#it's so funny to imagine them bonding over their children

[writingwisterias]

I had this random idea that came to mind - how would the different eras Leon act around reader's parents. like I imagine him meeting them for the first time and they're the stereotype old overly sweet parents that like to show pics of reader as a kid, making so so many questions about marriage and kids and future plans in general, embarassing them sm 😭 i have a feeling that especially with re2r Leon it would be so cute and funny

OMG! I'm so happy you asked for this because I was originally going to do Leon meeting the parents for the first time but I got so many requests! Ily for this

Also I'm so sorry it's out late I've just been working on some personal oneshots but now working through the requests!!

Warnings: insecurities, Fluff, themes of self doubt

AFAB!Fem!Reader

RE2:

When meeting your parents for the first time he sort of shy

He doesn't really talk much unless asked questions and it's not until a few times visiting your house that he actually interacts with them

I feel like he would have the relationship with your dad where he just gets dragged to help out and do things

He doesn't care though, it gets on his good side

Polite enough to help your mom clean up after dinner too

I think he would get flustered over topics of the future because he's still in that puppy love phase.

He does think about it but admitting aloud that he does makes him all giddy

RE4R:

Think's way too much in his head about what to say to your parents and how to interact with them

He's forming a whole as script and checklist making sure to tick all of them

Feels more comfortable around your mum but really stresses out internally on making sure he proves to your dad that he's actually worthy of your love.

In terms of chats about the future I feel like he has them in his head already, so when they bring it up it's a subject that he can talk about and doesn't wait for you to divert the subject

By that it's obvious that he can't say what his job is so when they originally asked he allowed you to explain it briefly.

Infinite Darkness:

He hides his stress a lot better and doesn't have a hard time sliding in your family dynamic because of his humour

They love him because he's respectful, funny and kind

He loves it when your mum brings out the photo albums

Asks if he can take some home just so he can look at them and picture what your children would be like

Helps out your dad with the car all the time, offers to do any odd jobs for him as well

He enjoys feeling useful

He would get flustered when he actually admits he has thought about the future with you only because he glances at you and sees the heart eyes you give him

Damnation:

Despite his more miserable look he manages to surprise your parents and they are quick to admit they have misjudged him

They don't get to see him often because he's always being dragged somewhere by his job

So when they do they have prepared a big meal for the both of you

Leon spends this time bonding with your dad working the BBQ and you get your mum talking about how cute you are together

The conversation carries to the evening when they offer for the both of you to stay the night and they bring out the albums

She even declares that she's got one ready for all the future photos of grandkids and your wedding

That makes Leon choke on his drink in surprise they even think about that for you

RE6:

Comes across as very confident but on the inside he's panicking about saying the wrong thing

Knows nothing about sports but pretends for your dad if there's a game on, will just watch him carefully and match his vibe if they do or don't score.

All the answers in his head are planned out in fear he will say something that seems cringey or too annoying

Gets along with your dad really well very quickly

After any event or meal with them he has long naps because he's so mentally tired from thinking about everything he is doing

You have caught him and your dad napping on the sofa and armchair at the same time.

Vendetta:

They can tell that things are bothering him and trusts that the two of you can work it out together

He hides it well to give him credit but towards the evening like always his mood will falter

Your parents don't judge him of course, from the little bits of information they have about his path they offer their support

It's almost weird to him to have parents that are so loving and care about not only you but him like a son

Appreciates them but can never really express it right

For events like christmas or thanksgiving he tries his best to be happy and present but they understand he needs a break

It's like a silent acceptance of them knowing he's a great guy just going through bad things so they opt to just be a place of comfort and let him relax with you here.

Death Island:

He is a dick if you end up sleeping in your childhood bedroom

Teases you with your dad all the time

Loves it when your mum brings out the photo albums! He's looking through them all

He will openly talk about his plans for the future and keep them in the loop about any updates in your life

He texts/calls them more than you at this point

If they want something from you they just ask you through him because they know he'll reply

Plays board games with them all the time, and helps with anything they need around the house like he does with you at home.

[meadowsofmay]

stoopid headcanon but i find it funny:

thranduil and elrond be doing the 'catch-up after THE catch-up' talk, the one that mother's do when it's time to leave but 'oh, here's the cake', 'oh, have you heard?', 'i do have a remedy for that, hold on'. and it can go for hours.

(horsemen don't even get the horses ready after the first call anymore because they just know that elrond and thranduil will stand at the top of the staircase and talk-talk-talk).

so, imagine young legolas sleeping on the steps, just a little lower the spot where lord elrond and his father be talking without a stop, because he is tired little leaf and arwen and elladan and elrohir are in beds already and legolas is yet to leave imladris. why do they even leave into the night when they all know this happens every single time?!

[quixotical-lymbo]

AAAA HIIII‼️‼️ LOWKEY UR ONE OF THE BLOGS IVE BEEN OBSESSED WITH BUT FARRRRR TOO SCARED TO INTERACT WITH BC IM LIKE THAT, BUT IM TWEAKING OVER D16 RNNNN 😭😭

If its not too much to ask but could i req for some basic D16 hcs or a drabble with a child reader or possibly his child? (IDK HOW AGE AND CHILDREN WORK IN CYBERTRON LMAOO) I really dont mind what you make IM OBSESSED WITH UR WRITINGGG!!

Please take care of urself and eat drink and sleep!! Love the work, keep it up!!!

Pairing: D-16 &  gn!sparkling!Reader Rating: SFW Summary: headcanons of D-16 taking care of his sparkling :3 Warnings/Tags: Canon divergence, pre-canon, cybertronian reader, fluff, family shenanigans, Orion Pax can be viewed as a second father figure/uncle, angst, and typical family dynamics A/N: ahh!! ty! don't be afraid to interact with me :) and writing this was so fun! I had some help from @skelswritingcorner headcanon about sparklings.  Word Count: 1300+ words 

How you two met 

🟡 It was really funny. 

🟡 Ok, no it wasn't. D-16 could've imagined anything else happening during the cycle, anything but something falling on top of his head while he was taking a stroll around Iacon. 

🟡 It was a weird…mini-bot thingy that looked unordinary. If D-16 had to describe you in a few words, it would be tiny, small, and helpless. 

But…the way your optics online as you took in your surroundings and your big, wide optics stared into his own awoke some protective instinct within him. So, he carefully tucked you in his arms and hurried back to the mines. 

Early dynamics 

🟡 D-16 treated you like you were made out of glass, it didn't help that the dust and other particles around the mines made your systems irritated to the point of crying. 

🟡 Oh Primus, the first time you wailed loudly, every bot starred in his direction as the noises shrieking from his chassis area increased. D-16 had to quickly excuse himself to the showers and hide in there with you to shush you. 

🟡 Overtime, D-16 learned how to tend to your needs and taking care of you became easier with each passing deca-cycle. 

Current Dynamics 

🟡 Who knew a little bot like you who ate little, chirp, scream a bit,  slept a lot, and couldn't walk would be easy to take care of. 

🟡 Oh man, once you've grown enough to stand on your own two pedes, things get harder for D-16 as he now has to keep a closer optic on you at all times. 

🟡 You had a knack for getting into places you shouldn't be in and D-16's spark nearly stopped when he caught you trying to sneak inside of a mining shaft. You were scolded, of course, but that didn't stop you from trying again.

🟡 As tiring as it is to watch over you, D-16 felt it was worth it if it meant seeing your bright smile each time. 

Uncle Pax 

🟡 Ok, so. Remember the incident when D-16 first brought you in? Well, Orion wasn't too far on D-16's tailpipe. When he saw what his best friend brought into the showers, he was…excited?

🟡 "Why are you smiling so-" 

🟡 "Do you realize what you have in your servos right now?! That's a sparkling!" 

🟡 "????"

🟡 "Dude, I read about them and they-" 

🟡 Orion goes into detail about the records he's skimmed about tiny cybertronians who were referred to as sparklings. 

🟡 The old records hypothesize that they were an alternative way to produce bots in large quantities, there were downsides to this method since the bots that came out were…not up to par with being on their own unless someone cared for them. 

🟡 There's a theory that the method was abandoned due to how much time it takes for these sparklings to grow and be a part of society. No one has seen a sparkling since, and those that already grew up from being sparklings are a scarce number. 

🟡 To say Orion was siked that D-16 practically held a living relic in his servos was an understatement, he even proposed to take over caring for the sparkling as their 'sire.' A term, D-16 later learned was the role given to bots who created a close, familial bond with these sparklings. 

🟡 D-16, for some reason, decided to decline Orion's offer but allowed him to help whenever he could 

🟡 And help Orion did. Much to D-16's displeasure of his friend encouraging his sparkling to get into trouble.

🟡 Heading off into the archives together became a pastime for you two. 

🟡 Even if your sire got mad when your uncle almost got caught by the high guards, it was fun clinging to his back as he jumped through hoops to get away from them.

🟡 Keeping you hidden from others was important, but your uncle adding a bit of fun in your life made it bearable when you were kept away from the light of day. 

Affection? 

🟡 D-16 and you will sometimes butt helms as a form of affection, especially after a petty spat.

🟡 Hugs are on the table and D-16 loves embarrassing you with a bear hug, might even make kissy faces until you squeal and pull yourself out of his arms

🟡 All and all, D-16 has physical touch as a love language (helm pats, arm rubs, scooping you up and throwing you in the air, etc). 

Arguments? 

🟡 Speaking of keeping you hidden, you couldn't understand why your sire didn't want others to see you

🟡 You did nothing wrong, but your sire was having none of it.

