#i wish i could watch this for the first time again so so bad

[gold-onthe-inside]

gingerbread kisses

who? spencer reid (s4) x bau!reader

summary: your first christmas as a couple with spencer involves baking, construction, and lots and lots of kisses

word count: 1.9k

content warnings: oral (f receiving), spencer calls r 'sweet girl', minors dni

"Yours looks so much better than mine," you whined, looking over at Spencer's gingerbread house, perfectly cut panels holding together to form a house while yours sagged at an angle.

"It's not that bad," he replied, if only to make you feel better and shifted closer to see if he could fix the angle of it, and you peered over his shoulder, watching his nimble fingers carefully adjust the panels, reapplying icing like it was glue. "There," Spencer said, pulling his hands away... and then it sagged lower and he frowned at it, puzzled, and you stifled a giggle against his shoulder at his utter confusion. Your nose pressed into his soft woollen sweater, arms wrapping around him. "Maybe if I--"

"Just leave it," you told him, kissing his cheek, your lip balm sticky against his warm skin. Even now, 6 months into dating, his cheeks flushed at your kiss, and he looked down at you, chasing your lips, his hands finding your cheeks, fingers equally sticky with icing. It was always so earnest, filled with as much longing as the first time you'd kissed him. He doesn’t want to let go when he pulls away, but then there's a streak of icing on your cheek and he can't help a wince.

"Sorry," he said, oblivious to your dazed look, moving to wipe his hands and you let out another soft groan of protest at the loss of him, only for him to come back to gently wipe your cheeks clean. "Can I tell you something?" he asked, looking at you intently.

"Always," you replied with your sweet smile and adoring gaze.

"This is the best Christmas I've ever had," he said, putting the cloth away, and you wished you could express how much you loved him in this moment, but you've never been as articulate with your affection as him. So you do what you know best; you tugged him closer, kissing him. You could live in this moment forever, his lips on yours, sitting on the floor of your apartment. Spencer pressed you back against the couch, his hands seeking your jaw, his tongue darting to your lower lip. He's always careful with you, slow and thoughtful, his thumb gently angling your chin higher.

You parted your lips, his tongue languidly exploring your mouth. His hand carefully slid down your neck, his thumb finding your pulse and he broke for breath, placing warm gentle kisses along your soft jaw. "My sweet girl," he murmured, reaching your ear. "I could do this forever."

Your heart fluttered the way it always did. He’d called you his since the beginning, sweet girl. He’d say it often, a gentle declaration of his affection. His hand slid down, thumb tracing the collar of your sweater, his face buried in your neck as he left his own mark on you, teeth grazing gently against the soft skin and your breath hitched. “God, Spence…” He felt you shift underneath him, already overwhelmed by his touch. Your fingers tangled in his hair, tugging a little when he mouthed at your neck. One of his hands rests on your hip, his thumb brushing the skin under your sweater.

He couldn’t help himself. You felt so warm and soft, so lovely wrapped in his arms. He pushed your sweater up gently, baring more of your skin, his touch warm, and light. He could spend hours just tracing his fingers across your skin. You tasted sweet, like sugar and vanilla, and he shifted, adjusting to slide between your legs. You tilted your head back, looking up at him, your eyes slightly unfocused, lips parted with your heavy breaths. His head dipped, mouth leaving marks along your neck as he pushed your sweater up again, just over your ribs, your breath stuttering as his teeth grazed over the sensitive skin. Your hand fisted in his sweater, a needy whisper escaping you, "Spencer..."

"Let me take care of you," he murmured against your shoulder, pushing your sweater high enough for you to wordlessly lift your arms so he could toss it to one side, and he needed to catch his breath as he looked down at you. He’d seen you a hundred times before, all those soft smooth curves, your soft sighs and breathless gasps that he lived for. You were so trusting in his arms, the way your fingers threaded through his hair, your back arching when his mouth found your stomach, kissing reverently at your soft skin. “So perfect,” he murmured.

You don't have the brainpower to spare to respond with anything other than his name, said so many times that it should have lost its meaning by now, but it never does. The way it came out all breathless and needy, desperate and reverent, the way you’d call his name as he pressed you into the couch, body over yours, pinning you in place as his mouth found your skin, tracing a path along your hip. You pulled uselessly at his sweater, biting your lower lip. “So impatient, my sweet girl,” he murmured, and your whine sent a spark straight through him.

"Want to see you, angel," you pleaded and he couldn’t deny you, even if he wanted to, not when your hands already reached to push under his sweater, your hands warm on his skin and he pulled back, pulling the offending garment off completely. You smiled, looking at him fondly. "Much better," you murmured, shifting up to kiss him again, your warm lips meeting his.

He met you readily, pressing you down again, his body covering yours, a warm comfortable weight. He could never get enough of how you fit against him, the feel of your soft skin against his fingers, the way your mouth moved against him, sweet and willing. The way your legs moved to wrap around him. "Okay if I take this off?" he whispered, hands finding the waistband of your pyjama pants, beige with little cookies printed over them, hot breath fanning over your face, eyes watching you as you nod. He slid the soft material down your legs, leaving you bare before him. It was a view he loved, all your bare skin, all his to touch and explore.

Your breath hitched as his hands gently nudged your thighs further apart, and he slowly sank onto his knees between them. You let out a small groan involuntarily, just at the sight of him between your thighs. "Angel..."

He shushed you gently, fingers tracing circles on your thighs, so close to where you wanted him. His eyes roamed over you, taking in every detail, your breathing and the way your legs twitched. “Just relax, my sweet girl,” he murmured, his thumbs rubbing soothing strokes across your skin.

"You're not making it easy," you muttered back.

He couldn’t help the smile at your comment, his hands slowly shifting your legs, lifting them to pull off your panties, and he could feel the way your breath caught, your body shifting slightly to help. He was so close to you he could practically feel your heat against his face. He was still gently running his fingers over the skin of your thighs, trying to keep you calm. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, voice impossibly soft.

His warm breath against you made your head spin, and you were too lost in the feel of his hands and mouth to do anything but gasp his name and tilt your head back. You were so wet, so needy for him, and you couldn’t help the way your legs shifted, pleading for more. He gently nudged at them, spreading you open further for him. He looked up at you, eyes dark with desire, the sight of you underneath him, leaning back against the foot of the couch, your chest heaving and your body tense, just for him.

He leaned in, and he didn’t miss the way your body jolted when his tongue licked over you, and he hummed against your skin. You tasted so sweet, so perfect, and he was slowly getting addicted to the taste, his hands holding your thighs in place as he slowly explored you. He’d wanted to make you fall apart, the way you’d done so many times for him, bringing him to the knife’s edge before pulling him over. But he couldn’t wait long, and he pushed forward, his tongue circling before he suddenly thrust forward, tasting as much of you as he could.

The effect was instant, and he felt you jerk against him, your gasp turning into a long moan. The sound made his hands squeeze at your thighs, wanting you closer. You were always so responsive to him, so sensitive, and you were already on edge from his light teasing. He loved the sounds you made, all those soft noises that you seemed unable to help when he was like this. He loved the way your skin felt under his hands, the way you would pull and tug at his hair when he was teasing you. He loved the way you felt, warm and soft all around him. He loved you, and he wanted you to fall apart. He was almost relentless, tongue working over you, delving into you, wanting you to come completely undone.

He didn’t want to pull away, wanted to keep going, to take you as close as he could, but you were already teetering on the edge, so close to climax. He loved how responsive you were, how he could pull those sweet moans and gasps so easily from you with just a few caresses. He wanted to see you come, wanted to feel your body shaking against him. He pulled back for a second, breathless, his voice already wrecked from how sweet you sounded, “Come for me, my sweet girl."

Your fingers scrabbled for his hair, needing something to hold onto as he brought you through your climax, his tongue not leaving you until you were begging him to stop, your body sensitive and overwhelmed. He let his hands gently trail across your thighs as you fell back onto the couch, boneless and still quivering. He couldn’t help a little smile at how wrecked you looked, your hair falling over your eyes, your body trembling. And yet you still looked beautiful, your bare body on display for him, your skin flush and warm. He shifted forward, his lips gently kissing your stomach and travelling up your body, until he laid down on top of you, his weight carefully resting between your legs, his head buried in your neck.

