#like I know Alec messed up but I LOVE THEM TOGETHER

[micawla]

Alright why didn’t y’all warn me about the Malec break up at the end of City of Lost Souls 😭😭😭😭

[alexanderlightweight]

Wednesday! Thanks to you this has become my favorite day of the week besides Fridays so, I wanted to ask for more of walls of adoration, claws of desperation, older Alec is so hot, HOTI indeed

it has been a bit but Wednesdays are still my favorite and so thank you for this prompt!! it has been so long since this fic I'm happy to finally get back to It I hope you enjoy

the other parts of this fic should be in this tag

<3 lumine

-

walls of adoration, claws of desperation

Alec looks at his latest text from Aline and sighs.

As fond of her as he is, Alec can’t trust her as much as she can afford to trust him.

Which means that Alec can’t tell her the real reason he isn’t returning to Idris despite his original plan to only be in New York for a few years at most.

That he accepted the summons to New York was for one reason alone and that was because it benefited him to oust his own family from power in New York.

However now he has another reason to stay, the reason he’s dug in and cleaned up the mess that was the New York Institute and that was simple.

It is because Magnus is in New York.

And so Alec will stay as long as he can with official orders, until that isn’t enough and then he will make his own way.

—-

Magnus caresses the ring on his finger, an elegant A that is glamoured to look like any other ring.

Except that this one was handcrafted for him by his Alexander.

A man who currently only has the power he creates and what a dynasty he is forging.

In the three years he’s been in New York, Alexander has raised the Institute to new levels of not only talent but professionalism. 

Magnus’ interactions with shadowhunters stay limited, but what he does experience fills him with pride.

Because everything is a result of Alexander’s work.

Hard work.

Work that keeps him from Magnus more often than it lets him close and three years later, they are no closer to revealing their relationship.

Oh, Alexander’s second certainly suspects they have something between them.

Magnus can tell from the way she is respectfully deferential to him in the rare times they’ve met, but what she doesn’t officially know the Clave can’t hold her accountable for.

Catarina and Ragnor know, of course.

They’ve met with Alexander enough that they’re familiar, comfortable with him in a way that pleases Magnus, but still.

Hiding their relationship wears on his boy.

Alexander hates denying their love, he would ardently proclaim that he belonged to Magnus. 

That Magnus was also his in return.

Alas.

They cannot.

Magnus loathes it but at the same time, he doesn’t share Alexander’s anger, mostly because the quiet relationship between them, hidden from prying eyes and cutting words, has been a balm.

It healed something in both of them and Magnus understands that Alexander is proud of what they’ve built together and wants to share it.  But the loathing of being a dirty secret hasn’t bothered Magnus in this scenario.

Because he’s a secret for his safety, as much as Alexander is equally kept secret from everyone whom Magnus does not trust with his very heart.

Alexander’s efforts have earned the Clave’s recognition, their praise and also their expectations.

It’s a heavy burden, especially because while Alexander doesn’t outright say it, Magnus also knows he gets a lot of grief for being ‘single’ and not having any of his own heirs yet. 

However, it will be their loss for Alexander will not be siring any heirs, or staying forever at the Institute.

Alexander has explained that he needs to achieve a sufficient level of notoriety among the other Institute’s so it will be harder for the Clave to pressure him. It’s working somewhat, especially since Alexander has also been cleaning up the Clave’s messes, methodically hunting down the remnants of the Circle and herding up the uncovered traitors for culling.

Magnus has been invited to several of Alexander’s less... sanctioned hunts.

The ones that have led them both deep into other territories, chasing shadows and patterns until they discovered an ugly truth that Magnus is infuriated, but not surprised by.

Valentine is alive and preparing for something yet the Clave will never admit it.

So Alexander is striking first.

Despite no longer being a trainer, Alexander visits as frequently as possible with Institutes across the globe. Portaling over for training sessions, weapon segments, strategy techniques and most importantly, common sense.

Many of the hunters Alexander takes on these trips are unbloodied.

They are born anew in ichor and blood and added runes of honor and Alexander sears them into their skin personally.

It leaves a mark on someone.

The touch of another's soul permanently marking your body lingers.

It’s a travesty, an intimacy with others that Magnus allows only because of the added protection it brings Alexander and the closer it lets them come to their shared goal of a solid future together.

Their relationship public, proud and known to the shadowworld.

Except... Magnus is beginning to wonder if he wants it to be known so loudly.

If it should be shared so very boldly.

If they should expose themselves so willingly to harm.

Alexander’s love isn’t in question.

Nor his devotion.

But his safety is and Magnus better understands why the rules regarding consorts are so stringent.

Because that’s what he wants Alexander to be.

His consort.

Immortal and bonded to him, bound to his side and life and magic... yet consorts are not paraded.

They are hidden.

Beloved.

Hoarded.

Some live hidden in plain sight, others donning personas throughout the ages but never are true identities shared at large.

It’s too great a risk for the warlock the consort is bound to. Because if you have a warlock’s consort, you have the key to destroy them or bend them to your will.

Magnus is powerful enough to taunt the world with the identity of his consort, but the question is does he want to?

Despite his enjoyment of the extravagant, Magnus finds himself longing to indulge himself in the bounty of Alexander and the comfort of home more than clubs and theatres. 

Magnus checks the date and sighs, at least three more days before Alexander will be available.

Then, Magnus will ask him.

See if it is the right time to reforge their plan because the one Magnus currently has spinning in his mind?

It has a much quicker timeline than their current route.

[whatever-imagines]

Can you we please get more Butch Wolverine?! Please?

Merry Christmas.

Literally

Rated: G

——

Logan scratch the back of her neck uncomfortably while staring at the party goers. There were too many sounds, too many smells, too much… everything happening all at once. She craved the solitude of her room; the distraction of you came to mind, maybe she could convince you to ditch the Christmas party all together and hide away from everyone.

Logan’s keen eyes seek you out and find you in the crowd. You’re dressed nice, cute; carrying a bag of presents as you distribute gifts to your friends and teammates. You looked so happy and thrilled to make everyone else happy and thrilled.

On second thought, maybe Logan should just pull a lone wolf card and leave by herself. You seemed to be enjoying yourself too much to have her pull you away for selfish reasons.

As she turns away though, she hears you call her name, hears you wrangling through the crowd, and Logan is equal parts thrilled and worried. What if you try and make her stay? Or worse, join in on the festivities.

“Lo! Logan, wait a sec, I have something for you!”

The Wolverine groans lowly. It wasn’t that she was hard to shop for, it’s just that people misinterpret what she wants, and then she feels bad about not wanting the useless crap given to her.

“Listen princess-“ she starts to protest, starts to stop you, but she couldn’t get a third word out before you toss a very small package at her.

Logan catches it mid air, effortlessly. The wrapping was buffalo plaid, no bows or tinsel or extra dress. With a questioning eyebrow, Logan gives you a look.

You stare at her all starry eyed and excited. “Well? Open it! It’s your present!”

The wolverine shift her step. “I’m not big on gifts-“

“Open it, Logan.” You demand.

The firmness of your voice makes her relent. It’s a rare occasion to see you stand up to her about anything.

With deft fingers, the wrapping was removed, unceremoniously dropped to the floor, and once the small black box was revealed, Logan worries the worst, jewellery.

Sucking in a silent anxious breath, she opens the box.

“A leather keychain?” Logan questions, also taking not of a silver knob looking thing attached to the ring.

“Open the leather bit, it’s a cigar cutter!” You exuberantly explain.

Logan pauses as you continue to ramble. “You always use your claws and I know sometimes you’re in a place you just can’t pop them out, so I got you this nice one instead! And that little silver one is a cigar puncher, you can unscrew it to use it.” You go into detail, moving closer to show off the present you thoughtfully gathered for your companion. “There in this keychain so you can add it to your carabiner. Merry Christmas!”

Logan stares at you intensely. This was… honestly the perfect gift for her. True, she uses her claws mostly to cut her cigars on the road, and if that wasn’t an option, her trusty pocket knife was always there, even if it did a shitty job. This was well thought out and personalised to her specifically. You even got a puncher, another form of to open up certain kinds of cigars. And in a fashion she could carry it with her constantly.

A little reminder of you and your thoughtfulness.

Logan purses her lips together to think carefully about what she’ll say next, all the while you stand there, pretty and perfect, waiting for her to respond.

“Thank you.” She settles on. No jokes, no smart Alec comment. You deserved sincerity at this moment. “I didn’t get you… anything-“

“Well, do you like your gift?” You ask.

She did, Logan really did. She loved it, she loved how the leather smelt like the sweat from your palms, you must’ve messed with it greatly before giving it to her.

“Yes, but-“

“Then that’s the best present you could’ve gotten me!” you chirp, delighted.

Logan wants to respond smoothly, wants to give a compliment suave enough it makes up for not having anything physical to give you, but you’re called away by a smiling and laughing Jean.

Before you leave, you rush Logan for a quick hug, which she reciprocates. The scent of you fills her and makes her almost giddy.

‘Merry Christmas, indeed.’ She thinks idly, looking for mistletoe hanging around and planning on pulling you under it.

[krazywomenonfire]

Alec Travers Dating Headcanons because no one else does them 𐙚🧸ྀི(Alec x FEM!reader)

aurther note: SO LIKE THIS IS MY VERY FIRST POST SO IF I FUCKED UP THATS WHY :))) hope you enjoy luvs �� Yes, I will make a SFW and NSFW headcanons on him later after this :D btw I will come back and add more because I know I messed up and fix things but I’ll also add more too sry!

warnings: fluff, romance, mental health issues, FLUFFFFF 🦇

𐙚 You and Alec will always go out on walks, break into peoples houses, etc, and anything you ask he will try to make it happen just for you

𐙚 When he introduced Mindy to you, you and her became close friends and would most of the time hang out more with her than Alec and which this man has some attachment issue

𐙚 So when you, Alec, and Mindy go hang out in a house yall broke into, expect to be in his lap 24/7, the man needs attention too :(

𐙚 Gets jealous wayyyy to fast, I don’t know any other way to say how jealous he gets. You’ll be hanging out with Mindy and just with her alone with Alec in the room, all the sudden, you feel his cold ass hands wrap around your hips and then get seated down on his lap while he eats his candy..so cute <3

𐙚 This guy never really had gotten in a lot of relationships so he wouldn’t know how to show affection toward you. I can see his love language being quality time and physical touch. With that being said, GIVE THIS MAN SOME CUDDLES

𐙚 When I say he needs quality time, he needs it, he needs you to be with him all the time. Not once has Mindy and others seen you and him not holding hands and leaving each others side

𐙚 If your on your month, he will most likely stay away from you due to your mods swings, the blood, and the mess. He only does that so he doesn’t mess anything up and he don’t want to be in the middle of your situation. He will go to stores and buy you what you need and will buy you and him some snacks so yall can watch a movie together.

𐙚 OMG HE WILL TRY AND WLL SCARE THE SOUL OUT OF YOU IF YOUR IN HOUSE YALL BROKE INTO 100%.

