#legato does love him

[azurexsnake]

“The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

Thinking about how much found family Vash has, compared to the forced family Kni creates.

[ruporas]

special operatives (silly interaction beneath read more)

[ID: Digital Art in color of Trigun Maximum, characters included are Wolfwood, Elendira, and Legato in a casual meeting situation. The piece consists of orangey yellow lighting and purple shadows. Wolfwood sits on the left side, facing Elendira who’s on the right. He’s seated on a plain wooden chair with one knee up and he’s holding the strap to his Punisher in his left hand while his right sits against his thigh, He has an irritated expression as he speaks to Elendira. Elendira is sitting in a fancier seat, her right arm rests against Wolfwood’s propped up knee, her left hand holds her suitcase. She’s sitting cross legged with an amused expression. Legato can be seen in the back at the center of the image in his mobile body case, one of his eyes shown to be glaring at Wolfwood. End ID]

[ID: Sketch, uncolored comic. Elendira says to Wolfwood, “I’m not telling you to dedicate yourself to him, but just accept the situation at hand. We could get along better if we were on the same page.” Wolfwood responds, “Don’t peg me me for an optimist. I’m not dumb. But, I’m also not going to just live in resignation. Plus, I don’t have any interest in getting along with ya.” Elendira coos, “Aw, you sure? I have a wonderful shoulder to cry on when the weak people you’re trying to protect eventually dies in the coming months. Though, I guess it’s fine. Someone like you might just die before then anyway...” She snickers in her hand while Wolfwood is speechless and just glares. Legato is faintly drawn in the back, glaring at Wolfwood, muttering “worthless” repetitively. End ID]

[whom-to-kill-whom-to-let-live]

Some Legato thoughts:

He hates humanity, that’s pretty obvious, he wants all humans to die.

But there is this really fascinating disconnect that happens with him sometimes, where you can kind of sort of see the person he could have been peak through, but just barely.

The two most obvious examples of this I can think of is when he shares one of his hot dogs with a child that seemingly didn’t have a reliable access to food and when he frees those enslaved girls. Two things that he really did not have to go out of his way to do, and by all means shouldn’t care for at all considering his hatred for humanity.

But he still did. 

And by themselves those seem like very good actions, right?

But then you remember that the hotdog had been kept in a bag with a severed head/tongue, and he wanted to use the kid to spook Vash (but then again he didn’t have to give her food to do that, he could have so easily used his powers to control her, we have seen him do it to entire groups of people with ease). 

He violently kills over a dozen people with his powers in front of those slave girls, not because he intended to free them but because the slavers picked a fight with him first (but he spares the girls, none of them are physically harmed at all despite the carnage, and he offers them the closest thing he has to reassurances before he leaves, when he could have just ignored them).

It’s like he almost gets there, but not quite.

[lemongogo]

thinking about rem and knives

[qualityrain]

ngl i think that. people kind of make knives treatment & thoughts abt legato more worse than it is? like yeah he treats him like shit and its Bad but its not like knives actually wants legato dead and is like cheering for his death and thinking he’s the lowest scum on the planet ykyk

[orcelito]

As a certified Akechi lover i probably should have more love for Legato. But it is just not the same.

Probably the level of cruelty involved + the fact that Akechi's ultimately a kid with a vendetta & too much power whereas Legato is someone who had no will to live so he filled that hole with the will of someone actively pursuing genocide.

Fantastic antagonist! Compelling narrative purpose! I love Legato as a character. I still want to drop kick him anytime I see him.

[songwithnosoul]

[ID: A Trigun Maximum fan comic, drawn in a simple chibi style. Elendira is talking enthusiastically, gesturing and surrounded by several empty speech bubbles, while Legato watches her. His hair covers half his face, and his only visible facial feature is one huge eye. The second panel is the same as the first, except that it's zoomed in closer on Legato, pushing Elendira partly out of the frame. The third panel is only Legato. He's licking his eye with his tongue, making a "mlem" sound effect.

End ID]

Twitter user cyberhaii said: "Imagine Elendira talking shit to Legato and he just silently stares back and licks his eyeball like a gecko"

So I delivered.

[needle-noggins]

(CW for SA, suicidal ideation) Here we go. My favorite and simultaneously least favorite panel of Vash and Knives.

I've seen a few interpretations of this scene and before we dive into the one that really struck me, let's start with the more... chill one. We're finally introduced to the third gun of Trigun, Vash's angel arm. And the way we're introduced to it involves Knives forcing him to pull the trigger. Of course, since no one knows anything about Knives, the people of Noman's Land blame Vash for Fifth Moon, and Vash likewise blames himself (this is kinda a spoiler but if you've been paying attention, it's just par for the course). However, he's not the one who pulled the trigger, Knives is. It brings up an interesting moral question of blame - do we blame the gun (and Vash, who is being used/objectified as a weapon here), or the person who wanted it to happen? Guns don't kill people, genocidal twins do!

Now for the awful interpretation, the one that makes me cry and wish Vash was real so I could hug him and pay for his therapy. And really highlights how awful Knives is and how far he'd go for his brother in his own, fucked-up way. I touched on this in a previous post about Legato and the Murder Cafe, and the whole time I was thinking about Fifth Moon but didn't want to say anything for the sake of spoilers.

So. Pay attention to the way Vash and Knives are standing. Knives, when he first grabbed Vash's head, was standing in front of him. He moves behind him to better control him and yeah, he's still controlling him via hand on head, and now he's got his other hand gripping Vash's chest, where feathers/wings are manifesting. Knives is assaulting him. If you wanna get crazy with it and say that the angel arm is kinda phallic, you could say... yeah. This is rape. I heard that specific interpretation once and while I accepted it I also don't know if that would be generally accepted or if I'd be called out for it, so I'm trying to tread lightly here.

It also doesn't escape me that of course the angel arm has feminine features like the plants - the plants that, again, humans are exploiting for their ability to create. There's a lot of feminist commentary to be made here but many people have said it better than me. Specifically I'm thinking of this one post I saw about gender fuckery and Tristamp Vash. Anyway.

