#how is woo young supposed to cope??

[reunionatdawn]

My Analysis of Sylvain's Promiscuity

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: So, the persistent stares of women, the appraising looks of noble daughters… I had to smile and accept them. …Because I had the Crest, you see. Byleth: That's not true. Sylvain: It's already too late now, but I understand. …I should have just said one word, "no".

This part of Sylvain's Japanese A-Support with Byleth really stood out to me. He felt like he should have just said "嫌だ" (iya da). It is a rather strong expression that conveys not just a simple "no" or "I don't want to," but also a feeling of being disgusted or significantly displeased by something. Based on the context and his tone of voice here, it strongly implied that he was remembering some specific traumatic memory from his past regarding sexual consent.

(Japanese Translation) Mercedes: And many women have approached you, targeting your Crest. ...I won't ask what happened. But I have a feeling that deep down in your heart, you hate and fear women...

Mercedes could tell that Sylvain didn't just hate women; he was afraid of them. She knew that something traumatic probably happened to him that he didn't want to talk about. I think he was probably taken advantage of at a young age by an older woman who was trying to get pregnant with a Crest baby. She forced herself on him and he didn't feel like he was capable of saying no.

Felix: And you never consider how your actions hurt others…or how you hold them back. Sylvain: That's never my intention. Come on, you know me better than that. I'm not really—Look, if that's the impression I've given you, then I'm sorry.

Sylvain was totally unapologetic about how his womanizing affected Ingrid. And he didn't care about hurting any of the girls he pumped and dumped. But he was very apologetic to Felix for hurting his feelings. The localizers seemed to be aware that there was supposed to be a connection between Sylvain's C-Support with Felix...

Sylvain: You think I'd cheat? On you, baby? Never. Come on, you should know me better than that. You're the only one for me. I swear.

...And his C-Support with Byleth. He apparently expected Felix to know him better than that to think he'd ever really cheat on him, even as he flirted with girls right in front of him. Which is an... unusual way for him to approach their relationship. But survivors of childhood sexual abuse often cope by engaging in sexual promiscuity.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: I mean, being dumped or dumping someone, it's a common story, isn't it?

Sylvain tried to downplay it in their B-Support, but he was very hurt after getting dumped by Felix in their C-Support. He was not expecting Felix to apologize to him and truly thought it was over between them. And he seemed to be taking the pain of that breakup out on the village girl he dumped in his C-Support with Byleth.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: That girl too, just because there was another woman, there shouldn't be a reason to get that angry.

CSA can distort a person's understanding of love and intimacy. It can create a split between emotional intimacy and physical intimacy, making it difficult for them to experience love and sex as interconnected. Sylvain did not inherently associate sex with love. So, he truly didn't understand why his casual flings would be considered cheating or why it would even make Felix jealous or angry.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: Sigh… Seeing the pained expression of a cute girl, it's hard to handle. (Option 1) Byleth: It doesn't look like it. Sylvain: No, no, it's really hard. I'm still pretty depressed about this. (Option 2) Byleth: Really? (Male Byleth) Sylvain: Ah, it really is painful. I feel like I might collapse on my knees any moment now. …Well then, Professor, they say the best way to heal from this kind of love pain is a new love, right? How about going out with me for a bit? Let's go woo some girls together! (Female Byleth) Sylvain: It's obviously hard, isn't it? ...Professor, you can comfort me if you want. Oh, the other day, I got some good tea leaves! How about it, in my room...

Sylvain didn't love any of the girls he slept with. But he was using his hook ups as a way to fill the void of true love and intimacy.

Ingrid: When you were fifteen, you sought—relentlessly, might I add—to involve yourself with Lord Gwendal's daughter.

CSA blurs the survivor's understanding of healthy boundaries. Sylvain did not want to get married. In fact, he said that he would have run away if he had the courage. But he had no say in the matter. Some survivors may develop hypersexual behaviors as a way to regain control over their bodies. It can be a way to exert power in situations where they had previously felt powerless. By being sexually active on their own terms, they might reclaim a sense of agency.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: I just picked up that girl from around here. I thought we'd just have some fun and then go our separate ways. But it seems like she ended up getting more attached to me than I expected. Man, what a hassle. Byleth: You're too frivolous. Sylvain: What are you talking about, Professor? This kind of casual fun is the most comfortable for me. …Well, no matter what you think, I have no intention of changing my ways. You see, even though I'm a good-for-nothing, I'm still a noble with a Crest… I try to avoid getting too involved. It only brings trouble. Eventually, I'll be quietly married off to someone suitable, and that'll be the end of it.

Abuse can severely impact a person's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Some survivors may engage in promiscuous behavior as a way to seek validation or affection. Sylvain believed he was a good-for-nothing and doubted whether he was worthy of love. His sexual conquests were also a way to combat his poor self-esteem.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: If by any chance a child without a Crest is born, that generation is just given up on… But generally, the head of the family keeps having children until one with a Crest is born. Then, the child with the Crest becomes the next head and repeats the same thing. You understand? For commoner girls, someone like me is easy prey. Byleth: That's not a nice way to put it... Sylvain: Even if you say that... Should I say that it's a good stepping-stone to becoming a noble?

Survivors may find it hard to believe that others have good intentions, fearing that getting close to someone will lead to betrayal or harm. Sylvain assumed that every girl who showed interest had an ulterior motive. In the English version of his B-Support with Byleth, he lamented how girls viewed him as a trophy and a studhorse.

In Japanese, he was even more cynical. "格好の獲物" (kakkou no emono) literally translates to "prime catch" or "ideal prey." It is often used to describe someone that is seen as an easy or attractive target, whether in a literal hunting sense or in a metaphorical sense, such as someone being an easy victim for exploitation, manipulation, or attack. The phrase can carry a negative connotation, implying that the person is vulnerable or easy to take advantage of.

(English) Sylvain: If I marry a girl and she gives birth to a child with a Crest, that kid might become the next head of House Gautier. (Japanese Translation) Sylvain: If they can have a child with a Crest, that child might become the next head of the family.

The original Japanese version of this sentence didn't mention marriage. Nobility status is granted to any child who bears a Crest, regardless of whether they're a bastard. And so, a commoner woman wouldn't even need to marry Sylvain to benefit from his blood. All she would need to do is sleep with him and become pregnant with a child who bears the Crest of Gautier.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: Well, nowadays with our diluted blood, most of what's born are guys like my older brother, though… Crest-bearers have always been both envied and desired by people. I understand the value of my blood, in my own way. …To the point of disgust.

I don't think the girls that Sylvain was hooking up with in his Byleth Supports were using him. They seemed genuinely hurt by his behavior. But it would not be too farfetched to believe that Sylvain had an encounter with a female sexual predator in the past.

(Japanese Translation) Ingrid: …And stop making jokes like that guy did about being fine with dying.

Engaging in promiscuous behavior often involves taking risks. It can even be a form of self-harm like cutting. After making advances on Lord Gwendal's daughter, Sylvain was almost killed by her father. And he not only expected to get stabbed eventually, but he did not care if he did. He just laughed and joked that it would be fine if he died.

(Japanese Translation) Sylvain: It's fine, as long as you're okay… If you're alive, then I…

I'm sure that Sylvain was not really joking here. Engaging in promiscuous behavior is also a way to dissociate from one's emotions. As children, Felix and Sylvain had made a promise that they would always be together until they died together. Sylvain knew he was going to be forced into an arranged marriage after graduation. Apparently, he didn't want to have "the talk" with Felix and deal with a painful breakup. He only allowed himself to engage in casual relationships because he wouldn't feel bad about dumping them later. He was unable to be with the person he really wanted, so he slept around to avoid dealing with his pain.

[lilacstarfall24h]

I love how Amber in House of Anubis was supposed to be the dumb blonde trope but by some accidental mix up she ended up being neurodivergent coded. Somethings I noticed are that she has trouble paying attention, is maybe not good at traditional school but extremely good at practical puzzles, and sometimes misses social cues. Also during episode 18, she says she pretends to be Mara to pay attention and although that's just a throwaway joke it reminded me of a coping mechanism I saw a lot of neurodivergent people talking about. Where they pretend to be in their hyper fixation to focus. Like I pretended I was Woo Young Woo doing legal work in the TV show "Extraordinary Woo Yong Woo" and it helped me focus. Anyway, all of these things I think were accidental but ended up making a pretty fun character! In conclusion we ✨stan✨ Amber.

[clovercow8228]

gillion and chip as hadestown!orpheus and eurydice

ok so i was listening to hadestown again because i love it dearly and i am still desperately trying to cope with ep 101 and i was like haha. chip and gillion as orpheus and eurydice. because yknow in the context of the actual myth you could compare it to the whole feywild arc and whatnot.

but then i listened to it more (more than halfway through the first song) and i realized it’s way better (worse) if you have it the other way around with chip as hadestown eurydice and gillion as hadestown orpheus. (there’s another way to read it too but we’ll get to that because it’s a bit more convoluted since. well it’s basically a game theory atp)

i’m going through this song by song because i have never felt happiness or peace ever

Road to Hell: ok so ignoring the gods for now. road to hell does eurydice a little dirty so for this song it’s just orpheus i’m talking about, but hermes describes him as a muse’s son and touched by the gods themselves. ok cool whatever so what Any Way the Wind Blows: “eurydice was a hungry young girl / a runaway from everywhere she’d ever been”? like yeah ok sure cool (side note? “ain’t nobody gonna stick around when the dark clouds roll” and  for chip, mr. constantly both afraid his crew will stay and will leave anytime something bad happens and who literally lost his family in the hole in the sea? silly.) plus for orpheus, “and this poor boy wore his heart on his sleeve / you might say he was naive to the ways of the world / but he had a way with words”. that’s my boy right there

Come Home with Me: most of this is just very funny (”oh, a liar and a player too?”) but “why would i become his wife?” “because he’ll make you feel alive” kinda got me a little tbh. and there’s also the ongoing theme of orpheus working on something to fix the balance of the world, which he can do because he’s touched by the gods.

Livin’ it Up on Top: most of this i’ll talk about when i talk about the gods because woo boy that should be a post of its own with how much psychological damage it caused me. but “there was a girl who had always run away / you might say it was in spite of herself / that this young girl decided to stay” for chip?

All I’ve Ever Known: yeahhhhhhhh nothing real metaphorical about this one. fnc shippers come get yalls juice ig idk that’s really all for that one

A Gathering Storm: title aside, the whole thing is eurydice being concerned about the practical way they will survive the winter while orpheus works on his song to make the world right again.

When the Chips are Down: hand to god i did not think about that pun until now. but yeah this whole song really sold it for me. “help yourself (to hell with the rest), even the one who loves you best / take if you can (give if you must), ain’t nobody but yourself to trust / aim for the heart (shoot to kill), if you don’t do it then the other one will” are interesting enough to think about with chip because basically his whole thing is not turning out like that but there are still some times (mainly early on) that he gets a little closer to those ideas. finally, “cast your eyes to heaven / you get a knife in the back”. put your life in the hands of anything but yourself and you get fucked over.

Wait for Me intro: alright one god i can pitch right now. hermes with the “so, just how far would you go for her? you got a ticket? yeah, i didn’t think so. course there is another way, but nah, i ain’t supposed to say.” being as mean as possible rn? hermes as niklaus would work as absolutely unfortunate as that is. which also makes the “ain’t no compass, brother, ain’t no map” line in the actual song even funnier since it’s hermes describing how to get to the underworld to save eurydice.

Wait for Me: the fates hit orpheus with the self doubt and worry that essentially he’s not the chosen one, part one. don’t really need to explain that one

Way Down Hadestown (Reprise): now hear me out on this. because hades’ whole bit is deals for people’s souls. eurydice signs a deal to give him her soul in exchange for not starving to death, and this song is her realizing what that really means and trying to defend it. which i will admit, makes it seem like it would work for niklaus too. but we’ll come back to that

If it’s True: “is this how the world is? to be beaten and betrayed and then be told that nothing changes?” now this one got me a little, between gillion’s ‘my last sin’ speech and what he said to jay in the block.

Intro to Wait for Me (Reprise): “it’s a trap?” “it’s a trial.” hermes explaining to orpheus and eurydice the conditions of them being allowed to leave. at the end of the day, according to hermes, their success rides on whether they trust each other and themselves. arguably the most recurring theme of riptide.

Doubt Comes In: orpheus doubting that he actually has the power to bring her back, thinking he has been tricked or is too weak to do it. in gillion’s own mind, his fatal flaw is not knowing if he believes he can be the chosen one or protect his friends. and for orpheus, he couldn’t.

a good amount of the songs are missing because i haven’t talked about hades and persephone yet. they’re. a separate issue

[alexiethymia]

‘that’s disappointing’

I’m gonna ramble like it’s nobody’s business. I was captivated by woo-young and jun-ho from the start. mainly because I usually tend to favor the second lead in kdramas (this started with hotelier and you’re beautiful) so to see a second lead main lead just fills me with butterflies (i thought they would finally settle after han joon-hwi but then jun-ho comes along)

- it’s in the way they are both so thirsty for each other and yet it’s also in such an innocent way. I was expecting the fluff, but the blatant show of desire on both ends makes me feel like I’m eating a full course dinner. I do not blame either of them. At all.

- imma add this. the hilarious misunderstanding between woo-young and ra-mi. ‘good looking one? you mean attorney minwoo?’ woo-young utterly perplexed ‘what are you on about? do you not have eyes?’ her absolutely sure that anyone would just know she means jun-ho when she says ‘handsome’. in the same way, jun-ho was gobsmacked by her in that wedding dress, woo-young pretty much noticed how ridiculously attractive he was when they first met. so I’m on the ‘she fell first, but he fell harder (oh so much harder)’ camp.

- it’s in the way the female is the proactive one about making her intentions known. there’s no will they, won’t they miscommunication. if he was given a chance to, jun-ho would shout it from the rooftops (he already has actually to suyeon even), but he can’t ever get the words out because of the care and respect he has for her and his own need for a perfect moment. that beautiful sunset? that thoughtful gesture of showing her the whale painting? the absolutely sweet gift of an ocean projector (where can I get one too??). This is a man who loves his grand gestures. 

- the way the love triangle was resolved in such quick order and beautifully at that. there’s no being obtuse or petty. suyeon’s embarrassed I’m sure, but more than that because she can see the depth of feelings between the two as well as woo-young’s insecurity, she puts her first. more than the hurt is the overwhelming care and protectiveness she feels over woo-young that lead her to convince jun-ho to be clearer. 

- the way minwoo is adamantly shipping suyeon and junho together, not even considering woo-young because of his severe dislike of her, but irony of ironies suyeon being the one who pushes the two closer together. woo-young has such good friends seriously. 

- that line, omg that line that all of us CANNOT forget. It is such a devastating line and look, but what just gets me, shoots me right in the heart, is not how flirty he is when he says it, but rather the hint of heartbreak, and the utter longing on his face when he says it, like of course he’s disappointed, because everything woo-young said? heart rate beating faster?? he feels it each and every time he’s near woo-young. heck they don’t even have to be in the same room. he just hears her name and his heart rate picks up and he just melts. the dichotomy of restraint and care. you can feel how badly he wants to touch her, be closer to her, both physically and to know her, but he refrains all the time, even in verbalizing his feelings, not because he’s ashamed, but because he always wants to be careful and respect her boundaries. 

- the difference between how he interacts with her, and how other people who love her interact with her, is it’s not only him wanting to accommodate her and give her his full attention. it’s also him wanting her attention on him too - so, so much. 

- with ra-mi and suyeon, woo-young is affectionate in her own way, and they recognize that and feel loved. there are times her father understands her and yet there are also times he wants more of her care and attention, but he’s resigned about how that’s just the way woo-young is. 

- but with jun-ho, each and every time you can feel that wanting to just be noticed by her, wanting her to want to spend time with him - to want him. at first it was just curiosity and intrigue, perhaps infatuation after seeing that absolutely gorgeous smile and wedding dress, but then it became so much more after seeing her vulnerability and brilliance. it wouldn’t be a joke to say that he eventually ended up wishing woo-young would look at him the way she looks at whales. 

- in other words, he became greedy wanting that straightforward and pure gaze to be on him and for him. but despite that, he never pushes, never intrudes, never demands her attention as if he has the right to it. he just waits and eventually that waiting is rewarded. after the initial confusion, and how woo-young always make his head spin, once the realization sets in, you see the fragility on his face. he’s being as vulnerable the same way woo-young is letting herself be vulnerable in front of him. in a way he feels like glass. he understands that woo-young has the power to break his heart. but despite that chance of rejection, he presses forward anyway, even if in baby steps. he’s being brave the same way woo-young is being brave in front of him. 

- in closing, they are perfect for each other, your honor.

- (now if only they stopped getting interrupted.)

[hongism]

mists of celeste ➻ 37.5

➻ characters: yeosang, wooyoung, yunho ➻ genre: space au, pirate au, space pirate!ateez, angst ➻ word count: 3.6k ➻ rating: M ➻ warnings: language, violence, guns and weaponry, blood, future warnings tba chapter specific warnings: past abuse and dubious consent are discussed - no graphic depictions of any of the above, depictions of piercings and needles. this interim deals with heavy topics relating to a whorehouse and it is not required to read this interim to understand the rest of the story. it is an optional chapter as all interims are, so please skip over this one if you are not comfortable with the warnings tagged ➻ summary: Sneaking aboard the ship of a renowned space pirate may not have been the best idea, but you’ll have to make do with what fate has handed to you

⇐ previous | next ⇒ | masterlist

✧✧✧ act five ➻ part 4.5

​​​​

“I’d like you to give me more piercings.”

“I—” 

The blunt statement catches Yunho a bit off-guard, moreso than he would like to admit, and as much as he tries to hide that shock, it still slips through nonetheless. He blinks back at Wooyoung with some wonder in his eyes, enough to make the other man tilt his head in question. Yeosang stands beside him as well though the Elitist’s eyes remain unfocused and noncommittal. It’s been quite some time since Yunho gave Wooyoung any piercings — god, how long has it been? Two years? Maybe three? Surely that can’t be right… — and the doctor is absolutely no stranger to the reasons why Wooyoung would be asking for such a thing now. However, because he tries to be a good and fair doctor, Yunho never goes through with the piercings unless he and Wooyoung have talked things through. 

And by that, he means therapy, basically. Checking in on where Wooyoung is at mentally and emotionally before doing anything drastic. Yet that also brings more challenges than anything else because out of everyone Yunho has ever treated in his years being a doctor, Wooyoung is by far the more difficult. He doesn’t like talking about himself, his experiences, his feelings; he despises the thought of sharing intimate and vulnerable parts of himself outside of Yeosang, but according to the Elitist, it’s near impossible to get Wooyoung to speak even when it’s just the two of them together. 

Yunho would call it a phenomenon of trauma but frankly, it makes a perfect amount of sense.

Given what Wooyoung has been through and experienced — between being a slave and suffering at the hands of not one but two cruel masters — Yunho truly cannot blame the young man for being so hesitant to talk about his feelings. But, as he said, he knows vaguely how Wooyoung must be feeling if he is coming to Yunho for more piercings now.

“You hardly have any room left on those ears for more piercings, Woo,” Yunho comments through a slightly strained smile. Wooyoung opts to simply wave a hand through the air in response. Yeosang glares at the floor. “Take a seat.”

There is a large amount of struggle in this for Yunho. On one hand, he wants to be firm, stand his ground, and say absolutely not until Wooyoung opens up a little. On the other side of things, Yunho understands that this is what Wooyoung needs to cope with whatever trauma he experienced while being held captive. Yunho doesn’t know all the details, of course, he merely knows that Wooyoung was held in a cell on a ship with San and Mingi for several days before being sold to a whorehouse in Lynder. Then he stayed a few days in that whorehouse. He no doubt had to work against his will, no doubt gave in and didn’t fight what he was told to do even though he didn’t want it, and it no doubt brought back horrid memories from his time as a slave. Yunho isn’t stupid. Such a thing would be taxing for anyone.

The other thing Yunho is grossly over aware of is the fact that pain, to Wooyoung, is nothing. He still has a hard time wrapping his brain around that. Wooyoung… feels pain to a certain degree like any other person would but he has conditioned himself into not feeling it the way others might. The slice of a knife against his arm would be nothing but a pinch of a needle on his skin and wouldn’t bother him one bit; all it is to him is a small pinprick. He asks people to go harder on him when sparring. He punches closed fists against his thighs when he’s upset. He enjoys getting piercings after going through something that would otherwise be traumatic for others. Because it doesn’t hurt. Yunho recalls asking once about it because at the time he didn’t understand that either.

“Why do you ask for piercings as though you want to be hurt? If you don’t really feel that pain? What do you gain from it in that case?”

“Because it’s a pain that I get to choose. All my life I’ve been subjected to pains that are not my own doing or that I didn’t ask for. But in asking for a piercing and choosing where it will go and when it will happen… I get to choose that pain. Getting to have that after suffering pains I didn’t want feels liberating in a way. I enjoy it, as bad as that sounds. It helps me cope with what I’ve been through. Like, for every pain they force on me, I choose a new piercing. Eye for an eye but… on myself, I suppose?”

