#i think it's better if he's a redhead btw

[pics-pizza-peace]

Triumph

[rxmqnova]

Hi!, how are you? So i saw that you have your request open can I request

Mama!Nat x daughter (around 3-4) in where on one of Natasha's missions she lost her memories and her memory stayed around when she left the red room so she doesn't know she has a daughter (duh), when she is told she can't believe it because she never though she would be able to have a child or they take her daughter to see her for when she wakes up and she finds out that she has a daughter that way. she feels insecure about being with her thinking she may hurt her So she avoids her. But reader insist to be with her mama angst with happy ending pls.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas an new year🎉

Btw sorry for the bad grammar/English. it's no my first language

Lost memory

Y/N: 4 years old ——————————————————

NO ONE'S POV "Please, auntie Wanda, I want to see mommy" Y/N begs, hugging Wanda's legs tightly and looking up at her with the best puppy eyes she can do.

Y/N's been begging every single Avenger, one by one, to take her see her mommy. Natasha's last mission didn't go as planned and she got badly hurt. She even was in coma for the entire 3 weeks, but thankfully she's much better now.

Though there is one problem… Unfortunately, Natasha doesn't remember the last years of her life… more specifically, the last memory she has is from more than ten years ago when she escaped the Red room.

Y/N's been begging and crying everyday, wanting to see her mommy. She knows Natasha's here on the compound as she saw how Steve carried her mama to Bruce after the mission.

"Y/N/N" Wanda sighs, lifting Y/N up and sitting her on her hip. "Honey, I know you do, but your mommy needs to rest" She kisses the little girl's head, receiving a whine as Y/N buries her head into Wanda's neck.

"I want mommy" Y/N cries out into Wanda's neck, making Wanda sigh once again.

"I know, bubs, I know"

———

It took a few hours of begging, but Bruce and Doctor Cho agreed that they can't go on like this for much longer. Because the only one Natasha briefly remembers is Clint, he agreed that he'd be the one who tells the redhead about Y/N.

"How are you feeling?" Clint smiles at his best friend, sitting down on the bed.

"I'm fine, I don't know why I still have to be here" Natasha sighs, crossing her arms over chest. "Why are you here?"

"Can't I just come to see how's my friend doing?" Cling teases on which Natasha raises an eyebrow. "But yeah, I'm here to tell you something" He looks at the redhead, preparing himself to tell her about Y/N.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What is it? I feel like nothing can be worse than that I forgot the past 14 years of my life" Natasha sighs, waiting for Clint to speak.

"… We haven't really told you everything, Nat. There's something we left out, but we can't keep that from you anymore" Clint starts. "… You saved a little girl on a mission 3 years ago… She's spent here for about… 2 months and you decided to adopt her. She's 4 now and she's been begging us to take her to you. I know it's-"

"Wait. Wait. I adopted a child? Me?" Natasha asks shocked, not believing anything from what Clint has just said.

"Yeah, I-"

"Mama! Mama!" Y/N bursts into the room, Wanda running after her.

"I'm sorry, I turned around for 2 seconds and she was gone" Wanda explains with a sigh.

"Mama, I missed you!" The tiny girl says, attempting to climb the bed. "Mama" A whine escapes Y/N's lips after another failed attempt of climbing the bed as it's too high for her, holding her arms up for Natasha who's just staring at her shocked.

Wanda's quick to lift Y/N up, sitting her on her hip and holding her tightly as Y/N's trying to wiggle out of her arms and reaching her tiny arms for Natasha.

"N-no, no, I can't" Natasha panics, shaking her head.

"Calm down, Nat" Clint moves closer, trying to comfort his best friend. "Take her out, Wanda" He orders, Wanda nodding immediately.

"Want mommy! Mama!" Y/N cries loudly, kicking her legs and trying to wiggle out of Wanda's arms while the witch is carrying her out of the room again.

———

A few days have passed since Natasha found out about Y/N and she still doesn't know how to feel about that. And now when she's finally allowed to leave the bed and get back to normal life, it seems even scarier.

Y/N, on the other hand, has been crying nonstop through the days. She just wants her mommy and everyone's been keeping her away again.

"Mama!" Y/N grins once she sees Natasha step into the kitchen, immediately jumping off of the chair and running to the redhead, crashing her little body into Natasha's legs.

"Oh, hi" Natasha says akwardly, carefully peeling the little girl off of herself.

It's not like she wouldn't want a child, but she just doesn't know how to take care of one. After all, she's never taken care of a child before… well, she doesn't remember it… so it's understandable that she's scared of it.

"Mama, I drew you lots of pictures. I'm gonna show you" Y/N informs, already running away for her drawings which makes Natasha let out a sigh of relief and she quickly makes herself something for breakfast.

"Hey, hm. You're Wanda, right?" Natasha asks, sitting down opposite the brunette who smiles and nods in response, so Natasha takes a deep breath before speaking again. "Clint told me you were the one who mostly took care of Y/N. I just… I just wanted to ask you if you could maybe take care of her for a bit more? At least a few more days please?" She asks, hoping to get a yes from the witch.

"Oh, of course. Y/N's such a sweetheart. If you need any help with her, I'll be happy to help you" Wanda smiles warmly on which Natasha lets out a sigh of relief, though the tiny footsteps that are approaching stress her out immediately.

"Look, mama! I have so many pictures for you!" Y/N informs, crawling on Natasha's lap which only makes Natasha panic. She has no idea how to hold the little girl, scared that if she wrapped her arms around her, her hold could be too strong and she'd hurt her. "This is you and me playing soccer, mama!" Y/N grins, pointing at the two figures on her picture before looking up at Natasha who only hums in response and gives the tiny girl an akward smile. "And this is us building a snowman!"

Of course Wanda senses Natasha's discomfort and calls her little niece to come sit back to her and to finish her breakfast which she's been eating before Natasha came in. Natasha mouths a 'thank you', shooting Wanda a smile before quickly finishing her own breakfast, disappearing into the gym without Y/N noticing.

"Where did mommy go, auntie Wanda?" Y/N asks after a while, looking around to find her mother.

"She needs to rest a lot, honey. We should leave her alone for a little bit" Wanda says with a sigh, already knowing this won't satisfy the tiny one.

Y/N pouts, jumping off of her chair, taking her drawings and running away, ignoring Wanda who's calling after her. She hasn't seen her mommy for weeks, she just wants to be with her. Why nobody understands?

The little girl enters Natasha's bedroom only to find it empty. There are ony two more places on the compound Natasha could be, so Y/N decides to check.

After not finding her mother in her office, Y/N ends up in the gym, smiling when she sees Natasha there.

"Mommy, you forgot the pictures!" Y/N informs, running to Natasha with her arms up. "Up! Mama! Up! Please!" The tiny girl pleads, jumping up and down in front of the redhead.

"Y/N, I… just put those drawings on the bench over there. I'll take them later, yeah?" Natasha says, trying her best to not hurt the little one's feelings.

Y/N nods, running away to put her drawings on the bench like Natasha wanted and then running back to her mama.

"Mommy, up please" Y/N requests, pulling out her best puppy eyes in hope to get some cuddles from the redhead.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I can't" Natasha nearly whispers, hoping the little girl would just go away.

"But mama please. I want some cuddles" Y/N repeats again, tears filling her little eyes.

"Y/N, I said no. Please go away" Natasha sighs, slowly losing her patience as the little child is still standing in front of her with her arms up.

"Mama, please" Y/N pleads.

"What is so hard to understand? I said no. Go away" Natasha orders sternly, her voice raised a little bit which makes Y/N run away and cry loudly.

Natasha lets out a sigh after Y/N's cries die down, squeezing her eyes shut. She didn't want to make Y/N cry.

About an hour later Natasha leaves the gym, picking up the drawings from Y/N on the way. She throws them on her bed as soon as she enters her room, deciding to look at them after a shower. She really feels bad for making the tiny one cry.

Fresh out of the shower Natasha sits on her bed, taking all of the papers Y/N gave her and looking at all of them. She can't help the smile that forms on her face while looking at those drawings.

She spots a few more pictures hanging her closet, so she stands up and goes to look. She hasn't noticed them before as Clint only showed her where her room is this morning.

Now feeling even worse Natasha walks around the compound with hope to find the little girl somewhere. And after what feels like stepping into 100 different rooms Natasha finally finds the tiny girl in what seems to be her bedroom, laying on her bed and cuddling to her teddy bear while sobbing.

"Hi there" Natasha says quietly, sitting down on the bed on which Y/N just turns around and buries her head into her pillow. "Can we talk?" "Hm-hm" Y/N shakes her head.

"… Are you mad at me?" Natasha asks, gently placing her hand on Y/N's back and giving it a rub.

"Yes, because you're being mean and don't want to give me cuddles" Y/N mumbles out with a pout, finally looking at her mother with her puffy eyes.

"Y/N, I… I'm sorry, okay? I didn't want to be mean to you, but I just don't remember you" Natasha sighs, tears forming in Y/N's eyes again at the not very nice tone Natasha used. "No, please don't cry. I'm sorry"

"But I want you to give me lots of cuddles and be nice to me, because you're my mama" Y/N cries out, burying her head into her pillow again which makes Natasha think about whether should she leave or not. She's never been in a situation like this. What should she do?

"I'm sorry, please just stop crying" Deciding to stay, Natasha desperately tries to calm down the little girl somehow, but rubbing her back just doesn't seem to be enough.

Though Y/N's tears don't stop. She just wants more comfort from her mommy, so she crawls over to Natasha, sitting on her lap, wrapping her tiny arms around her and burying her face into her mother's chest.

"I… okay" Natasha carefully wraps her arms around the tiny girl which finally makes Y/N calm down and the redhead smile as Y/N's hug brings her this really nice feeling she doesn't remember feeling before.

"Mama?" Y/N questions, lifting her head to look at Natasha who hums in response, smiling a little bit. "Did you look at my pictures?" She continues, finally being in her mommy's arms making her forget everything that happened just a few minutes ago on which Natasha lets out a chuckle.

"I did, they're very pretty, sweetheart" Natasha tells the tiny one, receiving a huge smile from the little girl before she cuddles up to her, making Natasha smile.

It will surely take a while until Natasha learns how to take care of Y/N and it will surely be hard, but now the redhead knows she wants to try and be a mother to the tiny girl. And there was only one thing that made her realize… a hug from her little girl.

----------------------

I'm sorry it took so long. I hope you had wonderful Christmas and New year as well!! <33

Part 2

Series masterlist

Masterlist

[thatoneyanderewriter]

Deception

pairing: yandere!coriolanus snow x everdeen!reader

summary: it’s the things we love the most that destroy us.

warnings: yandere behavior, stalking, implied murder, violence, delusion, possessive!snow(as in VERY possessive) unhealthy relationships, superiority complex, narcissistic tendencies.

a/n: I love Lucy gray okay? but she didn’t exist in this! Just for the plot btw. also more yandere tbosas characters to come!

Coriolanus liked to think that he was always on top. Snows were, after all, very prominent. That was what was keeping him going in life. His name.

This mentorship would be the key to his future. He had already decided he wanted to be the President of Panem, another way for him to gain control.

He first notices you at the reaping. Not physically. But it’s programmed live, so everyone could see. You stood out. Maybe not on purpose, but to him you did.

“District 12 Girl is Y/N Everdeen.”

The Mayor looked smug. You look over to a smug redhead. He wondered what past you shared with her. And you stood tall and confident. You kept your expression the same as you walk.

The redhead screamed, as the mayor called for help. That was revenge. But you didn’t do anything else, as you stood, the Mayor slapped you so hard you were off of your knees.

But you made no reaction as you stood back up, giving the mayor a warm smile as he was taken away. This was your opportunity, sure. You went over to the mic simply said,”Thank you, hope you enjoyed the show!”

Stepping back, You bowed, and added,”I hope you’ll enjoy my show just as much as I do!” You acted as if the audience was cheering, but it was silence.

The Peacekeepers shove you inside as Jessup is announced as the District 12 Male. You shake hands and that’s one of the last moments of the reaping he sees of you.

To be honest, receiving District 12 was a slap to the face. It was the small, joke district. It was clear Dean Highbottom had something against him, giving it to him on purpose.

In fairness, Coriolanus had made fun of him with friends behind his back, but still. It wasn’t fair. His petty resentment shouldn’t intertwine with his work.

But, you had some sort of gift. One he’d use to his advantage when it came to winning the games. And clearly, people liked you.

“I’ll have to admit, Coriolanus, you’ve gotten lucky, His fellow classmate, Hilarius teased. “I have, He replied proudly, having placed his plate next to Clemensia, He spots pie and immediately goes after it.

He hadn’t had Apple Pie in quite some time. The thought of it made his stomach growl. When all of a sudden, Dean Highbottom placed a bogger slice on his plate.”Oh, take a big one. Growing boy like you can handle it.”

Coriolanus grins at him. Thank you, sir. I can always find room for pie.” The Dean responds, “Yes, pleasures are never hard to accommodate, No one would know better than I.”

He never liked Dean Highbottom. He probably only had his position due to his fame of creating the hunger games.