"I love you," you whispered, holding him, your fingers trailing over his back.

He lifted his head at your words, still so touched by your sweetness. After all this time, you still managed to surprise him. He shifted, propping himself up on an elbow to look down at you, his gaze soft and adoring. “I love you more,” he murmured, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair out of your eyes, fingers tracing the line of your jaw.

"Not possible," you murmured.

He smiled, leaning down to kiss your forehead. “Agree to disagree,” he teased, his hand gently caressing your hair, fingers carding through the messy strands. He liked you like this; soft and pliable in his arms, your body still trembling from your orgasm. His fingers traced down the side of your face, before his knuckles grazed gently over your collarbone, tracing the line of your shoulder.

"You were right," you murmured, looking at him. "Best Christmas ever. Even if I can't build a gingerbread house for the life of me."

He looked at the wreckage of the house, then back to you, hiding a smile. “You’re good at a lot of things, sweetheart, but decorating is just not your strong suit,” he teased and you huffed and shoved at his shoulder in mock offence. He just pulled you on top of him, kissing you deeply all over again.

[beautyloves]

broke down car

mechanic ! matt helps sweetheart ! reader after her car broke down

You made your way over to matt´s shop again. This was the second time this week that your car started breaking down, but it was a good excuse for you to be able to stop by and see matt again.

You parked your car infront of the shop, thankful that it didn´t break down in the middle of the road on the way over. You walked inside, the cool breeze and the smell of car oil filled your nostrils as you made your way over to matt.

His eyes met yours─before they trailed down to your form, clearly checking you out "Hey, again." he grinned "Hey." you smiled with a soft voice "Could you take a look at my car?" you said nervously.

"Again?" he chuckled deeply "Yeah.. i know." you chuckled as well "I think maybe you´re just making an excuse to see me." he teased, his eyes narrowing.

You scoffed, even though he was right, but you weren´t gonna admit that "Please, you wish." you teased back.

He offered you a soft smile "Alright, just bring your car in and i´ll take a look." you nodded and walked back outside and drove your car inside the huge garage.

You got out and matt walked over to you. He opened the hood of the car and started looking around, and checking to see if there were any problems.

Meanwhile you couldn��t help but notice how his muscles flexed and how yummy his biceps looked right now─you shook your head trying to shut out the desires running through your brain.

He was your mechanic for gods sake! you can´t just sleep with him or date him, that would be absurd.

He cleared his throat and looked up at you "Looks like your fuel pump is at faulty." you didn´t understand a word he was saying, but you nodded anyway "I´ll just fix it up real quick and then it should be good." he said with a soft smile─shutting the hood and walking over to the storage unit.

After a good half an hour he walked back over to you and handed you your keys "All good." he sighed as he grabbed a towel and wiped his hands "Y´know you didn´t have to stay here and wait right?" he chuckled.

"You could´ve just went home and then i would´ve called you when i finished." he said, taking a step closer to you.

You shrugged "Yeah, well i had nothing to do." you said coming up with an excuse, even though you clearly just wanted to stay here and watch him while he fixed your car, since it was quite a sight to see.

He hummed and nodded "Gotcha." he clearly didn´t believe what you said for a second, but he wasn´t gonna say anything.

"How much do i owe you?" you asked in a quiet tone, he shook his head "´s alright, don´t gotta pay." you furrowed your eyebrows at him "You sure?" you asked "Mhm," he hummed "On the house." he winked at you before he walked away and back over to the other cars.

You stood there in confusion as you watched him walk away. He just fixed you car for free? God, that made him even hotter than before.

As you got in your car and drove back home, you prayed to god that maybe just maybe your car could break down again, just so you can pay him another visit.

©BEAUTYLOVES all rights reserved.

YAPPING : i don´t know shit about cars, so i just searched up reasons why your car would shut off randomly 😭 also pls ignore if my grammar is bad or there are some misspells, english is not my first language !!! also i deleted the last matt blurb cause it was dog shit :,) but enjoy this

Ꮺ tags : @marrykisskilled @chrislilcumslvt @sosasturns @cyberskulzzz @slut4chris888 @waitforyrlove @zebonos @sturnioloangell @slctsblogana

[anonymousewrites]

Apple of My Eye Chapter Fourteen

Harry Hook x Child of Snow White! Reader

Chapter Fourteen: Yo, Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)

Summary: (Y/N) and Harry talk, and Mal gets some unusual "allies" to defeat Audrey.

            Harry laughed wildly as he sped the motorcycle down the small alleys of the Isle. (Y/N) held onto him tightly to avoid falling, watching people and buildings zip past. There was no way Evie, Jay, or Carlos were catching up to them, so they had resigned themself to going along for the ride. It wasn’t as if Harry was going to crash the bike and hurt himself, too, so they felt relatively safe for now.

            “Is it me or the bike that’s got your heart racin’, Highness?” said Harry as they turned a corner tightly and (Y/N) grabbed him tighter.

            “Is it my presence making you show off, or is your driving this bad because you have a death wish?” responded (Y/N).

            “A pirate’s gotta show off when someone charmin’ is around.” Harry applied the brakes abruptly, and they came to a screeching halt in an alley. “But I don’t want to scare ya off.” He hopped off the bike and offered a hand. “Highness?”

            (Y/N) smiled, rolled their eyes, and took his hand as they swung their leg over the bike. They stepped to the ground easily. But Harry still held their hand. (Y/N) looked at him, not making a move to step back. They looked down at their hands, back up at one another, and pulled their hands back.

            “What happens now?” said (Y/N). “Am I being kidnapped again?” They chuckled. “If that’s the plan, I’m going to have to disappoint. We’re a little too busy with other problems, so no ransom this time.”

            Harry grinned. “No kidnapping this time, Highness. I’m not ‘unoriginal,’ remember?”

            “I’m still ‘Highness,’ ” said (Y/N), smirking.

            “I told you, if it pleases you, we can upgrade to ‘love,’ ” said Harry, grinning.

            “Tempting, but I don’t get much out of it,” said (Y/N), smiling.

            “You could,” teased Harry, leaning on the wall.

            (Y/N) laughed, scoffed, and rolled their eyes. Harry’s smile just widened upon seeing their clear amusement. He liked making them smile.

            “Okay, seriously, Harry—”

            “First name basis? I can work with that.”

            “—Why did you take me?” said (Y/N).

            “…The rose.” Harry looked at (Y/N) and tilted his head. “From that Cotil-whatever. It was my sash.”

            (Y/N) looked at him. “It was.”

            “Why?” said Harry.

            “Because you and Uma are right,” said (Y/N). “It’s unfair that you were left behind on the Isle with so many others while Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos were here for so long.” They looked at Harry. “I wanted you to know that I was being honest when I said I wanted to help more VKs. I wasn’t going to forget that there were more people to help.”

            Harry looked at them, and he smiled slightly. “You are an interesting royal, Highness.”

            “You’re an interesting pirate,” replied (Y/N).

            “I try to be,” said Harry, grinning.

            “You succeed,” said (Y/N), smirking. “Other than the kidnapping stuff. That’s cliché.”

            “How can I make it more original?” Harry took a step closer.

            “Certainly not by flirting with me, I’ve read a hundred books like that,” said (Y/N), playfully stepping away from me.

            “Ya like pirates?” said Harry, leaning in and tilting his head.

            “Oh, sure,” said (Y/N). “I like stories where they get beaten by valiant, brave sailors.” They smiled brightly.

            “Pity. I like the ones where they win,” said Harry, smirking.

            “A true pity,” said (Y/N).

            “And if it was a pirate like meself?” said Harry.

            “We’ll see,” said (Y/N).

            “Will we?” said Harry, his grin softening slightly.

            “Second chances apply to everyone,” said (Y/N). Their gaze was intense as they smiled at him. “And I forgive.”

            “Do you?” said Harry.

            “I’m going to forgive you for kidnapping me twice, so, yes,” said (Y/N), laughing.

            “Suppose I should let ya go so ya can forgive me,” said Harry.

            “Please and thank you, I am quite busy,” said (Y/N).

            Harry bowed. “As you wish, Highness.” He gestured to the exit of the alley. “Out here, go to starboard, you’re home free.”

