#i will admit in the very early stage it was platonic only

[bloo-the-dragon]

I’m confused is sun’s, moon’s and bloodmoon’s relationship platonic or not 🤔 because in a plutonic relationship you don’t kiss, flirt or have pet names yet you draw them doing that stuff???

My dearest anon. The nature of any relationship is defined by those involved in it. And with my Bloodmoon (who is NOT tsams related may i add), Sun and Moon they are in a queer platonic relationship.

While i had referred to it as being only platonic in the past, honestly i kinda used to use it as more of a blanket term because 1. I was shy about being open with these characters being committed to each other in a way that was different to the usual relationship norms, and 2. It was easier to mention on a whim than it was to explain that ultimately it's neither romantic or platonic and is it's own fluid thing where ultimately all that matters is these characters love and care deeply for each other.

And yes, they express their love through cuddles and kisses. And even if they wern't in a relationship, or even if it was fully platonic, is there anything wrong with them still kissing and cuddling anyway? What's wrong with kissing, giving pet names and being affectionate to your friends? Nothing is strictly romantic, regardless of what society says (and yes this applies to sex too). Only those involved in the relationship can decide what is and what isn't.

But yeah, there is no real label for what Bloodmoon, Sun and Moon have, and that is pretty much the main definition of a queer platonic relationship (in my eyes anyway). It's queer. It's different. It's whatever they want it to be. And that's ok.

Anyways, hope this shed some light for you! ^^

[maxlarens]

ok ok ok this is insane but bear with me !! do you remember the landoscar x driver!reader drabble/ficlet I did for your birthday? of course you do but do you remember me yapping in the gc about that soulmate enemies to lovers with max???

well here's a concept for you: friends to lovers landoscar with enemies to lovers oscar x driver!reader and friends to lovers lando x driver! reader (that was a lot to type out holy shit) maybe with the soulmate element thrown in too because I can never do anything simple

VIV!! enemies to lovers oscar mixed with friends to lovers lando OH WOWOW YES!!! yes i yapped thats why this took so long

i think the obvious thing is to do that in reverse but i really quite like it this way. ugh ok so lando who you've been friends with through karting. and then you get into F1 at around the same time as him. and you end up leaning on each other through your rookie years and become super close. would be fun if she had a short stint in mclaren with him too and people obvs loved their dynamic together🥺 and i think reader very much feels like its her and lando against the world people who say they're untalented if u know what i'm saying there.

and then 2023 hits and a certain someone joins mclaren. and idk maybe slightly AU driver!reader is in a midfield team that year (aston martin? ...unfortunately i think a landoscar specific driver!reader is forming here. why do i do this.) and maybe feels a little threatened by oscar. maybe she was trying to get that seat. and then lando and osc start to get closer and closer and reader feels like she's not landos like only Main Friend anymore. and okay maybe a bit of jealousy thrown in there too but she's not about to admit that.

and she develops a bit of a track rivalry with oscar. doesn't like to give anything up to him. would rather see them crash and burn before she lets him overtake. (carcar?😅) and maybe she's not so overt about it off track, but probably isn't super friendly to him maybe tries to exclude him😭 and oscar is oscar and just brushes it off. and thinks okay if she doesn't like me so what, it doesn't change anything. even though lando is probably whingey about it and tells osc and reader to be nicer to each other. i think that continues for the 2023 season.

maybe 2024 she gets a better seat. merc? ferrari even? which eliminates her jealousy around oscar having a better car than her (which idk was mclaren doing better than aston martin in 2023? lets say they were in this world😭). which makes it easier for her to be around him and not be pissed LMAO. which opens her up to his personality and general cuteness. and he starts to grow on her and she eventually starts inviting him/including him in readerlando shenanigans. which soon turn into readerlandoscar shenanigans🥺 love oscar needling his way in there with no effort of his own, literally just his charm and patience has her swooning eventually.

i imagine lando and reader are more extroverted personalities. they're club rats, they're chaotic, they're messy and oscar balances them both out. someone to come home to, someone to coax out of their shell🥺

and re: soulmate au which i didn't touch on. i love like. a soulmate au where ur soulmate isn't necessarily romantic, like maybe the baseline in society is to assume its platonic? anyway. so she finds out so early on that her and lando are soulmates. when they're kids so it never occurs to either of them that it might be romantic (even though it eventually IS). and then the situation develops as above lol, resenting/disliking oscar and all. and in the THICK OF IT, she must find out that oscar is also her soulmate. and must hate him more because of it. ugh idk all of them being soulmates is so cute and finding out at different stages, or not telling each other, or being confused when they all have two soulmates because while it happens, it's not super common or talked about.

[merakiui]

I know you talked about the eels being the world’s greatest uncles, so I gotta ask, where were they in your yandere Azul fic in His Blueberry Eyes? I know for narrative purposes you wanted to isolate the reader, but I gotta know: did they know that Azul pushed reader down the stairs? Were they present over the pregnancy? Whenever they had to babysit the reader when they moved to the city, did they ever ask her how she was feeling or if she was willing to try again? I don’t know, I still have feelings for that fic and I’m craving fluffy platonic Jade and Floyd who desperately wanted to coddle a baby tako.

The tweels were going to be excellent uncles in HBE, but Azul tries to keep them at arm's length from you. >_< part of me likes to imagine the twins catch on to his obsession in its early stages, but they don't say anything because they know how sensitive Azul can be and they both note how obviously happy he is with you (and surely Azul knows better than to let his attachments spiral into something unhealthy, right?). They're not going to coddle him; he can take care of himself.

This also isn't their marriage, so marital problems are between you and Azul. It's not something the twins want to involve themselves in, lest they risk complicating matters or unintentionally causing more rifts. I think it's a difficult tightrope to walk because they try to tell him he needs to relax and stop being so controlling and manic, but Azul is stubborn and insists that the twins don't know anything; they have no room to say anything about his marriage because it's not theirs.

The main issue is that Azul can't keep anything from the twins even if he wanted to. They read him like a book. So even though Azul never admits the real reason for why you lost the baby, the twins can read between the lines and suspect the truth hiding behind layers of lies. It hurts because the twins were very supportive and excited when you were pregnant, but Azul sort of,,, shut them out during that time because he was so worried and anxious and self-conscious. He also just doesn't like the idea of other people, even his close friends, being within your proximity when you're pregnant.

As for when they'd look after you, I think neither of you talked about Azul. Most of all, the twins wish for your happiness and if Azul's an unhappy subject they'll make the day all about you to put your mind at ease, if only for the afternoon. I imagine Floyd and Jade took you to all of the places you'd like to go to but never could because of Azul. Sure, he wants you to stay home, but that's so boring. When you're with the twins, you can do whatever you want and be free and safe and happy.

Maybe they dropped little hints about the main issue at hand. I imagine both of them (in the days leading up to the scene in HBE where he kills you) put the idea of divorce in your head in hopes that it might help you figure out what to do or where to go from there (though they really couldn't have imagined Azul could be capable of something like murder; that surprises even them). Maybe they pulled you aside and simply told you, "Whatever you choose to do going forward, we're here in case you need us," or something along those lines to let you know you're not alone in this and that you have their support. Because it's painful to see both you and Azul suffering in different ways, and the twins value family and friendship so much. It's unhappiness all around. T_T

Even though they are only mentioned in the fic, I imagine Jade and Floyd were quite fond of you. Perhaps it's a platonic fondness (or a romantic fondness if you would like to read it as such), but they really do care for you. If I were to ever write more with this universe, I'd like to include scenes in which the reader interacted with them or what they do now that Azul is in custody. There is a lot that could be expanded upon.

And maybe the "hotel" Reader mentions staying at is actually the code word for Jade and Floyd's place. Maybe that was her safe haven. :( maybe the twins and their visits were what kept her sane for such a long time. In the aftermath of everything, Jade and Floyd miss you. The gutting thing about loss is that, even though they know you're never going to return, they still wait for a phone call from you or a text from Azul telling them to go look after you. Without you or Azul around, it's going to feel empty and lonely for a long time.

[dragoon-mid-jump]

Shipping Asks:

Alisaie and Kouh'to

Y'dehlya and Hien

Y'dehlya and Hien:

They're pretty similar in character, and they both do admire each other for everything they've done and are willing to do for the sake of their homelands and the people in them. Yes, even Hien's judgement of the then-amnesiac Yotsuyu, not to mention each other's impressive martial prowess. I think they'd make a most excellent couple. If it weren't for the Shadowbringers lead-up, she'd make a great advisor to him. Then again, Y'dehlya being an advisor to leaders she's close with is more or less a given.

Maybe if Y'dehlya wasn't still nursing back-to-back heartbreak from G'raha and then Haucherfant, or at least never got that attached to either, she'd put more thought into pursuing Hien. Plus, she more or less secretly roots for Hien and Cirina after seeing the two of them interacting as much as they were. Clearly, they were closer and she'd just met the man. Y'dehlya, being a romantic at heart, leaves well enough alone, though that's not going to stop her causally/platonically and jokingly flirting with him.

Neither Hien nor Cirina have actually admitted to her that they hold more obligation to their respective duties.

Alisaie and Kouh'to:

I actually struggled to chart out and compartmentalize the dynamics between these two for quite a bit, mostly due to me wondering how well I really know these two as characters and if I have the story beats in order. Their dynamics have both fascinated and stumped me because of how much I can seem them foiling each other.

A ship between these two, I could only really see getting together...maybe...the latter half of Endwalker at the barest minimum? Not that I would know what that's like, but nonetheless, this would be a very late-game ship relative to what's out so far, maybe even one for the next Expac. Alisaie and Kouh'to don't get to know each other quickly and the early stages are filled with not rubbing each other the right way, though they eventually get used to each other enough. They'd probably be able to have enough to talk about by then.

In terms of foiling, they're the same age, prodigies in their own rights, and the youngest in their renown families (Alisaie by technicality). Alisaie was taught formally in the Studium at the same time Kouh'to was teaching himself with the notes of his mentor and close family friend who perished at Carteneau. Neither really developed any close friendships during that time, but while Alisaie was unknowingly as popular as the brother she often compared herself to, Kouh'to had been a victim of bullying and grew strong enough to send them packing. They chose to develop what they had a higher aptitude for compared to their siblings, Alisaie with swordplay in a family of mages and Kouh'to with the arcane arts in a family of (predominantly) melee fighters.

They joined the Scions at the same time and greatly look up to the same person, that being Y'dehlya. Alisaie is incredibly protective of her, no question, and she's open and direct about these feelings, but initially, they stem from stories that she's heard. Kouh'to meanwhile knows how his sister works and is even more protective because of that, but will he openly show his feelings? No. Is he likely to cover them up with cold abrasiveness? Yes. Could this have potentially led to so much back-and-forth misunderstanding had there not been Krile intervention early on? Also yes.

Both have enough sarcasm for the rest of the Scions to spare, whether or not they're firing at each other instead. Kouh'to himself is a reticent and sharp-tongued "tsundere" without the fiery disposition and lack of emotional control...except if you somehow manage to trigger his fuse, but that in of itself is another thing entirely. The more he warms up to the Scions, he becomes more of the little shit that his family's used to. This side of him tends to annoy Alisaie, especially when she's on the receiving end of his trolling. When he's still getting to know her, he doesn't think very highly of her hot-bloodedness. Meanwhile, she thought he was at first too sullen, and too "clinical" in some cases. She also dislikes when he puts notions of sacrifice on the table with his tendency to investigate every available option regardless and will get vocal with him about it, even though Kouh'to shares the sentiment of avoiding it. For him, if it's the best bet and unavoidable, it's the best bet and unavoidable.

