#i'm angry and have opinions tonight

[january-summers]

the sad thing is, that made sense, because that does feel like the vibe sometimes when I'm watching shows or in a fandom. Male characters allowed to just be, they just have to exist and it's all good.

Female characters? girls, women, daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, aunts, cousins, grandmas?

They get put through the ringer like they need to prove they're worthy of fandom love but are always found wanting because the bar is suddenly raised from 'just existing' to 'too damn high for anyone to clear' when the fact is the characters themselves are really fun, or smart, or daring, or any of a dozen things but they're being judge by a different measurement.

(sorry that got a little heated under the cut, I had a bad few months in fandom a while back, and it turns out I'm still salty. I think this train not only derailed but took out the train on the next tracks, but I'm not ready to delete it.)

And then we get made to feel cringe or whatever for liking them as they are, but then we've also been forced to develop this girl-bossified language that's still a backhand across the face even as we're allegedly praising them.

They're smarter than a male character? She's a know-it-all, or stuck up, or arrogant and she'll get taken down a peg or two someday.

Or if the fandom likes her "she has the brain cell."

She's a little silly and lighthearted, or understands the importance of taking a breather to refresh the emotional bearings? She's an airhead who doesn't take anything seriously and is going to make trouble for everyone else.

She has good problem assessment and can figure out plans and allocation of resources, not to mention she knows how to network and direct people as needed? She's bossy, or pushy or arrogant again.

Everything a female character does gets taken in the worst light, it doesn't matter if a male character does it too, she's somehow doing it evilly. Women need redemption arcs just for existing in some fandoms.

And then there's this weird drive in media to create re-boots that are "feminist now"

Looking at Charmed and Winx Club | Fate: The Winx Saga specifically, where despite having all the right feminist flash-words (not that all of them are being used correctly) the shows are somehow less feminist than their originals, because the ladies aren't just characters any more, they're 'strong female characters' now, and it changes how they're being written, because they can't just be women, their womanhood has to serve a purpose, be a message, has to be something more.

And then there's the fandoms that just ignore the female characters existences all together, and it feels like a nice change of pace at first because at least no one is talking shit or turning them into harpy hellbitch versions just to justify breaking her up with her boyfriend/husband so he can kiss other boys/men. And then you realise how insidious it is, even the people who say they like the female characters actually.

Because you can't talk about them with others, you try and you get maybe a few lines of interaction before the topic is derailed. or worse:

"I like her, she's a total girlboss, and she deserves way better than her male love interest." But they never say who she deserves, and slowly you start to notice that her male love interest, the one who is in one of the fandom's most popular gay ships? somehow the guy he's paired with instead doesn't also deserve better. because they don't mean "she deserves better" or "she deserves the best" they mean "she needs to stay the fuck out of way of my ship so I can pretend to like her."

Honestly, some actually gay/boy-love media treats women and female characters better than some fandoms which are gay/BL fandoms even though their source material isn't.

Actually, the worst part about that is that bring it up? Get's you a more than zero percent chance of being called homophobic, or a misandrist.

Mind you even in the queer on purpose media, women still being treated like they're unwanted by the masses. Streaming site last year? queer filters on: Gay shows: 73. Lesbian shows: 2 webcomic collator site with queer filters: Gay comics: 213 Lesbians: 24

let me have women, let me have women who don't need to prove they deserve to exist, let me have women who are angry, or scared, or silly, or smart, or determined, or head over heels in love and let me have them without having to defend that like they need to earn their space in fandom in a way the male characters don't.

Let me love them flaws and all.

the way people treat girl characters in fandom joker-ifies me

[maealderxb]

we have this argument every year I'm sorry but I can give less of a shit if you or somebody else identities as a bi lesbian especially right now PLEASE can we move the fuck ON already I promise you there are more important things in the world than bi lesbians and people who don't like bi lesbians!!!!

i know I'm being rude here, but god every year at the same time people just yap and yap and like what happened to "lgbtq discourse dni" just fucking. GHHRRRGGHHH!!!! it's not even the discourse that makes me mad it's that people drag it on and on, most of you are full ass adults just block and move on for your own sake jesus

[storms-on-the-horizon]

Dnd ramble in the tags.

[the-atlas-sys]

I think that maybe I never want to see syscourse ever again. "This very common thing that you and your diagnosed system friend do means you're actually faking and you should feel bad!" is a take I've seen tonight and I think I'm tired of hearing this stuff.

Our mental disorder is very real to us. It makes every day either difficult or weird or both. It's an issue, and I really don't need to spiral or compare myself to other people just because you think I should! I'm working on getting diagnosed, and I take comfort in knowing that my diagnosed friend's system works similarly to mine no matter what soap box people here will stand on. I experience this disorder in the way my traumatized and autistic brain made it.

[sweetestcaptainhughes]

“Don’t touch me. We’re fighting.”

Quinn pleaseeee 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I'm gonna put a warning on this because I like it so I don't feel like rewriting it. Warning: shitty relationship with father.

Drabble Masterlist

"Don't touch me. We're fighting."

Quinn didn't seem to care that you were pissed. But pissed didn't even describe the soreness in your jaw from clenching it so tight or the fact that your body temperature was elevated or that all you wanted to do was scream. Glancing over as he stood on the other side of the kitchen island, his face was as it always was calm, his thoughts were probably collected while your brain was firing off things to add to the fire if needed, he looked like he was in control of his body while yours was being controlled by the rage inside you. Looking at Quinn only pissed you off more so you just looked away.

After a minute, you decided it was best to walk away and cool off before you said something you'd regret. Quinn on the other hand, wasn't done fighting he wanted you to understand his point of view and he didn't wanna wait till morning. As you made your way down the hall you could hear Quinn's footsteps behind you.

"Wait Y/N, Let me explain." He went to gently touch your arm in hopes that you would stop walking away from him.

He got his wish, you turned around talking through your teeth you grunted. "Don't touch me. We're fighting."

Quinn has never pulled away from you so quickly before. Even with how angry you were at him it still hurt you how fast he pulled away. Quinn was looking at the floor, for the first time showing emotion since your fight started. "I was just trying to help."

All you could do is sigh. "By telling my father off?" you question defeat clear in your voice. "Quinn I've been over this with you, my family isn't like your family. You can't just voice your opinions to my dad, especially if it's you disagreeing with him or his choices."

Quinn looked up at you finally, he frowned his eyebrows in annoyance but you knew it wasn't at you. "Well I am mad at him. He shouldn't be allowed to talk down to you and blame you for not getting along with your stepmom when all she does is talk down to you. I couldn't sit there and let her talk down to you at dinner. Okay. And I guess I'm sorry for how it came up, but I am not sorry for standing up for you."

"Quinn I know you were trying to stand up for me. But I don't need you or anyone to stand up for me, especially against my family. Okay?" you ask waiting for him to acknowledge you.

"No. I'm sorry because how can you let them tell you that you aren't as far in your career as you should be as if they helped at all with the cost of college. Or the fact that all they did all dinner was telling you everything you were doing wrong with your life?" His tone was accusing and you found yourself taking a step back, your body was exhausted and all you wanted to was get out of this ichy dress and go to bed.

"I don't wanna have this conversation tonight." you begged.

"I just don't understand why do you even keep him around Y/N!"

"Okay since you seem to not be able to understand why I let them talk that way to you let me explain it to you so we never have to talk about this again got it?" you ask waiting for Quinn to nod his head before you continue. "Look my dad might be a piece of shit, but guess what he's my piece of shit father not anyone else's. Everyone always ask me for years 'Y/N if I were you, I'd cut him off why don't you.' For a long time I didn't have an answer for them but as I got older I do and it's this. Because he might be a piece of shit but without him I wouldn't be standing here physically because he is physically half of me. And I know you have lovely parents Quinn and brothers. But not everyone does and I am terrifed that if I do cut him out all the way vs seeing him three times a year like I do now. That one day I will get a call and he will be dead and I will have regret for not at least having him in some capactiy in my life. So because of that fear of regret because I know many people who have it now since their parents passed. I keep him around and if you can't understand that fine, not everyone does."

Taking a step closer to Quinn you add, "but whether you agree or not, you don't get to judge me for the choices I've made when it comes to the relationship between my father and I. Because that is exactly what it is." Pointing to yourself. "It's MY relationship not yours and you also don't get to make it more shaky then it already is by yelling at him in the middle of the steakhouse."

Quinn and you aren't sure how long you stood in your apartment hallway, it could of been seconds it could of been minutes. At some point Quinn looked at you and said "agree to disagree." All you did was nod and you both said true to your word you never talked about your father and your relationship ever again.

[meanbossart]

So like healing isn't linear. Do you think there are times when Astarion is like "I can't do it tonight" in the middle od the deed? I do wonder what would be Drow's reaction? We know he can be overprotective. Would he, groundlessly, blame himself? I feel like in the latest chapters of ANE he made some progress with understanding Astarion.

On the other hand I feel like Astarion would be, unreasonably, angry at himself for not being able to move on and leave his past behind. "Cazador is gone, I gave myself time. Trauma, what else do you want?"

I would love to hear your opinion!

Oh yeah, absolutely there are times where he isn't feeling it. Admittedly I'm a little less interested in exploring the internal workings of healing from this kind of traumatic sexual fatigue than I am in exploring the way other people can accidentally make it about themselves, doubt your agency because of your past experiences, and continually focus on your trauma on your behalf under the guise of helping. Healing is a complex, personal experience that is practically impossible to document in a linear or clear fashion - the way other people react to it, on the other hand, is often painfully predictable.