𐙚 you and him will go smoking together and he will let you burn out your cigarette on his hoodie that he doesn’t give two shits about, only if he is in the mood to be nice. Yes, he will constantly blow the smoke into your face, he thinks your reaction is adorable

𐙚 give you nicknames like “doll”, “baby”, “babe”, “froggy”, and “princess”

𐙚 He is a automatically the dominant one, sry luv. That being said, he’s big spoon (he would love to be small spoon but he wants you to know that he’s in control)

𐙚 Got long/medium hair? He will braid your hair, brush it, play with it, and style it (mostly when bored). This man loves your long hair. Got short hair? He will do the same exact thing mostly love to style it and brush it but he will not let you touch his hair in public and if he’s not in the mood but will always allow you to play with his hair when cuddling

𐙚 If you ask nicely, he will give you some of his clothes and hoodies and if he sees you wear one of them he will give comments like “damn I have a good style” “your literally so pretty tiny I could put you in my pocket and carry you around”. Now, if you ever have underwear on and wearing his hoodie or shirt, he will absolutely get turned on and will melt

𐙚 you and him will listen to each others music and he will not hate on your music taste but he will spill out sassy ass comments about it.

𐙚 if your a artist, he will allow you to draw on him. He absolutely loves when you grab his hand and draw on his arm. He will buy you lots of pencils, pens, etc for you to draw

𐙚 when you and him are cuddling, he prefers to wrap his arms around your hips and nuzzle his face into your neck. He absolutely melts when you get on top of him and sleep on his chest

𐙚 Stressed out, yeah this man is no help “babe don’t worry about it alright? Your overthinking” “stop stressing princess” “just chill out”. But once he sees the tears dropping from your eyes, he’s immediately holding you close

𐙚 HE LOVES SEEING YOU GET FLUSTERED AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THAT WONDERFUL SENCE HAPPEN

𐙚 You would look at him from a while away then he would look at you and he’ll hold the eye contact with a smirk on his face which makes you meltttttt

𐙚 HE LOVES KISSES ON THE LIPS! He adores your kisses and your affection. Hugs,kisses,arms wrapped around you 48/7. He doesn’t give a fuck who’s looking, he’s the definition of adoring PDA

that is it luvs hoped you enjoyed it, if I missed any or if you have more ideas please heads up me love to hear your thoughts 💕 bye loves🦇

[crazyw3irdo]

what is leverage about 🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥🔥 it sounds cool💥💥💥💥🐺(i had to spice up my ask)

leverage is a show in which every episode a crew of five people (mastermind, grifter, hitter, hacker, thief) scam rich assholes out of their money and give that back to the people they harmed!! it started right after the ‘08 financial crisis and oh boy does the hatred towards people who profit off of things that hurt normal people show

every episode is like “please leverage crew i need help this company’s business choices lead to the death of my loved one! i don’t care about money, i just wanna make sure they never hurt other people again :(“ and then the crew do something so insane that it ends up tanking the company’s reputation and the CEO personally is cancelled five times over and the person who asked for help and every other victim get thousands of dollars

it’s also absolutely hilarious and has some really compelling characters- and god watching it for the first time this year it is so refreshing to see a team like this just. be friends with each other?? and not get into conflicts constantly over nothing??? idk their team dynamic really reminds me of 2012 avengers fanfic where they all live together in the same building and hawkeye’s in the vents it’s just really nostalgic to me

and of course the biggest draw: it’s free on youtube baby!!!!!!!!!! here’s a link to the first season, if you like the first episode you’ll like the rest of it (i will say also. they really get better about writing parker and hardison. like the characters are gonna be a little rough in the pilot obvs but god rewatching that ep hardison is so “black character obviously written by white people” and parker has some cringe “lol random” lines)

that’s all you really need to know but also character descriptions below the cut because i like them :3 no spoilers this is all pretty basic stuff

nate ford - mastermind. an ex-insurance investigator with catholic guilt and an alcohol problem. this character sounds like he would be boring as hell (at least to me) but god he does some weird shit and acts in such a way that makes him somehow endearing

sophie devereaux - grifter. talented actress but ONLY when committing crimes. she particularly loves stealing art. overdramatic queen who loves dressing up and messing with peoples heads.

eliot spencer - hitter. they somehow manage to give him a fight scene in every single episode no matter what i fuckin love it the fight choreography is so good- anyway he’s my favorite character and i don’t know how to describe him concisely honestly.

alec hardison - hacker. young guy in his very early 20s (22 i believe?) who’s a total geek and thinks he’s hot shit (and. he is. he’s really good at what he does) i don’t remember if it’s canon he has ADHD but he does mention a few times he has attention problems and i find him relatable so

parker - thief. an autistic woman who’s special interest is climbing in to air ducts and then stealing all the money she can. genuinely probably the best autistic character i’ve ever seen i love her she’s so silly and heartfelt

anyway yeah i love them all they’re so fun :3

[destinygoldenstar]

🌟All Three Of My Queens SLAY The Game Together🌟 - Total Drama Viewer Reacts to Disventure Camp Season 3 Episode 9 “Slip & Sly”

I wish this turned out better. This drawing is ass.

But in my defense: I tried to draw Riya, and then my computer restarted on its own. So I LOST EVERYTHING.

So instead I changed it to "Why don't I draw her and Alec?" And then I put it off cause it was three in the morning yesterday. And when I woke up, MY COMPUTER HAD RESTARTED AGAIN.

This time I didn't lose it, but I lost the layers I was losing so they all merged before I was ready.

And now you got this.

My computer must hate Riya or something. It did not want her on the screen XD

"What? Your device doesn't like my showing? I will have my face on every computer! I'm so stunning I that the monitor can't handle me!!"

NO RIYA I WANT TO DRAW YOU JUSTICE

Maybe later I'll do another Riya drawing.

Idk I think these two being friends is really nice. I didn't expect it, but I'm here for it.

Why is Alec being friends with Riya when he's the one who told Connor she's a toxic person and she'll only hurt them?

My interpretation, and this could be wrong, it's because Alec views himself as toxic, so to cope he'd rather surround himself with toxic people than someone as friendly as Connor. He's the one who made this alliance after all. And he ruined his relationship with his wife and child, to the point where he willingly sided with a child with clear issues and enabled her.

And Riya relishes in her shitty behavior, because it is that behavior that has given her success when being herself failed.

So it's like "Hey, I'm a bad person, you're a bad person. Let's be bad people together!"

That's how I see it anyway. I could watch them bully Yul all day :)

"Why is Alec wearing a vest when he's not in the show?"

Because I miss his vest. That vest was an iconic part of his Season 1 design. WHY WOULD YOU REMOVE IT?!

Yeah I get it, he's a drunk and a mess. I don't care.

Anyway, enjoy the reaction!

"Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty!"

Krystal bi confirmed?!

"Trevor or Derek?"

"That red haired girl."

"Mostly bonding through their mutual hatred of Yul."

We love to see it 😈

Well we didn't exactly go to space last time, but Oliver is sure as hell still dead after getting thrown out of a plane on a planet with gravity.

🎵Ba ba ba ba ba baaaaaaaa, ba ba baa ba baa baaaaaa-🎵

*Me bopping to the opening this time*

"Got the machete, Gabby?"

Don't trust HER with a machete. She will slay with it.

"She's obviously still angry at us."

Well, honestly, if my girlfriend was broke and needed the money and people who claimed to be my friends took the opportunity away from her, I would be angry too.

"Looks like another job for me."

Good luck with that /s

Pretty sure YOUR betrayal hurt the worst, Tess. At least she saw Tom and Aiden coming a mile away.

OH GEEZ

COME ON, why didn't you hand it to Tom?

STOP AIDEN ABUSE.

Though I will say, Aiden just like me fr

I'm very physically weak as well.

"You know what's a great retirement idea? Hawaii."

Hawaii is very bloody expensive, and you have to worry about volcanoes.

Also Hawaii has given me years of grief with someone I loved, so I don't appreciate it being brought up.

"I haven't felt this good since... uh, how long have we been here again?"

Oh.

Limelight overwhelming, Riya?

"My son's deathly afraid of sand."

Alec's son is Anakin Skywalker, confirmed.

"He stepped on broken glass in a sandbox once."

OOF.

Yeah that'll do it.

My Kindergarten school used to have a sandbox, but they got rid of it. I was too young to understand why.

I still don't know why, but I'm assuming.

"And so you helped him, right?"

"Nah, I was in the middle of a Charles Dickens novel."

BRO.

OH MY GOD?!??!

SO YOUR SON HURT HIMSELF AND YOU JUST SAT THERE?!?!

You know, a friend sent me a sims meme not too long ago, I'm not showing it, but it showed a baby on fire and the mom on the computer watching something. "Not now sweetie! Mom's in the middle of something."

It got a good laugh out of me.

BUT BRO DID THIS IN REAL LIFE.

"His scream didn't even register till about... uh... three more pages?"

WHAT. THE FUCK. AM I LISTENING TO?!

How the hell did Alec even conceive with his wife?

"I've noticed you don't have your books this time."

Didn't Krystal yeet them off the plane?

"Krystal made us leave them on the jet, remember?"

Yeah. I wasn't forgetting anything.

"If I had 'A Tale Of Two Cities' in my hand right now, this beach trip would've been divine."

Bro would be the type.

If he was a lifeguard, he would totally be the type to sit there distracted by his own abs, and completely ignore the five people in the ocean drowning to get his attention.

"Move over! It's my turn!"

OH FUCK OFF YUL, THIS WAS A NICE DAY UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP!

Also what are you doing with Kai's shirt?

Where'd you get that? Why do you have that?

Have you just had Kai's shirt under your pillow this whole time???

Hey Yul, are you sure you're not gay?

"I don't see your name on the chair!"

Yeah queen, defend your spot!

"Also Grett, here's a shirt."

Excuse me whyyyy?

"So when I kiss you, I can pretend it's Kai instead!"

"If I wanted to see saggy rolls, I'd be at Olive Garden."

SHE DOES NOT HAVE SAGGY ROLLS. AND SHE'D BE BEAUTIFUL EVEN IF SHE DID. FUCK YOU!

"I guess I was done anyway."

NO GRETT, you were having a good time!

Damn, Yul really ruined this nice moment, huh?

Why can't we go back to Alec's stories about how he neglected his child?

"You'll get burned, sweetie, I'm just going to rub some sunscreen on your back."

Yeah, it's basic sun protection??

"EW! I DON'T LIKE TANS!!"

"No thanks."

Okay.

I say just let him burn.

"I'd rather look like a sun dried tomato than be touched right now."

Wish granted.

I say just let him do that.

"Did I do something wrong, darling?"

No Grett.

Your biggest mistake was ever getting with him.

"Why are you being so rude? Am I not still your girlfriend?"

"And if you want to stay my girlfriend, then you'll leave when I count to three!"

Yul is a Dhar Mann villain fr.

I hate that Grett has been reduced to this. I really do.

I loved her in Season 1, but now she's just a punching bag for Yul to harass and body shame, and I hate it.

I feel like if this was Season 1 Grett, she would take absolutely none of this crap and talk back.

YES!

I LOVE YOU RIYA!!!

YES TAKE GRETT OUTTA THERE!

Strangely, this is the NICEST thing Riya has done this whole season so far.

I would love for Riya and Grett to be friends. I don't think it would last long, but I'd love to see it.

Since, you know, I love them both.

"Pfft, women right?"

Women are queens, Yul. Get it right.

"Even though I'm no longer interested in tricking my fans about my relationship with Grett, I still need her to believe that we're a thing."

Why?

The whole reason you were dating her was to get yourself un-cancelled. It had nothing to do with the game.

Riya and Alec still hate you, even if you weren't dating Grett.

Oh whatever. This is Yul we're talking about.

"You're a real disappointment, you know that?"

Oof.

Riya saying what I'm saying though.