The year they shared on the First in Shadowbringers was when they actually started sitting down and talking about the current situation and by the time the MSQ rolls around, they've gotten more at ease with each other.

The biggest point that showed how far they've come in cooperating and getting along is the whole Curing Tempering arc. He does try to bow out to be a mere observer for his research because this is a cause she more ardently championed, but she pulls him back into the spotlight because he's been following similar lines ever since he took up the mantle of a Summoner and even got her started on the science behind how tempering actually affects a person. The realization that he actually is fitting in with the Scions and his age group within them hits him hard and he can't even hide it. Hell, his first reaction to the Twins getting disowned isn't even overt anger at Fourchenault, it's "Do you want to be Rhiktas?" i.e. "Do you want to join/be my family instead?"

There's definitely a lot more to unpack, develop, and compare between them, but in the realm of whether or not they'd make a good couple, very much an endgame thing.

(Prompt is here!)

[anonself]

🌱🎉 for the selfship game :3

Ok. Trying once again tumblr don’t fail me now or i will weep

🌱- who was your first f/o?

My first was a familial one, it was Jack Skellington. For romantic, that was Carth Onasi from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and then sans undertale sometime after, though I don’t selfship with him anymore. Also for like four years I was platonic selfshipping with like every fnaf animatronic but that’s neither here nor there I cried about withered Bonnie a lot

🎉- tell us some fun facts about your newest selfship!

Ok, that’s Morgan again. I love him more and more every day I want to put him in the microwave. He has narrowly scraped by bc I am unsure if the newest character I have my eyes on counts and that one is also kind of embarrassing bc the game has been out for literally One Day

Also a short rant abt my self insert bc why not

Morgan notices very early on in the pining stage that Liam is a collector of. Just *things.* such as: bottlecaps, little plastic toys, posters, coins, this plushie,

And this fucking thing

About half of his collection are things that Morgan’s snagged around the trials. A lot of prizes from the futterland games that Morgan absolutely did not steal he would never do that. The rest of them he’s picked out very carefully. The things Morgan brings it aren’t at all what it would usually pick for himself. But begrudgingly he notices it has an attachment to them anyway because Morgan got them for him. Earlier on in their relationship, these things get stuffed under it’s bed. It would die before admitting that it held a gift so closely. Especially when it’s like. A small jar of teeth Morgan’s scrounged around and picked up off the ground around the root canal ride.

Morgan gets fucked up in the trials. Often. He’ll leave those things bloody and bruised up because one of the reagents that day had landed plenty of good hits on him with bottles and bricks. He’ll limp around on a knee that never quite healed right and he can’t remember why, and Liam will stop him in his tracks, sitting him down and caring for his wounds. It’s quiet and not exactly gentle, a silent scolding for letting himself get so hurt as Liam tightly bandages and disinfects his cuts.

Now a brief “normal” au (or like. An au where they all escape Murkoff) bc that’s the only way this makes sense. Liam often takes over cooking, trying to take some stress from Mother Gooseberry bc god knows that woman is hanging on by a thread (unhinged queen, we love her). It always makes extra to hand off to Morgan. Even in their earlier phases. That’s just how Liam tends to show affection. Especially through cooking. Morgan has a hard time, he’s got arfid, so Liam’s made it a priority to find him safe foods to eat and make sure he’s always fed.

I wrote more abt them than I was expecting to I like them a lot.

[tetralea]

This idea suddenly came up and I thought with your talent, you might produce us some coping mechanism out of it.

That tear-off is max's. So he goes to Ferrari motorhome to apologise his omega but encounters the super protective alpha carlos beforehand.

Awww so cute 🥰

Hehe, okay, so since I’m exploring pack dynamics, Max and Charles are in different packs this time, but Charles and Carlos are in the same.

Just a bit of a background:

Charles and Max quite have a thing but in a secret already.

Also dry heats occur when an omega is in a bad mental state or in danger, it can occur under lots of mental stress, anxiety among other things which don’t really apply here.

Platonic bonds are made on the wrists for both parties from platonic loved one to the other, while sexual bonds are made on the inner thighs between to parties who want more sexual intimacy in their relationship. Mixing the two can lead to claims in a friends with benefits relationship or in the early stages of a relationship to make their bond stronger but not yet make a romantic bond or claim.

Max walked in the paddock, a bit nervous. He was nearing the Ferrari hospitality, hoping to talk to Charles. He needed to talk to the omega, to make sure he was okay and to apologise, sort of. It might be the case that his foil got stuck in the monegasque breaks.

He couldn’t walk in just like that. So he went a bit further, before turning back walking off to the other direction, he was aimless yet he tried to seem like we wasn’t just lurking around the rival team’s hospitality. Charles will come out at one point, right?

He was at the third round when a familiar voice made him turn in his tracks.

“Did you lost something?” Carlos on his way back from the presser walked behind him.

“No, all good.” He turned and forced a smile, looking at the Spaniard. He was looking back with his eyebrows raised, or believing a word he said.

Max huffed a little, his eyes carefully turning to the hospitality door, then it got open, to see who left the building.

“Then why are you walking in circles in front of our place?” He asked, rightfully so, being suspicious of the other alpha.

“I just-,” he started but he wasn’t sure he could lie his way trough this. “I wanted to talk to Charles, and apologise.” He admitted, but Carlos’ stance was the same. He didn’t expect that.

“Umm, I don’t think that is a good idea. How should I know you are not trying to get into his head?” Carlos stood a bit to the right, now standing with his arms crossed right between Max and the door.

Max wanted to laugh, oh, if Carlos knew, he had no intentions getting into Charles head that way since he was already there in one way, and the only place he wanted to get in if anything was Charles pants tonight.

“Come on.” Very convincing counter argument, he thought.

“No.” Carlos stood there firmly, his scent turning a bit stronger, a bit more bitter, protecting his omega team mate.

“Please, I just want to say I am sorry, I didn’t mean to fuck his race up, I didn’t want the thing to get stuck with him.” He tried to change his strategy, hoping that Carlos would yield.

“Okay, I can tell it to him.” He said turning around, seemingly ending the conversation.

“Let me. I think he would want to hear it from me.” Trying to convince a very protective Carlos wasn’t in his plans at all.

“Why is that?” The man dressed in red stopped and turned around now standing in the doorway, really blocking Max’s way in.

Max swallowed. Did he want to out themselves to Charles’ team mate, another alpha, from another pack?

“That’s how it is fair, don’t you think? He always owns up to his mistakes, I think he deserves an apology from me.”

Carlos didn’t answer immediately and he took it as a good sign. His shoulders relaxed a bit before pursing his lips again.

“True, but you can give him a call or text him later, you don’t need to see him now. So, still no.” Max wanted to scream, and he only hoped that his annoyed, nervous scent would get to Charles’ sensitive nose somehow, luring him out. “Look, he has been through a lot.” Carlos started to explain calmly. “He might just not need another conversation about it, I know you want to apologise but I don’t want him to get hurt anymore than he already is.”

Max’s heart broke and his expression along with the changes in his scent might gave him away, because he earned a curious look from the Ferrari driver.

“I couldn’t hurt him.” He blurted out and he wanted to facepalm himself, because really? He couldn’t have said anything more compromising, along with other cues he was sure Carlos picked up on.

“Why don’t you call him, and we will see if he wants to talk to you?” Carlos seemingly softened a little, his scent turning into something more calm than before.

Max pulled out his phone but he didn’t have time to dial the right number. “Call who?” The heard a curious voice from the door.

“Charles.” They said almost at the same time with completely different tones.

“You.” Carlos was faster to talk, yet he still stood protectively between his team mate and his rival.

“Well I’m here.” The monegasque giggled, making Max’s heart melt at the sight. He looked like he took it better than Max expected. “What is it?” His dimples were showing, his scent picking up as he got closer to Max, who froze a little, adoring his beautiful little omega.

“Max wants to talk to you.” Carlos stated, moving to the side when Charles wanted to pass him. “But I think it’s not a good idea.” He added and it had Max fuming.

“Come on, Carlos it’s just Max.” Charles’ laugh lifted the tension between the two alpha, his scent intentionally turning into something incredibly calming, managing the situation without a word.

“Exactly, and I really don’t want you to get hurt more than you are. He could upset you even more, and that could send you into another dry heat, and it would be the third, it could send you to hospital, Charles.” Carlos warned him with such a a caring, worried voice it almost had Max growling at him, mostly when he grabbed his team mate by his arms making him look into the deep brown eyes.

“I know, Carlos.” Charles’ shoulders deflated between the strong hands, his eyes turning to the side after a short contact. He barely made it without hospital care a few weeks ago when he went into a dry heat, and his body couldn’t with another in such a short time. “But Max won’t upset me.” He promised, looking back at the concerned and now confused eyes.

Carlos let him go, letting the omega walk down the few stairs, following every step until he was standing next to Max.

“I’m sorry about your race.” Max started slowly, a bit unsure.

“And congratulations on your.” Charles nodded, his smile reaching his eyes, making Max’s heart clench and stomach sink.

“I wanted to apologise,” he started quickly. It’s better not to drag this. “I think, well, it might be that my visor foil was the one stuck in your breaks, I tore it because of the dirt and you were right behind me so-,” he trailed off, before his whole body jumping to the loud hiss coming from the brunette.

Carlos was down between the in an instant.

“You sure he won’t upset you?” He asked but Charles eyes were trained on the apologetic blonde.

“That caused my sensors malfunction and that’s why I speeded in the pit lane, that cost me 5 seconds.” Charles hissed again, not wanting to but couldn’t help it. He groaned to stop himself, turning his face towards the sky. “I know it wasn’t intentional, and I appreciate the apology tho.” When he looked back he was more collected, and it caused Carlos to step back with a tense exhale.

Max nodded. “I didn’t think it would cause trouble to you.” He added carefully, not daring to reach out to the omega. If he was honest he was more afraid of Charles hissing at him than Carlos standing there with a menacing stare.

“I know.” The answer was now calm and soft, Charles scent going back to its normal sweet, macadamia and vanilla scent. “It can happen, I’m just not very lucky, but thank you for coming here to tell me.” His media training was showing but it didn’t mean he wasn’t sincere. “See you tonight?” He talked before thinking.

From the corner of his eye he saw Carlos’ confused expression, his brown eyes looking rapidly between the omega and the other alpha. He didn’t say anything, first.

“Yeah, yes.” Max broke the silence with a small smile, extending his arm for a handshake, which Charles gladly take, secretly enjoying how Max could scent his hand anywhere even in the paddock like this and they could blame it on the hard to control scent glands on the alpha’s hands. They weren’t so hard to control, but others didn’t need to know that.

“Wait a minute.” Carlos spoke, making Charles flinch and turn to his team mate with an angelic smile. “You have a platonic bonding mark on your wrist and I always assumed it was from Pierre, but he also has some. They could be from Daniel, but I saw some more intimate ones on your thighs too when you took the ice bath a few races before, and for a while now you are wearing many bracelets and longer shorts to cover them up.” Carlos was on a track and no dimpled, pleading smiles were to throw him off. “He also wears bracelets and long pants.” He added with a raise of his eyebrows, making Charles swallow hard and Max to become a bit nervous. “I assume it is a coincidence?” He turned to Charles who nodded eagerly. “You two don’t have a thing, right?” It was more of a statement than an actual question.