            “Thank you,” said (Y/N), smiling. They walked to the end of the alley, paused, and looked back. From a pocket, they pulled out a familiar red sash. “When you see me again, you can have this back.”

            Harry grinned. “It’s a deal.”

            (Y/N) laughed and turned the corner.

l

            (Y/N) leaned against the wall at the barrier of the Isle. They brightened when they saw the VKs coming towards them. Evie’s eyes widened.

            “(Y/N)!” Evie ran to them and hugged them. “You’re alright!”

            “We were about to scour the Isle for you,” said Carlos.

            “How did you get away?” said Jay.

            “They were more interested in having fun with the bikes than kidnapping me,” said (Y/N). “Harry was just amusing himself by annoying you.”

            “Sounds like him,” said Mal.

            Evie raised an eyebrow at (Y/N), who just smiled.

            “Did we get the ember?” said (Y/N).

            “We did,” said Mal, holding it up. (Y/N) smiled in relief.

            “Let’s get out of here,” said Jay. He pressed the remote in his hand, and the barrier opened to let them walk through.

            After they stepped through, the ember lit up, coming to life in the magical air. It sparked, and strands of Mal’s hair took on a blue tint.

            “Whoa. You got a little Hades thing going on,” said Evie.

            “That thing packs a punch,” said Carlos.

            “Hopefully it’ll ‘punch’ the sense into Audrey,” said (Y/N).

            “Whoo!”

            The VKs jumped and turned around. Two familiar pirates had leapt through the closing barrier and rolled to their feet. (Y/N)’s eyes widened. It was Harry and Gil.

            “We made it, bro!” said Gil excitedly.

            “We made it!” said Harry, and the pair hugged before grinning wildly at the other VKs and (Y/N). “Hey, guys, we’re just coming for a wee visit.” They stepped forward, and Carlos and Jay blocked their path. “Oh, come on, I told Highness we would see each other again. I’m just keepin’ my word.”

            “How flattering, you’re sneaking out to see me,” said (Y/N).

            “Who else would I see, Highness?” said Harry, grinning.

            “Get back inside the barrier, Hook,” said Jay, pushing him back.

            “Make me, Jay,” said Harry, shoving him back.

            Jay stumbled into Mal, and she accidentally dropped the ember. It clattered to the ground and bounced off the bridge.

            “No!” said Mal, eyes wide.

            “Oh!” gasped (Y/N), trying to reach for it and missing.

            A tentacle reached out and snatched the ember. Everyone’s eyes widened. A familiar face rose from the water. Uma grinned and waved up at the group.

            “Drop something?” she said with a smirk.

            “It can’t get wet!” said Mal. “Give it back before it goes out.”

            “Uma?” exclaimed Harry and Gil.

            “That’s my name,” said Uma. She submerged herself.

            “No!” cried Mal.

            A whirl of water shot into the air and fell across the bridge.

            “Hi, boys,” said Uma, grinning at her crew. She was in a human form and a captain’s uniform again. She still held the ember, glowing, in her hand.

            “Welcome back!” Harry grinned.

            “Uma, you swam off and forgot all about us.” Gil had a disappointed expression as he spoke.

            “Yeah. Planning her revenge, no doubt,” said Mal, crossing her arms.

            “It’s not all about you, Mal,” scoffed Uma. “I was looking for a hole in the barrier to let everybody out. And you know what I found, boys? It’s way better out there than we thought. There’s this thing that looks like a furry rock, called a coconut. And fish so big you could dance on their back.” She smiled wide, ecstatic to share her discoveries with her crew. She glared at Mal and her crew. “And they’ve been keeping it all to themselves.”

            “Whatever.” Mal rolled her eyes. “Uma, I need that to break a spell.” She held out her hand.

            “Cast by Audrey, Sleeping Beauty’s daughter,” said Carlos.

            “So the good guy is the bad guy?” Uma raised a brow and chuckled.

            “Mean girl to evil girl pipeline,” said (Y/N), sighing.

            “Well, I might not give it back,” said Uma, pouting at Mal. “Let’s see what happens.”

            “Uma, this is not the time for games!” snapped Mal. “People’s lives are in danger!”

            Uma just laughed, and Harry and Gil grinned. Mal was pretty easy to read.

            “Guarantee me that every single villain kid who wants to can get off the Isle,” said Uma.

            Nothing selfish. Just asking for freedom. (Y/N) almost smiled. It seemed Uma had grown a little. (Y/N) had been right, she wanted what was best for the Isle.

            “I can’t do that,” said Mal.

            “Can’t do that?” Uma walked to the edge of the bridge and held the ember over the water. “Well, how about now?”

            “Deal!” said Mal instantly. “Deal.”

            Uma pretended to drop the ember and catch it. Everyone gasped.

            “Uma,” said (Y/N). “Her word is good. We were going to bring over VKs more frequently, too, so this is just…faster.” They smiled to try to assuage the tension.

            Uma looked at them and then her crew. Gil shrugged, and Harry nodded. He believed (Y/N)’s words.

            “I”ll still keep this for the time being.” Uma pocketed the ember. She grinned at Mal’s frustration. “Because if you think I trust you to save the world on your own, think again…This is a job for pirates.”

            “Yeah,” said Gil and Harry, grinning.

            “We can always go back to hating each other when this is over,” whispered Jay to Mal.

            “Fine.” Mal was furious.

            “Where are our bikes?” demanded Jay.

            “Oh, yeah. We crashed them,” said Gil brightly.

            Harry imitated an engine, mimed it falling, and made an crashing sound. He winked at (Y/N).

            “Here’s a thought,” said Evie, hands on her hips. “We could try to be friends. Put our history behind us and celebrate our differences.”

            “We’d be pretty strong together,” agreed (Y/N).

            The three pirates looked at the other VKs. All of them looked skeptical.

            “Who wants gum?” offered Evie, popping a piece into her mouth.

            Uma turned away. “Let’s go.”

            “No?” Evie rolled her eyes.

            (Y/N) patted her on the shoulder.

            “Ah,” said Mal as Uma took a step. “No. I’m in charge. Let’s go.”

            Uma rolled her eyes, and they both started walking at the same time. Evie and (Y/N) sighed and followed the group.

             “This is going to be trouble, isn’t it?” said (Y/N).

            “Definitely,” said Evie.

l

            The VKs and (Y/N) walked through the grounds of Auradon Prep. Soft snores echoed around them. People were slumped over tables and benches, completely asleep. The sleeping spell had hit everyone hard.

            “They’re asleep. Everyone,” said Mal as she went through her contacts on her phone. No one was responding. “I can’t get Ben.”

            “Or Dizzy or Doug,” said Mal.

            “Or Jane,” said Carlos.

            “Fairy Godmother isn’t responding,” said (Y/N). “Not good.”

            “Is that Auradon Prep?” said Celia, staring at the academy. Her eyes went wide.

            “Yeah. When everybody wakes up, you’re going to love it,” said Carlos.

            “Yes,” said Celia, fist pumping the air.

            “Everything is so…” Gil stared around him.

            “Freaky,” said Jay.

            “Green,” said Gil. “You have leaves on your trees. And what are those colored things on the bushes?”

            “Flowers?” said Jay.

            “Flowers are pretty,” decided Gil.

            While Gil admired the new plants and fresh food, Harry admired wallets. He grinned as he pulled a wallet from a sleeping student.

            “I believe I deserve some compensation for my muscle, my wiles, and my role in this endeavor,” said Harry, smirking.

            “Harry.” (Y/N) stood over him and put their hands on their hips.

            Harry sighed dramatically. “I’ve got to do some piracy.”

            (Y/N) laughed. “More like pickpocketing.”

            “Ya wound me, Highness,” said Harry. “I am a proper pirate, through and through.” He bowed. He smirked. “Got the swords and wit to prove it.”

            “Is that what you call your shameless flirting?” said (Y/N).

            “Shameless?” Harry raised a brow and chuckled.

            “Is uncontrollable a better word?” said (Y/N).

            “No,” said Harry. He leaned on a tree and winked. “I only flirt with the handsome royals.”

            “Huh. Ben’s taken. I feel sorry for you,” teased (Y/N).