"Come on, have some backbone and put him in his place, okay? Why are you letting him walk all over you?"

YES!

Riya playing this off as tough is also interesting.

"I don't care about your well being Grett, BUT IF I DID, come on, you're being abused right now and you can't let him push you around."

"I don't want to fight him Riya. What if he leaves me?"

Ouch...

I felt that.

I don't like fighting people either, for that same reason.

"So? What's wrong with being single?"

"I don't want to be alone."

Oh, Grett... 💔

"You can't have men like that holding you back!"

"He's all I have."

Okay, ignoring it's Yul for a second, you know that feeling Riya, right? I know you do. I've seen Season 2.

"What happened to you? I used to look up to you when I watched Season 1. You didn't take a shit from anyone!"

OOOH!

RIYA WAS A GRETT STAN?!?!

HEYO, THAT'S KINDA BASED THAT THIS IS CANON. OH MY GOD I LOVE THAT. 👑

This ALSO makes Riya turning to the dark side in Season 2 have yet another layer to it. She isn't from here. She would obviously take the malicious behavior at face value and see that as a viable option.

GODDAMN, I LOVE YOU BOTH.

"And now... look at you. Just another scared, wounded gazelle."

It is sad, isn't it?

But also, in all seriousness, Grett's situation is a lot different from yours.

For Riya, it's about success. For Grett, it's about other people's perception of her. That's what Grett cares about. Riya ditched that when it didn't work, so she wouldn't be able to process this.

"I'm not that intense when the cameras are off."

Oh?

"I played up the attitude to protect myself."

Oh, really?

Oh I can see that, actually.

"Protect yourself? From what?"

"From my own failures catching up to me."

Yeah cause she's always being compared and told she's not good enough.

"Your own failures? How could you even say that?! Look at you!"

Not Riya praising Grett!!

Oh my god I love this. For both of them.

"Everyday since Season 1, I felt like I was living a lie. Selling products I never cared for. Making friends who don't even remember my name. Sometimes I look in the mirror, and I can't even tell who I am anymore."

💔

MY HEART.

SO THAT'S WHY SHE'S WITH YUL, CAUSE SHE'S TRAPPED IN THAT CYCLE OF A FRAUD AND DOESN'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO...

GRETT, HONEY 💔

I'M SORRY I CALLED YOU FLANDERIZED EARLIER, I LOVE YOU!!!

"That was until I met Yul."

"And he was an asshole, but I was too, so I had nowhere else to go."

"He made me feel like I didn't need to be something I wasn't."

And... I'm 50/50 again.

1, holy shit that just got very personal to my own life, even if I don't consider my ex toxic. But I still relate to that so thoroughly. I see where she's coming from.

But also, I find it very hard to believe she would see any resemblance of good in Yul. We have NEVER been shown a SHRED of decency of Yul's character this entire show. At best, he... has an arm around her sometimes.

So we are being TOLD Yul is more complex. But we are NEVER SHOWN THIS.

Do I fault Grett's character or Yul's character?

Yul, of course.

If this is what his writing is supposed to come off as, it's shit.

"Wow... you truly are hopeless."

XD

DAMN, RIYA.

I'm with you, BUT DAMN.

THAT'S A RUTHLESS WAY OF PUTTING IT.

"Look, I'll make this simple for you. Next time Yul talks to you like that, you say something or I will. And trust me, I won't go easy."

I also love this scene for Riya.

Cause STRANGELY, that is the NICEST THING she's done for someone this season so far.

But the WAY she is saying it is so tough and hard shelled that it's like she doesn't want to stand the vulnerability of herself, or Grett.

"I don't care about your well being. BUT IF I DID, I'm going to ensure it if you won't do it yourself."

WE STAN BOTH OF THESE GIRLS IN THIS HOUSEHOLD.👑

"I know what Riya is saying is right. In a world like this, you have to have some ruthless skin."

Exactly. That's why Riya is telling you this cause she learned that.

The industry is so cruel and demanding. It's draining.

"So I get why he acts the way he does."

Yul?

Because in Yul's case, it's the opposite. He's carelessly a pig.

"I'm not going to get involved in you and Grett's personal life, but consider that treating Grett like garbage isn't the smartest game move."

TELL HIM OFF.

"This is as nice as I get."

Points for honesty I guess.

"If you want to be alone-"

"No. I don't want to be alone."

Oh Gabby ❤️

"But when I'm alone, I have these negative thoughts, and I start talking to myself."

Oh yeah she has that bipolar thing!

Sorry if that came out offensive.

But like, in Season 1, she had this thing where she was literally talking to an imaginary version of herself in order to cope and calm down.

We have NOT seen that in THIS season, yet!

It actually STOPPED HAPPENING when ELLIE became a part of her life officially!

SO WHEN ELLIE LEAVES, SHE'S ON A WITHDRAW OF HER SANITY SO SHE RELAPSES-

I GET IT.

SHE'S HAVING A RELAPSE EPISODE.

I'm not a bipolar expert though, so let me know if this is accurate or no.

I have a gut feeling it's not.

"It's not schizophrenia."

Yeah, I don't think so either....?

Right?

*looks it up*

Okay I'm not an expert. It sounds like it could be possible though.

I know this gets misconceived as 'dangerous and crazy'. But that's not what it is. It's a brain's distortion of reality.

"I just like being positive, but part of me keeps urging vengeful thoughts."

Yeah, it SOUNDS like they're de-confirming this though.

Was this like, a major head canon in the DC fandom about Gabby before All Stars came out? And the writers just decided to de-confirm it being true?

"When Ellie isn't around to comfort me, it comes out."

Yeah... I see that.

My ex was just like that. So...

GODDAMN, STOP REMINDING ME OF MY OWN LIFE DISVENTURE CAMP!

Okay somebody answer this cause they're beating around the bush in the show. Is it ever confirmed that Gabby is schizophrenic? Or them saying it's not true? From any source? Whether it's a writers Q&A or whatever.

"I have no idea what you're going through, but I'm here."

Says the lady who took her away from her.

Tess, I love you, but for the love of god stop acting like you're innocent.

"Don't give me that, you're the reason Ellie isn't here anymore."

OH YEAH.

YEAH SHE TOOK THAT PERSONALLY, TESS.

I think Tess did the right thing for Ellie. STILL.

"We could have fixed things with her, and she needs that money, probably more than anyone here."

THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

"She would've gotten worse if we let her stay."

You know what? I feel like Tess is talking out of experience here.

She canonically has depression. They never said she was cured. And she got her antidepressants thrown in a firepit, so she would've gotten so much worse if she stayed longer than she did.

So she decided to leave that season with as much of a positive note as she possibly could.

And look at her now, she's doing better for herself.

"I just want Ellie to be happy."

"I do too, but Ellie can rest now."

They're both right.

That's what hurts.

This is NOT a black and white issue.

There was no 'right' answer for this situation.

Both girls just did what they thought was best.

"You'll see her again. Keep fighting. For her sake."

YES!!

GABBY FOR THE WIN!!!

Gabby is SO winning this season. Just you watch me be right.

"And if that voice comes back, quiet it and talk to me instead."

Uuuuuuuuuhhh-I don't think that's gonna help...

Maybe that works for you, Tess. But that doesn't work for Gabby.

You're not the same.

"How do you expect me to not take Ellie leaving as an attack?!"

WOOF.

That's all I gotta say.

Tess. I think you're done.

"You still thinking about Tom, huh?"

GET OVER IT.

XD

This show got me saying that, oh my god.

I GET IT. IT HURTS. BUT YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN AND MOVE ON.

"I guess this is just a big fat reality check."

Yep.

At least he acknowledges it.

"I know I'm a lot."

Yeah.

"I want to change, Ashley, but... I just feel so lost."

❤️

JAKE I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THIS

I'M NOT READY FOR YOU TO GO

I know his elimination is coming VERY SOON, but I'm not ready! I want him to at least find a good path first!

Also I have been there so many times. I relate to that way too hard.

"I'm no therapist, but I could try."

You might as well be EVERYONE'S therapist.

Ashley is the ONE perfectly sane and stable person in this whole cast. It's kinda sad.

I mean I guess we could add Tess to that too.

"Sometimes... when I feel cornered, I just lash out."

He used to be just like me fr

And I kinda relapse sometimes and resort to that now too.

"Do you think you can keep an eye on me?"

Good idea.

But also, you're asking Ashley to be your helicopter parent.

"I GOT MY EYE ON YOU, JAKE!"

"I'm just standing here."

"And don't you run off!"

"I am not doing anything-"

"Shut it and eat your apples!"

"I'm-"

"SHUT IT. STEP ONE OF BEING BETTER: LEARN WHEN TO SHUT YOUR TRAP."

"...WELL FUCK YOU-"

"AND WE DON'T CUSS AT THIS FAMILY DINNER TABLE!"

Just don't let Jake say ANYTHING, and you'll be good.

Maybe don't watch him while he's sleeping though.

"Ashley, I prepared our bait, wanna go fishing?"

OOF, BAD TIMING GIRL.

"Not now Ally, we're trying to solve something important here, so please just give us some space, alright?"

I mean at least he's nicer about it than last time.

"Can't be more important than having breakfast."

Has Jake been eating? He didn't eat last episode. I'm concerned.

"Whatever, I'll go alone."

Okay. Bye.

She'll be right there, just give them a minute.

"Remember a few seconds ago when you told me to tell you when you say something wrong?"

What was wrong about that? He just asked her to wait a minute.

He didn't yell at her face or anything there. He wasn't even mean about it.

"Oh, was that one?"

"Bingo."

Oh geez.

"AND YOU FAILED STEP ONE!"

"This is going to be harder than I thought, Ashley."

It do be like that, man.

Jake getting a redemption arc fr? WAS NOT ON MY BINGO CARD AT ALL.

I thought he was just going to be this insufferable piece of shit and that's it.

"First part of solving a problem is admitting you have problem!"

FACTS.

"Jake reminds me of an NPC from 'Immortal Combat', always complaining about your fighting technique and messing with your controls. That's Jake! Except at least the NPC shuts up when you mute your console!"

OUCH. THAT'S A BIT HARSH.

Even if that's a bit funny too.

Also, ALWAYS?

ONE, he scolded you at breakfast once.

TWO, he broke the iPad.

That is the extent of Jake's wrongdoings towards Allyson. SO FAR. Maybe it does get worse.

YOU'RE RIGHT. I GET NOT LIKING HIM. But for the most part he's just not wanted to talk to you.

You act like he's actively out to bully you XD

"I miss James."

Aw, Aiden.

I don't, but I feel you.

"He's really great. Took awhile for me to see it though."

You know what? Fair enough.

You love each other. Go ahead and love each other.

"It was like a Hallmark movie!"

Okay XD

That sounds like an insult.

"You were very confident."

Uh...

"Only one of us can stay in the game and there's no way I can beat Riya."

"I got here because of Lake. I don't think I'll do well in the next stage."

SUUUUUURRRREEE... let's go with that. 👍 *in disbelief*

"James helped me find my confidence, especially when it came to my scars."

Oh ❤️

Wait is he talking about himself being trans?

"I was... pretty ashamed of them for a long time."

Oh, honey ❤️

I'm glad we're getting more context to this. I wanted that in Season 2 and it was just one conversation.

That also makes sense for his character.

"I know that all too well."

Oh Tom...

Yeah...

But he's more open now. He doesn't have the mask or the covers anymore.

"Mine are just reminders of failure."

