
And so, it didn't help your opinion of him when the cargo hull of the jet began rumbling, signalling intruders, that he was all too quick to disappear without bothering to help fight them.
You cursed out his mother in your head as he vanished within a flash of light, pocket-watch in hand and a quippy remark on his lips.
The ninjas began appearing out of nowhere and despite there being the five of you, you were confined to a small space, and they multiplied like pests until the whole hull was full of them. It obviously didn't help that Ben 10k chose then to transform into humungousaur, taking up the remaining of what little space you had.
You didn't even have enough time to come up with a good strategy before you were being attacked with multiple opponents at the same time. It didn't take much to disarm one of them, now using their own swords to attack them.
There were too many and they just kept appearing. Your eyes bounced around the room, trying to figure out how to get the upper hand in such a cramped space.
Your older self, having the same idea, sprinted across the room, disarming as many soldiers around her as she could. Although, there was something odd about the way she moved.
She was at the same strength level as you were. After 20 years, shouldn't she be more adept than you were? Ben was capable of using his arsenal of powers without even transforming into any aliens, but she didn't display any remarkable feat of strength.
It was almost as though she wasn't able to. An injury perhaps? Maybe she was still recovering? You bit your lip, slashing the sword through another ninja. If you could find out what caused it, maybe you could prevent it from happening to you.
"Stay out of this, (Y/N)!" Ben 10k snarled, voice booming through the room and causing slight vibrations in the metal due to his size.
You paused for a second, sharing a glance with your boyfriend, who seemed equally surprised. Your future self, unbothered, continued to stampede through the other opponents until she reached the switch to the hangar and flipped it open.
Immediately the hangar opened, and you braced yourself, holding onto Ben's car that had been strapped down. Ben had the same idea, holding onto the handles and pressing his front against your back, making sure you were both anchored down.
The ninjas flew out of the jet, the vacuum of wind deeming too much for them and you watched them disappear, one by one, as they capsized through the air before the hangar door finally closed again.
"What the hell were you thinking?! That was so incredibly reckless—"
"Stop talking to her like that!" Your Ben interrupted his future self, wedging himself in between your future counterparts and glaring at him, "You're acting like an ass instead of apologizing! If I were you, I'd be on my knees begging for her to take me back!"
"Take me back? What are you—We're not broken up!"
Ben's eyes widened at this before he turned to your future self, "And you'd stay with someone who'd treat you like that?"
The woman in question sighed, placing a soothing hand on his shoulder, "Try not to be too upset, Ben. He's not usually like this. He's just mad—"
"I'm not mad at (Y/N)." Ben 10k argued, crossing his arms and everyone raised a brow, they clearly didn't believe him. Your future self merely gave him a blank stare before he caved.
"Alright fine, I'm mad at you." Hardly a surprise, "Need I remind you that we just left our son all alone at our home that was just attacked by a bunch of ninjas?"
Ben's jaw dropped open hearing that. Our son? He had a son? With the love of his life no less? This whole time he thought that there was nothing but disappointment and heartbreak for your future together but now he's finding out that he had a family with the girl he was in love with?
Funny that it was only this morning he was claiming that he was too young to be thinking of such things and yet, the thought had his heart swelling.
"I checked on him before we left, no one even made it to the hallway outside his room. Besides, when we go back, we'll be taken to the exact moment we left, not even a fraction of a second later. Kenny will be fine."
"It would be nice if you could show some concern at least." He huffed, "You're not even worried about the fact that we just left our newborn alone. All you're thinking about is this mission and you're putting yourself at risk."
Future you rolled her eyes, sighing as she took a seat on ship, "Here we go again."
"Oh, forgive me for worrying about my wife. Where do I get the audacity?" Her husband shot a glare at her.
Gwen's eyes flitted between the two of them, only able to see the similarities between their relationship in the future and also in the present. Her cousin apparently got married and started a family with the girl she didn't think was good enough for him.
Would Ben still not be able to see what a mistake he's making, even after a decade? Or was she the one who wasn't able to see clearly?
"(Y/N), you just gave birth five weeks ago and you haven't fully recovered. You're supposed to be taking it easy, not fighting some crazed time traveller. "
No wonder she was moving at a slower rate than usual, she was still in her post-partum recovery. For a woman who just spent the last 10 months of her life growing and then providing for a living, breathing human, she fought impressively well. You mentally patted yourself on the back.
"Firstly, I can take care of myself. Secondly, Paradox didn't ask before zapping us back here."
"Fair enough but I want you to be on the sidelines for the remainder of the mission unless absolutely necessary." He folded his arms, giving a firm stare that meant he was being resolute. Your future self held his stare for a second before coming to the realization that not much would deter him.
She sighed, "Fine."
A pleased smile made its way to his face as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, "Excellent."
"You're a lot of work, Tennyson."
"Right back at you, Tennyson."
You spared a glance at your boyfriend, choosing to keep the information that you found his impish grin at the thought of a future with you adorable a secret and instead asked, "Did you really think that we had broken up in the future?"
His brows went toward his hairline, "You didn't? They were practically at each other's throats the whole time."
"Firstly, they're each wearing wedding rings, and second," You walked over to your future self, reaching for her collar and pulling out a familiar chain from underneath her shirt, "I saw this the second she got here."
Ben blushed, "You still wear it? It looks a little different though."
"I replaced the gem." She explained, toying with the pendant.
"Why?"
"It's her son's birthstone." "It's my son's birthstone." Both (Y/N)'s said in unison and the others gave you a bewildered stare.
"How'd you know?"
You shrugged, "Because that's something I would do."
***
Once again, you were all left in the middle of the desert at night after Paradox abandoned you one again and you continued your line of curses about his entire family in your head as you trudged back to the jet to call a team of plumbers to get you home as well as begin repairs to the jet that was damaged in the fight.
Kevin followed you closely to try and see if there was any way he could repair it just enough to get you back to Bellwood. Ben was about to enter as well when he was stopped by his cousin, who seemed sheepish enough that he immediately knew what the conversation was going to be about.
"I owe you an apology, Ben. I'm sorry for not trusting your judgment and for thinking the worst of you and (Y/N). You both make a cute couple."
He nodded, "It's okay, I didn't exactly have faith in my own relationship when I immediately concluded that they had broken up."
"I'm sure the conversation we had this morning didn't help either, don't feel too bad about it."
He nodded once again and they dissolved back into silence before she gave him a teasing smile, "So, a son, huh?"
His cheeks went warm, and he gave her a look mixed with both embarrassment and a little bit of pride, scratching the back of his neck with a meek chuckle, "Yeah, I always pictured myself as a girl dad though."
Her grin went even wider, and she laughed, "I thought you said you were too young to think about things like this?!"
***
*Exactly Twenty Years Later*
Ben peeked his head into the nursery to greet his beautiful son that was most likely asleep after being fed and changed, only to find the room empty and crib missing.
His mind knew that if his son wasn't in his crib then he would obviously be in the arms of his mother and yet, as he sped to your shared bedroom, he felt a slight panic thrum through his veins.
Everyone had brought this to his attention time and time again; that he had become extremely high-strung when it came to his family. Especially since you had gotten pregnant. It was only when his son was on the way did he realize just how fragile everything was and how quickly it could be ripped away from him.
He passed his arm over the sensor at your door, it immediately recognizing the signal from his Omnitrix and unlocking the door before entering, finding you settled on your bed, Kenny clutched close to your heart.
You watched him cross the bedroom in long strides and settle on the mattress beside you, saying nothing about the clear distress that you had seen on his face when the door opened before it was flooded with relief. You understood; you had felt the same way, which is why you had rolled your son's crib into your bedroom so you could keep a close eye on him for the rest of the night.
You turned your gaze back to the baby in your arms, gently tracing his features with the tip of your pinkie finger, watching with a deep fondness and adoration as Kenny's little face would scrunch up every time you caressed his button nose.
"He's okay, right?" Your husband questioned, needing your reassurance for the last bit of worry for his son to evaporate.
"You think I'd be sitting here without a care in the world if he wasn't?" You murmured, not lifting your eyes from his precious face.
Ben chuckled at this, "Yeah, like that time he got the hiccups, and you couldn't sleep the entire night because you kept checking on him in four-minute intervals?"
"What if his little diaphragm got fatigued?" You mumbled; brows furrowed at the thought. Constant hiccups were painful to deal with as an adult, you could only imagine how painful it would be for a baby who didn’t know what the pain was or how to communicate his pain to his parents.
Ben didn’t respond, already having been through this conversation with you the very night it happened.
The two of you continued to watch your son in silence, finding every single little breath he took interesting as you continued to graze your finger over his skin, now tracing the outline of his little lips, the bottom lip tucked tightly into his mouth as he slept.
Ben shifted closer to you, taking the two of you in his arms and pressing a kiss to the side of your head as one of his arms came to support yours and bear the weight of your son as well.
"I'm sorry for saying that you didn't care about Kenny and only the mission. I know you worry about him more than you express, and I appreciate everything you do for the both of us."
"You were just lashing out of worry." You replied, leaning against him, "It was the first time we both left our home without him, even though we didn't technically leave him alone for a second. I felt uneasy about it as well."
"Regardless, I shouldn't have said that you didn't care, Kenny and I know you love us."
"I do."
You quietened down immediately when your son took a big breath, slightly stirring before he fell back asleep, the littlest smile on his little face.
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hoedamn-eron · 11 months ago
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baby, please - part 14
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You and Santiago go furniture shopping for his apartment. You don't expect to be invited to a Halloween party.
Warnings: Mentions of being sick, so emetophobia warning. Unrequited feelings (👀👀). Some swearing. Teasing between Frankie and Santi, standard bro's. Lightly proofread so definitely some mistakes in here. Word count: 3,616 F!Reader, no use of Y/N.
I'm BAAAAAACK. Sorry it took so long to get this out. Ideally I wanted it out for before Halloween but here we are, nearly at Christmas. My bad!
Also this feels just...a little stale to me. I tried re-writing it and going in a different direction but it just wouldn't fall into place the way I wanted it to. But I think that might be a me problem, and I will probably look at it differently once I'm back into the swing of things.
And I know we've already done a shopping trip with Santiago but I need it for the plot, okay?
Part 13 ● Series Masterlist ● Part 15
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He came again with the truck. 
Now was the day to really ask about the car, right? You were twenty-four weeks pregnant; he needed a car. There was no room for two babies in this truck. Oh, but you don’t want to ask him, it was rude, it was up to him if he got a car or not. And honestly, the truck was probably the best thing for today, since he’s planning on buying an entire nursery, twice. 
No, he needed a car. You’ll gently ask him today. 
Santi had finally cleared out his spare room, and he and Frankie had deep cleaned it and gave it a new coat of paint, and it was now ready to be filled with furniture. He had told you that you weren’t allowed to go in the room until the babies were born as there was a small gender thing in there and he didn’t want to spoil it for you. 
“I’ve already looked online with Frankie and his wife, and I have an idea on what I want to get,” Santi said to you as you set off from your apartment. 
“You could have ordered it online,” you say. “It’ll be easier for you.” 
Santi shook his head. “Nah, I like to see the stuff before I buy it. Also, I need your input.” 
You nod and hold back your joke about him being an ‘old man’. You weren’t sure why he needed your input, but you weren’t complaining about spending a day with Santi. Your cheeks warm as you think back on the last few weeks. You hadn’t brought up the fact that you were probably (definitely), stupidly in love with him, and you weren’t going to. You were embarrassed enough that you were practically getting off every night to the thought of him. 
Damn your hormones. 
“How’s your morning sickness?” Santi asked as he focused on the road. 
“Oh, uh…nearly gone, actually,” you say. “It’s just once or twice a day now, or if I drink orange juice. Not sure why they’ve decided now to hate orange juice.” 
He nods at you before smiling. “Good. I’m glad. I know it was getting you down.” 
You bite your lip to stop yourself smiling like a love-struck teenager. “Yeah, it was.” 
You doze against the window of his truck until you arrive to Ikea. As you pull into the busy parking lot, you couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the day ahead. It was more than just a furniture shopping trip; it was a glimpse into the future of your babies’ life with Santi, and the thought of that made your heart race. 
Santi parked up as close as he could to the entrance and helped you out of the truck (you will mention the car today). You wobble a little as your centre of gravity was starting to work against you, but you steady yourself by holding onto Santi’s arm for a second before letting go, your cheeks burning. You don’t look at him as you both walk into the Ikea, and you grab a cart before Santi takes it off you. 
“I have to push a double stroller soon, Santi,” you say, grinning at the look on his face. “I’m able to push a cart.” 
With that, you make your way into the large store before he could say anything, Santi soon following you. 
A feeling of togetherness washes over you as you pause every now and then and talk to him about your new house, how it’s big enough for you to fill with furniture. The excitement in your eyes was contagious as Santi navigated you both through the maze of furniture displays, joining in with how the kids would be able to play in the back yard with all the space you’ll have. Your heart swells at the image. 
You’d been imagining two boys, with your eyes and Santiago’s hair. Tanned skin and your nose, and you could see him taking them to baseball games in those jerseys he bought when you both went shopping. 
But sometimes you saw two girls, taking after their father in everything. Down to the curly hair and dark eyes and dressed in those Metallica shirts he was still fawning over. He’d probably get them all matching caps. 
“I could get them a swing set,” you say. “I loved the swing set at my grandma’s house.” 
“Yeah, corazón, I think they would like that.” 
“And a pool, maybe. Not a big one, but a decent sized one.” 
“You can do all’a that now with your house,” Santi says as you both go deeper in the Ikea. Eventually, he does take the cart from you, and you let him with no complaints. 
The first stop should have been the nursery section, but you stop in the toy section. You know, you know, you have bought enough toys for your kids, and Gabrielle has donated enough to you too. But you ‘don’t have this bear,’ or ‘that dinosaur,’ and you throw them in the cart. You grin at Santi as he shakes his head at you, smiling fondly. After a few more additions to the cart (where Santi had to physically pull you away), you finally make it to the nursery section. 
As you walked through carefully arranged cribs, changing tables, and adorable baby bedding sets, Santi's enthusiasm was evident. It was obvious he had done his research, and you watched him with probably heart eyes as he discussed the pros and cons of different options with you, valuing your opinion on every detail whenever he asked you. 
"I was thinking something like this crib," he said, pointing to a sleek, white crib with some wooden accents and a drawer underneath. "What do you think? Is it too minimalist?" 
You shrug, bending to look at the label, checking out the dimensions. “It looks good. But yeah, it looks a little plain. Does it match the nursery at your place?” 
“It does,” he says. He looked around. “But everything does, really. Everything’s so…white.” 
You let out a giggle as you look around too. “There is a lot of white. I suppose it’s gender neutral.” 
“Suppose I could get some sheets to bring in some colour,” Santi mumbled. He looks at you with a grin. “It is a nice crib.” 
“And it turns into a toddler bed for when the time comes,” you say, nodding at the product information. 
“It has a matching chest of drawers,” said Santi, taking a few steps away from you and to the rest of the furniture. “And changing unit.” 
“Ooh,” you say, following him quickly and taking a look. “Oh, I like the chest of drawers.” 
“Yeah? Should I get them then?” Santi asked you. 
“It’s up to you, Santi, these will be in your apartment, not mine. If you like them and you think they’ll go well in the room, then you should get them.” 
You back and forth with him over other pieces of furniture, like whether he should get a rug (“I think it’ll bring the room together nicely.”), or a chair in their room for feeds (“It would make it easier but I’ll probably end up on the couch anyway.”), and after a while, the room started taking shape in your mind as Santiago put more things in the cart. From what you could gather, the room had a nice sage green somewhere, and Santi had chosen a blend of soft pastels and natural wood tones; you had the sneaky suspicion it may be jungle themed, based off of some of the rugs he was looking at. 
You almost laughed. You could take Santiago out of the jungle, but you couldn’t take the jungle out of Santiago. 
As you strolled through Ikea, you couldn't help but sneak occasional glances at Santi, admiring his dedication to making the space – his space – absolutely perfect for your babies. The way he was talking about the future with them with so such excitement and care warmed your heart, and you couldn't ignore the feelings growing inside of you. You were in love with this man. 
Foolishly and despairingly in love. 
“Want some lunch after this?” Santiago asked you an hour later, as you strolled through the warehouse, picking up the flat packed boxes of furniture that he’d chosen. 
You nodded. “Yeah, I could eat.” 
“What’re you craving?” Santi asked, grunting as he pushed another flatpack box onto the cart. 
“Nothing in particular,” you say, shrugging nonchalantly as your eyes roamed over him. “I’ll have whatever you want to have.” 
“Italian? I could go for a pizza.” 
You nod, trying not to obviously stare and get distracted by the way the muscles in his arms move as he loads up the cart. “Sure.” 
“We can stop by my place first, get this stuff to my apartment.” 
You give him a look, raising your eyebrows pointedly at him. His knees. “Santi…” 
He was already shaking his head. “I’ve already asked Frankie to stop by, he’s gonna help out.” 
Your breath hitched at the thought of meeting Frankie. You don’t know why you suddenly felt so nervous, you were going to have to meet him sooner or later; you were pretty sure Santi was going to ask if he could make Frankie Godfather of the babies (of course you’d say yes, why wouldn’t you?). 
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Santi said, chuckling, shaking his head lightly. 
“I’m not nervous,” you immediately say, lying through your teeth. And it’s obvious too. 
“Your face says otherwise,” Santi replies, grunting as he places the last flatpack on the cart. You internally curse yourself; you should have gotten a second one. “He doesn’t bite. He’s soft.” 
“Nothing wrong with being soft,” you quip back, but Santi doesn’t reply. He just pulls the cart out of your reach, and you make your way to the check out. 
After paying (you wince at the price – you offer to pay half, but Santi downright refuses) you make your way back to his truck, where an employee (practically a kid, he looked no older than nineteen, but he was built like a tank) had offered to help load. You, again, attempted not to stare at Santi as you tried not to feel so useless, but every time you reached for a box, even just a small one, Santi quickly shot you down. 
“You’re carrying twins, you will hurt yourself.” 
