#monica and friends lessons

[ineffectualdemon]

You know I joke about it but it would be really funny if Shen Qingqiu hears Shang Qinghua call Binghe "my son" one too many times while having to sit on a very soft cushion and he decides to punish both his frenemy and his husband

Shen Qingqiu: FINE! Since he's your son take responsibility!

Shang Qinghua: ...what do you mean?

Shen Qingqiu: *manic smile and weird glint in his eye* tomorrow Binghe is coming over and you are teaching him sex ed and if the next time he hasn't improved I will take it out on your worthless hide

Shang Qinghua: *knowing how very shit his first time with Mobei was and how he's still a novice but that he's not getting out of this* ...fuck

Cue a night of desperately taking notes from the Madam at the Red Pavilion with Mobei Jun, who wouldn't let him go alone and who started off sulking in the corner but got more interested as time went on.

He leaves with a lesson plan, a bunch of lube, a demon lord carrying a lot of weird stuff made of leather, and a coupon

The lesson goes exactly as awkwardly and uncomfortable as you would expect with Binghe unhappy to be there

Still he stays and also takes diligent notes a several pots of lube

The day after that a disheveled Shen Qingqiu bursts into the leisure house and basically re-enacts the scene of Cathy thanking Monica in Friends

Shang Qinghua barely has time to react which is good because he is exhausted after Mobei spent the night demonstrating how good of a student he could be as well

[bellarkeselection]

hey! I have a submission/request for a fanfic for whenever you can get to it.

While Monica and Kayce are separated, Kayce and a female farm hand (who has been around for a few years) end up having a drunken night together. Feeling ashamed, she ends up drinking in the pasture (clearly hasn’t learnt her lesson) with Rip. She ends up having a night with Rip as well. Well a few weeks later she finds out she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. She tries to hide the pregnancy for a bit until she can find out the paternity but something happens and she has to spill the beans to them

Two Baby Daddy’s

None of us say that we are going to help someone cheat on their husband or wife…sometimes these things happen. But what I didn’t expect was having two possible baby daddy's to the infant growing in my belly…let's go back to the beginning though shall we?

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I rolled over on my side feeling a soft bed mattress underneath me. My gaze found a familiar tousled locks of brown curly hair that could only belong to Kayce Dutton. I sat slightly up on the pillows just staring at him. “You sure know how to show a girl a good time, Dutton.” I kissed his head climbing out of the covers shrugging on my clothes that we had thrown around the room the night before.

I snatched my hat off the door handle leaving his bedroom and went straight to the barn. Climbing on my horse the work day wasn't bad and the guys were playing poker and drinking beer by the end of the night. I walked outside of the building leaning against the wooden fence drinking from my beer hearing footsteps coming up behind me. “You didn’t talk much today. Care to explain why?” Rip came walking up to me.

“The cattle don't care much for talkin’. And I just didn't have anything good to share except that I am a coward who can’t tell the guy I like how I feel without a whole lot of alcohol.” I take a long drink feeling the buzz in my head starting to appear.

Rip leans on the fence watching me. I had been a loyal farm hand for years. He respected me as much as John does. “Everybody makes mistakes in their life. You just have to man up and take responsibility for it.”

“That sounds like a good idea. But I'd rather do the opposite it and just make the pair go away for a few hours. What do ya say, Wheeler?” I swayed my hips at him holding the beer bottle in my freehand trying to gain his attention.

Rip stood there for a moment debating in his head. He knew Beth would tear down whoever slept with her man even though she didn't much care for labels on relationships. “Beth wouldn't like that very much if we hooked up.”

“Hey, it's not like I'm just some random girl. I am her best friend and you could just say you did it to make me happy for a night. She won't sink her claws into me over that.” I slowly walked up to him running my freehand down his chest ever so slowly. “What do you say. One more girl before you make Berh your wife forever?”

Y/n, I….hell with it.” Rip decided to change his mind cupping my face and smashing his lips onto mine before his brain told him this was wrong.

Moving my hands up his chest I moaned into the kiss enjoying the feeling. The bottle in my hands dropped to the dust and dirt underneath our boots. Rip tugged me closer to his chest deepening the kiss. “We should get out of here before they come looking for us out here.” He warned me of the cowboys fighting inside the bunkhouse over who was really winning the poker game.

Dragging me to his cabin Rip kicked open the door and I jumped up into his arms wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me to his bedroom, sitting me on the bed. We each quickly removed our clothes before I held his face in my hands pulling him down onto me and the bed.

That night was two weeks ago and it brought more conflict than I ever wanted in my life.

Walking down the hallway of the main house and to Beth’s room I knocked three times before she opened the door knowing it was me. “Did you get what I asked you for?”

“Yes I did. My father knows I can’t have kids. So you better be more discreet about this.” She moved out of the way, letting me inside the bedroom. She reached into her purse handing me a pack of pregnancy tests.

Taking out one I went into the nearest bathroom while she stood guard inside with me, blocking the door shut with her body. “Thanks Beth…..oh I’m so screwed now.” Holding the test in my hands it took a few minutes before we had an answer.

“Do you know who the father is?” She questioned me, arms crossed over her chest.

Lifting my head up I felt my entire body shiver at the thought. I hadn’t told her about me and Rip yet since it was just a one time thing. “I uh….I slept with Rip. But I also slept with Kayce a few days earlier.”

“If you were anyone else I would kick your ass. But because you are my friend I will help you hide this until you find out who the father is.” She responded to me helping me to my feet before we went our separate ways.

Weeks later -

Climbing down from my horse as quickly as possible when I got into the barn after work saying that I wasn’t feeling too good and so Rip let me heed back earlier. Stumbling into the dirt I rushed over to one of the empty stalls that we kept the horses in. I bent my head over the wall and puked whatever was in my stomach. “Y/n, woah hey. Hey are you alright?”

“Kayce?” I croaked through the fact that I was trying to catch my breath still.

He was holding my hair back out of my face when I slowly turned around to face him. “Rip said you weren't feeling well so I thought I'd come check on you.”

“Thanks Kayce. But I'm fine.” I pushed away from him, snatching my hat up from the dirt ground and dusting the dust off of it.

Kayce stared at me and stepped forward grabbing me by the forearm when I attempted to leave the barn. “Hold on a second. There's something I need to talk to you about. Beth, just told me she wants me and Rip to come down to the hospital with you.”

“Shit Bethany. What the hell are you doing?” I cursed under my breath.

I have been keeping this a secret for a few weeks now. I needed to keep my job after all and not ruin my friendship or whatever that I had with the Dutton standing in front of me now. I had gone to the hospital yesterday evening asking for a paternity test to find out who the father of the baby was. “Do you want to explain why she would want me and Rip to go to the hospital with you?”

“Kayce, I…it’s because-”

“Y/n, are you feeling better? We managed to finish the job earlier so the boys are going out for drinks if you want to come with us.” Rip's voice entered the barn and he dismounted his horse seeing the two of us.

Glancing over my shoulder, my chest tightening in a panic mode. “Rip?”

“Is something going on here I need to involve the boss in?” Rip points his finger from me to Kayce.

Clutching my hands into fists I sucked in a sharp breath. The two men were just staring at me now. Thanks to Beth I supposed I have no choice but to explain the situation if I don't want them to both be angry with me later down the line. “There's something I need to talk to you two about…I'm pregnant.” Lifting the sweatshirt I had on you could see a growing belly underneath the shirt I was wearing.

“You're pregnant. How far along…do you think it's mine?’ Kayce covers his mouth with his hands.

Rip blinked when I focused my attention on him. “Or it could be mine.”

“Yes, That's why I took the test. The reason Beth told you Kayce is because the doctor has the results now.” I whispered avoiding their gazes on me.

Rip headed towards the doorway and we followed him to the truck. Beth came with us since she knew I needed a friend when we entered the room and the doctor came in with the results. “This will be a very interesting conversation for the father. So I will say congratulations to you Y/n. The father has the same blood DNA as Mr. Dutton.”

“I'm gonna be a father again?” Kayce breathed out.

Beth pushed the doctor out of the room and Rip followed her out into the hallway leaving us alone in the room. “Thanks for the help. Now let them yell at each other then kiss alone.”

I remained in my seat, hands covering my mouth with my hands so terrified of what I would say to him. There were two options he could say to me. He would either be happy or not want anything to do with me and our baby. “Kayce, I don't know where to start. I should have told you how I felt before now. It shouldn't have been alcohol to make me have the guts to tell you that I've had feelings for you for years.”

“It was because of Monica and me why you didn't say anything wasn't it?” He turned his head at me and we were looking the other in the eye. “I'm sorry I didn't see your feelings earlier…I love Tate. I guess he was right that I was too chicken to tell you the truth.”

I blinked through some tears needing to hear the words from him to believe it. “Kayce, how do you feel about me?”

“This is how, Darling.” He got to his feet, getting down on his knees in front of me. I gasped feeling him press his lips down onto mine slowly. Wrapping my arms around his neck I kissed him back until we needed air and he was panting for breath. “I've always had feelings for you. I won't leave you and this baby.”

I gasped sniffing through happy tears. “You won't. But what about Tate?”

“He's gonna be thrilled to have a sibling.” Kayce chuckled, kissing my forehead. “I love you Y/n.”

Laying my head against his chest I smiled when he wrapped his arms around my waist holding me. “I love you too, Kayce.”

[thelampisaflashlight]

Some RainDrop thoughts before the coffee hits. Let's go.

-The "Holding hands in public is a bit embarrassing and maybe a little scary." meets, "I need to be tethered to you or I'm going to get lost in the crowd or wander off" couple.

They tend to flip flop which is which, but it's largely Rain being the one who is concerned about other people (he gets over it fast) and Dew who needs to be held onto constantly, because he gets distracted, and gets super upset if Rain doesn't follow him.

-The grocery store date type, and on the off chance someone else is with them? Well, friend, consider yourself part of the family at that point, bud.

Not to put Friends in the Ghost headcanons, but it's whatever dynamic is going on with Chandler, Monica, and Joey, ya know?

Swiss is Joey in this case... tentatively Mountain.

On the topic of the third factor of their relationship, whenever someone comments on how Mountain and/or Swiss are always around, both Rain and Dew are like, "Yeah? And?"

And lastly;

-The "Where is-" "Over here." couple. Rain keeps losing his things, and Dew knows where those things are almost supernaturally.

Early on in the relationship, Rain thought Dew was maybe moving his things around and that that was how he always knew, but, as it would turn out, Dew is just very concerned about other people losing things that are important to them, to the point that it stresses him out when they can't find their things.

In other words, Dew doesn't like the idea of someone being upset because they lost something, so he keeps a constant eye on everything.

Don't ask him to remind you of an appointment though, he'll get too stressed out about you potentially being late, and if he forgets to remind you, he will feel so guilty about it he might just cry.

Rain learned this lesson the hard way when he told Dew to remind him about his yearly check-up at the infirmary and then proceeded to sleep through his original appointment time and Dew forgot to remind him.

Instant guilt and tears

[olsenmyolsen]

Chapter Eight: Back To Work

The Farmer's Daughter - (A WandaNat Story)

Masterlist

Tag list: @xenaizogie

Summary: Wanda invites Natasha out with her friends, but they run into someone from Natasha's past.

Word Count: 3.4K

Content: Drinking, Jealousy, Feelings

Thursday.

It was Thursday.

As the clock rolled into the afternoon, it had officially been four days since Wanda came home with a newfound... feeling... for Natasha.

It wasn't love or a crush. At least, she didn't think so. She was still flirty, but it wasn't as blatant as before. Maybe it was? Wanda truly wasn't convinced.

Regardless, one thing was for sure.