The conversation sent chills down Coriolanus’ spine when Dean Highbottom spoke the words,”Look at you, in your makeshift shirt and your too-tight shoes, trying to hold it together. Strutting around the Capitol, when I doubt the Snows have a pot to piss in. Even with a prize, it would be a stretch, and you don’t yet have one, do you? What then, I wonder, would happen to you? What then?”

The next morning, Coriolanus stood at the Train Station. After hearing about the arrival of the tributes, he felt it was best to see you personally. A start that most hadn’t jumped to.

This made him feel more confident. And in his hand was a white rose, one from his grandmother’s garden. It was Tigris who suggested bringing a gift. And his cousin was never wrong, most of the time at least.

The train was a bit late but when you arrived, didn’t run per se, but rushed over to you, rose in hand. “Welcome to the Capitol, He greeted you.

You look up at him.”You shouldn’t be here, well, you don’t look like you do.” “I probably shouldn’t, He admits. You laugh a little, but aren’t scared. You don’t trust him right away of course.

“So then, What’s a Capitol boy like you doing around here? You ask, eyeing his clothing. “I’m your mentor, He said.”And I wanted to know you without the Capitol.”

“Hm, a rebel, You teased, taking the rose from him.”Does everyone have a mentor?” “Yes, but the others are waiting I suppose, He winked.

Coriolanus was intrigued. You were a bit more bold and confident than he expected. But the reaping showed a little bit of that.

“What does my mentor do besides bringing roses? You joke. “I do my best to take care of you, He said.”Coriolanus Snow.”

“I’m sure, if you’re my mentor, you know my name, but I like yours, You compliment.”And good luck, by the way. A lot of people don’t like me. Might try to kill you too.”

It was a clear joke, but Coriolanus was still puzzled. How could anyone hate you? You weren’t dangerous by any means, and the confidence you had became attractive to him, almost.

You expect to go on by yourself, but Coriolanus joins beside you, being shoved into the platform. He did so much for you, and maybe you should’ve done more. Then, you saved his life. Out of oath and a sense of guilt. And the fact you wanted to help people, not do the opposite.

Eventually, The games ended. And while Coriolanus was certainly relieved. Dean Highbottom found out about his little favor to help you win.

He just had to see you one last time. To say that he had grown infatuated was an understatement. You just were very charming, and sweet. Naive, even. Maybe not from your eyes, but his? Definitely.

“Are you okay? You ask.”You seemed urgent when you asked to meet up.” It was secret, just like your relationship.

“They’re punishing me, He said.”I don’t know if I’ll see you again. I cheated to help you win.” “I would’ve done the same, Coryo, You remind him.”Besides, I owe you. What’s your punishment?”

He could either lie, or tell you the truth. See, he always felt like you needed to be saved by him. He was superior, in a way. Of course he loved you, but he wanted to protect you too.

“I’m going to be a Peacekeeper for 20 years, He admits.”Protocol, but at least I won’t suffer humiliation.”

You chuckle.”I know, Coryo. I’d rather suffer humiliation than be a Peacekeeper. Will I see you again?” He replied,”I don’t know.”

But when you kiss him, it feel incredible. You loved him so. And from your eyes, he loved you too, yet it didn’t change your confidence and boldness.

He was well aware that you would’ve stood up for what’s right. You were an Everdeen. A family of that, according to you.

But truthfully, he insisted on district 12. “Well, they’re sending me back too, Coryo, You tell him.”Might pick up on more jobs to survive.”

He kissed you roughly one last time. Even though he was sure he’d see you again. Maybe without your knowledge.

When you came home, you did as you said. You picked up on more jobs. And when he first was there began following you, more like stalking you, but he was protective of you, his girl, he’d say to himself.

He didn’t want anyone else to have you. And he knew his silly infatuation became an Obsession. But this wasn’t new. Not in the slightest.

You began singing a little at the Hob, alongside the Covey, a group of musicians. You didn’t sing too much, he notices.

But when you did sing, you sang beautifully. You always sang what you felt. And he admired it. One night, however, you noticed him. But made a small reaction, turning back to the song.

When you ended, you rushed over.”Coryo. Didn’t expect to see you here.” “Surprised? He teased. “A little, You admit.”But, I knew you would. It wasn’t too much of a surprise. Nice buzz cut.”

He laughed, your fingers brushing over his shaved head. He’d miss his curls, but they’d return. “Where’s Sejanus? You ask.

You find him within the crowd, and start up a conversation. However, the night ends with you and Coriolanus, like how he wanted.

His ever growing possessiveness for you was showing a little, his grip on your hand was strong. You didn’t care, though. Not at first. You might not see him again. Or rarely.

Your judgement was clouded by the feeling of Love. A feeling many experience at your age. “Y/N, A voice said drunkenly.

You turn, annoyance in your tone.”What? I know exactly why you’re here.” Your former lover, well, truthfully, a one-sided crush at that. He just thought you were lovers.

He'd believe Mayfair over you, on a lie. that was it for you. “Come on, I miss what we had! He whines. “As if it was anything special, You scoffed.”See, if you hadn’t believed that redhead, it would’ve been just fine. She tried to kill me!”

Coriolanus wouldn’t admit it, at least to you, but he was fuming. His jaw clenched, and obvious signs of frustration. You soothe him, or try to. “Coryo, he’s an idiot, You say, assuringly.

“Ah, your new victim? Your former friend said jokingly, but anger in his voice.”She’s just using you, like with me.”

And that seemed to be it. You could only watch as his fists landed on his face. Stumbling back, he groans.”What the-“ Coriolanus wasn’t done. Now relying on his anger, jealousy, and bloodlust. He punched his jaw, so badly that by the time he was done, which was after a few times, his knuckles were bleeding, and blood landed on him.

Clearly, he was good as dead. This was a side you hadn’t seen before. But nonetheless, You couldn’t react. “Coryo… You could only say. And as he looks up, he hugs you, a bit more passionately than usual.

“You were never here. Go. I can handle it.”

You decide on listening. He wasn’t even really suggesting, but rather ordering. And you didn’t want to stay a moment longer.

Truthfully, He felt a sense of power, and control when he was punching him. You were his, not your former friend’s. He had to make sure of that.

It was a swift process, he had killed before, technically having no other choice but still, he was worried you wouldn’t forgive him. Or tell someone. That would ruin his future.

Of course, it didn’t mean he regretted doing so. He loved the feeling he got. The violence itself he enjoyed. And the way he spoke of you, it was justified. He shouldn’t have talked to you like that.

“Coryo, are you alright?”

Hearing your voice, his head spins. Your voice was like a bell to him. “I’m fine, are you? He hurt you? Coriolanus asked in response.

You shake your head.”He’s done this before. He may have hurt me once, but not again.” It was stupid, in your eyes. It wasn’t like he was a lover of yours, just your best friend. You thought he’d choose you over Mayfair, who clearly had her eyes on him.

Which wouldn’t be a problem, if she wasn’t a bitch. “As long as I’m here, Nobody will hurt you, Coriolanus assured you. You smile.”I know. And that’s why I love you, Coryo. Always there for me. I owe you big time.”

You owed him, and he’d never let you forget that. You belonged to him, and nobody else. You better remember that.

[short-honey-badger]

Better this Way

This one was just for fun. I've been on a roll lately so I hope everyone has been enjoying my works! Again, feel free to ask me anything. I love prompts!

This is preLuffy btw so Shanks had both arms.

Warnings: Just some more smut. drinking too. Shanks falls hard and fast.

Masterlist

Your vision swam, but you weren't about to let that stop you from making it to the privy. You had to piss something awful after having another round of shots with the attractive redhead in the corner of the bar. Shanks, you would learn later, had shouted at you from his seat after watching you down drink after drink with no intention of stopping. You looked lonely, so he quickly decided that he should be the one to keep such a pretty lass company. 

The Pirate had been pleasantly surprised when a grin let up your face and his breath was knocked away in that moment. You looked radiant, with flushed cheeks and shining eyes as you sauntered to his table. He gulped and sat up straighter in his seat, and his stomach did flip flops when you sat down across from him and he could really see how your smile truly reached your eyes, the way your nose scrunched playfully at him and asked What're we havin'. Shanks was drawn in by your sunshine attitude and it made him feel warm inside just being near you. He had never felt this way before, and he vaguely wondered if there was something wrong with him.

"Anything that'll get you to stay here with me," Shanks had said and his grin had been dopey. Like a kid finding out his first crush. 

You had laughed and shouted for shots be be brought for both of them, and from there, conversation flowed as easily as water. You learned that he was a powerful pirate captain with an equally strong crew. He loved his crew and always fought for what he thought was right in the world. The more he spoke, the more you enjoyed his ideas of true freedom and being out at sea. It was refreshing to find someone so passionate about his ideals.

You told him that you were more of a drifter, content to go wherever the wind took you. You didn't like the idea of being tied down to some island so had stolen away on a ship when you were younger and hadn't looked back since. Shanks had asked if you wanted to join his crew, if only for being such a nice drinking partner, and you were careful to always change the subject back to more natural topics without answering. 

Now, hours later, You finally found yourself in the bathroom. You quickly do your business and then go to wash up. You sigh when the warm water rushes over your hands, and find yourself closing your eyes for just a second to enjoy it. You don't hear the bathroom door open and then shut with a soft click, but you certainly feel the pair of muscular arms that wrap around your waist.

"Shit!" you exclaim and jump, scared for a split second before you recognize the now familiar straw hat that Shanks wore, "You scared the hell outta me. What are you doing in here?" 

Shanks hums and proceeds to nuzzle his face in the crook of your neck. He was well and truly drunk now and it had felt like you were taking forever in the bathroom. Without thinking, he had risen from his chair and had gone to find his perfect girl. And how could you not be in his eyes? You laughed at his shitty jokes and understood his odd sense of humor. He felt his heart stutter and skip every time you sent him even the smallest look. Shanks knows that you are the one for him. No one else had ever made him stutter and blush like some fool before.

"Coun't wait for ya out there," Shanks slurs against your skin, and his arms tighten around your waist, "Felt like you were gone forever," he noses at your neck and grins at the way you shiver at his touch. Oh, he liked that. 

You giggle at his whiney tone and lean back into his chest. He was like a personal furnace, "It's naughty to sneak into the women's bathroom, ya know," You admonish with a teasing grin, but Shanks just shrugs his lean shoulders and tightens his grip on you. 

"Then let's get outta here. Just you and me," The captain urges. You turn in his arms to look up at him and admire how relaxed and carefree this man is. Sure the two of you had done some heavy flirting through the night, but this wasn't something you had thought would come up. Now that either of you would complain.

"Let's go then. I've got a place at the hotel down the road," You agree and Shanks lights up like a kid on his birthday. He is kissing you before you blink, lips hungry for your own at his groans into the kiss. From there, it becomes a drunken stumble out of the bar and to the hotel down the street. The Red-Haired Pirates see their captain leave and let loose a couple of drunken catcalls to his delight before the two of you slip out the exit.

Shanks has you pinned to the bed the second that the door is locked. He needs to keep kissing you or it feels like his chest would combust. He needed to feel you, all of you, open for him. You gladly surrender to his onslaught, moaning with reckless abandon when the pirate's tongue fills your mouth just right. He pulls away with a stuttered moan of your name, and when you catch sight of his face, the man is frantic with need.

"Lemme suck your cock, Captain," You demand and Shanks makes a broken sound in the back of his throat. He grabs the waistband of his pants and shoves them down and off with ease before rolling to his back. You settle between his legs, licking your lips as you admire the length in front of you. Shanks was not a small man whatsoever. You actually wondered how much of his dick you were going to be able to fit in your mouth. 

"Not scared are ya, Baby?' Shanks teases and grips his cock. The head is red and swollen and he nudges it against your soft lips, "You were the one who wanted to suck my cock."

Your cheeks burn at the insinuation that you couldn't take him. You show him how wrong he is by opening your mouth and taking him almost all the way down. You breathe harshly through your nose and clench your eyes against the sudden burn in your throat. 

"Fuck!" Shanks snarls and bucks his hips. You gag around him but refuse to move away. You take a second to adjust and then bob your head, swallowing him down with a whine. Precum and drool leak from your lips and the blowjob turns fast and sloppy. Neither of you are sober or patient enough to take your time right now. However, if Shanks has it his way, he'll have all the time in the world to worship you. 

The pirate shoves you off his dick just before he comes, gripping the base of his dick tightly to prevent himself from actually erupting like a preteen. You drop beside him with a content sigh and Shanks follows once he has himself under control. 

"My turn," He says, and then his mouth is exactly where you want him. He licks your end to end, tongue flattening over your cunt to gather up your slick and lap it into his mouth. Were you really that wet from just sucking him off? The thought had his moaning against your pussy and drinking straight from the source, lips smacking in obscene noises as he positions two fingers at your entrance.

Shanks shoves them knuckle deep at the same time he sucks your clit into his mouth. He pistons his hand, fingers scissoring to get you to loosen up for him. His tongue flicks your clit just right and your hands find his hair, gripping the strands tightly as you rut against his face. The captain pets your twitching walls through your first orgasm of the night and then pulls away. He makes a show of licking his lips as he grins down at you, "Could have eaten you for hours if I didn't want my cock in you so bad, Baby." 