🟡 "Do you want to be taken away from me and Pax?" 

🟡 Same old excuse did nothing to stop you from sneaking out at night and exploring the streets of Iacon

🟡 Trying to sneak back in was the harder part, because D-16 would already notice your absence and panic. You always have an earful waiting for you when you get back home.

 

🟡🟡🟡 Drabble 1: Bundle of Joy 🟡🟡🟡

"Alright! Time to switch with the night crew, make way everybody!" The command from the captain of the mining crew felt like a blessing. Orion wiped the coolant from his forehelm and glanced around the area, making sure that no one was watching–he made his way towards the exit while every bot spoke among each other. 

Up ahead, a familiar jaundice-eyed mech approaching with something behind his back. 

As the two near each other, a single nod was exchanged before the bundle in D-16's servo was passed off to Orion.

Orion continued walking out of the mines until he reached a safe distance to unwrap the bundle and cooed as your bright (o/c)'s came into view. He wiggled a digit in your face and couldn't stop the smile growing on his dermas as you grasped his digit and giggled. 

"Come on, we have a berth time story with our designations on it."

Orion carefully tucked you in his arm and walked toward the shared quarters. 

  

🟡🟡🟡Drabble 2: Goodbye, for now. 🟡🟡🟡

"Oh? What's this…or rather, who?" 

You shrieked as you were plucked from behind your sire's knelt form. 

"No-! Let them go!" D-16 was quick to lunge for Sentinel and was knocked back by the guards and their weapons. 

"Ah ha! So this was the little relic I've been hearing so much about?" Sentinel held you up by the back of your neck cables and rotated you like some sort of spectacle."I remember when you guys existed, a shame I'll have no use for you, but my wall is missing a new mount…" 

"You monster!" B-127 shouted as he attempted to stand but was also shoved to the ground by a weapon. 

Sentinel was about to say some witty remark when a large shadow pounced on him. Chaos erupted as D-16 tackled the false Prime and began raining his fists on Sentinel. The guards all came to Sentinel's aid, which gave Bee enough time to break free, slice down a guard that tried taking you and scooped you up from the ground. 

"Hey little dude, everything's ok, ok-?" Bee bounced you in his arms as the tears on your face continued forming at the edge of your optics. Where was your sire? 

A loud crash caught your and Bee's attention as the two whipped helms as a large hole appeared in the wall of Sentinel's office. Your sire and Sentinel were nowhere to be found. 

"Ok…let's go help Dee!" Bee glanced around the damaged space before running out.

Everything happened way too fast for your little processor to make anything make sense. In one second, your sire's friend—and practically your secondary sire—was falling in a hole, then your sire…did something bad but B-127 covered your optics before you could see what happened, and then you were carried toward the dome's roof staring at the unfamiliar mech before you.

"Go…Take the high guard and leave, you are banished from Iacon." Optimus Prime paused, his optics flickering toward the trio slowly approaching. Elita-1, B-127, and…you. 

"It didn't have to end this way," Optimus returned his gaze to his former friend. 

"...this isn't over, Prime." Megatron seethed. 

The two momentarily paused as your small voice called out to your sire. Megatron's optics dimmed as he lowered his helm, a tense silence followed before Megatron finally raised his helm and spoke, "Keep the liability with you, I don't have room for any weaknesses. Not anymore." 

"..." Optimus Prime refused to speak, fearing that his voice would've matched the growing pain in his spark. 

Megatron huffed before limping away and commanding the high guard to follow him. 

B-127 grunted as you wiggled and trashed in his hold, trying to get to your sire and-

Your teary gaze watched in shock as your sire, your only family, your world up and left you behind. Your fans kicked in as you lost the ability to breathe, your vision grew blurry as the wails in your intake were stomped by the lump causing a croaked sob to leave you. 

You buried your faceplate in the B-127's chassis. 

B-127 and Elita-1 shared a glance, one twisted with pain for the crying sparkling and the other hesitation. B-127 turned to look at the new Prime and found he had already made his way over and reached for you. 

B-127 handed you off to the larger mech and Optimus rubbed your back, shushing and whispering comforting words in your audial. 

"We…have a lot of work to do, for now, we all deserve a rest." Optimus murmured to the other two. Elita-1 already understood Optimus's hidden intention and took charge as she directed her attention to the awaiting crowd of bots. 

B-127 glanced between Elita-1 and Optimus before joining Elita. Optimus turned his attention to you.

"Do not worry, little one, I'm here." Optimus reassured. "I will not leave you, not now, not ever." 

"...promise?" 

Optimus smiled for the first time since he came back from being offline. 

"I promise." 

😼 - I do not give permission for anyone to translate, copy, republish, or plagiarize any of my written works. I provide no permission for any of my literary works to be used in artificial intelligence. like my writing? consider buying me a kofi :)

banner(s) by @kodaswrld !!

[demonslayedher]

Remember that Fate Swap AU?

Yeah. It still has some hold on my imagination, and it suddenly hit me one day how isolating that immediate aftermath would have been for these two. Their bond is gonna be so tight.

If you don't want to read the original 17,000 word AU post, see below the explanation of what's going on.

***

The premise was that the characters who canonically died in the Infinity Castle & Sunrise Countdown get to live, and vice versa, with the caveat being that Nezuko was not part of the battle so she gets to live (going by Anon's prompt). The Ask was about the aftermath so most of the AU is about the aftermath, but at this point in AU:

--Zenitsu died of his injuries from fighting Kaigaku, told Yushiro to go save the woman he loves --Yushiro saves Tamayo by getting the secret!medicine from Kanao, changes Tamayo into a human against her will and gets absorbed by Muzan while saving her --Inosuke saves Shinobu (scarring her face in the process) but dies fighting Douma --Muichiro loses an arm in the fight against Kokushibo, but he and Genya are otherwise intact, and Sanemi dies after managing a few words to Genya --After Muzan is defeated, Giyuu collapses and holds Tanjiro's hand, apologizes for being unable to protect him, and dies --Himejima holds on (but falls unconscious), withstanding injury and the mark --Iguro and Mitsuri are comatose and shredded, but they have all their limbs and are alive --When Tanjiro changed, Muichiro noticed and fought him first, Genya and anybody else still standing tried to help, but ultimately Kanao saw that while he had still freshly changed, there was still a chance to stop him if his head was cut off at exactly the right spot --But getting that shot meant Tanjiro had a better shot at her heart

And then in the aftermath of the AU, we followed a bunch of their interactions and wound up with: --So many complicated feelings about what they've all been through (and like, how Tanjiro ended up a murderer) --After going through a depressive episode, Shinobu has a renewed sisterly relationship with Aoi, to whom she gifted Kanao's butterfly hairpiece. Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho go to school like regular children, with Shinobu having rejected Tengen's offer to adopt them. Shinobu has prominent facial scars, wears Tamayo's hairpin, and extremely occasionally, Inosuke's mask. --After some attempt at backing out, ObaMitsu survives and makes good on their promise. They assumed he totally lost his vision and she lost her womb, but neither ever asked for the medical details to be sure, so they are very happily surprised when it is revealed that he still has some vision (they can look forward to other happy surprises later). Also, Tamayo figured out how to treat The Mark, so yay. --Muichiro, Genya, and Nezuko are handling things pretty well, all things considered. They more or less become sworn siblings (Senjuro, a literature fanboy, sort of fanboys over their bond). Nezuko wears Giyuu's (repaired but too big for her) haori and reads scraps of a book called "The Legend of Zenitsu" which a sparrow collects for her. Muichiro wears braids like Mitsuri used to because he finds it funny. He is of course not the one who braids his own hair. Genya has no style updates. --Hear me out, but... I kind of wound up pairing Himejima and Tamayo?????? And I, who am not much of a shipper and generally only tend to go for canon pairings, really kind liked it????????????? Even though I otherwise would never????????? Like??? They have a son and his name is Chachamaru. Plus they pretty much adopted Muichiro, Genya, and Nezuko and they all live in the Kamado house. But if you asked them if they're a couple, they're like, "???? ew no ?????" SO YUSHIRO IS PISSED BEYOND THE GRAVE, RIGHT!? --Well, yes, at the very end --Like --I really, really liked the short conclusion I wrote that takes place in hell --Basically like --Yeah --I loved it --Hashira, and like --Tanjiro, and pals, but like, Muzan, and, yeah

[xinmin-exe]

Attack On Titan characters as Parents

Note: I haven't really watched attack on titan in years, so I'm sure all of these characters are gonna be OOC ALSO i am making it so everyone survived in the end and they all got their happy ending because these babies deserve it

WARNINGS: fem!reader, brief mentions of past trauma, mentions of miscarriage, very brief mention of the birthing process,

Eren

Eren was so traumatized after what his father did, he almost had a break down when you told him you were pregnant. It took him a couple weeks, and many, many late night talks with Armin until he was willing to try to be there for you. Eren was so nervous and worried he was going to be just like his father but the moment he saw his kid, everything just clicked. He was so gentle with them and always made time to talk and play with them during the day. As they got older, their bond grew even closer as Daddy and Aunt Mikasa took them out hunting every couple of weeks. Eren is an amazing father who despite everything he went through, made damn sure to do better for his child.

