#i should also add this: there’s more going on here than barry knows

[shrinkthisviolet]

For the angst prompts, 10 for Barry and Morgan?

YESSS ofc! This takes place right after 3x1, when Barry returns from Flashpoint. All the canon changes of Flashpoint are intact...but Barry hasn't found out about those just yet ;)

Barry skidded to a stop in the Cortex, eyes wide and desperate as he scanned the room. Caitlin, Cisco, Iris, Jesse, Harry— No, no, where’s—? “Barry?” Cisco frowned. “What’s wrong?” What’s wrong? What’s wr—how could he ask that?! Morgan’s missing, she’s gone, she— …wait. Maybe she’s not. Maybe…maybe I’m just overreacting. “Barr?” Iris prompted softly. “Where’s Morgan?” He burst out, hoping for any answer. At school, with Tina…even kidnapped, he’d save her in a heartbeat—anything to hold his baby sister again, to settle his n— “Who?” His heart skipped a beat. “…Morgan. Our Morgan. Don’t you remember?” “Allen, what are you talking about?” Harry frowned. “We don’t know any Morgan.” “But you do!” Barry’s eyes darted desperately between them. “You all—Iris, she worked with you at Jitters, you recommended her to Starbucks in Starling City, she’s one of your best friends!” Iris just stared back in confusion. “I don’t know anyone like th—” “Caitlin, Cisco,” he entreated. “Come on, you guys knew her before I did! She was Thawne’s so-called daughter, he treated her terribly—we all missed the signs, me most of all, don’t you remember any of it?!” “I’d never miss something like that,” Caitlin whispered, tears in her eyes as she set her jaw. “That…I’m a doctor, what kind of doctor would miss that?!” “It’s okay, Cait.” Cisco squeezed her hand reassuringly, his worried gaze still fixed on Barry. “Jesse?” He pleaded, desperately running over and shaking her, ignoring everyone’s startled cries. “Please, please, she’s your sister, your soulmate, you must know someth—” “Get off me!” Jesse shoved him off, succeeding only because of his shock, fearful as she stared him down. “What the hell’s gotten into you, Barry? I have no idea who that girl is!” “That can’t be!” Barry cried. “That…that’s impossible!” How could everyone just forget M—? “Things are back to how they should be. Well…for me, anyway. For you…” He froze. No, no, what did you do to her, what did you— “Barry?” Iris prompted gently, snapping him out of it. “It’s okay. Whatever happened...we’ll figure it out, okay?” His friends, his family, had only shock and concern written on their faces. All for him. Not Morgan. Because…because they didn't remember her. They didn’t remember how much they loved her. How much they worried about her. How much better their lives were for having her in them. They didn’t remember the Team’s youngest, most vulnerable member, who had been part of it nearly since its beginning, who had always risked her life to protect them even when they begged her not to (just like Barry, they teased, which always charged up a surge of guilt within him). All of this…he’d time-traveled to save his mom, to maybe even save his dad too, but in the process— In the process, all he’d done was erase Morgan from their lives somehow. “Now, you can reset the timeline, you can try to fix it, but no matter how hard you try��it’s never gonna be exactly how it was.” No. No, I won’t accept that. He hadn’t accepted it with the tidal wave, when he’d time-traveled to save lives, and he sure as hell wouldn’t accept it now, when his time travel had erased one. No, not erased. Not…not erased, just…just gone. Just not here. The mere thought of that made him sick. Morgan, his baby sister…wherever she was, she needed him. And he needed her too. “Cisco,” Barry tried again, “you can see into other timelines, can’t you? Please…” Cisco frowned. “You…you think we’re in a different timeline?” “That…would mean you time-traveled.” Caitlin frowned too. “Barry?” Iris’s eyes widened. Of course, she’d put the pieces together. Barry looked around at all of them, at their wary faces, and sighed. “There’s…there’s something I should tell you…”

prompt list!

Taglist (send an ask or DM to be added or removed):

@arrthurpendragon @ocappreciationtag @raith-way @vexic929 @ironverseocs

@thechaoticfanartist @goldheartedchaoticdisaster @negative-speedforce @starstruckpurpledragon @angst-is-love-angst-is-life

@miss-eli-starfleet

[swallowerofdharma]

So, what is Berserk about after all?

Please be considerate to me, don’t repost this, don’t share it outside of tumblr, don’t copy parts of it, thank you.

I have read really funny critiques and reviews of Berserk. Often they would refer to Miura supposedly saying that he didn’t plan everything out and they would use this statement to support their argument that after the Golden Age arc the story just looked like it dragged on. One, don’t ever fully believe what artists and writers say about their work. Second, without a proper conclusion it is impossible to make that kind of judgement and the story is ongoing. Then, not having a plan or having just vague ideas and taking inspiration here and there isn’t how manga works or how it gets published. When asked in an interview why he started creating Haibane Renmei as a doujinshi, Yoshitoshi Abe replied: “With mainstream publishing, it would've been difficult to do it with that avenue because of this particular approach with everything being adlibbed. I don't know how the story will be developed, how it's going to end up, or what the ending's going to be. If you go to a mainstream publisher, by their general approach, they have to know what the characters are, who they are, what the story's going to be, and how the story's going to develop so they know if there's going to be a serial, continuing storyline. They need to know how it's going to go”. Even though plans can be renewed and renegotiated, Miura still needed to make solid advanced plans and decisions and respect deadlines and page quotas. Even without considering this, the world building of Berserk seems too intentional and coherent to me to think that he didn’t really know how the story would go. Granted he created a reality that could be changed and bent by the human imagination and psyche, from the inside. This happened to be a brilliant choice for a long project like the Berserk manga.

I once read a review that pointed out the weakness of the later arcs and episodes, making the hypothesis that Miura was influenced by the success of stories like One Piece and Pirates of the Caribbean. I can’t really say that I share this opinion, either. Reviews like these make me smile, because they reveal how people missed a very big clue that Miura never really hid. Berserk was inspired by the story of Peter Pan as told by J.M. Barrie and reinterpreted in several different ways, not only visually. He went as far as dedicating to it the Lost Children chapters, immediately after the Eclipse, when the tension of the story was higher than it ever had been. We should read the Lost Children as an homage to the story of Peter Pan and Wendy that plays into the already disquieting themes of the original in darker tones and with much more horrifying elements; but we should also pay great attention to the Lost Children chapters as an important recontextualization of the events of the Golden Age arc. While I want to dedicate proper analysis and attention to this, I am going to add here that in Peter Pan we already had the pirates, the islands with hidden caves and the mermaids. The journey to Skellig island and Elfhelm had to be long enough for Moonlight Boy to make an appearance at least twice before the big reveal of his full identity the third time, and since he can only appear on nights of a full moon, Miura had to make the readers feel that time had passed. But Guts had always belonged in Neverland.

In my rudimentary outline of various elements that contributed greatly in building the world and story of Berserk, I actually ran out of space. And I want to properly address the various points and develop them more. For the moment I just really wanted to show that Miura had a very strong grip over the story and that he was really attentive to nuances. I said to myself, if I want to criticize the writing in Berserk at least I have to make sure I understand it to a sufficient extent.

Also I really wanted to at least give an idea of how important a role Shōjo manga had to Berserk. I hope to be able to fully explore this element soon.

[helsingvania]

Hi it's 4 am and the state of star wars animation has pissed me off so hard that I woke up 2 hours early.

I am SO FUCKING SICK OF THE CLONE WARS. Every single time a new spinoff is made the more I've grown to despise and apathetic towards all of its characters. This 15 year old show is continuously beaten to death and whatever was good in what frankly was a mediocre show is never used meaningfully again. Because it's all given to ahsoka.

Every single thing is given to ahsoka. I don't have any reason to like ahsoka anymore because of her over exposure just tries me now. Even at the points I do enjoy her gets overshadowed by everything that's been going on in the past 4 years with star wars. And now these characters are finally given the attention they deserved years ago...I just have to ask why do I care?

Yeah barris is interesting, but it's just so null to me since they're only NOW talking about her when that's one of the first things that should've came up in a clone wars spinoff. I don't give a shit about the final season, I have no reason to be invested in the bad batch. What does peak my interest is too little too late.

And I think the clone wars animation just needs to die. This art style - I DONT CARE HOW GOOD THE ANIMATION IS - is falling apart at the seams as we're constantly seeing the clash of old models and new models in the same room. They can't even render people of color or aliens properly with this style.

Thrawn doesn't look like an alien anymore.

And I'm going to talk about the other half of tales of the empire. Why the fuck is Morgan only getting shit NOW. AFTER SHE WAS KILLED IN THE FIRST SEASON OF AHSOKA. They literally were pulling shit out of their ass for that show regarding her and now they're back peddling to explain what the fuck was going on in that show. this isn't necessary, you had the opportunity to flesh her out but you didn't. So why should I care now? And I'm not excited to see animated thrawn again because this is in tandom with ahsoka. They didn't do him justice by showing how much of a threat he was in ahsoka, and I know they're not going to keep that up here. Thrawn is a fun villain but they amazingly missed everything that made him memorable.

I've been having thoughts about the state of this series film area and it just makes me want to ask. Is this meaningful? Does this add anything that's game changing? Or does it serve just explain things that people forgot to do in another show?

Andor is meaningful. It takes character's mentioned back stories and shows what they mean in the most horrifying implications possible. Cassian has been in this battle since he was 6 years old....not against the empire, but against imperialism. To him there was no difference between the Republic or the empire. A new view of this universe, a one showcasing the horrors of the wars.

Rebels is meaningful. It not only explained more of the horrors of the empire so younger fans can understand, but it also expanded upon the lore of the force which makes it more interesting and fascinates me endlessly. It's original characters all have unique traits and stories to them but they've all been wronged by war and the empire in more ways than one. They get focus and we're expanded upon naturally in one show.

What makes these shows meaningful? What does knowing how Morgan met thrawn adds to the extended narrative? How does this effect the universe and how we see it?

We don't know yet. But I don't have faith it will.

[a-bit-too-much-of-a-pokemon-fan]

Another Ice-Cold Take: Platinum is better than Diamond and Pearl

I think everyone agrees with me here, but after playing all the way through Brilliant Diamond, I need to vent about these damn games.

If it's any consolation, GameFreak obviously realized these were problems, because they fixed them with Platinum. It's just baffling that they made the mistakes in the first place. Even more baffling is that BDSP recreated them despite GameFreak themselves learning from them.

The DP Sinnoh Dex sucks ass. Why the hell would they design so many cool new evolutions for old Pokémon, then lock them all in the postgame? It makes no sense.

It's not just the Dex could have been better, it's that you can really feel those missing 60 Pokémon. One of the most felt effects for me is Route 214 missing Rhydon and Houndour, Fuego Ironworks missing Electabuzz and Magmar, and the Great Marsh missing Tangela.

Fire types where? Hope you like Ponyta.

I Nuzlocked Brilliant Diamond with dupes clause, meaning I couldn't catch more than one of any evoluntionary family. Near the end of the game, I was straight up denied encounters in some areas because I had already caught everything in previous areas.

Mt. Coronet doesn't have any unique Pokémon. As central defining feature of the Sinnoh region and the setting of the story's climax, it's fitting that it should have Pokémon you can't catch anywhere else during the main game. In DP, there's nothing unique. Platinum adds in Nosepass and--at the summit exclusively--Absol. Finding an Absol on the summit is thrilling. Rare, powerful late game Pokémon, especially ones as mysterious as Absol, richen the experience. DP completely miss out on it.

The gym leaders and elite four teams. Poor Flint being out here with a Lopunny, Steelix, and Drifblim kills me. If I can say one good thing about that mess, it makes the battles more interesting to plan around because you can't monotype sweep. But it's still lame as hell when the Fire type Elite Four member only has two Fire types.

I never experienced this personally because I've only ever played Platinum and Brilliant Diamond for the Sinnoh games, but I know that there are some technical issues like HP bars draining really slowly, odd pauses between actions, and the bicycle not being able to be ridden through gates.

I also really felt Cyrus's relative absence in the early game. It was such a good idea to add a battle in Celestic Town for Platinum, plus Barry and the player's encounter with him at Lake Verity. He's the Big Bad, we should get to know him better than two fights in the late game.

I miss Looker and Charon, man.

I also miss Cynthia giving you a Togepi egg, then having a Togekiss in the champion battle. That's a nice touch.

The Pokétch. One button versus two. Completely inferior.

