#if there's anything i missed then i'd need to know precisely what your friend is wary about

[arc-misadventures]

Advice For The Heartbroken

: Oh? Hello, Jaune.

Jaune: Hello, Mrs... Miss Schnee. I'd offer my condolences, but I don't think you'd truly care for that.

Willow: No, not at all.

Jaune: I will say you are looking better; you, and this house seems more lively. Like a new wave of fresh air has blown in.

Willow: Yes, the oppressive aura that, Jacques carried about him has been lifted, bringing new life to my family, and house. Speaking of looking better; I must say I like your new outfit; Is that a, Specialist uniform?

Jaune: Ahh... yes... Yes it is. I recently became a member of the, Specialist as of, Winter's recommendations.

Willow: Oh congratulations, Jaune! That uniform suit you perfectly.

Jaune: Thank you, Miss Schnee.

Willow: Please, Jaune I already told you, you can call me, Willow. No more of this, Miss Schnee business.

Jaune: Alright then... Willow...

Willow: See, that wasn't too hard. Now then, please take a seat, I assume you're here not because of your new position. Perhaps about the odd circumstances around, Jacques's suspicious death?

Jaune: Thank you... and, uhhh no. I'm not aware of anything in regards to, Jacques's death, and the investigation. I'm a, Huntsman, not a detective.

Willow: Thought I should ask; Winter is unable to tell me anything. Something about the: 'Confidentiality pertaining to the ongoing investigation pertaining to the suspicious death of, Jacques Schnee.'

Jaune: In essence: No.

Willow: Precisely~!

Willow: Now then, since you are not here to talk about, Jacques death, what can I help you with, Jaune?

Jaune: Well... Since you mentioned, Winter... I need some help with her...

Willow: Oh, what is wrong? Did my daughter do something to you?

Jaune: Uhhh... kinda...?

Willow: Kinda... what?

Jaune: Winter likes me...

Willow: So? You are a well mannered, polite, respectable young man. There is very little to hate about you, Jaune. So of course she likes you.

Jaune: Uhhh... no, not that... Winter likes me... As in, like-likes me...

Willow: ...

Willow: S-Seriously...?

Jaune: She's blushed in front of me. She's laughed with me, not at me. She's smiled at me. She gave me this sash on my waist. And, I swear on my mother's life; she winked, and said 'tee-hee' at me!

Willow: Holy shit... Winter does like-like you... I can't believe this...

Jaune: Neither can I.

Willow: I picked a wrong time to stop drinking...

Willow: Okay... you have my permission.

Jaune: ...

Jaune: Wha...?

Willow: You have permission to date my daughter.

Jaune: Oh... thank you... B-But, that isn't why I'm here... kinda...?

Willow: Oh? Then what is it, Jaune?

Jaune: I have... absolutely no experience when it comes to romance. If you ask, Weiss about my attempts to, 'whoo' her, you'd whinge in shame at my antics...

Willow: Yes, I do believe I remember hearing, Weiss complaining about that.

Jaune: ...

Jaune: I... I like, Winter... I'm not entirely sure how much I care for her, but I know I do care for, Winter... If there is a possibility of us having a relationship, I want to try... I don't want to miss this chance... not again... So, I came to you to... ask for advice.

Willow: Advice? Why me, couldn't you ask one of your friends for advice?

Jaune: Ha! Ruby has no experience when it comes to love. Weiss, has poor taste in men, and we have that whole history together, not to mention it's about her sister! I can't possibly talk about this with her.

Willow: That would be an ill-advised endeavor to take.

Jaune: Nora, and Ren are out of the question. Nora is pinning for, Ren so hard she might as well become a pine tree. And, people call me dense?! They should take a look at, Ren! A woman is literally fawning over him, and he doesn't see a damn thing!

Willow: Oh, she liked him, I never notice...

Jaune: Don't even get me started on, Blake, and Yang's thing.

Willow: Oh please do, I do love gossip~!

Jaune: Oh, that's right, woman love to gossip; My mother, and sisters love to gossip too.

Jaune: Okay... Blake, and Yang are stuck in this will they won't they situation upon which I don't think they should, because dating, Blake would end up being a part of a very toxic relationship. I mean... Blake is a coward, she has a habit of running away from her problems, and dumping them on others, and refusing to take the blame. Not to mention her past dating experience is horrible! Her first lover was Adam Taurus! A psychotic race supremist terrorist! And, a fanatical lesbian who like, Adam, tried to kill her! Twice!

Willow: Oh~? Now isn't this juicy~!

Jaune: Yang has abandonment issues! Her mother abandoned her when she was a child! It would destroy her if, Blake ran away, again! My sister is a lesbian who is married. and in a loving relationship. I told them about, Blake, and Yang, and they looked horrified at the thought of the two of them dating. Not, because its a human, and faunas relationship, because they know how toxic it could be!

Willow: Oh my~! Even the lesbians are looking down on them~! Now things are getting interesting~!

Jaune: Since I don't get involved in their conversations, I just observe. And, I don't like what I'm seeing... Is there a chance they get together, yes. Is there a chance it will be a healthy relationship, maybe... But, I wouldn't bet money on it.

Willow: Ohh~! It's so much fun hearing all the juicy gossip! I feel like I'm a teenager again~!

Jaune: So... I said, I have no experience with dating, so I've come to you for advice. I know you had a toxic relationship with your ex-husband...

Willow: That's an understatement...

Jaune: But, even before that there must have been moments that were happy? Or, the very least you can tell me the does, and don'ts of a relationship. Mostly the don'ts all thing considered...

Willow: ...

Jaune: I know you didn't have a good relationship... But, of everyone I know... You're the only one I can ask.

Willow: Couldn't you ask your sister? She's married after all.

Jaune: Yeah, I could ask my sister how she got together with her wife, but...

Willow: She has no idea how it happened?

Jaune: No clue whatsoever.

Willow: So you came to me for advice.

Jaune: Yeah, I did.

Willow: Listen, Jaune... I do not understand my daughter well enough to give you advice when it comes to having a relationship with her. I estranged myself from my children when I escaped, Jacque's abuse to the bottle. I am in the middle of trying to rebuild our relationship. I'm learning who my children are, and plan to become. So, I can't tell you what you could do to enter a relationship with her... But, if what you said is true, that if you're making my daughter laugh, and smile. Then you should be together, or at the very least, give it a chance. And, don't regret not taking the chance.

Jaune: ...

Jaune: I don't want to lose that chance again...

Willow: Again?

Jaune: Okay... for now I'll just play it by ear, and see where it will take me... hopefully somewhere nice... Thank you, Willow.

Willow: My pleasure, Jaune. I hope the best for you two. I wouldn't mind you becoming my son in law.

Jaune: O-Oh... Thank you... Now, I best get going there is work to be done.

Willow: Do, Say hello to, Whitely before you leave. He's been wanting to talk to you again.

Jaune: Oh? I'll go do that. Goodbye, Willow.

Willow: Goodbye, Jaune.

Willow: ...

Willow: I wish you the best of luck, Jaune...

[jamilelucato]

The Writer and The Illustrator (Part 01)

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x Miss [y/n] Summary: Miss [y/n] is not your average young lady, for she is also W. Jabber, a talented writer who challenges societal norms. All was well until her publisher presented her with a new challenge—to write a children's book disguised for adult readers and to have it illustrated. And to help her with the task, she knows only one good painter in London. Age rating: although this chapter is pretty chill for younger audiences, the next parts will have more explicit scenes, so let's keep it 18+. Author's note: I said I'd be back with the Bridgerton boys, and here I am! Benedict, for the win! Hope you guys like it! (Part 02 here!) To read Anthony's fic, click here! For other stories, click here. Enjoy! Miss [y/n] was a writer. A good one, she dared add. Of course, that was unnoticed by the people of the ton, who would not have appreciated female writing, even if it was that great.

For that precise reason, Miss [y/n] prospered in a secret double life, where she was a pleasant lady by day and a fierce author by night. Her publisher was the only man she considered a friend since he knew her true identity and was present in both parts of her life. Needless to say, such an intelligent and refined man, capable of admiring penmanship made by a woman, would already have a wife. And would be dangerously too old to be anything more than an extra father figure in Miss [y/n] 's history.

Being close and such, Mister Brendy often challenged [y/n] 's writing abilities, encouraging her to try new styles in every new book. He'd often advise her towards writing the genre most wanted by the public at that specific time, and [y/n] was always quick to agree — as she held Mr Brendy's opinions very highly. Also, her family desperately needed the money [y/n] provided anonymously. Pretending it was a subsidy presented by an old aunt from the country, the young woman allowed her family some great comfort; furthermore, she permitted herself the luxury of new dresses every season.

"Good afternoon, Mr Brendy. How are you this evening?"

The sky wasn't fully dark when Miss [y/n] popped into the tiny printer's shop, but she was confident enough that nobody followed her in; thus, she modelled no cape or undistinguished clothing. She was merely herself before her old chum and a couple more teen-boy workers.

"Very well, dear," the printer replied, holding a modest smile. Mr Brendy had gently round features, and his smile, even the smallest ones, was exceptionally pleasant to witness. "Hope you're ready to hear your next challenge."

"I wouldn't be here if I weren't, Mr Brendy," she answered, lowering her eyes to the papers over his table, looking for clues to his oncoming request. Most authors did not enjoy working with demands, but [y/n] thrived with them, and she was Mr Brendy's favourite because of it.

"Well, have you how many nephews and nieces again? I always forget; I'm sorry," Mr Brendy got up and walked towards Miss [y/n]'s chair.

"No need to be sorry, Mr Brendy — I, sometimes, forget as well," she smiled. "I currently have three nephews and one baby niece. She's such a lovely newborn!"

The gentleman placed his hands in his trouser pockets, scratching his throat before saying, "Yes, newborns are usually a delight—a blessing."

"Couldn't agree more," Miss [y/n] couldn't help her anxiety taking the best of herself. "But what does my siblings' offspring have to do with my upcoming, in need of writing, book?" 

After another scratch of his throat, Mr Brendy finally spoke his true intentions. "Do you remember when you found me shivering from the rain outside and asked if I could publish your first book? And even cold, you managed to make all these demands regarding our partnership?"

"Of course, I remember! I was a baby lassie of fifteen years of age, but wasn't I a captivating writer even then?" Miss [y/n] was only joking but noticed that Mr Brendy wasn't less tense. "Does this talk have something to do with my demands? Do you need to lower my percentage of profit?"

Dear God, she hoped not.

"Nothing of such. Your books are bestsellers, Miss [y/n]. Money is not the problem," he said. "However, your other contract demand... The one where you work alone..."

"Yes?" she was desperately nervous.

"Would you be able to make an exception?"

There was silence in the room. It felt like even the employees outside the tiny office were muted, waiting for her answer.

"I'm sorry, Mr Brendy, but what are you implying? You want me to write in association with another author, is that it?"

"Not another author per se," he gritted his teeth, and the noise startled Miss [y/n]. "No," he restarted, "I don't want your writing to get jumbled up. You have a magnetic way of putting words to paper; I would never allow anyone else to interfere with that."

"Thank you," she said, happy for the compliment, though confused about how to respond. Mr Brendy was a good man, but he rarely presented free praise.

"I want you to work partnered with a painter, an illustrator. See, this is where your nephews come to action — children's books are the latest fashion, the genre bestseller of the hour. We have no author good enough to conquer that style the way we want," he paused, "— at least no better writer than you."

She was flattered but primarily confused. Her books weren't for children. Under the name of W. Jabber, she published pieces about politics and devotion, death and art, but all of that over a darker tone, very adult if you dare. What would be her place when speaking to children? What story could she have stored to tell those little kids rushing to a bookshop, looking for the newest realise?

"I want you to write a children's story the way only you could — designed for the parents. I want it perfectly disguised so that, when a parent fetches the book — tediously and only doing it for the quietness of their offspring — they get stunned to find out the narrative is very well made for them as much as the child."

"You reckon I could write such a thing?" she asked in a second of bravery. "I don't think I can."

"Upon rereading your latest, my dear, I discovered that if anyone can, it is you," he said. "When I first read Storms of Love, I could never have deduced the novel was about the Priest falling in love with his bastard son. At first glance, the story felt like a mother missing her son when he decided to go to seminary!"

She pressed her lips together, feeling shy. It was a horrible habit, as the lady knew she looked dreadful when she did it, but she couldn't help it. How many times, during balls, did she have to hear people praising her without knowing that Jabber was [y/n]?

"Again, thank you, Mr Brendy. You know I adore compliments," Miss [y/n] tried to smile, but she couldn't disguise her dismay. "Regardless, I…"

"I would never force you, Miss [y/n]!" the printer rushed closer to her, taking the liberty of placing a hand on her covered shoulder. "But before you say anything, know that the illustrator would be one of your selections, and we could do the whole interaction anonymously if you so desire."

"It's not the teamwork that unnerves me, Mr Brendy, but the writing of a children's book for adults." Miss [y/n] stared deep into Mr Brendy's eyes, but that was a wrong choice. His big, green eyes stared at her back, filled with hope for her to accept. How could she say no to the older man who knew her more than her father?

She placed her hand over his on her shoulder before saying, "Do you truly believe I am the best option for this chef-d'oeuvre? It takes courage to defy society with a youngsters' novel."

He smiled in that way only a proud grandparent could. "Yes, I believe you can."

After the conversation with Mr Brendy, Miss [y/n] at least managed to secure the illustrator would be her pick and not be some random person chosen by the printer.

That was exceptionally tricky, however. [y/n] did not know a bunch of painters — at least not enough that were indeed talented for her intentions or kind souls that would not reveal her identity. She did not want to be Lady Whistledown's next victim.

Miss [y/n] came up with one name and one name only. It was the only name not crossed from her list made in the dim candlelight of past midnight.

Benedict Bridgerton.

Thorny indeed. Could she trust him?

She and her parents had been friends with the Bridgerton family for years now, and Francesca was what [y/n] could call her best long-distance friend, but how far did she know Benedict?

He was a second son, which did not help his reputation, but there was no denying he was a gentleman and a remarkable artist. They used to play together at Aubrey Hall when they were both too young to feel ashamed.

Benedict was her friend, at least as far as being friends with a man could go for a single lady.

Subsequently, Miss [y/n] waited for the promised ball Lady Danbury would throw for the people of the ton, anxious to see if Benedict would say yes to her proposition and not tell anyone her little secret.

"Miss [y/n] [y/l/n]," said Lady Danbury, appearing out of thin air beside the young lady, "you look nervous. What for, my dear?"

[y/n] swallowed hard. "Do I? I suppose I could look like that, but I promise I'm fine as a horse."

"If that horse is about to go racing," said the old lady sharply. "Seriously, sweetie, entertain me. I fear this is the first ball I throw where nothing good happens. It starts to hurt this hostess's feelings, you know."

