#like 'i get shiv but she still sucks'

[cakebatteronabrickwall]

My mom would be the funniest&bitchiest succession blog on here if she understood what tumblr was (y’all thank your lucky stars she doesn’t)

[gregmarriage]

my brother said he’s willing to give succ another chance. on one hand, this is extremely good news. on the other, he just doesn’t understand it, like i do

[old-knightsvow]

spent the last 6 hours playing league which means i have been shifting into Thinking about Characters playing viddygames mode

[spxllcxstxr]

Fair Winds and Following Seas • R.R

(Gif not mine)

Request: That Roman soulmate fic was sooo good 😭😭😭 argfhh biting my pillow rn. May I request a scene rewrite of your choice of them already in an established relationship? They’d have cute bickering and lots of casual physical contact all the time. Maybe theyre on a yacht together like that one episode and theyre just so intertwined all the time that its hard to tell where roman ends and reader starts 😣-- anon

Summary: Roman seems to like casual intimacy, even in front of his family

Warnings: fem!reader (she/her pronouns used), based on 2x10 “this is not for tears,” established relationship, alcohol, ken suicide joke (one line, nbd), roman jokingly calls something 'domestic abuse' it certainly is NOT that, normal Roman shenanigans

Word Count: 1.1k

A.N: guys, I usually write fantasy so this dialogue may just suck ass im SORRY LMAO, lemme know what you think!!! Hope you guys enjoy! Roman is so bbg

•

The Mediterranean sun warms your exposed skin while the sea breeze keeps you from getting uncomfortably hot. The Roy's certainly knew how to take a vacation.

Roman lazily drapes his arm over your shoulders, the small act of casual intimacy in front of his siblings something you still can't really get used to just yet. The family, you learned pretty quickly, was not a clingy one, so Roman's constant need to be touching you in some way in front of them was unexpected.

You sigh happily at his side, ignoring the boring work talk the siblings had already immersed themselves in.

The weather was just too divine for you to focus on anything other than the free vacation and your boyfriend.

Shiv's piercing blue eyes peer curiously over her dark sunglasses. Her gaze causes you to straighten your back and shift ever so slightly away from Roman. You've noticed that her and Tom were never exactly touchy, but then again her and Tom were barely a loving couple.

The harsh scrutiny of her stare doesn't go unnoticed by Roman, who immediately pulls you back closer to him. Your cheeks flush at his blatant display of affection.

"Something the matter, Siobhan?" Roman asks, his voice slightly higher than usual with a British twang to it. His fingers absentmindedly trace odd shapes across your back. He sips at his cocktail, eyebrows raised waiting for her retort.

Shiv’s intense gaze slowly slides over to Kendall. Their older brother offers your group a half-assed shrug.

"Nothing at all, Roman." She offers you both a tight-lipped smile, swirling her white wine in front of her.

Awkwardly you lean back into him as he sarcastically grumbles something under his breath, unconvinced. Roman’s body in tense beside you, but stays firmly pressed next to your own.

Sounds of waves crashing against the yacht and distant conversations almost lure you to sleep though the three sibling’s chatter keeps you just conscious enough that you don’t completely drift off.

You hear Kendall get up from his seat, his joints popping.

"I'm gunna go check on dad," He says, voice low though he knows you're not actually asleep. "I'll catch you guys later."

"Just don't jump off the boat, Ken. We're not turning the ship around just for your old-ass." Roman jokes before yelping at Shiv's slap to the shoulder.

You hide your tiny grin with a fake yawn.

"Very funny, Rome," Ken mutters before leaving the three of you.

It's awkward, just the three of you alone; the tension is so thick it could be cut with a knife. Shiv clears her throat and you can only imagine the patronizing look she has on her face. Roman shifts, and most likely flips her off, but otherwise he's silent.

Moments later you hear the thud of expensive yet tacky yachting shoes against the floorboards, which could only mean Tom.

"Shiv, uh," The man stutters, obviously distracted by something. Slowly you open an eye, peering over at the man. "Why don't we go and uh, discuss that thing from before, huh?"

Tom's eyes can barely settle on one thing, he looks between you and Roman before only briefly settling on his wife. His cheeks are a little red, but with a man that pasty, it's sure to be a light sunburn.

"Oh yeah?" She asks, almost seductively, blue eyes twinkling with some hidden secret.

Tom's lips tilt down into a frown, now no longer even looking in your direction. He's jealous, you figure, you've never seen him and Shiv cuddled up like this, at least not comfortably so. Someone is always tense and irritated.

After sparing her husband a glance, you see her eyes narrow and her lips drawing into a tight line.

You offer them a smile while Roman once again gives a rude gesture.

Swiftly, Shiv rises from her seat, empty wine glass in hand. She barely gestures a simple goodbye before walking away with Tom. You watch as she says something to him, which makes him recoil from her.

You could only imagine what that was about, but you figure it was you and Roman.

You press your cheek even harder against Roman's chest, almost like you're trying to burrow your way under his skin. The fresh white linen shirt he's wearing is soft underneath you. His uncalloused fingertips continue to dance across your exposed arm.

He's no longer tense, you notice; his muscles are more relaxed now that his siblings are nowhere to be seen. Logan wasn't around either, which eased the thick and looming tension that usually hung around the family.

Roman chuckles, tangling his feet around yours.

"What's got you all giggly today?" You ask, closing your eyes as you soak in more of the warmth.

"I'm not giggly, thank you very much. Giggling is for school girls and wine drunk single moms."

"Yeah, ok," You snort, smiling.

"You're just all over me like a fucking uh--"

"Koala?"

"Nah, more like one of those bigass fucking boa constrictors, y'know the ones I'm talking about?"

"A boa constrictor?" You gasp, jokingly offended at his words. Shifting from your position you eye your boyfriend. "You asshole!" Grabbing a small pillow from beside you, you hit him square in the chest repeatedly.

You're hovering over him, knees on either side of his hips, pinning him to the couch below him.

"Hey, hey!" He laughs, attempting to grab your wrists. "This is domestic abuse! ABUSE! ABUSE! Greg call the cops, she's beating me!"

Somewhere in the distance you can only faintly hear Greg stutter something, but your laughter is too loud to actually make it out.

Roman finally grabs the decorative pillow out of your hands and flings it somewhere.

His brown hair is messy, strands dangle in front of his eyes, no longer slicked back and proper. The laughter dies down but his bright smile remains, melting your heart.

"You're an absolute prick, Roman Roy, y'know that?" You whisper, lips lingering right over his.

"Oh I know," He smirks, irritatingly handsome like usual, eyes flicking between your own and your lips. "And you fucking love it."

Surging up, his lips connect with yours, traces of coconut and pineapple left on his tongue. The sweetness of rum mingles with the fruity aftertaste.

Humming in satisfaction, you close your eyes and place your hands on either side of his face, leaning into the kiss. Roman's light scruff rubs against your palms.

Eventually you pull back in order to breathe in the salty Mediterranean air. Roman's lips chase after your own, hoping to continue and subsequently never stop again.

"Yeah, I do." You sigh, gazing at his eyes as they turn into a molten shimmering gold hue in the afternoon sun.

•

[wambsgansshoelaces]

okay so last night i had this horrible bad bad bad no good panic/anxiety attack and like . i went through IT . was really bad , shaking so hard my teeth clattered , barely breathing , etc . so maybe could I get succession characters helping a so who has a panic/anxiety attack and grounding them? tysm 💐

~ 🦈

I’m really sorry that happened to you anon :( I hope you’re feeling much much better now!!! If you ever need to talk, you got me <3 I love u thank u for requesting, enjoy xx

panic attack (succession main cast)

Kendall

ᝰ he’s obviously had his fair share of panic attacks

ᝰ while he’s not really sure what’ll work for you specifically, he does his best to do things he wishes people did for him when he’d have attacks

ᝰ he has a few tricks up his sleeve, anyway

ᝰ when he first realizes you’re having one, he gets an ice cube

ᝰ and tells you to put it in your mouth and just leave it there

ᝰ “it helps your brain distract itself from its own meltdown,” he tells you softly

ᝰ all the while stroking your hair, your cheeks, your brow, whatever he can tell soothes you the most

ᝰ you suck on the ice cube until it melts

ᝰ and surprisingly enough, you’ve calmed down

ᝰ yes you’re still extremely anxious, but your breathing’s been regulated, your heart rate back to normal

ᝰ kendall coaxes you into a cuddle on the couch

ᝰhis fingers run through your hair over and over

ᝰ he’s just trying to bring you down from that bad high

ᝰ and he’s doing well

ᝰ he murmurs soft words to you

ᝰ and tries to get to the root of the issue

ᝰ “what caused all this, do you know?”

ᝰ you don’t have an answer

ᝰ but that’s okay

ᝰ he’ll take care of you regardless

ᝰ because you mean the world to him

ᝰ and if he can do anything to make you happy, he’ll do it

ᝰ you make him the happiest man to walk the earth

Roman

ᝰ is also a panic attack veteran

ᝰ kind of freezes the first time you have one in front of him

ᝰ but he snaps out of it immediately

ᝰ makes you lay down in bed while he runs to the bathroom

ᝰ he comes back with a cool washcloth and slaps it onto your face

ᝰ “roman!”

ᝰ “sorry, i didn’t think it’d go so hard!”

ᝰ you laugh

ᝰ but like you’re still having a panic attack

ᝰ he’s sat next to you, and rubs gentle circles into your cheeks and forehead with the washcloth

ᝰ the cool water helps soothe you as it seeps into your skin

ᝰ you calm down

ᝰ you’ve exhausted yourself

ᝰ once roman’s sure you’re not stressing the fuck out, he takes the washcloth and sets it on his side table

ᝰ he lays down with you and pulls you close to him

ᝰ “i’m tired, and i won’t be able to sleep unless you take a nap with me,” he states

ᝰ he sets your head on his chest

ᝰ and peppers kisses over your scalp

ᝰ he’s not even a little bit tired

ᝰ he just wants you to sleep and reset

ᝰ cheek smushed into his pec, you doze off

ᝰ he’s so happy, just having you here with him

ᝰ you’re safe when you’re with him

ᝰ and he’s safe when he’s with you

ᝰ he’s so warm and cuddly with you

ᝰ and you love it

Shiv

ᝰ if she’s ever had a panic attack, she’s never let you see it

ᝰ or anyone

ᝰ but when you have one in front of her, she can’t just let it happen

ᝰ she takes your face in her hands and makes you breathe

ᝰ “you’re going to do it just like me, okay?” she asks softly, eyes searching yours

ᝰ helps you box breathe

ᝰ “four cycles, babe, come on,” she encourages

ᝰ in four, hold four, out four, hold four

ᝰ “that’s it. you’re doing so well,” she coos

ᝰ within minutes she has you back to normal

ᝰ you don’t say anything, just hug her tight with your chin set on her shoulder

ᝰ “wanna talk about it?” she asks

ᝰ she’s there whether you do or you don’t

ᝰ if you do, she sits, she listens, and she does her absolute best to help

ᝰ and even if she can’t solve the issue itself, she’ll do everything in her power to make you feel better

ᝰ she goes out a bit later, not telling you where she’s going

ᝰ she returns with a banana split from dairy queen

ᝰ you share it, you perched on the kitchen counter, her standing in front of you

ᝰ your legs tangle together as you eat

ᝰ you end up getting a bit of whipped cream on the corner of your mouth

ᝰ“you’re so messy,” she says lightheartedly

ᝰ“what? look who’s talking,” you say back, wiping ice cream from her chin

ᝰ“i don’t know how that got there,” she mutters

ᝰ she lets you have the cherry

ᝰ she knows you love it

ᝰ but she loves it too

ᝰ so she kisses you, savoring the taste of the cherry

ᝰ but mostly just the taste of you

Tom

ᝰ well read wambsgans strikes again

ᝰ he realizes you have a panic attack oncoming and sits you down in a chair

ᝰ he keeps a hand on your shoulder and quietly talks you through it

ᝰ when your breathing begins to get erratic, he begins asking you questions so that you ground yourself

ᝰ “can you name three objects you can see in the kitchen?”

