#i wanted to draw kate because she's so perfect

[scarlethexelove]

Mating Season

𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛!𝐾𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝 𝑥 𝐻𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛!𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 1297

𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: 𝑆𝑚𝑢𝑡, 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑦 𝐾𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐴𝑛𝑎𝑙, 𝐷𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑔𝑒, 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑔𝑒, 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝐼'𝑚 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑑𝑘 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡.

𝐴/𝑛: 𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑. 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒. 𝐼 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑑𝑘. 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝐾𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ. 𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒.

NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO STEAL, COPY, OR REBLOG MY WORK AS THEIR OWN

A sweet smell fills your senses as the door clicks shut behind you. It draws you further in as you follow the intoxicating scent. Your mind becomes hazy the closer you get to the smell. You follow the scent into the living room spotting your girlfriend. You realize it’s her, she is the one that smells sickenling sweet. 

“Kate?” You breath out your eyes dilating. You don’t know why her scent is having this effect on you. “Wh-What’s going on?” You stutter out. 

Kate turns spotting you. “Baby you’re home.” She’s quicker than you have ever seen her be. Her tentacles spread out, reaching for you. Desperate for you. You can see her predatory gaze. Her eyes rake over your form as her tentacles gently caress you. 

That’s when it dawns on you. Kate had told you how her species has mating seasons. She explained how her scent can draw you in, how she will desperately want to keep filling you over and over again. How she will make sure that you’re pregnant by the end. 

You can feel as slick already starts to coat your thighs. “Ka-Katie.” You breathe out almost as a whimper. 

Kate cups your cheek in her hand. Only a faint line of blue remains, her pupils blown. A dark desire swirling within her and now within you. “I need you baby. I need you so bad.” She murmurs as she closes the gap between you. Her lips press against yours in a desperate kiss. Her tentacles already wrapped around you holding you tightly against her, others roaming over your body sending you into a deeper haze. 

When the need to breath becomes necessary Kate pulls back just enough leaving your lips touching. Your panting, not only because of the kiss but how intoxicating your girlfriend is. Kate can sense just how desperate you are becoming. Her tentacles work quickly to rid you of your clothes. Hers soon followed. Her tentacles are soft with a strong hold. 

“Please.” You whimper as your slick slowly drips down your thighs. You never knew that you could be this desperate. When Kate told you about what she could do to you you didn’t believe her, but standing here and how you know that she wasn’t lying. 

“I’m going to ruin you for anyone else.” Kate growls. Her tentacles grab ahold of your arms and legs, another wrapping firmly around your waist as they slowly pull you into the air. Normally you would panic but the haziness in your mind overpowers any thoughts other than having your girlfriend fill you. “You’re going to be mine Y/n. No one else will ever have you ever again. Fuck you’re going to look so perfect swollen with my children.” 

A tentacle with a bulbous head wraps around your thigh, gently stroking the soft skin of your inner thigh being coated in your arousal. You whine as it moves closer to your entrance. Your hips are bucking in desperation. “Ka-Katie please fill me up. Fuck me full of your babies. Wan-” Your cut off as her tentacle sinks deep within your warm walls. A loud moan being ripped from your throat. 

You’re taken by surprise when another tentacle is shoved into your open mouth causing you to let out a choked moan. Your walls clamp down on Kate’s tentacle as she begins to fuck both tentacles in and out of your holes. She lets out a loud moan as your walls squeeze her. Waves of pleasure hitting her at the vibrations from your moans. 

Kate’s tentacles continue to pound into your holes. Your head lulling back at the overwhelming pleasure. Your constant moans being muffled by the tentacle deep in your throat. Tears run down your cheeks as you gag. “Fuck baby you look so beautiful like this. I can’t believe I waited so long to have you like this.” She groans. Your walls are sucking her in deeper. 

As Kate continues to fuck her tentacles into you a knot begins to form in your lower stomach. Close to snapping as you lift your head up, your glossy eyes meeting the dark black holes of your girlfriends. You mumble around her tentacle trying to tell you you're going to cum. She doesn’t need to hear you say it, she can feel it. Your walls are pulsing around her. 

“Cum baby. Cum all over me. I’m going to fill this slutty pussy up with my seed.” Kate growls, sending you over the edge. Your back arches into the tentacles caressing your body as your orgasm washes over you. Your walls are squeezing her tightly as your cum coats her tentacle. With a few more thrust of her tentacle her seed spurts out. Filling you to the brim. 

But Kate doesn’t stop. Your eyes widen as she speeds up both of her thrusts. Another tentacle smoothing over your ass. It runs down spreading your cheeks and probing at her untouched hole. “I’m going to make sure you’re extra full.” You can feel the slickness of the tentacle as it pushes into your tight ring. Another choked moan stopped by her tentacle vibrates around her. 

Kate’s moans start to full the room as she begins to fuck all of your holes. You can hear just how wet you are as she fucks herself in and out of you. All tentacles work in tandem as they build you up to another orgasm. You can somehow feel Kate’s desperation through her tentacles. She is desperate to fill you, breed you. But you’re just as desperate as she is. 

Every little bit Kate gives you a reprieve from the tentacle shoved down your throat but it never lasts long. The desire to see the outline of it down your throat mirroring the outline on your lower stomach. 

With all your holes filled and her perfectly timed thrusts your both quickly hurtling towards the edge. Your tear stained face only spurring her on more. “I’m going to keep breeding this little pussy all night long. Maybe later I’ll breed that perfect little ass of yours, but only after I’m sure you're pregnant with my babies.” She pants and you nod your head vigorously. You don’t know how her eyes got darker but they are. 

Both of you are so close, your hips bucking to meet her thrust. You once again try to mumble around her tentacle but like always she knows what you want. “Cum like the pretty little slut that you are.” With an expert thrust of all her tentacles she fills you full. A copious amount of cum spurts out of her sending you over the edge once again. Your whole body shakes as your eyes roll into the back of your head. Your cum squirting out around her and dripping down your legs and below to where Kate stands. She continues to work you through your orgasm bringing you down slowly from your high. Your body slumping in her hold. 

The tentacle in your mouth slowly withdraws causing you to cough and sputter, a tentacle rubbing gently circles on your back. The one in your ass follows soon after before she is lowering you back down and into her arms. The one buried deep inside of you staying put. Kate looks down as she holds you. Your gaze follows hers to the noticeable bump on your lower stomach. “Fu-Fuck.” You pant out. Shocked to see just how much she has filled you up. 

“Such a good girl for me baby.” Kate leans in and kisses you softly. “But don’t think I’m quite done with you yet, pretty girl we’re just getting started.” You don’t have time to react before Kate is dragging you back into the bedroom. You’re both in for a long night.

[lvlyfawn]

kate martin x barista reader ˗ˏˋ☕ˎˊ˗

coffee kisses.

— kate started coming into the cafe you work at because her usual was closed for renovations. she wasn’t one to love change, but she was one to love coffee.

— the shop was small, and local. not many people came to this one as it was in a pretty secluded part of town, and most didn’t even know it had been built a few years back. the only customers you had were men who came in everyday hoping today would be the day you’d say yes to going out on a date with them, or people like kate who’d just put “coffee shop near me” into their gps. the coffee was amazing, the pastries were to die for, and you could say that your customer service was great. 

— her order was simple, easy to remember, and she was major sweetheart who always tipped you much more than you thought you deserved. every time you saw her car pull up, her order was made to perfection and some sort of doodle was draw on her cup.

— given she was extremely attractive, and her manners made her so much more enchanting, you were feeling bold. the shop was empty, your coworker was on break, and it was only you and kate. the girl stood looking at her phone, waiting for her order. you called her name, and handed her the cup which you had written “for the pretty blonde”. kate thanked you, not even bothering to look at the cup until she had entered her car. the second she’d read that her mind was all over the place. had this cup been for her? who else would it be for? did you find her pretty?

— the next time she visited the shop, she’d finally worked up the courage to ask for your number. 

“could i have your number. im sorry if that’s weird.. it’s fine if not, i don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” she said, fumbling over her words.

“i’ve been waiting for you to ask,” you giggle. you handed her her cup with your number written on the side.

— the two of you would facetime, and hangout, first as “friends” but you both knew you’d never be “friends”. the mutual attraction that neither of you would admit was the elephant in the room, both of you too afraid it would scare the other off. 

— the second you got together, dating rumors were all over. not that you minded. you adored being able to call the blonde yours. your dumb videos posted about being a barista were suddenly viral and business at the shop was doing so well that you’d been given a raise. 

her posting pictures of you in you’re uniform with the caption “barista of the year!!” 

— the kisses shared between you two tasted coffee-like and maybe that’s why she was so addicting. you were hooked on her touch, you craved the feeling of her lips on yours. you both loved your “coffee kisses”.

divs are by @/anitalenia , feedback encouraged , first wnba work.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Why do people still use Hilary Mantel’s words against Kate? Hilary Mantel defended her words saying she was taken out of context:

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-21710158.amp

"My lecture and the subsequent essay was actually supportive of the Royal Family and when I used those words about the Duchess of Cambridge, I was describing the perception of her which has been set up in the tabloid press.

"My speech ended with a plea to the press and to the media in general. I said 'back off and don't be brutes; don't do to this young woman what you did to Diana'.

