#i get that the break up was rushed so it would've made more sense for them to date for a longer period of time

[rainparadefromhell]

someone said that devi & paxton's relationship was rushed and should've taken up the whole season imagine the HORROR

[himbosandhardwear]

"Look who's talking, Mr Ponytail and a Crop Top," Steve says with a smartass grin.

Eddie looks down. "Huh?"

"You," he waves toward Eddie's general vicinity, "looking like some kinda Metal Cheerleader." He noticably swipes his tongue over his bottom lip.

Okay. This is it, this is the perfect moment to tell Steve he's sending signals that he definitely doesn't understand he's sending.

"Steve," he has to clear his throat before continuing, "I need to tell you something."

He leans in, wide eyed and focused. "Yeah?"

That's not helpful. "Um. So, to guys like me... Gay," he chokes out, still hard to say aloud even though he knows Steve knows, "sometimes you say things or do things that come off as...flirty. And I know you didn't know," he rushes to explain, "but I wanted to make you aware. To not do that. You know, in case the wrong person overhears it. It's a safety concern," he finishes lamely. Safety concern! Ugh. More like 'You're breaking my heart, I can't take much more of it.'

He waits for Steve to say something but he's just blinking owlishly.

"Steve?" He prompts, concerned.

"......yeah?" He finally seems to come back to himself. His eyes drift away, over Eddie's shoulder. "So...you want me to stop flirting?"

"Yeah, just in case, you never know who-" Wait. What? "What?"

Steve still isn't looking him in the eye. "What?" He mumbles.

"Did you say..." He can't even repeat it, it sounds like putting words in his mouth, but he did say that, right?

"Yeah. Sorry. I'll stop. I didn't realize it was bad, I guess. I thought... It's stupid. Nevermind. I'm gonna, um, take off actually. I'll see ya around, maybe."

He hops off the back of the van and actually starts walking away, like they're not 6 miles from his house. That snaps Eddie out of the paralysis spell he was under, adrenaline taking over like a bump of cocaine.

"No!" He shouts, like an insane person, and then takes it one step further by jumping up and tackling Steve into the grass.

"Uggff," Steve grunts when Eddie accidentally shoulders him in the gut, but he ignores the embarrassment in favor of crawling up his body so they're eye to eye.

He gets Steve's face between two hands and smooshes it. "Were you flirting with me on purpose?" He shouts.

"Are you serious?" He mumbles, half coherent, through pursed lips. "I'm gonna jump into the quarry."

"Answer the question!" He rattles Steve's head a little bit, for good measure.

"I work for Scoops Ahoy." Steve deadpans, unamused.

Eddie is going to throw one hell of a tantrum in a second. "Steve."

He smacks Eddie's hands away from his face. Doesn't bother to move out from under Eddie, he notes absently. "Yes, dude, obviously I was flirting with you on purpose! I thought that was, like, an understood thing that was happening. Why are you surprised?"

He feels like he's losing his mind. Why are you surprised the grass is made out of taffy? Would've made more sense as a question.

"Because you're straight." The duh is implied.

Sensibly, he asks, "Why would I flirt with you if I was straight?"

Eddie becomes very aware of every inch they are pressed together. Aware of the sound of the leaves rubbing together in the wind, aware of Judas Priest still playing through his speakers. Love Bites is a hell of a track to be having this revelation to.

"You're not straight?"

"No."

"And you were flirting?"

"Yes."

"With me?"

He rolls his eyes, not an ounce of bitchiness lost to his embarrassment. "No, Eddie, with the crusty blanket on your van floor. Yes, of course with you- Mmmphh!"

They probably shouldn't be making out on the ground at Settlers Quarry in broad daylight but, honestly, the shambling corpse of Jason Carver could show up right now and Eddie would not give two shits. Steve slides a hand down the back of Eddie's pants, grabbing what little bit of ass cheek he has, and Eddie thinks, Hope you're watching from hell, you bastard. Enjoy the show.

[stubz]

Injuries and a ship invasion, no one dies

"Why do they let humans take care of our younglings? If it hadn't been for the coalition then it would've been another century till they realize our existence. Their senses have dulled to the point where its laughable that they are the dominating species of their planet. And lets not forget the fact that they're at constant war with each other over the most stupidest things, color of skin, where one lives, who they love, what they believe, etc."

"Calis stop it! Your being a xenophobe. And while some of that is true you should know by now that the humans care deeply for our children."

"I am simply being concerned parent who worries for their young's safety and well-being...we are in a dangerous area right now, the middle of a war zone, and it would make me feel safer if we had some others at the care centre till reinforcements arrive."

"Trust me my brightest, the humans will do everything they can to ensure the safety of our Dali...and knowing them they'll likely surprise you and live up to their reputation."

"...fine, fine, I apologize, you are right. The humans have surprised me so far, what's one more?"

.

..

...

....

"WHERE IS DALI?! WHERE IS MY YOUNGLING CAPTAIN!"

"Calis calm down! Your arm!"

"NO! YOU DON'T GET TO TELL ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN ENEMY FORCES HAVE INVADED OUR SHIP AND NONE OF US CAN FIND OUR YOUNG!!"

"Calis, your hurt and so is your partner. Think of Gala, they need you right now."

"...Gala is hurt because they were looking for Dali. They got shot because they were heading to the centre...I have to find Dali. For Gala, Captain."

"I'm sure that Kim and Max are doing everything they can to keep them safe."

"With all do respect Captain, how could 2 unarmed humans survive what our force couldn't."

"...I don't know but its probably going to be one hell of a story we'll be telling for the ages. Now go get your arm treated. That's an order."

.

..

...

....

"WE FOUND THEM!"

"CAPTAIN WE FOUND THE YOUNGLINGS!"

"WE NEED A CRANK AND SEND EVERY AVAILABLE MEDIC!"

"oh great stars please no...nonononono DALI!" the Delzah rushed forward, breaking through the search party, only to be stopped by their captain.

"Calis...you have to let them do their job. We, we just have to hope." he could not help the hitch in his breath. Hoping, praying, that his own child was okay underneath the wreckage that was once the youngling care centre.

They fight and thrash until eventually grief overtakes them. They collapse into the captain's arms wailing.

"...what hope do I have that my child is alive under all that rubble. Captain...the only hope I have is that they died quick and that they are with the stars now..."

"Oh Calis..." he sobs. He knows it. There was hardly a chance that anyone was still alive underneath there. Only the strongest younglings who were from a strong species may survive and his child was not one of those few. They were strong but his child was like him...a runt, the joke of the family. Too small, too weak, too soft. She was surely dead...why couldn't it have been him?

"MAPA!"

"PAPA!"

One by one, children emerge from an opening made in the rubble, and at the front of them was Dali and a small feline like child.

"my glorious star" flinging themself from the Captain Calis dragged themself to meet Dali who leaped into their Mapa's arms.

The captain was not too far behind, running to his daughter and cradling her close. Words were not exchanged but Calis could feel the vibrations coming from their purrs.

"See...I told you they would be waiting..."

last to emerge from the rubble was the humans, carried out on stretchers. Only one was conscious. Glass glittered from their skin, dirt and dust blended with vibrant red blood, staining their white bandages, and a rebar was poking out of the unconscious one's side.

"You...got everyone right?"

"Yes, human Max."

"Good...that's good..." and finally did they lose consciousness.

.

..

...

....

"Apparently they covered the windows and hid the kids in the storage room, putting them to the farthest corner while they formed a human wall in front of the door.

When those quiznaking bastards couldn't break down the door they rigged the centre with explosives. Lucky for us the humans personally requested that the storage room be made durable for the equivalent of their disasters on earth so it held up decently well."

"But how did they get so injured?"

"Decently well, meaning the room wasn't completely stable. Eventually the walls started to give and the humans had to improvise by becoming the new pillars. They took shifts until they both had to hold up the weight for what the kids guess to be 3 hours...imagine holding up all of that weight until you were on your hands and knees with rebars, broken glass, and debris piercing into your body."

"...Gala said that Human Max nearly flatlined and Human Kim needed 2 liters of blood."

"You seem confused."

"...Humans are impressive but how did they do all of that? They were already injured and yet managed to hold up a collapsed ceiling for hours until help arrived, I thought they were completely average and even weaker than us."

"Apparently when their loved ones, especially children, are in danger they tap into their more primal instincts. Allowing them to withstand a shot to the side, a slab of concrete to the head, and hours of keeping a ceiling from collapsing until they know everyone is safe.

Heard a story of a human who died only after he saw his kids was safe from a fire."

"Looks like Gala was right. Humans have surprised me once again."

[srslylini]

season 2 has a structure problem and that makes act 1 flow naturally enough and it sets up the next acts perfectly well, but they wanted to do so much more than what they were

1. setting up

2. capable of doing in 9 episodes

had they just cut a few plot lines everything would've moved far easier. For example

1. cut the Smeech thing entirely. Sevika and Jinx don't need this to find themselves together and start a found family. That scene In Silcos office was so moving and everything I always loved about Arcane, stuff like this is what's needed. In fact move the prison break to act 1 and have them handle that together, Jinx can still make Sevika her arm, and everything could've still moved the same. It would've fit so much better and there also would've been so much more time to develop anything else with the magic system and act 2 wouldn't feel like it was overflowing with anything and everything. Isha is a character that as of in the show can be cut so easily and that's so sad because she'd be so interesting. Everything about her would've worked and SHOULD HAVE worked but she also just felt like Plot and a thing to make Jinx sad over again. Either don't do that or make Isha not a character like this???? I liked her scenes with Jinx so much and the scene with Jinx freaking out after finding out that Isha was taken to prison was genuinely so good, I'm still holding on to the hope that they didn't actually kill her

2. either cut that shit with the tree because let's be so honest that basically only happened so that Heimerdinger, Ekko and Jayce could meet, since we do NOT even really talk about the tree in act 2? that was so weird. Like either actually make it a thing or find different ways to let characters meet naturally. I dont know, the show was so good with that in season 1. And if they truly wanted the tree scene at least make it make sense and don't randomly drop it Idk.

3. I LOVE Mel she is like my favorite character but the plot with the black rose takes so much necessary time away from what we actually need to focus on. I heard they want to make different shows so they are setting this up but it just doesn't work. Mel could've so easily been integrated into the main plot line and it would've also made so much more sense at that. Though I'll just wait on act 3 before I judge too hard. (if they actually DARE to make her pregnant Istg)

4. Making Jinx that hero character for only like, what, a few seconds was so strange. I hope act 3 gets that better but that, first of all, happened mostly out of no where and a few touches to her shoulder after the prison scene was also not??? helping??? either set that up from the very start or don't do it at all. She isn't a hero, she is a tragedy and someone who needs help and room to breathe. The scenes where they tried to make that funny, in my opinion didn't land at all. She doesn't need a hero complex she needs calmness and stable relationships. Let Isha live I swear to GOD.

in fact that leads me into the next point

5. Have Vi realize she doesn't want to be an enforcerer sooner? I actually do like how rushed that part felt don't get me wrong, but if they wanted a reunion between Jinx and Vi don't randomly put it into act 2 with barely any build up. Let Jinx and Vi realize it during the fight, they kinda did do that but??? just didn't move that anywhere. it's so strange. If they had cut the Smeech stuff they could've easily used the third episode to make Jinx and Vi slowly reconcile. Which also means I think Vi would've been such a better "symbol" than Jinx. Vi and Jinx, for me, show what Zaun is made of, and Jinx is quite literally the valid pain, distrust and anger of Zaun, and she as well as Zaun desperately need healing. Like that would've been SO COOL. that's just my opinion though, so there is that.

6. If they had made Vi the symbol the conflict between Caitlyn and Vi would've felt a lot more natural as well. Like??? Also Caitlyn should've had so much more time if they wanted that switch up in the end to work. Cut the black rose stuff and that would've worked perfectly fine.