Armin

Armin never imagined having children, it just wasn't something he saw in his future. that was, until you came into his life and changed everything. When your little bundle of joy was born, Armin was in tears. He couldn't help but admire them and want to give them everything. Since then, Armin has done everything to nurture their ideas and passions. He even took them to the sea and let them play around. He wanted them to grow up with everything he couldn't have (aka, parents) so he did everything he could to stick around. Armin turned down multiple high government positions just to stay close to you and his child. Armin is the parent we all need in our lives.

Mikasa

When you approached Mikasa with the idea of wanting to adopt, she was speechless. Ever since her parents were killed, she never thought about having children. However, she loved you so much that she wanted to at least try. After all, she wasn't exactly motherly (at least that's what she will tell people) When Hange introduced you two to a young child (maybe 5 or 6) from the underground Mikasa's heart melted. She saw herself in this child so much that her protective instincts kicked in. She was so protective of this child, no one, and i mean no one besides you could be left alone with them. Even if it was armin or Eren, Mikasa was always in the room, one second away from glaring the other person into the next century. Mikasa really warmed up to the idea of being a parent and fit into the role well.

Jean

Jean was the one of the only in the group who wanted to still have kids. He knew what he wanted from life and was damned if some suicidal maniac was going to stop him. So when you were giving birth, Jean made sure he was right next to you, holding your hand and encouraging you the entire time. Even though you did scream at him "this is your fault! If i live through this i am going to KILL you Kirstein!" (the nurses thought that it was funny) But once your child was here, nothing else mattered. Once you were able to leave the hospital and go home, all Jean did was take your kid around and show off. Constantly saying "look at what i did" or "aren't they just gorgeous like their mom?" He always had something to brag about (even if the thing wasn't brag worthy), to Jean, anything your child did was amazing. Jean is very much the parent to scream at the back of the room while their kid is performing and embarrass the shit out of them.

Connie

Connie hadn't given having kids much thought. Afterall, he didn't even know if he'd be surviving long enough to be given that option. But once you told him you were pregnant, he was over the moon! Connie didn't let you move a muscle, ever. You need something from the top shelf? He's getting the stepstool. You want some food? He's already getting the ingredients out. And when you went into labor, he was right by your side. He let you squeeze his hand as hard as you needed to, and he made sure you were given everything possible to make birth as comfortable as it could be. Connie was so overwhelmed with love once he laid eyes on your child, the only time he let you hold them was when they needed to be fed. Connie got up to soothe them during the night, claiming it was the least he could do since you went though the pain of giving birth. Connie was there at every single milestone for their life, and he was never, ever going to stop being there for them; or for you.

Sasha

Oh boy, Sasha is the cool mom. When you two first adopted your child, she was admittedly a little awkward around them. But, after many late night snacks and a few bad cooking experiences, Sasha blossomed into a wonderful mom. She made sure they were eating properly and always had snacks on her. Your kids friends know that they will eat good when Sasha is around, and you two have become THE family. Sasha does tend to spoil them and say "yes" practically every time they ask for something, but they never try to manipulate that. You and Sasha both make sure your kid is kind and humble and thoughtful. With Sasha at your side, nothing is impossible and raising a child together was the best decision you two ever made.

Levi

Levi initially turned down the idea of having kids. Claiming that he was not fit to be a father, but fate wasn't having it. When you found out you were pregnant, you were worried to tell Levi. You knew he didn't want kids and you had grown to be content with that. What would he say when he found out? Would he leave you? Those thoughts sent you spiraling when Hange eventually let the cat out of the bag. Levi was silent but you could see in his eyes that was he happy. Even though he didn't want kids, he knew he wanted you. If that meant having to raise another brat then so be it. At first, he did the basics, changed their diapers, fed them, etc. But he never truly bonded with them until they were older and confided to Levi that they felt like an outsider looking in. He listened and did his best to offer advice and words of wisdom that might help. From then on, Levi was so much more involved and made sure that they were getting the life they deserved.

Erwin

Erwin was possibly the most excited to be a father. After everything, when things began settling down he approached you with the idea of trying for kids. At first you were the hesitating one, but Erwin was able to convince you to at least think about it. After a while, you were on board and baby, he got to work. It was along road, you had a miscarriage and that was demoralizing. Erwin made sure to support you the entire time. He understood that you may not want to try again and he was okay with that. It took you a year or so after for you to want to try again. But eventually, with enough effort and support, you gave birth to a beautiful baby. Erwin was in love with your child the moment he laid eyes on them. He spoiled them as much as he could, whenever he could. He was a dotting husband, and even more dotting father.

Hange

Oh boy, Hange is.. enthusiastic to say the least. They see it as a new experiment, at first. Hange takes your pulse every day, they measure how much you eat as well as your weight. When you gave birth, they were overwhelmed. There was a beautiful little bundle wrapped up in your arms and all Hange wanted was to hold them. Hange was so careful that you almost had to do a double-take. They held your child so gently, like glass. From then on, it was like the whole world vanished for them. They prioritized being there and being a parent over anything. Hange recorded all the milestones (first steps, first word, first tooth, etc) but they also recorded every other moment (like when they babbled for the first time, or when they first rolled over). But to Hange, they were all important moments.

[muiitoloko]

Hello! Are your requests open? If so, can I request an Alan x child actress reader? Like they're staring in a tv show or something as father daughter. I kinda want some fluff goodness 🥺. Since Alan never had children but I know he's great with kids and he's a method actor if I remember correctly. Not sure about the plot tho so you could have creative freedom with it :)).

Title: Lights, Camera, Fatherhood.

Summary: Alan Rickman reflects on the emotional power of acting as he auditions with a young girl to play his on-screen daughter, forming a bond that promises to shine in their upcoming series.

Pairing: Alan Rickman & Fem! Reader

Warning: none.

Author's Notes: Hello! Yes, my requests are open 😄, and I have to say, this idea is absolutely adorable! 🥺 I can already imagine Alan being all fatherly and sweet on set while staying in character. Thanks for trusting me with the creative freedom—this one’s going to be fun! 😄✨

Also read on Ao3

You sat on the edge of a worn leather bench in the waiting room, your small legs swinging back and forth nervously. Your hands gripped the sides of the bench as you glanced around at the other children and their parents, all of them looking just as anxious as you. Your mom sat beside you, offering a reassuring smile every now and then, but you could still feel the butterflies swirling in your stomach.

This was the final audition. You’d already been pre-selected, and now you were here, just one more step away from possibly landing the role of the daughter in a TV series—a role that had the entire cast and crew abuzz. But what made your heart race even more was the fact that the character who would play your father was none other than Alan Rickman, Professor Snape himself.

You’d been dreaming about meeting him for weeks. In fact, you’d secretly practiced your lines in front of your Harry Potter books, imagining Snape’s voice responding to you. It was funny, really, that you would be auditioning with someone so famous, someone you’d seen in movies—and now you had a chance to be his on-screen daughter. But that also made it ten times more nerve-wracking.

“Mama, what if I mess up?” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the hum of the other families in the room.

Your mother squeezed your hand gently. “You won’t, sweetheart. You’ve worked so hard for this. Just be yourself, and everything will be okay.”

You nodded, biting your lip as you glanced at the closed door across the room. Every few minutes, it would open, and another child actress would come out, either smiling brightly or looking close to tears. Your heart raced every time the door moved, knowing your turn was getting closer.

And then it opened again.

A little girl walked out, her face a mix of relief and excitement. Behind her, you caught a glimpse of the tall figure of Alan Rickman, standing with the director, his hooked nose and sharp features unmistakable even from a distance. He looked just like he did in the movies, only without the long black robes. He was dressed in a simple, dark suit, but it was the same serious expression you’d seen as Professor Snape.

Your stomach flipped.

“Next, please!” the casting assistant called, her voice crisp as she glanced down at her clipboard.

Your mother gave you an encouraging nudge. “It’s your turn, darling.”

You swallowed hard and slid off the bench, your legs feeling a little wobbly as you walked toward the door. Your hands were clammy, and you had to remind yourself to breathe as the assistant led you into the audition room.

The space was larger than you expected, with cameras set up around the edges and a few people sitting at a long table in the back, watching intently. But it was Alan Rickman who caught your attention. He was standing near the center of the room, his hazel eyes sharp but kind, and he gave you a small, almost imperceptible smile as you walked in.

"Hello there," he said in that deep, unmistakable voice of his. It was softer than Snape’s, less stern, but still had that same gravitas that made your heart skip a beat. “You must be the next potential daughter of mine, hmm?”

You blinked, unsure if you were supposed to laugh, but your mom had always told you that a joke deserved a smile, so you grinned nervously.

Alan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he took a step closer. “No need to be nervous. I don’t bite—unless the director insists upon it, of course.” He winked playfully, and that little gesture somehow made you feel a bit more at ease.

The director, who had been flipping through some notes, looked up and smiled warmly at you. “Okay, sweetie, we’re just going to run through a scene with Alan here to see how you two work together. Nothing to worry about, just have fun.”

Alan gave you an encouraging nod and gestured toward a couple of chairs that had been set up to mimic a living room. “Shall we, then?” he asked, his voice kind as he waited for you to join him.

You took a deep breath and nodded, moving to sit across from him. Your hands still trembled a little, but Alan seemed to sense that. He leaned in slightly and whispered, just loud enough for you to hear, “It’s just pretend. We’ll make it up as we go along.”

You nodded, and the director called, “Action!”

Alan’s whole demeanor changed in an instant. His posture stiffened slightly, and his expression became serious, though not in the intimidating way Snape might have been. He was now a concerned father, his eyes soft as he looked at you.