Charles looked at Max briefly, his lips not able to form the words to deny it. It was all true, he had some platonic marks from Max and some sexual ones too, and he gave Max his respective ones too. They weren’t ready to commit to be mates yet, but that didn’t mean they didn’t felt the need to claim each other, strengthening their sexual bond with another. And yes, Charles hoped people wouldn’t notice or they wouldn’t put two and two together, that they were from the same person, strengthening their relationship.

“I mean, if you do, that’s okay.” Carlos added after a way too long pause. “Maybe if I knew I wouldn’t try to keep him away so much.” He explained himself. “So, I guess I can go inside now, but hurt him any further and I won’t keep it from our pack who is to blame.”

Max nodded seriously. “It’s good to know, there is someone who look after him when I can’t. Thank you, Carlos.” Max smiled to the older one, who rolled his eyes trying to hide a smile.

“Sure, sure.” He waved around dismissing the praise with a small smile. “Not like he is not capable of ripping you apart himself.” Carlos sighed, heading back to the hospitality, missing Charles’ angelic smile, like he wouldn’t be completely right.

“I’m sorry, for real.” He started but Charles cut him with a devilish smile.

He leaned closer, making sure no one was looking before whispering with a sly grin, his seductive scent filling Max’s mind rapidly. “No worries, cheri, I’m not blaming you, but if you want to be extra sure, you can make it up to me tonight in the bed.”

[james-winston]

I would like to know more ways in which John was possessive over Paul please 🙏

I think John was possessive of Paul in two different ways: musically and platonically (or possibly romantically/sexually depending on your take.)

I think the most obvious way he was possessive was of Paul was in terms of their musical collaboration. On more than one occasion he has said, or implied, that he wasn't happy when Paul would record things entirely by himself. Songs he complained about being left out of include: Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Why Don't We Do It In the Road, and the music for The Family Way.

This possessiveness over their musical relationship is what gave John the right, in his mind, to criticise Paul's music so harshly, whilst also not allowing anyone else to. In the Imagine documentary Phil Specter keeps making disparaging comments about Paul's latest album, and John basically says, "I don't want to talk about that," whilst simultaneously recording How Do You Sleep.

John considered Paul his. Whether he loved him or hated him, whether it was platonic/romantic/sexual. Paul was his to criticise, his to mock, his to compliment. That's not to say that other people weren't also "John's". Yoko was John's, Cynthia was John's. George and Ringo to an extent were also John's. His fear of abandonment and rejection meant, in my opinion, that he felt much more intensely about his close relationships. The people he truly loved and trusted belonged to him. Whereas in contrast, I think Paul was protective of John, but not particularly possessive. (Though he certainly had his moments.) Which leads me nicely onto the second way John could be possessive of Paul, platonically:

• That interview where he didn't allow the reporter to call Paul "Paulie", despite doing so himself many times in the past.

• That Tony King quote where he said only he was allowed to say "nasty things" about Paul.

• Calling Paul "an estranged fiancé" live at Madison Square Garden, while on stage at an Elton John concert.

• Alice Cooper saying that John would defend Paul to the Nth degree, and that, "If you said anything bad about Paul he'd hit you."

• John admitting to Mal's wife that he'd been jealous of how close Mal was to Paul.

• The St. Regis interview where he talks about Paul & Linda, but also talks about Paul's Dad, and explains how he basically took pleasure in making Paul choose between John and Jim.

Now for the arguably more sexual/romantically possessive moments. (Again this depends on your interpetation of events.)

• John tagging along on some of Paul's dates in the early days. He couldn't even claim ignorance about it, the girls made it clear he wasn't welcome and he still refused to leave, there was no way he was accidentally thirdwheeling.

• Paul fully admitting that Jealous Guy was written for him.

• John talking about Linda in the 70's, but particularly that one interview where he's very passive aggressive about her, and implies that she has no redeeming qualities, before topping it off by saying, "Next thing I know, she's married him." (I've dissected this comment further in another post, but TL;DR John making Paul the passive one in the statement almost sounds as though he's saying, "She's taken him away from me.")

• The spurious story of John criticising Paul's hair cut, as if it was also a decision he should have been involved in, or had any right to comment on.

• The story from Bob Spitz's(?) book that at one point John took Paul by the arm and guided him away from Yoko during a party. (Though this is much more likely to do with his possessiveness of Yoko, as opposed to Paul. Yoko gave an interview once where she described how angry John would get if Paul stood too close to her in the studio.)

• John asking, "What's she doing here?" when Paul brought Peggy Lipton to dinner. I think viewing this as possessiveness is only really persuasive when you also consider how John treated all of Paul's girlfriends, up to and including Linda. He seemed to actively antagonise all of them, and his relationships with them were seemingly much more fraught than his relationships with Pattie and Maureen etc.

[Full disclosure, I haven't linked to all the sources cause I'm on mobile and cba, but feel free to message me for them. There's also probably loads more moments I've forgot about so feel free to add.]

[bowiebond]

Do you ever think about the idea of Jason being so repressed and in denial about liking men the he marries a girl, has 2.5 kids and is firmly convinced he's straight until years later he's divorced and one of his kids comes out and Jason tries to tell him "oh don't worry its normal to have fantasies of men but that doesn't mean you're gay" and then his kids are like 😮 and the other son says "dad I've literally never had an attraction to men, thats not a straight thing" but Jason still doesn't fully believe it. He wants to at least try to be supportive of his kid but he has a lot to unlearn so he goes to a pflag meeting and that's where he crosses paths with Eddie again and has his sexual awakening as an adult in the late 00's/early 2010. Like so much angst of all the years he was repressing everything but also the struggle to explore when you're in your late thirties/early forties and the gay club is filled with 20 somethings who have more experience than you, I mean he'd need someone like Eddie, someone with more experience in the local lgbt scene to help guide him

Wow, Anon, thanks for hurting my feelings 🥲

The worst part is Jason would refuse for a little while that his kid is gay until he realises he’s losing his son because of his own prejudice and decides to learn more. Goes to meetings and talks to other parents of gay kids, the gay kids and older queers who come to share their own experiences.

Then one day, it clicks and his entire life would probably fall apart honestly. He’d end up in a divorce with his wife, who’s only kind enough to allow him partial custody despite her scorn at being stuck in a loveless marriage for decades (he does love her, dearly, just not the way they had wanted. Maybe a few years down the road she’ll forgive him and they’ll realise they truly are platonic soulmates, but for now it hurts).

He’d move out, pays for anything his children and ex wife need still because he does love them dearly, but she can’t have him there while she mourns their relationship.

It’s probably after he moves out that his kids still to get a peak at who their dad really is, and Jason is a good dad when he starts to unpack all the toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia. He’s too scared to join the dating pool, but shortly after the divorce, he bumps into Eddie again at a meeting and it’s crazy to think Jason’s like him now. Kind of a freak. It’s daunting for Jason who’s confronted with the boy he used to scorn, who’s now…very much a man. Older. A tad scruffier. Still has long hair but tied back often, greys peaking through that he admits to dyeing with a chuckle.

It’s an awkward, tentative friendship on Jason’s side, but Eddie is happy to put the past behind them because he’s been in Jason’s shoes. That stage where you know but you’re scared of what that means, nervous to explore it. He sticks to Jason’s side like glue for months, teaching him little things that keep him closer to his kid, helps him understand, until eventually he invites Jason out to a gay club. Just to check out the scene, see if it’s for him.

A few younger gay guys approach Jason, because he’s older and standing next to Eddie who’s a frequent visitor (people love him because he can talk about anything for ages to make you comfortable or take you back to his place for crazy fun. The duality is a part of his charm). It’s apparent to Jason quickly that younger isn’t his type and he’s not really interested in being any twenty somethings ‘Daddy’ when he has his own kids at home who he cooks for most nights and helps with homework.

Mostly, he just feels out of place. It’s loud and the music isn’t his taste and it’s humid. He feels dressed down and awkward, sipping a scotch, and he just…doesn’t fit in. He’s too old for the scene and it strangely makes him want to cry because he would have enjoyed this when he was younger. Loud music and bumping and grinding. Liked it well enough at non-gay clubs with his friends.

He missed out on so much because he couldn’t accept himself, but he got a life with a good wife and three amazing children at least. He wishes he knew earlier, to save them all the heartache, but he could never regret his life when it gave him his kids who he adored.

Eddie takes Jason back home after that, and they drink cheap beer and watch TV instead and that’s good. Jason likes that. He’s older and he likes watching TV on his day off. Likes watching it with a cold beer and with Eddie’s arm pressed against his.

He falls asleep there and neither make a big deal out of it. It’s natural. They’re older, wearier, and falling asleep while watching TV is nice. Especially with each other.

Maybe they make a routine out of it. Jason goes to Eddie’s place when he doesn’t have the kids, goes there so often that his stuff starts to migrate their on accident until Eddie suggests Jason just move in, Eddie’s got more than enough space for the kids. Hell, Eddie likes Jason’s kids, they like him, the eldest thinks his music is amazing even if he retired from touring just two years prior. They’re still making music, but CDs are a hit and their knees need a break, so shows have become less necessary.

They aren’t even dating, they just share a place because it’s easier. They share a bed sometimes because Jason gets lonely and slept with a body beside him for almost two decades.

They’re friends. Teetering out of friends slowly with the way Jason looks at Eddie when he spills his coffee on his freshly washed white shirt, or with the way Eddie smiles when Jason snores against his shoulder after dozing off during a movie.

Either way, Jason’s not gonna be alone. He’s got Eddie to guide him through this new life, the complexities of it. He’ll teach him everything he wants to know about queer love, about pride and history, about sex that makes him feel complete rather than finished.

Eddie gets the kids and maybe even husband he never thought he wanted, and Jason gets the love he never knew he needed.

Jason’s in good hands, and Eddie’s pretty sure he’s in Jason’s too; and they feel strangely safe despite it all.

[loveisharderthanitlooks]

I've spent the day dwelling on it and I've come to the conclusion that this twist is the worst writing we've ever seen on the show.

To be very clear, I'm not saying that because I can't handle Carlos looking bad or doing something wrong. I'm happy we're finally getting to see his flaws and to see him fuck up and make mistakes and (hopefully) learn from it. I've been begging for a fully fleshed out Carlos from the beginning, and we're finally getting that.

It's not even that I think the basic premise itself is a bad story. Carlos having a marriage of convenience to his best friend because he was struggling after coming out his parents and not getting the support he needed from them. Yeah, there's a meaty story there. Lots of room for character and relationship development there.

What makes it so stupid is the timing. It's opened up plotholes big enough for Carlos to drive his police cruiser through. It undoes three seasons of (often poor, I know) character development. It takes a beloved character and says everything we've told you about this character is wrong. It undermines several established relationships.

[Carlos and Iris loved each other so much and were so close they thought they could make a platonic marriage work and then when she was found after being missing and presumed dead for three years he just never went to see her? He wasn't even making sure she was doing ok by messaging Michelle semi-regularly? Yes, that actually does make him a terrible friend.] [Carlos and TK have been in a relationship for several years now, they are getting married and not only has Carlos never mentioned that he as a wife, apparently in all that time he has never mentioned his best friend at all. Does Carlos just never talk about himself ever? Does he never tell TK stories about what he did in high school? Does TK never ask? What do they talk about? What does it say about their relationship if they don't know basic information about each other?] [Season one established that Michelle and Carlos had become close friends. Then she finds Iris and what, they just stop talking to each other? She doesn't even let him know she's leaving the country for three months? Why did they stop being friends?] [Andrea and Gabriel knew he was gay, watched him marry a woman, she vanishes for three years, Carlos moves in with a man and we're supposed to believe that Andrea didn't try to talk to Carlos about any of it?] [Carlos would have been a prime suspect in Iris' disappearance, how was he allowed to investigate her case at all?] [Carlos and TK applied for a mortgage together, how did it not come up that Carlos was legally married to somebody else?] [Carlos accepted a marriage proposal knowing he was still married and didn't admit that to his loving, supportive, wonderful fiance?]