You twitch your hips up, hissing when the head of his dick catches on your clit, "What are ya waiting for then?" You ask and Shanks falls to leave a lingering kiss on your lips with a chuckle.

"Impatient, girl," He rumbles and then kisses you again. His lips muffle the whine you make when he suddenly sinks into you, stretching your cunt far more than his two fingers had. Shanks gives you half a second before his own impatience runs thin and he begins to thrust. 

Your breath is knocked out of your lungs and you are left to hold on to the redhead's shoulders for dear life as he fucks you. There was no other word to use with how Shanks grips your hips and tilts them just right to have him rutting against your sweet spot. He ruts into you like it is the last day in this world, and you know then that you will never forget this man for however long you live. 

"Feel so good around me, Sweetheart," He pants out and rises so that he can watch you wither on his cock. One hand stays at your hip while the other smooths your hair away from your face, "So lucky to have found you," he continues and grits his teeth when you tighten around him. His hips stutter and he loses his rhythm for a second, "Gonna come soon."

"On my knees," You whine when his pace begins to falter again. You didn't want this to stop yet. 

Shanks reluctantly pulls out of you and you roll to your knees. Your face is buried in the sheets and Shanks grins at the view he has of your leaking cunt and jiggling ass, "This is nice too," he comments and then enters you with a sigh, sinking in even more in this position. He drapes over your back, pushing your hair aside so that he can pepper the sensitive skin of your back and neck with kisses and love bites. He desperately wants to sink his teeth in and never let go. 

You push your hips back to meet his thrust, needing more of him. He massages your hips as he fucks you from the back, "That's it, Baby. Just a little more," He pants out and then slips an arm under your leg. His fingers find your clit and you keen in pleasure at the unexpected touch, "Come on, Cream on my cock," The way he says your name has you coming with a cry and Shanks follows right after. 

He pulls out and paints your back with his spend. The hand on your hip grips to the point of pain, but you don't mind. Carefully, you lower your legs and hips to the bed, wincing a bit at the soreness there. 

Shanks doesn't go far, simply finding the edge of the sheet and cleaning the two of you up with messy strokes. Both of you are still sticky when he falls to the bed beside you, but neither could care. He curls close, throwing an arm around your waist and tugging you close to snuggle against his chest, "What you again later, "He slurs lowly and you giggle and nod, already half asleep in his hold.

The pirate would wake you twice more than night, whispering sweet nothing as he took you again, slow and sleepy. However, it would be you who woke first in the morning. 

Thankfully, Shanks still snoozed away and you took this time to memorize his beautiful face. This man could probably give you everything you could ever want, but you just couldn't tie yourself that close to someone. You were a drifter, just like you had told him at the bar, but guilt still ate at you as you slowly shimmied out of bed and dressed. You tear a blank page from your handy dandy notebook and write a quick note that is left on the nightstand along with the key to your room. You take one last look at his sleeping form as you grip the handle before turning away for the last time. This was for the best, after all. 

The sun would be high in the sky and you would be long gone by the time Shanks woke up. He blindly reached for you and frowned when his hand met the cold bed. His eyes crack open and Shanks quickly sits up when he realizes that he is all alone. His chest aches at the knowledge that you left without even waking him and he falls off the bed to rip the room apart as if that would make you reappear.

He spots the note and key as she blankets settle and dives for it, clenching it tight in his fist as he reads it.

Shanks, I'm sorry for leaving without a goodbye. It's better this way. If the seas are kind, then maybe we will meet again.

It is signed with your name and even a tiny broken heart that you had doodled last second. Shanks sits heavily on the bed, head bowed as he thinks. Soon enough, he stands and dresses swiftly. Your note gets tucked into the lining of his hat for safekeeping as he runs for the ship. Like hell would he wait for seas to bring you back to him? You couldn't have gotten very far in a couple of hours, so if he hurried, Shanks could find you himself. 

[calehenituse-brainrot]

Hiiiii may I request a very obvious and everyone knows it— a simp, pining, very much in love cale? With a dense reader who doesn’t realize they’re making him flustered- dense and oblivious? :>>

Thats all u can choose how u want to write it :))

Oh, ur works are so gooooodd btw :DD

LETS GO BABE !!! AND THANK YOU 🥺🥺💗

im gonna make this short as hell because i need sleep and it's three in the morning. im loopy as hell and couldnt think of how cale as a character would simp and this is the best i could do, im sorry 😭

Alver was a bit elated, to be honest.

After the war, things finally settled down and the lives of the citizens of the Roan Kingdom settled back to normal, or perhaps even better than before.

The talk of heroes was still a warm topic amongst the nobles and commoners, especially about Cale Henituse, the most praised hero of the continent.

Despite the heavy nickname he carries, Cale Henituse continued to be himself — not that Alver was surprised — and still became that bastard guy that Alver trusts.

Cale was chosen to handle the matters a Prime Minister would handle, gaining the position as the proxy of the Prime Minister — a position that was still vacant, of course reserved for Cale himself. But if the man himself knew of it, he'd immediately run away so Alver declared him to just be a proxy to keep the man by his side with the reason that he hasn't found someone fitting for the position yet.

Of course, Cale wasn't given as much as work as an actual Prime Minister are usually given. Alver was kind to his dongsaeng, so he would make sure Cale still has enough rest to slack off for awhile.

During those times, Cale would rarely come by to visit the Royal Palace, which was absolutely understandable. Alver himself would not want to visit his workplace if he's given a day off if he wasn't the Emperor and practically living in his workplace where a political dispute is always happening.

'He's been visiting often, hasn't he?'

Alver glanced up from his paperwork to his dongsaeng who wss reclining on the couch of his study, just sitting there and munching on cookies, this time without Raon.

"Cale..." Alver sets his fountain pen down, looking at Cale with a slight frown on his handsome face. "Is there something wrong?"

"Of course not, Your Highness," Cale answered quickly. "Nothing is wrong."

Alver pursed his lips into a thin line, not believing Cale once a bit because he knows his dongsaeng and while it is probably not something particularly serious from how lax Cale was, Alver was sure it was still something that bothers the redhead.

Alver hummed, taking another sheet of paper from the piles that were on his desk. "Then, is there a reason why you're here?"

"Can I not spend time with my Hyung-nim?" Cale asked with a raised eyebrow as if he was completely serious - Alver knows that he's not because why would Cale be here and spend time with him when he had been whining the other day about how looking at Alver's face was enough to remind him of the stress of work?

Alver shook his head, deciding to just accept Cale Henituse being contradictory as usual. He wonders why he's still so confused when he should know best that Cale Henituse is a walking contradiction and everything he does is confusing.

"Well, if you're staying here, might as well know that Dame [Name] is going to be here again for a private audience."

"From the [Last Name] Household?" Cale questioned and Alver let out a chuckle, "Is there any other one?"

You were a lady from the [Last Name] household, the head family being your single mother, Baroness Charlotte and you were the eldest one out of the three daughters the baroness had. People had originally thought the daughters were going to get married off to older noblemen who were willing to pay off their dowry but due to the Baroness' competence and your clever mind, your sisters have been pried away from the clutches of older noblemen as you were both enough to help your sisters to live.

Your household was compassionate towards orphans and the poor even before the war, providing food and shelter to the ones who needed them. This gives your family very good support from the commoners and loved ones, always being helped by the commoners with the little things. Your family had been very neutral when it comes to siding with the Princes as you all only focused on yourselves and those who are in need.

During the war, Alver had you and not your mother be in charge of sending out help to those who are in need, citizens of the Roan kingdom or not, and to make sure everyone is safe. Due to seeing his thoughtfulness, your family eventually sided with Alver. You had been exceptional in carrying out your duties and earned quite the fame for being the representative of the warm and generous Roan Kingdom, so when you returned, the title Dame was given to you for your services.

Cale would know that, not only because you were an important figure in what would be Roan Kingdom's history regarding politics and international affairs, but you had always coincidentally been wherever he was during the last few years so your title was given pretty quickly and earned much more respect from the nobles.

"Right..." Cale turns away from Alver.

Alver let the conversation to sink into his brain. Why did he have to say that to Cale? The man has been present every time you had to have a private audience with Alver, which had been a frequent event because you were building an establishment to house the homeless.

A knock was heard from the other side of the door of Alver's study.

"Come in."

You stepped into the office, dressed as formally as usual with a white shirt with ruffles and a long, fitted red skirt that flares around your lower calves. There was a folder clutched close to your chest, most likely the cause of your presence here.

"Oh!" You sound elated when you saw Cale in Alver's study but then turned back to look at Alver. "Your Highness, I didn't know you were expecting a guest."

"Dame [Name]," Alver greeted you with a relieved smile. "Please tell me you've brought me good news regarding that housing property case."

Cale stood up from the couch, approaching Alver's desk as well, curious about what good news you were bringing that you were smiling so brightly.

"Of course," you say, closing the door behind you and approaching Alver's desk. "The verdict's out -- the housing property is still within its area and not Viscount Chers'. We sued Viscount Chers for destroying some of the building he claimed to have entered his estate and won, so he has to pay for the cost, damages, and also interest."

Cale has heard of the case before. Viscount Chers had thought the housing property was being built on his land and had ordered his guards to destroy some of the building. With you supervising the project, you immediately sued Viscount Chers for his actions.

"Dame [Name], have I ever told you that I love you?" Alver smiled at you as he received the folder in your hand.

Cale jolted a bit upon hearing Alver's words and glanced at you, seeing your smile as you spoke, "Flattery gets you nowhere, Your Highness."

Alver sighed. "Shame."

Cale wanted to ask since when were you and Alver gotten close enough to be joking around like that. Of course you had been close to the two of them, but it seemed you have gotten more familiar with Alver. Just in time, Alver caught his gaze and raised an eyebrow, confused why Cale looked like he had a lot on his mind.

"How's your family, Dame [Name]?"

"Oh, my, thank you for asking." You cupped your cheek and closed your eyes as you continued, "My mother is well, but my sisters have been going out to parties more than ever. I think they're starting to have people they fancy."

Cale tilted his head, interested. "You seem relaxed about that."

"It's a part of being young," you told him. "Besides, I'm so busy to the point I can't really keep them safe forever. It's like having kids of your own, I guess. What about you, Cale-nim? What would you do with your own kids?"

Cale let his mouth speak before thinking properly, stumbling out his words. "I guess if we have kids -- wait, no, I mean, I already have kids, like Raon, Ohn, and Hong."

Alver watched this with a raised eyebrow, a knowing smirk forming on his lips as he watched his sworn brother trip over his own words and overexplain things. 'Is this why he had been in my office for the last few days?'

"I'm not the type to restrict them too much from experiencing life," Cale told you. "I don't want to be someone they grew to hate because I held them back from living their lives."

You smiled softly at him and Cale grinned, patting himselfon the back for his answer. "That's actually a very good insight for parenting. I might need to remember it once I have kids of my own."

"Aw, look at you both, talking about kids," Alver teased, the shit-eating grin on his face made the alarms in Cale's head come to life.

He caught on.

"Speaking of, Dame [Name], I heard you've been getting many letters regarding marriage," Alver brought up the rumor he had picked up a few weeks ago. He didn't think that such a rumor would end up being something so useful.

"Marriage?" Cale asked, his whole body going tense.

Your cheeks are tinted red as you laughed away Alver's words. "Oh, please, all of them are only sent because they heard you were handing me one of your major projects for developing the kingdom. I'm not dumb enough to see they're simply trying to get to you and Cale-nim."

"You should tell them that you're with my sworn brother so they won't bother you," Alver said, wasting no time to immediately struck that nerve.

You laughed again. "Oh, no, I don't want Cale-nim to get entangled in weird rumors."

"I don't mind."

Cale's cheeks are red when he said that and he wanted to hide from you when you and Alver turned to look at him. He cleared his throat and continued, stuttering a bit when he spoke; "I-I mean, just use my name if they caused you trouble. I don't mind."

"Oh, my, thank you so much, Cale-nim!" You grasped his hand with both hands, the smile on your face so bright that Cale's face immediately darkened with so much blood rushing to his face.

"I might overuse it so much that no one will dare to get close to me," you say, letting go of his hands.

'Oh, please do overuse it,' thought Cale.

"I think that's what my sworn brother would like," Alver added with a grin.

Cale wanted to kick Alver in the shin.

"Do you hate the idea of me with another man that much, Cale-nim?" You asked with a playful grin.

Cale opened his mouth to defend himself but no sound came out when he saw your smile and the red flush of your skin. He closed his mouth and decided to just stand there like an idiot.

"I don't think another man could live up to my standards considering I have been spending so much time with the both of you," you continued shyly. "Perhaps I should linger with the others lest my mother will complain about my being single."

"Or you could just keep spending time with us," Cale prompted, shrugging his shoulders to appear nonchalant. "There's no harm in that. Keep all of the bugging men away."

He doesn't miss the raised blond eyebrow Alver was giving him while you weren't looking.