ᝰ “i, ah, the blender, the, um, coffee machine, and that stupid looking mug of yours,” you manage, referring to his ‘world’s best grandma’ mug he’d gotten in a white elephant thing at work

ᝰ “there you are. how about three things you smell?”

ᝰ he’s smiling softly at you, hand now pushing back hair from your face

ᝰ you inhale deeply, grounding yourself

ᝰ just as he’d intended

ᝰ “your cologne… i still kind of smell dinner? and…”

ᝰ at a loss, you lean forward and sniff

ᝰ “…laundry detergent,” you say after giving his shirt a sniff

ᝰ “you’re a cheater,” he says, despite his smile

ᝰ “oh, well,” you reply, smiling up at him

ᝰ he kisses your forehead

ᝰ “want to move to bed?” he asks

ᝰ “please.”

ᝰ before you know it, the two of you are curled together, the blankets and duvets bringing you comfort

ᝰ he brings you comfort

ᝰ he’s scratching gently at the nape of your neck, your head pressed into the crook of his

ᝰ you press lazy kisses to the skin under your mouth

ᝰ you fall asleep, a tangle of limbs, the sheets warm with affection

Greg

ᝰ lowkey is also having a panic attack

ᝰ but not really

ᝰ he pulls himself together for you

ᝰ he’s not really sure what to do

ᝰ so he googles it

ᝰ “hey, hey. close your eyes, and, uh, i’ll count to five, and you’ll breathe in through your nose, okay?”

ᝰ not really sure what this’ll do for you, but trusting him, you oblige him

ᝰ “exhale through your mouth, now.”

ᝰ after a few cycles, you’re feeling a bit better

ᝰ you’re still anxious, but it’s not suffocating you anymore

ᝰ “go sit, i’ll get ice cream,” he tells you

ᝰ when he comes back to sit next to you on the couch, he has a pint of your favorite ice cream in his hands and two spoons

ᝰ his arm goes around you and gives your shoulder a gentle squeeze

ᝰ the two of you end up finishing the pint

ᝰ he talks about everything to take your mind off of whatever it was that was stressing you out

ᝰ eventually, your brow isn’t furrowed, your features aren’t tense

ᝰ he kisses your cheeks

ᝰ “are you feeling good? better, at least?”

ᝰ you are

ᝰ you’re finally at peace again

ᝰ you spend the rest of the night watching a favorite show of greg’s

ᝰ you love sitting there listening to him talk about why he enjoys it so much

ᝰ he tells you that he’ll enjoy it better when you watch it with him

ᝰ because the first time around, all he could think of was you and whether you would like it

ᝰ you’re all that’s on his mind

ᝰ ever

Stewy

ᝰ this man is a masterclass in calm

ᝰ “hey, baby, take a breath,” he tells you, one hand brace on your stomach, the other on the small of your back

ᝰ when you clearly do not take a good breath, he changes tactics

ᝰ the hand on your stomach moves to take your own hand

ᝰ the one on your back begins rubbing in circles

ᝰ “i really want to go on a walk,” he tells you, “and i really, really, want you to come with me.”

ᝰ you know he’s lying

ᝰ but you go with him anyway

ᝰ the fresh air helps you

ᝰ and just moving around helps clear your head

ᝰ eventually, you’ve calmed down a bit

ᝰ your breath is still stuttering and tears are welling in your eyes

ᝰ stewy still has your fingers intertwined with his

ᝰ his eyes never leave your face

ᝰ he reaches over and thumbs away your tears

ᝰ “you know, i think we’re on time to watch the sun set,” he tells you, eyes twinkling

ᝰ you end up at a nearby park

ᝰ he pulls you onto a bench overlooking empty meadows

ᝰ his arm loops around you and he lets you lean against him

ᝰ your arms wind around his wast, your fingers fiddling with his belt loop

ᝰ he dots kisses all over your head as the sky melts into pinks and oranges

ᝰ “so gorgeous,” you whisper, the colors blending and swirling together before your eyes

ᝰ “not as much as you,” he murmurs back

ᝰ “cheese ball,” you say happily

ᝰ “you know you love me.”

ᝰ “i do. very much.”

[winniethewife]

Let me taste your silhouette

(Shiv X F!reader)

Prompt: Piercings

Words:1280

Warnings: Smut under the cut, Pierced reader, Nipple piercings, Breast play, humping, Switch!reader Switch!Shiv, Pet names (Puppy), oral sex (Fem receiving), PinV, unprotected sex, cream pie

A/N: For my Event Nine weeks in hell, and Kinktober.

Shiv was captivated by the way the small metal bar bell felt under his fingers as he held her breast in his hand his fingers rolling the sensitive bud between his fingers. His hand under her jacket, attempting to hide his actions from the group she was talking to. Her body pressed close to him as they stood in the corner of the party they were at. A plastic cup of Vodka and some kind of Kool-aid in her hand as they stood, Shiv’s back against the wall, her hips pressed into his, as she talked to some others standing around them. Shiv desperately wanted to leave the party, for her to stop talking and take him home with her so he could finally get what he wanted, the feeling of the metal between his teeth, her bare skin under him. He used his unoccupied hand to pull her hips closer to him, rubbing his hard on against her ass, trying to show how much he needed her. After what felt like an entirety he was almost about to give up, when he whispered in her ear.

“Please Baby, end this, let’s go home and let me show you how good I can treat you.” his hot breath against the shell of her ear sending shivers down her spine. She smiled and reaches around to hold the side of his face, rubbing her thumb along his cheekbone.

“Shhh, Puppy, wait your turn.” She whispered, her thumb continues to teasingly caress his face, her attention returning to the conversation she was having with the other party goers. This of course irritated Shiv but at the chiding from his lover he pulled back slightly and waited, his fingers still fidgeting with her pericing and his face still buried in the crook of her neck. And there he waited patiently for a while, as she continued to talk and talk. Shiv was getting impatient, he started to grumble his voice low and irritated.

“I want to go. Rather spend the night talking between your legs.” He huffed. She gave him a glance, an unspoken warning in her eyes, but he wasn’t playing anymore, he grabs her breast squeezing it as he continues to roll her nipple between his fingers. “I know you really want to.” He growls. Their eyes meet and she can tell he isn’t going to back down. She turned her attention to the people she was talking to and grinned.

“I apologize, I have something to attend to.” She said in a faux-cheery voice before she grabs his hand from her breast and dragged him across the room. She finds an empty bedroom, closing the door and turning on him. “Okay Puppy, You need this right now? you can’t be a good boy and wait for me to be done?”  She spoke dangerously low, standing centimeters away from him. Shiv smiles devilishly.

"When you're talking, I go dead, It’s so boring.” He replied in a childish tone, egging her on. He takes her hips in his hands and pulled her in close, his lips hovering over hers. “Let me show you better ways to use that mouth of yours baby.” He whispered before pressing his lips against hers, drawing her closer into his embrace as he kisses her hungrily like a starving man. At first she was resistant to relinquish control of the situation, but when his hand held the back of her head and he sucked gently on her top lip, she melted like putty in his hands. She pressed her body against him, He pushed back walking the two of them over to the bed, forcing her down on to the bed, his hips trust against hers, seeking the relief from the glorious friction. His hands tracing her curves, starting at her ass and up her sides, finding their way to the edge of her shirt, pulling the fabric up over her breasts, exposing her pierced nipples to the cool air, his fingers graze over them with reverence. The sensation draws soft whimpers from her lips and she arches into his touch. Shiv smiles, how the tables have turned, now she was just as needy as he had been, he watched with delight she writhes underneath him, bucking her hips up into his, kissing him passionately. She grabs at his jacket and pulled him down on top of her, her whole tough woman persona out the window. She just wanted him to give her exactly what he’d been begging to give her all night.

“That’s it Baby, let me give you this dick, it’ll put you on right.” Shiv babbles as he pulled off his belt buckle and undid his jeans. “Make you feel so good baby, right? My dick is the only dick you need.” He continues, clumsily pulling down her own jeans, getting ready to slide himself between her folds and fuck her into tomorrow, when she grabs his hair, tugging his face down in between her thighs.

“Shut your mouth, give me your head.” She growls pulling on his ink black hair until he was perfectly positioned, his nose bumping against her clit as he eagerly lapped at her wet folds, his dark eyes looking up at her in the darkened room, eager to please. As Shiv continued to lick and suck at her, she leans her head back on to the bed lost in the moment as pleasure pooled in her abdomen, her climax surely approaching. Shiv moaned into her, thrusting his hips into the bed, his boxers wet with precum, his dick is achingly hard, his nails digging into her thighs as he grips them either side of his head. He focused his work on to her clit, swirling his tongue in circles around the sensitive nub. Her eyes roll back into her head as she felt the warmth of her climax over take her body her whole mind shutting off as the pleasure overrides her thoughts. When she returns to her senses Shiv is positioned over her, gently kissing his way up her chest, swirling his tongue over her nipples, loving the metallic taste in his mouth, she could feel the head of his cock rubbing on her folds, begging to fill her up.

“Baby, please…I wanna fuck you so good.” Shiv muttered, mouth full of her tits. He doesn’t have to ask again, she’s already flipped him over, straddling his hard dick as she works to lower herself onto him, slowly teasing him with every move she makes, everything she takes, everything she gives, it was surely going to drive him mad. His hands come to rest on her hips, his eyes tracing her figure, his expression filled with unfiltered adoration and desire. He was practically drooling at the sight of her riding his dick, and he certainly wasn’t being quiet about it, his moans and whimpers fill the space in time with her movements. He wasn’t going to last long, but every moment he did felt like nirvana. As Shiv felt the pressure building in him he couldn’t be patient any more, he grabbed onto her, pulling her down on to him as he rutted up into her, frantically seeking his release in her sweet slick, his rhythm chaotic and wild.

“Oh, Fuck! Shiv, please, god, mgh. Cum for me baby, please” She pleaded into his ear as he pushed up into her again and again until finally he felt the mind scrambling pleasure flow through his body, his spend filling her with warmth. They fall into each other’s embrace, filled with the joy of the afterglow as they came down from their highs, blissfully unaware of the party outside.

