#just had to talk about my brilliant daughter for a second lol

[wanderingcas]

i know, i know; everyone says their child is brilliant. and every child is. but lemme talk about my one and a half year old kid for a second. she's clinically ahead in language skills - she knows the alphabet and is speaking in sentences and repeats almost everything i say with near perfect diction. she's amazing. i don't know how. but here's the things she says the most, which makes me realize what my most said phrases are from her perspective:

wow!

that's pretty cool

i'm so proud of you

(you have) such good eyes!

here you go, sweetie

i love that!

happy halloween!

where's my baby? (when she's playing peekaboo)

uh oh!

what the heck?

RUNNINGGGGG (that one is more of her own thing)

just one of the reasons why helping a little human grow into their own is pretty cool.

[heartsandstars46]

First Christmas

Bf tasm!Peter x fem reader

Reader is stuck spending the holiday with her family, until Peter comes along and creates a special place for their first Christmas.

Some angst (family drama/pressure, feelings of unworthiness and loneliness, parents being disappointing) + fluffy comfort from Peter 🩷

Word count: 1.2k

(Thank you to everyone who voted! 🩷 All of the poll choices ended up in this one lol.)

If you’d been allowed to choose, you would have stayed in the city and spent Christmas with Peter. It was, after all, your first Christmas dating. Instead, due to the unwritten rule that everyone needs to be miserable during the holidays, you were with your family. They didn’t even know Peter existed, and normally, you were fine with that. Once you moved into the city, you felt less and less inclined to open your life up to them.

But you were second-guessing that decision now that you were alone in your childhood bedroom on Christmas Eve. Peter wasn’t answering your texts, which wasn’t exactly unusual for 11:30 at night. He had planned to visit Aunt May and now was probably out saving someone’s life, or at least their holiday. You wished he would come and save you. You felt claustrophobic standing in this time capsule devoted to the girl you used to be, when you’d had no choice but to live in the shadow of your sisters.

You stretched out on your old twin bed and felt tears slipping down your cheeks. Maybe you’d get lucky and cry yourself to sleep. Then, all you’d have to do was get through Christmas and you could go back into the city… back to Peter. 

Your bed started buzzing and your heart leapt. You fumbled your phone out of your pocket.

“Oh, thank god!”

Peter was laughing on the other end of the phone. “Hi.” But his voice kind of echoed….

You crawled out of bed and rushed to the window, and there he was. You flung open the window and practically yanked him inside. 

“Oh my god, am I happy to see you!” You said, throwing your arms around him.

“I would have been here sooner, but I wanted to wait for Aunt May to go to bed. Hey, whoa, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

You hugged him tight and pressed your cheek against his chest. “So much better now. Wait, so you were planning on showing up here this whole time?”

“That was my hope. One of the perks of the web shooters, baby,” he said, firing an imaginary web at you, like a dork. “Knowing you can get anywhere at any time. Not having to worry about train schedules and taxis and doorbells and unhappy parents who don’t want you showing up looking for their daughter at 11:30 at night.” He smiled. “The web shooters are really revolutionary. I mean, forget apprehending criminals and all that, they just make sneaking into your girlfriend’s room so much easier.” He grinned down at you, you giggled up at him.

“I have never loved dating a science nerd more than at this very moment.”

“Aww!” He kissed your forehead. “So what’s wrong? What happened?”

You sighed. “Nothing, really. Nothing I shouldn’t have seen coming. I’ll just never be as brilliant as my sister the doctor, or as accomplished as my other sister, the professor and mom. ‘When are you going to stop working at that little newspaper and get a real job, honey? You’re so full of potential.’ Oh wait, I’m sorry, ‘were.’ She said, ‘You ‘were’ so full of potential.’” You looked at Peter and then flung yourself on the bed. “That’s my mom—always the best leading actress in a drama.”

Then you bolted upright. “I’m sorry, wow, that was really insensitive. At least I have my parents, like, my god.“ 

Peter sat down next to you, and you touched his cheek apologetically.

“Yeah, but what good is having your parents if they talk shit about you?” Peter shook his head angrily. “So don’t be sorry. I never really considered that my parents would actively tear me down. I was too young to know that was a possibility when they left. They just loved me. Until they didn’t.”

You squeezed his hand. “I know when this has come up before, we’ve talked about them leaving to protect you, and that being a form of love.”

He sighed. “Yeah, I know.”

You looked him in the eye. “But fuck that. They missed out on knowing their amazing, kind, genius of a son, and that is their loss. They are worse off for it.”

He smiled and kissed your hand. “Well, I don’t know what your mom’s deal is, but I know that her daughter is brilliant and gorgeous and funny, and that my life has only gotten better since the day she walked into that ‘little’ newspaper office.”

Your heart did a little flip. “Oh, here.” You scooted over to almost the edge of the bed so he would have room to lie down too.

“Thank you. Tight squeeze, huh? So this is your childhood bedroom?”

“It sure is.”

He looked around and took in the various academic certificates, trophies, and medals. “You’ve got a lot of hardware in here, girl!”

You smiled sadly. “Yeah. It’s amazing what awards can do when you have no self-esteem on your own.” You snuggled up to him and he held you, intermittently kissing the top of your head. “I wish I had a secret hiding place we could go to, to get away from all this stuff, but we’ll never fit in my tiny closet.”

Peter stared at the ceiling, and a smile began to form on his lips. “How would you feel about a canopy?”

“A canopy?”

“Yeah. Can I try something?”

“Sure, go right ahead.”

He squinted at the ceiling above your bed like he was doing equations in his mind, and then he began firing webs until he’d created a web canopy over your bed.  You laughed in amazement and delight.

“Is that okay?”

“It’s the second best Christmas present I’ve gotten—after you showing up here, of course.” You rolled over so you could kiss him, and you lay your head on his chest. “This is the Christmas I wanted,” you whispered. “Just you and me. And, bonus, a protective shield to keep everyone else out!”

Peter laughed. “Well, good. So you gave your parents the Christmas they wanted by coming home, and now you get the Christmas you wanted.”

You sighed. “I can’t wait till the whole holiday gets to be ‘the Christmas I wanted.’”

“We’ll get there.”

“We will?”

“Well, yeah. I’ll make sure of it.” He smiled and kissed you. 

The grandfather clock in your living room started chiming, and you jumped slightly in Peter’s arms. 

“Yikes, I don’t miss that old thing!” You said. “But, on the plus side, it’s officially our first Christmas now.”

You shared several kisses, then Peter asked, “Heyyy, your family doesn’t get up at like 6 AM to open gifts, do they?”

“No, but I can’t make any promises about my niece and nephew.”

“Hmm. Well, even so, I could still stay here for a few hours, if you want.”

You smiled, pulling back the covers so you could both shimmy under them. “I would love that.”

You rolled onto your side, now facing away from Peter, and he wrapped his arms around you and nestled into your back. You loved being held by him so protectively, especially under your secret canopy. The fact that you didn’t have to be someone else or do anything special to become worthy of his love was a year-round gift.

The next morning, you had a hazy memory of being kissed and then rolling over onto Peter’s empty but warm side of the bed. You couldn’t wait to get back into the city that night and jump into his arms again.

[miss-ali-lawliet]

Anya's background!

Hello! I am so excited to talk about my latest oc, my beloved Anya! She is paired with Laios, and a part of me is interested in possibly writing about what it would be like with her in the party! For this post I’ll tell y'all about some background info on her, I'll have a separate post most likely about her relationship with the party and specifically Laios. The first picture is an art commission I got made by Jaijiggles on Instagram! Check them out! The end of the post sketch is made by myself!

Some basic things before delving in deeper

Her full name is Anastasia, but she prefers being called Anya. She's not even fully sure why, but it makes her happy.

Her parents are both elves, meaning she is an elf, but they also became poly when she was an adult! So she has a second mom, a human woman who fell in love with her mother mainly but also loves her father very much as well. Very healthy relationship.

Her Nana is a dwarf that isn’t blood related who lived with her and helped teach her everything she knows as well as her parents.

Anya was raised in the north, not the west, and with her influences, she grew up having general respect and admiration for all races and not just her own.

She is autistic! Her main special interest is nature and animals, having such a general love and respect for all living creatures, including monsters. 

Her special interest and because of her influences in her life, she would learn what she could to become a druid mage! She also handles healing, much like her Nana, but she offers a bit more offense with her magic mainly. Including being able to transform into animals. 

Despite being brief childhood friends, it was that friendship that pushed her to bask in her passions despite what outsiders may say or think.

Because as pretty as she may look, she would be classified as weird(yet she’s literally just autistic lol) that she grew to learn how to mask when around strangers a bit more, before she was reunited with her previous childhood friends when they arrived at the same island she had moved to not too long ago.

With them, she felt like she could freely be herself without judgment, and they could honestly say the same towards her.

She could be best comparable to a rabbit, which is also one of her many favorite animals.

She really loves fruits and veggies, and honestly she really isn’t a picky eater at all. 

She also really wasn’t opposed to eating monsters either, sure it’s odd, but if dungeons have their own sustaining ecosystems.. It had to be alright to benefit from something like that? And Laios was right! She supported him full-heartedly, trying to appease the other’s about their skepticism. Especially Marcille. 

It’s hard for her to pick a favorite monster, she absolutely loves Senshi’s cooking, but one of her favorite treats was the ghost sorbet, and dragon meat really is one of her favorites as well.

Background

Anastasia is an elf, yet she grew up raised in the north rather than the west. 

Before I move onto anything else, I’ll talk about her parents! Her mother is a powerful mage, even used to work with the royalty of the elves. Her father mainly focused on combat, his favorite weapon being his trusty bow and arrow. Both elves that lived in the West for a long time, but they felt themselves growing disdain with the treatment of other races from the elves point of view. Her mother always liked tallmen/women, and thought the races were just as brilliant in their own shared ways (she is neurodivergent, which did pass down to her daughter) and her father found himself sympathizing with her views.

So what did they do? They decided to leave, heading to the North where they would join an adventurer’s party together to make more of a living. The party had become a bit of a found family in a way, and her mother was particularly close with a dwarven female named Mirja. 

They had a good life together that way for a while until it was discovered that she was pregnant. It was a bit of a wake up call for the couple, that perhaps after the adventures they shared, the biggest one they’d have to tackle was parenthood, and they wanted to do it away from the dangers of the life they lived for a while now. 

So they would leave the party, but they wouldn’t leave empty handed. Mirja would insist on coming with them, that they would need all the help they could get. Dungeons and fighting monsters were one thing, but parenthood? She knew they needed the extra hands. With that, they would travel more north to try to find a home.

There they found a place to live, and they had their daughter, Anastasia!

They would raise her there for a long time, but when she got older they would eventually have to leave her childhood home due to unfortunate circumstances, which had an ex party member suggest a certain village to live near temporarily with some of that party member’s family there. 

Anya’s family found themselves staying near the same village that Laios and Falin Lived in. From the elf girl’s wandering around until coming across the siblings. Despite being there for a short time, she had spent so much of her time with them both, being each other’s real first friends. Their friendships were something that Anya held close to her heart and cherished deeply, they had such a deep impact on her that she held onto into her adulthood.

She had so many good memories with them, that it really was devastating for the three of them when she had to leave. She wished that she could see them again one day, and she vowed to herself that she would come back to the village in the future if necessary. 

Her family found their new proper home on a farm, and from there the young elf would continue to learn from her family. She was essentially home-schooled, learning from her mother and her mage work as well as from Mirja who was a druid-cleric.

For years, she was so dedicated to her work that once she left home she would move to start with taking on jobs to help her get experience.

They weren’t crazy jobs, but it was enough for her to try to ‘learn’ to be normal and get better with her magic. Years passed like this, her moving between groups and people, until she would finally move to the Island. It’s on that island, when staying in inns that she would come across two newcomers to the island one day. It was Laios and Falin! 

After being reunited with them, they would of course decide to all move in together so they could be able to afford someplace decent while also starting to take on work together!

They eventually would join their first party together with Shuro, Namari, Chilchuck, and Marcille, leading to the events we all know. 

I think I'll end this right here before it gets too long! I hope you all are having a great rest of your day/night!

[morganas-pendragons]

Ceilings | Joel Miller

Summary: He's gone.

Authors Note: First of all, I am SO sorry for this LOL but this idea has been in my head since the DAY I started watching the gameplays on YouTube and... yeah I'm sorry

Warnings: SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OF US PART ONE AND TWO, MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH, ANGST

This is heavily based off of the songs Ceilings by Lizzie Mcalpine. Blame TikTok. This is ALL I have heard over the last week and a half. I'm not sure if this turned out the way I initially wanted it to, but oh well. Here you go!

***

It's pink. The walls are pink, the twins names on either wall written in a brilliant calligraphy are pink against a cream background. The only thing that isn't pink is the ceiling.

He wanted it cream to match the walls. You wanted it white.

That's why you've been sitting here for the last hour contemplating the color of your babies room and ceiling because it's easy. It's easy and after all you have been through... You could use easy.

So could Joel. That's why he chose the girls names the very first time you ever mentioned having kids. After years worth of fear of being a father, of failing at being a dad to his own babies and to Sarah, you'd coaxed him into a state that had Joel Miller fully embracing his love for you and his desire for a future.

The girls names were to be Charlotte and Eliza. Charlotte Miller and Elizabeth Miller.

Charlie and Eliza.

Previously

He's been thinking about it a lot more since he came back to Jackson. Thinking about that time when you, he and Ellie had first arrived, when Joel had come rushing out onto the street in the midst of a panic attack and found himself staring into the past.

Or what should've been the future.

Joel had thought he'd seen Sarah out on that snow-covered road. Sarah, with her mass of curls, opening her arms to embrace a daughter who looked exactly like her. A life Sarah should've been able to have. A granddaughter that Joel should've been able to love.

He's been thinking about it more. The possibility of another child, of having a second chance - as Ellie was already more then enough proof he'd been given a second chance - to raise a child of his own was something Joel quietly yearned for.

To hold his own baby. To make up for his mistakes.

It had been something the two of you had talked about when Ellie wasn't paying attention. You had been the one to initially bring it up. Claiming that you believed he'd be a good father, that he'd been a good father, and what happened to Sarah had not been his fault.

It had been twenty some years since he'd held his daughter as she died. It never got easier. Not then, not now, not in the quiet darkness of the bedroom he now shared with you in Jackson.

"I think I'd like to try," Joel whispers. You turn your head away from where it's been buried in your novel, eyes seeking his out in the dark as Joel turns to look at you over his shoulder. "To talk about kids again. To talk about having them with you."

Your smile could rival the sun. This isn't something he'd comfortably admit in front of other people, but that's never been an issue with you. Joel's practically already laid his bleeding soul at your altar so many times in the last couple of months. There's nothing you don't know.

There's things you know that even Tommy doesn't know.

"Are you sure?" You ask gently. "Are you sure that this is something you want?"

"If it's worth it to you, Sunshine-"

You're deliberate in your movements as you cross the bed to hold his chin in your hand. Joel's breath catches as you press the pad of your thumb into the divot of his chin. "It's not just about me," You say. "It's also about what you want, Joel."