"Perhaps," you murmured, beginning to walk towards the door. "Talking with the both of you is wonderful but I do have to rush to handle these paperwork."

"What time do you get off work?" Cale questioned quickly.

You stopped, turning to look at the red-head. "Around four. Planning on taking me home and meeting my mother, Cale-nim?"

"She loves the cakes from that dessert shop, right?"

You laughed, shaking your head in disbelief. "Yes, Cale-nim. The strawberry shortcakes are her favorite."

Cale nodded. "Noted."

You bowed to the both of them, excusing yourself out and leaving the two brothers inside the study.

Cale let out a sigh. "Well, I'll be leaving—"

Alver grabbed a discarded paper and crumpled it into a ball, throwing it at Cale who frowns. "What?"

"I cannot believe you came here just so you could ask Dame [Name] on a date."

[soullust]

hair dye dead poets hcs

neil - bleached, but only a little bit, making it look like he spends 24 hours out in the sun, kind of like when black cats "rust"

todd - bleached and dyed a light blue that fades to a greenish hue over time.

knox - hes too scared bc he bleached a streak in his hair once, but he left the bleach in for too long and it melted and he had to cut it super short

charlie - a vibrant, bright red or burgundy — red, either way. his roots have grown out a bit too long because he likes having two-toned hair

meeks - i like the idea of him bleaching his hair blonde, almost white or maybe getting a black + bleached eyebrows dye combo

pitts - long buzz cut and some kind of dye pattern. hearts, smiley faces, tiger print, a whole rainbow, maybee? or just obnoxiously vibrant dark blue

cameron - help me out here? i don't think he would dye his hair. maybe he once dyed his hair a mousy brown color with a temporary dye because of ginger jokes, but he hated it. even charlie said he looked better as a redhead

this is basically a shitpost but i take headcanon and one-shot requests btw

[intheticklecloset]

lee chuuyaa😭😭😭

okay but ı think chuuya should get a revenge you know!! maybe chuuya can get a good revenge and tickle dazai to death! (LEE CHUUYA WAS AWESOME BTW)

So sorry it took me a bit to get to this! I have been giving TickleTober prompts priority since it's officially October now, but I managed to squeeze this one in in the meantime! Enjoy! ^^