            “Benny ain’t as handsome as you, Highness,” said Harry.

            (Y/N) smiled slightly and fought back their blush. “Still trying to charm me?”

            “I guess I am shameless,” said Harry.

            (Y/N) laughed.

            “Dude!” Carlos ran towards the dog, thankfully alive.

            “He’s awake?” said Evie.

            “Sleeping spells don’t work on animals,” said (Y/N).

            “Dude, do you know what happened here?” asked Carlos.

            “Yup. Audrey showed up. She put everybody to sleep,” said Dude. “And then she turned some of them to—”

            “Guys.” Evie’s eyes widened as she found just what Audrey had done. Statues. There were so many people they recognized frozen in stone. “She turned them to stone.”

            “Alright,” said Mal. “We have to stay on our toes.”

            “Look, since we’re here, let’s check the school,” said Uma, gesturing to Auradon Prep.

            “No,” said Mal decisively. “Audrey went straight for the crown, so, I think it’s safe to assume that she’s gonna go for Ben and his castle next. That’s where we’ll go.”

            “Says who?” said Uma.

            “Says me,” said Mal.

            “Says you. What’s that supposed to mean?”

            “Guys,” said Evie before they could start arguing again. It was an ongoing battle.

            “To the castle,” said Mal, walking off.

            Uma and her crew huffed but followed.

l

            “Ben!” shouted Mal as they walked through the halls of the castle.

            “This way,” said Dude, tracking Ben’s scent as best he could.

            “Ben could be asleep anywhere,” said Mal, groaning.

            “Or turned to stone,” said Celia.

            Evie covered Celia’s mouth as Mal’s eyes widened in panic.

            “Ben!” called (Y/N).

            “I got a scent. Very pungent cologne,” said Dude. “Easy to track. Follow me, people.”

            “Thanks, Dude,” said Carlos.

            “FYI, I give great cuddles,” said Dude, eager to get affection from the newcomers.

            “Cool,” said Gil. “I never had a pet growing up. Well, except for the elk head in Dad’s man cave, but that wasn’t—”

            “Hold up.” Uma put up a hand. She stared at marks on the wall.

            (Y/N) peered closed. They were claw marks. “That can’t be good,” they murmured.

            “Oh, Ben…” said Mal softly.

            “We’ll find him,” said (Y/N).

            “Follow me,” said Dude.

He led them into a presentation hall where suits of armor stood at the walls, swords hung on crests, and a dais for speeches and shows of armor stood in the middle.

            “Ben!” said Mal in frustration.

            Harry admired the suits of armor and the swords. “Would ya duel me with these?”

            “Why not,” said (Y/N). “We save Auradon; we duel.”

            Harry grinned.

            “I bet you lost some sleep thinking about me on the loose?” said Uma, smirking at Mal.

            “No,” said Mal. “Dragons don’t really lose sleep. I wonder what fried octopus tastes like?”

            “Okay, why don’t we not do this?” said Evie.

            “We’re celebrating our differences,” said Uma.

            A laugh echoed through the room. Pink smoke filtered from within a suit of armor.

            “I believe we’re being challenged,” said Harry.

            “We’re getting that duel now,” said (Y/N).

            “Let’s split up and look for Audrey.” Uma and Mal were too busy fighting to listen to them.

            “That makes absolutely no sense!” said Mal. “Unless you give me my ember, she’s going to spell you.”

            “Girls!” shouted Harry as the armor moved.

            “We have a situation here!” said (Y/N).

            “Do you like a prince, Mal?” said Audrey’s voice from the armor. “How about a knight in shining armor? Or knights?”

            All the armor began to move. (Y/N) narrowed their eyes. It was time to go up against Audrey.

Taglist:

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[vulpixisananimal]

[A:3 C61] [TW for: imagery of mutilated, bruised, and bleeding body] (Odile)

(It was sundown on the third day Ramos was out. No change.)

(You were sitting in the living room. Research notes splayed in front of you. You scoured every inch of your writing for anything that could help. Siffrin was asleep on Isabeau on the couch in front of you. Poor Siffrin had been having panics, but had been getting better. Although, it was concerning who it actually was you talked to.)

(Mal, Asterion, and Saffron. Only those three came out.)

(Asterion would stick to himself, talking silently, eating, and keeping in sight of you all. Any time any of you asked about what happened he froze up. It was clear, honestly, that the only reason he didn’t hide in his room was to alleviate all of your worries for him.)

(Mal would disappear for hours a time, only to return and drag Isabeau away. You asked him what that was about, but his lips were, for once, sealed. You had your suspicions, however.)

(But Saffron. . . They were the worst of all of them when it came to communicating. Getting them to admit they're saffron was pulling teeth. Getting him to admit he needs food was agony. And, you could see behind his smile.)

(“Persecutors need love just as much as anyone in order to heal.” That’s what the booklet Vixul gave Siffrin said. You could confirm it was true, but that didn’t make their biting remarks any less hurtful.)

(. . . Tension was high. If you could figure out how to help Ramos out of their catatonic state then. . . You took your glasses off and rubbed your eyes.)

(The issue is simple: Ramos’ catatonia was caused, indirectly, by mind craft. And the only one who knew mind craft was Ramos themself. So, what do you do?)

(You could continue to hope and pray for conventional remedies to work. You could look for an expert in psychology, or maybe even acupuncture. But you might as well wish to win a coin flip at that point! Ha, ha. . .)

(. . . Even with a grand library in your mind you couldn't think of anything.)

(Except. . . One thing.)

(. . . . . You didn't want to consider it.)

(You were considering it.)

(. . . . You finish considering it, and stand.) “I need a break.”

(The half asleep Isabeau opened an eye.) “Hmm?”

“I'm going to the library.” 

“M’kaaay. . .”

(You've got your notes, coat, everything you need. You waste no time and leave the house, headed directly to the library.)

(You go over the plan in your head. Merlon is back, so there is no truce. Attempt to talk to him. Keep your distance. Look out for any surprises from Merlon, talk politely. Appeal to his soft side, and look for a way to keep him distracted so he can't read your thoughts. He's fast, and your craft type is at a disadvantage, so direct combat is a bad idea. What about a trade? Information for assistance?)

(You couldn't trade any old thing you knew, he's a historian. Perci would know about the Expression of Search’s Elaborate Dance of the Guide. No, it would need to be something more. . . Exciting.)

(You continued to walk. What about What Loop looked like? Call craft? The fact that your party has met gods multiple times now? The fight with the king?)

(. . . Siffrin’s cosmic temper tantrum would be best kept quiet.)

(You made it to the library, you'll check here first. You walk up the steps and into the lobby. The librarian from a few days ago was here, sleepily sipping a cup of tea. They waved.) “Madame Odile, good to see you again.”

“Hello, same to you.” (You walk up to the counter.)

“. . . Tea?” 

(You paused, then smiled.) “. . Please.”

“Camomile or ginger.” (They ask, getting up.)

“Ginger, please. No milk, no sugar.” 

“Perfect, I just boiled the pot.”

(You watch them go. A cup of tea would be perfect. Something to calm your nerves before, whatever happens happens. A moment later they were back, and handed you a cup. You thank them, then move into the library proper.)

(It didn’t take long. Perci was sitting at the center of the library, at a grand table. Books to either side of him. A chessboard to the left. You could hear the familiar scribbling of a pen. Your steps echoed through the silent building as you approached.)

(You stopped a few feet back from him, and waited.)

(There were a few moments where the only sound was that pen, before he finally stopped. He looked up, then back down again.) “. . . Madame.”

“Percival.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” 

“. . .” (You walk around the table, place down your tea, and take a seat.)  “I have come to strike a deal.”

“Have you now.” (He’s smiling, the face of a man truly absorbed in his work.) “I thought we weren’t all buddy buddy now.”

“You know why, Percival.” (You glare at him.)

“Haa. . . That, I do.” (He clicks his pen and puts it to the side.) “Three days already? That is worrying, but what do you want me to do about it?”

(You sip your tea, and stare directly at him.)

“. . . You’re very good at hiding your thoughts, Madame. And I must say, after the inn, I would sooner ride a bull off a cliff than try and tame your mind.”