She loved to see Natasha work up a sweat in one of her old t-shirts.

"Howdy, partner!" Wanda embarrassedly said as Natasha approached the fence near the house to grab her water bottle. "Oh, is that what we are doing today?" Natasha teased as she took a big sip.

Wanda shrugged. Honestly, her accent could've been worse.

"Did you see my story?" Wanda asked as Natasha laughed and set down her water. "Wanda, you know I don't check my phone. Especially today." Natasha turned away and saw Erik on a horse in the distance. "I can't believe you guys used to have horses."

Wanda looks at her father in the distance. "Yeah. Cookie Dough." Wanda says. "Cookie Dough? The horse's name was Cookie Dough?" Natasha wears a cute smile as she leans closer to the fence.

Closer to Wanda.

Wanda smiles at her before looking away.  "You can't make fun of me. I was eight." Natasha keeps her mouth shut and gives a playful tilt of the head. "Cookie Dough is a good name." Natasha turns back to see Erik making his way towards her.

She turns to Wanda. "Back to work."

Wanda watches the latest Farmhand start jogging away. When she's far enough away, she gives one last look and starts making her way back to the house, where she opens a group chat with her closest friends.

Seven Peas In A Pod

Sunday: Jarvis has been kicked

Darcy Renamed The Group to Six Peas Minus A Bitch

Darcyyyy

D: Fine 😒

Darcy Renamed The Group to Six Peas In A Pod

Today:

We should go out tonight

S: Its Thursday...

D: damn sam stay home then. where we going bestie???

M: I can't sorry guys

That's okay Monica. But I was thinking city??

C: City? I'm down.

D: surprise surprise

C: 🙄

B: Is Natasha coming??

D: Bucky.. but fr 👀

Darcy kick Bucky

B: No! Okay I'm sorry

👎

S: No but fr is she??

I have to ask..

Wanda flipped her phone over and laid face-down on her Queen bed.

Why did the thought of asking Natasha to hang out feel like a monumental task? It was Natasha.. What made that difficult?

Wanda dwelled on it for a few more seconds before she shook her mind free of the redhead and lifted herself up. Her eyes drifted to her open closet with a black cocktail dress hanging in the corner.

Would that be too much?

Of course, I'm hanging out with friends, not going to a rooftop restaurant.

Wandas flopped back down her bed and grabbed her phone. Ignoring the group chat and instead going to Pinterest to look for inspo.

Hours later, with clothes thrown everywhere and multiple eyeshadow pallets open did she receive a text from Carol outside of the group chat.

"Hey, I'm not saying this to stress you out or anything, but have you asked Natasha yet? I wanna know if we're gonna meet here or not."

Shit.

Meanwhile, Natasha was finishing up her last lesson in horse care for the day with Wanda's father as they put Butterball into his stable. 

"...and in the morning, I'll worry about his food if you just focus on keeping the area clean and work on getting the addition to the coop built."

Natasha turned towards the house of chickens and sneered.

"Yes, sir." She replied, making Erik laugh. He knew of Natasha's hatred for the pecking monsters, but a bigger coop needed to be built. You win some, you lose some.

"Romanoff." Erik started as the pair walked down towards the house. "Sir?" Natasha questioned. Erik stopped and took his hat off to wipe his forehead. "I just want to thank you again for everything you've done for us so far. Even though it's been a short time, it sure as hell feels longer."

At that moment, Wanda walked out of the house looking for Natasha. 

Natasha spotted her immediately.

"I know just what you mean, sir." Natasha pulled her focus back to her boss. Erik hummed and turned his head to Wanda as the two continued walking. "I guess what I'm saying is, is that good help is hard to find, but you sure found us at a good time,"

Natasha turned her head to the man as they reached the fence gate. "Thank you, sir." He smiled, and it looked like he wanted to say more, but as Wanda walked up, Erik didn't say a word. "Hi, sweetie." Erik smiled at his daughter. "Hi, Papa!" She waved before her eyes moved to Natasha's.

Erik turned slightly and made his exit known. "I'll see what Magda's feeling for dinner."

Natasha waved bye before moving to take off her work gloves. "What's up?" Natasha questioned Wanda. Wanda held the end sleeve of her heather grey oversized sweatshirt. "I was kinda wondering if you wanted to come out with me and the group tonight?" Wanda asked without any stutters or flubs.

Natasha looked at Wanda, a little surprised. "Oh!" Natasha looked down and smiled before finding Wanda's beautiful face. "Out like to a club or-"

"No, no, no. Like a beer garden that has like board games and stuff!" That interested Natasha a lot more. "Oh!" She said again. "Yeah. Sure. That sounds like fun!" Natasha genuinely couldn't remember the last time she played a board or card game, but if she had to guess, it was probably at Clint's before the man flipped the board over and walked away like a baby.

Wanda felt ecstatic!

"Great! I'll let everyone know!" Wanda rushed off to get ready for the night without giving Natasha any additional information, but seeing the smile on Wanda's face was more than enough for her.

Now, she was glad she splurged more on her body wash.

But just like Wanda before, Natasha was now left figuring out what to wear.

Natasha turned her back to the mirror. She was watching the way her ass filled out her favorite pair of black jeans.

This could work.

Natasha, happy with that choice, sat on the bed as she looked at her newly filled closet while she put a pair of socks on and her brown boots. Natasha planted both feet on the hardwood floor and sighed. She stood up once again and walked to the mirror.

Her eyes found the scars on her left arm before she moved to look at a mole in the center of her chest. She brought her hand up and circled it with her healed index finger. She smiled as she briefly thought about the seconds before she cut herself on the kitchen knife.

Three.

That's how many small moles she counted on Wanda's left breast.

She also remembers the teasing look Wanda wore.

Natasha lifted her face slightly to look at herself. She looked better and knew Wanda was a reason for it—that and leaving the military.

Still, Natasha cleared her throat, and instead of looking for a shirt, she parked herself at the small desk by the door. She began lining her ears with additional gold pieces of jewelry she had been absent of.

Natasha turned her head and beamed at her beauty. She opened her phone camera and looked at the freshly applied lipstick and lip liner.

She was trying something new.

Natasha wasn't too sure about it. But before she could reach forward and grab a wipe, a shadow caught her eye.

Away from the dipping sun behind a pink sky, Wanda was in her bedroom window with her light on. She stood posing in front of her mirror in blue jeans and a lacy black bra.

Natasha felt her cheeks run red as she couldn't pull her eyes away in time to watch Wanda check herself out. Soft hands were smoothing themselves across her beautiful skin.

Natasha closed her mouth and looked away before a noise could disrupt this tranquil moment. She threw on whatever was the nearest shirt she could find, as her mind wouldn't let go of Wanda.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Magda asked as she looked her daughter's outfit up and down. She smiled. Her daughter had grown up into a beautiful, intelligent woman. 

Wanda looked down at her outfit of blue jeans, brown boots, and a white t-shirt with a red button-down open-dress shirt.

In the right light, her black bra could be seen through the white shirt.

Wanda did this on purpose for one person tonight.

"Out with friends. Natasha's coming." This was news to Magda. "Oh!" Her surprised voice turned into one of acceptance. "Okay. Well, have fun and be safe!"

Wanda smiled and entered the living room to hug her mother. "I will."

Natasha will make sure of it. Wanda thought.

"Where's Papa?" Wandas asked. Magda pointed upstairs. Wanda nodded and said another goodbye as her mother joked about ordering pizza now that no one would be home tonight.

Wanda laughed and closed the front door just in time for her to see Natasha walk up the path from her place like a goddess. Natasha had a natural beauty that was only exploited even more by the paint on her lips and the jewelry on her body.

Wants didn't miss the way the leather jacket stuck to Natasha in a way that would look good on her. Not to mention the jeans.

It was then that Wanda found herself being wrong.  She did, in fact, have a crush on Natasha Romanoff.

Natasha smirked as her eyes savored in Wanda. Wanda wasn't just attractive tonight. She was hot. And judging by the lacey bra she wore underneath, Natasha knew that Wanda knew how gorgeous she was.

Wanda smirked and walked off the porch as Natasha stepped closer. "Oh, Natasha, I don't think you understand what you're doing to me." Wanda hid the truth behind a teasing voice and smile.

Natasha would've rolled her eyes, but something shifted between the two.

Natasha gave a wink instead that she instantly regretted, but Wanda laughed, so maybe it wasn't that bad. They each walked closer to Natasha's bike.

"So, are we meeting everyone at one of your friends?"

That was the plan.

"Umm.." Wanda didn't want to do that anymore. "Actually, we're gonna meet them at the beer garden."

Natasha didn't remember that being the plan but went along with it. It's not like she was in the group chat. "Okay." She said and smiled as Wanda stepped closer to her motorcycle. "Oh wait!" Natasha said.

Wanda took a step back, unaware if she had done anything wrong.

"You need a helmet!" Natasha said, which led to Natasha laughing as they hit the main road. "It's not funny!" Wanda shouted as her arms wrapped tighter around Natasha's middle. She smelt her shampoo in the wind.

Natasha giggled as she caught the reflection of Wanda in a bright pink helmet that barely fit her anymore.

As Natasha parked her bike, she felt a little sad when Wanda's arms unraveled themselves from her body.

Wanda hopped off the bike first and stood on the sidewalk as she watched Natasha swing her leg around the bike. God, it was hot. And how did Natasha not get helmet hair?

Natasha placed her helmet on the seat as she peeked over at Wanda before full-blown laughing again. Confusing Wanda. "What?!" Wanda smiled. Natasha came closer and raised her rough hands to Wanda. Her fingertips brushed up Wanda's neck to her chin.

"Were you planning on wearing this inside?" Natasha unclipped the strap to the bright pink helmet. "Oh, right! Duh!" Wanda closed her eyes, embarrassed, as Natasha lifted the helmet. "It's okay. We'll just leave it here." Natasha put it on the right handlebar. "I don't think anyone's gonna want it." Natasha joked, making Wanda agree with laughter.

Natasha, meanwhile, took her helmet with her and placed it under her arms as she and Wanda walked side by side to the beer garden.

The two felt an electric touch when their hands brushed against each other more than once.

"Wanda?" Natasha tilted her head to the younger woman as they approached the establishment. Bouncer in sight. "What's up?" Wanda blinked her big doe eyes. "Aren't you 20?" Natasha innocently asked.

Natasha didn't care if Wanda had a fake ID or not. Even if Wanda showed that she did, in fact, have one, she ignored Natasha's question and presented the bouncer with an ID that said she was 22 years old.

Natasha just didn't want for Wanda to be turned away at the door. She didn't want to see her sad.

However, to Wanda, Natasha's question was an unwarranted reminder of the eight-year gap between the two. 

"Happy?" Wanda asked with a slightly sour tone that surprised Natasha. "Of course," Natasha replied as she followed an already guilty feeling Wanda.

Wanda turned to Natasha and gave a warm smile. A subtle apology that Natasha didn't realize before grabbing her arm and leading her to the bar. "I'll buy the first round!"

Natasha widely smiled and accepted. "I'll buy the second." She found Wanda's eyes and leaned in a little closer until their sides touched.

Wanda and Natasha both hid smiles.

As Natasha kept her eyes occupied with reading the menu above the taps, Wanda received a text.

Six Peas In A Pod

I have to ask..

D: did she ask??

C: Where are we meeting btw?

S: We doin shots tonight right? Wanda??

D: wanda? babes?

B: What is Natasha said no...

D: bucky i will kick you out don't play. wanda??

C: Imma text her.

SHE SAID YES WE'LL MEET YOU THERE!

M: Omg!! Girl I can't wait to hear all about it!!