This is a sequel to this drabble.

~~~

“Okay, okay, I’m done,” Dazai said after a while of tickling Chuuya. He’d ditched the feather about halfway through, but it didn’t matter. He’d still turned the redhead into a laughing, screaming mess.

Chuuya gasped for breath and blinked back mirthful tears. He swatted Dazai’s hand away when he reached out to brush his hair. “Back off…you bastard…”

Dazai smiled and got up without a word. For a moment Chuuya was a little hurt, thinking he’d just left, but a minute later he returned with a glass of water.

“Drink up. Slowly,” the detective teased him.

Chuuya sat up with a groan and took the water with a muttered “thanks.” After a couple of minutes of catching his breath, he set the glass on a coaster on the coffee table and let out a sigh. “Throw that feather away.”

Dazai laughed. “Yes, Chuuya~”

“Don’t patronize me.”

“Yes, Chuuya~”

The redhead turned to give him a scathing look, then spotted the feather on the ground behind his partner. He suppressed a shudder as he changed tactics and said, “Actually, let me see that thing. I might be able to reattach it.”

“Ooh, does chibi want a reminder of this moment every time he wears his hat?” Dazai chuckled, but he retrieved the item in question dutifully.

Chuuya took it and pretended to contemplate it briefly.

Then he shoved Dazai back onto the couch and wiggled the strands of it against the detective’s neck.

“Aieeehehehehehehehehe! Chuuhuhuhuhuhuuyaaaa!” Dazai squealed, bursting into high-pitched giggles.

“If you’re going to tease me with this wretched thing, you’d better be prepared to take what you dish out, Dazai.” Chuuya grinned as he managed to pin first one arm, then the other while wiggling the feather along his partner’s neck and ears, and even a little further to his collarbone.

“I cahahahahahan ahahahahalways tahahahahahake it, chihihihihihibi~”

Chuuya growled, but he couldn’t help his smile. “Oh, no, Dazai. I want to hear you say my name when I’m tickling you like this, got it?”

Dazai blushed, but still managed to stick his tongue out in the midst of his snickering.

The mafioso ditched the feather and shoved his hands up under the detective’s arms.

Dazai tossed his head back and screeched with laughter, kicking and squirming and – eventually – yelling Chuuya’s name as he pleaded for mercy.

[fdrsamericanflagduckfloaty]

Drop the Miku Binder TJ rant bestie

okay so like

i was just thinking about it, and, like, i think it's fucking nuts but also really weird how the hamilton fandom (which i'm in but i swear i'm not an uwu lams turtles shipper please) somehow took this CRUSTY, TERF-BANGED, UGLY, OLD, REDHEADED, RAPIST ASS MOTHERFUCKER,

and turned his ugly ass into this.

like damn what the hell- what- how???? okay like yeah, they're using daveed diggs as a base for this bullshit, which, okay, fine, but YOU DID NOT NEED TO ADD THE INFO. The idea itself is funny but also a bit weird, however im 99% sure Diggs himself wore that shirt. However, all of the extra info??? come on. Where'd the fandom get this istg y'all-

Also, also, they did something similar by making John Laurens (gay blonde dumbass) into an UWU turtles boy. ....why. Bi trash coffee gremlin tumblr over-worked sleep-deprived alexander hamilton. like yeah relatable but. why. small bean big sweater uwu innocent boy blushy short james madison. ...why. bro was stubborn and would pick a fight and was the 'fuck you' type of shy.

I just find it wild the fandom made this and it is the entirety of the fandom into one. There's the good sides, there's the bad, and there's this. Which encompasses the ENTIRE. FUCKING. FANDOM.

The fandom has its headcanons, it has its perks, but then you reach the side where everyone is just a wild fucking original character. They don't model the historical figures anymore- they're just OCs with the name 'Philip Hamilton' or 'John Laurens' or god forbid our third U.S president 'Thomas Jefferson' slapped onto it.

I'm also so confused as to how this is what the fandom is known for. We have some good fics, we have hella good art, we have a M U S I C A L , and then the first thought people have of the Ham fandom is Miku Binder Third President Founding Fucker Slaveowner Thomas Jefferson.

I also find it kind of offensive (almost put insluting oh my ufckjg-) that they made a founder become this but like he'd probably be really pissed so please keep fucking up his memory lmao he deserves it

But like... also why. What made them think of this.

Like yeah I write 20k word TR smut but you don't see me drawing it.

You don't see me making him an UWU e-boy.

...Eh I probably would for shits and giggles tbh

But like this is founding father Thomas Jefferson. Third Pres. Second VP. First Sec. of State. And he is a furry, ex-cocaine addict. Also btw do they mean John Laurens or John Adams as the former drug dealer part because neither are better but it'd really help

Also bro literally raped his 14 year old slave and had like 6 kids with her. He had her room DIRECTLY NEXT TO HIS. He RAPED HIS DEAD WIFE'S HALF-SISTER. AND HE'S A SAD UWU MAN WHO DID NOTHING WRONG?

Let's not forget this same person made a post saying Lizzie (the Queen) would be reincarnated as a horse when she died. I'm serious. Deadass.

However, it's also funny as fuck because this entire thing is a tarnish to Jefferson and I fucking HATE that bastard so like good job lol

At the same time though it's still super weird??? But insane??? Because how did this become one of the Tumblr exclusives??? like it's Tumblr history at this point. Twitter history. You cannot express any like for the Hamilton musical before you get the 'have you seen miku binder thomas jefferson' and it's like 'well shit'.

But also remember: THIS IS NOT AN OC TO FUCK AROUND WITH. Hamilton the Musical specifically gave you and presented you the founder. Thomas Jefferson. Played by Daveed Diggs. Just because it is played by a POC, but also modernized, and vastly different from the actual founder and President, does not mean that at its core it is NOT STILL THE SAME PERSON.

If you name it Thomas Jefferson, if you use the presentation of him given by Daveed Diggs, you are still using that white fucking slave-owning racist motherfucker, and that's the point of it all.

I find it stupid but funny but also insane, and I wouldn't care, unless I KNEW IT WAS SERIOUS. The artist made it seriously. They made John Laurens. They made Philip Hamilton. They did this seriously.

but like also look at this lmao

This meme of Thomas Jefferson in a Hatsune Miku binder really got trending on Twitter at one point

It's an infamous, hellish, classic meme of both Tumblr and the Hamilton fandom, and it deserves what attention it's got, but Jesus please never unironically make shit like this again, Hamilfans, we're stained by this we don't need another😭🔫

EDIT:

i have more

So like, I just remembered: it kinda romanticizes these guys??? The musical??? so like don't get me wrong i love the music but... it puts them into this light. This pink light. It paints Hamilton as an abolitionist who was outspoken about it. When, in reality, dude traded and sold slaves for his in-laws + wasn't all that outspoken about it + was against immigrants or migrants, WHEN DUDE WAS FROM THE ISLANDS. HE HAD SCOTTISH BLOOD. AND HE'S AGAINST IT? Hypocrisy at its finest.

Washington also owned slaves and ran his own plantation too, so he's not off the hook. Madison, the 'uwu small bean' of the fandom, also owned slaves and ran a plantation. So the main people of this entire fiasco are slave-owners. Perfect. But also I've heard Ron Chernow's book on Hamilton, the entire start of the musical, is a bit biased to Ham himself, so...

You could be saying 'but FDRsduckfloaty, Sally is mentioned!' yes. But however, not enough. Not more. It's not even implied more than potentially ONCE what he did, and I'm not sure it ever was! Cabinet battle 3 states it flat-out but it was cut. For your info, Ben Franklin and John Adams are the only two you can really like in the slavery aspect. Ben bought them but let them go for their freedom, and John detested slavery and was against it. Never owned one.

Jefferson did add a slavery clause to the declaration but it was discarded, and he didn't fight half as much as he could have. Maybe he did and since it was the 1700s he didn't have a lot of support, but surely he could've done something like, I don't know, call it out after his terms? Once you're done gaining your second term and out of office, they can't do shit to it or your presidency, since it's over.

So the musical itself has its own problem and the fandom is even worse. It blatantly disregards that a LOT. A hella lot of the amrev fandom + a small part of the ham fandom has called TJeffs out for it but I mean can we please not make shit like Miku Binder Jefferson and act like he wasn't an actual child rapist???

This video does pretty well at it. I will admit the tagline 'America then, told by America now' almost sends shivers down my spine for what it really means. But then again I find men not knowing they'd make it down into the history books for starting the world's global power and the world's economic powerhouse pretty interesting. Doing something big and knowing it's historical, but not that it's going to form a very, VERY large country, where you'll be honored down the road and called a Founding Father of an entire nation? Signing papers and not knowing they're the founding stones of a country and still looked up to today? Intriguing.

But like still fuck Thomas Jefferson lmao

there's a lot more videos on it that dig deep, but the point is, that Hamilton is a good musical with good songs but it's also very... complex, and a bit problematic, Thomas Jefferson is a little bitch, and you should stan 1776 before you ever stan Hamilton. 1776 does not do this. It is much more realistic. 1776 has Benjamin Franklin and that's an immediate win. Be more like a 1776, be less like a Hamilton.

[soyouareandrewdobson]

Nintendo-vember Level 2: Howard and Nester: How you are not supposed to pay tribute to a comic

Ahhhh, Nintendo Power. Published by Nintendo of America from 1988 till August of 2012, this magazine was part of the childhood of many Nintendo fans. A magazine that functioned as a gaming guide, advertisement for new games and just fun overall for people enthusiastic for Nintendo.

While we did not have Nintendo Power like that where I am from, we had a similar magazine called “Club Nintendo”, which ran from the 90s up till the early 2000s (2002 to be precise), after which it unfortunately got unceremoniously canceled. I had access to these issues thanks to relatives who enjoyed them a lot and honestly, I enjoyed them too. Very informative, highlighting many games and filled with some really fun comic stories here and there.

Now, Club Nintendo wasn’t entirely like Nintendo Power though. For example, among our comics in the magazine we did not have the subject of today’s post: Howard and Nester.

Now for those unaware who they are, a short explanation: Howard and Nester were the characters of a short series of comic strips from the very early days of Nintendo Power. Howard was an adult business man with a bow tie that Matt Smith may like, while Nester was a ten to eleven year old redhead NES player. In other words, he was a little shit.

Howard himself btw was based on Howard Phillips, initially a warehouse manager for Nintendo of America, who at a very young age (he was only in his 20s when he started working for Nintendo) joined the company and would play a major role in the marketing of the NES launch in America. He was also an avid videogamer of the “olden times” so to speak and was Nintendo of America’s spokesperson number uno. Liked by many within the industry, he did however eventually leave Nintendo in 1991 (at only 32 years old), to pursue careers in other companies. Which did not work out quite as well, according to Wikipedia. Though he is still hanging around, kicking, playing and working in the industry, for some german firm no one really knows about.

Man, he even looks kinda like the eleventh Doctor.

Anyway, back to the comic itself: The comic strips were essentially just meant as short, two page fillers ad would feature the caricature of Howard Phillips and Nester, the later supposed to represent Nintendo fanboys, finding themselves in environments related to a current videogame and dealing with whatever situation. Most of the time just ending in some comedic pratfall for a rather impatient Nester to suffer.

Then, after 25 strips, Howard, in relation to Howard Phillips leaving Nintendo, also left the comic, resulting in the thing ending and Nester going on some mini adventures on his own.

Now honestly, reading those strips I don’t think they are really bad. Howard as a character is rather supportive, there are small hints to games they thematically integrate in the comics here and there and some of the scenarios are kinda fun. Plus even the linework is okay for this sort of comic.

However, I genuinely think that Nester is a little bit of a shit. Especially in his first two strips.

He just comes off as smug and a bit of a know it all. Believing he is better than Howard, not grateful for any advice and trying to come off like he is an expert in the eyes of younger, impressionable kids.

Oh god, he is Dobson!

Though that may be what adds to the pratfalls he suffers then. In addition, I am a bit baffled by what games they supposedly star in or how some of the games they talk about are executed in comic.

I mean, the Ducktales comic for example has nothing to do with Ducktales really aside of the moon duck enemy thing kinda being in it (though that may have been related to Disney telling them not to use Scrooge)…

And then there is the fact, that a comic based on the Golgo 13 game was made.

You know, THE Golgo 13? The game based on the famous manga about an assassin for hire?

I mean, what next? A comic based on them in the setting of Home Sweet Home? Though that may have been cool.

It is just, I can see how the duo left some impression on early readers, but I can’t see how they could get quite the appeal, that back in 2008 Nintendo Power would release THIS comic, featuring a now adult Nester talking to his son about the good old days. A little manga-esque like tribute, some people enjoyed.

Not so much You know who though, who decided to draw instead THIS comic in order to “honor” the two and the style of the comic. And in doing so just ended up showing that he kinda never understood the character of Nester, nor the concept behind the original tribute in the first place.

So, why does the comic suck? Because it is just an excuse for Dobson to project his own shitty opinion about how Nintendo “dishonored” the origins of the characters he claims to love onto Nester. All while making also both characters accidentally come off as losers and creepy. Particularly Howard comes off as horrible in the comic. After all, based on the set up established via the first two panels, I can only assume that the guy kidnapped a ten year old boy against his will and put him into cryostasis. Separating him from his family and friends, only to thaw him up again twenty years later. And for what? To show him how far games have come since then?

I get that the comic is supposed to be a joke (though I see nothing in it that makes me laugh), but… well..

For that set up is rather unfortunate and feels more like it should be part of some existential horror story about someone finding themselves completely displaced in time and seeing, how their disappearance tore apart their loved ones. I for one rather ask myself, what happened to Nester’s parents? Were they accused of killing their son and send to prison? Did they commit suicide? Did Howard just kill them to get to Nester in the first place?

And the “motivation” to freeze him -I want to show you how games are played in the future- is just… that doesn’t even feel like a plan. I am genuinely at loss for words to explain the “logic” that Howard must have had and how none of that helps “the joke”.

Like look, the idea that Howard would e.g. pull out some magic item or machine to show Nester how in the future games are played and giving him a bit of a cultural shock only to return back to the present, feels like a set up that could have worked. But this is not the set up of this comic. This comic has Howard use an extreme measurement to achieve his goal, that comes just off as psychotic.

But hey, why bother elaborating on the ramifications of Howard having tortured a child like that (which feels like a great disservice to the real Howard Phillips), when there are games to play.

Or rather, complain about, because that is the only thing Nester does, starting from his shock at seeing Link now having blond hair.

Which is stupid as shit. I am sorry, but considering the kid had been on ice since the late 80s according to this comic, I think his first reaction to seeing game graphics from around 2008 would be “holy shit” as a result of a cultural shock. Not the fact that Link now has blond hair.

Also, way to prove how Nester is only a phony Nintendo fanboy, because he calls Pit by the name of Kid Icarus

See, little trivia bit here: The tendency of calling little Pit (btw, one of my favorite characters in the Nintendo canon ever since I played Uprising. I love that little shota) Kid Icarus, came mostly because of the awful Captain N: The Game Master cartoon from 1989, which named him by his game title. All while the game was a stable of the NES library since 1987 and Pit’s name was a stable in its freaking manual

Look for yourself: Page 7.

Also, getting riled up over Mario not being from Brooklyn when that was NEVER a point in the actual games anyway or Link’s hair color?

Hm, doesn’t that sound familiar…

Look, I am not much a fan of Nester based on the strips I saw, but it would be obvious even to Helen Keller, that Nester here is not himself. He is a stand in for Dobson and his shitty opinions on how Nintendo “betrayed” the old NES fans by making Mario and Co more marketable and ignore their “true and honest” origins. The “real” Nester based on the strips comes off to me more like someone who would freaking geek out at seeing his favorite game characters being these detailed, cartoony badasses fighting equally great villains.

After all, playing as Link who can ride on a horse and fights a giant sized pig demon? Mario throwing planets at Bowser? Mario and Link duking it out with other heroes? Seeing Pit and Palutena in Smash Bros Brawl? Which btw came out in January of 2008, so Nester complaining about not seeing Pit- oh I am sorry “Kid Icarus” would be inaccurate too.

The point I am trying to make is, that if you grew up with the bare minimum presentation some NES games had, you would be gushing over anything “modern”

Heck, considering the sort of stuff Nester played or was into in the comics, he would likely drop the Wii once he learnt about stuff like God of War, Ratchet and Clank and other “badass” and “cool” games other consoles can offer.