Not having snow in Twinleaf Town and the early routes is a minor thing, but it adds just a bit of character of the early game.

The gym progression. What the hell were they thinking putting Fantina after Crasher Wake and Maylene? Why let us access her city but not battle her, while also not explaining that you have to go to the next two gyms first? At least RSE explained that Norman wouldn't fight you until you had more badges.

I'm sure I could come up with other things, but I just needed to get that out of my system.

[healbellls]

Want new-and-exciting plots for your character? Long to reach out to more of your followers, but don’t know where to start? Fear not! Fill out this form and give your RP partners both present and future all the of juicy jumping off points they need to help you get your characters acquainted. Be sure to tag the players whose characters YOU want more cues to interact with, and repost, don’t reblog! Feel free to add or remove sections as you see fit. Template here.

Mun name: Vani OOC Contact: Asks, IM, Discord is meant only for my mutuals.

Who the heck is my muse anyway:

// This is a multimuse blog, in order to spare me from making this post way too big, I won't be talking about each and every muse I got here.

My muses are separated into three tiers:

Primary muses: My main ones. The ones I'm sure, I have a better grasp on and have far more consistency with than others. (Morty, Juan, Barry and Drake).

Secondary muses: Muses that were basically NPCs, turned into muses. They can be fickle at times, since they aren't exactly my priority. It only means I prefer reserving these guys, for far more plotted oriented stuff. Rather than just blindly tossing them around. (Prof. Rowan and Brendan)

Tertiary muses: AKA - friends only or long time partners muses. I only use these characters with a select few people, it is nothing personal. I'm merely managing my RPs, furthermore I have my own reasons for only wanting to use them with a select few people. I'll be the one approaching people about these muses. (Lance)

I feel like I got a pretty neat variety in type of muses, to offer folks. But at the same time, some may be a tad obscure to some folks. Which is all A-OK for me. I'm still deciding whether or not, I'll bring back some other old muses I had.

Points of interest:

// My muses aren't set in stone. Sure, there are somethings about them I can't and won't change, because they are integral to my portrayal. Aside from it, I'd say they can be adjusted to fit in with a lot of the newer things that are being brought to the franchise.

I know it may be intimidating/daunting, because of my preference for the older things. But that's way more a matter of preferring, to stick with what I grew up with and I'm familiar with, more than anything else.

What they’ve been up to recently:

// Timeline wise. I like using B2W2's setting as the "present time", for most of my muses. So here's a quick run down for it:

Juan and Morty: PWT, they can either be in Unova or they've returned from the event.

Drake stayed back in Hoenn, alongside Brendan. Who's 18 years old by then, and he is finally taking on the duties of being the region's champion.

Barry has been travelling around the world, visiting each and every region. In this moment, he should be in Unova, taking on the League challenge and checking out the PWT.

Prof. Rowan is still working on his researches in Sinnoh.

Where to find them:

// I kinda of answered this above LMAO. But, if we aren't speaking of a B2W2's setting then things change a lot:

HGSS's events - Johto region, Ecruteak city, Morty.

Pt events - Sinnoh region. Barry is traveling around the region, never really stopping somewhere for long. Rowan is also going around the region, his research has picked up a lot of steam.

Emerald's events - Hoenn region. Juan is in Sootopolis city, recently returned to his gym leader duties, and gets caught up with the weather disaster caused by Groudon and Kyogre. Brendan is specifically Emerald's protagonist, he doesn't stay in a place for long.

ORAS's events - Hoenn region. Drake is technically speaking, a mixed bag of Emerald and ORAS's takes on Hoenn. But due to being in possession of a mega Salamence, that makes him a lot more ORAS oriented. He is within the region, and arrives in Ever grand city just in time to be challenged by Brendan.

Current plans:

// I'm genuinely trying to stay active around here, and this isn't anyone's fault but my own! I'm adjusting myself to my new IRL schedule. Despite that, I'm definetely interested in getting the ball rolling around here.

I'm looking to start new plots and interactions, with both new and former partners.

Desired interactions:

// pspsppspspspspsps fellow league comrades pspspspsps come get ur shit co-workers.

Honestly? I just want to give a shot at these really old muses I got.

Offered interactions:

// I'm down to pretty much anything, I'm really willing to give a shot at! Just beware, some of my muses may touch on some subjects that could make others uncomfortable. And I trust you guys will do the wise option, and not engage with the ones you feel like will be too much for you.

It's all fine by me.

Current open post/s:

// None atm. I don't do opens, sorry.

I tend to reblog prompts, which I highly encourage to be sent! They help tons to break the ice between us!

Anything else?:

// I'm just happy to say I've finally got a place, for these guys. I missed them tons <3 As well as seeing so many familiar faces still around!

Repost, don't reblog it! Feel free to steal it, and say I tagged you!

[spaceorphanssecondbreakfastclub]

SO's Bookclub: Secret, Silent Screams

Title: Secret, Silent Screams Author: Joan Lowery Nixon Genre: YA Mystery

Goodreads Summary:

Is Barry's death the latest tragedy in a string of suicides at Farrington Park High School? Or is it murder? Marti is sure her friend Barry didn't take his own life, but no one will believe her except Police Officer Prescott. But opening an investigation takes time, and Marti is determined to find her friend's killer soon. Because even now he could be planning his next crime.

Review:

There is a lot going on this book. Right off the bat, the dedication is to you - the middle grade reader - to say that JLN cares, and please don't commit suicide. It's a sweet sentiment, one that I'm sure came from JLN's heart - but oh my, does the dedication set the tone and this book go in some strange places to get a really muddied point across.

The plot isn't that much different than The Stalker - only this one is at least written better. Marti believes her friend Barry's death is a murder not a suicide, and the book is her trying to unravel the truth of what happened. And of course - the usual unfolding of the plot ensues. Marti isn't that bad of a protagonist, but omg, is she still making dumb choices -- like not telling her cop friend about the person following her around and calling her, or the fact that she calls into a national TV interview to exclaim that the death was not a suicide but a murder - really making her an easy target for the actual murderer.

The actual secret and silent screams will come from the reader who just wants Marti to make more sensible choices. That said, she is way, way better than a majority of the other heroines - and the fact that I decently enjoyed this one is a testament at how much more tolerable Marti is comparatively.

Before I get into what really interested in the books - it's trope watch! It's small town Texas, but isn't so Texas that you /know/ you're in Texas. Religion, however, pops its head up again after a long absence (and I'll get to more on that in a moment). I've also come up with a few more tropes - ever since The Ghosts of Now creepy phone calls have become a thing. Yes, it does add tension (it always creeps me out) but JLN has streamlined how she does her tension.

And, I realized that the heroine never has any female friends. Marti kind of has a bff named Kim, but Kim is blown off every. single. time. Man, I'd be annoyed, too, if I were Kim. Usually, the love interest is the only real friend in these books - but since this one was DOA (a twist for ole JLN) Marti seems particularly cut off.

I should note that, like the Stalker, Marti befriends a young cop named Karen to help her out. Karen's fine - and works as the older mentor role - though the whole side plot where Marti fixes her love life is a little - meh, why are we doing this?. (As an aside - it's actually Karen on the cover - something I never realized as a kid, because I failed to really pay attention to the details of the character descriptions.)

As a whole, I did enjoy reading it more than most of the rest of them. While Marti still is an idiot - at least the plot makes sense and works as a middle-grade mystery. I think the tension is really what JLN does well, and she's got it here for a majority of the book.

But, okay, so here's the thing, though. Unlike most of these other books - this one had me thinking about thematic elements. Because there is some complicated messaging in here, and I'm not exactly sure what Nixon was going for.

But what stuck out to me the most, however, was that we're now in the late-80s. And during that time, there was a push back on pop culture - particularly rock music, as it was claimed that it was destroying the youth of America. And Nixon kind of digs into what would have been a hot-button issue of the day. But how she does it is so... weird.

There are a few suicides before Barry's. And this leads a pastor and a psychologist to come out and push back against specific rock music that was glorifying suicide. (And, omg, there's even an Ozzy Osborne reference - the first real pop culture reference I think I've noted in one of these books. I kind of mad me laugh.) It's somewhat clear that both the pastor and the psychologist are looking to exploit these suicides to further their own teaching and get a book published. It's such a weird framing.

Because - yeah, suicide is a heavy topic (and you can tell Nixon did research it) but since this wasn't a topic, and since those pushing the suicide narrative had their own (conservative) agenda, it felt somewhat dismissive of the conversations people should rightfully be happing about suicide.

Layered on top of that is Marti screaming her head off at both of them for being wrong -- but not because she disagrees with the sentiment about rock music (and youth culture) but because (almost comically) she believes her friend was murdered.

There are attempts to have discussion about suicide and mental illness but they're completely undermined by the fact that Barry's death was a homicide and not a suicide. It's like Nixon wanted to talk about suicide, but also had to write her mystery, too. Idk, like I said - the whole thing is muddled and I, overall, wish the conversations surrounding suicide would have been better handled and not flippantly dismissed because one character was murdered.

Overall, it's a bit average for a book, and a decent read against all the rest of these that I've been reading. But, man, there are some definite talking points in it...

Rating: 3 stars

[sammy-witha-c]

NO NO WAIT transgender Henry Oak actually means SO much to me. I don’t know it just adds so much to his character I think. Like...

Henry loves nature. Henry loves Earth. So he gets transported away from the Forgotten Realms and onto Earth and he decides to start transitioning, right, and it’s such a hard choice for him because he finds beauty in all things living and he wants to find beauty in himself but he isn’t happy with his body as it is. He isn’t happy with how it represents him. 

We need to see the fucking amazing potential in a transphobic Barry. Guys are you telling me Barry “keep your shit in check and act calm all the time and repress everything and go with nature / the natural way of things” Oak WOULDN’T be SUCH a good narrative foil for Henry who wants to be loved by his father but also wants to be nothing like his father LIKE.... GUYS. GUYS. Henry’s story is so incredibly transgender I’m thinking about it so hard. 

So he starts transitioning and you know what. You know what happens? Henry starts to look exactly. Like. Barry. Not in everything- Barry doesn’t have his sunburn / tan, Henry’s more expressive than Barry ever is. But the resemblance is fucking uncanny. Henry used to be able to find his mom in his femininity but now all he sees is his dad. He tries to get as far away from “Hen” and Barry as possible and only ends up feeling like he got closer. He parents his boys in the exact opposite way Barry parented him but still feels like a fuck-up. 

And then. And guys I really am freaking out here. Henry gets back to the Forgotten Realms, and all the sudden- he’s alone with these people he doesn’t know. He’s trans. He’s off his testosterone shots. He’s already Different from the other dads(PARALLELS TO HIM BEING THE ONLY ONE WITH POWERS). It’s a lot for him okay. And then. 

He discovers his dad is one of the purple cloaked people. 

Henry is off his T-shots. Henry’s body starts to change- his fat deposits are shifting, he’s not growing his beard anymore, and none of it is sudden but it’s still upsetting. Henry transitions as a way to express who he is(i.e. becoming as different from Barry as possible because Barry had expectations for who he should be) but then gets sucked back to his dad and his hard work starts coming undone. Take my Henry-gets-his-period-back the night that they rescue the kids and find out who the purple cloak people are headcanon and THINK ABOUT IT because I certainly am!! 

Henry is transgender. Henry comes back to the Forgotten Realms; he starts detransitioning against his will, and his confidence he built up about who he is starts to fade as he remembers his dad and his past and his Difference. Henry is transgender. 

Lark and Sparrow look just like him. They look like what he’s built up, what he’s worked for- they act how Henry wanted to be when he was young and not yet used to the rules. They love nature and Henry watches them love life- they’re rowdy and chaotic but they’re happy. They’re so happy. 

They look nothing like Barry. 

[pika-ace]

Legends Arceus: Silver Phantoms AU - Faces of the Future

My GOD I did not expect this brainrot to be so huge!

Anyway, this is basically the sequel to this post in a scenario where the Phantom Family get randomly yeeted back to the future and have to slowly get reintroduced to friends and family they left behind and hopefully get memories back too.