~

Masterlist

Taglist: : @silvernight-m @queerponcho @boredzillenial

[leviathanspain]

If you want to could you write a roman roy x reader? I think fluff would be nice but honestly anything you choose to write would be great. Thank you!

saving all my love

roman roy x reader

synopsis: a snippet of your life with roman roy, the love of your life

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“i simply don’t understand why-“ your argument with an overseas investor was coming to a close. you had fought valiantly to keep the deal, but the investor was stubborn. you turned from the gigantic window where you had been directing your comments at, to see your husband approaching your office.

“you know what?” your words bounced off out into the hall just as roman opened the door. you threw your hands up, “fuck you!” you screamed, grabbing your earpiece and throwing it onto the ground.

“hey ro-“ you glanced up slightly before slamming a heel over your earpiece. you stomped on it a few times, for good measure. “piece of shit-“ you spat, a sense of calm washing over you.

roman had a smile on his face as he draped himself onto your office couch. “that was so fucking hot.” his fingers trailed a path on the couch, “i wish you’d stomp on me like you did that earpiece..” he dramatized a moan and you laughed, smacking his arm.

“down, boy.” you gave him a look before pursing your lips, “i’m not that upset-“

“clearly.” he remarked, eyes shifting to the shattered piece of tech on your carpet. rolling your eyes, you continued, “we’ll get more investors. we always do.” you faked a smile and roman scoffed, “that’s the spirit!”

you chuckled weakly, “it’s not funny, roman..” you let out a small sigh, “it’s just hard.” no one ever said this job was easy. when you had first started at waystar, before you even laid eyes on roman, you had been warned of the roy family and their ‘vicious tempers’. you easily navigated the family, but corporate america wasn’t as easy.

you sat beside him on the couch. a feeling of vulnerability washed over you and you put your head on his shoulder. roman grabbed you, pulling you into him tightly, “you know you don’t have to work, right? you can useless at home, waiting for me to come home from work and pump you full of babies.” he teased, a finger poking your cheek.

you laughed, “as if you wouldn’t like that.” you looked at him coyly, and roman shrugged, “i just don’t like to see you stressed, that’s all.” there was something sweet about his words that made you tear up a bit. you kissed his cheek, before going back to resting your head on his shoulder.

“greg?” the lanky, towering man seemed to shrink just as you spoke. you cut him off in the middle of his unsolicited pitch to roman. he had been rambling for an hour, roman clearly uninterested but per your request, didn’t scare him off. although greg amused you, he was insufferable.

“yeah?” he looked down at you, and anxiously waited for you to speak.

you shifted your head in roman’s lap slightly, a hand reaching up to pull your sunglasses down a bit, “please find another dick to suck, i’ve already called dibs on this one.” you gripped roman’s thigh, earning a crude little comment from roman as greg stared in disbelief.

roman raised his eyebrows, “go on, egg boy.” he waved a hand to greg, who mumbled slightly before walking off.

roman looked down at you just as greg walked away, “talking about sucking dicks-“

you sighed, “i’m in my bikini sunbathing ro, maybe tonight-“ you never got little vacations like these. even if these getaways with only family and those close meant that waystar was in more shit, you still enjoyed them.

roman smirked, “i wasn’t talking about sucking mine. but since you’re offering-“ you laughed, nudging him back on track.

just as roman was about to speak, the only daughter of the roy family approached. she had a glass of champagne in her hand, and a pair of sunglasses sat on her head. shiv was modest, even on vacation she wore some kind of suit or romper.

“i never see her like this.” she looked at roman, a small smile as she looked down at you, “unless you’re with my brother. remind me again why you married him?”

you smirked, looking up at roman before giving an answer, “i just love a man who’s good with his hands.” shrugging slightly as you gave your answer, you adjusted yourself before going back to your sunbathing.

roman lifted his hands at shiv, nodding, “oh yeah! mhm!” he kissed his hands and tipped his head back for a little laugh.

shiv rolled her eyes, stepping back slightly, “i’m just saying, you could do so much better.” she paused to look at you, and you didn’t say anything but smile, as if you were following her joke. but it was nothing short of a jab to roman.

you loved roman, and it was horrible that everyone always tried to make you think otherwise. it was always the same argument with your own family at christmas, who thought you weren’t good enough for someone with deep, deep pockets like roman. but none of that had mattered enough to make you rethink your marriage.

roman waited until his sister had been far away enough to speak, “i got a little surprise for you.” his voice got a little sing songy and you laughed, “what is it?” you sat up, raised an eyebrow as you whirled around to face him.

roman leaned back into the seat, thrusting his pelvis out, “show me how bad you wanna know.”

you rolled your eyes and smacked his leg, “i’ll cut it off if you don’t tell me.”

“ouch, baby.” he joked, before pulling you into his arms, bringing his mouth close to your ear, “i got you a new investor. even richer than the last.”

you couldn’t help a little gasp, “are you serious?!” you looked at his face, eyes searching in his eyes until roman nodded, “mhmmmm!”

you squealed, “oh my god, roman! you’re literally the fucking best-“ you kissed him roughly, pulling away to whisper in his ear, “whatever you want tonight, i’ll fucking do it baby. anything.” you trailed your tongue down the shape of his ear and he shuddered, letting out a low whistle, “you’ve already married without a prenup, y/n.”

you pulled back and smiled widely, “i love you so much, roman roy.”

[morethanwonderful]

Now I'm normally a big defender of the "Tom really does love Shiv" argument, but god, that scene on Logan's stairs in the last episode might be the single most manipulative thing we've seen Tom do.

Like, his whole thing this episode is that he's trying to ingratiate himself to everyone he can. Logan was his support and Logan is dead, so Tom is hanging out with the suits and trying to throw his hat in the CEO ring. He's going on about "living to serve" them. He's sneaking off to suck up to Roman and Ken. And then there's his scene with Shiv.

And like I said, I'm usually a big defender of Tom's love for Shiv. I think he originally fell in legitimate love with her as much as he was social climbing, and I think that the story he told on the stairs was about something genuine. The past Tom that sent Shiv handwritten letters and asked her constantly to tell him "yes" sure wouldn't have minded getting close to the big boss's daughter, but he also did all that because he loved her.

But on the stairs? When he tells the story? He is still so deeply in "ingratiate myself" mode. He needs someone on his side in Waystar, and the best way to do that would be to make Shiv fall in love with or depend on him again. So he goes to her and pulls out the sweet romance and reminds her of the past. He says "hey, remember when you were going through a hard time and I made it good for you? remember when you fell for me and depended on me for support?" And the unspoken words behind the words are "hey, I see you're going through a hard time now, and I could be all that for you again. Don't you want that?"

He knows she wants the divorce and she's made it pretty clear that things are emotionally over, but he's trying to pull her back in while she's vulnerable.

I doubt Tom sat in a room somewhere and thought the words, "I will take advantage of my wife's emotional vulnerability," but when he went up to her and followed his instincts toward what might make her want to take him back again, that's exactly what he did.

[happy74827]

Just Words

[Siobhan Roy x GN!Reader]

Synopsis: Words can be hurtful (especially to most) but with Siobhan’s “5-star” personality and ability to not care about anything other than herself, you can’t help BUT spill some words. {GIF Creds: @olliviacooke// I took this off of google (fair warning) so I had to dig deep to find the OP}

WC: 2274

Category: Slight Fluff (?), Enemies to… trope {Trigger Warning: Foul Language (I really channeled the Roy family here), Logan}

I did not expect my first succession fic to be Siobhan… but honestly, I’m not complaining 👀 (fyi: this was a request and I stupidly forgot to “answer” so hopefully the anon who requested lovely Shiv finds this 💀)

『••✎••』

Siobhan Roy… mega bitch. You hated her. Well, that might be an understatement; you despised her. From the moment you met her, she was just a total and complete pain in your ass. Not to mention completely and utterly self-absorbed. She had the attitude and ego of a child.

So when you were made to work with her, you were less than pleased. Logan Roy, the only man who could top Siobhan in terms of being an insufferable asshole, had made you a deal. If you and Siobhan worked together to find a solution to the media shitstorm he was currently experiencing, he would put you on the team that handled the IPO of Waystar. It was the opportunity you had been waiting for, so you sucked it up and agreed.

You and Siobhan sat in the meeting, both of you looking like a pair of miserable children. It made Roman look like a ray of sunshine, and that was really saying something.

Logan slammed the door, causing you to flinch.

"Fuck," he said, taking his seat.

"What?" asked Siobhan, a tinge of irritation in her voice. It’s amazing how her mood could shift on a dime.

"Nothing. I'm just a bit tired of this fucking circus."

"Well, what the fuck do you expect? You made a public promise. If you can't make good on it, why not just say so? Why continue this fucking farce?"

Logan narrowed his eyes at her.

"If I wanted to hear that, Siobhan, I would have gone to my wife's bed. I don't need a cunt in my ear right now."

Siobhan rolled her eyes. "Jesus fucking Christ. I'm a realist. You're the one who wants to live in your fantasy world. Just fucking drop the bomb, tell the truth, and let's move on."

"The truth? And what is the truth? That my son’s a psychotic, drug-addled mess? That Kendall is a sniveling, entitled little fuck? A pathetic, whiny, little shit stain who can't do his job because he's too busy jerking himself off to his own sob story? Is that the truth you want to set free?"

Siobhan stared him down, and once again, you were surprised. You had thought the woman was completely brazen, but there were still limits.

"I'm not your therapist," she said.

"No. You're not. And I'm not going to sit here and listen to a woman with the emotional range of a fucking teaspoon telling me how to handle this situation. Now, I need to get on the phone with my PR team. Fuck off, all of you. Get back to work."

You and Roman both jumped up, quickly leaving the room. Once you were safely away from Logan, you took a deep breath and relaxed a bit.

"Jesus fucking Christ," you muttered, "I don't know how she does it."

Roman smirked, "Oh, she's a special snowflake—a real ball buster. You should see her with Tom. It's a fucking bloodbath."

“Tell me about it. It’s a raging dumpster fire, even saying more than two words to her. I feel like she's going to snap my head off any minute. I’m so tired of her bullshit, and she's the least of my worries. The whole family is a fucking disaster. And I don't have time for any of it…. No offense.”

Roman gave you a half smile. "None taken. You're right; I'm the best of a very bad lot."

"Well, at least you're self-aware."

“You fuckers talking shit about me behind my back?"

You turned and saw Shiv leaning against the wall.

"Always," replied Roman. "And it's fucking hilarious."

"Well, don't let me stop you," she said, rolling her eyes. Her eyes then shifted to you.

"I didn't realize we were having a fucking slumber party."

"Just having a bit of a break," you said.

"Oh, well, that's very fucking nice. I'm glad everyone is taking a fucking break because I've been dealing with our father, who is a raging psycho at the moment. You know, while the rest of you are fucking around, the company is dying. It's falling apart, and everyone is too fucking busy to give a shit."