He can see it. He can see a little girl running around on bare feet in the early hours of the morning in their house as you stand over the stove to prepare breakfast.

He can hear it. Laughter.

He can feel it.

The same love he'd felt for Sarah. Something he'd thought was dead.

"It is what I want." Joel whispers. "But there's something I need just as bad."

"Which is?"

"You." He holds up a red velvet box, and your whole world comes stuttering to a halt. "To marry me."

***

Bedsheets... No clothes... Touch me like nobody else does...

Lovely to just lay here with you.....

He's so warm. Joel is like the sun has come down to meet you on the cold grounds of a now desolate Earth, warm and comforting and present. He's been stretched out on his side of the bed for the entire night.

No nightmares. It's a quiet relief that you revel in because it's the first time in all these months you've known him where he's known peace.

And really, isn't that what you've wanted?

You're kinda cute and I would say all of this

But I don't wanna ruin the moment

Careful not to wake him, you pull the sheets up over your bare chest and prop your head up with one hand to drag your fingertips across the expanse of his back. So much fine muscle. Fine, toned muscle that moves with every breath he takes as Joel remains in deep sleep.

The ring on your finger gleams as the early rays of the morning sun begin to fracture through the plain-colored curtains on the windows.

Mrs. Miller has a nice ring to it.

When Joel does wake up is when everything really comes alive. Your cheeks redden when he captures you in the cage of his arms, dark eyes bright and happy - because he's married, and he's content, and he's in love - aa he leans down to kiss you. It's so odd to see him so at peace especially with the lingering issue of the divide between him and your sister just out of reach.

Because while your lives together may be just beginning, the contempt and resentment your sister harbors flows from her little garage where she chooses to live. To live without you and Joel.

It is what it is.

Lovely to sit between the comfort and chaos

***

A Few Weeks Later

You'd been with Joel for most of the morning doing a supply run about fifty miles outside of town. You'd struggled with nausea for the greater duration of the morning, feigning ignorance to the real reason and claiming that it was simply something you'd eaten the night before. He'd been too focused on the goal of why you were out there to begin with.

But it's over Then you're drivin' me home

"I've got just the right thing for dinner," Joel remarks as you pull into the main gates of Jackson. "That soup I make that you love."

You kick up your feet onto the dash and grin as you tuck your hands behind your head. "The one with the beef, potatoes and spinach?" You reply. "That is my favorite."

"Of course it is. I'm a phenomenal cook."

"You can make three things in total, Miller," You hold up three fingers and curl one by one. "Soup, sandwiches, and salads. Anything else is out of your league." Leaning outward, you tip your head up and turn around so you are resting your head in his lap as the truck comes to a gradual stop. "Just like I was."

He doesn't reply. Not as the young adults swarm the truck to unload the supplies and take them into the appropriate storage units, leaving the two of you alone before Tommy and Maria inevitably come looking to question you and if you encountered anyone on your trip.

Joel's wearing that soft, tender look. That look you so very rarely see because that's not who other people know him to be. That's not the Joel Miller. The infamously stoic, cold and sharp man who's renowned for his brutality and violence that's brought down grown men. The man has more blood on his hands than anyone else you know.

But you love him anyway. You especially love him in these quiet moments where those walls he builds around the people of Jackson fall and he's just the quiet man who wants to love. To be loved.

You sit up and move to wrap your hand around the door handle.

And it kinda comes out as I get up to go

You kiss me in your car

And it feels like the start of a movie I've seen before

"I love you." He blurts out. Your eyes widen just as scarlet dusts his cheeks, and you're so taken off guard because it's the first time he's said it out loud. You surge forward and capture his mouth with your own as you press his shoulder into his own door.

Your laughter is what has Joel pulling away like he's been burned because the next thing you know, someone has opened his door without him realizing it and caused him to fall straight backward into a snowbank.

"Joel!" You curl your fingers around the side of the seat as Joel rolls to the side and upward to glare at you where he now sits wet and grumpy in the snowbank. "I'm going to find Maria. Have fun getting yourself out of those clothes!"

"Try telling me what you really want, Sunshine!"

"You!" You call over your shoulder with a wicked grin on your lips. "Clothes off!"

Reality settles in as you approach Maria's house. If your assumption is correct, and your gut usually is, then your pregnancy is about to absolutely tear Joel's world out from under his feet.

You're not sure that's a good thing.

***

Life goes on anyway. Your sister has made no effort to reconcile with Joel - and in her own right, as Ellie fully believes she has a justifiable reason for her ire against both you and him - and has no intentions to do so until you approach her garage after your return from your supply run with a test in your hands.

A positive test. A test Joel didn't know about.

''El," You call as you knock on the door. "Can I come in?"

There's a brief period of silence before someone is shuffling behind the door before approaching it. Ellie's form waits on the other side, brow raised in question as her eyes flicker between your own and the test in your hands.

"Whatever that is, I want no part."

And that's what causes it. Your gaze hardens as you shove your way inside of her garage, purposefully ignoring the guitar that Joel gave her by the bed. "You don't get to do that with me. You might be able to do it with Joel, but not with me." You snap. "This is your niece or nephew. This is our family. You don't get to just walk away from that."

She seems tired of the arguments. You don't blame her, but after what Joel had done for her, you'd expect her to at least act grateful. Even if she could defend herself.

"I don't screw around with liars." Ellie says evenly. "I don't care if they're family. The very least you could do is act like you committed some atrocity by lying to me of all people."

She wants an apology. If that's all she wants, then you'll give it to her.

"Ellie, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I had to lie to you for a reason that you will not understand until you are a parent and have lost a child." You screw your eyes shut and clench your hands at your sides. "I'm sorry that what Joel and I did in that moment in the hospital was for you, not against you. And I'm sorry that your inability to forgive either of us will most likely cost you a relationship with your future niece or nephew."

Turning sharply on your heel, you don't give her the satisfaction of even beginning to formulate a response before you're slamming the test on her side table and slamming the door behind you.

Ellie stares at the two bold lines on the test after you've left for far longer than she cares to admit.

***

Joel leaves that afternoon with Tommy. You share one final goodbye on the snowy road that leads out of Jackson, bathed in afternoon light as you lean backward and smooth out the fabric of his jacket.

The news of your pregnancy still sits heavily on the forefront of your mind. You'll tell him when he comes home.

When he comes home.

"Joel?"

The way he looks at you in that final moment will be burned into your mind forever. Joel Miller has never looked at anyone quite like that. There's something that lingers there, something you will never quite be able to comprehend because it is something he keeps hidden and reserved for only himself.

"Yeah, sunshine." He murmurs softly.

You run a tender thumb along the apple of his cheek as you stand on your tiptoes and whisper, "I love you. Come home." in his ear before he turns his head to do the same to you. Your cheeks darken as Joel cups your face in his hands to kiss your forehead.

And then he's gone, like he was never really there.

His ghost will always linger inside of those gates.

***

You wait. You wait, and you wait, and he doesn't come.

You wait for news. For someone to appear at your door to break the news to you that the father of your children will not be coming home.

The news comes from Ellie's return after the snowstorm. Ellie, who's coming through the main gates of Jackson with Dina, Jesse, and Tommy who sits in the tailgate of the truck with his forehead pressed to the top of a bloody tarp. Just the sight of Tommy alone has fear curling through your blood stream because he is wrecked.

Ellie is sobbing. Gut wrenching sobs that have her doubled over at the waist as Dina helps her out of the car, desperation and a quiet cry for help evident in her aspect as you slowly stumble outside and down the stairs.

Trembling fingers pull away the tarp and reveal your husbands bloody remains. Jesse's quiet retelling of the story plays like static in your ears as you stare at the remains of that once gentle face that's now unrecognizable. Golf club. Vendetta. Captured Tommy and Joel. Beat him to death.

Your breathing comes in frantic and short gasps as you scream, piercing and raw, loudly enough to carry across the entire town and alert them to the newly widowed woman who stands on the Miller property.

He hadn't even known he was going to be a father.

And now he never would.

***

Ellie comes back from searching for her. Abby. According to Dina, the girl who killed your husband isn't dead.

But she's the reason why you give birth alone. Ellie isn't there. The only person there is you and Maria.

Joel's ghost lingers. But he's still very, very gone.

***

When Tommy says he's going to visit your sister's quaint house in the fields with her wife and baby, you demand to tag along and ask Maria to tend to the girls while you do. It's been nine months. Nine agonizing months that have been spent alone in your misery while you quietly mourn your husband.

Too many people had been afraid of Joel. He hadn't let enough people know him. That was why it was just you and Tommy at his graveside the night you buried him. That's why it's just your tears that water the soil there atop it.

Joel Miller

Beloved father and friend

You were furious with her for not finishing the job. For someone who so easily fell into patterns of violence - violence had never bothered her, Ellie had always been slightly fascinated by the darkness of it - it was infuriating to find out that she'd just let Joel's killer walk.

Sitting outside the house on your horse, you absently fiddle with the rings that lay heavily on your neck.

Ellie freezes at the sight of you. It's the first time you've laid eyes on each other in nine months. She hasn't met her nieces. You haven't met her baby either. It's quite strange, sitting here in front of family and feeling like complete strangers.

"She won't go find her, Sunshine. She won't finish the f-"

You hold your hand up to halt Tommy's angry rambling as he slings himself onto the top of his own horse. "Ellie is an adult who makes her own decisions," You say calmly, and the fact that there is not an ounce of emotion in your tone shakes Ellie to her core. "Even if they're bad ones."

"Sunshine-" Ellie interjects.

Ice flickers through your gaze as you remove a photo from the inner pocket of your coat. It flutters on the wind and settles at her feet.

"When you find her," You say. "You tell her what she took from me, and you make her pay for it."

That's all you leave her with. Ellie is left helpless to do anything but watch as you ride away, so different from the sister she knew, back in the direction of Jackson where your daughters wait for their mother to come home.

She stares at the photo of her nieces so long her eyes start to burn. The bottom reads Charlie and Eliza, nine months and they're playing together on the floor in front of the window while the sun shines down around them.

They're the spitting image of you and Joel. Joel, who is not here any more, because he's dead.

She takes the photo just quickly enough to then turn and vomit into the grass.

****

Abby sees it that night on the beach. A photo. A photo of Joel Miller's daughters, barely a year old, growing up in a world without their father.

She leaves it there.

But she doesn't forget.

****

But it's not real

And you don't exist

And I can't recall the last time I was kissed

They're five the first time they ask about him. Charlie found the guitar, your guitar, propped in the corner of the room against the photo you've kept face down since the year he died.

Until recently. Now your wedding photo stands proud on the sill, right next to the guitar that was last played by Joel.

"Mama?"

"Yes, baby."

They look so much like the both of you. Charlie is practically Joel's clone in personality where Eliza is your gentle spirit who prefers to use her words rather than her hands to make peace.

You haven't realized how much they resemble their mother and father until right now.

And it makes it hurt that much more.

It hits me in the car

Eliza frowns - which is exactly identical to Joel's frowns, and the sight of it makes your heart ache that much more - as she approaches you both on the sofa beside her sister. "Who's this?" She murmurs, running her little fingers across her father's face.

And it feels like the end of a movie I've seen before

"That, little hellions," Ellie calls as she enters the living room with a bowl of popcorn propped on her hip. "Is your Daddy." Charlie and Eliza flock to their aunts legs to linger there as she walks deeper into the room and takes the photo from their hands.

You're careful to watch as she runs her thumb over Joel's face. Once, twice, three times.

Maybe she had loved him more than you realized.

"Let me tell you about him."

[thefloatingwriter]

hi!! i hope you don't mind me dropping in but i read your marvel headcanons and then read your fic with marvel's sister (and loved it!!!) and i was wondering if you had any thoughts on his sister/the rest of his family after he died and during the rebellion?

thank you so much for this ask omg??? i love talking about the sanfords so much you have no idea. also i’m so glad you enjoyed reading my thoughts on marvel. he’s such a blank slate of a character that i feel like people just skip over him even though you could really do anything with him. also also thank you so much for reading the fic about marvel and marvel’s sister (here for anyone who hasn’t read it!) i’m so glad you enjoyed it!!

okay now into the actual hcs lol.

(little note: this includes all of members of the sanford family alive during the rebellion, not the 75th. amethyst lives through the 75th, but does not live to see the rebellion. just a btw so no one gets confused!)

brilliant sanford —

brill and marvel were not close. he always agreed with what his mother said about training and marvel never felt safe talking to him.

that said, he was affected when he died. after all, marvel was his son. he had raised him.

but brill had never second guessed the system he grew up within (“kiss the capitol’s ass or die” basically). he didn't magically start thinking the games were immoral. his brother had died in the games and he still didn’t think the games were horrible and unjust. his son being killed did not make him have a sudden change in perspective.

brill basically had a whole “there will be no talk of treason under my roof” talk with his wife and daughter and pearl was like “your roof? this is my house”. so yeah, lots of fighting and arguments over meals in the Sanford’s home during the period after the 74th games ending to the victory tour.

he doesn't side with the rebels during the rebellion. he doesn’t side with the capitol loyalists either, though, which is bigger than him just siding with the rebels honestly. the sanfords were big capitol supporters during the Dark Days. brill had grown up learning about it. he knew what was expected of him. he just didn’t do it.

he never publicly sided with either side, but brill gave his life to save his wife and daughter from a capitol bomb. in a way, that was him choosing his side. and it wasn’t the capitol.

bonus hc for brilliant: he used to watch his brother’s games. not the actual games, but the interviews and the clips of the reapings. he can’t bring himself to watch the actual games. he never has. amethyst convinced the capitol officials wanting brill’s opinions on his brother that brill was deathly ill. in truth, it wasn’t all that far off; he refused to go out anywhere and was bedridden for weeks. maybe he did have some rebellious thoughts during that time. he never admitted to them.

pearl nelson —

pearl nelson has been pissed for years. her son’s death is really just the final straw for her.

she doesn’t speak to amethyst for months after it. if she has to, she tells brill to tell amethyst for her. brill finds it ridiculous but pearl looks about one ill timed comment away from killing someone, so he does it anyway.

important member in the rebellion in One, especially relating to the civilian aspect of it. she has been smuggling information and rebel plans since the late 40s, when she was still a teenager.

she’s less active in the public speaking and publishing aspect of panem’s history restoration but she does occasionally speak out, usually anytime anyone even tries to say something bad about her dad.

she never expected to live to see a free panem. she had hoped, but hoping and experiencing it are two very different things. there’s quite a lot more healing and therapy than she had expected too.

she starts a tiny garden off of her house after the war, since her first one had been bombed. the tiny garden quickly grows much, much larger as more people move and relocate and add plants and flowers and trees to the garden as they go. after pearl passes away, the garden is renamed to ��Nelson Park” and each bench in the park has a plaque honoring a war hero during the rebellion. the fountain in the middle of the park is surrounded by twelve plaques for each victor from One.

bonus hc for pearl: she’s the only one of the sanford extended family to never go to the Academy. argent refused to send her, and pearl never showed any interest in winning the hunger games either.