“Where would you like them?” Yunho inquires, shifting over to shuffle through his cabinets in search of his needles and barbells. “Just one or are we doing more than that?”

“Two this time, I think,” Wooyoung hums as he sits down on the edge of the first bed in his vicinity. Yeosang falls down on the bed next to him without a noise, still staying silent even though Yunho can clearly see how much this bothers him. Which part of it bothers him exactly is a mystery to Yunho because it could be any combination of things. The doctor wants to ask Yeosang if he’s okay with this but that would be a tragic mistake on his part so he bites his tongue instead. It would seem too much like giving Yeosang all the power in Wooyoung’s decisions, and doing such a thing to a former slave would only be detrimental to long-term progress. Besides, he doesn’t need the verbal confirmation when he can clearly see how much Yeosang does not want Wooyoung to do this.

Yunho’s hand hesitates over his growing collection of piercing rods, and he glances back at Wooyoung once more.

“Where are you wanting them?”

“Nipples!” The combination of Wooyoung’s blatant enthusiasm as well as Yeosang’s far too deadpan expression sends Yunho reeling, and he chokes around nothing but air before truly processing Wooyoung’s request. 

“A-Ah, I see, of course. One moment,” Yunho murmurs, blinking down at his collection with a bit of bewilderment before picking out what he thinks to be the right size barbells. He’s not unfamiliar with these sorts of piercings — ones on the body that is — and he has found himself well acquainted with certain body parts of the crew to a point where he is no longer uncomfortable with doing things like this for them. Wooyoung is one of the few (the others being Yeosang, Seonghwa, and Y/N) who Yunho is not well acquainted with in that way, however, so this does come as a bit of a surprise. “Your shirt… would you mind taking it off?” Wooyoung strips himself of his top in the next second, and Yunho watches the way the fabric catches on his metal collar before springing loose. Then his eyes settle on the expanse of freshly exposed skin. It elicits a sharp gasp from Yeosang as well, one that Yunho matches in intensity because… well. Yeah. Yunho isn’t sure how to phrase what comes to his mind then. 

“Wooyoung,” Yeosang exhales as he balls his fists around the sheets. Wooyoung stares forward at Yunho with a certain expectancy, like he’s challenging the doctor to not breathe a word about the sight before him, but Yunho would rather lose that challenge right now.

There are… bruises against Wooyoung’s waist. Vaguely shaped like large, manly hands that press the outlines of fingers into his tanned skin. They wrap about the young man’s lithe waist and leave little to the imagination about what sort of scenario and position Wooyoung must have been in when receiving such bruises. The sweeping sensation in Yunho’s gut is so strong that it nearly makes him sick on the spot. Yeosang just looks angry at this point, and Yunho cannot blame him all too much for that. With a sigh, the doctor sinks onto his stool and presses closer to the bed until his knees bump against Wooyoung’s. 

“Wooyoung, we need to talk about… this.” Yunho motions to the other’s torso, unable to peel his gaze off the ugly marks. 

“What is there to talk about?” Wooyoung sounds almost genuine when asking the question. “We all know the nature of working in a whorehouse. There’s nothing to discuss.”

“That’s not — you didn’t — Wooyoung.” Yunho may or may not be bordering on desperation when he exhales this time. He has dealt with a lot of different scenarios and situations as a doctor, but something of this degree is far out of his wheelhouse. 

“I asked them to be rough,” Wooyoung admits through a whisper so quiet that Yunho at first thinks he misheard what the man said.

“W-What was that?” 

“I said I asked them to be rough.” Wooyoung’s repetition doesn’t make it any easier to hear. Almost worse. Definitely worse. “I told them to rough me up a little, make me hurt some, I asked them to treat me that way.”

Yunho spares a pleading glance in Yeosang’s direction, hoping that the man will have some insight on this part of Wooyoung since that is far from Yunho’s specialty. He doesn’t know… intimate details about Yeosang and Wooyoung’s more physical relationship, but Yeosang would surely be the person to ask for confirmation about this side of the man. Instead of a small nod of approval or some sign that this is normal, all Yunho sees is a horrid scowl.

“You — did you want them to be this rough with you?” Yunho asks, tone falling into a more quiet one now.

“I asked them to make me hurt, Yunho.”

“That wasn’t the question, Wooyoung. Did you want them to do that?”

“I came here to get my fucking nipples pierced, not to be interrogated pointlessly,” Wooyoung snaps back. This time he pushes some venom into his tone but it rolls off Yunho’s shoulders without sticking one bit. “I like pain during sex. I like when Yeosang pushes me around and hits me some even when I’m fully in control. I barely feel it anyways so why should it matter at all? Now are you gonna do this or not because I’m sure I can do it myse—”

Wooyoung moves to push up off the bed and make for the door but Yeosang is quicker to wrap his hand around Wooyoung’s wrist and pull him back without a word.

“Did they do anything you didn’t want?” The Elitist asks through tightly gritted teeth.

The hesitation and silence speak volumes, Yunho is hurdling towards a conclusion he does not want to hear, and he is ready to cry by the time Wooyoung finally opens his mouth and answers the question.

“No, they didn’t. I got lucky. I got fucking lucky, Yeosang. All my clients in those days were fucking kind and only did what I told them they could because the workers knew I was fresh meat. They knew people like me needed to be treated gently for the first few weeks so they only sent clients with good and safe track records to my room. Those clients only ever did what I told them to, only did what I said was okay, didn’t touch me if I said no. I got lucky.” Wooyoung spits the words like he hates himself for speaking them, and Yunho thinks somewhere in the back of his mind that the man was not as lucky as he says he was. He should be relieved, grateful even that he got lucky, but he only sounds enraged. 

“Were there…” Yunho starts but his question dies a bit early on his tongue. He swallows around nothing, pulling a pair of latex gloves off his workstation and working his fingers into them as he mulls over his next words. When the last of the latex snaps around his wrist, he finally speaks again. “Were there ones who weren’t lucky?”

“Every fucking night after my clients left, I got to listen to the prostitute next door sob alone in a room with no one to help him. And the very first night I tried to talk to him through the fucking wall and ask him if he was okay and if he was hurt, and he told me I was lucky to be fresh meat. That they would listen to me because I was new and still had some hope left in my eyes. While he didn’t get that chance, he didn’t get to dictate what he wanted or didn’t want because people just took it from him for so long that he lost the will to ask. So yeah, there were ones who didn’t get lucky. There always are.”

Yunho opens his mouth but closes it just as quick, expression a cross between blank and just flat out dumb because he doesn’t know what to say if there even is something to say.

“That’s not your fault, Wooyoung,” Yeosang says instead, but his grip on the other’s wrist releases. “What happened to him is not your fault.”

“What was it that your mother said when you picked me out of a line of slaves? That I was lucky to be picked? But why did I get to be lucky while others suffered? Why did I get to choose not to be hurt or in pain while that prostitute was stripped of that choice? We were all whores for sale in that place so what did I do to deserve being treated better than him? What did he do to deserve being treated worse?”

“Woo…” Somehow the Elitist manages to sound genuinely saddened by the words. 

“The very least I could do was ask to be treated the same as him, was it not? But I couldn’t even have the courage to ask for that? The only thing I could do was ask them to hurt me even though I knew it wouldn’t really hurt. How lucky I was, right? If I’m not hurt, then it doesn’t matter who else gets hurt in the process, does it?”

“Wooyoung.” The edge in Yeosang’s tone pushes forward, bordering on threatening, but Wooyoung is hellbent on speaking his mind right now and any threat from Yeosang won’t stop him. Yunho has the thought to intervene and stop them but he knows — he knows how badly Wooyoung needs this right now. If this will help him cope with what he had to go through then Yunho is in no place to stop him. 

If this is what he needs to make Yeosang cope with it too, then Yunho again is in no place to stop him.

“How does it feel, Yeosang? Knowing that the only reason I was hurt in there is because I asked for it? Do you still think we got lucky?”

“Don’t ask me questions you don’t want the answers to.”

“No, because if it had been you in there, things would have been different. Because you — you are lucky, Yeosang. You always have been and you always will be. Yet no matter how many times I tell you that, you still refuse it. You—” Wooyoung stabs his index finger hard against Yeosang’s chest, voice coming out a bit choked and wet now “—could have sat there for weeks and listened to that boy next door cry and sob without an ounce of sympathy. Because that’s what an Elitist would do. That what you were raised to do, that’s in your blood, how your brain works. But it’s not how mine works. So you don’t get to sit there and tell me that I made the wrong decision.” 

Perhaps Yunho is too used to conflict and gross distortions of communication because when Yeosang stands down rather than fighting back against Wooyoung’s words, he’s overwhelmed. Simply put, he is overwhelmed. He doesn’t know how else to describe the swell of emotions in his chest. But Yeosang just lets his shoulders sag and his face falls flat once more, anger ebbing out of his expression like Wooyoung has a tight grip of control over him. Yeosang isn’t a person to stand down so easily; he’s stubborn, has a short fuse and even shorter patience that causes issues more often than not, and he hates when things don’t go his way. Yunho merely assumed the same would apply to his relationship with Wooyoung. 

It doesn’t, as it seems. 

“Then what would you have me do, Wooyoung? Let you bend until you break without batting an eye? Watch as you blame yourself for something that happened to a person you didn’t even know? Who had been there well before you? Letting you torture yourself for things that are out of your control is not logical or fair; I don’t need to be an Elitist to realize that.”

“You can be as upset as you want, I don’t mind if you’re upset, that’s not what this is about!” Wooyoung argues back, voice climbing in volume a bit. Yunho takes it upon himself to lean away from the bed a bit, and he does his best to make himself seem as insignificant as possible while prepping his clamps and needles. “It doesn’t matter if it was my fault or not. What matters is that he suffered while I did not. And even asking to be hit and pushed around and bruised wasn’t enough because I was still asking for it. I’m… I’m not saying that I wanted my choice taken away — I would never ever ask for that or want that in any capacity. That’s the worst possible thing that could ever happen to a person. No one deserves that. No one. It just didn’t feel fair enough even though it was all I could do to make it feel fair. So yeah, I got fucking lucky, I guess. But he didn’t do anything to deserve to be unlucky.”

“I’m not saying that he did, Woo,” Yeosang whispers to the space between them. “I’m certain that he was a good person who got a bad hand in life, and I’m sure he deserved much better than what he was given. You always ask me to consider your thoughts and feelings on matters. You tell me that it’s because I’m an Elitist that I can’t understand you. You say I just have to accept things and move on, but you don’t — I’m not some emotionless husk, Wooyoung. Being an Elitist doesn’t make me not feel anything. Just because I think with logic more than emotion doesn’t mean that I can’t have emotions. For every fucking night you were gone from my side, I suffered too. It felt like I was losing you to the fate you wanted to fight together, and there was nothing I could do except wait. I was lucky too. Lucky that I didn’t have to wait longer or fight harder to get you back. Lucky that we got you on the first try. Lucky to have you even sitting before me now. It’s not… the reason I keep saying that we got lucky isn’t because I think everyone else in that whorehouse deserves the fate they were given. It’s because we had the chance to fight what fate gave us and took it.”

Yeosang manages a shaky exhale. He blinks down at his hands without saying anything for several moments, but doesn’t look back up at Wooyoung even when he decides to talk again.

“For the first time in over fourteen years, I didn’t get to be your shield. I wasn’t at your side. It wasn’t as simple as coming home from a mission and having you by my side, in my bed, or being in your arms. None of that was even an option because it wasn’t a mission and there was no guarantee of if you would ever come back. I have dedicated my whole life to protecting you because I promised to never let you be hurt again. So you want the answer to that question? How does it feel knowing that the only reason you were hurt in there was because you asked for it? It feels like you’re fucking spitting in my face, Wooyoung, and taunting me for my failures because I wasn’t there to stop you.”

That causes Wooyoung to backtrack in an instant. Realization sinks through his skin, and Yunho doesn’t doubt that it hurts more than any pain that he could inflict on himself. Because that’s the thing about love — it can simultaneously bring you the greatest joys in life as well as the deepest ruin.

And right now?

Yunho can clearly see the ruin in Wooyoung’s features as much as he tries to contain the emotions. Yeosang doesn’t stop there, and it’s with a small shake of his head that he lifts his chin to look Wooyoung in the eye again.

“I’m not blaming you, Wooyoung. I know the kind of person you are, I know how deeply and strongly you feel, especially towards injustices and unfairness like what that boy experienced in there. I know you did what you thought you had to, and I’m not blaming you for making those decisions. But do not ask me to love you even a fragment less than I do now. I knew a boy who was in that very same position once too. Who didn’t have a choice, who couldn’t make any decisions for himself, who didn’t get to choose his pain. I knew a boy who sat on the other side of a metal divider in a bed too small for his body and cried because of how unfair life was to him. And I promised that boy I would get him out and save him and keep him safe from harm at any and all costs. I can’t keep that promise if you won’t let me.”

The breath of silence that ensues after Yeosang speaks is thick enough to choke Yunho, and he pauses his movements in the wake of that quiet because it just feels utterly wrong to even move right now. Wooyoung is dangerously still, perhaps more still than Yunho has ever seen him before. Then a tear escapes the corner of his eye and rolls down the ball of his cheek to pool at his jawline before dropping to the bed. It breaks the dam of the frozen atmosphere, and Wooyoung careens forward to smack his fist against Yeosang’s shoulder. 

“You stupid little — how can you say cute shit with that stupid lovesick look on your face? And I’m supposed to be okay? God, I’m gonna suck the soul out of you later for that, you absolute sap. Then ride you until you cry for good mea—” 

“Um, too much information, hello!” Yunho intervenes before Wooyoung can even think about finishing the thought in front of him. “Listen, I’m all for sex but I do not need to hear those kinds of details. Just… practice safe sex and wear protection. That’s all I need to know about your sex lives, please!”

“I’m just trying to show my appreciation here,” Wooyoung argues through a wet sniff, wiping at his nose with the back of his hand.

“Yes, well, save the appreciation for later. I’m still piercing you, am I not?”

“Was that enough talking for you then?” Wooyoung offers a small laugh that sounds more pitiful than anything else, but Yunho isn’t about to call him out on such a thing. 

“You tell me, Wooyoung.” Yunho shrugs a bit and glances over to where Yeosang is sitting, watching the way the Elitist folds a hand over Wooyoung’s without hesitation. “This is about how you’re feeling and where you’re at mentally and emotionally. I’m not the person who gets to determine whether it’s enough or not.”

“No, i-its — I feel… better getting to tell someone that. And getting to reassure you guys that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Even if I still feel a bit of guilt about it, I know I couldn’t change it even if I tried. But yeah, talking about it — that helped.”

“I’m glad,” Yunho hums through a smile of his own. “I know you’re probably sick of hearing me say it over and over, but my door is always open if you’d like to talk more about it. That goes for both of you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind, Yun, don’t worry! But right now I’d like for you to put that needle through my nipples so I can get on with choking on Yeos—”

“Nope, okay! I’ll put this needle through your tongue to shut you up instead, how about that?”

✧✧✧ a/n: okay so!! i felt like this chapter was kinda necessary? considering what we saw wooyoung go through and i didn’t want to bury what he went through or act like it didn’t happen but bec of the heavy nature of the topics i wanted to make sure that it wasn’t absolutely crucial for anyone to read this and feel like they were missing out. these are serious things, they are important things, and as always i tried my best to represent those things as best i could and as realistically as possible to avoid any romanticizing of these topics so i hope i was able to convey that and the feelings the characters had well. please please please take care i love u all as always be safe and stay healthy !! i’ll see you guys soon with another chapter!

also it’s been a minute but this survey is always open for you guys to take whenever you like!

taglist: @faeriewoobin @sugarrimajins @atinyinwonderland @sparklychangbin @jeong-uwu @jeonartemis @anothershorthuman @xxbluestrifexx @haotheheckk @noonawriter @lostscenarios @nlost21 @mirror-juliet @okokokok123-45 @purple-aeon @theoinkypiglet @toothlessshiber @atinyarmyx1 @simpforhyunjin @hwangwoosan @softyubi @drumboydowoon @chatsgotmytongue @just-a-starfruit @babydolljo @scintillating-souls @khjssss @rawrrainn @hewwo-from-the-other-side @icekdy​ @eggteez​ @bangtanxberm​ @uglychildd​ @lucymultistan​ @revehosh​ @choistan​ @vampyrejimin​

[vivithefolle]

I was always confused by Hermiones behavior towards Ron in OOTP. Was she trying to hide her feelings? because she didn't really gave him any signs. Why she was so nasty at him with the teaspoon thing. Was she trying to make him jealous with the letters? What did or didn't she understand from Ron giving her the perfume. Is all this just JKR being stupid because she don't want them together before the very end. Sry for all these questions but I am rly confused can you plz help Vivi?

Once again, I’ll copy one of my Quora essays!

it’s a stereotype to say that girls resort to underhanded tactics when it comes to dating, or like to “test” their partner’s love… but it’s a stereotype for a reason: there are teenage girls who resort to those tactics.

The archetype of the Tsundere exists as an exaggeration of the traits some teenage girls demonstrate when they find themselves in a position of vulnerability such as “having a crush on someone”.

For someone as prideful as Hermione is, having a crush on someone is extremely threatening.

Hermione prides herself in her logic and intelligence. The validation she receives from getting good grades is something she needs, because she’s very insecure deep down. She thinks all she has to offer is her intelligence, and as she goes from a little girl to a young woman, this causes her grief because she doesn’t want to be just “intelligent”. As her body develops and changes, she finds that being the smartest one in the room isn’t enough anymore - she still loves being the smartest in the room, but she wants more than just that, she wants validation for other things. That’s why she was extremely hurt when Ron tactlessly (and Rowling-ly) remarks “you’re a girl” - she wants to be seen as a girl, as a woman, as more than a walking brain. She wants validation that she is a girl, and beautiful, and sexy, and capable of making heads spin. She needs “sexual” validation, for lack of a better term.

Of course she doesn’t really realize those feelings. All she knows is that it hurts when Ron seems to consider her “one of the guys”, or looks at girls that aren’t her. She likes it when he compliments her, but she’s also angry at him because he only ever seems to compliment her intelligence and damn it, she wants him to compliment something else! She wants him to look at her, REALLY look at her! Look at her like he looks at the pretty girls!

Little does she know that Ron does look at her, but he probably thinks he’s a pervert for doing so. Because - because she’s Hermione! She’s not like other girls, she’s not - she’s not the kind of girl you ogle! She’s the kind of girl you gift flowers to - roses, they’re her favourite - the kind of girl you have long, meaningful talks with - not sure if they’re always meaningful, but they sure talk a lot together! - she’s the kind of girl you… the kind of girl you love, not the kind of girl you just look at…

*wistful sigh* Mutual pining, mutual admiration, slow burn, +100k words…

But truth is, many people go around saying that Hermione treating Ron harshly and treating pretty much every boy (with exceptions like Draco Malfoy) more gently is because she actually doesn’t like Ron, and likes anyone but Ron.

When the truth actually is that… Hermione is awful. No, no, seriously, when Hermione is in love, she’s terrible. She can be a nice friend but when she’s in love with you she’s horrible. Especially since she’s a teenager.

Hermione is a prime example of a Tsundere.

The cute, blushy, giggling Hermione who flirts with [insert character here] and cries delicately when she’s rejected? Pure fanfiction. Canon Hermione keeps her love aggressively hidden behind countless iron walls, only letting it peek through when she’s absolutely sure the person she likes isn’t looking.

“How was practice?” asked Hermione rather coolly half an hour later, as Harry and Ron climbed through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room. “It was -” Harry began. “Completely lousy,” said Ron in a hollow voice, sinking into a chair beside Hermione. She looked up at Ron and her frostiness seemed to melt. - Order of the Phoenix

Rare footage of the Hermione Granger, scientific name Selfinsertus Overratedus, displaying interest in specimen of mighty fine hunk

Hermione isn’t sweet and tender and kind with the one she loves. At least, the teenage Hermione isn’t. She’s harsh, she’s disdainful and only gives out breadcrumbs of affection once in a while as part of the complicated mind game she’s playing.

You see, Hermione is never going to make the first move. You must be the one to ask her out, because she sure as hell ain’t going to do it for you.

This is due, I think, to the events of Goblet of Fire. Viktor Krum asks her out because Rowling absolutely wants Hermione to be the ugly duckling who transforms into the beautiful swan, so she brings in Cardboard Cutout With No Personality Aside From Being Famous to woo her self-insert.

Now Hermione has gotten the experience of being asked out, and being a rather socially awkward person who also hates being vulnerable - more on that later - well, now she just assumes that if someone asked her out once, then anyone who does like her can do the same.

Which is why she doesn’t realize that Ron is actually aware he loves her. There’s a big comedy of assumptions going on in Romione’s love story.

Hermione believes that Ron either 1) likes her but is oblivious to his own feelings and so she thinks she has to “give him hints” to make him realize it. Emphasized best by this exchange:

Hermione laughed. “Harry you’re worse than Ron [at understanding girls]… well, no, you’re not, “ she sighed, as Ron himself came stumping into the Hall splattered with mud and looking grumpy.