The frustrating thing is that it could have been introduced at other times in the series and actually made a decent storyline, but they left it too late. Imagine:

Season One: TK and Carlos meeting, sparks fly, they hook up, then Michelle brings Carlos to the honky tonk and introduces Carlos as her brother in law. TK, who has recently been cheated on is hurt and angry and he doesn't want Michelle's sister to go through the same thing so he tells Michelle. She thinks they make a cute couple. TK is confused, he doesn't quite believe that it's a marriage of convenience so he's wary, but Carlos slowly shows TK that he's a good guy and TK can trust him.

Season Two: Carlos and TK are in the early stages of being official boyfriends. Carlos gets a call that Michelle is going to Ecuador and can he keep an eye on Iris. TK wonders why she's asking Carlos, he reveals that iris is technically his wife. TK is pissed at him for not telling him sooner but forgives Carlos and offers his support when Carlos explains about his relationship with his parents. Or TK finds out when Carlos admits that the reason he didn't introduce him as his boyfriend to his parents is because they believe he's married to Iris.

Season Three: While dealing with the insurance after the fire and applying for a mortgage, TK discovered Carlos is married and was so furious, he broke up with him.

It doesn't matter how good a plot twist is, it needs to at least make sense. If it doesn't it make sense, it's not a good plot twist. It's bad writing to keep it in.

[trampohlena]

Okay, so after last night’s episode I would just like to say that Supercorp IS Endgame. I’d also like to point out the various reasons as to why Kara and Lena are not only soulmates but true twin flames.

For those reading this post who have never heard of the term twin flame: “A twin flame is your own soul, shared across what appears to be two physical beings. It’s one soul, split into two bodies.” -Google’s definition.

For those who are spiritually inclined and have a proclivity for indulging esoteric philosophies; Lena and Kara are ABSOLUTELY twin FUCKING flames 🔥🔥🔥!!

Here are the reasons why:

1. Their drastically different childhoods that resulted in remarkably similar trauma.

Both Kara and Lena have experienced great loss throughout their life. Both mourned the death of their parents, and life as they knew it, at a very early age. Both were shipped off to a foreign land, forced to leave behind everything they knew, in hopes for a brighter/safer future.

Albeit, Lena got the shorter end of the stick in regards to unconditional love, but both were given a second chance and a new start...and yet, they still never fit in, or felt like they truly belonged.

Although they individually have dealt with said trauma in different ways (Lena by pushing away those who try to get too close, and Kara by holding on tightly to those she holds dear) both of their actions are motivated by the same subconscious fear that they HAVE never and WILL never TRULY belong. All while yearning for a sense of “home”.

2. They are opposite reflections of each other; true “mirror souls”, if you will.

Physically, aesthetically, economically, and emotionally—they are complete “mirrors” of one another.

Kara is strong, physically powerful, cut from marble, all hard edges and sharp lines—except for her face. Lena is clearly not as physically powerful, she is soft, all curves, and exudes the grace of the Devine feminine energy—except for her face, which is hard edges and sharp jaw lines. You see what I’m saying?

Aesthetically and economically go hand in hand of course. Lena’s exorbitant wealth is evident in her high-end designer appearance; whereas Kara’s aesthetic is more humble and grounded, and prioritizes comfort over “fashion”. (Let’s admit it. Some of Kara’s fashion choices have been questionable. She clearly rocks the chinos and button-downs better than anything else in that eclectic closet of hers she refuses to come out of 😏)

Emotionally...oh honey. Do I need to say more? I won’t say much but I will say this: Kara is the sun and Lena is the moon. They compliment each other in a way that ensures the world keeps turning.

3. Their individual strengths are the other’s individual weakness and vice versa.

Goes along with the aforementioned “opposite reflection” point above but I’ll expand a bit further in regards to their specific personality traits.

Lena is predominately analytically driven, whereas Kara is emotionally driven. Lena is good in crowds, Kara is not (overwhelmed). Lena is introverted, Kara is extroverted. Lena is detail oriented and has the memory of an elephant, Kara is clumsy and as forgetful as a Pisces (but hey, she has a lot on her plate and barely any free time to balance it). Lena eats like a rabbit-bird-hybrid and Kara eats like a garbage disposal. Kara loves giving and receiving hugs and other forms of physical affection whereas Lena does not (UNLESS it’s from Kara, of course). Etc. Etc. you get the picture.

4. Now this one is the DEAD GIVEAWAY. Undeniable, irrefutable PROOF that Lena and Kara are twin flames.

They are LITERALLY completing what is know as the Twin Flame Journey or the Twin Flame Union.

The stages of Twin Flame Union are roughly as follows:

1. Yearning for “the one”. I think every human being that believes in love experiences this whether it’s throughout their entire life, or only their adult life until they meet this person but yeah. You get it. Kara has always wanted that “Wapow!” moment.

2. Glimpsing/meeting “the one”. Whether it’s only for a short moment, an extended meeting, or perhaps merely locking eyes with them as you pass each other by...you feel immediately connected. There is an instant soul recognition when meeting them, so much so that you could have sworn you’ve met them before or that it’s as if you’ve known each other your whole lives.

Remember when Kara met Lena? And she was gaga-eyed over Lena? Or when Lena felt so comfortable around a new acquaintance that she granted an almost stranger unbridled access to her office? Or how about when Red Daughter flew to America (the country she was taught to hate), with no recollection/memories of Kara’s relationship with Lena (again, the woman she was taught to hate), all because she felt PULLED to do so. And then when she did meet Lena she looked at her and practically drooled over her as if Lena was a double XL cheeseburger with extra special sauce from Big Belly Burger? Like, biiiitch 👀

3. Falling in love. Need I say more? Fine, again, I will. You CANNOT tell me that there is no way in hell that these two morons are anything BUT in love with each other. That’s a lot of double negatives and I appplogize so let me reiterate for clarification: THEY ARE IN LOVE AND YOU CAN’T CHANGE MY MIND!

And at this point is it so freaking BEYOND platonic love, the show cannot explain it away or sweep it under the “just close friends” rug. No. Kara used her Fifth Dimensional Wish (she literally could have wished her entire planet didn’t explode) and she said “make Lena not mad at me, I’m sad 😔” 👀. Mmmkay. Not to mention Lena picking Supergirl over Jack, her former lover. Or the plethora of other times Lena chose Kara/Supergirl over everyone else she knew. Mmkay.

4. The fairytale relationship/friendship. Lena has finally found someone she can depend on, be vulnerable with, support her without judgement, trust with her life etc. and Kara has finally found a true best friend, not her sister, not Kenny who she didn’t realize was her best friend till after he passed? And now he’s not dead?? But her one true best friend that she felt she didn’t need to be neither Supergirl, nor Kara Danvers, but rather Kara Zor-El around (despite Lena not knowing that little tidbit of information).

They were each other’s best friend. Each other’s person. They were happy.

5. Outer Turmoil and Inner Purging—Supergirl and Lena fight. Lena still does not know that Kara is indeed Supergirl and does not pick up on the brewing tension between herself and Kara.

Kara of course is riddled with guilt and her relationship with Lena becomes strained. This outer turmoil creates inner purging by bringing out negative traits in each other. I.E. Lena hiding kryptonite and also Kara asking James to spy on her. Shit gets messy but they still try to make it work.

6. The Runner and the Chaser/Separation Stage—Tensions mount between the two and Lena FINALLY learns about Kara’s secret. And she has a choice to make. So what does she do? She runs. Not physically but emotionally. She completely withdraws from not only Kara and their friends but also withdraws from herself.

She literally experiences cognitive dissonance and becomes someone she is not. Someone other people made her believe she was on the inside, even though Kara knows that it isn’t. And so, Kara chases her.

Lena becomes the runner and Kara becomes the chaser as they navigate this separation stage.

Continuously running and continuously chasing.

7. The Surrender and dissolution stage—they’re fucking done. They’re tired. They’re exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally after all the bullshit they put each other through as well as all the bullshit Lex and the Phantom Zone put them through.

They come to an impasse in regards to Lex and realize the only way to defeat him is to work together, as a team. (El Mayarah anyone?)

They surrender to their emotions and to each other as their egos dissolve and their souls expand after having learned invaluable life lessons. The major one being: THEY CANNOT LIVE HAPPILY WITHOUT EACH OTHER!

8. The last stage that we have yet to see but we fucking better or else I’m gonna January 6 the CW studio building—“Oneness”.

This time, I’m not gonna say more.

So, in conclusion: Supercorp is Endgame because Lena Luthor and Kara Zor-El Danvers are the literal definition of a twin flame, soulmate connection. They are the same soul, manifested in two physical forms, for the sole purpose of expanding their soul’s consciousness.

They deserve to be happy, they deserve to be together. Not only does their union parallel some of the greatest love stories throughout history, i.e. Romeo and Juliet, Darcy and Bennet, Superman and Lois (duh) it would also break the curse of generational karma and illustrate to anybody who watches the show that the only person who defines who you are is YOU. Not a name, not a legacy, not society’s expectations, YOU. And most importantly of ALL...it would showcase that love truly does conquer all.

I rest my case.

TPTB, make Supercorp Endgame or kick rocks ✌️😘

Sincerely,

An empassioned fan with way too much time on her hands.

[dorotharry]

tiny dancer ; chapter one

Pairing: bucky barnes x fem!reader, platonic!Steve x fem!reader

Prologue | Chapter 2

Word count: 1.2k+ (sorry its so short)

Warnings: fluff, angst if you squint, mentions of war, let me know if in anyway something upsets you and I’ll add that here. 

Summary: After being drafted for the war in 1942, Bucky goes to the ballet a week before having to leave with his best friend Steve. There he becomes infatuated you with the prima ballerina of the show, and he just has to meet you before his last week in Brooklyn is up. He hopes one day you would meet again; little does it know it will be 72 years later.

A/N: It’s going to take me a bit to develop a smooth story line because there's so much backstory I need add, whilst still trying to make it engaging. Anyway thank you all for the likes and reblogs on the prologue, please let me know what you think of this next part. (Also I know some of this isn’t accurate to the movie and time in general but I think it still works.)

gif not mine*

Present day ; 2014

You looked upon the figure before you, trying to work out if it was who you thought it was.

Like many heroes and villains alike, you had a back story, and times like this called you to look back and dwell on how what was once a kind girl could barely be recognised behind your blank expressionless eyes. You felt nothing. Only numbness, and there was reason for that.

1943

After Bucky had left you kept in contact with Steve, catching up with him every so often. That was until he was finally allowed to join the war, and you bided farewell to your new friend. Hoping that one day you would see them again: sooner rather than later.

Not much long after word got around about Captain America. You could barley  recognise your friend. Though from what you had heard he was still the same Steve, just a lot bigger and stronger. Like many things the ballet company you danced for had to close, most men and women were being sent away, many of colleagues had been sent to aid in the medical units of bases and camps. Part of you waited to receive a piece of paper in the mail informing you that you had to go as well. It never came.

One day though you did receive a letter, but not one you had expected.

“Dear y/n,

As I’m sure you have heard and seen, I’m no longer much like I was when I left. Though I would like to hope I am still the same man I was before ‘Captain America’ – and by that I am appreciative of the few friends I made before as they looked beyond what was displayed on the outside and more towards the inside.