"Lady Danbury, well, if you must know…." [y/n] was certainly not about to tell her the real reason beyond her nervous appearance. Lady Danbury was a lady of gossip, and that was the last thing [y/n] needed. "My mama, just yesterday…" started [y/n], but she never managed to finish her lie because Lady Danbury interrupted her with a yell.

"Mister Bridgerton!" 

Oh, Christ. [y/n] felt like she was all wet with sweat. What were the odds?

"Mister Bridgerton!" shouted the old lady again, this time prolonging the last name of the gentleman walking by.

"You know, Lady Danbury, I'm not obliged to answer since there are three 'Mister Bridgerton' alive at the moment," said Benedict, stopping closer with a grin. "Two of them are at this party right at this moment."

Lady Danbury hit him with her cane, and the gentleman pretended to feel pain beyond what he must have felt. "Very funny, Mr Bridgerton, but we both know one of them isn't even old enough to be called mister."

"Yes indeed; Colin is a not fully formed child, but I rather only Bridgertons talk about that," he joked.

Only when his giggle ceased did the tallest Bridgerton siblings notice Miss [y/n]'s presence. It was a bit embarrassing for her, as she was staring at him laughing and how magnificent he looked — so relaxed that his hair moved with the movement of his chest. She had to tilt her head quite a lot to face him, so there was no covering her gaze.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss [y/n] [y/l/n]. I did not see you there."

"Clearly," Lady Danbury whispered in her condescending tone, making her sound like a teenager.

"Good evening, Mr Bridgerton," Miss [y/n] said, ignoring Lady Danbury's comment and smiling at the gentleman before her. She had been looking for him after all.

"And now you two have been officially introduced," said Lady Danbury surly, allowing no interruptions. "Can I finally talk to you, Mr Bridgerton, about what I wanted?"

"You, calling upon me, had a reason!" said the Bridgerton man at the same time Miss [y/n] burst: "We knew each other already!"

"Oh, all right," Lady Danbury sighed, defeated. Benedict and [y/n] smiled, feeling victorious — but Benedict's smile was broader. "Mr Bridgerton, I insist on talking to you as I'm sure you must be anxious to meet my niece."

"Your niece?" he echoed.

"Yes, the one coming from Chester," continued the old lady. "Winnie Danbury. You had heard about her coming, yes?"

Lady Danbury's eyes seemed challenging as if asking for one of them to deny her tellings, as [y/n] was sure no one mentioned Miss Winnie before. However, they both stayed silent, agreeing with a head shake.

"Miss Winnie Danbury," said [y/n], testing the name, "is it her first time here in London?"

Lady Danbury moved her body to face Miss [y/n] as she had partially forgotten about the girl's presence. [y/n] was a charm; the old lady had only good things to say about her, but sometimes the Miss would rather stay in a corner barely lit, which infuriated Lady Danbury. Miss [y/n] was a beauty; she needed to be seen more often — even if society didn't agree with the elderly lady.

"Yes, it is," replied the aunt. "Oh, she's beautiful, Mr Bridgerton. And so talented! Did you know she plays five different instruments?"

Of course she does, [y/n] thought, sighing to herself. The anonymous writer dreamed of playing an instrument or, at least, being able to draw. She'd like to have another artistic talent besides writing. It was well viewed when a woman played wonderfully and even painted; it all did better than writers. Writing for a woman was like talking to the devil; her great-uncle had told her once when she'd suggested she had some talent for it.

"Lady Danbury, it will, undoubtedly, be a pleasure to meet another member of your family," said the gentleman.

"Especially if she's like you," whispered [y/n], afraid her tone sounded too provocative for the old lady's ears.

"But," continued Benedict, pretending not to have heard the young woman's comment, although the left corner of his mouth indicated otherwise, "is there any reason you should be offering your niece to me?"

"Why, yes! You are the oldest Bridgerton bachelor at the moment," said Lady Danbury and turned to Miss [y/n] before restarting, "and it would be a lovely match, wouldn't it?"

[y/n] had no reason to disagree.

"Of course. A Danbury with a Bridgerton, the missing couple in London."

Lady Danbury smiled as if she knew more than those young fools, and touching Benedict with her cane, she began to depart.

"I'll leave you alone, as I feel that my mission here is already complete."

"Oh no, please," Benedict pronounced sarcastically, "stay and tell us more about Miss Winnie."

But Lady Danbury had already turned away and walked away from the two of them, focusing her attention on Penelope Featherington, who was creeping through the room, trying hard not to be noticed.

Mr Bridgerton looked immediately unnerved by the noble lady's departure as if he didn't know what to say to Miss [y/n] [y/l/n]. And he didn't.

The two had known each other for a while and were even good friends, but she remained an unmarried woman in the presence of an unmarried man, and alone, the two seldom exchanged words. They were sharp when doubled against another Bridgerton or one of her brothers, but Benedict had always seen her as just one of the women of the ton.

She had her appeal, a magnificence in disguise. For example, she didn't take anyone's breath away but wasn't ugly to look at. In addition, she had more prominent curves than other women, a virtue when it came to her cleavage but a flaw when considering her corset region.

Benedict never judged her for that. On the contrary, he liked knowing she had something he could hold onto.

No.

He didn't like it.

Why exactly am I thinking about Miss [y/n]'s curves? The gentleman chastised himself. Forget it before you say something foolish!

Miss [y/n] noticed the dreadful hush and decided to speak first since she had something to say.

"Mr Bridgerton, I... I'd like to have a word with you," she felt her cheeks flush with nervousness. "In a less... crowded place."

Benedict gulped. So he spoke aloud. Bollocks.

"I have a business proposition. Perhaps it will interest you," she resumed, relieving Benedict immediately. "You still paint, yes?"

"Yes," he replied overly quickly.

"And you draw?"

"Well, yes." The gentleman stopped talking to reminisce. Would she like a portrait? Strange. No one hired painters during balls, and never, ever should a single lady ask a gentleman for a painting (at least not if she wasn't interested in the man himself).

Does she have an interest unrevealed? He thought but renounced the idea. It was [y/n] who stood before him. The same girl who played in the mud and one day made fun of him for having such fragile hands.

She had no interest in Benedict other than his artistic gifts.

"Need a painting, Miss?"

"Not precisely…" She looked nervous. "Can you pace with me to the refreshment table?" she asked, walking over to it before hearing him nod. It was the least guarded place in the salon at that moment.

He followed her, for he was too curious to drop it.

"How would you feel…" she started saying after analysing their surround "if it was offered to you a chance to illustrate a book?"

"A book?" he echoed, a bit too loud.

[y/n] waited a bit before continuing.

"A children's book, but adults can deeply interpret it."

"That's rather specific," he pointed out. So what was the meaning of all that? How was [y/n] in any power to offer him such a proposition?

"Mr Bridgerton, I simply want to know if you could be interested. If you are not, then I'll never mention it again," she said, her voice slightly shaky, even though she was playing chilliness.

Benedict took a step further, thinking she was out of her mind and only his closeness could bring her to her senses. "How can you do me such an offer, Miss? As I recall, your father is not in the editing, writing and printing business."

She closed her eyes tight, not believing she was about to confess to Benedict Bridgerton.

"But I am."

"Yeah, right," snorted the Bridgerton gentleman, crossing his arms in front of his chest. But [y/n] stayed utterly silent; she didn't dare utter a word, and Benedict could not stare at her big, closed eyes for that long without wondering: who was she? He was momentarily sure he didn't know. "[y/n]?" he called her, daring, in a whisper, to utter her first name.

[y/n] opened her eyes, surprised that Benedict had used her first name. She had always thought of him as Mr. Bridgerton, the handsome and charming gentleman whom society's most eligible ladies always surrounded. But now, she was asking him for help and needed to trust him with her secret.

"Yes, it's true," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm W. Jabber, the author of several books. I published under a male pseudonym."

Benedict was stunned. He had heard of W. Jabber's work and greatly admired "his" writing. He had no idea that the author was Miss [y/l/n], the girl he had known since childhood. He looked at her, seeing her in a new light. She was not just the girl who played in the mud; she was a talented writer who broke society's rules to pursue her passion.

"I had no idea," he said, his voice full of awe.

"I know," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's not something I can share with many people."

"And you want me to illustrate your next book?" he asked, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that his childhood friend was a published author.

"Yes," she said, her eyes shining with excitement. "I've been working on a new book, and I think your illustrations would be perfect for it."

Benedict smiled, feeling honoured that she had asked him. "I'd love to help you," he said. "But how will we do it in secret? We can't let anyone know."

"I have a plan," she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Meet me tomorrow at the park, and I'll tell you all about it."

Benedict nodded, feeling a sense of excitement at the thought of working with [y/n] on a secret project. He had always admired her intelligence and wit, but now he saw a new side that intrigued him even more.

As they returned to the salon, Benedict couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Miss [y/n] [y/l/n] was hiding. But for now, he was content to focus on their new project, a collaboration that would push the boundaries of society and showcase their talents in a way that no one else could.

[writing-nothing-but-spilled-ink]

Anyways this thought came to my head now I'm obligated to share

This is an au where Selina Kyle and Bruce actually get married and are in the process of like sharing a life together

Anyways this is a thing I think would be funny if it happened

Bruce is just excited to tell his friend the good news but his friend isn't exactly thrilled it's 2 am and while Gotham never sleeps Harvey dent aka two face is fucking horrified by the. Text he just received from fucking Bruce Wayne, how he got his number he doesn't fucking know the text in question

JUST GOT MARRIED!!!! 🥳🍾🍻🎉 Also totally off topic but I did not sign a prenup btw any idea of what my shares are Selina is asked for some so I gave her some but I don't actually know what they are

Two face just immediately starts blowing up Bruce's phone trying to get that man to answer is a fucking nightmare especially whenever he gets a new partner to spend time with it's like he can't see behind the pretty girl in front of him, he may be the world's greatest detective but when it comes to romantic partners he's the world's biggest idiot especially when he's in love

Finally two face starts falling Bruce and when he finally does answer he's on speaker with Selina in the room

"Bruce for the love of God tell me you had her sign a goddamn prenup, did you even discuss custody arrangements, HOW AND WHY ARE YOU GIVING HER YOUR SHARES WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT IS THAT YOU HAVE TELL ME THAT THIS IS A JOKE".

Bruce: I think your jealous of what I have with Selina, I trust her completely there's no need for a prenup, as for the kids they won't be a problem, and that's precisely why I texted you afterall you were one of my closest advisors for years also I thought you'd be happy for me, ya know it's not my fault yo-"

Two face: BRUCE I AM NOT JEALOUS I AM CONCERNED SELINA IS INFAMOUS FOR BEING INTERESTED IN HER OWN POCKETS AND ANYTHING SHINY, AND NEED I REMIND YOU THAT WE AREN'T FRIENDS WE HAVENT BEEN FRIENDS FOR YEARS IDK IF YOUR DRUNK OR STUPID BUT KNOWING YOU ITS PROBABLY BOTH, YOU NEED TO SEND ME ALL THE PAPERWORK REGARDING YOUR NEW MARRIAGE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN FIX THIS GODDAMN MESS CAUSE I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU CRY AND WHINE WHEN THIS BLOWS UP IN YOUR STUPID ASS FACE DOES ALFRED EVEN ONOW OF YOUR STUPIDITY BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW KIND OF STUPID EVEN FOR YOU WORLDS GREATEST DETECTIVE MY ASS

Bruce merely smiles and says you wouldn't be nearly this worked up if you didn't care I knew you were still in there harv I just wanted the proof that my friend still exists I'd like for you to be my second best man at my wedding also you should come to dinner some time the kids they all miss you, and some of them have started to take an interest in the law you were at the top of your field maybe you could point them in the right direction, as for me and Selina while we did elope it has not get been made official so if you really want me to do all this paperwork you must come over for a family meal Bruce then promptly hangs up leaving Harvey absolutely flabbergasted because wtf just happened and how the fuck, wait did he just get fucking adopted by Bruce Wayne, he's a fucking supervillain and he got roped into attending a family dinner..

A moment later his phone dings and he opens it to see a big list of various foods drinks appetizers and deserts with a text at the bottom that says choose three of your favorites from each category and just dress casual or whatever's most comfortable to you it's only a small family dinner please email Alfred a list of any diet restrictions or food allergies you may have it'll be nice to have you over and don't worry Selina has agreed to play nice I know the two of you haven't always gotten along, his phone lights up again with a Gmail account to Alfred pennyworth two face can't argue so he just sighs exasperated and just RSVPs everything and goes in to see the gotham seamstress for something a bit more fancy for this get together and one extra nice suit for the wedding

[plussizefantasia]

The Surprise

Flufftober Day 20: Hiking

Thorin Oakenshield x reader

Word Count: 2.1k

AN: Day 20! Wow, if I'm totally honest I didn't think that I'd make it this far. Feedback and Reblogs mean a lot. I'll see y'all tomorrow.

divider credit: @royallaesthetics

“You’ve not been yourself for quite a while my love. Tell me what troubles you.” Thorin had been more irritable than normal lately. He had taken to sparring more than normal and had been extremely short with some of the more resistant members of his council.

“It is nothing Ghivashel, do not worry your precious head about me.”

“I’ll always worry about you Thorin, that is what being your wife means.” You pulled him into your arms and looked into his eyes. “You are my heart, and when you hurt, I hurt. So let me lift your burdens.”

“Do you miss it?” Was his questioning response. 

“Miss what, Thorin?”

“Being free. The adventures that we had before we reclaimed the mountain. Slaying beasts and journeying with our closest friends.” He was wistful when he spoke of these things. His voice was soft and his eyes were glazed over. 

“Of course I miss it my love, but who is to say that it has to be over?”

His eyes met yours. “I have far too much to do. I cannot just leave the mountain to go on an adventure, not while things are still so fragile.”

“Well, yes. You cannot go on another year-long journey to reclaim our homeland. But you can take the weekend. The council is at an impasse as it is and Bard and Thranduil are not due to return for negotiations for another month.” You kissed his head. “Thorin you have done enough that I know the mountain will not fall apart if you were to leave for a short while.”

“But what kind of King would I be if I abandoned my people?”

“My love, you are not abandoning them, you are taking care of yourself. You are letting yourself blow off some steam so that when you come back you will be an even better King than you are now.”

“It is just not possible Ghivasel. I must put these thoughts far from my mind.”

“If that is what you think is best.” You sighed. Your husband was not one to be easily swayed, even by you. 

Your thoughts began to race though, thinking of all the ways that you could improve your lover’s mood and what would need to be taken care of before that could happen.

The next few days passed similarly to the ones before your conversation with Thorin. He was up before you were and returned to your shared chambers after you had already gotten ready for sleep. His mood only got worse and you decided that something needed to give. Which is why the next morning after you had awoken, once again to your husband’s side of the bed already cold, you had sought out Balin for a discussion during breakfast.

You had found him in the royal library, where he usually resided in the early morning. Nursing a cup of tea and flipping through pages of an old tome. 