Also, the atomic bomb/black hole/sun/whatever that is in the middle... It's just so powerful. It's terrifying. The eldritch body horror here is a punch to the gut. What the fuck, Trigun? I thought this was a funky space western!!!

Oh, and here's more commentary on the following few panels:

Vashussy shot, Knives is still right behind him. Yeah, I wasn't kidding about how bad this pose is for them. Knives, you sick fuck.

Vash shoots himself in the leg (a key difference from '98 trigun, lol), because of course he does, but it doesn't free him from the arm.

The arm's getting darker/the light inside is getting lighter! Stampede did an awesome job with their interpretation of the angel arm and I don't think I would have understood it without that. Also, on my first read I didn't notice that Vash is literally levitating, which is cool, but also terrifying because ?? he's not in control of that either??

Finally. A super painful, minimalist, double-page spread. Nightow loves 'em. Vash thinks he's dying (maybe?) and he wishes he had never existed. It's not suicidal ideation per se, but he wishes he didn't exist at all because he's already caused enough suffering. This is a low for him, because he believes so strongly in the concept of the Blank Ticket. (Come on, soupy brain bitch boy, get it together!) He's a monster, it's just how he was born, and he's not in control. Very specifically too, he says "we", and then changes it to "I"... he doesn't blame Knives at all, and that's very him. I want to shake him! Stop playing the martyr, Vash!

[aauroralightss]

i can only ship vash and wolfwood with each other and this is because vash, in his entire life, is only ever living just for the sake of living and seeing the next day and moving forward for that one year he spends with rem. after that vash starts living out of obligation. he owes it to rem to protect humans, he owes it to humans to defeat knives. in every moment we see vash in the manga he is trudging towards this goal that he views as his responsibility. he loves so dearly and he forms all these beautiful connections along the way... but it isn't until wolfwood that vash really thinks, i want to see tomorrow with this person, just for the sake of it. that is so significant for vash who does so much out of that sense of needing to. with wolfwood he just wanted it. and then he loses him and enters the fight with legato and legato can see that he's just done. the man that wolfwood was to vash... it keeps me up at night

[jimblejamblewritings]

love letters and second sons | part 5.

Summary: The princess is finally ready to debut in society. But before she does, she decides to disguise herself and see the true faces of the ton.

Warnings for the Series: light sexism in line with the times, light classism in line with the times, mental health stigma, shitty doctor care, smut, suicide attempt (will get it's own warning when the time comes),

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x princess!reader

Warnings for this part: smut, lowkey just smut

Word Count: 5.0k

Previous Part | Series Masterlist

The next place your cousin took you out to was a museum sponsored by the palace. Which was technically just seeing another part of the palace that you’ve seen before but you were still plenty excited. Museums were low stress with lots of light. The shadows couldn’t get you. No one could get you. And you wouldn’t have to be chaperoned the entire time. 

Your eyes went wide as a horde of women surrounded you. Of course, Friedrich was the object of their desires but you were next to him which meant you were also being thrown to the wolves. You were glad to be wearing a full mask with no mouth opening. Talking to people wasn’t exactly what you wanted to do on this day out. All you wanted was the outside. You didn’t even notice when your cousin grabbed your hand and left the crowd of women to go inside. 

The already quiet museum was plunged into silence as you entered with Friedrich. He held on tightly to your hand, letting go once you met up with Lady Danbury. She was probably the only non-member of the royal family or staff that had seen your face before.

She was one of your mother’s only true friends. Of course she knew what you looked like. It was always a small concern in the back of your head that you might run into her while out in the ton. Maybe she could be plead with to keep your secret but you didn’t want to test those waters and have to find out. 

You tried not to give anything away as you spotted the Bridgertons. Hyacinth was the first to notice. She laughed and nodded her head as you gave her and Gregory a small wave before putting a finger to the lips painted on the mask. 

Behind the two youngest were Daphne and Benedict. It took everything in you to not react to your friend and… friendly acquaintance. Instead, you just let Lady Danbury lead you around the place. You spotted Penelope and Marina shortly after, cringing at the sight of the old man they were talking to. A sinking feeling in your stomach made you want to throw up. Lady Featherington couldn’t possibly be imagining marrying Marina off to a disgusting old man. You only exhaled when you spotted Penelope running up to her. 

You had absolutely no idea where Lady Danbury was going but you stayed with her as she told you all the gossip of the ton. The most exciting gossip — that she was hiding from your mother — was a letter she received the other day. A guest might come to the ton. You so hoped that it would happen. A new face was always fun. 

At a bench was a man you thought you might have recognized. He could be one of the artists that came to the palace for portraits or to give the artwork the palace bought. Lady Danbury didn’t have to introduce you to Henry Granville. You knew him pretty well. The artist accompanied the two of you as you continued your promenade. 

Your legato stroll brought the three of you in front of Benedict. Careful not to show that you knew him, you led your companions over to where the man was. He was very handsome when he wasn’t paying attention to anything but his own thoughts. You recognized the portrait of the woman he was looking at.

It was one Granville painted that he, you, and the rest of the palace staff didn’t like. But it brought him a lot of notice. For some reason stuffy nobles also like it. You preferred Granville’s other paintings, the ones he occasionally brought to display in your conservatory for you because you couldn’t go see them since his studio wasn’t exactly a place for a princess. 

Benedict gave a small bow to Lady Danbury and Granville before giving a large one to you. You finally relaxed, no longer afraid to mindlessly stare at the man in front of you. Ever since it happened, you were looking forward to another fencing match. Especially since you would be the one playing this time. How would it happen? Where exactly? Would he pleasure you the same way you pleasured him?

You let your mind wander through scandalous scenarios, only coming back to reality when you heard your friend insult Granville’s paintings. Of course, you wanted him to speak his mind… when it was just you and Lady Danbury around to hear him. 

There was nothing you could do but watch Benedict dig himself into a deeper hole as he kept talking. He wasn’t wrong. The painting was boring and cold with no sense of life or feeling but he didn’t need to say it. Not at the moment. Lady Danbury slipped her hand from the crook in your arm to pat Benedict on the shoulder. 

“Interesting. Perhaps we should ask the artist about his work?” 