Anyway, I didn’t write to you to boast or ramble on much more, but I have a job offer for you. You are one of the finest dancers I (and Bucky of course) have ever laid eyes on and so as Captain America is supposed to go on tour, I hoped you may want to be one of my back up dancers. I know for a fact that you will steal the show though. 

Most of the girls have already been picked but I called in a favour to ask for you to join as well, I only had to mention you being Prima ballerina and the team were very invested in having you join us.

I’m in town at the moment, but we leave tomorrow. If you’re interested have your bags packed, someone will pick you up at 10am sharp.

I hope to see you tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Your friend Steve”

You gasped as his thoughtfulness, barely having to think over this proposition.

Of course, you would go, not only would you be able to continue what you loved, but you would also be helping the war in some way. It was even better you got to work alongside a friend. Your mind drifted slightly, perhaps you would see Bucky as well.

You ran from your living room and began frantically packing your bags with the essentials, and anything dance related you thought you may need. You weren’t sure what they would be providing.

-       

Just as he’d said, a car picked you up driving you to an airport where you would catch a private ‘stark’ plane with the other dancers. You looked around for your friend, disappointed when you couldn’t see him. 

Reaching up to put your bag above your seat, you heard a voice half whisper excitedly behind you.

“You came!”, This caused you to jump as you whipped your head around. There stood Steve, aka Captain America, aka The star spangled man with a plan. Except this time, he was no longer the small man who was constantly picked on when you had known him. Now he was easily 6 foot as you had to look up to meet your friends smiling face.

“Steve!” you responded, engulfing him in a hug causing him to chuckle. You let go of each other and you raised your eyebrow at him.

“And of course, I came silly!”

Most of the time after that was a blur.

You wore a costume that you were sure was too short for the era, covered in Stars and Stripes. Although it wasn’t ballet it didn’t matter as you’d trained in various genres, although it was much easier than any of the dancing you had done before. You girls were known as The Star Spangled Singers. 

It was great getting to see Steve again and you made great friends with the other women who you worked amongst. Of course, there were always whispers about how you knew Steve, rumours flying around about the two of you. You and Steve knew they weren’t true, your heart belonged to another soldier, one you still hadn’t seen. Steve’s belonged to Peggy which he had told you about early on when you’d joined him.

Steve was such a kind man, and he was always grateful for the life he now lived but you knew he wished to help more rather than stand on stage surrounded by women spreading war propaganda.

The tour was coming to an end for the moment as the war got more intense. Your last trip to the final base of some American soldiers, which you had to admit you were most excited for as you hoped you would see Bucky. He hadn’t been at any of the others. You also knew you would finally meet the wonderful Peggy, both Steve and you were beyond excited.

The plane carrying you girls and Captain America finally landed. Everyone excitedly got off, many ready to see their fathers, brothers and boyfriends whom they hadn’t seen in a very long time. You on the other hand were struggling to find a necklace you owned which had somehow fallen off and you fell behind everyone.

“Y/n! Are you coming?”, yelled Steve leaning in from the planes doorway.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” you replied, “I’ve just lost something, I’ll meet you by the camp!”

Steve nodded and left leaving you there to frantically look for your beloved necklace. A gift from Bucky he had given to you a couple days in from knowing him. It was a dainty silver necklace, with two ballet shoes as the charm, you love it. Not just because it was pointe shoes but because it was from Bucky out fo thoughtfulness.

Finally, you found it after was seemed forever, you carefully placed it in your pocket as the clasp had broken off and you couldn’t put it back on. You grabbed your bag and walked of the plane, turning to your right to head to the camp, seeing Steve in the distance you smiled as you watched him talk to a woman who you knew had to be Peggy. Your eyes wandered next to him as you gasped at who stood there chuckling at something that had been said. Bucky.

That was the last thought you had when suddenly you were overcome by blackness and you dropped to the ground.

Present day ; 2014

You shook your head removing yourself from your thoughts, as you ran after the figure which had caused your mind to spin. He was fast, but so were you.

Everyone had known this man as a ghost, someone who had been around for over 50 years killing innocent people under the name of The Winter Soldier. But even under his face mask, and dark eye makeup he wore. Though you weren’t sure how it was possible; you knew who that really was.  

James Buchanan Barnes.

It seemed you weren’t the only one with a tragic story.

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Taglist: 

@rebelemilu​

[agent-bash]

So can you give me your thoughts on the Upstead marriage please. I Love Upstead, i really do, but I have mixed feelings, I'm just worried that it's too fast. You have such a good take on both characters that I think it might put me at ease.

Well, first, thank you, Nonny, that's very sweet. I'm glad you think my opinion might calm you a little, so I'm going to try my best. It got kind of long, so I'm going to put it under the cut.

Again, I'll preface this by saying that I have a skewed view about the speed of relationships. My grandparents were happily, blissfully married for like 40 years until my grandad passed. They were married less than two months after meeting each other...so take from that what you will. For me, unless there are signs/reasonable suspicion of abuse, speed is probably the last things I will judge in a relationship.

One of the nice things about dating a friend is you get to skip a lot of the early stages of dating. To quote Friends (though I abhor R*ss/Rachel), "It's like starting on the fifteenth date." You know this person already; you're just figuring out how you fit together in a new but similar way. Platonic and romantic relationships are almost two sides of the same coin, IMO. There's a lot of overlap between how you treat a romantic partner and how you treat your friend. It's why close friends can get mistaken for couples. It's something that literally happened to Roomie and me last night and just...no. But it's not the first time, and we know it won't be the last.

So if you told me that after four years of being best friends, that you had started seeing each other and were engaged after 6-8 months and married 10-12 months of being together, I'm not batting an eye.

If it's about them not being open, or admitting, or confessing, or all of the other words I've seen thrown around about them 'hiding' their relationship. It was an open secret that's been established. And it totally fits for them. Because out of everyone on the team, the two people to most likely to not care about anyone's opinion or want outside advice/approval/validation for their relationship, it's Hailey and Jay. They were fine with people knowing, and they all did, we have that confirmation, but that's where it begins and ends. Because their relationship is theirs, and that's actually pretty healthy.

So why should their marriage be any different? I think it's especially important to note the word marriage. That's what Hailey and Jay want. A marriage. A life together, hopefully forever. A wedding is just a means to an end for them; it was always going to be. Because weddings are too much about and for other people. And way too much about putting yourself on display for either of them. In the end, it was a legal necessity (because a courthouse wedding is still a wedding). And honestly, it probably annoyed them more than anything else because it delayed what they wanted and what they felt was really important.

Sure, you can be suspicious of the timing if you want. There's nothing I can say to change that, really. I think the writers made it pretty clear that all of Hailey and Jay's decisions were never 'because of.' That it was all very much about reaching a new level of clarity with every curveball thrown at them. Clarity that only solidified what was most important to them. Each other.

[knivesareout]

marcus moreno sfw alphabet

About a week ago, @michaelperry messaged me and asked how I felt about collab’ing because she was having some soft Marcus feels and we’re always feeling soft about this man over here so now we have this! Hope y’all enjoy! Read it on AO3 here.

---

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

In both platonic and romantic relationships, Marcus is pretty affectionate. Whether he’s touching your arm reassuringly or offering an ear to listen to your problems, he wants to show you that he loves and cares for you. He sees it very much as coming out of his role as a leader—perhaps he can’t always be the one to fix things for you, but he’s intent on always showing that he supports you. And to his mind, affection is support.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Friendships with Marcus would probably start out by sharing mutual interests, but he’s also definitely built some relationships out of little things: one-off jokes, being the only two people not in a conversation at a party, things like that. There’s an ease to Marcus that makes it easy to turn those moments of camaraderie into real friendship.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Marcus is a cuddler, through and through. It’s comforting and warm and gives him a sense of security and peace. A morning cuddle before getting up, one before falling asleep and anytime he can get his arms around you and just hold you. He’s an arms wrapped tightly, nose buried wherever he can find your skin kind of cuddler. And though Missy is grown, he’ll still find her laying her head on his chest and squeezing him tight.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Marcus is the definition of domestic. Look it up in the dictionary and a picture of this man will be there beside it. Settling down is always something on his mind since his wife passed, craving the routine and feeling of sharing his life with someone. He cooks, cleans, and does laundry like a damn champ: sorting everyone’s clothes by colors and fabrics. He has his bedtime routine down to a science and loves seeing your toothbrush next to his when you finally take that next step.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

If your relationship with Marcus necessitates an actual break-up, things have gotten serious. Lives merging even if there aren’t rings on fingers sort of serious. So because he takes his serious relationships… seriously, he’ll tell you if he starts to feel like the relationship is going downhill. The two of you will be sharing a quiet night in and he’ll just open up and admit that he feels like things aren’t working as well as they used to.

Because of that, though, if he were trying to end things, you’d… know already. Either because things wouldn’t have gotten better, or because perhaps they got worse. And so it is that things would go out not with a bang, but with a whimper—him kinda sadly looking at you across the kitchen one morning and you being like, “Yeah, you’re right.”

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Marcus is in it to win it when he finds the right one. He hates the idea of wasting his time, your time, when he just knows. The idea of commitment only phases him in the way that he worries for Missy’s sake but he trusts that if something didn’t feel right, she would tell him. Marcus proposes after 6 months but gives you plenty of time to just be engaged, the ring on your finger being enough to tide him over because every time he sees it, he knows you’re his.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Let’s say that Marcus is gently assertive. Emotionally, he’s not going to steamroll you, but he always wants to make sure you know where he stands. To some degree, he feels like holding back too much is akin to lying, so he’s unafraid to say hard things even knowing that they might knock you over.

He’s plenty assertive physically, too, because in case it’s not clear from his love of cuddling, Marcus loves touch. But as a strange side effect of the Heroics, he’s particularly aware of how he’s touching when he’s not on the job. He’s careful about not wanting to get too intense (unless you want him to).

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Marcus loves hugs. He loves the simple intimacy of them—from a quick goodbye hug to something more emotional where you just collapse against his chest after a long day. And there is nothing like a hug from Marcus. His strong arms and broad chest envelop you in the safest, most comforting way. He’s warm without being hot, soft but sturdy. He can just tell when you need one too, holding his arms out when you give him a simple look.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

When Marcus knows, he knows. It only takes Marcus a few months to know—after he’s spilled every possible dark, terrible secret he has and you don’t look at him any differently. When he introduces you to Missy and though there’s a bit of hesitation at first, you two catch on like wildfire after the initial awkwardness. It’s when he can see how well you fit into his family, how easy it would be for him to make room in his life for you and he realizes he already has.

He says it after a typical night for the three of you, dinner and a movie that Missy’s picked out because it was her turn. After he’s tucked her into bed and comes down to find you putting on your shoes to head home. He tilts your chin up and says the words so easily, like he’s said them a million times before (and he has, over and over in his head when he looks at you) and asks you to stay.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Because touch is so important to him as a way of expressing his affection and desire for you, Marcus’s jealousy might get stirred a bit when he sees someone put their arms around you or a hand on your shoulder. He’s secure enough in your relationship that he doesn’t see things as a real threat, but yeah, he might let out a low, warning growl and pull you close, maybe kiss you on the cheek.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Marcus is soft and gentle at first, his lips a little chapped. He can’t bother to remember to pack chapstick with him because he’s busy.

He likes to kiss the spot under your ear that makes you shiver, then across your cheek to find your lips. It’s easy to lose yourself in his kisses, passionate and all consuming.