“I’ve sent him so many signals and yet he doesn’t notice. Woe is me!”

2) doesn’t actually likes her, but sees her just as a good mate or worse, as another sister.

Hermione keeps flip-flopping between her two assumptions throughout the series, all because of her biggest assumption: she thinks that if Ron was interested in her, he would ask her out. Because Viktor Krum was interested in her, and he asked her out, so why wouldn’t Ron do the same? They’re both boys and she’s a girl, after all. Isn’t that how it works?

This is also why Hermione’s “““invitation”““ to the Slug Club isn’t even an invitation - really, it’s worse than Ron’s invite to the Yule Ball, at least he was actually offering her to come:

“We’re allowed to bring guests,” said Hermione, […], “and I was going to ask you to come, but […] I won’t bother.”

“I was going to ask you to come but I won’t bother.”

This is literally what she says. It’s more of a “look Ron! An invite! If you’re good maybe I’ll think about letting you have it!” than anything else.

It’s because this is Hermione’s last resort. The ultimate humiliation. She has to resort to inviting Ron when in her mind, he’s supposed to be the one asking her out. He’s the boy! He’s supposed to do it! (And this is why I laugh at all the fools who claim that Hermione is the pinnacle of feminism. Seriously, the girl is more of a misogynist than any other character in the series.)

Hermione failed to take into account that Ron’s insecurity cripples him worse than she imagines, and that he copes with it differently than she copes with her own insecurities.

And this is the part where I explain about Hermione’s hatred of being vulnerable.

You see, I can relate quite a lot to Hermione - I see a lot of me in her, and a lot of people who hurt me in the past as well.

Bullied because she was an easy target, being the know-it-all and local teacher’s pet? Yep. Bullied for her appearance (I got braces when I was 8 and have been wearing glasses since I was a toddler, she had her bushy hair and buck teeth)? Can relate. Cried easily? Super check. Rule enforcer when the teachers weren’t around? Mega check.

And naturally, when you’re such a water fountain as I was, there’s nothing more humiliating than ending up crying in front of your bullies. You quickly learn that it will bring you nothing but more bullying. More humiliation. More vulnerability.

Hence why you start despising any form of vulnerability you find in yourself.

Obviously, being in love? That’s one of the most terrible things you can find yourself in when you’re afraid of being vulnerable. Because, oh god, your feelings are completely insane around the person. They make or ruin your day. You keep wanting to show them how cool / great / impressive you are, and you try desperately to mask all your little faults so they will hopefully return your feelings.

Given that Hermione is already not the most socially-aware battering ram in the knife drawer, she acts especially nasty to Ron, because she’s overcompensating for the vulnerability he makes her feel. And she most likely isn’t even aware of it! Forget Fanfic Hermione cringing as she realizes how mean she sounds, welcome Canon Hermione who just doubles down on a pointless argument just to drive home how totally in control she is and how Ron has absolutely zero effect on her, no siree!

In short: Hermione overthinks. She overthinks everything. She’s overthinking every of Ron’s actions, she’s assuming he’s either out to get her because she assumes he’s perfectly aware of her crush on him and he’s just toying with her (this is the very insecure, pessimistic Hermione speaking), she’s assuming he’s completely oblivious to her feelings and so she uses the ages-old technique of the “subtle hints” to make her feelings known to him (and fails miserably because she doesn’t want to put herself out there too much in case he rejects her, which would be the ultimate humiliation and the worst possible thing to happen to her, in her teenage girl mind), and she’s assuming he’ll never like her the way she likes him, all the while being woefully oblivious to the fact that Ron does want to be with her but she keeps sending him signals that she sees him as a troublesome child rather than a potential partner.

All in all, a teenage Hermione in love is utter torture. She’s her own worst enemy, and it’s only when she decides to let go of it all - of the mind games, of the distancing, of the passive-aggressive; of the overthinking - and just takes a chance that her efforts bear fruit.

There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione’s arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.

(As much as I’m disillusioned with Romione, this kiss is still one of my favourite parts of the series. They mutually sweep each other off their feet for god’s sake, you wish your ship would.)

[rachelbethhines]

Tangled Salt Marathon - The King and Queen of Hearts

The existence of this episode just baffles me, as it undermines so much of what season three was trying to accomplish. 

Summary:  Rapunzel continues to try and restore the memories of her parents, King Frederic and Queen Arianna, and hopes to use the journal of Herz Der Sonne to remind them, but they do not understand the significance. Arianna still lusts for adventure, while Frederic cannot get over his obsession of egg collecting. Rapunzel recruits her friends to try and set up the perfect date for them and while they cannot find anything in common personality wise, they share a mutual love for Rapunzel. However, King Trevor arrives with the intent to woo Arianna using an ocean crystal he found.

So What Exactly Is the History Here? 

We have no context for this sudden love triangle. All we know is that Trevor hates Frederic because he’s still in love with Arianna who wound up marrying him instead. 

But like, I don't know why Arianna married Frederic. I don’t know why Trevor is still hung up on her years later. Did she actually choose Frederic or was it an arranged marriage cause that’s what royalty did back then? Was she having an affair with Trevor this whole time but couldn’t/wouldn’t leave because of duty? Was she and Trevor pining star crossed lovers, or is Trevor just an incel? 

I know what the story wants me to assume; that Arianna deeply loves Frederic and that Trevor is just a jackass loser; but the series has done such a poor job of making Frederic likable and giving him and Arianna any sort of chemistry that I’m inclined to side with Trevor. 

For all we know, he may be trying to rescue Arianna from both her memory loss and her abusive relationship while at it. Especially now that she’s no longer needed as a ruler and has no reason to stay in Corona. 

Why Not Just Use the Potion from Rapunzel: Day One? 

While any Varian cameo is appreciated, it doesn’t add thing to the story. In fact it only raises more questions. We already had a cure for the memory loss, why aren’t we using it? 

Even if we write it off as Rapunzel no longer having that particular Saporian spellbook on hand, she still has a whole dungeon full of actual Saporians who know magic that she could gain information from! There’s also Xavier, who already knows everything under the sun about Saporian/Coronian history and magic and owns spellbooks galore. You’re telling me he just has mood potions lying around but can’t brew up a cure for memory loss? 

Then there’s also the fact that the amnesia spell doesn’t work on Rapunzel’s parents the same as it did on Rapunzel and we’re never given a reason why. Like just some basic consistence is all I ask show. 

I also can’t figure out what Varian is even trying to do here. Where’s is the science to this? What does strawberry goop and lighting have to do with memory? It’s just a cheap reference to Frankenstein and nothing more.  

We’re Already Pass Seven Months Since Rapunzel’s Return. 

Ok, I have gotten into frequent debates with people about the timeline of season three. Many a story board artist and writer on the show have came forward and stated that season three was only one year. But the very existence of this episode disproves them! 

If you remember season one, Hearts Day took place after the Goodwill Festival, but before Queen for a Day. Even when putting episodes back into their intended production order that still remains true. 

Hearts Day has to be at least seven months past Rapunzel’s birthday, if not eight months, because the Goodwill Festival is six months past and her parent’s anniversary (QfaD) is nine months past. 

Now Rapunzel’s Return has to be Rapunzel’s 20th birthday because season two was a full year, and even if you say it’s not, then that still doesn’t explain Once a Handmaiden (the Goodwill Festival) coming after this episode.  

And no you can’t move the episodes around, Once a Handmaiden has be the second to last episode of the series and Under Raps always comes after Rapunzel’s Enemy in any order you watch the series in. 

No matter how you slice it, we’re missing a birthday episode for Rapunzel and season three has to be more than a year; a year and a half at the very least, if not two full years.  

Look I’m not trying to be disrespectful of the talented artists who worked on this show, but their word isn’t law. The very fact that they’ve had to tell us the timeline after the series was over with indicates bad writing, and the very fact that the show itself contradicts them indicates either a lack of communication behind the scenes or a lack of editorial oversight. Either option is just poor management. 

We Have Yet Another Failed Narrative Promise! 

Are we seeing a pattern yet? 

This is the third time in a row where the episode flat out states that Rapunzel needs to learn something and then, just, never has her learn it; four if you count her non-apology to Varian. Instead the show rewards her for her bad behavior by just giving her want she wants on a sliver platter for no adequate reason. 

In fact, one could argue that this episode is the worst offender in the show because divorce is a real thing real kids have to go through. Children that will undoubtedly watch the series. 

How upsetting would it be to such a child to watch Rapunzel force her parents back together  with zero consequences and realize that they can’t do that in real life? It can potentially feed into misplaced delusions or make them even more bitter, either way it’s unhealthy and super irresponsible to tackle such subject matter in this way. Even Sesame Street handled the topic of divorce better than this supposedly ‘mature’ show. 

It’s a Castle! Why Can’t Frederic Get His Own Room?

Frederic is the king. He still technically owns everything even if he’s not the one still in charge. He could have his pick of any room so why is he forcing himself on Eugene? Hell he doesn’t even have to stay in the castle. As pointed out during The Return of the King review, there’s other accommodations within the kingdom that’s suited for royalty. Why not head up to that mountain retreat?  

This is a Really Bad Message 

I understand that this is meant to be a joke, because of how ridiculously over the top it is, but because the series gives Rapunzel what she wants in the end without ever having her acknowledge how she is wrong here, it winds up validating her toxic world view anyways.

Divorce is not inherently a bad thing. We should be working towards both normalizing it and promoting healthy coping mechanisms for those that go through it, adult and child alike. What Rapunzel is doing here is just repeating puritanical fearmongering. And while I can understand why she might behave in this way, I don't understand why the show refuses to call her out on it. Or any of the other million bad behaviors she displays repeatedly through out the show... like the example below for instance... 

Why Am I Suppose to Like Rapunzel Again? 

It’s like the writers don’t understand that a joke can damage a character, especially if it’s overplayed. Super sweet upbeat Rapunzel snapping because she finally met someone who was annoying or a situation she couldn’t just solve with a positive attitude was funny maybe like the first time; but we’re three seasons in and this is supposedly her closest loved ones.  

Look at them! They’re fucking terrified of her! All they did was point out that she maybe should do her job and deal with real problems instead of poking her nose into her parents business where it doesn’t belong! And this brat is now the ruler of the whole kingdom!? No one can legally stand up to her. 

Like where’s the Eugene that stood up to her in Under Raps for trying this same bullshit? Why hasn’t she learned her lesson? She also pulled this same bullying tactic on young Lance and teen Eugene two episodes. Cass left her ass, supposedly, because of her bossy thoughtless ways. And this is also the same woman who abused a child back in season one and still has never acknowledged it. 

Yes characters should be flawed, but they should also face real consequences for their actions, and if they’re a protagonist they need to learn and grow past their flaws. 

I actively started to dislike Rapunzel after this scene. I already felt something was off way back in the season three opener, but this is the point where I stopped and went “What the fuck?” She used to be my second favorite character behind Varian. I didn’t go into this wanting to hate her, even after this episode I still held out hope that they were trying to purposefully lead up to some sort of falling out with everyone and with Rapunzel having to own up to her bullshit in order to win. You know like a classic third act “the hero is now alone due to their past mistakes” type story. But Nope! 

There’s no pay off for any of this. Rapunzel is just mean for the sake of being mean in season three, and no one is aloud to call her out on it. She’s now the same type person as Frederic, a tyrant. That’s not a good development! 

She’s Literally Bullying Her Own Parents Now, and I’m Suppose to Find that Funny? 

Yes, Frederic is her abuser, and yes some people might find this scene cathartic if they hate him. But this isn’t actually calling out his past abuse. It’s just Rapunzel treating a now powerless old man with that same abuse and denying him bodily autonomy. An old man who has both less political rights and less power within the relationship than her; since due to his memory loss he is now dependent upon her. 

In the real world it’s the equivalent of picking on an Alzheimer's patient who is in your care. I don’t give a shit how much of dick they were before the illness set in, you don’t fucking do that!  

Why Should I Want Arianna and Frederic To Be a Couple? 

The show has done nothing to sell this relationship. In fact one could argue that the show is trying to purposefully sabotage it. 

Before the memory loss Frederic was proven to be abusive, to the point where even his own wife was afraid of him and wouldn’t stand up to him. Meanwhile Arianna was shown to be a shell of her former self who’d all but given up upon the things she actually enjoyed in life. And now that they both have had a second chance they have even less motive to stay together. 

Look at Arianna up there? She’s clearly not enjoying her time with him. While he doesn’t want to engage in anything that she likes. I mean a couple doesn’t have to share their interests in everything, but there still has to be some sort of connection and the series just does not give us that connection. 

There’s no reason why they should stay together. They no longer have any commitment or duty to fulfill as rulers and their daughter is fully grown. Contrary to what Rapunzel says, the kingdom isn’t going to fall apart if they separate. It actually would probably better for everyone, including Rapunzel, if they got divorced. At least then she’d have to grow up somewhat and stop being a controlling asshat.  

Why is Attila Here?

I thought Attila got a job running his own bakery and that it was Lance who became the new cook at the Snuggly Duckling? Even if you argued that Attila was just doing Rapunzel a solid that still wouldn’t explain who is running the place when Lance isn’t there. 

If you’re going to set up developments like that then you need to either stick with them or give an on screen reason for why these previous developments are no longer relevant. Flat out ignoring them like this is just lazy. 

Lance’s New Outfit is the Best Thing About the Episode, and It’s Also a Complete Waste.

Lance deserved a new outfit because the team was too lazy to give him one for season two, even during the island arc. This however is a waste because it doesn’t add anything to the narrative. People were paid to make this thing for it to only show up for a few seconds of screen time. 

This Whole Exchange Is Gross. 

Oh let me count the ways in which this is so, so stupid. 

Neither Rapunzel nor Frederic has ever proven themselves “thoughtful and responsible.” In fact both of them being irresponsible is intentionally a plot point in the main story arc.

How would either Frederic or Arianna know any of this? Not only have they lost their memories, but they didn’t raise Rapunzel themselves and those traits aren’t inherited; they are taught. 

Gushing over your grown daughter isn’t a point of connection! 

Why would anyone be compelled to kiss a practical stranger, that they previously didn’t even like, just because they both admire some woman they also barely know and happen to be related to? What is the thought process behind this? “Oh we made that? Then lets make another one!” What the fuck show? I’m ace and even I know that’s not a normal thing to get titillated over. 

The Series Turns Frederic Into a Literal Baby In a Last Ditch Effort to Make Him Likable 

The whole point behind the amnesia plot was to absolve Frederic of his past wrong doings. You can’t call out an old man with Alzheimer's for being a dictator, I suppose. (not like that’s ever stopped me from criticizing Ronald Reagan, tho)  But from there the series then takes it one step further and actually infantilizes both Frederic and Arianna, because Chris assumes that if he makes Fredric as pathetic as possible the audience won't hate him any more. Well guess what, it didn’t work. Frederic isn’t suddenly a poor woobie just because he’s useless now. That’s not how that works.  

Rapunzel Literally Physically Assaults a Person, Kidnaps Them, Threatens Them With Even More Bodily Harm, and Causes an International Incident; All Because They Asked Her Mom Out On a Date! 

You can’t hear it in the screen shots, but there’s very clearly a clanging sound to indicate that Rapunzel just wacked Trevor upside the head and knocked him out. 

Let me repeat, a Disney protagonist just committed armed assault against a guy, simply because she doesn’t respect her own mother.

What the Fuck!!!???

Arianna is fully grown woman. She is perfectly capable of making her own choices and she agreed of her own volition to go out with him. In fact she’s the one who asked Trevor if she could come along on his sea voyage. It’s not Rapunzel’s place to interfere with that. 

Secondly, Rapunzel shouldn’t get a free pass to attack people just because she’s doesn’t like them. And she most assuredly shouldn’t get to write off her cruelty as justice because she's royalty! What the hell? You just turned one of your official princesses into a literal tyrant for the sake of a joke, Disney! 

Where the fuck was the oversight on this show!? 

And to top it all off, Trevor is a ruler of a competing kingdom. This could easily have been deemed an act of war. Thankfully for everyone involved Trevor has far more sense and compassion than Rapunzel and doesn’t push the matter. 

Yes that’s right! The intentionally annoying prat and comedic antagonist is a more upstanding person than the main heroine! Let that sink in! 

Wait, If Laws Don’t Apply Out In the Ocean, Then Why Did Eugene and Max Have Jurisdiction to Arrest Lady Caine in Peril on the High Seas? 

Max shoved this same rule book into Eugene’s face when Eugene rightfully questioned if it was his job to arrest the mutineers. This book said that it was not only his job, but that he was also legally required to stop any and all ‘wrongdoing’ no matter where he was at nor whether he was on duty or not. While also failing to specify what ‘wrongdoing’ entailed. 

Now that’s very problematic and ridiculous for a whole host of reasons that I’ve already covered back in my review of Peril on the High Seas, but this scene now adds a whole new layer of stupidity to the mix. 

If zero laws apply out in open waters than yes, Eugene and Max were acting out of their jurisdiction. Not only that, but the pervious dumb rule regarding their duties is also now null and void. So, Justice For Lady Caine! 

Oh, but were not done yet, cause it gets dumber. 

If laws, including marriage don't apply, then getting married while out at sea also would not apply. Thereby rendering Trevor’s plan useless, unless they got married back in Equis. Which if they did that, it would bypass the entire pointless rule book completely because Equis is not subject to Corona’s laws anyways. 

There’s not even any ‘inter-kingdom’ laws that they would be subject too because Equis isn’t a part of the seven kingdoms. Any treaty they did previously have with Corona would be something else entirely, and Trevor would be within his rights to end such an agreement.     

Also Trevor is a king. He can do whatever the fuck he wants. Same goes for Arianna.

Ummm, No You Don’t Rapunzel

Trevor can’t marry Arianna without her agreement to it. It’s already been established that she’s physically capable of taking care of herself and she’s also mature enough to make her own decisions. If she did wind up marrying him it’d be because it’s her fucking choice to and Rapunzel has zero right to interfere with that.  

There’s no one to rescue here. Rapunzel has no reason to go chasing after her mom. All this is doing is denying a grown woman agency over her own life. Why should I or anyone, root for Rapunzel here? 

You Do Know That Arianna Has More Than Just Two Choices Here, Don't Ya Show?

Arianna doesn’t have to be in any relationship. That’s also an option. While I personally like Trevor, this shouldn’t be a choice between him or Frederic. The show should be asking what Arianna, as a character, would want for her life, instead of just shoehorning her into just being a wife for someone else. 

I still don’t know what Arianna really wants in life, but I do know that being a domestic housewife and a queen does not suit her. She doesn’t actually like being tied down with commitments and responsibilities. She’s repeatedly indicated over and over again that she feels uncomfortable in her role. 

But the show reduces her into trophy to win and turns her into a damsel in distress multiple times. Then it further neuters her so that she complacently walks back into that life over and over again for no logical reason. She’s treated not as a person but as a prop.    

Really, Arianna? Are You Really Sure About That? 

These aren’t Arianna’s words. They’re Chris’s. 

Arianna has shown zero interest in Frederic up to this point. The closest they got was during that creepy boat scene where they just jumped to almost kissing for no real reason.  While before now Arianna was making actual goo-goo eyes at Trevor earlier, before Raps stepped in and broke them up.  

They actually do have things in common and had a genuine point of connection. They even almost kissed themselves until Raps started being a dick. No forced and icky conversations about their grown children needed here folks!

While I still firmly believe Arianna should just be single, the show does far more to convince me that she and Trevor should be together more so than her and Frederic. Everything about this scene on the boat feels forced and hollow because it doesn’t ring true to what was previously established. 

This just isn’t good writing. It’s the animation equivalent of a six year old smashing their Barbie dolls faces together and shouting “now kiss!”, all because a middle aged man couldn’t get over they fact people didn’t like his self insert. 

No, wait, I apologize. That’s being mean to six year olds. They usually have more interesting plots and established characterization than this.  

Hey, Remember When the Series Villainized an Orphan For Stealing This Stupid Book? 

Yeah, stealing the book was treason and the mains ruined a child’s life over it, but apparently it just doesn’t matter any more cause no one seems to give a shit about Trevor taking it. Like, yes, as the king of another kingdom, Trevor isn’t beholden to Frederic’s bullshit, but you would think that the characters would treat this as a bigger deal than what they do, given how they responded previously to it being taken.

Unless Rapunzel was just talking out of her ass back during The Alchemist Returns. That’s also quite possible.  

This Literally Has Nothing To Do With You Rapunzel 

Just because Rapunzel herself is a woman, doesn’t mean that stealing the agency of another female character isn’t misogynist. Especially when their both written by primarily men.  

Every guy who was involved with the writing of the episode, should be fucking ashamed of themselves!!! 

So What Exactly Has Trevor Done Wrong Up To This Point? 