"My whole theme was the way we maltreat royal persons, making them one superhuman, and yet less than human."

Mantel, whose latest novels are set in the royal court in Tudor times, said she believed she had been "set up" as a hate figure.

"I don't believe for one moment that there was any lack of clarity, after all, I have been practising my trade for a number of years now," she said.

"It was a matter of taking the words completely out of context - twisting the context - and setting me up as a hate figure.

"I have absolutely no regrets. What I said was crystal clear."

Mantel, who won the Costa Book of the Year Award for Bring Up The Bodies. added: "I do think that the Duchess of Cambridge is an intelligent young woman who, if she cares to read my essay, will see that I meant nothing but good to her."

I actually haven’t read the full essay because I can’t find it, so to those who have read the full essay, what was the context of what Hilary Mantel said?

The full essay is hard to find because it wasn’t actually a published essay, not at first. It was a lecture she gave, later recorded and published, called Royal Bodies, about media’s treatment of women. It’s an oral history of how famous royal women - Kate, Diana, Marie Antoinette, and Anne Boleyn - were portrayed and used by the media.

Mantel may have meant well and to be supportive, but it came off condescending and uppity. For example:

“Antoinette as a royal consort was a gliding, smiling disaster, much like Diana in another time and another country. But Kate Middleton, as she was, appeared to have been designed by a committee and built by craftsmen, with a perfect plastic smile and the spindles of her limbs hand-turned and gloss-varnished.”

“Presumably Kate was designed to breed in some manners. She looks like a nicely brought up young lady, with ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ part of her vocabulary. But in her first official portrait by Paul Emsley, unveiled in January, her eyes are dead and she wears the strained smile of a woman who really wants to tell the painter to bugger off.”

“She appears precision-made, machine-made, so different from Diana whose human awkwardness and emotional incontinence showed in her every gesture. Diana was capable of transforming herself from galumphing schoolgirl to ice queen, from wraith to Amazon. Kate seems capable of going from perfect bride to perfect mother, with no messy deviation.”

And the issue that many of us have with this lecture is that Mantel could have made her points without having to use Kate’s beauty, character, and mannerisms. Because if her theme was about the way the public and the media mistreat the royals - young royal women especially - and she was pleading for people and press not to do that, then why choose to focus on the women themselves? Focus on the media’s behavior instead; since you’re calling out the media, call out the frigging media. Leave the women and their bodies out of it.

She did to Kate in this speech exactly what she’s lecturing the public and the media not to do to Kate: turned her into a thing for which to criticize instead of leaving her to be her own person.

And Mantel can’t see that. She thinks she was taken out of context - and to a certain extent, yes, I agree she was - but when you spend several paragraphs drawing an image of a committee grooming Kate into a Royal Woman 2.0 after the Diana Experiment failed…did we really take you out of context or did you not make your point and now you’re uncomfortable that people are calling you out for the same misogyny you tried to shame the media for?

I mean, someone who justifies these comments by saying she’s a published author so she knows what she’s doing sounds a little like someone who’s very uncomfortable with the mirror that critics are forcing her to look into. Because again, if your whole argument is to take the media to task for how they portray a royal woman, which informs the public’s perception of her, then don’t use the woman to make your point.

Anyway. Here’s the full lecture. You can decide for yourself how badly Mantel was taken out of context or if the criticism is justified.

[fyeahaudiodrama]

Happy @podcastgirlsweek to all who celebrate! While I haven't had the time to properly work on fics (and probably won't this week because oops, hurt my hands yesterday) I still wanted to take the time to highlight some favorite podcast girlies along with everyone else!

The prompt for Monday is highlighting podcasts with women in the leading roles, so here's a few of mine (and hopefully, some new ones of yours if you don't know them yet):

Back Again, Back Again: Ilyaas, you absolutely fantastic disaster of a fantasy ace, never stop trying.

Breathing Space: While the show is anthology with a rotating cast, some of my favorites from across its run include:

Evie Yuriskin

Amity Archer

Any characters who were introduced one episode and then started referring to each other as "my wife" by the end or by their next appearance

Camlann: Some apocalypse survivors interpret dangerous dreams about dark magic to cope. Some knit sweaters. Both are valid and should kiss.

City of Ghosts: Featuring the grungy, disgruntled, tormented-by-visions LADY detective of your dreams.

Desperado: Take note - give your ladies knives. And god powers. And witchcraft. And a sniper rifle, for good measure.

Do You Copy?: I think [REDACTED] deserves three weeks of paid vacation

Fawx & Stallion: Madge Stallion is THE moment. She's six feet tall. She can't stop making innuendos. She's not your fucking Mrs. Hudson (although, she is - no, I shan't say).

Hi Nay: Mari & Laura are my everything - the loving and self-sacrificing hero and the newfound friend who chooses to stand by her side (fire axe and all).

Inn Between: Oh, my Inn Between girlies, where do I start? Fina and Betty, the OGs and life partners that even death couldn't stall? Rosie and Zara, the new best pals who chose to stay together? Phoebe, just one step at a time learning what she deserves and what she doesn't? All impeccable, A+.

It Makes A Sound: Any show focused on music is going to be a slam dunk for me, but Deirdre's quest to reclaim her memories as well as those that tied her to her mother is so damn real and compelling.

The Kingmaker Histories: No female character in this show has ever done anything wrong. Colette gets a migraine pass. Ariadne can turn people inside out. Daphne is owed this for working in a theme park.

Life With LEO(h): Janiiiiiine, so messy and smart and dedicated and she cares so much, I love yoooooou.

Me and AU: Kate's worries and desires and doubts are some of the realest out of any audio drama so when do I find an Ella too

Palimpsest: My faaaaavorite gothic horror anthology, each one fresh with a different brand of haunted, tormented, secret-keeping (and quite frequently gay) gothic protagonist

The Pasithea Powder: Jane and Sophie. Sophie and Jane. What more could you need? <3

The Silt Verses: Women who start cults/leave cults/seek an end to the endless cycle of meaningless sacrifice as so valid. For all your wet cat(fish) woman needs.

Second Star to the Left: Because I always love a good Ishani performance. Hi Gwen, please tell Boots I love them.

Small Victories: You want sad wet cat women? How about one that literally can't stop self-sabotaging (but at least manages to draw the line at sabotaging others...occasionally). She even gets stabbed!

Starfall: I mean, kind of a given, but anyway, Leona definitely exists because she's the kind of action protagonist woman I always wanted - one that could be unapologetically powerful, but still full of flaws and desires (especially ones that weren't about falling in love and minimizing her own strengths). She's even autistic!

Stories From Ylelmore: Keryth! Keryth, Keryth, Keryth! She reminds me so much of the kinds of characters I would make up when I was younger - I love her and her small magic so dearly.

The Strange Case of Starship Iris: Hi queer space pirates <3

Unseen: Another anthology show, but Harry Winters and Never-Ending Circles remains one of the most perfect premiere episodes I've ever heard in audio drama.

The Way We Haunt Now: Get your podcast ladies here, dead or alive!

We Fix Space Junk: My favorite type of repairman is a woman who could kick my ass.

Wolf 359: I don't think I need say much more here - y'all know and love 'em just as much as I do.

[gynnnicsworld]

Hellooo! i was wondering what your all-time favorite hurt/comfort fics are? also I love your account, I scrolled through not too long ago and immediately was like yes, I've found my people

*screams internally* oOH GOD, thank you for asking that, I've been waiting for someone to ask that and I'm so glad this is happening! OK.

From what I can see in your profile picture, do u like spn too? Do u have any favorite couples there? cause I have a long list of fics in that fandom too *wink wink*....

Please ask me questions to recommend fics, because I have been trying for weeks to organize a part 2 of rec list but I haven't been able to, I have too many fics and I have no idea how to start organizing them. So by asking questions like these you help me recommend some fics and get organized. thks u <3ily

Life's (Kate's) a bitch and then you (she) dies

by: Littleredridinghunter

While everyone is busy saving Jackson, Stiles is taking a beating in the Argent's basement. When his dad gets hurt, he leaves a note for Scott that he is getting away from everything and to never contact him again.

Too bad Scott and the pack take him at his word....

One year later and they finally see Stiles again but it isn't a happy reunion. Can they repair all the damage that has been caused in their time apart?

(This is one of the most recent fics I've read and it left me completely destroyed and in love at the same time, the author of this fic is the same author of most of my favorite fics. Anyway, all the fics I've read by this author will appear here. (oh by the way you would like to know that spn characters appear here.))

Home

by: TheTypewriterGirl

God, this fic is BEAUTIFUL, it's glorious, this fic can basically be described with any adjective that refers to beauty and perfection. But there is pain, a lot of pain, this fic must be praised.

There are illustrations that complete the beauty of this fic. Like this↓

Yes, you guys definitely have to read this fanfic.

You haven't read it??? WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?? RUN TO READ IT.

I downloaded the fic because I don't want to lose it, I would cry if one day this fic is deleted.

It's all part of the master plan - Sterek version

by: Littleredridinghunter

every fic that I put here you must read it, truly and seriously, you HAVE to read it, you can't not do it.

Sense of Home

by: siny

Home can be a place, but it can also be a person.

After the events with the Nemeton, Stiles starts suffering the consequences of their sacrifice. A journey he attempts to make on his own, but only becomes worse with every step he takes. In the process he seeks comfort in an unexpected place and it draws him toward an unexpected person.