Marcus likes to be kissed right below the hollow of his throat, where a small freckle sits and he’s just a little bit more sensitive there than any other place above his shoulders.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Marcus is great with kids and always has been. He's gentle and patient with them, loves listening to their over the top stories full of gibberish and makes sure to nod in all the right places. Babies quiet their tears when he holds them because his hands are just comforting and strong, making them feel safe. When Missy came into his life, he was wrapped around her finger and she was a total daddy’s girl, reaching for him more than anyone.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Marcus wakes with the early dawn, liking to get in a run before he starts his day. He’s always downstairs before you are, freshly showered and drinking his morning cup of coffee with the paper. He can take a slow morning from time to time but you’re usually shoving him out of bed after 30 minutes or so, his fidgeting annoying. You don’t complain when he pulls you into the shower with him when you can’t manage to fall back asleep.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights are often unpredictable because Marcus’s days are unpredictable: the Heroics aren’t really dictated by “weekday” vs. “weekend.” Some days probably don’t look much different than an office job, but some days he’s having to do big important saving the world things. So the tone of your evening is often spontaneous, with the general sentiment of, “Oh, you didn’t have to save the world today? Hmm maybe we should go out for dinner or a movie.”

That said, finding time of any sort together can be difficult, so the two of you are often content to stay in and just keep things low key. Really enjoy each other’s company.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

You can expect a pretty steady stream of vulnerability from Marcus in the early stages of your relationship in particular. He won’t unload all of his baggage on you, certainly not at once, but he absolutely wants to share everything with you, and in his mind, being open about himself is crucial to showing how serious he is about you. The first cue that he wants you to really know him comes when he opens up about being a widower. It’s difficult, it’s personal and intimate to Marcus, but he also sees it as being inevitably impactful on your relationship, so he feels you need to know. Those are the sorts of things he wants to make sure to share sooner rather than later.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Marcus Moreno? Legendary leader of a group of superheroes? He’s developed a very cool head from conflict mediation that carries over into most arguments or scenarios where his anger might be provoked.

But all of this goes out the window when Missy is involved. If Missy’s in danger, Marcus immediately jumps into protective dad mode, and his anger comes out full-force in an instant.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Marcus is pretty detail-oriented in general, so he’s great at remembering things about you, but he especially internalizes things you share in moments of real vulnerability or while seeking out his advice. He wants to be able to check in about it later, or remember details so that when you bring them up again, he’s immediately on the same page.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

It’s easy for Marcus to remember the first time he really thought, “Wow, this is it. I want this.”

It was a spontaneous trip to the science museum downtown, you mentioning it off hand the night before after seeing a flyer up in the grocery store and Marcus booking the tickets before falling asleep. There was a science fair at school that Missy was dithering over whether or not to apply for and you figured a trip to the museum would give her that final push.

It was about half way through the museum when Marcus had realized he’d lost the two of you and he went searching through a few rooms when he found the both of you, bent over a robot and chatting about it excitedly. He watched you pull Missy into your side, squeezing her tight, and that’s when he knew.

Later that night, when you’re both nestled in bed with your head on his chest, you tell him Missy decided to sign up for the science fair.

He buys a ring the next day.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Especially in the honeymoon phase of your relationship, Marcus goes on high-alert whenever you’re in a context that could even possibly be read as dangerous: even out at bars, he’s keeping an eye out for bad guys who might try to hit on you, not really as a jealousy thing but because he wants you to be safe. And God forbid you end up in possible danger because of a threat the Heroics are dealing with; as much as he doesn’t want to, he can’t help fretting over you in particular.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Marcus likes to keep things casual unless it’s a special occasion and then he’s pulling out all stops: hotel booked, dinner reservations and a night all about you.

He definitely tries to lessen the burden of everyday tasks for you, or as much as he can manage while still juggling work. He makes sure he’s still pulling his weight and not leaving them to you just because you’re less busy.

Marcus is a random gift giver: I saw this and thought of you kind of gifts are his specialty, and they are always something that’ll make you less stressed. Like, when he overheard you complaining about the lack of storage in the pantry and the next day there was a box full of acrylic storage containers shipped to the house with a note attached that read, “Until I can build you something better, I hope these help.”

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

There are a few bad habits of Marcus’s that drive you wild (like leaving the toilet seat up when he’s in a hurry or the sink covered in his beard trimmings when he forgets to lay a towel down), but the absolute worst is when he clips his toenails and leaves the clippings wherever they land.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Marcus doesn’t really care what the average person on the street thinks of him, but he cares very much what Missy thinks, and also what you think. With Missy, it’s more that sometimes he enjoys messing with her, just a little bit. Wearing a tacky pair of shoes or a goofy t-shirt if he knows that she’s in a good enough mood to just be giggly and embarrassed about it. You, on the other hand… Well. He wants you to be into him in every way, so he cares. Of course he does.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

When Marcus became a widower, Missy became his “other half.” He put so much love into her, wanting her to feel safe and supported after their shared loss, and part of that is because he did feel like his wife made him whole. At a time when everything was hard, when he easily could have felt incomplete, being there for Missy meant everything. That was where he allowed himself to feel whole.

But after feeling that ache and that loss for a while, he does start to give himself permission to look for a new kind of wholeness, because while he’s been able to be there for Missy, obviously he needs someone who could support him so completely. And it’s hard and maybe a little frightening at first, when he starts to find that in you, but he also knows that he can’t live scared about really, truly loving again even if that could mean also feeling incomplete again later. Even if he might feel incomplete without you… well. Instead he’ll lean into how fucking much he loves feeling whole with you.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Introducing you to his mother is just as big a step for Marcus as sharing you with Missy for the first time. And look, it’s… honestly, it could have gone better. The two of you had to rush over because Marcus got held up saving the world, and he figured that Anita would understand since obviously she was a part of the Heroics too, in her own way. But wow, was it rough. She was short with you both and whenever you spoke, her responses were short and abrupt. Marcus left that night incredibly perplexed, swearing that wasn’t anything like her.

You had suspicions to the contrary, which are confirmed a few weeks later over your fourth dinner together. Marcus and Missy go into the kitchen together to get dessert sorted, and Anita leans her elbows sternly on the table to ask whether you see things with Marcus as permanent. Besides Marcus, she’s the first person who knows the answer is yes.

The two of you get along wonderfully, after that.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Marcus isn’t into big, outward displays of physical affection. He doesn’t mind a kiss to the cheek or a hand around the waist but he detests seeing people make out in public and it makes you laugh every time he sees it happen when you’re out, wrinkling his nose and turning away.

Also big on personal hygiene, he’s big on his morning showers after his run. He’s overly aware of his own body odor, and others’, and likes to make sure he smells good (which he does). It, in turn, makes you more alert to your own so more often than not, you’ll jump in the shower with him just to make sure.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Marcus does the morning crossword puzzle from the paper every night in bed, glasses perched low on his nose while you read a book next to him. He sleeps on the right and you sleep on the left. He has to have the ceiling fan running and the temperature set to 65 or lower to be able to sleep comfortably since he runs warm.

[honeytae]

I think we should leave before you dedicate another song to me.

hi bubs!! so this is just the reader dealing with a very drunk jinnie doing karaoke ft. platonic hoseok, jimin, and jungkook. real chaotic, lots of drunken fluffy fun ahead. i hope you guys enjoy <3

tags: @ahgasearmyfan, @hoseokayy genre: fluff word count: 2.2k

“Jin, you should slow down.”

“Jinnie, you have to work early tomorrow.”

“Love, did you just order another?”

Despite all your reminders, Jin had continued drinking throughout the night, tossing back alcohol with glazed-over eyes, his movements and speech becoming more and more slacked with each emptied glass. 

And now here you were, seated in a booth between Hobi and Jungkook, all eyes glued to your boyfriend swaying in front of the karaoke machine across the bar. 

“Jesus, how much did he have?” Hoseok asked, cringing when Jin dropped the microphone, the emphasized ‘thud’ resounding through the building. 

“I don’t know,” you sighed, “but I blame Jimin.” You all looked across the bar to the man raising hell with shots in hand, tossing them back as if they were water as he continued shouting song requests at Jin. 

“Sometimes I don’t know why I come out with this group.” Hoseok grumbled, Jungkook chuckling in response.

Hoseok, a glass of water in hand, was completely sober apart from the sip of Jin’s wine he had earlier. Originally, he had hoped to call it an early night; a plan that was foiled as soon as his friends decided to order copious rounds of shots for the whole bar.

You and Jungkook were in similar conditions, limiting yourselves to watch after the drunker half of the friend group, scoping the scene out from one of the booths by the exit. 

Your attention was brought back to Seokjin when he cleared his throat into the microphone, exaggerating the action as he waited for your eyes to meet his. 

Raising your eyebrows in amusement at the man, he winked at you, causing you to dramatically fall back into your seat with a hand over your chest. 

Smiling at the sound of his giggles into the microphone, you watched as his finger moved around on the touchscreen below him, all three of you laughing when the familiar instrumental started.

“Is he kidding right now?” Jungkook’s nose scrunched up in laughter, resting his forehead in his palm with a shake of his head. 

“Unfortunately, he is one hundred percent serious.” You answered with a smile, watching your boyfriend bob his head to the beat of the symbals before coming in to read the lyrics. 

Hoseok’s loud laughter filled the room as Seokjin began singing the first words of Sweet Caroline, thoroughly amused at his older friend swaying to the music onstage. 

Your eyes were momentarily deterred by the sound of Jimin whooping at your boyfriend from the counter, serving as his hype man as you let your head fall into your hands. 

“Touchin’ me, touchin’ you.” He pointed at you, Hoseok laughing harder as he clapped his hands together in front of his face, collapsing back into the seat as his eyes clenched shut. 

“Sweet Caroline,” your boyfriend sang out while smiling at you, making you giggle as he moved his hips to the following ‘bum, bum, bum.’ 

“God, he’s blasted.” Jungkook snorted beside you, you chuckling with him as you watched the man clumsily sway his body to the beat of the song. 

“He’s having fun.” You shrugged, Jungkook watching your hand as you dug into your bag, laughing when you raised your illuminated phone screen and moved it back and forth along to the beat.

Quick to follow your action, the men on either side of you reached for their own devices, showing their support for their bandmate as he continued singing the entirety of the song, stepping back from the microphone stand when the instrumental faded out. 

Cheering for the man, you raised your hands above your head to clap for him, yelling out praises for him as drunken people around the room did the same. 

Seokjin suppressed a shy smile as he stepped off the stage, eyes set on you with a slight pout to his bottom lip, cheeks flushed in light pink as the corners of his mouth pressed into his plush cheeks. 

He was a bit unsteady as he walked, just enough to be noticeable if you were really looking for it, but not enough for people around him to be bothered. 

“Hi, baby.” Jin cooed at you, making grabby hands at you as he messily collapsed into the booth, your arms welcoming him into a hug as he rested his temple against your shoulder, legs haphazardly draped across the seat so that his ankles hung off into the aisle. 

Bringing your hand up to his head, you brushed his hair away from his face, pushing it back and lightly scratching at his scalp as the younger men watched in amusement. 

“Hey hyung, you having a good time?” Jungkook smirked, chuckling when the older man nodded innocently, wide-eyed expression making his younger friend giggle.

“I fucking killed it up there.” He mentioned, briefly glancing up at you for confirmation, making you giggle too as you nodded your head for him. 

“You fucking killed it up there, love. Better than Diamond.” You affirmed, your boyfriend mouthing the words to himself before nodding with a slight grin, clumsily placing his head back down onto your chest as he wrapped his arms around your waist. 

“Are you having fun?” He slurred, you humming positively as you rubbed your palm in circles on his back.