Yes, the story board artists and voice actors do a lot of heavy lifting here to try and make Trevor seem like a creep. Arianna’s body language and tone of voice when dealing with him here will be very familiar to a lot of women, I’m sure. I know what it’s like to have a stalker and not know how to turn them down because you’ve been trained all your life to ‘be polite and nice” to people, and I’m not unique in that regard. 

But here’s the thing, it’s not set up properly. There’s nothing backing this sudden shift in the characters’ dynamic. Up till now Trevor has been a perfect gentlemen. Sure he was over the top as always, and you could call it an act when regarding his politeness to Frederic, but he seemed to genuinely respect and admire Arianna and clearly desires genuine affection in return from her. Why would he suddenly stop behaving in a way that worked for him and start talking over her instead? 

Also why wouldn’t Arianna just tell him no to begin with if that’s what she wants? She had no trouble speaking her mind before now. But that begs the question why she wouldn’t return his feelings as well, because as stated above, she clearly showed interest in him previously. 

This is So Fucking Forced

Yeah, okay, you’re daughter has no reason to be here to begin with, disrespected your wishes, and attacked Trevor first. At this point I’d argue he has a right to retaliate. Especially since, if Rapunzel was allowed to board, you know she’d just attack him again, because she knows no other way to resolve conflicts other than to hit people very hard.  

Arianna’s actions here only make sense if she’s kept in the dark about what an awful human being her daughter really is. That’s poor writing. 

Also, having a woman just punch people while denying them actually agency and choice within the plot is not ‘girl power.’ It’s fucking misogyny!

How Does Doing the Bare Minimum, and Just Showing Basic Human Decency Count As ‘True Love’? 

What was she suppose to do? Let him drown? I mean I wouldn’t, and I despise the man. Not to mention anyone else could have done the same thing. They’re all right there. If Lance had jumped to the rescue would Trevor have proclaim them lovers too? 

Trevor Is Still the Better Man Here

Here he is rescuing Rapunzel even after she treated him like shit. 

Best. King. Period. 

This Still Doesn’t Redeem Frederic 

So through out the episode Frederic has inexpiably shown an obsession for eggs. He now collects them even though this was never an established trait before now. But whatever. He’s just been through something traumatic and looking for something to ground himself.  Far be it from me to make fun of someone else’s special interest. If you like to collet eggs than good for you. Go live your life to fullest. 

That’s more respectful than how the show handles it, as everyone dismiss his interest and it’s treated like a joke through out the episode. Only to have said obsession save the day. But this isn’t here to teach the others about respecting other people’s hobbies, oh no, it’s here to try and give Frederic a big hero moment so you’ll cheer for him. 

Except one nice thing does not erase his past actions! I don’t care what your hobby is, if you deliberately try to cause grievous harm to people you’re and asshole! And you will continue to be an asshole until you can admit what you’ve done wrong and try your best to make up for it. 

I Hope You Made Back Up Copies of The Tunnel Maps 

A bunch of people are more upset over this development than I am, because it is a historical artifact and preserving the past is important. But the only story function the book held was a map to the tunnels, and said tunnels were never utilized properly through out the entire show. 

To this day people still don’t understand that they’re meant connect the island to Old Corona or that Herz Der Sonne is the one who built them into order to invade Saporia because the show is so bad at its world building. And come season three, they’re all but irrelevant anyways. Such a wasted concept. 

Once Again the Whole ‘Memory Loss’ Subplot Is a Copout 

Ok that’s not how the spell worked previously, but that’s not what I’m taking issue with here. 

If the whole point behind the amnesia plot twist was to sweep Frederic’s awfulness under the rug, then I expect his past actions to be addressed once he’s regained his memories. They are not. 

This episodes reverses the very thing that the season was trying to achieve and just hopes the audience is too stupid/attention deficient to notice. Well guess what, we noticed and we’re far smarter than you Chris. 

Conclusion

I don’t understand the point of this episode. It shoots everything season three is trying to do in the foot. It screws up the timeline, makes Rapunzel even more of an irredeemable dickhead while preventing her from learning yet another needed lesson, undermines Arianna as a character once again, and it puts Frederic back in the crosshairs of the audience’s scrutiny. 

Oh and look, it’s written by the same guy who wrote Rapunzel’s Return. Why am I not surprised.  

Anyways another one down and only 15 more to go. You can support my continued marathon by dropping a tip in my ko-fi if you wish. I’m currently back to job hunting yet again and anything you can give is appreciated. 

https://ko-fi.com/rachelbethhines

[jaskierswolf]

Heartbreak Hotel

Or the dating show Geraskier AU based on an idea by my wonderful friend @slythnerd (Also on my AO3) 

Geralt took a deep breath and pulled at the tie around his wrist. The cameras weren’t rolling yet and he was seriously considering jumping out of the window. He was grateful that he wasn’t one of the original contestants. He wasn’t sure whether he would have been able to cope with all the build up and hype before entering the hotel. The set to the show was essentially the top two floors of a hotel, and one of the reasons he hadn’t made a break for the nearest window. He did enjoy being alive despite how much he liked to grumble about it. Geralt was going to be the first new contestant since the season had started just over a week ago. With any luck everyone would be happily paired up and he would be allowed to go home at the soonest available opportunity.

He’d only agreed to this shit show for Yen’s sake. He was pretty sure that her and Triss just wanted to laugh at his discomfort.

“Mr Rivia?” Some attractive young brunette with a clipboard asked.

He raised an eyebrow at them. “Yeah?”

“Are you ready?”

Geralt looked back down at the wristband. It was pink, purple and blue. He gave a small smile. When he’d been filling out the application form he had hovered over the box for bisexual for over an hour. He wasn’t out to his family yet. Yennefer knew, but that was it. Well at least coming out on one of the most popular dating shows in the world would mean he’d probably only have to do it once.

He grunted and nodded, dropping his wrist to his side. “Yeah.”

_________________________

Jaskier was seriously starting to doubt his life choices as he flopped dramatically across the laps of Virginia Stael and Valdo Marx who were curled up on the sofa together. Jaskier had tried to woo  the ‘Countess’ as he affectionately called her due to her love of expensive jewellery and designer clothes, but she’d reached an ‘agreement’ with Valdo. They had a game plan. Everyone in the damn hotel knew it and he hoped the viewers at home could see it too. The pair of them barely tolerated each other. They would split up as soon as the show ended. They’d only chosen each other because they’d both deemed the other to be the most attractive out of the contestants. It was shameless and it was loveless. Well, not entirely loveless, despite their personality clashes and endless drama, they did end up shagging rather loudly every night, much to Jaskier’s displeasure as he had the misfortune of having the room next to Valdo.

Valdo wasn’t even that attractive.

“What are you doing, Jaskier?” Valdo snapped.

Jaskier rolled his eyes and extended one leg as he gestured to himself. “Lying down. Obviously.” He muttered.

“There’s a free chair.” Virginia pointed out in her snooty I-am-holier-than-thou voice which made Jaskier feel incredible glad that his attempts to seduce her had failed.

Unlike most of the contestants, Jaskier wasn’t playing for the money. He’d been naive to think he’d be able to actually find love on the show. What had he been thinking? Everyone else was catty and brutal and he just wanted to be loved god damn it.

Although, the sex so far had been spectacular so who was he to complain?

“Where’s… who are you paired with at the moment?” Valdo glowered at him, with unfairly pretty green eyes.

Ok so maybe he was that attractive, but fuck Valdo. Not literally.

Unless….

No.

Bad Jaskier.

The man was an arsehole. He did not deserve to get fucked!

Jaskier sighed again and patted Valdo’s cheek. “Priscilla but she broke up with me.”

“And why did she do that?” Virginia asked.

“I made out with Aiden.” Jaskier hid his face n his hands and moaned. “but in my defence the challenge was to kiss who I thought would be best in bed! Priscilla is lovely and I really like her, but Aiden just looked like he could fuck the living daylights out of me, which incidentally he can.”

Jaskier’s attention was drawn away by a woman behind a nearby camera who was obviously trying to hide her laughter and failing. Most of the time Jaskier was able to ignore the cameras but sometimes they just really got on his nerves.

“I was being honest!” He snapped and pouted. “I thought honesty was the key to all healthy relationships.”

No one had a chance to reply as the elevator doors opened and a god of a man walked out.

“Holy shit.” Jaskier’s jaw dropped.

This was it. He was in love. The man had silver hair that looked like it had been woven out of moon beams. It was pulled back into a messy bun revealing a truly sinful undercut on both sides of the man’s head. He was wearing a loose black shirt with the top few buttons undone and the sleeves were rolled up to the elbows. He’d paired the shirt with some tight black jeans. Oh god his thighs could probably break Jaskier.

Jaskier let out a pathetic whimper.

The noise drew the hot guy’s attention and holy fucking cock balls… his eyes…

Jaskier was going to drown in those eyes. He licked his lips and he stared unabashedly at this fucking work of art, that is, until he was dumped on the floor by Valdo shoving him hard. “Oi! Fuck it, get off!” He yelped as he landed on his arse.

His eyes snapped back up to the new guy and he blushed. The man was smirking at him, clearly laughing at his misery. Jaskier gave a little wave and the scrambled to his feet so he could introduce himself. “Hi! I’m Jaskier!”

“Geralt.”

Jaskier could have melted on the spot. How was his voice that good? Fuck it was better than sex.

“Jaskier.” He replied and then swore. “I mean. I already said that. Hello.”

“You said that too.” Geralt chuckled.

“Well what else am I supposed to say? I just met you! I can hardly start asking you to bend me over that table and…” He cut himself off and clapped his hands to his lips.

“Shall we start again?” Geralt asked, still smirking although there was now a faint red blush on his cheeks, probably embarrassed by Jaskier’s outburst. He extended his hand, which, Jaskier noted with absolute delight, had a bi wristband tied neatly on it. “I’m Geralt.” Jaskier grinned and shook Geralt’s hand, making sure his own matching wristband was on display. “Jaskier Pankratz. Nice to meet you.”

“Cut the cameras!” A voice called out through the speakers. “Everyone, we have a newbie Geralt Rivia. He’ll be joining and he will be leading our next challenge. We love the drama but try and give the man a warm welcome. Jaskier! Excellent. We’ll work with that. The viewers are going to love it! Ok. Rolling!”

Jaskier groaned and gave Geralt a sheepish smile. “Urgh. I’m sorry. Looks like they’ll be pairing us together for a few challenges.”

Geralt frowned. “Can you say that with the cameras running?”

Jaskier shrugged. “Not everything makes the cut. They get a lot of footage. There’s a whole bunch of people not even here that are being filmed right now. It’ll get cut and pasted until they get what they want.”

“So why did they cut the cameras?”

“Important announcement. Make sure people are actually listening. I doubt they actually stop rolling.”

“Hmm.”

“Sooooo….” Jaskier linked his arm with Geralt’s. “Did you want the tour?”

Geralt laughed. “Will there be any tables?”

Jaskier tripped up instantly and spluttered as Geralt caught him around the waist. “Geralt!” He choked.

“Relax, Jaskier. I was joking.”

“I should hope so!”

“Mostly.”

“Geralt!”

_____________________

Four days in and Geralt was more relaxed than he thought he would be. Most of the contestants gave Geralt a wide berth. He was more than a little out of place. He wasn’t really sure how he’d ended up being chosen. The rest of the contestants flirted easily and could all talk for hours about their ‘types’ and what they were looking for in a partner.

When asked Geralt had just shrugged, he’d glanced over at Jaskier who had been busy braiding Priscilla’s hair and not paying much attention. Jaskier was currently paired with Priscilla, they’d been arguing when Geralt had first joined the hotel but had since rekindled their love, if you could call it that. Geralt had ended up pairing with Kiera. She was pretty enough and had taken a shine to him during his first challenge. He wasn’t that interested in her but he’d promised Yen that he would give the show a fair shot. So he was trying.

“What about you, Buttercup?” Priscilla winked at Jaskier.

“Oh umm. Me? Fair hair, pretty eyes… a voice like a dream.” He sighed wistfully and Priscilla turned to kiss him.

Geralt averted his eyes. He didn’t enjoy it when they kissed. It made him… uncomfortable.

Yen would say jealous but Geralt scoffed at that. Jaskier was his friend. They often hung out around the hotel when they weren’t being filmed with their respective partners. Jaskier was the only one Geralt felt he could really talk to. He let Geralt talk for far too long about Roach and the other horses at the ranch. Kiera had just laughed and made a joking about riding Geralt then shut him up with a kiss.

It wasn’t a bad kiss. It was just not what he’d been expecting from a partner.

He was on the wrong show.

Geralt groaned. “I’m going to my room.” He muttered. “Headache.”

Jaskier jumped up. “Are you ok, Geralt?” The brunet put a hand on Geralt’s arm and looked at him with such open affection that it made Geralt ache.

Fuck.

He was falling in love with him.

Geralt pulled away sharply. “Fine.”

“Oh. Right then. I’ll just, I’ll be here if you need me then.” Jaskier mumbled and slunk back over to Priscilla, taking her hand and decidedly not looking at Geralt.

“Fine.” Geralt repeated and fled the room, glaring at the camera man on his way past. He just needed to get away and be alone for a bit.

________________________

“I just. I don’t know what to do!!” Jaskier whined as he shifted in the armchair for the third time that minute, moving so his feet were draped over the back of the chair and he was hanging upside down over the edge. “Priscilla is very pretty and we both like music. We’re thinking we could start a band after this is all over, compose music together. She’s incredibly talented, maybe even better than I am, and oh ho! Let me tell you that I don’t say that very often!”

“So what’s the problem?” The person behind the camera asked.

“I just don’t love her. I thought I did but then in walked Geralt and it was like the universe rearranged itself and Geralt was in the centre.”

“How poetic.”

“Yes, yes.” Jaskier waved his hand and then scrambled up so he could sit cross-legged on the chair. He was getting head rush from being upside down. “It all sounds like a bad rom com but I swear. God, and then he had the audacity to be kind!”

“Not many people see him that way.”

“Bollocks!” Jaskier glowered at the camera. “He’s just shy but once you get him talking I swear he’s worse than me. Oh and his sweet darling Roach, has he shown you a photograph? No? Well that is tragic. She’s gorgeous. Stupid name for a horse though. Oh and he has this collection of little horse figurines that he paints. It’s just the sweetest. I swear if he proposed tomorrow I would say yes.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah….” He sighed longingly. “I could be Mrs Geralt Rivia. Oh wait no. Fuck! He’s going to see this eventually. Shit. Can you edit that out? What do you mean no?! Fuck!”

____________

Geralt stared at the envelope in his hands. It was the challenge of the day. It was almost the end of Geralt’s second week in the hotel and soon people were going to get eliminated. He almost hoped it would be him, except that would mean leaving Jaskier behind. He wondered whether they could exchange contact details before he left. No, that would be weird. Jaskier was still paired with Priscilla.

Kiera had thankfully moved on.

“Umm.” Geralt blushed as he reread the words. He hadn’t participated in one of the infamous kissing challenges yet. His first challenge had been more of a get to know you type, after that the worst thing he’d had to do was a strip dance to ‘Toxic’, that was bad enough. “I have to kiss the person that I’m most likely to propose to after we leave here.”

“Sweet mother of…” Jaskier groaned and Geralt turned to look at him.

His friend was already blushing although Geralt supposed it was rather warm in the hotel. It was supposed to encourage the contestants to wear skimpy outfits to lure in more viewers. Jaskier as a result seemed to never be able to do his shirt up properly. The dark chest hair that trailed down into Jaskier’s tight fitting denim shorts drove Geralt mad. How anyone could resist the urge to pin Jaskier down and kiss every inch of his chest, was beyond Geralt.

Perhaps Yen had been right. Perhaps he really did need to get laid.

“Seems a bit forward.” Geralt muttered. “I’m not even paired with anyone.”

“Oh just snog someone already. Propose!?” Valdo scoffed. “This isn’t Married at First Sight.”

Valdo was right. This was too personal. He couldn’t.

“You don’t have to do it, Geralt.” Jaskier’s hand was on his cheek. “Let’s just say you have to kiss the person you think is cutest. We’ll all agree on that.”

“I won’t.” Kiera muttered.

“Shhh!” Jaskier hissed at her. “The challenge is a dig at me, something I said in the diary room. You shouldn’t have been dragged into it.”

“Hmm.” Geralt leant into Jaskier’s hand before he knew what he was doing. Jaskier had always been generous with the casual touches and Geralt lived for every single one. He hadn’t realised how much he’d been craving that physical touch before he’d met Jaskier. “Ok.” He nodded.

“Ok?” Jaskier asked, letting out a shaky breath and pulling back slightly but Geralt gripped onto his wrist to stop him.

“I can do it. The challenge.” He nodded.

It was now or never.

He loved Jaskier. He wasn’t ashamed to admit it. It was fast but then the circumstances weren’t exactly normal. They’d been living in each other’s pockets for two weeks and Geralt loved him.

He lunged forward before he could lose his nerve and captured Jaskier’s lips in a bruising kiss, cupping Jaskier’s cheeks in his hands to hold him close. Jaskier melted against him and wrapped his arms around Geralt’s neck, returning the kiss eagerly and moaning as their lips parted. Geralt had been dreaming of kissing Jaskier ever since the brunet had licked his lips when Geralt had first laid eyes on him. Every time Jaskier chewed on his bottom lip Geralt had imagined running his thumb along the soft pink skin and gently pulling it away from his teeth. Now all Geralt wanted to do was bite it for himself, so he did. Jaskier let out a sinful moan and pushed his body up against Geralt.

Geralt’s head began to spin. God the things he wanted to do to Jaskier. The noises he could pull from him. “Jaskier.” He breathed as he reluctantly let Jaskier go, resting his forehead against Jaskier’s and running his thumb along his cheek.

“Uh huh…” Jaskier mumbled and gripped onto the fabric of Geralt’s shirt. “Winter wedding then?”

Geralt laughed. “How about dinner first?”

Jaskier scoffed and buried his head against Geralt’s neck. “Fine, a spring wedding then.”

“Hmm.” Geralt muttered and kissed Jaskier’s hair. “We’ll see.”

_____

More witcher fun

[summers-pratt]

Okay, ignore if you don't wanna get into it & or don't have time for rambling lol xD That is a very interesting reading regarding season 6 & the parallels between Buffy/Spike Willow/Amy & Anya/D'hoffryn & as many times as I've thought about these parallels & what the writers might have meant & what we can read out of it...I've just never considered that showing the dynamics in themselves as bad & destined to go bad was the problem per se. Sure, it could've been handled better (particularly Willow & magic which occasionally became a rather too muddled metaphor) but also - it is, after all, a drama & the story is at a rather dark part of the arc. As a huge Buffy/Spike fan & someone who hates 'Seeing Red' with a firey passion - I still think it makes perfect sense that Buffy/Spike went bad & that there had to be a turning point for Spike though I wish it were a different one. Same with Willow & magic - her darker need for power was a long time coming arc & season 6 built it up so well starting with her resurrection of Buffy. Anya was handled awkwardly by the writers a lot by trying to make her the comedy relief but she was actually an evil demon who killed people for a long time & turning back to that (to me) seems clearly destined for bad. I read these parallels as ultimately an allegory for bad choices & unhealthy coping mechanisms which fit perfectly with season 6's themes of young adulthood & depression & addiction & self-harm through behaviors. For as many ways as I think BTVS went wrong with how it handled treating female characters' choices, I'm not sure that I think those situations you mentioned should've been treated as like - good & okay choices? It wouldn't have really fit with what the season was doing in my mind. So I'm curious if you have more thoughts on that, I'd love to hear them. & btw I'm not like, trying to argue or be annoying I'm genuinely so curious there's nothing I love more than overanalyzing buffy lol it's so fascinating & fun to me

(Ok after accidentally posting this when I just had some general ideas laid out now I have fleshed out an actual answer lol anyway)

First off, I always have time for rambling and overanalyzing, so jot that down. Now, onto your lovely rambly ask and an equally rambly overanalyzing reply:

Narratively, of course I get the complexities that come from these relationships and dynamics, they themselves weren't inherently bad, but the effects of them were, where they take the characters and the plot is dark, and I love that, it makes sense at this point in the story (though yeah I 100% agree that some of it really did not need to happen the way it did yes i am talking about seeing red fuck that shit and yeah Anya is way more complex than they let her be and the magic-addiction allegory really loses its potency really quickly and yeah a staff of mostly male writers for female characters definitely makes itself evident at times ANYWAY). Yeah, fundamentally, this is a show, so it needs a plot, and it's a good show, so it needs a complex plot that creates conflict and develops the characters and establishes sets of metaphors to enhance the story and characters, and these dynamics do that and set off a good amount of future conflict, which is great! That's how writing is supposed to work! Woo-hoo for cause and effect! I just meant, broadly speaking, zooming way out, we have characters going to people they know who also happen to reside in the supernatural part of their world, and bad stuff happens as a result, and that is an interesting pattern that we can look at through other lenses other than narrative and metaphorical purpose, if we so choose (and I often do bc it's fun lol).