7. Now do NOT get me wrong, Ambessa's character is so interesting and I feel like exploring her is so cool but she and her plot just doesn't fit into the Piltover/Zaun thing. It makes it too big for what the show is. In fact I (and now this is just my opinion, anyone can have their own just saying lmao) would've either cut out Ambessa's character/plotline or subtly continued Ambessas drama with Mel, which would give Mel, who didn't get taken by the black rose in my version, a lot more to do and way more interesting stuff too. Again this is very much my opinion and doesn't mean anyone needs to share it, but I feel like they could've easily made Heimerdinger be the one who gets Caitlyn to where she was/is with Ambessa. It would've expanded Heimerdingers character and it would've stayed in the setting they already perfectly build up, Piltover and Zaun. Also, Heimerdinger wouldn't just feel like a random joke character anymore.

8. The Pit fight stuff could have been SO interesting and I feel had we not stayed with Viktor Christ so much which was also so weird at times, we could've gotten so much necessary insight on Vi. If we follow my idea it could've been Vi forced to be a symbol because of the person she is. The embodiment of Zauns loyalty, strength and resilience. And then the fights that will come out of that forcing Vi to face so much stuff she shouldn't etc etc (I haven't fleshed that one out yet don't come for me) and that could've ended in her pit fighting era, which should've taken at LEAST an episode and not a random montage that just gets forgotten??? for no reason at all. Really hope act 3 talks about that cause??? I feel with Vi as the leader the healing of Zaun would make so much sense, because Jinx realistically can't do that. The idea of Jinx being in that position IS interesting I just feel it wasn't established/developed enough.

9. I really really liked how from the very beginning Viktor's safe haven did not in fact feel safe. There was always a very uneasy feeling and that's what I love about the show. I was always waiting for the shoe to drop and it happened, that was amazing. Though I would've either established a lot of this way earlier on in the show or made it not so, and now walk with me here Ik its magic, unrealistic. That does sound strange but having Viktor suddenly float in space with white silver flowing hair and his dead assistent next to him was... very very out of no where. It was like a lazy show trying to get away with "yeah well it's magic so of course this works" and I hate that because even magic needs explanation and build up. So yeah. Either cut that shit out or have it established sooner. And while seeing the one person who helped Jayce as a kid did kind of help, it still wasn't enough for THIS, though again MY OPINION. Also we spent way too much time there, it was getting ridiculous. So much time could've easily been lent to stuff that actually needed it. I actually laughed out loud when Viktor started the healing process with Vander because come ON now, and I do not think they wanted me to laugh.

10. The stuff with Vander, Silco and Felicia (while cute) was unnecessary and weird. What I liked the most about Vander taking in Vi and Powder was the feeling that he didn't do it because he necessarily knew them very well but because he knew their mom was dead (that did show he and their mother did kind of know each other but so do like all the people in the lanes that is kind of established) and wanted to PROTECT. This new context sadly makes it feel like "well of course he stopped everything and took them with them and cared for them he knew them since birth, duh" when I always wanted to feel "well Vander is in his heart a good man who saw what terrible stuff this war and fighting did and then took in orphaned children because of course he would do that" if that makes sense? I feel this new thing took away so much from Vander, but again that's maybe just me.

11. So many jokes and scenes didn't land with me. The scene with Jinx trying to show Sevika her middle finger was SO GOOD and so Arcane that seeing the scene were they try to make it funny with Jinx's trousers and that enforcerer felt so out of place? Like what. That scene could have EASILY been cut and nothing would have changed at all. And that's what is the worst because there isn't one scene in season 1 that I feel could've been cut and there are so many of them in season 2.

12. Introducing Maddie in act 1 made me believe she'd be a bigger, even more of a threat to Zaun, character than she was and that's so sad. What I loved about season 1 is that every single character mattered. Even those we saw maybe once. This time around I hardly cared at all for any new character because they didn't feel like a Person anymore, they just felt like Plot. In season 1 episode 1 there is this scene, the first scene Vander gets to speak in. The only reason Huck meets the woman and the man to trait was basically so we get to know how the undercity works and establish Vander as basically its leader and protecter; The one people are loyal to etc. But it doesn't feel that way. It's something that naturally happens and every character in that scene, even the man and the woman we never see again, mattered and felt real.

yeah so those were really just my thoughts. I could very much go on but I also don't want to.

[raayllum]

Anyway I did my 2nd watch of the season after sleeping / with the end in mind and it totally worked for me, especially with the understanding that there is 30% of the story left (and thereby Callum and Rayla's arcs aren't Over and room for more growth/plot had to be left open) and watching with the ending in mind.

I'm not upset that this is where Arc 2 ends, in some ways because it's sort of like season 2 of Avatar where Zuko doesn't join the Gaang in their 2nd arc (book two) because from a character basis he really wasn't Ready to do that / they had more story to tell, so I don't think with what they're doing it would've made sense to rush it in TDP. Nor do I think any of the previous set up for other outcomes (i.e. possession fight, salvation, etc) were wasted. Merely that TDP likes to do layer upon layer, and also have foreshadowing come back once (so you think you're safe) and then twice. I also don't think that Arc 2 resolved all the threads (i.e. Rayllum and greater good conflict / Aaravos & Callum) and ended them, and instead nudged them forwards in interesting ways for continued future exploration. I'll probably write more about the specifics later if this post doesn't get unwieldy or condensed with them for now.

In the meantime, these were things that I found really clicked for me on my 2nd watch through for S7 and with Arc 2 in general:

1) Arc 2's overarching focus on the Archdragons / the finale resolution with it.

We had a focus every season on at least one of the archdragons, with Zubeia (S4-S7), Luna Tenebris mentions (S4-S6), Rex Igenous (S4), Domina Profundis (S5), Sol Regem (S5-S6), and Avizandum mentions (S4-S5).

With that in mind, while I'm sure Aaravos' intentions was for no one to know of his plans ahead of time (7x01)... his actions also led to Callum and co. making connections to all the other Archdragons that they could pull on to bring everyone back to Lux Aurea, and Aaravos could destroy them (with no real consequence to himself, as his spirit was now free and his body could reform), taking a massive swing at the Cosmic Council's grand order that'd been enforced by the archdragons. He said the elves and dragons would fall hard... and now the dragons have, with the Cosmic Council being next (and thinking that the real focus on the Cosmic Council would be predominantly in arc 3 was, I believe, the general fandom consensus anyway).

AARAVOS: Now this is familiar, isn't it? Hasn't this all happened before? Arrogant fools. Again and again you make the same mistakes. (7x09)

Suitably, though, the Archdragons sacrifice themselves to protect all of Xadia, making amends for past / previous actions in their own way (narratively). They upheld the Cosmic Order, and then chose to break it.

Now, Aaravos will be returning to a world where there are no archdragons, and the only thing that can destroy his mortal form again would be the Nova Blade or some dark magic spell to take his spirit (but more on that later).

This also caps off S7 being about the destruction caused by one Archdragon (Sol Regem) and then the salvation through sacrifice from the other four as the finale. It comes full circle, but without repeating the cycle.

It also seems like the Nova Blade hasn't actually ever been used, as Aaravos states in 7x07:

She could have used the blade to destroy me, but chose instead to help imprison me. To spare me.

Or if it has, it still has a massive consequence that Zubeia is familiar with (the wielderdies if it's used to kill someone?), given that she is worried when Zym (and Ez wielding the sword) appears, intending to use it:

I'll also talk a bit more about why I think Aaravos designed 7x09 to be a win-win scenario for him no matter what when I get to Callum's section, but in the meantime...

2) Rayla's arc

Listen, y'all know I wanted Rayla to save Callum, like a lot, and thought there was a good chance she would if he was possessed again. However, neither of those things happened (also circumstances were crazy) and it was built up throughout the seasons, as well as in S7:

RAYLA: We can't save everyone, Soren. There's too much at stake. (4x05) RAYLA: But I can't help you yet... because right now, the world needs me. Callum and Ezran need me. There's a great evil returning to Xadia and we have to stop it, at any cost. (5x01) RAYLA: It hurts me to know they're trapped like this. It's agonizing. But our mission comes first. The world is in danger, and you can trust me to stay focused. (5x04) RAYLA: No, Callum. I want to help my parents, but I won't let it bias me. (6x01)

The season 7 setup is most prominently seen in S7 during Rayla's trial, in which she emphasizes that the assassins' deaths were not in vain due to the subsequent impact on the world as a whole, and in how their assassin pledges were upheld in their own way:

Life is precious. life is valuable. We take it, but we do not take it lightly. All of your lives were taken. But your sacrifices, they weren't for nothing. Callisto, you pledged your breath for freedom and we freed ourselves from an awful, pointless war. Andromeda, you pledged your eyes for truth. And we found the truth, a truth that changed the world. Skor, you pledged your strength for honour, and now humans and elves have finally begun to treat each other with honour again. And... Ram. You pledged your blood for justice. But what is justice? The king died that night. A life for a life. Is that justice? How much suffering is enough to paid for the mistakes we've made? I don't have the answers. But I'll carry you with me, all of you, forever.

So it made sense for her assassin oath to come back in some manner ("My heart for Xadia"). She had to honour her team's sacrifices by being willing to make her own (killing Callum and herself by symbolic extension), partially because her and Callum's "ride or die" dynamic had become a "ride and die" dynamic": this was his plan and his choice, and the alternative was to let him succumb to a fate worse than death AND to let Aaravos destroy the world through his hands.

And I get why this feels kind of backwards, because on the one hand, it seems like Rayla made a lot of progress, even questioning the validity of her own suffering for mistakes she / choices others have made, which is Huge!

And yet she's willing to suffer, and sacrifice Callum. The paying the price motif is even brought back in Aaravos' dialogue with the archdragons ("And what will your sacrifices buy?"). So what gives?

Well, I think in a lot of ways Arc 2 was Rayla learning to accept and ask for help (S5-S6), that she wasn't alone (S4, S7), and working to come back every time she leaves (S4) but... still being prepared to leave:

and still with sharing or acknowledging her own burdens not being her instinct.

There's a reason we all went "Rayla refusing to sacrifice Callum would be Character Development" after all. I also think it's quasi-similar to Rayla leaving after S3. She had a lot of opportunities to learn that she didn't have to do everything alone in arc 1, but those lessons didn't stick; in a similar fashion, Rayla had opportunities throughout arc 2 to learn that she doesn't always have to sacrifice something, but with Callum being increasingly sacrificial... Those lessons were there, but didn't stick. The other side of her sacrifice arc is not resolved.

With that in mind, I wanna talk about our favourite dorky mage, and then maybe arc 3.

3) Aaravos' Grand Plan & Callum's Corruption

This is a little hard to parse out just because we don't know what Aaravos' next step / goal was in bringing about Eternal Night (presumably to get the attention of the Cosmic Council, but who knows). That said, a few things I'm chewing on:

Aaravos, as previously discussed, found the most effective way to rid the world of (presumably) every Archdragon other than Zym

Aaravos, for whatever reason, wanted Ezran to have the Nova Blade, which Aanya even sets up for us in 7x09

Aaravos knew all along that Callum would turn to dark magic to take him down.

AARAVOS: Very soon, your brother will embrace dark magic to save those he loves. EZRAN: I suppose you've seen that written in the stars? AARAVOS: I have seen it written in his eyes. (7x07)

Furthermore, he wanted to have Callum be corrupted again, gave him the apple in 7x01 as the first attempt. The apple corruption was lampshaded with "Is there anything I can do to help?" + identity/name motif. Aaravos was actively goading him into dark magic in 7x09, even when he knew there was an assassin ready to kill Callum (Runaan), and smiling even when Callum began the spell (once Rayla had stepped in).

As of S7, Callum has been called (and not disputed being at least partially) a dark mage, used Viren's staff and now has it in his possession (and we still don't know why it was never supposed to be used again), and has a white streak. The willingness to go that far "has always been a part of" him and is now permanently reflected in his character design.

Secondly, we know that Aaravos' game with his pawns is not over, due to the secrets of the cube being ongoing (but confirmation in 7x09 that it indeed points towards Elarion) and due to framing with Claudia.

While I did consider that maybe Callum's pawn intro imagery had come back around in the conversation in 7x06 featuring the cube so heavily (!!) and then Callum choosing to do dark magic to stop Aaravos and save everyone as his destiny ("The one I write myself")... He's still corrupted, Aaravos is still going to come back in 7 years with Callum as a vessel, and the Key to the Book (metaphorically to literally the Book of Destiny) is still unresolved.