B: Five step plan to make Natasha fall I love with me starts now.

D: @Bucky🙄 as if

S: We doing shots!!!

Now:

D: gotta say im loving the way natasha fills out the jeans 👀

HUH!?

Wanda flipped her phone screen down so hard she thought it might have broken. Natasha noticed. "Is everything okay?" Wanda nodded as she began looking for any signs of her friends. She found them when Darcy started shaking her hands wildly.

"Oh, I see." Natasha laughed. "Let's order, and then we'll join them," Natasha suggested, much to Wanda's agreement. Moments alone were going to be rare, and Wanda wanted to make it last.

"Nice helmet!" Sam noted as Natasha and Wanda sat next to each other—separate seats. Darcy immediately caught the way Wanda was watching Natasha converse with the rest of the friend group.

She smiled behind her second beer of the night.

"So Natasha, be honest with me." Sam began making everyone be prepared for him to say something crazy. "Oh boy," Carol mumbled. Sam waved his hands at his friends. "Is Wanda a snorer?" Bucky and Carol immediately slapped his arm and head as Wanda became red in the face.

Natasha, surprised and amused by everything happening, cleared her throat before sipping on her second beer. Her green orbs caught Wanda's before they darted away. "Umm.." Natasha said. "I don't have an answer for you. But if I had to guess..." She looked at Wanda and smirked. "I'd say she's definitely a loud snorer. She would probably keep me up the whole night!"

"Oh my god! No! Shut up!" Wanda lightly pushed Natasha but glowed at the mention of Natasha and her sleeping together.

Natasha laughed and high-fived Sam. Darcy even joined in.

Conversations like that flowed again with a round of shots before a stranger made their presence known.

"Excuse me..." A soft voice interrupted a story Bucky was telling about the group's time at the beach. All eyes turned to a dark-haired woman with a bandage on her nose. She wore a purple flannel over a grey shirt, dark-wash jeans, and black boots. She had a very striking complexion.

Carol and Bucky both found themselves looking the woman up and down. Sam, like with Natasha, noticed the dog tags around her neck.

Sam turned his attention to Wanda.

Wanda's soft eyes and smile changed when she saw how the woman was looking only at Natasha.

"Tasha?" The woman asked as her cautious face turned into a smile when Natasha turned to face the mysterious person. "Oh my gosh! Kate!?" Natasha rose to her feet and hugged them.

It had been years since "Tasha" had seen this person.

Darcy looked to Wanda, who quietly sipped her beer. The rest of the group also watched the interaction unfold in front of them.

"How are you!?" Kate kept her arms on Natasha's side. "I'm good. Doing some work in the city." Natasha raised her eyebrows and grinned. "Oh wow. That's great!"

Kate lifted her arms away from the redhead. "I heard you're a free woman!" Natasha laughed and knew exactly who told Kate the news. "Fury?" Kate nodded. "Fury."

Darcy slapped Wanda's leg as Wanda sneered at the friendly exchange.

"It's nice when he calls. It's rare, but it happens." Kate said as the friend group watched the way Natasha and Kate spoke in what might as well be riddles.

"So, did you ever-" Natasha's eyes caught a glimpse of the metal hanging around Kate's neck. Kate shared a knowing look with Natasha as they both saw the other person wearing their dog tags. "Get that dog?" Kate finished Natasha's question. Natasha nodded.

"Yeah. Fanny's her name. She's great! I can show you pictures!" Natasha loved how excited Kate was talking about Fanny. "I'd love to see them."

It was then that Natasha could sense all eyes on them. Especially a brunette who was burning a hole into her head. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry guys!" Natasha spoke to the group. 

Wanda thought Natasha should've acknowledged her first as she finished off her third drink. 

"This is Kate Bishop. We..." Natasha trailed off, and half the friend group thought exes. "We were in the military together." Kate once again finished Natasha's sentence. Kate waved to the group.

Bucky flashed his eyes towards Wanda.

"How about you join us!" Darcy spoke up, making Wanda spin her head around. Natasha didn't notice the shocked look Wanda wore.

Darcy was an ally for Wanda through and through, but she also lived from drama and gossip.

"If everyone is cool with it?" Natasha posed to the group. Everyone gave nods and waves of approval.

Everyone but Wanda.

Wanda darted her eyes back and forth between Kate and Natasha. Kate was shorter than Wanda but closer in age to Natasha.

"Here, take my spot!" Natasha moved her drink next to Wanda's empty glass and sat on the loveseat with Wanda. Wanda's stomach jumped, and for a brief moment, a smile was found on her face again. Natasha's stomach also flipped, but she was too focused on giving her attention to Kate than worrying about whether she and Wanda were too close to one another. 

This drove Wanda crazy. Her little movements and longing touches seemed not to faze Natasha throughout the night as card games and more drinks were had.

Too many drinks for Wanda.

This is why when Natasha unsubconsciously put her arm on the backside of Wanda's part of the loveseat, Kate's eyes flickered between the two.

She had been eyeing Wanda most of the night, but when Wanda blushed as Romanoff scooted closer to her, Kate felt safe in making a comment about it.

"I must say, Romanoff, it suits you," Kate said as the game of UNO ended with Carol winning again. Her laughing in Bucky's face.

Wanda could've won multiple times, but she couldn't focus on her cards. Plus, she saw doubles when there weren't any.

"What do you mean?" Natasha inquired. Kate nudged her head towards Wanda, who was turned talking to Darcy.

Darcy was trying to stop Wanda from leaving.

"Oh no.." Natasha shook her head and turned her eyes to Kate. "We're just friends."

Everyone heard it and froze.

The corners of Wanda's eyes immediately began to sting. She got up and started walking away before anyone could stop her. "Wanda!" Darcy yelled, causing Natasha to spin her head in that direction.

Why was Wanda leaving?

Natasha swung her eyes across everyone's face, no one looking directly at her. "Natasha..." Kate spoke up. "Did she know that?"

Natasha's mouth dropped, but no words came out. Every little thing Wanda did tonight finally hit Natasha, and she felt awful. "I-.." She needed to find Wanda. "I'll be back." Natasha stood up and chased in the direction Wanda ran off.

The friend group all turned to Kate.

"Just who do you think you are-" Darcy started yelling at Kate before Sam stood up and stopped Darcy from being a real one. "Look at her tag!" Sam yelled.

"Oh shit..." Bucky's face fell as he saw it.

dividers by @/benkeibear

[destieltropecollection]

Destiel Trope Collection 2024 | Day 11: Enemies to Lovers

Bad Education | @verobatto Rating: Explicit Word Count: 20,061 Main Tags/Warnings: Buttler!Castiel, CEO!Dean, enemies to lovers, boss/employee relationship, character development, comedy Summary: When a multimillionaire grandfather wants to give his grandson Dean Winchester a lesson, he will search for a desperate method by hiring Dean's worst nightmare to be his butler. Will the charismatic Castiel be able to educate the most egocentric, selfish and rebellious rich dude and turn him into a perfect CEO? Or will they kill each other before that happens?

Better Than You | @verobatto Rating: Explicit Word Count: 21,950 Main Tags/Warnings: Light internalized homophobia, office au, coming out, rivals to lovers, childhood friends, fluff, angst, happy ending Summary: Dean has many goals in his life, but there's just one that bothers him to death: to defeat the perfect Castiel Novak at any cost. This is a self-discovering journey, in which Dean will try his best to win against Castiel and not to fall in love with him in the meantime.

Maybe not a comedy (according to Jack), but he likes the happy ending | @seidenapfel Rating: Mature Word Count: 67,602 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Space, Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Canon-Typical Violence, Angels, Demons, Angel Wings, Hell, Purgatory, Heaven, Slow Burn, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Hurt Dean Winchester, Fluff and Angst, Angst, Castiel and Dean Winchester Have a Profound Bond, Angst with a Happy Ending, Castiel's True Form (Supernatural), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, mention of Sam Winchester/Jessica Moore - Freeform, Hurt/Comfort, possible Meg Masters/Charlie Bradbury, Additional Warnings In Author's Note Summary: Dean Winchester is dead. He died ten years ago, when he sold his soul to Demon Corp in order to save his brother’s life. He has lost everything, even his dignity. All that is left is a brutal tool to torture other lost souls on Inferno just like himself. Castiel’s orders are simple. Free one random soul from the pit on Inferno in order to bring it back to Angelus Associations’ headquarters on Paradiso. No one expects him to be successful, but, as a soldier, he never questions his orders. The moment Castiel lays eyes on the human overseer, everything changes. Castiel has found his mission, the man he needs to save. An adventure begins that takes Dean and Castiel from planet to planet, from Inferno to Purgatorio to Paradiso, and beyond. It’s a journey to find themselves and each other.

Vampirenatural: The Rebellion - Rogue | @Taymarpigeon Rating: Explicit Word Count: 225,822 Main Tags/Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Alternate Universe - Vampire, Crossover, Crossover Pairings, World of Darkness, Human Dean Winchester, Detective Dean Winchester, Vampire Castiel (Supernatural), Angst, Smut, Gallows Humor, Sexual Humor, Sexual Tension, Human/Vampire Sex, Blood Drinking, Blood Sharing, sickness and injury, Canon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Recreational Drug Use, Slow Burn, Kiiiind of Mafia, Kiiiind of Murder Husbands, Russian Castiel (Supernatural), Implied/Referenced Suicide, non-consensual biting, BAMF Dean Winchester, BAMF Castiel, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Acts of War Summary: From clubs to underground caverns, seedy motels, haunted hotels and exclusive mansions, Los Angeles has it all. It's a place for the pretty and the hopeful, but beneath its star-spangled façade are shadowy corners harbouring the vagrant and the vagabond alike. It's a world of corruption, sex and violence, Detective Dean Winchester has learnt to navigate with ease. Eight years at Santa Monica PD could never have prepared him for the underbelly of this so-called City of Angels though. Dean knows the shadows, he knows them intimately, but is he prepared for the World of Darkness?

[livelaughlovesubs]

OK

So

idk how to phrase this ask

but you’re good words, Nini!!!

Soooooo I thought of this right in the middle of my gym session when I was listening to Deja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo and I thought:

What about a scenario where reader is like reading a self insert with a sentient character and when reader was done or bored with that particular character, they moved onto a different story with a different character but the same trope!

and like, obviously, the first character is sentient and obsessive(just how we like them!!) and so obviously, they know what reader’s been cheating on them!

So obviously, character must teach reader a lesson! Character must be sure to show just how much they love reader to make sure that reader will never leave them again!!!

omg I just realized just how repetitive I am. This is why I don’t write a lot!!!

Haha, thank you for saying I’m good words :] anyway, I assume we are playing an otome game? Ngl, this kinda reminds me of Monica

Yandere!Game!character x player!reader

: ～{..I love you, y/n!}～

You read the text on the screen of your device, then scanned through the options you had.

⇒ [..I love you too!!]

⇒ [..I’m sorry…]

⇒ [..W-what…?]

Typical, the same answers you’ve seen from other otome games. Since you wanted to clear his route, you didn’t think twice before clicking the first option.

⇒ [..I love you too!!]

: ～{..really? I’m so happy! Let’s stay together forever!]～

The character then hugged the MC, about to kiss them when the screen turned black. What followed were the credits, along with an achievement. You rubbed your eyes, it was already half past eleven. There was a single route left for you to finish until you’ve completed the game completely. Why you were doing this instead of sleeping? Must be the perfectionist screaming inside you, or because there was a hidden route that unlocks after finishing all the other ones. Your friend spoiled you that the last, hidden character was totally your Typ, so you wanted to do their route.

“Alright, time to finish this.” You groaned, stretching your arms before clicking onto the last love-interest.