I agree they're all three unhealthy coping mechanisms and it fits really well in the season, and I'm not saying Willow going to get hits of magic was a great call, or Anya going back to killing as a job is a good career move (even tho we love a girlboss), or Buffy pushing everything down and using Spike to work through her depression was an ideal form of therapy. I was just musing on the fact that all of their coping mechanisms were supernatural in some way, and the show tends to be kind of black and white about demons unless they want comic relief out of them or if they're a main character (and then only sometimes do they get the greyscale treatment, and even less often with the appropriate complexity (hello Anya my beloved)). Of course, this absolutism way of dealing with morality fades as the show goes on, but I do think the writers tended to stick to the "demon bad, human good" concept more often than not, and the fact that these three instances have the coping mechanisms be supernatural beings is interesting. As we went over, yes, narratively it makes sense for these relationships to lead to badness, but pulling back, I also see it as a way the writers are saying "See? You turn to a witch or a demon or a vampire, you're gonna go bad too, they'll just corrupt you." It might be a bit of a radical interpretation of the text, but the idea of a human going to a supernatural being and it having a damaging impact is a common thread throughout the show, and while it tends to make narrative sense, it also says something about how we are meant to perceive the supernatural, and I think it's a little close-minded (again, looking way far into this but it is fun); Buffy tries to be with Angel, a vampire, but he fucks up Buffy's perception of romantic love and relationships, Giles' ex lover friend Ethan Rayne, a warlock, is only ever there to cause trouble, Ford goes to Spike to get turned and a bunch of people almost get killed and he dies, Faith throws in with the Mayor and turns bad and kills people, Maggie Walsh studies and frankensteins demons and dies at the hands (skewer?) of her creation that then kills more people and becomes a big bad, Riley gets his blood sucked a la vampire prostitution and ruins (well, speeds up the inevitable ruination of) his and Buffy's relationship. And the of course we have the fuckedupedness that is seeing red, though that is widely because j*ss wh*d*n hated that people liked Spike and wanted to change that. But even in that case, he was saying "oh you like this demon character? Fuck you, he's evil and you better not fucking forget it." And I guess that's what I'm kind of getting at, we're not supposed to like supernatural characters because they are Bad, we see again and again that demons and magic practitioners are Bad and no good comes from associating with them. But like, why? Not all of them are bad, some are downright kittenish (looking at you Clem, my beloved), and generalizing like that leads to the kind of massive confusion and shame Buffy feels about her attraction to Spike, as well as a kind of boring view on massive groups of people (yes I am calling demons people, that's my point).

So, I'm not really saying these dynamics should've been seen as perfect and good, I'm just saying they're part of a larger pattern that delineates supernatural beings as a largely Bad group, I don't think that's fair or fun.

There is also a whole other layer to this where the supernatural is a metaphor for queerness, and saying supernatural beings are Bad and Wrong and their Badness and Wrongness will rub off on you if you hang out with them is akin to parents not wanting their kids to have gay teachers or friends, or people not wanting to introduce their friends to their partner bc fear of rejection.

Ps- anon you did not come across as arguey or annoying at all! I love that my little dot connecting made you want to talk more about the idea! Absolutely no worries, overanalyzing Buffy is endlessly fun and fascinating to me too :D

[sxmonsays]

[ CHWE VERNON, HE/HIM/HIS, CISMALE ]  —  [ SIMON HONG ]  is a child of  [ HADES ]  with the power of  [ SHADOW TRAVEL ] .  they were born in  [ 1998 ]  and have been in nemean lion since  [ 2010 ] .  with the change, they  [ HAVE GRADUATED FROM ]  the  [ AMBASSADOR ]  role which makes sense since they’re usually  [ ACTING AND MAINTAINING A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE ]

tasks && connections page && about && pinterest 

name: simon hong

age: 22

pronouns: he/him/his

birthday: october 31st

track/job: ambassador & actor

sexuality: bisexual

bio

the son of hades and a young korean woman who met the god randomly. she was a grad student when the god of the underworld met her inside of an old coffee shop. a conversation was sparked between them, a game of wits, lots of poking and probing at each other’s brains. if only his mother was aware that she was speaking with a god who knew more than her. a game of wit that lasted for a mere month before it turned into something more sexual. no love was involved, it was all just fun until the two learned that she was pregnant. truths were revealed, concern filled her eyes, hades apologized just before disappearing forever. nine months later, simon hong was born.

a child filled with nothing but goofy smiles and mischief. a plotting mind filled with pranks and lies ready if someone was to catch him. able to fool the masses except for his mother who would drag him by the ear in disappointment. a witty child who always wanted to play games, a trait that his mother remembered of his father. a man who simon learned about when he was ten, an appropriate age to tell him the truth and where he wouldn’t go around telling everyone about it. with her own eyes that were filled with nothing but honesty and worry, the young boy believed her with no hesitation. lies between family was not allowed in their household, a rule that was only for the two of them before a third individual entered their lives.

another woman, with beautiful pencil straight hair and light brown skin that wooed both him and his mother. the two older woman talked, went on dates, started going out before marrying each other just a week before simon’s birthday. a household with two moms, two women who loved him with their entire being and who he loved in return. of course, no secrets were kept between family as it was shared with his step-mother of his parenting. the woman didn’t believe them, thinking that they were toying with her before simon showed her.

it was when he was ten, few days before his mother revealed the truth, that he realized his ability. running away from a group of bullies and stepping into an ally with a dead end, he thought that it was over. he hid himself in a dark corner, hoping that they wouldn’t see him. to get away and to somewhere safe. he closed his eyes, as footsteps neared him, hoping that the boys wouldn’t find him. until it went silent, the sounds of cars was no more, just the sounds of his mother on the phone. he was back in his dark room, very much afraid and confused. he told his mother about the incident days later.

they lived happily together until his twelfth birthday. a monster appeared, planning on hurting simon when he was home alone. it was only because of a pair of demigods from NL that rescued him, taking him off to find his moms. to say goodbye of course as it wouldn’t be safe for him to stay with the pair. such a sad day for the hong family as simon was taken to NL, a safe haven that would train him. he learned how to fight against monsters, to have a better handle of his power, and more about his godly father.

NL talked about hades in a different way than what his mother used to say. the god of the underworld, one of the big threes, a literal king in his realm was supposed to be the same man who wooed his mother by talking about the human brain and other psychology shit that i can’t think of to fit the aesthetic of this bio uwu. honestly, it never changed how he thought abouthis dad, hades sounds like a cool dude which makes sense. a cool mom and a cool day, of course they would have the coolest son.

after graduating from NL, simon realized that being a hero wasn’t his thing. he wasn’t going to put himself out there to save everyone unless he needed to. no, he saw the arts as his way of being, specifically acting. it was with the tattoo that gave him a chance to act and not have monsters try to murder him. of course, it was all local theatre stuff and small classes, just to keep himself on the down low. but when NL revealed the whole demigod thing and forced them to come back? simon thought it was over for his acting career.

until he chose the ambassador track and baby realized that it wasn’t that bad after all. yeah, there’s the classes he gotta take (yuck) but being seen on TV? the interviews, people seeing his face, being famous? oh yeah, homie is ready and not at all complaining.

shadow travel

when he was younger, he couldn’t control this power aka he couldn’t control where he would end up. it took him some time at NL to get a hang of it. as long as a place that he has been to has some sort of dark space in it, he’ll be able to transport himself there. the further the distances, the longer it takes for him to travel. has recently learned how to do little portals in the same area where he can stick his arm or foot out to trip or hit someone. ONLY can be done in the same area.

because his power isn’t as physical as others, he focuses more on his quick wit and any small weapon that can be used for a sneak attack. he’s a boy that focuses more on getting out alive than going for a kill. he can leave that to the real heroes. HOWEVER, if he has to then he’ll put forth more effort into helping out.

wanted connections

best friend: give me someone who just knows simon and even as an ambassador, the main person who he talks to. obviously his go to person whenever he needs someone to rant to or to unload his problems on. ofc, this person can do the same to him uwu

TRIO TRIO TRIO: i’m a slut for trios, give me three best friends who are always there for each other. pls i want a sutton/kat/jane type of friendship uwu

ambassador buddies: for those amazing ambassadors out there, give me people who he hangs out with during their communication classes or stars in shows together

his debby downer uwu: someone who gets on him for constantly playing tricks, trying to con people, or being on his phone a lot. please just give me someone who nags him a lot thx

someone who just doesn’t like him: pls i love characters who have beef with each other, it’s my coping mechanism AGIAJGAI,

uwu 1, uwu 2, uwu 3, uwu 4, uwu 5 , uwu 6, uwu 7, uwu 8, uwu 9

[melancholydreadfuldream]

broken melody, lullaby of pain

Fandom: Doctor Who

  Pairing: 12th Doctor x Reader & 13th Doctor x Reader

  Summary: The Doctor thought you died along with everyone and yet here you are under the clutch of the Master. 

  Warning: ooc, angst, obsession, mention of mental abuse, plot holes as usual, etc.

    After saying goodbye with her fam, the Doctor made her way toward the matrix chamber where the deranged Master and his CyberMaster are, bringing with her the weapon of destruction that she intend to use on them and herself in the process.

  She thought of the telepathy she shared earlier with the Master and how he said he has one last surprise for her. Knowing him, she need to be on guard because it will definitely be unpleasant.

  But she never thought that the surprise he mentioned would be...you.

  As she entered the hall where she supposed to meet the Master, she saw a young woman standing alone in the middle of the room. She felt like she was punched in the gut when the woman turned around and revealed herself.

  "(name)?" She called out hesitantly.

  You didn't reply at first. You look terrified. Your eyes are glassy as you glanced at the Doctor.

  The Doctor blinked her eyes a few times as if trying to make sure what she saw is not a figment of her imagination. Though if it is, she has no idea why it would show her you. She raised her hand as if wanting to reach out to you.

  You took a step back away from her, making her confused. You looked almost afraid of her.

  "(name), it is me, the Doctor...." She said softly in placating manner as if you are an injured animal need extra handling.

You shook your head as tears fell down your cheek. "I didn't know where you were. She was the only one there. I didn't know what to do...so I just did what he told me." You said in a hoarse and trembling voice.

  The Doctor is confused, trying to make sense what you are saying before she realized that you are talking about Missy back in the mondas ship. Her mouth dropped open in horror at what you are implying. 

  7777

  You first met the Doctor when he was in his eleventh incarnation. You are Clara's best friend. Clara had told you about the Doctor when you accidentally got involved in an incident with alien. 

  The Doctor took you on a trip to show off time travel. You were awed by the Tardis and the weirdly energetic Time Lord. 

  As the Doctor invited you to stay for a few more trips, you quickly realized that both the Doctor and Clara addicted to danger and excitement. You weren't like them. The trips started with fun and safe and then quickly turned into lot of running and try not to get killed at. It wasn't your cup of tea. You love the part where you see wonder but you dislikes the next part.

  You didn't stay full time on Tardis, prefering to stay on Earth where life is boring but safe. You couldn't keep up with the glee of the unknown trouble that the Doctor and Clara shared. And you were fine with it. 

  Once in a while though, Clara did convince you to take some time off and travel with them for one trip to a special place that she knew you would have love to be part of or when you are feeling burnt out with your daily life, you would phone Clara and asked her to come pick you up.

  You got along quite well with the Doctor. He was a funny man and he likes you enough to let you join him and Clara for trips to see the wonder of universe.

  You felt like third wheel though whenever those two started their flirting-not-flirting thing. You asked Clara about it and she admitted that she fancy him but she was unsure how to go about it. The man is practically an immortal alien and she is just a human.

  You found out about Clara's echoes eventually and she had explained that she splintered herself to save the Doctor by jumping into his timestream.

  You weren't there when the Doctor regenerated. But when you did finally met the new Doctor, you know you are in trouble because his new appearance caught your fancy. You always have a thing, a weakness for older gentleman and the new Doctor could almost pass for one if one could ignore or manage his rudeness.

  Oh and Clara know all about your little crush on the Doctor and teases you mercilessly. You were not pleased especially considering that your best friend has dibs on the Doctor first.

  To your surprise, Clara give you the go ahead to try and woo the Doctor, not that you would. He is an immortal alien, remember? Same issue still applied in this case. But you were surprised with Clara's revelation about how the new Doctor has basically sit her down and said he was not her boyfriend. Ouch. That made you more determined to never acted on your stupid crush.

  It was awkward at first trying to interact with the new Doctor as you were so used with chin boy, Clara's nickname for Eleventh Doctor. But with a few more meeting, you would eventually grew fond of him. You didn't know what he think of you but he might be tolerating you for Clara. You thought you were in your best behavior around him. You never flirted with him or provoke him. 

  Clara is truly his best mate, able to keep him on his toes, rein him in when he deliberately being cruel. As much as you have a bad crush on him, you couldn't handle his rudeness.

  Clara eventually dated a man called Danny Pink. When the Doctor found out, he was livid. He materialized Tardis in your living room and proceed to complain about it to you of all people. 

  You tried to calm him down and convinced him that if he care for Clara, he should be happy for her.

  Then come the fight. Clara told you about what happened with the moon and how the Doctor abandoned her alone. You were helpless to try to console her as she made a decision that she was done with the Doctor.

  Of course, not long after Clara left, the Doctor came to you, babbling about how he didn't understand what he did wrong to Clara and so you set him straight. He was genuinely afraid now that his impossible girl will truly left him. So you suggested one last hurrah between them in hope in that one trip they could find a common ground again. 

  Later on, Clara remained with the Doctor, apparently they have made up nice. You were glad for them.

  7777

  Clara is inconsolable. Her boyfriend died. She was mostly numb. You tried to comfort her but she mostly ignored you. 

  Desperate, you turned to the Doctor for help eventhough you know he is socially awkward. But Clara is also his best friend so you demanded that he did something for her to help her.

  "What she need is time and space to mourn." The Doctor said.

  "But I'm worried for her. She is not eating or sleeping well. She is not grieving properly."

  "There is a proper way of grieving?" He raised impressive eyebrows at you mockingly.

  You rolled your eyes. "You know what I meant."

  It was then he received a call from Clara which make you panicked as if you are receiving a phone call from a crush much to the Doctor's amusement.

  You glared at him and told him to drop you home before he goes to Clara.

  "What happened to comforting her together?"

  "You are her thing."

  The Doctor look insulted. "I'm not her thing!"

  You almost laughed at how insulted he look like. "I just meant you and her are...have this bond, you know, special one...and this trips on the Tardis are always yours and hers. And she obviously need you more than she need me. So..."

  The Doctor looked uncomfortable, probably has no idea what to say to you so he dropped you home without more fuss.

  Next thing you know there were red alerts as citizens are told to stay at home away from the street. From the news, you realized Earth is invaded by alien...again. You recognized the cybermen. You are worried for the Doctor and Clara.

  You were relieved when the day after Clara contacted you, apologizing for not keep in touch with you. She told you the Doctor has gone, returned back to Gallifrey, his home planet.

  As months passed with Clara withdrawn and depressed, you contacted the Doctor, leave a voicemail telling him that Clara need him and that she still didn't cope well with the loss of Danny.

  You didn't receive any reply. But a week later, the Doctor suddenly show up during your date night with an older gentleman that is your type and the Doctor made a mess of the date. You were furious with him.

  "What do you mean that Clara didn't cope well with the loss of PE? Danny is back, isn't he? Clara told me so!" The Doctor approached the table where you sat with your date without any greeting and started babbling urgently. 

  "Doctor? What are you doing here?" You hissed furiously. "Danny is dead, remember?"

  The Doctor started talking really fast at you before stopped and noticing your date. He then ruined it by asking if the man is your father. You really wanted to drop your head on the table right at that moment.

  Uncomfortable with the Doctor, your date politely asked if they can reshedule their date in another time but you know he wouldn't ever call you back now. The date is going well too and now thanks to the Doctor, it is now ruined. At least, your date still paid for dinner despite your insistent to let you pay everything. You apologized to him and watched him left with a sigh before glaring at the Doctor.

  The Doctor shrugged innocently and grinned sheepishly at you.

  You sighed in resignation and led him back into his Tardis where you both talked about Clara. The Doctor admitted of lying about Gallifrey. 

  You rolled your eyes at him. "You are both idiot. It is obvious you miss each other. Don't be stubborn and go to her, Doctor, tell her the truth, tell her you know Danny is not back."

  The Doctor said he will think about it. He seemed to think Clara is better without him. You wanted to slap him so much for his stupidity.

  Eventually you learned that Clara is back traveling on the Tardis with the Doctor. According to them, santa claus made them do it.

  7777

  The Doctor now dressed like a rock star and he show off his ability to play electric guitar to you and Clara. 

  He was kinder now, less rude. He no longer complained too much whenever Clara or you hug him. One might say he is a bit affectionate toward the both of you.

  You still refused to be his full time companion like Clara. You would take a trip or two for every two weeks or whenever you felt like you need a time out.

  The Doctor is currently at the console, playing a tune on his guitar while talking about some sci-fi stuff that completely beyond your understanding.

  You stared at him with fondness.

  Clara noticed it and teased you about it later on. She asked whether you need her help to woo the Doctor to which you replied you are not the Doctor's type. She is. Which promptly shut her up.

  During one of the trip, you noticed how careless Clara is and you talked to the Doctor about it but he brush you off, telling you that he won't let anything bad happen to Clara...or you, he added as afterthought.

  You were touched that he care about you enough and said so to him to which he replied that he consider you as friend too. You were so happy that you hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  He stared at you blankly as he touches his cheek.

  You giggled as you suddenly felt bold enough to actually start flirting with him. But later on, you felt like you wanted to crawl under a rock for being insane enough to do that especially since he didn't seem to know how to deal with your affection.

  Clara laughed at you when you told her about it much to your dismay.

  7777

  Clara is dead. You got a phone call from Clara's father. Her body is found on a street. They had no idea what is the cause of death. From Rigsy, you found out the truth.

  You were unable to cope with her death and you wished to talk to the Doctor but you couldn't even contact him. According to Rigsy, the Doctor was taken to somewhere else, presumably by an enemy of the Doctor.

  You are worried for the Doctor but there is nothing you can do about it. You contacted UNIT and spoke to Kate but even she has no clue what is going on.

  There is nothing you can do but to help with Clara's funeral. You tried to be brave for Clara's family. After the funeral, when you are finally alone and realizing the loss of Clara, you broke down crying.

  You now understood how Clara felt when she lost Danny. You just wanted to be left alone, not wanting to do anything at all.

  Then, Clara reappeared in front of you in a waitress uniform from a Tardis that resembles a dinner. She was there to say goodbye and to tell you to take it easy when next you met the Doctor. She told you the Doctor has no memory of herself now.

  You wonder if the Doctor would even bother to come for you as the one connecting you to him is always Clara.

  "He considered you as a friend too, you know. He likes you. Not many people can says that." Clara reassured you. She made you promise to help the Doctor eventhough you have no idea what you could possibly offer the Doctor. You are not her.

  "If he comes for me, I promise I will help him to the best of my ability." You made that promise, fully aware that the Doctor is unlikely to come for you despite his words before about considering you as a friend. He didn't strike you as the type who keep a regular contact with those he called friends unless they were his current companion.

  You and Clara had a teary goodbye and you watched her Tardis vanished before your eyes. You never saw her again.

  As you predicted, the Doctor never come for you. You weren't surprised but it still hurts you. You tried not to take it personally. You tried to move on with your life.

  7777

  It was merely an accident that you met the Doctor again. You were accompanying your slightly younger cousin to check out St. Luke's University. Your cousin is thinking to apply to that university.

  It was there you overheard a bunch of students talking about their eccentric teacher, the one called the Doctor.

  Curious but also dreading to meet him, you decided to look for him. And you did find him.

  He was playing his electric guitar at his posh office. You saw his blue box on the corner of the room.

  He glanced at your arrival. He didn't seem to recognize you at first.

  You slapped him. You didn't meant to but when you saw his indifferent face, you kind of loses it.

  He was taken aback by the sudden assault but before he could say a word, you slapped him again and then hit his chest repeatedly with your fists as you yelled and cursed at him.

  He gripped both of your hands to stop the assault on his person. His eyes softened as he whispered your name. He apologized to you as you broke down crying in his arms.

  "It has been 2 years, you bastard! You left me behind without any explanation for what happened to Clara! You promised me she will be safe even after I told you she was reckless! And then she died and you don't even have the courtesy to show up and explain everything! I had to heard it all from Rigsy!" You yelled at him.

  "I know." He looked remorseful but you are still so mad at him.

  "I know that you no longer have any memory of Clara but surely you remember me? You said you considered me as friend but you abandoned me! Friends don't do that, you jerk! Stupid eyebrow!"

  The Doctor remained silent in the face of your fury. After you calmed down, he offered you tea much to your bewilderment.

  You told him about how Clara told you what happened to him, being trapped in a confession dial, almost breaking the rule of time for the sake of Clara and also about the promise you made to her. So, after all of that, you asked him how he is holding up.

  The Doctor admitted of being ashamed of himself for what happened to Clara and can't bear to face you especially since he couldn't even remember Clara at all.

  You and the Doctor talked about Clara a lot. Through you, the Doctor is able to put a face on Clara. You told him the brave tale of Clara Oswald and her Doctor.