(You keep your face neutral.)

“. . . . . That is to say, I should be giving you some more respect.” (Perci looks at you, then turns and grabs the chessboard, and starts setting it up.) “Chess? It’ll keep my mind wandering to yours.”

“Thank you.” (You huff.) “I’m no idiot, and while I can respect your mind games, I, for one, like cutting straight to the point.”

“Very respectable.” (He finishes placing the last pieces. Darkless on your side, Lightless on his.) “So, after you, madame. Light before shadow, after all.”

“Of course.” (You pick up a pawn, forward two.) 

“So.” (He moves a pawn to match.) “You would like help with Ramos.”

“Yes.” (Pawn to cover.) “Either you help them recover, or teach me some form of mind craft to do it myself.”

“Ah, well that’s an issue, isn’t it?” (Knight forward.) “I will not teach you mind craft, and I doubt your companions will let me into Ramos’ mind.”

“That is an issue.” (Pawn forward.) “Why can’t you teach me?”

“And give you a dagger to stab me with?” (Knight takes a pawn.) “You would have to give me something good in return.”

“I see.” (Pawn takes the knight.) “Then how about what I found on our travels?”

“Hmm, tempting.” (Bishop forward.) “Very tempting, madame.”

“The ascent through the Dormont House of Change?” (Pawn forward.) 

“Getting there.” (Pawn forward.) “Dormont is a nice little town, isn’t it?”

“Hmm? Have you been?” (Pawn takes a pawn.) 

“Oh no no.” (Bishop takes a pawn.) “I’ve just heard so much about it when researching you all.”

“Really now?” (Knight takes a bishop.) “But of course, rumor can only tell you so much!”

“Ah of course, of course.” (He thinks, then moves a pawn up.) “After all, you tend to hear the strangest of rumors.”

“. . . Like?” (Knight takes a pawn.) 

“Oh nothing too strange, just. . .” (Queen takes a knight; advantage to Perci.) “Giant cracks in the sky of an unknown shade, a cloaked figure dozens of stories tall, small things like that.”

“. . .” (You move a rook.) “Just silly rumors.”

“Oh? Is that the same with the rumors of the king?” (Queen takes a pawn.) “That he was an islander too?”

“. . .” (Move the king.)

“An islander just like my bonded, just like your traveler.” (Queen takes a rook.) “I wonder, do they share some other connection? Perhaps even a family member?”

“. . . Whoever Siffrins family was, they weren’t like the King.” (Knight takes the queen.) “If anything, the King's family would have been like your own.”

(Perci is stunned, looking at the board. He glances up, then back. He castles his king.) “And what would you know about that?”

“Quite a lot.” (Bishop takes a pawn; advantage to you) “Percival Monet, the youngest of the Monets, who destroyed his own family.”

“. . . That’s nothing-” (Knight forward.)

“Oh it’s everything.” (Bishop takes the knight.) “I did not recognize that swear you use, Perci. So, I got curious.”

“And what does that have to do with anything?” (Pawn forward.)

“I looked it up in a teenager's book about swears.” (You chuckle, pawn moved up.) “It’s Poterian.”

“. . .” (Pawn up.)

“A Poterian swear that’s only really used in very old, rich families.” (Knight takes a pawn.) “And from there, there’s only so many families to check.”

“But there isn’t a book in the library about the Monets.” (Pawn takes pawn.) 

“And the House of Change library?” (Bishop takes a knight.) “The secret library? Each house has one, after all.”

“I. . .” (He pauses, looking over the board, eyes wide. Rook forward.) “. . . What do you know?”

“The Monet family. One of the oldest and well known in devoted Soleanist society. Old money. And old corruption.” (Bishop takes a pawn; Perci is in check.) “The last Monet’s were disgraced, the two house leaders at the time.”

“. . .” (Move rook.) “What else?”

“Just that the only Monet with any reputation left, is a historian.” (Bishop forward; Perci is in check.) “And that historian, is you.”

“. . . . . . Hah. . .” (Perci lowers his head.) “Ha, HA! HAHA!! Oh yes! Madame, I knew you were brilliant. From the moment I touched your mind, I knew, I just knew, you were something else.”

(His rook takes your bishop.)

(You lean forward. Something was wrong about this board. You had been counting moves ahead, but there were errors. You didn’t take into account some pieces, pieces that were there but you just, didn’t focus on them. They were out of the way, not a problem. He took your bishop, and you could see the next moves clearly. Next, your knight, then rook, then queen, and then. . .)

(Checkmate.)

“. . . . ha. . . Haha!!” (You sit back with a sigh.) “. . . How.”

“Ah, took you long enough.” (Perci looked at you with a smug smile.) “It was the tea.”

(You look at the cup of tea, then shake your head.) “You took control of the librarian, and spiked the tea with some sleep or relaxation agent. Not enough to be noticeable, but enough to graze my hand without me noticing.”

(Exactly.)

(In a motion, the tables and chairs melted into the floor. The bookshelves expanded, the ceiling disappeared into a thick fog miles in the air. Lanterns lit the endless halls. Perci seemingly disappeared. You stood in your headspace.)

(I don’t think vast is an accurate enough word to describe your mind, Odile. Your voice echoes through the library.)

(A better word for it would be private! You turn, where are you?)

(You pull a book off a shelf. Why, I’m just over here!)

(The hallways shift once again as you glide towards his voice. You can see him! Get, OUT-)

(Your breath catches.)

(You can only begin to imagine what form of hell Perci must have gone through to end up looking like a walking corpse. No, not a corpse. A corpse could at least rot.)

(He had scars, bruises, pinpricks, lines that look as if someone was sewing something into his skin. He had rashes from shackles, his nose was broken, one eye droopy. His clothes were torn and now looked more like a university uniform with the crest torn out.)

(He looks at you, the look he had, it was. . .)

(Hello, Madame. She looks so similar to how she does in reality, except for the fact she floats ever so slightly off the ground. Are you so tied to your own self image to not experiment a little, Madame?) 

(Gems alive. Something hits you in your soul, some emotion, some fear. You take a step back. Why do you-)

(Look like this? Oh, Madame~ You close the book, drop it, and turn to her. Please, allow me to show you!)

[beautiful-is-boring]

birthday boy

Levi x reader - Levi birthday special

Contains: fluff, not proof red, actually this is kinda bad

December 25th was only a few days away. The spirits of soldiers were at an all time high for the impending Christmas celebrations at the survey corps head quarters, including yours. But most importantly, it was the birthday of the love of your life.

Your boyfriend Levi is an incredibly observant partner, so while you had been secretly preparing for his birthday, you had to admit, it was a bit...dificult to hide things from him. Levi wasn't dumb either. He knew. He knew you have been secretly preparing. You had gone to the market alone the other day, claiming you were just stocking up on snacks and tea, but Levi knew you had bought him something secretly.

"What'd you get from the market?" He asked, knowing you had brought him something for his birthday as well as for Christmas. He could tell, as he watched your slightly sheepish expression as he lounged on the bed of his quarters.

"Oh, just some tea and snacks, bought some shampoo too. And pads. Yeah. That's about it." You quickly unpacked the items you bought from the bag, but shoved his hidden gift along side the bag deep inside your side of the closet.

He had a tiny smirk on his face as he watched your antics. "You know I can see through your act right? I know you bought me something,brat."

"Ugh fine yes, I bought you something for Christmas! " You huffed.

"And...?" He urges you with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk.

You sigh. "Fineee yes I bought you something for your birthday BUT you're not allowed to snoop in my side of the closet to see the gift in advance, got it?"

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled.

------

Levi sighed for the umpteenth time that night. "Brat, are you seriously going to stay up till twelve to wish me a happy birthday?"

"...Yes." You answer.

He looked at you. You were sitting right beside him on the bed, dressed in your pajamas that he thought looked adorable on you, staying up alongside him. He had insomnia, but you did not. He could see the tiredness in your eyes, but he could also see the eagerness and excitement in them. You really were a sweetheart.

Levi wrapped an arm around your shoulders and brought you closer.

"Go to sleep sweetheart. You can wish me in the morning."

"No. I wanna be the first one to wish you."

"Tch. You're gonna be the first one to wish me regardless. We wake up next to each other, idiot."