(This fic explains one of the theories quite well, maybe you know this theory x if that theory caught your attention, you will love this fic).

hold me tight (you'll be alright)

by: orphan_account

Stiles is captured by the alpha pack for over a month before escaping. Derek finds him in the woods and takes him home.

Homeland

kitkatpancakestack

"And if you bleed for Beacon Hills once, you can be sure you'll bleed for it again."

(Tthis is a fix fic, but it's really good. I actually have many VERY good ones of this type.

God, I actually have a colossal mountain of fics to recommend and I have no idea how to start organizing them.)

It's where my demons hide

by: Littleredridinghunter

Stiles was used to his life going to hell. He'd just never expected it to be quite so literal.

When Rafael McCall returns to Beacon Hills after a five year absence it brings back lots of unhappy memories for Stiles, he'll do whatever he can to keep his secrets buried in order to protect those closest to him.

With Rafael's return Stiles discovers that secrets are always revealed, even if this particular time it's because of supernatural interference.

(By the way, I don't have an order, because all the fics that I'm putting here are really good and all of them are my favorites. BUT this fic right here is probably my favorite among favorites, this fic has a way of destroying your soul and putting it back together that you will love and hate at the same time and leave you wanting to read more.)

A Melody That Climbs And Then Falls

BY: siny

They won the fight against the alpha pack; the nightmare was apparently over.

That was until Stiles fell on the ground with blood coming out of his mouth when Derek reached him.

--

Or the fic where Stiles gets an internal bleeding for saving Derek, only a tragedy like this would make Derek realize his true feelings.

Peter betrayed them all and is currently missing. Allison and Stiles are buddies, as much as Derek and Erica.

Can't rely on me

By; Littleredridinghunter

Set at the end of season 2, Gerard beats Stiles up, but it's a lot worse than anyone knows.

The pack let him down, that's not really a surprise lately.

When Danny finds Stiles nearly bleeding to death the next day it's the start of a beautiful friendship.

Can the pack make amends before it's too late? Will Stiles ever forgive them for not being there for him when he needed them the most?

Echoes

by: jjmash

Stiles' magic accidentally creates a lifelike echo of Derek's baby sister who died in the Hale fire. Between games of tag and trips to the zoo, Derek helps Stiles pick up the pieces of himself post-Nogitsune possession.

(This one is short but sweet and sad.)

Finding His Home

by: OKDeanna

Derek Hale was a lot of things, and none of them very good. Yet, the one thing he couldn't shake was the one thing he knew he shouldn't want. But when an unexpected late night call reveals Stiles Stilinski has been injured, he will stop at nothing to get to him. Even if it means opening himself up in ways he never has before...

(I love that in the sterek fandom we have these unspoken truths, like the fact that we all know that no matter what, Derek is always going to believe and care about Stiles whether he's in Mexico or on the other side of the world, if Stiles calls, he'll go to Stiles.)

Wait For Me

by: Hedwig221b

“Stiles, we know about your Spark,” Scott looked at Stiles with desperate eyes, trying to convey something. “He is the Werewolf who's been chasing you. You must run. We’ll help you…”

Stiles stared at his friend, genuinely concerned for his sanity, because the nonsense he was sputtering was really fucking confusing.

This one is really good but fucking confusing or something, it really made me hate certain characters here and scream in frustration but I always trusted stiles/derek.

The Moon's Gonna Follow Me Home

turningterrific

Derek doesn’t want to call the window repair guy. He doesn’t want to sweep up the glass. He’ll inevitably miss a few shards and pull them out of the bottom of his bare feet for weeks.

He doesn’t want to try to make this place feel like home when it isn’t.

Derek stayed in Beacon Hills and tried to make it work because he wanted pack, wanted purpose. He gave his best effort and found himself back where he started: alone, with a few begrudging allies. He’s tired, and even though his werewolf body heals quickly, he feels the weary ache down to his center.

He packs his car with the few things he cares about enough to drag them from place to place. He locks the loft and calls a realtor about listing the building he’d bought in a misguided attempt to secure a future.

And then he leaves.

(This fic will always be in my favorite fic recommendations, because I read it at a difficult time for me and it helped me a lot emotionally to move forward, so yes, this fic is one of my favorites among favorites, and I will always mention it at every opportunity. Plus we have Derek healing and that's beautiful because Derek deserves nice things just like Stiles.)

____________________________________

okay, I'm going to stop here because I have some things to do, but actually I have more favorite hurt/comfort fics. But I won't be able to put them all here right now, apologies for that, but please send me another question for a second part, but I think at the moment you have several fics to read.

I hope you like them, and please do not hesitate to send me messages to talk about all these incredible fanfics, I will be waiting for your comments. (and thanks again for the question)

[midnightlizard]

Dance?

Kate Bishop x gn!reader

Summary: You ask Kate to dance, but you didn't want to dance. But she says yes, so now you have to dance.

Warnings: none, pure fluff

Word count: 656

-

-

"will you do the honor of dancing with me?"

She turned her head at your question, seeing your almost kneeling form with your hand extended to her, the person talking to her giving a short goodbye before leaving you alone.

"you want to dance?" the archer asked, emphasizing the first word, a knowning glint in her eyes and an amused smile on her lips.

"ok" she said simply, drawing a step closer to you.

You straightened your posture, retreating your hand, letting it fall to your side. You opened your mouth to respond, but nothing came out, making Kate's smile grow bigger. You definitely weren't expecting this outcome. And as if she was reading your mind she added, "you didn't expect me to say yes, did you?"

"no, I actually didn't" You answered, making her giggle.

"honey I know you hate dancing as much as I do, plus, you are totally incapable of dancing" she accused. Ignoring the warmth in your chest because of the pet name, your blinked your eyes fast and put a hand on your chest, causing Kate to roll her eyes.

Again she advanced towards you, until your chests were mere centimeters away from each other, and extended her hand

"come on, take my hand"

You tilted your head, uncertainty clear on your face, not moving from your position you spoke up

"you know what? I changed my mind"

Her teasing smile now turned into a soft and encouraging one.

"let me guide you, you won't mess it up"

She offered, making the desicion for you and taking your hand in hers, putting them in the air. Grabbing the other hand, she put it on her waist, and placed her own on your shoulder, starting to sway to the rhythm of the music.

It was only a few steps and your hand already left her body for about five times to adjust your hair, an unnecessary move, but the darked haired girl didn't pick up on your real motives, or if she did, she decided not to comment on it. Instead she circled your wrist and put it back in its original place "keep your hand on my waist"

You nodded, her soft voice doing something to sooth your nerves. If she tried to make conversation after, you didn't notice, hyper aware of all the people dancing or looking at you, especially one-

"hey! (Y/N)!" she whisper-yelled, making you raise your head, looking in her eyes.

"are you nervous?"

"uh, kinda? I mean-yes yes I am" you nod your head, blabbering on your words. At this Kate squeezed your hand searching for your eyes, indicating she was waiting for more.

"they're looking at me, at you, all of these people, your mother is looking at us and I'm almost tripping with every step. You shouldn't be seen dancing like this-shouldn't be seen dancing with-"

"(Y/N)" she called, stopping you from your rant, and your dance at the same time.

"(Y/N), stop it's okay. They're not looking at us and even if they are, let them look, we're hot" the archer shrugged, giggling at her own joke before she continued "and without you I would be standing in a corner somewhere, bored out of my mind, so don't stress out, mh?"

The brown eyed girl barely waited for any sign from you and spoke up

"don't look at the floor, look at me, no need to rush and don't focus too much, just follow my steps"

And you started doing just that.

"see? You're doing great. You had the perfect teacher after all" She tried to play it cool.

"you never danced in your entire life!" You replied, rolling your eyes and nudging her nose with your own. Har act broke, looking into your eyes, soft smile on her lips, and you were finally able to forget about everyone in the room but the one that was in your arms.