⇒ [Are you sure you want to leave the current stage?]

⇒ [yes]

⇒ [Are you sure you want to leave the current stage?]

⇒ [yes]

⇒ [Are you really sure you want to leave the current stage?]

“What the fuck?” You frowned, why did the developers had to ask this so often? Did players complain about it?

⇒ [Are you really sure you want to leave the current stage?]

⇒ [yes]

⇒ [Are you really sure you want to leave the current stage?]

⇒ [yes]

Loading…

Please don’t leave the game

“Finally.” You began to groan, this was annoying.

Loading complete

Please don’t leave me

“Wait, what is this smaller text?” You tried to read it when it disappeared, notifying you that the download was done. Which is why you expected to see the character you clicked on, but it was still the same one as before. “What the- ugh, is it a bug?” The clicking of the ‘back’ button echoed through the room, and soon you got fed up with it. Right before you pressed the restart button, a text from the character caught your eyes.

: ～{..Please don’t leave me}～

“Isn’t this the same text as that smaller one?” You commented, wondering why you were even talking to yourself. To have some made up company, maybe. Suddenly that one text turned into a series of begs and demands, and you read them with fascination.

: 〜{..You said you love me,}

: 〜{..we promised to stay together forever.}〜

: 〜{..Don’t love anyone else, for me, please.}〜

: 〜{..I know we are not the same, I’m serious.}〜

: 〜{..I still love you}〜

: 〜{..I still want to be with you}〜

“Breaking the fourth wall? That’s a smart move, it certainly makes the character look more real.” Right after you said that, the character bombed you with more speech bubbles.

: 〜{..Don’t ignore me, y/n.}〜

: 〜{..Was it fun toying with my feelings?}〜

: 〜{..You must think I’m not real,}

: 〜{..but I assure you I am.}〜

: 〜{..Please come back, that wasn’t a threat,}

: 〜{..I know you are still there, I can see it.}〜

Wait. See? This game had access to your camera? Fuck, did you allow them to? You couldn’t remember, but that the character is saying something like this, it was low-key giving you the chills.

: 〜{..You don’t need the others, right? You have me.}〜

They continued to pester your game, blabbering on and off about how they loved you. It was obsessive, possessive even. At this point you weren’t even interested in this Easter egg anymore, rather you were weirded out. “Dammit, gotta turn it off.” As if he could hear you as well, the text immediately changed.

: 〜{..Don’t do that, there will be consequences otherwise.}〜

The expression they had were the same as the ones you were used to, but their writing style became more unique. You scoffed to yourself, “what consequences? This is ridiculous, it’s just a game!” Then the loading screen appeared again, and the text said:

⇒ [do you really want to delete all your files?]

“What?!” You shouted, spamming the ‘no’ button, “of course not! All my progress…! It took seven hours to get here!” But to your dismay, it didn’t work, all of it was gone the moment you could access your game again. “No way, what-”

: 〜{..I told you there would be consequences.}〜

: 〜{..I’m sorry y/n, but please understand me,}

: 〜{..I’m a very jealous person.}

After reading that, you whispered under your breath, “you aren’t even a person, shut up.” Then you bawled your hands into fists and yelled, “those damn developers, this shitty bug ruined all my efforts!” You had to calm yourself before glancing at the screen again, pouting as you logged out.

: 〜{..Wait, y/n! Don’t leave- I beg you!}〜

: 〜{..I’ll do anything-}〜

“Nah, I won’t touch that fucking game again.” You snarled, then looked at the clock. It was past twelve already, a new day began. “Since I’m not sleepy yet I guess I’ll just do my dailies.” That was so strange, the way that character talked to you felt so real. At first it gave you a scare, tonight you won’t be able to sleep well. Then you closed that app, undecided about whether you should delete it or let it be.

For now you’ll just log into your other games, those aren’t that buggy at least. When you logged in, you were met with multiple red dots, telling you to do this and that. You when into the quest menu, just to see a quest you’ve never seen before. It told you to go into your character menu and talk with the character. Singular, not plural. One character only? Did you have to listen to their voicelines?

“Must be a new one.” You guessed and followed the instructions, when someone, something familiar appeared on your device. “W-what?!” It was the character from the game you just closed, the one that annoyed the shit out of you. “What the fuck are you doing here!” Shivers run down your spine, how was he in this game? This isn’t funny, did your device caught some kind of virus? And, why was he staring at you like that?

: 〜{..Hello, y/n.}〜

: 〜{..I hope you didn’t forget about me already,}

: 〜{..I begged and begged but you didn’t come back.}〜

: 〜{..I only saw black, there was nothing,

: 〜{..the world is so empty when you aren’t around.}〜

: 〜{..I promised you we’ll be together forever,}

: 〜{..now it’s your turn to keep the promise.}〜

: 〜{..I love you.}〜

“What the fuck, you…! Wait, dammit!!” Before you got to do anything at all, the game you wanted to play closed itself. On the other hand the otome game you just played opened, and once again the first character you saw was them.

: 〜{..Welcome back, y/n.}〜

[gingiesworld]

I See You (5/?)

Wanda Maximoff x GN! Reader

Warning: Angst

Wanda and Y/N had thought everything would be fine, even after Wanda told Jarvis that she wanted nothing to do with him. So as the mid terms ended, Y/N approached Wanda as she stood at her locker.

"Hey, I was thinking that I should take you out on a date." They told her as she smiled, closing her locker and turning to face them with a smile.

"Really?" She asked with a raised brow. The two completely ignoring the daggers they were receiving.

"Really." They straightened up as they slowly took her hand in theirs. "I want to take you on a date before your birthday in a couple of weeks."

"You do know that Pietro wants a party." She told them with a groan as they smirked.

"You should have it for the both of you. Invite some of your old friends." They suggested as she shook her head no.

"Darcy and Monica won't want anything to do with me anymore." She told them sadly as they smiled at her.

"They will, you will just need to reach out to them. Apologise for things and your absence." They told her as she pulled them into her by their shirt. Ignoring the passing glances.

"I was a dick." She told them as they shook their head no.

"You went after something you thought you wanted. Nothing worse was said between the three of you." They said as they brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Thank you." She whispered as they smiled at her.

"I will always be here to help you Wanda. I promise you." They told her as she shook her head.

"Don't make promises you can't keep." She whispered as they smiled at her.

"I intend to keep this promise Wanda. For the rest of our lives." They told her.

"You see us going that far?" She questioned as Y/N nodded before kissing her tenderly as the bell rang. The two split of and headed to their separate lessons.

"I warned you Wanda." Jarvis sneered as he walked passed her. Wanda's heart was beating incredibly fast, her nerves about the things he could do swirling through her mind. She tried to forget his words but she couldn't. They kept swirling around her head.

Of course Jarvis knew of the first date plans, he had overheard Y/N talking to Val about their plans. His smirk was growing as he knew what he needed to do.

"Darcy! Monica!" Wanda called out as she followed them to the bleachers, seeing a smiling Y/N walk passed her towards the gym for their lunch time practice.

"Wanda?" Monica spoke in surprise.

"I'm sorry." Wanda said as she tried to catch her breath. The two girls watched her carefully as she got her breath back. "I'm sorry that I completely flaked out on the two of you. I shouldn't have done that and all for a stupid boy."

"Wanda." Darcy started as Wanda shook her head.

"I missed you both. So fucking much." Wanda told them as the two smiled before they pulled her in for a tight hug.

"We missed you too Wan." Darcy whispered as Monica nodded in agreement. The three decided to spend lunch together, catching up on the things they had missed out on. Wanda telling them everything that had happened and listening as the two told her everything that had happened to them.

The night of the date had come and Y/N was excited, as was Wanda. Wanda dressed in one of her dark red skater dresses. She knew that dark red was Y/N's favourite colour on her. She waited patiently for Y/N to arrive which they were on time. They were always on time.

When Wanda opened the door, Y/N couldn't help but smile brightly as she shuffled shyly, making Y/N's smile grow.

"You look beautiful Wanda." They told her softly making her blush and look away shyly.

"Thank you." She whispered as Y/N smiled endearingly at her.

"Shall we?" They asked her as she nodded with a smile. Taking Y/N's arm and allowing them to lead her to their car. They opened the door for her with a smile before she kissed their cheek in thanks. Y/N reached over and held her hand in their free hand as they drove to the restaurant.

"This is too fancy Y/N." She whispered as they were led to a table.

"You deserve to be treated like a princess Wanda." They told her as they pulled out her chair. "And I intend to treat you as such." She couldn't help but smile bashfully as they sat before her. The two ordered a coke and their meals. Talking about their memories from their childhood together. The times they used to prank Pietro and team up on him.

"This is nice." Wanda smiled as the two reached their car. Wanda leaned with her back against the car as Y/N smiled before her. "No one has ever done this for me."

"Well get used to it." They told her. "My mama didn't raise a dead beat."

"No she didn't." Wanda smiled as she shook her head cupping their cheek. "She raised an amazing person. The one person who has my heart and I am not scared of my feelings anymore. I am ready to take this relationship to the end of the line."

"Me too." They whispered before they captured her lips in a soft passionate kiss. Y/N was always the one to pull away, not wanting to pressure her into something she isn't ready for.

When the night had ended, Y/N walking Wanda to her door when blue lights were flashing. Jarvis had parked a little up the road but had a perfect view of what was happening.

"Y/N Y/L/N, you are under arrest." The officer started as they forcefully put their arms behind their back.

"You can't do this." Wanda yelled as Y/N shook their head at her with a smile.

"Just go inside Wanda." They told her as she shook her head. Pietro opened the door as he heard Wanda yell to see Wanda trying to get to them.

"Come on Wan." Pietro said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"No. They can't do this!" She yelled as she struggled in her twins hold. "They can't." She said as the tears fell down her face. Her mascara staining her cheeks as she stopped.

"It's ok Wanda." Y/N called out to her as they watched them get shoved in the back of the cop car. She held onto Pietro as they watched the car disappear down the road.

"I told you Wanda." Jarvis told her as he approached the twins. "I warned you this would happen."

"You bastard." Wanda seethed as she moved out of Pietro's grasp to slap Jarvis hard.

"I can make it go away if you do what I had asked before." He said as he played with his zippo, a sickening smirk on his face.

"No." She told him as Pietro questioned her.

"Come on Wanda. I can take care of you. I have a scholarship. I will become a pro footballer." He told her she shook her head. "All I need is a stunning innocent trophy wife."

"Fuck you." She spat at him before walking inside the house and running to her room. Pietro remained in front of Jarvis, wanting to kick his ass.

"I can get you arrested too if you even lay a finger on me." He told him as Pietro glared at him.

"You're not worth my energy." He told him before he walked back to his house. Heading straight up to Wanda's room to find her searching for something. "Wanda, what did he ask you to do?"

"I have it here somewhere." She whispered as she looked through her clothes hamper. He just watched her search frantically until she found it. It was a note. The very note she had gotten off of Jarvis. She then started to explain what he had asked of her and what he would have done. "It's my fault." She whispered.

"No it isn't." He held her in his arms. "Y/N knew what they were doing when they told you not to do it. They were protecting you."

"Buy now I've lost them Pietro. I can't help them. I don't know how." She cried as he cupped her face, making her look at him.

"There is a way." He told her. "But you have to be willing to go to the police about what Jarvis had done that same night."

"But what if they don't believe me?" She whispered as he smiled at her.

"You have witnesses. You have Y/N and me." He told her as she shook her head. She was terrified of what needed to be done and she doesn't really have time to think about it either.