So we'll start with Emmet and Ingo, which basically involves all the Unova gym leaders and possibly the Elite 4 and Alder. Being the heads of a pretty popular battle facility means they've got connections, and are maybe closer with some gym leaders than others. Elesa probably has them come in one at a time to re-introduce themselves to Ingo and Emmet, so they know their faces and start building a foundation of trust again with all these strangely dressed people. The Straiton Trio bring them little treats that Emmet and Ingo like (Akari gets some too obviously), Burgh maybe sits with them and draws, letting them do the same alongside him, Skyla introduces them to her bird Pokemon (maybe the one Elesa borrowed to find them was one of hers) to try and get them acquainted to all these new Pokemon, and so on. (I'm not exactly an avid fan of the headcanon that Drayden and Iris are their family biological, adopted, or otherwise, but if you wanna add that for more drama and angst go RIGHT AHEAD :3)

And for Akari? Hoo boy. So we got her mom or parents depending on how you see her family situation in the initial post. Elesa would probably let Johanna spend some time with them, sitting on the opposite ends of the room. They'd probably use things to slowly get her to trust Johanna, like giving her her old baby blanket and some plushies, as their scent seems familiar and soothing to Akari. Eventually, Akari would let Johanna approach her, and maybe Akari would slowly take her hand and the touch would gently awaken something deep within her. She doesn't know what it is, but she knows this lady and knows she can trust her. It's not perfect, but it's a start.

But now I wanna talk about the OTHER DPP characters. Like Barry. This poor boy has been almost a shell of his former self ever since his best friend disappeared. He still rushes everywhere, but he doesn't bump into people or fine them. He tried to wait to start his journey, thinking Akari would be found very soon cause 'this doesn't happen here, this doesn't happen to us! She's fine, she just got a little lost that's all!' But Rowan isn't going to wait forever. So Barry starts his journey. He gets every gym badge with a bittersweet smile, his mind protesting that this isn't right. Akari should be there with him, battling him, competing with him to get badges, working together against Team Galactic, saving the world together; doing it all alone...just doesn't feel right at all. He probably also forgoes the Champion position after beating Cynthia, because it feels unearned to him. He had no rival to challenge him or be an obstacle for him to overcome. So now he mostly just hangs out in the Battle Resort or wanders around the region...then he sees the picture of Akari on social media and it's like a switch has been flipped.

He BOOKS IT to Unova, thankfully arriving AFTER Johanna because he just about kicks down the door when he finds the place where they're being held and Johanna has to hold him back from bursting in there and scaring the daylights out of Akari. They explain the situation to him, and at first Barry's reaction is denial, because there's no way, right? They let him in after making him promise to tone it down, he goes in and says 'hey' and, as expected...no reaction or recognition from Akari. Ingo and Emmet curl a little tighter around her, cause they can tell he's a jumpy one, and Barry slowly spirals into acceptance. His best friend doesn't know who he is. She doesn't remember all the stupid adventures they had together as kids, all the jokes they shared, all the times they chased each other all around Twinleaf...their promise that they would start their journey together. Johanna comforts him, telling him that he just needs to take it slow, so Barry reluctantly does, despite every bone in his body protesting to speed things up. When he goes to see them, he mostly just talks to Akari about their childhood together and tells her about his journey, and...that seems to work. Akari doesn't shy away from him and even takes his hand at one point, commenting that he feels...familiar.

After that, they start bringing over experts from Sinnoh, in the hopes of maybe that will help Akari. Like Professor Rowan and Cynthia.

Lucas, who tagged along to help, enters the room, looking EXACTLY like Rei, and Akari bolts over and throws her arms around him while Ingo and Emmet seem to relax more than they've ever seen when a new person enters their quarters. Lucas is, of course, confused as hell, while Barry's like 'Aw no fair!' and they have to gently explain that Lucas isn't Rei. However, Akari doesn't seem to mind. She can tell that Lucas is a lot like Rei; kind, shy, but determined underneath it all. Basically, Lucas ends up becoming the officiator between the Phantom Family and any new stranger. Honestly, everything seems to be going super smoothly, with Akari, Ingo, and Emmet slowly but surely getting used to these faces and finding they can trust them like the Diamond and Pearl Clans.

But when Cynthia and Rowan enter the room...oooooh nooooooo. Akari screams, Ingo grabs her and retreats to the farthest corner, and Emmet and their Pokemon are ready to THROW DOWN. They quickly get Cynthia and Rowan out of the room before they actually get hurt (they got out before getting a Will 'o' Wisp and a Thunderbolt to the back), and catch the names Kamado and Volo in the chaos. We got some clues. So while Elesa and Johanna go to calm them down, the rest do some research about these names which inevitably leads them to articles and books about Ancient Hisui. They find old pictures of Kamado, and texts documenting Volo, as well as these mysterious myths of Silver Phantoms, maybe along with a few rough sketches as they were likely honored by the two clans after they suddenly vanished. The sketches, of course, are Ingo, Emmet, and Akari. This...has suddenly gotten ten times more complicated.

[gurugirl]

The Tiffany Club Part 17*

Summary: Some domestic sweetness for the lovebirds and talk of a trip to London for the both of them and then the rest is just smut

Warnings: Smut (f receiving oral + piv), spitting, unprotected sex, cream pie, spanking, use of a belt, and dd/lg dynamic

Part 16*

Part 17*

Quitting Tiffany’s was bittersweet. Of course, Harry was the biggest factor in me leaving the club but now that we have told one another how we feel, along with how much I trust him and the way he treats me, I can’t deny that it’s a decision that also makes me happy. I’m probably getting in over my head with this sudden decision but it just feels so right. To be taken care of by the man. To be loved by him. It’s hard to put into words.

Breaking the news to Edmond was also hard. I couldn’t reach out to him through normal channels because he’s married and I would never do anything to betray him in that way in case his wife would find out about me.

So, his last session was mostly us just chatting and lying together. Edmond said he understood and that he wasn’t hurt by it at all but he was sad to say goodbye. He insisted on paying me the full ten grand for the session, even though nothing remotely sexual happened. I’d promised Harry I wouldn’t do anything with Edmond like that and at the beginning of our session I told Edmond I wasn’t going to have him charged and then explained why. But he maintained that he wanted to pay me one last time because I was so special to him.

And now, as I sit here in the huge condo Harry bought while he’s away at a meeting it all feels so surreal. So strange. I love it but I’m still on edge because I always feel like something could change at any moment – something could take all this away and I’d be back to square one. On my last day at Tiffany’s my boss told me that they would always have me back if I chose to return, which helps me feel much better about everything, but now my focus is Harry and preserving our relationship, what we have together.

I’ve also found that I’m becoming happier with eating a little more now that I’m not full on display like I was at Tiffany’s. Harry encouraged it even.

“You know you can eat normal around me, right? I think you’re fucking gorgeous the way you are but you don’t have to be so strict. Really. No pressure but please don’t feel you need to continue being so restrictive with you diet.” He’d said it to me one afternoon when we went out to grab lunch. I didn’t realize he’d noticed my struggle at all. I just stared at him in surprise and he laughed.

With his hands raised in surrender, “Please don’t take it like I’m trying to police what you eat. I just thought I’d say something. Baby, if you want to eat that last taco, then fucking eat it. You have nothing to worry about with me. Just make yourself happy.” He kissed the top of my head as I sat silent. I didn’t know how to respond to him. It was a surprise that he noticed it. And it was nice to hear that he did notice it in a way. I think it made me feel more free and relaxed. More at peace in life. Nothing hidden anymore.

So, I’ve been working on being more comfortable with eating more and feeling okay about it. I didn’t realize the toll it had taken on me mentally, working at Tiffany’s. The body image issues, the need for perfection. But it was my job. So, I try not to beat myself up over the self-training I put myself through to restrict my calorie intake. And I don’t have to now. I have no pressure to change from Harry, but I know that I should, for myself, so I can be in a healthier place in my mind. The idea of gaining even a single pound scares me a bit, but I’ve been working on it. Slowly.

When Harry came home, quite early might I add, I was in the middle of making notes for my research. I heard the door open, and Barry’s click-clacking jog as he ran to the door to greet the new man in his life. Harry and Barry were quite well bonded at this point; Barry preferring to sit closer to Harry on the couch than me. But that might just be because Harry is quite the sucker when it comes to sharing his food with Barry.

And let me tell you, getting their names correct all the time is quite the challenge. When I’m talking to Harry and I say his name, Barry is right there because he thinks I’ve just called his name. And sometimes I call Barry Harry and vice versa. It’s fun.

I greet Harry with a hug and a kiss and he returns the gesture, “Missed my girl. Had to come home early to you. How’s your day been?” God I love his voice and the way he cares for me.

“Fine. Just doing the usual, holed up in the office and putting some stuff together for my piece. You home for the rest of the day?”

Harry nodded down at me, keeping his arms wrapped around me, holding me close to him, another kiss, this time to my forehead, “Yes. Everything at the office is taken care of today. And anyway, I can come and go as I please. I’m the boss, baby.” Harry's smirk was cocky and sure.

“You are the boss, daddy.” I smushed my face into his chest and inhaled. Harry was comfort.

We both talked about our day and then made dinner together before eating. It felt very domestic and very peaceful, but it still seems very surreal. Like I’m Cinderella and pulled out of a thankless job to marry the Prince who will always love me and take care of me. Not something I've been accustomed to but something I can surely grow to love.

“What are you thinking about, my love?” Harry chewed his bite as he watched me.

“Just how I feel so, at ease now. Like I can breathe a little. Just happy is all.” I reached my hand out to squeeze his forearm with a smile on my face.

“I love you. You make me feel the same way. S’why I couldn’t wait to get home to you today. Just wanted to breathe.”

“I love you too, Harry.” I said smiling brightly at him.

Harry grinned and leaned forward on the table, his demeanor suddenly changed to a little more serious, “I have to go back to London at the end of next week. Just found out today. There’s a big investor coming and London is where they’d prefer to meet so I go wherever they want. I’m the boss at the company but all the big investors are the ones keeping it that way.” He laughs, “Would you like to come with me? The meetings themselves will only be for two days, but if you come, we could spend more time there if you wanted, make it a week and we could do a little vacation. How does that sound?”

I imagined what it would be like going to London with Harry. It sounded wonderful, “I’d really like to go, but I haven’t found a dog sitter or anything like that for Barry. I’ve never really been away from him so I would want it to be someone who could come here and stay with him and for that it would have to be someone we really trust.”

Harry pursed his lips and looked toward the corner of the ceiling in thought humming, “I know someone who we can trust. If we can’t find a legit dog sitter by the time we need to leave, my friend Richard will do it.”

I furrowed my brow, “Richard? How do you know he’ll do it? He seems like he doesn’t need a side gig. And is he good with dogs?” I was concerned. Barry was the best dog, easiest guy to handle but he was still an emotional being who would miss me while I was away. I wanted to have someone watch Barry who would give him plenty of attention and sneak him the occasional treat.

Harry chuckled, “I know he’ll do it because he’s been begging me to house-sit. When I first saw the place, Richard was with me. I think he just wants an excuse to stay in Midtown. He lives a bit further out, has to take the train in or drive to get to the office. His house is massive, but this place isn’t in Midtown. We’re right next to central park here with some of the best restaurants in the world. And yes, he’s a dog lover. Plus, and here’s the biggest one, he only goes into the office on Mondays and the rest he works at home so he could potentially be here all day with Barry. How does that sound? Until we find a dog sitter who we can pay for things like this, Richard will do it. I’m sure of it.”

It seemed like Harry had thought about all this already, “Did you rehearse that?” I laughed and Harry joined me.

He nodded as he spoke, “I knew you’d need to find a sitter and I know Richard will do it. I haven’t spoken to him about it but that’s only because I wanted to know if you were okay with that first.”

I shrugged, “I think it sounds quite ideal. Can we have him come over so we can give him a run through first? That would make me feel better about it.”

So, it was set. I’d be going to London with Harry and Richard would be staying with Barry. After Harry got off the phone with Richard we cleaned up the kitchen together. Harry was being quite touchy-feely with me. Every time he passed by he’d brush against my back or arm, or he’d purposefully wrap a hand around the back of my neck and give it a quick squeeze. I knew he was trying to rile me up. It was working too. Just the thought of what the man could do to me always had me excited.

When Harry closed the dishwasher he came up behind me and put his arms around my front and squeezed me into his body. He dropped his mouth down to my neck and feathered light kisses on my skin, up toward my ear which had me sighing and leaning back into him. I put my arms over Harry’s and turned my head so I could feel closer to him. He kissed my check and then the edge of my lips.

Harry pushed his nose into my cheekbone and then kissed my cheek again, “Why can’t I keep my hands off you? What’s your secret?” Harry whispered against my skin and sighed.