“I’m pregnant, not elderly!” 
Your protesting falls on deaf ears, and Santi profusely thanks the employee for the help and hands the kid a tip. Santi helps you climb into the truck before making his way back to the driver’s side, and sends a quick text to Frankie, you assume telling him that you were on the way back to Santiago’s place. 
“Want to get Carmelo’s?” Santi asked as he pulled out of the parking space. 
You pull a face. “Their pizzas are greasy.” 
Santi laughed as he looked in his mirrors and drove out of the lot. “That’s what makes them great.” 
“Yeah, ‘great’ at giving you heart disease.” 
“Okay, how about Solorzano's?” 
You go quiet and think about it, before nodding. You’d ordered in with them before, and their garlic knots were to die for. Your mouth practically started watering at the thought of them. Maybe you don’t need a pizza, maybe you could just order appetisers, like the macaroni and cheese wedges, the mozzarella sticks, oh, maybe their chicken wings. 
Yep, Solorzano's was good. 
“Yeah, that’s fine, let’s do that,” you say. 
You arrive back at Santi’s after telling him all about the food you were going to get, him laughing and telling you that you were hardcore ‘playing into the pregnant lady trope’. You pretended to take offence, telling him fact that you were just appreciating good food, that he suggested, whether you were pregnant or not. 
“All right, fair,” he’d said, amused. 
You try not to fawn at his laugh, but you couldn’t help it. You sighed, hopefully thinking Santi took it that you were happy that he agreed with you over your food choices. 
You soon pull up to his apartment and park in his designated spot, only for a dark blue car to pull up minutes after you arrived. Your eyes widen a little as you see the infamous Francisco Morales climb out of his car and approach you both from his place parked behind Santi. He was shorter than he looked in the video, but still taller than Santi. His dark, tousled hair was hidden behind a cap, and it gave him a rugged charm, and there's something about the lines on his face that makes him look like he's seen it all but is still totally approachable. You catch a glimpse of some scars on his tanned arms, on show as the sleeves of his dark shirt were pushed up to his elbows, and it only added to the sense that this guy has some serious stories to share. 
“Hey, Pope!” 
“How’s it going, Fish?” Santi asked, giving Frankie a smile as they hug, patting each other on the back in a way that you would expect brothers to do. The nicknames confused you; Santi had never referred to himself as ‘Pope’, nor Frankie as ‘Fish’. “Could have tidied yourself up a bit.” Santi jokes, motioning to Frankie’s cap and old battered jacket. 
“I’m doing you a favour, hermano, watch your mouth. Sarah asked me to drop this off for you too,” Frankie said, holding up a paper bag before looking at you and pointing at you with a good-natured expression on his face. “You are not to look in that bag, because it is a surprise.” 
Your eyes widened for a fraction before you nodded. “Okay, yeah...noted.” 
“Are you going to introduce us, teo, or did the news of twins and the financial recovery make you forget basic manners and social introductions?” 
Santi gave Frankie the bird before introducing you both. 
“It’s nice to meet you,” you say, shaking his hand as he offered it to you. 
“It’s nice to put a face to the name,” Frankie says, letting go of your hand and taking a look at the bed of the truck, full of the furniture Santi had bought. He nodded towards it as he looked at Santi. “What did you get?” 
“Everything, it seems,” you joke. 
Frankie gave you a grin before turning back to Santi. “When are you gonna get a car, feo? Can’t fit car seats in this thing.” 
You almost laughed in relief. Now you didn’t have to ask and feel like you were intruding. 
“I’m working on it, tu idiota,” Santi replied, opening the bed of the truck. “Now help me with these boxes, you can’t expect me and my knees to do all the hard work. Don’t even think about it.” 
You hold your hands up in surrender at Santi’s firm gaze, landing on you as you had reached for a box. 
Santi hands you his keys and you go up to his apartment to unlock the door, Santi and Frankie following you up moments later, carrying boxes up with them, huffing and puffing together. You grin as you hear Santi grumble that they ‘felt heavier than they did at Ikea’, and you make your way down to get some of the lighter things. You grab the rug that Santi chose, along with the soft toys you’d picked out. 
You eye the paper bag Frankie bought, that was sat in the bed of the truck, the curiosity to take a peek inside itching at your fingertips. You look around quickly before looking at the bag before you finally shake your head. Frankie said it was a surprise, something Santi might have organised, so you shouldn’t. You should leave it alone. 
“You better not look in that.” 
You smirk before looking at Santi, who was giving you an amused look. “I was thinking about it. But I won’t.” 
Santi rolled his eyes in amusement as he and Frankie both grab another box. You grab one last toy before you follow them up the stairs and into Santi’s living room, placing the stuff on the couch. You go back to the truck, taking the last of the small things before sitting back and watching the two men bring back the last of the flatpack boxes. Soon, Santi’s living room was representing the Ikea warehouse with how many boxes were littered around everywhere. You spotted the paper bag sitting on the small dining room table by the open plan kitchen. 
Again, you choose to let it go. 
You step outside, closing and locking the apartment. You see Santi and Frankie chatting by the truck, the bed now closed, and you make your way over. You hear Santi thanking Frankie for the help with the furniture. 
“Don’t thank me yet, you still need help putting that shit together,” Frankie replied. “You’ll probably need all the guys for that.” 
Santi snorted. “Would love to see Benny try to put together a crib...or two.” 
“Well, he put Sofía’s together,” Frankie said. 
Santi went quiet at that, and the two stared at each other. You weren’t sure what was happening, but it was as though they were having a private conversation with each other, without having to say anything. You go quiet, letting them have their telepathic conversation, until you cleared your throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Would you like to join us for lunch, Frankie?” 
After a few more moments, Frankie turns from Santi and gives you a small smile. “I would love to, but it’s Sofía’s birthday next month, and Sarah’s got me running around trying to get the stuff for it and she has me planning this Halloween party in a couple of days.” 
“The guys say they’re still going for Halloween?” Santi asked, crossing his arms over his chest. It was as if his and Frankie’s interaction hadn’t happened. You put a pin in it for now. 
“Benny said he’s still coming, Ironhead’s still unsure, since Claire’s putting a bit of pressure on him to make some solid decisions on the wedding.” Frankie chuckled before looking at you. “You should come,” he suddenly said to you. “I know it’s a bit last minute and it’s mostly for kids, but it should be fun.” 
Your brain stops for a moment, not realising Frankie was suddenly talking to you. You blink at him for a moment before shaking your head. “Oh! Uh, yeah, I’ll definitely think about it. I was gonna go with my friend and her kids trick or treating – “ 
Frankie cuts you off with a wave of his hand. “Bring them along, seriously. Sarah loves meeting new people, she’s been talking my ear off about when Pope was finally going to introduce you to everyone.” 
“Frankie,” Santi muttered firmly, a light blush coming to his cheeks, causing you to giggle. 
You nod at Frankie. “Didn’t realise I was such an interesting topic.” 
“Are you kidding? You managed to get Santiago Garcia to slow down and think about his future for once,” Frankie said, ignoring Santi’s very obvious glare. 
You grin. “I’ll talk to my friend, see if she wants to join.” 
“Great. You’re coming though, right hermano?” 
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Santi replied. “Can’t disappoint Sofía.” 
You feel your chest warm and your heart swell with the way he looks as he talks about his niece, how he was so enamoured with her. You wonder how he would talk about your kids and how he would act with them. You find your eyes quickly swell with years, and you look away from the two men quickly, wiping at them. 
Damn hormones. 
“Great, just let me know plans, yeah?” Frankie said, nodding at you both. “No pressure, though, if you can’t make it.” 
You nod. “No worries, I'll let you know. Or I’ll get Santi to tell you, anyway.” 
“Again, it was nice to finally meet you,” Frankie said, shaking your hand again. “I’ll text you later, hermano.” 
“See ya, Fish,” Santi replied, giving Frankie a quick hug before the two of you watch him leave. You both wave as he drives away. 
“So,” you say after a few moments, handing Santi’s keys back over to him. “What’s with the nicknames?” 
“Our call signs,” Santi said, taking the keys. “Just stuck afterwards.” 
“Oh, right. Why is yours Pope?”
Santi was silent for a moment before he pulled a face, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter, I think it was something stupid Benny said.” 
You don’t believe him, but you won’t push. He was always a little closed off about his days in the army. “Okay. So, ready for lunch?” 
“Sure...yeah,” he answers, before opening the truck door for you. He hesitates again for a moment as you turn to climb in, before he blurts out, “You don’t have to come to the party.” 
You look at Santi, seeing his unsure face looking at you. “Why?” 
“Don’t want you to feel obligated,” he says. 
You study him for a moment, noticing his stance. He seemed a little out of sorts, nervous almost. You give him a reassuring look. “I want to go. It’ll be fun.” Then you give him a teasing smirk. “And besides, I’d miss out on hearing all the embarrassing stories about you from your friends! No way am I missing this.” 
You see his shoulders relax a little at your words before he rolls his eyes. “Funny. Get in the truck.” 
“You know, if you got a car, I wouldn’t struggle so much getting in and out of this thing.” 
“I fucking knew the truck bothered you.”
• tu idiota - you asshole • feo - ugly
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Tagged - @khonsulockley, @bluenredndeath, @superficialfeelings, @othersideoftheparadise, @beezusvreeland
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simslegacy5083 · 2 months ago
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Not So Berry (Straud Descendants) Gen 9
Today's (9/13/2024) Episode: Mission Interruptus
As Noemi and Luigi approached the leader of the local rebel faction about their next mission, they were surprised to see her throw her spanner to the ground and let loose with a string of forbidden words. She jumped as she noticed the pair. “Forgive me! You must be our hard-working new recruits. I have some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that if I can’t fix my ship, then we can’t be shot down.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Noemi asked, since that seemed to be the obvious path forward here.
“Well, I can always use more hands to rustle up possible replacement parts, but I’d most appreciate help avoiding that “shoot us down” thing. I hear you’re pretty handy with a data spike. If you can use this to scramble the First Order’s tracking system, our odds of surviving our trip go way up.”
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Luigi wanted to try the hacking minigame on this mission. They traveled to the First Order main control tower and found an access panel tucked out of the way. He inserted the data spike and asked Noemi to watch his back as he worked to penetrate the layers of protection.
“Don’t worry” she replied, “if I see any sign of a patrol, I’ll alert you. Just watch out for the countermeasure programs, this one looks tougher.”
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Luigi smiled nervously as he began the process of rewriting the code. Logically he knew it was all pretend, but the park did their job well and just like the day before it felt very real. He was almost done when Noemi called out “You might want to hurry it up, I see a Storm Trooper headed this way”.
He fumbled a sequence in his haste and was shocked, literally, when the screen flashed red and arced with “harmless” static electric defenses.
That famous special effect was supposed to be safe, but suddenly Luigi’s mousing hand went completely numb. He started dropping forbidden words left and right as he massaged a hand that felt like dead wood. Noemi rushed over, roleplaying forgotten as she asked what was wrong.
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“My hand… I can’t feel my hand” he gasped out “I made a mistake, got shocked. It’s supposed to be immersive, but this doesn’t feel OK at all!”
Noemi did her best to comfort him. “Hang in there, we’ll figure this out.” She paused then, asking quietly “Could this have anything to do with your Carpel Tunnel? I know that makes your hand “fall asleep” sometimes, but they should have accounted for that if it was going to be a problem when they programmed your data pad. Did you put that on the medical form they gave us to fill out at check-in?”
Luigi hung his head “No. I didn’t see what difference it could make.” He didn’t add that he hadn’t wanted to be restricted from any missions, but he wasn’t fooling his spouse by leaving that out. Noemi sighed “I gotta be honest, that was a boneheaded move. Still, what’s done is done. Let’s find the first aid station, we need to get you looked at, and maybe they should check over that machine too.”
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By the time they located the nearest first aid station and got checked in Luigi was feeling relatively better. The pins and needles were uncomfortable, but at least he could feel something and just then that was a vast improvement.
The medic confirmed that the shock had likely inflamed Luigi’s Carpel Tunnel. After a stern reminder to list all medical conditions on the waiver for his own safety she reprogrammed his datapad to prevent future shock effects. “You can try the mission again, but you’ll be at a disadvantage if you don’t wait to recover full use of that hand first.”
Exiting the clinic Noemi asked “OK, so we’ve got some time to kill. What do you want to do?”
“Honestly” Luigi replied, “After that what I need is a stiff drink!”
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Goal in mind, their path turned once more to their favorite attraction: The Cantina. Luigi got his stiff drink, but he’d forgotten just how stiff some of them could be!
The Dagobah Slug Slinger was low in sugar because its juices had been converted into high-octane punch. He was also much older than the last time he’d had this particular “park exclusive”, and his tolerance had fallen off with his drinking habits, now that his diet excluded his favorite cocktails.
Noemi fought hard to hold back a laugh when she realized her spouse was literally reeling. “Come on champ” she said, “It’s time to get you to bed.”
“But the miz-shon…” Luigi slurred plaintively. “Can wait until morning” she replied.
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Gathering him under her arm Noemi helped her tipsy boy towards the door, asking on the way “How’s your hand?”
“Ach’y” he said with a big sigh “Itz not fair!” “No, its not fair” she agreed, kissing him lightly on the cheek “and I’m sorry, but I’ll make sure to grab an ice pack on the way to our room for you.”
“I wuv you” he blubbered “I know” she replied with a chuckle as she led them both slowly down the path towards some much-needed rest.
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View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here
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babbling-idiot2 · 2 months ago
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Dan Fielding x reader
Warnings: None that I can think of
(Currently working on a few requests for this fine man. Look out for them here in the near future!!!)
******
If Dan were to describe himself, I am sure he would say. Successful, confident, great with the ladies, and completely happy. The only problem with this is that even though all 4 of those things are correct, he left a couple out. Dan, in my eyes, after working with the man for years, has revealed some things about him that I find irresistible. Over time, I have noticed that almost every time I have seen him try to get a woman's attention. Not only does he beg for them to give him a chance, especially if they are, in fact, hard to get, he gets desperate. That desperation that he's shown has become something that I love about him. Another thing is the fact that even though he comes off as an asshole and is always able to make an enemy out of anyone, he made an effort to keep the friends he made here. Back when I first met Dan. He had tried to get me to go out for drinks with him. I said no. I must have said no at least a dozen times that week. Over time, he asked me out less and less until he finally stopped. The subtle glances at my ass and other parts of my body never stopped. That didn't bother me. Even though I worked closer to Harry than anyone else, I still got to see all his friends. Which, of course, included Dan. I have come to a startling predicament. Dan is, in fact, a ladies' man. He loves to flirt with women constantly. So, over time, I have become quite happy watching Dan get rejected. Time and time again. Most people here actually find it amusing, like I do. Except for the day he does, get lucky. I find myself getting jealous. I watched his smug smirk as he looked them up and down. It makes steam rise from my head. Pisses me off to no extent. Harry is the only one who knows how I feel. But the one thing I have successfully kept to myself was the fact that anytime he is desperate, begging, or on his knees, literally and metaphorically, it's so arousing, what I would do if he were in front of me on his knees. Everything is going normal. I was going to Harry's office when I spotted Dan leaving it. Not wanting to make any conversation, I just went for the door. He saw me and shook his head.
"He's not in there. He's not in the restroom, and he's not in the cafeteria. I don't know where he is."
Sighing in frustration, I try to think of anywhere he could be. I decide against running around for him and go for the door anyway. He'll be back soon. I walk past Dan and into Harry's office. I go to his couch, and I sit. The door is still open, and when I think it's about to close, Dan walks in and shuts it.
"I'll wait with you. I need to talk to him."
Nodding, I look anywhere else but him. He walks over to the chairs and table and takes a seat. Everything is silent for what feels like forever until I finally decide to bring something up.
"So, Dan. How did that date go with that lady yesterday?"
He smiles, but it seems forced. He shrugs and looks at his hands.
"Oh, it went alright. Nothing happened. She ended up having to go home, emergency, or something."
Nodding, I can't help but let the shit-eating grin take over my face. He notices almost immediately.
"What's so funny?"
Shaking my head, I wave him off, hoping he'll forget he even saw me smile.
"No, no. What are you smiling at? Me getting dumped halfway through drinks? Is that funny to you?"
Looking over at him, I can't help but feel slightly sorry for him.
"Listen, Dan. The number of women you have asked to drink with you is huge. I hate to say this to you, but I can't count how many times your "dates" have gone bad. You've had more failures than successes. At least since I've known you."
His face drops into a frown, and he looks off into space. How mouths a silent 'more fails than successes?' I honestly do feel bad for him.
"Dan. I imagine you are a great guy. But it would help if you were kind. It would help if you were less desperate. The number of times I have seen you on your knees for these women who would never give you the time of day is staggering. You need a different plan."
He looks at me quickly after hearing my words. He seemed shocked, almost like he had no idea what I was talking about.
"What do you mean desperate? Also, I have never gotten on my knees for any of these women. Especially not the ones in the courtroom!"
He says as he stands up to defend himself. He walks over and places his hands on his hips. I give him a look that says he's full of shit. He shakes his head at me and looks toward the window.
"Dan, even though I have only known you for a short time, I don't make a habit of lying to people. Even the ones I don't get along with most days. I'm not lying to you now. You do seem desperate, and you have gotten on your knees before. It's quite amusing, I'm just saying."
He takes a second to absorb everything you say but can only focus on one thing at the very end. Would you like to see him on his knees? Oh, what a discovery—a shocking one at that.
"Well, thank you for your honesty. Even though I appreciate you telling me, I can't help but think about that last thing you said. Do you like seeing me on my knees? Do you also like that I'm desperate?"
Your eyes widen, and you shake your head quickly.
"God, no! I just meant it was funny, is all."
He smirks slightly and tilts his head.
"Oh, well, that's too bad. I was hoping you were being serious. It's a shame. If you asked me nicely enough, I would gladly get on my knees for you."