  You forgot about your cousin until she called you. You had to leave the Doctor but you were reluctant. You asked him if he will be at the university for long. He said he will be stuck in there for a long while.

  You smiled softly at him. "Can I come see you again?"

  He glanced down at you with fond smile. "If you like."

  You hugged him and he, at first, was hesitant to hug you but he did eventually.

  7777

  After that day, you spend at least a few hours to visit him in the university and you have valid excuse because your cousin did apply there.

  There were rumour floating around that you were the Doctor's girlfriend but you and the Doctor ignored it.

  The Doctor introduced you to Nardole and Bill. Bill is curious about how you know the Doctor and she recognized that you did indeed still fancy the Doctor and teases you about it.

  The Doctor eventually told you about the reason he was stuck there. You had heard about Missy before from Clara and her warning that she is pure evil. You have no interest in meeting her.

  Knowing the Doctor stuck there, you tried to cheer him up by asking him out. He was confused whether you are asking him out on a date after Bill's teasing about him having a date and he asked you about it.

  You were embarrassed and cursed Bill for bringing that up. You told him it was a friendly outing. Though, of course, you sort of wished for more but this is the Doctor. He is dense when it come to romance. Also, you have no idea if he even feel the same, probably not.

  One day, the Doctor asked you out for a date night in some foreign planet. He claimed it was for ruining your date night years ago. You laughed at the date night he mentioned. You remembered that night when he asked your date of the night if he was your father. He eventually admitted he was asking you out because Bill wouldn't shut up about how you fancy him and how lucky he was to have someone like you waiting around for him.

  Your face reddened as you muttered about killing Bill. 

  He smiled kindly at you which made your heart flutter around like a trapped butterfly inside a jar. "Spare Bill your wrath, she was just concerned for you and I. Apparently, she ship us."

  You nearly choke on your drink when he said that with a flat face. You felt like you are not nearly drunk enough to survive this humiliation. Overall, it was a successful date night. You have fun. The Doctor is surprisingly good at planning a date night. 

  You remembered that Clara once told you that he was married to River Song but she was deceased. You wondered what kind of a woman she was to have caught his fancy. She must be someone amazing. You didn't dare to ask him about her but you saw the picture he had on his office. You even asked Nardole about her. You realized the Doctor is still hung up on her and Clara to some extent even if he didn't remember her.

  You sighed, hating yourself for being insecure. You knew the Doctor is out of your league and yet here you are, falling under his spell again. You didn't know whether to hug Bill or hit her for plotting against you like this. You were, in the end, grateful for a chance to have a memory of being on a date with the Doctor. Though, the realization that according to the Doctor, this is somewhat a pity date, ruined it for you.

  After that one date, you avoided the Doctor like a plague. It was Bill who come to you and knock some sense into you.

  "This is the Doctor we are talking about. He doesn't know what even a pity date is. So, please, (name), just come back. You are miserable. He is also miserable. He blames me, you know, for taking my advice and takes you out on a date. He thought he did something wrong to you. Now he thought he had lost you too." Bill said.

  You narrowed your eyes at her. "You are lying, aren't you? There is no way the Doctor acted like that merely because I'm not there."

  "Well yeah he didn't pout as much, mostly he tried distracting himself with teaching and traveling in the Tardis, but he is very grumpy, more than usual. Ask Nardole if you don't believe me. Ask his students, they thought you broke up with him and that made him become no fun anymore."

  So, yeah, like the fool you are, you decided to come back and have as Bill put it a 'grown-up' talk with the Doctor.

  What the hell...you decided to tell him the truth and see what happened. If he didn't feel the same, well, that's a problem that you will have to deal with anyway sooner or later. Better just do it and get it over with now. Rip the band-aid so to speak. Maybe then you can properly move on and erased your feeling for him to make room for new feeling for someone else.

  You had a long talk with the Doctor. You found out Bill is right about the date being not a pity date. He had even told you that if he didn't like you, he would never took you out on a date. 

  "I can't promise you forever." The Doctor eventually said.

  "I never would ask you that. I know that you can't do that. All I ask, if you are willing, to be with me for as long as we can."

  "Then you shall have me for as long as you want to, (name)." The Doctor said.

  You were surprised and felt elated by his words. You took his hand on yours and beamed at him.

  He glanced down at you with soft smile and kind eyes. You loved him more for it. 

  7777

  The Doctor took you on dates many times after that. He is taking care to make sure there will be no crisis need averting during the dates but that did not always work.

  You should have known the Doctor is definitely a trouble magnet despite his effort. During a date night, the place where the Doctor took you with was invaded by a hostile group.

  Of course, you were taken hostage as the Doctor along with a group of people that apparently genious in their own right were forced to solve some chess puzzle with life or death at stake.

  Thinking the Doctor need more incentive, they put you into some death trap where one wrong move during the chess puzzle will end with your death.

  You were properly scared especially after you saw the person before you died in agony when someone else before the Doctor is forced to solve it.

  The Doctor is enraged by this hostile group who put you in this situation.

  You couldn't help the tears that flooded your eyes as your body trembled waiting for the pain of death even as you glanced up at the Doctor, trying to put up a brave face. 

  He told you to shut up when he realized you were trying to say goodbye, believing that you will die in that death trap.

  It was a close call but he eventually able to cheat the game and freed you. You were so relieved as you fell into his arms weakly.

  The Doctor however is angry especially when he learned that the trap is plotted by someone called Gus. He eventually told you he know a Gus, one responsible for the incident of the mummy in orient express back when he was with Clara.

  You remembered Clara told you about their supposed last hurrah on orient express. You wondered if Gus has some grudge against the Doctor or he just enjoy sickening games.

  You could tell the Doctor felt guilty for putting you in danger. You were afraid that he will change his mind and left you behind. You grabbed on one of his arms, putting your head near his chest and whispered to him that you are okay and you will try not to scare easy, that you will do better next time.

  The Doctor looked sad when you said that.

  7777

  Feeling guilty after what happened at the last date, the Doctor took you to have some fun. He assurred you the place is safe.

  The Doctor took you out to some alien bazaar in some orange planet but he accidentaly took you to the same place where he once as his eleventh incarnation took you and Clara.

  You were stunned when you saw past Clara, wishing you can come to her and give her a hug.

  It was Eleventh Doctor who notices you and he was confused because he was sure he left you with Clara.

  You blinked at Chin Boy and took a look at him. You still found it hard to believe that he is the same person as Eyebrow.

  It was then your Doctor appeared and he put his hand around your waist as he started talking about some attraction that he thought you would like. He didn't seem to notice his past-self at first.

  It was kind of funny watching Chin Boy pieces it together your relationship with his future-self. He spluttered in surprise and waved his hands around like a deranged giraffe.

  When your Doctor finally recognized his past-self, he didn't look at all impressed or happy seeing him. They started to insult each other, whether it was about his past chin or his future eyebrow.

  You stifled a giggle as both Doctors glared at you.

  After Chin Boy left, you were wondering if that meant he always know that they will ended up dating but he said his past-self would not retain any memory of meeting you and him.

  As you watched past you and Clara having a laugh together, you couldn't help but felt sad. You glanced up to see your Doctor staring at Clara too. You could tell he is trying to remember her, anything about her, but he couldn't.

  You took his hand and led him away from the scene. You kissed his cheek and asked him what he need right now.

  The Doctor glanced down at you with soft smile. You could almost believe that he loves you at that moment.

  7777

  You and the Doctor are officially dating now. Bill and Nardole knew about it. Your cousin knew about it. The whole university knew about it.

  His students like to ask the Doctor about your relationship during his lecture much to his dismay. He even told you that your cousin attended his lectures too and asked about the nature of his relationship with you.

  You stiffled a smile and promised him you would tell your cousin to stop teasing him.

  You were reluctant to travel with him full time, prefering to be safe on Earth, letting him, Bill and Nardole instead playing the hero game. You were grateful that the Doctor didn't think less of you for wanting to stay safe.

  7777

  You were so afraid for the Doctor upon finding out he is blind. You were angry at him for keeping it a secret from you. You refused to leave his side, wanting to make sure he is safe even if it meant you have to get down and dirty with any crisis headed his way.

  You were so grateful for Bill for she is the only one in position to make a deal with the Monk to save him. You were with the Doctor but on the wrong side. You couldn't help him at all. You thought you would lose him for good this time. But then Bill saved him.

  After he regained his eyesight, the Doctor set out to figure out a way to get the monks off the Earth.

  That was the first time the Doctor took you and Bill inside the vault where you laid eyes on Missy for the first time.

  You didn't like her at all. As Clara told you before, Missy is cruel with her words, not afraid to strike anyone down with her pouting lips. But the Doctor seemed to manage her well enough.

  The Doctor said he was trying to rehabilitate her and he thought it was working well. She seemed to start showing remorse.

  After the monk fiasco is over with, the Doctor told you and Bill about his plan to give Missy a test run to see how she deal with a crisis.

  Missy is curious with you upon realizing you are dating the Doctor, teasing him about what a pedophile he is for taking a very young human to be his fuck buddy. Her words is crude and very insulting. You dislikes her even more. But you got the feeling she couldn't careless whether anyone likes her or not, except maybe the Doctor. 

  You got a feeling that maybe there were deeper history between her and the Doctor. You wondered if they ever become lovers in their past but that is not something you can ask him. Come to think about it, you still don't know much about the Doctor except from what Clara told you which is a lot but still not enough. You tried to respect his need for secret. You know he is just indulging you in your desire to have him as your lover. He didn't owe you anything more than he want to share.

  7777

  Everything fall apart during the first test run for Missy. For once, you agreed to go with them but you remained on the Tardis with the Doctor while Bill and Nardole play the part as Missy's companion.

  Worried for Bill, the Doctor immediately got outside but he locked you inside the Tardis against your wishes. He wanted you safe.

  Before he could get Bill to safety, she got killed by the blue alien who is afraid of the things inside the ship who only come when there is human nearby.

  After Bill was taken away, the Doctor eventually allowed you out of the Tardis after he knocked out the blue alien. 

  "Bill is my friend. I won't just sit there inside the Tardis."

  "There are creatures down there who goes after human. You will be in danger." The Doctor said.

  "I don't care! We stick together, Doctor, no matter what." 

  He relented and allowed you to come with them. You ignored Missy mocking you, prefering to listen to the Doctor and Nardole instead.

  You and the Doctor found out Bill has been turned into a cyberman, a mondasian cyberman. And of course Missy had to betray you both when her past incarnation revealed to be behind the entire plot.

  You were so sad for Bill especially once you found out she is still aware of herself inside that cold steel. The Doctor lied to Bill about being able to fix her but told you the truth that he can't.

  He told you he should have made you stay inside the Tardis.

  "It was my choice, Doctor, to stand here with you. I am scared but I won't regret you." You said.

  The Master mocked both you and Bill. You wished you could hurt him right back. The Doctor pulled you and Bill away from him.

  7777

  You were in one of the room at the house, alone, trying to calm your nerve. You were really bad at handling crisis. You wished you could offer some help for the Doctor. You wished you were a companion he can depend on but you know you are not. 

  While you were feeling sorry for yourself, the Doctor entered the room, watching you from the doorway. You were still unaware that he was there.

  "Are you okay?" The Doctor spoke up suddenly, making you jump in surprise.

  You were nervous, that everyone probably can tell. You forced a smile as you sat down, desperately trying to put on a brave face.

  He sighed. "You don't have to pretend. It's okay to be afraid."

  "Fear is superpower?" You lightly said.

  The Doctor smiled solemnly. "I'm guessing Clara told you that one too..."

  "She was my best friend. We have no secret with each other. She was your best friend too." You said as you looked down at your lap, fingers gripping at your skins. "I wish she was here. She would be able to help you more."

  The Doctor sighed. He sat beside you, put one hand over yours. He took your hand and kissed it gently.

  You turned toward him slightly as you tried to smile but instead your eyes were wet with unshed tears.

  "I love you, Doctor." You whispered. "I didn't need you to say it back. I just want you to know." You lied, of course, it would have been nice to hear him says it but only if he meant it. You put your hand over his cheek. "Thank you for letting me stay with you."

  The Doctor didn't say anything, only glancing down at you with a look you can't decipher. He pulled you close to him and kissed your forehead as you rest your head on his shoulder.

  That night, you sleep in each other arms or at least you were. The Doctor watched over you sleep. You only know because you were restless in your sleep. You clutched one of his arms, fully aware of how clingy you are but he has not yet rejected your touches so maybe it was okay.

  You shared a smile with the Doctor as you finally gave up to try to sleep and just laid there, staring at each other.

  "Whatever happen next, I'm with you. And even if I...don't survive this, please don't ever blame yourself."

  The Doctor looked like he want to object so you covered his mouth with your palm.

  You switched into a seating position, staring at him solemnly. "I meant it. Don't you dare regret me because I didn't regret you. Even if today is our last day, I would be happy because I am with you. So, don't even think of sending me away." You said, remembering what Clara told you about how the Doctor send her away from Trenzalore.

  He pulled your hand away from his mouth as he moved into a seating position too. He sighed in resignation. "As you wish then, (name)."

  You stared at him suspiciously. You did know the Doctor enough from Clara to know the Doctor lies. You could only hope he would not lie to you.

  7777

  Things has gotten dangerous as more cybermen attacked the settlement. The Doctor, Missy and the Master worked together before the Master decided it was a lost cause and intending to leave.

  It was heartbreaking watching your Doctor begging Missy to stand by his side and was rejected.

  You could tell this is one of those time where the Doctor can't save everyone. Your heart aches for him, watching him wreck his brain in an attempt to save everyone. You were a bit glad for last night with the Doctor, because you get to say everything that need saying to him. You tried to make your peace with what happening.

  You were angry though when later the Doctor forced you to evacuate with Nardole and the other passengers. He said he had a plan, that everything will be okay. He promised he will come back for you and Nardole soon. He was convincing enough that you did go with Nardole. The Doctor stayed behind with Bill.

  As you left with Nardole, you felt something is wrong. Against Nardole's warning, you returned back to find the Doctor.

  You never find him.

  7777

   You were desperate to try to find the Doctor but you couldn't find him, instead you found Missy.

  She was dying. But so is the Master. Against your better judgement, you decided to help Missy. She was always mean to you but she did help the Doctor and Bill before today. 

  Missy was surprised to see you and even more when you helped her up and away from there. She guided you to the path where the Master's Tardis is hidden.

  She told you to take her to the med bay and instructed you of what to do with her fatal injuries. You were shaking but follow her instruction. You gave her some sort of injection. 

  Next thing you know she was glowing and exploded. The force of her regeneration knocked you hard as you crashed into some medical cart. You were on the floor, neck bleeding from some accidental stabbing by one of the medical instruments.

  You gasped as you put one hand over your injury, hoping to slow down the bleeding but you were too weak. You blacked out just as you saw a man emerged toward you, staring at you coldly. Your last thought was you wish you didn't help Missy if this is how she repay you.

  7777

  You were surprised to find yourself still alive afterward. Your neck is bandaged properly. You felt so ill and weak.

  "You are awake." 

  You almost jumped as you heard that voice.

  A man in purple suit emerged from the shadow. You have no idea who he is. You were with Missy before, weren't you? 

  You gulped. "Missy?"

  He chuckled. "Call me Master."

  You flinched at that. The Master, the earlier version, was so intimidating and cruel. You don't know what to make with this one. But he did save your life, so there is that. You were not comfortable around him.

  "I...where are we now? The Doctor..."

  He scoffed. "The Doctor is gone, he has abandoned the both of us."

  You glared at him. "You are the one who abandon him first." You probably shouldn't poke the bear.

  He stared at you curiously. "Still he did abandon you. Everyone on that ship died but him while he fly away in his Tardis again. He didn't even come back for you."

   You flinched at that. But you tried to take comfort at the fact that the Doctor survived. You hoped to reunite again with him but you are unsure how to go about it. You were practically under the Master's mercy right now. 

  You wondered why he still keep you around, not that you are not grateful. You were afraid he would abandon you into some foreign planet with no way to contact the Doctor.

  "What are you going to do now...to me?" You tentatively asked.

  He raised an eyebrow at you. "Sounded like you expect me to torture you or something..."

  "So am I free to go then?"

  "Are you going to run back to the Doctor?" He asked.

  You were unsure what the correct answer would be. You were afraid the wrong answer will set him off. "I...I don't know..."

  He hummed. "He thought nobody survived in that ship. He probably thought you died too." He chuckled. "For once, the Doctor can not save everyone."

  Your heart ached at the thought the grief the Doctor must be going through right now. You hated the Master for finding it funny that the Doctor failed to save everyone.

  "I want to see him." You whispered. "Can you...will you take me to him?"

  A dark expression crossed his feature. His cold answer chilled you to the bone. "No."

  7777

  The Master imprisoned you on board of his Tardis. He was mostly courteous with you.

  You showed the same courtesy, mostly because you were afraid.

  But when one day he landed in Victorian London, you tried to escape, hoping to find Madam Vastra and Jenny so that they can help you reunited with the Doctor.

  The Master foiled your plan and got really mad at you.

  "Why are you still wanting to be with him? He abandoned you!!" He roared at you, making you so frightened that you could only whimpers.

  He made you so very afraid when he cupped your face as he put his forehead over yours and invaded your mind. The brutal attack on your mind left you weak as a kitten. You were completely under his mercy.

  After that day, you were to afraid to disobey him and just do what he told you...mostly. He is up to his usual chaos and you refused to be a part of it, especially when you realized he was plotting against the Doctor.

  He was harsh with you and have no qualm to attack you mentally until you submit to him.

  You prayed that the Doctor will come and rescue you. He laughed at your thoughts and showed you the Doctor from his hidden camera.

  That was the first time you were told that the Doctor has regenerated...into a woman. She has new companions with her. She called them her fam.

  Your heart ached at the thought the Doctor you know and fell in love with is gone, replaced with this woman. Part of you though recognized that she is still the Doctor. You were glad though that she found new companions and that she is not alone.

  The Master is displeased with you whenever he caught you thinking of the Doctor. You didn't understand why he insisted to keep you around.

  He told you he had plan for you. You dreaded whatever he plan for you. But you were hopeless, you couldn't even save yourself. You hated your weakness.

  With each passing months, you lose hope to ever reunited again with your Doctor. Is she even still your Doctor? Will she still even want you back? You don't know.

  The Master kept taunting you, making you cry like a baby. He sometimes look at you with disgust and yet he continue to keep you. You have no idea why.

  7777

  The Master showed you Gallifrey. He was proud to show his homeland. And then he locked you back into his Tardis.

  When he returned, he was in deranged state, making you scared and very jumpy as he raged at the console and at the world.

  7777

  You were mute now, hardly talk at all. The Master had forced a telepathic bond with you after he experimented with you. It was scary and painful, making you wish for death instead.

  You hated him but even all of your emotions slowly muted into defeaning silence.

  One day, he told you that he has set his plan for the Doctor in motion. He curiously observed you to see your reaction.

  You stared at him blankly.

  He seemed satisfied. He cupped your face. "You will be my last surprise for the Doctor." He said as he caressed your cheek gently. "If everything going as I planned, you will soon see her."

  You didn't say anything.

  7777

  You finally get to reunite with the Doctor. The Master even dressed you up for the occasion.

  For the first time, as you laid eyes on the Doctor, some of your emotion resurfaced.

   "I didn't know where you were. She was the only one there. I didn't know what to do...so I just did what he told me." You said in a hoarse and trembling voice.

  The Doctor is confused, trying to make sense what you are saying before she realized that you are talking about Missy back in the mondas ship. Her mouth dropped open in horror at what you are implying. 

  You must have been with Missy when she regenerated. Had she left you under the Master's mercy all this time? The Doctor thought you perished in that ship like everyone else. Like Bill. Like Nardole.

  Her hearts ached as she recalled the Testimony Project and how she got to meet Bill and Nardole, even Clara one last time. But she never did met you. At the time she thought you were simply mad at her previous version for lying and refused to show yourself to him.

  She recalled the look Bill and Nardole exchanged when he asked them about you. Did they know that you survived?

  "Where is he?" The Doctor asked you.

  "Right here." The Master appeared with his CyberMaster in tow.

  The Doctor realized she was surrounded.

  "How do you like your surprise, Doctor?" The Master gleefully asked.

  The Doctor glared at him. "What have you done to her?"

  The Master turned to you and smiled. "Come here, (name)."

  To the Doctor's horror, you obeyed him without hesitation.

  "See? I take care of your pet, Doctor, the one you abandoned for death." He said as he cupped your chin playfully. "We even saved each other. It was all very...poetic."

  The Doctor flinched with guilt at the thought that she did abandon you without a thought that you could possibly survive.

  The Master then started bragging about his CyberMaster which he fully intend to use to conquer Earth.

  The Doctor showed him the trigger for the death particle that she is fully intend to use to stop the Master and his army.

  "Would you really use that?" The Master taunted. "Even if it meant you will kill her again?"