Kate Bishop Masterlist

MCU Masterlist - General Masterlist

[porcelaincvnt666]

🫀 intro ⊹⋆.ೃ࿔*

hi <3 welcome 2 my blog , i'll post here like a journal, i'm just looking for somewhere to drop random thoughts and girlblogs i make. i'm veryvery not used 2 tumblr but i'm an avid pinterest user and i'll try 2 figure out things here

basic introductory details ﾟ+*:ꔫ:*﹤

my name is porcelain, but u can also call me pj [she/her] . not actually my real name but it's my online persona name since my name's unique and i have the largest irrational fear of any1 finding me on here. i just rlly love the word and the metaphors that can derive from it and its connections to art. i like the nickname because of its other owners, pj harvey and pj from bottoms (2023)!

teenage grrrl

lesbian? idfk anymore it's complicated but I love love women very much and i can find men pretty but i don't know if I actually want to be with 1

cancer sun, scorpio moon & rising (i'm not a hardcore believer in astrology but i just think it's cool)

interestsﾟ+*:ꔫ:*﹤

in general, i just love art and creation like ur telling me we have access to all these beautiful forms of expression that show who u are as a human being that'll last longer than your own soul?? the three most important things to me are film, writing and music, but i also love visual art things like painting and drawing, as well as literature, fashion and sewing, makeup, and theatre.

some music artists i love;

hole, fiona apple, mitski, jack off jill, bikini kill, pj harvey, mazzy star, bratmobile, dazey and the scouts, amy winehouse, veruca salt, cocteau twins, lana del rey, radiohead, katie jane garside, nirvana, caviar noir, nicole dollaganger, strawberry switchblade, fleetwood mac, the cranberries, kate bush, tori amos, the smiths, björk, slowdive, my bloody valentine, the breeders, poison girlfriend, lesley gore, lunachicks, lebanon hanover, jeff buckley, garbage, janis joplin, ethel cain, babes in toyland, japanese breakfast, the dresden dolls, strange boutique, scary bitches, the cure, siouxsie and the banshees, and black box recorder

movies i like; welcome to the dollhouse, but i'm a cheerleader, girl, interrupted, ghost world, may, amelie, carrie (1976) ,the addams family (1995), the royal tenenbaums, buffalo '66, eeaao, smiley face, little miss sunshine

[ i don't claim to be a cinephile!! also even though i will dedicate my life to film i haven't watched nearly as many as i want to so here are some on my watchlist!!! ]

possesion, perfect blue, tvs, women on the verge of a nervous breakdown, the young girls of rocheport, the belladonna of sadness, snakes and earrings, audition, daisies, mysterious skin, the cook, the thief, his wife & her lover

misc interests; sylvia plath, lipstick shades & eyeshadow palettes, anything red, human organs, calico critters, porcelain dolls, the nineties, alternative fashion + fashion from 20s-90s, aya takano, japanese literature, religious imagery, cannibalism, witchcraft, christina ricci, pen15, poetry, riot grrrl feminism, mark ryden, the sims, weird girl and manic pixie dream girl tropes, glee (embarassing), stardew valley, clone high (also embarassing), the moon, electric guitar, and niche weird accesories (jewelry and tights and shit like that)

hobbiesﾟ+*:ꔫ:*﹤

i like reading books, watching movies and listening to music. those are my main three of media consumption. i'm learning 2 play electric guitar ( i have a sick red one). i love to paint and i journal a lot. i want to get into jewelry making and sewing. i take walks for reconnecting with nature. i collect a lot of childish shit and also things related to my interests. i write poetry and i'm working on a book. i may or may not post about any of these.

other little thingies about me that i felt needed to be included.

red + black is my personal dear favorite color combo

i like overusing little emojis and symbols because they feel like doodling in your journal

i have to elaborate on everything possible for some reason so i'm sorry for the big blocks of text

weird girl 4ever, manic pixie nightmare grrrl official title

very passionate feminist!!!!!!!!!!!

https://linktr.ee/porcelaincvnt666

started a blog because of depression, bpd, and maladaptive daydreaming killing me slowly, tired of everyone i know, and no place to share my thoughts with the world 2 find like-minded people and also to feel famous and universally loved by my target audience

looking 4 moots!

🫀🫀🫀

[starsreminisce]

Elain doesn’t even like Lulu so they can’t be end game.

Elain is going to reject the bond since they can't even stand to be around each other.

Elain and Lucien don't even talk.

Yea, that’s the point… that’s how their story starts.

Darcy and Elizabeth didn’t like each other at the start of Pride and Prejudice.

Kate and Anthony didn’t like each other at the start of Bridgerton S2.

Queen Charlotte and King George were practically living in separate castles at the start of Queen Charlotte

Cardan and Jude downright hated each other at the start of Cruel Prince.

By you, I am Forever Undone

Eva and Jacks didn’t like each other at the start of OUABH. They were both heavily involved with other people and continued to be even towards the end of Ballad.

There is Nothing of Equal Value to Me

That's the magic of it. Y'all got too used to the fake 'Enemies to Lovers' trope where both of them 'hate' each other but secretly want one another.

Nah. These two can't stand being around each other.

That's what's going to make Elucien's book that much more delicious.

Especially now that Lucien AND Elain are finding their inner sass.

We get to enjoy the journey from when they are awkward and don't want to be around each other, dealing with this annoying bond that draws them together, adding in that frustration.

and then... the catalyst ... because Elain is going to have to talk to Lucien at some point, right? Especially if she were to reject the bond. She's going to have to be around Lucien if she were to insist she's part of the NC, considering how many roles Lucien juggles within the same court she claims she's a part of.

Then comes the buildup: the quips, the flustering, the 'why am I feeling jealous' moments, the gazes, the almost touches, the angst, the conversations, the confessions.

And finally, the big blowup where they realize just how perfect they are for each other and just how much they've been in denial.

Thats the story! Just how well-suited and perfect they are for each other and how long it will take for them to get there!!

We would get to squeal and scream and just get all these goosebumps for them to accept it. Like, close the book because of how cute it is.

Like, I don't want them to be together just because of the mating bond. The mating bond is that something something to make their story a little sweet and spicy. It's the secret ingredient to how they get together organically.

SJM gonna serve us and we are gonna get fed.

[panchulien]

Bruvski I just fucking realized your main was moltage /dead anywho back to the regularly scheduled fuckery!!!

Idea one) Nik watching Price curse and swear as he struggles to wrap presents for his boys (read kids) and his sweet daughter Farah (read daughter we all know where she stands) and slapping patch work all over the gaps of the presents to cover gaps. Far to much effort that won't last more then a minute when the men get their hands on it. Not to mention the utter TIME devoted to find the perfect gift for his men.

Ghost, A shiny Charmeleon card just to fuck with the man (I saw the sloppy head post about Charizard) last year was a Charmander. As well as a new oil for the mans equipment. He always was fond of the Egyptian brands. Smoother than silk and fires like a dream.

Gaz, sweet baby boy Gaz the second favorite always, A new cap since he loses his all the time. As well as a vintage Scotch older than him. Got a love for it after joining Nik and Price for late night drinks after helping plan ops. And a new harness, his dumb ass isn't falling out of a helicopter again. And he's not going to forget about it dammit!

Soap, a British flag blanket, hands down. Need to see the bloke froth and bark and grumble before he gets to the good presents. Only if he's a good boy though. The good stuff being, an expensive set of colored charcoals for the ADHD mutt. And a box of bandaids that labels him as an 'idiot, stupid, crybaby' for all the times he gets hurt. And, reluctantly, and a rather poor decision on Prices part. Silk boxers with Scotland's flag on the ass. It takes a stick and threatening to shoot the man for him to not to drop his pants then and there to put them on. Not this Christmas MacTavish!!

Farah, the beautiful best daughter, and sassy brat. Does not get a gag gift, last time Soap and Gaz almost got shot for trying to give her Russian candies. No, Farah gets a new scarf, gun oil like Ghost, she likes a gun with nice performance. This one from Germany. Germany, not Austria I promise. No one brings up Austria. And a small box of chocolates from France. Sweet tooth courtesy of Kate, and enough to take back and share with her friends.

Nik, the man will take everything with grace and remembers to pay it forward, with interest 😉. But in reality, what is there to get a man who buys anything and everything he wants on a whim. Answer, anything because it's the thought he cares for more.

Has the drawings and art Soap has gifted him framed on his walls at home. And all the safe houses he lends the men, his favorite is a small sketch of Nik and Price sleeping while leaning on each other. kept over his heart and easily his favourite.

A dark burgundy Sherpa coat for his trips from Gaz. The man is all class, and will and has shown it on numerous occasions.

And Ghost? Claws up the oldest vintage Vodka and Kvas no longer in circulation. Along with a few notes on some... Rats, so to speak and other fun things. But that's between Nik and Ghost.

It's always agonizing trying to buy for Nik, so Price has given up and learned the best method of buying something for the man. Is the moment he sees something and it makes him think of the man? BUY IT. It's become a game between the two, watching as Nik slowly rolls the item between his large warm hands. A thoughtful and warm look on his face as he mulls over what memory such an item had triggered. The boys being quiet and listening, it's rare to hear Nik speak with such a fond and soft voice. Like a bear settled in to hibernate, half asleep and cheeks red from the liquor.

His favorite? A bar of chocolate, not even made anymore. Rebranded six times before they finally shut down. Only two bites taken out of it and stashed away in a lockbox with his important trinkets such as his grandmums wedding ring. His old dog tags. And a broken knife a fallen comrade had left behind.

This year? A small pair of red mittens, not fitting anyone's hands. But to remind the time the two men had accidentally ran into each other when Nik was calming down a lost little girl. Helping fix her warm mittens on her hands before he looked up and caught Prices gaze. It was easy enough to find the little girls family. But that brief moment, walking around with the little girl on Niks shoulders to try and spot her family. A hand on her back so she didn't fall from Price. It was oddly domestic and something they held close to the heart.

So much I'll have to do a part two in a bit after breakfast 😭 enjoy the word vomit my dear 💖 still gonna be my pan pan 😤

liaaa this is insane. you spoil me. 😭🫶 also yes the main is moltage, where i post about my silly penguin show hehe <33

Price carefully picking every single gift (most time went for Soaps) only to butcher the packaging ahaha. Nikolai is just watching with a smile as the captain swears his ass off at the messed up wrappers.