Astarion is a grown man who wants to move on with his life. Sometimes, he probably feels overly sexual and privately needs to dwell on the guilt associated with that. Sometimes he isn't in the mood but he does it anyway for x and y reasons. Sometimes he stagnates and sometimes he tries new things that don't work, or that he regrets later. The important part is that these are decisions and "risks" he decides to take for himself. He knows that he can say no; he knows that if he says no, whatever is happening will stop. To him, that's the biggest perk about being with someone you trust - you can venture freely into the terrible and the painful and know nothing bad is actually going to happen, besides for maybe a weird-feeling type of week or a few nights of restless sleep.

Whether you think this is good or bad practice, it is what he wants to do as someone who is in a rush to enjoy things again.

DU drow is the one who is constantly concerning himself with his state of mind and his ability to make these kinds of choices. Getting into his head about whether or not Astarion feels pressured to fulfill his needs to the point where he avoids displaying any amount of sexuality around him for a time, where he himself turns Astarion's advances down not because he doesn't want to have sex - but because he doesn't trust him to make these choices in earnest. In this context, he is looking at Astarion and seeing a profoundly damaged man in need of rescue and guidance; while Astarion looks back at him wondering where this practically-weaned-yesterday doofus got the idea that he's got a radioactive dick. Once again, whether or not you believe that what Astarion is doing is healthy, the point is that DU drow has absolutely no authority in this area.

Like you pointed out, this is something that they slowly come to resolve. It will no doubt pop up as an issue again throughout their lives but the situation does improve. At the same time that Astarion will probably go through phases of dealing with his own business differently and communicate that to his partner to varying degrees of consistency or success - the important thing is that the other guy in the room stops acting like this is something he can do anything about but listen.

[masonmontz]

hellooo everyone :) i hope you like it, this was incomplete for a long time and i did my best to try to get it ready and post it

REMEMBER: english is not my first language

angst/fluff word count: 3,5k

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It's not that you hate Mason's friends, far from it, but you just... don't fit into their lifestyle. 

You and Mason have been together for a few months now and yet you still feel out of place in his reality, especially since his friends act like you don't exist. You actually enjoy talking to them and you think they're fun, but it annoys you when they invite Mason to parties as if he were single, or talk about other girls in front of you and even ask Mason's opinion about them.

Mason never made you doubt his feelings for you, but all of this has been building up and making you stressed.

It was Wednesday afternoon and you were at Mason's house working on your computer, Mason had training and he wouldn't be back for another hour. Erik changed today's training time ‘cause he had an appointment and so Mason would be at Carrington until 7pm. The doorbell ringing startled you, you weren't expecting anyone, not even Mason's family.

You were surprised to see Woody standing at the door of Mason's house with two women behind him, and apparently he thought it was strange that you answered the door.

“Y/n, hey, I didn’t know you were here” Woody spoke and scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

“Hello, Woody. It’s good to see you” you said and then looked at the two model-like women behind him. “Mason is still in Carrington, do you need to talk to him?”

Woody walked up the two steps of the stairs and you let him in, and the two women he was with followed him. Of course, Mason's house is also the house of his best friends.

“Yeah, actually we had planned to go to a party today. It's Stella's birthday” he pointed to the blonde woman in the red dress, and she smiled at you.

“Happy birthday Stella” you smiled at her and turned to Woody again. “He didn't tell me anything, Mason and I arranged to go out for dinner.”

“Well, he confirmed that he's going to the party, I hope you don't mind leaving dinner for another day.” 

“No, of course not, I'll just wait for him to arrive so I can change” you said and pointed to the gym clothes you were wearing. 

“Actually, Y/n…” Woody started with a tone of voice you didn't like.

“All the seats at the party have been reserved, I can't put any more names on the list, I'm sorry” the brunette woman spoke for Woody, and you were speechless as the three of them stared at you standing in the middle of the living room in Mason's house.

“Yeah, of course” you smiled, even though you were angry at Woody for doing the same thing he always did, acting like Mason was still single. 

“I hope you don't mind Mason going alone, but he's my friend and I really wanted him there” Stella said and you agreed. “Oh, Woody said you weren't very nice but you are.”

Woody's eyes widened and you glared at him, watching him swallow hard. You smiled fakely at Stella.

“Yeah, I don't think Woody is very cool either and I hope he knows that” you spoke at the same moment the door opened and Mason walked in, and he heard you talking about Woody. “Have fun tonight.”

You grabbed your computer from the living room table and went upstairs, trying to take a deep breath while knowing everyone was staring at you.

“Woody, what are you doing here, mate?” you heard Mason asking his friend. 

“It's Stella's birthday man, you remember how much fun you two had, right?” was the last thing you heard before the bedroom door slammed shut. You took a deep breath once, twice, three times, even though it was difficult.

You were sick of being treated like you meant nothing to Mason, and he wouldn't even tell his friends to stop it, and that was what hurt you the most, he cares so much about his friends that he doesn't realize that you're the one who's getting upset about all this.

You packed your things and put away your computer, there was no way you were going to stay there any longer. You heard laughter from downstairs and it made you even more frustrated with Mason. 

It wouldn't be nice to leave Mason's house with all of them staring at you in the living room, but you also didn't want to wait until they left, which could take hours. You honestly wanted to cry, but you hated feeling helpless and crying in front of someone, even if it was the person you gave your heart to.

Fuck him and his friends.

“Mate, I bought a ticket for a party in Ibiza during the international break, we have to go. I bought your ticket too” Woody said to Mason, and you could see that they were sitting on the couch. Mason was in the middle of Woody and Stella.

“I have to ask Y/n if she wants to go and-”

“Bro, she hates us and she won't want to go, you have to go alone, it will be fun.”

“Yeah, I'll think about it” Mason spoke softly and you snorted.

“Who knows, maybe I'll go to Ibiza with you guys? Polly can go too” Stella said and you walked down the stairs, you didn't want them to see you but it was impossible to leave without being noticed. Mason's gaze went to your bags and he noticed that you were leaving.

“Where are you going?” he asked but you didn’t look at him, you continued towards the exit door. “Y/n?”

Mason followed behind you and closed the door when you were both outside, and finally you looked up at him and he saw the tears in your eyes. 

“I’m going home” you spoke softly and Mason lost focus for a few seconds. “You can go to the party, I won't stop you from going.”

“You’re going with me.”

“Oh, am I? I’m sorry, your friend was pretty clear when he said that there’s no space for me there” you said and felt a tear fall, but the last thing you wanted was to cry in front of Mason.

“He didn't mean it, you were rude to him and said you don't like him and-”

“What?” you weren't believing what Mason was saying. It wasn't the first time he defended Woody or Declan or Benny from you, and he never defended you the same way to them, he just accepts what they say about you.

“Look, Woody is one of my best friends, you know that. If you love me, then you should like them too because they’re my family.”

“Yeah, you're right. But maybe they don't love you as much since they don't like me.”

“What are you saying?”

“You always let them say whatever they want about me, Mason. You never stood up for me, ever. How do you think I feel when my boyfriend lets his friends talk about other girls or bring women over to his house while I'm here?”

“They are my friends.”

“I have friends too, Mason, and they've never disrespected you the way Woody or Declan do to me. I heard Woody saying that you and Stella had fun, do you think it didn't hurt to hear that? They don't think I'm enough for you?”

“I love you, that's enough” Mason spoke with his hands in his hair, huffing.

“Yeah, only in your dreams will I spend the rest of my life putting up with this.”

“Don't go away, let's talk, there's no reason to make this drama, love” Mason tried to pull you away but you pushed his arm away, shaking your head. “Y/n, please, let's go inside.”

“No, Mason. You don’t understand” you said frustratedly, finally crying and sobbing. “I don't want to hear any more bullshit about other women while I'm around. I don't want to know who you were with before me, they have no respect for me and you don't do anything about it. Declan cheats on Lauren all the time and encourages you to do the same, you think I don't feel stupid? He's a jerk and she should dump him, and it hurts me when you don't say anything about it because you're their child's godfather and you think it's funny that he has been cheating on her the whole time.”

“I don't think it’s funny.”

“So you hide very well that you care about her or Jude” you wiped your eyes, looking at Mason who looked sad. “I really think you're not ready for a relationship, maybe you really love your friends and they’re your priority, but the Mason I knew is not this guy in front of me.”

“Hey, no, c’mon, I love you, I didn't know you felt that way.”

“Exactly, you care more about them than me.”

You turned your back and Mason tried to pull you towards him, but you refused and cried as you walked away. You looked at him one last time and saw Mason's eyes full of tears, but you chose to turn around and leave.

“Y/, don’t go, please.”

“When you realize what's wrong we can talk again.”

Mason watches in shock as you get into an Uber without looking back, it's like he's trapped in a nightmare but he can't do anything because he's tied up. He stood there for several minutes staring at the street until he felt raindrops and went into the house, hearing Woody and the women's laughter as soon as he entered.

“Mase, you can change your clothes now so we can go, what do you think?” Stella asked, but Mason's mind was far away. He looked at Woody sitting on the couch with Polly sitting on his lap, and for the first time in months Mason realized the reasons that made you leave.

“I'm not going, you can go” he muttered before turning his back and heading towards the stairs.

“Mate, what do you mean? Y/n told us to go and have fun” Woody said and Mason turned his face in time to see his friend get up from the couch and walk towards him. 

“Shit, Woody, she broke up with me. Please go away now, I don’t want you here for now” Mason realized that you really did leave. He needs to be stuck in his own misery for a while. 

“That's why we should go out, man, so you can forget about her, like old times.”

“Get out.”

“What the fuck?” Woody really wasn't understanding Mason, and it pissed him off, because now everything was obvious and Mason was the only idiot who didn't realize he was losing you. “What did Y/n say about me? She's an idiot, don't pay attention to her.”

“Don't you dare talk about her like that again” Mason pointed a finger at Woody, who was startled by Mason's tone. “Get out of here, all of you.”