“I am,” You agreed, “although,” you paused as Seokjin lifted his head to pout up at you, “I think we should leave before you dedicate another song to me.” You grinned, the man grinning back at you before settling back into your hold again.

He was quite literally latched onto you like a child in the middle of the bar, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care as you threaded your fingers through his soft tendrils, entertaining his mumbling about random topics as you tried to get him to drink some of your water. 

Jungkook and Hobi soon went to the bar in search of a new glass of water for the man, each going to a separate side of the counter to try to gather an employee’s attention. 

It was when Jin quieted that you began to feel concerned, leaning over his slumped frame to catch a glimpse at his closed eyes, staring before you began shaking his shoulder slightly to rouse him.

“You okay?” You asked as his eyes began fluttering up at you, hearing him whine as he scooted closer to you, burying his face into your neck further as you rubbed at his back. 

“Mm. Tired.” He mumbled into your skin, pressing his lips to the spot.

“Ready to go home, baby?” You asked softly, cheering internally when you felt him nod his head against you, his weakened body sitting up straight with your help as you tried to gather your bag with your other arm.

“I can take that.” He reached his hand out for you to place the bag into, making you chuckle lightly as you agreed, his fingers gripping the strap as you guided his other arm over your shoulders. 

Slowly coming to a stand with the man hanging on your back, you glanced over at the boys at the bar, offering a wave when Jungkook’s gaze found yours. 

Quickly shuffling over to you, he ruffled his hair out of his eyes, shifting his focus to the half-asleep man on your shoulder with a slight grin. 

“Hey, you want some help?” He offered, doe eyes eagerly shining back at you as you shook your head no. 

“I think I’ll be able to get him in fine, I just-” 

A crash interrupted your words, all three of your heads diverting to the source of the noise with wide eyes. 

Jimin was on the floor instead of his stool, a shattered glass previously full of some kind of clear alcohol spilled all over the ground beside his body as Hoseok tugged on his arms with an annoyed expression to get him to stand.

“And it looks like you’re needed here.” You raised your eyebrows at the scene, Jungkook sighing as he nodded, frowning at the scene before he turned back to you, retreating backward to Jimin.

“Call us if you need anything, okay?” 

You nodded, wishing him luck before focusing your attention back on the man hanging on your arm, slowly turning to exit the building to not make Seokjin’s world spin any more than it currently was. 

“Jimin’s so drunk.” He slurred, causing you to snort a laugh back, humming in agreement as you encouraged your boyfriend to step with you with a secured grip on his torso.

Walking down the street proved to be quite difficult with the tall man slung over your frame, arm thrown across your shoulders so that his weight was fully resting on you. 

Your hand tightly clutched his over your collarbone, the other hand gripping his waist as your arm wrapped around his torso, his feet trudging along beside yours to keep up with the pace. 

You hummed along to the jumbled words he said, only picking up certain details and names through the slurred sentences leaving his mouth as you tried to lug his body along the sidewalk, fully concentrated on getting him to the car.

Finally reaching the vehicle, you leaned the man up against the passenger side door, patting your pockets for the keys and sifting through your bag, frowning when you came up empty-handed. 

Remembering that Seokjin had been the one to drive earlier, you turned to the man, biting your lip to contain the smile on your face when you recognized the tune from back at the karaoke machine being hummed by his throat. 

“Do you have the keys, baby?” You asked, Seokjin’s eyes widening at the question before he furrowed his brows, the pats of his palms against his thighs exaggerated by the liquor in his system.

You had to suppress a laugh when he gasped upon finding the metal in his pocket, producing it with a proud grin causing you to lean forward to kiss his cheek. 

“Thank you.” You said as you took the keys into your hand, offering your arm around his torso once again to guide him away from the car, the man stumbling after you to allow you space to open the door for him. 

“I don’t know how much I can help with this part, love.” You admitted as you helped him lean against the car seat, the man nodding as he put his palms on the seat behind him. 

“I think I got it.” He said, quickly boosting himself up from the ground to the seat with a triumphant grin, making you nearly coo at his adorable innocence.

Helping him place his long legs into the car, you watched as he fumbled with the seatbelt beside him, finally succeeding as the buckle clicked at his fingers scrambling movements. 

Soft smile pressing into his full cheeks, Seokjin glanced up at you after his achievement, giddily mirroring your expression when you grinned at the content look on his face. 

Even though it was obvious he’d be feeling it tomorrow, you were happy that Jin got to relax and have some fun tonight. He deserved it after everything he faced daily, so much worry and concern going into others that he forgot about the well-being of the most important person; himself. 

“You good?” You smiled, the man nodding as he shot you a thumbs up, making you laugh as you retreated from the car. 

“Good.”

Shutting the door behind him, you rounded the front, opening the driver's side to lift yourself into the vehicle with a huff. 

The car started with a low hum, lights coming up on the display telling you that it was just short of 3 am, making you cringe even more at the amount of sleep Seokjin would get before having to wake for work in the morning.

He didn’t seem to pay any mind though, tapping his fingers against his thighs as he played an imaginary song in his head. The carefree action made you smile again, staring for a moment. Drunk Jin truly was a treasure.

 “Music?” He suddenly mumbled, you chuckling at him for a moment before reaching for your phone, handing him the device to connect to the aux cord as you buckled your seatbelt. 

Your lips quirked into a knowing smile when the intro to Sweet Caroline filled your ears for the second time tonight, glancing over at his smirking face with a giggle. 

“You’re something else, dear.” You sighed, pushing his hair back off his forehead as he beamed at you, high-pitched chuckles filling the car. 

Clutching the gear stick, you prepared to pull out of the parking spot, double-checking in your mirror for any cars to potentially catch you off guard. 

Placing his hand over yours, Seokjin momentarily halted your actions, your gaze locking on his dark eyes as they shone back at you in the night.

“I love you so much.” He pouted, making you smile as you leaned forward to gently press your lips against his, pulling back with a swipe of your thumb against his chin. 

“I love you too, Jinnie.”

“Baby?” 

“Hm.” You looked over to him, the man gazing over at you as he slumped back in his seat, tired eyes meeting yours as they squinted at you. 

“Am I as drunk as Jimin?” He asked, head tilted a bit as he awaited your answer. 

“For sure, love.” You answered with a chuckle, switching gears with a grin as Seokjin clung to your arm beside you, absentmindedly swaying to the beat of the music in the background. 

[kellyvela]

GRRM has said in interviews that he’s purposely played with the romantic tension between the hound and Sansa. What do you think the endgame purpose of the unkiss and that playing is meant to be for?

This is all what he said about the matter in question so far:

The Hound and Sansa, romantic or platonic? It could be very different things to each of those involved, mind you!

JUNE 24, 1999 THE HOUND AND SANSA

Moreta12: I understand, I’ve heard your opinion on that. In ACOK, it seems that the relationship between the Hound and Sansa had romantic undertones. Is that true?

GeoRR: Well, read the book and decide for yourself.

Moreta12: I’ve read the book and I’ve debated those particular scenes with a few others. Half say that it’s romantic and half say it’s platonic. I’ve taken the romantic stance.

GeoRR:  It could be very different things to each of those involved, mind you

Moreta12:Yes, but it seem like evidence points towards romantic undertones. Will the Hound appear later?

GeoRR: Yes, the Hound will be in STORM OF SWORDS. In fact, I just finished writing a big scene with him.

[Source]

When will Sansa be “legal”?  **ºª@”¡¿x<%$!&?

OCTOBER 05, 1999 AGE OF SEXUAL RELATIONS IN WESTEROS

The nature of the relationship between Sandor and Sansa has been a hot topic on Revanshe’s board. Sansa’s youth has been one focus of the discussion. What is the general Westerosi view as to romantic or sexual relationships involving a girl of Sansa’s age and level of physical maturity?

A boy is Westeros is considered to be a “man grown” at sixteen years. The same is true for girls. Sixteen is the age of legal majority, as twenty-one is for us.

However, for girls, the first flowering is also very significant… and in older traditions, a girl who has flowered is a woman, fit for both wedding and bedding.

A girl who has flowered, but not yet attained her sixteenth name day, is in a somewhat ambigious position: part child, part woman. A “maid,” in other words. Fertile but innocent, beloved of the singers.

In the “general Westerosi view,” well, girls may well be wed before their first flowerings, for political reasons, but it would considered perverse to bed them. And such early weddings, even without sex, remain rare. Generally weddings are postponed until the bride has passed from girlhood to maidenhood.

Maidens may be wedded and bedded… however, even there, many husbands will wait until the bride is fifteen or sixteen before sleeping with them. Very young mothers tend to have significantly higher rates of death in childbirth, which the maesters will have noted.

As in the real Middle Ages, highborn girls tend to flower significantly earlier than those of lower birth. Probably a matter of nutrition. As a result, they also tend to marry earlier, and to bear children earlier. There are plenty of exceptions.

[Source]

Unreliable Narrator

JUNE 26, 2001 SF, TARGARYENS, VALYRIA, SANSA, MARTELLS, AND MORE

[GRRM is asked about Sansa misremembering the name of Joffrey’s sword.]

The Lion’s Paw / Lion’s Tooth business (*), on the other hand, is intentional. A small touch of the unreliable narrator. I was trying to establish that the memories of my viewpoint characters are not infallible. Sansa is simply remembering it wrong. A very minor thing (you are the only one to catch it to date), but it was meant to set the stage for a much more important lapse in memory. You will see, in A STORM OF SWORDS and later volumes, that Sansa remembers the Hound kissing her the night he came to her bedroom… but if you look at the scene, he never does. That will eventually mean something, but just now it’s a subtle touch, something most of the readers may not even pick up on.

[Source]

(*) It was Arya who misremembered the name of Joffrey’s sword tho…

Unreliable Narrator 2.0

OCTOBER 05, 2002 SANSA’S MEMORY

[Note: This mail has been edited for brevity.]

… this is an inconsistency with ASoS more than an outright error. In ASoS, Sansa thinks that the Hound kissed her before leaving her room and King’s Landing. In ACoK, no kiss is mentioned in the scene, though Sansa did think that he was about to do so.

Well, not every inconsistency is a mistake, actually. Some are quite intentional. File this one under “unreliable narrator” and feel free to ponder its meaning

[Source]

Unreliable Narrator 3.0

NOVEMBER 27, 2007 GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Here’s a really particular question (which I realize means it probably won’t get asked in a general interview): In A Storm of Swords, there is a chapter early on where Sansa is thinking back to the scene at the end of A Clash of Kings when The Hound came into her room during the battle. She thinks in the chapter about how he kissed her, but in the scene in A Clash of Kings, this actually didn’t happen. Was that a typo or something? —Valdora

GRRM: It’s not a typo. It is something! [Laughs] ”Unreliable narrator” is the key phrase there. The second scene is from Sansa’s thoughts. And what does that reveal about her psychologically? I try to be subtle about these things.

[Source]

Sansa may be dead but Alayne is alive

APRIL 15, 2008 FUTURE MEETINGS, POVS, ARYA’S ROLE, EASTERN LANDS, AND ASSASSINS

[Will Sandor and Sansa meet?]

Why, the Hound is dead, and Sansa may be dead as well. There’s only Alayne Stone.