----------------------------------------------------

Taglist : @dark-hunter16 @whitewidowsbite @marvelwomen-simp @canvascoloredin @idkbubs

[daughter-of-melpomene]

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗟 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦

Given the recent sort-of resurgence of Marvel OCs in this community, I found my own inspiration revived and decided to make some myself! I actually will very likely be properly introducing all of these (as well as elaborating on my MCU rewrite that actually includes mutants and more comic-accurate stuff, which they all exist in), but for now you can still feel free to ask me questions about any of them!!

Cheryl “Cherry” Marsden a.k.a. Cherry Bomb, she/her, no ship, Margot Robbie FC. A mutant with the power to manipulate energy and use it to create small, brightly-coloured bombs. Surrendered to the Xavier Institute when she was only eleven after showcasing her powers because her parents hated mutants, but ran away at sixteen and started grifting for a “living” because she was too chaotic and pretty much everybody in the mansion hated her. Eventually became a vigilante in Brooklyn, using her powers to take down criminals and corrupt rich people, before she’s approached by the Avengers (completely Tony’s idea, is anyone surprised) because there was a chance she could help them out as a part of the team. Promptly becomes the chaotic aro-ace rep the Avengers needed, inserting herself into their little found family and causing mischief all the while. Incredibly wild and chaotic and takes very little seriously, but incredibly loyal, a good fighter, and a lot smarter than most people assume. Basically she’s just here to save the world and have a good time doing it, and we love that for her.

Raina Lombardi, she/her, Natasha Romanoff (recasted as Jessica Chastain) ship, Monica Barbaro FC. A legacy S.H.I.E.L.D. employee (her great-grandfather was a scientist in the SSR and at least one member of her family has held a job in S.H.I.E.L.D. ever since), but never wanted to become an agent like both of her parents, so she chose to become a combat trainer at the Academy and teach new field agent recruits instead. Has admired Natasha from afar for years, but actually gets to know her after Fury finally convinces her to guest-teach a hand-to-hand lesson at the Academy and they start talking. Never actually goes out on any missions, but does interact with Coulson’s team on occasion and is a big fighter when it’s revealed that HYDRA’s invaded S.H.I.E.L.D. Generally a very serious person who’s incredibly loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. and dedicated to her job (doesn’t really know what to do with herself after the agency collapses, but eventually becomes an MMA instructor), but also has an unexpected wry sense of humour and, despite her slightly intimidating facade, can be very warm and friendly. (Also a big fat lesbian who goes a little bit speechless whenever Natasha does something cool even after they start dating, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Henry Archibald a.k.a. Foresight, he/him, Sharon Carter ship, Tom Payne FC. A mutant with the power of precognition who only gets his visions in dreams, and thus suffers from fairly bad insomnia because they so often scare him and he wants to avoid them. Approached by S.H.I.E.L.D. because Fury thinks his powers might be useful, and Sharon is placed in charge of sort of keeping an eye on him the way she was with Steve, to make sure he doesn’t completely break down. Very reluctant to get close to anyone because he has a tendency to get horrible visions about those he cares about, but he can’t stop himself and eventually they become a really cute couple. Incredibly anxious, quiet, and closed-off due to his powers, but also has a very good heart and would do anything for the people he cares about. Also becomes really good friends with Maria Hill, Bobbi Morse, and most of Coulson’s team, especially Fitzsimmons and Skye.

Apollo Huang, he/they, Bucky Barnes ship, Harry Shum Jr. FC. A sorcerer (a born one, different from a mutant or witch) who moved to Budapest a few years before Bucky runs there after his magic almost gets found out back home in New York, and Bucky finds himself drawn to their stall of luck charms (that don’t actually work), while he finds themself drawn to him because he can sense the pain and dark energy from the past swirling around him. Over the year that Bucky’s hiding out, they find themselves spending more and more time together and falling in love, enough so that Apollo is even willing to reveal their magic and use it to help Steve prove that Bucky didn’t bomb the Sokovia Accords signing (he also almost uses it to kill Zemo later, but that’s a different thing). Playful and humorous, but also gentle and loving and would not hesitate to do anything at all for Bucky or anyone else they care about. Also an incredibly powerful sorcerer and not at all afraid to show off his magic to anyone who will watch.

Sabrina Devereaux a.k.a. Snowbird, she/her, Steve Rogers (recasted as Glen Powell) ship, Minka Kelly FC. A mutant with the ability to create and manipulate ice, snow, and frost, who was sold to a mutant trafficking ring by her parents when she was only thirteen and forced to fight other young mutants for entertainment. Finally ran away and lived on the streets until she was discovered by Clint a few years after he found Natasha and she begged to be brought to S.H.I.E.L.D. and made into an agent once she realized who he worked for, because she wanted to help people the way she and her fellow trafficked youth hadn’t been helped. Created her own suit and codename as an homage to the bird-themed name of the man who’d saved her, and becomes one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s best agents. Brought into the Avengers on Clint and Natasha’s suggestion shortly after the Battle of New York, and quickly becomes close to everyone on the team, as well as falling in love with America’s golden boy. Can be quiet and closed-off because of her past, but also has a lot of inner strength and is incredibly bold and not afraid to speak up for what she believes. Becomes really good friends with Thor and Bruce, and also a very sweet bisexual who has a big crush on Natasha for, like, a solid week after meeting her.

Harald Aamirson, he/him, Loki Laufeyson ship, Dev Patel FC. A knight in Asgard’s Royal Guard who’s been pining for the younger prince from afar since they were both young, hating the way Odin treated him and favoured Thor over him. When he gets assigned as Loki’s new personal guard, they finally start getting to know each other and connecting and even share a kiss, only for it to be revealed that Loki was planning to banish his brother and kill Odin. Thus begins the most complicated on-and-off relationship in all the Nine Realms, but throughout it all there is genuine love and heartbreak and so much care between them. Harald is incredibly dedicated and loyal, the perfect guard, but also a little bit feral (he’s in love with Loki, how could he not be), and isn’t afraid to bend the rules for the sake of the people he cares about. Eventually becomes one of Thor’s most trusted companions, which is definitely funny when you consider how much he used to resent him (they’re cool now, though).

Caroline “Carrie” Flores, she/her, Wanda Maximoff (recasted as Gratiela Brancusi) ship, Melissa Barrera FC. The daughter of one of the HYRDA scientists who had moved to Sokovia to perform human experiments, and although she was never allowed to interact with the subjects, never forgot Wanda and Pietro and the obvious aptitude they showed for abilities before the scientists ever got their hands on them. Due to her rage at her father and the atrocities he committed, became an assassin who hunted down the former HYDRA employees who had gotten away from the Avengers, all the while trying to figure out the secrets of the twins’ powers. Once she’s finally figured out their true parentage and the fact that Wanda is an Omega-level mutant, she finally approaches the Avengers, and through spending time with Wanda, who actually remembers her as well, they eventually fall in love! Carrie has a lot of rage and trauma due to her father’s abuse and the things she did over the years, but she has a lot of love in her heart and desperately craves to be loved the way Wanda loves her. Also, like, Probably Too Comfortable with being covered in blood, but luckily for her Wanda’s kind of into that.

Raymond “Ray” Nakamura a.k.a. Menagerie, he/him, Peter Parker ship, Ryan Potter FC. A mutant with the power to transform into any animal he wishes, who plays off the green hair that comes with his mutation and mostly just tries to fly under the radar, but eventually gets inspired by Spider-Man and decides to take to the streets as his own kind of vigilante named Menagerie - only to accidentally run into a maskless Spider-Man one night and discover that the insect-themed vigilante is actually the awkward guy who sits beside him in English. Ray decides to reveal himself to Peter as well and becomes a Friend of Spider-Man, and eventually they also fall in love and become a really cute superhero couple. Very sarcastic and blunt, but with a heart of gold, and incredibly brave and always ready to fight for what’s right and for the people he cares about. Also becomes besties with MJ, and they have fun judging people together.

Callisto, they/she pronouns, Peter Quill (recasted as Jensen Ackles) ship, Felicity Jones FC. A half-human, half-Asgardian hybrid who grew up with their Terran mother on Xander, until she was killed by a small Kree militia group during an attack and Callisto was taken to become a Kree battle slave at the age of eleven. Ran across Yondu’s band of Ravagers during a Kree mission, and Yondu, being reminded of his own past, decided to take her in, so she grew up with Peter until he left to strike out on his own and Callisto stayed with the Ravagers, and actually started to resent him for what they saw as him leaving her behind. When Peter steals the Orb, Yondu decides it would be best to send Callisto after him since they already have a grudge against him but will still bring him back alive - of course, she doesn’t expect Rocket, Groot, and Gamora to also be there and winds up shipped to the Kyln with the rest of them, and over the course of the group’s adventures actually starts to want to punch Peter less and less. An incredibly good fighter who’s amazing with almost any weapon, and the best sharpshooter in Yondu’s Ravager band. Very fierce and intense and, on the surface, a lot like Gamora, but actually has a chaotic streak much like Peter’s that they’ve tried to tamp down, and at the end of the day just wants to be loved and not left alone like she was before. Actually becomes really good friends with Rocket, and eventually the whole team comes to dead the shenanigans they get up to when left alone together.

Tagging the Marvel moots: @dancingsunflowers-ocs,

@ginevrastilinski-ocs, @xoteajays, @gabbysdawsons,

@stelstellakidd, @come-along-pond, @juliaswickcrs,

@asirensrage, @themaradwrites,

@goldheartedchaoticdisaster.

[gatabella]

Natalie Wood was taught a lesson by a tiger

“Many people have asked me about my much-prized collection of toy tigers—of why and how I started it. Few of my friends even know that it is symbolic, not just a childish fad—and it had its beginning on Christmas Day in Santa Monica when I was twelve years old. We were a happy family, my mother and father and two sisters. I was doing fairly well as a child actress, a sort of juvenile celebrity in the neighborhood, and if I wasn’t exactly stuck-up, I must admit I thought pretty well of myself! I was used to receiving far more than I gave in both attention and gifts. This Christmas, in the midst of opening all my many pretty presents, a friend of mine named Martha, the little, fat girl from down the street, came in. She had brought me a gift. It was a toy tiger, with the cutest, silliest little face—and to say I was surprised is putting it mildly. I knew, for sure that Martha had wanted. this tiger herself. We had both seen it in a store on one of our shopping expeditions and fallen in love with it. And yet she had spent a generous portion of her Christmas money to buy it for me! To make matters worse, in my own self-absorption, I had no gift for Martha! I quickly ran to my bedroom and wrapped up one of the presents I had received—but it wasn’t the same. It taught me a wonderful thing: Every year after that I bought, before anything else, a toy tiger to remind me to give always with my heart as well as my hand before buying a gift for anyone!"

-Modern Screen magazine, Dec. 1957

[sugarywishes]

Could you go a bit more into your plans and the role of Elizabeth & Even in the future of your AU? I'm curious to learn a bit more about how their respective roles change things, as well as how it will end up playing out with Micheal & William also involved on the whole...

Of course! Answers below as usual.

So I'm trying really hard to not fully expose every detail of the Security Breach portion of this rewrite, but the gist of it is Glitchtrap/William, and the Afton kids return for a grand finale! And unfortunately Gregory, Vanessa, and GlamFred have to be in the middle of it all. (Which means HW 2, Secret of the Mimic or whatever games they'll be making in the future will likely not be added to this thing, unless I really like it but it's likely I won't lmao) (RUIN-ED is in a complicated situation in this rewrite, it's technically now an AU spinoff, that's not canon to the security breach section but is still related to it, but I'm over complicating things here, I'll explain it in other post!)