I closed my eyes and felt myself withering away into a soft, liquid mess in his arms, “Maybe because you know how much I always need you to touch me.” You pressed yourself into him as much as you possibly could. There wasn’t anyway to get any closer to him like this.

“Yeah? My little girl needs me to touch her? Where should I touch you?” Harry continued kissing down my neck again, small wet pecks that weren’t enough. I needed more.

“Everywhere. I want you all over me, Daddy.”  I dropped my hands away from Harry’s as he slid his own upward and grazed over my clothed breasts and squeezed at each one gently before bringing his hands back down and grasping my hips. When he pushed his own hips into my bottom I could feel a lump pressing into me.

“Let’s take these pants off you. Need to have a little dessert. Daddy’s still hungry.” Harry put his fingers into the band of my sweatpants and pulled them down my legs, helping me out of the warm material. When the cold air hit my skin, goosebumps covered my thighs and Harry noticed right away, cooing at me, “Oh, honey. Look at this…” he smoothed his hands up my thighs and nudged me forward a bit so I had to lean myself slightly over the counter, my palms flat on the cold, smooth marble.

Harry knelt down behind me and bit over my panties that covered my butt cheeks. I moaned and looked up toward the ceiling. I knew I was in for a nice treat. Anytime Harry did anything to me it was perfection. Harry pulled my panties down my legs in the same fashion that he did my sweat pants, eventually leaving my bottom half completely bare.

Harry placed his hands in between my thighs and pushed my legs apart in silence and then he pushed at my low back, causing me to lean over the counter so my ass was angled up and he could see my pussy fully now.

I laid my arms over the counter and twisted myself a little so I could turn to look at Harry behind me. His eyes were focused on my bum and everything before him. He caressed and squeezed at my cheeks, pulling them apart gently and gave a quick smack to the left side. I jumped and sighed.

Harry was still on his knees behind me, his face level with my pussy when he finally leaned in to push a small kiss right over my labia. Wiggling my bottom a little I kept my eyes on Harry as he leaned in again for another kiss, but this time on my ass cheek and then he softly dragged his wet lips over my bum hole and kissed me there too.

“Daddy…” I moaned. I loved it when he took his time with me. Harry knew all the things I wanted and needed. I loved how he treated me like I was a delicacy every time we had sex.

“What is it baby? Just wanted to say my name? Hmmm?” I nodded and groaned; my body turned so I could see Harry.

Harry flicked his eyes up to mine and grinned, “Time for my dessert. Smells so yummy…”

Harry put his gaze back on the sight that was only his from now on. He slowly moved in to place an open mouth kiss over my entrance and I closed my eyes. Soon, his open mouth kiss included his tongue pressing over my slit with a flat and wide tongue.

He wrapped one arm around the front of my hips and with his other hand he held the back of my thigh to keep me securely in place.

Harry dug in and got to work on me. His nose was nuzzled into my ass and his lips over my cunt. He’d suck me in a little and then lap at me.

Then he slowed down and began to tease a little. He slowly licked from my clit up toward my bum, over and over again. Licking it like he was trying to lick at an ice cream cone and savor the taste. The feeling of his wet tongue, flat and wide, gliding over my labia up and down was soft but it was driving me crazy. I wanted him to fuck me so bad. But he always took the lead when it came to sex so I just let him do whatever he wanted to me.

Soon, I could feel that I was totally slippery and messy, dripping down my thighs, cunt puffy, and entrance ready to take something into itself. My moaning was soft and high pitched. Harry’s continuous lapping of my pussy, the slow, continual licks up and down had me nearly purring.

He didn’t stop when I’d made such a mess that his whole chin and nose were shiny, or when I’d dripped down to the marble floors below us. No, he continued his tortuously, slow, sensual licking. I could hear his breathing getting heavier. Harry was clearly also turned on by this.

“Baby, you should see this. Your little creamy pussy is so sopping wet right now. Completely drenched me and dripping down your legs. Mmm…” he leaned in again, continuing the slow drag of his tongue over me. I knew it must be a mess back there. I could feel how wet I was. His simple, slow motions, the brush of his wide tongue on me and through my folds, over and over again were completely insane. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever experienced. He just continued lapping at me and drinking my arousal in.

After many more minutes, I can’t be sure of exactly how long it took, Harry finally changed his position. I turned to look back at him again, his face wet with me and flushed. He stood up and unbuckled his belt, keeping his eyes on me, a stern look on his face. I continued leaning over the counter, keeping myself in place for him.

“Daddy’s gonna give you more. Don’t worry baby.” He lowered his trousers as he spoke and then pulled his briefs off right after. His cock was always a sight. It had me tingling at the thought of how it felt to stretch me apart.

“Only need what you want to give me, Daddy. Everything you do to me is so good.” I responded to him, my body turned so I could look into his eyes.

“I know, honey. You always seem to like what I give you, don’t you? Such a good girl for Daddy. S’why I love you so much, baby. Always so good for me.” Keeping his eyes on mine he lifted up his belt and wrapped it around my thighs, tightening the belt around me and buckling to keep it in place. I could feel the leather pinching into my skin he’d had it so tight.

When Harry felt the belt was secured tightly enough he brought his hips to mine and I could feel him nudge his hard dick into my ass cheeks. Everything was wet back there. He’d licked all over me, for a good fifteen to twenty minutes. I was soaked from my clit to my anus, and even down my thighs.

“I’m gonna fuck my good girl here in a minute. It’s gonna feel very tight with your legs closed like this, though. Think you’re ready for it? Think you can take Daddy’s cock like this?” He landed a palm over my right cheek and I jumped and moaned at the feel.

“Mmm… yes, Daddy. I’ll take it all. Just fuck my hole however you want to. Need to feel you split me in half.” I said as I wiggled against him.

Harry groaned and smoothed his hands up from my ass, over my ribs and around to my breasts, leaning himself over me. He kissed the back of my shoulder and neck and I closed my eyes.

Then his warmth disappeared as he grasped my ass, spreading me apart a bit and I could feel him nudging his tip at my entrance. He glided himself through my slippery slit, up and down and then landed a hand over my left cheek making me gasp.

When he’d angled himself back again to my entrance this time he began to slowly push into me. The stretch and tightness of him entering me like this was beyond anything I’d ever felt. He’d properly prepared me beforehand though, with his teasing tongue. I was fully aroused and I knew I’d be able to take all of him with how wet and hot I was.

When he’d pushed in half way he let out a whimper and I could hear him panting. He was feeling it too. How tight it was. With my thighs buckled together my pussy was especially tight for him. We both felt the intensity of it.

Harry backed himself out and then rocked in again. He did it a number of times. I could feel him pushing my insides apart when he pressed in and then feeling the emptiness when he backed himself out to the tip. It was like I could feel all his ridges and thickness with how tight my pussy was in this position.

The more he rocked in and out of me, the deeper he was able to get, eventually plunging into me as far as his cock could reach. I sucked in a sharp breath of air at the feel and leaned my head back.

“Okay, baby? This too much?” Harry asked me sweetly but he didn’t stop his languid motion of fucking in and out of my cunt.

I shook my head, “No Daddy. It feels so fucking good like this.” I breathed out in a whine.

Harry grunted and began to roll his hips a little faster. My wet pussy was taking his cock very well, despite the incredibly tight fit. The human body is an incredible machine. Just by appearances, one would look at the size of Harry’s erect penis and then look at the size of a normal pussy, especially one that was not spread open with thighs apart, but with thighs tightly secured together, and think that just wouldn’t fit all the way in there. But, it’s not the case. Harry fits. He saw to it by getting me so turned on and taking his time beforehand that now he’s able to firmly tuck himself into my walls over and over again.

“Yeah. It fuckin feels so good, baby. So fucking tight and wet.” Harry was struggling with dirty talk tonight. His need for release was strong too, it had to be. All that time he spent back there licking me up probably caused him to feel just as on edge as I was. I just knew this felt incredible for him.

“Fuck me, just like, Daddy. Use my pussy to get off. Mmmm…” Harry hastened the movement of his hips at my words and now the stretch was unbelievable. He couldn’t move in and out of me as fast as normal because it was such a tight fit like this, but each push in had me being pressed forward, and each time he dragged his cock back out to the tip it pulled me back with him. Even with how wet I was, the tightness was almost overwhelming.

“Daddy’s gonna come soon honey. I’m gonna use your soft pussy to get off, just like you like but can you come for Daddy first?” He had to still his hips as he spoke. I knew it must be hard for him to keep talking while he was fucking into my tight pussy.

I whimpered and pushed my forehead into the countertop before speaking, “Yeah. I can come on your cock daddy.”

We both moaned as Harry began to thrust again, in and out, faint slapping noises coming from our bodies. Harry held onto my hips with an intense grip as he fucked himself into me, his long cock reaching deep into my tummy every time he pushed in to the hilt.

Each stroke had me closer and closer. I was moaning and whimpering and Harry was grunting at each roll of his hips due to the force it took to get himself pressed into me all the way. In and out of my cunt, creating more of a mess as each moment passed.

Harry pulled my hips back a little to position my hips further away from the counter, “I’m gonna try to go in and fuck you a little harder, okay baby. Can you hold on to the counter for me?”

I nod and grasp onto the counter as best as I can. I know I’m in for it if he needed to give me space for what he’s about to do. I squeezed my eyes closed as I felt him slide his cock out to the tip, knowing what’s going to take place next.

And I was not wrong in my assumption. Harry rammed into me as hard and fast as he could. It still wasn’t as fast as he’s been able to go before, but with how tightly squeezed together my thighs were, his speed was still very impressive and caused my ears to ring and my legs to get wobbly under the pressure.

Each plunge of his cock deep into me made a splash-plop-splash-plop sound as I grew wetter with my orgasm nearing.

I was being rocked forward at each thrust, my hair falling around my face and swaying, and the skin on my forearms that lie over the counter where I held on began to burn from the quick jolts forward each time Harry got balls deep.

No words could be exchanged. We were both panting and moaning and whimpering into the kitchen and I felt myself begin to tremble under the pressure of Harry’s thick cock spreading me apart with each stab of his length being driven into me. The noises between our bodies only got louder and my moans became unstoppable.

“Coming… I’m coming!” I shout as I feel myself spiral out of control and pulse around his fat dick.

Harry held my hips tightly and groaned loudly as he felt me orgasm around him. He continued railing deep into me, fucking me through my release, the splashing sounds only increased.

Finally Harry couldn’t hold back his own orgasm as he came with his hips flush against mine, his body stilled, releasing all of his come as deep inside of me as he could get.

Harry stayed behind me, tucked inside for some moments after as we both caught our breath. I could feel Harry still throbbing as he was coming down from his orgasm. It was intense.

Harry leaned over me and kissed my shoulder blade softly and hummed against my skin, “Fuck, you always feel so good, baby. Always take me so well.”

I just laid out over the counter, the side of my face smushed into the marble that eventually grew warmer as I kept myself pressed over it and nodded with a sigh. I had no words at the moment.

Harry slowly pulled himself out and I felt his mouth back over my pussy as he sucked gently and slurped at me.

Then I felt him quickly release the belt and pull my hips so I was forced to stand and turn to face him. He leaned over me and grasped at my chin, making me drop my mouth open and he spit into my mouth our mixed orgasms poured over my tongue. I kept my mouth open as he backed away and looked at the dirty sight of our come in my mouth. When he smiled at me and looked into my eyes I closed my mouth and swallowed for him.

He shook his head, “Mmm… I love that.” He took his thumb and wiped at my cheek to clean some of the mess that had drizzled out from my mouth, pushing it past my lips and into my mouth.

With his thumb still in my mouth he spoke again, “Let’s go get cleaned up and then take Barry on a walk to the park. I’ve got a sudden burst of energy now.” His grin was wide as he pulled his thumb out.

“Okay, Daddy.”

Chapter 18*

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[tuesdayintheservantshall]

thoughts about the movie spoilers (thomas’s storyline, obviously)

I’m in a weird state because like, I’ve never entirely been with the crowd who felt that Downton had become a good place for Thomas: some of my favorite post canon fics have been ones that had him leave and find something better. And while I enjoy Barris it’s not one of my top ships and what I like about it mostly doesn’t actually come from canon so I while I had decided I hoped they were still together I had to think about it first, and never felt strongly about it. I was ready to add Guy Dexter to my list of ships.

