#oi this was a ramble

[americanrecord]

hey kelsey! i just wanted to say that i still think about the love letters series all the time lol. it’s crazy how much nostalgia can hit me over a fic, but i think that’s just a testament to how well written it was and how much of your heart you poured into it. and obviously, when i started reading it was for axl (unfortunately), but val and jill quickly won me over lol.

i just remember some of the asks you would get would frustrate me so bad because it felt like i was watching some people just reduce the girls to side characters or miss the point entirely. like, you would write something so nuanced and layered and then people would be in your inbox talking about the boys (like no shade ig cause like, yeah, they’re hot and fun, i get it but cmon). but yeah, i can’t imagine how frustrating that was on your end. i feel like that was such a big part of why people couldn’t fully appreciate it for what it was.

anyway, i think it’s really cool that you’re still writing and doing it on your own terms now. law school on top of everything else sounds like hell on earth, so i hope you’re giving yourself credit for even being upright through all of that. and if you do come back (to duffmckagans or wherever), i think a lot of us would be happy just to see you around again — whether you’re posting the fic or literally anything at all. but either way, i’m glad you’re still doing what you love, even if it looks a little different now. you deserve that.

hi! this is so sweet ♡ honestly speaking, the series has been a thought that's been sitting in the back of my mind every day for the last almost five years, but it was a few really kind recent messages and acknowledgments of support (as well as a push to return to writing it from my bad-influence-friends (said lovingly)) that pushed me back toward it on top of my personal motives as detailed in my last ask. it was knowing that i wasn't the only one who cared about it and that there were people out there who missed it or who really wanted to read what did exist of it that had me going: man 😭

which, like, if law school is true and that does come to fruition, who knows how much free time i'll have to even do all of this again. my gut says none. however, it really does make me happy to hear that it can drag up so many happy memories for people, especially when it was always a bit of shit-storm behind the scenes. i think most people started reading for either axl or izzy (or just the gnr boys)—which, btw, i'll never knock anybody for; it's why i started writing—but i do know so deep in my heart that what excited so many people by the end were either the girls/the relationships/the original aspect of it, which i truly am so grateful for. like, seriously. the amount of love the series as a whole got, bad apples aside (ha), is overwhelming and still motivating.

towards the end, long before more band controversy popped up and before i decided to branch off with original things, it really was the asks that started to grate on me. even writing so far in advance, having 30 chapters pre-loaded at any given moment, wasn't enough to deter receiving so many missed-nuance/intentionally cruel "confrontations" over super fake things. like why on earth was i called a cunt over actions of a fictional character! and for what? because people were mad valerie was the main character and always had been? always would be? never-guaranteed-anything-otherwise? it was just so, so frustrating and really leeched the love out of it for me. like, literally every week it went from my excitement (yay! new chapter) to dread (damn it, new chapter) because after seeing people's reactions from the "present" timeline of the fic, it made me fear for what was already written in the "future" of it. it was sign number one that some part of me at least wanted to redirect things to bend to people's will and i did not want the project to turn into anything i didn't want it to be. all else was just a perfect storm to deleting it. i have bounced back, however, and i have learned how to say "fuck you, it's my story," so i do think i could face the interweb with a little more confidence and not get so defensive bc, at the end of the daaaay, this is fanfiction. puuuuuure fanfiction. rpf, arguably the fakest kind. then it just leaves my other difficulties with posting, which i'm trying to iron out.

part of me does think people learned really quickly that i wasn't messing around when that fic got deleted, but like. eh, it was gonna happen anyway. i'm sure non-reader followers to duffmckagans took their first fresh breath of air in like three years.

but, yes! writing originally is still going well. i've written a draft and have it sitting next to my bed awaiting edits, but i've been a little too busy to get my head back into that headspace, whereas i find it's always easy to return to this one and to rewrite old things than it is to generate entirely new ideas. i had to start at the beginning because there were a lot of choices i made along the way i wouldn't make today, to a point where it would've been fruitless to return any other way. (plus, like, the amount of things i forgot?).

and thank you for your support!! i am still moving for right now .... probably firing on all cylinders for way too long now, but i have hope that it will settle soon and that i can find a minute to catch my breath before something else comes knocking. i do think i will be returning to duffmckagans quite soon, so if anybody who jumped ship wants to follow me again over there, regardless of whether or not anything comes of the writing, feel free. i've missed connecting with people very much 🩷

[basil-the-bulbasaur]

We all know Jimmy would try to stop Tango from hurting anyone when he's upset, but we don't talk a lot about the reverse

C!Jimmy is so easily frustrated. And he's impulsive. He gets into fights over getting called a toy or whatever the latest joke-to-rile-up-Jimmy is.