You tried not to laugh as Benedict stuttered through multiple apologies. Granville didn’t seem to mind but the moment was still awkward. Saving everyone from anymore embarrassment, you removed yourself from the artist’s arm and took Benedict’s elbow instead. 

“I should like to promenade further than my companions. Do accompany me in a moment, Lord Bridgerton.” 

Granville smiled. “I should be getting to my wife anyway.” 

You and Lady Danbury couldn’t stop laughing. Benedict, forgetting he was in the company of the princess, began to argue with the old woman in front of him. You let it happen, being in no rush to go anywhere. You tried to cheer him up as the two of you began your promenade. So many thoughts ran through your head.

The main one was wondering if you should share your secret or not. He would find out eventually so why not now? But that was dangerous. Even one more person knowing was one more mouth about to spill a secret. Maybe if you planned on marrying Benedict. But he was a second son with no land, no real title, no prestige. That wasn’t the match you were supposed to be with. 

Unlike Anthony, the second Bridgerton brother spoke much smoother when he was talking to the princess. You let him prattle on, enjoying his company. Surprisingly, he didn’t talk solely about himself but actually asked you questions. You sighed as he escorted you outside and towards your carriage. 

“You might think the anonymity comfortable but I cannot wait to take off this damn mask and see the ton,” you said as Benedict helped you into the carriage. 

He kissed your hand once, not lingering nearly as long as Anthony did. “Will we see you again before your introduction?” 

“Perhaps, if my cousin doesn’t tire of me accompanying him everywhere.” 

Benedict closed the door to your carriage. You watched him go back inside the museum before the carriage pulled off. 

~~

You woke up to several letters on your face and the cacophony of the palace outside your chamber door. Apparently Friedrich was starting to call upon some ladies. Naturally, they had to come to the palace instead of him going to their house. 

Pandora made swift work of opening all the curtains before you opened your eyes and noticed something in the shadows. As you settled into the bath, keeping your arms above the water so you could read all the sheets of paper written to you. They were actually all addressed to Bergamot Keaton, not to the princess. Even if you couldn’t be there physically, you were glad that your friends decided to include you in their lives. 

You didn’t believe what Daphne wrote. You saw the way Simon looked at her. It must’ve been a misunderstanding. It couldn’t have been a ruse. The duke would certainly be getting a piece of your mind once you were out again. But at the same time, if Daphne married Friedrich then you would be family. You could see her all the time. Maybe you should let her pursue Friedrich. 

You tore through the other letters. The one from Marina concerned you the most. On the one hand, she was starting to really like Colin. But on the other hand, there was nothing she could do with a baby coming and the threat of marrying that old man. You handed it over to Pandora. 

“Ask Kew to find this Sir George or any kin. If he loves her then he must come for her. If he doesn’t, then he must come take responsibility and marry her anyway. Tell him I will arrange a fake death, a new name, whatever he wants but Miss Thompson must be taken care of by him in the public eye first.” 

The last letter surprised you. It was addressed to the princess, not your Beckett persona. And as if they didn’t care who would see, the name Benedict Bridgerton was signed in the corner on the envelope itself. You opened it up tentatively in case he somehow figured out your identity. 

Dear Princess Y/N Kew, 

I hope you do not find this message too disrespectful or forward. I had debated sending my correspondence straight to Miss Beckett but her work keeps her so busy that I simply had to talk to her boss. First, I’d like to apologize for this letter after having just met you. I would also like to apologize for being a genuine fool in front of your artist friend. On the positive side, I have been invited to Sir Granville’s studio. I shall be going this weekend and the weekend after that. Please allow Miss Beckett those days off. If not the day then the night. Granville hosts lessons as well. She might find that enjoyable as well. Whatever time is most convenient for Your Highness. 

Forever in your debt for this offer, 

Benedict Bridgerton

Of course you were going to give yourself permission to go. You desperately wanted to see what he was hiding in his elusive studio. Daphne’s conflict with Simon — as sad as it was — provided you some amazing cover. Your mother was obsessed with securing Friedrich’s match and confirming he is in love.

You were sure that you could have walked out the front door in the middle of the day and she wouldn’t notice. You weren’t going to press that luck but you were sure that you could. Selfishly, you weren’t going to help Daphne until after seeing Granville’s studio. 

The carriage pulled up to a corner street where you agreed to meet Benedict. He stood up from where he was sitting on the small stone ledge of someone’s front garden. You turned to tell your carriage driver when to return before quickly scurrying over to where Benedict was. Swallowing thickly, you tried to give him a smile. 

“Are you afraid of the dark?” 

“Something of sorts. Can we please just go to the studio?” 

Granville’s studio, or at least the address on the card, wasn’t too far from where you two were. It was strange to see him in more relaxed clothes and with a glass of wine in his hand. He refused every glass of wine when at the palace. 

“Mr. Bridgerton and…” 

“Miss Beckett.” 

“Lovely. Come in, please.” 

You descended the stairs going to what you assumed was a basement classroom. A sigh of relief left you as more and more candles graced your presence. You wondered what the class would be like. The sound of your heels against the squeaky floor echoed in your head. Painting wasn’t exactly a strength of yours. It just wasn’t something you had the time for when you were younger. 

Painting was George and Augusta’s forte. You took up another instrument when four of your siblings decided against the pianoforte all together. And even your other free lessons were dedicated to writing or botany or astronomy once you proved that you weren’t going to go yelling to Venus like your father. What would you even sket— 

“Woah,” you whispered at the sight of naked women in the middle of the room. 

“A model or an artist?” someone called out. 

The entire group chuckled when you finally tore your eyes away from the naked woman and answered with a confused ‘huh’ and constant blinking. Granville poured you a glass of red wine and just stood in the center of the room, hand extended and head tilted. 

“That is a very good question, Mary. Well, are you a model or an artist?” 

“Oh, oh. Artist, sort of. I have never sketched before. I just agreed to accompany Mr. Bridgerton for a moment.” 

Benedict laughed as he took the glass of wine and handed it to you. “I don’t think the princess’ valet would be allowed to model.” 

They all stood up for a moment, giving you a bow. 