Ouch. Tom. Don't talk about yourself like that.

"Not at all. They show perseverance through adversity."

Yeah, exactly.

"And I bet your boyfriend thinks they're sexy!"

Hehe, yeah. Probably. That's cute.

"What-oh uh, ye! He-he uh... loves them, uh..."

What?

He doesn't like them. Does he?

"You don't have a boyfriend, do you?"

HUH?!

WH-BUT I THOUGHT...

WHAT?

"Every time someone asks you about him you change the subject or literally run away."

Oh my god...

*buries face in arms and groans*

Did he fucking lie?

This whole GODDAMN TIME, I BELIEVED YOU.

YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD?!

I mean, I guess it's not out of character for Tom. He's a liar. His life revolves around him being a liar as a habit.

SO IT MAKES SENSE. I'M JUST PISSED.

WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!??!?!?!

I AM SUCH A DUMBASS!!!!

"Is it that obvious?"

The show is mocking me.

"Yeah Golden! You're a dumbass for not seeing this right away!"

"Let's just say it's a good thing you're a cop and not an actor."

He was also a spy.

Tom sucks at every job he does.

"Why did you lie?"

You can't see, but I am currently aiming a long fingernail at my computer screen at Tom's throat.

FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD! YOU ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION!!!

WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM MAN?!?!?

WHY ARE YOU FUCKING UP YOUR LOVED ONES LIVES LIKE THIS?!??! HUH?!?!?!?!?! WHY??!?!??!?!

"I needed an easy out."

"And you needed that... why?"

Hold your fire, Golden. Hold your fire.

"Jake was the first person... I felt safe enough to show my face around since my... incident."

*hearing him out*

"Not a day goes by where I don't think of what could have been, but..."

"You don't want to get hurt again."

"I-I waited because I-I wanted to make sure I was ready, but... I'm not sure I ever will be."

"Don't say that-"

"I can't go through that again, Aiden. I just can't! It'll break me..."

…

*the fingernail is down*

(I took a five minute break to process)

...

What the fuck, man?

I can't hate Tom for this anymore.

I did not expect that answer. I'm gonna be honest.

I didn't expect for them to go that route.

Oh my god...

Okay, first of all, that it me very personally. In a good way, okay? I'm not offended or anything like that.

Just... I get it.

I understand.

Especially for TOM, who had been through some REALLY traumatic stuff, not only done to his face, but also being deemed a failure for it by so many people.

He had no social life prior to Disventure Camp. If he did he never mentioned any friends or family. He sucks at his jobs, so he can't find himself and his place. And then that failure doing literal permanent damage? Yeah.

You wouldn't know what to do with your life, or your anxiety, or the expectation that everything you touch fails. Cause that's all that has ever happened.

Then you meet this guy who had genuinely changed you for the better, and unknowingly broke that cycle my having you lose the job that tore you up, he loved you and you loved him and he assured you that you were indeed good enough.

AND THEN THAT CORE RELATIONSHIP GETS SABOTAGED.

Of course he went back to the mindset of "I'm the worst. I'm not good enough. Everyone is better off without me."

Even if he has gotten better at opening up to others and being his authentic self, he STILL hates himself.

He's been hating himself this whole time.

He wasn't lashing out at Jake, HE WAS LASHING OUT AT HIMSELF.

This whole time I just assumed "Oh he has a fancy new job now and new clothes and he's being more open. His life is so obviously all better."

WHEN IT'S NOT. HE'S NOT BETTER. HE KNOWS IT. HE DOESN'T WANT TO FAIL SOMEONE HE LOVES AGAIN.

Goddammit, this whole time I thought "Oh he obviously hates Jake!"

IT WAS NEVER THAT SIMPLE. I WANT TO PUNCH MY PAST SELF.

God, and to have your emotional baggage get you and Jake manipulated by malicious people AGAIN? THAT SUCKS.

THIS IS NOT ME EXCUSING THE GHOSTING BTW. I'M JUST EXPLAINING WHY THE CHARACTER DID IT. HE'S STILL IN THE WRONG.

Tom is short tempered. He is hostile. He is a liar. He does not think before he speaks. But also, why wouldn't he be after everything that had happened?

You can't just snap your fingers and put him in a cop suit, and his life is fixed.

But he has NOT resolved much about himself to trust himself to handle what he did. After Episode 6 with 'Born To Drive Me Crazy', he realized "Oh shit! I hurt this guy! But I don't know how to fix this!"

So he resorts to the old habits that have been encouraged all his life: Lie. Lie to stall time.

I feel like a moron for not considering Tom's POV more.

AND I'M A MASSIVE JAKE APOLOGIST, AND I DIDN'T CONSIDER ANOTHER FLAWED CHARACTER IS A FLAWED CHARACTER?!

I SHAME MYSELF.

Am I loving Tom now? ❤️

I mean I did before. But I might love Tom a lot more now.

YOU STILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY THOUGH.

The saddest part about this that I think Jake is going to be eliminated before they can work things out. It'll be "Too little too late".

Man, I did a complete 180, huh?

I went from "Yeah, they should move on, they're not meant to be."

To "OMG PLEASE FIX THINGS PLEASE MAKE IT RIGHT PLEASE BE HAPPY I LOVE BOTH OF YOU UUUUUUUUUGGGGHHHHH" ❤️

Being a TomJake shipper is going through the five stages of grief.

What is going on here?

Why are you eating a single carrot like that?

"I worked so damn hard to set this up for Yul, but fuck the girl who's trying to save his brand I guess."

OH YEAH I FORGOT ABOUT THAT.

"Wouldn't giving Yul food be considered... cheating?"

Yeah, how dare you feed people.

I get it, but also that sounds WRONG out of context.

"We're supposed to be STARVING our contestants, for crying out loud! What's wrong with you?!"

"I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise that you're not going to judge me for it."

"You know I can never promise that."

Fair enough.

At least she's honest.

"You were right. I think- I think I like Derek."

"Wow, I'm shocked..."

XD

I love her sarcasm.

"Why is everyone here gay and problematic? This is a mood."

"You think saying you're gay is something huge?"

As a lesbian, yeah. I can say such.

But I get it. Everyone here might as well be gay.

Except for Riya. And Grett. And Alec. And Connor. And Ashley. And Miriam. And obviously Fiore cause she's a child.

That's it! That's all the characters that are straight! THAT'S NOT EVEN HALF.

"Look what show we're on."

YEAH EXACTLY XD

Total Drama: "We're going to introduce our first openly gay character!"

Disventure Camp: "Hold My Beer."

"I always knew it was inside me, but I think seeing him with somebody else finally awoke my true feelings."

So basically, the writers pulled this ship out of their ass. Because it was not a thing that was even slightly hinted at in Season 1.

The amount of "I Don't Give A Fuck"s I can give right now.

"You should tell him."

"What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

I don't give a fuck.

"Hey campers! It's challenge time!"

Aw. I was really enjoying the conversations this episode.

WE ARE TWELVE MINUTES IN.

AND ONLY NOW IS THE CHALLENGE STARTING.

THAT'S WILD.

Honestly? I wasn't even minding it! I was really enjoying the interactions we've been having this episode!

I'm kinda disappointed we got to the challenge part. XD

"Magenta Team and Yellow Team,"

I heard Jello Team again.

For those who didn't see my previous reactions, you wonder why I sometimes call the Villains Alliance the Jello Alliance?

This is why.

Krystal keeps calling them Jello.

So I call them Jello because I have a cringe sense of humor.

"Stings, don't it?"

XD

I LOVE THAT THEY DON'T CARE

Jake especially must me like "YEAH!! SHE'S GONE!!!!"

Ooh this challenge looks fun, actually.

"The first team, and ONLY, the first team to score three points wins immunity."

OH SHIT. IT'S A DOUBLE ELIMINATION.

"Tonight there will be two losing teams!"

OKAY I PHRASED THAT WRONG, BUT I SWEAR I GET IT.

So if Magenta doesn't win here, THEY'RE FUCKED. They're down a member.

"The two losing teams will go to the elimination together and vote for a single person."

Got that.

"We have to win this, or we're screwed. The other teams have four people, and we have three."

Yep.

You guys are fucked.

"No friendly fire, right Jake?"

GEEZ. GIRL, CHILL.

OH NO JAKE!!!!

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GONNA DO THAT!

ALLYSON JUST KILLED HIM!!

"Oh... I didn't think it was gonna do THAT... ah well, I never liked that bitch anyway. That's karma for the iPad."

I'm pretty sure ALLYSON was the one who did the 'friendly fire' part.

BUT WHATEVER.

"Okay, fine."

He's not even arguing. "Yes I will work with you! Please do not drop me down a trapdoor again!"

Why is Allyson holding a grudge? Over AN IPAD.

Isn't Allyson supposed to be more chill than this?

We're getting intermission and we haven't even started the challenge yet.

I don't like that Jake and Aiden are paired up again.

"Don't try anything stupid, Jake!"

"What? I didn't even do anything!"

THIS EPISODE.

Also, stupid?

If Aiden said 'dirty', or something like that, it would make more sense.

"I know you will. You're very predictable."

Uh...

I mean Aiden isn't wrong, nor can he be faulted for.

Aaaaannnnnnd Aiden was completely correct.

FUCK OFF JAKE!

Grett's gonna slay now.

SLAY 👑

"Jake, you have to concentrate or we'll lose!"

NOW you can yell at him freely.

"Do not tell me what to do!"

"Fine! I will!"

OH GOD THERAPIST ASHLEY

"SHUT THE FUCK UP JAKE. I'M RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG, NOW GO STAND IN A CORNER AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

Hey at least he apologizes I guess.

You now, Allyson has a complete right to hate him.

"Gabby, what happened to Ellie?"

What do you think?

"She probably got what she deserved."

"Shut up! You don't know what happened!"

"From that reaction I'm guessing you were blindsided."

"Jake, you're too easily provoked by the other team! Do not let that happen again, you hear?"

Oh so you can provoke the other team, but Jake can't, huh?

What's the logic behind that DAMN HYPOCRITE?

WOW. YOU SUCK.

Ashley being the one competent person here fr.

OKAY. WOW.

RIYA'S GOING AT IT.

"I wanted the poly girls to have their shipping moment, ya know?"

"Sorry, I'm just thinking of the fans. Tessally stans are gonna go crazy!"

😂

AIN'T NO WAY.

AIN'T NO WAY!!!

RIYA IS A GRETT STAN AND A TESSALLY SHIPPER!

"Listen, Jake, can we talk later?"

Oh.

Oh my god he's actually trying now!

TOM I'M PROUD OF YOU!

"Oh now you want to talk. I'm not gonna fall for that again!"

Yeah.

Not gonna be that easy now.

"Oh Jake! Look at Tom's bulge in his tight swimsuit!"

Punch him.

THANK YOU.

Yul, are you sure you're not gay?

What is there to even look at-

OH YEAH, TOM IS JACKED AS HELL.

😂

I'm not tweaking. I only JUST NOW took a look at Tom and realized this.

NINE EPISODES IN. HOW MANY TIMES HAS THIS CHARACTER BEEN IN A SWIMSUIT?!

AND ONLY NOW, DO I REALIZE HE'S JACKED?!

THIS WHOLE TIME, I NEVER BAT AN EYE LOOKING AT HIM.

IT TOOK ANOTHER CHARACTER BRINGING IT UP FOR ME TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

If this doesn't prove that an asexual lesbian, AKA, someone who is not attracted to men, is making these reactions... idk what else will.