TLDR; think about how much it'd Hurt in a Good Way for Callum and Rayla to both know she would've sacrificed him for the greater good (fulfilling her end of foreshadowing from 6x03) only to be smacked in the face that Callum refuses to sacrifice her in Arc 3 with the other side of his ("if you ever have to choose between me and the greater good...").

The fact that the Cube canonically points towards Elarion, which feature stories about "a fair exchange of beloved for beloved" after a season in which Aaravos mandates "Your beloved is an assassin who cannot kill" is just the cherry on top. It also means that both Callum and Rayla have accordingly hit the 50-75% wavelength of their arc(s), with us now having a definitive basis for her being willing to that sets up more clearly her being not willing to in the future, the circumstances we'd need for a possession fight re-established, and the cube beat still on the table because the cube itself is still waiting to be plot relevant.

Rayla always follows Callum's lead ("Say the word and I'll go back into that tower with you") and reflects him ("Who told you that?" "You did") and the lessons he teaches her about love. He'll pave the way, and she'll follow, and then their arcs will come to a close.

We just had to get here first.

Conclusion??

Anyway I hope you enjoyed, I want to do a bigger Arc 3 predictions post (the ruby project, Evrkynd, Claudia, Harrow, etc.) sometime soon, but I hope in the meantime this brought some potentially needed assurance, excitement, or another perspective to consider.

[writingforstraykids]

I love you - I doubt it

Pairing: Chan x gn!reader

Word Count: 1571

Summary: Chan gets a message that would've made him the happiest man on earth only a while ago. Now, he doesn't know what to believe anymore.

Warnings/Tags: angst, chan centered

A/N: This is for you, pretty @zehina, my fellow angst lover🤭 Hope you like it🖤🖤

do not repost, translate, or plagiarize my works in any way here or on other platforms. ©️writingforstraykids 2024 -

Chan sat on his bed, staring at the glowing screen of his phone. His room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the air conditioner the only sound filling the silence. He had just finished scrolling through the usual notifications, his mind dulled by the routine of checking emails, missed calls, and scattered messages. But then, amidst the noise of daily communication, one message stood out, its simplicity pulling him out of the monotony of his scrolling.

I love you.

It was from you. He blinked, momentarily frozen. The words, clear and concise, hung there in the quiet air, reverberating in his mind. There was a time when those words would have lit up his world. He could still remember the first time you’d said them—how his heart had leaped, how his breath had caught in his throat. The flood of warmth, the feeling of being seen, of being valued. But now, as he stared at those three words on the screen, something had shifted.

He didn’t feel the familiar rush of emotion. Instead, his first thought was cold, dispassionate, and bitterly practical.

I doubt it.

He immediately regretted thinking it, but it was the truth. He couldn’t escape the gnawing doubt that had been creeping into his mind for months now. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to believe you still loved him. It wasn’t that he wanted to give up on the idea of you and him. It was just that, over time, something had changed. And he wasn’t sure if either of you had noticed it, or maybe you were just better at pretending it hadn’t.

He sat back against the headboard, his fingers grazing the side of the phone absentmindedly. The message stayed on the screen, taunting him with its simplicity. I love you. Those words should be enough, shouldn’t they? They should fix whatever invisible distance had begun to stretch between you. They should have the power to pull him back into that feeling, that intoxicating sense of connection. But they didn’t.

Instead, they felt like a promise he wasn’t sure you could keep anymore. Or maybe it was a promise neither of you had the energy to uphold.

It wasn’t like this before. There was a time when you two were inseparable, emotionally intertwined in a way that had felt so natural, so effortless. You had shared everything, from the smallest, most insignificant details of your day to the deep, raw vulnerabilities that you hid from everyone else. He had loved you for that – how you trusted him, how you opened yourself to him completely. And he had given you the same in return, never hesitating to share his fears, his dreams, his uncertainties.

But life has a way of complicating things. Chan found himself thinking back over the last year, the slow, almost imperceptible drift that had started to happen. It wasn’t a single moment, not a dramatic argument or a hurtful betrayal. It was more like the erosion of a coastline, gradual and unnoticed until one day you look up, and the shore is so far from where it once was. That’s how it felt between you two now. The connection that had once felt so solid, so unshakeable, now felt fragile, like it could break with a single careless touch.

It was little things at first. The missed calls, the forgotten details, the way you had started to prioritize other aspects of your life over time spent together. He had noticed it but hadn’t wanted to make a big deal out of it. Everyone grows and changes, right? People have different needs at different times in their lives. He had convinced himself that it was just a phase, that soon things would go back to the way they were.

But they hadn’t.

The silences between you had grown longer. The once easy, flowing conversations had started to falter, punctuated by awkward pauses where neither of you seemed to know what to say. You both tried to fill the gaps with reassurances, gestures of affection, but they felt forced, like you were trying to recapture something that had already slipped away.

And now, here was this message. I love you. The words felt like they came from a different time, a different version of you. The version of you that still shared everything with him, that still looked at him with that unguarded expression of trust. But that version had faded, hadn’t it? Replaced by someone more distant, more distracted. And maybe, just maybe, he had changed too. Maybe he wasn’t as attentive as he used to be, wasn’t as present.

Chan sighed, rubbing a hand across his face. He wished he could just respond the way he once would have—I love you too. It had been automatic, instinctive before. But now, it felt like a lie. Not because he didn’t care about you, not because he didn’t want to love you. But because there was something hollow about those words now, something that didn’t ring true.

He wondered if you felt it too. Did you send that message out of habit? Was it a routine? Or did you still mean it, deeply, truly, the way you had when you first said it? He couldn’t be sure. And that’s what scared him. The doubt, the uncertainty. How had it come to this? How did something that once felt so right now feel so wrong?

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in love anymore. He did. But he wasn’t sure if what you two had was still love, at least not in the way it had once been. Maybe it had transformed into something else—something more complicated, less romantic. Something more like mutual obligation, or familiarity, or a kind of quiet companionship. But love? That passionate, all-consuming feeling that had once defined your relationship? He wasn’t sure if that was still there.

He put the phone down on the bed beside him, leaving the message unanswered for now. He needed time to think, to sort through his feelings. He wasn’t ready to respond until he could figure out what he truly felt and what he wanted. Maybe you two were just going through a rough patch. Maybe this was something you could work through if you both put in the effort. But then again, maybe this was the beginning of the end.

The thought made his chest tighten with a strange mix of fear and resignation. The idea of losing you was painful, but there was also a part of him that wondered if letting go would be a relief. The constant questioning, the persistent doubt, the weight of a love that no longer felt easy—it was exhausting. Could you two really go on like this? Or was it time to face the truth that something fundamental had changed between you, something that might never be the same again?

Chan leaned his head back against the headboard, closing his eyes. He replayed your relationship in his mind, the early days when everything was new and exciting, the middle years when you had settled into a comfortable rhythm, and now, this period of uncertainty. He realized that love wasn’t just a feeling. It was work. It was commitment. It was choosing each other, every day, even when things got hard. Lately, he wasn’t sure if either of you were still choosing each other the way you once did.

He didn’t want to admit it, but part of him was angry. Angry that you had let things slip, that you hadn’t fought harder to keep the connection alive. But then again, he knew it wasn’t fair to blame you entirely. He was just as responsible for the distance that had grown between you. Maybe he hadn’t been paying attention. Maybe he had let himself get too caught up in his own world, in his own doubts.

Still, the message lingered. I love you. It was such a simple phrase, but it carried so much weight. He wanted to believe it. He wanted to trust that it was still true. But the doubt remained, like a shadow he couldn’t shake.

“I doubt it,” he whispered to himself again, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He hated feeling this way. He hated that he couldn’t just accept your love at face value anymore, that he had to question it, analyze it, pick it apart. He missed the days when love felt simple, when it was just you and him against the world.

But those days were gone, weren’t they? Now, it felt like it was just him, sitting alone in his room, staring at a message that should have meant everything, but instead, left him feeling empty.

Chan wasn’t sure what the future held for you two. Maybe you could work through this, find a way back to each other. Or maybe this was the beginning of a slow, inevitable drift apart. Either way, he knew one thing for sure—something had changed. And once change happens, there’s no going back to the way things were. Not really.

For now, all he could do was sit with the uncertainty, with the doubt. And as he lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn’t help but wonder if love, a relationship, friendship, was supposed to feel this complicated, this fragile. Or if maybe, just maybe, it was time to let go.

MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES

Taglist (Please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist):

@atinyniki @galaxycatdrawz @silverstarburst @aaa-sia @lilmisssona @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @lixie-phoria @kibs-and-bits @xxstrayland @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @mellhwang @palindrome969 @harshaaaaa @rylea08 @heeyboooo @manuosorioh @gisaerlleri @andassortedkpop @lailac13 @bbokari711 @kazuuuaaa @rssamj @wolfyychan @stellasays45 @chrizzztopherbang @ionlyeverwantedtobeyourequal @silentreadersthings @myforevermelody143 @sapphirewaves @dis-trict9 @minh0scat @jinnie-ret

[agirlandhersweetdelusions]

Vampire girlfriend who is too shy to feed on her partner in public even though she's starving. It's not that she isn't dying (not literally) to taste your blood, but her bite is a little too pleasurable for you to handle. Bystanders and commoners shouldn't get to see her lover that way, so she takes matters into her own hands - well, fangs. 🩸

Feminine Reader X Vampire Girlfriend

CW: Mentions of blood, slight panic attack, heavy smut, some aftercare, wlw themes as the reader has a vagina.

"Honey," you whisper in her ear despite the fact that she's seated next to you. It was a sunny afternoon, and both of you thought it would be a good idea to have a picnic at the park.

Your girlfriend, a vampire, was the most excited for it. She loved indulging in outdoor activities even if it meant wearing loads of sunscreen. You, however, wanted to make sure she was safe so instead of a walk, you suggested sitting under a large umbrella and playing a card game.

You had just accepted your second defeat at Uno when you heard a low rumble similar to the others that had been occurring for the last few minutes.

"You need to eat." Keeping your voice low wasn't necessary, but it was best to approach her with sensitivity when this subject came about.

Already, she was leaning away from you with her brow furrowed. Her fangs peeked out as she pursed her lips.

"No. I can't. Not here. You know the feeding is a private thing between -"

You cut her off, "I know. I know, but that's the point of a picnic, isn't it? We get to wear our spring linens, sit with the tall grass, and share a meal together. I already ate the berries and the sandwich you packed for me. You haven't had a thing to eat all day."

She rolls her hands, but the anguish rolls off her shoulders at your words. A hand covers her belly. She's starving. Normally, winning at anything would've had her pumping her fists with joy, but she's resigned.

You straighten, eyeing down the rest of the people enjoying the day. There are a few children playing with chalk near the sidewalk, and an older gentleman reads a book on an adjacent bench. It's definitely not as packed as you would've thought.

Still, you need her to eat, but more importantly you need her. The first time she fed on you she neglected to mention that her bite would trigger a sensation that felt like fireworks going off inside your body. It was a rush, pleasuring crashing down on you in waves. Perhaps, you craved it, but she didn't need to know that.

Except that she already did.

*GF POV*

She was achingly warm beneath the umbrella. It was a sweet gesture, sure, but a black lace umbrella was hardly doing anything more than being out in the bare sun.

Still, she loved your willingness to accommodate her. She just wished you would be more considerate of how beautiful you are.

You surveyed the park, and she could see the increasing worry flitting in your eyes. You wanted her to eat, to feed. You wanted it because you cared about her deeply, but it doesn't end there.

The act of her fangs breaking your skin made her stomach twist. It seemed like it hurt, but she knew better. The quiet moans that escape your lips as she barrels down, forcing her fangs deeper into you replicate the way you bend at her every whim when she's between your legs.

Your head becomes weighed, and she ends up supporting you as she finishes drinking. Her tongue laps out to catch the last ruby droplets as she prys herself away from you. Of course, by then you're already nuzzled against her, two orgasms in and basking in the afterglow.

Presently, she could sense the lust wafting from you in clouds. It was a red haze that ate at the edges of her vision. She's only ever experienced it with you.

You were needy, hungry for something that wasn't a summer crisp peach. She was hungry as well, but for a meal and the writhe of your warm skin against her chest.

She stands, covering her soulless eyes with a pair of shades. You give her a puzzled look before realizing that she's in direct sun.