But Thomas running off to work for his new beau? In a way that relies entirely on retaining his goodwill (unless I’ve misunderstood what it means to be a dresser)? I really really hope not! (Also as someone else has pointed out, running off to work in Hollywood just before the Hayes Code comes down um. Maybe not fabulously freeing.) And just... it feels really sloppy to get rid of Richard this way. I mean, I wrote a whole-ass plot summary on why Richard having a wife could be good storytelling, but that relied on Thomas’s emotional plot being a “should I or shouldn’t I stay with him”, not him being gone already. Not to mention unless the whole relationship was still an overall very positive experience I don’t see Thomas letting himself get swept off his feet again immediately by the next guy who comes along! Which I mean, technically it could have gone down in a way that left Thomas encouraged rather than discouraged, but I don’t think that’s the implication in the Official Companion Book, and also, I’m not sure Fellowes’ ethos of relationships really allows for that.

And I don’t know why it makes a difference that Lucy is here to stay but it does dammit! It feels like it’s saying “yes, this is the type of story where if the music swelled that meant Soulmates, but we’re throwing out Thomas’s old soulmate and getting him a sugar daddy instead”. I didn’t necessarily want a story where if the music swelled that meant Soulmates, that was one of the things I disliked about watching Thomas and Richard kiss in theaters, but holy double standards!

Like, okay, Downton Abbey has had a lot of tones/vibes throughout its run. And it would be mean to the people who liked the fairytale tone of the last movie to veer off in a different direction and go back to a different vibe. But at least it would be a nice switch for the people who were frustrated and annoyed with the fairytale tone of the last movie! But this seems more like it’s fucking... keeping the fairytale tone but chucking out the last happily ever after and awkwardly patching on a new one?

I don’t know. I can use the details we’ve been given to create a story that I would like watching, without too much trouble. I just... don’t really think there’s any chance of that being what I see when I watch it.

[supercorpkid]

It’s crossover season - Part 1

Supercorp, Kara Danvers x Daughter!Reader, Lena Luthor x Daughter!Reader, Iron Man x TeamMate!Reader, Captain America x TeamMate!Reader, Doctor Strange x TeamMate!Reader, Thor x TeamMate!Reader, Black Widow x TeamMate!Reader, Hulk x TeamMate!Reader.

Word count: 2570.

For the Marvel fans: this is supposed to be happening between Age of Ultron and Civil War.

You’re in the living room with your moms. It’s Friday night and it’s Kara’s turn to pick the movie. It comes as no surprise when the three of you settle on the couch to watch Wizard of Oz, black and white version.

“Hey, you don’t want to miss this part!” Kara says when you stand up, so you can go to the kitchen to pick up more soda for yourself.

“You are aware this movie is not exactly new, right?” You ask and hear Lena’s chuckle in response.

“Can you get more wine for mom, baby?” Lena asks and you agree with your head, making your way to the kitchen despite Kara’s protests.

You finally picked up the soda can, wine bottle and some chocolates for the road when you hear a loud noise in the living room. You use your super speed to get there, and see Kara being pulled by a portal. But not any portal. Not Barry’s portal, or Cisco’ dimensional portals. Something completely different you never saw before.

“Momma!” You drop everything you’re holding and run to the portal, pushing Kara out of the way. So the portal sucks you in, instead.

“Kid, no!” You hear Kara’s voice and you see her on the other side, but it’s too late. Wherever this portal is heading to, you’re going.

“You’ll find me!” You yell back. And both of your moms faces disappear. “Please, find me.” You whisper.

You fall on the floor with a loud thud. You look around to four guys and one woman staring at you from across the room. You sure never saw them before. There’s a table in the middle. One of them is standing in front of it, staring right at you. He has dark hair, a weird beard style, and you can see something blue glowing on his chest, even though he is wearing a shirt. That’s guy number 1.

Guy number 2 is next to him, in much fancier and weirder clothes. He is wearing a cape (capes are lame, did he not get the memo?), and he also has a weird beard (you’re starting to think it’s fashion).

Sitting behind them is a red haired woman, all dressed in black. She has her legs up the table, giving off an ‘I don’t care about anything’ kind of vibe.

Next to her, guy number 3, is wearing a blue shirt very tight around his muscles, he is definitely the strongest, but his baby blue eyes give you the idea that he is sweet.

And last, guy number 4, is in the back. Arms crossed over, in his lab clothes and glasses. He looks like the sweet science guy.

“A kid!” Guy nº 1 says pointing at you, like no one else can see you’re sitting there in front of them. “I said: find us back-up, and you bring me a child, Strange?”

“I don’t think the child is supposed to be here.” Guy nº 2, or rather cape-guy, answers back.

“No shit, Einstein! It’s a kid!” Guy nº1 snaps back.

“Language!” You and Guy nº 3, baby blue eyes guy, make chorus.

“Great! Just what we needed, a mini Steve Rogers!”

“I’m not a kid!” You finally find something worth saying and you see some eyes rolling at that information.

“Excuse me, miss. The adults are talking.”

“Rude.” You stand up, putting your hands on your waist. “You’re the one who brought me here, mister…?”

“You don’t know who I am?” Guy nº1 asks, so full of himself.

“Should I?” Your answer makes all of his friends smile and try to cover up. He exhales, exasperated.

“I’m Tony Stark, kid.” You blink at him, like he said literally nothing. “I am Iron Man.” He answers like that sentence is supposed to impact you somehow. You shrug and look behind him. To the man with a cape.

“Doctor Strange.” He says with a nod. “I’m the one who brought you here.”

“Banner. Um, Bruce. Bruce Banner.” Lab coat guy answers. He seems sweet looking lost between these people, so you smile at him.

“Steve Rogers.” Baby-blue-eyed guy waves. “Captain America.”

“Natasha Romanoff.” The only other woman in the room adds. “Black Widow.”

“And we are the Avengers.” Mister Stark says and you bite your lips at the information. Should you know who the hell the Avengers are? You never once heard of them, and they all look too normal -except for Cape-guy- and too powerless. Although they could probably be thinking the same thing about you now, so you shouldn’t judge. For all you know, sweet small lab-coat guy in the back can be the most powerful ‘the Avengers’ of all time, and break you in half in one snap.

“Well, ‘the Avengers’ it’s very nice meeting all of you. But, well, if you all don’t mind, I would like to go back to my house and to my moms, please and thank you.” You say and Stark just sighs pointing at Strange.

“Strange, get the kid back to her moms and find someone who can really help in this fight.” He is looking less annoyed, and more tired. “We could seriously use some back-up for this.”

You furrow your brows at the sound of that. You can’t believe you’re even thinking about this, but then the words come out of your mouth before you can think twice or hold it back.

“I can be back-up.”

That could make anyone roll in their seats laughing, but they’re trying to be respectful, so Natasha covers her mouth so you don’t see her smile. Steve looks down with the same smile playing on his lips. Banner almost smiles too. Strange seems to study you for a second. But Stark is laughing hard at you. Ok, again, rude.

“What’s so funny? You said you need back-up. Cape-guy over there brought me here for a reason. I’m offering.”

“No offense kid, but you’re like 12.” Stark says and you roll your eyes.

“Offense very much taken, I’m 16!”

“Yes, well, you’re still a child who wants to go back to her mommies.” He mocks you, making you squint your eyes at him.

“Mister Stark, sir. May I ask what your powers are?”

“Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” He says with a smirk on his lips.

“Oh, that’s it?” It’s time for you to smirk back. “I get now why you need back-up.”

“WOW!” That’s what leaves the whole group’s mouths.

“She’s got you there, Tony.” Banner chimes in, and you smile at yourself proudly.

“Oh really? What are your powers, smart mouth?” He asks thinking he has won, and that only makes you sorry for him.

“Genius, billionaire, I can’t really say that I’m a playboy, but I am a philanthropist.” Your smile comes after your feet leave the floor. “Also, I can fly.”

“So can most of the team.”

“Oh, then I guess most of the team also have super strength, super speed, freeze breath, heat vision, x-ray vision, invulnerability and draw their energies from the sun.”

“Holy shit.” Natasha says and you smile when you look at everyone’s impressed face.

“I think the child is supposed to be here.” Strange says and you agree with your head.

“She’s still a kid.” It’s what Stark says. “Cap, care to jump in here?”

Baby-blue-eyed guy stands up, walking towards you with a soft smile on his face. You smile back, landing on the floor.

“Ever been in a battle, kid?” He asks.

“Sure!” It’s what your mouth says, but deep inside you’re thinking this is insane. They didn’t want you; they didn’t go for you. They wanted your momma, who has real battle experience. You fought empty spaceships and won. Yay you. You have literally no other experience besides this one.

“Can you give us a minute?” Cap asks and you agree with your head, watching them going back to the table and closing the door in front of you. You sit on the floor, waiting for their decision. You want them to want you. It’s a weird feeling, but you want to be needed and respected, especially for your powers, since you don’t have a lot of that going around back home. But at the same time, you feel very scared of walking into a battle (is what he called, right?) with people who could definitely be your parents.

“She’s a kid, you guys can’t be seriously considering this.”

“She has more powers than all of us together, Tony.”

“You didn’t care about that when you recruited Wanda.”

“Wanda walked in on this by herself. Strange, how did we end up with a kid?”

“My magic was to bring someone powerful enough to help. She’s here. Which means she is powerful enough, otherwise the portal wouldn’t have pulled her here. I wasn’t aiming for a kid, but if a kid is what we got, we have to make-do.”

“I agree. She can be helpful.”

“Cap?”

“I don’t know guys, she-she looks twelve.”

“Steve gets it!”

“But she isn’t. She is sixteen. And she wants to help.”

“She is invulnerable, you know.”

“Fine, let’s take a vote. Who thinks the smart mouth should stay?”

You lower your glasses to see their hands. Natasha, Cap, Bruce and Strange raise their hands. You smile proud of yourself. Yeah! But also, no! Did you seriously just walk in a battle -that has nothing to do with you- on purpose?

The door opens a while later and you stand up, looking at ‘the Avengers’ on the other side. You have the biggest smile on your face.

“Oh, did I forget to mention I have super hearing?” You raise one eyebrow, and Stark sighs.

“Of course you do.” He rolls his eyes. “Do you even have a superhero name?”

“I’m Superkid.”

“It has kid in the name, I can’t take her seriously.” He bites back and looks around. “Come on, Strange, let’s try to get Thor back.”

“Wait.” You run after the two of them. “Mister Cape-guy, can you, um, just tell my moms I’m safe?”

“Don’t worry.” He reassures you. “I left a card.”

They resume walking and you look back at the rest of the team, still staring at you. You take a deep breath, and walk back to where they are.

“So, where am I?” You ask, looking at Cap, who just looks dumbfounded by your question.

“You’re on Earth, Superkid.”

“Right.” You laugh. “I meant, which Earth?”

“You mean there is more than one Earth?” Natasha asks and you shake your head agreeing.

“There are infinite Earths in the Multiverse.” You say, pulling up a chair and sitting across from them. “Mine is Earth-38, and the Flash lives on Earth-1, and the Titans on Earth-9, my cousin just joined. Oh, and there’s obviously Earth-X governed by the Nazis-”

“Wait, let me stop you right there.” Cap says, looking shocked by your revelations. “There’s an Earth where the Nazis won?”

“Well, Mister Cap, that’s what the multiverse is all about, isn’t it?” You clasp your hands in front of your body. “When a diversion event occurs, then a new Earth is created. Maybe you have a different name for that here, like alternative or parallel universe.” You look at Banner. “Elseworlds?”

“Right. Pardon us.” Cap says with a smile. “Well, Banner, I believe that big- brain of yours, is filled with questions for our big-brained guest. Don’t let us keep you from it. Nat and I will go get Sam, Bucky and Wanda.”

You wait for the two other Avengers to leave, and you look back at Bruce, finally sitting on the table.

“That’s a lot of people. Mister Stark, Cape-guy, Cap, Natasha, Thor, Sam, Bucky, Wanda, you…” You startle yourself when you count all of them on your fingers. That’s a hell of a team, bigger than the Justice League for sure.

“And it’s not even half of it.” He adds to your confusion.

“That’s a lot of super-heroes for only one Earth.” You look at him with puzzling eyes. “What is your super power, Mister Banner?”

“I-well-” He shuffles around looking embarrassed to say it. “You’ll see in a bit, I suppose.”

“Ok.” You decide to let it go; you don’t want to make him uncomfortable. “What are we up against?”

Apparently, you’re up against alien invasion. You make sure you ask a couple times (or more), if the aliens are actually evil, without informing you’re an alien too. But yes, a bad horde of aliens coming to this Earth very, very soon.