I think Tango would calm him down. Not dismiss his feelings, but still convince him to let it go. 'You're not wrong but you'll only get hurt' sort of thing.

I just think they'd mellow each other out. Not quite an NaCl pairing, but similar concept

[not-available-for-comment]

As Twitter finishes burning to the ground, I'm going to take a minute to plug one of the artisans I've been following there. The person behind OiShiny is disabled and queer, and he makes really lovely wire-wrapped pendants for very reasonable prices. I have a few of his egg nest pendants and one wire-wrapped, and its my goal to someday get one of his tentacled labradorite pendants (or see if I can commission him to make one of carnelian, which I had my eye on during the pandemic but couldn't afford to get).

He doesn't know I'm doing this plug, but I'm sure having Twitter disappear is scary for him and he's a lovely and talented person. Link and a few example images below.

One of his full-size tentacled pendants in labradorite

A selection of "treat-sized" small net-wrapped pendant in various shades of laboradite, ranging from pale green through amethyst, dark blue, and blue-gold

One of my bird's nest pendants

[lesbianjodie]

Say what you willlllll about detective conan's inconsistent character design and sameface but I love to just draw Jodie however. The possibilities are endless.

Only 4 rules to draw her:

The Eyes and the Glasses ™

Big tits 😌🔥🔥💯💯

Knocked out a whole fella for like 10 minutes by kneeing him while blindfolded and with her hands tied behind her back in a bathroom stall

Have fun and be yourself

[employee052]

i keep getting dr who shorts in my yt feed n now im just realising that while me and narry may be similar to 12 and clara in terms of appearance, were more like 10 and donna in terms of friendship

[rmorde]

Trigun Manga Reaction

Here we go! Chapter 8 Volume... Huh?

Voulme 2? I thought this is still Volume 1. Am I tripping?

Anyway! Just a moment of appreciation for this parody page of he cover.

This while thing is so "busy" yet it still make sense. There's so many elements layering on top of each other. It should be a confusing mess. However, I can still easily pick out the four components that tells a story.

Component 1: Vash as a happy salary man being served a drink by a geisha (judging from the hairstyle and accessory) with shadowed eyes on the opposite end of the page.

Component 2: BDN at the dead center. The text makes it a bit difficult to confirm if he has a top knot, but he definitely is rocking a traditional Japanese look. He looks menacingly at Vash as he drinks.

Component 3: Meryl and Milly running in a hurry but for two clearly different purposes. Meryl looks like a traditional restaurant staff frantically trying to serve a lot of guests. Meanwhile, Milly doesn't look she's working anywhere near the food service industry with her get up and the tool that she has on hand.

Component 4: The Bad Lads drinking in celebration while an ambulance seems to be sounding its sirens as it parked near them.

Look. I may seem to be too obsessed with this gag page but it's crazy how its a fucking busy mess that still works at telling a cohesive story!

With just this two page drawing, I can infer easily that someone is in danger and may need to be hospitalized - so the ambulance was called and asked to stand by. Milly is probably the heroine about to save the day with the overworked yet eager to help Meryl. The party the Bad Lads are having is a big distraction at a possible murder attempt starring Vash as the victim, the geisha as the accomplice, and BDN as the mastermind.

I'M SORRY BUT HOW THE FUCK?!!!

And don't get me started on the scaling of each figure and the silhouettes. Just... I'll just repeat, Nightow is amazing for how pretty AND technical his drawing is. It's so clean. Wow...

Sorry for getting derailed. So, back to the chapter.

Ok. I lied. Let me just appreciate Winter Mery and Milly here. I love them so much and they so fucking cute here with their dynamic pose... solid silhouette... Clean fucking lines... Sorry... Give me a minute!!!

Sigh~

Interesting. So, '98 rearranged the sequence of events here. This happened a bit later... which I think is better. It adds more impact on Vash's duel against BDN.

These guys are no stormtrooper shooters. They having really good aim!

They didn't hit Vash. Okay. Maybe the tails of his coat now have fresh bullet holes, but aside from that, Vash is fairly intact. The Bad Lads have great accuracy.