HEY! JAKE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!

Also the subtitle is covering up Yellow Team's score. What does it have against them?

OP, GRETT'S SLAYING. IT'S OVER!

"That's cheating!"

Riya literally shoved two people earlier.

Ashley be a hypocrite. "No provoking! JAKE! Don't provoke! Don't get provoked! No provoking allowed!"

"Anyway WTF IS THIS CHEATING NONSENSE?! OH AIN'T IT SO SAD YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S GONE GABBY?!"

Like... GIRL. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.

Oh and she lost it.

TOM XD

Okay that got a laugh out of me.

Oh it's gonna come down to a 2-2-2, isn't it?

NOT THE HAIR FLIP AGAIN

Queen is ready to slay.

AND SHE GOT KARMA XD

YEAH YOU AIN'T TRYING THAT AGAIN. I'M SORRY.

Okay it stopped being charming when Yul started laughing.

THAT'S YOUR OWN TEAM.

OH SHE GOT IT!

OKAY ALLYSON! SLAYING IT!

AW THE VICTORY HUG! THAT'S SO SWEET!

"We'll all put our four votes on one person and get one of the Cyan members to vote with us."

I know who's flipping.

AS MUCH AS I WANT YUL GONE.

"Aiden's no threat! We should target the big dogs, like Tom."

YUL, ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT GAY?

"And how do I know you guys won't vote me out like Ellie?"

Yeah. I KNOW WHO'S GONNA FLIP.

"It wasn't personal, Gabby!"

"It's just part of the game."

"Yes! In your face Ellie!"

XD

Gee I wonder if Tom is happy.

"YES! REVENGE!!"

MM HM. SURE.

"How could you guys be so cold?"

AWWW

"Can't we put our differences aside for one night?"

I have a feeling it's gonna be Tess.

She screwed up when she flipped last episode.

"Yellow Team, we are voting for Riya tonight."

Oh wow, just straight up announcing it.

"She's a snake in the grass, and I promise you, she will backstab you the first chance she gets."

RUDE.

Totally justified though.

And there are no lies detected in that statement.

"You left me to die on a cliff!"

"Oh my god, you're so uninteresting that you have to keep bringing that up!"

HE'S RIGHT TO BE PISSED THOUGH

YOU GOTTA ADMIT.

"It's the one remotely exciting thing you ever got to say."

Oh come on, I think Aiden deserves more credit than that.

"Vote me if you want, I can kick your ass six ways to Sunday in any tiebreaker, Aiden."

OKAY. SHE'S GOT HER NAILS OUT. SHE'S READY TO SLAY.

"I'm guessing Ellie's vote out wasn't unanimous."

OOF. YEP.

"It's only a matter of time before they do the same to you."

OOOOOHHH

AND SHE HAS NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE THAT TOO.

"Revenge is best served cold, and our villains alliance could use a new member!"

I know this is wrong on so many levels and this is gonna cause disaster...

BUT DO IT.

DO IT.

"JOIN THE DARK SIDE... WE HAVE COOKIES!!" 🍪🍪🍪

JUST TO FUCK WITH THESE GUYS. DO IT!

"I-I don't know..."

DO IT. DO IT. DO IT.

"We didn't vote her out of spite."

YOU didn't.

THE BOYS ON THE OTHER HAND...

"Right, Ellie's gone for simple strategy, nothing's personal."

"Yes! In your face Ellie!"

I'M JUST SAYING.

I THINK SHE SHOULD DO IT.

"In that case, you guys won't care if I vote with Yellow Team."

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH

SHE'S ACTUALLY FLIPPING

OH MY-

OH IT'S JUICY NOW!!!

"After all, it's not personal, right Tom?"

OOOHH SHE'S GETTING IT!!!

"Okay villains, I'll join you, but only if you vote my way."

Pretty sweet bargain.

"Alec's betrayed Ellie so many times, he's just going to do the same to you, Gabby!"

Yeah, fair.

But also, she can fly under the radar this way, and then betray them before they can betray her.

"We can't give them back their power. We were doing so well."

THEY'RE GONNA SWEEP.

IT'S ALREADY OVER.

ALL THREE OF MY FEMALE STANS ARE WORKING TOGETHER?!?!?!?! WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY CANON?!?!!

I feel so bad for whoever is going though.

Who is it?

It's Tess, isn't it?

I have a feeling it's Tess.

'RIYA'

You wish.

'RIYA'

Aw, the futile effort. Gonna cry?

I'm just bullying Cyan now. I'm sorry.

'RIYA'

Okay now who is it?

'TESS'

I KNEW IT!!!!

I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!

'TESS'

I'm sorry Tess.

'TESS'

One half of me is cheering "YES! REVENGE!!!"

'TESS'

But the other half of me likes Tess, so I can't say I approve of your target.

What does that say?

"Say Hi To Ellie From Me"

😂😂😂

OH DAMN THAT'S COLD.

YOU SENT HER TO THE ARCTIC WITH THAT ONE!!!

DAMN.

👏

I LOVE THAT.

LIVE. 👏

LAUGH. 👏

LOVE. 👏

GABBY. 👏

"That seems very personal."

"HURTS, DOESN'T IT? HOW DO YOU THINK I FELT?!?!"

"Please don't fight over this. It's just a game."

Aw. At least Tess is taking it well.

"Can someone just say bye to Ally for me?"

Aw, poor Allyson.

"NOOOOOOO!!!! I'M STUCK ALONE!! AND WHAT'S WORSE, I'M STUCK ALONE WITH A BLUE HAIRED CRYBABY!!!"

"Gabby, I want you to know, I understand and I'm not mad."

Awwww

Tess MVP, fr.

"Thank you for helping me win Mr. Whiskers."

Awww ❤️

"And I'll tell Ellie that you're doing well."

Uh huh.

"Hey Ellie. Yeah Gabby's doing well. By well I mean messed up, she kinda sorta... joined the dark side??"

And Ellie's gonna be like "THAT'S MY GIRL! SO PROUD OF HER!!"

I love Tess, so I'm a bit sad to see her go. Bye Tess!

"And another one bites the dust! Two left to kill! AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAAAA!!!"

OH MY GOD SHE'S DRUNK ON POWER!!!

"Now that I'm a villain, I need to work on my evil laugh."

The others are gonna be like, "Uuuuuuhhh evil laugh? You're taking this a bit too comically, we don't do that here. We hang out on beaches and eat Jello."

"Oh hush. Let her have her fun."

Gabby's gonna be the light of the dark side, fr.

OH MY GOD OLIVER ISN'T DEAD!!!

HALLELUJAH! WE FINALLY SAW HIM!!

"One of the staff members were caught breaking the rules."

Oh?

Aaaaannndd cliffhanger.

Okay, well, nice to see you alive Oliver.

DAMN. THE BLACK WIDOW BREGADE IS BACK!!

Well, black widow bregade and also Alec.

THERE YOU GO. I WAS EXACTLY RIGHT.

GABBY HAS FLIPPED.

ALSO EVERYONE HERE HAS SOME SERIOUS ISSUES.

Except Tess. RIP Tess.

I can't really blame Gabby though. It's not the BEST game move, but I totally get where Gabby's coming from.

Ellie is her everything. She was dismissed for being a freak for so long in her life and Ellie was the one that was there to help her and destroy the loneliness in her life.

And Ellie was broke and needed money, and these guys took that away from her and dismissed Ellie as this evil person.

So OF COURSE Gabby is going to turn on them.

She's doing what aligns with her own personal interest. And I respect that, even if it so happens to be with a villains alliance.

But also, this is actually kinda good for her. Cause she's gonna fall under the radar of everyone else, and when the time comes, she can flip back and backstab the villains.

They're not gonna get rid of her. They need her.

So... basically, everyone has issues.

Ashley has trauma over her farm burning down and has to put up with her teams bullshit.

Allyson is holding petty grudges.

Jake is also holding petty grudges and can't prevent himself from shooting himself in the foot.

Tom is a traumatized bean who made mistakes. At least he's now trying to fix them.

Aiden is constantly getting bullied.

Gabby is having a manic episode and they're getting three more seasons.

Grett is in an abusive relationship.

Alec has divorce issues.

Riya is losing every bit of moral decency she has, and when she's doing anything moral she won't admit to it.

And Yul... he can go fuck himself I dont care.

SO YEAH. THERE ARE NO SANE PEOPLE LEFT. EVERYONE HAS ISSUES.

And this just got a whole not more interesting.

[mondothebombo]

Mondo 👉👈 could you explain all the ways you connect the song Home to Wytyaa?…. Like Important Lyrics. I have been listening to it a lot and I need to know for reasons. :)

oli you have no idea how long i’ve been waiting for someone to ask this. all the lyrics are technically important, and i may or may not have storyboarded scenes to this song in my head lmaooo. i’ve been wanting to talk abt this for SO FUCKING LONG so here we go!!!

Often I am upset that I cannot fall in love but I guess

This avoids the stress of falling out of it

jay doubting whether nya actually wants to be with him or if she’s just pitying him, when he wakes up from passing out in chap 6

Are you tired of me yet?

I'm a little sick right now but I swear

When I'm ready I will fly us out of here

this is jay noticing the others are getting worried and him sitting with all his bad thoughts, also as him talking to nya, kinda like “once i get my shit together and get over this, i’ll make things better”

I'll cut my hair

To make you stare

jay and nya both subtly subconsciously changing their appearances to separate themselves from what happened

I'll hide my chest

And I'll figure out a way to get us out of here

jay hiding his scars and trying to ignore everything for nya’s sake, intending to keep his promise of fixing his mistakes

Turn off your porcelain face

jays facade dropping and the others getting progressively more worried

I can't really think right now in this place

cole confronting jay abt his scars and jay getting overstimulated he lashes out

There's too many colors enough to drive all of us insane

jay freaking out when he gets high from the pain meds and yelling at kai for touching him the day after alec breaks his wrist

Are you dead?

jay seeing nya’s dead body when he looks at her

Sometimes I think I'm dead

jay/nya feeling the phantom pains

'Cause I can feel ghosts and ghouls wrapping my head

jay hearing nadakhan’s and the pirates voices in his head

But I don't wanna fall asleep just yet

jay having that dream

My eyes went dark

nya finding out abt the SA

I don't know where

My pupils are

jay looking in the mirror and hating his eye/scars

But I'll figure out a way to get us out of here

again, jay trying to be ok for nya

Get a load of this monster

He doesn't know how to communicate

this is most definitely jay thinking his friends hate him while he’s alone on the ship

His mind is in a different place

jay spacing out during scrap n tap, thinking of how the others see him

Will everybody please give him a little bit of space

transition back to him training with lloyd the day after he resets time and freaking out, accidentally hurting lloyd in the process

Get a load of this train-wreck

His hair's a mess and he doesn't know who he is yet

this is him stuck in the memories and believing everything nadakhan and the pirates said abt him, hallucinating and seeing nadakhan at random times

But little do we know, the stars

Welcome him with open arms

slowly fades to the present, where the others keep trying to prove they love him

Time is

nya and jay having the conversation where she talks abt the extent of her trauma

Slowly

jay and nya laughing together while lightly training in the middle of the night

Tracing his face

their talk w wu when he says he’s proud of them

But strangely he feels at home in this place

and finally, the last scene of chapter 7, where jay and nya come and sit with the others after their talk w wu, and jay finally cries with relief as he cuddles w the others

i hope i explained this well enough, please feel free to ask me if anything needs clarification :D

[dreaming-marchling]

5 & 18!