Banner has about 20 questions about the Multiverse. You try your best to explain to him what you know about it, but it seems like this time you’re not even in the same Multiverse. Is there a multiverse of a multiverse?

Talking to Banner is great. He knows so much; you feel dumb around him. Is this how Jamie and Maya feel when you’re explaining something a little too far from their grasp? You don’t know how much time you two are bonding over science, when you hear a thunder sound and lightning falling close to where you are, and run to the window to check what’s going on. Soon, you see a guy, hammer in hand with lightning coming out of it. You look back at Banner, who smiles shyly.

“That would be Thor.”

“Can I?” You point at the window. You don’t know exactly why you’re asking for permission. You just don’t want to seem impolite.

“Of course.” He says and you open the window flying to where Thor is. Oh, he is strong. And he looks extremely powerful. You can’t control the excitement when he turns to you.

“New member?” He asks and you shrug as your answer. “I am Thor, son of Odin.”

“Superkid, daughter of Kara and Lena?”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Superkid-daughter-of-Kara-and-Lena.” Thor says with a puppy smile on his face. He puts his hammer on the ground and looks to the people coming from behind you to greet him. “Ready for battle?”

He reminds you so much of Kara. Puppy smile, blond hair, kind of dorky. You smile too, feeling your heart burst in excitement.

“I am now, Mister Thor.”

He pushes his cape out of his way, smile still on his lips, making his way inside the compound. You look at the way he walks, his muscles, long hair and red cape flying behind him. Wait, have you once said capes are lame? You take it back. Capes are the coolest! You look at his hammer on the ground with puzzling eyes.

“Mister Thor!” You call for him. He turns around to look at you, and the rest of the team also stops to watch you. You walk to the hammer, picking it up from the floor, and pointing at him. “You’ve left your hammer!”

“WHAT THE FUCK!”

Post-credit scene:

“Oh, how polite, they left a card.” Lena picks it up from the floor. “They kidnapped our daughter and left a card.”

“What does it say?” Kara asks, standing up from the floor, where she has been crying for the past two minutes.

“177A, Bleecker St. New York.”

“They left a puzzle?” Kara takes the card away from Lena’s hand. “They took my daughter and left a puzzle? What kind of villain does that?”

“It’s an address, Kara.” Lena holds her shoulder. “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll find her.”

Notes:

So @oncemoonie prompted a marvel crossover and I am having so much fun with this, I hope you guys are too, cause more is coming!

[darlingpetao3]

House of W (Multiple!Wells x Reader, Chapter 9)

Rating: T

Summary: After having to deal with the deaths of an infinite number of Harrison Wells in the Multiverse, you, a magic-wielding meta, have a breakdown and unwittingly create a happy, fictitious sitcom life with some of your favourite men. In a world of comedy and cameos, can Team Flash and an out-of-town magician break through your powers to save you? And what if you don’t want to be saved...?

A/N: Well folks, it’s the final chapter... I’m not sure it’s actually all that great, but here it is and I hope it’s well received, nonetheless! Thanks for coming on this crazy ride with me <3

Tag List: @fandomdancer​ @bluesclues-1234​ @crissymadlock @firstofficer-tilly​ @disneyoncerlover815​ @marvel-lady10 @thecaptainsgingersnap​ @noctvrnalmoth​ @alexxlynn @dontbedumb3​ @heyl0lwhatsup @ryou-cosmos​ @arianalilyblack​ @sonnensplitter​ @imagine-yourself-happy​ @stuckysdaughter​ @wintersire @i-dont-care-lol​ @booksandfandomsarelife1 @marvelhastakenovermybeing​ @marisughh​

PROLOGUE | CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3 | CHAPTER 4 | CHAPTER 5 | CHAPTER 6 | CHAPTER 7 | CHAPTER 8

Eobard Thawne clutches his fist down beside him, surely feeling the surge of Speed Force energy running through his entire body once more. He looks like he’s just taken a hit of the most addictive drug—eyes flashing a dangerous crimson, his whole being vibrating at the speed of sound before everyone’s eyes.

The Reverse Flash turns to Libby and Belle—who both remain frozen in place out of sheer shock after realizing that this man isn’t who he claimed to be—and gives them one of his iconic shit-eating grins.

“Thank you, girls,” he says smugly. “I couldn’t have achieved any of this without you. The next time I have your real uncle under my boot, I’ll think of you wonderful girls.”

“What have we done…?” Belle whispers rhetorically to her sister. A speechless Liberty only shakes her head in reply.

Eobard locks eyes with Barry, who stands in the doorway to the kitchen. The villain smirks before he bolts off, running upward along the diminishing forcefield wall and out through one the holes forming in it. Barry watches on as he decides to let his adversary go. He’s learned by now it’s never the last time he’ll see Eobard Thawne. That bastard always seems to find a way back into everyone’s lives. He’s like a cockroach that won’t stay dead.

Yes… Barry will come face to face with the Reverse Flash again. He may not know when, but when he does, he’ll be ready.

Because right now, you need him.

Your world is falling apart.

Again.

The forcefield continues to fall slowly from above. Your time is limited. You know that in mere minutes, everything will disappear, including the people you love. 

“Mom, we’re so, so sorry,” Belle tells you desperately. “We thought he was just teaching us how to perfect our powers. It felt like a game!”

“My dear, sweet girls,” you look them straight in the eyes as you explain to them, “I assure you both, it’s not your fault. Okay? You had no idea who he really was or what he was capable of. It’s not your fault, do you understand me?” They nod through their tears. “You two may have grown up incredibly fast, far too fast for my liking, in fact, but I am so thrilled that you were- are mine. You will always be my little girls. No matter what.”

“Thank you for being our mom,” Liberty says to you in all seriousness.

“No one is cooler or stronger than you,” Belle adds with a smile very reminiscent of her fathers’. If these two aren’t careful, you’re going to completely lose it in front of them.

Off in the distance, you spot Barry watching this heartfelt scene play out. You wave him over to meet his nieces, so he can see what you’ve created for yourself up close and personal. Libby and Belle should meet their real uncle, a true hero, before they’re…

Barry places a hand each on the girls’ shoulders. See, Barry? They’re real. And I’ll lose them too. Do you feel my pain now? This is what I live through all the time.

Barry’s eyes begin to glisten until the tiny bulbs of tears hold still, unwilling to fall just yet.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you both,” he tells them. “You’re both such bright stars.” They give bittersweet smiles up at him in silence. You don’t think they fully understand what will come to pass in mere minutes, but you do. You can feel it in your bones.

Barry steps back from your family unit so that you all can have one more last moment together. You take this final opportunity to bring your girls in close for a tight hug, letting a sob escape you despite trying to keep it together for your family. You wave a hand over to your husbands as if to gesture for them to get in on this family group hug, and quickly. They do so promptly, all four of them enveloping you, Liberty, and Belle as if to form a loving hug shield.

“I love you,” you make sure to say these three precious words, making eye contact to each and every one of those you have magicked into being here with you today… before they disintegrate before your very eyes.

And soon enough, you can’t even feel them anymore. The forcefield has vanished within the Lab’s basement, along with the Wells and the twins.

You cry. You shake and your body wracks with the sort of sobs that hurt your throat. Barry makes sure he holds you tightly. Caitlin approaches carefully and ends up holding your hand. Then it’s Cisco who puts his own hand on your shoulder as everyone else in the room looks on at your despair.

***

After some much-needed rest in the Medbay, you awake to a spookily quiet Labs. You’re not sure of the time (or day, even), but regardless, you figure it’s best to head home. Goodness knows it’s probably still in shambles. That’ll need to be fixed.

You heave a sigh as you leave the Cortex.

“Come on, you can sigh louder than that.”

You turn around to find the unexpected voice belonging to Zatanna. You imagine she must have had to recoup as well from the amount of magic she would have used to break through to your world.

“Oh, hey,” you say tiredly. “I take it you’re on your way, then?”

“Yeah, I have a show in Coast City in two days, so I better head off.”

“Listen, I’m really sorry to have brought you into all this madness.”

“No, please. If anything, I should thank you as well as offer my condolences... Your magic is something I've never seen before. Honestly, I’m still intrigued by it.” Zatanna hesitates. “Would it be weird if I gave you my contact information? I don’t come across many others with true magic. I’d love to keep in touch. Maybe we could learn from each other?”

“Yes, of course,” you agree. “I think that’s a great idea.” She hands you her card—a glittery black business card with her name and number.

“So, hey,” she says, “You going to be okay?”

You take a few seconds to think her question over.

“I think, in time, I could be,” you answer truthfully.

“I know it may not be much,” Zatanna says, “but one of my powers involves granting wishes. Before I go, is there anything I can do for you? You’ve been through so much. I’ve seen it. And everybody has something they're hoping for. Something they wish they could change…” She pauses, waiting for your answer, but also seems distracted. You wonder what kind of life this woman has led. What has she done in her past that she regrets or wishes for from the bottom of her heart?

“I only wish for Harrison Wells to be in my life,” you answer honestly. Is that so much to ask for? It seems to be that way.

“Is that what your heart most desires?”

You sigh. “More than anything.”

There’s another pause.

“You know, sometimes you’ll find that our wishes come true on their own, even without magic,” the magician points out ominously.

“That’s code for “I just can’t make that wish come true,” isn’t it?” you joke, somewhat.

“The people that we love—they’re only gone when we stop carrying them with us. How you choose to carry Harrison Wells is up to you.”

You let that sink in and press a hand to your heart. He will always be here with you. Right here. You’ll make sure of it.

“I wish you all the luck and magic in the world, (Y/N),” Zatanna says kindly. “It was nice to meet you.”

You nod in thanks, unsure of how to respond to that. With her aged, thick book under her arm, Zatanna Zatara walks down the S.T.A.R. Labs corridor, but you swear her body vanishes before she rounds the corner…

Despite all the trouble you’ve put her through—everyone, really—with all of this, you can still take comfort in the act of making a new friend.

As you walk through the empty hallways of the Labs, you make it to where the elevator lies. You go to press the button to summon the machine when a ding sounds before your finger even touches the button. The doors slide open, and the face that greets you shocks you to your very core.

“Hello, there,” he says.

In fact, you are so stunned that you take a step back, but in doing so, you stumble and begin to topple over. Luckily, a certain someone’s quick arms catch you in time.

The face you know all too well, Harrison Wells, that is, glows with a calm happiness as he looks down at you in his arms. Behind immaculate see-through frames, his pretty blues eyes twinkle like the stars. He smiles like he knows you. You stare up in disbelief, in relief, and in love.

“Hello… Harrison.”

[ladykat-scraps]

Ok, I don't often post my gibberish around these parts, mostly because I feel like I’m too old and uncool to be here. But last week's Barry has been on my mind A LOT, and rather than torture my wonderfully supportive partner with all of my crazy manic thoughts on a TV show, I figured I'd go ahead and utilize the community chatter space that's already available.

Well, fuck. It’s probably fair to say that S03 E02 hath shooketh the fan community. Much has been made of the fact that we all should have seen this coming: a violent person behaving violently isn't exactly a surprise, the audience was never supposed to like Barry, etc. I don't think I have much more to add in that regard which hasn't already been pointed out. What hits so hard, and uncomfortably close to home here, is the fact that I, like so many others in Barry fandom, am complicit in shipping Barry/Sally. Granted, their relationship was always a minefield of issues - it would be naive to argue otherwise - but now that the abusive elements are becoming insurmountable and impossible to ignore, I've had to ask myself, is it ok to continue writing and reading fanfic about a relationship that has turned so toxic? Is it ok to even fantasize about it? What’s going to happen if, say, canonically-speaking, Barry ends up murdering Sally? At this point, I think it’s a very real possibility. Could there be any more blood-curdling, stomach-turning way to sink a ship?

If Hader’s goal was to leave us all squirming with perpetual discomfort, well, mission fucking accomplished. (I’m sure it was).

It’s a discomfort that manifests on so many intricate and myriad levels. There’s discomfort in watching a murderer fill up with uncontrollable rage and then hit himself on the head, knowing that you, too, have self-harmed like this in your less-than-stellar moments. (Finding common ground with a murderer: how fucking awkward.) There’s discomfort around stepping into the middle of a familiar scene that many people have bore witness to: an unstable significant other screaming at their partner, while friends and colleagues stand by in shock, paralyzed by inaction. There’s discomfort in an undue apology from the wronged party, just desperate to make things right again. And of course, for fanfic writers, there’s discomfort in knowing that you’ve written about these two in ways that now feel deeply problematic, and even unethical, given the canonical context. (I did find it interesting that Hader told an interviewer that Sally is based on him; I don’t want to wade too far out into the waters of speculation, particularly when there’s no evidence I’m aware of, and only he can speak to this, but it did make me wonder if he’s also experienced some kind of domestic abuse incident, like she has. Maybe as a witness, or even as a survivor. Perhaps not as an adult, but as a child? The odds are good for it, statistically speaking, in America - greatest country on Earth and all.)