"Come on, Shivvy. Take a breather. You’re starting to act like Kendall… and that's never a good look," said Roman.

"Fuck off, Ro.”

Shiv glared at him, then glanced back at you. The glare made you want to hide, but you refused to show fear in front of her. You had done it in the past, and it only fed her.

"Well," she said, "aren't you going to say anything? Or are you just going to stand there with your mouth open like an idiot?"

"I think I'll take option B. I'd like to live through this," you replied.

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"I think it's pretty clear."

"Yeah, I suppose it is. I guess I shouldn't expect someone like you to understand."

"Someone like me?"

“Shiv,” warned Roman, trying to interject. Personally, despite his whacked-out sense of humor, you actually enjoyed his company. He was definitely the least obnoxious of the Roy siblings. “Let’s not get into this now, okay? Just drop it."

"No. No, go ahead, Shiv. Let's have it out. Right here, right now. Let's see if you can handle it."

Shiv stared at you for a few moments, then she smiled. It wasn’t her usual smug, condescending grin. It was different, almost sincere.

"You think you're tough?" she asked.

"No. I know I am. It's a little different, don't you think?"

"Okay," she replied, her eyes darkening. She leaned forward, her face just inches from yours. Roman just looked at the two of you as if watching a tennis match. "You're so sure you can handle me. So why don't you prove it?"

"Prove it? Like, what, punch you in the face? Is that what you want?"

"Although, as satisfying as that sounds, I was thinking we all should just move on… maybe have a drink, talk it over? Yeah? No?”

Shiv just looked at you. "Yeah, I'll pass. I'm not here to make friends, and I'm certainly not here to kiss your ass."

"That's good. Because, honestly, I don't see you as the ass-kissing type. Tom, yes. You? Not a chance. You're the type who wants everything to be handed to you on a silver platter. I'm sorry, but I'm not the maid. I'm not going to serve you or kiss your ass. I'm here because I have a job to do, and I intend to do it. That's it.”

"Oh, right. I see. Well, then, why don't we cut the bullshit and just get right to it. How about you go back to whatever shithole you crawled out of and let the real people get on with things."

“Guys-” Roman started.

"Real people? Real people? You think you're real? You think this is real? I hate to break it to you, Siobhan, but you're not a princess, and this isn't a fairy tale. You're not the queen. Your father isn't the king. You're a spoiled brat, and he's… well, he’s Logan. He's not even a king. He's just a bully."

"Is that supposed to hurt me? To insult me?"

"No, but you seem like the kind of person who doesn't take criticism well. You’re doing a terrible job.”

Shiv stared at you, her lip curled up in disgust. She looked as if she were about to hit you, but the rage was just a facade.

"Well," she finally said, "It's a good thing we're not here to play fucking games, then. So why don't you shut the fuck up and get back to work? Unless, of course, you don't think you can handle it. Maybe you should just go back to where you came from, and let the real people get on with things."

Your nostrils flared. It took every ounce of strength in you not to smack the look off her face. But you knew better. If you started a fight, Logan would take your head off, and that was a fight you couldn't win. So, instead, you smiled.

"Fine," you said. "If that's what you want. I'll do my job, and you do yours. But, just remember, the day is coming when this little charade is going to come to an end, and when it does, it's going to be a lot worse than it is right now."

You didn't wait for her reply. Instead, you turned and walked away, leaving the two of them standing in the hallway.

Once you were back in the safety of your office, you collapsed into your chair and let out a sigh. You had just gotten your first taste of a Roy fight, and it was worse than you had anticipated. The worst part was Siobhan had gotten the last word. It didn't matter that you might’ve won. She had gotten the last good word, and you hated her for it.

As the hours ticked by, you became more and more frustrated. You were angry and bitter. You were pissed at yourself for letting Shiv get under your skin, and you were angry at her for getting to you.

So, when your phone rang and you saw her name, you were tempted to ignore it. You let it ring for a few seconds, then decided to answer.

"Yes?” Your attitude was short.

"Get your shit together," she snapped. “We have a meeting in five minutes. We have a lot of ground to cover."

That was, in fact, false. By the time you arrived, the conference room was deserted, and only Shiv remained. She was sitting at the table, her laptop open in front of her.

"What the hell?" you demanded.

"I'm sorry. Did you want a fucking audience? Because that can be arranged. But, if you don't mind, I would prefer not to have any interruptions."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that we are both here, and we have a job to do. Now, either sit down and help me, or fuck off. I really don't give a shit."

You stared at her, and she looked up from her laptop, raising an eyebrow. There was no audience, and there wasn’t going to be one. So, you had two options. Either walk away and look like an idiot, or stay and possibly get chewed out again. You took a deep breath and sat down.

Shiv just hummed in response, then looked back at her screen. "Good choice."

For the next couple of hours, the two of you worked together, trying to figure out a way to turn the situation around. Arguments arose, shots were fired, and at one point, Shiv threatened to kick you out, but overall, it was a productive session. Logan wouldn’t be pissed, so that was a win.

"So," Shiv said as the two of you left the building, "Did you cool down?"

"What?"

"I'm asking if you cooled down. Do you feel better now?"

"Um, yeah, sure. Why wouldn't I? You know, besides the fact that we were at each other's throats for hours and the fact that we both wanted to kill each other. I'm peachy."

"Mm, peachy." She said the word like it was an insult. "That's a strange choice of words, don't you think?”

“What? The real people don’t use the word peachy, huh? Is it beneath you, Shiv? Do you only use fancy words and proper grammar?"

"Oh, I can be a real commoner when the situation calls for it. It's all about knowing your audience."

"Really? So, is this the commoner Shiv? Should I expect a new side of you?"

"Maybe.” She smiled oddly again. The one that made you nervous. "Maybe not. That depends on you. Do you want to know the real me?"

"No, not particularly."

"Good. Because I'm not interested in showing you. I’m just curious if you have what it takes."

"To what, put up with your bullshit? To put up with a spoiled brat who thinks the world is hers for the taking? Mmm, yeah, I think I've got what it takes."

"Okay, first off, fuck you. Second, you're a piece of shit. Third, I have something to tell you. So, listen up. This is important. Okay, ready?"

You were about to say something, but her expression stopped you. Her voice was low, her tone serious. You nodded.

"I'm a bitch. And, yeah, I have a temper, and I'm not a warm and fuzzy kind of girl. But, that's the thing, I don't need to be. I don't need to pretend that I'm anything other than who I am. I don't have to fake it because I know what I want, and I'm not afraid to go after it. That’s what you need to understand. It's not about what you think you need. It's about what you want and what you're willing to do to get it."

You just stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"So, let me ask you, what do you want? And are you willing to do what it takes to get it?"

You thought about it for a second. "I want a drink. A strong one."

A little comedy never hurt anyone. And judging by her expression, you could tell you had made her smile.

"Well, that's a start." Siobhan had a smirk on her face. "Alright, fine. Let's get that drink. Then we'll see how far that gets you."

"Yeah," you muttered, "I'm sure."

But, as you walked down the street, you couldn't help but think about the question. What did you want?

And what was Siobhan offering?

[wonderpommey]

Well Jesse said it, no one truly changes and indeed nothing really changed in the couples’ dynamics in the end.

The show dangled a possible happy ending for Connor and Willa for a second but of course it tears it away in the finale. We already see Willa squirming under Connor’s grip, grappling with the “sexy second week itch”. Roman is particularly repulsed by that pairing; buying a young escort-type woman and parading her as somehow worthy, as a ‘wife’. There’s something so offensive to him about that. We never see Roman give Gerri anything of monetary value. He’d never want to buy her, he’s desperately attracted to how real she is, to the experience and things she can teach him, in every possible way (sex & advice). He wants what she is willing to give, not what he can buy. The only time money comes into their relationship is the exit package (pass!) and even that is essentially just another lesson she’s teaching him. You wanna rule with emotion, the next person will take you for everything you’re worth!

Shiv's adoption of Tom remains partly strategic. It moves from "not being betrayed" to "holding onto power", it has very little to do with love. Shiv continues to push sadistically to see how much she can get away with, how close patriarchy will let her get to being her own woman. Then, when Tom or Logan tells her she’s gone too far, she folds. And Tom loves her enough or loves being in the fold enough that it works in the succession universe, it becomes a deal of somewhat terrifying equals. And that was what succession was all about. Capitalism, patriarchy and the oppression of women. What men demand things like love and care from women, but they actually lose any genuine connection the second they take a woman's agency away from her… Sure you get her by your side physically for a while but you crucially loose her very desire to be there.

Roman and Gerri’s relationship remains a study in longing and sensuality. They are barely featured in the finale but Roman sets the tone by going down on mummy’s cheese. Oh succession and its cheesy genitals, the ricotta dick! The grilled cheese with a sucked dick! The whole kitchen scene is obviously an allegory about the lack of food and incidentally love Caroline has supplied to her children. It’s only scraps, rot and fire going into that smoothie. But Oedipus-Roman, doesn’t want the smoothie, he wants the tasty morsel of maternal love which isn't for him. He doesn’t bite by the way, he only licks. Unlike his last second on screen, he can’t go as far as actual consumption. Did he want Lobster? No, he wanted the most love. Did he want steak? No! He wanted to be picked above Kendall!!

Speaking of what’s not for him... He then has to watch Gerri talk about the pleasures of a slow screw. It’s a sudden exposure to her sexuality, a validation of his intuition that she likes being superior to her conquests, sexually, spiritually. Something he knows he can give her alongside the painful realisation that she opens up - to others - in that way.

Then the office breakdown. I still look good, I still look the part “Why isn’t it me?” What are the rockstar and the molewoman when the rockstar is just a big sack of bullshit? And Ken reaffirming he’s not good enough, he’s pure emotion, he doesn’t have the drive, he only ever wanted a ride or die.

All culminating in his only true, almost naturalistic documentary-style consumption of the season; Gerri’s martini. Drinking in the quasi love of his life (I could do a whole post about how wild it is that Jesse ‘I don’t want to tell you what to think’ Armstrong said something so totalitarian). This isn't the first connection between an older woman’s sexual appetite and her drink of choice this season! Remember Roman’s reaction to the image of Nan liking her wine like she likes her men!

Sure, the outer layer of that scene shows Roman, having lost the company, his lover/mentor's good will, and any way he knows of interacting with his siblings in a bar drinking alone, overly dressed, old Hollywood style. A potential regression to his sad playboy lifestyle (Jesse), or the start of a hopeless spiral of alcohol abuse (Mark - who has since then said he saw how Roman’s ending could be perceived as hopeful). 

Upon closer inspection, his inferiority/beta complex, his emotions, his desire to be loved, his desire NOT to be in charge/on top - everything that his dad loathed to see in him - are finally showing through the physical scars on his face. He gave it a valiant try, but he couldn’t keep parading as whomever Logan wanted him to be and he realises that it makes him an unworthy heir and in the same breath, access to Gerri is disallowed. It still overwhelms him with emotion, but in the same way Oedipus took his own eyes and couldnt see Jocasta and longer, Roman only gets to see Gerri through screen and glass anymore. He demanded she believed he was as good and as ruthless as his dad and he turned out not to be. Objectively, it’s not a prerequisite to Gerri’s feelings for him as she responds to his pathos way more than she does to Logan's death, but his psyche is convinced he no longer deserves to be in her presence.