Maybe this was hell. Perhaps this was the devil's way of making you suffer. His words were shocking and even more surprising when he walked over to where you sat. Looking down at you, the same smug look on his face. He unbuttons his suit jacket and slowly lowers himself to his knees. His knees are just in front of your shoes, and he can't help but smirk wider. He brings his hands up and places them on your knees. He slowly pries them open and scoots himself in closer. His knees are between your feet, and his hands are still on your knees. He is gradually making his way up closer to your thighs.
"How's the view?"
He says as he almost drops the smirk and replaces it with a look that you've only ever seen directed to other women before.
"I can't lie, y/n, I can get used this. During all those times, you said no to me asking you out. You were missing out on all of this. I'll make you a deal. You agree to go on a date with me, and I will be as desperate as you want. Please?"
This could very well be a nightmare. It was a vivid nightmare you didn't want to wake up from. On the one hand, this could go very badly, and on the other, this could go very, very right. So, there was only one correct option. You start to stand up. You feel Dan's hands slightly shift at your new position, and he only renewed his hand placement. He looks up at you with those brown eyes that almost make you feel dizzy. Reaching your hand down, you slowly make contact with his cheek. He turns his face into your palm, and you feel his lips kiss your palm. His eyes only briefly break contact to close them as he kisses your skin. He looks back at you and smiles but keeps his face in your hand. 
"Ok, fine. I'll go out with you, but we have to go out tonight.  We have a couple of hours left of work, so you pick a place, and we will go when work is over. Deal?"
Smiling, he jumps up excitedly. His eyes are squinted due to how intensely he is smiling. He takes your hand in his, and his smile slowly falls into a more calm smile. 
"I know a perfect place with lots of options. I won't disappoint, I promise!"
Smiling, you nod at his words. 
"Playing into the whole desperate act, huh?"
His smile falls slightly into one more like a smirk. 
"Oh, you have seen nothing yet."
"Looking forward to it. Don't get cold feet; I look forward to this date."
You say as you walk away from him and open the door. Looking back at him, he is still staring at you. Winking, you smile and open the door. Walking out, you leave him to think.
You always liked Dan. He could come off as an ass but that was just something you liked. You genuinely were looking forward to this date. This night was going to be so good. 
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muse-oleum · 7 months ago
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Beloved (Part I)
“She was the only woman who saw all of him—the good, the bad and the ugly—and wanted all of it. From the moment she arrived in our village, everyone else never really stood a chance. Honestly, I don’t believe anyone ever will.” OR Rebekah tells Hayley the story of the first and only woman Elijah Mikaelson has ever truly loved, and why he can never love her the way she wants him to.
Elijah Mikaelson x Witch!OC/10th century AU/Unreliable Narrator (mostly Rebekah, though)
Find it on AO3: here.
(+ so many more tags and nerding it out in the notes :) come say hi)
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Hayley was sulking again, listlessly watching the fire crackle back to life as Rebekah poked at it, the scent of firewood filling the air as the flames soared higher, licking up at the blackened bricks. With a sigh, the vampire sat back into the leather armchair closest to the fireplace, occasionally prodding the heavy iron grate closer to the hearth, as if keeping the crackling embers from escaping would somehow prevent the werewolf from asking her the question she knew she wanted to ask. 
Rebekah sank deeper into the comforting depths of the armchair, eyeing her companion from above the rim of her glass. The scowl on Hayley’s face was enough to indicate just what had transpired between her big brother and the young werewolf. 
“It’s not your fault, you know,” she said, taking a sip of… whatever it was Nik kept around the study. 
Hayley looked up, frowning. There was a world of hurt in her eyes that Rebekah knew all too well. She’d seen it time and time again in face after face. All the women who fell for her brother inevitably ended up wearing a similar expression on their face when they finally understood that Elijah would never give himself to them completely. 
Honestly, had he been anyone else, Rebekah would have accused him of having serious commitment issues. 
But this was her brother. Loyal to a fault, fiercely protective of those he loved, dotting uncle to his little niece. And so, as much as she’d rather be just about anywhere else right now, it was both her duty and burden to explain the situation. 
Especially to this particular woman, seeing as she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon and her remaining in the dark would only cause more problems in the future; both for her and for the entire family. 
Rebekah sighed again, downing the rest of her drink. 
“Just so you’re aware: Elijah would have my head for even broaching the subject with him, let alone with you, so if you rat me out, I’ll make Mikael look like the easter bunny.”
The corners of Hayley’s mouth twitched, threatening a smile—an all too rare occurrence these days. It dimmed almost immediately, the kind of pain only unrequited love could bring swimming in her eyes. The werewolf sighed, propping up her chin on her knees, returning her gaze to the fire. 
“I just—” she closed her eyes, taking a breath and letting it out before trusting her voice again, “I thought we could be going somewhere, y’know?” She shrugged, tucking her fingers inside the sleeves of her sweater, “But he’s just so… remote. It’s like I can’t reach him, or something. Every time I try, he just… closes off.”
Rebekah poured herself another drink, taking a fortifying breath. 
“He wasn’t always that way.” Seeing Hayley’s eyebrows shoot up all the way to her hairline, she scoffed. “A thousand years is a very long time, you know.” Tilting her head, she decided to rip the band aid off in one clean swipe. Better to have it over and done with as quickly as possible. “When we were human, Elijah fell in love with a woman named Svala. She was…” she took a long breath, echoes of agonized screams clawing at her mind, losing herself to old memories as she gazed down at her glass. Rebekah watched them swirl in the dark amber liquid, swallowing the lump in her throat when she realized she couldn’t quite remember her face, sharp features and laughing grey eyes tangling together in soft hues, pulling her back in time despite herself.
“She was his wife, and the love of his life.”
Present-day Virginia, c. 990 A.D.
It was just after Álfablót, during the month of Haustmánuður, that the boats arrived, narrowly escaping winter at sea. Ayana had already foretold their arrival and entire families had left the village to go greet their loved ones from the old countries. The village itself waited, the old and the young, and all those whose kin had not been onboard the boats. New homes had been built—as many as possible—and there were still logs of timber scattered around in expectation for more, covered by pine needles and leaves to keep most of the coming ice at bay. 
Preparations for winter were well underway by the time the first travelers were spotted, able-bodied men and women carrying young children in their arms or on their backs, with the more travel-weary stragglers lagging behind. Only the more adventurous children seemed to have any energy left, gazing at the welcoming party with wide eyes, tugging at each other’s sleeves.
The head of the village had gone with them and there was a collective sigh of relief at his safe return. Some of the werewolves had gone too, eager to see new faces—and to warn them of what life with them would entail. 
Not that it mattered. After such a long voyage, all would have been glad of a simple meal, the warmth of a fire and the comfort of family they had not seen in years. 
Carrying her pack on her back, Svala looked up at the tall pine trees, so different from the wide oak trees of her home. She didn’t know what to make of them—she didn’t know what to make of any of it. 
Her mother had convened with her Sisters, sensing the dangers in the new religion that had made its way to their homeland, swaying their people and changing their ways. She had come back with a haunted look, telling her to pack whatever it was she loved most, and that they were leaving. Svala had raged and raged, tears in her eyes, refusing to leave and digging her heels into the ground until her mother had all but dragged her onto the boat. 
It was a great hulking beast, larger than the ships she had grown up around. It was meant for a sea voyage that would last weeks, where storms would rage and winds would blow, threatening to drown them into seas she had only ever heard about in stories. Her mother’s presence had calmed her, the hand on her shoulder heavy enough to pull her from her thoughts. 
No völva would let her people drown. 
It still hadn’t been enough to save her, though, and Yrsa Anundottir had died a week before they reached their destination, leaving her young daughter alone, cold, and scared in a new world she knew nothing about. 
A young couple, Ulf and Asta, had taken Svala under their wing. Asta, like her mother, was a völva; and quite good at it too, though she dabbled more in incantations and less in the art of divination. 
Svala had always been thankful her own powers had strayed more towards healing than the more arcane arts. She had never envied her mother’s power and, as she stood looking up at the trees in her new home, all she felt was hatred for it. Divination had brought her here, all alone, without her mother. She couldn’t help but suspect Yrsa had known all along she would not make it this far, and it only made her angrier. 
A small boy tugging on her skirts distracted her from her thoughts, his wide smile and big brown eyes warming her despite the autumn winds whipping her hair around her face. She tucked an errant curl behind her ear and smiled back, waving at him. He smiled even wider and ran back to those she assumed must be his family. He tugged on the sleeve of one of the older men, whispering in his ear something that made him laugh. 
He was handsome, with shoulder-length dark hair braided back from his face, revealing balanced features, most prominent of which sharp cheekbones and an even sharper jawline. She averted her eyes when she inadvertently met his own, the same warm brown as those of his… brother? Son? He was old enough that it could be both. 
Svala felt the pressure of Asta’s hand at the small of her back, guiding her to a clearing where an open fire pit had been lit, casting a warm glow on the charred ground beneath it. The village leader, a well-built man called Harald whom she had grown to respect over the past few weeks, had opened the welcome feast, and she noticed that those whose families had left their homeland years ago had at long last been reunited. She smiled, dropping her pack against the trunk of a nearby tree, as she observed Ulf greet his brother Magnar, the two men embracing each other. Magnar then turned to Asta, opening his arms to her and welcoming her, and Svala felt a small twinge of jealousy. 
It was petty, she knew, but she wished someone was there to greet her like that. But all she had was her small pack and the memory of her mother. 
Averting her eyes to hide the sting of tears she refused to spill for a woman who had abandoned her, Svala turned back to her meagre belongings, rummaging in search of something a little warmer. Earlier this week, they’d stopped at a stream to wash and repair their clothes, and she had taken the opportunity to refresh her winter clothes, not knowing when she’d next have the chance. 
Still, fall here seemed milder than at home, where the first snows had surely already fallen. She was hit by another wave of sadness and tied the strings of her pack with such vigor that she nearly snapped them, biting back tears when a small hand braced itself on the bark of the tree in front of her. 
“Mother says you can leave your belongings at our home. It’s not wise to leave them about like that.”
It was the little boy from earlier, bouncing back and forth on the balls of his feet, observing her with a far more intelligent gaze then she’d come to expect for a child his age. Their speech differed slightly from hers, but she understood him well enough, and she thought she could actually make out the slight inflections of her homeland.
“Why? Would someone steal it?”
He shook his head and bent towards her, mischief in his eyes. “No, but the landvaettir might take it and hide it inside an old tree and then we’d never see it again.”
Svala blinked, then laughed. The boy’s eyes lit up, and she had the sneaking suspicion he had been trying to cheer her up. It certainly had worked—it felt so very good to express joy again. 
“Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we?” She whispered conspiratorially, winking at him. 
Elated, the little boy ran back towards his family, who had dispersed into the throng of people gathered in the clearing. She saw him gesture wildly to the same man as earlier, caught the amused smile on his face before he started to make his way towards her. She dropped her gaze back to her pack, tying it off with one final tug and hoisting it on her shoulders. 
The man was tall; taller than she’d expected. He towered over her, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulders. Instead of making her feel caged in, it made her feel safer, an odd sensation tingling up her spine. 
Svala finally dared to meet his eyes, finding them darker than his brother’s but full of the same earnestness. He inclined his head towards her, a lopsided smile tugging at his lips. It made him appear younger, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. She smiled back tentatively, her lips stinging, chapped raw by the wind and the salt. 
Before she had even taken one step, he took her pack from her, swinging it over his shoulder as if it weighed next to nothing. The little boy grabbed her hand, tugging her along to meet the rest of their family, babbling happily about how he would take her to see the clearing tomorrow, before all the leaves had fallen and Svala couldn’t help but smile at him. 
“Perhaps we should let her decide for herself what she would like to do first, little brother?” 
The boy stopped, eyeing her as he would a particularly complicated puzzle, a little storm gathering in his eyes, and she knew enough of children to recognize the beginnings of a tantrum.
“I’ll be happy to come with you to the clearing, little one,” Svala said, smiling at the glee in his eyes, “on one condition.” He looked on with rapt attention, his eyes widening. She smiled wider, “I will go, but only if you tell me your name.”
She heard the man beside her huff out a laugh. The boy snuck his tongue out at him, narrowly escaping a smack upside the head as he danced around them, avoiding his brother’s hand deftly. He reminded her of a wood sprite. 
“This impolite little imp is Henrik,” his brother said, giving up and tugging his little brother into his side, ruffling his hair. He turned towards her, warm brown eyes mirthful. 
“I’m Elijah.”
----------------
“And that’s how they met,” Rebekah sighed, getting up to refill her glass. It was a good thing she couldn’t get drunk easily; she had a feeling she would need that tolerance as the evening wore on. “Svala charmed Henrik as soon as she stepped foot inside our village and our little brother was the way to Elijah’s heart.” She took a small sip, fingers drumming on the table. “I honestly think it was instantaneous, at least on his part. I could tell he was smitten almost immediately.”
She sighed again, leaning back against the table. Hayley was silent, staring at her—although Rebekah was ready to bet the other woman wasn’t really seeing her at all. The Original suppressed another sigh. She disliked the idea of hurting her but it was unavoidable. Hayley was young, and on the cusp of love. She deserved to be pulled from the edge before she well and truly fell for her brother, a path which only ever led to heartbreak. 
“Svala’s mother had died during the crossing,” Rebekah continued, seating down on the table, “and our own mother took pity on her, I suppose. I think she could also sense Svala’s powers, which were strong even for a völva, and—”
“You used that word before, but what does it mean?” Hayley asked, straightening up and tugging the fabric of her dress around her knees, visibly shaking herself from her thoughts. 
“Völur—that’s the plural form—were witches (mostly), but also sometimes warlocks, who traveled the old countries, stopping here and there to dispense their services. Another term for a völva is seiðkona—wielder of seiðr, what you’d call magic.” 
“So she was a witch?”
Rebekah hummed, taking another sip. “Yes, but also something more. You see, modern-day witches seem to have largely lost their powers of divination. At least the ones I’ve met.” She shrugged. “Kol’s been to the East, I’m sure he would tell you more about ancient magical powers, if he could.” Rebekah cleared her throat, pushing away thoughts of her brother. “But in any case, a seiðkona could, under the right circumstances, predict the future with reasonable accuracy.” She paused, eyeing the werewolf. “Svala was one such witch, although we didn’t discover that until much later.”
Hayley nodded pensively. “So your family took her in?”
“Early on, yes. She stayed with us for a while, helping our mother and myself with household chores—don’t give me that look, it was like that, back then—and we grew close.” Rebekah swallowed the lump in her throat as the memories came rushing back. “I always had wanted a sister.”
----------------
“I do believe my brother fancies you,” Rebekah said as they crouched near the frozen stream, their fingers red and stinging from the cold. 
“Which one? You have many,” her friend answered with an impish grin. 
“Oh, stop it! You know which one!”
“Why, Rebekah,” Svala stood, batting her eyelashes innocently in her best impression of Tatia, the woman who hung on Elijah’s and Nik’s every word, “I had no idea Henrik saw me in such a way.”
That earned her a handful of freezing water to the face. Shrieking, she kicked fallen leaves at Rebekah in retaliation. 
The beautiful blonde, the only sister in a large brood of brothers, had been Svala’s salvation these past few months. They were around the same age, with Svala only a few years older than Rebekah, and of vastly different temperaments. That did nothing to stop the budding friendship between them as Rebekah helped Svala navigate life in her new environment, introducing her to their neighbors and helping her to make friends. In return, Svala had taken to helping the younger woman with her chores, lending a hand where she was needed. 
Esther, too, had been glad of the help, saying jokingly that she wasn’t getting any younger, and thus welcoming Svala with open arms. She suspected that the older witch would have wanted more daughters. Together with Asta and Ayana, Esther had also taken to perfecting the young witch’s understanding of seiðr, the trio easily stepping into her mother’s shoes. Of the three, Svala was most at ease with Asta, given that they shared a common past—or as common as anyone around here, anyway. Ayana scared her a little, but she rather thought her mother and her would have been fast friends. As for Esther, she remained undecided. 
She was grateful to the older woman—more than grateful, really—but there was still something about her that Svala couldn’t quite shake. She wondered distractedly if she should be worried that her mother’s power had managed to make its way to her, and what it was trying to tell her if it had.
“You know perfectly well which of my brothers I was referring to.”
She did. 
Elijah was still somewhat of a mystery to her. A man of few words, the only signs of his partiality came in other forms. He would help her with the more physical tasks, such as carrying buckets filled with water and snow for washing and cooking. Or he would help her skin and tan the hide of the animals the men caught on their hunts, fashioning coats and pouches from the leather. He had introduced her to his friend, the smithy, a tall, muscular man named Leif, who showed her how he made the arrowheads and knives used for hunting. 
These people did not raid, although, far from the sea as they were, she supposed it wasn’t all that unusual. They appeared to trade with some neighboring settlements, although most of these were nomadic in nature. The only other village near them was the one led by the werewolves—a people Svala had only heard her mother speak about very infrequently. There were some clans in the old country, but they lived far from towns and villages in self-inflicted exile. 
This was not the case here, where the two villages cohabited peacefully. There was, however, an undeniable current of fear around the full moon, when those not afflicted by the Curse would withdraw to the cave systems underneath their village, magical boundaries and wards in place, to wait out the moon. She supposed she understood the high status that Ayana and Esther seemed to enjoy. When faced with fangs and claws, seiðr was an attractive defense. 
She was pulled from her musings by the feeling of a strong hand on her arm. Elijah swooped in and took the heavy bucket from her, barely straining under its weight. He gave her a gentle smile and fell into step alongside her. Rebekah, the little minx, winked at her—in full view of her brother!—and escaped up the path, grumbling about how she too could use someone to help her with her own burden. As if summoned, Nik appeared at her side, easily bracing against its weight. Svala huffed a laugh when he threw her a long suffering look over his shoulder. 
“Your brother seems to never be too far from your sister,” she told Elijah quietly, laughter brightening her dark eyes. 
Those eyes of hers, the color of dark stormy skies, had been an object of fascination to him ever since he had met her. They seemed almost alive, wisps of grey and brown and blue all interweaving together, one peeking through more than the others depending on the weather. 