“Darling,” he began, his voice deep and measured, “why didn’t you tell me what was bothering you earlier? I thought we had agreed to talk about these things.”

Your heart thudded in your chest, but you remembered your lines. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me,” you said softly, doing your best to look down at your lap as if you were sad.

Alan’s brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, his voice full of warmth. “Disappointed? In you? Never. You’re my daughter, the most important person in my life.”

The words were simple, but the way he said them—so sincere, so full of emotion—made you feel like they were real, like you really were his daughter, and he was trying to make everything better. You glanced up at him, and for a moment, you forgot you were in an audition room.

“Really?” you asked, your voice trembling slightly, a bit of your real nervousness slipping into the scene.

Alan smiled softly, leaning closer. “Really,” he said. “You could never disappoint me. Not in a million years.”

Alan was a method actor, and you could feel him fully becoming the father character, his voice deep and filled with quiet emotion. He made you believe in the world of the story, and soon, your nervousness was forgotten.

But then, in the middle of one of his lines, Alan suddenly made a subtle, funny face—something that was out of character but just small enough for only you to catch it. Your eyes widened in surprise, and you almost giggled. He was playing with you, testing to see if you could keep your composure. You bit your lip and kept going, fighting the smile threatening to break across your face.

When the scene ended, the director nodded approvingly. “Very nice, both of you. The chemistry is really strong.”

Alan grinned and leaned down slightly, so only you could hear. “You didn’t laugh. Impressive. I might need to raise the stakes next time.”

You giggled softly, feeling lighter than you had before. "I can handle it."

As you left the room, Alan called out behind you, “Good luck, young lady. I think we’ll make a good team.”

You turned back, beaming, and gave him a little wave. “Thank you, Professor Snape!” you blurted out, and instantly regretted it, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

But Alan just chuckled, his smile warm and kind. “I think you’ll find I’m a bit nicer than that particular professor.”

As you walked back to your mother, you couldn’t stop smiling. She pulled you into a hug, her eyes twinkling with pride. “How did it go?”

“I think it went well,” you said, still beaming. “Alan Rickman’s really nice. And funny! I almost laughed during the scene, but I didn’t.”

Your mother smiled, brushing a piece of hair behind your ear. “That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you.”

As you sat back down on the bench, the nerves from before had completely disappeared, replaced by a warm glow of excitement. Whether or not you got the part, you knew you had just shared something special—a moment with a legendary actor who made you feel seen, comfortable, and brave.

And maybe, just maybe, you would get to spend more time working with him. After all, who wouldn’t want Alan Rickman as their TV dad?

Inside the audition room, Alan Rickman sat down with a sigh, running a hand through his silvering hair as the director approached him with a clipboard. His expression had shifted now that the young actress had left the room—no longer the warm, fatherly figure, but the methodical, critical professional that Alan embodied when it came to his craft.

The director, a man in his late forties with wire-rimmed glasses, flipped through a few pages of notes before looking up at Alan. “Well, Alan,” he began, “we’ve narrowed it down to three final candidates for the role of your on-screen daughter. All of them are talented in their own ways, but I wanted your take on them. You’re excellent with children, and frankly, I trust your judgment.”

Alan crossed one leg over the other, a thoughtful expression settling on his face. He had always approached his roles with meticulous care, and that extended to casting decisions. As much as he enjoyed the charm of working with child actors, he knew that the right choice here could make or break the emotional core of the show.

The director handed him a sheet with notes on each of the three candidates. Alan adjusted his glasses and skimmed through them before glancing back up. “Let’s start with the first one,” he said, his voice as smooth as ever but now tinged with a more professional edge.

“Emma, age 8. Strong presence, very polished. She’s already done a few commercials, so she knows her way around a camera,” the director explained, leaning back against the table.

Alan nodded, recalling the audition. “Yes, she has a natural confidence,” he agreed. “But I worry she might be too polished. Her delivery felt rehearsed, as if she was performing a routine rather than reacting naturally. With children, especially in this kind of intimate father-daughter dynamic, you need someone who can live in the moment. Emma’s a talented girl, but I didn’t feel that raw connection.”

The director pursed his lips, jotting down a note. “Fair point. And the second one, Sophie, she’s 9.”

Alan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he thought. “Sophie,” he repeated, his hazel eyes narrowing slightly. “Sophie has presence, no doubt about that. But I sensed some hesitation. She’s got potential, but there was something... withheld in her performance. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or something deeper. It might come out with the right direction, but she’ll need more work to access her emotions fully.

He paused, looking directly at the director. “And in this role, the father-daughter relationship is crucial. If she’s holding back, it’ll create a distance that the audience will feel.”

The director nodded thoughtfully, flipping to the last candidate. “And then there’s the girl who just left, our youngest at 7 years old. Her name is—”

Alan cut in with a slight smile, “Yes, I remember her. The girl who almost called me ‘Professor Snape’.” His tone was laced with a dry humor, the kind that always softened the edge of his critiques.

The director chuckled. “Yes, that’s the one. What did you think?”

Alan took a moment, his fingers drumming lightly on the arm of the chair. “She’s got something,” he said after a pause. “She was nervous—understandable, of course, given the situation—but she didn’t let it control her. There’s a natural vulnerability there, and that’s what we need for this role. It’s not about delivering a perfect line or knowing how to hit your mark, not with a child this age. It’s about honesty.”

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. “She made me believe she was genuinely afraid of disappointing her father. That’s the kind of performance you can’t teach. It’s instinctive.”

The director raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “You think she could carry the emotional weight of the role, then?”

Alan nodded firmly. “Yes. She’s not as polished as the others, but that’s exactly why she works. She’s real. She reacts, she listens, and she’s willing to be open. With a little guidance, she’ll give us the authenticity we need. The audience won’t just see a performance; they’ll feel it.”

He paused, his eyes flickering with a warmth that belied the seriousness of the conversation. “Besides,” he added, his tone lightening, “I’m rather fond of her resilience. I tried to throw her off with a bit of improvisation, and she didn’t crack. That tells me she’s quick on her feet.”

The director smiled, clearly valuing Alan’s opinion. “That’s a good sign.”

Alan leaned back, his features softening as he reflected on the process. “One thing I’ve learned over the years, especially with children, is that you have to give them space to be themselves. If you try to shape them into what you think they should be, you lose what’s unique about them. She’s got that spark, and we’d be foolish not to let her run with it.”

The director nodded slowly, absorbing Alan’s words. “So, you think she’s the one?”

Alan smiled, his eyes twinkling with the kind of affection he reserved for special moments. “I think she’s more than capable. She’ll need encouragement, of course, but she’s got what the others don’t—a raw, emotional honesty. That’s something you can’t teach. And frankly,” he added with a wink, “I quite like the idea of having a daughter who’s not afraid to stand her ground against me.”

The director laughed. “Alright, I’ll make some notes. I trust your instincts, Alan. If you’re on board, I think we’ve found our girl.”

Alan nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yes. I think we have. And I’m looking forward to working with her.”

As the director scribbled down his thoughts, Alan glanced back at the closed door where the little girl had exited moments before. A part of him, deep down, had always longed to experience fatherhood, to guide and nurture a child. And while that part of his life had never materialized, acting—particularly in roles like this—allowed him to explore that side of himself in a way he never could in real life.

It was a bittersweet feeling, but as he prepared for what was to come, he knew one thing for certain: this was going to be a rewarding experience, for both him and the young actress.

"Let's make this happen," Alan said quietly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

And with that, the director nodded in agreement, sealing the fate of the young girl who would soon share the screen—and many memorable moments—with Alan Rickman.

[inferno-0]

Do you have any thoughts about loner human reader and godzilla like bonding through their loneliness? how reader may seem different from others and exhausted with everything including life and he gets it after existing for so long and fighting so much?

I think such a scenario can happen. Imagine a war who has been fighting for many years and an ordinary resident who is just tired and does not want to gain anything in this life. The same is true of Godzilla, who constantly lives somewhere far from social creatures and comes when nature requires it, despite his contradictions. Balance is balance, you see? If this somehow complicates the situation, Mothra or someone else will definitely come to the rescue, for example, the same people like beetles flying near his face. Sometimes it is annoying, but nothing can be done about it, since they are also children of nature itself, who have very little experience of life, but a rapidly developing way of fighting Titans like him.

He was used to seeing them in groups, shouting something in their own language. Wherever he is, they go everywhere in groups, all the time.

It is quite rare to meet one person who can be said to have distanced himself from his relatives. He does not feel fear when he sees a massive figure in front of him, he does not think about what may happen to him at this meeting. It's strange and intriguing, Godzilla now doesn't really want to say goodbye to such a creature with a mind.

Your gaze, which is not entirely lifeless, makes the Titan quietly watch you and just loom over you. Your eyes are full of sadness and it seems familiar to him.

Complete detachment.

The warrior protects, the warrior understands, so the attempt to go to sea was unsuccessful both on your part and on his part. One wanted to go into a deep sleep, the other wanted not to wake up at all. It's funny when the great Titan decides to stay with a little man for a while in order to guard him and fence him off from a place where he doesn't need to be at all.