[Source]

A lot more dangerous than romantic

AUGUST 2, 2009 AS SER JORAH MORMONT…

weltraummuell: The Hound Oh please don’t cast an old guy for the Hound, his scenes with Sansa are so romantic and erotic, I couldn’t bear if it’d feel creepy all of a sudden. Well, that’s me making demands. LOL

GRRM: Re: The Hound Old guy? No, but… the Hound is still a whole lot older than Sansa, and was never written as attractive… you know, those hideous burns and all that… he’s a lot more dangerous than he is romantic.

kestrana: The Hound Yeah its a “girl always wants the bad boy” kind of thing although Sansa seems to pull something else out of him. It feels so wrong sometimes but I want to see them together again tee hee.

weltraummuell: The Hound Hehe, George, maybe you didn’t intend it, but he turned out to be a very erotic character to female readers. Especially since he’s mutilated and dangerous. Makes him unpredictable and vulnerable which is the most explosive aphrodisiac for a girl’s fantasy. ;)

weltraummuell: The Hound And I know from discussions on other board other women feel just the same about Sandor. He’s an absolute favourite with the ladies!

halfbloodmalfoy: The Hound LOL, you’re such a man. To many of us women, dangerous *is* attractive.

GRRM: The Hound But no one has any love for poor old Sam Tarly, kind and smart and decent and devoted…

[Source]

I played with it but I didn’t get the answer I was waiting for

JUNE 22, 2012 SWORD & LASER VIDEO PODCAST

GRRM: I am sometimes surprised by the reactions, of women in particular, to some of the villains. The number of women over the years who have written to me that their favorite characters are Jaime Lannister or Sandor Clegane [the Hound] or Theon Greyjoy… All of these are deeply troubled individuals with some very dark sides, who have done some very dark things. Nonetheless, they do draw this response, and quite heavily, I think, in the case of some of them, from my female readers in particular.

Veronica Belmont: I’m a big fan of the Hound, myself, actually.

Tom Merritt: Of Sandor? Really?

Veronica Belmont: Yeah, the Hound… Maybe it’s not because I feel any compassion towards them, I’m not really sure what the attraction is. Ah, I’m not going to call it attraction, actually. Let’s just say it’s a fascination, perhaps.

GRRM: [Chuckles] Well, I mean, fascination is one thing, but some of these letters indicate that there really is like a romantic attraction going on there. And I do know there’s all these people out there who are, as they call themselves, the “San/San” fans, who want to see Sandor and Sansa get together at the end. So that’s interesting, too.

Tom Merritt: The TV show has sort of played with that a little, and probably stoked those fires.

GRRM: Oh, sure. And I’ve played with it in the books. There’s something there, but it’s still interesting to see how many people have responded to it.

[Source]

I played with it but I didn’t get the answer I was waiting for 2.0

JUNE 23, 2015 GRRM Q&A AT THE SCIENCE FICTION BOOKSTORE IN STOCKHOLM

Question: “Is there any fan reactions that you have been surprised by, like is there a character that’s more popular than you thought or have people been shocked by something you didn’t think we would be shocked at?”

GRRM: “I’m reasonably certain what people will be shocked by. I knew that the Red Wedding would provoke a big reaction and it did. I was pretty confident that, you know, throwing Bran out the window and then killing Ned in the first book would get reactions, and indeed they did. All of those worked exactly the way it did to the extent that things that have surprised me, they tend to be smaller things. I guess I… Maybe I should not have, I don’t know. How do I phrase this without getting myself in terrible trouble… I guess I don’t understand women, but I was definitely, you know, way back when, surprised by the number of women who reacted positively to characters like Theon and the Hound as dashing, romantic figures. The san/san kind of thing took me by surprise, I must admit, and even more so the women who, and there are some, who really like Theon. So that surprised me.”

[Source]

Unreliable Narrator 4.0

DECEMBER 2016 ASKING GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ABOUT S@N/S@N

My question is regarding Sansa Stark. Her sexuality has evolved through every book and yet the memory that seems to stick the more with her in this regard is the night of the Blackwater. So I was wondering if you can expand on your view on what this is, since as before that night her interactions with Sandor Clegane weren’t really physical.

The night of the Blackwater, yes. Ahhh… Well, I’m not going to give you a straight answer on that hahaha… Uhmmm, but I would say that ahhh… you know a television show and a book each has its own strengths and weaknesses; there a re tools that are available to me as a novelist, that are not available to people doing a television show. And of course there are tools available to them, that are not available to a novelist, I mean they can lay in a soundtrack, they can do special effects, they can do amazing things that I can’t do, I just have words on paper. What can I do, well I can use things like the internal narrative, I can take you inside of territories… thoughts, which you can’t do in a TV show… Ahhh… You just have the words they speak, you see them from outside because the camera is external, while prose is internal, and I have the device known as “unreliable narrator”… Ahhh… Which again, they don’t have. So, think about those two aspects when you consider that night of the Blackwater.

[Source]

Do with it what you will.

[vodkassassin]

Hello supreme overlord, ruler of all, writer of the most amazing of sentances and of the nicest of words, could you please write SQQ and SQH interacting in public and forgetting where they are so they just share friendly touches (like touch-starved millenials do) which ppl see and loose their minds over? Like SQH casually throws his hand over SQQ's shoulder and the other just looks pleased youdon'thavetoifyoudon'twantto Ty <3

Moth babe I swear to god

Here’s some platonic cucumberplane for you guys! @overlordmoth

-

Shen Yuan has been in the body of Shen Qingqiu for seven months. Seven warm months of early spring, a beautiful, gorgeous summer befitting of a xianxia world, and a colorful yet mild fall.

He’s been so busy with worrying about the plot, about dismantling the OOC function, about what this exasperating, crazy world (or the System) would throw at him next, that he hasn’t really had the chance to concern himself with the smaller things, like the weather. Especially since those smaller things have been content to be rather wonderful and non-problematic.

Until now, that is. It’s the beginning of his eighth month in this ridiculous place, and it seems winter is finally here.

Yesterday, now that Shen Qingqiu has the belated gift of hindsight, he realizes that all the trees — usually so full of brightly colored leaves in warm tones of oranges and reds and yellows and even some pinks — they’d all gone completely skeletal, very abruptly losing all those final leaves at once. And, seemingly overnight, three feet of snow apparently fell to blanket the mountain sect — because it’s a mountain! Lots of snow! Who’s grand idea was it to build the sect high up on a mountain range? Fuck you, Airplane! — while Shen Qingqiu was asleep, and now….

Shen Qingqiu kicks the door that obstructs his way open with his foot, and Shang Qinghua flinches back in his seat across the room.

“I’m sorry! What? Oh! U—Um, hey bro, what’s —?”

Crossing the office, Shen Qingqiu takes a brief, self-indulgent moment to loom over his fellow transmigrator and watch him sweat, before he whips open his fan and presses the tip of one of its spokes to his mouth in contemplation.

“Scoot over.”

“What?” Shang Qinghua asks, and squeaks when Shen Qingqiu doesn’t wait any longer before plopping down directly beside him and leaning over to burrow into his side. “Sh-Shen bro—?!”

“It’s fucking cold,” Shen Qinqiu hisses, “and I am wearing silk. And I own nothing but silk! Who’s idea was that, huh, Qinghua?”

Shang Qinghua doesn’t make a sound for a few long seconds, but Shen Qingqiu can feel the man trembling. He can’t tell, however, whether it is because the man is nervous or laughing at him.

“I-I would have assumed it was Shen-shixiong’s idea, seeing as how it’s his wardrobe,” Shang Qinghua finally says, voice shaking, and clearly talking about the original goods, whose character and wardrobe he had written himself!

It sounds enough like mocking that Shen Qingqiu gives into his urge and snaps his fan closed, using it to jab his friend — yes, his friend — in the ribs. The shorter man yelps.

“Ow! Bro, c’mon—!”

“I’ll kill you.” Shen Qingqiu tells him in a stage whisper, lifting his eyebrows up to show how serious he is about it.

“You would never.” Shang Qinghua sounds so sure of himself. “You love me too much, bro!”

“Would you stop squirming?” Shen Qingqiu huffs in irritation as the other peak lord’s movements makes him slip off his shoulder and slide down to land in his lap instead. “Shang Qinghua!”

“I didn’t do it!” Shang Qinghua wails, nonetheless teaching out to wrap an arm around Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder and tugging him up a bit to rest against his chest instead. “There, is that better? You know, you interrupted me. I’m trying to work!”

“You can still write with me here, stop whining,” Shen Qingqiu gripes, and leans forward to shove his frozen nose directly against Shang Qinghua’s neck. The man jerks back and whines.

“Stop! You’re cold!”

“I know, that’s why I’m here! Order me a winter wardrobe right now!”

“I don’t have the right forms for that at my desk!” His friend says, a brush dripping ink still held aloft in one hand. “I’ll have a disciple hunt them down for me and do it later!”

“I’ll turn into a popsicle before then! Bitch, do I look like Captain America to you?” Shen Qingqiu demands.

“You ain’t nearly blonde enough,” Shang Qinghua huffs, setting down his brush and rubbing some warmth into his bro’s upper arm. The other sighs slightly and leans even more of his weight into him. Neither of them are very heavy, though, so it doesn’t make much of a difference. “You wanna borrow one of my fur-lined robes until I get you your own?”

“I could kiss you for that,” Shen Qingqiu admits. “Please.”

There’s a loud, strangled sound from the doorway.

Both of them whip their heads around to stare in surprise at the utterly befuddled Yue Qingyuan that stands in the doorway. Slightly behind the sect leader, a red-faced Luo Binghe stares at the two cuddling peak lords with wide eyes. A few seconds tick by in complete silence, before the boy turns away and flees.

“Uh,” Shang Qinghua says smartly.

Shen Qingqiu withholds a groan and smacks his friend on the shoulder with an open palm, burying his face into Shang Qinghua’s neck so that he doesn’t have to look at the still-staring sect leader. “Well, shit.”

“I—” Yue Qingyuan attempts to speak, but his voice fails him immediately, and the three peak lords are left in a stifling, awkward silence.

Shang Qinghua clears his throat. “M-Maybe sect leader should come back later?” He asks.

Shen Qingqiu is suddenly hyper-aware of the arm that his friend has wrapped around him, and the way he’s sitting across Shang Qinghua’s thighs, and mentally swears again. This is a little bit too much for ancient China xianxia sensibilities, isn't it? Fuck.

Yue Qingyuan tries to speak again, but no words come out. After a second, the man settles for giving them a sharp nod. He then turns on his heel and leaves without a word.

Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua stare at one another in silence.

“Awkward.” Shen Qingqiu eventually manages, burrowing even closer against his friend. Honestly, he’s just too fucking cold to be overly concerned about the consequences of this blunder just yet.

“I hate you.” Shang Qinghua says, reaching a hand up to hit him. There’s absolutely no power behind it at all. “This is your fault.”

“It absolutely is not,” Shen Qingqiu denies. “You’re the one who gave me an entirely silk wardrobe. Fuck you.”

“Fuck me yourself, you coward.”

“Please,” someone whimpers, and they turn to see Shang Qinghua’s head disciple cowering in the corner of the room, beet-red face buried into both his hands. “Please, stop.”

“Haha, whoops,” Shang Qinghua laughs nervously. “Sorry, A-Kao! Why don’t you take a break?”

“I’m never coming back,” the disciple says, emotionally. He pushes away from the wall and high tails it out of the offices faster than even Luo Binghe had fled.

The two of them are silent as they watch him leave.

“God dammit,” Shen Qingqiu sighs tiredly. He slumps even further against Shang Qinghua, and the other man adjusts his grip on him. “The System is going to kill me for this later.”

“Not if we kill it first,” Shang Qinghua says, a malicious light appearing in his eyes.

Shen Qingqiu looks up at him. “... I’m listening.”

They both ignore the neon red, flashing warning screens that only they can see.