  The Doctor flinched again at the mention of you. She glanced up at you and at the lost expression on your face. Her hearts ached for you. She long to envelop you in her embrace, to take you away from the Master and back in her Tardis to keep you safe. But she knew she had to stop the Master first and foremost.

  "I can't risk you to lay waste on the universe." The Doctor said firmly as she gripped tight the trigger.

  The Master looked ecstatic at her answer. "Do it then. Do it. Come on and do it. Save the universe."

  You remained silent throughout the exchange between the Doctor and the Master.

  The Doctor eventually dropped the trigger, unable to follow through.

  The Master look disappointed, promising to lay waste the universe, thanks to her weakness.

  He turned toward you. "Come along, (name)."

  You flinched. You stared at the Doctor longingly before hesitantly took a step toward the Master.

  The Doctor moved quicker to try to stop you. "Leave her here. You have no use of her."

  The Master look amused. "Is that so? I'm actually quite fond of her. After all, she is the first face this face saw. You know how it is, Doctor, she is mine now."

  The Doctor glared at him. "She is not yours!"

  The Master rolled his eyes and commanded you to come to her.

  At the time, Ko Sharmus suddenly appeared, picked up the trigger.

  The Doctor quickly grabbed you as Ko Sharmus stepped toward the Master showing that he will pull the trigger.

  The Doctor pulled you into her arms and ran as Ko Sharmus told her too before pulling the trigger.

  7777

  You and the Doctor were inside a Tardis but not the Doctor's.

  After she flew the Tardis to safety, she turned to you to check you for injury. She smiled elatedly at you but the smile slide off her face immediately.

  You couldn't believe that you had escaped the Master. As you glanced at the Doctor and saw her slowly smile adorably at you, you blacked out.

  The Doctor barely able to catch your fallen body. She pulled her sonic screwdriver to scan you. Dread filled her hearts as she realized you had fallen into a coma.

  7777

  In the Tardis medbay, the Doctor stared at the result of your medical scan. There is nothing physically wrong with you.

  The Doctor had no choice but to go inside your mind without consent to investigate what's wrong with you.

  She was horrified to know that you were bonded to the Master. The Master had made it so your mind can't function if you are too far from him.

  You were sealed within the deep corner of your mind unable to get out, unable to do anything but hover in the corner, afraid and lost.

  The Doctor couldn't get through you at all. But she saw the remnant of message from the Master.

  "Did you really think I would let you have a happy ending, Doctor?" The Master said cruelly. "She is mine. If you want her back, you simply have to give her back to me and she will be good as new."

  The Doctor scoffed at him. "You are insane if you think I would let you anywhere near her again."

  "You can't keep her from me, Doctor. I have make sure that she could never hid from me."

  The Doctor realized the truth in what the Master said. You would never be safe from him. So there is only two thing she can do.

  She will have to forcefully break the bond between you and the Master which will hurt both you and the Master a great deal but at least you will be safe from him.

  Also, she will have to fix the damage in your mind courtesy of the Master but the damage is too much and she has to wipe your memories of the Master and of everything pertaining the Doctor. 

  The Master must have known that the Doctor would do exactly that. "Typical. You won't even give her any choice, would you?"

  The Doctor glared at him in fury. "You are the one who did this to her. You hurt her. You broke her." She yelled at him. "I will not let you get to her anymore."

  As she made up her mind, she focused on psychic attack on the bond. She winced as you screamed in pain. The Master also screamed but mostly cursing the Doctor.

  She muttered apologies to you over and over again as her eyes shimmered in tears.

  She put her hands over both side of your face and started to erase everything about the Doctor and the Master.

  Tears fell on your cheeks as the Doctor purged the last memories of the person you love from your mind.

  7777

  The Doctor had you covered in long coat covering yourself from head to toes. She waited for someone patiently as she carried you in her arms. You were still unconscious.

  "Doctor."

  "Jack."

  "Love the new face. You look good, Doctor."

  The Doctor didn't reply.

  "Is that her?"

  She nodded. "Keep her safe, Jack. Give her new identity and take care to make sure that she will have everything she need."

  "Of course."

  The Doctor glanced at your sleeping face mournfully. "She is not safe with me or anywhere near me. The Master is after her."

  Jack's eyes widened. "The Master is alive?"

  The Doctor nodded.

  "What could he possibly want with her?"

  "The Master is insane as you know. He has obsession with her because she saved him before he regenerated and she is the first face he saw after he regenerated." The Doctor said. "I had to erase everything she know of me and the Master. It was the only way to keep her safe."

  Jack glanced at the Doctor, noticing how miserable she look. "Don't worry, Doctor, I will personally make sure she will be safe."

  "Thank you, Jack. I owe you."

  Jack took you in his arms gently, careful not to wake you.

  The Doctor released you reluctantly to Jack. She took one last look at your face before steeling herself. She turned around and left without looking back.

   You were half-awake as you saw a woman walking away from you and for some reason, your heart ached but sleep took over you again and with that, you forgot.

[littlerockerao3]

First Line Game

Tagged by @owlsinathens thank you!!! It’s been a while since I’ve done something like this and really wanted to do another one!

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors.

[I predict it’s going to be mostly just a very short sentence. I suck at opening lines. It’s even harder than finding a title.]

1. Losing My Religion (legal guardian of his brothers!Robb and throbb):

When somebody asked him where he would have pictured himself within ten years, fifteen year old Robb would have thought straight about some law or medicine university.

2. Head Above Water (Throbb, Jonmund and Gendrya AU where Robb, Tormund and Gendry are EMTs, currently on hiatus):

Almost as if that was a tradition, the strawberry blond-haired child with blue eyes was sitting on the first-aid table with a skinned knee and a sore ankle to keep him company.

3. Need For Respite (Throbb and Jonsatin spy!au, currently on hiatus but most likely to be updated again at some point):

-Jon, stay close.- Robb had shielded his brother with his body, when the warehouse doors and windows all closed with a sharp and sudden thud.

4. Tiny Love (a bunch of fluffy throbb stuff):

“Robb.” Theon says, shaking his boyfriend’s shoulder lightly.

5. Why Can’t You See? (Throbb featuring jealous and oblivious Robb, and probably oblivious Theon too):

Robb passed the paint roller brush over the wall, covering another spot.

6. Give You What You Like (Jonsatin featuring a hurt Jon who really doesn’t know how to woo a pretty boy):

Jon had taken the suit off of the young prostitute’s body the moment they got into his apartment.

7. Oh I Just CAN Wait To Be King (Throbb parents au: their son doesn’t really want to be the heir to the throne):

“House Mormont?” Robb stared at his daughter as she chewed on her applecake, her brown eyes looking uncertain and somehow guilty.

8. You Think That You Can Take Me (and my kid) On, You Must Be Crazy (Throbb parents au where Robb freaks out during his kid’s game):

His husband was pretty competitive, this Theon had always known.

9. Don’t Go Chasing Dolphin Pools (Throbb featuring dolphin trainer!Theon and dork!Robb):

Robb wasn’t supposed to do this.

10. I May Look Innocent Don’t Underestimate Me (Throbb parents au, their kid is a wonderful little shit):

Theon kept his sandwich between his teeth so that he could open the door with the hand that wasn’t holding Rowan on his hip: he wasn’t ready for it.

11. Baby Mine (Throbb parents au, Theon still has to fully cope with the fact that he’s now a dad and has made the most beautiful baby ever):

“Shh...”

Theon gently rubs his baby’s tummy and bends over to kiss his tiny forehead.

12. Three Steps (Throbb parents au, Theon is overprotective and paranoid, until he’s not anymore):

“Would you calm down? He’s okay” Robb gently leaned over to pull Arrow’s thumb out of his mouth and replace it with his dummy.

Now on to the unreleased ones! (Which I don’t know when they’ll be released)

13. Picture Perfect (Throbb and Jonsatin and probably Theon/Satin and Theon/Jon/Satin and Robb/Satin at some point, featuring erotic photographer!theon):

Satin was confident in his body: he liked it.

14. Sweet Dreams AREN’T Made Of This (the Theon-accidentally-traumatizing-their-kid au):

Theon was watching cartoons with Arrow on the couch when Robb came back downstairs.

15. Close As Close Can Be (Throbb, Jonsatin and Sansa/Jeyne aka the found family au):

He fucking hated his job.

This was really fun! I’m going to tag @lesbiangrimalkin @estrangedandwayward @lucisdemon @salty-wench @evax3 @nostraightstarks @fineosaur if you want to!

[turnaboutyandere]

YALL I LOVED THE COP MEETING THATS DOPE AF ✨🦊✨- Wocky Anon seal of approval

So here are some potential darling meet ups, and a little backstory (so sorry that it’s this long 😅😅)

Eldoon’s daughter back from college

-Eldoon’s college age daughter comes home for a break and runs into Wocky, still raw from the whole trial. Unlike her age-wisened father, y/n is far more naive and sweet, and her kindness is an addictive balm to Wocky still fresh emotional wounds. She’s eager to help her new friend cope with his trauma unaware that he’s beginning to latch on to her. He uses her kindness and easily manipulated personality to try to get her to stay with him rather than go back to college.

Part of Apollo’s team during the trial

-Wright Anything Agency had a single young secretary to help schedule Trucy’s shows and Nick’s job. During the trial, she tried to help Wocky see that Alita was taking advantage of him. After the trial, he starts trying to make it up her kindness and gets VERY attached; showing up to the agency, following her and Apollo/Trucy to trials and investigations, etc. She and the rest of Wright Co. think Wocky is hanging around because he wants to be friends, not aware that he’s gunning to woo the secretary

Meraktis’s Daughter trying to make peace

-Meraktis’s estranged daughter who hasn’t been home in years comes to settle his will and wants to make up what her father’s negligence has done to Wocky and the rest of the Kitaki Clan. With her help they find a surgeon to do the needed operation, and Wocky sees her as an angel swooping in to save him. She stuck around after his surgery, still feeling guilty about her father’s actions, and Wocky uses this guilt to keep her around him.

Alita’s sister to help settle her affairs

-Alita’s step sister comes to help settle her shit after her arrest and during her trial. She is extremely different from Alita from how she presents herself and how she acts, and openly admonishes her step sister’s actions and feels terrible for how Alita treated Wocky. Wocky wants to hate her but they bond over their mutual betrayal from Alita, and Wocky falls for another Talia girl because he’s desperate for healing

Works at Wonder bar with Trucy

-A singer who works at the Wonder Bar with Trucy catches Wocky’s eye when he goes to watch Trucy’s act after Apollo invited him. He starts showing up more and more to her performances and uses his connection to Apollo to introduce himself and befriend her (and hopefully seduce her)

Detective helping the Kitakis

-someone broke into the Kitaki Bakery in the middle of the night and a fresh face detective is assigned to find the intruder and why. Rather than assume the worse of the Kitaki’s, the way many do, she’s open and understanding. Post-surgery and calmed down Wocky who is trying to stick to being a good reformed baker is very taken by the very understanding detective and is more than willing to help her investigation. Even when the case is solved, she still visits often and Wocky is very pleased that a law enforcer is intrigued by an ex-mobster (corruption link anyone?)

Rivales member trying to reform

-the Kitaki’s aren’t the only mobsters trying to reform their lives. A member of the gang the shot Wocky, the Rivales, wants to quit the crime life and go straight. However, the only place she feels like would be safe for her to go is the Kitaki’s, as she’s trying to hide from her old gang. Wocky is kinda a bully to her at first since her gang played a part in him getting shot and sort of started his whole bullshit with Alita; but the new girl is wide eyed and desperate for a chance at redemption and Wocky is more than willing to play into her guilty conscious to not only keep her loyal to his family but to also keep her on the straight and narrow. Anything for a second chance, right?

And for fun! I headcannon that “Wocky” is actually a nickname. His full name is Takita Kitaki (his name in the original Japanese translation), but he goes by Wocky to distinguish himself from the rest of his family and because no teachers in America could say his name right the first try and it annoyed him to hell and back.

XOXO- Wocky anon

😭 I GOT THE WOCKY ANON SEAL OF APPROVAL THAT’S ALL I’VE EVER WANTED IN LIFE-

Ahem, anyway- I think all of these are pretty solid! I think my favorites have got to be Eldoon’s daughter s/o and Wonder Bar singer s/o.

I’ve never been a fan of the “college sweetheart and bad boy” trope before but after reading this... Wocky Anon, you may have just changed my mind! Making the story yandere-themed and adding Wocky to the mix is a recipe for perfection! It honestly sounds like it’d be a really fun read!

As for the Wonder Bar singer s/o one- HOLY HELL YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THIS ONE. I absolutely adore this trope. I love those stories where the mobster falls for the down-on-their-luck singer at some bar, especially if it’s yandere-themed! I don’t care how overdone it is at this point, it will always remain a favorite of mine.

I also really like the Detective s/o one because I’m a slut for really into those criminal x law enforcement stories. I know Wocky is supposed to be reformed in this, but like... Detective x Yakuza leader (oyabun, I think it was called) could be the set-up for a great yandere fic (which I could never write because I don’t have the skill for it but uh, Wocky Anon 👀)

Overall, I’d say all of these ideas are great! You’ve a real knack for writing stories, Wocky Anon.

(also, I am now accepting that headcanon as canon. It’s too late, there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s canon now.)

______

- Mod Dollie

[zero-gravity-darling]

Love Languages: Week Two

A little ficlet for @arthureamesmonth week two! Prompts: “You know you love me” and Love Languages.

Day 1: Receiving Gifts

“You know you love me,”

Arthur was frozen bent over his desk, fingers still on the keyboard, “Mr. Eames, what exactly about this situation is supposed to endear you to me?”

“I brought you waffles! You’re American, you love waffles!”

Arthur spun around in his chair to focus fully on the other man for the first time in their conversation. “Let’s run through the day’s events, shall we? I wake up, I shower,” at this Eames smirked lecherously, “I get a large, hot cup of coffee, I come into work, you spill that hot coffee all over me, you grope me while pretending to help me dry off, I work for five hours straight, and now you’ve brought me waffles. Waffles which are currently dripping syrup onto my paperwork.”

“Well it’s your fault for having paperwork in the first place, pet! I’m just conditioning you to give it up,” He leaned against the desk casually, sending even more paperwork drifting to the floor. “To save the trees, as it were.”

“Did it not occur to you to bring me another cup of coffee?”

Eames lit up, Arthur was frustrated to see, like he was somehow taking Arthur’s rebuke as encouragement, “Well I have now. Thank you for the tip! I’ll go and fetch you a cup of coffee.”

Arthur screwed his face up briefly in some combination of confusion and disgust, eyes squinted and lips slightly curled, and snagged Eames by the hem of his pastel monstrosity of a shirt. “What, no, get back here.”

Eames stopped promptly at the tug and grinned, “Well if you insist darling, I could never refuse you.”

“I mean, why would you do that? I don’t need coffee,” this was a lie, he always needed coffee, “I need you to do your job.”

“Why am I doing this? What do you mean why am I doing this? Isn’t it obvious that I’m wooing you?”

“Wooing me.”

Eames swept his arms in an all encompassing gesture to the warehouse around them, as if asking it to bear witness, “Like the fair maiden you are!”

“Good fucking lord.”

“Yes I am rather good, aren't I, but I beg you not to take my name in vain,”

Arthur spun back around to his work, decisively plunking the waffles on the floor—not in the trash, Eames took note, “Go back to your desk, Mr. Eames.”

Eames stuffed his hands in his pockets and started backing away slowly, “Alright, alright. So your love language isn’t gifts. I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Arthur glanced over his shoulder, startled and genuinely perplexed, “What? You know what, nevermind. Not important. Aren’t you scheduled to paint Ms. Chapman’s nails in 45 minutes?”

Eames checked his watch, “Ah, yes, look at the time,” and that was that.

Day 2: Words of Affirmation

Rain was coming down fast and hard and, unfortunately, sideways. Everyone in the warehouse, which was a gloomy and unfortunate affair already, was dripping wet and unhappy, trying to hear themselves think over the loud echo of the rain on a tin roof. It was on this unfortunate scene that Eames burst in, dressed in the most obnoxious of suits and yelling to be heard over the rain. “God is really pissing on us today, isn’t he? Arthur, darling, how do you cope?”

Arthur continued to shuffle through a file, “You’re late.” The effect of his unhappiness was diminished considerably by the fact that he had to yell as well, but he was trying not to think about that.

“Only a tad!” Eames dropped his coat on the floor and walked to Arthur's desk. “I bet you’re never late.”

Arthur glanced up briefly, “No. I’m not. And if you ever came in at a reasonable time you would know that.”

Eames grinned down at him boyishly, “Wow. You are so good at your job.”

Arthur glanced up and back down again, but quickly focused his full attention on Eames when he realized he was missing something, “Yes,” responded slowly, “I really am.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, “I’m sorry, are you fishing for compliments? Because I thought we had established this. Yes, you’re an excellent forger, I’m an excellent point man, Janie is—”

“No, no! You’ve got it all wrong, love. I’m just trying to give you a compliment.”

“A compliment.”

Eames bent over the desk until he could rest his head in his hands, putting him at eye level with Arthur. “Yes. A compliment.”

Arthur paused, “Yeah, alright.”

Eames closed Arthur’s laptop and attempted to close his file before Arthur yanked it back. “Darling. Arthur. Darling Arthur. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a god in those suits of yours? Or that the fact that you could kill a man without breaking a sweat is like something from a wet dream? Or that your ruthless competency gives me butterflies?”

“Not in those exact words, no.”

Eames pulled back dramatically, throwing a hand over his heart and gasping, “A tragedy! I’ll just have to make up for these years of neglect, won't I?”

“Eames, you’ve already wasted enough of the day already. I think that—”

“No, no, this is happening—”

“I think that everyone would appreciate it more if you actually did what you were being paid for.”

Eames put in an effort to look very hurt and offended, “But don’t you enjoy being showered with praise? Everyone enjoys compliments. For example, your arse looks impeccable today.”

“I’ve been sitting down this entire time.”

“Well I’m sure that it does, if it’s track record has anything to say for itself.”

“Mr. Eames.”

“Alright, okay, giving up.”

Day 2, Evening: Quality Time

The rain had ended sometime around four o’clock, but the clouds never cleared. Everyone had left at five—they didn’t have nine to five jobs, but everyone seemed to agree that it was a reasonable time to give up for the day. Everyone except for Arthur, of course.

He was the only one left in the warehouse at nearly seven. He always put in the most work at the beginning of a job, when everyone needed the information to get going and make a plan. After that most of his time was dedicated to working on the dreamscape, and sometimes not even that if someone else could do it better.

He only looked up at last when he heard the click and resounding slam of the door. Eames’ footsteps echoed in the empty space as he walked to his desk and sat down, pulling a battered paperback out of his coat and opening it to the first page.

Arthur’s voice felt too loud when he spoke, “What are you doing back here?”

Eames looked up with a smile. “Keeping you company through these long, grueling nights, of course. You know, you really work too hard.”

Arthur scoffed, “You don’t work hard enough.” He didn’t believe that, he and Eames actually worked together spectacularly well when they got the chance, but he wasn’t quite sure what their relationship would look like if he wasn’t disapproving. He finally caught up to what Eames had said, “You’re keeping me company?”

“Yes, do try to keep up.”

“But why?”

“Because otherwise you’d be sitting in this miserable place by yourself, and we can’t have that.”

Arthur paused in real confusion, “But… it’s my job. I don’t mind.”

“But wouldn’t it be better with someone else?”

“But you don’t have to be here.”

“Oh, please. What else would I do? Go to a club? Pick up a flexible young person to fuck into the matress for everyone to hear? Watch even more Star Trek on television?”

“Yes! Any of those things!”

“But what flexible young person in this city could ever compare to the flexible young person sitting in front of me?”

Arthur shook his head in exasperation, “Whatever. Do what you want.”

Ten minutes of very unproductive attempts to focus later, Arthur finally gave in. “So, what are you reading?”

Eames held up a finger, then dog-eared the page and closed the book. “I’m so glad you asked! It’s called The Hot Virginia Sun. It’s turning out to be an excellent read, and, just between the two of us, the reviews promise that the Virginia sun isn’t the only thing that’s hot.”

“And this is really entertaining for you?”

“One word: cowboys.”

Arthur snorted, “You’re a middle aged mother of three.”

Eames shrugged, “What can I say, middle aged mothers have great taste.”

“Okay, but really, this can’t be fun for you.”

“It’s fine, Arthur. I chose to be here.”

“But I can’t focus knowing you’re sitting there reading a shitty harlequin because I won’t leave!”

“It’s not because you won’t leave, darling—”

“Please. If I left you wouldn’t stay.”

“Well no, the main attraction would be gone.”

“But I’m not being interesting! I can’t entertain you like this! I’m just working!”

Eames held his hands up in surrender, “Alright, at ease. This was clearly a bad idea.”

Arthur groaned, “And now you’re leaving. You put in the time to come here to keep me company, which still makes no sense, by the way, and now I’ve kicked you out. You know what, I’ll be done too. We can head back to the hotel, maybe get takeout for dinner. I’ll come in early tomorrow, it’s fine.”