“Balin, I need to discuss something with you old friend.”

“Anything, for my Queen.”

“I was your friend long before I was your Queen” You pointed out.

“Perhaps but, I knew you’d be Queen before even Thorin did.”

“That is precisely who I’m here to speak to you about.” Balin put his book down on the table next to him, turning his aging body towards yours fully, and gestured for you to take a seat. “Thorin is troubled. He misses the journey and the freedom that came with it. I do not doubt that he loves being King, but he needs to be just Thorin sometimes too.”

“I have noticed that Thorin has been more easily angered as of late. What do you have in mind?” 

“I’m so glad you asked.” You detailed your plan to Balin and bounced ideas of the old dwarf until the sun had reached its peak in the sky. Both of you had accidentally neglected your duties of the morning and spent the rest of the day playing catch-up. Any dwarf that saw the two of you in passing though, could only describe the two of you as possibly giddy.

Two weeks passed before the plan could finally be put into motion. Two weeks of sneaking around behind Thorin’s back, wrapping up loose ends, and ensuring that the mountain would in fact, not implode during your weekend away. It was hard work, and by the end of it, you were very much aware of why Thorin had been so tense lately. It just made you want to surprise him with your gift even more.

The morning of the surprise you intentionally woke up extremely early. Early enough that you were up and ready before Throin was. You pulled together your outfit and his and ensured that both of your packs were properly stocked.

When he finally woke, the confusion on his face quickly morphed into alertness and concern. He practically launched himself out of the bed before his eyes landed on your body and he instantly relaxed.

“What in Mahal’s name are you doing up?” His morning voice was rough and insanely attractive, you had to remind yourself that you were on a schedule before you acted upon the thoughts that came rushing to you at his words.

“I have a surprise for you, and I needed to be awake before you to stop you from leaving before it was ready.”

“Ghivashel,” his tone was apologetic, “today is much too busy for any kind of surprise.”

“Except, my love, it is not. I have already taken care of your duties for the day, and have canceled the meeting you had with the miners guild this weekend in favor of a crafter’s summit later this month where all of the workers in the mountain will be able to discuss their dilemmas together.” 

“You, what?” He was baffled, truly baffled. How had you possibly done all this without him noticing?”

“The summit was Balin’s idea, he insisted that it would work and I hope he was right. Nevertheless, your schedule and mine are clear for the next three days and I have planned a surprise for you. Your clothes are laid out for you and I have already packed for the both of us. Breakfast is in the kitchen, meet me in the stables when you are ready. I still have a few things to prepare before it is time.” You instructed him. 

“Time for what?” He grabbed your wrist as you began to walk out past the wooden doors of your chamber. 

“Time for your surprise, my darling.” You kissed him soundly and continued your exit. Leaving a confused but hesitantly excited Thorin behind. 

While Thorin was getting ready, you headed to the kitchen yourself. To grab the basket full of the feast you had called upon the kitchen to prepare. A long with some dried bread and cheese to put in your sack. Then you made your way to the other hall of royal chambers to ensure that the princes were awake and getting ready. Those two could sleep through an orc attack if they were given the chance, and today you would not be giving them the chance. 

“If you mess this up. I will shave your mustache in your sleep Fili I mean it.” You had threatened the eldest. You found that it only ever took a threat to the eldest to make sure that the youngest also followed through. Kili was sure that whatever was done to Fili would be done to him twofold. And he wasn’t really wrong.

Once you had made sure that you had everything you would need you made your way to the stables. Hoping that you’d beat Thorin there, or that he actually would show up and not just insist that he needs to work anyway.

You didn’t see him when you arrived but it was still early so you didn’t feel the need to send out a search party. It was only a few moments later when you heard him turning the corner. In the time you had been there alone, you had managed to set up both your horse and Thorin’s. Packs laid across their back and saddled properly placed and laced up. 

“Ghivashel, what is this surprise you’ve planned for me? And why did we need to meet here to start.”

“I think I can tell you now, as long as you promise to not leave when you find out.”

“I promise my love, just tell me I beg you.”

“Remember my love, how a few weeks ago you had confided in me that you missed the journey. That you missed being free. Well, I spoke to Balin and we put together a plan that would let you be free, if only for a little while. We are going on a mini journey.”

“Love, This is… Thank you.” You’d never really seen Thorin be speechless before, he had always been a man of few words, but you don’t think you’ve ever seen him without any.

“I just want you to be happy, Thorin. You’ve been so stressed lately that I wanted to help you feel better.”

He pulled you into his arms and fiercely placed his lips upon yours. You melted into his kiss. His lips moved on yours in a passion, relaying all the thoughts that seemed to be trapped inside of his mind. He kissed you like he would never be able to kiss you again. When you finally broke apart you took a big breath and tried to control the dopey smile that was threatening to cross your face. 

“We have to get going. I have a plan and if you keep kissing me like that I’ll never be able to follow through.” You pulled away from him reluctantly and made your way towards your horse.

“After you.” 

The two of you rode for about an hour before the riding trail cleared and the pathway became too treacherous for the horses. 

“This is where we leave them. The rest of the way is one foot.”

Thorin and you dismounted and you let the horses off lead so that they could make their way back to the mountain without you. The two of you continued on foot with Thorin occasionally leading you through some rough terrain. You spent the entire day together, looking at wildlife and speaking about things that had nothing to do with the mountain or kingly duties.

You reminisced about the first journey, about Bofur’s ability to make a joke out of everything. Of Bilbo’s incessant fretting and how amusing it was to watch. You swapped stories and recounted battles the whole way. Only when you recognized where you were and that the final part of the surprise was almost there did you grab Thorin’s arm and stop him from going any further.

“Okay, we’re almost there. But I need to put this on you before we go any further. You pulled a long thin strip of black cloth from your pack.

“A blindfold? Ghivashel…”

“I know, I know but it won’t be long I promise.”

He sighed deeply and heavily but acquiesced. You tied the blindfold around his eyes and grabbed his hand. Leading him through the last of the few hurdles until you made it to the clearing where the last bit of the plan was waiting. 

“Surprise!” A yell called out around you and Thorin reached up to pull his blindfold off. The sight that awaited him was the entire rest of the company. All spread out across the clearing. Bombur was stirring a pot that was piked above the fire. Fili held Kili in a headlock and Kili struggled to escape. Dori, Nori, and Ori were all sat around some logs and were smiling at him.

Thorin turned to you and in his eyes, you could read adoration and thankfulness. He briefly left a kiss on your cheek before he let a smile cover the entirety of his face and started towards his friends. 

You stood behind watching your husband be the happiest he’s been in a very long time. His eyes were light and his shoulders were straight. For a few short moments, he was allowed to be Thorin Oakensheild, not King under the mountain. 

“This was a fine idea, My Queen.” You looked down to the left of you. Balin stood similarly to you, arms behind his back with a gentle smile across his face. 

“It was a great plan, Balin. I thank you for your help.”

“Anything for you, and for Thorin. He’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m lucky to have him.”

[promptling]

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS ( 2011 ) change pronouns as needed.

that was our ride!

what the hell did you take?

we have to do this now.

if we're doing this, we've got to do it now.

you sure you don't want me to go instead?

i was kidding.

they're trying to kill us!

i can't hold this position.

i am, surprisingly, alive.

i can save her.

what did you say?

who are you?

you're not actually going to answer that, are you?

you filed a report?

are you giving me attitude?

i am expressing multiple attitudes simultaneously.

you have any idea what a pain in the ass you are?

what's the lesson to be learned here?

you think the rules don't apply to you because you disagree with them.

what was i supposed to do, let them die?

you think you're infallible.

it's a pattern with you.

why should i listen?

you don't listen to anybody but yourself.

you got your ass handed to you.

i don't know what to say.

it's fortunate that the consequences were not more severe.

do you understand why i went back for you?

the truth is, i'm going to miss you.

tomorrow's too late.

spit it out, don't be shy.

there is no regulation that condemns a man to die without a trial.

i'm not going to take ethics lessons from a robot!

this action is morally wrong.

i wasn't asking for your opinion.

i don't have time for a lecture.

this is clearly a military operation.

is that what we are now?

i'd rather not talk about it.

your ears burning?

let's go get this son of a bitch.

i was simply attempting to use your vernacular to convey an idea.

you don't rob a bank when the getaway car has a flat tire.

enough with the metaphors.

remind me never to piss you off.

i would prefer to discuss this in private.

are you really gonna do this right now?

i'm not the only one who's upset with you.

don't drag me into this.

you mistake my choice not to feel as a reflection of my not caring.

the truth is precisely the opposite.

i am here to help you.

you and your people are in danger.

how the hell do you know that?

i will consider that an apology. and i will consider that apology.

the nerve of that guy!

i am not doing that man any favors.

are you out of your corn-fed mind?

you're actually going to listen this guy?

don't agree with me, it makes me very uncomfortable.

when were you going to tell me that?

you're much cleverer than your reputation suggests.

may i remind you, you are not there to flirt.

you're going to want to see this.

you are a murderer!

my crew is my family.

you already knew that, didn't you?

i don't take your meaning.

i'll do anything you want. just let them live.

we cannot fire and we cannot flee.

the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

i have no idea what i'm supposed to do.

you coming with me or not?

just give me two seconds!

try not to get shot.

your path is yours to walk, and yours alone.

did you defeat him?

i got you, i got you.

you'd better get down here.

that's a nice move.

i'm scared, _______.

how do you choose not to feel?

there's too much damage.

go get him.

you saved my life.

it's nice to have a family.

i defer to your good judgement.

[i-literally-cant-with-this]

A/N = Testing my feetsies with writing the big man himself, Gyomei.

C/W = F!reader // y/n. Strangers -> bed pretty quick, some fingering, oral [M->F], P->V & V->P, some negative self-talk that's quickly remedied. As always, if I missed anything (grammar etc.) horrific, lmk.

🔞 under the cut.

"Unknown Number"

Do you see that enormous man in the corner with his friends?" Your girlfriend asked as she was trying to be sly and not give away the position of her gaze. "He's ... he's ... fuck, he's huge."

You followed her line of sight and saw him in the back of the room. Sitting with a few other men. All of whom were equally as beautiful. But there was something about this brick wall of a man that made your whole body tingle.

His hair was jet black. His eyes a stark white in contrast to his short locks. His shoulders looked as though he could barely fit through the door of this restaurant. The calloused marks on his enormous hands sounded scratchy against the cloth of his pants as he casually rubbed his thighs.

He was beautiful, and that's precisely why he'd never bother with someone like you. You weren't ugly, per se. But you felt you lacked certain criteria that you made sure to convince your other friends they had. They always gratefully accepted your kind words but never found it in themselves to reciprocate the simple gesture.

"We have to go to the little girls room, be back in a few. Just order us some water." Your friends said as they scooted from the table.

You were alone now. No more chatter. Just the muffled sounds of your friends' voices on the other side of the room.

"Excuse me ... " a deep voice spoke behind you. You turn. It was the gorgeous man that you'd been ogling. He's standing right in front of you. "Your voice is so lovely. My name is Gyomei. What's your name?"

"My name is y/n. My girls should be right back. You can go tell your friends that."

He chuckles and shakes his head. His hands reach over to glide down your form. From head to toe.

"Ummm ... Is, is there something I can help you with ... what ... I ... my friends are probably more up your alley as far as looks g-"

"Shh. Not at all." Gyomei smiles. "Please don't feel as though you can't relax and talk to me because I'm lacking conventional sight. I see just fine. Don't doubt that. And you're beautiful." He gently caresses your cheek, making sure to catch his thumb over your lips before sliding it down your neck and to the valley between your breasts. "In fact, I'd like to know more about you."

You're a bit startled at how boldly he was touching you. It wasn't rough or unkind in any way. It was certainly something that was new to you. A man needing to touch you to see if you were up to his standards. It was a nice change of pace. You kinda liked it.

You don't know why, but you believe him. You do something completely out of character that night. You leave your friends and go with this stranger to his home.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" He asks. You reply, trying to keep yourself from stammering and blushing like a schoolgirl.

"I'm fine for now, thank you."

"What is your favorite color, y/n?"

"Um ... Red."

Gyomei laughs softly.

You swallow thickly as his hand glides down your arm.

You clear your throat.

"It's quite all right. Forgive me, this is how I get to know people ... and more intimately, the people I care about. I can stop if you'd prefer. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable, y/n."

You nervously look at your phone and notice a few missed messages. You should probably go. But you're so taken with the stranger who sees with his fingertips that you're having a hard time convincing even yourself.

"What's wrong, y/n? You can talk to me."

"I should get home, Gyomei."

He starts rubbing your back until you relax and let out a small moan.

"That's too bad. But I understand. May I call a car for you? I do not like the idea of you walking alone this late at night." He said.

You really don't want to leave.

You're starting to give yourself the speech: My phone is 83%. I have full service bars. This is a nice neighborhood. I don't have work tomorrow. What if I stayed?

"Y/n," his large hand reaches up to your face and he tilts his head to the side and leans down to kiss your neck. It sends you into a near fit. "Oh," you whispered as the air left your lungs.

"Was that ok? May I do it again?" His voice was as heavy as velvet: It weighed you down so divinely and it felt so warm against your skin.

"Can I taste you?" Gyomei whispers in your ear.

"M-mmhm." You say as he lifts you into his arms.

He gently carries you to his bedroom, places you on your back, and moves between your legs. He hooks his thick finger under your dress and pulls your panties aside.

"Uh, p-please!" You beg as you move your hands to your pussy.

You gasp when he takes hold of your wrist.

"I can tell by your scent how much you want this. So you don't need to touch yourself. Let me make you feel good."

You nod and gasp when his lips make contact with the tip of your clit. You never knew having someone go down on you could feel so good. You feel so warm and relaxed. Gyomei pulls your legs open wider and dips his tongue inside you, moaning against your pussy as he tastes you. You can't help but cry out.

"Y/n, y/n, y/n. You taste so sweet." Gyomei moans as he runs his tongue back up to your clit.

You gasp when he starts rubbing your clit between his fingers as his tongue dips back inside of you.

"Oh my god," You cry.

He hums, pleased with himself.

You squeeze your eyes shut as he pushes a finger inside of you and continues sucking on your clit. His tongue joins in, tasting all of you as you start to become more and more wet.

You cry out when your orgasm hits you and you feel him lapping it all up before pulling his tongue back. He then lifts his face and kisses your pussy and moves to lay beside you, petting your thighs.

"I want to feel your face when you cum for me." Gyomei says, rubbing your breasts.

"O-oh, ok." You whimper.

"Am I too rough?"

You shake your head. "N-not at all."

"You are very sensitive to my touch, aren't you? Just like me. I can feel it in your body, how soft you are." Gyomei purrs as he rubs his fingertips along your neck and between your breasts.

He grunts an exhalation when he feels your nipple harden under his fingertips.