Our Titans live again)

[lesb0]

The hippocampus stores your recent episodic memories while deeper more emotional crystallized memories are stored all through the entire brain & nervous system. you can remember to play piano songs you learned at 6 because those are stored in your hand nerves too, not just the brain

your brain triggers memories through your entire body, this is why amputees have phantom limb

concussion injuries, anxiety, illness, and traumas damage the memory

your brain will learn better when engaging more senses. if there is audio, video/pictures, smell, touch, and taste, you will remember more. Studying is most effective from lectures while snacking

There are no "learning styles"

the body memorizes your life and events in a different way than your brain does

the past becomes less specific and more generic when you learn basic self preservation, children remember more unless it will be a funny crazy story to tell people and bond with them

people with hyperthymesia, or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) remember exact details of their long-term personal life with perfect recall. Their ability is different, but their brains are the same as ours. It is an extreme condition that frequently causes the person anxiousness and extreme synesthesia

memory in most people has a lot of imagination and substitution of details to solidify better

"tip of the tongue" happens while your information is competing for resources in your brain, so something like "have fun with your friends" will win over remembering something important

estrogen increases memory, the health of the brain, and cognitive function

[sol-consort]

just wanted to share a thought that popped into my head. Imagine adopting a lil baby alien, a turian, asari, krogan, salarian, whatever. Just imagine how cutteeeeeee🥰🥰🥰 im gonna pinch their lil cheeks and give em to much candy

Humans are well known for their ability to bond with just about anything. I’m honestly suprised xeno adoptions aren’t something that are even mentioned in the games

I know realistically it could go wrong in a million different ways. I know our differences can be hard to overcome. I know that this is wish fulfilment fantasy at best.

But that's exactly what I want, this beautiful fantasy where humans are accommodating, loving, and absolutely willing to adopt and raise children from different species.

The mental image of a toddler salarian alone is making my brain do backflips, my heart is in a vice grip, this adorableness can't be allowed, this cuteness oh my god. Just imagine the baby salarian. THE BABY SALARIAN MY HEART I CAN'T TAKE IT.

Silly cat videos can't even compare to the level of adorableness that is a baby salarian curling into a ball while sleeping sorrounded by pillows because it unconsciously remind them of the safety of the egg they hatched from.

They're so clever for their age, already solving puzzle toys meant for human kids much older than them. And you couldn't be more proud as you fawn over them, bragging about your genius toddler to anyone willing to listen.

Clever, yes, but not very smart as they attempt to eat your hair on various occasion because they don't know what this strange thing growing from your head is. Endlessly curious, every toy you bring them ends up gutted, turned inside out, then put back together by clumsy fingers.

Each time you take them to the park they overflow their pockets—and yours by extension—with grass, small twigs, and cool rocks. Bugs sometimes, alive ones.

They're the fastest ones to develop speech. Using the high-voice baby talk with them is very effective.

-

Or baby turians who literally chrip like birds when they're hungry, how could a small thing with such sharp teeth still manage to look this adorable? You don't know. They have a small tuff of feathers atop their head, which gradually falls off the older they get

Extremely cuddly, very clingy, chirping loudly whenever you leave the bed, standing in front of the bathroom door waiting for you to come out. They're relatively low-maintenance in comparison to salarian children. Baby turians prefer the tranquility of a soft nest to sleep in all day, wake up to eat food, wiggle around a little, bite your fingers and giggle at the funny human noises you make, then fall asleep cuddling against your warm body. You're so soft, you're basically another pillow to them.

Turians have special toys for their children that are ment to help maintain their claws and teeth. Dextro safe chew toys and rough textured toys to claw against are very common toy lines.

-

Then there are the baby krogans who are just so round and chubby that you wanna squish their cheeks together. Who enjoy rolling around like a ball courtesy of their hard backs and protective shell coverings.

They're heavy and hard to lift, but they love nothing more than being carried around. Raising a baby krogan is its own workout routine.

Definitely attempt to headbutt you when throwing a tantrum. But they're so short they can only reach your knees, and their heads are still soft it feels like a squeaky toy is bumping against your knee.

God, their cute tiny tail wiggling as they waddle around like a penguin.

-

Then there are baby drell who try to bury themselves under your body/the pillows when going to sleep because seeking shade is one of their early instincts.

You have to be careful and resist the human urge to cover them with a blanket because it's actually very bad for them. They also really enjoy laying on the cold tile floor. The cooling effect it has is very calming to them.

They are so much smaller than a human baby. You can't comprehend how these cute things grow up to the size of a drell adult. It's a biological advantage to allow parents to carry them everywhere—which you do, and they cling to you while staring at the world around with wide eyes, very quiet and content with watching things. a small green fist holding tightly to the collar of your shirt.

They're at their most vocal when happy, and they're the happiest when splashing around in a kiddie pool outside. Bathtime is so easy because they seem to enjoy playing with water, but you have to stop them from drinking it multiple times. Prolonged humidity is dangerous, so they can't enjoy it too often.

They shed their scales every so often, you have to use a toothbrush to gently encourage them to moult the stubborn ones.

Their photogenic memory makes it impossible to play peekaboo or hide things from them. They remember exactly where you hid the cookies. They know you have the TV remote behind your back, and they'll squeeze themselves between you and the couch to get to it.

[ray935sworld]

Visiting an old friend

Rosquez, Vale & Sic

25.12 Winter writing

Content information: the following writing includes Vale talking to Sic at his grave (no counter interaction). If this is something you're not comfortable with or that might triggers you, do not read.

I know some people or more hesitant when it comes to these topic. I don't mean any disrespect. I wrote this as part of a coping mechanism.

"Hey buddy, long time no seen" Vale said as he sat down opposite his old friend. "And I am completely aware that this is all my fault. So I apologize"

He smiled and felt the warmth he got in return. The other wasn't angry. He never was. He was just happy he was here now.

"You know, I... Funny story. I actually still thought our little meetings were a secret from Marc. But my dear husband told me to tell you that he says hi"

He remembered just a little bit earlier. "Give me a little bit time" he had whispered at Marc's ear when he kissed him awake. It was the early hours in the morning. 5.30 am. But he couldn't keep sleeping and he didn't want to miss Christmas breakfast with their little ones.

"I promise you I'm back in 2 hours" he kissed him again and saw his husband's calm smile as he nodded. "I know." he whispered as he burried his head back in the cushion. Soon enough their little whirlwinds would wake up and the peace was on the past.

He was just about to leave, already changed and the car keys in the pocket when Marc added "Tell him I said hi, will you? Tell him we miss him."

He felt a sadness pool in his stomach. All this time, every time he had made up a dumb excuse why he had to leave for a few hours weren’t needed. Of course he knew. And he had been respectful about it and didn't ask.

He smiled at him. It had been the perfect response. "I will"

And now he sat opposite him again.

"So... Hi from Marc. They miss you" he said and leaned back. "I miss you too..." he started to feel sad but right now he dint wasn't to be sad.

He quickly changed the subject. "Especially cause you'd have a field day with the way I stress out over the races at the moment" he chuckled.

"Seriously. My dear, sweet husband - Don't get me wrong. I am overjoyed that he's doing better and he's feeling happy on the bikes again. Finally he got that spark back, you know what I mean - and oh, we fuck like rabbits again. The boys already judge me for asking them to babysit that often.

He remembered Luca's and Pecco's looks after asking if they would like some uncles - nieces bonding time after Marc won his first race in years.

"But he's back to riding like - well almost like he used to. I can't imagine he'll be more careful next year. For the record I am not complaining! I am 100% supporting him. It's just - he'll be on a factory Ducati so I feel like I'm going to be gray a lot sooner than I thought"

He was almost as happy as he was concerned about him on a Ducati. But he could finally fight a title and he wouldn't be the one stopping him.

"I just feel sorry for Pecco. Bet he's going to complain to me the whole year. 10€!" He knew the other would accept that bet. He grinned.

"But at least I have an argument against Marc now. Okay, to his credit, he's more... I wouldn't say more careful on track but he's less stupid. Yes, that's it. Our little princess really keep him grounded. You should see him. He comes home and is immediately hugging and cuddling them"

He grinned, remembering how his little girls had tried to stay awake until their papa returned. Just when he had heard the car pull up, he had softly woken them up.

He had let them go first and just after seconds, the bags abandoned in the car, Marc had both his arms full with their little girls. He had kissed and hugged them and kissed them some more.

Vale ended up talking a lot about his little family and their adventures since his last visit. Then he went on about his other children.

"Ah and Franky - you wouldn't believe it. He finally got his shit together and asked Andrea out. Took him only 13 years or so of pinning. I bet that's a new record" he laughed.

"And now Marc is working on getting Cele and Bez together. I promise you, he should have been a dating coach."

He let time pass. The conversation was flowing. He talked about everything he could think off until there was nothing left. He didn't had anything else sitting on his soul.

That might be the worst and best moment of the whole visit. He knew there was nothing left to say. He didn't feel guilty about leaving. On the contrary, he felt lighter, more free. He was happy to see his family and spent Christmas together.

"I guess, it's time" he said, standing up. "Take care, will you? Be kind. Promise me, you're not causing too much of a chaos, amiche. Maybe a little. A little is needed but don't overdue it."

He laughed about his own words. "Do you hear that? I'm really getting old. But anyway..."

He leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. But his lips didn't met skin. He didn't even met the thick curls they used to touch. He felt the cold stone against his lips.

"I miss you, my friend. Really. Terribly. But I'll take my time to meet you again properly. But when I do meet you again and you give me a big hug, I'll have thousand of stories to tell you."

Looking at the stone infront of him for one last time. He knew he would be here again in a week to whish him a happy new year.

"And sent Nicky my greeting too, alright?" he said. "Merry christmas Marco "

He smiled at the stone, imagining it wasn't just his name and the letters and numbers that used to hunt him in his sleep but the man himself standing infront of him before he drove him for Christmas.