I love the ideas for gifts also! Ghost and Farah's fit so well (shoutout to Jack for the Pokemon idea even though I didn't understand much of it. It's so sweet hehe)

Gaz too, (although he's gonna roll his eyes at the harness. ''IT WAS ONE TIME, NIK!🙄'' ''Captains idea actually. 😁'') Him joining Nik and Price for drinks is so sweet. Would love to hear what kinda conversation would go around between them. Mostly Nik and Price telling stories of their early days... which Gaz would roll his eyes like ''You guys sound more insufferable than Ghost and Soap.'' earning a belly laugh from Nik and a roll of eyes from John.

Soap is gonna... have a fun time opening those presents lmaooo love that also. Bet his ass had it coming with what gifted people in return.

And Nik's part oughghhg😭 the man cherishes every little thing. Every memory he had with the TF141. And John getting him something because ''it reminded me of you'' ? Are those tears in Nik's eyes? Nope. Just allergies, okay. :)

Nik, ya big softie. I love him so much. Thank you for this Lia! Enjoy your breakfast, I would love to hear a part 2. <3

[sukirichi]

my biggest issue with dtd is the fact that SUNA IS JUST SO FUCKING ANNOYING (not your writing, just him) like wdym you have an issue with your wife going on a trip with your mistresses husband? you think she’s gonna cheat? you think she’ll do exactly what you’re doing?

also he’s just so confusing. like you LOVEEEE your wife but you’re still fucking that idiom chick or whatever. men are so dense, it’s like he takes yn’s actions at face value and can’t see her inner turmoil where she is very much still in love with him. he plays into the cocky “i can’t let you go” role but he’s so blinded by his jealousy over her friendly nature with his brothers, that he can’t see that - even though she’s trying to make friends - she’s trying to forget about the pain suna’s causing her.

i will say though, i think him being forced to stay away from his brothers during his younger years played a huge role in why he is the way he is. i don’t wanna say he was raised spoiled, but i feel like to an extent the queen maybe kept affirming him “everything in this kingdom is yours” or gave him gifts to make up for the fact that he has no social skills with family, and that’s led to this situation where as an adult he still believes he can get everything he wants.

ORRRR, my final theory. (i’m so sorry my brain is fried i can’t remember iris’ mother’s name.) i think her name was kate? but i genuinely feel like she’s the ultimate puppet master. she’s playing suna, she’s playing iris, she’s playing the whole kingdom. it’s a game of chess and she’s so close to checkmate. i don’t know what her ultimate goal would be, im assuming it’s that whole “if /I/ can’t become queen, then you must do it in my place.” like those mum’s who live vicariously through their child star kids… if it turns out iris’ mum was the issue the whole time then i MAY feel a little bad for iridium, but i still don’t like her.

one final thing, IM SO WEAK OH MY GOD, i get why yn isn’t over şuna im not even joking, i hate him but id be on my hands and knees begging for him to just help fix our marriage. unless…. he’s being blackmailed to be iris’ affair partner…. 👀

wait — i’m cooking… WHAT IF HES BEING BLACKMAILED AND HIS BROTHERS ARE THE ONES IN DANGER?? like he never got to grow with them, but maybe he feels if he saves them from this he will be part of the silly drawings?? and the blackmail theory might work, i have a feeling if he’s gonna be betrayed by a brother, it’s going to be through sensitive information being given to iris’ mother so that it can be used against him and the royal family? idk i lost my theory half way through LOL

-shhh anon

you’re so real for that, suna is one big (misunderstood, but still!) asshole here 😭 also i get you, canon sunarin is PERFECT and is a total baby, he would never <3 HELP NOT THE IDIOM CHICK I’M CACKLING SPSPS

also also yes! you’re right! jealousy blinds him sm that he can’t realize that the princess is friendly and she gets along well with everyone - even with the stoic ushijima and tooru (who shamelessly says he doesn’t like anyone) she’s overall a very likeable person, but bcos rin is insecure n jealous, he assumes she’s immediately replacing him OR that his brothers are out to woo her. i mean, some of them would, but you catch my drift. it’s really just hypocritical of him that he wanted someone his family would like, and when they do like her, he’s like 🤨⁉️ and your theories ooh, very interesting 👀 i can’t confirm nor deny the effects of suna’s upbringing to him but we will have suna’s childhood + backstory in ch11!

iridium, i’m gone lmfao 😭 i’m like part laughing out loud and part nodding at everything you say. kate is, well... she’s a mystery pretty much to everyone, and so is iris. i kinda wrote it that way because i wanted iris’ role in the series to slowly unveil itself. ALSO NO I GET YOU i see sunarin fanarts and i CRUMBLE. lowkey i hate the way i wrote him to be an antagonist in his own story because it’s so hard to like him but also i like the canon sunarin sm so it’s hard 😭 i’m so torn between wanting to stick to his dtd characterization and just making him an irresistible guy :( but maybe i could do both? let’s see. BUT IK HE’S JUST SO QBSKWKW i do have to give him a winning card though, so suna will have more scenes in the future where we might just hope he’d be the endgame. and that final theory hello ?! again, i can’t say much BUTTTT i can say for sure, suna does actually want to be part of the drawings </3 he wishes he had his own section in omi’s library too :(

anyways thank you sm for taking the time to share with me your thoughts, i really appreciate it 🥺💫 and i’d love to hear more of your theories bcos dare i say... you’re close to cracking the code on some of them 👀

[princeescaluswords]

Random question, Prince! How do you thinks would've played out if Melissa was the one Peter bit that fateful night? Perhaps she went looking for her foolish son and his even more foolish friend because she knows they went looking for that corpse. How does she navigate her new reality? Does Derek approach her similarly to how he approached Scott in canon? Does Peter make himself known sooner? What about Deaton?

I just LOVE hearing your thoughts on these types of things 🥰

Personally, I don't see your scenario happening because, as many fans do, it takes it as a given that Peter's selection of Scott was an act of instinct and not a calculated decision. I am of the opinion that it's 99% likely that Peter was fully aware of what he was doing when he Bit Scott. My evidence is as follows:

The Beacon Hills Police Department had been in the woods for as long as it had taken Stiles to eavesdrop on his father's conversation, to try to reach Scott on the phone, to get to Scott's, to convince Scott to come with him, and then to drive out to the Preserve. I think it highly unlikely that Peter would never have come across at least one police deputy alone in the woods over that amount of time, especially with an alpha werewolf's heightened senses.

It follows that if you accept my headcanon that Peter eavesdropped on Scott's and Stiles's conversation while going through the woods, Scott presented as the perfect target. Scott is revealed in the conversation as bored, plagued by asthma, and desiring to be a sports star; all of these things becoming a werewolf will change. Judging by his relationship with Stiles, Scott also seems to be a follower. He's young, so he'll survive the Bite. Peter chose Scott on purpose.

The amount of convincing and planning he had to do to get Nurse Jennifer not only to help him but also to help him effectively meant that he had to be fully aware for some time. This is why Derek switched sides when Scott told him that Nurse Jennifer had gotten the flyer from Deaton's office; Derek realized then that Peter's claim of killing Laura accidentally had to be false.

Finally, in Master Plan (2x12), Peter reveals that a week after he got out of his coma, he located the Hale family records and transferred them to a laptop, hiding it in their house so thoroughly that not only Derek missed it but so did the crime scene investigators looking into Kate's death. It's quite a feat for someone who is supposedly not in possession of his faculties.

If you accept this argument as true, Peter would never have selected Melissa the way he selected Scott. She's older and more mature; she's not going to hide things to avoid getting in trouble with her parents. She's out in the woods looking for her son, which means Peter would have to deal with him as well. Melissa, as a mature adult, would probably be a lot more willing to immediately go to the police and seek proper medical attention for an animal bite. He wanted a soldier he could manipulate, not a fully grown adult who would immediately cause him trouble if not reveal him to the Argents.

There is, however, a scenario where he might try to Bite her, and that would be if Nurse Jennifer didn't exist. Let's say he tries to seduce Melissa when she's his nurse instead of Jennifer. He would perhaps play off her insecurities about being desirable, her empathy and compassion for his state, and what Peter could do for her son Scott. However, when he tried to persuade her to help him lure Laura into an ambush, she would reject him, and he might desperately Bite her in an attempt to bind her to him. He wouldn't just kill her; he needs Laura's alpha spark to recover fully and he can't afford to draw attention yet.

It would not work out well for him. If she didn't immediately go to her son's best friend's father, she would contact Laura directly and tell her that Peter was awake but he might be mentally imbalanced. Laura and Derek would come back, but this time they wouldn't be taken by surprise. Laura would teach Melissa how to control herself, and the three of them would work on Peter to get him to see reason or to neutralize him if he wouldn't.

It is possible that Peter might somehow get the drop on Laura even then, but Derek wouldn't be misled and Melissa would certainly do something, because, after all "If [she] can do something to help, then [she would] do it. [She would] have to." The struggle would begin.

Scott dating Allison would still be a complication, because Allison didn't date Scott because of his cool werewolf abilities, but of his helpful and friendly attitude at the vet clinic. Now, Melissa would have to balance learning how to control her werewolf instincts, fighting Peter's plans, and hiding her secret from her son and her son's girlfriend.

Heck, that sounds like a damn good show.

EDIT: Someone pointed out that my idea needs work -- Peter couldn't turn Melissa until after he became Alpha. Most of what I wrote is still relevant. It would still be interesting!