This is an intriguing way of drawing a spinning gun. It's simple but effective in visually communicating that that is what BDN is doing. A good choice. Thinking about it... If three twirling guns in a blur of circles were drawn, it would be too distracting and BDN will be overwhelmed in the panel.

Cool foreshortening. Incredible detail on the filigree. And a bonus Goofy Face Vash!

So so fucking glad '98 was faithful to the manga with these scenes. Meryl and Milly were such badasses here.

Huh... Well that's a huge difference. There's not much:

GASP! It'S VaSH tHe STampeDE!

vASh ThE StAMpEdE?!

VASH THE STAMPEDE!!!

It can get a bit much... sometimes in '98. So, this is refreshing.

WHAT...

WHAT THE FLYING FUCK?!!!

So, those lines by Miss Purple Avenger from the filler episode were originally from BRILLIANT DYNAMITES NEON?!

I-

Oooohhh.... Pretty art... Wait no... I can't distracted. I'm mad!

I'M VERY VERY MAD!!!

OML! This is much more intense! IT ADDS SO MUCH WEIGHT TO THE DUEL!

Oh my goodness... This nuance... WHY WAS THIS CHANGED?!

Not to say that Miss Purple Avenger and the episode featuring her was bad. It was actually great! Her version of July was nightmare inducing... and her confrontation with Vash was truly tragic too but.... Uhm...uh... AAHHHH!!!! I CAN'T CHOOSE! THEY'RE BOTH GOOD!

Oh... break my heart into fucking pieces will you huh?!

LOOK AT THESE! Manga Vash getting cheered on by the people! People were supporting him! He is being treated nicely as he deserved.

Even in '98! It was not as overt at this page. However, that scene of the captain from the beginning of this chapter replaced these panels instead and is just as effective. '98 Vash has people believing the good in him.

TRISTAMP VASH WAS ROBBED!!! HE NEVER HAD THESE!!! That poor precious boy! The few precious people who supports him only showed up near the end... and... and...

Now getting even more upset again with the Jeonora Episodes in Tristamp!

It's so not fair!

Oooh. A cinematic page!

HOLY SHIT!!! THESE PAGES ARE AMAZING!

I can't believe this. This fight is better in the manga!

I am not dissing Studio Madhouse for what they've done tho. The '98 Duel was epic too! They did great! But all these crazy angles and perspectives in the manga just elevate the overall awesomeness of the gunfight. It's just more immersive.

Tbf to the '98 anime, this is a nightmare to animate faithfully. With the technology and techniques at the time, this would be so difficult to pull off beautifully - going topsy turvy in one smooth motion for two characters at the same time in a fight scene with a complicated moving background? Yeah... The animation staff would go insane. It's totally understandable that they simplified this duel into extreme close ups and strong facial + gun drawings instead.

I hope Studio Orange re-hashes this fight in some way tho... or does the Episode 1 duel count?

Sigh... With the my discovery that Miss Purple Avenger's lines were actually BDN's, and that the outrage towards Vash for not remembering anything about July belongs to the Bad Lads', these words have become so much more meaningful.

It's also now more effective at convincing me that Brilliant Dynamites Neon have hidden depths.

Oh... Ow... The detailing here is just ow for the hands of an artist. Perhaps I overreacting, but those fine lines in the crooks and crannies make me wince.

Once again tag responses:

@revenantghost

Yeah. The more I see his work, the more I'm awed by his skills. That's a cool detail that his design incorporate realism. I thought the glasses are for the light tho? But maybe it's like those the Olympian gunners wore during the competition?

The dead REALLY haunting the narrative? Looking forward to it!

@takeshidude

Ok. Monthly publication are still grueling but at least its not as nightmarish with weekly mangakas. No wonder the quality is consistent with the art. Nightow was allowed to breathe.

You make a good point. '98 did have a bit of a mystery woven into it. We know Vash the Stampede - we follow his misadventures and people kept saying who he is ad nauseam in every episode. However, we don't really know know him for quite a long time. It's a different, but no less interesting, spin to the story.

Which kinda explains I'm misremembering some scenes and characterizations? The last third of '98 made a long lasting impression that I kinda forgot about Vash's horn dogginess.

[spruceoutoffive]

miksi lammen kokoset lätäköt muodostuu aina suojateiden ääreen?