"Gyomei, you're not just some blind guy from a sushi place, are you?" You gasp and cover your mouth. Ashamed at how brazen you just were.

Gyomei lifts himself up and brings his face closer to yours.

"No, not really. There's much to learn, y/n. I don't see a single thing wrong with me, though." He grins. "Your energy is very vibrant. And your hands ... I'm very much intrigued with your hands. They're the hands of a kind woman." He takes one of your hands into his own and kisses it. "But that is not all. The feel of your lips, the softness of your thighs. You have a small frame but your energy is big and strong." He continues.

You gulp. "You, you think I'm small?" You'd heard of people like Gyomei before. You knew how he could just tell certain things about you.

He rubbed your belly. A place you were always painfully self-conscious about. This might even be the first time you've ever let anyone pay such close attention to what you feel is one of your biggest failures.

He got close to your ear and whispered, "You're very soft and delicate. You smell of a very sweet spice. I could go on and on. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever met."

You sigh contently as you grip his arms. He's holding you beneath him.

"I should go now ... I've kept you long enough." You whispered.

He nuzzles his face to your neck, inhaling. "Please, I want you here." He moans.

You tremble as his hands travel down your body. You're so turned on you can't even formulate a thought in your mind.

You whimper when he tugs down the zipper on the side of your dress, opening it and exposing your body.

"I want you. All of you." Gyomei purrs.

You yell out when he takes your panties and tears them from your body.

"Oh god." You whisper.

You're so wet now that if you walked down a flight of stairs you'd probably slip and die.

That's enough of a reason for you to stay.

Your first time together was so gentle it almost made you cry from impatience.

He was painfully slow. But you learned that it heightened every sense and nerve ending on your body.

"Y/n. Oh ... oh g-god, you're so tight." Gyomei whispers, kissing you deeply as he enters you.

You moan loudly as his hands grasp your thighs. Your legs wrapped around his waist. You were already so close you were losing your mind.

"Gyomei, m-more!" You cry.

You moan loudly as he moves his hand to your face, cupping it as his thrusts become harder and more urgent. He moans your name into the shell of your ear as you cling to him, squeezing his hips with your thighs. It hurt a little, but you wanted to be bruised.

"Gyomei," you mewl.

He kisses you and moves his hips harder, grinding as his cock deep inside of you.

He stretched you just beyond your threshold. It was the most delicious thing you've ever felt. Your moans grew louder until your body shuddered.

"Y/n ... not yet, not yet Kitten." Gyomei pants.

He keeps kissing you and fucks you harder until your orgasm washes over you again. You grip the sheets as you whine his name.

"Oh my god!" You cry out as he keeps fucking you through it.

You gasp and hold his face between your hands.

"You're too much!" You cry.

Gyomei chuckles, kissing you.

"Y/n ... please tell me what you need ... I will give it to you."

You gulp.

"I've ... I've never really been with someone ... who could do ... well, what you do." You say softly.

Gyomei moves his hands down your body and over your ass. He groans, feeling the soft flesh give in his immense hands. He grips your waist, running his fingers over the softness of your stomach and hips.

"You're perfect. Y/n, you're so perfect for me." He praises, kissing you.

"Fuck," you whisper, admiring him. He's perfect.

He groans, "Y/n." His fingers glide over your hair. He's petting you. You close your eyes, feeling the love in his caress. You get goosebumps as you say his name. His hands glide down your body, reaching up to grasp your tits. He's practically in tears, squeezing them.

"Oh ... god," You whisper.

He pulls you up onto his cock. You tremble slightly when he starts to thrust up into you.

"You feel it too?" He whispers, moving you on top of his lap.

You lay your head back, rolling your hips as he moves his hands in time with your ass.

"Gyomei, cum for me. I want to feel you let go." You say, feeling the hardness of his cock dip in and out of you.

Gyomei starts to lose his composure, kissing you deeply and holding your head in place as he pushes his tongue into your mouth. He pants heavily as he fucks you hard, his hands on your waist as he moves you up and down.

"I'm so close ... " Gyomei pants. You cry out as you feel his cock twitching inside you. "Y/n, y/n ... " He moans.

You bite your lip, watching as he pulls you down on top of him as he cums inside of you. You hold him as he fucks his load into your pussy, breathing heavily. He moves his head to your shoulder, kissing it gently.

"Y/n, I l–."

You gasp. "W-what?" You ask.

He pulls you off of his hips, lays you down on the bed next to him, and kisses you.

"I ... I ... don't know how to say it. I just feel so close to you."

You frown, wondering if he's going to say he's in love with you. But, it's not necessarily a bad thing. He's just saying what he feels. It's nothing more or less than that.

"It's not my fault I'm blind. But I have good eyes."

You scoff. "You are ridiculous."

He chuckles, "But ... you like me that way."

You smirk. "Maybe ... what do I get out of it?" You tease.

He gasps, "Oh g-god ... how do you do that ... I ... I don't know ... anything."

Gyomei grunts, pushing you back into the bed.

"I have never felt like this before." he says, kissing your neck. "The sun is coming up. Can you feel it?

You pick up your phone and turn on the screen and look at your text messages. "Oh, I have a couple of texts. Probably my friends checking on m–"

Unknown Number: It's Gyomei. Are you free this morning?

Unknown Number: I want to take you out.

"What the... ?" You say, more than confused.

Gyomei has since gotten up and dressed himself. He stands at the side of the bed with his hand outstretched to you.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking you to breakfast," he says with the sweetest smile on his face.

It took you a second to understand what was happening. "So, at some point last night, you put your number into my phone ..."

Gyomei laughed. "I had one of your friends sneak it out of your purse last night and she put it in for me. And when you got up for some water a couple of hours ago, I texted you, hoping you wouldn't hear it and check it right away. I may have been a little overzealous in my attempts at distracting you. But, what do you say? Will you have breakfast with me?"

"I would love to, Gyomei." You got dressed and the two of you walked to a café, hand in hand, and had tea and rice.

[wowowwild]

"Maya, what are you- Franziska?"

"Franziska?"

"Miles Edgeworth!"

"Nick!"

"Miss Fey?"

"Phoenix Wright!"

"Alright, I think we've established who all is here, thanks.”

FranMaya has been secretly dating and WrightWorth is... They'll figure it out.

“Hey, uhh, so you’re going to be busy tonight, right?” “With the case? Yeah. Edgeworth is going to come over to help me, though,” He replied absentmindedly. “Oooh, Edgeworth? I’m almost sad I’ll have to miss it, but it’s probably good for you two to have some privacy.” “M-Maya! We’re not like that, and you know it. And where are you going?” “Unlike you, Nick, I don’t kiss and tell.” “You’re not even going on a date, are you? I bet you’re just going to convince Gumshoe to share what little noodles he subsists on.” “Hey, it’s your boyfriend who keeps cutting his salary, and if he wants to share noodles with me, then that’s his choice.” “You’re a leech.” “But you love me!” “Yeah, yeah. Now let me focus on this. If I can’t figure out where this case went wrong, my case will be ruined!” “Good luck with your nerd shit.”

This pleased Maya greatly.

MF: We’re on.

FvK: Are you certain?

MF: Absolutely. He is going to be soooo distracted he won't even notice. He also came to the conclusion that I'd be hanging out with Gumshoe which helps as long as they don't talk to each other.

FvK: He'd be hard pressed to speak with Scruffy on special noodle night. He will be eating microwave noodles that cost exactly $1.38 more and watching an old monster movie.

MF: He'll be hard pressed alright. It's also v cute that you know that.

FvK: It is not cute, it is impossible not to know when he so foolishly announces every single move he makes to the nearest set of ears. I do not, however, understand your first statement.

MF: I'll explain it later. See you tonight "at precisely 5:35 PM".

FvK: You shall.

Now the only thing left was to wait.

-

Maya was being ridiculous. Edgeworth was not his boyfriend. He totally could be if he wanted, but he clearly didn't want to. If Master of Logic Miles Edgeworth couldn't connect these dots, the world was doomed, therefore he totally knew and wasn't about that. Which was fine. He was still Phoenix's best friend and he wouldn't give that up for anything. But right now he had to focus on the case because once Edgeworth was there it was a 50/50 chance he wouldn't be able to think at all. If only he could figure out what was missing…

"Wright, honestly, you're going to make your back even worse leaning over like that." "Edgeworth! Uh, hey. I was just trying to figure out how this case is related to my current one, but I can't seem to get the pieces to fit." "You're hopeless." Edgeworth picked up the file and moved to the couch. "What are these notes? You think it was the same culprit?" Phoenix flopped down next to him. "Not the same, but related. I think this murder happened because that one wasn't properly solved." "I see… Assuming you're correct, do you think the victim in this case was the perpetrator in that one?" "Could be. I don't want to make too many assumptions up front and miss something." "Actually thinking things through for once? I'm impressed."

That smug grin sent butterflies to his stomach. What was he saying? Come on Phoenix, you can't lose it all yet!

"I always think things through, you just aren't privy to my grand plan." "Privy? I see that thesaurus I got you is going to good use." "Ugh," Phoenix grinned and playfully shoved him. "Now, Wright, if you continue your violent streak, you'll be the one who needs defending." "Would you defend me?" "I would tell Franziska to prosecute you and wait for the paperwork." "Aw, gee, Edgeworth, I didn't know you felt that way." Phoenix laughed. "Ahem, yes, well, I think right here needs more clarification, don't you?" Edgeworth turned so that Phoenix couldn’t see his face.

Right, too much, Phoenix. Keep it friendly but not too friendly. Edgeworth is doing you a courtesy by not calling you out.

"Yeah, I can't figure out what they were trying to hide." "Well let's think about what someone could gain and then follow to who that someone was."

They talked it over, pulled up more information, and plowed through any remaining questions fairly quickly.

“Wow, I’m feeling better about the case already.” “Aren’t you forgetting something vital?” “Hmm? Like what?” “Evidence, perhaps?” “Aw, you know me. I’ll scrounge up what I can and everything will fall into place when I get the culprit on the stand.” “Unless the culprit is the first witness, you’re going to have to actually put in some work to get them there.” “Sure, but I’ll find a way. And I do have some evidence, thanks. Making this case fit in was the last piece I needed. My client will be walking free soon enough.” “Don’t get too cocky now, Wright. You have an impressive record, I will admit, but feeling overconfident can make you miss even the most obvious of details.” “Trust me, I’m not overconfident. But if I went around lamenting how hard I’m going to fail, that wouldn’t exactly set me up for success either.” “I suppose not. What did you find, anyhow?” “You’re not going to believe what I found in the victim’s trash.” “The trash?!” “Not all of us have detectives on their side, you know. We’re lucky I was allowed to root around in there.” “I suppose…” “Now let me show you my case.”

-

Franziska von Karma was perfectly punctual as she was in all things. At exactly 5:35 PM she slipped through the door of Phoenix Wright’s foolish office and silently made her way to the back room Maya would be in. It was quiet with no sign of Phoenix Wright, but Maya had not said he had stepped out so she remained cautious.

Ever so quietly Franziska knocked on the door she knew Maya was behind. It opened softly revealing her date for the evening. This of course brought a smile to both of their faces. It was then that voices were heard coming from the kitchen area. Phoenix Wright had a guest. This must be why Maya said he would be distracted. As they moved to sneak out, however, they moved closer to the source and she began to feel that the second voice was very familiar…

She stopped in plain view of the kitchen, but their backs were turned to her. What in the world was her foolish brother doing there at this hour? Helping the foolish attorney with a foolish case? They had both taken off their suit jackets and rolled up their sleeves. How utterly foolish her brother was to be at this man’s beck and call but still refuse to announce his feelings.

Maya couldn’t help herself, Fran’s face seeing Edgeworth there was too much. A snicker or two made it out, catching Nick’s attention.

"Maya, what are you- Franziska?" "Franziska?" Edgeworth whipped his head around. "Miles Edgeworth!" "Nick!" Maya whined a bit at being caught. "Miss Fey?" "Phoenix Wright!" "Alright, I think we've established who all is here, thanks," Phoenix noted. “Miles Edgeworth, what are you doing here?!” “I could ask the same of you, Franziska.” He stood and took an awkward posture, suddenly unsure of himself. “I- well- I asked first!” “Wait, Maya, I thought you were hanging out with Gumshoe.” “Actually I said I don’t kiss and tell and you assumed some things I let you believe.”

Phoenix looked to Edgeworth incredulously.

“That is a strange thing to assume from the context.” “Well I didn’t think she had an actual date!” “What can I say, Fran and I just have it more together than you.” She gave each of them a meaningful look. “And what about you, little brother? Have you finally announced your feelings or are you foolishly clinging to your safe deniability?” “Come on, Fran, we’re gonna be late if we try to start that conversation now. Let them sort it out.” “Hmph. Our reservation has saved you this time, little brother. Let us away.” Franziska pivoted and offered her arm to Maya. “Away we shall.” Maya took her invitation with glee.

-

Miles Edgeworth regretted a lot of things in his life. Preserving his friendship with Phoenix Wright rather than admitting to romantic feelings was not one of them. Or so he told himself.

“Did you know they were dating?” “Hmm? No, I was not aware. Though that would explain where she disappears to whenever she’s here.”

Hopefully Wright wouldn’t ask for clarification as to what she was talking about.

“So, uh, you have feelings for someone?”

He jinxed it.

“I don’t know what she’s talking about. She seems to have gotten an idea into her head and you know as well as I, there is no dissuading her.” “Edgeworth… You don’t have to hide it from me. You know I’ll support you no matter what. I think it’s great you found somebody you like! You should go for it!”

If he was so supportive, then why did he sound so upset?

“It’s really neither here nor there. He’s not interested.” “Oh… I’m sorry. That really sucks.”

And yet he sounded more happy at that than his previous statement. Maybe he was nervous at the thought of being left behind? Larry only seemed to pop back up when he had been dumped, though Miles hoped Phoenix knew him better than that. Nothing would ever be more important to him than the bond they shared, even if years down the line someone else captured his heart. Which was unlikely, for the record.

“It’s really nothing to dwell on.” “I suppose. But just so you know, I think you’re a great guy, and you deserve someone who can give you everything you want. This guy is a total loser for not seeing that.”

Oh, the irony.

“For what it’s worth, I’m kind of in the same boat, so if you want to talk about it…” “Really?” He tried to hold back his shock a fraction of a second too late. Phoenix looked confused and responded slowly, as if he was piecing something together before he revealed who the true murderer was. “Yeah, actually. It’s uh, my guy’s not interested either. Which is totally fine! I love being friends with him, it just, uh, kind of sucks. But it’s fine! And I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything.” “Your ‘guy’ is a ‘total loser’ as well, then.” “Ah, you think?” Phoenix chuckled. “I do. You are the best man I know, with more passion, determination, and heart than seems possible. Anyone who spends even a moment with you can see that.” “Oh… Say, Edgeworth…” “Yes, Wright?” “Uh, I mean… This is awkward. I’m just now getting the feeling that I might have been wrong about something.” “About your case.” Phoenix looked confused, as if he had entirely forgotten why Miles had come over in the first place. “No, not the case. Just an assumption I had made.” “You should know better to assume. Weren’t you just saying that earlier?” “In my defense, a significant amount of evidence pointed towards my assumption being correct, but I had failed to consider one unlikely option.” “Is that so? What conclusion have you come to now, then?”