You hit his arm. “You don’t have to tell everybody who I work for. Please, go back to what you all were doing.” 

While Granville helped Benedict set up his art station, you decided to take a look around at what everybody else was doing. Their drawings were very nice. It was incredible how the women could sit or stand so still for who knows how long just so they could be drawn. You continued moving around, stopping as you heard two of the artists complain about the crown. They stopped talking about Whistledown being a distraction when they noticed you were so close. 

“No, no, please keep talking,” you said as you grabbed a random scrap of paper and a worn down charcoal pencil. “The princess would like to hear what the people need. I will warn you though, she cannot make her brother George listen. He barely listens to anyone if we’re honest. But still, there are the odd moments of respect.” 

“A-are you sure?” 

“Yes.” 

You folded up the square parchment of their complaints and unceremoniously tucked it into your short stays, not caring that you were shoving a hand underneath your clothes in front of everyone. You went over to where Benedict was sitting next to a blonde woman smoking, taking a seat on the chaise lounge behind him. The woman offered you the cigar but you shook your head. The alcohol was already starting to make you a little dizzy and happy. Using the warm happiness of the alcohol, you watched Benedict sketch and tried to calm your mind. 

After a while you got your own clipboard full of paper. Stories for Mercutio Quick of York floated through your head just begging to be written. Not another scandalous love story like last time but a thriller. 

The clinking of metal against glass garnered everyone’s attention. You were starting to slump in the chaise, wine of glass constantly hitting against your silver bracelets. Benedict rushed over to take the glass before it spilled. He picked the clipboard full of paper, amazed at the amount you had written in such a short time. His eyes narrowed when he noticed the character’s names. The characters belonged to Mercutio Quick of York. 

Setting the clipboard face down by you, Benedict started to wonder if you were the author. A princess’ valet would have plenty of free time and no want of money to write. He would mention it to you later. If you were Mercutio then you were only hiding it because you were a woman. That wasn’t something he would out in the presence of strangers. You stirred ever so slightly as Benedict’s coat was laid over you. 

“I shall wake you when it’s time to leave.” 

Every now and then Benedict looked behind him to check on you but you didn’t wake again at all. Despite being in a basement on only a futon, you felt very well rested. You were grateful to be invited back to the studio. Especially so soon. You weren’t sure if you’d be able to sneak out again but you could probably ask to go back to Kew and be granted that for a few days. It was worth a shot to ask.

Brimsley knocked twice, breaking you from your packing, before just going in when you didn’t raise any complaints. “Your letters.” 

“Thank you.” 

“Now, I must return to your mother. Whistledown just came in.” 

“Good luck,” you whispered to him. 

“Thank you,” he whispered back. 

Your eyes scanned over the Whistledown copy. Your mother wasn’t going to be happy. You wondered how the Bridgertons were feeling. There’d be time to ask Benedict that evening. Laying out your best dress, you went to your vanity to pick some makeup as well. 

With a bit of confidence and absolutely no shame since your secret was not a secret amongst your personal staff, you handed your papers to Reynolds so he could take another Mercutio Quick story to the printing press. You met Benedict on the same corner as last time. He scrunched his eyebrows in question at the masquerade mask on your face. 

“I can’t let everyone know who I am,” you said simply. The people at the art studio might not reveal your secret but you had no clue who would be at the party. It wasn’t smart to risk everything. “It wouldn’t be a good look for the princess.” 

“I didn’t think about that. Are you sure you want to go?” 

“Yes. If the mask gets too stuffy, I’ll just take it off in an empty room.”  

Taking his arm, you went to Granville’s studio. The artist opened the door. 

“Another one? I quite liked the valet.” 

You discreetly pinched Benedict’s side and he gave the artist a chuckle. “She wouldn’t risk it.” 

Granville nodded and ushered the two of you inside. What you weren’t expecting as you headed inside was a full blown party with models and everything. Not letting go of Benedict, you followed him around. He stopped in front of a room where they were sketching a naked man. 

“What are you doing here?” 

You and Benedict both turned to see the dressmaker, Genevieve. You were unsure what to do. Of course you wanted to let him flirt and meet whoever but you didn’t want to be separated at a crowded party like that. And if he was with the dressmaker then you could comfortably be around her as Miss Beckett. Genevieve seemed to understand your struggle, making out with Benedict right then and there as if to tell you that she didn’t care if you stayed or not. She led the man — and subsequently you — through the house and to an open room, picking up another woman on the way. 

It seemed nice enough despite not being an obviously used chamber of Granville’s daily occurrence. The bed had sheets, there were armchairs, the fireplace could work and had been recently used. And there was a bookshelf. You took a book and sat in one of the oversized chairs. Finally, you could pull your stifling mask off.

At first, the three people in the room with you had been easy to ignore but their breathing grew louder and their kisses sounded desperate. You tried to discreetly rub your thighs together as you turned another page. 

“Are you going to join us or work yourself up with nothing?” The other woman whose name you still didn’t know asked. 

You set the book down before wringing out your hands as you tried to come up with a reason to not join them that wasn’t the truth. “I’ve never…”

“You’re a virgin?” Benedict asked. 

“Is there a problem with that?” 

He stuttered through various types of no before making his way over to your chair. You let Benedict grab your hands gently and guide you towards the center of the room. He looked at Genevieve and the other woman. 

“Do you mind a different room? Just for a moment?” 

“No, they can stay,” you said. “I’d feel more comfortable, maybe, with more women in the room.” 

While that was partially true, you also knew they would have sex with each other while Benedict was busy with you. They were the only two at the party who had seen you without a mask. You would never rat out Brimsley or Reynolds but you weren’t above ratting out others if necessary. They would never dare say they saw you here if you could say you saw them here and together. The two women kissed you hard before moving towards the upper half of the bed. You went back to looking at Benedict. He began to bunch up the skirt of your dress in his hand. 

“I believe I do owe you another round of fencing.” 

You knew that you shouldn’t be doing this, let alone with him. You had just heard him with two other women. But it wasn’t about Benedict. You wanted to know what it felt like before marriage and before you had a husband that didn’t think to service your pleasure in any way.  