"Baby -" you start, but she's already walking away.

"Come with me, dear girl. I have something for you, and you have something for me, too," she says as shooks you a pointed look over her shoulder.

She doesn't turn to see you stand, but your footsteps quickly approach from behind. You haven't caught on yet.

The two of you walk for a few seconds in silence before she takes you by the hand, interlacing your fingers to make lukewarm bliss.

"You were right as much as I hate to admit it. I'm starving, darling."

"I knew it!" You exclaim. Thus, your excitement takes over. You become so lost in conversation that you fail to recognize the cautious looks that your girlfriend gave to the area, and that the scenery had changed from postcard to halloween attraction.

You stop walking immediately once the fog reaches your feet.

"The woods. We're in the woods?" You ask, puzzled. It all becomes a little too much when nobody responds to you.

She's gone. Your girlfriend is gone and you are alone with the scream of the crows.

Unfortunately, you were too busy celebrating your ego to map the way back out. How could she leave you? Is she ok? Did something happen?

Sweat beads up on your palms, and you close your eyes. Before long, sticks begin to crackle around you, disrupting your attempt at calming.

Your heart hammers in your chest.

"Don't come any closer! I'll do whatever you want just leave me alone!" You shout at the sky. The answer doesn't come in the form of a voice, yet in a blink you're pinned to an oak tree. The impact jars you. Blinking to recover your vision, you expect to find a merciless killer.

Instead, two voided eyes stare back at you, and you realize there are hands grasping at your hips. The nails are long, wild.

"Sorry, dearest, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I know you're just as eager as I am."

There is no trace of love in her voice, yet the way her hands caress your skin, sliding up your waist to hold you in place - you want her more. She's gone full vamp.

"I had to bring you out here. You know that I'm not keen on sharing my meals," one of her hands finds their way to your chin. You're forced to meet her eyes.

"Sweet girl, I am so fucking hungry, but I feel like it's cheating when I go straight for the bite. Do you mind if I prep my lunch?"

You nod weakly, and she smirks before burying her nose in your neck. At first, you think she's lost herself and that a nip followed by pain and pulsing pleasure will come. What follows is only pleasure.

Her clawed fingertips dig into your skin. The tip of her tongue kitten licking over the spot she drank from last before she continues on her predetermined trail.

Wet kisses pattern themselves over your neck and down your chest. She doesn't bother to remove your shirt, but she pays extra attention to where your nipples would be under the fabric.

"Your heart is beating quite fast, darling. I love it. Did you know -" she stops to plant a series of kisses on your inner thighs.

"You taste so good when your blood races. It's like a martini to me," and the way she laughs after, drunkenly, excitedly has your heart going at light speed.

"Let's get these off. They're in my way, and I wouldn't want to rip them after last time. You loved those panties so much."

You raise your hips in response, allowing your girlfriend to slide your bottoms and the soft cotton down to your ankles. She briefly holds your hand and guides you out of the tangled mess of clothes before giving you a light shove back to the tree.

She doesn't speak, but a low rumble emits from some part of her body. "did she just purr," you think to yourself. The thought isn't entertained for long. You hardly have time to contemplate anything before her pointed tongue is on you again.

She wastes no time latching your hands onto her hair. "Still yourself," she mumbles, mouth full of you.

Her lips wrap around the bundle of nerves surrounding your clit, and her shoulder relax. For a moment, she regains a bit of color to her skin, and she hums.

The vibrations travel like electricity up your spine, and you moan in unison with her. Instinctively, your hips buck into her. Her claws only sink deeper into your flesh, and you fear that she may draw blood. It wouldn't be the first time, but you love the way she feels right now.

The air is filled with the smell of pussy and wet moss, the trees are still. Her desperate grunts and your whines join the chorus of crickets.

Peace doesn't last for long though as her tongue works its way into you, her nose brushing your abdomen. Her tongue. Her fucking tongue. It curves into a perfect point, and you swear she can move the base and the tip separately. She has to because how else would she be tickling your g-spot and filling you so sweetly.

"B-baby," you try for a sentence, but the words evaporate from the building heat in your core.

She grunts again. A hard slap lands on your hip. Instantly, you are empty, grinding against the cool night air for friction.

Your girlfriend belly laughs, her face glistening in your juices. You apply pressure to her head in a weak attempt at coercing her back into place. She slaps your hands again, and eyes you down.

"Count." She says the singular word as if it holds weight.

"Count for what?"

"Count. Count to three, darling." Again, she speaks to you as if you're fine china, yet the distant and unwavering gaze she holds on your cunt doesn't settle the itch that lurks beneath your skin.

You swallow hard.

Your voice comes out meek.

"One," you hesitate to see her reaction, but she is stone still on her knees.

"T-two." Her eyebrow twitches and you feel your hips being released the smallest amount. If you dropped a pin into the brush, you'd hear every pittering sound wave.

Your lips part to say "three," but as if she can hear the words gurgling up from your throat, she moves. She is fast. Inhumanly fast and you only know she's moved because of the indent in the grass where she was.

"Fuck."

It's the last thing you think before you see red. The rest of the rainbow follows along with a few stray stars, but you couldn't name a single color. They meld into one - burgundy - as she sinks her freshly sharpened fangs into the side of your neck.

She doesn't go deep. Hell, her tongue was deeper in your pussy than her fangs have ever gone into your flesh, but the feeling is cosmic.

You're weightless. Your veins are nothing more than vessels for her, and even though the current is being sucked out of you, it feels like it's rolling down to your clit.

Pulsing throbs beat in the sensitive nub, and you fight her. Your body needs her again. She doesn't deny you. She continues to feed, yet one of her hands snakes down to your cunt. She pinches and rubs circles across your neediest areas.

A strangled gasp leaves your lips. Tears well up in your eyes, and you begin to feel dizzy. Every tug of her fangs is a phantom tongue inside of you, fucking you against the moist bark.

You reach into the darkness for her, stretching across that burgundy haze. She rubs faster, targeting your clit with a few slaps when you get too loud.

"Need to cum. Please, let me cum. Please. Just don't stop fucking me," you're drunk on lust. She isn't even inside you, and here you are begging the woman that's taking your blood, your life from you.

She complies. At least, that's what you assume because you begin to contract. Spasms of lightning echo through your limbs, and her movements take on a harmony of their own. Your wetness becomes a melody. She rides you through your orgasm like an instrument that she's playing a dozen times.

She doesn't stop until you do. The colors cease to swirl in your mind. Light as feather you are when you begin to slide towards the earth. She supports you. Her body clothespinning your back to the tree as she finishes.

Her fangs make their slow retreat from your neck. Pulling out feelings nearly as good as being fed on. You whimper quietly, and she chuckles at your exhaustion.

Once her fangs are out, she uses her tongue to lick the wound clean. You heal quickly from her saliva, and no trace of pain is present.

She finally lowers you onto the grass. Following suit, she kneels in front of you. A cold hand stroking your cheek.

"Thank you, darling. I was rather peckish this afternoon. You made a fine meal."

You smile hazily. You can make out her figure through your blurring vision, but sleep is coming for you.

You feel yourself being lifted, the up and down of footsteps lulling you into a comfortable rest.

"We'll be home soon, sweet girl. I've got you," your girlfriend whispers to your sleeping form.

[lateatnewyork]

Down Bad

luke castellan x apollo!reader

warnings: angst

a/n: inspired by down bad by taylor swift (i am ignoring all my drafts i have no will to write for 😭) THIS IS NOT ACCURATE

italics - flashback normal - current bold - (idk js impacting lines 😭) this - lyrics

i paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, my siblings long asleep. percy had just returned from his quest, successful, luke was taking him to chiron. normally i would just sit on my bed waiting for him to come back, but i had a vision. one where percy got hurt.

which was strange since he was with luke, and luke wouldn't let percy get injured unless luke was injured too. but it was probably just another of my visions that made no sense. i waited two minutes, five minutes, however when the clock ticked over to ten minutes i stood up and rushed to chiron.

seeing the half man half goat safe in the middle of the bonfire, running to him i questioned him.

"chiron, do you know where luke is? he was meant to take percy to you,"

my concerned tone was met with a swift shake of his head and then he resumed his conversation with mr d.

"i think i saw them heading into the forest," a camper responded.

running to the woods, i saw the faint light deep in the woods. sprinting through the woods, i sighed in relief when the source of the brightness came closer.

not thinking twice, i broke the bushes hiding the opening from me and barged in to see percy on the floor.

"percy oh shit, what happened- where's luke?" my rambling became quicker and louder.

"behind you," percy hoarsely whispered.

"what-" my question was broken by a small pinch to my neck and black spots invaded my vision and strong arms held me up.

"im sorry y/n, i love you" those were the last things i heard before i fainted.

───────────────────────────────────────────

my eyes opened, but i wasn't on the forest floor anymore, i was in the infirmary. annabeth was sitting at my side, my hand jerked when i realised she was holding it.

"y/n you're awake" she sighed.

"where's percy?" i asked. she smiled and replied "he's safe".

"it was luke." i breathed out.

"i know."

"it was luke" my bottom lip wobbled.

───────────────────────────────────────────

there was no one to talk about this with. no one would've understood me. the pain i felt for losing luke, even though i knew this was his choice and his doing, it still hurt inside me.

i tried talking about my feelings once with clarisse, but she didn't understand no matter how much she pretended she did, and the dirty looks i got from campers at the slightest mention of luke hurt.

they'll say i'm nuts if i talk about the existence of you

luke is the perfect boyfriend, he picks me up from my cabin making sure i reach my destination safely. he gives me flowers weekly, tells me he loves me, is the perfect gentleman and cares about me. just when i thought i couldn't love him more, i saw him helping a fairly young camper, the way he crouched down so the boy didn't get intimidated, with a genuine smile that was normally only reserved for me and for a moment my heart ached with how much i loved him.

for a moment, i was heavenstruck

"you look beautiful today, love" luke said with a smile. "i look the same as yesterday luke" i giggle. "yes but you in the sunshine is gift to the world" he says as he pulls me in for a soft kiss.

did you really beam me up in a cloud of sparkling dust

"luke was the one who betrayed the gods" and me.

just to do experiments on?

i stood at the cliff where me and luke hung out, where we had our first kiss, where he first asked me to be his-

"fuck you luke" i scream out into the abyss, so loudly hoping it reaches him

"please don't leave me," i break down, my voice cracking.

how dare you think it's romantic leaving me safe and stranded?

"daughter, you need to fix yourself, you are a daughter of apollo not some peasantly god" dad normally doesn't visit but i guess his daughter ruining the face of apollo was a good enough reason.

"i'm sorry-"

"you're destroying my image and the image of all your siblings," he reprimanded.

"but dad, luke-"

"i don't want to hear that traitors name from your mouth again,"

and with that he left.

down bad (like i lost my twin)

"i get that y/n is sad, but he was just a boyfriend, she's dragging it," one of my siblings said.

"i know she's so overbearing, i feel bad for annabeth and percy,".

tears i didn't know i was holding broke free and spilled over wetting my cheeks.