paris sanford —

she had to go on the run after the 75th for obvious reasons (she had known about the rebel plan and had been involved in it as one of One’s mentors).

she also had to smuggle herself on a train out of the capitol by hiding in a fruit crate to Six and running into the freezing cold forest directly off of the district. everyone’s convinced she’s dead. she’s not.

she knows peacekeepers are on her trail and has to hide her footsteps and never stay in the same place for more than a few hours at most. she sometimes ventures back into Six and hides in bars on the edge of the border just to throw them off. it’s also a good way of figuring out what’s going on with the rebellion. it’s how she figures out who is in Thirteen and who is in capitol custody.

it’s also how she meets delta lincoln, the mother of james lincoln, Six’s first victor. she’s in her seventies now, but she helps the rebellion in anyway she can. through her, paris is able to continue helping the rebellion from afar.

she’s one of my favorites and i always like to imagine she’s one of the few Coin didn’t calculate in the victor’s purge (or deliberately left out) and she did survive. but that’s just my opinion lol.

bonus hc for paris: she was never supposed to go into the games. paris was amazing in all subjects at the Academy except for any kind of combat. she excelled in educational classes; sword fighting… not so much. because of this, she was supposed to be drawn out after she turned fifteen. it didn’t work out, as paris was reaped, by “coincidence”, and One’s designated volunteer that year got the memo that she wasn’t supposed to volunteer for paris. no one expected her to come back, and yet.

harrison sanford —

harrison never agreed with sending marvel to the Academy early. he genuinely fought amethyst on it, but amy is about as movable as mount everest when she sets her mind on something. unfortunately for both of them, harrison would rather die than back down from anyone. they have a lot of arguments.

harrison sides with the rebels. he’s executed by peacekeepers in One’s square. his last words were as follows: “i know what side my grandson would have been on. it’s not the capitol’s.”

bonus hc for harrison: his wife’s name was arabela alderidge. she passed away during the 60s (lot of victors from One were dying in the 60s ngl lol).

sapphire sanford —

after pearl, sapphire is probably the closest to punching someone in the face if they say one more thing about her brother.

she refuses to go to the Academy after his death. paris starts homeschooling her (since a sanford going to public school would probably cause deaths in One).

sapphire and marvel were close. like really close. their large age differences just made sapphire think that her brother was the coolest person to ever exist when she was younger and that admiration never really went away, especially because she never went through the bitchy teenager phase with him.

paris had to go on the run after the 75th, so pearl and sapphire held the rebellion in One strong with the miners and various rebellious nobles.

she survives the rebellion along with her mother. she never stops talking about marvel during the rebuilding process and after that. she makes sure that no one in the entire country of panem will ever forget the name of the boy they killed. she talks about what he was like on talk shows and writes books and articles about what growing up being taught how honorable going into the hunger games was and how that affected her in the long run.

bonus hc for sapphire: she’s the only biological sanford born during the hunger games era who didn’t complete the test at the Academy at twelve since she wasn’t attending classes at the time.

reasons for lack of some characters:

alister sanford dies during the 46th hunger games (won by emmelyn “lyme” gray of D2). amethyst is devastated, especially because it’s the same year hermes died, but she’s one of those people that just ignores all of their pain and puts all of their energy into something else to help keep their mind off of it to the point that it’s unhealthy. in this case, it was the Academy.

bonus hc for alister: he’s one of the few career victors who has never worked or trained anyone at the academy. it isn’t his thing. never was.

amethyst hansen dies right after katniss blows up the 75th hunger games. like, literally right after. harrison went to her house to talk to her about katniss literally blowing up the arena and she’s just dead. and he’s like “damn now i need someone else to talk to.”

bonus hc for amethyst: she doesn’t mentor tributes. ever. she doesn’t have the patience needed for it. she’s much better at training them because at least than she can yell at them.

sylvia sanford dies during the fall of the 72nd (won by cassandra mcpearson of D2).

bonus hc for sylvia: zircon was her only successful tribute, and he sees her as a sort of mother figure to him. she sees him as a son after her adopted daughter died in the 50th.

again thank you so much for this ask omg??? i love absolutely any excuse to talk about the sanfords.

[sofoulandfairaday]

I don't know if you'll even receive this because of the godforsaken shadowban, but what do you think of Bella's relationship with her parents? I know it's unpopular but I've always seen her as a mama's girl personally. I think Andy was Cygnus's favourite and for Narcissa I can't decide between her being nobody's favourite and everyone's favourite but in a more subtle way lol.

This is honestly such a good question - and something I wanted to talk about for ages.

I appreciate your takes a lot, even if I somewhat disagree. You were the first person in this wretched fandom who made me see the light about Bella's relationship with her family. Not in the sense that it's necessarily wrong to headcanon her as being abused, but you were the first person that made me see that there could be other interpretations: no one, both in the English and Italian fandoms, seemed to think that Druella might have not been a stuck-up bitch.

With this being said, I think Druella was a stuck-up bitch. Nah, kidding. Kind of. Long post under the cut, but this is one of my favourite pieces of meta I've ever written.

I think Bella has a very bad case of Older Daughter Syndrome. I believe that both her parents had wished for at least one son because that is unfortunately what was common in noble families in the 1950s (and pureblood society seems to be stuck much further than that). I actually hc that Druella had one or more miscarriages (all boys) before and after having her daughters. When C&D were told that they couldn't have more children, both by her own volition and by being unconsciously pushed by her parents, became desperate to prove herself. Of course, it was useless. Not because her parents were cartoon villains ("I wish you were a boy" bullshit, only said in Disney movies), but just because they would never see as they would have seen a son.

Bellatrix confronted herself with impossible expectations throughout her life, as very often happens to the oldest children (daughters most of all). I'm sure she was brilliant, magically talented, possibly good at most things she tried - it was never enough. Not that her parents weren't proud of her, they were, but there was always one grade that could have been better, one hour more she could have spent practising, one sentence she could have said better at a social gathering, etc. Whenever something wasn't up to par, as it was bound to be, there would be corrections. Always too many corrections and never enough compliments. Parents often fall into this trap: it's not enough to be proud of your child if you never tell them you are.

I'm also sure she was immensely spoilt. You can imagine how that goes: Cygnus and Druella were probably very cold people, bad at demonstrating affection, and tried to show their immense love for their daughters by showering them with gifts and material things. They always told their daughters how good and special they were, how they were destined for the best. Personally speaking, this is not enough. It's not enough to point at all the money you spent on family holidays and private schools - "look at what your mother and I have done for you; is this how you repay us?" - if you've never taken interest in your daughter's interests. If you've never asked her opinion on the world, what she wants to be when she grows up. If you've always taken for granted that she would follow in your own footsteps - no doubt, the best possible life choice. It's not enough to tell your daughter she is destined for greatness because she is a Black. She should be destined for greatness because she is great.

Also, I'm sure she was put in charge of her younger siblings from a very early age. Again: oldest daughter. Simultaneously loving them more than anything in the world and resenting them immensely because they were probably held to lower standards than she was. Parents often go softer on the second child, especially if less successful, or less gifted (I'm sure that both Andy and Cissy were bright and talented witches, just not as good as Bella overall).

She would be the bossy one, and the comforting one. She would be the one teaching them right from wrong, the one to go to when they had problems (she would act high and mighty about it, and maybe tease them, but heaven help anyone who dared do anything to Bella's sisters - and they knew it). She would go out of her way to help them.

She would feel extreme amounts of pressure on her shoulders, she would be more solitary, more reserved than her siblings, less likely to share except for the times when it all came gushing out - imagine everyone's shock when they found out about her interest in Dark Magic. Andromeda would be appalled, "I thought I knew my sister". But did you, did you really?

So: reserved, more academically skilled, both proud and resentful of her younger siblings, who were probably considered more charismatic (Andromeda was meeker and kinder and Cissy was probably a social butterfly, the popular pretty girl with tons of friends), who don't realise that they could only be that way because someone else before them had taken up the burden of the family's expectations upon herself. Of course, Andy&Cissy probably saw big sister Bella as the best, most successful, most intelligent, confident girl in the world - probably had inferiority complexes - but she never knew that. (keep in mind: the Blacks, a British upper-class family in the 1950s, probably had all of the generational trauma that we see in shows like The Crown. They were NOT the type to talk about their feelings at the dinner table).

Bellatrix was also probably very controlling of her younger sisters, and a bit of a perfectionist. She probably never apologised (a sign of weakness) and never admitted when she was wrong. She gets it from her parents. You can see how this is a recipe for disaster for the things to come.

And what happens then? She graduates from Hogwarts with whatever number of NEWTS and exceptional grades in all of them for her parents to say: "Oh, good, you did your duty. ANYWAY, no pressure, but we kinda really need you to pick a good pureblood boy and marry him. A trip around the world (to explore dark magic in faraway lands) as a graduation present? Don't be ridiculous, dear. We'll throw you a big party".

OH. OH. I would go insane. I would seethe. I would combust with rage. And I think Bella probably did. That was her breaking point, her "let it go" moment where she said: you know what? I've tried so hard to be proper, and good, and fit into """"patriarchal""" standards and it's never fucking enough. No more. Everyone is talking about this new dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, and I've been following his work. Of course, you people, my family, don't know because you've never asked me about myself beyond how I was doing in school, but my view on the world is that Mudbloods are infiltrating our society and we need to fight for survival (ironically, a view absorbed from her parents). I choose Rodolphus Lestrange, who is more than willing to let me pursue a military career and we'll happily practice Unforgivables on random Muggles that live too close to our house. Suck it.

Andromeda (who is secretly dating Ted behind her sister's back because she's afraid of her disapproval) is appalled. Narcissa is too young still (and being the youngest, possibly the most immature). Her parents go "Ehm, we don't really think you should blow up buildings- how about silently influencing politics?" But nope. Bellatrix marries Rodolphus to appease them and then she happily follows Voldemort from one Muggle village to the next, blowing up houses and getting railed by the Dark Lord next to her victims' corpses - he is the only one who sees her for what she is: dark, talented, hungry.

Andromeda runs away, and Bellatrix takes it the hardest. She sees it as a personal failure. The sister she helped raise. You can hear the hurt even thirty years after it happened.

As for her parents: Cissy was without a doubt Druella's favourite, as the daughter who looked most like her and lived the life closest to hers. Andromeda was probably nobody's fave (Middle Child Syndrome, a whole other post), but likely both her sisters' fave.

Bella... Bella was the child Cygnus understood most and was probably proudest of. She was also the hardest to love: I think that the few instances of physical affection he showed his daughters were for Andy (a naturally kind and bubbly child, who would not relent in her pursuit of affection even when told to go away) and Cissy (who was always slight, non-threatening, delicate, etc). Bella was prickly, maybe easily hurt (by her parents, seeing how attuned she was to their reactions). She strikes me as the sort to push away any display of sweetness saying she didn't want it, as a preventive measure. The kind of child who hides so that people will go looking for them, to see if they care. She was the same with Rodolphus, probably (but the man is a saint and at a certain point must have been like "it's not just that enjoy fucking you, i do like to hold you, i do like to kiss you, you are not a duty to me, i don't care if you're stubborn. i love you") and the Dark Lord (who is so scarce with his affections, she must have brainwashed herself in saying "it's fine, i don't really need it. i only need to be held in high esteem by him").

Anyways, Bella is the child Cygnus (and secretly Druella) are proudest of. Yes, Cissy made conventional choices, but imagine having Lord Voldemort, your old classmate-turned-Dark-Lord, over for tea and he keeps going on about how he didn't expect to find such an apt pupil in Bellatrix and that she is wonderfully skilled with a wand (pun intended, and Tom knows it, the little shit). I'm getting carried away, but you get the gist. [Although, while I hc Cygnus as a Voldemort fanboy, albeit not a Death Eater, I always liked the idea that Vold and Druella didn't like each other much]

Also. Bella: Daddy Issues, yes or no? Yes. Obviously. She hides them (with more or less success, after Azkaban) because she is a Black, but it's pretty clear from her entanglement with Voldemort that having a male figure her father's age, giving her validation does things for her. Happens to the best of us.

Did Bellatrix and Druella hate each other? No. No, I think that blood is too important for someone like Bellatrix. But I think that Druella's lack of understanding of her feelings and her life choices (and also the fact that Druella, to me, is the sort of mother who always plays the victim "oh, what did I do to deserve this?") definitely didn't help their relationship. I think that Bella was a dutiful daughter, the kind that would take care of her mother in her old age and stuff like that, but they would fight a lot.

Oh, look, another ginormous post. Anyways, I hope I painted a good picture. I could talk about this for hours.

[ohdudedhesflirting]

Zerobaseone mythology concept

Well, this our second part. I already did our first part on zb1 members (Hyung line) as Greek gods and goddess in case of a Greek mythology concept which I hope is gonna happen.

Disclaimer ! I am basing this from my memories of my class on greek iconography and not of work adapted from it. And i am not going to talk about everything that is SA, abuse and violence the gods are surronded with and created. I am not going to do a whole class on greek mythology so good luck. Its also my opinion. And I am not pretending to know everything, I may even be wrong.

Here is our second and final part : Maknae line : (Below the cut)

Gunwook as Athena

Athena is one of the 12 olympians. She was not born from Kronos and eaten by him but is actually a daughter of Zeus. She is the godess of widsom and of strategic war. Even if she is the godess of widsom she still as little moments of anger we will say (Arachnée as well as Medusa). She is one of the godess that is a virgin and never take a husband.

What you have to remember with Athena is her widsom, she is someone with a vision. In a case of a war there is two people that will be needed : Ares (which more of the brutal force) and Athena which will focus more on the strategic parts of a battle. If Athena takes part in a battle actively you know that normally it will be done fair and square. She respects the rules.

In her iconography Athena is represented as a warrior godess. She has an armor, an helmet as well as a shield. And what allows one to identify her no matter what is the presence of the aegis (égide in french) as well as the decapitated head of Medusa.

But mostly one is able to identify her with her warrior like appaerance with her helmet, armor and shield.

Now concerning Gunwook I feel like the link is quite obvious.

Gunwook is brilliant. He is the top student, class president, and we saw with the Kill this love stage that he has a strategic mind as well as a vision. He is able to understand the strenght of everyone around him and then put it together to build a strategy.

We could expect something that is truly giving a warrior vibe, with the helmet, shield and those two symbols of Athena with the aegis and the decapitated head. Even if they will go with a softer version.

Ricky as Dyonisius

This one is kinda confirmed as well lol.

Dyonisius is in most version the son of Zeus, some say that he died and then his father made him become a god because of the affection he had for him. Or in other versions he is an human that was transformed into a god because he was the one that invented the wine and gods liked wine.

Dyonisus is the god of wine, fertility of the soils, theater and party. In his iconographic representations he is always represented with the thyrse (it’s a kind of stick with a pine cone on it), some grape vine and he also has a company of many exotic animals as well as satyr and nymphs.

Why putting them together ? I feel like ricky is actually a very extroverted person and the life of the party. Like I totally imagine going up to someone first and just try to be funny ? If he wasn’t an idol I just know the guy would be partying like crazy in clubs worldwide wise lol

I feel like we definitely can expect some good references such as party crowded scene, having a cup in a hand. I doubt they will represent him with lots of girlies around tho.