“Have you ever touched yourself before?” 

You nodded. Benedict sat you on the edge of the bed, pulling your dress off completely. He stared at your breasts being pushed up by your corset. A shiver went down your spine as his fingers gently drummed against them. The short stays worn daily were definitely preferable but you had worn the corset for the party. Now you were glad you did.  

He pulled off your underdrawers and breathed them in for a moment before getting so you could feel his breath on your skin. Without any notice, his hands scoop underneath you to pull your cunt closer to his mouth. 

Your hand flew to his hair as he continued. Benedict moaned when you pulled his hair a bit. You tried to stay silent on the off chance palace staff attended Granville’s parties too and were encouraged by the sounds of more than two people  — a task that proved to be harder and harder with how much vigor Benedict put into lapping you up like he needed to taste you to breathe. His chin was wet when he finally came up. Undoing the ties of your corset, he could do nothing but stare at your completely naked body. He gently pushed your shoulders until you were laying on the bed. 

“How do you want me?” he asked, still kneeling and with his head resting on your knees

“Everything off.” 

“Ask me nicely.” 

“Please take everything off.” 

Benedict leaned over you, capturing your lips with his. You felt yourself continuing to lean back until you were flat against the bed. You kissed once more before he got up to remove his clothes. He wanted to shrink in on himself as you watched him take off his pants, not looking at anything else. Before removing his coat, vest, and shirt, he dug through all of their pockets. You looked down at the small unsealed envelope now resting in your lap. 

The eldest three Bridgerton brothers — much like other young men in the ton — would never admit to owning even a small cigar box of lambskin condoms but they were quite effective if one didn’t want to get the brothel workers pregnant. Somehow that didn’t stop the natural nervousness with a hint of embarrassment making itself known as Benedict’s face turned red when you carefully plucked the lambskin out of the envelope and held it between your thumb and forefinger. 

He swallowed when you beckoned him to come closer. Grabbing his cock, you slid the condom onto it before tying the string at the end to keep it on. His hand caressed the side of your face as he just stared for a moment. 

“If it is too much, just tell me. I will stop.” 

“I will.” 

Benedict leaned over you again, one hand resting beside your head the other one guiding himself into you. He kissed up your neck, muttering words to try and get you to relax. You let him in some more when he began to grope your breast. Your mouth dropped open as he started to pump in and out. You traced every part of his body that you could touch, finally resting them on his shoulders. 

Benedict’s face was pretty to stare at. Your breath hitched when you felt something scratch your leg. You tried to focus back on Benedict and how he was making you feel. Reaching up a little bit, you kissed him to try and distract from the spider that you knew wasn’t real but still felt like it was crawling over your foot. His lips were very soft against yours but it didn’t stop the shadows like you wanted. 

He grunted a bit when you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him down until most of his weight was on you. You sighed in a bit of relief. Benedict’s hips stuttered for a moment and you felt his cock twitch. 

“Are you close?” 

He smiled as he nodded. It was easy to forget that you actually knew what sex was despite being a virgin and a woman. His smile faltered a bit when he opened his eyes again.. 

“Are you not comfortable? I can stop.” 

You shook your head and mentally cursed that he noticed you having a moment. “I am enjoying it just… maybe another position?” 

“Can I turn you over?” 

You relaxed even more. Benedict could comfortably lay on top of you and his weight grounded you. The feeling of his chest against your back, no clothes between either of you, helped keep you present. You gripped the sheets as you shuddered a bit. Benedict’s hand covered yours and he kept thrusting. Kissing the side of your face, he murmured sweet nothings until you were laughing, having completely forgotten the shadows. He stilled inside you after a few more thrusts. You put his hand that held yours to your lips, giving it a small peck. 

“Just stay like this for a little bit, please.” 

“This isn’t crushing you?” 

“I like it.” 

He obliged and laid on top of you, still careful not to place his entire weight on you. You played with his hand while he stroked the back of your neck with his thumb. He began speaking with the other two ladies. You just listened to them. Satisfied was an understatement. You almost considered leaving royal life just to drink and sketch and have sex. You shook your head. For a moment you were starting to sound like your older brothers. Benedict looked down when you chuckled, kissing your temple. 

“What is so funny?” 

“Nothing, will you be staying much longer at Mr. Granville’s? My carriage driver wouldn’t mind a second stop?” 

“Valets have their own carriage driver?” Genevieve asked. 

You and Benedict laughed. He finally pulled out so you could both sit up. Benedict’s hand rested on your waist as he bent over the bed to find all your garments. 

“I don’t pay for the driver. The princess gives us use of all her luxuries.” 

The two women looked at each other. “Give me that job then.” 

You lifted your arms ever so slightly so Benedict could put on and tie up your corset. He started kissing your neck again, making you turn to look at him. You let him kiss you once more before you pulled away. 

“I have to go. The Queen is preparing for a wedding which means I might have to get up early tomorrow.” 

“And if you don’t?” His hand began to go into your underdrawers. 

You left the bed to put on your dress. “Benedict, I have to go. I’m sure you have no problems finding someone else but I must leave.” 

He was going to say something else but stopped as Genevieve put a hand on his shoulder. You gave him a smile as you put on your mask.  

“I’ll see you tomorrow… or the day after, yeah.” 

The three of them bid you a final goodbye before you disappeared completely from Granville’s studio. The smile on your face never left as the carriage driver began to pull off. Your request to stay at Kew had been granted since the palace was going to be too full and too busy with Friedrich and Daphne’s wedding to properly accommodate you like Kew could. 

Pandora was the only one still up when you arrived home, having waited to make sure that you were both safe and well-fed. She filled the tub with water that had been warming for quite awhile. You let her take off your dress and clothes so she could have them washed. Pandora paused when she reached your corset. 

“It wasn’t tied like this earlier.” 

“Hmm?” You looked down to see the corset wasn’t tied in the front where you did it but tied in the back. 

Something that could only be accomplished by someone else. You rushed to cover Pandora’s mouth before her gasp alerted the entirety of Kew. You had planned on telling her but not right after it happened. The corset strings hadn’t even crossed your mind. 