Mason didn't wait for an answer and went upstairs without looking back, he took his phone out of his pocket and called you, but you didn't answer any of the times he called, nor did you even respond to the several messages apologizing that he sent.

Mason threw himself on the bed and sighed, how could he be so stupid? It was all so obvious in front of him, but Mason was more concerned about his friends than the woman he loves.

He called more than twenty times and you didn't answer any of the calls, nor did you respond to his multiple messages apologizing. Mason's heart raced as he thought he may have lost you forever because he was childish and stupid. 

Panic washed over him and Mason gasped, he ran his hands through his hair in despair and anger. Mason couldn't blame you for deciding to leave, he understands, but saying his heart wasn't hurting was a lie. Mason never felt that way, ever.

A tear ran down his face, then another and then another, and before Mason knew it he was sobbing and thinking about everything you had said to him. It was so stupid that he didn't realize how you felt about Woody or Declan, and Mason couldn't even judge you, because in all these months he really was a terrible boyfriend and only now could he realize it.

He actually let his friends take him to parties, he didn't mind when Woody brought women to him, and Mason never thought about hooking up with them, but now he realized that he wasn't respectful and broke the trust you had in him. And what about Declan? Mason couldn't even think about his best friend having sex with multiple women while he has an amazing person at home waiting for him, plus a son who is the most beautiful child Mason had ever seen. 

Mason feels ashamed that he never said anything to Declan, and he feels ashamed that he didn't protect Lauren and Jude. And he is ashamed because you don’t trust him and broke up with him because of the things he did. 

“Please, please, answer me.”

Another rejected call. Mason is about to despair. 

���‎۟    ࣭   ⊹ 

It's been two weeks since you and Mason broke up, and honestly it's been really hard to go through the days without talking to him and trying not to think about him.

You failed every day, of course.

Mason respected the message you sent asking him not to call you, but deep down you wished he hadn't given up. Every day you wonder if he's out partying with Woody, having women all over him and falling in love with the smile you love. It breaks you every time.

“It's not an exaggeration if he listed all his friends as if they were more important than you” Kiera murmured while you were lying down watching a movie, she went to your house because she didn't want to sleep alone, her boyfriend was traveling and would be back the next day. “Honestly, I love Mason, maybe this will make him realize what he did wrong and you guys can get back together.”

“Yeah, but I think he realized he prefers parties and Woody, he didn't call me anymore.”

“You asked him not to call you.”

“I know, but that would show me that he cares about me. Am I wrong?”

“Of course.”

 “Do you think I should call him?”

“You miss him, right? You want him to call you but you asked him not to, he is just doing what you asked and respecting your time, if you are ready to talk, talk to him.”

“Yeah, I think you're right.”

But you didn't call, not the next day or the day after that. You knew Mason was traveling with the team because the next game was far away, and you didn't want to take your problems to him.

You missed him so much you could cry. You missed him when you woke up in the morning and missed his kisses on your neck, you missed having breakfast next to him and laughing at his stupid jokes, you missed him bothering you or lying next to you just watching some movie that neither of you paid attention to.

It was very cold in Manchester and the streets were already starting to have Christmas decorations, and that made you happy, it's the best time of the year. You went out for a walk in the late afternoon, the sun was setting and some people were walking along the streets. 

It was crazy, but you swore you saw Mason's car parked at the pie shop when you were at the door, your favorite in the whole town. Mason also knew how much you liked chocolate pie, and he would always buy you a pie when he passed by.

But it wasn't crazy, ‘cause Mason came out carrying a box of pie just as you were about to climb the stairs to enter the store. You could have fallen if you weren't holding onto the railing, and Mason's eyes widened when he saw you. 

He looked so handsome, his hair cropped because of the cut on his head, and he was wearing sweatpants and slippers. You couldn't help but smile when you saw his comfortable clothes.

“Did Ace eat all your sneakers?” 

Mason breathed a sigh of relief when you asked, and the smile he gave you melted your heart. 

“It would be too much work to put on sneakers, I preferred to go out like this” he walked down the two steps and stopped in front of you, your heart raced and you could feel your own hands shaking. Oh my God, it's Mason, why are you nervous? 

You were silent for a few seconds, but Mason didn't take his eyes off you.

“So… how are you?” you asked, and Mason pulled you aside as a couple walked out of the pie shop. His touch on your arm sent you over the moon, and that was enough for you to realize that the time you needed was over.

“Honestly? I'm a mess” he confessed and you felt a pang of guilt, but you knew he needed that time too. “Do you want to talk here? Are you ready?”

“Hum- no, yes, I’m ready, but I don’t want to talk here” you spoke and he agreed. “We can go to my house. Are you going to take the pie to someone?” you pointed to the box in his hands.

“No, I bought it for myself” Mason scratched his head in embarrassment and you raised your eyebrows. “I don't know, chocolate pie reminds me of you and I was missing you.”

“Just like I'm watching Game of Thrones like crazy, then.”

“Oh, you said it was boring” he accused you, grinning, and you shrugged as you followed Mason to the car.

“You know I only watch ‘cause of Daenerys” you stopped next to Mason as he opened the car door for you, his scent reminded you of how much you missed him and you couldn't help but hug him, almost making him drop the pie box. 

“I wasn't expecting that” he murmured as he left a kiss on your hair, hugging you with just one arm and you held his waist tightly, afraid that he would leave. “Oh God, I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, sorry” you let go of him and smiled, feeling like a part of you was whole again. 

You walked in silence to your house, and even so it wasn't bad, the smile you both had on your lips already said a lot. 

“My mum is missing you, she almost hit me for not taking you to London with me on the international break.”

“Did you tell her what happened?” you asked as you grabbed two plates for you two to eat the chocolate pie that looked delicious. 

“No, I said you were busy” he sighed and shrugged, but Mason still looked wary. “I was a bad boyfriend, Y/n, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not. I should never have put other things first, you are the most important person to me and I hate myself for disappointing you and making you distrust me.” 

You just looked at Mason. He wasn't the same man you left three weeks ago, the man in front of you recognized his own mistakes, and that was clear and enough for you. 

“I'm sorry for the things you went through, I was an idiot and didn't realize it. I should never have let Woody take those women to my house or treated you the way he did, I should have stood up for you.”

“It's okay, I forgive you.” 

Mason sighed in relief when you approached him, and this time he hugged you so tightly as if he would never let you go. 

And you didn't want him to let you go again. 

“I love you. I love you so fucking much, Y/n, oh my God, how did I manage to go three weeks without talking to you or seeing you?” Mason put his hands on your shoulders and shook you, making you laugh. 

“I had no one to fetch water for me at night.”

“Did you just miss me because of that? I'm taking this pie home and you're not going to eat it.”

“Actually, I think we can eat while watching Game of Thrones?”

“I knew you liked the series, you just didn't want to admit it to me.”

Mason took the pie into the living room and you grabbed a blanket from your bedroom, ready to snuggle into it for hours and hours. You walked back into the living room and Mason was smiling on the couch as he waited for you, and you couldn't help but smile and feel like everything was okay again.

Mason hugged you as you laid down next to him, he was warm and comfortable and even you didn't understand how you managed to spend so much time away from him. 

Mason was your home, and not even so many days away would change that.

[roosterforme]

Okay, but how about the first time Jake and Darling have a fight? How would that go?

I really like your stories bc while it is fiction, I feel like you show every aspect of a relationship, not only the good parts.

🩷

OMG, nonny. I'm swooning. I try to make my stories realistic (as much as they can be for fanfic). Nobody is happy and confident all the time. Everyone is stressed about something. Relationships are hard work, and dealing with someone else is sometimes weird and annoying. So thank you, I appreciate that so much.

Jake and Darlin' argue all the time about all the small things in life. They have different opinions on a lot of things, but it's never usually anything they remember by the next day. I think their first big fight would happen shortly after she moves in with him, just after she graduates from school and starts her new job. (angsty below).

"I had the longest day at work," you muttered, shoveling the last bite of the dinner Jake made into your mouth. You set your fork down and stretched as you stood. This whole week was dragging. You realized you were probably complaining more than usual, but you were just over it. "Let's go take a bath and just go to bed. I'll clean up tomorrow morning."

Jake looked at you, his lips pressed into a firm line. "Go ahead. I'll clean it up."

You reached for his hand, but he was already stacking the plates. "You cooked. I don't want you to clean up. I'll do it later," you reiterated.

"Just go get in the bath," he snapped, carrying everything back to the kitchen.

"I don't want to take a bath without you!"

Jake dumped everything into the sink and spun around. "You're not the only one who's working full-time, but you're certainly acting like it."

With narrowed eyes, you asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jake took a deep, practiced breath and let it out slowly. "I know you're tired, but it would be nice for you to acknowledge that I work longer hours than you do. So just go relax in the bath by yourself while I clean up."

"Well, now I don't want to!" You were suddenly so angry, you couldn't see straight, and you also wanted to cry. "You're treating me like a child!"

"You're acting like one."

His words hurt you more than a slap across your cheek would have, and your jaw dropped open. But then his next sentence made it even worse.

"In my house no less."

"Wow," you gasped, turning and running toward the bedroom as you started crying. It wasn't like you weren't paying to be here. You knew it wasn't much, but you had been insistant about giving Jake five hundred dollars per month. And for what? So he could act like you were an unwanted guest?

You ran into the bathroom and slammed the door behind you before you curled up on the tub mat on the floor and sobbed. Work wasn't like school. Trying to figure out how you fit in with your coworkers was exhausting, and you were still learning all the ropes. You drove back here every day mentally drained, and up until tonight, Jake was always the one who seemed willing to listen. You should have just cleaned up the kitchen, because now you felt like you didn't belong anywhere.