Of course, her eyes were not the only beautiful thing about her. It seemed to him that the gods had crafted this woman solely to plague his dreams. She filled his mind so completely, he had began to wonder about his sanity. On one occasion, he had heard her sing quietly to herself as she gathered wood for the fire, her long brown hair tumbling down her back, framing her petite frame and highlighting the curves of her body; and Elijah had almost believed he’d been taken in by a forest spirit. 
But such stories were the ones he told his youngest brother on nights he could not sleep, and he knew better. 
He did not know what love felt like; at least, not that kind of love. He knew the deep devotion he felt towards his siblings, and the lust for a warm, soft, body; but this was uncharted territory. Every time Svala was near, Elijah lost the ability to speak, unable to string more than two sentences together for fear of appearing an utter fool. His silence did not seem to bother her, so he took it as encouragement to remain just as he was, comfortable with admiring from afar. 
Which was exactly what he was doing right now. Svala was eyeing him curiously, no doubt wondering what was taking him so long. Little did she know (he very much hoped) that all he wanted to do was kiss her to find out whether her lips were as soft as they appeared. 
“Rebekah and Niklaus have always been very close,” he answered slowly, returning his gaze to his siblings in front of them, “it used to make Henrik quite jealous.”
“Is that why he’s so attached to you?”
Elijah chuckled. “No, Henrik is rather fickle in his affections. One week, he won’t leave me alone, the next, he’ll be glued to Kol’s side.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping a few octaves. “Although I think that’s mainly so he can learn new tricks and cause more trouble.”
Svala laughed. “Yes, he’s rather good at finding trouble.”
“Oh, I’m sure he would say trouble finds him.”
“An answer only a troublemaker would know to give,” she said, nodding sagely. 
They had reached the village, passing through a denser copse of old trees, the scent of pine needles overwhelming. It was one Svala had taken time to get used to, but now that she had, it filled her with a strange sort of warmth. She wasn’t sure if she could call that feeling “belonging”, but it certainly felt close to it. 
Between Rebekah’s freely given friendship, Henrik’s childlike love and Elijah’s quiet company, she had began to ease into this new life her mother had thrown her into. She still missed her home, and the wide, tall oak trees behind her homestead, but the ache was cooling, little by little. 
Of the Mikealsons, only Finn and Kol remained a little aloof. The former because it was simply his personality and the latter, she suspected, was a little shy about talking to a völva. Svala wanted to tell him he had nothing to worry about: she couldn’t predict his future even if she tried, and she had no desire to do so. The topic hadn’t even been discussed by any of her three teachers yet, although she knew Asta, at least, had some knowledge of the divination arts. Ayana and Esther seemed to think it was best left alone and Svala would tend to agree, given where her own mother’s gift had led her. 
Then again, she thought, chancing a glance at the man beside her to find him looking back at her with a small smile on his lips, perhaps that was not an entirely bad thing. 
----------------
“They kept dancing each other for weeks,” Rebekah said, shaking her head fondly in an effort to drive away memories of her friend. “It drove Nik and I absolutely mad.” 
The Original sighed, raking a hand through her blonde curls to briefly massage the back of her neck. Sitting still for so long rarely took a toll on her body anymore—she was, quite simply, too old to care—but she suspected the current topic of discussion drained her more than she’d like to admit. 
Talking about Svala was forbidden. Everybody in the family knew it, and even Nik never ever dared to speak her name when Elijah was within earshot. Her death had been a blow their older brother had never recovered from and even now, nearly a millennium after he’d buried her, she would still catch him bracing himself against some pain she couldn’t see and she knew he was thinking of her. 
“Their courtship was long, by our standards,” she continued, turning her back to Hayley as she refilled her glass for the umpteenth time that evening, “but that’s Elijah for you.”
“Why do you say that?” Hayley asked. “He’s always seemed like a man who makes up his mind quickly to me.”
Rebekah hummed into her glass. “Oh, his mind was made up, believe me. He was going to marry her, none of us—least of all him, at least at the unconscious level—had any doubts about that.” She turned back to her companion. “But you forget about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Eyeing her friend, the vampire sighed, looking down at her glass. “Our father.” She took a deep breath, hating that even now the man had such a hold on her as to make her afraid of speaking his name. “Mikael wasn’t a kind man, as I’m sure you’ve noticed,” she said drily, smiling slightly at the werewolf’s quiet snort, “and he wasn’t then either. I think Elijah was afraid to bring Svala into a family with such a man at the head of it.”
Rebekah sat back into her original seat, bringing her forearms to rest on her thighs, rolling her glass between her hands. “Perhaps he was right to be worried, considering everything that happened.” 
“Did Mikael hurt her?”
The Original chuckled bitterly. “Who didn’t he hurt? He hurt Nik, most of all, but he took it out on others too. Our mother never moved against him,” she bit out angrily, “and even back then, I didn’t understand why. He was strong, but she was a witch, so what was she afraid of?” She huffed. “Obviously, now, I know she was scared her little secret would come to light.” 
Hayley nodded, shifting in her seat. “Klaus’ real father?”
“The leader of the neighboring village,” Rebekah answered, noting the disbelieving look the other woman shot her. “Yes, rather stupid of both of them really, but oh well.” She shook her head, willing herself to get back on track. “But no, Mikael never laid a hand on Svala. Elijah would probably not have stopped me from trying to kill him if he had.”
Hayley’s eyes grew wide. “You tried to kill your dad?” 
Rebekah nodded darkly. “And I wish to god Elijah had let me finish the job.” 
“That’s wild.”
“Welcome to the family, love.” Rebekah gulped down the rest of her drink, thinking that she might just have to slow down if she was going to survive waking up tomorrow. “Anyway, after a few months of tentative smiles and furtive glances, Elijah finally made the first move, to our family’s collective relief."
----------------
Midsommerblót was fast approaching and with it, the height of the summer months. Offerings for the landvaettirs had been prepared, crops stood tall or sprawled over and under the soil, birds were chirping in the tall trees and it seemed every living thing was bustling in preparation for the harvest months. 
Svala herself had not been idle since the arrival of spring. With help from Elijah and Nik, as well as Leif and Ulf, she had moved into her own cottage, not too far from the Mikaelsons. It was small, but sturdy, the last of the new homes built for the newcomers. 
She would miss Rebekah’s constant companionship and the easy routine she had fallen into amongst the family, but she was glad to have a space to herself. She’d never really had that before. The home she had shared with her mother was smaller than her new one, even if her youth had been spent mostly following her mother in her travels. 
Besides, given the current climate in the Mikaelson home, Svala had no doubt Rebekah would end up sleeping here more often than not in the upcoming months, personal space be damned. Mikael had been in an even fouler mood than usual, and she had been glad to escape. Svala knew her friend well enough by now to know that her new home was about to become Rebekah’s new home too. 
Unless her brother beat her to it. 
The distance between Elijah and her was long gone, replaced by open smiles and slower touches; the kind that lingered a little too long and left her a little too breathless. As the summer solstice approached and Midsommer drew nearer, she’d began to feel the telltale pull of desire more forcefully every time he stood next to her. It grew so strong at times that she worried the others would feel it, like the current pushing her towards him. She was entirely powerless to resist it but felt no need to battle it, if only they could find themselves alone. 
But, as things would have it, between moving into her new home and preparing for the festival—as well as her daily chores and Henrik’s and Rebekah’s constant demand for her attention—she had barely had any time to herself. Let alone with Elijah. 
And yet, the infuriating man wouldn’t leave her thoughts. 
Svala shook her head ruefully, spotting Nik down the path. 
Gathering wildflowers was a task she and Nik enjoyed doing together. He always kept some tucked away for Tatia, she knew, and he’d give them to her tonight, at the feast. The others were for Rebekah, who’d just turned sixteen last week, a true child of summer. 
Together, they kept an eye on Henrik, who amused himself by crafting what flowers they brought him into crowns and bouquets. Svala had a sneaking suspicion one of these was for her, but she wouldn’t ruin his joy at giving it to her tonight. 
“So, has my brother finally kissed you?” Nik asked her out of the blue, just as they settled into the routine of their task. 
She sputtered, her cheeks glowing red, and he had the audacity to laugh at her. 
“Nik!”
“Svala!”
Speechless, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open, she rather reminded him of a fish before she burst into a fit of laughter.
“You haven’t answered my question,” he said shrewdly. 
Looking down at the handful of flowers in her basket, Svala pondered how best to answer him, when she felt a hand settle on her shoulder. She looked up, momentarily confused by his sudden change in attitude. Gone was the impish grin, instead, he looked very serious.
“My brother is often too noble for his own good,” he said, somewhat cryptically (and here she thought Esther was the only one with a penchant for the mysterious), “and has a tendency to let that get in the way of his happiness.” He paused, blue eyes studying her. “But he’s in love with you, of that I have no doubt, and if he lets you go because of our father, I will personally make him regret it.” 
Svala smiled back tentatively, before her brain catches up. “Your father? Why? Is he… opposed to me?” She couldn’t fathom what it was she’s done to incur the man’s disapproval.
She didn’t say that she was also secretly scared of not being good enough for Elijah. 
Nik shook his head, bending to pick some more flowers. “No, as a rule, I don’t believe he is but he’s a difficult man…” he hesitated, debating whether or not to share something else with her, before sighing, lowering his eyes to the ground. “He’s… violent. And unforgiving of weakness. He views love as such, and has already told Elijah off multiple times for spending too much time around you. Not that it stopped him.” He shrugged, “I think Elijah is worried about you joining our family because of how Father is.”
Svala blushed at the mention of her ‘joining’ the family. 
It’s not that the thought hadn’t entered her mind since she’d met Elijah, but völvas rarely married or had children. Asta and her mother were exceptions. And Svala herself had never met her father. All her mother would tell her was that he was a good man, a Dane, powerful, and that was that. She didn’t even know his name and probably never would. 
Not that it mattered now. She was an ocean away. 
“Is he that bad?” she asked quietly, redirecting her thoughts to the present. She knew Mikael was a hard man, but all of the men she’s met before, save for Elijah and his brothers, were—in one way or another—hard men as well. And yet, everyone seemed to tiptoe around the Mikaelson patriarch as if he was Hel* come to drag them all down to her realm. 
Nik sighed, about to speak, but suddenly froze, catching sight of something she couldn’t see. Turning around, she saw Mikael looking at them, face unreadable but eyes like thunder. He truly did look like a Viking: cold and hard, like the ice. Svala wondered if it didn’t run in his veins. Nik sighed dejectedly next to her, no doubt expecting a humiliating tongue-lashing once they got back to the village. 
No, Mikael did not seem like the type of man who would be pleased to see a son of his picking flowers with a woman. 
She held the man’s gaze, daring him to come forward. She may not be her mother, but she could hold her own if he tried anything. She didn’t miss the way Nik tensed as his father’s gaze shifts to her. Svala was half tempted to send a little jolt of magic through the man, but stopped herself when Nik’s hand slid into hers. Glancing at him, she took her eyes off Mikael and in the time it took for him to glance back, his father was already gone past the tree line. 
“Please don’t provoke him,” he begged softly, his eyes a little frantic, “Elijah would never forgive himself if Father did something to you.”
Svala stared at him, dumbfounded. Would he dare? 
Nik seemed to understand exactly what she was asking, and shook his head. She relaxed slightly, until her friend sighed again, rubbing his neck. The motion dislodged the fabric of his tunic, pushing it aside. Horrified, Svala got a glimpse of what looked like the healed marks of a lashing, scarring the flesh across his upper back. She stopped herself from rushing forward, unsure whether he meant for her to see the evidence of his father’s abuse or not. 
Nik might not share his father’s disdain for weakness but that did not mean he would welcome her pity. 
----------------
“After that, when she wasn’t with Elijah, Svala rarely left Nik’s side,” Rebekah whispered, staring into the fire as if she could will her friend back to life. “I don’t think she ever told either of them she’d seen his wounds, but she told me.” 
Together, the two women had tried to shield her brother from Mikael’s wrath as much as possible. But neither had been able to stop her parents from doing the unthinkable: binding his brother’s wolf form, denying him all ties to the man he would have been better off being raised by. 
Standing up, the Original stoked the fire, watching as the flames soar higher, losing herself to memories of another fire, in another place, a thousand years ago. 
----------------
A little off to the side, Svala watched as people danced around the bonfire that stood proudly at the center of the clearing she had arrived in only months prior. It was the biggest fire she’d ever seen, stacks and stacks of wood burning high into the night. Gathered around the clearing were the elders, amongst them Ayana and Esther, who looked on fondly as the young danced.
There was one more house on the far left side to where Svala stood and the ground was now littered with old pine needles and wildflowers. She could hardly believe it had almost been a year since her arrival in the village. So much had changed since then: the harsh bite of the cold winds was a distant memory, her loneliness was gone, and she hadn’t missed the sea for a few weeks now. There were still times were homesickness would find her, creeping into her heart when she least expected it, but those were growing few and far between.
The man largely responsible for such a change stood on the other side of the clearing, Rebekah by his side, her hair braided prettily in the style Svala knew she liked. Kol and Nik were arguing with each other, but judging by the fondly exasperated expression on Elijah’s face, it wasn’t anything she needed to worry about. 
Her own hair was swept back from her temples in two braids, barely strong enough to contain the rest of her mane as it swept down her back. Svala rarely wore it down, preferring the tightly braided style some of the shieldmaidens had worn back home. It was practical, but Midsommer was not about being practical. It was about revelry and fun, partaking in the joys of summer and enjoying the fruits of a year’s worth of hard work. 
She’d even worn her best dress, the one her mother had sewn for her back home, during one of those cold winter nights that felt like a lifetime ago. Yrsa had always been partial to green, for herself, as it highlighted her red hair, but red had always been Svala’s color, bringing out the color of her eyes and the warmer tones in her hair. But the pigments for red dye were expensive, even when supplemented with wild berries, and so this dress had only ever been meant to be worn on special occasions. Svala thought her first Midsommerblót in her new home was a rather good time to try it on.
She giggled when Henrik ran up to her, tugging Rebekah with him, and dragged them both to the center of the clearing, where the warmth of the fire was almost unbearable, to dance. The little boy spun around them in a circle, tugging at their skirts until Svala caught him, tickling him mercilessly. He shrieked with laughter, trying to escape her and drawing the attention of his older brothers. Absorbed as she was by her revenge, Svala completely missed the look of complete adoration that overtook Elijah’s face, but Rebekah certainly did not. 
She hoped someone would look at her like that too, one day. 
Bending down to swoop her little brother up into her arms, Rebekah tugged at Svala’s hand, drawing the older girl into the wide circles of the dance, turning around each other in turn as Henrik clung to her, tucked between them. Laughing, Svala came to a stop, her cheeks red from exertion, and disappeared briefly, coming back with two cups of ale. The beverage was more than welcome, a relief against the heat. Henrik clamored for a sip and Svala had all the trouble in the world keeping him off, her eyes widening playfully as she downed the rest of her cup, taunting him. 
“That’s not fair!” Henrik whined, kicking his little legs, “I wanted some too!”
“Not just yet, little one” Svala said, swooping him up to let Rebekah enjoy her own drink in peace, “but there’s some very tasty berry juice over there.”
The bribe worked, as it always did on children. Pacified, Henrik allowed himself to be led to the large oak tables, bending under the weight of the harvest. While Svala poured him a cup of fresh juice, Rebekah saw her older brother approach and, in a moment of uncharacteristic generosity of spirit, whisked Henrik away from the couple the first chance she got. 
Passing by Elijah, Henrik nearly thwarted her plan when he reached for him. Knowing her brother was powerless to refuse him, Rebekah twirled around on herself, laughing and  drawing a giggle from the child, effectively distracting him from their older brother’s presence. She made her way to another table, sitting herself and Henrik down to let him pilfer the entire platter of wild berries, stuffing them into his mouth as fast as a squirrel, his eyes growing bigger by the second as he looked at the sudden influx of people dancing around the bonfire. 
It seemed like the entire village had collectively decided to join in, couples dancing together and wider circles of people skipping together hand in hand, their chants joining the music, growing louder and louder. Had she not been familiar with Midsommer and its merrymaking, Svala would have thought herself addled by the ale. Eyeing her cup, she shrugged and took another drink, closing her eyes. 
The thing she liked the most about Midsommerblót was the music and dancing. Everyone was happy, indulging in the warmth of the summer months, enjoying the fact that it would last for some more still before the return of the cold. 
Autumns here were less colorful than in the old country. The pines did not shed their leaves and so they never turned into the bright yellows, oranges and reds Svala had known all her life, but the evergreens held a certain beauty to them. It was mostly noticeable in the winter, when everything else was dead and still, they held on. 
The one tree she always found herself drawn to, no matter the season, was the one standing tall behind the fire, its branches sweeping over the clearing, full of the green of summer. 
The villagers called it “white oak”, for the light finish of its wood when harvested, and it was magnificent. Svala thought it must have been the oldest tree here, allowed to grow into itself as the clearing was cleared of other trees some centuries ago. In the fall, its leaves turned as bright as the trees of her old home, and she never felt homesick in its presence. 
Lost in thought, she jumped slightly when she felt the press of a strong hand at her back, relaxing almost immediately when a deep chuckle sounded from just behind her. 
“Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you.”
She turned her head to the side, watching under thick lashes as Elijah’s profile came into view, his high cheekbones highlighted by the glow of the fire. Where they were standing, by the tables, its warmth was more distant, but the shiver that tingled down her spine had nothing to do with the chill. She felt the weight of his hand where it still was, pressed into her back, between her shoulder blades.
His eyes turned to her, taking her in. 
Svala had always been beautiful, but tonight, in her red dress, her cheeks warmed by more than just drink, she was even more so. Her grey eyes sparkled when she looked up at him, shimmering in the low light. They were tender, excruciatingly so, wide and open. He felt like he could lose himself to her and it would still feel like home. 
She caught her breath, noticing the way his hand slipped lower, pulling her closer until her back rested against his chest. She could still hear the music, but the sound was drowned out by the feeling of his hand caressing down her back, settling on her waist. She was pulled more firmly against him, a possessive touch to the way his fingers dug into her side. 