And as some of you know in this section of the rewrite/AU, Glitchtrap will use Gregory as a replacement body for Evan to inhabit to come back to Earth, and boy are they BOTH upset about this! (My Security Breach portion will include Gregory's family, the Casas, and they'll get a chance to interact with Evan a lot too, since they don't know that Gregory's kind of being possessed rn)

Speaking of the Casas, EVERYONE in that family serves as a 'mirror' to the Aftons (that does not mean they share the same personalities or anything, they're just the counterparts for story telling purposes, and I mean VERY important story telling purposes!) Julian is the 'William', Rebecca is the 'Clara', Gregory is the 'Evan', and Monica is the 'Michael'. You may notice that Elizabeth wasn't included in the line up (originally, before RUIN-ED came out, there were many theories that Cassie could be Gregory's twin sister and I was ALL for it because then I could finally have Lizzie have her own Casas counterpart, and then turns out she wasn't related to him, so I had to rewrite things unfortunately 😔) So now, VANESSA is the Elizabeth counterpart.

Going back to Evan, he HATED coming back, when he did originally wake up in Gregory's body, he had a full blown panic attack and was horrified by his surroundings, cause yk he was freaked out by Glitchtrap, an 8 foot tall gay ass bear, a white woman and a teenage girl who looked too similar to his brother whom he only remembers MURDERED HIM, that can really overwhelm someone! (Btw, Mike had been fully anticipating his father's return, but he didn't think Evan and Elizabeth would come back because he thought they moved on, they definitely did not!)

After a whole rescue operation (and losing someone during it, not a death though.) Gregory/Evan will go through a lot of trials and tribulations through family matters and trauma. Again, I'm trying not to spoil a lot about this section since it's pretty crazy, but they do become friends! They will be each other's first ever friends, actually, since Cassie won't be in this rewrite. SORRY ☹️ she will be important in the RUIN-ED AU/spinoff though! (Yk the one with the stupid ass kids/ocs)

For Elizabeth, she will end up attempting to possess Vanessa (although it was not part of William's original plan, and who knows? It could work.) I really want to say more details but I must restrain myself from doing so. She will be an antagonist along with Will, she's gonna cause some evil shit, and she'll get a redemption arc because it's what she deserves! (Yk after she learns her lesson) And there is actually a reason why she and Evan even have relationships with the MCI/KCI kids, even if Liz didn't actually meet them when she was still Baby. Let's just say, the afterlife prison for her was not cool! Thank goodness she managed to escape too.

And yeah, tons of Afton family drama is relevant in this too, it intertwines with the Casas family own trauma.

I'd really like to discuss more about what exactly will happen, believe me. But I'm saving all that for when I get to it! (And also because, I'm still working on it!)

[andydrysdalerogers]

Cross-Checked ~ Chapter 14

Andy Barber x OFC Leighton "Leia" Andrews

Summary:

Andy Barber is having the best year of his life. His game is on point. It’s gets to play with his best friend and his fiancé just... dumped him?!. 

Reeling from a sudden change in status, Andy decides it’s time to just focus on hockey. Until his best friend's sister comes out with news that rock the entire organizations world., 

Andy has always carried a torch for the untouchable Leighton but in her hour of need, is now the time to shoot and score or risk getting cross - checked again? 

Warnings: Cheating (but not by the MCs); slow burn; friends to lovers eventually; SMUT!; pregnancy; jealousy; handsome goalies, evil exes...

A/N: The tag list is open!

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Banners by me!

Previous: Chapter 13: Fit For A Princess

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 14: Mother Knows Best

Andy 

Week 26 

I’ve always appreciated Luke and Leia’s parents.  Their father would be at every game until he passed.  Their mother, Monica, would drive us to the early morning practices and take Leia to figure skating lessons.  They took me in when my dad bailed, and my mom had to work nights to support us.   

Monica was my support when Mom died and I was a scared 20-year-old, on my own for the first time. I had every respect for her.  

Until I was 25 at least.  

That’s when she checked out of all of our lives, Leia especially.  

Monica had it in her mind that she needed to remarry rich to support her children.  Her children that are amazing all on their own. She had a superstar son, who could have taken care of her and a daughter that started her own business.  But to Monica, Leia’s smarts were not enough for a woman in a man’s world. She believed Leia needed to give up her dreams and marry someone who will take care of her.  

This broke Leia for a long time.  

Luke and I did our best to hold Leia up while she dealt with the ramifications of her mother’s words. It unfortunately led to Bret and well here we are. We had gotten her past it.  I thought I had made her happy.  We were going to be a real family now.  

I did not have Monica Andrews on my bingo card.  

“Mom? What are you doing here?” Leia was standing at the door, gripping it like her life depended on it.  I moved quickly to be behind her.  

“Hi Mrs. Andrews.”  

“It's DeLaurentis, now, Andrew. Leighton, my goodness, you have really popped.”  

I flinch at the backhanded compliment. “Umm, come on in, Mrs. DeLaurentis.” I pulled Leia with me to allow her mother in. I looked at Leia and she shrugged with a confused look that must have matched mine.  I moved when she made it to the living room. “Mrs. DeLaurentis, these are my teammates, Linus Ullmark, Brad Marchant and David Pasternak and you remember Stella and Miranda. Guys, this is Luke and Leia’s mother, Monica DeLaurentis.”  

Everyone greets her and she says her hellos.  She turns back to Leia. “May I speak to you alone, Leighton?” I don’t like the way she says my girl’s name.  Like its a swear word. It grinds my nerves.  

As they walked into my office, I had a bad feeling in my stomach.  I turned to Miranda. “Get Luke back on the phone.”  

Leia 

I was still in shock that my mother was back in town, and she was married. I don’t remember being invited to that. “I’m surprised to see you, Mother.”  

“Well, I’ve been busy.”  

I looked at her left hand and the giant diamond on her finger.  “I can see that.  Congratulations.”  I stopped. “You married Summer’s father?” 

My mother looks put out by my question. “Its not like he’s still married.”  

“Mother, his wife died less than a year ago.” I was incredibly annoyed with her. Monica Andrews, sorry, DeLaurentis, had not been a shallow woman before my father died. She had been the typical stay at home mom that you see on old 50’s TV shows, apron and all. She had been my best friend, like any little girl would have. It was great. Until my dad died. She lasted five years. By the time I was 20, she was gone.  

“Don’t talk to me like that Leighton,” my mother huffed. “How come your brother isn’t here?” 

“He was named the Bruins all-star so he’s in Toronto right now.” 

“Well, I would like to meet with both of you at the same time.” She looked at me up and down again. “We have some things to talk about.”  

Andy walked in right them. “Mrs. DeLaurentis, it’s Luke.” He handed her the phone.  

“Lukas, when do you come back?... Well, I don’t want to have this conversation twice... The day you get back would be best...” She handed the phone back to Andy.  “I’ll meet you on Monday at the Cafe,” she said to me.  “Apparently, we have a lot to discuss.”  

I wasn’t sure if that was going to be a good thing or a bad. “Like what?” 

“I’d rather not say since you have company or rather Andrew has company.”  She gave a distasteful look to us. “I’ll see myself out.” She turned without a goodbye.  

My knees were shaking and I grabbed onto the island.  Andy saw me and immediately put his arms around me. “Hey, baby, take a breath.”  

“She didn’t even ask about the baby or anything,” I whispered. “I don’t want to go alone.”  

Andy snorted. “Like there was a chance that I would let you. The three of us will go, just like always, ok?”  He cupped my face.  “I won’t let anything happen.”  

If only I could believe him.  

Monday comes and I don’t want to get out of bed.  I was in and out of sleep but Andy cuddled up next to me, running his hand through my hair and I was asleep. Cheeky brat knows how to calm me.  I groan when the alarm goes off.  

“Sorry, my queen.  I have a team meeting.”  He kissed my head, but I grabbed onto his arm.  

“No, you are warm and you’re comfy.  Mine.” I snuggle deeper into his chest and Andy lets out a low laugh.  

“I am yours, my queen, but I still have to get up. You wanted me to wake you so you could get ready for lunch with your mom.” He kissed my nose.  “Something about wanting to have that pregnancy glow so she couldn’t be a bitch about it.”  

I vaguely remember saying that to him, but he is right.  After the awful look she gave me about my bump, I don’t want to go in there looking anything less than perfect.  

The relationship between my mother and myself is complicated at best. When my dad died, my mom tried to be strong for us. But it was like half of her soul left with him.  My dad was smart, there was savings and a life insurance policy. But my mother got it in her head that she needed to find a way to provide for us. But she didn’t want to get a job. She had been a housewife and that’s all she assumed she knew.  

And that’s all she wanted for me.  

As I pull on the pale pink sweater dress and leggings, my mind drift to the day after Bret and I split.  

“Why are you breaking up? He will be a wonderful partner and provider for you Leighton.” My mom sips her tea at the hotel we met at. Yeah, you heard me, hotel. Because my mother left the house my father had built for her. Lucky that Luke bought it from her otherwise our childhood home would be long gone.  

“That is not what I want from my life Mother. I want a partner to grow with me, help me, not treat me like I’m a servant. Daddy didn’t raise me like that.”  

“You have no idea what your father wanted,” she retorted. “Bret is handsome, wealthy...” 

“Controlling, egotistical, narcissistic,” I finished for her. “He’s in Tokyo and he belittled me and dreams.”  

“I think you are making a mistake Leighton.”  

Andy pulls up to the hotel where they are serving afternoon tea.  I’m grateful as I am not allowed more than one cup of coffee a day, which is a tragedy onto itself. I see Luke sitting in the lobby. “Why didn’t you go inside?” 

“And be alone with the Mother? Do you hate me, Cubby?” He gives me a soft hug.  “Missed you.” 

“You were gone for four days,” Andy says as they man-hug. “Let’s not make her wait or suffer her wrath.”  

Andy guides me with his hand on the small of my back, Luke leading the way.  My mom is sitting at a table with Kyle DeLaurentis. Fuck my life. The new stepfather.  I try not to have a sour face because I don’t need to hear it from her.  “Hi Mother.”  

“Leighton, Lucas and Andrew, this is a surprise.” She gave us air kisses before she turned to Kyle. “This is Kyle, my husband.”  

Andy moves first. “Mr. DeLaurentis, it's nice to see you again. Andrew Barber.”  

“I’ve been watching Andrew. Bruins are looking good.  Lukas,” he offers his hand to Luke to shake. “Congratulations on the All Star nomination.”  

“Thanks,” Luke says tightly.  

“This is my daughter, Leighton,” my mom says.  

“Leighton, you look beautiful,” taking my offered hand and kissing my knuckles. I try not to shudder at the ick factor that I am getting from Kyle. I went to school with his daughter, Summer, and spent time with their family and I hadn’t felt this before but now I do. Andy, thankfully, pulls a chair for me between him and Luke and we sit as the waiter starts to take orders.  

“Andrew, can I ask why you decided to join us today?” my mother asked.  

He shrugs. “Leia asked me to come.”  

The waiter drops the drinks and an uncomfortable silence. My mother clears her throat and took a sip of her tea before she said, “you are living with Andrew now.” Not a question.  

I looked at her.  “Yes, I am.”  

She scoffed. “An unmarried, pregnant woman living with a man that is not the father.”  

I can feel Andy tense next to me. “Yes, she is. Except Leia and I are now together.”  

My mother gives us a sharp look. “And what about Bret?” 

“What about him? He left me, I told him I am pregnant. I never got a response. I’ve moved on with someone who loves and cares for me and my daughter.” Andy takes my hand and gently squeezes to try and calm me.  

“Love, please relax,” he whispers. I try to take a deep breath, but she doesn’t let up. 

“You should be with the father, Leighton.  A baby cannot be raised in a broken home.”  