"Darlin'." Jake's voice was as sharp as his knock on the door. You tried to dry your tears, but it wasn't working, and maybe you really were a child compared to your boyfriend. "Darlin'!"

"It's not even locked!" you shouted, but it came out as weak as you felt. Jake opened the door, and in an instant, he was curled up on the floor with you, pulling you into his arms.

"Fuck. I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry I acted like an asshole." You tried to wriggle away from him, but he wouldn't let you. "I think I'm more exhausted this week than I'd like to admit, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

In spite of the fact that you were on the floor crying, you mustered up the courage to whisper, "I'm not a child."

"You're an adult," he said firmly. "An adult who just started a very impressive job. You're holding it together better than I did when I was in flight school." He kissed your forehead. "And you're absolutely right. We should have just climbed in our bathtub and then gone right to our bed. The fucking dishes do not matter right now. They can sit in our kitchen sink until whenever the fuck we feel like cleaning up."

Jake rubbed slow, soothing circles against your lower back until you were all cried out. If you thought you were tired before, it was nothing compared to how wrung out you felt now. You wanted to put forth a peace offering and just get up and clean the kitchen, but his lips were on your damp cheek and his voice was in your ear. "I love you, Darlin'. It has been a long week for both of us. I would like nothing more than to climb in a hot bath with you, relax until the water gets cold, and then get in our bed and go to sleep."

You nodded and started the water while he got two towels ready, and then both of you undressed. Jake kissed your bare shoulder and held you while the tub filled. "You belong here," he whispered. "I don't want you anywhere other than our house."

[gleefullypolin]

Stacy's Tipsy Musing's - Colin Bridgerton Hot Takes - Part 1

Ok boys and girls, we need to have a little chat about Colin Bridgerton.

Part 2 has been out now for a couple of days and there have been a lot of hot takes to come out of the season. A LOT of hot takes.  I’m going to break this down into 4 parts. 4 questions that I'm seeing really bad hot takes about Colin.

Now none of this is new, I gotta say before Season 3 aired Colin was a hot button topic anyway. He seemed to be the Bridgerton brother that lots of people love to spew hate takes on anyway. But damn I gotta say its painful seeing the Polin fandom have so many bad takes falling from their lips.

So, I figured...having a little drink tonight, sitting down for Father’s Day (Happy Father’s Day, Colin) I’d give you the opinion on some of these takes that you didn’t ask for...Mine!

Ok let’s start with the hottest take. Question 1:

Does Colin really believe that Pen entrapped him in marriage?

“Perhaps that was another part of your planned entrapment”

Ok I have to say, I have never seen one line inspire SO MANY BAD TAKE FANFICS IN ALL MY LIFE! Let’s start at the beginning...he found out about Lady Whistledown by following Pen because he noticed she and his sister run off together and disappeared. His sister who was not speaking to Pen previously from his knowledge. So not only is he suddenly feeling betrayed by his future wife, but also his sister.

Now add to this, his trying to reconcile this lie in the middle of planning a wedding to the woman he thought he knew most of his life as quiet little Pen, who just weeks earlier he was trying to teach how to flirt and land a man. He is confused and angry.

But that’s only 2 layers of hurt. Let’s keep adding to that. Layer one, we have the lie. Layer two, we have a woman he thought he knew. Add in Layer three, the Marina situation.

The original LW lie for him was about Marina’s lie. The original entrapment. An entrapment that Colin was willing to look past. He was still willing to marry Marina despite her deception. He still checked in on her post marriage to Phillip to ensure she was happy, to see if she regretted NOT marrying him. Colin always regretted his behavior to Marina’s entrapment. An entrapment that LW pushed into the light and forced a different decision for him. I don’t think he cares about Marina now, he never once accused her of taking Marina from him, he never loved Marina, but she took his agency, his decision.

Now for the fun of it, let’s add layer four. Portia’s already accused Pen of entrapping Colin during his confrontation with her. An accusation he strongly defended her against. An accusation which led to him telling her he loved her for the first time and them sharing their first time together. Which he is now reminding her of.  “I’m a man of honor. And we were intimate.” Colin knows how to hurt Pen. We always know how to hurt those we have known for a long time, and they are of course the oldest of friends. He is striking her where he knows it will hurt her the most. Because he is hurting, and she caused the blow.

So let’s talk about the biggest blow of them all. “Perhaps that was another part of your planned entrapment” He doesn’t look her in the eye when he says any of this. He can’t, because he KNOWS he’s being an asshole. He knows its below the belt. But she hurt him. He’s angry, hurt, lashing out.

Because of Layer five...Hot anger at what she wrote about him at the beginning of the season. This person who knows him better than anyone else, wrote truth to page. No one knows the real Colin the way Pen does. His brothers toasted him when he returned home because of his new female attention, his friends said he was more fun this season. But Pen called his new persona a ploy for attention. She saw him for what he was. A fraud. If he is to forgive Pen, he is to also start to acknowledge that there is truth in things she says that perhaps Lady Whistledown does not tell lies.

But then there is layer six. Jealousy and shame. Colin has sat in all of his emotions, yes he’s angry about what she has written,but we get to the heart of it, he’s jealous of her and that makes him ashamed of himself. That’s very Book!Colin coded who was very ashamed of his jealousy, so much so that Pen mistook his silence and brooding as shame of her. But this Colin is brooding in his own shame and jealousy and lashing out at her.

And then we get to layer seven. Colin loves Penelope above all else. And with this love and hurt and shame and jealousy, there is nothing that will stop him from marrying her. And in part, that is where his ire in this pointed cut comes from. He’s reminding her that they will marry. This will happen. This woman who is a successful writer, something he thinks he will never be, will marry him. Because he has laid claim to her. He has bedded her. They were intimate, she was compromised, and they have entrapped each other. But above all, he loves her, and Lady Whistledown will not change that decision for him this time. This time, he will marry.

Seven layers of lies, deception, past hurts, parental pressures, anger, jealousy and shame, and above all love sat on his tongue and wormed through his thoughts for days until they cut out at the small woman beside him that he needed to hurt in that moment. The woman he had been avoiding for that very reason.

Colin is not a hateful man. He was a kind man. He was rarely angry. But when he was finally put in a place where anger was his only emotion, he avoided Penelope, so that he didn’t hurt her, so he would not say things that were unkind and would hurt her. But when put into the place that he could not avoid her, he lashed out. He made it very clear how things were going to go and he pouted, and he brooded and he said unkind words.

And he was ashamed. And after that he did his best to avoid her, (by being out drinking, sleeping on the couch, avoiding intimacy) so he would not lash out at her again. Because he was ashamed.

Stick around for Part 2.... Why would Colin send Pen home alone after finding her on the street at night?

[hyunniesgirl]

Can you make a one shot smut where like reader and Chan like REALLY hate each other, like CANNOT stand each other but like while reader is out partying she like sees Chan so for shits and giggles she goes up to him and flirts with him which ends up w Chan subbing and begging to cum. I’d like to be 🪼 anon pls :3 and ty if you do this !! 🙏🏼

I love the hate concept (I'm literally obsessed with hate sex), thank you for the ask ❣️ I hope you like it, I'm not really good with smut but I'm trying to get better!!

Something bad

Pairing: Bangchan x reader

Words count: 2,006

THIS CONTENT IS +18 ONLY, MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Warnings: switch!Chan, switch!reader, hate relationship, handjob

You hate his guts. Bang Chan thinks he's all that, but in your opinion he's actually an asshole. You have known each other for so long you're not sure if you always hated him, but if not, you don't know when it started.

He's your brother's best friend, so he is always around, teasing you, making jokes about your hair in the morning or even bringing his hookups late at night, banging them in his room so loudly as if he wants you to hear how good he's making them feel.

You listen to everything from the guest room you sleep in when visiting and the smug look on his face when he sees your eyebags the next morning make you even more mad.

He's not much different from you, Chan likes to see your reactions, how red you get when you're angry about the simplest things he does to tease you or even how you avoid his eyes when you find him at the front door in the morning, saying goodbye to the people he fucked.

He'll look at you waiting for a complaint about the noise but you just look everywhere but his face. He loves that, love that your feisty attitude dies down after hearing him going on all night long. You're back to your usual self by lunch time, that's why he keeps bringing people every night when you visit, he wants to make you angry.

You're currently looking for an apartment, you just got out of uni and got a nice job, so you're staying with your brother just until you can sign the lease of the apartment you're renting with your two best friends.

They invited you to go out tonight, have some fun, maybe fuck a hot random stranger or just pass out drunk anywhere but your brother's house. Literally anything is a better option than another sleepless night of Chan fucking someone senseless and making you horny.

You would never, ever, admit this out loud, but the way you can hear him groaning sometimes when you get close to his room, just messes with your head. He IS an attractive man, even though you hate him, you cannot deny he is hot. Beautiful dark wavy hair, nice broad shoulders and that physic is just… you just know he could break you in half if he wanted to.

You shake your head, why are you having these strange thoughts again? He's your brother's best friend and the guy that makes your life a living hell every time you're in his house. Is it because he's here? Out of all places, why did he and his friends decide to come to the same party as you and your friends did?

“Should we go home?” You sigh, making your friends glare at you.

“Not even a chance”, Sana says, making you sigh. “Should we play a game? Maybe that will get you to relax”

She exchanges a glance with Yeji, smirking. You're already kinda dizzy from your previous drink, so you're not sure you understand what that look means. But you nod, drinking games are your thing, you love them all.