But no. Nester is simply overwhelmed with the concept of 3D and “realism”. Though lets be real here, I think realism in videogames is an oxymoron, independent of what console we talk about. I mean, what is e.g. “realistic” about Mario, Sonic, God of War, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil etc? I know at least half a class of biologists who cry each time a new Resident Evil scientist comes off with a new variant of the virus.

Anyway, he is so overwhelmed, he simply just wants to go back to the old days and the game he used (or rather “use”. Btw, great job at even failing at simple past tense) to play.

Only loving the Nintendo Wii once Nester tells him about the online shop and that he can play on it the same shlock he already likely has memorized before Howard put him into cryostasis and as such deprived him of a proper childhood.

Meaning that Howards “plan” to show Nester the future of gaming failed, because instead of embracing the new while also loving the old, he simply rejects the former and embraces the later even more tightly, putting it on a pedestal the same way Dobson does.

Which frankly, is one of the aspects I find the most annoying about Dobson in general when it comes to Nintendo. I get it. He grew up with the NES and I admit, the console had some really great games that build the corner stones of many franchises and the Nintendo empire.

But, and you can crucify me for saying that, by modern day standards (or heck, even standards set up by the follow up console, the SNES) the NES era was kinda bad and many games, even a lot of the classics, can’t stand the test of time as much anymore than they once did.

Before you burn me on the stake, let me explain: I myself grew up with the SNES and GameBoy as my first consoles, so I never played the NES games, even though I was aware of them through Club Nintendo. Only in recent years, thanks to the NES mini and some game collections I downloaded on the PS4, I got to play some of the classic games. And frankly, I think a lot of them suck in some regard. Like the technical limitations of the time, the at times unfair programming to make certain games extra hard and how quick you can actually get through the game once you know what to do, make some games a bit of an underwhelming experience.

Granted, unlike Dobson I will admit, that my opinion is very biased. Coming from my own love of the SNES, as well as decades of playing other games too, including sequels to many of these starter games that managed to polish up things in term of gameplay and presentation. And there is no denying, that there have still been many great games on the console by Nintendo itself, but also third party publishers such as Capcom, Squaresoft, Enix or Konami.

Kirby, Mario Bros 3, Megaman 3 up to 6, Ducktales, Castlevania 3, Contra, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Earthbound are at least some titles that come to my mind.

But it was also the console that gave us stuff like the LJN published videogames, got a shit ton of unnecessary equipment like the Power Glove, established the term “Nintendo Hard” and frankly, I find myself unable to genuinely play the NES Zelda games or Kid Icarus without feeling them quite underwhelming and a bit flawed. So bottom line, I think it was important, I think good stuff came out of it, but it was only the first steps into the right direction. The NES learnt how to walk, so the Switch could run.

Dobson meanwhile worships the era like it was the greatest thing ever, never topped and shoves his opinion into Nester’s mouth. Resulting in the strip’s entire message boiling down essentially to the following:

The past was greater than what we have now and is the only thing I love. Oh, and fuck you for making me try new things.

Which is ironic, coming from the person who among other things would claim that such a behavior is toxic years later. Going onto rants how Kylo Ren is such a nostalgic nerd and criticism of “toxic fans” when he ranted about Star Wars – The Last Jedi and that critics of it are all Nazis. Even though Kylo is the one saying “let the past die”.

There is also just the fact, that the comic obviously misses the idea behind the original Howard and Nester tribute comic from Nintendo Power.

Like sure, the comic in the magazine was flawed. The manga inspired art work wasn’t that great and Nester felt like he grew up into the sort of young adult who made videos on youtube in the late 2008s, trying to emulate the AVGN by reviewing old NES games and acting like he is hardcore for enjoying “The Wizard”. All while being in reality more of a dork, especially in the eyes of a son that actually comes off as way older than he likely should be if Nester is only in his late twenties or early thirties.

But I think that was kind of the point. Making Nester more a caricature of the “gaming nerd” of the time period, while also indirectly playing a decent tribute to the old days and showing Nester having gotten older, though not necessarily wiser. But considering his kid seems to be doing okay, I doubt he is that terrible of a dad.

Which begs the question though, what is it about the comic that pissed Dobson off that much? The “manga” style? Granted, I think they could have gone more with a style akin to what the original comics had, which is the only thing Dobson has going for his page, that I can actually appreciate. But it could have been worse.

Is it the idea of Nester actually changing as a person, growing up? I mean, considering how allergic Dobson was often times to the idea of change (except when it was related to dumb reboots that may piss off republican strawmen in his head), I could actually believe that.

But if that was what pissed him off and his idea was to make a comic doing a tribute to these two the “right way”, Dobson failed miserably. Because all he did was make Howard come off like a psychopath for freezing up a kid to show him some games and Nester like a moron who can’t appreciate positive change in the media he consumes. All because Dobson was rather focused to vent his own frustration about Nintendo through their mouths, rather than respectfully draw a story with them. Something he even admitted

The artwork may be decent here, but the writing is a failed assignment.

The most ridiculous thing about that being, that either some time later or before, Dobson made a way better comic starring NEster, that actually gets the vibe of the original

And before someone claims I can only complain and not bring some alternative to the table how to execute the comic, here is what I may have done:

Start the comic as Howard and Nester in the Back to The Future NES game, supposedly having just finished it. Only for Nester to end up playing with the controls of the DeLorean and in doing so transporting him and Howard into the future. Materializing in 2008, they then learn about the actual positive things happening to videogames ever since , though Howard may also learn to some degree about the bad stuff whe he reads up an article titled “Rise and Fall of videogames” or something related to Jack Thompson). Have Nester for example geek out about Smash Bros, question what a Pikachu is, hitting himself in the head accidentally with a Wii Remote, but overall try to also give a positive message to it all.

Like Nester befriending  bunch of kids via Wii playing. The comic then ending with the two travelling back to 1988, Nester all pumped up about the prospect how great videogames will turn out in the future -perhaps also being a bit impatient at the prospect to wait 20 years to play Smash Bros Brawl again- while Howard muses about the things yet to come. The final panel perhaps being set in 2008 with an older Nester looking over a little brother who befriended by accident his younger self, challenging the younger one to a rematch he had “lost” in the past.

I know, sounds corny as fuck, but it at least would nullify the entire “I kidnapped you and froze you up” implications of the original comic by Dobson.

Now, unlike Dobson, I do not intend to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the readers, so I want to end this post on a sweeter note by informing you about the following:

When Nintendo Power eventually ended on issue 285 in December of 2012, someone at the editorial team must have remembered Howard and Nester, because they decided to have this little two page comic in it.

Nester, drawn in the classic style, as a way more well adjusted adult than in the 2008 comic, reminiscing about the magazine that he owes his existence and had brought him many hours of joy. His son helping him accept that it may be over for the magazine, but that the enjoyment will never 100% go away. Even adding a little framed bow tie in the background of the last panel, symbolizing that in hindsight Nester likely came to appreciate Howard as more than just an annoying mentor sort of figure. All before heading out to play a new Mario game with his son. Leaving the past behind but close, while embracing the future.

A comic, that in my opinion hits on the sweet “bittersweet” spot of such things as Fullmetal Alchemist or Amphibia. Giving the “story” a proper wrap up and assuring people that it is over, but that the characters themselves in a way are -unlike Dobbear- never gone.

And if you want to read all the strips of Howard and NEster, here is a link to the archive I found for this post.

Level 2 is done. Time for some bonus round and then the next level soon. Cause now we are really going deep into his whinning over the superiority of the old Nintendo canon

[pumpkinpie59]

What musicals the 2012 cast would love most

This was in part inspired by @fabuloustrash05 ‘s post about her Renet headcanons, where she mentioned that Renet likes historical musicals. You can find it here.

Anyway, since I am a theatre performer myself, I decided to associate some musicals with the rest of the TMNT cast. Enjoy ^^

Leonardo

“When I drive

When I drive

I'm in love, I'm alive

And I forget about everything I hate

When I drive

When I drive

I can read 65

I won't pay the long, long line

They'll always be behind

And man that just feels great”

If you were to ask him, he’d claim his favorite is Singin’ in the Rain (which I’ve been in btw). It’s funny and a total blast to watch (though ... the movie is better than the stage show). But in reality, his favorite is Bonnie and Clyde. You cannot convince me otherwise.

Raphael

“Always you, every thought I'll ever know

Everywhere I go, you'll be

All the world is only

You and me!”

Like Leo, he also doesn’t tell the truth about his favorite musical. He claims his favorite is Phantom of the Opera. An easy choice, and everyone believes him because it’s just as dramatic as he is lmao. But his favorite is West Side Story. I mean, c’mon, it has gangs, violence, and at its core has a mushy love story. He will not admit he likes it as much as he does.

Donatello

“If only you could know

The things I long to say

If only I could tell you

What I wish I could convey

It's in my every glance

My heart's an open book

You'd see it all at once

If only you would look”

He seems like a Disney fan. You’d think I would’ve chosen Beauty and the Beast, but nah. The Little Mermaid fits him better (I’ve also been in this show). He’s so insecure about not being human, and he’s also from a big family with an overprotective father, so I think he’d relate to Ariel a lot. Plus she’s a redhead so there’s that lol. Maybe a bit on the nose, but I don’t care.

Michelangelo

“We're a notorious couple of cats

As knockabout clowns, quick-change comedians

Tight-rope walkers and acrobats”

Yeah, he’s a Cats fan. I think he’d love how artistic and chaotic it is. His brothers probably hate it, which only makes him like it more lmao. He hated the movie.

April

“You can build me up, you can tear me down

You can try but I'm unbreakable

You can do your best, but I'll stand the test

You'll find that I'm unshakeable”

I kinda see April as the kinda girl to like the most popular musicals rather than obscure musicals, and I also wanted to choose one that was about strong women. I considered Wicked and Legally Blonde, but Six seemed most appropriate. Also, she’s my queen, so why not choose the one about queens pfft

Casey

“Flashpots are shootin' bright as the sun

I'm one highfalutin' sonuva gun!

Don't ask me how

Fortune found me, fate just crowned me

Now I'm King of New York!”

Casey’s favorite is Newsies. It just seems so freaking obvious. Plus, the love interest is a journalist, so do with that what you will.

Karai

“Home, Love, Family.

There was once a time

I must have had them, too.

Home, Love, Family,

I will never be complete

Until I find you...”

Like Leo and Raph, she also lies about her fav musical. She says it’s Little Shop of Horrors, and she does like it. The Dentist song cracks her up. But her favorite is Anastasia because it hits close to home. See lyrics above. She also lost her real family at a young age, and didn’t know the truth until she was 16. (Also, Anya is my dream role. I got to see the show on tour!)

Shinigami

“Gotta haunt till it hurts

Through the night

And give those guys the fright of their lives”

Shinigami gives me Beetlejuice vibes. I don’t know what else to say about it.

Mona Lisa

“Tranquil as a forest

But on fire within

Once you find your center

You are sure to win”

It’s my headcanon that Mona loves movies once Raph introduces her to them, so I think she’d like movie musicals more than stage musicals. Her favorite is Mulan. As a soldier herself, she respects how the film takes war seriously while still having uplifting and even funny moments throughout.

BONUS:

Lotus Blossom (my 2012 version)

“A new dream

I have one i know that very few dream

I would like to see that over-due dream

Even though it never may come true”

Jekyll and Hyde is a musical about murder, the duality of man, and tragic romance, all things that appeal to Lotus Blossom, an assassin with difficult experiences in romance. (Jekyll and Hyde was my favorite musical back when I first got into TMNT, too! Still is a favorite.)

[dolliebabydoll15]

Hi! What’s a song that makes you think of your favorite character or ship from Bob’s Burgers?

YAY THANKS AGAIN BABS!! <3333

okay...so i've said this before, and i'll say it again. "you belong with me" by taylor swift is so roudise coded. (before you start asking me why, i haven't forgotten abt why don't you lead me to love by stevie wonder the OFFICIAL roudise anthem) it basically has all the aspects of the ship.

✅ mean girl (a redhead whose name i shall not speak) who takes advantage of the guy (rudy) in the story

✅ the longing for the main girl (louise) to be with the guy (rudy) especially since she gets him better than than the other girl he is pining for

(btw, i do have an upcoming sped up + reverb roudise playlist on my channel 😉)

i recommend listening to this song roudise nation! it's a very sweet one 💛

[aphroditelovesu]

hello! <3 could i please request a ship thing for harry potter (golden era) and brooklyn nine nine? my name is noelle & i’m a bisexual cis female (she/her pronouns). i like older guys and around my age for gals. my fav romance tropes are arranged marriage & forbidden romance, and (i think) my love language is physical touch. i’m also an entp & gryffindor! i LOVE to travel & i value experiences over possessions. my family is very important to me and i also really want to have children in the future but not necessarily get married. i’m a people person but i enjoy having some quiet time to myself. i like think i’m pretty nice, but do not cross me 👀 also, my dream job is either a comedian, working in film or something to do with traveling <3 i’m also considered “the funny one” & the ‘wild child.’ i also struggle/have struggled with anxiety, depression, substance abuse & eating disorders. i love to read books and write (mostly scripts & poetry.) i love my job as a barista and i also enjoy going on spontaneous adventures! i love camping, swimming and anything to do with nature. i have a navel piercing, a sagittarius (my zodiac sign!) arrow tattoo below my neck and a fig tattoo on the back of my arm. my style is very 70s mixed with early 2000s. i thrift basically everything i own. i’m 5’3 & have dark blonde hair with blue eyes, i’m pretty chubby but i have a great ass lol. thank you so so much!! :)

Of course!! I ship you with Ron Weasley and Amy Santiago! Btw, depression and anxiety sucks I feel you and I'm sorry about that :( hope you are doing better :)

Ron might seem like an odd choice, but I think the two of you would be great romantically, but if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me. Ron was over the moon when he met you and he soared even higher when he learned you were from the same house, both Gryffindors. It seemed like fate, didn't it? He worships the ground you walk on, to him you are nothing less than a goddess and he wants to be worthy of you, and he will. Ron doesn't have a lot of travel experience, but he would love to travel with you, as it's something you enjoy and he wants to make you happy, so you can pack your bags and choose your destination. Ron loves to read next to you, hearing you recite poetry is something very pleasant and calming for him, your voice calms him down.

Spontaneous adventures is practically your couple's hobby, he loves to take you on adventures, even if they are dangerous and you both almost died at one point. Ron would love to have a family with you, redhead kids with your beautiful brown hair, whatever. What matters is you, in the end. Although he would love to marry you, if you don't that's fine, Ron will be happy to just have you with him. And, oh, about your body... Ron thinks you're perfect in every way, from your scalp to the tips of your toes and he likes to grab your ass.

Ron will try to help you as much as possible with your depression and anxiety, he hates seeing you this way and wants to see you all the time. Give him some time and maybe he'll make it, this man just wants your love.

Amy is known as grimace and little spontaneous, always attached to her schedules and roles. Controlled and a perfectionist, but she stopped looking for perfection when she fell head over heels in love with you. Amy is very attached to you in a way that even she herself doesn't understand, but she's come to want to be glued to you all day if she gets the chance. She loves to touch you, not always in a sexual context, but things like hugs, soft kisses and gentle caresses are very common love language between the two of you. Reading is a hobby of yours, you two are almost always seen reading together, a good book or even a fanfic (depending on the context), she will love to read anything you write, from drafts to even a book.

You both love your work and it's very common for Amy to stop by the coffee shop/bar (?) you work for to grab a coffee and exchange some jams with you before heading to the 99, it's her little routine. She's not the outdoorsy type, but she wouldn't mind camping with you, although she loves watching you swim because you look so sexy, according to her. Amy loves your tattoos and if you let her, she will touch your piercing often because she finds it so attractive. She loves your jokes and will help you get your dream job if that's what you wants.