Gyuvin as Hestia

Hestia might be one of the most underrated goddess out here while she is so important.

Hestia is the oldest Olympian. The first one that Kronos ate. She is one of the virgin goddess as well as a member of the twelve Olympians.

She is the goddess of home, the hearth (fire pit of the sacred fire), domesticity and family. She was the guardian of the sacred fire (hearth) and was essential to the Greek mythology rites.

She is a very quiet goddess and is rarely talked about and represented even though she was central character and extremely important.

In every city there was the hearth, for her, and for every sacrifice she was the first goddess that was received them.

Hestia is very important because throughout the time the notion family was essential and central, the clan you came from truly mattered in society as well as where you belonged.

In her rare representations she is standing up, with a vieil over head, with a strict expression close to a fire.

Why Gyuvin as Hestia ? Because for me Gyuvin represents home. He is able to make everyone feels at ease. He is central and everyone seem to fly close to him. He is a part of what ties all the members together. I feel like the hugs he gives make you feel at home.

I’m seeing something definitely with warm tones, little fire like summer camp type of fire, as there is not that much representation on her I really want them to make him feel like home. Lots of warm colors, smiles, lemonade and cute little snacks. Just home.

Yujin as Ares

Okay so I can already feel the complains from here but hear me out.

Ares is the god of war. Like the violent one, the bloody ones. And often people only remember him as that. The violent god.

But he was way more than that. He an olympian that never raped anyone. He killed without hesitation his daughter rapist. He was as well the protector of cities, the god of courage as well as the god of masculinity.

He was a protector of women. One of the very few people that Aphrodite ever truly loved. He was globally a big softie and that can be seen in the way he is portrayed in his representations. He was also a very good defender of gay love and gay representations.

In his iconography he is or despised as the god of war, with shield and weapons on as well as his armor . Or he is represented as the man that is enamoured of Aphrodite. He was a very handsome man and muscular.

Why am I putting Yujin as him then ? Because I feel like yes Yujin lives to be a menace because he is silly like that but he is also someone that seems to be very deep and well thought for his age. I totally imagine him taking the side of his girl schoolmates to watch over them. He is deeply loved and I totally can see him growing up to be an ally and truly supports and protect lgbtq people.

Representation wise I feel like if they put him in an armor with a sword he would be really happy so I want that only for him to be happy. In a more realistic tone I feel like it would be more discreet with like weapons on the floor and very pensive poses.

Tag list @seok02 (i love you)

I hope you all enjoyed <3

[woozapooza]

Christopher's death was inevitable the second Tony learned about his drug use, Adrianna was the final nail in the coffin (i would argue her death was that final nail not just for Chris but for every character in the series esp Tony and Carm, that was the point none of them could come back from), ever since that it was just a waiting game really for what excuse Tony would use for it, there are several points throughout season 6 that ring the death knell on this relationship/character, the first one that comes to mind is Chrissy's daughter's christening, their faces while Chickentown was playing, they knew then it wouldn't end well, and obviously there's the entirety of Walk Like a Man which you could argue is actually the episode where Tony both grieved Chris and made the unconscious decision to kill him..this is all not mentioning the fact that Tony's paranoia, resentment and bitterness has only escalated by every episode in 6b, he's only recently seriously contemplated killing Paulie,obv it's all up to interpretation but I thought it was the perfect ending for the culmination of this relationship and Christopher's character, the calm intentional ruthlessness of it all, the pathetic nature of it (Chase is the king of anticlimax), Comfortably Numb playing in the background (perfect for Chris), the final unveiling of Tony's rotten soul (or lack thereof more accurately)

Sorry for rambling lol, I just think both this scene and whole episode while certainly difficult are some of most masterful Chase has ever done and wanted to offer a different perspective, the trip to Vegas with the dream sequences, that final scene, its just all so good

All excellent points! I had been thinking about some of this already, but some of it hadn't occurred to me at all. For example it hadn't occurred to me to see the episode where Tony considers killing Paulie (which, while shocking and upsetting, still felt completely organic to me) as foreshadowing him killing Christopher. You're totally right that there is quite a bit of groundwork laid for it. I'm still not 100% sold on that groundwork leading to this result, but like I said in my other post, I suspect that has more to do with me missing and/or forgetting stuff than with the actual show. It also probably has a lot to do with the incorrect expectations I had about how it would all play out. I was looking for hints at what I thought would happen. When I rewatch I'll be looking for hints at what actually happens, so it'll almost certainly make more sense the second time through.

Also, I think in the immediate aftermath of the episode, it was hard for me to disentangle two different kinds of disbelief: the "huh, I don't quite see how Tony to this point" kind and the "oh my god, I know he's dead but I'm in shock and it doesn't feel real" kind. Basically, one kind that's about the lead-up and one that's about the aftermath. The latter kind of disbelief is what makes the episode so brilliant. With previous character deaths, I felt like they were actually dead. With Christopher, it still hasn't sunk in. It's one of the only TV episodes I've ever seen that successfully conveyed the actual feeling in the wake of a sudden death. (The only other episode I can think of that pulled that off is in s4 of Succession. I don't want to spoil it, but if you've seen the show you know what I'm talking about.) Ironically, it's the very surreality of it that makes it feel so real.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[tuiyla]

this is a random question lol, but what are your thoughts on "Old Dog, New Tricks" and Chris Colfer as a writer (based on it)?

We love random questions around here!

Gonna be honest with you, I haven't seen that episode in full in over two years and it's gonna be another year before I get to it on my rewatch at this rate, so unfortunately I don't think I can go into a ton of detail. As in, a full analysis of Chris as a writer. But dw I won't just leave it at that I do have some thoughts.

I recently heard 5x19 be referred to as a low-rated and badly received episode, which I found curious. I'm not sure by what metric that is but especially by standards of that era of the show I consider it to be quite solid. I don't have strong feelings about the main plots of the nursing home play and the dogs as like, a base concept. Most things depend on execution and it was executed well enough. I wonder what parameters he was given, what could happen what couldn't, but as far as penultimate episodes of seasons go it's pretty much your standard slice of life stakes-wise.

What I can talk about more in-depth and what directly related to Chris as a writer is the character moments he included. At the very least and off the top of my head, there are 3-4 great character moments that tell me Chris paid attention to this cast of characters and took care to keep whatever shred of continuity Glee was still hanging onto at that point. Frankly, Chris seems to have cared more for these characters than the actual writers' room did in these late seasons.

What I'm talking about in particular are these details:

Kurt, obviously. It's understandable that Chris wrote an episode with a major Kurt plot and it was a breath of fresh air to focus on him separate from the main group, even if only for a beat. Two standout moments are a) him standing up to/calling out Rachel, which actually leads somewhere unlike it often does in NYC. See my second bullet point. And b), even more importantly and in a detail that so often lacks from the series, Kurt talking about his mother to Maggie's daughter. Such a small scene in the grand scheme of things but very poignant and the one I remember the most from this episode (sans Santana). That moment really made me go "oh Chris gets Kurt." He cares about this character enough to pay attention to this, imo, crucial detail.

Rachel's is a smaller one but also on two fronts, one on the Kurt of it all and like I said in the way that she actually goes to support him and concedes to be a more supportive friend. This is a lesson Rachel learns a lot but this is among the better executions of it. And the second is her general arc of at least trying to do good things because they're good and not just for optics. Shame this sentiment is limited to this one episode.

Santana! Of course, my beloved. Chris Colfer singlehandedly gave me PR Santana, who I hold onto dearly and fight in the name of, against all the lawyer Santana stuff. It was a great direction for her character to take and I'm grateful Chris gave us this, even if we never hear from PR Santana again. More thoughts on PR Santana here. The Pezberry shenanigans are also great. And we have a detail here, too, with the brilliant Santana line "in high school ... I was voted best shoulder to cry on and most likely to poison someone", which tells me that Chris gets Santana, too. Love that. God the feels I have about that line lol.

I also have to shout out the Sam stuff, maybe not in general because frankly I don't remember but at least one detail. Chris seemed to be the only writer to remember season 2 Sam and the way he was working hard to protect and support his family, and the impact that must have had on him. Later seasons lean into Sam the himbo, but, tbh, not in a way I find particularly charming just because they really emphasize his... carelessness, I guess. His immaturity, that's a better word. So he's not the himbo from season 2 but someone a lot less capable and more of a caricature version than he used to be, and that's not the direction in which it should go. BUT, that said, Chris takes the time to examine this with Sam and takes care to remember how Sam had to grow up too quickly, how he did have to be mature before. I don't think it goes anywhere but that's on Glee much more than it is on one-off episode writer Chris Colfer.

Writing characters well has been my primary focus for as long as I have been looking at media critically and Chris Colfer succeeded on that front for sure. These are the main things I remember from the episode and the main aspects of it that make me look back on Chris' writing fondly.

I've been meaning to check out Chris' books or just anything from him as a writer because I am curious. In interviews, he's always so quick-witted and good with words. The main thing, apart from Old Dogs, that I think about in terms of Chris as a writer is his Variety tribute piece to Naya. It's not only a heartwarming (and -wrenching) piece but damn you can tell the man's a writer. A good one, at that. He just has that instinct, based on this piece. Where the words flow and the arc of what he's saying makes sense on a deeper level. So yeah I'm curious, and maybe I'll rewatch Old Dogs earlier than planned just to view it from that perspective this time around.

[skiesofthesketchy]

Midsummers

Pairing: JJ Maybank x kook!reader

Summary: You drag a poor, unsuspecting stranger to be apart of your little scheme, but JJ doesn’t mind all that much. 

Note: Yoooooo how are you guys? This fic is dedicated to my bff @rafej-cambanks​ bc it is her birthday today!! Go send her some love! I figured this might be a nice lil surprise bc it is 1 of the maybe 2 unpublished fics that you haven’t read yet lol. Anyway, I love you SO MUCH and hope you like this :)

Still working on blurbs for my 1k celebration! Sit tight, they will be coming soon :)

Warnings: language, hella fluff, uhhhh yea Word Count: 4k

gif by @toesure​

***

Standing in front of the full-length mirror and gazing at your reflection, you couldn’t keep a straight face. The pretty emerald fabric of your dress adorned your figure perfectly, considering the thousands of dollars your mother spent on it plus having it tailored to fit you so. The hem fell to your ankles, showing off your expensive six inch heels and perfectly painted toenails. Your jewelry consisted of a simple diamond necklace and matching earrings, the sparkle adding to your already glowing complexion. You assumed your makeup would look cakey, but it actually looked quite flawless. That’s what you get when your mother hires a professional to do your makeup and hair for the most prestigious Kook party of the year.

Midsummers. Tonight was the night every Kook family planned for months beforehand, and then talked about the months following after. The party where rich socialites gather to brag about their wealth and successes over lobster and expensive champagne, playing fake nice to uphold their own powerful and pleasant reputations. You hated Midsummers with every fiber of your being, but alas, it was the one event you couldn’t get out of, and you had to attend. 

You bubbled with laughter as you gazed at your appearance, hardly looking like yourself at all. A silly flower crown in your hair and an elegant dress that could probably pay for a trip to Europe. “So this is the daughter my parents have always wanted,” you sighed, coming out of your laughing fit. 

Your parents never really understood you. All they ever wanted was for you to be their perfect princess, hanging out with other Kooks, going shopping, finding a suitable boyfriend from a wealthy family, you know, the whole shabang. And of course, keeping your grades up at the academy so that you can one day work for your father’s multi-million dollar company. It was what all Kooks expect from their kids, but you weren’t about that lifestyle.

Sure, you were grateful for your comfy upbringing, but you couldn’t care less about any of that stuff. You just wanted to have fun, travel the world, figure out who you are. You’d jump off a cliff before you had to be tied down to this boring, money-obsessed world that your parents live in. 

With a quick wink to your alter-ego in the mirror, you sauntered out of the large bathroom, your heels clacking on the white marble floors. You made your way to the extravagant lobby area of the Island Club, staying close to the wall in order to not be noticed. Your parents were thankfully already at the party outside, but there was still someone you were trying to avoid: the pathetic boy your parents had set you up with. 

He really wasn’t that bad, just boring like every other Kook boy your age. Only caring about parties, drugs, and tormenting the Pogues on the island. According to your parents though, he was a “suitable young man” because his parents were wealthy and respected on Figure Eight. 

You spotted your date, Topper Thornton, leisurely scrolling on his phone, his other hand in his pocket. He was waiting for you so that you two could walk down the glorious staircase into the party together. It was tradition for ladies to be escorted down the steps, which is exactly why your mother took finding an escort for you into her own hands. The stupid tradition made you gag. You didn’t need a pretty boy to escort you into a lame-ass party, and that’s why you were hiding from him.

With Topper’s gaze fixed on his phone, you took this opportunity to slip through the large room and onto the balcony, the party happening just down the stairs. With a sigh, you started your descent down the staircase, taking in the scene in front of you. There were pretty lights hung up around the huge tent covering the dining area. People were dressed to the nines, champagne flutes in hand as they giggled and chatted to one another. The live band played classy music while some couples danced, and staff members ran around serving drinks to the attendees. 

Casually walking down the last few steps, that’s when you noticed your parents watching you, and you grinned brightly at them. You knew ditching your date for the grand entrance would piss them off, which is mostly why you did it, and it was confirmed by the sour expressions on their faces.

“Mom. Dad. You guys look great!” you smiled. Your mother only scowled in response. 

“Y/N! What on earth are you doing? Where’s the Thornton boy?” She spoke through her perfect teeth clenched in a fake smile, trying not to draw attention from others. 

You shrugged. “I dunno. Great party though,” you said nonchalantly as your eyes wandered, obviously not bothered by the disappointing looks your parents were giving you. 

“You know your mother wanted you to walk in on a man’s arm,” your dad said. He was trying to console your mom by rubbing her back soothingly. She was not taking this well, her chest rising and falling rapidly in anger. She wanted to yell at you, but wouldn’t dare to make a scene with all of these people around. 

You rolled your eyes. “Why do I have to be escorted by some boy? That tradition is dumb, and sexist, quite frankly.” 

“Y/N, you’re embarrassing us!” your mom whisper-yelled. Her eyes were wide and her lips twisted in displeasure. She’s more pissed than you thought she’d be, and you smiled. “You couldn’t have done this one thing for us? Why can’t you go one night without embarrassing your family?”

“You’re being dramatic,” you sighed. You loved pushing their buttons. They have to figure out you don’t want to live in this Kook bubble for the rest of your life sooner or later. It sucks that they aren’t accepting of who you are and only want you to be their little Kook Princess, but that has never kept you down for long. 

“Don’t talk to your mother that way,” your dad warned in a low voice. You scoffed.

“Tell me why you ditched your date,” your mom whispered, the anger still apparent even with how quietly she spoke. 

“I ditched him because I already have a boyfriend, Mom.” You didn’t really have a boyfriend, but the lie rolled off your tongue easily. Lying to your parents was something you did quite often, and not just to get away with the stupid shit you do sometimes. It was fun to mess with them. They get so upset over silly things, especially your mom. 