It was all premeditated, you're sure your friends knew Chan would be there with his crew, they are acquainted, after all. You know it was all planned when Yeji giggled, saying “I dare you to flirt with Chan”. Sana laughed so hard at your face after hearing that, saying “we are talking about a hard flirting, literally get a hard on out of him”

That's how you ended up walking in his direction now, feeling your face warm, at least the alcohol makes you feel more secure about yourself. You're looking hot today, wearing a tight short black dress with a neckline lower than how you usually wear, exposing a good piece of your skin and breast. You're sure you can pull Chan.

He stares at you up and down when you show up in front of him, you look smoking hot. He knows you're attractive, it's such a shame you're so annoying.

You greet his friends, you know all of them since they come buy a lot to your brother's and Chan apartment.

“Can I have a sip?” You ask Chan, sitting by his side at the booth. His friends look at each other, saying something you can't hear because of the loud music and then going to the dance floor.

“What do you want?” He ignores your question, scowling when you do the same to him, grabbing his drink and tasting it.

“Woah, this is bitter just like you”, you smile seeing him rolling his eyes.

“Are you drunk? Should I call your brother?” He asks, sighing.

“No, Channie”, you pout, calling the nickname you've heard so many people scream when they were fucking, “let's have some fun, hm? What do you think?”

You turn your body to stare at him, putting your hand on his chest, snuggling closer to him. He smells nice and the warmth his body emits makes you want to get even closer.

“What game are you playing?” He asks with a smug smile on his lips, brows lifted in question.

You sigh.

“It's truth or dare”, you tell, rolling your eyes. “Can't you just get hard already so I can be done?”

Chan chuckles, throwing his head back in a loud laugh, you know it's loud because you can hear it even with the loud music playing in the background.

“Do you really think you have what it takes to get me hard, little girl?” He asks playfully, making you scowl.

“Of course I do”, you tell him, crossing your arms.

You can't help but notice the look he sneaks at your breasts almost popping out of your dress. You decide to use that, in your favor.

“Do you wanna touch it, Channie?” You ask, touching your chest with your hands and squeezing your breasts up so he can have a better view.

“If I do get hard”, he clears his throat, “you should think about the consequences of what is going to happen after that”

“I will win the dare and go back to my friends”, you shrug.

Chan smiles, diabolically. Clicking his tongue.

“I don't think so”, he turns to you, sliding his hand on your thigh, squeezing the flesh while he gets closer to your face. “If you do manage to get me hard, I'll take you home and you're going to take care of it. So you better think carefully about your next move”

You feel goosebumps all over your body, it's because you're grossed out, right? You would never feel turned on with Chan speaking so closely to you, his hot breath hitting your skin has nothing to do with the warmth growing in your lower stomach.

“You know what I think, Channie?”, you try to take back control over the situation, “you're afraid your best friend's little sister is going to make you so horny you won't be able to do anything other than beg to cum”, you slide your hand to the hem of his shirt, sliding it under the fabric and brushing your nails on his stomach, close enough to his cock to provoke a reaction out of him.

Chan breaths through his teeth, trying to control himself. He tried being confident, saying those things to you so you'd get scared and go back to your friends. He didn't think you would keep going and now he's not so sure about what he said, since you clearly are managing to get him hard.

He slides his hand under your dress, feeling how wet your underwear is and decides to use that in his favor.

“Are you sure you want to keep this up?” He asks, brushing his fingers over your covered cunt. You don't avoid his gaze, staring at him intensely, you're not going to give in. He smirks, well, if he can't escape this, he better have some fun. “Let’s see who's gonna be the one begging”

You're not sure how the hell you got there, in a moment Chan was whispering something to you and the next he was dragging you to the bathroom, throwing you against the wall. His lips are attached to your neck, sucking so hard you're sure it's gonna leave marks. Your body is pressed against his and you feel his hard cock on your stomach, now that you manage to get him hard it's time to stop it, so why is the only sound that comes out of your mouth muffled moans?

He slides his hands under your skirt, moving your underwear to the side while he presses a finger on your clit.

You have to do something, you need to take control. Your hand touches his covered cock and Chan groans, resting his head on the wall. He hates the idea of leaning on you.

You work fast, unbuttoning his pants and sliding your hand under his underwear, grabbing his cock in a fist, going up and down, feeling his cock twitching in your hand.

Chan was too cocky, he shouldn't have let you do this. Your touch is just too good, he can't help but moan subtly with every stroke you give to his dick.

He's growing restless, even though he's working with his fingers on you he knows it's a lost case. Your hand is soft, massaging his cock gently but firmly and the look in your eyes, like you're watching your prey, the way you have your bottom lip stuck between your teeth, enjoying seeing him panting while you play with him, it's just too much for him. He feels his orgasm getting closer, you can tell by the way his cock is twitching so you slow the speed of your hand, earning a frustrated groan from him.

“Do you like it, Channie?” You ask playfully, watching his voice crack when he tries to speak.

“Stop teasing, you fucking brat”, he grunts.

“That's not what I want to hear, baby”, you say as your index finger twirls over the head of his cock. “Do you wanna cum?”

He nods, feeling the blush on his cheeks grow, he can't believe he's humiliating himself like that.

“Tell me”, you smirk, “tell me what you want, be a good boy for me, yeah?”

You're feeling extra confident now, seeing him whimper when you get back to jerking him off.

“L-Let me cum”, he whispers too low, you're not even sure if you heard him.

“You can do better, Channie”, you tell him, fastening your movements.

“Please”, he whimpers, “let me cum”, he throws his head back, he doesn't want to give in so easily but your hand around him is just divine, he wants to cum so badly he doesn't mind begging at that moment.

“More”, you tell him simply, “beg more”

“Please, I just-” he whimpers.

“Are you going to stop being so mean to me?” You ask, trying to get something out of this, since you have him so vulnerable right now.

He nods frantically, needing his release more than anything. You keep jerking him off faster, while watching him moan, your hand going up and down on his cock.

His cum springs all over your hands, while he groans with faltering movements, trying to calm down from his high. You're almost sure you heard him sob, but if that really happened, he hid it really well.

After cleaning up the mess he made on your hand, you look at him with a pretentious victorious smile.

“I guess I won”, you cross your arms in front of your chest and Chan sighs, not able to look you in the eyes. Acting exactly like you do when you find him and his last fuck in the living room of his apartment.

“Let's just pretend this never happened”, he tells you, turning around and going out of the bathroom.

But you're not so sure if you'll be able to leave him alone now that you tasted this side of him.

[short-honey-badger]

Phantom Pain

Little soul mate au where they feel each other's emotional and physical pain.

Warnings! A lil bit of angst and a lot of possessive Shanks cause I just can't help myself. Enjoy!

Masterlist

Phantom Pain Masterlist

Soulmates. Just the thought of them disgusted you. What good did it do anyone in this world to have someone else's pain and trauma to worry about? The joy of meeting your other half just wasn't worth all the hurt one had to go through, in your opinion. Yours certainly did nothing but cause you grief. Hangovers that weren't yours, to wounds from swordfights and shootouts. The worst had been the day your other half had lost his right arm.

Even now, almost a decade later, that phantom pain lingers, and with it, the guilt that isn't yours that eats away at you every time you acknowledge your soulmate. You ignore it the best you can, hell, you would be happy to never meet whoever they are. And you make sure to let them know that, too, with your own frustrated feelings. However, life had rarely been kind to you, and it wasn't going to stop tonight.

You know the moment you step into the only open tavern in the sleepy little town and see the red-haired man with a black cloak on at the bar, that tonight would be it. While he is covered, you can still tell that there is nothing on his left side and your arm aches something fierce. You debate with yourself. You could run away before your possible soulmate noticed you, or you could put on your big girl panties and go order a hot drink like you had planned.

You shiver violently, and the decision is quickly made. With a world weary sigh, you hang up your wet overcoat and then casually cross the room to sit at the bar several spots away from the one armed man. You order your drink and see out of the corner of your eye him staring at you, but you stay looking forward even when you notice him scoot down to the seat next to you.

Shanks stares at the person who had come into the bar, dark gaze curious. He'd felt you the moment you had walked into the bar, all angry emotions and swirling frustration directed right at him. Even through the negativity, the Yonko was desperate to know if you were the one. And he knew the fastest way to figure that out.

The grin that splits his face is full of glee and victory as you yelp loudly when he pinches the meat of his thigh. You whip around to glare at him, eye alight with indignation, but Shanks looks like the sun and moon just fell in his lap, "Found you," he says with a teasing tilt to his voice, "I've looked for you a long time, ya know that?"

You scoff at him and loom away to take a deep sip from your cup, "And I've been running," you quip meanly. Why? Why did he have to do this ro you now of all days? All you wanted was a nice evening to yourself, and of course, your soulmate seems obnoxiously good spirited.

Shanks laughs, and you can feel his merriment and joy at finding you. Your body desperately wants to act as well, but you fight down your biology and tell it to shut up and stay down. You've faught against this your entire life. You couldn't break now.

"I know," he says, and his words make you look at him with narrowed eyes, "I'm a dangerous man, Sweetheart. I know I've caused you a lot of pain, and I'm sorry about that."

You have to turn away from him with how genuine and soft he sounds. You drink deeply again and then set your mug down with a click. You've felt his guilt before, but having words go with it made you break just a little more.

"Well. Thanks for the apology, at least," you murmur and then tense when you watch him get off the stood. He circles around you and presses his front to your back. Despite yourself, your body relaxes, as if it knows that this man is meant for you. His one hand grips your hip, thumb moving to stroke the your skin under your shirt, and you shiver unintentionally.

"I plan on making up for it," he says casually and leans forward to bury his face in your hair, breathing in your scent. You smell like the sea and something else unique just to you. He can't get enough of it.

"I don't plan on sticking around," you tell him and shift to try and get away from the man, but the obvious pirate only tightens his grip on your hip.