[justsomeclintasha]

Clint sighs, sinking back into the leather seat of the Quinjet. He’s exceptionally glad for the automatic piloting system today. The mission had been rough. He reaches to his side and flicks on the heat.

Warmth radiates over his muscles. He can feel it even through his jacket. Natasha putters around the rear of the plane, putting away her knives, his bow, digging through their pack for some food. He closes his eyes.

Several minutes later, she joins him, pressing a bag of chips into his hand. He wasn’t falling asleep. He wasn’t. She smiles at him knowingly as he opens the snack.

“Do you think I’m old?” he blurts out.

“Yes.”

“Seriously, Nat?”

“Yes. Downright ancient. In fact, is that another grey hair?” She reaches toward his temple and he brushes her hand away with a grunt. Maybe he shouldn’t let it him bother him. It was just one hair after all. “Hey.”

“It’s fine.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Back.” He shifts, wanting to take off his boots, but finding no energy to do so. Seeming to read his mind, she leans over and begins undoing the laces.

“You’re not old. I’m teasing.”

“You know Bucky loves these heated seats and he’s like a hundred years old.”

“Yeah, because they feel good. I use them, too.”

“I just don’t know if I have a lot to bring to this team anymore.”

The confession is out before he can take it back. She straightens, and he toes off his shoes, looking at a spot on the floor so he won’t have to meet her eyes.

“I’m already deaf. I’m sore. I’m tired. The past few weeks have been hard. What if I miss, Nat? What if I slip up and you get hurt?”

“Shield has been putting too much on us. You know we should have had a week off in there and they cut it back to a day. We both need a break.”

She curls her fingertips under his chin, tilting his gaze up. Her lips press to his in a soft kiss.

“Hey.”

“There is no one else I would trust to have my six,” she murmurs, her voice and eyes serious. “If you want out for another reason, then I trust your judgement, but don’t you ever doubt your capabilities.”

He’s surprised at the lump in his throat, and he pulls her close into his arms, burying his face in her hair. It’s not often he gets emotional like this. Maybe he does need a break. Just a few days to relax and wind down. Dog Cops and pizza on the couch with her sounds perfect.

“I’m insisting on two weeks vacation,” she says quietly, a hand rubbing up and down his back. “We both need it.”

“That’s a good idea,” he manages. She draws away slowly. “I think we’re almost home. I bet Lucky missed us.”

“I’m sure he’s gained like twenty pounds with the way Kate feeds him.” He laughs, settling into the heat.

“You want to do anything particular tonight?”

“A bath sounds good. My hair feels disgusting.”

“Maybe I can help you wash it.”

“How about you relax and let me do the work this time, old man?” she teases, giving his thigh a squeeze. He flushes.

“You still want me? Grey hair and all?” She grins, leaning in for kiss that promises more.

“Every day of my life.”

[littlehipsterhobbit]

Benophie fans will crucify me for this, but I want Benedict to wait until season 5. And for good reason.

I want Ben to meet The Girl in Silver in season 3. To fall in love immediately. To be frustrated with Colin for squandering the kind of love he'd give anything to be able to still hold onto. I want him to enlist Super Sleuth Eloise to help him find her. I want, in the final episode of S3, for them to connect the crest on the glove to the late Earl of Penwood. I want him to go to their house and leave dejected when he doesn't find her there.

I want him to not return to Aubrey Hall with his family but to go his own way. Anthony is happy with Kate, Colin and Pen are in newlywed bliss, and Benedict can't bring himself to stick around to watch it all this time. He looks for her everywhere he goes, but to no avail. I want him to cling to her through his art and fail. The smile isn't quite right. He can't hold onto the shape or color of her eyes. He's losing faith in his art. Perhaps he's truly rubbish at it and should give it all up. She isn't anywhere. He parties for the debauchery of it all. Drinks himself stupid.

When Eloise disappears, he's angry. With Eloise for her thoughtlessness, with his family for not paying attention to her, with himself for not being there. Was she kidnapped or did she leave of her own volition? Is she okay? Yet another woman in his life who he cares about and he's not sure what happened, she's just gone. He's angry with Philip Crane. When they find her, he's damn well ready to strangle this man. El may not have come to marry him, but she's still a gently bred young lady. He allowed her into his home knowing her relation to Colin and allowed her to become a governess to his children? Didn't send her home? Or send an express to her family? Acquire a proper damn chaperone for her? It becomes clear that they have to marry. There is no other option. And it is killing Ben to stand aside and let this happen. Watch her be forced, by her own actions yes, but still forced to marry. He can't bear to see his sister unhappy. He still hasn't ruled out killing the bastard.

He's back in town, and his demeanor is worse. Is that why he hasn't seen her? Was she forced to marry? Was she off somewhere trapped like his sister? Was she hurt or scared? Or was she happy? She looked so happy in his arms that night. Was she still happy wherever she was? Without him? Or worse. Had he seen her again and not noticed. Missed her. All he can do is miss her. A girl he knew for barely an hour. And she's just inside him. Forever. He drinks more. Goes to another party. Granville finds him drunk. Maybe Benedict kisses him, maybe he doesn't. It doesn't matter because it wouldn't mean much either way. Because Benedict remembers Granville telling him about love. About being in the same room as the person you can't live without and still feeling oceans apart. Benedict would take that kind of pain over this. To have the luxury of just being able to be in the same room. Maybe he'd never hold her again, but he'd have something. He'd be able to see her. He'd at least know where she was. He has nothing. Even his art is rubbish. He can't hold onto the most basic of details of her. He doesn't even know her goddamned name.

Granville tells him he does have something. He pulls the flask from Ben's hand and places a piece of charcoal in it. That feeling inside. The love. The longing. The pain. Those are things to hold onto. Put them on the canvas. It doesn't have to look perfect. Just draw what you feel. And in doing so, Granville sets Benedict firmly down in the Romantic period the early 19th century was known for. Up to that point Benedict has been drawing from models. A bouquet sent to his mother or sister, a bowl of fruit Anthony kept stealing from, or the nude bodies of the Academy. The Romantic period was about feeling. Forget models, they're a crutch. Use your creative mind, Benedict. And he throws himself into it. A silhouette. The silver of her gown flowing behind her. The way the world darkened around him as she ran away. He goes home to Aubrey Hall reluctantly, but he doesn't sleep. The moment before he saw her. When he'd only felt her. He doesn't sleep, his eyes are crazed. His hands are covered. In ink. In charcoal. In paint. And when Eloise comes into his studio, a broken look in her eyes, he is barely able to register his fury at her husband before he passes out.

He hadn't been taking care of himself. A fever. A bad one. Eloise is crying, begging him not to leave her like this. She needs him to be okay. But he hasn't been okay for a while. And he doesn't know if he'll be okay again. And before long Philip is there. He's there comforting El. He's there forcing some foul tea down Benedict's throat. And then he sleeps. He dreams. And he's in her arms again. And he's feeling peace. When he wakes, he sees El and Philip outside his window. Talking. Holding onto each other. Leaning on each other. He sees Philip looking at his sister like that and realizes that she's got far more power here, over this man, than anyone might guess. He's got tears in his eyes and is holding onto her like he'd simply break if he let go. When they return, they're hand-in-hand. Eloise yells as soon as she sees Benedict. Urges him back to bed. Philip offers to get more tea and Benedict, newfound respect for his brother-in-law, accepts.

Philip leaves them to talk. And they do. Like they always have. Benedict is lost. Heartbroken. But he's starting to find himself again. Perhaps he needs to find himself before he can find her. Eloise might be in love with her husband. And his children. And she's probably with child. But Philip is distant from the twins and she can't do it all by herself. The independent girl needs her husband. She's found something in this world she doesn't want to do all by herself. But, Benedict assures her, she won't. That guy looks like he'd jump off a cliff for her if she asked. She's always been good at telling people what to do. Lean on him. Give him something to do. If Philip needs anything in his life, it's direction. Eloise has to take the reins. She's not going alone, she just gets to be the one driving sometimes.

She makes him promise to take care of himself. If she can learn to lean on Philip, he can lean on his family. The Bridgerton name doesn't always have to be a burden. Says the girl who doesn't have to carry it anymore. He teases. She smiles. Can take the girl away from the Bridgertons, but can't take the Bridgerton away from the girl. She looks happier when she leaves. Resolved. That makes one of them.

When he recovers, he doesn't go back to town. He needs to stop looking for her. He's not giving up, but he's ready to start looking inward instead. Anthony reminds him of one of the Bridgerton properties in the country. The country air might be better for his health. His family is there when he needs them, but it's also okay to need space. So Benedict heads for My Cottage.

Let Ben be our main B plot for S3 & S4 and gear him up for S5. Let Benedict's story be the dangling carrot for renewal. Because by that point fans be rabid for the payoff. Does it need to go exactly like this? No. But it would be fucking DELICIOUS. Give art boy the era appropriate art movement, because have you ever MET someone who fit the term Romantic better than Benedict Bridgerton? I think not. Give me the emotional torture. The drama. The longing. Luke Thompson has the chops to pull it off. I can be patient.