For me, this one feels especially personal, in a way: during that cruel summer of 2020, in the middle of my pandemic-stricken loneliness and desperation, I saw a Barry story on Tumblr, and quite suddenly, got inspired to write a story of my own, based on that one. I ended up with a 50,000 word opus, of which I am incredibly proud, if not also incredibly protective. It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve had even the barest inkling to write any kind of fiction, and feeling inspired like that was nothing short of revelatory. It was like waking up a long-dormant portion of my being, who, through no fault of her own, had been starved for attention and nourishment. I will note that I have no current plans to publish this story, but that doesn’t make the shifting dynamics of the Barry/Sally relationship any less complicating on the world that I’ve been constructing. To think that any story you’ve created - a true labor of love - may now be tainted by the hideous reality of what’s happening in the actual canon, is, well, completely devastating, to say the least.

As I’ve been reeling from the outcome of last week’s episode (nope, not dramatic license - who among us hasn’t been reeling? Who??), I’ve been pondering whether I want to continue on with the story ideas that I’ve been nurturing; whether it’s even right to. The idea of abandoning a relatively newfound, reignited spark in creative writing feels like a death all on its own; but, is it responsible to write tender, touching love scenes around a character who is so clearly violent and dangerous?

One way I’ve started to reconcile this conundrum is realizing that, despite the abrasive harshness of episode two, I’m quite confident Bill Hader himself still has a few tender, touching love scenes written around his clearly violent, dangerous character that have yet to be unveiled. For all his protestations that the audience is not supposed to find Barry likable, or be rooting for him (which, keep in mind, is simply his opinion - he doesn’t want you to find Barry likable because he doesn’t find Barry likable, but an artist doesn’t put their work out into the world without expecting it to be opened up to a wide variety of interpretation), the central premise of the show remains a redemptive one. From episode one, Barry asked us to consider, is it possible to be redeemed for your actions, no matter how severe? It’s still asking that question, and really pushing the limits of acceptability in answers. Which is a big reason why I think so many people do end up rooting for Barry, despite all the obvious reasons not to: after all, if he can be redeemed, in the end, for his actions and choices, then surely redemption is possible for anyone else, too. If a killer can ultimately find forgiveness, then maybe I, too, the viewer who has also made shitty mistakes and choices, can be forgiven. Like for that time I lied to my boss about having a headache because I didn’t feel like going to work that day. Not nearly as bad as murder, right?

Given that we’re only on episode two of this season (and Hader has already confirmed there’s going to be a fourth season, with no definitive series ending in sight), I’m fully expecting the narrative to pull some kind of emotional 180 that will cause Barry to look sympathetic again. Showing the absolute worst of him in episode two has the feel of setting up a particularly unstable house of cards, to stoke up audience fear and loathing, only to toy with our emotions again as tensions rise higher and higher. Yes, of course he’s a dangerous guy, and no, if he were real, no reasonable person would want anything to do with him; that said, condemning the actions of a murderer is not a particularly brave position to take. I think it’s very easy to say “Barry is bad, and he always was: stop calling him cute!” A far more complex (and frankly, interesting) viewpoint is the one the show invites us to take: that of moral ambiguity. After all, Barry makes a lot of terrible choices, but he does make some good ones, too. In season two, he has the opportunity to kill Hank, who was in the process of trying to kill him (and could have killed Sally, too), but he chooses not to. I’m not saying he deserves any kind of special brownie points or pats on the back for not killing someone; I’m just saying that the entire premise of this unbelievably complex and fascinating series rests on the notion that there aren’t necessarily any clearcut lines between good and evil, and that the compulsion towards bad decision-making rests within us all, to some degree. It puts me in mind of what the author of another series I love, who is now, rightly, in my opinion, undergoing her own struggles with shitty choices and redemption, once wrote: “The world isn’t made up of good guys and Death Eaters, Harry.”

So, I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that, while I’m still incredibly disturbed by where this is all going (and terrified of what’s coming up tonight), I think that, for now, I’m ok continuing to ride this ship. Before I got heavily into Barry fiction, my ship of choice was Lams - which, if you’re not in the know, is the Alexander Hamilton/John Laurens fandom. If you wanna talk problematic, Hamilton is your guy: he bought slaves for his sister-in-law, and definitely expressed more than his fair share of period-typical misogyny and racism. And, unlike Barry, he has the added burden of being real. If you pick apart any fanfic pairing, you probably won't have to dig too deep before finding some toxic, maybe even abusive elements that, in real life, would throw up red flags faster than an all-star color guard. But the whole point of fanfic, ultimately, is that the characters can be anyone you want them to be. Anyone you need them to be. If you need Sally to be crying at a coffee shop over a breakup, and Barry is the kindly barista who comforts her, they can be that for you. They are merely the vessels to you, the story’s author, for whatever issues you are writing around. After all, that’s what they are to Hader and Berg. (Someone who I think is doing a really great job of this is @berkmansimagines, whose ongoing “Barry x teen!daughter” series continues to maintain the integrity of the narrative they’ve constructed, while simultaneously building on the new episodes of Barry, and holding him accountable for his worsening actions). Writing for Barry and Sally has been incredibly therapeutic for me, and I hope to continue finding catharsis within these two, just as it must be cathartic to play them.

[sunnygrey99]

Lost Family Pt. 3

Part 1 Part 2

~Trigger warnings: kidnapping, torture, violence, vague mentions of death and taking life. These themes will be present in almost all chapters. Any other triggers for individual chapters will be listed separately. If I have left anything else please let me know and I’ll be sure to add it. Enjoy~

Trigger Warning: Violence, Injury, Blood, Burning.

It’s been 3 months there and things were good still. At least they were fine with everyone except one person. You had the unfortunate pleasure of living in the same building as him. Sitting at the desk in the cortex talking to Cisco to catch up on more pop culture you could feel a hole burning in the side of your head. He was staring at you again and you knew it. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him chewing on his pen and deep in thought. Probably about how to get you out of the group. Rolling your eyes and turning back to Cisco you try ignoring him. Then the alarm went off for a Meta. Barry was in and out of the room quicker than you could process.

His voice coming in over the coms. “Where am I going and what is it guys?”

Cisco jumps on it. “It’s the boardwalk. Looks like it's some sort of electrical meta again.”

“Got it, easy one then” Barry seemed all too happy to take the guy down. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as everyone thought it would be for him. The meta actually got away leaving Barry hurt. You were immediately up and about to go get Barry when he showed up and collapsed on the medical bed in the cortex.

“Barry!” You were next to him quicker than anyone else pulling the front of his suit open to look at the wound on his chest. It was bad and he was writhing in pain. Caitlin was next to him opening drawers and finally pulls out a syringe stabbing his arm with the needle. Seconds later he was out cold. You looked at Caitlin. “What did you do?”

“It's just to put him out of pain but it won't last long. We need to stop the bleeding and quick. This is a large wound so its going to be rough.” she shuffles for equipment.

“Are you going to cauterize it?” You asked shakily. Seeing her nod you looked back to Barry laying in the bed and all you could think is ‘I can’t lose you too’. Your hand hovers over his chest as you feel your hand heating up and glow an almost iridescent and blinding light. Hand making contact with his wound you can hear the hissing of this fusing. After only a second it was done and his bleeding stopped. He shot up like a bullet, screaming in pain. You feel awful but you knew it had to be done. He passed back out from the pain and you laid him back. “Caitlin, can you give him more pain killer?”

Everyone was staring at you. Apparently, Barry and Joe hadn’t informed the others that you had abilities too. Caitlin seemed to shake it off pretty quickly and change her attention back to Barry. She gave him pain killer and started to dress his wounds. You slowly backed away from the bed and to the other room of the cortex. Cisco is still dumbfounded with his jaw hanging down. “Since when did you become a Meta?” You look down and away from everyone.

“I...I’m not. Just born like this I guess.” You suddenly didn’t feel like talking anymore. “Let me know if he's okay and when he wakes up...Please.” You look up for just a second for confirmation and then make a B-line to the balcony on your floor of the lab.

It's been hours with no word exchanged between you and any of the others. The only thing you hear is the ping of a text from Cisco saying ‘Barry is okay and just resting. He’ll heal quick’. You sighed at that before slinking back on the chair on the balcony. Another few hours passing before you hear the door open behind you and see a figure sitting down next to you in another chair.

“You come out here a lot.” A gravely, deep voice reached your ears pulling you from your own thoughts. You glanced over to him and nodded.

“Quite the observation there Dr.Wells.” You said bluntly trying to keep from being too upset. None of this was his fault but you also didn’t need his poor attempts at a conversation.

He sighs and rests his chin in his hand for a second before speaking up again, “I…Sorry, I guess I just meant I wanted to check and see if you were okay. The others didn’t know where you were and Cisco said you never answered him.”

You looked back at your phone realizing there were 16 new messages from Cisco, 2 from Caitlin, and 1 from Joe. You felt even more guilty now and sent them all and ‘I’m fine. Don’t worry just went out for fresh air.’ Looking back to Harry you gave the faintest smile and nodded. “Thanks, I guess I lest time get away from me… It’s… a nice view.”

Harry seemed to hum in agreement. There was a slightly tense silence between the two of you for a few minutes as you watched the sun start to dip under the horizon. Then you felt it. The all too familiar burning hole in the side of your head. For some reason your body is flush with a slight heat. You glanced over to him under your eyelashes. “Did you need something else, Dr.Wells?”

He seemed a bit flustered at being caught staring but kept it under wraps pretty well. “Yeah actually, Everyone else calls me Harry but you only call me Dr. Wells… Why?”

You pondered the question for a few moments before turning back to the horizon. “You are a Doctor and you’ve made it pretty clear you don’t want to be friends. So this is a strictly professional relationship.”

Harry scoffs slightly. “Ridiculous reasoning. I’ve never stated that I don’t want to be friends.”

Whipping your head back to him you go to open your mouth to question him and provide all the examples of his sarcastic comments to you and him always insinuating you are an idiot, but all you can say is “Come again?”

“Look I just don’t treat you differently from the others when I first met them if anything I’m nicer to you than I was to them in the beginning.” He stands to start walking to the door again. “And here I thought there was something the other Dr. Wells did to you to make you hate me. Turns out it’s just me, goodnight Ms.Allen”. He started walking to his own room.

You couldn’t help but stare as he walked away with whiplash from the conversation. Maybe he didn’t hate you. Maybe he just needed to warm up to you. And that's when you started to hatch your plan. Kill them with kindness right? You smiled to yourself and headed back in for the night. This should be interesting.

Part 4

[maverickcalf]

Barry & Mitch

'You're a really bad liar'

Barry x Mitch (Unnamed AU) So We never named this AU, but the idea is that Mitch remained single and made his way up the latter at the firm. Then started his own firm. He was very closed off, both emotionally and his personal life. He basically hires Barry to make sure no one outs him to the press.

Mostly about his transness more than anything.

Anyway here is my writing sample for the fic. Might add more later, I just tossed this through Grammarly so there might be more errors, but I wanted to get this done today.

It was supposed to be an easy hit. The guy who was ordered to rough up had a pretty regular routine from what Barry had observed. But when it came to the night he was supposed to, in Mr. Mcdeere's words, silence him (which is what he usually asked for), something felt different 

It wasn't until Barry, who was perched on a nearby hill, heard the all too familiar sound of glass breaking that he put it together.

Someone else was sent to kill his target. And unfortunately for him, they weren't too quiet about it. Barry looked around wildly, looking for the point of entry to the house. Spotting it seconds too late as one of the goons already made it inside.

The rest of what happened was a bit of a blur. Barry had moved closer, turns out it was two guys, and the other had spotted him and took aim at him. Shit. Thankfully he just grazed his shoulder but the rest of the area was left a mess.

Normally he waited until their agreed-upon time, but this time he had seen that Mcdeere's target also had another enemy. Maybe they wanted the information about Mitch. He needed to give McDeere that news.