Shanks laughs again, but it isn't a very nice sound this time, "Sorry to burst your bubble, Hon," he whispers, and you shiver at what he says next, "You don't have much of a choice this time," the Yonko waited long enough to find you, he wasn't about to let you go now.

He leans around you, hand leaving your hip to grasp your chin, and a kiss is bestowed on your lips, soft as a daisy, "Name is Shanks, by the way. What's yours, Sweetheart?"

[messiahzzz]

as much as i dislike the dialogue option that leads to this scene, i genuinely appreciate gale's response. it is easy to overlook what he is actually trying to convey here and is instead commonly dismissed as him being "overdramatic" or as a display of his bruised ego.

player: it was fine. gale: i see. gale: well, fine is... fine. nobody weeps because the weather is fine. no monarchs were overthrown because their ruling was fine. no artworks were burned because they were not masterpieces, but merely fine. player: would you have rather i lied? gale: the dignified thing for me to say is 'no. of course not. forthrightness before all.' but honestly? yes... i would have rather you lied. gale: i'm just a man. an imperfect one, with needs, wants, and flaws by the bushel. a fragile vessel in which to place potentially world-ending power. gale: perhaps it would be better to not shake such a vessel. gale: forgive me. these were already trying times before elminster delivered his missive. now, for me at least, they are potentially end times.

gale is no stranger to introspection. despite having his natural blindspots, he is fully aware of his flaws and imperfections. he lacks an inherent sense of self-preservation, displays impatience on occasion, can be hypocritical, has trouble handling pointed criticism well, and has a tendency to respond in passive aggression if he feels his competence is brought into question. he seeks admiration and is known to not honor his limitations and own safety for the sake of receiving praise.

gale: [...] people have always commented on my confidence, sometimes my over-confidence, and in one particularly cut throat assessment at university - my 'abject and incorrigible self-delusion.'

gale is not blind to how he is perceived by others, nor does he dismiss their conclusions without careful consideration. instead of deflecting he simply takes what they dish out and files it away for later contemplation and inspection.

player: because you acted the idiot. and paid the price for it too. gale: as always, i endeavor to be invigorated by your candour, rather than eviscerated by it. gale: blunt as your summation is - it's correct. i dared to call myself an archmage while acting the apprentice. the hallmarks of a most excellent idiot, unfortunately.

player: i can't say i share the same high opinion of you, gale. gale: always bringing such candour to our conversations. some would think twice about mocking gale of waterdeep, but you just go straight for the gut. nodecontext: playing along, making fun of himself gale: i like that about you. it's one of your rarer qualities, though i fear my ego can take no more of it tonight. nodecontext: cheerfully accepting the brush off, not taking it personally

needs, wants, and flaws by the bushel.

gale craves as mortals do. for relevance, safety, consideration, loyalty, care, acceptance, and love. he's desperate, he's angry, he's petty and hurt and lonely. he's contradictory, and at times inconsistent. he's afraid, he stumbles, he yearns. if he loves, he does so with all his heart but forgets to extend the same love to himself. he gains understanding only to disregard it later. he is absorbed yet devoted. he expects kindness but is bewildered when it is extended to him in turn. he's neither a perfect colleague, a perfect companion, a perfect lover, nor a perfect husband. he's just another human who's trying to navigate and make sense of the world. who is silently hoping for his soul to be handled with tenderness and care, to finally be seen for who he is —no need for performance or pretense — and to be unconditionally cherished nonetheless.

a fragile vessel in which to place potentially world-ending power.

he knows the burden he carries. understanding that even a momentary lapse in judgment could spell catastrophe if he doesn't exert tight control over his emotions at all times. he knows what is at stake should he lose the composure he painstakingly had to master. a mere moment is all it takes. this self-assessment isn't an "indirect threat" intended to subject pressure on tav or solicit pity, it's a stark acknowledgment of the truth. he is a fragile human, housing powers that should've never been his in the first place.

player: unbelievable. did you ever think what would happen if the tadpole got the better of you? gale: every waking moment. every dreaming moment too. but there was no way out.

he is also keenly aware of how his (former) colleagues perceive him, following his fall from grace.

player: bold. few would dare to reduce a goddess to their 'muse.' gale: i am, after all, the villain of the tale.

this line in particular is one i often think about. it makes me wonder about the extent of information gale received from the outside world after locking himself in his tower for an entire year, setting magical wards so no one but tara would be able to enter. did he hear the whispers? ("shunned by the goddess of magic herself, of course, it was only a matter of time before he flew too close to the sun.") were his colleagues ridiculing him, applauding mystra for cutting off the rot at the source? how did he arrive at the assumption that he is perceived as "the villain" and not the victim?

player: you must have been lonely, with only tara for company.. gale: sometimes. but i imposed it upon myself, after all. i set up enough wards to keep an army at bay, never mind the few colleagues who sought to inquire about my welfare.

or is this solely his own harsh judgment of his folly? that there is no chance anyone would meet him with sympathy, kindness and understanding after what he had wrought. he was too greedy, too impatient — selfish in arrogance, ravenous in ambition. letting delusions of grandeur guide him. he brought it all upon himself with his lack of patience. entirely convinced of his success and skill, blind to the possibility of failure. now doomed to drag innocents into the abyss with him. the hallmarks of a villain, right? after all, who would truly believe him that his ambition hid no ill will?

players: by rights. i should kill you. gale: perhaps that is what i deserve, but you deserve no such thing. [...]

[flowery-mess]

Attending small concert with Noah

Let's say this is before BO blew up

You and Noah have been dating for a couple of months and you always talked about how you have to go to a concert together one day

So when Noah got tickets for this smaller gig he asked you to come with him

Neither of you knew the two bands that were playing that night, but you loved exploring new musicians

Noah took you out for a dinner before the concert started

You noticed he had similiar outfit as you as you were eating dinner

You came to his place before you went out, already dressed up, did he saw your outfit and chose his to match you?

You were still in the shy dating stage, so you thought you'd ask him later that night after some drinks

When you arrived at the small venue, more like a club, you bought two drinks

You had to do that when Noah went for the bathroom, because that boy never lets you pay for anything

So you weren't surprised with his little angry face when he saw you already purchased both od yours drinks

"I asked you out, I pay for you, it's that simple Y/N"

You just laughed and put one of the drinks in his hand with little "Cheers"

You talked a bit before the first band came on the stage and decided you're gonna stay in the back at the bar for now

You didn't look up the bands that are playing tonight, because you knew Noah wouldn't choose bad music

So you weren't surprised that you were moving in your seat and nodding your head along the music as Noah did the same

After the first set you decided to go stand in crowd

You chose to stand on the side to avoid mosh pit and also Noah didn't want to stand in the centre so people wouldn't see because of him

He stood behind you, his tall frame putting you in safe space

He had to bend down to talk to you, which was kind of hot

And after few drinks you decided to ask if he matched his outfit to yours

"Maybe I did, maybe I just grabed random clothes from my closet" he said with a little smirk on his face

You got caught up in his eyes, exploring his face with the lights dancing on his face

The band started playing and you both started moving to their catchy songs

Through the concert you felt Noah's hands around your waist or your shoulders as he danced with you

He bend down to kiss your head few times

You knew you two had similiar taste in music so you were not surprised you both liked the set

You exchanged "I'm adding this to my playlist" every other song

Now and then you turned around to watch Noah, if he's having fun

Every time he looked down at you and asked if you're okay

When they finished their last song you agreed to have drinks in the bar next to the venue

You talked about the concert with the first drink, sharing your opinions

You agreed that it was not the last time you went out like this

After few drinks the conversation became more personal as you were still getting to know each other

You talked about family, previous relationships, what do you want and expect from life

You had lot in common so the conversation was natural

You didn't even realise what time it was until the waitress came to take last orders

Noah insisted on paying for you, so you let him

But you took that as a chance to invite him to your place, since you didn't finish your conversation and you told him you owe him a drink anyways

On the way to your place Noah held your hand, wasn't the first time, but the butterflies in your stomach felt like it was

You gave him quick tour of your small apartment

Then you sat in your living room, drinking some old white wine you found in your kitchen and talked some more

When Noah said he should leave, you didn't know if he expected you to ask him to stay or not

But you wanted him to stay for the night for more than one reason

So when he was saying something you didn't listen to, because you were too busy thinking if he's gonna say yes or no, you just said it

"Would you like to stay for the night?"

He looked surprised so you panicked

"You don't have to, it's just late and I thought maybe you could sleep over, but I understand if you want to go home if you have plans for tomorrow morning I get it, sorry it was jus-" and he went for the cliche and shut you up with a kiss

"I would love to have a sleepover" he laughed at the word sleepover like you were two teenage girls having sleepover, but instead he was just a boy who you were falling for

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for telling mom to stop giving me unhealthy food and then refusing to say "I love you" back?

I (16, FtM) am autistic, for the longest time I struggled with eating different types of foods, in fact, i only started eating vegetables when I was 16 because my nutritionist told me to. Since I have memory, i've been teased by my weight, all my life. It led me to make decisions i'm not very proud of (like getting groomed at 8-9 years old), because of my low self esteem.

I've gone to the nutritionist a total of 2 times in my life, but in my opinion i should've gone more but my parents didn't seem to think the same. Both of those times the doctors told me I was a little overweight. They didn't tell me i was obese or morbidly obese which thank god because I would've broken down and kms (not really but even thinking of getting told that makes me anxious).