Eames hurried over and pushed Arthur back down in his chair by his shoulders, “While I will always jump at the chance of dinner and a stroll with you, the entire thing is rather ruined if I’ve guilted you into it. So I’ll go—”

“But—”

“I’ll go, and you finish up your night’s work.” Eames gave Arthur’s shoulders one last firm press and attempted to make a hasty exit.

“Eames.”

“Arthur. It’s fine, it’s really fine.”

“Eames!”

“Goodnight, Arthur!”

Day 3: Physical Touch

“Oh, Jesus, ow, ow!”

“Eames?”

“Yes, it’s me, let me up!”

Arthur got up from the sidewalk where he had Eames pinned, helping him scramble to his feet as people filtered around them. “What the hell possessed you to sneak up on a trained killer?”

“I’ll admit I didn’t quite think this through.”

“And then you grabbed me?”

“It was a companionable touch!”

“It was dangerous!”

Eames looked up hopefully from where he was brushing gravel off of his palms, “Well, can I put my arm around you now?”

“Fuck me, no!”

“I don’t know how we got from this rather violent encounter to fucking, but alright. Can I assume you like it rough?”

“You can assume nothing,” Arthur admonished with a sharp backhanded slap to his shoulder. Eames sucked a hissing breath in through his teeth. “Ah. Yes, sorry about the shoulder.”

Eames shot him a pained smile, “Yes well, I rather deserve it, don’t I? Not my smartest idea.”

Arthur fought back a smile, “Come on. There’s ice at the hotel.”

“Why Arthur! Is this finally a—”

“Don’t even think about it. Ice. And keep yourself to yourself this time, Mr. Eames.”

Day 4: Acts of Service

“Come on, love, we’re getting out of here.” Eames hoisted Arthur up by his armpits, hastily draping one of Arthur’s arms around his broad shoulders to keep him up.

Arthur’s head rolled on his shoulders, “What? Wait—”

“You’ve had a nasty reaction to the somnacin, darling, but everything will be okay.” Eames shot a murderous glance at Jason, their chemist.

Arthur shook his head drunkenly, “Nooo, I’m not aler— allergenic—” he screwed up his face in concentration, “all-er-gic… to anything.” His head rolled onto Eames shoulder, “Promise.”

Eames chuckled and gazed down at Arthur’s scowling face, “I believe you, my darling Arthur, but let’s head back to the hotel just in case, yeah? Have a nice nap.”

Arthur flung his head back, causing Eames to jerk his back in response in protection of his nose, “Ha! Yooouuu— you’re trying to sleep with me.”

Janie giggled, then did her best to turn it into a cough and looked away. Eames looked torn between giggling himself and defending Arthur’s dignity. “Not this time,” he grinned and parroted Arthur’s worlds back to him, nudging his face a little closer to Arthur’s teasingly, “Promise.”

Arthur squinted suspiciously, leaning his head away from Eames’ face in an effort to assess him from afar—unsuccessfully, his arm was still wrapped around his shoulders. “Hmmm. Fine.” He looked down, puzzled, at their bodies pressed together, then brought his unoccupied hand up to squeeze Eames’ bicep, “Wow.”

Janie let loose a short shriek of laughter, earning herself another glare, “O-kay, I think it’s time to go.” Eames turned his squint back to Janie and spoke in a low voice, “You know, for a criminal you have horrific self control. Can I trust your discretion is a little more operational?” He raised an eyebrow.

He was going for threatening, but Arthur ruined it by giggling and smoothing his fingertip clumsily along Eames’ raised eyebrow, “Oooh. Scary.”

Eames glared good naturedly at Arthur, who was snickering into his shoulder, “You are not helping your case.”

“I’m fiiine.”

“Alright, leaving now,” Eames dragged Arthur’s stumbling figure towards the exit, “Don’t make me carry you.”

Arthur gasped in horror, his voice fading as he was hauled further from the listening ears of the team,“Nooo! That’s indig— undignified. I am a gentleman!”

_____________________

Arthur was tired, exhausted really, but that was quickly being replaced by a jittery sickness as the drugs worked their way out of his system. Arthur groaned when they finally made it to Eames’ room (he wasn’t nearly lucid enough when they left to have taken his own key card with him). He slumped into Eames’ side, clinging embarrassingly, too shivery from the detox to care about his reputation.

“Will you be okay, darling?”

Arthur expelled the air from his lungs in one long breath, “No. Never again.” He stumbled toward the bed to the best of his ability, dragging Eames along as his crutch. “It’s fucking freezing in here,” he chattered, “Why are hotel rooms always so cold?” He reached the bed and climbed in clumsily, shaking too badly to pull back the covers without Eames’ quick assist. He tucked himself into a ball under the sheets, pulling the duvet over his head. His voice came muffled from beneath the layers of fabric, “Turn the heat up.”

Eames’ voice was softer than he normally allowed, “Alright.” Arthur heard the beeping of the thermostat being turned up several degrees, but continued to shiver violently. “Well, if that’s all, perhaps you would prefer—”

“Eames.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t make me beg.”

Eames stared at the quivering pile of blankets, face uncomprehending, until Arthur pulled the layers down over his head enough to glare out at him. “Eames.”

His eyes widened at what he realized he was being asked, “I— yes, alright.” He took several halting stops towards the bed but stopped just short. “Um. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about just— it’s just that, enthusiastic consent, you understand? And”

“Eames. This isn’t sex.”

“Well, even so—”

“Oh, Christ, just climb under.”

Eames lurched forward, as if Arthur’s words had cut his strings, and lay down under the covers. He hovered across from Arthur for several seconds before releasing a long, slow breath and reaching out to touch.

Arthur stared at him with wide eyes as he slowly swept one broad palm down Arthur’s shaking arm. He repeated the motion several times, focused intently on the path he retraced, before finally letting his fingers curl over Arthur’s shoulder and drag heavily down to the small of his back. With one final scrap of courage he pulled his body into Arthur’s front, Arthur’s body uncurling under the warm press of him.

Arthur let his arms unclench and move around Eames’ sides, under his arms and tight around his back. He clutched Eames close, twining their legs together, his body shuddering at the heavenly warmth sinking into his starved skin.

Eames relaxed unto the embrace, carding his fingers through Arthur’s gelled hair and resting against his neck. “Better?” he whispered.

Arthur nodded against his chest.

“Are you going to be sick?”

Arthur laughed painfully before whispering back, ‘Probably. Eventually.”

“Okay then.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” They laid in silence, listening to their own breath.

“Eames?”

“Yes?”

Arthur paused, “I might. One day.”

Eames smiled into the crown of Arthur’s head, his eyes crinkling at the edges, “I would like that.”

[shirophantomvox]

A Heart to Heart Talk- Lotor and Allura

Author’s note: What’s up y’all? Here is something I came up with when I was supposed to be paying attention in class. Yes, I was that bored. I am thinking about putting this on A03 but, I don’t know yet. Once I do, I’ll post a link. I have a question, if you were trying to develop a portfolio or have a career in screenplay writing, would you continue writing fanfiction or start in your own story? I am scared that someone will steal my idea so that is why I write fanfiction. Let me know in the comments! 

Trillions and Trillions of miles deep into space, one has to get used to it, or else it will drive you mad. Sure enough, you’ll get restless and annoyed that you cannot leave the ship until you’ve landed on a planet, but you learn how to manage. Could you imagine being exiled by your father and have to provide for yourself as a child? 

While his generals were practicing attack tactics and even sharpening their blades, Lotor decided to wander off down the halls to clear his mind. He had so much on his plate, sometimes it was hard to cope through life. When you’ve been around people who told you to “just get over it” or “it has been a long time”, you suddenly feel like you’re alone. Is there anyone that could relate to him? All of these thoughts began to cloud his mind again, and this time he was determined to not let it bother him again. This time it was going to work because he had the comfort of Princess Allura and Shiro, the paladin of the black lion on his side. Both Shiro and Allura could understand Lotor’s pain to an extent, and since he was an ally to Voltron, it’s about time they’d get to know each other on a more personal level. Allura was used to spilling the beans about herself, but for Shiro and Lotor, it didn’t seem that way. To his left, was a room full of comfortable furniture in different shades of white, yellow, and purple. As the door opened. He cracked open a somber smile which was obvious that he wasn’t feeling it. It’s about time that he takes off his mask and throw it away. 

He sat down comfortably and smiled as he picked up two pieces of paper and threw them down on the table for absolutely no reason, just for effect. 

“I know you two are quietly sitting here rather awkwardly wondering why I’ve called you here.”

“That’s exactly what we’re wondering,” Shiro said sipping from his Altean look-alike of a latte. 

“Is there something you want to talk about,” Allura said batting her eyelashes rather nonchalantly. 

Lotor released a satisfied chuckle, stretched his collar, and cleared his throat. 

“Yes, there is something I’ve wanted to talk to you about. Although your human, Shiro, Allura, you’re full Altean, and I’m biracial, we have something in common here. We have all been through...life-changing experiences that have turned us into better people.”

“If you count being experimented on by the Galra life-changing, then yeah. I am as strong as it gets.”

Shiro asked the robot server to get him another latte. This would have been his third one. With the little knowledge Allura had about coffee, she knew he would go into a caffeine rush and destroy the training dummy for the millionth time. 

“When Altea was destroyed, I didn’t know if I could live with myself. All I had were Coran and the mice.”

Lotor gently placed his large hand over hers in comfort.

“I’m just as disappointed as you are, Allura. That is why I am pleased about us being allies in the war against the Galra. If our life-changing events didn’t tell us anything more, I think the main lesson is to keep fighting and to never give up hope.”

He said all of this while slowly stealing Allura’s personal space. He’s taking advantage of making it obvious that he had more than “friendly” feelings for her. Shiro on the other hand knew what was about to happen and what happens after. His eyes squinted and blushed faintly as he cleared his throat loudly. 

“Uh...Lotor? Can we get to the point again or is this meeting just for you to flirt with Allura?”

“Huh,” she said in confusion. She was so occupied with taking down Zarkon, that she never paid attention to Lotor’s passes.

“What are you talking about, Shiro? Lotor suddenly turned into a stern mother who was ready to grab his child’s arm with a hardness and watch them wince in suffering. He knew how he felt about Allura but he always wanted to keep a secret until the time was right. 

“Because I am not a third wheel.”

“Why do you sound tougher than usual?”

“I’ve had too much caffeine. Please, get to the point.”

“What in your life-changing event had to motivate you to continue this fight? I have to be honest...sometimes I quickly lose motivation.”

“Well, after I was done fighting the beast, Haggar took me to the infirmary and concluded that I had a disease that was running rampant through my arm. I guess that was my reward for destroying the beast. She did remove it but she only did it for her selfish gain. She thought I was going to be a human soldier working for the galra and sell out my planet. When I refused to do any of her dirty work, that’s when I was placed in a cell.  When they took off my arm, they didn’t numb me or anything. It was pure torture. When I realized how ruthless and selfish the Galra were,  I knew they had to be stopped. By any means necessary.”

“And for you, Princess? How did you react when one of your paladins was half Galra?

Allura took in a deep breath. Lotor indeed wanted to know because he was curious. I mean, they destroyed her home planet and people. But he also wanted to know to if she was willing to date him. On another note, he did care about her safety but could the same be said about her?

“I cannot tell a lie but when Keith revealed that he was half Galra, I was very upset. I felt like I had been taken for a fool. Who do I look like trying to defeat the Galra and I have one on my team? Pretty contradictive, I know. But once I met other Galra including yourself, I thought about it with an open mind. I know when to let my guard down and when not too.”

He smiled and brushed some of his hair behind his ear. The young prince felt more confident in his approach to wooing the Altean princess. Shiro has been made aware of Lotor’s plan, he was there for backup. You’d think a 10,000-year-old suave prince could woo any girl he wanted...at least in the human world, he can. For centuries after being told that you’d be nothing and countless encounters with abuse, that stained his ability to achieve anything.  

“Before you go, Princess, I want to give you something.”

Zarkon’s son reached beneath the table and pulled out what seemed to be a Juniberry flower on an elastic band. Do you remember how during prom season the guy would give his date a corsage? Same thing. This Juniberry band was alive; bursting in color and smelt delightful. Allura’s eyes widened in surprise and smiled happily. She gasped as she attempted to grab the flower from his hand. 

“Ah, ah, ah,” he said tauntingly, shaking his index finger. “ Allow me.”

He slid the band onto her hand and glanced into her bright purple eyes. “It fits perfectly. Your measurements were right Shiro.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing!”

“I can take a hint. I’m going to go back and see what the team is up to. Be safe...I’m serious.”

Shiro exited the room and Lotor gently placed two kisses on Allura’s hand. This indeed was a heart to heart talk after all. A talk was long overdue. 

[harrysdimplles]

consequences

Warnings: bad written smut, unresolved feelings and abandonment issues acting out.

the one where best friend! Harry walks in on something he wasn't ever supposed to see, and it makes it impossible for him to ignore what he's always wanted.

That was a bad idea. A really fucking terrible one, she knew that for a fact, but as long as bad decisions went, that one would at least mean she got some release.

As long as the girl found it in herself to actually do more than roll around in this huge bed, preferably sometime before her best friend came home.

She would die before she explained any of this to Harry, simple as that. 

I mean, there was no good way to tell your best friend you've decided to try and touch yourself for the first time in his bed. Best case scenario, he would get a good laugh out of her slightly inebriated, jealousy fueled  train of thought and she would never be able to look him in the eye ever again.

He could also start seeing her as a stalker, which wouldn't be half as bad as the worst outcome to this mess: that little stunt might be the thing that convinces Harry all those articles online were right and his silly, young best friend is in love with him. 

She had always been, but that didn't mean he could ever find out about it 

He was the Harry Styles, while Y/N...Y/N was just a silly virgin who got so mad and frustrated over the way he had been all over another one of those perfect girls at the party she smuggled out a bottle of white wine to end up here, about to do this.

Still, it beat crying herself to sleep, right?

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Wrong. 

Turned out getting off when she had no clue what she was doing was hard, even with her head spinning from the way her face was smudged into his pillow, her hips rolling at their own accord, humping the thick comforter as if her life depended on it.

"Babe?" for a moment or two, the girl told herself she was hearing things, that her mind had resorted to memories of his voice to try and get her to cum already, but then she heard his steps getting closer "what've  yeh got there?" he asked, warm hands touching her back until her whimper made him freeze, finally realizing what was going on.

"Harry.." his name was a plead and an apology rolled into one, tears picking at the back of her eyes, frustration making her dizzy. "It hurts" that was true, she was winded so tight not even the fact that he was right there made her stop mulling his matress like a mad woman, her face burning from embarrassment and just sheer need. "make it stop, please. Need yeh to tell me how"

××××××××××

He was trapped in a dream.  With fingers pulling at his brown locks with more and more force as each second tackled down, Harry convinced himself that scene, whatever it was, couldn't be real.

There was no way in hell Y/N was begging him for what he thought she was, even if he could see her small hand dipped into her panties, perky bum practically on display now that the one warn out t-shirt of his she always slept in had huddled up on her fussing around.

"Harry? I'm sorry...I...please don't be mad" her words were muffled by the pillows and the tears, her hair sticking out when Y/N crained her neck to get a look at him, and the singer sent out a prayer to whoever was listening that his face wasn't showing where his mind wanted to go.

That was Y/N. His best friend. He felt like a creep for being turned on by how desperate she seemed to be at that moment.

Then again, he had felt like a jerk all night, so what was new? He knew she would be pissed when that girl approached them at the bar, could read it in her eyes even in a dark room, but he let the blond beauty have a go at wooing him anyway.

Maybe this, right here, was his punishment. Because he couldn't. He wanted to, gosh, he was dying to drop to his knees right then and there, pull her body to the end of the mattress and show her how good it could be, but he wouldn't

"Babe, no" swallowing the lump in his throat, Harry started over "Not mad. Just... surprised" going against all and any reason, he sat down at the tip of the bed, tangling his hands on her hair when the whimpering began, knowing the girl needed comforting. "It's ok, lovey... just keep going huh. You're almost there" fuck it, he could smell it this close, that heady mix of her perfume and sex, and it was making him harder than anything Blake tried on the dance floor.

"Can't...H, I can't"

"Yeh..want me to leave?" he should have done it the moment he realized what she was doing, but that girl was like a damn siren for him...and that could as well be as close as having her he would ever get.

"No!" the word grew on the silence of the room, her wincing when she stopped probing at her folds to sit up, grabbing his arm "That's not...Harry, please" his attention was in her glistening fingers, coated in her taste, so Harry didn't notice Y/N moving, not until she was close, too close "Please"

"Lovey, we can't." denying her was the worst feeling ever, but she was young, horny to the point where she was a bit out of it, and way too important to him to the musician to risk it.

"I want to. I need it, Harry." leaning over she started pressing open mouthed kisses to his neck, up to his jaw and Harry grabbed her hips, needing to ground himself as his dick hardened further on his pants "Need you to give it to me" she whispered, so close they were breathing the same air by now

"Fuck baby..." what should he do? He couldn't have sex with her, but leaving her hanging would be almost cruel right? She was ready and close, he could tell...and she trusted him enough to ask for it when she was so vulnerable. If he did it right, he wouldn't have to do much of anything at all, so Y/N wouldn't feel like she had to distance herself after this.

He was pretty sure he couldn't cope with having her leave him.  Hell, his fear of losing this girl was the sole reason he tried his best to hide how utterly in love with her he was...

"Kitten, look at me" the assertive tone meant she stopped russling for a second, big eyes staring back at him "Can I kiss you first?" this had to be gentle. He had to.  A nod, and then she surged forward, plump lips on his, and Harry stopped fighting himself: winding his hand on her hair, he took control of the kiss, licking at her bottom lip until she opened up to him, her tongue brushing his...

Then it was all her: the way she smelled, the faint taste of wine in her tongue, the way his hands fit around her body. In that moment, the world simply didn't exist: Harry was drowning on Y/N, with no intention of ever coming up for air.

They made out for a bit, her tiny hands pulling at his hair every time she thought he was about to pull back, a grin on his lips as he let his mouth dive down to nip at her neck, shoulders and the spam of her collarbones, trying to get them both some room to breath.

By the time the musician felt her relax on top of him, his dick was so neglected it could burst at any second, but he was too busy laying her down and finally getting rid of the shirt covering her body to think of himself: his eyes were drinking in the expanse of smooth skin from her clavicle, down to the mounts of her breasts, nipples perky and hardening as soon as air hit them, the soft pudge of tummy and finally, the blue knickers with an inviting damp patch on them

"Yer so pretty, love" the words were slurred together as Harry let his fingers roam around her belly, toying with the hem of her panties while Y/N bit on her lips, her hands rolling into fists in the sheets. So responsive, she was. "I could make yeh tell me what got you so worked up, but I don't think you can wait that long"  her body jerked off the bed when his fingers slid down, pressing against the cloth, sliding on her folds with ease "proper soaked too" a moan ripped through her when he pulled the fabric to the side, coating his digit on her wetness, thumbing at her hard nub...this wouldn't take much longer. "It's good, innit?" talking to her was a good distraction as he rubbed the pads of his fingers all over her soaking walls, coming down to put his lips on her skin as he slid a digit inside, being trapped in there instantly "I've got yeh, baby" he murmured, his other hand holding her legs apart when she cried out once he pulled back the first time.

Harry was enchanted. There was no other way to describe the feeling washing over him as the man pumped his fingers, eyes trained on her for his every move, watching as she chased down the pleasure she wanted so badly.

Y/N screamed when she came, closing in around him as the musician curled his hand just right to hit that sweet spot within her, her juices dripping down on him, his mouth sucking a bruise on the side of her hips as he rutted against the bed, marking her in the only way he could.

Fuck it, she was gorgeous like that. Absolutely perfect, with her hair sprawled out on his pillows, lips red and bruised from their kisses and her mewling on them, his hand in between her thighs...

"You're...hard" her voice was horse, eyes glistening from the high of it, and Harry pulled back slowly when she winced from being sensitive.

"That's right, kitten" he really needed to get out of those jeans, but he couldn't force himself to look away from the mess sitting at the inside of her thighs. Once he remembered how to move, maybe Harry would let himself pull one out to the memory of that.

"Don't you have to....do something?" there she was, then. The girl who blushed at the smallest mention of sex.

"Don't worry, baby. I'm gonna deal with it in a second" brushing his lips on hers one last time, Harry told himself it was time to give her some privacy.

"Can I see it?" the question came at the same time Y/N propped herself up on her elbows, legs brushing his where he kneeled on the bed. "Show me, Har"

She didn't need to ask twice: before he could talk himself out of it, Harry was pushing his clothes out of the way like his skin was caught on fire, ringed fingers wrapping around his shaft with earnest, quickly traveling up and down, the hunger in her eyes driving him mad. All it took was a few strokes, and then he was cumming with a choked version of her name on his lips, painting her belly with himself.

He had to admit reality beat all of his dirty fantasies about her.

Which meant now he had more than one mess to clean up, because there was no way in hell anyone else would have her like that.

He wouldn't allow it.