It was bound to be profound and earth shattering, as all of Phoenix’s revelations tended to be.

“Am I your guy?” “W-what?!”

Damn that man and his brilliant mind. Miles should have kept his mouth shut.

“I am, aren’t I?”

Why did Phoenix seem so… excited?

“Please tell me if I’m right or not… Well, I’m always Wright, but-” “Yes, you are correct,” Miles cut him off to avoid hearing that joke for the millionth time. “Ok, so then I have a big question, what made you think I wasn’t interested?” “… What?” “I mean, I’m just wondering. Since you’re my guy, too.” “I’m- You- What?!” “Yeah, This whole time I thought you could tell so I figured you weren’t interested, but clearly I was wrong. About multiple things. But so were you, so you can’t make fun of me.”

That was a little bit too much. Though it did explain what Miles had picked up on earlier with Phoenix’s words not matching his emotions. And the more he thought about it, much of Miss Fey’s teasing could have been implying Phoenix had romantic feelings for him. And it wasn’t like that was all Miles had struggled to piece together when it came to Phoenix. Retroactively, this explained a lot.

“Wright.” “Edgeworth?” “You’re telling me… You’re telling me you have romantic feelings for me?” “Uh, yeah. A lot of feelings in general, but romantic ones are in there. And you?” “Yes. I also have those kinds of feelings for you.” “Great! … That feels like it was too easy. Like something dramatic should have happened. Do you think one of us is about to die?” Miles gave him an incredulous look. “What are you blathering on about?” Phoenix paused before breaking out into laughter. “Well I’m glad nothing’s changed!” “I wouldn’t say nothing,” Miles mumbled. “Oh, right. Can I kiss you?” “What?!” Miles felt a heart attack coming on. Maybe Wright had been… right. “Too soon, huh? That’s ok. I can wait.” “That reminds me, how long exactly have you felt this way?” “Oh, uh, haha…” Wright trailed off. “That’s actually kind of embarrassing. Um, you know how we knew each other for like, 4 months back then?” “Wright… You can’t be serious.” “I mean, that was just a silly childhood crush, but it was a really formative time for me. And when I saw you again in the paper… Crush renewed. Becoming a lawyer was probably 50% because of you and 50% to save you, so… yeah… And you?” “I’m… I’m afraid I can’t say quite the same, though I can’t deny those 4 months were formative for me as well. It wasn’t so immediate when I saw you again, either. It crept up on me… and then you did save me. And I couldn’t deny it any longer. Feelings for you had started to grow.” “Oh wow. So we’ve been kind of silly waiting around this whole time. No wonder Maya and Franziska are so annoyed with us all the time.” “Mm. That would be a fairly sound hypothesis. I think I would like to answer your question, now.” Miles could feel himself blush as he turned away, not quite confident to say what he wanted while looking Phoenix in the eye. “Huh? What question?” Idiot. “You can kiss me. Phoenix.” “O-oh. Ok! Yeah!”

-

Maya had a fantastic evening with her lovely girlfriend whom she adored. They had accidentally stayed at the restaurant until closing time, talking and laughing, trying to get as much time with each other as possible. She had figured Nick would be in bed by the time she got back since he was practically geriatric, but she was surprised to see the lights still on, and-

“Hey, isn’t that…” “My fool brother’s car?” “… How safe do you think it is to go up there?” “… You know my hotel room has a hot tub-” “Sold.”

[2n2n]

ch. 112!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! ah the good times they keep a-comin...

I love the opening sequence aha, it's so direct... it kind of hurts my heart in a way, I feel like Iro-sensei makes a lot of consistent effort to get people to understand their stories, to recap things in a simple, concise way... but I feel like a lot of people still don't quite understand... but I think they've come very far from older written stories...!

I love... describing Amane this way....

Sickly plant, unwell roots... diseased.... can't bloom....

the people we love.... we love them just the way they are, don't we? What we make with the people we love... even if it doesn't make sense, even if it looks hopeless, even if it looks like fruitless wasted effort.... we cherish it!

I think the twins understand that too, Nene-chan....

SHIJIMA-SAN--! She looks like she might be a teacher, based on the fact she's much taller, and not in a uniform nor in some sort of gimmick outfit. Her birthdate is 1973-- the manga as-is takes place in 2015. That means this Shijima-san MIGHT be 42? She could have become an art teacher...

It's shocking, but I suppose anything could occur to upswing Shijima-san's illness. Perhaps in this world, a doctor caught something earlier on, or perhaps she was diagnosed incorrectly in the past timeline, and received more sufficient treatment in time. We don't know precisely what she suffered from, so we don't truly know if it was incurable, or just handled poorly by the system.

I figured Kou wouldn't know Nene-chan, but would still just have a normal crush on her... he finds her cute, objectively.

laughs, I ASSUMED Mitsuba would just be dead, it's just as funny if he's alive... his death was an extremely random circumstance, I'd easily believe anything even slightly to the left would evade it... perhaps he cooked a cake instead of a curry for his mother, perhaps he had remembered those potatoes just earlier when shopping, perhaps the curry didn't need potatoes after all, perhaps he didn't even notice them missing, perhaps he just caught himself when he slipped on the steps... !

What's kind of funny is that even like this, Mitsuba and Kou are still the sort of difficult and bickering sort of friends, and Kou still just like Nene-chan... you two... it's like I'll never be able to find it beautiful or sweet lol.... sigh...! you have all the time in the world now and this is how it is eh....

sigh... now, I've seen people. confused by this? This Hanako is not really there. He doesn't exist. She imagines/hallucinates him. She's daydreaming. There is no ghost Hanako. She's only remembering his existence.

haunted by the hazy memories of your sad little dead boyfriend... </3 so sweet... YOUR boy....

This bitch--!!

I swear Teru is like, too alpha to ever want to just listen to Akane.... well, godknows what Akane wanted him to do!!! Nene-chan's on her own then!!!!!! The power of love alone shall guide her!!!

I really do wonder how Teru will feel. He had a lot of development with Kou... positive and negative. And with Aoi....

He finally opened up to Kou about his suffering... but, he also fought with him, for the first time ever. Kou is defecting, in the old timeline... resisting and, no longer looking up to Teru as only his hero. But, he also saw a little more of Teru's true self.. (just a little). Does Kou still want to be an exorcist, in this timeline? Does he adore Teru? What does Teru cherish...?

I wonder if Kou is extra dumb & loyal to his family bloodline, or if he's busy with other things, with Mitsuba alive with him.... hm!

ah here we go Iro-sensei.... CONDENSED TIME. THREE DAYS!!!! I'M READY!!! DAY BY DAY!!!!

slay!!!!

I wonder if you are retired.... or dead...

The Yugi were born in 1955. It's 2015. That means, Amane would now be 60 years old. It's not impossible that he still be around, just perhaps no longer a coworker.... I cannot make any sense of the labels on the photo lol, but it would be interesting if he retired in 2011...

I'd love it if he was alive, but residing in the Red House... I wish Nene-chan could visit him at his home, had to seek him out--!!!

AGEGAP HANANENE WOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I KNOW AIDAIRO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh I'm so ready for it haha. Woo!! YEAH WOOOOOO!!!!

Kinda hope Tsukasa is trapped in the Clockkeeper's boundary... this would be such a tragic and miserable circumstance... I feel like ah, Tsukasa's got this... eternally trapped damsel quality about him... be it in the clutches of the Red House, or Hanako's boundary... it would be so interesting, if the Clockkeepers did something to contain him, somehow want to utilize the God....? Or at the very least, are INCAPABLE of KILLING it... and need to do something else to him... I don't trust them, still... we were explicitly shown the Clockkeeper's ability to subdue/freeze him, I would imagine not for no reason.

Hope we also get a little 12 year old living Tsukasa showing up to try to coax Nene-chan on how to fix the timeline... </3 just before he's snatched... ahhhh! So exciting!!!!!! Edge of my seat!!! SO many interesting balls in the air oooooo!!!!!!!!!

[the-haunted-office]

📱: Thursday, tell me if you remember anything about your friend *****. What the- Let me try again. *****. Okay, that is... very messed up. It's not letting me say his name. You probably can't guess who I'm talking about just from that, can you?

Thursday reads the message on her phone from Oleander and frowns. It is... odd, to say the least. But no, she doesn't know who they are talking about.

"No," she says, needlessly shaking her head as Oleander can't see the gesture. "Why? Who is that? Does this have to do with the Retcon?"

She has a sinking feeling that it does. Moments later that sinking feeling is confirmed by another message from Oleander.

It does. I don't know how much you really want to know, or how much I should tell you. It might cause some adverse effects due to the whole Retconning process, and I don't want that to hurt you. I'd rather not risk it. Don't panic, okay? But I think it did take some of your memories with it. It wasn't just an attitude adjustment.

...Quite naturally, after being told that, Thursday panics.

"What? What do you mean, some of my memories were taken?! It took some of my memories?! Again?!" she practically hyperventilates, pulling her phone closer even though she doesn't need to in order to read the messages. "Why?! What all did it take?!"

I don't know. I don't know any of that yet. Try to stay calm, Thursday. It's going to be all right. I'll hold onto your memories for you. I've got everything right here. That's what I do, remember? I collect data. Your memories are not lost. I just need to figure out a safe way of returning them to you. It's going to be okay.

Thursday nods, even though she doesn't feel very comforted. Some of her memories are missing. Even though she knows the Retcon took them from her for a reason, it's still a terrible feeling. It's harrowing to know that a part of her was taken away without her knowledge, without her knowing precisely why, without her knowing precisely what, and without her knowing precisely what it all adds up to. She'd been happy enough to know how much it had changed her at first, happy to embrace the positive changes, but now?

What all did it take...????????

[earlgreytea68]

egt, this post came across my dash: https(:)//omgitspeterick(.)tumblr(.)com/post/125959787079/do-you-think-patrick-and-petes-relationship-has

its rather old, but it made me think. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. However, if you'd rather not, I totally understand!

oh, yes, this post!

I read this post many years ago, when I was first getting into Fall Out Boy, and it made me sad, because I don't actually believe in the truth of anything I'm writing but I do like to believe in their friendship, you know? Like, once I was on a podcast where we were talking about bandom and I said that I think its appeal is that there is actually nothing more romantic in the world than meeting the person who is your creative soulmate, and the idea that the Pete and Patrick dynamic could be merely performative really did make me feel sad, like, I don't mind being manipulated by being teased about shipping but it does make me sad if they secretly don't care very much about each other but they know it sells records so they're in it together to the bitter end, I guess. Which isn't quite where this post ends up, but there's a little bit of that in there, like, they like each other well enough and their band is successful, so they hang together. And I think I read this around the time Pete missed wishing Patrick happy birthday for like the first time in a decade or whatever and they really didn't seem super-close, just like casually friends who work together and like each other well enough, but yeah.

ANYWAY. This post no longer makes me sad because I'm sitting here in 2023 and I just went through this last album cycle with them and I just think there's no way it's all fake and I don't even think it's exaggerated lolol. I mean, I have long thought that, it didn't take this album cycle to convince me, but this album cycle definitely helped cement the opinion.

Partly I came to the conclusion that they were still close friends precisely because there was so little performing of it happening for our benefit. Like, I am aware that this is kind of like "I took the lack of evidence to itself to be evidence of the conclusion I wanted" lololol but there's something a little soothing about the idea that we don't see huge parts of their friendship because it's not for us. Which is, naturally, as it should be!! None of their life is for us lol, it's kind of them to share what they share. But the longer I spent in this fandom the more it became clear that there was lots of stuff going on behind the scenes that we didn't know about and never saw because it was just them living their lives and being friends and not performing that for us. They wrote an entire album that happened basically in secret, because Pete doesn't post to Instagram every time he hangs out with Patrick. He never would, because that's just his life, not something he needs to make public for everyone to see all the time so we all know about it.

But there are always enough hints that slip out that seem like the tip of an iceberg of interaction between them, that they'll reference a holiday spent at each other's house, or a party Patrick went to, or texts that have gone back and forth between them, or Pete will randomly post some insanely reflective Story to his Instagram about how amazing it is he met Patrick and Idk, it doesn't seem like he does that on a timer or something.

And then of course there has been this album cycle which has just been -- an incredible amount of best-friend-ness and looking adoringly at each other all over the place. And Patrick being so, so fiercely vocal about the importance of Pete in his life. That post from 2015 is so striking in how much it talks about Pete being such an instigator -- in teasing, in gazing adorably, in touching. And that was the narrative that I had, too. And then this entire year Patrick Stump has just been like, YO, IT WAS ME ALL ALONG, YOU JUST DIDN'T SEE BECAUSE I KEPT IT QUIET. Like, honestly, though, what a plot twist, who saw any of this coming.

Pete's the social butterfly, right? Pete's a people person. Pete's got a ton of friends. He's always going to. He likes to collect an entourage around him. He likes a group. He's happiest in his crowd. I think that can therefore make it seem like Patrick's not that important, since he's one of many. It is undeniably true that Travie and Gabe were super-important to Pete during the hiatus, and it's also clear Pete is still friends with them, and with lots of other people he talks and posts about all the time. It's just a true statement that Pete has a ton of friends.

But I don't think that diminishes the role of Patrick. In fact, to me this is another of the "lack of evidence is evidence" bits: Patrick isn't around all the time because he doesn't have to be, he's Pete's ride-or-die and they both know it. Pete has said, on multiple occasions, that they don't need to talk to each other, they just get each other, they exist comfortably in silence with each other. From the outside, that could look like indifference, two people sitting next to each other ignoring each other, but to Pete it's clearly the opposite. Pete's relentlessly social; with Patrick he can just chill. Patrick doesn't do "hanging out," and on multiple occasions both Pete and Patrick have acknowledged that: that Pete knows he has to make an effort to get Patrick to hang out with him, not because Patrick doesn't love him dearly but because Patrick doesn't hang out, that's just who Patrick is, so Pete knows to reach past that and not be offended, and Patrick has said that Pete always invites him to parties and Patrick never goes but it's okay, Pete doesn't expect him to go but he'll always make sure to invite him, and I just -- that is the most perfect encapsulation of love hahahaha. I hope I didn't make that up, I'm pretty sure I read it somewhere, but maybe I did make it up because I just think, like, how lucky Patrick is to be loved like that, that you never have to show up or be anything different than what you are but you know anyway that you are always, always wanted, no pressure, no expectations. UGH. I hope I didn't make that up, but whatever, it's good lololol

ANYWAY. I don't think the post is incorrect at all about the hiatus. I think they fell apart. I think that's undeniable. I know we've done a lot of talking recently about the revisionist history around the hiatus, and we're so far away from it now and they're so solid together that I think they've forgotten it some. But I think they shattered a little bit. But I think also that the whole point of their story is that they never stopped loving each other, that the hiatus happened partly because of how much Patrick loved Pete, that when Patrick needed him Pete showed up without hesitation. And I think people have said that Patrick did try to write some songs with Pete when his marriage was breaking up, which was clearly Patrick's way of offering comfort, because that is clearly how Patrick expresses his love for Pete. Also, I have always, always, always been struck by the detail of Pete being in Patrick's wedding. (I've heard conflicting reports about whether he was the best man or not, tbh. I thought myself that he was just in the wedding and wasn't the best man, but I have since seen some references, I think possibly from Pete himself at one point, that made me think he was the best man. Either way he was there and I feel like his role was a big one.) That wedding was just for Patrick, there was no photo spread in People, maybe he was worried it would get back to people if he didn't have Pete in it, but I doubt it, I just don't think Patrick would have had Pete in his wedding if he wasn't close friends with Pete.