They did tell me to start eating more food other than fried food and other type of stuff. After the meeting, my parents started scolding me for embarrassing them in front of the doctor, but all i did was being brutally honest with her! I told her how my parents keep buying flavored water which has at least 2 stamps in it (The government makes it so that companies have to put stamps on their products saying what's exactly in it), so the only source of natural water is the one we boil ourselves, which i drink every time i do exercise. And also how the dinner mom makes is sausages and french fries, it's quick and easy. This last week I've eating that dinner two times and on the weekend i ate fast food for lunch, on Saturday and Sunday which means TWICE. By the end I was so worried i might have to double my exercise next week (so now) to balance it off. I felt really fat on monday so uh not a good feeling.

For my part, I've had this discussion with my P.E teacher, and she agreed to make me play basketball more so i can both exercise at home and more at school other than P.E class. I've also done the effort of eating vegetables (which due to my autism it was very hard at first but I've gotten the hang of it!) And doing more exercise at school.

But even when mom agreed to start feeding me more healthy foods, it's like she gave up. She's gone back to giving me the same lazy foods that are filled with cholesterol and grease, and every time i eat those it makes me feel worried. Tonight was one of those dinners and all i want is to get it out of my system (literally).

I told mom she can't keep feeding me like this if she wants me to lose weight, and she responds by saying "but what can we feed you? You don't eat anything else" which? Fucking excuse me? WHAT DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST MONTHS??? She always says that, it's like whenever i eat entire salads she fucking ignores me or something! It makes me feel so angry, fuck my efforts i guess???

I got more angry, but she's my mom, so i decided to shut up. Since i was getting ready to bed once i got comfortable she told me "I love you", which is a normal habit we have every time i go to bed. She says "i love you" i say it back. But this time I didn't, and she just sighed and closed the door.

Right now i'm really mad at her, but i recognize that maybe not saying "I love you" back was a bit too much, but if i have to stop saying it at all for her to understand I want to lose weight, then so be it. If she doesn't want to recognize im the only one doing the effort, whatever. I'm thinking of starting to refuse her food to make myself clear.

What are these acronyms?

[dracoxsworld]

ARRANGED - Draco M. x Reader - Part 5

You laid in you and Draco's bed, the scene between you and Nicholas replaying in your mind.

Draco was out with his father, looking for a tree to put up; it was the holidays now. You, for the first time in a while, were alone.

Nothing had made sense to you, you never thought Nicholas could act the way he did. He never got angry with you, or even frustrated. You always bragged to your friends about how patient and understanding he was; he never raised his voice- nothing. His reaction was unexpected. It scared you.

You never had struggled saying "I love you" back to him, but when you'd start to think about it; it felt wrong, unnatural.

You were deep in thought when you heard a knock at your door, Narcissa then opened and gave you a small smile. She had been very sympathetic towards you since the Nicholas incident, she wanted to find him herself and hex him for you.

"Narcissa, how are you?" You greeted. "I am doing well, I just came to check in on you, haven't seen you since breakfast." She replied.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," You explained, running your hands through your long hair. "Thinking about everything that happened with Nicholas."

Narcissa shook her head in disgust. "What a foul little man." Narcissa said lowly. You chuckled at her description if him. "You know, I've never known Draco to defend anyone like he did for you, he must have taken a liking to you."

You blushed at the thought. "Well, being imprisoned in a house together and all, it kinda forces you to get to know somebody. I suppose he does care for me." You said, waving your hand. Narcissa looked at you apologetically. "I'm sorry for how things started, but you now must know how things must be."

You nodded, as if you agreed. But that was a lie. Your opinions still stood strong.

"I am just suggesting that there's a chance that Draco has strong feelings for you." Your eyes widen at her. "No, Narcissa. You're funny." You chuckle as you quickly get up from your bed, dusting yourself off and straightening your blouse.

Narcissa shrugged. "I know it may seem crazy, but I know my son." Narcissa said, eyeing you. You looked back at her, as if she put you into a trance. "Well," She said after a moment, clapping her hands together. "Let's decorate for the holidays."

You and Narcissa with the help of some house-elves decorated the Manor. You both listened to Celestina Warbeck's "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love."

"Y/N, dear. I am going to get some more decorations for the Manor... I will be back soon." Narcissa said to you as she threw on her black fur coat. "Yes, Mrs. Malfoy." You said, smiling at her. She smiled back, "Narcissa." She insisted. You nodded. "Right. Narcissa, sorry."

Narcissa left, and Celestina Warbeck was still playing.

"Oh, come and stir my cauldron And if you do it right I'll boil you up some hot, strong love To keep you warm tonight To keep you warm tonight!" You sang to yourself while you were hanging up garland. "Well well, didn't know you fancied Warbeck's music." A familiar voice hummed. You jolted from fear and turned around, it was Draco.

"Draco! You scared the shit out of me!" You hissed, hitting his chest with the golden colored garland.

"Sorry, I just heard a very pretty voice." He mused. You turned around quickly before he could see the red form on your cheeks.

"You decorating?" He asked. You nodded. "Your mother went out to get more decorations." You said softly, going up on your tip-toes to hang the garland over the tall fireplace.

"Bloody-garland- so- tall." You struggled as your arms were out stretched towards the top of the fireplace. "Here, let me help." Draco said, stepping behind you, grabbing the garland from your hands. He hung the golden sparkly garland on the hooks of the fireplace.

You turned around, his body pinning you against the closed off fireplace. He looks down at you, and smiled. "D-did you find-"

"A tree?" He finished, his hands landing on your waist. "We did, father and I argued the whole time." He said, sounding annoyed. You nodded. Not abnormal for them. He flicked his wand upwards towards the ceiling. You looked up, a mistletoe formed. You blushed, without having a chance to hide it from him this time. "You know the holidays can be romantic," Draco suggested. You tilted your head with a chuckle. "Draco Malfoy being romantic? Seems unlikely." You teased.

"Oh come on, we've really gotten to know each other these past months. I've grown quite fond of you." Draco replied.

"I have grown fond of you too- it's just-" You stammered. You took a deep breathe and exhaled. "Ever since the Nicholas incident things have felt weird."

Draco's eyebrows furrowed. "He called you a whore, imagine what'd happen to you if I didn't step in." He pointed out, his hands leaving my waist, dropping by his sides. "Draco, I know but he was just mad. I mean, he expected me to leave with him."

"Did you want to?"

"No, of course not! But he's confused, probably lost." I explained, rubbing your temple with your fingers.

"You're making excuses for a man who called you a whore." Draco mumbled, now not even looking at you.

"You know, you're not exactly a peach, either. You haven't been the most pleasant roomate."

"So I'm a roommate now?"

"That's not what I meant." You sighed. Fuck, you messed everything up.

"I thought you were starting to like me." Draco hissed. "I do like you Draco, I've liked the time we've spent together I just, this has all happened so fast."

"What do you expect, Y/N? We're married!" Draco spat. "You are my wife! Mine!"

You looked at him, he was angry. "Listen. Let's forget this conversation ever happened." You begged, your hand going towards his, but he yanked his away from yours. Without another word, he turned away from you and left the room. You were all alone. Why was he all possessive all of a sudden?

-

The next few days were awkward between you and Draco, you both had small, short conversations.

You were up late one night, in the main living room, sipping on a glass of red wine, reading a book you snagged from the Manor library. All of a sudden, you heard some noise from down the hall. You poked your head out in the hall, and saw the door knob on you and Draco's door wiggle. It opened and you hid behind the corner of the wall. Out came a familiar face, Astoria Greengrass. You gasped. Her hair was a mess, she had visible hickeys on her neck, giggling.

"See you again?" She giggled, annoyingly you might add. "Of course, send me an owl, won't you?" Draco's voice mumbled, although you couldn't see him.

You felt your ears go hot. Astoria continued down the hall, not even bother fixing her appearance. You hid behind the corner of the wall so she couldn't see you.

After she left, and you heard the manor doors close and lock again, you made your way to your bedroom you shared with Draco.

You opened the door, he was in his boxers, laying on your unmade bed. Not only was it unmade, which was certainly not how you had left it, but it was a mess. To add on, it reeked of sex.

"Hello, Y/N." Draco said, nonchalantly. You ignored his greeting. "So this is what you do now?" You huffed. Draco smiled. It was a twisted one. "Why does it matter, Y/N? You clearly love Nicholas." He stated.

You felt your face go hot. "You asshole!" You exclaimed. Draco got up from the bed and crossed his arms. His blonde hair was a mess, you can tell it was gripped and pulled. The thought made you more angry, you weren't sure why.

"Why am I the asshole when you don't want to be with me?" Draco voiced. You did want to be with him. But you weren't supposed to. This wasn't the life you had planned in the slightest. You were supposed to be with Nicholas. You were supposed to be married to him and start a family with him. Never in your life did you plan for you to be right here, right now, married to Draco Malfoy, and be angry with him for sleeping with another woman.

"We are married!" You shouted. You were so angry, your fists were balled up, your chest heaving. "It doesn't matter! You don't love me." Draco's voice cracked. He seemed hurt, too.

"Who said I didn't want to be with you?" You questioned him. Draco looked at me. "I know you wanted to go off with Nicholas." His eyes shifted off of me. You brought your hands up to your head, tears were flooding your eyes. "I don't know why I am so upset." You sobbed out. Draco just sat there, emotionless.

"You- you don't even care. We aren't meant to be together, you were meant to be with that Greengrass girl." You sniffled. "Cleary." You added, your hand waving up and down his body that was covered with sweat, his collar bones covered with light red lipstick marks.

"I don't like Astoria." Draco mumbled out. "I just, I was bored and knew you were hung up on Nicholas, I didn't know how to feel. I was unsure if you'd ever end up wanting to be with me." Draco explained. You looked at him, you wipe your tears.

"That's ridiculous." You said quietly. Draco looked at you, a look of confusion mixed with anger creeped over his face. You noticed this, and put your hand up. "Let me explain." Draco reluctantly nodded.