Slowly, Svala finished her drink, setting it down on the table beside her. Seeing that everyone else’s attention was taken up by the feast, she allowed herself to rest against Elijah’s chest, his warmth a comforting presence against her back. Her head came to rest just above his heart. If she focused hard enough, she could feel its beat against her ear. It was steady; as steady as the man it belonged to, and she knew, in that moment, that she was the one who held it. 
She felt his chin touch her hair, in a kiss or just resting there, she wasn’t sure. She simply savored the moment—the first one they’d shared since he had helped her down from the newly finished roof her house, preventing her from falling and catching her in his arms. 
His arm snaked around her, ensnaring her, his finger splayed on her hip, close to where their bodies touched. She felt that pull again, the same one she always felt when he was near, begging her to bring him closer still, until it felt like she was going to meld herself to him. 
Turning in his grasp, Svala brought their joined hands to her lips, kissing his knuckles. Elijah’s breath hitched above her and when she looked up, all she saw before his lips claimed hers was the devotion shining in his eyes. 
----------------
“I was looking right at them,” Rebekah said, the mischievous look only a younger sibling could have written all over her face. “I never told Svala, but I couldn’t resist telling Elijah. I never saw him blush harder.” She laughed, shaking her head fondly. “Mostly, we were relieved he’d finally done it; their little courtship was exhausting to watch, honestly.” 
The Original looked back at Hayley, eyeing the werewolf. She was calmer, now, less jittery, and more focused on Rebekah. She honestly was’t sure if it was because of her stellar storytelling, or because the other woman was desperate for any morsel of anything related to Elijah. She couldn’t fault her for that; she knew her brother was a hard man to forget, even when it was for the best. 
She heard the telltale whoosh of another vampiric presence even before Hayley did, hybrid senses and all. 
“I do believe your squeal managed to gather everybody’s attention, sister mine.”
Rolling her eyes, Rebekah looked over at her tyrant of an older brother, busy pouring himself a drink, and nearly snorted at the way Hayley’s own eyes rolled almost all the way back into her skull. 
“Thankfully, by this point, everyone was too far gone to see what was really going on,” Klaus said, the twinkle in his eye almost fond as he looked back at her, “but, alas, I wasn’t.”
“Oh yes, because you were never one to indulge.”
Her annoying twat of a brother eyed the drink in her hand meaningfully—her sixth of the evening, she believed. Rebekah shrugged, and he softened. Of all of them, herself and Elijah excepted, Nik had been closest with Svala. She didn’t think her brother would have joined in on their conversation willingly—in fact, she rather thought he would have ran from it. 
He did love to surprise her. 
“You see, Little Wolf,” he said, the moniker falling easily from his lips, “our brother as he is today, noble to a fault and—if you squint—nearly caring, is revolting enough, but Elijah back then…” he shivered, “now that was positively nauseating.”
----------------
Elijah’s hand cushioned the back of her head against the wood behind her, his grasp there gentle even as his mouth did sinful things to hers, gliding against her lips, teasing her. He’d backed her against the side of house, away from the gathering, when neither of them had been able to contain themselves anymore. 
As soon as they had been in relative privacy, Elijah had crusher her to him, framing her face with his much larger hands and kissed her with an urgency Svala had not thought him capable of. 
She could not have been more wrong. 
His hands were all over her, sweeping over her stomach up to her breasts, and all the way into her hair, tangling in the long strands, bringing her face closer still, his kiss growing more desperate. All it had taken was for her to arch into him, drawing the length of her body against his, for him to press her against the wooden wall, a low moan escaping him. 
The tether between them was vibrating, the need to possess and be possessed urging them closer until all they could feel was each other. Her brows furrowed and Svala made a small sound of protest when Elijah pulled away, his breathing ragged against the side of her face. She felt the weight of his hips against hers, the evidence of his desire pressing deliciously on her stomach. 
Feeling bold, she let her hands wonder, sweeping over his lean hips and around to pull him towards her, arching into him when he let out another low sound of pleasure. He settled into her embrace, letting her caress up and down his back, the touch more calming than it was meant to arouse and yet managing both at the same time. 
She was so small, compared to him, he felt like he could pull her into his arms and no one would ever be able to harm her. 
Svala nibbled at his jaw, letting her head fall back to allow him to press slow kisses all along her neck. Breathing in her scent, Elijah let himself fall deeper into her arms, resting most of his much larger weight against her, but she never made a single sound of protest. 
They were both breathing more calmly now, letting the heat of their bodies cool before he did something unforgivable and made love to her for the first time right up against her house. Elijah would not let himself go enough to allow for anything else than absolute perfection whenever they did decide on sharing this moment together. 
Kissing her collarbone one last time, it took all of his willpower to pull away from her. Svala allowed it, dropping her arms from around his neck until they rested against his sides. He smirked when he realized that she was just as unwilling to part from him completely. 
Elijah let himself feel up her body once more, lingering on her soft breasts until he heard her breathing speed up again, and he knew that if she kissed him again, he would forget his resolve and drop to his knees in front of her, hide under her dress and make her forget any other name but his. 
The thought alone was the sweetest torture. 
For now, he felt contented enough to breath in her scent, pine needles and smoke mixed with the flowers she’d picked this morning, his thoughts turned to a future they would share together. 
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beeceit · 2 years ago
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The Broken Leo
Disclaimer: I know I don't typically do angst for the Peepaw Multiverse (which is also why I typically don't involve itbotb Leo in it) but I got to thinking, and itbotb Leo would have... very complicated feelings about meeting so many other hims
(The itbotb canon self-worth issues, alcohol issues, and a brief mention of suicidal thoughts made it into this, so watch out for those) WMAS Leo belongs to @chiangyorange who also inspired this with this comic
Leo tapped his claws against his glass, looking around the room.
The situation was ridiculous and honestly a little frightening. (Seriously, what evil god would allow THIS many Leos to coexist in one room?! Something very very important would be breaking soon and the whole multiverse would explode because some idiot tried to make ramen without the water, or something equally stupid.)  But the scariest part for Leo was that every other version of himself he could see seemed so… 
Happy.
Why wasn’t he? What, because he was missing an arm? Big whoop, he’d already counted five other hims missing something. Coin with his amputated leg (and really, he should be grateful it was only an arm), 2 was missing an arm too, didn’t even really have a stump to speak of. Expendable was not only missing an arm, but his shell was in horrible shape and his eye looked enough like his own Raph’s that he’d bet real money that he was at least partially blind.
And he was feeling this way well before he lost it.
Because of the prison dimension, then? He was there an hour at most. Hourglass and Deal had both been there so much longer and got hurt so much worse. And yet there they were, just laughing and talking like old friends, and they’d only just met. Deal was even drinking soup out of his hands, Leo couldn’t even imagine going through trauma like he had and still managing to be able to be so silly. No, the problem was him.
The problem was always him.
What was wrong with him? His dad was finally there and opening up and listening, his family finally trusted him, he got along with Casey famously. Even his future self was there for him! Everybody was! He just needed to stop being such a self-obsessed dickhead and talk to them! Why was this so hard? Leo sighed and looked around to make sure no one was looking before reaching into his pouch and pulling out a bottle of calamine lotion. Well… it had been calamine lotion. Now it was just a cleaned out bottle he used to hide his emergency vodka in. It didn’t hold much (It couldn’t. He couldn’t afford his brothers getting suspicious, after all.) but it was enough. He poured a generous glug into his diet coke before concealing the bottle again. There was a bar in this place for the older Leos, it would be fine. If anyone got suspicious, he could just claim it was Blue’s and he stole a sip because he was curious. That was normal teenager behavior, right?
What a fucking mess he was.
It was bad enough, knowing how weak he was amongst his family, knowing he was the only one struggling like this, but this? This was so much worse. So many hims, going through so much worse, how was he the only one struggling this hard? How was he the only one who couldn’t handle it? This wasn’t just one universe calling him a failure, it was dozens.
“Should’ve just let Prime finish me off when he had the chance.” He muttered to himself, taking a long sip.
Leo felt a bump against his shoulder.
“Hey, you say something?” Leo jumped, turning to see another Leo sitting next to him. “Shit! Sorry, uh, spaced out. How long have you been there?” The other Leo snorted. “Just a minute, dude, don’t worry about it. You good?” Leo blinked before shrugging and putting on the carefree mask, hoping it wouldn’t fail him like it had done more and more lately. “Nah, I’m fine, don’t worry about it. Just, uh, just overwhelmed. This whole situation is wack as all hell.”
“Yeah, I get that. I still haven’t figured out how to get this name tag thing off. I mean, what does WMAS even mean?! And why is there an orange on it?”
“I’ve been saying it like Christmas in my head.” “Of course you would. Why is yours so long, anyways?”
“Dude, I have no idea. My Blue’s matches, so I guess our dimension is just itty-bot-buh with a… deer-bee thing? I don’t know, man.” WMAS snorted. “You call yours Blue, too?” “Dad picked it. It’s still weird, him actually calling me by my name without it meaning I’m in trouble.” “Yeah, I feel that. …you, uh… you wanna go pet the big scary magic dog with me?” Leo raised an eyebrow and looked over at Havoc, who was currently giving a death glare to a big Leo that had gotten too close to Hourglass for comfort. “I think that’s a fox.” “He’s fluffy, it makes him a dog.” Leo rolled his eyes and chugged the rest of his drink before standing. “Eh, I’ll bite. I didn’t have anything better to do anyways.” Blue looked on from across the room with a frown.
I’m so sorry, kid.
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wordtotherose · 1 year ago
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"Stop walking away from me!" Elizia takes a deep breath, doesn't close her eyes or frown or furrow her brow, she stays perfectly still. "Listen to me for Hell's sake and stop lying. You aren't fine and frankly, if you couldn't tell, neither am I."
Astarion is a breath away from her face, fists in her nightshirt, holding her close without a care for the pull of the collar around her neck. His breath smells of wine, the bad stuff he only drinks when he's upset. And right now, he's furious. Incandescent with his rage. She cannot show how much his wrathful accusations hurt her, because he will fold into himself, he will crumple and this conversation won't have a chance in hell of progressing. It needs to happen, she knows it does, she's been putting it off and throwing herself into everything and anything to avoid talking to him. Because it's insane, what she's dealing with, absolutely batshit insane and if he doesn't question her sanity after she tells him then…then…well, then she won't know what to do. And that's terrifying. Far scarier than the vampire threatening her. Letting him win is the only way forward or they will be back to where they've been for the past however many days since they moved into this house. It's not yet a home, maybe one morning soon she will wake up and it will feel safe, it will feel like a refuge from the world and all its problems. It doesn't yet. It certainly won't if this is how they're going to be the entire time living under the same roof. And whilst it is entirely her fault right now, she wouldn't lie to him. She is fine enough.
"Astarion," she keeps her voice level, tone as clear of judgment as she can manage in this situation, "I am not lying to you."
He shakes her harshly before pushing her away with an aching look of disgust. "I don't understand, Tavaril. I cannot see what it is I have done between then and now, maybe it's just time. Maybe you've just finally realised the- the reality of chaining yourself to a vampire. An, in your defense in this, admittedly messed up vampire spawn. It makes sense. After all, this cannot be what you want. This perversion of a life. You are miserable, it hasn't escaped my notice that you can't stand to be in the same room as me let alone look at me or, gods forbid, touch me! This is the first time I've seen you in three days, Tav, and you're already leaving again."
Continue Reading on AO3 or under the cut.
He stops abruptly when she flinches, dismay breaking through her mask. He only calls her that when talking about her to the others. It is always, always an endearment or the full versions of her names when speaking to her directly. Never Tav. Not once since they met. She can't get herself together again quick enough to say something before he's back on his roll.
"What?" He snaps. "The truth not meeting your expectations? Lie to yourself, Tav, but don't you dare lie to me, I've had enough of that in my life. I know you're still not sleeping, I can hear you through the wall and yet you make me listen unable to do anything to help. You say you are 'fine' and you send me away. What changed? What did I fucking do? I thought- Gods! I honestly let myself believe you when you said you wanted to live with me, that you wanted our future. Together. But no. Of course not. Why wait until now? Why now, after everything?"
"I haven't lied to you," she repeats, knocked off balance by just how bad she has let it get, just how much she has hurt him, and, because she can barely find the courage to look at him with the guilt on her shoulders, she falls back on cursed old habits. "Astarion, my love, I have been busy, too busy, and I am sorry about that but can't we just-"
"Busy? Busy? With what, Tav? What could there possibly be left to do? What is more important than even just saying a gods damned cordial hello in passing? You know Gale came by trying to find you earlier? 'Where's Tav?' He asked and I looked like a fucking idiot without a clue because my own lover won't look at me let alone talk to me. 'Apologies, Gale, I haven't the faintest idea where Tav is-!' He was sympathetic, he was pitying, do you have any idea how mortifying that was? He's going to ask about it, Tav, at-"
"Stop it!" The shout is nearly a scream of frustration and she cannot regret it even when he looks feral in his own damned vindication in getting a rise out of her, she's playing right into his hand; deep down, she's grateful that he can do this, that he isn't afraid to do this. "Stop fucking calling me that. You never call me that. I'm sorry I've not been around, okay? I miss you, I miss you, you fucking idiot, but I have been trying to process the fact I died and that I have nothing left! I just keep losing everything. Not for one second have I wanted this, you're right, I have imprisoned you in this house and I- I have nothing left… nothing to give you, no leads to follow, nothing but my own trauma and my own gods damned ghosts. Can you honestly say this is what you signed up for? To have to look after me when I cannot think, when I cannot even get out of bed because of the pain? In the space of so many months I have lost everything I had. I- You all were a family to me, you became everything, I would have done anything for any of you and now where are they? I'm alone, again. And I didn't even get to say goodbye."
She squeezes her eyes shut against the prickling of tears, hides in her hands and drops into a crouch right there on their upstairs landing outside their bedroom doors. Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.
"Nothing." Astarion's echo of her is empty, cold as the void of the Astral Plain. "Well. At least you're not pretending anymore, I suppose."
She scratches her fingers into her hair, forehead to her knees, and digs in with her nails to the short hairs that are doing a horrendous job at growing back. She honestly has forgotten about the sensitive scars until they sting and she's already letting go but Astarion is faster. He's on her in an instant, yanking her wrists away in a vice grip as he holds them to his chest. She glares up at him as he crowds over her, lips pulled back over his fangs in a snarl.
"Stop it, you fool!" Astarion yanks her into the curve of his body, twisting her to wrap his arms tight around her, back to his chest, wrists pinned to her own chest now in a cross.
She grunts and kicks her legs out in front of her, wriggling to try and break free but he has no problem holding on. He continues growling into her ear telling her to stop, to relax, to get it together. There's been moments, like this, since she woke up with half a brain still mush and a body lethargic no matter how much she sleeps. Moments when she cannot do it, this thing called coping or living or surviving, when she's fighting for her life on a brain above the sea again. When she wants it to just stop and that means winning the fight. Sometimes it's darker. A desire heavy and thick like wading through treacle in her mind as she craves and end to sensation, no more thoughts, no more arguing, no more having to try because if she doesn't try then who is going to try for her? No one. No one will. No one ever has.
Astarion is normally softer, more patient, gentler when he has to hold her still. Normally the words he repeats are comforting promises of peace. Normally he isn't accusing her of getting bored of him, of wanting to leave him. Normally…normally she trusts him not to leave her in the aftermath.
"Let me go, Astarion, let me go, please, if you're going to do this then just go, I don't want to do this to you, to us. If you want to go it's okay, I promise, it's okay, you can just tell me. Please just tell me," she begs, chin to her chest.
He exhales heavily and it flows through her. "You know I hate being the sensible one but since you're not stepping up, I guess you leave me no choice."
A sob escapes her as his chin drops onto the top of her head, at the start of her scars.
"When did you last sleep?"
It's not what she expects. Maybe that's why she tells him the truth.
"I can't."
"Right. And where have you been?"
Another sob. "I- it's stupid-"
"Tavaril," the edge is back in his voice, she buckles instantly.
"I can't find his grave," she cries, shaking in his hold as he settles more comfortably around her, legs cradling around her own; he starts to rock them ever so gently back and forth, like she does for him after a nightmare or memory. "I don't remember where they said they would bury him, I didn't go, I didn't- I didn't and all I could see when- when I was dying was him and he's lost. He's lost and he's haunting me, I can't let him go again."
"Oh darling…"
"I can't be- be happy, Astarion, it doesn't work that way. It has never worked that way. I lost him, I let him die whilst I fucking /slept/ and then you- I've ruined you! I've made you just as much a slave to me and my protection as you were to him after promising you what you wanted and then I died and then- then it hit me that I'm going to die again, Astarion, again and there won't be any coming back from that one!"
"...I forgot how much you can talk. It's all absolute shit, of course, but you can really keep it up when you get going."
She screams in frustration and tries to fight her way out again but he holds her tight until the energy seeps away once more, leaving her boneless and cold. After a moment Astarion clears his throat.
"It seems I owe you an apology, my dear. I may have let my own…insecurities," he says the word with a frown she can feel but not see as he hides his face in her neck, "rule my judgment. Though I am not alone in that, it seems. You are nothing like him, my sweet, and it…it pains me to know you think that about yourself. You have your ghosts and I have my own, seven odd thousand of them are in fact actually possibly looking for me so I think I have you beat there."
"I'm not lying," she whispers.
"No, you're not, are you? You damnably honest thing."
"Let me go…"
"You don't actually want me to, do you? Tell me you want me to leave, all else and I will stay. I will stay and you will sleep, in my arms, on my chest or on your own and I will lie on your back as you like. I- We will look together for his resting place. And you will eat. You will rest. You and I will stay here in this frankly hideous house and redecorate to make it liveable and you will remind me that if nothing else, I can protect you from yourself. We have time, Elizia. I promised you we would give planning our next adventure before diving into it a go and I'm not one for breaking promises. You don't have to do anything but rest and recover right now, darling, we will go looking for trouble and artifacts or spells or scrolls when we are both ready."