So he does the only thing he can do to keep her as close as he needs. Don't be fooled by the luxurious, civilised quality of the drink, this is a biological need,  pure sustenance (Get her inside of him, under his skin, into his bloodstream and pumping to his heart). He bites his lip as the liquid enters his mouth, swallowing dramatically, loving the burn & hating the pain. 

And we’ve come full circle on the theme of consuming each other. From the partnership-worthy mutual cannibalistic proposal of season 2, to the toxic if slightly castrating injunction for her to go down on him and devour him. Season 4 breaks him enough that he gets to the opposite nihilistic ideation that he’s nothing and hence has no claim on the company or being her protégé. The truth - that we don’t know if he can get to - is somewhat in between. All these kids are very smart and worthy in their own ways, even though of course the expectation placed on them to be exceptional prevents them being satisfied in being maybe just that.

His final scene showcases the sad and lonely consumption of the woman he loves’ essence, a poor ersatz for the ‘old gal’s juices’ that he doesn’t deserve. All he has to offer being something he has never been able to name or express without the alibi of the company; an amorphous, unworthy, unnamable but ultimately undeniable feeling.

And possibly in the writers’ minds, this is the suicide part of their contemporary Romeo & Juliet drama. Dying with the blade and the poison after daddy said the love was unacceptable & unobtainable? I mean come ON! 

Roman “knifed” Gerri (This is rhetoric they use ON THE SHOW), she completed the execution by taking herself out and brought him the threat of annihilation (while ordering the poison; a martini). There is a delicious poisonous quality to the drink isn’t there (or its abuse)? And of course, if he dies he’ll die by her, he’ll taste the poison she chose off her lips, because if he has lost the love of his life in this eternal quasi status, it becomes the only worthy pursuit.

That was the roman-esque question of the show. What is love if it’s always been withheld, if it’s always been expressed via the proxy of the company, if it’s never been given freely, or modelled or held as something precious and worthy that had to be protected? And what if it makes you ravenous for it? And how could you get it, this thing you most desperately want, if you’d never been given the tools?

O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. 

[reveriexxgirlly]

you want a piece of me ? (repost)

Shiv Roy x Fem!Reader SMUT

Prompt: I want Shiv to dom and humiliate me, okay ?

Warnings: oral, orgasm denial, voyerism, fingering, squirting

Word Count: 2.0k

                                  ﾟ+*:ꔫ:*﹤　enjoy !　﹥*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ

“Oh my god, don’t stop. Please, don't- Fuck!"

I felt a sharp pain on my ass. I looked down and saw Shiv peering at me from between my legs with her glossy lips scowling at me.

“God, can’t you shut up? Do you want us to get caught?”

Shiv used the hand that slapped me to grip the fleshy part of my ass and started digging her nails into my skin.

I almost moaned out loud until I caught myself and quickly clamped my hand over my mouth to muffle my sounds.

“That's better.” Shiv said as she began giving me butterfly kisses on my inner thigh while I was trying to catch my breath.

“I’m sorry. I promise to shut up, just don’t stop. It feels so good.”

I responded with a sense of urgency because it was only a matter of time before everyone, specifically Tom, would begin to wonder where Shiv was.

Shiv smirked at my desperation, pleased that even though she was on her knees eating me out, it was her that was in control.

“Good girl.” That was the last thing she said before moving her head back to my center, taking my clit between her lips, and began sucking on it softly.

I clamped my hand over my mouth again and bit down on my palm hard. Stopping myself from letting out another loud moan. 

How the fuck did I get here? I came to this celebratory event for Waystar as Roman’s date, and now I’m in the women’s bathroom with his sister's face between my legs. Why did I let this happen?

I looked down to admire the sight before me. I was leaning against the wall with one leg holding me upright and the other on Shiv’s shoulder. Her eyes closed in complete bliss, as if she was savoring the taste.

Although her suckling made it hard to stand on a wobbly leg, it wasn't enough to make me cum. It wasn't like we had all the time in the world.

I tried moving my hips against her lips to reach an orgasm faster, but she kept pushing my hips against the wall to keep me still.

“Shiv, I need more.”

“Aw baby, you're not the one calling the shots here. I am.”

“We need to hurry, people are waiting for us. Tom is probably wonderi-”

“Don't say his fucking name.”

She gave me a cold stare. I seemed to have struck a nerve mentioning Tom, given the situation. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up Tom.”

Shiv stared at me as she was thinking, tapping her slender and manicured pointer finger on my thigh. After a few seconds her face lit up. All she needed was a light bulb on top of her head. 

“You know what, you’re right.”

“W- what?”

Shiv placed a final kiss on my clit, making me shiver from her light touch. She got up from between my legs and fixed up my dress. Making sure I looked presentable. Then she grabbed my panties from the ground before leaving the stall we were in and throwing them away in the trash bin. 

I stayed in the stall feeling stunned before desperation hit me once I realized I didn’t cum. I walked out to see Shiv standing in front of the mirror, reapplying her lipstick. 

“We should be getting back. You were right, we were gone for too long.” Shiv said nonchalantly.

“But...” I couldn’t finish my sentence, feeling foolish for what I was going to complain about. I looked down at the ground in shame.

“But what?” Shiv said turning to look at me with a bored expression.

“I didn’t get to cum.” I said quietly, glancing up at her and seeing Shiv pout her lips mockingly before she cupped my face with both hands and forced me to look up at her. 

“Baby, don’t worry. We’ll get to that later.”

Shiv said with a mischievous smirk, that both confused and worried me.

“Come on.”

Shiv said before she taking hand and pulling me out of the bathroom. We were walking through a crowd of wealthy people bickering, when Shiv finally spotted Tom. She let go of my hand and walked toward him.

“Shiv!” Tom said excited to see her as if she just arrived from a long trip when it’s only been 20 minutes.

“Hi honey.”

Shiv leaned up to Tom's face, who wanted to kiss her on the lips, but she avoided it and kissed him on his cheek instead. He was a little embarrassed by this, but considering she was eating me out a few minutes ago, I was grateful.

I cleared my throat before speaking up. 

“Hi Tom, where’s Roman?”

"I think he’s at the bar getting a drink with Logan.”

“Where were you guys?”

I was about to respond when Shiv beat me to it.

“Y/N and I were just in the bathroom talking.”

Tom was nodding at Shiv, then an announcement was made for everyone to take their seats since the speeches were about to begin.

“Shall we.”

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

It had been a few minutes since we all took our seats. I sat next to Shiv on my right, and there was a reserved seat for Roman on my left. It’s then I began to wonder where he was.

“What up, cum dumps?”

We all whipped our heads at Roman, walking up to our table, who looked so proud of his vulgarity. While Tom and I stared at him in bewilderment, Shiv rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Hi Roman. Where were you?”

I said as he was taking a seat next to me. He looked at me, and his face lit up like he remembered that I was his date.

“I was talking to ol’ daddy about business, nothing too major.” Roman said, brushing off the situation like it was nothing.

“The better question is where were you? I didn’t see you around the room for like 30 minutes.”

I could feel the tension in the air when he asked that question, but of course, no one but Shiv and I could feel it.

“I went to the bathroom with Shiv.”

“What took you guys so long? Were you flickin’ each other’s clits in there?”

“Roman!”

Shiv scolded him, and Roman pretended to look scared of his sister’s irritation.

“No we were just talking, I didn’t realize how much time was passing us by.”

I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. I didn’t want Roman, out of all people, to catch on to what was going on between me and Shiv.

Before he could question me any further, the party planner spoke into the microphone. I let out a breath of relief, but during his speech I remembered the wetness between my legs, feeling it between my thighs. I hoped it wouldn’t seep into my gown, so I crossed my legs to try to prevent that.

I was squirming in my seat, and Shiv must’ve noticed because she leaned back into her chair and placed her hand on my thigh.

I tensed at the action and straightened my posture. I could see from my peripheral vision that it made Shiv smile.

Luck played a huge part in this situation. We were close to the stage, but behind us were walls from the sides of the room. Tom faced away from me, Shiv, and Roman, who paid no attention to me. Switching his attention from the person speaking on stage to looking at his phone. Not to mention the large white table cloth covering what went on underneath.

Shiv used her fingers to slowly pull my gown up to my hips. The action fed into my anticipation, although I worried that people would happen to catch on to what was going on under the table. 

Once the fabric gathered on my hips, she placed her hand on top of my thigh and lightly gripped the flesh to uncross my legs. I felt the cold breeze of the air conditioning brush against my wet lips, making me feel exposed in front of all these people. That’s when I thought back to when Shiv threw away my panties earlier for this purpose.

She started teasing me by running her fingers through my unshaven pubic hair, which was covered in my slick. I bucked my hips into her hand as a sign to give me more, resulting in a pinch in my inner thigh. I squeaked at the sharp pain but covered it with a cough. 

I turned to look at her, and her attention was on the guest speaker on stage, still smiling at our current situation. She glanced at me, noticing my teary eyes and the pout on my lips, and decided to give in. 

Shiv’s fingers landed on my clit and rubbed slow and tight circles. My pussy was so wet it spread everywhere from my lips to my clit, so she didn’t need extra lubrication. 

It continued until the entertainment for the night started, an interpretive dance which meant that loud music would be blaring throughout the room. So Shiv took the opportunity to slip her middle finger into my dripping hole. 

Unlike her gentle touch on my clit her pace started to get a more aggressive. The wet sounds of her fingers slapping against my pussy were being masked by the orchestra. The louder the music got, the faster and harsher her pace would be. 

There were moments when I wanted to scream, but I made sure to bite my bottom lip extra hard to prevent any sounds from escaping my mouth. I almost failed when Shiv added her ring finger into my pussy. 

It was starting to become too much, and her rough thrusts into my slit were resulting in her palm repeatedly slapping against clit, bringing me closer to an orgasm. 

I squeezed her wrist between my legs to let her know I was close. She seemed to get the hint and started going impossibly faster than before. My orgasm finally hit me, but this time felt different. I felt like I had to pee but I didn’t want to cause a scene so I relaxed as much as I could and let my pussy gush all over her fingers. 

I shivered from the aftershocks of my orgasm. I pushed Shiv's hand away when I started feeling overstimulated, and Shiv got the hint and pulled away. She grabbed her cloth napkin and wiped her hand. I noticed that not only her fingers but her wrist were wet. I looked down and noticed that the bottom hem of the tablecloth was drenched. I had squirted under the table and all over the cloth.

I panicked and pushed my dress down and back into place. I looked around the room to make sure no one witnessed the event that happened under the table. I felt relief when I saw that everyone appeared to be unbothered and slightly bored. I turned my attention back to the stage, and the rest of the ceremony continued as planned. 

꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎

When the event was over, I waited for my Uber on the curb in front of the building where the event was held. Roman offered to give me a ride as long as it was back to his place. I eagerly declined and hoped it would be the last of any invitations from Roman Roy.

“Y/N!” 

I heard someone call my name and turned around and saw Shiv lifting up her dress a bit as she was speed walking towards me.

“Shiv, what’s up?”

“I forgot to give you this.”

She handed me her business card. I was confused until I turned the card over and noticed her personal number written in pen. I started blushing at the thought of our future meet-ups being similar to tonight.

"We should definitely make plans to meet up next week because I think owe you more than one.”

She was pleasantly surprised by my answer and smirked before she leaned in, her lips nearly touching my ear.

“Can’t wait.”

She whispered before she kissed my cheek and again on the other one so it would seem like a normal goodbye gesture to others.

Shiv gave me a final wink before she walked away to her ride back home with Tom. 

I turned back around to wait for my ride and thought further about ways I could return the favor. 

[lenreli]

damnation keeps me alive [Dreamling week Day 5 - Midsummer]

[AO3] | [Dreamling Week '24 Masterpost]

Title from SHIV-R's Promises of Armageddon! What can I say. SHIV-R fucks.

M, 3.1k. It's a midsummer's night when Hob becomes a vampire, and eventually, meets a merman in trouble.

CW for mild violence and kidnapping.

-

It’s a balmy midsummer night, when Hob gets turned into a vampire. It wasn’t what he was expecting when he followed the beautiful woman who was looking at him as she passed by, and Hob’s pretty sure he can’t even say he was under her thrall ― just that she seemed interested.

Or perhaps, he’d reflect later, she saw an easy prey as she sucked him dry and left him for dead in an alley, with Hob getting a bite in for himself once he realised this wasn’t going to turn into him getting under her skirts. 

-

Hob wakes up in a coffin, still tasting the acid of her blood in his mouth, and Hob almost considers ringing the bell, the rope tempting ― but in the end, doesn’t, wanting to get out, the wood of the coffin door tearing easily under his hands, a hunger making itself known as he crawls out of grave dirt. 

Shaking, he looks around, only the quiet of the animals in the surrounding forest he can hear, the moon bright and full as he stumbles out of the graveyard. 

-

All in all, he doesn’t mind being a creature of the night. At most, he misses seeing the sun ― but getting to live through changes, the way Kings and Queens rise and fall, the Industrial Revolution, and he always wants to see what’s next.

Hob never was one for checking years, always a bittersweet reminder of his family, long-lost to plague before he even became this, the years counting down to his death, but now he always looks out for the calendars, the burgeoning New Years celebrations as they pass by. 

It’s the year of our Lord 1910, and he’s at yet another midsummer's party, this time a ball when he spots ― him. Pale and black clad, wavy hair down to his shoulders and Hob’s mesmerised. Everyone else ceases to matter as he stares at the other man, and he only looks away once deep blue eyes glance at him. 

He’d like to say he went up and smoothly seduced the man into his bed that day, but the next time he tried to find him ― the party had good food, and he lucked out with food not tasting like gravedirt when he ate, unlike some other vampire’s he’s met  ― and the man was gone. 

-

Six years later, and Hob has put down spikes to target a particularly rich set of cars, three in a row, black and glossy, when he opens the back door to the middle car and meets wide blue eyes, the wavy black hair familiar. Definitely not what he expected when going after some rich schmuck for kicks. 

The fact that the man has his wrists tied and mouth gagged with black cloth makes him, well, double-take. The man’s tail, long and black, fins curling onto the back of the seats, the least concerning thing about all of this. “I,” he pauses and the man’s brows furrow, gesturing to black fabric around his mouth, which he swiftly takes off, as well as the one’s around the other’s wrists. “You just―I think I have them to deal with now,” he points behind himself, smiling. 

He’s not a good man by any means, but he tries, and at times it’s easy when violence is involved, the screams of the men holding the merman captive beautiful as he rips their throats out. 

Cleaning the blood off his face, he goes back to the middle car, glad they’re on a deserted country road as he sees the man scowling down at his tail. “We could go,” he offers and the man sends him a wary look. “Ah, I’m Robert Gadling ― though, Hob is fine.” 

“I’d rather walk myself,” the man says, voice so deep that Hob swallows. “What exactly are you?” 

“A vampire, at your service,” he says with a bow, flourishing a little as he sits on the edge of the seat, handing over his brown longcoat, noticing the shimmer of water reflecting off pale skin. Instead of wearing it, the man uses it to dry himself off, and Hob blinks as the man glows ― then it fades, revealing black clothes and legs, which the man stretches. 

“The rescue is appreciated, but I would rather―” whatever else the man says is cut-off as another two cars come and they share a look, the man scowling. 

“Well, do you have a weapon or some powers you can use, Mr Merman?” He hisses, hearing footsteps and heartbeats―and the merman’s scowl evolves into a death glare. “You didn’t give me your name! What else am I meant to call you!” Hob whispers furiously looking at the surrounding forest. 

“Dream,” the voice is quiet as the man ― Dream, apparently, scowls. “And I doubt my arsenal would be as useful as vampire fangs,” he concedes, not looking happy about that fact. Sighing, Hob pulls out a switchblade and hands it over, Dream blinking at him. 

“Okay, we’re going to take out these assholes, and then we’re going into the forest and come up with a better plan once we’re off this road,” he whispers, watching Dream nod before he goes after the first amount of people.

-

Hob groans, staring at the man as he dies, Dream scowling down at him, blade red and dripping. “Who the fuck would want you so much?” He says, frustrated because even in the forest, they’re still coming. “And does this asshole have a whole army?! The fuck!?” 

“Burgess,” Dream says simply ― and Hob tilts his head, the name sounding familiar but not that known to him. “We were at his party years ago,” Dream points out and Hob smiles. 

“You remembered me?” He chirps and looks up, closing his eyes as he listens, hearing more people walking in from the edge of his hearing. Grabbing onto Dream’s arm, he frowns at where he can hear them converging. “This way,” he whispers, listening for other signs of life other than the birds and insects, and soon, he’s sure― 

The faint sounds of electricity, a light by the sound of it and they walk closer, reaching the edge of a river. “If I walk in that,” Dream warns, blue eyes shining under the moonlight. 

“Tail?” He asks, already knowing the answer as Dream scowls. Looking around, he lets go to bring up some of the bigger rocks on the riverline, speeding his way through making a tiny rock bridge, and he smiles at the other side as Dream hmph’s and regally walks along it. “There’s a place nearby. Maybe we can get a car or something.” 

-

3 Months Later

“Disgusting,” Dream says, and Hob can tell by the tone that his nose is scrunched behind his feathered black mask as they stare at the Burgess mansion, gold-plated doors and decorations, people in masks enjoying themselves, despite the heavy rain. And not at all like the owners attempted to kidnap a merman months earlier. 

“Very,” he looks around, focusing for a clear room. Scratching behind his dark green mask, he grabs onto the other’s hand as they slip into an empty room. Dream takes out the switchblade Hob gave him, checking it as Hob checks his own daggers and magnum gun, which he bought from a sketchy American years prior. Dream gives the gun a disdainful look, not a fan of it when Hob tried to teach him how to use it. “What? Of course you’re going to get the killing blow, but it’ll be useful in other ways.” 

“If you say so,” Dream sniffs, and Hob’s still surprised when Dream kisses him, the thing very new between them. “Do you need to feed?” Dream’s eyes shine in the moonlight and lamplight, and Hob resists a roll of his eyes as they pull their masks up. 

“Really? Now?” He whispers, laughter and merriment outside of the room they’re in, with Burgess being his horrible self right outside. 

“It’ll help me,” Dream purrs, lashes black as blue eyes stare through them. 

“It’ll help you,” he says, doubting. Although, considering their first ever kiss was after the first time he fed from Dream, the bliss emanating from him afterwards. Sighing, he gives up his half-hearted feelings and nips down Dream’s neck, feeling the other’s heart rate pick up. Dream hums, arms going around his shoulders as he bares his neck.

Dream sighs into his hair as he bites down, the merman’s blood saltier than a human’s as he drinks his fill. Dream holds onto him tighter, and he can feel the way Dream ruts into him, cock hard as Hob continues to drink, the smell of the other’s arousal, as well as the rutting making his own pleasure rise. 

There’s a cry as Dream comes, and he moans into the other’s neck as a hand goes into his pants, gripping his dick roughly, quickly bringing him off. Taking out his fangs, he licks up the bite, healing it under his tongue and Dream shudders. 

“Thought you’d want to kill him first thing,” he says into a pale neck, nibbling up to his jaw as Dream continues to gasp. 

“Regardless, the result will be the same,” Dream purrs and Hob grins, soft cock twitching in the other’s hand. 

-

Cleaned up and masks put back on, they leave the room and blend in with the crowd as they go where apparently the esteemed Roderick Burgess will be having a secret ritual to ― do something, which Hob’s honestly forgotten. 

Walking past the rooms of people partying, the second floor is off-limits, so clearly where they should go. There’s a host of people in the hallway, dressed in black cloaks and masks and Hob freezes, quietly getting out his blade― 

―A sound pierces the hallway, making him flinch. His eyes widen as Dream is ― singing, or something, voice loud and resonant like a bell, and the people in the hall collapse, unconscious. “And you couldn’t do that before?” He asks incredulously. 

Dream’s lips purse, “I put too much energy into finding other ways to escape other than this, and by the time you arrived at the car, I couldn’t have,” the merman replies primly. “Let’s go.” 

-

“Okay, but why couldn’t you?” He whispers as they get closer to where Burgess is, the rooms feeling colder and thicker ― and an easily recognisable smell: blood. Cleaned off from the walls and floors, but can still smell traces, as stained into the house as it is. 

Dream sighs, “if I did that it would’ve sent you to sleep too, if I could manage to do more than one person, as exhausted as I was,” he mutters and Hob nods, satisfied with the answer. 

“They’re in there,” Hob says, pointing to the end of the hall, the door a plain wood. 

“You’re sure?”

“They’re whisper-chanting, so yeah, pretty sure,” Hob replies, hearing the faint sounds of chanting and the slide of metal-on-metal. Quietly approaching the door, Dream motions for him to open it, and then Dream does that singing tone, quiet and blending in with the chanting, Burgess recognisable with all the gold embroidered on his cloak, and being the only one unaffected. 

“What on Earth…” Burgess mutters as everyone else collapses, looking around to see him at the door, Dream behind him. “Who do you think you are, interrupting this sacred rite?!” Burgess shouts and Hob’s brows raise at the imperious tone. 

“No-one special, really,” he says, amused as he takes out his gun and shoots the goblet out Burgess’s hand. Giving a see? look to Dream, he leans against the door to reveal the merman and Burgess stops his annoying whining about his hand at the sight of him. “Him, however.” 

Burgess looks between them and grits his teeth, “you, you’re the one who took my―” 

Dream gets even more angry, and Hob bites his tongue to keep silent, “I am not yours. I am not anyone’s,” Dream’s voice is as deep as the sea, foreboding and endless. “Years you kept me,” Dream spits and Hob blinks, unaware of that as the rain seems to get even heavier, beating against the windows, “but I will not be so nice,” Dream intones. 