Marco Simoncelli

20.01.1987 - 23.10.2011

[welcometothelairofthebitchking]

Imagine 16 year old Gojo who just got divorced in front of KFC. Now imagine him going to BNHA universe and bringing his brand new children Megumi and Tsukuyomi (who he insists are his blood children how dare you try to deny the bond between him and the children he gave birth to HIMSELF-) with him. Now imagine he needs to enroll them at some elementary school (where we will later find Fyuumi, Todoroki's sister to be a teacher at). I need someone to help him with parenting and signging up the children for school and stuff. Like maybe another mother or older sibling. I am considering Inko, Bakugo's mom & dad (actually they should be neighbours it'll be so funny the family offers to babysit and Gojo crashes over after his own classes and eats all their sweets and Bakugo will scream at him to brush his fucking teeth. The beef between Bakugo and Megumi will make Gojo's day and he won't realize he's part of the beef as well.), and funnily enouh, Dabi

Kurogiri isn't an option becausehe can't leave Shigaraki long enough to come with Gojo to sign up the children but Gojo keeps breaking into his bar or even room to nurse orange juice and be dramatic over not being able to connect with his children

[komuite]

Wind Breaker AU where Sakura is a year older and ends up in Umemiya's same orphanage.

The Noroshi vs UmeGang side tracks because:

1) Umemiya's new younger sibling keeps breaking into their fights for random things, no matter who is fighting. Everyone is confused at this 15-ish middle schooler who pops up everywhere to call them lame, 'totally not checking on Umemiya' and leaves after he sends him home. It's not like they could knock him out and call it a day. One, the younger boy is fast. In speed and learning, the small fries can't catch him more than once and then never again. And two, hurting him is asking death.

2) At some point, Endo got interested in him. He keeps trying to talk with him. Umemiya is not amused. He keeps interrupting everything to chase him away, yelling something about "creeps that want to touch his pure little bro". That doesn't stops Endo. He only doubts when Umemiya and Takiishi are fighting because he doesn't want to ruin his fun.

And 3) Sakura's friendship powers activate early since he spends a lot of time with the children from the orphanage, Kotoha and the UmeGang.

Idk, I just think the idea of Endo staying at Furin to woo Sakura through the school's hallways when he starts the next year is funny.

I love love love this idea 😭

the ume-saku orphanage AU was already bouncing around inside my head because of that art comic that's been popular here. when Sakura comes in, Ume's hair might still be transitioning from black to white so they can bond over their two-toned hair. they'd grow close bc they'd share their vulnerabilities with each other—Ume is still grieving and can't control his bursts of anger as well as his older self.

lmao i'm just imagining Sugishita in this AU, maybe him and Sakura go to the same middle school with Sakura being his senior. they'd fight over Ume's attention but end up being best friends (and Sakura will always be salty about how Sugi is taller than him despite being younger)

and the whole Noroshi-Furin debacle going sideways just because Sakura's there 😂 Endo's down bad for him no matter what universe they're in

Sakura would pretend he's not checking in on Ume by crashing the fights but they all see through him. Ume would indulge him with anything, and Tsubaki thinks its sweet and wishes he was their brother, and Hiragi would be so stressed out lol. Noroshi would pause in their fighting just to poke and prod at Sakura to see his hilarious reactions (within reason ofc otherwise Ume would destroy them)

Ume would get such a grudge against Endo for becoming interested in Sakura, and then Takiishi would get mad that Ume is paying more attention to Endo than him, and Takiishi would maybe blame Sakura for it, and it will be a whole disaster, but i guess all that drama means Noroshi would have a reason to stay lol

[rnn11203]

How much do you think Demetrius/robin tried with Sebastian? I kinda see all the parents of stardew to be well meaning in a sense that i think they do truly love their children but they get swept up and do wrong due to their circumstances, resentment, and insecurity.

I think Pam loves Penny, but her addiction, raising penny on her own, losing her job… yk? All that pain turned into more pain, i think Pam knows penny has done far too much for her, but is too ashamed to fully realize it, so to cope she internalizes it and blames penny all over. Obsesses over her own sacrifices and her own pain and ends up neglecting her.

I think Jodi loves Sam and Vincent, but she also feels resentful, lamenting about a life not lived, she married young and now worries about a husband who is different from when he left. She’s afraid that Sam’s turned lazy, but also didnt want to repeat the wasted youth she missed out on too, she bottles her emotions and it creates anxiety for Sam specifically. Kent too, its interesting that Sam feels indifferent to his fathers return isnt it? All that lost time, strangers now, Sam had grown fine without him and perhaps this creates guilt for both of them.

I think Pierre and Caroline love Abigail, honestly, i dont think the “rumors” bother Pierre THAT much, i think sometimes he feels it, maybe after a particularly rough fight with either of his family members but i think he truly loves her, he’s her dad after all no matter who her father is. Caroline too, i think it’s just this unspoken thing for them, let the town gossip, they love their daughter. I dont think they understand her very well tho, and yk, she doesnt think they do either. Its one of those things where the more you try to understand, the less you hear. Abigails relationship with her parents reads more cliche teenager to me though, i headcanon that their relationships settle as she ages. I think Abigail would move out of the valley and travel frequently but i think shed make trips back to her family often. Mostly for holidays. I think Caroline specifically would still feel anxious and wish she didnt travel as much, but i think her and Pierre’s relationship gets better in the future too. (It’s funny, Pierre is one of the least popular characters but i actually really like him).

Which brings me to Sebastian, Robin, and Demetrius. Again with an unpopular opinion, when i first played, i really liked Demetrius. Although i did feel that robins side of the arguements were more “correct”.

I headcanon Sebastian’s age to be around 22-23~ while Maru’s is 18-19~. I also headcanon that Sebastians father simply just left while Seb was around 3~. Im curious to how others think him and robin met, im unsure if its ever mentioned in game but honestly i think they met due to work. Demetrius has stated that he studies the local flora and fauna and Robin is a carpenter, i imagine she has a lot of knowledge about pelican towns native plants and animals. I think they were smitten, i can see robin liking Demetrius more nerdy/dorky behavior and robins stern, playful, spitfire personality has captured the hearts of many players after all.

Sebastian comes off as a Velcro kid to me, i think he’d be a huge mamas boy and feel almost threatened by Demetrius. I think robin and Demetrius would marry quickly, and honestly i think Maru was a planned pregnancy, I think robin wanted to give Sebastian a sibling so he’d be less lonely, and i think they’d figure that bonding would happen easier if they were closer in age. I see this being very upsetting to Sebastian, i think he’d see his father once in a while but when hes around 12-13 it’s just.. silence.

Honestly, i think Demetrius would try really hard to bond with Sebastian. But once Maru came along both him and robin were just.. busy. I think Demetrius would unfortunately think “wow this is my first child!” And it alienated Sebastian. I think Sebastian feels abandoned. Replaced. Unwelcome. Which is why he struggles with opening up to others and prefers being alone.

Unfortunately i think robin and Demetrius would just think Sebastian was a more difficult child and that Maru was an easier baby. I think this would embarrass Sebastian and shame him, i dont think they ever meant anything by it but i do think Sebastian was a fussy child who wanted to be soothed. But after their comments, he’d isolate himself so that he too, would be an “easier” child for them. As Sebastian ages i think robin would feel she didnt do enough for him, i think she worries about him often but almost feels like it’s “too late”. I think eventually Sebastian would come to resent and feel mistreated by all his parents and as his behavior worsened, he’d get compared to Maru even more, furthering the resentment and pain he feels. I do think he’d be a meaner older brother though, causing Demetrius to be more protective over Maru causing stronger feelings of “you’re not my dad!” And etc…. Can you tell im sleepy yet?

TLDR: i think they would try their best but ultimately end up sidelining him, causing him to act out more until he just didnt care anymore.

[i-like-rocks22]

I watched the Squid Game reality series so you don't have to.

1. It is just as grim and psychologically intense as the show. I went into it not knowing anything about the set up and expecting the format to have been changed to be less nightmarish; maybe the games would be fun versions, maybe smaller prizes would be available for individuals or teams, or different stages of the game would have different casts. Nope.

2. It isn't funny. It's overly dramatised (it's produced in the style of US reality shows so it really focuses on the worst in people). Something I didn't expect and was absolutely astounded to see is that the contestants have to fake being shot as a black inkpack on their chest explodes when they're eliminated. Some of them have a bit of fun doing an over dramatic fall to the ground. Most just sit down looking completely destroyed which, when you consider the format and the reasons people are there (severely in debt, can't retire, disabled children that need care) it's just absolutely vile.

(Honourable mention to the only funny bit of editing in the show: when the remaining 20 contestants get together in a circle to discuss the next task, the very American team captain gives a motivational pep talk consisting entirely of buzz words, then goes 'let's pray' and it immediately swaps to focus on the remaining Brits who look absolutely horrified (for those outside of the UK most Brits are either non-religious or very quietly religious and find overt showings of religion like group prayer really weird)).

3. Deeply uncomfortable by the editing and voiceover choices that repeatedly portrayed black people, particularly black women, as the 'villains'. It was very very noticeable. There was a particular interaction where a black woman was shown in a very negative light, and I am still unclear on what happened during the show (due to the choppy and unclear editing) and cagey responses from contestants in interviews after. VERY very strange, and has led to that black contestant receiving a lot of hate.