5. first sentence of the fifth paragraph of an unpublished WIP

Magnus sighed, “You’re right, Alec. My sincere apologies. Refresh my memory so I don’t violate any other agreements, what did we decide on boudoir photos?”

18. if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic

I wasn't sure if I actually had anything for this but I started hunting at the bottom of documents and here's a scene that was lurking at the bottom of Across the Lonely Decades. I have no recollection why it was cut (too pessimistic maybe?) and it abruptly cuts off mid-sentence lol but here you go:

---

“Five more nights,” Magnus whispered into Alec’s hair as they laid curled up in bed together.

It felt like too much and not enough at the same time. “I’m trying not to get my heart too set on that.”

“Tomorrow we’ll all sit down and talk out what the gameplan is but for tonight, I promise you I’m as confident as I can be.” Magnus tried to reassure him.

Alec’s first thought was an asshole-ish one that he wouldn’t actually ask: were you confident the first time you tried to travel back in time? The time where it hadn’t worked. He just felt sort of off and nervous and he wanted to know. He was tired of the guess work of it this stupid spell was going to work or not.

Magnus was doing something unprecedented, he reminded himself yet again. He couldn’t know. There was no knowing. There was only hoping.

“I won’t miss this mattress.” Alec said instead.

That got him a quiet chuckle, “Nor will I. If you had asked me a month ago if I had truly gotten used to electricity, I would have said no. Now I’m finding that I miss it. It’s just so thoughtlessly easy. Not great for ambiance but having the option for either is suddenly more welcome than ever before.”

“I miss the noise.” Alec agreed.

“Spoken like a true New Yorker.” Magnus scoffed playfully.

Alec laughed because he was supposed to but the disquiet was still under his skin. It picked at him, it made his fingers flex restlessly and for the first time since his Magnus had come to him, Alec wanted to take up his bow and practice until his fingers bled. He wanted the little bite of pain that made him feel like he was alive and real and in control.

He wouldn’t. He knew it didn’t help. They would either be home in less than a week or they wouldn’t. Him bleeding wasn’t going to change that.

“Talk to me, darling.” Magnus murmured into the darkness.

Two different Magnus Banes, both saw through whatever poker face he tried to put up.

“Just nervous.” Alec shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.

Tell me we’re going to be okay. Tell me we’re going to make it home. Tell me Ragnor will be waiting for us when we get there. Tell me I’ll never get thrown back in time again.

Maybe Magnus heard some of that. If he had then Alec felt badly about it. He wasn’t the one losing a friend he’d loved for centuries. He also wasn’t the one who had all the work coming up. Alec only had to bleed a little and they all knew he was good for that. It was Magnus who was going to have to administer potions, delve into their minds and hide away memories. It was Magnus who was going to have to draw the pentagram and all those precise symbols. It was Magnus who was going to have to get them home.

And it was Magnus who was going to have to walk away from his friend knowing he wasn’t ever going to see him again.

Alec had it easy. If this had been three months ago, he would have been able to handle it without flinching, without letting on that he was affected at all.

He was so done.

“We’re going to be all right. We’re going home.” Magnus promised him.

They both knew that neither of those things might end up being true.

Magnus shifted around until he hovered over Alec. “We’re going home, Alec. I know the failed attempt the first time was hard, hard for both of us, but I know what I’m doing now. We know what we’re doing now. We’re going home.”

Alec sighed. He felt bad for being such a mess. “I believe in you, Magnus. I always do. I’m just tired, that’s all.”

A kiss was dropped onto his forehead, “I know, love.”

He wanted to talk to Magnus about all the worries in his head but he knew those worries were in Magnus’ head too. It was the same conversations over and over again. Ragnor and time and worrying that the spell didn’t actually have a viable reverse. What if they returned to the future to find it changed because they’d forgotten something? It was just a lot.

“The only way is forward, Alec. I learned that a long time ago.” Magnus told him.

It’s good advice and it applied better now than Magnus had probably ever known would happen but it didn’t dial down whatever Alec

---

Thank you!!

[sid471]

Ellie Disventure Camp also needs a time out 😶

Ellie fans, I’m sorry, no I’m not, but I’m coming for your girl. But let me start by saying, I LOVE a villain. Especially a bad ass female villain. That’s why I like Fiore and Riya. But Ellie… is not bad ass. She’s just plain petty 😶 and, listen, petty villains have their place in my heart too. But Ellie is not just petty but also spiteful. For no reason .-. And yeah, yeah, I know she needs money, she’s relatable, you would do the same for a million dollars, blah blah shut it >_> Now, let’s begin with Jake ☺️

Now, imma just say, I love Jake, I’ve been team Jake since season 1, but I’m not gonna deny that Jake is annoying. He is sometimes 🤷🏻‍♂️ but he does not deserve the fuckin… psychological torture by Ellie ._. Y’all love to say JAKE is petty and obsessive but ELLIE is the one who’s pissy at Jake for being, RIGHTFULLY, upset for ruining his relationship 😶 and it looks to me like she’s been like that… the whole time? .-. Last episode, episode 6, She made Tom and Aiden kiss for NO reason other than to fuck with Jake ._. Like, she says that verbatim 😶 Her exact words are “I suggested the idea of the kiss, but the reasoning we just made up. This might be evil, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to see Jake lose his mind again. Hey, with no tv out here, it’s the next best thing.” Like, girl! This is… just ridiculous ._. What did Jake do to you? Rightfully get angry at you for betraying his trust and completely ruining his relationship? Not even Season One Grett would stoop this low 😶

And THEN, in episode 7, the latest episode so spoilers sorry, she again uses Tom and Aiden just to fuck with Jake .-. Granted, this one gets half of a pass because it WAS an actual game move and it worked out 🤷🏻‍♂️ But was it necessary? Mm. Debatable. Speaking of unnecessary. Let’s talk Tom 😊

Ellie dislikes Tom. For what reason? I couldn’t tell ya 😶 SHE fucked HIM over, SHE trash talked HIM on national TV. Not the other way around .-. Why is SHE mad at HIM ._. And why is she surprised that Tom is generous? He was a great guy, all things considered, in season 1 .-. Know what it smells like to me? ✨Projection✨. SHE’S gonna use the money for self fulfilling reasons, so of course everyone else is too 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think Ellie can dish it but she can’t take it, know what I mean? She can trash talk Jake, Tom, Miriam, AND Alec and that’s fine, she needed the money 🤷🏻‍♀️, but if any of those people are angry at her for the things she said? All hell breaks loose 😶 You can dislike Riya, but at least she owns her mess 😊 She knows she’s a villain and she owns it. She doesn’t do Villain Things, then try to revert back to her early season 2 self, no, Riya owns her shit.

Now, let’s talk about Gabellie. They’re very cute :3 I like them together, they’re sweet. However… Ellie, Gabby is your ONLY friend and only true ally. She HAS Tess… but like she also doesn’t, Tess could be swayed by Aiden, I feel, and especially could be swayed by Ally if they both make the merge. Ellie’s only guaranteed number is Gabby right now. So, what does Ellie do for her only ally, and, y’know, her girlfriend? Lie to her 😶 Now, listen, I understand lying to Tess, Aiden, and Tom about the villain alliance. That’s just smart gameplay 🤷🏻‍♂️ But lying to Gabby? No .-. Pull her to the side and tell her the truth 😶 Show that you trust her >_> because it’s very clear that Gabby adores Ellie with all of her heart, she wouldn’t have said a word 😊 but no 😶 Ellie lied to her. And now Gabby knows Ellie lied to her. And now Gabby could very well turn on Ellie because if she lied about the villain alliance, what else could she lie to her about ya know?

In conclusion: Ellie is a try hard villain 😶 She wants to be Fiore, Season 1 Grett, and Riya so bad and it’s embarrassing 😊

[mathitas]

I would love to see this prompt and I have recently been reading your works which are amazing btw can’t wait for the next one!

Prompt: Will solace and Kayla Knowles singing If we have Each Other By Alec Benjamin at campfire.

Thank you so much, I love this suggestion! This means a lot to me.

If we have each other, Cabin 7

Being a child of Apollo wasn't easy. Even before the battle of Manhattan, even before most of them died, it wasn't easy.

You're constantly healing everyone; you forget to heal yourself too.

But after all they've been through, they learn to heal each other and themselves together.

What's left of Cabin 7 is sitting by the campfire. It feels lonely: they used to get these nights to sing together, and there'd be so many; it was always a mess.

Now, it was not. It was quiet, it was calm, and it was empty.

Will and Kayla are sitting next to each other: next to Kayla, there's Austin.

Will, as the new head counselor, wanted to make this right. They used to have fun on nights like this, right? But now all that was left was grieving.

Gods, what was he supposed to do?

He looked over to his sister, who was humming a song.

"What is it?" Everyone was now focusing on them instead as the warmth of the campfire lit them up.

"There was this song Michael always listened to..." Everyone's interest picked up.

She looked at her new eldest brother, "I was thinking that it makes me think of you. Of all of us." "'If we have each other' by Alec Benjamin, right?" a camper said fondly, wearing a bittersweet smile.

Kayla started to sing it, and for a while everyone was listening to her.

Soon, Will joined her.

Their voices echoed together through the night. And even tho they had spent another day healing everyone but themselves, they were good.

It wasn't always like this, they often fought. Especially now that Will had this new authority, they were always fighting. But they knew what they were singing was true.

So Will held her hand as he sang:

'So I'm thankful for my sister even tho sometimes we fight

When high school wasn't easy she's the reason I survived

I know she'd never leave me and I hate to see her cry

So I wrote this verse to tell her that I'm always by her side

I wrote this verse to tell her that I'm always by her side

I wrote this verse to tell her that...'

A vow of brotherly love, a vow of loyalty through the hard times. Life was hard and lonely for a child of Apollo, but one thing was true: they were gonna be there for each other when they couldn't be there for themselves.

And they were right: 'When the world's not perfect, when the world's not kind, if we have each other, then we'll both be fine.'

[aneurinallday]

Green Eyes

Chapter 27: Family

“Daddies!” They were woken by Clara clambering onto the bed, her clumsy hands and feet digging into sleeping stomachs and unsuspecting ribs. “Daddies, you’re together again! Did you stop fighting?”

“Yes, we did,” Thomas groaned, “No more fights, ever.”

“Good.” She tugged on Alec’s arm, causing him to mumble an indistinct complaint. “Daddy, wake up. It’s late.”

When Alec opened his eyes to see his daughter, he looked happy for a brief moment, before the events of yesterday came flooding back. He shut his eyes again, trying to suppress the terrible memories, and put his hands over his face.

“Oi, you,” Thomas scolded Clara gently, “Leave your father alone, he’s still sleeping.”

“But it’s late!”

“I know. Go and get ready for breakfast, and I’ll come downstairs with you.”

“Okay.” She climbed down off the bed and scampered away.

Alec drew a ragged breath before lowering his hands from his haggard face, which was still reddened and puffy from crying.

“Do you know if he…if he…”

“I haven’t heard anything since last night. That means his condition probably hasn’t changed.”

“Oh God. If he’s going to die, part of me wishes he’d just hurry up and do it, so this can be over. I know it’s bad, but I can’t help it. I barely slept…”

Thomas rolled over and propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze roving over Alec’s expression.

“Sorry about yesterday,” he said quietly, “You needed my love, but I saw you acting strangely and I assumed the worst of you.”