"i might just die, it would make no difference"

"you know you look like a star reincarnated" luke said his hand caressing my face. pulling away with a blush i replied "you're too kind luke,"

"come back"

staring at the sky, come back and pick me up

"i love you luke".

my eyes shut as the darkness of hades' embrace swallowed me whole.

cause fuck it i was in love fuck you if i cant have us cause fuck it i was in love

a/n sorry abt the shitty post but i didnt want to ghost you guys (like i have been doing) soooo yeah

[gwendolynnderolo]

critical role ships as taylor swift songs

vax / keyleth : the prophecy

percy / vex : this love

pike / scanlan : the story of us

fjord / jester : state of grace

beau / yasha : long story short

caleb / essek : the great war

imogen / laudna : afterglow

orym / dorian : come back...be here

ashton / fearne : i can see you

specific lyrics that i feel like represent the pairings under the cut!

vax / keyleth : the prophecy

thought i caught lightning in a bottle, oh, but it's gone again

i guess a lesser woman would've lost hope, a greater woman wouldn't beg

who do i have to speak to about if they can redo the prophecy?

slow is the quicksand, poison blood from the wound of the pricked hand, oh, still i dream of him

a greater woman has faith, but even statues crumble if they're made to wait

i'm so afraid i sealed my fate, no sign of soulmates

percy / vex : this love

in silent screams, in wildest dreams, i never dreamed of this

this love is good, this love is bad, this love is alive back from the dead

these hands had to let it go free, and this love came back to me

this love left a permanent mark, this love is glowing in the dark

your smile, my ghost, i fell to my knees

when you're young, you just run, but you come back to what you need

pike / scanlan : the story of us

i used to know my place was a spot next to you, now i'm searching the room for an empty seat

so many things that i wish you knew, so many walls up i can't break through

i don't know what to say since the twist of fate when it all broke down

oh, i'm scared to see the ending, why are we pretending this is nothing?

the battle's in your hands now, but i would lay my armor down if you'd say you'd rather love than fight

fjord / jester : state of grace

we are alone with our changing minds, we fall in love 'til it hurts or bleeds or fades in time

and i never saw you coming, and i'll never be the same

you come around and the armor falls, pierce the room like a cannonball

so you were never a saint, and i loved in shades of wrong, we learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts

love is a ruthless game, unless you play it good and right

these are the hands of fate, you're my achilles heel, this is the golden age of something good and right and real

beau / yasha : long story short

fatefully, i tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me

when i dropped my sword, i threw it in the bushes and knocked on your door

and we live in peace, but if someone comes at us, this time, i'm ready

no more keeping score, now i just keep you warm

and he's passing by, rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky

and he feels like home, if the shoe fits, walk in it everywhere you go

long story short, it was a bad time, long story short, i survived

caleb / essek : the great war

and maybe it was ego swinging, maybe it was her, flashes of the battle come back to me in a blur

you said i have to trust more freely, but diesel is desire, you were playing with fire

and maybe it's the past that's talking, screaming from the crypt, telling me to punish you for things you never did

it turned into something bigger, somewhere in the haze, got a sense i'd been betrayed

soldier down on that icy ground, looked up at me with honor and truth

we can plant a memory garden, say a solemn prayer, place a poppy in my hair

imogen / laudna : afterglow

why'd i have to break what i love so much?

i'm the one who burned us down, but it's not what i meant, sorry that i hurt you

it's so excruciating to see you low, just wanna lift you up and not let you go

this ultraviolet morning light below tells me this love is worth the fight

tell me that you're still mine, tell me that we'll be just fine, even when i lose my mind

tell me that it's not my fault, tell me that i'm all you want, even when i break your heart

orym / dorian : come back...be here

i told myself, don't get attached, but in my mind i play it back

and this is when the feeling sinks in, i don't wanna miss you like this

the delicate beginning rush, the feeling you can know so much without knowing anything at all

if i had known what i know now, i never would've played so nonchalant

this is falling in love in the cruelest way, this is falling for you when you are worlds away

ashton / fearne : i can see you

i've been watching you for ages, and i spend my time trying not to feel it

but what would you do if i went to touch you now? what would you do if they never found us out?

cause i can see you waiting down the hall from me, and i could see you up against the wall with me

i could see you in your suit and your necktie, passed me a note saying 'meet me tonight'

and i could see you being my addiction, you can see me as a secret mission

[intimacyequalsdeath]

hello! I was wondering if your could do # 30 ,31,34 for Bo Sinclair maybe a hurt comfort? If you want to of course have a good day!

Thank you for the request anon! I hope you like the request that I whipped up for you <;3 The prompts that anon chose for this request are: Prompt 30: "I'll take care of you, I promise" Prompt 31: "You're my baby" Prompt 34: "Do you like my hand on your throat?"

For future requests the prompt list is HERE

Notes: Minors DNI, NSFW themes, Hurt/Comfort so it gets a tad toxic in places but happy ending, No specific reader descriptions or pronouns as anon did not specify so hope that's ok anon <3.

TW: "Bitch" is used to call the reader but only once. Near death experience. Canon typical violence.

"Stay in the house"

Is what Bo had told you when he rushed back to tell you that one of the college kids who had drifted into town earlier in the day had escaped. He'd shoved you into a bedroom with a chaste kiss on your lips, a silent plea to stay put until he came and got you.

You figured that probably was about 30 minutes ago, and so far the house had been filled with dead silence as you waited for any sign of Bo, of safety.

Through the silence you could hear the undeniable creek of the stairs leading up stairs. You waited with baited breath as you knew if it was Bo he would've called out to you already. You fought to push away thoughts of scenarios in which the intruder was only here cause they managed to fight off Bo and Bo was laying hurt somewhere as you held you breath and waited.

Footsteps approached the bedroom you were hunkered down in as you slowly backed away from the door. As the person went you could hear each and every other door be pushed open then smack against the walls of their rooms until the intruder got to yours.

When the intruder pushed against your door, it didn't budge. Bo had locked it for you before he left the house/

'Who the fuck is in there?!" A voice yelled. You stayed quiet, not wanting to give yourself away.

Soon a crash was heard and dust jutted out from the old door. The intruder was no doubt throwing himself against it in hopes to break it down. You knew the door wouldn't hold for long, lord knows how long it had been since the Sinclair parents put the doors in the original house.

With a final crash the door fell to floor. You gasped as the intruder, a man, probably in his early 30s and way bigger then you stood in the doorway in place of it.

"P-please-" You can only thing to beg as the man barrels towards you.

"You bitch! Where are my friends?! what did you and those freaks do to them?!" He yelled in your face, slamming you against a wall with his hands around your neck.

"P-please I-I don't know! I promise!"

"Well that's fuckin funny huh? Do you like my hand around your neck ?"

Your hands tried their best to grasp at his, trying to pry his fingers from around your neck to regain your air supply as your vision started to grow fuzzy.

"P-Please" You pleaded one more time as the darkness began to creep in and you started to feel weaker and weaker.

When you had given up and lost all hope you were suddenly dropped to the ground as the mans hands disappeared from around your neck. You gasped your lungs full of air almost in disbelief you could breath again as you coughed and sputtered.

When you regained enough sense you peered up to look for the man and your eyes were met with the sight of the man on his back beside the bed with Bo over top of him using some sort of weapon on his face. Closer inspection would find that the weapon was a tire iron and Bo wasn't about to get off the man any time soon.

"Bo!" You could only croak out through your scratchy throat.

The noise brought Bo out of the violent trance as his head snapped over to you. He stumbled getting off the man and quickly made his way over before settling down on his knees in front of you with your face cradled in his hands.

"Oh darlin, shhhh it's ok, I'll take care of you honey I promise"

"B-Bo he- he almost-" Sobs wracked your body as he wrapped his arms around you.

"Shhh, he didn't though baby, I got here first."

"I tried to hide Bo, I did my best-"

"Don't talk like that honey, you did your best and you stayed put like I told you to ok? You did good baby"

"You saved me Bo" You mumbled into his chest as he lifted you off the floor.

"Course I did, You're my baby"

He carried you into another one of the bedrooms and told you to rest as he went to clean up the body. Vince would be peeved that Bo had ruined a possible wax figure but Bo could care less, as long as his baby was ok.

[cottoncandyswisherz]

mine.

this is for @l0akkzz because she said do angst

exbf!chris x trackstar!reader

warnings: angst, kissing, swearing, very very suggestive/damn near smut

lil background info because i dont feel like writing all that: theyre in college and y/n runs track. y/n and chris used to date but they broke up bc chris cheated and y/n started dating chris' teammate but shes miserable. they hooked up a week before the story takes place and the chris told y/n to break up with said ex. savannah is y/ns friend thats trynna get with chris.

-

"why i'm still with him is none of your business. i am none of your fucking business, chris. what happened that night was because we were wasted. you said i could blame you, so this is me blaming you and telling you to leave me the hell alone. "

"but i don't want to. "

"are you a fucking masochist?"

"not usually, no. in fact, some might say i'm the exact opposite, but i'm ready for you to come to your senses."

"have you heard a word i've said? i want nothing to do with you."

"say that again and try to mean it this time." my mouth gets close to hers. i can smell the notes of coconut oil drifting from her hair. i can smell the mint rushing from her lips in fractured breaths. "unless... you can't?"

she glares up at me and there's so much heat beneath that honey in her eyes, but she doesn't push me. not even once.

y/n might lash out, but my mere nearness is causing her a shortness of breath. her chest rises and falls in a quick rhythm.

so i press my chest to hers. firm nipples glue to mine and the thud of her heartbeat slams and mixes with my own.

what the fuck is this girl doing to me?

why on earth can't i keep my hands off her? does she have witch blood? is she made of fucking drugs?

i reach my hand out and grip her throat lightly. barely any pressure. but enough to let her know who's in control.

"you're a fucking nightmare." she mutters, her throat working beneath my fingers.

"your nightmare." "i hate you." "i don't." "you're fucking crazy."

"about you." i whisper against her lips and claim them with a guttural moan.

she doesn't push away. she certainly does not turn her face or look like she's uncomfortable with the attention.

in fact, the exact opposite happens.

her lashes flutter over her cheeks as she groans, and i eat that sound teh fuck up. i eat her the fuck up.

i swallow her whole. teeth clashing, tongues swirling and lips chasing.

god fucking damn it.

i've been fantasizing about his last since last week. every morning, noon, and night. every goddamn second of every fucking day, all i wanted was to have a taste again.

but i didn't want to freak her out or send her running for the hills. i sure as hell don't give two flying fucks about that possibility right now, though.

i soak her all in, exploring, feasting absolutely drowning in her fucking mouth.

she tastes of honey, mint and pending fucking addiction.

i twirl my tongue against hers and i'm rewarded with her hard nips. babydoll kisses me as thoroughly as i kiss her, her fingers tugging on the bottom of my hoodie to keep me glued to her naked torso.

i roll her bottom lips between my teeth and nibble on the skin until she's whimpering, shuddering and fucking shaking against me,

give me more.

more.

fucking more.

i shove my raging erection against her and i can practically feel the heat radiating from her pussy.

she's hot. for me.

again.

"you're so fucking turned on for someone who claims she wants nothing to do with me." i speak against her perfect lips. " you're not drunk now either."

"don't mock me...." she breathes out even as her mouth seems to chase mine. "i would've gotten this way for anyone. it's called a physical reaction."

this fucking- i swear she's asking to be torn apart.

i slide my tongue down her neck and bite her collar bone, hard, then suck just as savagely, giving her back the hickey she hid for a whole week.

"stop it..." she grunts, shoving her hand against my chest.

only, she put not actual strength behind it.

i trail a path of bites to where her collarbone meets her chest. i pull her bra off, then i scrape my my teeth of her nipples.

she spits out the most erotic moan i've ever heard, and i jam two of my fingers down in her mouth then spread them against his tongue.

i need her to stop fucking talking and ruining every moment with her damn mouth.

my tongue swirls around her brown areola, then i tug the nipple between my teeth, sucking and biting until all i hear are the muffled noises spilling from her stuffed mouth.

"you like this don't you?" i move to the other nipple, sucking the skin around it, leaving a huge hickey before i bite down on the little bud. "you look perfect marked by me. my own piece of fucking art."

one of her hands is on my shoulder, pushing me away, but the other is in my hair, pulling me close.

she's a fucking conundrum, my babydoll, and i can't wait to break her into fucking pieces.

her body is stiff against me, but her tongue swirls around my fingers, and her teeth bite down whenever i nibble on her nipple.

i'm so drunk on her and her taste. so addicted to how responsive she is.

i can't fucking get enough.

not after one lick or two or a thousand. i want to throw her down and feast on her properly. i want to watch her shudder and whine and moan as i kiss every inch of her gorgeous skin.

i doubt she'd be thrilled with that idea, so i'll take what i can get.

my mouth leaves bites and marks all over her chest before i slide my tongue back to her jaw.

"you taste like my new favorite addiction baby."

she whines against my fingers and i remove them, so i can hear her intoxicating voice.

"you infuriate me." she tries to push against me, but i slam my hands against the locker on either side of her head, once again shoving my chest against hers. i'm so close. i can see that fire burning in her eyes.

more.

i smirk, staring down at her puffed out lips. "someone's mad."

"fuck you."

"baby, you know i love it when you talk dirty to me."

she grabs me by the throat, her nails digging ruthlessly into the sides. "you need to stay the hell away from me."