The room’s windows crash open and Hob jumps as the rain water floods in, surrounding Burgess as he screams, water-y claws holding him in their grasp as Burgess is pulled out of the room. Gaping, Hob looks around as the room clears of water, and he looks outside the windows to only see the rainy night. 

“Holy shit.”

-

Hob stares at the calm water warily, wondering how Dream can even do that ― well, he’s a merman, but considering what he’s heard about the Bolton Strid. He’s not going to set foot in there, unlike Dream, who’s just holding onto one of the rocks, floating in the narrow stretch of water, an eyebrow raised. “You’re not going to drag me in there too, are you?” 

Dream blinks and smirks, “only if you want to be.” 

“I’ll pass, thank you. I’d rather not be a drowned vampire,” he declines politely, warily looking at the rocks as he clutches for his undead life, Dream amused as he watches him come closer, eventually managing to clutch at Dream’s wrist, pulling it in to kiss his hand. “Well, it was a pleasure.” 

There’s a tilt to Dream’s head, wavy hair touching the water, “Hob, I am coming back. I just want to watch him squirm a bit,” Dream says slowly. 

Hob gapes, thoughts of mourning the good times he’s had with Dream as a lovely fling vanishing from his mind. “Ah. Um. I just thought that―but we stayed at my other place and I plan to move back to my place in London now that there’s no imminent danger,” he frowns, pleased at the news as he works out what to do. 

“Then leave a note at where we stayed, and I’ll find you,” Dream gives him a tiny smile and Hob nods, smiling brightly in return. Dream pulls himself up onto the rock, gently tugging him into a kiss and Hob hums as Dream’s wet hands pet his beard. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” 

“While I don’t doubt your probably-not-a-regular-merman magic to keep me safe, I still stand by my answer.” 

Dream’s eyes gleam silver in the moonlight, happy. “I am not just a regular merman, indeed,” and then, like the dramatic bastard he is, sinks into the river, fingers lingering on Hob’s face before also leaving. 

Hob laughs, and slowly makes his way over to solid ground. 

-

A month later, and Hob pauses at the door of his house, which he definitely didn’t leave open when he left. Taking out a switchblade from his boots, he quietly opens the door, closing it just as quietly as he walks through the hallway, and there’s the sound of ― water, in his bathroom, which gives him pause, a leisurely splash. 

Already? He thinks as he goes to his bathroom, blade loose in his hand. In his tub, free-standing and blue, sits Dream, long black tail flopping out of the tub and touching the floor’s tile. “Dream,” he breathes, hardly believing his sight as the merman hums, tail flickering slowly through the air as Hob kneels next to it, leaning on the edge as Dream raises an eyebrow. 

“You may require a bigger tub,” Dream says and Hob grins as he puts the blade into his boot. 

“Whatever you need,” he promises, delighted to see Dream in his home, as leans up to kiss Dream, hands on the other’s jaw, Dream relaxing under his hands, tail swishing through the water as Dream meets him. 

“What I need right now requires that talented mouth of yours,” Dream whispers and Hob laughs, scooping Dream up from the tub, making the merman sputter, arms winding around his shoulders, “Hob!” 

Uncaring of his now wet coat, vest and shirt, he laughs as he takes Dream to his bedroom, plopping the merman down onto the bed so they can some more, Hob’s hands going into wet black hair. Kneeling over Dream, he can feel the other’s tail move side-to-side underneath him as they kiss. 

Dream tugs off his wet clothes, leaving him only in his pants and boots as Hob starts to nip down a pale neck, “my talented mouth? You mean my fangs?” He asks, glancing up to Dream’s face, flushed and gasping as his fangs scrape up to the other’s jaw. 

Dream whines, arching into his mouth, hands going straight for his chest. “Hob,” Dream pleads, tail writhing and thrashing against the floor as his fangs trail down to a sharp collarbone, chest heaving underneath his touch. 

Humming, he holds onto Dream’s waist, black scales shiny and wet as he kisses down a pale chest, biting at pink nipples, Dream’s sounds getting louder, the sheer muscle of the tail pressing up into his groin. “I’ve missed you,” he says into the other’s stomach, licking down to where skin fades into black scales, “so much.” Shifting down, he caresses the scales, looking up to Dream’s eyes, “what do you think, here? Never done it here.” 

They’ve never actually done a lot of this, of Dream with his tail, which seems like a major oversight as Dream writhes, tail slapping against the ground―though, Hob soon gets distracted, seeing a slit open, fluid leaking onto the black scales and Hob leans in, nosing at the slit as Dream’s tail thrashes even more, fingers tugging at his hair as Dream cries out, voice echoing and resonating with itself. 

Fascinated, he licks on the outer edge of the slit, scales ― well, scaly, the slit itself is more warm than the outside as Dream does another scream that resonates as his tongue goes closer to the slit, liquid thick and inexplicably tasting of candy and his prick leaks in his his pants. 

Dream shudders, tail slapping against the hardwood floor loudly as his tongue probes deeper, the merman speaking in some language that’s wholly unfamiliar as he licks and sucks at the other’s slit. 

“Just as delicious as the rest of you,” he whispers as Dream moans, fingers painfully digging into his hair as he continues his exploration― 

Then, Dream seems to have dried off and Hob leans back, bounced off as the tail is being replaced by legs, revealing the merman’s hard cock, leaking profusely as Dream catches his breath. Looking up, he catches glassy blue eyes as he shows his fangs, hearing Dream’s heart rate double―and biting into Dream’s inner thigh, salty blood filling his mouth, still tasting the thick fluid from Dream’s slit. 

Dream screams as he comes, which Hob doesn’t pay any mind to as it coats his face and hair as he continues to drink his fill.

[Fin]

[transmutationisms]

sorry if uve gotten this ask before but in ur opinion how do u think shiv’s (and tom’s) ending fits into the general themes/arguments of the show and her characterization? ive seen a lot of split opinions about it

my opinion is that the build-up to shiv's decision in the boardroom was shortchanged in the editing, and the moment is consequently cheapened a bit. but the decision itself is good character writing and shiv and tom's ending is very strong writing in the sense that it accomplishes exactly what the creative team were aiming at. shiv is backed into a corner by the end of this season; in the boardroom, she's finally forced to choose between kendall, who from her perspective has been acting entitled to this position by virtue of birth, and tom, whom she is still married to and has been in a business-romantic relationship with. there are multiple things happening in her head when she finally votes against kendall. the main two imo are reacting against the perception that voting for him would be handing him the power over her that she's always seen as unjust and undeserved, as well as the calculation that kendall has repeatedly used his power to push her out of the highest echelons of the company, whereas with tom she might still have the smallest possible in. so, choosing tom is both shiv trying to stay in the game, and shiv trying to preserve her dignity: for her, nothing would ultimately be more humiliating than admitting defeat against her flop older brother whom she thinks has done nothing to earn this position, not even being a useful suck-up like tom. in the final shot, shiv puts her hand on top of tom's in the car, but doesn't take it: body language that indicates both a partnership and a bit of power-play. she's still in the game, or trying to be.

for tom this is a pretty hollow victory. matsson explicitly plans to use him as essentially a puppet. he also has said that he views waystar as a parts shop, meaning he's going to dismantle much/most of the company, so who even knows how much of an empire tom will still be ruling in 5 years. for matsson, tom is basically just the guy who will be answering to the board for whatever matsson does public-facing. tom has also both ruined and cemented his marriage: shiv has reasons to ally with him (both personal and professional), but will also always see him as the social striver who took over her family's company after she was screwed out of it because of matsson's misogyny.

the show has always been cynical about the possibility of actual structural change. matsson taking over may mean waystar is dismantled, but it also means a consolidation of power for him and gojo. tom getting ceo is basically because he did the best job of sucking up. this is not a show that has ever been interested in radical departure from the status quo; if anything, the underlying philosophy is that very little actually changes because people don't change on a deeper level. those who seek power and wealth will continue to do so, and power and wealth will continue to accrete largely in the hands of those who already have some.

in my communist opinion, what this narrative lacks is the larger frame that is an actually anti-capitalist analysis. to me, what makes it impossible for these people to change or for corporate power to be dismantled is the fact that everything is constrained within a capitalist system, which limits the characters' circumstances and the economic possibilities. this does not mean revolution is impossible; on the contrary, it means revolution is necessary, and is the foundational material change that will allow, among other things, the kind of psychological development that these characters can't access in their (our) universe. i'm not pretending that the show is making this argument explicitly (arguably it does occasionally implicitly), but i also think it has been pretty clearly conveyed since the end of 1x06 that this sort of bleakness is always where the narrative was going to go. there's no escape for these characters as long as capitalism (and resulting patriarchy, ableism, &c) continue to exist; since the writing has never been interested in discussing or exploring those radically alternative possibilities, this ending is tonally exactly what i would expect, and conveys the sense of entrapment that the show has always invoked.

[watchfuldeer]

the conversation between shiv and tom in the bedroom is fascinating because tom did throw out all his stuff for love, but the stuff wasn't money, it was his marriage. he's not entirely truthful about what happened, because it wasn't just getting caught between shiv and logan, was it? it was also that he wanted greg. he wanted greg really, really badly. i've often wondered whether he would have done what he did if greg had said no, and honestly... i don't think so. like matthew is the one who said 'i'm going to bring greg with me, because i love greg' y'know? nobody is pulling this stuff out their ass. it was right there in front of our faces, that did happen. that's who tom is.

power and love and tom's continuingly murky sexuality are all still in play, including in this episode. he has not once responded to shiv's goading about him fucking other women with anything but silence. she says he wants to suck matsson's dick and that he's imagining them living as a throuple, and he doesn't have anything to say to that.

it would be a really odd decision, to me, for them to not address the greg in the room re: tom and shiv's marriage. the few oblique references from shiv's perspective in episode 1 and 4 are all well and good, but we are still lacking a substantial viewpoint from tom on greg, who he gave up his marriage for, at least in part.

[seraphtrevs]

Genuinely a bit baffled by the take that since shiv is not ceo, she is doomed to be only "a wife and a womb." I am a shiv girlie always and forever, and out of all the roy siblings, i do think she would have done the least bad job as ceo.

But that doesn't make her the best person for the job. She is a nepo baby. The only reason she was in the running is that she is logan roy's daughter, a position she was born into and did not earn.

Becoming ceo would have made her a worse person. She threw out all of her values the moment she got within sniffing distance of power, making nice with a fascist and vowing that she would neglect her child if she got the crown.

Continuing her pregnancy was completely her choice. She had decided to have a baby as a way to placate her dad, but then he died. She could have gotten an abortion but didn't for her own reasons. Tom did not pressure her to keep it because he did not know she was pregnant.

It's highly unlikely that shiv will retire to be a homemaker. There are many jobs other than ceo of waystar royco - jobs that she is actually qualified for, because once again, she's not qualified to be ceo. I mean, at the very least, tom actually works there. This wasn't shiv being unfairly passed over despite being the best person for the job. She was not entitled to it, and again, it would have killed her soul so it's good that she didn't get it.