[silverselfshippingchaos]

i get this was an important plot moment but i feel like this clip has such good meme potential

[hahskeleton]

IM BACK GANGDOMS

[hiccupbutpurple]

Time Travel Fic ideas for fun lol:

Time travel fic but it’s the gang right after rtte concludes and they go back to sometime in the middle of Rob/Dob. This is purely so Hiccup can just be like ‘Fuck you Mildew’ and probs to many others too (like Johann). Also Stoick and everyone else just getting to see the gang work in since, them all being their cool selves, especially Snotlout being a lot more open about stuff and Hiccup being a leader. Hiccup also gets a bit more,,,,shall I say ruthless,,,also he’s been through so much and Berk and the young riders being like damn Hiccup when they see how stressed and on edge he is.

Maybe even one just with Hiccup and Snotlout, purely self-indulgent to show off how those two have both grown and how their relationship with each other has grown.

Lol Viggo going back in time either with them or alone! Like Triple Cross just happened and he died but instead he’s transported back to Berk during that time and he gets to help the gang out or something and he’s the one that is just like ‘damn Hiccup had to deal with all these idiots’ but at the same times sees some of the dumb stuff Hiccup gets himself into. There’s so much potential lol!

On a darker note they go back right after Viggo’s death but it’s just the gang and Hiccup is grieving.

Honestly just for angst I’d like them to go back and everyone just witnesses Hiccup have this absolute breakdown and the riders are there for him and everything but the past is like, what happened. Stoick being a worried father but he’s still in the awkward learning stage from Rob/Dob (not that he isn’t a little awkward in rtte but it’s significantly lessened) and trying to help but he’s unsure.

Maybe the riders from the past get catapulted into the future and just get thrust into this war against the flyers and suddenly there’s a redeemed Dagur and older Heather and a Stoick that knows a bit more about how to talk to Hiccup!

I just think time travel fics, while usually very self-indulgent, have a lot of fun potential! I’m a sucker for the idea that the past and future mixing cause reveal arcs are the best thing ever to me! I suspend my disbelief for some of the details like how it happens and just enjoy it lol.

[vulpine-spectacle]

noticed that you were a benedict fan!!!! thoughts about bridgerton season three part two???? i seriously cant wait until the two weeks are over!!!

Genuinely, I love this!! Thank you so much for putting this into my ask box - finally, an excuse to talk about my hoe boy Benedict!!

So! Far context regarding Bridgerton, I want to preface that I have not read the books. I have skimmed parts of them through TikTok or on tumblr, but otherwise I haven't touched them. I have seen every season thus far, including the spinoff Queen Charlotte. Here's a brief summary of my thoughts on each season:

Season 1: started off strong, but I didn't like how Daphne/Simon's relationship was portrayed. I didn't like how Daphne basically assaulted Simon and it was never brought up again. I enjoy the first half with all of the longing, but when it got to that scene and what follows, I just really struggle with it.

Season 2: glorious, amazing, spell-binding, never been done before - all I ever wanted and more. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes ever (clearly), and Anthony and Kate's chemistry was through the roof. I absolutely adored the storytelling this season and the mutual longing between them and the TENSION. I was also very pleased by how the show portrayed vulnerability and trauma in a male character without turning it into a joke. The show very validly portrays Anthony's trauma and his insecurities, and I appreciate it. More of that in media. I also really, really loved Kate as a character. She was so badass and witty and was so much fun to follow. From beginning to end, flawless.

Queen Charlotte - definitely my favorite out of the Bridgerton universe. First of all, the casting was beyond incredible. Not only did the young actors look, sound, and act like their counterparts, but they so realistically captured their identities without being copycats. They're not replica portrayals. They feel like how the characters would be decades prior to the events of Bridgerton. They are all so nuanced and incredible and flow into each other flawlessly. The chemistry between Charlotte and George was beyond amazing. Like, that love declaration??? Amazing. Even when they're bitter with each other, they're still so hopelessly in love, and it's so moving. And, again, I adore the portrayal of vulnerability in male characters without making it a joke. Charlotte's rise into authority is also done so well. The way she's so steadfast in herself, then how she learns to rule and govern - and her own vulnerability in the realization that she has the responsibility of heirs, the sanity of her king to safeguard, and also the fact she's the one who'll have to rule. It's so amazing. Everything about this show is wonderful.