"Don't care."

"You stubborn little shit."

"Look who's talking."

He was about to give you another one of his retorts, when you surprised him by cupping his face gently. The way you held his face, as if he were glass, always melted him, regardless of the fact that you had done this multiple times.

"Levi dear?"

"Hm?"

"Happy birthday."

Levi's breath hitched. It was at that moment he realized it was 12 AM already. The 25th of December.

"Thankyou brat". Levi loved bantering you, annoying you and getting annoyed by you. All because he loved you. He adored you. You leaned in close, the tip of both of your noses nuzzling against each other softly before you locked your lips with his for a sweet and gentle kiss, the first kiss after he turned one year older. Levi kissed you back just as gently, relishing in the feeling if your soft lips against his and the welcoming feeling of warmth in his chest.

"There. You've wished me. Now let's go to sleep hm? "

You exclaim "But your gifts-" You are stopped from speaking any further when Levi interrupted you with a peck to your soft lips.

"After we wake up, okay? I know you're excited but you need to get your rest, it's very late."

"But-"

"No buts, sweetheart. It's my birthday so you have to listen to me now."

You sigh and get back into the covers. "You're using your birthday boy privileges. This is cheating, baby.."

Levi only chuckled in response and allowed himself to get cradled by you in your arms, all cozy under the blanket.

"Happy birthday again, Levi. I love you" You whispered into his ear.

"I love you too, brat. Thankyou."

"Oldie" You giggle.

"Tch. I'm not that old."

With you by his side, he didn't mind growing older.

[joudama]

And that’s that for Veilguard. Got all the achievements and got the four main possible endings (didn’t bother with the bad ending where you do none of the side quests, everyone dies, and you end up trapped in the Fade forever with Solas).

My four Rooks:

Female Shadow Dragon elf mage - saved Minrathous - romanced Harding - punched Solas in the face

Female Antivan Crow human rogue - saved Treviso - romanced Lucanis - tricked Solas into using the fake dagger

Male Grey Warden dwarf warrior (this was originally going be a Qunari, but I couldn’t get over the yassified look of all the qunari I tried to make and I gave up) - saved Treviso - romanced Davrin (meant to romance Bellara and lol welp, that didn’t happen) - big softie who sent Solas into the Fade with the Inquisitor

Male Mourn Watch elf mage - saved Minrathous - romanced Emmrich (meant to romance Bellara or Neve and lol welp, that didn’t happen) - told the Inquisitor she could do better and made Solas go off into the Fade alone.

My Mourn Watch one is probably going to be my “canon” run, since I liked it the best (that’s not saying much) of my runs. I went with a life leeching run for him, including using the unique items that made health potions/companion heals not work, and beefed up leeching. Literally the only time I died was when my controller ran out of juice in the middle of a dragon fight. The Elgar’nan fight was over so fast I was like, “Wait, is that it?” It was like the curb stomp fight in Inquisition with Corypheus before they let you have enemies scale up with you.

And now for my thoughts. And oh boy, do I have a lot of them. Hoo.

I have…so many issues with this game. It is a very good…whatever the gaming equivalent of a popcorn flick is. It’s great if you go in with your brain turned off and enjoy all the shiny. But that’s not what I want in a Dragon Age game. I’ve been replaying DA2 - the game that DATV is basically trying to channel - while playing these, and the difference in writing quality and intricacy of plot and world building could not be more sharp. The first time I played DATV, I thought it was fine. Almost aggressively fine. I had fun with streaming the game and seeing where it went. I loved the reveals with the wolf statues. I had some major issues with the writing being as subtle as a brick to the face at times (more on my thoughts about the dialogue LATER, because oh boy), but it was serviceable. And I genuinely thought Veilguard had been robbed by not being nominated for Art Direction at the Game Awards, because say what you will, the areas are fucking gorgeous. But, even then, I was like, “Yeah, this would not have deserved a GOTY nomination had it gotten one,” and placed it at a 7 or 8 out of 10. A good enough, enjoyable game that ran well, but was not by any means GOTY material.

Then I made the mistake of playing it again, and the cracks began to show. By the time I hit the middle of Act 2 of my third run, I was just so done. I hated every time certain companions had anything to say at all. I hated that you couldn’t call people out for being a jerk but had to be the supportive nursery school teacher at all times to them. And for the first time playing any BioWare game at all, I found myself wishing I could either not recruit certain people or kick them out of camp. The cracks were beyond showing at that point, and I no longer thought the writing was even “serviceable.” Things that hadn’t seemed so bad on that first popcorn flick run suddenly became a problem - not being able to actually talk to your companions to get to know them went from “it feels more natural to have them saying this stuff while out in the field” to “what is even the point of going around the Lighthouse if all it gets me is a line spoken at me or overhearing bits of them having ACTUAL conversations?” It legitimately hurt replayability. I missed being able to actually talk to my companions, and I realized I cared more about Manfred and Assan than most of my companions because Manfred and Assan actually seemed to like interacting with me. I will take Manfred’s rock-paper-scissors game over a “hey Rook” and dead-eyed stare.

By the time I hit late act 2, I couldn’t wait for it to be over so I could delete the damn game off my hard drive…only for the last achievement I had yet to get to NOT pop when I finished the game. I looked it up and discovered it wasn’t set by triggering a certain end state, but was tied to picking some flowers in Act 2, and wanted to cry. I don’t usually 100% games, especially if I feel like some of the achievements are bullshit I don’t want to do (‘sup, MELE needing you to do some Armax Arena Spectre-level fight - I would sooner chew off my own arm than do that, as anyone who watched me stream Veilguard would have guessed watching me kvetching the whole time I was doing that Hall of Valor shit), but that was just frustrating. I decided to try to get it on a fresh run as a Mourn Watcher, since I’d heard that was one of the surprisingly good faction backgrounds, and that was a good choice. Mourn Watch became my favorite faction, when it had been Shadow Dragons until then. It added so much to a lot more conversations than I would have thought, and made it so I actually enjoyed the sadly few times you get to actually have conversations instead of eavesdropping/being talked at. I’m glad I decided to slog through one more time for that achievement, because if I’d ended it on that third run, I know I would have never played it again. It turned back into a popcorn movie again, aided by me knowing when to put on a YouTube video and watch or scroll through Bluesky instead of listening to a certain character be the fucking worst. If I ever play again, it’ll be a Mourn Watcher (I already know the Veil Jumpers and Lords of Fortune are considered, shall we say, lackluster background factions.)

Which brings me to some of the big, fundamental problems this game had.

This is not a CRPG. It’s just not. It’s an action RPG now, with the focus on “action” not “RPG.” It’s part of the whole Mass Effect-ification of Dragon Age. And I say this as a huge Mass Effect fan:

Dragon Age should not be like Mass Effect. And vice versa.

When Andromeda came out, they decided to ditch the Paragon/Renegade system, and instead went for DAI-style emotion-based options. Which seems great! More speech choices to make a more nuanced Ryder instead of picking up or down! Great! Only no! A lot of people hated it because it didn’t feel like Mass Effect. They had taken away something that had seemed like a major part of how you roll played in the series, and replaced it something very different. It was the first time they took a mechanic from one game and ported it into another, and it didn’t really go over well with a lot of ME fans because it didn’t feel like a Mass Effect mechanic.

And now with Veilguard, they basically made a Mass Effect game with a Dragon Age skin on it. And it just doesn’t work.

Combat: They copied the combat wheel from Mass Effect, but did it kind of badly. I honestly hated it because I tried to play like I do in Mass Effect - pull it up, use it to look around and get a handle on my environment, then pick an enemy or a safe space to bolt to - and the camera snapping the enemies meant I couldn’t. It drove me crazy because it was like the Mass Effect wheel but fundamentally not, and the camera drove me mad because I’d pull it up trying to find where the nearest blight boil was, and it would snap on enemies instead of just letting me look. It’s like they wanted to get rid of every little bit of tactical game play and replace with smashy smashy bang bang instead. Don’t think, don’t plan, just attack…which fits in with the popcorn flick-ness of DATV. Don’t think, just do. Turn your brain off and look at the particle effects.