"I like you, Draco. I now know Draco, the real Draco." You admitted. "You love flowers, you love to bake, well- maybe you enjoy eating baked goods more." You chuckled softly, Draco as well. "I am just so confused." You said, sitting down in the armchair near you. You rested your head in your hands.

Draco's head tilted in concern. "I wasn't supposed to be here, I thought Nicholas was the love of my life, but now he isn't anymore."

"He's not?"

I looked at Draco. "Of course not. He said he loved me, and I couldn't say it back." I admitted. Draco stepped towards me, not taking his eyes off of me.

"I don't know why, it just didn't feel like it used to. My brain didn't let me." I explained, my head still in my hands. I felt Draco's brush against my arm, I lifted my head and the platinum-blonde boy was looking up at me.

I swallowed thickly. "I like you, Draco. I like you a lot. I didn't think I would." I shook my head. He took my hand, and stood up, pulling me up with him. He sat in the armchair, and pulled me onto his lap.

I didn't care what I walked into 5 minutes ago, I sat in his lap willingly. He didn't say another word, letting me speak.

"I didn't want you to ever think I didn't like you, Draco. I love spending time with you."

"I love spending time with you, too." He softly spoke. "When I saw Nicholas pinning you against the bookshelf; I never felt so angry."

It was now your turn to listen, you took his hand in yours.

"There was something in me that was scared you wanted to go with him, or that he was going to take you. And I'd be alone again. Of course, I wasn't only worried about you being taken away would mean I'd be alone, it was that I wouldn't have you in general."

"I didn't want you to be taken away. I wanted to hex him." Draco recalled.

You took a deep breath and nodded. Your eyes wondering off to the portraits on his walls

Draco caught your attention again. "I am so sorry I slept with her."

You looked back at him. "It's okay."

He looked back up to you, his silver eyes putting you in a trance.

His free hand caressed your face. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"Draco, what are we?"

He shook his head. "Legally? Husband and Wife. Personally? Well, what do you want?" Draco asked.

"Yours." You said almost automatically. You shifted yourself to straddle him. "I would like to be yours."

Draco smiled, he cupped your face in his hands. "Sounds good to me."

-

Nothing happened that night. We cuddled for the first time, in bed. You could smell his cologne, and you snuggled deeper towards him. His arms held you tighter.

You weren't sure was was in the books for you two. "Could I, Y/N, really love Draco Malfoy?" You thought to yourself. You had felt safe in his arms. You knew that for sure.

Draco started to stir. It was the morning, the sun shining through. "Good morning" Draco mumbled, his voice was raspy.

It was just a little hot.

"Morning." You replied, turning towards him.

Draco deeply inhaled, his hand ran through your hair.

"I'm still very sorry."

"Draco, it's okay." You insisted, smiling up at him.

"Breakfast then?" He suggested, after five minutes of silence. You nodded.

You and Draco got dressed together, which was also for the first time. You had fallen asleep in your jeans after last night, you pulled your pants down, Draco tried not to look, trying to focus on throwing some sweatpants and a plain t-shirt on. You rumbled through your designated drawer in your dresser, and slipped on sweats of your own, combined with a matching top.

"Shall we go, then?" Draco said, holding out his hand. You took it, nodding.

Breakfast was already ready and laid out for you two, Narcissa was finishing up her plate. "Well, good morning love birds, made s bit of a ruckus, didn't you?" Narcissa asked, turning towards you both. Your breath hitched.

Draco changed the subject quickly. "What's for breakfast?"

Narcissa motioned towards the kitchen. "French toast, my dear, have a seat, both of you." Draco took a seat before I did, he patted the cushion next to his chair. I had a seat as well.

"Remmy! Plumb!" Narcissa called out. Two house elves appeared. "Get them both a plate, will you?" She demanded. "Yes madam Malfoy, on it." Remmy squeaked out, while Plumb nodded. They disappeared. "Well, I must go, children. I have a meeting to attend to." Draco's head tilted at his mother. "Meeting? For what?"

"No time to explain dear, got to go!" Narcissa quickly replied, and then apparated.

"Do you think she felt the awkward tension?" You asked, staring at the table. Draco looked at you, and you could tell he felt guilty.

"It's not your fault she doesn't know." You said, waving him off. He nodded, still with guilt.

The house elves arrived with a plate full of breakfast. French toast, eggs, and bacon.

"Imagine how it would be if we actually did, though." You shrugged.

Draco Malfoy almost choked on his French toast.

[sixtynintharchon]

“i’m mad at you” feat. tartaglia

✧ summary : after a few too many broken promises to be home on time from sparring with whoever it was this time (honestly, you wouldn’t have cared if he was actually doing his harbinger duties), you finally get angry at him. though he seems to know how to calm you down.

✧ warnings : nsfw?? it’s suggestive. mdni i guess idk it just makes me uncomfy. teasing. ajax the little shit we love him. idk i’ve never had to write a content warning before

✧ pairing : tartaglia x reader

first crack at writing on tumblr, don’t judge me too harshly😭

Ajax was amused, if not a little surprised, when you weren’t waiting for him in the living room like you usually did if you happened to get home before him. And he knew you were, in fact, home: your coat was hung up by the door.

He found you in the bedroom. Already in bed? Before he could join you? You were either sick or…

“Do not.” Your voice cut the silence as he was leaning down to kiss your forehead.

“Oh?” Now he really was amused…

…because you were mad at him.

“This is the fifth time this week.” You explained, rather cryptically in his opinion but he knew what you meant. He was late to get home for the fifth time this week and it was Friday, the fifth day of the week.

Perhaps you felt neglected, perhaps you were just annoyed that his exact words had been “I promise I’ll be home at the right time tonight so we can spend some time together”. Whatever it was, you were annoyed and you were going to let him know it.

It wasn’t like he’d made a sacred pinky promise, of course, but coming second to the thrill of fighting was becoming irritating for you. And the fact that he was a man of his word in every other aspect of his life just really irked you. Why was it different when he promised to come home on time?

“Hey, I’ll make it up to you.” He suppressed his chuckle as he got himself undressed and ready for bed. He caught you peeking at him from where you were lying, but he didn’t give you an indication that he knew you were looking apart from flexing the muscles in his back slightly more than necessary when he pulled his shirt over his head. Maybe the show would do well to appease your anger, so he decided to ditch the pyjama shirt and bottoms he usually wore and opted to just stay in a pair of boxers.

“You can make it up to me by sleeping on the couch.” You mumbled, and he was glad he had his back to you so you didn’t see the little smirk on his face. He knew you didn’t exactly mean it, but you might decide you did if you saw how entertained he was by your irritation.

“Hey now,” he failed to restrain his amused giggle, “hear me out, will you? You wouldn’t deny a request from your beloved, would you?”

“My beloved doesn’t seem to love me much since he barely wants to see me but I’ll think about it.”

If your words stung at all, he didn’t react as he got into the bed next to you. He managed to coax you into turning around to face him. You gave him an entirely unamused expression on your face when you caught his boyish smile.

“What more could I ask for?” He grinned.

You just rolled your eyes at him. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m mad at you.”

“I can’t help it. I love you too much.”

Oh, this man.

“Well I’m angry at you.” You replied monotonously, but it made your heart flutter to hear him say that with such a pretty smile.

“You look so cute when you pout.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Ajax.” You tried your very best to put your best warning tone on.

“...And even cuter when you growl like that...”

“You’re so irritating.”

“You love it.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Because deep down you know that I'm the one for you.”

You couldn’t find it in you to cringe when he said it with such intent. “Poor me.” You tsked.

“That's right, poor you, because I've stolen your heart and I'm not giving it back.” He teased, smirking at you like he knew he’d already won.

You narrowed your glare again. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, did my expression bother you? How about I show you how sorry I am, love?” He moved closer to you in the bed.

You were already blushing when he was nose to nose with you. “Hey, I’m still mad at you!”

“Oh, is that so? Then please, continue to be mad at me so I can apologise properly.” He couldn’t help but chuckle as he rolled you into your back and moved himself so he leaned over you, with himself between your legs.

“I am.” You glowered at him when his face was directly above yours.

“You won’t be for much longer.” He practically purred.

“Try me.” You mumbled.

“I can't think of a better challenge. Oh, but first, please close your pretty eyes.”

It seemed an odd time to be requesting that. You raised your eyebrow at him confusedly, “why?”

“Just do it.” You didn’t miss the mischievous glint in his eyes, paired with his signature boyish smirk.

With an exasperated sigh and a roll of your eyes, you closed your eyes like he asked. You weren’t really that mad anymore; he felt and looked far too nice for your anger to remain. You were just very aware that he’d be far too smug about it if you admitted it was so easy for him to calm you down.

You felt him lean down and press his lips to your neck. It was such a simple gesture, yet you…

“I can feel that.” Ajax whispered, oh so softly. “Your heart beating faster. You’re getting warmer.”

“Are you trying to seduce me?” You feigned being unaffected, but this man knew you better than you might’ve even known yourself.

“It’s working, isn’t it?”

“I’m still mad at you.” You mumbled half heartedly, because truthfully you couldn’t even remember why you were mad in the first place. Not when he was this close. Not when his hand that he wasn’t leaning on was now on your thigh.

His breath fanned your neck, but his lips didn’t quite touch yet.

“No you’re not.” He chuckled smugly, pressing a soft kiss to the side of your neck. “What’s this? I can feel how hot you’re getting. Is it because of me?”

“You’re annoying.” You sighed dramatically.

His hand on your leg moved a bit higher and further towards your inner thigh. “I don’t feel you trying to leave.”

“I’ll bite you.” You warned.

“You’re welcome to try.” He muttered into your neck, kissing up to your ear. “In the meantime, let me apologise.”

Maybe you should “get mad” at him more often. He’s very good at apologising.