A smirk found its way to your mother's face, and you knew she didn’t buy it. “Oh yeah? Then where is he?” You weren’t going to give her the satisfaction of catching you in your lie, especially if it meant she’d make you walk back up those damn steps just to retrieve Topper and do the whole entrance all over again. 

You were already disinterested in this conversation, but you couldn’t just walk away now. Your eyes wandered the party briefly, and that’s when you spotted a waiter heading in your direction. He didn’t seem too busy at the moment, no drinks or plates of food in hand, so the gears in your head started turning. Before you could even second guess your plan, you were stopping the boy’s strides by grabbing his hand and dragging him to the spot next to you in front of your parents.

“Right here,” you said. “Mom. Dad. Meet my boyfriend.” An innocent smile graced your lips as you stared at your parents, awaiting their reactions. You were happy to see surprise and displeasure taking over their features, and the blonde boy next to you looked just the same. You ignored him though and the way he turned to you with confusion dancing in his eyes. You didn’t even care if the stranger went along with it. Even if he walked off and this all blew up in your face, the shock on your mom’s face right now has already made it worth it. You found it all fucking hilarious.

Registering the silence and how nobody seemed to know what to do, you turned your smiling face towards the boy, squeezing his hand in yours and trying not to laugh at this whole situation. You finally noticed his beautiful blue eyes and the way they seemed to ask you what the hell is going on. You shot him a wink, and after quickly scanning your face, something in him seemed to change.

“Mr. and Mrs. Y/L/N. It’s so great to finally meet you.” The boy had turned his attention back to your parents, and reached to shake your father’s hand. You couldn’t help the happiness that swelled up inside of you. He’s actually going along with your idiotic plan to piss your parents off even more.

Your other hand came up to rest on the boy’s bicep as you watched him shake your dad’s hand. Your dad couldn’t form words as he looked at the waiter you clung to. Your mom had plastered on one of her brilliant fake smiles after a few seconds, and nodded her head in acknowledgement. 

This was almost too good to be true. You didn’t know the boy standing next to you, but considering he was part of the staff, he had to be a Pogue. Your parents never allowed you to hang out with Pogues before, so you could only imagine their fury after learning you were dating one. You only caught a quick glance at the blonde, but you noticed the bruises on his face and the cut on his lip. You didn’t know his story, but you knew your parents only saw him as a trouble-making Pogue, and his beat up face only made it better. Not to mention you were in the middle of the biggest party of the year. Your parents wouldn’t dare do anything to make a scene, not here. Sure, you’d be getting an earful at home later, but you were already basking in the pleasure of seeing them so utterly angry and not being able to show it.

“And what’s your name, young man?” your dad asked. 

“JJ Maybank, sir.” You turned your gaze to the boy again, and he smiled charmingly at your parents. “I’ve heard lots about you both, from your lovely daughter here.” He suddenly turned to face you again, the same cute smile on his lips, and released your hand to instead wrap his arm around your waist. Fuck, he’s doing a great job at playing along even though you dragged him into this mess that he had no business being in. You were loving every second of this. 

The way your mom was struggling to keep her calm composure had laughter bubbling in your chest, but you kept your lips shut tight to hold it in. “JJ,” she said through clenched teeth. “Are you working the party?” As polite as she was trying to be, her distasteful glance at his work attire didn’t go unnoticed by anyone. 

JJ wasn’t disheartened by her question, and only smiled bigger. “Yes ma’am, I work at the Island Club for such events. I also deliver groceries and mow lawns. But don’t worry. I still make plenty of time to take Y/N out on dates and treat her like the princess she is.” You found his gaze once again, and you swear you could kiss him. He’s really milking this whole encounter with your parents and you promised yourself to thank him later. 

“Oh, that’s nice,” your dad responded for your mother. She was practically seething underneath that perfect mask of hers, but your father looked quite uncomfortable as well. And here you thought Midsummers would be boring. 

You listened in on the awkward conversation a few minutes more before you spoke up. “I’m glad you guys finally met, but we’re gonna go now. Enjoy the party!” You grinned one last time at your parents before grabbing JJ’s hand and dragging him away, leaving them to simmer in their shock and anger without you.

You had made it all the way to the other side of the dance floor before you burst out laughing. Giggles poured out of you loudly, and JJ couldn’t help but join in. You didn’t even care how awkward that whole situation was, you found it absolutely hilarious and you were happy to see that JJ seemed to think so too. “Thanks for playing along with that, man,” you smiled. “I totally owe you.”

JJ Maybank was confused to say the least. He caught on to your little plan and used his superb improv skills to play along, but he didn’t really know why. He’d never met you before, and couldn’t possibly figure out why you would claim him as your boyfriend. And though you two had never met, he knew exactly who you were. Everyone did. You were Y/N Y/L/N. Your parents were among the richest Kooks on the whole island, and you were their perfect Kook Princess. Why on earth would you ever tell them that he was your boyfriend? He was a low-life Pogue. None of it made any sense. 

He wanted to ask you for an explanation, but he was too caught up in the moment with you. He had never seen you up close before, and had to admit he found you intriguingly beautiful. Your eyes gleaming as your whole face lit up, your dress showing off your nice figure and complimenting you perfectly, even the giggles escaping your lips screamed beauty. He had his mind made up about you, thinking you’re no different than every other rich girl on the island, but now he’s not so sure. From the moment you abruptly grabbed his hand, he could tell you didn’t give a fuck about anything. You seemed fun.

“Do you always try to freak your parents out like that?” he asked with a laugh. 

You chuckled too with a nod. “Yeah. They’re too comfy in their dumb Kook lifestyle, so I like to scare them every once in a while.” You looked up at him with your pretty smile, and he could only smile back. Your words suddenly made him like being in your presence a whole lot more. 

He watched as you messed with your flower crown, the flowers getting caught in your hair as you unceremoniously pulled it off of your head. “Stupid fucking flower crown...” you mumbled before tossing it off to the side on the ground. JJ laughed at your messed up hair, but reached his hands up to fix it for you. You couldn’t care less about what you looked like, which he found odd about you, but you enjoyed the feeling of his fingers running through your hair, patting down the wild strands. 

You took this opportunity to really look at him. His blonde hair was messy and the locks fell over his forehead. The bruises marking his face did little to hide how attractive he was, the cut on his lip seemed to make him even more attractive to you. Even his work uniform was tattered and wrinkled, but he still managed to look good in it. He finished messing with your hair and tucked a strand behind your ear, eyes meeting yours, and neither of you could hide your curious smiles. “Thanks,” you hummed. He only nodded in response.

Your eyes wandered as you tried to figure out what to say, but you caught sight of Topper bounding down the staircase, his gaze searching through the party, probably for you. “Shit,” you muttered under your breath, grabbing JJ’s shoulders and positioning him in front of you. You stepped closer to him as you peaked your head over his shoulder to keep your eyes on the Kook you ditched.

“Hiding from someone?” JJ asked, looking down at you with amusement. 

You nodded. “Just the guy my parents tried to set me up with. I may or may not have ditched him,” you laughed sheepishly. Maybe you should’ve felt bad, but you didn’t.

JJ spared a glance over his shoulder. “Which one of these unlucky bastards was it?” 

You giggled, still trying to hide your frame completely behind JJ. “Topper Thornton. Frosted Tips. Looks like a lost puppy.”

JJ laughed and you could practically feel the warm vibrations from his chest. His pretty eyes met yours again, and he surprised you by wrapping his arm around your waist while his other hand found yours, bringing the pair of you into a waltz position. A smile tugged on your lips as you placed your other hand on his broad shoulder, and you both began to sway. 

JJ never pictured himself in this position before. Slow dancing with you, the Kook Princess of all people, at the Kookiest party of the year no less. He felt a strange sense of pride knowing that you had ditched Topper and are instead dancing with him. Being this close to you, he found himself trying to memorize your features, the color of your eyes, the softness of your hand in his, and the enticing curve of your waist which he had the pleasure of holding onto. 

“So,” JJ spoke softly. “What do you normally do when you’re not attending fancy parties and pissing off your parents?” He didn’t know why, but he wanted to find out more about you. You’re already quite different than what he made you out to be.

“Getting into more trouble,” you responded with a wink. 

He chuckled. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

You shrugged. “Last month, I ran off to Cuba for a week without telling anyone.” You didn’t think it was a big deal, but you noticed the waves of surprise in JJ’s eyes. You giggled at his expression. “What about you? When you’re not serving drinks, delivering groceries, or mowing lawns,” you paused to admire the bruises on his face. “What do you do?”

“Get into trouble,” he laughed, shooting your words back at you. 

You played along. “Oh yeah? Like what?” You don’t know when it happened, but you realized now that you guys were closer than before. Your chest was pressed into his, and his face was so close you could kiss him with the slightest lift onto your toes. 

“Picking fights with your Kooky friends, usually,” he chuckled. 

“If you’re referring to Topper and his goons, we’re not friends.” JJ’s lips lifted into a small smile at your words. If he wasn’t mistaken, you were about as fond of those assholes as he was. 

You both were just staring at each other, choosing to put the small talk to rest and just enjoy the moment. JJ’s eyes never left yours as you brought both of your arms around his neck, leaving him to wrap his arms around your back, diminishing any space there was between your bodies. You thought he might’ve kissed you with the way his gaze flickered between your eyes and your lips, but he didn’t. Instead, his hands found yours and he spun you around so that your back was against him, your arms crossed over your body as you continued to sway. 

His lips hovered over your neck briefly, and you released a sigh, trying to remember the last time you felt so close to someone, so content and in the moment. Something about the boy holding you in his arms gave you butterflies, that warm and exciting feeling spreading through your veins. He suddenly released one of your hands and pushed you so that you were spinning away from him, but then caught you and pulled you back.

You giggled as he twirled you around the dance floor, pleasantly surprised at how good of a dancer he was. Staying hidden from Topper wasn’t even on your mind anymore. With his grip on both of your hands, you both spun around, making the other dancing patrons have to move out of the way. Your laugh bubbled louder, and you couldn’t care less about the other guests. JJ found himself laughing along with you, even though part of him still wondered why he was here, dancing and having fun with you. 

After a moment, he pulled you back against him and you both fought to catch your breaths while the laughter died down. He admired your features again, and the question he’s been dying to ask finally escaped passed his lips. “How come you’re not embarrassed to be seen with me?” He didn’t mean it to sound so insecure, he was rather genuinely curious.

Your brows furrowed slightly in confusion, your grin turning into a frown. “Why would I be embarrassed?”

He scoffed lightly. “Come on, Y/N. We’re from two different worlds.” His eyes wandered for a second, noticing the amount of eyes on the two of you, probably floored at the scene you guys had just made. “Everyone is watching. The Kook Princess dancing with a Pogue...” He didn’t mean to bring down the mood, but he couldn’t help it. He was used to being dismissed, used to being viewed as a disgusting Pogue that only got into trouble. 

You brought your hands up to brush his hair away from his face, your bright smile returning. Your hands then cupped his cheeks, your thumb gently brushing over his split lip. “I don’t give a fuck about these people.” JJ chuckled, feeling his spirits lift once again. Your fingers dragged down his neck and landed on his collar, which you straightened for him. 

“You know,” you started, eyes fixed on the buttons of his white shirt. “I expected tonight to be the absolute worst, but I’m actually having an amazing time.” You peered up at him through your lashes, and JJ smiled. 

“Oh yeah?” he smirked, his usual flirty persona returning. “And why is that?”

You giggled, deciding to humor him. “I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my handsome fake boyfriend has some damn good dance moves,” you winked. Your chest became warm at the sound of JJ’s deep chuckle, his breath fanning over your face.

Among the many judgy looks the pair of you were getting, your parents were also watching from a nearby table. JJ noticed their burning glares, and an idea popped into his head. Gazing into your pretty eyes, he smirked with a nod of his head to the side. When you glanced over and was greeted with the sight of your very angry parents, a grin creeped onto your face. You were making quite the spectacle, but really, who cares? “Want to give them something to be really pissed about?” JJ asked.

You looked at him curiously, but nodded nonetheless. You were already thrilled with how the night was going, and wondered what else he could possibly have up his sleeve. He leaned forward and suddenly, his lips were on yours. Your surprise was soon washed away and you allowed yourself to melt into the kiss, arching your back to press your chest into him. 

His hand rested on the back of your neck, pulling you in even closer as you both indulged in one another. His other large hand squeezed your hip, and you squealed softly against his lips. After a few more seconds, you pulled away from each other, gleaming smiles on your faces. Yeah, that sure made your parents fucking livid. Your mother had excused herself from the table they were sitting at, and your father followed after her, but you weren’t paying attention to them. 

JJ had rested his palms on your cheeks, just looking at you, and he knew then that he wouldn’t be able to get you off of his mind no matter how hard he tried. Your hands gripped his wrists, and you felt sad for a moment, thinking about how JJ probably needs to get back to work. He needs to get back to his life, and you need to get back to yours. “I’ll see you around, JJ?” You held your breath, hoping that this wouldn’t be the last time you saw him.

He kissed you once more, short and sweet, before pulling away again with a smirk. “Definitely.” And with that, he made his way back through the party and into the building while you watched, not being able to hide your giddy grin.

***

Pls let me know what you think :) love you all

Masterlist

***

Obx tags: @sportygal55​ @jazbarnes05 @lovelogan @lannxyz @caseyabel28 @falling-perfectly @thisismynerdyself @mattelblake @justanotherbooklover @hemmingsness @queenofthepouges @dontjinx-it @pink-meringues @outerbnx-stiles @little-miss-rebel3  @shreckluver7​

JJ tags:  @kaylinfayezink​ @unfortunatekiwitrash​ @shy-1234​ @bijleegiregi​ @cheshirecat107​ @yami5525​  @folkloverr​ @dracoswhore007​

[sendme-2hell]

Ranking the sapphic books I’ve read by how desperately I want there to be more fanfic of them on ao3

This is a joke (also like I don’t read that much fanfic so I don’t know that much)

11. The Locked Tomb

Over 1k fanfics on AO3. Keep it up guys, you’re doing great!

8. The Unbroken, The Midnight Lie, and The Unspoken Name 

These all fit into the category of ‘I am waiting for the next installment and I would like to read fanfic of it’ but I’m not desperate.

7.Crier’s War

There are 16 works on AO3 and I’ve read them all! Hey, enemies to lovers is just a very good trope and I would like to read more of it!

6. A Memory Called Empire/ A Desolation Called Peace 

Wow I actually just looked this up and saw that there are 30 fanfics for this so I should go read them lol. I really want to read mahit/19 don’t judge me and there are actually 5 fanfics about that so...thanks writers

5. Plain Bad Heroines PBH SPOILERS BELOW

Here’s the thing, I think that PBH ended perfectly and it was already quite long, but I was really left wanting to read more scenes with Harper, Merritt, and Audrey and their relationship! They had such an interesting dynamic and I just feel like fanfic writers could write some interesting stuff! 