"no." i try to step closer and she tightens her grip until i can barely breathe. my lungs burn, and i can feel the veins in my neck bulging.

"i'm going to fucking kill you."

"mmm. i love it when you get rough."

"you think i'm joking?" her short acrylics sink into my skin.

"tell me more. your mouth makes me so fucking hard." i roll my hips and slam them against her again,

and fuck.

fuck me.

"i can feel your pussy though your shorts. you're wet babydoll. if i touch you, will i find you dripping for me?"

"you fucking-" she cuts her own self off and her fingers compress so hard they shake.

she's shaking. my babydoll, losing her precious control one layer at a time.

and what do i do?

trap her between my teeth and never let go. of course.

"you can fight me, can choke the life out of me, but that won't stop you from wanting me," i strain and wrap my hand around her throat on the hickey that's beginning to re-form. "you came here to stop me from fucking savannah. you weren't mad for her, you were mad at her. you didn't like the way she touched me, right?"

"shut up."

"you're pissed off at me because i let her touch me?"

that beautiful rage shines behind her eyes. but then she says the exact opposite of what she's thinking. "why would i care what you do?"

"always playing a role, doll. hiding, pretending. you broke up with him tonight? why didn't you tell me that?"

"how..?"

"he told me he was going through a breakup and was looking to forget during practice this morning." i try to get my head closer but she keeps me in place with her unyielding hold. "you did it for me, didn't you? you lost him because i told you to. no. you did it because you wanted to be with me. because you know i'm the only one who can give you what you need."

"stop dreaming."

"stop fucking pretending." i remove the band-aid on her thigh, revealing only tattoo she only kept hidden. my fucking name in black cursive letters. "stop hiding."

she shakes her head, but her fingers loosen around my throat. y/n isn't weak. sure, i'm bigger, but she has strength. the reason she let me touch her pervious times isn't because she couldn't stop me. it's because she chose not to stop me.

like right now.

her war for control breaks like ice beneath her feet.

i'm the lake waiting to swallow her.

my fingers spread on her sharp jaw, my lips an inch from hers.

"dont...." she whispers and it's shaky, breathless.

she clearly wants me. she's burning for it. her body language gives her away. eyes darkening, nostrils flaring, and fingers holding my neck so lovingly (though she'd argue otherwise).

but she's still fighting tooth and nail, still refusing to admit the inevitable.

"wanna blame me again?" i murmur against her skin.

a puff of air leaves her mouth and she nods once.

"then blame me all you want, baby."

i slam my lips to hers, taking what's mine.

because she is.

mine.

niyah speaks i hate this.

taglist: @mattslolita @mattssluttygf @muwapsturniolo @zniyadgaf

[johanna-swann]

The annoying thing about the break up is that it would have made so much more sense if they'd had Tommy break it off because of any of the multiple things Buck says in that conversation that are kind of weird. The vibe that Buck also kind of wants to be Tommy, which isn't helped by him replacing Tommy twice over. The fact that it's been six months of Tommy apparently being open about the kind of work he had to do on himself to get to this point but Buck still hasn't really taken Tommy off the pedestal. Asking someone who probably has a house to move in to a loft. Springing a mention of a possible future marriage on him when it doesn't seem like it's come up before. The writing in this episode was so bad but they still managed to unintentionally give Tommy actual reasons to decide he was done.

I'm not sure what Buck "replacing Tommy" is referring to here, but a lot of the other stuff I agree with. Even upon first glance that break-up made so little sense to me that I immediately jumped to the conclusion that this was merely one of the "hurdles" we were promised and they'd get back together in season 8b.

It was always a possibility that Tommy wouldn't be Buck's "forever love", but the way they broke up was... strange, to say the least.

First of all the Abby thing makes zero sense. It doesn't fit with the way Abby talked about her ex. Even if she didn't want to talk to Buck about being engaged before, she would've at least mentioned to Carla that the terrible break-up she had to relive over and over again came from her fiancé, not just a boyfriend. It doesn't make sense that Tommy never mentioned her to the 118 either. She was basically his beard, right? Isn't the point of those relationships that you can pretend to be straight in front of others? And then Tommy actively hid his relationship with her instead?

This only served as a conversation starter though, it wasn't the reason they broke up. In his conversation with Josh Buck didn't feel comfortable using the l-word, but he did admit seeing and wanting a future with Tommy. Which he later also said to Tommy himself.

Then the very moment Buck said the words "move in" I immediately went "not a-fucking-gain!!" Because this rushed, overcorrecting clinging - throwing ideas of marriage and so on around without even having exchanged "I love you"s yet - is such a Buck 2.0 thing to do. He didn't even take into consideration that Tommy lives in an entire ass house. You promised us Buck would get off the Hamster wheel Tim! He has been more grounded than I've ever seen him in a relationship, but then suddenly, nope. Character growth who?

And lastly Tommy's answer. Maybe he just got cold feet, but. Why did he even give Buck a second chance in the first place when he already thought this wasn't going to go anywhere. If he thought what Buck needed were more casual queer experiences, then why did he stay with Buck for six months? And if he liked Buck enough to be afraid of getting his heart broken, wouldn't he have left that relationship earlier?

I mean. They ended up breaking things off over liking each other too much, essentially. Find the sense in that.

And maybe while Tommy was too pessimistic and scared, Buck was still viewing the relationship too much through rose-tinted glasses. But that's when you say: "Hey, we kind of want the same thing here, but I think we still have a lot to talk about and to figure out about each other. Maybe let's just date a little longer and come back to this conversation in two or three months."

(Though I think Tommy struggling and working on himself is one of the very things Buck so admires about him. It's not that Buck is (love-) blind to this information, it's part of what makes Tommy's confidence so attractive to Buck.)

[sanccharine]

14:30 | mm

pairing: assassin!momo x handler!reader

summary: good speakers are good liars, too bad momo is neither. co-written by @eternallyghosting chapter summary: momo spends the day with you

warning: sickeningly sweet, like makes me want to throw up actually

word count: 2.5k

a/n: assassin!momo is here because indigo works hard af. literally she wrote everything, again i didn't do jackshit for this part, didn't even open docs until yesterday lol. im just here to post and disappear like avatar aang, again :]

masterlist

You cursed as your oven timer dinged for the third time, barely managing to shove your hands into heat proof gloves before hurrying to take the baking tray out of the steaming oven. This had to be your sixteenth batch of heart shaped cookies, an apparent Valentine's day tradition. A cliche, more like, you rolled your eyes. 

Although this influx of orders was no doubt good for your growing business, you were just about ready to gouge out your eyes if only to avoid looking at pink food colouring again.

You sighed, at least after this last order for Mr Moyo, you'd be done for the day. As you busied yourself with measuring the flour, something you could do in your sleep now based on the amount of times you'd made this exact recipe, the front door slammed shut. 

Momo. Hearing the loud slamming noise would've given you a headache in any other situation, but not today. Today Momo had promised to give you a break from doing the dishes after seeing you knee deep in orders since the morning.

You hadn't even realized how tired you were until she came up behind you and laid her chin on your shoulder. You took a break from kneading and pulled her closer. Sensing your fatigue, Momo wrapped you up in her arms, gently turning you around and laying a soft kiss on your lips. 

"Rough day?" 

"Mmm," you didn't bother with a more coherent response. Momo got it anyway.

She gazed around at the heart cookies, with their light pink frosting and red and white sprinkles, and snorted, "I don't really get why people would want these."

A beat. 

She rushed to add. "Of course not saying that because it's your baking! These look great babe, you've done a really good job on the decor." She cupped her warm hands around your cheeks, emphasizing that she didn't mean anything by what she'd said.

You shook your head, "It is a silly holiday."

"Exactly! That's what I meant," she kissed your cheek in apology.

You settled deeper into her hold. The dough could wait. "But still, it's kind of sweet that people celebrate Valentine's day," you murmured.

Momo could be quite dense sometimes. You had to often spell things out for her. But this, your unmentioned plea, she understood clearly. Maybe it was the exhaustion making you more sensitive than usual. Or maybe it was the sentimentality of the holiday that made you melt against her arm as she brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Tell you what, you finish up this last batch and I'll run you a bath. How does that sound?"

That did sound great. You gave her a grateful nod as you added, "there's extra frosting in the fridge if you want to try some." 

Momo hurriedly disentangled herself and gave you another kiss before rushing to the said fridge. Perhaps it wasn't just you feeling the sentiments of the holiday. 

With renewed vigour, you managed to toss the new batch of cookies in the oven, having to wait only for a couple minutes before filling up all your used dishes with soapy water. Although Momo had promised to do them for you, you couldn't just leave them be without rinsing atleast a few.

You trudged upstairs, where your nose was immediately met with the soothing scent of lavender, from the bath salts you had gifted Momo a few months ago. As you slipped into the bathroom, Momo turned to face you.

"So my next flight isn't for another few days."

You nodded silently, focusing on throwing your flour stained shirt into the laundry basket instead. Momo and you had discussed her flight over dinner last night so you didn't know why she was bringing it up again.

"I was thinking we could do something together."

Now that got your attention. You lifted your head and asked with a hint of a smirk, "I thought you said Valentine's day was a shitty occasion."

"I didn't say it like that! And also this doesn't have to be for Valentine's day," she added. "It could be just a date."

"Okay," you shrugged. You would do anything if it meant spending more time with Momo.

She perked up. "Great! I'll plan it out!"

Wait, what?

Before you could ask her anything, she smiled, said "Enjoy your bath!" and left, closing the door behind her.

As you enjoyed your much needed soak in the tub and made your way out of the bathroom, you found Momo hunched over on the bed with her glasses on and laptop in hand. You smiled to yourself. She hardly ever wore her glasses, so she must be taking this date planning very seriously. 

As you crawled into bed, she turned her screen towards you and pointed excitedly. "Look!"

You took a look at a website showing various people with axes in their hands. Before you could ask about what Momo wanted to do with a Thor convention, you caught sight of the title at the top of the screen.

Axe throwing. Huh.

"Seems fun, doesn't it?"

You tore your glance away from the laptop to Momo's face, grinning widely and awaiting your answer. You were looking at her, but you weren't really seeing. The only thought in your mind was how cute those glasses looked on her. You really had to make her wear them more often.

"You're adorable," you blurted out as she nudged you for an answer.

Stifling a giggle, she rolled her eyes. "I'm taking that as a yes." And right away, she booked a slot for the two of you. You settled under the covers quietly, not really having any objections but also not expecting her to be so proactive about this date.

"There, all done. It's in the evening tomorrow." She put her laptop away on the bedside table and joined you under the warm duvet. 

Not that the duvet stayed settled for long as her words jolted you up. "Wait, tomorrow? I can't tomorrow, I have to deliv—"

Momo took your hands, silencing you in the action. "I know, you have to deliver the cookies. But we could do those on the way to the facility."

You weren't convinced this easily. "What if someone isn't at home? What if we can't deliver some of the orders?" 

She shook her head. "The time slot I booked is their last one. It's at 8 pm, which gives us plenty of time to make the deliveries, even if someone isn't home in the morning," she emphasized the end of her sentence to lay your worries at ease.

Kissing the hands still in her grip was the cherry on top, as you finally settled down again, content that Momo had it all planned out. She laughed quietly as she turned to face you, the faint yellow hue of the night lamp casting a glow on her face. "I wouldn't have booked the slot without making your deliveries happen, babe."

"I know, I just like having a plan." So what if your handler tendencies bled over into your regular life, having a plan was never a bad thing.

"You and your lists and schedules…"

"Hey, at least I'm not the one getting lost in a city because I can't read out the itinerary made for me!" It was a bit of a deep cut to bring up something that had occured on vacation years ago, but you couldn't resist teasing her.

And Momo retaliated by doing what Momo did best. When at a loss for a verbal attack, she mercilessly moved her hands up and down your sides, tickling you until your feet kicked and squirmed in the blanket.

She only stopped when you finally cried out for mercy, ceding victory to her if only to be able to breathe properly. Having eventually caught your breath, you pushed yourself up onto your elbows to situate your torso over hers and wipe off the smug smile on her face with a deep kiss.

"Goodnight, babe. I love you."

"I love you too. G'night."