He knew even on a Saturday morning McDeere would be home. Barry had never been to his home before opting instead to meet in a small book store. He liked it there. It was always quiet, but not too quiet that their voices stand out.

As Barry knocked at the door he was surprised to hear two sets of barks greet him from the other side, rather aggressive sounding. However, they do not sound like big dogs. Barry waited nervously until he finally heard the barks die down. Instead, he heard the sound of a camera moving.

Barry looked up at it, a bit more surprised than he probably should be. Of course, Mitch had a camera. For someone of his caliber, living alone, made sense. For some reason, however, Barry didn't like it.

The door flew open. Mitch Mcdeere was standing there. Adding to Barry's confusion, he was wearing active wear. He looked like he was in the middle of working out. This was the first time Barry had seen him in anything less than a suit. Once he had seen him without a tie, but nothing like this threw him off.

Because of that, it was up to Mitch to say something first. Barry was too busy standing there with his mouth open.

"What the hell happened to you?" He asked, his face as unreadable to Barry as ever, even as his eyes flicked up and down Barry's form. What Barry did understand is when Mitch took a step back and waved him forward.

Barry did as he was told and walked in. The dogs were intrigued by the new person walking inside, sniffing as far as they could reach, which wasn't far as they were some sort of corgi mix.

"I'm sorry," Barry started to ramble, barely noticing how Mitch was guiding him over to the living room. "The hit, someone else was there. I know you only wanted him roughed up, but they killed him."

"Sit."

Barry did as he was told and sat down on the couch, but he kept talking, "Anyway it doesn't matter I got those guys too. So I didn't fail at all."

He didn't fail, he couldn't fail. Because if he failed Fuches would be right and he would have to go back. And after their fight… he couldn't. Not without begging anyhow. It wasn't until Barry looked up at Mitch did his face fell.

He was frowning, his lips were curled inward. His eyes were still taking Barry in. Fuck, maybe he did fail. Mitch only frowned at people he was angry with.

Barry broke eye contact with Mitch, it was too much for him to handle. "...'m sorry I didn't do what you said-. You don't have to worry about payin-"

"You are hurt."

Barry blinked in surprise and looked up at Mitch in confusion. Barry saw him pointing to his shoulder, which had stopped bleeding, but his shirt was still torn from the bullet.

"Oh, this." Barry said moving his arm slightly, "It's nothing." It should be normal. He was hurt like this all the time and it was nothing. That's what Fuches said anyhow. That he was a marine and could handle a little pain.

"You're a really bad liar, Barry." Mitch chuckled briefly, but his eyes remained the same.

Barry winced, looking down at his feet, noticing now that they were covered in mud and he had trailed in through the hall. No wonder Mitch was mad.

Damn, he did mess things up, but he couldn't… he couldn't go back to Fuches. That would mean he was right, that he wasn't ready to leave Ohio. And Barry didn't want to go back, not back to his apartment where he was so alone. 

He didn't even notice that he had been sitting there stewing until he felt the couch move slightly. 

Barry turned to see Mitch sitting next to him with a first aid kit. At first, he was speechless. It wasn't until he felt Mitch's hand on his arm did he find his voice.

"It's fine. I have dealt with worse." And that was the truth.

"I don't doubt that," Mitch growled. Then he paused, taking a deep breath in and out. His voice is now steadier, "I know you don't like touch. But I need to clean this or it could get infected. Okay?"

Mitch said okay, not as if it was a question, but as something Barry was going to have to deal with.

Barry nodded. "Okay."

Despite dealing with the weight of his crushing failure, the experience of having Mitch patch up his shoulder was pleasant. 

Mitch bandaged the wound the same way he did work, with the sort of attention to detail that others would be jealous of.

Once he was done he closed the kit and stood up. "Now you said there were two other men there? Are they the ones who hurt you?"

Barry nodded, still looking at his bandages, moving his arm slightly. It didn't hurt as much now. "Yeah, but I took care of them."

Mitch was quiet for a moment, before turning back towards the kitchen. 

Barry looked up when he heard the sound of Mitch walking away. "Where-?"

"You look need some breakfast. Do you like eggs?" Mitch said, turning back towards Barry.

Barry blinked, "But I failed-"

Mitch waved his hand, dismissively, "First off, no, you didn't. Second, me feeding you isn't part of the contract. Three, Do you like eggs?"

Barry was taken aback, he was going to fight. Say how he did fail because he didn't do what he had been hired for. But there was something about the way Mitch stood that Barry knew he would lose that fight.

Barry took a deep breath in and out, "I like eggs."

And for the first time, Barry saw a smile creep up on Mitch's face. But it was different than the others he had seen. It was warmer. There was real joy there.

"Good, now stay there, take your shoes off, and relax, okay?"

Something had changed, but Barry wasn't sure what. Was this what it was like to make mistakes and not have it treated like it was the end of the world?

Barry nodded, a hint of a smile appearing on his face as well.

Maybe failing wasn't so bad after all.

[hartigays]

rafe taking barry to a fancy kook party👀

“but you’re still coming, right?”

rafe is pacing back and forth in his room, gnawing on his lip with his phone pressed to his ear.

“sho’ thang, country club,” barry says from the other end, and rafe can immediately tell that he’s fucking blasted already.

it’s four in the afternoon.

but that’s fine, great even. the less barry tries, the better. that’s the whole point, after all. to make everyone but himself as uncomfortable as humanly possible at tonight’s fundraiser or gala or whatever shit his family is hosting.

rafe can never be bothered to remember.

barry maybe possibly perhaps could be a minor casualty in this little endeavor, when it comes to ward at least. it’s not enough to deter rafe - he’ll just. make it up to barry later, or whatever, if it’s a problem. that’s what normal people do, right? just do whatever the fuck you want then ask for forgiveness later. or something like that.

rafe can’t be bothered to remember timeless sayings or what the fuck ever, either.

“wear something- ” rafe pauses, effectively cutting himself off. he was about to tell barry to wear something nice out of habit (the words were even thought in ward’s voice. rafe can feel a vein start to pulse in his forehead). “wear whatever you want. and be late. bring the bike.”

barry is quiet for a moment, and rafe doesn’t know why, but he feels like barry is doing that small half-smile dimple thing that makes rafe feel all wobbly inside.

probably because, as rafe remembers with sudden clarity, barry lives for drama just as much as rafe. it’s kind of why they’re fooling around behind everyone’s backs in the first place.

sure, barry is nice to look at and decent in bed and blah blah blah, but the best part about their relationship is the knowledge of how much it’d cripple people if they knew about it. people like ward cameron, for example.

rafe thinks barry is just as interested as him in seeing ward’s head burst like a grape after seeing them together for the first time. although rafe is pretty sure that’s more because barry just wants their relationship to be public, and he doesn’t really give a shit one way or another how it happens.

ward’s head turning purple from stress is just, like, the cherry on top of the whole shit cake.

“heard,” is all barry says in response to rafe’s requests (or demands, depending on how you look at it) before hanging up.

rafe exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. he turns towards his mirror, smoothing a hand over the shirt that he’d stolen from barry’s closet earlier this morning.

he’d wanted to stay at barry’s all day and convince him that they should go to the fundraiser together instead of just meeting each other there, but rafe never even got a chance to suggest it, only getting so far as asking barry if he could go at all. because barry had to work, the busy fuck.

when he’s not working, he’s dealing nonstop. when he’s not dealing, he’s busy making rafe’s life miserable by filling him with all sorts of stupid mushy feelings that have him missing barry when he’s gone. it’s disgusting, and he despises the fact that he loves it so much.

but he’ll make an exception, because it’s barry. always because it’s barry.

that doesn’t mean that rafe has to fill barry in on all of his plans, necessarily. he can just invite him places and vaguely allude to the real reason for the invite without actually saying it and barry can either go along with it or not.

at least in this situation, barry is seemingly okay with being conned into going to a cameron family event for more reasons than just being rafe’s - well, they hadn’t exactly settled on barry being his date.

rafe had simply asked barry to go and barry had simply said yes.

after barry left for work, rafe had raided his wardrobe, and he’s been wearing the ratty t-shirt ever since. it smells like barry, and rafe wants to smother himself in it.

he also wants to show up tonight in it, just to make things that much worse for ward.

so, rafe does.

sarah’s eyes bug out of her head when she sees him. she opens her mouth when he breezes past her, but he doesn’t stop to listen to whatever she has to say.

rafe can deal with whatever sarah throws at him later. right now, he’s setting a plan in motion and can’t afford to be distracted.

by the time the party is in full swing, rafe has yet to make it into ward’s line of sight, and barry is late. which was the plan, but barry’s almost too late.

the speeches have long since passed, and everyone is either dancing or mingling at this point. his chance to crash the party on-stage, an idea he’d been toying with, comes and goes as the hours pass.

rafe had kind of been hoping he could make a scene.

in the end, he sort of gets his wish.

barry comes strolling in when the party is starting to wind down. he reeks like he smoked a blunt on the way over - rafe can smell it wafting off of him as he storms over.

“are you fucking kidding me?” rafe snaps, ignoring the way barry is eyeing his shirt.

“that mine?” he asks, one brow arched.

rafe looks down at his shirt, then back up at barry, glaring. “yes? whatever. shut up. i had a plan. would it have literally fucking killed you to show up on time?”

“shit, baby boy. you said be late,” barry snorts, rolling his eyes. “ain’t i late?”

“you missed- ” rafe snaps again, an octave higher, before cutting his response short and pinching the bridge of his nose. “i didn’t say this late.”

“pretty sure i don’t remember hearin’ you specify, country club.”

which is fair, rafe was vague for a reason, and perhaps it backfired on him a little. but whatever, he’s mad at barry anyway and there’s not much he can do about that, except, well. be mad.

“i had a whole goddamn thing i was going to do,” rafe bitches. “and you missed it.”

barry glances around, eyeing the rather quiet crowd starting to notice their little display. for a moment, it looks like he wants to pull rafe outside for some privacy. but he must see something on rafe’s face, because his expression shifts, and then he’s grinning like a shark.

“ain’t i tell you to quit takin’ my shit?” barry asks, suddenly taking the argument in a new direction. “the fuck i give a shit about being late for when you taking all my damn clothes?”

rafe glances around at the crowd, noting sarah eyeing him from the corner of the room. and next to her, ward.

staring right at rafe, looking murderous. it’s entirely too good, and rafe could kiss barry.

but there’ll be time for that in - well. in like, the next minute, but rafe is determined to draw this out at least a little bit.

“maybe don’t ruin my clothes in the first place and i won’t have to steal yours,” rafe tosses back.

he’s pleased to see barry’s cheeks turn pink - just a little bit.

and then, “you want me to ruin some more? keep stealin’ my shit, that’s what’s gonna happen, princess.”

barry dangles the bait in front of rafe so nicely, he really can’t help but take it.

“i do, actually,” rafe says, then adds, thoughtfully, “wanna take this argument somewhere else?”

“shit, country club. i didn’t know you was such a romantic.”

rafe will certainly show him romantic, if that’s what he wants. only because rafe gets a whole hell of a lot more out of it, too.

he kisses barry right there in front of the whole crowd, with purpose. like it’s the last thing he’ll be able to do.

based on the color of ward’s face, it just might be.

barry grabs the front of rafe’s shirt - or, well, barry’s shirt, technically - and hauls him in closer, kissing him deeper. barry always kisses him like it’s the first time - like he’s constantly discovering something he never knew existed, and now he can’t get enough of it.

rafe is utterly consumed by it. he feels like he’s burning from the inside out, like he’s being stripped bare in front of the universe itself, and he wants to drown himself in it.

“get me out of here and i’ll show you just how romantic i can be,” rafe breathes against barry’s lips, his fingers still knotted in his hair.

barry bumps their foreheads together before extracting himself from rafe’s embrace, barely sparing his surroundings a glance before dragging rafe right back through the front doors. rafe hears the heavy wood shut behind them.

he feels like he’s snorted the fattest line in history when he climbs onto the back of barry’s bike, hearing it roar to life. rafe pulls his helmet on and wraps his arms around barry’s middle, slipping his fingers under the hem of barry’s shirt.

just a touch to tide him over. just until they can get back to barry’s trailer.

it isn’t until they’re speeding out of the parking lot that ward storms outside, shouting something at them from the front steps. it’s completely inaudible, but rafe looks back in time to see the look on ward’s face. his expression alone speaks volumes.

rafe surprisingly finds that, in the grand scheme of things, he doesn’t really give a fuck either way.