She shudders, curling her legs up and pushing back into him, reassured by his strength of presence. His words are honey sweet and missing all of the insincerity she used to be so used to. She's an idiot. An exhausted, forever in physical pain nowadays, self-sabotaging idiot.
"Why are you laughing, you weirdo? Do you have a single sane emotion in you at the minute or do I need to take you to get looked at, not that I imagine much can be done that hasn't already."
"I once thought," she says even though she probably shouldn't, "that we'd never get here."
"Yes, I know, you thought you were going to die. It was only a month and a bit ago, darling. You truly have a knack for making a painful conversation worse."
"No, no, I thought we'd never be here. Where I'd- I couldn't say what I want and you'd know anyway. You'd hear me anyway."
He scoffs and prompts her to turn around. She goes, lets him manouver her to face him and he immediately crawls into her lap, straddling her legs. He's taller than her already but like this he has an extra inch or so. She wraps her arms around his back tentatively, tears drying on her cheeks until he brushes them away.
"I'm not leaving. So don't leave me either, Elizia, please. I'm not above begging for this. Not anymore. I spent too long thinking you died because of my monstrous needs to think I could ever really want to be parted from you. Self-sacrificing moron that you are trying to be."
"I don't know how to keep you, how to fix things," she says pitifully, looking up into his earnest expression like a penitent searching for absolution in the idol of their god. "I couldn't face leaving but I couldn't tell you to go either, even to save you. It's been so long since I remembered him so clearly and now I can't stop. He's driving me to destruction and I don't want to ruin you anymore than I already have. I promised you sunlight and I'm breaking my promise."
"Stop saying you've ruined me, would you? You're giving yourself far too much credit for everything that happened. I made my choices, you played a part, yes, but they were my choices, my actions. And you don't need to fix anything. Nothing is broken. I've lived two hundred years in the dark, in far, far worse conditions than this. You know that. You saw the state of the palace. You read their shitty little diaries, heard what Bodey said. Elizia, we have a home, we have…ugh friends, don't tell Gale I said that. I have a lover, a partner who is my equal and who I know, moments like this aside, has seen me at my worst and still trusts me, still cares for me."
"Loves you. Who loves you."
For the first time in so long she gets to see his smile, genuine and soft.
"Who loves me, yes."
"I shouldn't have said what I did. You're right. I have so much…so, so much."
"And just to check, you are including me in that, yes?"
She swats his arm before holding his hand, blushing a little when he presses his thumb into her palm like she does for him so often. "I don't know, that depends on if I'm still wanted. Screwed up as I am after everything. You've…I've been making you carry more than your fair share of all of this since the move. I should be pulling my weight better. I want to pull my weight, not just chase after one of my problems to avoid another."
He quirks a brow and she backpedals gracelessly.
"No! That's not what I meant. Stop being a bastard, that's not what I meant and you know it. You're not a problem. I promise."
"I don't know, I thought you rather liked how much of a bastard I am," he teases, pulling his most offended pout even as she swats at him again.
"Shut up," she grumbles, dropping her weight back to flop onto the floorboards fully. "See if I apologise again."
He runs his fingers mindlessly over her ribs, up around her chest, grazes the skin on show but retreats to the safety of fabric. "I accept your apology, my cantankerous darling. And I apologise too for assuming the worst of you. That was…"
"Understandable, it was understandable, Astarion. I needed pushing. Gods know how long I would have kept it up if you hadn't."
"Hmm…perhaps."
"Can we talk about the rest of it tomorrow? I am actually exhausted."
"Sulking your way round the city on your own does tend to have a depressing effect on a person," he muses, not making any start towards moving. "I've heard it's less so with company though."
Elizia drops her hands on top of his thighs, just resting them there as she looks up at him, apparently puzzled by his obvious offer. "You truly want to go traipsing around graveyards all day- night, sorry? You?"
"I am a vampire if you'll remember, I've done my fair share of graverobbing."
"You have not."
"Have too." He retorts. "People get buried with all sorts of treasures. As you well know, darling."
She yawns unexpectedly, her eyes stay closed afterwards. Like this, with the comforting weight of Astarion above, she feels like a cat luxuriating in a sunbeam, utterly drained of all the tension of the past couple days. Well. Months. "You can prove nothing in a court of law," she says sleepily.
"Not without indicting myself, I suppose."
"My point exactly. Can we sleep here tonight? I don't think I can move anymore."
He shifts his weight and she swears if she could purr she gods damned would be as he carefully settles himself on top of her, head tucked under her chin, legs entwined sort of awkwardly with her own.
"Only so long as it doesn't become a habit. We finally have actual, honest to god, good beds and you still want to sleep on the bloody ground."
"Just leave me here when you get uncomfortable or bored if you're not gonna sleep."
"Yes because that will be so good for you, darling."
"Carry me then, I don't care. I'll be asleep."
"...Elizia."
"Astarion."
"Are…"
She cracks an eye open, concerned, and buries a hand in his curls, petting them as soothingly as she knows how. "Astarion," she repeats, softly pressing for him to continue.
He clears his throat to put it off a moment longer. "I simply meant to ask whether we are…okay?"
"Whether we're okay?"
"If you could refrain from the mimicry for the current moment, that'd be much appreciated."
She winces. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just…how do you mean? I think we're okay. I'm okay, well. No. But. Right now, I'm alright, honestly. Are you?"
"Fine. I'm fine. Just…not used to… Getting things wrong used to be much more dangerous. For me. It wasn't…well, it certainly never ended with a cuddle and apologies, that's for sure."
"Oh… I… I see. Do you…" biting her lip, she gently untangles a snare in the curls by his ear. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. Not tonight. Can we just…" he doesn't finish, falling into his own thoughts, beyond her reach; she lets him go, trusts that he'll come back, when he's ready, when he can.
She can't remember falling asleep but when she stirs sometime later, still half in a dream, she turns over in her own bed and finds red eyes glinting in the candlelight shining from her bedside table. They're perusing a book but drift down to her as she blinks slowly, ever so slowly, fighting off the cotton clouds of rest long enough to shuffle closer to Astarion. She wraps herself around his nearest leg and clumsily moves to rest her cheek on his thigh, ready to go back to sleep. Cool fingers stroke across her braid and stay there, supporting her neck in her awkward angle of choice so she doesn't slip back down at least while she's conscious enough to grouch about it. She thinks she mumbles a thank you but can't be sure before she's floating away again, peacefully content.
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seaweedwolf · 1 year ago
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Chalice of the gods preview thoughts
spoilers
I read the preview and omg I'm in love? The call back to the first opener, I've discussed and thought about it before and honestly I wanted it to be like the senior student quote or like I didn't want to apply for college?
The school is so interesting? And it obviously has the point percy is going into the future and leaving being a kid behind?
Percy counselor! She's so cool and i love how she and Poseidon were like hmm who tells him the bad news? But she is in his corner and it's great?
Alao hello community college mention? Is that more Greek/Roman or a mix for any godly connected mortal? I need answers! Is it set in greendale?
Poseidon finally made his appearance properly!! I love the fact we got to see him arguing and defending percy future? Obviously, it wasn't the best, but percy could have had 25 quests? Or not have been eligible? And just his unpredictability is still there?
Also damn the poseidon is Paul theory is just coming isn't?
The fact this is solely percy problem is so funny but tragic? Hades/Pluto children were born before the oath so they wouldn't have anything against them, thalia and Jason is his children and he's absolutely biased towards them?
But I can't help but think this is zeus revenge for percy turning down godhood? You want a future, you're going to have to rely on the gods, face more challenges? Also, he's probably holding a grudge because he corrupted jason to the point he argued with zeus at the end of BOO?
Also just kinda laugh at the thought, it is the styx punishment for him being born? Thalia was cursed to get killed by monsters, a short game, here we'll play the long game and screw his future up?
I also think the cup is a trap... my theory is that he stole the cup from Ganymede for the minor god attention? As we know, they had an affair? But hearing the fact percy is looking for the cup, if he drinks from it and become immortal, he's going to get offended percy turned him down but became a immortal anyway? He's going to punish him horribly? Prometheus kinda punishment?
Honestly, there's not much to say about percabeth, my otp once and forever, but I love seeing them hang out and just enjoy each other company? And seeing her with Paul and Sally?
Also, grover!! I love this trio? And it is so fitting he's here to help percy get to college?
I do just love the theme thay everything is connecting,the school, harking back to the idea of immortality? Percy had his last summer before his senior year.
This is so important and honestly so character driven? And I love stories like this, it's a long epilogue this series? Trials of Apollo he said was the capstone, but this is truly it?
The lart thing, I love the idea. we are also seeing a more older demigod version for quests, etc? Of course, there is a request system? I love you can say a reward, this is showing the difference? As teens/kids, it was getting yourself trained, proving your worth, but for adults, they can have the experience and skills to do the less meaningful tasks? They're also more cynical and knowing the gods? It also brings the chance for money or something if they're struggling with job loss for example?
Also it is a great image, percy believing apollo was here, to ask him for a quest? Especially if it was all done?
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heretherebedork · 1 year ago
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The writing is really smart for BMF. One of my complaints was always that Kawi changed too much in the future, but in this episode we saw how easy everything could go wrong, how he decided to play with the band instead of being with Pisaeng, how alcohol was offered to him etc. So his strange extroverted alcoholic self that we saw in the future is finally making sense. He also became more mature, and I felt for him, when he was so stressed out because of Pear. He was with her for years, and he obviously loves her. Not like as with Pisaeng, but I believe he cares for her dearly.
Playing that character is really a challenge. It feels like Krist has to play 3 characters at the same time: We have the childish Kawi who lives in his shell and blames everyone else for his misery, we have the extroverted superstar Kawi who can't fix his problems, and we have the Kawi in the middle, who is finally doing the right thing, while still being awkward, but also more open and confident. But strangely enough it feels like watching the same character, even when you think about it, they are very different.
Also, this drama does justice to ALL its characters not just Kawi and Pisaeng. And just Character Development is so good to see!!!
I never had an issue with the future changes. If anything, the future always felt like a standstill from where we were in the past. They were always facing the exact same crisis and issue in the future without ever having changed their stance of anything. Kawi started drinking and playing a bad? Famous drunk superstar! Piseang finally confessed and said he would wait? Waited year after year with no change and celebrating the day he confessed to Kawi as their special day. Pear knows Piseang doesn't like her and Kawi does? Was dating Kawi only to move onto the next most assholish character.
So, that was never my issue. My issue has been that when Kawi comes back to the past his change always feels sudden and surface. This episode was better because it did show more of the smaller changes and the reasons and the awkward moments and the struggle of trying to do such huge and sudden changes while still also just... being a person. It was good to see in a way that made sense to me.
The show is doing a good job. Well, mostly. Kwan and Not absolutely frustrate me on so many levels it's hard to articulate because the show has given us nothing (not that I want a lot, honestly) but is now giving us these scenes that make me feel like I'm supposed to understand Not but mostly just find him gross? And I can't figure out what Kwan sees in him that makes her so desperate to keep him that she stays as a loveless side piece for eight years in the future-verse we last saw because... what? He's a jerk without an ounce of kindness in him.
That's what I meant by the future never changing, by the way. Like... eight years is a huge time span to cover without anyone changing anyone they love or care about except Pear dropping Kawi so we didn't get to see any of their relationship.
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your-lovely-rose · 2 years ago
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Request from Alphabets: Relationship Alphabet
𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦: Boku no hero Academia
𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Shin Nemoto x Reader
⚠ 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: None || NOT EDITED
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Hey, sorry it took so long and I hope to do more requests with Nemoto in the future (and he didn't come out here too much OOC).
> Shin Nemoto Masterlist
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A = Activity  | What is their favorite activity to do with you?
I expect that to be something simple, like walks or general spending time together: watching a movie or staying near each other, you can even do completely different things - your presence is enough for him.
B = Beginnings  | How do they act in the beginning of a relationship?
He'll be hard-faced to you and seem unkind. He won't outright insult you, but sometimes (when he's having a particularly bad day) he might overly criticize you.
He won't trust you because of his belief about others - about how unreliable they are and how they lie all the time. He definitely has a trust issue.
C = Communication  | Are they good communicators? How do they normally talk about their problems or solve issues?
Shin doesn't have a problem with communication - he doesn't stutter, isn't embarrassed talking to someone he likes nor is he afraid to talk. On the contrary, in conversations he is confident.
But he won't go talk to a newly met person about his problems and frustrations. However, if he likes you, you can get what's bothering him.
At first, he'll still be reluctant to say, acting more cold than usual, then, when he lets it out, he'll feel better (but he'll still be little nervous).
D = Drunk  | What are they like when they’re drunk?
He doesn't usually drink enough to get totally drunk, however, if this ever happens he is very talkative and fractious - if you're his victim (you'll be the only one around him then), you'll have to listen his jealousy about Chrono and boss, what has gone wrong, what upsets him or his praise of Overhaul.
But the drunken Shin doesn't just talk about it. You can ask him what he thinks about you or your relationship with him. He will answer you completely honestly without the filter of inhibitions that his brain creates, when he is sober.
He may forget about it later, but if he likes you he will say right away that he is glad he finally told its you.
Even if he forgets this later.
E = Emergency  | How are they in emergency situations? You get hurt, they get hurt, someone is dying, etc…
You/Somebody gest hurt or is dying. | If it's someone close to him, he will panic. At first he's not sure what to do - he wants to help you, but doesn't know where to start. Better let someone else help you.
Him | He wouldn't care so much about himself. You could find him in a pool of blood, limbless or badly bruised, but he wouldn't react as strongly as when someone else is injured. He knows Overhaul will help him, and even if Chisaki doesn't, he would be happy to be able to help him somehow - even if it got him killed.
F = Free Spot  | I’ll give you any headcanon I come up with
[Honestly, I have no idea what I could put in here. I'm sorry...]
G = Gifts  | What kind of gifts do they give? What kind of gifts do they get?
Giving | He'll give you something that you like or will be related to your interests. Giving it may seem indifferent and he didn't spend too much time picking it out, but believe, he did. He won't admit it (I believe he is a tsundere) and he won't show you how much he wants you to like it, but inside he's still worried you won't. When you tell him you like it, he'll be relieved, and when he sees you using his gift (or carrying it around) he'll smile subconsciously.
Getting | He won't feel comfortable with an expensive gift - he will then feel compelled to repay it somehow. He's better off with the little things you might associate with your relationship.
H = Hugs  | How do they show affection/cuddle?
Don't think that he will show you affection at work or in front of other co-workers - the most you can get is praise for a well done job (not always, don't get used to it).
Privately, when no one can see you, he can pat you on the shoulder or head or/and give you a little hug - he's not very emotional.
I = Irritation  | What is something that irritates them? How do they show their irritation?
When something doesn't go his way, when no one obeys his orders, when you ignore or don't listen to him. He then feels undervalued and insulted.
How will he show irritation? You won't see his face through the mask, but you'll hear his voice getting louder and louder. You can also feel a dangerous change in his tone and see how he squeezes the things he holds in his hands.
J = Jackpot  | How would they spend their winnings if they won the lottery?
If Overhaul had asked him to give it to him, he would have done so without hesitation - he'd probably try to help him achieve his goal.
I'm sorry, but you're second to his boss - he was the first person, who was completely honest with him and trusted him despite his quirk. He doesn't love him like you, but deeply respects and admires him.
K = Kryptonite  | What is their ultimate weakness?
Praise. He's not used to being praised, but don't overdo it because he'll think it's fake. If he gets to the point where he uses his quirk on you, and you say you really mean it, he'll melt down. Although he will try not to show it too much, inside he'll be a totally mess.
L = Laughter  | What makes them laugh?
Stupid failures of others, however, which won't affect the success of Overhaul's plan.
If the incompetence of others interferes with the achievement of their (Chisaki) goal, then he will be mad.
M = Morning  | How do they wake up in the morning? Are they a morning person or a morning grouch?
He is very meticulous and ready for anything at any time, so I believe that getting up in the morning won't cause him a problem. In the yakuza, good organization is essential - everyone there works as one organism, so he must be like that.
N = Needy  | When do they feel particularly needy? How do they show it?
After some time you'll sense it - he'll be quieter. He won't comment on your failure or mistake, and his praise (if any) will sound forced, so at frist you might won't notice the difference in his mood.
O = Oasis  | Where is their happy place? Where would they go if they didn’t have anything holding them back?
Before Chisaki, he had no one he could trust, so he would follow him anywhere - even to the other end of Japan. So, this will be his workplace/office.
When you become friends, he might sometimes for the sake of peace (and a break from work stress) show up at your apartment, after he learning that you accept him and don't mind his presence at your place.
It won't be frequent (at the beginning) nor he won't be already inside when you come in, waiting for you, but sometimes he might come after work - don't ask then what happened, just suggest spending time together like a movie or dinner.
But for that to happen, he has to trust you, and that will take a long time. Then he'll become an increasingly frequent guest until finally (you don't know exactly when) he'll be your tenant.
P = Pain  | How do they handle pain? How do they handle when you are in pain?
He'll bear his pain - he won't scream or cry, but yours will bother him. He will try to do everything to help you.
Q = Quote  | What’s a quote that fits them and your relationship?
❝The course of true love (friendship?) never runs smooth.❞ // ❝The quarrel of lovers is the renewal of love.❞
R = Reunion  | How do they celebrate seeing you after a long time of being apart?
I'm sure he'll want to take you somewhere just the two of you. He'll want to hear from you everything that happened while you were away (although I'm sure you texted and called each other on the phone).
S = Stress  | What stresses them out? How do deal with stress and how do they relieve it?
He is irritable - when he is needy or uncertain he is quieter, but when stressed, he'll try to unload it on others. Of course, he won't hit anyone, but his taunts will be more vicious and more frequent.
What could lead him to do so? For example, seeing Chisaki spend more time with Chrono (he feels threatened then). From the moment he met Overhaul, he believes he is the only person Kai is honest with and whom he trusts. Seeing how close he is to Kurono makes him jealous.
If you're close to him, don't make friends with Chrono - spare him that.
T = Terror  | What are they afraid of?