“I know what you are going to say but know that I was very safe about it,” you said as you sank below the water for a moment. 

“Safe? Who were you with? Anyone could tell on y—” 

“Benedict Bridgerton.” 

Pandora pulled the stool away from the vanity so she could sit on it. “Benedict Bridgerton? Are you serious? Isn’t he a rake?” 

“Isn’t every man a rake in this ton? Yes, I am serious… We used lambskin, before you begin to harass me again.” 

“It is my duty, Princess, to ensure that you know that…” 

“I have to keep my virtue together, I know. But I wanted to know what it was like and I was very careful. We were in private,” you lied. 

“How was it?” 

“He is very resourceful with his tongue.” 

You both began laughing hysterically.

(part 6)

THIS FIC TAGLIST:

@fredsbetch @cherrylovers-world @chrystinaamanda @grassclippers @flyestvenustrap @spookystitchery @lovelyygirl8 @ben-has-arrived @tragically-hipp @cherrysxuya @alowint @jackierose902109 @boojaynaqueen @thesparkling-diamond27 @intothesoul @tremendousstarlighttragedy @rosewritesitout @briskesby @tulipatheticee @intothesoul @bdudette @luna-loves08

@godofstory @thatobsessedreader @ellie-x0xo @jess4rush

PERMANENT TAGLIST:

@venomsvl @peaches-n-sunscreen @summerellaz @supernaturallover2002 @sambucky8 @9daykrisr @thebitchinleo @23victoria @scarlets-widow @pagetpagetpagetpaget @lovexnatasha @awesomebooklover17 @1234-angelika @imatrisk @blackreaderatrisk @princess-jules47 @alexloveskili @a-marie-a @siriuslysirius1107​ @i-have-no-life-charlie

[whom-to-kill-whom-to-let-live]

No but with TriStamp Legato being sensitive about his hair color, with the implication that it ties into to his backstory, coupled with that one tweet that mentions unnatural hair color making children more likely to be sold off into slavery.

Imagine if TriStamp S2 adapt the Legato VS The Rodericks gang scene and keep it the same, but make the trafficked girls in that scene also have unnatural hair colors like Legato does. 

[lemongogo]

[jerreeeeeee]

actually its kind of crazy how little we actually see the starblaster crew interact with each other. like other than tres horny boys and each of the pairs in that trio, and like, arguably lucretia and thb, barry and lup, and lup and taako, most of the relationships between the crew are only a few lines, if anything? like obviously in-universe they're all really close and griffin says that (time enough to grow indescribably close), but there's a lot we don't see. like, taako & barry, for example, have a handful of moments, lines we can point to that show they are really close (you're my family, taako, can i speak frankly?), but as far as actual screentime, there's really very little.

and even those i mentioned before, like, lup has more screentime with barry and taako than with anyone else, there's the whole little legato monologue about her and barry's relationship and she has (comparatively) a lot of scenes with taako, but also, as a character, she's only around for maybe a sixth of the show, so there's just not a lot of time to work with?

and that's not to mention the relationships we can figure were probably present in-universe, but literally never see, like lup & davenport. and on that note, i actually can't think of any other pairs who don't interact at least once, but still, very rarely. like now i'm considering davenport & barry. who we hardly see but there is the fact that barry cast command on him to drink the ichor. it's one line in the show and the implications are never really mentioned but there's a lot of significance to be wrung out of this one tiny interaction. barry condemns lucretia's methods of stealing agency from their family in the service of the greater good, but when he thinks it's best for davenport, does the same on a smaller scale? barry doesn't have the time to try to convince him to drink, he needs davenport back to himself now, because davenport is someone dependable, a leader, someone who barry knows will be capable and decisive and relieve him of the responsibility he's been shouldering by himself? that barry knows davenport won't begrudge his use of the spell, because he'll see it as pragmatic, necessary, assistance, and forgive him for it? none of that is necessarily supported in canon but it can be extrapolated from, again, kind of a throwaway line.

the non-thb crew have presence and are important to the narrative, but most of that comes from thematic significance rather than them as individuals, you know? we hardly see lup and barry and davenport (maybe arguably lucretia too, though we see more of her than them), but we see the echoes of their decisions and their goals and their love for the rest of their family and the way they shape the story.

but actually, even that's not entirely accurate, because as significant as they are in that way, their presence isn't only due to that, they're full characters too. they have personalities and depth and connection, they're not only plot devices. like, maybe griffin needed to explain why lup was missing, and that's why she became a lich, and her needing to be a lich is why she and barry had their romance, but also, if that were all there was to it, the legato monologue wouldn't exist, the best day ever wouldn't exist. those are scenes designed to build lup as a character through her connections to other characters and to the central themes of balance, not to fix plot holes. it's just that all of that character building takes place in a pretty small fraction of the show compared to tres horny boys, who have the entire thing. idk its interesting and impressive how some of the deepest characters and most profound relationships were developed in a very short amount of time

[springnote]

How Submissive or Dominant They are

Includes: Vash the Stampede, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Meryl Stryfe, Million Knives, Livio, Legato, and Milly Thompson

warnings: nsfw minors dni, gn reader with a vagina, oral (m and f receiving), piv sex, nipple play, anal fingering, teasing, face sitting, thigh riding, bondage, pegging

Note: may have gone overboard but I hope this feeds the fellow Trigun fans!

Milly

• Milly is honestly the most vanilla and submissive of all of them.

• She’ll do whatever you like, letting you eat her out or her go down on you, but she wants to be told what do. She’s eager and loves making you happy however she can.

• Not the most adventurous, but if you really want to try something new, she’ll always try it at least once! Nothing too rough though, she’s overly wary of her size and strength and worries about hurting you.

• Overall a big sweetie teddy bear, she loves being with you and making you happy and having fun with you.

“Hey baby, you feeling up for another round?” She chirps from under your thighs, the movement making your overstimulated clit tingle. “I can eat you out again!”

“Milly I can’t do another,” you groan, but before a cute pout settles on her face, you slide down her body to her thighs. “But what if I eat you out and you play with your chest?”