“It’s alright…”

“No, it’s not alright. I don’t always speak to you the way I should. Last night I said a lot of things, and I don’t know if any of them were right, but I know for sure that some of them were wrong. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Alec reached out and touched Thomas’s face, the backs of his fingers caressing his cheek. Thomas clasped his hand and kissed it, then rose and began to get dressed.

“I need to go into Small Heath today,” he said as he pulled up his trousers, “I’ve got a family meeting to attend. I’ll be in my office, so you can telephone me if you need to, alright?”

“The meeting’s about me, isn’t it?” Alec said wearily. “I made a mess and now you need to fix it. I’m sorry.”

“There are other affairs too, don’t worry. Never a dull day for me.”

“Please be careful.”

“I always am.” Buttoning up his shirt, Thomas glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. “We’re already late for breakfast. You should get up.”

Alec sat upright in bed, pushing down the covers. His hair was dishevelled from tossing and turning.

“How do I look?” he asked, managing to laugh a little.

“Tired. But still beautiful.”

“I can’t let the servants see me like this. Frances will start giving me looks again.”

“Don’t take Frances the wrong way,” Thomas said, “She worries about you, that’s all.”

“Because she thinks I’m not right for the Shelbys…”

“No, because she thinks the Shelbys aren’t right for you. Stay in bed - I’ll go downstairs and act normal and have Ruth bring up a tray.”

“Thank you.”

Thomas finished doing up his cufflinks.

“Coffee or tea?” he asked.

“Coffee, please. Black.”

“Toast or crumpets?”

“Crumpets. Lots of butter.”

“I’ll let them know.”

Leaning down, Thomas stroked the unkempt curls aside and kissed Alec’s forehead.

“Let’s take that trip to Paris,” he said softly, “Let’s do the fucking landmarks like you wanted, and sip coffee, and walk by the Seine or whatever it is people do in Paris.”

Alec smiled weakly.

“And the Louvre?” he replied.

“And the fucking Louvre. We’ll stare at all the Monets and Cézannes, and talk about shadows and brush-strokes until we feel like two men of culture.”

“I love you, Mister Shelby.”

“You can’t fuckin’ be serious, Tom,” Arthur snarled, “You’d rather have a war than let your precious toy-boy face the consequences of his actions?”

“His actions?” Thomas echoed in disbelief.

“Yes, his actions! He pointed the gun and he pulled the trigger. Let him own it.”

The family were gathered in the offices of Shelby Company Limited - Thomas standing at the head of the table, while his aunt and siblings stood or sat around it.

“He’s not going to prison,” Thomas said, “I won’t allow it. I’ve been there, you’ve been there - we know what it’s like. It’ll kill him, and his daughter needs him.”

Arthur fidgeted restlessly in his seat, his bejewelled fingers clutching at his sleeves and fussing at his buttons in a subconscious attempt to calm himself.

“I’m not sayin’ you should hand him over to the coppers,” he argued, “I’m sayin’ you should make it clear that he acted on his own, and that we had fuckall to do with it. Wash your hands of the whole thing. Otherwise there’ll be bullet-holes in the Garrison’s windows and bodies linin’ the streets.”

“You want me to sacrifice him?”

“If it means peace, then yeah. Sacrifice him. He’s just one life, and we have a whole family to protect.”

“So Alec should be punished for what happened to him?”

“For causing this mess! We don’t know what happened - all we have is your version of whatever Alec told you, and he’s pulled the wool over your eyes before. You say Bragg attacked him, what does that mean exactly? Attacked how?”

“It means what it means,” said Thomas flatly, “Bragg issued a threat, and he would’ve made good on it if not for that bullet. Alec acted in self-defence.”

“Self-defence against what?”

The family looked at Thomas expectantly, but he said nothing. Arthur threw his hands up.

“You want us to take the heat, but you won’t even tell us what we’re taking the heat for. We’re your family, and there shouldn’t be secrets between family. Tell us the fuckin’ truth. What happened at the Paradise Club, Tommy?”

Looking him in the eye, Thomas said:

“Do you remember what kind of man Cobb was? What kind of businesses he ran? He built his kingdom off selling bodies. Do you know who gravitates towards that line of work?”

Arthur fell silent.

“Cobb was a monster who surrounded himself with other monsters, and Bragg was no exception. To them, Alec was never anything but merchandise. To them, I was his owner and he was my property. Something to be stolen or broken or…”

Thomas rested his hands on the table, seeking support from the inanimate, unfeeling wood.

“When he took Alec backstage, to a private room away from prying eyes, I don’t believe for a second that his intentions were innocent. But what I do fucking believe, and what I fucking know, is that he got what he deserved.”

“Tom,” John said carefully, “I’m sure the bastard had it coming…but are we sure it wasn’t pre-meditated? Is there any chance that Alec went there planning to shed blood, and used the audition as an excuse to get backstage? If he did, that might complicate things…”

“No. Alec’s not a fighter, let alone a killer. He doesn’t have the stomach for violence.”

“Anyone’s a killer if you push them far enough,” John shrugged. “We all know what the poor bastard went through at the Arcadia…Maybe he decided he couldn’t move on with his life until he took revenge.”

“No,” Thomas repeated firmly, “I know Alec. He wouldn’t have fired that gun unless he was backed into a corner.”

“Enough, you two,” Ada snapped, “Alec said what happened, and Tommy believes him, so what else is there to discuss? What’s done is done. Right now, we need to decide what to do next.”

“If Bragg’s on his deathbed, why don’t we help him along?” Finn piped up, “We could have him smothered with a pillow and nobody would know.”

“That would only make it worse, Finn,” Ada sighed, “If he dies in hospital, the charge will be murder, not attempted murder. As wicked as he is, his survival is the best outcome. For now, at least...”

She turned to face Tommy across the table.

“Tommy, whether you like it or not, you’ve only got two choices. Either you start a war by taking the blame for Bragg’s shooting, or you stop a war by letting Alec take the fall. There’s no other option. So, what’s it going to be?”

Thomas couldn’t answer.

“Tommy,” Aunt Polly interrupted, her voice cutting across the rest of the family, “A visit to the police station doesn’t have to mean a prison sentence. Your name is all the protection he needs. They can find him guilty of attempted murder, and then let him off the hook because of his connections to the Shelby family. Bragg might even refuse to press charges. Think about it - he can’t accuse Alec of a crime without revealing his own sin.”

She took a step closer.

“Arthur is right about one thing - there will be bodies. You’re worried about seeing Alec in prisoner’s clothes, when you should be worried about seeing his corpse full of bullets. Get the police business out of the way first, then you can focus your attention on the real threat. Send Alec and the kid to live quietly somewhere until this all blows over. Hell, send them to live with me and I’ll look after them. Just make sure that this plays out in court, not in the streets. Surely that’s the sensible thing to do?”

Thomas didn’t speak, staring at the varnished tabletop between his hands, his gaze boring into the grain of the wood.

“They belong with me,” he finally said, “Arrow House is their home. I won’t uproot them…”

“Don’t be a fool,” said Polly sharply, “Alec did nothing wrong, but we need to be smart about this. Tell him to go to the police so that they can clear his name. Drag him to the station if you have to! But the world needs to know that it was self-defence, not a pre-meditated attack. Then Bragg won’t have a leg to stand on, and he can slink off into the shadows. And if he still wants a fight, well…so be it.”

Listening to her, Thomas could hear the common sense in her words. But then he thought of the hurt and betrayal in Alec’s green eyes, and shook his head.

“No,” he said, “By exposing Bragg, I’d expose Alec too. Alec’s suffered enough humiliation already - I won’t have all of Birmingham whispering about what happened to him.”

Without warning, Polly slapped the table.

“Dammit, Tommy! If you want to be a martyr and take the blame, fine, do it. But don’t force the rest of us to be martyrs too. Don’t start a war to protect your lover. John and Esmé just had another baby, for Christ’s sake...”

“What else can I do?” Thomas said, “I’m supposed to be his protector. I’m supposed to be the one person he can turn to. I’ve let him down enough already - I won’t let him down again.”

“Alright, Tommy. Do whatever you want. You’re the king, and all of us mortals have to live and die by your rules. Isn’t that right?”

Thomas finally straightened up, and looked between the faces of his kin. His blue eyes had turned icy.

“We do nothing,” he announced, “We keep our eyes and ears open, and we wait for Bragg to make the first move. If he even makes a move at all.”

Their reactions were a cocktail of disappointment, frustration, and unease, but nobody argued. As Thomas spoke, his voice rose slowly but steadily.

“We don’t know what Bragg’s thinking - if he’s even awake enough to think. He might want revenge, and demand some form of compensation. He might want war, and use this as a pretext to start one. He might want peace, and send me a bunch of fucking flowers and a handwritten apology for touching my family. Or he might just fucking die from blood loss and lead poisoning. We don’t know yet. So let’s not jump the fucking gun and start getting coppers involved!”

Heads were shaking, but in this room, his decision was the only one that mattered.

“In the meantime, we continue as normal. Out of respect for Alec, what I told you about their encounter goes no further than this room. Understood? Let him keep his dignity.”

Arthur, who had been silent since learning the nature of Alec’s assault, seemed to be wrestling with the mess of words in his head. Finally, he spoke.

“Tommy, I don’t…I don’t dislike the boy. I want you to know that. Remember when you found out he was working for Cobb, and you wanted to cut him, and I was the one who talked you out of it? I spent that whole night on guard duty, listening to him reminisce about all the awful shit he’d been through. And then I watched you throw him out in the cold with nothing but the shirt on his back, and his little kid too. It broke my heart. I felt sorry for him then, and I still do. He seems like a nice lad. But he’s not one of us. He can’t be. He’s a Cobb, and we’re Shelbys. His safety can’t be more important than ours, can it?”

“You’ve had your orders,” Thomas said coldly, “Cobb blood, Shelby blood - what’s the difference? Alec is part of this family. Not by birth and not by marriage, but he is one of us. The same as Esmé, the same as Linda…the same as Grace. The law might not see it that way, but it is what it is. You’re welcome to doubt it behind closed doors, but in front of the world, we will present a united fucking front. Now get out. This meeting is over.”

With nothing left to say, the Shelbys abandoned their various positions and filed out of the door, leaving Thomas to light an Irish cigarette and seek much-needed solace in tobacco.

[micawla]

I’m finally starting City of Heavenly Fire and all I’m saying is if Alec and Magnus aren’t back together by page 5 I’m rioting

[alexanderlightweight]

Wednesday, my favourite day^^ I really, really love the Cider verse. Does your writing muse feel willing to give us another entry? (sfw/nsfw, whatever fits the plot best) (love you and have the nicest day, week, month, year^^)

here is a little glimpse of Alec and Mirai trying to figure out how to salvage everything that's going down! Mirai has been working very hard to mitigate the disaster.

ty, I have gotten a lot of cleaning done and two prompts written in the two breaks i've taken so I feel accomplished ^_^

<3 hope you enjoy

lumine

-

the choice of hope

Meeting with Mirai is the most important goal of Alec’s day..

Everything else will come together, as long as Alec can get a full view of just how badly everything has been fucked up.

Which means he and Mirai sitting in the hidden tunnel of the greenhouse, a pot of tea between them and a plate of hard, spicy candies.