Anyway...you asked about season 3, so...uh...cough, cough. To sum up, I genuinely did not like season 3. I felt as if it was rushed, tacky looking, and the chemistry was suffocatingly lacking. The fact that we were drowning in subplots and Polin barely had any scenes together was inexcusable.

Lemme try to bullet point this shit.

The costumes were tacky. As a history buff and an overall costume fanatic, I recognize that historical pieces won't always be accurate. I don't mind changes - i.e., not wearing bonnets - so long as they fit within the narrative. What I loved about the early seasons of Bridgerton was the simplicity in the costumes. They are beautiful and elegant without being flashy. The Featheringtons, for instance, dress flashy and out there with context. They are trying to stand out, they are behind the times. The Bridgertons dress in pastels and simple patterns, which is soft on the eye and makes them stand out against more solid colors. But in season 3, everyone was dressed outrageously. The nuance of storytelling through costumes was completely lost. Even the Bridgertons began to dress flashy and out there, looking more like the Featheringtons. It defeated the purpose. No one stood out because they all looked alike.

Similarly, the set designs suffered. There was such extravagance in the set designs. Within each location, it was obvious where you were. Between color scheme and style, the show was so in tune with setting the mood, environment, and context of the scene. But in this season, everything was also so big and flashy and nothing stood out. Like, the weird ass flower thing that bloomed in the middle of the ballroom and took up a ridiculous amount of dance room space. It was ugly. It looked horrible in the background. It's stupidly impractical to dance around. It did not fit the scene or the show in general.

We have spent seasons watching Colin and Penelope interact and watching Penelope pine for him. The chemistry was there between them, even when Colin was being a dumb-dumb and oblivious to her affections. The foundations were right there to set up childhood friends to lovers, but the show blew it. They only spent an episode on Colin's lessons with Penelope, which really should have been the meat of the season. So much more time should have been dedicated between them on those lessons, watching how Colin becomes flustered with the realization that Penelope is naturally charming when she's out of her shell, and how he's falling for her while Penelope. By proxy, Penelope should have had way more suitors. If the show was smart, it would have dedicated time to Penelope's lessons, and then seeing the outcome. Imagine scenes of Penelope interacting with potential suitors. Imagine how shellshocked she would be having options, and how she'd relay these feelings to Colin - who would malfunction with the realization of how he messed up. His panic, torn between assuring her she was always deserving of such attention, and his fear of losing her - with feelings he doesn't wholly understand yet. IMAGINE the yearning.

Lord Debling disappearing?? The man spends so much time being a candidate for Penelope, and then dips out without another word? Lame. Horrible. I hated it. I wish he had been developed more as a character, seeing him interact with characters before meeting Penelope; even in passing scenes. Establish his character naturally, then have him be introduced to Penelope. Let them have more scenes together, where there could be chemistry, or even just cute friendly interactions. He also deserved an exit scene. The show could've gone the direction that he was upset about losing Penelope or even being played, or what have you. But have those feelings be portrayed. He could interact with Penelope before leaving for his excursion. Also, something should have been resolved between him and Cressida. I'm not sure what the show plans for Cressida, but the fact Cressida and Debling did interact and have "marital" interest needs to be resolved. Even if it's just a scene where Debling states he won't marry her because Insert Reason Here, or telling her she deserves better than a husband who won't be around. Or even, fuck it, they do get married and Cressida gets to live in his big ass mansion girlbossing with Eloise while he's off searching for birds.

The subplots were draining. I wanted a show about Polin, not the millions of subplots laced throughout the story. I feel like Francesca's story was botched. I actually like the change from Michael to Michaela, go for it. Yes, love it. What I don't like is how the show goes out of its way to validate a more quiet, less whirlwind, romance between Francesca and John only to invalidate it by having that whirlwind, jaw-dropping romance. As an introvert myself who loves quietly, it was really nice to see a romance portrayed on screen that is a little awkward and quiet. It was wholesome and a nice contrast compared to the past Bridgerton romances. It was so validating for Francesca to explain to her mom that she loves differently. Francesca then has a total love at first sight with her husband's cousin, stumbling over her name. The way this scene could have been fixed is if it was the cousin who stumbled over her words, stunned by Francesca, while Francesca is still taken by John. It adds depth and angst and yearning. And then when John dies, how Francesca might come to terms with her own affections and desires, and how she might experience that whirlwind romance with Michaela. I'm a chaotic introverted bisexual, so for me, this felt like a dud. Also, the Eloise/Cressida storyline should have been queer. I'm sorry. Cressida marries Debling to save her reputation and then Eloise goes to live with her in her mansion and...gay shit. That would be compelling. If the season had leaned into that angle, hmm. Yes. That would have been interesting and it would have tied better into the Polin storyline, with Penelope and Cressida in the marriage market. Hell, it would've been wholesome if there'd been a scene where Penelope and Cressida both break down, expressing their frustrations with society. It's a vulnerable moment and for a moment, they share in each others' pain. It's short lived, but it has an impression. Also, the Benedict storyline was so frustrating. The man lives, laughs, fucks his way through each season, and it just drains his character. I want to see Benedict doing more art shit, exploring that side of himself. Have him be soft and blushy when painting half-naked and wholly naked men. I'd dig that. And then he can threesome at some point.