Amy will try to help you with your depression, anxiety and eating disorders as much as she can, if you allow her to. She loves everything about you, your body, your personality and even your height. Everything about you is perfect for her. Oh, she would love to have a family with you.

[pyroclastic-lorekeepers]

If this is still open, can I request Medic/ or Lifeguard?

Huge fan BTW.

-DarkTrainerEmbargo-

17.  LIFEGUARD :  for one muse to rescue the other from drowning.

DRABBLE set POST-Pyroclasm.

Working on the Sky Pillar is not a job without its perils. It positively makes Magma's old headquarters look safe and OSHA approved, in Archie's opinion; another reason to be glad he's not working there every day. In between the rickety ladders, the partially collapsed floors, and the raging currents that surround every bit of the rocky outcropping, it's an accident waiting to happen. He's not surprised when it does; he's not even that surprised that it's Maxie, honestly. He's just glad that it happens while he's visiting, because there's no one better to navigate the tempestuous waters than him.

Jumping in is second nature to him, and his sharpedo Riptide is out before he even hits the surface. The water's force is far stronger than what he's accustomed to in Lilycove, but he trusts the shark to keep him safe. Finding Maxie is another matter. Even in broad daylight, light has a hard time penetrating more than a few feet, and the rush of water past his eyes makes it even harder to see. He's reliant on his sharpedo there too, urging him in the direction where Maxie had fallen and letting him know they're looking for a drowning person with a couple of precise taps on his fins.

It feels like it takes ages. Maxie's form doesn't come into focus until Rip is almost on top of them. Archie locks one arm around their waist and grips the sharpedo's fin with the other. Rip jets back to the surface, where Tabitha and Matt are waiting to help pull them out of the water.

Once they're both on the rocks, Archie immediately reaches for their wrist for a pulse. He can't find it and moves two fingers to under their jawline, yelling for Matt to get the defibrillator from the research vessel.

It ends up being a little hasty. Seconds later he feels the faint fluttering at their jugular, and Maxie coughs up a lungful of seawater. The bedraggled redhead reaches up with one hand to loosely grasp Archie's wrist. "I'm alright," they rasp. "No need for CPR. I'm--" they pause to cough again, expelling more salt-- "rather partial to not having my ribs broken today."

Archie huffs a sigh of relief, changing his position to help Maxie sit up. "Oh, you don't even know for sure I would've broken any ribs!" His lips quirk as he thumps them on the back. "We've got a first aid kit on the ship, after all. Barring that, Ray." "I think Ray might be worse than broken ribs." Their voice is hoarse, but they chuckle even though it makes them wince. "Straight electrocution is not what I'd consider favorable either." Archie laughs boisterously, feeling some of the tension he'd acquired starting to dissipate. "Aye, well, lucky you started coughing then, huh." "Indeed." Maxie reaches up to comb some of their wet hair out of their eyes. "What is this, the third time you've saved my life? I'm starting to feel like I rather owe you." "Yeah, you do," Archie says. "Which is why yer gonna stay on the boat for the rest of the day, rest up, and not fuss about it. Cause you owe me."

[theoscout]

So I finished reading all three of the Strahd stories written by PN Elrod and I have a lot of thoughts (btw I call her version 'Caretaker Strahd' and consider him a different character to 5e Strahd)

SPOILERS FOR THE STORIES UNDER THE CUT

strahd is so definitely a gamer, I could totally imagine him showing off his setup and pc if he lived in modern times

he'd have those cool ones that flash when you type on them and really expensive gear too, he's somehow found out how to play video games despite computers not even being invented in his time

That thing he does where he possess someone else is SO UNDERUSED omg, what are the limits? Can he possess wolves and bats if he turned into them first? Possess dire wolves?? Dragons???

since vampiric charm in 5e only works on humanoids I'd assume that his version of it also only works on humanoids, except that he was able to possess another vampire in the same way so maybe his works on undead too

WHICH MEANS HE CAN BUILD A FLESH GOLEM AND POSSESS IT

fanfic where Strahd builds a mecha and kicks ass

i'd imagine his first mecha would be a robotic version of himself that uses the weird potion as fuel so he can go to other domains (and also has a self destruct button to avoid another 'Azalin's ANGY' incident

his second one might be a giant wolf with him in wolf form piloting it with the magic ball, because a four legged mecha is easier to build than one with 2 legs

also I can't shake the thought of him asking for Barovians to pay taxes in the form of blood donations

I mean for one thing he wants to survive and not let people know he's a vampire but come on are you going to eat your townsfolk when you run out of prisoners?

it's slightly better when he says that he can use his mind control powers to make them forget that he drank from them but stillllllll :(

according to Azalin the most experimentation he's done about going into the mists is the thing with holding a string and running in, and tbh that's like the only thing I agree with Darcelus on

like dude you've been alive for hundreds of years and you're too horny about some redhead to investigate wtf is going on?

makes you wonder how much he knows about the sunlight burning him as well

if I were a vampire I would be testing this out every day and try to develop some kind of sunlight proof outfit to go outside with, and if people ask what I'm wearing I'll just say I have a skin condition

OH and since people are bound to take notice of his mechas he's building, maybe he can excuse this by saying he needs blood to power his mechas

so now he doesn't need to bite his villagers :D

and about the way he can make an outfit that sunlight proofs him- I have an experiment in mind. If he can metabolise, then he can cut pieces of his hair and put them under sunlight and look at them under a magnifying glass to see how they burn. And he can slot materials such as cloth etc between the sunlight and his hair to see if it blocks out the sun, and maybe he leaves it there for a few hours to see if it ACTUALLY blocks out the sun and isn't just burning there but slower

maybe the vision part will be harder to do since IDK if UV ray resistant glass even exists here, but maybe he just casts a spell on the costume so he can see out of it

and he can just put on an entire suit of armor over it assuming it's cloth and then he can go out in public in daylight- he doesn't need to breathe so suffocation isn't a problem

alternatively he can hide his ridiculous clothing by casting disguise self but he probably has already solved that problem

i sure hope vampires don't sweat

I don't think they do but if he does, I don't think he'll like it one bit

I lowkey headcanon him as autistic because he's good at keeping a straight face, hates being social (to the point where he will throw letters at people from the shadows rather than talking to them directly), once stared for ages at a wall because he was angy, identifies with animals more than people, and idk he probably has some sensory issues from how strongly he reacts to certain smells

or maybe I just can't feel pain idk lol

i wonder if Sergei and/or Tatyana were polyamorous, he sure as hell never asked them first

wonder how much it would explode his head if it turns out centuries later that they were poly all along and he killed Alek and Sergei for nothing

:(

but also >:]

Strahd said that kissing women felt nice but he doesn't really want to do it because he hungers for blood and he has to repress it, why does he hunger for people aside from Tatyana it seems?

hmmmmmm I have never ever seen ANYONE react to a person irl like how Strahd reacts to Tatyana, and it seems like I'm not the only one who finds it sus. Not just like in 'gee you really shouldn't be this obsessed over a girl' kind of sus, sus to the point where people theorise that she's a succubus or something. SO I'm thinking, does Strahd look inside and wonder why he's so attracted to Tatyana? like... he's not very curious or scientific the way Azalin is, so he probably didn't investigate it and he isn't the introspective type AT ALL so there maybe isn't a lot of looking into it that he did

my headcanon is that something happened between him and Tatyana in another life, maybe he was already cursed from there or something

because his crime wasn't that bad in comparison to other darklords.... killing two people vs mass murder

crack theory- Tatyana is a darklord as well and stuck in the same domain as Strahd, in a past life she cast a spell on him that made him fall in love with her madly, but her curse is that he will never be able to be with her and that she won't recognise him from the past life

because ngl her situation seems worse than Strahd in some ways

still I would REALLY love to know if there was any more background to Strahd's obsession over her other than 'tatyana's hot'

just scrolled to the top and remembered that since Strahd has some sick writing skillz, he would make an amazing youtuber as well

he'd be able to write something like the DSMP for money and entertainment purposes

that is a cursed line why did i write that lmao

wonder how he'd do as a streamer

I don't think he'd be a streamer since he seems to love his privacy and his autobiographies seem reserved for meeting people he really trusts and showing them his life story without having to sit down and explain it through because he hates social stuff

so his autobiographies are partially propaganda but really it has a lot of secrets so it's possibly to get people to like him

Azalin said that Strahd had a weird/ random sense of humor so I would really like to see how he responds to memes or if he would make them

Strahd REALLY goes out of his way whenever possible in his autobiographies to be like "actually no I'm not that nice, I'm doing this semi nice thing because of xyz" to the point where I'm suspecting he's trying to cover up the fact that he cares about stuff more than he actually does but he's trying to be intimidating

he obviously feels emotions and is sad about Sergei and Alek but he's an emotional repression person and probably tries to hide ANY kind of pain that isn't Tatyana related

I really want to know what would happen if he met Sergei or Alek's ghost.................................................

I feel like a bunch of scenes in the books may have been for fanservice to some degree lol (cough cough strahd taking off his shirt cause he doesn't want it to get ruined by swords cough)

idk what Strahd has going on for Van Richten but it's funny how he just saw one random guy and went 'ok I trust you, here's my entire life story' twice

another user said Strahd was trying to seduce Van Richten because of how he let him go free after Van Richten read his first autobiography, then probably arranged an illiterate thief to carry his other autobiography to the exact bookstore where Van Richten likes to hang out so he could read it in the perfect time frame, and then send a minion to pick it up afterwards lol

TWAA was so full of cartoon physics it was funny to imagine lol

Why did Strahd imagine such oddly specific scenarios such as Azalin going mountain climbing while casting spells and himself trying to grab a carrot off Azalin while Azalin twirls it around on a fishing rod like Strahd's a minecraft pig

Strahd's so done with Azalin by the end he just lets Azalin bow his spectral form like a sockpuppet :sob emoji:

[bluerosejuliet]

So I'm invested with the Polin Harry Potter AU now lol so what happened at the Hogsmeade? I really want Colin's POV cuz I know the man was FUMING the whole night. And how he put his foot in his mouth (again)

Cue the next few weeks of chaotic Colin running around trying to talk to Pen but gets thwarted at EVERY move by the combined powers of Eloise and the 2nd gen Marauders while James woos his littlle pretty redhead friend.

(BTW Im torn if I wanted this to end up as Poil or Pen x James crap)

Sorry for the late reply, it's been a bit hectic with the end of the year (I teach elementary school plus my mom ended up in the hospital with pneumonia) but here is basically what Colin is thinking during the Yule Ball and the fight that causes the first break in his friendship with Penelope (yes there will be another, much worse one later on).

Here is the link for the first two parts:

And now I present to you Colin Bridgerton, putting his foot spectacularly in his mouth.

When Colin had woken up that been, he'd felt a mixture of excitement and guilt. He was of course excited to see Marina looking no doubt gorgeous as ever in whatever dress robes while also getting a chance to twirl her around the dance floor (and if George Crane happened to be watching all the better!) He'd been in love with Marina Thompson since third year, when she'd offered him a sweet after class. His father had passed away the summer before and he was doing his best not to cry and be strong for his siblings but it was tiring.

Yet Marina, being the sweet and beautiful girl she was, had noticed and offered him the sweet she had been planning on eating.

Colin knew from that moment that she would be woman he would marry one done, his soulmate. His father had fallen in love with his mother during hogwarts after all so it was only natural Colin would find his other half as well.

Of course, their relationship wasn't perfect. Marina's father put a lot of pressure on her to do well while things seemed to come easy to Colin. Marina had plans to make a career for herself while Colin dreamed of traveling the world and researching new creatures. Despite their differences though, Colin felt confident that they balanced each other out.

Yes, he'd been upset when she'd broken up with him and utterly heartbroken when she started dating George Crane not even weeks later. But he could admit that he should have listened to her more and taken her a bit more seriously.

But all that was in the past and once more Marina was in his arms and all was right.

In fact, tonight might turn out to be a most excellent night as Marina kept hinting at slipping away to go to the room of requirement and finally take their relationship to the next level.

Perhaps he was old fashioned but Colin had heard how his father had not slept with anyone before his mother, wanting to only sleep with the woman he would marry. His brothers had of course not followed this path, especially Anthony who he was positive slept with half the girls in his year by the time he graduate. But Colin was a romantic and what could be more romantic than him and Marina giving themselves to each other on the night of the ball.

Of course Colin would have understood if Marina slept with George, he would never shame or judge his soulmate for not thinking the same as him. But Marina had mentioned that she could never take that step with George and she had realized that Colin was the one she wanted to share that part of herself with.

But while he was excited about the events of the night, another part still of his mind was occupied by thought of another girl.

Penelope Feathering, a dear friend of his family and one of his closest friends. They had been friends since Eloise and Penelope met as children and she had been there for both Colin and Eloise during their fathers passing. She'd also been the one to comfort him through his break up with Marina.

While Eloise and his siblings would spit vitriol words or muttered insults under their breath about Marina, Penelope merely listened and never said a cruel work about her. She understood that Colin loved Marina and still held her in high regard, given that they had been friends long before they started dating. It was why he originally asked her to be his date to the Yule ball.

Pen wouldn't try to hit on him or make a snide remark about his ex. She had a great sense of humor and would be wonderful company.

So when Marina had come back to him, by some miracle of fate, and Colin had to let Penelope know his change in plans, she'd of course been her usual sweet and understanding self.

Until she'd overheard his argument with Eloise and had avoided him since.

He knew he'd hurt her, he'd known that the second he met her eyes. But for the love of God he hadn't meant to! He knew Pen probably thought he meant that no one would want to date but he hadn't meant it like that!

She was his dearest friend and he could imagine treating Penelope the way he did Marina. It was unfathomable. It would be like trying to imagine dating his sisters (shudder).

Unfortunately for Colin, he hadn't been able to approach Penelope that whole week with Eloise guarding her religiously. So he'd given up in favor of spending time with Marina who seemed to want to be around far more than before.

But tonight he would find time to slip away to the Ravenclaw dorm and apologize to Pen. He doubted she'd want to attend the ball when Eloise was going with Theo (that itself was another thing that seemed unfathomable, his spitfire sister dating someone!) So he'd make sure to stop by and apologize when Marina was busy with her friends.

Everything had been going splendidly at first.

Marina looked breathtaking in a lovely gold dress that made her look even more beautiful and she'd even surprised him with a kiss that promised more to come.

His friends met him by the entrance the the great hall and they'd started a conversation about quidditch until Richard Fife had stopped mid sentence, eyes widening as he looked at something over Colin's shoulder.

"Is that-Penelope Featherington with James Potter?" he sputtered as Colin looked at him confused before turning around.

The boy coming down the stairs was certainly James Potter, dressed in black dress robes with his dark hair slicked and and mischievous eye which were currently gazing at his smaller red haired companion.

The girl looked similar to Pen with her red hair and short rounded figure. But his Pen didn't wear makeup and always wore her in one or two braids, explaining it was more manageable with her curls and wore baggy sweaters that her mother had bought as she was certain her daughter would only increase in size. And when she wasn't wearing her school uniform, she was always in yellow. She was his adorable Pen.

Which is why the girl coming down the stairs could not have been Pen