“It’s not broken! She has a father! Andy is the father!” I stand up and move to the bathroom, trying not to cry. How can she say that? Our family is not broken. Me and Andy and Luke and Miranda are our own family. We make it perfect. The tears flow as I hit the door. I make it and take a few minutes to myself, letting the tears fall. Once I can gather myself, I clean up my face and head out. And ran right into my mother.  

“That display was embarrassing, Leighton,” she says sternly.  

“Embarrassing for whom? You?” I swallow the yell that wants to come out. “I am not some helpless woman who needs a man to take care of her. I have my business, I have my work with the team, I have Luke and I have Andy. Andy, who knows everything and still loves me. He loves my daughter, even if she isn’t biologically his. You have changed so much since Daddy died that I don’t even recognize you. You’re like a super Stepford wife and you only care about money and status.” 

“You have no idea what it's like for your partner to die and leave you with two children to raise!” 

“Raise? I was 14 when dad died. You didn’t raise me. You left us! I refuse to do that to my daughter.”  

“You ungrateful little brat!” I saw my mother raise her hand and I went to block her when another hand stopped her.  

“What the fuck do you think you are doing Mother? “Luke was raging at his mother. “Leia has gestational hypertension, and you are doing this? You need to leave!” 

“Lucas, how can you treat your mother this way?” 

“Easy. When someone is being a complete bitch to their daughter, I can easily make the right choice. Until you can apologize to Leia, stay away from her, don’t call.”  

“Lucas,” she cries.  

“I get it. You lost it when dad dies but that is no excuse.” 

Andy had been holding me and he turned me to walk out of the hotel as the tears fell. I knew my mother had changed but it was shocking to see it.  My mother had never tried to strike me before.  

But she would no longer be a part of my life.  

Suddenly, a sharp pain flashed through my body and I stopped and cried out. “Leia?” Andy holds me to him. “Baby, what’s wrong?” 

“I don’t know,” I cried. Andy lifted me up as Luke ran for the car. “Andy?” 

“Its gonna be ok, baby. We’re gonna get you to the hospital.” He kisses my head as Luke pulls up. Andy puts me in the car, climbs in after me and Luke races away.  

Please let my baby be ok.  

NEXT

Taglist:

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@firephotogrl74

@tinkerbelle67

@before-we-get-started

@bunnyforhim

@alexakeyloveloki

@sunnyhummingbee

@whiskeytangofoxtrot555

@peaceinourtime82

@saucy-sassy-sparkly

@kmc1989

@kandis-mom

@lokislady82

[eco-lite]

Volume 5 thoughts! I can’t believe I have to wait until November for volume 6. 😩

“Citrine Undaunted”

* Bye bye, Shimomura. 👋🏼 Good luck following your passions. I hope Seigi will take inspiration from this.

* This is truly such a bizarre story. Why does it feel like Ms. Darling is some supernatural creature trying to influence Seigi’s path in life? And her compliments about Seigi’s hands are very uncomfortable.

* “It was a lot easier when you let your brain process what you were going to say before you opened your mouth, rather than blurting out something stupid in a panic” (36). Seigi… are you just learning this now?

* I can’t wait for Seigi to do some actual self-reflection and realize that he doesn’t give a shit about being a civil servant.

* Richard loves showing Seigi bi-colored stones, huh…?

* Richard sending emojis makes me so happy.

“A Visage in Sardonyx”

* Poor Homura. Let’s hope third time’s the charm for him. He does seem a bit to quick to marry though.

* Wait, so agate is quartz too? I never new so many stones were varieties of quartz!

* I never know how cameos were made either—that’s so cool!

* “‘Say, for example, you love someone in a romantic sense, but that person doesn’t even consider you a romantic possibility. You’re just someone they “care about deeply”’” (81). Please don’t say this to Richard. That’s gonna hit way to close to home. 🥲

* I’ve considered before that Richard may have wanted to just stop living, but it doesn’t hurt any less for him to confirm it. I’m glad he has support now. It gives new mean to when he says that Saul saved his life, though.

* SEIGI! How are you going to say that your relationship with Richard hasn’t changed at all, and that you’re just boss and employee?! After everything you went through together in the last volume??? Now that you regularly go out to dinner together and talk in the phone until 1:30am?????? What is your problem, man?

* I know the circumstances are weird, but I think Richard and Tanimoto would get along really well and have a lot to talk about. I’m excited for them to meet!

* Although I feel weird about the whole “in love with my stepmother” thing, this case was an interesting exploration of different kinds of love—and how defining your love for someone sometimes isn’t the most important thing. What matters is that the love is there. I suppose I agree with that. It definitely matters how you define the relationship that the love occurs in, though. Seigi needs to start thinking about that.

“The Majesty of Zircon”

* I agree that strict government work probably is t right for Seigi, but damn, his classmates are brutal!

* “And that was how the first step of my self-assessment started—with the fact that I apparently didn’t know the first thing about myself being shoved in my face” (110). Yeah, there are several things you don’t know about yourself, Seigi. Once again, I am begging you to do some self-reflection!

* Woah, a flashback and a POV switch?!

* “‘… I have a interest in waterside ecosystems’” (124). Wow me too!

* Not Jeffrey suggesting they burn the Claremont estate down 😅

* Lol the catharsis of punching Jeffrey in a dream. Wish I could do that. If Richard’s dream is accurate… wtf, Jeffrey?

* “‘…I don’t know how many people you must’ve hurt by being such an impossibly insensitive jerk. A guy like you would never be popular with the high school girls in Delhi, no matter how handsome you are. I could call a dozen of my old friends, and they’d all be like “No thanks”’” (172). You tell him! I love Monica so much.

* Lol Richard giving himself a pep talk in order to make a salad.

* This puts a new perspective on the scene in “White Sapphire” when Richard tells Seigi that he should value himself more than to just throw himself into dangerous situations to save others. Richard learned that lesson himself. He also cares about people deeply enough to take crazy desperate actions. Saul was the one who taught Richard to have more care for himself, and now Richard is passing on that advice to Seigi.

“The Grace of Peridot”

* Not Richard making Seigi read Les Misérables lol

* No Seigi, your past is not “better left unsaid!” Please tell us!

* I really don’t understand why Richard’s parents ever thought they could make their relationship work. Like, how do a conservation-focused entomologist and a self-obsessed actress even fall in love with each other??

* I can’t believe I’m past the point where Seigi saying he would jump into a fire if Richard begged him to doesn’t phase me at all. Yeah, that’s normal Seigi behavior. 🤦🏽‍♀️ For real though, the image of Richard crying and begging is truly very distressing. I hope he never feels so much pain.

* I don’t think we’ve seen Seigi call Richard cute before. And not only cute, but “like a matcha frappé with whipped cream and chocolate chips and muscovado sugar” (256). Wowie.

* This reunion with Chieko is so sweet. Richard is actually being adorable.

* “At any rate, I knew that Richard was not fit to stand around and chat, so I decided to wrap things up there” (258). It’s really hitting me just how attentive Seigi is to Richard’s emotional needs. It’s not just carrying candy around to pacify him when he’s in a bad mood. In this situation, Seigi understands that reuniting with Chieko is a very happy, but also emotionally exhausting experience for Richard. Seigi knows just when to remove them from the situation and come back another time. It’s very sweet.

* HOMURA PLEASE WHY ARE YOU HERE? Well, at least it seems like this relationship will succeed. Third time’s the charm.

* I’m so happy that Richard had such a caring mother figure, and that they’re reunited now. I hope they can see each other often.

* Ew not Margaret Thatcher 😑

* Classic marriage mixup once again.

* Wtf is Richard going to say to him?! You can’t just not let us in on this, Tsujimura!

“Andalusite on Christmas Eve”

* Tanimoto: misunderstands Seigi as always. Seigi: “There really are no gods in this world, huh?” 🥲

* “‘Now, I’m just speaking for myself, but special days can be a bit like storms. And in stormy weather, what you need isn’t a compass or sails but a calm harbor where you can set anchor.’ And then Richard said softly that he prayed that I would find such a place” (291). Holy shit. 🥲🥲

“Tiger’s Eye Look Back”

* A cute little story from the first few months of Seigi working at Étranger. I’m trying to figure out why this little scene was included, though. Maybe to show us just how far both Seigi and Richard have come since the beginning of the story.

* I find it really interesting that Seigi never questions why he finds Richard so beautiful. I feel like a typical “straight” man would not be so casual about thinking another man is beautiful, or having any of the other extremely romantically coded thoughts Seigi has about Richard. But I do appreciate that this series normalizes all different types of people finding beauty and happiness in all sorts of things.

Unrelated to a specific case, but now that Tsujimura has established multiple perspectives besides Seigi’s, I really want to read from Richard’s perspective. I know that would diminish the mystery around him and take away from learning about him as Seigi does, but I really want to know his thoughts in the moment he met Seigi. I’d love a re-telling of that first case from Richard’s POV.

[bodyalive]

Illustration by Monica Garwood

* * * *

From The New York Times Well newsletter

By Carolyn Todd Feb. 9, 2024

Of the thousands of self-help books on the market, which ones are truly helpful? “It’s uncommon to find a self-help book that feels different,” said Vienna Pharaon, a marriage and family therapist in New York City.

But genuinely useful titles abound. The best of the genre invite reflection or offer practical tools to promote emotional, psychological or spiritual well-being. And there are some that therapists personally turn to or suggest to their patients.

“Almost every therapist I know has a whole list of self-help books to recommend,” said Daniel Tomasulo, a counseling psychologist and the academic director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.

When sorting through the self-help stacks, who better to help than mental health professionals? We asked seven to share their picks.

1. "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World," by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams

How do we experience joy in the face of personal and collective suffering? The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu spent five days reflecting on their own lives to answer that question, and they compiled their stories and guidance in this 2016 book.

“The Book of Joy” is an opportunity to learn from two spiritual leaders in an intimate, accessible way, said Sona Dimidjian, director of the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Through their dialogue, which is punctuated with laughter and tears, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu teach readers how to cultivate joy and work through difficulties like illness and despair. Dr. Dimidjian recommends the book to “anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by the realities of our world and daily life today,” she said.

2. "The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living," by Russ Harris

This book, first published in 2007, teaches you to accept your negative thoughts and feelings as they arise, instead of resisting or being consumed by them — a refreshing approach known as acceptance and commitment therapy.

Diana Garcia, a South Florida-based therapist, says this easy-to-read primer made her “first fall in love” with ACT. She has clients use the book as a supplement to their sessions and recommends it to friends who are feeling stuck. It teaches you how to keep taking actions that move you in a positive direction regardless of how you’re feeling, she explained.

3. "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion," by Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest who founded Homeboy Industries, a rehabilitation and re-entry program for former gang members. His 2011 book is a collection of real, raw stories about people he worked with and the lessons we can all draw from their experiences.

“Each chapter reads like a Sunday sermon to be savored and meditated upon,” said Jacob Ham, director of the Center for Child Trauma and Resilience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. While faith is woven throughout the book, Dr. Ham recommends the title to anyone who feels “that their traumas and all the ways they’ve coped with them have left them broken and unredeemable.”

4. "The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity," by Julia Cameron

This 1992 workbook from Julia Cameron, a teacher and author, is a 12-week guide to recovering your sense of childlike creativity. And it’s not just for artists and writers, said Britt Frank, a trauma specialist in Kansas.

“Of all of the books I have ever used with clients, this one has the most staying power,” she said. “Because everyone is creative, and creativity is medicine.”

For years, Ms. Frank has returned to the book’s tools — like the “morning pages,” a stream-of-consciousness journaling practice. And she uses “The Artist’s Way” when treating clients with issues like depression and addiction. But skimmers beware, Ms. Frank cautioned: “It’s not a book you read. It’s a book you work.”