4. The amount of contestants breaking down emotionally through the show makes so much sense not only when you consider the conditions they were being kept in, but the sheer amount of bonus psychological fuckery that was included. Not just the main tasks but additional challenges, individual tasks, and public votes for eliminations. A lot of these happened at random in the dorm rooms meaning they had no true safe space in which to relax. The filming was evidently over at least a week and I can't imagine how emotionally exhausted they must have been. I hope the contestants would have been offered some therapy on leaving but I don't think that's likely.

5. The one shining light in the whole show was how, very differently to the original series, individuals started to work together much earlier and more thoroughly through the tasks. Lots of people offered support and words of kindness to those struggling and appeared to really bond. In the end, while a grim and unsatisfying watch, that was the one thing I took away.

I am perfectly happy to watch some trashy TV from time to time and I don't believe every thing you watch should necessarily be dissected for it's greater meaning. But, not surprisingly when considering the source material, this was so far beyond trashy; it was exploitative and depressing and I can't believe it actually got (excuse the pun) green lit.

TL:DR; the black mirror episode that would be based off of squid game? Yeah that was it.

[where-dreams-dwell]

**** Spoilers for TUA S4 ****

My frustration with the Lila/5 plot in S4 is that they had such a complex and layered relationship already, developed across S2+3 and which truly felt earned by the time we rejoin them in S4. Why would you ruin that by introducing romance?

Lila and 5 have always had a fascinating relationship, mirroring one another and matching one another in a way no other character’s can.

Lila is the only other character to have lived, worked in and experienced the Commission and to therefore know how 5 thinks and operates because of it. Similarity 5 was also once the tool of the Handler, used to do her dirty work and to be wielded against her enemies for her own interests. Lila was in many ways 5’s replacement; the Handler decided to raise her from a child so she would be more malleable and easy to groom in comparison to 5 who was a grown man with trauma from decades of isolation when she recruited him.

Even in this they are mirrored: 5 would definitely see similarities in the Handlers parental manipulation to Sir Reginald’s brand of parenting. Both parents out for their own interests and keen to have superpowered children to deploy as and when they wish.

In S2 once both of them are aware who the other is and how powerful they are, their interactions show their balanced nature. They meet one another punch for punch, witty quip for witty quip. Lila’s powered aids in this as she is literally using 5’s own ability to fight him: visually they are mirrors of one another through that fight scene, through to the end of the season. Lila is the only character we’ve seen able to fight 5 to a standstill for any period of time.

Then throughout S3 we see their relationship develop from grudging acceptance via the proxy of Diageo (she’s my brothers girlfriend vs he’s my boyfriends brother) to actual reliance upon one another. By the end of S4 they acknowledge and appreciate one another’s strengths and truly feel like sibilings in their bantering and teasing relationship. 5 actually calls her family, and Lila’s behaviour towards him becomes familial: ruffling hair, teasing, dancing alongside them all.

There would have been such opportunity for more growth in the subway if they kept it platonic.

Let’s dive into 5’s trauma-bonding to Delores due to lack of human contact; Lila takes up drawing and paints a mural of Diageo and her children, which she talks to every evening. It starts as something funny and to poke fun at their situation but she confesses to 5 that she’s actually come to rely on it, imagining their responses to her questions and guessing what their life has been without her. 5 has the opportunity to be honest about Delores and his love for her; he knows she’s a manaquin but

Have them bond over abusive narcissistic parents: Sir Reginald and the Chairwoman had a lot in common, how is Lila dealing with that as a mother now herself? They grew up running training drills and completing missions: stuck on their own they probably would create obstical courses of doom and fight one another for first place.

Let’s fucking talk about 5’s clear trauma from his first isolation: the poor guy was alone for 40 years with no one, and as a result he put his sibling bond upon a pedestal and risked everything to save their lives. This continues through multiple timelines and in the face of all their shenanigans, even when they are foiling his own plans; through it all 5 will defend his siblings at the expense of anything and everything else. This trauma-bonding to his siblings, when he’s been separated from them for twice as long as he was with them, shows the lasting impact of this isolation on his ability to form relationships or let relationships end. Now he’s once again separated from them; he’s probably going to be bouncing off of the walls about that, and it would be fun to watch.

Plus being on his own again?! Let’s have 5 rage at Lila about it, break down and despair over having to do this all over again. This time he has Lila to talk to but he’s still trapped in a version of his own personal nightmare. The whole attempt to save his family must feel completely useless because here is is again, at the end of the world, alone and without his family.

The plot wouldn’t have had to be changed much at all and we would have gotten fantastic character exploration, and more of the sibling bonding moments that are so key to carrying the show through its more ridiculous or fantastical moments.

On top of all of this one of the key characteristics of 5 and one of his main motivations is his love for his family and his need to protect them. He’s lied, betrayed and murdered people in cold blood all in the name of familial love. Why *on earth* would a character with that history ever consider a romance with his brothers wife and the mother of his brothers children?! Are they trying to argue that if Sloan has been able to come with them after the reset and it was her who was trapped with 5 for all those years, then he would have started something with her too? That goes against a core tenant of his character and is a bridge he just wouldn’t cross no matter how alone he felt.

And why does this character just *have* to have a romantic love plot when their entire character arc across 4 seasons has been about their devotion? Whether devoted to their siblings or their ‘manaquin-love’ coping mechanism, 5’s actions have always been to protect the people he loves.

Calling any of these characters stories lacking because the love wasn’t romantic shows how little the writers understand their own story. Nothing felt missing or absent from 5’s character, and their actions have always fit into the wider show narrative that love makes you do crazy things. Whether it’s Alison’s devolution to Claire, Sir Reginald’s devotion to Alyssa, of 5’s devotion for Delores The Umbrella Academy is united and driven by love.

[avengerscompound]

Shared Experience - Chapter 4

Shared Experience - A Captain America Fanfic

Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Rating:  E

Warnings:  mentions of past torture, murder, and sexual assault

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Rose Astor

Word Count: 2859

Summary:  Rose Astor met her end in 1920, joining the ranks of the living dead two years after the birth of Steve Rogers.  A century later the two meet in battle - a beacon of light clashing with a creature of the night.  Despite their differences, the two bond over their shared life experiences.  Can a vampire become an Avenger?  Can two such different beings create a life together?

Chapter 4

Rose hadn’t expected to find anyone in the cell when she lifted the lid off the metal box she’d spent the night in.  She had assumed they’d wait until she was awake before they came in and a brand new day of testing began.  Instead when she sat up, she came face to face with Steve Rogers.

He was sitting on the metal bench that ran down the other side of the room with his ankle resting on his knee.  He was in street clothes - dark blue jeans with a white t-shirt and a dark blue jacket, but he had the shield propped up against the bench beside him.  She eyed it warily.  It wasn’t that she couldn’t look upon articles of faith, but once she knew they burned, they made her feel uneasy.

“Good morning,” he said.  “Well, evening I guess.  It’s funny how saying good morning has just become the thing you say to people when they wake up, isn’t it?”

Rose blinked at him, when she woke she was always fully awake.  There was never that mortal moment between sleep and wake where things were hazy and it was difficult to think clearly.  Even still, she hadn’t expected to be talking about the evolution of the phrase ‘good morning’ as soon as she lifted the lid off her coffin.

“Language evolves,” she said.  “The exception that proves the rule used to mean that a thing wasn’t true, not that it was.”

“That’s true, there’s this kid I know, sometimes he says things to me and I swear we must be from two completely different countries, but he grew up in Queens and I grew up in Brooklyn,” Steve said.  He looked so casual just sitting there talking about how old he felt.  It was almost as if a vampire hadn’t just started climbing out of a coffin next to him.  “And it’s strange, back when we grew up, if someone was named James, you called them Jim.  Now you never meet anyone named Jim.  They’re all Jamie.”

She pulled herself out of the box and smoothed out her dress.  “I am glad my parents gave me a name that still works today.  Imagine if I was named Gladys.”

Steve laughed.  “It wouldn���t be so bad,” he said.  “There’s always someone who gives their baby an old lady name.”

She laughed and pulled the lid closed on the box, before taking a seat.  “How long were you waiting for?”

“Not too long,” he said.  “FRIDAY was tracking the sunset for me.”

“So…?”

“So,” he repeated, sitting back and folding his arms.  “Bruce came to speak to me.  He pointed out that people see him as a monster and that his monster has killed plenty of people, and yet we trust him not to keep him captive here.  He asked me if he was a prisoner here too.”

“What did you say?” she asked.

“I said of course not.  He’s not.  I think he feels like he is sometimes, but I would like nothing more than for him to feel comfortable and at home in his own skin,” he said.  “I’ve always prided myself on not jumping to conclusions about people.  But I did also point out, that I saw you drain a man of…”

“A man that was threatening to kill a bunch of children in a battle you were having - with him!” she argued.

“I know,” he said.  “I also pointed out you threatened to bite me.”  Steve held up his hand to quiet her as he opened her mouth to speak again.  “He said he pulled the same trick on Natasha when he met her.  Threatened to Hulk out, that is, not try to bite her.  So he understood why you would do that.  And you didn’t actually bite me.”

“Okay, so?  What’s your decision?  Am I getting an amnesty on the crimes you have imagined?” she asked.

“I’m going to walk you home,” he said.  “And I’m hoping you can be honest with me while we walk.”

“And then what?” she asked. 

“And then we’ll decide,” he said.  “Because I know you know I can’t let a killer back out into the world.  I just can’t.”

She nodded and stood up.  “Fine.  Let’s go.”

Steve stood too and picked up the shield.