“The Clave tried to say it was our fault—” Mirai’s face twists with annoyance as she hands Alec her tablet. “Imogen was doing her best  to interfere.  She didn’t realize how close we were to our main goal of consolidating power and raising you as Head officially.  It messed up her plans. She’s now in an equally bad light with Lydia’s actions and we seem blameless.” Mirai is smug about that and it’s telling that she’s thrown herself and Alec’s fates together so quickly.

It’s a relief to be told everything he needs to succinctly and he takes the heavily spiced tea she offers him and swallows a hot, steaming mouthful.

It wakes him up in a way coffee — magical or mundane — never quite manages to. 

“Your parents were called back to Idris. Their presence was considered a deterrent, especially as Lydia claims a part of her issues was their continued interference.” 

Alec snorts, it doesn’t matter to him whether or not that's true. Anything that gets his parents out of his territory is a good thing. Passing a bit of blame on his parents when they’ve escaped more than their fair share only seems karmic.

“We’ll need to send Jace back to Idris. Izzy and that girl too.”

It hurts to say it, but Mirai won’t say it first. She’s amazing to work with but they’re still too new. She won’t press him so soon on something like this, which is why Alec will press himself.

For the good of his Institute and the future he’s building here, with Magnus.

Mirai inclines her head to him and Alec accepts it with a grateful sigh and a long sip of his tea.

“We’ve grown stagnant.  It happened before the Uprising and it’s happening again now. Once was bad enough, but again? Just because the Clave wants to ignore the monster it made.” Alec offers Mirai the folder he’d compiled while at Magnus’, hours and hours of time spent over old books with Magnus’ enthusiastic voice distracting him when the research got too boring.

“New patrols. More rigid training, meeting with local downworld leaders more often. Being seen to stand strong in the light, not just as a blade in the night.”

Mirai seems stunned but Alec knows that this is the moment this will crumble or rise, her knuckles tighten and a wide grin parts her face like a sun rising after a storm.

“Then we have a lot of work to do.”

—-

Alec’s wedding ring is protected by glamour, but he still keeps his fingerless gloves on.  The leather presses against the metal and the cool band of it is a constant reminder that he is no longer alone.

His siblings are gone.

Sent to Idris without even knowing Alec is married and Alec can’t even tell them because there is no telling how they would react to the news. There’s too many risks involved and Alec isn’t willing to bet his and Magnus’ happiness on a whim.

Another war is coming, no matter how hard he and Magnus work from the shadows to try and mitigate the damages that could be caused.

When Valentine is finally dead and the shadowworld purged of his ilk, Alec is going to insist they get an actual honeymoon.

He never really understood the appeal of such mundane tradition but now that he’d had time to think about it, it sounds amazing.

If he’s with Magnus of course.

-

AN:

Alec is feeling a little salty about everything. he hasn't even processed jace's punishment for runing Clary which means that Jace has to have that taken over by the clave and Alec is just feeling very 'why did I even bother trying so hard'

[telltaleangelina]

So I wanted to ask you a bit more about Bunny and Ralph and their ‘domestic ménage’!  I find it weird too.  It’s never really clear, they seem to speak in code, then there is the separate kettles thing, that freaked me out when I noticed it, and that weird ‘Bunny’s gone’ except that he hasn’t, and then Ralph ‘Do you feel like believing that?’  What do you think is going on there…….

Honestly, I have no idea! I was very meh the first time I read about their relationship (before the car scene, of course) because I was convinced that Laurie was just blowing it all out of proportion. It seemed to me to be a casual relationship: stuff like the separate kettles, Ralph having his own apartment (even though Bunny lives downstairs), etc. all formed this idea in my mind that they were just messing around and weren't anything really serious. Now, I don’t think that’s true anymore but I’m no more clear on the intricacies of their relationship than I was before. Ralph certainly doesn’t seem to respect Bunny and Alec seems to agree that he’s not suited to him (which Laurie reiterates through his constant questioning of how Ralph can stand him). But other than that, I’ve no idea what is going on.

I think a major reason I thought their relationship was weird is because of the fact that all the information we get of it comes from Laurie, who himself feels that way but doesn’t know enough about the situation to provide an answer as to why Ralph would be in it in the first place; he doesn’t know most of the story, is only there at the end, adores one-half of the equation while despising the other…and he’s the only one we can follow along with! It doesn’t help that most of his observations only serve to reintroduce/reinforce the same two questions constantly in his mind: 'why is Ralph with someone like this?' and ‘how can Ralph stand him?’ And that's all we get as readers! It's just Bunny being odd or painfully tone-deaf (the comments about Bim) or actually evil (the car scene+what he does to Andrew) and Laurie looking at Ralph, who he adores and has been dreaming about for years, going: 'but why though?’

I don’t have many other thoughts but I would love to hear more (real, unlike mine) theories! I’m really in the dark about Bunny generally; I feel there’s lots of stuff I didn’t pick up on regarding his character because I was too busy focusing on Laurie and Ralph. Oh, and as far as the ‘can you really believe that?’ comment, I assume it’s just that Ralph is used to such things being disbelieved. Laurie himself has a moment where he thinks they might get back together so long as no one intervenes to keep them away from one another in 48 hours (I think so anyway, I might be misremembering what he said). But anyway, thank you for the ask! I'm sorry I don't have much more to say!

[thebisexualdogdad]

Could you plz do headcanons with Hellblazer!Reader x Donna Troy?

Donna troy x Male!reader

● you have known Donna for a decade first meeting back when you were 18

● the justice league dark which you had recently joined were asked to aid the justice league in fighting doomsday

● Dick had written you off but Donna fully believed in your magic

● Dick "really Donna? You're falling for this mumbo jumbo?" He says as they watch you create a potion made of outlandish ingredients Dick had never heard of

● Donna "the Amazon's history is rooted in God's and goddesses, occultism is not too far out of the box"

● sure you two met up every so often to hook up but with the amount of traveling around you both did you decided it was best not to commit to a relationship and ruin the good thing you had

● but then years later she's settled down in San Francisco with the titans so you found a way to make your own pocket dimension headquarters to allow you to move to San Francisco to be with her while still having 24/7 access to the other JLD members when needed

● Donna is the only one on the titans who is allowed to have a key to this pocket dimension

● and Gar and Connor have been banned from even stepping inside after setting off a magical windstorm in your library while messing around with some of your ancient artifacts

● well Kori has been trusted with another key in case of an emergency but no one except you and Donna know that

● Donna walking in on you doing a spell fully naked

● "see something you like love?" You say with a grin

● "Y/N please put some clothes on, the titans need your help"

● you become a mentor of sorts to Rachel teaching her about the supernatural and how to control her powers

● she's also not allowed to take any of your spell/ritual books out of the library because once again Gar and Connor were messing around and accidentally summoned a demon in the titans tower

● Donna and Zatanna are super close

● Zatanna tells Donna so many embarrassing stories about you

● and all the magical mishaps she's witnessed you make

● being the only girl in the JLD Zatanna also likes having other women around

● Zatanna "you think Gar smells bad when he shapeshifts? You don't even want to know the smells that come off of Alec when he returns from the swamp"

● giving Donna your trench coat when it's cold out

● "you know there is something that will warm you up" you say suggestively

● Donna leans in like she's going to kiss you but instead whispers "tequila?"

● Donna pulling you in by your tie to actually kiss you

● and flirting with her at the most inappropriate times during missions

● Jason "does he ever shut up?"

● Jason still hasn't forgiven you for the time you turned him into a rabbit

● in your defense it was Kent's idea after the two of them were arguing because Jason was trying to sneakily put his Dr Fate helmet on despite being warned not to several times

● Jason "it's just a stupid helmet what's the big deal"

● "kid that helmet is one of the most powerful artifacts in the world not even I could handle wearing it, you certainly wouldn't be able to"

● Bobo argues a lot with Dick on who is a greater detective, him or Bruce

● Bobo "Richard, I am a member of mensa"

● Dick "yeah but you're a monkey!"

● Bobo "a chimpanzee actually and batman is the one who comes to me for help not the other way around"

● "he's got a point Dick"

● Dick "not now Y/N!"

● when Donna died you and Rachel stopped at nothing to get her back

● Kent told you it would be impossible to resurrect her but she was the love of your life, you would either get her back or die trying

● when you do finally get her back the two of you decide to put superheroing behind for a bit and travel the world together

● a year later Kori gets a call that you proposed in Paris and that Donna would need her help planning the wedding

[headstrongblake]

letter 32.

nick's determined to find you, bring you home. i wish there was something i could say to him that would help him with this, in coping with losing you...because while i hope against hope that you'll come back with us when we find you...i know already. i know you won't return with us. i know that. but nick doesn't. he does his best to hold onto the hope that bringing you back will fix everything that went wrong since that man. i think his hope is getting into my soul, working it's way into my dreams because when we finally stopped at this crap motel tonight after hundreds of miles...i had the most vivid dream. so real that when i woke up....my heart ached for it.

you were there. happy and a little older, but you looked less worn. like you no longer carried such a devastating weight that i know you've been saddled with long before you ever should've been. we were happy. i was so confused as i walked down the hallway, filled with gorgeous pictures we must have framed...there was a child laughing...i think that's why i was confused the most, i haven't had dreams like this, or even thought of a family since our scare...but when i got downstairs...oh grant, there she was. our little girl, laughing on the kitchen counter, making a mess with you. it appeared so real...felt so real.

god, nick's hope is infectious and dangerous. this won't be our life and i'm devastated by it...i know i was terrified about being a mom, terrified about possibly having a child but...i wish you knew that if i could go back, i'd make sure you know that one day.... a family with you would have been my dream.

letter 19.

i hate you so much for leaving. for doing this to me. to nick!! to the family we created here. i hate you, grant. god i hate you so much and worst of all, i hate myself even more because i still love you. i still love you so much that if you showed up here right now, right this second...you know i'd fold into your arms, and tell you how that everything's going to be okay now. i write that and know how fucked up that is. how could you do that to somebody you love?! how the hell could you promise to love me, to never leave me and after everything we've been through together...you did. i believed you, every time you swore you loved me i believed it. i think part of me still does, but when i do, when i remember all the promises you made, and how you made me feel in every moment we spent together...i'm just angrier. you don't get to promise someone a love like i thought we had and then just abandon them!? it's not fucking fair grant. it's not. you broke my fucking heart...

letter 74.

i still miss you at times, grant. please, don't ever think that because my life has continued that i forget you, or everything we did together. you're my family. part of my family here and that will always be true. kassy and i are better. i understand why she was hurt when nick and i left to look for you, i can understand the anger and pain she felt in how we left her, especially for you. i love you still, i don't know if that will ever change, but you're not at the forefront of my thoughts anymore, haunting me. & most importantly...you are not here. kassy is. bellamy is. alec. nate. trinity. atom. liv. they're all here and i'm finding more of myself. i'm pouring into those i love who are here and i'm pouring more into myself again. bell doesn't love it, but i started a new business here. exacting justice, giving a little payback. it's brilliant and growing fast. word on the street lately is that i am who you go to when you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. i was tired of being too late, of not being helpful, of the people i love the most...being hurt in ways i can't keep stomaching. this is how i fix that. how i do my part in it.

but I have to admit, there are parts that worry me. i'm sure that'll worry bell if he notices it. but the violence, the cruelty, the darkness of this world—it's getting easier to manage, easier to duel out. I'm changing grant, but i also think i'm becoming who i need to be.

i don't know why i'm still writing these....but, it helps. when i can't sleep, when i'm spinning out...writing to you helps.

|| @thewholecrew