4. The Space Between Worlds

There were a lot of great things about this book but I have to take a second to appreciate how angsty the main couple’s relationship was. Talk about a misunderstanding! Talk about yearning! So I am very interested in how their relationship would actually work. I’d also like to read a fanfic about everything that went down but from Dell’s perspective. Also let’s talk about how there are alternative versions of both of them out there….I’m just saying there is a LOT to work with here! Also can’t wait for the next book in this series.

3. The Traitor/Monster/Tyrant Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade)

The thing about the 29 fanfics on AO3  is that most of them are rewriting the end of Traitor. I understand the urge to do this but it just makes me more sad!! So I’m gonna say something I usually would not say, because I usually do not like AU’s. I wish there were more AU fanfics! And I mean silly modern AUs. I want to see these bitches in a very normal environment because it would be funny and also the only way I would willingly put myself through more of this series. There should be more of that! Also whoever is writing the masquerade/TLT road trip AU on ao3 no pressure but I am invested! 

2. The Luminous Dead 

Gyre/Em is so messy and borderline unethical and that’s why it slaps. There is a lot to explore there. What happens after the book ends? How could they possibly have a relationship after that? I am a softie so I do want Em to be not like totally evil but there's still a lot there. The 11 fanfics that already exists on AO3 are excellent  and so angsty. 

1. My Brilliant Friend/The Story of A New Name/ Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay/ The Lost Daughter (The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante) 

LISTEN. I’m sorry. These are my favorite books and I will not shut up about them. And like ok Lenu and Lila are queer. But even just if they are not, their relationship is just endlessly interesting. I would read about it romantically or not! I think there is a lot to write about here. When I started reading this series back in 2018 I thought the TV series would really boost it in the US, but it didn’t seem like that happened. I’m still waiting tho! 

There are 17 works on AO3 but only 5 in English. Which makes perfect sense! But even factoring in the Italian ones there aren’t that many. Maybe I’ll run them through google translate but I don’t think google translate can compare to Ann Goldstein. 

I’m pretty sure I saw a Elena/Lila/Nino fanfic on wattpad when I was searching like a few years ago….so that's certainly something...

[backtothestart02]

Husband and Wife - 1/1 | RC - 5x19

A/N: Soooo long overdue, but here it is finally, @westallen94! (Another of your fics for staying spoiler-free for me in our DMs - this one is for doing it for 5x16. Many more to come.) The make-up sex following the convo where they uh...make-up, lol, in 5x19. Half this fic is directly pulled from the scene in the ep, fyi. Tagging @wanderer765 too b/c I know you wanted to see this.

Enjoy!

...

Synopsis: 5x19 - Barry and Iris make up: an extended version of their last scene in the episode.

...

“We should talk.”

Those words, which should’ve been a beacon of hope for Barry, still left him on edge and tense all the way home. The last time they had ‘talked’, their voices had risen, hurtful words had been spoken, and it left with them going their separate ways, madder and more hurt by each other than either thought would’ve been possible before.

How would this time be any different?

For starters, Barry realized Iris was much softer with him. It probably had something to do with the unwanted tension between them, but it made him respond with equal softness. Both of them wanted to be okay again. They just had to find a way through their currently buried anger and hurt to the love waiting for them on the other side.

At the doorway to their loft, they each hesitated, waiting for the other to walk in first. A strained laugh seeped out of them when they both tried to enter at the same time.

Barry cleared his throat. “You.” He gestured, even as she tried to say the same.

She went inside and took a seat by the table. He followed suit, and they sat in silence for a few achingly long seconds before finally Iris spoke up.

“I just wanted my family back together.” She paused. “Even if that meant doing something drastic like…time-travel.”

“Yeah, I get that. More than anyone,” he offered, recognizing even as he said it that he’d been the one to tear their little family apart.

“You were right about Thawne,” Iris continued. “I think he’s manipulating Nora. But I also believe him. Nora is back here in our time.”

Barry sighed, looking away, trying to gather his thoughts. Then he sat up in his chair and turned to his wife.

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left Nora, or- made that decision without you. Whatever it is that we have to figure out, we should’ve done it together. Family doesn’t leave family.”

“Well, I mean you weren’t the only one to make that mistake. I shouldn’t have gone to the future without you. I shouldn’t have left you like that. I mean, that was the same thing that I got so mad at you for.”

He hadn’t really been mad about that. After all, he deserved her not returning his calls for the way he had talked to her earlier. But she’d always been so loving and forgiving and grounded. He knew he couldn’t take away her part in their rift any more than he could take away his own.

“But…I know now that we can’t solve this if we don’t stick together,” she concluded.

He nodded seriously, but the worst of it was over. He couldn’t help the smile that slipped through.

“I can barely solve things with you, so without you…”

Her smile was brilliant.

“Are we making jokes already? Really?”

He leaned in, sifted his fingers through her hair, and pulled her to him, capturing her lips in a single breath. The kiss stirred their senses, made them feel like they were truly home again.

“Let’s bring our kid home.”

Iris hesitated before meeting his eyes.

“There’s something else that I wanted to tell you. Barry, the way that Thawne looks when he talks about Nora… I’ve only ever seen that in one other person. You.”

Worry crept into him again.

“What are you saying?”

“I think Thawne might actually care about Nora.”

Barry did his best to keep any panic from showing on his face. He’d always believed Thawne cared about no one but himself. Yet here Iris was saying he might care about Nora, their daughter. There was no one Barry trusted more than Iris.

And if Thawne did care about Nora and wasn’t just manipulating her for his own personal gain, that meant Nora probably sensed it and would lean into it after her father had abandoned her in the future.

Before he could fall any deeper down the rabbit hole and blame himself even more for acting so rashly, Barry felt Iris’ hands on his face. He heard her calling his name gently but firmly and finally looked at her.

“What?” His brow furrowed.

“She’s our daughter. Yours and mine. However Thawne feels about Nora won’t matter once you tell her you love her and you forgive her. Okay?”

It took a moment for him to react, and when he did, it wasn’t with a nod or a smile or some sort of verbal cue. He moved in quickly, feeling her hands tighten on his face when he kissed her. Then he picked her up and carried her towards the stairs. In an instant they were upstairs and undressing madly.

Once fully naked, Barry kissed Iris again, pulled her close to him, and picked her up, moving with her onto the bed. They didn’t speak, didn’t say one word. Barry didn’t know whether this could be labeled as make-up sex or if it was the result of Iris reassuring him about Thawne and Nora’s potential bond. What mattered was they were together, and they were desperate for each other, and for this moment at least, everything was okay between them again.

Hovering over Iris on the bed, Barry looked down into her deep, brown eyes. His own eyes had darkened with lust, and the tip of his tongue snuck out between his lips as his gaze traveled down her face to her parted lips waiting for him.

Iris’ hands tightly clutching Barry’s hair, she yanked him down to her for another smoldering kiss. Her body arched up against his as her calf slid over the back of his thigh, her toes digging into the sheets. She gasped when she felt his thumb on her nipple as he tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth. She trembled in his arms.

Barry’s hand covered one dark breast as his kisses moved across Iris’ jaw and down her neck.

Iris hissed when he sucked her sweet spot.

“Barry.”

She squeezed his body with her legs and rubbed her pussy against his sweaty skin.

“Shit, Iris.”

Moans escaped her as she bit her bottom lip hard and dragged her nails down his back, pushing her head further into the pillow and breathing heavily.

Barry’s cock was heavy on her stomach, and she was aching for it deep inside her. Still, he would not stop his ministrations – his mouth on her breasts, swirling, flicking tongue on her nipples; sweet, surrendering kisses down her torso, and his hands gripping her hips as he pressed a string of kisses over the top of her dark mound.

Iris’ chest started to heave when she felt his breath inside her. Her fingers held tightly to his sweaty locks of hair, her only thing left to hold onto after he lifted her legs up and held them firmly down on top of his shoulders.

He found her clit and vibrated his tongue around it in swirling circles, driving her pleasure up so she was gasping for air and nearly levitating off the bed. She tried to say his name, any form of it really, but she was overwhelmed with pleasure. Her eyes rolled back, and she released her grip on his hair to clutch at the sheets on either side of her head instead.

She was close, so unbearably close, and Barry knew it. He was close too.

Without warning, he rose up, keeping her calves resting on his shoulders and pushed his cock into her dripping hole. At once, they both moaned loudly. Then Barry pulled back a little just to push in again. The steady push and pull of his thrusts drove them both to ecstasy. And when he sped up, fucking her to drive him over the edge, she cried out his name. Tears seeped down her cheeks as she came unraveled beneath his grip, Barry’s guttural groan finally pushing her over the edge.

“Fuuu-” Barry growled.

Then he released her and fell onto the bed beside her, complete putty in her hands when she reached for him moments later.

“That was make-up sex, right?” he asked, breathing heavily.

“Whatever it was, was fucking fantastic.” Iris chuckled darkly.

He turned his head to look at her and reached for her hand to kiss the back of it.

“I love you, Iris West-Allen.”

“I love you, husband.”

Chills raced down his spine. He kissed her ring finger, the diamond brushing his nose.

“Wife,” he said, stirring her possessive nature.

Re-energized, she moved on top of him, her eyes wide with excitement. Barry guided her steadily, and she hissed as her head tipped back when he found his way inside her again.

“Damn straight.”

...

*will post on AO3 and FFnet when beta’d.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Weird q..but i really dont understand why most fans hate season 4, especially the last episode. Why? I think it gave us a deeper look on both sherlock and mycroft! I felt it tells a lot about mycroft how he had to step in and take control of things ever since he was a kid himself. Also he is not a robot or a killer. Also redbeard thing. It was an appropriate deep psychological trauma (cause most shows usually disappoint in that area). I am not trying to impose my opinion. Just want to understand

Hey Nonny!

It’s all good, and I totally respect your opinion and how you enjoyed S4! It’s totally okay! I know that there are quite a few who got a lot of of S4, and who genuinely enjoyed it.

Sadly, I am not one of those people, and I’ll try to be as diplomatic a possible in my response, but PLEASE know that I don’t think you’re “terrible” or “stupid” for liking S4 because I DO get passionate sometimes in my responses, and I’m just merely speaking as someone who studied the series very closely for quite a long time before S4 aired, and as someone who knows Day-One-ers (ie., people who watched Sherlock on its day one airdate) who also are a large majority of the people who did not like S4. This is just me simply stating why I didn’t like it, but it’s different for everyone.

Stating what I DO like: The acting and cinematography of the first two episodes were brilliant for what they had to work with, and I’ve never faulted any of the actors for the flaws of S4. And for TFP, they did the best with what they had to work with.

That’s… pretty much all I really liked about S4.

Now, here’s my problems with S4:

Nothing made a LICK of sense to the narrative that they were telling in Seasons prior. 

This series was always based a bit in reality, and suddenly everything became comic-book rules: X-Men villains, shitty “redemption” arc, destroying favourite characters just for drama, ludicrous physics, explosions that only destroyed one small room in an apt where in previous episodes one explosion destroyed an entire block, etc.

Sherlock was OOC.

Mary was being built up to be a fantastic villain? Ah, nope, here’s the lacklustre twist where tee hee Mary’s just an assassin with a heart of gold that still emotionally abuses Sherlock and John and just won’t fucking stay dead.

And speaking of this, the DVD’s make NO LOGICAL SENSE unless she was planning to kill herself

AND she tries to make her death equatable to Sherlock’s??

Everyone was RIDICULOUSLY out of character in TFP, I’m so sorry: Mycroft is a bumbling coward for the most part, Sherlock disregards John when he gives the Vatican Cameos warning, the Holmes Parents are assholes because Mycroft COULDN’T SOLVE A PROBLEM WHEN HE WAS 12?? ARE YOU SERIOUS???? And that creepy Moriarty / Eurus thing, and LITERALLY they’re implying that EVERYTHING HAPPENED BECAUSE EURUS DIDN’T GET A HUG. Like, I’m so sorry, but that’s lazy writing.

And don’t even get me started on the ridiculousness of the entire character of Eurus. She LITERALLY had X-Men powers, and like… just nothing made sense. Her involvement in the entirety of S4 MADE NO SENSE. Why go back to prison if you can get out?? WHAT IS THE POINT?? AND I repeat: She did all this because she didn’t get a hug. Yes. I’m oversimplifying, but at the base level, that’s what it was, because she wanted Sherlock’s attention. Welcome to the club, kid, stand in line, everyone on the SHOW wants his attention.

The ENTIRE plot of the first 2 seasons got wiped out all because it wasn’t Moriarty who was interested in Sherlock, but Eurus?? What… What about Carl Powers?? Like…. the ENTIRETY of season one and TGG makes no sense now, because of that one 5 minute scene where Eurus “enlists” Moriarty. I… ugh.

The SUDDEN tonal switch from kind-of Sherlock to James Bond, for some fucking reason.

And on that note, how terribly lazy and cheap TFP looks in comparison to the other two episodes. The whole episode looks like it was filmed in a small house with 4 identical rooms.

EVERYTHING that was etablished in 2 episodes prior were COMPLETELY forgotten when Mary was “shot”.

The complete character assassination of one loyal blogger John H Watson in favour of Mary for some fucked up reason, even though AT HIS OWN WEDDING HE COULDN’T STAND BEING AROUND MARY. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe for one damned second that John would EVER forgive Mary for murdering his best friend after seeing what it did to him. That’s not love from her, and that’s NOT John’s character EVER in the ENTIRETY of the series.

And speaking of character assassinations, Molly’s character being devolved to S1E1 Molly, where instead of giving her agency like they were doing with her the ENTIRE series, so much so that Sherlock picked up on her dominance enough to give her a big role in his mind palace in HLV and TAB, only to make her a sad little self-insert Mary Sue pining for the main character, and in turn made Sherlock a TERRIBLE human being for MAKING HER say what she did. It’s gross.

AND speaking of Molly’s character, they’ve been setting up Mollstrade since as early as ASiB, but I guess that plot line got shafted. Look I LOVE Hopkins, and I am ANGRY they didn’t give her more than 3 fucking lines in the entirety of ONE episode after HEAVILY promoting her actress and character, but they essentially reduced her to a piece of ass for Lestrade to chase. AND THAT’S NOT HIS CHARACTER EITHER. EW GROSS.

The constant plot holes being gaped wide open, and the Chekov’s gun moments where they bring up shit but do nothing with it!! 

TD-12? Nope, just a lame reference to a story we like. 

John got shot at the end of TLD with a VERY REAL FUCKING GUN? Nope, it was a dart gun. 

John not suddenly knowing how to be a doctor.

The TGG one I mentioned up above. 

What was in the letter? And who was Anyone??

Moriarty essentially being erased as anything other than a hired thug and had no part whatsoever in Sherlock’s history. 

Eurus… Just all of her character is asinine. 

Everyone in T6T suddenly not knowing John’s the blogger, which is in direct contradiction to literally the entire series. 

The AGRA plotline was ridiculous, in the end.

Baby? What baby? It was only there when convenient.

They dropped whatever plotline they were going to do for Mycroft: He was being set up as either dying, or the villain.