[facesofthefog]

[ A    BLOOD   LUST    INBOX    MEME.   ]

@wanderingsongbird asked: your  muse  accidentally  biting  my  muse  too  hard,  drawing  blood. [only if you want to/ aren't overwhelmed!] @ Bass

Perhaps it was due to having the mark preventing him from consciously harming Kate, that she was more willing to let Bass closer than before. Of course, they had shared multiple intimate moments even prior to the forming of the mark. But rarely did they just spent time together. And currently, Bass had Kate sitting in his lap, as he rested his chin on her shoulder. With his arms wrapped around her waist and Kate resting her back against his chest, she was nice and close.

Close enough to smell her skin, feel the taste of each emotion pouring out of her. And although Kate was telling a story, or perhaps sharing a memory, Bass simply couldn't focus. He didn't listen to her for a while now. His mind swimming elsewhere, too captivated by the meal resting in his arms. It was difficult to resist the temptation of dragging his tongue over her neck. So difficult, that the Bastard couldn't resist the urge of doing something. ANYTHING.

What he ended up doing, was placing a soft kiss. And another. And one more. Perhaps that stopped Kate's line of thought, or maybe she'd continue. It didn't matter, because Bass finally had what he wanted. That sweet taste on his lips. If only he could have more... Just a little...

The taste of blood snapped him out of his trance. Bass didn't even notice when the playful nibbles turned into a bite that pierced skin. He pulled back as if struck with electricity following the bite. Perhaps the consequence of hurting Kate, or maybe just reflex at the realisation that he had done something wrong. And there it was, a perfect bloody mark in the shape of his sharp teeth.

"I'm so sorry, darling..." He said, as he honestly felt remorse for what he had done. Perhaps he should focus on some more trials, maybe he was just hungry. Or maybe the nearing blight was messing with his mind. Either way, he knew that no explanation could excuse his behaviour. "I hope it doesn't hurt too much, I'll let you leave if you don't feel comfortable staying. But please know that I did not intend to bite you this hard."

[the-other-art-blog]

Realistically, what do you expect for Benophie season?

Hi, anon! Ok, realistically,

Masquerade ball

The Masquerade ball screams Bridegrton! It's just absolutely perfect for the show. I can already see the behind-the-scenes video about it. Obviously, certain things will change like Penelope's role, and maybe Colin's too. Another thing they may change is the Benophie dance/make-out session. We'll see, but they may have them dancing in front of everyone. The silver dress is also perfect for the show, so we'll have that.

Cinderella - class conflict

I think it's very clear that the show is setting Benedict up to lead a class-conflict love story. The way he defended Genevieve and Henry's speech is clearly in that vein. Plus, THE POEM and even Daphne's description. The writers know Benedict so well!

I think for the general audience is going to be so cool to go back and listen and watch everything that Benedict has done and realize it was all about Sophie!

And they could even accentuate this. I would actually love it if they make more people be aware of Sophie's maid status. In the book, she never goes out so very few people knew her as a maid. I think the rejection from society comes more from the fact that she was a "ward" from dubious parentage, than her situation as a maid. But I can totally see Shonda adding to the drama and people being aware she was a maid. This would make Benedict's sacrifice even greater.

My Cottage

At least, it's going to exist as the place where they had to go because they couldn't live in London. Again, Benedict's storyline has mentioned sacrifice so much, that I can totally expect them to have this.

Muse theme

That's a given. Benedict is going to be writing poems and drawing her face. It's going to be beautiful.

The Cowpers

I'm 90% sure that the Cowpers are Sophie's family. Araminta is a very unusual name, and Portia made a comment about her stealing maids. I'm scared about Posy, I think we might not see her, which would be a shame because I want her to be there and get her extra-horny vicar. I also don't know if Richard is going to be alive. I mean, would Sophie's father be Lord Cowper? If that is the case, I'm interested if they are going to make him even worse than he is in the books by allowing his daughter to work as a maid. Or what the hell are they going to do?!?!!

The children?

We'll get one Benophie child. I don't think Alex and William will be in the show, maybe MAYBE Charles. If they keep Sophie's desire to be a mother and her fear of having illegitimate children, I can totally see an epilogue similar to Saphne's where they show them having their firstborn. And I think they're going to go straight to Violet because her namesake is so important. It would make a much bigger impact on the show for general audiences.

Violet's involvement

On that note, I think Violet is going to keep her role as it is in the book. By the time we get to s4, Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey may not be available for a whole season, so this gives them the opportunity to move the rest of the family to No. 5. Who knows but I think having Kate as the lady of the house would rest importance and authority to Violet.

Eloise's role

She going to be super involved in this one. The show made Benedict and Eloise way closer than their book counterparts. So, that's a given.

ABC maybe for the last time 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

I think this is going to be the last season where we're going to see them together. Anthony may need to pop up in the next stories, but the actors are going to be so busy and there are so many more characters to come that they're going to have a cameo, maybe. Benedict may play a major part in Eloise's season but it's going to be small. This is not bad, it's sad but it would mean the show succeeded. The actors got their names out, and the show attracted millions of viewers.

Eloise's role

She going to be super involved in this one. The show made Benedict and Eloise way closer than their book counterparts. So, that's a given.

Queen Charlotte!

Somehow she'll be involved. I think they may have her wondering about the Lady in Silver. And maybe even recognizing Sophie as the Earl's daughter? But again, she would never accept her because it would be way too much and a threat to the entire aristocratic system. So, she'll be there, she'll look at Sophie and know and just let them go to the country.

Will Mondrich

Will's club may be the only club that accepts Benedict after marrying Sophie.

I may be forgetting something, but this is it for now. Ask me again after s3.

[jmflowers]

I just accomplished a bunch of things I needed to do before bed, so I vote we celebrate with an instalment of "I wrote this stuff and then discarded it from Risk"!

In trying to figure out how to have the dad thing factor into the story, I wrote like 5 or 6 different iterations of it coming to light. This is one version that I liked but decided against using because I wanted Risk to be told entirely from Carina's third-person point of view and this negated that. It was super fun to explore the relationship between the kids as teenagers, though, and this push-and-shove dialogue has become the backbone of writing them in their older years.

We'll call this: "prompt #17" (I guess). You can read it below the cut...

Despite their best efforts, Andrea and Beatrice haven’t quite managed to cover the entire kitchen table with their combined homework. A small patch of wood peeks out from the space between them, untouched by the wide array of tech they’ve spread out. Andrea groans, slamming a finger against the backspace button on his keyboard as he rubs at his forehead.

It’s become a routine now that high school requirements are plaguing them both. Quiet Friday evenings before the moms get home are perfect for sluffing through as much schoolwork as possible. Andrea misses the days of cartoons and popcorn, though; when they’d sneak all the sugar they could before grown-up eyes came through the door with dinner and disapproval.

“You getting anything done?” he sighs, leaning back on the kitchen chair to get a better view of his little sister.

Beatrice is hunched over her tablet, the stylus in her hand swirling around in mindless circles. She exhales loudly. “I think if I doodle any more, I’ll have to go pro.”

That settles it. Andrea closes his laptop, finally admitting defeat. “How was practice?” he asks as he rises from the table, crossing the kitchen in search of something to clear his head.

“It was good,” Beatrice answers, the stylus still swirling. “Coach says my arms are getting better.”

Andrea pulls open the fridge, scanning the contents for something that isn’t better suited for a life inside a protein shake. Unsurprisingly, he comes up short. “You’re supposed to run with your legs,” he jokes, switching his attention to the freezer.

“Ha, ha,” Beatrice says, tossing the stylus onto the tabletop and turning around in her chair to watch as Andrea digs through the freezer. “There’s some gelato under the peas if Mama didn’t finish it already,” she suggests.

“Yes!” Andrea rejoices as he uncovers their prize. He pushes the freezer closed with his foot at the same time as he stretches to grab two spoons from the cutlery drawer, his long limbs already rehearsed in years of this kitchen tango.

Beatrice accepts a spoon as he drops into the chair next to her, depositing the gelato container on the empty corner of the table. They’re quiet for a moment, both shoveling oversized scoops into their mouths. It’s not quite as good as the gelato they’d had last summer in Italy but it’s sweet and cold and not homework.

“There was a scout at practice today,” Beatrice murmurs after a while, once the brain freeze has slowed her shoveling.

“Oh yeah?” Andrea answers, still focused on his spoon.

“Yeah,” Beatrice nods, “Kate says they’re probably looking at the juniors already.” She draws her bottom lip into her mouth, chewing on it slowly as she thinks.

Her brother notices that, though, smirking as he shoves the gelato tub in her direction again. “That make you nervous?”

She scoffs, shoving it back. “I’m a freshman.”

Andrea shrugs, pulling the tub into his lap as he scoops up the final few bites. “Crazier things have happened, B.”

“He talked to me,” she whispers, fingers dancing across her spoon with the jitters of nerves and excitement and confusion. “He knew my name… Me.”

For the first time since he’d started eating, Andrea stills, spoonful of gelato halfway to his mouth. He gathers himself again quickly, shoving it between his lips and standing up. “Just the one scout?” he asks, “Isn’t there usually a few scheduled to visit a meet or something?”

“Andrea,” Beatrice groans, throwing her head back against the chair, “I didn’t ask for three parents.” She flips her spoon up into the air above her head, catching it before it can collide with her face. “He just came over and talked to a few of us while we were stretching. It was nice.”

“Okay,” Andrea shrugs, leaning over the sink with the now-empty gelato tub.