And I think they've only gotten closer.

I think friendships change as we get older. I feel like I just wrote about this in the context of the hiatus but I can't find it now because Tumblr search function is the worst. But, anyway, you get older, you have kids, you get busy, there are more demands on your time. Friendships look different. But that doesn't mean they're not still there. I think they had a rough patch around the time of the hiatus but I think they've made that up and then some. I think they've made it up so much that the two of them barely remember anymore what it was like to be in that rough patch.

Anyway, this whole long thing was just for me to get to this point: that moment in the Joel Madden interview when, at the end of a long rumination on how he works with Patrick, Joel asks, "Are you guys best friends?" and Pete readily answers, "Definitely," with the loveliest smile, and just...I should have just linked to that moment hahaha that answers all questions.

[moononmyfloor]

Dashing Youth Ep 33-35 Commentary

Ep 1-10, Ep 11-16, Ep 17-21, Ep 22-25, Ep 26-32, Ep 36-40

Ep 33

This show stresses the fuck out of me now and not because it has entered its tragedy arc and 1. I enjoy well-done tragedies 2. I started watching this knowing it'll be tragedy anw

But because upcoming events feel just so superficial and I'm not convinced at all about why things weren't preventable. The wedding part was so sad and evoked so many emotions out of me precisely because I could see everyone gave their best fight and in the older gen's pov, their best reasonings for their inaction.

And now?? Many years have passed, Dingzhi has COMPLETELY let his guard down I mean bro if I was having a kid with emperor's runaway consort I'd move places like. every 2 yrs in the very least, Wenjun still trusts people too easily- girl you could've at least consulted the wise monk next door and trusted him to deliver the proper message to Dingzhi or SOMETHING idk, Dongjun seemed to have spent the entirety of those years high on alcohol and wifey and performance adrenaline in his immaculate cloudy mansion and equally unreal carriage, so much for trying to find and help out his missing bro before like, the very last moment.

It all just feels so juvenile and like the scriptwriters have given up because we all know what the ending is gonna be anyway, yknow? It's like they all actively waited for the disaster to hit them.

The only scene that I enjoyed in this ep:

(I'm trying to erase the sight of the scared and lonely young dad Dingzhi braving through the night forest with his baby to get their girl back, so traumatising)

Ep 34

Sikong Changfeng once again fights battles that are not his, while the actual people who need to be doing this are being preoccupied. He's the best boy.

Lei Mengsha also practices inaction but the kind where he will not stop a capable person from doing the right thing, therefore he is also a good boy.

Show ruined Wenjun's character once and forever with the bullshit attitude and reasoning she had in this ep. Girl, I fought tooth and nail to defend your rights and you severely let me down today.

I saw this discussion on Chinese bilibili (autotranslated, but you can understand the basic gist) and I think it explains the problem perfectly.

The problem was never that she was physically weak and comparatively naive. It was not about whether a girl in the exact same position as she did in today's episode would have done the same thing. It's just that the writers don't want her to.

And it's not just Wenjun, at this point of the story, stuff just happen one after the other just because they need to, before BoY.

Ep 35

Singlehandedly the most valid character of the show (not to mention the screenstealing acting, He Yu where have you been before my boy), Ye Dingzhi going berserk was so vicariously satisfying. Like everybody has lofty ambitions but since they are too weakass to accomplish them, they want this poor homebody to be their farm cow and do everything for them or what. Like wtf, enough is enough and everyone got what they deserved.

And if the scene of him killing everyone and taking over the throne wasn't satisfying enough, we get this:

It's the sheer lack of surprise, exhaustion and disappointment he delivers these lines for me. He never expected anything from the world since Day 1, he learnt the humans are shit since very young. He knew he couldn't trust anyone but himself to make his own existence better, let alone fix things for all the humanity. And sorry Dongjun, for all your idealistic speeches and displays, you've never done anything to really have Dingzhi value you as a true friend beyond mere childhood sentiments.

He's the most shunned ex-jianghu personality by the time of Blood of Youth, but in fact he's the most heroic of them ALL, not the much celebrated Lord Langya in my opinion. You call him selfish but what exactly have anyone else of his generation had done for the world out of their so-called selflessness?

He didn't have big ambitions, he simply

Stood up

for

himself.

And by that, he finally set things in motion to liberate the whole country of years of corrupted monarchy.

And I find that incredibly powerful and timeless and relatable for anyone across the whole world. If you don't fight for your rights, noone will. Someone needs to raise their voice first.

The accomplishments of Blood of Youth's generation wouldn't have been possible if not for the chain reaction he started imo, because as far as I can see noone else among the parents lifted a single finger let alone laying a foundation for the kids to work upon because they were all too busy looking at the bigger picture or whatever.

[fallout4-reacts]

Anonymous asked:

Ok so this is less of a request and more of a thought to consider. It bothers me that Danse doesn’t really comment on vertibirds going down/crashing/finding dead brotherhood in the commonwealth. It also bothers me that Hancock doesn’t really say much during the synth quest in Diamond City. Idk I feel like there’s a lot of potential dialogue that’s missing. Like Preston commenting on a settlement that’s been “improved” (hit all requirements for water, food and defense) should also be a thing.

do you have any ideas for potential dialogue that’s missing from the game? Again, not a request so don’t feel like you need to write anything, but just a good for thought.

Titan quest part 3! (Part 1 - 2 )

So, I'll end this post quickly in order to get back to taking care of others ask who are waiting

I hope you are not disappointed; sadly, I had very few ideas…

Perhaps playing Fallout again will bring some to me I'll take note of it and possibly write another post on it later.

So, for the time being, The Conclusion

Cait - Curie - Deacon - Piper - Preston - Strong - X6-88

Cait : "Hey Cait, let’s take a nice walk to Nuka-World, where I’ll be the Overboss and I’ll beat strangers in an arena, enslave people..." You know?

"Stop immediately!"

“Cait?”

“Ya filthy traitor!”

“Cait?!”

“How dare ya?”

"Could you please calm down and explain why you are so angry?"

“Raiders! You've risen to the position of raider Overboss!"

"Let me relate you that funny story—

“No! I'm not interested! What are you thinking? You enslaved them!"

"They were evil people..."

"So you're now deciding who gets to live freely or not?"

"It wasn't that; it was strictly for business..."

"I told you everything, everything, everything. The fact that I was sold as a slave and that my life was a living horror. You seemed like a kind person to me. And now I see you putting those awful necklaces around other people necks like they're cattle! Would you have put the necklace around my neck in the past, in those days, claiming that I'm a wicked person, that I don't have the right to my freedom?"

"...It isn't the same."

"Would you really know the difference between a lost and violent drug addict fighting in a ring for raiders?"

Sole finds nothing to reply this time, frozen on the spot and unable to add a word.

"You couldn't have done it. Right now, you can't see someone you're putting a necklace on. I'm not going to kill you in the name of what we shared, because you helped me. But I'm leaving now, and I hope to never cross your way again. Because if I see your filthy, hypocrite face again, I'm going to blow it open, catcha?"

Sole looks, a weight of lead in the heart, as the one they had learned to consider a friend walk away. They realize how wrong they were, but they feel it's too late.

Curie (romanced): Okay, seriously, here I am, doing what many others have had to do, in some ways. It’s a one-in-a-hundred chance, but still, after going all the way around the bazaar, Curie is offered a place in a hospital (clinic?). Okay, some people must have decided to retain her as a companion, but she's not the most interesting element. Probably more appealing than very practical. It’s a command; Curie is assigned to a medical counter, and that’s it! But I'd like to picture a tiny scenario based on my fanfiction, even if I didn't touch on Curie's entrance in "her" hospital at this moment (precisely).

"Here, Curie, I'm not sure if I can help you much further in your quest to discover and study the world, but I think we could kill two birds with one stone if you stayed as chief physician at this new hospital in Sanctuary; your medical knowledge will be useful to both locals and transients. It's a settlement that is quickly gaining traction in the Commonwealth. You should encounter enough individuals and situations to further your education and insights."

The synth stands with her hands clasped against her chest, her gaze gleaming, turning her head from one side to the other, detailing the thick glass structure that was erected at the settlement's gates.

"Sole! That’s! That is incredible! That is stunning! That's incredible!"

"We made an effort to make the place look pleasant. I tried to make it as bright as possible so that you don't feel imprisoned up again like in this vault, as I had considered for some time to attribute it to you."

Curie's voice chokes in her throat as she barely holds back a sob.

"I'm not sure what's going on with me. It’s… It's like when you began slipping into my thoughts repeatedly, but I vibrate; it's as if tickles were flowing through my entire body. Everything seems to be pulsating. What is going on with me?"

"I believe it's excitement. A high amount of elation. You are overjoyed."

Curie's expression darkens, and she shakes her head and frowns.

"I see. Happiness. I thought I'd found it with you."

"You've found happiness in your relationship, but you're more than that. You have your own set of objectives and desires. A complete human cannot exist exclusively on the happiness and aspirations of another. He requires his own accomplishments."

"My... achievement is becoming a doctor for the new Sanctuary Hospital."

"It appears, based on how lit up you are."

Curie's brows raise in surprise, and her mouth makes an o.

"Did I light up? Is that a human ability? I was completely unaware!"

"It's a way of speaking" that Sole enjoys. "I mean, it seems obvious that you're happy."

"Oh, I see. Yes, I'm overjoyed right now."

Deacon : There are several. So many opportunities were squandered. As much in his interacts with other companions as everywhere else in the game. But I'd like to use a glitch because it's really noticeable (and funny).

"Deacon!"

"What?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"What?"

"You're... you're NUDE!"

The spy glances down at his attire and sees he has no one.

"Oh, you mean that? How do you feel about the suit? It's for me to dress up like Adam!"

"It isn't a disguise! It's nakedness!"

"You don't read the Bible. It's a disguise, truer than life; it's the most obnoxious disguise I could find to wear that day when I was dealing with a swarm of hot Amazons on a deserted island east of Boston."

"There have never been any Amazons on a desert island east of Boston."

"They were stunning! But here they were, killing all the people who dared to wear garments in front of their eyes, a religious thing, I reckon."

"You talk away from being naked."

"So they had this tall woman leading them. She was so huge that she was able to peer at the super-mutant from above. I've personally saw her spanking a super mutant on her lap.

"This is getting out of hand."

"Super-mutants were tolerated in this woman's society because they often just wore loincloths. Outfits truly irritated them."

"You.are.still.nude."

"I don't remember why; I think it has something to do with the fact that we come into the world without clothing, so we don't have to wear clothes so as not to offend the life that created us like this."

"Get yourself dressed!"

"It will be your fault if we get harassed by the Amazons of the desert island of East Boston."

Piper : The scoop of the century! The second. Sole infiltrated the Institute and came back. Piper CANNOT ignore that Sole is in contact with the DIRECTOR of the INSTITUTE.

"Sole, can we talk?"

"My personal favorite reporter!"

Sole comes to a halt in the alley leading to Home Plate, their gaze settled on Piper.

"What exactly do you want to talk about?"

"The Institute."

At the very least, she's not going in circles. Sole becomes uneasy as they anticipate what will follow.

"Okay, so what's going on?"

"You have to get me an interview with the director—

"Shaun, my son..."

"The director of the most heinous and secretive organisation ever to be born in the Commonwealth! Blue! I must have this interview!"

Sole looks around for a loophole but can't find one.

"Piper, I wish I could give you what you're asking for; you've been so nice and helpful to me. But I'm afraid I can't. Only I have access to the Institute. I'm not sure what they'd do if I helped you infiltrate them. And since you want to interview the director, it won't go ignored."

"Please ask him to give me this interview! According to what you said, he claims to be acting for the sake of humanity and its future. He'll want to spread the word about his vision, won't he?"

With her looks, the reporter backs Sole up, daring them to contradict her. Sole lets out a long sigh.

"All right, I'll ask him the next time I see him. But I can't promise you anythi—

Piper, overcome with excitement, jumps around her friend's neck.

"MANY THANKS! This is going to be the interview of the century! Of the millennium! Exclusive: The Great Boogeyman justifies himself!"

Sole would like to object and tell Piper that it is not done, but they would rather walk away while Piper is lost in her own vision of the future, gazing bright and bursting with excitement.

Preston : This situation can only arise if Sole is General of the Minutemen AND Brotherhoods of Steel.

"Sole! We need to talk! Now!"

"Preston? "You appear... upset."

The man is normally as composed as an Olympian. He recognises his state of mind and takes a deep breath to recover control of his nerves.

"I'm sorry, General. I... I lost it for a moment. But we need to discuss; it's critical."

Sole tries not to think about the lengthy journey they've taken or the bed that awaits them in a remote area of their home. They keep their anguish hidden and devote their entire attention to the man who truly gave birth to them when they landed in the Commonwealth.

"What exactly is it?"

"The Brotherhoods..."

Sole can't stop rolling their eyes. That was something they was expecting. Everyone around them is hesitant to pledge allegiance to the military organisation on many reasons.

"What, the Brotherhoods?" they inquire a little too bluntly.

"You have allied with the Brotherhoods of Steel!"

Sole closes their eyes and blows hard. They didn't have much patience today, and this kind of debate may sap what little they had left.

"Come on, Preston. Get to the point. I just busted a Super-Mutant camp, I'm filthy, exhausted, and I don't know if there's a muscle in my body that doesn't ache."

"The Brotherhoods appeared in the Commonwealth as if they owned everything; they drove the roads—

"And protect the civilians..."

"And grab any and all technologies they can find!"

The vault dweller cannot help but be astonished this time. They had no idea that, of all the things that could be put against the BoS, Preston would bring this up.

"Uh, what are you getting at?"