Losing what he has now - that which gives him Shie Hassaikai and the rest of the Eight Bullets members (although he won't mostly show it to them and he doesn't like everyone equally). The yakuza is the only place where people trusted him and who didn't lie to him. It is his home.
U = Unique  | What is a quirk that is unique to them?
Checking how you feel and selfless help with things unrelated to Shie Hassaikai's goals.
Forgot your lunch from home? Have half of his bento. Did you miss the bus or is it very late? He'll give you a ride home.
It'll be so unusual for him that everyone will notice.
Chrono and Tengai won't comment on this, they don't care; Setsuno, Hojo and Tabe will only look at you two surprised each time, but understanding what is going on. The only one to comment on this will probably be Deidoro teasing Shin or Overhaul, being glad to see how he finally get along with his co-worker/assistant.
V = Violence  | Do they fight a lot? Are they a good fighter? What is their fighting style?
As a member of the yakuza, he must fight, but he won't do so at close range - he will keep his distance from the opponent and try to shoot him/them.
Unfortunately, he's not very good at hand-to-hand combat and as a shooter, he's average.
W = Wow  | What do you do that really surprises them? What do you do that they really like?
The first such thing (at the beginning of your relationship, when he is just starting to open up to you) could be an invitation to spend time together, go out to lunch or a small gift - whether on the occasion of some holiday (Valentine's Day, Christmas) or without as a token of gratitude for help at work.
X = —  | Explicit headcanon (for all you degenerates)
He'll use Confession to hear how good he makes you feel. He wants to hear how well he's doing and it'll make him even more aroused.
Y = Yucky  | Is there something that grosses them out so badly that they can’t deal with it?
I don't know what could possibly disgust him, but I'm sure he can't bear all the rude behavior and the insult given to Chisaki - the one person, who was the first to be truly honest with him, which relies on him and makes him feel needed.
Dirt, blood, guts, torture, child abuse, death - doesn't move him, but insulting his boss? It will move him to his core.
If that's you, who insults or makes fun of Chisaki, you'd better run.
Z = ZZZ  | What are their sleeping habits? (Both with and without you)
He doesn't give you a lot of hugs, but you can wake up in the morning with his one arm wrapped around you (although you could have fallen asleep and the one doing the hugging was you).
He had no problem falling asleep, until he got use to sleeping with you - when you aren't there he feels it is strangely empty and cold in the bed. As if something (someone) is missing.
Your presence by his side at night is pleasant and comforting. After getting used to having you next to him it's hard for him to sleep, but he won't admit it.
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1d1195 · 10 months ago
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the WAY I LITERALLY do the same too when I’m about to mention my friend “Sam” to any irls bahaha but honestly you’re living your double life but that’s kinda cool! Its giving Hannah Montana lol
Teaching is hard, but teaching math is like ?!?!? I mean math does get a bad rep and I have been a hater ngl lol but like it’s not a YOU problem ya know lol so I wouldn’t blame you for being over teaching some kids and some are just straight up menaces lol
And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES BESTIE!!!! I love you very much❤️!!!! My psych exam wasn’t too bad tbh! I immediately dipped once I finished my exam bc I was not staying for the lecture portion! And I did have my first legal drink!! It was a peach flavored wine! And honestly tasted like juice which I loved lol
And a nice surprise was most definitely reading the final chapter of Dolcezza!! Let me tell you… IT WAS SO GOOD OMG!! THE SUSPENSE WAS GREAT! Omg I was so anxious while reading it, in a good way though! When I tell you I was so scared for the MC… LIKE MY GIRL DID NOT DESERVE ANY OF THAT! And my heart literally BROKE while reading the convo Harry had with the stalker :( it was just so sick reading how he talked about her and how she loves playing “games” with him. And how he knew every detail of her schedule… LITERALLY A PIT IN MY STOMACH! And when he called her HONEY I WANTED TO VOMITT BC IT SOUNDS SO GROSS COMING FROM THAT MAN😭in my head the stalker got fucked up by Harry like bad bahaha like I said I’m not for violence but yeah Harry was left✨ untouched ✨lol
And her family coming to her :( it was so nice seeing them like outwardly express their concern for her if that makes sense? It was nice to see how she was being taken care of since it’s typically the opposite! It’s SUCKS that it had to come from this situation but hopefully in future blurbs we can see their relationship change!
Ahh I just love them so much! I did not expect it to end this way but honestly THIS WAS A GREAT WAY TO END IT!!!!! I could never be disappointed with anything you post! You will always amaze me!!!-💜
I always wanted to be Hannah Montana so here's my moment hahaha
I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten. Math I figured out a bit later, but I won't bore you with the details of my geekiness (If you think my writing is good, you should see my Complex Analysis HW 😍🤓)
The only alcohol I like drinking MUST taste like juice. Otherwise I won't drink it (whiskey tastes like shoe leather 🤢) Peach Sangria is one of my my FAVORITE summer drinks! So happy for you, glad you had a good birthday! A lecture after an exam??? That is surely a crime. Def glad you left in favor of celebrating
hehehe I'm saving any writing skills about fighting (which are none--I will need to study Rocky and Creed movies) for another story 😉 so for Dolcezza I am hoping everyone won't mind having to read between the lines but yes. I'm fairly certain Harry knocked him unconscious and shoved him in the laundry room. I know it wasn't very nice, but I definitely wanted people to feel anxious and nervous. I wanted him to sound creepy 😭 so I'm glad you felt what I was trying to do, thank you for that!
The family thing was a little spur of the moment, but I thought she deserved a little more attention than normal from them 💕
I posted it in another ask but honestly it wasn't exactly the ending I was originally going to go with but yeah! I'm glad you loved it! Hope you have a relaxing weekend now that exams are done for the week (hopefully) Love you lots!
xoxo
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intimacyissues · 2 years ago
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April 6, 2023
I've been seeing this and that about this year feeling like or being a cycle of 2016/2017
and so many things have been coming back up for me from that time
raves/house of yes nights
my gauges are back
boys boys boys
i've been wanting to have a threesome again
and that was my era of being a unicorn
I've been thinking back to that time and be mindful of growth and of lessons and so i can do better
or at least take from what i learned in past experiences to further better future ones
i made some small links but i think they are a stretch honestly
i thought the vici brothers were like the bushwick boys - in reality that wasn't even close to the same except maybe the way Vic was being weird like Blake that one night he just left?
i thought Que could be like the shithead Philip, but Que is just not as bad bc Philip, well he was treating me poorly as an effort to get me to be mean to him
and the funniest is thinking Josh and Cole were even potentially in the same realm - Cole is handsome, smart, and tall (+ has a huge nice cock) Josh was short in many areas but ate pussy like he was starving.
either which way maybe it's not about one for one experiences but more so how i handle them this time
those we two huge years for me. i got dumped by my first adult boyfriend.. i graduated college, i got my first job. years that shaped me.
it's so funny seeing some of the post where some problems definitely still exist (feeling good enough/wanting to be home with my family/hating not being fought for) and how many huge things have changed for the better
this is specific for 2016 bc 2017 is a lot of rob and it's late and i'm tired and i still have to write about this weekend but to start.. the biggest one
I want to die. less. There are still days i where everything feels heavy and nearly impossible but the overall i'd be better dead? has faded significantly. meeting D has also shown me how completely unrealistic the fantasy of my family being okay if i did is..
i found a post saying i didn't want kids bc they age you and spend all your money, and while, yes, i still agree and i def did. i can't imagine a life where i don't get to be a mother..
there's something about wanting to be with someone i can get blackout drunk with? and for the life of me i can't seem to figure out the reason why i wrote it.. i think it must've been about Lee but nonetheless - i'm a tank and i have someone who let's me cuss them out for absolutely no reason and will still come spend the night after. regardless of where out love is or will be next time i read this. it's been an incredible blessing to have the relationship we have.
lastly, i wrote about how all i wanted was to be in a place at my ten year reunion where i didn't care what people thought of me and baby. i made it. i still care about what some people think of me obviously butttt those people? who i couldn't care less about? no thank you.
and i'm so incredibly impressed with how far i've come though sometimes it feels like i'm still 14 crying my eyes out in the dark. and though not everything is better or even different, so much is.
anywho let's get into this weekend and last because - so many feelings.
last weekend was the first weekend where i didn't have to travel or wasn't sick or didn't already have a plan. it was all spontaneous.
friday i was planning to hang with lexi but they were too hungover (or at least she was?) and didn't end up going out but luckily sylina texted saying she was doing bottomless margs and i figured what's the harm in a couple drinks.
which are famous last words.
i ended up with them the rest of the night jumping from bar to bar doing shots. we went just about everywhere started at the resturant, then bar 404 (the lesbian bar), canopy, federales and then mile high spirits? which in the end was a fun and enlightening night because i realized two things. I am an unreasonable brat when drunk and my first instinct is to give everyone the cold shoulder when they approach me (i.e. Tyler - who was a cute sweetie that meant no harm lol) - the brat was me in Trents' car asking D to pick me up even though i had my own car AND he send uber money and saying fuck you when he said no
saturday night i went on a date with Daryl in FOCO which was a fine date he was such a gentleman but there were so many red flags.. being insistent on opening the car door (tot the point where when i tried to get he jokingly threatened to beat me, his cuddling my chest in the car, and the story about this ex trying to leave without telling him in fear of his reaction) and then i came home and got ready to go out with lexi.
the original plan was lime but with a super long line + 45 dollar cover we wound up at view house. so so many faces this night, shedding the addittude + Giselle's friendly convos i ended up talking to a couple men. one was the tallest guy in the room, but he was for everyone, and come to find out he had a million kids. two, Charles, who was respectable while there but went completely ghost the next day. then Deon who was nice then unfollowed me and removed me as a follower (without a word??) and the cute one who never goes out that got away with the weird friend (luka look a like) who's IG was doing all kids of crazy the next couple days?
sunday thankfully was chill that weekend, just spending time with Sylina on the first warm spring day of the year.
spent everynight with D that weekend.
through the week as less eventful but still I managed to tell Daryl i didn't want anything serious and Cole the truth why i'd been avoiding him
this weekend started on thursday bc Sylina had a friend Erika in town, and of course me not being able to say no and wanting to go out on opening day agreed. and I ended up asking Nore/Vic to meet us and he got out and was a total dick. (after showing up hours after we planed) but this is the night i connect with sweet Jose.
Then friday is the concert which is so so fun. Ican't wait for more hopefully they go smoother and an ex hookup who ghosted me/sexually harassed a friend i didn't even know doeesn't show up
Saturday is slow and i end up spiraling and i reach out to Corey, who doesn't answer and Jose who says yes but has to go out bc he promised his brother, and ends up here att 5am
then there's my sunday where I get blown off by my parents who are in tampa leaving me the day to myself which ends in me agreeing to pick up D and a quick meet with Cole.
Cole is more amazing than i was expecting in every single way.
Jose is someone who i can tell has a kind heart but for someone who says he wants to stay in and just chill ended up at the strip club with his brother and stayed out til 5 and is now drinking again.
i'm not entirely sure how i'll proceed with him buuuuut we will see. esp. cause he's still a horrrible texter
Cole i would like to keep around bc i think we could also be friends but we will seeeeee
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jupitermelichios · 4 years ago
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So I’ve been playing a lot of skyrim lately, because it’s video game comfort food, and I decided it was time for my Redguard Dovahkiin to settle down. (Actually I specifically just wanted to be able to adopt some of the random orphans you meet because I felt guilty about them, but you need to be married before you can do that so that there’s someone at home to take care of the kids while you’re off galivanting).
So I travelled around a bit, chatting up likely looking npcs until I found one I both liked and didn’t feel guilty about marrying (I feel bad if I marry one of the warrior adventurer types, making them be a stay at home mum) and settled on an obnoxiously cheerful argonian called Shavee because her life was frankly shit, and I thought she’d probably be good with kids.
So off I go to Riften to the Temple of Mara to arrange the wedding. I book it in for the next day, realise I didn’t bring anything nice to wear, and spend the night before the wedding robbing every house in the city in the search for something to wear. Eventually decide everyone in Riften has terrible fashion sense and break down everything I stole into raw materials and use them to craft myself an outfit and some jewellery that i’m pretty happy with. I even carefully pick out my fanciest looking sword to wear.
(don’t know why I bothered, frankly, shavee turned up wearing a shirt covered in suspicious stains and weilding a pickaxe, it’s like she doesn’t even care about this marriage)
(also for comedy purposes, bear in mind I play with survival mods that mean my character needs to eat and sleep to live, and I literally spent the entire ingame night on this and forgot to eat and drink anything either and then just downed four bowls of wolf stew right before entering the temple so I didn’t starve during the ceremony. also I discovered during the wedding that I am dying of rockjoint, which I contracted from sleeping in a pile of hay on the floor of a skeever infested cave, so even being six foot tall and jacked can’t make up for the fact that I am exhausted, running a fever, and probably covered in wolf which I spilled because my joints are slowly atrophying, and even the fanciest clothes in the world aren’t going to cover that up)
so I enter the temple, and my finance is there, and Lydia my housecarl, and some random NPCs the game thinks are my friends because I did fetch quests for them
One of the random NPCs is Lisbet. Atfter I did her fetch quest, I then did another quest in which I discovered Lisbet is secretly a cannibal and part of a demonic cult that worships the daedric prince of decay by kidnapping priests, sacrificing them, and then eating their corpses. Raw. I think the raw meat is the sticking point for me here honestly.
I ultimately decided not to sacrifice the random priest to a daedric prince in exchange for one magic ring and all the raw human I could eat, because frankly, that doesn’t sound like much of a deal to me. I was expecting there to be some kind of dialogue choice where I could nope out at the last minute, but it turns out there isn’t one, so after they drugged the priest and tied him to the altar, I just got out my sword and started swinging.
I killed most of the cult (including the town butcher, because I had brought meat from him before and was extremely pissed off that he might have been secretly feeding me humans) but a couple of them got away, which I figured was fine because they weren’t trying to kill me.
Except it turns out, if any of them escape, then every time you see them in the future there’s a random chance that they’ll fly into a violent rage and try and murder you.
Lisbet is at my wedding. Lisbet decides that clearly me marrying this random argonian woman with two lines of dialogue is the happiest day of my life, and she cannot allow me that happiness, when I’ve taken so much from her.
So she tries to kill me. Only she can’t, because I’m stuck in a pre-rendered wedding animation, and also she’s sitting next to Lydia, my faithful retainer and owner of a really big axe.
It also turns out that Lisbet is essential, meaning she can be knocked unconcious but not actually killed because she’s needed for some quest or other. And the minute she wakes up from unconciousness, she tries to kill me again, so Lydia knocks her unconcious again, and I’m stuck, I can’t move, because I’m supposed to be in the wedding animation.
Except Shavee has, not unreasonably, see all this and decided that she doesn’t like me enough to risk getting murdered, and has done a runner, leaving me at the altar, but more importantly, leaving me trapped in a broken pre-rendered animation, so all I can do is stand there at the altar, staring at the space where my fiance was supposed to be, listening to the sounds of Lydia trying and failing to beat a cannibal to death behind me.
Okay, I think, clearly this wedding isn’t going to happen, I’m going to go for the registry office option and complete the wedding using the dev commands. I do this. The priest gives me a wedding ring, and I can finally move again. I chase after Shavee, who has an impressive turn of speed on her, and eventually catch up right by the city gates. I try to talk to her.
Apparently using the console has completed the wedding for me, but not for her, because she still only has the same 2 lines of dialogue she usually has.
Clearly this is working, I can’t leave my kids with someone who can only say 2 things and doesn’t even know she’s their mum, that’s irresponsible.
I try loading from inside the temple. I get the same problem.
Eventually I figure out that I need to use the dev controls to disable Lisbet’s entire existence in the universe.
Shavee and me get married. As the priest reads the vows, I stare at Shavee and wonder why she couldn’t even be bothered to put on a clean shirt. I wonder what kind of mother she’ll be.
Once the ceremony is over, and I’m happily married to the dirty green lizard of my dreams, and we’ve agreed that until I can make her recognise my extremely nice modded house exists I will share her single bed in the unheated flophouse in Windhelm she calls home, I re-enable Lisbet, because I’m worried I’ll forget if I leave it too long.
Fun fact about skyrim, it loads in quite a lot of npcs and objects by dropping them from the sky. I have no idea why this is the case, but it’s objectively the funniest way to load in objects.
I re-enable Lisbet. She falls from the sky, clips through the roof of the temple, and lands in the pew beside Lydia, stands up, draws a knife, and is immedately beaten unconcious.
I no longer care, because Shavee now has all the exciting new spouse-only romantic dialogue options like “Could you cook something for me” and “have you made any money lately”, and I know she’ll be a great mother.
I limp to the door of the temple, while around me the guests not involved in the Lydia-Lisbet murder cycle scream and duck for cover.
I open the door to the temple, immediately collapse and ragdoll down the steps, which is how I discover I am dying of rockjoint.
I limp to the orphanage down the street, adopt two kids, and then finally remember that I’m carrying garlic bread, which as we all know, cures all known illnesses.
When I emerge back into the street, full of the joys of motherhood and garlic bread, I find the town in disaray. Lydia is chasing Lisbet through the streets with an axe and a dragon is circling overhead, burning npcs to death. People are running for shelter, screaming, while the guards try to take down an entire dragon using only the worst bows and arrows in the game.
I decide that as a parent, I have to think of my own safety first and leave them to it.
I head out of the city, intent on returning home and figuring out why Shavee refuses to move in with me. A man hanging around the stables challenges me to a boxing match. For want of anything better to do, I agree.
Halfway through the fight he dodges at the wrong moment and I punch one of his horses in the head.
Two guards attack me while I desperately try to surrender. My kids will miss me, but I’m prepared to go to jail for my horse crimes, I’m an honest citizen. Also my horse crimes seem somewhat less important than the dragon.
The guards refuse to accept my surrender. I am stabbed to death. As I collapse in front of the indifferent horse, Lisbet exits the city, followed by Lydia. The last thing I see before I die is Lydia swinging her axe at Lisbet’s face.