Colin being portrayed as a saucy manwhore when he's been such a girl's girl the whole series. Literally, remember how he couldn't even kiss Marina? I wanted that Colin. Imagine a more innocent Colin. We've had rakes each season between Simon and Anthony. Give us Colin being the absolute sweetheart. If there's a need to portray him as rakish, fine. But imagine he's feeling pressured from the ton and society, so he winds up visiting a brothel but just talks to the girls. Literally, he's sitting across from them and asking about their lives and stuff and they're "???" but go with it. And after, Colin thanks them for their time and kisses their hands because he's a gentleman. Penelope assumes he's a total rake and Colin confides in her that he's not, actually. He feels the pressures of society and tries to play into them, KIND OF REFLECTING HER OWN CIRCUMSTANCES. Boom, stuff to bond over.

Damn. I went on a tangent. I have more thoughts, but here's the gist.

[stupidsexygrizzop]

thought about sly too hard

[melodyofthevoid]

Heather made me realize I’m not straight

How the fuck could you do this to me /w

Idk what /w stands for but I'm taking that as a compliment. Means I finally designed a hot character, go me.

[sunset-peril]

I think my favorite thing about my university's job board thing is that there's all these jobs, ranging from "part time lacky" to doctoral positions

Yet the companies literally never read your profile when they invite people to apply for positions

I don't even have a bachelors yet, and I just got an invitation to apply for an audiologist position!

[bratbarzal]

me waiting for chapter six with the state you left us in.

lmaoooo that's been me all this week

only because it's you and I love you, I'll give you a sneak peak

Nico had felt warmth wash all over him when he heard his dad’s loud cackle of a laugh - the kind he gave over family game nights when Nina outsmarted both her brothers, and they would turn to their father for some kind of defence, the kind of laughter filled with familiarity and affection - and had seen his mother’s crinkling eyes and dimpled smile.

“Do you need a ride home?” He had asked, swallowing down the attraction that was spiralling within him before it was too obvious to ignore. They had rode in together that morning, and he would usually drive her home if that was the case, but he had also promised his parents he would treat them to a nice meal after their long flight in.

“I’m alright, I can hitch a ride with one of the other boys,” Poppy declined, “You guys enjoy your dinner, it was really nice to meet you.”

“Nonsense,” Katja had exclaimed, a hand on Poppy’s arm as she moved to hug her goodbye, “Come with us, Nico can drop you home after,”

“We’ve been dying to hear someone tell us all of Nico’s secrets about his life over here.” Rino had joined in, egging Poppy on until she couldn’t say no.

When she had looked over to Nico, he hadn’t realised she was silently asking for his permission, too busy looking at her with a dopey grin on his face before he pulled himself together enough to nod his approval.

“Okay, yeah, thank you,” Poppy had agreed, “I just have to grab my bag from the office, I could meet you at your car in five minutes?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you in five.”

Nico had watched her go off as his mother looped her arm through his, leaning into him and watching Poppy until she disappeared through the far doors. 

“I like her,” Katja had a big, complimentary grin on her face when Nico looked down a little at her - and despite slipping into their native tongue, Nico had thought it would be obvious to anyone listening in what they were talking about just from the look on his mother’s face.

“Yeah, she’s great,” He had concurred, shaking her off his arm so that he could wrap it around her shoulders as they walked, and in a true show of his denial at the time, he had added, “A really good friend.”

He still remembers the sound of his mother’s knowing hum, that interaction between the four of them a catalyst for the feelings he had for the longest time suppressed.

[nickmpreg]

my imitation of that one oh , behave line