True to her word, Momo had done all the dishes last night while you had been in the bath, and walking into a gleaming kitchen almost made you want to get on your knees and sob in relief. You loved baking, but cleaning up after was often the hardest part, something you absolutely had to be particular about no matter how tired you were.

You turned on the coffee machine just as the sounds of Momo rustling around in the sheets reached your ears. You were content to just stay in and share a cup of coffee, enjoying the morning sunlight streaming through the windows onto your kitchen counter. You looked around your carefully curated kitchen, at all the designs you had insisted on, knowing that it would be one of the places you spent the most time in. Your eyes landed on the pile of trinkets in the corner, stubbornly making themselves known in the pristine marble decor of the kitchen. 

Despite your hatred of the mismatched colour scheme, that corner held a special place in your heart, after all, it contained all the little things Momo had brought back from her trips around the world. The woman was talented in many areas, but interior design was decidedly not one of them. She would buy whatever she thought looked cute, irrespective of whether it was something that would fit in your kitchen or was needed by you in the first place.

Still, you couldn't bear to hide it away. As your gaze landed on the porcelain soap dish Momo had brought back a few weeks ago, you had to stifle a laugh at the memory of that particular day. All things considered, it wasn't even as horrendous as some of the other things she'd purchased, but her reasoning for buying it was what had you stumped. You remembered her ravenously eating forkfuls of the pie you had made to celebrate her arrival (and the difficult mission you knew she'd undertaken), before she had sprung up from her seat to haphazardly search through her bags.

Having found what she was looking for, she had tossed the dish towards you, and beamed as though expecting praise for her 'thoughtful' purchase. You couldn't lie, the gift had you bewildered for a good couple of minutes as you wracked your brain trying to recall why this dish would be of particular significance to you. Momo had impatiently gestured at you to turn the dish over and "look at the back!", where you found a 'Made in Greece' stamp over the dish. Although that gift had greatly confused you to the extent of looking like the human equivalent of a keyboard smash, it brought a smile to your face knowing that Momo carried your love of Greek myths with her wherever she went.

The subject of your thoughts bounded down the stairs just as you wrapped up that precious memory. Her hair was mussed up from having rolled around in bed, and her bleary eyes indicated that she wasn't fully awake yet. But to you, she had never looked better. You loved Momo like this, all soft and pliant in the morning, making you feel like you were in a never ending Sunday. 

You must have taken a second too long to acknowledge her, as she whined at not immediately receiving her good morning kiss. You moved towards her and obliged, before getting a hold of her wrist and gently dragging her off to where your twin coffee mugs stood, ready for a lazy start to your day. 

The rest of your day went by similarly in a haze, with you dividing your time between wrapping up your final orders, and making the most of Momo being home. Once the admittedly long and lazy breakfast was over, you enlisted Momo's help in reorganizing your closet, getting rid of items you didn't use anymore. Then, after hastily vacuuming your bedroom, the two of you made a quick lunch of enchiladas (well, you cooked and Momo tried not to get in your way), before settling down on the couch and scrolling through Netflix for a new show to watch.

You sighed contentedly in her hold as Momo, eventually tired of trying to find something new, clicked on the long memorised sitcom favoured by you. As your eyes glazed over the familiar scenes, you lauded your past self for closing off orders even though Valentine's Day was still two days away; you got to make the most of your time while Momo was still home.

By the time the afternoon hues of the sun had started to darken to twilight, you had already finished a season of the show you had put on, as well as two cups of tea and a bowl of popcorn. Deciding to clear up a bit, you turned off the television with a groan of protest from Momo, before eventually tugging her off the couch and upstairs to get ready for your deliveries.

Momo had been right in booking the 8 PM slot for your date, and as you watched her carefully load all the orders into the backseat of your car, a serene feeling washed deep in your bones. All it took really was a four letter word.

Home.

Time.

Love.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Momo asked as you slid into the passenger seat.

You had an absent smile on your face as your fingers drummed against your thighs. "Mm, just thinking of how all it takes is a four letter word."

Momo leaned over, grabbing and fastening your seatbelt for you in a swift motion. "You're thinking of 'sexy', right?" she smirked.

You felt your cheeks being pulled upwards as the absent smile blossomed into a full one. "I was thinking more of 'dork' but okay."

"Nerd."

"Fool."

"Rude."

"Mean."

The two of you traded back and forth before Momo suddenly said, "Y/N".

"Hmm? That's not how—"

"I love you," she giggled. This time it was you who leaned in, pushing forward as much as your seatbelt would allow, and sealed her giggles with a kiss. "Wife," you murmured against her as she pulled you in closer upon hearing that fall from your lips, a revered whisper.

Despite everything in you screaming not to, you eventually pulled yourself away and let Momo start the car. You settled in your seat, putting a hand over your heart to calm it's racing, but to also feel how strongly it beat. For Momo. While the pair of you weren't really convinced by the traditions of Valentine's Day, and scorned at how the town had blown a quarter of its budget on tacky pink and red decorations, you couldn't deny just how full your heart had felt today. How it felt everyday you were by her side.

You had your own traditions with her, of course you did, honed after years of being together, but it all boiled down to one thing, a simple four letter word: Momo.

any feedback is much appreciated.

a/n: happy valentines day y'all, tell people that you love them !!! or don't, or tell them that you hate them lol, idk don't let me tell you how to spend your day :P

taglist: @someone-who-likes-broccoli @happilychaengs

[think-dry-thoughts]

Here's the werewolf omo I promised. Sorry if the formatting sucks, I'm copying from my notes on mobile.

Connor stepped out of his truck onto the crisp fall leaves below him. One whiff into the air made him nervous, but he knew he had to be here. Connor had to make a good first impression with this pack, especially since he was freshly bitten didn't have one to belong to on his own. As much as he hated the idea, he knew his wolf would be in better control in a pack, and so he swallowed his pride and drove into their territory to try to make peace.

Connor didn't really know what he was expecting, but it wasn't this. He had met with (and swiftly been rejected by) many other packs before, and none of them had lived like this. Most other packs had a home base, anywhere from a full neighborhood to at least an RV or two, but this was just a clearing in the woods with tents and a few sleeping bags scattered about. Connor's heart dropped a bit at the sight of it, not because he was disappointed in the arrangement, but because he needed something that he knew they didn't have. His bladder clenched a bit and he sighed, slamming his truck door shut and walking out into the property.

A few werewolves looked up at Connor, some of them looking a little more confused than others. Maybe it was the way he looked, which was way too nice to fit in with the majority of the people here, or maybe it was that his scent was just foreign. Connor knew that either way, he didn't belong. An older man stepped out from one of the tents and walked up to Connor.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Connor said, holding out his hand to greet the other man, "I've heard so much about your pack."

The other man raised an eyebrow at him before clearing his voice. "This isn't my pack. You must be the guy Levik's expecting."

Connor, a little embarrassed, dropped his hand and tucked it into his pocket. His first impression with a pack member and he'd already blown it. He thought for a second about cutting his losses and leaving, but the older man spoke up again.

"Levik is out patrolling the territory line, you can wait here if you'd like, I'd hate for you to have to hike out there," he said, sounding a little passive aggressive.

"It's okay," Connor retorted, "I'll head out there and see if I can find him."

Off he went into the woods, leaving the older man and his pack members to stare at Connor as he walked along. Not very long later, he passed the tree line, and wondered if he should just go back to his truck. He felt a little in over his head here, and frankly, his bladder was sitting a little more heavily than he would've liked. Nonetheless, Connor needed the approval of at least one pack before he turned again. His first time had been just three weeks ago, and it was unexpected and horribly out of control. He needed to find a pack that could help him control himself.

Connor pressed along through the trees, making his way over a few rock ranges and down past a river, where he decided to take a break. He sat on a rock, and despite the fullness of his bladder, he realized how tired and thirsty he truly was. He took a glance at the river, its crystal clear water babbling and rushing down through the forest.

"It couldn't hurt," Connor thought to himself. "After all, I am a werewolf."

Connor got down by the water, kneeling down and drinking it straight from the river with his hands. The water was so sweet and refreshing, he realized how thirsty and tired the trek had really made him, and he sipped on the water for quite some time before leaning against a tree to rest a bit.

He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but when Connor awoke, he noticed two things. It was pitch black outside, and his bladder had gone from full to practically throbbing. He realized he had slept at least a few hours, and he had no idea how to get back to his truck. Even with his heightened senses, everything looked the same out here, and speaking of heightened senses, he could feel his bladder screaming against his pants. He stood up, the pressure dropping even lower into his abdomen, and held himself for a minute before he was collected.

Connor thought for a moment about peeing on a tree, just letting it out right there, but the wolf inside him screamed at him not to. This wasn't his territory, and therefore, marking it could be dangerous. He would just have to hold it. He sniffed the air, trying to decide what direction to head in, and smelled neutral air from what he thought was not too far ahead. At least if he got to the neutral territory, he could hang out there for the night and actually relieve his bladder, but in here, he didn't have any idea what he was in for.

Connor pressed forward toward the smell, walking way more slowly than he had earlier in the day. His belt dug into his bladder, making every step absolutely agonizing, and since he was coming up from the river bank, the rocky path did not make it any easier. Connor loosened his belt slightly, just one hole. It felt a little better, but his body wasn't any less angry with him. He couldn't possibly loosen his belt anymore, though. If another wolf approached him in the woods and saw him with his belt undone, god knows the impression he'd make would be enough to have him kicked out at the very least.

As the walking went on, Connor began to wonder how far the territory line could really be. It had smelled so close, but he also hadn't been accounting for his enhanced sense of smell, especially at night. He started to wonder if it wouldn't just be faster if he turned around and went for the truck, but he had made up his mind now and his bladder wasn't really letting him change it. Connor pressed on, the pangs from his bladder going from a quiet whisper to a full on scream. He needed to go, and very soon, but he didn't know if he'd be able to make it out.

In his preoccupied state, Connor didn't see a log in his path, and he tripped over, landing flat on his stomach, sending waves of desperation through his body and chills down his spine. Fuck. He couldn't hold it anymore. He scrambled to his feet, his shaky hands unbuckling his pants. He was going to do this here, right in the forest.

He ripped his dick out of his pants, willing himself to go, but he couldn't. His wolf wouldn't let him, not on someone else's territory. He forced down on his bladder, pushing hard against it with his fist and squeezing with all his might, and he was able to produce one perfect stream. The wolf smelled the urine instantly, and forced him to stop instantly, sending a stabbing pain back into Connor's abused bladder. He tried with all his might to start up again, but it was like the wolf had a grasp on his bladder and wouldn't let it loose. He had to get to the territory line, and fast.

With shaky legs, Connor scrambled as quickly as he could, which was a hobbling walk, trying his best to clear the property line. His bladder screamed with every step, and he could feel the piss in his dick, but his body just wouldn't let it out. At this point, he'd be okay with just pissing his pants, as long as he could get the fullness to go away. He was so full, so fucking full. Tears began to stream down Connor's face as he slowly made his way toward the line.

Up in the distance, he finally saw it. At first, he thought it was a desperation induced mirage, but as he got closer, he realized it was real. There was a fence marking the property line. He was so close. In his joy, he dashed toward the line, his body screaming and a few drops of urine escaping, filling his senses with dread and joy at the same time. He got to the fence and realized that fuck, he needed to get over. If he could just scale the fence, he would be free. With his hands glued to his dick, though, and his knees practically sewn together, he knew there was just no way. He was truly trapped. Connor tried to let go, but his hands just couldn't stay away, and he tried to climb, but his legs were just too weak. It hurt so bad and he just needed the relief that was seconds away.

After a few attempts, Connor's legs gave out, and he fell to the floor, shaking and death gripping his dick for the last ounces of relief it gave him. He suddenly heard the snap of a twig behind him, and knew another wolf had found him. He could smell those few drops of piss in his pants, and remembered that he had spread his scent on the ground not too far back. He knew he was going to be punished. And yet, a firm but comforting hand rested on his shoulder and a soothing voice spoke up.

"Are you okay, friend?" the voice asked. "Why are you crying?"

"It fucking HURTS," Connor cried out through his sobs. "I'm sorry about the scent but I had to find Levik and I fell asleep and FUCK. It just hurts, please."