Redbeard. I’m sorry, I disagree with you on that. Mofftiss is trying to tell me that a little boy fell down a well and went missing, and that WASN’T the first place searchers / the police wouldn’t have looked? Sorry, no. And then. AND THEN his parents just… go along with this thing where Sherlock shuts down and they DON’T get him therapy? Yes, I agree the mind is a funny thing, and we can be traumatised into forgetting or dissociating from traumatic events. I GET IT. But… like I don’t believe the Holmes are so heartless as to just never grieve or have memories around about their supposedly dead daughter. It’s another OCC thing for me.

John’s cheating.

Disappearing and reappearing characters, like this scene, and the entirety of the aquarium scene.

Mary and John being terrible parents

OH GOD THIS FUCKING SCENE. That bomb SHOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE BUILDING.

What… who was this girl on the plane? What? Like I know WHO, but if she’s supposed to be Eurus talking to Sherlock, why don’t we see Eurus… talking to Sherlock? I … Ugh.

NORBURY. 

The glass SUPER SECRET GOVERNMENT ROOM THAT NO ONE SHOULD SEE INTO in T6T.

Sloppy camera work that some believe was intentional, but if it wasn’t, jesus c’mon.

The RIDICULOUS amount of 4th Wall Breaking. Like… even the actors didn’t give a shit.

Essentially, everything on this list here and in this blog tag here.

And everything mentioned on these three posts:

T6T: 10 Revealing Things That Haunt You Late at Night 

TLD: 10 Revealing Things That Haunt You Late at Night

TFP: 10 Revealing Things That Haunt You Late at Night

There’s SO much more I can go into, but please go through my “something’s fucky” tag in that last link.

Notice how probably 90% of that has NOTHING to do with “johnlock not becoming canon” because the Johnlockers get MONSTROUS accusations as to THAT being why we didn’t like S4, even though it was, like critically panned by the GENERAL AUDIENCE who have NO investment in the series other than “I liked it in the past”.

Two of my fave YouTubers have interesting (not perfect, but still good) takes coming at the series as casual viewers:

‘The Day Sherlock Died’ by The Closer Look

‘Sherlock is Garbage, and Here’s Why’ by hbomberguy

So it’s NOT just Johnlockers. I’ve talked to Sher1011ies at 221B con who didn’t like S4 either, because most of them realized how shitty Molly was treated in the last episode. So yeah, a big middle finger to those who think I dislike S4 because of  “no Johnlock��. No, I disliked it because I need my stories to make logical narrative sense. I disliked it because I love John and they ruined his character all for the sake of drama and because Moffat has a “hurting Ben” kink. I disliked it because Mary should NOT have been “redeemed” because she was an abuser. I disliked it because Moriarty was turned into a cartoon villain, even though he was already overused in the series. I disliked it because the core of the show – the FRIENDSHIP of Sherlock and John, and their solving mysteries together – did not exist at all. I disliked it because John got sidelined. I disliked it because TFP was a ridiculous episode that, if you replace ANY of the characters, it wouldn’t make a difference, because it didn’t feel like an episode of Sherlock. I disliked it because everyone was OOC.

Anyway. Sorry. One too many accusations my way over the past 1100+ days LOL.

As for your assessment of TFP, I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you. There was no growth and actually it implies something far more sinister: That the Holmes are and were terrible parents that gave no shits about their daughter, their traumatized son, and expected their eldest to essentially be a parent. It implies that Mycroft, at 12 years old, orchestrated the ENTIRE Sherrinford thing… Look I can suspend my disbelief, but there’s limits, and this is one of them. A LITERAL CHILD. Perhaps Uncle Rudy had a hand in it somehow, but then why not shit on Uncle Rudy? Why is Mycroft blamed for it all?

Look, I don’t doubt Sherlock had a traumatic experience regarding “Redbeard”. But then why play into the fact that he was a dog? Why bring another character into the series just to have a gotcha moment? Because Mofftiss wanted a “Shyamalan twist”, that’s why. They threw EVERYTHING away for a twist ending either because they GENUINELY thought it was good, or they got tired of doing Sherlock. ALL of TFP is LITERALLY a really bad plot twist because reasons. TFP makes no sense to the ENTIRE narrative structure of the previous 12 episodes. It erased EVERYTHING from the previous episodes, and coated it with a gross closing by a character no one wanted in the series, and then tried to convince us that it’s a new beginning – “a journey they had to go through” – but it SOLVED NOTHING.

Anyway. I have big feels about S4, and the only way I can enjoy it is to watch it subtextually, but even then, I cannot sit through TFP without cringing. 

That said, Lovelies, please do not attack Nonny for enjoying S4! I know you guys won’t, but Nonny came out with an olive branch and they just want to understand why the fandom is passionate about S4′s… whatever it was. We can have a civil discussion about it, and point out – without attacking – why S4 is universally panned. It’s okay to like things no one else does, and Nonny was respectful to me in this ask! 

So with that, feel free, lovelies, to express why YOU didn’t enjoy the series, or why you did! I’m interested in both “sides” / pov’s whatever :)

[morganas-pendragons]

11x23 thoughts.

Are you really, REALLY telling me that Judith and RJ were in Alexandria the whole time and we got no.. like.. reunions? These two kids hold the most significance of Alexandria’s children and we’re just supposed to believe that they simply APPEARED?

JDM and Eleanor Matsura have carried the performances for the back half of S11. I have LOVED watching Negan and Yumiko in 11C.

I still don’t understand how Negan and Maggie are supposedly going to end up in Manhattan for Dead City. The two of them quite literally are at odds. Maggie despised him. Then they’re suddenly going to be buddy buddy enough to be carrying an entire spin off together? 🤨

Using the Whisperer’s tactic of communication while in that horde is a brilliant idea. I would have loved to have seen this used sooner.

Honestly the best part of this C-List season is all the callbacks to the earliest seasons. Callbacks to Rick and Atlanta, to Lori and to Ezekiel’s earliest days we see in S7, to the parallel of Negan being forced to his knees vs him forcing Rick to his knees, I could literally continue.

“It was to save all of you. You all are better then me. If you think I don’t know that, then you haven’t been paying attention.” TELL ME AGAIN NEGAN’S REDEMPTION ARC ISN’T REMARKABLE. TELL ME.

This arc for Judith is so bitter sweet. This kid has had so many people who have loved her and she just wants to honor them. It’s exactly what I would expect for Rick’s daughter.

Princess and Mercer 🥹

Oh lord, hasn’t Lydia suffered enough? Now we had to have her get bit too???

MY GIRLFRIEND IS COMING BACK 😭😭😭😭😭

Ross Marquand is a good friend to a dear friend of mine I met back in 2016. I have heard literally nothing but good things and stories about the man. Seeing as how he’s been playing my favorite minor character since 2015, I am SO glad Aaron has made it this far. He has had SUCH good character development.

If Jerry dies I will straight up never forgive Kang and AMC LOL

Lydia’s little voice break on “they need us” 😭

It’s been a while since we had a good old fashioned ambush and firefight!!

The way I BURST INTO TEARS WHEN JUDITH GOT SHOT-

NO PLEASe THATS MY BABY

Daryl shooting Ricks gun just. Does things to me.

** The scene with Pamela and Vickers is MASTERFULLY done in all accounts: Blocking, acting, music, all of it. It really shows you as the viewer that Pamela has had it out for no one but herself this entire time and only places value on her own life — so much so to the point that she’s willing to sacrifice the civilians of the city. I wish I knew her actresses name because just like Hornsby, she’s KILLED it.

Negan getting to drop his F bomb has me WHEEZING

See this episode definitely has what I wanted it to have. Character centric.

WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT CAROL PRACTICALLY SHOVING DARYL THROUGH THE GAP INTO THE ALLEY

NO BABY DIDNT JUST CALL DARYL DADDY 😭😭😭😭😭😂

Side note: Personally, this season is down there on my list of least favorites. S8 is first. 11 is second. 2 and 1 are third and fourth.

AND THE SHOT FOR THE SERIES FINALE OF DARYL AND JUDITH UNCONSCIOUS BESIDE EACH OTHER ON THE FLOOR???

[xbaepsae]

the ebb and flow | part one

“But you do know that it’s possible for a child of wisdom and a child of the sea to be amicable. Maybe even be more than that. However, at the end of the day, it’s really just because of you and Jeongguk.”

[demigod!jeongguk x demigod!reader]

genre: percy jackson!au, mythology!au, demigod!au, enemies to lovers!au

word count: 2.2k

rating: pg-13

warnings: language, character tension lol

a/n: ahhh. today’s our baby bun’s birthday + dynamite is number one on billboard, so you know i had to deliver something! for a while now, i’ve wanted to start a drabble series (especially since i always feel pressured to write longer 10k+ fics). also, i love pjo so, so much. this idea has been on my mind for a while now, so i really hope you all enjoy! i can’t wait for you guys to read the next parts :) xoxo

→ series masterlist!

the fifth summer - in which you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place

Perhaps, challenging Cabin Three to an impromptu capture the flag game had been a bad idea from the start. However, you fully blame their head counselor for egging you on in the first place.

If Jeon Jeongguk would just learn to keep his damn mouth shut, maybe you wouldn’t have felt the need to defend yourself. The only reason you challenged Poseidon’s cabin in the first place was because he called your battle strategy weak. Thinking about it now, you honestly don’t recall how the conversation even got to that subject—after all, you and Jeongguk argued a lot most days—but you knew he was wrong.

How could you—a daughter of Athena—have weak battle strategy? The idea was absolutely absurd. Your mother was the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy; and as a child who literally sprung forth from her brain, you inherited every drop of her skills.

While you admit that the son of Poseidon is probably one of the more capable demigods here—though you’ll never dare say it to his face—he’s also arrogant, and arrogance never wins in a game of pure strategy. Thus, in the five summers you both have attended Camp Half-Blood, you’ve won more capture the flag games than Jeongguk has. Maybe he forgot that little fact.

“Are you sure you want to lose again, Jeon?” you asked him, a smirk stretched across your lips.

“I think you’ll be the one losing today, miss goody-two-shoes.”

Unfortunately, neither of you managed a victory this time because a certain someone from Apollo’s cabin spilled the beans to Chiron. You don’t even know how Jung Hoseok found out about the game, probably from one of those sneaky Hermes kids, but you were going to—

“Y/n, I expected better from you.”

You freeze up at the disappointed look on Chiron’s face. Although your pride is wounded, you know he’s right—you’ve always been a top-notch camper, which is why you’re head counselor of your cabin. However, when Jeongguk gets involved, you just can’t seem to think clearly. Beside you, you hear the devil himself break into laughter. He attempts to hide it as a cough, but Chiron doesn’t buy it and shoots him a glare.

“Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook either, Jeongguk.” The boy sobers up. “You both know better.”

“Sorry, Chiron,” the apology simultaneously slips past both your lips.

The centaur sighs. “It was quite reckless to get both your cabins involved like that. It’s only the first full week of summer, and things are already this bad?”

You know he’s referring to the first time you and Jeongguk butted heads together. It was your second summer, and Jeongguk accidentally shot a canon of water in your face while you were practicing your archery. Your natural reaction was to shoot an arrow back at him. Obviously, you both got a mouthful from Mr. D afterwards.

Since then, as each summer’s gone by, it’s been little things—like tripping each other, spilling food on each other, causing the other to lose at games. This impromptu capture the flag is probably the worst thing you’ve both decided to do.

“I promise it won’t happen again,” you speak up, biting the inside of your cheek.

“Can you?” Chiron lifts a brow.

Suddenly, Jeongguk nods. “Yeah, I sure can. Because it was y/n’s idea in the first place—”

“Only because you made me do it!” you interrupt, facing him now. “It’s always you and your cocky attitude that gets us in trouble.”

“Well, what about your pride, huh? You’re too damn prideful to admit that you. Can. Be. Wrong,” he spats. “Have you thought about that?”

You are riled up; you can feel your body shaking. “I’m never wrong, Jeon Jeongguk.”

“I think that’s enough, you two.”

Taking a step back, you release a deep exhale and turn to face Chiron again. “Sorry…again.”

He just waves your words away and clears his throat. “I will let this incident go”—your ears perk up at that— “only if you two serve a punishment.”

Your stomach drops at his words. In all of your years here, you’ve never done anything bad enough to warrant a punishment. You’ve seen plenty of younger campers receive penalties in the past, but you’re eighteen now and the thought of having to do something embarrassing in front of the entire camp makes you nauseous. No one would let you live that down.

“How about cleaning the Pegasus stalls for a week?”

“A week?” you exasperate. Cleaning stalls was much better than doing something during the campfire, that’s for sure. But still—a week is a long time. You have campers to take care of. “I don’t have a week to spare just to clean—”

“Okay,” Chiron interrupts. “We’ll make it two.”

Jeongguk shoots you a death glare, but you can’t help the next words that tumble past your lips.

“But isn’t Taehyung in charge of the stables?” You refer to the son of Zeus. “Why the—”

“Should I make it a whole month?”

“Two weeks is perfect,” Jeongguk grits through his teeth.

“Okay, I expect you both to be at the stables sharp and early tomorrow morning then,” Chiron smiles. “Just be glad Dionysus isn’t here this week or you both would’ve had worse punishments.”

After he dismisses you both, you begrudgingly follow Jeongguk out of the Big House. By this point, it’s almost dinnertime and you really should make sure everyone in your cabin is already at the dining pavilion. As you’re lost in thought about what to eat for dinner tonight, Jeongguk suddenly turns around and forces you to stop in your tracks.

“Thanks a lot,” he practically spits out venom. “Your big mouth gave us an extra week with the Pegasi.”

“Looks who’s talking,” you frown. “You have the biggest mouth there is.”

“At least I know when to shut up,” he retorts. “Now, we have to clean the stables every damn morning.”

You roll your eyes. “Don’t act like I actually want to spend more time with you than I already do, Jeon.”

Bypassing him, you ignore his grunts of protest and make your way to Cabin Six. Outside of the gray building, you already see some of your half-siblings making their way to dinner. You greet a few of them, but they’re not who you’re looking for. Walking inside the cabin, you search the stacks of the books and finally find who you’re searching for. As if he knows you’re staring at him, he looks in your direction. “Hey.”

“Hey, Namjoon,” you wave at him.

He sets the book he’s holding down and begins walking towards you. “How did the meeting with Chiron go?”

“Oh,” you awkwardly scratch the back of your head. “Jeongguk and I have to clean the Pegasi stables for two weeks.”

Namjoon scrunches his nose at that. “That’s unfortunate.”

“Tell me about,” you sigh, and then look him in the eyes. “Because of that, would you mind helping me with counselor duties these next few weeks?”

“Sure,” he shrugs. “I mean, it can’t be that bad, right?”

You consider Kim Namjoon to be your second-in-command. As a son of Athena, he is equally as brilliant as you—if not more so—and is a natural born leader. And in all honesty, he could’ve been the head of the cabin; except, he didn’t want to. Something about how he’d rather spend his days doing more productive things.  

“Yeah,” you nod, “just make sure everyone’s awake in time for breakfast—you know how some of the kids can be without proper nutrition—and morning activities.”