A shy look goes across her face, but she quickly rearranged the pillows to lean back, looking down at you reclining between the soft pillows of her thighs. A big, somewhat sheepish smile spreads across her face as she cups her sizable chest, shifting a little as you look at how wet she is.

“Like this?” She asks, pinching nipples as you smirk at her proudly.

“Just like that pudding cup, just like that.”

—

Livio

• Also a big teddy bear, he’s also fairly vanilla.

• He’s been through a lot and is already a big softie, so when he’s not letting you take the lead and following your guidance, he’s the softest, cuddliest dom there is.

• He loves cuddle fucking, especially after rough days, and sometimes on those rough days he wants nothing more than to be your good boy and have you order him around. Be gentle though, he’s still a very sensitive guy.

• Top tier cuddle partner, prepare for lots of sleepy hugs and slow love making with him.

“Is this okay?” Livio’s deep voice rumbled against your chest, honey colored eyes blinking at you half-lidded from where he lay next to you, your chest covered in wet kisses.

“You’re doing wonderful,” you smile softly, stroking his soft hair, leaning forward to kiss him again.

“D’you wanna go further?” He asked softly, one of his large hands trailing down to knead your ass.

You nod as you slowly grind your bare pussy against his cock, feeling it twitch when your lips caught on the head. “Yes…can I just sit on you for a bit though?”

His cheeks flush at your question, and he slips inside you, getting little resistance after having fingered you for half an hour earlier. Keeping you flush against his hips, his eyelids hang heavier as he lets out a sigh. “Yea, jus’ please don’t move too much. ‘M so close already.”

—

Meryl

• Meryl is definitely a switch, and she’s not super kinky but she’s definitely not vanilla.

• She likes being a pillow princess and getting pampered, but she also loves being in charge. Just because she’s small doesn’t mean she can’t take charge and be damn good at it.

• She likes mild brat taking sometimes too, and does enjoy using big strap-ons on her partner, but she also just enjoys taking things slow and gentle. It depends on her mood and yours honestly, but most of the time she would like to stop thinking so much and let you lead.

• Meryl is a firecracker though, so she might get a little bratty with you too.

“Hold still a second Meryl,” you huffed, the the little vibrating end of strap-on you were wearing making you feel a little shaky. “Lemme catch my breath.”

Meryl huffed, but stayed still, the large size of the toy making her shiver. It was one of those days when Meryl asked to be treated, and she’d been dutifully laying still and letting you lead, but you could tell she was getting impatient.

“Just a minute more—hey!” You gasped suddenly, the toy pressing harder against your clit without warning. Looking up, you saw Meryl leaning on her hands, using all of her strength to propel herself forward onto the strap. “Meryl!”

“Sorry I just need,” she stopped to let out a drawn out moan as she pulled back and thrust herself forward again. “Need more. Now.”

Huffing, you leaned over to press her into the bed, watching her eyes go wide as you started thrusting into her, both of you moaning. “Alright, I’ll give you more~”

—

Vash

• If Meryl is a switch, then Vash is a super-switch.

• Vash loves pleasing you and topping, watching you come undone under him and seeing your pleasure-filled face makes him the happiest man alive. He may not always be the most confident in himself, but his determination to make you happy overrules his insecurities.

• Sometimes though, he likes just being your sweet boy, letting you collar him or spank his ass if you like. He likes a little teasing and sometimes edging, or just being doted on while you finger him if you want, just give lots of cuddles afterward.

• He’s pretty needy all around, a need to please, need for affection and needing to give and receive love all around, be sure to indulge him.

He looked angelic under you, flushed skin glistening with sweat and his expression pleading as he looked up at you with puppy eyes. You almost felt bad for making him wait. Almost.

“Shhh just wait a minute baby,” you cooed at him, petting his thigh lovingly. “Can you hold out just a second more?”

“Yes, yes,” he gasped, trying to stay still as you kept two fingers inside his hole, his mouth trembling as he looked at your glistening folds above him. “Anything for you I can do it. I can do it.”

You shushed him again gently, waiting for him to quiet down a bit before speaking. “It’s okay, you don’t have to wait much longer okay? That’s my good boy.”

You moved your fingers suddenly, making his awaiting face surge up to lay his open mouth on your folds, making you whine out at his intensity. It didn’t take long for you both to come hard, Vash pulling you down to kiss you reverently as you still shook from your orgasm.

—

Wolfwood

• Nicholas is a bit of a switch, but leaning more towards a dom. Either postion, he loves to tease.

• He just can’t help himself if he’s the one being more submissive, he’s gonna be a brat and might try to turn the tables on you. One minute he’ll be shaking his hips as you peg him, urging you to swat his behind, and the next he’s flipping you over to ride the strap like his life depends on it.

• When he doms, he still teases, but instead he’s edging you or manhandling you playfully while he’s saying absolutely sinful things in your ear. Sometimes he’ll even just make you do all the work while he smokes a cigar or sips some whiskey.

• He’s absolutely filthy when he wants to be, but also playful, and he’s pretty good at aftercare.

Wolfwood rotated his hips against yours, making your insides flutter as he held you in place. One of his hands gripped one of your thighs, while the other held your wrists above your head, preventing you from grabbing him like you wanted to.

“That feel good babe? The way you’re squeezing me sure makes me thinks so,” he smirked, a playful gleam in his eyes as he leaned down, his nose touching yours. “C’mon, tell me how it feels and I’ll get started, ‘kay?”

“You feel so good Nic,” you whined, unable to stop yourself as you squirmed under him. “Please move, I wanna touch you.”

That did the trick, as he released your wrists to instead cup your face in both hands, chuckling as your hands scrambled to grab him. “That wasn’t so hard, huh?” He smiled, groaning a bit when your palms passed over his nipples.

You were about to tease him, but he quickly started pumping into you, making you both moan. Your arms wrapped around his neck as he moved at a rough pace, his hands staying on your cheeks as he gave wet kisses.

—

Legato

• Legato isn’t really into letting someone else take the reins. When he does, he prefers it involving lots of praise.

• He can be pretty mean at times, degrading and teasing you when he doms, but he’s not always super rough. Don’t expect him to be super touchy feely though, he’s got some issues and that’s a lot to unpack.