"Look, I haven't done much travelling outside of the Commonwealth, but I've met a lot of people who have. In comparison to other societies on the continent, the Commonwealth has effectively remained in the Stone Age. When major cities have risen from the ashes on the west coast, we are still attempting to establish viable settlements. While huge corporations have established themselves elsewhere, our caravan system is primary and inadequate. We have almost no high-profile clinics, let alone hospitals, yet huge health centers may be found in other places. We erect pumps with duct tape and rusted pipes while in the Capital they have cleaned water reservoirs! But, slowly and steadily, we are constructing something. Thanks especially to you, Sole. Every day, every week, we the opportunity to build new communities that are safer and more equipped than ever before. But, in the long term, the Brotherhoods will have crushed our best opportunity of making a real change if they continue to seize all of the technology that rightfully belong to Bostonians! They deploy their advances to take ours as we struggle to shake ourselves up and stand up! They are mortgaging future breakthroughs for future generations even before we are aware of the possibility! This is intolerable!"

Sole doesn't know what to say about it. To claim they hadn't considered it is a far cry from describing where they are. While they had always considered the Brotherhoods' efforts as a helpful means to safeguard the people from anything that could jeopardize their future, they now realize that their fixation with collecting the technologies of the past had the opposite effect on the future. And they are acutely aware that there is little to prevent this looting in its purest form.

Strong : We've been with Strong for a long time; he's a powerful and unique companion, but his personal mission never progresses. Okay, we know the Milk of Human Kindness doesn't exist, but it has been misleading this unfortunate Super-Mutant who blindly follows us from the start. At some time, far beyond all occurrences, after a few months of following all of Sole's whims and following them everywhere, Strong may probably come to realize that things are not moving forward. As a result, he should confront Sole.

"Human! Stop!"

"What's going on, my great friend?"

"Puny human thinks Strong stupid. Strong follow human, respect human, help human. But Human lies to Strong."

Soole wide-eyed in surprise. They finally comes to a halt and turns to face their merry green giant companion.

"I believe we have a major problem. You must explain, because I have no idea when I lied to you."

"Human Kindness Milk. Humans do not seek. Human not wanting to help Strong."

Oh shit, Sole thinks. Indeed, they had never ventured to explain to Strong the struggle this pursuit was, hoping that it would die out on its own.

X6-88 : A Courser’s mission is to bring the escaped synths back to the Institute

"Nick," Sole greats the detective as they return to Diamond City.

"Sole," he reply to his great pal.

X6 examines the Synthetic before turning to Sole.

"Ma'am/Sir, we need to stop and extract this element."

Nick and Sole exchange glances. Nick wishes to object, but Sole raises their hand.

"X6, you can't...stop Nick and...extract him out."

"It is imperative to adhere to the Institute's course of action and report on any stray elements. This element is obviously a fugitive, and we have an obligation to return it to the Institute immediately."

"No, you can't do that."

"This version may be outdated and deficient—

"You know what the outdated and deficient version says!" 

—but we owe it to the institute to report it as soon as possible."

Sole sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of their nose, feeling a migraine surge to their brain.

"Look, X6, we're not at the Institute, and we haven't gotten any specific orders about this element. Furthermore, as you indicated, it's out of date—

"You know what he tells you about the past date!"

—and won't be relevant to the Institute's needs."

"Orders are orders."

"You must also follow my commands. It is not possible to bring this old version back to the Institute!"

Nick adds, growling in his beard, "You know what the old version tells you."

X6 pauses, clearly caught up in a conflict of interest. He must obey Sole, but he must also obey the Institute's directions. He has no idea how to react to the circumstance. He is unsure of what he should do. His brain strives to process all the data, facts, directions, and laws behind his marble face and fixed gaze covered by his sunglasses.

Nick and Sole, realizing the Courser has been frozen in place, decide to let him consider what has just been said. Meanwhile, they're on the hunt for holotapes.

[fox-bright]

Right after Easter, twenty years ago this month, my mentor sent me a one-way ticket to Pittsburgh, PA, and saved my life.

I'd been more or less disowned a year and a half before--my mother threw me out on the ninth of September, 2001--and I was drowning in sand. I am not a creature of the desert, even if I was raised there, and my hometown was not a loving place for almost anyone to be. And while multiple friends and coworkers had by that point felt it necessary to stop me when I was idly talking about my week and say you know, you don't have to accept this treatment. You know, I believe she loves you, or thinks she does, but that's not GOOD ENOUGH when she treats you like she does, I hadn't yet really come to accept that my mother is who she is. I was miserable, and lonely, and not even allowed to visit  my siblings unless Mom was there, because "I don't know what you'd talk to them about, and I don't think you're righteous."

(I might, it's true, have talked to them about how I was queer. I was more likely to have talked to them about Final Fantasy or something, but I guess we'll never know.)

Mom threw me out when I was nearly nineteen. At twenty, Diane sent me a plane ticket. Her voice down the phone--I'd never heard it before, in the years that I'd been part of the young writer's forum she moderated, the internet back then was mostly text--was warm and gentle and peaceable. I found a room for you, she said. I have friends who can help you get a job. She sent me a Greyhound ticket to Phoenix (along with thirteen dollars in cash, because you could pay extra and give the recipient up to half the value of the ticket) and a plane ticket from Sky Harbor to PIT. I was scared and unsure, but I was so, so tired of being hungry. So tired of not knowing for sure where I was going to sleep next week. And sick at heart from my mother's behavior ("Did you sleep with him?" she asked me, about my fiance; when I quietly but unashamedly said I had, she pulled me forty feet by my braid, her acrylic fingernails digging bleeding grooves into my scalp that ached for months, scars I probably still have). I'd been so comprehensively heartbroken already that I didn't know how I'd survive it, and the trick to surviving suicidality is, do anything else. Even if it means you leave your whole life behind.

And I knew I'd miss my siblings, but fuck, I missed them already, so what the hell.

I got on the bus. I got on the plane. I touched down in the aftermath of a late snowstorm, and I didn't have a coat, and the air felt sharp and tasted like clouds. And Diane was there, smiling, and she started talking and didn't stop until she'd deposited me in my new home.

And then, having gotten me to Pittsburgh, she gave me everything. Took me to this meetup and that interesting park, introduced me to everyone she knew, constantly finagled and jostled and gently prodded me through anxiety and discomfort and into growth and learning and maturity. She took me to doctors and the dentist, which my mother had neglected or denied me when I begged (I was twenty the first time I ever went to a dentist; that's four or five solid years after I started telling my mother that I really needed to see one). She took me shopping for work clothes, and made suggestions about styling and my hair that would help child-sized, baby-faced me look a little more formidable. She didn't, ever, overstep; she always seemed magically to know when it was time to let go and watch me baby-stumble for a while until my feet were steady under me. I was such a very young twenty, half-feral, poorly-socialized and just about absolutely ignorant of how people should behave, and she never once made me feel ashamed of myself.

I've been thinking about this a lot this week. Twenty years. Half my life, just about precisely. All the things I've gotten to do since then--travel; take up a martial art and train and train until I competed on the national level; become an artist's model in paintings all over the world; perform lion dance for a ballet with the love of my life literally supporting me, throwing me into the air; learn to garden and to preserve my own food and to quilt and crochet and put up drywall and take down ancient varnish and unfreeze a pipe and make sourdough bread from starter and so, so many other things--I've gotten to do because of her. Because if she hadn't gotten me out of Cottonwood, within six months I would have been dead.

I love my life. I've had a lot of grief, in twenty years; lost a baby, lost friends to illness or just bad luck, lived with a boyfriend who was the very definition of psychotic and who burned my life down around my ears, chose other partners who weren't what I deserved, until I learned to require the right things. But I worked in my garden today under an unseasonably hot sun, moving wood-chip mulch with a wagon--

--okay, so the garden, right, and the mulch. I wanted this house because of its garden; I spend a lot of time in it, through much of the year. I grow a lot of food and a lot of flowers, and the air is full of birds all day and fireflies all night. Last year the next-door-neighbor on our left had tree people in to take down a couple of trees, and I looked at the deep dumptruckful of fresh tree chips and I wanted it. I knew that a lot of the time tree services have to pay to dump their wood chips somewhere else, and that they find it tedious. And I thought, Diane would just walk on over there, and say hi-ii  the way that she does, and ask for it. Diane would just smile, and--

I raised my chin, and I walked over, and I gave my winningest smile, and I said Hi-ii, I'm Gen, I live right there in the house with the blue roof, and I was wondering, do you guys want a place to dump all that? and fifteen minutes later I had a couple of tons of premium hardwood chip mulch behind my house. I've been transporting it to various places in the garden since, scoop by scoop with a shovel and my little black wagon, and have thickly covered a couple of hundred feet worth of beds so far. I put twenty wagon-loads up front of the house today, making twenty or thirty feet of new garden bed for native pollinator plants to go into in three weeks, and the whole time I was literally singing with how good my life is, how lucky I am, to have my husband, to have my home, to have a place that has kept me safe, to have learned so many things, to live somewhere that I get to experiment and watch things grow and produce baskets and baskets of food from a handful of seeds. Because of work and lessons and effort and continuing to put one foot ahead of the other, yes, I've worked hard to get here. But ultimately--because of Diane.

I don't really know what good parents are like. Dad is a word that means "hurts you and hurts you and hurts you and then disappears," and Mom is a word that means "will eat your heart from the inside and complain the whole time about the taste." But because of Diane...because of her, I do understand, a little.

[queen-scribbles]

......yep okay talk about Mason plz 😛

ALRIGHT THEN, YOU ASKED FOR THIS

Cut again bc spoilers and there will be lots of shouting bc Mason's route is amazing. I think--both friend and romance--he's my fave in book 3.(Nate's still winning overall romance, but Mason wins b3) Warning: this clocks in at about 2700 words, just so you know what you're getting into. It's longer than a lot of my fics. xD

This is gonna be Kasey specific, obviously, even if all the high notes I love in general. There's just some... flavor to it bc of the way she's engaging his romance. (also, this is pretty stream of consciousness, so I can't promise smooth transitions😅)

The way just your touch helps when he's getting overwhelmed in Addie's room feels like a good place to start- NO WAIT. If you try to bluff about not being worried over the bounty and he calls you on it and swears to have your back. Half of why Kasey kissed him so hard there is it's her go-to reaction when Mason incites strong emotion in her, even if desire/attraction isn't precisely the right match for the moment.

I know I already screamed a lot about the bakery scene when the demo came out, BUT I finally settled on which option Kasey would pick there. She's still oblivious/in denial, so there's no hurt to Mason's "She's only seeing me naked," comment, and no confusion either. Lil Miss Snark shot back with the one about him seeing HER naked (which ooooooboy did that pay dividends later :3) and then didn't get anything flirty/snarky/teasing back (poor Haley, watching this unfold) and that confused her. Snark and innuendo has been their Thing since day fucking one. So the weirdness of leaving it like that has her on edge and makes her snappish and downright vicious with Bobby("I'd say it's a pleasure but we both know I'd be lying" and kicked him out of the station, it was great)and she genuinely can't figure out why it's bothering her that Mason didn't play along.

And then we get him actually using her name when she shows up at the Warehouse soaking wet and covered in plaster mud. Felt a little like someone had punched her in the lungs, she had to fight the reflexive urge to call him 'sunshine' and make the weirdness go away. And then on top of that he actually apologized--for something that didn't seem like a big deal to her, at least on the surface, but the way her heart skips a beat, maybe it did matter--and Kasey manages to actually be sincere for five minutes to accept the apology with 0 snark and explain about needing a place to stay etc. Insert some flirting/innuendo/giving Nate a headache while handing out flyers and she feels like their equilibrium is back. They're okay, they're good, still casual, though ngl it does feel nice to hear him say her name every once in a while....

And then. AND THEN. The Trapper fight. And Sin. and OH MY GOD. Mason throws himself in front of Trapper to protect her, gets zapped instead of her and she is just. Terrified isn't a strong enough word. She doesn't realize it's anything more than panic/adrenaline in the moment, but it's a miracle she didn't leap on that Trapper like a feral wolf. Which is only compounded when Sin shows up and Mason is afraid for her. He tries to hide it when he tells her to run, but her main hobby is people watching so good luck with that, buddy.

And with the adrenaline of the whole encounter, she hasn't even really had time to full unwind and process it before Mason is staring down Adam on her behalf.

Not only that but he's insistent on backing her up. Same guy who, what, six months ago(less?) "found this all unnecessary" and barely wanted anything to do with her is now adamant about watching her back and keeping her safe and then waits up super late for her to get home(whole separate screaming session about him considering this home) and doesn't feel a need for innuendo with her when they talk.

"Thrown for a loop" is an understatement. Flabbergasted, maybe works. For Kasey, anyway. I was having a meltdown about him being vulnerable with her wrt what he remembers of his past, and the crystal(he didn't even want her to look at when they first met) and then just saying a genuine goodnight without trying to get in her pants or anything. AMAZING.

And then his mood starts off weird at combat training and he's gruff and irritated(and MASON WITH A BUN. MASON WITH A BUN) and he's being grumpy bc he can't figure out why the thought of Sin taking her away from him is so terrifying.

The patrol loop after the blood drive is just.. hoo boy. Kasey was bitten on the wrist by Murphy and there have been some Moments with those scars on Mason's route and I got another one to add to the list

just that he's so gentle. That would be sweet from any of them but from Mason it makes me scream internally even before we get to the emotional KO that is

I love sO MUCH when gruff/abrasive characters are gentle with the people they care about, and not only is that happening here, he still warns her that just bc Bravo won't hurt her, there's not many other supernaturals that will care so she still needs to be cautious. (It's just a bonus--for me--that he's clearly affected by the conversation even if he's not sure why :3) And also!!! Kasey-specific note here: Her trust is not easily given. It was a cautious thing even before Bobby fucked her over in college, but him using her friendship like that really made her kinda hold people at arm's length, so the fact she trust Mason(and the rest of Bravo) with her literal life and her scars and other vulnerabilities is really uhhhh saying something even if she's denying what that something is

I played around a bit with Kasey's reaction to the stack of missing persons posters, and even if it's not the one I kept, Mason's reaction if you call him crying straight up slayed me

Just that mix of gruff almost-annoyance and "you clearly need me, I'm already on my way". (the others ask if you want them to come, Mason's just "yeah, I'm coming to see you")The beat between saying he doesn't like talking on the phone but will make an exception for you. The return to flirting/innuendo once you seem to be getting back equilibrium.