Another Mass Effect-ification with regards to combat is dropping from taking 3 companions to 2. Which you need to do to have that Mass Effect style combat wheel, and the Mass Effect 3/Andromeda style primer/detonation style interaction of companion powers. It was very satisfying, but not very Dragon Age-y, and requires throwing out some of that DA lore to make it work, because now everyone uses magic-based abilities even if they aren’t mages. Assan attacks deal fire damage. You can spec a warrior who calls up a giant lightning hammer to twirl around, and…how? That’s not enchantment, that’s plain ol’ magic, and how?! Warriors didn’t deal magic-based attacks uncles their weapons where enchanted before, but now, everyone is just tossing magic attacks at everything. That’s not how the world of Thedas has worked until now, but you can’t have those flashy explosions or particle effects otherwise, so shhh, turn off your brain and don’t think, shhh. Look at the screen light up and the pretty lights. It worked in Mass Effect because they had already set up tech and biotic attacks, but there’s no way to make hitting something hard with a sword cause it to blow up and damage all the other baddies around them, so now everyone has magic. OK.

As an aside, it was also a really bad idea of get rid of how aggro worked. Dragon Age had always worked by warriors drawing aggro because they had the heavier armor (or could use taunt on enemies targeting squishy mages or rogues). Rogues had lower aggro because they had lighter armor, and could sneak. Mages had even lower aggro because they had the lightest armor and were distance fighters. DATV threw that out the window, and Rook draws all aggro because they are the only ones with a health bar. Your squad is immortal in fights, which means there’s no reason for enemies to ever target them. Which means god help you early game when mages and rogues have no real skills yet. Enjoy dodging while your companions hit the enemies with what seems like attacks as powerful as spitballs. It also means that there are times what the game tells you and the fight you just seem are completely at odds. Remember that fight with the Wrath of the Stone in Harding’s companion quest? That thing is on your ass the entire time, but then at the end of it, Rook says something along the lines of “It really hates Harding,” and…are you gaslighting me, game? That thing ignored Harding the whole damn time in favor of trying to stomp me like a cockroach. Harding did not exist to it during my fight. It had a hate boner for Rook and Rook alone, no matter what the game tried to insist on after.

Now, imagine how that would have felt if Harding actually could have been killed/knocked out during the fight, and it was only going after her? What if you couldn’t damage it if it took her down, so you had to make sure she stayed alive? Imagine how different that fight would have hit then? But no, that would mean the devs have to think about how to rez characters and how healing would work, and would mean players have to be tactical, and shh, no, no more of that, no thinking, just dodge and hit things and look at the particle effects. Shh. Have some more popcorn.

Story: DATV wants so badly to be ME2. It wants to recall the big suicide mission where you have to have everyone ready or you’ll all die. But you can’t copy what you did before and get the same flowers and results. You just can’t. You can try, and all you’ll get is diminishing returns. They tried to do the big cosmic horror of ME1, complete with a Virmire choice, then have the big final stakes of ME2, and no. You can’t follow a template and get the same greatness. That’s not how it works.

And speaking of following templates…

Romances: The romances in Veilguard are just dismal. And I think it’s because they decided to follow the Mass Effect pacing formula instead of the Dragon Age one.

Dragon Age: You start flirting in Act 1. You usually flirt with everyone because hey, why not? Some time in Act 2, things start getting serious, and you have to settle on who you want to go for. Things start to get serious, you get together, and then you get happy fun adult time with your new LI. You get the option to break it off or commit to them fully. By Act 3, you’re in a committed relationship. People comment about it. You can go to them and spend time with them - nothing major, maybe just a kiss. There might also be a special scene that’s just with them and unique to the romance. And by the end, after the lengthy amount of time that’s passed, you are Together.

Mass Effect: You start flirting in Act 1. You usually flirt with everyone because hey, why not? In Act 2, you keep on flirting with everyone. By the end, you might have to make a choice if you’re flirting too hard with everyone and the two LI options tell you to pick someone already, but you’re just picking who you’re interested in. Early in Act 3, there might be an almost kiss, but it’s mostly just the occasional anticipation of eventually boning and nothing really happens until right before the final big fight, when your LI shows up to your cabin for “oh shit, we might die in a few hours, so let’s go out with a high note” happy fun adult time. The only time you get that “committed relationship” vibes is in ME3 if you’re romanced the same character for at least one other game, and you choose to continue the relationship.

The Mass Effect pacing works in the Mass Effect trilogy because each game is only 20-40 hours long. Veilguard is a good 80 hours long. That means using that same amount of romance you use in ME is going to mean you’ve got too little butter to spread over too much bread. It’s why you have a good start for the romances in Act 1, then act 2 is a such a desert of nothing after you commit that I genuinely wondered if I’d hit the wrong option at said no at several points during the very long third act. There’s not just enough content for that long of an Act 2. Near the end everyone starts commenting on you being with them, but it’s not actually happening in the game. There’s no flirting, there are no extra scenes, and even the scene when you commit to them is based on a scene that happens with everyone, just with a romance option tacked on. The only person (of the ones I romanced, so I can’t speak to the others) who really get unique scenes was Emmerich. He actually takes you out on a unique date. It helped a lot to make Emmerich’s romance feel more fleshed out than the others. And Davrin had so many little jaunts out in the woods that those turned into romantic trips out, which added a lot to his. But Lucanis’ and Hardings? With both of them, like I said before, I genuinely wondered if I had accidentally opted out. Their romances most used the Mass Effect format, and it just doesn’t work for a game this long. BioWare knew that once, long ago, because Andromeda did not use the ME trilogy format for romances and was closer to one they used in DA. But DATV is trying to be ME2, so they used ME2’s very thin romances as a guide.

And we can all see how well that turned out.

The Executors: Fuck me, they feel like Cerberus reskinned, and I absolutely hated when Mass Effect shifted from sci-fi/Lovecraftian horror to space opera with Cerberus as the main bad guys you have to fight with the Reapers functionally falling to the background. The Executors are a secret, shadowy organization pulling strings from behind the scenes like the Shadow Broker codexes in ME2 retconned Cerberus into having been doing in ME. Ugh.

The Andromeda-ification of dialogue: Remember Peebee? Remember how she talked? Give her long hair and pointy ears, and she’s Bellara. Down even to the techno-babble. It’s like they’re trying to change magic to just “sufficiently advanced technology.” Everyone speaks in that modern, quippy style that was annoying in a game set hundreds of years in the future because it felt dated by the time the game came out (Ryder makes a Frozen joke, y’all). And it feels completely out of place in a game set in an early modern setting (I don’t think DA is medieval, honestly - it’s more a pre-industrialization/early scientific revoltution setting, so more 1500-1700s, and I’m gonna stop now). It was jarring. You can only let one quirky character break the rules about how people talk (Alistair in DAO, Varric in DA2, Cole in DAI) but when everyone does, it’s jarring. You can be anachronistic, but you have to know what you’re doing and how to do it when you do, and I’m sorry, but the current crop of BioWare writers don’t. They wrote the dialogue like it was a modern day YA novel, not a Dragon Age game. It would have been fine for a modern day urban fantasy game. It was not fine for a DA game set in the same time period as people using the four humours for “modern” medicine (remember the surgeon in DAI? Talked about the four humours? Yeah.)

OK, I did not intend to go on for this long, and I haven’t even gotten to what the game did to how religion is handled or the sociopolitical aspects of Thedas, and how they threw out so much that made Dragon Age unique in their urge to do a soft reboot, so I’m just going to end it here. I wanted to love this game, and I can only do that if I turn my brain off, and that’s not what Dragon Age should be.

[maraczeks]

newsroom rw thread pt 4

[thekittyokat]

you ever just have a lot, a LOT of feelings all at once about a character and not even remotely enough words or brainpower to FORM the words to describe everything you're feeling. so it feels like you may explode. yeah

[bellshazes]

in my heart there's another probably worse universe where instead of the watchers taking off after evo, etho's writers from 404 became the highly misunderstood "i am fictionalizing and poking fun at my relationship with my audience & their perceptions of me and how i am motivated by them but not in a 1:1 cause and effect relationship and they are kind of obnoxious but i also care abt my literal audience liking what i do bc i do make stuff for youtube" fandom staple.

there's something substantial in here abt grian being SUPER particular abt things in a different but parallel way to etho (grian not watching other smp member's POVs and being open abt that bc it allows for genuine surprise, etho's like everything ever? but top of mind his old insistence against modded stuff, comment of the day, etc.) but honestly. can anyone who actually cares abt the watchers or whatever write me a 404 crossover. thats what i want

[j-esbian]

maybe the real voltron was the friends we made along the way

[acourtofquestions]

Rowaelin Chapter 41 Kingdom of Ash:

She'd rebuild it—what she had been.