• He gets a bit more agreeable if he’s subbing, he doesn’t want to be dominated per se, just given some orders and told he’s doing good for once. Actually if you praise him while he’s domming, he’ll still be smug and a bit rough, but you might notice him soften a little.

• Overall, don’t be rough on him if he gives you the opportunity to lead, but try to be soft to him when he’s in charge, and he’ll do the same.

“Look at you,” he looked you up and down as you lay there tied to the bed posts, making you whimper at his dark gaze. “You look so…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, opting to let out a huff instead, tracing a finger down your naked torso to the puffy lips of your cunt. He appraised you for a moment, running his gloved thumb over your folds before pulling his pants down to free his dick.

“Tell me what you want,” he ordered, giving his dick a few lazy pumps. You shivered at the sight of him, closing your eyes as you tried to clear your mind enough to respond. “Hurry and I might give it it you.”

“I want you, Legato.” You whined desperately. If your eyes had been open, you might have seen how his eyes widened and face softened at how your voice lingered on his name. A feeling he’d never felt before spreading in his chest before he refocused.

“Well since you asked so nicely,” he growled, pushing into you slowly, trying not to focus on the funny feeling blooming in him. “Let me indulge you.”

—

Knives

• He’s a full blown dom full stop.

• Maybe if you had been together a really long time and talked and planned it out very carefully, he might let you fuck him, but 99% of the time he’d only feel comfortable going as far as to let you lead him a little. He’s just a little scared to trust that much or give up being in control, he’s got some stuff he doesn’t wanna unpack.

• He enjoys being in charge, not just to get praise and have you treat him like a god (which he totally loves), but he likes watching you under him, especially to know you put so much trust in him, knowing how dangerous he is. He may get rough or be mean depending on your relationship, but he’d never hurt you.

• Sometimes what he likes doesn’t sound dominant to a lot of people, but he makes it work. He’s very bossy/commanding so you definitely can’t call him submissive that’s for sure.

“Suck harder.” He commands above you, his tone quiet but a little sharp, keeping you at attention as you bob your head on his cock.

You knew he was close from the way his brow furrowed, but you were still caught off guard when he came down your throat, barely giving you time to relax before his tentacles were lifting you up. You gasped as he sat you on one of his muscular thighs, keeping you facing away from him to stare at yourself in a full length mirror.

“I saw you rubbing your thighs together,” he hummed in your ear, gripping your hips. “If you want to come, you’ll come on my thigh.”

“Y-yes sir,” you panted as he moved you back and forth, your hips bucking at the friction of skin on skin. When he flexed his thigh, you nearly looked away, but he bit at your neck to get your attention.

“Come now pet,” he gave a small smile, enjoying at how you whined. “Eyes on me. Don’t look away.”

[orcelito]

Honestly I find it hilarious that I've accidentally made it a thing of Vash being a horse girl (gender neutral) bc I'm writing his tomas as a weird horse

Chica the tomas was an accident. She was unplanned. I just tossed her in on a whim, realized I loved her, realized VASH loves her, & now a bunch of readers love her too

I've also gotten a few comments like "man I hope nothing bad happens to her!" And I'm over here just Sweating bc like

Objectively? That Bird Cannot Stay In The Story. If Vash keeps her, she will die. There is no WAY a normal mount would survive the utter chaos of his life in the coming months. Either he gets rid of her, or she dies. There's really no middle ground.

Which makes me sad :( I love Chica the tomas and itnl Vash loves her too

[threegunbrainrot]

i dont have any trigun mutuals so i'm just gonna ramble my thoughts into the infinite void of tumblr. and im sure others have touched on this same topic but

it almost seems like vash is getting softer with every new installment of trigun? like incredibly consistently and incredibly specifically.

let me explain.

i'll start with tristamp and work backwards; the tristamp vash we all know and love there is incredibly adverse to violence.

more often than not he ACTIVELY refuses to fight and just WON'T draw his gun. this post loosely counted the amount of bullets that he shot throughout all of season 1, and almost ALL of them (like to an insane degree) were dished out against knives, who vash knew was strong enough to take the hit.

the few times vash does draw his gun against a human in tristamp, it's as a blunt force weapon (against the badlads gang and livio, for example) or to disarm others/save someone with ricochet (like shooting the punisher before wolfwood can kill livio).

he just doesn't shoot people. at ALL.

then if we look at 98 trigun, things change drastically.

here, vash isn't afraid to hurt people a little if it means more will be saved in the end. of course he never kills, but he actually shoots people here. not only that...

he holds a casual, sarcastic conversation while pointing his weapon at people.

he constantly shoots at limbs to immobilize people, fires warning shots extremely close to peoples' vitals, and performs several very insane trick shots throughout the show to wound those with armor.

tristamp vash wouldn't even draw, but 98 struts around firing warning shots into the sky and singing about bloodshed for intimidation! i'm not sure there's a single episode where he doesn't shoot someone at least once.

...so what about trimax, then?

(PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD)

he is so. shockingly. violent.

of course he never kills. of course he's still trying to save people, but there's this anger in him that i was completely taken off-guard by reading for the first time.

tristamp vash is so soft he's painful to watch. 98 vash makes a heartbreaking effort to be as silly and nonthreatening as possible, constantly making himself out to be the fool. but trimax?

he's... literally grief-stricken and out for revenge. explicit revenge. he's angry and he's hurt and he lays his intentions out so clearly. he's making THREATS.

seriously:

hunting legato. HUNTING him.

it's not even a matter of drawing his weapon anymore. he does it constantly, and fires just as much. never to kill, but he doesn't joke around the way 98 vash does. the most he'll offer is a sunny smile to reassure others and nothing more.

i'm not that far into the manga, either. i'm sure there's countless more (and probably better) panels to convey this side of trimax vash, but i suppose it also says something that i've found so many panels depicting this so early on.

but the progression of vash's personality is fascinating regardless.

from a tortured, angry loner desperately trying to cling to his morals for rem's sake

to an equally devastated man who devotes himself so completely to acting the role of the fool

and finally to the sad, chronically depressed shell of a person in tristamp who refuses to so much as draw his weapon.