"You found me," the voice claimed, and the man stepped into view. This was the pack leader, and the anger Connor had expected to see on his face was actually just replaced with concern.

"What's hurting you?" Levik asked calmly.

Connor looked up at him with teary eyes, still grasping painfully at his cock and grinding his legs together to stop the throbs from his protesting bladder.

"I just, I don't want to ruin your territory," he mumbled, "but I just- nnghhh- I-"

Levik said nothing, but knelt down in front of the bursting werewolf and began to undo his belt. He unbuttoned Connor's pants, and pulled the zipper down swiftly.

"Is it okay if I take your pants down for you?" Levik asked.

"Please," Connor begged, "please help me, I have to pee, please!"

Connor's shaky hands tried to come off of his cock, but they wouldn't on their own. In one swift move, Levik grabbed them firmly and pried them away from Connor, then pulled the werewolf's dick out for him, aiming it down at the ground. He waited for the gush to come, and yet, nothing came.

"Y-your territory," Connor stuttered, "my wolf won't let me."

"Oh, poor thing. I see now," Levik said in a live of sheer pity. "I accept you into my pack, this territory is yours now."

The second Levik said the words, those perfect words Connor needed to hear, a spurt shot out of Connor's body. It was almost as if his bladder hadn't caught on yet, but once it realized it was free, the stream picked up strong. His piss splattered against the ground, the audible hissing painfully noticeable against the previously dry leaves on the ground. The ground couldn't soak up the piss nearly fast enough, and the pee started to puddle up and leak toward Levik, coating the leader's knees. When Connor realized, he tried to stop, he Levik simply shook his head to stop him from trying. The relief was almost dizzying, and Connor felt himself slumping over, the piss still rushing out of his body. Levik reached over and supported the man as the waves continued to pour out of his body. Connor's head rested against the man, and Levik could hear the moans of sheer relief coming from his new pack member. The sounds were almost erotic, and Levik did his best to ignore them as Connor continued to relax.

When the stream died down, Connor realized what he had done, and picked himself up off of Levik, refusing to make eye contact. The shame started to burn into his chest and his face felt hot, but then the scent hit him. He smelled like he belonged on the territory, and the marking here was his. He took a deep breath and composed himself, just to look up and see Levik standing up and beginning to free his own cock from his jeans.

"You know," Levik started, "I was planning on remarking this part of the territory today, so you've actually done me a huge favor."

Levik's dick began to spurt piss into Connor's puddle, and Connor could only watch in awe as the other werewolf emptied his bladder a mere foot from his face. When the werewolf's stream trickled off, he zipped himself up and offered his hand to Connor to help him up.

"It's not nearly as much as you did, but it'll hold down the fort for a while," Levik joked. "Come back to camp with me, we'll get you something to eat and get you cleaned up."

Connor smiled slightly and took the other werewolf's help, standing on his still shaky legs and following the man back to his camp. It had been painfully unconventional, but Connor had finally found the pack that could help him. He just hoped that in the future, he'd make a better impression.

[yuurikatsukienthusiast]

Let's talk about episode 11

I have SO many feelings about this episode for so many different reasons. So much happens, and it's hard to encompass everything into words, but I'll be damned if I don't try.

Starting off strong, let's talk about Yuuri's short program and the score he received on it.

I may have been the only one to notice this, but Yuuri's short program at the GPF in Barcelona was not given the usual amount of attention that it was at previous competitions. In regards to both animation and the commentary we usually get during the performances. A lot of it seemed rushed, almost like there was not as much time spent on it. Most of the focus was on Yuuri's second attempted quad flip, which he touched down for.

Yuuri received a score of 97.83 on this performance.

Now, I'm not a genius at figure skating. I only know what I know from Yuri on Ice, but doesn't the inclusion of a quad flip, especially in the second half of the program, boost the score?

Not to mention that Yuuri, as far as we know, skated a very clean program with very few to no mistakes other than when he touched down on the quad flip (which, as mentioned before, already boosts his score for even being included at all). When there are mistakes in a performance, they're typically addressed, and they're mentioned by the commentators or the performers inner monologue.

But there was no indication of anything actually being wrong with Yuuri's short program.

If anything, Oda and Morooka were all but singing Yuuri's praise during his performance, and seemed almost surprised to see that Yuuri hadn't scored higher.

So let's back track for a moment.

Yuuri skated a clean program.

There were no mistakes mentioned in any of the commentary made throughout his performance.

He added a freaking quad flip into the second half of the program, despite touching down.

When taking all of this into consideration, Yuuri's score makes absolutely no sense.

Previously, at other competitions, Yuuri's short program had received a personal best of 106, and that was without the quad flip. He had been consistently beating his PB every time he skated On Love: Eros. So for his score to jump so far backwards after skating a nearly perfect performance makes absolutely no sense.

They completely underscored him.

And I understand why they did it, but that doesn't mean I can't be pissed about it. Especially because of the way they underscored him.

They underscored Yuuri's short program to give Yurio the chance to break Victor's world record. And then they tried to make up for it by having Yuuri break Victor's world record during his free skate, only for him to lose because of how high Yurio's SP score was.

If Yuuri had scored just half a point higher on his SP, he would've won.

Now, I am very aware of why Yurio was the one who won. And I'm glad he did.

(well...sort of. Maybe I'd feel better about it if we had actually gotten a season 2...)

But if they were going to have Yuuri lose, they could've at least made it make sense as to why he lost. They could've easily had Yuuri make a few more mistakes because of his nerves, or even addressed the fact that he got screwed over, and it would've made much more sense. But leaving it completely unacknowledged makes it seem like he was underscored without any good reason.

I really hope I'm making sense here, because if I'm not, I'll cry.

Anyway, I digress. Moving on!

Now, let's address the events that followed Yuuri's SP score. More specifically, Victor's behavior for the rest of the night.

This has been a detail about the show that has bothered me since my first watch through. Let me explain.

After Yuuri's short program, when they receive his score at the kiss and cry, Victor asks himself what Yuuri needs from him, and wonders what he can do for him right then and there. It's a sweet moment of Victor being the concerned fiance we all know and love. It's obvious here that hes grown from his mistakes at the Cup of China, and has learned to be more mindful of Yuuri's emotions.

However, given this context, Victor's behavior throughout the rest of the performances completely backtracks all of that progress.

We all know that Victor isn't the most emotionally intelligent. He can be pretty tone deaf when it comes to emotions, and he tends to be a bit insensitive. But when he and Yuuri have their moment together in the parking garage at the Cup of China, he quickly learns that in order to truly be there for Yuuri, he has to learn how to support him through his anxiety, even if it means dealing with the discomfort that may come with seeing his lover so distraught.

Since then, Victor had done everything in his power to make sure he was supporting Yuuri as much as possible. An example of this is in episode 10, when it's shown to us that Victor has truly started understanding what Yuuri needs from him when he's dealing with anxiety by inner monologuing about watching over him.

And as mentioned before, he has a similar moment to this at the kiss and cry after Yuuri's gpf sp performance. This, again, being a major show of progress when it comes to Victor's character development.

But as mentioned before (again...), as soon as that progress is made, it's immediately reversed again just minutes later.

When Yurio kicks them out of the kiss and cry and takes the ice, there's a brief moment of tension between Victor and Yuuri when they find each other again after being separated for a brief period of time between performances.

Victor is shown intensely watching Yurio skate from a balcony (?) up in the stands. When Yuuri walks up the stairs and calls out to him, he freezes upon seeing Victor's expression.

This is a tense moment for a reason, and it holds a lot more weight to it than a lot of the fandom acknowledges.

This brief, but almost intimidating interaction between the two is over within seconds, but it sends Yuuri into a silent spiral of anxiety.

After Yuuri makes his presence known to Victor, and Victor urges them to find some seats to watch the rest of the programs, it's now Chris's time to take the ice.

The commentators mention Victor and Chris's friendly rivalry, and question how Victor must be feeling to watch Chris from the stands as a coach rather than a competitor. This sparks Yuuri's concern once more.

He begins to connect Victor's behavior from before, when he caught him watching Yurio skate, and right then, as he watches Chris skate. Whatever connection he silently drew between the two moments only seemed to cause him more stress.

So as Yuuri is silently spiraling next to him due to being outscored by both Chris and Otabek, Victor is completely ignoring him in favor of rubbing salt into the wound further by encouraging the other skaters more than his own.

It is obvious that Victor's complete lack of awareness of Yuuri's growing anxiety in these moments is having a significant negative impact on Yuuri's self confidence.

There is a clear conclusion we can draw here based on these interactions.

Seeing Victor react the way he did to Yurio's, Chris's, and Otabek's performances, led him to believe that Victor was disappointed in him and his score.

And while we know this isn't true, what other conclusion could Yuuri have come up with?

And it is probably because of this that Yuuri decided to bring up his retirement to Victor that night. He probably assumed that because of Victor's supposed disappointment, and his obvious longing to be back out on the ice himself, that he'd want to quit anyway.

At least, that's how I personally interpreted these moments. But regardless of how they're interpreted, there's a much bigger message behind them that's much less ambiguous.

And that message is that Victor still has a lot of work to do with his emotional and self awareness issues.

I love Victor to death, but he's not flawless. And episode 11 is a perfect example of that. He loves Yuuri so much, and he would never do anything to intentionally hurt him or tear him down. But he lacks self awareness, and it often leads to his true intentions being misinterpreted.

There's a lot more to say about what Victor's obviously unfinished character development says about what the plans for the show were, and how they connect and contrast the plans for Yuuri's character, but I'll save that for a different post.

All in all, this episode was incredibly frustrating to watch

Between Yuuri being underscored on his short program, and Victor being Victor, it was hard for me to not talk about it.

And let me know if you agree or disagree with any of this. I'm genuinely curious to know what other's thoughts and feelings on this episode were. Because I know that there's still much more about this episode that I could ramble about.

[rainbowonice]

I'm barely hanging by a thread with this show.

The amount of PR that Oliver has done about Bucks storyline and Buddie has been overkill. To the point, where of Buddie doesn't happen after talking about it so much that headlines and clickbait have been created, they're going to look like they've just been shipbaiting to pull in the viewers!

Tommy and the homophobe/transphobe need to go. Lou's weird "thriving" video gives me the impression they're deffo not thriving! And the other one needs to go for obvious fucking reasons!

The whole Bi storyline would've been better coming from Eddie. They could've had Buck single and Eddie discovering himself like it was originally going to be. It would've been so much more interesting to watch!

But I do think the fact that the season only has 10 episodes has put a damper on things, too!

oh i agree with everything!!! it's definitely giving shipbait (for now) i feel like Oliver is saying unhinged Buddie stuff because, in his prospective, they can't really call him out for queerbaiting anymore, since Buck is canon bi now. But I really hope I'm wrong and that he actually knows that Buddie is endgame or something!

I'm still conflicted about Lou video to be honest, I'd rather if he wasn't there at all lmao but if he's there just to make things awkward and they are really NOT thriving then i Could be ok with it. for the Edy situation... idk how she even got in s7 to begin with, i know it's because Natalia actress wasn't available and Tim didn't want both of them to start off as single but they could have just went with a replacement and no one would have noticed 💀 big hope is that she will be bones before the season finale tho! No one likes her and the foreshadowing about them breaking up has been crazy (never date someone you met on a call, bobby convo etc)

Anon you have no idea I've been terrorizing my bestie about EddieTommy for WEEKS i still wouldn't like Tommy as a character but it would have made so much more sense and it would have been way more groundbreaking than BuckTommy! if episode 100 have zero haters I'm dead I REALLY HATE the whole execution and how they switched characters and keep making Buck and Eddie interchangeable cuz that will never be right and it will never sit well with me for various reasons (racism is the racism). And I've been wanting Buck to be single for the longest time let the man be alone and get to know himself for the love of God!

This season worst problem is that they are writing it as they go and they are really rushing things and you can really tell that they have no idea where the plot is going and the season being only 10 episodes make it so much worse :( hope season 8 will save us from this hell but if the last 5 episodes of the season don't get any better idk if i will survive to watch season 8 they are really making it hard for me and I've been watching the show since 2019!

Also i want to thank you for sending me your thoughts! I got so excited when i saw an ask in my inbox 🥰 this is a safe space for hating! I'm a yapper and a hater!!