And speaking of tom, he is not logan. In fact, he was chosen because he's the anti-logan - a subservient puppet. Shiv was the victim of some truly heinous misogyny from matsson, but again, she was only in the running because she was a roy, not because of her qualifications or hard work.

She is not trapped in her marriage, or at least not by Tom. She was not really "mommed." Tom "will suck the biggest cock in the room" Wambsgans has no real power over her the way logan dominated caroline. She can leave tom at anytime, but she chose to stay. She chose that before tom became ceo. The only thing trapping her is her own psychology and her continued obsession with waystar, but it's not like she is dependent on tom for her wealth. She made the cage and locked herself in, but she has the key in her pocket. She is still obscenely wealthy. She can leave at any time.

And maybe she will! I hope she finally gives up on her ~legacy~ of being queen of fictional Fox News. That would be a happy ending for her. She did a good thing for her brothers by setting them free. Hopefully she can do the same thing for herself one day.

[wambsgansshoelaces]

Turmoil; Chapter 10

Roman Roy x Reader

short but oh well! kind of sucks but soo la voo as the french say (pls understand that reference)

let me know what u think x I’ve missed this

Word Count: 2.022k

We need to figure things out. Now.”

Your arms are folded over your chest. You’re stood, Kendall and Shiv sat down on the plush sofa in your office.

Roman pipes in from across the room. “And it’s not me.”

Kendall and Shiv eye each other. “Realistically, it’s me,” Kendall says first. “I’ve been at the company the longest in the position closest to CEO. I’m the logical choice.”

“Who gives a shit who’s kissed Dad’s ass the most?” Shiv interrupts. “I’d bring better business. I’d be better for a rebrand- we could become ethical for once.”

“Okay, Shiv, while that’s respectable, the company would collapse before you could do any of that.” Kendall leans back, crossing his ankle over his knee. “You can’t make changes to a company that you can’t keep alive.”

Roman’s crossed the room to stand near you, intently inspecting the curtains on the windows overlooking the city. “Nice fabric,” he murmurs to you, glancing back at you to make sure he has your attention. You can tell he’s not comfortable with anything that’s happening at the moment. But he’ll stick it out because you have to be here. He’s thinking of you more and more, these days.

He doesn’t know what to do with all these new feelings. New sensations.

Kendall and Shiv glare at each other, words passing between them in a language you’ll never understand. Roman turns back to the curtain, clearly anxious, linking one of your pinkies with his.

“The way I see it, you both are the right decision. Just do it together,” you tell them. “Two CEOs, Kenny handles the nitty gritty and Shiv does all of the media stuff. Problem solved.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Shiv manages through gritted teeth.

“Is it really?” you question. “Because that’s my offer. If you want my help, it’s both of you take over the company after we go to court. Or it’s neither.”

It’s ridiculous of you to do so, but you know it’s the only way you’ll get them both on board. You were never going to give it to anyone else, anyway.

“Didn’t know we were on Shark Tank,” Kendall mutters. “But fine. I’ll do it if you do,” he says, turning to Shiv. She heaves a sigh.

“Fine.”

“Fucking finally,” Roman says. He’s sitting in your desk chair now, feet reclined. “Actually, no. You both caved too fast.”

“Oh, shut up, Roman. They agreed to it, let’s fucking make sure it stays like that.” He catches your eyes and makes a face at you. You ignore him, turning your attention back to Kendall and Shiv. “We should speak to Connor.”

Shiv scoffs. “And say what?”

“He could be what wins us the case. Do you know how valuable he’d be as a witness?” you ask, watching the gears turn in Kendall’s head. “The fact that he was framed could be all we need to send your dad packing. We just need some hard evidence.”

“It’s worth I shot, I think,” Kendall offers. “If Shiv doesn’t want to do it, I will.”

“No, no, we’re doing it together. Honestly, Roman should come, too.” She turns to glance at him, over relaxed at your desk. “I think there’s a lot of things we need to talk about as a family, anyway.”

Kendall stands, clapping his hands together. “Well, I’m glad we figured this out.” His neck’s tense, a smile out of place on his strained face. He stands still for a moment, taking a breath. His shoulders sag, relaxing, and he adjusts his tie before coming to give you a hug.

A little surprised, you weakly return it, giving his back a light rub. Every muscle your hand glides over is taut.

Whatever’s going on in his head, you know you’re going to hear about it later.

He pats your back, squeezing you tight. “You’re a godsend,” he says, his voice suddenly warm and light, a stark comparison to his previous stiffness. “Thank you,” is all he says before he leaves, nodding at Roman, not sparing Shiv a glance.

“Fucking hell,” she manages, grabbing her purse and getting to her feet. She doesn’t say goodbye. She doesn’t even look at you, merely stalking out of your office after Kendall.

Roman rocks backwards in your chair, watching his siblings through the glass panes of your office walls. “They’re not doing that shit.”

“Not doing what?” You slide onto the edge of your desk, glancing over at him.

“The CEO thing. They’ll rip each other’s throats out before they even get near that.” He picks up a trinket from your desk, handling it delicately. “Cute.”

You sigh. “They’re going to have to suck it up until the court case They can do whatever the fuck they want after the company’s theirs.”

He starts spinning himself around in your chair. “Crazy thought,” he begins on spin one, “you give it to neither of them. Steal from the rich and give to the poor. Robin Hood.” He spins again.

“What, just walk out onto the street and choose some hobo to become Prince Ali?”

He snorts. Another spin. “Not the poor poor. The millionaire poor. Or something.” He spins again. “They won’t be able to handle it. They’ll implode. All of this buddy buddy stuff-” he flaps a hand at the windows, Kendall and Shiv long gone “-won’t ever happen again.” He sticks his leg out to halt his whirling, facing you. “And I… I don’t really want that. It’d… I can’t just watch our relationship disintegrate like that.”

☾𖤓

You straighten your blazer, Cherry flitting about your office straightening things out. She’s paranoid like that- always has been. You treat her well, she treats you well. What started out as a symbiotic relationship is now a genuine friendship, one that you’ve both nurtured and hope to continue nurturing.

“If he screams, I’ll run in with the fire axe,” she mutters to herself. “Self defense.”

“This building has a fire axe?” You take a manila file from an assistant who’s rushing by, setting them on your desk.

“What do you know about Siobhan?” Cherry asks suddenly. “Other than that she’s a Roy.”

You round your desk, slipping into your chair and spreading various documents just the way you like them. “She’s sweet when she’s not scheming.” Your eyes snag on a sticky note pasted to the surface of your desk.

You’ve come to recognize Roman’s handwriting when you see it. It’s his messy script on the Post-It, his messy doodles. It’s only one word- hi, the rest of the paper covered in hearts and shitty stick figures. He’d labeled two for you, the both of them holding hands, a heart floating between their heads. Y/N and Roman, he’d written, a cloud of hearts surrounding his script.

You bite your lip, suppressing a smile. You peel the sticky from your desk, resticking it to on of your desktop monitors.

Cherry’s voice pulls you from your thoughts. “She’s really pretty in real life,” she says hesitantly, straightening out a portrait on your wall.

“Oh?” You let yourself smile now. “Is she ugly on TV? I think someone's a bit lovesick,” you say, watching her fumble with the frame.

Her face flushes pink. “Is she even into girls?”

“I’ll ask for you.” She opens her mouth to protest, but one of the front desk receptionists buzzes in to your desk phone. You make a face at Cherry, watching her scuttle from the room with a stupid grin on her face, her middle finger stuck out at you.

“Mr. Roy is on his way up. He refused to sign in,” the receptionist says, irritated.

“Thank you, Garrett,” you say back, making quick note to do something nice for your staff once everything was done and over with.

Before you know it, Connor’s sat across from you, grin on his face. “L/N, about time you had me in.” He settles into the armchair, his skinny limbs splaying at awkward angles. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me.” His expression is as confident as you’ve seen it, his eyes carrying a relief you haven’t seen before.

“Don’t worry. I could never forget about you,” you say coyly, gathering a few papers and stacking them.

“Well, come on.” He shifts in his seat. “What’s the big news? You must’ve finally let me in for a reason. I’m not as stupid as Pops says I am. I know you’re avoiding me.”

You feel a pang in your chest. You’ve thought all of this over thousands of times, and each time, you’ve felt worse and worse for Connor. The poor guy just wants to be happy. And in the end, so did you. How could you ever hate someone for that?

“It is big news,” you say, smiling softly. You paperclip the sheets together before sliding them into the manila folder that’d you’d set on your desk earlier. You paste the kindest, most benevolent expression onto your face as you hand him the folder. “You’re being served.”

You can see his heart stop.

“Sorry?”

You use a pen to gesture at the folder. “You’re being served,” you repeat. “I’m suing you.” You keep your words clipped, yet soft. You still feel bad for him, in the end. He’s just a pawn in this sick and twisted game, same as you. Might as well give him grace.

Connor breaks down before you. “I thought they were joking,” he manages. “Just trying to scare me.” He drops his head into his hands.

“Siobhan and Kendall aren’t your father,” you say gently. They’d gone to speak with him, as they’d agreed, but Roman had strangely not shown up. He’d given you a quick excuse when you’d asked him at home, the words rolling quickly off of his tongue. “And I’m not, either.”

Connor’s face is tear stained when he looks back up at you. “I have nothing,” he tells you. “Nothing, and I keep losing, I keep going into debt…” He wipes at his eyes, struggling to speak.

“I can help.” You unlock a compartment in your desk, taking out the paperwork you’ve been painstakingly working on since you met with Logan in that restaurant you’ve come to hate. You slide it towards Connor. The papers are structured similarly to the ones you’ve already handed him, but the defendant’s name is different.

His fingers begin worrying at the bottom of his sweater. You notice it’s beginning to fray. He looks over the papers, his features still drawn in a heartbreaking mixture of pain and desperation. “What’s this all mean?”

“That I can right some wrongs for you.” You keep your eyes locked on him, despite his avoidance of your gaze. “More importantly, I could get you a lot of money. You won’t have to keep scrambling. You won’t have to resort to crime, which, by the way, you never had to do.”

“How does this change things?” he asks quietly, his eyes trained on one part of the first paper in his hands. You know what he’s looking at.

“Things won’t ever be the same with him, Connor,” you murmur. “But they haven’t been good for a while. He can only use you for as long as you let him.” He sets the papers on your desk with shaky hands. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’m just urging you to think through your options. I’m here to help… he’s not. You’re just a means to an end for him.”

“I’ll do it,” he says immediately. “I’ll do it. I’ve been doing the wrong thing for too long. It’s time I righted my wrongs,” he says, reusing your words. “I can finally right my wrongs.” All of a sudden, he’s out of his chair and has thrown his arms around you. You’re stiff with surprise in your chair, only for a moment, until you awkwardly return the hug. He’s struggling to breathe, but doing a good job of hiding it. He quickly straightens up, composing himself. “I’ll do good this time. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

“I’m so fucking grateful that you do.”