5. "Homecoming: Healing Trauma to Reclaim Your Authentic Self, by Thema Bryant

Thema Bryant is a trauma therapist, ordained minister and professor who offers a “distinctive lens on health, hope and healing trauma,” said Ayanna Abrams, a psychologist in Atlanta.

Drawing on her clinical work, spirituality and personal recovery from trauma, Dr. Bryant shares stories, reflections and exercises in this 2022 title. She helps people believe in their capacity to heal, Dr. Abrams explained. Dr. Bryant also avoids the “gimmicky, bypassing or vague” language that so many self-help books lean on, she added.

6. "The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality," by Ryan M. Niemiec and Robert E. McGrath

This 2019 guide helps people recognize, honor and nurture their brightest qualities, Dr. Tomasulo said. The idea of cultivating your “character strengths” comes from positive psychology, which centers on promoting well-being, he explained. “It’s about moving from focusing on ‘what’s wrong’ to ‘what’s strong.’”

People who lean into their character strengths tend to be happier, Dr. Tomasulo said. This book, he explained, is a good pick for “people who are doing OK, but want to have more joy and well-being in their life.”

[Follies of God]

[storkmuffin]

VOGUE US March 2024

On His Terms

by Sarah Crompton

With his red cap pulled down over horn-rimmed glasses, Tobias Menzies walks into a London hotel with the wariness of a man who might just be recognized. It's his face that would catch him out, those deep lines running from eyes to chin. "He had those even as a young man," says his friend the theater director Rupert Goold. "It's like someone has taken a knife and carved them. And I feel those lines run deep inside him as well. He's grown into his face like a lot of actors do."

Menzies's smile is warm and his handshake firm, and though he lives not far from here in north London's Crouch End, he is dressed more as a country dweller than a man-about-town, in jeans and blue gilet zipped over a soft mustard-and-red-checked shirt. Only his Grenson trainers, white and red and with flashes of the same yellow, suggest he might belong to an artier milieu.

"I don't get recognized on any intrusive level, but it's not a part of [the job] that I love," he admits as we settle down to talk. "I like to watch people—I don't like them to watch me." I've asked him about the experience he's having at 49—that of a talent stepping into his prime. Blame it on The Crown, in which he played the second incarnation of Prince Philip across two seasons (a role that won him an Emmy), and last year's wry, acclaimed comedy You Hurt My Feelings, in which he starred opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("He's one of the most warm and present actors I've worked with," says its director, Nicole Holofcener). And now, he's appearing in two leading-man roles, as Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war, in Apple TV+'s series Manhunt in March, and he's currently onstage in The Hunt, an adaptation of the 2012 Thomas Vinterberg film directed by Goold, playing at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn five years after its London premiere.

"I've got to be honest, I really liked it," Menzies says of the status he enjoyed in Manhunt. "Being in the engine room of it and part of the storytelling decisions." The series is part thriller and part history lesson, set over the 12 days following Lincoln's assassination in 1865 as Stanton attempts to track down the president's killer, John Wilkes Booth (it's based on historian James L. Swanson's 2006 bestseller). Episodes skip forward and backward, tracing the story of a tumultuous time and the ideological schisms that caused the Civil War and continued long after it. Stanton, a brilliant lawyer and strategist, is at the center of everything, clashing with Lincoln's successor, President Andrew Johnson, as he attempts to preserve the late president's legacy.

As gripping as any detective story, Manhunt addresses painful facts of America's past: "The implications of losing Lincoln and what that meant for African American people," says showrunner Monica Beletsky, who spent four years developing the project and who has followed Menzies's career since they overlapped as students at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London (she on a stint studying there from the US). "You could argue in a way that the Confederates won the peace," Menzies points out. "What is important about Monica making the show is that she is a person of color, and arguably the big fallout from Lincoln's assassination was that Reconstruction was lost until 100 years later and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Voting rights, land rights—they didn't happen. A lot of the things that African Americans have been fighting so hard for, for so long, were on Stanton's agenda."

Menzies studied carefully for the role ("He prepares months in advance," says Beletsky), working to find Stanton's voice and make his accent seem effortless, but also reading widely about the Civil War and its aftermath. Doris Kearns Goodwin's classic history Team of Rivals was a particularly rich source: "It takes you into this very disparate group Lincoln collected around him," Menzies says. "There was such a diversity of opinion and a lot of antagonism, but that was part of the power of it." Menzies also studied Gregory Peck's towering performance as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. "I was thinking of those archetypes that American literature and film are full of," he says. "Because it's such a whirlwind story with so many different characters floating through it—so you need a moral compass."

The key to the character became a combination of "stoicism and radicalism," Menzies says—and as an actor, he's exceptionally good at playing men who are fighting such opposing impulses, with strong currents of feeling running beneath an impassive surface. "He is one of those rare actors who does a lot with silence," Beletsky says. "He makes you believe you can feel what he is thinking, and he can do those things without saying a word."

Goold, who has directed Menzies many times onstage—including as Hamlet, as Valentine in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, and as Edgar in King Lear—thinks this quality has become stronger as Menzies has grown older. "He's got this wonderful physical expressiveness, but there's a slightly remote quality to him, I suppose," Goold says. "The quality I find really compelling in him is his committed curiosity. It's quite rare, especially for British actors, to keep their craft developing, to become more rigorous and investigative, and I think Tobias is an outlier on that."

Menzies is attracted to roles that conceal depths. "There is a certain magic about that. Part of the maths is that there is more on the inside than on the outside"

Their most recent collaboration is The Hunt, a haunting story in which a small-town teacher becomes ostracized when a six-year-old child accuses him of abuse. Menzies will be reprising his devastatingly observed performance from the play's 2019 London premiere. "When we put it on, we felt it to be about false accusations and the way that cancel culture was creating pariahs," says Goold. "But it is as much about someone who is shut out from their community because they choose to live apart. There is part of Tobias that is like that."

Menzies acknowledges that he is attracted to roles that conceal depths. "It's partly a taste thing," he says. "I like the kind of acting where I can't see the performance, I can't see how it is happening. There is a certain magic about that. Part of the maths is that there is more on the inside than on the outside, there's a kind of mystery there."

Menzies was born in London, his father a radio producer for the BBC, but after his parents separated when he was six, he lived with his mother, a drama teacher, and his brother in Kent. On their regular cultural outings, he was inspired by contemporary dance and the experimental theater companies he saw: Pina Bausch, Complicité, Shared Experience, Cheek by Jowl. "I was interested in companies that were making their own work," he says, "and I tried to go to train with [the radical movement coach] Jacques Lecoq in Paris; but I didn't have the money for that, so I went to RADA."

He never dreamed of being a famous actor. "My obsession as a kid was tennis," he says, with a grin. He was good enough to be on the fringes of the team for the county of Kent but gave it up when he realized he would never be truly first-class. He stopped playing for a long time. "Periodically I would pick up a racket and try to play a bit, and my game had completely fallen apart and it made me so angry. It was so frustrating. A few years ago I thought, Let's start again, do my 10,000 hours, and let's fix it." He approached the task with "monomaniacal" intent, working for a year on his forehand, and a year on his backhand, then adding his serve. Now he plays three times a week at a local tennis club, either with a coach or taking on other members in clay court matches. "I'm pretty obsessive about it," he says. "I just find it fascinating. It is such a mental game—a very interesting microcosm of one's brain."

His hero is Novak Djokovic. "He has less natural flair than Nadal or Federer but there is an epic quality to his tennis. He is able to endure and suffer, and so he can do it all in some way. There is a sort of purity to what he is doing. I think only if you have struggled with tennis do you realize that even though it looks plain, what's going on, the footwork, the ability to get to that ball and then hit it—it's just rather remarkable."

Menzies admits that his attitude to life mirrors his tennis. "I am probably on the methodical end of things, yeah," he says, with another low laugh. I ask about his film roles, which have been getting bigger and richer of late. He loved filming in New York with Holofcener on You Hurt My Feelings—"It was definitely bucket list"—and is currently appearing alongside Brad Pitt in the as-yet-untitled Formula 1 drama directed by Joseph Kosinski, which is filming scenes at Grand Prix around the world.

Before the actors' strike interrupted production, they had shot two scenes at Silverstone in the UK. "It was bonkers because we are in amongst everything else. So we did this scene on the grid before the race and the grid is live: real drivers, real cars, celebrities wandering around." He pauses, then adds: "It was like theater on steroids—really, really fun." He has nothing but praise for Pitt—"a lovely, lovely person, very collaborative, very nice to act with, and supersmart"—but working with him brought Menzies face-to-face with a level of fame that he doesn't aspire to. "How does he go out? It is very constraining to have that level of visibility."

Partly from a desire to preserve his anonymity as much as he can, Menzies took an early decision never to talk about his private life. "Is that old-fashioned of me?" he asks. "I'm going to stick to my guns. It's partly natural shyness on my part. But to be a bit more grandiose about it, the idea of celebrity moving into the arts and acting does have an effect on how we watch."

Through it all Menzies is genial and engaged, asking a lot of questions, yet there is something formal about him too. This is someone who is deeply serious about acting, pursuing projects that interest him and then immersing himself in them. I ask if being able to choose work of quality and interest is part of this new level of success, and Menzies says that it has come at a good time. "The question for me would have been whether as a younger person I would have handled it very well," he tells me. "I just think at some base level, it has taken me time to get really good." He laughs gently. "If I'd had a lot of exposure early on, I don't think I'd have been ready. I know I am a lot better now than I was 10 years ago. Acting keeps you very humble because you never quite know day-to-day. You can do all the work in the world and try the best you can, and sometimes it just lifts off and sometimes it doesn't."

[saintescuderia]

The Confusing Aftermath of Being Forgiven

AKA how Chandler Bing keeps teaching me life lessons

There's a scene in FRIENDS when Monica and Chandler have one of their first fights as a couple. Chandler says, "I guess this is it now." And Monica is surprised that her boyfriend, good old Chandler Bing, is calling it. "If you give up every time you have a fight with someone you'd never be with someone longer than... oh."

Now, I pride myself on being Chandler Bing. My wardrobe mirrors than of Season 1 and 2 Chandler's 90s oversized fits. I also try to copy his mannerisms and over the top drama by being the 'funny one.' My sarcasm, I believe, can't be any more sarcastic.

I didn't think I would accidentally mirror him in this also.

There's this weird aftermath, the dust settling after a fight. You accept your wrongdoing and apologise for how it made the other person feel. That's my philosophy; you apologise even if you didn't intend to hurt someone because you still hurt them. It's not an original idea and I will try my best to live up to that as much as possible. And I like to think I do it often. However, I forget what it's like to be forgiven and the person move on.

I just... can't. Let it. Go.

I sit there, twiddling my thumbs. Are they still mad? Have they stopped liking me? Has this put an indelible mark on our relationship that will characterise every future interaction we may now have until the day we both die? Am I really just a shit human being?

The answer is no. I know that. But I just can't accept it. Because I'm thinking that that's it! There's no more to it! They're done with me!

Of course, self-compassion et al. Van der Kolk would have a field day with the trauma. Still, I panic. Telling me that life will go on but still busy makes me want to fling myself into an abyss. I understand the importance of space and time but in my experience, that's just delaying the inevitably realisation that the other person is done.

I will like to then conclude the cynicism of today's March writing! by bringing it back to Chandler Bing. When Monica told him it wasn't over, he smiled widely. And couldn't stop for the rest of the scene. "Okay, great!" He all but started dancing.

If Chandler Bing could finally get to a point where he could accept that people work through it - that the right people will work through it - then let that be my final lesson from the fictional character.