The girl coming down the stairs with James looked nothing like Penelope, with her emerald off shoulder dress robes lined with white lace that hugged her waist before poofing out into a floor length skirt. Around her pale neck was a black satin ribbon choker with some pendant hanging off of it. Red curls cascaded over her left shoulder from a bun adorned with tiny white flowers. Her blue eyes were framed by dark curly lashes (mascara her thought) and her cheeks were colored slightly pink as her red painted lips curved into a smile at something James said.

This girl was a lovely creature no doubt and he could see why someone like James Potter would have asked her to be his date but there was no way she was his adorable red haired friend-

"Penelope, James over here!" called Michael Stirling and Colin felt his body stiffen as James placed a hand on Penelope's waist (far to low for his liking!) as he lead Penelope over to the Marauders 2.0 but not before Colin caught the smirk James shot his way.

At some point Marina said something to get his attention and he put on his charming smile as they entered the Great Hall for dinner.

He did his best to pay attention to what his girlfriend and friends were talking about, but his eyes kept wandering to the table across the hall from them. Michael Stirling was waving his hands around and saying something that resulted in the people at his table laughing (except for Theo who looked strangely upset).

It wasn't until the dancing had started with Colin twirling Marina around, when he spotted James giving an overdramatic bow to Penelope as she giggled and followed his lead as he moved them across the floor that Colin's shock melted into fury.

Colin was not known for his temper, Anthony being regarded as the hothead of the family, but it took every fiber of his being to not march across the floor and punch James Potter in his smug little face.

The Marauders were known for their pranks and they had always been pretty tame, considering that no one got hurt but it seemed as if the boys were upping their usual pranks to acts of cruelty.

Colin knew that while he found Penelope to be adorable, many other made fun of her for looks. Unlike the Bridgertons, her family was not the most popular and of her sisters she often found herself the source of the most ridicule. Of course he'd done his best to reprimand his friends when they snidely commented on Penelope (except for Will and Alice who were the kinder members of the group) or changed the subject.

He didn't know why James Potter decided to play around with Penelope's heart but he was putting a stop to it right now!

Colin bided his time, waiting patiently until he finally saw James leave to get a drink leaving Penelope alone for the first time that night.

Murmuring an excuse to Marina, Colin quickly walked over to Penelope and grabbed her hand.

"Colin wha-"

"We need to talk. Now," he said firmly, sounding a bit like Anthony, as he dragged Penelope out of the Great Hall and into an empty corridor nearby. As soon as Colin deemed them far enough way, he let go of Penelope's hand and started pacing.

Penelope let out a huff, crossing her arms, looking a bit irritated with Colin.

"What on earth has gotten into you? You could have just said what you needed to in there. If this is about me being mad at you, I told you I'm fine! You know how Eloise gets though -"

"This isn't about that," interrupted Colin as his eyes were drawn to where Penelope's arms had pushed up her breasts. Merlin when did Pen grow boobs?

Shaking his head, Colin quickly removed his dress robes and wrapped Penelope, feeling more relaxed now that she looked it bit more like herself. Thankfully Penelope didn't try to shake it off, pulling it closer to her instead while shooting him a curious look.

"Okay then why the dramatics?" she asked.

Colin ran a hand through his hair, knowing what he would have say next would no doubt hurt Penelope but better to tell her now than let James continue to lead her on.

"It's about Potter," he said ask Pen titled her head in confusion.

"James?" she asked curiously making Colin frown.

"Yes. Look I'm not saying this to be mean or hurt you but I'd rather you hear it from me then have to face this all later on. I know you think he's a great guy and he's handsome and what not but he's not who you think he is. The Marauders are Hogwarts biggest pranksters and sometimes they take their pranks a little to far. I'm not sure if they realize that people can get hurt but I don't want you to be be hurt by James later on," he said as Penelope's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Prank? Colin I highly doubt James, Fred and Michael will do something like set off fireworks in the Great Hall or turn the dance floor into an ice skating rink. Headmistress McGonagall would have their heads and Phillip would never allow it," she said calmly as Colin sighed in frustration.

"That's not the kind of prank I'm talking about Penelope! I mean pranks like tricking people for fun like turning Cressida Cowper face into a cows or convincing a second year that mermaid like to eat cake or" Colin closed his eyes as he uttered the next part, "tricking girls into thinking they actually like them."

Silence.

Colin opened his eyes to see Penelope gaping at him in shock.

"You think James," she said slowly "asked me to the Yule Ball... as some sort of cruel prank?

Colin threw his hands up in the air.

"Yes obviously! I mean it makes no sense why he would ask you to go to begin with. The guy has had girls asking him out for the past two weeks and he suddenly decides to ask you. It just seems suspicious. Plus you and him are completely different," he ranted not noticing how Penelope stiffened.

"Different?" she said softly but Colin didn't seem to hear.

"Yes! I mean just look at the way you dressed up for him tonight! The makeup, the dress, the hair! This isn't you Pen and I don't want you to feel like you need to change yourself to get a guy like Potter to like you when he's only leading you on! James Potter is someone who likes having all eyes on them and your-"

"A wallflower?" she finished raising an eyebrow as Colin stopped mid speech as Penelope continued. " So you think the only reason James would ask me to be his date, when he's had much prettier girls asking to be his partner., is because he's pulling a prank on me?"

Colin fell silent as he looked shamefully at the floor.

"Oh I see. You honestly don't think someone like James would be seriously interested in me to want to ask me out because he can do better?"

Colin's head shot up as her grabbed Penelope's hand in his.

"That's not it! Your mind is utterly brilliant Penelope and any guy who can't see that is an idiot."

Penelope smiled sadly at him.

"Brilliant but not beautiful enough to attract someone's attention," she whispered as Colin stiffened.

"It's not like I haven't heard it before Colin. I've heard it all before. From my mother. From my sisters. From the other kids at Hogwarts. I just never thought you would have considered to be the ugly duckling as well. But you know I wanted just one night, one night where I didn't feel like the ugly duckling for once so I dressed up for myself!" she snapped before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"And you know, for once in my life, I actually felt pretty. Maybe I'm not as beautiful as Marina but formonce I actually liked what I saw in the mirror. And then you went on about how ridiculous I look and it made me realize that there's no such thing as an ugly duckling turning into a swan," she laughed sadly as Colin startled, realizing that there were tears filling her eyes.

"That's not what I meant! I told you you are brilliant Pen but it just doesn't make sense for James Potter to ask you to be his date out of the blue a week before the dance when he's turned down everyone else! None of the other the Marauders have dates yet James comes with you out of nowhere. It just doesn't add up," Colin babbled wondering why Penelope couldn't see that he was just looking out for her! He'd been protecting her since first year and he wasn't about to let someone hurt her.

Penelope shot him a glare.

"Colin, I've been tutoring James for the past year and a half. Eloise and I have gone to Hogsmeade with him and the others plenty of times," bristled Penelope as Colin shook his head.

"That can't be right! Your my best friend Pen and I would've definitely noticed-"

"That's because you've been seeing Marina! For Merlin's sake Colin, you barely spent any time around me or your siblings once you two started going out. You always said we'll catch up later but eventually I just gave up because you never followed through. I'm not blaming Marina for this but I think you need to find a better way to balance your priorities. We only started hanging out after Marina and you broke up and even then you only talked about her. I'm fine with listening to you but not once did you ever ask about my life. Do you even know how my classes are going or who I'm hanging out with? "

Colin quickly tried to back peddle.

"Of course I do Pen! You said something last week about having trouble with the mandrakes right?" he asked desperately as Penelope shook her head sadly.

"That was during my first few weeks of Herbology class last year," she whispered before shaking her head. She gently removed Colin's robes and placed them back in his arms before turning and walking away towards the Great Hall.

Colin knew he should go after, beg for her forgiveness or something but he remained frozen in place.

Penelope shot him one last look over her shoulder.

"Just so you know, I've been friends with James since last year. Yes he's a prankster but he's not cruel or malicious Colin. He asked me to go as friends since he knew I wouldn't try and use him like other girls. He's been an amazing friend and to be honest," she let out a shaky breath, "he's been a lot better of a friend than you are. I'm not sure what happened with us but I need some space from you for now."

With those words, she disappeared around the corner perhaps heading back to James or back to the dorms. Colin didn't know how long he stood there until Richard stumbled upon him. carrying a bottle of fire whiskey followed by an amused Will Mondrich and Harry Dankworth.

"Colin mate! I found some fire whiskey and me and the others are heading to the room of requirement for a drink? You in?" asked Fife, wiggling his eyebrows making Colin remember how he'd left his girlfriend back in the Great Hall. As if reading his mind Will answered Colin's unspoken question.

"She headed back to the dorms with Alice. Apparently the food was not agreeing with her," he said as Colin grabbed the bottle and took a swig from it.

"I'm in," he said, hoping to forget about this night as soon as possible.

And forget the fact that he'd probably just ruined his relationship with his best friend permanently.

_____________________________________________________________

Meanwhile

Once she was sure she was far enough away from Colin where he couldn't see her, Penelope hurriedly collapsed by the stairs to the Great Hall, thankful no one was around to her wretched state.

The night had honestly been magical. She'd been unsure about what James would think of her dress (she'd ordered a green one to match Colin's eyes) and had sat nervously as Edwina had finished place the violets James had given her in her hair.

All the nerves faded when James gaped at her as she exited the through the portrait hole, nervously stammering on about how beautiful she looked and she'd had to bite down a laugh at how he was acting like he was asking her to the ball again. But eventually they fell into their usual banter as James proudly escorted her to the Great Hall where the other Marauders greeted them and she'd spent the next few hours in their company, laughing and having a great time.

Surprisingly, James was a very skilled dancer, whisking her around the floor with the occasional dip that made her laugh, pouting like a child when one of his friends (usually Michael) would step in and steal her away.

It was the most fun she'd had in a long time and the evening had been so perfect.

But she was Penelope Featherington, so of course the other shoe was bound to drop at some point.

She just honestly hadn't expected it to come from Colin though.

Penelope knew she wasn't attractive, it would be impossible not to be when your mother was Portia Featherington. She was too short, too curly, too curvy, too pale, too everything. It was only with the Bridgertons and her friends, that she felt even halfway decent about herself.

Why she thought Colin would think any differently was a mystery to her but it still hurt hearing someone she cared about confirm all the things her mother said.

Penelope Featherington would never be good enough, no matter how hard she tried.

And so she sobbed for the friend she lost that night, wishing she had seen the cracks earlier before it had been shattered and cut at her heart.

It must have been only a minute when she heard someone slowly walking over to her. They said nothing as they sat beside her and pulled her into their arms.

"I'm sorry, I've made a whole mess of things," she hiccuped, earning a reassuring squeeze.

"Nah Feathers, you haven't ruined anything. It's not your fault Bridgerton is a prat," huffed James as Penelope pulled away to look up at him. Normally, she would have begun defending Colin but for once she didn't have the words to say to come to his defense.

"How did you-"

"Michael saw him pull you away. Didn't want to intrude but when you didn't come back I decided to check and see if you were okay," he said softly as Penelope sniffled.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want but can I make a suggestion?" he asked as Penelope nodded against his chest.

"I say we forget about Bridgerton and go back in there to finish the rest of our night because I'll be damned if I let you leave this ball sad when you've been looking forward to it for weeks," said James as Penelope did her best to wipe away her tears.

"You still wanna dance with me after all this?" she questioned, as James helped her to her feet.

"No, I what I really want to do is find Bridgerton and hex him into next year or better yet sick Eloise on him. But I did promise you a good time tonight and I intend to follow through on that promise. So, what do you say Penny? Still willing to chance getting you toes stepped on by me? Seventh times the charm," he said, wiggling his eyebrows as Penelope laughed.

She quickly pulled out her wand from her pocket, muttering a spell that would fix her makeup back to normal (thankful that Daphne had taught the trick to her earlier). Smiling, she tooks James' arm as they headed back into the ballroom, passing by three of Colin's friends who thankfully ignored her.

As promised, the rest of the night was spent dancing and laughing, though she did notice Theo had left as some point leaving Eloise by herself. Her best friend had looked a bit put out until she started chatting with Phillip about something, neither being in the mood to dance apparently.

At last, the ball ended and like a true gentleman, James escorted her back to her dorm, Phillip and Eloise walking ahead of them. Eloise had already gone through the portrait hole leaving just her and James outside the corridor.

"I had a really good time tonight James," she said smiling as he shot her a mischievous grin.

"Well I did promise you a magical evening Miss Featherington and I take my promises very seriously," he teased.

"That you did," she agreed.

She couldn't say why she did what she did next, only that it felt right in the moment, but for whatever reason, she quickly stood on her tiptoes and kissed James on his cheek.

Pulling back, she hid a smile at the shocked look on his face before turning towards the portrait hole.

"Goodnight James," she called over her shoulder as she entered her dorm room where Eloise stood waiting for her, clearly wanting to talk.

It would be year before Penelope kiss James Potter again.

Only this time, she knew exactly why she was kissing him and she was not the first one to make a move.

Ironically it would also take place on Christmas.

______________________________________________________________

I know this is longer than what many of you were expecting but I wanted to show what lead up to the fight and how both of them reacted afterwards.

Penelope will end up dating James (as you can see from the last couple of lines).

If you have anymore questions about this AU, feel free to ask! I have a whole bunch of scenes worked out, including some big events like:

The aftermath of the ball where secrets are revealed and someone is dead

Penelope and Colin reconciling before he leaves to go travel the world for his job (I'm deciding between him being a Magizoologist or Dragonologist)

The Christmas after the ball (AKA Penelope and James first real kiss!)

The REAL big fight between Colin and Penelope that happens the summer after Penelope's sixth year that leads to them not talking for seven years.

The Event (that's it, because more words will spoil what goes down but I'd be happy to give a hint.

[nikkiruncks]

https://www.tumblr.com/hydesjackiespuddinpop/733801770024927232

Hiya, Poorni ❤️! Could I request prompt 3 with E/D? Maybe it could be an s5 rewrite, and it's after a couples counseling session where Donna finally understood how heartbroken Eric was by the BS that occurred between them in s4.

This'll take place in s5 of my verse btw. No proposal, no Eric being guilt into going to Cali.

Donna looked through the window, taking in her surroundings as Eric was driving them away. She smiled, feeling his hand on hers. She couldn't believe that she had her nerdy prince charming back. Despite all the insults and burns she threw at him, Eric was always the man she loved. But looking back, she wished she handled things things better. With the Connie stuff, the Casey stuff, just all their stuff.

"Donna?" The redhead snapped out of it to see her boyfriend staring at her with concern. She looked around to see that they were parked at the Forman driveway. How long was I out of it?

Donna put her hands over Eric's and sighed. "I'm sorry. About the stuff I did during our breakup. And also...I get it. Why you ended things after the promise ring." While she still believed that anything could happen, Donna understood Eric's feelings.

Eric exhaled, "It's okay Donna. I get it. We both did a lot of stupid stuff." He was still hurt over a lot of the stuff during their breakup, but could never stop loving Donna. And knew he never would.

Donna exhaled, "You were wrong about one thing though." She stroked her boyfriend's cheeks while he continued to look shocked. "The thought of you possibly not being in my future did break my heart. And that thought still does. But I didn't want to go in only thinking that we'll be together. Because anything could happen. But I want you in my future. I don't know what'll happen in the future but...whatever happens happens. Right?" I can't believe I just said all of that.

Eric instantly leaned down, kissing Donna. The redhead just wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck. They broke off the kiss, sighing as their foreheads touched.

"We can do this." Eric whispered. Donna nodded, kissing him again.