“Aren’t you worried that will draw attention?” Rose asked as she followed him out.

He shrugged.  “It will.  That’s okay.  I like people to see it.  It’s theirs as much as mine.  But I also know I’m safer with it.  So we’ll make do.”

The statement made her shiver and she moved over to his non-shield side.  “So what do you want to know?”

“I want to know if you’re a killer, Rose,” he said.  “How did you become what you are?”

Rose sighed and stepped into the elevator.  “I already told you,” she said.  “I was targeted by a man who liked pretty playthings and money.  I had both.”

“He’s still around?” Steve asked.

“I think so,” Rose said.  “It’s hard to know.  There are a lot of people who hunt creatures like us.  And he knows if I ever see him again, I’ll be one of them.  So if he is still around, he’s laying low.”

The elevator stopped and opened up onto the lobby and Steve looked at her.  “Tell me what happened.  “I get the part that he targeted you and forced it onto you.  I mean after that.  After he turned you.”

She sighed again.  This was not a topic she even liked remembering, let alone talking about it.  She followed him outside as she tried to gather her thoughts.  She glanced up at Steve and chewed on her bottom lip.  “It takes a blood transference.  I was young and rebellious.  I’m from a rich and very famous family.  You grew up during the tail end of their dominance over the shaping of New York.  So much of the city is still named for them.  And to begin with I was so well-behaved.  Then it felt like I was being punished for being well-behaved because all the things I had been looking forward to being able to do suddenly became illegal.  I thought I’d been punished for being a good girl, and I’ve spent the rest of my life being punished for rebelling.”

Steve opened the door for her and she stepped outside into the cool night air.  There was a small group of tourists gathered around the front door and Steve took a moment to talk to them, sign autographs, and pose for pictures.  He even let a couple of the younger members of the group hold the shield.  She considered trying to run when he did.  If she ran he’d have to decide between the shield and catching her.  It would be a difficult choice between potentially losing a killer versus losing an invaluable piece of metal.

She stayed put, waiting patiently for Steve to be done.  In the end, if she ran it would prove to him she was a killer and while she was a predator, she didn’t consider herself evil.

He approached her and the two began walking again.  “You see this is a punishment?”

“It’s not?  I live on blood.  I’ll never see the sun again.  I had to stop talking to anyone who actually loved me.  I couldn’t even be there when they died.  And everyone I meet I either have to lie to or they treat me like a monster,” she said, still not quite ready to say the worst of it.

He nodded.  “I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t do this to me,” she said.  She shook her head as she tried to clear it and continued her story.   “He made me drink his blood and then I died.  I don’t know how long I was dead for, but when I woke up I was in a coffin in the basement of his house.  Everything felt wrong.  I was cold, the colors were different, I could see better in the dark.  And I was so hungry.”

“What did you do?” Steve asked.

“He was waiting for me,” she answered simply.  “He’d brought me someone.  I couldn’t… I was so hungry…”

“How many people have you killed, Rose?” Steve asked.

“It’s not that simple!” she argued.

“How many?” Steve repeated.

“I don’t know.  A lot.  I’ve been like this for a hundred years,” she said.  “It took me a long time to get control over myself.  Most vampires don’t live long.  You’re practically feral to begin with and hungry all the time.  It’s hard to control yourself enough to have any sort of self-preservation.  And he - he made me think it was the only way.  In the beginning, I was like a one-woman plague on the city.  But then I realized you could stop.  You could just take some and they’d feel woozy but it wouldn’t kill them.  I could use their powers, make them forget it ever even happened and then it was like no one even got hurt.”

She looked up at Steve.  His jaw was set, and it twitched slightly.  It was clear he didn’t agree with her on the matter.

She dropped her gaze again and hugged her arms around her body.  She’d felt like a kid who was being scolded by a disappointed parent.  It wasn’t a feeling she’d had for a very long time and she didn’t know how to process it.  “To begin with it was a lot.  The first few years the only thing controlling who or how many was him.  When I started to figure things out more, it was a lot less.  Some years none.  But occasionally I’ll stop eating, because I hate this, and the longer I go without the more feral I get.  It’s almost like whatever it is that makes me a vampire doesn’t want me to die.  If I’m out when the sun comes up, I’ll start trying to tunnel without even meaning to.  When I feel that blood lust, I’ll kill but I always turn it on people who had it coming.”

“So you become their judge, jury, and executioner?” Steve asked.

“I guess.  Yes.  I do,” she said.

His jaw twitched again.  Rose was fairly certain she wasn’t getting out of this.  She was going to be the Avengers’ personal attack dog until she died in battle or managed to escape them.

They walked in silence for a few blocks, moving well out of the chaos of Midtown and entering the calmer East Side.  They were moving quickly, even for New Yorkers.  Rose wanted to get back to her home and there was no need to slow her pace for Steve to keep up.

As they crossed over 53rd Street, Steve spoke again.  “What happened with him?  You said he wanted a pretty young plaything and your money?”

“Yes.  I was drawn to him.  I admit it.  He was handsome and foreign and he only had eyes for me.  He looked older than the people I usually dated, but it wasn’t that uncommon back then for young women to date much older men.  Especially in the circles I was in.  I guess that hasn’t changed for those kinds of circles,” she shrugged.  “I knew he wanted me and I wanted him right back.  But I just wanted to break some rules and he wanted a possession.  To begin with, I was helpless without him.  I couldn’t go home.  Not like this.  A few nights after he turned me, he took me to my parents and said he wished to marry me. My parents saw him as a good match.  He had a title. Money.  We were wed six months later at the Waldorf-Astoria.  The original one.  Where the Empire State Building is now.”

“I know of it.  I was pretty young when they tore it down though,” he said.  “I still remember the Empire State and Chrysler buildings were being built.  I’d go stand on the docks and watch the construction.”

She smiled up at him.  “It was something, wasn’t it?  Like getting to see a glimpse into the future.”

He laughed, but there was no joy to the sound.  “And now we’re living it.”

She nodded and frowned a little. “Yeah.  We are.”

The shops had started to become more boutique and high end and Rose turned left to lead him out toward the East River and away from Madison Avenue.  “How long were you married to him?”

“Twenty-five years.  Not long in the scheme of things, but they were the longest twenty-five years of my life.  At the time it was more than half my life.  I was only just eighteen when he turned me.  And still, eighteen when we married.  I was supposed to go to college.  He took all of that from me because, for a few months, I decided to rebel against prohibition and spend time at speakeasies.  In the end, someone found me.  By then I’d stopped killing but I still had to stalk prey.  I thought they were a monster hunter, but it turned out they were from a secret government organization called ARMOR.  They recruited me for the war.  I moved my money into a private account and they helped me set up an identity I could take on and inherit the fortune when I died in the war.  I told him I was going and that if I survived and returned to this house and he was still here, I’d tell them where he slept and they’d stake him.”

“And he left?” Steve asked.

“Yes.  He trashed the place and took a lot of stuff from it, but it was worth it.  And with the money I hid, I could replace it.”

“And you’ve been alone since?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.  “I keep expecting ARMOR to come and ask me for help again.  But they never do.  I guess teaming up with monsters is only a last resort sort of thing.”

They arrived at the steps of a large Art Nouveau mansion.  The walls were pink and on the upper floors, small balconies were surrounded by ornate wrought iron fences.  The entrance had large, arched, dark blue, double doors carved to look like the branches of a tree, with frosted glass between the branches.  Above the door was a Tiffany glass canopy that shimmered like a rainbow in the light of day, but at night looked muted.  Down each side of the door were spelled out in a mosaic of green and gold glass.

Rose led him up the steps and opened the door.

“Wow,” Steve said. “My ma always loved buildings like this.”

“It was her era I guess,” she said.  “Mine too.  When my father said he’d build us a house as a wedding present, he let me have input on styles.”

“It’s strange to look at you and think you’re old enough to be my mother,” he said.  “You look so young.  And everyone around me is so much younger than me.”

“I’m only barely old enough to be your mother,” she countered.

“I don’t know, they had them young back then,” he teased.

“Not when you were as rich as I was,” she said.  “I hadn’t even…”

She trailed off and he looked at her, his brows knitted together and his head tilted to the side.   She closed the door and leaned against it.  They’d barely made it inside the large open entry and she knew she hadn’t earned her freedom.  Yet he didn’t seem to hate her.

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Steve said.  “You won’t say his name and I think it’s more than him turning you.  What did he do to you, Rose?”

She sagged.  It had come to the part she’d hoped not to have to tell.  The things she liked to pretend weren’t real.  “When he turned me, I’d never been with anyone.  I’d been a good girl.  I was planning to lose my virginity to him.  I did.  After he turned me.  I didn’t want him anymore after what he’d done.  He didn’t give me a choice.  Sometimes he made me perform for him with the people we were going to feed from.  If I didn’t comply, he hurt me.  I heal, Captain, so the amount of pain that can be inflicted on me is brutal.  I was his plaything in the way a mouse is the plaything of a cat.  He brutalized me into submission while I was weak and confused.  It took twenty-five years to have the strength to break away from him.”

Steve took a step toward her, she didn’t move and held out his hand and tugged her into his arms.  She sagged against him.  It had been seventy years since she’d allowed herself to be weak in front of anyone.  Seventy years she’d been curating the image of the hardened vampire from fiction.  The kind of monster who didn’t hurt the innocent, but didn’t allow anyone to hurt them either.  Yet here, in the lobby of her home, it cracked and she sagged into Steve Rogers’ arms and wept.

// NEXT