Namjoon seems to ponder this for a moment before agreeing and you both head off to the dining pavilion. You’re thankful that there’s someone like him in your cabin, that you two get to be technical half-siblings. Because it’s going to be a long next two weeks.

That night at dinner, as you’re drinking from the pavilion goblets, you feel a pair of eyes burn the back of your head. You don’t even have to turn around to know it’s from table three. Jeongguk’s predictable like that. And as you throw your food offerings into the fire and prepare for the nightly campfire, you never feel his gaze leave you.

***

A part of you wants to blame the fact that you hate Jeongguk so much on your mother’s rivalry with his dad.

Ever since Athena became the patron saint of Athens, you know she’s had issues with Poseidon. You don’t know why—olives are so much better than a salty water spring anyway. But you do know that it’s possible for a child of wisdom and a child of the sea to be amicable. Maybe even be more than that.

However, at the end of the day, it’s really just because of you and Jeongguk.

Ever since you were thirteen and started your first year at camp, you’ve hated him. What started off as a simple dislike became this thing where you can’t even stand to be in the same room as him. Every half-blood knows that you both are rivals, which is why you’ve never willingly been on the same capture the flag team or on a quest together. Not that you’d want to anyway.

Which is why it makes this punishment so terrible. You have no doubt Chiron knew exactly what he was doing.

Despite your repulsion towards the son of Poseidon, you wake up before the sunrises—which isn’t entirely unusual for you. But what is unusual is that you don’t even have time to pick up a book or look through your laptop. You already have somewhere to be.

After you pull on your orange t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts, you slip your sneakers on and make your way towards the stables. As you walk past the arena and volleyball courts, you’re surprised to see a few campers already walking around. A few of them give you curious glances, probably wondering why the head counselor of Athena’s cabin is outside at this hour; but you ignore their looks and continue marching ahead.

Once you make it to the stables, you already see Kim Taehyung unlocking the gate. He must hear you approaching because he turns around with a boxy smile on his face. “Good morning, y/n.”

You wonder how someone like him could be so cheery this early in the morning; on the surface, Taehyung appears rather nice—approachable, even. However, you know that he often has a storm brewing in his eyes. He isn’t afraid to zap people with lightning.

“Hey…”

“I’m so excited you and Jeongguk get to be here with the Pegasi. When Chiron told me about your p—I mean, when he mentioned that you guys would be helping, I thought it was very nice of him,” Taehyung finally unlocks the gate and beckons you to follow him.

Inside the stables, you notice that quite a few of the Pegasi are already awake and begging for attention. You pet one gently on the head, enjoying the soft hair underneath your fingers. Maybe this punishment wouldn’t be so bad.

“He wants to know if you have any carrots.”

Pulling your hand away, you realized you’re getting ahead of yourself. Looking towards the doorway, Jeongguk stands there with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face. You know he’s referring to the Pegasus, and you forgot that he could communicate with equines.

“Oh good, you’re here Jeongguk,” Taehyung claps a little too enthusiastically. “That way I don’t have to explain everything twice.”

The son of Zeus explains what he does every morning and every evening, and everything seems easy enough. All you and Jeongguk have to do is clean and feed the Pegasi. Taehyung mentions that he’ll swing by during the week if you two need help, but you let him know that he doesn’t have to do that—everything’s pretty self-explanatory.

“Also, you don’t have to worry about letting them out,” Taehyung continues. “Campers come to ride them during the day, so they should be fine when it’s nighttime.”

After he shows you two where everything is, Taehyung leaves you with the key and two to get to work. By the time you and Jeongguk are done with everything, it feels like hours have surely gone by. Although the work itself is easy enough, there are more Pegasi than you realized.

“How the hell does Taehyung do all of this by himself?” you ask once you put your broom away. You don’t expect an answer, but Jeongguk gives you one anyway.

“He’s been doing this since he got here. I guess he really likes Pegasi.”

Turning to face Jeongguk, you don’t miss the way sweat beads along his forehead and how he uses the bottom of his orange shirt to wipe it away. Your eyes travel down to the exposed skin of his abdomen, drinking in the sight of his tan and toned body. Before he can realize you’ve been staring for a second too long, you’re already halfway out of the stable.

Did I just check out Jeongguk? No, you shake your head; you were just looking at what was in front of you. Besides, he was talking to you anyway. You were not admiring him at all.

“What time are we supposed to meet back here?” his voice catches you before you can get too far.

You stop and turn back around. “I guess before the campfire?”

Jeongguk nods at that, and you proceed to ignore him for the rest of the day. At least, until you both have to be at the stables again later.

[xillveart]

Who could resist fluffy family fantasy!au??? 

Not me lol Thank you for the request, I hope you like it~

Giggling softly, you watched from your place perched up on the pillow covered bench of a windowsill as your husband wrestled playfully with your son, finding the rambunctious activities to be amusing. The five-year-old boy had grown quite the ferocious attitude, which was to be expected when taking his bloodline into consideration, so his endless energy wasn’t something to bat an eye at. Thankfully, your husband was equally energetic and easily able to entertain the boy, leaving you some quiet space up on your bench to watch and relax. Of course, you couldn’t help but feel a little worry as your lover scooped the child up and threw him backwards over his head, where he landed safely on the large bed with a bounce and a cackle. 

“Again, Dad! Again!” Leaping off the bed into his father’s arms, it was only a few seconds before he was thrown up into the air again, squealing and giggling as he landed on the plush mattress. The dragon skulls and bones that decorated the head and footboard didn’t give you peace of mind, however, and you couldn’t resist speaking up in worry. 

“Katsuki, maybe turn to look at where you’re throwing him at least? Those horns are just an accident waiting to happen.” 

“I know where I’m throwing him, babe, it’s alright.” Even with this comment, Bakugou still turned around, catching the child as he once again leapt towards him. Sitting on the floor on a large fur rug, he shot you a comforting glance before tossing the child onto the bed. “I wouldn’t let him hit the horns.” 

“I know you wouldn’t, I just,” a sigh interrupted you, giving a shake of your head in defeat. “Nevermind, I’m just being a worry wart.” 

“A wart?! Like a witch?!” The high-pitched voice came from beneath Bakugou’s fluffy fur adorned red cape, which began to move and wiggle with the tiny presence beneath it. “Like Daddy’s toe!” 

“Excuse me?” Bakugou gave the tiny body a nudge, unable to help a small smirk as it fell back with a squeak. “I do not have a wart on my toe. It’s a callus. From walking too much.” 

“Wart!” A small hand reached out from beneath the cape, snatching onto his bare toes that were visible beneath his cross legs. “Daddy has icky warts-- EEK!” Reaching under the cape, Bakugou pulled his little three-year-old daughter out into the open, beginning to tickle her mercilessly. Smiling as you watched your daughter squeal and struggle, you decided to close your book, beginning to feel like you were missing out on all the action. 

Standing, you made your way over to the bed, laying down beside your son, who was quick to snuggle up against you with a heavy yawn. Stroking his fluffy blonde hair softly, you gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head. “Looks like someone’s finally getting sleepy. It is past your bedtime.” 

“Is not, Mama!” Your son pouted up at you, his brilliant crimson gaze melting your heart. “It’s our free day, we get to stay up as late as we want.” 

“Who made up that rule?” 

“Daddy did, Daddy did!” Your gaze was pulled up towards Bakugou as he came to stand beside the bed, holding your daughter upside down by the legs as she giggled and laughed hysterically. “Daddy said! No bedtime!” 

“Ouch, you little squirts, tattling on me like that. I only said that because I have to leave for a while starting tomorrow. It’s not a permanent thing.” He tossed the little girl on the bed before crawling onto it himself, laying down on his side to face you. Within an instant, your daughter was between you, snuggling herself between her brother and father. 

“Yeah, and I’m a big boy anyway, I get to--” another large yawn interrupted your son’s proclamation, followed by a sluggish rubbing of his eyes. “-- I get to decide.” 

“Then what is it you proclaim, my little prince?” Continuing to stroke his hair softly, you wished for a moment that you could just keep them this size forever. They were still so small and innocent, sweet and loving in a way that you knew wouldn’t last their entire lifetime. These two little babies had big shoes to fill as the heirs to this land, and though they still had a lot of growing up to do, you knew that time would go by in the blink of an eye. So, you cherished it while you could, locking away moments like this in your mind forever. 

“I’ll decide… tomorrow…” And with that, the small boy was out cold, snuggled against your body as close as he could get. With a scoff, his sister fought against her own sleepiness, fiddling with the necklaces that rested around her father’s neck. 

“He can’t ever stay up! I’m going to be up all night! I don’t want to miss Daddy!” 

“I won’t leave without telling you goodbye, squirt. You know that.” Bakugou placed a kiss on the top of her head, rubbing his thumb up along her forearm. The little girl gave quite the dramatic sigh, closing her eyes. 

“Why do you have to go anyway? Send Uncle Kiri instead. Daddy stay here…” 

“I wish I could, babygirl. You know it’s my job.” 

“Because you’re the king?” 

Bakugou carefully moved some of her hair out of her face, taking a quick moment to glance up to you. Of course, you had been watching silently the entire conversation, a soft smile plastered to your lips. Bakugou was not a gentle man in any sense, nor was he particularly kind and thoughtful. At least, not to the entire world. But to you and his children, his family, he was something completely different. His gentle side, so tender and affectionate, was something that only you and your children would ever get to see. How much he cared for you all was incredibly heartwarming, making you blush from your head to your toes, and just like your daughter, you dreaded the fact that he was going to leave you for a while. 

You couldn’t resist a soft giggle as his face flushed, obviously having not expected you to be watching him. Giving a small cough to clear his throat, Bakugou nodded, speaking softly as the little girl was already drifting off. “That’s right, princess. I have to make sure everything is perfect for you, when you’re all grown up. You and your brother.” 

“You think the land trade negotiations will go well?” 

Bakugou turned his gaze back up to you, giving a small nod. “Yeah… I haven’t noticed any hostility during communications, but I’m still taking a decently large group with me. It’ll be fine.” Carefully, Bakugou scooped up his daughter's tiny form and moved her behind him, before doing the same with his son behind you. No longer separated by your children, you were able to close the distance between you and your lover, snuggling in close to him with a happy sigh. 

“It will be fine. And you’ll come home to us.” Nuzzling your nose against his affectionately, you smiled at the blush that raged his cheeks from the cutesy action. “My Katsuki…” 

With a huff as he grew embarrassed, Bakugou hugged you tightly to him, pressing his lips against yours in a firm kiss. Though, it was quick to soften, each brushing your lips becoming all the more tender and loving. It made your heart race and your skin tingle, his warmth spreading through every inch of your body. You loved him so fiercely, in a way that you could never put into words and seeing him interact with your children only made that love more intense. 

But there was one thing that was brought upon you with this feeling, which made you feel conflicted and nervous. For weeks now, your ‘baby fever’ was only growing stronger, and it was further fueled by the interactions he had with your two current babies. You adored your little family, and you wished to see it grow, but discussing how many children you would have hadn’t yet come up in your marriage. The current two had been planned in most ways, with Bakugou always agreeing with you once the topic came up. You had never been happier than now, being his wife and a mother, and you greatly craved the feeling of a tiny body in your arms again or Bakugou’s hands softly caressing your swollen belly. 

It was a scary topic for you, though. You knew that you’d be totally devastated if he said no, and that rejection would be hard to deal with. Since the start of your itching to become pregnant again, you had kept totally silent, waiting for any hint from him that he would want another. There hadn’t been any, and what he had said earlier really put a hole in your courage. 

“I have to make sure everything is perfect for you, when you’re all grown up. You and your brother.”

Becoming a bit emotional as your feelings began to run free, you couldn’t stop a small hitching of your breath as you tried to reign them back in, and of course, Bakugou noticed. Frowning, Bakugou kept his forehead pressed against yours, his thumb softly stroking your flushed cheek. “Are you alright?”

Sniffling, you blinked away the peaking tears as you gave a small nod, only able to risk small glances up into his crimson gaze. “I’m okay. Just… thinking.” 

“About? Are you that nervous about me leaving? We can arrange for someone to watch the children if you want to come--” 

“--No, no, Katsuki, that’s not it. I’m happy to stay with them, it’ll be easier, since you’ll be gone for nearly two months. No, I… It’s something else.” 

“C’mon… I can’t leave knowing something’s bothering you.” 

After a moment of silence and looking into his worried gaze, you gave a small nod, releasing a nervous, trembling breath. “Katsuki… I… I want to have another baby. But we never really talked about how many children you wanted to have… You seem so happy with just the two, I was nervous about bringing it up.” As you spoke, you had to look away from him, not wanting to see his expression change. 

“Are you serious?” 

Feeling your stomach clench, you immediately took his tone as negative, cowering down into yourself a bit as your eyes began to tear up. “I’m sorry, I should have just kept it to myself--” Suddenly, you were pulled into a kiss, his strong arms around your torso squeezing you in close. As the tears escaped you, there was no other option but to give into him, his embrace and kisses lifting your spirits and giving you hope. His words, however, only heightened your joy, and you still couldn’t stop the tears. 

“Babe, having a family with you has been the best thing in my life. Also, considering that we’re probably going to live a long ass time, given that we are both of dragon kin, there’s nothing wrong with poppin’ out a few more-” 

“-Katsuki, don’t say it like that-!” 

“-It’s true!” Bakugou smirked against your lips, successful in his obvious attempt to make you laugh as you couldn’t resist giggling against the urge to hiccup with your tears. “You haven’t seen it, they just fly out, like pop.” The popping sound he made with his mouth made you nearly lose it, having to shove your face into his chest so you could laugh without waking the children. 

“That’s gross!” 

“It is. But it’s also the most amazing damn thing. Seeing you with our children makes me so fucking happy. So long as you want them, as long as your body can have them, then we can make more babies. The process isn’t all that bad, either For me, at least.” Using only slight pressure to get your head back up out of his chest, he kissed your lips playfully, over and over again against your hiccups and muffled giggles. “Maybe we should cap out at twenty, though.” 

“Twenty?! No, no, my love, that’s too many.” 

“Mm… We’ll see.” His kisses became softer, running his fingers through your hair. “You’re a great mother. A perfect woman… My beautiful wife. I’ll give you as many babies as you want.” 

Humming happily with his affection, you wiggled yourself in closer, feeling absolutely filled to the brim with his love. And though you didn’t want to, the kisses came to an end as your daughter sniffled in sleepy frustration, sitting up and leaning against Bakugou’s back. “Daddy, you’re moving too much!” 

Chuckling, Bakugou released you, rolling over on his back to allow the tiny girl to curl up on his chest. “I’m sorry, babygirl. Go back to sleep.” The instant the little girl was out, Bakugou sat up, holding her carefully. You did the same with your son, who was out like a light and limp as a noodle. 

“I think it’s time to take them to bed?” You leaned up to kiss Bakugou’s cheek softly, gaining another on the lips in return. “So I can get you all to myself…” 

“What is it you plan on doing to me, hm?” 

“I want at least one night of baby making before you leave. Maybe it’ll be the lucky night.” 

“I’ll do my best to make sure it is.”