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devildom-drabbles · 3 years ago
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If requests are open can i have bros/dateables reacting to barbatos beating the heck out of a demon (with good reason)
Sorry for the delay in answering this! This made me think of the Obey Me! manga on Twitter when Barbatos was introduced...and he just proceeded to knock Lucifer’s brothers into next week at Diavolo’s request just because they were being disruptive, hahaha. Aside from doing it if Diavolo asked, I could see him beating up another demon if they were disrespecting Diavolo or trying to seriously harm MC, Luke, or anyone else he cares about who is not on their guard--so, with good reason, as you said. I thought about it like that while considering everyone’s reactions. Thanks for the prompt! Enjoy! =)
How would everyone react to Barbatos beating up another demon?
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Lucifer would simply stand off to the side as Barbatos takes down the bothersome demon. He’d seen Barbatos’s fighting abilities more than once--even being used on his own brothers--, so it wouldn’t be surprising to him. Honestly, Lucifer would’ve handled the demon himself, but since Barbatos stepped in before he could, he’d just quietly observe while experiencing a sense of satisfaction that the demon was getting what they deserved. Afterward, he’d proceed with whatever the two of them were discussing or doing beforehand as if nothing had occurred.
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Mammon would feel a chill go down his spine at the sight of Barbatos beating up the demon with such ease. Despite his own strength, he’d prefer to never get on Barbatos’s bad side or be forced to take him on in a fight (especially after having lost to him before in hand-to-hand combat), so he’d consider himself fortunate to not be in that “dumb” demon’s shoes at that time. Still, he’d manage to compose himself once Barbatos had finished and mention that he could’ve easily taken down that demon, too--and quicker!
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Leviathan would be wide-eyed at the sight, impressed by Barbatos’s fighting skills and how he handled the situation like a cool shounen anime protagonist. He’d try to record the scene on his phone as a visual reference for if he ever decides to write/draw his own action-filled manga, but Barbatos finishes off his opponent so quickly that he really only gets the tail-end of the fight on video. Afterward, he’d compliment Barbatos while also expressing how envious he is that the demon butler could take down someone without any hints of hesitation.
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Satan would intently watch Barbatos’s movements while fighting the low-rank demon, studying the demon butler’s techniques for his personal knowledge (and likely future application). He’d be far more intrigued by Barbatos’s skill than anything else, even feeling a bit of relief from the anger that was building up from the troublesome forgettable demon. Once Barbatos was finished, Satan would question him about certain methods that were used in the fight and maybe even throw in a teasing remark about how it took a little longer than usual for Barbatos to knock out the demon.
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Asmodeus would “ooo” and “ahh” at Barbatos’s skills in combat. He’d watch the demon butler with admiration and find the whole scene to be very attractive, in a way. Anyone who didn’t have a chance to see the fight could watch it on Asmo’s Devilgram livestream, with additional commentary by AsmoBaby himself, of course! It’d also capture Asmo’s praise and questions about Barbatos’s abilities and feelings after the fight as the demon butler politely requests Asmo to keep his hands to himself.
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Beelzebub would treat the situation as if he was watching a movie, chomping away at the snacks in his hands while witnessing Barbatos show no mercy to the bothersome demon. He wouldn’t be affected by the sight in the slightest, but it would remind him of just how powerful Barbatos is. Also, he would’ve helped, but his arms were full...and he knew Barbatos could handle everything without a problem. Afterward, he’d offer Barbatos a drink or one of his snacks since he “might’ve gotten hungry from all that fighting.”
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Belphegor, like his twin, wouldn’t really be fazed by Barbatos’s actions toward the demon who was acting wrongly. In fact, he’d be grateful that the demon butler was the one handling the situation--this meant he didn’t have to exert any effort to stop the low-rank demon himself. He might even yawn if it feels like the fight is taking too long to finish, or, if he wasn’t doing anything important before this occurred, he’d just leave to go take a nap somewhere. However, if he had to stay, he’d grumble to himself about the “annoying” demon and then urge Barbatos to continue with whatever they needed to do before the disruption.
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Diavolo, who likely gave his butler permission to beat up the demon, would wordlessly observe the fight or, if the low-rank demon had been going after MC/Luke/someone, check in on how the individual was doing. Diavolo wouldn’t like that the best choice he had at the time was to let Barbatos take down the demon who threatened his position or his friends, but he wouldn’t regret the decision. To him, Barbatos always did well with handling a situation like this swiftly and smoothly. Afterward, he’d thank Barbatos for stopping the demon, and the two of them would go about their business like usual.
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Simeon would be shocked by Barbatos’s complete change in demeanor and fighting prowess over the other demon. Sure, he knew Barbatos was a high-ranking demon, but it still startled him to see just how strong and ruthless the demon butler was in combat. He’d be at a loss for words a little bit after the fight, especially with how Barbatos returned to his calm, polite composure the moment he turned back around to face the angel and resume their earlier conversation. Once he’d pull himself together, he’d not only inquire if Barbatos was unharmed, but also start asking questions about his fighting style--mainly because it intrigued him to the extent of wanting to know how to portray it in writing for a future story.
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Solomon would observe the scene from the sidelines with a contemplative expression, doing his best to commit everything he witnessed to memory.  Like Satan, he would be memorizing Barbatos’s impressive fighting skills in order to enhance his own knowledge of them; however, he’d also do this as a means of learning how he might protect himself if Barbatos (or even any other demon) would decide to go up against him with malicious intent. Despite the bond he has with Barbatos--both in terms of the pact and their friendly relations--, he doesn’t fully trust demons and thus wants to be prepared for any situation that may arise where he or someone he cares about is in danger because of them. He’d keep this belief hidden, and instead, after the demon was defeated, he’d compliment Barbatos on his abilities in combat.
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Luke would be a bit terrified from watching Barbatos beat another demon to a pulp. It makes him think about all the things he was warned about demons before coming to the Devildom--how they’re cruel...merciless...dangerous. He’d forgotten all about those Celestial Realm beliefs recently, especially considering Barbatos’s typical mild-mannered behavior and how helpful he was when Luke wanted to try out new baking recipes. The incident would create a turmoil of mixed feelings within him to the point where he’d want to run away while Barbatos was still distracted, but his feet would be frozen in place from fear. Fortunately, Barbatos’s reassurance afterward that he acted this way for an understandable reason rather than for the sake of being violent would ease Luke’s concerns somewhat. Still, he’d need some time alone to sort out his thoughts before being comfortable around Barbatos again.
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iamafanofcartoons · 2 years ago
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Defending Team RWBY’s decisions during Volume 8, while also defending CRWBY’s V8 Writing.
Let me put this basically as I can.
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This was something that apparently was discussed... in a WR Chat.
Then we get to this https://www.reddit.com/r/RWBY/comments/w7qeag/what_are_some_common_comments_that_make_you_go/ From R/RWBY.
As you might expect? Dextixer the “Grand Corruptor of R/RWBY” (that’s literally his label/tag in the subreddit, the admins/mods still allow him to post hate and harass members, don’t ask me why) Started up the typical “Robyn hill is a terrorist, team rwby are war criminals, Ironwood was ruined”
Anyway, so many people started screaming at CRWBY for “bad writing” based on Ironwood’s military formation against Salem’s grimm invasion.
Did people seriously forget that Glynda and Qrow called out Ironwood for not having strategies, and basically only having “military bravado? Ironwood liked to act like he was the smartest guy in the room, and removed anyone criticizing or disobeying/disagreeing with him.
This is why so many people love him like they do Adam...they project themselves onto him while hating on four idealistic hopepunk women.
But honestly, lets just consider that MAYBE CRWBY knew what they were doing to a respectable point, and that James Ironwood defenders deliberately overlook so many things, exaggerate others etc.
And for god’s sakes, can we stop calling Robyn Hill a terrorist or “Somebody that should have been one of Salem’s Moles”
“Team rwby had no reason to see Ironwood as a villain”
I think they had a reason to see him as a villain since he straight up admitted he's leaving thousands for dead, which is exactly what RWBY was trying to prevent. But James certainly was a victim of his crumbling mental state
He was sacrificing millions to save far fewer. It was not a "needs of the many" situation. He intended to abandon all of Remnant, not to mention that Mantle's population is probably a fair bit bigger than Atlas's. It was a move of desperation.
Seriously, idk where people get this 'pragmatism' stuff from. Ironwood gave up. He was admitting defeat. People actually want a future where the entirety of humanity is just like, 500,000 rich elitists on a floating rock, waiting for Salem to inevitably figure out how to reach them?
If Atlas ran off to the upper atmosphere, everyone in Atlas would eventually die due to lack of supplies. Meanwhile Salem would just move on to the other kingdoms are start burning them down. And who's to say she couldn't just concoct a grimm capable of flying that high and then destroying Atlas herself
Ruby still wanted to help Mantle, but they agreed on splitting the group up so they could also get Amity up...RUBY was seeing the big picture...Ironwood just saw the forest for the trees.
“Look, a fleet to evacuate everyone! It would be a shame if something happened to it...”...Here was the SDC ships trying to evacuate people...Ironwood abandoned them because he felt he could no longer control the people he was oppressing as far back in v7. But then he realized that Team RWBY wasn’t simply disobeying him...they cared about Mantle...Hence why he did his “hands together sit in chair” pose...so he decided that the best way to force everyone to obey him is by forcing mantle to choose between him blowing them up or obeying salem.
As for Sleet? Kill one, warn a thousand. He cowed Carmila  and all Atlesian military into obedience by showing that he had no problems carrying out his threat to qrow from v3.
“Ironwood is  a tragic figure, CRWBY made him unsympathetic, unlike Cinder Fall and the writers' attempt”
What are y’all talking about? Cinder’s a tragic figure, but that doesn’t make her a sympathetic one. Ironwood was set up this way since the minute he was introduced. Cinder is more sympathetic than adam...she at least is honest about her goals, while Adam dresses himself up as an edgelord savior....Who just wants to kill humans.
“Rwby was drinking tea instead of helping ironwood”
The Mansion: You realize they were being hunted by both Salem and Ironwood right? Qrow was in prison, Harriet threatened to arrest Ruby simply for talking back? They had arrest orders on them? Ironwood shot oscar for calling James out on being a coward and hypocrite? So why help Ironwood if he’s going to either shoot you for not obeying him...or shoot you in the back while you’re trying to help him? Ironwood is his own worst enemy...he regularly sabotages himself, something that Watts with his hacking, Cinder with her manipulation of the chess piece, and Salem with her reputation of being a force of nature (by controllling the grimm and not getting directly involved and being immortal and unkillable, she comes off as unstoppable to ozpin’s allies, hence why lionhart betrayed them. They needed a safe place to avoid getting ruined while hoping for help to come from Amity’s message.
Ruby and co didn't have an issue with Ironwood flying Atlas away, their issue was him leaving people to die in Mantle, it was Ironwood's refusal to evacuate the rest that forced RWBY to use the staff to get everyone to a safe location. Ironwood was literally abusing Mantle throughout v7, which was why Robyn Hill ran for office in the first place! To get Ironwood to treat the non-rich elitists of Atlas like people.
If atlas left mantle would have been consumed by the grim with no hope for evacuation.   Ironwood was condemning all of those people to die.
Team RWBY did have a plan, btw. Ask for help.  The first plan in season 8 involved her using amity arena to ask the other kingdoms for help. Granted, it did not work...but how would Ironwood have done it? Talk about Glory of Atlas? Demand the kingdoms respect his authority? Team RWBY improved on his plan by providing people as resources, explaining the danger, and explaining how to keep an unstoppable force at bay. All things that Ironwood failed at. Despite Vexed Viewer angrily claiming that Yang and Ruby’s v8 reconciliation should not have existed, it did point out that Yang and Ruby were willing to take risks, while Ironwood would always force others to take risks for him. Given VV is a HUGE misogynist, I’m not surprised he would hate these scenes.
Ironwood tried stopping them at every single turn. They had a second plan, use the schnee company to evacuate mantle so ironwood’s army could focus on the Grimm. Ironwood instead diverted his army to destroy the schnee fleet. The third plan involved trying to save all of mantle and atlas, and ironwood tried stopping them instead of helping with the evacuation.
Ironwood is at fault for not trying to understand a plan other than his own when there was little reason to do so. He’s the one who threatened to nuke a civilian populace rather than try and save them. He sees himself as the smartest person in the room...when often he's called out on his bad ideas by Qrow, Ozpin, Glynda, Nora.
And as ironwood said, at any point they could have turned Penny in.
Also, let’s discuss how bad Ironwoood's plan was. Firstly, while there is a ‘current’ upper limit on Grimm mobility, Salem is a bloody witch, who unlike Ozpin, regularly uses her magic. There is no guarantee she can’t reach them. Secondly, Even if she couldn’t, it’s effectively become a siege where ironwood wouldn’t be able to get resources because Salem would fill the sky’s below atlas with flying Grimm, which can and do pose significant threats to air ships. Thirdly, this leaves Salem to pursue vacuo basically unopposed most likely being able to claim the SWORD OF DESTRUCTION which would likely be pretty useful in besieging the castle. She also would have the lamp in this scenario, which still has a question left she can use to try and attack atlas.
Ironwoods plan is doomed to failure, so I don’t really consider it an escape route. Even if it was, the plan could have been enacted at any point by team RWBY if they felt it necessary. As the proved by being the ones to use the staff. And having creativity, which Ironwood lacked.
“Team RWBY had no plan”.. Actually? They did have a plan, ironwoods original plan. Call for help and fight to evacuate mantel. But instead ironwood chose to abandon mantle and actively fought against any attempt to save them. The entire time he was waiting he could have tried to save as many people in mantle as he could. He could have let the schnee fleet so it’s thing. He could have done something, anything, to compromise with Ruby to get the maiden back. But instead he further antagonized them and refused to cooperate. Because Ironwood is all about proving himself right above all else. Hence why he ratted out Oz to the council in v2. And hid Penny's identity in v3. Both of which backfired. Ironwood apologists went HARD on defending both.
Also, they were drinking tea because Nora then Penny were injured and they needed to take time for them to recover. Did people forget that Ironwood was literally trying to arrest/kill them, Harriet threatened Qrow in front of RWBY, and that two of their friends were injured and they were taking care of them?
Demand that the people you tried to arrest/kill help you out? When you'll just try to backstab them later? How do Ironwood apologists seriously think people should help him while he's trying to kill them?
Rwby  did not destroy their credibility, nor did they cause mass death? How would they have? Trying to cooperate with Robyn to stop the theft of amity supplies? The reason they had to do that was because ironwood was convinced anyone moving against him could only be Salem’s agents, treating the person advocating for restoring mantles defenses like the enemy.
In fact?
Multiple members of R/RWBYCritics, Twiins Iink and Judgmental Critter fans actively claim they wanted Robyn to be a Salem Mole.
These people aren't just Ironwood fanatics, they actively embrace his mindset.
Ironwood already destroyed his credibility and was acting completely unreasonable before salem came through, so I don’t blame rwby for trying to act as a mediator with an obvious ally. And ironwood was perfectly happy to accept Robyn’s help until he learned that cinder had made it into atlas, at which point he made a massive jump in logic and assumed Robyn and rwby had something to do with it. ...at which point he ordered their arrests.
And at which point CLOVER prioritized arresting Qrow over tackling Tyrian.
Robyn was just trying to defend her people, which Ironwood had no interest in...and then Clover threatened to arrest her for standing up for Qrow. Police Brutality much.
Ironwood choose to lift Atlas early because of Salem, and he then dismissed RWBYs points about how he's leaving Mantle to die, and after snapping he shot down SDC planes trying to evacuate people. He wasn't allowing RWBY to help Mantle
Ruby said no because that would leave thousands for dead, Ruby just wanted Ironwood to help those that still needed evacuating but he refused
James is responsible for putting her in the position where it was her only choice
He started and participated in the chain reaction, that’s what is meant by causation
There were literally Grimm all over Mantle by the end of V7  Salem was going to kill everyone. She tried turning everyone against ironwood.
There were way more there than there usually are during attacks, and Grimm are naturally going to kill people they see, like the Manatalese that Ironwood left with no military personnel to protect
You goes know of the Train Track Analogy? Liets make it into a boat analogy, like this.
I think the boat analogy should go like this
Mantle is sinking and Atlas is sending lifeboats to help the survivors, but the captain decides to stop helping the people because a big wave is coming in 5 minutes, some of the crew tell the captain they should still help the survivors but the captain decides against it, the crew go against the captain's orders and still help survivors to which the captain orders their arrest.
When the crew successfully gets some passengers on lifeboats, the captain orders the boat to be sunk to prevent the crew from further helping them. The crew's only option left is to get everyone on a third ship, Vacuo, that isn't as good as Atlas but, it can still hold both sets of passengers, but that can only happen if they sink Atlas
Ruby kept trying to stop Ironwood from lifting Atlas into the atmosphere... Because they left mantle. If they didn't leave mantle to die then Ruby would've been fine with lifting the city. She wanted to evacuate everyone into atlas and THEN it could safely go into the sky or whatever. If ironwood had just continued the evacuation, none of this would've happened.
If ironwood had also not stopped the evacuation, then it would've happened because Ruby would never have tried to stop him. The only reason she stopped him was because he refused to even try to save what was left of mantle, if he had continued saving them then they probably would've got everyone on in time - especially if they commandeered the SDC ships - but nooo Ironwood was so obsessed with his little trolley problem that he didn't realise that there was a way to save BOTH atlas and mantle.
I really doubt Salem would just be like "Oh, ok, guess i lost" and depart Atlas the second it started gaining altitude. She is more than capable of knocking Atlas out of the air. So no, either way, it wouldn't be "High in the atmosphere".
And Salem's goal being the relics, one of which they’re trying to float away with? Also, besides the fact that the whale isn’t Salem, whales don’t have any aerodynamic properties for icing to affect. The bigger issue is atmosphere being potentially thin enough for breathing to be an issue. Which shouldn’t be a problem for the Grimm, considering they don’t seem to even have organs, let alone a need for oxygen. And Salem is immortal, the second she’s on Atlas it wont matter.
Anyway, thank you for coming to my rant, I really needed to get all of this off my chest.
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