Perhaps one last time, perhaps only for a little while, but she'd do it. If only for Terrasen.

Rowan swooped from the mast, shifting as he reached her side at the rail. He surveyed the night-black sea beyond them. "You should rest." She slid him a glance. "I'm not tired." Not a lie, not in some regards. "Want to spar?" He frowned. "Training can start tomorrow."

"Or tonight." She held his piercing stare, matched his dominance with her own.

"It can wait a few hours, Aelin."

"Every day counts." Against Erawan, even a day of training would count.

Rowan's jaw tightened. "True," he said at last. "But it can still wait. There are ... there are things we need to discuss." The silent words rose in his animal-bright eyes. About you and me.

Her mouth went dry. But Aelin nodded In silence, they strode into their spacious quarters, its only decoration the wall of windows that overlooked the churning sea behind them. A far cry from a queen's chamber, or any she might have purchased as Adarlan's assassin.

At least the bed built into the wall looked clean enough, the sheets crisp and stainless. But Aelin headed for the oak desk anchored to the floor, and leaned against it while Rowan shut the door.

In the dim lantern light, they stared at each other.

She'd endured Maeve and Cairn; she'd endured Endovier and countless other horrors and losses. She could have this conversation with him. The first step toward rebuilding herself.

Aelin knew Rowan could hear her thundering heart as the space between them went taut. She swallowed once. "Elide and Lorcan told you... told you everything that was said on that beach."

A curt nod, wariness flooding his eyes. "Everything that Maeve said." Another nod.

She braced herself. "That I'm-we're mates."

Understanding and something like relief replaced that wariness. "Yes."

"I'm your mate," she said, needing to voice it. "And you are mine."

Rowan crossed the room, but halted a few feet from the desk on which she leaned. "What of it, Aelin?" His question was low, rough.

"Don't you..." She scrubbed at her face. "You know what she did to you, to ..." She couldn't say her name. Lyria. "Because of it."

"I do know."

"And?"

"And what do you wish me to say?"

She pushed off the desk. "I wish you to tell me how you feel about it. If…"

"If what?"

"If you wish it wasn't so."

His brows narrowed. "Why would I ever wish that?"

She shook her head, unable to answer, and stared over her shoulder toward the sea.

It seemed like he would close the distance between them, but he remained where he was.

"Aelin." His voice turned hoarse. "Aelin."

She looked at him then, at the pain in his words.

"Do you know what I wish?" He exposed his palms, one tattooed, the other unmarked. "I wish that you had told me. When you realized it. I wish you had told me then."

She swallowed against the ache in her throat. "I didn't want to hurt you."

"Why would it ever hurt me to know the truth that was already in my heart? The truth I hoped for?"

"I didn't understand it. I didn't understand how it was possible. I thought maybe ... maybe you might be able to have two mates within a lifetime, but even then, I just ….." She blew out a breath. "I didn't want you to be distressed." His eyes softened. "Do I regret that Lyria was dragged into this, that the cost of Maeve's game was her life, and the life of the child we might have had? Yes. I regret that, and I wish it had never happened." He would bear the tattoo to remember it for the rest of his days. "But none of that was your fault. I will always carry some of the burden of it, always know I chose to leave her for war and glory, and that I played right into Maeve's hands."

"Maeve wanted to ensnare you to get to me, though."

"Then it is her choice, not yours."

Aelin ran a hand over the worn wood of the desk. "In those illusions she spun for me, she showed me variations on one more than all the others." The words were strained, but she forced them out. Forced herself to look at him. "She spun me one dreamscape that felt so real I could smell the wind off the Staghorns."

"What did she show you?" A breathless question.

Aelin had to swallow before she could answer. "She showed me what might have been—if there had been no Erawan, if Elena had dealt with him properly and banished him. If there had been no Lyria, none of that pain or despair you endured. She showed me Terrasen as it would have been today, with my father as king, and my childhood happy, and..." Her lips wobbled. "When I turned twenty, you came with a delegation of Fae to Terrasen, to make amends for the rift between my mother and Maeve. And you and I took one look at each other in my father's throne room, and we knew."

She didn't fight the stinging in her eyes. "I wanted to believe that was the true world. That this was the nightmare from which I'd awaken. I wanted to believe that there was a place where you and I had never known this suffering and loss, where we'd take one look at each other and know we were mates. Maeve told me she could make it so. If I gave her the keys, she'd make it all possible." She wiped at her cheek, at the tear that escaped down it. "She spun me realities where you were dead, where you'd been killed by Erawan and only in handing over the keys to her would I be able to avenge you. But those realities made me ... I stopped being useful to her when she told me you were gone. She couldn't get me to talk, to think. Yet in the ones where you and I met, where things were as they should have been ... that was when I came the closest."

His swallow was audible. "What stopped you?"

She wiped at her face again. "The male I fell in love with was you. It was you, who knew pain as I did, and who walked with me through it, back to the light. Maeve didn't understand that. That even if she could create that perfect world, it wouldn't be you with me. And I'd never trade that, trade this. Not for anything." He extended his hand. An offer and invitation.

Aelin laid hers atop his, and his callused fingers squeezed gently. "I wanted it to be you," he breathed, closing his eyes. "For months and months, even in Wendlyn, I wondered why you weren't my mate instead. It tore me up, wondering it, but I still did." He opened his eyes, and they burned like green fire. "All this time, I wanted it to be you."

She lowered her gaze, but he hooked a thumb and forefinger around her chin and lifted her face.

"I know you are tired, Fireheart. I know that the burden on your shoulders is more than anyone should endure." He took their joined hands and laid them on his heart. "But we'll face this together. Erawan, the Lock, all of it.

"We'll face it together. And when we are done, when you Settle, we will have a thousand years together. Longer."

A small sound came out of her. "Elena said the Lock requires—"

"We'll face it together," he swore again.

"And if the cost of it truly is you, then we'll pay it together. As one soul in two bodies.

Her heart strained to the point of cleaving. "Terrasen needs a king."

"I have no intention of ruling Terrasen without you. Aedion can have the job."

She scanned his face. He meant every word He brushed the hair from her face, his other hand still clasping hers to his chest, where his heart pounded a steady, unfaltering rhythm.

"Even if I had my choice of any dream-realities, any perfect illusions, I would still choose you, too."

She felt the truth of his words echo into the unbreakable thing that bound their very souls, and tilted her face up toward his. But he made no move beyond it.

She frowned. "Why aren't you kissing me?"

"I thought you might want to be asked first."

"That never stopped you before."

"This first time, I wanted to make sure you were ... ready." After Cairn and Maeve. After months of having no choices whatsoever.

She smiled despite that truth. "I'm ready to be kissed again, Prince."

He let out a dark chuckle and muttered, "Thank the gods," before he lowered his mouth to hers.

"You're my mate." Her words were a breathless rush. "And I am yours."

The world might have been burning around them for all she cared, all he cared, too.

"Together, Aelin," he promised, and she heard the rest of the words in every place their bodies joined. Together they would face this, together they would find a way.

Together we'll find a way, their mingling breaths, the crashing sea, seemed to echo.

Together.

[arolesbianism]

Welcome to the “they’re just like me fr (derogatory)” club featuring no color because I would rather die than draw Sif with color

[dragons-and-yellow-roses]

Applying to an apartment with little income and terrible credit score, in hopes that they'll be desperate enough to take me

[smoothbrainwrinkledshirt]

Rewatching Midnight Mass and god, I missed this pathetic man.

[cuteniaarts]

Fanny, my sweet, beautiful girl

17.11.2012 – 14.04.2019

[youaremysunshine-court]

Need cdrama recs that aren't guardian or 3 body problem pls n tq