As I've mentioned, Kasey has Verda knowing about the supernatural, and that dinner with him and Eric was all kinds of awkward(she went slinky for her outfit bc this is Kasey)

BUT I very much enjoy both Eric's 👀👀👀 when Kasey pulled an "Idk what you're talking about" and a)Verda getting Mason to acknowledge there's a "Something" with the two of them even if he doesn't know what it is and b) Mason calling him on his reaction to the supernatural making him a not so-great-friend. BUT THE REAL KICKER came after, when they were leaving, and this happened

Just. He's essentially holding her hand. And he doesn't think to let go. Mason, who hates and is extremely pained by physical contact(he flinches when Adam touches him in one of the bff/ro scenes) willing maintain contact for several seconds and only withdraws when she says something. (I stand by my expectation Mason's gonna figure out What They Are before Kasey does, lmao)

I absolutely loved the car sex scene(she's been teasing him with that long enough xD), especially bc Kasey 100% told him to apologize to her car, but the biggest takeaway for purposes of this is HE HESITATES. He hesitates to just look at her for an extra few moments before kissing her again. (and btw I ran with each taking initiative and HOLY HELL this will be one of the few times I go with letting Mason have initiative instead of Kasey. Whew.)

And we gotta talk about Mason not wanting more cigarettes when Felix offers to buy the bc that's... for something that might look like a little moment it's undeniably huge. The cigarettes have been his source of comfort, the way he makes it easier to Deal With Everything and he just casually turns down getting more of them. Bc he has her now(new addiction, indeed). For such a quiet thing, it shouts about the changing nature of their relationship and I loved it.

I--once again--played with reactions to arriving at the warehouse bc Kasey's still figuring out how she feels about that so she has some leeway, and I gotta say I love how Mason just bluntly calls you on your shit any time you try to lie about being fine when you aren't.

I will never be over him having the same calming effect on the detective as they do on him. 🥺🥺🥺Kasey has this whole snarky tough girl thing going and even when she tries to hide it, he sees through the bs and comforts her. He's blunt but gentle and it makes me scream...

..buuuuuut not as much as Mason's POV on the building cave-in. :3

No, no, I'm fine :)

ABSOLUTELY PEACHY :))))))) Totally not wrecked at all, not laying on the floor screaming internally or anything, why do you ask? I'm such a sucker for the whole "joking pet name accidentally becomes actual sincere term of endearment" (see: Taviloth and "city slicker") and this made me just a bit feral. ALSO the parallel to the house Mirrors scene in book 2 is killing me. The day Kasey calls him sunshine with affection rather than teasing I will throw myself into the sun, it will be too much. (Super easy to picture one of those gut-wrenching comics using "You Are My Sunshine" with them, btw)

And the aftermath made me lose my gd mind.

Kasey: *tries to snark as a way of covering how much today fucked her up*

Mason: *calls her on it while also being ready to help.* And he's volunteering to help(after sticking himself in a corner at the breakfast earlier in the story so he wouldn't get asked to contribute)

No innuendo, just support, my HEART. Kasey Irene, HOW are you still in denial, you're smarter than this. Though I suppose I can give you a pass this one time considering how much pain you're in.

He's so worried he's not even thinking, just wants to keep her safe, and I swear somehow every time he uses her name it both add three years to my life and take one away.

This mental image. I can't. I had to go take a walk before I could finish, bc the mental image of Mason standing fully clothed and soaking wet in the shower with her just to offer support is TOO MUCH. It's too much, I can't handle it. (Especially when you put it next to this or the "me being naked is more important to you, right?" comment from the bakery scene. She's naked, he's not, and he doesn't even seem to care. my fucking HEARTTTTTTT )

He's sitting with her. Just the fact that he's staying is *inarticulate yelling* enough, but he's in a chair. Not sitting on the bed, not laying with her, sitting in a chair to be with her and keep an eye on her but give her space. And that "You don't have to stand guard" //"I know, but I sure as hell want to." Mason is so gonna figure out he's in love with Kasey before vice versa.

And now we come to the totally-not-a-date scene, where Mason will ask, unprompted and genuinely curious, what you're thinking about and, this being Kasey, there's some sarcasm/teasing in the following conversation, but it's also so comfortable.

This is just banter. They're bantering and playing around and just comfortable with each other in a way beyond what's usually the case for people who're just seeing each other naked. :3

I do love the lingering obliviousness. Sure, Mason, it's that the crystal's not as full as you thought. Not that Kasey's presence/touch helped you recover faster or anything. Even though that's happened MULTIPLE TIMES. (Nate would be smirking so hard if he'd witnessed this interaction)

The whole scene with Roshaun(sidenote: RAT BABIES! <3) and how Mason reacts to even the suggestion of being sedated/vulnerable has me 200% sure I'm gonna want to kill some people when we learn his backstory. This is practically a full on panic attack, like, what level of hell did he go through that it incites this strong an instinctive reaction even when he can't remember the details?! (Unfortunately, since he's been a vampire ~100 years, there's decent odds the people responsible are already dead, unless they're also supernatural. But if they're still alive they WON'T BE after Kasey and Mallory get their hands on them)

The way Kasey's touch settles him(again), the way he deliberately takes her hand and doesn't let go, like she's a lifeline(she probably is) "I asked you to come because I wanted you here" alksdafbalfbjabslk

onefear.jpg There was a patreon short story that touched on that, too, and I really wanna go dig it up now >.> I smell plot threads. Angtsy, angsty plot threads.

Someday I'll make Kasey be more genuine(orrrr maybe it'll happen if I do a Janine/Mason run) in the convo when you get back to the warehouse, bc you know my girl went with the

even if it led to a moment of what could be taken as genuineness, even if she meant it more as flirting. "When it comes to you, you know I am." KASEY. GIRL. Yes, sure, that applies in a "kiss/sex me right now, you handsome bastard" sense, but also in the sense of her just always leaping at the chance to spend time with him, regardless of if it will involve sex or not.

And then you get an actual genuine smile out of him, and more gentleness, and she doesn't know how to deal.

And then we come to this

where Kasey kisses the vampire harder to not have to deal with the possibility this is almost definitely more than just seeing each other naked. "No, no, nothing more than just that he's hot and we enjoy having sex and he's a really good kisser. No deeper than that."

*clutches chest* SOFT MASON, GENTLE MASON, HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE AND DOESN'T REALIZE IT YET MASON

AND THE LEAD UP TO THE AUCTION JUST UGHGGHGHGH

Pardon me while I go lay down and just... melt into a puddle of emotion. The compliment that's not flirtatious. The confidence in her abilities. "YOU THINK I'D BE ABLE TO COPE WITHOUT YOU NOW?" ?!???!?!?!?!

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SIR. I'm loving this progression from "it's just sex" to "idk what I'd do if I lost you", but my heart can't take it. You being so vulnerable--in front of so many people--is gonna be the death of me.

my heaaarttttttttttt. "Can I have tonight?" CAIT.EXE IS NOT RESPONDING And then--if you do the detailed scene with him taking initiative--it's slow and gentle and deliberate and he doesn't pull away when you wrap your arms around him, the significance of which will escape Kasey for a while. and there's a gentle lil neck kiss afterwards and they CUDDLE until she falls asleep

And then. THEN THEN THEN *pounds table repeatedly*

he FUCKING.

STAYS.

I am so beyond emotionally compromised by that I just *screams*

He stays and

and then when he leaves he tucks her back in and runs his finger down her cheek without even realizing what he's doing and SIR. HOW DARE.(If she'd been awake enough to know he did that, her denial would have several very large cracks in it istg.)

I have hit the image limit(RIP), so text! The bff convo with Adam is so good, and Mason doesn't deny that the way Kasey "has him" is different from the rest of UB, and isn't sure how she feels about that and calls himself "too much of a fucking coward" to find out and aaaahhhhh this would have been Kasey's "tu omnia" moment if she would just WAKE UP and OVERHEAR the conversation. Why do you have to sleep so soundly baby girl???

Wrapping up with the party. oooh boy. "I wouldn't survive thirty seconds in this circus without you." Kasey, he's definitely serious and not joking. Mason, babe, the "in this circus" was unnecessary bc you've mentioned needing her/not knowing what you'd do without her several time in general already. And he TAKES A FUCKING SHOT during NHIE on the "nhie fallen for a colleague". I think I rb'ed a post yesterday where someone in the notes said Felix must've been in the bathroom or something and missed that to not raise absolute HELL about the implications. LIKE. Silent but very very obvious admission this is Not Just Sex anymore, even if he doesn't know what it is, even if it's just a "something" it's THERE in his opinion. So yeah. 100/10 romance, I need more desperately, and will be sitting here vibrating until we get book 4 or at least teasers. xD

And here are several cookies (and cake!)for anyone who made it this far through my borderline-unhinged commentary 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🎂🎂🍰🍰🍰🎂

[winter-tospring]

How strange, to grow up and go through school years with every day new experiences and memories and pains and lessons, and not talk about it with your family, keep it to yourself, but know every day is rich with things you'd like to forget, and then, watch your siblings go through school years and grow up, and not know anything about their pains and lessons, because they don't tell you, just like you didn't tell the ones who were there before.

You know every day is rich for them, but you don't know of what. Years pass, and what have they learned? What have they felt? It feels like my years were so full and yet all I know from my sibling is almost emptiness. I watch them grow up, and reach the age when I started reading about feminism, when I went vegan, when my compass turned and recentered, when my choices became more mine, and I don't know what's in their head.

I knew them better as a child, I had memories with them then. I knew what they liked and what they joked about. I made them laugh. But I don't know who they are now. Parents are just scared when they say they know you cause they've always known you. It's precisely because you see someone grow that you can lose the thread, cause you're attached to their beginnings. We change and we become new, different, new people to ourselves, and new people that others have to be introduced to again.

It's like my sibling left in the mist, without my noticing, it took its time but it didn't matter, it still feels like I wasn't prepared. What has all this growth brought that I couldn't see? Did some thoughts plague you incessantly too? Did you not trust me then? I'm the eldest and I thought I'd help you through all I did alone. You didn't want me to help you with homework. You didn't tell me if you had any problems, and I understand, I did the same, but I hoped you'd have a friend at home. I tried to teach you things but I think I was new at learning them too, I just hoped you'd have less to worry about if I explained before you had to wonder or got manipulated.

I don't know how to untie this knot. So much time passed and I don't know what you've been feeling. I feel like I've missed secret important things. You didn't want to say, so why should I feel bad? We had our time of being close and then I shrunk inside, and you hugged me when I couldn't ask it of anyone. I met my wife and I didn't tell you. I met so many hearts close to mine and I did tell you, but I was leaping forward and knew I needed more than how little you could understand then. It was okay. Wait, I did tell you when I met my wife. I remember running down a rocky hill, phone in my hand, telling you her story was in a book now.

When I was depressed, I tried to explain, I sought some comfort, and I think I got some, but it made sense you didn't understand all of it. You're always shorter than me in my head, and the version of you now is an update I have to make each time we say your name. I don't blame you, yet you're old enough to be held accountable. It hurts to be stuck here. I wish you'd kept your own voice, so it wouldn't haunt my instincts when we start to talk.

I'm sorry, and yet I'd do it again the same. What else was there to do? I was patient and I helped where you let me. Gave space where I wished I'd been given some, and defended you cause I had more words. Now I'm protecting me. I'm sad, but thoughts don't change that what matters to me has to come first. I wish it was easier to understand, and that around you people cared. They're not helping, and I feel like I can't help anymore. You've got words but what's their point if you don't want to hurt anyone and you're fine with taking the hits? I drew lines when I realized I needed to have my back. I didn't want you to not be included in my team. I thought I'd protect you on my side.

There's no resolution today, it hurts. I wanted you to like me, and I feel like you're just wondering why I'm ignoring you, what you've done. It pains me to have to, it pains me I probably look like I don't care. And I can't fake anything, that'd be worse, but I feel like our calm was stolen from me.

[noah-fens]

I decided to befriend the one other person in class who seemed as quiet and introverted as me, which was in hindsight a mistake because they've turned out to be the most obnoxious person I've ever met:

yapping my ears off all day

usually starts the day with "i'm tired so i might not talk too much today", yet never does shut up

such a loud talker too

complains about everyone else being too loud

does never ever take a hint, will insist on asking if there's something wrong five times a day if i happen to be a little quieter than usual

constantly says they've stopped drinking only to talk every monday about how they went for drinks during the weekend

says they've stopped going out because they hate it, still constantly talks about that time they went to this or that party or club like it's their only hobby

will ask things solely as a segway to talk about themselves

thinks their experiences are, in fact, universal

if i add anything to a conversation, they will be quiet for like half a second before continuing like i didn't say anything - really just one ear in, the other ear out

i don't want to hear about your bunny or see pictures of your bunny!! i've had enough

truly i know their whole life's story, against my fucking will

what do you mean, your ex you haven't seen in two years showed up to propose last week? and you're complaining? i know it's just a way to brag that you have a love life

"yeah yeah i know, i've experienced a lot" sure yes you're the most interesting person in the room at any time, bravo

has complained about someone acting like they're the most special person ever by telling a lot of stories, more than once

said last month they've given up on dating, won't ever try tinder again, now they're constantly telling me about their numerous matches and asking me for input on what to send and like, no. i don't care and i don't understand how people are attracted to you

does in fact think they're the most interesting person alive

one time interrupted me to laugh at me for saying something wrong while i was explaining the mistake i'd made; idk it felt kinda really unkind and hurtful, the way they talked over me, at the moment, i think that is what cemented my dislike (seriously nothing worse to a quiet and reserved person like me to be talked over like that; i don't think i said another word to them that day)

one time kept going on and on about how we should hang out but framed it as me being in need of friends and terribly lonely, like they'd be doing me a favour

does not respect the fact that a quiet weekend at home is in fact a fun time for me

again, sooo loud. always yelling at me. maybe i'm just feeling more sensitive to loud talkers lately

the ultimate irony, told me this week they 'are able to tolerate me'; what? I mean sure but what? who the fuck says that to someone's face when you barely know each other

tells me every day they might not talk too much, gets offended if i say i don't mind

told me i can be very rude, for this precise reason

what do you want me to say??

said about someone "he's alright but he seems gay ... not that there's anything wrong with that of course" okay then why say it like it's relevant or in that tone? can straight people stop doing that?

told me they're into cops and lawyers

because they're a true crime fan

one time kept shoving bread into my hands even though i said i didn't want it, then laughed cause they thought it was just so funny the way they were feeding me

no matter how little response they get from me and how much i must look like i'd rather be anywhere else, they will keep on fucking yapping; will there ever be peace again? i miss when i could spend all my breaks quietly scrolling, but it's gone too far now and there's no way to tell them off cause i just know they'll take so much offense and then i have to deal with that for the rest of the year

is a 24 year old whose mother still makes their lunch and who does not eat the crust of their sandwiches

makes a mandatory weekly comment about how men suck sooo much and are so childish, like can we just get rid of them already, all of them indiscriminately (always the weirdest conversation to have as a closeted trans guy)

made fun of a guy for being shocked by the nude art in their parents' house yet kept going on about how it's very much frontal and detailed etc. like yes, that is generally a thing i might expect from nude art and in fact you seem more affected by it than me, why else are you repeating it over and over in the hopes of getting more of a reaction

has never heard of volume control, seriously stop fucking yelling at me, use your inside voice

might actually just be a me thing, tbh