“It doesn’t matter, anyways,” Beatrice continues, flipping the spoon again, “He’s a long-distance coach and I’m a sprinter. It’s basically two different sports.”

Andrea turns on the tap, rinsing the tub slowly beneath the steady stream of water. “Long-distance?” he asks, swallowing roughly.

“Yeah,” Beatrice laughs, “Mom probably would’ve loved to talk to him. They could’ve gotten each other all riled up about endurance and race snacks.” She flips the spoon once more, but her aim is off just a little and it misses her grasp, clattering against the tile floor.

Andrea jumps at the sound.

Beatrice sighs, rolling off her chair to retrieve it. “He even said he’d trained an athlete who went to the Olympics,” she chuckles as she strolls across the kitchen, dropping her dirty spoon in the sink. “Isn’t that crazy?”

“Yeah,” Andrea whispers, “Crazy.”

~

It’s a typical Friday night dinner; takeout containers spread across the table, Beatrice babbling away animatedly about her day and forgetting to eat. Andrea sits at the other end, more focused on his meal than the chatter, quiet until his little sister finally relinquishes her hold on their mother’s attention.

Carina watches as it unfolds, as Maya nods along to everything their daughter has to say even though she’s probably only half-listening, as those familiar blue eyes of her wife’s dart up every few minutes to find her own. They’ve barely had an hour together in the same place all week, between the track meet and their work schedules and Andrea’s college fair, the requirements of motherhood taking precedence as usual.

“And what did Mr. Harcourt say?” Maya prompts, smirking as the question launches Beatrice into another tirade, their daughter barely pausing for breath as she tells the story.

Carina finds herself looking to Andrea instead, analyzing the slope of his shoulders as he hunches over his plate. He’s been not quite himself all evening: his smile not quite reaching his eyes, his posture not quite as upright, his fingers busy tapping at his thighs more than is typical.

When Maya looks her way again, she holds her gaze, left eyebrow lifting as she tips her head towards their son. Maya frowns in response, her jaw shifting side to side in acknowledgement. Something on his mind.

They’ve been looking at colleges for a few months now and the process has been weighing on him, Carina knows. Even though he still has time to decide, he can’t seem to settle on a major, which makes picking a school more difficult, and the added pressure just seems to be dragging him down.

Their sweet, sensitive boy has never been one to flourish amidst change.

“Andrea,” Carina interrupts, halting the string of Beatrice’s thought before she can launch into another tale of freshman drama, “How was your day?”

He shrugs, eyes still on his plate. “It was fine, Mama.”

“Lots of homework?” Maya presses, reaching across the table as if she’s only half-focused on him, too.

“Yeah,” he breathes, “That essay is due on Monday.” He bookends the sentence with a forkful of chicken, taking his time to chew.

“You got a lot done earlier, though,” Beatrice pipes up, tossing him a wide grin from the opposite end of the table, “Didn’t you?”

Andrea nods, still chewing.

“Was that before or after you got into my gelato stash?” Maya teases, lifting her own fork in accusation. Beatrice’s nose crinkles in response, those big brown eyes of hers sparkling with mischief. Andrea smirks, his cheeks colouring.

“My gelato,” Carina corrects, leaning into the banter in the hopes that it’ll lower Andrea’s guard for at least a few minutes. A good joke can do that sometimes; drag down his armour long enough to get out what’s racing through his mind.

It warms her inside, this intimacy of their family. That Maya, too, knows that letting Beatrice talk through all of dinner will mean their daughter can settle into the calm of their home with a clear head. That Andrea needs laughter when his mind is swirling through a scenario he can’t work out on his own. That even now, when their children are teenagers who sit at either ends of the table, they can still read them, still decipher them, still look at each other and communicate the rhythm needed to reach them both.

It's intoxicating, this synchronicity, and it makes her want to lean across the table and pull Maya into a kiss.

“I’m the one who hid it,” Maya argues.

“But you hide everything in the same spot,” Beatrice bickers right back.

“Yeah, cause none of you ever touch the peas!”

“Why don’t you tell Moms about the scout, B?” Andrea suggests, derailing their banter. He looks up expectantly when he says it, wide eyes and an encouraging smile filling his face as he stares at his sister.

Carina watches as Beatrice squints at him, clearly attempting to deduce his motive.

“A scout?” Maya asks, eyebrows rising comically high up her forehead, “At practice?”

“Uh, yeah,” Beatrice nods, still focused on her brother, “Getting an early look at the juniors, I guess.”

“Sophomores, too, probably,” Maya adds.

Beatrice pales at the suggestion, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth. Unlike Andrea, their not-so-little girl has a pretty solid idea of where she’d like to go after high school, already watching as the seniors embark on the track scholarship pipeline she’s begun dreaming of. It’s not pressure, she’d assured them all over dinner a few weeks ago, Just a goal.

“But he was a long-distance coach, right?” Andrea continues, feigning nonchalance. He falls a little flat of his target, though, his eyes flicking upwards to Beatrice’s face too often to not declare the obviousness of intent behind his question. “Didn’t you say he coached someone who went to the Olympics?”

Maya stills immediately, the muscles in her arms tightening so minutely Carina’s certain she’d have missed it if there weren’t decades of memorizing her wife under her belt. There’s a tightness in Maya’s jaw when she goes searching for her gaze, every inch of her body suddenly on high alert.

Andrea swallows roughly beside his mother. “What was his name again?” he asks.

Beatrice shrugs, completely oblivious to the rising temperature at the table. “I don’t know, something obnoxiously running-related,” she grins as the memory resurfaces, digging back into her food with a renewed vigor, “Kate kept snickering about it after.”

“Track?” Andrea suggests.

Blonde hair swishes as Beatrice shakes her head, food finally making its way into her mouth. She doesn’t answer as she chews but her eyes flick up towards the ceiling, attempting to remember.

“Dash?” Carina murmurs, watching as Maya’s throat bobs.

“Mmm-mmm,” Beatrice hums.

Maya’s mouth opens slowly, her fingers tensed on the tabletop. Her voice is flat when she speaks, so cold and so un-Maya that it makes Carina shiver. “Lane?”

“Yeah!” Beatrice laughs, “Can you imagine? I think I’d rather be named starting block or sprint.” She brushes a wisp of loose hair behind her ear, somehow still unaware of the change in energy occurring around the table.

Forever in her own little world, their Beatrice.

Andrea, however, ducks his chin, abandoning his fork on the table as he shifts backwards in his chair. Maya doesn’t look at him, doesn’t look anywhere but at the plate in front of herself, muscles winding themselves tighter and tighter with every second.

He’d asked about his grandfather the summer before last, when a traipse through the basement for some camping supplies had unearthed a photo album he’d never seen before. The pictures had been cute and untroubling at first; braids and braces and Maya’s triumphant grin. Until Andrea had turned to the last page and Carina had caught sight of Lane Bishop for the first time in more than 15 years.

She’d tried to tread carefully around the subject. Tried to convey as gently as she could the reason their children have never known their grandfather, the reason that Maya never speaks his name in their home. But he’s receptive, their son, and far smarter than she sometimes knows what to do with.

Andrea understood it seemed, even then, that Lane Bishop wasn’t a person to ask his mom about, nor a name to blab to his little sister. Carina had been grateful when he’d tucked it away inside his mind, despite the swirl of guilt in her gut at her own selfishness. There’d been too many years of therapy, she’d rationed, too much time spent burying his memory to dig it back out again.

Only, Andrea doesn’t forget.

And Maya’s father will probably always be a festering wound.

“You are not to speak to that scout,” Maya manages through a jaw so tight her mouth barely opens.

Beatrice scoffs, the sound dying only when she finally looks up at her mother in the millisecond before she’s about to protest. Her brow furrows, eyes darting around the table as she takes in the tension that’s looped its way into everyone else. “Oh… kay,” she mumbles, “What did I miss?”

Maya swallows and it looks so painful Carina feels her heart clench in response. The desire to reach for Maya flares loudly, a voice screaming in her head to grab her hand or round the table to pull her into her arms. But it won’t help, Carina knows, won’t do anything but speed up the inevitable unraveling or spark the explosion.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Andrea whispers.

“It’s okay,” Maya exhales, “You didn’t do anything.”

Beatrice squints, her shoulders hiking up towards her ears with sudden nerves. “Did… did I do something?” she murmurs.

“No,” Carina soothes, reaching for Beatrice’s hand instead. She squeezes at their daughter’s fingers and smiles as softly as she can manage, suddenly desperate to spin time backwards a few minutes. “We just…” She trails off, unsure what to say.

Maya swallows again, drawing in a slow breath. “I need a minute,” she mutters, rising from the table. She’s gone in a second, disappearing up the stairs and leaving the wide, panicked looks of their children in her wake.

“It’s okay,” Carina soothes immediately, patting Beatrice’s hand, “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She reaches for Andrea as she gets up, too, leaning over to press a kiss against the top of his head. “Either of you.”

The voice in her head is getting louder, screaming that Maya needs her.

“Should I go check on her?” Andrea asks. It really is a family curse, the incessant need to take care of others; it’s printed into Andrea’s DNA, even though she didn’t mean to put it there.

“No,” Carina murmurs.

Even though she meant to shield them both from this.

“I’ve got her.”